Kitchen Cabinet Installation is Not for the Faint of Heart

We provide professional kitchen cabinet installation so that you don’t have to worry about a kitchen nightmare.  While many people are interested in learning how to do things around the house, installing kitchen cabinets is more complicated that it initially appears.  This is due to several factors including challenges lining them up correctly and ensuring that they are properly secured to the wall.  In this situation, making a simple mistake can have costly consequences.

Instead of trying your hand at cabinet installation, we recommend working with an expert.  We can help you to design your cabinetry, build custom cabinets so that your home is beautifully unique, and install them to perfection.  Designing custom cabinets can be a lot of fun and gives you the opportunity to really let your creative side flourish.  Just like “there’s an app for that”… well there’s a cabinet for that too.  Regardless of what you are trying to store, a custom cabinet can help.  This allows for you to consider every way that your kitchen is used and have cabinetry designed for it.  For example, if you like to bake your own bread using a bread maker, we can design a “house” for it so that your machine is always plugged in and ready to go, without being visible when it isn’t in use.  The same is true for the toaster, coffee pot, rice maker and any other small appliances that you regularly use.

Simultaneously, interesting features can be incorporated into your custom cabinetry such as having plugins for your iPad built into the center island.  Though these features are small, they can make a big difference.  We can even install a hidden garbage shoot so that you can wipe the counter crumbs directly into the can instead of your hand first.  When you combine a lot of time-saving measures into your kitchen cabinet installation, life gets just a little bit easier.

Why you shouldn’t try kitchen cabinet installation on your own….

We say that this is not for the faint of heart due to the massive amounts of frustration that first-time DIY couples get when trying to remodel a kitchen.  Tearing out the existing cabinetry is a job in and of itself.  Once done, you have to make sure that the floor is flat, and the walls are prepared before installing any of the cabinetry.  Those that don’t check the floor may find that their cabinets and counters have a slant once in place.

Another common, and more costly, mistake is hanging the cabinets without finding the studs.  Drywall is incredibly thin, so thin, in fact, that you can snap off a piece without a tool, you can punch a hole through it…. the list goes on.  This becomes incredibly challenging if you are trying to hang cabinets.  Screwing a heavy cabinet that is supposed to hold equally heavy dishes into drywall is not safe.  You need to find the 2x4 studs behind the drywall and use them as an anchor for your cabinets so that you don’t find yourself in a kitchen full of broken dishes, or call to have us complete the job for you.

Cabinetry Facts for Your Kitchen Remodeling in New Orleans

If you are planning a kitchen remodeling in New Orleans, it is important to put thought towards your cabinets and how you will need them to both look and function. Your cabinetry can be one of the largest investments you make in your kitchen, and it will have a dramatic impact on how the entire space looks, perhaps the largest impact, in fact.  Additionally, your cabinets need to be uber functional, making your life easier rather than simply enhancing the clutter.  As such, here are some things to keep in mind when creating your dream kitchen:

• Layout matters. In order for your kitchen cabinets to make your life easier, they need to do more than help you to stay organized.  In this vein, layout is extremely important.  You must consider the foods you like to cook and how you cook so that what you need is readily available without having to leave your cooking space.  For example, do you bake on a frequent basis?  If so, your cabinets should be designed so that your measuring cups and spoons are stored near your mixing bowls, baking trays and baking supplies like sugar and spices.  This is all possible by planning ahead for how you want your kitchen to function. 
• Interior features are important.  When planning a kitchen remodeling in New Orleans, keep in mind that a cabinet is no longer an open hole with a shelf in it.  They are now incredibly detailed and can include the type of storage solutions that you may have only dreamed of. Things like built in silverware organizers and a pull out spice storage are all possible.  Let us know about the type of features you are interested in, regardless of how complex they seem, and we will look for a way to produce it. 
• There are multiple design options.  Kitchen cabinets are a design feature just like the type of flooring you select and the paint color you put on the walls.  They should be selected to enhance the overall design and décor of your home, rather than stand out as an isolated object.  With so many options to choose from, there is no need to settle for cookie-cutter or boring cabinetry.
• Buy hardware that pops.  The hardware you place on your cabinets will make a major impact on how your entire kitchen looks.  Your hardware is the finishing touch that screams country kitchen or minimalist space.  Regardless of what your taste are, we can suggest hardware that matches it. 
• High-tech features.  We can now incorporate high-tech features in your space.  When thinking about your kitchen remodeling in New Orleans, consider what electronics you use and how many people are in the family.  We can do things like include a charging station for smartphones and tablets in the kitchen island.  This makes it possible to look up your favorite recipe while cooking dinner or listen to music while helping kids with homework.  We can also install electrical outlets into your cabinets so that things like a toaster can be hidden and out of view. 

