What To Look For When Hiring a Contractor

We recently received a review on Angie's List that did a wonderful job of explaining exactly what made this particular client so happy with the work we did.  He wrote,

"Working with Rick and Closets for Life was exactly as the other reviewers had stated.  He was extremely professional, punctual, did great work, and was so easy to work with.  He always followed up, arrived on time, and set the right expectations.  I find that many times people who own their own businesses in this field can either be really good at their craft or really good at communication, but not both.  Rick is the exception.  He is flexible, great at communicating, checks in with you, and does great work.  Not only did he think of absolutely everything, he also made some additional suggestions on the mudroom that really tied everything together.  It is no surprise that he is rated so highly.  Both Rick and the other guy he brought with him seem like genuinely great people who are extremely talented in what they do.   I also have a concern with hiring anyone I don't know and letting them in my house, but with Rick there are absolutely no concerns.  If I need any additional work done, I will definitely be using him again.  He is without a doubt the best contractor I have ever used."

This got us to thinking, what makes a great contractor?  Many times when hiring a contractor for a project, people will decide on price alone, picking whomever had the lowest bid.  While a low price may initially seem like a great deciding factor, ultimately, what will determine your happiness with a project is your experience working with the contractor and the end product.  If you paid less but found your contractor hard to work with and the end result less than you hoped for, a lower price tag won't make up for it.

What should you look for when deciding on a contractor then?  Here are 4 tips on selecting and working with a qualified contractor compiled from US News, This Old House and Houzz.com.

Check credentials and disciplinary history

According to US News, you should look for a contractor who has been in business for a while, someone who is licensed and registered (every state has different rules; check yours on contractors-license.org or ask your local building inspector), has insurance (liability; worker’s comp), and has a solid reputation. Make sure that they also have a clean bill of health from the Better Business Bureau and from your state’s consumer protection agency. 

We also recommend checking for reviews on respected online websites such as Angie's List and Houzz.com.

Do Phone Interviews
Once you've assembled a list, This Old House recommends that you make a quick call to each of your prospects and ask them the following questions:

• Do they take on projects of your size, type?

• For bigger projects, are they willing to provide financial references, from suppliers or banks?

• Can they give you a list of previous clients?

• How many other projects would they have going at the same time?

• How long have they worked with their subcontractors?

The answers to these questions will reveal the company's availability, reliability, how much attention they'll be able to give your project and how smoothly the work will go.

Communication is key

The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you communicate. All things being equal, it's better to spend more and get someone you're comfortable with.  Think about whether you feel comfortable with their personality, background, methods, and communication skills.  All three sources recommend meeting with the contractors in person to discuss your end goals for the project, your vision and your timeline.  A great contractor should listen to your ideas and make suggestions without being pushy or dismissive.  

Put it in writing
Every project should have a contract, no matter the size of the estimated work. Contracts ensure that if a dispute arises, it can be dealt with in a timely manner.  If a contractor is unwilling to commit to a price on a contract or a specified timeline, do not choose them. This opens the door for mysterious charges that arise mid-project or delays.

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We hope you have found this article helpful.  If you are interested in a reliable contractor for your  next custom organization project, please contact Rick Lyrek at Closets For Life for your free in-home consultation.Closets For Life can be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.  You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.



Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions for all organizational needs including closets, mud rooms, craft rooms, kitchens, garages, home offices, Murphy beds, wine cellars and more.

Quick FAQs About Sustainable Design (aka Green Homes)

Gaining in popularity is the concept of Sustainable Design and green homes.  More citizens are embracing the idea of making changes to their life that support a more sustainable future.  Not surprisingly, they want their homes to reflect this commitment. 

While many share this commitment, not everyone can afford or wants to move neighborhoods into a new sustainable designed home.  Going green doesn't have to involve big costs. For those who are looking for ways to lessen the environmental impact of their home through smaller, more manageable, remodeling projects we suggest you begin with your closets (well, we are a custom organization company after all!). 

Below are some quick FAQs about Sustainable Design and how we at Closets For Life are helping to lessen our impact on the environment.  We represent just one example of how green design can be incorporated into your home in smaller, manageable ways. Once you begin to look, you will find eco-friendly options offered by many local companies who share your commitment to our planet.

What is Sustainable Design?
Sustainable Design and Green practices are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment by:

• Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources
• Protecting occupant health and improving employee productivity
• Reducing waste, pollution and environmental degradation

What are some simple changes I can make to make my home more eco-friendly?
There are many easy and affordable steps you can take to lessen your home's environment impact especially when it comes to consuming less energy.  Installing a programmable thermostat, incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) and planting a tree near your house for shade are just a few. 

