Hands-On Construction

Updating a 1970's Concord Colonial - Opening up Living Spaces

2012-03-08T13:51:00.000-05:00

Custom built-in bar next to new solarium

This 1970’s colonial home is owned by an older professional couple juggling demanding careers and committed to aging in place. They wanted to improve the kitchen-family room connection, create beautiful spaces in which to read and write, and to better utilize an existing screen porch.

Porch before

For this project, Hands-On Construction converted the porch to a year-round solarium, updated family room finishes and created large openings between the solarium, family room and existing kitchen.

Family room fireplace / New painted wood trim

We converted the family room brick fireplace to gas and added a beautiful a wood mantle and granite hearth. We provided custom painted wood built-ins on three walls to house a media center, bar and some of the couple’s extensive book collection. And we replaced existing barn board wainscoting and dark beams with a painted wood trim package that was a better fit to the classic elegance of their home. New carpet, paint and wallpaper finished the transformation.

New solarium overlooks wooded lot

Engineered beams and walls in the new solarium allow for a vaulted ceiling and oversized windows. Old-fashioned bubble style skylights were replaced in the low-pitch roofing. Stucco hid exterior insulation applied over the poured concrete slab to preserve the slate floor. A zoned ductless AC and baseboard heating system improved homeowners' comfort. And a larger landing and new stair improved access to the patio and wooded back yard.

Some of the other improvements we made ---

We installed a french door between family room and kitchen to allow for some sound separation during tv viewing
Better situated lighting for aging eyes and reading
In the media center, our consultant designed for a one touch controller
We maximized the homeowners' views of a lovely, private, wooded lot
Construction Details:

Solarium looking into kitchen

We called in a structural consultant for the beam
Installed flashing detail for exterior insulation
Used split wood shutters so top half is operable above furniture
Made extensive roof-siding-trim repairs to make the building shell weather-tight and provide ice-dam protection

Top trends in bathroom remodeling

2012-03-08T10:36:00.000-05:00

The Envi™ Eco-Performance ($50-$80) showerhead’s Fibonacci-inspired, spiral-shaped nozzle pattern provides full-body coverage. Image: Moen

Houselogic recently highlighted three top trends for bathroom remodeling in 2012: Conservation, Technology Innovations and Safety for an aging population. While some of the examples are pricey and frankly excessive (do you really NEED a TV built into your medicine cabinet? Or an iPod dock on the commode?), some of these are worth a closer look.

In the area of conservation, we like the reminder to look for the WaterSense label on toilets, showerheads and faucets. With the increasing demand and higher cost for water usage, it's important to install plumbing products that offer at least 20% water savings over those products that just meet code. A high-efficiency toilet can shave your annual water bill by more than $90 while a low-flow shower head can save you another $150.

Many of our clients who have recently done bathroom remodels are deciding to add safety features that will allow them to comfortably age in place in their current homes. Some of the universal design features we've included in our bath remodel projects include

framing for grab bars that can be installed now or later
a curbless shower that has no lip at the floor and can be accessed by those using a wheelchair or other mobility device
hand-held shower heads, also great water savers, and shower benches which allow for a seated shower or an extra surface to rest bath products or a foot
taller toilets with soft-close lids

Increase in residential construction spending

2012-03-06T08:29:00.007-05:00

Good News

Spending on residential construction projects nationwide has increased in each of the last six months, according to Census Bureau numbers reported by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). We are seeing this trend closer to home where the Concord building department is ahead of last year's record setting pace for number of building permits issued. Employment is rising, retail sales climbing, and mortgage rates are at a record-low.

Island dreaming - What goes into a successful kitchen island design?

2012-02-16T14:58:00.000-05:00

A couple of weeks ago we featured a kitchen remodel Hands-On completed last year - the new kitchen has a beautiful large island at its heart. Big or small, what makes for a successful island? Here are some questions to think about in designing your dream island --

Beyond storage and extra work surface for your sous chef - what do you want your island to do? Will you outfit it with a cooktop, refrigerator drawer, microwave, dishwasher or sink? Do you want an end or side especially for dining or homework?
Thinking some more about function: Does a multi-level surface make sense, to separate eating space from work space? A curved side makes an inviting edge for dining or other seated activities.
Mixing surface material choices -- different from the other counter tops (butcher block, granite) or cabinet finishes (painted, stained) in the kitchen -- enhance the island's focal point and support multiple work spaces.
How will the island define space in the kitchen? Is it meant to control traffic between cooks and guests? Will it act as a bridge, supporting movement between kitchen and family room, as this island does?
Finally, size is a key design choice. Just right is between 3 1/2 and 4 feet - any smaller and there's not enough clearance for appliances to open or people to move around it. Any larger and you're taking extra steps as you move from island to surrounding counters.

Here are some other thoughts on island design from award winning kitchen designers.

