Custom Remodeling Design Services

I am constantly asked, how much will it cost to remodel my..... INSERT PROJECT HERE........ A lot of our projects consist of a bathroom or a kitchen remodel and I wish it were simpler to accurately price projects. But the fact is, that no single project we do is ever the same. Unless we know the exact scope of work to be completed, as well as all of the changes that our customers make during the process of the project, it is next to impossible to price something without under or over estimating something.

To help our clients better determine the scope of their project, we are now offering custom design services. Utilizing the latest in computer aided drafting tools, we can build the space in a virtual world, allowing the homeowner to see what the finished product will look like. Down to the outside views, the light fixtures and even exact paint colors we can get a complete understanding of the scope of the project, thus allowing us to accurately price the project.

Here are some camera captures of a design we built in the computer for a client in Carefree.

If you are in the market for a new kitchen, bath or addition project, please call or email our offices and schedule an appointment to discuss us helping you with your design! 480-488-5042 gsmith@gwcustomhomes.com

Goodbye 2008! 2009 Outlook

Happy New Year! Another year passed us by and what a year it was. With the melt down of the credit market the residential building and remodeling world has changed. Many projects that homeowners had anticipated starting last year were either canceled or put on hold until the sky's clear. It is my belief that the next three quarters will continue to be very challenging times in the construction industry. Until the credit markets free-up and the excess supply of housing stock works through our market, we will not see any kind of sustainable recovery.

New construction permits are at an all time low in Maricopa County, which will help with the over all supply. Unfortunately most of the recent sales are REO properties and the stock of REO properties continues to grow. The banks need to get realistic about pricing. Homeowners who do need to sell their homes now, need to price for today's market, not 2006. If you don't need to sell now you shouldn't have your house on the market. Many of the homes for sale could not be built for what they are selling for which is a great value to potential buyers. That being said, I would caution any buyer of a custom home that was built in the last two - three years. Many were very poorly executed by inexperienced "builders" who may not be around any longer.

Looking forward, I see the next quarter being on the slow side. We are working on a few small remodeling projects ranging from building custom doors and cabinets for houses in Carefree and Scottsdale to a new project in Desert Mountain consisting of a major remodel on the kitchen and two bathrooms. We have been in talks on projects that we expect to start this spring including a new luxury kitchen remodel in Carefree, a new custom home in Carefree on Black Mountain and a twenty thousand square foot office building in Scottsdale.

We are actively looking for other remodeling companies to acquire in this market, allowing us to build a larger and stronger organization and utilize our economies of scale, ultimately giving our clients the most value for their dollar. By the end of 2010, I am predicting that we will be in a stable market (with much higher inflation) and our Remodeling Division will be one of the largest (in terms of revenue) in the Valley.

Keep a positive attitude and this too shall pass!

Circle G Ranch Project Update

Until today, we were ahead of schedule on the addition project in Circle G Ranch in Tempe. With the rain scheduled for the next three days, we will have to postpone further work until next week. We will install windows & skylights next week and the roof will get dried in. Framing on the existing house to tie into the new structure will commence once the house is dried in. As you can see from the progress photos, we didn't waste anytime to get the new structure framed.

New Front Elevation, inclusive of four car garage, entry tower, office and two bedrooms

Tie-in of existing roof line with new bedroom

New four car garage

Original entry to be removed

New entry tower

Hands-Free Kitchen Faucets.......COOL!

Last summer we had a client ask us to retrofit their existing kitchen sinks with foot pedal controls for their kitchen faucets. Something you might see in your doctor's office, or a lab but not very common in a residential kitchen. I was doing some new product research and came across these great new hands-free kitchen faucets that don't operate with foot pedals...

Kohler. The Wellspring Touch less hands-free beverage faucet incorporates Tripoint technology, a sensing system that mimics that of an auto-focus camera, measuring the distance between the user's hands and the faucet for accurate activation and less likelihood of false activation. Homeowners can manually set the temperature for cold drinking-water delivery; the unit also can be connected to an under counter filtration system. The faucet is available in a range of traditional and contemporary styles, and in several finishes. 800-456-4537. http://www.us.kohler.com/.

