503-REMODEL

It’s no longer just our work that is memorable we also have acquired a memorable phone number. I was told be several different people from several different companies that the number would never be released.

I used the same blue collar persistence that is making C&K Custom Remodeling a success to overcome one thousand people saying no. I know deep in my gut that I only had to find one person, the right person, and get them to say yes. I believed I was right and turns out I was. One person saying yes overturned 1000 people saying no.

Our incredible t-shirts can be purchased also.  To purchase t-shirts of the worlds best remodeling company ( my biased opinion ) simple send me an email on the contact us page at CkCustomRemodeling.com

C&K Custom Remodeling

We have some big announcements coming soon.  We are always working to improve C&K Custom Remodeling to be more than a remodeling company.  My goal is to have C&K be the absolute best remodeling experience a person could have.  It starts with educating people on what to expect from the remodeling process so that there are no surprises.  Our process continues by using technology to bring our clients into our custom online environment where they can track the project schedule, see pictures, and communicate directly with us.  We continue our system be there when you need us by giving you a way to remember us for any future needs or concerns should they arise.

For a preview of whats coming Click here

Portland Oregon, now officially the best place to live www.CkCustomRemodeling.com

What does your dream bathroom remodel look like?

This is a place many people refer to as their relaxing zone. It is because of this reason that when it comes to designing and remodeling it, many people spend quite a significant amount of money to make it one of the best areas in the home. An indulgent bathroom will allow you to begin your day feeling focused and looking your best.  Professional bathroom designers are best suited to help you achieve the style and design you want. That is why C & K Custom Remodeling can create an ultimate refuge for you.

Home Builders Association or

Local Remodelers Council contact information

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TOP FIVE HOME REMODELING PROJECTS

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Portland OR

Removing walls

– Home owners considering planning to stay in their home should know about remodeling projects that increase the home’s usefulness and make it better to live in. A 2012 National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) survey of remodelers found the following five most common remodeling jobs.

Housing market data reveals that small, smart remodels reward home owners with better return on investment and can help update and customize a home. Review these top five remodeling projects and begin planning to remodel during National Home Remodeling Month.

1. Remodel the bathroom

Payback on remodeling a bathroom can reach 65 percent with new fixtures, tile, toilet, vanity and lighting. Low flow toilets consumer less water and can decrease the monthly water bill.

2. Remodel the kitchen

A minor kitchen remodel can improve the look and utility of the space without costing a bundle, and yields a 75 percent return. Consider replacing backsplashes, cabinet fronts, countertops, and flooring. Installing low-flow faucets and energy-efficient appliances can also reduce water and energy expenses in a heavily trafficked room.

3. Replace windows and doors

Updating windows can also return a solid portion of the investment (73 percent for wood frames and 71 percent for vinyl). New, energy-efficient doors and windows also help reduce energy leakage from the home and can bring down heating and cooling bills.

4. Repair property damage

Property damage is a common but unfortunate occurrence. Seize misfortune as an opportunity to customize and upgrade the home. If you are already going to be inconvenienced with major home repairs, take that time to plan and incorporate home remodeling that may have been put off in the past.

5. Whole house remodeling

Repairs and replacements of old components and the desire for upgraded amenities were cited as the top reasons for customers to hire a remodeler. Evaluate the use of the entire home to see if it fits your needs. Home owners are repurposing spaces to fit their families and making more efficient use of their home’s square footage and equity, rather than moving to a new home and mortgage.

Smart remodeling projects for improving the home can make the home more comfortable for your lifestyle.

For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

We took on the challenge of getting two sinks in a small bathroom.  The solution was thinking outside the box to get two sinks in just over the space needed for a single basin.  This custom bathroom vanity was the perfect answer to our clients design request.  The double opening mirrors give a his and hers medicine cabinet custom elegance.

Two in one sink

The work triangle

Proper kitchen design takes into consideration several different factors. One important factor is what’s known as the work triangle. The work triangle is made up of three basic work centers, the fridge, the cook top, and the sink. A kitchen can have more than three work centers but for our purposes we will assume the most common three.

When laying out a work triangle incorporate landing surfaces around each of the work centers. For a main sink a minimum of 24″ on one side and 18″ on the other is recommended. A prep area with a minimum of 36” wide x 24” deep of counter space is recommended near the sink for a primary food preparation. A minimum 12″ of counter top on one side and 15″ of counter top space on the other side of a cook top is recommended. For a fridge, a minimum 15″ of counter top space on the handle side is recommended for a landing area.

Now that we know what makes up a work triangle lets look at the specifics. No single leg of the triangle is to be less than 4′ or more than 9′. The entire distance around the triangle should not exceed 26′. All of the above recommendations are from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

All kitchens must fall within the guidelines of the IRC code but great kitchen designs goes farther and follow the recommendations of the (NKBA).

http://www.CkCustomRemodeling.com

Do your appliances work?

