An important factor in the home buying processes, especially when you have a family, is the school district where you would be living. The Daily Beast recently shared an article of the 25 Best High Schools in the Midwest, and Kirkwood High School was named number 13 on the list! They have a 100% graduation rate with 93% of students’ college bound. In lieu of moving, now is the perfect time to renovate your Kirkwood home!

We’ve been a proud part of Kirkwood since 1959 and this is a great honor for our community! We are excited to see our city receive this well deserved recognition.

Kirkwood is known for their historic buildings and houses, giving the community a beautiful, old school charm. As stunning as they historic homes may be, many of them are ready for some upgrades. Love your neighborhood and not looking to move? Renovating your home is a great option!

Kirkwood is a great location to raise a family with the close knit feel, great schooling and local community events. This year is the 54^th annual Greentree Festival, located at Kirkwood Park. The mission of the Greentree Festival is to provide an event for the Kirkwood residents that will enhance community spirits and showcase the volunteer involvement of the residents and non-profit organizations. Who wouldn’t want to live in such an entertaining and community involved city?

Looking to start a remodel project of your own? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

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One of the first questions people ask going into a remodel meeting is “how much will this cost me?” There is no simple formula to how much a remodel will cost, and every situation has its own set of variables and circumstances that affect the final price of a project.

As a home owner going into a remodel, here are some variables you might not have considered:

• The location of the remodel in your home- is it on the first floor or second floor, and how will the materials be transported? Is it easily accessible?
• Once a demolition project is started, sometimes setbacks occur such as discovering asbestos, mold, or other unexpected things. This would take additional time, money, and crew that would not be originally calculated into a price.
• Will there be a dedicate site supervisor who will be the go-to person for questions, or will that job be run from an office off site? You also have to consider if all the workers on the crew are insured and qualified.
• Will upgrades be necessary to add on during the process? This includes water, gas or electric.
• The quality of the finished product is a major factor into the cost. What materials have you chosen, high end or bargain? Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each, choosing a cheaper quality product might save you money in the short term, but might not last as long and cost you more to replace.

There are too many variables in a remodel project to truly judge how much the final project will cost. The best way to think about it is cost vs. value. There are many ways to cut corners and save cost, but the higher the quality of the products and service, the longer your remodel will hold its value.

Looking to start a remodel project of your own? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

The post What Affects the Cost of Your Remodel? appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

Eighteen years ago, Sheldon and Leslie Weinstein purchased their home in Clayton, Missouri. They loved the neighborhood and feel of the area, but the home did not feel like their own. They reached out to us to help customize the home, and make it truly one of a kind. We developed a long-term renovation plan, and over the years have completed nineteen projects on this spectacular Clayton home.

First we tackled the kitchen, completely gutting the room and starting fresh with new counter tops, cabinets, and tearing down a brick wall that separated the kitchen from the family room. The kitchen was small and dark, but by tearing down the wall and updating the features, the kitchen became bright, light and airy. “I love that sink,” said Leslie Weinstein. “I would take it to my grave if I could!” Now that amount of love is what we like to hear!

The original layout of the first floor was far from ideal, but together we came up with a plan to turn the spare first floor bedroom into a library with floor to ceiling custom built bookcases. The room has a grand feel, while still remaining comfortable and inviting.

The basement was a cold, empty, framed out cellar when the Weinstein family first moved in, but we transformed it into a complete basement living area. A media room, bedroom, bathroom, laundry room, and storage room were all added into the basement, helping to create a relaxing area to escape to.

As the Weinstein family grew into their home and aged, they decided to move their master bedroom to the first floor. We opened up the spare bedroom and library and created a stunning master bedroom and bathroom suite. This project took a lot of thought and imagination to create a master suite without disrupting the flow of the house. We are extremely proud of how it turned out!

After years of remodeling the inside of the home, the Weinstein family decided they wanted the outside of their plain, ordinary looking bungalow to match the custom, beautiful look of the inside of their home. During the remodel process, they had neighbors stopping them to remark on how their house looked like a brand new home!

“RIGGS gave me great faith in remodeling,” said Sheldon Weinstein. “They were able to get to the heart of your project very quickly. Anything they did was quality.”

