Renovation and Remodeling Industry Seasons

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Home Remodeling Cost Estimator

I found this handy little tool that can help you try to figure out how much your remodeling project is going to cost.

No estimator is perfect because there are so many variables - the location of the project, the current cost of materials, and the quality of products used. But this tool could help give you an idea of how much you'll need to spend:

Home Remodeling Cost Estimator

It can take a while to answer all the questions, but it could be the tool you need to help estimate your remodeling job.

The estimator is powered by HomeTech and keep in mind that it is for informational purposes only, as an educational product. It does not provide exact figures for your home renovation job. Also, if this estimator link has expired, you can register with HomeTech for a 30-day free trial.

What Can Affect Your True Cost?

• The Homes Location: a remodeling job in one city, state or region of the country can cost more or less than in another part of the country. A roofing job in Charlotte is usually considerably less than a roofing job in San Francisco. Costs of materials and labor can be much higher in larger cities.
• The Cost of Supplies: lumber, concrete, steel, and other materials can change from one quarter or year to the next. And prices of supplies can vary by region as it may cost more to ship to one state or the other.
• The Projects Quality Level: for the sake of simplicity, there are usually 3 levels of quality (basic, mid-range, and upscale) which affect your projects price. Laminate flooring, pre-made cabinets, and tile countertops will usually cost less than hardwood floors, customized cabinets, and granite counters.

If it looks like you can go ahead with your home improvement project, you can always go to our site ConstructionDeal.com and find a quality renovation company!

It's free to be matched to at least 4 local remodeling companies in your area. You'll get multiple bids from contractors which can save you money by helping you choose the best bid!

You're under no obligation to hire the companies that contact you -- and it will save you time. Renovation contractors call you!

Find a Snow Removal Company

Whenever people think of contractors, they think of remodeling their kitchen or adding a second floor to their home.

During ugly winter weather, keep in mind you can use ConstructionDeal.com to find a snow removal contractor.

So, if you live in any of the Northern States and you hate to shovel snow, you can use our service to locate a snow plowing company to do it for you.

Many states and counties do not require that a snow plow company have any type of license, so make sure to see if they have a license for other parts of their business -- most snow removal pros are also landscaping companies. Also, make sure they have insurance. There is normal wear-and-tear involved in the snow removal process, but they should have policies to protect your home and landscaping from any serious negligence on their part.

Finally, most snow removal companies cannot guarantee your driveway, walks, or roof will be free of snow at all times. Don't expect miracles. But most companies will make sure they do with work within 24 to 36 hours.

technorati tags: snow removal, snow plow, snow plowing, snow removal service, snow removal company, snow plow service, ice removal, shoveling snow

Carpeting Scam to Avoid

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Budget Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

The 2nd most popular remodeling project, after the kitchen, is an update of the bathroom. Of course, the cost can be prohibitive - with a national average cost of a complete bathroom renovation running over $10,000!

Many people feel that it's an all-or-nothing proposition. Either doing a complete update and transformation of their bathroom, with all the latest fixtures, or putting off the project and doing nothing.

The folks at the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) had some great suggestions on how to save money when you're planning to remodel your bathroom. It could mean that you'll be able to re-do the room without breaking your bank:

• "Consider reglazing a tub instead of replacing it, especially if it is still in relatively good condition. This can save you more than half the cost of a tub replacement-and minimize the dust at the same time!
  


• Cultured marble sheets are a good choice for tub surrounds, instead of ceramic tile. You will save considerably on labor costs and the marble sheets are much easier to clean.
  


• Fiberglass surrounds are also less costly than tile.
  


• Examine how you are utilizing space. You may be able to steal some space from a neighboring room or closet. If your overall space is limited, purchase a jetted tub and shower combination or install a pedestal lavatory instead of a vanity cabinet with a sink. Understand that, while pedestal lavatories do eliminate the need for vanities and save space, some models may cost more than a separate vanity cabinet and sink. Look at all your options before making a decision.
  


• Cultured marble lavatories can be a great budget choice since it is an integrated sink bowl and countertop sold in one easily installed unit.
  


• Define what is truly needed in the bathroom. Sometimes an extra bath is planned when installing a double sink in an existing bath would meet the need.
  


• If you are going to add a large jetted tub to your project, consider adding a water heater dedicated to that tub. A large jetted tub can hold up to an average of 75 gallons or more, which can easily overextend your existing water heater and cause problems in the future.
  


• When revamping yesterday's bathroom to fit with today's homeowners' expectations for luxury, homeowners can familiarize themselves with the latest options in home spa advancements. One such indulgence is an electric warming system beneath your new stone or tile floor."

If you're planning a bathroom remodeling project in the next few months, you can use these tips as a guideline to help you save money. You can consider all of them, some of them, or maybe even just one idea. But any way you can help improve your bathroom on your budget is a good way.

And, if you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company to help answer your questions or give you some quotes on the work, you can use our main site - ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free, and easy way to post your project and let bathroom renovators bid on your job. And this saves you time and money -- but make sure you get at least 4 different bids. The more bids you have, the better chance you will get the best price.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Travertine Tiles
Updating Bathroom Fixtures
Would You Buy a Wood Bathtub?

technorati tags: bathroom, bath remodeling, bathroom renovation, bathroom remodeling,bathroom remodeling companies, bathroom designer, bathroom companies, bathroom counters,bathroom fixtures, wood bathtubs, spa bathtubs, install bathroom, bathroom installation,budget bathroom remodeling, budget bathroom renovation

Home Maintenance: Foundation Inspection

I've found a great resource to help you review the most important part of your house - your foundation.

It's not a sexy part of the home renovation process. But it is essential to make sure the structure of your house is in good shape.

This information is from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and it has a great section to help you do your own evaluation of the foundation. There are sections that help you ask the right questions, gives you options, and lets you know what will happen if you do nothing.

"Renovating a full-height basement can add value and extra living space to your house. Even if you don't have a full basement or aren't planning any basement improvements, the foundation of the house is the most important consideration in any renovation. The foundation supports the structure above it and resists the pressure of the soil around it. Fixing any foundation problems before you renovate is essential to preserve the durability and structure of your home."

