How do I get a project started with MyHome? 

It all starts with a Free Design Consultation, which you can register for by filling out the form on the right.

Who will manage my project? Will they be available to answer my questions? Will they be on the job site regularly? 

We assign a Project Manager to every project we work on to ensure it is properly managed. The Project Manager is a MyHome employee who is responsible for every phase of your remodeling project once the Remodeling Consultant has completed the design, layout and has ordered your materials. Our Project Managers personally know and meet with all the trades’ people who will be working in your home. He or she manages and constantly inspects all work done by our trades’ people during construction. The Project Manager is either present everyday for part of the day while the project is ongoing or is in contact with the trades’ people everyday to insure the project is running smoothly. The Project Manager is available to you by phone and email at all times.

I need to stay within a budget for my project. Can My Home work within that budget and help me maintain it? 

Maybe. It depends upon what your budget is. During your Free Design Consultation the Remodeling Consultant should be able to tell you if we can work within your budget, and whether your budgetary expectations are reasonable or not. Once we set your budget and prepare a labor proposal, we keep to the price we quote you. And, because our team is knowledgeable about the products you need, we’ll be able to show you materials that should keep you within your budget.

How do I know if I need an architect? 

As a simple rule of thumb, if you are removing or adding any walls inside or outside of the structure, you will need an architect to prepare drawings. We can provide all the design services you need in-house, but if and when a licensed architect needs to sign off, we will use one of the architects in our network. This will depend on whether you need a permit from your local building department, or if you live in an apartment building – whether the building management requires that the plans be prepared by a licensed architect.

Once I sign a contract, how long will it take to begin work? 

We can start the design process usually within a day or two after an agreement is finalized. The design process and material selection can take quite a bit of time, so the sooner we start, the better it is for you.

Who will take care of securing permits? 

We will assist you in the process. It is ultimately your responsibility to pay for the permits and all related fees, but we can help by preparing the paperwork required on our end and guide you through the rest. Building permits require an architect’s drawings, various plans, and other documentation. All of these items must be submitted by an expediter. We can hire these professionals on your behalf and oversee the process, or you may do it on your own if you prefer.

How can I prepare my home for the project? 

It will depend upon the scope of work. You will be instructed by your Remodeling Consultant as to what exact steps you need to take. But, generally speaking, you’ll want to clear out the area being worked on of all your personal belongings that can be removed. Although, we cover the areas surrounding our work area, you’ll want to protect your furniture from dust with plastic and/or sheets.

Can I live in my home during renovation? 

That depends on the scope of the project, and quite frankly, your tolerance for inconveniences. If you live on-site during a renovation, you will be inconvenienced. We typically recommend that people make alternate living arrangements during the main construction, because you will see dust, debris, workers going in and out, you will hear loud noises, and see people ripping apart what is probably your most prized possession. You may also be without certain comforts like bathroom facilities for part of the time. This can be quite disturbing to most people.

Can I leave my belongings in my home during the renovation? 

Yes, but we recommend that you remove everything possible – especially your most important possessions. Although we take extreme precautions to protect your belongings, dust flies everywhere during construction. And, much of it is microscopic so no matter what we (or you) do to protect them, your belongings will get dust particles on and in them.

What measures will be taken to protect my home from dust and debris that result from construction? 

We cover floors with either rosin paper or Masonite, depending on the circumstances and we block off the areas surrounding the construction area with heavy gauge plastic sheets. We also cover furniture in the surrounding area to protect it as much as possible.

QUESTION 01 

How long does a kitchen remodeling project typically take from start to finish? 

At the risk of sounding elusive, we really must say that “it depends.” The scope of the kitchen remodeling dictates how long the project will take. For example, if you are removing a wall or two to open up the kitchen, which is a very common trend now, the actual construction will obviously take a little bit longer. But, it is important to remember that removing or adding walls will generally require building department permits, which will also add to the project time.

• Here’s a sample timeline, for illustration purposes only, of a kitchen remodeling project that does not include removing or adding walls:

• Meet with a remodeling consultant for a Free Design Consultation and get proposal – 1 week.

• Meet at our showroom, finalize the scope of the project and the terms of a Remodeling Agreement – 2 to 3 weeks.

• Select all the materials for the project – 1 to 4 weeks.

• Materials are ordered and delivered – 4 to 8 weeks.

• Demolition and removal of old materials and appliances – 1 week.

• Installation of new materials and appliances, flooring, plumbing and electrical work, painting – 3 to 4 weeks.