Appliances are where alot of home owners make mistakes during the remodeling process.  Many companies are great and one or two specific appliances say a stove or vent hood, but there are very few companies that are great at a full set of kitchen appliances.  Someone started a rumor that all of your kitchen appliances have to be from one manufacturer.  The truth is that if a person want the best appliances that usually means becoming educated about manufacturers strengths and weaknesses and mix and matching sets.

I know I will take heat for my opinion but I believe a person should be able to decide if they want their kitchen appliances to match well or to work well.  With most modern appliances the only thing you might notice is the badges are a bit different but you’ll absolutely notice the difference in how the appliances function.  I once had a client that always wanted a particular brand of gas stove.  My client spent a good deal of their budget to get matching badges on the appliances and after the first use she was disappointed.  Who would have thought this great gas stove doesn’t even have a cooking timer.

Unfortunately many remodeling companies and appliance sales people are largely to blame.  It’s easier to say that’s a great brand of appliances than to take the time to really evaluate each appliance in a set.  If a person really want a gourmet kitchen and really uses their kitchen then being brand loyal will usually mean sacrificing or compromising on individual pieces of the set.

Demand to be educated by your appliance store, your sales person, and your contractor.  If they are promoting one brand only then you likely need to do more research to be sure all pieces are  great not just good enough.  I’m not against matching appliances I’m just not excited about the level of education most people get when making such a big purchase.  I want my clients to love the way their kitchens look and love the way they work.

www.CkCustomRemodeling.com

Most contractors go to great lengths to improve the reputation of our chosen profession. Continuing education and becoming familiar with new products and codes is just the beginning. As a remodeling contractor I walk into many homes with a cloud of doubt over me as everyone has heard contractor nightmare stories.

I too have heard these stories but I have only seen a few with my own eyes. It’s much more common to see well intentioned homeowners trying to save money and making mistakes, than it is to see other contractor mistakes. This is why I was so disappointed to walk into a bathroom remodeled by a licensed contractor that looked as bad as any homeowner patch job I’ve seen.

The bathroom in question was done so poorly that the client volunteered to gut the bathroom down to the studs if we could help her put it back together. The visual inadequacies were just the tip of the iceberg.

The electrical was the most disturbing. We found improper and dangerous electrical work, not done to code, or by and electrician. This meant the homeowner had to bring in an electrician to undo all of the bad work before he could begin rewiring the bathroom correctly.

We also found the window that was installed did not meet code and was not installed properly. This meant that the window also had to be removed and replaced. We then found out that the floor tile was not installed on a proper surface or secured properly. The only good thing about improperly installed tile is it’s pretty easy to remove.

Our plumber could not sign off of the plumbing work that was done in order to get permits. This meant that all of the plumbing done had to be removed and redone from scratch. The layout was so poorly thought through that the vanity would not fit on the wall because plumbing lines were in the way.

This client saved money using a contractor who did “all of their own work” but most people don’t realize that a contractor is required by law to hire licensed electricians and plumbers. Just being a contractor does not mean a person is qualified to perform specialty trade work.

When you are seeking a contractor ask who will be pulling the permits. If the contractor asks you to pull the permits or says we don’t need to pull permits, it’s a huge red flag. One of the most important jobs of a general contractor is to build relationships with trade companies and craftsmen.

This is a true story and the contractor in this story wrote a check to the client in an attempt to keep them from filing a contractors board complaint. The client planned on using the money to help pay for having the bathroom redone, unfortunately the check bounced.

www.CkCustomRemodeling.com

Before any remodeling project begins we have found it invaluable to begin with a pre-construction meeting.  We want our clients to understand the remodeling process both good and bad, so that surprises are minimized and ground rules for professionalism are established.  During this meeting the project manager goes over the anticipated project schedule, where tools are to be stored and cleaned, and where construction debris is to be stored if applicable and much more.

Another goal of the meeting is to air out any possible differences in expectations.  The last thing a reputable contractor wants to do is to misrepresent what is to be expected.  The more checks and balances we can put in place to verbalize expectations on both sides the better the outcome and satisfaction for all.

Lighting design is the science behind the mystery of what separates good from great remodeling.  The type of lighting can be just as important as the placement.  There are several deciding factors that go into selecting the type of lighting needed.  Placement, brightness, required function, and light color are just some of the variables that go into deciding what type of lighting to use in any particular area.

After the type of lighting is determined factors such as reflection and shadowing should be carefully analyzed to make the lighting work well with the environment.  Electric light should work in conjunction natural lighting to accent the space.