West Long Branch, NJ…Mark Elia, President of Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc. has just been named by the New Jersey Builders Association to the Remodelers Hall of Fame.  The award is presented by the NJBA to one recipient each year for longevity and distinguished service to the association and industry.

Mr. Elia is a graduate of Villanova University with a B.S. in Accounting.  He’s been a member of the New Jersey Builders Association, Shore Chapter since 1987, and has been Vice Chair of their Remodelers Council for the past two years. He also sits on a committee for the National Association of Home Builders; the committee works to raise standards within the industry so that the public can more easily recognize reputable remodelers.  In addition, Mr. Elia is a strong supporter of the local community and has held fundraisers for local Habit for Humanity chapter and the Monmouth County SPCA.

The Remodeler Hall of Fame award will be presented April 15, 2010 at the NJBA’s Awards Luncheon at the Atlantic Builders Convention in Atlantic City.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc. has been providing outstanding quality and service to homeowners since 1987, offering design + build services for all types of remodeling both interior and exterior.  The company also offers energy audits and handyman services.  Mark of Excellence Remodeling is an EPA certified Lead-safe Renovator, Certified Graduate Remodeler, Certified GREEN Professional, and an accredited Building Performance Institute contractor.  For more information about Mark of Excellence Remodeling, visit www.markofexcellence.com or call 800-734-3737.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been appreciating homes since 1987. They specialize in design + build remodeling. Their home improvement projects include additions, kitchens, bathrooms, interior renovations, exterior makeovers, outdoor living, basements, and decks. The company has won numerous national awards for completed projects and designs over the past several years. Mark of Excellence Remodeling was named the 2009 Northeast U.S. Remodeler of the year by Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence.

Mark of Excellence remodeling has recently introduced a new division called the Home Maintenance Club. This club focuses on home energy audits, handyman services, and aging in place upgrades.

Here is YouTube video that illustrates the transformation from concept to completion.

The purpose of the project was to create a spa-like retreat for the homeowners to relax and feel pampered in after a long day. In addition, the client needed a storage solution since the existing space had no vanities or linen closets. The original bath, built in the 1920’s, was gutted to the studs and joists in order to update the plumbing and wiring, insulate the exterior walls and ceiling, and create an opening for a new window. The space was widened by two feet to create room for the vanity unit.

bathroom CAD

The homeowners wanted a separate tub and shower, but even the expanded space did not leave enough room to accomplish that. We were able to give them both in one area by using a frameless door to enclose a portion of the tub/shower area and a knee wall at the far end. The area is both open and functional. Secondly, the client wanted an interesting tile pattern to compliment the deep colors of the vanity. We utilized an iridescent green glass tile, with a coordinating vertical mixed-mesh glass tile to give the illusion of rain in the shower. An onyx mosaic tile in the arch and soffit above the vanity unit ties both areas of the bathroom together.

The new bathroom has revitalized the entire master suite by providing a retreat the homeowners desired. It contains a combination of soft and deep colors in a minimalist design that is modern without feeling contemporary. The addition of separate sinks and ample storage eliminates clutter and provides the homeowners their own individual space. The custom-built vanity top is open underneath. Combined with the large mirror and recessed lighting, the top can double as a make-up area.

bathroom vanity

Our homeowners wanted a modern, spa-like update for their bath. Our design team selected the materials and created a 3-D rendering of the space. The footprint was expanded two feet to allow for the vanity and storage unit. An arched soffit compliments the clean lines of the cabinetry and custom vanity. The two-person tub and shower are combined as one unit to save space, while the knee wall and partial glass enclosure provide the openness of separate units. The green glass tile instills a calming effect to the room and the vertical mixed-mesh glass application gives the illusion of rain. Mission Accomplished!

spa tub adorned with granite, niche, and glass tile

Mark of Excellence Remodeling garnered the top award for bathroom remodeling in the project price category of $40,000 – $60,000.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling wins "Best Bathroom Remodel"

The winner project can be view from concept to completion on our website in a video entitled “SPA-TASTIC bathroom remodel”. Accepting the award at the ceremony was company owner, Mark T. Elia and the project’s designer, Ann Marie Elia.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling, a Monmouth County design + build remodeling firm, was one of three New Jersey companies to receive National honors this year. The other two remodelers were from Mercer and Somerset counties.

