Titus Contracting Finishes Alter Logistics Commercial Remodel

Titus Contracting recently completed a commercial remodeling project for Alter Logistics in St Paul. Alter Logistics reached out to Titus Contracting in early December 2016 to start the bidding process on a stand-alone office build-out the transportation company was considering. After spending a few months interviewing contractors and collecting proposals, Titus Contracting was awarded the project.

The stand-alone building had not been used in years and was basically a storage space. Titus Contracting’s commercial remodeling division was tasked to turn the space into a bright and inviting area for the Alter Logistics’ team to office out of as the company expanded.

The remodeling work included bringing new plumbing into the building, as the old system was a septic-type system, and adding ADA bathrooms. Designing and installing a new HVAC system for heating and cooling was also necessary. Also needed was a complete re-wiring of the space, new walls, drywall, windows and ACT ceiling. The floors were completed using an Epoxy coating to give them an attractive look, while still giving Alter Logistics a durable product that will last for years to come. The project was finished with all new doors and millwork, paint and lockers.

Alter Logisitcs was happy with the way everything turned out. Titus Contracting was proud to work with the company to complete their project and help them move forward.

About Alter Logistics

Alter Logistics River Terminal in St Paul has been in its current location since 1962. They are strategically located on the south side of St Paul and in close proximity to I-94, I-35 and Hwy 52, allowing for easy access. Their storage and handling facility was built in 2003 and has more than 300,000 square feet of space with more than 17,500 tons of storage capacity. The property also includes a slack water barge slip with 1,600 feet of available dock space. Barges are unloaded at a rate of 400 tons per hour, and trucks are filled in only five minutes. Some of the products they handle include dry bulk, general cargo, fertilizer, salt, grain, steel, scrap and heavy lifts.

If you would like to learn more about commercial remodeling in St Paul and surrounding areas, call Titus Contracting at (952) 746-7817 or Contact Us.

Sensational Renovations: What Tenants Are Looking for in a Rental Property

When it comes to rental properties, I often receive questions about what kind of improvements get the most bang for the buck.  The truth is, there are many things potential tenants look for and wish their property managers would invest in. These finishing touches and remodeling projects can help attract tenants and influence their ultimate decision; to rent or not to rent. At Titus Contracting, we are often asked to help with tenant improvements in Woodbury and the surrounding areas so I would like to provide a brief rundown of some of the most common tenant improvement requests and why they seek them out.

New Windows

If you are considering any large scale tenant improvements before renting your property, new and improved windows should be at the top of your list. Older properties in particular will benefit from  upgraded windows. New windows will regulate the inside temperature, therefore increasing energy efficiency. Often, tenants have to pay for their heating and/or cooling and want to know that their money isn’t leaking out through old, faulty windows.

Storage and Closets

One of the first things potential renters look for in a new home or office space is ample sized closets for clothing, toiletries, files, and more. While you cannot increase the size of your property, there are several ways to increase the size of your storage. You can create storage space where it didn’t exist before, as well as make the most out of the storage areas you already have.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

Whether or not you have the time and budget for larger scale tenant improvements, you should never turn over a rental property without giving the entire space a fresh coat of paint. It lends an overall cleaner look and shows you put the time and effort into getting it ready for future residents.  

Kitchens & Bathrooms Renovations

If you can only focus on one or two areas during your next round of tenant improvements, make it the kitchen or the bathroom. Small but impactful projects, such as new taps, faucets, light fixtures, backsplashes, and energy efficient appliances will upgrade the look of the unit and make it more appealing to potential tenants.  

Offer More Amenities

Add a fitness center, laundry room or common area to increase your building’s appeal. With today’s emphasis on health-consciousness, having an on-site fitness center is an attractive amenity to a lot of prospective renters. Titus Contracting has constructed plenty of fitness centers throughout the years, so we can help add this great amenity, and many others, to your building!

Do you want more information about tenant improvements in Woodbury? Call Titus Contracting at 952-746-7817, or you can contact us for a Free Estimate.

Scott Rajavuori: Home Remodeling Spotlight on Kitchens

Scott Rajavuori, home remodeling professional, knows how a kitchen remodeling project can really bring a home up to date. With over 35 years in the remodeling industry, he has participated in many kitchen remodeling projects. To really make a kitchen remodeling project worth it, it should be more than an updated backsplash and a coat of paint on the walls. This particular type of remodeling project should have dedicated time and effort.

