Adirondack-Inspired Boathouse in River’s Bend at Uncle’s Neck Creek: Toano, Virginia

Take a vertical cliff that has been eroding for years and the dream of preserving the space and allowing for safe and respectful recreational use. Add to the equation a love of all things Adirondack and you arrive at a complicated yet successful boathouse project that JH Fisher Construction, Inc. recently completed in River’s Bend at Uncle’s Neck Creek in Toano, Virginia.

The boathouse project required two main phases: stabilizing the embankment and constructing the structure over the water. Before we could start, however, we had to work with the Wetlands Board, proving that the reventment method of controlling the bank was environmentally prudent. We spent time surveying the property as well as observing the wave action from passing recreational boats and the natural tides to understand what was causing the instability. We concluded that pulling the earth back at a gentle slope, installing large riprap and preventing further erosion was the most logical, ecologically sound and safe way to address the problem.

Board approval and the completion of the cliff reventment weren’t the end of our approval process, however. To start the dock, we drew plans and submitted them to multiple oversight agencies including V.I.M.S., the Army Corps of Engineers and the county. We wanted to build a boat house on the water inspired by the ones you find in the Adirondacks. While we weren’t able to include a game room or suite over the house in that style, we did add an attic for storage, and ultimately the plans were approved.

Building something like a boathouse over the water was an adventure for an often-land-bound team. One of our favorite parts was pulling the pylons straight, which required some real creativity. The results are a gorgeous boathouse, a safer, more stable cliff and a lot of personal satisfaction.

The great news for all property owners is that there are solutions for even the most complex problems. If you have questions about your own project, contact the experts at JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today!

A Quiet Addition in Westray Downs

We recently completed a great remodel in the Westray Downs neighborhood in Williamsburg. The project began when the owner decided to add a room with a full bath to her existing home. Adding a second level addition required removing the roof of the house, which was understandably a cause of concern for the highly selective homeowner. It was truly an honor to be chosen for this project after she conducted extensive interviews.

One of the main goals was to create a soundproofed room to accommodate her husband’s avid love of music. We used “Quiet Rock”, a special drywall product paired with the necessary acoustic caulk and the “Staggered Stud” framing method to lower sound transmission. Specialized carpet pad was installed to deaden noise and we selected laminate glass windows to enhance the sound containment properties of the addition.

A new stairwell and bathroom finished off this challenging and successful remodel. The soundproofing modifications we employed will allow both happy homeowners to enjoy their leisure time in their own comfort zone.

If you have a remodel, big or small, visit our new website and contact JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today!

JH Fisher Construction, Inc.

A Winter Kitchen Remodel

In December, we had the opportunity to perform the first stages of a kitchen remodel on one of our own properties. These before and after photos illustrate the extent of the work and also give you an idea of where we’re going next. Enjoy!

The first phase of the remodel involved several steps. We

·         Removed 14-feet of outside wall

·         Reframed a wall to accept a new window and new door

·         Rewired electrical for a new kitchen lamp

·         Prepared to install refurbished kitchen cabinets which we purchased from client who recently remodeled their Williamsburg kitchen

The next stage of the remodel includes:

·         Moving the kitchen sink

·         Moving the refrigerator

·         Installing the refurbished cabinets

·         Moving the dishwasher

The result will be an updated, more efficient, chef-friendly kitchen.

What kind of remodeling are you considering in 2012? If you plan to make a small change, or a big one, or even hope to start a custom build in the near future, contact us at JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today!

JH Fisher Construction, Inc.

JH Fisher Construction, Inc. in the New Year

We’re just over a week in but at JH Fisher Construction, Inc., we haven’t stopped reflecting on a new year full of new possibilities. Like you, we’re setting our sights on 2012!

·         Today, we officially launched our new website! You’ll find updated photos and more insight into our services and of course, this new blog. We’ve been anticipating this new site for a while now, so it’s hard to believe it’s here!

·         We want to get to know you better, so you’ll find us hanging out a bit more on Facebook and Twitter (when we’re not on a Bobcat of course!). Please tell us what you would like us to share. Do you love before and after photos? Are you hoping to get some great advice? How can we best meet your building and remodeling needs?

