Long Weekends

Have you checked out our new addition to our services on our website yet? They will save you time!

What are your plans this weekend? I hope it is for fun. Looks like there is going to be warm sunshine so you'll be enjoying the BBQs , outdoor activities and visiting friends and family. What a great time to share why we are adding our new Online Option for you to use for your project planning!

EVERYONE is TOO busy. I know I am, it is overwhelming, isn't it? How did we get so crazy busy! We have all those time saving appliances, devices, and ways to communicate. Yet, finding extra time in our schedules eludes us more and more. Our sensitivity to this common issue was the incentive to offer an alternate planning protocol for our clients. 

Yes, our traditional Full Service approach is still available to you. However, if coordinating two working schedules or weekend appointments between the kids sports activities is stressing you out, then check out the Online TIME SAVING option. Relax in the comfort of your own home whenever it is convenient. 

We are here to help you whichever track you take. Give us a call if you have any questions! Enjoy the long weekend! Get out there and have some fun!

BIG Announcement !!!

What is our Announcement? READY?

We are adding a new choice to the remodeling process for busy clients who want to remodel their kitchens but are tight with time.

THE CONVENIENT ONLINE OPTION

YOU MEASURE, TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR CURRENT SPACE, FILL OUT OUR ONLINE QUESTIONNAIRE AND EMAIL IT ALL TO US AT YOUR CONVENIENCE

We understand how difficult it is for a couple who both work to coordinate schedules to come in for four to five appointments regarding their remodeling project. We want to help these clients remodel their homes with the same excellent quality we provide for our full service clients.


Of course, the Design Build full service we have always offered is always available.

FULL SERVICE OPTION

UP TO THREE SHOWROOM APPOINTMENTS AND ONE 

IN-HOME CONSULTATION

Sometimes, people ask us if they can just buy the cabinets from us. They may want to also purchase the flooring, counter top,  lighting, plumbing fixtures, and accessories from us too.  Or they may have other sources for all the components. Up to this point, we have not been set to accommodate these customers.

Please go to our Website for all the details.

Trusting Your Ideas - Cost vs Value

Trust your gut! Be true to your own ideas and taste when it is time to update your home.
It is understandable and common to second guess yourself. It takes time to think, rethink, and prepare ourselves and our budget for remodeling. When we finally have the finances to move forward it is natural to think of every idea you pondered since moving into your home. We ladies are especially vulnerable to become confused when we want everything we wrote on our wish list. Like life, it is generally not possible to get everything you want unless you happen to have unlimited money. No one actually does. Learning to imagine yourself functioning in the new room helps narrow and prioritize the wish list.

I have written past blog posts about the importance of creating your Dream Folder. I must emphasize that again in this post. Those who take this advice and clip or print out pictures of what appeals to them are less apt to have any regrets regarding the choices they make.  There is a cycle most homeowners fall into as the time gets closer to actually remodeling. You have most likely waited for at least months, perhaps years. New ideas and products are introduced in this industry constantly.The sheer selection of  cabinet styles, finishes, accessories, base and wall cabinet configurations is endless! There is a common trap homeowners experience. Your folder will aid you to  be completely confident about your taste and what you want. You will discover the ideas and pictures reveal the style, colors, and finishes you prefer. That is a practical way to really be confident that you will like your new space. It will feel like "you"  and the enjoyment of your new project will last  for years. That is true value!

 Peer pressure is a big factor as well. Yes, peer pressure! REALLY?! We are not school kids anymore. Yet, we are more vulnerable to people's opinions and suggestions than we realize.You must approach your remodeling project based on our personal lifestyle and preferences. This is challenging between the two adults living in the home. It is normal for couples to have distinct differences regarding door styles, finishes, appliances, and accessories they like for their new project. Adding the opinions of other trusted family and friends multiplies the confusion and stress.

The topic of this post refers to this trap. Cost vs Value can be a big issue when we are influenced by
someones suggestions Have you ever gone clothes shopping with a friend whose fashion taste you admire but do not really share? I have. Their exuberance about how great I looked in an outfit influenced me to buy an outfit I never wore. That is a fairly minor waste of money. When considering the final cost of remodeling in time and money invested, being swayed by someones opinion to select cabinetry or finishes they suggest has huge potential of robbing you of value.

If you are remodeling a kitchen, think about how you cook. Are you a baker? Do you love to BBQ? What about prepping? Will cooking be a family effort or just you? Do you and your kids do homework or paper work in the kitchen? How about hobbies or games? Why does that matter?

