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Seven Central Jersey Remodeling Companies Receive “Contractor Of The Year” Awards

By Robert P. Baker
On Friday, January 20, the Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (www.cjnari.com) presented eleven of its prestigious “Contractor of the Year” (CotY) awards to seven local remodeling companies at its Evening of Excellence Awards Dinner at Bridgewater Manor in Bridgewater, NJ. Entries were scored by an independent panel of judges on six different criteria:
To what degree were the expressed needs of the client met?
To what degree does the project enhance the existing structure’s functionality?
To what degree does the project enhance the existing structure aesthetically?
Is there evidence of superior craftsmanship?
Were innovative uses of material and/or methods of construction used in the project?
Did the contractor overcome difficult obstacles?
“The judges selected winners from a number of entries in eleven different categories,” said Mark Glidden, a Partner in Stone-Glidden (www.stoneglidden.com) of Doylestown and King of Prussia, PA, a CJNARI Member and President of Bucks-Mont, PA NARI. “The work of the judges was often difficult because the quality of the entries was outstanding. Our entries, with the names of the entrants redacted, were impartially judged by members of the North Jersey Chapter. We would like to congratulate the winners in the following categories:
Residential Addition $100,000-$250,000  
The Winner: M.J. Cushing & Associates, Inc. (www.mjcushing.com) with Team Member Hunterdon Kitchens (www.hunterdonkitchens.com)
Desiring a more luxurious master bathroom with walk-in closet, and a larger office/study on the first floor, the homeowners also were able to receive a walk-out basement access to the backyard pool and a powder room for guests. The Master Bath now boasts a double vanity and make-up area, radiant heat flooring, a new soaking tub and a 3-foot by 5-foot shower with a granite seat.  
Residential Bath Under $30,000
The Winners: Aurora Kitchens & Interiors (www.auroradesignsnj.com)
The homeowners wanted a second floor hall bathroom with easier access to the bathtub; more and better storage; separate spaces for each of their two children; a sophisticated, kid-friendly space; and a controlled budget.  The existing tub was cracked and leaked into the powder room below. It was replaced by a new tub, deeper and wider for soaking, which required the drain to be re-centered.  Several child-friendly details were integrated, including separate spaces with mirrors, outlets, accessories and lights help to minimize arguments.
 
Residential Bath Over $60,000
The Winner: M.J. Cushing & Associates, Inc. (www.mjcushing.com) with Team Member Hunterdon Kitchens (www.hunterdonkitchens.com)
The project included converting the existing second floor laundry room and storage room over the garage into a walk-thru closet, new bathroom and washer/dryer enclosure.  
A new roof window was cut in, as well as a new end wall window.  The existing washer and dryer location was closed off with doors to conceal the utility area.  A wide screen TV was mounted to be visible from the tub and shower.  
Residential Exterior Specialty
The Winner: Landscape Aesthetics, Inc. (www.landscapeaesthetics.com)
Desiring an extension of their outdoor living area from the existing raised deck, the homeowners wanted access to their sloping backyard.  By installing a raised bluestone patio, adding new wood steps from the deck to the patio, and stone slab steps to the lower yard, a flowing transition for the homeowners was created.  The outdoor fireplace and cooking area were positioned to provide views of the existing natural pond on the property.  New plantings and an inviting walkway into the backyard complete the project.
 
