Kind of reminds me of this song…

Is your Lancaster, PA home remodeling contractor Full-Service? Any way you want it, MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC will take care of it!

Thank you for reading!

Matt & Mike Blank

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
PA Reg#: 1024
Lancaster County, PA Home Remodeling
[717] 371.5136

This homeowner had quite a dilemma. They LOVED their location… but their house was getting cramped for their growing family. We opened up the back of the house by removing the existing mudroom and wall that was there separating it from the kitchen. Then, we expanded the kitchen space by putting on an addition, which also allowed room for a dining area. Along with that, we moved a chimney out of a bedroom to add square footage to that space as well.

Also, energy efficiency on this 1920’s house was becoming an issue. Over the years the roof, siding and insulation had worn down. We solved this by putting new high-quality siding around the whole house and by repairing and replacing the roof.

Check out these pictures to see exactly why it won. Now they have the home of their dreams!

Front Porch before.

Front Porch after.

Kitchen addition and siding before.

Kitchen addition and siding after.

Kitchen Addition inside before.

Kitchen Addition inside after.

Check out these smart home security tips!

Eliminate Hiding Places.

Keep all entry points to your house well lit.

Trim shrubs and trees that could provide cover for an intruder. Trim tree limbs that could enable intruders to gain entry via an upper-floor window or balcony and keep items such as ladders locked inside the house.

Don’t be an easy target.

Burglars want to hit the easiest target on the block so give them reasons to skip your house.

Home-security decals or “Beware of Dog” signs are good deterrents. Home security alarms are also good.

A subscription to a monitoring service is a good idea, but even the sound of an alarm is often enough to scare off a thief.

Lock windows and doors.

Department of Justice statistics report more than half of all burglaries occur with no sign of forced entry — meaning a robber was able to enter the house through an unlocked door or window.

Use a heavy-duty deadbolt that is bolted to the door frame with three-inch screws.

Appear to be home.

When you’re away, have someone pick up your mail and newspaper or have them stopped for the duration of your trip. In addition, have someone mow your lawn. Also, use timers to turn specific lights on and off in the house to make it seem as if someone is home.

Know your neighbors.

Make sure neighbors know when you’re planning to be away and how they can reach you in an emergency. Leaving an extra key with a trusted neighbor is a good idea. It’s better than hiding one under a mat or in some other outdoor hiding place.

Traditional style remains the most popular kitchen design, although it has dropped slightly in popularity compared to last year. Shaker style, which is characterized by its simplicity, un-ornamented yet functional, finely crafted style, overtook ‘contemporary’ style in 2011 as the No. 2 most popular kitchen design style, and that trend should continue into 2012.

Appliances – Concealed appliances, such as warming drawers and steam ovens are more popular than ever. By hiding appliances away during your kitchen remodel, you allow more space to incorporate multiple guest functionality. Kitchens are fast becoming a warm gathering place for the clients family and friends.

Colors – Stainless steel will continue to be a favored choice for your kitchen appliance finish. It has been used in kitchens for over 100 years. This is due to its universal appeal, its ability to provide a sterile surface and its shiny appearance. All of this has helped forge its association with luxury.

The next most used color is currently black. It usually gives the space a more formal appearance in relation to the rest of the common areas of your home. The top 5 colors list is rounded out by grays, beiges, and bones.

Cabinetry – Maple cabinetry looks to be the front-runner in 2012. As for finishes, various shades of white/off-white hues, some finish distressing or glazes remain popular. Dark natural finishes also have been trending. Light natural and colored painted finishes also remained fairly common.

Any of these finishes can help contribute to a comfortable and relaxing kitchen many homeowners and buyers are looking for.

Countertops – Natural stone and quartz counters remain remodeling prospect favorites, but other renewable and recycled materials, such as laminate, concrete, paper, glass and stainless steel are seeing increased interest. Consider a low-maintenance surface to help cut down on cleaning and disinfecting time!

Lighting – LED energy-efficient lighting options continue to rise in popularity. Not only do they offer fresh, modern designs, they also help you save money and energy!

Thank you for reading our blog! I hope these trends will give you some fresh ideas to spice up the new year. If you have any questions or are thinking it is time to remodel your kitchen in Lancaster County, PA, please give us a call!

-Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
[717].[371].[5136]

With our housing market still down, you don’t want to rush into any decisions involving your largest asset. Does your family like the area and how long do you plan on staying in the home? You want to consider not only what your family will gain from your choice, but also the financial investment you stand to gain down the road. Your family’s well-being and overall happiness should always be at the heart of your decisions.

If your spouse, the kids and yourself love the neighbors and neighborhood, their school and your distance from work, changing the layout or adding space to your home by remodeling is probably a better choice. You will improve your enjoyment of your own home without losing your perfect location.

How long do you plan on staying? The investment in remodeling your home could take 5-10 years to fully appreciate in value, depending on what type of project you are planning. Spending $10,000 on remodeling will not add $10,000 to your homes value. There is no set percentage of gain from project to project or location to location. Kitchens and baths are always the best investments because people spend a lot of time there. Keep in mind you could always break down large projects into smaller sections, or lessen the scope, such as a kitchen re-facing versus a complete remodel.

Also, keep in mind that if your home is already the nicest in the neighborhood, putting on a room addition or renovating the kitchen will really not add much value to the home, only to your enjoyment of it. Now, if you are in a less valuable home, you can remodel to be average or above average with the other homes in the area. One example would be adding another bathroom if you currently have 2 but the others in the neighborhood have 3 to 4.

You must find a balance between Enjoyment & Investment Return to help steer your decision. Talk with an experienced contractor and real estate agent to get opinions and figures on the actual costs you are looking at. Take a look at this list Pro’s and Con’s to consider when you are thinking of remodeling or selling your home:

Remodel:
Pros:
• You will see at least some return on your remodeling investment when you go to sell your home.
• More functional home, plus you will increase everyone’s enjoyment of it.
• Makes your home fit your family’s lifestyle better.
• Stay in neighborhood/school district you like,

Cons:
• Certain projects pay off more than others.
• Don’t upgrade beyond what your neighborhood is worth – a $500,000 home in a $200,000 area won’t return the cost of remodeling. If your home is already the biggest and nicest around, it will not appreciate much more when remodeled.
• Remodeling is an invasive process.
• May take 5+ years to fully increase your home’s value.

Move:
Pros:
• The layout you are looking for is already there with no time or work to be done.
• Your budget is the only limit on the size, style and area you move to. Depending on lot size, etc, you may not be able to remodel your current home into the dream you envision.

Cons:
• Real estate fees– real estate commissions, taxes and closing costs; plus minor improvements in new home, furniture & window treatments, movers, etc
• Selling your current house.
• Cost of moving – time, money and energy spent moving

Free Resources:

Check out these free resources to help guide your decision whether to move, or to remodel.

Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value 2011 report. This site compares the average cost for 35 popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale. Choose your state to display data for one of 9 regions; choose any one of 80 U.S. cities to download a PDF with local data.

RemodelorMove.com’s Cost Calculator. Here you’ll find home remodeling and moving cost comparison tools, articles with advice and tips on remodeling and moving and more.

Thank you for reading our blog. When the time comes for your home remodeling project here in Lancaster County, PA, please call MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC at [717] 371.5136.

Create Levels – Multi-level islands are becoming increasingly popular since most homeowners not only want a work area, but also an informal place for entertaining guests. With the kitchen as one of the main gathering areas in a home, your guests will be able to sit, chat or rest their beverage glasses on the high-top counter, while the lower tier of the island features an ample work area and storage area.

Be sure to incorporate enough drawers and shelves below the work area to keep key ingredients, utensils and your favorite cookbooks right at your fingertips.

If you love to entertain, consider adding a wine refrigerator to maintain proper temperatures for your reds and whites. You could also use the other side for seating like the picture above shows.

Turn Up the Heat – Installing cook tops as part of your kitchen island brings counter top burners within easy reach, while also creating room for amenities below, such as additional storage or warming drawers.

