Carpenter Dave Wills carefully lays out wood flooring for the walk-in closet.  A conscientious layout takes into consideration natural variations in wood-grain and color to create consistent rows.  Furthermore, end joints need to be staggered, which can be a challenge with shorter flooring lengths.  The floor install should be complete later today.  Next week will feature a lot of tile work, and we’re expecting delivery of the new vanity and closet cabinetry by the end of the week.

Blue board is up on the walls.  Whenever drywall goes up, it certainly changes the “feel” of a room.  Even when walls are framed out and insulated, the sense of space doesn’t always reflect the finished room.  Of course, everything changes again once paint is applied, so I won’t dwell on this any further.

Jose, our tape and spackle specialist, straps on his stilts to work on the ceiling.  A quality taping job is a difference-maker on a job, especially one with angled ceilings, such as in our shower area.  Clean seam lines make the painter’s job much easier.

The red chalk line represents final layout for the radiant heat mat.  Radiant floor heating is a great way to add comfort to otherwise cold tile and stone floors.  In homes with hydronic heating systems (boiler, radiators), radiant floor heating can be designed using hot water tubing.  In other homes, like this one, with forced air heating, electric heat mats are the best solution for adding radiant heat.  Heat mats are installed with their own thermostats, to be controlled independently of the main heating system.  Besides offering consistent heating, floor mats helps reduce heating loads by making the user feel more comfortable.  When our feet are cold, we feel cold, and blast the warm air, which then rises…and so it goes.  When your feet are warm, you feel comfortable, so blasting warm ambient air is an after thought.  I didn’t mean to turn this into a plug for radiant heat mats, but if you’re interested, read more at the manufacturer’s website;    http://www.nuheat.com/home.html

Back to the chalk line.  The mat is custom made to fit the footprint of the room, so precise measurement is important.  Wisely, Gary marked out exactly where he wanted the mat to lay, notching around doorways, shower, toilet, etc.  Final measurements were submitted to the production company earlier today, so we should have the finished mat in about a week.

Company president, Craig Lord, and lead carpenter Gary Wuchter took a moment this morning to review the project.  Gary has done a great job managing plumbing, electric and hvac installations over the past week and a half.  Inspections were scheduled and passed, so the next step is drywall.  Given the humid nature of a bathroom, especially one with such a large shower, it’s important to use appropriate moisture resistant sheathing material.  In this case, we’re using XP gypsum board, or “purple board” (so called for it’s purple paper face).  Material arrived yesterday afternoon and is ready to be installed tomorrow morning.

In the meanwhile, “Diamond” Dave Gasper, of Diamond Dimensions, Inc. stopped by to field measure and offer advice on the frameless glass shower enclosure.  To accommodate the shower door hinges, we will shift the shower curb slightly.  Door swing was also discussed in relation to towel/robe hook locations.  Our shower layout precludes a wall mounted towel bar within reach of the door.  Towel bars can be mounted directly to the glass panels, but would visually disturb the seamless look of a quality frameless enclosure.  Hooks will be a sensible solution because they’re functional yet less obtrusive.  Dave will be back in a few weeks for final template after tile installation.

Before the kneewall access was sealed up, Gary took some time to air seal the bays beneath the bathroom floor.  Often overlooked, even in modern construction, open joist bays allow outdoor air to enter the home, causing comfort issues and added strain to heating and cooling systems.  The insulation board used to block the bays will be secured using spray foam.

In preparation for drywall, solid blocking is put in place anywhere wall mounted fixtures will be used.  Gary had a last minute addition to his blocking schedule today, as the Client requested a partially recessed jewelry armoire.  The jewelry armoires we’ve used in the past are fairly standard in terms of dimensions, so Gary shouldn’t have any trouble laying out the potential armoire location.

If you can make out the blue fixture heads, you’ll count a total of (7) shower heads and sprays.  Given the sheer volume of water required to run these fixtures simultaneously, hot water capacity is a potential issue.  The existing 50 gallon standard tank hot water heater provides adequate supply for current use, buy may be quickly depleted by these waterworks.  We will  crunch some numbers to determine total hot water volume (gallons per minute) needed, and advise accordingly.

