Mike's Corner

'11 Kitchen Trends Part 1

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:35:00 GMT

This past year we have seen an uptick in what we affectionately call “Grandma’s Kitchen.” What is a “Grandma’s Kitchen”? That doesn’t mean avocado and cream is back, the classic white inset cabinet. The women that choose this kitchen style go all out in the classic look with modern conveniences. Beautiful chrome pulls, soft close undermount drawer glides, finial hinges, glass doors and white subway tile backsplash are all details that do not go overlooked. There is also a newer granite called White Fantasy that emulates the classic look of grey marble but has the durability and family friendly features of granite. Clients have also been opting for 3 1/4” oak floors with darker stains. Now you throw in new built-in appliances and you have a streamlined modern kitchen that has all of the timeless character of Grandma’s. I think I smell some cookies!

Recent Guildquality Reviews 11.9.11

Wed, 09 Nov 2011 19:22:00 GMT

We take great pride in creating an excellent client experience. We are members of GuildQuality and conduct after project surveys to measure our performance.We invite you go to http//www.guildquality.com/cr/D-Dorrance-Son-Builders-LLC/BPQ45227273MTC/

Comment Area Of Satisfaction Hoffman Estates, IL Oct 28, 2011

They have a lot of expertise and creative ideas. They are honest and upfront about the cost and options. They maintain a very clean work area. The quality is definitely the best we've experienced. We're very happy with the finished project.

Review Oct 28, 2011

D.Dorrance and Son Builders took our vision and made it a reality! We cannot express how much we love our kitchen re-do. In a matter of just 2 weeks, we went from the drab 1950's to a bright, updated and spacious kitchen!

Review Oct 24, 2011

We had an addition put on our house, as well as some changes to the existing house. D. Dorrence did amazing work. We have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who is doing work on their home or building. We have also used some of their sub contractors, since our work has finished. I am so glad we chose D. Dorrence. We love the addition and the changes. It is like a little haven for us. Thanks to all at D. Dorrence.

Why Use D. Dorrance & Son Builders?

Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:24:00 GMT

Total job completion from start to finish.

We are a single source for all of your project needs.

Prompt, courteous, and professional service.

Creative, budget conscience designs.

3-4 week kitchen transformations

4-5 week finished basement retreats.

6-8 week room additions.

Quality driven process and thorough planning for a low stress remodel.

Attention to detail and service that only a hands-on, small family business can provide.

Our construction times are lower than most because WE do the remodeling of your home. You are not being sold a job but selecting a partner in improving your home. If we are not there then the job is not getting done.

Selecting A Contractor

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 23:58:00 GMT

Selecting a Contractor

There might not be a greater endeavor than improving your home. A remodeling project is exciting because you are creating something that is yours in both design and purpose. The project is your stamp on the quality of your home. Selecting the right contractor to make your vision a reality is critical not only for the experience but also for the finish of the final product. So how do you go about choosing the right contractor?

Research:

Ask friends or family if they would recommend anyone for your project. They might be able to give you a first hand account about the contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to find an A rated contractor in your area. Go to www.buildfoxvalley.com to find a member of the local builders association, Home Builders Association of Greater Fox Valley. HBAGFV Members are professionals who are focused on building and remodeling to local and national standards. You can also check online resources such as www.guildquality.com for feedback on local contractors from actual client surveys. Once you find a few contractors, visit their websites to view their project portfolio and get a sense for their style and quality.

Meet:

Call the contractors you have researched and schedule a meeting to discuss your project. You should feel comfortable with the contractor first. If you cannot openly communicate with him then it is probably not a good fit. Projects take time and a lot of decisions need to be made. Thorough and considerate communication is the key to a successful project. Ask the contractor for a list of references and feel free to call them. A quality contractor should not get nervous at the request.

Cost:

Do not let price be the only consideration in a series of quotes. I have never seen an “apples to apples” quote before. Most projects are too complex to be equal. Be careful of the lowest bidder. Low cost usually means low service and “I did not include that” discussions later. Ask questions and try to get as much in writing as possible to make sure you are truly getting what you pay for.

Be honest with your contractor about your budget, expectations, and past experiences. This can go a long way to creating a better environment for your next project. Communication is a two way street and nobody likes to be left in the dark.

D. Dorrance and Son Withdrawal

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 15:42:00 GMT

We always joke around with our clients that they will miss us when we finish their project. Here is an actual email from a recent client:

We really are so pleased at the work you all did. Your sub contractors were great and you and your parents were amazing. We feel blessed to have had you do the work and make our house just the way we wanted-actually, better than we even imagined. You all were fair, hard working, fun, kind and in addition to just being great people, you are terrific at your job. Thanks for giving us more than we could have imagined. I must admit, I have had a bit of withdrawal this week. It is odd to have no one here in the morning. I hope your new job is going well and we will talk to you soon.
God Bless,
Paula

We focus on creating the easiest work environment for our clients. This is done by adjusting starting and finishing times to meet school or work schedules, cleaning up daily by just not sweeping but vacuuming too, and maintaining a safe work environment for the family, including pets.

How do I get started with a remodel project?

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:14:00 GMT

Create a scrap book of ideas from pages of magazines, catalogs, plan books. This helps to streamline the design process and create a more narrowed focus. Is the project a need or a want? Is there a new architectural style you want to introduce or theme? Is there a mood or ambiance you desire? What are you trying to achieve? Adding on to the home? Re-tasking an existing room, i.e. a living room turning into a study or screened in porch into a four season sunroom. Think about a budget, how high you are willing to go, what you are willing to spend and what you would like to spend. Be realistic about the cost. Time frame is important. The more time you have to think about it and plan the smoother the process can be, unless you “Over Think” the project and then unrealistic expectations develop. You could easily allow a month of design process and budgeting. A couple of meetings should take place and ideas exchanged. You should also have your “dream” in mind but realistic options should be kept to optimize the value and budget of the project. A plan B or C or sometimes D. Remodeling is unique in that you are doing the project because YOU want it done so you can be as creative as you like. We offer our suggestions for “resale” but you will have more fun if it is about you. Return on investment is never a sure bet, as this economy has proven, but the value you place IS guaranteed.

The DIY Myth, Part 1

Thu, 27 May 2010 15:03:00 GMT

I admit it. I’m proud enough to think I can tackle most home improvement projects by myself. I’m no handyman, but I’m smart enough to figure it out. Heck, there’s a whole industry devoted to convincing me I can. From Home Depot to HGTV to instructional videos online, I should be able to build a whole house, right?

Don’t buy it. It’s a myth. Sure, I can paint or install a sink or tile a floor, but the gap between those types of projects and large scale home improvement, like adding or remodeling a room, is HUGE, and for most people with busy lives, families and careers, frankly not worth pursuing.

This became really evident to me early in the small bathroom remodel that D. Dorrance & Son did for me. In about four hours, Mike had torn down the walls and reconfigured the wiring so that we would still have light. In four hours the next day he had reframed the new bathroom and the plumber had run all the PVC and copper pipe. If I had attempted either of these on my own, it would have taken months worth of evenings and weekends, hundreds if not thousands of dollars in tools, and more than a few choice words! Never mind that it would have been done poorly, without insurance, and probably not to code.

Sure, it’s tempting to look for ways to pinch pennies, but not when it comes to major changes to your home. The time doing research, the slow haul up the learning curve, the weeks that whole sections of your house are torn up and un-usable, and the cost of materials, tools, and your own sweat and tears and family time, and the potential for messing up in a way that affects the value or your ability to sell your home just don’t add up.

The bottom line is it’s worth it to have it done well and have it done right.