4.) Garage Addition: This is another project that should be tackled only under the awareness that the average regain will average just above 62%. The average cost of such a project will amount to more than $58,000. Garage additions are labor intensive – They involve slab work, roofing, new siding, paint, doors, etc. Erecting a garage addition only differs from new home building in that it does not require insulated walls for HVAC purposes. Essentially, the garage addition process is no different than the building process of assembling a miniature house.

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Our clients love us to death, our mothers can’t get enough of us and we think we’re pretty cool. But as of this year, we are officially something special in the eyes of industry leaders.

We were selected for two regional National Association of the Remodeling Industry(NARI) awards in 2008 – One for an exterior renovation in Shawnee, KS and the other for an exterior renovation in Olathe, KS. We replaced siding, installed new windows, painted the exterior, installed new entry doors, replaced garage doors and upgraded the landscaping of the home.

This year, we were again selected for two regional NARI awards. We remodeled a kitchen in Raytown, and we preformed a whole house exterior remodel on a home in Olathe, KS. Both received awards. We were pretty stoked to win another set of awards on the regional level.

But we learned this past weekend that we were going to be awarded ANOTHER set of awards on the national level (and by “set” we mean two).

The Contractor of the Year (CotY) awards are given each year by NARI headquarters to members who have demonstrated outstanding work through their remodeling projects.

We will pick our CotY awards (did I mention there were two?) up in Phoenix, AZ at the recognition ceremony this April.

And if you’d like to join us, all airfare & accommodations are completely not provided for by us. But we’d love to have you! Holler if you want to come golfing.

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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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I was totally called out by my friend, @kylerohde today. He claims that most all homeowners are already fully aware of the winterizing “tips & tricks” that I blog about every year. Is this true? Is it common knowledge that you need to leave all of your faucets dripping during freezing temperatures and that you need to check your smoke alarm batteries?

Okay fine.

What about tools. Are you hip to the recommended winterization processes for tools? I bet you’re not, Sen. @kylerohde. Check this out:

OIL
When oil sits around for a period of time, it turns sludgy and makes an engine less efficient. It’s best to drain your tools of any oil and dispose of properly (i.e. not down your toilet or kitchen sink).

FUEL FILTERS
A dirty filter will force an engine to work harder than necessary to draw gas. Do you like to work harder than necessary for any reason whatsoever? Didn’t think so. The winter months are a good time to evaluate, remove and replace filters. (By the way, they’ll only set you back $5-$30 – A cheap date if I ever saw one).

SPARK PLUGS
You’ll find these bad-boys in your gas-powered tools. They ignite the air-fuel mixture that fires your engine up and they get dirty with repeated use. You can pull these out and clean them, or you can pick new ones up for about $3 a piece. Not sure about you, but I’d just assume swap the little suckers out. This is strictly personal preference, however.

FUEL
Fuel will degrade in a tank if left to sit idly for several months. Pick up some fuel stabilizer and follow the directions provided – don’t make up your own, that almost never works out in your favor (speaking from personal experience, here). The stabilizer will keep the gas fresh for about 6 months.

RUST
Your mower used to look all shiny and new, didn’t it? What happened? You abused it with stuck-on soil and muck. That crud traps moisture and when secured next to the metal for a period of time (uh, like a winter), then rust will form and degrade your shiny, yard tool. Before you stow your mow, give it a thorough cleaning. Pull out the putty knife and work with a wire brush.

LUBE
Hinges and moving parts should be sufficiently lubed before storing equipment for the winter season. This will prevent rusting and cracking. Wouldn’t it be great if they made some of that tool lube for humans?

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What do you know? The annual Remodeling Cost vs. Value report for 2009-2010 was just released and despite the track record of recent years past, a new trend is being established.

Hip, hip, hooray for Exterior Remodeling Projects!

Gone are the days of “best bang for your buck” in the form of Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling. It’s the remodeled exterior of your home that will now offer the greatest return, according to this year’s cost vs. value report. Seven out of the top ten high-yielding value projects on this acclaimed report are exterior remodeling projects.

Reason being? I’ll give you one guess.

The state of the economy has forced many homeowner to scale back on their projects in the name of frugality. Tax credits and energy efficiency incentives also aide in this outcome.

Folks are recognizing the importance of quality product vs. price of product (i.e. Most homeowners are now willing to pay more money up front for an energy efficient window that will help to lower utility bills in the long run). Projects are being recognized more and more as true investments.

Your Top Ten list is here:

1. Entry door replacement steel (128.9%)
2. Attic bedroom (83.1%)
3. Deck addition wood (80.6%)
4. Siding replacement vinyl (79.9%)
5. Minor kitchen  remodel (78.3%)
6. Window replacement wood (77.3%)
7. Window replacement vinyl (76.6%)
8. Basement remodel (75.4%)
9. Major kitchen remodel (72.1%)
10. Bathroom remodel (71%)

No, I did not illustrate this cartoon. Not a chance. I stole it from the web. Pulled it off of Google.

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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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Summer sniffles and Autumn allergies.  No fun.  The great outdoors can mean rough stuff to anybody who battles allergies.  But did you know that there are plenty of potential culprits, right within the comfort of your own home?

Find out how you can remove and/or prevent allergy-related particles from affecting you and yours, INSIDE the home.

1. Carpet : Dust mites and pet dander…yum!  Not so much. Carpets and rugs should be cleaned weekly.  Your vacuum should be equipped with a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to trap all tiny particles.  A non-HEPA version will only re-circulate the crud.
2. Windows : A sweet fall breeze may smell wonderful, but if it’s bringing more than just scent into your home (i.e. ragweed pollen spores), I’d recommend utilizing this little tip: Keep windows shut between the high pollen-count hours of 10AM to 3PM.
3. Bathroom : Moist bathrooms and basements are breeding grounds for mold.  Fight these allergens by wiping walls with a chlorine bleach solution made with 1oz bleach to 1Q water.
4. Bedding: I was listening to a radio show several months back, and the DJ was taking a poll as to how often everybody in the office changed their sheets.  I have to say, I was a little grossed out by some people’s responses.  Not changing your sheets for months at a time!?!  Yuck!  In addition to the dirty-factor, we should keep in mind that mites and mold can live in our beds.  Wash sheets AT LEAST every two weeks, in130 degree water.
5. Basement : Get a dehumidifier!  Set your unit between 35 and 45 percent humidity.  These come in multiple sizes and they range in cost. Mold in the basement is not pretty.
6. Houseplants : Keep an eye on these guys.  Potted plants can harbor allergens on their leaves, in their dirt and in their trays.  Remove moldy leaves immediately and don’t let water pool in the trays.
7. Pets : You can cover air vents with cheesecloth to help prevent pet dander from spreading from room to room.  I know you fellow animal lovers may not like this, but experts recommend that we keep our furry friends out of our bedrooms.  I know I do – well, a good 75% of the time I do, I suppose.

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