Tag: remodeling
How to Choose The Best Flooring For Your Kitchen
At first thought, you may not think much of your kitchen floor. But the reality is, your kitchen is the heart of your home. The floor needs to be practical and durable while also fitting the design of your kitchen.
There are a variety of flooring options available on the market today. We’re sharing a few of our favorites:
- Stone and tile: a great choice for heavy traffic. Stone and tile are highly durable and are available in many different colors and decorative styles.This is the perfect choice if you have children and expect to entertain often.
- Wood: a classic choice. Wood floors can withstand heavy traffic and water stains. Laminate is an alternative choice that provides the same look for less money.If you’re looking to create a warm look in your kitchen, wood or laminate would be a nice choice.
- Cork: a durable and versatile material available in many different colors. While it may not be a popular choice, it’s unique qualities like being water resistant and offering reduced impact noise make it an option worth considering.
- Limestone: while it requires maintenance every year, limestone gives an old world look that some people love.
- Vinyl: If you’re on a budget, vinyl flooring is the best option. It is available in many different colors or styles and can spruce up your kitchen floor for very little money.
We always recommend our clients do some of your own research before the project begins. Check different interior design sites so you can get a feel of what you like or don’t like. We always welcome our clients to bring examples of what they are looking to achieve. Our number one goal is to make sure we design and build the kitchen of your dreams!
Kitchen remodels are one of our most popular services. We have been performing kitchen remodeling in the Tampa Bay area since 2000. Our services can take you from a basic cosmetic kitchen remodel to an extensive change in floor plans and locations of products. If you have questions or would like to get started on your kitchen remodel, give us a call 813-436-0177.
I Need New Countertops!
Finding the right kind of countertop for your kitchen can be complicated and pricey! Before jumping-in and making a quick purchase on a large kitchen modification, take a moment to review the positives and negatives associated with some popular kitchen countertop materials to help you choose the right one.
Quartz:
Engineered quartz is nearly maintenance free. The material is resistant to:
- Stains.
- Impacts.
- Scratches.
Its non-porous nature also means it does not need to be sealed yearly like granite. Its list of positive features can be expanded to include that it can be purchased in a number of colors and natural patterns, both of which help it rank close to granite for popularity.
Polished Granite:
Traditional granite countertops remain the number one choice of most Tampa homeowners, because they offer a pricey look and durability. Being that it is natural, granite has variations in its pattern, a fact that adds to its charm with homeowners but pattern differences can make it a nightmare when matching slabs becomes a necessity.
The nature of granite requires that all that the countertop be sealed once a year and all stains be wiped-down quickly, particularly:
- Oil.
- Red wine.
- Acid.
- Cola.
Laminate:
Laminate countertops are a budget-friendly countertop option that is experiencing a renaissance thanks in part to its price and patterns that have the appearance of wood, stone or quartz. If you are updating a mid-century Florida home, it is worth noting that laminate countertops are also manufactured in bright colors you would not expect.
Wood:
When it is properly sealed, budget-friendly and hardworking wood is sanitary and perfect for food preparation. Unlike laminate, you do not have to worry about accidentally placing a hot lid or pan on the surface. If a cozy kitchen filled only with wood countertops does not fit your plans, keep in mind you can match the countertops with natural granite or engineered quartz for a unique look.
Stainless Steel:
If the cozy comfort of wood is not your style, stainless steel can help create an industrial and modern appearance in any kitchen. The metal will match well with an array of colors and is exceedingly easy to clean, all it takes is a soft dish cloth and some mild soap. Stainless steel can also boast that it is considered the most-hygienic countertop material option on the market.
Recycled Materials:
If you are eco-minded, you will want to consider recycled countertops. Materials used in recycled countertops include glass, paper, glass and plastic.
How do you feel about the six countertop options described? Did you find a countertop that will fit well within your planned kitchen remodeling project? If we can answer remodeling questions or help you move forward with your plans, give us a call at 813-436-0177 to schedule a free consultation.
Do you have questions about bathroom remodeling?
Do you know how long it will take to remodel a small bathroom? How much will a bathroom remodel cost? How do you choose a focal point for the room? If your answer to any of these questions happens to be resounding confusion, you are not alone.
A bathroom remodeling project has so many moving parts that unless you are a professional who works in the field every day, or a Tampa homeowner who has captained more than one remodeling project, then the details and all of the small decisions will be overwhelming. That does not mean it is difficult to educate yourself before a remodeling project.
