Decorative concrete is quickly becoming a very popular material to use in restaurants, bars, kitchens and modern homes. But you might be asking yourself, what is all the buzz about decorative concrete?

The Color…

Even if you don’t like the use of decorative concrete in a space, few people can argue with the beautiful colors that it brings out. Decorative concrete can be mixed with colored powder to bring out hues or beautiful orange, gray, blue, pinks, creams, yellows and more. What creates an incredible effect is that these colors are not solid – they have a subtle swirl effect and add a stunning dimension and sense of movement to a space.

The Finish…

Another reason why we believe that people love decorative concrete is because of the polished finished. The polished finished makes the surface look so shiny and beautiful – literally, who could ever resist?

Durability…

We all know how durable concrete is, and while decorative concrete will have some of the same challenges that traditional concrete has – we all know how long it will last. If you have a commercial space and are contemplating what type of material to use, consider decorative concrete in place of wood or carpet. While the initial expense will be more than carpet, it will last much longer and retain it’s beauty as opposed to getting worn out. While we feel that wood can add an element of richness and warmth to a space, we ultimately feel that decorative concrete is better suited for commercial spaces that see a high volume of traffic. Unlike wood, concrete won’t get scuffed or worn out.

How would you like to have a backyard that looks and feels like real grass but that you never have to water? Take it a step further, how would you like to have your own putting green in your backyard to which you can putt and few holes either before or after work each day – is this starting to sound good?

At Associated Group Remodeling, we have experience installing putting greens for both commercial and residential property home owners. We will meet with you and discuss exactly what type of putting green and the type of game you envision having. Once this discussion is completed, we will map out the course and present it to you. Creating a putting green is not as simple as mapping out a section of grass with holes in it. The elevation must be considered, the distance between the holes, the angles and much more.

Residential putting greens not only create an enjoyable hobby, but they also create unique group activities for parties. In addition to the social aspect of installing a putting green, putting greens will make your home or commercial property unique if you are planning on listing it in the near future. While other properties may blend together, a property with it’s own putting green will seem like a luxury and it will add to the overall value.

Part of the reason that we love this type of project so much is because we understand that placing your loved one in a home for assisted living can be difficult on all sides. We know that it is difficult for the family and especially for the individual. Part of the reason why we enjoy working on these types of properties so much is because we feel that through the quality of our work we perhaps help ease this transition and allow both the individual and the family feel more at ease by creating a facility that is safe, functional and aesthetically beautiful.

Another reason that we enjoy working on large commercial projects such as Residential Assisted Living Facilities is because our company is large enough that most of the time, we are able to see the entire project through start to finish. While a large division of our company is dedicated to exterior landscaping and remodeling, we also have a significant portion of our company that is strictly dedicated to interior remodel and design. This makes large commercial projects a delight because we are able to work on all aspects. When working on a Residential Assisted Living Facility project, we try to take into account the type of activities that the community members would like to partake in as well as the infusion of color that they would like to see. Thus we are then able to work with our designers and build miniature golf courses, swimming pools, entertainment decks, ballrooms and beautiful gardens. At the end of the day, our goal is to make a space more beautiful and enjoyable to be in than before we arrived. For us, we find working on Residential Assisted Living Facilities incredibly gratifying and satisfying.

Well Lit Walkways:

We believe that many accidents can be prevented by having walkways that are clear of debris and that are also well lit. Therefore, we suggest having even footpaths that are lit in order to avoid any falls as a result of debris.

Pavers:

While concrete is very popular because it can be textured and colored, it is also very affordable – but it can also become very slippery when wet. Therefore we recommend pavers. Because of the naturally abrasive surface on pavers they are slip resistant – even when wet. For retirement communities or any commercial property, this is a huge benefit.

Security Cameras:

While we know if a burglar wants to break into a building or structure that a security camera won’t stop them – we do know that it will make them think twice. But perhaps it will keep a majority of the vandals out. Therefore we recommend installing security cameras at all the major entrances on commercial buildings.

While there are many things that we can do to incorporate security and beauty, these are just a few. We believe that true craftsmen do not have to sacrifice beautify for safety and security.

