About Modular Homes
February 23, 2008
Michael Zenga asked:
Aren’t modular homes the same as mobile homes? Not by a long shot! Modular homes are a revolutionary new product for the new home construction industry. Have you seen videos or television depictions of a state-of-the-art automobile manufacturing plant? If you have, imagine a brand new home being built the same way. But instead of the final home product being of a lesser quality, the home is built better and in less than half the time compared to standard new home construction. If you can envision this, then you are beginning to get the concept of modular homes.
Modular homes are more than 80 percent constructed in a large factory indoors away from the elements of the weather. The completed modular are then loaded onto a truck and lifted onto a foundation where the new homeowner awaits the finishing touches to complete the construction. Because the modules are transported to the site, the durability and strength have to be greater than a home built on-site. Estimates indicate these homes are therefore 20 percent stronger than your typical “site-built” home. Modules are then secured together with water, electricity, and sewage “tied in” after it has arrived. By the end, no one can tell the difference between a modular home and a site-built home.
But I am sure the designs are limited with this type of construction, right? Nope. Any design can be made into a modular home. Whether you bring plans to a modular home manufacturer, or select from the thousands of designs available, your dream home can be constructed by modular technology. Design architects who create wonderful modular homes are abundant, and many have selectively embraced this new method of home building. Having the ability to provide the homeowner with vast choices in design while saving resources in energy, labor, time and materials makes modular homes an easy choice.
Not only are modular home stronger than site-built homes and equal in design choices, but they cut the time of construction by more than half. Having the ability to work in a factory enables construction to be most efficient. No rain delays or freezing temperatures, no scheduling conflicts with subcontractors between different jobs, and no lost tools or having to travel to different job sites. Some large manufacturers produce as many as 6 to 8 homes a week. In the end, the homeowner wins because there is less time for construction loans to accrue interest and less time needed to pay for temporary housing during construction. Time is money.
Not only do modular homes save time and relate costs, but the total costs for a new home identical to a comparable site-built home is 10 to 20 percent less. These savings are immediately appreciated, but they are also a nice surprise when you plan to sell your home later. Modular homes accrue value as well (if not better) than site built homes, so putting in less money on the front end increases your equity on the back end. All in all, modular homes make perfect sense. If you are in the new home market, you should strongly consider modular home construction.
Renewable Energy Videos
Aren’t modular homes the same as mobile homes? Not by a long shot! Modular homes are a revolutionary new product for the new home construction industry. Have you seen videos or television depictions of a state-of-the-art automobile manufacturing plant? If you have, imagine a brand new home being built the same way. But instead of the final home product being of a lesser quality, the home is built better and in less than half the time compared to standard new home construction. If you can envision this, then you are beginning to get the concept of modular homes.
Modular homes are more than 80 percent constructed in a large factory indoors away from the elements of the weather. The completed modular are then loaded onto a truck and lifted onto a foundation where the new homeowner awaits the finishing touches to complete the construction. Because the modules are transported to the site, the durability and strength have to be greater than a home built on-site. Estimates indicate these homes are therefore 20 percent stronger than your typical “site-built” home. Modules are then secured together with water, electricity, and sewage “tied in” after it has arrived. By the end, no one can tell the difference between a modular home and a site-built home.
But I am sure the designs are limited with this type of construction, right? Nope. Any design can be made into a modular home. Whether you bring plans to a modular home manufacturer, or select from the thousands of designs available, your dream home can be constructed by modular technology. Design architects who create wonderful modular homes are abundant, and many have selectively embraced this new method of home building. Having the ability to provide the homeowner with vast choices in design while saving resources in energy, labor, time and materials makes modular homes an easy choice.
Not only are modular home stronger than site-built homes and equal in design choices, but they cut the time of construction by more than half. Having the ability to work in a factory enables construction to be most efficient. No rain delays or freezing temperatures, no scheduling conflicts with subcontractors between different jobs, and no lost tools or having to travel to different job sites. Some large manufacturers produce as many as 6 to 8 homes a week. In the end, the homeowner wins because there is less time for construction loans to accrue interest and less time needed to pay for temporary housing during construction. Time is money.
Not only do modular homes save time and relate costs, but the total costs for a new home identical to a comparable site-built home is 10 to 20 percent less. These savings are immediately appreciated, but they are also a nice surprise when you plan to sell your home later. Modular homes accrue value as well (if not better) than site built homes, so putting in less money on the front end increases your equity on the back end. All in all, modular homes make perfect sense. If you are in the new home market, you should strongly consider modular home construction.
Renewable Energy Videos
Building Your Dream Home - Part 3
February 22, 2008
Mark J. Donovan asked:
Exterior Framing Continues
With the home’s sub-floor down and the exterior walls framed and up, the framing crew was on to the roof. Though the roof was rather simple in structure with just a 12/12 pitch and no valleys it was a significant framing undertaking due to just the size and height of it. The house was 32 feet wide by 44 feet in length, and the exterior side walls stood 11 feet tall in the great room. This exterior wall height of 11 feet translated into a roof ridge that was 27 feet off the floor of the great room. Consequently staging was required to install the ridge pole and roof rafters. In addition, since the span from the top of the walls to the ridge was so long, heavy 2×12s were required for the roof rafters. Within a week, however, the team had completed the installation of the roof rafters and the house began to take on real shape.
I should comment briefly about the sub-floor and exterior walls before I move on.
I decided on using ¾” tongue and groove plywood for the sub-flooring rather than OSB/particle board as I was concerned that the OSB was too sensitive to moisture. I was concerned about this, both from the construction phase and from normal home use. I was concerned that during the construction phase that snow and ice could potentially lead to damage such as warping. I have seen this before when OSB was used on sub-flooring. I was also concerned that during the life of the home, that there could be water incidents, e.g. a leaking dishwasher or washer machine that also could also lead to water damage to the floor. I also believe that plywood is stronger and that it would provide for a more solid and rigid floor.
