The initial hurdles were determining the right design and putting something on paper that could be affordable to build. My initial estimates were very close to what I was hearing from prospective contractors who I had scoped out for the work. The next hurdle was selecting the contractor to do the work.

I met with some very talented and experienced patio and wall installers who had been referred to me by other people or who I had sought out myself from doing some general searching on websites and through trade associations. I ran through my own mind all the things that were important to me in who would be doing this work- fair price; ability to meet my schedule; quality of work and overall professionalism. Then it struck me that all these companies had these qualities. Stuck in the back of my mind after all the reviewing of estimates, designs, referrals and insurance paperwork was the fact that I was going to require the work be done by the person I felt I could trust the most.

So, after conducting my research – including checking references; seeing examples of their work and following up with consumer advocacy groups like the Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce and Angie’s List – I narrowed my pool of choices down to two. I had one last meeting with each contractor and asked them why I should trust them to do this project.

Contractor “A” replied with statements about their experience, the great price they were giving me and the fact they were a large company with plenty of manpower to get the job done. This all made me feel very good but not necessarily any more trusting in this company.

When I met with Contractor “B” and asked the same question, the response was straight forward- “I’ve been in business for almost ten years and, in that time, I’ve built my reputation with lots of very satisfied clients. I will not tell you that every project went off without a hitch or that there has never been a minor delay but I always kept the client abreast of what was going on and, in the end, I always made it right. I will not tarnish my reputation that I’ve worked so hard to build by doing one client wrong.” My search had ended. This contractor realized the importance a little personal reassurance and communication would have in keeping me happy as a client.

That is why I enjoy working for a company like Foster Remodeling Solutions. There is no project worth sacrificing 28 years of satisfied clients and stellar reputation to cut corners or do less than what we said we would do. Every happy client is a referral to the next prospect and no matter what experience, manpower or cost a company can provide nothing can replace the feeling of trust in the contractor you choose- Trust to do the right thing and do it well every time.

Do you dream of cooking in a modern kitchen or watching the Redskins in your new sunroom?  Does your bathroom do little to make you feel refreshed?  If so, you may be thinking about remodeling your home, but where do you start?  Finding the right designer or contractor can be daunting, and it is a big investment to make, so how do you know if you are making the right decision?  Here are a few pointers in helping you select the right remodeler for you and your family.

The number one thing we always tell our clients is to check references.  This is the best way to find out about the company you may be working with.

There are two main questions to ask:

1)     Did your remodeling project end up costing what the contractor told you it would cost?

• Foster Remodeling Solutions gives you a fixed price contract so you know what you are paying before entering into contract.  The only changes that affect the end price during construction should be client driven.  For example, a contractor should never come to you during construction to ask for more money unless you have made a change added something after the contract has been signed or a hidden condition is found.

2)     Did the contractor finish your remodeling project when they said they would?

• No one wants to be without their kitchen or master bathroom for longer than they have to.  No one should have to wait longer than promised.  At Foster Remodeling Solutions we give you a start and end date on your contract that we always stick to.  When we assign a lead carpenter to your project they are not assigned to any other project during that time.  This way they are not trying to juggle more than one project and can stick to a schedule.  Plus, Foster Remodeling Solutions makes sure all materials have arrived to our warehouse undamaged before we start a job.  Making sure there are no surprises during construction is a sure way to stay on schedule.

These are the two biggest complaints we hear about other companies.  So do your homework and call references!

Always ask for a copy of the contractor’s license and make sure the date is current.  If someone is not pulling the permits for you, that probably means they do not have or have lost their contractor’s license.  Doing work without a current license is illegal and should make you wonder why they do not have one.  Without permits, the work being done on your home will not be inspected by a third party.  This means the work being done may not be up to code and you will be probably be very disappointed.  Stay away from contractors without an up to date license!

Liability Insurance and Workers Compensation are two things any upstanding company should have, especially when you are talking about remodeling.  A good remodeler will want to protect themselves, their employees, and their clients.  Make sure to ask and see a copy of their up-to-date insurance papers.  This could save you an arm and a leg!

Be aware of quotes that are too low.  It would be wonderful if you could get all you wanted for a price you were happy to pay, however if a company is quoting you something that is too good to be true, it probably is.  They could be leaving a lot of the work out of the quote in order to get you to sign with them, or they may be skipping out on getting the correct permits and inspections.  Whatever their reason is for quoting something half of another’s, beware!  Something is just not adding up.

How do you know you can trust someone in your home, with your family, and all of your possessions?  Well, I am not trying to scare you, but these are real concerns to have.  Foster Remodeling Solutions does a thorough background check of all their employees.  We also do random drug tests on our employees.  This protects the company and will make sure your remodeling job is being done safe and efficiently.

There are some websites, like Angie’s List, that will also help you in your search.  Make sure to do your due diligence and you will be sure to have a nice remodeling experience.

author: Carin Demmon, Design Consultant

1.)   Electrical outlets and switches in poor locations: The code requires a minimum spacing of outlets in rooms but, many times, the minimum is not enough. This is especially true in rooms that need power to lamps, appliances or other items in specific locations. Instead of forcing a client to drag a cord across a floor to reach an end table lamp, a floor plug could be installed at the location where the lamp will be. Another pet peeve of mine is banks of switches that are not ordered properly based on the use of the room. For example, when you walk into your Kitchen the first switch in a bank of switches should provide general lighting to get into the room. The next switch down should operate secondary lighting like under-cabinet or spot lighting. You do not want the first switch you reach for in a bedroom to turn on the ceiling fan. Likewise, the first switch in the bank of switches in a bathroom should not operate the exhaust fan. These types of flaws can be eliminated by the designer simply “walking through” the plan on paper and understanding the day-to-day use of a room along with the desires communicated by the client about how they plan to furnish or use a specific room.