2012-02-02T15:10:00.005-05:00

I recently attended a workshop “Strategies for improving Building Energy Performance” to keep abreast of the newly implemented ‘Stretch Energy Code’.
Hands-On is committed to better building practices that can help insure healthier, more durable, efficient homes. Here are some sites to check out.
Center for Ecological Technology www.cetonline.org
Conservation Services Group www.csgrp.com

On the Shelf:

Green Remodeling, Johnston & Master

Green Building and Remodeling for Dummies

Homeowners Guild to Building Performance

Towards a Zero Energy Home, Johnston & Gibson

Cost vs Value -- How do remodeling and replacement projects stack up?

2012-02-02T11:57:00.002-05:00

Nationally, home improvement replacement projects such as siding, windows, or garage doors continue to edge out remodeling projects in cost recouped, according to the Remodeling 2011-12 Cost vs. Value Report (www.costvsvalue.com)*.

That's also the picture around Boston, with a couple of notable exceptions. A mid-range major kitchen remodel (average cost $65K) has a 70% return, comparable to the siding and window replacements percentage return. But a mid-range minor kitchen remodel (avg cost $21K) gives back 80%. An attic bedroom remodel is another higher yield project at 72%. See the full set of Metro Boston data for rankings of all types of home improvement projects in our area.

Hands-On kitchen remodel project from 2011

A recent report from Angie's List had kitchen remodel projects at a return of 85%. It hasn't been that high for a while (at least in our market), but it is the case that, historically, kitchen (and bath) projects have been slightly higher than average in cost-value ratio. In 2011-12 results, national kitchen and bath projects matched the overall national average (57.1%) for cost-value ratio. But New England's average return for kitchen and bath projects (66.5%) is still above its overall project average (60.5%).

*copyright 2011 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2011-12 Cost vs. Value report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com

Home energy management: Anticipating the weather

2012-02-02T09:09:00.003-05:00

New energy management software from EnergyHub and Earth Networks' called e5 will allow smart thermostats to respond to local weather, current and forecasted. Using Earth Networks' system of 8,000 weather observation stations around the country - the same ones that source Weather Bug - the e5 system will use live, neighborhood-level weather conditions and forecasts to anticipate major changes in weather and manage heating and cooling needs in advance, in the most energy-efficient way.

Earth Networks approach also focuses on user preferences for comfort and homewoner schedules, both of which are programmable, through Energy Hub's website or mobile apps.

Read more about the product, scheduled to begin rollout in summer 2012, at the Treehugger blog.

Kitchen hangout for large blended family

2012-02-01T15:36:00.005-05:00

A blended family with ten adults and teenagers reside in a historic 1860 house in Lexington.

Our 2011 remodeling project envisioned a kitchen with large island where multiple cooks could prep a meal, participate in family activities and watch a ball game, or as a perch to chat and work on a laptop. When alone, the parents wanted an intimate spot to have a meal for two.

Pantry wall - BEFORE

A previous kitchen renovation/addition had drawbacks:

A large walk-in pantry divided the kitchen and family rooms, cutting off conversation and limiting activities
The breakfast table was jammed into the middle of a hallway, creating a bottleneck where family moved to the rest of the house
Three pair of porch French doors directed traffic through the family room sitting area. The resulting piles of outerwear blocked circulation and created unsightly clutter
An oversized window seat was unusable. Generally, the family room space was cluttered, hard to furnish and difficult to heat
Both task and mood lighting were sub-optimal.

A key project goal was to re-use the assets of the kitchen:

Ten-year old stained oak cabinets were relocated and reconfigured and new oak cabinets were stained to match. The Sub-Zero was relocated
A new 4½’ x 8½’ island replaced the dark, cluttered walk-in pantry. Into the island went existing components: Two dishwasher drawers, a warming drawer, a microwave drawer and a black granite farmer’s sink. The custom island cabinetry was painted as were cabinets
New beverage counter under oval window
elsewhere, a colorful accent to the predominant dark oak cabinetry
A charming oval window in the formerly dark pantry became featured over a beverage counter which included a relocated under-counter beverage refrigerator
Interior French doors with a stained glass transom were re-used in a new pantry closet
A beautiful tile backsplash was saved
A painted tin ceiling needed to be partially removed to install structural beam. We re-used the panels we could salvage and located matching panels. The entire ceiling was then painted, to make a seamless blend between old and new.

New Mudroom at entry

Our renovation captured a portion of the porch to create an organized “drop zone” entry area to the kitchen. Along with integrating it with the kitchen, the family room portion of the new room was improved by installing a gas fireplace with custom mantle as a focal point and by removing the window seat to create a breakfast nook.

Challenges encountered began with the careful removal of parts to be saved and reinstalled. Buried in the pantry wall slated for demolition were various lines that fed the second floor master bedroom suite above. We padded the exterior wall to accommodate the re-routed pipe and wire and then custom fabricated casing and jamb so that the saved oval window fit into the thicker wall. A window of trim was saved for the new entry zone. We re-used granite countertop and oak strip flooring.

After: Kitchen opens to family room with generous center island at its heart

Here's what the homeowners say about their new open kitchen / family room: "The kids can now prepare and cook two meals at the same time. Or, I can prepare food at the island sink and watch the football game while someon sits at the other end using a laptop. It has become the home office. The island is not too big. It has become the heart of the home."

