Green Bathroom

Many people profess to being “eco-friendly” but do they really practice what they preach? I mean recycling is nice but other than trying to take shorter showers what do you do on a daily basis that helps the planet? And almost as important, especially these days, what can you do that doesn’t cost allot of your own precious resource…money? The answer is a Hand Bidet Sprayer.

Green and Clean

With one of these you save dramatically on toilet paper use everyday. This not only helps the environment by cutting back the demand for toilet paper production, which uses tremendous amounts of water and chemicals, but it saves you money….everyday. You also have improved hygiene; clean and green.

How Green

Now you may think you are using more water this way but actually you are saving water by using a more efficient cleaning device and by cutting back the demand and therefore the production of toilet paper which wastes huge amounts of water. Many people will use the sink or shower to wash up with and a Hand Bidet Sprayer uses only as much water as you need and precisely where you need it. It even has health benefits with Hemorrhoids and Rectal Itch.

Why Don’t We Have these Now?

The simple reason is because historically we have had the best plumbing in the world and before people thought a bidet was just too much. The Hand Bidet Sprayer came along later in Asia because they could not flush wads of toilet paper down the pipes without clogging so they developed water washing to help with the situation. This later evolved into the Bidet Sprayer which they kept even when their plumbing improved to the point where now they can also flush toilet paper down the toilets, and they do, just allot less of it.

The Best of Both Worlds

So now you can have it all, which is what we like right? You can have your ultra soft toilet paper and not feel guilty because you are using so little of it now. You can help the environment. You can save money. You can be fresher and cleaner and save precious resources and you can even improve your heath.

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It would be pretty unfair of me to throw all these bad ideas onto the table, without leaving you with a few good ones.

2.) Attic Bedroom: Basement finishes are fairly popular. But what about the top portion of the house? How many attic finishes do you hear about? Not so many, huh? All the more reason to look into this idea a little further. We’ve discussed the concept of utilizing available square footage in the most efficient way possible. Well, attic remodels are an excellent example of this very idea. These projects average around $50,000. While that may seem hefty, the average cost to add a new addition to a home will range from $40,000 – $90,000.

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It would be pretty unfair of me to throw all these bad ideas onto the table, without leaving you with a few good ones.

1.) Wood Window Replacement: A homeowner will recoup nearly 80% of an aluminum-clad wood window replacement project when they sell their home. That’s pretty darn significant. Wonder why they’re so valuable? Not only are interior wood windows extremely attractive, their aluminum-clad exteriors offer the appeal of increased energy efficiency. They add value and they reduce energy bills – outstanding combination!

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Economy is jacked. Bonuses have been pulled. Household budget is struggling to keep its head above water.

You’re well aware of this. The kids know all about it. Hell, the dog has even accepted the circumstances for what they are. Everybody is doing their part in making sacrifices and concessions.

But what about the house? What sort of concessions have you asked your house to make during the past year or so? Is your house all too aware of your current financial situation?

Despite it’s kindness and unsurpassed level of understanding, has your house ceased to require maintenance? Does it no longer require replacements? Has it agreed to hold off on all pressing projects until “things get better?”

If this is the assumption you’re operating under, then might I suggest you reconsider your hypothesis.

Your house is your largest investment (tired of hearing me say that, yet?) and it should be treated as such. Rocky financial times may not afford you the ability to turn your queen-size bedroom into a king-size master suite. But the necessary maintenance and replaceable items of your home should not be left to they wayside.

Windows, siding, roofing and guttering need to be considered absolutes on your home’s maintenance and replacement checklist. With the case of each of these items, failure to replace them in a timely manner will most always result in higher paid costs later on down the road.

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Seriously. How rational does that sound?

I had to have a heart to heart with a client the other day. We were wrapping her kitchen remodel project up and she told me she was ready to go ahead and replace the windows throughout the home. We talked product and pricing, but when we started to talk scheduling, she told me she figured she’d just suffer through the winter as is, and schedule installation in the spring.