If you will be remodeling your bathroom, it pays to have a working knowledge of what you should expect and what to devote extra thought toward. Walking in with your eyes wide open can spell the difference between a nearly pleasant remodeling experience and a waking nightmare. Take a look at the collection of tips below to develop a cheat sheet for minimizing stress associated with your Tampa bathroom remodeling project.
It pays to set a realistic budget.
Before you commit to a project, it is important to manage expectations when it comes to how much money you want to spend on the renovation. All budget calculations will need to include one fixed number in the size of the bathroom, but material quality and some do it yourself demolition labor can impact the total cost of the remodel. Creation of a budget for the bigger items will help you make decisions about the fixtures, tile and assorted extras that make it into the finished product.
Time is money, a Tampa contractor can be your friend.
Do I need to hire a contractor for a small bathroom remodeling project? If you keep in mind that the project involves plumbing, tile work, electrical and a host of additional specialties, it is advantageous to hire a contractor capable of completing the work.
How long will the remodeling project make my bathroom inaccessible?
Most people are under the impression that a small bathroom remodeling project will take no more than two weeks. This will not prove true in all cases. A remodeling timeline will depend on the total number of items being moved or changed in your bathroom.
Bonus Tip:
Never make the toilet the focal point of the bathroom.
Nearly every homeowner with a fifteen to twenty year old home, with at least one bathroom that has never before been remodeled, has a toilet that remains in sight lines when a door is open. We can all agree that the look is not aesthetically pleasing. If find yourself unsure as to what to make the focal point, aim for anything but the toilet!
The truth is, a Tampa bathroom remodeling project will always be confusing to an unprepared and inexperienced homeowner. Rossi Construction, Inc. will help from beginning to end to make the process problem-free.
The Best Things To Change In Your House
Home and building remodeling can be an expensive endeavor, and deciding whether or not you want to go ahead with the project is the first step towards success. The four most important qualities for successful building remodeling are quality, pricing, energy efficiency, and low-maintenance. In order to plan the best project possible, try to find a building remodeling construction company that comes highly recommended in these four areas. Once you’re satisfied with your contractor, you can go ahead and make the renovations that you’ve been planning!
Here are two home remodeling tips to help you plan some quality design and construction.
1. Room Conversion.
Some of the best building remodeling jobs involve the conversion of a room to something nicer. In fact, attic-to-bedroom conversions are incredibly popular, and are considered to be one of the best values with regards to financial return. Turning a rarely used space into something both well-designed and practical will benefit your home and allow you to create something special. Whether it’s an attic, a basement, or converting an extra bedroom into that entertainment center you’ve always wanted, room conversion can be exactly what you need.
2. Kitchen Remodeling.
Sometimes your kitchen seems out of date and inconvenient, unable to keep up with the rigors of a busy household. Planning a kitchen remodeling and design change can improve one of the most important and highly trafficked rooms in your house. Studies report that almost 70% of all building remodeling projects revolve around the improvement of the kitchen area, and those findings aren’t surprising. The kitchen is crucial to day-to-day activity and family gatherings, and is often a high-traffic area that acts as a hub for the home. Updating your kitchen to provide a better space for your family is a good decision that will do wonders to improve the function of your home.
These two suggestions are relatively simple, but they will provide a baseline for where to start your renovation project. Consider whether your kitchen accomplishes all the tasks you’d like, and think about whether there’s a room in your home that you’d use more, if only it were something else. Remodeling your home is a big project, but it can also be one of the most rewarding.
Rossi Construction, Inc. Selected for Best of Brandon Award
Tampa residential remodeling specialty company, Rossi Construction, Inc. announced on Wednesday that it had been selected for the 2014 Best of Brandon Award in the Custom Home Builders category by the Brandon Award Program.
Each year, the program finds companies that they believe succeeded in achieving marketing success in the local community and their specific business category. All nominees are local companies that build the positive image tied to small business through positive service to their regular customers and local community. These companies help make the local area a better place to live, work and play.
The Brandon Award Program collected and analyzed a number of sources of information in order to find winners in each business category. The 2014 Brandon Award Program focuses specifically on the idea of quality, not quantity in the way a business accomplishes its goals. Winners are actually determined based upon internally gathered info by the Brandon Award Program and certain third parties.
About the Award Program:
The Brandon Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Brandon area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.
The Brandon Award Program was put in place to recognize the top local businesses in our community. The organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations and other business advertising and marketing groups. Their mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.
