Scary Home Renovation Situations to Avoid

Living through a home renovation is no easy feat. Your life is uprooted and there is a long list of tasks that need constant attention. So how can you make your home renovation run smoother without ruining your sanity? Here is a list of 5 Scary Home Renovation Situations that you can avoid!

Running Out of Materials

Even pros get their measurements wrong! It is very important that during your consultation with your project super that measurements are checked once and then twice. One of my favorite quotes from a home renovation show comes from HGTV’s “Home Town” and it is “Measure Once, Cuss Twice!”. Getting proper measurements is very important to new designs and material purchasing. Most supers will add on an extra 10% to accommodate any mistakes or odd scenarios. Hold your supers and renovation companies accountable! If a job is done incorrectly and new materials are purchased, hold them accountable for that additional cost.
Another way to make sure the measurements are correct is to let each company you interview and consult with get their own measurements. Some will ask for previous bids and base their numbers on those measurements, but in most cases the consultations are free so have each potential company obtain their own measurements.

Unqualified Workers

It is okay to ask too many questions. Home renovators and construction teams come with many skills, however they do not come with all of the skills. Talk to your project managers and team leads to make sure that the right installer is being assigned to the right job. You would be surprised how many amazing tile artists don’t know how to seam together carpet! If you are wanting custom work done make sure you are hiring the right people to do it. Ask for portfolios or photos of previous projects. The last thing you want to hear in the middle of the job is, “This is the first time I have ever done…” 

Too Many Workers

One of the largest complaints associated with a home renovation is the amount of random workers walking through your home. Whether your job is a small one or if you are on a full blown construction project each construction team has their long list of workers. If you are nervous about having strangers in your home, get a list from your project supervisor or the renovation company in charge. Having a list of workers that are supposed to be on the job each day will give you a sense of control and peace. At Arizona’s Interior Innovations we notify you when the team is on their way to your home and who you will be working with and we include a picture so there is no confusion or worry as to who you are letting into your home.

Uncovering Past Problems

Isn’t that what we are always waiting for when we watch HGTV?! “Johnathan, are you going to have to reinforce the foundation? Wow Joanna, you think the roof needs to be redone?!” Some projects turn into bigger projects when old problems are found. The best way to prepare for this is to understand that this is a possibility! Hiring an inspector or allowing your potential renovation supervisor to inspect the home and the area prior to starting the reno can answer some questions that you may have about what exists behind the walls. Asking for a detailed inspection will give you a better understanding of the budget and what adjustments need to be made.

Extremely Off Schedule

Unfortunately, we are seeing a lot of this right now. Construction materials are in short supply. Many of our cabinet orders are 16 weeks out! However, prior to this COVID-aftermath running behind schedule was a very common thing in renovations. This is another one of those things to just absorb! “Plan for the worst, but hope for the best.”  The more understanding you are of a delayed schedule the less stressed you are going to be when an order doesn’t arrive on time or your project gets a week boot. 
Our mission is to provide a positive renovation experience. Arizona’s Interior Innovations works tirelessly to keep our homeowners updated and to ask the questions before you can. We believe that happy clients are well informed ones. From our licensed GM who walks every project daily to our highly experienced teams in the showroom and in the field we vet all of our employees and promote an atmosphere of transparency. Give us a call today to get set up with your personal designer.

When Should You DIY or Go Pro?

Thanks to YouTube, Pinterest, and Search Engines at home DIY Projects are pretty easy to do. With a click of mouse you can learn everything you need to know, get a list of the supplies needed, and post photos of your completed projects without breaking the bank. However, there is a time and a place for DIY and before you are left with an incomplete project or the task to call in the pros make sure you consider the following guidelines.

DIY or Go Pro?

1. Limited Supplies Needed: DIY

If your project is limited to a few paint brushes, some wallpaper, or even just a simple drill then going DIY is the best way to go. Applying wallpaper or installing hardware usually comes with guidelines or instructions and if you can’t find them there are countless video tutorials to help make the job simple and easy.

2. Working with Electrical or Plumbing: PRO

Most jobs that require working with electrical or plumbing lines usually require a permit which Professionals can get easily, not to mention they are licensed and bonded to ensure that you are protected from any mistakes made on the job. Hot lines and clogged drains can cause more damage than good so make sure if you are doing a DIY approved job like installing a ceiling fan that you take the necessary precautions to keep you safe.

3. Being an Expert: DIY

Thanks to unlimited resources on the internet it is easy to become an expert through research and networking with pros. Tasks like laying tile or applying a backsplash can be considered DIY projects if you talk to the right people and you do the process properly. You would be surprised that the small tasks that seem pointless are usually the most critical.

4. Heavy Lifting: PRO

In our industry we deal a lot with homeowners buying cabinetry through us and then deciding to install on their own. If you have the team and equipment to do so then it is a great way to save a little on your renovation budget, however we often get a phone call after one too many cabinets get busted from being dropped or banged up in the installation process. Be aware of what you can handle.

5. Equipment: PRO

Finally, sometimes a job looks simple to do but you don’t have the tools necessary to get the job done right. Never be afraid to ask for help. There are ways to cut costs in your budget if you are worried that hiring a professional is going to cost too much. See if there is another way you can get the renovation you want, done right, but at the right cost.

We love a good DIY project as much as the next homeowner, but the key to a successful project is knowing your limits then you can decide to DIY or Go Pro.

