Building Your Connecticut Home: What’s Going On With My House?

Talk to anyone who has ever built a home and they’ll tell you that one of the biggest challenges is staying on top of all the details. It’s not surprising, because there are so many details to track. And if you’re like most people, building a home isn’t the only thing you have going on in your life! Still, those details are important. And if you’re not on top of things, those little details can delay the construction process, cost you money and even affect the way your home turns out. 

If you’re considering building a new home in Connecticut, you’ll want to be able to keep track of the schedule, so that you know what’s happening when—and when you need to be available to talk with your builder or review something that needs some special attention. Sometimes you may want to make a small change to what’s being done. But it’s important that you keep track of those change orders so that you don’t get surprised at the end of your project. And sometimes it would be nice if you had one place where you could keep all of your information, photos, selection choices and even warranty information.

That’s where a good homebuilder—one who makes sure you have all the information you need—really makes a difference. And that’s something that Sunwood Home Builders and Remodelers stresses. We know that the better informed you are about what’s going on with your new home, the less stressful it will be. It’s why we make customer service such a high priority.

It’s also why we’re so pleased to offer BuilderTrend™ cloud-based building software to our clients. It puts all the information you need about schedules, deadlines, change orders, warranty management, selections and more right at your fingertips—whether you’re using a laptop, a tablet, or a smart phone.

We use this remarkable tool on all of our new homes and larger remodeling projects. You can check out how it works—and see how easy it is to stay on top of all those little details that go into creating your dream home.  There’s no software to install—you simply login to our site and you can have instant access to all the information about your project!

CT Bathroom Remodeling: Sometimes it’s the Little Things That Count

Next to the kitchen, the bathroom is the most remodeled room in the home. That’s not surprising given the statistics that show homeowners recover about 75 percent of the money they spend on bathroom remodeling.  On top of that, however, bathrooms get used—by us and by our guests. So it’s important to plan and execute your bathroom renovation carefully.

And sometimes it’s the little things we tend to overlook that can make all the difference. Here’s a quick look at four things many homeowners overlook when they take on a bathroom-remodeling project.

Space for Storage: Bathroom storage space probably doesn’t strike you as a particularly exciting topic. Maybe that’s why so many homeowners neglect to take it into consideration when remodeling. And it’s why they later bemoan the lack of storage. Before you get too focused on the fixtures and wallpaper, think about what you want to keep in your bathroom. Some things—such as toiletries— are obvious, but what about cleaning supplies and other items you don’t want to put in your hall closet? This is particularly important if you choose a vanity that doesn’t have much (or any) built-in storage.

Vanity Size: Speaking of vanities, one thing many homeowners take for granted is the size (height) of the vanity. If everyone in your household is roughly the same size, this probably isn’t an issue. But if you or other members of your family are either on the tall side or on the shorter side, a standard sized vanity may not give you the comfort you want. Small children sometimes find using a standard sized vanity hard. If you’re remodeling the bathroom for them, you might consider putting in a smaller unit. Or maybe you can build in a step stool to make it easier for them to reach.

Light it Up: Many homeowners forget how important lighting is to a bathroom. Bathrooms tend to be smaller, and (because they may have smaller windows, or no windows at all) often lack natural light. That makes lighting even more critical. Don’t settle for a dark, dingy bathroom. Ask your contractor for ideas on how to get the best light possible in this space. It’s a given that you’ll want good lighting above your vanity (for makeup and shaving), but you may want to take a look at recessed lighting as well to create a nice, inviting mood.

We All Need to Vent: Bathroom ventilation is a critical component for any bathroom. Although some older homes may be exempt from codes requiring ventilation, you won’t want to overlook this. Even if you’re not required to have it, it’s a comfort issue. You need adequate ventilation in the bathroom to keep the humidity down and to reduce the risk of mold. Good ventilation just makes sense—both from a comfort and a health perspective.

Remodeling your bathroom can be a big project, but sometimes it’s the little things that really count!