Welcome to the Cape Cod Builder blog

Essential Checklist for Successful Renovation Projects

Posted by REEF Builders on Thu, Jan 18, 2024

Discover the essential checklist for successful renovation projects that will help you plan and execute your next home improvement endeavor with ease.

Assessing your renovation needs

Before diving into a renovation project, it's important to assess your needs and determine what exactly you want to achieve. Take a close look at the areas of your home that require improvement and make a list of the changes you wish to make. This could include anything from updating the kitchen, adding an extra bedroom, or enhancing the outdoor space. By understanding your renovation needs, you can plan accordingly and ensure that the end result aligns with your vision.

High st cropped

Setting a realistic budget

One of the most crucial aspects of a successful renovation project is setting a realistic budget. Before you start any work, it's important to establish how much you are willing to spend on the renovation. Take into account the costs of materials, labor, permits, and any unforeseen expenses that may arise during the process. It's always a good idea to add a buffer to your budget to account for unexpected costs. By setting a realistic budget, you can avoid overspending and ensure that your project stays on track. REEF Builders offers up to date cost per square foot numbers in the Construction Cost Guide - CLICK HERE to download a copy!

163pocLR-52

Researching and hiring reliable contractors

When it comes to renovating your home, finding reliable contractors is essential. Take the time to research and gather recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors who have undergone similar projects. Look for contractors who have a good reputation, proper licensing, and insurance. It's also important to obtain multiple quotes and compare them to ensure you are getting a fair price. By hiring reliable contractors, you can have peace of mind knowing that your renovation project is in capable hands. REEF Builder has a 38 year track record of success, building new and remodeling homes across Cape Cod. Our team of contractors makes projects predictable, with very high quality results. 

DSC05392_3_4_5_6

Obtaining necessary permits and approvals

Before starting any major renovation, it's important to obtain the necessary permits and approvals from your local authorities. REEF Builders offers comprehensive design / build services, handling all of your design, engineering, and permitting needs, even for the most complex waterfront projects.  Different renovation projects may require different permits, so it's important to do your research and understand the specific requirements for your project. Failing to obtain the necessary permits can result in fines, delays, or even having to undo the work you've already completed. By following the proper procedures and obtaining the required permits, you can avoid unnecessary setbacks and ensure a smooth renovation process.

Managing the renovation process

Managing the renovation process is crucial to the success of your project. This involves staying organized, communicating effectively with your contractors, and keeping track of the progress. Working with a design / build team like REEF Builders minimizes the need for constant site management. Our team follows a comprehensive design and selection process, so most of the big decisions have been made before work begins!  Regularly check in on the work being done and address any concerns or issues promptly. By actively managing the renovation process, you can ensure that everything is on schedule and that the final result meets your expectations.

DSC05492_3_4_5_6

 

Tags: remodeling tips, renovations, cost per square foot

Top 8 Reasons to Finish Your Cape Cod Basement

Posted by REEF Cape Cod's Home Builder on Tue, Jan 31, 2012

Cape Cod Basement BathroomFinishing your Cape Cod basement is one of those easy to justify home decisions that will offer years of use and enjoyment.  Here are our top eight reasons for opting to finish your basement.

8. COMFORT - A well insulated basement is usually the coolest place in your home during the summer months and the warmest in the winter months and can help reduce heating and cooling costs throughout the rest of the house.

7. ENTERTAINMENT - From simple TV rooms to more luxurious rooms, a finished basement is a place where many people will congregrate.  Pool tables, game rooms and lots of space help make a finished basement perfect for entertaining.

6 .INCOME - Finished basement space may be able to be used to produce rental income thereby helping to offset the the cost associated with constructionCape Cod Basement Addition

5.FAMILY - Whether accomodating them for a meal or a month, many people need more space to house extended family.  They can also make great playrooms for the kids and grandkids.

4.SPACE - Large, spacious rooms and ample lighting can make basements very beautiful and inviting.

3. RETURN ON YOUR INVESTMENT: According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs Value Report, your basement project typically returns about 70 percent of the original cost. In terms of space and quality of living, you also get a huge return on your investment: If you own a 2000 square foot home and finish your basement, you may get 1000 square feet of extra space. That’s a 50 percent increase in space.  As a result, that extra space increases the market value of your home substantially and makes your home more attractive to potential buyers. A finished basement can improve the marketability of your home. Cape Cod Basement - Bedroom

2.FLEXIBILITY - Unlike your main level, where often you only have a limited floor plan to choose from, the design of your basement allows a greater degree of design autonomy

1. VALUE - A finished basement offers the best value, per square foot of any other remodeling project

 

adapted from an article by http://www.upscaledownstairs.com

adapted from an article by http://www.integrityhomecontractors.com

 

If you are interested in finishing your basement, please contact our small project division by clicking below!