“Why in the world would you want to go and do that?” I said.

A very common misconception lies within most homeowners. They believe the winter months are inconvenient times to purchase and install replacement windows due to harsh elements and bitter temperatures. They make the logical – albeit false – assumption that a window replacement project would open the house up to the winter elements, thereby turning the cozy Kansas City home into an Alaskan igloo.

Not the case.

The average time a home is open to the elements during a professional window install is 10 minutes. (I say professional because I can only speak from the standpoint to which I work from. Those other guys, however – well, I’m not sure why you’d let them into your home in the first place. But that’s an entirely different blog topic in and of itself).

Windows are the #1 source of energy loss in any home. Choosing to wait any additional amount of time before replacement is costly and unnecessary.

Questions? Request for estimate? Interested in promos and discounts? You know where to find us.

(Quite clearly, we did not conceptualize or draw the hilarious image displayed above – hence the multiple forms of credit stamped throughout).

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The weirdest thing happened to me several years back.

I took a vacation to Arizona during the winter season and I stayed in one of those fancy-shmancy hotels on a hill. The resort was fantastic. It offered amenities such as slippers and bathrobes, pricey water bottles, on-site spa services and clean sheets. The shower soaps were sweetly scented and the bath towels were over-sized and plush.

Now. The ‘weird thing’ had nothing to do with the fact that I had been allowed onto the premises of such a a luxurious property. The ‘weird thing’ had everything to do with the interestingly hot floor space.

I stumbled out of bed and into the bathroom to brush my teeth and to quickly evaluate what type of hair day I would be having. As I stood there on the ceramic tile floor, brushing my teeth, I took note that my feet were not being affected by the cold, tile surface. In fact, they were experiencing an unusual, yet pleasant, warming sensation.

Heated tile floors are absolutely fantastic. Their popularity may exist amongst high-end resorts, but more and more, homeowners are getting in on this fun little detail.

These systems are typically only about 1/8″ thick and they install conveniently on top of your sub floor. The system embeds within the thinset cement that is used to lay the tile. Lead wires will run from the heated mat to a thermostat (usually located in the gang box next to a light switch).

In terms of cost, you should expect to budget an average of $2-$3/square foot for installation. Additional fees will be required for electrical work (budget $300). According to our web research, a typical bathroom tile floor heating system will cost approximately $800.

Necessary? Probably not. Luxurious, sexy and fun? You betcha.

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I don’t know about you, but I think that Office Max is one of the greatest places on earth. I love the way it smells; I love the the layout; I love the customer service; I love the fact that they sell gummy bears by the bucket. But most importantly, I love the overall mission of the store “to help [their] customers do the best work.”

Next time you’re gearing up for a home remodeling project, hit up your neighborhood Office Max. Plan to spend twice the money you’d like to spend (it’s just more fun that way), and buy yourself a basket-full of supplies to assist you in organizing the three phases of your upcoming project: 1) The bid process 2) The project itself 3) Project completion.

These items should be on your must-have list:

Pretty, three ring binder

Colorful, three-hole tabs

Clear, plastic, three-hole sleeves

Phase 1 of your binder will house all ideas and planning resources. Collect paint samples, brochures, magazine clippings, and store them in your binder. You should also include all pre-project estimate information. Ask your potential contractors lots of questions and make lots of notes. Remember, the lowest bid is not always the best option and it may not offer the best quality materials. Don’t shop on price point.

Phase 2 of your binder will contain all contracts, receipts and change orders. Keep all receipts in some sort of orderly fashion. This will help you when dealing with returns, but it will also come in handy when you decide to sell the property.

Phase 3 of your project binder will wrap the project up. It will display before and after photos. Note: When shooting before and after photos, stand in the same spot for both sets. This will make your side-by-side comparison just that much more fun to look at.

