Pages

Monday, September 17

Contractor Tips: How to Shop for Your Remodel


Roughly half the costs of a remodel are for materials, so it pays to be mindful of potential pitfalls. If you're a DIYer, avoiding some minor and major mistakes can help you make the most of this significant investment. You probably already know it's best to buy well-tested quality materials from trusted local vendors and to install classic, long-lasting materials that will be around for generations. Here are more tips I've learned over the years that can help you pick out the best materials and products for your home.
by Janet Paik
by Janet Paik
by Janet Paik
1. Know the pitfalls of buying off the shelf. Check the box. Does it look like it has been opened or returned? Don't buy it. Returned items may have damage and missing parts.

You can get some great deals on good products at your local home store, but you have to know what you're looking for. For instance, plumbing fixtures should be made of brass, not metallic-looking plastic. And cheaper paint often requires more coats and fades more quickly.

2. Get recommendations for showrooms and lumberyards. A good builder should have established relationships with reps he or she trusts, so use the recommended suppliers if you can. If you're a DIYer, try asking around for some good suggestions. When all else fails, add 30 percent to any delivery time frame you're told and build a healthy contingency fund into your budget, just in case.
3. Just because it looks like a duck ... A lot of houses are still piped with copper, so repairs and remodeling will generally be done in copper as well. Half-inch copper pipe is 5/8 inch in diameter, but the thickness of the copper depends on the type. Many stores sell type M and L. Type M is cheaper because it's thinner — but saving money in materials now could mean tearing open walls later to find a pinhole leak that has sprung.

Whether you are paying someone else or doing work yourself, labor is expensive. Buy quality materials so you don't have to do the work twice.
by Kenny Grono
by Kenny Grono
by Kenny Grono
4. Sometimes you don't get what you thought you were paying for. In my experience, some brands spend more on advertising than on making quality products. Do your research and make sure the product you're buying is current. The situation is always changing, but make sure you know what you're getting and who you'll call if it turns out to be a dud.
eclectic floors by Paul Anater
by Paul Anater
by Paul Anater
Marmoleum Linoleum Flooring by Forbo - $5.00 »
5. Let someone else be the guinea pig. I have tested materials and products on my own house over the years so I can vouch for them in my work. If you are not in the business, you should be buying products that have been well regarded for many years. Even if you are trying to remodel your home using environmentally friendly materials, you don't have to use products that haven't stood the test of time. True linoleum flooring (not vinyl, which people often call linoleum), like in this photo, has been around for more than a century and is a hypoallergenic natural material, for example.
Links Wallpaper »
6. Buy local. There are many reasons to buy local and support your region's economy, but two big ones have to do with shipping. Make sure to factor in the cost of shipping when pricing out materials. A local vendor will usually not charge extra for shipping, and you can schedule the delivery. Shipments of online purchases can result in headaches if no one is around when a big, heavy delivery shows up. If you are concerned about the environment, the distance a product ships should always be a concern. Bamboo flooring is made from grasses that are rapidly renewable, but if it's coming to you from across the world, a flooring product made close to home might be a greener choice.

Galbraith & Paul, the manufacturer of this wallpaper, is a local company in my hometown of Philadelphia.
7. Buy salvaged. You can often get better-quality building materials with more character for less money by buying salvaged. You will pay more in labor, but once again, this is an opportunity to support your community.

Sinks and tubs are good if the finish isn't damaged, but avoid faucets unless the seller can show you they work without leaks.

Doors, hardware and masonry are all great items, and stone, wood and glass are great materials, to buy salvaged. With light fixtures, keep in mind that they may need to be rewired, but this is a way to keep a great period fixture out of the Dumpster.
8. Buy extra. "Waste" is the term we use for extra materials ordered, because the cutoffs usually end up as just that (unless they're recycled). The best way to figure out how much waste to order is by following a manufacturer's or installer's recommendations.

In the absence of those, use these tips. If you are confident about your measurements and the method of installation, you could get away with ordering 10 percent more of items like flooring or wall coverings, but 15 percent waste is a safer bet. If the item is special order, 15 percent is the minimum, and 20 percent may make sense depending on the situation.

