According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), “Homeowners are advised not to wait until summer to start thinking about making changes to their homes. Finding the right design, choosing a professional contractor, and securing the necessary financing for a home improvement project can sometimes take months, so NARI suggests that homeowners who want to start a project by summer start planning now.”

To kick-start your remodeling process, NARI also recommends the following:

• “Think through your project from start to finish. Careful planning of your home improvement projects will enable you to update your home, increase the value of your investment and customize your living space-all for a lot less than the cost of a new home.”
• “Look over your property carefully. What repairs are needed? What improvements would you like to make? Think ahead and determine your future needs. Professional remodeling contractors can help you in your planning by outlining options and discussing the improvements you can make within your budget.”
• “Be sure to review your homeowner’s insurance policy and make adjustments for the added value of the work being done. Most homeowners can handle routine maintenance projects and cosmetic touchups, but it’s recommended they consult with qualified professionals for larger remodeling jobs and major changes to the home’s structure.”

Renovation and remodeling take time, planning and expertise, and can yield a finished product that offers a fantastic transformation of your home or a return to a more comfortable state with needed home repairs.

As always, we welcome your questions about your remodeling projects. Reach us today at (301) 946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

“While Merrick hasn’t yet begun the work (it should commence in June of 2013) we wanted to write a review of the design process that we began a year ago with Lindsay.

Lindsay is, with all sincerity, the sweetest, most honest, and most professional person we’ve ever encountered in the home improvement realm. We cannot imagine working with anyone else. In fact, my wife and I were so compelled to work with her we decided it would be a waste of time to get additional bids.

Lindsay has, over the course of the design process, taken every one of our unusual requests with patience and consistently found a way to make them work in order achieve the effect we’re after. There was no curve ball she didn’t crush and no email she didn’t respond to and absorb. We’ve been blown away at her ability to track and integrate every single one of our off-handed requests and rapid-fire emails. She oozes a level of competence and attention to detail you just don’t expect to encounter these days.

We strongly encourage anyone looking to work with a design-build firm to begin and end their search with Lindsay @ Merrick.”

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

Clients work with Merrick when they need to change their homes – inside and out. They want to feel better in the spaces they already own and enjoy more effective living.

How do we assist with outdoor space renovations? For starters, we step outside and walk the property with a homeowner. We listen to their needs and brainstorm on the possibilities. Then, if it makes sense, we talk about the next steps, which include a design agreement and a discussion on their “build.”

What kinds of projects do homeowners hire us for? Clients in Maryland and DC work with us on decks, front porches and patios, outdoor kitchens and other modifications to and around the exteriors of their homes. And, in some cases, we work alongside a landscape contractor to bring projects to life.

Are you considering changes to your outdoor spaces? We’d be happy to chat with you about your needs and mutually determine if we may be the right fit for your project.

Spring’s almost here, so reach me today at (301) 946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

Addie Merrick and Julio Osuna
hold the NARI CotY Grand Award

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, Metro DC Chapter (NARI Metro DC) has named Merrick Design and Build, Inc., in Kensington, MD, a 2012 Contractor of the Year (CotY) in the Grand category at its annual awards competition.

Click here to read the press release.

Comments or feedback? Reach us today at (301) 946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

“David,

We wish to thank you and your fine team for the quick, excellent repair of our living room wall. The work was finished in time for the holiday season, for which we also thank you. That you were under no legal obligation to do the work, makes you efforts all the more deserving of thanks.

We wish you and the Merrick Design and Build team all the best in the New Year,
Amb. Thomas E. McNamara and Mrs. Emma McNamara”

We’re honored and touched when clients send us their comments and remarks and are always glad to assist them with their needs.

Do you have a small project that’s nagging you? Reach us today at (301) 946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

“Great Bathroom!”

Guys, the bathroom is still great. It’s just gorgeous. I wanted to send along a quick thank you note to let you know that the work is beautiful and the bathroom is functioning wonderfully. I especially love the floor and basin/vanity. The colors on the wall are just pale enough that they don’t make me go “wow” every morning, lol, which is probably a good thing.

But that floor and the basin are, literally, remarkable.

Of course, on a personal note, the towel warmer is something that is so great I can’t believe I didn’t do it sooner. I’m glad we put it up on the wall because the bathroom looks almost “spacious” by comparison to how it was for the first 25 years I’ve lived there.

