Remodeling: Get the most bang for your buck

One of the most common questions asked about remodeling a home is where to put your money. For most people unlimited funds aren't exactly the norm so at some point you have to decide where to focus your attention and budget. So what can you do to get the most return on your home improvement investment? The answer isn't completely black and white, factors like location, time of year, and current market temperature come into play but typically there are areas that will give you more return for your investment than others.

The National Association of Realtors and Remodeling Magazine publish a cost vs. value report each year and this offers us some insight into the debate.

The most straightforward way to add equity to your home is to add square footage. Basement finishing and additions are always an option to create a good return. The best part about investing money in these options is the benefit to you in the meantime. Who wouldn't want that entertainment and bar area for their pool table and pub fantasies or that extra room to house the in-laws or contain moody teenager's messes! By adding square footage you can make your dream walk in closet and 5 piece bath a reality or create an amazing culinary space that chefs would drool over, the options are endless.

Next up on the list are kitchens! According to the cost vs. value reports, kitchens return nearly 100%! This is where people spend a good majority of their time, this is where the entertaining takes place and is an area that makes a huge impact on the look and feel of the home. New cabinetry and appliances will eat up a good portion of your budget but there are options in this department. There are plenty of affordable cabinet lines out there and there are scratch n dent appliance centers nationwide that can save you a lot of money. Flooring and countertops come in next and as you can imagine there's more variety here than you can fathom.

You may have heard the saying that "kitchens and bathrooms sell houses" and there is a lot of truth in that. Bathrooms are next up on the list offering in a lot of cases more than 100% return on the investment. Best part about bathrooms is that they move pretty quickly and don't put the homeowner out too much in the meantime considering that most homes have more than 1 bathroom to use. Some simple updates like new flooring and fixtures and a fresh coat of paint go a long way.

Not to be forgotten is the outside of the home. Patio covers, decks, and other outdoor living areas are often neglected as home improvement options. These types of projects add bonus selling points for homeowners. And don't neglect the landscaping and fencing options out there.

If you're leary to start these major projects there are plenty of other things to do that will add value to your home. Simple repairs and updates are something that any homeowner should consider throughout the duration of owning your home. Fresh paint, drywall repairs, updated lighting fixtures and sinks give the home a facelift. New flooring throughout the home can make a big difference on a lighter budget.

Last but not least are new roofs and windows, these will extend the longevity of the home and can be done on a short timeline. And no one will be complaining about the savings on energy bills!

As always make sure you employ a reputable contractor for your home improvement projects or you won't be seeing ANY return on your investments! The bigest mistake homeowners make during this process is taking the cheapest bid that they receive. Remember they are cheap for a reason!! Reputable contractors have a bottom dollar that they can work with, plain and simple, going any lower isn't possible so always question the low ball offers and do your homework. You don't want a con artist walking away with your home investment!

~5280 Lady

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So you want to join the Eco-bandwagon? What are the "green" options available?

Obviously the world has discovered the idea that we need to be more eco-conscious when building these days, it's our responsibility to the planet that so graciously allows us to breathe and live. There are so many options available to add green building to your home projects. You can start with the studs on up in a new home but you don't have to start from scratch, there are also many options that you can throw into the mix with home renovation projects.

Solar paneling, this may be the most obvious choice of eco products. Installing paneling is no simple feat but certainly do-able. It can be quite pricey to have installed but overtime you will see a return on your energy costs. But don't let this scare you away from the eco-bandwagon there are so many more options!

Along the same lines as solar paneling are solar skylights, a tube that extends to the outside of your roof allowing natural light into the home. Out with the lightbulbs and lamps, in with the Solatubes! They even offer dimmable switches so that you can control how much light comes in from your tube!

Recycled denim insulation is an amazing product, it is insulation for your home that is made out of recycled denim. Yep those jeans you put on every day actually have a bigger use than covering up your naked behind. Not only is this insulation eco-friendly, it also offers sound dampening qualities and is naturally fire retardant.

So if you thought the jean insulation was off the wall it gets better. Check into Sheep Wool Insulation, made right from the fluff of our little Bah Bah Black Sheep! It offers a 10% higher insulating factor than traditional fiberglass insulation, has natural water resistant properties, and is obviously sustainable. SheepRoll and SheepBatt are the next on our list of green products!

Alternative flooring options like cork and bamboo are a great option. The wood from these trees/plants is generated much more quickly than traditional woods like oak and cherry therefore it is a much more sustainable resource. Thanks to new technology you are now able to get cork and bamboo flooring in a variety of colors and patterns making it just as design conscious as previously used wood flooring.

Recycled glass has several applications and don't let the word fool you into thinking "thrift store ugly"! You can purchase recycled glass tiles for things like bathrooms or backsplashes. Or even look into recycled glass countertops. All are offered in every color of the rainbow and leave a lasting unique impression. Bedrock Industries has an amazing selection of truly recycled glass, no colors or additives are put into these tiles they are made 100% from post consumer glass. http://www.bedrockindustries.com/blazetile.html

Paint, now this ranks at the top of "easiest to implement" into your green efforts. Start by purchasing paint with low to no VOC's. Volatile Organic Compounds can be emitted by a variety of things in your household so why not eliminate one source by changing up your paint. Head to your local Home Depot and pick up some Freshaire Choice paint and go to town in on your walls.

You can extend the no VOC choice into other products used around your home such as caulking, sealants, and adhesives. Take a few minutes before purchasing and check out the packaging to make sure you grab the proper option.

Compact Flourescent Lightbulbs, or CFL's, would rank #2 on the easiest to implement. Just changing out the bulbs in your home can make a world of difference. They use 75% less energy than a traditional bulb. And one bulb will save you $30 over it's lifetime! Make sure they're Energy Star rated and invest the down payment into switching over your home, you will regain your money back in less than 6 months.

High Efficiency Toilets, get rid of those outdated and undoubtedly dirty toilets and replace them with 1.6 gallon per flush toilets or dual flush toilets. This will conserve water and help out your pocketbook! The dual flush toilets offer 2 flush settings, one using more water than the other, so if you have a "full" bowl you use the higher flush setting... you can infer the details here!

Low-E windows, or low emissivity windows work to make your windows more efficient. Essentially they contain a metallic oxide layer that reflects infrared light back out reducing the amount of heat that enters your home through the window. Think of it like a tiny mirror inside your window that sends those hot sunbeams away from your home.

We've only scratched the surface of the multitude of options available. Do some research to decide which options make sense for you and your family. As always choose your contractor making sure that they have knowledge of these types of products and have the ability to propel you into the eco-friendly homeownership world!

-5280 Lady

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FREEBIES! Mold testing kit for your home!

Mold is a concern for all homeowners, we've discussed it here on Q.A.C. so what do you do if you suspect your home may be at risk? There are several options to test your home for mold contents, you can hire a contractor to take care of it for you which would be something that I'd highly recommend. Otherwise you can purchase Mold Testing Kits and try to diagnose your issues by yourself, this is a good starting point and will provide your contractor with information necessary to correct any mold problems in your home.

Read more about Mold Testing Kits, essentially you take samples of air and receive results within 3 days.
http://www.pionair.net/moldtest.html

And courtesy of 5280 Home Construction, click here to receive your FREE testing kit from Pionair!
http://www.pionair.net/content/view/130/free_kit.php

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Winter weather snow shoveling tip!

If you live a state that experiences snow like we do here in Colorado then you probably can’t stand shoveling snow, but there are more reasons to shovel your driveways and sidewalks other then safety and so you don’t have to walk through it. Un-shoveled snow can destroy your driveways and sidewalks! Have you ever wondered why your driveway starts to look like it is crumbling on the top and pitted and what causes it? It’s called "Spalling". Spalling is caused from ice freezing and unfreezing. As we all know when water turns to ice it expands and has the strength to break anything. Well your driveway is no different, it is a porous material that absorbs water, and then when it freezes it expands inside of the concrete and causes the concrete to chip and pit. The best thing you can do is shovel your driveway before anyone walks or drives on it, that way those areas don’t freeze. If you have Spalling on your driveway I bet that the damage is directly in line with your tires from your garage, because you forget to shovel before driving over and packing the snow that then becomes ice as you are at work all day, come summer your drive way will be damaged. An average driveway can vary from $6,000 to $10.000. There are also ways of resurfacing your driveway that can still cost a few thousand dollars. Long story short shovel your driveway!

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How to choose a contractor for your project.

So you’re ready to start a construction project at your home, and you have been seeking out the right contractor for your project. Unless you already have a contractor that you have worked with and you were happy with, then finding the right contractor can be a very stressful task. Let’s say you found a contractor but are not sure if they have the correct credentials for your project. Are they trustworthy? How long have they been in business? Once you’re done reading this post you will have the answers you need.








How do I find a contractor?



The absolute best way to find a contractor for you project is by referral. Has someone you know recently had work done to there home by a contractor, if so, were they happy with them, and the quality of their work? Was the contractor or the contact in the company knowledgeable, personable, did they seem to care about your home like it was their own? Did they stay within budget? Are they licensed? If so what type of license? Was the scope of work at you friend’s project similar to yours?



Let’s say you don’t know anyone who has done work with a contractor that they like. Now this is a little harder. Check the phone book. Check the better business bureau. Do you have a local or community paper?



Generally I have found that if you hire a company that spends money promoting themselves then they most likely spend money paying their own bills, and are more likely to pay the bills on your project.



Finding a contractor isn’t the hard part. Finding a good one is. Ask them all of the questions from above. Ask for references within the last year or two. Also ask for professional references ex: one of there sub contractors, or another general contractor. Contractors know other contractors in the same field and there is no better judge of quality than another contractor. Also ask them questions about the bad experiences that they have had with customers and or projects. Trust me we all have a few. A good contractor will be open with you about any problems that they have had in the past. It’s not the problem that they had that you should concentrate on its how or what they did to resolve it and ultimately make their customer happy.



Don’t feel pressured into using a contractor just because you got an estimate from them. Never pay for an estimate, if they want your business then it should be free, you wouldn’t pay for a catering estimate at your back yard barbeque same goes with your contractor. Ultimately trust your instinct if something is "fishy" about them or you feel that they are not being honest with you then don’t use them. There a lot more contractors out there and a lot of them are good honest trustworthy companies. Follow these guidelines and ask these questions and you will choose a great contractor for your project.




-Shaun

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Tip of the day! (SHOWER MOLD)

!!!MOLD!!!

In the last few years media has made mold out to be the very worst thing that could ever happen to you in your home. Trust me I could think of hundreds of worse things. Now don’t get me wrong mold can be a very serious, possibly life threatening problem. The key to preventing mold is Maintenance! Maintenance! Maintenance! Mold doesn’t pop up out of the blue. Now I could go on and on about thousands of different mold scenarios but lets concentrate today on shower mold.

First let me say that over the years I have redone about 30 shower enclosures. To re-do a shower surround you have to remove the existing tile/surround and the wall covering that it is attached to EX: drywall, Den shield, Durock.  Its not required by code to replace it, but I'll tell you that I have never removed a shower surround and not found some sort of mold. Even the very best correctly installed shower surround will weep (seep through the grout lines or uncaulked areas of the shower) over time if not maintained correctly.

If your shower looks like this its too late:

(Behind the drywall mold)

How to prevent mold in your shower:
• ReCaulk all 90 degree corners including where the walls meet the shower pan with an approved sink/shower caulking every two years or when you notice that the caulking is pealing. You can find this at any hardware store.
• You must scrape the old caulking off to properly recaulk any areas.
• Use a caulking that contains Microbann. Microbann is a product contained in many building materials that kills and prevents mold.
• Seal and reseal grout lines with a tile grout sealer. You can find at any hardware store. I recommend sealers made by Custom Building Products at Home Depot, or go to this link at Home Depot.
• Treat any existing mold with a mold killing product from your local hardware store.
• DONT TREAT MOLD WITH BLEACH!! Bleach only kills mold on the surface. Mold grows almost like a tree and has a root system that bleach cannot reach. Bleach is about 99% water and water helps mold grow.
• If you have any uncertainties, hire a contractor that is licensed and has references in this field. Mold contractors have to undergo a certification to treat mold so make sure you check you contractor for this.

Shower head mold

Check your shower head for mold.
Shower head mold looks like this:

The best way to treat mold in your shower head is to remove and submerge the shower head in a 50% white vinegar 50% water solution for about 15 to 30 min. and scrub with a brush.

For more on shower head mold check out this video from the Drs. show from today 11-30-09 here

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About me and this blog.

Welcome to Question a Contractor!!

This blog is dedicated to help homeowners make the correct decisions about the contractor that they have or want to hire for the home projects, and to help you understand if they are doing it RIGHT!

Hi,
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Shaun Farrell. I have been in residential home construction and remodel for 11 years. I own a successful Colorado based residential construction company and I am an ICC certified residential general contractor. Most contractors are certified and or licenced in the county or city in which they routinely work or plan to work. The ICC accreditation is the company that writes the code in which contractors must follow. ICC does their own independent testing that nationally qualifies your license throughout the United states. The ICC allows any person to check the accreditation of a contractor with their agency. Feel free to check on me!! send me an email and I will provide you with a link to look up my licensure.

My reasoning for creating this website is to allow homeowner to accurately critique the contractor in which they choose. Ultimately helping you to avoid disaster, and to obtain the project of your dreams easily and without duress.

In my experience throughout the years I can tell you that about 30 to 50% of my business is correcting previous contractors mistakes. I aim to stop this by hiring the right company the first time!

Things you should expect from this blog:
*How to correctly draft a contract with your contractor.
*How to choose the right contractor for your job.
*How to insure that you job is being done correctly.
*How to determine if a permit is needed for your project, and the relevance and importance of that permit.
*How to determine if your project is finished up to industry standards.
*How to arrange a correct pay schedule with your contractor.
*Daily tips on how to make your home more valuable, energy efficient, how to avoid damage to your home, and how to annually maintain your home.
*And answer all questions that you may have.


-Shaun

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