custom craft home remodeling newsletter

Check out our latest renovation project

by News

The Craftsman Newsletter Has Been Renovated

custom craft home remodeling newsletter One of the ways we keep in touch with our valued clients is through our quarterly newsletter, The Craftsman. Recently, we redesigned the newsletter, taking it from a two-page, to a four-page format. This renovation has allowed us to share more photos and details about the remodeling projects, home improvement trends, and company news items that you enjoy reading about.

To read the newsletter, click on the newsletter thumbnail. If you don’t currently receive this newsletter, and you would like to be added to the mailing list, email us your name and mailing address.

CotY-Award

Custom Craft Wins 4 Awards for Home Remodeling

by Awards & Accolades

Custom Craft Earns Multiple 2016 Best Home Remodeling Contractor Honors

CotY-AwardWe are thrilled to share that Custom Craft Contractors has been awarded two 2016 Best of Houzz Awards for Design and Customer Service. We were also just awarded two 2016 Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). Each of these industry awards is prestigious, but the four awards combined mark Custom Craft as an exemplary remodeling firm among our industry peers.

Our 2016 Best of Houzz awards are the result of superior customer reviews and overall popularity among users of Houzz—an online community connecting homeowners with home improvement professionals. There are over 4 million home remodeling professionals on Houzz, but each year less than 3% of those remodeling pros are honored with Best of Houzz awards. Only a small fraction of those companies are awarded Best of Houzz in both the Design and Service categories–indicating that Custom Craft is in an elite category of remodeling contractors nationwide.

Custom Craft was also recently awarded with two CotY Awards at the local chapter’s Evening of Excellence. The awards dinner was held at the William Penn Inn in Lower Gwynedd Township on Saturday, January 30th. Custom Craft submitted two residential kitchen renovations for consideration in the awards competition in the $60K to $100K, and $100K to $150K categories. Both projects won top honors, earning us two more CotY Awards to add to our lengthy list of achievements.

We could not have achieved these honors without the support of a talented team of designers, estimators, administrative staff, and craftsmen. And, of course, none of it would have been possible without the support of our loyal customers. You all have our sincere thanks for your continued hard work and support.

And the first Royce Yoder Pottery Giveaway winner is…

by News

Royce Yoder Pottery Giveaway #1: Set of Four Mugs Valued at $100

We have selected the first winner in our Royce Yoder Pottery giveaway. Watch the video below to see if your name was selected. If you didn’t win this time around, remember we will be giving away three more pieces of Royce Yoder original, hand-thrown pottery. If you haven’t had a chance to register yet, visit: the contest registration page and complete the form. Good luck!

Wine and Design Workshop 2015

Join us for the Wine and Design Remodeling Workshop

by Seminar

Wine and Design Workshop 2015

Join Custom Craft Contractors, Decorating Den, and Bergey’s Electric on Thursday, August 20th for a fun evening at Cardinal Hollow Winery in North Wales. At this informational home remodeling workshop, our own Mike Foering will be on hand to share amazing before and after photos of remodeling projects, along with details on how Custom Craft was able to transform each space to meet the needs of the homeowner. Following the brief presentation, you will have an opportunity to ask the experts everything you need to know about residential remodeling, interior design, lighting, and energy efficiency.

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. and will feature wine tasting, light hors d’oeuvres, and door prizes, as well. Space is limited. To reserve your seat, contact Marilyn at (215) 723-5518 x 122, or email Marilyn.

GuildQuality

Custom Craft Contractors Named GuildMaster for 2nd Consecutive Year

by Awards & Accolades

GuildQualityWe are proud to announce that GuildQuality just announced that Custom Craft Contractors has been named a 2015 GuildMaster with Distinction. GuildQuality is an independent research firm that has been recognizing excellence among remodeling companies annually since 2005. As a result of achieving customer satisfaction ratings of 95% and greater, Custom Craft Contractors has been awarded the coveted GuildMaster award with Distinction for the second consecutive year.

This year, GuildQuality received applications from 1100 remodeling and construction companies for the GuildMaster Award. Only 300 of these applicants earned the honors. In granting the awards, GuildQuality considers two factors for each candidate: the percentage of customers who would recommend, and the percentage of customers who responded. To earn the Guildmaster title, award recipients must achieve a recommendation rate of greater than 90%. Earning the title of Guildmaster with Distinction designates that a contractor’s survey response rate was 80% or greater. Companies must also achieve a minimum of 20 completed surveys to be eligible. To date, Guild Quality has surveyed 65 of Custom Craft Contractors clients. Read our customer reviews here.

