2012 Housing Market Improves

It’s Time To Invest During The Upturn

In the past year, it has been very evident that…

The housing market is back on the upturn. This change is inevitable and it is happening right now. The numbers will speak for themselves.

• Currently, the U.S. population is growing at 3 million people per year. At this growth rate, the demand for additional housing units still exist, even if at a lower rate than ten years ago. This growing population will form new households, which will scoop up the current existing 600,000 surplus housing, and still more housing will be needed.

• The number of homes with loans in delinquency or foreclosures continue to drop. Thanks to ever-growing rental rates, buying a home is currently cheaper than renting.

• According to recent surveys by the Federal Reserve, mortgage lending standards are starting to ease up.

• Factors such as the upturn in home sales and an unseasonably mild winter is causing a healthy uptick of annual spending on remodeling in 2012.

As I drive around, I hear sounds of construction on homes, and we are extremely busy at designing for new clients and projects. Permit applications are way up and clients are signing up for new projects.

We, at DJ’s Home Improvements, believe in the systems we have in place. As we continue to grow and thrive, with over 40 years of experience in design and build remodeling combined, we will continue to provide you the same quality service as we always have.

Sincerely,

Jerry

 

“We Treat Your Home As If It Were Our Own”

DJ’s Home Improvements, 55 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, NY 11010

516-775-8696, www.djshome.com

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.   Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. #46377-H

Conquering Larsen Syndrome With An Accessible Kitchen

See Emily discussing the challenges of and overcoming her spinal condition in the video below.

After meeting a family affected by Larsen syndrome who expressed a desire for a new kitchen, we learned that a member of the family was wheelchair-bound but had a passion for cooking. As we gained a solid idea of what they were looking for in cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and all the other accessories that would enhance the space, we offered our suggestions and put our plans in motion. The kitchen project would not only be aesthetically pleasing and highly functional, it would also provide for safety and universally accessible throughout.

All the new features added up to making the family extremely happy. Where once it was inconvenient for anyone in a wheelchair to reach appliances, cooktop and counters because they were too high, now every newly installed item was easy to access and there was free range of motion in the kitchen.

Universal Design Kitchen – CAD Proposal of New Kitchen Remodel

The previous kitchen made it impossible to reach into drawers or countertops, find kitchen tools, or remove food from the refrigerator/freezer. Since the completion of the renovation, the family has donned their chefs’ hats many times, and is overjoyed to be cooking together.

Using the new drawers is easy when you can roll right up to them.

Emily, a 19 year-old college student, is thrilled to be spending quality family time with her parents in the kitchen. While a good part of the kitchen design concentrated on meeting her needs, her mother, Ellen, points out that while the new kitchen facilitates Emily, it also helps her out tremendously, as well.

Emily is thrilled to be using their accessible kitchen. Although it’s been nearly a year since it was installed, she explains that it is still new and exciting each time the family works together in the kitchen.

“Since the renovation was completed, my own abilities have diminished somewhat and recent bouts with a painful foot condition and acute tendonitis made me thankful that our kitchen is so chair-friendly”, says Ellen. “Even better is that we didn’t have to sacrifice beauty and style for function. Vita and Jerry made sure our kitchen was the most attractive and inviting room of our home.”

Utilizing Universal Design standards, we designed a kitchen with quality products and special features that took into consideration the structure and environment that would make our clients feel comfortable, regardless of age, ability or situation.

We enhanced the space by creating a separate accessible section with no barriers between the sink, cooktop, and storage areas. Wheelchair accessible toekicks and a lower-placed wall oven, as well as an induction cooktop, were installed with safety features to prevent injuries. Cabinetry and countertops are steel reinforced and provide five feet of clear space for unobstructed wheelchair access.

Cabinetry and countertops were also installed at a lower height for convenient access. Additional easily-accessible electrical receptacles and switches were placed below the countertops.

New Cooking Skills in A Newly Accessible Kitchen – “I’m so happy to have a place where I can spend quality time with my mother when I come home from college. With her guidance, I’m improving my cooking skills and making food the whole family can enjoy”, says Emily.

DJ’s Home Improvements received a 2012 CotY Regional award as a “Universal Design Project Recognition” from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry for the above-mentioned kitchen renovation using Universal Design principles.

Emily discusses the challenges of and overcoming her spinal condition

* DJ’s Home Improvements is an award winning design and build remodeling company. Vita and Jerry have been staples of the Franklin Square community for 30 years. As homeowners and business owners for over 21 years in Franklin Square, we are also members of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, plus the National Kitchen and Bath Association and awarded Big50 in Remodeling. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 we have received the Contractor of the Year awards.

