Help us decide between two contractors for a kitchen remodel
vdinli
10 years ago
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Texas_Gem
10 years agojakuvall
10 years agoRelated Discussions
heat zone question: deciding between two contractors
Comments (6)Sara, Mike is right, you may not get the full benefits of a mod/con boiler as their full efficiencies are only met when the return temps are below 130. Normal rads run at 180, meaning return temps are something like 160. That being said, if the original house is older, and has been upgraded with insulation, better windows etc, than you may have more radiator length than you need for 180 temps, allowing you to run lower and still be warm. Like I said in the other thread, get a heat loss calc done. You should not go with any contractor that is not capable of doing this ' manual J' calculation. The 2nd contractor sounds good, but their are pluses to the 1st guy too. Make sure they are quoting the setup with an Outdoor reset or ODR. This modulates the temp of the water based on outside temps. This is one of the main reasons to get one of these new boiler types. Go with the 2 stage AC unit as Mike said. When my unit dies, that is what I will do. I like the Trane units, XL model I believe, where they have 2 compressors in them, one at 50%, the other at 100%, which modulates better than the other 2 stage units, which are usually 70/100%. A lot to think about huh? The good news is, the systems today, when properly setup with a good contractor, are more comfortable and use less energy. Good luck....See MoreHelp! Need to decide between two granites!
Comments (5)First off, the Uba Tuba is lovely - but I've observed among my many friends who have it, that there are a lot of variations - some seem to be a lot more green, some have more of the gold/brown family predominating, so be sure the slab you pick really has the features/colors you want. Second of all, and this is a very personal thing, I seem to see Uba Tuba everywhere! (I live in NJ, in a suburb of NY.) Often, when everyone has the same thing, that's because it really is the nicest choice :-), but I would look around to see if there's something else that's just a little different....See MoreKitchen layout help please. Deciding between two.
Comments (12)"...The kitchen is on the back corner of our house and is a new build..." Is the entire house a new build or just the Kitchen? (It says "Existing Family Room", so I assume this is an addition, not a whole-house new build.) Assuming it's just the Kitchen, where exactly is the "new build" vs the existing footprint? How flexible are you? ++++++++++++++++++++++++ Some things to keep in mind: Aisles around the table...You will need to devote quite a bit of space to provide sufficient aisle space around the table. The presence of the door on the far right and the "desk" area will be an issue b/c you really need at least 54" b/w the table and the "desk" to allow someone to be one or the other and still get by. 60" would be better b/c you could potentially have seating at both. If that door will seldom be used, 54" will be fine. However, if that will be your only access to a backyard or deck (and it looks like it is), plan for it to be very busy when your children are playing as well as when you have company/parties and the outside is included (grilling, etc.). You will probably only need for 48" b/w the door and the table. I think you can get away with no more than 48" b/c the door is offset on the wall and the table will only overlap the door a little - it's not fully blocking the door - assuming the side that opens is on the right, not the left. If it's on the left, then you may need more b/c now the table will be fully blocking the door. What do you need? When there's no traffic behind the seats, at least 33" to squeeze by, 44" to walk by/pass behind to get to other seats. When there is traffic, at least 48" if there are no counters, etc., behind the seats With both counters/appliances and traffic and seating at only one location, 51" to squeeze by when someone is seated, 54" to 60" to walk by. If seating at both locations, then 60" to 72". 60" will work, but 72" is better. Possible fixes: (1) Recommended: Put in a banquette instead of a table. They take up less room b/c you don't have to plan for traffic behind the seats. -or- (2) Eliminate the desk and move the door to the top wall. This way, you won't be trying to fit so much in that small space (small when you consider you want a table + counter/desk + door in that space). -or- (3) Turn the table - but then it would reduce the amount of space you have for the kitchen work area. -or- (4) If this is a new house or you are modifying the FR, consider moving the door to the Family Room...See MoreHelp me decide between these two floorplans - Fischer Homes
Comments (17)Actually both are pretty poor. Agree that in both the garage is way too small. First the Clay: I just noticed that to get to the laundry room you need to climb up or down stairs on the landing to get into the room. And you open the laundry room door if you're inside and step down? VERY UNSAFE! Oh and it gets worse! To get to the master bathroom, you have to walk up two steps??? I'd hate to be trying that one in the middle of the night when I'm half asleep. Hate the two story family room for all the reasons stated already. Hate that the toilet is on the same wall as bedroom 4. Also hate that the closet takes up an outside wall so no chance for windows and cross ventilation on two walls. And not a single linen closet?? In the whole downstairs there is a total of 1 closet. Where do you store anything? The Paxton: Since you say you don't use a dining room, what will you use it for since you already have a rec room and a family room? At least there's a single closet downstairs besides the coat closet and the pantry. Still not much storage though. Again hate the open to below for all the reasons stated. This at least is not a hazard with the stairs coming out of rooms. Double doors into the bedroom? Where will you put light fixtures? Good luck walking around the tub to get to the toilet in the middle of the night if you're like me and hate turning on the light. That bathroom is very poorly designed. The master shower looks small. How can you have a sitting area if that's the space you need to walk past to get into the bathroom? The shower looks very small considering all the wasted space in the bathroom. Again, no linen closet for the other bathroom or for bedding? Personally, if it were me, I'd keep looking. That's a lot of space but most of it is not good usage....See Morerobo (z6a)
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10 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
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10 years agoJoseph Corlett, LLC
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