By Susan Elise Campbell
Remodeling and renovating a home personalizes spaces while making them more functional, according to Kim Hinman, co-owner of Hinman Construction with her husband Jami.
No longer is remodeling only for those who want a kitchen or bathroom update. Even new construction can get a complete makeover.
“We’ve had the remodeling business for 30 years, but what people are screaming for today is to make rooms more functional,” Hinman said. “It becomes a game of inches to maximize the efficiency of the space so it works for them.”
“We have a client whose parents’ house we renovated and who wanted their brand new home totally renovated,” she said. “Everything was white and we changed every room to their taste and needs, even adding a library and storage space.”
Jami Hinman started in the construction field right out of college about 40 years ago. After starting their own construction business, they quickly found they could best use Jami’s building skills and Kim’s design talent by focusing on higher-end home renovations and additions.
Today the couple’s two children are part of the team: daughter Caroline as marketing manager and co-designer and son Jesse as project manager.
“There is a huge need for the kind of company that can handle everything from start to finish, which is what we do,” she said.
Clients first meet with Kim and Caroline to design and plan spaces, coordinate components, and set budgets. This team consults with the client throughout construction, installation, and completion, Hinman said.
“We have our clients retain us so that they are clear about what the costs and expectations are before signing a construction contract,” she said.
Their approach also differs by planning all cabinetry as custom orders. Ten years ago the Hinmans became a dealer for American furniture manufacturer the Corsey Group for all kitchen and bathroom cabinets, she said.
“We bring the showroom to the client with a few samples and a drawing program that shows clients our designs in 3D,” said Hinman. “The components are all custom manufactured in Indianapolis to our specifications and delivered directly to the project site.”
Bypassing storage reduces the risk of damage as products are moved, she said, adding that in all their years as a dealer there has been very little damage to deliveries.
The firm has long-term partnerships and, in some cases—such as Cambria countertops—a dealer arrangement with certain manufacturers and suppliers. These businesses form “a trusted team standing behind our company,” she said.
Hinman said their design approach is, “let’s make it a better presentation but also add better features and organization. Kitchens are the heart of the house, so let’s give them a Wow factor.”
“Sometimes I’m surprised that at the price point of a new home the kitchen isn’t functioning as it should be,” she said. “We even take walls down in new construction because it’s expensive for builders to change a plan.”
Some trends in kitchen remodeling include changing style from elaborate to simple—or the other way around. People like large free-standing range hoods of mixed materials such as paint and wood or metal finishes, she said.
“Hoods are becoming a feature point, but the trick is making sure it vents properly,” she said. “We may have to get creative venting through the floor joists or behind a closet.”
Painted white cabinets are being replaced by oak or wood with a lime wash. Upgrading to walnut is popular too, she said.
Bathrooms are getting a makeover with custom granite or marble.
“People are staying in their homes enjoying low interest rates and accomplishing what they want to do because it makes sense financially,” said Hinman. “I’ve noticed some clients are getting more daring, which makes our job fun.”
Recently, Kim Hinman was invited by Qualified Remodeler Magazine in Chicago to be one of eight to judge this year’s master design awards. She evaluated before-and-after photos of 500 submissions competing in 22 categories.
Hinman Construction aims to do one project at a time so her team can pay attention to “the little details that often matter the most,” she said. It’s a practice that has won the firm its own awards.
Learn more at hinmanconstruction.com.