If you are interested in having us design and build your home remodel project please call us at #516-775-8696.

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

It’s Earth Week: Green Projects Around The Home

Earth Week is upon us again. Although we practice being earth-friendly and green year-round, Earth Week makes this the perfect time to discuss this very important topic.

The Earth Day Flag

More and more people are thinking about ways to save around their homes with “green” projects that also help the environment. Fortunately, greening your home doesn’t have to be time consuming or costly.

We at DJ’s Home Improvements are helping our customers become environmentally savvy through the installation and use of green materials and products in home remodels.

A Few Creative Tips on Recycling and Remodeling the Eco-Friendly Way

There are many things you can do in your abode to lower your environmental impact, which also helps you to live in a healthier atmosphere at home.

Get green in the kitchen: In a recent kitchen upgrade, we saved a good portion of our clients’ oak cabinetry, still in great condition. To provide them with more counter and storage space, we installed an island with large countertop and base cabinets in a contrasting wood color, giving the kitchen an eclectic look.

Before - Green Kitchen Remodel

After - Green Kitchen Remodel

Our clients saved a lot of wood and money, and were happy to hold on to much of their original cabinetry – and we were pleased to have another satisfied customer.

"Green" Corian with Recyclable Glass Tiled Walls - Bathroom Remodel by DJ's Home Improvements

One of our favorite countertop products is Corian, which is not only attractive to the eye, it is an excellent green material that is both endurable and affordable. Corian is primarily used for kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, and wall cladding in showers. Because of its non-porous quality, Corian is also approved for use in specialized environments, such as laboratories and hospitals. It is a very versatile material that allows us to use it in interesting ways, and there are more than 100 colors and patterns which can be joined, shaped, and finished into a variety of products that beautify your home.

Green Demolitions: At the request of a recent client, we demolished their kitchen using a green demolition approach. You can salvage lumber, doors, windows, foundation stone, bricks, and fixtures by utilization of this method. If materials can’t be reused they can often be recycled, for example, metals, clean waste wood, and concrete are excellent recyclables.

Recycle Scrap Metal: When remodeling an entire room, there are many parts of your previous space that can be reused. For instance, we like to salvage scrap metal pieces, and bring them to a scrap metal yard. The scrap is used later for autos, machinery, and parts.

Keep Your Home Free from Dust Particles During a Renovation: While we are working on a renovation project, the home is kept clean and free from dust that can settle and cause breathing problems for people with allergies. We utilize a clean air activity program, complete with barriers to prevent dust from becoming air-borne and settling in other parts of the home. An air scrubber is utilized in our projects which cleans and recycles the air using a HEPA filter.

DJ's Home Improvements Protects Your Home: "We Treat Your Home As If It Were Our Own"

You can literally turn your whole house “green” if you choose, and still maintain a home that is functional, durable, and aesthetically pleasing, There are green products for flooring, appliances, skylights (provide natural lighting), cooling and heating (solar panels), cabinetry, insulation, windows, wall coverings… the list goes on and on. So, if you are hoping to do your share to save Mother Earth, you can take advantage of any one, or all of these options.

If you are interested in having an earth-friendly design and build home remodel please call us at #516-775-8696.

* DJ’s Home Improvements is an award-winning design and build remodeling company. Vita and Jerry have been staples of the Franklin Square community for 30 years. As homeowners and business owners for over 21 years in Franklin Square, we are also members of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, plus the National Kitchen and Bath Association and awarded Big50 in Remodeling. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 we have received the Contractor of the Year awards. Visit us at www.djshome.com

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

Art To Enhance Your Home

Art is an expression of color and feeling and each person will view it differently, according to his/her likes and dislikes. Artwork decorates your home, bringing out the colors and hues in the walls and décor. When remodeling your home, think about how it will enhance your favorite print, painting, or photograph. As an experienced designer for over 20 years, I can help you incorporate your artwork and treasured photographs into your project.

CAD Rendering - Fireplace Family Room Remodel With New Art - Paintings by Karen Neiman and Isobel Kaufman

When exploring the world of art, we come to realize that art forms are as unique as our personalities and characteristics. When remodeling your home, think about how your newly remodeled home and new decor will work with your collection of art and photographs. We can design and present to you CAD drawings of your new home remodel incorporating the artwork you love and cherish, even before your remodeling project begins.

CAD Rendering of Den Remodel by DJ's Home Improvements

Carefully finding the best location to bring out the best in your art collection, along with good color combinations, will not only be eye-catching, it will bring the focus on the art pieces. A designer will help you create an arrangement of accessories in your home, which can bring out the colors in your decor.

