We Discover Homeowners are Unaware and Not Taking Advantage of the $1,500 Tax Credit for Energy Efficient Home Improvements

LOS ANGELES, CA., August 12th 2009, Construction Deal, Inc. (www.constructiondeal.com). Half way through 2009, ConstructionDeal.com surveyed approximately 5,000 project owners, primarily homeowners and discovered that nearly 40% were not planning on taking advantage of the $1,500 Tax Credit for energy efficient home improvements. 25% were completely unaware of this tax credit while 10% said they had already taken advantage of energy efficient home improvements. ConstructionDeal.com helps homeowners find contractors to complete home improvement projects and have evaluated the trends regarding awareness and usage of this stimulus plan.

ENERGY STAR has noticed an increasing trend of awareness as the popularity for their tax credit page and website has gone up since February 2009. ENERGY STAR representative Karen Schneider said, “Traffic to our tax credit page is up about 500% and overall, traffic to energystar.gov is up about 50% in the past 5 months.” ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the US Environmental Protection Agency and the US Department of Energy with the purpose to help consumers save money and protect the environment.

For large remodeling or addition projects, senior editor of Remodeling magazine, Nina Patel says “that during the project planning phase, a homeowner might ask about the tax credit and how it could affect their project. In terms of usage, I’d say that our full-service remodelers are not seeing an increase in business because of the tax credit.” Homeowners are more likely to select small home improvements that qualify.

This tax credit came into effect February 17th, 2009 when the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed. The official name is “Non-business Energy Property Tax Credit” and qualified home improvements that are ready and available to use between 2009 and Dec. 31st 2010 can receive a federal tax credit for 30% of the purchase price - up to a maximum of $1,500. Improvements made during a remodel or addition also can qualify.

All the home improvement products have energy-efficiency requirements. For example, replacement windows must have a U-factor at 0.30 or below and SHGC at 0.30 or below to earn the tax credit. To learn more about various requirements, visit the ENERGY STAR website for more information.

Some of the qualified home improvements include:

• Windows
• Insulation
• Water Heaters
• Doors
• Metal & Asphalt Roofs
• Central Air Conditioners
• Heat Pumps
• Furnaces & Boilers

These improvements can only be made to the primary residence and homeowners will need to keep manufacturer efficiency certifications from products they have installed and the receipt from their contractor. The IRS tax form 5695 will be available in late 2009 or early 2010.

Popular home improvements are air conditioners, water heaters, furnaces and new windows. The tax credit will offset the cost of the energy efficient products and in the long run, result in savings through decreased energy bills.

Large green improvements or additions may be eligible for another provision – the “Residential Energy Efficient Property Tax Credit” which also is a 30% tax credit but has no dollar cap, second homes qualify and this provision is available until December 31st 2016!

The qualified improvements include:

• Geothermal Heat Pumps
• Wind Turbines
• Solar Water Heating Systems
• Solar Photovoltaic Panels

About Construction Deal, Inc.

Construction Deal Inc. has been helping homeowners and business owners complete their building, remodeling, and repair work since 2004. They have a nationwide network of quality contractors and service professionals waiting to provide quotes on projects. Property owners post residential or commercial requests at no cost and are matched to local experts, usually within 24 hours. Construction Deal, Inc., a trusted member of the Better Business Bureau, is the fastest growing contractor referral service in the industry.

Contact Information:

Aaron Rose
(818) 657-8015
marketing@constructiondeal.com


About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products, new homes, and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $19 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles.

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Ideas to Enjoy Your Stay-cation

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Dripping Paint

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Keeping Your Home Safe While You're Away

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Construction Deal Summer Video Pick!

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We Have a Winner of the Home Depot $200 Contest

It's official.

We have a winner in our $200 gift card contest from Home Depot Rental Center.

Cindy Choyke of Warren, Michigan, is our winner!

Cindy and her fiance are working on finishing their basement.

