How to Sustainably Remodel Your Home

With increasing concerns around our impact on the environment, many considering home remodeling are looking for ways to not only reduce their carbon footprint, but also make their home more energy efficient.
 

1. Start small: Try to begin with little improvements. Installing energy-efficient appliances and implementing solar technology can increase your home’s sustainability while lowering electric and heating bills.
2. Use light colors: White or off-white walls make lighting more effective and reduce the amount of time lights need to be on. (A residual benefit is that lighter walls can improve your mood when compared to darker walls!)
3. Conserving water in the bathroom: Low-flow sinks and showers are a more sustainable option to go with when remodeling a bathroom. Installing dual-flush mechanism toilets are another way to save water.
4. Re-use and refresh: Repurposing items to reduce waste and increase longevity can be very useful if you are willing to get a bit creative. Home features like cabinets, molding, and light fixtures can take on new roles when remodeling.

Read more on our website!

Our team understands the importance of sustainability in the home remodeling process, and has the experience necessary to guide you along the way in creating a more energy efficient home. Here at Alpha Design + Build, we want to put you first, and will do everything we can to meet your sustainability goals. Contact us today to meet with a designer and take your first steps in environmentally focused remodeling.

Feng Shui Principles for Home Design

What exactly is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is the historic Chinese process of arranging objects and space in a place with the goal of creating harmony and balance. Achieving proper Feng Shui in a home can revitalize the property and completely change the experience of living there.

When it comes to home remodeling, this can seem like a confusing principle to apply but following these tips will make you an expert in no time:

1. Emphasize natural light: Having well lit rooms and entryways is important for things like mood and energy, but bringing in natural light is even better.
2. Bring in plants: Adding green life to any room immediately improves the energy in a room as well as the air quality.
3. Face beds and desks towards doorways: By always facing a doorway, you are able to be in a more commanding and powerful position. Facing away from doorways leaves more room for vulnerability and unpredictability.
4. Keep rooms clear of clutter: Clean, organized rooms allow for easy, organized thinking. Messiness in general can decrease the Feng Shui of a room, as it can translate to clutter in your head.

Read more about Feng Shui on our website!

Remodeling can be a long process, and it’s easy to keep changing things in your home. With that being said, it’s important to keep in mind what you are trying to accomplish. This could be a more open floor plan, or more entertainment space, or even just a brighter home. With a goal in place, you will be able to improve what matters the most.

Contact us today to talk to our team of designers so you can achieve Feng Shui in your house.

Take Away the Stress of Moving By Doing Home Remodeling First

Feeling the stress of moving into a new home?

Trying to tackle all your home remodeling projects before you move?

Moving can be stressful enough — make it less complicated by getting some of your home improvement projects out of the way before all the boxes and furniture get in the way.

If time and budget allows it, you should consider adding personal touches to your dream home before you move in. An empty home with no furniture is easiest to paint, install new flooring, or tear down a few walls.

Hire Ann Arbor-Based Alpha Design + Build to Help with Your Home Remodeling Projects!

Along with our training and experience, we can lend you a fresh set of eyes. We're experts at space planning and in almost every case, we really can improve your layout by:

• Opening closed-off living spaces and relating them across your whole home
• Reclaiming awkward or unused rooms
• Creating a ground-floor master suite
• Turning a porch space into year-round living space

Read more on our website!

Why You Should Tackle Home Remodeling Before Moving

Have you recently purchased a home? Is it move-in ready, or a fixer upper?

Are you building from scratch?

It seems like owning a home automatically means adding home remodeling projects to your to-do list, whether you do them now, or five years from now.

If time and budget allows it, you should consider adding personal touches to your dream home before you move in. An empty home with no furniture is easiest to paint, install new flooring, or tear down a few walls.

Moving can be stressful enough – make it less complicated when you hire Alpha Design + Build to help you remodel your new Ann Arbor home!

Make Your Home Remodeling Project a Breeze

Along with our training and experience, we can lend you a fresh set of eyes. We're experts at space planning and in almost every case, we really can improve your layout by:

• Opening closed-off living spaces and relating them across your whole home
• Reclaiming awkward or unused rooms
• Creating a ground-floor master suite
• Turning a porch space into year-round living space

Read more on our website!