Regarding the exterior wall framing I used 2×6 construction. This is typical in New England as the additional wall depth allows for higher insulation factors; a must in colder climates.
Sheathing the Outside of the Home
In order to get plumbing and electric contractors onto a site typically they want the home “buttoned up”. This includes the roof shingled and the doors and windows on. Thus my framing crew moved onto the exterior sheathing once the walls and roof framing were complete.
As with the sub-floor, I again chose plywood for the exterior sheathing for the same reasons mentioned earlier. On the exterior walls ½” exterior grade plywood was used. On the roof 5/8″ exterior grade plywood was used. I know many builders today use OSB for both the walls and roof, however, I still believe for stronger construction plywood is the way to go.
The sheathing effort took about a week to complete. During this time exterior doors and windows showed up on the site. Staging the delivery of material reduces theft and insurance risk as well as keeps a less cluttered construction site. However, as I have indicated earlier, communication is critical when you are doing “Just-in-Time” material delivery.
Installing Exterior Doors and Windows
The installation of the doors and windows was a major undertaking for this project as the lake side view of the home was literally a wall of windows; 32 feet in width and 27 feet in height. A great deal of engineering had gone into the window design so that the 10 large custom windows would fit together like a jig saw puzzle. This said, when the windows arrived on site and were inspected, it was determined that some of them were not built correctly to the dimensions specified. After much debate with the framing crew, the window vendor and me we reached a compromise on sharing the cost of fixing the windows. The window vendor took back the improperly sized windows and the framing crew began the installation of the doors and what windows they could install. Fortunately the window vendor was able to return to the site with the properly sized windows within a few days and the construction phase did not miss a beat.
Completing the Interior Framing
With the doors and windows installed, the framing crew proceeded to complete the Interior Framing. This was an exciting time, as the rooms began to take real shape. You could now walk down hallways and into bedrooms and closet areas. Within just a few days the interior walls were complete and the framing crew proceeded onto the roof for the shingling.
I should note that 2×4 construction was used on the interior walls as insulation was not required on the interior walls.
Shingling the Roof
The last task to complete before the house could be classified as “Buttoned Up” was to install the shingles on the roof. Fortunately my framing crew was also able to do this task, thus eliminating the need for yet another subcontractor.
I chose a 30 year architectural shingle due to the quality and look I was trying to achieve on the home.
Though relatively a simple roof, it was quite large and the weather was less than hospitable. Consequently it took nearly 2 weeks to complete this task. However, with the roof complete, my electric and plumbing contractors were now able to begin their work.
Also, with the main house now structurally complete, the framing crew moved onto the garage framing and construction phase. As a result of staging the garage behind the main home construction phase, I was able to have subcontractors work in parallel without getting in each others way.
Rough Electric and Plumbing
With the house “Buttoned-Up”, my Electric and Plumber subcontractors showed up to begin the roughing in phase of their respective tasks.
Rough Electric
I had met a few days before on site with the Electric subcontractor to discuss the placement of all the wall outlets and switches, as well as where the light fixtures would be situated. During our discussion he marked the wall studs for the placements of the electric wiring boxes so that we could visualize the entire electric wiring scheme. We also marked where the telephone and cable boxes would reside.
During the electrical rough in wiring phase, the electrician installed all the wiring boxes and ran wire from the boxes to where the main circuit panel box would reside.
Rough Plumbing
As with the Electrical Subcontractor, I had met several weeks earlier with the Plumbing Contractor. During this meeting we discussed the form of heat for the home, as well as where the bathrooms and kitchen were to reside in the home. We also discussed types of bathroom fixtures including tubs, sinks and toilets. Consequently, when he showed up on site he new exactly where to run main drain and supply pipes and vent stacks. He also roughed in all of the plumbing for each bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixture.
Within a week both the Electrical and Rough Plumbing contractors had completed their tasks and had successfully passed their respective inspections.
To Be Continued ….
In Part 4 of “Building Your Dream House”, Electric and Plumbing continue and the Kitchen Design is explained. Stay tuned……………
Contractor Listings in LA
Exterior Framing Continues
With the home’s sub-floor down and the exterior walls framed and up, the framing crew was on to the roof. Though the roof was rather simple in structure with just a 12/12 pitch and no valleys it was a significant framing undertaking due to just the size and height of it. The house was 32 feet wide by 44 feet in length, and the exterior side walls stood 11 feet tall in the great room. This exterior wall height of 11 feet translated into a roof ridge that was 27 feet off the floor of the great room. Consequently staging was required to install the ridge pole and roof rafters. In addition, since the span from the top of the walls to the ridge was so long, heavy 2×12s were required for the roof rafters. Within a week, however, the team had completed the installation of the roof rafters and the house began to take on real shape.
I should comment briefly about the sub-floor and exterior walls before I move on.
I decided on using ¾” tongue and groove plywood for the sub-flooring rather than OSB/particle board as I was concerned that the OSB was too sensitive to moisture. I was concerned about this, both from the construction phase and from normal home use. I was concerned that during the construction phase that snow and ice could potentially lead to damage such as warping. I have seen this before when OSB was used on sub-flooring. I was also concerned that during the life of the home, that there could be water incidents, e.g. a leaking dishwasher or washer machine that also could also lead to water damage to the floor. I also believe that plywood is stronger and that it would provide for a more solid and rigid floor.
Regarding the exterior wall framing I used 2×6 construction. This is typical in New England as the additional wall depth allows for higher insulation factors; a must in colder climates.
