Whole House Renovation Archives

Atlanta Home Addition

Posted on September 20, 2017September 20, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Can you tell the difference between a home addition of ½ story vs. ¾ story?

The image below is a hand-style drawing by our architect, Don. One home has a ½ story addition, while the other has a ¾ story addition. Can you tell which is which? An informal Home ReBuilders survey showed that many people would say that the house on the right has the ¾ story addition – but it’s actually the home on the left!

Why are additions to a house such a popular project?

Many Atlanta families choose to get an addition because they’ve outgrown their starter home, but they just can’t leave the neighborhood they’ve come to know and love. For example, a young couple might love the convenience of their Virginia Highlands home, walking distance to Yeah Burger and Paolo’s – but they might have a baby on the way and need more space. Or, a Decatur family who loves their school district might need more room for growing middle-schoolers who need privacy and space to relax. An addition allows you to make the most of the home you’re currently in – and it can also be a financially savvy choice, too!

So, what type of addition is right for my family?

It depends! There are three basic types of additions if, like many city-dwellers with limited acreage, you’re considering going up vs. going out.

½ Story Addition: This option is best for families who just need a little more space and who want to be sure their home blends in with the surrounding neighborhood. Especially if you live in a historic area – say, if you have a 1920’s bungalow in Grant Park – you might want to consider a ½ story addition to assimilate into the look and feel of the original neighborhood. A ½ story addition can provide room for a home office, an extra bathroom,

¾ Story Addition: A ¾ story addition offers a bit more room to spread out, at a little bit of a higher price point. It’s a good compromise for those who want a second story addition, but who might not be ready to face the price tag of such a project.

Second Story Addition: The most spacious, and typically the most expensive – a full story addition is just what it sounds like: it gives you an entire second story, perfect for adding a home office or extra bedrooms and bathrooms. Home ReBuilders can even create a master suite addition in your second story! Our experienced designers and architects will make sure that your second story is integrated seamlessly into your current home design.

Do you have a little more acreage to play with? Home ReBuilders can also tackle your garage additions, porch additions, ranch conversion, custom homes, and whole house renovation projects. Whichever choice is right for you, Home ReBuilders’ design build experts can walk you through the process and help create the home of your dreams.

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Atlanta Curb Appeal

Posted on August 2, 2017August 2, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Any realtor will tell you that the number one quality of coveted homes is: location, location, location. What’s the runner-up?

If you asked Home ReBuilders, we’d say: curb appeal!

Curb appeal is hugely important if you’re considering selling your home. Buyers will get a first impression of your home the minute they pull up to the driveway – and once that first impression is made, it can be very difficult to change. However, even if you’re not planning on selling your home anytime soon, curb appeal is important. After all, if the first thing you see when you pull up to your home is a bland, outdated, or subpar exterior, it can affect your whole mood before you set foot inside. Why not allow yourself to feel cheerful and uplifted from the moment you arrive home?

Home ReBuilders’ team of architects, designers, and builders can give your home a facelift, making dramatic changes that will “wow” potential buyers, visitors, and even your family on a daily basis. With more than 30 years of expertise, Home ReBuilders’ team can accomplish this while also staying true to your home design and architectural style, ensuring that your home’s new exterior looks intentional and cohesive.

Not sure what’s possible with your home? Having trouble envisioning what your home might look like, or coming up with ideas for improvement? Home Rebuilders’ design build team is here to help! While your ideas and “wish list” are more than welcome, our seasoned design professionals have the knowledge, experience, and vision to imagine what your home could look like –even if you can’t! Here are just a few of our favorite ways to help add curb appeal to our clients’ homes:

-Add brick steps, shutters, awnings, landscaping, and a fence

-Install hardscaping, such as paths or walls

-Replace dated fixtures and finishes with more modern counterparts

-Light it up with outdoor sconces or a lit pathway to your door

-Give yourself more room with front porch additions

-Incorporate playful touches like a swing, planter boxes, or colorful front door

-Expand your front door to allow for a larger, more dramatic entry

-Let more light in by adding windows on the sides of your front door

-Get cars out of the driveway and into a covered area with a garage addition

-Completely transform your home inside and out with a ranch conversion or whole house renovation

…and much, much more!

Imagine how much more welcoming (and valuable!) your home will be with some added curb appeal – and let Home ReBuilders help you fully realize your home’s potential.

