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How Much Energy Efficiency Do Your Windows Really Need?

admin — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:00:19 +0000

Much confusion surrounds energy efficient windows . You know that they’re fantastic and save you money on energy bills, but how much efficiency do you really need to keep your home a comfortable temperature? And how much is too much? Let’s get clear this up once and for all. In general, triple-pane windows are only necessary for regions that see extreme heat or cold. For most everyone else, double-pane windows with Low-E coating are just fine. Costs for these vary by location and your home’s specific needs. To find out how much new windows would cost in your area, click here . 1. Locate Your Climate Zone Next, onto the level of glass pane efficiency . Each climate zone in the U.S. has different requirements for window glass. So first things first, which climate zone do you live in? (You can also search by zip code at Energy Star .) 2. Jot Down Your Recommended Window Ratings Here’s a breakdown of how well replacement windows should perform based on your climate zone. Washington, D.C., for example, is in the North-Central Zone, and therefore needs a window with U-factor of 0.32 or less. U-factors and other rating numbers will be printed on all Energy Star certified windows. This makes it easy to see how different products measure up. North-Central Zone: U-factor of 0.32 or less, and SHGC of 0.40 or less Northern: You can do one of three options: U-factor of 0.30 or less with any SHGC; or U-factor of 0.31 and SHGC of 0.35 or higher; or lastly, U-factor of 0.32 and SHGC of 0.40 or higher South-Central: U-factor of 0.35 or less, and SHGC of 0.30 or less Southern: U-factor of 0.60 or less, and SHGC of 0.27 or less U-Factor, if you’re curious, measures how well your window insulates. It ranges from 0.25 to 1.25. The lower the number, the better the window keeps your home heated. SHGC measures how much heat is blocked by your window, and ranges from about 0.25 to 0.80. The lower the number, the less solar heat is allowed to pass through. This is why super-sunny Florida, for example, requires an SHGC of .027 or less, and frigidly cold Wisconsin needs only a 0.40 or less. 3. Find an Experienced Window Installer Replacement windows are only as good as the contractor that installs them. In fact, a poorly sealed window will often void the warranty that came with your purchase, leading to all kinds of difficulties and costly repairs. You can find an experienced window contractor by clicking here . They are guaranteed to be: Pre-screened, licensed and insured Local to you for lower costs Ready to complete the work on your schedule The best-performing windows are airtight and will last for years. Make your investment count the first time by following these steps, and then of course, let us know how you love your new windows. Photos via Houzz

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How Much Energy Efficiency Do Your Windows Really Need?

Remodeling for the first time? here´s what you need to know

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 05:08:19 +0000

OK so you have a pretty good idea of what you want to achieve with your home, but before you start negotiations with architects or contractors here are some basic things you need to know about your project so you can start on an equal footing. Before we start can I just ask, what is your retention policy? First of all prepare your own schedule of works (list of things that need doing), this helps you understand your project better but also means the contractors will have to provide you like for like pricing (where each provides you an estimate in the same format so you can compare prices easily). Now everyone always says sign a contract, the issue is you don’t always understand what you are signing so here are the terms you really need to agree: When will you start and when will you finish? Do you need a deposit? (Yes, and quite right too). Can you tell me what sub contractor deposits you need to pay and what materials you need to buy including those items you need to order that may take a while so we don’t get delayed. (don´t just accept a random figure or fixed percentage, it helps nobody in the long run). How often am I going to pay you? Weekly, fortnightly, monthly? Lets conduct valuations of work each week where we run through things together every [insert period] and tick off what has been done and then I pay you for that amount. I will deduct your deposit from these payments as a percentage as we go (so if they asked for a 30% deposit you take 30% of each of the valuations, if you take it off at once you will hurt the contractor’s cashflow and end up with issues). How are we going to manage change orders? Can you provide me with an email stating what the change order is, how much it will cost and what impact it will have on the programme? Can we agree a defects liability period where once you have finished I have a few months (3 if cosmetic, 6 if structural) to contact you about hidden defects (things that show up later and are attributable to the contractor´s workmanship). What retention amount are we agreeing to? Is 5% ok for you? I can pay you 50% of it when you complete and the rest after the defects liability period is over (you deduct this from each valuation payment as well). Can we agree a penalty fee for every day you are late in completing? If so I will provide an incentive for every day you are early? (this is unorthodox but very effective at aligning interests). Can we create a snagging list before you leave, just so we can make sure that everything is Ok (smudges, nicks in walls etc)? Do you carry insurance to protect my home and property in the event of theft or damage? Can I see the policy please? What do we do if we cant resolve a dispute? is there someone impartial we can agee to contact? This is not a comprehensive list but it does provide you with the basics. If the contractor is fair and above board they will have no issue with any of these points. It also acts as a good vetting tool in that respect. Try and get this written up and signed by both parties before starting on site. Best of luck.

