Author: @fl@nsburg

Lynn Paolillo had a vision for her forever home in Hamilton, New Jersey. As a homeowner and owner of a cat grooming business, she knew that her current space was limiting her potential. Lynn’s cat grooming business, Hamilton Cat Naps, was operating out of her garage, but the layout and functionality of the space were holding her back.

She knew that purchasing a new property that met her requirements would have been outside her budget, so renovating to expand her existing space was the best option. Determined to create a home that would meet both her residential and business needs, Lynn reached out to Flansburg Construction. 

Embracing the Challenge

At Flansburg Construction, we were excited to take on the challenge of transforming Lynn’s home and business. Our team worked closely with her to understand her unique needs and develop a design that would bring her vision to life. The main objective was to add a 2nd story addition to the existing garage, creating a more efficient and functional space for both living and working.

Transforming the Space

The project was extensive, involving foundation and structural work to convert the client’s garage space into a beautifully appointed cat boarding and grooming business, and build a second-story addition above it featuring a large family room, home office and bathroom. 

The scope of work included installing new windows and doors, updated framing, insulation, and electrical work, and the installation of a new HVAC system to provide better climate control on both floors. We also updated the façade and added new vinyl siding to the addition, giving the home a fresh, modern look.

To access the second floor, a staircase was added and we also provided entry to the addition through an existing upstairs common area. 

Keeping the Client Connected

Throughout the construction process, we kept Lynn informed and engaged using our user-friendly app. She could access a calendar with color-coded subcontractor schedules, view daily progress photos, and ask questions, even while traveling overseas. Lynn shared her experience:

“Hands down, the app that they use on our phone should be a huge selling point because that made me so happy. It has a calendar where everything is color-coded with the different subcontractors, so we knew when to expect different supplies to arrive or when different contractors were coming. They could also upload daily photos, so even while I was overseas, every morning I would wake up and there’d be new photos, and I can ask questions. It was just really a great way for me to stay in touch with the project even though I was in Australia.” – Lynn Paolillo

A Dream Realized

When the renovation was complete, Lynn’s home and business had been completely transformed. The renovation provided a dedicated entrance for Hamilton Cat Naps, allowing clients to enter and exit without intruding on the Family’s personal living area. 

The additional living space upstairs also made it possible for Lynn to comfortably host more family and friends.

Lynn conveyed her satisfaction with the final results and the peace of mind she experienced while working with Flansburg Construction. She particularly appreciated the quality of our work and our strong emphasis on communication. She praised how well-informed she was kept throughout the entire process.

Your Vision, Our Expertise

At Flansburg Construction, we specialize in transforming homes to meet our clients’ unique needs and aspirations. Whether you’re looking to expand your living space, create a dedicated area for your home-based business, or simply update your home’s layout and functionality, our team of experts is here to help.

If you’re considering a home renovation or addition in the Hamilton area or anywhere in New Jersey, we invite you to get in touch with our expert team at Flansburg Construction. We’ll work with you to bring your vision to life and create a space that you’ll love for years to come. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward transforming your home.

Nothing feels better than finally tackling that home project that’s been on your list for ages—and our Lawrenceville clients couldn’t agree more. They had been frustrated with their front porch for the last 20 years and reached out to our team for help reconfiguring the space. The original porch, which was actually two separate spaces, felt awkward and made the entrance of the home look out of place. It wasn’t particularly functional, either. While the homeowners have made the porch work for summer relaxation and hosting, it definitely didn’t function the way it should.

Reimagining the Space

We began with a consultation from our trusted architect who worked with the homeowners to come up with a design plan that was both beautiful and functional. While this house isn’t technically located in a historic district, we made sure to take its age into consideration, honoring the beautiful original design in the architecture of the new porch.

While older homes often tend to come with a few hidden structural surprises when construction begins, thankfully, this one didn’t, which allowed for a smooth renovation process.

To create an outdoor living space that would last for many years to come, we poured a new foundation and built a totally new structure on top of it using Trex decking. We also added a standing seam metal roof to maximize the usability of the porch, complete with a traditional ACRE beadboard ceiling and improved lighting for late night entertaining.

To solve one of the biggest pain points on our clients’ list, we shifted the main entrance of the house from the kitchen to the living room, and added two new exterior doors that better fit the architecture. This meant that guests could more easily move between the indoor and outdoor living spaces without interrupting the host’s flow in the kitchen.

Finally, we installed new siding to give the house a crisp, refreshed look.

Perfect for the Summer Season

This space is now exactly what our clients had been wanting for summer entertaining (and a bit of relaxation). With a traditional wrap-around style that looks as if it’s always been there, a few different seating areas to take in the property’s views, and enough room to mingle, this porch hits all the right notes for an inviting space to enjoy with family and friends.

Creating the Ultimate Outdoor Living Area

With summer fast approaching, outdoor living is at the top of many homeowners’ minds. Whether it’s in the form of a gorgeous porch like this one, a spacious deck or patio, or even something more elaborate like an outdoor kitchen, recreational area or a custom water feature, the exterior of your home presents an incredible opportunity to expand your living space for seasonal enjoyment.

Looking for even more inspiration? Check out this stunning enclosed porch we completed for our Princeton clients.

Whatever your outdoor vision might be, the Flansburg team can help bring it to life! Schedule a consultation with our design experts today to explore the possibilities.