About Rossi Construction, Inc.:
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor located in the Tampa Bay area. Rossi Construction, Inc. specializes in residential and commercial construction and remodeling. Rossi Construction, Inc. has been building excellence by design in Tampa FL since 1979. Rossi Construction, Inc. can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Tampa Residential Remodeling Specialist Discusses Home Remodeling for Veterans
Tampa residential remodeling specialists, Rossi Construction, Inc. issued an informative announcement to veterans across Tampa on Wednesday. The topic of discussion was home improvement and modification programs offered by the VA to accommodate injured veterans as they move back home after receiving medical care.
Jason Rossi explained that there are currently three types of grants available, but discussed two of popular grants.
Rossi explained that the first type of grant available to injured veterans is a Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant (HISA). The HISA grant offers financial resources to disabled veterans to make modifications to their homes to improve the overall access and mobility within the house. Rossi explained that a particular focus is put on facilitating ease of use in the bathrooms. It is not a requirement that the disability be service related, or service incurred, but veterans with service incurred injuries will be eligible for up to $6,800.00 in grant funding.
Jason Rossi went on to explain that eligibility for a HISA grant requires a doctor’s diagnosis that explains the medical reasoning for needing the home modifications, as well as bids from three contractors who conduct work similar to that of Rossi Construction, Inc. for the proposed cost of the work. Appropriate paperwork can be obtained from the local VA hospital in either Tampa or St. Petersburg. It is possible that the veteran can have these home modifications completed on a home he or she does not own, as long as the homeowner has approved of the work.
Rossi explained that the second type of grant available to injured veterans is a Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH). The SAH grant provides financial resources to veterans for home modifications to make their house accessible to wheelchairs. He explained this grant is ONLY available to veterans with service incurred disabilities; very often the type brought about by recent deployment and improvised explosive devices. The maximum amount allowable under SAH grants is a total of close to $64,000.00.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor located in Tampa Florida. Rossi Construction specializes in residential and commercial construction. Rossi has been building excellence by design since 1979. Rossi Construction, Inc. can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Tampa Residential Remodeling Specialist on Instagram
Rossi Construction, Inc. announced that the Tampa, Florida residential remodeling specialist had joined the fast growing ranks of businesses on the social media platform Instagram. The image based social media platform is Rossi Construction, Inc.’s social media account and will be used to host before and after images of all remodeling projects. There are plans to launch a Pinterest account as the Instagram followers begin to grow.
Rossi Construction, Inc. has been interacting with readers and homeowners in search of a remodeling specialist across Facebook; Twitter and Google+. As Rossi grew in presence and engagement expanded, it was time to add new accounts and Instagram was just the obvious progression. On Instagram, Rossi Construction, Inc. will share images from its residential and commercial remodeling projects, interesting new building materials available and special events around the Rossi Construction, Inc. office.
The team members from Rossi Construction, Inc. are encouraging all current clients and business partners to find the residential remodeling specialist on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/rossiconstructiontampa. If any person is interested in receiving regular updates from Rossi Construction, Inc. they are encouraged to follow the remodeling specialists on Instagram. The Rossi team also indicated that they would love to stay in touch with any followers by following back on Instagram.
Beyond Instagram, Rossi Construction, Inc. has been keeping people up to date regarding current projects using their electronic newsletter and Facebook.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor based in Tampa, Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. specializes in all types of local residential and commercial construction. Rossi Construction, Inc. works in both Tampa, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. has been building excellence by design since 1979 and can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Tampa Residential Remodeling Checklist from Rossi Construction, Inc.
In a statement made to media in both Tampa and St. Petersburg, the home remodeling specialists from Rossi Construction, Inc. issued a pocket sized guide to local home owners. The guide is meant to serve as a simple checklist by which a Tampa home owner can keep his or her budget for a home remodeling project truly under control.
The guide was initially launched by Jason Rossi with a simple connect the dots “best practices” outline, moving through topics like budget for a remodeling plan and tips for saving on different fixtures.
Rossi started with the budget, believing that it is the best place to kick-off any home remodeling project. It is his belief that a sound understanding of the budget will illustrate which materials are viable and it will set boundaries regarding what the design will incorporate.
A surprising tip in the pocket guide was the concept of going “green.” The specialists from Rossi Construction, Inc. feel that green products are good for both a family and the environment they plan to call home. Green products are often more visually appealing, they function better, emit fewer chemicals and are generally healthier because of the manner in which they are produced. An eco-friendly approach to Tampa remodeling is not just about new products, it can be as simple as choosing refurbished wood for your living room floor instead of a laminate.
