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Addicted to Outdoor Living?

Spring is here! We are dreaming of sunny days and warm nights outside in our backyards. Our Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company is ready to enjoy working in our backyards, creating livable spaces to maximize outdoor living, and relish these next few months of warm, sunny, Ohio weather!

What do we love about our backyards? We talked with our Team, thought about what our clients have wanted, and researched what’s trending in order to bring you these six reasons to love your backyard!

6 Reasons We Love Backyards

Increased Livable Space

Who doesn’t want more livable space? Whether it’s a patio, a deck, a 3 or 4-season room, or just space in the yard carved out for seating around a firepit, we want places to spend time outdoors. Setting up zones for lounging, cooking, playing, and evening fires creates areas where we can unwind and have fun.

It Can Be An Extension of Your Home

Imagine sliding, retractable, or French doors opening up to livable spaces you’ve created in your backyard. Extending your home to the outdoors gives you more places to spend time with family and friends. An addition of a 3 or 4-season room is the ultimate way to extend the footprint of your home’s square footage but does require an investment of time & money. A covered patio or deck may be a better fit for your needs. It’s perfect for a rainy day or relaxing in the shade. And even an uncovered deck or patio is great for a shady backyard or evening spent outside with the family.

More Room to Entertain

Summer is the time of backyard parties. Whether it’s a neighborhood cookout, a graduation party, or just friends hanging out by the firepit, we love to entertain. And somehow, it’s just easier when it’s outdoors in the backyard. By creating those zones for cooking, sitting, playing, and more, guests can spread out and move from one zone to another. (Side benefit—less mess inside the house!)

Want more inspiration? Visit the Outdoor Living Portfolio on our website!

Commune with Nature

Enjoying flowers, native plants, a garden, or the grass and trees, spending time in nature is good for the soul. A breezy, sunny day fills our bodies with light and energy, while tending to flowers and gardens brings us a sense of accomplishment and creativity. And having a backyard that capitalizes on the ability to spend time outdoors is always a winner.

Watch more Outdoor Living videos on our YouTube channel!

Staycation

Many people don’t mind spending the summer at home, creating mini staycations for the family. After all, who wants to go to Florida in the summer? A treehouse, firepit, swing set, bocce ball, cornhole, or possibly a swimming pool makes staying at home even more fun. The options are endless for adding things to your backyard for activities for kids and adults. An outdoor kitchen takes meal prep up a notch because cooking on a grill is just that much more fun, right?

Health benefits

In addition to the benefits of communing with nature mentioned above, backyards should be an oasis, a place to unwind, relax, and unplug. Creating some areas with some privacy brings the ability to unwind to a whole new level. Sitting in the dappled sunlight for a bit gives us some Vitamin D and a sense of well-being (just don’t forget the sunscreen). Spending time in our yards probably means there’s a bit of exercise happening—playing with the kids, landscaping, or playing some cornhole, outside=exercise. One more health benefit? Unplug by leaving your phone inside while you’re outdoors!

What are you waiting for? Now is the time to get your backyard ready for summer. Let’s collaborate to get your project underway! Get started planning your new outdoor living space with a sunroom, patio, pavilion, or deck and call 614-459-4000 or schedule a phone call with our Client Relations Coordinator on our website.

April 11, 2023
Screened Porch Addition & More | Bexley OH
Project Spotlight: Past clients hired our Design-Build Team to create a plan and scope of work for their backyard. The screened porch addition compliments their home’s French-style architecture and is attached to the existing garage and accessed thru a new vestibule and mudroom. The new covered outdoor space is perfect for the family of four to spend time relaxing, entertaining, and enjoying the gorgeous views.

The interior of the new porch features full-height screens with sliding doors, an exposed beam and shiplap ceiling, gas fireplace, a beverage bar with 2 mini fridges and storage, seating space and a separate dining area. On the exterior a natural stone paver patio that includes a simple but functional outdoor built-in grilling area with countertops and storage. Adjacent to the porch addition is their newly constructed backyard patio with a fire pit and pool. This phase of the project was completed by Hidden Creek Landscaping.