Arrangement of framed art in Den Remodel by DJ's Home Improvements

Another thing to consider is how light will play on the artwork in the room, especially if there is a great deal of sunlight. Natural lighting in the morning and the afternoon will make colors appear differently. With a properly planned lighting design, you will find that situating artificial light, such as spotlights, can bring out the colors in your art.

Of course, there is nothing as beautiful as a piece of artwork that you are passionate about, however, you can also affect how a viewer’s eyes are guided toward the art by the choice of matting and frames. With the many choices in matting and frames, your designer will help you choose the best suited for your (grouping of) art.

Many people are in a quandary when it comes time to hang a painting. Most people erroneously believe a painting should be hung at eye level. However, we all come in many different shapes and sizes. If a 6’3” man and a petite woman of 5’1” are looking at the same painting, it might appear to be too low or too high, depending on who is looking at it.

Living Room Fireplace Design, with Framed Painting by Isobel Kaufman

To gauge the correct height of a painting, measure the distance to the furniture below it. A picture should be six to eight inches above a sofa or eight to ten inches above most other furniture. If placed any higher than that, it will seem disengaged from the furniture and put the rest of the room off balance. A well-planned design will show your contractor where to appropriately mount your art.

When hiring a design-build remodeler for your new space remember to mention your most precious art collection and photographs. A design-build remodeler will help you incorporate your treasures into your home remodel to create a completely improved space full of your beautiful art and fond memories.

Do you have a collection of art and/or photographs that need proper framing and display? Is your home decor currently clashing with your art collection? Do your walls feel empty and can’t decide how to decorate?

Contact DJ’s Home Improvements for a design consultation. We can incorporate your collection of art, in its entirety and seamlessly, into your home remodel. # 516-775-8696 or contact@djshome.com

*DJ’s Home Improvements is an award-winning design and build remodeling company. Vita and Jerry have been staples of the Franklin Square community for 30 years. As homeowners and business owners for over 21 years in Franklin Square, we are also members of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, plus the National Kitchen and Bath Association and awarded Big50 in Remodeling. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 we have received the Contractor of the Year awards.

If you are interested in having us design and build your home remodel project please call us at #516-775-8696.

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

Teamwork is the Key to Our Success

Whether we’re at home relaxing (which is not very often) or busy working on a new renovation project, you will find us together most of the time, which is unusual for a husband and wife team who have been married for the last 36 years. Our marriage has grown and changed through the years, and has been cemented by the blessings that children and extended family bring, as well as another bond we share.

We are the proud owners of DJ’s Home Improvements, which opened in 1990, and like our marriage, is still going strong. Prior to opening the business, I was in the computer processing and technology industry and Vita was a representative with Citibank, as well as a mother to two young boys, which as all mothers know, is the toughest job of all. Both of the boys, Anthony, 30, and Matthew, 28, are involved in the business today.

Our greatest sense of accomplishment is seeing our sons grow up with the business and learning each and every facet of it, from procuring materials to satisfying each of our clients – it has truly made them self-sufficient human beings and sons to whom we are extremely proud.

When we launched our business 22 years ago, we worked out of our home, and it was truly a labor of love. Over the years, relationships have been built that continue to the present day. As these relationships grew, so did our business. What made us stand out from similar businesses? It is our integrity, dependability, conscientiousness, and a desire to build solid associations with our clients.

Five years ago, we opened our office at 55 New Hyde Park Road in Franklin Square. Certified as designers and remodelers, we continue to educate ourselves on what’s new in the industry to keep our clients up-to-date on the latest trends in home renovations.

As we continue to provide the professionalism and quality that our clients have grown to depend on, the future looks promising. DJ’s Home Improvements’ future plans include expanding our office facilities, opening a new showroom to provide our clients with more hands-on product selections, as well as introducing our own cabinet line. With our photorealistic drawings, created prior to the start of all projects, we “show you the future” so you can visualize exactly how your renovation will look.

It is always our goal to provide our clients with a home they will love and enjoy for years to come. To that end, we have developed more new ideas that give clients home renovations that are not only energy efficient and beautiful to look upon, but also comfortable as they age along with their homes.

* DJ’s Home Improvements is an award winning design and build remodeling company. Vita and Jerry have been staples of the Franklin Square community for 30 years. As homeowners and business owners for over 21 years in Franklin Square, we are also members of the Franklin Square Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Sons of Italy, National Association of the Remodeling Industry, plus the National Kitchen and Bath Association and awarded Big50 in Remodeling. In 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011 we have received the Contractor of the Year awards.

If you are interested in having us design and build your home remodel project please call us at #516-775-8696.