Sheathing the Outside of the Home
In order to get plumbing and electric contractors onto a site typically they want the home “buttoned up”. This includes the roof shingled and the doors and windows on. Thus my framing crew moved onto the exterior sheathing once the walls and roof framing were complete.
As with the sub-floor, I again chose plywood for the exterior sheathing for the same reasons mentioned earlier. On the exterior walls ½” exterior grade plywood was used. On the roof 5/8″ exterior grade plywood was used. I know many builders today use OSB for both the walls and roof, however, I still believe for stronger construction plywood is the way to go.
The sheathing effort took about a week to complete. During this time exterior doors and windows showed up on the site. Staging the delivery of material reduces theft and insurance risk as well as keeps a less cluttered construction site. However, as I have indicated earlier, communication is critical when you are doing “Just-in-Time” material delivery.
Installing Exterior Doors and Windows
The installation of the doors and windows was a major undertaking for this project as the lake side view of the home was literally a wall of windows; 32 feet in width and 27 feet in height. A great deal of engineering had gone into the window design so that the 10 large custom windows would fit together like a jig saw puzzle. This said, when the windows arrived on site and were inspected, it was determined that some of them were not built correctly to the dimensions specified. After much debate with the framing crew, the window vendor and me we reached a compromise on sharing the cost of fixing the windows. The window vendor took back the improperly sized windows and the framing crew began the installation of the doors and what windows they could install. Fortunately the window vendor was able to return to the site with the properly sized windows within a few days and the construction phase did not miss a beat.
Completing the Interior Framing
With the doors and windows installed, the framing crew proceeded to complete the Interior Framing. This was an exciting time, as the rooms began to take real shape. You could now walk down hallways and into bedrooms and closet areas. Within just a few days the interior walls were complete and the framing crew proceeded onto the roof for the shingling.
I should note that 2×4 construction was used on the interior walls as insulation was not required on the interior walls.
Shingling the Roof
The last task to complete before the house could be classified as “Buttoned Up” was to install the shingles on the roof. Fortunately my framing crew was also able to do this task, thus eliminating the need for yet another subcontractor.
I chose a 30 year architectural shingle due to the quality and look I was trying to achieve on the home.
Though relatively a simple roof, it was quite large and the weather was less than hospitable. Consequently it took nearly 2 weeks to complete this task. However, with the roof complete, my electric and plumbing contractors were now able to begin their work.
Also, with the main house now structurally complete, the framing crew moved onto the garage framing and construction phase. As a result of staging the garage behind the main home construction phase, I was able to have subcontractors work in parallel without getting in each others way.
Rough Electric and Plumbing
With the house “Buttoned-Up”, my Electric and Plumber subcontractors showed up to begin the roughing in phase of their respective tasks.
Rough Electric
I had met a few days before on site with the Electric subcontractor to discuss the placement of all the wall outlets and switches, as well as where the light fixtures would be situated. During our discussion he marked the wall studs for the placements of the electric wiring boxes so that we could visualize the entire electric wiring scheme. We also marked where the telephone and cable boxes would reside.
During the electrical rough in wiring phase, the electrician installed all the wiring boxes and ran wire from the boxes to where the main circuit panel box would reside.
Rough Plumbing
As with the Electrical Subcontractor, I had met several weeks earlier with the Plumbing Contractor. During this meeting we discussed the form of heat for the home, as well as where the bathrooms and kitchen were to reside in the home. We also discussed types of bathroom fixtures including tubs, sinks and toilets. Consequently, when he showed up on site he new exactly where to run main drain and supply pipes and vent stacks. He also roughed in all of the plumbing for each bathroom and kitchen plumbing fixture.
Within a week both the Electrical and Rough Plumbing contractors had completed their tasks and had successfully passed their respective inspections.
To Be Continued ….
In Part 4 of “Building Your Dream House”, Electric and Plumbing continue and the Kitchen Design is explained. Stay tuned……………
Contractor Listings in LA
New Home Construction Loans Everything You Want to Know
February 18, 2008
John Elton asked:
A major enjoyable and satisfactory landmark in anybody’s life is the construction of a house. Always the decision for a new house is taken only after the thought process for many days. You will be assessing your requirements, your desires about home, you family’s concern about home and even your kids joyous requirements. Once if you finalize the requirements, you will go for search of the property to construction the home. Once all preliminary works are over, the time has reached to arrange the funds for house building. It is true that none of us will have enough funds in our personal savings to spend on the construction. So we have necessarily to go for new home construction loans.
Present global scenario offers us many facilities to avail a new home construction loan. There are many lending agencies online and offline offering the home construction loans. Another loan facility is that stated income construction loans. Both of these are the financial support for new home construction, but they differ in the way of loan characteristics and approval procedures.
The first step in getting construction loans is to identify a lender. If you are able to identify a perfect lender, who is cooperative and accommodative, half of your problems in getting the loan are over. As already mentioned, there are online and offline lenders who offer the great deals. But the online companies are better, as you can save much amount. You can spend lot of time from moving around from one company to another enquiring about the details of the new home construction loans. It is always better to have information on various lenders who offering the loans for the new construction. You can compare the features of the various companies and select one which seems to be the best.
12 months time is usually considered as the construction period and hence the interest on the loan amount needs to be paid in these 12 months. Once you complete the construction and the lender gets a perfect completion and evaluation certificate you can convert it to a mortgage loan. In general the construction loans charge little more than the interest on mortgage loans. The construction loans are paid to the borrower in different installments, accordingly after the completion of each step in the construction. The draws of the amounts are directly paid to the suppliers and sub contractors.
There are two types of construction loans. One loan is generally applicable to individual customers who look for a residential unit for their own family purpose. For this type, the home owner has the privilege to convert it to a mortgagee loan, in fact it is automatic. Second type of the loan carries another option to close the loan just after the completion by repaying back the whole new home construction loan amount availed. This type is suitable fro realtors who construct and sale home properties.
If you are a potential individual looking for new home construction loans, do not waste you time. Go log in to online lender’s website now itself.
Renewable Energy Videos
A major enjoyable and satisfactory landmark in anybody’s life is the construction of a house. Always the decision for a new house is taken only after the thought process for many days. You will be assessing your requirements, your desires about home, you family’s concern about home and even your kids joyous requirements. Once if you finalize the requirements, you will go for search of the property to construction the home. Once all preliminary works are over, the time has reached to arrange the funds for house building. It is true that none of us will have enough funds in our personal savings to spend on the construction. So we have necessarily to go for new home construction loans.
Present global scenario offers us many facilities to avail a new home construction loan. There are many lending agencies online and offline offering the home construction loans. Another loan facility is that stated income construction loans. Both of these are the financial support for new home construction, but they differ in the way of loan characteristics and approval procedures.
The first step in getting construction loans is to identify a lender. If you are able to identify a perfect lender, who is cooperative and accommodative, half of your problems in getting the loan are over. As already mentioned, there are online and offline lenders who offer the great deals. But the online companies are better, as you can save much amount. You can spend lot of time from moving around from one company to another enquiring about the details of the new home construction loans. It is always better to have information on various lenders who offering the loans for the new construction. You can compare the features of the various companies and select one which seems to be the best.
12 months time is usually considered as the construction period and hence the interest on the loan amount needs to be paid in these 12 months. Once you complete the construction and the lender gets a perfect completion and evaluation certificate you can convert it to a mortgage loan. In general the construction loans charge little more than the interest on mortgage loans. The construction loans are paid to the borrower in different installments, accordingly after the completion of each step in the construction. The draws of the amounts are directly paid to the suppliers and sub contractors.
There are two types of construction loans. One loan is generally applicable to individual customers who look for a residential unit for their own family purpose. For this type, the home owner has the privilege to convert it to a mortgagee loan, in fact it is automatic. Second type of the loan carries another option to close the loan just after the completion by repaying back the whole new home construction loan amount availed. This type is suitable fro realtors who construct and sale home properties.
If you are a potential individual looking for new home construction loans, do not waste you time. Go log in to online lender’s website now itself.
Renewable Energy Videos
has the quality in the materials used in home construction plummeted?
February 14, 2008
I recently drove by an affluent neighborhood where several homes were being built- I couldn’t get over the amount of flimsy fiber board that was being used- yet these homes would eventually be million dollar homes. Is in my imagination, or has the quality in materials used in home construction plummeted? Anyone here buy a new house, and discovered the house started to fall apart in a short time?
10 Things to Do to Remodel Your Kitchen Faster
February 12, 2008
Dan Fritschen asked:
Remodeling a kitchen can be a very big job. Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, remodeling a kitchen can take weeks or even months. There are, however, some things you can do to remodel your kitchen faster. The ten ideas listed below will get you started on ways to remodel your kitchen faster and still have a finished room that shows quality work and attention to details.
1. Work with the existing space if at all possible. Moving walls takes a great deal of time. It is also costly. If you are trying to update or remodel, try to think creatively about how you can make better use of the existing space. If you are trying to enlarge the kitchen, try to do so by moving or removing only one wall. This will reduce the amount of electrical work, as well as the amount of framing and drywall work necessary.
2. Don’t move the sink. Moving plumbing also takes a great deal of time, and adds significant cost to your project. Even if you are replacing the sink, keeping it in the same location will save the time of rerouting pipes, which could also result in the need for work to replace flooring.
3. Don’t move a gas line or gas appliances. Moving a gas line will take additional time in completing your kitchen remodel. In many localities, this will require the assistance of a professional. You will need to schedule this work and allow the time necessary to move the line and then make any necessary repairs to walls and flooring.
4. Choose standard-sized pre-built stock cabinets. These cabinets will probably be available for immediate pick-up or delivery, eliminating the wait for custom work and delivery. These stock cabinets will be ready to simply set in place and attach to walls or floor. This saves the assembly time required for special-order cabinets and the on-site construction time for custom cabinets.
5. If you choose custom or semi-custom cabinets, pitch in and assemble the cabinets yourself for your contractor. Assembling pre-cut cabinets is not terribly difficult if you have some do-it-yourself remodeling experience. Assembling cabinets takes time, however. If you can assemble the cabinets in advance and have them ready for your contractor or for installation, you will save time during the actual remodeling project.
6. Use large stock cabinets to make a pantry instead of building a closet. This saves the time of knocking out wall, re-framing for the closet, hanging the drywall, etc. You might even find that you prefer the appearance of the matched cabinetry throughout your remodeled kitchen.
7. Reface instead of replacing your cabinets. If your existing cabinets are in reasonably good condition, have them refaced instead of replacing them. This will also save time. In some cases, the actual work can be done in a day.
8. Install a new countertop. A new countertop will make your remodeled kitchen look bright and clean. Your choice of countertop material could completely change the appearance of your kitchen.
9. Don’t install a backsplash. If you are trying to remodel your kitchen faster, don’t take the time to install or replace a backsplash. Tile installation takes some time to set and allow it to dry completely. If you are in a hurry, leave this for a weekend project at some point in the future.
10. If you are building a window seat, save construction time by installing stock cabinets as the base for the seat. You can easily find stock cabinets the right height for a seat. Just choose cabinets that match or complement your kitchen cabinets. Then you need only position the boards on top of the cabinets and add cushions.
These ten ideas can save time on your kitchen remodel. You will probably think of others as you begin planning your project. But you can make a good start with these ten things to do to remodel your kitchen faster.
Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing
Contractor Listings in LA
Remodeling a kitchen can be a very big job. Depending on the extent of the remodeling project, remodeling a kitchen can take weeks or even months. There are, however, some things you can do to remodel your kitchen faster. The ten ideas listed below will get you started on ways to remodel your kitchen faster and still have a finished room that shows quality work and attention to details.
1. Work with the existing space if at all possible. Moving walls takes a great deal of time. It is also costly. If you are trying to update or remodel, try to think creatively about how you can make better use of the existing space. If you are trying to enlarge the kitchen, try to do so by moving or removing only one wall. This will reduce the amount of electrical work, as well as the amount of framing and drywall work necessary.
2. Don’t move the sink. Moving plumbing also takes a great deal of time, and adds significant cost to your project. Even if you are replacing the sink, keeping it in the same location will save the time of rerouting pipes, which could also result in the need for work to replace flooring.
3. Don’t move a gas line or gas appliances. Moving a gas line will take additional time in completing your kitchen remodel. In many localities, this will require the assistance of a professional. You will need to schedule this work and allow the time necessary to move the line and then make any necessary repairs to walls and flooring.
4. Choose standard-sized pre-built stock cabinets. These cabinets will probably be available for immediate pick-up or delivery, eliminating the wait for custom work and delivery. These stock cabinets will be ready to simply set in place and attach to walls or floor. This saves the assembly time required for special-order cabinets and the on-site construction time for custom cabinets.
5. If you choose custom or semi-custom cabinets, pitch in and assemble the cabinets yourself for your contractor. Assembling pre-cut cabinets is not terribly difficult if you have some do-it-yourself remodeling experience. Assembling cabinets takes time, however. If you can assemble the cabinets in advance and have them ready for your contractor or for installation, you will save time during the actual remodeling project.
6. Use large stock cabinets to make a pantry instead of building a closet. This saves the time of knocking out wall, re-framing for the closet, hanging the drywall, etc. You might even find that you prefer the appearance of the matched cabinetry throughout your remodeled kitchen.
7. Reface instead of replacing your cabinets. If your existing cabinets are in reasonably good condition, have them refaced instead of replacing them. This will also save time. In some cases, the actual work can be done in a day.
8. Install a new countertop. A new countertop will make your remodeled kitchen look bright and clean. Your choice of countertop material could completely change the appearance of your kitchen.
9. Don’t install a backsplash. If you are trying to remodel your kitchen faster, don’t take the time to install or replace a backsplash. Tile installation takes some time to set and allow it to dry completely. If you are in a hurry, leave this for a weekend project at some point in the future.
10. If you are building a window seat, save construction time by installing stock cabinets as the base for the seat. You can easily find stock cabinets the right height for a seat. Just choose cabinets that match or complement your kitchen cabinets. Then you need only position the boards on top of the cabinets and add cushions.
These ten ideas can save time on your kitchen remodel. You will probably think of others as you begin planning your project. But you can make a good start with these ten things to do to remodel your kitchen faster.
Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing
Contractor Listings in LA
Bathroom Decorating Ideas For Us
February 11, 2008
Bercle George asked:
Bathroom mirrors can be found in the most unique shapes and sizes. Do not settle for a bathroom mirror until you have thoroughly searched all the available options. Feel free to experiment with the various options of bathroom mirrors out there until you find the one that catches your fancy.
There are various brand names that are involved in the production of plumbing fixtures for your bathroom. Sigma is a producer of plumbing fixtures that provides an attractive range of fixtures for your bathroom. Sigma is known to produce traditional faucets and basins that are used to compliment traditionally themed bathrooms.
If shopping for the perfect bathroom fixture is such a chore for you, you can utilize softwares that are design based to create a picture of which fixture can fit your bathroom perfectly. There are several computer designing programs that lets you to simulate your bathroom and put anything you want in it in order to see how well it fits.
If you are looking for bathroom plumbing fixtures that are classy without being frivolous, go for minimalist designs. Minimalist designed bathroom plumbing fixtures are simple yet sophisticated at the same time. You can get minimalistically designed bathroom plumbing fixtures from designers such as Enzo mar.
If your bathroom setting is country-styled, you can choose bathroom vanity pieces that reflect it. You can get a pine wood cabinet with a light stain to compliment a bathroom that has a country setting. Better still, you may decide to get a subtle distressed painted finished bathroom vanity to increase the beauty your country set bathroom.
Instead of repainting your bathroom to change its look, you may decide to wall paper it. You may decide to change the face of your bathroom by tiling your bathroom wall from the floor to the top.
Bathroom redesign tips abound everywhere. You can borrow a bathroom redesign idea from a friend or even get one off from a design magazine. The internet is a useful source of redesign ideas for a bathroom. Try to navigate sites about bathrooms by using search engines. Just type the keyword ‘bathroom decor’ and you will be prompted with relevant results.
You don’t have to limit yourself to shopping at retail stores to get the right fixture for your bathroom. The internet is a market in itself that offers you several bathroom fixtures at an affordable rate. When shopping for bathroom fixtures online, look out for shipping costs and other extra charges that might be added.
Renewable Energy Videos
Bathroom mirrors can be found in the most unique shapes and sizes. Do not settle for a bathroom mirror until you have thoroughly searched all the available options. Feel free to experiment with the various options of bathroom mirrors out there until you find the one that catches your fancy.
There are various brand names that are involved in the production of plumbing fixtures for your bathroom. Sigma is a producer of plumbing fixtures that provides an attractive range of fixtures for your bathroom. Sigma is known to produce traditional faucets and basins that are used to compliment traditionally themed bathrooms.
If shopping for the perfect bathroom fixture is such a chore for you, you can utilize softwares that are design based to create a picture of which fixture can fit your bathroom perfectly. There are several computer designing programs that lets you to simulate your bathroom and put anything you want in it in order to see how well it fits.
