Home Renovation Articles

Home Renovation Articles

5 minute read

Want To Improve Your Old Home’s Energy Efficiency? It’s All About Building Science

Tommy Mitchell

When you look at your home, you see brick or stone, siding that might be made of aluminum, vinyl, or even a composite cement material. You see shingles, drywall, carpet, and wood flooring. You also know behind the walls ...

Subscribe now to receive home renovation articles!

5 minute read

What You Need to Know About Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems in Your Older Home

Tommy Mitchell

A new layout, cabinets, paint, trim work, lighting, and plumbing fixtures are what most homeowners are excited about when considering a renovation. But behind the walls, the ...

Read More
3 minute read

How To Fix Old Windows and Keep What Makes Your Unique Home Special

Tommy Mitchell

Living in an older home in New England has both its charms and its challenges. One major challenge is how to fix or replace old windows in your unique home.  Some of the windows ...

Read More
4 minute read

How To Safely Eradicate Hazardous Materials From Your Old Home For Good

Tommy Mitchell

When you bought your home, the seller’s disclosure gave a clean bill of health regarding lead paint, and there was no mention of asbestos or any other hazardous materials. The ...

Read More
5 minute read

How to Find Materials for Your Old Home: An Expert Guide

Tommy Mitchell

Remember when you drove through your neighborhood for the first time? Next door was some amazing Victorian era trim details on the porch - spectacular! Then there was a ...

Read More
3 minute read

Understanding Zoning Regulations To Make Your Old Home Dream A Reality

Tommy Mitchell

What comes to mind when thinking about renovating an older home? Likely things like: Can we save the hardwood we found under the 50-year old carpet? Will the kitchen cabinets we ...

Read More
5 minute read

Best Ways to Finance Your Home Renovation and Design Project

Tommy Mitchell

You've decided you are overdue for a significant renovation of your home. The immediate question: How will we finance the project? What kind of construction loan for home ...

Read More
3 minute read

5 Practical Ways to Revive Outdated and Tired Rooms in Your Home

Tommy Mitchell

There’s nothing exactly “wrong” with the primary suite/kitchen/living room (take your pick) in your home. But nothing is exactly right about it either. You know it needs a ...

Read More
6 minute read

In Home Renovation, Why is Client Experience so Important?

Tommy Mitchell

When you are considering a home renovation project, you may be thinking about negative experiences you, a friend, or family member have had in the past. You have heard the horror ...

Read More
3 minute read

Why a Home Renovation Feasibility Study Is a Good Idea

Tommy Mitchell

Interest rates are up and prices for materials are constantly fluctuating. Your home layout is overdue for an update, but is a home renovation project the right decision for you?  ...

Read More
3 minute read

How homeowners can get help with their home maintenance honey-do list

Tommy Mitchell

The list of things that need “a little work” around your house is not getting any shorter. When were the HVAC filters changed last? Is that water spot under the living room window ...

Read More
4 minute read

Home Office Remodel Ideas for Function and Beauty You'll Love

Tommy Mitchell

During what feels like a bygone era, a home office was a nice thing to have, not a necessity. A LOT has changed in a few short years, making remodeling for a home office a top ...

Read More
3 minute read

Is a Home Addition the Best Option for Your Renovation?

Tommy Mitchell

It’s a familiar conversation. The kids are growing up and they don’t want to share a room anymore. Plus, there is just not enough room for entertaining indoors with that cramped ...

Read More
3 minute read

Choosing the Right Cabinet Materials and Styles

Tommy Mitchell

In a previous post, I shared in some detail what goes into the construction of cabinets. How can you make sure you are choosing the right materials for the style of cabinet you ...

Read More
6 minute read

Cabinet Construction: What’s Behind the Door?

Tommy Mitchell

Choosing cabinets for your remodel or new custom home can be so much fun. You are deciding on an overall style – raised panel, craftsman, slab, or shaker – just to name a few. You ...

Read More
4 minute read

Kitchen Design Shapes To Get the Island You've Always Wanted

Tommy Mitchell

An island is often at the top of the list of changes homeowners want to make when they renovate a kitchen. But is there room for an island, even in your redesign? If you shoehorn ...

Read More
4 minute read

How to choose between custom cabinetry vs. semi-custom vs. mass-produced cabinets

Tommy Mitchell

How much help do you really need to pick out the right cabinets for your kitchen, bath, laundry room, or other areas of your home where renovation will involve cabinetry? Can’t ...

Read More
3 minute read

A Classic Home, Reimagined

Tommy Mitchell

The design/build team here at Mitchell Construction Group recently undertook a major renovation project that required imagination, attention to detail, and meticulous ...

Read More
4 minute read

Expert Advice to Prepare Your Home for Renovation Construction

Tommy Mitchell

There is no getting around the fact that a home renovation project will take your family out of its normal routines. The good news is you can minimize that disruption with a ...

Read More
5 minute read

Real Estate Market Perspective: What homeowners need to know

Tommy Mitchell

If you own a New England home that is showing its limitations or just needs some updating, you have two choices: you can renovate or move to a new home. When faced with this ...

Read More
5 minute read

The top energy efficient home design tips homeowners should know

Tommy Mitchell

Climate change and the overall cost of energy for your home are no joke. Building energy efficiency into the design of your home can help you tackle both. The choices you make ...

Read More
4 minute read

The important role of craftsmanship in design-build home renovation

Tommy Mitchell

You can see it in a drawer that glides smoothly closed. You can see it at the corner of a wall, where crown molding, drywall, and baseboard all meet at a perfect 90-degree angle. ...

Read More
5 minute read

How to choose the best interior paint colors for your home

Tommy Mitchell

The most exciting part of a home renovation or new home construction for many people is to put on those finishing touches. When you are choosing the interior paint colors, you are ...

Read More
4 minute read

The best insights to save you money when building a custom home

Tommy Mitchell

The idea of building a custom home is enticing. A place built exactly as you want it, with you and your family’s needs put into every detail. Who wouldn’t want that? But that ...

Read More
3 minute read

Why now is always a good time to remodel your home

Tommy Mitchell

When is the right time to renovate your home? On one hand, there will always be reasons not to renovate. Getting to the beautiful and functional end result takes time, money, and ...

Read More
4 minute read

Roof replacement: 7 signs to know when it’s time for a new roof

Tommy Mitchell

In New England, your asphalt shingle roof will take a beating as the weather shifts, often dramatically, from day to day. That’s why understanding when and why to consider a roof ...

Read More
3 minute read

Top 10 tech trends for a connected and smart home

Tommy Mitchell

Technology has changed everything, including our homes. Just think about it — not long ago, locking your doors at night meant going through the house and physically checking all ...

Read More
6 minute read

The top custom home design ideas that make your new home special

Tommy Mitchell

You have lived in enough homes that were not built to your specifications to know what you don’t like. It might be a poor layout on the main floor that leaves you feeling boxed ...

Read More
4 minute read

How much does a custom built home cost?

Tommy Mitchell

You get what you pay for. That is a simple truism, but what does it mean when it comes to building a custom home? To understand the cost, a builder will need to gather detailed ...

Read More
5 minute read

How to choose a custom home builder and what sets them apart

Tommy Mitchell

How do you make a choice when it comes to finding the right custom home builder? If you want a truly custom home, the best home builders will help you understand your options to ...

Read More
3 minute read

Space planning for interior design styles and ideas you'll love

Tommy Mitchell

“This space just does not work for us anymore.” That statement is one of the main reasons homeowners come to us for a renovation project. To fix an unworkable space, designers ...

Read More
3 minute read

What is custom home remodeling and why is it important?

Tommy Mitchell

The list of home improvement projects is getting longer and longer. The kitchen and bathrooms are really starting to show their age. You’ve never exactly loved the siding you ...

Read More
4 minute read

The most exciting plumbing trends in kitchen and bathroom design

Tommy Mitchell

While the phrase “plumbing trends” may not set your heart to fluttering, the end results of a kitchen or bath remodeling project often highlight the exciting results of those ...

Read More
6 minute read

The custom home construction timeline from concept to completion

Tommy Mitchell

There is something about the opportunity to build a custom home. You are starting with your unique dreams and expectations, and have a blank canvas to turn those dreams into ...

Read More
3 minute read

Innovative home lighting design that lights up your life

Tommy Mitchell

When seeking inspiration for your remodeling project, you may look through hundreds of photos online and in design magazines. One aspect that often gets overlooked — but is always ...

Read More
5 minute read

Want a custom-built home? Here’s how to do it right

Tommy Mitchell

Building a custom home will not only reflect your style and tastes, but will be designed and constructed to your specifications. What size should living, dining, and kitchen ...

Read More
4 minute read

Aging in Place Remodeling: Better, Safer Living After Retirement

Tommy Mitchell

One of the fundamental truths about life is that we’re all growing older. For many of us, the question that will arise as we age is, “Where will I be able to live?” Fortunately, ...

Read More
4 minute read

When is the best time to remodel a New England home?

Tommy Mitchell

You may see home renovation as a seasonal activity — something that’s got to be done between spring and fall here in New England. The truth is, the right time to start is when you ...

Read More
3 minute read

The most frequent causes of cracks in plaster walls and how to fix them

Tommy Mitchell

At some time in the life of every home, cracks will appear in the plaster. There are many causes of cracks; some are more serious than others. For one thing, the weather in New ...

Read More
3 minute read

Exciting Porch and Patio Renovation Ideas for Outdoor Living Joy

Tommy Mitchell

When considering updates and additions to your current porches and patios, you are looking for space to enjoy your home's fresh air and views. Well-proportioned, well-conceived ...

Read More
3 minute read

13 Beautiful Mudroom & Laundry Room Designs for an Organized Home

Tommy Mitchell

Mudrooms and laundry rooms are not the first areas most people think about when it comes to home renovation. But these spaces should not be overlooked. A well-designed mudroom ...

Read More
5 minute read

The best basement remodeling ideas for family fun and entertainment

Tommy Mitchell

When you’ve got dinner guests and the kids are loudly playing video games in the next room, your main floor living space begins to show its limitations. Or maybe over the past few ...

Read More
5 minute read

Bathroom design ideas that bring a spa-like experience into your home

Tommy Mitchell

A luxury bathroom may seem more like a necessity these days. As the pandemic forced many of us to stay at home for long periods of time, the bathroom became a sanctuary, a place ...

Read More
3 minute read

Creating a Backyard Oasis for Family Fun in Walpole MA

Tommy Mitchell

A house does not truly become a home until it reflects the unique character and personality of the family that inhabits it. Here at the Mitchell Construction Group, that concept ...

Read More
4 minute read

Why detailed planning is so important for any home renovation

Tommy Mitchell

Anticipating a home renovation project is exciting for most homeowners. Once they decide to make the leap from dreaming to doing, a range of emotions can kick in as they ...

Read More
6 minute read

The best low maintenance building materials for your home you’ll love

Tommy Mitchell

If you’re like most homeowners, home maintenance chores such as painting, replacing gutters, and making deck repairs are way down on your list of fun things to do. Fortunately, ...

Read More
4 minute read

Top remodeling ideas when rethinking your master suite experience

Tommy Mitchell

Many home interior designers would agree that the master bedroom is simply the largest and most desirable bedroom in a home and is typically where the head of the household ...

Read More
7 minute read

Top 6 Home Heating System Upgrade Options in New England

Tommy Mitchell

If you live in New England, you know how important your home heating system is. And because our heating systems work extra hard to keep our homes warm and comfortable throughout ...

