Before Going to a Home Improvement Store to Purchase Kitchen Cabinets Consider This.

Working in the design / build remodeling industry brings me to the hardware stores more often than most people. I am amazed at how many homeowners will wait in line to purchase their kitchen cabinets from the major home improvement stores. Considering how important your kitchen remodel is to you, how is a home improvement store going to effectively consider all aspects of your kitchen remodeling project by only selling you the kitchen cabinets?


I know what you are thinking; the home improvement stores provide free design and they have several options for cabinet lines. I have personally priced out multiple kitchen cabinet lines to find that home improvement stores have considerable mark-ups (sometimes 80-100%). As a design / build remodeling firm, we have access to over a dozen cabinet lines ranging from Wood Mode to Mid Continent. Home improvement stores cannot compete with our supplier pricing. Our preliminary designs of your kitchen will be incorporated into your fixed bid agreement, free of charge, depending on the level of detail for your kitchen remodel.

Home improvement stores use a one-way interaction during the design process. The “big-box” stores expect you to complete measurements and bring in photos of your existing kitchen space to start the design process. They also expect you to compile a wish list of items you would like to incorporate into your renovation. Even for the do-it-yourselfer, this seems like a lot of work. This also leaves considerable room for error during the design process. We personally meet you at your house to capture measurements, photos, existing floor plan drawings, including locating the locations of existing electrical lighting, windows, doors, etc. We consider your existing electrical panel loading and plumbing conditions to be certain your systems support your new appliance wish list. It is very important to capture all of your existing conditions to move forward with a successful renovation.

How is a home improvement store really going to incorporate all of the components of your kitchen remodel? Let’s face it, kitchen renovations are complex, with several moving parts. Plumbing, electrical, flooring, carpentry, countertops and plumbing fixtures are just some issues. Are you removing walls, adding windows, changing flooring and upgrading appliances? What specific needs are you trying to address: multiple cooks, an open floor plan, high end appliances or venting a large hood? Would you like multiple cooking zones, dual prep areas or maybe 2 sinks and 2 dishwashers? How is the home improvement store going to accommodate all of these needs by asking you to bring in a couple of pictures of your existing space?

Do you really trust the home improvement store installers who you have never met to effectively execute all of the details of your kitchen renovation? When you retain Chicago Construction Works for your kitchen installation you are guaranteed one point of contact that has been consumed in the preliminary discussions, design and material integrations. Finally, we will carry out the execution of the installation with the utmost attention to detail. We will be virtually living in your house for a month, meeting you in the morning as you leave for work and cleaning up when you arrive home in the evening. Call or email today to schedule an appointment to start the process to your new kitchen!

got foam?

Don’t be left in the cold…consider polyurethane spray foam for your home’s insulation and air barrier.


Chicago Construction Works is currently following the “tailwinds” to the finish of a successful residential multiple unit condo construction project. Our design/build work has included a redesign and complete overhaul of two condo units; introducing new mechanical systems, windows, roofing, framing, floor joists, interior finishes and insulation. While working with the homeowner, Icynene Foam insulation was selected for the wall and roof joist insulation for the project. This water-blown spray foam insulation application has exceeded my expectations for the project.

This high performance foam insulation has been an impressive case study during the construction process. With very minimal auxiliary heating, we have been able to keep the furnaces off during this winter season to eliminate dust entering the ductwork while trades complete the interior finish installations on both condo units. By spraying the underside of the roof joists and exterior walls above the ceiling, we created an “Unvented Attic Assembly” for the condo unit occupying the top floor. This unvented assembly insulates and air seals above the ceiling which minimizes the potential for condensation from ductwork located in the attic space and ice damming on the roof from attic heat loss.

According to Icynene MD-R-200’s product specification sheet, “Icynene’s next generation of high performance products include Icynene MD-R-200, a 100% water blown foam insulation and air barrier material containing resins with pre- and post-consumer recycled content. It is a type III vapor retarder, with low vapor permeance. MD-R-200 insulates and air seals in one step for maximum energy conservation, while minimizing the environmental impact during manufacturing and construction. The result is superior quality construction, with higher comfort levels and lower heating and/or cooling costs.”

If you are considering an addition or other large home renovation with Chicago Construction Works, be prepared to be amazed by this impressive product. This single simple step can truly transform the comfort level of your living space.

