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Types of Home Additions & How to Choose Them

Whether you’ve recently purchased a new home, or you’re looking for a much-needed update, hiring a home addition contractor or remodeler can be a step in the right direction to help you get the most out of your home.

People get additions on their home for a variety of reasons, but to help you along to figure out what’s best for you, the team at Flansburg Construction LLC is here to provide you with details on the types of home additions and how to choose them.

Adding a Second Floor

If you live in a one-story home, it can be a comfortable experience but is it enough space. Whether you simply want to update, add more resale value to your home, or if you’ve got a growing family, adding a second floor can make a major difference in the personal comfort of the members of your household.

Adding a second floor gives you opportunities for more bedrooms, bathrooms, and functional space that you can use for storage or even a home office.

Bump Out Addition

Whether you’re looking for a bigger master bedroom, or you want your living room to be more spacious to accommodate guests, bump out additions are very common. It’s your chance to take a room in your home and expand it.

Making a space in your home larger yields plenty of benefits, gives you a chance to elevate the look and feel, and it can help boost your home’s value.

Sunroom Expansion

A sunroom can be a great addition to your home. It’s a place to both relax and entertain. It’s a way to enjoy the outdoors without any pesky insects. If you like to sit back, relax, or host fun gatherings with family and friends, a sunroom can help you get the most out of your home.

Converting Your Basement or Attic

Unfinished basements and attics can be a great place for storage and utilities, but beyond that, there’s not much to do with them until they’re finished and comfortable. Finishing these areas of your home opens them up to different possibilities. You can convert these rooms into an entertainment space or even another bedroom.

Garage Additions

Having a detached garage can be a major benefit, especially if you plan on putting an addition on. Adding a second floor can give you an opportunity for additional storage space, a second-floor office, or even a separate apartment for family or a potential tenant.

Home Addition

You may love your home, but you feel that it could always be bigger. Having a home remodeling contractor assist you can help you determine where to put your budget in which space to expand, if a floor needs to be added, or if you simply want to add more rooms and space to your house. After reviewing your options, and determining your needs, you’ll be able to decide where to expand in your home.

Consult a Home Remodeling Contractor Today

If you’re seeking a home remodeling contractor to help you design and build your home addition, you can look to Flansburg Construction LLC for guidance. We can help you review your options so you can decide where to focus your efforts with your home.

Contact us today to get started!

Ideas to Inspire Your Kitchen Remodeling Project

If you’re planning on giving your home an update, a kitchen remodeling project is a great way to start. Whether you’re trying to enhance the fashion or function, there are plenty of ways to make your kitchen visually pop while improving the flow and functionality of it.

At Flansburg Construction, LLC, we’ve helped countless homeowners update their kitchen to fit their needs and budget. Here are a few ideas to inspire your kitchen remodeling project!

Open Up the Space

Open space concepts are very popular because it enhances the flow of a room without cordoning off areas due to walls or dividers. Having an open space kitchen not only improves the functionality for cooking, but it allows for more natural light, making it easier for when you take on more complicated cooking projects.

Improve Storage

While having an open floor place in your kitchen is a great way to enhance the space, you’ll also want to factor in storage. Updating the cabinets can be a great way to not only change the look and feel of your kitchen, but also to expand your storage capabilities. You can include styles like handle-less cabinets, matte finishes, or even two-tone cabinetry to match your kitchen’s aesthetics.

 You can also add a kitchen island, which not only allows for more storage space, but also gives you a surface to utilize during any cooking or cleaning.

Update the Appliances

While most people tend to focus on the overall style and space of their kitchen remodeling project, it’s also a chance to update the appliances. There have been some pretty interesting advancements with refrigerators and microwaves, so adding one of the more high-tech options to your kitchen not only improves your kitchen tasks, but also the modern aesthetic that you’re going for.

Backsplashes & Countertops

If you’re focused on improving the overall style of your kitchen, nothing helps more than changing out the countertops to something like quartz, marble, or even butcher block. This can elevate the style and give your kitchen a modern look that will last for the years to come.

Another important aspect to your kitchen design is the backsplash. You can go with traditional options, subway tiles, glass, stone, or even wood. This addition can enhance the look and feel of your kitchen and even help make the space seem bigger.

Let There Be Light

During a kitchen remodeling project, you’ll also want to think about lighting. Whether you want mood lighting to give off a warm and inviting look, or traditional overhead lights for better viewing during cooking, cleaning, or prep work. You can also incorporate both to allow for multiple settings for the look and feel of your kitchen.

Remodel Your Kitchen Today with Flansburg Construction LLC!

If you’re currently in the process of thinking of ways to enhance your home’s kitchen, let Flansburg Construction LLC help! We’re a design-build firm, meaning we’re your one-point of contact, giving you full transparency with the design as well as each step of the building.

