Shawn Nikah

March 30, 2020

Ideal Bathroom Layouts for Kids

Shawn Nikah

March 30, 2020

Bath time doesn’t have to be a fight every night! What if your kids loved bath time and brushing their teeth? A fun, kid friendly bathroom could be exactly what you need!

Inside Out Remodeling would love to create the dream bathroom for your children that encourages bath time. Some things to consider when designing this bathroom:

Easy to clean surfaces

It’s no secret that children are messy. For your own sanity, we want to keep your bathroom as easy to clean as possible. This could mean trying to eliminate unnecessary crevices in the sink area, smooth surfaces instead of textured, etc. Make life easier on yourself. Don’t make cleaning harder than it needs to be.

Built in step stools

Plastic step stools are fine, but they also seem to move around, get in the way, and look disorderly even if your bathroom is actually clean. Built in step stools, or even a collapsable form of step stool would really spruce up a bathroom (think platform that pulls out like a drawer). You can always make these match the style of your bathroom. With the collapsable step stool, your bathroom could still look orderly even if the rest of your home is chaos.

Another step stool option would be to build one leading into the tub. No need to be worried about your little ones slipping getting in or out of the tub anymore! You can personalize it just like the sink step-stool. This would be harder to make retractable, but I’m sure we could figure it out based on the layout of your bathroom!

Double Vanities

Multiple kids means fights over space, “he took this”, “they did that”, and we want to help you avoid that at all costs. Especially at the end of the day when no one wants to deal with the bickering. One solution to this could be having more than one vanity! That would mean less crowding, and if you only have two kids, each kid would have their own space!

Hidden laundry hamper and recessed shelving

If bath time looks like a tornado ripped through and pulled all your children’s clothes off and tossed every toy they own onto the ground, then let’s talk about how to fix that! A built in laundry hamper made to look like a normal cabinet could be a great solution to having clothes everywhere. Whether you’re the one tossing them in, or if you’re teaching your children to clean up after themselves, that’s a quick and easy way to clean up a bit as bath time goes on.

Recessed shelves in the shower are good for a quick cleanup after bath time. Again, we can build them low so your kids can easily access them, and put things away when finished! Because they’re recessed inside the shower wall, it’s not as easy to knock things off and make more of a mess.

Bright colors!

Last but not least, colors, colors, colors! Paint walls bright blues or greens or pinks! Fun wallpapers are always a great option as well. If you want to keep a more neutral approach, you could always keep walls and sinks and tubs white, but add some color to the counters and accessories.

Speaking of accessories, children’s maturity and interests change so often that you could keep the actual bathroom pretty simple, but have bright, fun accessories that can always be swapped out depending on interest changes. These could be hooks on the walls in the shape of exotic animals, or keeping things very simple, a shower curtain or objects displayed on the sink.

For more ideas and pictures, check out this HGTV article! We would love to work with you to help you create your kiddos, and your dream bathroom. Please contact Shawn Nikah at insideoutremodelingco@gmail.com, or 512-842-9961! Let’s get this bathroom going!

Shawn Nikah

February 11, 2020

Core Value: Communication (Part 2)

Shawn Nikah

February 11, 2020

Nobody likes a bully, and everyone wants to be heard. Especially when it comes to putting money towards making your home unique and special to you.

Communication is so important to us at Inside Out Construction that we felt the need to elaborate on our first blog.

We mention a few ways that we keep you in the loop, Slack, quick to answer calls, asking clarifying questions before moving forward, etc.

We also want to emphasize how careful we are to work together on design or layout that you aren’t sure about. If you’ve never remodeled a home, you likely don’t know all the ins and outs of how to do it, and that’s okay! You hired us for that! We love taking the rough ideas of clients, and turning them into something on paper. Something physically in front of you.

Throughout that process, we don’t want you to feel like we are trying to sell you something. This will not be like taking your car to get your oil changed, and having the “caring experts” tell you there’s 17 other unnecessary and expensive things that need to be done.

