Monday, March 30, 2009

Avoid Contractor Scams - Home Remodeling Tips

You might think you have to live in Florida, California or a state where natural weather disasters or wildfires create a cycle of home rebuilding to be targeted by contractor scams. But in fact, anyone who owns a home is at risk for falling victim to unscrupulous contractors. It only takes one bad experience to sour a homeowner, and this is unfortunate for the majority of contractors who take pride in their work and do a good job. To avoid experiencing what can end up being a home repair nightmare, all you need to do is be aware of some common scams and don't be afraid to ask questions, require references, make the effort to check those references, never sign anything that looks suspicious or without reading thoroughly and never agree to anything in haste.

In the springtime everything starts to gear up again. Many potential buyers are shopping for a new home and there are real estate agents hosting open houses. There is new grass, leaves, flower buds, families barbequing and shady contractors cruising the neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. Unfortunately, a sad fact is that older home owners are often targeted the most, but really anyone can be duped by a convincing pitch.

One of the most frequently used lines is that the contractor was in the neighborhood doing work and just happened to drive by and see something wrong with your home. Being the kind-hearted person that he is, he took time off from his busy schedule and wanted to stop and alert you to the problem you have. And even more convenient for you, he and his crew can work you in while they are in the area. Most legitimate builders and contractors do not go door to door like salesmen. Be wary of anyone showing up unscheduled and offering to do work right away with the pitch that they'll cut you a deal because they are already doing a project close by.

The most often used pitch for this scenario is roof repair. Dishonest contractors may tell a homeowner that their roof is in bad shape, not visible to the naked or untrained eye, and by hiring them to replace it now you'll save money in the long run by avoiding water damage from leakage. This is often perpetrated on older residents who cannot keep a watchful on the repair work actually being done. The homeowner will usually end up with substandard roofing materials or shingles that are a lower grade than the ones you originally had on the roof.

Getting your driveway repaved is another common scam. Even if someone two houses down from you just had it done and it looks fantastic, don't assume the guy who shows up at your door offering to do yours is the one who did the other. Most of the time it isn't the same contractor, but another one shadowing the reputable one. This other guy will do a sub par job and you'll be left with cracks in both your bank account and driveway.

Any contractor who approaches you suggesting that with your help they can do repairs for you for free by turning it into your insurance company isn't doing you any favors. What they are doing is making you a partner in crime by having you commit insurance fraud if there isn't any real basis for the claim. And don't think the insurance company won't prosecute, because they will.

Never, ever agree to pay cash, especially up front. You may be tempted by a big discount offered for a cash payment or advance, but those savings and your money will be as gone as the contractor who just left to go get supplies and will supposedly be back tomorrow.

Never sign the deed to your home over to finance repairs. Chances are if you do this, you won't have to worry about repairs because you won't have a home to repair.

Be suspicious of a contractor who claims he has extra or leftover lumber or supplies and can give you a great quote on a project. You should wonder and ask where those materials came from and realize that somebody, even if it wasn't you, paid for those supplies.

Always ask to see identification, especially if a so-called inspector shows up claiming you need work done to meet a code and tries to fine you or make you sign an agreement to have it done. This is not standard procedure and always check with authorities to see if the person actually is who he or she claims to be. You should always ask to see a contractor's license and ask for references, then check those references. Unhappy previous customers or a complete lack of customers is a sure warning sign. And speaking of signs, never sign anything without reading it or having your lawyer check it over. There are a lot of helpful sites out there where you can find more tips, such as About Chicago Real Estate.

If you do find yourself in hot tar, shoddy shingles or crummy carpentry, contact your Better Business Bureau or State's Attorney office to file a complaint and seek help. An old builder's rule is measure twice, cut once. Remember to double check everything and always get more than one quote.

Paula Cherrist writes articles about Chicago condos for sale, home trends and new homes for About Chicago Real Estate.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Carpentry and Construction Technology Program

The construction industry is one industry which offers a good number of employment opportunities today, especially to carpenters. As well as new construction projects, carpenters continue to be in demand in repair and remodeling work. Specifically, the markets which are most promising for these skilled workers are Residential building with the rise in housing plans, as well as commercial carpentry. In 2006 alone, carpenters held approximately 1.5 million jobs.

Some factors attributed to the high demand for Carpentry and Construction technicians include the imminent high rate of retirement of workers in the coming years and the comparatively smaller number of people with the right carpentry and construction qualifications getting into the industry. It is actually being forecast that the number of salary jobs in the construction industry will continue to grow by an average of 11 percent until 2014.

As the construction industry maintains its competitiveness, more training programs are being offered by vocational and technical institutions. People who would like to make themselves more valued employees can do so by earning an associate degree in carpentry and construction technology in less than two years.

Carpentry involves a variety of work from blueprint reading, cutting and sizing wood and other construction materials, installing drywall and windows, roof framing, laying floors, making cabinets and building stairs among many others.

Due to the nature of their job, well-rounded carpenters who can work in remodeling and residential and commercial construction with ease have a greater potential for advancement. More than all the workers involved in construction, the carpenters utilize the highest number of hand tools ranging from the hammer, chisel, sanders as well as power tools such as saws and electric drills.

Although carpentry skills can be gained while doing actual work, there are now vocational schools that offer formal training and apprenticeships on this field. Employers want an employee who can come to work already equipped with the carpentry skills he or she needs to have to do a good job. Additionally, most employers prefer to hire carpenters who have undergone apprenticeship because of the extensive training it provides. Some even give weight to previous experience in the military service.

Carpenters who want to land in an entry-level job are not necessarily required to have college education. High school graduates with the right skills, notably in mathematics and problem solving, good eye and hand coordination as well as physically fitness can are more likely to be qualified to start working.

However, before one is considered as a skilled carpenter, several years of formal education and hands-on training through apprenticeship are vital.

The proper instruction and basic training can be gained from accredited vocational and technical schools as well as from online programs. A course in carpentry and construction technology normally combines classroom lecture and practical or on-the-job training.

With the right knowledge and skills, any carpenter can outshine other applicants for the job and has a bigger opportunity to start work at a higher level compared to those with no formal training. As they gain experience, they can later advance to the position of either carpentry supervisor or general construction supervisor.

Construction projects show no sign of stopping in the future. Whether there's a global financial crisis or not, structures from houses to commercial buildings, roads to bridges will always be built. Carpenters who have good experience and are capable of performing different tasks have a bright future ahead of them.

Triangle Tech equips students with the skills for succeeding. With comprehensive Carpentry & Construction Technology courses students learn modern construction methods along with age-old traditions of craftsmanship. When you complete the Carpentry training program, Triangle Tech will help you with Job Placement and help you find the job you've always wanted.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

What Does a GFI Do

In your bathroom you should have a GFI electrical outlet. Most new homes or newly remodeled homes require you to have GFI electrical outlets in the kitchen. Most older kitchens do not have GFI electrical outlets. GFI stands for ground fault circuit interrupter.

Why not call it a GFCI instead of a GFI electrical outlet? Well it is called a GFCI in some instances. GFI is short and is the most common name used by most electricians and builders for this type of outlet.

GFI 's come in 15 amp and 20 amperage outlets. GFI outlets must be wired properly. Make sure you're using the proper wire size when hooking up the GFI outlet.

How do I know which size wire to use? This all depends on how far away you are running it from the electrical panel. There are charts you can use to figure this out. If you are not running the electrical wire more than 80 feet from the electrical panel you can use 12 gauge electrical wires for a 20 amp GFI. This is a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

If you're going to be using a 15 amp GFI and you are going to be less than 80 feet away from the electrical panel you can use 14 gauge electrical wires. Again this is just a general rule of thumb for most electrical house wiring.

A GFI is a light duty electrical plug used in bathrooms, kitchens and the exterior of your house. The sole purpose of the GFI is to shut the breaker off faster if there is any moisture or light load problems.

Let's say for instance you have your hair dryer plugged into the GFI outlet. The hair dryer somehow falls into the sink while it is on or plugged in. The GFI outlet will instantly shut off because of the sensitivity of the breaker inside of the plug it self.

The GFI plug has a test button and a reset button on it. If you are continually resetting the GFI you will wear it out eventually. I have had GFI plugs after resetting the button about 10 times break and no longer able to use them.