2.)   Locations and sizes of windows: While it may let in a lot of light and create a feeling of drama in a bathroom, designing an 8’ wide by 5’ tall window in front of a garden tub may create a little too “intimate” relationship with the neighbors. Most clients will tell you they love “lots of windows” but there can be a bit too much “view” in some cases. Also, designing windows that are difficult to operate is a common flaw that is seen in many homes. A bay window at a Kitchen sink can create a nice, panoramic view of the back yard but, if the window crank is several feet away from the front of the sink, it can be very cumbersome to open the window when the client wants a little fresh air or to ventilate the Kitchen. The bottom line is that a balance has to be struck in the design between natural light/ventilation and the need for drama.

3.)   Powder Rooms (i.e. half baths): Many clients complain about the ridiculously small size of their Powder Room but one more common complaint is the fact that, often times, the toilet is visible from an entertaining or food preparation space. Another problem with centrally located Powder Rooms is privacy and noise once inside the bath. When guests come to visit, it can be a poor first impression when they ask to use the restroom and are directed to a tight, poorly functioning half bath with little or no privacy from the adjacent rooms. In modern designs, the rule of thumb should be that a toilet is never visible from a hallway or common space in the home. Sometimes, simply considering the swing of the door into the Powder Room is enough to hide the toilet and help with maneuverability once inside. In many cases, the door swing alone is not enough. Another solution is to incorporate a half wall to tuck the toilet behind. The issue of privacy is another matter. In many older homes, doors have been cut down or flooring has been changed so many times that there is a large gap at the bottom of the bathroom door. In addition to the installation of a properly sized door, the use of sound-deadening insulation can help create a much more private half bath.

4.)   Centering design elements on walls: It’s seems very easy to consider that everyone has a symmetrical brain and wants to see things centered in rooms. It also can be a bit self-serving for a designer to think that the only element a client will ever want as a focal point in a room is an element the designer placed there (i.e. a fireplace, a window, a niche). The client has to be able to understand how they will use a room and be able to convey that to the designer so that, for example, the beautiful fireplace they wanted isn’t right where the TV will eventually need to be. I’ve walked into hundreds of bedrooms where the designer placed the window on the outside wall right where the bed should go. Simple communication is the key- if the client is one of the very few people who will use the fireplace more than their TV, it might be worth considering centering it rather an alternative like a corner fireplace design.

While it’s easy to pick designs apart after the fact it is difficult to know all the parameters and decisions that went into a particular design element that we may look at with our head slightly askew today. In many older homes, things like laundry facilities in the Kitchen; “popcorn” ceilings; narrow doorways and 7’ high ceilings were accepted norms that were phased out as modern homebuyers demanded more. But, design flaws are typically the result of poor communication between the designer and the client. At Foster Remodeling Solutions, we strive to understand how a client desires to use a space and the things the client will be putting in those spaces. Through our multi-step design phase, options are discussed and presented to help eliminate a client ever asking “what were they thinking?”.

If it embarrasses or annoys you, now is the time to consider remodeling. Consult with Foster Remodeling, a leading design build contractor to help you find the products you want and need for this plan. Think about what you wish you had, what really needs to be changed and what features you already have that you cannot live without. Some things to consider are color, material, features and budget.

Color

Color schemes in custom remodeling projects do not only cover fixtures, but coordination with walls, floors and ceilings. Paint is easy to match to fixture colors. Wallpaper is another option. Try coordinating or contrasting basic colors with neutral or softer tones. Consider the color of towels and accessories that will be used in the bathroom. See what color towel sets are available in your favorite department store. Finding the right shade of aqua or burgundy can be frustrating. By using neutrals in your color scheme, white, beige or pastels it will be easier to match your new décor.

Material

Gone are the days when all floors are made of tile and all bathtubs are made of porcelain. Modern materials are more durable, easier to clean and do not have moisture problems. Options include stone, ceramic or vinyl flooring. Special grout is now available to prevent cracking and popping with everyday use. Bathtubs and showers come in a variety of materials as well. The popularity of acrylic is increasing, since it is not cold to the touch when you step in and it keeps bathwater hot longer. The material is light and works well in an upstairs bathroom area. Heavier materials, such as cast iron or stone, are more appropriate for downstairs bathrooms.

Features

Choosing between a shower or bathtub can be a difficult decision, often depending on your personal preference and on how much room you have. Remodeling your bathroom should create a place a comfort and privacy. Add whirlpools, heat lamps, fans, dressing tables and accessories to create a place of luxury and comfort. Proper lighting in a bathroom is essential in a remodeling project. Use more than one light source to enhance the room. Utility is important, as well. When using the area to apply cosmetics or shave, you need to be able to see what you are doing.

Budget

While some features may cost more than others, making changes all at once while doing interior remodeling can be more cost effective than making additional changes later. Prices vary greatly on fixtures and faucets. Select those that match the style and mood of the pieces in the bathroom. High quality materials require elegant faucets. They do not have to be expensive to look nice, but better quality plumbing products last longer. Foster Remodeling Solutions uses only the finest quality fixtures from the top brands so that our work will last a long time.

Foster Remodeling Solutions has been doing Northern Virginia bathroom remodeling for more than 25 years and knows the ins and outs of getting the job done right the first time. We can help you choose the right features and materials to suit your budget, your style and your needs.