• Finishing touches and clean up – 1 to 2 weeks.

QUESTION 02 

What do I need to do to prepare for my kitchen renovation? 

You can start by getting a good idea for the type of look and style you want. If you don’t know yet, look at some magazines, websites, or watch some home remodeling shows to get some design ideas. Then, contact us for a Free Design Consultation with a Remodeling Consultant. You will be instructed by your Remodeling Consultant as to what exact steps you need to take. But, generally speaking, before construction begins, you’ll want to clear out the area being worked on of all your personal belongings that can be removed. Although, we cover the areas surrounding our work area, you’ll want to protect your furniture from dust with plastic and/or sheets.

QUESTION 03 

What is the typical workflow for a kitchen renovation? 

• Select your remodeler

• Create design

• Select and Order materials

• Building approval

• Demolition

• Deliver materials to the apartment

• Rough electric

• Rough plumbing

• Wall preparation

• Sub floor preparation

• Flooring installation

• Cabinet installation

• Locating appliances

• Countertop template

• Priming and painting

• Countertop installation

• Backsplash installation

• Finish plumbing – dishwasher, Sink and faucet installation

• Appliance installation

• Accessories installation

• Door hardware installation

• Finish electric – Light fixtures, outlets, under cabinets…

• Touch up items

QUESTION 04 

Will a MyHome designer help me choose all of the materials? 

Since we have all the materials you need at our showroom, yes, a MyHome Remodeling consultant will help you choose everything you need.

QUESTION 05 

Can I buy those products from MyHome? 

Yes. That is a major component of what makes us a full service firm. The fact that we are able to design everything for you, help you choose the materials, and sell them to you, makes it very convenient for clients. But, it is also important to note, that we don’t require you to purchase the materials from us. You may shop at other locations.

QUESTION 06 

Do I need to have design ideas before I start the renovation process? 

Absolutely not; but it helps if you do. Your Free Design Consultation is meant to help generate ideas or work through the ones you already have.

QUESTION 07 

What features should I plan to invest the most in for my new kitchen? 

From a functional standpoint, cabinetry is probably the most expensive item in the kitchen, mainly because of its sheer volume. However, you can also spend a lot of money on your countertops and flooring, depending on the style and materials you like.

QUESTION 08 

What type of return on investment can I expect from remodeling my kitchen if I sell my home? 

Realtor® Magazine reported that for the year 2005, the national average return on investment for kitchen remodeling is between 84.8% and 98.5% depending upon whether it is a major or minor project and whether the budget is upscale or moderate. However, in large metropolitan areas like New York City, the return ranged from 119.5% to 135%. So, many people will actually make a substantial profit on the money they invest in their kitchen.

QUESTION 09 

Is re-facing a good solution when your budget is tight? 

Of course, re-facing is less expensive than replacing cabinets – but it is usually not recommended. If you are planning to replace doors and drawer fronts you’ll also need to replace the front face of the cabinet frame to make sure the doors and visible parts of the cabinet match. Re-facing the frame is where problems usually occur. If the laminate shifts or peels away, an unattractive seam shows. This is most typical complaint among re-facing clients.

Another reason not to re-face is cost. The most expensive part – about 70% of a cabinet’s cost – is the door. Consider this, if you are already paying for most of the cabinet, why not add a little more and upgrade to completely new cabinets?

There are many options available in cabinets for every budget. If you are already committed to spending time, money and effort on remodeling, consider the value and enjoyment you’ll gain by opting for brand new cabinets. At MyHome, we provide re-facing service because – on occasion – re-facing can be a logical choice. Cabinet re-facing is extremely profitable since very little labor is involved. It’s good business for the re-facing company but not often the best solution for the homeowner.

QUESTION 10 

What’s the better cabinet choice – particleboard or plywood? 

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when researching cabinets. There is a general perception that plywood is better than particleboard – maybe because plywood has the word “wood “in it. Most people figure plywood is real wood while particleboard is a cheap imitation. Surprisingly, in many cases particleboard is a much better option than plywood.

In order to make the best decision; let’s define these two materials. Plywood is composed of thin sheets of wood glued together. Particleboard is made of tiny wood particles held together with adhesive. Both are strong, durable and make a good cabinet. Also, there are different types and grades of plywood and particleboard. High-density particleboard is stronger and will last longer than plywood. All wood expands and contracts because of changes in humidity. Generally, particleboard is more resistant to expansion and contraction. So in areas with significant changes in humidity – like New York – particleboard is the better option.