Store leftovers of items, like tile and grout, in labeled containers in the basement in case repairs are ever needed.
9. Have someone else check your work. Before you approve a special order, especially for windows and doors, have someone else familiar with the job look over the order. You can't send a custom door back because you didn't notice they got the door swing wrong or because the window is designed for 2-by-4 walls, not 2-by-6.
by Kenny Grono
by Kenny Grono
by Kenny Grono
10. Buy early. Stopping work to wait for materials to arrive is costly. Double the lead time you were told and you'll usually be safe. Delays happen all the time.

If the materials are onsite, the contractor can check measurements and answer questions that the spec sheet doesn't address.

If you don't want to expose items to theft, store the materials offsite where your general contractor can get to them, but don't try to time material deliveries for the moment they're needed.
Posted by at No comments:

Wednesday, September 12

Contractor Tips: Top 10 Home Remodeling Don'ts



Whether you work with a general contractor or act as one on your own project, getting a glimpse into the mind of a contractor can give you a new perspective into remodeling projects around your home. 

I’ve learned a lot working as a contractor, and some of those lessons can help homeowners too. What you do is just as important as what you don't do, and sometimes a homeowner's instinct can negatively affect a home renovation project. 

How do you know if you're helping or hurting your project? Read on to find out and to see what can help simplify your home remodel.1
1.  Don't delay decisions. If you want your remodel to go well, the best thing to do is make every single decision before work starts. A good builder can talk you through the list of situations that might come up on your job, but decisions about situations aren't usually what cause delays.

Instead, most of the issues are related to decisions about things like paint, trim and faucet selection. These may seem small, but when your faucet is two weeks late, plumbers have to be rescheduled and the medicine cabinet door hits the faucet when it's installed, you’ll see how something small can balloon into a week’s delay on a five-week project.
traditional by Daniel Contelmo Architects
by Daniel Contelmo Architects
by Daniel Contelmo Architects
2. Don't change your mind (too much). Even though it's inevitable that you'll change your mind about something on your project, know this: Every time you change your mind, it'll result in a change order. Although the change may seem minor, there are always added costs — even if it's only the time spent discussing the change.

Scheduling can be affected too. Everyone working on the job needs to be informed of the change so no one's working on the old plan. Everyone makes changes, and that's OK — just be aware of the potential to disrupt and delay the job.

3. Don't buy your own materials. It seems like an obvious way to save money — a builder is going to mark up the cost of materials and pass that added cost on to you. That’s true, but the builder may get a better price than you to begin with, meaning that even after markup, you'll pay the same price.
4. Don't put lipstick on a pig. Though a builder will rarely come right out and say this, some houses should be knocked down rather than have money put into them to fix them up. Though this is a rare situation, it’s common for people to put money into fancy cabinets for a house with a sagging foundation, or into a high-efficiency furnace in a house with no insulation. Listen to the professionals who come to look at your job. Be open to their suggestions.

5. Don't work without a contingency fund. If you find out that the work you wanted to do costs more than you expected or budgeted, you’re in good company. It’s almost unheard of that a person sets a realistic budget for a project. But don’t eat into your contingency to stretch the budget. If you follow rule number one and make every decision ahead of time, you can probably get away with a 5 percent contingency if you have a good general contractor.
traditional by Midtown Builders, Inc
by Midtown Builders, Inc
by Midtown Builders, Inc
6. Don't let kids and pets get in the way. Though the people working in your home will often try to accommodate your pets and kids, they shouldn’t have to — it's just not safe to have children or animals around construction.

7. Don't live in the home. Most people ignore this rule, and for good reason. Remodeling is expensive, and moving out just adds to the cost. If you can’t move out for the whole job, try to schedule some time away and set up a clean, comfortable place to retreat to when you can’t handle coming home to a messy and stressful construction site.
traditional by Daniel Contelmo Architects
by Daniel Contelmo Architects
by Daniel Contelmo Architects
8. Don't be a distraction. It may sound harsh, but every minute someone working on your house spends talking to you, they are not working on your house. Is the conversation important and one that will have an impact on the job? That's one thing, but the electrician on the job isn't getting paid any more to spend 30 minutes talking about your vacation plans.

