For anyone who has lived through a home renovation, you know that remodeling a house can certainly be challenging. From unreliable contractors to delays and unexpected expenses, there’s no shortage of problems that can creep up. That’s why Danielle and Dave Jenkins vetted several home remodelers before agreeing that Five Star Home Remodeling was the obvious choice for their major renovation. Larry Hopkins and his team transformed their outdated dwelling into the home of their dreams.
The Jenkins bought a house that met their needs in a great location; however, it needed a little bit of their personal touch to truly make it their own—and by a little bit, we mean a major renovation. Originally, the split level featured a closed-in kitchen that restricted movement and interaction throughout the primary living area, but what the Jenkins wanted was an open concept kitchen, dining and living area that made functional sense and encouraged interaction.
Having spent time abroad, the couple developed a taste for modern European design. Foregoing the traditional look, the Jenkins opted for a contemporary feel that features very clean lines and frameless floor to ceiling cabinets with oversized hardware. One of the key aspects of the remodel was to engineer a load-bearing beam to make the open concept possible while using the existing framing of the split level.
It was important to the couple that the kitchen follow the design triangle, a concept that places the refrigerator, stove and sink less than 9 feet apart from each other. This creates a functional environment and efficient use of the space. Aesthetically, the color contrast of the island and kitchen cabinets put a great design twist on the kitchen to prevent the overall white cabinets from completely washing out the room.
The couple was impressed when the few challenges that came up during the remodel were swiftly handled by Larry.
“In my over 30 years of experience, I’ve learned to manage the process and expectations with my clients. I take great pride in making sure that all materials have arrived and are ready to be installed before I start the project. This greatly reduces any delays and keeps projects moving smoothly,” says Larry.
The couple also felt that their original master bathroom—which included an oversized tub and small shower—did not fit their lifestyle. The Jenkins opted to remove the tub and install a large stand-in shower with sliding doors. The shower features a soaker and spray head, and the sliding doors allow entry into the shower without getting wet. The oversized vanity and mirror in the bathroom provides each of them with plenty of personal space to get ready for the day.
Larry avoids displacing his customers whenever possible. He worked on this project in stages and created a safe environment so that the Jenkins could remain living in the house during the entire renovation.
Dave confesses, “The idea of opening up our house was daunting, but the way Larry managed the project and communicated with us helped to put everybody at ease."
“I tell my crew, ‘Treat the house like it belongs to your grandmother,’” says Larry.
Far too often we hear of remodeling nightmares that start with the best plans and intentions, but inevitably drag on for months.
Dave laughs and tells the story of a conversation with his neighbor, “Five Star was in and out of our home in 6 weeks. Our neighbors were also doing a renovation at the same time as us and it was taking longer than they had planned. When they stopped seeing trucks in front of our house they asked me, ‘Did your contractor quit?’ To which I replied, ‘No Larry's gone because he already finished the job.'"
The end result is a stunning remodel that truly deserves a five-star rating.
Looking for a home renovation that's going to be on time, on budget, every time? Visit Five Star Home Remodeling.