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Experts Share Their Passion and Tips for Homeowners

With Jim from Design and Remodel Brothers

How did you get started in remodeling? What's your story?

Our father was a General Contractor in New York City for over twenty years, specializing in residential and commercial projects across the five boroughs. His expertise lay in foundation and framing, and he managed a team of long-term subcontractors for other aspects of remodeling jobs. He has since retired and enjoys pursuing his hobbies across the United States.

From a young age, we were introduced to the construction industry and learned how the remodeling sector aligned with client demands, city regulations, and material requirements, all thanks to our father. After spending a significant portion of our early years working alongside him, we both decided to pursue careers within the industry.

I became an International Trade Manager, focusing on surface materials imported from Europe and Asia. Meanwhile, John concentrated on Procurement Management Systems within national home improvement retailers. He gravitated toward the field and labor aspects of the industry, while I leaned toward design and materials. Hence, he represents the hammer in our logo, while I represent the pencil.

After establishing our career paths, we relocated to the thriving state of Georgia and settled our families in Woodstock. After gaining local experience with several remodeling companies, we recognized the opportunity to establish a showroom and offer our services as a Design-Build Remodeling Firm. Our father's approach inspired this business model, but we aimed to provide more comprehensive services to present a complete package. We soon realized that the absence of a firm like ours was a huge loss for the surrounding areas, and opening our firm would greatly benefit the local population, as no other company offered the services we envisioned as a whole. This led to high demand for our services, thanks to our backgrounds aligning perfectly with the community's needs.

What inspires you about remodeling/your job? For instance, planning, trends, or new developments.

I have a strong personal interest in keeping up with trends and advancements in materials and designs to meet the needs of our clients effectively. With my background in materials, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with manufacturers worldwide, making the manufacturing process, procurement of materials, and design scope areas of particular interest to me.

John is passionate about meticulous planning and ensuring that every element fits perfectly. The process of planning a remodel, which involves utilizing Gantt charts and phase planning, motivates him to implement hands-on approaches in each project with the support of our GC teams. This approach allows our teams to leave a distinctive mark on every project we undertake.

However, for both of us, I know nothing makes us happier than seeing a client's vision come to life.

What are some of your favorite types of projects?

As experts in comprehensive remodeling projects covering everything interior from design to completion, we particularly enjoy residential jobs that involve complete gutting and total renovation. This approach offers our clients a complete package at a more affordable rate and ensures they receive the highest quality materials. These projects consistently result in satisfied clients, leaving us with a profound sense of fulfillment in our work.

What is one insider tip that could help homeowners looking to remodel or spruce up their homes?

Remodeling projects can often set off a chain reaction of changes throughout your home, which we call "the domino effect." It's essential to collaborate with the right professionals to minimize this impact.

Consider the following:

·         Did you know that fashion and interior design trends typically cycle every ten years?

·         Were you aware that while the foundation and framing of a home can endure for an average of 50 years, most materials and appliances typically experience wear and tear within 13 years?

If you find yourself in a situation where your home requires partial remodeling due to these statistics, it's wise to plan for a comprehensive renovation. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to undertake the full renovation immediately. Instead, it indicates that any changes made to specific areas during a remodeling project can have repercussions throughout your home, and it's crucial to consider the broader implications and see how you can make any changes to your home with little to no impact on the other portions.

Here are two examples:

1) Suppose your home is over ten years old and requires renovation because the style of a particular area has become outdated.

Unless your home was custom-built with a consistent interior style, changing colors, materials, or finishes in one area may disrupt the overall cohesion of the home. Trendy elements like blue cabinets may quickly fall out of favor. At the same time, neutral options like white quartz countertops lack natural stone's visual depth and cohesion, which complements various color schemes throughout the house.

2) If your home is older than 15 years and various materials are deteriorating, leading to frequent and costly repairs.

Calling in individual tradespeople such as handymen, plumbers, or electricians for each issue can quickly add up in terms of cost. A more cost-effective approach may involve updating multiple materials as part of a comprehensive remodel, addressing various issues with a single action plan.

When contemplating even a simple update to your home, consulting with a professional team specializing in full-scale interior remodeling can offer you a comprehensive vision of the project, ensuring that your renovations align with your long-term goals for your home.

You can find Jim and his brother, John at dnrbros.com and @thednrbros on Instagram

"Nothing makes us happier than seeing a client's vision come to life."