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Home Renovations
in Crystal Lake, IL
Home Renovations
in Crystal Lake
Not every home improvement project has to be a complete remodel; most homeowners are not looking to completely gut their home if it is otherwise in good condition. Sometimes it's the tired look and feel of the space, the mismatched surfaces, or the fact that the rooms are not as functional as they need to be. You keep saying you will get around to it, and several years pass by.
That's where home renovations come in. At Smart Building Solutions, LLC, we help Crystal Lake homeowners update their space to be as functional and comfortable as it can be. New flooring, trim, doors, lighting, and some minor rearranging can completely transform the feel of the space.
We have been in older Crystal Lake homes near downtown or the lake where repairs and renovations from different time periods don't quite blend together. We've seen homes from the 70s and 80s with orange oak, dark rooms, and old flooring that are all worn out. We've also been in newer homes that have already begun to feel dated as the builder grade materials give out faster than expected.
We walk through the house with you and discuss the concerns you would like to address. From there, we help you prioritize the most important renovations to your home and identify the projects that can wait. Sometimes renovations are focused on one level, while other times we recommend a light hand throughout the house to make the space feel cohesive.
Some homeowners have a list, they want all new flooring on the main level, they want updated trim, doors, lighting, and paint, and they want that odd half wall gone. Some only know that their home feels dark and outdated, but are not sure what to do about it.
Either way, our job is to help you identify which improvements to your home will have the most impact without being disruptive.
Why Crystal Lake Homeowners Call Us About Home Renovations
We’ve Seen It All
We have walked into living rooms with multiple types of flooring, hallways that feel smaller and darker, and basements that were technically finished, but never felt homey. Crystal Lake homes often contain renovations made by different owners. Flooring that stops abruptly at a doorway, different trim styles throughout, and varying lighting and paint make it feel like more than just one home. When we walk into your home, we look at more than the individual rooms, we see how they tie together, where the house feels odd, and what changes will improve your everyday life.
It’s Done to Last
Home renovations are more than just new paint colors and flooring. If we open up a wall or remove flooring, we look at what is underneath. The subfloor may need repairs before we can install anything on top of it. The framing may need to be reinforced. There may be old wiring, drywall damage, or even water damage that needs to be addressed before the wall or ceiling is replaced.
These are not as exciting, but are still necessary, and by addressing minor issues while we are already in the walls or under the flooring, we can avoid future problems.
Made Just for You
Every homeowner has a different ideal renovation.
You may want the main level to feel more open, but still have an entryway, you may want the basement to feel less like the basement, or you may just need more storage or better lighting.
We ask you how you use the space and what you would like it to be able to do for you. Your renovation is focused on you and your needs, not a design magazine.
We Keep It Simple
Renovations can feel overwhelming because they touch on multiple rooms, multiple materials, and multiple trades. We make it simple by breaking them into manageable tasks. You will know which rooms we are working in, what is happening, and what you can still use, or when the entire house will be open. When possible, we focus on getting part of the house ready instead of waiting until the whole house has been renovated.
If we find something odd or unexpected while we are in the walls or under the flooring, we will let you know what we found and what our options are. We won't hide it or assume you don't want to know.
Our Home Renovation Process
We keep things simple and organized, with an order that makes sense for an occupied Crystal Lake home.
Walkthrough and Priorities
We start by walking through the house with you and identifying the worn out, outdated, or problematic areas. You can point out the ugly carpet, the old doors, the dark rooms, the odd walls, or anything else that has been bothering you. We ask questions, get measurements, and identify what needs to be done now, and what can wait. This helps keep the focus, and it doesn't become an entire house renovation.
Plan the Scope and Look
Once we understand your priorities, we can start to address the scope of the renovation. We discuss flooring, trim, doors, paint, lighting, storage, and any rearranging included in the job. Materials and finishes are chosen to tie the house together and provide a more cohesive look. It is not about making the house unfamiliar, it's about making it look better.
Preparation and Scheduling
Before we get started, we order the materials and set up a schedule. We decide which rooms to renovate first, how and where to protect your other furniture and surfaces, and what paths we need to keep open. We also explain the process to help you know what to expect. Preparation helps us keep things moving and we limit unneeded delays, especially for an occupied Crystal Lake home.
Renovation Days
This is when the obvious changes start to happen. We remove old materials, make repairs, and install the new materials. Depending on the scope of your project, renovation days can include flooring, doors, trim, drywall, paint, lighting, tile, cabinets, or minor rearranging. We keep the work areas organized, keep paths open where possible, and clean up at the end of each day. We also keep you updated on what has happened, and what is going to happen.
Walkthrough and Touch Ups
As things are coming together, we walk through the renovated areas with you and look at everything. Flooring, trim, doors, paint, fixtures, transitions, seams, and more are examined. If something doesn't feel right, we will note it, and add it to our final list to be addressed. We want you to feel like you are walking through a finished home, not a job site that was halted prematurely.
Why Crystal Lake Homeowners Work with
Smart Building Solutions, LLC
We renovate according to the actual square footage and layout.
We understand that Crystal Lake homes have had many repairs, additions, and renovations through the years.
We choose materials and finishes that will last in a real home, not just look nice.
We keep homeowners informed so they know what has happened, and what will happen.
We stay for the little fixes and touch ups, not just the obvious changes.
Crystal Lake Homes and Midwest Weather
Crystal Lake homes have to deal with freezing cold winters, hot and humid summers, muddy springs, and all the various temperatures and weather in between. Salt and snow get tracked in over the winter. Wood doors and trim swell and contract with the changes of humidity. Drafts that were not a big deal in the Fall grow more prominent on a cold February morning.
If these are not taken into consideration during a renovation, your flooring can swell, your paint can crack, and your doors will not close properly.
When we do home renovations in Crystal Lake, we consider the effects of Mother Nature from the very beginning. We discuss flooring options near exterior doors, materials that will not warp with the weather, and lighting to make the most of the natural light when the sun is shining (or not). If walls or floors are open, it is a good time to address insulation, air leaks, or other issues that will make a bigger difference over the long term, not just the first few weeks after the renovations have been completed.
Let’s Get Started
If your home does not need a complete remodel, but is in good shape, but still needs improvements to make it feel more refreshed and cohesive, we can come out and take a look.
There is no pressure, we will walk through the house, we will listen to what has been bothering you, and we will discuss the options. Together, we can plan your home renovations in Crystal Lake and make your house feel better every single day.