Wednesday, April 6, 2011

The New Look Of Centurion


Centurion Building Solutions has been working hard, with the talented graphic designer Andy Barlow, to transform the look of our business.  Since we are passionate about what we do we determined that our image needed to better reflect our high standards.  We are excited that the new logo shows Centurion's ingenuity and cutting edge approach to the construction industry.

As your Utah General Contractor we work hard in every phase of construction to offer the finest workmanship, quality and precision that you've come to expect from Centurion Building Solutions.

We are anxious to share our new look!  Stay tuned for a large prize give away on facebook.
     

Friday, April 1, 2011

Don't Be Fooled!


As it is April First, or Fools day, Centurion Homes, your Utah General Contractor, wants to take a moment to offer some sage advice.  Don't be fooled by the bottom bidder on your construction project.  If you receive a bid that seems to good to be true, it always is. 


Over the years we have heard (and been hired to fix) far too many horror stories from families that chose a contractor simply because they were the lowest price.  Typically these low-ballers have two approaches to rectifying their “get the job at all costs” estimates.  They either deliver very poor quality using sub-par materials and unlicensed, uninsured laborers.  Or they point out, after the contract is signed and the project is underway, that very little of what you asked for is actually included in the estimate.  Then you will receive an up-charge for all the items you requested in the first place.  


Be very careful to pay close attention to what is actually detailed in the bid.  Just because you asked them to bid your construction project doesn’t mean they actually did.  These predatory contractors are always well below their competitors bids and when something goes terribly wrong they tend to walk away with the substantial deposits they require up front.  Why employ such practices?  They are desperate for the work, usually because no one refers them due to their history of burning bridges. This never turns out well for the homeowner.  


Let it be a red flag to you if you have three bids and one is remarkably under-priced.  This is usually a "get in the door" technique used to ensnare your business.  In the end you may be potentially left without enough funds to complete your project.  When collecting bids for a project, why not get several?  After all, they’re free.  Then throw away the low and high bid and choose from the middle bidders who you will always find to be the competent competitive professionals who are very close in price. 


Again, remember to scrutinize each and every bid to make sure that the details include EVERYTHING you want completed by your contractor.  Lastly, select your construction professional based on which one you feel you will have the best communication and working relationship with.  


At Centurion Homes we will work hard to provide a detailed complete bid so that you can be confident moving forward with your construction project.  We are also happy to sit down personally and go through our bid to answer any questions and be sure we understand each and every item you would like addressed in your project.  Call us today at 801-722-5515.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Tax Refund

It's that time of year again, tax day is drawing near.  As many of you have already received your refund, think about using those funds to remodel or renovate a trouble spot in your home.  If you are working on a budget, no problem.  Centurion Homes General Contractors bids competitively and will give you ideas to make your hard earned dollars stretch farther.

Are you finally thinking about tackling that basement, bathroom or kitchen project?  Let Centurion Homes help you make it a reality.  We will personally meet with you and provide a detailed bid free of charge.  Call us today at 801-722-5515 and we will provide the quality and affordability you are looking for.

Friday, February 11, 2011

Orem Addition

Centurion Homes, your Utah General Contractor, made an Orem families vision a reality with this 1,000 square-foot two story addition.  With four active teenagers our clients wanted to create an environment that the kids and their friends would want to spend time in.  On the main level a 500 square-foot billiard room was added off the back of the house.  It was designed to flawlessly transition from the family room with wall to wall hand scraped hardwood floors and beautiful glass French doors.  The room was completed with surround sound, wall mounted flat screen TV, a pool table and walk out access to the new patio in the backyard - making this the perfect teen hangout.  It easily transitions into a beautiful adult space accommodating very large dinner parties and holiday celebrations.

In the basement, Centurion Homes created a dream 500 square-foot stadium style home theater.  The entire basement was carpeted to flow seamlessly into the new theater.  Custom cherry wood cabinets conceal TV components, movies, blankets, pillows and more.  Large overstuffed couches seat 17 people comfortably and wall sconces that dim add to the theater atmosphere.

Along the way our clients decided to have Centurion Homes do other needed repairs and upgrades.  We updated electrical systems throughout, added decorative crown molding, re-shingled the entire home, poured a 800 square-foot outdoor patio and finished off the yard with a new sprinkler system.  We were happy to accommodate our client's every request.  The final result is stunning and our clients couldn't be happier.

If you are thinking about building an addition to your home, consider hiring an experienced, qualified and reputable General Contractor.  Centurion Homes will provide you with numerous references and a detailed bid free of charge.  We pride ourselves on sticking to your budget and working hard to make your construction experience a good one.  Call us today at 801-722-5515.



Exterior {Before}

Digging the Foundation

Preparing for Concrete
Exterior {Almost Complete}
Completed Exterior

French Doors Leading into Addition
Welcome to the Billiard Room






Basement Addition
Comfortable Stadium Seating for 17!
Extra Large Screen & Custom Built-in Cabinets

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Tile & Wood Floor

Centurion Homes completed a 1,000 square-foot two story addition in Orem. More about the project will follow in a later post. However, we wanted to share this unique and beautiful option for an entryway that transitions from wood to tile. Our clients wanted something special in the entryway that tied seamlessly into their new hardwood living room floor and set the tone for the new tile in the kitchen. As you can see the result is perfect. This technique can be used in a number of ways. If you are looking for that WOW factor in your home project, call Centurion Homes today.