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Remodeling for the first time? here´s what you need to know

Is rating enough?

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:43:35 +0000

Owing to the universal dislike of home remodeling contractors rating websites have been popping up faster that you can say “but how could this have happened, they came so well recommended”. There is Ratedpeople.com and Mybuilder.com to name only two, both excellent services. They do offer great value in that they solve one of the major problems that any homeowner faces when deciding to remodel their home: who to turn to for advice when selecting the right contractor for their project. The issue is home remodeling is not the type of industry where if something goes wrong your laptop does not show up, or your iPhone arrives with a scratch. It’s the kind of industry where if something goes wrong a significant portion of your life savings can be lost or your home becomes uninhabitable for several months thus destroying the very sanction you normally retreat to when shit hits the fan. "but how could this have happened, they came so well recommended" Here is what is lacking from just a rating approach: 1. Every project is unique – just because contractor X did a great job on your Uncle´s interior does not mean they are suitable to do your 2 storey rear extension. The specific project experience, probably broken down into structural, non structural, cosmetic, restoration or heritage is essential in determining if a contractor is right for your project. 2. There is still no standard framework for all parties to work to – You will conduct a fresh negotiation at the start of your project on things like: how funds are to be paid? What progress needs to be achieved before I pay you? What do we do about change orders? Do I withhold retention? (And that’s if you know to ask). The provision of a set of universal standards and contracts with all parties cross signed to one another is extremely helpful. Set of standard terms for all parties to work to can include how estimates are to be created, how deposits are handled, how valuations, change orders and extensions of time are conducted and what is the retention policy Homeowner and service provider could sign a standard Service Level Agreement Service provider and contractor could sign a standard Operating Level Agreement Contractor and Homeowners could sign a standard building contract 3. Administration is messy -You are going to be dealing with long winded emails and mind bogglingly difficult spreadsheets and that can get very time consuming and stressful. A central online administration platform can significantly reduce the time and effort (and paper) invested by both parties in the administration of the project whislt creating an easy to access paper trail. 4. There is nothing to protect you in the event something actually does go wrong – If you have a dispute who are you going to turn to? And assume you have to replace your contractor (it does happen I’m afraid) you will not necessarily be compensated for the funds that you have already paid out even if you have a warranty. The provision of a manufactured product (like a home remodeling project) should be met with a guarantee for the value of the work they are contracted to perform. This can be achieved with a performance and quality bond or a mix of insurance product and retention (withholding a percentage of the contractor’s funds until practical completion or end of the contract). 5. Whose opinion is good enough? – When you receive a car it has been verified by more than just yourself, it is “objectively” of a certain quality standard. There is no third party inspection conducted to verify that the quality of a home remodeling project was carried out to standard or is even compliant to building regulations (planning departments do this in the UK but not every project requires planning permission or building regulation notification) or even to your exact specification. Rating is a step in the right direction; it removes the cowboy builders rather quickly and prunes a network of contractors into an ever more refined group. However even if you have the best contractor network in the world they are unable to cater for the fact that the framework they are operating within it is fraught with endemic issues that need more than a few stars to solve.

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Is rating enough?

