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FREE Powder Room Remodel is Back!

January 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sound too good to be true? It’s NOT! We are GIVING AWAY a power room renovation.

Last September we made an offer that you’ll not find anywhere else.  When you get your kitchen or basement remodeled with Home Design Elements, we’ll remodel you powder room for free.

Here’s what you’ll get:

      • New floor
      • New vanity, sink and faucet
      • New light fixture
      • New paint
      • New toilet
      • Fully installed and finished
      • Must be within 25 miles of our showroom; main level half bath only – no full baths; must choose materials from our showroom selection.
Call today to get more information about Home Design Elements and how we can help you with a basement or kitchen remodel.
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Help For Realtors

January 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Sure, we have custom closets, garage organizers, window treatments.  Yes, we handle a full array of remodeling jobs.

But did you know that Home Design Elements is the contractor of choice for many area Realtors?

Realtors have special needs when it comes to partnering up with a contractor:

  • Work must be fast and on schedule
  • Understand the process of dealing with banks
  • Know the tips and tricks to making big improvements with low cost
  • Understand curb appeal and what makes the big differences
  • Providing easy access to design options
  • Knowing how to help a Realtor close more!
Many contractors just do whatever work comes their way.  Whether you’re a homeowner or Realtor makes little difference.
But Home Design Elements has perfected our business processes to make a perfect match for Realtors.  We know your processes, have extensive experience with REO properties.  In short, we can help you sell more by being a reliable partner in preparing a home for sale.
Give us a call to find out more…
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Increase the Value of Your Home

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Every home is, first and foremost, a place to live and enjoy—a respite from the outside world and a place to build cherished family memories. But a home is also an investment —perhaps the most important investment you will ever make, and there are many small steps you can take over the years to increase its value, comfort, and marketability should the time come to sell it and move.

Here are seven cost-effective ways to treat your home like the investment it is meant to be:

• Curb appeal – First impressions are important, and regular maintenance shows. A well-kept lawn, tidy landscaping, a neatly painted exterior and a nice front door show pride of ownership and pride in the neighborhood.

• Fresh paint – One of the most cost-effective boosts to any home is a coat of fresh interior paint. Choose colors that appeal to you, but if selling your home is on your agenda, stick to neutral shades.

• Update kitchen – Dated counters, cabinets and floors can be a real turn-off to buyers. Investing in granite, tile and/or remodeled cabinetry will not only increase your own enjoyment, but can make a major difference in resale value.

• Update windows – Double paned windows that shut out noise and help regulate indoor temperature are an attractive and worthwhile investment that will add value to your home.

• Update baths – Attractive bathrooms are always noticed. Tubs and showers are easily replaced or resurfaced, and newer, low-flush toilets can cost as little as $100.

• Update floors and ceilings – Popcorn ceilings are a thing of the past. Scrape them away before painting. Carpeting, if used, should never look dingy or worn. Is there a real wood floor under the carpet? Think about ripping out that old carpeting and refurbishing the wood for a clean and updated look.

• Energy savings – Although not always noticeable, energy efficient additions like solar panels, insulated windows and water filtration systems will trim your own utility bills and add value when you sell.

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Improving Your Outdoor Living

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Warm weather means enjoying dinner al fresco, hosting neighborhood get-togethers and lounging outside. To create a backyard retreat before summer ends, consider these three steps from the outdoor living experts at Trex:

Get Decked Out — Spend more time enjoying—rather than maintaining— your outdoor living space with materials that need only soap and water to keep a “like new” appearance for decades. Wood-alternative decking resists fading, staining, scratching and mold — even after years of heavy foot traffic and exposure to the elements.

Find the Best Seat Outside the House — Look for outdoor dining and seating options that combine livable design with worry-free durability. Find furniture that stands up to the sun, rain, wind, saltwater or snow and features all-weather fabrics that don’t need to be taken inside every time storm clouds threaten.

Brighten Up — Light up the night and extend the amount of time you can spend outside—while saving money on maintenance and energy costs—with proper lighting for the deck.

“An outdoor living space should be just as comfortable and stylish as a home’s interior, while reflecting personal tastes and interests,” says Ron Kaplan, chairman, president and CEO of Trex, a manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing.

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Information About Roofing Repairs

October 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Some great information from RISMedia….

After one of the worst winters in recent memory, a lot of folks are finding out this summer that they have some substantial roof damage as a result. For those who do, the Better Business Bureau warns that among the summer’s usual list of unscrupulous peddlers, are contractors who try to pressure homeowners into repairing or replacing their roof.

Complaints to BBB about roofers concern high-pressure sales tactics, confusion over contract terms, poor workmanship, incomplete work, disputes over warranties and overcharging on the agreed upon price. To avoid these scenarios and find a roofer you can count on, BBB recommends that homeowners:

• Recognize the red flags - Beware of any contractor that uses high pressure sales tactics or requires full payment upfront. Also, avoid contractors that require you to get the necessary permits. This is usually an indication the contractor wants to avoid answering questions at city hall.