Starting a Home Remodel? Tips for Budget, Timeline, and More

Are you beginning a home remodeling project?

Do you know how to find the right contracting team to get the job done? What about a designer, or even an architect? Do you know who to trust with your home?

Not sure if you should try to tackle a project on your own? A lot of it has to do with your skill level. Taking on more than you can handle can be costly in the long run if you have problems down the line. Some projects that are best left to the professionals are plumbing and electrical, hardwood flooring, and any big structural changes.

Read more in our guide to hiring the best home remodelers on our website!

Alpha Design + Build Can Help with Your Home Remodeling Project in Ann Arbor and the Surrounding Communities!

We’re part of your community and deeply invested in our good standing here! Over 65% of our business comes from repeat clients and referrals. We want you to love your new spaces and call us back time and again over the years. We’ll be happy to introduce you to our past clients and the spaces we’ve created for them. Just give us a call to arrange a visit.

Hiring a Home Remodeler: What You Must Know

Are you in the planning phase of your next big home remodeling project? Are you dreaming about details, finishes, furniture, and decor?

How do you find the right person for the job? Do you rely on referrals from friends and family, or do you spend time doing research on local companies? A combination of both? It can be overwhelming to choose the right remodeler for you.

Visit our website to read our tips for hiring a home remodeler!

Alpha Design + Build Can Help with Your Home Remodeling Project in Ann Arbor and the Surrounding Communities!

Whether it's a kitchen, bath, basement, or addition, we’ve built our 30+ year reputation on exacting design and workmanship. Our designers, project managers, craftsmen, and trades partners take immense pride in their work and in providing smiles from start to finish!

Increase Your Bathroom's "Wow Factor" with These Ideas

In search of ideas that will make a huge impact on your bathroom space?

Ready for a bathroom design that is sure to amaze?

If you want to start your bath remodel but aren’t sure where to begin, we can help!

As experts in bathroom remodels with years of experience in design, we have no shortage of creative ideas to renovate your space.

Read more about 2020’s hottest bathroom design trends on our website!

Alpha Design + Build Serves You in the Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Canton, and Plymouth Communities!

Apply any one or all of these amazing bathroom design and remodel ideas and transform your space. If you like these ideas, we have plenty more where they came from! At Alpha Design and Build we have over 20 years of experience with bathroom remodels and want to help you create the house of your dreams. Give us a call today to get started!

Fall Décor Trends to Give Your Home New Life

Are you excited for autumn?

Have you started shopping for apple and pumpkin scented candles and fall-themed décor?

If you want to make your home the place to be for friends and family this fall, check out this list of tips for what’s popular in home décor this season.

Update Your Home with a Remodeling Project for the Fall Season 

Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you, and our project managers, carpenters, and tradesmen have the skills to get the job done.

At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”. Our process puts you first! Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home.

Is Your Entertaining Space at Home Cramping Your Style?

Are you considering a remodeling project to improve your home?

If you’re looking for ideas about how to reshape your home for parties and social occasions, we’ve put together several ways you can have the perfect space for entertaining friends and loved ones.

•  Open Kitchens - Many older homes are designed with tight, small spaces, including the kitchen. A good designer can find a way to take out walls to make more room, all while sticking to your budget. At Alpha Design + Build, our designers have the eye and experience to look at small spaces and figure out how best to utilize every inch of the space efficiently. We can help make even the smallest kitchens feel large and welcoming! 
• Multi-purpose Rooms - Media rooms, dens, or bonus spaces, once popular in the 90s, are coming back into style Now, they’re being used for more than just big-screen TVs and lounge chairs. Today, you can utilize a multi-purpose rooms for everything from family game night and movie night, to just a night in relaxing with friends. 

Read the full list on our website!

Trust Our Team of Remodeling Contractors in Ann Arbor 

 Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you, and our remodeling contractors in Ann Arbor have the skills to get the job done. Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home.

Need More Room for Entertaining?

Do you love to have family and friends over for dinner parties, birthday parties, or just casual get-togethers?

