What NOT to do while remodeling

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Although 2018 has been known for many home remedies and DIY tips, there are certain things you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for assistance for. There are a couple things you should NOT do while renovating any room.

  1. DON’T assume you know everything. Each person has certain skill sets, and you should decide (realistically) if you could carry out a project to fit your vision, as some projects require more expertise than others.
  2. DON’T let your friends and family help you if they’re not experienced. This can lead to costly mistakes, injury, and damage to important elements in your home. They can help for moving furniture or belongings, but let only the experienced ones help with the task at hand.
  3. DON’T assume that your budget won’t go over your estimation. You should have a budget for going over budget, as many projects can involve circumstances that only appear once you start the project. Create a lower budget that you think you will need, just in case.
  4. DON’T create a specific time frame for a project. Many home improvement shows are able to complete projects in a 2-3 time span, but there are also many professionals there working behind the scenes. Once you consider your experience level, if you have the proper tools, and if you have assistance, you should be able to carry out your project in a timely manner.
  5. DON’T overlook local building codes and regulations for your area. It doesn’t hurt to read through the terms and conditions! For example, if you’re digging outside your home, pouring a structural foundation, or installing certain electrical/plumbing components, you may need a building inspector to review for safety.
  6. DON’T risk your safety in order to get a project done quicker or for cheaper. When working on high areas, make sure you have the proper equipment to be safe. If you are unfamiliar with your tools, hire a professional.
  7. DON’T start your project until you have all the components. If you start a project without waiting for your tools, your room could be inoperable for days waiting for fixtures to be delivered.
  8. DON’T assume that your dream renovation project isn’t possible. If you don’t have the funding right now, take your time. Ask professionals, like your friends here at Golden I Construction, to help you. Your home is a huge investment. Take the time to research how to make it yours. 

TIPS FOR PLANNING YOUR HOME RENOVATION

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The key to having a successful home renovation is to think about planning first. Planning ahead is the most important aspect of undergoing a home renovation. Your home renovation plan should include sub plans to get the most out of your space and make the process as stress-free as possible. For advice on having a great home renovation, follow these tips! 
  1. Think: Big Picture!
Before making a decision on how extensive you would like your home renovation to me, know what the big picture is. Whether your end goal is to do a complete home renovation or make small changes to certain aspects of your home, plan what you want. Knowing what your ultimate goal is first will help you renovate your home quickly and effectively. Understanding the depth of the project before starting the renovation will also give your renovator a clear picture of what you would like your new home to look like. 
2. Budgeting is Key 
Spending money on your home renovation can be overwhelming. However, getting the home of your dreams is always worth it. To deal with the stress of budgeting your home renovation, establish a clear budget. Add a contingency fund and include incidental costs into your budget. This will help you avoid an unexpected increase in your budget.
3. Have a Calendar 
Look at your ideal end date and work your way backward. Pencil in a few weeks to a month at the end in order to create a little wiggle-room. This way, if there are any delays to the renovation, you are not stressing about getting the construction done on time.
4. Know Information About Your Project
Ask your family and friends who have done a home renovation what the process entails. Here at Golden I Construction, we want to make your renovation process easy and stress-free, but we want you to be aware of the basic facts of renovating a home. It will involve storing away valuables, eating out instead of in the kitchen, and other inconveniences. However, Golden I Construction is here to help you do your research ahead of time in order to avoid future issues. 
If you are looking to do a home renovation, Golden I Construction has all the information you need. For more consolation concerning your next home renovation, visit https://www.goldeniconstruction.com/our-services/home-renovation-nyc/! 

TIPS FOR YOUR APARTMENT RENOVATION

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1. Don’t Be Afraid To Knock Down Some Walls

Knocking down walls can be a great way to create more space. Although it may be risky, knocking down a wall could provide you the layout you need to make the most out of your apartment space. 

2. Open the Kitchen 

Several old buildings contain small kitchens and they very often are enclosed with walls surrounding all four sides. A kitchen in an apartment receives the most appeal when it serves as the centerpiece of the apartment. Your kitchen should draw everyone’s attention and have enough space to cater to all of your cooking needs. Even if you have a small apartment, a nice and spacious kitchen will give your apartment the aesthetic it needs. 

3. Shower or Tub? 

Although tubs are cozy and inviting after a long day of work, apartment owners tend to lean more towards showers because they seem to create more space. However, this is not always the case. Some apartments need a tub especially if the owners have children. If you hire a renovator, they will advise you on the best fit for your apartment but don’t try to make the decision on your own! Trust us and we will give you the best advice!