We are going to take the space we have, and work really hard to remodel it exactly how you want. We are also going to make suggestions based off of what we truly believe is best for the space, and you, the client. If you don’t agree with our suggestions, we will figure out something you do agree with, AND are excited about!

There is no bulldozing - only teamwork and a really beautiful finished space for you to enjoy!

Have more questions for us, or are interested in a consultation? Click here! We look forward to talking with you.

Shawn Nikah

February 11, 2020

How to add personality to a kitchen

Shawn Nikah

February 11, 2020

How many times are you in your kitchen per day? If you’re a big time cooker, the answer to that is “a lot”. If you’re a big time snacker, the answer is also probably “a lot”.

Now, I want you to think about how you feel when you’re in your kitchen. Does it get cluttered quickly? Do you need more storage space? Does the wall color calm you or wake you up? Really, the only question that really matters is, “do you enjoy being there, and how can we help you make it a more enjoyable place to be?”

There are so many ways to spruce up your kitchen to make it your favorite room in the house! It could be as simple as a fresh coat of paint, new backsplash, or little accessories that make your heart happier when you see them!

Cabinet color

One easy place you could start would be the cabinets. These are easy to paint, and can make a world of difference! If you’re looking for a pop you could mix light and dark cabinets! The contrast between them will make the cabinets really stand out.

On the contrary, if you wanted a bit more color, the pastel trend is on the rise! This brightens up your kitchen and gives it a much softer feel.

Hardware

Replacing all your hardware might be a bit tedious, but oh boy does it make a difference! Brass hardware is the new trend these days, and goes well with lots of different cabinet colors! Whites, greys, and navy’s tend to look really classy when paired with a brass pull.

A selection of dark black hardware can create a sophisticated, sleek feel to the kitchen. It’s simple, subtle, and pairs with any color you want it to.

Another fun idea could be to NOT have hardware! Hand sized cutouts can be created in any set of cabinetry, and creates a simple, modern feel to the kitchen.

Photo from: https://bit.ly/2XE5I07

Backsplash

This is where you can really get creative! There are hundreds of options when it comes to backsplash. The link above has 83 ideas alone! Check out some of these suggestions.

You can create a clean, classy feel with pearl white:

Or make things fun with pennies!

This is also an easy time to add some texture with waves or polka dots:

There are endless possibilities. If you’re already artistically inclined, you could easily paint a mural and display a personal piece of work in the middle of your kitchen!

Coffee stations

Who doesn’t love a good coffee station? These are great, and can make a kitchen so much more fun by creating a unique space to fill with your favorite coffee beans, mugs, water heaters, etc.

If you’re not a fan of clutter, you can go simple with a very organized, orderly station. Mugs on one side, laid out in an orderly fashion with a few decorative items to spruce up the space.

If you like a little wacky, make a display for all your favorite mugs! Create a hanging station above the coffee materials to keep things colorful, but still organized. Add some fun, coffee related artwork to the space around it and you’re good to go!

These are just a few ideas, but there are so many ways to make a space personal to you and your tastes. Any of the websites linked will be great resources for you!

If you can dream it up, we can help make it happen. Click here to get a quote! Please send any questions to insideoutremodelingco@gmail.com. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

4 Questions to ask yourself when deciding on a kitchen layout:

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

When deciding on a kitchen layout, just thinking about aesthetics is not going to be enough in the long run. Lifestyle needs to be the most important factor, or you will likely get quickly frustrated once it’s finally in use.

Here are a few important questions to ask yourself when deciding on a layout:

How often will I entertain guests?

Whether you’re a party of 2 or a party of 5 on a regular basis, the number of people you have coming in and out of your home for social gatherings should weigh heavily on your kitchen layout decisions.

Open plan layouts tend to serve the party people the best. With these layouts, it doesn’t really matter where you are in the room, communication and socialization is easy across the board. The cooks can be in the kitchen preparing snacks, while others mill around and socialize, but everyone is in the same room and can easily communicate with each other the whole time. This allows everyone to feel included and part of the party.

