Posted by Emily Fischel on Thu, Jan 19, 2012
A client recently came to us with the following dilemma…In her home, she needed a Command Center and/or Home Office area for organization and she didn’t have room for a full home office, nor a desk in her kitchen space. She effectively needed room for her computer, her mail, her grocery lists and other items that would be out of the way of her growing family, yet very functional and affordable to build.
Kimberly Price, of Inspiring Spaces By Design, LLC, a McBrick Building Group Partner and professional space planner, suggested “If she has an extra coat closet, at least 4 feet wide, that might not be being used and has someplace else for guest and family coats, why not make that into her built-in home office? She could simply open the doors to her new home office and close them when she needed.” Kim designed her command center to include an attractive Haas cabinet with attached organizer and mail slots flanked on either side by two open shelf cabinets.
She added a custom file drawer and plenty of space for a stool to easily slide under the desk when not in use so the doors close easily. A typical 24 x 60" backsplash area holds grease and bulletin boards so that schedules, calendars, coupons, reminders and special photos are always at hand and visible at a glance. Add a waste paper basket and some crown molding to add height and beauty and voila – a home office was born.
As a Haas, New River and CWP cabinet distributor, along with having our own custom millwork shop, the possibilities are endless.
Have an organizational challenge for McBrick Building Group? E-mail or call us at 267-228-5494 – we’d love to hear about it.
Posted by Nancy Berger on Mon, Oct 03, 2011
OK, you’ve decided to do a little home renovation in, say, a 14 x 14 spare room. This could be a newly-remodeled basement space or a recently emptied bedroom from your child’s departure for college. Let’s be optimistic and assume said child will not be coming home for any permanent roosting for the foreseeable future. The space is now all yours.
Where shall we start? Begin with some long, serious thinking about what you want to do in this space, and try to project a few years into the future, too.
Do you want a 70” TV so you can practically feel yourself in the dugout with the, hopefully, World Series-winning Phillies? Super Bowl-winning Eagles? Jets? Giants? Yankees?
Do you want to stream live concerts through your Netflix or other TV subscription?
Do you want to have the guys over for regular games of poker? Will there be cigars? Lots of raucous noise?
Or will this space be solely your own, singular cave of solitude?
Few things to consider from the get-go: space for a small fridge, microwave and pantry space for refreshments; easy-to-care-for surfaces for food and drink; and very good air ventilation so your room doesn’t small like stale popcorn ( or cigars :-( ) within a week!
Do you have sofas, chairs and coffee tables you can re-purpose or do you want to start from scratch?
A custom built-in entertainment and storage center will afford you any number of design and organization options, like drawers, shelves, depth and future expandability.
If it’s all about the TV, you’ll definitely need a home theatre system or at least a good sound system – and plenty of built-in sound isolation.
Will you need a sleeper sofa for that transient child or guest – or will space for an air mattress suffice?
There’s so much more to consider, like electricity, lighting and plumbing needs, but with the right planning and the help of professional home renovators, you can, indeed, create the space of your dreams. Cave on, man -- and click below for some great savings!
Posted by Nancy Berger on Tue, Aug 16, 2011
A trend in new or revamped bathrooms these days is the use of vessel sinks, rather than under-mount or all-in-one molded sinks. Among the things to think about are whether this will be a new, standalone unit or incorporated into an existing vanity.
If you are thinking about purchasing a vessel sink and new vanity, you’ll have many alternatives. Most significantly, you'll want something that seamlessly blends in with the design of your current bathroom. If you’re totally redoing your bath, then the sky is the limit! Here’s a little input about sink materials to get you going.
Stone
Stone has become a very popular choice in vanity design of late; consumers are attracted to the natural feel of this material. However, you should be aware that stone needs a fair amount of maintenance. And, the costs involved in cutting the stone into shape is generally why it’s a bit more than the alternatives. Granite and marble are most popular for stone vessel sinks.
Porcelain
Porcelain has long been an admired selection, and may be found in many houses, as well as public restrooms or hotels. Maintenance is easy with these, and they stand out owing to their spotless appearance. They are quite strong, and can cope under a lot of force and heat
Clay
Clay is an option to porcelain, though it’s far more fragile and easily damaged. These are one of the less expensive choices available. Therefore, if you are quite set on the idea of getting clay because you like the rustic appearance — or simply wish to save some money — make sure to take proper care of your vanity to ensure its longevity.
Glass
Glass ve
ssels are among the nicest potential selections, and they make a bold declaration of elegance in any bathroom. Despite the fact that they're made of glass, they are sturdier than you might think, because they're made from tempered glass, which has been heated and then cooled. This instantaneously gives it added power and durability. You can even get glass that looks like wood!