Wide, Open Kitchen Plan
While it's ultimately up to the client, a wide, open kitchen plan has its benefits. It is easier to get around the kitchen when there are wide walkways, and it is easier to cook if you have ample space. If you have children, it is less likely that they will get too close to the stove if there is plenty of room to get around it. Scott Rajavuori notes that open kitchens also tend to be more streamlined and simplistic.

Plan the Island
If you have an island in your kitchen, it could be used for many different purposes. Scott Rajavuori suggests that you plan the use of your island as part of your kitchen remodeling project. Figure out what you wanted it to be used for: a cook top, dining area or extra counter space. Your island could be the focal point of the project. Plan the rest of your design around the functionality of the island.

Living Kitchen
If you're interested in trying before you buy, Scott Rajavuori and the team at Titus Contracting recently built a Sub Zero/ Wolf Living Kitchen in St Paul. At this luxury display, you're able to test out high quality appliances before you add them to your kitchen.

If you're ready to get started on a home remodeling project, contact Scott Rajavuori today. Call 952-746-7817 or Contact us Here.

Commercial Remodeling Project Update on ALL, Inc.’s St Paul Store

I am really excited about this commercial remodeling job in St Paul. Titus Contracting is ahead of schedule on the work we’re doing for ALL, Inc. They are a cabinet and appliance retailer located in St Paul, and they hired us for a remodeling project to update their showroom.

As of right now, we are nearly done with the 2300-square-foot living kitchen. This is a Sub-Zero/Wolf display room so their customers can get a closer look at these appliances and furniture. We have installed the cabinets, tops and millwork to update the showroom and give it a more modern look and feel.

The demo, framing and drywall are now all done too, plus we recently finished all of the painting we had to do for this commercial remodeling project. All that’s left are the finishing touches! The ceiling grids, tiles and flooring tiles are also done. Everything is coming together just as we planned and hoped.

The electric and HVAC systems were updated too. This was one of the most important parts of this commercial remodeling job because we wanted them to be able to operate at maximum efficiency so they can put their best foot forward for their customers.

I am really looking forward to seeing the end results of this commercial remodeling project for ALL, Inc. When we first took on this job, we knew it would be a big one, but we were happy for the challenge and we are really pleased with how well it is all progressing so far.

Titus Contracting can help with any commercial remodeling project. There is no job that is too big or too small for us! So when you need commercial remodeling in St Paul or the surrounding areas, give us a call at 952-746-7817 or contact us for a Free Estimate.

Home Remodeling in Columbus MN: Complete Home Overhaul

Sometimes we get customers who want a change in their home but don’t necessarily know what that might look like. Usually in these cases, we get a little bit of direction and then work with the customer from the design process all the way to completion.

This was the case with one of our most recent projects in Columbus MN where rooms in the home were eventually stripped down and rebuilt. Starting from scratch with these rooms allows us to give the area of the home a new, modern and unified look. Often the best part for the homeowner is that some remodels, such as this Columbus MN, home remodeling project, allow residents to stay in the in the area. There are some questions to answer before embarking on something like this though. 

Major Home Remodel

When is it appropriate to completely gut the place? There are a number of reasons why a family could choose to go this route. One possibility is that new homeowners love a home's location or exterior, but dislike the interior. Instead of buying a different home, they decide to completely remodel the home's interior. In the same vein, a current homeowner may be considering a move because they no longer enjoy the home's interior. But instead of investing in an entirely new home, and uprooting their family, they opt for an extensive home remodeling project. In both scenarios, the family is allowed to stay in the home and neighborhood they love.

Columbus MN Remodeling Project

In this particular home remodeling project, our team of experts gave the home an entirely new kitchen and bathroom. When you take on this type of remodeling project, you have a lot of creative freedom. One great benefit of completing a home remodeling project at the home you currently live in is that you know what works well and what doesn't pretty quickly. You know how you would like to see the space optimized.

In this home remodeling project, the homeowners opted for more counter space in the kitchen, while leaving a wide, open dining room. In the bathroom, they had a new vanity, lighting and windows installed. We gladly obliged.

If you're looking for a home remodeling company near Columbus MN, contact us today by calling 952-746-7817 or Contact us Online.

