Barrier Free Shower and Bathroom Remodel

Barrier Free Shower and Bathroom Remodel

Wineteer’s team grows together, and has the same crew working in the home throughout the entire remodel. This is a unique aspect for a home remodeling company, as many subcontract all of their work. This homeowner in Mission Farms, Kansas wanted to remodel their master bathroom. The master bathroom entailed the removal of a large whirlpool tub. While this was not an aging in place project specifically, the amount of space afforded by the removal of the tub for a barrier free-shower, or zero entry, makes it look as though it was. Our design team and craftsmen utilized the natural light and capitalized on the orientation of the seat, window and walls in conjunction to one another.

This particular client prefers a more contemporary, California-influenced style in their home and surroundings, and this did the trick. The large format floor tile is a nice contrast to the shower tile. Heated floors provide a nice respite to the cold winters of the Midwest.

Have you considered a bathroom remodel? Wineteer specializes in bathrooms of all sizes, shapes, and configurations. Reach out to discuss your ideas! 

     

 

Getting Your Home Ready for a Spring Remodeling Project

In spring, nature refreshes itself with new leaves and flowers, and this season is also one of the best times to renovate your home. From bathroom and kitchen remodeling to outdoor and windows/doors, the spring can bring the desire for a change.  There are many different reasons why you may want to renovate your house in the spring season, especially around the Kansas City and Overland Park areas. The weather is typically fairly mild, not incredibly wet, and generally an ideal time for a home refresh. Let’s explore some ways for getting your home ready for a spring remodeling project.  

Also, many homeowners in Overland Park and the Johnson County, KS area explore the Home + Garden shows for inspiration. https://www.kcremodelandgarden.com/

Why Should You Remodel Your Home in Spring?

There are many reasons why remodeling your house in the spring is a good idea:

• Spring is favorable for outdoor remodelings, as spring has a mild temperature with minimal rain showering.
• Spring gives off the vibe of starting the new season with something new and fresh.
• After a long and dreary winter, you are ready for some change! 
• In springtime, the days are longer than usual, which gives a longer time of sunlight, which will require different designs for parts of your house.
• Spring provides better ventilation and humidity than other seasons. That’s why it’s also the best time to work on indoor projects such as painting the walls, installing tile, or replacing doors and windows. 
• Many families move, vacation, or have child activities throughout the summertime. Schedules can be hectic and limited on finding a time to schedule your remodel. 
• The prices of materials and renovation work go up in the summer, so renovating in the spring can save you money.

 

I’m ready for a home remodel… what now?

Although remodeling your house is an exciting activity that motivates anyone, it comes with some challenges and considerations. Here are some tips and courses of action in detail to get your house ready for renovation and pull out the project perfectly:

Setting Goals

The first step to getting your home ready is to set intentions about what you want and why you want it. Since planning and preparation are the keys to a perfect renovation, the design, planning, and budgetary phase is very important to do thorough research and set the goal. Moreover, deciding on what you want to do and the reasons behind it is necessary for setting priorities for your project.

Budget Setting

One of the crucial steps in home renovation is to set up the budget, as using your money efficiently will result in a more effective renovation. It will also save on excess costs that come with unplanned budgets. Also, if you prepare the budget and see that some renovations are expensive for you, you can omit them more efficiently.

Ensure Safety

Ensuring safety for your family during a home renovation is important. Make sure your family and pets are comfortably enjoying their lives, even though there’s renovation going on in the house. You can renovate parts by parts to make sure it doesn’t hamper anyone’s work.

For example, you can send your pet or family member to another place for a few days to ensure their safety, as accidents can happen when roaming around a renovation project. You can also make temporary spaces in your yard to lessen the need to go near the renovation project for any work.

Hire Professionals

You should hire design build professionals to remodel your house for a seamless experience. If you find the right partnership, you should be looped into every decision, and communicated to on everything. Companies like Wineteer are very meticulous about communication and respect the homeowners space and time. 

Energy-Efficiency

After hiring a professional, make sure to provide your remodeling designs that maximize natural light and ventilation, which will save you money on energy.

Work Collaboration

Maintaining and collaborating on the renovation project is also very important to ensure quality remodeling. Also, don’t just sit still depending on the professional fully, as some of their work may not be likable to you. Also, do your research about the materials, finances, and documents.