Click me

Tags: renovation cape cod, construction costs on cape cod, Cape Cod Home, home improvements, Cape Cod Builder, renovations

Update on Residential Sprinklers In Massachusetts

Posted by Matthew Teague on Wed, Jan 11, 2012
  We are following this issue very closely as it will dramatically change the cost and methodologies used in home construction in Massachusetts. Here is a press release from the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts, following the last hearing of the MA Board of Building Regulations and Standards.  Some eye opening information here: HBAMA Press Release on Sprinklers

Tags: remodeling, Cape Cod Builder, renovations, home building

Cape Cod Kitchen Renovation

Posted by REEF Cape Cod's Home Builder on Tue, Jan 10, 2012

 

Top Five Cape Cod Kitchen Renovation Must-Haves

If you have a kitchen remodeling project in your future and are looking to get the most out of your new space..., we have five features you won’t want to exclude from your home renovation. Compiled by a team of expert home remodeling contractors in Raleigh, NC, our Top Five list is sure to send chefs of all abilities into a joyous tizzy thinking about these sizzling kitchen remodeling must-haves.

Must-Have #5 – Undercounter SinkIsland in Cape Cod Kitchen

A kitchen remodeling upgrade that has come to be expected with most home remodeling projects these days.  Undercounter sinks come standard with most natrual stone (granite) and engineered stome (quartz)countertops.  Though integrated sinks in solid surface products like Corian and cultured marble are used often, they don't hold quite the same interest with buyers when it comes to a remodeling upgrade.

  

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #4 – French Door Refrigerator

French Door Refridgerator


Appliances always compete with upgraded countertops, as the most appealing part of a kitchen remodeling project, and of course, the refrigerator is the King Pin. As the appliance that will be used the most frequently and by the most people, the refrigerator must be functional and flawless to win your renovation a home remodeling award. A fridge can easily lure or deter potential buyers, and something about seeing those shiny side-by-side handles covering an expansive and easy-to-access chiller seems to call for extra dollars from buyers. A home improvement upgrade that doesn’t even need a kitchen renovation project to be implemented, French Door refrigerators are an easy and must-have upgrade that simply cannot be excluded if you are undertaking a kitchen remodel.

Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #3 – Custom Tile BacksplashCustom Tile Backsplash
Whether it’s natural stone, colorful or decorative patterns, your kitchen backsplash is a blank canvas that offers an opportunity for you to flex your artistic muscles and bring color, life and remodeling design to your space. Don’t let the opportunity to introduce interest to your kitchen remodeling project pass you by by overlooking your backsplash; instead, get creative and bring life to the most functional space in the house! Showing attention to this artful area will grab buyers’ interest and is sure to wow your guests…and you won’t get the most out of your kitchen remodeling project from buyers if you exclude an upgraded tile backsplash from your list.
 

 Kitchen Remodeling Must-Have #2 – A Free-Standing Island

Cape Cod Kitchen Freestanding Island
Adding a free-standing island not only brings functional work and eating space to your project; it also means you’ve got a roomy kitchen that can accommodate a large fixture, which is a second great reason for potential buyers to love your kitchen. If you’ve ever turned on HGTV and watched shows featuring the best of kitchen remodeling projects, you’re sure to notice the award-winning remodels all include free standing islands (complete with pendant lighting & often a built-in cooktop…see above and note how our list has come full circle). It will offer additional storage and workspace, give the kids a comfortable and casual spot to pull up and enjoy their snacks, and help define your kitchen area if you’re lucky enough to have an open floor plan.

Kitchen Remodeling  Must-Have #1 – Quartz Countertops
Natural Stone Countertops are a popular choice of material when remodeling. Now, the latest and definitely greatest product on the market is engineered Quartz, which incorporates natural material with manmade products and results in the strongest and most durable countertop material on the market. With more variation in a slab than Corian but less than most granite products, engineered Quartz is a clean, contemporary and easy-to-look-at product that is winning over kitchen remodelers across the country. It is far less fragile than granite and won’t chip or fleck, and won’t scratch, stain or scar the way Corian or other solid surface countertops will. It’s practically indestructible and, for hearty cooks  everywhere, is the remodeling material of choice.

