Hire A Professional For Your Home’s Renovations

Posted on September 17, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

There are a lot of “Do It Yourselfers” out there who are up for taking on most projects with a do or die attitude, and then there are those of us who need some outside help when it comes to home renovation projects; big or small.

Unless you designed your home, there is always something about your house that you would like to change or add. Your project list could be endless, from replacing the tile in the bathroom to a complete kitchen overhaul. Before jumping in head first on a home renovation project, there are plenty of things to think about and plan for – from your budget to the level of difficulty.

Why Hire A Professional

Unless you are a contractor, there is a good chance you will need some professional advice at some point, plus there are a lot of questions you need to ask yourself if you plan to do any of the work on your own.

Motivation

How motivated are you to see the entire project through from start to finish without giving up?

Plenty of people start a project and then months, even years, later there is still some unfinished business. Are you going to look back later and think to yourself, if you just hired a professional this renovation would all the done and over with? Probably…

Budget

Labor costs are always a concern. We think that not only can we find a better deal on supplies and fixtures, but sometimes we watch a YouTube video and instantly think “Oh I can do that!” While that is the feeling at the start of the renovation process, there are plenty of times when you create more work and spend more money on unseen variables, putting your project cost up there with the amount you would have spent on a pro.

At Merle Builders, we treat your projects like our project with respect and dedication.

Contact us today and we will gladly answer any questions you may have and we will guide you through the process of designing a space that fits your lifestyle, choosing the materials and making sure the project stays on time and on budget.

The Resale Importance Of Remodeling Your Backyard Deck

Posted on September 15, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

The term “stay-cation” became popular in the early 2000’s, each year more and more families were choosing to use their vacation money to stay home, update and remodel.

New television stations, like the DIY Network and HGTV, started cranking out reality shows starring homeowners and designers. These home designing stars would then be working together with the homeowner to create more out of their “home spaces.”

One of the most popular renovations includes outdoor spaces.

What better way to spend a cool Syracuse summer nights, then grilling dinner on your newly designed and renovated deck?

A wooden deck addition/renovation places fifth on a list of the most popular remodeling projects that keep value in 2015 remodels and better yet can produce an 80% return on your investment when selling your home.

One of the most sought after features for a home buyer today is a deck, many have it on their “must have” lists. But like any remodel unless you work in construction, the first question is “Where do I begin?”

This is where Merle Builders is able to assist from ideas and blueprints, obtaining building permits and even providing onsite management.

At Merle Builders, we treat your project like our project with respect and dedication.

If you live in Syracuse, NY or the surrounding areas, contact us today and we will gladly answer any questions you may have and we will guide you through the process of designing a space that fits your lifestyle, choosing the materials and making sure the project stays on time and on budget.

Finishing Your Basement For Added Rooms

Posted on August 25, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

Your home is a large investment, that’s why it’s important that it is perfect and everything you want. Finishing your basement can open up many doors for your home, literally. Remodeling your basement is the least expensive way to add square footage to your home, increasing the value.

When you finish your basement you will enjoy dry storage space and lose the musty, moldy odor, but the benefits don’t stop there.

Here are several options that you’ll have when you finish the basement:

Get work done in your own home office. A home office will offer a quiet place for you to be productive and get some work done.

Additional guest room for family and friends. Need more room for guests? Add a spare room for guests to have a private room to stay. Consider adding an additional bathroom or even a basement apartment.

Your favorite movies right at home. Enjoy movies in your own home movie theater. You won’t have to worry about crowds and sharing an armrest with strangers.

Basement Bar. You won’t need to go to a local bar to watch your favorite sports team. Turn your TV to a sports channel and add a pool table and dart board for your own bar.

At Merle Builders we treat your home like our own and make you a priority throughout the entire process. From blueprints to building permits, we will help you build your ideal home. If you would like more information or you’d like to discuss a renovation project for your home, please contact us today.

Invest in Your Home – Renovate!

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

Renovating any part of your home can seem like an immense project to take on, especially if it is going to be expensive. However, patchwork for the most part has a time limit and letting something continue to deteriorate can lead to more issue with your home.

The truth is renovations will not only save you from a headache later on, but it will actually end up paying you back in a big way.

Don’t Delay, Fix It Today!

Putting in a new garage door is a great way to add curb appeal to your home and the normal price for it very reasonable. Fixing your exterior siding is another great renovation as it will make your home a new, fresh look. It’s such an awesome move as it will return about 87 percent back on the total project costs.

