Tag: home improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT: DO YOU NEED A RENOVATION COACH?

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT: THE NEW ERA OF RENOVATIONS – HANDS OFF REMODELING?

Leading Edge Homes - Home Remodeling - Advice

Like you, I read other people’s articles about home improvement, remodeling, home renovations, and kitchen design. However, sometimes, when I read an article I am surprised about what I read and the advice that is offered.

 

COACHES ARE ADVOCATES DURING THE HOME REMODELING PROCESS

The article: What the Heck Is a Renovation Coach (and Do You Need One)? on realtor.com caught my eye. According to the article, “[renovation coaches] aren’t contractors or architects, but they advocate for you in hiring those folks and managing their work. Coaches help with budgeting, design, meeting with vendors, and/or choosing materials. They may guide you every step of the way, or just help you get your feet wet…There’s no professional association for renovation coaches, so you’ll have to search for one…”  Of course, to me that is a red flag.

DANGERS OF HIRING A COACH

If the “coach” is not familiar with local regulations, permitting, order of operations, etc,. your remodeling experience can become a disaster. An expert home renovations / remodeling contractor can guide you through the process, understand your design needs, and tastes, and make your remodeling process stress free and on budget.

Interview your local contractor, speak with him on the phone, find out what types of services he provides and how he can make the remodeling process go smoothly. A true remodeling professional will coordinate all of the work so all you have to do is choose the materials (of course the remodeling professional can make recommendations of where to look and what to purchase) and enjoy your updated home.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

 

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Home Improvement: Common Mistake 2 – An “A” Rating by the Better Business Bureau Means a Company is Reputable

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Common Mistake 2 – An “A” Rating from the Better Business Bureau Means A Company is Reputable

 

BBB - Reputable

Yesterday, while reading articles on the internet, I came across this one:

Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau

on the CNN Money website.

It is a warning to all people who believe that an “A” rating from the Better Business Bureau means a company is reputable.

What is Leading Edge Home’s Rating?

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is often asked, what is your Better Business Bureau rating? We used to have an “A+” rating until the Better Business Bureau only rated “accredited” businesses.

Not having a rating doesn’t mean we are not a reputable company. It means…

Leading Edge Homes Refuse to Pay to Play

A business only gets accredited if they pay an annual fee. In our experience (we were once a member), once a business is accredited, it gets an “A” rating, and then has the “privilege” of using the Better Business Bureau logo on all of its advertising.  The BBB does not do an initial, thorough investigation of a company and does not re-investigate a company before renewing their membership.  It seems as though they are only interested in collecting money.

According to the CNNMoney article, [The Better Business Bureau] says that its ratings are not endorsements and that they don’t mean that a business’ products or services have been evaluated. Instead, the organization told CNNMoney in a written statement that the ratings represent the “BBB’s opinion about a business’s trustworthiness and how it is likely to interact with its customers.”

Yet, millions of American consumers are counting on them to be reliable and reputations of businesses all over the country are depending on them. Last year alone, company ratings were viewed on the BBB website more than 165 million times — a 25% jump from 2013.

Excerpt from the article, Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau, relating to Home Remodeling and Home Improvement:

Online ratings, real-life consequences

Michigan resident Christopher DiPiero says he chose Jack’s Wholesale Windows & Design to replace the windows in his Michigan home five years ago based on its A rating from the BBB. But he claims the $5,000 job turned into a nightmare when the new windows he ordered were too small and improperly installed.

The BBB 'could care less about consumers'
The BBB ‘could care less about consumers’
 

DiPiero says Jack’s refused to replace them so he turned to the BBB. After months of asking for help through the BBB’s online complaint process with no success, he sued the company and ended up winning a more than $20,000 judgment (including attorney’s fees), in part because the judge found that Jack’s had broken a federal warranty law. He notified the BBB about the ruling but says the organization still did nothing to help or warn other consumers by including the ruling against Jack’s on its website or factoring it into its grade.

So DiPiero turned around and sued the BBB itself, alleging that the nonprofit violated consumer protection laws by allowing paying members to retain membership and high grades even when they broke the organization’s own rules. But judges threw out his case because no consumer transaction took place between DiPiero and the BBB, and the state supreme court declined to hear the case.