To stem the tide of a growing remodeling budget, it was suggested that home owners avoid moving plumbing in rooms like the kitchen. Moving a sink looks easy at first glance, but the problem lies beneath the surface and the total costs involved in big plumbing moves. Spending less cash moving a sink means there will be more money for something else later in the remodeling project.
Rossi finished by explaining a home owner should NOT underestimate the importance of good lighting in any room being remodeled. He offered the example of dim lighting in a relaxing bath, compared to bright lighting for all the early morning preparation.
Rossi Construction, Inc. is a general contractor based in Tampa, Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. specializes in all types of local residential and commercial construction. Rossi Construction, Inc. works in both Tampa, Florida and St. Petersburg, Florida. Rossi Construction, Inc. has been building excellence by design since 1979 and can be found online by visiting http://www.jrossiconstruction.com.
Remodel My Tampa Home or Move?
Do you want to stay in your home and remodel your existing house or do you want to move to another, newer, house in Tampa? How do you make the decision? Some will tell you to leave the old house and buy something new. Others will tell you to rip it all down and start fresh in the same location, while others still will tell you to contact a Tampa general contractor about remodeling your home.
How do you make the decision to stay or go? What criteria do you use to make a sound decision to stay and do a remodel or move to a new address?
Here are a few questions to ask yourself. Your answers will help you decide whether a move is in your future.
How do you feel about the neighbors and the neighborhood?
Is the neighborhood a place you like living? Do you like your neighbors? Are the amenities in the area good? Are you happy with the local schools and their record with the state?
Is there something that is really unique and a little cool about your house?
While not every house has a significance beyond being the roof over your head, some do. Whether it is design or some other quality, a home that is special should NOT be subjected to the wrecking ball.
Does remodeling make sense for your finances?
There are a ton of factors to weigh when it comes to the question of finances. If you are remodeling, there is not only the cost of the project. There could also be additional costs, such as temporary housing while the house is in one state of work or another.
Does the house currently have good bones?
Not all houses are a good candidate for a remodel! While there are valid reasons to rebuild a historic building, a 15 year old suburban home with a bad foundation may not be the best candidate for remodeling. Accurately take this into account when assessing the best plan for the house, because you need to understand the story behind sloping floors and cracks in the foundation.
Is there one personality trait I need to practice while assessing my options?
Patience is the key! Being patient will help you identify the right place for you to start. No matter if you end up in your current home or five miles from where you live right now, it will make the end result worth the journey! Call us at 813.436.0177 to schedule an appointment during which we can start to determine the best path for you and your home!
Tampa Remodeling Tips for the Future!
Here are some home remodeling tips which can “future-proof” your Tampa home!
Never skimp on the insulation.
In our modern age, there are multiple forms of insulation, many of which are marketed to the public as “green.” These include soy-based foams, recycled newspaper and even denim. Aim for the highest thermal resistance, a bigger number will mean better insulation against the elements. Pay particular attention to all exterior walls, a crawlspace or an attic.
Blanket insulation is often the least expensive option, the drawback being that it must be trimmed to fit around pipes and fixtures. The fitting process leaves spaces susceptible to air leaks.
Loose-fill insulation made of fiberglass and cellulose can flow better around pipes and other obstructions in the dwelling. Spray-in foam can do a particularly good job and it will not settle or sag over time, though the price is significantly higher. Many are still urethane-based, but manufacturers are beginning to substitute petroleum content with soybean material.
Find formaldehyde-free options for kitchen cabinets.
Inquire whether kitchen cabinets contain added urea formaldehyde, which has been used as an adhesive in some pressed-wood products. Formaldehyde is a human carcinogen, and it is suggested by the National Cancer Institute that buyers should ask about the formaldehyde content of kitchen cabinets.
Mainstream wood-product manufacturers are adjusting their product lines, developing cabinetry boxes with no added formaldehyde.
Build a media room that is prepared for the future.
Make sure a media room is designed to meet the future of home technology. Wiring should be able to support a centrally located media distribution system that feeds internet access, films, games and music to the rest of your home. Can you control lighting, security and the thermostat from a touch screen or remotely from a cell phone or tablet?
The days of making sure you had enough outlets to run the television, video device and stereo are now in the past. Advancing home automation technology is creeping into every corner, meaning there will be a point when home appliances will efficiently notify you with a text message when the refrigerator malfunctions.
The professionals from Rossi Construction, Inc. are prepared to help you remodel your home with a better future in mind. Call 813.436.0177 to schedule a free consultation!