If you are looking for some professional advice on your next renovation project, give us a call to schedule a free consultation. Don’t let your DIY project be the reason your wife won’t let you own power tools, give us a call today for our professional opinion.

2021 School Supply Drive

Arizona’s Interior Innovations is proud to announce that we are sponsoring the 2021 KOLD Cares for Classrooms School Supply Drive!

From now until August 18th you can donate school supplies to local schools at our Arizona’s Interior Innovations showrooms in Tucson and Phoenix! School supplies can range from pencils to backpacks, crayons to large binders, we will take any donation you have to offer.

Help us Stuff the Bin this year and give back to local schools who are still recovering from a rollercoaster school year. Education and learning are made easier when teachers and students have the materials they need to succeed. You can also stop by and see us on Friday July 16th and Friday July 30th between 11 and 1pm at the Walmart located at 7635 N La Cholla Blvd in Tucson where we will be helping KOLD stuff the bin and purchase items for the school supply drive.

Drop off Locations:

Downtown Tucson:
576 E 16th Street, Tucson, AZ 85701

Northwest Tucson:
1781 W Ruthrauff Rd., Tucson, AZ 85705

Scottsdale:
6949 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale AZ 85254

West Valley Phoenix
10050 West Bell Rd. Suite 33 Sun City 85351

Feel free to contact Arizona’s Interior Innovations if you have any questions or donation concerns.

Functional Home Office Space Ideas

Functional Home Office Spaces became a necessity in 2020 due to “Work from Home Mandates” and long quarantine periods. A year later, many companies have prolonged their working from home periods and other have done away with corporate office space all together. In response many homeowners have decided to create better workspaces or upgrade their existing arrangement. Whether the space is small, has a multiuse purpose, or is a dedicated large room here are some keys to designing a functional home office space that will keep you excited to go to work.

Plenty of Storage Space:

The Home Office is a central location to a hub of technology, piles of paperwork, and every office supply accessory imaginable. Having dedicated storage space to keep files, conceal cords, and hide the clutter creates a more productive work and headspace. Arizona’s Interior Innovations Custom cabinetry can fit your unique needs for storage and create a durable workspace built to last.

Large Work Area

Whether your work area is a dining room table, a small corner in the bedroom, or a private den your actual desktop space is important. Once the clutter is cleared and assigned its designated space your desktop should be durable and have the ability to hold more than just a laptop. Creating expandable desktops has allowed many work-from-homers to use a large space and hide it away during times of un-use. This concept has grown in popularity with homeschooling moms. The ease of creating a focused workspace for children to complete their schoolwork and then the ability to hide the mess and the clutter during afterschool hours and over the weekend has made the adjustment to homeschooling easier on a lot of families. Arizona’s Interior Innovations can help design this creative space with our dedicated team of innovative designers.

Displaying Personal Mementos

Creating an office space that features personal touches provides motivation and positive reinforcements throughout the workday. Bulletin boards featuring photos, custom shelves to hold personal books and photo frames are just a few examples of the little touches that you can add to your home office to make it a space you enjoy being in.

Flexible Sitting or Standing Availability

Research shows that sitting at your desk for long periods of time contributes to weight gain, back problems, and increase blood sugar whereas standing periodically can help reduce all of those and increase productivity. Higher desktops are one way to help with the versatility of sitting and standing for long periods of time. Meanwhile some home offices are welcoming treadmills and bikes to help with increased movement during the workday and reaching fitness goals while on the clock.

Gone are the days of long office hours in a cubicle surrounded by fluorescent lighting. Custom home offices provide a more productive workspace and add value to your home. If you are thinking of customizing your office space or looking for inspiration for a functional home office space contact Arizona’s Interior Innovations and set your appointment with one of our design experts to create your ideal office workspace.

A Message from Interior Innovations Kitchen & Bath Design

During these uncertain times, we understand that many of our customers have questions about the availability of our services and the steps we are taking to ensure their safety and that of our employees.

Our team is actively monitoring communications from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and state agencies to ensure we are operating consistent with the latest guidance to contain the spread of COVID-19.

We have trained our employees on maintaining appropriate social distance throughout the workday and the critical importance of personal hygiene with a specific emphasis on handwashing before, during and after all jobs so you can be confident when we come to your home for a consultation or when starting a new project we are working in a safe and responsible manner. In our showrooms, we are practicing enhanced cleaning procedures to ensure all customers are safe.

Interior Innovations is still OPEN and actively working with new clients who are looking to renovate their homes. As always, we will take everyday preventive actions to stay healthy and protect the health of our clients, and recommend our customers do the same:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

We look forward to continuing to work with you to create the kitchen or bath of your dreams. Please contact us to learn more about our services.

Building Your Dream Kitchen

Looking for your dream kitchen? If you’re like most busy families today, your kitchen is the heart of your home. Cook, clean, raise children, spill, splash, live in your kitchen, without a moment’s worry. Twenty-first century science and design have come together to create totally new kitchen elements that challenge easy description or comparison, providing countless choices for every lifestyle need and budget.

Whether you have a precise picture in your mind of what you want, or you’d like our designers to show you what is available, Interior Innovations can transform your existing kitchen into a luxurious space that’s as functional as it is beautiful. By offering innovative ideas and creative design solutions, together we create kitchens, bathrooms and more that capture the style and meet the demands of those who use them – all within your budget. Browse our photo galleries for inspiration, or visit our showroom to make your dream kitchen a beautiful, functional reality.

Contact us now to see how we can give you the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted!