It’s safe to say that we have all used our kitchens a lot more in the last year than we ever have before. With us all being forced to stay at home and protect ourselves and our loved ones from the COVID-19 global pandemic, our kitchens have been forced to quickly adapt. While pre-pandemic you may have only ever used your kitchen to prepare meals, with all the family living and working together under one roof, the role your kitchen plays in your household may have changed dramatically.
With that in mind, it is more important than ever that your kitchen is a functional and modern space, that reflects both your interests, and your lifestyle. Ask yourself if your kitchen is working well for you and your family? Is your kitchen space practical for all the 
different uses you now require from it? With 2020 being a year that none of us could have predicted, 2021 is the time for change and adapting to a new way of life- so why shouldn’t your kitchen move with the times too?

Lifestyle
One of the main reasons why you should consider a kitchen remodel this year is because the current design and layout of your kitchen space is no longer in line with your lifestyle. For many households, the kitchen is at the heart of your home. So whether you are a MasterChef in the kitchen, or you are more of an ‘order-in’ kind of person, your kitchen should reflect this.
For example, if you love nothing more than being the hostess with the mostest then you should go for a new kitchen design that provides you with plenty of entertainment space. Think about perhaps including a breakfast bar in your kitchen layout, so that you have enough space to serve your guests.

Home value
When it comes to making considerable changes to their home, many homeowners decide to undertake the project of a kitchen remodel. This is because not only is it important to have a kitchen that works for you, they are also a great way to add extra value to your home. While you may not be thinking at all about moving house, an attractive, on-trend, and remodeled kitchen will appeal a lot more to potential buyers.
A modern kitchen remodel is also a great way to increase your home’s marketability and drum up some extra interest. With many kitchen remodels, some homeowners can recoup their investment, but this largely depends on how much work needs to be done to the space.

New trends
If you have been keen to revamp your kitchen space for sometime, , but are worried that you just wouldn't know where to begin, then now is a better time than ever to get started. With more people at home, there has been an increase in the number of people making home improvements to their houses, including their kitchen space. So you now have more new kitchen trends to choose from!
From the return of the traditional country look kitchen, to the rise of the new, but extremely popular, industrial design, finding a kitchen layout and design is now easier than ever before. When looking for inspiration on how to change and upgrade your kitchen space, you will be spoilt for choice.

Improve functionality
In recent unprecedented times, your kitchen has no longer solely been a space where you can cook meals and enjoy them as a household. Instead, now your kitchen has also had to fill the role of work office, school classroom, and family living area. Therefore, you may need to consider how functional your current kitchen area is, and how a remodel would make it work better for you.
Kitchens that have been around for some time can start to not only look outdated, but also have an awkward layout. For example, you want to make sure there is plenty of worktop space for modern appliances, as well as food preparation space. Therefore, by upgrading and remodeling your kitchen you can make the space more convenient and easier to cook in. I mean that is the whole point of a kitchen, right?

Deterioration
Yet, you may also find that the current condition of your kitchen space leaves you with no choice but to remodel the interior. Of course, materials, as well as decors, only last for so long before they need upgrading again. But the deterioration of your kitchen is something that can sometimes creep up on you. Before you know it, your brand-new space is twenty years old with damaged cupboards and peeling countertops.
Remember that the space around us has an impact on how we feel. So if you are missing your flare in the kitchen then you may find that it is because your run down cooking space is far from making you feel inspired. So say goodbye to the old and broken, and say hello to a brand new space that reignites your fire in the kitchen.

A greener kitchen
As a society, we are becoming increasingly aware of the damage that our own lifestyles are having on the environment and how the smallest of changes can make a considerable difference. This includes many of our behaviors in the kitchen. While new modern kitchens that are being installed are now including more environmentally friendly additions, if your kitchen is older, then you may not have these facilities.
For example, simply by swapping out old and energy thirsty appliances for more energy efficient models, you can cause considerably less damage to the environment, and also bring down your energy bill. You can also make the most of new design trends. These designs include smart kitchen products , such as a three-part recycling bin to make sorting out your rubbish even easier.

Remodeling your outdated and old fashioned kitchen doesn't have to be as complicated or stressful as you may think. With a whole new year of kitchen design trends ahead of you, and potentially even more time spent at home, the year of 2021 is the perfect opportunity to revamp your kitchen space and make it the perfect environment that is unique to you.

Beautiful flooring can truly transform your small kitchen. Ceramic tile is generally used in kitchens however laminate and vinyl flooring have come a long way in design and quality.
They are commonly used now partly because they are much easier to install. Sometimes you can even install laminate flooring right on top of the existing ceramic tile. It saves you from getting out the jack hammer and the whole mess or removing ceramic tile. Some of the laminate and vinyl flooring looks just like wood.
We hope you find these small kitchen ideas useful when you do your kitchen improvements.

If you are considering installing a brand new kitchen for your home contact us for a free consultation.
 

Planning for any kind of remodel project can bring on a mix of feelings. From excitement or fear, to a sense of being overwhelmed with all of the little details that go in to planning and designing a beautiful kitchen or luxury bathroom. You may be tempted to skip to the exciting stages like shopping for plumbing fixtures or selecting your new paint color, however you’d be missing out on some important key steps in the process. A full scale remodel or minor makeover of your space doesn’t have to be stressful though. With the help of an experienced remodel contractor and the following tips that we’ve compiled, your home remodeling project will run smoothly and stay on track.​

#1 Identify Your Goal for the Project
Why do you want to remodel? Are you upgrading to improve the resale value or making modifications to live and age in place? Knowing your end goal for your project is vital. If your focus is around resale value, then you’ll want to consider the other home values in the neighborhood and know which projects will provide a good return on investment. For the latter, you’re likely to be more focused around such things as durability for the years ahead, safety-conscious modifications, and designing around your needs now, as well as the future.

#2 Establish a Comfortable Budget
Establishing your budget is one of the most important steps in planning your home remodel. There are two parts of budget planning that you’ll want to carefully think about.

Project Budgeting – This is the total cost that you are comfortable spending on your renovation. This number should include contingency funds for unexpected issues that arise. For example, having $75,000 to spend on your remodel, while knowing that you could come up with an extra $5,000 should it be absolutely needed. Unexpected issues are items that are unforeseen during the design and planning phase and are not revealed until the demolition and build are underway. Faulty wiring or the presence of mold is commonly unforeseeable that is not known about until the walls in your home are opened up.
Incidental Cost Budgeting – These expenses are commonly not thought about when it comes to remodeling, but can add up in a big way if not careful. Being mindful of the ramifications of doing your home remodel like having to eat out while your kitchen is torn apart or for a hotel stay for a night or two during construction.

#3 Know the Limit of What You Can Handle
While many North Jersey homeowners think they can self-perform part of their home remodel, it is important to know your limitations and the pros/cons to your DIY. While doing some of the work yourself may give you a sense of accomplishment, more often than not it comes at a cost. A professional remodeling contractor has been doing kitchen and bathroom remodeling for years and likely has the processes down to a science in order to operate efficiently. By performing tasks yourself, you are essentially disrupting their lined out construction schedule, which can cause delays and result in fewer savings than it’s really worth. Know which tasks should be left to the pros from a cost and schedule standpoint. Lastly, it may not be worth self-performing tasks that could cause limitations to your contractor’s warranty or workmanship guarantee.

#4 Think Through Your Daily Routine
Consider how the remodel will affect your routine. Be clear about your daily schedule with your contractor to avoid any mishaps or delays. It is essential during the planning phase of your project that you discuss the contractor’s start and end times each day. This will avoid the crew showing up while you’re still in your pajamas or their work day running into other appointments that you may not be able to miss.

Will you be away from your home during the construction phase? Now is a great time to discuss that schedule with your contractor and determine how they will have access to complete their work each day. Many Phoenix homeowners set up a unique garage code for access, utilize a lockbox for storing a house key that only the contractor has the code for, or having a friend or neighbor at the home to unlock and lock up each day.

#5 Water and Electricity Outages
Depending on the scope of work for your project, there could be times where your contractor will need to shut the water off from the main valve or turn off an electrical breaker while work is being done. Most commonly these are only temporary outages but are still something to be aware of for those families that are home during the day. Planning ahead by having bottled water on hand for drinking and cooking, and a contingency plan for bathroom emergencies can take the stress out of any possible situation.

#6 Set Up a Make-shift Kitchen
Most North Jersey homes have two bathrooms, so while it may be a slight inconvenience having one torn apart under construction, it is not a huge tribulation to live through. Kitchen remodels are a different story though. Before starting your kitchen remodeling project, we recommend setting up a make-shift kitchen in another room of the house. Incorporate small appliances such as a microwave, coffee maker, and beverage cooler or ice chest to provide a functional way to make food and drinks while your kitchen is out of order. Another great idea is to plan meals that you can cook on the grill outside.

#7 It’s Time to Pack
In an effort to keep your items protected and clean during the renovation process, it’s recommended that you pack up and move any items from the construction zone. Consider using an extra bedroom, storage pod, or off-site storage room to store your stuff. This will also provide a safe work area for the contractor’s crew to get to work.

#8 Create Drawings & Keep Them Handy
You may not be required to have a full set of blueprints drawn for obtaining a permit depending on the details of your remodel project, but it’s worthy to mention the importance of working with a reputable contractor that has an on-staff design team that will still create drawings and/or renderings of your project with dimensions. It is recommended that they remain near the work area or posted on the wall in the room where they can easily be seen. Not only does this provide a reference if any questions arise, but it also goes a long way in helping to make sure you and your contractor are on the same page with the goal for your space.

For many homeowners, this may be your very first home renovation project. Hopefully, these tips can minimize that overwhelming fear of the unknown and have you ready to get your project underway confidently. A well-done quality remodeling project takes time to complete, but utilizing these guidelines from day one of your planning will help you be better prepared and ensure that your project is a success.

As a homeowner, it can be difficult to balance between trying to stay on time, on budget, and on top of the thousands of details and moving parts that are involved in doing a luxury remodel. It’s a full-time job! That’s why you’ll want to hire the professionals for your upcoming remodeling needs.

North Jersey homeowners looking to remodel are likely to hear about the team at Berceli in their research or have used them for other home improvement projects. Our team has been a leading contractor in the  Bergen County area performing full home remodeling design-build services. Over the years we have built quite a reputation for our great customer service and impressive portfolio. If you are ready to start planning your next home remodeling project, then you’ll want to reach out to our on-staff design team or stop into our Fort Lee New Jersey design showroom to begin exploring ideas for your home. Visit our website at www.bercelinj.com for our business hours and to request your appointment today.

​Inaccuracies Due to Overbidding
When you overbid a job – meaning you estimate that it will require more materials or labor hours than it realistically calls for – you’re likely to lose out on a lot of projects.
If you’re worried about the cost of materials or unsure of how long it will take your team to complete the work, you might be tempted to put a high price tag on your proposal just in case. But general contractors closely compare the bids they receive from subcontractors for an idea of price ranges, and many of them also perform their own takeoffs to check measurements. If your bid comes in significantly higher than others, the job will go to a lower bidder, and you’ll be back to searching for other projects.

Inaccuracies Due to Underbidding
Underbidding can win you the job, but you shortchange yourself in the process. When you underbid a project, you’re held to the quote you originally provided even if the job costs more than you anticipated. So you won’t recoup the cost of any materials that are more expensive than you planned for or any added manpower or overtime – these costs will come out of your pocket.
An exception to this is change orders. When plans change in the midst of a project, you’ll have the opportunity to reevaluate your estimate and provide a new quote for the changed work – but again, if you underbid on the change order, you are responsible for covering any extra costs.
There might be times when it’s worth it for your overall business strategy to intentionally underbid a project, which we’ll discuss later. But remember, in order to underbid on purpose, you still need to have a strong handle on what an accurate estimate looks like for the job.

Developing a Positive Reputation with Contractors
If you consistently submit accurate, professional proposals to Contractors, they’ll begin to take notice. General contractors measure success on the same things you do – time and monetary efficiency – just on a larger scale and with more moving parts.
Your accurate bid means they can spend less time checking your estimate – they’ve worked with you enough to know that you have a good grasp on the cost of getting the job done without price gouging, and this way your company can give the Contractor peace of mind.  
When a Contractor knows they can trust you to bid the job correctly and deliver on your estimate, you can expect to win more jobs from them.