Home Improvement procedure

admin — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 10:55:31 +0000

There are many ways in which you can increase the value of your house. You can get attractive interiors done; expensive furniture installed, and even builds a fireplace. However, all these things would not add as much value as a complete home improvement addition would do. Home Improvement Addition Making an addition onto your home is certainly the best opportunity not only to step-up your living space but also to add up to the value of your house. When you are thinking of financing the home improvement addition, you most significantly need to be well-prepared by considering many factors. Getting to know all the important aspects can save valuable time and preclude unnecessary stress. Such aspects include home market values in your locality, minor home addition expenses, architectural plans and patterns, home improvement loans, timetable and schedule for completion, and many others. Considerations before Building an Addition Zoning Policies and Regulations The first thing you need to do is to receive permission from the local government authorities to commence with the construction. In a majority of regions, you are required to abide by your city or town zoning policies and ordinances, and also obtain a construction license before building an addition to your home. The expenses for such licenses may differ from state to state. However, you need to be ready for spending around 2 – 5% of the entire cost of the remodeling on this license. Structural Specifications You are required to carry out soil testing which would evaluate the stability of the soil on which you intend to build the addition. If you reside in a coastal area which has a substantial amount of loose soil or clay in the soil, such tests can find out if you would need pilings to hold the structure firm. This being a decisive step in the home improvement addition, most of the contractors provide such services. Choosing a Contractor You need to be very careful when choosing the appropriate contractor for the work. Get referrals from your friends, family, and colleagues, for any good contractor they know; or look out for builders who provide special services in the type of architecture you desire. When choosing a suitable contractor, ensure that he is licensed, bonded, and covered with insurance. This not only makes sure that you employ one of the best contractors around, but also protects you in the situation of a mishap. Finally, choose a home remodeling contractor which will suit your needs and most importantly your budget. Considerations for Unexpected Errors Plan your budget according to some costs that are not anticipated. Probably, after deciding on a firm budget, you might want to make a decorative crown molding; or maybe you think that extending the addition by three feet would be better. You also need to consider the expenses which may incur due to some unfortunate occurrences such as damages to the house’s power supply. Irrespective of the possibilities, you need to include a margin for errors in both the estimated budget and also the approximate completion date for the home improvement addition project. Home Insurance Updates In a majority of cases, making an addition increases the value of the house. It is crucial that your home insurance policy covers up the changes and modifications you are anticipating. It is recommended to consult with your insurance agent before you get it built, simply to ensure that everything is right with the home insurance. Now that you have been informed much about what all things you need to consider in home improvement additions, you can commence with the project and expect an enjoyable living. Article Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles

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Home Improvement procedure

ROI is MIA in the green industry

admin — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 18:50:07 +0000

ROI needs to be found because it’s the key to turning customers on to green. It doesn’t matter if my clients are steeped in green or stepping into green, the challenge of providing clear and concise Return on Investment (ROI) for their customers seems an exercise in “blood, sweat and tears.” The green industry does a fine job in spouting the “Save the Planet!” message for customers, which is a good thing, but when it comes to the message of “How Does Green Save Me Money?” — it’s often muddy or missing. Take home remodeling. According to the latest Professional Remodeler green research, energy-efficient products continue to grow in popularity while other green improvements are lagging. In Housingzone.com ’s recent special report on green remodeling, 45 percent of remodelers believe that green features help them sell remodeling projects. While up 33 percent from 2007, it remains flat from a year ago. Take energy retrofits. For some time, homeowners have been sold on the fact that they are good for the environment and save them money on utility bills; however, a recent article in CNNMoney.com points out that appraisers don’t recognize these features one iota when conducting their home appraisals. Years back, Cleveland-based Buildings magazine stated that “thanks to programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council’ s landmark LEED rating system for buildings, green facilities have crept into the mainstream.” But, the article went on to say that “despite the growing recognition of sustainable practices, green products, and high-performance technologies in building design and construction, concern within the facilities industry continues due to lack of accurate, thorough, and quantifiable information about the financial and economic impacts of high-performance buildings.” These indicators tell me that this industry, among many others, is not doing its job in conveying the green ROI to its customers. How can we develop this key green ROI message for customers? It takes time and an investment. Be persistent with your suppliers and manufacturers to pull ROI information out of them any way you can. Set up a monitoring system with your past customers who have invested in your green products to get ROI stats first-hand. Invest in a third party—university research department, local marketing firm—to assist in getting the information for you. Comb the Internet for helpful product ROI information such as greenandsave.com and thedailygreen.com . Develop your own ROI formulas and tables by using compound interest calculators . It can be done. It’s well worth the time and investment to develop the ROI formula for your customers. This will put the “green” in your pocket as well as help save the planet.

