10 Home Improvement Trends

1. Showplace Kitchens. Open-concept kitchens attached to great rooms are here to stay. Because the kitchen is in full view, it's getting a lot of attention. Open shelving, large islands that look like furniture pieces and more modern lines are all big kitchen trends. According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association's 2013 trends survey, gray color schemes in kitchens and baths (including cabinets) are big, but they haven't surpassed white or off-white color schemes.

While granite is still the most-used countertop surface, quartz countertops such as Silestone and Caesarstone are a clear trendsetter, according to the NKBA. Their look is more contemporary which fuels their popularity. Solid surface countertops such as Corian, Avonite and LG's Hi-Macs are also gaining fans. Stainless-steel appliances are still king, but there is growing interest in sleeker white and black finishes. Other kitchen trends include technology, such as touch-activated faucets; satin-nickel faucets; and glass backsplashes.

2. iPhone Home. Home automation has been a longtime amenity for luxury homes. You can control your garage doors, thermostats, lights and more from your smartphone or tablet.

For example, the Nest thermostat, which retails for $249, lets you adjust your thermostat remotely via your iPhone. But it also programs itself after "learning" your habits. The Nest was created by Tony Fadell, who is credited with inventing Apple's iPod. It's gaining fans for its sleek, contemporary design and ease of use, and it promises customers it will help save them up to 20 percent on their energy bills. Chamberlain sells a garage-door opener system that comes with all the bells and whistles, including compatibility with an iPhone app that will let you open, close and monitor the garage door. Smarthome.com sells advanced all-home automation systems and a single LED bulb that pairs with an Insteon hub to turn it on and off remotely via the iPhone. The Philips Hue set lets you turn on three lightbulbs with your iPhone or iPad and even change their color.

3. LEDs. Light-emitting diode bulbs are an energy-efficient alternative to mercury-containing compact fluorescents. Just recently, LED bulbs also became affordable. They last for decades and are up to 85 percent more efficient than incandescent bulbs.

4. Energy Efficiency. According to the National Association of Home Builders' latest survey, homebuyers say energy efficiency is the home feature they want most. Specifically, buyers want a well-insulated home with efficient windows and Energy Star appliances that will deliver lower energy bills. A big new thing in energy-efficient building, widely used in Europe and other markets, is the ductless minisplit heating and cooling system. The US Department of Energy blames ductwork for up to 30 percent of heating and cooling losses in central air systems, and minisplits have minimal or no ductwork.

5. Brass/Gold. Antique-brass and gold accents are coming back, especially brass lamps, end tables and coffee tables, bar carts, pillows and accessories. With a vintage feel, it's less shiny and more solid-looking than brass pieces from the 1980s.

6. Flea-Market Chic. There is an increasing nostalgia and craving for handmade and one of a kind items. We crave original artwork, mementos from childhood and knick-knacks that personalize our homes. Repurposing garage-sale or flea-market finds into useful storage options or giving vintage pieces a modern touch with a bold color is a huge trend.

7. Green/Blue. Emerald is still showing up in furniture showrooms and design magazines. AkzoNobel, which makes Glidden paint, named Indigo Night its 2013 color of the year. The deep-blue hue with purple undertones is also showing up in furniture and home-décor stores. And navy has been a go-to new neutral for a while.

8. Spa Baths. Walk-in showers continue to be a construction trend, although a National Association of Home Builders survey says buyers still want a tub in their master bathrooms. The average budget for a full bath remodel, according to the NKBA, is $18,538, down slightly from 2012.

9. Industrial Cool. Industrial metal combined with natural wood is popular in furniture and home finishes and works with both traditional and contemporary décor.

10. Pinterest. Digital Pinterest boards are making all those magazine clips obsolete and physical inspiration boards unnecessary. If you are serious about updating your home décor or just want to keep design ideas organized, try a free Pinterest account.

-From Kara G Morrison, The Arizona Republic

10 Tips for a Smooth Remodel Project

Follow these 10 tips when you embark on an exciting home remodeling project.

