designing | Yakima Furniture

Need Help Designing Your Remodel? – There’s an App for That

February 15, 2021 Comments Off

Home remodeling, even when you have a good general contractor on board, can be tough. Trying to get across to the contractor you are considering hiring exactly what you have in mind can be a challenge. “I want a bedroom in my attic” is, after all, a little vague.
If an architect is not in the picture and if your drawing talents stopped developing after third grade, a tool to help you envisage what the home improvement ideas in your head will turn into in real life would be really handy. Especially if you could do it all right from your phone. Well, guess what? There is an app for that – Home 3D for the iPhone and iPad.
Home 3D is rather different to other remodeling software aids you may have seen in the past. Using pre-set room dimensions that can be adjusted if needed, it allows you to alter the layout of any room within seconds. Want to see what your bedroom would look like minus the dividing wall? Done. Want to put it back again but this time with a built in closet? Results in seconds.
Home 3D also differs in that not only does it let you design – and then redesign – the layout of the rooms you are considering remodeling but virtually decorate them as well. It allows furniture to be moved, wall art to be hung, and an overall design scheme to be established-anytime, anywhere.
That means that when you do meet with your remodeling contractor for the first time all you will have to do is take out your Apple gadget of choice and they will instantly have a clear picture of what you want them to aim for. Planning and negotiation, then ultimately the remodeling work itself, can thus begin far more quickly.

Deck Builders – Designing Your Perfect Dream Deck

November 27, 2020 Comments Off

It’s amazing just how many people who have a home also have a custom built deck. Of course there are many reasons that this is the case, but the obvious reason is because homeowners are hiring deck builders based on referrals from other satisfied clients. You probably already know of a friend or a neighbor who had a new deck installed recently. And as the nice weather is approaching, now would be a great time to consult with a few deck builders and have your own deck installed right away.
When a homeowner begins to work with a deck builder, ideally they should have a vision of what they want their deck to look like already before speaking with the contractor. But if they are not sure, then this is where the deck builders can assist the homeowner because of their knowledge and expertise.
Deck design is a very personal and as with most things associated with one’s home, the overall look of the deck will somehow be a reflection of the homeowner’s personal tastes. The overall deck design in most instances will also have to complement, and accent the home and become a distinctive part of the homes overall look.
While the design of the deck is important, what material is used to actually construct the deck usually is what will determine the overall cost of the project’s design. Good deck builders will not only be able to advise the homeowner about the materials, but also will be able to advise them about the cost advantages of one material over another.
In many instances, a homeowner may not be aware of the laws pertaining to required building construction permits for the city or town where they reside, but again this is where a highly recommended contractor is well versed in matters concerning building permits, and in most cases will handle the details for the homeowner.
The contractor will go over what the cost of materials should be with the homeowner. This figure can vary from project to project and the homeowner should have this explained to them by the contractor, as they may not understand that the same sort of deck design that a neighbor two house down from their home paid a few thousand dollars less for, more than likely had to do with the sort of material chosen for the construction of their deck vs. what material was used for their neighbor’s deck construction.
And of course, the contractor wants to get paid, so he will go over what he will be charging the homeowner for his time and labor in getting the deck finished. It should also be noted that any reputable contractor will ask for a partial payment of the total cost, to get the construction of the deck started. Usually this will cover some of the cost of materials and labor to get the job started and also the cost of the required permit(s) to begin construction.
Professional deck builders with a strong client base usually can complete a project on time and on spec, and in many cases even ahead of schedule. For time sensitive projects or for homeowners that are all thumbs it may be best to invest in the skill of a professional deck builder.