She submitted a few photos of their basement as it stands. She also described her plans:

"We would like to finish our basement by adding drywall because the basement walls look bad, add drop ceilings and paint the basement floor with basement paint. We also want to put moldings around the whole basement after we paint the drywall. My fiance' will be using all his Dewalt tools to complete this project. We are hoping to have this project completed sometime this summer but with our upcoming wedding, money will be tight so it might have to put off until the fall."

We can't help her complete everything, but we have FedEx'd her gift card out to her. $200 can help with tool rental and supplies so they can complete their basement renovation!

Congratulations, Cindy! Send us your "after" pictures of your basement remodeling project and we'll show them here!

If you need tool rental for your DIY project, go to Home Depot and check out their tool rental services. Got a project that's too big for you to handle? Why not submit your details to ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you with local service pros and contractors in your area. You'll get multiple quotes, which will help save you money. And contractors call you, which will save you time.

Keep an eye on our blog for more giveaways and contests! Thanks to all who participated!

ConstructionDeal.com Video Pick!

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5 Ideas for a Productive Fourth of July Weekend

5 Ideas

1. Put Your Flag Up
Give Old Glory some fresh air this July 4th and put up a flag holder on the house.

2. Clean the Pool
Know one wants to go swimming in a green pool! Get out your bathing suit, pool brushes and chlorine and get ready to have a pool party.

3. Dust of the Grill
Even though your barbeque tastes so good you might want to clean that grimy grill.

4. Get Out The Paint
Stop procrastinating and take advantage of the long weekend to get some house painting done. When you’re finished you’re guaranteed a big bang.

5. Recycle!
Now that the fun is over and you have a large trash can of glass bottles and other recyclable items. Head down to your local recycling facility and cash in…

The Fourth of July is supposed to be enjoyable. We BBQ food, swim, enjoy the sun and gather together with our family and friends. But with all the joys of the holiday comes potential safety hazards, so be sure to take extra precautions and be safe.

Green Summer Tip

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Bathrooms Enjoy Makeovers Too

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Want to Win a $200 Home Depot Gift Card?

UPDATE - This Contest ended 6/30. Keep checking back on our ConstructionDeal.com Update blog for more contests! Here was our winner!

Announcing a new contest where you can win a Gift Card from Home Depot! At ConstructionDeal.com we want to help you get your projects done. And at Home Depot, they're helping out, too. With their tool rental department.

Didn't know that Home Depot rents tools? They do!

I recently completed a bamboo flooring installation in my house and used the Home Depot rental center to get a floor stapler. They provided the hammer that goes with it and they even sell the staples you need for your flooring installation. The helpful staff will even give you instructions on how to use the tools properly.

And it's not just floor staplers. They've got dozens of other tools you can rent by the hour, day or even longer. They rent concrete breakers, pressure washers, trenchers, sod cutters, wet saws, drywall lifters and a whole lot more.

Are you a do-it-yourselfer like me? This is a great chance for you to win a $200 gift card from Home Depot to handle your next remodeling or repair project. With $200, you can buy materials, products, or even... rent tools!

Check out all the tools available for rental today.

How To Enter the ConstructionDeal.com Gift Card Contest
Entering our Home Depot gift card contest is easy.

Just tell us about your next renovation project that you want to do. Do you want to install new floors? Install a new patio? Renovate your kitchen? Or just pressure wash your deck?

Send an email to Blog (at) ConstructionDeal(dot) com.

Describe what your next home improvement project will be. Send us a "Before" picture if you can. Tell us what tool from the Rental Center you might be using. And... that's it!

We'll pick a winner from the entrants on June 30, 2009! Winners will be announced on July 1st by email. So, include a valid email address with your entry.

In the meantime, check out the rental center at Home Depot. You'll be glad you did. Hopefully, we can get an "After" picture from our $200 Gift Card winner to show how things went on the project!

ConstructionDeal.com - We Help You Get Your Project Done!