If you have a budding chef who loves to cook or bake with you, they will love having a prep sink and area separate from where you are preparing food. Homework or paying bills can be pleasant in the kitchen nook area with a special place for actively working and being able to store or file away papers.  

Value also equates to timeliness. Homeowners contemplate remodeling projects for years, Yes, it is usually a long process that becomes more urgent when Summer's activities are ending and Fall's crisp air turns our hearts and imaginations towards upcoming holidays. Most people are not aware that a remodeling project's planning, designing, and selection process actually takes more time than the actual demo and installation. Around September 1st the calls begin to come in wanting to have a new kitchen or bath completed by Thanksgiving. It is usually not possible to begin and complete the entire process from Design to Install in eight weeks, Your best chance to get on the schedule to have a completed  remodeled kitchen to  prepare, cook, and serve your Thanksgiving dinner means starting the Design phase in early to mid Spring, Yes, some clients know exactly what they want and that helps stay on task and target which speeds up the process. That , however,  is unusual.

I have given you much to think about! We deliver value for our clients time and time again! We would love to help you realize your dream step by step. Be watching for some new services and offers coming from Apple Wood. We have a big announcement coming soon!

How Peer Pressure Affects Cost vs Value

I am going to make you nervous with a personal question, okay? Do your friends and family influence your decisions? Are your decisions weakened by peer pressure? I know, you are an adult, not a teenager. We adults think we are long past peer pressure! I hope that is correct. Peer pressure can cause you to make decisions that cost more and satisfy your dream less. This is very important! Be careful and be confident. Trust yourselves, trust your taste, your gut. This is your home!

Perhaps, if we are truly honest all of us are impacted by another persons opinion. Sometimes asking for people to share their ideas and opinion can help. Sometimes it is a bad idea that can rob us of the confidence we need in our own preferences. If you are seeking feedback for a remodeling project, it can backfire. We are not talking a pair of shoes or a dress here.

We ladies get very excited about our homes. We love to get our girlfriends input. What we have discovered is most women begin to doubt their ability to make good selections when they ask others for ideas and opinions. Be careful. You are going to find the selection process stress filled when you see all the possibilities there are just in the style you personally lean to. When a friend implants a thought or suggestion confusion can exponentially explode. Delays happen based solely on an inability to narrow down what to select from.

From a functional perspective and practical considerations, hesitation or constantly changing your mind can cause a couple to lose their place in the install/build phase . Final decisions and signing the contract put you on the Build Phase calendar. Even if the design phase happened before another clients project, hesitations can derail you until your final selections are complete. Yes, we prioritize on a first come first served basis. However, if another family that was originally scheduled after your project has made all their choices , and you are still not sure, you may have to be rescheduled. Nothing can move forward without final selections, decisions, and a signed contract.

We are discussing a change to our most important purchase, your home. It is your home, your money, and your living space for a very long time. Be careful about asking your friends and family what they would do.Let's face it, you can dream about what you “think” you want for years. You have probably considered every possibility. Until the finances actually show up allowing you to get serious, there is no real pressure. Now, that you can move forward and turn your dream in to reality, the fear of making a mistake may tempt you to doubt your taste and ideas. If that happens people get frozen in fear. They find themselves unable to decide exactly which selections are best.

There are a few misconceptions homeowners may possess. This is an emotional endeavor. Often remodeling professionals must wear multiple hats. Men and women have very different preferences regarding design, function, and especially the door style and finish of cabinets. Oops, time to go get the marriage councilor or psychologist hat!

This is just one more reason we encourage creating your Dream Design Folder. It is critically important. The most important step of remodeling for the homeowners is honestly communicating their wants, needs, ideas, and concerns before they take the plunge. Who is the Chef of the family. The kitchen will be their domain. I suggest if you enjoy eating and having your spouse prepare your meals, deferring to their ideas will make you happy. They will be spending the majority of the time in the space preparing food you love. Just a tip, a wise one!

We can help and would love to guide your through the perilous waters of creating your dream project. You are going to love it!

Basic Cost vs Value Considerations

What is cost versus value, anyway?
Unless you were fortunate enough and financially set to design and build your home exactly the way you would wanted it, there are still things you would add to your dream home. We love our nests and each of us, even each member of a family has their own definition of the perfect home.

Most of us find a new or resale home as close as possible to our wish list within our price range. What an exciting time it is to find, purchase, and settle into our homes. The reality is we soon discover the house needs improvement. It may need repairs or be overdue for updating. Eventually most home-owners begin “dreaming” about remodeling.

Why is Cost versus Value critically important?
There are many answers to that question. Some are obvious. Most of us are aware updating kitchens, baths and master suites make a big impact! It is a wise choice, if you are planning on selling your home in the next year or two.

