<![CDATA[Barlief Contractors - Blog]]>Mon, 10 Mar 2025 08:59:37 -0500Weebly<![CDATA[Dining Room & Laundry Remodel in Alexis IL]]>Thu, 17 Feb 2022 03:20:24 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/dining-room-laundry-remodelWe love when our customers ask us to come back for new projects! Mike & Ashlee asked us to put new cabinets & countertops in their kitchen back in 2020. After a year or so of seeing the potential of their home growing, they asked us to put new flooring, trim, and doors in the rest of the main house. Then, we made MAJOR improvements to another area that was hardly ever used in the many years they lived there, because it had so many issues... the dining room and laundry room is now one of the functional highlights of their home! 
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]]><![CDATA[Who's thinking, "We could use a new bathroom..."]]>Mon, 01 Mar 2021 11:00:00 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/whos-thinking-we-could-use-a-new-bathroom
​In Cameron, IL we remodeled what the homeowners described as their "outdated" bathroom. Check out the slideshow to view the demolition in progress as well as finished photos.  Sometimes there is nothing to salvage and you have to start fresh including the following:
  • All new plumbing 
  • Leveling the floor
  • Wiring upgrades
  • Building the shower alcove
  • Shower surround with accent lighting 
  • New drywall
  • Whitewashed and clear coated shiplap accent wall
  • Finish paint and baseboards
  • Tri-view medicine cabinet and lights
  • Maxx Utile shower door
  • Quarried granite vanity top
  • Original doors, probably 100 years old, painted
  • Vinyl plank flooring
]]><![CDATA[New Siding on Historic Home in Altona, IL]]>Fri, 19 Feb 2021 01:58:14 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/new-siding-on-historic-home​When a potential client reaches out about siding a literal piece of history in Altona IL, our team was definitely interested! Although, the place was built in 1896, it still has very strong bones. It only needed some mild to moderate repairs on its exterior. With keeping its original character in mind, we were tasked with bringing it's appeal forward a few centuries... how did we do??
​ #barliefcontractors #carpentry #newsiding #carpentryskills #Roofing
]]><![CDATA[New Siding in Roseville, IL]]>Sun, 23 Aug 2020 14:21:44 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/new-siding-in-roseville-il
Once in a while, we get asked to do a project that presents such a transformation we feel compelled to share! This is a siding job for a customer in Roseville, IL. The house had 40+ year old faded yellow siding and fascia boards that were nearly falling off. In order to stay in budget we prepped soffit channel on the eaves to be done in the spring but the gables could not wait.  New aluminum soffit and fascia, new Tyvek house wrap, rebuilt front stoop and Variform Vortex Extreme siding increases curb appeal making it easier to pull into your driveway. These new additions will also increase the energy efficiency of your home! Win! Win! We sincerely enjoyed this project as well as working with the customer. Thank you for your trust in Barlief Contractors!  
]]><![CDATA[Ceiling Renovation in Galesburg, IL]]>Sat, 30 May 2020 04:05:58 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/ceiling-renovation
This ceiling renovation was completed at a local church, Colonial Baptist Church. Why did they reach out to Barlief Contractors? Well, their ceiling had water damaged tongue and groove ceiling tile and they wanted a new clean look. After tearing out the existing ceiling it was a challenge to avoid damaging the old plaster. Another challenge presented in the bedroom where the ceiling needed to be jacked up, braced and then fastened where the frame work was sagging. We sure enjoyed seeing this area go from a dark room to a nice bright space! 
]]><![CDATA[Building New Steps in Galesburg, IL]]>Thu, 23 Apr 2020 01:23:59 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/building-new-stepsSpring is here! Living in the Midwest and working outside is always a challenge.  However, with the weather improving, building new steps is a perfect outdoor project to complete for our customers. 
Here, our customer's steps were separating from deck and they needed help! Because of age, the structure was compromised and were no longer safe to use. The stairs were an exact replacement to keep the memory of her father. He originally built the steps for this deck. We are grateful for the opportunity to preserve a memory for our customer!  Thank you for your trust in Barlief Contractors! 
These steps were a completely new build! Originally there were concrete steps that were too low and not very practical, and frankly they were sad and ugly! Not only were we able to give him more curb appeal but they now have a landing. This gives the homeowner somewhere to stand and unlock the door. This was also completed in one day, very convenient for the homeowner. 
]]><![CDATA[Renovated Stairwell and Landing in Media, IL]]>Fri, 10 Apr 2020 13:51:26 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/renovated-stairwell-and-landingThe newly renovated stairwell and landing is finished and boy does this brighten up the space! With all the remodeling that has been going on with our customer's home, next on the list was the stairwell and landing. It was starting to stand out from the house and desperately needed fixed. We removed the plaster and installed new drywall on the stairs. Let me tell you, that was not an easy task as simple as it sounds. We also added fresh paint, installed new carpet and replaced the handrail. Upstairs landing also received new drywall, carpet, new railings and a new paint job!  In the slideshow below you will see the after photo first and then the before photo. 
]]><![CDATA[Additional Storage in Media, IL]]>Tue, 07 Apr 2020 22:58:27 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/additional-storageNeed additional storage? Check out our new finished project! In this bedroom there was a lack of storage space. So, we tore out the wall, expanded the closet and a cubbie was built under the staircase. Can we say Gorgeous?!
]]><![CDATA[New Door Installations in Monmouth, Galesburg and Kirkwood, IL]]>Sun, 15 Mar 2020 14:52:23 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/new-door-installationsNothing better to welcome you home than a new door! ​Many times we are able to upgrade for less than our customers thought possible. Give us a call and see what we can do for you! (309) 536-0866
]]><![CDATA[Butcher Block Countertop in Davenport, IA]]>Sat, 22 Feb 2020 01:03:06 GMThttps://www.barliefcontractors.com/blog/butcher-block-countertopButcher block is one type of material that can be used on a countertop. This homeowner originally had laminate in her kitchen but wanted an update so butcher block was installed. ​

Here is a little background on Butcher block. It was commonly used in butcher shops and meat processing plants but has now become popular in home use.  Butcher block countertops can last for 20 years or longer!  This gives it a major advantage over laminate which can typically last for only 10 to 15 years. 

Look how great the butcher block turned out in the photos below.  This is definitely one of my favorite material for countertops, whats yours? 
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