Among the numerous awards Custom Craft Contractors has received, according to our own Mike Foering, this award is the most meaningful. “We recognize that our success depends largely on pleasing our clients because when our clients are happy, they return to us for additional work and refer us to their friends. For us, being named a GuildMaster with Distinction is a big deal. It means we are hitting the mark with our clients. That’s more than just validating. It’s also a good indicator of our future success.”

Custom Craft Contractors is an award-winning design-build remodeling contractor based in Lansdale, Pa that has been serving the residential and light commercial remodeling needs of clients in Bucks and Montgomery County since 1982. In addition to the GuildMaster award, earlier this year we earned Best of Houzz honors for both Design and Service. We have also won numerous Contractor of the Year Awards from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

matt harrar

Join us in welcoming Matt Harrar to the Custom Craft team

by News

matt harrarWe are pleased to announce that we have added a new member to our team: Matt Harrar. Matt joins us in the newly created role of Estimator. As the Estimator for Custom Craft Contractors, Matt will participate in design development, create project estimates, assemble proposals, manage the online project management software, place orders for lead materials, and assist the production staff with implementing our clients’ visions.

Matt comes to us with a decade of construction industry experience, as well as a degree in accounting from Ursinus College. His combination of relevant work experience and education will serve him well in this position. Matt will play an integral part in ensuring that all of our projects are delivered on time and within our clients’ budgets.

What you may not know about Matt is that he is an avid fisherman. In particular, he enjoys catch and release, fresh water fishing. Matt is also a pet parent to a Beagle mix named Rosie. Rosie enjoys accompanying Matt on his fishing trips and was even present when Matt landed a 30 lb King Salmon on Salmon River in New York.

Please join us in welcoming Matt to the Custom Craft Contractors family. We are happy to have him on board.

A Day in the Life at Custom Craft Contractors

by GeneralUncategorized

If you have ever wondered what it was like to work at an award-winning remodeling company, keep reading. To gain this insight, we posed a series of questions to Matt Hill, one of our lead carpenters. Here is what Matt had to share about working at Custom Craft Contractors.

1. Describe a day in the life at Custom Craft Contractors

At Custom Craft, when we are not planning we are busy creating. Each day, I arrive on a job site with a checklist of tasks to be completed that day. As the day goes by, I am checking off the tasks that have been completed to make sure we stay on schedule. At the end of each day, I am planning for the following day. I also take time to speak with homeowners, to keep them updated on our progress and respond to any questions or concerns.

2. What is your favorite aspect of working at Custom Craft Contractors?

Presenting the homeowners with a finished project that goes beyond their expectations is my favorite part of my job. It feels great to see how much they appreciate the end result, especially when it is something I have dedicated so much time to over the course of several weeks or months.

3. If Custom Craft Contractors was a car, what make/model would it be and why?

I think we’re most like a Toyota Camry. The Camry is a well built, functional car that meets just about everyone’s needs. They last a long time and they’re reliable. They also come in a wide variety of styles, colors and options to meet everyone’s tastes. Similarly, Custom Craft Contractors is versatile. We can build anything from a bathroom, to a custom home. We also have high customer satisfaction ratings.

4. Complete this sentence, “When it comes to _______________, Custom Craft Contractors does it better than any other remodeling company around.”

Customer satisfaction. It’s one of our main focuses as a company. Our people all go above and beyond to make sure that goal is met. Everyone takes personal ownership to make sure that the customer has a high level of satisfaction with our work.

5. Tell us a little about the Custom Craft team

We have a good team. Everyone has a different construction background which makes for a good blend of skills and talents. We can meet a wide variety of needs. Our team members are all ethical and professional, which is important when you are working in other people’s homes. It makes for a happier work environment when your team members all understand how to interact appropriately on the job site.

6. Share one fun fact about yourself

I enjoy backpacking. In fact, just this past weekend I went to the “Grand Canyon” of Pennsylvania, the Pine Creek Gorge. Over the course of three days and two nights, I hiked 31 miles with a group of friends.

 

basements

Basement Finishing Basics

by Interior RenovationUncategorized

basementsIf you are interested in adding an exercise room, entertainment area, or playroom to your home, the perfect space may be beneath your feet. If your home has an unfinished basement, remodeling the basement might be the most cost-effective way to incorporate these features.

