Residential Remodeling

Residential Remodeling: New Room / Master Bathroom, Change Room Function, Finish Basement, Relocate Stairwell, Utilize Unused Space

Choose a Qualified Framer Services New Home Construction Residential Remodeling Window Installation / Replacement Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Framing Bedroom Framing Kitchen Framing Bathroom Framing Floor Framing Wall and Ceiling Framing Basement Framing Deck Framing Garage Framing Light Framing / Carpentry

We understand current house-building technology. Whether you hire us as your contractor or as your subcontractor, we know how best to utilize up-to-date techniques and materials when we remodel a home. 

Determine the Home's Age to Make an Accurate Estimate

Over time, building styles and techniques have changed, such as how and where electrical wiring or plumbing pipes are located. For this reason, home remodeling is best done by an experienced carpenter with a working knowledge of older construction styles.

An experienced carpenter should have the ability to date a home’s construction within a few years just be observing visible materials and building style. This gives them the knowledge to more accurately estimate and quote prices to their customers.  

Some of the things a skilled carpenter can look at to determine a home’s age include:

• Studs: type of wood, width and thickness.  

• Walls: lathe and plaster or plaster over drywall.  

• Roofing: is there cedar shake under the shingles; or multiple layers of roofing material.  

• Foundation: stone; block; poured-wall; formed concrete.
  
  

Both Architectural Styles and Building Techniques Evolve Over Time

If you take a close look at homes, you will notice the transition of building techniques from one era to another. Traits to look for in the most commonly found Indianapolis-area homes include:

• Turn-of-the-Century Homes

  • Do not normally have a substantial foundation.
  • Will show signs of deterioration around the edges of the foundation.  
    
    

• Pre-war 1940’s Homes

  • Fairly well-built, with improvements to foundations.
  • Better trained craftsmen.
  • Under-insulated - the value of insulation was not yet realized.
    
    

• 50’s Homes

  • Better insulation used.
  • Current building standards begin to be implemented.
    
    

• 60’s / 70’s Homes

  • Production-based trim material used.
  • Wall paneling in vogue.
  • New window technologies emerged.
  • Trusses started to be utilized widely.
  • Bigger, better, stronger roofing and rafter materials.
    
    

• 80’s / 90’s Homes

  • Houses started to be built closer together, tract home building.
  • Foamboard taking the place of plywood sheathing.

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Remodeling: The Right Choice When You Need More Room but Don't Want to Move

As often happens, while a homeowner basically likes his or her home, it no longer meets their requirements in one area or another. There are basically two options available to them, move to a new home that meets their needs, or remodel their current home.

Most people would probably agree that, when possible, it is much easier, less stressful, and less expensive to remodel than it is to move! Typical reasons to remodel a home include:

• Family growth or situation change - need a new room, such as a nursery or home office.
• Expand a closet or pantry.
• Change a room's function, for example, turn a laundry room into a mud room.
• Utilization of unused space in garage.
• Finish an unfinished basement.
• Relocate a stairwell.
• Add a master bathroom.

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