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When it comes to home improvement projects, design build remodeling contractors are the go-to experts. They specialize in the design, construction, and renovation work that can help transform your space into something new and beautiful. When looking for the best contractor near you, certain factors should be taken into consideration.

1. Research Their Portfolio

The design build contractor you choose should have an extensive portfolio showcasing their design and remodeling work. You’ll want to look for design elements that emphasize functionality and aesthetics. Also, find reviews from previous clients to get a better idea of the quality of their work.

2. Check for Licensing and Insurance

When choosing among design build remodeling contractors, ensure they’re licensed in the state where they work. Additionally, it’s important to check if they have liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage in place for their employees. It’ll ensure that any accidents on the job are covered.

3. Find Out About Specializations

Different design build remodeling companies specialize in different types of work. If your project involves complex design elements, such as kitchen cabinetry or bathroom tile installation, make sure the contractor you choose is experienced and knowledgeable in that field. Additionally, according to the 2020 U.S. Houzz Kitchen Trends Study, kitchens and guest bathrooms remained the most popular renovation focus but 10% of homeowners also added or improved home offices. Be sure to pick a remodeling contractor who can design and implement unique ideas for any room of your home.

4. Communicate Expectations

Before hiring a design build remodeling company, both parties should understand expectations. Set a timeline for completion and agree on any design or material changes that may arise during the project. Discussing all aspects of the job before starting will help prevent any misunderstandings.

Hiring design build remodeling contractors is a great way to improve the design and functionality of any home. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to find the best contractor near you who can help turn your design dreams into reality. Contact McBride Remodeling in Petoskey and Northern Michigan for more information.

Homeowners in Petoskey know the value of home addition renovations. Home addition renovations add square footage of living space and add value to your property and lifestyle in Northern Michigan. If you’re on the fence about starting home addition renovations, here are some of the most compelling reasons homeowners choose this type of project.

1. Your Family Is Growing

Your home might have been the perfect size for your family when you bought it, but many things change over time. You might have more children or have an elderly parent that needs to move in with you. When you need more space to accommodate your family but don’t want to move into a new home, building a home addition is a great option. You can use a home addition as extra bedrooms, a playroom for children, or even an in-law suite!

2. You Want to Increase Your Home’s Value

If you’re looking to increase your home’s value, adding any sort of addition is a smart move. For example, an extra bedroom or a home office will enhance your home’s value and be very appealing to buyers if you choose to sell down the road. According to a study from the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, with a full kitchen renovation, homeowners can recoup about 59% of the cost, and a new master suite will typically return 50%. This makes creating a new kitchen or primary suite out of a home addition very appealing to many home buyers. Even if you’re planning to stay in your home for years to come, an addition that enhances your home’s equity will be beneficial if you choose to take out a line of credit.

3. You Need a Specialized Space

With many homeowners working from home nowadays, specialized spaces are more important than ever. For example, working at your kitchen table or in your bedroom is not ideal. With a home addition, you can create a specialized space for a home office! If you have school-age children who are learning from home, you could also consider creating a homework or classroom area.

If you’re ready to expand the living space in your home, the right home addition contractor can help. Your home has a lot more potential than you realize. Call us today at McBride Remodeling to take all the stress out of your home addition project.

Many homeowners have a lot of the same questions for kitchen remodeling contractors. Some of the most frequently asked questions that are asked of these companies have to do with the business itself. Other FAQs are more focused on the process. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions kitchen remodeling companies hear.

Have You Done Kitchen Remodeling Projects Before?

This is the most important question to ask and should be first on your list. It’s important to hire a company with vast experience in remodeling kitchens. If a company has not taken on this type of project before or one of your size, your best bet will be to choose a different company. The right choice is a company with years of experience, a dedicated team, and high-quality work.

Do You Offer Financing?

Financial questions are very popular questions to ask, and rightfully so. It’s important that clients understand their financing options when it comes to large remodeling projects. Since, according to Houzz, more than $400 billion each year is spent on renovations, repairs, and remodeling in the United States, most large companies that remodel kitchens will offer some sort of financing option. Be sure to ask this question at the start of your remodeling project.

Are You Licensed and Insured?

