Remodeler of the Year!

Sun Homes Inc. was voted "Remodeler of the Year" by the Denver Metro Home Builders Association at the 2013 C.A.R.E. (Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence.) this last Thursday night.

What an honor!  We want to thank all the members of the Denver HBA remodeling council, certainly all of our customers and subcontractors that have contributed to our success over the years.

This recognition helps us want to raise our standards for excellence and contribution even higher!

Thanks again,

Kevin Minne, President of Sun Homes Inc.

Details to die for!

Details of design to die for!

Having the right mix of textures and patterns can add more character to your project while keeping a subtle simple elegance.  There are numerous ways to enrichen your living space.  Character can be added with color, with depth changes, with pattern, with finishes and the list goes on.  Notice how the change of tile size and shape as well as pattern has made this shower easy on the eyes yet full of character?

“Oasis of Elegance”

It may seem like transforming your masterbath into an "Oasis of Elegance" is a bit over the top. 

I mean really... you spend such a small fraction of you day there!  But if you think about it the time you spend in your masterbath is truly "Quality" time.  It is the first room to greet you on most days and the last one to send you off to bed.  If it is a depressing disfunctional mess it may have an effect on your day not unlike missing your morning coffee! 

Wouldn't it be nice to walk onto a preheated floor like this one a cold winter morning and be greeted by bright cheery lighting illuminating your own "Oasis of Elegance?"

Exterior upgrade

Just a quick look at what is to come!  Just look at it now!

We will soon show you what it was before!

Come see next week.

Re - Decorate

For those of you that are on a tight budget and really don't want the expense and head ache of a complete remodel and redesign but you want something different and new to greet you when you come home.  You might find the cost of an interior decorator well worth the time and money.  If you get the right decorator, they can use your existing furniture in ways you never imagined and add a few strategic splashes of paint and a new picture or two to break out the new look and feel.

Just call us for the big stuff!

Light up your bath

Check out this simple bath upgrade.  It doesn't take a lot to give your bath a new look and fresh feel.  Just exactly what you want to experience every morning when you use your new bath.  Notice how the vertical splash of color tile fills the shower door to make the look more interesting.

Sticks and Stones

Sticks and Stones what makes ours better?

Our sticks come from the same lumber mills that hundreds of other contractors use so it is pretty hard to differentiate our company with better sticks and stones (ie. Building materials).  The question is how can we make our planning and design service, our customer communications (verbal and print), our workmanship and clean up, our warranty and billing truly Remarkable?

Something so good that you can't wait to tell your friends!

We at Sun Homes Inc. do understand that what worked in the past may not be what excites customers today.  We would love your help as we continue our quest for "remarkable!"  Tell us what you really want from your next building or remodeling project at info@sunhomescolorado.com

Thanks!

Lighting makes a kitchen

Since we are showing off our kitchen and our wares, having fun with cabinet accessories and colors, cooking with all the latest gadgets and making sure there is adequate furniture for all the guests who hang out where the food is being prepared, we must not forget the lighting.

Having the most charming mix of natural wood cabinets, granite countertops, creative displays of dinner ware, vegetable sinks, handy cutting boards and work stations won't matter if it doesn't have the right accent lighting to show it off and make it useful.  Even an older kitchen can gain new charm if the lighting is renovated.  Let's try ----------- spending some of your kitchen dollars on illumination renovation.

Happy holidays

During the holiday season I always seem to look back on the year and the seemingly magical holiday spirit brings a shade of rose color to all the experiences of the year whether they were good or bad. For most of us there are some rich memories of snowy mornings and Christmas carols, crackling fires and roasted marshmallows and of course fun and festivities with friends and family. 

Once again there is much to be thankful for even in times of adversity.  Unlike some we haven't missed a meal, we have enjoyed numerous evenings by the fire and found ways to show love to family and friends.  And yes we are thankful for our beautiful kitchen filled with the smells of pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes, turkey gravy and fresh coffee.  I am thankful for all who have trusted us with their business this year.  So we are hoping that you too have sweet memories from the year and warm hopes for the future.

“Cabinet displays: Showcasing your wares”

Wikipedia says "Increasing interest in household efficiency led, in the 1920s, to pioneering motion studies of housework by industrial psychologist Lillian Moller Gilbreth. Improvements in kitchen design led to today's familiar built-in cabinetry."

But really, who cares about kitchen efficiency if you don't get to show off a little?  Kitchens offer so many ways to spice up the visual experience of your home.  A good mix of cabinets that can first of all hide the not-so-pretty kitchen tools and disorganized stacking and second display some of the more glamorous cook wares , candles, decorations etc. in the form of art.

I still believe strongly in a kitchen designed for great cooking!  However, the purpose of a kitchen has gone so far beyond just cooking efficiency.  It is now also command central, party central, homework central, tea and cookie central and many other centrals. 

