Blue Ridge Home Improvement

Questions to Ask When Remodeling Bathrooms

blue7877 — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:14:10 +0000

The biggest challenge in remodeling a bathroom is figuring out how to make one of the smallest rooms in your home functional, beautiful and comfortable all at the same time. Here are some questions to ask to help you plan your next bath remodel.

Half Bath / Powder Room

Just like the name suggests, a half bath contains only a toilet and a sink. It’s accessible to guests, but not used for daily functions like washing faces or brushing teeth. So designing half baths can be more about style than function.
Some questions to consider:

What is your personal home design style? Whether it’s contemporary, traditional, country or environmentally friendly, your style will influence the types of lighting, plumbing fixtures, sinks and toilets you can choose from.
What type of storage do you need? Sometimes people like to have extra storage, which will dictate whether you need a vanity cabinet or a pedestal sink.

Full Bath

Full baths are high-traffic areas. They’re used by children, overnight guests, and for homes without a master bath it can become a whole family affair! Therefore they must work for everyone – sometimes at the same time! Some questions to consider:

How many people will use the bath at one time? This determines whether there is a need for isolated toilet or tub areas. Jack-and-Jill baths allow everyone to have their own personal storage and ideally separate sinks.
Who uses the bath, and how old are they? If you have small children or older parents, reaching sink faucets can be an issue. Instead of step stools, consider multi-level vanity countertops so they’re accessible for everyone.

Master Bath / Spa

One of the most important things to consider in planning a master bath or suite is space. Two people need to maneuver comfortably, which often involves expanding the room by adding on or stealing space from existing rooms.
Some questions to consider:

What types of activities will take place in the space? By identifying the functions of each area – bathing, grooming, makeup application, dressing or even laundry – you can decide the overall layout, types of furniture and fixtures needed.
What type of storage do you need? This will help you choose items that will keep the space as open as possible. In small spaces you can use wall hung vanities to visually extend the floor space or frameless glass shower enclosures so you’re not building any walls to close in the feeling of openness.

Win a Bathroom Makeover: Enter Our Ugly Bathroom Contest!

blue7877 — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:40:40 +0000

Do you suffer from Ugly Bathroom Disorder? The symptoms may be mild to severe, ranging from a cute pink bathtub to a hideous lime green tile shower. Enter the Blue Ridge Home Improvement (BRHI) Ugly Bathroom Contest and you could win:

GRAND PRIZE (1): Complete bathroom makeover from BRHI, Ferguson, DeHart Tile and Valley Paint valued at $15,000, including a new vanity cabinet, cultured marble top with sink, plumbing fixtures, toilet, shower/tub unit, modern lighting, vinyl flooring, paint and accessories.
RUNNER-UPS (2): Free bathroom remodel design from BRHI valued at $1,000, including a complete custom design of your dream bathroom renovation.
ALL ENTRIES: Free bathroom remodel consultation from BRHI valued at $110, including an in-home visit from our remodeling consultant to assess your project.

Ready to enter? Here’s how it works:

Place your entry by February 25, 2012 by going to our Facebook Page.
Our panel of judges will narrow down to the top three finalists.
Voting will take place March 1 – 18, 2012, and the finalist with the most votes wins!

Partner Spotlight: Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

blue7877 — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 19:21:37 +0000

Often, when homeowners begin a remodeling project, they’re looking at the bigger pictures: how will this space make their home more beautiful, functional, safe?

Ultimately, though, the details have to work in perfect synchronicity with the big picture in order to get the most out of any project. Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery is one of the business partners who assists our clients in selecting those details and assists us in achieving our mission to provide the New River Valley with the highest quality products and services.

Jeff Nosenzo, branch manager of the Radford and Blacksburg Ferguson Galleries, had this to say about our partnership:

Find the passion you’re looking for at a Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery – a passion for quality, style and service, and the knowledge to help you through the complications of your building and remodeling project. Blue Ridge Home Improvement shares that same passion, which is why together, we help our client’s dreams come true.

If you’re shooting for a dream home and not a good-enough home, look no farther than
BRHI and Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery!

Contact Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery today: (540) 953-1258

Project Files: Outdoor Deck

blue7877 — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:14:23 +0000

Problem:

The family wanted a tile floor for their elevated deck, but traditional building products only allow you to use lumber or composite lumber products.

Solution:

Use the SilcaSystem™, a new product making it possible to use stone, brick, tile and pavers on elevated surfaces.

What We Did:

By constantly researching new building products, we came across the SilcaSystem™, which will allow us to install tile flooring in the elevated deck. Normally, this would be virtually impossible and we would only be able to use wood or composite lumber. But the honeycomb-shaped design of this revolutionary new product will allow us to bring a luxurious look to this outdoor living space.

Project Files: The Owen’s Bathroom

blue7877 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:42:57 +0000

Problem:
The bathroom and stairway were not easily accessible for an older couple.

Solution:
We replaced the existing tub with a walk-in shower, including a folding bench and grab bars, and we installed a stairlift to assist them in getting up and down the stairs.

What We Did:
By installing the walk-in shower and stairlift, we were able to provide safety and accessibility without sacrificing style.

