Tag: columbus renovation

  • Financing Your Home Remodel in Central Ohio

    Financing Your Home Remodel in Central Ohio

    Whether you’re planning to remodel your bathroom, redesign your kitchen, add a new mudroom, reimagine your home with an addition, or build a new one, The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build Team is here to help connect you with the answers to the questions you have about financing your renovation project.

    We field many different questions from our clients on their projects. One of the biggest questions revolves around finances. Our home remodeling financing expert, Natalie Moore, Loan Officer at Huntington in Columbus, Ohio, shares the most asked financing questions and the answers that will hopefully be informative when planning your next home renovation project.

    Q&A with Natalie Moore, Loan Officer, Huntington 

    Natalie Moore, Loan Officer NMLS ID:728210, has been in residential mortgage lending for over 20 years. Although she is diverse in all aspects of residential lending, she specializes in new construction and renovation lending. Natalie is very involved in the building community. She is a past Board member of the BIA of Central Ohio, Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association as well as the Past President of the Columbus Mortgage Bankers Association.

    When should I start looking to finance my remodel in Columbus OH?

    The sooner, the better. Even though you may not have finalized plans for your project, it’s good to start the conversation and get an idea of what the financing options are. The best way to do this is to become pre-approved. There is no cost to you to do pre-approval with Huntington. Pre-approval will help lay out the financing options you have to consider when completing your project.

    What types of financing are available? Can they be combined?

    The two most common means of financing a renovation project are:

    1. Home Equity Line/Loan – utilizes the current equity you have in your home, based on how the property currently looks.
    2. Renovation Loan – utilizes the “as-completed” value based on what the home will be worth once all the work has been completed.

    Although these are two different options, they generally cannot be combined. However, a HELOC can be utilized in multiple steps.

    What information and documentation do I need to obtain financing?

    In addition to a completed mortgage application, you will need to provide income and asset documentation. Qualification at Huntington is generally no different than a traditional mortgage, except for providing the contract, project specs & final plans for your project. These documents aren’t needed to gain an initial pre-approval, however, will be needed once you’re ready to proceed with the finalization of your financing if you choose a Renovation Loan.

    How do I know what ROI to expect from my home remodel, once completed?

    This depends on several factors. If you plan to be in your home for 5+ years after the remodel, you may be more likely to see your home increase in value and your return to be better on what you’ve invested in your property.

    The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build in Columbus, Ohio refers their clients to Remodeling magazine’s annual Cost vs Value report as a resource when looking at ROI (return on investment). For over 35 years, this annual report compares the average costs for popular remodeling projects with the value those projects retain at resale. ROI estimates in this report can help a homeowner decide if a project is worth their investment.

    Want to Learn More?

    Aaron Enfinger, COO at The Cleary Company Remodel-Design-Build sat down with Natalie to ask these questions and more. Watch their conversation below!

    A big thanks to Natalie for her continued support to help educate consumers on their options for financing their home remodeling projects! You reach out to Natalie to begin the conversation by calling 614-264-4154. You can also connect with her on social media. Find her professional profiles on Facebook & LinkedIN for the latest financing information in the remodeling and building industries.

  • Renovation Lifecycle – Design & Estimating

    Renovation Lifecycle – Design & Estimating

    Are you planning a home remodel in Columbus, Ohio? Want to know more about what it means to hire a Design-Build firm? Read on to see how the experienced professionals at The Cleary Company work with clients to design and build projects that meet their remodeling needs and their budget.

    The Remodel-Design-Build process simplified. We get to know you and you get to know us. Discovering your unique style and vision for your home is a critical step in the development of your project. Together, we work to find the answers to your project’s biggest questions. With guidance from your Project Developer and inspiration from your Designer, we work to create the home of your dreams within your budget. Then, our skilled Project Managers and Lead Carpenters provide you high-quality installation and service. You sit back and watch your dream come together. When the renovation lifecycle has completed, all that is left to do is enjoy your beautiful new space!

    After you’ve given us a call or submitted a new project form online you’ll have the chance to speak with our Client Relations Coordinator. They will ask you a few questions, but mostly they will listen to you describe the type of remodeling project you’re interested in discussing. They will also schedule an appointment for you to meet with one of our Project Developers and the renovation lifecycle begins.

    Step 1: Meet your Project Developer (1-3 weeks)

    A Project Developer will first meet with you in your home (or if you prefer, a virtual meeting via FaceTime or Zoom can be arranged!) to learn more about your project and discuss your budget range. They will explain the details of our process and scheduling goals. You’ll begin to understand what The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build is all about: dedicated remodeling professionals who collaborate and deliver experience, high-quality design and skilled construction.

    If we are a good fit and you choose to move forward with our Team, you will commit to a Design Agreement by paying the design fee.

    Step 2: Meet your Designer (2-4 weeks)

    The next scheduled meeting will also be in your home. Your Project Developer will introduce you to your Designer. Your Designer will conduct a detailed interview to discover your likes and dislikes about your home. Easy and fun collaboration will be enabled through a Houzz Ideabook! You will also establish the Design Schedule by setting the dates for all the subsequent meetings in the design process. So, have your family calendar handy!