Am I a “clean as I go cook” or “clean after eating” cook?

This question is very helpful when considering how much counter space to include in your new layout. If you know that when you finish cooking, there are more pots, pans, bowls, plates, etc strewn around the kitchen then there is actual food prepared, that might mean that counter space is going to be a big deal for you. Maybe consider designing one specific space that all your dirty things can go until you can get to them after enjoying your meal or party or whatever the occasion might be.

Another thing to consider when asking would be the addition of a second sink. If you know yourself to be a bit messier, a second sink could be a great place to start the soaking process, or have a second set of hands get started on the scrubbing. It could also be a great place to just hide the dirties away until you have time to get to them.

Which appliance do I value most?

This question not only plays into your layout, but it hits on your budget as well. If you know you use the stovetop for cooking way more than the oven, then you probably would want to invest a little more money into a nicer, and larger stovetop.

If you use the oven more, shoot for a nicer, eye level oven to avoid having to stand on your head to get something out of it every time you cook.

Making room for a mega fridge could be necessary if you have a large family vs. just you and your significant other who could get away with a smaller fridge, and more counter space instead.

Take a second and think about it. What appliance is used most frequently in your kitchen, and which is the most important to you?

What kind of storage do I need?

Last but not least, what are your storage needs? If you have one million children, you’re probably going to need some highly organized, large storage spaces. All those princess plates, lids that don’t match with any other container you own, and sippy cups that look tacky with the rest of your all white, matching adult kitchen set are going to have to go somewhere.

If you tend to cook a lot, you more than likely are going to have multiple pots and pans that need to be organized by size and use. These get out of place quickly, so a large, easily accessible area for them is going to be important.

In thinking about storage, don’t overlook the pantry. If you want to keep things out of sight and take out some clutter from the actual kitchen, the pantry is a great storage option. Do you have larger items, or mostly smaller items that need to be tucked away? This is going to affect the shelving height and size of the pantry, how many drawers to include, etc…

When remodeling, there can be a lot of overwhelming options to choose from, but it can also be a really fun adventure where you get to create something specific to your lifestyle. Everyone has a unique style and taste and different needs that can be catered to when given the freedom to create your own layout.

Take a second and think through these 4 questions. Even if you aren’t actively in the process of remodeling, what does your dream kitchen look like?

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

Core Value: High Quality Construction

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

Alright, it’s time for round #2 of Inside Out Construction’s values! Today, we will be covering the importance of high quality work, and honestly, we feel like it’s pretty sad that this needs to be highlighted as a value at all. Producing something high quality should be assumed in any job, i.e. construction, teaching, financial planning, marketing...literally anything.

Unfortunately, assuming you will be receiving top notch work from anyone you hire isn’t a given these days. We are here to tell you that Inside Out Construction doesn’t put up with shoddy work, and here are a few quick ways we make sure of that.

How #1: We value our reputation

As a small, family owned and operated business, there has been a lot of personal time, energy, and resources put into making this business great. We have managed to build a reputation of producing high quality projects, practicing honesty, good communication, integrity, etc, and we do everything we can to keep that in tact. A lot of our business comes from client’s referrals, and if it’s not a job well done, we probably won’t get that referral and will lose business in the long run.

How #2: We use a small team of the same people for most projects

I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories about bad plumbers, terrible electricians, sloppy painters, and the like. The construction industry in general can be pretty hit or miss when it comes to finding good contractors. At Inside Out Construction, we have worked with lots of contractors over the years, and been able to whittle them down a small handful of quality, trusted workers. We use the same men and women for as many projects as they are available for, and through this, we have been able to develop trusted relationships with them. Some of our guys have been working in construction for 20+ years!

How #3: Very involved CEO

Because this is a family owned and operated business, Shawn Nikah, the founder, is incredibly involved in every project. He is on each Slack channel to make sure he can see all communication, he keeps himself available for questions and concerns, he is on each job site frequently to make sure his guys have everything they need to produce a quality remodel, and he handles the budget to keep everything on track.