Need a Contractor to Help you Finish your Remodeling Project? We can match you with local Contractors at NO Cost. Submit your project and get 4 Quotes from local remodeling contractors. There's no obligation to hire anyone.

Simply tell us about your project and have contractors call you - it saves time. And 4 quotes means you'll get the best price - which saves money!

Official Contest Rules
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. To enter, send an email to ConstructionDeal.com to the address listed above. To be eligible, entries must be completed and received on or by the closing date of the draw. Only entries with a description of a home improvement project will be considered. Photos are optional but recommended. All entries and photos shall become the property of Construction Deal, Inc. Construction Deal, Inc. is not responsible for lost, misdirected or delayed email entries. Entries received by telephone, fax, courier or personal delivery will not be accepted. Only emails will be accepted.

The contest is open to all U.S. citizens. No prize will be mailed to an address outside of the United States. Decisions of the ConstructionDeal.com judges are final. No cash prize will be awarded in lieu of the Gift Card, provided by Home Depot and not Construction Deal, Inc.

In accepting the prize, the winner acknowledges that Construction Deal, Inc. may not be held liable for any loss, damages or injury associated with accepting or using this prize. This contest is subject to all federal, state or municipal laws, if applicable.

One entry per person. Duplicates will be discarded (which may include originals.)

How Much Does it Cost to Re-Wire a House?

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10 Questions to Ask Your Cabinet Maker

Chris Crimmins has some great advice on his website that includes 10 questions you should ask your cabinet maker when having custom cabinets built for your kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Most people stress over trying to find a cabinet style they think will look in their newly renovated kitchen. Aesthetics are part of your choice, but if you don't seriously think about what it's going to be like to live with these cabinets for the next twenty years... you'll end up miserable. Chris' questions will help give you a plan. A plan will make sure you end up with no surprises.

Having custom cabinets made is not cheap. And the cabinets are usually not refundable. So, if you end up with problems you'll be stuck. Write down the questions and do a little research online so you can see what your options are.

Here are a few of my favorite questions from his list:

4. How are the drawers and slide out shelves made? Dovetailed drawers are the standard of strength, but material and an alternative type of mechanical connection are the most important. Solid wood sides are best, but please no stapled MDF. In fact, please no MDF at all in cabinets. MDF is not a structural material when attached perpendicular with like materials. I have seen a few painted shelves that turn out okay in MDF, but I still prefer quality sheet goods.

8. What is behind the doors? This is a tricky one because when you approve drawings, many times the number of shelves, slide out drawers, trash bin receivers, and many other items can be left out of the conscious. This is a great time to tackle expectations on what is included.

10. Is the installation included? Installation is a big factor, and I prefer that the cabinet maker installs. That way any mistakes or adjustments are their responsibility. Also ask if the knobs and pulls will be installed as well.

He asks for recommendations for additional questions, but I can't think of anything he missed. Check out the rest of his questions here.

Chris is a general contractor and owner of Crimmins Construction in Nashville, Tennessee and with his building and renovation experience, he knows a thing or two about cabinets. He even includes a great list of definitions for cabinets so you'll have all the jargon down before you ask your questions.

If you're looking for custom cabinet makers, ConstructionDeal.com can help. We can match you to 4 quality cabinet makers in your area - at no cost. If you're near Nashville, contact Chris and he can give you some recommendations. If not, submit your request today.

We'll save you time - cabinet makers will call you. And we'll save you money - you'll get at least 4 bids from local cabinet pros and you can choose the best price. There's no cost and no obligation to use our service.

Need Replacement Windows?

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Save Money on Utility Bills with Radiant Roof Sheathing

It's one of the best kept secrets to helping home owners live more comfortably and save money on their utility bills - radiant roof sheathing.

But let's not keep quiet about it anymore!

Radiant roof sheathing is plywood or OSB (Oriented Strand Board) with a thin layer of aluminum on one side to help reflect the suns radiant rays.

