There’s no doubt that Summer is one of the best times of the year to work on your home. Many homeowners all over the country are taking a good look at their homes and deciding on which projects they want to take on. Check out some of the most popular home remodeling ideas for Massachusetts residents.

Build a Deck or Porch

Outdoor spaces give you more room to spread out and relax in your home. More days spent at home has led to many realizing the value of a space at home where you can enjoy the outdoors, plus have a space to gather safely with loved ones. Decks and porches give you the perfect opportunities for extending your life outdoors with room for entertaining, cooking, and dining. It’s great to tackle these projects early in the Summer so that you can enjoy them for longer. Skilled contractors can custom build decks and porches out of wood and composite materials that can withstand the elements season after season. A deck or porch is the perfect place for spending quality time with your family & friends and the possibilities are practically endless. Make your home the go-to spot for family barbecues and get-togethers. 

Remodel Your Kitchen

Kitchens are one of the most popular remodeling projects all year round. They provide you with so much value by making your life easier and more convenient with a custom space built for your daily needs. Skilled craftsmen can plan the ideal layout for your kitchen so that everything fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. From the countertops to cabinets and flooring there’s no limit to the details and features you can customize in your kitchen. 

Efficient Windows

Many homeowners know the value of high-quality windows, they add so many different benefits to your home. In the Winter, they greatly reduce the amount of money you spend on heating costs. In the Summer, it’s the same with your air conditioning. New windows help keep your home’s energy locked in and comfortable. Plus if you want to take advantage of cool Summer breezes, new windows will easily open and close. Replacing your windows is one of the smartest investments that you can make in your home’s comfort and longevity. 

Refresh Your Siding

Your home’s siding is one of its first lines of defense against weather and anything else that Massachusett’s climate can throw at it. Outdated siding can bring down the overall appearance of your home when it should be adding to its curb appeal and welcoming guests. Most commonly, Massachusetts residents opt for wood and vinyl siding to keep their homes beautifully protected. 

If you’re interested in remodeling your home this Summer, our team at Tom Curren Companies can help. Contact us to learn more about our decking, siding, and window replacement services. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted almost every sector of the global economy, and the lumber industry is no exception. The pandemic triggered a construction boom, leading to a surge in demand for lumber, and causing the price to rise. That, coupled with the shut-down of lumber yards made the price of even the most standard lumber items continue to go up, hitting astronomical figures.

 

Why is the Price of Lumber Skyrocketing?

 

The current demand for lumber and its products far outshines the supply. At the start of the lockdown in March of 2020, many homeowners spent their time carrying out long overdue home improvement projects – both DIY as well as professionally hired. Once the pandemic hit, lumber mills were among the major businesses to shut down to prevent the spread of the virus. 

 

Consequently, the existing lumber inventory was quickly depleted, and restocking was a menace. At some point, there was less than 10% lumber available to meet the market demand. With the severe disconnect in supply and demand of timber, the prices hit the roof. In some areas, lumber prices have gone up by 50 to 100%.

 

Impact of the Soaring Prices

 

The housing sector has been hit hard by the crazy lumber prices. To start with, we as contractors had to adjust our expected timeline to finish projects, due to delays in finding enough materials. Many contractors buy materials as they go, so shortages caused major disruptions for many smaller contractors with fewer industry connections. One of the benefits of working with Tom Curren Companies is that we’ll source all materials for you, before the job starts. During the pandemic, this was a major advantage, because we weren’t halted mid-project by any material shortages, like many other contractors were. 

 

The price of construction projects has also skyrocketed as builders and contractors factor in lumber’s high price. The cost of timber slashed profit margins by a significant percentage, translating to clients paying more for work done. On the other hand, some materials didn’t skyrocket quite as much, so you may be able to get something different but equally beautiful, at a relatively lower price.

Any Hope?

In August, the National Association of Home Builders wrote to the government seeking their intervention in the lumber crisis. At the moment, there’s nothing substantial that has been done to help correct the situation. The prices may continue to surge. However, as supply chain routes continue to open up and the demand slowly matches the supply, the prices may also plateau.

At Tom Curren, we are doing everything possible to keep our clients updated on lumber prices, and making sure our estimates are reflective of what’s available to our clients at the time. Contact us for any clarification or questions about your project!