4. Think About The Closet Design 

Think about your closet! Although the importance of closets is often overlooked, closet space is essential for living in an apartment. You want to have enough space for all of your belongings. Built in closets are usually what apartment owners look for and need. Built in closets will relieve you of the hassle of creating your own closet space. They will also allow you the freedom to arrange the closet space accordingly without having to worry about the set up. 

5. Read The Alteration Agreement 

It is important to read the alteration agreement because you should be aware of all of the rules and regulations that are involved. Make sure you and your renovator are on the same page. Here at Golden I Construction, that will not be an issue! We will always be willing to go over every step of the process with you. 
Remember, it is your apartment and we want to make it the best it can be! For more tips and information about apartment renovations, visit https://www.goldeniconstruction.com/our-services/apartment-renovation-nyc/ ! 

Storage Options for Your NYC Kitchen

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Storage is extremely important in NYC, as the average kitchen here is definitely smaller than it would be in the suburbs. That being said, it is important to have a decent array of storage options in your kitchen, as everyone needs a convenient place to put their kitchen appliances while also allowing them to be readily accessible at any time. Here are some tips to better your storage options in the kitchen.

Change up your cabinets! Cabinets can be custom-made for a relatively affordable price, which gives you a wide assortment of options. They can be made to fit your specific needs, like custom building them to fit into a corner. Sliding cabinets can also allow you to have deep storage, while also providing easy reachability to the back portions. You can also get creative with the doors of the cabinet!

Hang your pots and pans! This saves you a lot of space and also gives your kitchen a modern, chic finish.

Replace your cabinets with shelves! Smaller kitchens can especially benefit from this, as there are no restrictions on where a shelf can be fitted, and shelves will allow a smaller kitchen to look bigger by taking out all the extra space a cabinet would usually take.

Kitchen Islands. If you have room for an island, it is definitely highly recommended you get one, as it will both increase your countertop area as well as increase your storage space, giving you many drawers to work with.

Office Projects Reaching Record High

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The New York Building Congress has reported that office projects have accounted for 54% of construction, reaching a new record high for the last three years. Each year has exceeded $2 billion in construction starts, including the World Trade Center and Hudson Yards new developments.

Between 2013 and 2017, commercial construction totaled $23.8 billion, totaling more than 73 million new square feet of space. Although office construction is leading in the industry, other major commercial sectors such as hotels, retail and warehouse are experiencing significant growth.

“As more businesses continue to call New York home, building new, world-class commercial spaces is more important than ever,” says New York Building Congress president and CEO Carlo A. Scissura. “New York City’s economy has never relied on a single industry or sector and the variety of commercial construction across the city ensures our businesses can adapt and thrive in the 21st century.”

Create Space For Your Next Renovation

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According to The New York Times article, “Making the Most of a Tiny Kitchen On A Tiny Budget,” Laura and Ian Greig found new ways to create more space during a home renovation. They did this by remodeling their small kitchen. 

Before the kitchen renovation, Laura and Ian did not have space to store a dishwasher. Many of their belongings would block the only window they had in their kitchen. Their kitchen was deprived of natural light. They were also burdened by the lack of space caused by their bulky cabinets and large air-conditioning soffits. They always thought that a kitchen renovation would not help their situation until they were made aware of a few renovation tips that would help any living space look bigger. 

Open The Window 

The first tip is letting in some light. The key to renovating Laura and Ian’s kitchen was to create space in front of their window. Along with rearranging their kitchen appliances, they painted other areas of the kitchen white so that the natural light looks like it’s bouncing off the surface. White and other light colors create space by creating a reflective quality that allows for light to bounce around and make a kitchen look bigger. 

Get Creative 

Laura and Ian were then advised to play with the layout. Playing with the layout of your kitchen is a key tool in creating space. By moving their sink flush against the wall with the window and new refrigerator, they were finally able to fit that dishwasher they’ve always dreamed of doing! For tips on playing around with your kitchen layout, contact us by clicking here. 

Think Bigger

Laura and Ian then took the final step of looking for other areas where space was being wasted. During the renovation, they realized that soffit around the refrigerator was much bigger than it had to be. Getting a smaller soffit, allowed for them to gain about six inches of overhead space. Laure and Ian made their hove not only look more spacious, also feel more comforting. For advice on your next hove renovation visit:
For more information on the article, click here.

How is NY Real Estate Looking for 2018?