1. Establish good two-way communication with the remodeler. It's essential to have good communication for a smooth remodeling project. Does the remodeler listen? Does he or she answer questions clearly and candidly? Can you reach him when you need to? Does he return phone calls promptly? Does he let you know when problems arise and work with you on solving them?
2. Make sure you have compatibility and "fit" with the contractor. You'll spend a lot of time with your remodeler so it's important to have a good rapport and trust in him.
3. Set a clear and mutual understanding about the schedule. You and your remodeler should agree on the schedule up front to avoid conflict and problems later in the project.
4. Request a written proposal. Often times, two people remember the same conversation differently. Get the proposal in writing and work with the remodeler to ensure it reflects your wishes.
5. Determine a clear and mutual understanding on the miscellaneous details. There are a lot of little details that need to be settled before work starts. What times of day will they be working? How will he access the property? How will cleanup be handled? How will they protect your property?
6. Remember to be flexible. Remodeling is an interruption of your normal life. Remember to be flexible during the project so that you can handle the unexpected and go with the flow.
7. Create a clear and mutual understanding of how Change Orders will be handled. With remodeling there is always the chance you may want to change materials or other project details during the job. Agree with your remodeler on how these changes will be handled before the start of work. Also understand that changes could affect the schedule and the budget, so it's important you have all changes in writing.
8. Have a well-written contract that covers all the bases. The contract should include these elements: a general timetable for the project, price and payment schedule, detailed specifications for all products and materials, insurance information, permit information, procedures for handling change orders, lien releases, provisions for conflict resolution, and details on the important issues (such as access to your home, care of the home, cleanup and trash removal).
9. Set up weekly or bi-monthly site visits to inspect the work and ask questions. This allows you to address issues and change orders early and also helps the builder have space to be efficient with his time. Requesting to meet daily or dropping by every day usually takes the builders time and slows things down. Give them time to work and make progress.
10. Establish a project plan, covering all phases and dependencies in the work. Plan your big picture goals with the remodeler and talk out your needs. Hire a remodeler who will plan it out with you, listen to concerns, and answer questions.

-- From How to Hire Your Dream Remodeler by Tom Higgins

For more information, contact www.MySuperiorHome.com

Financing Your Remodeling Project

One of the most important considerations for your home improvement project is financing. After all, the project will go nowhere if you can't pay for it.

Fortunately, there are several options that can provide the dollars you need. Four of the most common are cash, a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan (second mortgage), and a cash-out refinancing of your current mortgage. However, the simplest method of financing is cash.

Cash

If you have cash in savings to pay for your remodeling project, this may be the best way to finance your home improvements. But be sure to consider the fact that, by paying in cash, you tie up money that could be earning interest in other investments. In other words, you need to look at the interest rate that you would be charged by financing the project and compare this to the interest you could earn by investing these funds.

Also remember that interest payments on a home improvement loan may be tax-deductible, while you can't write off the expenses of a remodeling project paid for in cash.

Home Equity Line of Credit

A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. This allows you to tap into these funds whenever you need it. The credit line is usually set at 75 to 80 percent of the appraised value of your home minus the balance of the first mortgage. Your credit history and ability to pay may also be considered in determining the amount of credit available.

Home equity lines of credit usually carry a variable interest rate that is figured by adding a margin to the current Prime Rate or some other index. Other costs associated with setting up a line of credit may also apply and will vary from lender to lender.

Second Mortgage

If you are not comfortable with the open-ended nature of a line of credit then a home equity loan, or second mortgage, may be right for you. This is a fixed-rate, fixed-term loan based on the equity in your house that is paid back in equal monthly installments over a specific period of time.

Cash-Out Refinancing

If interest rates today are significantly less than when you first purchased your house, refinancing your mortgage may be a wise move. This refinancing alternative allows you to use the accumulated equity in your home to take out a new loan to pay off your existing mortgage and then use the remaining funds for your remodeling project.

Make sure you factor in the length of time you plan to live in the house and the number of years left on your current mortgage before you decide to refinance.

Keeping Your Budget in Line

Once you've decided how much you can afford to spend fulfilling your remodeling dreams, the real challenge is making sure you stick to this budget. So, how can you prevent your expenses from spiraling out of control?

Plan on spending only 80 percent of what you can afford. Put the additional 20 percent in reserve to cover changes, unforeseen problems, and miscellaneous charges. Remember that anything not included in the original contract will cost extra. It's very easy to start tacking on hundreds and even thousands of dollars in change orders that will break both your budget and your timeline.

For more information, contact www.MySuperiorHome.com

Home Addition Types and Descriptions

Home Additions are the best way to add extra space to your home without having to sell your house and buy a bigger one. There are many types of home additions and these are listed below with a description of each type:

Two Story Extensions

Two Story Extensions are designed to enlarge a home which has enough height, but could use some extra length or width. A two-story extension can be built on any side of the house, and the rooms inside a two-story extension depend on the size of the extension as well as the customer's desires.

Second Story Extensions

Second Story Extensions are for homes with one level that would like to add a second story to their home. The entire roof is removed from the home and the second story extension is added on, followed by the roofing installation as well as the repair of HVAC, air, electrical, and anything else that had to be removed to put the extension in place. The rooms for a second story extension vary by home and by customer desire.

