The Much Maligned Kitchen Soffit

Kitchen soffits get a bad rap.  Those seemingly wasteful boxes above your kitchen cabinets.  Yeah, the ones with the flowery/paisley wallpaper on it.  Now you know what I'm talking about.  Why in the world did people put those crazy things in homes back in the old days?

Good question.  Basically back in the day, people built homes with 8' ceilings.  The cabinets usually topped off at about 7', leaving an awkward space above them that was thought to collect dust and create a place for husbands to hide things.  They tend to make the room feel smaller and the ceilings shorter.  Tradesman would also use these soffits to make their jobs just a little bit easier as well.  We've found plumbing lines, electrical wires, a deck of playing cards, unused nails and even beer bottles.  In general, people today just hate soffits.  In fact, one time when we found plumbing lines in the soffits, the homeowner looked at plumbing running through her otherwise unobstructed ceiling, collapsed onto the kitchen island, and began to sob because she thought she wasn't going to be able to get rid of them.  Seriously, she didn't think she was going to have the strength to go on another minute with them there.  After a brief counseling session, we calmed her down and told here that we could redirect the plumbing so she didn't have to live with those pesky eyesores anymore. Are they that bad?  No, obviously not.....of course, if they are wallpapered with a vintage flower print from 1970....... then well, yes. 

So lets bring them back...retooled a bit of course!  Nowadays we generally build 9' ceilings so bringing a soffit down 12" isn't going to affect the height too much.  Use 42" cabinets and bring them up to the bottom of your soffit.  Secondly, never build them to stand out on their own (i.e. outside corners).  Always enclose them between two walls so they don't jut out and create boxy corners.  Put lighting in them or under them.  Rather than painting them the wall color, choose and accent color or even a different material like wood to amplify the cabinetry. Either that or completely mute the soffit and let the cabinets do all the talking.

So just like those bell bottom jeans, soffits are coming back!  Let's just hope the peg leg tight rolled jeans are gone forever!

JJ

Design of the Week: "The Sanctuary"

Welcome to the first in a series of designs we are rolling out for 2011.  I will be posting a new design every week.  They vary in styles, but you will probably notice that each one will have our own unique spin applied to them.  I'm calling our first house design the "The Sanctuary", because it has so many places to just curl up and relax.  Enjoy the tour and let us know what you think!

Sure, it's got a lot going on, but that's the point.  The heavy horizontal overtones, wide eaves are sure to set it apart from the rest on the block, yet the vertical elements invite you in for a closer look.  The Prairie Style elements definitely shine through here, but the use of more modern materials give this popular style a subtle upgrade and makes it stand out in a crowd.

As you travel from the front porch through the 2-story foyer, it becomes evident that the inside is very much a continuation of the exterior.  Warm soft undertones, accented with harsh elements such as stone, and ceramic tile set the mood for an evening of entertaining.  These days it seems like everything is happening in the kitchen right?  Well, we just went ahead and slapped the kitchen smack dab in the center of the house.  No sense in fighting it, I suppose.  The great room naturally flows off the kitchen.  While open and connected to the great room, the dining room also has a cozy charm to it.  The mudroom is located just off the garage, so bring in your groceries, kick off your shoes in your locker and proceed to the island.  The main floor is also home to the master suite.  We strive to create a spa like feel in our master bedrooms and this home is no exception.  Light tones and sleek lines keep it fresh and clean feeling while the continuous hardwood brings it all together.  Built in's abound, making it easy to keep organized.  The final room is my favorite, the Garden Room.  With, lots of stone, a fireplace,  exposed wood beams, and a water feature, it's a perfect place to relax and read a book.. Natural light pours in from all directions including two skylights making this 11/2 story garden room a favorite destination for relaxation.  The second floor includes two bedrooms and another meditation/homework area overlooking the Garden Room.  At under 2300 sq. ft., this home creates an open and airy feel, yet a relatively small footprint.  Hope you like it!


JJ

Buy this plan....contact me at jeff@jjsteffen.com

Does anyone enjoy what they do anymore?

Does anyone enjoy what they do anymore?  It seems like wherever I go, people are either in a hurry, tired, or just have an unlovable disposition.  If we woke up in the morning and couldn’t wait to get the day started and had smiles on our face from door to door, wouldn’t the world be a sweeter place?