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Real estate sales in Manhattan plunged 25% in the first quarter over the past year, as the new federal tax law, stock market swings, and an abundance of luxury condos scared buyers. Sales dropped the lowest it’s been in six years, according to a report from Douglas Elliman and Miller Samuel.

The average sales price also dropped 8% compared to the same quarter last year. The drop was probably caused by the uncertainty over the new federal tax law, which prevents residents in high-tax states like New York from deducting their state and local taxes. Closings at new condo towers have also slowed down, making the decline even steeper. The high end of the market is getting hit harder, as prices for luxury apartments fell 15% and sales were down 24% in the quarter from last year.

It is speculated that the main problem within this market is asking prices, as sellers still have to adjust and lower their prices in order to keep up with the tax law changes and slowdown since 2014.

 

The Hottest Kitchen Trends of 2018

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Kitchens have changed a lot over decades and planning for a kitchen remodel is very important. It is important for your kitchen to be modern, as kitchens are now the focal point of a home, the place that brings everyone together at the start or end of the day. In 2018, clean and simple styles have been favored amongst homeowners, with natural light becoming an essential aspect. Here are the top kitchen renovation trends of 2018:

    1. Smart kitchens: technology is now being integrated into every function and appliance found in the kitchen, from the fridge to the lighting.
    2. Cabinet Colors: White is a classic favorite for kitchen cabinets, as it provides a clean look for a space that can get cluttered at times. Grey is the second choice, as it is versatile, allowing it to be paired with natural elements or glamour accents. Dark kitchen cabinets are slowly making their rise this year, however, helping a kitchen look elegant and luxurious.
    3. Kitchen countertops: Quartz is still a favorite for high-end kitchen countertops, as it can last forever and is very easy to maintain. There is now a wider range of colors of quartz as well as a realistic assortment of stone patterns.
    4. Appliances: One of the hottest trends of 2018 is gray-toned appliances in a dark brushed metal finish.
    5. Flooring: Hardwood flooring is still the number one flooring of choice, but ceramic tile is a close second, as technology is now allowing ceramic tiles to look like hardwood flooring, as well as many other materials.
    6. Islands: Large kitchen islands are now becoming a staple to every kitchen, with storage solution cabinets with under-counter appliances as well as seating.

Do I Need an Interior Designer?

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If you’re planning to remodel a larger area, it might be a good idea to hire an interior designer. It might seem like a waste of money at first, but it is important to keep in mind that an interior designer will assume many of the roles traditionally assigned to subcontractors. Interior designers can also improve your home in ways that a subcontractor would not catch.

Researching and shopping for fixtures can be very time consuming, and having someone come to you that knows how to select these products can save a lot of time. Hiring an interior designer can design your workspace in a shorter amount of time, and it can also save on extra costs. Good interior designers know how to maximize the qualities of a space, emphasizing positive attributes and downplaying less desirable qualities.

Hiring an interior designer is a good idea no matter what, even if you have a full plan for your room or you have no idea. Hiring an interior designer will allow you to gain the advantage of their expertise and technical knowledge in terms of design, which will help you avoid potential issues and costly design mistakes in the future.

 

Construction Project Ideas

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  1. Residential – These types of construction projects includes houses, townhouses, cottages, apartments, condominiums, single unit dwellings and subdivisions. The designs for the housing are usually done by architects and engineers; the construction is completed by builders who hire subcontractors for structural, electrical, mechanical and other specific work. This type of project must adhere to the local building authority regulations and codes of practice. Because of its ease of entry into the real estate market, many new builders are attracted to residential projects. Although it is a highly competitive market with potentially high risks, there are also high rewards.
  2. Building – This type of construction project is possibly the most popular; it is the process of adding structure to a property, including room additions and small renovations. For current homeowners, this is the most common project because they often extend their homes with additional rooms, walk-in closets, garages, and kitchen renovations. 
  3. Institutional & Commercial – This category includes schools, universities, hospitals, clinics, sports facilities, stadiums, shopping centers, retail chain stores, light manufacturing plants, warehouses, skyscrapers for offices and hotels, and more. For these projects, specialty architects and engineers are hired for a particular building design. There a few competitors for this category because of its high costs and greater sophistication as compared to residential buildings.
  4. Highway Construction – This involves the alteration, construction, repair of highways, streets, roads, paths, parking areas, and more.
  5. Heavy Construction – These projects are those that are not classified as building or highway projects, such as flood control projects, water treatment plants and facilities, water and sewer line projects, and more.