emcd, Author at McDonald Contracting

Blog

6 Steps to Remodeling your Kitchen

18Jul2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As residential contractors, we remodel everything from master bedrooms and bathrooms to garages and basements. Through it all, one of the most popular renovations we see is kitchen remodels because of its functionality and return on investment.

When remodeling your kitchen, there’s a lot of time and preparation needed before you can begin the process. We like to encourage our clients to first put together a collection of pictures and designs they like so we can get a sense of their style and vision. After this is decided, we move onto determining your budget so we can direct you in materials within your price-range for your cabinets, fixtures, appliances, flooring and counter-tops. Keep in mind that the average kitchen renovation can take about 4-6 weeks start to finish, while the average cost can range from $45k-100k and above.

McDonald Contracting

Now that we have all of the background work done, let’s dive into the remodeling process:

Step 1: Planning and Permits: Being without a kitchen for 4-6 weeks can be difficult, which is why it’s crucial to plan ahead. Select a contractor that you feel will be easy to work and that has licenses, insurance and references. Sometimes permits can take up to a month to get approved, which is why planning (and patience) helps during this high-stress time.

Step 2: Demolition & Framing: Out with the old! It’s time to tear everything down to the studs. Hopefully there aren’t any surprises behind your walls like lead or asbestos, but if there are they can be taken care of in this stage. This demo step is messy, but it will only get better after this part in the process is complete. Once the framing of new walls is up, electrical and plumbing can be installed…. But be sure to get work inspected and approved before closing up the walls!

Step 3: Insulation: Now’s the time to insulate all exterior walls and around windows. Older homes are not properly insulated and it can make a huge difference once insulated. Your contractor should go over your insulation options such as fiberglass and spray foam.

Step 4: Board and Plaster: This is a straight-forward part of the job. At this stage, we make sure there are smooth finishes to prevent any imperfections during the painting process.

Step 5: Flooring and Carpentry: In with the new! Your work with a kitchen designer or your own personal taste is going to come to life in this step. Floors are installed along with cabinets, hardware and molding. There are endless options for cabinets and flooring and these materials would have been established based upon your budget, kitchen designer or personal taste in the preparation stage.

Step 6: Paint: You made it to the final step! Always prime plastered walls and add two coats of finish paint. We suggest a moisture resistant paint for kitchens and find that semi-gloss is most common for trim.
We hope you found these steps helpful and inspire you to move forward with your dream kitchen remodel. Updated kitchens can increase the value of your home while, a timeline and clear vision makes for a smooth and organized project!

Thanks for reading,
-The Team at McDonald Contracting | www.McDonaldContractingMA.com[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog, Tips

Wood vs. Composite decks: Which is better for you?

19May2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text]As the summer approaches, our team will begin working on numerous deck projects. The process of designing & building a deck involves many decisions including design, location, size, and what materials will be used. During this process, we get a lot of questions about what materials to use and if composite or wood is the best option. To determine which type of deck will work best for your lifestyle and budget we’re breaking down the two main components of each: cost and upkeep.

Composite Deck:

composite deck

What’s in it: Composite boards consist of some type of plastic material, such as polyethylene and/or polyvinyl chloride, and wood particles.
Two options: Hollow and solid.
- Hollow boards are cheaper than solid boards however, they’re not as sturdy and can also hold water internally, resulting in warping and decomposition.
- Solid boards expand and contract more than hollow boards, but the big plus is, they’re stronger and tend to look more like real wood.
Pricing: In most cases, a composite deck will cost more than a wood deck but over time the price of a composite deck would be less than due to minimal upkeep.
Overview: Composite is more expensive than wood but provides little upkeep.

Wood Deck:

What’s in it: Most decks are made out of treated lumber with wood types ranging from pine to mahogany.
Pricing: Pricing can range drastically depending on the type of wood you decide to go with.
- Southern Pine, one of the most popular options, is sturdy but is also known to warp easily, requiring more maintenance.
- Cedar, a beautiful wood with an amazing smell, is more resistant to rot but breaks down when exposed to moist conditions.
- Mahogany, a higher grade wood, is very hard, extremely durable and attractive in appearance with few flaws. Ages extremely well with little to no maintenance. Check out the recent mahogany deck we just built to see how gorgeous this wood truly is.
Overview: If you love the look of natural wood then we suggest using a high quality wood, such as mahogany, this will ensure for a high-quality deck with less upkeep. Lower quality woods will require maintenance on a yearly basis.

We hope you found these comparisons helpful. At the end of the day it’s really up to the homeowner to decide which option is best, as both have pros and cons. We suggest to think about your long-term plan and how much up-keep you want in the future.[/vc_column_text][vc_separator][vc_column_text]Thanks – The McDonald Contracting Team

Check us out on Instagram for more tips and a behind the scenes look![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_facebook][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_pinterest][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog, Recent Work

Mahogany Deck

16May2016

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Having a nice deck or porch not only adds value to your home but gives you a relaxing outdoor space. We’re sharing one of our recent deck additions our team built in Arlington, MA. Our team worked with the homeowners to design a gorgeous mahogany deck that gave them everything they wanted, including a spiral staircase for access to the backyard. Check it out –

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Need some inspiration? Check out our decks, porches, and patio Pinterest Page

[/vc_column_text][vc_separator el_width=”70″][vc_column_text]Contact our team to learn more about how we can help you build the deck or porch of your dreams –[/vc_column_text]