You mentioned that my closet can be a great place to make sustainable choices. Why?
As we mentioned earlier, sustainable options are available everywhere, including your closets. All custom organization projects by Closets For Life can be built using Roseburg Skyblend particle board. Roseburg SkyBlend is a specified green particleboard panel that is manufactured by Roseburg . It is SCS and EP certified to be 100% pre-consumer recycled wood fiber particle board and has no Urea Formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process.

In addition, Closets For Life uses Interscapes Inc. to manufacture our cabinets and shelving. Interscapes, established in 1987, is a full service architectural woodworking firm serving general contractors throughout the upper Midwest. Closets For Life, along with Interscapes, is lessening its impact on the environment by recycling 99% of the waste it produces. We are saving 1820 cubic yards of waste per year. This waste no longer ends up in landfills. Instead, it is now being shredded and ground up for use as animal bedding. You can view a video about Interscapes green manufacturing practices by clicking here.

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We hope you have found this article helpful.  If you are interested in learning how to incorporate sustainable design into your next custom organization project, please contact Rick Lyrek at Closets For Life for your free in-home consultation.Closets For Life can be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.  You can also visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.



Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions for all organizational needs including closets, mud rooms, craft rooms, kitchens, garages, home offices, Murphy beds, wine cellars and more.

The Ultimate Compliment...A Repeat Customer!

The ultimate compliment that can be made in a customer service oriented business is a repeat customer.  When a client is so happy with the outcome of a project that they ask you to come back to do another then you know you exceeded expectations. While we do have a good number of repeat customers, we have one that stands out from the crowd having asked us to return for four projects across two homes!  She is a spectacular lady and we feel honored to have worked with her on four very unique projects.  We recently interviewed Gail.  Read on to learn about Gail and what keeps her coming back to Closets For Life!

Closets For Life: First, tell us a little about yourself!
I retired 6 years ago and now work part-time for my husband's Real Estate Appraisal business.  Together we have 6 children and going on 8 grandchildren.  Our family keeps us busy but we also love to golf.

Closets For Life: How did you first hear about Closets For Life?
We initially wanted to install a Murphy Bed and I found his information online.  We previously lived in Apple Valley and wanted someone close. 

Closets For Life: If you could describe Rick Lyrek and Closets For Life using three words, what would they be?
Professional, Visionary, Satisfaction!!

Closets For Life: What has been you experience working with Closets For Life?
It has been wonderful.  It is a "small town" feel for me.  I love that when I have an idea, he helps me with the design.  It is really exciting for me!  To have created something instead of buying it in a store is so much more rewarding.

Also, we had water in our basement this past year and had to have the Murphy Bed and Desk un-installed and re-installed due to carpet replacement.  Rick came out and took care of everything.  He made a difficult situation very easy. 

Closets For Life: You have had Rick out to do four projects in your home!  Can you briefly describe each project?  Which project was your favorite?

The first project was a Murphy Bed and  separate area for a desk. I was working 1/2 time at home and we wanted the extra bed for out of town guests. It made perfect use of our space. (This is my favorite!).


The second project was a shelf unit.  I had previously had an inexpensive shelf unit for pictures.  It was across from the Murphy Bed and I wanted something that held pictures on top shelves and drawers on the bottom so when we had family stay over they could use the drawers for their clothes.  I could not find anything like this in a store or online.  I just love it.

The third project was the entertainment system under the TV.

The fourth project was in the lower level bathroom.  It is so small and I had a storage container to hold towels, which stuck out and got in the way when you got our of the shower.  My husband thought of putting in a shelving unit that was installed into the wall and came out a few inches into the bathroom.  I emailed Rick and he came out and designed it, adding drawers on the bottom!  It is so unique and everyone who sees it loves it.

Closets For Life: You had Rick build an entertainment system unit.  Why did you choose to have something custom built rather than just purchase something in a store?
I measured what dimensions I wanted under our flat screen TV and looked for days online and could not find anything I wanted.  I wanted slots for our receiver, sound system and Wii and drawers below for  storage.  There was nothing! So, I sent Rick an email.  He came out and we talked about what my plans were.  He made the drawings, made adjustments and I loved it! 

When you are going to invest in furniture, you might as well get it the way you want it.  He has so many options for the designs, color, etc. 

Closets For Life: What is your next planned home project? 
We may do another Murphy bed!

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If you are interesting in learning how Closets For Life can help you bring organization to your life, contact us by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com for a free in-home consultation. We will come out to your home to discuss your needs, assess your existing space and then design a custom organization solution designed specifically for you.

Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including kitchens, pantries, closets, offices, garages, laundry rooms, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business.