Now more than ever, homeowners understand the importance of hiring a company that is both licensed and insured. Hiring a licensed company ensures you are hiring contractors with the skills and experience necessary for your kitchen renovation project. When they’re insured, you know that if any accidents occur during your project, you will not be responsible. Rather, the insured company you hire will be responsible for injuries or damages. Given the importance of hiring a licensed and insured company, this is a question you should never skip over.

How Do I Know What Materials Are the Right Choice?

There are several things to consider when you are picking the materials for your kitchen remodeling. Function and style are the most important factors. Materials vary in durability and function, so your remodeling team can help you to make choices that fit your home’s style and your lifestyle.

There are many more questions you’ll likely have if you’re getting ready to remodel your kitchen. One of the best ways to get the answers you need to make informed decisions is to work with a team that is committed to customer care. Call us today at McBride Remodeling in Northern Michigan to get your questions answered.

When choosing flooring for kitchen renovations, what comes to mind for many homeowners is tile, vinyl, or linoleum. However, wood flooring is also a lovely and smart choice. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), installing hardwood flooring will yield a 106% return on investment, making it a great choice. Hardwood kitchen flooring can significantly impact the look and feel of your house without even mentioning the increased market value it provides. That said, sorting through the vast selection of hardwood types might be difficult when determining which hardwood flooring is best for your kitchen. Here are the main factors to take into account to help you choose the best hardwood flooring for your kitchen.

Check Out Different Types of Wood

There is a plethora of hardwood types with varying hardiness. Oak and maple, for instance, are harder than walnut and pine. Be sure to consider the species as you select your hardwood flooring. Harder woods outlast weaker ones in terms of durability and don’t bend or dent easily. You might want to consider using solid hardwood during your kitchen renovation, as the kitchen sees a lot of activity and spills.

Consider Your Design

While most hardwood flooring offers a superior option for your kitchen, the specific choice depends substantially on the house design. If a particular type or species doesn’t complement the design of your house as a whole, you may want to consider other options. After all, your flooring’s design plays a significant role as well.

Consider the Color

Some types of wood are lighter in color than others, and vice versa. Darker colors are better at hiding crumbs and stains, while lighter colors can give the illusion that a tiny kitchen is larger. The grain pattern should also be taken into account. Luckily, when it comes to grain patterns, there is no right or wrong choice. However, you should make sure it appeals to you.

Your home’s design and personal preferences will influence which hardwood floor is best for your kitchen renovation. Spend some time looking over the many options and choose a wood type you prefer. Call us today at McBride Remodeling and we’ll help you choose the best hardwood option for your Petoskey or Northern Michigan kitchen, thanks to our extensive kitchen renovation experience.

Did you know that, according to Kitchen Infinity, people have been clicking on kitchen remodeling more often when searching on Google? The number of clicks has actually increased by 23% since March 2022! Given the increase in the popularity of kitchen remodels, let’s find out how you can plan and make your dream kitchen come true!

Choose the Best Designers

For any design project, you need to hire experts on the matter, and if you’re in Petoskey or a surrounding area of Northern Michigan, we will guide you towards the latest trends in luxury kitchens, incorporate them into your ultimate dream, and devise a plan. The kitchen is one of the most critical aspects of your home, and it should be precisely what you desire. By choosing the right team for your project, you can ensure you’re only getting high-quality results.

Start By Making Lists of What You Want

Before looking at any potential themes or styles you should ask yourself what you want in your kitchen. From the kinds of appliances to the general structure, you need to write a list and include everything you want. Your design build remodeling firm will find the best way to seamlessly incorporate all of your ideas.

Locate the Problems in Your Kitchen

One crucial aspect of any design build remodeling project is to fix what’s not working right now. Do you find yourself with no room to cook in your kitchen? Do you want more shelves? Is the sink located in a weird spot? Could you benefit from a water faucet over the stove? Create a list of problems you want to get rid of and let the team you hire know. These matters are important, and you can make your life easier with a remodel.

Find the Best Layout

Once you note the above, you can discover what kind of layout works for you. Of course, some aspects will depend on your current plumbing—however, the rest is up to you and your designer. The idea is to elevate the space to achieve more comfort, efficiency, and aesthetics.