We encourage our clients to have fun with their remodeling projects and let their creative side out.  We are here to provide design guidance and to turn your dreams into a beautiful reality. 

Surprises You Don’t Want to Find in a Bath Remodel

We work with homeowners on their bath remodel and can create spa-like, storage-filled, glamorous spaces.  At times, we run into a homeowner that is interested in completing their bathroom remodel themselves.  It is normal to get the DIY bug from time to time, but we do want to point out that when remodeling something that is used as much as a bathroom, and involves plumbing, working with a professional is ideal for ensuring that your important space is not out of commission for a prolonged period of time.  Unfortunately, the bathroom is one of those spaces that you can’t live without but is often full of surprises during a remodel, surprises that can cause delays.

Here is what you don’t want to find in the middle of your project.

The missing leak.  This is a big one.  Bathrooms are notorious for developing leaks in unidentified places.  Given the number of pipes and features in the bathroom this is easy to do.  For example, a five piece bathroom may have a leak in the plumbing leading to the tub but because of the location the leak may appear to be by the shower.  This can lead to many frustrated homeowners making holes and searching unsuccessfully for the missing leak.  As a contractor, we know where to look and can get to the bottom of leaks much faster. 

Mold.  Yikes!  Mold can be a major issue, and as the existing cabinetry or tub surround is removed during a bath remodel, it is fairly common to find mold behind these spaces.  Since there is so much moisture in the bathroom, there must be clear ventilation options.  Unfortunately, many older homes weren’t built with a fan or a window, and while this may seem crazy today, this common practice makes for a moldy situation.  When mold is identified, it may be possible to clean the area with bleach and treat it with a special type of paint.  In many cases, however, we recommend replacing the drywall in order to be safe.  Since mold can make your family sick, this is not something that you want to mess around with.  We also install proper ventilation to ensure that the problem won’t develop again. 

Electrical issues.  Many of the homeowners we work with have challenges with their existing electrical. When older homes were built there simply weren’t the same amount of appliances, televisions, hair dryers, machines and electronics needing constant electricity.  Our world runs on the electrical grid, and if the wiring in your home has not been updated in some time, it may not be able to support the demands that you are placing on it.  This can lead to outages at the most inconvenient of times, for example, when trying to curl your hair.  With that in mind, we recommend having a contractor complete your bath remodel so that we can update your electrical as needed.  If, however, you have started a project and see fraying or damaged wires when you open the wall up – call us immediately so that you can stay safe. 

Common Mistakes People Make On Their Kitchen Cabinet Installation

When looking for kitchen cabinet installation services, it is important to work with a professional that knows what they are doing.  Many homeowners try to do this themselves, thinking that it will be easier than it is.  Fortunately, whether you have us create customized cabinets or order them online, we can provide the kitchen cabinet installation services you need to get the job done correctly.

Here are some common mistakes people make:

• Not finding the studs.  When your home was built, the contractor would have created a frame using studs (typically 2X4 pieces of wood).  The insulation would have gone in between, with drywall secured to them.  When you look at your wall, you see the drywall and not the studs underneath.  Drywall is a thin material and should only be used to hang the lightest of picture frames.  If you try to hang cabinets without securing them to a stud, they will fall down, if not immediately, once the dishes are in place. 
• Hanging them crooked.  It is fairly easy to hang cabinets and have them come out crooked.  As the house settles, the ceiling and floors may dip slightly so you can’t do this by site alone. You need to use a level and check it frequently.  We make sure that they are straight and level when completing a kitchen cabinet installation.
• Damaging the surface or face.  If you struggle while putting your cabinets in place, it can be easy to damage their surface.  After spending money on new ones, this is a fast way to instantly make them appear old or dated. 
• Not measuring correctly.  It is important to properly measure the space so that your cabinets are the right size.  Otherwise, you could end up with a kitchen that only looks partially finished.
• Gaps.  People, that are new to installing cabinets, may find it challenging to connect them perfectly, creating gaps in between them that leads to an unprofessional or unfinished appearance. 
• Trouble opening and closing.  If the hinges are not installed correctly, your cabinets may not open and close like they should.  This is especially challenging with installing the drawers since they need to smoothly open and close.

We provide professional kitchen cabinet installation services so that you can avoid all of these common mistakes when remodeling your kitchen.  Cabinets are a significant investment into your remodel.  Whether you have them created specifically for your home, buy them online or at the hardware store, they are not cheap.  Paying money for your new cabinets then taking a shortcut with the installation is unwise.  This can lead to further damage of your cabinets or worse yet, your kitchen.  If, for example, they are hung without using a stud, you never know when the unit will fall down. When it does, someone may be hurt; your dishes broken and a hole created in your wall.  In order to avoid a situation like this, we highly recommend working with a professional that is licensed and bonded such as ourselves. 

Why You Should Hire a General Contractor Instead of a Handyman

For many homeowners, it can be difficult to know the difference between a general contractor and the local handyman.  With both adverstising the ability to do home repairs and remodeling, many people get confused and simply hire the first person they come across or someone advertising a special rate. Unfortunately, this can get you into a lot of trouble.  For most families, their home is their largest and most expensive asset.  As such, it is unwise to risk it by working with someone that can’t get the job done right. 

The Local Handyman
When a person puts themselves out to be a handyman, they may or may not have any professional training.  This is based on the individual but certainly none is required to fulfill this role.  They may be someone that did small jobs here and there and decided to go into business for themselves.  Additionally, many handymen are not licensed or bonded as a contractor.  This means that if they don’t finish the job or do it incorrectly, there is no bond to go after. They can work by themselves or as part of a franchise. 

The General Contractor
In order to become a general contractor, you must go through training. In fact, many general contractors have either an associate or bachelor degree in construction management.  After obtaining this classroom training, most will then enter an apprenticeship program or work as an assistant to gain on the job experience before becoming an official general contractor.  This is a high ranking position within the construction industry because a general contractor knows how to complete the work but more importantly, coordinates it.  A general pulls together all of the other tradesmen to get the job completed correctly, on time, and on schedule.  For example, they coordinate the electrician, plumber, carpenter, and tile worker for a bathroom remodel.  A general contractor is also bonded and insured in order to provide additional protection for homeowners. 

The difference between a handyman and general contractor are vast.  It would be similar to working with someone trained in first aid and a certified nurse or doctor.  One has the skills necessary to tackle basic and common issue while the other is trained to handle more complicated cases and understand all aspects of what must be done.  As a homeowner, it is important to hire someone that you can trust to get the job done correctly so when interviewing people, be sure to ask if they are a general contractor. 

It is also important to note that when a company is bonded and insured, you have protections under the law.  If, for example, you hire someone to remodel your kitchen and they start, but never finish, you can go after their bond. General contractors have one, so this can give you additional confidence. Most handymen, do not have a bond so if they don’t finish the job your best option will be to pursue them in small claims court.  This is one additional reason you should work with a general contractor for any major home repair or remodel. 

Flooring Ideas For Your Bathroom Remodel

If you are planning a bathroom remodel, it is important to select the right flooring material. Bathrooms are naturally a wet and moist area, meaning that some flooring materials will do better in the space than others.  It is also generally a very small space, making it possible to have fun and get creative with the materials you select. Flooring that may be too expensive to use in a large space can make an affordable splash in this room.

Here are some things to consider. 