    During this time your Project Developer and our Project Consultant will be taking photos and measurements for the As-Build drawings.

    Step 3: Design Presentation (2-4 weeks)

    You will meet your Team at The Cleary Company design studio office to review floor plan options for your project. After choosing your favorite floor plan, you’ll explore a variety of materials to begin the process of making product selections.

    Step 4: Trade Partner Visit (2-4 weeks)

    For the estimation of your project to establish the construction budget, your Project Developer and our Project Consultant will invite our Trade Partners to a scheduled visit at your home. This meeting is to ensure quote accuracy and the chance for detecting any potential issues that could create challenges in our proposed plans.

    Based on your floor plan choice at the design presentation meeting, your Designer is continuing to create an overall design and details, as well as draw elevations and 3D renderings. Our Design Consultant is also involved in gathering product selection suggestions and getting quotes. All of this information will be used to establish your project’s budget.

    Step 5: Construction Contract (2-4 weeks)

    At this time you will again meet at The Cleary Company design studio office to review all of the details, documents, drawings, selection suggestions and Scope of Work for your project. The budget number will also be reviewed and you will decide on any options that arose during development.

    If all goes as planned you will sign your Construction Contract and set the remaining meeting dates for final selection sign off!

    Step 6: Selection Finalization (2-3 weeks)

    At this final pre-construction meeting you will meet with your Designer and/or our Design Consultant to sign off on all selections. Once the design process is complete you will receive your official start date!

    Step 7: OnSite PreConstruction Meeting (1-2 weeks prior to Project Launch date)

    Your Project Developer will introduce you to your Project Manager and discuss project logistics. A communication plan will be established as well as a plan for how your family will experience the remodeling work. Our Team will introduce our Project APP through BuilderTrend.

    After this meeting you can start to clear out the areas in your home where work will happen! The Renovation Lifecycle is nearly complete.

    PROJECT LAUNCH – IT’S GAME DAY – CONSTRUCTION BEGINS!

    Ready to get started? Contact our Team today!

    Check out this throwback video from 2016 of George Cleary, CR, CEO explaining our Design-Build process.

  • Team Cleary Wins NARI Remodeling Awards

    Team Cleary Wins NARI Remodeling Awards

    George Cleary, CR, Owner & CEO of The Cleary Company in Columbus, Ohio, is proud to announce his Team’s recent industry achievements in design and craftsmanship. “The CotYs are great for recognizing the best of the best. I’m more thrilled with each win we receive. It’s truly a Team effort but it’s also great for the Project Developers, Designers, Project Managers and Carpenters who collaborate with our clients to build these winning projects that showcase their awesome talents. It’s also great to receive remodeling recognition by our industry peers with these wins.”

    The NARI CotYs are awarded at the local, regional and national levels. In December 2020, three projects designed and built by The Cleary Company won NARI of Central Ohio CotY awards. On February 1, 2021, those three projects plus a master bathroom remodel each won a NARI East Central Region CotY award. National awards are scheduled to be announced the afternoon of Friday April 30, 2021 in a virtual presentation of NARI’s annual Evening of Excellence.

    Residential Exterior Remodel $100-200k :

    Project Developer John Coleman, CRPM & Designer Matt Zimmer

    Residential Kitchen Remodel $60-100k

    Project Developer & Designer Jen Sommers, CR, Allied ASID – Read more about this project on our blog!

    Kitchen Remodel – Dublin OH

    Commercial Interior Remodel:

    Project Developer Robert Raskin – Designer Laura Watson, ASID, UDCP – Project Manager Eric Isler

    Fun facts! This Commercial Interior project remodeling award winner was our previous office location. Our Team also won a CotY in 2012 for this building in this same category for the extensive remodel and addition we designed and built. Now it’s home to Puptown Lounge‘s newest location! Check them out at 4766 Kenny Rd, Columbus, Ohio, 43220.

    Residential Bath Remodel $50-75k

    Project Developer Robert Raskin & Project Manager Rob Lindeboom, CLC

    What are the CotY Awards?

    The prestigious CotY (Contractor of the Year) awards are presented each year to NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects. Members submit projects voluntarily through an online portal for judging by their peers located outside their local chapter.

    Because CotY-winning remodeling award projects demonstrate exceptional design and craftsmanship in renovation, a diverse and impartial panel judge each project. Projects entered into the National CotY Awards program are eligible to win a Regional award among 48 categories in seven regions nationwide. Selection of one National CotY winner is from amongst the Regional winners in each category. Stay tuned for more announcements!

    The Cleary Company Team has several active members in NARI’s Central Ohio chapter, which is located in NARI National’s East Central Region. Ten Central Ohio remodeling companies submitted a total of 45 project entries in the 2020 local competition. Ultimately, twenty-seven winners were announced in 26 award categories with a rare tie in the Commercial Interiors category!