The foundation for your house may be a full-height basement, a crawl space, a slab-on-grade foundation or even a combination of two or more types. Foundation materials include poured concrete, unit masonry, stone and preserved wood. Each type of foundation or material has its own associated problems.

The most common problems related to structure or soil conditions are:

• Cracks in slabs, walls or footings;
• Crumbling mortar or concrete;
• Unstable or weak soils;
• Uneven settlement;
• Warped or bowed foundation walls;
• Adfreezing (frozen soil sticking to the foundation and lifting it) or frost heaving;
• Low ceiling height;
• Inadequate support of the main floor system;
• Soil gas or radon infiltration;
• Odors or generally poor indoor air quality (IAQ);
• High humidity;
• Pest infestation"

You can read through the sites questions and suggestions. They also provide a Basement Assessment Worksheet to allow you to check off the problems and locations. It's a great way to let you know it's time to bring in professional help.

Here's a sample of the some of the questions, options, and consequences of ignoring a problem:

"Ask Yourself...

• Is there any porous, powdery or crumbling concrete or mortar?
• Are there honeycombs (voids) in the concrete?
• Is the surface layer of concrete breaking off (spalling)?
  

Consider Your Options:

• Patch small areas of crumbled, honeycombed or broken concrete with a cement-based material. Consult a structural engineer for widespread problems.
  

And If You Don't...

• Small areas of crumbled, honeycombed or broken concrete will allow moisture and soil gas to enter. Deterioration may continue, affecting the structural strength of the foundation.
• Large, damaged areas may be unsafe if they don’t adequately support the existing house or proposed renovations."

Check out the site - even if you're not Canadian. There's some really good, useful information there. If you review your foundation and find some problems, you can always use ConstructionDeal.com to help you find a quality foundation repair company.

It's a fast, free, and easy way to find a service professional.

Remodeling Ideas: Italian Kitchen Designs

I'm a big fan of the Italian style of kitchen design. I wanted to provide you with a "photo blog" post of several Italian kitchen pictures. Hopefully, it can give you some ideas for any future kitchen remodeling project you may have planned.

Not all of the designs are modern or ultra-contemporary (although I've included some stunning modern kitchen design pics) in style, they also have some classical examples:

And when it comes to a more modern and sleek look -- the Italian designers have some wonderfully exotic creations:

Don't be afraid to use color in a kitchen. If you like contemporary styling, you can choose bright reds, blues, greens. They make a great contract to brighter and whiter flooring or wall paint colors. It's better to have darker colors than lighter ones if you have a lot of natural light in the room.



In modern kitchen design, it's important to make sure the room is still inviting and comfortable. Many didn't like the harsh or industrial look and it turned many off because it seemed too cold. By adding the rounded surfaces, accent lighting, and the colors to the stainless steel, the modern kitchen can have a softer look. If you'd like to check out some Italian Kitchen design websites, I've picked out a few that you can visit for even more inspirational design ideas!

Italian Kitchen Design Companies:
Ged Cucine
Fiamberti
Aster Cucine

When you're ready to renovate your kitchen, you can always post your project with ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast, free way to find a local kitchen remodeling company in your area.

RELATED KITCHEN POSTS:
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas
Kitchen Remodeling Budgets
Remodel Your Kitchen: Save Your Sanity
Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function

technorati tags: kitchen remodeling pictures, kitchen pictures, kitchen ideas, kitchen remodeling ideas, kitchen designs, kitchen companies, kitchen renovation, kitchen remodeling, kitchen counters, italian kitchens, italian kitchen design, kitchen installations, kitchen countertops,granite countertops, kitchen and bath ideas, small kitchen design ideas

CNN: 5 New Home Remodeling Trends

Over at CNN.com, they have a story on home improvement called, 5 Home Trends We Never Saw Coming and I wanted to provide you with a sampling of the article. Check out the rest of their article when you get a chance.

"Some of the latest trends in homebuilding and remodeling were not too hard to spot. Is anyone surprised that Americans, already living in monster homes, want even bigger ones?

But there were some developments we never saw coming.

Here's a few that Mark Nash, author of Real Estate A-Z for Buying and Selling a Home, has gleaned from a survey he conducted questioning 923 real estate agents, brokers and industry executives:

Upscale garages: Who knew that those smelly, greasy spaces overstuffed with junk and empty boxes would morph into showplaces for Home Improvement types?

'Today's owners want them decked out with cabinet and storage systems, matching refrigerators, air conditioning and residential looking flooring," says Nash.

Garage remodeling starts at around $7,500 and goes up, sometimes steeply, from there depending on size and just how nice you want it.

Caving: People want more personal space - for both mom and pop. Apparently, married people often like time alone. Who knew?

So, an amenity of choice these days is 'personal, dedicated space for one person in a household to go and work on projects or simply chill,' says Nash.

Rejuvenation rooms: No, This is not simply to work out in. These are one-stop sites for exercising, meditating, yoga, sauna and fancy steam showers.

'This is kind of a new age, serenity room where you do these quiet exercise things and then jump in the spa,' says Nash.

First you get your head together, then your body and then you steam off the sweat you expended doing it."

The article also lists Outdoor Kitchens, but we told you about those a while back. There's also a trend called a "Snoring Room" but I doubt something like that will be sweeping the nation anytime soon.

Finally, the article had some interesting remodeling trends that were now considered to be "out" and no longer a current trend (although I disagree with the Bamboo Flooring):

"On the Way Out

Spiral staircases, which were once the rage, are now death to the home seller. Aging boomers don't care to climb them and they're tough on pets and small children. Nash advises sellers to remove and replace them before putting a home on the market.

Bamboo floors are also out. The early reviews are in and owners have found them to be easily scratched and prone to warping.

Hardwood laminate flooring is also a no-go. 'They don't stand up to multiple sandings to change color or remove stains,' says Nash."