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ROI is MIA in the green industry

House Remodeling: Planning

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 21:20:09 +0000

Though the long-running Los angeles housing crunch as well as the recent economic turmoil has left a large number of financially ailing, kitchen remodeling continues to be popular for giving over your money’s value. This only will serves as true however, need to make sure it right. As well as the key to achieving success is starting right using a well thought-of plan. Kitchen remodeling is truly an extremely beneficial project to be able to undertake, however without considering the progress will be down hill along with such project seriously isn’t cheap and believe not want to be able to risk it. So here are top tips inside planning a renovation from the heart of the house ideal whether you happen to be in Brooklyn, Prolonged Island, Manhattan, Queens and also Staten Island. · The Main points The most efficient way to start your house modeling ideas plan is using a thorough evaluation of what you’ve, what you really want done, and what ought to be done. Make sure that major options that come with the heart of your respective home are inside good working condition in order to avoid break-down and high priced emergency repairs. There ought to be no problems while using plumbing and electrical wiring not only for efficiency but to your family’s safety also. · Budgeting This is a crucial part of your respective kitchen remodeling plan as this can determine how far it is possible to go with the project whether minor or major. It is vital that you placed a realistic kitchen remodel budget and be ready using a secure source connected with money. However you prefer to fund the venture set an allowance to become set aside intended for unexpected issues along the way to avoid the immature end to the work. For homeowners using a limited budget, set priorities along with determine which among the tasks in the checklist are most vital. · Design Previous to planning the house remodeling design, observing the basics will result to your more efficient consequence. If you are planning on a major renovation, you should already have a fairly wise course of action on how you would like things to be set prior to deciding to discuss things with all your contractor. This could preserve both you as well as the contractor all his time. It is also important that you will be sure of what you long for as any changes along the way can cause an excessive amount of hassle and may even bust the budget. · Choosing Materials Relating to choosing materials and products to your kitchen area remodeling plan , this is a must that you are doing your homework nicely. Research, and read assets and reviews on various materials prior to deciding to buy. Consider not only the cost and the quality them to come in, the maintenance that this sort of choice entails, use, strength, and sturdiness. Keep in mind you happen to be using these for kitchens which is a place intended for intensive chores while like a main area intended for entertaining guests therefore both aesthetics and functionality ought to be considered. · Be Geared up Kitchens are among the most frequented and important portion of any home, thus it is advisable to create a make-shift and brief mafia on the probable things about to happen. If planning kitchen upgrading, search for and implement methods to make project management most effective.

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House Remodeling: Planning

Make Room for Grandpa and Save Money

admin — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:09:36 +0000

We all would like our parents to be comfortable. As they grow older, most seniors wish to live at home independently and for as long as feasible, and most importantly, wish to avoid being institutionalized. One great way to help with this could be to put in a “grandparent” suite home addition . This offers your parent or parents the flexibility they want, the feelings of comfort and safety they get from being near family members, and enables them to avoid moving to an assisted-living establishment. One more nice advantage of this living arrangement is that it will allow the grandparents to play a more involved role in the life of your family than they would otherwise be able to if they lived a greater distance away. In-law suite home additions are normally made up of a bath and a bedroom, but can be custom-built to satisfy your family needs. Some homeowners decide to include a sitting room, small cooking area, or a private entrance as well. While not as separate as a full apartment, suites present personal space and ample room for the occupants to feel at home. Grandparent suites may also be built with enhanced access for seniors and options like grab bars, walk-in bathtubs, and easy-to-reach storage space. They are generally positioned on the ground level so grandparents do not have to walk up unnecessary steps. If the suite has to be on the second floor, homeowners can have a home elevator or stair-lift built. If you work with a reputable home addition remodeling contractor , putting in a grandparent suite is typically more cost-effective than the price of an assisted living service or a nursing home (which generally cost tens of thousands of dollars a year, every year), and has a range of advantages for your family. In the old days, it was frequently assumed that multiple generations would live in a single residence, and why not? Growing up together with your grandparents close by is an enriching experience for any child, and you’ll undoubtedly enjoy seeing your children cultivate a new and fundamental relationship in their lives.

Do You Require an Architect for a Residential Remodel?

