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The homeowners worked closely with our consultants to create a scope of work and budget for a “pop top” addition above the garage, that included an entire new master suite and covered deck area.  There were clear allowances within the contract so our customers knew exactly the range of budget that was included and could be worked within. 

Vision 

The homeowners wanted to create an additional master suite on top of their existing garage.  This addition included a master bedroom, master bathroom, and walk-in closet, as well as a covered deck area in the backyard. 

Scope 

The project first required demolition of the roof and drywall ceiling above the garage.  Next, the entire new addition area was framed, and roofing, gutters, and downspouts were added.  Windows and a new garage door were installed, and exterior finish and trim, including vinyl siding, shutters, soffit, and fascia were added.  A new HVAC system was installed and then attention was turned to interior work. 

Water supply lines were run for the new bathroom, as well as rough-in plumbing.  All electrical wires were run, including lighting, AV cables, and new smoke detectors.  The entire new addition had insulation and drywall installed, and interior trim, doors, and shelving were added where appropriate.  All the bathroom appliances were installed, and then the entire master suite was painted.  Lastly, flooring was added in the master suite. 

Budget 

Our team helped the homeowners determine a final overall investment and facilitated the financing of the project.  They also determine the final scope for the work to provide the largest impact on living space.   

Timeline 

Pre-project planning commenced in late July of 2019.  Everything was finalized for construction to begin at the beginning of 2020.  Construction started shortly thereafter in January of 2020, and final walkthrough occurred in late March of 2020.   

Master Plan 

We took the time to understand the exact needs of the homeowner.  Their big picture plan was a “pop top” addition above the garage, that included a new master suite, as well as a new roof for the back covered deck. 

Master Bedroom 

The new master bedroom was framed and insulated, and drywall was hung and primed for painting.  Interior doors were added where necessary, including the entrance to the master bedroom, to the closet, and to the master bathroom.  Trim was added to the doors, windows, and base of the bedroom.  Shelving was installed in the closet.  Lastly, the walls were painted and padding and carpet were laid down for the flooring. 

Master Bathroom 

The new master bathroom was also framed and insulated, and drywall was hung and primed for painting.  The door to the bathroom was installed, and trim was added throughout the area.  A Wedi shower system was installed, which included one shower faucet and one shower head.  Vanity cabinets, two countertops, and two undermount sinks and sink faucets were installed.  A toilet and two mirrors were installed, and lastly, ceramic tile flooring and trim were installed throughout. 

Covered Deck 

While part of the covered deck was already in place, the homeowners added an addendum to the contract for a new roof structure in the backyard (among other minor additions).  This process included building new pier structures for the back deck and removing and replacing the existing pavers.  The new structure was framed with posts and beams, and vinyl siding and decorative gable trim were installed.   

Complexity 

There were multiple complexities for this project.  First, an addendum to the contract added additional work that needed to be completed, including working around the existing back porch structure.  In addition, this project was completed during the uncertainty of the global Covid-19 pandemic, which complicated facilitating the last few weeks of construction. 

Interested in an addition to your Herndon home?  Contact MOSS Building & Design today!

Flooring is an integral part of any home remodeling project.  It is part of the bones of the house; an area that is constantly walked on and a place where furniture and other household items will sit for many years.  For this reason, it is extremely important to select the best flooring options for your Northern Virginia home.  The area of the house will depend on what type of flooring is best – some areas are best suited for hardwood, others are best suited for carpet, and epoxy is an option for certain areas as well.  Below are the best flooring options for those types of materials. 

Hardwood  

Hardwood is a sought-after luxury in many homes.  It is sophisticated, yet it also serves a very tangible function – it is much easier to clean than carpet.  Let’s be honest – children, pets, houseguests – they all make messes over time, and when a spill happens, hardwood is a surface that can easily be wiped clean.  The most common areas of the home where hardwood makes sense are the living areas, hallways, and steps.  Below are some of the best types of hardwood: 

• Bamboo – sturdy and eco-friendly 

• Cypress – unique and strong 

• Birch – versatile and affordable 

• Mahogany – exotic and luxurious 

The type of hardwood depends on many factors, including price per square inch, color, and availability.  Your dedicated MOSS team will be happy to walk through all the options for your hardwood flooring. 