See all the cutouts taped to the insulation?  The clients, Gary, and the plumber have had a running dialogue about the location of various shower heads and controls.  The cutouts served to mark final layout.  In the process of laying out, the owners concluded that the shower as drawn was not sufficient.  We stretched the footprint further until everyone was satisfied.  The sole casualty of this resizing was the 4′x4′ picture window planned for the wall at left.  The window will be reordered as a 3′x4′ to work in the new space.  The windows ordered have obscure glass, so the original window will not be returnable.  After explaining the window situation to the clients, we prepared a change order to cover the cost of the window, as well as a revised price for the custom neo-angle glass shower panels.  A window order can take several weeks to arrive, but fortunately the job can proceed without impacting our production schedule.

In addition to plumbing, heating and cooling duct work was relocated in the ceiling.  For ventilation, we chose an in-line exhaust system.  An inline system connects 2 or more exhaust locations with a single fan, located remotely in the attic.  The fan is significantly quieter than a ceiling mounted fan because the motor is not humming at the grill itself.  A single roof penetration is utilized to vent the moist air to the exterior of the home.  In this case, we were able to enlarge an existing roof penetration.  The exhaust duct, running through an unconditioned attic space, is insulated with R-8 material to prevent condensation during cold winter months.

The electrician arrives tomorrow to round out a busy week of rough installations.  The first available inspection will be Monday of next week.  Once inspection is cleared, we can proceed with insulation and drywall.

Framing modifications, including partition walls for the toilet area, and modified window and door openings are now complete.  Friday afternoon the Homeowners took part in a layout/walk through with Lead Carpenter Gary Wuchter and our electrician.  The walk through allows the client an opportunity to tweak fixture and switch placement.  With the electrician on site and the walls opened up, it’s a great opportunity to do additional “wish list” work.  In this case, we discussed a recessed lighting plan for the adjacent master bedroom.  The extra work will be quoted for approval before the electrician returns next week for his rough installation.

A quick look behind the knee wall reveals an obvious energy leak.  The floor beneath the bathroom is insulated because it’s above an unconditioned garage.  That’s a good thing.  But with no blocking between the floor joists, cold winter air is free to enter the bays, chilling the floor and wasting energy in the process.  Before this area gets sealed up again, we’ll be sure to install proper blocking.

Driveway access/landscaping concerns prevented us from getting a demolition dumpster.  The stake body truck is a great alternative because of maneuverability and furthermore, nothing is left to block the driveway at the end of the workday.

The missing window will be moved and replaced as part of our scope.  Vinyl siding was carefully removed and set aside for now.  Hopefully the material will be reusable when it is time to patch the old window opening.

The view from upstairs.  We have a clean shot at the stake body, so no debris needs to be carried through finished living space.  Demo is progressing well, so a site visit for the cabinet supplier is scheduled for tomorrow.

Our next project blog will document the renovation of a master bathroom suite in Mt. Laurel, NJ.  The new bathroom will feature a custom shower enclosure, in-floor radiant heating, and coordinated cabinetry for the vanity and closet outfitting.  Last week, our team had a pre-construction meeting with the Client to discuss final plans, access, and daily scheduling.  Most of the finish selections were made during the design phase of the project.  At the clients’ request, existing plumbing and lighting fixtures will be saved and donated for another bathroom project.  Salvaging materials for reuse is a win-win for everyone, so we’re happy to oblige.

The adjacent walk-in closet will get a fresh look with hardwood flooring, new lighting, and a cabinet finish outfitting.

The existing shower.