Delta. Utilizing Touch2O technology, the Pilar pull-down kitchen faucet turns on and off via a tap on the spout or handle. The unit, which also operates manually, includes a handle to adjust flow rate and temperature. An indicator light identifies when the technology is activated and when batteries need to be replaced. The faucet features a 360-degree-swivel high-arc spout, a two-function pull-down spray head, and Diamond Seal technology that eliminates leaks and drips. 800-345-3358. http://www.deltafaucet.com/.

Danze. The Parma Dual kitchen faucet operates manually or via a hands-free sensor. The unit turns on when hands are placed in front and turns off when hands appear a second time; homeowners can program it to turn off automatically after a set period of time. The contemporary-style unit features clean lines and comes in polished chrome or stainless steel. 877-530-3344. http://www.danze.com/.

Brizo. The Pascal Culinary faucet offers two forms of hands-free operation—touch control or an electronic sensor—as well as manual operation by pulling on the high-arc spout. Temperature and flow can be adjusted via a single-handle valve. The technology shuts off the faucet within two seconds of the hand or object being removed from under the spout. A push-button diverter behind the spout switches the flow from spray to stream. The unit is battery-operated, but it may be hardwired. It comes in polished chrome and stainless steel. 877-345-2749. http://www.brizo.com/.

New Green Products

I came across these products in my research for an upcoming project for a client. We are all looking for ways to be greener and these items all fit that bill.

Ecodrain - The EcoDrain shower heat exchanger warms cold water in the home's supply line with grey water from the shower. Installed directly under the shower, the devise uses a turbulator to stir the waste water in order to maximize heat exchange. Two walls of separation between fresh water and grey water ensure the two sources will not mix. According to the manufacture, their studies show the product can save 46 percent of the energy used in a typical shower.

Rainwater Hog - The Rainwater Hog makes harvesting water easier with a versatile, modular system of compact units that can be used individually or together in previously unheard of spaces. The 47-gallon units can be installed verticall or horizontally and are narrow enough to fit along small walkways, against walls, or under a deck. Their modularity allows for gradual unit expansion and use in multiple locations.

Perfect Flush - Brondell a manufacturer of environmental friendly toilet related products is launching it's new product, Perfect Flush. The aftermarket unit equips existing toilets with dual-flush technology. The two-button control fits nearly all existing toilets and can be installed in less than 30 minutes (according to the manufacturer- our plumber has yet to install one) The device can be adjusted to change the amount of water used in a half flush and also can alter the amount of water a toilet uses in a full flush. Its batteries last about two years. Perfect Flush will be available in January of 2009.

Kitchen Design

I have been working with three different clients in Carefree to get designs completed for their kitchen remodeling projects. GW Custom Homes Remodeling Division is helping clients design new kitchens with our latest architectural rendering software. This tool has given us the ability to help our clients design their kitchen in a virtual world. Making changes on the fly, simulating acutal views within the house and utilizing manufactures libraries of the latest appliances and finish selections are just a couple of the unique items we can accomplish with this powerful tool.

Sub-Zero and Wolf have recently published a new set of web based videos that display great design and showcase their products. The Trade Videos, as they are called are a great resource for someone looking for great design ideas.

Circle G Ranch - Project Update

I am a week behind in posting this update. Had to send my camera into the shop to get cleaned. Thank you Tempe Camera! Great work on cleaning my Nikon D-70. Didn't want to post with out update photos.....

The project in Circle G Ranch was delayed for a week when the neighbor informed us that the addition was not being built within the limits of the lot set-backs. Even thought this project required a variance from the City of Tempe (#ZUP08077), and the city approved the project, we were delayed a week so that a complete boundary survey of the property could be completed. As expected, the placement of the new structure was right were the plans called for and the neighbor ended up loosing six or so inches of what they thought was their property line.

Footers and stems were poured last week and the slabs will be poured this week. Framing will start on the entry, bedroom and garage additions the week of Thanksgiving. We will be able to make up our week lost to the neighbor's complaint by expediting the framing.