Invest Your Tax Return Into a Home Remodel

Tax season is upon us, so Wineteer Construction wants to provide some ideas and insight into ways to Invest Your Tax Return Into a Home Remodel. When homeowners think of home remodeling projects, it’s easy to think about the huge remodeling projects. However, remodeling companies like Wineteer also specialize in single-room remodels, specifically for your kitchen, bathroom, aging in place modifications, and outdoor space remodels. You can also stretch your tax return money by completing those minor home repairs, like patching a leaky roof, repainting a room, installing new flooring, or even upgrading your lighting around your home. However, major home improvements—projects that substantially make a property more valuable or useful—are tax-deductible.

Home renovations can maximize your tax return

Home improvements happen to be the specialty of Wineteer Construction. These capital investments can transform a room into an entirely new space, and can fall within a budget, timeline, and color/design palette.

Yet, even though a renovation project is a large investment, you cannot deduct the cost from your yearly federal income taxes. Still, these projects will most likely increase the resale value of your home. So, it is critically important to keep records of these expenses to reduce the taxes you owe when selling your house. A lower tax obligation means more of a profit at the time you sell your home.

Energy efficient improvements can yield long-term savings

Home improvement expenses that can be deducted the same year include installing alternative energy equipment, like solar paneling or wind turbines, or purchasing Energy Star appliances. “Certain energy-saving home improvements can yield tax credits at the time you make them,” according to “Home Improvement and Your Taxes” from TurboTax.

Home improvements can qualify for tax deductions as medical expenses. If a home modification is more about being medically necessary than about increasing the value of your home, deductions can be claimed for materials and installation. To learn more about medically necessary home improvements, read a recent blog from LifeWise Renovations, a Wineteer Company.

Reinvest and remodel

If you’re ready to invest your tax return into a home remodel, reach out to the true locally-owned and operated home remodeling company, Wineteer. Our in-house design and build team can bring your vision to life. Reach out today to schedule a design consultation! 913-717-6325 or https://wineteerconstruction.com/contact-us/

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!

Bathroom Remodeling – Shower in Style

Homeowners typically look at their bathroom as one of their first options for a remodeling project. It can become overwhelming trying to determine the upgrades/finishes, timeline, electrical and plumbing needs, and budget. One of the top bathroom design trends over the past several years has been installing walk-in showers with frameless glass enclosures and/or doors. Along with walk-in showers, bathroom remodels are incorporating freestanding tubs, heated floors, and open-layout configurations. Check out some of those ideas on Houzz for Bathroom Remodeling – Shower in Style!

Homeowners with a larger bathroom space typically traditionally hold a tub and shower, however, with a bathroom remodel, you can determine what fits your needs. Some homeowners find they never use a bathtub, so they use that space for a larger walk-in shower space. On the flip side, some homeowners want a standalone tub and a zero-entry separate shower. When it comes to the tub, most people are opting to remove the old Jacuzzi models and install freestanding bathtubs. Check out Signature Hardware’s selection.

Smaller secondary or guest bathrooms with a shower/tub combination can be converted into more usable space during your remodel. Depending on your family phase at the moment, not having a tub in the home can be a daunting proposition for many, so think through the best option for you and your tastes. However, the remodel should be considered for future growth as well. Will you always need a tub/shower combo? There are many questions that homeowners should consider, which is why it’s important to partner with a design build contractor for your bathroom remodeling project.

Here are some more top bathroom design trends:

Custom-built vanities
Statement-making floor tiles
Natural stone or wood-looking ceramic tile
Natural light or sleek lighting fixtures
Frameless glass doors and frameless glass enclosures
Heated flooring
Walk-in shower flooring

RELATED: Bathroom Ideas & Designs

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:

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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!

Optimizing a Spacious Master Bathroom: Part One

Traditionally our bathroom remodeling clients come to us with a problem that some people try to solve with Space Bags (or another vacuum sealing bag) – too much stuff, not enough space! With this client’s master bathroom suite we had the unique problem of tons of space that was not being used well. They had a plethora of square footage but had no clue how to optimize the space to create a spa-like oasis. That’s where Wineteer Construction comes in. We’ll take you through this project by sharing about the vanity and tub area first, then we will wrap up by giving you details on the closet and new barrier free shower. You’ll have to come back for part two!

When you look at the new vanity you’ll be inspired to create your own luxury spa environment in your own bathroom! For this remodel we chose to add backsplash tile all the way up to the window to break up the height of the space. We mounted the beautiful open Edison bulb sconces directly on the backsplash for a completely different look. The twin round mirrors add dimension to the space and coordinate with the matte black fixtures and long hardware drawer pulls on the vanity. The under-mount square rectangular sinks ensure a seamless look on the quartz countertops. To keep everything modern and chic we stuck with whites, blacks, and grays for our color scheme. The marble-looking hexagonal tile mimics Carrara tile and is extremely modern. Specialty features on this vanity include a hot drawer, which is a drawer complete with outlets for curling irons, straighteners, blow dryers, and other hot tools.

