A custom gas fireplace we designed and built on Island Estates as part of a whole home remodel.
Are you a fan of the hearth? Do you love the idea of curling up next to a fireplace with your family, telling stories or playing games? Or perhaps a quiet evening warming your toes, watching the sun set? The idea of a fireplace in a sub-tropical climate may seem contradictory, but it’s very common to see both wood-burning and gas fireplaces in Florida homes. But how do you get started? What if you have an existing fireplace that doesn’t fit your style? Read on for some design and construction advice on installing the right fireplace for your home.
Most of us in the Tampa Bay area were fortunate to make it through Hurricane Irma with minimal damage. Even with a Category 2 hurricane, however, there was much to overcome in the aftermath – power outages for days and even weeks, heavy debris to clean up, and major roof damage. Although we at Nelson Construction and Renovations were fully prepared for the worst, we still learned some important points to remember for future weather situations, particularly regarding what to do after a hurricane. Here are three things we learned from Hurricane Irma: Read More »
When it comes to home design, trends can ebb and flow with the predictability of the ocean tides. Each time, however, cyclical trends come back with new flair and new meaning. So what innovations does 2018 have in store for homeowners creating their custom homes? And how does it tie in to the design trends of 2017? Read on to find out what’s hot – and not – in 2017 and 2018 home design trends.
It’s hurricane season here in Florida, and with Irma nearly upon us in the wake of Harvey, the anxiety levels are high. Residents are vying for water, fuel, lumber and supplies. Governor Scott has declared a State of Emergency. The Caribbean islands have been hit hard. Regardless of what happens, you and your family should be fully prepared for a Category 4 or 5 hurricane. Here are some of the most important things you can do to ensure you are prepared:
Surprises are great – most of the time. We all love those unexpected moments for birthdays, anniversaries, and Valentine’s Day.
But when it comes to building or remodeling your home? The last thing you want during a custom home project is a long list of surprise charges after you’ve been given a price – also known as CHANGE ORDERS.
Unfortunately, many dishonest contractors have given Change Orders a bad rep because their modus operandi is to give their clients a low bid in order to be competitive, and then once they have the job, they “walk it up” with Change Orders. We’ve met many homeowners who were given a price for a remodel but when it was all said and done, they paid more than 75% of the original bid because of Change Orders for things the contractor had “forgotten” to include in his bid.
So how do you avoid these horror stories? There are two parts to this. Read on to find out how to avoid Change Orders on your custom home project.Read More »
When you’re building or remodeling your home, you’re not buying towels or dishes. In most cases, it’s one of the most costly purchases you’ve ever made. So when it comes to budget, you probably want to figure out the best places to save money right off the bat.
There are many parts and pieces to a renovation or a construction project, and many ways to save money. That’s the beauty of working with a qualified Design-Build company, as their professionals usually have years of experience on pricing and can guide you in the right direction on which design items to select to stay within your budget. We often save our clients thousands of dollars by finding them finishes and fixtures that still look good and are in keeping with their tastes, but are far less expensive than what they might find on their own, as a consumer.
When we sit down with our clients for their initial design consultation, there are five major areas we like to discuss before we proceed. These big-ticket items can make or break the bank when it comes to a custom home project, and the direction we take depends on finding that balance between budget and aesthetics. You have to decide – are these items so important to your custom home that you are willing to stretch your budget a little? Or does budget take priority? Is there a middle ground in any of these areas? These are all important aspects of the design and planning process.
Here are five places where you can sway your budget considerably on a custom home project:
Not since the height of the 70’s have we seen brass so strongly embraced in interior design. Along with its other warm metallic counterparts (copper and bronze), brass is enjoying a huge revival. Beaten, folded or polished – designers are celebrating its luxurious, yet industrial appeal, making everything from chandeliers, pendant lights, tables, dressers, chairs, bath and kitchen fixtures and decorative accessories out of this ancient metal.
Gray has taken the limelight for far longer than people think. True, the book Fifty Shades of Gray gave it a Hollywood boost – but it earned its fame fair and square through its own innate beauty. Hence, it has become known as the “color of the decade.” In 2017 design trends, gray rises to new heights as many paint companies increase their range of gray shades, and homeowners find new ways to incorporate it into their homes. Read on to find out about the new era of grays, and how you can make it work with any motif in your custom home.
From Thanksgiving dinner to birthdays, company parties to girls’ night, there is an art to entertaining. And if you are one of the lucky people who loves to entertain, you know that planning is everything. But when it comes to your home, how do you create a space plan that enhances both your family life and your social gatherings? And is it really worth a full remodel? Where do you even get started?
So you’ve heard the words “Modern” and “Contemporary” used in terms of architecture and design. When it comes to designing and building your home, which style do you prefer? Did you know that there is a difference between the two?
When you define the words, they both seem to mean almost the same:
“Modern: Of or relating to present times as opposed to the remote past.”
“Contemporary: Belonging to or occurring in the present, at the same time.”
But when we talk of architecture or interior design, believe it or not, there is a difference.
Sign up to receive tips and tricks, updates on recent projects and exciting news.
Loading
I would hire Nelson CR again in a heartbeat. No construction new project and/or renovation is without issues. However, if you want a company and a team that will resolve those issues to your satisfaction then NCR is that company. The thoughtfulness, professionalism, quality of work, communication and a resolution oriented team are the best... Read More »
J.I., homeowner – whole home remodel
We would hire Nelson construction again without hesitation. The entire team, from the unseen to the seen, were dedicated, responsive, respectful, and patient while we lived through a beautiful renovation.
