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APEX Earns 2017 CotY Gold for Laurel Ave. Addition

November 20, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

John Biancini and Carmen Meyer with CotY Award.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) has named APEX Construction Management a winner of the 2017 Minnesota Contractor of the Year ( CotY ) Award. APEX received the top, gold-level honor for Residential Additions under $250,000. It beat Schrader & Co., Edgework Design Build and Jones Design Build for the state title.

NARI recognized contractors in a total of 25 CotY categories plus best in show and best newcomer at its annual Gala at International Market Square on Nov. 16. APEX President John “JB” Biancini and designer Carmin Meyer accepted the crystal trophy. They were cheered on by more than 300 colleagues and guests, including Troy Eiden of Modern Design, which built the custom cabinetry for the project.

Photo of remodeled kitchen with vintage look.

Vintage look with 2017 amenities.

Unique Kitchen and Seamless Exterior

APEX won its latest CotY Award for a unique addition it built at the Laurel Ave. St. Paul home of Richard and Shirley Erstad. APEX expanded the kitchen, enhanced the rear entry and added a three-quarter main level bath and lower level laundry.

The primary challenge was to create an authentic looking 1920s kitchen for the couple’s painstakingly restored vintage gas stove and refrigerator and antique fixtures. From the storybook backyard, the addition needed to blend in seamlessly with the home’s 1912 architecture.

Here’s what Rich said:

“We absolutely love the new space—it is so inviting that we constantly find ourselves hanging out there. We were purists about doing the renovation in a totally period style—we wanted everything to look like it’s been there for decades. So it was a challenge for the team since a lot of things we wanted done were not the way they are done now. In the end, the project turned out just as we had envisioned it, only better. It’s inviting, functional and beautiful. And it fits seamlessly with the rest of the house.”

Rear porch moved from left and blends seamlessly.

NARI Judges Praise APEX CotY Project

NARI member judges in Milwaukee scored the project on six criteria: identifying and meeting client goals, functional improvements, aesthetic enhancements, craftsmanship, innovation and degree of difficulty. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

“Man…. this is right up my alley. Absolutely love this renovation. As an advocate of using reclaimed materials; just loved scrolling through this presentation.”

“Good use of materials to blend with the eclectic design expression. Great use of space.”

“The scope of work seems well executed with respect to customer preferences and within the period of the home. All points well supported by use of photos and the overall presentation in general. Nice work!”

APEX Team, Clients Collaborated on Design

JB said he was not surprised. “I sensed this would be an award-winning project from the moment the clients approved the plan,” JB said. “While remodeling projects can have a familiar look, this one is very special.”

JB, Carmin and the clients worked closely to conceal modern conveniences from view. For instance, electrical outlets are tucked under the upper cabinet rather installed in the backsplash and Sonos Wifi speakers are installed in vintage radio cabinets. Meanwhile, the freezer, dishwasher and microwave are hidden behind cabinet doors and drawers. And the antique wall phone actually works.

Outside was all about making the addition look like it was part of the original architect’s plan. New Marvin windows and the addition’s rooflines reflect the style, scale and period of the original architecture. The relocated entry porch features an ornate, reclaimed balustrade and classic beadboard ceiling. And lap siding was installed with true mitered joints rather than the more common corner boards. APEX’s Matt Grudzielanek managed the construction.

Plan to tour the project for free during the spring 2018 Parade of Homes Remodelers Showcase.

2017 NARI MN CotY Gala

Bath Remodel Punctuates Period Style

October 30, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

At APEX, we love the challenge of remodeling century-old homes, making everything fresh and safe while preserving the period charm. Luckily, we’ve had plenty of opportunities this year. Here is a St. Paul bathroom we recently renovated for some great new clients who discovered APEX on Angie’s List.