Well, if you have any plans to remodel your home, consider ConstructionDeal.com. We'll help match you with quality remodeling companies in your area, for free. It's a fast and easy way to find a renovation expert without have to pick someone at random from the yellow pages. You'll also get multiple bids, which means you'll get the best price, and that will save you money.

RELATED POSTS:
Is Now the Time to Remodel?
Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function
Small Kitchen Remodeling Ideas

technorati tags: remodeling trends, renovation trends, 2007 trends, 2006 trends, remodeling trends 2007, remodeling companiies, rejuvenation rooms, bathroom spas, garage remodeling,garage renovation, garage storage systems, home improvement trends

Installing Concrete Countertops

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Installing Holiday Lights on Your House

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Remodeling Trends: Wrought Iron Elegance

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The Decorative Concrete Overlay Process

Here's a Before and After account of a Concrete Overlay project from our friends at Stained By Design, the concrete specialists down in Louisiana:

"Recently, Stained By Design was contacted by a homeowner to stain three bedrooms and a hallway in an existing home. The rooms all were previously covered with carpet. One of the bedrooms had a very rough finish on the concrete and a low spot of 1/4 inch about the size of a Stop Sign. This room would not look very good if stained in that condition. Plus, the 10 year old Princess who lived in the room wanted a castle floor in Purple and Coral - Princesses can be demanding that way. Since those colors are out of the range of traditional Acid Stains, a Concrete Overlay was the way to go.

The concrete was cleaned and a Skim coat (seen as White in the picture) was applied to bond to the existing surface. The next day a wet bond coat was applied in advance of 1/4" of Texture Pave which was used to re-level the surface. A screed was used over the low spot so the floor would end up flat and even.

Very little of this re-level coat will be seen in the finished product. It was mixed in gray so when the grout lines are scored, they will be dark. This coat had to dry overnight.

The next two days were spent doing the color coats, scoring the pattern and sanding for a smooth surface. As a final touch, Pink, Purple and Silver glitter was sprinkled on the floor before the sealer was applied. While not seen in the completed picture, the glitter sparkles quite a bit as you walk over the area.

The Princess was very happy."

Joe Welch
(337) 316-4505
www.stainedbydesign.com
Art you can walk on

If you don't live in Louisiana and would like to find a concrete overlay pro in your area, you can post your request on the ConstructionDeal.com site. It's a free way to find a professional in your area -- they contact you so it also saves you time!

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Travertine Tiles

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Decorative Concrete Overlays

Our friends at Stained by Design have sent along some more great information on concrete. We've have several quality posts on acid stained concrete and this one covers information on decorative concrete overlays.

Overlays are a way to cover up a current interior or exterior concrete application. If you are a Do-It-Yourselfer, here are some application guidelines. If you prefer to have a concrete company do the work, use this info as a guide to make sure they're doing it right. Joe's the expert in our book and anything he says goes:

"Decorative Concrete, or Architectural Concrete, as it is also called, is a way to put a new face on existing concrete. The existing concrete may be pitted, aggregate-exposed or have a mix of both a smooth and rough finish. Several new thin layers of a specially modified concrete mixture are applied to the existing concrete to create a new surface. As the name implies, the finishes are decorative enhancements that add to the architectural beauty of existing concrete, but they are not structural in nature.

Concrete Overlays fall into different categories but share steps in the evolution of the final product. The installation time runs from 3 - 7 days depending on the size of the area, the selected style and complexity of the pattern. There are many manufactures of overlay systems. Some require primers, some call the steps or mix a different name. This is intended to be generic in nature, but I have to call the steps/mix by the name that I use.

The typical steps are as follows:

1. Preparation. This step is common to all applications.

a. The surface is pressure washed or cleaned with a floor prep machine depending on if Exterior or Interior.

b. A mild Acid bath is done and then neutralized. This opens the pores of the concrete and prepares it to bond with the next application. (An Acid Bath is NOT done for staining a Concrete Slab). For those interested in staining concrete slabs, please see the archives sections for previous posts about acid stained concrete.

The following steps only apply to concrete overlays.

2. A Skim Coat (also called a Base, Bond or Scratch coat.) This step is common to all overlay applications:

a. Cracks in the surface are treated if needed.

b. A Skim or Scratch/Base coat is applied to the surface and allowed to dry.

*** The steps below are by style. Depending on the complexity of your desired surface, modifications may be made.

3. Texture Applications: There are several styles that fit this category (a Knock-Down finish is in this category.)

a. Basic Spray Texture would have an additional Base Coat added before the Top Coat is Sprayed on. I feel the additional base coat is needed to give strength to the final product. After the second Base Coat, the Top Coat is sprayed over a Stencil, Tape or a Seamless pattern.

b. Flagstone coatings also receive two Base Coats for the same reason above. The next step is to apply a 1/2" Nylon Tape to the surface to mark off the "rocks/stones."

c. The Flagstone pattern is then coated with the Top Coat and after a dry time, misted with additional colors.

d. The tape is then pulled off to reveal the pattern and the surface is then sealed.

4. Faux Slate/Tile Applications:

a. The Top Coat material is mixed and applied with a pool trowel to achieve a look that resembles a light Slate Texture or a swirl-type texture found on some tiles.

b. After drying overnight, the desired pattern is marked and scored.

c. Stain is applied to the surface in several coats to achieve the desired color, tint and tone.

d. After an overnight dry, the surface is sealed.

e. NOTE: This texture may also be referred to as a "Knock-Down" when it is done to resemble Cool Deck.

f. There are other variations of this style that can create a personalized tile unique to your home.

5. Micro-Finish Overlay:

a. The most common use of Micro-Finish is to overlay a slab that would not react well to acid stain. The final result is a surface that actually achieves a higher degree of mottling and tone than concrete.

b. A Micro-Finish job will get a second Base Coat.

c. Two applications of Micro-Finish are applied with a pool trowel. This process fills in the small voids in the surface and results in a smooth even surface.

d. The floor is machine-sanded to further smooth the surface and remove any trowel marks.

e. The pattern is scored and the surface is stained in the desired color. After the stain works for about 4 hours, it is neutralized and rinsed.

f. Once the surface is dry it is sealed.

