4" backsplash

Very broadly you can decide to have a 4” backsplash of whatever countertop or other material you are using, or you can install a full height backsplash, from the counter to the underside of the upper cabinets, of your countertop material or other, or lastly you can install a tile backsplash.  Each of these has costs and benefits so let’s look at them individually with a little bit more detail.

The most cost efficient of all three choices would be installing a 4” backsplash of your counter material.  This is fairly standard with plastic laminate countertops, but can also be seen in solid surface installations and also with granite or any other stone surface.  This is easy and quick to install and if you want the same material as your countertop easy to order with your countertop order.  The most simple of the choices most clients choose this option if budget is of a concern (tile backsplash can later be installed if the client so wishes) or if they prefer a more simplified look.  Size of the kitchen can affect this choice as well as many small kitchens may look “overdone” or “unbalanced” with a heavily detailed tile splash in such a small space.

The next backsplash option would be a full height backsplash, this can either be of the same material as the countertop, or a different material entirely.  Clients that like full height backsplashes tend to want easy clean ability with maximum wall protection and a more monolithic look.  By covering the entire

Full height granite

wall surface you can assure that spills and stains will not be an issue.  If you were using a granite or quartz surface this would be very easy to wipe clean and since it’s a solid piece there would be no need to worry about grout lines to keep clean.  Another option would be going with a completely different material; I’ve had clients that have chosen to use stainless steel panels or glass which can be gorgeous options but will need a little more care when cleaning.  This look tends to be a little more contemporary depending on the material given the clean seamless look that if provides.

Tile backsplash

The final backsplash choice would be a tile backsplash.  Tiles can obviously come in many shapes and sizes, ceramic to natural stones, glass to metals and a variety of patterns and combinations of the different materials.  Tile splashes provide endless stylistic options and a lot of design potential while protecting the wall at the same time.  Keep in mind though, the smaller the tile the more grout lines you will have and certain spills like red wine or marinara sauce will not be a white grout’s friend,  So cleaning spills right away with the appropriate grout cleaner will be important.  Pricing on these splashes will vary widely depending on material choices, but the labor on tile splashes will be much higher and can be very time consuming depending on how detailed the pattern is.  Given that many of these pieces can get quick expensive (think hand painted tile from Italy or recycled beach glass) most clients we work with will balance their budget by using a ceramic as the base and popping in more expensive glass, stone, or metal pieces as accents.  Stylistically they can go from contemporary to very traditional depending on tile material, size and pattern, but this choice is definitely the most dynamic of all the backsplash options.

Keep in mind, any of these options can be combined to make the perfect backsplash for your household.  I’ve had clients install a simple 4” splash around the kitchen and a full height piece behind the stove or cooktop or combine tile and monolithic pieces; it all depends on what works for your household.  When deciding which option is the best for your family there are a few things to ask yourself, do we want the backsplash to be simple or to make a statement?  How durable/stain resistant do we want the backsplash?  And what is our price range that we want to stay in for the backsplash itself?  I hope this will help guide you to making your backsplash the best fit for your kitchen remodel.

For some Northern Virginia homeowners, it becomes challenging to know where to draw the line. At Foster Remodeling, we can help you decide what to include in your remodeling project. First, you will need to make a few basic decisions.

What Are You Planning to Spend?
Determine your budget. Do what you can afford, then make a plan and stick to it. One of the main reasons people struggle with remodeling projects is because they change their minds constantly once they begin. As a design-build contractor, we sit down with you at the very beginning and look at some ideas in a virtual planner. This way, there will be no surprises.

What Do You Dream About?
Decide the purpose of your custom remodeling project. The focus may be to make your home more comfortable. Maybe you promised yourself when you bought it that, when you had the chance, you would add a garage or remodel that hideous basement. Perhaps that time has come. On the other hand, maybe your bathroom floor is creaking and cracking and you want to replace it before the damage becomes too great.

What Makes Sense?
Families grow. After you have been in your home for a few years, you may decide it needs some improvements to better fit your needs. You may need another bathroom or bedroom. Maybe the kitchen can be renovated to give you more space and a more modern look.

Once you have an idea of what you want, what you need and what you can afford, contact our office. We can show you some options and help you put together a discount remodeling project that will meet your budget and help you narrow down exactly what you want.

One of the most popular Northern Virginia home additions is the deck. Not only does it create a social gathering place for friends, family and neighbors, it boosts the resale value of the house.

There are a number of factors to consider before jumping in. Start with the location. Consider whether your deck will be best on the first or second floor. Keep it close to an entrance. Transporting things like food and drinks, books and games in and out of the house should be easy and convenient.

The area should be relatively level. If not, added support beams must be put up. If it’s a second-story structure, it will cost more, but may be worth the investment. The deck should be in an area with a nice view when outdoors. Avoid placing it next to the shed, dog run or woodpile.