The GFI electrical plug is a great idea and if you don't have them in your bathroom or outside of your home it would be a great idea to have an electrician install them for you.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Home Building Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

San Diego Termite Damage

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Repairing a Leaking Toilet - Home Repairs

Let me explain how a toilet works. First when you go to flush the toilet a little arm pulls a rubber flapper up and lets the water drain into the toilet bowl. The water draining into the toilet bowl forces the old water out along with the number two or number one waste and extremities.

If the toilet sounds like it is running there is a good chance that the seal between the rubber flapper and the plastic rain at the bottom of the toilet is broken somehow. The sound you are hearing is water running around this ring and in to the toilet bowl.

This leak is actually causing no damage to the toilet itself but is wasting water. Hence the water bill will be a little higher if you don't fix the leaking toilet. The best way to find out if this is actually your problem is to take the toilet tank lid off. Then stick your hand down into the toilet bowl and press gently on the rubber flap.

If the water stops leaking or starts running faster this is your problem. Turn the water off to the toilet. There will be a shut off valve on the wall under your toilet bowl in the bathroom. After you turn the water off removed the plastic flap and examine it.

You will be looking for a warped toilet flap or of some sort or grooves on the flapper itself. Take the toilet flapper down to your local home improvement store and buy a new one. Go home and replace the new toilet flapper and this should solve 90% of your leaking toilet problems.

There is one more thing it could be. With the toilet tank lid off, check to see if water is overflowing into the little round plastic pipe. This plastic pipe should have a small hose running from the float valve assembly into it.

If the water is over flowing from the toilet tank into this little plastic pipe you will need to adjust the float.

First thing you will need to do is while the toilet is running lift up on the float lever arm. If the water stops you can simply bend the metal arm of the float lever. The purpose of bending the arm will force the float deeper into the water there for stopping the water from rising over the small tube in the center of your toilet.

There are few parts to a toilet and most parts can be purchased at your local hardware or home improvement centers. Toilet repairs like this can be made simple and the parts used to replace are inexpensive.

Happy Toilet Repairing.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more House Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Some Great Plumbing Ideas

Home Organization Books

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Interior Painting Ideas

It may surprise most homeowners that to give to your house a makeover, all you need is just a new coat of paint. Simple, yes, but the doing quite be tough. It's a labor intensive work and you may need to brainstorm a little for some interior painting ideas.

However, it's best you consider the reasons why you are doing this. Interior painting can take many days to complete and it requires a lot of energy to complete the whole job. Painting itself is exhausting work and if you don't have enough strong reasons to do the work, your interior painting ideas may fall apart and the painting halts midway. So why are you doing this? Is it:

a. Your neighbor is doing it
b. Your walls are dirty
c. Your children have painted the walls with crayons
d. Your spouse cannot sleep at night because it's the wrong color
e. You cannot stand the color because it reminds you of your ex

When you get the reasons right, it will be easier to see everything through and you will become more creative and you may develop insights to giving your home a new makeover. You may think about patterns on the walls, or use sponges to leave decorative marks on the wall, or create patterns with stencils and stamps.

When you are running through your interior painting ideas, you may want to think about the choice of colors. Choose your colors to suit the walls and all the rooms and its intended function for the rooms. Select colors that will match the furniture and electrical fixtures and appliances in the room. As a general guide, lighter colors tend to promote space and awareness, which are good for kids room or the new born; and darker colors will make a room seem a little smaller but it can also make it a little cozy, like a movie projector room. Different colors can psychologically affect the mood of people, especially in the home. Here are few tips when it comes to selecting color:

Red
Red walls will increase a room energy level. You will never see red walls in a prison for that reason. Red can be consider for your bedroom ideas to increase activities at night, but don't paint the elderly person's room red. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate

Yellow
Yellow is good for kitchen walls and bathrooms, it is uplifting and creates a feeling of sunshine. In living rooms, yellow can feel expansive and invigorating. Yellow is believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

Green
Green is a relaxing and peaceful color. That's why people go to gardens to relax and seek calmness. Green can be painted in almost any room in the house. In a kitchen, a sage or medium green cools things down; in a family room or living room, it encourages unwinding and also promote comfort and togetherness. It is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax.

Tips on interior painting:

1. Decide on how many walls you want to paint and in which order you want to paint. This not only helps you estimate the amount of paint you need, but also helps you plan where you want to store the furniture temporary when you are painting. You must take into consideration the inconvenience the other occupant may experience. If you painting the kitchen, then all the cooking have to stop.

2. Plan on protecting the floor and all furniture and electrical fixtures. It may be a good idea to use old newspaper to cover exposed items. Your roller may seem fun to use, but the all the splatter may not be so fun to clean up.

3. Clean the walls before you start painting. You don't want to paint over cob webs and insects crawling on the wall. Patch up holes and cracks to ensure smooth painting throughout.

When you are actively searching for interior painting ideas, remember to include all the pointers mentioned above. Any do it yourself job is always satisfying and could save you a lot money.

You can get more information on interior painting ideas and installing wood floor here.

Interior Painting Ideas

It may surprise most homeowners that to give to your house a makeover, all you need is just a new coat of paint. Simple, yes, but the doing quite be tough. It's a labor intensive work and you may need to brainstorm a little for some interior painting ideas.

However, it's best you consider the reasons why you are doing this. Interior painting can take many days to complete and it requires a lot of energy to complete the whole job. Painting itself is exhausting work and if you don't have enough strong reasons to do the work, your interior painting ideas may fall apart and the painting halts midway. So why are you doing this? Is it:

a. Your neighbor is doing it
b. Your walls are dirty
c. Your children have painted the walls with crayons
d. Your spouse cannot sleep at night because it's the wrong color
e. You cannot stand the color because it reminds you of your ex

When you get the reasons right, it will be easier to see everything through and you will become more creative and you may develop insights to giving your home a new makeover. You may think about patterns on the walls, or use sponges to leave decorative marks on the wall, or create patterns with stencils and stamps.

When you are running through your interior painting ideas, you may want to think about the choice of colors. Choose your colors to suit the walls and all the rooms and its intended function for the rooms. Select colors that will match the furniture and electrical fixtures and appliances in the room. As a general guide, lighter colors tend to promote space and awareness, which are good for kids room or the new born; and darker colors will make a room seem a little smaller but it can also make it a little cozy, like a movie projector room. Different colors can psychologically affect the mood of people, especially in the home. Here are few tips when it comes to selecting color:

Red
Red walls will increase a room energy level. You will never see red walls in a prison for that reason. Red can be consider for your bedroom ideas to increase activities at night, but don't paint the elderly person's room red. Red has been shown to raise blood pressure, speed respiration and heart rate

Yellow
Yellow is good for kitchen walls and bathrooms, it is uplifting and creates a feeling of sunshine. In living rooms, yellow can feel expansive and invigorating. Yellow is believed to stimulate the nerves and purify the body.

Green
Green is a relaxing and peaceful color. That's why people go to gardens to relax and seek calmness. Green can be painted in almost any room in the house. In a kitchen, a sage or medium green cools things down; in a family room or living room, it encourages unwinding and also promote comfort and togetherness. It is believed to relieve stress by helping people relax.

Tips on interior painting:

1. Decide on how many walls you want to paint and in which order you want to paint. This not only helps you estimate the amount of paint you need, but also helps you plan where you want to store the furniture temporary when you are painting. You must take into consideration the inconvenience the other occupant may experience. If you painting the kitchen, then all the cooking have to stop.

2. Plan on protecting the floor and all furniture and electrical fixtures. It may be a good idea to use old newspaper to cover exposed items. Your roller may seem fun to use, but the all the splatter may not be so fun to clean up.

3. Clean the walls before you start painting. You don't want to paint over cob webs and insects crawling on the wall. Patch up holes and cracks to ensure smooth painting throughout.

When you are actively searching for interior painting ideas, remember to include all the pointers mentioned above. Any do it yourself job is always satisfying and could save you a lot money.

You can get more information on interior painting ideas and installing wood floor here.

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Remodeling In Carlsbad

What you are thinking about remodeling your house and you live in Carlsbad. Let me give you some advice about some local contractors and some of the people involved. I used a company called Service Magic to find a local heating and air conditioning contractor. All I had to do was go on the internet , type in some information about my self and what I wanted to have done to my home. This didn't seem that bad of a idea at the time. But look what I found out.

I went to their web site, filled in my information and with in minutes I had received the names of at least 4 contractors. Wow this is neat. I didn't even get to start calling any of them when my phone rang. It was one of the contractors secretaries. She introduced herself and asked what would be a good time for someone to come out to look at the work I wanted done.

I was surprised at the speed things were taking place but in a way glad that I had a reputable contractor from one of the largest construction referral services on the internet. I told her 10:00 would be fine. I got a call shortly after that from one of the other companies. He wanted to meet me that mourning at 8:00 if it was Ok with me. I told him of course, let's do this. Then the next one called and I thought great you can come at 1:00. Well you guessed it the next one was coming over at 2:30.

The first contractor showed up as scheduled at 8:00. We talked about what I wanted done and he whips out his note book and starts figuring out a price. This took place around 15 minutes into the meeting. This guys good I thought. Being a General Contractor in Carlsbad myself, for a job like this I would go back to my office and figure out a price and then double check my figures for a accurate estimate. It took this guy less than 5 minutes to create a proposal of around 10,700 dollars for every thing.

Well I was thinking to myself, the job should be around 7,000 dollars but what do I know about construction. I informed him that I would think about it and that I was going to meet with a couple of other contractors that day. He ask me who the other contractors were. I proceeded to tell him that I probably shouldn't tell him who they were. Well your not going to believe this. He put on his physic hat and told me who was coming over. The only thing he didn't know was what time they where coming over.

Oh I forgot to mention before he left he told me he would knock ten percent off the job if I signed the contract right now. I pretended like I was excited just to see his reaction. He looked at me like he had won the gold metal in sales. I told him thanks but I bet your new offer with the ten percent discount will be good for the next few day. Right I asked. He wasn't looking that excited any more as he replied with a Yes it will be good for a while. I thanked him and he went on his way.

My 10:00 never showed but his secretary gave me the old, " He had to go do a emergency job and could he reschedule tomorrow at the same time. I said that would be fine. As a contractor myself I have always put the work I had to do first and foremost.

About 12:30 I get a call from my next heating and air conditioning contractor. He is running late but will be there at 1:30. I appreciate the call and I will see you then. The only problem now is that I have another contractor coming at 2:30. That give the next contractor less than one hour before the next guy shows up. I never liked going over to someone's house and running into another remodeling contractor.

The next contractor was very informative and knew his stuff. I listened and learned. He told me he was going to have to go back to his office and would have a price back in the mourning. Great I told him as I hurried him out the door.

The last contractor of the day shows up and wants to know whose been over to the house, was it these guys or those guys. I told him I wasn't going to tell him who was over. Now this guy was a salesman. He did a little more probing before he let me in on the fact that his company doesn't do complete home installations. He made up some story that his company only replaces the forced air units. I could tell he didn't want to do the job once he found out I knew what I was talking about. So I said my good byes to Mr. Salesman.

The bad part about him was latter on that week his company sent us some mailers. The kind that doesn't have your name on it and everyone in the neighborhood get's one. I couldn't believe my eyes when I started to read this letter. It said we would be glad to give you an estimate on all your heating and air conditioning needs or services. " We Do Complete Installs". I told my wife we could have used this a few weeks ago. Then I recognized the name of the company and now knew that the salesman had lied to me for sure.

That night I started to think about what was going on here it seemed like I was being set up. Everyone knew what was going on but me. It seemed clear to me that these people knew each other.

Well as time went on we ended up hiring the first guy that came over. He seemed to have the best product at the most reasonable price. His company also did a great job. Keep one thing in mind here out of five contractors that I gave the opportunity to bid the job. Only three showed up and from them I only got two bids. Why didn't I get more bids? Quite frankly I was to busy working at the time and of course the other two guys were always going to show up and that kind of strung me along. My mistake.

Here's the kicker to all of this. Service Magic calls me up one day to tell me they would like to start sending me construction leads as a General Contractor.

I listened to what they had to say and was almost ready to sign up with them again. That's right, I was signed up with them when they first started until they changed the rules on me. The salesman that originally contacted me said if I paid them the 100 dollar sign up fee they would let me pick what jobs I wanted to do. That lasted about 5 months before I noticed that they were not sending me siding referrals to pick from. I called them up only to talk to someone who didn't understand the State Of California Contractors Licensing Board.

Well I wasn't about to reinvent the wheel. I simply told them that I should a least get my money back, right. They said they would look into it further as I never heard from them again about my 100 dollars. Well things have changed at Service Magic since I was with them when they started.
As a home owner you don't think you are paying Service Magic because all you do is fill out a simple form giving some information about yourself.

I found out that Service Magic sent all four of these contractors my original information. Each contractor then had to pay 55 dollars each to Service Magic for a total of 220 dollars. All I have to say is how are they getting away with charging this much money for sending a out a simple referral to these contractors.

The contractor unfortunately passes this expense on to his customers. You as the home owners end up paying these fees as a cost of doing business with them. Some contractors think this is a great way of doing business but you might think differently in the future if you start paying over 100 dollars for a simple construction referral.

Greg Vanden Berge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book

Visit us now for Home Improvement Tips

Concrete Garage Stem Wall Corner

Rustic Feeling With Vinyl Log Siding

Love the look of a log cabin and then realize it is a major operation just to change things or blow out walls. I suggest trying vinyl log siding as an option. It looks very much like log, and gives your home that rustic feel. Vinyl log siding does not require the maintenance that real wood requires, giving you more time to enjoy your home.

No longer will you have to stain, seal or even make plan for insect prevention, because vinyl log siding is low maintenance, while still getting that wood look you desire. It is fade resistant even after years of exposure to the sun and the weather. It will never rot, splinter or corrode, in fact if you are a mother like me, not having to pick splinters out of little hands can be a real time saver. I do not want to put anything on my house or in my house that could hurt my kids.

Vinyl log siding installs as easily as any other vinyl siding and looks great up. It has absolutely no maintenance what so ever saving you lots of time and money. Some people even choose to fill it in with in with thermal insulation. I think that is a wise decision whether you live in a hot and humid climate like mine or in a colder climate. Good insulation can dramatically change your heating and cooling bills. It also stabilizes the temperature in the home, where it does not fluctuate too much.

It can range in price, but the actual product is worth the expense, which is similar or cheaper than the alternative siding, remember this type of siding is basically maintenance free. The place where you could wind up spending a lot of money is on the actual labor of putting it up. Every time I have a project around the house, I have a big barbecue and invite people over to help with the bribe of free food. What you will pay for food and drinks will not come near to what you would pay a stranger to do it and as a bonus you will be working with people you enjoy being around. It is also easy to put up if you have the right tools and a little patience. You can enjoy the look of real logs, with out the cost, hassle or maintenance, by choosing to go with vinyl log siding.

Learn more about Vinyl Log Siding

Contractor In Southern California

So you want to make big money making a living as a contractor in the state of California. Well now I bet you have seen contractors on TV or maybe you know someone who is a contractor. You see these men and women playing the part as Mr. or Mrs. Money bags. If you have the slightest thought that becoming a contractor will provide you with a life of riches think again.

Most contractors that I know and have worked with over the years don't think of there jobs as easy. They have to work everyday and a lot into the night doing estimates or meeting with potential clients because they are to busy during the day. The life of most contractors in the beginning will be difficult to say the least. But if successful you will make a great living for yourself and your family.

Now that we got the false illusion of the contractor answering his cell phone all day at some nice golf course having lunch talking about the money that he just made selling his oil stocks. We can start on reality. If being a contractor was that easy everyone would be a contractor. Right..... Well maybe not everyone.

I have been a contractor for over 22 years and in construction for 30 year. I have seen a lot of changes over the years. I remember when a few contractors that I worked for made a lot of money during the late 1970's. These guys had Ferraris and money to burn with one exception they had no idea how to save any of it. These guys went on vacations and bought extravagant toys for them selves. Out of most of the big framing contractors I worked for about 10 percent are still in business or actually saved their money during the good times so that they could make it through the bad times.

These contractors never thought it was going to end. Life on easy street that is. But it did and most went by the way side. I guess that is the nature of business. Especially the current economic business cycles that we seem to go through over the years. If you don't have the money to advertise or carry a payroll. Your business is going to suffer during the bad times. Sure there is credit and bank loans but you still have to pay that money back. IF you can't save your money stash some away for advertising.