9. Don't ignore what the house wants. Though some people can pull off wearing a pair of high-top sneakers with a tuxedo, it can also go horribly wrong. Houses are the same way. Can an ultramodern kitchen in a Victorian brownstone work? Absolutely, but make sure you can pull it off. This is not to say a house can’t evolve with the times. There are no hard and fast rules — just get to know your house, live in it and do your research before you pull out the sledgehammer.
10. Don't work without a design. Some projects require an architect, some an interior designer, and sometimes a talented builder will get your aesthetic and help you come up with a good plan. Whatever you do, don’t start a remodel without a detailed floor plan. A lot of elements interact in a space — put them all on paper and you’ll catch problems before they are built. You may be able to build a functional space without a plan, but if you want a functional andbeautiful space, hire a designer.
Posted by at 1 comment:

Tuesday, September 11

PAINTING BRICK


Sometimes brick looks beautiful — and sometimes it's an eyesore. Depending on the style of your home, a brick fireplace or wall may detract from your ideal ambience. Although painting the brick in your home has been touted as an easy DIY fix, it has its downsides. Be careful before whipping out your roller and painter's tape — there are some important considerations to keep in mind before tackling this home project.

We talked with three professionals to get their take on painting brick. Diana Zumeta of Brick Restoration, Scott Crocker of Crocker Breslin Architects and Rick Watson from Sherwin-Williams give us their two cents on the risks involved in painting brick.
modern living room by Alterstudio
by Alterstudio
by Alterstudio
Should You Paint Your Brick?

Think carefully before painting interior or exterior brick. Brick is chosen as a building material because of its durable and built-in color — of which there are more choices today. "Most brick was never intended to be painted," says Crocker. "Long-term, maintenance-free painted brick requires careful planning." According to the Brick Industry Association, if you paint your exterior brick, you should be repaint it every three to five years.

The quality of your brick also should determine your choice. Brick that's chipping, deteriorating, molding or in overall poor condition is always a bad candidate for paint. Paint blocks the natural pores in the brick's surface, which can cause existing problems to become exaggerated over time. "When water seeps in through the mortar, it also seeps into the brick through the inside, and since the bulk of the surface area is blocked, the moisture cannot evaporate off," says Zumeta. Often this causes the paint to chip off.

Also remember that removing paint from bricks is no easy process. Chemicals have to be used, and often the paint won't come completely off. If you don't like the look, you may be stuck with it.
The Risks

"Ask yourself if you're covering up something that should be addressed separately," says Crocker. He recommends getting in touch with the original owners or the builder who installed the brick, whenever possible, to uncover any problems that might arise. "You have to be very careful when you're changing the exterior makeup of a wall," says Crocker.

Moisture is a concern that's usually apparent right off the bat. Water can enter brick through brick pores, incomplete mortar joints, sills, copings and other gaps. Make sure your brick is completely dry before you paint it — the risk of long-term or immediate damage is less likely.

The natural chemical property of bricks may affect your paint's durability as well. According to the Brick Industry Association, most bricks are neutral, but mortar often has a basic alkalinity. Paint products can be affected, so alkaline-resistant primer is usually recommended.

"Efflorescence" is a big word for that annoying white residue that often appears on older brick walls. This residue is made up of deposits of water-soluble salt buildup, often from moisture inside the brick. Remove the efflorescence with water and a stiff brush before painting your brick, and wait to see if it returns. If it does, you may have a bigger problem on your hands that requires professional help.
How to Prep Brick for Painting

"Most project complications occur when people rush the preparation process," says Watson. "If your brick is brand new, wait at least a year before painting it to allow for drying, weathering and leaching."

Always clean brickwork before painting it, and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours before painting it or applying a water repellant. Don't use acid cleaning solutions when cleaning your brick — stick to simple water and soap. Acidic solutions can result in paint chipping.

Seal any cracks and repoint (renew the external mortar joints, or pointing) when needed. Get rid of efflorescence, wash off dirt and eliminate mold with weed killer.

The Best Paint for Brick

Keep in mind that exterior and interior walls should be treated differently, because exterior brick comes into contact with ground elements. The Brick Industry Association also advises using a porous paint for exterior brick walls, so the brick can breathe. 

"Choosing a high-quality paint is vital for painting brick successfully," says Watson. Both Watson and Crocker recommend using specific masonry paint products for painting brick, starting out with a conditioner and a primer, and then using a breathable latex exterior or interior paint, like Sherwin-Williams' SuperPaint Acrylic Latex.

