Remodeling Contractor

Remodeling Expectations

Addition by Powell Construction

What should you do if your contractor tells you he can’t show you a drawing of what your project will look like before he begins the work?

Over the 20 years we’ve been in this business we’ve seen time & again that the success of a remodeling project hinges upon a clear understanding of expectations.  To communicate this clear understanding it’s very important that your contractor show you thorough drawings and an itemized estimate of what he is planning to include in the project.  Without this information his price is essentially meaningless and your perspective of what to expect on the project is likely inaccurate.  Without clarity and accuracy it’s much more likely your remodeling project will encounter problems and be much less enjoyable for all involved.

It’s disconcerting and unfortunate to hear stories from homeowners about negative experiences with their contractors.  It’s not good for the homeowner and it’s certainly not good for the contractors who are out there doing a good job.  To greatly increase the probability of a successful remodeling project, we’d like to advise you as the homeowner to follow a few basic guidelines:

For starters, always go with your gut if you’re feeling uneasy. Ask a lot of questions and learn about everyone who will be involved in each phase of your project. All details of your project should be spelled out on paper before you sign a contract. This is the only way to be assured your expectations become reality.  Secondly, ask to speak with client references who had projects similar to yours. Be courteous to the references you are calling, as they are doing you and the contractor a favor.  In addition to any detailed questions specific to your project type, you’ll want to ask about the contractor’s attention to detail, final costs compared to initial estimate, and overall project length.  Lastly, to be sure you are hiring a professional, choose a contractor who is a member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), an organization that holds its members to a strict code of ethics. To learn more about hiring a professional remodeler visit www.nari.org.

In closing, if your contractor can’t show you detailed drawings and/or doesn’t present you with a detailed estimate you ought to be wary. Remodeling is a complicated endeavor with many opportunities for unforeseen changes, but it doesn’t have to be an unpleasant experience. With a caring, experienced professional leading you through the project, you can feel comfortable and confident from start to finish.

New stair and entryway by Powell Construction

Powell Construction Designs a Luxurious Bathroom for Two

The theme for this master bathroom was luxury and relaxation. Tile wainscot, an elegant freestanding tub, a generously sized custom tiled shower and granite countertops are just a few highlights.

After.

Before.

A simple graceful freestanding tub replaced the existing tub and dated tub deck. This visually enlarged the room by allowing more visible floor space and gave the tub a better stage to present itself.

The homeowners couldn’t wait to modernize and expand their cramped corner shower. A simple tile mural adds interest to the design while a bench, shampoo niche, and rain shower head provide some of the creature comforts. Mosaic floor tile provides excellent traction and a custom frameless shower door swings both in and out for easy access. This spacious shower is a delight!

The homeowners asked for an oil rubbed bronze tub filler that would match their hardware throughout the rest of the house. It was important to them that the tub filler look good from both the front and back and that chrome pipes not be showing. Since a tub filler with oil rubbed bronze pipes that matched the other hardware wasn’t available, a custom pedestal was designed using the same granite that’s on the countertops. It was a creative and elegant solution!

Colors and themes are carried throughout the bathroom but varied to create visual interest. Four foot high tile wainscot with a high relief accent border adds a distinctive Old World touch to the space. The wainscot tile is repeated in the floor, with the added touch of a border using the mosaic of the shower floor.

After.

Before.

The existing Oak vanities were structurally sound, but the finish was wearing off and the homeowners wanted to get away from the look of the “builder standard” oak cabinet. To do this the cabinets were painted and topped with luxurious granite countertops, under mount sinks, modern oil rubbed bronze hardware and matching plumbing fixtures.

Now the bathroom is picture perfect!

Powell Construction Wins Oregon Remodelers Association 2010 Outstanding Remodeling Achievement Award for a Kitchen $80,000 to $120,000

The desire to open up the kitchen into a great room and tap into the amazing views inspired the transformation of this 1911 farmhouse. A disjointed layout cut the kitchen off from the other rooms in the house. The new homeowners sought to brighten up their kitchen and dining area while at the same time making it more cohesive, roomy and functional for their twenty-first century lifestyle.

We demolished several small rooms (kitchen, breakfast room, laundry room, small back patio, and powder room) to create a new kitchen/dining great room.  A small addition expanded the newly formed dining area and this now connects to the adjacent family room for better entertaining.  Load bearing walls were removed posts concealed by columns and beams hidden in the floor joists to creatively solve design challenges.

This dream kitchen is everything that the homeowners hoped for. It is large enough for several cooks, has an abundance of natural light and also features granite countertops, two concealed dishwashers, stainless steel appliances, and more than enough storage. Quality craftsmanship combined with careful attention to structural and visual design details have transformed this old farmhouse into a homeowner’s dream.

This project received the 2010 Outstanding Remodeling Achievement Award for a Residential Kitchen $80,000 – $120,000.

View of kitchen and dining room great room.

Close up of the dining room.

Load bearing posts concealed by decorative columns.

Two concealed dishwashers, stainless steel appliances, and a custom hood deliver a great result!

Adding windows brightened up the ample countertops, providing plenty of light and space.

An adjacent mudroom provides a place for coats, shoes, keys, and additional storage.

Powell Construction Builds Two Cape Cod Additions in Corvallis

This cape-cod style home on Kings Boulevard in Corvallis, lovingly named “Flatlander” by its owner, recently underwent its third transition. In 2001 Powell Construction added a master bedroom suite. In 2004 we expanded the garage and added a second story shop area to accommodate the homeowners’ annual antique sale known as Nantucket Cottage. Each project tied in with the cape-cod style of the home and retained the look, with careful attention to detail.

The newest project was all about planning for the future. Two women combined resources to create an environment where they can share a home, yet each enjoy their own privacy. We added a master bedroom suite with a walk-in shower and soaking tub, walk-in closet, and sitting area. We also expanded the kitchen to accommodate two cooks. The results are charming!

You can see the kitchen addition on the left and the master bedroom suite on the right.

Here’s a look at the kitchen after the expansion.

This master suite addition features a fireplace, walk-in closet, and bathroom.

The bathroom includes a soaking tub and a walk-in shower. The shuttered window provides charm and privacy.

This sitting room is actually part of the first addition that we built in 2001. It’s a shared space that joins the two master suites. To see the earlier additions go to powellconstruction.com and click on Portfolio and then Additions. The project numbers are #106 and #156.

Lawnridge Kitchen Remodel: Finished Product

Here is the finished project. The cabinets are Ivory Hickory with shaker style doors and drawers. The countertops are Caesarstone, Chocolate Truffle, which is an engineered stone. The sink and faucet are made by Blanco. The lighting fixtures are manufactured by Quorum. And last but not least, the flooring is a pre-finished Doussie engineered wood floor.

Finished Kitchen and Island

Completed Living Room with Built-Ins and Fireplace Surround

The kitchen and family room are cohesive and the simple design details of the kitchen work well with Will and Cathy’s craftsman/mission style taste.