Don’t let it break the bank…

Before starting any remodel, it is essential to determine how much money you want to allocate to the project. When you interview potential contractors for your project, it is important to express what your budget is. Experienced contractors will either be able to work within your budget (providing your budget is reasonable) or be able to suggest alterations or modifications that would allow the project to fit your budget. However you approach your remodel, make sure that you have a signed contract and know exactly how much the entire project will cost.

Make a priority list…

For most of us, we all dream of taking our house down to the bare studs and building it back from scratch. Unfortunately for most of us, this is not likely to happen. Therefore, one has to give up the grandiose dreams and make a priority list. Is it more important to have the pool remodeled? Or is the driveway in greater need of repair?

Get Multiple Estimates…

If you read our last blog, you should be well versed in some of the steps that are necessary to take in order to hire a good contractor. If you haven’t read our previous blog, it is worth your time. If you have, a brief recap would be to get between 2-3 estimates from reputable contractors. When reviewing the estimates don’t dismiss the ones that are come in higher. Sometimes contractors can be dishonest and they will put together an initial bid that is much lower than competitors with the intention of having add-on’s later once the project has started.

Stucco is a type of material that is made from an aggregate, a binder as well as water. When mixed, stucco is wet and applied in that stage, after it has been applied, it hardens to become very durable and tough. Stucco can be applied to wood, cinder block or plaster – essentially it can be used to cover any type of material that is visually unattractive. It can also be applied in a textured manner or it can be applied smooth. Many times people want to give their home or commercial property a face-lift but do not have the budget to completely redo the façade of their building or home. Stucco is a fantastic and affordable way to give an entirely new look to an exterior surface that is outdated. In addition, for home owners that want make their block walls more aesthetically pleasing, stucco is an brilliant way to breathe new life and create an entirely different look for something that is traditionally not attractive.

Cultured stone is another type of material that when used can dramatically change the aesthetic appearance of a structure or surface. Cultured stone is a group of MasterCast Engineered Composites. Essentially, these materials include cultured marble, cultured granite and cultured onyx. Collectively, these materials are produced by way of a manufacturing and casting process which includes a liquid polymer resin and a filler material. Colorants are added to recreate the natural color patterns and veins in natural stone. During the manufacturing process, a gel coat is added to protect the material. This gel coat attributes to the non-porous aspect of cultured stone. Cultured stone has many applications and can transform a bland surface into something more custom. Cultured stone is lightweight and works as a type of veneer that reflects the look of natural stone. It comes in a wide variety of colors and works well when applied to the exterior of a home, pool areas, garden spaces, seating walls, kitchens etc.

If you are looking for a financially economical way to breathe new life into a run down surface, consider the addition of stucco and stone. These two materials can be altered to match any existing structural décor and allow for the dimension of texture.

Establish a Budget

Like most things, any sort of remodel will require some sort of financial outlay of cash – either big or small. Before you start knocking down walls, determine how much money you would like to spend for the year on home improvements. While you don’t need to have this money sitting in the bank, it is still a good idea to determine a budget so that you don’t overspend.

Prioritize

Outline every project that you want to complete during this next year – then make a new list of which is a higher priority. While you may want new hardwood floors, if your pool is leaking or falling apart – it may be better do that one first.

Hunt for Estimates

Get referrals from your friends for any contractors that they have used in the past. But don’t be afraid to go online and find a couple other contractors. Even if it is a small job, it is a good idea to get a couple bids. This will do a few things: 1.) you will feel more confident in your final choice 2.) you will be able to explore different tastes and style approaches for your job. Don’t automatically rule out one person’s bid because it is higher. Some contractors will create a low bid so that they win the job, but then create a lot of add on’s down the road to make up for it.

Get a Contract

Never do business with a smile and the shake of a hand. Make you that you have hired a contractor who is licensed, bonded and insured. Go over the contract meticulously, if you don’t understand or agree with something, speak up.

• Give the yard a good weeding out. Get rid of any plants that are overgrown, if you are able to prune them back down to a “normal” size, then great. If not, rip it out. It is better to have dirt or replace it with a smaller plant than to have a plant that looks as if it is trying desperately to overtake your home.