The Weinstein family is living proof that you do not have to move to build the house of your dreams; you just need a good home remodeler who can help make your dreams a reality! We are so blessed to have customers such as the Weinstein’s who have welcomed us into their homes and allowed us to a part of their remodel process.

Looking to spruce up your home? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us online 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

The post The Transformation of a Traditional Clayton, Missouri Home appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

To help make the selection process a little less overwhelming, we have compiled a list of some of the hottest remodeling trends for 2013:

·        Cabinetry – The two main trends we are seeing right now in the cabinetry realm are white, which is always in style, and a dark espresso finish. The best thing about both styles is that they, well, don’t really every go out of style.

·        Countertops – While marble countertops tend to always be in style, many homeowners are opting to go with a more maintenance friendly alternative such as quartz. They look just like marble, but don’t require the same level of maintenance.

·        Showerhead – Be honest: who doesn’t sing in the shower? Well, our good friends at KOHLER are taking the shower singing experience to a whole new level with their latest creation: the Moxie. This showerhead comes with a built-in wireless speaker and Bluetooth technology, allowing you to play all of your favorite tunes from your Smartphone device.

Want to know more? Amie Riggs Swarts, Vice President of RIGGS Company & Design, was recently on Great Day St. Louis where she explored not only these items, but much more!

Looking to spruce up your current abode?  Give RIGGS a call today! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are second to none. Drop us a line or visit us online 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com

The post 2013 St. Louis Home Remodeling Trends appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

I don’t like to gloat—okay maybe sometimes—but I am really great at my job. There is one thing though that I always forget when dealing with clients: people have lives. Trying to juggle family life, a job and a home remodel all at the same time is no easy task. Knowing this now will make me even better at my job going forward.

Day 6

It was workday and I decided to stop by to check in with my crew. The demolition and basement framing were coming along nicely.  After conversing with my crew for a bit, I decided to sneak up to the second floor to take a look at my closet painting job in the morning light.  Remember when I went to go get “cheaper” paint?  Well, it’s dry and it looks like it was painted by my 4 year-old.  I look at the other closet.  It actually looks better… like my 8 year old nephew painted it. So, after standing there inspecting my work I realize, it’s not me, it’s the paint. 

This is exactly why I tell my clients we only use the highest quality paints and primers.  So, what should have been a prime and maybe a two coat job, I’ll have to add a third coat. Oh, but the other thing I forgot to mention was that my brother stopped by yesterday and called asking why I painted my husband’s closet.  I promptly raised my voice and said, “Because you told me to start painting so we would stay on schedule!” He replied (calmly) with, “Yes, but not the closet we have to demo the back wall out to run the new basement bath vent stack through.”  I drew the plans for my own house.  I knew that wall was being torn out. Did I forget or overlook that because I was in the zone?

Or am I just human, have a full-time job, am a mother of two, living with my parents, packed all of my husband’s coats in storage so I hear about it every other day that it’s cold, trying to make all the final selections for three bathrooms and a kitchen, cabinetry, countertops, plumbing, light fixtures, appliances, bath accessories, paint colors, flooring and tile, do we have enough money to do this, do we have enough money to do that?  Wow… what a sentence!

Every time I remodel my home(s) it’s been a different experience.  My life has different variables. I’m single/I’m married.  No kids/kids.  Have to move out/life with parents. Live with parents with kids/live with them without.  I am my worst client.  My job is to coach my clients through these very decisions and scenarios.  And I’m really great at my job.  But I suck at it for myself.

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I’m having a hard time naming these entries because I want them to be accurate and not misleading. My husband and I only work on the house on the weekends so Day 3 is really weekend two. The second weekend is really when much of the fun begins. Hope you enjoy!

Day 3

It’s my husband’s day to work at the house. He asked me what I would like for him to work on.  In our family, I am the decision maker and planner.  Jim executes the plan… most of the time.  It works well for us.

I asked him to empty the bucket of Soilex that I made last weekend, and make a fresh batch and wash down all the woodwork and walls in the bedrooms.  We are concentrating on the bedrooms right now in order to get them painted and livable. The basement construction will be completed once we are moved in.  The bathroom in the basement is what we will use while the 2^nd floor bath is remodeled along with the kitchen.  Did I mention we: my husband and two kids (4 and 2 years old), are living with my parents?  So… yeah. Now I remember why I moved out. We will be moving into our new home with no convenient bathroom or kitchen.

Day 4

My sister-in-law graciously made time in her busy day to come over and lend a hand.  The goals for today were to remove the carpet tack strips from the stairs leading to the second floor and in the living room. I figured if stayed “on top” of the dust it wouldn’t get so bad.  So I asked my brother to give my sister-in-law a crowbar/pry bar that we can use to get the tack strip up. When she walked in the door she is carrying—what they call—a mama bar.  It weighed as much as she did and was as tall as I am.  That was not going to help us at all.  So I see a tire iron lying on the floor and decided that would be the tool that would have to get the job done.  Again, I’m focused.  Why is the tire iron there, on the floor, in my dining room?  My husband got it out of his car for the night when the kids were demoing.  Hope he doesn’t get a flat tire. Anyway, we spend the day hammering away at the tack strip and take turns vacuuming and cleaning the floors in the bedrooms. Today was all-in-all a very good and productive day.

Day 5

It is Thanksgiving weekend so we have one “extra” day of work! Closet painting. EVERYTHING in this house needs a coat of paint… or two.  The current closets are the color of watered down mud.  My husband brought to my attention that the color is not a huge deal since they will be filled with clothes but since ALL closets I have ever built or remodeled are typically white I have a very different opinion than my husband.

I go to our preferred big-box store to get—what I would call—cheaper paint, because after all, they are closets.  Our preferred big box store was selected by my husband because it sponsors a NASCAR driver he likes.  Hey, I do what I can to make my man happy.  Anyway, I get 3 gallons of white ceiling paint, some rollers and some pan liners…$100!  Sweet!  I would have spent at least $150 at the local paint store I usually frequent.

Back at the house I’m all set to go. I start with the closest closet that I am set up next to.  I cut it in and roll it out.  NEXT! I cut it in and roll it out.  In the meantime my mom has come over to help me.  She fills all the nail holes in the walls on the second floor. As I rinsed out my paintbrush in the bathtub because every other source of water in the house has been demolished, I thought about where I’m going to do this next week after this bathroom is demolished.  I didn’t think that one through because I didn’t figure adding a utility sink to the laundry. Ugh!

As I look back at these I still find myself cracking up! LOL! Be on the lookout for Part 3 of our series.

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As someone who has helped hundreds of people design the homes of their dreams, you would think when it comes time to remodeling my own home it would be a cake walk, right? Well… not so much. I have found that it is much easier helping others in the planning, design and remodeling phases than it is assisting myself. HA! I recently began a major home renovation project myself. While the process has been a very rewarding one, I have learned several valuable lessons along the way.

I thought it would be fun to share this entire experience with all of you in a series of informative and sometimes comical blog entries. First up: the day we took possession of our new home. Let the fun begin!

Day 1

We took possession on Friday (11/16/12) and let the kids demo a wall in the dining room, followed by a pizza picnic on the floor. Saturday we decided to take a breather. After all the bank nonsense and the complications with the closing we just needed a little rest and to spend the day with the kids.

Today is Sunday. My sister took my daughter for a couple of hours and my son is at my brother’s playing with his cousins. We arrived here about 10:30 with a plan to start washing down the walls and woodwork on the second floor. After rearranging the stuff we had previously unloaded in the garage I found a bucket and filled it with soilex and water and headed upstairs. I turned the corner to the master bedroom and realized I would need to first pull down all the old shelving and rods in the closets and then pull down all the curtains, sheers, blinds and hardware.

New plan:  get a ladder and toolbox. I feel sorry for the bucket of soilex that is probably not going to get used today.

Day 2

So, I’m off to buy a new screw gun today.  You would think because I own a company that has many screw guns that I would have my own screw gun or at least be able to get my hands on one.  Well, you thought wrong.  I have a 4 year old Black & Decker power screw driver that has no original tips left because my son lost all of them (Phillips and flat head tips). I only have a Phillips head, that I rigged, and in order to remove the remaining window treatment hardware I had to use a regular old fashioned flat head screwdriver.  My problem is that when I get focused on one task I want to complete it before I move on. So I trudged forward using a manual screwdriver instead of waiting until I got a screw gun and I bet I lost 2-3 hours.  I told you there were a lot of window treatments!

As you can see, fun times, right? LOL! Stay tuned for part 2. This is where you will see why I am the greatest wife of all time.

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