Posts by Bob Benedict
Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition Above a Garage
Building a room addition above an existing garage appears to be a relatively straightforward way to increase living space, but there are actually quite a few challenges. A new room above a garage can potentially improve the home’s curb appeal, but like all remodeling projects, adding a 2nd story above a garage has a broad…
Read MoreDust and Floor Protection – Necessary but Overlooked
Your family, home and furnishings are important to you so they are important to us. Every remodeling project should have necessary precautions to limit the spread of dust and particles (as it should always be not just because of COVID-19). One of our biggest concerns is to make sure we have as little impact on…
Read MoreAre All Quartz Countertops the Same?
Is there a difference between quartz countertops and other materials? Which countertop material is best: Quartz or Granite? Of course, the answer is “It Depends”. After explaining the differences many people prefer Quartz. “Quartz” in context to this discussion is a man-made countertop product more accurately described as “engineered stone”. So with a decision to…
Read MoreTips For Preparing Your Home For Winter Weather
I get a lot of questions from people about home maintenance, immediate problems they have, past problems and prevention recommendations. Many times these questions are around a recent catastrophic event like a basement that flooded. A common connection is that many of the questions are seasonal. So here are some tips for preparing your home…
Read MoreHow to Widen a Doorway for Aging in Place
Most homes do not have many doorways that are wide enough for people who wish to safely Age-in-Place or for those with mobility issues. This post will focus on how to widen existing doorways, whether you want a simple solution such as switching the direction of the swing of the door, widening the frame or…
Read MoreTips to Help Your House Survive the BIG Snow
Hello friends of Northwood. Yes we are joining in on the “Big Snow Coming” craziness. BUT our intent is to provide a few quick reminders and tips to help prevent damage from deep snow and melt off afterwards. Since the forecast as of now is for accumulation greater than 8” (way greater as of this…
Read MoreRemodeling Your Kitchen: Kitchen Lighting Options
Beth Caston, the lighting manager of Ferguson Enterprises in Chantilly, helped us compose the following article. It covers the popular topic of kitchen lighting options. I hope you find it informative. The kitchen is often thought of as the heart of the home. It’s not only a space for cooking and preparing, it’s where we spend time with…
Read MoreThe Cost of a Luxury Kitchen Design
I have been in the home remodeling business for 27 years and have noticed three recurring questions when first meeting a prospective customer. The first two questions are easy to answer. The third: “How much will my luxury kitchen remodeling cost?” is like asking “How much does a bag of groceries cost?” It all depends.…
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