Employee Spotlight: Jim Stade

blue7877 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:34:05 +0000

Jim Stade has been a carpenter with Blue Ridge Home Improvement for over five years. In his more than 30 years in the constructJim Stade Jim Stade, Carpenterion industry, Jim has built his skills through on-the-job training on a wide variety of builds and with a number of construction teams.

There are many aspects of BRHI that Jim appreciates, but most of all, he values the integrity of the company from the field to the office. While construction crews tend to have high turn-over rates, he says the loyalty and dedication to team he has experienced with BRHI are unprecedented, noting that President Tim Lawrence inspires the crew to stick together and help one another out. He also appreciates the team’s dedication to the end result and the way inevitable mistakes are handled quickly and efficiently team-wide.

Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Jim moved to Blacksburg with his wife and four children in 1995. Now that his kids have grown up and left the family home, he and his wife spend most of their spare time gardening and doing projects around their home.

Fall Home Improvement: Top 5 Fall Projects

blue7877 — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 00:33:19 +0000

Time to get your furnace and chimney checked: don’t wait until the temperatures drop to find out if your heating source works!
Take a look at your windows: check for drafty windows and any areas that may need to be caulked.
Winterize pipes: find any pipes that are exposed or likely to freeze and cover them with pre-fitted insulation that is available at home improvement stores
Clean out your gutters: a gutter full of frozen leaves can lead to big problems, so make sure to keep them clean before the freezing temperatures arrive.
Fix a leaky roof: waiting until the winter to fix to fix your roof can be a costly mistake!

Planning Ahead for Winter Remodeling

blue7877 — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 17:23:20 +0000

Winter can be a great time to finally start that remodeling project you’ve been thinking about, and you may just save some money, too! The most popular time of year for home renovations is from August to November, so contractors are usually more available during the winter months and retailers often run big sales on appliances after the winter holidays.

So where do you begin?

Think Ahead
Start planning now for your remodel. What room do you want to renovate? What exactly to you want to change, add or remove? How will this impact your daily living in the home?

Figure Out the Finances
Decide now what your budget will be for the project. It may be helpful to go ahead and look into financing options if you will need a loan for the renovation.

Choose Your Contractor
The good news is, you have time to do your homework. There are several things you can do to make sure you pick a contractor that you trust and that will get the job done right. Asking for the names of previous customers is a great place to start, along with asking to see completed work and work in progress. Also, you want to make sure the contractor has a clearly communicated plan to complete your job so that the process moves quickly and smoothly. Once you pick a contractor, it is time to sign a contract and get on their calendar for the winter months!

Just a Few of the Benefits of Remodeling Your Kitchen…

blue7877 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:39:50 +0000

The kitchen is the heart of a home, where you gather, share meals, and make memories. So what are some of the benefits to remodeling this space?

Add More Space
Maybe you need more cabinets? Or added counter space? With new and innovative design features, most new kitchens today have much more storage and function than previous ones. Let us help you get creative and plan the most effective space for your needs.

It Feels New Again
Whether you make just a few changes or completely renovate the entire space, a kitchen that feels new is always refreshing – especially since you spend so much time there!

Updated Appliances
Not only are they more fun to cook with, you can save money too! Today’s appliances are more energy efficient and cost effective for your home. With modern design features, you may even be able to incorporate appliances that exceed your expectations – such as a professional grade range, a built-in coffee maker, or a double oven.

Increase the Value of Your Home
Everyone loves a new kitchen, especially the person that may one day buy your home. If you plan to put your house on the market anytime in the near future, a kitchen remodel is one of the best ways to increase value.

Check our some of kitchen remodeling projects:

Planning for Your “New Addition”

blue7877 — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 16:26:37 +0000

Your family is growing and you know you need more space in your home, so where do you begin? The key is planning when it comes to additions, so here are some steps to get you started in planning a space for the new additions in your family:

Think Through Your Goals
What do you want to achieve in this project? More space? Extra storage? An extra bedroom or bathroom? All of your decisions in the remodeling project should reflect these main goals and help you achieve them so that your house is a better “fit” for your family.

Remember Continuity
The best additions are the ones that look like they were originally part of the home – so try to be consistent with materials and styles both inside and outside of your home.

Set a Budget
Outline exactly how much you can afford to spend on this addition to your home, and look into home improvement loans and other financing options. One thing to consider is your home’s current market value and the projected market value once the addition is complete – this will help you estimate about how much you should spend on the addition.

Gather Estimates and Choose Your Team
Once you have your plan and budget in place, it is time to get estimates for the project. Remodeling your home should be an enjoyable experience, and that’s why we try to help you understand the remodeling process BEFORE you hire us. Even if you decide we’re not right for you, we want to make sure you hire a trustworthy and reliable contractor.

Get your Permits
Don’t forget, the final plan has to be approved!

Set Appropriate Expectations
Additions to your home can be an inconvenience to your current living space. We provide each of our customers with a copy of our Advantage Remodeling System so that we clearly communicate each step in the process and make this renovation as easy as possible for you.

Check our some of Blue Ridge Home Improvement’s additions: