In talking with my siding subcontractor Ed Lacey, I was trying to describe what my client wanted in the way of siding upgrades to his investment property. "It's simple", Ed said, "Just like everyone else, they want as much as they can get, for as little as possible."...
The budget is a fickle thing; rarely in my experience is there a client for whom cost is no object. In this article I liken the remodeling process to a river raft trip. There is a point at which clients lead themselves to second guess themselves. During a project it...
Every year at this time Remodeling Magazine issues the Cost Vs Value report so that we may see the value of the remodeling projects we are creating in relation to the value you get for your investment. Here at Levco we are excited to see it and read the conclusions...
I was shocked to see the banner at a bank the other day encouraging folks to borrow again. It says that they are looking to loan money. The several year dark shadow of an austerity program and close federal scrutiny has lifted a bit. Seeing the banner, combined with...
I saw a commercial last night on TV. "You could have your bathroom remodeled by a national franchise for as little as $125/month." Sounds too good to be true don't you think? This is their big pitch year in and year out. I love to solve my client's problems. How the...
I have read and been coached for years that a professional remodeler does not give a cost breakdown. The problem remains that I firmly believe that it is intuitive for a client to want one. Perhaps there is a client type that doesn't care about price, I have not met...
Project Name The Challenge This home had a small protrusion over the garage which was a potential space that was not taken advantage of on the original structure. The clients imagined that by moving the wall further to the front of the garage it would create a very...
Modern master bedroom suite additionThe Challenge This home was built in the 1920’s it had good bones. It had a confusing backwards kitchen and had an addition in the ’70’s. I had looked at the home for a friend a few years earlier and had discouraged her from...
Building Memories: A Case Study in Crafting the Ideal Family Gathering PlaceThe Challenge This 1999 home is part of a tight knit subdivision. The family wanted to have a gathering place for themselves to relax and enjoy time together, and a place away from the daily...
2 Story Addition in Historic North EndThe Challenge The home had an enclosed back porch that was a transition to a basement with plans to have the second story enlarged to finally have a Master Bedroom Suite. The home is in the Historic District and it is a...