When it comes to the kitchen, you don’t need to fix everything in it. Simple upgrades to counters, cabinets and appliances will give a lot back to you in terms of return on the investment. One over looked renovation is new windows for your home. Installing these will help lower your heating and cooling bills, which will in the end save you quite a bit of money.

Speaking of the weather, a backup generator is also a great addition to any home as its benefits will outweigh the money you spend to obtain it.

Merle Builders believes in investing in your home and will take on any renovation you decide you want for your home. We treat each project as if we were working on our own home to make sure you get the best product possible. For more on our services or to discuss a renovation project, contact us today!

Adding A New Deck To Your Home

Posted on May 18, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

If you’re renovating your home’s exterior, consider adding a new deck to your home. It’s almost Summer and what’s better than entertaining friends with a barbeque and some lemonade out on the magnificently built deck?

With a new deck, you’ll increase your home’s living area, being able to entertain and enjoy time with your friends and family outdoors in the nicer months. Plus, it’s an easy way to increase the value of your home if you’re thinking about selling or refinancing in the future.

Adding a deck to your home may seem like a big job, but if you plan out exactly what you want, a professional will be able to complete your project in just a few short weeks.

Some things to consider when building a new deck on your home or property; budget, timeline, and wish list. You can consider adding common things like fire pits, seating but additionally an amenity like an area for grilling.

If you like to entertain, consider adding extra dimensions to sit and talk with guests. If you grill often, you might want to think about adding a built-in grilling area for making those delicious feasts. Another great deck addition is a fire pit, especially if you have kids who like to roast marshmallows or if you like to sit out under the stairs, staying warm with your company.

All of these things come with a price tag, so make sure you consider your overall budget when you’re making your plan.

Remember, adding a new deck to your home can increase the value of your home and will give you a new living space to spend time with your friends and family. At Merle Builders, we have the professionalism, experience and attention to detail to make sure that your new deck is a beautiful addition to your home. If you live in the Central New York area, contact us for a quote today and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

5 Steps To Plan For Adding An Addition To Your Home

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Scott Merle Builders

For most families or property owners, the purchase of a home is the largest investment they will make in their lives, possibly lasting generations. With that idea it’s extremely important that the owners look to re-invest in their property through renovation or remodeling projects that will ensure that in the future their home keeps or potentially increases its re-sale value.

That’s why if you live in a home that you are very attached to, that you don’t want to outgrow, constructing an addition will help you and your family cement your stay.

Here are 5 steps to building and addition on your home or property:

Step 1-Decide on square footage and size of the room.

When planning to build an addition to your home, it is important to decide on the square footage you will be adding to your home. Knowing the size of your planned addition will help calculate the expenses that coincide with room size, such as wiring and plumbing. This leads us directly to our next step.

Step 2– Figure out what fixtures you plan to add to the room.

Decide what fixtures you plan to add to the room addition. For example, If you are planning on making a bathroom addition, knowing what appliances or fixtures you will want will give you a more accurate estimated cost for the room addition. Remember, mechanical stuff such as your furnace, water heater and electrical panel all must be revisited when doing additions as well.

Step 3-Calculate costs in advance.

Decide on the other construction needs you’ll need to purchase to build the room addition. This will include lumber, paint, flooring and any other structural elements of the room. Determine how much of each material you will definitely need to complete the project, and add those costs to your appliance costs to get a rough estimate for your total materials costs. Every cost associated with the home addition should be calculated before hand to make sure you can afford the addition.

Step 4– Choose your addition style

A good addition to your home should blend with the original structure. Don’t head into a home addition without knowing what style your going with. If you have space restraints, consider building up or out so you don’t add to your homes footprint. Bumping out is a popular way of making an addition, where you hang the new room off the side of the home. Choose an addition style that maximizes your homes potential.

Step 5– Make sure you are building your homes value.

A home addition can lead to additional taxes. When you make a home addition successfully, your homes value should increase. If the value your home will build because of your addition is less than the cost of the addition, re-evaluate whether it is wise to make the addition.

Since 1962 new homeowners, expanding families, retirees and many others across Central New York have trusted Merle Builders to construct their perfect home. At Merle, we specialize in customization, elegance and perfection. We build each and every home according to your exact needs.

From sprawling two-story townhomes to single-story patio homes and much more, we construct and design each property according to your lifestyle, not the other way around. For more information, contact us today!

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