QUESTION 11 

Is it a good idea to purchase kitchen cabinets at Ikea? 

We love Ikea. The Scandinavian design is beautiful and the prices are too good to be true. It’s a great place to research European design ideas. Here’s how Ikea works: Ikea is a high volume retailer offering low priced European-style kitchens. All Ikea products are manufactured in Sweden and shipped to the U.S. To keep shipping costs low, all items are shipped and sold disassembled and the buyer must assemble the cabinets. This works well with tables or bookcases, but is very problematic with kitchens.

Imagine purchasing a kitchen consisting of 10 cabinets. If you receive 10 assembled cabinets, all you have to do is install them. However, Ikea kitchens come in hundreds – even thousands – of pieces and there is a chance at least one piece will be missing. In addition, the assembly process takes time – which will be more costly if you are paying for labor. Another issue is the strength of the cabinet. A cabinet assembled on the job site will never be as strong and precise as a cabinet manufactured in a factory. In addition, Ikea uses very low-density particleboard. If you need to re-drill or nail the cabinet in the future, there is a good chance the low- density material will crumble.

QUESTION 12 

Is Home Depot a good source for purchasing kitchen cabinetry? 

Home depot is a great source. The huge stores are very convenient with everything found under one roof. Also, Home Depot’s prices are known to be the best in the market. This is not true, however, with kitchen cabinets. Actually, Home Depot’s kitchen cabinet prices are very similar to those of smaller kitchen cabinet dealers. Home Depot has shown tremendous success as a high volume, low priced retailer but if you are looking for personalized, high quality service, that’s not where Home Depot shines.

The most common complaint of Home Depot customers is that “you are on your own.” No one devotes time to your project – helping you understand, plan, design, price and make the best choices. To keep costs low and prices very competitive, Home Depot’s service must remain basic. Stores are generally understaffed and most employees are not trained designers or contractors.

QUESTION 13 

Is it a good idea to install wood flooring in the kitchen? 

Wood flooring is not usually recommended for kitchens. That said, it’s still a very popular choice. If it works visually, go ahead and use it – especially if you are opening the kitchen into an adjacent space with wood flooring. Generally, designers choose other materials over wood because of both the “wear and tear factor” and possible exposure to water damage. Because the kitchen is a high traffic area, the finish will wear off a wood floor more quickly than in other low traffic parts of your home and will need to be refinished periodically. Also, because there is plumbing in a kitchen, wood floors are at risk for water damage. A tile floor is more resistant to leaks and humidity.

QUESTION 14 

I have a “popcorn” ceiling. Is it possible to make it smooth? Is it a good idea? 

Popcorn ceilings are usually made of stucco or sand paint. This technique was used on construction during the ‘70’s and ’80’s for the purpose of hiding imperfections in concrete slab ceilings that were never 100% level. In some cases, chunks of these ceiling are beginning to crumble. When repairing a popcorn ceiling, it’s nearly impossible to make the repair invisible.

There are two ways to make these ceiling smooth. One is to scrape and skim coat. This requires more work but will not affect the ceiling height. The second way is to frame and Sheetrock the ceiling. This technique is faster, but will drop the ceiling height by at least a couple of inches. In some cases, it may be an advantage because new framing will allow you to run wiring for ceiling light fixtures or speakers. Wiring through concrete slab ceilings can be very challenging. In addition, some buildings do not permit running wiring in concrete slab ceilings. Changing a “popcorn” ceiling to a smooth surface ceiling is a popular trend. Not only does it allow for better wiring, it also makes the space look cleaner, larger and less dated.

QUESTION 01 

How long does a bathroom remodeling typically take from start to finish? 

At the risk of sounding elusive, we really must say that “it depends.” The scope of the bathroom remodeling dictates how long the project will take. For example, if you are relocating your fixtures and reconfiguring the room, the actual construction will obviously take a little bit longer. But, it is important to remember that moving fixtures will generally require building department permits, which will also add to the project time.

Here’s a sample timeline, for illustration purposes only, of a bathroom remodeling project that does not include relocating fixtures:

• Meet with a remodeling consultant for a Free Design Consultation and get proposal – 1 week.

• Meet at our showroom, finalize the scope of the project and the terms of a Remodeling Agreement – 2 to 3 weeks.

• Select all the materials for the project – 1 to 4 weeks.

• Materials are ordered and delivered – 3 to 6 weeks.