So don't miss your chance to design your next kitchen cabinets to show off grandma's china from the old country or a special shelf to display your back yard roses.  And remember lighting!!

Thanks for listening.

Kevin

Trimming your house with Crown - the molding of Monarchs!

I still remember the first time I saw crown molding on cabinets as a kid.  It was love at first sight!

A crown literally is the ornament of Kings and Queens.  When I first encountered the rich profile of a proud cherry wood crown molding sitting elegantly at the top of the kitchen cabinets I could hardly believe the transformation  it made to otherwise ordinary cabinets.  Since then I continue to find many beautiful new applications and reasons to add it to just about any design style.

You can add crown to the entry way, the study, in coffered ceilings and in one two or three pieces.  It can hold accent lighting or be tight to the ceiling.  There are hundreds of styles to match your design taste.   So, call us and let us bring some royalty to your home.  It may not make you richer but you will feel that way!

Thanks for listening,

Kevin

Cabinet fun to spice up your living!

Sometimes your remodeling doesn't have to be practical it can just be fun.

We all love to have some conversation piece in our homes or office and usually more than one.  It is there to remind us of the joy of living (which is mostly what we do in our homes, we live in them). 

It's been said that our home is our biggest investment, however, we rarely walk in the front door and think of our home value.  Yes our homes are a big investment but we expect more out of this investment than any other.  Our homes become a part of us that is forever imprinted on our memories.  We watch our kids grow up, we remember Thanks giving dinners with friends and family, snow storms and hot chocolate, good books by a warm fire, lemonade, hamburgers and hot dogs, ping pong in the basement and on and on. 

So, when you are ready to upgrade your kitchen, expand the family room or even turn your master bath into a personal spa, I would ask you to include fun and enchanted living in your mix of requirements.  The pay off will be in so much more than dollars.

We have had more fun talking about this little cabinet addition than many other fancy gadgets in the kitchen.  Not to mention the reward we get when company comes and we see their little children so fascinated with our cabinets.  Like most spices, it doesn't take much to make a big difference!

Thanks for listening,

Kevin Minne

Sun Homes Inc.

Death by Design

Hello again Everyone,

"To design or not to design that is the question."  I just spent time trying to give a cost estimate without any plans or specifications.  Does this sound familiar to anyone?  So many customers that are in the market for construction or remodeling projects are just not willing to spend the money for good design work.  Without a well designed plan it makes it very difficult for a contractor to put together an accurate cost estimate.  So why don't people want to spend the time and money for good design???

I would like to stop there and give you readers a homework assignment.  Why don't you see value in hiring an architect or designer?  Let us know your thoughts at http://sunhomescolorado.com/contact/

I will continue with why design (or lack of design) causes the death of many a project.  I recently was given verbal requirements for a project, tile the kitchen and bath floors, vault the ceiling, install the tankless electric water heater, etc.  That set of verbal plans is most likely going to be a nightmare for the customer since the floor was built with floor joists that are too small to support a tile floor without movement and cracking.  (A crack free tile floor was not in the verbal plans.)  The tankless water heater will not pay for itself in the time the owner plans to be in the home. The real goal was to have the cheapest water heat possible.  Now this is a simple example but it illustrates some of the pitfalls of "hurry up and give me a bid" thinking.

So, here is a good rule.  If your project is going to take a month spend a minimum of 1/2 that time thinking and planning and getting your vision on paper. 

Most people are not aware of all the exciting products and finishes available nor are they familiar with the hidden costs or issues in a construction project.  That is where a good designer will, most of the time, save you money or headaches that will more than pay for his or her services.

Thanks for listening.

Kevin

Budgeting for home maintenance

Did you ever wonder how much money you spend on just maintaning your home each year?  Would it help to know how much to budget for home maintenance?  Most of us just spend the money that is necessary and don't even think about how much it averages out to over time.  We are often asked to give an assessment of the condition of homes and what maintenance may be required in the near future.  Of course there are variables but studies have shown that you can expect to spend 2% of you homes value each year.  Now you may not spend it each year but you may spend 10% one year after saving for 5 years on a kitchen remodel.  So, just keep in mind that there is an expense to owing a home above and beyond a mortgage and it helps us to plan for it rather than be suprised.

Thanks for listening,

Kevin

Home maintenance tips (Flashing)

So often when we inspect homes we see siding rotted and water damage behind the siding or stucco or masonry because caulk was used inplace of metal flashing or the flashing was not installed properly.  Sometimes the bottom edge of wood lap siding is not painted well and can allow water to travel upwards into the siding like a wick on a candle.  So, make sure your home or builder does not depend on caulk to alone provide a water barrier above windows and doors or siding trim or even wood decks.  Also, kick out flashing is often not installed where the roof line meets the wall of an upper story.  (This is a piece of metal flashing that kicks water out into the roof area rather that letting it get behind the siding as it comes down the roof.