Carpet 

Carpet may not be as desirable as some of the other flooring options, but it is extremely functional and serves a variety of purposes.  First, carpet is a soft surface that is more comfortable to walk on in bare feet.  It also has better temperature control, so it will not heat up or cool down depending on the weather outside like some flooring material will. In addition, it is relatively inexpensive and is a more affordable option to cover homes with a larger surface area.  Lastly, carpet is readily available and easy to acquire, meaning that there will be no logistical issues that might push back your remodel project timeline. 

Epoxy 

Epoxy is another great flooring option, especially for harder surface areas such as garages or unfinished basements.  Epoxy technically isn’t a standalone flooring – rather, it is a type of synthetic resin that is laid on top of concrete to create a protective film.  It can also be used to “spruce up” the look of the concrete floor.  Garages and unfinished basements aren’t exactly luxurious areas, but with an epoxy floor, those areas are more functional and more aesthetically pleasing. 

Interested in new flooring in your Northern Virginia home?  Reach out to Moss Building and Design today to inquire! 

Home accessibility is becoming more of a consideration during home renovations in Loudoun County.  Many of our Loudoun County clients want to be able to age in place in their current residence, so including accessibility considerations in renovation discussions is something MOSS is prepared to do.  At MOSS, we believe every homeowner deserves to love their house, and we want to ensure that clients who may need accessibility upgrades can continue to love their house as they age.  Below are three ways to make your home more accessible in Loudoun County. 

Outdoor Ramps 

Stairs can be a challenge for small children, older people, and anyone in between.  Falls on stairs are common and can result in significant injury.  Building an outdoor ramp on the porch can help to mitigate issues with concrete steps going up to the front door.  While ramps on the front porch are common, ramps can always be placed in the garage or on a back deck.  All stairs have the potential to be dangerous, but outdoor stairs are made from concrete or wood and cannot be cushioned with carpet.  By installing ramps, the chances of a devastating fall outside are minimalized. 

Shower Benches 

Another amazing way to make the house more accessible is to add a shower bench into the master bath.  Stairs aren’t the only place where falls are common.  Showers are another area where falls are common and can result in significant injury.  With a shower bench, our older clients will be able to shower/bath in comfort without worrying about trying to balance in a slippery shower. 

Shower benches aren’t necessarily just for our older clients!  Shower benches can offer more benefits than just minimizing the potential for falls in the shower.  They can be combined with a massaging showerhead to create a hydromassage experience.  They are also aesthetically pleasing and raise the value of the house.  Anyone can benefit from a shower bench being installed in the bathroom. 

Smart Appliances 

Last but certainly not least, installing as many smart appliances as possible will help make the home much more accessible.  Instead of having to constantly get up and turn lights on and off, start and stop the oven, or go to your outlet of choice to turn music on and off, smart appliances can utilize your voice to do all of that.  Imagine being able to sit in a recliner, and instead of getting up to do various tedious activities, you could preheat the oven, turn on your favorite music, and brighten the lights without ever having to get up.  With MOSS-installed smart appliances, that dream can become a reality. 

Accessibility is not about being lazy.  It is about making your home more comfortable to live in as you gracefully age with it.  Implementing the above renovations will make your life safer and more enjoyable, so you can enjoy your Golden Years in the comfort of your beloved home. 

Interested in making your home more accessible in the Loudoun County area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

Loudoun County is one of the most diverse and rewarding places to live in the entire country.  It is home to so much culture, entertainment, and beautiful homes.  A lot of Loudouners have owned their homes for many years and are at the point where they want something new, but also want to live in the home that they love.  MOSS Building & Design will be there every step of the way, as the remodel process can have its pitfalls.  Below are three home renovation mistakes to avoid for your remodel in Loudoun County. 

Create a Realistic Budget 

A remodeling project is a massive investment into the future of your current home.  While the budget is the last thing many clients want to think about, it is vitally important to have a realistic conversation with your remodeling team about the budget you have set.  While MOSS can help create a feasibility plan around your budget, it is ultimately up to the client to create a realistic and manageable budget.    Remodels are not a small undertaking; rather, they are major life investments and should be discussed with much thought.  While there are different payment options, remodels are significant financial investments and not having a realistic budget will set the client up for disappointment. 