How big to make your deck really depends on how much room you have and how it will be used. If you plan to have meals at a picnic table or multiple people will be using it, make it big. On the other hand, this will limit the amount of room to roam in the yard. Make sure the kids and pets will still have an area to run and play.

The avid gardener in your family will be protective over areas with the best soil and sunshine, so think it through and try to come up with a location that will make everybody happy.

The more expensive the materials, the more the project will cost. Remember, skimping on quality may cost more in the long run. Find a happy medium with quality materials that will last a long time. If you plan to stay in your house for the long haul, think about how the deck will look and wear in five or 10 years. You may wish to have a surface that can be stained a different color. Likewise, you may prefer something with as little maintenance as possible.

At Foster Remodeling, we can help you find the right location and materials to suit your needs. With years of experience in Northern Virginia home renovations, we know what works best for remodeling projects. Hot summers, snowy winters, wet springtime and a blustery autumn all affect how a new deck should be built and what materials will suit it best.

Once you have decided on the basics for a new deck, it’s time to focus on some features now available. Awnings, lounge furniture, lighting, dining areas and electricity should all be taken into consideration

As with all home additions, building permits are usually required. We can help you secure which ones you need and make sure you are in compliance during the project. Since we have done new decks for years, we are familiar with all of the steps necessary to complete your home improvement project on time and on budget. When you’re ready to take the first step, contact us. We will help you plan a new deck you can enjoy for years to come.

Older model stoves take longer to heat up and cool, making unattended hot surfaces a burn and fire hazard. Newer models heat up instantly, speeding up the cooking process. While at a glance waiting for an electric stove may simply be an annoyance, in reality it is a time waster that puts people in a hurry to finish cooking. A delay in getting started creates a delay in getting finished. Rushing around a kitchen with hot pots and pans is never safe.

Consider refrigerators that have been in use for a long time. Doors that stick and must be tugged open are a safety hazard, not to mention an inconvenience. Pulling too hard jars the contents and may cause it to tip over completely. Custom remodeling projects can eliminate these problems.

Appliances are not the only risks that can be improved with a kitchen remodeling project. It seems storage is always a challenge for homeowners, especially in the kitchen. The signs of it are probably there. Are you constantly tripping or bumping into certain items in your kitchen? Maybe that quaint “onions and ‘taters” box that you bought at the craft fair some years ago has become a huge dust collector that people trip on as they round the corner. The cabinet over the stove has great storage space, but trying to reach it is difficult, even with a stepstool. Every time you open the pantry door it squeaks. These are all signs that your storage compartments are out of date.

Having room for everything that is used regularly in a kitchen is crucial. If there are things sitting on the countertops because there is no room for them, this is a sure sign that a kitchen remodel is in order. You will need a custom remodeling contractor that understands how to create a safer kitchen area for your entire family.

At Foster Remodeling, our design-build program will help you find storage space you never realized you had. After taking kitchen measurements, plug in the different elements on the layout. This will help you find more room for bigger cabinets. Replacing bulky items with newer compact ones will conserve space needed for other things and a safer, more pleasant kitchen environment is key.

When it comes to home improvement, some people swear by the do it yourself approach. In the end, however, the best way to increase the value of a home is to make sure any changes done are well suited for the period and scale of the home as well as adding functionality. This is where a design build contractor comes into play. Using years of experience in home improvements for many types of houses, a design build contractor can not only perform a custom remodeling to build equity, but they also keep the house current and consistent in style.

Let’s take a look at a few examples of where custom remodeling can be done in a home to provide the best return on investment.

The Kitchen

The kitchen is the first place that renovations can occur to maximize a home’s value. Kitchens tend to receive the largest share of wear and tear in any home and they also follow current trends in color and style, both of which requires renovation and repair. Modern kitchens are a sound investment and most realtors agree it is the first room that most prospective buyers look at with a critical eye.

A few specific upgrades that your design build contractor will consider are improvements that add functionality to the room. Dual sinks and cooking stations are common renovations. Adding space is always a good choice and can be accomplished with a walk-in pantry or breakfast nook. Some cosmetic changes that are worth the investment include under-cabinet lighting, marble or granite countertops, and ceramic tile backsplashes.

Bathrooms – Upgrades and Additions

After the kitchen, the best way to define a modern home is with multiple baths. A home with more than one bathroom will sell faster and at a better price, so it is a great return on the custom remodeling investment. For homes with more than one bath already, renovations such as skylights, walk-in-showers, glass block windows, and raised ceilings command a great deal of attention.

Added Spaces

In general, you can’t go wrong with adding space to a home. A design build contractor can work with the homeowner to both increase usable space while creating additions that blend into the original home flawlessly. Popular choices here include decks, sunrooms, and finished basements.

When building equity in a home, renovations and upgrades performed by design build contractors provide the most cost effective increase in home value.