The Finish Phase: Where a 7,000 Sq. Ft. Remodel Finally Comes Together

Independent Construction
11 minutes ago
2 min read

Cedar patio ceiling with recessed lights overlooks a sunny, open field and distant mountains under a clear blue sky. Calm and serene setting.

As this 7,000 square foot Fort Collins remodel moves into its final stages, the pace changes.

The big, obvious work is done. What’s left are the details—the parts that don’t move fast, don’t photograph instantly, and don’t forgive shortcuts. This is the phase where everything that came before either holds up… or doesn’t.

And it’s where the house finally begins to feel complete.

Tile That Defines the Space – Not Just Decorates It

Geometric patterned floor tiles with blue, white, and gray stripes. Sunlight casts shadows, creating an abstract and modern ambiance.

Tile shows up in this home, but not as an afterthought or a trend-driven layer.

We’re seeing:

Carefully aligned patterned floor tile that sets rhythm and scale
Backsplashes where layout, grout choice, and edge conditions are doing just as much work as the tile itself
Clean execution around cabinetry, outlets, and plumbing penetrations

This stage highlights why tile is always one of the longest parts of a remodel. Every surface depends on preparation that happened weeks, or months, earlier. There’s no rushing alignment, no fixing shortcuts once grout goes in.

Cedar Ceiling That Adds Warmth Without Overpowering

Cedar ceiling with recessed lights, viewed from below. The setting includes a bright blue sky and distant mountains in the background.

The cedar ceiling is one of those elements that quietly change everything.

In large spaces, especially covered outdoor areas, flat surfaces can feel cold or unfinished. The cedar introduces warmth and texture without competing with the architecture. It also requires patience: correct spacing, fastening, and finishing matter, particularly in Northern Colorado’s climate swings.

These ceilings aren’t decorative add-ons. They’re part of the structure’s visual balance.

Built-In Storage That Makes a Big House Livable

White cabinets line a room with wood flooring and a window revealing a field. Tools and debris are scattered on the floor.

In a home of this size, storage isn’t optional—and it isn’t something you solve afterward.

Built-ins throughout the project were designed to:

Disappear into the architecture
Keep everyday items out of sight
Support how the home is actually used

This kind of storage doesn’t announce itself. But once it’s missing, you feel it immediately.

A Fireplace That Grounds the Room

The freshly installed, master bedroom gas fireplace, is one of the final anchoring elements going in.

It’s not oversized. It doesn’t try to dominate the room. Instead, it provides balance—something the eye can rest on as the surrounding finishes come together.

Good fireplace design isn’t about making it the loudest feature in the space. It’s about giving the room a center without taking it over.

Why This Stage Takes Time (And Should)

At this point in the remodel, progress looks slower, but it’s actually more deliberate.

Every decision stacks:

Tile depends on cabinet placement
Cabinets depend on flooring height
Trim depends on wall finish consistency

This is why we continue sharing this process. A full remodel isn’t just a dramatic reveal at the end—it’s dozens of finishing decisions made carefully, in sequence.