What most homeowners, or more importantly, house chefs, reiterate is that a kitchen is the heart of a home. If you enjoy eating delicious food, you’ll believe this as true. But it takes more than a love for food to want a stylish kitchen; you need to make cooking an experience. This explains why many home chefs are taking stylish kitchen design and decorating trends to a completely different level.

The variety in minimalist and contemporary themes is absolutely mesmerizing. Though, there is quite some significance in how homeowners perceive a kitchen island at the heart of their home. Therefore, let’s take a look at 4 reasons why you should add a kitchen island to your home.

4 Reasons for Adding a Kitchen Island

Aesthetics

Sure, kitchen islands take up considerable floor space, but they ensure that your kitchen has a focal point that captures the attention of guests, family, and friends. In fact, the variation in styles and colors of a kitchen island influences aesthetics. Well, it will take the eyes away from the cabinetry and the stoves, at least.

More Amenities

Ever wondered what it would be like to add your desired kitchen appliances someday? Perhaps you can’t do it right now due to a lack of room, but with a kitchen island, you’ll get plenty of space! Imagine an extra stove set or even a pre-sink on the kitchen island. Wouldn’t it be amazing to install new appliances that you couldn’t before? Moreover, it will kick the usability and functionality of the kitchen up by a few notches.

Additional Cooking Room

Are you a professional home chef? Do you serve a large family? Or are you the only cook in the house? Whatever the reason, a kitchen island is a great place to add an extra set of stoves. Apart from that, it provides extensive space to fill in with fruits and vegetables, along with other cooking materials. For one, there is extra space to cook and serve more people at once. This most certainly allows you to increase quantity while paving the way for increased quality in your kitchen.

Another reason is that it allows two people to cook together, such as when couples cook up dinner. Needless to say, a kitchen island can effectively cater to such needs in your house.

Seating Improvement

Do you like it when people start gathering in the kitchen for some gossip? Especially when you are cooking? Well, in that case, a kitchen island can surely come to the rescue. It has space to accommodate at least half a dozen seats (depending on the kitchen space and the size of the kitchen island) for guests and family. So, you can prevent guests lingering over your head while you’re at the stove or chopping vegetables.

Besides that, it’s always lovely to share a conversation with your child or spouse up close, even when you are cooking!

Conclusion

If the reasons above convinced you to look for some of the best kitchen island options, as well as a fantastic contractor to install it in your kitchen, look no further. Tom Curren Companies has an impeccable record and level of expertise that can facilitate your kitchen with an “island.” Give us a call at 617-969-4900 to schedule a meeting with an expert from our team.

Your home’s exterior does a great job of representing you, or at least we hope it does. If not, a paint refresh is one of the best ways to give it more life. Painting your home can totally change the first impression that guests get. With more time spent at home, you want to be happy with how your home looks. Let’s check out some of the reasons why Spring is the best time to paint your home.

The Weather

Spring in New England means mild temperatures in general. It’s not too hot or humid yet, and you don’t have to worry about extreme cold either. Modern paints are much more resistant to temperatures, but it’s still much easier to set well in Spring weather. 

The Exterior of Your Home is Stressed

Not the same kind of stress that people feel, your home’s paint job can also become stressed. Through the various weather conditions we experience in the Boston area, your home’s exterior deals with a lot. Snow, ice, rain, and high humidity can negatively impact the appearance of your home over the years, leading to cracks and chips. Too much moisture also can lead to mold and mildew growth. UV rays can cause paint to fade. The variety of weather we have here is a lot to handle for exteriors. Springtime illuminates these issues, making it a great time for new paint. 

Less Foliage

In the Spring, especially early on, trees and bushes haven’t flowered yet. So there aren’t bushes and other foliage in the way, giving maximum access to every part of the home’s exterior.

Work with the Best Painters

If you wait too long until the end of Spring and early Summer, the best painters in your area may be booked solid. Make sure to get your quote from a reputable painting company early in the year so you can get the job done well and enjoy it sooner.

Good Pricing

After a long winter, many contractors are ready to get out in the weather and start working. This means that you can get more competitive rates at this time. Remember to act fast before schedules and rates both go up with demand. 

Ready for Summer

Many people are spending more time outdoors at their homes than ever. The sooner your home is painted and feeling fresh, the sooner you’ll be enjoying it from your deck or yard. Painting your home in the Spring is one of the best ways to get the most value out of it. 

If you’re a homeowner interested in giving your home an update, our team at Tom Curren Companies can help. Contact us today for a painting estimate.