Radiant roof sheathing helps your attic stays cooler, your home stays cooler and that leads to a more comfortable living environment and lower utility bills. The product is Energy Star-rated and according to its website, "can lower roof surface temperature by up to 100-degrees" and "can reduce peak cooling demand by 10-15 percent."

Radiant roof sheathing used to cost more than standard plywood/OSB, but I recently installed the product on a new home we're building near St. Louis for the same cost as plywood. Lumber prices are down and product competition is up, making radiant roof sheathing an affordable option.

But, you don't have to be building a new home or a home addition to take advantage of the benefits. A radiant barrier can be installed in an existing attic. ToolBase Services offers helpful information and several installation options.

Don't keep it a secret anymore. My clients are learning all about radiant roof barriers and I plan on installing a lot more of it because of the performance and competitive price.

- Kim Hibbs, Hibbs Homes, LLC in Chesterfield, Missouri

There's more real advice from real home builders. Kim is a quality green home building contractor in the St. Louis area. If you're looking to go green, save money on utility bills, and build a home the right way for our planet, contact Kim at Hibbs Homes today.

Tax Credits Make Geothermal Heat Pumps More Affordable

I recently took a trip from St. Louis to Greenville, Illinois to visit Enertech Manufacturing, LLC, a GeoComfort distributor.

I had a meeting with owner Steve Smith to discuss our presentation at the upcoming Green Building Conference in Dallas. When I arrive, Steve showed me around his offices. We walked into the warehouse, where I saw hundreds of geothermal HVAC units still wrapped in cellophane and I thought - oh no, another casualty of the housing downturn.

Not this time.

The units had just arrived from Enertech’s manufacturing plant in Mitchell, South Dakota and most were waiting to be picked up for installation. There is a bright spot in the current housing market. And it’s called geothermal – using underground loop systems to take advantage of the earths near constant temperature to heat and cool the home.

As a Certified Green Building Professional, I’ve often tried to convince my clients to consider geothermal. With costs twice as much as conventional HVAC systems, most clients weren’t interested.

That is changing thanks to a 30% Federal tax credit.

The new legislation covers installations from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2016. Homeowners who install geothermal systems may be able to claim up to 30% of the cost in tax credits.

But, there’s more to it than just a tax credit. Geothermal is highly efficient and can save homeowners 40%-60% on utility bills. Mechanically, geothermal systems are relatively simple and require little maintenance. They are safe – no flame, no fuel, no odor. And because there are no fossil fuels, indoor air quality is cleaner.

From the Dept. of Energy website: "Even though the installation price of a geothermal system can be several times that of an air-source system of the same heating and cooling capacity, the additional costs are returned to you in energy savings in 5–10 years. System life is estimated at 25 years for the inside components and 50+ years for the ground loop."

A large tax credit and a good product - I have a feeling I’ll have more clients asking about geothermal. That means distributors like Steve Smith need to keep their warehouses full. After all, Steve says, "Business is up 60!"

Kim Hibbs
Hibbs Homes, LLC
St. Louis, Missouri

Looking to build a green home in the St. Louis area? Contact Hibbs Homes and they will help you design and build your ultimate green dream home - 314-581-8205

And, if you're looking to have a geothermal heat pump unit installed in your home, submit your request to ConstructionDeal.com. It's a fast and easy way to get 4 quotes from heat pump contractors who install geothermal units. And ask about the tax credit to make sure you save!

Reasons to Remodel During the Recession

Found a great blog post by Jamie Goldberg on her Gold Notes site. She's a top design consultant down in Tampa, Florida.

Jamie talks about her top ten reasons to take on a remodeling project during these tough economic times.

I agree with all them and found two particularly interesting:

"3. Many of the weaker players are being weeded out by the economy before you ever meet them. The remaining pros are better project managers with stronger referrals. This will reduce your chances of running into the kind of con artist that's drawn to a boom and moves on during a bust."

And:

"10. If you're spending more time in the house these days, as many folks are, improving your home will provide some anti-recessionary joy. And who couldn't use that taste of sunshine these days?"