When considering a basement remodel, start by using a piece of grid paper to make a rough floor plan, marking the locations of major appliances, like your furnace, washer and dryer, and water heater. Next, you will want to note any of the following:

  • Interior and exterior access points
  • Existing plumbing locations, which are important to know about in case you want to include an additional bathroom, or wet bar
  • Location of vertical support columns
  • Locations of windows and doors
  • Floor, ceiling, and wall materials

Given their location underground, basements are vulnerable to dampness, which makes basement remodeling a bit more challenging than first meets the eye. But, with the right materials in place, your basement will be protected from moisture, as well as the mold and mildew that can come with an improperly finished underground space.

Most basements have low ceilings and few windows, which can create a dark and cramped feeling if not addressed properly. Fortunately, there are many creative ways to make your basement light and airy.

Here are some tricks-of-the-trade for transforming your basement:

  • Stay away from dark wood paneling and instead consider drywall painted in light tones to make the room brighter. Semi-gloss paint will gently reflect even more light into the room.
  • Open up the visual space. Consider glass double doors, a rounded archway, or a pass-through area between rooms to create smooth transitions from one area to another.
  • Check to see if existing windows can be enlarged. Or, consider installing a small boxed window for a mini-garden to grow herbs or start plant seedlings.
  • Add depth with built-in bookcases and entertainment units. Light them strategically with interior lights, or from the top, to cast light downwards.
  • Disguise vertical support beams and horizontal ceiling pipes or floor joists by covering them. Alternatively, you can use pipes and beams as interesting accents by painting them with bold colors for added flair.

Unfinished basements are much like a diamond in the rough—unexplored splendor awaiting your discovery.

Custom Craft Team Recognized as GuildMaster with Highest Distinction

by Awards & Accolades

At Custom Craft, our goal is to exceed the expectations of our clients by providing quality remodeling services executed with fine craftsmanship and delivered in a timely manner. Yet, how do we know if we are achieving our goal? Until recently, surveying our clients on their satisfaction with our work was something of a challenge. With the help of GuildQuality, the leading independent surveying firm for the remodeling industry, we have been measuring client satisfaction for a little over a year. Thus far, we have surveyed 50 customers and we are very pleased to report that, not only have we achieved high satisfaction ratings, but our team has been recognized by GuildQuality as a 2014 GuildMaster Award winner.

Once a year, GuildQuality bestows an award for exemplary quality and customer service upon a handful of its members. The GuildQuality Guildmaster Award celebrates exemplary service among home builders, remodelers, developers, property managers, home services contractors, and real estate professionals. Award recipients must achieve a recommendation rate of greater than 90% from clients surveyed through GuildQuality to qualify. This honor is particularly meaningful to us, as it is based on the feedback from our clients.

Many thanks to our team members for their hard work and dedication to their craft which enabled us to earn this award. And, special thanks to our customers for their positive feedback and patronage. We pledge to continue to work diligently to deliver the fine craftsmanship and quality services you have come to expect from Custom Craft Contractors.

7 Tips for a Happier Home

by Lifestyle Tips

Feeling good and looking good go hand-in-hand. Nowhere is this more true than in our homes. When we improve our living environment, it has a major impact on how we feel when we are in our homes. Here are a few tips to get you feeling good about your home again.

1. Clear the Clutter

Don’t try to do the whole house at one time, just start with a well-trafficked room you have been wanting to get in shape. Set your timer for 15 minutes and go. Once you feel the glow of accomplishment, you’ll be motivated to tackle another room and then another. Think about how you want each room to function and make sure the things you need for those activities are at hand. Get rid of every item that’s unrelated.

2. Get Inspired

Check out websites like Houzz to see what professional designers are doing and get your own creative juices flowing. You might also consider signing up for a workshop or seminar that offers remodeling tips. Books stores also offer a variety of home improvement books and magazines.

3. Liven Your Lighting

Lighting can make all the difference in how you experience a room. Count the light sources in each room. You’ll want to have three or more per room. Add light dimmers for your overhead lighting. You’ll be amazed at how dramatically this changes the feel of the room.

4. Color Me Wonderful

Touches of color will add pizazz to any room. You don’t have to go color crazy, but a fun touch added here and there will brighten your space and add enjoyment.

5. Choose Quality Over Quantity

Whether you’re purchasing furniture, window treatments, or remodeling, get the best you can afford–even if it means you buy a little less. It’s better to get a little less of what you really want than a lot of something that you’ll be unhappy with in a few months.