Ready to come home to a home you love?
Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Whole House Renovation: Peachtree Hills Edition

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Emma Weldon

The home-buying experience can be a nerve-wracking one. You might scour MLS listings for weeks or months, look at dozens of houses with your realtor, endure gut-wrenching inspections and negotiations, and finally – at long last – the house is yours! That’s the end of the stress, right?

…Right?

In many cases, wrong! While you might have chosen the very best home and neighborhood for your family and your budget, many new homeowners find themselves wanting to totally transform the house they just purchased. Cosmetic eyesores, like dated wallpaper, linoleum finishes, and questionable carpets, can be transformed to fit your family’s unique style and preferences. Barely-working appliances or energy-inefficient windows and insulation can also leave homebuyers with a lot of work to take on, but they offer a lot of room for cost savings and customization. The end result? Custom homes that truly reflect the lives of the families who live in them.

All these repairs can sound like a lot to tackle – and they are. Fortunately, that’s where Home ReBuilders comes in! Our team of design build professionals have decades of experience in seamlessly transforming newly-purchased homes into the buyers’ “dream home” through a whole house renovation. During this process, our friendly staff members will walk you through each step to listen to your wish list, your preferences, your budget, and your timeline. We’ll make sure that the home design maintains the integrity of your home’s style and time period, keeping any features or historic charm that adds character and value. However, any areas of your home that don’t fall within your “must-keep” list can be totally gutted, rebuilt, and customized with a layout and finishes that are HGTV-worthy!

This Peachtree Hills home is a current whole house renovation-in-progress, and we couldn’t be more excited to help the homeowners transform their “diamond in the rough.” By purchasing a fixer-upper in their ideal neighborhood, these clients are making the most of their budget and adding value to their house. After the renovation is complete, our clients will have their dream home in their dream neighborhood, and they’ll be able to take advantage of local hotspots like Treehouse, Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, Holeman & Finch, and more.

Does a whole house renovation sound like too much for you? Maybe your new home isn’t that bad, but it needs a few design touches here and there. Or, maybe you’d rather complete your renovation in phases, tackling one room every few years. Home ReBuilders would love to take on your bath remodel, kitchen renovation, garage additions, porch additions, attic conversion, master suite addition, and much more!

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Atlanta Ranch Conversions

Posted on July 14, 2017July 14, 2017 by Emma Weldon

(AFTER)

#FlashBackFriday: Atlanta Ranch Conversions

(BEFORE)

Most modern homebuyers probably wouldn’t consider a ranch house their idea of a dream home. However, the humble ranch has potential! Ranch homes have a variety of characteristics that make them perfect for a whole house renovation or “fixer upper” project. In honor of #FlashBackFriday, Home ReBuilders’ design build team wanted to share some of our favorite reasons why our clients have chosen Atlanta ranch conversions:

– They’re affordable. Buying a ranch and creating a custom home can be a whole lot cheaper than purchasing a turnkey house. If you’re in the market, buying a ranch and converting it will allow you to focus on the things that really matter in your home search: location, budget, and lot size. After all, the cosmetic touches and custom features can be added later!

– They have a ton of potential. Ranch homes typically include coveted features like an attached garage and open floorplans. While many people fault ranch homes for not having enough character, it’s precisely because they are so generic that ranch homes have so much potential for a whole house renovation. What other buyers perceive to be a plain, cookie-cutter house can actually become a blank canvas for your family’s personal style! You can incorporate whatever home design you like best – from classic country cottage to modern-chic, and everything in-between!

– You can add a story. Double your square footage! Ranch homes are traditionally one story – but Home ReBuilders can help change that. Adding a second story addition to a ranch home will dramatically change its look while giving your family valuable (and perhaps needed) additional living space. Home ReBuilders will make sure that your entire home feels cohesive, and that your ranch additions will look like they were there all along!

– Or keep it single-story! Because ranch homes are typically only one floor, they’re perfect for retirees or those who have trouble with stairs. Plus, with less square footage, you can stretch your renovation budget further to focus on quality over quantity when it comes to materials and luxurious touches.

– They’re solid. Ranch homes typically feature good foundations, predictable construction, and large lots. When your home has “good bones,” it makes every aspect of the renovation process easier – and it means that you’re making a smart investment.

(BEFORE)

(AFTER)

Home ReBuilders has helped clients complete some remarkable and dramatic ranch conversions. Will yours be next?

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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“Fixer Upper” Style, Adapted for Atlanta!

