Tag: remodeling upper arlington ohio

  • Remodel Right – Your Home Deserves It!

    Remodel Right – Your Home Deserves It!

    The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH knows that beginning a home remodeling project might feel overwhelming, but when you work with the right company it should be a TEAM effort! We aim to take the uncertainty out of your home renovation. With our experience and expertise, we can help make any project seem less daunting. Our Design-Build Team shares some home remodeling tips to help guide and prepare you through your next remodel.

    Planning a Design-Build Remodel? So where do you start?

    Do your research

    Drive around your neighborhood and see who’s working in the area. Ask neighbors, family and friends for referrals. Once you have a list of several companies visit their websites, and narrow your list to those you want to contact.

    Hire a professional

    Certifications and memberships in local & national trade organizations show that a remodeler invests in continuing education and earns positive customer references. When hiring a professional, it is most important to find a remodeler you can trust and are comfortable communicating with.

    Visit a job site

    Ask for references and contact them. See what a project in construction looks like. The best remodelers maintain clean & organized work sites and welcome your visit.

    Remember the big picture

    Be honest and upfront with your desires and expectations. A good design-build home remodeling company’s goal is to produce a product that goes beyond the client’s expectations. They can only accomplish this with your input. 

    Lifecycle of a Design-Build Home Remodel

    Development & Design

    Proper planning can help keep your home remodel project on schedule and on budget. The Cleary Company has a thorough Team approach that guides you through each step and decision. It’s a fun, collaborative process!

    First, we identify what it is you want to accomplish.

    • Do you want or need to add more space?
    • Or do you simply want a new floorplan within the existing footprint?

    We will help you decide whether it makes more sense to reuse existing space or build an addition to meet your needs. Let’s explore all your options!

    Second, we can help you establish a realistic remodeling budget by discussing the investment range you’re comfortable committing to. Through our Design Agreement phase, we’ll collaborate with you on the development and design.

    Your Project Developer and Design Consultant can help determine if what you want is in line with the amount of money you want to invest. The goal is to create a functional design that meets your needs and that enhances the look and style of your home.

    Pre-Construction Planning

    After you sign a construction contract with The Cleary Company you’ll need to allow time for your project’s construction documents to be prepared. Our Team will convert the preliminary designs into detailed drawings specific to your local building and zoning code requirements. They will include calculations and specific details necessary to acquire building permits.

    Permit plans typically consist of a site plan, floor plan, foundation plan, elevations, sections, product and material selections, and detailed notes to provide clear communication for a successful project.

    Phases of Construction

    Building your project is typically the longest part and toughest part of your remodel. The visual below is a simplified version of what happens in your home. For a more detailed description of these phases read our Renovation Lifecycle – Construction blog post.

    A fun visual we post on our jobsites!

    Home Stretch

    Although the details of your remodeling project will be unique to you and your home, there will be several phases from demo to completion you can expect; demolition, mechanicals, and inspections followed by a time when the basics, from walls to wiring, are rebuilt or upgraded as needed and then more inspections. The home stretch begins with the installations of cabinets, appliances, etc. and finally paint, hardware, and other finishing touches will be put in place.

    We hope you choose to experience your next remodeling project the way it should be done RIGHT. Contact our Remodel-Design-Build Team today to get started!

  • Home Remodeling Know-How

    Home Remodeling Know-How

    Make the Most of Your Next Call to a Remodeling Contractor

    You’ve made the decision to remodel your home, so you just call a contractor and get started…right? Not the best approach to find the right remodeler for you and your home. It is important for you to determine your goals and to do at least 3 things before making any phone calls to increase your remodeling know-now.

    1. Research– Know what companies are working in your area. Drive around your neighborhood. Whose signs do you see in your neighbors’ yards? Check out their websites and other social media profiles.
    2. Budget– Know what you can spend. You can easily find average project costs for Central Ohio by reviewing Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs Value Report. If you’re financing your home remodel discuss your options with your banker or check out these key local resources.
    3. Timeline– Know when you want construction to start and/or be completed. Think about your family’s schedule, vacations or other lifestyle changes that could affect your project’s schedule.

    Gaining the remodeling know-how to get the job done right

    The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH has extensive experience and the best team to help you with your home remodeling, but it’s important that you do your homework so that you have your questions and answers ready for our Team when we talk. Check out Redfin’s blog post Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Contractor for more information.

    So, before you contact a contractor and invite them into your home, do your own research and increase your remodeling know-how first. Ask around (find out who your family and friends have used), read reviews and testimonials, and check out each company’s certifications, licenses and affiliations. It’s important to get a feel for each company’s values, reputation and connection to the community before you call so that you find someone that you will be able to work with successfully.

    Be Prepared to Answer Questions Too

    Having your answers ready for the following questions before you call will also help our team in getting to know you and your home’s needs. The more we know upfront, the better we can streamline the process and start your renovation project! We don’t want to waste your time, so this information helps us all determine whether there is a good fit before diving too far in.

    • How long do you see yourself living in the home?
    • Have you ever worked with a remodeling company before?
    • When do you ideally want the project to start? OR Is there a target date for completion?
    • What type of project do you need or want? (one room, multiple rooms, addition, exterior work or handyman type work)
    • What is your vision for the project? Give us all of your thoughts and ideas.
    • How long have you been planning this project?
    • What is your projected budget?
    • What are you looking for in a contractor?

    Working with The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus OH means you’re working with a TEAM and reputable remodeling professionals. Our experience will make your next remodeling project seamless, organized, and exactly what you wanted, if not more! Do your homework, make inquiries, and know the answers to as many of these questions as you can. Find out more about The Cleary Company Difference!

    Once we’ve both decided there is a good fit and you have chosen to work with our Team, we’ll work together to design a remodeling plan to meet your family’s needs. Together, we can make your remodeling dream a reality!

    Watch this video to hear our clients Melanie & Jon describe their relationship with The Cleary Company.

  • Basement & Mudroom Remodel Featured in TriVillage Magazine

    Basement & Mudroom Remodel Featured in TriVillage Magazine

    Project Profile: Basement Remodel | Upper Arlington, OH

    Project Manager: Justin Juenger

    Read more about this project in TriVillage magazine

    An extensive remodel of a ~700sf semi-finished basement. The floorplan includes a family room, workout area, laundry room, powder room, dry bar, wine cellar & storage hall with built-in cabinetry.

    BEFORE PHOTOS | EXISTING BASEMENT

    AFTER PHOTOS | FULL BASEMENT REMODEL

    A transitional design style with a white and gray palette highlights the newly remodeled spaces. A cozy family room provides space for watching TV or playing games with the kids. Custom cabinets for ample storage of toys & games. Utilizing every inch of space in the basement the remodel included building a wine cellar under the basement stairs. Black framed glass windows & doors, from Wine Cellar Innovations, give a more modern feel and contrast to the custom wood racks. The mirrored sliding door covers crawl space access which hides the mechanicals for the wine cellar but also gives the client’s daughters a large mirror for playing dress up. Cooling the wine cellar is a CellarPro 3200 refrigeration unit.

    The new laundry and powder rooms get several upgrades with glam and bling. LVT vinyl flooring throughout, mirrors and beveled glass wall tiles, quartz countertops, custom cabinetry with personalized storage solutions, mosaic tile backsplash, farmhouse sink & custom drying racks.

    After Photos by Marshall Evan Photography

    BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS | MUDROOM

    Mudroom includes custom storage for this busy family of four. Shoe Storage Galore! Our clients practice a “no shoe” household but the existing mudroom did not meet their growing family needs for storage. Their favorite feature is a tall pullout cabinet which stores shoes used less often out of the way but keeps them close when needed. The design-build plan for the space included custom cabinets of cubbies, benches, hooks & more cabinets.

    Before photo | Existing mudroom
  • Treating Home Remodeling Clients Like Family

    Treating Home Remodeling Clients Like Family

    Do you subscribe to Architectural Digest? If so did you see the full page on George and The Cleary Company in the October issue? We share the reason we treat our clients as if they are a part of our family. George talks about how The Cleary Company, your Columbus, OH remodeling company, got its first clients in 1994 and how this ended up laying the groundwork for a philosophy that our Team still embraces today.

    Notable Quotes from George:

    “Once clients hire us, they become part of our family”

    “Because we treat every client’s home like our own, we understand today’s decisions will impact tomorrow’s dreams”

    Through our Remodel Design Build process takes the time to get to know our clients’ lifestyles, needs and goals for their home and incorporates them into their project. We understand that remodeling can be stressful, and there are many emotional ups and downs. To help our clients navigate these phases of remodeling, our app keeps them updated on schedule changes, allows them to view progress photos and logs as well as make payments even when they are on vacation. This ability to stay connected, coupled with our incredible team of skilled professionals helps ensure client satisfaction and in most cases clients for life. In fact, over 70% of the projects we’re building in 2017 are from repeat clients and referrals from past or current clients!

    The truth about home remodeling, is that it can be a hard and messy process, but treating clients like family helps ensure the final product and client experience are exceptional. Contact our Team and you’ll be treated like family too!

    Like us on Facebook to follow the progress of our Upper Arlington OH new build home and keep updated on our Team.

    Don’t subscribe to Architectural Digest? Read the full page feature by clicking here.

  • Good Communication Matters

    Good Communication Matters

    Why Effective Communication is Vital to Successful Remodeling

    Left to Right: Robert Raskin- Project Developer, Laura Watson ASID, UDCP- Designer,Michael Gharrity CR, GCP, UDCP- Project Developer, Cathryn Brassfield Allied ASID- Designer, George Cleary CR- Owner, Olivia Kern IIDA Associate, LEED-GA- Designer

    The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build, Columbus OH, takes pride in our communication with our clients. We feel that a good relationship and trust all begin with clear, concise communication.

    Effective communication is vital to the successful completion of any remodeling or new build project. Good communication can improve teamwork and lead to better collaboration. Poor communication can result in misunderstandings, delays and sometimes increased job costs.

    Being able to transmit a message so it is received and understood by the intended recipients is of the utmost importance. Seems simple enough, right? If you’ve ever played the Telephone Game you know it’s not always that easy. The message usually gets misheard a few times and then changes the message completely!

    Communication throughout all aspects of your project is very important to us. For this reason, every project is assigned a Project Developer and Designer to create a budget & design plan. When we’re ready to begin building your project we also assign a Project Manager and Carpenter to your jobsite. Throughout the process our Team uses face to face, phone, txt, email, project documents and our BuilderTrend app.

    In addition to establishing a clear chain of command for communication, determining the best methods of communication to use, and we also discuss with our clients how often they would like to receive information regarding the project.

    Our Team also understands that being good at communicating is a skill that can be improved upon with practice and training. Which is why we are active in the local chapters of NARI, NKBA & ASID. These professional affiliations help keep our Team up to date by regularly offer continuing education classes and meetings.

    Overall, we want every project to go as smoothly as possible, and working out any details beforehand is beneficial. Open and honest communication is always key! We have high expectations for our team members, and by using these guidelines we know your project will be a success!

  • Commitment to Serving Others Matters

    Commitment to Serving Others Matters

    What giving back means at the Cleary Company

    The Cleary Company Remodel Design Build Columbus, Ohio, is committed to giving back to the communities we live and work in. We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk~ Caring for our Team, Caring for our Clients and Caring for our Community.

    Take for example, George Cleary –Owner: George leads his team by example, volunteering his time and talents locally to Pelotonia, Bishop Watterson High School, St Timothy’s church, Kairos prison ministry and internationally to Passion Center for Children in Malawi, Africa. He’s not only happy to be part of enhancing properties in the neighborhoods where he lives and works but by volunteering with various community, church and school activities. George feeds his passion of connecting with people, building relationships and having fun.

    As a Team and as individuals, we give many hours of service and donations to a wide variety of causes, including, WCBE local NPR station, Komen Race for a Cure, Keep Columbus Beautiful, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, Stowe Center, Heart to Heart Food Pantry, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Lifeline of Ohio, Ovarian Cancer Alliance, NARI as well as many churches and schools our families attend. We are proud to be such great community supporters and we truly love what we do! Giving back into the communities we serve is such a rewarding experience.

    George believes, “It just makes sense to invest in our community and give back. We want to be visible and provide great services both through our trade and through our volunteer commitments.” The Cleary Company is blessed to be a part of so many wonderful neighborhoods, and we hope that we are your first choice when it comes to home renovation, Columbus, Ohio. You can invest in us knowing that we are committed to excellence in service and in work!

