Cleary Company: Design Build Remodel

Tag: bathroom remodeling

  • Why Should You Buy Fixtures from Your Contractor?

    Why Should You Buy Fixtures from Your Contractor?

    Have you ever wondered why prices for a plumbing fixture can vary so much? What may seem like a terrific opportunity to save money on your remodeling project is often not the case. Although there are some materials our clients can purchase and supply for their projects, plumbing is not one of them. Occasionally, we will get asked “Can I purchase my own plumbing fixtures? I found a great deal online!” Our answer is always, “Sorry, no you cannot.” Sound harsh or inflexible? Maybe, but consider these scenarios:

    • What if items arrive defective or damaged?
    • What if the specifications don’t work with the beautiful countertop and vanity you selected?
    • How will you deal with items which cannot be exchanged or returned?
    • How will this affect your project’s completion date?
    • What will happen if the product is discontinued before the warranty is up?

    Our Team and the professional plumbing trade partners we work with are equipped to handle all of these scenarios and more. When we purchase and supply plumbing fixtures for our clients, we own all of the management of those materials. More importantly, our professional plumbing trades, nor The Cleary Company CANNOT warranty any installation of plumbing products or materials purchased from superstores, discount warehouses and/or online retailers.

    Where You Purchase Plumbing for Your Remodel Matters!

    So why are retail and sale prices at plumbing supply distributors higher than the superstores (Home Depot, Lowe’s etc.) and online retailers (Amazon, Wayfair, Overstock, etc.)? Read on to learn the top 3 reasons, provided as a courtesy, so that you can make the best decision for your home improvement project.

    1. Volume. Superstores and online retailers derive a portion of their profits from manufacturers’ rebates based on sales volume and can recover a portion of their discounted consumer prices. They however assume no liability and pass on the manufacturer’s warranty.  What this means to the homeowner is if you experience a problem with your purchase you will deal directly with the manufacturer via email or phone to resolve any issues.
    2. Customer service! Our relationships with local reps can get most issues resolved quickly and efficiently and in some cases, get product replaced at no additional cost to our clients. Note, when purchasing products on Amazon remember you’re not necessarily buying it FROM Amazon. Who do you contact for help then?
    3. Quality. There is a difference! Products and materials purchased from plumbing supply distributors are made with original ceramic disc valves, all brass construction, threaded connections, metal drain assemblies, etc. Those same fixtures at a big box retailer are going to be DIY friendly with quick connections, which could include plastic parts.

    What Can You Purchase and Supply for Your Remodeling Project?

    Good news, there may be some materials and products that you can purchase for your project. Some more common examples are ~

    • Lighting fixtures – pendants, chandeliers, etc.
    • Bathroom accessories – mirrors, towel bars and robe hooks
    • Kitchen appliances – ranges, cooktops, microwaves, etc.

    But, before you run out to the store, make sure you have all the specifications and measurements in hand for your space. While that large chandelier may look beautiful in the store, it may not work in your home. Doors will still need to open and it will need to provide clearance for those walking underneath it. These are just a few of the many things you will need to consider when you are making your purchases and providing your own materials. When our experienced Design Team specifies and orders products for your home remodel, we can ensure all your selections meet the requirements for the entire project.

    Our professional relationships with our suppliers and manufacturers’ representatives give our Team access to the most current information on trends, new or discontinued models, finishes, and more. Contact our Team to Get Started on your next home remodeling project!

  • Contemporary Classic Bathroom Remodel

    Contemporary Classic Bathroom Remodel

    Embracing contemporary classic design your next bathroom remodel. If your bathroom hasn’t been updated since the last century, chances are it includes an outdated trend or two. While it’s always fun to be bold and experiment with the latest and greatest styles in home remodeling, sometimes the choices we make might not stand the test of time. If you need a fresh bathroom makeover and want the most timeless design possible, check out the curated Contemporary Classic style from the bathroom designers at The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio! 

    Tried and True  

    Do you dream of a renewed bath with a more streamlined, understated design? Sometimes the wow factor comes in the form of simple and abiding beauty. With classic lines, hues and textures, a Contemporary Classic design brings a new level of sophistication to your bathroom that will never go out of style.

    classic contemporary bath

    Enjoy a tranquil, refined space with subtly veined, deep toned quartz counters by Cambria and cappuccino finished cabinets in a time-honored Shaker style. Large format, porcelain tile offers the realistic look of marble without the maintenance or worry of staining or scratching. The refined tile and traditional beadboard provide a touch of elegance and welcoming vibe in any bath. Brushed nickel plumbing and lighting finishes by Kohler, with a touch of frosted glass, round out this reassuring modern design template. You simply can’t go wrong integrating this lasting Contemporary Classic bathroom look! 

