Month: August 2015

Bathroom Ideas: Funky Stylish Grab Bars Hide You Need Help

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement

Do I Have To Show I’m Getting Older?

The short answer is no.  Members of the baby-boomer generation now have new concerns in the bathroom, but they would rather not announce it to the world.  As more people age in place (right at home), safety is on their minds when they remodel the master and even guest bathroom.

Stylish Grab Bars Add Bathroom Safety

Great bathroom idea: A toilet paper holder that doubles as a grab bar!

While grab bars make navigating the shower or getting up from the toilet safer, the typical stainless steel ones with exposed screws look like they would be more appropriate in a hospital than in a private residence.  Fear not!  There are manufacturers that make stylish ones with concealed mounting hardware, “funky” shapes, and in chrome, brushed nickel, and polished nickel finishes.

Instead of installing one of those thick, plastic toilet seat risers that scream “ugly”, look for a toilet that is labeled as universal height, or ADA compliant.  The toilet, with seat installed, will be 17″ to 19″ off the floor – a comfortable height for most people.  I also recommend using a “soft close” seat which slowly closes by itself after giving the seat only a slight nudge toward the closed position.

Roll-Out Shelves Add Additional Safety

Stretching to reach items in the back of a base cabinet can be dangerous.  Instead of risking losing your balance, install roll-out shelves. If you have room on top of the counter, consider adding a tower with doors and/or drawers to avoid bending altogether.

Using a rubber mat with suction cups on the back side is great for the shower floor.  It is extremely functional, gives terrific traction, makes bathing less stressful, and yet it can be removed when guests are coming over.

Baby boomers have many more years of life ahead of them so they may as well make their bathroom work well for them.  The beauty of the above suggestions is that style is not compromised for safety, and your home can still be shared with people of all ages.

If you have specific questions, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Bathroom Ideas – Choosing a Vanity Sink / Bowl

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement

BEWARE OF WHAT YOU PURCHASE

The new vanity for your bathroom make look great in the store and the price is too hard to _MG_1996pass up.  You think the vanity will look perfect in your home. However, like so many things in life, you get what you pay for.

YOUR PERFECT VANITY MAY END UP COSTING YOU MORE

A past client of mine found out the hard way and it cost her over $700 to correct the problem.  She purchased her “prefect vanity” from a furniture / art store.  What she didn’t know was that the vanity had a vitrous china bowl (what some of you refer to as the sink) made in Mexico.  Others are made in China, Spain and elsewhere.

Vitrous china bowls are glazed and MUST have either a sticker on them stating what bathroom-sinksAmerican or Canadian safety standard they have passed or have manufacturer’s documentation stating what American or Canadian safety standard they have passed.  For tempered glass vessels (bowls that sit on top of the counter like in the picture to the left) there is a Canadian safety standard they must pass.  Plumbing inspectors check for this.  Without the proof…  you will have to purchase a bowl and have it installed in your cabinet.

Don’t fail an inspection needlessly.

If you have specific questions, please call me at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Bathroom Ideas – Things to Consider

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement
Leading Edge Homes, Inc. bathroom addition - in progress.

Great bathroom idea – no shower doors or shower curtains needed!

Your bathroom is one of the most heavily trafficked places in your home.

Bathrooms need updates and maintenance because the constant use and moisture may contribute to the breakdown of the major components over time. Your family’s changing needs may also require an update including taller or shorter counters, handicapped accessibility or other modifications; or you may want to get a fresh start by revising a layout, remodeling to add storage, or replacing fixtures.

Before you remodel or do a bathroom update there are many things to consider:

● Layout of room, take space away from adjacent room or add on to house
● Location of sewer and water supply lines
● Vanity or kitchen height cabinets
● Cabinets, pedestal lavatory, or furniture
● Traditional shower head/valve or multiple heads and body sprays
● Tub – reglaze, replace, material, whirlpool function, soaking, walk-in
● Faucets – single or two handle, style, finish, how many
● Medicine cabinet – side wall mounted or in front of lavatory with mirror, not at all, grade
● Shower doors or 5’ wall with cap
● Recessed niches or radius shelves
● Grab bars or backing inside walls for future installation
● Wall materials – tile, cultured marble, granite, etc.
● Toilet – standard, one piece, ADA height, colors
● Quiet exhaust fan ducted outside – optional heat, light
● Lighting – recessed, wall-mounted, sconces, etc.
● Dropped ceiling over shower
● Additional GFI receptacles beyond code
● Towel bars – number, location, style to match faucet handles

 

If you are considering a bathroom update or adding a new bathroom and have questions, you can contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. through their website, complete the comment section of this post, or call 561-795-2551.

 

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Think About Your Dog When Doing a Home Remodeling Project

Home Improvement

When you do a home improvement project, an addition, bathroom renovation or kitchen update, don’t forget to think about your four-legged friend. Depending on the project, home remodeling can be stressful for a pet and even dangerous. So how can you keep your pet safe and comfortable during the process?  PetPlus (blog.petplus.com)had some excellent advice:

1. Inspect Your Home

Before doing any serious remodeling, you should have your home inspected to check for lead-based paint, mold, and asbestos insulation. These things require special handling and removal as they can really irritate a pet’s respiratory system.

2. Supervise or Contain Your Pet

If you plan to have workers in your home, don’t expect them to look after your pet, keep doors closed, or be aware of safety hazards, such as loose nails or open paint cans. Supervise your pet when you can and contain them when you can’t. For very busy or loud days, you may also want to consider taking your pet to daycare or dropping them off with a responsible friend or family member.

3. Ask Workers to Alert You When Using Hazardous Materials

Remodeling may involve sprays, fumes, paints, and other toxic or irritating substances that could harm your pet. Ask workers to tell you if they are using anything dangerous, and if they are, remove your pet from the house for the day. If you’ll be doing projects yourself, try to select products that are natural and pet-safe.

4. Work Outside When Possible

Is there cutting, spraying, or painting that can happen outside of the house? This will help to reduce dust and irritants inside.

5. Offer a Safe Space For Your Pet

If your pet will be home while work is taking place, offer them a safe and quiet place to rest, such as a private room with a closed door. Move your pet’s essentials (such as hus crate, food, water, and toys) inside of the room, and place a sign on the door indicating that it should stay closed. This not only provides your pet with a place to escape loud noises and commotion, it will also protect your pet from dust and odors that could irritate them or cause an allergic reaction.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Home Remodeling to Make Your Home Hurricane-Resistant

Hurricanes - Fortifying Your Home

Making Your Home Hurricane-Resistant

No home is hurricane-proof… but you can make changes to make it more hurricane-resistant.

Is your house ready for the winds? Contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. for a home check-up.

What Should You Do?

Like My Safe Florida Home, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. recommends:
● Improving the strength of your roof deck attachment if needed by adding more nails and/or longer nails that attaches the plywood to your trusses to prevent the plywood from being blown off during a hurricane.
● Creating a secondary water barrier to prevent water intrusion. There are products that cover and seal the joints between the plywood sheets on your roof. This will reduce leakage if your shingles are blown off.
● Improving the survivability of your roof covering by upgrading to stronger and thicker hurricane-resistant roof shingles, attached with properly sized and applied roofing nails. This reduces the likelihood of a shingle failure.
● Bracing gable-ends of your roof framing to lessen the chances that your roof will collapse under hurricane wind loads.
● Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections. For example, installing metal tie-down straps that attach roof rafters to wall studs to decrease the chances that all or part of your roof will lift up from your house during a hurricane.
● Upgrading exterior wall-opening protections by installing hurricane-rated window shutters or impact glass windows.
● Upgrading exterior doors. For example, replacing a standard garage door with a hurricane-rated garage door.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Protect Yourself When Doing a Home Remodeling / Home Improvement Project

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Top Consumer Complaints of 2014

Stress free home remodeling.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. makes your home remodeling experience stress free.