Metal
Sinks are also available made of steel, copper or bronze, in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and finishes.
And ...
In addition to which material you’d like, you need to determine the sink’s shape and depth, as well as the design and finish of the faucets you’ll be using. Vessel faucet designs tend to be contemporary, so if you’re set on a more classic style, your choices may be limited.
You may even want to think about how the water will sound as it hits the surface of the different materials. A good kitchen and bath retailer should be able to handle all of these variables for you.
As well as looking great and adding luxury to your dwelling, these improvements will boost the value of your home, so it’s definitely not cash wasted. 
Choose a vessel sink that stands out to you. You will probably spend a great deal of time around it, so it is vital to get something pleasing to your individual tastes.
The design experts at McBrick Building Group are available to help you with these and any other emodeling ideas you may have. Our custom millwork shop can help you create the bathroom of your dreams!
(Thanks to Christopher Woodward , articlecity.com, for his good ideas.)
Posted by Nancy Berger on Tue, Jul 05, 2011
Prospective home buyers have the choice of two types of houses on the market: resale or new.
Those who are planning to buy a brand-new house often cite energy-efficiency, custom layout, a warranty, and being able to select appliances, flooring, paint colors and other design elements as factors driving their choice.
Here are some other reasons that buying a new custom home is a terrific idea:
A Clean Slate
For some buyers, parking the car in a sparkling-clean garage or being the first to cook a dinner in a brand-new kitchen is part of the appeal of new construction. In addition, you won’t have to spend time stripping dated wallpaper or repainting to suit your own sense of style. You can create your own home décor from the floor to the ceiling.
You can plan and create closeet space to exactly fit your needs.
The advantages of being the first owner of a home extend to the outdoors. Instead of inheriting inconveniently or precariously placed trees, or having to tear up overgrown shrubs, you can design and plant the lawn and garden you want.
Outlets, Outlets Everywhere!
Homes built in the 1960’s and earlier were wired much differently than houses today. Builders had no way of anticipating the invention of high-definition televisions, DVRs and computers that we enjoy today — and the very different electrical requirements they would introduce. New homes can accommodate advanced technologies like structured wiring, security systems and sophisticated lighting plans, and can be tailored to meet the individual home owner’s needs.
Anyone who has ever lived in an older home can also attest to the fact that there are never enough outlets, inside or out! New-home builders plan for the increased number and type of electronics and appliances used by today’s families, so you can safely operate a wine cooler, holiday lights or your computer.
Entertaining
Throwing a party in an older home can be a challenge because smaller, distinct rooms make it difficult to entertain guests in one large space. Builders are responding to today’s home buyer preferences with layouts featuring more open spaces and rooms that flow into each other more easily, like the popular great room.
While you are in the kitchen preparing dinner, you can still interact with guests enjoying conversation in the family room without feeling closed off. The feeling of spaciousness in today’s new-home layouts often is enhanced the higher ceilings and additional windows that bringing in more light than you would find in an older home.
Call us at 215-657-9100 to discuss the custom home of your dreams!!
Adapted in part from www.NAHB.org.
Posted by Emily Fischel on Wed, Jun 29, 2011
With the growing need for expedient minor repairs and renovations among our clients, McBrick Building Group has recently employed a team of professional tradesman dedicated to satisfying these requests and has expanded our fleet to accommodate. Our commercial division now offers expedited repair services for carpentry, electrical, and mechanical projects. We are combining well-timed service and efficient project management to rapidly complete these tasks, without sacrificing the quality workmanship McBrick Building Group is known for.
Posted by Emily Fischel on Thu, Jun 23, 2011
One of the most important considerations for your home remodeling project is financing. After all, the project will go nowhere if you can't pay for it.
Fortunately, there are several options that can provide the dollars you need. Four of the most common are a home improvement loan, a home equity line of credit, a home equity loan (second mortgage), and a cash-out refinancing of your current mortgage. However, the simplest method of financing is cash.
Cash
If you have cash in savings to pay for your home remodeling project, this may be the best way to finance your home improvements. But be sure to consider the fact that, by paying in cash, you tie up money that could be earning interest in other investments. In other words, you need to look at the interest rate that you would be charged by financing the project and compare this to the interest you could earn by investing these funds.
Also remember that interest payments on a home improvement loan may be tax-deductible, while you can't write off the expenses of a remodeling project paid for in cash. Crunch the numbers and meet with a financial advisor to determine whether paying in cash will really pay off in the long run.
