The Guide to No-Stress Remodeling

Any major project or financial commitment that interferes with your day-to-day life is bound to cause some tension. Have you ever been stressed out by a home improvement project before?

There are a lot of reasons that a renovation project could start or end with frustration. Most of the time, remodeling stress occurs when expectations are not met or there is a high amount of miscommunication. Neither the professional nor homeowner is completely to blame; it is often the result of both parties not seeing eye-to-eye.

We have been in the Home Improvement business for quite a while and, over the years, we have created a list of 4 guidelines that help the remodeling process go more smoothly. These guidelines have helped us create and maintain positive relationships with the homeowners that we have worked with.

1. Communicate. Communication is the key to a no-stress environment! Nothing causes anxiety faster than miscommunication or dishonesty. If you have a problem, it is okay to express that to the professional in charge of your project in a composed manner. It is your home, so of course you want to make sure you are getting what you want! Miscommunication between professional and homeowner could end up resulting in prolonged completion time and a higher bill, so make sure you are clear and concise during the whole process!

2. Have a plan. Know what you want in advance. When you meet with a professional at the start of the project, this is when you want to express all of the details of your project so that they can properly prepare for your renovation. Making changes during the process will only disrupt the timeline and increase anxiety.

3. Create a budget. Only you know how much you can afford to spend on a remodeling project, so make sure that you have that number written down when you are discussing costs with a professional. An experienced professional will work WITH you to ensure your project is completed under budget, if possible. Also, the professional should communicate any issues that arise with you that could affect the total cost so that you can work together as a team to resolve problems.

Start with a FREE Consultation with us and we will be happy to schedule a time to come out, meet with you, and give you an estimated price for the project. We also have Home Financing options that could help save you money!

4. Plan for delays. Delays affect both the homeowner AND the professional. Trust us, we want to complete your project as soon as possible, but delays are often inevitable. These challenges that arise are sometimes out of a professional’s hands, so make sure that you have mentally prepared yourself to avoid becoming angry at the situation.

At Aspen, we strive to provide the best service, care, and customer satisfaction in the industry. Owning a home is the most impressive responsibility you will face in your lifetime, so we hope to make it less stressful and a lot more fun! You're in good hands with our team of professionals!

Contact us today and let's start YOUR next remodeling project!

How To: Budget for Your Dream Home

Planning a home improvement project? Then you’re probably planning a budget as well.

From a young age, everyone imagines what their Dream Home will be. One day, you get to make those dreams come true! But chances are it isn’t happening overnight. Over the years, you plan remodeling projects that get you one step closer to your Dream Home. The hardest decision to make is what projects fit into your budget at the time.

Planning a budget can be stressful. Follow this guide to help ease your budgeting stress with a look at some factors that can affect the final total!

1.       What material will you choose?

Every material that you could for your project will have a different cost. If you’re replacing your front door – wood is more expensive because it is heavy and the manufacturing process is more demanding. Fiberglass, however, would be a cheaper alternative to wood.

2.       What style are you looking for?

Similar to material, the style of the product could also affect the cost. The price of a bay window, for example, would be more expensive than a single-hung window.

3.       What is the size of the project?

Obviously, the bigger the project is, the more expensive the cost will be. The estimated cost between a new door replacement vs. a whole-roof replacement is pretty monumental. Figure out what type of project you’re looking at before you budget!

4.       What are the installation costs?

DIY is always a cheaper options (especially when you can find the products you need on sale) but you should really talk to a professional before attempting to do a project on your own. If you make a mistake, it might end of costing you more.

5.       What kind of warranty is available?

You want to make sure you are getting a good warranty to protect the investment you just put into your home. At Aspen, we offer our products with a Lifetime Warranty so you know you and your family are protected for life.

Once you estimate your budget and what you can afford for your next home improvement project, schedule a Free Estimate with us! We will come and take a look at your home and discuss the options within your budget.

We also have great financing options available so that we can put home improvement back into your budget for less!

Contact our team of experts today and let us turn your current home into your Dream Home!

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist!

The snow is (finally) melting and we have our Countdown to Spring going! While you’ve probably already started to put together a spring cleaning to-do list, we want to remind you not to forget about the exterior of your home. When you keep on track with seasonal maintenance, you lower future costs of home improvement projects while increasing the value of your home.

Most homeowners establish budgets for their home improvement projects, ranking them by their absolute necessity. Remodeling your home can be costly, however, you don’t want to cheap out too much because you risk more expensive damage control down the road.

