Nef – Update a family bedroom

Melanie – Replaced Flooring in a newly purchased home

The problem

Melanie was downsizing from her large East side home and purchased a quaint town home to purchase.  The décor did not fit what she desired for her new living space.  Real hardwood flooring throughout the home is what she wanted and she needed it installed in a few short days as she was entertaining her family for the Holidays in two weeks.  She also was hoping to remove the carpet from the main stair case and have custom stair treads installed in their place.  Whew a big task!

The solution

Meeting with Melanie we were able to plan a way to remove all the original flooring and get half of the flooring installed so that her movers could use this area to unload the moving van with her household items without having to pay an extra storage fee while the floors were being installed.  We finished the rest of the floor and built custom stair treads onsite to match the new Hickory wood flooring allowing plenty of time for her to move in, organize and decorate for the Holiday season with family.

The Results

Melanie was so excited to have Hickory wood flooring throughout the main living areas of her new home. While she was downsizing she did not have to compromise on the quality of the décor she desired in her new home. Time was a key issue as she was planning a relaxing Holiday with family. Custom construction of the stair treads to go on a staircase not designed for standard wood treads created the perfect solution to Melanie’s desire. “I love the rich feeling this wood floor generates in my home.  I was amazed at how beautiful the grand stair case turned out.” – Melanie

Hardy – Home Remodel and addition

The problem

Tonya’s happy little cottage home was built in 1938 and it lacked the flexibility she desired in the small kitchen for her to pursue the enjoyment of cooking. The kitchen area was smaller than most camp trailers and the dining room would not hold a table with two people setting down to eat.   Tonya wanted a large kitchen with an island to provide her the space she desired to pursue her hobby of the culinary arts.  There just was no room in the house for this.

The solution

Together it was determined that a small addition to the front of the house would need to be made expanding the kitchen and dining areas. The front wall of the house would be opened up and the house would be extended out 10 feet.  This would create one open dining and kitchen area where a large kitchen could be created. But wait, this also provided the opportunity to upgrade the living room also since it would now have a large open archway into the kitchen. Boo Yah!

The Results

Tonya’s dream kitchen is now her pride and joy where she relaxes from the stress of daily life while  experimenting with the new recipes she creates using the fresh Herbs she now raised in the front herb garden created in her front yard.  Evenings she sits by the gas fireplace to peruse in one of her many cookbooks or watches cooking shows on the new entertainment center in the remodeled living room.  “This is my dream home which I did not really know could be created until I worked with Real Property Service.” – Tonya Hardy

Before – The 8 x 8 kitchen was too small for more than one person to be in at a time.

After – Extending out the front wall 10 feet opened the kitchen up to a generous working space

Before – The narrow dining room also had the microwave and storage from the kitchen

After – expanding the space a custom built in storage bench dining set was created to make room for the family get together.

Before – The living room had the entry door open in the middle of the room.

After – The entry was moved forward the ceiling raised 3 feet and a built in entertainment center created.

Before – The fireplace was a standard fireplace with a non-impressive mantel

After – Extending the ceiling and fireplace created a more spacious feeling in a room that remained the same size.

Solipo – Home Renovation

The problem

The Solipo family had a basement family room that being used as the storage area for non-used items in the house, and the two bedrooms were un-usable due to a previous water leak in the walls that had caused termite, rot and mold damage.  The thought of reworking these areas was overwhelming to consider doing this project on their own.

The solution

While on the surface it looked like a huge project, Real Property Service recognized it was in reality a simple clean up, repair and replace project.  A plan was made to clear out the unused items from the basement, take out the old carpet, remove the old paneling above the fireplace and build a simple entertainment wall.  The existing wall paperd walls would be textured and painted over and a new wood floor installed. In the bedrooms the wall where the water leak had happened would be removed and a new wall put in its place. All of the drywall was repaired and textured with a new quality paint job to finish up the renovation.

The Results

The Solipo family now has 600 sq feet of living space recovered and usable in their home. It was finished just  in time for their daughter to have friends over for a holiday party and for family to stay in the new bedrooms for the holidays.  Kim said “You and your team made this project happen so quickly and look so simple.  We could never had completed this on our own.”  The family is now planning to finish the rest of the unfinished area of the basement with a new kitchen and bathroom.

Before – All the storage items were removed, and the old carpet and asphalt tile underneath were removed.

After –Texture put on the wallpapered wall and painted, paint over the base paneling and new molding all around. The brass fireplace cover was painted and a new tile hearth put in. The new laminate floor finished the room.

Before – The two bedrooms off the family room were in bad shape from a water leak on the outside wall.

After – Rebuilding the wall and installing new electrical along with drywall repair texture and repainting.