6. Maintain Your Home and Your Sanity

Nagging maintenance projects can add unwelcome daily stress. Before they become bigger problems, be sure to schedule your home maintenance projects. There’s no need to do them all on the same day. Whether you will do-it-yourself, or hire a handyman, stagger the projects into reasonable segments over time. Pretty soon your entire home will be ship-shape and you can schedule time for guilt-free relaxation.

7. Explore remodeling

If remodeling your home is an idea you’d like to explore, we’d be delighted to help. Schedule a visit to our selection studio for ideas on custom cabinetry, countertops, tile, paint colors and more. When you’re ready to talk specifics, call and set up a free in-home consultation with Mike Foering. It’s a good way to find out what is feasible for your home and budget.

Custom Craft Contractors has been making remodeling dreams come true since 1982. We would love to help bring your remodeling dreams to life, as well. Give us a call at 610-584-0665 to take the first step toward a happier, more functional home.

Many thanks to C & R Remodeling for providing the inspiration for this article.

Read the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report

by FinancingGeneralReturn-on-Investment

Remodeling Magazine released the 26th annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report to the public this past January.  It contains localized data from the Philadelphia region and compares construction costs of 35 popular remodeling projects against the resale value that these projects could add to your home. The results of this report present the homeowner with an estimate of how much of their cost is recouped at resale.

Read the report by clicking on the image to the right:

In 2013, the top three remodeling projects with the highest return rate are projected to be 1) Entry Door Replacement (steel); 2) Garage Door Replacement; and 3) Deck Addition (wood).  As the cost of living continues to improve, the demand for housing will grow. The Remodeling Cost vs. Value report is a beneficial tool that can be utilized in your home-improvement decision-making to help you to determine the next best project for you and your home.

A Remodeling Cost vs. Value iPhone app is available for free download at the AppStore and has been updated with new data.  See what your home-improvement project could be worth!

Free Seminar: 7 Essential Elements of a Successful Home Renovation

by Seminar

Join us for a free remodeling workshop on Saturday, March 9th and learn the “7 Essential Elements of a Successful Home Renovation”. Our expert panel will include our own Mike Foering, who will be joined by award-winning architect Joseph Augustine, owner of JFA-Architecture, and Mark Glidden, partner with  Stone-Glidden–Above and Beyond Home AV.

For complete details, download the seminar flyer.

Considerations for Creating a Home Office

by Interior Renovation

Creating a workspace at home can be as simple as arranging a kitchen ‘command’ center with space for mail, a calendar, and other household documents.  If greater functionality and privacy are required, designating a separate area of the home as an office is generally a better solution. Whatever the need, a few considerations should be addressed when integrating a workspace into the home.

Utility
One of the first questions we ask our clients is: How will the space be used?  Understanding who will be using the space and for what purpose can help identify an appropriate location in the home.  A homework area for the kids and small household tasks like bill paying might be appropriately integrated into a family space like the kitchen.  This way the parent can provide assistance or keep tabs on the family as needed. If more privacy is required for a home-based business, then a dedicated room or outbuilding may be necessary.

Once an area for the workspace is identified, it’s important to make sure the area is functional for users.  This means making sure there is adequate desk area for a computer – we recommend a desk about 24” to 30” deep, 30” high, with at least 36” of work area.  Also making sure there is plenty of room for storage with file drawers, bookshelves, and closed storage for supplies.
Lighting
Adequate lighting is integral to the functionality and comfort of the space.  To some extent, the amount and type of light depends on the work but we recommend maximizing natural light to the space whenever possible.  The ambient lighting in the room can often be accommodated through a combination of recessed ceiling fixtures and table lamps.  A smaller desk lamp with a multi-directional head can be adjusted based on the specific task.

Power
With all the electronic equipment that we use today, managing the power to the space becomes important.  For a home office room, typically a 20 Amp dedicated circuit at 120 V is adequate for power needs.  Putting the office on a dedicated circuit minimizes the chances that someone in an adjacent room will overload a shared circuit resulting in a power loss.  Locating outlets based on power needs and managing cords also helps to maintain an organized workspace. Surge protectors are another important feature of a home office and should be included to protect the electronic devices kept in this room, from computers to printers.

Whatever your needs are, a functional workspace at home starts with a well thought out design. If you need assistance designing and building your new home office, please contact us at (610) 762-1632. Click here to view photos of a home office renovation we recently completed for one of our clients.

