The Build Up Blog

Whole Home Renovation: Before and After Pics

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:00:52 GMT

This project was a major remodel for the new owners of a 17-year-old house. Let's just say that the original workmanship and finishes left a lot to be desired.

So, what did we do? Well, w e opened up the kitchen, dining room, and living room by eliminating several partitions and half walls. We supported the floor above with steel columns and a steel I-beam. We then covered the beam with a box beam built of reclaimed antique pine with a Walnut wax finish. We also replaced the flooring with wide plank white pine boards stained and finished with three coats of oil-based polyurethane.

The renovations also included repairing some structural issues, replacing several rotted doors, reconfiguring the main entry, and remodeling the main bath and master bath. We removed the exterior vinyl siding, and we replaced the original cedar shingle siding and much of the exterior trim. We also installed a new Hydro-air heating and central air-conditioning system.

And, finally, we turned the unfinished room above the garage into a music studio.

Choosing Custom Cabinets: What to Keep in Mind & How We Help

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Fri, 19 Oct 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Did you know that we have a custom cabinetry shop on site in our Rhode Island headquarters?

Our Custom Cabinet Shop in Action

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Sat, 29 Sep 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Did you know that we have a custom cabinet shop on site? We'll have many more photos to share in coming months, but here are a couple of shots for now.

Dream Home Renovation in Greenville, Rhode Island

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Tue, 03 Apr 2018 10:00:00 GMT

You've made muse boards, spent endless hours pinning on Pinterest, and have created ideabooks on Houzz. Now, it's time to turn your dreams into reality.

East Providence Bathroom Renovation: Hello, Style and Storage!

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 15:27:58 GMT

We love tackling challenging bathroom renovations, because it's always fun to see the looks on our clients' faces when they see what we can do, especially with tight spaces.

Insurance Restoration Services: Be Prepared!

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Sat, 24 Feb 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Wacky weather. That kind of sums up life in New England, doesn't it? And while many of us will say this varied weather is one of the reasons we love living here, the truth is extreme weather can wreak havoc on our homes and our lives.

Home Renovations: Link Roundup

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Mon, 29 Jan 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Happy New Year! (We can still say that, right? It is January!)

Renovating Historic Homes: 2 Challenges

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Thu, 30 Nov 2017 11:00:00 GMT

While we often talk about new home construction at Hebert Design/Build, that doesn't mean we won't work on older homes, including those with "historic" designations.

Often, these homes have been in the same family for generations, so it's a great honor to work on them. But they do have unique challenges, two of which we're bringing up here. If you're thinking about buying a historic home, or if you know someone who owns one and is thinking of renovating in 2018, be sure to share this with them.

Challenge #1: Plan for longer lead times.

If you have a historic home, you could easily add another three to six months to your planning time.

Why?

Because if you're doing an addition or a major exterior renovation, you have to go through the local commission and get approval. And sometimes it can get even more complicated than that.

For example, on a project we did last year, we had to go through the local commission. Then, we had to go through the state commission, because there were flood issues. In fact, the rules had changed enough that the local building inspectors didn't know what to do. They had to inquire about interpretation of the rules. It was quite a process to get what we wanted, and, of course, it added time to the schedule.

Challenge #2: Beware of wiring.

The other thing you need to keep in mind regarding older homes is wiring. Any time you're doing projects in a historic home, you're probably going to run into some old wiring. You want to expose and eliminate as much of the old wiring as possible. Most people don't realize it's there, and in some cases, it can be very dangerous.

Home Renovations: Why Planning Matters

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 10:00:00 GMT

It's the end of October, and everyone is in planning mode: Halloween costumes, Thanksgiving feasts, December holidays, winter vacations, 2018 business budgets.

Since everyone's in that planning mindset, we thought it would make sense to explain why it's just as critical to spend extra time planning your home renovations.

See, most people think they plan adequately, but we're here to challenge that notion. For all the planning you think you're doing, you should plan on (ha!) doing even more...and this article gets into why.

Home Improvement Tips for Fall 2017

tim@hebertdesignbuild.com (Timothy Hebert) — Thu, 05 Oct 2017 14:40:47 GMT

The folks at Foundation Repair Services put together this infographic. It's especially helpful this time of year as we head into winter. Fix those drafty spots!