Some of the best advice I can give a contractor anywhere especially in the state of California is " Don't Think The Great Times Of Easy Money Will Last Forever". Save some of the money you make just in case you need to get through the bad times. You will thank me for this latter, Some time down the road. Take this advice and put it into action starting right now.

Greg Vanden Berge has over 30 years of experience in residential home building and remodeling. This provides you with the comfort of knowing that you have a professional with the knowledge and skills to complete your construction projects in a timely manner.

Our low overhead along with our new online estimating system will provide you with the most competitive construction pricing in the area. We continue to educate ourselves about the new home improvement books and building systems in the construction industry. If we have any doubt that something might not work we don't use it. We have found some of these products to be the root of some major home building problems.

Click on the Home Remodeling Ideas to get more information and a possible online estimate for your home improvement project.

Stair Handrail Transition

Monday, March 23, 2009

Stair Handrailing Or Guard Rail

Before the 1980s most stairways had a handrail and to this day, most stair handrails are not considered guard rails. Well things have changed and now most stairways require a guard rail and it gripable handrail.

What's the difference between a stair handrailing and a stair guard rail, quite frankly about 6 inches. Your stair guard rails have a minimum requirement of 42 inches where stair handrails built before the 1980s had a handrailing for protection with a minimum requirement of 36 inches.

This does not mean that older stair handrails that are 36 inches tall will need to be removed and replaced, because the new building codes have changed. If you were to rebuild the stair handrail or do any work on the stairway that required a building permit, they could have you change your stair handrailing to meet current building codes.

I was helping another guy frame a new house in 2005 and while I was on the job I would mention to the owner, certain concerns of mine with other parts of the job. After a while he realized, that I knew what I'll was talking about and started to pay attention when ever I mentioned anything related to home building.

He asked me if I would be interested in building the stair handrailing system and at the time I was too busy. I reminded him of the minimum requirements for the stair guard rail, it was no longer referred to as a stair handrail and would need to be at least 42 inches in height and include a gripable handrail.

Well as you guessed it, the next time I walked into the home, I noticed a 36 inch high stair handrail. I reminded him and he wasn't too concerned, because he hired someone that knew all about building stair handrails.

The building inspector made him remove and replace the stair handrail, before he would approve the home for final inspection. Don't make the same mistakes, learn a little more about stair handrail safety and don't become another statistic in the home building industry.

Always check with your local building department, whether you're reading articles like this or asking questions to experienced contractors. Everybody makes mistakes and sometimes their information is out of date, according to new home building practices or building codes.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors

If you're interested in building stairs, whether you're a professional or a do it yourself homeowner, you should make your stair building and other construction projects as simple as possible. Check out the latest stair building tools, some of these tools can make even the average homeowner look like a building professional

Corner Windows With Wood Trim

Blinds - A Luxury

The word home brings with itself a sense of comfort and privacy. And the idea of privacy sounds complete unless all the beautifully decorative windows round the house are not covered with curtains or blinds. They are majority used to block sunlight along with providing a sense of security. Another trendy choice these days are the vertical blinds & the Panel track blinds

Many people do not choose the vertical blinds as they are a hassle and also a part of the history. They now want panel track blinds that are easy to use and can be fitted easily into you rooms and are very much affordable. These can decorate your house. These types of blinds tend to work in different ways. They improve the entire look of the room, and thus bring about the modern look which you desire. They can darken the room which might make it a bit more romantic. They are a much easier option to use as compared to the vertical blind.

There are several things that a track panel blind can do for you room. Think about windows that have huge width. These are really hard to cover, and also can be costly to put drapes. With the panel tracks, it is easy and they tend to work in a simple manner even though many windows are to be used.

There are many types of blinds available. Woven woods are of one kind. These come in yarn, bamboo and other forms of wood. They bring an exotic look to the room and come in 16 different laces. You can even consider solar sheets. There is a different type of track panels that are fiberglass, PVC and poly. These are available in different colors. There are many, which give an industrial looking steep. They come in a vinyl coating over a woven fiberglass. There are said to be luxurious options. There are several other options that can be considered.

There are many benefits offered by the track blinds first and foremost is that they are easy to use. They also can be a design characteristic in the room. It is important to select the right color and size to match the room when you are purchasing it. Match them with the wood that is placed on your windows. A bit of time needs to be invested in finding a good quality product which can turn your room into an excellent one and thus will make your investment in your home a worthy.

Interested on panel blinds?? Adam Peters is a syndicated writer of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com Read additional info on shades or exterior shutters.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Pick a Good Air-Conditioning Repair Company

If your home has an air conditioning unit, you need to stay prepared if it breaks down someday. It is never a pleasant feeling when your air conditioning unit breaks down on a hot and humid afternoon. Therefore it is important for you to know who to call in case it breaks down.

Usually when the air conditioning unit breaks down, you will most likely call up the first air conditioning repair company in the listing of your local directory. However, picking a good air conditioning repair company is very important. Even if your air conditioning unit is repaired temporarily, there is no guarantee that it will not break down again. In this article, let me highlight some of the things to consider when picking someone to repair your air conditioning unit.

The company that you choose to service your air conditioning unit must have fast response time. The company should be able to respond to your need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You will never know when your unit will break down; therefore this is a very important criteria when choosing a service company. Usually, such a company has their own customer service officers and will send a technician to your home after you have enquired about their service.

Next, you need to find a competent service company to repair your air conditioning unit. You will want a professional technician to show up and repair the unit. Therefore, make sure that the service company has all the necessary professional certifications to show for. This is very important because you do not want a person with no technical know-how to meddle with your air conditioning unit.

You also need to be comfortable letting the technician into your home. The technician should arrive ready for work, with all the necessary equipments ready. Before you let him or her into your house, be sure to check his identification. Some service company only service commercial units, so be sure to check with the company whether they provide servicing to residential units.

Last but not least, the service company should offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee for the work done.

So spend some time on research to pick the right air conditioning service company for your home. You should shortlist a few companies and compare their prices, credentials and competency. There is no hard and fast rule on choosing the best company for the job. If a company suits the criteria that you are looking for and you have a good feeling about them, go ahead and appoint them for the job.

To seek professional aircon services, visit EricoolAircon.com now.

Cheow Yu Yuan is the co-founder of OOm, an online marketing agency that provides professional SEO Services.

Feel free to publish this article on your website, or send it to your friends, as long as you keep the resource box and the content of the article intact.

Poway Remodeling

Garage Conversions - Safety and Value Issues for Real Estate

Occasionally a garage conversion will be carefully done so that the exterior of the conversion closely matches and harmonizes with the rest of the home. The only giveaway is the presence of the driveway leading right up to the home. The quality conversion interior will be on par with the rest of the home, be adequately insulated, heated and cooled and will feature adequate windows and an exterior door to allow natural light, access and ventilation. By contrast, the cheap conversion will have few or none of these amenities.

Safety is a prime concern due to the possibility of fire. A garage conversion with no windows or exterior doors is a fire hazard since anyone caught in that area when a fire blocks their way into the rest of the home can be killed. And since garages are very often adjacent to the kitchen where most fires begin, the potential for disaster is very real and every second counts. Each room in a home must have a way to escape a fire. At a minimum, there must be a window that can be easily opened and is large enough for an adult to slip through in a hurry. A door opening to the exterior is a prudent addition.

An additional consideration is the quality of wiring and the type of heating in the garage conversion. Faulty wiring and/or unsafe use of appliances can start a fire. Free-standing unvented "space" heaters pose a threat from carbon monoxide poisoning.

A garage conversion creates a lack of covered parking space and usually results in decreased storage space. Only when the site is large enough, and building setback lines do not interfere, can additional covered parking be physically and legally provided.

Value Considerations Stemming from the Above

It stands to reason that a good quality garage conversion will bring more value to a home than a cheap one will. The very cheap conversion where the overhead doors have been blocked off and some inexpensive floor coverings added is probably best converted back to garage space, since the cost should be minimal to once again offer a garage. This minimal restoration cost can be offered as a price concession if the owner is unwilling to make the restoration prior to closing. But even the good quality conversion poses the problem of a lack of covered parking if a separate garage structure or at least a carport is not present. The owner and agent should anticipate a reduction in value for this factor. How much reduction to expect is a matter of patient research.