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Official Press Release;

Moorestown, NJ, (July, 2010)

R. Craig Lord Construction Company, a nationally recognized remodeling firm in Moorestown, NJ, was recently named one of 55 Quality Leaders in the nation by Qualified Remodeler Magazine. This recognition of excellence, chosen from all forms of remodeling companies, reflects R. Craig Lord Construction Company’s ongoing commitment to exceeding clients’ expectations. To be eligible, companies had to score above a 90% referral rate from recent clients. R Craig Lord Construction was one of twenty-one companies to have a 100% referral rate as measured by GuildQuality, Inc.”  www.guildquality.com

“A big reason for our success is that after we finish a job, we take the time to ask our clients how their remodeling experience went. A year later we ask them again, this gives us information on where we can improve” stated R. Craig Lord, company president. “Customer satisfaction is a top priority for us.  We are very happy that our clients are pleased with us.”

The May 2010 edition lists the 55 chosen Quality Leaders. To learn more about Quality Leaders, visit: http://www.qualifiedremodeler.com

About R. Craig Lord Construction Company, Inc.

Founded in 1980, R. Craig Lord Construction Company is a nationally recognized award winning remodeling firm based in Moorestown, New Jersey.  With the benefit of a full time staff of world-class carpenters, R. Craig Lord Construction has the experience and core capabilities to deliver projects of every size- from small additions and highly complex historic renovations, to whole house remodels.  For more information on all of R. Craig Lord Construction services, contact them at (856) 235-4237, or visit their website, www.rcraiglord.com.

R. Craig Lord Construction Company, Inc. wins GuildQuality’s 2010 Guildmaster Award

Moorestown, NJ, (May 7, 2010)

R. Craig Lord Construction Company, a nationally recognized remodeling firm in Moorestown, NJ, announced today that the company has been awarded a 2010 Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award for exceptional customer satisfaction.  R. Craig Lord Construction Company was one of 139 home builders, remodelers, developers and contractors throughout North America recognized for their superlative performance.

“Our success is a result of trying to do our best for our clients everyday”, said R. Craig Lord, President of R. Craig Lord Construction.  “Everyone in the company is dedicated to this.”

“It’s our great pleasure to once again recognize the team at R. Craig Lord for their exceptional performance, said Geoff Graham, founder and president of GuildQuality.   “Congratulations on winning their third consecutive Guildmaster Award, and a Guildmaster Award with Highest Distinction for two years in a row.”

R. Craig Lord Construction Company recently scored tremendous marks on an independent study conducted by QuildQuality.  Most notably, the firm received a 100 percent recommendation rate from past customers.  The GuildQuality survey provides highly customized performance reporting for world-class building professionals.  The high scores garnered by the firm qualified R. Craig Lord for the annual GuildQuality awards.

About R. Craig Lord Construction Company, Inc.

Founded in 1980, R. Craig Lord Construction Company is a nationally recognized award winning remodeling firm based in Moorestown, New Jersey.  With the benefit of a full time staff of word-class carpenters, R. Craig Lord Construction has the experience and core capabilities to deliver projects of every size- from small additions and highly complex historic renovations, to whole house remodels.  For more information on all of R. Craig Lord Construction services, contact them at (856) 235-4237, or visit their website, www.rcraiglord.com.

About GuildQuality

Guild Quality provides customer satisfaction surveying and performance reporting for hundreds of homebuilders, remodelers, and contractors in North America.  GuildQualtiy collects feedback directly from customers and reports back to the building professional through a web based service.  On average, more than 70% of customers respond to GuildQuality surveys and their feedback includes rich commentary and quantitative ratings. North America’s best builders, remodelers, contractors and real estate developers rely on GuildQuality’s customer satisfaction surveying to help them monitor and improve the quality of their service.

About the Guildmaster Awards

Once a year, GuildQuality recognizes exceptional customer service with the Guildmaster Awards. Visit the Guildmaster section of the GuildQuality website to see information about all 2010 Award Winners and read about the award qualifications.

For more information, visit www.guildquality.com or contact marketing@guildquality.com

Here at R. Craig Lord Construction, commitment to our clients’ comfort and safety is nothing new.  Dust shields, drop cloths and conscientious cleaning have long been standards for our remodeling work.  To ensure a seamless transition to the new guidelines, our entire field staff has been trained and certified.

If you are concerned about lead safety on your upcoming renovation, give us a call.  More information can be found at epa.gov/lead .