dc homes – Finesse Design Remodeling

Our Kitchen Remodeling Process: Capitol Hill

Kitchens are used for more than just cooking meals. Your family comes together in your kitchen every day to laugh, talk about their day, and enjoy great food. You make guests feel right at home with a cup of coffee or tea from your kitchen. Having a beautiful kitchen not only improves your home’s appearance, but gives you the luxury and comfort you want to feel at home. Replacing old countertops and cabinets can really spruce up your kitchen and make it feel new. Expanding your kitchen can give you a little extra room for that breakfast nook you desire. Whatever the project, remodeling your kitchen can give it new life.

Remodeling or renovating your kitchen can also add significant value to your home. As a homeowner in Capitol Hill’s competitive housing market, you know the importance of increasing your home’s equity. Remodeling your kitchen—no matter how big or small the project—can increase your home’s value, which will pay off in the housing market in the future.

Many of the houses in Capitol Hill are small, which means these houses are equipped with small kitchens. Remodeling a tiny space presents a unique challenge, but is by no means impossible. In fact, working with small spaces inspires creativity in learning how to best remodel the room and make the most of your limited space. You can design many simple renovation projects to greatly improve your small kitchen.

Finding creative and unique renovation solutions for every project and setting to make your project come to life is the true hallmark of an excellent home design and remodel contractor. Finesse Design has the expertise to tackle any renovation or remodeling project and bring your vision to life, even in the smallest of homes in Capitol Hill.

The Finesse Design Experience

We deliver more than a service; it’s an experience. We understand that there are a lot of contractors to choose from, so why choose Finesse? Whether you are planning a new kitchen or bath, creating a basement apartment, or even imagining an addition to gain more space, when working with a remodeling contractor, it’s about the experience. Our clients have the benefit of working directly with the partners of Finesse through the entire process. From the initial consultation, through planning and design, to producing and finishing your renovation, we are by your side sharing over 50 years of design and construction experience. The best part of it all is we make it fun and enjoyable for you, and deliver an outstanding new space you can’t wait to start living in.

How do we Complete our Projects? The Finesse Experience Includes the Following Steps:

Complimentary Consultation: We provide a complimentary in-home consultation to get started. During the consultation, we listen to your project goals and identify any challenges we might face during the renovation process. After the consultation, we will be able to determine price range and timeframes for your project
Design and Concepts Phase: We re-visit your home to complete measurements so we can start to prepare multiple design concepts, including floor plans, elevations, and 3D views. We share all parts of the design process with you, and want to hear your feedback at every step. We will explore the pros and cons of different designs with you, work to create a design we both agree on, then communicate with our subcontractors to finalize pricing.
Construction Phase: Before construction begins, we hold a pre-construction meeting to discuss access to your home, temporary protection placement, the plan for the first week, and more. During construction, we provide weekly progress reports via email. Once construction is complete, we complete a walk-through and identify any other items necessary to completing the project.
Warranty: We offer a comprehensive warranty plan for two years. We check in at the end of the first and second years to make sure you’re still satisfied with our services.

When you’re looking to renovate your kitchen, choose a contractor that will give you beautiful results with quality that’s built to last. Contact us today at (703) 337-2822 or Info@Finesse-Design.com to schedule a free consultation!

Choosing a remodeling firm can be challenging. You meet with several firms who seem friendly, professional and they have beautiful portfolios that showcase their experience. However, it is a big decision- it’s your home! Apart from purchasing your home, remodeling may be one of the biggest investments you make. Whether you are living through the renovation or relocating during construction, you will spend weeks to months with this firm. How do you make sure you are hiring the right firm? Here’s a list of the top 10 questions to ask before choosing a design build firm.

1. Are they licensed and insured?

Any firm you consider should be licensed in your specific jurisdiction. The license should be held by the company only. Ask for the company’s business license number and verify it online. It is also important that the company you hire is insured. It is good to know what is covered under the company’s policy and how much coverage they have.

2. Can the organization provide you with an outline of their process?

It is important to have a clear understanding of how the firm will develop, manage and execute your project. The firm should schedule regular meetings and discussions to review design ideas, material selections, timelines and budget.

3. Is a permit required and who is responsible for obtaining it?

Most districts require a building permit for a project and there may be several permits required depending on the scope of the project. Obtaining a permit can be costly and time consuming. However, as a home owner, it serves as a source of protection. Permits come with regular inspections by building officials and projects that are built “to code,” are built to a good quality standard. It is important to understand who is responsible for obtaining the permits and how permitting fees will fit into the contract and budget.

4. Who is responsible for overseeing / supervising the work?rk?

There should be a project manager assigned to your home that you can communicate with regularly.

5. What is the projected timeline for the project?

The firm should be able to provide a time frame for your project by comparing it to previous projects of similar scope, the current project schedule, and the number of carpenters in the field.

6. How will the firm monitor and stay within budget?

This is a very important question to ask, especially if you would like to stick within a strict budget. The firm should assist you with selecting finishing’s by eliminating options that are outside of budget and sticking with options that work best for both your budget and aesthetic needs. The firm should also regularly update you with an allowance sheet that shows what you’ve budgeted and selected for.

7. Do they have a list of references you can contact?

A design build firm should be happy to provide a list of references with similar project scopes. Contacting these references should give you a good idea of how your project may go.

8. Do they provide a design and construction agreement?

You should be provided with both a design and construction agreement. The design agreement should include the “as-built” of your home in a 3-D rendering, and multiple concepts depending on the scope of your project and your project goals. A construction agreement is equally important and should outline your entire project. The construction agreement should include: 3-D renderings of your project, a project schedule, schedule of values, and a summary of allowances.

9. How will they protect your home?

Home protection varies depending on whether you are living in the home during the construction and keeping belongings in the home vs. if you are completely moved out during the renovation because the whole home becomes a work zone at that time. In general, the firm should be using Ram-board floor protection for hard surfaces, and protection tape for carpeted floors. The carpenters should leave your home in a broom clean state at the end of every work day. The firm should also provide a lock box to ensure the home is secured at the end of each work day.

10. Do they offer any warranty to their work?

It is important to understand what is covered under warranty and for how long. Be sure to collect warranty information on manufactured items such as appliances, cabinets, windows, etc.

These ten questions should make you more comfortable and confident when choosing a design build firm. Thanks for reading! Leave a comment down below if you have any questions for us.

Finesse Design Remodeling is an award-winning full-service design-build firm specializing in fine renovations and restorations in the Washington DC Area.

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Kitchen Remodeling in Capitol Hill