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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Get 4 Bids from Drywall Contractors

Need drywall repair? Need new drywall installed? You can either pick a company at random from the phone book... or you can get 4 free quotes from drywall pros - - in minutes.

At ConstructionDeal.com, we send out your drywall request - at no cost - to drywall contractors in your area. No need to call several drywall services and repeat your story over and over.

Simply fill out our short form and you'll get several bids at once - saving you time.

Getting multiple quotes means you'll get to choose the best prices - saving you money.

Types of Drywall Services
What can a drywall contractor do for you? Drywall companies work with various types of sheetrock inside your home. They install, repair and finish walls and ceilings in just about every room in your house.

• Drywall Installation - drywall contractors can install walls and ceilings in your main floor. They can help create walls where you need them. They can finish an attic or a basement and can even install sheetrock in your garage.
  
• Drywall Repair - drywall specialists can fix cracks and holes and water damaged sheetrock throughout your home.
  
• Drywall Finishing - are you a do-it-yourself homeowner and can easily install your own drywall? Well, you can leave the finishing work to the professionals for a small, even and perfect look to your walls and ceilings with no seams, corners or drywall screw holes visible anywhere!
  

Need a drywall contractor for your home improvement or repair project? We can help. Submit your request - at no cost - to ConstructionDeal.com and talk with drywall contractors today.

ConstructionDeal.com - Where Projects Get Done!™

technorati tags: drywall, drywall repair, drywall finishing, sheetrock contractor, sheetrockinstaller, drywall contractors, home improvement, remodeling, renovation, home repair, wallrepair, wall installation, drywall companies, drywall pro

Protect Yourself from Home Repair Scam Artists

As Spring and Summer roll around, you notice a lot of discussion in the media about home repair scams. It's as old as the hills - warm weather brings out the crooks who want to take advantage of the unsuspecting... and the lazy.

You can protect yourself from an unscrupulous contractor or even an outright scam artist by doing your due diligence. Or, in other words -- doing your homework.

Scam Artist?
Where do the scam pros lurk? At your front door, for starters. Don't ever hire anyone soliciting repair or renovation services door-to-door with a "special deal" or someone who has some "leftover materials from another job." Usually, you should leery if an unknown contractor or company calls you out of the blue. Treat an unsolicited call from a remodeling or repair company the same as you would any telemarketer. Hang up.

Can I Trust the Yellow Pages?
Just because a company is in the phone book does not mean they represent quality nor has the company been screened by the directory. They simply paid for an ad.

Beware any contractor who only gives you a cell phone number and has no business address. It doesn't mean you should avoid them completely, but it means that you may not be dealing with a qualified or established company. Do a little extra homework and thoroughly check their references. Go to a current or recent job site to physically review their handiwork.

Does a Contractor License Matter?
Yes and no. Some people prefer to work with a local contractor who will simply give them the best price - they don't care of that repair or remodeling company has a license or not. However, a license is a great indicator of quality, history, experience, and stability for any contractor.

If you want to find out if your potential contractor is licensed, ask for their license information and check this online resource!

Also, find out if your state even requires a license. Some do not. Some only require a license for certain projects or projects over a specified dollar amount.

Should I Check the Better Business Bureau?
Absolutely! The construction industry provides the BBB with the most complaints nationwide. They handle, monitor, and help resolve customer grievances against companies. Check to see if your potential contractor has current problems or a history of complaints. They hold complaints on record for 36 months.

What About "Pre-Screened Contractors"?
Ha! There are several online companies out there that promise that all their companies and contractors have been pre-screened. Or, there are "excellent" reviews and ratings on their sites. ConstructionDeal.com doesn't do anything quite so foolish.

Why? Well, read this story to get an idea. It's nearly impossible to keep track of all the thousands and thousands of contractors in our network. They may sign up with no BBB complaints, all their insurance and bond payments made, with no legal actions against them, but... all of these things could easily change the next month, week, or even day!