6. Thin-Stamped Overlay:

a. Texture Pave is the ultimate top-coat that is applied to the surface and accepts the stamp pattern.

b. A "Wet Bond" coat is put down in advance of the Texture Pave.

c. The Texture Pave is spread out with a Gauge Rake to ensure a consistent application.

d. After the surface has set up enough, it is stamped with the Texture Skin.

e. The Texture Skin makes the Slate pattern in the surface.

f. After the Stamp, the material will dry over night.

g. The pattern is then scored and stained in the desired color.

h. Once the surface is dry it is sealed.

7. Sealer Options:

There are several sealers available and the choice of sealer should be determined by environment and use. Some of the overlay styles/staining required longer dry times than others. Most surfaces can be sealed the day after staining.

a. CSS. This is the Primary sealer for Exterior applications. CSS is a 53% solids, UV inhibiting sealer. It penetrates the surface and prevents mold and mildew from getting a foot-hold on the surface.

b. AUS-G: This is a Aliphatic Urethane sealer. It is UV stable and offers higher abrasion resistance. It requires a longer cure time.

c. Clear Epoxy: This is the best sealer for Industrial use. It cures up to over 14,000 PSI and is odorless. However, it requires the longest cure time and does scratch easily. It is often selected to support forklift traffic. I can be used in a residential application, but should be top coated with AUS-G for better wear.

d. Colored Epoxy: Colored Epoxy comes in 10 colors and is the best coating for areas such as loading docks where high wear and heavy weight is the primary concern.

e. Wax: All interior applications should receive coats of a commercial quality liquid wax. This wax is applied with a looped-end Rayon mop. The purpose of the wax is to provide a sacrificial coat to absorb the scuff marks and prolong the sealers life. An analogy for wax is to think about a car. The car color (the stain on the concrete) is covered with Clear Coat (the sealer) and car wax protects the clear coat. So long as you keep up with the wax, you won't have to have your car painted or your floor resealed."

To find out more about Architectural and Decorative Concrete Overlays, visit Joe's site. You can also call Joe if you're near Louisiana at (337) 316 - 4505. If you need to find a decorative concrete specialist in your area, you can post your project for free with ConstructionDeal.com.

RELATED ARTICLES
Acid Stained Concrete Flooring 101
Acid Stained Concrete Flooring
More on Acid Stained Concrete - Exterior Care

technorati tags: decorative concrete, decorative overlays, concrete overlays, architectural overlays, stamped concrete, acid stained concrete, faux flagstone, faux slate, concrete companies, stained by design, concrete contractors, cement contractors,

Bamboo Countertops? Yes, Bamboo Countertops...

Bamboo has been huge in flooring lately. Well, now there is a bamboo option for countertops.

Can't imagine using wood on your kitchen counters? There's a company in North Hollywood, California, called Totally Bamboo that carries many bamboo products -- but they've also developed a bamboo counter application.

According to their site, "Ready for contractor installation, Totally Bamboo brand countertop sheets are constructed with cross-band laminates that we call Multilam(TM) (patent pending). In early testing, we discovered that this is the ideal way to glue bamboo. This method keeps the sheet both flat and true, as well as lessens the tendency to twist or warp."

The other great reason to use this for your next countertop, besides the fact that bamboo is a more renewable resource than wood -- it uses a Formaldehyde Free Adhesive. In 2004, the World Health Organization re-designated formaldehyde-based glue as a proven human carcinogen. The company has several styles and several sizes as well as a choice in thickness.

If you're going for a totally unique look for your countertops and kitchen islands, bamboo is an amazing choice to make your new kitchen the talk of the neighborhood.

And if you decide to order your bamboo countertop from the company, you'll need to find a countertop contractor to install it for you. ConstructionDeal.com has a full network of countertop contractors and we'll find someone in your area to install this beautiful and unique product!

RELATED ARTICLES:
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technorati tags: countertops, countertop installation, countertop installers, counter installers, bamboo counters, bamboo installers, bamboo companies, totally bamboo, countertop companies, counter companies, install a bamboo counter, find a countertop installer

Home Theater Installations

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Housing Bubble Humor - Real Estate Dictionary

From the folks at Washington State University, in the Department of Mathematics of all places, has a listing of real estate terminology. I thought with the current state of the housing market, it might be time to inject a little humor into the situation:

"It took me a considerable amount of time to learn the true meaning of phrases used in real estate ads. I offer the following dictionary for the benefit of those who search for a house and want to save their precious time.

• Old charmer - an old and ugly house
• Stunning house - the house is not ugly
• Tudor - two bedrooms are in the attic which is not insulated; very hot in summer and very cold in winter
• Cape Cod - styled after Third World slum dwellings
• Sunny corner lot - noisy intersection of two busy streets
• Easy freeway access - noisy arterial street close to freeway
• Low maintenance lot - no yard; the kids will have to play in the street
• Meticulously maintained in the original condition - the appliances are 50 years old
• Ready to remodel - the house is about to collapse; you will have to invest twice the asking price in remodel before you can move in
• Newly remodeled kitchen - 50-year old cabinetry and faucets have been replaced with cheap modern equivalents
• Ready to move in - the interior has been painted with one coat of cheap paint
• Desirable neighborhood - this little house is extravagantly overpriced because the neighborhood has a snobbish reputation
• 1 car garage - you can drive your Ford Escort into the garage but there is no room to open the door
• In-city living - it is not safe to walk in this neighborhood after dark
• Recreation room with wet bar - basement has been painted and has a faucet
• Large family room - large basement
• Bedroom in basement - basement has a 1' by 2' window
• Lots of storage space - basement too small to be called a family room
• Partial mountain view - you can see the tip of Mt. Olympus if you climb the roof
• Territorial view - good view of your neighbor's bedroom window
• Build sweat equity - the house is not inhabitable
• Storybook - the house is old and the roof is not flat
• Efficiently designed kitchen - the kitchen is too small to fit two people at the same time"

Related Posts:
Housing Bubble Humor
How NOT to Beat the Housing Bubble
How to Beat the Bursting Housing Bubble

technorati tags: real estate, housing market, housing sales, housing bubble, housing humor

Home Decoration: a Portable Fireplace?