Unfortunately, the home improvement industry as a whole took two of the top five consumer complaints according to a report published by the Consumer Federation of America.  Although misrepresentations by car dealers took the top spot, shoddy home repair jobs was #2 and “services”, which definitely includes the home improvement industry, was #5.  Leading Edge Homes, Inc. wants your home remodeling experience to be stress free!

 

  1. Home Improvement & Construction:

The top complaint was “Shoddy work, failure to start or complete the job.” That is why we recently reminded you to do your due diligence when hiring a home remodeling contractor.

  1. Services

People who hired lawyers, real estate brokers and other service people had grievances about their help not having proper licenses, misrepresenting their service or doing shoddy work. Florida requires that a contractor be licensed for many home improvement contracts. Verify a contractor’s license and that they are licensed to do the type of project you want. Click here for a list of services that requires a Florida license.

How Do Palm Beach County Homeowners Protect Themselves?

Go to www.remodelingquestions.com for lots of free, helpful advice to keep you from being a victim.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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A Room Addition May Mean Changes to Your Electric

Home Improvement

Safety standards when you do a home remodeling project can protect you from an arcing wire.  It may cost more, but your life is worth it!

For safety reasons, a special kind of circuit breaker is now required for most circuits in your home.  Arcing wiring is a leading cause of electrical fires in homes, and many of them happen in bedrooms.

What Is An AFCI Receptacle?

Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs) have been required for circuits in bedrooms under the National Electrical Code since 2002, but they are now required on most other circuits as well. The AFCI is designed to trip if it senses an arc. The updated code calls for AFCIs on most circuits, including some that also must be protected by a GFCI.

What Is A GFCI Receptacle?

Most people are familiar with the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), which is now widely installed in kitchens, baths and other areas with running water and is recognizable by the reset button on the face of the outlet.  The GFCI breaker trips when current flows unimpeded – the idea is to prevent people from being shocked.

Cost Implications

The increase in cost is potentially large.  Standard 15- and 20-amp breakers sell for under $10.  The AFCI breakers in those amperages start at $30 and up.  For a full 42-slot 200-amp panel, that can mean a cost increase of $1000 or more.  While the largest impact will be on new construction or complete rewires where panels are being assembled from scratch, the added costs can significantly boost the cost of remodels as well.

Summary

AFCIs can be temperamental. Check with your electrician if you’re having trouble with a tripping AFCI.  They may have suggestions about how to use your devices differently or may even try trading out the breaker for a new one.

The upside of the AFCI code is that it should reduce the risk of electrical fires in homes where the breakers are installed.  The downside is that it is likely to take many years before they become as ubiquitous as the GFIs we all know so well.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

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Ideas For The Ultimate Laundry Room

Home Improvement, Laundry Room Updates
laundry room

Adding cabinets to a small laundry room provides extra storage.

Laundry rooms are not an afterthought in today’s home.  They are multi-functional rooms used to keep households running smoothly, efficiently, and in an organized manner.  Here are some tips from your favorite, Palm Beach County , home improvement contractor.

How Laundry Rooms Are Used

Many tasks are performed in today’s laundry room:  clothing sorting, cleaning, drying, folding and ironing are the main ones.  However, if your laundry room is near an entrance, it can also be used to eliminate clutter by providing a locker (or lockers) for shoes, jackets, and bags and a bench to sit on.  It’s also handy for it to have a closet for mops, vacuums, and storage of laundry soap and dryer sheets.

Laundry Rooms Best Practices

Three welcomed elements of an ideal laundry room are a sink for washing delicate and soaking in, ample counter space for folding laundry, and a bar to hang clothing on that wrinkle if not hung immediately.  Other nice items to have are pull-out hampers for clothes sorting and in-wall ironing boards.

Don’t Forget Fido!

If you have a dog, some laundry rooms even have a dedicated pet-washing station.  They include hand-held shower heads with low-rise curbs for large dogs and elevated stations for small dogs to save your back.

An ultimate laundry room is only limited to your imagination, the amount of space you have with which to work, and your budget.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website for more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

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Price Of A Steel Replacement Exterior Door VS A Fiberglass One

Doors, Home Improvement

question copyThe post about the top three home improvement projects explained that replacing your front door gives you one of the biggest returns on your investment when you sell your home.

