BLOG
2023 National Remodeler of the Year!
Elliott Pike receiving the Remodeler of the Year Award at The Nationals in Las Vegas, February 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Elliott Pike, who started ELM Construction, has been honored as the 2023 Remodeler of the Year by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This prestigious recognition is a testament to Elliott's unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence in the remodeling industry.
Several factors went into Elliott receiving the award, but the most important criterion was client satisfaction. The judges determined that our positive feedback, strong customer testimonials, and consistent repeat business spoke volumes about our work and business practices.
Reflecting on the award, Elliott said, “It’s an incredible honor. If you think how many remodelers are in the country, to be named as the remodeler of the year is really incredible.”
Fulfilling Promises
Elliott's journey with ELM Construction began back in 2008, with just a one-man operation running out of his spare bedroom. Fast forward to today, and ELM Construction is one of the foremost remodeling companies, not just in Alabama, but in the country.
“At ELM Construction, we've always believed in fulfilling our promises,” Elliott emphasized. “Our mantra has been simple: if we commit to something, whether it’s a timeline or a budget, that's what we're going to do. Our clients appreciate that, and that’s what has made us successful.”
Exceptional Team
While Elliott initially laid the foundation for ELM Construction, he said the company’s continued success is all due to his exceptional team. “I think we've got probably one of the best teams in our area,” he remarked proudly. “They all understand they bought into our processes and what we're doing. I am so grateful to be working with such great people.”
Receiving the Remodeler of the Year Award from NAHB is a significant milestone for Elliott, as it represents a heartfelt thank you and an endorsement from his peers in the home remodeling community. "Having your peers recognize what you do is one of the biggest honors you can get."
The selection process for the NAHB’s Remodeler of the Year Award is rigorous, encompassing an in-depth examination of the company's business practices, client testimonials, and references from industry professionals. Out of the multitude of remodelers across the nation, Elliott and his team emerged as the epitome of excellence.
At ELM Construction, we specialize in home remodeling projects of all sizes. Whether you envision a complete home makeover or a simple renovation, we are here to turn your dreams into reality. If you're in the Birmingham area, we invite you to visit our website, ELMbuilds.com, to learn more about our services and get in touch with our award-winning team.
And if you see Elliott, be sure to congratulate him for his well-deserved award!
Working with Your Contractor to Bring Your Vision to Life
One of the best benefits of working with a full-service home remodeling company is the opportunity to collaborate with some of the most highly skilled tradespeople in the industry.
We don't expect you to already have your project's entire design and budget figured out – we all work together to discover what works best for you. Let's look at collaborative design and how it benefits our clients.
What is collaborative design?
Collaborative design is a design approach that focuses on teamwork and communication between the client and the contractors. The goal is to make the entire remodeling project run smoothly, completing it on time and on budget.
During a home renovation, multiple contractors will contribute their efforts to create the home of your dreams.
To avoid miscommunications from occurring, each contractor, along with our designers, schedulers, and project managers, work closely with the homeowner and each other to discuss the project and any concerns that might pop up. Working in this manner will help the project stay on track and keep our clients happy.
What are the benefits of collaborative design?
The remodeling process can be extremely stressful for everyone involved, but we find that using a collaborative approach makes the entire process much more manageable.
Our contractors are hand-picked and bring an abundance of knowledge and experience to our projects. They are the superstars who bring a project to life. The ability to have multiple parties share their ideas and expertise will reduce the risk of delays or mishaps.
Allowing the homeowners to be involved in the process from start to finish will also allow them to feel a sense of pride and ownership in the project. Instead of just writing a check and handing the project over to a contractor, our clients' opinions and suggestions are welcomed and encouraged, which leads to stronger working relationships and a more customized finished product.
When does collaboration begin?
Collaboration begins right away! With all of our clients, we conduct a thorough consultation where we learn all about their wants and needs. We listen to the homeowner's goals and priorities while throwing in some ideas and concerns. That level of communication continues throughout the project.
While your home is under construction, we will conduct regular check-ins and meetings where our clients will be kept up to date on progress, and the clients will share their feedback. This way, the chance of confusion is minimized, and everyone is on the same page.
Let’s get to work!
Working together as a team, we are here to turn your vision into a reality. Please get in touch with us so we can get the process started.
Why Should You Work with a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer?
CKBA DESIGNER Liz Kennedy
Taking on a major home renovation requires a lot of research and some big decision-making. One of the most important decisions you must make is which contractor to use.
Since there are so many contractors to choose from, the process may seem daunting and overwhelming. Something you can do to make the decision process easier – and the remodeling process as a whole – is to find a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer.
Our very own Liz Kennedy recently completed the certification process from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) as a way to cement herself as an expert in her field. Achieving this certification is no easy task and requires tremendous dedication. Let’s look at what a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer is.
What Is a Certified Bath And Kitchen Designer?
Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers (CKBD for short) earn their certification through in-depth coursework culminating with an exam. Before a designer can even begin the coursework to get certified, they must prove they have the skills and tenure necessary to become a CKBD.
That means that this isn’t just a certificate where someone who is a good test taker but has no hands-on experience gets rewarded; the applicant has to prove they are capable.
As someone who just went through the process herself, Liz described the testing process as challenging. She had to take a multiple-choice exam followed by a drawing exam. She had 72 hours to complete the drawing exam, demonstrating her ability to plan and execute a design based on the guidelines provided by the NKBA.
Liz has an exceptional ability to figure out how parts work with each other, creating a space that makes sense while also looking great.
Why Hire a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer?
