New Jersey Bathroom Remodel? Think Green, Comfort, Space, Future
Whether you are doing a whole house remodeling project or just a bathroom renovation, you have a lot of design options to consider. Today’s bathrooms aren’t just functional afterthoughts. Nowadays, New Jersey homeowners want their bathrooms to be attractive – and they see them as places to relax and unwind. If you’re remodeling, think about the feeling you want your bath to evoke – and make sure its design harmonizes with the rest of your New Jersey home.
Adding Comfort: People want to feel pampered in the bathroom, so a big remodeling trend is adding comfortable instead of just utilitarian features. Radiant heating installed under the floors helps alleviate the problem of cold tiles in the morning. This system adds a little to your remodeling costs, but it can become the room’s primary heat source. It is also energy efficient because the tiles retain the warmth after the heater is turned off. Another comfort addition is a home steam room, which can be little more than an enclosed shower stall. The design considerations for a steam room can be tricky since such a system must be completely enclosed and insulated on all surfaces.
Universal Designing: The principles of universal design dictate that a-your New Jersey home is made accessible to people of different heights and abilities. If you’re remodeling your bathroom, don’t just think about your needs now; think about what you will want in the future. You may later appreciate grab bars, easy-to-use controls, and seats in the shower, or a walk-in bath and shower enclosure. Think about wall-mounted sinks that allow room for a wheelchair underneath. These features will not only make your home easier to use, but will increase its resale value.
Greening Features: Green remodeling is as popular in bathrooms as it is in the rest of the house. New Jersey homeowners can install low-water use shower heads, low-flow or dual-use toilets, energy-efficient lighting, and green building products such as sustainable woods and recycled glass countertops or tiles. Touchless faucets are now available for residential use and can reduce wasted water. Special water recirculation systems and graywater usage are gaining popularity in areas with water conservation needs.
Adding Luxury Showers: Many New Jersey homeowners are remodeling their bathroom to expand the shower area and make it more like its own room – one that can accommodate two people at a time. His-and-hers shower heads are showing up as are shower areas designed to work without doors. Shower stalls can be luxuriously appointed with mosaic tiles, lots of glass, or hinged doors. Some people install multiple shower heads on one fixture that can simultaneously massage and shower different parts of the body with water jets. Other popular shower heads are oversized and simulate rainwater by dowsing you from above rather than at an angle like regular showers.
Increasing Light and Space: People want more light in their bathrooms and are remodeling to add windows and skylights. Seeking more space, some New Jersey homeowners convert a small bedroom into a bathroom. Homeowners are also focusing on the quality of bathroom air. Nowadays fans can have a remote motor elsewhere, like in the attic. This allows them to be much more powerful and quieter with only a small increase in cost. Some fans have humidity sensors that switch them on automatically, and many fans are Energy Star rated.
All of these considerations, space, comfort, your future and energy efficiency, should be discussed with your New Jersey remodeling contractor, who can advise you as to how to best achieve all of these objectives to your satisfaction.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joaquin_Erazo,_Jr.
If you’re looking for a professional New Jersey bathroom remodeling contractor, then give us a call today at 800-734-3737 or complete our request for a design and budget consultation.
Interviewing A New Jersey Remodeling Contractor
According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the following are the questions you should ask a New Jersey remodeling contractor before hiring him.
How long have you been in business? Look for a company with an established business history in New Jersey. Surviving in any business in today’s competitive marketplace is a difficult task. Most successful contractors are proud of their history in the industry.
Who will be assigned as project supervisor for the remodeling project? Also ask whom you should contact if the supervisor is not available. Get exact names and contact phone numbers for all persons who will be involved in the project.
What is the time frame for starting the project? Now is the time to ask questions about work schedules. You should ask: What is your estimate for completion? How early will your crew normally begin work? When will they normally quit for the day? Will I be contacted about delays or changes in the schedule? By whom?
What is your approach to a project of this scope? This will give you an idea of how your New Jersey remodeling contractor works and what to expect during the project. Listen carefully to the answer. This is one of the big indicators of the company’s work ethic.
How do you operate? In other words, how is your firm organized? Do you have employees or do you hire subcontractors? If you do have employees, what are their job descriptions? Do you use a project supervisor or lead carpenter to oversee the project? Other firms will have additional positions. You should know what parts of your project will be handled by staff, and which will be contracted out to independent contractors.
Is your company a full service or specialty firm? If you are planning a small project, say replacing the bathroom plumbing, you may be better off hiring a specialty plumbing firm or a bathroom remodeler. However, if your project involves multiple changes, entire rooms or additions, you should consult a full service or design-build firm.
Do you have design services available? If you are considering a large or involved project, you will need design services. If the contractor does not have design-build capabilities, you should consider hiring an architect. Depending on the size and scope of the project, you may need an architect or structural engineer.
Does your company carry workers compensation and liability insurance? Ask for copies of the insurance certificates to verify coverage. In addition, some states require licensing and registration. If your state does have construction licensing laws, ask for your contractor’s registration and license, then confirm the license number and expiration date with your local jurisdiction.
Are any of your company’s employees certified? Trade certifications are good indicators of dedication, professionalism and knowledge of the industry. Remodelers are required to meet certain industry criteria to maintain their certifications. NARI offers six designations: Certified Remodeler (CR), Certified Remodeler Specialist (CRS), Certified Remodeler Associate (CRA), Certified Remodeler Project Manager (CRPM), Certified Kitchen & Bath Remodeler (CKBR), Certified Lead Carpenter (CLC), Certified Remodeling Carpenter (CRC), Green Certified Professional (GCP), Universal Design Certified Professional (UDCP).
May I have a list of references for projects you have completed which are similar to mine? The contractor should be able to supply you with a minimum of three references, including names, telephone numbers and addresses. As a follow up to this question, ask how long ago the project was completed and if the contractor can arrange a visit to see the finished job. You should also ask for professional references from suppliers, financial institutions, or subcontractors to verify sound business practices.
What percentage of your business is repeat or referral business? This will give you a good indication about the company’s customer satisfaction. According to research conducted by NARI, most remodeling businesses attribute over 50 percent of their annual volume to customer referrals; some even claim up to 90 percent or more of their total annual sales.
How many projects like mine have you completed in the past 12 months? This will help you determine the contractor’s familiarity with your type of project. You should confirm that a good portion of those completed projects were similar to the type of project you are proposing.
Will we need a permit for this project? Most cities and towns require permits for building projects. Failure to obtain the necessary permits or to arrange obligatory inspections can be illegal. In some cases, if a project violates a zoning law or some other regulations, it may even have to be demolished if there is no way to comply with the law. A qualified New Jersey remodeling contractor will be conscious of the permit process, and ensure that all permits have been obtained before initiating any work.
May I have a list of your suppliers? You may want to add calling the contractor’s suppliers to your list of follow up actions. This will help protect you from mechanics liens for nonpayment by the contractor. Suppliers also can be a source to establish credit history for the company.
Of the many questions you can ask during an interview, the most important question is one you must ask yourself: “Do I feel comfortable with and trust the person I am about to hire?”
Your answer to that last question should make the hiring decision a little easier.
Article Source: http://www.nari.org/homeowners/faq/#FAQ43