Read More
4 minute read

What is transitional design and its impact on your home renovation?

Tommy Mitchell

The term “transitional design” is popping up with increasing frequency in architectural and home design circles. It actually originated decades ago, but over the years, the ...

Read More
4 minute read

Why Details Matter: The Importance of Renovation Pre-Project Planning

Tommy Mitchell

The pandemic has created a home remodeling and renovation boom that has many contractors struggling to keep up with demand. As a result, some are rushing through the planning and ...

Read More
4 minute read

11 Remodeling Ideas to Make Your Small Kitchen Feel Larger

Tommy Mitchell

Kitchen makeovers are, far and away, one of the most popular home remodeling projects because they are often the heart of any home, where family and friends gather for a wide ...

Read More
4 minute read

Home Remodeling Ideas for Better Holiday Entertaining

Tommy Mitchell

The holidays are a time for family and friends to gather, celebrate, reminisce, and look ahead to the New Year and a brighter future. For some homeowners, it’s also a stressful ...

Read More
5 minute read

11 kitchen color schemes you’ll love every day

Tommy Mitchell

Kitchens are by far the most popular room in the home for remodeling and renovation. It can be the most fun and most challenging all at the same time because of the number of ...

Read More
4 minute read

How to avoid paying for a home renovation twice and other renovation lessons

Tommy Mitchell

Human nature makes it difficult for most of us to pass up a bargain, and home renovation is no exception. One homeowner might “know a guy” who’s pretty handy with a hammer and is ...

Read More
5 minute read

Remodel or Move? How to Decide What’s Best for You

Tommy Mitchell

Homeowners who are faced with an aging home or one they have outgrown are faced with a difficult decision: should they remodel or move? This is both a financial and emotional ...

Read More
3 minute read

Pros and Cons of Replacement Windows vs. New Construction Windows

Tommy Mitchell

The pandemic has created an increased interest in home renovation and remodeling and one of the most popular renovations is window replacement. One of the biggest reasons is ...

Read More
3 minute read

Why the right home maintenance program will take the stress out of home ownership

Tommy Mitchell

The modern home is a technological marvel. Packed with systems, sensors, and devices that provide and control power, communications, heat, water, cooling, and safety, today’s home ...

Read More
3 minute read

How to prepare your Massachusetts home for the fall and winter seasons

Tommy Mitchell

New England’s winters are legendary. Nor’easters pound the coast and the eastern half of the state with high winds, snow, freezing rain and sleet. Icy winds and heavy snow blow in ...

Read More
5 minute read

How to Live Through a Home Remodel and Be Happy

Tommy Mitchell

Mention “home renovation” to some people and watch the color drain out of their faces. For many, there is nothing more stressful (and for good reason) than to have some strangers ...

Read More
4 minute read

How to Ensure Good Communication with Your Home Renovation Company

Tommy Mitchell

Frustration. Anxiety. Confusion. These are the words that many homeowners unfortunately associate with home renovation projects because they’ve worked with a home remodeling ...

Read More
3 minute read

How to Prioritize Home Renovations in a Multi-Stage Project

Tommy Mitchell

We all find ourselves frustrated from time to time when faced with the dilemma of reconciling what we want with what we need, or perhaps more accurately, what we can afford. The ...

Read More
4 minute read

Top stories of the trials and tribulations of DIY home maintenance

Tommy Mitchell

Nobody likes to spend more than they absolutely have to on home repairs. It’s bad enough when things break and you have to struggle with the inconvenience and disruption they ...

Read More
4 minute read

3 Reasons Why a Home Maintenance Company Is a Homeowner’s Best Friend

Tommy Mitchell

When many people think about the cost of a home, they’re often thinking about the buying or selling price of it. But there is an ongoing and often less visible cost – that of ...

