We’re deep into the holiday season now and that means 2012 is right around the corner. My how time flies!

With the ringing in of the New Year will come a slew of resolutions. Some for better health, some to kick bad habits and others to work on improving the living space.

We know that now is not the time for most of you to dive into a home renovation or building that new dream house. After all, it’s a wonder we all have enough time to work, play and get all the holiday tasks done in such a short few weeks.

Maybe it was last year around this time when family and friends were gathered in your kitchen or family room for the holidays when you thought, “Wow, it’s so great to have everyone here, but if only we had a bit more space to entertain.” Maybe you’ll be thinking that this year.

GoodFellas Construction knows that the time you can spend with family and friends means the most. We also know that we can design and build beautifully crafted and uber functional kitchens, family rooms, basement game rooms and other key entertaining and gathering spaces.

This holiday season, we’ve got one wish for you:  May you take a few minutes this holiday season to think about how you’d like to improve your home in 2012. Consider whether:

•            you’ve got good flow throughout your entertaining space;

•            you’ve got adequate seating in those rooms—from the kitchen to the family room, the living room and the dining room (and can everyone fit comfortably):

•            you’ve got enough room to accommodate overnight guests; and

•            you’ve got proper storage to keep the living space uncluttered and completely organized.

Then, after the hustle and bustle of the holidays is behind all of us in early January, give GoodFellas Construction a call to set up your free consultation so we can discuss how to get the most out of your living space. It’s a New Year’s resolution that will be well worth it!

How long does a home renovation really take?

If you decide your New Year’s resolution is to remodel your kitchen, a good rule of thumb is to anticipate about six to 12 weeks for planning and design, which would be, of course followed by the construction phase. A project could go for somewhere from two months up to even six months in some cases, depending on the scope of the project. It’s important to know that when you’re determining when you want the project to start. For example, you wouldn’t want to undertake a home renovation next November, for the same reason you wouldn’t want to be knee-deep in a renovation right now. We’d recommend starting a major design/build project no later than July for it to be ready for the 2012 holidays.

So, after the ball drops in a few weeks in New York’s Times Square, give us a call to start the ball rolling on your design/build renovation or custom build for 2012.

Happy holidays everyone!

Back in the day, remodeling often meant giving the home a cosmetic facelift—upgrading appliances, laying down some new countertops, new flooring or rugs throughout. Nowadays it’s about so much more.

According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), which serves as “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry,” nearly half of homeowners the association polled recently said the outcome and design of their home means the most to them.

With homeowner satisfaction resting on these two factors more than any others, GoodFellas Construction hears that sentiment loud and clear. As a NARI-certified remodeler and a Top 500 Remodeler for 2011, we’re glad when owners take an active role in redesign, and we embrace the opportunity to be transparent with our clients as to what we can help them achieve. We want you to be involved in the decision-making process, and because we’re an experienced design/build team that handles everything from design plans, budgeting, timelines, materials selection and construction we can easily answer your questions about anything related to the project.

GoodFellas Construction will help you think strategically about how to remodel your existing space so it perfectly caters to your lifestyle. When we meet with a client for the first time, whether that client is a homeowner or a commercial property owner, we are eager to discover how they spend their time in their existing space because we know that the NARI poll is indicative of reality: that layout and design are the key drivers to a remodeling project’s success. We use the knowledge gleaned from that meeting to come up with a customized design/build plan that incorporates the type of features our clients are looking for in a way we believe best suits their needs.

If you’re thinking about remodeling your space, here’s a tip: Keep a journal for a few days. Mark down the routes you take to get around the house, where you set things down, where you store your belongings and where you and your family gather, sit and relax. Then, give us a call so we can set up a free consultation where we’ll discuss your plans. We’ve got the turn-key planning, architectural design and construction services to fit so many different styles and budgets, not to mention countless satisfied clients. Hope to hear from you soon!

Don’t mind if we say we’re not surprised! We knew all along that we could pull off this 10-day remodel on Dr. John Scheffel’s Worcester-based podiatry practice.