Pick the Design You Like Most

A designer in Northern Michigan can offer you many options, and you might think you have to choose a particular trendy style or what your neighbor picked. However, your own design build remodeling project is a perfect chance to get the kitchen you’ll feel most at home in and one that matches your taste. The possibilities are endless!

Now that you know what goes into planning a kitchen remodel, start your project. Contact us today to get your dream kitchen!

One of the most important rooms in any home is the kitchen. Not only is it where we prepare meals, but it’s also where we gather with family and friends. As such, it’s important to have a kitchen that’s both functional and inviting. If you’re planning a kitchen renovation for your Petoskey, Michigan home, here are four design ideas perfect for families.

1. Spacious Open Layout

One of the most important things to consider when designing a family-friendly kitchen is the layout. You’ll want to create a space that’s both functional and inviting, and a spacious open layout is a great way to achieve that. This type of layout allows for plenty of room to move around and makes it easy to keep an eye on the kids while you’re cooking.

If you have a large family, an open layout is beneficial for entertaining. You can easily move between the kitchen and the adjacent living space, and everyone will feel like they’re part of the action. Just be sure to include plenty of storage in your design, so the kitchen doesn’t feel cluttered.

2. Large Island

A kitchen island is a great way to add extra prep space and storage. It’s also the perfect spot for the kids to do their homework while you’re cooking dinner. If you have a large family, you may want to consider a large enough kitchen island to seat several people. It’ll give everyone their own space to work or eat, and it can double as a spot for family gatherings. Just be sure to leave plenty of room around the perimeter of the island so that people can move freely.

3. U-Shape Layout

If you’re looking for a kitchen layout to improve functionality and style, a U-shaped kitchen may be the perfect option for your northern Michigan home. A U-shaped kitchen puts all the major work zones within easy reach and also allows for plenty of storage. You can use the space between the two arms of the U to add a kitchen island or a dining table. This layout is perfect for families who love to cook and entertain.

4. Galley Kitchen

A galley kitchen is a great option to consider when planning your kitchen remodeling project. This type of kitchen is long and narrow, and it typically has two parallel walls. The galley kitchen is a very efficient layout, and it’s perfect for small families. You can easily move between the different work zones, and there’s plenty of room to store all your kitchen essentials.

According to Kitchen Infinity, the number of people looking for home appliances has increased by 26% in the last year. This shows that not only is kitchen remodeling a top priority for many homeowners, but families are also looking for appliances to make their kitchen more functional and efficient. Looking for a reputable kitchen remodeling company to help you with your kitchen renovation? Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

There are so many benefits to investing some money into improving your home. Many homeowners know this, which is evident from the high numbers of people who renovate and remodel their homes each year. This has led to the home improvement industry witnessing significant growth. According to Business Insider, in 2020, the worldwide home improvement market was valued at $763 billion. If you’ve looked into home improvement before, you probably have seen terms like remodeling and residential renovations. Do you know the difference between the two? Here are a few to note.

Renovation Projects

Residential renovations involve projects that are aimed at making your home feel new again. Renovation covers a variety of things. This includes the repair and installation of new fixtures and refacing your cabinets, but there are many other projects a home contracting team can handle. No matter what type of work a renovation project encompasses, the original design is generally maintained. For instance, a kitchen remains a kitchen, and an office remains an office, where a remodeling project often switches or demolishes rooms.

Remodeling Projects

Remodeling, as you might have imagined from the name, involves a lot of change. When you remodel your home, you alter its structure, layout, and purpose. For instance, you can turn your basement into a bedroom, or you can change a primary bedroom into a children’s playroom. One of the most common remodeling projects is first-floor remodeling. This usually involves the removal of walls to create more space and more drastic changes like changing the position and size of the main entrance. You might even consider adding a living space downstairs for elderly members of your family.

Return on Investment

Remodeling and renovations have one thing in common – a great return on investment! This is why remodeling or renovating is a great step to take when you’re looking to get your house on the market. Older homes might be better candidates for remodeling, while newer homes probably only require renovations. Whatever the case, ask your contractor for their opinion on your home before getting started.

These are some of the differences between remodeling and residential renovations. Both are quite beneficial. All you need to do is look at your budget and see which solution suits your situation. Get in touch with us at McBride Remodeling today if you need help choosing between remodeling and renovating your Northern Michigan home.