After replacing existing, and installing new, hundreds of exterior doors over the last 24 years as a Florida licensed Building Contractor, I understand the trouble homeowners are faced with when making the decision of which type of door to install.  While steel and fiberglass doors have their own unique pros and cons, this article will explain enough of the good, bad, and ugly of each type so you can decide for yourself which is best for your situation.

The Difference Between Price and Cost

Before getting into each type of door, it would be helpful to review the difference between price and cost.  Price is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket to initially buy a product.  Cost is the amount of money you need to take out of your pocket over the lifetime of owning a product.  If you are replacing a door in preparation for selling your house, the low price option probably makes the most sense.  If you have no intention of moving for over 5 years, the low cost option makes the most sense.

Steel Doors

The upside of a steel door is that it is significantly less expensive in price than fiberglass ones – $200 versus $400 ($600 if hurricane large missile impact rated with no-rot jamb and weatherproof hinges).  The downside to a metal door is that it easily dents and dings, it rusts, and the wood jambs it is typically mounted in rots and provides food for termites.

Fiberglass Doors

The upside of fiberglass doors is that they do not rust of rot, they absorb minor impacts without denting, they are available with a smooth or wood-grained  finish, and they are typically mounted on composite (no rot) jambs with stainless steel hinges.  They are also available with a steel core which makes them hurricane large missile impact approved with no shutters.  Their only downside is the extra initial price.

Since labor costs are the same for both door types, the cost of a fiberglass door is less than steel over the long run if you have to replace the steel door even once.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website for more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

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2015’s Top 3 Home Improvement Projects With The Highest Return on Investment

Home Improvement

According to the 2015 Remodeling Magazine Cost VS Value Report for the entire South Atlantic region of the United States, replacing your front door, adding manufactured stone veneer to your house exterior, and replacing your garage door will give you the highest return on your investment in your home.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. Kitchen Remodel

A kitchen renovations may help you sell your home quicker.

Although these home improvement investments give you the most return when you sell your home, other interior remodeling projects may be more beneficial. There are two projects that may stand between selling your house quickly and at a higher price, and having the house sit on the market unsold.  Those two projects are a kitchen remodel and a master bathroom remodel.

The kitchen is the heart of the home and the master bathroom is especially important to women as a sanctuary.  If either, or both, are tired looking, old, and unappealing, you have a problem on your hands.  Even though a major kitchen remodel will provide only a 67.4% and a bath remodel will provide only a 72.7% return on investment, they may need to be performed for a relatively prompt and profitable sale.  Seek the advice of a professional Realtor.

 A Look at the Top 3 Home Improvement Investments

1.  Replace Your Front Door

This might seem like a fairly minor home improvement, but, replacing your front door has been shown time and time again to bring an amazing return. A new steel door averaged a 112% return. When looking at cost versus value, a new door is the top of the list.

Why?

Put yourself in the shoes of a potential buyer. You pull up to a house you are interested in and you see the landscape, the trees, and the shrubs are not in the best of condition, but they’re fixable. Then you walk up to the front door and it is old looking, worn, and has splintered wood. You are about to literally walk through the door to your future… do you want it to look old and decrepit?

Now, picture a new, steel door with a fresh coat of paint. It looks strong and safe. This puts the buyer in a positive state of mind before they even step foot in your home.

A replacement steel door averages a 112% return on investment – by far the highest return.

2. Manufactured Stone Veneer

This is the first year projects involving manufactured stone veneer have been included in the report. The cost and value estimates are based on a project that calls for installing 300 square feet of manufactured stone veneer on the bottom third of a house.

The appeal of this project is in making a good first impression and giving the house an upscale look.  That’s why this project averaged a 93% return on investment.

3. Garage Door Replacement

Just like with the front door, replacement of the garage overhead door with an embossed, steel one offers a good return on investment at an average 91.6%.  This is for all the same reasons as the front door but on a larger scale due to its larger impact on curb appeal.  This is especially true for a front loading garage.

 

 

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovation, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business, since 1991, the most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website for more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

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