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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3.) Backup Generator: The potential return on these puppies is just over 50%. If you purchase this one, accept the fact that that you are doing so strictly for personal usage. Do not make the purchase with much expectancy of potential future profit.

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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 thought I might post a quick blog about our blog and our blogging efforts.

We started bombarding the blogosphere with our advice, opinions and recommendations earlier this year. And not only have we not been kicked off of the world wide web (surprisingly), we’ve actually been applauded. That’s right – Somebody other than us thinks we’re pretty cool.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) publishes a bimonthly magazine, The Remodelers Journal, that is distributed to thousands of industry big-wigs across the nation. A couple months back, we received a phone call from a NARI Remodelers Journal reporter who had caught wind of our bad-ass blogging and social media campaigning.

The lady interviewed us and told us that she was going to feature Total Home in the upcoming magazine. Well, that upcoming magazine has been written, printed and distributed.

Do you know what that means? That means that your little, local remodeling company is the greatest remodeling company in the world! Okay. It may not mean that, exactly. But it does mean that we are kind of a big deal. Look out Hollywood, here we come.

Check out our article. Be proud of us. Feel free to help us deflate our overly inflated ego – but in regards to that last one, give us just a day or so if you could, we kind of like feeling like we’re something extra special.

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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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Serial Remodeling projects are all the rave.

Gone are the days of one shot, once-in-a-lifetime home remodeling projects.  More and more, today’s residential undertakings are conceived, plotted, budgeted, and carried out in a “series-like” manner that allows the homeowner to attain the ultimate end goal, through a system of achieving a series of smaller goals.

Phased remodeling projects typically start out by obtaining an overall estimate for the full price of the full project.  The contractor then sits down with the homeowner and explains what phasing options are available and conceivable to the home itself.

People don’t always look at their major renovation as a multiple-project undertaking. But in all reality, many larger renovations can be broken up into smaller ones. This approach will offer several key benefits to a homeowner:

• Budget – So money is an issue? When is money not an issue, right? Phased remodeling is an excellent option for homeowners who are attempting to majorly upgrade their house but do not massive piles of money lying around to do so. This option would allow homeowners the ability to pay for portions of their overall project in smaller chunks, as they can afford them.
• Schedule – A ‘construction tolerance’ exists within every homeowner. Most will begin a project with much enthusiasm and excitement, but a few weeks into the project, will grow tired of people showing up at their house every morning.  Serial remodeling projects allow for short-lived jobs that bring a contractor to the home in brief intervals.
• Tax Credits & Discounts – Stimulus money, tax credits, special discounts… If a homeowner is able to plan her renovations around the opportunities, she will most likely reap great benefits.  For example: This year, many homeowners are choosing to take  advantage of the Window Replacement tax credit, thereby receiving a serious discount on their replacement product.

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The amount of money that is being made available right now to home improvement-minded homeowners is just crazy. I sometimes wonder, however, are we doing a good enough job of informing you folks of the available opportunities?  I have my doubts.  Let me take a quick minute to outline the possibilities for our region:

Missouri Scenario #1 $4,200 Free Tax Credit Money:

• You live in MO and you qualify for a KCP&L tax credit – $600
• You are also a MO Gas Energy customer – $600
• You purchase new energy efficient Windows – $1,500
• You purchase your EE Windows through Total Home of KS (Coupon #CHA-CHING) – $1,500

Kansas Scenario #2  $3,000 Free Tax Credit Money:

• You purchase new energy efficient Windows – $1,500
• You purchase your EE Windows through Total Home of KS (Coupon #CHA-CHING) – $1,500

As you can see, these available funds add up very nicely – whether you live in KS or MO.

Here are the additional resources you will need in order to cash in on your available monies:

MO Gas & Energy and KCP&L Rebate Info

Total Home of KS Rebate Match

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I probably store far more crap than I need to.  But I like my crap, and in order to properly store my crap, I follow a few useful guidelines:

1. Free Isn’t Always A Good Thing :: You can find free cardboard boxes at just about any grocery store, Wal-Mart, Sams Club, etc.  You might be able to get your hands on some really good, sturdy, thick boxes.  But more often than not, you’ll find yourself collecting smaller, awkward-shaped, thin boxes that may not be so good for long-term storage.
2. Fill Her Up :: In terms of storage and stacking, it is always best to fill cardboard boxes as tightly as possible.  This will prevent episodes of caving, tilting and tumbling.
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Label :: When I’m packing and sorting and
   organizing, I tend to get a wee bit manic.  I work with the best of
   intentions – I categorize, I wrap, I fold.  But one thing that I’ve had
   to struggle with in my crap-storing career, is the process of properly
   labeling all of my boxes of crap.  Nothing is worse than spending hours
   on end, sorting, packing and storing, only to step back and realize
   that you’ve not clearly labeled any of your totes.  Or better yet,
   you’ve rushed through the process, and scribbled words like “Kids” or
   “Office” on 5 or 6 different containers, but without actually opening
   the vessel back up again, you have no clue what the heck is in any of
   the 5 “Office” boxes.  (I’m probably the only one here who has 5
   “Office” boxes, aren’t I?)
4. Aluminum Will Survive the Elements :: Aluminum boxes will be your best option for outdoor storage.  They can haul tools in the back of pickup truck, or fertilizer and seed in your back yard.  Aluminum won’t splinter or twist – it will be your best, most durable friend ever.
5. Wood & Wicker Are Pretty :: No room in the closet?  Basement full?  Store your crap in the living room!  That’s what I do.  My living room is full of little cubbies and storage spots that I use to hide all sorts of things.  Wicker baskets with lids work great.  So do wooden boxes or crates.  I can stuff extra blankets, throws, decorations, shoes, etc. in these spaces, and nobody ever knows.  Sure those things are made to be decorative, but they came with lids for a reason – am I right?
6. Tubs :: I was a high school debater.  Therefore, I was married to a Rubbermaid tub for 4 years straight (Unless you were a debater, you probably wouldn’t understand).  Now that I’ve grown up (a little) I still love the heck out of these things.  You can stack them, get them wet, write on them, sit on them – They’re just great.  I’ve got a blue-tub farm in my basement.  The tubs work well in the basement because I encounter mold & dampness problems from time to time.  Cardboard just can’t hold up.

*Remember, an organized home, is a happy home.  But a baby in a tub, is a stupid idea.

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People ask us all the time, “What’s this ‘Aluminum-Clad’ thing all about?  I thought the Marvin windows were wood windows.”

Marvin windows are wood windows.  But they’re nothing like those old, wood windows that came with the house, and are now rotting from the outside in.

Reason why – the Extruded Aluminum-Clad finish.

This is what the Marvin guys tell us:

“Marvin’s clad-wood windows feature a low-maintenance extruded aluminum cladding with a commercial grade finish…”

The finish comes is a number of different colors so you can match to your existing paint or trim – 19 different colors to be exact.

The finish is substantially stronger than roll-form aluminum (the commonly used product found on most wood window competitors), and it features a protective Kynar finish that offers resistance to fading and chalking.

I love this page.  Marvin lays it out, plain and simple, the differences between window finishings.  Look for yourself.

Just another little Marvin tid-bit, for you.

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