Many things set McBride apart from other home remodelers. Besides our commitment to the Petoskey community, outstanding customer service, and superior craftsmanship, McBride also prides itself on supporting our team members with continuing education and certification opportunities. 

Continuing education not only benefits our team but our clients as well. Let’s look at some examples of the recent training and certifications our team has accomplished and the benefits our clients will see as a result:

Michigan Builder’s License

After hours of classwork and studying, owner Jay Sackrider recently passed the Michigan Builder’s Exam and received his license. Jay’s prelicensure coursework included topics such as: 

• Business management, estimating, and job costing 
• Design and building science 
• Contracts, liability, and risk management 
• Marketing and sales 
• Project management and scheduling 
• The Michigan residential code 
• MIOSHA construction safety standards 

Homeowners working with a properly certified building team can be confident that their projects will be constructed according to the latest safety codes and standards. They’ll also enjoy a stress-free process, knowing the team is fully aware of and is meeting all requirements for permits and other legalities.

CPR Training 

At McBride, safety is a priority; our coursework through the American Heart Association is evidence of this. Our team is certified for the next two years on:

• Heartsaver  
• First Aid
• CPR AED (Automated External Defibrillator)

We do everything possible to prevent accidents and keep our team safe, but it’s crucial to be prepared for emergencies. Homeowners looking for a responsible and knowledgeable group of professionals who can get jobs done safely can count on us.

BuilderTrend Training

McBride uses BuilderTrend software to keep our projects organized and our homeowners up to date each step of the way through construction. By simply logging into their account, our clients have status updates and a straightforward way to get their questions answered.

While any home remodeling company can purchase a tool like BuilderTrend, the benefits will be minimal if they don’t take the time to learn all the ins and outs. That’s why our team recently participated in an extensive two-day training session with a BuilderTrend representative. Now, we can take full advantage of the services it has to offer — providing a seamless communication tool and transparency for our clients. 

No matter which design build firm you decide to work with, make sure they value continuing education. Hiring a knowledgeable, confident team makes all the difference in both the end result and the process of getting there. 

Could McBride Remodeling be the right design build for your project? Let’s find out!

Home improvement is a great way to create your ideal home for you and your family. It’s so popular that the home improvement industry is estimated to be worth $220 billion per year, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI). This is an astounding number, but it’s expected to continue rising.

Creating a first-floor master suite in your home is a brilliant idea for many reasons. Here are some of the main motivators for contacting design build remodeling contractors and adding a master suite to the bottom floor of your house.

Comfortable and Convenient for Retirees

Growing older old means you may have to change your lifestyle, and this includes how you move around. Creating a first-floor master suite means you can still have a luxurious and peaceful space without the need to go up and down stairs. You may not have any back or knee problems now, but they could show up later in life, and then you’ll be grateful for your first-floor master suite!

Makes Life Easier for Wheelchair-Bound Folks

If you have family members who use a wheelchair to move around, they could benefit from having a first-floor master bedroom. You won’t have to install any additional features such as a lift system on the stairs to make it possible for them to reach their room.

Gives Your Parents a Nice Place to Live

If your parents are needing assistance as they age, why not give them a master bedroom on the first floor? Doing so will make it easy for you to keep an eye on your parents, and they can enjoy a comfy stay with their child. You’ll be able to rest assured that your parents are well looked after and safe.

Adds Value to Your House

If you ask professional design build remodeling contractors about how you can increase your home’s resale value, they’ll recommend adding a first-floor master suite and similar additions. Master bedrooms on the first floor have become very popular; if your house has one, it will be more valuable to buyers.

Makes Downsizing Easier

If you no longer have children or extended family living with you, you can downsize your lifestyle and stop using the top floor. Having a first-floor master suite will make this a lot easier. Having your master bedroom downstairs means you can close off the upstairs part of your home if it’s no longer useful to you.

If you’re building or planning your forever home, having a first-floor master suite is definitely something you should consider. It makes life so much easier and more convenient! So, what are you waiting for? Reach out to the design build remodeling contractors of McBride Remodeling in Petoskey, Michigan today and start drawing up plans for your master bedroom.