OFFICE MAX: Elf Yourself
Our Fearless Leader, Pat Strand

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Here it comes. Holiday hassles, Christmas clutter and winter woes. All outdoor landscaping, siding, painting and roofing projects are placed on a multi-month hiatus. The dream deck remodel will be pushed back another year, and the plans for the new pool and/or pond will be tossed back into the pile of “Gee, maybe someday.”

But wait! There is still work to be done. Being the proud homeowner that you are, you are well aware that your work is never done. Even during the winter months, there are tasks to undertake. Check this list out, and feel free to check it twice (that’s my lame attempt to elude to a naughty or nice holiday joke):

*I stole Santa from these guys: http://blogs.smarter.com

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Appraisers. You’re not going to fool them, so don’t waste your time trying to do so. But there are a few things to consider pre-appraisal in order to reap maximum value out of your home evaluation.

And remember what I always tell you: Your home is your largest investment, right?  Well, this is your time to shine.  Show off your investment in its “Sunday best.”

Make Necessary Minor Repairs

• Windows – Replace all broken windows
• Appliances – All should be in working order
• Steps/Railings – Repair if hazardous

Clean Up Your Crap

• Passing a white glove test is not the goal, here. But you should keep in mind that first impressions do matter. Clutter, trash, dirty dishes, strewn laundry – These things contribute to a flawed first impression that definitely won’t do you any favors.

Brag About Your Big Accomplishments

• This is the part where all of those painstaking remodeling & renovation projects will actually start to pay off. Now, don’t expect to recoup the full value of your investment – But you absolutely need to point these projects out to the appraiser.  Bathroom? Floors? Windows? Sod? Allow the appraiser to take note.

Put A Leash On Your Pets & Kids

• Okay, I’m joking about the kids part. Don’t turn me in for that one. But do control the both of them. A distracted appraiser, is not a happy appraiser. (And you don’t want an unhappy appraiser on your hands).

Invite Your Agent – Have A Party!

• Sellers – Your agent works for you, so put her to work during the appraisal. She is better trained to think on her feet and deal with the routine concerns and questions of the appraiser. If this is an option, use her.

(I am providing the link to the blog that I stole this photo from)

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I read a recent blog that claimed one out of every three marriages end up on serious rocks before the end of a major home remodeling project. I’m not so sure that I’m willing to accept this statement as fact, but it’s a very accurate claim in the sense that home remodeling projects have the ability to take a serious toll on a relationship.

Want to remodel your home? Want to remain happily married (or, married, at the very least)? Take my advice:

Wife:

• Share. Remember, the home belongs to the both of you. It should reflect your styles collaboratively, not individually. His lack of style, might just be a style in and of itself. Accept that. Work with that. Practice give and take.

Husband:

• Bend. How important is the house to your wife? I mean really. Look at her Google search history and get back with me on that.

Both of You:

• Budget. Statistically, the top three things couples fight over are (1) Kids (2) Sex (3) Money. I can advise you on the money part – the other two are up to you. Before you even begin to consider the project, sit down and formulate a project budget. Agree on a “splurge fund” that will be set aside as a part of the budget, and will be used for any unforeseen upgrades, miscellaneous purchases, etc. Remember, statistically, your project will most likely run 10-20% over budget once all is said and done. Expect it and accept it.
• Research. Do this together. Gathering ideas on your own, and then coming together is fine. But check things out as a unit, as well. Brainstorm in various spaces like hotels, model homes, restaurants, etc. Take pictures and take notes. Remember – this is allowed to be a fun process.
• Split Up. No, not in the partnership sense. If your design styles are so bipolar that no middle ground can be met, split the spaces between the two of you. Wife, don’t think you’re allowed to just toss Husband the garage and call it good. At least let him in on the den or the deck, or something.

I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again – Your home is (most likely) your largest investment. It is also the largest outward expression of you as a couple. If you both get to be involved in the process, you’ll both be excited and your end result will be far more enjoyable.

In summation: Play nicely with one another and use your best manners.

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