    Cultivated Simplicity 

    Our designers have taken great care to curate bathroom styles that serve the dual purpose of functionality and personality. Although uncomplicated, there is nothing “Plain Jane” about this Contemporary Classic design! Even the fixture and hardware options are made to last with durable, high-performing and corrosion-resistant, premium metal construction. Faucets, lighting and drawer pulls can be personalized through multiple color and finish options to make your bathroom, truly yours! 

    Personalized Design and Construction 

    We have no doubt each client who designs a new bathroom using this Contemporary Classic design style will create a look to last beyond the latest trends. When you work alongside the Team at The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio, we guarantee a gorgeous bathroom personalized for you and installed in the highest-quality, most streamlined fashion by the best professionals in the industry.  

    Ready to get started? Call the office today, at 614-459-4000, or schedule a phone call with our Client Relations Coordinator!

  • Open Plan Home Remodel in Columbus, OH

    Open Plan Home Remodel in Columbus, OH

    Alex and Lisa have lived in their home for 15 years. Their kids are grown and all moved out. They knew it was time for some changes to make the 4,100 sq. ft. ranch their forever home. The recent, extensive remodel was the first large-scale project they’ve undertaken and they couldn’t be more thrilled with the results! Our Team enjoyed working with them on the open concept home remodel. Read on as they share more on their experience.

    What spaces did you have redesigned?

    The remodel included significant changes to the floorplan and updating the kitchen, family, living and dining rooms, along with the master bathroom. Walls were removed in the main living spaces to create an open layout which we desired for large family gatherings. Featured between the dining and living spaces is a new double-sided fireplace with custom bookshelves flanking both sides.

    What is your favorite feature of your newly remodeled home?

    I (Alex) like the living space because it’s now open and natural light comes from both sides of the house. The large front windows are new and we can open them–which we couldn’t do with the old windows. We have full light streaming in and good breezes! The fireplace warms the room without having to turn up the heat in the entire home. My wife, Lisa loves the kitchen because of the increased prep space and storage. The new design improved the kitchen’s layout and makes it easy to prep meals. She is a baker and with the large island and multiple ovens she is able to cook and bake even more! And we both love the air jet soaker tub in our new master bathroom. Along with the heated tile floor, we feel like we have our own spa.

    New Kitchen – walls were removed between the kitchen, formal dining & living rooms CLICK HERE to view more kitchen remodels by The Cleary Company!

    Why did you choose The Cleary Company to design and build your remodeling project?

    We spent several months trying to find a contractor in our area that we could work with and have them complete the entire scope of our project. Since we have a connection to the Cleary family, through our kids attending college together, we reached out to George to see if our project was a good fit. John Coleman, our Project Developer, met with us and understood what we were looking to accomplish and it was an obvious choice to hire The Cleary Company to complete our remodel. We are thrilled. We feel fortunate to have had the family connection and knew of their great work already.

    What was your favorite part of working with The Cleary Company and why?

    When we first reached out to George, it was because we wanted someone who could do everything from design through the build and manage everything for us in one company. We wanted to work with someone who had been through a project like this before, did good work and could manage it all. This was our first big project and everyone on the Team worked through it with us, step by step. No project goes without a few issues or changes and everyone addressed all of our needs professionally. The work was tremendous, so well done and thought out. We enjoyed all of the personalities of the people we got to work with along the way.

    Was there a Team member(s) who stood out? How did they exceed your expectations?

    Each one in their role stood out. John, from our very first meeting, explained how the scope and process of the project would work. Matt and the design group really listened to us as we discussed how we wanted the project to come together. Eric, our Project Manager, was a pleasure to work with during construction. Steve and his carpentry team did amazing work. Even Joe, the remodeling apprentice, had a connection to a high school buddy of my son’s. We were able to build relationships with all of these folks as they were in our home over the three months. It was very enjoyable! And of course, none of this would have happened without George telling us he would be willing to work outside of their normal service area and we can’t thank him enough!

    What advice would you offer to someone who is thinking of remodeling their home?

    Find somebody who can do everything you need for the whole design-build process. I can’t imagine myself having to coordinate everything that had to happen if I was using different people or companies for the remodeling project. Search for a company with experience, a good reputation and completed projects they can point to demonstrating good, high-quality work. This is a huge investment and a tremendous disruption while you’re going through it. It’s important to work with someone you trust. When the project is completed, you want it to be what you wanted and that’s what we got with The Cleary Company.

    Do you have one word why you choose to do business with The Cleary Company?

    Quality, but I would also add relationships. We had some fun along the way and that was special but it was the time and attention they paid to us was very much appreciated. We had no crazy surprises and the project went the way we expected. The Team was adaptable as we threw them a few curveballs. They were flexible and worked with us to make what we wanted to happen with our plan, budget and schedule.

    Project photos – Before & After:

    BEFORE – Kitchen remodel
    BEFORE – Master bathroom remodel
    New Master Bathroom – custom cabinetry, quartz countertops, heated tile floors
    CLICK HERE to view more bathroom remodels by The Cleary Company
    New Open Concept Floor Plan – built new 2-sided fireplace with brick hearth & custom bookshelves CLICK HERE to view more Interior remodeling projects by The Cleary Company

    Want to see more photos of this project? Click here!

  • Reflections on My Career in Construction

    Reflections on My Career in Construction

    At The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build in Columbus, Ohio, we believe in our Team members and their capabilities. Project Manager, Pete Mossman, CLC, shares his career path into the remodeling industry. Read on to learn how he got started in the trades, what he’s learned, and what you should consider if you think this career is for you.

    Project Manager, Pete Mossman, CLC shares his journey in Remodeling!

    How did you get started in the trades?

    • My high school required internships 2 days/week. The goal of school was that you were able to walk away with a career, rather than just some good grades. So, I tried a couple things; 1) retail–Jeni’s ice cream, 2) culinary–worked at a local bakery, 3) trades–helped rebuild houses from hurricane Katrina and 4) Sport fitness-worked at a gym
    • I studied exercise science in college, but through mutual friends, got offered an entry level job at a local remodeling company. When I graduated from college, it was my first full time job.

    When did you know you wanted a career in the trades?

    • I truly enjoyed my first experience in the trades–2 different church service trips to New Orleans. It mainly was performing drywall work, but I did some trim, tile, and painting as well. For some reason along the way, it still never quite seemed like an option for a career. Maybe it’s just because I didn’t know anybody who did that for a living.
    • It probably wasn’t until a couple years into remodeling that I realized I wanted this to be a career.

    What should you think about if you are considering a career in the trades?

    • Starting in the trades with no experience is difficult. I think the most challenging part is that you have SO MUCH to learn, and you want to be great at all these things right now. It is slow and steady progress. It takes patience. Once you start getting some freedom and responsibility, that is really when you get the big rewards. This is what trade work has to offer that most places can’t quite compare to. You see all your progress. Everything is tangible. It either works or it doesn’t. 
    • Another unique thing about working in the trades is the usefulness outside of work. I can fix/repair/improve most parts of my home by myself. Think about the money that can save you! Not to mention it can be exactly the way my wife and I want it to be.
    • Really consider the value that comes from building things with your hands. It is almost therapeutic some days. Having a bad week? Good thing you get to do demo today and you can take it out by knocking that wall down! There is a physical transformation of a space happening and you get to be a part of it.
    • The trades also have great job security. People will always need work done to their house or office. If the economy is great, maybe you get a big renovation. If the economy is not as flush, you at least have service work. People will always need your advice, input and work.

    What do you wish someone told me before you started working in the trades?

    • Be patient; learn by doing, learn by making mistakes and correcting them. 
    • Trades people are NEEDED. Most of the contractors I work with say they can’t find any good, young, help that want to learn.
    • You don’t have to find your lifelong career IMMEDIATELY after high school or college: So many people ask that of the new graduate, but it’s ok to try different things out. 
    • If you are somewhat competent, friendly, and young, you can probably get a trades job somewhere. A lot of places want you to have no experience, so they can train you the way they want. 
    • Ask tons of questions. The person who is your boss has probably worked in the trades for many years. They have a lot they can teach you.

    A Career Path for Continued Growth

    Do Pete’s reflections have you thinking about a job in the trades? When Pete was hired at The Cleary Company in 2017, his role was Warranty Specialist. His carpentry skills also made him a valuable asset to our bathroom remodeling production Team. Fast forward to 2019 when he was promoted to his current role as bathroom Project Manager. 

    Do you have the same goals and aspirations? Contact us on our Careers website page to apply. We can’t wait to speak with you and get your remodeling career started!

  • Personalized Details Matter

    Personalized Details Matter

    With Tiny Touches We Create Custom Spaces for Each Client

    Our Team works with you and integrates the design, estimating, and construction plan from the beginning of the project, so we can quickly focus on what can be done within YOUR space and budget. All of your drawings and selections are completed BEFORE contracts are signed and construction begins unlike the alternative Design/Bid approach which starts with an initial drawing that is then sent out for pricing.

    Designer Olivia Kern explains how Our Team creates a space that’s personal to each Client’s needs. Exploring customized storage solutions to kitchen or bathroom remodeling projects are the details that make your home remodeling experience fun and valuable for both Our Team and Our Clients. Watch other videos from George and the Team on our YouTube channel.