The Importance of Green Construction Techniques

Green building and construction techniques emphasize a holistic approach throughout the entire construction process, from start to finish. Due to the large volume of materials consumed and materials added to landfills, the building and construction profession plays an important role in materials recycling and energy conservation. Our projects must stand the tests of weather, time and provide our clients with the value and comfort of energy efficiency. In the past, I knew colleagues in the same profession who touted bamboo floors and tankless hot water heaters as ‘building green’. Residential construction does not have the same initiative for specified green certification processes and systems that commercial construction has been familiar with. Green concepts start in the design process and must be carried through the production and punch list phases, regardless of the size of the project. From a window replacement, to the construction of a new home, your team must be constantly aware of green techniques.

Chicago Construction Works is currently in the construction phase of a multiple unit apartment teardown, converting the square footage into high-end finished condominiums. Our firm takes pride in following simple principles during the demolition phase of the project to reduce the volume of debris going to a landfill. Currently we have employed smart demolition techniques during the teardown of the interior and exterior elements of these apartments. All metal from the old electrical conduit, wires, furnaces, ductwork, cast iron, and black pipe was separated during the removal and properly recycled. All structural elements, including old floor joists and heavy timber were carefully removed, cut down and stored for future reclaimed wood projects.

Moving forward into the production of project, Chicago Construction Works plans to implement several green features to promote energy efficiency, which will produce lower heating and cooling costs for the future homeowners. Insulation planned for the project is spray foam ICYNENE insulation, providing a higher R value and a low vapor permeance. This insulation type is water based and blown-in without any ozone depleting chemicals. This type of insulation works very well with masonry construction, considering masonry buildings are susceptible to a high vapor penetration due to the porous nature of brick and block. Other energy efficient features include tankless hot water heaters, low VOC paints, energy efficient windows, double insulated new roof and new building materials made of recycled components. Our firm’s philosophy is to constantly research, implement and reinvent green construction techniques in every project, large or small.

Basement Design Considerations

Are you considering expanding your living space into your unfinished basement? This home renovation is one of the most versatile and valuable features you can add to your home. Your basement has so much potential to be a new playroom for the kids, an entertainment room for guests, a quiet home office, or even an exercise room for that treadmill in the corner of the bedroom covered with clothes. Any realtor will tell you that houses listed on the market with nicely appointed finished basements tend to sell much quicker than other comparables in your neighborhood. Your home should grow as your lifestyle and your family’s needs grow. Here are a few useful design ideas and value considerations for a successful basement renovation project.


Alternative Ideas for Designing Your Basement

Here are a few boutique design ideas for your basement living space that will truly separate your home from your neighbors. Wine and cigar aficionados should consider a climate controlled room as to protect your fine wine and cigar collection. Finely appointed humidity and temperature controlled rooms can include rough saw cedar paneling with built-in shelving and bottle racks. Families with young children should consider a playroom and mudroom area with shoe cubbies to keep boots, shoes and coats organized. Other ideas for playrooms include built-in play-sets or HDMI cable pre-wire for video game and movie consoles. Entertainers and hosts should consider a pub style bar with accent lighting, custom hand crafted bar tops and shelving for pilsner glasses and storage for your ‘top shelf’ liquors. Taps for your favorite craft brewed beers and comfortable bar stools will invite guests to ‘pull up a seat’. Finally, for baby boomers looking to modify their existing homes to comfortably accommodate visiting friends and grown children, consider converting the basement into a master bedroom / master bathroom suite. This new basement master suite gives your existing home a ‘dueling master suites’ feature that is attractive to some buyers in the marketplace today.

Temperature Control Considerations

Due to the insulating factor of the surrounding earth, your new basement living area will naturally stay cooler in the summer and will only take a minimal amount of additional heating in the winter. Consider radiant heating as the best option for heating your new basement living space. Electrical radiant heating mats can be placed easily under new flooring and installed with a programmable thermostat for easy operation. Another advantage to radiant heating is the ability to maintain the ceiling height by not having to frame soffits to hide new ductwork. Avoiding the modification of existing ductwork to supply heat to the basement also ensures the temperatures of your upper floors do not change after your basement renovation has been completed.