--Engaging our Services

adapted from GreyHouse Inc.  http://www.greyhouseinc.com/news/1/24/

Tags: Cape Cod Kitchen, renovation cape cod, Cape Cod Home, renovation, home improvements, kitchen, renovations, remodels, remodel, addition

Great Winterization Tips, Remodeling, Renovation

Posted by Matthew Teague on Fri, Nov 25, 2011

At this time of year it is critical to properly winterize your home. Damage from frozen hose spigots, outdoor showers, and ice dams can cause thousand s of dollars of damage.  Often times, homeowners don't even realize the damage has happed, or leaks can go unnoticed for several months.  Here are some tips from NARI which might be helpful. 

Winterize your home to avoid unnecessary damage
Clean gutters, well-ventilated attic will alleviate ice damage.
 
 
Des Plaines, Illinois, December 6, 2010—Homes react to weather changes, too, and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry has tips that can help homeowners protect their homes this winter and prevent minor trouble spots from becoming major repairs.  
 
“Wintertime in cooler regions presents a unique set of issues in the home that are not apparent during the summer,” says Bob Didier, project manager at Irwin Contracting Inc., in Hauppauge, N.Y., and vice chair of NARI’s marketing & communications committee . “Homeowners should inspect and repair both interior and exterior areas of their homes to minimize damage.”
 
Exterior winter maintenance
 
Didier recommends clearing leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. Blockages in gutters and drain spouts can result in ice damming, or internal water problems causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls. Blockages also run the risk of damage to exterior painted surfaces and the development of dangerous ice patches on walkways underneath overhangs. Drain spouts should face away from your home—ideally, projecting water five feet away from the home’s foundation.
 
“Safety is an important issue for you and others walking near your property during the winter months,” Didier says. “Trim trees and remove dead branches that can become weak from ice and snow build-up—possibly damaging your home or car, or injuring passersby.” He also suggests repairs to faulty steps and handrails in front of your home to avoid injury.
 
Inspect your home for cracks or holes in outside walls and foundations. Use caulking to protect water pipes and make sure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to prevent snow melt from seeping in.
 
Interior winter maintenance
 
Check your water pipes for cracks and leaks and have them repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape to keep them from freezing. “The temperature inside the walls, where pipes are located, is substantially colder and can fall victim to freezing,” Didier explains. “Even if you want to keep your heat bill low when you’re not at home, it’s best to keep your thermostat at a minimum of 65 degrees to avoid freezing.”
 
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system as an added protection against freezing pipes. The valve helps lessens pressure caused by freezing pipes and reduces chance of pipes bursting. “If you’re concerned about your pipes freezing, learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located,” Didier says. “If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence—the faster you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the more chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.”
 
Make sure your attics, basements and crawl spaces are adequately insulated and well-ventilated. Look for signs of moisture or surface discoloration. Under-insulating results in escaped heat that melts ice and snow on the roof. Water then refreezes, causing more snow and ice to build up resulting in a collapsed roof or ice damming.
 
“Ideally, the attic should be five to ten degrees warmer than the outside air,” Didier says. “Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will help keep the heat from melting snow.” Insulation also helps protect pipes from freezing as well.
 
Check to see that your smoke and fire alarms are working properly and service your heating systems annually. “Residential fires increase in the winter, so it is important to protect your family with working alarm systems and heating systems,” Didier says.
 
Keep the heat in
 
In addition to protecting your home, NARI is offering tips to maximize heat this winter:
  • Decrease drafts in the home by testing windows and doors for air leaks and sealing them with caulk or weather stripping.
  • Install storm windows or plastic sheeting over single-pane windows or if a homeowner is considering a replacement, try specially coated double-pane windows designed to reflect heat back into the room.
  • Clean or replace the air filter to maximize the efficiency of the heating system. Clean out ducts, warm-air registers, baseboard heaters and radiators too.
  • Insulate ducts running through attics, crawl spaces and garages. Check for separation, holes and leaks and seal them.
  • Seal the fireplace by keeping dampers closed when the fireplace is not in use. Or install a glass door to fit inside the opening when buring out the fire.
Homeowners may consider repairing minor damages themselves, but they should first check to see if any products installed in the home are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty. This may be the case in relatively new homes or those that have undergone recent renovations. Many manufacturers will not honor warranties if amateur repairs have been attempted. For repairs that are beyond the homeowner’s skill level, a NARI contractor should be consulted.

Tags: remodeling, home improvements, renovations

Subscribe to Email Updates

Latest Posts