Get in touch with us if you’re interested in enhancing your home!

Top Factors to Consider When Remodeling Your Bathroom

If you plan on hiring bathroom remodeling contractors to bring your dream bathroom vision to life, it’s important to plan ahead with what you’re looking for in terms of fashion and functionality.

To help you get a sense of the most important factors to consider when remodeling your bathroom, the team at Flansburg Construction put together this guide to help you along in the process so you can determine the most important aspects you need in your new bathroom.

Setting a Budget

Having any home renovation service can be a high-expense endeavor. You’ll want to conduct some research to see what these types of services will cost. Qualified bathroom remodeling contractors have the knowledge and experience to provide you with a quote that should be a close enough estimate of what the project will cost.

Examine Your Bathroom’s Layout

Planning on a remodeling project can be a fun way to use your imagination of how you want your bathroom to look once the work is done. You’ll want to go through your bathroom and see what could be updated. Are the fixtures outdated? Should the shower be a little bigger? Does the décor feel timeless or out-of-style?

Figure Out the Functionality

Bathrooms need to be functional rooms in your house, but the functionality all depends on what type of bathroom. Is it a master bath, a guest bathroom, or even a powder room? Each version has its own functionality considerations. If it’s the master bath, you may want to consider a bigger shower and a double vanity. Guest bathrooms may benefit from a little more space for comfort.

Plumbing & Ventilation

Are you happy with where your shower, bathtub, toilet, and sink are? Do you feel like the flow is off or the bathroom feels a little congested. Bathroom remodeling contractors can make recommendations based on the placement of your fixtures to determine a nice flow. You may also want to improve the ventilation to help reduce the risk of mold growth.

Energy & Efficiency

While you’re in the midst of planning a bathroom renovation, you may want to consider installing more energy-efficient light fixtures. Not only will they give off a good amount of light, but they’ll also help reduce your energy costs.

Think About Design Updates & Aesthetics

There are plenty of modern style trends with bathrooms to consider for your remodel. Of course, going with something timeless can help you stay happy with the look and feel of your bathroom, all while helping your home’s resale value. Since bathroom remodeling contractors have plenty of experience, they can make recommendations to help you get the bathroom you want in your home.

Get Started with Local Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

If you’re ready to take the next step with remodeling bathrooms in your home in the Mercer or Somerset County, NJ area, you can look to us at Flansburg Construction, LLC. As experienced bathroom remodeling contractors in New Jersey, we can help you plan a bathroom design that you can be happy with for years to come.

We’re a design build contractor, meaning that we complete the process of designing, implementing, and building for your project.

Contact us to get started!

How to Choose a Kitchen Remodeling Contractor

When you decide it’s time to remodel your kitchen, whether it be for fashion, function, or both, you’ll want to find the right kitchen remodeling contractor in New Jersey that can help bring your vision to life.

But the first step is choosing the kitchen remodeler that best suits your needs. At Flansburg Construction, we can help you on how to choose a kitchen remodeling contractor so you can get started on bringing your dream kitchen to life.

Define Your Outline

You may have a lot of ideas for your wants and needs in a kitchen remodel, but you’ll need to narrow them down to what’s feasible for a realistic remodel. You can browse to get some ideas, but when it’s time to consult the help of a kitchen remodeling contractor, you’ll want to have a clear vision that you can easily communicate.

Start Your Research

When it’s time to start making decisions as to which contractor you’ll hire for the job of remodeling your kitchen, you’ll want to conduct a search to see which one may be the right fit. For this, you’ll want to look locally in New Jersey, as a proximity to your home.

There are three types of companies to be mindful of. There are general contractors, which are responsible for the building, but need to consult an outside designer. Handymen can get the job done, but they’re also limited to reaching out for 3rd party designers, as well as materials. Lastly, there are design-build contractors, which have an in-house designer and are a full-service company that handles the entire process from start to finish.

Reviews and portfolios are an important factor to consider. It’s here that you get to see examples of their work and how it looks. It could even give you ideas for your new kitchen. It can result in an easier decision-making experience for when it’s time to decide on choosing your kitchen remodeling contractor.

Get Quotes & Credentials

It’s important to plan a budget for any type of home service like remodeling. The budget can vary based on the materials, labor, or any changes in the design, so having an idea of what you’re willing to spend can help you find the right contractor. Once you have your list of potential contractors, you’ll want to get quotes to see which one aligns closely with your budget.

 You’ll also want to get important business credentials from the contractors like license and insurance to verify that they are a legitimate business and have the necessary protection in place should something happen.