It’s really quite simple…..on paper anyway.

Step 1….Explore your limitations, your imagination, and discover what you’re passionate about.

Step 2….Find something that you love to do (It helps if your good at it.)

Step 3….Do what you love.  Do it well, do it with enthusiasm and have fun.

Step 4….Don’t let what you do own you, bog you down, and wear you out. 

Step 5….See Step 1

Variety is the spice of life!

JJ

Fired Up In Denver (Part II)

    Here you are at the point of no return.  It's either going to come to blows, you're gonna cave, or he is.  You've hired a contractor to remodel your kitchen.  He told you it was going to cost $50,000 at the time you signed the contract.  Now, you are washing your dishes in the bathtub, microwaving food in your basement, and or eating out for the 51st time, and then, and then.........the bomb drops.  "Yeah, it's gonna be another $25,000 for us to get this wrapped up for you."  "What, how did this happen?" You stand there in shock and awe, half listening, half trembling as your contractor proceeds to tell you that he didn't have this figured, or that wasn't in our scope.  You are stuck, completely at his mercy, you have to bite the bullet, pay the extra money and finish your project.

     So, how can we as consumers keep this from happening?  And how can we as contractors dissolve this stereotype?  Things happen, complications arise, there is no doubt about that, remodeling is a messy business, both figuratively and literally.   With that being said, we feel there is a process that can help prevent scope creep and add-ons from your contractor.

        From a consumer standpoint, one of the best things you can do is research.  Research what you want to do, the products you want to use and research the companies you are interested in doing business with.  This will help you get a feel for what is going to be involved in your particular project.  Secondly, check out your potential contractors.  One of the easiest ways to do this is to see if they are listed in the Better Business Bureau.  If they are, check out their score.  If not, then although they may be a great company, buyer beware. References are another way to investigate how your potential contractor handles customer relations.  However, do you think he is going to give you three names of clients that had projects he messed up, or is he going to give you three names of friends he worked for and knows will give him a glowing review.  References are good, but just remember that they probably are not objective.  Interview your contractor.  Yes, that's right, sit down with them and get to know them a little bit.  Present some scenarios to him and see how he would deal with them.  Let's face it, this person and or company is going to be a big part of your life for the next couple of months, so it makes sense to find out if you're going to get along.  On a side note, if any contractor comes to your house and tells you that you need to sign this contract today, or the price or sale will change, kick them out of your house immediately.  They have no interest in working with you, and if you do business with them, you will either get ripped off or it will end in disaster.

      Now, what can we as a company do to make this process more simple, transparent, and FUN!?  What? Fun?  That's right, remodeling can be an enjoyable process.  Consider a marriage for a moment......Which couple is happier? - the pair that does their own thing, deceives one another, blames other people and doesn't take responsibility....or the couple that communicates, owns up to their own mistakes, and is honest with one another?  It's a no-brainer, right, and I bet they have fun too!  That, in a nutshell, is how we approach our relationships with our clients.  We try to be good listeners, we are transparent with our bookkeeping, and we don't cut corners.  We try to work off of a cost plus percentage, or cost plus fee program.  Change orders are eliminated, communication flows freely, and underlying questions are always brought to the forefront.  One of the additional benefits to working this way is that changing things doesn’t become the mess it usually is.  Remodeling is tough. It's tough to design, execute, and cost out.  So, if we find a better way of building a soffit, or add a design element here or there, but it doesn't affect the progress, it's a win-win for everyone.  You can read further about our open book accounting practices by following the link http://www.jjsteffen.com/open_book_accounting.php 

     What I'm trying to say is that it's all about the relationship.  If your client thinks you're trying to rip them off from day one, then the process probably isn't going to be enjoyable for anyone.  If we all lay our cards on the table and build a relationship, chances are the project will go a lot smoother.  And the next time you're at Walmart and you see your contractor, he won't have to dive into the next aisle to avoid a confrontation.

JJ

Fired Up in Denver!