The tub area of this bathroom remodel makes us feel like we stepped straight into an all-day spa experience, but our clients have this as their everyday bathroom. What a dream! We chose to remove the built-in tub and added an elegant white free-standing tub. The wall-mount faucet is in matte black, coordinating with the vanity fixtures and hardware. The tub is a jetted tub and includes many features that provide a luxury spa experience at home.

We elected to add a small wainscot wall behind the tub that matches the backsplash wall behind the vanity. This ties various elements together and provides a cohesive design experience. We also added built-in cabinets below the fireplace where the built in tub used to be so the client had storage options in the bathroom. Built-ins, when done right, provide an elegant storage solution. To provide a striking design we added a wrap-around mantle in a dark wood finish. The mosaic small stacked marble around the fireplace was selected to completely separate the fireplace from the wall and create a distinct look. We also installed a chandelier and a TV, contributing to the luxury experience. We loved the work we got to do on this vanity and tub area – stay tuned to learn about the shower and closet modifications for this spa-like experience!

Barrier-Free is Now Trending

Recently on KC Live, President and CEO Mike Dodd discussed the current trend of barrier-free showers. Read his insights below, or watch the full segment here »

Barrier-free showers are becoming more popular in home remodels, and can benefit essentially any age group and any resident of the home. Not only does it assist older residents with independence to remain at home longer, but you can also incorporate the universal design techniques to keep with the current bathroom design trends.

This means that it’s in the design to ensure our barrier-free showers don’t look institutional. We want you to feel comfortable at home as long as possible, matching your desired look and feel, too.

Any equipment that assists with mobility (i.e. walkers, wheelchairs, etc.) is able to maneuver into and around these showers, as there is no curb or threshold that would hinder the entrance. The main focus to barrier-free showers is safety; other accessories such as flip up and down shower seats and grab bars can offer additional ease and safety.

The bottom line: barrier-free showers allow for easy entry and accessibility. Anyone can benefit from these universal designs and safety techniques.

Join the barrier-free trend! Contact us for more information, and schedule a consultation today!

Bathroom Remodeling Process + Products!

If you missed KC Live last Friday morning, you’re going to want to keep reading! Senior Vice President Nick McIntyre was on the show, sharing insight into what homeowners should expect in bathroom remodels, from the process to products. You can read the highlights below, or watch the full segment here >

The first step in any remodeling project is to discover your family’s needs and wants in the home. Then, plan the budget accordingly. The following are the choices to make and the process to follow specifically for bathroom remodeling projects.

There are many options to choose from in bathroom remodeling projects; however Wineteer Construction navigates customers to their individual wants and needs in our planning and designing process, so you never feel alone. When choosing Wineteer Construction as your remodeler, expect to select various bathroom items, including:

Tile (Backsplash and Shower)
Plumbing Fixtures
Shower Doors
Vanities
Heated Flooring
Countertops

First Bathroom Decision

Tile should be your first decision in the bathroom. Options to pick from include the size of the tile (larger tiles of 12×24 are popular right now) to the tile color (grays are currently trending, with a timeless and/or traditional look to the bathroom). Wineteer Construction is currently designing a bathroom with large format gray tile and elongated Carrara marble, as shown in the video linked above.

Choosing the Right Remodeler

To ensure your projects last and are done right, you have to choose your remodelers wisely. Find a company that is building bathrooms for the long term, with great warranties on the project and the products associated. At Wineteer Construction, we partner with our clients to help with the design and selection process, offering competitive pricing and value. We do projects right, the first time around, every time, with top-level training and certifications. We even offer a 5-year warranty on our projects, and because Wineteer Construction was one of the first companies in the nation to be a Certified WEDI Pro Installer, customers also receive a 20-year manufacturer warranty from WEDI. The 20-year warranties are only offered on installations done by Certified Pro Installers.

Timeframe Expectations

On bathroom and kitchen remodels, homeowners should expect about 1-2 months for selections to be made, materials to be ordered, etc. The planning process should be started right away, so be sure to schedule an appointment soon!

Tune into KC Live Friday, July 14!

President and CEO Mike Dodd’s last appearance on KC Live featured how homeowners can ensure their home remodeling projects are “Planned Right. Priced Right. Done Right.” If you missed it, you can watch the full segment here >

This Friday, July 14 at 10 a.m. CT., Senior Vice President Nick McIntyre will be on KC Live once again, sharing insight into choosing the right remodelers and the right options for a bathroom remodel. Tune in to learn what to expect in these projects, from process to products and more.