Mart T. Elia, Mark of Excellence Remodeling

Company President, Mark T. Elia, CGR, CGP, was proud and honored as he accepted the 2009 Northeast US Remodeler of the Year trophy on behalf of the entire staff at Mark of Excellence Remodeling. “Success comes from a well coordinated team effort that results in great projects and satisfied homeowners”, expressed Mark.

“In this case, Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc. represents the best the industry has to offer, and was strong in all areas,” says Ken Kanline, Director of the awards. “Not only have they won numerous awards for their excellent work, but they go above and beyond in their service to others. They and their employees have donated significant time and materials for projects to benefit their community, and they are also active in supporting professional organizations such as the Shore Builders Association of Central New Jersey, and the Remodelors® Council of the National Association of Home Builders,” says Kanline

The Chrysalis Awards program, begun in 1994, recognizes the nation’s best work in eighteen general categories of residential and commercial remodeling, as well as regional and national Remodeler of the Year winners. Judged by editors and writers of Better Homes & Gardens, Woman’s Day, Southern Living and Houseplans.com, this year’s winners were selected from among 1,500 entries.

At Mark of Excellence Remodeling it seems that master bathroom remodels are all about the shower areas these days. Gone are the days of the 32” corner shower to make room for the oversized jetted tub. Some of our bathroom projects throughout Monmouth County have showers with water spraying systems that rival car washes!

custom master shower by Mark of Excellence Remodeling

During our design and development many clients have a custom spa-like shower high on their project’s wish list. Each of the last two years Mark of Excellence Remodeling has won industry awards for design and build bathroom remodeling projects that incorporated great showers.

Hot tubs and soaking tubs are lovely and just the thing for leisurely de-stressing sessions, but the shower seems to be the agent of choice for most busy families. You don’t have to draw a bath for true luxury anyway, not these days! And a high-end shower installation can add value to your home.

The spa trend focuses mostly on women, who feel that that the bathroom is truly the only place where they can get away from it all, but a bathroom remodel is something that everyone can enjoy. A new tub is often the first choice as whirlpools or air jets are very popular. However, recent studies have pointed to more of an interest in high-end walk-in showers when people plan to remodel.

The shower is the area of the bathroom that has seen the most renovations in recent years. The shower has gone from a simple soap, shampoo, and get clean quickly venue to a luxurious home spa concept. If you’re just starting to think about bathroom remodeling, you might not have thought much beyond soap dish placement, fancy shower curtains, or perhaps a pulsating showerhead, but if you are a real shower person you will be amazed at what is now available. For years the standard bathroom was five feet by eight feet. Today ten feet is the rule, and that gives the homeowner a chance to be a little more creative.

green onyx tile, body sprays, and a steam unit - Mark of Excellence Remodeling

Spa style shower features are available for every pocketbook. The luxury of a spa/shower can be within the reach of just about everyone, from the high-end customized unit to the simple massaging showerhead. Many showers come as prefabricated units and these are more practical and less expensive than having something customized from scratch. If you don’t have thousands to spend on a new shower remodel, you can still add some high-end features that will give the spa/shower effect. Regardless of your choice, you can find a wide range of accessories.

Think about features such as multiple massaging shower heads, adjustable hand-help sprayers mounted on a sliding bar, a seat, overhead lighting, a sound system, or even smart faucets that can be programmed to control temperature and the volume of water flow, memorizing preferred settings for each family member.

At the very high-end, you might have a complete enclosure with coordinating fixtures. These systems feature various combinations of sprays and nozzles that will soothe, relax or invigorate you. Most of these complete units feature everything from storage ledges to built-in seats. Look a little further and think about things like steam immersion showers, a touch screen that will allow you to program your shower preferences (such as temperature, pressure, and even up and down massages). How about tanning equipment with ultraviolet lamps and filters that promise to tan your skin while you wash or even aromatherapy units?

custome shower featuring subway tile, marble seat, and a niche - Mark of Excellence Remodeling

Bathroom remodeling is often prompted by a need for universal design features. A growing number of active adults are choosing to upgrade their homes and one of the reasons is that they want an easy and attractive place to live. Another reason is that they need adaptable quarters where people can age in place as they develop health or mobility issues. High-end bathroom and shower remodeling might just feel like the height of luxury right now, but if you look closely you will notice that most of these features are modeled on universal design specifications.