Perhaps you were a naysayer. Don’t worry we don’t take offense! The idea of completely remodeling 2,000 square feet of commercial space by replacing the outdated countertops, cabinets, floor and wallpaper with beautiful countertops, cabinetry, flooring, updated electrical and freshly painted walls seems like quite the tall (doctor’s) order.

Despite the nearly two months of planning that went into this project we encountered some snags along the way: Those are to be expected on any design/build project. In fact, just the other night—one day before Scheffel Foot Center was scheduled to reopen—we discovered that there was an issue with the phone lines. We immediately called in one of our trusted and professionally licensed electrician subcontractors who was here in less than an hour to address and resolve the issue. So, while there may have been one final hiccup, Dr. Scheffel opened for business right on schedule early this week.

We want to thank Dr. Scheffel for his kind words about this project—he called GoodFellas Construction’s 10-Day Challenge pretty impressive—thanks Dr. S!

But more that his kind words, we want to thank Dr. Scheffel for giving GoodFellas Construction the opportunity to update the Scheffel Foot Center with a modern and sleek look that we know will serve the practice well for years to come.

Are you a homeowner or a commercial business owner looking to renovate your existing space? You’ve seen what GoodFellas Construction can do. Why not give us a call? We’re always up for the “challenge”!

No one wants to find out that their planned design/build project is going over schedule. It’s bad enough when it happens to a homeowner, but the delay can prove particularly disastrous when the client is a commercial business, and especially when that business provides health-related services. Doctors, dentists, veterinarians and other medical professionals can’t leave their patients “in the waiting room” while renovations are being completed.

Take GoodFellas Construction’s 10-Day Challenge as the example. Those of you who regularly read our blog know that we’re already at day seven in our 10-day remodel to Dr. John Scheffel’s Worcester-based podiatry practice. Dr. Scheffel was able to give us a 10-day window to completely transform his office into a sleek and modern space, and we answered the call.

Ten days to gut and renovate 2,000 square feet is a challenge, but one for which GoodFellas Construction has been preparing for quite some time. Dr. Scheffel needs to reopen for business next Monday and we are still working tirelessly, without sacrificing quality or craftsmanship in any way, to make sure that happens.

Did we have a hiccup with the sheetrock falling off with the wallpaper glue the other day? Yes! Did we rearrange schedules and get a first-rate plasterer in to remedy the situation? You bet! Did we show everyone why it’s imperative to have one contractor oversee all design/build projects? We sure hope so!

Now that we’ve got nicely plastered wall throughout the space, we’re ready to get underway with the installation of the office’s beautiful new cabinetry. Our cabinet designer was here this morning checking every cabinet to make sure each one is in proper condition for installation. We’ve been working with our designer for about 10 years and we know that he’s meticulous about his measurements.

It’s so important for a general contractor to establish and maintain longstanding relationships with reliable and professional vendors like our cabinet designer. Say we didn’t have him here today to double check everything: We’d run the risk of finding that something’s off when we go to install the cabinets, which could certainly cause additional delay—that is something that a professional and seasoned design/build firm knows is not an option.

With so much planning that’s gone into the design and execution of GoodFellas Construction’s 10-Day Challenge, we’re not about to let Dr. Scheffel down, and we can’t wait to show him—and all of you—our big reveal of Scheffel Foot Center next week. Until then!

Before of Entry of Scheffel Foot Center, P.C., Worcester, Massachusetts; Image courtesy of Best View Imaging

The countdown is over, the planning is complete and we’re diving in today to an extreme makeover that will surely showcase GoodFellas Construction’s quality workmanship, our ability to tackle construction challenges that may arise during a project and our commitment to meeting our clients’ needs.

Top to Bottom Design & Construction Makeover in Just 10 Days—It Can Be Done!

GoodFellas Construction met with a Worcester-based podiatrist who wanted to revamp the space for his medical practice. It’s a good-sized space for sure—2,000 square feet to be precise that’s comprised of three examination rooms, an x-ray room, an office and a reception area.