“The Better Business Bureau is 100% a fraud,” said DiPiero. “They’re not doing what they’re saying they’re doing in terms of making sure these businesses are credible.”

The owner of Jack’s, Jack Tilka, blamed a personnel issue and said he regrets that Jack’s didn’t do more to resolve DiPiero’s grievances sooner. But he says he tried to offer DiPiero a full refund during court proceedings.

better business jacks window

Jack’s Wholesale Windows, in Schoolcraft, Michigan.

The BBB has come under fire for allegations of unfair ratings and unethical practices in the past. In 2010, the Connecticut Attorney General likened its membership program to a “pay to play” scheme after a local bureau gave an annual award for business ethics to a company that was under investigation by his office. When the organization vowed to address the issues, which included eliminating a policy that barred non-members from earning A+ ratings, he backed down.

Read the full article Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau to see the full CNN investigation.

In case you missed it:

Common Mistake 1

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

 

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HOME IMPROVEMENT: BEING YOUR OWN GENERAL CONTRACTOR CAN COST YOU

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement
So You Want to Be Your Own Contractor

Are you sure you want to be your own general contractor?

IT WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE TO DO THE WORK YOURSELF — REALLY?

One of the most common misconceptions about home remodeling is that it will be less expensive to do the work yourself or act as your own general contractor.

THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DOING A DIY HOME REMODELING PROJECT

There are many things to consider before beginning a home remodeling project on your own.

SUBCONTRACTOR LICENSE VERIFICATION

First, you need to verify that every subcontractor or tradesmen you hire has the correct license and carries insurance.  If a person does not have Worker’s Compensation Insurance, or an exemption, then you are liable for their lost wages and medical bills if they get hurt while working on your home.

WHAT IF THE TRADESMEN DAMAGE YOUR HOME?

What happens if one of the tradesmen damages your home?  Your homeowner’s policy will not cover the damage caused by them.  A general contractor carries both general liability and builder’s risk insurance policies to protect you.

PERMITS… PERMITS… PERMITS

Although you can typically pull a building permit for your job if you live in a single family home, will the subcontractors you hire be able to pull their permits?  If you live in a multi-family dwelling, you will not be able to pull your own building permit.

Failure to pull a permit can cost you three times the original cost of a permit if the building department catches you.

If you decide to pull your own building permit, you will have to schedule your inspections, may need to take time off from work to meet with building inspectors, and you will have to take responsibility for all the work performed on your home.

WILL YOU BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTIONS? – TAKE A VACATION DAY

You may have to rely on the electrician, plumber, mechanical contractor, and roofer to pull their own permits and schedule their own inspections.  You still may have to take time off from work to make your house available to them and their building inspectors.

How much is your time worth?  When you schedule subcontractors and inspectors to come to your home you must ensure access to your house

BUILDING CODES… HOW MUCH DO YOU KNOW?

Do you know the latest building codes?  If you do not build to the current codes or hire subcontractors who do not build to the current Florida Building Codes, you could end up wasting money having to redo work.

PRICING…  YOU WILL PAY RETAIL FOR YOUR SUBCONTRACTORS

You may think you are saving money by contracting with trades directly, but they have multiple sets of prices.  One for contractors they work with all year long, one for the occasional contractor, and one for the public.   The public pays the highest price.

WHICH COMES FIRST… THE CHICKEN OR THE EGG?

It is critical to know the order in which subcontractors need to perform their work.  If you get the order wrong, you may need to remove a subcontractor’s work.  This will not only cost time, but money as well.

These are just a few of the potential issues that you may run into if you decide to act as your own general contractor.  Before following this path, consider the risks, the time you may waste, the monetary losses you could face, and the added stress of completing your home remodeling project.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes 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.
To ask Todd a question, contact him at 561-795-2551 or visit the Leading Edge Home’s website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Bathroom Ideas: 10 Top Trends for 2015 – Or Not….

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement

The following article by Melissa Dittmann Tracey provides interesting information about the 10 Top Trends for 2015.  (See below for the full article)

NKBA_bathroom

Photo Credit: National Kitchen and Bath Association

The top 10 overall bathroom design trends expected to be hot this year:

1. Clean, white, contemporary designs
2. Floating vanities
3. Open-shelving
4. Electric heated floors
5. Purple color schemes
6. Trough sinks
7. User experience (ease of use and low maintenance) and accessibility features
8. Extra amenities (like steam showers, anti-fog mirrors, lighted showers, and shower seats)
9. Innovative storage (such as drawer pullouts and rollouts to hold hair styling equipment)
10. Showers and freestanding tubs

Just keep in mind, that the  National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend report on what’s driving bathroom design in 2015 does not mean you need to update your bathroom to conform to the latest styles and trends.

There are ways to add some of these features … such as installing a tiled back splash, replacing your faucets, adding crown molding, or even changing your paint color to update your bathroom’s look.

If you plan on remodeling your bathroom, functionality, safety, and personal preferences should be your primary focus. Color trends, materials, and other hot designs trends will be outdated in years from now.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes 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

The Spa-Like Bathroom: 10 Top Trends for 2015

Posted in Home Trends, by on April 13, 2015

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By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

NKBA_bathroom

Just like the kitchen, contemporary designs are growing in popularity in bathroom remodels. These contemporary touches in the bathroom equate to clean and open designs, with floating vanities and freestanding tubs.

Last week, at Styled Staged & Sold, we highlighted the top 10 trends for the kitchen this year. This week, we focus on the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s latest trend report on what’s driving bathroom design in 2015.

Here are the top 10 overall bathroom design trends NKBA designers expect to be hot this year:

1. Clean, white, contemporary designs
2. Floating vanities
3. Open-shelving
4. Electric heated floors
5. Purple color schemes
6. Trough sinks
7. User experience (ease of use and low maintenance) and accessibility features
8. Extra amenities (like steam showers, anti-fog mirrors, lighted showers, and shower seats)
9. Innovative storage (such as drawer pullouts and rollouts to hold hair styling equipment)
10. Showers and freestanding tubs

Most popular colors: White and gray are the dominant colors for bathrooms. Half of designers expect to see gray growing in 2015, and several designers also mentioned the growing popularity of purple, lavender, and lilac tones gaining steam in bathroom designs. For fixtures, white continues its dominance.

 

Out of style: Jetted tubs, whether whirlpool or air, are decreasing in popularity, according to NKBA’s report. “People are moving away from jetted tubs to more classic soaking tubs,” says Bill Donohoe with Donohoe Design Works in the Los Angeles area. Also, beige fixture colors are increasingly dropping in popularity.

Melissa Tracey

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HOME IMPROVEMENT: GARAGE DOORS CAN ADD CURB APPEAL

Doors, Garages, Home Improvement

How to Take Your Garage Door From Eyesore to Eye Candy

Spruce Up Your Garage Door and Change The Look of Your Home

Garage doors are typically utilitarian in nature and architecturally bland – but they don’t have to be. There are many different materials, styles, and features in garage doors today.

You can get your door in many finishes and colors to complement the design of your home. You can even get a garage door with windows. Windows in garage doors are not as strange as you may think. They provide architectural beauty to the outside of your home and allow natural light in to brighten up the space. There are many window design options for today’s modern garage doors, just remember they will probably need hurricane protection.

All garage doors are not created equal.

There are many things to consider when choosing a garage door (which of course must meet the Florida building code for hurricane resistance).

Here are some things to consider when choosing a garage door:

The door’s material will impact how much annual maintenance is required, how much punishment it can take and how long it will last. For example:

Steel doors offer a classic design as well as the traditional carriage house style. These doors are durable, needing only minimal cleaning and maintenance.

Vinyl doors are longer lasting and suited to areas subjected to severe weather. They are rust-free, dent resistant and never need repainting.

Fiberglass doors have the look of real wood with a natural grain appearance. They are made of durable steel but with a fiberglass skin.

Real wooden doors offer classic craftsmanship. While they do require periodic maintenance (paint or stain), they make a perfect complement to any architectural style.