As the owner, he doesn’t just delegate to his employees and assume it will get done. He is in the thick of things, and he stays there until the job is completed.

We think these three things have really spurred on the quality work we produce, and it doesn’t go unnoticed by our customers. Here are a few bits from reviews to prove that.

“I've worked with Shawn on several projects. He's truly a well rounded contractor and he doesn't cut ANY corners. He's done a landscaping job as well as total remodels for myself and for some of my clients. I've had to call Shawn in a pinch as well and he and his team moved heaven and earth to get our jobs done.” - Ryan

“He’s got a great group of smart guys that work fast and do things right.” - Ben

If you’d like to read more for yourself, check out our Google, Yelp, and Houzz reviews!

Hopefully, quality work is one of your top priorities for any kind of remodel, whether that be landscaping or a full home renovation. Inside Out Construction doesn’t mess around when it comes to a high quality product. If it has our name behind it, you better believe it will live up to those standards!

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

Core Values: Communication

Shawn Nikah

January 31, 2020

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Scenario: You have hated your kitchen since you moved into your home. You love hosting dinner parties, but right now, there’s no space for more humans other than yourself and your closest friend (literally and figuratively) because the space is so dang small. You’ve been gathering remodeling ideas from your friend’s kitchens, you have a general idea of what you want yours to be like, and now you are ready to pull the trigger. It’s time to make these ideas swirling in your head more concrete.

Step 1: Find a general contractor. Easy right? Unfortunately, probably not. And on top of that, this kitchen is something you’ve been dreaming about for a while, and you want it to be in the hands of people you can truly trust.

What to look for in a GC?

Take a second to think of some core values that you want to be instilled in the people designing and constructing your new kitchen. Are things like good communication, honesty, quality in product, design, and outcome coming to mind? Hopefully, the answer to that is yes. If not, it’s time to up your standards.

Communication

At Inside Out Construction, we believe that communication is the core of a successful project. It’s your kitchen. Not ours. Yes, we have a designer that can help you put together all your ideas into something tangible, but in the end, they need to be your ideas.

We want you involved in every light fixture, faucet, and tile selection that’s important to you. We want to know your desired timeline for completion and stick to that.

Most importantly, we want you to feel the freedom to interact with our contractors and employees whenever you darn well please, and we feel comfortable with that because our team is honest and hard working. Construction is our job, and we take pride in a job well done.

How do we keep this level of high communication?

First, we strive to answer messages and return calls within a few hours of receiving them - next day at the latest.

Second, we schedule things, and show up on time. We know the construction industry is notorious for being late, or not showing up at all. We want to break that stereotype. We know your time is valuable, and we are not in the business of wasting it.

Third, and the most unique to Inside Out Construction, we use a messaging system called Slack to communicate with you and the rest of our employees. If you decide to use us for your project, we make a channel specifically for your project, including you, the contractors, and project lead that will be working on your home, and use that as a direct line of communication at any time throughout the project. This system allows you to ask questions, clarify details with the employees doing the work, and vice versa. We want to be able to ask you questions to make sure things get done correctly the first time.

Those three things have been incredibly helpful in sticking to the timelines and building something that everyone is proud of. We love hearing stories from clients about their first dinner party in their new kitchen, or their favorite thing about the new layout, and we often get great feedback from clients about how helpful and prompt our communication was throughout the whole project.

Here are a bit of that feedback:

“Shawn and his team did a major project for me (remodeling an entire home), and the level of attention to detail, communication, and pride of ownership made me happy every step of the way.” - Sami

“Very communicative and easy to stay in sync with.” - Ben

“They are extremely personable, hands-on, and consistently reachable at all times.” - Jared

If you’d like to read more for yourself, check out our Google, Yelp, and Houzz reviews!

Clearly, we value communication over almost everything else, and we hope that you find that to be an important quality in a General Contractor. Stay tuned for the next “Core Value” blog as we dig into high quality work in every circumstance, especially when it comes to creating your dream, party hosting, kitchen.