Residential Bath $25,000-$50,000 — Kraftmaster Renovations

This master bathroom was too small for the professional couple.  Since another bathroom abutted the existing master bath, 3’ of space could be “stolen” from it converting the now smaller bathroom into a powder room. To accommodate the needs of the homeowners, a trough sink was installed into a much larger vanity, increasing usable space and storage. A large, walk-in shower was designed with two separate hand-held shower heads — one in the wall at the seat for ease of rinsing.  The skirted one-piece toilet is easy to clean, as are the glass wall tiles. A 6’-deep custom framed semi-recessed medicine cabinet adds to storage. Kraftmaster Renovations accomplished the new master bath for $48,000.

Residential Bath $75,001-$100,000 — JMC Home Improvement Specialists

These homeowners desired a spa-like master bathroom with two vanities, make-up vanity, large luxurious shower, additional storage with a dirty-clothes hamper and a separate toilet room. The decision to relocate the master bath into an adjacent guest bedroom and convert the existing bathroom to a laundry room with walk-in closet was easy. Accomplishing the task had its obstacles. The shower entry and door to the bathroom was curb-less so draining the shower required lowering the pitch of the shower. And, the distance from the drain to the main waste pipe required a long length without a severe pitch. Trimming the floor joists at the shower and using a laser level for directing the pitch at the lease severe angle assisted JMC Home Improvement Specialists in creating this  well-appointed master bathroom, at a cost of $81,500.

Residential Kitchen Under $30,000 —Hudson Home Improvement with team member Custom Counters by Precision

With a need for more storage, and a gathering space for the family with two small children, Hudson Home Improvement redesigned this kitchen in an urban high-rise.  Replacing the half-wall with cabinets, creating an eat-at counter with rounded corners (safer for the children) and installing drawers and pull-out shelving in the pantry proved to satisfy the clients’ needs. With the extra storage in the cabinets, the hutch across the room was eliminated, improving traffic flow and increasing floor space. To assist the clients experience in the remodel, Hudson Home Improvement created a series of design drawings with varied color schemes. The company’s on-line portal/database provides additional selection choices and management services for project expediency.

Residential Kitchen $60,001-$100,000 — JMC Home Improvement Specialists

The owners of this Cape Cod desired an open floor plan with visibility to the outside from all areas as well as hidden storage for counter appliances. The obstacles on this project and the innovative means of solving them are the factors that earned JMC this award. To create the open floor plan, a supporting wall required a flush header that was larger than the existing floor joists. To disguise this beam, JMC created a coffered ceiling, which needed to be balanced and focus on a room feature. By using the stove hood as the center point, and creating coffers of similar sizes focused on that direction developed layout issues for appliances and lighting, but was achieved with aesthetic and functional discretion. The large 10’ window caused issues with code required standard outlets over the counter. By installing pop-up outlets flanking the sink codes were met The homeowners’ needs were achieved at a cost of $93,000.

Meritorious

Residential Kitchen $60,001-$100,000 – Hudson Home Improvement with team member Custom Counters by Precision

The obstacles of designing this open floor plan kitchen/dining room were challenging since the kitchen hadseveral entryways to other areas of the room and the house. By removing walls and relocating the basement entry to the front of the home offered more floor space for a huge island and better traffic flow.  Existing floor joists were sistered since they had been compromised by an overzealous plumber previously. Recessed lighting on new dimmer switches and island sconces plus under-cabinet and task lighting were installed. Plus, natural light from double glass doors increases room functionality.

Meritorious

Residential Kitchen $60,001-$100,000‑Kraftmaster Renovations

A multi-functional hub for aging-in-place homeowners in a small condominium was designed for cooking, chatting andcongregation with family on Sundays and holidays. The condo association imposed several restrictions, including a 600 CFM stove vent for the new Jenn-Air range, which could not be vented to the outside so a  recirculating charcoal filter was installed. Hardwood flooring was glued down due to the concrete fire protection subflooring. Pull-out drawers and shelves assist the homeowners in accessing their cabinet storage and new recessed lighting enhances the owners’ use of the room.

Residential Interior Under $75,000 — Hudson Home Improvement with team member Custom Counters by Precision

This interior remodel was the result of a leak from an apartment upstairs. The lower, garden level of a two-story apartment required more work than the insurance company allocated so Hudson Home Improvement negotiated directly with the insurance company pointing out the actual cost of materials and labor plus remediation of the mold and moisture issue under the hardwood floors. This resulted in an increased payment of $20,000 to accomplish the renovation. To eliminate the moisture issue, a SchluterDitra surface was installed, and to increase warmth during the winter, DitraHeat was installed under the tile flooring that imitates hardwood. Removing a wall separating the kitchen from the living area opened up the kitchen for better traffic flow and provided more space for storage cabinets.

Outdoor Living Under $60,000 — Morehouse Improvements

In a four-story walkup urban building, the owner of the top two floors wanted to create an outdoor deck on the roof — but the air conditioner condensers are located in the middle of the roof. With no elevator to lift the construction materials to the roof 50-feet above the street, and no railings along the roof for safety, the process of construction was tedious. The owners supplied architect plans due to the need for structural support on the roof, which was created with a torch-down membrane with 10” flashing up the building wall. To gain access to the roof through the master bedroom, an opening was created that did not interfere with the roof flashing.  Using  24” by 24” IPE deck tiles installed on pedestals that are not permanently affixed or bonded to the surface allowed rainwater to runoff unimpeded. The condensers were housed in an enclosure with accessibility for maintenance. The interior of the master bedroom was equipped with stairs to gain access through the newly installed glass doors.

Commercial Specialty — FDP Builders

The cosmetic facelift to the exterior entrances of a commercial building included replacing the wood trim that had deteriorated over the years and expanding the concrete landing pads in front of the doors. Commercial steel doors had been installed previously, but the trim was falling apart and did not offer secure locks for the door. By replacing the door surrounds with AZEK and FYPON trims and pediments, the exterior was secured and given more attractive curb appeal. Working on the building while in use mandated building a wooden ramp over the landings to allow access during construction. Widening the landings to reflect the new trim, and installing pavers and limestone capping in the landings offers an upgraded appearance and safer access.