Posted on June 26, 2017June 26, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Do you love HGTV as much as we do? One of our favorite shows is “Fixer Upper.” Joanna and Chip Gaines have gained a huge following, and for good reason! Their rustic designs and whole house renovations are as fun as they are cohesive. Rather than just adding a star of Texas to your mantle and calling it a day, Home ReBuilders can help authentically translate that “Fixer Upper” charm into the your Atlanta home. Here are some of our favorite ways to create a custom home with that Gaines style in mind!

Shiplap, Shiplap, Shiplap.

If you’ve watched “Fixer Upper” for more than five minutes, you’re probably familiar with the wonders of shiplap. Often found in barns and historic homes, shiplap can add a unique touch and visual interest to your home design. Home ReBuilders’ experts have all the tools and expertise to make precise cuts, so that your shiplap fits perfectly around windows, outlets, and any other tricky areas.

Add Exposed Beams.

Ceilings with exposed beams have a magical way of making any room seem warm and stately. They can highlight a large, open room and add plenty of personality. Our remodeling contractors will make sure your beams are installed safely, which is especially important for anything being added to your ceiling. Want to incorporate natural wood materials without the style commitment of a ceiling beam? Reclaimed wood can also work as a wonderful accent on your walls or staircase.

Knock Down Walls.

Most HGTV shows, “Fixer Upper” included, have a preference for open floorplans. We can transform your entryway, living room, dining room, and kitchen into one open area with plenty of breathing room and flow. Whether your priority is entertaining a dozen friends or keeping an eye on your kids while you cook dinner, Home ReBuilders’ licensed and insured contractors can knock down walls to make it happen!

Restyle Your Fireplace and Mantle.

It doesn’t get that cold in Waco, but, Joanna Gaines still loves a good fireplace – and so do we! Home ReBuilders can add a fireplace to your home if it doesn’t have one – or, we can refinish your existing fireplace and mantle with those “Fixer Upper” touches like subway tile, white brick, or a big wooden mantle.

Mix Up Some Color.

Let us create an entirely new color scheme for your home, to match those other rustic renovations! Working within your comfort zone, our designers can capture Joanna’s signature tones – creamy whites, light grays, subtle blues, and pops of light pink and purple – and incorporate them perfectly into your rooms.

Add the Finishing Touches.

Near the end of each episode, Chip and the children leave the “Fixer Upper” home, and we get to see Joanna in her element, coordinating artwork, flowers, vintage mirrors and chalkboards, and other finishing touches. Whether you’re eyeing a funky crystal chandelier or custom signage in your kitchen, our team can make sure all your design elements and accessories are tied together.

After our team works our magic, you can go a step further by incorporating your own local flea market and designer finds into your home! Meander through Miami Circle for vintage finds and antiques; peruse Ponce City Market for home goods with old-world style and modern touches; or wander through West Midtown for industrial-inspired finds. One thing’s for sure: with Home ReBuilders by your side, you’ll have that “Fixer Upper” charm faster than Chip can make a goofy joke!

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Atlanta Second Story Addition

Posted on June 7, 2017June 7, 2017 by Emma Weldon

The Next Chapter in Your Family’s Story

While there might never be a good time to tackle a major home renovation project, summer can often be the best option. While you’re out and about on vacation and enjoying summer fun, Home ReBuilders can step in and transform your home, just in time for a new school year and the holidays. As your children and your family grow, a second story addition can be a great way to get the extra space your family needs.

Even better? The same additional second story spaces that your family will make use of can also be appealing to future buyers, including a home office, a bedroom for each of your children, additional bathrooms, or a playroom. Aside from giving your growing family the room it needs, a second-story addition can also be a great way to boost the value of your home.
A second-story addition is also a great way to make the most of your current location. While moving into a more spacious home can seem more straightforward than taking on a whole house renovation, it comes with some serious challenges. Moving entails packing up and hauling all your belongings with your kids and pets in tow, going through a potentially time-consuming and stressful real estate transaction, and can even mean that you’ll face a longer commute or your children may have to change schools. Completing an addition can help make the most of where you are now, especially if you’ve fallen in love with your neighborhood and simply outgrown your home.

Home ReBuilders can help you evaluate the best way to add on to your existing home, ensuring that the aesthetic of your addition blends seamlessly with your current home design. Our team of design build professionals can also guide you through the decision-making process when it comes to your second floor’s layout and materials. Have another addition idea in mind? Home ReBuilders can manage your porch additions, garage additions, story and a half addition, ranch conversion, and just about any other additions on houses!

