Spring is here!  That means baseball games, flowers blooming and… spring cleaning?  Yes, with longer daylight hours and open windows, we all start seeing (and feeling) the dust that has accumulated over the past winter months.  Spring is the time for replenishing, repairing, and revamping, so why not some remodeling?  Whether it’s just painting a room or finishing an entire basement, Foster Remodeling Solutions wants to refresh your home.

The Little Things

Having a hard time getting the grout clean in your bathroom or kitchen?  Let our handyman come and re-grout and re-caulk your space for a fresh new look.  Replacing the light fixtures and light bulbs (fluorescent of course) can restore the ambiance to any room in your home.  With just a little paint, all your walls, trim, and moldings will look like new.  Adding crown molding or a chair rail will rekindle the love you once had for your home.

Get Outside

Bring the outdoors in by cleaning or replacing your windows, doors and screens.  This will also help keep the cool air inside during the hot summer months while replenishing your bank account.  Decks and patios are great for outdoor entertaining.  This spring, make sure yours is up to code and repair any damages.  No deck?  Foster Remodeling Solutions can build one for you to relax and recharge at after a long day at work.

Organize

Spring cleaning is not only about dusting and disinfecting, it’s also about getting organized.    Make your life simpler with custom cabinets.  Everything in your kitchen, bath, or closet will have a place making things easier to find and keeping clutter off the floor.

Go Green

Clean your newly remodeled home with natural and non-toxic products keeping your family and home healthy.

Enjoy

Want other ideas to help you rejuvenate your home and lifestyle?  Contact us for a free initial consultation.  Let Foster Remodeling Solutions do the repairing and the renovating while you enjoy your life!

written by: Carin Demmon, Design Consultant

Now is the time to start thinking about adding a deck to the back yard to enhance your home. It takes some planning and a little time to secure the permits and materials. By spring, you will be ready for us to come in and begin construction. There are many reasons why Foster Remodeling customers want us to build these Northern Virginia home additions. Let’s take a look at a few of them.

Value

When given a choice between buying a home with a deck or without, most people will choose the deck. It is aesthetically pleasing and adds a whole new dimension to a house. Especially for homes with very shady spots in the back yard where grass does not grow well, a deck can enhance the landscaping and cover over large areas that are lacking in natural beauty.

Place to Entertain

A deck is an ideal setting for entertaining guests on a warm summer day or a cool autumn one. Rather than packing a crowd of people into your house, there will always be plenty of room on your deck for family and friends. A fire pit, outdoor kitchen and state-of-the-art sound system will add atmosphere to the setting.

Grilling

Every grill needs a home. Is it time to build one for yours? Think about what it would be like to come out through your sliding glass doors and step onto the deck or patio with a platter full of food waiting to be cooked on your grill. With a deck, there will be a level, solid surface to set up your pride and joy. Many homeowners find it easier to use an outdoor workstation when they are able to sit and enjoy themselves at a picnic table while keeping an eye on dinner.

Pool

For those with a pool in the backyard, a deck is a helpful tool. It prevents grass from dying due to chlorine water exposure. It is also more pleasant for bare feet to walk across wooden deck planks than stepping on stones. Another hazard for pool guests without a deck to walk across is the itch of grass, sting of insects and the annoyance of having debris stick to wet feet.

Outdoor Enjoyment

Perhaps the most popular reason people choose to have Foster Remodeling add a deck to their homes for a special home addition is simply so they can better enjoy the outdoors. While sitting in the grass certainly has its moments, it is also more pleasant to sit in clean and comfortable deck chairs. It serves as a nice workspace for projects and doing homework when the weather is nice.

When you are considering making the move toward a deck as your next home improvement project, contact our office. We can help you from the planning stages through completion, making sure that your new deck is completed on budget and on time.

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.