A CKBD has put in the time and effort to show they take their job seriously. When you work with a CKBD, you can be confident that you’ll be hiring someone who can plan, design, and build a space that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
It’s also worth noting that hiring someone with the skill set and expertise needed to become a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer will likely save you both time and money since they’ll avoid rookie mistakes and oversights.
Lastly, when you hire a CKBD, you can be assured your designer is an expert in their field. They have invested their time into learning the latest techniques, building codes, and sustainability while staying current on trending materials.
Liz explained that now that she is certified, she will be required to complete continuing education coursework every two years to maintain her certification, so she will continue to stay ahead of our competitors.
These are just some benefits of working with a Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer. Want to see for yourself? Give us a call so we can get to work!
Should You Remodel Your Home or Move?
Are you feeling antsy in your home but aren’t sure you want to take on this unpredictable real estate market? We completely understand. The good news is that you might not have to move – maybe a home renovation would be the change you need.
To help you decide if you should move or renovate, let’s look at some of the most common reasons we hear homeowners say they need a change and see if a renovation would solve their problem.
Your Home Is Outdated
If you feel like you’re walking back in time when you come home, you don’t need to pack up and leave. Remodeling an outdated home can be a fun way to freshen up the house and allow your style to shine.
A small update like taking out old flooring and replacing it with new luxury vinyl or wide plank hardwood will immediately make the space feel more on-trend. Significant updates like a complete kitchen remodel will be even better and can completely change how you feel about your home.
Your Family Is Growing
Has your family grown since you bought your house? Maybe you have some kids, or you had to take in your aging parents. Either way, now it seems like there is not enough space, and you want a larger home.
If you have the space, we could add on to your home. You can build an upstairs loft to provide an extra lounge or living area. You could convert a garage space into a bedroom – you might have more possibilities than you think! However, if adding on to your home is not an option, it may be time to consider moving.
Living room with built-in storage
You Need More Storage
If you feel like your home is always a cluttered mess, you may think a larger home would solve that issue. But, you probably don’t need more space – you just need more storage.
Adding built-ins to your living room will give you extra cabinet space where you can keep linens and toys. Adding pull-out shelves to the kitchen cabinets will help keep your pots, pans, and serving dishes in order and optimize the space you already have.
You’d Like More Privacy
Have you realized that you need more privacy? It’s a common problem we’ve been hearing a lot, especially now that folks are working or going to school from home. We’ve noticed that the trendy open concept home is not conducive to our new remote world. The good news is it is pretty easy to change.
Creating a semi-open concept home can be done, and it won’t necessarily make your home lose the open, spaciousness you initially wanted. Instead of moving to a new home, we can add walls or dividers to give your home designated zones. The different zones in your home will give you more privacy, so you can hop on a zoom call while your kids watch a movie.
If you’ve decided not to move but would rather remodel – we can make it happen! Give us a call to discuss your wants and needs. We’ll help you transform your home into a place you'll want to stay put in for years to come.
Make the Most of Your “Extra” Spaces
Many homes have unused basements, attics, or "flex" rooms that are not living up to their full potential. These spaces are typically large, open spaces that can be transformed into just about anything.
One of the best things you can do is transform these unused areas into complementary rooms – separate spaces that play off of each other, giving the area added utility.
Need some ideas? Here are some of our favorite ways to use the extra spaces in your home.
Children's Playroom & Mudroom
If you have a walk-out basement, or it’s close to an entrance, you could use it as a mudroom that connects to your children's playroom. Mudrooms have become very popular in recent years, and once you have one, you'll wonder how you ever did without it.
Connecting the mudroom to the children's playroom is helpful because your kids can immediately get their energy out as soon as you enter the home. All of their toys will be confined to one area, which means the rest of your home will be clean, and you won't have to worry about tripping over a toy or stepping on a Lego.
Wine Cellar & Tasting Area
Have you ever dreamt of being a wine sommelier? Transforming your basement into a wine cellar complete with a tasting area can almost make that dream come true.
The basement is the perfect place to store wine since the temperature and light can be more easily moderated. Concrete floors work best in a wine cellar and look great paired with floor-to-ceiling wine racks.
Adding a tasting area to your wine cellar basement gives you a place to entertain and host wine-tasting parties. This space should have a seating area along with a place to prepare your snacks and drinks.
Apartment
Creating an apartment is not out of the question if your basement is on the larger side. We could build an area for your in-laws or adult children to live in without taking away from your own living space.
This apartment could include its own bathroom and kitchen as well as a bedroom and living space.
If your basement is not very large, that's okay! We can remove acoustical tiles to leave an exposed ceiling and paint the room a bright white to make the space appear larger and more spacious. The kitchen area does not have to be huge, just enough to make a basic meal.
Home Gym & Spa
Life is busy and stressful. Using your basement as a wellness center, complete with a home gym and spa, will be the perfect way to make sure you are taking time to create a healthy body and mind.
To create a home gym, we'll need to install rubberized flooring to help control the noise and mirrors on one of the walls so you can check out your form. You'll want a few ceiling fans to help keep you cool during your workout. We'll bring in weight benches, machines, and some cardio equipment so you can get a complete workout.
Connected to the gym, we'll create a spa. This area will have a large walk-in steam shower and soaking tub where you can relax and clean up after your workout. We could install a sound system in both areas so you can play songs that pump you up during your workout and peaceful sounds to help you unwind in the spa.
The fun thing about these extra spaces is that they can be made into exactly what your family needs most. If you'd like to turn your unfinished or unused extra space into a functional and useful part of your home, check out our Living Spaces & Basements gallery and then give us a call.