Blue Ridge Home Improvement

One Carpenter, One Job: Ask Us About It

blue7877 — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 11:52:15 +0000

It’s a simple idea. One trained professional assigned to your project. One person who will be onsite each day to handle everything. It’s part of what makes us different.

So Where Did One Carpenter, One Job Come From?

We learned a long time ago that the difference between a smooth remodel and a nightmare is clear communication. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to make sure that clear, constant communication is part of our step-by-step process. For example, all communication starts with the lead carpenter assigned to your job. He is there every day and has the most knowledge about your project. We also schedule regular project walkthroughs during the remodel to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Our lead carpenters work hard to ensure that they’re both communicating and listening, so you have a smooth, successful remodel.

Meet Our Team

Click to view full bios

Timothy A. Lawrence, President	Joyce A. Lawrence, Payroll & Accounts Payable	Jim Reigel, Lead Carpenter
Richard Wimmer, Lead Carpenter	Susan Davidson, Office Manager & Selections Coordinator	John Risch, Lead Carpenter
Chuck Hammack, Designer & Estimator	Jim Stade, Carpenter	Alex Lawrence, Lead Carpenter
Lindsi Lawrence, Data Entry

Carpenter’s Corner: Jim Reigel

blue7877 — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 05:19:24 +0000

Maintaining quality on a tight time frame

When I’m on a jobsite, it’s much easier to maintain quality when I have plenty of time to pay attention to the details. But this wasn’t the case when I was working on a kitchen remodel last December.

The kitchen had to be finished in time for Christmas, which meant I had to demo the entire kitchen and install the new floors, cabinetry, countertops, appliances and fixtures in less than 24 days. Because we had such a tight time frame, I couldn’t follow my normal process, but I also couldn’t cut corners. I still had to give the client the quality work and clean job site they were looking for.

The first thing I did was advance planning. Normally I plan a week at a time, but I had to plan several weeks all at once. It made a difference because before we even started I identified a critical point that we need to work around. Our client wanted a beautiful granite countertop, which takes several weeks to come in. So I knew I had to plan everything around the countertops.

At BRHI, we have a lead carpenter on the job each day, which allows us to be in constant communication with the client, our office staff and our subcontractors. Each day, I was communicating with all the different parts to make sure we identified and fixed problems before they became an issue. I also set our subcontractors up to win. By pre-planning and preparing the site for them, our subs were able to come in and do their job quickly and efficiently.

By Christmas, we were able to give the client a complete turnkey product in just three weeks, but we were still able to pay attention to the little details. For example, we finished the tops of all the cabinets, since the home had a catwalk that looked down on the kitchen. That way the kitchen had a polished, finished look from every angle.

“The tops of cabinets look fabulous from upstairs. I am surprised at what a difference it makes and am glad you were able to have Jim take care of this for us.” – Rebekah Paulson

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Trends in Bathroom Design

blue7877 — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:37:17 +0000

It’s a mad, crazy world out there, and home design trends have changed to accommodate today’s fast-paced lifestyle. Designs that are calm, relaxing and comforting are combined with modern conveniences. Here are some of the trends that remodelers are using to create stress-reducing sanctuaries:

color palettes: bright is out, light is in

Color is the easiest way to create a soothing environment. For example, seeing the color blue actually causes the body to produce chemicals that are calming. So choose palettes of beige, white, olive, blue and other neutral or light colors. They’re easy to match with many different styles, which is good for a high return on investment when you sell.

vessel sinks

One of the newest trends in fixtures, vessel sinks are actually based on a centuries-old design. Chinese basins that were used in the days before running water are getting a contemporary twist with various shapes, sizes and materials. And traditional rules for matching the color of your sink with your bathtub and toilet are out. Now you can mix things up with cast iron, glass, natural stone and bronze.

bring the outdoors in with lighting

No more harsh artificial light, natural is the way to go. If the remodel allows for structural changes, solatubes or large windows with sleek pane-free designs are perfect for admitting lots of natural light. For nighttime or supplemental lighting, use fixtures with soft light and dimming switches – perfect for a long soak in the tub without the hazards of candles.

keep it light and airy with frameless showers

Building walls to create a shower can close in a space. Frameless glass shower walls and doors make the most of every square foot and even make the room appear larger.

textured tile

If you’re using a neutral color palette, unique tile textures can add dimension. If you’re looking for luxury, imported marble is quite elegant; however, mosaic, granite, glass and mother-of-pearl tiles are beautiful options without breaking the bank. For a modern twist on a traditional room, set the tiles in a staggered pattern.

go green in more ways than one

Obviously, if you’re looking to lower utilities or reduce your environmental impact, there are tons of environmentally friendly fixtures such as on-demand hot water heaters, low-flow toilets and specialized shower heads and faucets. But you can also go green by reusing original antiques or traditional pieces from flea markets and antique stores that have been updated or restored to their former beauty.

heated floors are hot

Comfort is key, and no one likes cold feet when they’re relaxing in their bathroom sanctuary. Heated floors are a welcome luxury, especially with cold tile in the middle of winter. Plus you can install heated floors just in high traffic areas to save cost.

For more bathroom remodel ideas, check out our portfolio here!

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.

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!