This isn’t the first commercial construction project for GoodFellas—we’ve got several under our belt and are proud to say that we’ve got the knowledge and experience to successfully complete commercial projects, which require the very tight coordination of so many resources.

The challenge in this case, as with any commercial renovation project, was to come up with a design plan, using a 3-D architectural rendering, that met the doctor’s needs and could be executed while the office would be closed for a short window of time. We’ve got from today, Nov. 4, until Sunday, Nov. 13, to complete this renovation from top to bottom.

Can we do it? You betcha! With today being the first day of this 10-day renovation, we’ll be focusing on demolition, which is expected to continue through the weekend.

Over the course of this extreme makeover, we’ll be posting photos and videos of our progress. We invite you to track our progress, and please feel free to share your comments about the project, too.

Until next time!

Have you been watching the news this week? The news anchors and weather people were using a word that in October seems so profane. Yup, it was the dreaded “s” word. Can you believe they’re actually forecasting snow this week?

Perhaps it’s some cruel Halloween trick-or-treat prank Mother Nature has decided to play on us, or perhaps it’s simply a precursor of what we know is to come.

Sure, the storm this week won’t bury us in snow. Some of us might not even see any flakes of the white stuff falling, but given the treacherous and downright frigid winter we had last year, the next few weeks (and definitely before Dec. 1) is the time to prepare your roof for what’s to come.

Many homeowners experienced a significant amount of damage to their roofs last winter. Some homeowners even saw portions of their roofs collapse under the weight of several feet of snow and ice that just refused to melt. Others saw ice dams build up around gutters, with evidence of Mother Nature’s cruel and unrelenting message seeping onto ceilings and into eave spaces.

Don’t wait for winter’s blows to call in a professional like GoodFellas Construction to repair the damage caused by last year’s snow and ice overload.

Here are some tips for tackling the question of whether your home may be in need of a new roof:

• The shingles are curling or worse missing.

• Moss or algae have made a home on the roof.

• The flashing is damaged—flashing is generally placed around objects that protrude from the roof, such as pipes, chimneys or the border of other roofs, to carry water away from joints and seams.

• The roof is 20 or more years old.

While regular wear and tear is to be expected, pay attention to the indicators listed above so you’ll be prepared for whatever Mother Nature decides to dump on us this winter.

Also, if you have any concerns about the health of your roof, call GoodFellas Construction at 508.363.1220. We can inspect your existing roof to evaluate where it may be deficient so we can diagnose whether it can be repaired or should be replaced. GoodFellas Construction is a certified remodeler through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, and we offer a fixed-price promise and a three-year guarantee on all of our work.

By being proactive rather than reactive to roofing issues, you could reap thousands of dollars in savings over the life of your roof.

For homeowners who have been waiting for mortgage rates to drop so they could start their kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects, now may be the time to get going! Mortgage rates continue to hold steady at historic lows around 3 percent, so getting a home-equity loan right now certainly can mean getting a great rate if you shop around.

What is a home equity loan?

A home equity loan allows you to tap into the equity you’ve already accumulated in your home so you can borrow funds to put toward those home improvement projects you’ve been itching to tackle. A home equity loan is, in many cases, the financing gateway to your dream kitchen, spa-like bathroom, or other home renovation project, like a finished basement or finished attic.

Borrowing money to reinvest in your home makes good financial sense for most homeowners who are in a position to take on the loan. After all, the renovations your home undergoes can certainly result in a strong boost to your home’s equity once completed.

If you’re considering reinvesting in your home with a major renovation, you’ve got a couple of options on the lending front:

• a home equity loan; and

• a HELOC.

What’s the difference between a HELOC & a home equity loan?

A HELOC, which stands for home equity line of credit, dispenses funds as you need them, whereas the home equity loan provides you with a lump sum of money. For most homeowners who are planning a home renovation on a budget, the home equity loan is a popular option because it helps them stay on track to achieve their remodeling goals without derailing from their financial track.