Natural Lighting Considerations

Natural lighting is a precious resource for comfortable basement living areas. Needless to say, small basement window wells provide very little sunlight. Instead of covering up these window wells with plastic covers to keep the leaves out, consider opening up these areas for more natural lighting. If your basement window wells are concrete you have the option of applying veneer brick such as Eldorado Stone to the inside of the window well for a more appealing look through the window from the basement level. If your window wells are corrugated metal, consider digging these out and installing retaining wall block. This option will provide more natural lighting and also accent the appearance of the window wells.

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Easy Remote Management of Your Home's Thermostat

Having easy access to all of all your home’s important features is not a familiar concept to most families. Now most people have instant access to all of their emails, photos and friend’s updates with a quick look at their mobile phone. Consider being able to turn on your living room light, bump up the heat on your thermostat or find out when the kids arrived home while sitting at work, with that same simple quick look at your mobile phone. Now is the time to take advantage of low cost, easy to manage home automation giving you peace of mind and total control of your home. Not to mention, consider the savings on monthly utilities when you always have easy access to your home’s thermostat. With that in mind, Trane’s Remote Energy Management Thermostat is a simple option which can be added simply to a new or existing wireless Z-Wave network.


Trane’s Remote Energy Management Thermostat can be accessed over your existing home’s wireless network from a laptop or smart phone. This thermostat has a few features that can provide text or email alerts directly to you. If your furnace hits a temperature which is out of a preset range or if a keypad change is made to the thermostat while you are not at home you can receive this notification via text or email. Maintenance service and filter change intervals are also recorded and displayed. Additionally, daily graphs displaying your heating and cooling habits according to the home’s hourly usage are available for understanding your furnace’s operating trends.

This Z-Wave system is the base-point for connecting these components wirelessly and allows a wide variety of remote control options for other parts of your home via your laptop or smart phone. Lighting switches, shades, garage doors, thermostats are just a few options that are compatible for this wireless system. Once this system is in place at your residence, these other options can be added at anytime. Stay tuned for future discussions outlining the functionality of each of the systems. Next month’s home automation discussion will focus on lighting controls. To subscribe to this blog feed, click on the RSS icon on our Blog Tab at http://chicagoconstructionworks.com/id2.html

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Untangling Home Automation – Entry Lock Integration

You are now entering through the doorstep, into an era of home automation without needing to install wires or cut holes in your living room wall. Imagine controlling all of the important parts of your house from your smart phone or laptop, while eating lunch at work. The days of expensive systems, clunky stationary desktop and wall control panels are over. Simply, decide which parts of your home you would like to control or monitor, set up the wireless system access point and add other parts to this system later, as your family’s needs change and grow. This discussion, with others to follow later, will highlight on different parts of the house you can easily control and monitor, remotely and wireless.

Schlage Link offers entry lock-sets without keys. These keypad lock-sets can be connected to a Z-Wave wireless access point and can be monitored, locked and unlocked from your laptop or smart phone. Simple 4 digit different numeric codes can be given to your kids, cleaning company, spouse, etc. for access to the entries of your home, without having to pass out several sets of house keys. Ninety day reports or text message alerts are a few of the options to use to determine who is entering your home and at what time.

How does this lock work without wires, you ask? A small battery with a 3 year lifespan operates the lock and keypad. The wireless connection communicates with your front door via your established secure encrypted access point. Battery life and the status of the entry lock (locked or unlocked) can be monitored online from a desktop, laptop, or with your smart phone. Schlage also offers the option to actually lock or unlock the door remotely via your smart phone. For example, if a guest arrives to your home early while you are not home, unlock the door and let them in! Apps are currently available for one touch access from your I-phone.

This Z-Wave system is the base-point for connecting these various wireless components of your house and allows a wide variety of remote control options for other parts of your home via your laptop or smart phone. Lighting switches, shades, garage doors, thermostats and sprinkler irrigation are just a few options that are compatible for this wireless system. Once this system is in place at your residence, these options can be added at anytime later. Stay tuned for future discussions outlining the functionality of each of these systems.

Next month’s home automation discussion will focus on controlling and integrating your thermostat. To subscribe to this blog feed, click on the RSS icon on our Blog Tab at http://chicagoconstructionworks.com/id2.html

Under-cabinet Backsplash Design Options to Accent Your Kitchen.