If you are looking for bathroom plumbing fixtures that are classy without being frivolous, go for minimalist designs. Minimalist designed bathroom plumbing fixtures are simple yet sophisticated at the same time. You can get minimalistically designed bathroom plumbing fixtures from designers such as Enzo mar.
If your bathroom setting is country-styled, you can choose bathroom vanity pieces that reflect it. You can get a pine wood cabinet with a light stain to compliment a bathroom that has a country setting. Better still, you may decide to get a subtle distressed painted finished bathroom vanity to increase the beauty your country set bathroom.
Instead of repainting your bathroom to change its look, you may decide to wall paper it. You may decide to change the face of your bathroom by tiling your bathroom wall from the floor to the top.
Bathroom redesign tips abound everywhere. You can borrow a bathroom redesign idea from a friend or even get one off from a design magazine. The internet is a useful source of redesign ideas for a bathroom. Try to navigate sites about bathrooms by using search engines. Just type the keyword ‘bathroom decor’ and you will be prompted with relevant results.
You don’t have to limit yourself to shopping at retail stores to get the right fixture for your bathroom. The internet is a market in itself that offers you several bathroom fixtures at an affordable rate. When shopping for bathroom fixtures online, look out for shipping costs and other extra charges that might be added.
Renewable Energy Videos
6 Bathroom Remodeling Secrets for Homeowners From an "extreme Makeover: Home Edition" Consultant
February 7, 2008
Matt Plaskoff asked:
A renovation project, such as remodeling your bathroom can be one of the most stressful undertakings that homeowners can embark on.
Nevertheless, millions of people want and need to improve their living conditions. Remodeling IS the answer but how do you ensure that you don’t become a victim of a remodeling nightmare?
You’ve heard it so many times from friends and relatives, “Expect a nightmare. It will take twice as much and take three times as long.”
News Flash: Remodeling your bathroom doesn’t have to be that way!
After 25 years in the remodeling industry and after running two successful remodeling and home building companies, I’ve seen it all. And, I’ve been able to boil success down into Matt Plaskoff’s Six Secrets to Successful Bathroom Remodeling.
6 Insider Secrets to Successful Bathroom Remodeling From One of the Original Consultants for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
Secret #1: Have a Plan!
Would you head off on a long expensive trip without a road map? Of course not! That’s unless you were looking forward to surprises along the way.
Well, in bathroom remodeling, the only surprises are disastrous ones. Figure out what you want BEFORE you start. Put it on paper with your Designer or Contractor. Figure out:
What is the layout?
What are the exact products you want?
What colors are you using?
Answer and document all of these answers BEFORE a single hammer hits your bathroom wall.
Secret #2: Don’t Start Your Bathroom Remodel Until You Have Everything You Need!
So your contractor demolishes the bathroom (the only one you have in the home by the way) and then he decides to tell you that the tile you picked that he thought was going to come in today is delayed 6 weeks.
This is NOT a good scenario but an all too often real one. Order the products. Get them delivered. Open the boxes. And make certain they are the right color, not broken and fit together properly before you allow anyone to tear up your bathroom.
Secret #3: Hire a Professional. All Contractors are NOT Created Equal
A remodeling project is one of the largest investments you can make in your life and home. For example, a properly constructed bathroom remodel can return over 132% of the invested value.
In contrast, a poorly constructed project can create damage that far exceeds the savings you thought you had enjoyed by hiring “the guy your friend used to paint his room.”
Protect your assets and your personal belongings by hiring a licensed and insured contractor to remodel your bathroom. Require a contract that lists EXACTLY what you are getting, a “guaranteed price” (a professional should be able to tell you exactly what it will cost) and a guaranteed time frame. Tell them to put their money where their mouth is and sign a penalty clause if they don’t finish on time. This way, you’ll find out who the real professionals are.
Secret #4: Hire Experience!
Jacks- of-All-Trades abound in the remodeling and construction industry. Everyone wants to be everything to all people. You wouldn’t hire a heart surgeon to do a nose job so why would you hire a kitchen specialist to remodel your bathroom. Hiring someone who specializes in bathroom remodeling projects will lead to a much higher quality, more efficient and timely project. Don’t let your general practitioner perform a chin implant.
Secret #5: Let Your Contractor Buy All the Materials
Yes, you can save a few bucks if you buy that tub yourself and cram it into the trunk of your BMW. The problem is that most homeowners don’t know what to buy, what fits with what or how much to buy. Do you really have time to go back and forth from the plumbing supply house to return the wrong thing and get the right one… five times!
Secret #6: Don’t Make Changes!
Changes are the single largest cause of remodeling nightmares. You’ve done everything right so far. You’ve followed the previous five secrets but you just can’t help yourself and you make changes during construction.
Well… all bets are off.
The schedule flies off track, your contractor can’t manage his or her time and new materials have to be bought. The key to not making changes is to LOVE your plan and be certain that your team knows exactly what you want.
Yes, back to secret #1: Have a Plan. But don’t just have one… LOVE IT! Don’t sign a contract until every product, color and layout is exactly what you want and then let the professionals go to work.
So, there you have it, six secrets to successfully remodeling your bathroom. I’m confident that if you follow these six secrets, you’ll increase your chances of remodeling success one hundred fold.
Renewable Energy Videos
A renovation project, such as remodeling your bathroom can be one of the most stressful undertakings that homeowners can embark on.
Nevertheless, millions of people want and need to improve their living conditions. Remodeling IS the answer but how do you ensure that you don’t become a victim of a remodeling nightmare?
You’ve heard it so many times from friends and relatives, “Expect a nightmare. It will take twice as much and take three times as long.”
News Flash: Remodeling your bathroom doesn’t have to be that way!