Designing and building within your budget is something that GoodFellas Construction is quite experienced at. We’ve performed countless design+builds for homeowners across Central Massachusetts and beyond, working with satisfied homeowners on 3-D architectural renderings of what the completed project would look like once finished, and guiding them through the process of selecting materials, such as granite countertops, hardwood flooring, kitchen and bathroom fixtures and more, so they could make educated decisions in line with their tastes and their budgets.

Because the money in a HELOC is there when you need it, you could run the risk of spending portions of it on non-renovation-related items if you’re not careful— in that case you’d be borrowing money to purchase things that aren’t necessarily going to add equity back into your home—suffice to say, this might not be the most financially sound thing to do with HELOC funds.

There are other differences between the home equity loan and the HELOC as well. Because the HELOC is a line of credit, it functions like a credit card, meaning its rate may be variable and subject to fluctuations in the market. The home equity loan may be fixed for the term of the loan or adjustable. Be sure to ask your mortgage broker to explain the lifetime cap on any adjustable rate you’re considering and to provide you with the applicable “change dates,” that is, the date(s) on which the fixed rate on an adjustable rate (which is usually in place for six months or more) can increase to a new rate.

Generally, with both the HELOC and the home equity loan, the interest paid on the loans in tax deductible—another reason to tap into your home’s equity right now so you can create a beautiful space for you, your family and your friends to enjoy for years to come (remember, too: showstopping kitchens and bathrooms are what sell homes, so when you do put your home on the market, you’ll likely reap significant financial rewards because of today’s reinvestment!)

The bottom line regardless of which type of funding source you consider, be sure to ask if you can comfortably afford the payments at the highest interest rate possible under the terms of the loan you select. And, when you’re ready to talk about design plans for your home renovation project, whether it’s for your kitchen, bathroom, master suite, basement, or for your whole home, be sure to contact GoodFellas Construction for your free consultation!

When you’re remodeling your kitchen, what you’re going to do about kitchen cabinetry is likely at the top or near the top of your list of priorities. Here’s a list of issues to consider before settling on new kitchen cabinetry.

What is it about my current kitchen cabinets that I don’t like? Perhaps you’re dissatisfied with the quality of their craftsmanship or there isn’t adequate storage space, no matter how often you reorganize or purge unnecessary items. Cabinet positioning may contribute to your dislike of the current configuration as well. For example, say you have a three-foot deep cabinet that is just out of arm’s reach, chances are you’re only utilizing the first 12 (or so) inches of the available space—you could be losing more than 2 feet of storage depth in that case! Positioning deep cabinets at a height that’s optimal for easy access is key.

What organizational features would optimize my kitchen cabinets? Incorporating functional, well-organized cabinets into the design is a large part of a successful kitchen remodeling project.

Consider having a recycling and wastebasket station built into the cabinets. It gets trash and recyclables out of sight and provides a handy way to keep things nice and tidy. Also, think about incorporating Lazy Susans into the design—multi-tiered turntables that maximize corner spaces—and cabinet pullout organizers, which include shelves that are affixed to the back of the cabinet door. You pull them out and voilà, you’ve got instant access to any of the items stacked on the shelves inside.

Also ask what your ultimate goal is for the kitchen remodel. Are you considering a kitchen upgrade to spruce up the house in anticipation of a sale? Or, are you planning on staying put for the long haul? While you shouldn’t compromise quality or style, determining the answer to this question should help you as you discuss your budget with a talented design+build firm and the pricing options for your new kitchen cabinets.

Keep in mind, too, that regardless of your plans you’ll want to make sure that the cabinets you choose reflect the style and craftsmanship in the rest of your home. For instance, painted cabinets are usually of a cheaper grade; thus, it does not make sound financial sense to outfit a custom-built home with them. Instead, such homeowners generally opt for hardwood cabinets, ranging from oak, maple, cherry, hickory, walnut, mahogany or ebony—to name a few. For homeowners that are seeking sustainable, eco-friendly designs, there are a number of options, such as bamboo.

Identify your aesthetic taste and the style of the rest of your home. Unless you’re planning on renovating your entire home—and GoodFellas Construction is here to assist you if so (we’re well versed at whole home renovations!)—you’ll want to make sure that your new kitchen cabinets fit in with the existing style in your home. Choose a style that compliments the aesthetic details showcased in the rest of your home, as well as your taste.