I am constantly seeing more and more newly renovated ‘high-end’ condos and homes on the market today showcasing kitchens missing the accent of custom backsplashes. This simple feature can be designed to meet any budget based on materials selected and methods of installation, which leaves no excuse to see painted walls below cabinetry in your kitchen. Take a look at the ideas below to find which option grabs your attention and agrees with your pocket book….


1. Recessed cove trimmed with a tile molding and recessed mosaic. This option requires some preliminary carpentry work, but allows for a spot in your kitchen to sit items used day-to-day which also removes the clutter from your countertop area. This option works very well above your self rimmed range (as shown in the image above) a sink without a kitchen window.

2. Completely custom decorative tile wall murals. Various companies online such as Pacific Tile Art provide very custom wall murals made to any size depending on your kitchen design and wall sizing. Even further customized options allow you to capture your unique vision in your kitchen by sending a picture from your photo album (the Italian countryside photographed on your vacation) which is screened onto tiles and shipped for installation.

3. Recycled Glass Tile backsplashes. Glass tile mosaics work well with under-cabinet lighting by provide a shimmer and glow from reflecting indirect lighting. Glass tile is very durable, easily cleaned and maintained when cooking gets exciting.  If sustainability is part of your design vision, recycled glass mosaic are available using 80-95% post consumer glass content as the base materials.

4. Full slab granite and marble backsplashes. For homeowners who are in love with the veins and color variations of their existing kitchen countertops – consider turning the granite up the wall to the underside of the cabinetry. This option also works very well with under-cabinet lighting, but can be a pricey installation.

5. Ceramic tile backsplash. Ceramic tiles manufacturers have made great strides in competing the looks and cost of marble and granite. Daltile has ceramic, slate and glass options available for purchase and viewing.

Bringing your vision and material selections full circle requires understanding what materials are available and an assessment of your kitchen layout including the consideration of how you use the space. To schedule a design appointment to discuss your options and visions call or email anytime.

Chicago Construction Works, Inc.

Why getting 15 different estimates for your home renovation is the wrong way to start.

When sitting down and discussing all of the details for your upcoming basement or bathroom renovation, it is always difficult finding where to start. In between making decisions like tile colors, floor plan layouts, and deciding on a realistic budget for your project, the biggest decision you will make throughout this process is selecting the right contractor to produce the desired end result. Lets face it, the contractor you choose will basically be living with you and your family during the construction process, greeting you as you leave for work in the morning and cleaning up when you return in the evening…hopefully. Instead of calling 15 local contractors you find online for estimates and suggestions on finishes, try focusing on qualifying 2 or 3 companies based on the following guidelines and award your project on services provided and credentials and not only the lowest price.

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Communication is a very important consideration when hiring a professional remodeler. One point of contact throughout the process is a major consideration. Details and discussions will not get lost from design to construction with one point of contact. It is important to be aware of Home Builders who are entering the remodeling market now because of lack of new home start-ups. These firms have teams of sales, project managers and Directors of Construction who pass along your project as it develops. Multiple points of contact only create confusion. Ten emails or phone calls a day about the same one issue will only confuse the situation and just imagine this scenario over a 2 month renovation!

How clear is your end vision of the project? Since you most likely will have questions and considerations on the design and finished look, you will benefit from hiring a design / build renovation firm from the first discussions. Design / build renovation firms can provide accurate material cost estimations, which is important for determining your true budget for the renovation. When considering hiring an architect at the start of your planning, understand most architectural firms remove themselves from discussing costs of construction. This limits your preliminary information gathering when you are trying to grasp the true cost of your project from start to finish.

My remodeling company offers detailed proposals outlining materials, floor plan designs and cabinetry elevations for your home investment, which will be much more comprehensive than a number on a piece of paper. If your vision of the end result is not clear, calling 15 contractors for 15 ‘bids’ will only amount to confusion and bids that are all different.  This starting point adds confusion to your project and most likely, will lead you to miss out on the level of service you deserve and expect.