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Solar Water Heaters = Energy Savings!

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Updating Bathroom Fixtures

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Feeling the Pulse: a Poll on Your Remodeling Plans

I'm reaching out to all the readers of the ConstructionDeal.com Update. I wanted to get a feel for how many homeowners are planning to do any remodeling this year or next. I know that many people have concerns over the economy, the housing market, inflation, elections, and interest rates. But I also know the average modern American home is aging and could be in need of some serious repairs and/or remodeling.

In the next six months, are you planning to do any major renovations?

If so, what type of home renovation projects do you have planned?

If not, what - if anything - is holding you back?


Post a comment and let me know what you're up to! Thanks!

DIY: Home Safety & Maintenance

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Home Additions - Don't Relocate. Renovate!

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Choosing an Interior Paint

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Remodeling Trends: Is Now the Time to Remodel?

Wall Street Journal: "'The current housing slump is making remodeling a kitchen or bathroom or adding an addition easier and cheaper. Sluggish home-building demand is pushing down the cost of construction materials (prices for lumber are near their lowest level in a decade) and spurring contractors to take on smaller projects, and sometimes cut fees."

"Custom and speculative builders are also starting to take on renovation jobs, picking up work they may have passed over just a year ago."

"In Tucson, Ariz., Richard Fink, a custom home builder, used to do a few remodeling jobs as favors to former clients; now remodeling has grown to half his business. Samm Jernigan, a high-end custom home builder in Wilmington, N.C., said earlier this year he started 'aggressively pursuing' remodeling projects for the first time, and John Diament, a home builder outside of Philadelphia, says two months ago he started asking architects to send big remodeling jobs his way."

"'It's good news for the consumer if you've got a lot more people seeking projects,' says Gopal Ahluwalia, for the National Association of Home Builders."

"Meanwhile, prices of framing lumber have fallen dramatically, says Shawn Church, the editor of an industry newsletter. The composite price per thousand board feet of framing lumber was $274 this week, compared with $375 a year earlier. Ken Simonson, the chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, says he expects to see a roughly 10 percent drop in prices of gypsum and construction plastics when government price data are released later this month."

"The falloff is largely because of slowing new-home construction, which for several years had driven up the cost of materials. Growth in spending on remodeling has also slowed recently, a result of rising interest rates and homeowners who have postponed selling, along with presale renovations."

"The new environment means that homeowners are more likely to find contractors willing to take on projects quickly. 'Rather than saying ‘call me next spring,' they'll be more likely to say 'I'll be over this week to the talk about the project,’ says Kermit Baker, at the Harvard Joint Center."

"Contractor Don Sever in Oakton, Va., says he sees interest in remodeling starting to ease. He has trimmed prices by about 5 percent to attract more business. 'People are much more cautious about spending that home-equity money,' he says."

"When Bruce Ash wanted to do a large-scale renovation at his Tucson home, he found Mr. Fink of Becklin Construction to take on the $700,000 project. 'Normally, the market has been such that we could never get custom builders to remodel homes, but now, they are interested,' says Mr. Ash, a real-estate manager."

Keep ConstructionDeal.com in mind for your next remodeling project! It's a fast, free and easy way to find a renovation contractor. Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes from qualified remodeling companies. Now is the time to save big money on your home improvement project.

Bookmark or subscribe to this blog to keep up to date on the latest remodeling information!

technorati tags: remodeling trends, housing market, home renovation, home improvement,remodeling, renovation, construction industry, home renovation, general contractor, remodeling companies

HVAC Services? Winter Has Come Early

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Acid Stained Concrete Flooring 101: Preparing the Slab

Still more valuable info from our acid stained concrete pro Joe Welsh, at Stained By Design!

We recently covered Interior and Exterior Care of your Acid Stained Concrete Flooring. But it's probably a good idea to let you know how to put stained concrete floors down in the first place! So, let's cover the necessary steps to prepare your slab for stained concrete. Now, this can information for the do-it-yourselfer but if you're going to have a decorative concrete professional handle the job, it would be good to know the correct procedure. That way, if may be able to spot a problem before it arises. Joe pointed out this problem he saw on the Home Improvement Ideas site with info on stained flooring, where it says, "Basically it's when the concrete is colored as part of the mixing process (as opposed to being painted after it's laid and dried.)" According to Joe, "If you tried to add acid stain to the mix, you'd have concrete that would crumble like stale bread after a year." So, study his prep guide and show it to your concrete installer if you see something being done incorrectly:

Preparing a Slab for Stained Concrete

1) A quality batch of concrete should consist of at least a 5-sack mix with minimal fly-ash, no retarder, curing compounds or chloride accelerators. Do not pour below 40°F. Do not use fly-ash below 80°F. Use no more than 15% fly-ash above 80°F. The slab should be hard troweled by machine to a smooth finish. It is NOT necessary to burnish the surface to a slick, mirror finish. "Burning" the slab to an ultra smooth surface will close off the pours of the slab and cause the stain to sit on top of the concrete and not penetrate. A bit smoother than a garage floor is optimum. Make sure the Finishers don’t get "burrs", rocks, or debris caught under the blades which can cut swirl marks into the slab.

2) It is important that the concrete be thoroughly finished with hand tools, where needed, around the plumbing, risers, floor outlets, or any other element which is not accessible by the machine. Special care should be taken to blend in the areas at the exterior edges of the slab. If the finish is smooth in the center and rough-finished at the edges, there will be a noticeable difference of color and tone between these areas.

3) Silicone chalks should NOT be used, if at all possible. The red and yellow chalks are PERMANENT DYES. Red chalk should NOT be used for framing. White or blue chalks are okay. Do NOT use silicone sprays to "Hold" the lines. The sprays repel the stain and leaves harsh, permanent scars on the floor.

4) It is important that wood, sheet goods, sections of framing and the like not laid on the slab for extended periods of time. They can transfer resins and tannins into the slab. This will alter the moisture content in the slab which leaves a pattern in the finished floor. Cardboard should be placed between the slab and the stacked material to minimize any unwanted transfers.

5) The floor should be protected from the following: plumbers glue, foam insulation, bond release agents, flux, oils, grease, polyurethane, paint, markers (framers often write dimensions of doorways in marker on the slab - ask them to make that note on the wood framing the doorway), grease sticks, spray paints, crayons, muratic acid, and other chemicals both before and after staining. Also ask that locations of electrical and other outlets be marked on the studs and not on the floor.

6) The framers should brace the walls to the outside and not to the slab. Door plates should be cut away immediately.

7) The floors should be clean and the rooms empty, with absolutely nothing on the floors prior to the arrival of the stain crew. The best time to stain the floors is when you are Blacked-In with a roof on. The slab is at it’s cleanest at this point in time. After the Stain and Sealer, the floor should be covered with "Builder’s Paper" to protect it from the drywall mud and paint.

8) At the “Pre-Trim” stage, a refresher coat of sealer will bring the floors back to life.

9) It is extremely important that you do not tape the floor! When covering the floor, overlap sheets of builder’s paper (Roofing paper is a great covering item, too.) Tape the first sheet to the wall then overlap the second sheet to the first and tape it to the paper. DO NOT PUT TAPE ON THE FLOOR. Use no tape! Duct tape, masking tape, packing tape, strap tape, blue tape, green tape, stucco tape and electrical tape – there are NO exceptions. It alters the natural curing process and transfers chemicals to and from the slab. This will show in the finished product.

10) When covering the floor, you may use sheets of masonite or single-faced cardboard on top of the builder’s paper. however, do not cover the floor with plastic at any time! It prevents the slab from breathing, which inhibits proper curing. It can result in efflorescence."

If you're in Louisiana, contact Joe about getting your interior floors resurfaced with decorative concrete overlays at (337) 316-4505 or you can email him. If you'd like to talk to a decorative concrete specialist in your area, you can find at ConstructionDeal.com.

technorati tags: acid stained, stained concrete, acid stained concrete, concrete floors, slab prep,decorative concrete, concrete overlays, acid staining, acid stained cement, cement floors

Housing Bubble Humor

Here's a bit of housing bubble humor for anyone who might be having trouble selling their house (courtesy of The Onion):

"For the third straight month, sales on preexisting homes dropped, leading realtors to call it a 'buyer's market.' Here are some strategies sellers are using to entice buyers:

* Dropping price by 50 bucks
* Carrying around wad of money; acting like owning this house got them that money
* Pointing out dishwasher several times
* Explaining to potential buyers how fulfilling it is to make mortgage payment on time
* Telling long, touching story about how grandmother needs $312,500 for kidney operation
* Letting third blouse button go
* Drowning out sound of noisy furnace with soulful vocals of Michael McDonald
* Reassuring buyers that people purchase things they can't afford all the time"

Related Posts:
How NOT to Beat the Housing Bubble
How to Beat the Bursting Housing Bubble
Real Estate Dictionary
Housing Bubble Humor

technorati tags: the onion, housing bubble, humor, housing bubble humor, real estate humor

Kitchen Remodeling: Form AND Function

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Sometimes... You Have to Share

Just to pat our own backs, I wanted to post this comment from one of the homeowners who recently used our site, ConstructionDeal.com, to find a contractor:

"I just wanted to tell you how impressed I am with the number of contractors your Website brought in to bid my job! I'm certain that one or another will work out just fine. The process was a lot more convenient than my usual tactic of calling everyone in the Yellow Pages. I'll use you again next opportunity-- and will share your URL with everyone I know who is interested in a construction project.

Thank you very much.

Elliot L"

Thank you, Elliot -- not everyone takes time out of their busy day to let you know you're doing something right and I appreciate and value your time and effort!

Our blog and our website is a valuable tool to help homeowners get their projects done. We want to make sure you've got the knowledge and the contacts to make it all happen. That email was a really great way to start my morning and I had to share. It's great to know you're helping people get what they want.

Do you need to find an architect? A Landscaper? Or a general contractor? We can help. ConstructionDeal.com is designed to give you access to local service professionals. There's no cost and no obligation to use our site. It's a fast, free and easy way to get your home improvement projects done.

Remodel Your Homeowner's Insurance

So, you found a Home Addition Contractor on ConstructionDeal.com and you added a master bedroom and new master bath to your house.

The question is --

Did You Notify your Insurance Company?

The folks over at the INSWEB.com recommend that you reevaluate your insurance coverage -- just after you have remodeled or upgraded your home -- before disaster strikes.

"Home remodeling quickly adds to a houses value, but many homeowners fail to increase their homeowners insurance coverage accordingly. It is not until a disaster strikes that many homeowners realize that they haven't reevaluated their coverage to include any work done on the house. After already undergoing the tragedy of losing your home, you don't want to also find out that your insurance policy only covers what your house used to be rather than what you have made it into. Imagine that you renovated a small one bedroom fixer-upper into a modern 3 bedroom home with a new yard or deck - the difference in replacement value would be considerable."

And it's not just if you've remodeled. If you have upgraded any safety functions in your home since you started your policy, let your insurer know because it may mean additional discounts for you. If you have a fire sprinkler system installed, smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, fire extinguishers, or even home automation or home security features, you could save a lot of money on your homeowners insurance policy.

They have some other great tips on insurance for homeowners, so check it out -- and tell them ConstructionDeal.com sent you!

If you need to find a home improvement contractor, we can help. It's a fast, free and easy service that connects you with remodeling and home repair pros. Simply submit a request and get 4 quotes - sometimes in a matter of minutes.