Worried that a second story addition will be too big of a project? Home ReBuilders has experience guiding countless homeowners through their renovations from start to finish, including working with you to ensure your home’s design meets your family’s needs, pointing you toward construction loans for home additions, and completing quality, professional work with professionals you can trust! Give us a call today, and you might just discover that your dream home is the one you’re already in!

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email info@homerebuilders.com

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Remodeling Contractors Trading Out Window Pains

Posted on May 25, 2017May 25, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Trade Old Window Pains for New Window Panes

When many people think of home renovations, they might imagine exciting projects like a master suite addition, a finished basement, or a chef’s kitchen. While Home ReBuilders’ design build team is passionate about those types of remodels, there is another project that is overlooked by many homeowners in favor of more glamorous projects: window replacement. Because we look right through them without a second thought, windows are an area of the home that is easy to overlook. Here are just a few reasons why our remodeling contractors recommend window replacement as a smart renovation choice:

Save on Heating and Cooling: Just in time for Atlanta’s sweltering summer days, window replacement can help save money and keep you cool! Top-notch modern dual-paned windows are about twice as effective as traditional windows when it comes to retaining heat and air conditioning. That means that you can stay comfortable at your ideal temperature year-round, while spending less on your power bill!
Let the Sunshine In: Larger windows let in more natural sunlight and can make any room feel spacious and open. Plus, if you have great outdoor views – like a thriving garden, children playing in the backyard, or greenery and trees, larger windows can help you enjoy those views from the comfort of your home. In fact, a large window can even become the focal point of an entire room.
Change It Up: Rather than having “just” a regular window, consider adding a bay window with a comfortable seating area. Bay windows offer panoramic views, architectural interest, and curb appeal. Plus they’re the perfect spot for a breakfast nook or a reading corner where you can curl up with a book.
Invest in the Future: According to the National Association of Realtors’ 2016 Cost Versus Value study, homeowners typically get around 73% of their replacement window investment back when they sell a house, making new windows one of the savviest ways to stretch limited renovation dollars.

Home ReBuilders can help integrate new windows into the look and feel of your home design making it seem as though they’ve been there all along.

Ready to seize your window of opportunity and make the most of your home? Give us a call!

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

Posted in Attic Conversions, Green Practices, Home Maintenance, Whole House Renovation Leave a comment

Atlanta Investment Property

Posted on May 19, 2017May 19, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Tackling a Fixer-Upper Atlanta Investment Property

More than 90,000 people moved into Atlanta last year, making our city the ninth-most populated in the country. Atlanta’s growth is slated to keep pace in 2017 and beyond, especially with the success of new hangout spots like Ponce City Market, renowned chefs like Kevin Gillespie, booming breweries like Monday Night and Sweetwater, and local Atlanta gems like OK Café, The Varsity, and The Fox Theatre.

With so many people moving into town, and so much in Atlanta to enjoy, it’s the perfect time to invest in a rental property! While the process can be a little daunting, Home ReBuilders has walked many first-time investors through the process. Here are a few of the more popular projects that we help many of our investment property clients tackle, aside from the ever-popular bath remodels and kitchen repairs.

Constructing Decks, Patios or Screen Porches

Atlanta is a patio city, year-round, so many of our clients consider porch additions to be a worthwhile investment. Part of the appeal of our town is the occasional January day in the 60’s and 70’s – and here, “summer weather” is basically May through October! Tenants in Atlanta see value in having an outdoor space to lounge in; especially in bustling neighborhoods like VaHi, Inman Park, and Decatur.

Creating a Laundry Room

Renters love laundry rooms for the same reasons you do! It’s nice to have a designated area to do this frequent and important chore. Plus, a laundry room with built-in storage can also serve as a mudroom, as storage for off-season clothes, and as a place for a stash of household products like toilet paper and toothpaste. Plus, in a rental market filled with stackable washers and dryers jammed thoughtlessly into a hallway closet, a laundry room will help your rental property stand out.

Converting a Bonus Room into a Bathroom

Roommates, couples, and families alike will appreciate the opportunity to each have their own bathroom. If your new investment property comes with an extra bedroom or office, consider converting it into a desirable bathroom (and perhaps devoting some space to a large closet, too!). Home ReBuilders can work with you to create the overall design plan and then complete all the work, including taking measurements, ordering cabinets and fixtures, and getting everything installed and looking beautiful.