At Aspen Home Improvements, we know you’re a money-conscious homeowner. That’s why we have home financing options and coupons available to help you save a little money that you can put towards other projects!

It’s time to think spring! Follow this spring maintenance checklist to get your home ready for the warmer months.

Clean gutters and spouts.

Make sure that gutters and spouts are clean and free of any debris. Also, make sure that drainage is being directed away from your home. If not, you risk water damage in your basement (a tedious and often expensive problem to fix).

If possible, you should be regularly checking gutters and spouts for clogs. If your home is too large, you will need to consider hiring a professional.

Examine your roof.

Check for warning signs that your roof may need replaced. Do you see any missing or cracked shingles? Do you see any raised shingles? Any damage makes your roof insufficient and increases the likelihood of water damage. The sun can cause more damage to your roof, so don’t wait to fix problem areas.

Check siding.

If your siding is damaged or rotting, it’s time to replace it! Siding protects your home from the elements and helps your home stay insulated.

Weatherproof doors and windows.

Make sure that your doors and windows are sealed properly so cracks don’t allow cold air to escape. Also, always check your screens and replace them if necessary. By looking past these small problems, you will be paying more on monthly energy bills!

You can also save money by installing blinds in windows that get the most sun.

Check your heating and cooling unit.

Have a professional clean and service your air conditioning unit. You don’t want to wait until it gets too hot to deal with uncomfortable temperatures!

Maintain your yard.

You want to make sure that low areas surrounding your home are properly filled in. April showers may cause your yard to flood and that runoff will most likely make its way into your basement.

If you noticed a problem while checking over any of these points, it’s time to contact us! We will be happy to come talk to you and give you a FREE estimate to help get your home ready for the warm weather ahead!

We are so excited for spring that we are giving YOU special deals that you can take advantage of if your home needs any remodeling. We just recently put these savings up on Angie’s List!

Keep Your Energy Costs Low

The brutal cold of winter is starting to come into full effect. We know you’re tempted to crank up the heat in order to feel cozy when you’re at home, but don’t! Here are some simple tips that will help keep your home warm and your wallets full:

Insulate, insulate, insulate. You may wonder why your home never feels warm enough for you. This could be a result of poor insulation. If your walls, windows, or doors are letting heat out, the only way you can stay warm is by throwing your money away by constantly turning up the temperature on your thermostat. Did you know that windows account for a significant portion of your heating bill? We are proud to offer you Energy Star windows – like Starmark or our Insul-Tec 500 series – that will help save you 45% on your heating costs!

Put a GOOD roof over your head. Be on the lookout for signs that it’s time to replace your roof. High energy bills, cracks, poor insulation, and rotting spots are just a few warning signs and are a winter-weather nightmare! We offer the best in roofing and roofing products that will protect your home from the elements.

Portion-control your heat. If there are areas of your house you don’t use often, close off the vents. This redirects heat to the portions of your house that you frequent most often. Note: In winter, you still need to make sure that the cooler parts of your home will still be heated to above freezing so as not to freeze your pipes.

If you have any questions, please ask our team of experts! We are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have in regards to improving the quality of your home!

Happy New Year from Aspen Home Improvements!

With 2014 drawing to a close in less than 36 hours, our team at Aspen Home Improvements wanted to send a quick thank you to the people who made 2014 such a great year – YOU!

We've worked on some great projects throughout the year, but most importantly, we worked with a lot of great people! Whether we’re taking care of your window, door, siding, or roofing needs, we’re incredibly proud and excited to work with each and every one of our customers – and 2014 has been no exception.

So, to everyone we worked with over the course of 2014 – a huge thank you!

Happy (early) New Year, and we hope to see everyone during 2015!

Summer Days at Aspen

It’s sad to say – the days of laying on the beach, enjoying the sun, and outdoor barbecues are almost over. The kids are back in school, and it seems as though fall is just around the corner. That’s why we want to share some of our summer highlights with you.

We hope that everyone has had a great, eventful summer! Whether you spent it at the beach, vacationing across the country, or simply enjoying it in your own backyard, we're confident you've made a few memories that will last you a lifetime!

We know we have been incredibly busy this summer, so we wanted to share some of the great projects we were able to complete this summer.

Here are just a few –

Palmyra, PA - 

A great-looking before-and-after shot!

American Legion Post 56 - Lititz, PA

New siding in Nottingham! - Nottingham, PA

One of these projects catch your eye? Contact our team of home improvement specialists to discuss your own home improvement!