       Okay, I am about to my limit today.  I am fed up with people who are out to take advantage of me, my company, or my clients.  Why can’t we have good communication, work out details and be transparent with each other?  Our clients don’t expect us to work for free - and I don’t expect anyone who works for our company to give away their services. I simply want quality work at a fair price. I want honesty, I want integrity, and I want responsibility.  We've all been there right?  From siding companies to home builders, we've probably all had to deal with ugly situations during home improvement projects.  Yes, unexpected things arise, especially in remodeling, that require either more time or more money, but do we as contractors need to salivate every time they arise?  I say no!  I say it’s a perfect opportunity to come along side our clients, and strengthen the relationship with them by working through the situation with cordial, but honest communication on how to resolve the situation the right way - at minimal cost to the homeowner.

 

        We as consumers don’t have the time nor the energy to deal with companies that woo us with low prices and then pirate our pocketbooks with change orders, or mark up a product at least 50% because they know we aren’t going to switch contractors or fire them mid project.  There are countless contractors, from landscapers to painters, who model their business this way.  It’s ridiculous, and it needs to stop.  We must eliminate the stereotype that says all contractors are out to get whoever they weasel into signing a contract with them.  Don’t they realize they are shooting themselves in the foot?  Don’t they know that it only takes one piece of negative publicity to take them down……permanently?  I don’t get it, I really don’t get it.  It’s like the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you - fool me twice, shame on me”, or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”  Companies are only as good as the people within their network of employees, subcontractors, or vendors.  Nobody is asking them to work for free.  Nobody is trying to rip them off.  All I’m asking is that businesses be straight with me, our company, and our clients.

 

      So where do we go from here?  Well, check out my next blog for ways to hire and work with your next contractor and find out how we as a company have created the model for proper interaction with clients.
JJ

Do you think in 3D?

The building industry is changing so fast these days that even when we make a conscious effort to keep up, new and innovative ideas still seem to slip through the cracks.  For me, 3D modeling was one of those things.  I had tried it once before, but it didn't stick.  Then after bringing in a new hire for our bookwork side of things, she reintroduced the concept to me.  This time I was determined to learn it, and though I knew it was going to be a painful process, I also knew that it was the future of home design.  This time it clicked and each and every day, I am learning more and more ways to make it work for our company as well as our clients. 

Most people don't think in 3 dimensions...it's the depth aspect we have trouble with.  In my opinion, depth is just as important as the height and width, but unfortunately it gets overlooked.  With 3D modeling, we have been able to show our clients almost exactly how their home or remodel project will look before a single permit is pulled or any concrete is poured.  They are able to walk through the design, pick out interior wall colors, hardwood or tile colors, all upfront.  It has truly been an amazing way to connect with our clients.

As a designer, it has been an invaluable tool, and a lot of frustration has been averted.  I can't tell you how many times, I've gotten "This guy's an idiot" look, when I try to explain what my vision was for a particular area.  Actually, I would prefer to have our people do the framing conventionally, and then I would go in for a day and do my little tweaks....a soffit here, a built in there, a cloud, an accent wall.  Yes, I said soffit, we're bringing them back!  Anyway, that way the design elements would get accomplished with little aggravation from employees.  Now, all I have to do is draw it in 3D, slap a few dimensions on it and they can run with it.

From landscaping to foundations, our ability to showcase our design work in height and width and now in that elusive depth has been incredibly helpful in in working with clients as well on our own designs.  Builders, designers, you better jump on board, because 3D is here to stay!

Settling In

Hey.  It's been a crazy couple of weeks but things are starting to settle down a little bit.  We haven't got our stuff from the moving company yet, which means sleeping on air mattresses and wearing a lot of same clothes.  All in all we're doing really well.  Jaden is settling in to his school which he loves and we have gone on 3-4 hikes already (I don't recommend flip-flops, but that's all I have right now).  I have been working in the Harvest Bible Chapel Denver office in Denver, and the attached picture is a view from one of the offices.  I have been doing a lot of designing and estimating over the past 2 weeks.  Things are going great back in Illinois as work is getting done, and more leads keep popping up everyday.  I am very blessed to have a great team there.  We've got a great weekend lined up.  The church launches this weekend and we are very excited to be involved in that.  Have a great weekend everybody.  Talk soon.

JJ