A garage conversion should always be inspected carefully by a qualified real estate inspector, and this will normally be included as part of the whole-house inspection process. In Texas, such inspectors are required to be state licensed. Such an inspection should reveal health, safety or structural problems and the cost to do the repairs can also be offered as a price concession unless they become a lender requirement as a condition of making the loan.

Harry E. Davis is a Texas state certified residential real estate appraiser in Texas and is webmaster of the FHA Appraiser Directory Appraiser and appraisals are available at Austin TexasAppraiser

Wood Stair Cleats Problems - Stairway Remodeling

I would imagine most people don't even know what it wood stair cleat is, in construction we have so many words that describe the same thing. A stair cleat is another word for a thread bracket. In other words it's the part of the stairway that connects the stair stringer to the stair step. These have been used for years and over time, most of them will develop the same problem.

Most wood stair cleats loosened up and create a safety hazard. If the stairs are located outside in extreme weather conditions, for example, if it rains or snows a lot, extremely humid humid weather, or extremely hot and dry temperatures, your staircase might not last that long, if it is or isn't maintained properly. It's not a bad idea to use steel or concrete for stairways in these climates.

If you're ever walking up a set of stairs with wood cleats and the stair steps feel a little loose or wiggly, make sure you examined the stair cleats for safety. It's not uncommon for someone to be walking up or down a set of wood stairs and having the stair step or tread giveaway because the wood cleats has loosened.

If the wood stair cleats are nailed to the stair stringer, the nails can loosen up, causing it to become loose, as you walk up and down the stairs applying pressure to the stair cleat, this will create movement in between the stair step and the stair stringer. This could cause the cleat to crack, break and separate the connection between the stair step in the stair stringer.

I would suggest using metal brackets instead of wood cleats. The metal brackets will not crack or disintegrate like some wood cleats. Stair building brackets of course can loosen up and should be maintained regularly.

If you decide to use wood stair cleats, I would suggest using screws instead of nails and drilling holes in the wood stair cleats, most of the time this will prevent cracking the cleat. Try to use a thicker material for the stair cleat, for example using a 2 x 4 with lag screws and washers would be better than using a 1 x 4 with nails.

If you're walking up a set of stairs and a stair step feels loose, contact the owner of the property and let them know, they have a problem with their staircase.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more stair building books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Friday, March 20, 2009

House Inspection - Windows Problem

House inspection windows problem is an issue that affects most home owners especially those who do not have some experience with windows. I have seen how low grade contractors offer the cheapest prices just to get a job and instead of making a house look better they mess it up and make it look terrible.

Before I provide you with a solution on where to find the help that you need for your house inspection windows problem let me provide some few tips to avoid encountering any problems with your windows in the future.

How To Avoid windows problem

Do not try to install the windows yourself - hire and expert.

Hire a replacement window company that has installs windows that have a good NFRC rating. That is National Fenestration Rating Council.

It is also a good idea to make sure that the windows are Energy Star approved.

Do not just go for the cheapest windows buy consider other factors such as weather conditions in your area, make of your house, durability etc.

Read some consumer reports online before you make any purchase.

Have an expert come over to your home for an obligation free consultation before engaging on the project.

Help with house inspection for windows

There are a number of ways to get a contractor to come over for a house inspection for your windows problem. One thing I must tell you is that there is usually no need to even pay them. Here is what you do:

Simply find a company that is located within your area and contact them. Tell them you are thinking about replacing your windows because of the problems they are giving you. Ask them if they can send someone over for an inspection in order for them to give you a quote. This is usually an obligation free consultation. If they try to make you pay, then you are probably being scammed.

Find a list of pre-screened window companies that are located within your area at:

http://www.findreplacementwindowcompanies.com

These are usually 10, 20 or 50 miles. I know for a fact that these can offer an obligation free in-home consultation.

Click here > obligation free replacement windows inspection for instant access!

Thursday, March 19, 2009

Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas

By Greg Vanden Berge

Household Mold

Household mold is considered an environmental annoyance that can cause irritation while breathing. It can make the health of asthma patients worse and can cause allergic problems to sensitive persons. The mold may affect children with several problems such as irritation, allergies, and infections.

Household mold comes in a wide variety of species and forms. It differs in colors, including charcoal, grey, and black. There is variation in toxicity for different species. Among the species, six are common in which three can produce toxins. These six common molds are Stachybotris, Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, Mucor, and Cladosporium. Stachybotris is a toxic mold that can produce more than 200 poisonous substances. These toxins are autoimmune and can affect the nervous system. Aspergillus is an opportunistic fungus that can cause pathological problems to human beings.

Household mold is found everywhere in day to day households. It can grow anywhere, on tiles, grout, food, fabric, plaster, and wood. The mold grows well at room temperature with humidity. Other necessary items for mold growth are adequate moisture and nutrients. These items are obtained from the surface where the mold grows. The mold can destroy the material on which it grows.

There are certain ways to identify and control the presence of household mold. First, check whether there is any sign of moisture or mold at home. A musty smell in a room is an indication of mold growth. If there is any sign of mold, then find the particular surface of the mold growth and clean the surface. Additionally, remove the sources of moisture and keep the moisture content in the rooms at a desired level. Water should not be allowed to stand in drip pans of refrigerators and air conditioners.

Secondly, check whether there is any leakage problem, water stains or water discoloration from taps, especially in the bathrooms and kitchens. If these problems are found, rectify them immediately to prevent the mold growth. Even if the mold is removed, but the water problem is not solved, then the mold will appear again on the same surface.

Mold provides detailed information on Mold, Toxic Mold, Black Mold, Mold Inspection and Testing and more. Mold is affiliated with Toxic Mold Symptoms.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Modular Homes - A Home Builder's Delight

The Advantages of Modular Homes

Modular homes sections are constructed in climate-regulated manufacturing plants, allowing builders to eliminate the expensive delays they experience whenever the weather their building sites turns against them. The time it takes to have a modular home up and in move-in condition from the moment it is ordered can be as short as ninety days, and that kind of turnaround can mean savings which a builder can pass along to a customer. Being built inside and away from the weather also means that modular homes can be ordered at any time of the year.

Discounts On Materials

Another advantage modular homes offer for builder-developers is that their materials, both for the exterior, and the interior finishing materials and appliances, can be ordered in bulk lots, at significant discounts. Yet they will be equal in quality to any of the materials or appliances used in standard homes. This is another huge savings for the builder, and eventually for the customer.

Factory Site Quality Control

One often overlooked advantage of modular homes for builder-developers is that because a modular home is manufactured in a single factory, those who are building it will be subject to the same performance standards. The end result is a home of uniform quality throughout, and both the home builder and the future home owner will benefit from knowing that.

Customization

How about the fact that going modular allows a builder to tailor his home plans to his customers' specifications? This is a terrific advantage of modular homes for builder-developers because it gives the builder the flexibility to either draw up his own plans or order homes built to an individual buyer's request. Modular homes can be created in any architectural style, and a design plan can even be changed via computer if the customer comes up with a new idea.

Unlimited Choices

Another advantage of modular homes for builder-developers is that there is literally no limit to the size or architectural detailing of these homes. From vacation cottages and log cabins to palatial multi-storey seaside retreats, of even multi-family structures, modular homes are available for every possible taste and budget. There are even some builders who now choose modular construction for their commercial office projects.

The advantages of modular homes for builder-developers have become so great that they clearly outshine any small stigma which may remain in the minds of some when they hear the term "modular home!"

You can also find more info on buy modular home. Modularhomesbasic.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about Homes.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Types and Uses of Wall Mount Brackets

Wall mounting brackets are a popular and commonly used device in homes, offices and public places like hospitals, and railway stations. These devices are used in mounting various electronic devices that need wall mounting or hanging for a proper display. The most popular and maximum use of mount brackets are in mounting LCD and Plasma Televisions.

Mounting Brackets Type

There are different types of mounting brackets depending upon their use and application. There are three main types of mount brackets available in market these days to mount LCD TVs, Plasma TVs and Larger display screens. They are:

Normal Mount Brackets - These are most popular and widely used mount brackets. They help us in placing LCD and Plasma TVs horizontally to the visiting level. Normal mount brackets are popular in home use, where people want to mount their Plasma or LCD TV to the wall, for a better viewing experience.