Perhaps you are not planning to remodel but plan to build a new home. Building a new home is a thrill, especially when you are personally involved designing it and watching the Contractor build it. It is a wonderful experience I hope all of you enjoy in your lifetime. If you do, it will be a few years before you would want to remodel. However, if you purchased a resale house, making it your home is a natural progression. The remodeling arm of construction was born from this desire and need.

Most people dreaming of remodeling or adding an addition come into our showroom with absolutely no idea what their idea will cost. That is always the first thing on our minds, as it should be. After all, budgets and cost dictate how much of our dream we can actually bring to life. We will explore that deeper in a moment. However, I want to help you understand some equally important considerations first. It is a practical truth most do not think about until their home is close to having the demolition phase begin. What am I talking about? Well, who is going to be in your home for the duration of your project? What do you know about them? I think you can see how important those questions are. They do tie in to cost versus value.

These reasons are more abstract but equally important. Construction has many expressions. Cost versus value is also key as you consider who to award your project to. Let me explain.

Everyone wants to get the best value for the least investment. After all, your home is probably the biggest investment in your portfolio. When you are ready to get serious about remodeling you have probably talked to many friends and family members asking them for referrals. You may have visited many showrooms, big box store kitchen bath departments, and spent a fair amount of time on Pinterest, Houzz, or Angie's List. When you've done your due diligence you may be more confused regarding cost versus value than when your began your quest. It can feel like a part time job!

At some point, it will be time to interview and select the contractor you trust to award your project to.
Yes, I am skipping way past all the "stuff" the physical products you need to wade through in the selection process. I know, that is what is most important, right? Well, maybe not! Slow down a minute and consider this view of cost versus value.

It is always tempting to find the best price, WARNING: Best price does not necessarily equate to the best choice. I agree there are numerous possibilities and options. There are many firms, construction companies, handymen, and carpenters to possibly work with. Each of them have strengths, weaknesses, and a reputation. Referrals are the life blood of remodeling companies. Talking to everyone you know about what they had remodeled, who did the work, and what they like and do not like about the results is very important. There are so many scary stories out there regarding home owners paying a deposit and being abandoned with only a part of the promised work begun, That happens too often. We do not have time or space in this post to cover all the negative possibilities.

Who you award your contract to will be working with you for months. They will be in your home along with subcontractors, carpenters, counter top and cabinet installers. Some are trustworthy, some may not be. In this context, cost versus value must be assessed with clear consideration of the following facts:
Here are very "valuable "considerations.

• References are key.
• Did they welcome and respectfully answer your questions and concerns?
• How many projects are they doing at the same time as yours?
• Do they have highly trained professionals working with them?
• Does the general contractor control their crew, requiring they be non smoking, speak respectfully and monitor the type of music or media they may tune into while working on your home?
• Are they mindful and careful to protect the interior of your home?
• Do they set up dust barriers?
• Do they straighten up each night before leaving?
• Do you feel comfortable having your children and pets around these people?
• Are they insured?
• What is their reputation?
• Have they been verified as not having any criminal record?
• Are they honorable safe individuals?

No matter how little money your project cost you, value can be destroyed making the wrong choice of who to trust in and remodeling your home. Be safe, be wise! We hope you will check on our reputation. We are competitively priced! Most of our projects are referrals or return business based on the trust our clients have in us. We would love to make your project beautiful and as pleasant as possible in the construction phase.

Open Concept

I love to watch HGTV!! You too? What a great station to watch for ideas for your home, right?

 I am confident most of you gals do! What are your favorite shows? Is Fixer Upper one of them?
Chip and Joanna Gaines know how to take old outdated rooms, homes and properties and turn them into their clients dream house! The thing is; they are far away in Waco, Texas!

Do not be dismayed, here  in New Hampshire and Northern Massachusetts Lenny and Lisa Santosousso of Apple Wood Construction and Apple Wood Kitchen and Bath make New Englander
home owner's dreams come true! You can still have your Fixer Upper or a new home built! Lenny and Lisa can create your dream for you right here!

Being a custom home builder for years, Lenny tackles literally anything and everything our clients can dream up. So, how do you take a New Englander, a Colonial, or a Cape with all their compartmentalized rooms into a spacious open concept home? The answer is beams, big sturdy support beams. Support beams strategically positioned do hold up the second floor if you want to eliminate walls to create the Open Concept so popular in Waco. Another option are columns and posts designed to blend into your overall decor.