Expecting Immediate Completion 

While it would be great if every remodel could be finished within a day, that is not realistic.  Remodels are a process, and the complexity of the remodel will determine how long the project will take to complete.  MOSS strives to have minimal negative impact on your day-to-day life during your remodel, but there are a lot of moving parts that can extend the project completion timeline.  Below are a few factors to consider: 

• Obtaining legal permits 

• Amount of demolition that is needed 

• Availability of requested materials 

• External factors (pandemics, inflation, etc.) 

MOSS will make every effort to make the remodel process as quick and non-cumbersome as possible, but unfortunately sometimes roadblocks do arise.  With the starting mindset that this process is methodical and takes time to do it right, our clients can avoid another mistake in the home renovation journey. 

Not Going Bold 

On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with being ambitious and going bold with your remodeling ideas.  You can always pare back your ideas to fit your budget and the feasibility report, so why not start with big ideas?  With so many cookie-cutter new builds popping up in the Loudoun County and Northern Virginia area, having bold ideas for your remodel will help your home stand out from all the others that look the same.   

Interested in a home remodel in the Loudoun County area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

We spend a lot of solitary time in our bathrooms.  With the proper remodel, you can turn your bathroom into a luxurious spa where every day will feel like you just got pampered at a high-end professional establishment.  By incorporating a floor-to-ceiling shower, a whirlpool bathtub, and gold accents throughout the bathroom, our McLean homeowners can get the luxury bathroom remodel of their dreams. 

Floor-to-Ceiling Showers 

Whether it is to wake you up after a great night's sleep, or to relax after a long day at work, getting a warm shower is one of the best ways to pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home.  With a floor-to-ceiling shower, you can get the luxury of a fancy spa in your own home.  Instead of a traditional showerhead, imagine a rainfall showerhead coming from the ceiling of your shower where water can cascade down and massage you from head to toe.  At MOSS Building & Design, we believe that everybody should love the home that they live in. What better way to love your bathroom than to have a floor-to-ceiling shower installed during your home remodel? 

Whirlpool Bathtubs 

Showers are a great way to relax, but the ultimate form of relaxation is a whirlpool bathtub.  Traditional bathtubs just aren’t very comfortable.  They do not conform to your body, and most of them are designed to also be a shower.  For many, these types of tubs are for small children, not homeowners.  With a customized whirlpool bathtub, you will get the pampering you deserve in the comfort of your own home.   

Picture this.  You have had a long day of work, running errands, and tending to children and/or pets.  You have an hour to yourself in the evening, and since you worked with MOSS to remodel your bathroom, you can slip into your own customized whirlpool bathtub.  You pour a glass of wine, grab a good book, and slip into a warm bath as the whirlpool jets gently massage your tired body.  This is a reality after you work with MOSS to get the bathroom remodel of your dreams! 

Gold Accents 

What color gives off luxurious vibes more than any other? Gold, or course!  Many builders just install cookie-cutter, standard handles, accents, and trim throughout the house.  Bathrooms are notorious for all looking the same, with silver, boring sink handles, shower door handles, towel holders, etc.  With MOSS, if you want gold accents throughout your renovated bathroom, you will get gold accents throughout.  In a world full of ordinary, make your bathroom extraordinary with MOSS Building & Design! 

Interested in a bathroom remodel in the McLean area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

As Fall approaches, what two adjectives would you rather use than cozy and inviting to describe your family room?  At MOSS Building & Design, we understand that our clients want to love the home that they live in. During the colder months, many Northern Virginians need to spend more time inside due to the unpredictable nature of the weather in the area.  What better way to combat the winter blues than by having a cozy and inviting family room to share with your loved ones or even for hosting Fall or Winter parties.  Below are a few options to help create a cozy and inviting family room in the Vienna area. 

Add a Fireplace 

One of the best features for a cozy and inviting family room is a fireplace.  While traditional, wood-burning fireplaces are beautiful and add sophistication to the home, many homeowners are opting for electric fireplaces that are safer and more efficient to use.  Depending on the structure of the home, one or both options might be available.  If you want to add a fireplace to your family room, your dedicated MOSS team will make sure that every feasible option is explored and communicated to you. 

