Your Home Needs Attention and It’s Time to Spring into Action!

It may be hard to believe but spring is just around the corner. That means that this is the perfect time to plan for your spring home improvement projects. Spring is the most popular time for projects such as replacement windows, kitchen and bath renovation, new siding and new gutters. It’s easy to understand why, after being cooped up in your home for several weeks you’ve had plenty of time to come up with a healthy to-do-list.

Let’s take a look at some additional home improvement projects that are ideal to have done before summer.

Your Driveway — Once the flowers and buds have fallen off of the trees and overnight temperatures stay well above freezing, consider having your asphalt driveway resealed. This job is a small investment that can prevent an early breakdown and adds curb appeal.

Your Lawn — Invest in your lawn early and you’ll enjoy it through the fall. Professional aeration, fertilizing and reseeding, will make you the envy of the neighborhood. In the long run you’ll also benefit financially because you’re watering will go further and you’ll have fewer problem areas to deal with the rest of the year.

Your Wood Deck — Having a sealant applied on your deck is important, especially if you haven’t done this in years. It will extend the life of your favorite outdoor gathering spot and by having a professional do it, you can have repairs performed before they become more expensive issues.

Your Garage — Do you hate clutter? Of course you do! Then again, the garage is the usual place where all of our stuff tends to gather. Have your garage overhauled with rugged cabinets, shelving, and other organizational helpers. You’ll be amazed at how a professional can turn your garage into one of the nicest areas in your house.

Your Attic — It’s so easy to forget about your attic until there’s a major problem. Have the flooring, walls and roof checked to see if anything was damaged over the winter. This simple preventative investment saves wise homeowners thousands of dollars.

Your Home’s Exterior — Have your gutters cleaned and covered with gutter protection. Have a professional touch up paint under the soffits, around the windows and shutters, and your doorways. If your home has siding, examine for damage and replace panels as needed. Consider repainting the home if it hasn’t been touched up in years; this is another preventative measure that has the fringe benefit of adding curb appeal.

Your Home’s Interior — Have rooms painted throughout the house. If it’s not time for a major bathroom renovation; how about a minor one? Have your shower and tile re-grouted to keep your bathroom watertight. Have new light fixtures and accessories installed. Have your windows and doors examined to make sure they are still doing their job before the summer heat arrives. Arrange an inspection of your central air-conditioning system to make sure that it is ready to go when the first heat wave rolls in.

If you’re tired just reading this article, call us now to discuss your needs. We’ve got the know how to get the projects done right. We’ll do all the heavy lifting and you just get ready to enjoy the beautiful weather ahead!



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Attract Home Buyers with Green Renovations

According to the Green Building Council study, 70% of home buyers are more inclined to purchase a green home than a conventional home during a down housing market.
With just a few changes or upgrades, a house that has been sitting on the market for some time can become a quick sell thanks to its environmentally friendly features:

1. Buy appliances that use less water and electricity. Many companies sell appliances like washing machines and dishwashers which use 10 to 15% less energy and water than standard models.

2. Change heavily used lights with energy-efficient models. According to the U.S. Department of Energy ENERGY STAR program, if every American home replaced its 5 most frequently-used light fixtures, such as the kitchen ceiling lamps, outdoor lamps or the living room lamps, with fixtures that have earned the ENERGY STAR, almost $8 billion would be saved each year in energy costs and greenhouse gasses reduced at the rate of almost 10 million cars.

3. Keep inside air from escaping. Seals around windows and doors can break or be damaged over time and need to be replaced. Homebuyers shopping for a new property tend to check the house’s summer and winter energy bills, and a properly sealed home can change those bill amounts significantly to make a house more attractive.

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Budget-Friendly Bathroom Enhancements

Is your bathroom leaving you less than flush with pride? Without question, beautiful bathrooms help sell houses and enhance homeowners’ enjoyment of their living space; an investment for the day when you’ll need to romance potential buyers with a knockout bathroom. Knowing what’s in and what’s out in bathroom design is important for homeowners deciding where to spend their hard-earned dollars. You can easily and inexpensively update your space with a fresh, modern look, without sacrificing style, by focusing on four key areas: paint, the mirror, hardware, and lighting.

Painting any room is a tried-and-true way to make a big impact with minimal cost and effort. Remember that color trends do change. Stay away from dated color choices like mauves or pinks, in favor of timeless ones like earth tones. Chocolate, aqua, olive, and gold, all colors drawn from nature, are hot right now and promise more enduring style.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall – If your home was built in the past decade, you probably have one enormous, unframed mirror. While there are good reasons to use large mirrors – because of lighting, space, etc. – you may want to give a little extra attention to your mirror choices.

The mirror can be the focal point of your bathroom, and frames complete the mirror, giving a bath a finished, updated look. You can remove the entire mirror and buy a new framed replacement or you can frame your existing mirror.