Clear Communication Goes Both Ways

Once you’ve selected a local NJ kitchen remodeling contractor, you’ll work with them to bring your vision into fruition. Whether you’re looking for an open-space kitchen, adding more storage space and cabinetry, or simply expanding the allotted space to accommodate guests or a growing family, you’ll want to clearly communicate your wants.

The right kitchen remodeling contractor will listen to you and come up with ideas that align with your vision. They should be upfront about costs, scheduling, and an estimate of the time it will take until the work is done.

Get in Touch with Flansburg Construction Today

At Flansburg Construction, LLC, we aim to exceed the expectations of our clients by holding their hand throughout the entire process from the initial design, to the actual construction. We provide full transparency as a kitchen remodeling contractor in New Jersey by offering details on the status of the project, our next steps, and when we expect the kitchen renovation project to be completed.

We make recommendations, but let you ultimately choose your own personalized appliances and fixtures  Our goal is to provide you with white glove service with your home renovations so you can look at the updates with pride.

Are you interested in remodeling your kitchen? Reach out to us at Flansburg Construction, LLC today!

How Open Concept Kitchens Will Improve Your Day-to-Day Life

Open concept kitchens have become increasingly popular in recent years, resonating with homeowners in New Jersey who seek both functionality and aesthetics. As modern living spaces evolve, the traditional boundaries separating kitchens, dining areas, and living rooms are being reconsidered. Learn more about how your remodeled kitchen can improve your day-to-day functionality below.

A Lack of Barriers

The idea behind open concept kitchens is to remove unnecessary walls and barriers that isolate the kitchen from the rest of the home. By doing so, you and your family can enjoy a more inclusive environment where cooking, socializing, and entertaining become one and the same. This design trend reflects modern architectural practices and speaks to a broader cultural shift towards open, collaborative spaces.

Greater Flexibility

Open concept kitchens offer more flexibility in furniture arrangement and home decor. Without the constraints of walls, homeowners can experiment with different layouts and styles, ensuring the space meets their unique needs and preferences. Whether opting for a minimalist look or a more eclectic design, an open concept layout provides ample opportunity for personalization.

More Space

As your family grows beyond just your children, you might find yourself hosting more people more often. With an open concept, you have the additional room you need to host everyone comfortably. Because open concept kitchens are visible from various parts of the home, choosing cabinetry that complements the overall design scheme is crucial. Our team can help you take advantage of all that space. Utilizing hidden storage solutions can help keep the area tidy, avoiding clutter in such a prominent space.

Technology and Modern Advancements

Smart appliances, such as refrigerators with built-in touch screens and ovens that can be controlled via smartphone, make daily tasks easier and more enjoyable. These innovations align perfectly with the seamless, integrated nature of open concept spaces.

Additional home automation systems can streamline kitchen activities. From lighting to climate control, integrating smart home technologies allows for effortless management of the kitchen environment. Voice-activated assistants can further simplify tasks, enabling hands-free control over various aspects of the kitchen.

Highlighted Details

The details make all the difference in open concept kitchens. A thoughtful selection of lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights over the kitchen island, can enhance the space’s aesthetic appeal while providing necessary illumination into your large foyer or living area. Task lighting and ambient lighting can be balanced to create a welcoming atmosphere.

Decor elements, including artwork, plants, and stylish kitchenware, can add personality to the space. These finishing touches can reflect your style and harmonize with the overall design scheme. Coordinated color palettes and textures help create a unified look across the open areas.

To reap all the benefits of cooking, hosting, and making memories in an open concept kitchen, reach out to Flansburg Construction. According to ComfyLiving, kitchen remodels are the number one most popular remodeling project in the United States, so you’re not alone in your desire for more space. We are equipped to take your closed-off kitchen to a spacious oasis for great meals. Call today to get started.

Gas vs. Induction: Which Cooktop is Best for Your Kitchen Renovation?

Aside from gorgeous countertops, decorative backsplashes, custom cabinetry and upgraded hardware, the true heroes of a kitchen renovation are the pieces that help the space function smoothly daily. Whether it’s a perfectly laid-out pantry, a convenient beverage bar, or a set of innovative appliances, incorporating high-performance elements is the key to creating a space that truly fits your needs.

When designing a kitchen, a high-performing cooktop or range is absolutely essential—but home chefs are often very divided when it comes to choosing between a gas or induction model. Both have pros and cons that are worth exploring before making the investment in such an integral kitchen appliance.

Gaining Ground: The Induction Cooktop

For years, range options were limited to gas or electric, but recently a third option is becoming more and more popular—the induction cooktop. More energy-efficient, induction cooktops consist of a glass surface with heating coils that use electromagnetic energy activated by the iron in your pots and pans. As a pan makes contact with the surface, the iron particles excite, generating heat. This method differs from traditional gas or electric models because there is no heat transfer from the burners to the pan—which means that the cooktop itself is always cool to the touch, and you never have to wait for the burner to heat up before you begin cooking. Some benefits of this latest method in cooking technology include:

  • Precise Heating. Induction cooktops heat—and cool—much faster and more precisely than alternate methods, which means home chefs can enjoy a more even heat in the pan and a reduced risk of overcooking.
  • Safety. Because induction cooktops don’t have exposed heating elements, the risk of burns and fire hazards is significantly lower. This is often a major benefit for families with young children. In addition, the air quality is better when using the induction method due to the lack of gas fumes.
  • Energy Efficiency. Thanks to the elimination of heat transfer between the burner and pan, induction cooktops won’t give off excess heat in the kitchen—so no need to crank up the AC as you make dinner on a hot summer day.
  • Ease. An induction cooktop’s glass surface is so easy to clean because it stays cool during the cooking process—so no burned-on spills to scrub.
  • Discrete. Another benefit of induction cooktops is that they can be hidden beneath countertop surfaces so that they are hidden when not in use. With an under-counter induction cooktop, there’s no need to disrupt the clean lines of a gorgeous quartz counter surface with an appliance. For homeowners who enjoy a streamlined, contemporary design aesthetic, this is the ideal kitchen appliance solution.  

While there are so many benefits to switching to an induction cooktop, there are a few drawbacks worth considering as well:

  • Price. Compared to gas or electric options, induction cooktops are expensive, with prices starting around $1,000, more if you choose to hide the appliance beneath the counter. It’s worth noting, however, that because induction uses less energy overall, you can expect to save money down the road.
  • New Cookware. For the best results, you’ll likely need to replace your cookware to ensure an even heat. Stainless steel works well, but check for an “induction safe” indication before you buy.
  • Maintenance. Unless they’re hidden beneath a countertop, induction cooktops are glass and therefore have the potential to scratch. Best practice suggests choosing pots and pans with smooth bottoms, refraining from sliding your cookware across the surface, and staying away from abrasive cleaners.
  • A Learning Curve. A product like this that offers a precise and even heat requires very specific pan placement, which can be tricky to get the hang of at first. If the pan isn’t perfectly centered or sitting evenly on the cooktop’s surface, the system can turn off before cooking is complete. In addition, the quick heat means that food can overheat faster than expected. For you home chefs who are accustomed to cooking over a gas flame, we recommend watching a few tutorials to learn best practices.

Tried and True: Cooking with Gas

Gas cooktops, the preferred method for amateur and professional chefs alike, have a reputation for a superior cooking experience. Fast heat, easy-to-adjust temperature control, and an extremely durable surface make gas worth the investment for many homeowners, but the list of pros doesn’t stop there:

  • Versatility. A gas cooktop has a lot of range (no pun intended) when it comes to preparing favorite meals. From searing and simmering to boiling and grilling, gas does it all consistently well. Gas cooktops can handle a variety of cookware as well, so whether you prefer stainless steel, nonstick, or cast iron, you can expect a great culinary experience.
  • Less Expensive Overall. Gas is traditionally less expensive to operate than electric, and compared to an induction cooktop, the unit itself may have a smaller price tag upfront. That said, many luxury gas cooktop brands rival or exceed the cost of induction cooktops, so depending on your preferences, this may or may not be the case.  
  • Easy-to-Control Temperature. Gas cooktops are famous for having great temperature control and relatively fast heat, making it easy to monitor and adjust dishes as you make them.
  • Available in a Power Outage. Any homeowner who has lived through an extended power outage has come to appreciate their gas cooktop. Even when the electric igniter doesn’t function, a gas cooktop may be lit manually with a match or butane lighter, making it possible to prepare hot food during an extended power disruption. Of course, if you’d like to avoid extended power disruptions, be sure to ask us about installing a whole home generator. 😉 

However, for all of the benefits gas has to offer, there are a few drawbacks that may cause homeowners to consider other options:

  • Safety. One of the biggest concerns with a gas cooktop is the potential for carbon monoxide buildup if your space isn’t properly ventilated. Grease buildup, if not properly cleaned, is also a hazard.
  • Cleaning Challenges. With so many nooks and crannies around the burners, cleaning a gas cooktop is a time-consuming challenge that frustrates many home chefs who would rather spend their time cooking. In addition, special cleaning products are a must to ensure the cooktop remains in good working order in the long term.
  • Troubleshooting Concerns. Gas is great—until it doesn’t work properly. Common issues include the igniter not functioning without a bit of finesse.

No matter which cooking surface best fits your family’s needs, Flansburg’s team of designers can help you find the right appliance to incorporate into your kitchen renovation. Ready to create the ultimate space for cooking memorable family meals? Schedule a consultation today to start planning!