Tilt Mount Brackets - Tilt mount brackets are for places where people prefer viewing television in tilted position. They are mostly used at public places where the display devices are mounted on a height. They are even prone to theft and damage due to excess public interference.

Hanging Brackets - Hanging brackets are a different subtype of tilt mount brackets. The only difference is that they are mounted in ceiling, whereas other brackets are mounted on the wall.

Choosing a Mount Bracket for Your Need

Choosing a bracket for your LCD or Plasma TV is a crucial task. Because you need to match the perfect bracket specially designed and made for your brand and model. Any other bracket that is made for some other brand or model will not suit with your LCD or Plasma TV. You will need to select a mount bracket that is appropriate for your desired display position. You can easily get one matching to your needs from the stores dealing in mount brackets for LCD and Plasma TVs.

While buying mount brackets, you need to keep this fact in your mind that, they are going to hold your precious LCD or Plasma TV. Therefore, going behind a cheap mount bracket is not a good idea. Its betters, if you go for a trusted brand and dealer with maximum guarantee of your precious electronic devices.

Welcome to Mount Right - Plasma/LCD Bracket Type Plasma/LCD Screen Size Plasma/LCD Major Brand Video Cables & Leads Best Sellers 50% OFF SUPER SALE e-commerce, open source, shop, online shopping. For more information please visit: - http://www.mountright.com/

Double 2 X 10 Roof Rafters

Monday, March 16, 2009

8 Tips to Compare Replacement Window Contractors

This is a quick-guide so you should not expect something lengthy and winding.

Age Of Business

Consider the age of the business; the longer the age of the business the better. Why? Because it reflects back to the kind of quality of service they deliver. Consider it a plus if the business still operates or has a branch in the same area since inception.

Experience Of Team

Sometimes a replacement window contractor might be new but has experienced management and employees. This means you do need to take experience into consideration as well.

Ask For Quotations

Do not take the first replacement window contractor that comes your way. I always advocate for at least 3 quotations before settling with one. One time I had a contractor finish a job without telling me a price - let's just say I live to regret the day I let them in to my home without prescreening them.

Know their suppliers

Sometimes it is wise to know whom they deal with. Most of them have exclusive relationships with well-known reputable manufacturers and some buy from second hand shops. You obviously want to make sure they buy their stock from reputable companies.

Must be within the same area

This will eliminate transport costs and will make it easier for you to visit their offices at anytime you feel like it and yes! the need does come up at times.

Turn around time

Ask them about their turn around time. Some may offer an affordable service at the expense of finishing the job on time.

Referrals by neighbors

You are obviously not the only one who's had his or her windows replaced. Do ask your friends and neighbors. The more a contractor comes up when you ask different people the more it means you should really consider them.

Response time

Once you have a shortlist, try sending them some few questions and see how fast they respond and how they respond. You will be able to take it from there.

Use a reliable prescreening service - reliable being the keyword

There are a number of these online but you can click here to check this one out right away. This is not the only prescreening service online but I have used them and was happy with their service.

They will help you find a pre-screened, well-known replacement window company in your area in seconds. They compare companies in their nationwide network and help you find the one with the exact combination of service, products and value you're looking for.

Don't hire a contractor before you check out

http://bestreviewsonline.net/guide-to-windows

Home Furnishing - Give Your Home A Facelift

House is just a structure made of bricks and cement. It is how you put your personal stamp on it that makes it a home. Furnishing your house to your taste is one such stamp. It is not only a personal but also very exciting. Before embarking on a shopping spree to buy furnishings for your home, some basic things have to be kept in mind. These include the utility, style, taste and above all your pocket. Function and fashion are the main guiding factors in choosing home furnishings.

Function is the first and foremost criteria to be kept in mind for a person before he goes hunting for the basic furnishings. Table, chair, bed, cupboard, curtain, carpet, wallpaper and so on, should be primarily chosen for their utility. A bare home, without furnishings, is unfit for living. The furnishings in a house reflect the lifestyle of the owner. Along with the function, the latest trends should also be studied. But it is not advisable to follow the fashion eyes closed. Look at what suits your home and personality and only then make a decision. Compliment the style and colour of the furnishing for fabulous results.

There are various materials being used now days to furnish the homes. These include wood, cane, stone, metal, textile and silk. With innovative ideas and technology, you can make your habitat as comfortable as you like. Once you have determined what you are looking for, you can buy wisely at auctions, estate sales, straight from the showroom floor or on line. Doing your homework before and during the purchasing process surely pays off. All furniture and home decorating stores have their own websites where you can actually see pictures of what they are offering. Special attention must be given to bedroom furniture. since a person spends some of the most relaxing moments there.

Hence, with a little bit of effort you can furnish your house and make it a home worth living.

Jayson Pablo, a dedicated writer of Rupizcompare.co.uk which provide information on home furnishing accessories like home decor.

General Building Contractor

Saturday, March 14, 2009

How to Create a Rustic Bathroom

These days, everything is so immediate, futuristic and ahead of the curve. We oftentimes find ourselves caught up amongst the whirlwind of advancing technologies and the endless battle to be fashion-forward and owning the right cars, appliances and gadgets. It's time to stop, take a deep, relaxing breathe, and calm down. Not everything in life needs to be constantly updated. If our past shapes who we are today, why cover it up? Now is the perfect time to "update" your bathroom with rustic style cabinet handles that bridges the gap of old to new.

Go Green
Everywhere you turn, there is a "go green" commercial, green grocery bags or eco-friendly appliances. Adding a bit of green to your bathroom might be the perfect option for you. While to some this means purchasing recycled toilet paper, to others, going green in your bathroom literally means going outside and incorporating your available landscape.

For homeowners with access to lumber, creating more storage space with your local hardware is a great solution. Not only will this limit the resources needed to purchase wood from a store (such as gas money and cost of production), but also, this do-it-yourself project can involve your entire family in a creativity exercise. By utilizing what you have around you, you are literally using your bucolic countryside to redesign your bathroom.

Look To Your Roots
America is known as a melting pot, rich with culture, heritage and tradition. Why not incorporate your ancestors in your new "old style" bathroom? Whether Irish, Italian, Native American, Polish or English or a mixture of everything, you should include a little piece of "you" in your bathroom. For many, a code of arms signifies you and your families' past; by pairing this with a bit of the present, you can create a comfort zone of history.

Get Wild in Style
If you have always wanted to get a little bit wild or exotic when it comes to decorating, your bathroom is the ideal place to express yourself. Using small elements, such as cabinet pulls or cabinet door knobs, you can express yourself in a unique way without overpowering the entire room with conflicting stripes, polka dots or too bold paint colors. Bathroom cabinet knobs nowadays can come in a variety of metals such as copper, iron, chrome and nickel. Additionally, these small elements also come in interesting shapes and sizes. For the outdoorsman, adding fish knobs on your towel rack or shower curtain will certainly compliment any room. Pair this with a soft blue or green paint, and you've got yourself a rustic interior almost instantly!

Be Safe and Secure
Like any good home design, safety and security should always trump design and aesthetic appeal. Be sure to install proper cabinet handles and locks to keep hazardous materials away from children, pets or guests. Ideally, harmful chemicals, prescription medications, sharp items and should be stored in a high storage area, secured with drop latch locks or other child-proof mechanisms. Additionally, hand-held electronic appliances should also be removed from plain view. Not only will this help keep you organizes, but also keeping hair dryers, radios and other items away from water should always be a priority.

Scents Make Sense
What's a bathroom without a fresh scent? If you live in the countryside, the fresh scent of cotton, lavender or chamomile will work perfectly. For the more woodsy or earthy homes, pine needles or cinnamon is a great choice to stimulate your olfactory sensors. If you just simply want a clean, crisp room, light citrus scented candles or soaps help cut through tough odors. Remember, when it comes to the smells in your bathroom, you want to help clear the air, not compete with too many fragrances. If you cannot decide what works best, just use the tried by true method: cracking open.

Jim Richardson is Vice President of Your Home Supply (YHS), the definitive website for Home and Garden products and information on a variety of home improvement products. Your Home Supply offer selections on rustic antique cabinet knobs to help customers design and create their own rustic bathroom. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Plaster And Drywall Cracks

Home Buyer Incentives - It Doesn't Hurt to Ask

In a seller's market, a prospective home buyer needs to be a little more cautious when negotiating a purchase; however, in today's buyer's market, incentives are an accepted part of the deal. It certainly never hurts to ask. It's not uncommon for a seller to wait for three months or longer to sell their home, especially during this time when the market is saturated with homes for sale. They need to make their home stand out amongst the rest, and often times, offering sales incentives is the easiest way to accomplish this.

Here are a few of the more common closing requests that never would have been considered a few years ago in our previous seller's market.

House Price & Closing Costs

It's quite acceptable to negotiate 5 percent off the price of the house and then request another 3 percent for the closing costs associated with the purchase of the home.

Inspections

Home Inspection: Everyone asks for a house inspection these days. It's the most sensible way to avoid costly surprise that may result from rotten beams, water damage, faulty wiring or cracked foundations to name a few. Once the inspection is completed, the buyer can take his list of deficiencies, associate costs with them, and either request that they be fixed or deducted from the purchase price. It is also common practice to request the seller to arrange and pay for the inspection.

Radon Inspection: This used to be a common inspection in the 1980's and 1990's. There are approximately 20,000 deaths in the U.S. each year as a result of this cancer causing, odorless gas. A test to determine radon levels in a house costs less than $50, and if the levels are high, repairing the problems cost about $1,000.

Well Inspection: When purchasing a home with a well, the seller should be responsible for a thorough inspection of the system including:

  • Functionality of the pump and overall well system.
  • The well quantity, or the amount of water drawn per minute, to ensure an adequate flow and water pressure.
  • The water quality has to be tested to ensure that it doesn't pose a health risk.

Septic Inspection: In rural areas with no connection to sewer lines, the seller also has to provide proof of a certified inspection of the septic system.

Home Warranty

Including a home warranty can go a long way to providing peace of mind in a home negotiation. At an average cost of $250 - $400, it is a reasonable request to make of a seller.

Decorative Improvements

Sometimes a carpet or paint job may be in dire need of upgrading and a buyer can either request replacement of these items or deduct the cost from the offer.

Non-Fixed Items

Generally, any fixed items stay with the house, but often times it is to a buyer's advantage to request certain things to be included, such as:

  • Drapery
  • Appliances
  • Lighting fixtures
  • Decorative items
  • Lawn tractors or snow blowers
  • Vehicles

New Home Buyer Incentives

When purchasing a new home from a builder, the incentives are almost endless, and range from new appliances, landscaping, big screen TV's and even swimming pools.

This buyer's market won't be here forever. Right now you've got an edge; be sure to take advantage of it.

Go to http://www.coloradoshomes.com for your complete guide to Colorado real estate. Acquaint yourself with the many communities including the listings for Boulder CO real estate.

Simple Light Switch Replacement

New Versus Old Lumber - Structural Failure

During my 30 years of remodeling and building new homes. I have ran across quite a bit of structural framing failures. I find myself answering this question a lot when explaining to a homeowner about the structural failure I am repairing on their home, "Why Didn't They Use Better Lumber" or " Why Didn't They Use Larger Lumber." I really have a hard time answering these questions because I honestly don't know the answer.

However I can try to use some logic and reason to give these people an answer that seems to make sense to both of us. Why didn't they use better lumber, quite simply because, with most older homes that were built before the 1970s they actually do have better lumber. Now you're probably thinking how can these homes have better lumber when the lumber is old versus the new lumber used in a brand new house.

Most of the structural repairs I have made over the years has nothing to do with the lumber and whether it was new or old. A large number of these repairs were caused by neglect and poor maintenance.

The lumber in most older houses are from older growth trees. Some of these trees were extremely large and only the premium parts of the trees were used. The premium lumber is cut farthest away from the center of the tree. Now the larger the tree it makes sense that there will be more premium lumber.

A large majority of the newer lumber used in home construction comes from trees about 6 inches in diameter. Now you're probably wondering how can they cut a 2 x 8 piece of lumber out of a 6 inch tree. Of course they cannot, the larger lumber comes from larger trees.

Most 2 x 4's that are less than 8 foot long can be cut from these trees. This scrap or waste that comes from cutting these two by fours will now go into engineered building materials like particleboard, oriented strand board and engineered beams. Another name for an engineered been would be a paralam.

I hope you're starting to get the picture now when it comes to using new or old lumber. There are companies that are going into old logging rivers and retrieving old growth lumber. These were logs that sank to the bottom of the river's and were never retrieved because it was too costly.

The old growth lumber is quite expensive. Who's to say what problems we will happen in the future from the newer products created with modern day technology. When it comes to building houses it is not an exact science and as contractors we have been repairing the damage from poor engineering for years.

When I use the word poor engineering I am not pointing fingers at engineers. We now have more knowledge about home construction then we had years ago.

New versus old lumber, who wins the battle. Only time will tell.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Structural Repairs.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Hiring a Contractor For Bathroom Remodeling - Remodeling Contractors

Well here's the age old question, how do we go about finding a decent bathroom remodeling contractor.

Here's some things you will be looking for in a contractor.

1. Is Your Contractor Fair and Honest?

2. Does Your Contractor Have Experience Remodeling and Designing Bathrooms?

3. Can You Actually Find a Contractor Who Will Complete the Job in a Timely Manner?

4. Do You Think the Workers Will Be Able to Clean the Job up Daily?

5. Will the Contractor Show up on Time?

6. Is the Contractor Going to Work At Least Eight Hours a Day?

7. Does the Contractor's Crew Have Experience?

8. Is Your Contractor and His Crew Courteous?

If you find a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project that has answered yes to all questions above, hire that person immediately. Most contractors can sincerely answer yes to half of the questions above. If you're looking for the ultimate bathroom remodeling contractor, you could be searching for quite a while, you're looking for some one that is competent and you feel comfortable with.

When hiring a contractor, look for someone who has your interest in mind first and not theirs. Find someone who is willing to help with the designed process of your bathroom and the remodeling. If you find a contractor to be arrogant or controlling, there is a good chance, your bathroom might not turn out the way you envision it.

When hiring a contractor for your bathroom remodeling project or any home improvement project, the most important thing to keep in mind is, whether or not you feel comfortable with this person or not. Never hire a contractor you're not comfortable with.

If a contractor is referred to you by someone you trust, this does not guarantee you will be happy with the bathroom remodel. Most referrals that I have gotten over the years are like rolling the dice, I believe I would have done just as good picking a name out of a hat.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Skylight Using C16 Metal Strapl

Stair Building Books

Where do we go to buy stair building books? Do we go to the major retailers like Amazon or Barnes & Noble? I have found over the years the information in most of these books I have purchased from these stores has a lot of fluff with very little common sense stair building application.

I bought one stair building book that had information on handrails. The front cover looked great and I thought this was going to be a great book reading the reviews from Amazon. When I finally got the book in the mail, I would say about one third of it was math tables for building elaborate wooden hand railing's. These tables were not easy to understand along with the rest of the book.

Back when I bought the book on building stair handrails it dawned on me that most of the construction workers I have met during my 30 years of working in the field were not very good outside of basic math. Now I knew a lot of carpenters that could read a measuring tape and use a framing square pretty good. But when it came to advanced geometrical construction projects like a stair hand railing system this was out of our league.

Reading this book or should I say parts of it gave me an idea to write a book of my own, starting with basic stair building I took all the fluff or the hard to understand advanced stair building applications out of my book, How to Build a Straight Set of Stairs.

I put a lot of time into creating an illustration for every possible part of building a simple set of stairs. I have probably built over 2000 sets of stairs during my lifetime and have explained and taught basic and advanced stair building to other carpenters. Understanding what parts of the stair construction process they understood, I was able to improve my skills as a stair building teacher.

Most people do not need advanced stair building skills to construct a simple straight set of stairs. If you are building a straight set of stairs and would like a stair building book with lots of easy to understand illustrations along with simplified directions you have found it.

We're building more stair building books to help contractors, carpenters, handymen and homeowners understand the stair building process.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Double 2 X 10 Roof Rafters

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Natural Stone Fireplaces - Discover the Advantages and Disadvantages of Natural Stone For Fireplaces

Natural stone fireplaces are extremely popular among many home owners. If you are looking to add beauty to your home, without the use of heavy types of stones and materials, natural stone is a wonderful choice. This particular type of rock is also referred to as "thinstone". This is a type of veneer that is cut to ensure quality, yet is extremely lightweight. Many fireplaces have been created using this particular type of material. This is mainly due to the fact that the stone is highly versatile when it comes to color and texture and that it can hold up to a large amount of various conditions as it is so durable. Here, you will be introduced to this building material, as well as some advantages and disadvantages associated with using it.

Advantages of Natural Stone

Many advantages have been associated with stone that is natural. One of the first advantages is that is it suitable to any budget. Being that it is cut relatively thin, this makes an affordable choice for those that have a specific budget outlined for their home improvement and home repair endeavors. The next advantage is that it is lightweight, so it is quite easy to install the pieces with little to no effort. As mentioned previously, there are many different colors and textures available when it comes to selecting thinstone for the home. This product gives the overall appearance of real stone, yet the flexibility of manufactured stone. This is why many homeowners elect to use this for their home improvement projects.

Disadvantages of Natural Stone

When researching any type of building material for the home, it is always a good idea to ensure that you not only research the advantages of using the product, but the disadvantages as well. There are a few points that may be identified as a disadvantage to using natural stone in and around the home. These are as follows:

1. This is a natural manufactured stone. Many individuals prefer to stay away from stone types that are created. If you are looking for a product that is created from rocks obtained naturally, this may not be an ideal choice for you.

2. There is a possibility that the product may experience chipping and scratching. While this is basically a disadvantage, there is a positive side. If chipping or scratching occurs, the stone is created in such a manner that the under surface is the same as the outer surface. This means that it will blend in appropriately.

3. Individuals who use this type of stone may feel that it is not as durable as stones obtained naturally. However, it does have a high tolerance for extreme conditions.

Where to Find Other Natural Stone Fireplace Ideas

If you want to find more natural stone fireplace ideas, there are many different places where you can do so. The internet is loaded with unique designs and ideas for the home. Furthermore, home improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot often carry a large assortment of books on the subject. If you want to get started on integrating a fireplace into your home, a natural stone fireplace may be the best choice for you!

Looking for a supplier of natural stones for stone fireplaces? View the many different styles of Natural Thin Stone for stone fireplaces that Halquist Stone has to offer. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 or visit halquiststone.com to request a free brochure.

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Paint Me a Picture - No - Paint Me a Hall, DIY Style

Painting is one of the easiest DIY projects around. Novice DIY weekend warriors often begin with their DIY home improvement projects by repainting fences, hallways, doors, windows and walls.

Important tools

To be able to do painting jobs around the house, you would need the following:

1. Roller brushes of different sizes- you need different sizes, depending on the job. Roller brushes that are more than six inches in length are good for walls. Smaller roller brushes can be used to paint the bottom of walls. Small roller brushes can also be used to paint tables and chairs.

2. Synthetic brushes- synthetic brushes come in all shapes, sizes and colors. However, as a rule of thumb, purchase those that have fine yet durable strands. Synthetic brushes should be at least two inches wide. Larger brushes should have longer handles.

In addition, large brushes are heavier, so you have the option of attaching them to poles for hard to reach areas, such as the corners of ceilings.

3. Supply of old newspapers- you can use newspapers or similar recyclable papers. Use these to protect furniture and other surfaces when you are painting. Use plenty of paper when painting large surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

4. Plastic paint pans- pans can be bought from hardware stores. These specially made pans hold the paint on one side, while uneven surfaces allow you to remove excess paint.

5. Thinners- thinners will allow you to remove excess and encrusted paint on your roller brushes. Hard, encrusted paint can damage your roller brushes in the end. Never use water, as it will take too long to remove all the paint.

How to paint a hall

It seems daunting at first- the idea of painting a hall. But in reality, some tools and a bit of patience, plus lots of fun will get the job done.

The first step is to clear out your hallway. Put all the stuff in your hallway in another room. This eliminates the need to put newspapers all around. The risk of paint spots on your stuff is reduced to zero.

Second step is to clean the walls with a wet sponge and some soap. Rinse the walls and allow it to completely dry. If there is glossy paint, use a sandpaper to make the surface a bit rougher.

With a roller brush, apply the primer. Proceed to applying two coats of paint. Let the paint dry for a day or two.

Start re-adding things to your hallway. Old, useless things like unused golf bags should not be added to your hallway again. This process will de-clutter your hallway.

To beautify this space, consider adding plant life. Potted plants are a good choice. The potted plants need not be real. You can use plastic daisies or synthetic roses. Just make sure you clean your plants regularly with a wet piece of cloth to preserve their color.

If you do not have a clock in the hallway, consider adding a wall clock. Wall clocks can be either modern or completely classical with swinging pendulums.

The author of this article is Benedict Yossarian. Benedict recommends Roof Bond Foam Roof Insulation and Dekorbeton Concrete Stamping for your DIY needs.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Advantages of Framing With Steel Studs

I have heard all sorts of stories over the years of the advantages in framing with steel versus wood studs. One time I even heard you could build an entire house with the amount of recycled steel from a large automobile such as a Cadillac. I find this hard to believe unless you're building a very small home.

My personal favorite for framing with steel studs is that they are extremely straight. I have built nonbearing partition walls using 12 foot 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs and after the drywall you can lay an 8 foot level to check it for straightness on the wall with amazing results.

If you use 3 1/2 inch wide steel studs with 5/8 of an inch drywall you will get an extremely durable and sturdy wall. Framing was steel studs is common in office renovations or remodeling. Most of the steel stud framing is done via the drywall contractors.

Steel studs and termites do not mix. You'll never have to worry about these little buggers or other uninvited house pests damaging your walls.

Over the years I have heard stories that steel framed buildings are earthquake and fire proof. They might be more resistant to fire than wood but keep in mind when metal is hot enough it will bend and warp making it unusable.

When I hear people talking about a fireproof building built with metal framing components my first thought is all of the other materials used in building the house that are not fire resistant. Don't get a false illusion when buying a house framed with steel studs and think it is 100% fire proof.

As far as steel framed buildings being earthquake proof this is another story. I really can't comment too much on earthquake damage to a steel building. The problem with earthquakes is they seem to create fires. So even if you're building does survive an earthquake it could get damaged by a fire in the area.

I have framed more wood homes than steel homes over the years and my steel stud construction is limited to nonbearing partition walls usually located in office buildings. I love framing with metal because of its light weight and ease of construction.

I still love framing with wood. There is something about what framing that I have always loved and always will.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as

well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on House Framing Ideas

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Replacing Window Glass

Replacing window glass begins with safety glasses and a good pair of work gloves.

Replacing window glass or a broken window associated with an older window is something a homeowner can do with a few basic tools.

Start by removing the broken glass pane remnants still stuck in the window sash. You may need to use one of your pliers to help pull out any smaller pieces.

Next, remove the old glazing compound with your putty knife. Work your way around the entire window sash, in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, and scrape the old glazing compound out.

You may want to use a hair dryer to heat the glazing compound up. The heat will soften the old glazing and make it easier to remove. Apply heat to a localized section of the old glass to soften it up, and then scrape it out with your putty knife. Keep stepping around the window sash in this process.

Also, in the process of removing the old glazing, remove any glazing points that may still be attached to the window sash. Use your Needle-nose pliers to remove the points.

After you have removed all of the old compound and glazing points, sand the area down to the bare wood to remove any old glazing or paint. Then apply a sealer to the bare wood to protect it.

Now install your piece of glass and place it into the window sash. Note that the glass should be slightly smaller than the window sash, e.g. 1/8th inch narrower in both length and width.

With the glass in place, install glazing points approximately every 4-6 inches, making sure you have a couple of glazing points near each of the corners of the glass. Be careful not to break the glass when doing this.

With the glazing points installed apply the new glazing to the window sash. It is best to roll out a " string of glazing material, and using your fingers and putty knife push it into place around the window edges.

Once you have pressed in the new glazing material use your finger or a moist rag to smooth out the glazing and to clean the glass.

Let the window dry overnight, and then apply paint to the window sash. When the paint has dried reinstall it into the window frame.

About the Author: Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more information about Home Improvement and Home Additions, and Home Remodeling and Repair visit homeadditionplus.com and homeaddition.blogspot.com

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