Make sure to document every financial transaction and list of materials. Try to give feedback to them after completing every step to provide better results in later steps.

Spring Remodeling Ideas for Your Home

Here are some spring remodeling ideas for your next project:

• Basement: Your basement takes on a lot of elements in the cold winter. This can result in wall and floor maintenance, and possibly even leaking foundations or windows.
• Kitchen: You can update your kitchen with new countertops, flooring, and cabinets with new colors and designs. This will give your kitchen a new and fresh look.
• Bathroom: In the spring, try to give your bathroom a new look by changing faucets, shower heads, and other items. You can give your bathroom a tropical look, which will give it a spa-like vibe.
• Outdoor Seating Area: An outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your afternoon or enjoy a starry night later at night is a good idea for spring.
• New Paints: Coat your walls and other areas with new paints matching the spring season in both interior and exterior parts of the house for a refreshing vibe.
• Dining area: It will make anyone feel better to use a sunny dining area with transparent glass walls and indoor plants in this season while enjoying their meals.
• Windows and Doors: Constant rain, snow, and strong sunlight can damage your doors and windows. It is better to change your windows and doors to match the spring vibe so that more air and sunlight can enter the house.

As homeowners are beginning to long for the spring weather, don’t miss out on the opportunity to begin your home remodeling projects.  Reach out today for a free estimate on your next remodeling project. 

How to Evaluate Home Remodelers Before Hiring

Thinking of remodeling your house? Your kitchen, basement, laundry/mud room, bathroom, or outdoor space? Based on the scope of work, the design, and the budget, you will probably need a remodeler’s assistance. However, not just any home remodeling company, it must be the right fit. To hire a home remodeling company, there are many factors that the homeowner should consider, including a contractor or company who aligns with the intended design and build process, budget, timeline, and communication. Remember, only a good home remodeler can design a plan that fits your idea and budget perfectly.

Home remodeling companies can even identify the most cost-effective and resourceful methods for an expensive and elaborate project. Some homeowners receive the construction and remodeling company options from referrals, Better Business Bureau, or even simply on Google. It is overwhelming to look at an extensive list of companies, so be sure you have a thorough list of must-haves, nice-to-haves, and not important. Some considerations can include experience, design and employee rapport with homeowners, dedication, temperament and communication skills. Therefore, this article will outline some essential criteria on how to evaluate home remodelers before hiring. Let’s get started. 

The Factors to Evaluate Home Remodelers Before Hiring

Remember, only an expert home remodeler can bring you success and make the most of your budget, while reducing the stress and anxiety throughout the entire process.  Homeowners need someone reliable, trustworthy, and professional, so you’re comfortable with the team in your home for weeks or even months!  Consider the below factors before hiring a home remodeler:

1. Years of Business
   A factor to consider when thinking about How to Evaluate Home Remodelers Before Hiring is the contractors business history. It is essential for you to find out how long the potential home remodelers you are considering have been in business. Someone new, of course, can prove to be efficient, but someone years into this business will have a deeper understanding, and have more depth to the design and build process. Therefore, prioritize the ones who have worked in this field for a longer period of time. Expect experienced teams to have more familiarity with past and present market scenarios, broader connections, resourceful design elements, and valuable insights. By now, experienced home remodeling companies have learned from each project. At this point, home remodeling contractors with years of experience should be pros at seeking the best subcontractors.  However, it would be a plus if the remodelers have experience working on projects similar to yours.
2. License and Insurance
   It is absolutely crucial to verify whether each remodeler you shortlisted is registered as a home improvement contractor. What certifications do the potential home remodeling companies hold?  In addition, when interviewing the final candidates, ask for a copy of the contractor’s workers’ compensation and liability insurance policy. Make sure the home remodeling company’s insurance policy is active.
3. Experience and Portfolio
   Experience is one of the vital factors to look for in a kitchen and bathroom remodeler. Only an experienced remodeler can offer the best ideas on a budget, critical perspectives, help with complexities and efficiently handle unexpected events. Initially, when researching remodelers, you should look for their recent work portfolio which should be on their website. If not, feel free to ask them for some before/after pictures, and they should be able to showcase their best skills. This will give you a rough idea of how they handled their past projects.However, when the number is narrowed down to a few, you must ask for their experiences in detail and portfolio during the interview. The portfolio must reflect all the details of their previous projects. Additionally, you can request the few selected candidates to drive you to their previous project sites.
4. Communication and Compatibility
   Proper and transparent communication is a must when it comes to an expensive home remodeling project. Remember, remodeling may be something very new to the homeowner, so it can be a process that requires hand-holding. Therefore, if the remodeler is impatient, or fails to communicate and cannot give you a detailed view of each step of the process, then mistakes (and frustrations) are inevitable. Additionally, a good contractor will keep you updated on the progress, from design to build. While interviewing each potential home remodeling company, note your feelings and first impressions. Typically, as the saying goes… trust your gut. It is essential to understand if you can keep up with their temperaments and style of conducting business. Look for someone who listens and responds to you, communicates clearly, and is focused on you in each step of the way. To give life to your vision, you must understand each other and have a compatible work relationship.
5. Check for Online Reviews and Seek Recommendations
   One of the first things you do as the homeowner when researching remodelers is visit their website or social media pages. This is where you can find a section featuring testimonials from previous clients. Besides, you can also check out popular websites such as Angi, Google Business Profile, Yelp, and Facebook. These platforms have lists of contractors, their details and reviews from their clients.To get more recommendations, you can also speak with friends, neighbors, and relatives who have recently had remodeling work done. They can give you an accurate picture of the work’s quality, price and integrity based on their first-hand experiences. 
6. Contract and Written Estimates
   Before you decide on the remodeler, you should ask for a written estimate. It could be in the form of a bidding document. The document tells you what to expect, with details on inventories and the expected prices. Do you choose the one that has the lowest estimate? No, the lowest estimate does not necessarily mean the best offer, but the contractor may often come out as inefficient. Or the contractor will inundate you with change orders, which will end up costing you more than a higher budgeted amount to begin with. Instead, try to choose based on pricing that is fair, both with respect to your budget and market price.  When both parties agree, you must create a contract paper describing every aspect. You may hire a lawyer to outline each of the segments, plans and discussions in detail. Make sure they should comply with local and international laws.
7. Timeline and Schedule
   Setting a timeline and scheduling the work requires a discussion with the selected remodeler. Firstly, check for their availability. They may be equipped with other projects as well. If you have a contractor who is ready to begin the work tomorrow… run! Contractors should set a specific timeline and schedule dedicated to your project. The contract should specify the start and end dates. When going through their portfolios, if you find that a remodeler exceeded the completion date on some projects, you shouldn’t assume they are inefficient. This could be a result of unfavorable events.
8. Payment Terms
   With a mutual agreement, you must discuss payment terms and schedule. The payment schedule should have tentative dates. It must be presented on the contract. All in all, you should have a clear and transparent understanding and agreement of the payment terms so none of the parties has any objection during the process or in the end. Note that, when a remodeler asks for all or a large down payment, this may indicate a problem. In such cases, you may have to consider another contractor.

 

Questions to Ask Your Home Remodeling Contractor at the First Meeting:

Here is a list of some possible questions to consider in the design and build consultation:

• What type of experience do you have managing this type of project?
• Do you have a license and certification?
• Do you have workers’ compensation and liability insurance?
• Does your company handle building permits?
• Can you provide references?
• Does the project involve a dedicated team and subcontractors?
• What is the cost estimate?
• Can you give me an idea of the timeline for this project?
• Do you have insurance?
• How do you deal with budget overruns, change orders?
• Do you run multiple projects at the same time?
• What measures will you take to prevent damage to my property?

When seeking a construction and remodeling contractor, you must know how to evaluate them to sift out the best among the many. The process involves learning about their experiences, expertise, integrity, communication skills, and availability. Of course the number of years in the home remodeling business matters, however you should also consider the remodeling design creativity. Plus, One of the ways to find a home remodeling company that has a similar project to your own is to find neighbors, friends, or family who have worked with the home remodeling company you are considering. Homeowners in the Leawood, Olathe, Overland Park, Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit, Parkville, and all of Kansas City are looking to Wineteer for their superior kitchen, bathroom, whole room, aging in place, and outdoor remodeling projects. 

National Senior Citizens Day

With many Aging in Place modifications, seniors are still active in their communities, have a strong presence in the workforce, and live independently. 

