Kitchen Remodeling On A Budget

This home in Rochester features a newly remodeled kitchen by Trinity.

It seems like everyone gathers in the kitchen. Think of the last party or gathering you had at your home. Where does everyone linger? In the kitchen, of course! Maybe it’s the smell of your cooking or perhaps they just like your décor. In any case, having a kitchen that you and your guests love is a major source of satisfaction as a homeowner.

Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive. Forbes magazine reported the national average cost for a high-end kitchen makeover is now more than $53,000! While this is certainly money well spent and the costs of doing a kitchen remodel in Rochester may be lower than the national average, most of us are looking for ways to reduce the expense while still having a great end result.

The first step is to research what you’d like in your kitchen and assessing your budget. Next, spend time researching kitchen remodeling contractors in Rochester. It’s so very important to find a company you’re comfortable with and one that offers you a fair price.

When shopping for kitchen appliances think outside the box and be on the lookout for sales. Your renovation company may also be able to recommend some places to shop that perhaps you didn’t consider.

You’re likely going to have to compromise when renovating your kitchen. If you can’t afford all the bells and whistles (who wouldn’t love quartz countertops!?), investigate other options that give you a similar look or functionality at a reduced cost. For example, Corian® countertops look as nice as granite in some cases.

Another idea is to renovate your kitchen in phases. It doesn’t make sense to chop your remodel up into multiple phases but doing two might make sense. First, focus on the major structural changes (cabinets, layout, floors and counters). Then wait a bit and save money for the new appliances or sink. Ask your contractor to help you brainstorm ways to reduce your budget without cutting critical corners.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Meet John Hoagland, Trinity's Owner

Hello, everyone! My name is Chris Murtaugh and I work on a lot of the website and marketing efforts for Trinity Home Renovations. As you know, we’ve started a new blog series and in this week’s post, I want to introduce you to Trinity’s owner John Hoagland.

John is one of the nicest guys around and a great business man to boot. He’s taken his company from a small contractor business to a flourishing organization that is helping homeowners all over Rochester.

I spent time interviewing him recently and was able to glean some information that you may want to know. Oh, did I mention that he’s a Yankees fan? More on that later...

How did you get into the home renovation business in the first place?



My journey into the full-time working world started right after high school with a small local roofing company. I worked as a laborer for the first 2 years. I transitioned to a full-time mechanic once I learned the trade well enough. After 5 years with this company, I switched trades and took a job with an HVAC company for the next 5 years working in the sheet metal shop and later, a team doing heating and cooling installations.

After 11 years in the construction trade, I left to take an entry-level sales position with a telemarketing company. Finding something I was very good at, I excelled over the next 8-10 years spring boarding from a minimum wage job to VP of Sales. I was responsible for a multi-million dollar sales quota.

Working within a corporate structure was stressful and at times, thankless. I started to think about ways I could provide for my family while having the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business. I had never considered myself an entrepreneur; however I wanted to pursue the American dream of owning my own business. I wanted to be able to be solely responsible for my success or failure.

In 2007, I partnered with a friend who was gracious enough to offer half of his existing business if I would come in and run the sales and marketing. After a year I still had aspirations to be in business on my own. I spoke with my wife and we started Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. in the spring of 2008 and our small business has continuously grown year after year. We are now known in Rochester and the surrounding area as a business that is truly faithful to providing our valued customers with high quality home improvements at reasonable prices. We are driven by customer satisfaction and long to leave a legacy of happy customers.

What's the best part of owning your own company and working on roofing and home renovation projects?

Owning my own business has been the most rewarding accomplishment I've ever achieved. We are a business that puts family first, so we have the freedom to take the time off when needed. So, never having to miss another birthday, holiday, etc. with our children. For us, the absolute most rewarding part of owning my own business is the sense of accomplishment.

We love our customers, and being able to help them create their dream living space is very rewarding to us. As a home improvement contractor in Rochester, it grants me the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business, while allowing me to work with my hands and take pride in the work we do.

What are some of your hobbies?My wife and I have two small children; so much of our time is devoted to them. During my free time I enjoy softball, fishing, hunting, bowling and of course, like any good New Yorker—the New York Yankees!

As a Christian-focused business, how do you apply the principles in your day-to-day business affairs?

At Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. we focus on three key principles that demonstrate our Christian values. These three biblical principles define a Christian business worthy of the Trinity name.

(1) The first principal is integrity. It is about doing what is right rather than what is fastest or easiest. Our company strives to make all its business decisions based on the standards and principles of God—righteousness, truth and honesty.

(2) Next is a commitment of excellence to our customers. For our company to be recognized as a praiseworthy one, our goal is to glorify God through our commitment to excellence in the service and products we provide our customers on a daily basis.

(3) And finally, as a Christian business we have a commitment to our people. This includes providing fair compensation, performance recognition, and providing growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. We believe that recognition of the needs of our employees and by creating opportunities for them to fulfill those needs will bring out the very best in them.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

The Warranty On Your New Roof

For the most part, there is not much difference between one shingle and the next. Regardless of the manufacturer your roofing contractor chooses, they all get their materials from the same factories and suppliers.

So, how do you chooose? Read on to understand more about the type of roofing warranties offered around Rochester as well as how to choose a reliable, trustworthy contractor.

“Lifetime” WarrantiesEvery shingle manufacturer says their product is the best. The prices are very close for similar products and the warranties are all the same. The most common manufacturer’s warranty is “lifetime.”  But what exactly does that mean?

The warranty usually specifies that if the shingles fail during the warranty period, the limited warranty covers only the shingles and only if it was caused by a manufacturing problem.

You need to read the warranty carefully to determine how it defines “lifetime.”

They want something to give you a sense of security.

What if You Need To Make a Claim?Even if you are successful in making a claim under this type of warranty, you will still have the burden of hiring a roofer, getting a permit, disposing of the defective shingles, purchasing any other miscellaneous materials needed for the repair or replacement, and fixing any “consequential” damages.

The Bottom Line…you need to take the time to research a reliable roofer who will take the shingles and apply them correctly.

Proper installation is your best guarantee that your roof will perform as expected.

Trinity’s experienced installers bring exceptional experience and professionalism to every job. If there is an obvious problem with the shingles, our team will know it before they go on your roof. Your satisfaction is our priority. Our goal is outstanding service and a perfect job the first time.

As noted on our website, Trinity uses GAF roofing products. Click here for more information on the GAF warranty offered through Trinity.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com