When choosing a frame, select one that reflects the style you would choose for a piece of artwork for the room, but also keep in mind its exposure to moisture.

Easy Hardware – Few accessories shout “last decade” like outdated hardware. Fortunately, updating hardware is quick, easy and cost-effective. If your hardware is mismatched, get yourself to a home supply store and check out their collections of matching drawer pulls and cabinet handles. Your hardware should also complement your other metal fixtures.

If the finish is dated, like brass, replace it with new styles, like brushed nickel, pewter, antique or oil-rubbed bronze. Of course, chrome is a timeless choice. These finishes coordinate well with current lighting and fixtures, bath bars, knobs, pulls, and switch and receptacle covers. Such fixes pull a room together with one modern, cohesive look.
Make Light of Things – Lighting fixtures that add beauty and soft lighting with shades or sconces are in. They can run above your (newly framed) mirror, or flank it. Select a style that is right for you and make a statement in the room.

Strategic and cost-effective changes can go a long way to giving you the new updated bathroom you desire, with minimal cost.

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Creating New Spaces: Getting Your Home To Work For You

Do you feel as if you have less space in your home than you used to? Do you need a place to house that new furniture you may have just inherited? Few people can say they’d like to have less space in their homes. Even if you don’t need the extra space, having more square footage in your home can mean higher resale values. So, get your house to work for you with some of these ideas to add space.

Build an addition. This is the only real way to “create new space.” Most every other way involves changing the existing space in you home. You can do this by either building an addition out or up. Popular examples of building out are patios, sunrooms, dens, or decks. Building up involves adding another story. Usually, building out is easier than building up.

  • Attic Conversions. Attics are pre-built for “some” foot traffic and have some elements of structure. They also are near utilities which can be utilized easily. You will most likely have to contend with odd configurations and low ceilings.

You may also have to lay down flooring and insulation but it will be easier than building a new addition.

  • Basement Conversion. This is sometimes the best choice for creating space because the basement is more substantial in its basic construction. The walls and floors are solid. You can put up interior walls to separate spaces for extra bedrooms, home theater rooms or children’s play rooms.
  • Remove an Inside Wall. Even though this is technically an illusion of adding new space, you can nonetheless create a new and more functional space from an old one. While many interior walls are not load-bearing and may be removed by a home owner, you need to make sure the wall you want to remove is NOT a load bearing wall. Load bearing wall removal WILL require a professional contractor.

So when your home needs a change of space, consider an addition, or, think “inside the box” and you may find that space right under your existing roof!

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Aging-In-Place…Houses for Living – Homes for Life

Aging-in Place means living in one’s home independently regardless of age or ability. How big is Aging-in-Place?

 

  • 89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely (AARP).
  • Over half of all 55+ households rate their current home a 9 or 10 out of 10 (American Housing Survey).
  • The aging population is the number two issue to affect the remodeling industry over the next five years, only behind the availability of skilled labor (NAHB).

What is NAHB doing to address the aging population?

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), in partnership with AARP and the NAHB Research Center, developed the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) program – the only national educational designation designed to teach professionals how to modify homes for aging-in-place. Since 2002 more than 1,600 have completed CAPS.

What should my home contain if I want to age-in-place?

  • A master bedroom and bath on the first floor.
  • A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang.
  • Lever-style door handles.
  • No change in levels on the main floor.
  • Bright lighting in all areas, especially areas like stairways.
  • A low-maintenance exterior.
  • Non-slip flooring at the main entryway.
  • An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area.
  • Handrails at all steps.

What are some techniques CAPS-trained professionals use?

  • Lighting from multiple directions – reduces glare and shadows.
  • Light sockets with more than one bulb – redundancy in case one bulb burns out.
  • Contrasting colors for depth perception – use a different color counter (or edging around the counter) than the floor, staining the edge of the stairs a darker color than the rest of the steps.
  • Convenience shelf at an entry way to place your bags while getting your keys.

Miller Building’s own David Miller has been a Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist since 2003. He can help you identify concerns in your home (or your parent’s home) and make the modifications necessary to allow you to live in your home more safely, independently, and comfortably, and with reduced maintenance. Call us at 998-2140 to discuss how to make the home you love your home for life!

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How To Start Any Home Improvement Project

Have you ever watched a home improvement show on television and asked yourself; “I wonder if they could do that to my home?” or “How do I begin a project like that?”

Starting any home improvement project can seem daunting, but there are some simple steps you can take to get your project under way.

1 First, decide why you’d like to remodel. There are several good reasons to remodel your home. Your home may no longer reflect your tastes or your lifestyle. Your family dynamics may have changed. Maybe you’d like to make your home more environmentally friendly. You may even be planning a move in the future and you’d like to invest in your home to make it more marketable; whatever the reason, identify it. If there is more than one, that’s okay, too. The point is that in order for you to be thrilled at the end of the project, you need to first understand why you want the change.

