Design-Build continues to be a very effective and popular contract type for owners seeking to minimize their management and risk on project. This contract format has been used for a number of years in the commercial and public construction industries and is becoming increasingly more popular in the residential construction and remodeling industries. In this type of contract, the contractor provides the kitchen design services, as well as the contractor services. In may cases, the contractor will have a number of architects, engineers and interior designers on staff to handle the design process. Throughout the process the builder’s construction department will work with the designers to make sure that the design is cost effective and can be built as designed. In a traditional construction, the owner hires the architect directly and the contractor is not involved in the design process.
The amount of time is saved in the overall process is the biggest advantage most homeowners realize in a design build relationship with a builder. The management of designers is time consuming and takes up lots of time. In most cases, homeowners have work and family obligations, which reduce the amount of available time to manage the design process. In addition, the overall time line of a project can be compressed with the contractor managing the architect and owner throughout the design and driving decisions.
Another benefit that homeowners realize is the reduced financial risk associated with turnkey design build relationships with builders. In this relationship, the builder is completely responsible for delivering a turnkey project at a set price and assume all responsibility of the accuracy of the plans and specifications, which there price is based upon. In a traditional builder owner relationship, if the designer makes a mistake on the design or does not show something on the plans, the builder is in most cases the builder is entitled to charge the owner additional money. No wonder design build is becoming more popular!
Posted on behalf of J Christopher Design and Construction Services
One of the most dramatic of all home improvement projects is a complete remodeling of the kitchen. A professional kitchen remodeling can also add a great deal of value to any existing home, as in today’s world, people want gourmet kitchens that are well thought out, functional and have sufficient space to act as a gathering place for the modern family.
An experienced kitchen remodeling contractor who offers both kitchen design and kitchen remodeling services is an alternative that should be seriously considered by any homeowner considering such a project. Kitchen remodeling projects are fairly complex projects with long lead times on such things as kitchen cabinets and countertops. In is critical that these items be ordered correctly before the projects starts in order to avoid delays.
An experienced kitchen designer will be able to correctly prepare drawings that will allow the contractor to order the cabinets with confidence that the layout and dimensions are correct. Often delays in kitchen remodeling projects are the result of design issues due to the lack of experience by the designer. An experienced contractor will have the ability to accurately schedule and execute the project, while minimizing the amount of time necessary to complete the kitchen remodeling. They will have access to the best and most experienced subcontractors in the marketplace as well. In kitchen remodeling nothing beats an experienced firm that offers both kitchen design as well as construction services!
A qualified and experienced contractor that is licensed and insured will be able to make your dreams reality. They will be able to provide both design and constructions services to complete the kitchen remodeling project on time and on budget!
It is safe to say that most kitchens have a counter and that the counter is one of the most prominent features of most kitchens. Often the kitchen counter is the focal point of the kitchen or even the entire home, a place for the family to gather for meals or have important discussions.
With any kitchen design project, the type of kitchen counter installation depends on a number of factors including the size of the kitchen, the intended function of the counter, budget, and personal style preferences. Here are three basic counter installations for you to consider.
Basic island
Islands are freestanding counters that are usually placed in the center of the kitchen. They liven up a kitchen inviting family members and guests to gather around them. Chairs or stools are placed around the island to allow for eating meals or doing homework. Islands work best in large kitchens with sufficient floor space. The island can either be either fixed or mobile. The base of a kitchen island can have cabinets, shelves, and wine racks to provide the kitchen with extra storage.
Multi-level island
A multi-level island is a great way to make a kitchen counter multi-functional. With multi-level islands, the base countertop is used for food preparation; it is equipped with amenities such as a stove top, sink, and dishwasher. The elevated, “bar height” countertop on the other hand is used for serving and eating meals. It can also be used for other tasks like writing grocery lists or sorting through mail or as a place to set down flower vases and fruit bowls. Multi-level islands are a good way to get the most out of your kitchen counter.
Wall mounted countertop
Wall mounted countertops are countertop shelves mounted to a kitchen wall with brackets. They do not have a base or cabinets underneath them, and some are designed to fold up when not in use. Wall mounted countertops are usually small and thus best suited to small kitchens. They can be a minimalist dinning surface for one or two people, and can also be used for food preparation.
Small kitchen spaces are a common feature of many modern-day habitations, in fact, they are an almost unavoidable part of small-space city living. Older surburban homes also tend to have smaller kitchen designs, a relic of past times when the kitchen was seen as a purely utilitarian space for cooking and nothing else.
Whether you’re grappling with limited kitchen space in a new apartment, or are a long-time homeowner thinking of remodeling your small kitchen, here are some tips for for a kitchen design to get the best out of close culinary quarters.
1. More storage
There are many ways to maximize storage in a small kitchen. Stacking cabinets are a great way to increase cupboard space in a high-ceilinged kitchen. Excess utensils and cups can be hung on hooks underneath and on the sides of cupboards. Stackable wire racks, pull-out utility carts, and microwave carts can be used for storing dinnerware, cookware, or food items. Tuck away condiments, drinks, or spices in a lazy susan or a basket on top of the refrigerator, and if the ceiling is high enough, hang pots from it.
2. More workspace
Because there typically isn’t much counter space in a small kitchen, meal preparation and clean-up can be tiresome. One way to increase counter space is to install an electric cooktop that can also be used as a countertop; another way is to install a smaller sink. Pair a tall faucet with a small sink to make washing dishes and filling large pots easier. Reduce counter-top clutter by installing a slide-out cutting board and consider getting an under-the-counter refrigerator and freezer to increase legroom.
3. More inviting
Aesthetics is an important feature of kitchen design and this is especially true for small kitchens. Small kitchens have a tendency to appear uninviting but by paying close attention to things like décor, color scheme, and lighting, you can create a small kitchen that is a pleasant space to be in. Attractive cabinetry, nice flooring, and decorative cupboard handles can up the ante in a small kitchen. Cheerful colors and soft tones will make a small kitchen seem larger and airy, as will a harmonious color scheme. Adding track lighting or recessed lighting is another good way to open up a small kitchen space and achieve a warm, cozy feel, and using mirrors instead of tiles for the backsplash also creates the illusion of more space.
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