Easy Clean Up – Install a sink and faucet in your kitchen island to make food prep and clean up quick and easy.

Top It Off – Add character to your island countertop with a dramatic surface finish, such as granite, metal, solid-surface, marble and new custom, hand-applied finishes with unique designs, such as full circles and waves.

Finish off your counter with a thick butcher block, making it an easy spot for all your cutting needs.

With a few island innovations, you’ll make the most of your kitchen space and create your own, customized fantasy island! When it’s time to do your kitchen in Lancaster County, PA, please contact MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC.

This home addition was designed to allow family and guests a beautiful place to enter the home without having to go directly into the kitchen of this old Lancaster County, PA farmhouse. Not only could this bring dirt, mud and more into the house, the kitchen is for enjoying family and food, not for wiping your feet and hanging your jacket. The customer was understandably concerned with matching the style, look and feel of the home.

The room addition was much more than just a closet space though. Wood ceiling and slate flooring were chosen; don’t they accentuate the built-in breakfast nook perfectly? What would be more beautiful than starting your day with coffee and Lancaster County countryside?

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC as a whole were thrilled to work on this project, and our passion poured through. Professional Remodeler’s from across the state of PA chose this mudroom addition for a Building Industry Association (BIA) Award of Excellence in 2009.

If initial cost were the only concern, the answer would always be simple: wood. Unfortunately, we must consider many important factors. Along with initial cost, the appearance you are looking for and long-term maintenance time and costs come into play. The types of fasteners used to secure the decking are also important to many homeowners. Please use this guide to help you decided whether pressure-treated wood, composite or PVC/plastic decking is what your dream deck is made of.

Pressure-Treated Wood

Why is the wood pressure treated? According to About.com: “Less durable woods, like Southern pine and Western fir, are treated with preservatives. This makes them more resistant to the elements, rot and insects.”

Wood is used for the structural pieces of your deck no matter what you choose for the top. The other types of materials used for the surface are most likely either not strong enough or too expensive (or both) to serve as the frame for your deck.

Pros:

• Cheaper option
• Looks like real wood… ‘cause it is!
• Easy to work with
• Mold-resistant
• Hidden or visible fastener options
• Usually comes with lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Higher maintenance costs
• Will rot and lose appearance if not maintained
• Contains chemical preservatives
• Can splinter

Composite

Composite or synthetic decking is a lumber alternative that combines plastic and wood fiber. It is more environmentally friendly than wood, and the popularity of composite brands, such as Trex, has exploded over the past decade in residential deck building.

Pros:

• Weather resistant
• Lightweight
• Low maintenance costs
• Made from recycled materials

Cons:

• More expensive than wood
• Varying appearance issues between brands
• Not resistant to mold or mildew. Especially shows in places where the deck is under a lot of shade.
• Tend to sag and bend over time more than wood
• They don’t last forever. Varying warranty lengths (10 years – lifetime)
• Can be difficult to work with

PVC

Plastic lumber (PVC), including products made by Azek, is a 100% recyclable decking option made from recycled plastics. It is said to need the lowest amount of maintenance of the materials we are discussing.

Pros:

• Stain resistant
• No mold or mildew
• Scratch resistant
• Will not rot
• 100% recyclable

Cons:

• More expensive than wood
• Varying appearance issues between brands
• Tend to sag and bend over time more than wood
• They don’t last forever. Varying warranty lengths (10 years – lifetime)
• Can be difficult to work with

Please comment on your experiences with any of these decking materials. If you are looking for a deck builder in and around Lancaster County, PA, please contact MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC at [717] 371.5136.

More Family Room:
Sometimes a homeowner wants to add rooms, both bedrooms and bathrooms, for their growing family. Two or second story additions allow you to add exactly the rooms you want at exactly the right size and color you want them. Since you have the option of going up (2nd story addition) or out (room addition), there is no need to go through all of that hassle moving to an entirely new neighborhood!

By adding more family space, you will not only enjoy your home more, but it will up the square footage and home value as well!