Fireplaces are a great feature for warming the house during the colder months, but they are also extremely aesthetically pleasing.  It sets a very cozy and inviting vibe to the house.  With your MOSS team helping every step of the way, your new family room will become cozy and inviting, and the perfect place to enjoy a crisp Fall or Winter day. 

Choose the Right Colors 

An underrated feature of creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your family room is choosing the right colors.  The right colors can set the mood for the entire room.  While the paint color is something that will be discussed during your project, the subsequent decorating of the family room will also play a major part.  Cozy colors are saturated tones, and they tend to be dark shades of a warm hue.  Below are a handful of colors that give off a cozy and inviting feeling: 

• Oranges 

• Yellows 

• Reds 

• Golds 

There are millions of different shades of colors, so there are plenty of options to pick the perfect colors for your cozy and inviting family room. 

Add Privacy Door and Windows 

In some ways, the words “cozy” and “inviting” contradict each other.  A cozy space could be one that is closed off, solitary, and with a finite area.  Inviting spaces, on the other hand, could be wide open with no defined boundaries.  So how can one make their family room both cozy and inviting at the same time?  Add a privacy door and plenty of windows.  Privacy doors, such as swinging barn-style doors, are a great addition to a family room, because they can be opened to create an inviting atmosphere, or they can be closed for that cozier feel. 

In addition to a privacy door, having plenty of windows can also create a cozy and inviting atmosphere.  Windows allow plenty of light to get into the room, which is inviting, but it also allows a cozy feel when a storm or other weather event is occurring.  MOSS fully believes in making sure all remodeling projects are multi-functional, so creating a family room that is both cozy and inviting is a challenge we would love to tackle! 

Interested in a family room remodel in the Vienna area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

At MOSS Building & Design, we are not only building dream homes – we are building peace of mind for our valued clients.  A remodeling project is not worth doing if it is going to cause undue stress and hardship on our clients.  We understand that our clients not only want to turn their house into their dream home, but they want to do it with as little disruption to their daily lives as possible.  MOSS respects this and can achieve this through our dedicated mission and vision and our MOSS team that every client has access to. 

Our Mission and Vision 

At MOSS, our mission is simple yet critical: to help our clients turn their house into their dream home.  We are not about cookie-cutter remodels.  Instead, we want to create spaces that reflect who our clients are and how they live.  We are guided by our core values of integrity, innovation, and quality.  We believe in using cutting-edge technology and the latest tools to make the remodeling process as stress-free as possible.  Our mission also goes beyond construction – we are committed to our community and leaving a positive and lasting impact to those we serve.  At MOSS, we believe everyone deserves to love where they live.  And with us as a partner, turning your house into your dream home isn’t just a possibility – it's a promise. 

Our vision is to be the most trusted and sought-after partner for homeowners seeking to make their dream home a reality.  We envision a future where all our clients feel they can create the home of their dreams without the typical stress and uncertainty of a remodel project.  We aim to set new standards of excellence in the industry by tapping into our exceptional team, transparent processes, and modern technology.  With our commitment to service, community, and collaboration, we aspire to be the most sought-after company to help clients navigate the remodel process.  At MOSS, we are here to turn our customers’ houses into their dream home – one project at a time. 

The Moss Team 

MOSS truly believes in keeping all aspects of the remodeling process in-house.  As such, Moss has carefully crafted a dedicated team to help you every step of the way.  From your first meeting through completion of your project, your MOSS team will be the only contact you need no matter what questions arise.  The five members of your team include a project architect, project craftsman, project designer, project developer, and project manager. 

• Project Architect – architecting the project, visualizing the customer’s dream, and drafting the plans 

• Project Craftsman – crafting the project, serving the customer, and ensuring a beautiful home 

• Project Designer – designing a beautiful project, aligning with the customer’s dream, and translating it into reality 

• Project Developer – turning the customer’s dream into reality, ensuring their needs are met 

• Project Manager – managing the project, delivering the highest customer satisfaction, ensuring their dream is realized 
  

This All-In-One approach ensures that your project is completed efficiently without external roadblocks.  When you work with your MOSS team, you can be assured that they aren’t only building your dream home, but also building peace of mind! 