• Consult with a contractor. Many people have this idea that if they call a landscaper that they will simply come in, take over everything and then hand the home owner and three figure bill. Consult with your contractor, tell them how much money you are able to put aside for the project and see what they can do and what ideas they have.

• Give your yard and structures a facelift. Many times people have an old nasty cylinder block wall that is reminiscent of a prison but they don’t have the funds to tear down a perfectly structurally sound wall and replace it with something more visually pleasing. Instead of tearing down the wall, consult with your contractor about facing it with stone or stucco – this is a small change that can impact the visual aspect tremendously!

• Create focal points. Like a piece of art, it all has to have a point of interest. Do the same with your yard, this could be anything from a seating area/bench to a water fountain. Make this the highlight of your yard and showcase it.

• Fertilize that lawn! On our Facebook we constantly give tips and tricks for watering and taking care of lawns. A well-manicured lawn that is full and green can make all the difference in the world.

No matter what your budget is, even if you don’t have one, there are still many things that you can do to increase the overall aesthetic look of your yard. And of course, if you get stuck, feel free to give us a call!

At Associated Group Remodeling, we understand the value of curb appeal and also know that many people may not have tons of money to invest in their house. Here we are going to give you a few tips on how to increase your curb appeal!

Mow down those weeds!

Few things deter people more quickly from potentially buying a house than having to enter a house with a trail guide and a map. If your front yard looks like a jungle we can help you turn it into a beautiful landscaped oasis. People like to see things that are visually organized. Therefore, it is important to have areas (even if it is a front yard that is well-defined). Planters are a great way to create visual interest, in addition to having plants that flourish with the proper amount of sun and shade; it also helps to have a discrepancy in the overall height of the plants. Think about it, if you had a large planter where all the plants were the same height, that would look pretty boring, but if there is variation, then it is more visually interesting.

Scrape off the paint flakes and put a new coat on!

Nothing screams that a house is not well-kept louder than a house that has peeling paint. Selecting an appropriate color that shows off and highlights the best features of your house will give you a lot of bang for your buck! Now that only thing worse than having a house that has peeling paint is a house that has been poorly painted. If you are going to repaint your house yourself, take care to ensure that the existing paint has been scraped off and all surfaces have been sanded. It might seem like a lot of extra work, but it makes the world of difference in the end. If you feel that you are not quite up to the task of repainting your home, then you can also give us a call and our professional painters will do a fantastic job and have the job done in no time at all!

Add some color!

After getting rid of the jungle in your front yard and repainting your home, the final step to adding massive curb appeal is adding some color to your yard! Specific pockets of color create visual interests and will also highlight features of your flowerbed.

This is where we at Associated Group Remodeling come in. We know that especially during the holidays cash is a bit tight for most people; however, everyone wants their yard to look its very best. While some back yard remodels can cost a fortune, most don’t have to.

At Associated Group Remodeling, we are able to give “facelifts” to existing patios, walls and structures. Perhaps your backyard doesn’t need a complete make-over but simply a facelift; this can end up saving you thousands and thousands of dollars. We can take ugly brick walls and reface them with stucco or beautiful stone, and as long as the existing structure is stable, then this is a perfectly reasonable and affordable option. In addition, sometimes the simple division of space in a backyard can help visually make it more aesthetically appealing. For example, do you have a clearly defined area in your backyard for seating and gathering? Do you have an area for sports and games? Do you have borders and planters for flowers? Sometimes it is these simple additions that allow for a more organized space and while it actually takes up space, makes the backyard appear much larger than it really is.

If you are looking for ways to reduce your monthly expenses, then artificial grass might be a great fit for you. While there is an initial investment, consider how much money you would save if you never had to water, mow or fertilize your lawn again! Plus, you will never have to worry about dead or dry patches of grass. The addition of artificial sod will give your backyard the boost that you have been looking for! Backyard remodels allow for so many options and we can improve the aesthetic visual quality and overall function of your backyard with a relatively small budget! There is no need for you to live with a backyard that you do not enjoy! Don’t wait; call us so that you can start enjoying your backyard!