At no cost.

technorati tags: fire alarms, fire extinguisher, homeowners insurance, fire sprinklers, insurance discounts, home addition, master bath, master bedroom, insurance coverage, home improvement, remodeling, renovation

Let the Sunshine In: Installing a Skylight

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Hot Modular Homes with Green Construction in Mind

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Curb Appeal: Fiberglass Exterior Doors

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Saving on your Electric Bill

I found a great post on Paul Thurst's Homeowner's Blog about his recent exorbitant electric bill and what he was going to do about. I thought I'd pass along his ideas and information - perhaps there are some things you can do here to cut your electric bill (and if you're incredibly rich and don't care about your high electric bill, at least you can do your part for the environment!)

"I just paid my electric bill yesterday. Yikes! It was a little over 15 cents a kWh. My biggest problem is I have an electric water heater. We seem to use a lot of hot water with showers, the wash, the dishwasher, etc. So I put together a list of things that can save money on the electric bill. Most of them are pretty easy, some are more involved."

He goes on to show various energy consuming appliances, with great information on how much each one draw while in use.

Paul continues, "Then I did a little research on how to save money and make the appliances more efficient.

With refrigerators and freezers, vacuum the dirt and dust off of the condensing coils (black coils, usually in the back) at least once per year. Make sure the unit has enough air circulation to cool the coils as needed. If the air is restricted by dirt or blocked by a wall, it can make the appliance work harder. Many freezers have a "condensation saver" setting. This is a heat strip embedded in the freezer door that uses quite a bit of power. Turn it off and wipe up the condensation with a rag every so often.

For hot water heaters, set the temperature to the minimum required. If you don't like to take very hot showers, then the temperature can be reduced further. Generally speaking, when I shower, I run all hot water and it is the perfect temperature. There is also less likelihood of being scalded.

Clothes dryers need to have the lint filter cleaned after every load. A blocked lint filter will cause the dryer to run longer. Also, it is a very good idea to clean the dryer vent every year or so to remove excess lint. I did this with a shop vac in about 20 minutes. I also put up a clothes line in the backyard, In the summer, we use this exclusively to dry the our clothes. It is a bit more work, but it does save electricity.

Air conditioners need to have the inside foam filter cleaned as well. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner. While you are at it, take a low pressure garden hose to the aluminum fins on the outside of the unit. This is where the heat that is removed from the inside goes out. They must be a clean and free from dirt, pollen, leaves, fuzz, and other debris to conduct the heat into the atmosphere quickly.

Dishwashers should be ran only when full. Use the "air dry" or "energy saver" settings for drying the dishes.

Don't use portable electric heaters if at all possible. Hair dryers? Blah, you are already beautiful, how can you improve perfection!

Well pumps use the most electricity when they first turn on. To keep your well pump from short-cycling, install a bladder tank or make sure your non-bladder tank has the correct air charge in it. See this post for an explanation.

Saving money on lighting is pretty easy. As your incandescent bulbs burn out, replace them with compact fluorescent bulbs. These use almost 75 percent less power than the incandescent bulbs and last four to five times as long. Look for inexpensive Compact LED bulbs in the future. Those will use even less electricity and last almost indefinitely.

Finally, many appliances have stand-by power usage. Many times those things with the little black cubes (wall warts) that plug into an outlet are prime users of power. You may want to limit the use of things with wall warts. Also, many items with remote controls such as TVs, VCRs and DVD players use power when in stand-by mode, waiting for the on command from the remote control. If you have any of these items that don't normally get used, unplug them.

There are small electric meters called a "Kill a Watt" meter. You can use this to measure your stand-by loads. A somewhat interesting statistic is that if everyone in the US turned off there stand-by loads, 28 large power plants would sit idle.

If you really want to get zealous, you can buy one of those outlet strips that turn off and on. Then you can plug all of your stand-by loads into that and turn it off at the end of each day."

Check out Paul's blog and bookmark it - it could be a great resource for you to learn as much as possible from someone who may have already gone through what you're yet to experience!

If you're looking to save money in your home, consider hiring a Home Energy Auditor. They can review where the money is flying out of your home and give you energy-saving recommendations.

ConstructionDeal.com has a network of auditors and you can find one in your area - at no cost. Simply submit your request and get 4 quotes fast - sometimes in a matter of minutes.

technorati tags: saving energy, energy savings, electricity bills, electric bills, reduce costs,appliances, energy star, saving money

Construction & Remodeling Tips

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Composite vs. Wood Decks

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Before You Knock it Down! Some Demolition Advice

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Would You Buy a Wood Bathtub?

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Design Ideas: Paintable Wall Applications

I recently stumbled upon this site - it's called FoldBedding.com but they've got a second product (besides the really cool folded bedspreads) that I really love called Wallter Paintable Wall Applications.

From the site, "The geometric, wood-based applications add a third dimension to the wall on which they are composed, commanding light and shadow in an inventive way and turn the space in to something original.

Fold bedding’s clients include The W Hotel, Hotel Lucia, Hotel Max Seattle, Dreamworks Productions, Urban Outfitters, Stratus Films, CB2, Debbie Travis Facelift, and ABC’s Extreme Makeover Home Edition."

You can buy the products on their site or search for a local retailer that might carry the products. These are a great way to go beyond the boring, drab, plain uni-color walls. You can paint them to match or you can contrast them to the color of your walls.

Check out the site if you get a chance.

Looking for some new design work in your own home? Consider hiring an Interior Designer. They don't only work for rich folks, ya know. A designer can work with any budget and they know some great places in town that can save you a lot of money. Talk to an interior designer today - through ConstructionDeal.com.

Simply fill out a quick request and designers will call you. It's fast and easy to use - at no cost. And there's no obligation to hire anyone.

technorati tags: foldbedding wallter interior designwall applications interior decorating design ideasresidential design

Landscape Design -

I found a great blog written by landscape designer Rick Anderson.

If you're not sure what landscape design is, or if you want to get some inspiration for your own landscaping, check it out.

The site is called the Whispering Crane Institute and his mission is to provide some insight into the world of landscape design. He does point out that it is not a profession of kids who cut your grass and I think that's a perfect jumping point to take you into Rick's universe.