• Get at least three bids - Beware of lowball estimates that may potentially balloon over time or foreshadow shoddy work to come. If estimates for the same work vary widely, find out why. Sometimes unscrupulous operators may use sub-standard materials or take longer to finish the job.

• Check the qualifications - Verify the business meets all requirements including required licensing and insurance, that they are bonded and registered in many states. Ask a prospective roofer for references from recent jobs.

• Make sure everything is in writing - The full scope of the work should be explained in the contract. All verbal agreements need to be included in the written agreement. Pay close attention to the payment terms, estimated price of materials and labor, and any warranties or guarantees, a payment schedule and start and completion dates. Confirm whether the roofer will be subcontracting the job or relying on established, qualified employees.

• Know what to pay and when – Negotiate the lowest possible deposit, but keep in mind it allows the contractor to purchase materials for the project. Never pay the full amount upfront or with cash. Make checks payable to a company—rather than an individual.

• Know your rights – If you have second thoughts about having the work done, the Federal Trade Commission’s “Cooling-Off Rule” gives you three days to cancel purchases over $25 that are made in your home or at a location that is not the seller’s permanent place of business.

Copyright© 2011 RISMedia, The Leader in Real Estate Information Systems and Real Estate News. All Rights Reserved.

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It’s Done and It’s Amazing – Check Out This Remodel

September 13, 2011 By Leave a Comment

This video says it all.  If you’ve been watching, you’ve seen the progress on this History Drive renovation.  Here it is…

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Wow – You’ve Got to See This…

August 3, 2011 By Leave a Comment

It started with a house desperately in need of some help.  the flooring and carpets were shot.  Walls were either dingy and marked up, or had 1970′s era wallpaper on them.  The kitchen…you don’t even want to know about the kitchen.  Even the outside of the house needed something – it had been painted in 1978 a kind of “barn red” that was no so flattering, to say the least.

Well, we’ve come a long way, baby.  Check out our walk through from earlier this week…

Not to be outdone, what was a “cellar” is turning into a beautiful family space with extra bedroom:

One thing is certain – this is going to be a beautiful NEW home when all is said and done. We should be wrapping up in the next couple weeks!

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Want a FREE Powder Room Renovation? Check This Out!

August 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Sound too good to be true? It’s NOT! We are GIVING AWAY a power room renovation.

You heard me right – we’re giving it away. You don’t have to buy anything. There is no obligation. We don’t need anything from you at all.

On Saturday, September 1, 2011, Jim will be randomly selecting one of our Facebook fans. The person drawn from the hat will get a free power room renovation!

Here’s what you’ll get:

      • New floor
      • New vanity, sink and faucet
      • New light fixture
      • New paint
      • New toilet
      • Fully installed and finished
      • Must be within 25 miles of our showroom; main level half bath only – no full baths; must choose materials from our showroom selection.
So what’s the catch?  Well….there isn’t one.  But if you want a chance to win, you have to like Home Design Elements on Facebook!
You can find us on Facebook here.  Or, just look on the bottom right side of this page – you can “Like” us right from here!
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Kitchen Cabinet Installation

July 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

The Kitchen is coming along nicely at the Oakton VA renovation.  Today we’ll be showing you some progress on the kitchen cabinet installation.

The house, located along History Drive was built in 1978 and was in pretty bad shape.  The previous posts showed just how bad it was.  Essentially, Home Design Elements needed to gut the entire house and start over.  We pulled all carpet and flooring, the entire kitchen with al appliances, we even demolished some walls and re-built them.

For cabinets, we chose a beautiful combination of wood and stain that will match just about any home decor.  The wood is maple with a nut brown finish.  The doors are not too fancy, but have enough sophistication to be dressed up with decor or dressed down depending on the owner’s taste.

Here’s a look when the crew first began the installation…

After a couple of hours, we had much of the cabinet work done.  Now….waiting for the granite!

 

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Lesson in Curb Appeal – Renovation Update

July 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

As we move through the renovation project on History Drive in Oakton, things are really starting to come together. When I pulled up on Tuesday afternoon I was struck by how great the front of the house looked – even with the dumpster in the driveway!

Last week, the crew pulled all the scrub brush out of the front yard along with the entire layer of grass – if you could call it that. The lawn was mostly crab grass, clover and all manner of weeds.

After removing the existing grass/weeds and dead schrubs, we grated the lawn so that it had a nice smooth curve to its slope. Then we added a LOT of new top soil, something in the neighborhood of 12 yards. Then we seeded the lawn. You can see the great results after only 1 week!

We got a look at the back yard too – this is going to be a great place for a family to make memories!

Next we move on to the Master Bedroom. Last week, we showed you the beginning tile work. Well, now it is finished and the detail is just great. We also ran the wiring for Internet access and whole house sound into the Master Bedroom. Have a look here:

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