Home Improvement Loan
Two special loans administered through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are the Title I and Section 203(k) programs. A Title I loan allows you to borrow up to $25,000 for improvements to a single-family home. These are fixed-rate loans that FHA insures against the risk of default. Loans must be made by an approved Title I lender.
The 203(k) program is not as well known, but if you are looking to purchase a fixer-upper, it is a terrific opportunity. It allows home owners to receive a single, long-term, fixed or adjustable rate loan that covers both the acquisition and rehabilitation of the property. To obtain a loan under the 203(k) program, you must use an FHA-approved lending institution. Most mortgage lenders are approved to make loans through this program.
Home Equity Line of Credit
A home equity line of credit is a form of revolving credit in which your home serves as collateral. This allows you to tap into these funds whenever you need it. The credit line is usually set at 75 to 80 percent of the appraised value of your home minus the balance of the first mortgage. Your credit history and ability to pay may also be considered in determining the amount of credit available.
Home equity lines of credit usually carry a variable interest rate that is figured by adding a margin to the current Prime Rate or some other index. Other costs associated with setting up a line of credit may also apply and will vary from lender to lender.
Second Mortgage
If you are not comfortable with the open-ended nature of a line of credit (which requires discipline to ensure that you don't go way over budget), a home equity loan, or second mortgage, may be right for you. This is a fixed-rate, fixed-term loan based on the equity in your house that is paid back in equal monthly installments over a specific period of time.
Cash-Out Refinancing
If interest rates today are significantly less than when you first purchased your house, refinancing your mortgage may be a wise move. This refinancing alternative allows you to use the accumulated equity in your home to take out a new loan to pay off your existing mortgage and then use the remaining funds for your remodeling project.
Make sure you factor in the length of time you plan to live in the house and the number of years left on your current mortgage before you decide to refinance.
Keeping Your Budget in Line
Once you've decided how much you can afford to spend fulfilling your remodeling dreams, the real challenge is making sure you stick to this budget. So, how can you prevent your expenses from spiraling out of control?
•Plan on spending only 80 percent of what you can afford. Put the additional 20 percent in reserve to cover changes you might want, unforeseen problems, and miscellaneous charges that you've chosen to incur when you "fall in love" with the more expensive granite than you chose originally.
•Remember that anything not included in the original contract will cost extra. It's very easy to start tacking on hundreds and even thousands of dollars in change orders that will break both your budget and your timeline if you are not prepared. Make sure to always ask for a proposal up front and help your builder understand exactly what you're looking for. You want to be as comprehensive with your wish list as possible and also, a good builder will be able to also make suggestions. They've usually seen it before (just ask us!)
Need some help with financing options? Complete our Contact Us form so we can guide you in the best direction for your next remodeling project.
Adapted from www.NAHB.org
Posted by Emily Fischel on Tue, Apr 19, 2011
Wonderful CORNER end-of-row TOWNHOME rental in FISHTOWN on corner of E. Lehigh and Belgrade! Enter to find a bright & crisp open Living Room/Dining Room with beautiful hardwood flooring, attractive mantel, tasteful/neutral wall colors. Sharp, newer eat-in Kitchen with tile flooring opens to adjoining mud room and exits to cozy courtyard. The 2nd floor offers 3 bedrooms with pine flooring and full bath. Concrete sidewalk along Belgrade was replaced approx 1 year ago. Freshly painted interior and exterior. Gas heat, hot water. Washer and dryer. A truly move-in home with no parking hassles and very responsive owner/manager! No pets, please. $1,200/m.
Terms: 12 Month lease. First, last and security deposit (equal 1 month rent). Tenant responsible for paying all utilities. $35 application fee. Subject to credit and background check.
Call or email emily@mcbrick.com / 267-228-5494 for showing.
Although deemed accurate, this information is subject to errors, omissions and changes without notice.
Posted by Emily Fischel on Mon, Feb 07, 2011
Building a new home or remodeling? There are many different options to consider when going through an endless amount of different chandeliers or other light sources for the different rooms in your house. Among other things, you need to think about
- what kind of style you’re trying to achieve
- in which rooms the chandeliers will be installed
- how big the chandeliers should be
- how much light you’ll need from this source
- the color or finish of the chandelier.
The first thing is to look at what the room is used for and what kind of style the room already encompasses. A new room allows you to start from scratch with the design, while and existing room probably has a style already. If you are looking for light sourc
es for your living room, dining room or other area that isn't used very often, you may want to go with a more formal look. On the other end of the spectrum are chandeliers for children's lighting.
Your choice in chandelier should really weigh heavily on the style that has already been established in the room. If it's a distinguished dining room, you will probably go for something more over the top and expensive, while if it's just for children's lighting, you will probably want to go with something more kid-friendly.
A huge aspect of making sure your lighting choice fits well in your room is the compatibility of the colors in the room and the chandelier. A black chandelier is a great option for an entertainment room that has a large television and leather couches, as it gives the room a contemporary, sleek feel.
If you are looking for a chandelier for your living room or dining room, you will probably want to go with something more classic, but a black chandelier is a perfect choice for a more modern home.
Another perfect spot for a black chandelier is the kitchen. Black is a common color in many kitchens these days, so if your kitchen follows suit with the majority of the others, you'd probably find a black chandelier to be a perfect fit for your home.
A great way to determine if a certain light source is the right selection for your room is to take a picture of the room and then compare different chandeliers at the store or online to better envision how it would look in your home.
If you are looking for children's lighting, take a picture of your child's room and then take a look at it side by side with different pictures of your options. You will probably find that the shape of the choice in lighting is almost as important as the color. Many times a child has a certain theme going on in their room, so when you are looking for your children's lighting, make sure to keep that theme in mind. If they love baseball, you can get them a giant baseball as the main light source for their room and really bring the theme to life. For older children, simple lighting may be more effective, especially after they've grown out of toys and other play items.
As you can see, choosing chandeliers can be an interesting task to take on when improving your home. If you remember to consider the style and main colors of the room where the chandelier will be going, you should be able to make an excellent selection for your home. Whether it's children's lighting, a grand chandelier in the entrance hallway or a vintage light to put over the dining room table, you need to be sure that the new light source will blend in nicely with its surroundings. As long as you follow these tips, your new source of light in your house should turn out to be a greatly appreciated addition to your life.
Thanks to Kathryn Dawson at www.articlecity.com/articles/home_improvement/article_6726.shtml for her input.
Posted by Nancy Berger on Fri, Jan 21, 2011
“McBrick Suggests” is a new blog feature, focusing on what you should know about your home building or remodeling project. Watch for fresh content as we scour the Web for you, bringing great ideas to your fingertips.
We’re starting with lighting, because the type of lighting you choose for your home can make such a difference in its look, feel and functionality. The choices are vast, so be prepared to do some homework!
There are, basically, three types of lighting to consider, in addition to the light provided by your windows:
1. Ambient lighting offers general illumination to an entire room.
2. Task lighting is aimed at doing some specific activity, such as reading, cooking, eating, etc.
3. Accent lighting is used to accentuate any specific object, such as artwork or sculpture.
Within these categories you’ll find a multitude of options.
For example, recessed lighting gives a “clean” and contemporary look to ceilings, is easy to use with dimmers and wall receptacles, and mixes easily with other types of room lighting.
Chandeliers and ceiling lights tend to take on a feel of their own: they can be both functional and beautiful. A really spectacular chandelier is like a work of art, if installed in the correct spot and at the correct height.
Ceiling fans with lights are a great example of form meeting function, if that’s the look you want.
Uplights can be installed to illuminate specific items or simply for dramatic effect. Sconces and a wide variety of other wall lights can also add a lovely, inviting atmosphere.
Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen can also be dramatic, as well as provide good task lighting. Bathrooms, too, need good lighting, especially for applying makeup.
Track lighting has evolved from solely functional to highly aesthetic. It’s very easily installed and adaptable to changing needs.
The floor and table lamps you enjoy should also be purchased not just for their looks, but their functionality. Will these be just for mood lighting, or serve a purpose, such as a well-placed reading lamp? And don’t forget that the shades on these lamps can make an enormous amount
of difference in the light you get from a lamp, whether they’re clear, translucent or opaque.
Exterior illumination can highlight your home, as well as provide security. Garden lighting helps you transition from day to night while you enjoy the great outdoors, whether it’s installed among your pavers or in the beds among the plants and shrubs.
So this is where we’ll start. Contact us to share your ideas and experiences with your home projects.
Posted by Emily Fischel on Tue, Nov 30, 2010
I am pleased to announce that McBrick Building Group has joined the Better Business Bureau with a rating of A+, the highest possible.
BBB assigns grades from A to F with pluses and minuses. A+ is the highest grade and F is the lowest. The grade represents BBB's degree of confidence that the business is operating in a trustworthy manner and will make a good faith effort to resolve any customer concerns filed with BBB.
Please find us under the following categories: Home Builders, Construction & Remodeling Services, Contractors-Commercial, Contractors-General, Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling, Millwork and build your Custom Home, a home at Hidden Creek or the Inverness community with confidence!
Feel free to view our report here: http://www.dc.bbb.org/report.html?national=y&compid=175958118