Do you wish your kitchen or basement had more to offer when you entertained?

Trust Our Team of Remodeling Contractors in Ann Arbor 

Do you need a creative eye to help you figure out how to improve your home for parties?

 Our design team has the knowledge and expertise to help you, and our remodeling contractors in Ann Arbor have the skills to get the job done.

At Alpha Design + Build, we believe that a properly designed project is less expensive, completed more quickly, and has fewer cost overruns than a project done “on the fly”.

Our process puts you first! Contact us today to set up a consultation, and start creating your dream home.  

Why Use a Professional Designer to Remodel Your Ann Arbor Home?

Is your kitchen also a homework spot?

Is your basement party central for friends and family?

Are you looking at starting a remodeling project in your Ann Arbor home?

Why use a professional designer? We’ll work with you to make sure every space in your home looks great and functions the way you need it to.

 When you work with our designers you’ll get:

• A digital rendering of the design so you can actually see what it will look like before work begins (and your feedback lets us make adjustments to the floor plan before materials are ordered – saving you money!) 
• Risk management – we spot potential problems before they occur, which we factor into our estimate before the remodel begins 
• The satisfaction of knowing you’re working with a team of experts who make their living creating beautiful, functional spaces 

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do! For you, this translates into a thorough exploration of design possibilities, with multiple layout options whenever possible, and an offering of cutting-edge materials and furnishings for the adventurous client. Contact us today to set up a consultation and start creating your dream home!

Are You Considering Remodeling Your Ann Arbor Home?

Are you considering remodeling your Ann Arbor home?

Do you feel overwhelmed by all the design options available to you?

Do you want peace of mind knowing you have a design team you can trust to see your vision for your space and get the job done right, on time, and on budget?

 Our design process is all about listening to your concerns and addressing them before the actual remodeling begins, so you don’t have to worry about costly revisions. When you work with us, you’ll sit down one-on-one with our designers to talk not just about what you want, but also go into detail about how you actually use your space.

Get Started on your Remodeling Project in Ann Arbor Today! 

Our professional designers are passionate about what they do! For you, this translates into a thorough exploration of design possibilities, with multiple layout options whenever possible, and an offering of cutting-edge materials and furnishings for the adventurous client.

There is no cookie cutter in our design toolbox. Your Alpha designer will work closely with an estimator/project manager to ensure that your design is practicable and fits your budget.

Contact us today to set up a consultation and start creating your dream home!

How Recessed Fixtures and Storage Add Function to Your Bathroom Remodel

Are you looking for unique storage ideas for your bath remodel in Ann Arbor? Remodeling a bathroom that’s short on space? Want to know how recessed fixtures can work in your design for a bathroom remodel?

Many bathrooms don’t have a lot of square-footage but still need to hold quite a bit of stuff. A great way to solve the problem of fitting a lot into tight quarters is recessed fixtures and storage solutions. When you hear the word recessed, you might just think about lighting; but there are so many more options for your bathroom remodel!

1.  Lighting: we’ll start with the obvious! Recessed lights are a great way to bring more brightness to a bathroom remodel without having to worry so much about coordinating serval different fixtures or possibly taking up valuable wall and counter space. 
2. Cabinets: the most common type of recessed cabinets in the bathroom are medicine cabinets, but you don’t have to stop there. You can add recessed cabinetry to several areas in the bath to boost storage without losing any space. 
3. Toilets: recessed or tank-less toilets add a modern look to your bath, save space, and are less costly now than when they first came out as an option. 
4. Shelving: create a high-end custom look while adding storage or display space with recessed shelving. 
5. Other Fixtures: everything from shower shelves, toilet paper holders, faucets, and soap trays can be built right into your walls. Some looks have more of a vintage flare while others are distinctly modern, but they all help save space in your bathroom remodel. 

Your dream space-saving bathroom remodel can be a reality with Alpha Design + Build 

With so many design options for saving space in your bathroom with recessed fixtures, you’ll hardly recognize your new room. If you’re ready to take the next step and talk design with the experts, contact us at Alpha Design + Build. With an eye for details and design, our team is ready to help you plan the perfect space.