Backyard Before

Proposed Design

CLIENT PROFILE:
- Dual-income professional couple with two school-aged children
- Home built 1962 – Clients purchased in 2018
- Past client who hired us for several projects on a prior residence 2015-2017
PROJECT DURATION: Design – 3 months & Construction – 7 months

2023 National CotY Winner! Residential Exterior $100,001 to $200,000
Designer Laura Watson, ASID, UDCP
Project Manager Rob Lindeboom, CLC
Lead Carpenters Joey Davis & Ben Ludlow

Client Testimonial

5-Star Guild Quality Review – 100% Satisfied – “The personal attention given. They made us feel like they care about us as people, not just about the job. They were considerate, thorough, timely, detail-oriented, approachable, and professional. Their organizational skills and communication throughout the project were phenomenal. They are a first-class operation of talented and wonderful people.”

Are you ready to create your outdoor living retreat? Click here to get started!
April 7, 2023
Decluttering Your Home with Frog Hauling

Spring is here! It’s a good time to clean and declutter your home. Remodeling, DIY projects, and general decluttering have one big thing in common—what to do with everything you’re removing from the home. When our Remodel-Design-Build Team at the Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio remodels a home, the project sizes range from a whole house transformation or addition to a renovation of a single room like a bathroom or basement.

For the removal of construction debris on our job site, we rely on our preferred vendor and friends at Frog Hauling. They are the largest mini dumpster rental and hauling service in the Columbus Metro area and they provide our Team and clients with the right sized container to fit each project’s needs for debris disposal.

When we see Frog Hauling dumpsters all over town, we know they’re also being used for your DIY and decluttering projects.

How the “Dumpster” Leads to Something New at Your Home

Decluttering is typically at the bottom of everyone’s list but clutter in our home or business can negatively impact our everyday routine. Decluttering is an important way to practice self-care because it helps you take control of your home, your life and your “stuff” to improve your overall well-being.

Are you ready to tackle the closets, basement, garage, or whole house and get rid of junk and clutter? Or are you ready to remodel your home and make it work better for you? (We can help you with that!) However you choose to #LiveBetter, you might want to use Frog Hauling to help you easily and affordably remove what you don’t want.

Four Reasons to Use a Dumpster Rental to Declutter

1 – Tackle Larger Projects – Many homeowners find decluttering their homes to be a challenge if you have bigger items to throw away. By embracing dumpster rental from a trusted hauling company, you can focus on these large-scale projects. Tossing outdated equipment and belongings that clutter your garage and shed won’t require additional logistics.

2 – Provides a Timeline – When you have a busy household and work obligations, you may delay seasonal cleaning projects. By scheduling a dumpster rental, you’ll create a timeline and have the motivation to complete your project. With the tools in place to toss, recycle, donate, and organize your home, getting started—and finishing—will be that much easier.

3 – Easy Toss & Recycle – Based on your needs, you can rent various dumpster sizes. Talk to your hauling company and let them know if you have recyclables, glass bottles, roofing materials, yard debris, or other items that may not be suitable for the garbage dump. Your junk hauling company can help you create a dumpster system that’s sustainable while aligning with your needs.

4 – Convenience – Best of all, dumpster rental makes decluttering simple and easy. You won’t have to worry about overfilled trash cans or finding an appropriate method to toss your unwanted junk. With plenty of space to get organized, seasonal home cleaning will be quick, seamless, and rewarding.

If you need a reliable dumpster rental service to complete your home cleaning project, contact Frog Hauling. Based in Columbus, OH, homeowners throughout Franklin County have easy access to affordable, well-maintained, and convenient debris hauling services. To discuss your needs, call (614) 258-3764 to speak with a friendly member of their team. For more information on their offerings and commitment to providing eco-friendly options, visit their website.

Ready to start a remodeling project? Get started here!

Partners in the Remodeling Industry and in the Community

George & Marty brought their companies together in 2020 to “fill the dumpster” with backpacks and school supplies for Volunteers of America’s Operation Backpack. That year we collected a record number 133 filled backpacks plus additional boxes of bags and school supplies. Each year VoA’s collections help more than 5,000 in central Ohio enter the classroom equipped to be successful in their education.

George Cleary CR – Owner of The Cleary Company & Marty Reed – Frog Hauling

April 3, 2023
Basement Bourbon Bar | Dublin OH

Project Spotlight: The basement in Susan & Geoff’s home is regularly used for entertaining and watching tv but there was one area that was definitely underutilized. After discussing many ideas and options, they decided they needed a proper bar to store and display Geoff’s growing bourbon collection. Then they contacted the designer who worked with them on previous home remodeling projects. Jen Sommers, a NARI Certified Remodeler, is now a Project Developer for The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build in Columbus, Ohio.

BEFORE Bar area remodel

The Plan?

Add storage, function, design and seating to the existing nook. The demo was minimal but included removing a pony wall, ledge and carpet. A 15″ deep semi-custom cabinet made with maple wood, with a dark stain and a hoop door style was designed and built to fit within the existing walls and maximize usable storage space.

Working with the existing design style of the basement, complimentary fixtures and finishes were chosen and installed. The Cambria quartz countertop combines hues of blue and gray but also features a hint of shimmer. Floating shelves offer more storage but also allow for display of Geoff’s growing collection of bourbon. The brick veneer backsplash is a great rustic accent to compliment the shiny bottles.

Demo complete

Cabinets & shelves installed

Brick backsplash installed

Completed Project!

Read more about this project in Dublin Life magazine!

Do you have spaces in your home that are seldom used? Basement, formal dining or living room, porch, etc.? How about transforming it into a game room, a lounge or enlarging other rooms like a bigger kitchen or family room?

Our Remodel-Design-Build Team can help! Contact our Client Relations Coordinator today by calling 614-459-4000 or via our website.

March 22, 2023
Pro Tips for Fixing Minor Drywall Issues
Accidents happen. Whether it was a water leak, an errant toy that left a dent or a small hole, a gymnastic routine with a foot through the wall, or just everyday wear and tear. Often it’s the walls in your home that take the abuse resulting in drywall issues needing to be fixed.

While our Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company encourages you to hire professionals to fix the larger, more involved damage (unless you are an experienced DiY homeowner), it makes sense for you to repair smaller issues yourself.

But how does one go about repairing drywall issues?

Tools & Materials

Drywall patch kits are sold in most home improvement stores, like Home Depot, and contain most of what you need for small repairs. Or create your own with the following items.
- Joint compound, drywall mud, or spackle – Look for quick-drying options.
- 3 to 4-inch putty knife.
- Mesh if the hole is larger than a ½ inch.
- A boxcutter is a good item to use to keep the area neat and free from frayed edges of drywall. A clean cut leaves fewer bumps.
- A dust mask is a good idea to wear when sanding the drywall compound.
3 Types of Small Drywall Repairs & How to Do Them

Dents & Dings
- Scrape any loose debris from the area.
- Spread a thin layer of fast-drying spackle over the area, creating a level layer with the drywall.
- Let it dry then sand and apply touch-up paint.
Popped Nail Heads
- Add a drywall screw above and below the popped nail head and secure the screw to the drywall. This will keep the existing nail head from popping out again.
- Sink the screws far enough below the drywall surface to allow spackle to be applied.
- Drive in the popped nail with a hammer.
- Cover the nail and screws with a thin coat of spackle, allow to dry, sand, and apply touch-up paint.
Holes
- Buy a patch kit and put the self-adhesive mesh patch over the hole.
- Cover the patch with spackling (joint) compound in a thin crisscross pattern, and thin the edges so it blends with the wall and doesn’t create a rough demarcation line.
- Let dry and reapply if more is needed.
- Sand smooth and paint. Depending on the size of the hole, you might have to repaint the whole wall.
- A bigger hole requires a few more steps beyond these and since there is more involved, we encourage you to use a repair person or watch some YouTube videos to learn the steps. You’ll need more tools for this as well!
Have a bigger project you need help with? We can help with referrals of a handyman or drywall professional. Give us a call at 614.459.4000!

Are you ready for an interior home remodel? Schedule a phone call with our Client Relations Coordinator to discuss your project!
March 16, 2023
5 Ways to Protect Your Home’s Interior

It’s your sanctuary, your escape, the place you come back to every day. But how do you protect the interior surfaces and furniture? Knowing how to keep your home looking great will put a smile on your face every time you walk in!

Carpets, Upholstery & Floors

Stains, pet accidents, shifting furniture around, movie night snacks—your furniture, carpets, and floors can all take a beating. First, pretreat with a stain protector like Scotchgard or a professionally applied finish, both are great options for upholstery and carpets. Secondly, felt pads on the bottoms of chairs are a must but don’t forget your table legs and bed frames too. They are an inexpensive purchase and will go a long way to keeping the floor looking new. Also, choosing flooring and furniture materials and finishes that work for your family’s lifestyle goes a long way to keeping your home’s interior looking its best. As your kids get older and pets are trained, and family life changes, so might your décor!

Walls

Keeping walls free of scuffs and scrapes doesn’t have to be an all-consuming chore. First, choosing a high-quality wall coating (aka paint) is the best defense. Latex paints have the longest-lasting finish, are easy to work with, dry quickly and are extremely durable but the finish options can be confusing for most homeowners. Check out this easy-to-use Guide to Paint Finishes from houselogic.com! A high-quality paint that is formulated for each room keeps walls looking great and makes clean-up easier. According to improovy.com, by and large, most professional painters use either Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin Moore paint products.

For areas that are more prone to daily dings, install rubber stoppers, felt or plastic bumpers behind doors, chairs, headboards, etc. A chair rail in the dining or living room is a more stylish option to protect your walls. Scuff marks are unavoidable but keeping an eye out for them and cleaning them up as soon as you can is key. Mr. Clean’s Magic Eraser is an effective tool for touching up or cleaning walls and doors.

Pets

Fur is a constant struggle with cats and dogs. Even if you vacuum every day, sometimes not even the most powerful vacuum will remove pet hair from every inch of your home. Keeping pets well groomed is not only good for their health and behavior it also prevents shedding. With their dead hair removed and their short hair prepped up by the groomer, your pets will shed less hair and contribute to making your home a cleaner place. Other options for creating a pet-friendly home include large, washable throw blankets decoratively tossed over a couch or chair to gather pet hair. Creating a cozy space just for your pet might be a fun idea to try. Safe, comfortable, loved pets tend to stay off the furniture if they’ve been taught that nor are they apt to destroy anything.

Scratches and claw marks can be a struggle. With several states now banning declawing, cat owners may be wondering how they can keep their home free of claw marks. Invest in scratching posts, unobtrusive corner protectors, or anti-scratch tape for couches and chairs to keep cats from scratching furniture. Again, grooming will help by regularly trimming the nails of both cats and dogs. Of course, choosing furniture and flooring that works best for your pets is another thing to consider.

Windows

Oh, that beautiful natural light. While most crave it and want natural light in our homes, the sun can also damage wood floors, fabrics and furniture. Curtains are one option, but also consider tinted windows, sun-filtering blinds, or UV film coatings. An awning might be a clever idea or if you’re remodeling or building, consider deeper overhangs for the windows that get the most direct sun during midday.

Keep it Clean!

While this really is obvious, keeping your home clean is an important preventive measure for protecting what is probably your largest economic asset. Cleaning spills as they happen, dusting and sweeping, protecting irreplaceable furniture pieces, and cleaning appliances frequently will all go a long way to protecting the interior of your home!

Working with our Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company means you get all of our expertise, not only with the creation and implementation of your remodel, but we are here to assist you with choosing the right finishes and fixtures to fit your family’s lifestyle. Collaborating with you on design choices and providing information to help you protect the interior of your home.

Spring is just around the corner, for more information on how to protect your home, check out our Spring Home Maintenance Checklist!

March 7, 2023
Pricing Your Exterior Home Remodel
How Much Does an Exterior Remodel Cost in Columbus Ohio?

You know the old saying “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” right?

Ask any realtor how this saying translates to the real estate market and their answer will probably be “Curb Appeal!” The importance of a home’s curb appeal in relation to its value is validated in Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value report, as four of the top five returns on investment are for projects related to home exteriors.

So, what does it cost to upgrade your home’s curb appeal or remodel the outside of your home? Calculating the cost of any remodel requires knowing first the design, scope and size of the project and this is especially true for a home exterior remodel. Do you just want to add new doors or windows to upgrade your curb appeal or do you also want to change the architectural details of your home’s exterior? To help you get started planning your next home exterior project, Our Remodel Design Build Team at The Cleary Company Columbus, OH has assembled the following project examples and ballpark costs. We also recommend reviewing the Cost vs Value report mentioned above for additional information on building and remodeling costs in Columbus OH.

3 PROJECTS – 3 BUDGETS – 3 SCOPES

Luxury Example 1: Design-Build an Outdoor Living Space + Other Major Updates
Ballpark Price Range: $150 – 250k+

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES WITH POOL & PAVILLION ADDITION Bexley, Ohio

Project Example Budget $275k – $300k

Example Scope of Work:
- Build a small addition to increase the home’s square footage
- Install new hardscape patio w/ fireplace or firepit
- Build a pergola, gazebo or shelter
- Upgrade landscaping
- Add new lighting & other electrical
- Replace windows & doors
- Paint existing stucco & trim
- Add or extend the existing gas line for grilling at your outdoor kitchen
Luxury Example 2: Design-Build a Sunroom & Outdoor Living Space

Ballpark Price Range: $100k – $200k+

Exterior AFTER

Interior AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER SCREENED PORCH ADDITION & OUTDOOR KITCHEN Bexley, Ohio

Project Example Budget $160k – $200k

Example Scope of Work:
- Build a screen porch or sunroom addition OR build a pergola, gazebo or shelter
- Install new hardscape patio with a fireplace or firepit
- Upgrade landscaping
- Add new lighting & other electrical
- Paint existing stucco & trim
- Add or extend the existing gas line for grill
Midrange: Design-Build New Porch & Update Architectural Details

Estimated Price Range: $75k - $100k+

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER FRONT PORCH ADDITION & EXTERIOR REFRESH Columbus, Ohio

Example Budget $100k -$120k

Example Scope of Work:
- Build new or extend the existing front porch
- Replace all or some windows & doors
- Replace or add new shutters
- Replace or add new sidewalk
- Add or upgrade architectural details
- Replace existing lighting
- Paint and/or Replace existing siding & trim
- Update landscaping
Refresh & Upgrade Curb Appeal

Estimated Price Range: $75k – $95k+

AFTER

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER FRONT EXTERIOR UPDATED CURB APPEAL Hilliard, Ohio

Example Budget $75k – $95k
- Build a new portico or porch
- Replace or add new sidewalk
- Replace front shutters
- Replace front entry doors & Paint new trim
- New front porch light
- Install new mailbox & house numbers
- Update landscaping
Feeling inspired to upgrade your home’s curb appeal or modernize its exterior? Our professional Remodel-Design-Build Team has the experience and creativity to help you realize the potential of your home’s exterior. Give us a call to get started ~ 614-459-4000

Click on Outdoor Photo Gallery to visit our website and view more amazing exterior transformations!
March 3, 2023
Remodeling Workforce Development

Recruitment and Retention of the Remodeling Workforce

Many well-intended companies view training as a key solution to obvious learning opportunities. The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build in Columbus, Ohio takes this to a higher level. Our goal is to empower our Team to make decisions on their own. A training program can be a powerful medium for that process. The most successful programs include customized content, relevant case material, skill-building practices, and a final measurement of skill.

Learning is a consequence of thinking, not teaching. It happens when people reflect on and choose a training program. If the work environment does not support that behavior, a well-trained employee will not make a difference.

George Cleary and his management Team take a bold approach to provide a robust training program for their Team. By implementing training solutions through various sources, we create a better work environment, a higher skilled workforce, and most importantly a great company culture that offers a superior client experience.

Below are four key programs plus a general overview of the successes of The Cleary Company training programs. These programs have been initiated with collaboration between our internal teams, management, as well as external support.