After 25 years in the remodeling industry and after running two successful remodeling and home building companies, I’ve seen it all. And, I’ve been able to boil success down into Matt Plaskoff’s Six Secrets to Successful Bathroom Remodeling.
6 Insider Secrets to Successful Bathroom Remodeling From One of the Original Consultants for “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”
Secret #1: Have a Plan!
Would you head off on a long expensive trip without a road map? Of course not! That’s unless you were looking forward to surprises along the way.
Well, in bathroom remodeling, the only surprises are disastrous ones. Figure out what you want BEFORE you start. Put it on paper with your Designer or Contractor. Figure out:
What is the layout?
What are the exact products you want?
What colors are you using?
Answer and document all of these answers BEFORE a single hammer hits your bathroom wall.
Secret #2: Don’t Start Your Bathroom Remodel Until You Have Everything You Need!
So your contractor demolishes the bathroom (the only one you have in the home by the way) and then he decides to tell you that the tile you picked that he thought was going to come in today is delayed 6 weeks.
This is NOT a good scenario but an all too often real one. Order the products. Get them delivered. Open the boxes. And make certain they are the right color, not broken and fit together properly before you allow anyone to tear up your bathroom.
Secret #3: Hire a Professional. All Contractors are NOT Created Equal
A remodeling project is one of the largest investments you can make in your life and home. For example, a properly constructed bathroom remodel can return over 132% of the invested value.
In contrast, a poorly constructed project can create damage that far exceeds the savings you thought you had enjoyed by hiring “the guy your friend used to paint his room.”
Protect your assets and your personal belongings by hiring a licensed and insured contractor to remodel your bathroom. Require a contract that lists EXACTLY what you are getting, a “guaranteed price” (a professional should be able to tell you exactly what it will cost) and a guaranteed time frame. Tell them to put their money where their mouth is and sign a penalty clause if they don’t finish on time. This way, you’ll find out who the real professionals are.
Secret #4: Hire Experience!
Jacks- of-All-Trades abound in the remodeling and construction industry. Everyone wants to be everything to all people. You wouldn’t hire a heart surgeon to do a nose job so why would you hire a kitchen specialist to remodel your bathroom. Hiring someone who specializes in bathroom remodeling projects will lead to a much higher quality, more efficient and timely project. Don’t let your general practitioner perform a chin implant.
Secret #5: Let Your Contractor Buy All the Materials
Yes, you can save a few bucks if you buy that tub yourself and cram it into the trunk of your BMW. The problem is that most homeowners don’t know what to buy, what fits with what or how much to buy. Do you really have time to go back and forth from the plumbing supply house to return the wrong thing and get the right one… five times!
Secret #6: Don’t Make Changes!
Changes are the single largest cause of remodeling nightmares. You’ve done everything right so far. You’ve followed the previous five secrets but you just can’t help yourself and you make changes during construction.
Well… all bets are off.
The schedule flies off track, your contractor can’t manage his or her time and new materials have to be bought. The key to not making changes is to LOVE your plan and be certain that your team knows exactly what you want.
Yes, back to secret #1: Have a Plan. But don’t just have one… LOVE IT! Don’t sign a contract until every product, color and layout is exactly what you want and then let the professionals go to work.
So, there you have it, six secrets to successfully remodeling your bathroom. I’m confident that if you follow these six secrets, you’ll increase your chances of remodeling success one hundred fold.
Renewable Energy Videos
Hire Licensed and Respected Home Improvement Companies
February 4, 2008
Home Remodelers Group asked:
Finding the right home improvement company to update or renovate your home doesn’t have to be a stressful and disheartening process. Yet most homeowners have no idea where to start because they are bombarded with bad press about contractors who are dishonest, inexperienced and downright unreliable. Homeowners today are wary of who they can trust.
Home Improvement Complaints and Scams:
“With lower-rate mortgages tempting homeowners to trade up to a bigger house, or to refinance and expand or repair their existing home, we’re finding that construction and home improvement activity is way up, and with it is the number of complaints in those areas,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez. (Consumer Affairs, January 2006)
“Home improvement complaints rank as the top consumer complaint in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country,” Rodriguez said. “While home improvements themselves can be expensive, any problems that arise often cost consumers thousands more to fix. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where a homeowner is left with a huge problem and has no financial means of getting it repaired.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)
Basic scams usually do not occur with accredited companies, so make sure the company you use is licensed. “The law requires home improvement contractors to register and follow certain procedures for a reason, to protect homeowners,” Rodriguez said. “This includes complying with state laws that assure consumers a level of financial protection.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)
Be Wary of Certain Sales Tactic:
According to the National Consumer Law Center at consumerlaw.org, unscrupulous contractors mostly target senior citizens. Do not fall into the trap of the following sales tactics that take advantage of homeowners:
• “Bait and Switch” - offers low prices for installed items like windows and home siding, and then tells the homeowner the item is out of stock and can only be replaced with a high-priced substitute.
• Misrepresent the urgency of a needed repair.
• Claim the item is more expensive than advertised because it has to be “custom made” to fit the home.
• Misrepresent that the consumer is receiving a discount because the home is selected to model the repair when, in reality, the consumer is paying market price or more.
• Misrepresent the energy savings, health benefits and value added to the home.
• Misrepresent the terms on which financing is likely to be arranged.
Practices to Follow for Finding the Right Contractor:
If you hire a contractor with a license and a good reputation (such as the Home Remodelers Group®), you are guaranteed to avoid unfinished work, financial wrongdoing and fraud.
The National Consumer Law Center has a list of suggestions for homeowners looking for a home improvement company:
• Do not hire an unknown contractor that solicits business by knocking on your door. Deal with companies recommended by friends or reputable building supply stores.