I couldn't agree more. So, if you've got the job security and access to finance a home renovation project... now is definitely the time. Upgrading any part of your home will increase your equity and value as well as improving your life.

Check out her blog for even more useful information!

Ready for Earth Hour?

I'm a little late to the game, but I wanted to let everyone know that Earth Hour is this Saturday, March 28th, at 8:30.

What is Earth Hour?

There's a Climate Change conference coming in Copenhagen in December of 2009. Earth Hour is a way for people to vote for our planet and not for more policies that increase global warming. Earth Hour is a chance for as many people as possible to turn off their lights on Saturday, for one hour, and to make a statement.

Hopefully all those votes will be counted - you can start here at EarthHour.org for details on how you can make your vote really mean something - and the votes will be recognized at that conference on Climate Change.

Take a photo on the night, upload it to Flickr and add it to Earth Hour's flickr group and tag it with your city and country.

Make a video of your event, upload it to YouTube and add it to our YouTube group.

Blog about it, Twitter about it... do what you can.

Even if you don't want to document the event, just turn off your lights and hang out with family or friends, in the dark, and talk about it.

Remember - 8:30pm (your time zone) on Saturday, March 28th, 2009.

Make a difference.

Tell as many people as you can, too. Spread the word and we'll see what we can do...

And, if you're interested in reducing your carbon footprint on our planet even more, consider hiring a green remodeling company. Our green contractors can inspect your home and make recommendations to help you save energy, save money, and save the planet. Even if you're remodeling your kitchen, our contractors can help you go green with eco-friendly products and eco-friendly materials.

ConstructionDeal.com is a smart, fast, and easy way to find a green contractor - at no cost.

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Home Renovation Trends for 2009

ConstructionDeal.com 2009 Renovation Trends
The condition of the economy has really halted many homeowner remodeling plans. Everyone has been affected and very few are thinking about major renovations, like an expensive new kitchen or a swimming pool.

Once the economy strengthens and consumer confidence picks up again, there will be some new trends when it comes to the home. The 2009 stimulus package recently signed into law will help steer a lot of people toward more green renovation, green remodeling, energy-saving home repairs and improvements, and ways to help save more money.

For many homeowners, that trend has already started. A long winter has been high utility bills. Many are already coming to our site to submit requests for window replacement, solar panel and wind turbine installations, as well as home energy audits.

Another trend could be the increase in home additions and sunroom additions. Quite a few people are in houses they couldn't sell if they had to. Or that the house might actually be worth less than they owe. This means a lot of people across the country will not be "trading up" to a newer, larger, or just a different house. They'll be staying put.

To stay put, many are planning to add on. Give themselves more room to live, more room for storage, more room for kids moving back in. A room addition will help or even a huge project like a second story addition will practically create a whole new house. Finding the funds to finance these projects will not be as easy but there should be a loosening of credit as banks realize they're not going to make any money without charging fees and earning interest.

Back to the green renovation trend... It's probably a bad idea to even label it as being green. So many people have politicized "Green" that in some circles, it could be considered a four-letter word. Let's say the trend will be energy and money saving. The green will be more cash savings.

People will be making changes to their home that will help their wallet as well as their planet. They've been wasting food so they'll try composting. They've been wasting water so they'll install low-flow shower heads. They've been wasting heat and air conditioned air so they'll put in insulation and triple-paned windows. They've been wasting electricity so they'll install a programmable thermostat and switch to a Energy Star washer and dryer.

The economy has soured and many homeowners will continue to do a lot of the work themselves. Others will find local contractors to help with their installations and home repairs. One trend may even come out of all this will be that more and more people may barter for services. A mini economy could spring up that has homeowners and small business owners trading their expertise for the services of another. Or trading a car or motorcycle for services. It's possible in any economy but more so these days.