Garage Addition: What makes a garage addition so great? No stepping outside in the cold winter, the rainy spring or the hot summer. No matter what the weather, you can start up your cars and trucks in the comfort of your own garage.

Do you need a space for all of your Christmas stuff, bikes or sporting equipment? More storage is the name of the garage addition game. And again, since you are customizing the space, you can have as little or as much storage room as you want.

Have you been considering finishing your basement? (Possibly even your very own Subterranean Sanctuary or Man Cave) Unfortunately, sometimes our basements just do not have the square footage or layout to really become the room we are envisioning. A garage could house all of those art supplies, tools, exercise equipment or toys downstairs or up. Many garages we build have a room above turned into a master bedroom, but this space could be used for anything you want.

Home Office: As I mentioned in a previous blog post “Your 4 Home Office Options”, home additions are always the most exciting home office projects. An addition allows you to completely customize your new workspace. You have the capability of your own bathroom plus an outside entrance for customers. What better way to be close to the family than working from home?!?

Another benefit? You just set up the desk and you’re ready to go, no painting, flooring or worse… drywall!

Mudroom: If you are getting tired of everyone tracking mud through the house, you can add a small mudroom. These are the perfect place to store the kid’s (big and small) coats, shoes, bags and more! You could also add a breakfast nook with a beautiful window looking out at your yard.

Screen(ed) Porch: No matter what you call them, a screen or screened porch is the perfect place to enjoy the spring, summer and fall with your family, from big kids to little grandkids, everyone enjoys spending time outside. Screened porches are perfect for entertaining events, such as birthdays and graduation parties.

Sunroom: Nothing brightens your mood more than sitting down in your very on sunroom to relax! Sunrooms offer complete natural light and heat, so they usually don’t use much energy, even during the coldest parts of winter. Reduce stress and reap the physical and emotional benefits of natural light in your very own home.

I hope these benefits of home additions helped you. There are of course many other benefits as well as drawbacks. When you are considering your own addition here in Lancaster County, PA, be it a second story, mudroom, home office, garage, screened porch or sunroom, please contact us for more information.

Thank you,

Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
[717] 371[.]5136

Cabinetry Color vs. Wall Color – Painting your kitchen walls is an easy way to add color and personality to your space. Soft blue wall paints, which are calming and easy to live with, are also versatile as they work well with both light and dark cabinetry. The color can balance cabinetry with a darker finish, such as cherry spice, or accent cabinetry with a lighter finish like maple butterscotch.

Go Bold – If you prefer the colors in your home to be trendy, consider using dramatic hues to brighten up your kitchen walls. Experts say that bold colors such as red and gold, the colors of China, are expected to gain interest because of the upcoming Olympics, while botanical greens are strong partly because of the environmental movement. If you are not quite ready to make such a bold commitment, buy a small container of paint and test it on an inconspicuous area of the wall to see how it works with your kitchen and your style.

Mixing Finishes and Countertops: How to Avoid a Color Trap – Another simple solution for taking a kitchen from drab to dazzling is to mix cabinetry finishes and/or countertop colors. Mixing finishes and countertops is a surefire way to avoid the common color mistake of matching everything. When everything in a room is the same color, it becomes either too intense or too bland. To avoid this painting trap, choose two finishes that balance one another. Or, keep the finish the same on both and use contrasting countertops for the main kitchen and the island to achieve the same balance.

It’s the Little Things that Make a Big Difference – If you do not want to transform your entire kitchen into a colorful oasis, but still want to show off your style, a little bit can go a long way:

• Incorporate a backsplash in a patterned, multi-colored, or even metallic tile to easily add personality without committing to a full-on color renovation.

• Include glass front cabinetry to create a dramatic backdrop for your vibrant glassware.

• For a quick and easy color pick-me-up, change your cabinet hardware; add colorful art prints; or invest in some bright appliances such as a toaster, food processor or mixer.

If you are considering your own Kitchen Remodel or Renovations in Lancaster County, PA, please give us a call!

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC – [717] 371[.]5136