Aluminum and glass doors offer the most sophisticated look and modern features, including a variety of glass options. While aluminum doors require no maintenance, they do not have the same level of insulation as the other doors.

Garage Door Insulation is Important

Most people don’t think that a garage door’s insulation is important, however, it provides cost saving energy efficiency while reducing noise levels from the outside. Also, when you insulate your garage door, you are making the garage more suitable to use for things other than storage, including a work area or even a place for social gatherings. Although the room is not, and should not be, air conditioned space, the insulation helps reduce the heat from the outside.

An advantage of polyurethane insulated doors is that they provide added fire safety. This type of insulation acts as a barrier in reducing the amount of smoke and flames generated in a fire.

Garage Doors are Affordable

It is surprising how affordable garage doors have become. In most cases, people are guilty of doubling the price when they guess how much it will be. In general, the most expensive doors are those made of premium wood followed by fiberglass, steel, un-insulated steel and finally lower grade wooden doors.

Make Sure The Door is Approved for Use if Florida

It goes without saying that here in Florida you should also verify that there is a Florida Product Approval for the door, a permit is pulled for its installation, and that you are given copies of all the documentation for homeowner’s insurance discount purposes. Without the proper documentation, your home owner’s insurance rates may increase and you could have a problem when you go to sell your house.

 

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes 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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Buying a Home: Always Get it Inspected

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

FAIRY TALE DREAMS: HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ISSUES

A friend recently wanted to purchase a home and fell in love with it because of it’s old world charm. But… they were looking at the house with fairy tale dreams.

Why You Should Get Your Home Inspected

As seen on http://www.gocomics.com/wumo/2015/09/24

GET YOUR HOME INSPECTED BEFORE YOUR BUY

BEFORE you purchase a home… get it inspected by a reputable home inspection company or a general contractor like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.  Your inspector should check the electrical, plumbing, roofing, appliances, foundation, and more. You may not notice if the house is sinking, has mold, or if it has illegal wiring. The money you spend on doing an inspection will save you costs and heartache in the future.

 

If you have questions about a home you are purchasing or have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes 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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Home Improvement: Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:

Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View

Don’t delay decisions.

Make your product and color selections well in advance of when they are needed.  A late decision on a faucet can mean weeks of delay if it is on back order.

Don’t change your mind (too much).

Although this is inevitable, remember that change orders cost money and delay completion.

Don’t buy your own materials.

Contractors typically get better prices than consumers.
Also, if that toilet you got “such a good deal” on has defective parts in it, you will be paying the plumber to uninstall it and paying him again to reinstall a replacement once you get it.  If he buys it and there is a problem, it’s on his dime to make it right.

Don’t start a project without a contingency fund.

Unforeseen issues can arise or you can get carried away with change orders (“while you’re here” syndrome).  You don’t want to run out of funds before the project is complete.

Don’t put lipstick on a pig.

Some people insist on putting high end cabinets into a house with a sinking foundation or a super high-efficiency air conditioner in a house with leaking windows and no insulation. Listen to your contractor.  Sometimes it makes more sense to tear a house down than spend a fortune repairing it.

Don’t let kids and pets get in the way.

Remodeling work in inherently dangerous.  It’s just not safe to have children or animals around construction.  The same holds true for your guests and nosy neighbors too.

Don’t live in the home. 

If you are having a whole house remodel done or taking the roof off to add a second floor, don’t try to live in the house.  Make other living arrangements that are safe, comfortable, and dry.

Don’t ignore what the house needs.

If the contractor finds that existing walls do not have fire stops in them, spend the money to correct the problem because it’s a matter of life safety.  If he suggests repainting the rest of the house’s exterior while adding on a garage, you can easily defer that expense to a later date.

Don’t plan a room addition without thinking about furniture.

Although you may like French doors centered on a wall, it’s too late after the project is done to determine the couch blocks the door.  I suggest drawing the rooms to scale on one sheet of paper and your furniture to scale on another sheet of paper.  Cut out the furniture and place it on the room to make sure you like the way things lay out and verify there are no conflicts with windows and doors.