RELATED: Check out this project that includes an elevator for aging homeowners. 

Optimizing a Spacious Master Bathroom: Part Two

The story of the luxury spa bathroom continues! If you haven’t yet, check out part one here where we discuss the tub area and vanity remodel. Our couple also needed help organizing their closet space. We made some simple updates by adding hardwood floors and new lighting in the ceiling. While the overall layout and function of the closet worked for this client, they didn’t like that they couldn’t close off the space, bringing the clutter of the closet into the bathroom. To combat this the Wineteer team added new barn doors, a simple way to section off the closet from the rest of the suite. These simple white barn doors with matte black fixtures bring a coziness and warm feel to the environment. While the doors are certainly a functional element of the room, they also bring in an organic and earthy vibe, making the bathroom truly an oasis.  

For the couple’s new shower, we repurposed the area which previously held the toilet closet to install a new barrier-free shower. While the couple previously had an extremely small shower area, by taking over some of the spacious bathroom we were able to create a luxury shower experience in their bathroom remodel. The toilet then moved to the space where the previous shower lived. We also installed a pocket door to close off the shower and toilet area from the rest of the bathroom and suite to create privacy.

The new shower is gigantic and a much better use of the suite real estate. We used 4 x 16 subway tile in white for a simple design throughout, but we added matte black edge profiles to add a striking design element. This complements the matte black fixtures in the shower, vanity, and tub area. The shower door is a frameless shower door, standard for our barrier free showers. The floor and shower caddy both feature a black penny tile for a contrasting design element. Overall, this bathroom remodel transformed from spacious but awkward to a complete luxury spa experience! 

Bathroom Design: Aging in Place

At Wineteer Construction we are Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists and are experts when it comes to creating accessible spaces. We approach these projects no differently than any other bathroom remodel, and always start by asking questions to better understand our clients and their needs. Some of the questions we ask our clients is to share their likes and dislikes and what works in the current space and what doesn’t. We ask who uses the space and at what times and talk about functions pertaining to both storage and physical needs. For accessible spaces we ask specific physical needs questions which may include asking if there’s a side that is stronger than the other, how many years the person has been managing their condition, the person’s weight, the strength of caregiver, type of wheelchair or walker, and progression of the condition. We know that remodeling with accessibility as a main focus can be a stressful time and even overwhelming, but we strive to make this process as easy as possible. We know what questions to ask so you don’t have to worry about it!

For this particular client in Kansas City, they were interested in redoing their master bathroom to allow the wife to care for the husband who has Parkinson’s disease. The wife wanted the master bathroom to still have the aesthetic appeal of a high-end master bathroom and not look like a sterile hospital setting. We specifically chose features to make the home accessible and ensure that the bathroom stood the test of time: a prime example of remodeling for life. You wouldn’t know this bathroom was designed to be Aging-in-Place (AIP) unless someone told you.

The design of this aging in place modification project was crucial to a successful remodel. We ended up changing the entire layout of the space to ensure accessibility and accomplish our client’s goals. With Parkinson’s we know that the patient can become cold very easily so we elected to install heated floors (a standard feature in a high-end master bathroom). Heated floors are best used with cool-to-the-touch tile floors and include a digital screen for floor warming to customize the temperature. We of course installed a zero-entry, barrier-free shower. We made a design choice here specifically for the needs of the patient to add slight color variations. With Parkinson’s a person can literally freeze if too much looks the same and these color variations help to minimize the freezing up of the patient.

RELATED: Why Consider Heated Floors in Your Bathroom Remodel

As certified Aging in Place modification specialists, our goal with this project was to update a bathroom to look great but also be accessible for our client and the needs of her husband. By knowing the right questions to ask in the consultation we were able to reduce stress on our client. She didn’t have to worry about educating us on AIP remodeling. In fact, with our knowledge we were able to prescribe certain design features to her! This project is exactly what we mean by remodeling for life: creating a beautiful, adaptable bathroom that can accommodate people of all sizes and shapes, but is also tailor-made for this individual.

Homeowners Remodel Homes for Greater Return

After nearly a decade of putting off any construction upgrades that were not seen as essential, like structural fixes and water leaks, homeowners are eager to take advantage of rising home values and low interest rates. A Boston Globe article, “Home remodeling, rebounds as economy improves,” estimates that “overall retail sales of home improvement products will grow 6.5 percent this year and another 7 percent in 2015.”