Even with people who have plenty of money and job security, the trends for the American homeowner have shifted away from the extravagant. Gone, for a while, are the $80,000 kitchens and the $75,000 heated swimming pools. For most, they'll make due with what they have and hope for few, if any, major home repairs. Many more are tired of the $400 a month electric bill and the lack of room. They'll make changes but changes that increase their home value and help them live a better life.

For the services I've mentioned in this post, if you need to find any local contractors to help you, I've set up a set of links so you can submit a request. Submitting through ConstructionDeal.com works like this:

• Get 4 quotes from local contractors
• There's no cost
• There's no obligation
• It saves you time - contractors call you
• It saves you money - multiple quotes lets you pick the best price

Ready to get started with your home renovation plans for 2009?

1. Get quotes from window replacement companies
2. Get quotes from solar panel and wind turbine installers
3. Get quotes from insulation contractors
4. Get quotes from home energy auditors
5. Get quotes from air conditioning companies
6. Get quotes from heating contractors
7. Get quotes from home addition contractors
8. Get quotes from green remodelers

Going Green: Home Window Tinting

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Stop Drafts & Save Money on Energy Bills

Imagine leaving a window open all winter long -- the heat loss, cold drafts and wasted energy! If your home has a folding pull-down attic stair, a whole house fan, a fireplace or clothes dryer, that may be just what is occurring in your home every day.

Drafts from these often overlooked holes waste energy and cost you big in the form of higher energy bills. Drafts are the largest source of heating and cooling loss in the home.

Drafts occur through the small cracks around doors, windows, pipes, etc. Most homeowners are well aware of the benefits that caulk and weatherstripping provide to minimize energy loss and drafts.

But what can you do about drafts from the four largest "holes" in your home - - the folding attic stair, the whole house fan, the fireplace and the clothes dryer? Here are some tips and techniques that can easily, quickly and inexpensively seal and insulate these holes.

Attic Stairs

When attic stairs are installed, a large hole (approximately 10 square feet) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only a thin, unsealed, sheet of plywood.

Your attic space is ventilated directly to the outdoors. In the winter, the attic space can be very cold, and in the summer it can be very hot. And what is separating your conditioned house from your unconditioned attic? That thin sheet of plywood.

Often a gap can be observed around the perimeter of the attic door. Try this yourself: at night, turn on the attic light and shut the attic stairway door - - do you see any light coming through?

If you do, heated and air-conditioned air is leaking out of these large gaps in your home 24-hours a day. This is like leaving a window or skylight open all year 'round.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add an insulated attic stair cover. An attic stair cover seals the stairs, stopping drafts and energy loss. Add the desired amount of insulation over the cover to restore the insulation removed from the ceiling.

Whole House Fans and Air Conditioning Vents

Much like attic stairs above, when whole house fans are installed, a large hole (up to 16 square feet or larger) is created in your ceiling. The ceiling and insulation that were there have to be removed, leaving only the drafty ceiling shutter between you and the outdoors.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a whole house fan shutter seal. Made from white textured flexible insulation, the shutter seal is installed over the ceiling shutter, secured with Velcro, and trimmed to fit. The shutter seal can also be used to seal and insulate air conditioning vents, and is easily removed when desired.

Fireplaces

Over 100 million homes, in North America are constructed with wood or gas burning fireplaces. Unfortunately there are negative side effects that the fireplace brings to a home, especially during the winter heating season. Fireplaces are energy losers.

Researchers have studied this to determine the amount of heat loss through a fireplace, and the results are amazing. One research study showed that an open damper on an unused fireplace in a well-insulated house can raise overall heating-energy consumption by 30 percent.

A recent study showed that for many consumers, their heating bills may be more than $500 higher per winter due to the drafts and wasted energy caused by fireplaces.

Why does a home with a fireplace have higher energy bills? Your chimney is an opening that leads directly outdoors - - just like an open window. Even if the damper is shut, it is not airtight.

Glass doors don't stop the drafts either. The fireplace is like a giant straw sucking your expensive heated or air-conditioned air right out of your house!