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:58:01 +0000

After having dreams about all the changes you intend to undertake in your home, it’s now time to start the remodeling process. Obviously, you prefer to make the most of your budget. Many design build remodeling contractors have architects on staff or under contract. Some design build home remodeling contractors do not. Instead, plans are drafted by the remodeler’s in-house design team. With an experienced, professional remodeler, the design build process can work fine without involving an architect , especially on smaller remodeling projects that involve just one room and little structural change. But often, even on smaller projects, an architect makes a crucial contribution to the design process. For example, the architect can frequently suggest very creative structural solutions or materials selection that the design team would possibly not think to consider. So, we are back at the original question: do you require an architect for a successful remodeling project? Here are several situations that you really do want to make an architect a part of your remodeling team. 1. Are you interested in “green” remodeling? Architects have embraced the popularity toward using eco-friendly materials and designs and can be quite valuable in suggesting both practical and creative ways to lower your home improvement project’s carbon footprint and long-term energy and maintenance costs. Your most knowledgeable ally is definitely an architect who is LEED certified – credentials that reflect the architect’s mastery of today’s best sustainable designs, green building practices and alternative materials. 2. Are you going to remodel multiple rooms or make structural changes? If you do, an architect’s professional eye can spot opportunities to add living and storage space, efficiency and “wow” to the plans. Often, an architect’s expertise might reward you with little changes in the location of a wall or the use of materials that will make a huge difference in how the spaces will flow and how well the new spaces integrate with the existing rooms and also exterior lines of your abode. 3. Is extremely creative design a top priority? Some desire a “basic” remodeling job or they simply want to copy a room or layout they’ve seen somewhere else. But if you want superior design and functionality that is geared to your specific preferences and lifestyle, the creativity of an architect can reward you with a remodel that meets or exceeds your highest expectations. Best of both worlds: design build with an architect .

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Do You Require an Architect for a Residential Remodel?

House Remodeling Project

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:30:33 +0000

Frequently than not, the kitchen will be one favorite place of most homes. It is the location where the heart is inside every family, where members of the family can bond anytime from the day. With that, the thought connected with giving your kitchen a brand new groove, you shouldn’t become skeptical on allocating an integral part of your budget on kitchen remodeling. Previous to undertaking a venture on any residence renovation, one should include planned the design and changes inside fixtures carefully along with canvassed contractors that will give good results so as to maximise time and funds. Renovations can become very inconvenient and will disrupt your everyday routines. But when planned on the perfect time, it lessens the trouble. Here are a large number of tips though to get a successful along with stress free house remodeling project. Plan the kitchen home design changes Brainstorm on what new design you wanted to your kitchen and what you long for to keep. Knowing what you long for before seeing the contractor and interior designer would have been a great help. While using peak of engineering, you can just search on the net different kitchen designs therefore you can experiment on bring the items and design that you want. Remember, in making over your kitchen follow the accessibility, safety and what sort of place can make you feel very secure. Shop for a contractor to undertake it Ask around the neighborhood on who can do kitchen upgrading at its most effective with cost proficiency and great workmanship. A contractor offers you an estimate on how much you may be spending for that project. Usually, these contractors know where to get the best materials to your floors, walls and also your countertop. Get the most effective three and permit them pass the proposal to you to help you to compare. Ask their particular previous clients intended for an unbiased suggestions and review on their work. Acquire Involved After doing the look and choosing among the kitchen remodel contractors who may suit your personality whilst your standards, get involve every step from the way. In purchasing fixtures and supplies, make sure you have approved these people. This is ensuring that you will be buying the suitable stuff that suits your liking whilst your budget. Definitely for the reason that project would progress it’ll give you more excited for the reason that finishing days are in to the future. Kitchen remodeling is a great investment of your cash every three decades. And its also like entering into a new residence that brings exhilaration and keeps family time a great time to bond.

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House Remodeling Project

Tile Be There For You!

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:00:03 +0000

We carry a tremendous amount of stone and tile including many lines of porcelain and ceramic tiles, stone, mosaics, glass, metal, decorative, leather, wood and other exotic surfaces (there’s even tile made of coconut). Come to our showroom and check out our enormous selection. We can supply any tile for any project and can help you with design if you need it. Please send Jan an email at Jan @ MyHomeMyPlanet . com or call 914 2449499 x 304 or visit our Mt. Kisco showroom to see how we can help you with your project. To browse the tile section of our site, simply click http :// myhomemyplanet . com / products / tile

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Tile Be There For You!