Posts Tagged ‘advice’

There are a variety of toilet fixtures to choose from for your bathroom remodel. Masterson Construction can install your new bathroom accessories to match your current theme quickly and easily. Review our blog and website for some of the projects we’ve tackled recently with photos of the work that our customers are so happy with.

When deciding on a toilet that is suitable for your bathroom, think about aesthetics as well as functionality. With many different stlyes to choose from, consider which style will suit your remodel the best. For more details about what styles of fixtures you have to choose from, visit our webpage on Toilet Fixtures for your Bathroom Redesign.

Take into consideration the functionality of your toilet fixture for your bathroom remodel. There are different options for the amount of water used, noise reduction and even the amount of power used. You can choose from an extensive variety of performance toilets for your flushing needs.

Visit our blog often for tips and advice on your residential and commercial bathroom remodels in the Los Angeles, California area. Our professionals at Masterson Construction assure you that the job is done right the first time on your remodels and home improvements. Contact us today by phone or email to discuss your construction needs.

Consider the benefits of installing replacement windows for your home. Replacement windows give you the opportunity to be creative and change the look of your house. Whether you’re selling your home or just replacing your home windows to improve its look and the neighborhood, installing replacement windows could save you money and energy by lowering your heating and cooling costs.

Using energy efficient replacement windows could both enhance the look of your house and save on energy costs at the same time. Choose the replacement windows that fit the architecture of your home the best. Replace your old aluminum or wood framed windows with new, energy efficient windows to enhance the look of your house and save on energy costs at the same time.

Some options for replacement windows include double and triple glazing, heat reflective, vinyl, Low-E coatings, bay, bow, or palladian windows, or designer frosted glazing or lights. Replacement windows are an opportunity to customize a contemporary look to your home while saving money and energy by reducing heating or cooling costs. Contact Masterson Construction and let us perform your next replacement window project. For more details about replacement windows, have a look at our page on Replacement Window Construction in LA and Orange County.

Tax return season is right around the corner, and that means that many people will be looking to use their money on home improvements and remodeling. While the idea of renovating or remodeling your home is quite enticing, there are some things that need to be considered before beginning any remodeling job.

Identify Your Goals

Decide what exactly you would like to have done in and around your home. Don’t hold back. Examine all areas of your house and see what needs the most attention. Perhaps new appliances in the kitchen will dictate where the bulk of your spending needs to occur. Make sure that you have a clear picture of what you want to do ahead of time.

Narrow Your Focus

Especially if you plan on living in your home during the remodeling phase, you will need to focus on one room or area at a time. Decide which area of your home needs the most work and get that fixed first. In older homes, many people find that the kitchen no longer works for them; perhaps the bathrooms need a lot of work. Focus on one area at a time before you start any new projects.

Figure Out Your Budget

Often during remodeling, things come to light that will need additional repair. Plumbing and wiring problems can wind up being costly, but an ethical contractor will make sure that you get everything fixed to specification without nickel and diming you. Figure out exactly what you are going to be able to spend to see if your project will even be possible.

Find the Right Contractor

There are many great contractors out there who will be able to help you realize your remodeling goals. Make sure the terms are clear and that you have communicated exactly what you want to the contractor before the job gets started. Keep in mind that they are working hard to make sure that they not only do a great job, but that you are satisfied as well.

Time Frame

When people have their homes remodeled, it can quickly become unnerving and annoying—especially if they are unable to use their bathroom or kitchen for any real length of time. It is important to realize that remodeling takes time and there are many factors involved in a remodeling job. Allowing for extra time is something that needs to be considered to avoid frustration.

By-line:
This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of Construction Management Online Degree Programs.

She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12@gmail.com

Winter is coming and now is a great time to get your house ready. Old doors and windows are not very energy efficient and the small gaps and cracks can let cold air in and warm air out. New windows and doors can make a big difference in your heating and cooling needs. Give us a call to schedule an estimate and get you on the way to saving energy and money.

Good advice to follow when choosing a contractor:

“It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little. When you pay too much, you lose a little money – that is all. When you pay too little, you sometimes lose everything; because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the job it was bought to do. The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot. It cannot be done. If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run; and if you do that you will have enough to pay for something better.”– John Ruskin (1819-1900)

Many general contractors will take smaller “handyman” type jobs to help supplement their business. Using a general contractor for small jobs is a good choice as you are getting your small job done properly and know that the work is being done by a licensed professional.

A general contractor will be insured and bonded. Most handymen do not carry insurance. Masterson Construction welcomes all jobs big and small.

Please give us a call at 562-650-0272 if you have any questions.

The plans called for the wall to be extended 5 feet out. When we opened up the wall we found plumbing drains from the upstairs master bathroom coming down the wall and through the concrete slab. It would have cost the home owner quite a bit extra to reroute the plumbing.

I suggested that we leave the part of the wall that had the plumbing intact and open up the rest. Then we added an arch to match the other arches we where adding throughout the house. The homeowners where very happy with the results.

Note: The picture here represents work done by Masterson Construction working as a subcontractor.

Here is a link to a story that appeared on MSNBC. It illustrates The Importance of Hiring a Licensed General Contractor

I get a lot of people contacting me for a room addition or some other type of large project. The first thing I ask them is “Do you have plans yet?”.

Many people think that a contractor is the first person to contact when they want to do something like this. In reality you should contact an architect. An architect will help you design your addition and draw up the plans. Then you will need to get in contact with a licensed general contractor. The contractor you choose will then take the plans to have them approved and pull all needed permits.

Smaller jobs like patio covers, window replacements, decks, or smaller kitchen and bath remodels do not normally need plans, but in most cases a permit will need to be pulled.

There are basically two types of general contractors. There are the contractors that tell others (usually sub-contractors they have hired) what to do and when to do it. Then there are general contractors that do A LOT of the work themselves. I am the latter.

While there is not anything wrong necessarily with contractors that do not do any work themselves I have found most clients appreciate the fact that the person they hired to do the work is actually DOING most of it. When you hire Masterson Construction you can rest assured that I, the owner and licensed General Contractor, will be on the job most everyday getting the job done right and on time.