Be sure to write your thoughts down. Share them with GoodFellas Construction once you’re ready to start designing your new kitchen. By focusing on what you really want and need in terms of storage, we’ll be a good position to present you with the best storage options and kitchen cabinet designs on the market today.

We are confident that with some pre-planning on your part, you’ll be in a good position to communicate your needs and desires to us so we can help you select high quality, durable and well constructed kitchen cabinetry with the aesthetic appeal you’re seeking. The result together we will strive for and achieve: a kitchen remodeling success!

Looking to remodel your kitchen? Great. You’re considering a project that’s got a significantly high return on investment. And, because the kitchen is the heart of the home, you, your family and friends will surely delight in an upgrade to your home’s pulse point.

As an experienced custom design+build firm GoodFellas Construction knows firsthand that a successful kitchen renovation requires careful and thoughtful planning. We’d like to share with you some tips for ensuring that your newly designed kitchen lives up to your expectations.

Plan, plan and plan. We cannot stress this enough. Fortunately, GoodFellas Construction is here to help you plan every step of the way. It starts not only with establishing a general budget but also with identifying the main uses of your kitchen and what works or doesn’t work with its current configuration. Do you have a large family where everyone likes to get involved in preparing the meals? With the right kitchen redesign, having too many cooks in the kitchen is of little concern. Are you a baker? If so, you’ll want ample counter space built in so you can spread out and roll dough. The bottom line question you need to answer is: What design plan will most effectively accommodate our needs?

Step to it. Foot traffic isn’t something you want a lot of between your kitchen workstations. That’s why designers group kitchen elements into a triangle pattern—by creating a three-point configuration for preparation, cooking, and washing, you’ll be well prepared to get to the business at hand with maximum efficiency.

GoodFellas Construction can help you design a kitchen that will put all of your kitchen must-haves, like the dishwasher, the refrigerator, the sink, counterspace, and the trash and recycling receptacles in a configuration that works best for you and your family.

Think outside of the box. That means working with a firm like GoodFellas Construction to draft a 3-D design plan so you can truly see what your redesigned kitchen will look like. By seeing a like-life rendition of the proposed remodel, you’ll be in a far better position to make any changes well before construction actually begins. GoodFellas Construction ca truly bring your kitchen additional visualization to life.

Get inspired. When it comes to designing and constructing a dream kitchen, don’t be afraid to copy design elements that you’ve grown to love as you’ve perusing design books or magazines. Cut out photographs of spaces that have sparked your interest. This makes it much easier to communicate your wishes to experienced design+build firms who can turn your dream into a reality.

Estimate the amount of storage space needed. The last thing you want is a newly redesigned kitchen that lacks adequate space for storing containers, food, cutlery, dishes  and other staples. Are there items you’re currently storing in the attic or basement simply because you don’t have the space to keep them in your existing kitchen? If so, don’t forget to discuss storage options with your designer. There are many creative cabinet accessories on the market today that are key to efficient storage in the modern-day kitchen.

Think convenience and safety—always. No one wants to run into a situation where someone could trip over an open dishwasher or oven door. Smart placement of these elements—away from foot traffic—will help alleviate concerns. Also, consider installing smart technology into your new kitchen. It’s a way for everyday electronics, like microwaves, stoves, and refrigerators, to communicate with each other. For instance, imagine having a fridge that takes inventory of its contents, so you know how long it’s been in there and when you’re running low on much-needed ingredients.

Amp up the lighting. Task lighting is essential for kitchens—not only so you’re sure you’re chopping up just the vegetables and not your fingers! It’s also a great finishing touch that adds an elegant spark to a newly designed kitchen. Also consider adding accent lighting to cabinets adorned with glass doors, which homeowners often use to showcase cherished china or other favorite pieces.

For even more ideas how to jumpstart your kitchen remodeling plans, check out our recent post: Four Simple Steps for Getting Your Modern Kitchen Remodel Underway