In-Law Additions

In-law home additions are built onto any side of your home, and are usually built to include a kitchenette, living room, master bedroom, closets and a bathroom. These additions are not just one room being added to your house - they typically are meant for those who would like to up to double the size of their current home to accommodate an additional person(s).

Kitchen Extension Addition

Is your Kitchen too small? Kitchen Additions can add around 200 additional square feet to your kitchen, or any exterior wall of your exisiting home to function as a Room Addition. The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your existing home and a kitchen extension addition will be built on the exterior wall where your existing kitchen resides on a crawl space foundation.

Bedroom Additions

A bedroom addition "home extension" will be built onto an exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation. Roofing and Siding will be matched to your existing house.

Bathroom Additions

The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a bathroom addition will be built on the exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation.

Family Room Addition

The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a family room addition will be built off an existing exterior wall of your choice, crawl space foundation.

Sunroom Additions

Sunrooms are large and spacious and typically look great no matter where you put it. A sunroom addition can also be a Large Family Room. The existing roofing and siding will be matched to your current home and a sunroom addition will be built off an existing exterior wall of your choice with a crawl space foundation.

Dormer Addition

Add space by adding a front or rear dormer addition. Dormer Additions are designed to give your home's second or third floor more space and flexibility. Adding a front dormer will certainly give your home great curb appeal, but it will also allow more light into your home, and increase the air circulation on the second or third floor. The existing roof will be cut in the section(s) where the dormer or dormers will be constructed. A dormer will then be framed to your custom specifications.

Front Porch Addition

A porch addition will enhance your curb appeal as well as entertaining possibilities. Porch Additions are generally built onto the front of the home, however they are also able to be added to the rear of the home.

Garage Additions (1-3 Car Plans)

A Garage Addition can be built as an addition onto your home which is attached to the side of your home, or it can be built as a detached Garage Addition. Garage Additions can be built to accommodate between one and three cars. The roof and sides will be built to match your home roof and walls.

Garage Conversion

Convert your existing garage into a room with a garage conversion. Removal of existing garage door, installation of trim, drywall, flooring, interior door, siding, windows, and paint.

Bonus Room Above Garage Additions

Building a room over your garage can be the ticket to a larger home. Existing garage roof will be removed and a master suite will be built above the garage.

Deck Additions

Add a spacious 16-by-20-foot deck using pressure-treated lumber. Pressure-treated joists supported by 4x4 posts anchored to concrete piers. Pressure-treated deck boards installed in a simple linear pattern. A built-in bench and planter of the same decking material adds style and comfort to this deck package. Stairs included, assuming three steps to grade. Also included is a complete white vinyl railing system. Deck Additions can be completely personalized and the above is a sample of a typical deck addition.

For more information, contact www.MySuperiorHome.com

How to Find the Best Contractor

Green Light

He has a good reputation in the industry. Ask friends and neighbors to recommend good contractors. Another reliable source of referrals is other people in the trades: a plumber or painter you love who raves about a general contractor. If they're willing to put their professional reputations on the line by vouching for him, they must like what they see.

His business card includes a local address. A builder who provides a physical address that's in your community is far less likely to disappear on you than someone whose true locale is hidden behind a post office box.

He can provide plenty of references. Even terrible contractors have had a few happy clients along the way. Ask them if the contractor finished on time and under budget and provided great customer service.

Yellow Light

There are some good-but-quirky tradesmen who exhibit the following traits. Think twice about hiring them unless every other indicator looks terrific.

He drives a rusted-out jalopy. A bucket of bolts that leaves an oil slick in your driveway doesn't bode well for the attention to detail or fiscal stability of the person driving it. "That's not to say everyone has to ride around in a gleaming new truck," says Dick Mitchell, president of the New Orleans branch of the Better Business Bureau. "But it should be clean and well maintained." Painted-on signs are better than magnetic ones, which are cheap and temporary.

He wants cash. Even if you don't care that he's shirking his taxes by taking cash (or a check made out to cash), consider what other costs he may be cutting - like licensing fees, insurance bills and skilled crew members.

He doesn't provide a cell number. Sure, you might find the rare contractor who has someone (probably his wife) manning his business line. But for the most part, the only way to quickly get hold of a tradesman is by cell phone. If he doesn't want to give out that number, it isn't because he's conserving his minutes - he doesn't want to be reachable.

Red Light

If you see any of these signs, don't hire the guy - even if you've had good luck working with him before.

He wants to skip the permit - or have you apply for it. Any major improvement project legally requires a building permit, which means that inspectors will check the work. If a contractor wants to go without a permit, it means he'd rather not have anyone looking over his shoulder (other than you, but let's face it, you don't know what to look for). If he wants you to apply for the permit yourself, it could be because he doesn't have the necessary state licensing - and it means you'd be the middleman between the inspector and contractor instead of letting them work things out directly.