  • We Won! Home Addition | Upper Arlington OH

    We Won! Home Addition | Upper Arlington OH

    Central Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Remodeling Industry’s Contractor of the Year award for Residential Addition $100-$250k

    Design-Build Luxury Home Addition | Indoor-Outdoor Lounge
    The existing den was an unused room and the homeowners needed more space for entertaining and hosting fundraising events for various charities. The general scope included building an addition of outdoor seating space with a wood-burning fireplace including a gas starter and gas lanterns, installing heavy outdoor curtains, and remodeling the existing library into a bar. The two spaces are connected by a moveable wall of windows. The design of the two spaces created the atmosphere of a contemporary casual lounge. The result of the addition & remodel is an entertainment space our clients can use year-round even though half of the space is outdoors.

    Design by Laura Watson ASID, UDCP
    Project Manager Rob Lindeboom CLC
    Architectural Plans by Andy Melaragno of Melaragno Design Company

    Addition home Upper Arlington Ohio bar seating and sink

    Project Year: 2014 | Project Cost: $200,001 – $500,000

    Project Overview 

    This home addition and remodel project focuses on enhancing the functionality, flow, and aesthetic appeal of a 4,800-square-foot residence built in 2006. The project includes a new 291-square-foot addition and updates to 520 square feet of existing space. To accommodate the changes, two existing A/C units will be relocated.

    A key feature of the project is the creation of a new 14’8” x 15’3” lanai with 10-foot ceilings. This outdoor space will include a 42-inch masonry fireplace with an impressive 11’4” high chimney, complemented by a stone/masonry wall with built-in bench seating. Gas lines will be installed to support the fireplace, as well as two elegant gas lanterns for a warm, inviting ambiance.

    Inside, the existing library will undergo significant transformation. The current bookcases and two windows will be removed: the side window will be framed in, drywalled over on the interior, and redesigned with a decorative architectural feature on the exterior, while the rear window will be replaced with an expansive 11’9” x 8’ Nana Wall system to seamlessly connect the interior to the outdoors. The wall separating the library and living room will be opened up, and the exterior wall will be widened to accommodate the new Nana Wall, further enhancing natural light and the flow of space.

    A new bar area will also be created, featuring all-new plumbing, reworked HVAC supply ducts to suit the new layout, and a custom-built wall of Amish-crafted cabinetry. Together, these updates modernize the home, blending indoor and outdoor living while introducing thoughtful architectural details and high-quality craftsmanship throughout.

    Are you ready to get started planning a home addition or remodel? Contact our Client Relations Coordinator by scheduling a phone call here or visit the Contact page on our website today!

  • Following Your Dreams!

    Following Your Dreams!

    I may never have put my neck out to start The Cleary Company if it weren’t for someone believing in me.

    In the spring of 1994 my wife, Cathy, and I were having a conversation about the future. How did it look? Where would we be? What would we be doing? How would we pay the bills? I was working for a small local general contractor and enjoyed the work but felt the desire after 10 years to challenge myself. I knew I wanted to be part of something I built, something that I would enjoy something that would be sustainable and allow me to bring joy to others lives.

    I have to thank my wife Cathy for always standing behind me and encouraging my dreams. If it weren’t for her, who knows where my career path would be but there’s a good chance I wouldn’t know most of you reading this right now!

    I am so thankful for all the joy The Cleary Company has brought into our lives and all the relationships that have come from it.

    There are many blessings to count from the past year, but the most life changing for me was taking a mission trip with my daughter Molly to Malawi Africa. As I reflect back on 2014 and the list of personal and professional goals I had set for myself and the company,  I am happy to report I knocked out 12 of the 13 on the combined list.  So as I look to the New Year, I will write new goals and stretch to make them happen.  One of them will surely be to continue to cultivate relationships w/ good people like you.

    So thanks in advance for continuing the conversations.  We are fortunate to have some incredible people working here w/ numerous talents and skill sets.  If there is anyone out there that you know that may benefit from having our A+ Remodel/Design/Build/ team become part of improving their quality of life please do me a favor and nudge them to call us.  I promise you we will do our best to exceed their expectations.

    Happy 2015 everyone!

    George