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More Than Take-Out…Take Home Commercial Kitchen Features for the Serious Home Chef

For homeowners who have answered the call for serving nutritious foods for their family and friends by swapping the take-out lines for home cooked meals, it is time to embellish your kitchen. Serious cooks are drawn to the commercial equipment featured under the bright lights of their neighborhood Bistros. Just look at the appliance advertisements highlighting $7,000 stainless steel Viking stoves spanning over 4 feet long. Architects and designers are answering the calls for these efficient cook and prep areas for today’s serious cooks. Follow these guidelines for a kitchen that can perform and handle your toughest customers – your friends and family.

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Design ideas for serious cooks start with lighting. Task lighting or direct lighting in the form of pendant lights or mini halogen spot lights over prep and serving areas are important. Lighting in the form of cabinet lighting and indirect ceiling lighting offers ambiance after the work is done for open floor plans and eat-in kitchens. Cultured Stone from Eldorado Stone is commonly used in today’s kitchens found surrounding built-in ovens or large hood / range combos. This stone is a beautiful accent used as a contrast to wood cabinetry.

A large prep area, disconnected from the main traffic areas, offset from the sink and stove is also important. Common design ideas for these prep areas are butcher block countertop islands. Another more featured design highlight for this type of prep or serving area is changing the cabinetry stain or door profile for a distinct look separating itself from other parts of the kitchen. Multiple dishwashers and multiple sinks are other important features for high-performance kitchens.

Large oversized stove options are endless. When considering your cooking and baking requirements, make sure to consider convection oven options and 6 burner stoves to provide ample space for completing multiple cooking tasks simultaneously. Venting is very important for the larger stovetops. Make sure your heating contractor is working directly with you during the design process to make sure your hood is properly sized and vented according to local codes. 

Designing the kitchen around the hood is important to consider. Sleek stainless steel free-standing hoods work well with modern kitchens. Traditional ornate kitchen design includes more subtle hints by hiding the hood behind the cabinetry, lessening the overpowering visual impact of large stainless steel hoods.

For the most demanding entertainers and household chefs, home design changes even futher to include mutiple kitchens and serving areas.  Rooftop commercial venting for rotisserie barbeques, custom vine cellars and pizza ovens make your home even more unique.  If your wishlist includes these features, make sure your design / build team is qualified to deliver.

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The Urban Ghost Town - Stalled Construction Eyesores....Buyer Beware

THE URBAN GHOST TOWN

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In today’s society it is commonplace to see stalled partially completed construction development projects. This is a prevalent situation in most urban neighborhoods and it is also very common in the suburban areas. There is a block in every town where a partially started construction project stands quiet, without any sounds of running power tools or heavy equipment tracking through the neighborhood. In some areas it is as commonplace as the boarded up foreclosures. Some causes stem from more housing being available on the market than buyers and buyers’ financing drying up as the banks tighten their belts.

As we have seen in the past, society recovers when the buyers and the banks eventually return. These jobsites will then continue working as ownership changes, bringing along with them new visions and new financing. When the buyer returns to the market, they should proceed with caution when purchasing new homes or condos from previously stalled projects.

Eventually when the paint and interior finishes are complete, you may never know the project stood vacant without any windows installed for 8 months. There are several problems with stalled construction projects, which the future buyers will inherit. The biggest source of future problems depends on at what point the construction process stalled out. If the exterior is not fully completed prior to the work stoppage, there will be future issues for potential homeowners.

For example, if the project stops before the windows or all exterior walls are completed, moisture in the form of rain, snow or excessive humidity will deteriorate interior framing and plywood subfloors. Repeated rains will imbed mold and mildew into wall framing, which could lead to obvious future problems. Unprotected plywood subflooring will delaminate and pose potential problems for hardwood flooring systems planned to be installed in the future. This will manifest in the form of ‘cupped’ floor boards and squeaking. Another problem with partially completed building envelopes is the windows. Moisture saturating unpainted interior window sills and jambs causes windows to improperly operate in the future. Big window manufacturers such as Pella and Marvin will document the construction conditions after delivery, which creates a case for these companies to potentially void the manufacturer’s warranty in the future.

There are several ways to avoid being a victim of a stalled construction project. You could check with the window manufacturer to inquire if they documented the project conditions after delivery. It is also important to be familiar with the neighborhood and its surroundings when purchasing a home. Talk to nearby homeowners and businesses, ask people’s opinions of local neighborhood builders.

You cannot always judge a book by its cover.

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