Leadership Development

Since 2014, George has utilized the services of Peg Buehrle, Certified Business Coach and her associates with ActionCOACH Columbus for executive leadership and business development. They specialize in helping business owners craft strategies that create a better work-life balance with a unique niche serving the remodeling industry. George, his company and his employees have benefited from their coaching as evident in The Cleary Company’s tremendous growth and acquisition of exceptional talent.

While most of their programs center around our management team, helping them to look towards the positive advantages of change, we’ve also been able to collaborate on some very beneficial training for the entire Team as well as some of our Trade Partners. Some of these key training sessions include Laws of Attraction, Emotional Intelligence, and key communication education.

Chief Architect (CA)

This is the software program our Design Team uses to inspire clients. CA can also create the construction documents our Production Team uses on their jobsites. Just like a carpenter with their hammer or a painter with their brush, we must consistently practice with our tool to improve our skill set. We utilized targeted training videos, as well as a community learning approach, in our weekly meetings focused on improving our skills with this platform. One of our Team goals is to design and build amazing award-winning projects and Chief Architect is one of the tools that help us achieve this.

NARI Certifications & CEUs

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is a leader in the certification of remodeling professionals. These certifications were developed to recognize highly experienced remodeling professionals, capable of planning and managing complex remodeling projects to client satisfaction and are to be renewed annually. Additionally, they offer continuing education to all industry professionals looking to gain knowledge and advance in their career.

These educational opportunities are offered throughout the year through in-person events and webinars addressing specific topics for the remodeling professional. NARI provides the environment for collaboration and connection in the remodeling industry with contractors, vendors, and skilled trade professionals. NARI’s national presence provides confidence to the consumer through its Code of Ethics which each member promises to uphold.

Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio

The WDBCO helps local businesses acquire, develop, motivate and deploy talent. As an industry leader in Columbus, Ohio, The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build takes pride in these opportunities to enhance the skill levels of our Team. Their Employer Advantage funded program enabled George and his management Team to provide an even more robust training program across all levels of our organization in 2021. On July 22, 2022 WDBCO presented its annual awards at Columbus State Community College. George Cleary, CR and Aaron Enfinger, CR were in attendance to receive an award for Company of the Year! An annual award presented at the WDBCO annual meeting.

Utilize Training Programs to Achieve a Highly Talented Organization

Any thorough organizational assessment will not only define the skills employees need to develop but will also reveal the conditions required to reinforce and sustain those skills once a training solution is implemented. With the training programs and other similar programs above, we have initiated our company’s ability to thrive in today’s challenging employment environment.

We know that creating raving fans starts with raving employees. We focus on both the personal well-being and the professional development of each of our team members to create an amazing family culture that creates awesome projects for our clients. That is our commitment to the Central Ohio community we love to serve!

Are you ready to work for The Cleary Company? Visit our Careers page to see all our available job openings, submit a resume, ask questions, or request more information. We look forward to connecting with you!

February 21, 2023
Remodeling Your Primary Bathroom
So you’ve decided it’s time to remodel your primary bathroom and you might be thinking, “I can do this”. While we don’t doubt that some of you can tackle remodeling a bathroom, we are here to explain why it is better for most homeowners to hire a licensed remodeling professional such as the Team at The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build.

Your primary bathroom or en suite should be a tranquil spa-like retreat. A space filled with gorgeous materials, and constructed with high-quality installation and service. As your preferred remodeler in Columbus, Ohio, we have the knowledge, certifications and years of experience to bring your vision for your new bathroom to life.

