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Again this year Guild Quality, a consumer service providing customer satisfaction surveying, performance reporting, and marketing for quality-minded home builders, remodelers, and service providers, has awarded Apex Design Build the Guildmaster Award with Highest Distinction. This is the third year in row that APEX has received the award. 

APEX Construction Management LLC has received the 2021 Guildmaster with Highest Distinction Award from GuildQuality for demonstrating exceptional customer service within the residential construction industry.

To encourage the highest level of customer service, GuildQuality offers two levels of distinction in addition to the baseline Guildmaster Award. Members who receive a recommendation rate between 95.0 and 97.9 percent receive Guildmaster with Distinction. Members who receive a recommendation rate between 98 and 100 percent receive Guildmaster with Highest Distinction. APEX has an overall satisfaction rating of 99 percent.

The Atlanta-based customer satisfaction survey company has offered the Guildmaster Award since 2005 to recognize and celebrate home building, remodeling, and contracting professionals who have demonstrated the highest level of customer service within the U.S. and Canada.

APEX was chosen out of nearly 2,000 residential construction industry businesses in North America who use the Atlanta-based service to survey their clients. Guild Quality considered two metrics in the satisfaction surveys that thousands of its members’ customers submitted: the percentage of customers stating they would recommend the business to a friend and the percentage of customers who responded. To be eligible for the award, APEX needed to achieve a recommendation rate of 90 percent or higher.

APEX President John Biancini accepts award

APEX President JB noted that APEX’s mission is to deliver great client experiences one project at a time and to enhance its clients’ quality of life at home. He cited the award as evidence that the APEX team is delivering on that promise. JB commended Project Manager Matt Grudzielanek, Designer Lisa Stoll, Engineer John Wardell and APEX’s dedicated trade partners for making the award possible.

Contact APEX to arrange a 15-minute video consultation to discuss your own project needs.

We are asked about doing home additions so often that we thought it would be helpful to share with you some of the things that will come up, especially during your discussions with the building code officials at City Hall.

Of course, the first question that comes up is, what is that new space going to be used for and how big should the new addition be? Besides the budget, there is a limit to the physical size the new addition can be. It’s called ‘Hard Cover Limitations’. In many municipalities, the building size limit is defined as a certain percentage of the lot size. This means the total square feet (SF) of the existing building(s) plus the addition cannot exceed a certain percentage of the lot size, which is 35% in most locations. We will check with City Hall before any design work is started to learn what the hard cover limit is in your city.

Following right behind that is another code limitation called ‘Setbacks’. There are front, side, and rear setbacks for all lots in all cities and they are very different from city to city. So, before we begin any design work, we check all the setback requirements for the lot we’ll be building on.

Then, there is the question of what kind of foundation we are going to build on. There are three general categories of foundations: full basement, crawl space, and post & beam construction. Here in Minnesota, we strongly recommend a full basement under all additions to help keep the floors warm in the winter. We just as strongly recommend against doing any additions up on posts. Crawl spaces fall somewhere in between. Ultimately, an addition with a full basement is one of the cheapest ways to add useable (and comfortable) square footage to your home for a bedroom, bathroom, family room, home office, storage, etc.

If you are thinking about doing an addition, we can design and build it for you. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs with you in more detail. 

Hiring a renovation contractor is a common step to take when updating the house. Their expertise will come in handy when making final decisions and ensuring everything is up-to-code. However, with the variety of available experts, it can be difficult to narrow down your options. Here’s a closer look at the questions that will reveal the right team for the job. 

What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Renovation Contractor?

How long have you been in business? 

Contractors who have experience in the field will know the most effective installation techniques. This will increase their chances of sticking to a schedule and ensure they get the project done on time. 

They’ll also have gone through the growing pains of a new business and use a management format that works best for their team. This will keep everyone on the same page and prevent overlooking important details. 

Do you have a certificate of insurance? 

Hiring a company that doesn’t have insurance in place will put you and your budget at risk. Without coverage, any injuries that occur could become the homeowner’s responsibility and require them to cover additional costs. Asking to see a certificate of insurance will prove that they have the necessary protection and put your mind at ease about moving forward.

Who are your suppliers? 

Contractors usually have a network of local suppliers who they work with on a regular basis. Requesting a list of businesses and setting up a few meetings should provide an idea of their reputation. They can answer questions about customer relations and the number of projects that they take on at one time. 

Can you trust your contractor? 

Trust is the single most character quality you should look for in selecting a contractor to come and work inside your home! And, trust is built on integrity. 

When trust has been established within the team, there is almost no problem that can't be solved by working together, and the team is made stronger when it is tested. However, without a solid foundation of trust in the contractor-client relationship, common remodeling problems often become adversarial and can quickly lead to the deterioration of the working relationship as the project progresses (or not). We've all heard contractor stories that turned adversarial. Trust is the perfect antidote for that. 

So many of us fall for that siren song of the low price, only to find out the hard way that you get what you pay for! And, all too often, a low price is the deciding factor in hiring a contractor. Unfortunately, a low price is usually where the seed is planted for a failed project. Always pick trust over price.

When you select the contractor you feel that you can trust the most, you are making an important decision that ultimately assures the successful completion of your project.

When you hire a home improvement contractor to make renovations to your property, you should be confident that you're going to see impressive results. Trusting your contractor can help you feel comfortable that your house is in the right hands. Here's a closer look at the benefits of working with a contractor you trust and how to establish this kind of relationship with them.



Why Hire a Home Improvement Contractor You Can Trust?

Contractors often do heavy-duty labor, from demolition to adding or removing partition walls. A crew with the proper expertise will know how to do this kind of work without causing structural damage to your home. 

Such jobs are also potentially risky to workers if the proper safety precautions aren't taken. You want to be sure that the team you've hired is knowledgeable and takes all the necessary steps to ensure quality work while protecting your property and the crew members.

How Can You Find the Right Contractor?

A trust-based relationship starts with choosing the right contractor. Instead of focusing solely on price—the most affordable option isn't necessarily the best—look at factors like experience and their portfolio. You can also look up reviews from former customers online. Finally, ensure that any contractor you work with is licensed and insured.

Once you've narrowed down your options to a few choices, schedule a chat to get a better sense of their work process. Discuss the scope of the project, the timeline, and the projected budget to avoid surprises later. A skilled contractor will be able to provide detailed answers on these points.

If you have an upcoming kitchen renovation, you're probably excited to see the results at the end of the project. However, you'll need to take some steps to ensure your satisfaction and make the process as seamless as possible. Here's what you can do to facilitate the project and make your family comfortable while the crew works to improve your home.

How to Get Ready for a Kitchen Remodeling Project

1. Stock Up on Snacks

In addition to visiting restaurants and ordering takeout, you should make sure there is plenty of ready-to-eat food in your pantry. Cereal, canned soups, dried fruits, crackers, nuts, and other foods are easy to prepare and nutritious. Having bottled water on hand is also recommended during a kitchen renovation in case you can't access your sink. 

2. Create a Temporary Kitchen

A temporary kitchen ensures you can prepare simple meals with ease. Try to locate it near electrical outlets and within reasonable proximity of running water. The dining room might be a good fit, or even a finished basement if you have one. 

Once you've picked an area, stock it with a toaster oven, microwave, coffee maker, electric griddle, and a small refrigerator. While you won't be able to cook an elaborate meal, a temporary kitchen ensures you have breakfast and lunch covered each day. 

3. Relocate Kitchen Utensils

Before the work begins, take an in-depth inventory of your kitchen utensils. You'll need items like spoons, forks, dishes, bowls, and cups on a daily basis, so they should be relocated to clear bins to be stored in your temporary kitchen. Other items, such as pots and pans, can be removed and stored in an out-of-the-way area of the home until the project is complete. Removing cookware and utensils before the contractor arrives allows them to get to work as soon as possible. 

You’ve learned a little bit more about us and what we have to offer. To schedule service, call us at 651.653.6300.