Any company that promises their contractors are prescreened are providing a false sense of security to homeowners! We want you to ALWAYS do your homework on ANY and EVERY service professional who may step foot on your property. The more you know, the less chance you have of getting burned.

How Much Should I Pay Up Front?
Ah, here's where many homeowners get screwed. The unscrupulous contractor and especially the scam artist will ask for most (if not ALL) the money up front. But, they're getting smarter about this. They know most homeowners can't or won't pay it all up front. So, they're trying to get as much as possible and they're running away with it.

The BBB says you should never pay more than one third up front. I'm a little stingier and I think you should be, too. Try to negotiate a serious pay plan in your contract. Tell the contractor or company you will not pay more than 15% up front - but will give another ten percent on the first day of the job... if they show up. Then, if work progresses, you'll pay more each day/week/month. And then pay the final amount after work is complete and you are happy.
There will be compromises there. But I would rather see you not get your project completed than to be ripped off by a scam artist. So don't be afraid to negotiate to protect yourself.

What Else Can I Do?
Again, if you can - check REFERENCES of every contractor or company who will do work for you. And if they cannot provide you with more than one or any reference more recent than 2 months ago, you should be concerned. Quality companies should be proud of their work and should have plenty of satisfied clients. If they do not - what do you think your odds are that you'll be happy with your project?

If you do get burned without doing any of your own research, you've got no one to blame but yourself. If something does go wrong, try to work with the BBB to get help. They can usually help resolve almost 85% of all the construction, remodeling, and repair cases they mediate. If not, the courts might be your only alternative.

RELATED POSTS
Remodeling! 'Tis the Season!
Carpeting Scam to Avoid

If you need to find a home repair expert, post your project with ConstructionDeal.com. We'll match you to as many contractors as you wish -- and don't forget to check them all out! It's a fast, free service for all homeowners and business owners with remodeling, building, or repair jobs.

Free Online Room Planning Tool!

If you're working on a remodeling project or a home addition, it's sometimes hard to try to visualize how everything will look and where it will all go. You may be planning on buying new furniture or you've got existing furniture and you want to see if it will fit. You might just be considering ways to move your furniture around in your living room, too.

Well, I've found a neat tool that could help you see your room configuration a little better. It's a room planner from a furniture site called Raymour & Flanigan.

It's free to use. You may need to have the correct software to enable it but they have a link for the player. It could come in handy when you're planning a remodel.

It allows you to print up your designs after you're done. It even has an option to email it to your designer or contractor.

Planning Is The Most Important Part of Any Remodel:
If you don't have everything ready when you're starting a remodeling project, you're going to spend more money that you expect. Count on it.

When you don't plan every little detail, you will have to make changes. Changes mean more money, more delays, and more problems.

Start talking with a general contractor early and often so you won't have to make changes down the road. Plan like crazy and expect the unexpected.

The Home Improvement Penalty

Doing any home remodeling project on your own can have a dark side. People love to watch the DIY Network and HGTV to see all the home improvement shows and renovation projects.

The problem is - they make it look rather easy. They don't show you the team of carpenters, subcontractors, assistants and even the show's producers all doing work "in the wings" to make the finished room. They also don't show you all the expensive tools they use.

So many homeowners decide to save a little money by doing the project themselves. And the results are not always up to standard. I found this article by David Bradley that talks about the Do-It-Yourselfers Home Improvement Penalty:

According to real-estate agent Nancy Raddohl, many of the potential buyers that she brings to a house notice a do-it-yourself project... right away. "'A buyer's first impression is I don't want to go any further into the house. They won't get beyond the front entrance," the suburban Minneapolis-based Raddohl of ReMax Carriage House said."

"Raddohl's candor is a zinger through the heart of homeowners who may think their handiwork is up to professional snuff. Quality upgrades can add value to a home, but shoppers easily are turned off by badly executed projects. The listed price can drop accordingly."

"Errors are especially onerous in highly visible glamor rooms such as kitchens and baths. Even minor miscues such as sloppy painting can have a negative effect on buyers."

"So before you power up your hand tools, consider this: Sellers risk thousands of dollars of their asking price because of shoddy workmanship. It's common lore among real estate agents that buyers set the value of a home, not the seller."

"I call it 'the home-improvement penalty.' Thinking your end result is good enough won't cut it in remodeling circles.'"

"Of course, this deflates do-it-yourselfers who puff their chests in pride at a job well done. So what if drywall seams show or spacing between bathroom tiles is a little off? To buyers, however, any glitch is a big deal."

"Even little errors may cause buyers to turn tail to the next property. Their perception is the seller's reality: If one thing is wrong, are there other problems very far behind?"

"Homeowner mistakes can be pounced on by real estate agents and contractors. Raddohl won't hesitate to make poor work a negotiation point to shave thousands off the listed price. Using the example of an amateurish countertop, she said she would advise buyers to press the issue."

"'I'd ask sellers to have work redone, and it could cost $5,000 or more,' she said. The repair costs come straight out of the seller's pocket.'"

"Contractors equally are keen to benefit from improvements gone bad. If a bathroom project goes down the drain, a contractor knowing the homeowner is over a barrel for needed repairs may be less inclined to negotiate and can charge top dollar."

"On top of materials and labor, homeowners also may be stuck for structural repairs if a job that really went haywire caused damage to portions of the home."

"If a project doesn't fit a contractor's schedule, the eyesore could serve for weeks as a reminder not to take home-improvement projects lightly."

"There are other risks, too. Homeowners inadvertently may skirt local permit requirements. Even if the work is passable, appraisers or building inspectors may nix a project weeks, months or years after completion and require work be redone to meet local codes."

"Again, homeowners will dust off their checkbook to pay for mistakes."

"The bottom line: Homeowners must bluntly assess their DIY abilities."

"Impressive work involves more than skills. It also requires the right tools, materials, planning and project management."

You can read more about the home improvement penalty on rgj.com.

The author of the article also has a checklist that you should go through before you begin any home improvement project:

• "Do I have all the skills to do the job right the first time?
• Do I have the time to acquire the skills or to do the work?
• Can I commit to performing the work to a professional degree, or will it look as if an amateur did it?
• Are all the right tools available? Can I afford all the right tools?
• Have I planned for all the details to make sure the job looks good?
• Do I need a license for a task that involves electrical or plumbing prowess?
• Am I balking at hiring the work out just to save money?
• What do I risk if I do the work myself? Will I lessen the value of my home? Is there a risk I will damage the home?"

If you don't want think you like the answers to these questions, you can always find a quality professional through ConstructionDeal.com. On our site, we can match you with contractors and remodeling companies in your area - at no cost.

You're under no obligation to hire anyone, but it's a great resource to save time and money: you won't search at random through the yellow pages, leave messages, and repeat your plans over and over again (saving you time.) You'll also get multiple quotes on your project, allowing you to choose the right bid and company for the job (saving you money.)

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!

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

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

How Does ConstructionDeal.com Help Me?

"So... what can your site, ConstructionDeal.com, do for me?" you ask.

Here's the short version -- we'll help you find a contractor (and save you time and money doing it.)

Here's the slightly longer version -- Let's say you have a remodeling or repair project and you need a professional to help you do it. From help building a new house all the way down to stopping that faucet leak in the kitchen. You have a few options to find an expert - you can ask a friend or family member for a referral.

You can pick up your yellow pages and thumb through to find a few companies that have a pretty ad. Or, you can use a service like ours.

"How does ConstructionDeal.com save me time and money?" you follow up. You're tricky that way. Always asking the good questions.

If you rely on the referral from your friend or sister-in-law, you end up calling only one company. That company might not do the type of work you need. And, you'll only be talking to ONE company. That means you'll get only ONE bid on the job. You might pay too much.

If you have to pick a few random companies from the phone book, you have to spend time calling them all up, qualifying them over the phone to make sure they can do the job, and then you have to wait for follow-up calls. You might even need to pull a few more names out of the book and call those up. Takes a lot of time.

What our site does is this -- you submit your remodeling project under the correct category. You provide an accurate description of what the project involves (thus, qualifying the contractors), and then you sit back and wait for them to call you. Nice, huh? You'll get 4 quotes from service pros the same day - sometimes within minutes.

Anyway. That's what we're all about. Matching you up to contractors. If you need some work done, post your project -- at no cost -- and decide on the best bid from all the contractors, to have the job completed. Simple.

If you don't need anyone right now... be sure and bookmark our page.

"Thank you," you say.

You're welcome.

technorati tags: construction, home improvement, remodeling, renovation, constructiondeal,construction deal, contractor, referral

Read Any Good House Blogs Lately?

What is a house blog?

I wanted to let you all know what some crazy people are doing. They're writing about their home renovations.

In other words: House Blogging.

House blogs are online journals the homeowners keep while they renovate or restore their houses (as if doing a lot of the work themselves weren't tiring enough.) They're taking pictures, telling war stories, and showing us their progress.

House in Progress is the popular online diary of a family renovating their 1900’s bungalow in Chicago.

At 1902 Victorian, they’re working to take their “old house out of the disco era and back into the Victorian.”

Domicile – this blog covers the “domestic musings” from homeowners in Canada which can cover anything from home renovation to gardening and even cooking and recipes.

House Made chronicles two Bay Area women's purchase and revitalization of what they describe as "a neglected 1922 Pueblo/Spanish bungalow in Oakland."

Finally, there is a central hub for some of the DIY house bloggers out there, called HouseBlogs.net, that is a directory for over 300 House Blogs.


My favorite house blog title? This Old Crack House about the adventures of turning a... well, a crack house into a home.

Looking to renovate your old home? We can help save you time -- submit your home renovation project to ConstructionDeal.com and we'll find you a local contractor. And you can choose how many contractors you would like to contact you! It's fast, free and saves you time.

technorati tags: house blogs, house blogging, home restoration, victorian, bungalow

"Why I Hate Home Improvement Television"

How can all those TV show contractors on HGTV and the other cable networks, who all claim to be experts, find time to actually get out there to build anything?

I found a great new site that claims it is the "Antidote to Home Improvement Television." It's the Remodeling Repartee blog and they ask the same question and many more. Check it out.

I love how there are numerous versions of previous blog posts titled "Why I Hate Home Improvement Television." Fun stuff written by two women who are out there doing it.

The shows can provide motivation to undertake a project but the necessity of keeping most episodes to under thirty minutes can give a bad impression. It makes it seem easy. And that gets many homeowners into trouble. A few shows will at least last for several episodes to give people an idea that it's not always something you can do in a day.

What projects have you taken on that you needed professional help to finish?

Well, if you ever get in a bind after watching Home & Garden Television, let us know. We can match you with a local general contractor or a handyman service to "come to the rescue." It's a fast and easy way to find service professionals - at no cost.

technorati tags: home improvement tv, hgtv, remodeling television

Welcome to the ConstructionDeal.com Blog!

Welcome to the official blog for ConstructionDeal.com!

We're starting a blog to provide information on our site and to offer tips & tricks for homeowners and business owners who need help with remodeling, building and repair projects.

We want to make sure that every project goes well and so we'll use this blog to help with that process.

Everyone is welcome to submit a post; simply email us at blog (at) ConstructionDeal (dot) com. We'll be posting advice, site updates, frequently asked questions, and articles from various sources.

We want our network of property owners and contractors to post their own home improvement stories, advice, and tips that they have to share.

Power is knowledge and we want everyone to know as much as possible before taking on a new project!


Thanks,

Tim
ConstructionDeal.com
866-663-4711