Curb appeal

We recently completed a curb appeal upgrade to a home in the Highlands area of Denver.

What a difference it made to the feeling of “welcome home” that came from the residence.  The rich wood tones from the new custom made front door, accented by the dark trim color and the beveled glass windows all brought a charm to the home that whispered “come in!”  Even the Brazilian cherry wood used for the front porch decking seems to suggest a timeless sense of style.  Does your home welcome you and your guests from the street?  Does it bring a sense of style and charm to the neighborhood?  Come have a look http://sunhomescolorado.com/construction-services/sun-homes-gallery/curb-appeal

Thanks for listening,

Kevin Minne

President, Sun Homes Inc.

Return on investment

In the very recent past when people thought about investing in redesign and remodeling of their living or work space they wanted to know how the upgrade would affect resale value of the property.  Now that real estate prices have fallen many people cannot see how investing in redesign and remodel could ever have a positive return.  However, at Sun Homes we have always believed living and work spaces are for living and working not just for buying and selling.  If we are investing to bring more family connection and unity or more entertainment and relaxation value to our homes it will pay off.  Also, if we are investing in our work space to bring more inspiration, creativity and productivity it will pay off in many more ways than the selling price may reflect.

We believe that all people respond positively to beauty and functionality in their living and work spaces.  Just like having the right tool for the job, having the right mix of elegance and functionality that matches our lifestyle and work practices will bring a much higher level of quality to our lives. 

We humans are all influenced emotionally and psychologically by our senses of sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. Just as  the smell of autumn leaves or a picture of a favorite colorful vacation spot can elicit memories and emotions  so can the right lighting accent of wall colors and textures or the beauty and functionality of an office or kitchen. 

This then is proof that investing in the beauty and functionality of our surroundings will have a positive return on that investment.

Thanks for listening!

Kevin Minne

President Sun Homes Inc.

Buying value not price!

Have you ever heard the saying, "you get what you pay for" or "the cheapest isn't the best" and how about "if you pay peanuts you are likely to get monkeys"?  Most of us have heard some of these quotes so why is it so hard for all of us not to get caught up in the price thinking it is the best indicator of value?

Maybe we look at price because it is the easiest.  At least some of us are a little lazy when it comes to doing our home work.  So, rather than look at the differences in the company, it's crew and it's services we look at the product and the price and think it is all the same in the end.  But it is not! 

It is a lot harder to find out how well trained  and conscientious a company's crews are or if they have a really good follow up with customers and product warranties, or if they really are meeting or exceeding building codes and safe work practices.  How can the homeowner know when building permits should be pulled and what the advantage of one building material is over another?  For most people the building industry is not their profession and not knowing the details will make it more difficult to determine value over price.

However, there is hope!  Just spending some time and discussion with your contractor on the above mentioned issues will give you a much greater insight into the value and service that is included in the price.  In the end you will be very glad you did because understanding those details will help establish measurable expectations for the entire project.  

Thanks for listening,

Kevin Minne

President, Sun Homes Inc.

Shrinking homes growing kitchens

After all the years of growth in the square footage of homes it is now clear that the current trend is less is more. 

Except when it comes to kitchens.  Kitchen size is actually growning!  Life styles have certainly changed over the years and even though we don't cook as much as we did in the 60's and 70's we are finding new uses for the kitchen than ever before.

The kitchen is more and more the center piece of the home in terms of elegance and function.  Functions for kitchens now include numerous activities and whether it means doing home work for kids, cooking for mom or dad, entertaining guests or paying bills it all needs to fit into the new kitchen design.

Growing the kitchen and adding energy saving appliances, work space and accent lighting and plenty of storage are top choices for home owners.

The average family getting a kitchen remodel this year will spend aproximately $15,000 to upgrade.

Gimme Shelter

In my first truly independent space—a single dorm room with Band-Aid colored walls—I could touch nearly everything I owned from my desk chair. The semester delivered an unexpected lesson in minimalism and spatial relevance: just how much room was necessary to generate a new thought?

My first grown-up home was a 2-bedroom and I marveled at how the former owners had raised four children in 900 sq. ft. It wasn’t until I’d survived remodeling a mid-century ranch—twice—that we landed on a prescient notion: the Great Room vs. traditional and rarely used living and dining rooms.

We tore out walls and ceilings, rerouting traffic flow to a system that made better sense. We installed thick European beams overhead that introduced a sense of timelessness not unlike a Cotswold cottage. Underfoot, we installed hardwoods that could withstand tricycle wheelies. The walls were hand-painted to resemble marble by a spirited painter who signed his bill for services “Picasso.” Even the upholstery was selected for its texture ability to disguise the spills that inevitably happen. Well-used and welcoming, the room was feet-up comfortable and lasting, sort of eternal. Sadly, the marriage wasn’t.

Nancy Clark, Gimme Shelter (2010)