General | Remodeling Tips & Resources | Ember Works Rochester NY

Sep 7

Attic Ventilation: The System Most Rochester Homeowners Never Think About

Ice dams, a baking second floor, and mould on the roof deck all trace back to one system most homeowners never think about.

Sep 4

Gutters, Downspouts, and Where Your Roof Water Actually Goes

Most wet basements are not foundation problems. They are roof water problems, and the fix is usually cheaper than you think.

Sep 3

Storm Damage: What Rochester Homeowners Should Do in the First 48 Hours

Tornado warnings, 70 mph winds and hail hit Western New York Wednesday night. Here is what to do first, what to document, what to look for, and who to be careful ...

Sep 3

Windows, Siding, and Roofing: How to Tell What Your Rochester Home Actually Needs

Western New York is hard on the outside of a house. Here is how to tell what yours needs, plus a free, no-obligation assessment from Ember Works.

Aug 31

Built-Ins and Fireplace Surrounds: Millwork That Makes a Room

Built-in bookcases, window seats, and a proper mantel are what make Rochester's older homes feel finished. Here is how to add them so they look original.

Aug 30

Design-Build or Hiring an Architect and Contractor Separately: Which Is Right for You?

Design then bid then build, or one team start to finish? The model you choose affects your budget, your timeline, and how many phone calls you make.

Aug 24

Laundry Room Remodels: Getting Laundry Out of the Rochester Basement

Carrying baskets down steep stairs into a cold basement is the worst working condition in the house. Moving laundry up is a remodel nobody regrets.

Aug 22

Skylights and Solar Tubes: Bringing Daylight Into Rochester's Darkest Rooms

You cannot fix a Western New York winter, but you can change how much of the available light reaches the middle of your house.

Aug 20

Taking Down a Wall: What Opening Up a Rochester Floor Plan Really Involves

Opening a floor plan transforms an older home, but load-bearing walls, hidden mechanicals, and the path to the footing decide what it really costs.

Aug 18

What's Behind the Walls: Wiring and Plumbing in Rochester's Older Homes

Knob-and-tube, galvanized pipe, buried splices, over-notched joists. Here is what tends to be back there and how to keep it from wrecking your budget.

Aug 16

Walk-In Closets and Storage That Older Rochester Homes Never Had

A 1920s closet was two feet deep with one rod. Fitting it out properly can double or triple capacity, and a real walk-in may already be hiding in your floor ...

Aug 10

Front Entry Doors and Porticos: Curb Appeal That Starts at the Door

Your front door is the most looked-at square footage you own, and in most Rochester homes it is leaking air. Here is how to fix both problems at once.

Aug 6

Insulating a Rochester Century Home: What Actually Works

The cold bedroom over the porch is not bad luck, it is the building envelope. Air seal first, then insulate, and know the moisture rules before you start.

Jun 29

Planning a Fall Remodel in Rochester? Mid-Summer Is the Time to Start

It's the middle of summer in Rochester. The deck is in use, the garden's going, and the last thing on your mind is October. But if you've been picturing a ...

Jun 19

How to Set a Realistic Remodeling Budget (and Actually Stick to It)

Ask any Rochester homeowner who's been through a remodel what surprised them most, and the answer is rarely the paint color or the tile choice. It's the money. Not necessarily ...

Jun 5

How to Live Through a Remodel: A Survival Guide for Rochester Homeowners

There's a moment in almost every remodel when the novelty wears off. The coffee maker is living on a folding table in the dining room, there's a fine layer of ...

May 22

What Permits Do You Actually Need for a Remodel in Rochester, NY?

Few words make a Rochester homeowner's eyes glaze over faster than "building permit." It sounds like paperwork, fees, and waiting — and let's be honest, more than a few remodels in ...

May 12

The Right Order of Operations for a Whole-Home Renovation

Renovating your whole house — or most of it — is a completely different animal than redoing a single bathroom. The projects overlap, the trades stack on top of each other, and ...

Apr 22

Mudroom Ideas That Actually Work for Rochester's Four-Season Lifestyle

Picture a Tuesday in February. Two kids come through the door with snow-caked boots, dripping coats, soggy mittens, and a backpack each. The dog follows with four muddy paws. Behind ...

Apr 10

The Rochester Homeowner's Spring Maintenance Checklist (From a Team That Sees It All)

When the last of the snow finally lets go of Rochester sometime in April (or, let's be honest, occasionally May), your home has just survived another round in the ring ...