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

See It Before You Build It

We are a design-build remodeling company. Kitchen and bath drawings bring your project to life with our photorealistic drawings. We see it all the time on HGTV and other television programs showcasing remodeling and interior design projects. It’s not a new technology, but many improvements have been made since its arrival. We can do so much more with rendering software these days. More importantly, we can bring it to you.

Award-winning Kitchen Design, Photorealistic

Kitchen Remodel by DJ's Home Improvements, Completed as Proposed

We can also create design renderings of your addition project, dormer, extension, basement, deck, custom interiors and upgrades, etc. Take the guess work and any doubts out by letting us present you with our ideas and design on paper.

Award-winning Basement Design

Basement, Completed as Proposed

We collaborate with you, the homeowner, to bring your project to life even before the remodeling begins. You can be rest-assured of the results. Designs and ideas can be conveyed through photorealistic drawings and even video walk-throughs of your new space.

Check out our new web page “What You See Is What You Get” where you’ll find our extensive showcase of some great examples of successfully completed work through careful planning and design. Keep checking in or subscribe to our updates for new drawings and completed project photos.

If you are interested in having us design and build your home remodel project please call us at #516-775-8696.

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

Michael S. Smith “Kitchens and Baths”

I recently went to the Ann Sacks Tile Showroom, in the Gramercy Park area of Manhattan, for the book signing of Michael S. Smith’s newly released book, Kitchens and Baths. It was a little chilly that day and after a drive into the city a nice glass of wine at the showroom was a welcoming touch. Including being a world renowned designer, the interior designer to the Obamas in the White House and author, Michael S. Smith is just the nicest person you could ever meet. If I look and sound like a fan, it’s because I am.

This is a third book by Michael S. Smith. “The newest book from acclaimed designer Michael S. Smith showcases his exceptional take on kitchens and baths, the busiest yet most personal rooms in a home. Legendary designer Michael S. Smith has stories to tell about kitchens and bathrooms – those he has designed himself, and those that inspire him. In this fascinating and inspirational book, Smith, who has his own line of kitchen and bath fixtures for Kohler, explains how these rooms define a house. “

Kitchens and Baths by Michael S. Smith

The book is a great inspiration to me, as a Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Bath designer. The book is also split into different categories like “Beach”, “Town” and “Country”, each bringing the reader into a different but equally stunning experience. I encourage everyone to pick up a copy at the bookstore or online. Share with me your feeling of inspiration, from Michael S. Smith’s Kitchens and Baths book, to redesign the most utilized and most important rooms in your home.

* Vita Anne Burdi, Certified Kitchen Designer, Certified Bath Designer, is the co-owner and vice president of DJ’s Home Improvements, a design-and-build company licensed and insured in Nassau and Suffolk counties of Long Island, NY, since 1990. Her dedication and experience lends her to create and design, innovatively, all projects in home remodeling, including specialties in kitchen remodels, bath remodels, additions of dormers and extensions, decks, basement remodels, and many more upgrades in home improvements. Vita is a leader and designer of award-winning projects and has been featured and quoted in publications such as The New York Times, Newsday, Remodeling Magazine, Remodeling News, and Lowes for Pros. Vita is also an active member of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) and the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). Please visit www.djshome.com for more information and to view some of the awards designed by Vita.

Low Vaulted Ceiling?

It never ceases to amaze me what great work can be done with a lot of planning, discussion and when a group of people make what seems to be impossible into a dream come true as the end result. Of course, I’m speaking of our team at DJ’s Home Improvements.

The usual problems with most bathrooms were very present in this bathroom as well. Typically, our homeowners call when they feel their spaces are too small, sometimes even too big, too outdated, not user-friendly, lacking storage, damaged, or unfinished.

Not only did this bathroom have all these issues, but in addition, the bathroom’s ceiling is fitted into the pitch of the roof and slopes from 8 feet to just 6 feet high.  So, now we’re working with a small outdated bathroom, with little storage and a low sloped ceiling. This also being the only bath for the whole family and guests to use, we encouraged the homeowner to renovate all these problem areas.  We assured them we would work hard to adhere to the schedule and a budget to once we start designing and then building the project.

Here’s a photo of what we started with:

The bathroom vanity area – Before

Now, to put our thinking caps on and design this bath remodel.

Our new bathroom design incorporated:

• new stylish fixtures,
• additional shower lighting, hi-hat and sconce lighting,
• a new ventilation system,
• additional storage from a new vanity cabinet with new countertop space,
• a new glass-enclosed tiled bathtub shower with corner shelves,
• and a beautifully framed new vanity mirror to enhance the elegance of this small bathroom.