Zumeta recommends looking into having your brick professionally stained, rather than painted. Although it can be more expensive, a brick stain penetrates the pores of the brick, unlike paint, which simply sits on the surface. It creates new color without some of the long-term risks that come with paint. 
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, September 10

Burlington Residential Average Sale Prices

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, September 6

12 STEPS TO A HAPPY TEEN BEDROOM

Teen Bedroom Makeovers

With a new school year upon us, now is the perfect time to give that teen lair an overhaul — and hopefully eke out a bit of quality bonding time in the process. To make this a successful decorating experience, it helps to keep an open mind about your teen's creative direction. Recognize that he or she has good ideas, and at the same time set clear limits that work for you (a project budget, paint but not wallpaper etc.) for results that will make both of you happy in the end.

Ready to get started? See how to transform the chaos into a fun and functional teen space in 12 simple steps.
eclectic kids by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
by RLH Studio
1. Start an ideabook and create a floor plan. Gather inspiration images and collect the best in an ideabook on Houzz. Just looking at all the images together should help clarify what your son or daughter wants. Once you have the general style nailed down, sketch out ideas for the new floor plan.

Style notes: A taller-than-average bedside table can do double duty as a desk — a great space saver in a small room. Also, think about adding a focal point over the headboard. A quirky sculpture, artwork or a pretty textile are all good choices. Just be sure anything that could fall on the bed is very well secured and not too heavy.
2. Think about color and lighting. Once you know the look you are after, it's time to think about paint. Use extra-large paint swatches or get sample-size amounts to try out colors directly on the wall before buying enough for the whole room to avoid a misstep.

Lighting can instantly make the biggest change in a room, so now is also the time to create a lighting plan. Add ambience with café lights strung across the ceiling, install a dimmer switch for an overhead fixture and don't forget proper task lighting for the homework area.
3. Decide which furniture to keep. As you are going through the room, note which pieces you want to keep and which will be sold or given away. But before buying anything new, consider updating existing furniture with fresh paint or knobs, and look around the rest of the house (including in the attic and the basement) for forgotten treasures.
4. Shop for new items.Look for pieces that can also be used in a first apartment (or dorm room) to get the most bang for your buck. Small side tables, cushions, throw blankets, lamps, and small-scale armchairs will all be most welcome in those first digs away from home.
eclectic bedroom by Annie McElwain Photography
by Annie McElwain Photography
by Annie McElwain Photography
5. Go on a "cool junk" hunt together. Make a date to hit a flea market or antiques and collectibles fair to see what you can find. Bring cash (only as much as you want to spend), measurements of key areas and a dolly or cart to carry home your finds.

Style note: Wire storage lockers like the ones shown here are superversatile — use them for everything from shoes and scarves to craft supplies and books.
6. Incorporate photos of friends. One of the downsides to taking mostly digital photos is that we tend to print photos less often. As part of this project, be sure to give your teen the opportunity to have some recent pictures printed — some to frame and others to tape up in a rotating display.

Style note: Japanese masking tape (also called washi tape) comes in a mind-boggling array of colors and patterns, is easily removable from most surfaces and can be used in tons of ways (like in the photo display seen here). A set would make a lovely gift for your teen when this project is complete.
7. Try a small DIY project. Air plants and succulents are having a real moment in design, and they have the benefit of being easy to care for. If you and your teen are in the mood to tackle a crafty project, I love this DIY air plant terrarium tutorial on Houzz. It's chic and easy, the best combination!
8. Update the homework zone.Ground the work area with a creative and useful chalkboard wall, or include a large bulletin board for pinning up lists, photos and inspiration. Pay attention to the ergonomics of the space as well, making sure the chair and desk are at the right height. Good task lighting is essential, and any additional storage you can squeeze into the space will help maintain order. At least consider a small filing crate and a basket for recycling.
9. Add an entryway. In my experience, most messes come from the junk we put down as soon as we enter a space. Help prevent the big chaotic pileup before it begins with a few preventative measures: A coat tree or wall hooks will hopefully keep those coats and bags off the floor, and a dresser or table placed near the door can be a drop zone for mail, keys and other odds and ends.
9. Provide hangout space. If you have the room, bring in a retired couch from the basement or attic. If space is tight, try a fluffy area rug with a few big floor cushions instead.
11. Add an unexpected touch. Every room should have something that immediately catches your eye or makes you smile, and your teen's room is no exception. Make the room glow with a cluster of cheap and chic paper lanterns, scoop up a funky neon sign or a vintage marquee letter at the flea market, or frame a portrait of a favorite pet.
12. Give hobbies and interests pride of place. Skater? Guitar player? Surfer? Chess champion? Whatever makes your child's heart sing should definitely get top billing in the room.
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)