2 The next step is to make a list of everything you’d like to have done and divide the items on that list into three categories:

  1. Must Have Items
  2. Would Like to Have Items
  3. Dream Items

3 Once your list is complete, think about your budget…but don’t over think this. Many people get hung up on this and never even begin their projects. You must begin to formulate what you’ll be comfortable investing in your home, but until you talk with an experienced remodeling professional, you won’t be able to take into account all the methods that are available to help you get more out of your budget. A home improvement professional is experienced and up to date with the latest tax credits, rebates, alternative building materials, and cost saving methods that can make many of your “Dream Items” possible even when you thought they were out of reach.

What Next?

4 Once you’ve created your list of remodeling projects and considered your budget, it’s time to get a professional working with you to develop a plan to make your project a reality. When dealing with an asset as important as your home, select that professional carefully. Deciding on a contractor with an emphasis on the up front lowest price can cost you dearly in the end. Consider their renovation experience, qualifications, and insurance, and get recommendations from your friends.

When you’re ready to discuss your home improvement needs or you’d like some help getting started, call our experienced home improvement team. We’ve built a strong reputation here in the community for being knowledgeable, trustworthy, and capable of making successful home improvements happen – improvements that you can enjoy worry-free for years to come!

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COUNTER INTUITIVE: Change Your Counters & Revitalize Your Home

Would you like a new “facelift” for your home? New countertops update the look of your home, and communicate style and taste.

Both function and appearance are important considerations in your selection. Your lifestyle expectations play a key role in welcoming guests. Weigh each of these factors as you decide which investment to make:

  • Appearance: The beauty of a long countertop expanse is sometimes directly connected to cost. If the kitchen is the heart of a home, granite, soapstone, wood or quartz can showcase your entire room and make it an enjoyable place to gather.
  • Function: How do you use your space? Do you cook a lot? Entertain? Have small children? Consider mixing materials, like a butcher block for chopping, marble for rolling dough, or a more expensive material on an island.
  • Durability: Water, heat, knives, oils, and food spills all take a toll on countertops. Will your surface rust, show dents or cuts, or stain?
  • Cost: if your budget allows, the high-end stones such as granite or soapstone can dazzle your kitchen. However, many synthetic materials can approximate the beauty of the natural stones. Talk to your professionals about what works best with your budget and décor, and the way you use your kitchen or bath.
Material Cost Per Sq Ft Scratch Stain Advantages Considerations
Laminate (Formica, WilsonArt) $19-$27 Yes Yes Easy to clean. Many colors and patterns available. Vulnerable to water damage at seams, Will show heat damage
Tile $11-$30 No No Many colors, shapes in ceramic, porcelain, glass Can crack & chip. Grout may be hard to clean.
Solid Surface (Corian) $50-$60 No No Seamless, nonporous, easy to clean. Deters mold & bacteria. Durable. Hot pots can damage.
Wood (oak, cherry, walnut) $50-$100 Yes Yes Easy to clean, sand, refinish. Adds warmth. Knives, heat, water can damage. Seal with mineral oil.
Engineered Stone/Quartz(Silestone) $78-$100 No No Nonporous, strong, durable, stain-resistant. No sealer needed. Can include sink. Many color options. Heavier than granite.
Concrete $65-$125 Can crack or chip. Not if well-sealed Durable. Can customize, pigment or stain. Varies widely in texture, finish and appearance.
Stainless Steel $100-$200 Yes No No rust. Can use bleach. Can include sink. Edge profile options. May scratch, dent, or be noisy.
Natural Stones Beautiful and unique. Many edge profile options. Natural stone tiles may be a more affordable option.
Granite $60-$84 No Yes Resists most chemicals. Vulnerable to acids; porous. Detergent leaves film.
Slate $72 Yes No Red, green, gray, black in matte or polished finishes. Resists heat, chemicals, food stains. Absorbs some oils and liquids.
Marble $84-$100 Yes Yes Better for baths; In kitchens for pastry and dough making only Shows wear sooner than granite.
Soapstone $84-$150 Yes Yes Gray with variations of green or blue. Resists heat and chemicals (used in science labs). Can include sink. Treat with mineral oil to protect.
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Small Changes With Big Impact

  • If your living areas have that closed-in feeling, remove a wall to enjoy that wide open space!
  • Remove that “popcorn” ceiling and take years off your home’s appearance!
  • Replace windows that are old, drafty, and continually need painting. With the Energy Tax Credit (see page 3) they’re an even better value!
  • Paint! Paint! Paint! Whether inside or out, walls, ceilings, or cabinets, this update makes a huge impact!
  • If your cabinets are in good shape but a little outdated, change the hardware. You’ll be surprised what a difference it makes!
  • Replace dated light fixtures, add recessed lighting, or add under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen!
  • Add light to that dark space – no power needed – with a tunnel-style skylight!