He seems sleazy. Ultimately, you have to feel comfortable letting this person into your home. Clearly, you're not going to hand your house keys to someone who flips a cigarette butt into your flower beds or leers at your 16-year-old daughter. But if he doesn't look you straight in the eye or you just have a gut feeling that something might be amiss, go ahead and cross him off your list.


Nowadays, thankfully, there are plenty of contractors available to do the job. Build your dream house now with Superior Custom Homes & Remodeling at www.MySuperiorHome.com.

Is Buying a Home in Today's Economy a Good Idea?

As a long-term investment, homeownership is still one of the best investments for individual households. "Why" you may ask? After all, the headlines say the housing market is down and out, with defaults rising at an alarming rate, and mortgage markets so frozen that buyers can't get a home loan at any price. What buyers need to realize is that housing markets, like all markets, inevitably have their ups and downs. And homeownership has a track record that is virtually unmatched by any other purchase in terms of its real benefits.

Despite the turmoil in mortgage lending, if you have good credit, a job and steady income, you will find there is still plenty of mortgage credit to be had at good rates. For well-qualified buyers, rates are running at near historical lows.

Homeownership's Real Value

Here are a few examples of why, dollar for dollar, homeownership is a solid stepping stone to a future of financial security and the single largest creator of wealth for many Americans.

Over the long-term real estate has consistently appreciated, even through periodic adjustments in local markets in response to economic conditions. On a national level, home appreciation has historically increased 5-6 percent annually, report economists at the National Association of Home Builders.

Five percent may not seem much at first, but here's an example that will put it into perspective: Say you put 10 percent down on a $200,000 house, for an investment of $20,000. At a 5 percent annual appreciation rate, that $200,000 home would increase in value $10,000 during the first year. Earning $10,000 on an investment of $20,000 is an extraordinary 50 percent annual return.

In contrast, putting that $20,000 down payment into the stock market and getting a 5 percent gain would only yield a $1,000 profit.

Compared to Stocks

Looking at it another way, over a longer period of time, if someone put $10,000 into the stock market in 1997, the average annual S&P return would make that investment worth $21,500 today - an increase of $11,500. The median home price in 1997 was $140,000.

Today, that same home would have gained nearly $100,000 in value.

Don't miss out on the benefits of homeownership. For more information, contact www.MySuperiorHome.com

Recession Budget Remodeling... Invest in Your Biggest Asset

There are many ways that homeowners are able to successfully remodel their homes without spending large sums of money. If you are like the hundreds of thousands of other homeowners, though, you do not possess the time or the knowledge to take on such an overwhelming task. When it comes right down to it residential remodeling does not have to be that expensive at all.

I do, however, recommend a qualified contractor. Though many homeowners feel that they would save tremendous amounts of money by doing it independently, this is not entirely true. There is a proper sequence to any remodeling project. It is easy to do things out of order resulting in then having to tear things out and redo what was already complete. Contractors possess the proper knowledge of understanding this sequence so these mistakes do not occur.

However, I have had plenty of success asking the homeowners to wear the hat of an interior designer. Allow me to explain: if we are collaborating on a bathroom remodel, I always ask homeowners to grab four or five magazines and/or search through Google images to better understand their "taste." It just takes a little bit of creativity and devotion to finding the look that suits their vision. Once the design is on the table, we draw up a plan on how to lay it out to best fit the space. Now that the homeowners have worn the hat of interior designers they can now travel to all the proper locations to pick out and pick up the hardware. If you are looking for interesting projects to have done to your home, here are some specific areas for adding value as well as desire.

Expanding the Bathroom or Bedroom

One home remodeling project that many people undertake each year is the expansion of specific rooms in their homes. For example, you may desire to make your Master bedroom or Master bathroom a bit larger, and there are definitely cost-effective ways to get the job done. There are solutions to every problem and expanding a room does not have to be difficult. A quality and experienced contractor can assist you on this project to ensure its proper completion.

Adding Pizzazz to the Bathroom

The bathroom is a commonly remodeled area that people often find themselves envisioning. For example, there may not be enough space in the bathroom for everything currently stored there. Painting or glazing cabinets, switching out marble or laminate countertops with granite are just a few examples that a general contractor can assist you with.

Re-doing Floors and Carpets

Another area that is commonly remodeled is flooring and carpets. Replacing the kitchen flooring is one of the most common projects that we come across. This is the center point for many homes.

 If you would like to see examples of projects completed, a good site is www.MySuperiorHome.com.