• Before agreeing to hire any home improvement contractor, get a second estimate for the same work from another contractor.
• Get references for the contractor and speak to those references. Ask about satisfaction and any problems that arose.
• Look at other work performed by the same contractor.
• Many states require contractors to be licensed and/or bonded. Check with the state licensing body to see if the contractor you are considering is licensed.
• Get a written contract describing explicit specifications of the work, the price (including details of any financing or credit terms), the responsibility for cleaning up, and the hourly rate for any added work. Ask for guarantees and other promises to be made in writing.
• If the written documents are different from oral promises, do not sign them.
• A 3-day right-to-cancel applies to door-to-door sales and home improvement loans even after the papers have been signed.
• Do not allow a contractor to begin work until financial arrangements to pay for the work are complete.
• Do not agree to pay the final payment until the project is finished.
• Do not consolidate other debts with a home improvement loan.
• If problems with a contractor or home improvement lender arise, get help from a lawyer or housing counselor immediately.
Take Care of Your Home:
The Home Remodelers Group® has been in business since 1964 and there is a simple reason for our longevity. We take great pride in helping our customers beautify their homes, we enjoy our work and we want our customers to be happy with their homes. The Home Remodelers Goup® is licensed and insured so you can feel secure when working with us. Before you sign any contract, we provide a written estimate and detailed information on the scope of the project. You’ll know exactly what you are getting before we do anything. We do this to provide our customers with peace of mind. We have survived in this business because we focus on customer satisfaction, attention to customer service and offer quality products at a fair price.
Think of your home like a child that needs a doctor. You would take your child to a licensed and professional doctor, not someone that comes to your door. So make sure your home receives the care it deserves by hiring experienced and well-accredited home improvement professionals.
For more information visit http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles
Contractor Listings in LA
Finding the right home improvement company to update or renovate your home doesn’t have to be a stressful and disheartening process. Yet most homeowners have no idea where to start because they are bombarded with bad press about contractors who are dishonest, inexperienced and downright unreliable. Homeowners today are wary of who they can trust.
Home Improvement Complaints and Scams:
“With lower-rate mortgages tempting homeowners to trade up to a bigger house, or to refinance and expand or repair their existing home, we’re finding that construction and home improvement activity is way up, and with it is the number of complaints in those areas,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez. (Consumer Affairs, January 2006)
“Home improvement complaints rank as the top consumer complaint in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country,” Rodriguez said. “While home improvements themselves can be expensive, any problems that arise often cost consumers thousands more to fix. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where a homeowner is left with a huge problem and has no financial means of getting it repaired.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)
Basic scams usually do not occur with accredited companies, so make sure the company you use is licensed. “The law requires home improvement contractors to register and follow certain procedures for a reason, to protect homeowners,” Rodriguez said. “This includes complying with state laws that assure consumers a level of financial protection.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)
Be Wary of Certain Sales Tactic:
According to the National Consumer Law Center at consumerlaw.org, unscrupulous contractors mostly target senior citizens. Do not fall into the trap of the following sales tactics that take advantage of homeowners:
• “Bait and Switch” - offers low prices for installed items like windows and home siding, and then tells the homeowner the item is out of stock and can only be replaced with a high-priced substitute.
• Misrepresent the urgency of a needed repair.
• Claim the item is more expensive than advertised because it has to be “custom made” to fit the home.
• Misrepresent that the consumer is receiving a discount because the home is selected to model the repair when, in reality, the consumer is paying market price or more.
• Misrepresent the energy savings, health benefits and value added to the home.
• Misrepresent the terms on which financing is likely to be arranged.
Practices to Follow for Finding the Right Contractor:
If you hire a contractor with a license and a good reputation (such as the Home Remodelers Group®), you are guaranteed to avoid unfinished work, financial wrongdoing and fraud.
The National Consumer Law Center has a list of suggestions for homeowners looking for a home improvement company:
• Do not hire an unknown contractor that solicits business by knocking on your door. Deal with companies recommended by friends or reputable building supply stores.
• Before agreeing to hire any home improvement contractor, get a second estimate for the same work from another contractor.
• Get references for the contractor and speak to those references. Ask about satisfaction and any problems that arose.
• Look at other work performed by the same contractor.
• Many states require contractors to be licensed and/or bonded. Check with the state licensing body to see if the contractor you are considering is licensed.
• Get a written contract describing explicit specifications of the work, the price (including details of any financing or credit terms), the responsibility for cleaning up, and the hourly rate for any added work. Ask for guarantees and other promises to be made in writing.
• If the written documents are different from oral promises, do not sign them.
• A 3-day right-to-cancel applies to door-to-door sales and home improvement loans even after the papers have been signed.
• Do not allow a contractor to begin work until financial arrangements to pay for the work are complete.
• Do not agree to pay the final payment until the project is finished.
• Do not consolidate other debts with a home improvement loan.
• If problems with a contractor or home improvement lender arise, get help from a lawyer or housing counselor immediately.
Take Care of Your Home:
The Home Remodelers Group® has been in business since 1964 and there is a simple reason for our longevity. We take great pride in helping our customers beautify their homes, we enjoy our work and we want our customers to be happy with their homes. The Home Remodelers Goup® is licensed and insured so you can feel secure when working with us. Before you sign any contract, we provide a written estimate and detailed information on the scope of the project. You’ll know exactly what you are getting before we do anything. We do this to provide our customers with peace of mind. We have survived in this business because we focus on customer satisfaction, attention to customer service and offer quality products at a fair price.
Think of your home like a child that needs a doctor. You would take your child to a licensed and professional doctor, not someone that comes to your door. So make sure your home receives the care it deserves by hiring experienced and well-accredited home improvement professionals.
For more information visit http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles
Contractor Listings in LA