• Skip the carpet.  Putting carpet in the bathroom may have been popular in the 80s but it is incredibly unsanitary.  Think of your toddler potty training or Grandpa missing the bowl – yuck! Germs that gather around the toilet bowl and on the carpet can be difficult to remove and require constant carpet cleaning.  If anyone other than your neat and tidy self is using this bathroom, skip the carpet to keep the space clean. 
• Don’t use laminate.  Laminate floors that look like wood are an inexpensive way to improve the appearance of your home.  The problem is that this is not a good solution in rooms with potential for leaks. This type of flooring has cracks and a plastic water barrier underneath.  When water gets onto the floor due to showering or a toilet leak, it can seep through the cracks and start to move along the barrier.  In this way, a bathroom leak can spread and create leaks elsewhere.  This makes it a bad flooring solution for your bathroom remodel but an excellent choice for the hallway.
• Try tile.  You can buy tile in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes.  It is an excellent solution for a bathroom floor because it is durable and easy to clean.  Water that falls onto a tile floor will dry without seeping through it, eliminating the risk of water leaks spreading into other rooms or through the ceiling. 
• Go mosaic.  Since the bathroom is such a small space, it is the perfect area to use mosaic tiles.  They are beautiful and can be arranged in an unlimited amount of patterns.  This is a way to show off your artistic side and incorporate a high-end material into your home without spending a ton of money. 
• Glass flooring.  Glass comes in a variety of texture and patterns.  This is a sleek and modern alternative to traditional stone or ceramic tile flooring and is a fun way to update your space.  It is easy to clean and great for wet spaces. 
• Concrete.  If you like the industrial look, try a concrete floor in your bathroom.  You can keep the concrete a natural shade of grey, or you can have it stamped with a fun pattern and colors to match the rest of the space.  

We can help you to select the perfect flooring for your bathroom remodel.  As an expert contractor, we can make your space functional and beautiful at the same time.  To learn more or to get additional design ideas, call and schedule an in-home consultation. 

A Kitchen Remodel Fit for a Holiday Feast

When planning your kitchen remodel, it is important to consider how you and your family use your kitchen on a daily basis.  Things like how many cooks are in the kitchen, and the type of food you like to eat is important in creating an overall design.  For example, if several people like to cook, you need more than one prep area and more room in between the island and back countertop. This way more than one person can participate without bumping into each other. 

What many people fail to consider is what happens at the holidays or when it’s time to throw a birthday party.  If the holidays are still at mom's house, this may not be important but if you are hosting family gatherings, your remodel can make it easier to do so.  Certain features can be incorporated that can help to make things run smoothly when having a lot of people over.  

Here are ideas for your kitchen remodel that make it possible to plan the perfect holiday feast:

• Double ovens.  Perhaps, the most difficult thing to do is plan how you will bake all of the side dishes while the turkey is in the oven.  Turkey roasters tend to take up the entire space leaving no room for stuffing or your famous green bean casserole.  Whether cooking the Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham, most people need more than one oven. By installing a double oven, you will have the space you need during the holidays and all year-round, no juggling required. 
• Use a warmer.  Even with a double oven it can be nice to prepare some food in advance.  A warming oven allows you to do so while keeping it at the perfect temperature to serve at your convenience.  This simple solution is no larger than an oversized drawer and can fit comfortably into small and large kitchens. 
• Add more burners.  A standard four burner stove can feel claustrophobic when making dinner on Wednesday night let alone with you making a holiday feast.  The best way to avoid pan clutter is to make room for a six to eight burner stove.  The added space will make it possible to cook multiple things at once without using the microwave.  For added elbow room have your stovetop placed in the island instead of the back counter. 
• Create a prep area.  We can install a prep sink in the island so that you have one sink for food and one for dishes.  This makes it easy to separate the mess from food that you want to keep clean.  Your kitchen will become more organized and have a better flow every day, not just on the holidays. 
• Ventilation.  When cooking so many dishes at once, having proper ventilation becomes even more important.  We can help by installing a commercial grade hood to suck out the smells that are competing for your attention.  

We can help you to design a kitchen remodel that makes it easy to cook dinner on Monday and throw a party on Saturday.  For more design solutions, give us a call and schedule a consultation.