If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes 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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Home Remodeling / Room Addition: Building Up vs. Building Out

Home Improvement, Room Additions

Is It Less Expensive To Build Up Than Out?

The short answer is no – building up on an existing house is always more expensive than building out.  Sometimes, however, you have no choice if there is no room on your lot to build out.

Why is Building Up More Expensive?

Foundation Must Be Fortified

Usually the existing foundation has only been designed to support one story and would have to be added onto in order to support two stories.  In addition, interior load-bearing walls might need to be added necessitating demolition of parts of the existing floor for installation of additional footers.

You Must Add a Staircase

Either part of the existing house space would be lost, or real estate outside would need to be built two stories tall, to provide space for a staircase to access the second floor, and there’s the cost of the staircase itself as well.

Part of the Roof Must Go

Then there’s the cost of removing part of the existing roof and reworking electrical, mechanical, and possibly plumbing systems.

 

There’s more, but by now I think you’ve got the point.

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, 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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Home-Repair: Roof and Gutter Repairs / Maintenance

Home Maintenance/Repairs

Water Stains on the Ceiling and In the Attic

Image result for leaky house clipart

If you live in South Florida, every day seems like a rainy day and the afternoon storms are quite strong.  If you are noticing stains on your ceilings or leaks in your attic, it may be a result of broken or packed gutters or cracks in your roof or flashing.

Gutter Maintenance

Inspect and clean your gutters and make sure they are free of debris. Also, make sure your gutter connections are sound and the downspouts are clear.

Roof Tiles Cracked / Discolored or Broken Shingles

If you notice your roofing tiles are broken, cracked or missing, it is a sign that they need to be replaced. Walking on your roof, if you are not careful, can also cause tiles to crack and damage your roof.

Use a Camera From the Ground to Inspect Your Roof

To check your roof – without using a ladder and walking on your roof, zoom in with a camera to inspect from the ground.  Gutter cleaning and repairs require that you use a ladder.  If you are ladder-shy contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. and we will assist you with this project.

When to Call a Professional – Like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

If you have water-stained drywall – do not replace it yourself. You may need mold remediation. Let a professional assess the situation so you don’t risk spreading mold spores into your home.

Also, the safety risk isn’t worth it for repairing or replacing anything on the roof.  Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a state licensed roofing contractor!

If you are ladder-shy or don’t own a ladder, contact a professional for your gutter cleaning and repairs. Safety first!

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, 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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Home Remodeling: Hidden Gems Inside Your Walls

Home Improvement

What’s Inside Your Walls?

When we open up a wall during a remodeling project on an older home, we never really know what we will find.  It’s one of the most vexing and intriguing aspects of remodeling.

Sometimes we find a litany of unpleasantries: creative (unsafe) framing, questionable or illegal wiring, carpet over asbestos tile, and dead rodents of all types.  All of these things have to be cleaned out, and cleaned up, whether with a broom, a hammer and new studs, or an abatement company.   The expense involved varies, though it invariably involves additional cost to the homeowner.

House Age Related

Some of these problems can be generally anticipated based on the age of the home. However, there’s almost always something that surprises everyone: the rogue run of power cord buried in the wall, electrical tape covering the connections; the plumbing that would not have passed code anywhere at any time; the rock holding up three stories at the back of a home.  All of them make me shake my head and wonder: What were these people thinking?

House History

Those open walls also provide a road map to the history of the home.  It can be entirely evident from the framing where there was once a window or a door, or where stairs once ran.  All of these are clues to the home’s past, and the relative skill of those altering it – a sometimes cryptic record of remodels, both small and large.

Fascinating Finds

Inside the walls there are also sometimes amazing finds.  Sometimes it’s as simple as a scrawled number or measurement on framing lumber, or a glass soda bottle left unintentionally and plastered over before anyone noticed.

There’s also the newspaper.  At a time when insulation wasn’t commonly installed, many homeowners stuffed their walls with newspaper, or layered it on to try to keep the cold and damp out of their homes.

If Forest Gump had been a remodeling contractor he probably would have said: Opening up a wall is like a bowl of cherries – you never know what’s inside.

If you have specific questions about any home improvement project, 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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