Twin Cities Dream Kitchen Series

It's 2014, and a lot of Twin Cities residents are thinking about the upcoming year. Are home improvements on your New Year's resolutions list? If so, perhaps you've been thinking about your kitchen and how you'd like to remodel it into your dream kitchen. As the design manager for Titus Contracting, I have a few suggestions for you. I wrote a three-part blog series about Twin Cities Dream Kitchens, and here is a rundown of the information I covered. 

Part One covers your dream kitchen's space and its limitations. You don't want too many items in your kitchen that will make the space feel cramped any time there is more than one person in there. You want to make sure you can get to your oven, fridge, etc. easily and without much hassle.

If you're thinking about having a kitchen island installed, consider it a focal point of the kitchen. You also want it to have more than one use: as a place to prepare food and also as a place to eat and gather around. You will want to think about the aesthetics of the island. Should it look the same as the other counters and cabinets, or do you want to select different colors for the countertops and cabinets so it stands out?

Then you want to think about the rest of your cabinets. How much space do you need ideally? What colors are you thinking about for both the cabinetry and the countertops? What other accessories do you want or need?

Part Two talks about your dream kitchen's lighting. I highly recommend looking into recessed lighting. You can control the lighting with a dimmer switch. Titus Contracting recommends LED-recessed lighting because the bulbs last longer and use less energy. And you also want to think about your microwave and exhaust system and the possibility of combining the two to save space. I like over-the-range microwaves because you get two appliances in one.

Have you thought about your backsplash or the type of tile you want in your Twin Cities dream kitchen? Tile makes for a really nice-looking backsplash and it's very easy to clean and maintain. In the Twin Cities area, tile floors in kitchens aren't the most practical because they can get very cold during the winter months, plus they are prone to breaking if anything falls on them. But there are many other flooring options for your Twin Cities kitchen, and we have plenty of ideas for you!

Finally, Part Three discusses the benefits of granite countertops for your Twin Cities dream kitchen. Granite is durable and natural, and it's a beautiful stone. No two pieces are exactly alike, so you will always get a very unique and distinct look in your dream kitchen. Keep an eye on cost though – the edge style you choose can drive it up a bit, but I personally still feel like granite is the best bang for your countertop buck.

And you also want to consider what sort of dispensers you want for your soap and hot water. Depending on your needs and style, these can range from just $100 to several hundred dollars.

When you are ready to start designing your Twin Cities dream kitchen, give us a call at Titus Contracting at (952) 746-7817 or contact us online.

How Do You Deal with Cracked Walls in Your Twin Cities Home?

As the design manager at Titus Contracting, I encounter this question quite a bit about cracked walls. Twin Cities is just one of the areas Titus Contracting serves, so we see cracked walls fairly frequently when we do home and commercial remodeling projects in the Twin Cities area. I recently answered this question on the website Quora.com, and I wanted to share my cracked wall answer with my readers:

This does depend on the material, but if we assume drywall or plaster, it is usually quite the same.  If you just spackle or use drywall mud over a crack, the crack will almost always come back.  If you use caulk, it may not come back but caulk will almost always flash through slightly at some point.  The best way is to clean up both sides of the crack.  Tape over the crack with fiberglass mesh tape (or paper tape but I prefer  fiberglass with cracks), then mud over the tape with 2 to 4 coats of  drywall mud feathering out the repair.  Keep the coats thin to minimize sanding.  Finally sand it out and paint.

Cracked walls in your Twin Cities home can be a sign of a more serious problem with your foundation. A lot depends on the shape of the crack and the direction it is running along the wall. If your cracked walls have cracks that are vertical and start where the wall and ceiling meet, it usually just means that the foundation of your Twin Cities home has settled and caused a few ugly cracked walls. But if the crack is horizontal and/or run at a jagged 45-degree angle, this could indicate your Twin Cities home’s foundation has drastically shifted or there is some type of water damage. If the cracked walls look like a stair-step and run in both a horizontal and vertical direction, they are usually a result of the soil settling beneath the center of the wall. “Nail popping” is another source of cracked walls in your Twin Cities home. This means a nail has pulled away from the stud beneath it and could be a sign of structural problems in your Twin Cities home.

If you are experiencing cracked walls in your Twin Cities home, Titus Contracting can help. Just give us a call at (952) 746-7817 or contact us online.