See more photos of this project at our website portfolio.

Bath designs for aging in place

2011-04-22T13:20:00.000-04:00

80% of people over 50 wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely, according to AARP. The National Association of Home Builders defines Aging in Place as “living in one’s home independently regardless of age or ability.” Key factors to think about when renovating your home for aging in place are reduced vision, mobility and strength. To address reduced mobility, you may want to plan for a first floor master bedroom with an adjoining master bath. Providing light from multiple sources can assist your vision. Using contrasting colors on different surfaces -- such as counters and floors -- aids your depth perception. As you age, you may need to sit and rest while performing daily routines, so it's helpful to have seating options near those activities you generally do while standing.

At my recent class at Kohler’s Bathing University, we reviewed some good bathroom design characteristics for aging in place. Kohler has responded to the needs of this population through extensive research and has developed the innovative Elevance™ rising wall bath. This tub is engineered to meet ADA guidelines and provide a soaking experience. One wall of the tub can be raised and lowered with one hand and locks into place with two watertight seals. Kohler did not sacrifice esthetics -- this tub also looks good. Design features include a waterfall fill, integrated storage ledge, and an integral grab bar. Kohler’s website features an elegant, attractive bathroom incorporating this tub and additional accommodations to “age in place.”

Can this house be saved? -- Making a rebuild vs remodel decision

2011-04-15T15:46:00.004-04:00

Where to start? Consult with a trusted architect. I met with Rick Eifler to measure and photograph the house. With a base plan of the existing house, we brainstormed design ideas that would transform the river property I’d purchased. Together we’ve completed scores of renovated and new homes over the past decade.

Our initial inclination was to remodel this old ranch. My primary goal was to take advantage of a site that overlooked the Assabet River watershed. Built on an east-west axis, the rear of the house has great southern exposure on the river side. But to get those river views, we would need a second story. And because of the proximity of the house to the watershed, we weren’t going to be able to extend the footprint towards the river one bit.

We called in Scott Nelson of Structural Response to check the foundation walls and soil composition to see if the soil and footings would support a second story. They would have, but was this economically viable? The existing rooms were small by today’s standards. Would building a second floor on a 1960s ranch give us a home that met 2010s needs?

We evaluated the state of the existing structure and systems. Nothing had been touched in forty years, except for that roof repair I’d done ten years earlier. A new roof was overdue. The heating, plumbing, and electrical systems all needed to be modernized or replaced. Ditto the original kitchen, bathroom, windows and doors. The septic system had failed. The insulation was inadequate and would be difficult to bring up to code.

We drew up a couple of plans and made cost comparisons of renovating or starting anew. We consulted with some local realtors. The consensus: Take it down and start over.

Stay tuned for our next post on the evolution of this house. . .

Innovative bath experiences

2011-04-13T13:41:00.019-04:00

Recently I attended a Kohler® University Training Event, an interactive course led by a Kohler Training Specialist. I got up-to-the minute information about innovative bathing experiences: Size and material options for traditional tub bathing, Effervescence bathing, Bubble Massage™, Whirlpools and VibrAcoustic™ bathing.

VibrAcoustic bathing is a new and exciting concept “creating an environment of harmony both invigorating and restful.” Kohler describes the experience as “music and sound vibration completely surrounding you, permeating the core of your body. Your breathing and heart rate become entrained, echoing yoga-inspired rhythms that enhance your ability to relax.” Four different sound/music compositions are available titled: Solitude, Letting Go, Awakening and Transcendence. In addition, the bath has a user friendly interface control with the option of listening to a favorite playlist or radio station.

Throughout the day, I learned some other useful tips: Kohler sells a cast iron cleaner which protects your tub surface. They also reminded us that using bath salts in air bubble or jetted tubs will cause corrosion and installing heat under a cast iron tub will aid in keeping bath water warm.

Part 2 of the seminar was about aging in place -- Stay tuned for my next post on bathing innovations that support this new trend.

River Dreaming -- Visions from a garage roof

2011-04-08T15:35:00.003-04:00

Assabet River watershed

It was a beautiful autumn day, cool and crisp. The Assabet River sparkled sunlight reflections below me. I was on my hands and knees, hammer in hand, shingling the garage roof of a 1960s ranch. Taking in the view, I thought, “What a wonderful place this would be to live”.

Original 1960s ranch

Fast forward 10 years. I drove by the house and noticed a 'For Sale' sign in the yard. The owner, a widower in his eighties and an avid river boater, was no longer able to take care of his home. It had become a true handyman’s special.

Jazzed by this turn of fate, I thought, here’s a chance to act on a dream that began on the rooftop. Could I bring that vision alive? Could I transform this tired home into a dwelling for the 21^st century, with updated systems, energy efficiencies and design for the way we live today?

When my offer was accepted, I took a deep breath, and asked, “OK, NOW what do I do?”

Stay tuned for our next post on how this vision came to be …