RELATED: Here are the Biggest Home Remodeling Trends of 2024

This rise in home improvements is a mix of homeowners hoping to finally capitalize on a returning boom in home sales and couples more confident in spending money to update an important, and often challenging, space. Either way, fully updated bathrooms offer the most bang for the dollar, significantly increasing the value and enjoyment of a home.

The recent recession took a toll on the construction industry to an extent that hasn’t been seen for decades. But this year, spending on home remodeling is on track to surpass levels not seen since 2006. No one is more excited than the Wineteer Construction team for the rebounding economy. Now is the time to update your space with modern, high-end materials.

Before you enter into a big renovation, the first steps include developing a list of renovation priorities, establishing a budget and compiling a few design ideas. At Wineteer Construction, our expert designers have experience overcoming space challenges to create the perfect bathroom remodel to fit your style. Wineteer Construction can ensure that your bathroom is practical yet stunning and soothing retreat.

RELATED: 10 Home Design Trends Your Client Will Love in 2024

At Wineteer Construction, we use the design/build concept. We will give you a written proposal and consult with you about the design and construction process. An architect may not be required because the design/build concept incorporates both design and budget planning. We offer a spacious showroom complete with sample renovations and a variety of materials and surface options to choose from.

Details that Matter: An AIP Bathroom Remodel

When it comes to remodeling projects, details matter. From the design of the new space to the selection of the materials, color scheme and more, our team of experts at Wineteer Construction work closely with our clients to ensure every detail brings out the best of the space.

Our client requested a bathroom design that provided accessibility and luxury, and our team brought together the ideas of style, accessibility and functionality to the next level by incorporating elements that are multifaceted in use and luxurious. 

More than Meets the Eye
With the right elements and the best materials for the job, our team got to work to create the best space for our client. The shower was designed with a barrier-free entry for easy access and polished nickel fixtures were added to add a bit of warmth to the room. Grab bars and a flip-up bench were included in the shower to add the best mobility support. Adding to this comfortable space, our team included accessible locations for the fixtures to change the flow of water from the shower head to the hand-held. Lastly, the towel rings in the shower provide easy access to the towels while helping keep water within the shower area, where it will easily drain.

Outside of the shower, the bathroom’s floor is heated. This is an exciting element in many bathroom remodeling projects and one of our client’s favorite additions, as it always helps keep the room at a desired temperature and removes the unfortunate experience of cold feet in the middle of the night! Another surprising element is the towel bars, which are actually grab bars that can hold up to 300lbs; their look is so stylish you would not be able to tell their multifaceted functionality. 

 

At the vanity, each section of the custom mirrored medicine cabinet opens up to ample space for storage. This helps keep the counter clean and makes up for the lack of vanity cabinets underneath to keep the wheelchair accessible sink. 

At first glance, our client’s bathroom is a luxurious, functional space. Taking a closer look, every aspect of the design keeps the accessibility needs in mind, while keeping everything looking like it belongs there. 

Ready to get started on your own bathroom remodeling project? Our team at Wineteer Construction is ready to help. Contact us.

Comfort-Based Design: A Bathroom Transformation

When it comes to remodeling projects, our experts at Wineteer Construction will ensure to make your vision a reality by not only providing their expertise in design and construction but also keeping your needs a priority.

For the bathroom remodeling project below, our clients had a vision that focused on their present as much as their future.

Our clients’ elderly parents visit from time to time, so they wanted to have a bathroom that would accommodate the parents’ mobility needs while creating a space that would serve them in the future.

Navigating the Intricacies of (lack of) Space
The original space was quite small. Containing the standard bathroom amenities, the space was not Aging in Place friendly.  

To work around the issues with space, our experts decided to create a wet room, a completely water-proofed bathroom with the shower leveled the same as the rest of the floor. By doing so, our team added space to the bathroom and removed any unnecessary barriers that blocked mobility.

The design of the bathroom is contemporary, with niches in the walls for storing items or adding decorations, a heated mirror and a modern sink and showerheads.

The new bathroom design is functional and modern, ensuring that both our clients and their visitors are comfortable.

For more information about bathroom remodeling projects, contact our experts today.