We came up with some drawings to present and they fell in love.  The work started after we scheduled the project. Here are some of the drawings we came up with for the homeowners:

Toilet wall Drawing

Tub wall Drawing

Vanity wall Drawing

Our wonderful crew tackled the work. With these fine drawings and a well thought out plan and schedule, the end result is now a beautiful bathroom for the homeowner and their guests to use.

Here are some images of the resulting bath remodel project:

Representation of new vanity area

Elegant framed mirror fits snuggly above the vanity, reflecting the tiled tub area.

Drawing of tiled shower and tub area with shower head, decorative tiling and new shower doors

New tub area now includes convenient corner shelving, beautiful new fixtures and tiling

New tiling, corner shelf and fixtures are worth enjoying while spending time in the shower

Drawing of the toilet area with glass shelving

The toilet wall image after completion of project

The homeowners are currently enjoying their new main bath and we at DJ’s Home Improvements are certainly happy with the results as well. Another project completed, on time and on budget. If you are interested in having us design and build your home remodel project please call us at #516-775-8696.

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

This Summer, We’re Doing Extra Good!

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Neighbors,

It’s that wonderful time of year when we all have the opportunity to do something to help make the summer special for someone else.

We would like your participation this summer to help a group of soldiers as a summer project and we want to present each of them with a special gift set.  This will help protect them in the heat of the summer.

We’re asking individuals and businesses in the community to adopt a soldier for the summer.

For every 10 followers we get on Twitter, you will sponsor a special gift for one soldier and help them to feel remembered and supported. For every 5 gift sets earned from Twitter follows, I will donate an additional one myself!  So, get onto Twitter, follow us and share this message to get more followers and therefore more gifts to our soldiers!

Follow us at https://twitter.com/djshomeimprove to get a soldier their special gift. We will mention you in our tweets every time we hit a goal – A Special Gift for each solder for every 10 followers!

Tweets by djshomeimprove

We have 83 followers on Twitter now, so when we hit 90 we’ll donate a gift set, then another gift set will be donated at 100 followers, and another at 110 and so on… Even more, for every 50 followers, I will donate an additional gift set myself! Follow us now to keep track of this summer donation project and help our troops feel remembered and supported!

Thank You for helping to make the summer brighter for this special group of people who serve us daily!

The gift set includes a sunblock, lip protector, tax and gift wrap!

Our soldiers thank you and we at DJ’s Home Improvements thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely,
Vita Anne Burdi, CKD, CBD

DJ’s Home Improvements
55 New Hyde Park Road
Franklin Square, NY 11010
(516) 775-8696
www.djshome.com

DJ’s Home Repairs & Improvements, Inc.
Nassau Lic. #H18C4240000 – Suffolk Lic. # 46377-H

Kitchen Upgrade Brings New Light

MAY is National Home Improvement Month!

Summer is finally here and so is the peak season for home improvements. NARI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, has named May “National Home Improvement Month”. Also, did you know that May 10th was “National Clean Up Your Room Day”? I didn’t find that out until today so that means we have a lot of work to do around the house.  Having a “Clean Up Your Room Day” allows you to clean out your closets and assess your home organization needs. This is the perfect time to not only do some of that spring cleaning, but to contact a certified professional (certified remodeler), to help you create custom units to fit your home needs.

Speaking of custom design and fitting your home needs, these months have flown by so quickly that I haven’t had much time to look back on one of the many projects we at DJ’s Home Improvements have successfully completed. (By successfully completed, we mean ON TIME and ON BUDGET!) One of my favorite remodeling projects was a kitchen upgrade in Franklin Square. Simply put, the style of the kitchen was outdated and even though the cabinetry was in good condition the layout of the kitchen entry was not working for the homeowner anymore. Also, a few other items were switched out and installed thanks to our design expert at DJ’s Home Improvements, Vita Anne Burdi, CKD, CBD, everything came together beautifully.

Take a look at what was done in this kitchen project and maybe this is just the kind of doctoring your kitchen needs to breathe new life into it as well …

Before the remodel, the kitchen entryway did not flow and was an inconvenience.

After the kitchen was remodeled, the entry had elegantly arched doorways, traffic was corrected and natural sun light was able to travel further into the room.

The kitchen, before, was in need of updated style, new appliances, countertops and a new window to overlook the outside.

Fresh look with countertops replaced, new appliances, new lighting and other upgrades – A seamless design to incorporate the original cabinets… Another project, on time and on budget.

* Call DJ’s Home Improvements for a consultation on your next home improvement project at 516-775-8696, or visit www.djshome.com to see other projects we have completed. DJ’s Home Improvements is a design-build remodeling company licensed in Nassau and Suffolk counties of Long Island New York.