New England does have some newer spacious open concept Ranch Style and two story homes if you are looking for new construction. We can also build that new home for you if that is the direction you want to travel!

All new perfectly clean houses are wonderful. However, they can feel like "vinyl world." As remodeling contractors, Apple Wood takes pride in preserving the charm of original types of New England architecture. True craftsmanship makes a difference. Hiring a custom builder like Lenny who takes pride in his work makes all the difference. helps.

You see, tracts of homes built as "Spec"houses typically use the least expensive grade of products in the homes they build to ensure higher profit for the builder. Apple Wood Construction likes to build or remodel one home at a time using excellent products. It may cost a little more because true quality and workmanship is worth it.

When a developer buys land that is subdivided into lots, building the tract for the least cost is their goal. Vinyl siding, windows, doors, shutters, railing, fencing, you name it, are all available. Houses can be built now that never need to be re painted. That is a nice idea, especially as we watch the snow melt and spring comes raging in. I am already seeing my own home's trim needing to be sanded , primed, and painted again this year. This IS the time of year living in "Vinyl World" tempts me.
However, I love the 1908 wood trim around my windows, my vintage wooden interior doors, classic wood railings, posts, and gingerbread specialty trim on my wrap around porch. If you are a true " New Englander" looking for the charm of eras past, real wood trim inside and out can't be beat!

Classic New Englanders, Colonials, and Victorians were generally constructed with few hallways. Instead one room connects to the next and access is made from room to room. Other homes access individual rooms through hallways or around stairwells in our houses. Remodeling these houses for an Open Concept is an involved process requiring great expertise which Apple Wood provides.  Support walls can be removed when support beams are utilized to hold the weight above.

We take walls down to open up rooms. We have also relocated staircases to do the same. Other remodeling option for home owners with big lots are new Kitchen Additions, Master Suites that add a luxurious Master Bath and walk in closets. All of these make living in your home enjoyable and add significantly to the resale value of your home.

We have lots of ideas and the experience to make your dream become a reality! Call us for an appointment!  

What's New in Apple Wood's upcoming BUSY season

March 20th IS the first day of Spring! Yay!  We are in the last throes of winter and all ready for singing bird's, no snow, planning our gardens and getting our seedlings going or purchased to get a jump on planting! Spring cleaning time is the only time all year I actually look  forward to cleaning. I cannot wait for warmer days to open windows, let the breeze blow away the cobwebs of winter!

There is another really important opportunity coming now! While you do your Spring sprucing up many of you will begin thinking about the remodeling project you think about every year. We love that ! We want to help you so let me educate you about the process please. Thinking about finally getting that project underway seems to come in Spring and then again in late summer. The hope is the new kitchen will be remodeled and ready for Thanksgiving. That is a great idea! However, NOW  is the time to come see us if you want your new kitchen or bath ready for 2017's Holiday season!

Are you asking , "Why now?"  Well, excellent contractors with high levels of expertise and integrity get lots of referrals and/or new contracts with past clients. Apple Wood typically begins helping a client with one project, say a bathroom remodel, and they want to do more.  In the process the client is so happy and impressed because they trust us and can not imagine awarding their next project to another professional. It is very common for them to begin talking about the other kitchen, bath, deck, addition, or any number of other projects they have dreamt about forever.

We know our customers have many choices. We are honored that after working with us, most decide they are thrilled with the results. Then they cannot imagine working with anyone else. Once homeowners experience Lenny and his team's respect for their home, family, and remodeling vision , no other remodeling professional is considered.  Experiencing the excellence in craftsmanship, products, and level of expertise Apple Wood provides gains us repeat customers.

Let me remind you about the process which typically takes at least six and sometimes nine to twelve months. Remodeling is a creative endeavor. It is also very technical, emotional, and time intensive. This is especially true when the home owner's are a couple. Everything in remodeling is about selections, choosing the right design and then the components to place into the space to make your dream a reality.

Get ready I am going to say something "radical"! Yes, RADICAL!!! I mean it and I can get away with it because I am a woman! We all know women reserve the right to change their minds. We understand that and you will find we have patience to allow some changes, even midstream. However, please realize that very tendency is what delays projects and impacts completion. If a woman is a decision maker for your remodeling project, please come see us early, this Spring. It gives you some wiggle room to consider choices and changes before signing the final contract. If you wait too long, you may be at the end of a line of  other clients who are ready to go now. Of course , we wish to help every homeowner we can! We hope you are on our client list for 2017 and invite your family to celebrate Thanksgiving with the completed project you will be proud to host in.

I will be writing about vision, ideas, how to organize it all the next few weeks. Have a great week and come see us SOON!