• Demolition and removal of old materials and appliances – 1 week.

• Installation of new materials and appliances, flooring, plumbing and electrical work, painting – 2 to 3 weeks.

• Finishing touches and clean up – 1 to 2 weeks.

QUESTION 02 

What do I need to do to prepare for my bathroom renovation? 

You can start by getting a good idea for the type of look and style you want. If you don’t know yet, look at some magazines, websites, or watch some home remodeling shows to get some design ideas. Then, contact us for a Free Design Consultation with a Remodeling Consultant. You will be instructed by your Remodeling Consultant as to what exact steps you need to take. But, generally speaking, before construction begins, you’ll want to clear out the area being worked on of all your personal belongings that can be removed. Although, we cover the areas surrounding our work area, you’ll want to protect your furniture from dust with plastic and/or sheets.

QUESTION 03 

What is the typical workflow for a bathroom renovation? 

• Create design

• Sub flooring

• Countertop installation

• Select materials

• Floor tile installation

• Medicine cabinet installation

• Order materials

• Electric wiring

• Light fixtures installation

• Deliver materials

• Wall preparation

• Accessories installation

• Demolition

• Wall tile installation

• Painting

• Plumbing

• Plumbing fixture installation

• Touch up and cleaning

QUESTION 04 

Will a MyHome designer help me choose all of the materials? 

Since we have all the materials you need at our showroom, yes, a MyHome Remodeling consultant will help you choose everything you need.

QUESTION 05 

Can I buy those products from MyHome? 

Yes. That is a major component of what makes us a full service firm. The fact that we are able to design everything for you, help you choose the materials, and sell them to you, makes it very convenient for clients. But, it is also important to note, that we don’t require you to purchase the materials from us. You may shop at other locations.

QUESTION 06 

Do I need to have design ideas before I start the renovation process? 

Absolutely not; but it helps if you do. Your Free Design Consultation is meant to help generate ideas or work through the ones you already have.

QUESTION 07 

What features should I plan to invest the most in for my new bathroom? 

Depending on your style and taste, the floor and wall tiles can be the most expensive. Other possibly considerable expenses are the fixtures and shower system.

QUESTION 08 

What type of return on investment can I expect from remodeling my bathroom if I sell my home? 

Bathrooms typically get the best return on investment in a remodeled home. Realtor® Magazine reported that for the year 2005, the national average return on investment for bathroom remodeling was between 93.2% and 102.2% depending upon the budget is upscale or moderate. In large metropolitan areas like New York City, the return ranged from 116% to 136.3%. So, many people actually make substantial money when investing in a bathroom remodeling project.

QUESTION 01 

How long does floor refinishing typically take from start to finish? 

At the risk of sounding elusive, we really must say that “it depends.” If the room is empty, or unfurnished, it takes a lot less time than refinishing the floor in a fully furnished room. Also, it depends upon the size of the room and obstacles that exist. As a general rule of thumb, approximately 500 square feet of vacant floor space can be refinished in one day. If, however, any staining is required, the stain must be allowed to dry for one day. Also, if there is furniture in the room, the time for refinishing doubles, at least.

The timing for a new floor installation will depend on numerous variables, such as whether the old floor is being removed, the condition of the sub-floor, building requirements for sub-flooring, etc.

QUESTION 02 

What do I need to do to prepare for my floor refinishing? 

The best thing you can do is remove everything from the room(s) being refinished. Remember this – floor refinishing requires heavy duty sanding, numerous times. The dust particles that are created fly everywhere even when a “dustless sander” is used. Remarkably, dust from floor refinishing even gets into closed cabinets and closets. So, you need to be mentally prepared for this kind of a mess and clean-up afterward.

QUESTION 03 

Will a MyHome designer help me choose all of the materials for my flooring project? 

Since we have all the materials you need at our showroom, yes, a MyHome Remodeling consultant will help you choose everything you need.

QUESTION 04 

Can I buy those products from MyHome? 

Yes. That is a major component of what makes us a full service firm. The fact that we are able to design everything for you, help you choose the materials, and sell them to you, makes it very convenient for clients. But, it is also important to note, that we don’t require you to purchase the materials from us. You may shop at other locations.

QUESTION 05 

What type of return on investment can I expect from refinishing my floor if I sell my home? 

Residential real estate agents say homes with wood floors hold their value better, sell faster, and fetch higher prices, according to a recent nationwide survey commissioned by the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). The percentage is not quite known.