3 Reasons Why a Primary Bathroom Renovation Should be Completed by a Professional Remodeler
1. Knowledge
  - We discern and follow the building codes from all the central Ohio municipalities and communities (even HOA’s) and apply them to your specific project.
  - Maximizing efficiency without sacrificing quality. From scheduling trade partners to ordering materials and supplies our Team’s ability to collaborate and apply their experience and industry expertise.
  - Foresight for what can go wrong and planning for how to fix any issues before they become a problem is expected of our highly skilled Project Managers & Lead Carpenters.
  - Our ongoing commitment to continuing education gives our craftspeople advanced skills so that they can do what they do well.
2. Apply Home Design Best Practices
  - We understand how spaces should be designed to maximize functionality, livability, efficiency and aesthetics.
  - Applying Universal Design principles for placements of sinks, toilets, vanities, etc. Our Design-Build Development Team includes 6 NARI certified UDCP persons showing they are beyond proficient in this area.
  - Creating the spa experience you desire thru combinations of plumbing products. For example, specifying and installing aroma, sound, light and/or steam therapies in your shower.
3. Time & Money Savings
  - Insightful development of a scope of work and a budget ahead of construction.
  - Creating a project schedule & outline with a defined completion date.
  - Expert knowledge of the entire process of remodeling a bathroom from start to finish.
The choice to DIY your primary bathroom remodel is ambitious and thrifty, but we believe your private sanctuary is best left to the professionals. You won’t be sorry about the result! Especially when factoring in a ROI of up to 64.8% according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs Value report. Want to know how much a bathroom remodel may cost? Watch this video for more information on bathroom remodeling costs in Columbus, Ohio.

Are you ready to start a primary bathroom remodel? Give us a call at 614-459-4000 or schedule a phone conversation with our Client Relations Coordinator on our website!
February 15, 2023
5 Trends for Your Kitchen That are Here to Stay
Kitchens are the heart of the home and one of the most requested remodeling projects our Remodel-Design-Build Team at The Cleary Company in Columbus, OH completes every year. While the options, designs, and finishes are plentiful, there are some kitchen trends that are enduring and most often desired by our clients.

Design – As far as space planning, the open-concept kitchen floorplans aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. The open floor plan is still the most requested, with sightlines and entertaining at the top of the list.
- While colored cabinets are trending now, the “white” kitchen is timeless and here to stay in the Midwest.
- Create warmth in varying degrees based on timeless color palettes keeping it crisp and clean or light and airy.
- Installing large windows, skylights or glass doors will maximize the natural light and create a bright airy feeling.
Islands – They are an essential part of a functional floorplan for those that enjoy cooking, baking and entertaining. They find their way into most of our clients’ design plans. Although sometimes, adding an island isn’t possible, in which case our Team will collaborate to find additional ways to incorporate additional workspace and storage that functions for their lifestyle and family’s needs.

Double islands have increased in demand over the years and can be incorporated into many open-concept first-floor plans. They give you the luxury of having one island for workspace, sinks, microwaves, and cooktops and another island for additional seating, buffets for entertaining as well as creating extra storage.

Customization – Kitchens can be very detailed and personal to the homeowner. Different materials and finishes can be personalized to an individual’s taste from appliances and cabinets to paint colors and storage. Selections that meet specific daily needs of you and your family’s lifestyle dominate most of the design plans for our clients.
- Mixing finishes and materials adds a more personal touch from countertops and backsplashes to fixtures and cabinets.
- Pantry options that include “working” kitchens or butler’s pantries keep the messes of preparing meals behind closed doors.
- Range hoods that make a statement can be large and bold or minimalistic. Either style can combine materials and finishes to personalize the space.
Fixtures & Finishes – Quartz countertops and other “easy care” materials that resist scratches, stains and burns help busy families keep their homes looking fresh. Wood is down-to-earth and creates a warmth that is difficult to match. Whether using it as an accent or statement piece, it adds texture and is timeless.

Energy-Efficient – Protecting Mother Earth and our natural resources is only gaining more and more attention as climate change dominates the news. The focus will continue to shift to using less energy and water through design-build solutions. Mindful choices like adding reverse water osmosis options cuts down on buying plastic water bottles. Installing dishwashers, sinks and other plumbing that use less water and appliances that use less energy can have a significant impact on our environment. Additionally using sustainable materials are viable and frequently requested by many of our clients.

Whether you want to hop on the newest kitchen trends, have a specific design in mind, or want to be timeless, our Remodel-Design-Build Team is here to collaborate with you to create your vision for your family’s home. For inspiration visit our Kitchens Portfolio on our website.

Contact us here to start the conversation. We’re ready to get started on your kitchen remodeling project!
February 10, 2023