Planning Makes Perfect: How to Navigate the Remodeling Process You wouldn’t take a weekend road trip without packing an overnight bag. Similarly, you shouldn’t dive into a home remodeling project without planning before the demolition begins. A big part of that preparation is understanding the scope of work—and how that is going to affect life…
Rekindle Your Love for Your Home. During a few recent new-customer meetings, I have had homeowners struggle with the perennial question: Is this renovation project good for resale value? My advice: Do what you love! After all, this is your home. Why not make changes and updates that suit your personal style? Why not…
This blog is a repost from 2016—and it’s worth repeating. Smart maintenance ideas are always relevant; this post offers a simple checklist for basic tasks to be completed before we transition into the cool-weather seasons. The DIY home maintenance checklist for fall and winter An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The…
We all want to make smart investment choices. Whether it’s a college savings plan or a home improvement project, the goal is to get the greatest rate of return. As a designer, too often I see homeowners over-think decisions about their home remodeling projects: Approximately 90% of the jobs that I quote, the first question…
Right On Hue. Ideas for incorporating color in your kitchen remodel When it comes to bringing color into the kitchen, many homeowners take an all-or-nothing approach. What I hear most often from customers during the design stage of a kitchen remodel is that their overwhelming fear is committing to a color that will lock them…
Break out of the armoire: Trends and tips for displaying your TV With the advent of wireless connectivity, the television is no longer relegated to the family room. Families today are enjoying their favorite sitcoms in the kitchen and catching the early morning news in their bathrooms. Here are a few suggestions to harmoniously work…
Picking up where we left off in our last blog, here are Items #6-10: some pitfalls to avoid when hiring a remodeling contractor: NOT ASKING IF THE CONTRACTOR IS INSURED AND BONDED Confirm that the contractor has liability insurance. This is important on so many levels. If a worker gets injured while on the job…
So often, homeowners approach Dover after an unpleasant renovation experience with another contractor, asking for our help to complete or redo work in their homes. Unfortunately, there are contractors out there that make promises, yet don’t follow through. While none of us has a crystal ball that shows the guaranteed outcome of our remodeling project,…
It’s hard to believe that 2016 is winding to a close. Thanks to our wonderful team here at Dover, as well as our valued vendors, trades and customers, we’ve enjoyed another successful year, marking our 32nd in business, while establishing a few new milestones. Here are some highlights: Hellos and Good-byes. Our team grew in…
The American basement has come a long way. It used to be that basements were damp, musty spaces relegated to seasonal storage. But times have changed. Today’s basements hold a wealth of potential that, when tapped, provides livable square footage for everything from home theaters and fitness centers to sports bars. Our team at Dover…