Landscape design seems like it might be the easiest job in the world, but it's not. It's more than just planning out where to put the flowers and bushes. Designers can create themes, pick the perfect plants for your geography, and add immense value to any home. They can fix problems and create an oasis for any homeowner.

If you need to find a landscape architect, submit your request to ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to find landscaping pros.

At no cost.

Simply tell us what you need and we'll send your details to 5 local landscape designers. You can get quotes in the same day - sometimes in just minutes. And there's no obligation.

technorati tags: landscape design, landscape designers, landscaping, home design, exterior designcurb appeal, home improvement

Home Renovations - Outdoor Kitchens

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How NOT to Beat the Housing Bubble

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Latest Trend in Flooring: Bamboo

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Home Improvement Trends - Design Ideas

Sometimes, it's nice to get the creative juices flowing. Here are a few truly innovative designs from an Italian studio called Lagostudio. While they might not be practical for your three-bedroom ranch in Nashville, it can be a fun way to generate new design or decorating ideas.



I like the bed in this photo. It's called the Fluttua and it makes it seem like the bed is floating. Actually, the center post underneath supports the bed and it's also attached to the wall. Very cool, very modern look.

Looking to redesign your home? Talk to a qualified interior designer. Submit a request to ConstructionDeal.com and we'll match you to local home design pros. In minutes. At no cost.

Simply tell us about your design project and get 4 quotes from interior designers. It's a fast, free and easy way to find a design service in your area.


technorati tags: modern design, Italian design, interior design,design ideas, lago, lagostudio, home design ideas, interior designers, design inspiration

How to Beat the Bursting Housing Bubble

I've been studying a lot of sites that cover our slowing (some say crashing) housing market. Housing sales have decreased dramatically the past few months, and housing prices are falling all across the country.

Many homeowners are still holding on to unrealistic expectations and many would-be buyers are making ludicrous lowball offers, so the market is basically at a stalemate. As inventories jump, prices will have to plummet. Many don't expect it to get better until at least 2008.

Last year and part of this year, home prices skyrocketed to ridiculous levels. And now, no one wants to be the last person to have paid way too much to buy a house. To read more on the media coverage, I highly suggest Ben Jones' blog, The Housing Bubble.

If you own your house and waited too long to sell, I've got a few tips to help get your home off your back:

1 - Start with your Real Estate Agent - Make sure your current agent has a ton of experience. Used to be you could hire any agent, with only 2 months on the job, and the house would sell before her or she pounded the "For Sale" sign into the ground. No more. Get someone with experience, name recognition in the community, and superior sales skills.

2 - A Proactive Agent - Get an agent that will truly "pound the pavement" for your listing. You need a proactive agent that will be out there, moving and grooving on your property. Many of the newbie agents that got into the biz over the last two years will be in "career change" mode in the next few months. The real agents who know how to work will be the ones who survive this cycle. Find one who will work for you!

3 - Know an Agent's Quality - A great agent will guarantee his or her service in writing. A bad one would run for the hills from a guarantee. A great agent will not make you sign a long term listing agreement. A bad agent will freak out if you won't sign a fat contract. If it's not working out, you need to be able to cut the cord.

4 - All the World's a Stage! - I got an email from a Home Stager the other day (her business is called "ReFluff Your Stuff" in Georgia - I love that name!), about listing her business on our main site, so I thought I'd do some research. Hire a stager to go through your house and make your house sellable. Many people wrongly think staging is too expensive. Not true. It's about being creative, not spending money. It's actually possible to sell your home "as is" (and not stage) and lose money.

5 - Realistic Pricing Plans - You're not going to get the big profit you thought you would. Plan accordingly for a much more stingy market. Let your agent do the research on the right price for your home, in your neighborhood. I would recommend not leaving your house on the market too long (and expect some really low lowball offers.) If you've already moved and cannot sell, consider renting the house out at a reasonable rate to help provide some relief.

6 - Self Staging - You're a Do-It-Yourselfer, huh? Okay. Know this - any wild and crazy decorations, furniture, fixtures, colors, and designs in your house will turn off the average John Q. Public homebuyer. You might have the most clever and eclectic taste on the planet. Your artsy friends think your house is "to die for!" But dark, rich colors on the walls and ultra-modern furniture can turn off today's picky buyer.

- To save money, make sure you have Curb Appeal: manicure the front lawn, add some colorful flowers, paint the shutters, trim bushes, paint the front door a nice neutral color, brush falling leaves off the roof, etc. Lay down sod if the summer beat up your grass. Add a new doormat.

- Is any room in your house red? Blue? Bright green? School bus yellow? Paint it. Creams, whites, pale yellows, coffees, and light earthy greens. With white trim around the doors. Use an eggshell paint to keep off fingerprints and make it easy to clean before an Open House.

- Declutter. Remove those piles of books, magazines, and newspapers. Less is always more. Remove anything and everything knick-knacky. Take out all your family photos. They want to picture themselves living there. Again, less is more. Makes the house look and feel bigger.

- Check under your 70's orange shag rug and pray someone put hardwood floors there. Pull it up, rent a buffer (or hire someone to simply re-finish the floor), and you've got an inexpensive way to add home value.

- Turn cluttered kid's rooms into a guest bedroom. Not everyone has or likes kids. It could turn them off to see a pink bedroom with ponies and stuffed animals.

- Steam clean the carpets. Remove pets to the Mother-in-Law's house (you might be used to the odors, but...) if you have them. Use new fresh towels, candles, and flowers during an Open House.

- Replace blinds. Keep curtains open during showings - natural light sells.

- Make sure the house has "feature cards" in every major room (sell features, such as 'air conditioning', 'new water heater', 'finished basement') for showings.

- Get rid of dirty clothes, trash in waste baskets, mail on counters, make it look like no one lives there. Or a photo layout in "Metropolitan Homes.

Good luck in selling your house!

Related Posts:
How NOT to Beat the Housing Bubble
Real Estate Dictionary
Housing Bubble Humor

technorati tags: housing bubble, beat the bubble, real estate, housing market, staging a home,flip that house, sell your house, sell your home, real estate sales, real estate agent