: Custom Comfort-height Vanity

: Original medicine cabinet

: Original Laundry Chute

: Classic Tile Floor

: Classic Chair Rail

: Tub-Shower Versatility

: Shower Niche Mimics Window

: Tub Niche Matches Medicine Cabinet

: Custom Linen Cabinet

The owners, Curt and Susan, wanted to restore their 1924 upper level bathroom (and the water stained living room ceiling below). But first we needed to address code issues. That meant running all new plumbing supply lines and electrical cables from the basement and replacing an overburdened fuse box with a properly sized circuit breaker service panel. The old hot water line was completely blocked so we installed new PEX lines to all of the fixtures. We also added ground-fault protection for the electrical outlet.

Bath remodel retains period touches

The old bathroom lacked storage so we built a partition wall at the foot of the new soaking tub/shower and designed a custom, built-in, floor-to-ceiling linen cabinet and comfort height vanity. Curt and Susan wanted to keep the original window, built-in medicine cabinet, and chute to the basement laundry, so we mirrored their style in the new cabinetry and the all-tile shower niches.

The new white subway tile that wraps the lower wall is larger than before, but Curt and our tilesetter collaborated to select narrower tiles above the decorative chair rail to give the bottom more visual weight. We also chose a larger mosaic for the floor tile for the same reason. The original chair rail was accented with blue pencil tile. Susan opted for a black pencil detail in the new bath for a more neutral touch that would accommodate future decorating.

Tub-shower maintains versatility

Although large, luxurious showers are popular in bath remodels today, Susan preferred to stick with the tub shower configuration for versatility and resale appeal in this main hall bath remodel. “The house is meant for families, and it is a lot easier to toss a kid in a tub,” she explained. But the new tub needed to be as deep as the old cast iron tub for soaking.

With the living room ceiling repaired and repainted, the home’s extraordinary main level woodwork is back to its former grandeur.

Susan told Guild Quality, “We are totally satisfied with our APEX bath remodel! Working with Matt and JB was a breeze.” The feeling is mutual. We look forward to returning to remodel the master bath.

APEX Clients Survey

October 27, 2017 By John Biancini Leave a Comment

At APEX, we take grades seriously. We strive for an A+ score on each project and ask clients to tell us directly how we did. We also use the industry’s leading independent customer satisfaction researchers, Guild Quality, to survey our clients after we complete their projects. Guild Quality contacted us this week to say the last 20 APEX clients they surveyed gave APEX the highest score possible for “Likely to Recommend.”

Thank you to all of our APEX customers who take the time to share their experiences through online reviews and these Guild Quality surveys. Guild Quality starts by emailing its survey. If the survey is not completed, it tries again. If that doesn’t work, it calls. And finally, it mails a postcard reminder.

APEX reviews appear on many online platforms, including the APEX reviews page, Google, Houzz, Angie’s List, the Better Business Bureau, Home Advisor and Facebook. The Guild Quality survey is the most time consuming and important because it asks multiple questions. But most people can complete the survey in less than five minutes. The other reviews go even faster.

Repeat business and referrals are the cornerstones of how we have built APEX. These customer satisfaction surveys and online reviews are what keep us on course. Thank you.

Time-Sensitive St. Paul Remodel

October 1, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

Many remodeling projects are similar. This one was anything but. It also was one of the most rewarding and satisfying challenges APEX faced all year.

Vintage stove in kitchen addition.

Start with a beautiful 1912 St. Paul Victorian on a tight lot with no open access from the alley. Then add accomplished DIYr clients who envisioned an authentic environment for vintage kitchen appliances they had been collecting and restoring for years. Finally, bump out to improve the kitchen layout and add a mudroom and bathroom without encroaching on their storybook backyard. Oh, and the “new” space needed to blend seamlessly with the old so you would never suspect it wasn’t part of the original house.

None of this was a problem for APEX because JB prides himself on listening (okay, reading lips) . He’s also good at assembling the perfect team to execute the clients’ remodeling vision and overcome unexpected obstacles, which are as common as sloping floors in historic homes. And he has the processes in place to manage complex projects.

Remodeling Clients Inspired Us

Truth be told, the real stars of this project are the clients themselves, Rich and Shirley. Rich is an attorney who appreciates that details matter and who happens to be a heck of a woodworker, painter and eBay/CraigsList shopper. Shirley is an avid gardener and executive director of a nonprofit that supports parks and trails.