Read More
5 minute read

Why free home renovation estimates are problematic and a fantasy

Tommy Mitchell

A home renovation project can be a highly dynamic event full of excitement, anxiety, anticipation and, yes, stress. Of course, no homeowner wants to pay any more than absolutely ...

Read More
3 minute read

Main homeowner tips for insurance-related home repairs you’ll want to know

Tommy Mitchell

Dealing with a damaged home is no fun. Fallen trees, burst pipes, flooded basements, lightning strikes – they all can cause the kind of damage that makes a home difficult to live ...

Read More
6 minute read

Home renovation timeline: How long should a remodel take?

Tommy Mitchell

One of the first questions we get as a home renovation contractor is “How long will this project take?” Any reputable, experienced contractor could immediately reply, “As long as ...

Read More
3 minute read

Why home preventative maintenance costs much less than emergency repairs

Tommy Mitchell

If you’re like most homeowners, you take great pride in your home and property. You mow your lawn and trim your shrubs and trees regularly. If you have wood siding or deck, you ...

Read More
4 minute read

How to create a backyard entertainment area for family and friends’ social enjoyment

Tommy Mitchell

If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s how to relax at home and get outside more. The popularity of outdoor living has grown leaps and bounds over the past year and a half ...

Read More
3 minute read

Great basement renovation ideas for family living and enjoyment

Tommy Mitchell

If your home has an unfinished basement, you’re sitting on a gold mine of additional living space, flexible entertainment and relaxation options, more efficient storage, and added ...

Read More
4 minute read

Top ways to renovate your home floor plan for improved function and uses

Tommy Mitchell

If there was one thing the pandemic was good for, it was helping homeowners discover every poor design element and floor plan weakness in their homes. As people spent more and ...

Read More
5 minute read

Important design steps for remodeling a home for multigenerational living

Tommy Mitchell

A recent study by the Pew Research Center has revealed that growing numbers of buyers are looking for homes that will accommodate more than just a single family. Shifting ...

Read More
4 minute read

The top benefits of turning an awkward floor plan into a functional home

Tommy Mitchell

A homeowner’s relationship with their home – like any relationship – can change over time. Just like marriages, friendships, and partnerships, your relationship with your home can ...

Read More
3 minute read

7 smart steps to making a kitchen organized, functional, and fun

Tommy Mitchell

Remodeling a kitchen is a lot more than just new cabinets and appliances and a different color scheme. Effectively renovating a kitchen for more functional efficiency requires a ...

Read More
4 minute read

5 characteristics of a great home renovation dream team

Tommy Mitchell

Home renovation and remodeling projects come in all shapes and sizes, but except for the very simplest, virtually all of them require structural and aesthetic changes. Some ...

Read More
3 minute read

How home remodel visualization creates excitement for the design

Tommy Mitchell

One of the most frustrating challenges many homeowners face when considering a home renovation project is difficulty visualizing specific changes to improve their home’s ...

Read More
4 minute read

How to avoid the top costly and elusive home renovation mistakes

Tommy Mitchell

Virtually every level of home renovation – from simple room redesigns to kitchen remodeling to home additions – involve an equal level of emotion and stress. Homeowners undertake ...

Read More
6 minute read

Optimize Kitchen Storage Space to Improve Your Lifestyle

Tommy Mitchell

“What am I going to do with all this kitchen storage space?” said no one, ever. As a design/build construction firm with years of experience designing and building kitchens, one ...

Read More
3 minute read

25 Questions to ask before Hiring a Home Renovation Company

Tommy Mitchell

Renovating your home – whether you’re just remodeling a bedroom or renovating your entire house – is a highly personal project. The old saying is true: “Home is where the heart ...

Read More
4 minute read

Which home renovation ideas make the biggest improvement in your quality of life?

Tommy Mitchell

One of the most popular home renovation questions we get asked all the time here at Mitchell Construction Group is “What home improvement will have the greatest impact on us?” The ...