Residential Interior Specialty
The Winner: MSI Plumbing + Remodeling (www.findsolutionsonline.com) with team member Aurora Kitchens & Interiors (www.auroradesignsnj.com)
This Hunterdon County homeowner had a “laundry list” of things she wanted to include in one of the most often overlooked rooms of the house.  A spot to fold clothes, storage for shoes, gloves, hats and scarves, location for mounting the central vacuum cleaner hose to the wall, a utility sink, hooks for mops and coats, and a drying rack all had to be accommodated and coordinate with the décor of the kitchen.  A custom cabinet was designed for storage of laundry products, which provided easy open/close options.  
Residential Interior Under $100,000
The Winners: Houghton Contracting, LLC (www.houghtoncontracting.com)
The entire first floor of this 21-year-old home was updated.  Pulling up carpeting and laying hardwood flooring throughout the foyer, dining room, living room, family room and kitchen adds to the renewed feeling of the project.  Opening the kitchen into the family room, removing the knee wall between the rooms and adding an island as dividing space provides more storage and countertop for the homeowners.  
Residential Kitchen Under $40,000
The Winners: Aurora Kitchens & Interiors (www.auroradesignsnj.com)
This Flemington condominium owner complained of her lack of space, the stove next to a wall, inability to fit a table in the area, and the refrigerator door blocking access to the room when open.  Relocating the appliances was key to achieving the desired results.  Installing full-size wall cabinets with mullion glass doors gave the homeowner more usable space and easier access to the contents.  Designing a peninsula with seating provides more storage and the space for enjoying in-room meals.
Residential Kitchen $40,000-$80,000
The Winner: MSI Plumbing + Remodeling (www.findsolutionsonline.com) with team member Aurora Kitchens & Interiors (www.auroradesignsnj.com)
The list of complaints these homeowners had concerning their existing kitchen included not enough storage, not comfortable for more than one person to work, tight access and nowhere to sit, etc.  In order to create more usable space, the washer and dryer were moved from the laundry room to the basement, interior walls were removed and the space was integrated into the kitchen. MSI Plumbing + Remodeling with team member Aurora Kitchens & Interiors were able to create a fully functional kitchen for the homeowners.
Residential Kitchen $80,001-$120,000
The Winners: K+D Contractors (www.manta.com/c/mm77l2f/k-d-contractors-llc)
Updating a 1960’s kitchen has its difficulties, especially when the room has its own impediments, such as a wall oven that juts out into the traffic flow, but  K+D Contractors was able to provide a warm, aesthetically pleasing and functional kitchen with increased day lighting and work space.  Re-locating the oven, closet, and laundry room door, and installing taller cabinets, established increased storage and better traffic flow.  
 
Residential Kitchen Over $120,000
The Winner: M.J. Cushing & Associates, Inc. (www.mjcushing.com) with Team Member Hunterdon Kitchens (www.hunterdonkitchens.com)
Updating a builder’s grade kitchen in a 1996 home with a growing family required relocating everything!  An entirely new room layout was designed with a new Prairie-style window bringing in more light and creating a focal point from the front door.  Radiant heat was installed under the tile floor and a leathered look 9-foot center island was created for the family to work and dine together.  
Commercial Interior
The Winner: Aurora Kitchens & Interiors (www.auroradesignsnj.com)
The goal of this project was to create a space in which customers would feel comfortable.  Designing a space that is clean and inviting has its challenges since mechanics often track oil and grease from the shop into the waiting area.  Flooring was the key to cleanliness and maintenance.  A concrete floor topped with a multi-tile pattern carpet was selected for durability.  Leather chairs and sofa create a seating area with access to TV and wireless internet. Decorative details complete the upscale feeling.
Meritorious Awards
In addition to the CotY Awards for first place in a category, several Meritorious Awards, the equivalent of an Honorable Mention, were also given out. We would like to congratulate the following Meritorious Award winners:
M.J. Cushing & Associates, Inc. (www.mjcushing.comfor a Residential Exterior Specialty)
K+D Contractors (www.manta.com/c/mm77l2f/k-d-contractors-llc) for a Residential Exterior Specialty
M.J. Cushing & Associates, Inc. (www.mjcushing.com) with Team Member Hunterdon Kitchens (www.hunterdonkitchens.com) for a Residential Kitchens $80,000-$120,000
 
About CJNARI
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the national trade association committed to service to the professional remodeling industry.  As the voice of the remodeling industry, NARI represents professional remodeling contractors, specialty contractors, manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors, lending institutions, utilities, design firms, and publishers of information dedicated to remodeling.  The Central Jersey Chapter of NARI (CJNARI) is the local chapter of the national organization. For more information, contact Patrick Chrustinsky, President, Perfect Connections, Inc. of Somerville, NJ at (908) 722-2880 or [email protected].  To see photos of the winning projects, visit www.cjnari.org.