V.I., homeowner – whole home remodel
Nelson Construction out of Clearwater/Tampa fully remodeled our 7,900 sq ft home in Clearwater, Florida. To say they did a great job is an understatement. The qualities of this company extend beyond just a nice finish. Road blocks: Near the beginning of the remodel we ran into our first hidden challenge. To modify and create... Read More »
BZ, homeowner – historic home restoration/remodel
The staff at Nelson Construction do a fantastic job of caring for their customers. They care about their work, their products, and the customer’s satisfaction in the final result. I also greatly admire their attention to legal rudiments, which some contractors try to skirt or dodge. Nelson Construction operates within all ethical codes and boundaries,... Read More »
A.O. - American Power and Gas
We were satisfied with the level of service we were given by Nelson Construction and Renovations. The project manager was very communicative. Any time I needed an answer, the Nelson Team was there. Everyone was very professional and courteous, and the end result is beautiful.
J.T.
“We highly recommend Nelson Construction and Renovation, Inc. We are totally satisfied customers. Nelson Construction will always be our first recommendation to friends who want to build. “Our project was the 2014 renovation and expansion of a 600 square foot 1950’s bungalow in Safety Harbor’s historic district. Our goal was to create a space suitable... Read More »
Ann Morgan & Margo Pfleger, homeowners – home addition and whole home remodel
On behalf of the whole CCHR Clearwater team, we would like to thank you and your company for the stellar work on our new building – which did open on time! Even though we were very pressed for time and things were very hectic, your supervisor remained stable and your work areas somehow remained organized.... Read More »
Jamie Blackstone - Renovations Supervisor – Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Nelson Construction and Renovations exceeded our expectations on our fairly good-sized job (new addition and complete living room and kitchen remodel). I have never worked with a company before that was this intent on making our project a total success AND was so fast and efficient. In addition to that, they routinely went above and... Read More »
Scott and Holly - Clearwater, FL
This letter is to commend Nelson Construction for the excellent job done on our kitchen renovation. When we returned from vacation we were surprised to see the difference and how great it all looked. We expected to see a mess, but everything was cleaned up perfectly; and your company did even more than we expected... Read More »
The Baldwins
Thank you for the job well done! I have renovated several houses and know the hassles that often come with these endeavors – dirt, delays, redo’s, cost, contract issues, etc. I was planning to renovate my kitchen for many months, but kept putting it off, simply trying to avoid the expected hassles. Once I finally... Read More »
W. Nero
Mr. Nelson was my contractor for a major house renovation in March 2006 and also my office renovation in June 2006. He is a rare commodity in the construction industry. He is honest, efficient, on time, on schedule and overall a pleasure to deal with. In my area, where real estate values are climbing and... Read More »
Michael Haldane - Managing Partner/Executive Producer – The Radke Film Group
Our school was in great need of a new roof. Sorting through the various types of roofing and installations was very overwhelming, and for such a large project, we needed to be certain we were making the most cost-effect decision we could. So we hired Nelson Construction to be an Owner’s Representative to help navigate... Read More »
T. Campana
Nelson Construction is a valued company, steadfast to a strict, honest and drug-free work environment. The most notable point of Nelson Construction’s service was the quality work and professional integrity. My project met all of my expectations and more. Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
S.K. - Clearwater, FL
The most notable part of Nelson Construction and Renovations’ service was their attention to detail. Great all around service and finished product!
YA
Thank you for giving us a new home that we love. Every time we look around we are reminded that we made the right decision to go with Nelson. We shall recommend you to anyone who asks and would be happy to serve as references for potential clients.
Margo & Ann
Your Concrete Design Website is very impressive. Beautifully put together and inviting to the design community.
M.N.
In short, we love our home. It is gorgeous. The counter tops are amazing, the cabinetry is perfect. Overall we are so happy! Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
SS
We couldn’t be happier and we plan to use your company on any upcoming project that we have. The employees and subcontractors were very professional; it was something we noticed right away. The job site was cleaned every day, and my cleaning lady even noticed and told our friend about it. The level of communication... Read More »
AP
You and your guys are the BEST!!! It is such a pleasure to be able to open my home and leave for the day and know there will not be a problem. Your staff is like family! Project Images (*Click image to enlarge)
JB
Nelson Construction has been the best construction company that I have ever hired. I am sure that they are not the cheapest but they offer an excellent product and are very professional. They stayed in daily communication to let me know the status of the project. Their crew was friendly, courteous and conscientious. They showed... Read More »
SG
Working with Nelson was like no other experience I’ve ever had–and I’ve done a ton of work on my very old house. They’re so professional and stayed in close communication with us. I will NEVER use any other contractor again! I can’t say enough good things!
Joy Gendusa - CEO - PostcardMania
Nelson Construction delivers every time: quality product, on time and in budget, no surprises, no rip-offs, stellar service and product, communication and genuine interest in finishing the product 100% to my satisfaction (and theirs)!
Stacey Tiveron - CEO - Trade Only Design Library (TODL)
I wanted to tell you how pleased I am with the work done by Nelson Construction & Renovations. The external deck and 2 stairways your company recently built at my North Clearwater Beach apartments exceeded my expectations. I was very impressed with every aspect of the operation in the work and the interaction with me... Read More »
Loading 
I would hire Nelson CR again in a heartbeat. No construction new project and/or renovation is without issues. However, if you want a company and a team that will resolve those issues to your satisfaction then NCR is that company. The thoughtfulness, professionalism, quality of work, communication and a resolution oriented team are the best... 
