February 15, 2024 Shelton Mason County Journal | ![]() |
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By June Williams
june@masonoouny com
azy summer days spent sun-
bathing on the deck waiting
for the grill to heat up may be
months away, but now’s the time to
start preparing outdoor spaces or
freshening up indoor spaces such
kitchens and bathrooms.
Contractor Jackson Fry, who owns
J. Fry in Shelton, told the Journal
his busy months are April and May,
and homeowners should start plan«
ning remodels now. Work can take a
few weeks to several months.
“It’s all about how (,EXUEI’lSlVO the
remodel is do you just want a face-
lift?” Fry said.
Overhauling a bathroom is usually
a month’s work. Kitchen jobs take, lon—
ger, especially if you want new cabin
nets and appliances, he said. Contrac—
tors book up quickly in the spring and
schedule jobs into summer and fall.
The sooner you book, the more time
you’ll have to enjoy your new space.
unless you are selling your home, Fry
said. He has some clients who are just
looking for quick improvements before
putting their home on the market.
Whether you’re staying or going,
the first step is getting two or three
bids for the work, Fry advised.
“Then get a budget,” he said.
Fry suggested making a list ot'what
you want, such as the type oi'floors,
light fixtures and appliances.
Kitchen cabinets are a big expense,
along with granite countertops.
For bathrooms, Fry said he just
finished a remodeling that had new
floors, a new shower stall, cabinets
‘ Plan now for spring re
models
A remodeled
kflchen
completed
by J.E.
Fry. Owner
Jackson Fry
says that
April and
May are
the busiest
months
months
for home
renovations
Courtesy
. photo
and toilet for $30,000.
Material costs have jumped more in
the past few years than Fry has seen
in his 47 years of being a contractor,
he said.
“Nothing has ever gone down once
it’s gone up,” he said, so homeowners
shouldn’t wait for lower prices.
Fry said he doesn’t use Lewes and
Home Depot for supplies, unless his
client makes the request.
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ighway J:
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2 — WINTER ESTATE 8: IMPROVEMENT GUIDE
“Big box stores tell suppliers what
they’re willing to pay for products,”
resulting in lesser-quality goods, Fry
said.
He advises homeowners to “look at
the life of the product” when budget—
ing. You may spend less for something
now, but need to replace it in a few
years, Fry said.
“So many of the products last five to
10 years. For $3,000 or $4,000 dollars
more, you can get 20 years,” he said.
Fry gave an example of deck mate-
rials. If he installs a composite prod-
uct, it may last 15 years. But ii'he
uses Dasso XTR bamboo, it‘s guaran-
teed for 80 years.
“Ii‘you take care of it, it can last
50 years,” he said, at a cost of about
$8,000 more up front.
February to-do-list: plan 50-year
deck, wait for sun.
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