·         In 2012, we plan to continue strengthening our relationships with our community partners. We hope to bring our passion and our unparalleled services to an even larger audience. Simultaneously, we remain committed to helping improve the lives of struggling residents in The Grove.

With new relationships and great partners on the horizon, we hope that his year will offer creative fulfillment for JH Fisher Construction, and health and prosperity for you and your families. You can follow along on this year of growth and giving by following “Jeff’s Blog”. Happy New Year!

Celebrating the Holidays JH Fisher Style

Turn Your Next Remodel into an Opportunity

You might hear the world “remodel” and envision a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, or tacking an addition on to your home. Sometimes they are cosmetic and sometimes they indicate that you have reached a milestone in your life and are ready for something new.

Remodeling is more than keeping up with the neighbors, though. In some cases, it can save or extend the life your home. Here are some common issues associated with older homes that can be addressed during your remodel:

-          Prevent fires and eliminate a recognized hazard by replacing aluminum or knob-and-tube wiring with copper.

-          Add value and safety to an addition by adding a window that allows proper egress in case of emergency.

-          Some older homes are still on fuses. Update to a newer and safer circuit box.

-          If you still have galvanized piping, you probably don’t want to know what the water that you drink and wash in is really traveling through. Update to newer, long-lasting and cleaner plumbing.

-          Other hazards: due to decades of improved building standards, today’s homeowner might forget that there are still many homes that require improvements like asbestos abatement. Your scheduled remodel could be the perfect opportunity to square away such concerns once and for all. You’ll improve the value of your home and the safety of your family.

Take the remodeling opportunity to make smart choices for your home. Protect your family, your investment and your future. Contact JH Fisher Construction, Inc. with your remodeling questions today!

Image: dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Hiring a Custom Builder? Top Questions You Should Ask (Part 2)

In Part 1 of this feature, we discussed 6 basic questions you should ask a prospective builder before contracting him to construct your custom home. The last eight questions are more complicated or sensitive and may require additional research and verification on your part. They are also critical for establishing ability, preparedness and credibility, so don’t take these lightly, and don’t be afraid to ask.

1.      Have you ever had a lien filed against one of your jobs, and if so, why?

A forthcoming answer is a good sign. Every business runs the risk of entanglement in litigation (fair or not) and financial issues. You want verifiable explanations that indicate that the builder is responsible, knowledgeable and responsive during even the most trying exchanges.

2.      Are you currently in a lawsuit or litigation?

There are two sides to every story. Is your builder willing to be open with you about litigation situations and refer you to his counsel for further information on the matter? Is he in a position to withstand exposures whether or not he is at fault? What risk does he run that might put your project ultimately at risk?

3.      Are you willing to disclose your financials?

Can your builder back up his ability to handle the significant transactions involved in new construction? The economy has hit every sector hard, and you may be sympathetic, but at the end of the day, your money needs to be invested sensibly in the material and labor that will get your house built.

4.      Do we have your permission to contact city and county business officials about your work?

Officials will generally be limited to matters of public record, but there should be no egregious instances of failure to perform or failure to comply that are on their radars.

5.      Do you have a relationship or experience with the Architectural Review Board of our subdivision?

The Board is usually made up of current homeowners in each subdivision. What is your prospective builder’s reputation? Do they comply to standards, act responsibly and keep the streets clean? Have there been any nightmare experiences you need to know more about?

6.      Do you work with a designer or architect?

Most builders are not designers or architects. Who do they work with and why?

7.      How does the beginning of your building process work?

You want to know what you’re getting yourself into. A defined process for a successful start should be explained and you should be clear on your responsibilities as well as the builder’s.

8.      How do you get paid? How do you obtain draws?

You will be making an investment in your future home – establish with the prospective builder what the payment timing and methods are. Determine how much the initial deposit will be and whether or not it is in line with the local industry standard.

The key is to ask tough questions and expect truthful, forthcoming answers. If you ever feel uncomfortable with a response, it is your duty as a buyer to investigate and as in many transactions, to trust your instincts. Be an informed consumer instead of a victim.

If you would like more insight into your own custom building or remodeling questions, contact JH Fisher Construction, Inc. today.

Image: Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net