Wednesday, February 2, 2011

"Green" Home Construction

Centurion Homes of Utah is an environmentally conscientious General Contractor.  From mitigating waste and offering cost-effective efficiency/weatherization solutions, to offering a broad range of eco-friendly materials and high efficiency systems, we are always researching greener ways to build.  Especially, as many of our clients are also becoming more aware of the availability of green construction procedures as well as some of the pretty great rebate and tax credit incentives that are available.  Not only do we install many different energy efficient home heating/cooling systems but we also offer a wide array of window, door, and insulation packages to make your home its absolute most comfortable.  We are experienced and can aid you in finding the right products for your home.  We have used reclaimed and salvaged products that look beautiful and are long lasting.  Centurion Homes works hard to operate each job-site in a resourceful and responsible manner.  If you are interested in integrating earth friendly materials into your next construction project, give Centurion Homes a call.  We would be happy to accommodate your every request and you may be surprised to find just how affordable making your home more efficient can be with all the rebates and tax credits available.

An interesting article regarding green construction from the California Energy Commission notes the following:

Can I build with salvaged materials?


Products such as doors, cabinets, glass, and metal can be salvaged and reused. You can cut your costs significantly by using salvaged materials, and their quality is high.


Are my construction materials available from local sources?




Where possible, try to use local materials. That way you avoid excess transportation and environmental costs.



Am I using materials from renewable sources?




Renewable materials include wood, wool, plant fibers, and other resources that can be replaced within a few decades or less. Sustainable wood products are becoming more readily available.




Have I considered the long-term costs of my materials? Will my maintenance costs be high?







Even though a building product may initially cost more, it may be the least expensive alternative in the long run. Some materials, for example, need to be replaced regularly over time, while others are long lasting and maintenance-free. Paint that is twice as expensive but lasts four times as long may be a better buy in the long run. Make sure that you consider the life-cycle costs of your materials.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Eagle Mountain Remodel

Centurion Homes was happy to be the General Contractor on this Eagle Mountain, Utah Remodel.  All this home needed to update the look was a fresh coat of paint and custom woodwork.  We created a mantel for the fireplace along with custom moldings and trim to add sophistication to the formal living room.  In the kitchen we added wainscoting, custom trim-work, painted the walls and finished off the crown moldings on the cabinets by painting them a distressed black.  In the master bedroom Centurion Homes again added wainscoting complete with a shelf, trim and fresh paint.  I think you will agree this home looks amazing and all it took was small changes that were easy on the pocketbook.  If you are interested in giving your home a face-lift but have a tight budget, call Centurion Homes and we will stretch your renovation dollars.

Formal Living Room {Before}

Formal Living Room {After}
 
Fireplace Mantel {After}

Dining Room {Before}

Dining Room {After}

Kitchen {Before}

Kitchen {After}
Painted Crown Molding and Center Cabinet Black

Master Bedroom {Before}

Master Bedroom {After}

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Sugarhouse Addition & Renovation

Centurion Homes completed this addition in Sugarhouse, Utah and as the General Contractor we are extremely proud of the way it turned out.  One of the challenges with adding onto the back side of this home was the inability to access the backyard from behind the home.  All equipment had to enter via the narrow front driveway which was obstructed by a metal carport attached to the home.  It was a tight fit and of course the existing structure had to be removed in order to make way for the track hoe.

While in the process of digging the hole for the foundation we unearthed another surprising challange, the existing foundation had been poured many years ago without any forms on the exterior.  It had likely been hand dug from the interior sometime after the original completion of the home.  Then had concrete poured between the dirt and an interior form.  This created a drastic unevenness on the exterior side of the foundation as well as a 14" thick wall instead of the typical 8" width. To overcome this Centurion extended the new foundation walls an additional six inches to compensate for the discrepancy without giving up precious square footage.

No challenge is to big for Centurion Homes.  Call us for your next project.

Exterior [Before]


Exterior [After]

Digging a Hole for the New Foundation - in a Tight Spot!

Foundation Walls

Addition Nearly 1000 Square Feet

New Garage [During Construction]

Garage [After...but Before the New Driveway]

Kitchen [Before]

Kitchen [Before]

Kitchen [During Construction - After Addition & Removing a Wall]

Kitchen [After]

Fireplace Demo Living Room

Living Room with Custom Bookshelves & Fireplace [After]

Basement Hallway [After Addition]
Basement Addition [After]

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hot Tub Gazebo

Centurion Homes built this great log gazebo in Timberlakes, Utah.  Our clients own a beautiful cabin nestled in the mountains. When they purchased a hot tub they needed a gazebo that went along with the look of their cabin.  Centurion Homes designed and built it to withstand the heavy snowfall, while keeping with the cabin theme.  Our clients are extremely pleased with the result and report that they enjoy watching the snow fall while sitting in the hot tub.

Call Centurion Homes to bid your next project big or small.



Saturday, January 1, 2011

Happy New Year!


Centurion Homes would like to wish everyone a very Happy New Year.  We are thankful to have had such a successful 2010 in the general construction business.  While other's have closed their doors we have had a tremendous year.  This is due to our wonderful clients who bring us back for all their projects and recommend us to their family and friends.  We will continue to work hard and anticipate an outstanding 2011!