Now let’s hope this renovation lasts the next 25 — should I live so long.

LOL

All the best,
Anne

Thank you, Anne. We appreciate your comments and look forward to working with you again and working with your friends and neighbors.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build
301-946-2356
dmerrick@mdbi.us

We’re excited to share that one of our photos was featured in an article on Houzz entitled 10 Unexpected Ways to Style a Gorgeous Fall Mantel. Scroll down to see the “One great piece” item to view our photo!

Enjoy! And, as always, we welcome your comments and feedback. Reach me today at 301-946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

The U.S. Census Bureau defines multigenerational families as those consisting of more than two generations living under the same roof. Many researchers also include households with a grandparent and at least one other generation.

Due to the Great Recession and other factors, multigenerational households have rapidly increased in the last few years:

• One in six Americans currently lives in a multigenerational household
• The number of households rose from 46.5 million in 2007 to 51.4 million by the end of 2009 – a 10.5 percent increase in just three years.
• In 1980, multigenerational households accounted for 12 percent of the U.S. population. By 2010, this number had climbed to an estimated 16.1 percent.
• About 4.2 million of the 113.6 million U.S. households consist of three or more generations.

Five major factors are impacting the increase in multigenerational households:

• Slower starts: People are marrying later; more unmarried 20-somethings continue to live with their parents by choice or due to economic necessity.
• Immigration: Latin Americans and Asians have immigrated to Maryland, the DC metro area and other part of the U.S. in large numbers; immigrants are more likely to live in multigenerational households.
• Availability of kin: A high percentage of Baby Boomers in Maryland enjoy financial security and are able to welcome their aging parents into their homes, while providing their young or young adult children a place to reside.
• Health and disability issues: Across the board, increasing numbers of Americans suffer from chronic conditions and disabilities; many move in with family members to gain access to caregivers for themselves and/or their children.
• Economic conditions: With the Great Recession, many Americans struggle with job loss or other forms of reduced income. Sharing household expenses across generations makes them more manageable.

Multigenerational households come in all shapes and sizes; the common types include:

• Three-generation: The most common multigenerational household arrangement consists of three generations – typically one or more working-age adults, one or more of their children (who may also be adults), and either aging parent(s) or grandchildren.

• Grandfamilies: There are growing numbers of grandfamilies, which are households headed by an older individual or couple who live with grandchildren under age 18.

• Two-adult generations: Most two-generation households consist of parent(s) and child(ren) under the ages of 18 to 22. However, households with “boomerangs” are on the rise – grown children who return to their childhood household because of unemployment, underemployment or other factors.

• Four-generation: Once a rarity, the four – or five-generation household – parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, adult children, their children – is more commonplace and socioeconomically significant.

Are you considering a remodel for multigenerational living or are already part of a multigenerational household? Have any of the above factors related to you and your family?

We hope you found this data as informative and helpful as we did! And, as always, we welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Reach me today at 301-946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

Source Note: This post was compiled with data from the Generations United website.

When the Merrick team renovates a kitchen, homeowners often share a strong need of to add more square footage to this high-traffic, high-functioning space. There are also needs of the various generations who live in or visit the home that include features and special elements that will make the kitchen space more useful and comfortable.

For the young (under 10 crowd), many homeowners are opting to create “kid-friendly zones” (away from the stove) with space for:

• Child-friendly cooking
• A desk-like environment for computer work or homework
• Two prep areas

For the Millenials (age 18-34), “wish lists” center around technological advances that include:

• A microwave that allows swiping a package bar code, which triggers cooking using the exact directions
• A TV screen that’s built into a kitchen wall or an appliance
• Technology that allows heating an oven using a cell phone or computer

Baby Boomers (age 45-64) have specific “wish lists,”which often enhance entertaining and can include:

• A cooktop with special features like a built-in grill, wok or rotisserie attachment
• Commercial or professional-grade appliances
• A built-in coffee pot that’s directly connected to the water supply
• Ovens that dramatically reduce cooking times

A newly renovated kitchen can easily meet the needs of residents and guests of all ages and stages, improving the experience and enjoyment of this central and important space.

As always, we welcome your questions, comments and feedback. Contact me today at 301-946-2356 or dmerrick@mdbi.us.

David Merrick
Merrick Design and Build

Source Note: This blog post was developed using data and information from a press release entitled “Moen Uncovers Top Trend in Kitchen Remodeling.“