In the bathroom –

  • Install grab bars in the bathroom for safety’s sake!
  • Change the towel bars, and install a tissue holder that can be changed with one hand!
  • Install a curved shower rod – they really are great!
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Knowing When to Replace Your Windows

A window replacement project can reduce your home’s energy costs, reduce outside noise, improve indoor climate and comfort for your family, and enhance your home’s overall appearance. But window replacement projects should not be entered into lightly. The choices made must be lived with for many years, so make sure to consider all factors.

Appearance – Even minor changes in window construction can make a significant difference in how your home looks. The type of frame, the color of the frame, the tint of the glazing all affect how the window and home appear.
The appearance of any window will deteriorate with time and exposure to the elements. In some cases, routine and preventive maintenance can restore them to their original appearance. In other cases, the cost of restoration will add up to a significant portion of the cost of replacement windows.

If new windows are being considered and are determined to be the best option for your home, consider having one of the new units installed as a test case to determine how it will affect your home’s appearance.

Energy Efficiency – The promise of improved energy efficiency is one of the most often-cited reasons for replacing windows. Increasing the number of glazings, reducing the rate of air infiltration and using a heat-reflective coating will all improve energy performance.

Fit - As windows age, their components wear and deteriorate. Some components shrink and dry out, resulting in gaps that can allow air to infiltrate into the structure – the looser the fit, the greater the infiltration. It doesn’t take much of a gap to allow infiltration to become a problem.

Frame - Frame materials deteriorate as the result of rot, corrosion, physical damage, weathering and other factors. As they deteriorate, more air and water will infiltrate into your home.

Deterioration of nearly any frame materials beyond surface corrosion will usually require the replacement of the entire window.

Glazings – In homes with large areas of glass, the solar heat gain through the windows can make spaces near the windows difficult to condition, even during the heating season.

Today’s glazings can eliminate as much as 80 percent of the solar heat gain while allowing nearly 90 percent of the sun’s visible light to pass through.

When considering which solar control option is best-suited for your home, consider the overall condition of the windows and the other performance characteristics needed.

Hardware – Window hardware is subject to wear with normal use. If maintenance requirements for your window hardware are increasing as a result of the age, or if the existing hardware is not adequate, then window replacement is recommended.

Operability – One of the most common window issues is difficult or impossible operability. Over time, components swell, warp, and bind. Often, the cost of restoring these units to operable condition can exceed the cost of a replacement window.

Suitability – Finally, no matter how good the windows are, if they do not meet your needs, they will need to be replaced. Homes and homeowners change over time and windows that were once acceptable can easily become unsuitable for your home’s needs.

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If You Want the Job Done Right, Hire a Professional Remodeler

  • Experience
    – Ask how long the remodeler has been in business. Longevity suggests
    financial stability, which is necessary for the remodeler to finish
    the job and still be available if problems crop up after the job is
    completed. Also, the more jobs the company has completed, the more expertise
    the remodeler will bring to your project and the hidden surprises that
    remodeling typically entails.
  • Reputation
    – Look to the remodelers’ former and current customers to gauge
    the company’s reputation. Obtain the names and phone numbers of customers
    you can call to get their impressions of the company’s work and customer
    service. Call them and make personal visits to see the work they had
    done. Even better, get references from customers whose projects were
    similar to the one your family is planning. Also, go visit one of the
    company’s jobs in progress to evaluate how they manage the construction
    process and how tidy they keep the job site. Ask whether these homeowners
    would hire the company again.
  • Business Credentials
    -
    A good place to start your search for a remodeler is with your
    local builders association and its affiliated local Remodelers Council.
    Groups like these help to keep their members informed about new products,
    construction techniques, business practices and industry issues. Participation
    demonstrates a remodeler’s commitment to professionalism and to the
    remodeling industry. Many trade groups also confer professional credentials,
    such as Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR), to those who meet their
    requirements, which is a positive indicator of the remodeler’s reputation.
  • License and Insurance
    -
    Ask to see a copy of the remodeler’s license, if your state
    has such requirements, and call the licensing agency to find out if
    there are any unresolved complaints against the company you might hire.
    It is also important to verify that the remodeler carries workers’
    compensation and liability insurance. Have the remodeler show you copies
    of both insurance certificates to protect yourself from liability in
    situations involving job site injuries or property damage resulting
    from the work being done on your home.

If your goal is a professional
remodeling project, then your best bet is to hire a professional remodeler.
The extra cost will pay for itself in the satisfaction you receive while
the project is in progress and during the many years you will enjoy
the completed project.

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