Read the Spring Issues of The Craftsman

by General

We recently introduced The Craftsman, a quarterly newsletter filled with helpful remodeling news and information. Download the latest issue. Our goal for this newsletter is to provide readers with remodeling ideas and inspiration, share details about products we love and to answer any questions they may have about home renovations.

The Craftsman is mailed quarterly to the homes of our clients, vendors and friends of the company. If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please click here or email your name and address to: info@customcraftcontractors.com

Custom Craft Contractors Honored with Local and Regional Awards

by Awards & AccoladesBathrooms

Lansdale, PA—Custom Craft Contractors was recently honored with both local and regional Contractor of the Year (CotY) Awards for a bathroom renovation in the Under $30,000 category.  The local awards were presented by the Bucks-Mont Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) at a ceremony held at the Joseph Ambler Inn in Montgomery Township, PA on Friday, January 27, 2012.

CotY Award winners were selected in a blind judging process by an impartial panel of industry experts. Judging focused on problem solving, functionality, aesthetics, craftsmanship, degree of difficulty and entry presentation. As a regional winner for this project, Custom Craft is in the running for the National Contractor of the Year Award. The National CotY award winners will be announced in April at the NARI Evening of Excellence.

The CotY Award winning bathroom was a collaborative effort between Custom Craft Contractors and Interior Decorator, Pat Nunan, owner of Lifestyles Design. For this project, the two companies teamed to create a barrier free, wheelchair-accessible bathroom for a homeowner diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease.” By designing and building a beautiful, yet accessible bathroom, they enabled this husband and father of two young sons to live independently and comfortably in his own home for as long as possible.

In addition to the Contractor of the Year Awards, Custom Craft received a Meritorious Award for a kitchen renovation in the $80,000 to $120,000 category. Michael Foering, Vice President of Custom Craft Contractors was also recognized as Committee Chairman of the Year for his role as the Chairman of the Education Committee for the Bucks-Mont NARI chapter.
NARI Chapters are not-for-profit trade associations committed exclusively to the service of the professional remodeling industry. The NARI remodeling contractor is pledged to uphold the Association’s Code of Ethics and is dedicated to the professionalism and integrity of the remodeling industry.

For more information on Custom Craft Contractors, visit www.customcraftcontractors.com or contact Mike Foering at (610) 584-0665.

Tips For Taking Better Pictures This Holiday Season

by Lifestyle Tips

Photography Tip for Your Next Holiday Gathering

With the holiday season right around the corner, there will be plenty of family photos capturing the moments. Our project estimator and amateur photographer, Mike Foering, offers a simple suggestion for taking better and more interesting pictures. Mike suggests composing your pictures using, “The Rule of Thirds”. It is a simple concept to implement and can result in dramatic improvements to your pictures.

In its simplest form, the rule of thirds is to imagine breaking down your photograph into thirds both vertically and horizontally (so you have 9 equal segments – think tic-tac-toe board). The rule states that if you place your subject or point of interest along one of the lines or intersection points, you will create a more balanced, visually engaging picture. Some examples include: place subject’s eyes at intersection point, locate horizon line along horizontal line, offset subject from center along a vertical line. Try using the “Rule of Thirds” in your photography this holiday season. You may just take your best pictures yet.

organized laundry room with storage

Mudrooms Help Families Master Messes

by Mudrooms

organized laundry room with storageA modern mudroom can greatly improve the cleanliness and organization of your home by creating a transitional area between the outdoors and the comfort of your living space. Having a place to kick off dirty shoes, hang wet jackets and stow away backpacks and briefcases can greatly reduce the intrusion of clutter, dirt, dust and pollen.

One of the benefits of a mudroom is that it creates additional storage space–something many homes lack at side and rear entry points. By utilizing cabinets, shelves, rods and hooks you can create an area that encourages the entire family to stay organized. Mudrooms are also great places to store those easy to lose items such as keys, sunglasses and handheld electronic devices.

Mudrooms are most often located at an entry to your home that is not the front door. While building an addition is one great way to achieve the space necessary, it is not the only way. Many first floor laundry rooms can be converted to have a dual purpose. Another way to create the space for a mudroom is to renovate the garage.

Before the mud, snow and ice are being tracked all over the house, consider the modern mudroom for your next home improvement project with Custom Craft Contractors. For more information, or to schedule an appointment for a consultation, call us at: (610) 584-0665.