Configuring an Open Floorplan

Many renters would love a home in which they can entertain! Home ReBuilders can help knock down walls so that multiple chefs can fit in the kitchen, guests can chat and mingle in the kitchen while renters put the finishing touches on dinner, and parents can watch their children playing in the living room while cooking. The end result is a floorplan that’s easier and more desirable for renters, and likely to be more profitable for you!

Go ahead and take the leap into the world of income property. With Home ReBuilders’ team of design build experts by your side, you’ll be a landlord in no time!

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Buckhead Custom Home Builders

Posted on May 15, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Renovating your home can be a daunting process. Whether you’re undertaking a whole house renovation, delving into a kitchen renovation or bath remodel, or completing a quick project, a lot can go awry if you’re working with multiple firms and vendors. Miscommunications, delays in correspondence, and the struggle to keep track of who’s who can add to the stress, cost, and timeline of a renovation. Fortunately for Buckhead residents, Home ReBuilders is a uniquely qualified local, turnkey company that can handle your entire process from start to finish.

Locally and privately owned, Home ReBuilders has become one of Buckhead’s custom home builder of choice over the past 35+ years. For ten years running, Home ReBuilders has been ranked Atlanta’s largest renovation firm. Why? Because we have designers, remodeling contractors, account managers, project managers, construction crews, and design showroom professionals under one roof. Our staff members interact seamlessly with each other, because they’re part of the same team.

However, we’re not just one of the biggest – we also believe we’re the best. Home ReBuilders has become known for seamless, spectacular transformations, as well as for renovating homes in a way that pays homage to their original character and period. When you reach out to us, your Account Manager will answer any questions you might have, walk you through your in-home consultation, send you a proposal with a scope of work and budget, and connect you with our showroom to get inspiration and ideas. Once your design and construction plans are finalized, we’re ready to start! Because Home ReBuilders has design and construction teams on staff, you don’t have to wait for a lengthy bid process that could delay your construction by weeks or months. Your Project Manager will work with you throughout your renovation to keep various vendors organized, manage communications and workflow, secure permits or arrange for specialty labor, and handle the day-to-day details of your project, leaving you free to go about your day.

Go ahead and dream up your ideal home! Clip from magazines, pin to your virtual boards, make lists, and gather inspiration. Then, come to us and we’ll help translate your must-haves, your wishes, and maybe a few extra special touches, into reality.

Ready to come home to a home you love?

Call Home ReBuilders at 404.876.3000 or email

info@homerebuilders.com

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Demystifying Construction Loans

Posted on April 24, 2017April 24, 2017 by Emma Weldon

Construction loans for home additions are enough to make anyone feel a little anxious – but have no fear! For decades, Home ReBuilders has walked homeowners just like you through each step of the process. Here’s how you can make your home renovation dreams a reality:

1. Consult with Home ReBuilders. Your dedicated Account Manager will consult with you to help determine your wants and needs and create a preliminary proposal. After a collaborative planning process driven by your vision as well as Home ReBuilders’ expertise, you’ll review your home design plans, timeline, and budget. These plans will help you figure out how much funding you might need to pursue.

2. Review your credit report. The higher your credit score, the more financing options you’ll have available for your renovation project. You can find your up-to-date credit report and credit score at myfico.com. Home ReBuilders’ network of lenders suggests that you choose your Equifax report. Be sure to thoroughly review your report to make sure everything on it is correct.

3. Find a lender you trust. Your lender will work with you to determine the lending options that will work best for you. On our website, you can find contact information for some of our recommended lenders, as well as explore information about lending options.

4. Choose the lending option that’s right for you. There are various types of lending programs that might fit your needs. Your lender can walk you through each one, including: a home equity line of credit, equity loans, refinancing your current mortgage, renovation loans, or a one-time close renovation loan. As part of the lending process, the bank will appraise your home, since your home’s post-renovation value will be determined by your home’s current state as well as your renovation plans.

5. Sit back and relax! Once your financing is secured, Home ReBuilders will manage the rest! Our team of professional architects, remodeling contractors, and construction crews will get to work creating your dream home, with your timeline and budget in mind.

Whether you’re dreaming of a kitchen renovation, bath remodel, garage additions, or a whole house renovation, let Home ReBuilders guide you through the process – so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your new home!

Posted in Adding space, Home Maintenance, Whole House Renovation Leave a comment