Interested in a remodeling project in the Northern Virginia area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

Home additions are one of most common transformations that residents in Falls Church explore.  It is such an exciting, yet daunting, idea for many reasons.  Additions can be straightforward, like adding a deck and patio to the backyard, or they can be much more complicated, like adding an entire second floor (pop-top addition) to the existing structure.  No matter what your addition might be, preparing your vision, meeting with your personalized MOSS Building & Design team, and staying involved throughout every step of the process is the best way to ensure a successful home addition in the Falls Church area. 

Prepare Your Vision 

The first, and most critical part of the home addition process, is figuring out what type of addition you want added to your home.  This will shape every conversation with your MOSS team.  Feel free to come up with an elaborate plan.  The only limitation during this phase is your imagination!  Below are a few tips for helping to craft your vision: 

• Decide if your addition would be more functional or aesthetic, or both 

• Create a comfortable budget 

• Prepare a contingency plan if there are periods of time when you will need to vacate the premises 

• Reach out to MOSS once you have your vision ready 

Meet with Your MOSS Team 

Once you have your vision locked down (no matter how ambitious!), your MOSS team will meet with you to discuss your vision in detail.  You will get an entire team dedicated to you and your project, including a Project Manager, Architect, and Project Developer.  During these initial meetings, your MOSS team will help refine your vision, determine what is and isn’t feasible within your budget, and lay out a project plan and timeline. 

The best part about working with MOSS is that you will get an entire team dedicated to you.  This team will be completely in-house.  With our All-In-One approach, you won’t have to search around for multiple service providers to bring your vision to life.  From concept to completion, your team will serve as trusted advisors, guiding you through the process of design, construction, and more. 

Be Involved Through Every Step 

When you work with MOSS, you are treated the same way no matter where the project timeline is currently at.  We fully believe in being collaborative and transparent throughout the entire project lifecycle.  At MOSS, we stand on the tenets of being trustworthy, transparent, and having high character, and that is exemplified through our All-In-One approach.  We want you to be a key cog in the decision-making process, and will gladly collaborate with you through every step of the process.

Interested in a successful home addition project in the Falls Church area?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire! 

While many people may feel comfortable just using their garage to park their cars, transforming your garage into a functional space is very popular in the Arlington area.  MOSS Building & Design has extensive experience helping Arlington homeowners transform their garage into a functional space.  Some fun ideas for a garage transformation include turning it into a workshop, a home gym, or a storage area. 

Workshop 

Garages can be a great personal workshop for those individuals that like to work with their hands.  They are the perfect area to complete projects that wouldn’t necessarily be appropriate for inside the house.  Some ideas for setting up a workshop include: 

• Equipment for wood-working and carpentry 

• Area for car/motorcycle maintenance 

• Welding station 

• Potting shed or greenhouse 

The possibilities are endless, and the only limitation is your vision.  No matter what your hobby is, MOSS Building & Design can help you transform your garage into the workshop of your dreams. 

Gym 

Another fantastic way to transform your garage into a functional space is turning it into a home gym.  There are so many benefits to having a gym in the comfort of your own home.  Working out consistently takes motivation.  With a gym just a few steps from where you sleep, it will be much easier to build up the motivation to work out, even when it is a bad day.  In addition, a home gym is open 24/7, so you will be able to work out around your busy schedule.  Lastly, a home gym is private – which rectifies a huge downfall for many gym-goers.  Having your own personal space to enjoy cardio exercise, strength training, work on flexibility and pliability, or even just to take some time to meditate, is such a relaxing and good feeling! 

Storage Area 

This last idea is for the Type-A people out there.  We as humans tend to collect a lot of stuff, especially those that have young children.  Some people may embrace the chaos, but many people are terrified of clutter and disorganization.  Garages can be excellent spaces to systematically store all the toys, tools, equipment, and other items that are laying around the house.   

Garages are such great spaces for a storage area because they are usually symmetrical and lend itself well to storage organizers like shelving, drawers, hanging racks, etc.  With MOSS Building & Design helping every step of the way, you will have your storage area of your dreams ready to go in no time.   

Interested in transforming your garage into a functional space at your Arlington home?  Reach out to MOSS Building & Design today to inquire!