Buying a House and Turning It Into Your Home

By Tom Callen, Owner, Callen

Anyone who has bought a home can’t help but be filled with pride. Even when the home is a fixer-upper, there are dreams of what it can be with a little tender loving care. Upscale homes have their challenges too, because in this market of older, traditional housing, there are always improvements that need to be made to keep the house functional and modern.

For many homeowners, the process starts with the bones of the house – a new roof or window replacement for example; both very important to keeping the home warm and dry. Maybe improved insulation comes next, followed by a siding re-do, and then adding a front porch or deck.

When seeking to update the interior of the house, kitchens and baths are the number one request. What we have found is that after a homeowner sees the dramatic difference a remodel makes to one room, such as the kitchen, they often begin to plan their next project, the bath. That frequently leads to a master suite expansion or lower level or attic conversion.

Of course, there are a lot of us whose budgets aren’t made for total renovation all at once. At Callen, we have many long-term customers who do their remodeling in stages, taking care of the basics first and then moving to more wish-list projects. We’re very happy that the quality of work we did initially for these homeowners inspired them to do more – and that they trust us to do it the right way for them.

I’d like to share with you this letter that is representative of what we hear from our customers:

“We have been highly satisfied clients for several years. Our projects included our kitchen, roof (along with rafters and decking), patio door and windows, and just recently insulation and vents in the attic, plus aluminum trim on the soffit and fascia all around. We have enjoyed working with Paulette and Christopher. They have communicated well and listened to our needs, and most of all, they have respected us. The installers and craftsmen have been excellent, and when a problem occurred, it was addressed quickly without hesitation.”

The homeowners who sent the above letter are continually turning their house into the home they always imagined it to be. The projects they mentioned above have been done over a seven-year period!

It’s funny how just when you think you are done with the remodeling or decorating, another project seems to beckon to enhance your living environment and when completed, making you feel even better about the place where you live.

But many homeowners, especially if they are in a fixer-upper, may soon become overwhelmed by all they can do, especially working within a budget. That is where Callen can help too. Our exterior product specialists and interior Sales Design Consultant are expert at assessing problems, needs and desires, and coming up with priorities and solutions that can transform a house into what the homeowner envisions it to be. This process, for some, can take several years, but we are here to guide the way.

Is the process of improving your home ever completed?

Whether it is full-scale remodeling of a kitchen or hanging a wreath outside the front door, people are always doing something that makes them feel good about their home. From personal experience and visiting thousands of homes, the answer to the above question is a resounding, “Honey, what’s next on the list?”

Whatever is next on your list, I hope you will choose to let Callen help you.