Saving Time with Accurate Estimates
Bidding accurately is also a simple time saver for your construction company. An accurate estimate allows you to order the right amount of materials – no scrambling to source more supplies or find storage for a surplus, and it keeps your crew schedules on track.
When one job is bid accurately, your time is freed up to evaluate other projects and keep a steady flow of work for your team.

Knowing When to Aim for Submitting the Lowest Bid
If you’re trying to break into a new area of specialization and get a foot in the door, underbidding can be one way to catch the attention of the general contractor. This could be the case if you’ve expanded to a new trade and your team doesn’t have many projects under their belt, or if you’re trying to get into government contracting, where those with the lowest responsible bid tend to win.
In these instances, the main goal might be adding these projects to your portfolio rather than simply making a profit. Perform your takeoff and create your estimate as you normally would, and then you’ll be able to see how much of the total price you can shave off to increase your chances of winning.
You need to have a strong understanding of your overhead and other indirect costs to make cuts to your price. When you know your normal markup for labor, for example, you’re able to reduce it by a fraction if needed. Be careful of coming in too low, however, because this can still result in losing the job if your qualifications are questioned. You also don’t want to set the bar so low that you can never make a profit in this area.

How to Create More Accurate Estimates
You may already understand why accurate estimates are so important, but how do you go about improving your process so that you can be more precise? These 5 tips can help.

1. Get ahead of deadlines
If you’re always working down to the wire on submitting proposals, your estimating team is stressed and playing catch up. Instead, be proactive. Find a tool that lets you increase your takeoff speed so that time isn’t wasted in the measurement stage.
The faster you can perform takeoffs, the better able you are to decide which projects are worth bidding on in the first place, and you have time to gather more information, conduct potential site visits, and create a comprehensive proposal that will get your company noticed.

2. Eliminate mistakes caused by human error.
Sometimes a ruinously inaccurate bid is a result of something as simple as a misplaced decimal point or a typo. This is an easy fix, so don’t let it happen to you. Use a pre-construction platform that keeps all your data in a single source of truth. You should be able to go from takeoff to estimate to proposal in one software without transferring data elsewhere and introducing the opportunity for mistakes.

3. Get familiar with the details.
Even if you want to send only a high-level overview in your proposal to the Contractor, get in the habit of making your internal estimate as detailed as possible. A labor and material estimate allows you to break down costs in terms of items and assemblies, but even if you prefer unit cost estimates, you should separate all indirect costs, rather than adding markup into the price of your measurements.
Knowing your true direct costs enables you to adjust markup, overhead, or labor charges as desired both per estimate and company wide. Don’t forget to include other indirect costs associated with the project, like freight, delivery charges, or refuse containers.

4. Take material cost increases into account.
If you can, share your takeoffs with your suppliers along with your quote request to ensure the most accurate possible order. And remember that prices rise regularly, so be sure you’re informed about supplier increase cycles. Don’t assume your materials will cost the same now as they did three months ago – double check before finalizing your estimate, and if you anticipate an increase mid-project, include a clarification about time-sensitive pricing in your proposal. This way your cost remains accurate and the Contractor isn’t caught off guard.

5. Anticipate waste.
We’d all like to think our crews are perfect, but in reality they’re human. People have off days and don’t accomplish as much as they intend. They make mistakes when measuring and have to scrap some supplies.
Account for this in your estimate by tracking how much waste is generated on average per measurement or per material (and labor) and add that percentage into your total price so all your bases are covered.
By following these 5 practices you should see your estimated costs start to line up much more closely with actual completed job costs, so you can bid more, win more, and grow your business.
Looking for a pre-construction estimate that will help you save time and improve your home remodeling processes?  Click Here 

​Homeowners of all generations are paying even more attention to the health of their homes and everyone living in them - especially during this global pandemic in which we are ensconced. This includes but also goes beyond using low-VOC materials, paying attention to ventilation and incorporating nature light. Homeowners are paying closer attention to more hygienic products that can instill a sense of control in our current state of chaos. In light of the coronavirus, Berceli is keeping in mind the aspects that make up wellness design and how to help our clients choose products that will support their healthy lifestyles that are becoming ever so important. We also focus on what goes on behind the walls to ensure today’s homes are as safe as they can be, The new remodeling designs and technology along with our remodeling expertise can help augment this ever growing need.