 

Visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com to learn more.

Project Ideas for a Better Organized Kitchen

Chances are you spend a lot of time in your kitchen.  Kitchens are the key gathering area in a home; a home base for family, the place people gather at a party, where homework and mail gets dropped.  All this activity means the opportunities to improve your kitchens flow and functionality are numerous. 

From small steps like organizing a junk drawer to bigger changes like adding pull out shelving in your cabinets, improvements in your kitchen will have a big impact on your use of the space.  Intrigued?  Below are links to some kitchen project ideas big and small.


How to organize your junk drawer in 30 minutes.
http://personalorganizing.about.com/od/automobile/a/JunkDrawerOrganization.htm

Do it yourself kitchen storage solutions from one of our favorite magazines, The Family Handyman.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/kitchen/storage/kitchen-storage-solutions-pantry-storage-tips-cabinet-organization-tips/view-all#step2

Thinking of adding a pantry or changing the organization of your pantry? This link features great photos of kitchen pantries of all layout and sizes.
http://removeandreplace.com/2013/07/21/31-kitchen-pantry-organization-ideas/

This link from Better Homes and Gardens features great storage ideas for appliances.
http://www.bhg.com/kitchen/storage/organization/

Love the look of your cabinets but not their functionality?  Read how installing pull out shelves to existing cabinets can have a big impact.
http://closetsforlife.blogspot.com/2012/06/behind-cupboard-kitchen-makeover-pull.html

We hope you have found these ideas helpful in creating a more efficient kitchen.  If you are interesting in seeing how Closets For Life can help you create a more organized kitchen space, contact us by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com for a free in-home consultation. We will come out to your home to discuss your needs, assess your existing space and then design a custom organization solution designed specifically for you.

Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders and architects to create innovative storage solutions for all organizational needs including kitchens, pantries, closets, offices, garages, laundry rooms, wine cellars and Murphy beds. Closets For Life is a family owned and operated business. Visit our website at www.closetsforlife.com.

Mud Room + Spring = Happy Homeowner

Spring is why mudrooms were invented.

Springtime's melting snow and ample rain results in dirt, water and mud inevitably making its way into your home.  Here is where a mud room comes to save the day.  Mudrooms are meant as a barrier between outdoors and indoors.  An area where dirt and outdoor gear is contained, keeping the rest of your home clean.

The single most important element a mudroom should have is ample storage space that is smartly designed.  Without proper storage in a mudroom, muddy shoes will still get thrown on top of each other, sports equipment will still cause clutter and jackets will still be crammed in.   Make sure your mud room has storage designed to meet your needs.

Lockers, shoe racks, double rods and benches with hidden storage are just some of the options available.  Take into consideration both your current and future needs when considering different components.  If you have kids, open lockers spaces with built in drawers are a good option.  If your family in actively involved in sports, consider storage options that can house these items. 

Have a small mudroom or no mudroom at all?  Don't despair!  A custom designed organization piece can be designed to fit within your entry closet or as a free standing unit.  A wide selection of finishes, colors and textures are available to allow an organization piece to blend in with the existing space.

This spring, see if your mud room is making you happy and keeping your home clean.  If not, contact Closets For Life for a free in-home consultation.  We will come to your home to discuss your mud room space and your needs and goals.  After our meeting, we will design a custom storage solution tailored specifically to meet your needs and budget.  Closets For Life can be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com. 

Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions for all organizational needs including mud rooms, closets, kitchens, garages, home offices, Murphy beds, wine cellars and more.

3D Project Drawings Come Alive

Change is good!  Especially new changes to the Closets For Life website designed to help homeowners.  The change we speak of is the addition of a new page on our website titled, '3D Drawings Come Alive'.  The page features 3D CAD drawings of real Closets For Life projects paired with a photo of the completed project.

3D CAD drawings are a valuable tool for homeowners beginning a home remodel process.  Seeing a detailed drawing ensures that what the contractor envisions is exactly what the homeowner envisions, making sure both parties are on the same page and that the project will meet a home owner's goals.  Because we believe an informed customer is a happy customer, we provide 3D CAD drawings for all projects.

3D CAD Drawing

Completed Project

Above is just one of the many projects highlighted on our new page.  Click here to view all the project drawings and photos featured.

Contact Closets For Life today for a free in-home consultation for your project.  We can be reached by phone at 952-484-0416 or by email at rlyrek@closetsforlife.com.
  
Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Closets For Life is a custom organization company that works with residential clients as well as designers, builders, remodelers and architects to create innovative solutions for all organizational needs including closets, kitchens, garages, home offices, Murphy beds, wine cellars and more.