Read More
6 minute read

13 Different Ways to Remodel Your Kitchen - Must Read

Tommy Mitchell

The kitchen is the central hub, the heart, of almost every home. Even people who aren’t especially fond of cooking use their kitchens for a multitude of activities – whether it’s ...

Read More
3 minute read

How great home remodelers guide clients through their renovation

Tommy Mitchell

The simple truth about home remodeling and renovation is that successful projects require proper planning. Period. There are no shortcuts, no miracles, and no depending on good ...

Read More
4 minute read

The Top Factors to Consider When Hiring a Home Renovation Company

Tommy Mitchell

Renovating your home is a big decision involving a lot of elements, some of them emotional and others operational. As a result, sometimes homeowners make decisions for the wrong ...

Read More
3 minute read

How much time should it take to remodel a home?

Tommy Mitchell

One of the first questions we hear from homeowners when discussing a renovation or remodeling project is “How long will this take?” And while it’s certainly understandable that ...

Read More
4 minute read

How a home renovation can significantly boost resale value

Tommy Mitchell

One of the first questions many homeowners ask when considering a renovation project is: “Will this project provide a good return-on-investment and boost the resale value of my ...

Read More
2 minute read

The Best Method to Estimate the Cost of a Home Renovation

Tommy Mitchell

One hard and fast rule in home renovation is, "Don’t start a remodeling or renovation project without a realistic budget." But getting to a realistic budget requires a detailed ...

Read More
< 0 minute read

What’s New In Design.

Nadine Gauthier

In 2018 it seemed like the world fell in love with farmhouse interiors and bright and white kitchens that took over everyone’s homes. While we’re still loving this look, 2019 is ...

Read More
< 0 minute read

Open Concept Remodel.

Nadine Gauthier

This once cramped and poorly functioning kitchen was converted into a gorgeous, bright, and airy space that is perfectly suited for a large and active family. The existing kitchen ...

Read More
1 minute read

Mitchell Mix & Mingle Annual Appreciation Event.

Nadine Gauthier

On Thursday, March 28th, we hosted our Second Annual Customer Appreciation Event at the Papa Razzi Trattoria in Wellesley. Past and current clients joined the Mitchell Team for an ...

Read More
1 minute read

Summer Dreams…Fall Projects.

Nadine Gauthier

Summer is officially here and we are coming upon the 4th of July weekend. What are your plans? Are you usually invited to a certain friend or family members home because they have ...

Read More
< 0 minute read

Mitchell Construction Group Wins Gold & Silver!

Nadine Gauthier

We would like to congratulate the Mitchell Construction Group Team for winning multiple EM NARI CotYAwards!

Read More
1 minute read

Local Construction Company Wins Prestigious North American Award!

Nadine Gauthier

Medfield, MA – 11/16/16 – Tom Mitchell, President and Founder of Mitchell Construction Group in Medfield, Massachusetts, has been awarded the prestigious 2016 Remodelers Advantage ...

Read More
2 minute read

Winter is coming… and there is something we can do about it!!!

Nadine Gauthier

Fall is in the air and although it is only October, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but…we have to begin to think about Winter. Two years ago, as we all know, New England had ...

Read More
< 0 minute read

Our New Home for the Holidays

Nadine Gauthier

Here at Mitchell Construction Group, we find ourselves very thankful. Thankful for our wonderful clients, thankful for our award winning staff and thankful for a new project we ...

Read More
1 minute read

My home is old… is there a Doctor in the house?

Nadine Gauthier

Home sweet home! Our homes are one of our biggest monetary investments, but how much do we really know about them? How to properly care for them as they age? How much attention do ...

Read More
1 minute read

Medfield Construction Company Continues Hot Streak!

Nadine Gauthier

Medfield, MA – 12/14/16 – Just five weeks after being awarded the Remodelers Advantage Impact Award, Medfield’s Mitchell Construction Group has earned more recognition—and ...

Read More