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a Fireplace Plug to your fireplace. Available from Battic Door, a company known for their energy conservation products, the Fireplace Plug is an inflatable pillow that seals the fireplace damper, eliminating drafts, odors, and noise. The pillow is removed whenever the fireplace is used, then reinserted after.

Clothes Dryer Exhaust Ducts

In many homes, the room with the clothes dryer is the coldest room in the house. Your clothes dryer is connected to an exhaust duct that is open to the outdoors. In the winter, cold drafts in through the duct, through your dryer and into your house.

Dryer vents use a sheet-metal flapper to try to reduce these drafts. This is very primitive technology that does not provide a positive seal to stop the drafts. Compounding the problem is that over time, lint clogs the flapper valve causing it to stay open.

An easy, low-cost solution to this problem is to add a dryer vent seal. This will reduce unwanted drafts, and also keeps out pests, bees and rodents. The vent will remain closed unless the dryer is in use. When the dryer is in use, a floating shuttle rises to allow warm air, lint and moisture to escape.

For more information on Battic Door's energy conservation solutions and products for your home, visit www.batticdoor.com or, to request a free catalog, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to P.O. Box 15, Mansfield, MA 02048.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mark D. Tyrol is a Professional Engineer specializing in cause and origin of construction defects. He developed several residential energy conservation products including an attic stair cover and an attic access door. Battic Door is the US distributor of the fireplace plug. To learn more visit www.batticdoor.com

Ice Dams - Prevent Damage to Your Home

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Now May Be The Perfect Time to Remodel

An interesting story from the Wall Street Journal on how now may be the perfect time for home renovation projects, "It's not the best time to be selling a house in much of the country. But increasingly, it's a good time to build or renovate one.

The housing slump has pushed down prices on everything from lumber and drywall to labor and design fees. Legions of carpenters, tile layers and landscapers are idle. Architects are taking on small renovation projects they once would have sniffed at and contractors are offering their services at a discount. Some people in the building trades are even posting fliers at construction sites to drum up business.

It's a striking contrast from the heady days of the real-estate boom, when builders and contractors could hardly keep pace with demand, prices of materials soared and a six-month wait to start a kitchen renovation was commonplace.

Now, some homeowners are moving forward on renovation or building projects they've put off for years. Others are exacting substantial price cuts from contractors desperate for work.

A few months ago, Mike Bowes remodeled the bathroom and guest bedroom of his $200,000 condo in Las Vegas. The job, which cost $14,000, included a walk-in shower, a new vanity, bamboo flooring in the guest room and re-textured plaster on the walls and ceilings. Last year, the same work would have cost nearly twice as much, he estimates, "and I would have had to beg someone to do it." Now, the 47-year-old commercial roofing sales manager is planning to upgrade his kitchen, living room and porch. While prices remain low "I'm going to keep going," he says.

...More homeowners will renovate their kitchens this year -- 7.57 million, up from 7.44 million in 2006 -- but they will spend a lot less, $96.2 billion compared with $127 billion, according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Bathroom renovations this year are expected to rise by 5.3% to 10.9 million from 2006, while spending on them will grow 3.8% to $70.2 billion from 2006, the trade group projects.

One reason some renovations will cost less this year is the falling price of many key building materials. The price of oriented strand board, a plywood substitute used for walls and roof sheathing, dropped 40% from the third quarter of 2005 to the same quarter this year, according to the National Association of Home Builders. During the same period, framing-lumber prices fell 24%, says the association. And drywall prices -- which soared during the real estate run-up to a record -- dropped 35% from last year's third quarter, according to United States Gypsum Co., the largest manufacturer of drywall in North America.

'If you're going to do any kind of construction...now is the best time you're going to have to do that in the next five years,' says Bill Harrison of Harrison Design Associates, an Atlanta-based architecture firm that specializes in high-end homes."

Read more of the article at the Wall Street Journal.

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