Richard said something to me as the project drew to a close,“Houses are durable goods.” He feels remodeling should improve upon the past, not erase it. That’s why the kitchen has three types of cabinets, marble and granite countertops, and millwork profiles that matches the rest of the house.

The vintage appliances are extraordinary, but my favorite feature is the bank of four new windows that look out over the Secret Garden with its colorful sauna and plantings.

HOUZZ Article on Colorful APEX Kitchen

September 21, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

St. Croix Kitchen

Recent Houzz article on bold APEX remodeling of St. Croix River kitchen.

https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/90479756/list/red-white-and-blue-energize-a-remodeled-river-view-kitchen

APEX Growth Built on Personal Client Referrals

September 1, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

Master bath

HomeAdvisor, the company that sells leads to contractors and bought the online reviews platform Angie’s List this year, is betting that homeowners will prefer them to recommend qualified remodelers than to qualify companies on their own. However this Vadnais Heights story suggests the time-honored approach of asking family and friends for referrals still is going strong in Minnesota.

Scott and Jean Crow had first learned of John “JB” Biancini and his company APEX Construction Management from neighbors who had used him and whose sons were friends. After meeting JB and seeing his website and work, Jean was impressed enough to refer APEX to her sister for a big remodeling project. Then she and Scott had APEX raise and remodel their sunken living room and install new Marvin windows throughout the main level a few years ago. And this year APEX returned to replace their upstairs windows and remodel their master suite.

Afterwards, the Crows shared this online review:

“We just completed our second remodeling project with Apex and once again we are thrilled with the results. Three years ago we remodeled our family room; we just finished remodeling our master bedroom and bathroom. Apex does an outstanding job. They have great attention to detail and do high quality work. Apex does a nice job communicating with clients. They are fast and finish the project on time. We would recommend them to friends and family and will contact them again for our next project.”

APEX Clients Video

The Crows also elaborated on their Master Suite project in this video. Minneapolis Architect Meghan Kell designed the space.

APEX Built on Long-Term Relationships not HomeAdvisor

Many contractors aspire to be your “contractor for life.” Based on the steady flow of repeat business and referrals, APEX actually pulls it off. It takes more than the ability to drive a nail and saw a straight line to be a successful General Contractor. JB put the words “Construction Management” in his business’s name for a reason. He’s a process guy from his long career in technology. He knows good intentions only get you so far in remodeling. Repeatable, reliable quality also takes good process and mutual trust.

APEX values long-term client relationships like the Crows’ so much, JB has special yard signs that say “VIP Repeat Customer.”

“What I like about personal referrals is that they are based on the actual experience of people whom I respect and trust. They know my standards and I am confident they will not suggest someone who will fall short. APEX clients feel the same way,” JB explained.

Trust top consideration when choosing remodeler

July 27, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

Many homeowners think the most important thing they can do to obtain a fair remodeling price from a good contractor is to get three bids. In reality, competitive bidding is a small part of the process of finding the right remodeler. Establishing trust should be your top priority.

APEX Construction Management’s JB Biancini suggests you start by checking project photos and friends’ projects. Do you like what you see? Next consider online reviews and personal referrals. Do you like what you hear? Finally, meet with a couple of contractors who clear those two hurdles. Do you like what you feel? That’s when you decide if you can trust the contractors and if they listen. Although intangible, mutual trust is the most important building material in any successful remodeling project.

We caught up with JB at a St. Paul job site. Here’s how he explained it. If you have questions, contact JB.

Make Your Home Addition a Plus

May 4, 2017 By John Biancini Leave a Comment

Sometimes, bigger IS better, especially in remodeling. But a poorly planned home addition can just as easily make your home worse off structurally, functionally and aesthetically. No worries. We address the critical considerations and common misconceptions during our design-build process so you get it right and there are no surprises. At least no unpleasant ones.

Home Addition sideview

Home Addition Misconceptions

If there’s land, there’s room – Just because you are willing to forfeit some lawn for living space doesn’t mean your community will let you. Zoning regulations require minimum setbacks from your property lines. To be safe, start your home addition concept with your plot plan and survey, not the fence the neighbor erected. Know your limits. There’s nothing worse than planning a project only to have the permit rejected for insufficient sideyard setback.

Going up is always less expensive than bumping out — Depends. Adding a second story saves the expense of a new foundation but the first-floor ceiling joists may have to be enlarged or reinforced. You will need to open up some walls on the first floor to run mechanicals. And you still will need a roof.

Must enlarge to gain space — When existing living space is underused, an addition won’t overcome the problem. The new space could make the old area even less appealing. Before considering expanding up or out, look within. It may make more sense to expand the kitchen into the dining room, convert the formal living room and main level powder room into an accessible bedroom suite. Or make the basement livable with a proper egress window, radon mitigation and drain tile.

Worth Considering for Home Additions

What’s big enough? – I call this approach “go big or go home.” Once you’ve committed to adding on, the cost per square foot actually may shrink a bit when you increase the footprint. On the other hand, if you only need an extra 18-in. to make your new kitchen layout work, keep it small. A cantilevered bump out may be fine.

Melding new and old – Additions need to work with the original structure indoors and out. They should reflect and be scaled to extend and enhance the home’s architectural style. Aligning windows and keeping siding and trim details consistent will help. The enlarged home also should fit the character of the neighborhood. For instance, make a second story addition more down to earth by creating false soffits along the sides. Or add a porch to the front of the home to break the elevation. Indoor considerations include traffic flow and the addition’s impact on natural light and sight lines from existing rooms. Will the porch make the kitchen darker? Will the french doors to the new sunroom conflict with the kitchen table?

The best additions are the ones that look like they were always there. They don’t just add living space. They fit. They flow. They make sense.

Foundations — Additions can be built on piers, footings or foundations. Excavate for a full basement under the addition, install slab on grade if the height is right, or create a crawlspace. Incorporating the new basement with the old will require engineering for a beam to support the load where the original foundation wall is removed. However, if you already have a 36-in.-wide window in the existing foundation wall, you can convert it to a doorway to save time and money.

What’s Keeping You?

Perhaps the most important question when considering a home addition is whether it makes more sense to move to a bigger house or expand the one you’ve got. If you like your neighborhood, have the room and plan to stick around, an addition is a fine option. Let APEX help you improve your quality of life at home. Contact me.

Remodel Now for Best Value

April 28, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

It seems we talk about remodeling projects forever and torment ourselves bingeing HGTV and browsing Houzz. We tell our spouses we aren’t quite ready to spend (or borrow) the money. Besides, we deserve that big vacation this year.

During the Great Recession, that strategy may have made sense. According to an analysis by Metrostudy, remodeling costs actually declined for several years during the housing slump. But the opposite has been true for the past few years. The latest annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report showed that projects costs have been increasing steadily, and the trend is only expected to accelerate. Fortunately, home values are going up too.

JB reviews addition plans with St. Paul clients

JB and Carmin review preliminary plans for kitchen-bathroom-mudroom addition with St. Paul homeowners.

Study Suggests Rising Remodeling Costs

The Report noted, “Nationally, the average payback for the 24 projects that we’ve tracked throughout this decade has ranged between 58% and 66%. Costs have risen each of the past four years, following a time in which the Great Recession caused prices to fall. Values have seen bigger shifts, rising the past two years after having declined in three of the previous four.”

Building materials prices have been rising steadily during the economic recovery driven by higher demand and now import tariffs. For example, more than a third of the lumber used in US construction comes from Canada. Since the grace period for the US-Canada Softwood Lumber Agreement expired last October, prices have risen each month. A US Commerce Department decision on anti-dumping penalties due April 25 was just pushed back to June. With some fearing the combined penalties and tariffs on Canadian lumber could reach 45 percent, the Canadians are said to be evaluating shifting exports away from the United States and to China. At this point, the just announced tariff is up over 20%.

Remodeling activity in the greater Twin Cities is robust. Reputable contractors who survived the downturn are busy. Skilled construction labor is in short supply and pushing labor costs higher. Meanwhile, interest rates for home equity loans also can be expected to rise in the years ahead.

“I don’t believe in high-pressure sales tactics. Never have. But the facts cannot be dismissed,” APEX President John “JB” Biancini observed. “Remodeling will cost more next year than it does this year and this year costs more than last year. The better value is now, not two years down the road.”

Use It or Lose It

While rising costs argue for remodeling sooner rather than later, the most important incentive is the ability to enjoy the upgrades sooner. How do you put a value on your kids and their friends wanting to hang out at your house because you remodeled the basement. Or wanting to entertain friends and family more because you have a wonderful open floor plan kitchen. Or the pride that comes from an exterior facelift and sheltered entry addition that neighbors adore (and envy)?

“With the exception of house flippers who are only in it for the money, most people remodel their homes to improve their quality of life. The investment potential is important but secondary,” JB said. “The main factor that would lead to an over improvement is if you don’t remain in the home long enough to enjoy it.”

Boomers Driving Discretionary Remodeling

Interestingly, a recent Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies’ Demographic Change and the Remodeling Outlook report predicts record remodeling spending, largely by baby boomers and much more on discretionary rather than repair projects. It suggests nearly 33 percent grow in remodeling spending among homeowners age 55 and over, some 56 percent of the overall remodeling market, by 2025. Discretionary projects, which dipped to one-third of spending during the recession, are expected to drive the remodeling market going forward.

Dream Kitchen From Flooding Nightmare

March 2, 2017 By Tom Sweeney Leave a Comment

Leak leads to major kitchen remodeling

The Jorrisens turned a nightmare flood into the motivation they needed to obtain their dream kitchen remodeling last Christmas. They are living proof that our attitude toward events, not the events themselves, is what defines our quality of life. That and a little help from APEX Construction Management.

Steve and Marie Jorrisen enjoy their APEX Construction Management kitchen.

The Vadnais Heights couple had already updated their kitchen’s counters, backsplash and cabinet hardware several years ago. They were planning to overhaul the space after their son finished college. But when they returned from their cabin last October and discovered a plumbing leak had soaked through the laminate flooring, the timetable got a jolt. As ServiceMaster removed the base cabinets to address the water damage, they agreed to seize the day.

“There was no way those 1987 honey oak cabinets were going back in,” Marie recalled.

Jump-start the kitchen remodeling project

Most major kitchen remodeling projects take at least a month to plan and families prepare to set up temporary kitchens during the work. The Jorrisens didn’t even begin to think about the project until the cabinets were out.

They chose APEX Construction and Hearthwood Kitchens to design and build their new kitchen. APEX completed the project in time for their dozen family members to christen the new space on Christmas Eve. While APEX and Hearthwood’s Angie Cote worked hard to meet the holiday deadline, they credit the Jorrisens for their own contributions. For instance, the couple taped off the dogleg island profile on the floor to make sure they would be comfortable with the width of the traffic zone. They also had the idea to replace the left opening French door with a right opening sliding patio door to eliminate an awkward choke point at the porch.

Kitchen built around the DIYrs’ own backsplash

Perhaps the biggest challenge was that APEX had to build the new kitchen around the diamond-pattern backsplash the couple had personally installed during the earlier facelift. That required meticulous attention to the height of the new luxury vinyl floor, transition to adjacent rooms and the ceiling-height upper cabinets.

Best of all, the insurance claim offset some of the cost of the major kitchen remodeling. Bonus: the family got a Christmas present it will never forget and continues to enjoy all year long.

“APEX Construction Management’s core purpose is to improve our clients’ quality of life at home,” said APEX President JB Biancini. “We helped the Jorrisens turn a surprise setback into an opportunity to upgrade their kitchen with cherry cabinets, premium appliances and an island that’s perfect for parties and everyday use. That’s quality living!”

Here’s their story.