5 Ways Tariffs Might Affect Your Remodeling Project

Wondering if you need to change your house remodeling plans in Ann Arbor because of tariffs?

Ready to remodel your space, but need to know more about recent tariffs first?

Feeling unsure about a renovation because of tariff and trade policy news?

We’ve all been hearing a lot about tariffs lately, but most of us probably don’t have the answer to the question we really need: how does all of this affect me? If you’re considering house remodeling in Ann Arbor, tariffs could have a big impact on you. But before you pack up the blueprints, paint chips, and fabric swatches, let us explain why it’s actually the perfect moment to get your project in motion.

1. Material Prices: data for the past year shows material prices have gone up nearly 10%, with new tariffs playing an important role in the increase. But with the rate of construction projects holding steady, end-consumers aren’t feeling the weight of the increases yet! 
2. Supply Options: as materials become more expensive, consumers and contractors may have fewer options for finishes and affordable materials. But this is still just a projection!
3. Timeline Delays: with imported materials being more expensive, the demand on the domestic product goes up. This can lead to significant delays in project schedules. But the current rate of construction projects tells us this isn’t happening yet!
4. Borrowing Rates: lending rates are likely to go up as project costs increase and the rate of construction projects potentially decreases. But looking at borrowing rates right now compared to the last 10 years, we’re still in a pretty good spot! 
5. Contractor Projections: with uncertainty in the future of the market, contractors are put in a tough spot. They have to predict if costs will go up significantly and potentially raise bids, so they aren’t left covering the difference on months’ worth of major projects. But, again, the rate of construction projects tells us bid prices are still favorable for new projects!

Get ahead of the effects of tariffs when you start your house remodeling project now.

Although all our information suggests that major price increases for house remodeling are on the way, it hasn’t happened yet! Materials are more expensive, but these changes aren’t making a significant impact on the end-consumer and construction project rates aren’t slowing down. If you’re considering a renovation project, now is the time to contact Alpha Design + Build and get started. We’re ready to help you design and build your dream space.

5 Reasons It’s a Smart Time to Start a Remodeling Project

Not sure if it’s a smart choice to remodel your house in Ann Arbor?

Need to know more about tariffs and trade policies before you can decide if it’s a good time to remodel?

Waiting for a change in the market before you start a home improvement project?

Follow the news and you know there are new tariffs on imported products… a lot of them. But you may not have a good idea of how these new policies affect you. With prices going up on so many products, it might seem like a good time for a wait-and-see approach, but really the opposite is true! When you get good a look at the projected effects of tariffs, you’ll see that it’s a smart time to get started on your remodeling in Ann Arbor.

5 reasons why remodeling now is a smart choice.

1. Tariffs: tariffs introduced by the current administration are already increasing the cost of materials necessary for construction and remodeling like steel, lumber, and aluminum. Prices will likely continue to go up and be passed to end-consumers like you. 
2. More Tariffs: Americans are already responsible for new tariffs on billions of dollars of goods. But the current administration is considering even more tariffs which would likely affect the market and material costs for house remodeling in Ann Arbor. 
3. Timeline Delays: with the cost of many imported materials going up, so goes demand on domestic products. It’s unlikely domestic sources will be able to keep up with demand, so eventually, the wait for materials will increase and the timeline for your project will be extended. 
4. Borrowing Rates: if you’re planning on financing your house remodel, rates are still low compared to the past 10 years. With increasing costs and changes to the economy because of tariffs and trade policies, rates are likely to increase. 
5. The rate of Construction: despite cost increases, construction projects continue at a steady rate which means it’s still a good environment to start your own project. Eventually, contractors will have to pass costs onto end-consumers, but you can still get ahead of that increase today! 

Get in touch with Alpha Design + Build today and get ahead of price increases. 

There’s no way to accurately predict the impact that tariffs and trade policies will have on construction and remodeling costs, but we know that we haven’t seen the full story yet. If you’re getting serious about a house remodeling project in Ann Arbor, it’s a smart time to make your move. Get in touch with Alpha Design + Build today to start planning your dream space.