Helgesen Law Offices –New Office Conversion to Conference Rooms

The problem

Bob Griffith’s had just leased a space for his new Day Care and Activity Center.  What had previously been used as a hair salon he hoped to convert into a special needs day care center where individuals with disabilities could enjoy a warm, inviting environment. How to do this on a very limited budget what the question Bob had to resolve.

The solution

After meeting with Bob to review the situation, we developed a plan to cost effectively update the facility by removing the old fixtures, modifying one wall to put in an entertainment center, while incorporating the use of the salon sinks so personal care services could be provided for individuals who come to the facility. This along with the repair of the walls, ceiling and a quality paint job would transform this place quickly with modest investment.

The Results

The Living Life Activity Center opened its doors quicker than anticipated and now provides a high quality day care service to local community members in this bright and inviting new facility.  The open floor plan, built in entertainment center and kitchenette, create a happy and uplifting environment for those who use this facility.  Bob’s Comment, “Real Property Service was the best call I could have made for this project.  I had no real idea of how to convert this space into an activity center. Brooks and his team made it happen!”

After – Open space for easy wheel chair access in a warm and inviting environment

Helgesen Law Offices –New Office Conversion to Conference Rooms

The problem

Jack had leased the adjoining office space after the old tenant moved.  He wanted to connect this space with his current office. The office space needed to be cleared out and the rooms modified to become conference rooms.  They also had to match the interior and complement the design of the existing offices where the attorneys worked.

The solution

We discussed the issue and developed a plan to connect the two offices via a new entry door and to remove the existing worn out carpet replacing it with wood flooring in the entry and hallway while replacing the office areas with removable commercial carpet squares for the new conference rooms.  The entire office space would be cleared out.  All of the walls, ceiling and trim would be repainted and electrical power drops put in the floor of each conference room.  The largest conference room would have a large flat screen monitor installed for presentations and meetings.

The Results

Helgesen’s new conference space provides confidential conference rooms where their attorney’s consult with clients, take depositions, and negotiate with opposing council.  The space is easily accessed from their main lobby and the interior design complements their original office.  “This new conference area is a boost to the productivity of our practice.”  Was the comment from Jack on the work performed by Real Property Service.

Before – Doorway cut into the adjoin office area. Slate tile transition to the new wood flooring

After – Second access door to the new office area

Before – One of the old offices used as a storage area.

After – Repainted and commercial removable carpet squares installed in the new conference rooms

Ennis Gibbs – Rental Property Issues

The problem

Ennis had been notified by the city that the fence on his rental property was not in compliance and the city would begin to assess continuing fines if the fence on the property were not brought into compliance.  The fence height, setback from the sidewalk and visibility did not meet the city’s code and presented a danger to pedestrian traffic. Feeling urgency to resolve the problem and not knowing how,  Ennis contacted Real Property Service.

The solution

We discussed the issue and determined that the simple and cost effective solution would be to remove the existing front section of the fence, salvage most of the components for use in a new fence to be setback the proper 5ft distance. A Zero-scape landscape was put between the fence and sidewalk to make maintenance simple. Sprinklers were moved and decorative see-through panels were put in the top half of the fence to meet the city’s visibility and pedestrian safety requirements.

The Results

In a four day timeframe this rental property was brought into compliance with the city regulations and the visual appeal of the home was improved immensely.  Ennis was never assessed any fines and says, “I now own the best looking property on the block.”

Davis Renovation

The problem

The Davis family had a master bedroom and attached bathroom that over the years of hard family living was in a fitful state.  Holes in the walls for plumbing repairs left un-patched, tile in the bathroom broken and coming out, a toilet that was unstable, carpets that were worn down to the pad in places and an old décor that created a feeling of heaviness.

The solution

We discussed the issues and created a plan to do a renovation and makeover of the bedroom/bathroom to bring new life and joy in to their environment.  Together we determined to take out all of the flooring in both rooms strip the walls back removing old molding and patching all areas that needed repair. In the bedroom a new wall texture, prime, paint and installation of new wood flooring made a huge change.  In the bathroom, the broken tile and subflooring were removed and a new moisture resistant subfloor installed before laying the new tile floor.   A new vanity top was installed along with a new sink, mirror and toilet.

The Results

They now have a completely new living space with a light and inviting feeling.  Sheila Davis says, “I now love sitting in my ‘thinking chair’ as I work through the opportunities I have with my home based business.  I used to be uptight about video conferences with clients from this room.  Now I feel confident and comfortable both working and relaxing in my home.”

Before – Holes in wall & carpet worn through

After – Walls repaired and new wood flooring

Before – Broken Mirror and countertop

After – New mirror, countertop, sink, texture and painted.

Before – Holes in the walls & shower unfinished

After – Texture, painted and shower finished