Tag: Palm Beach home improvement

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 Improvement: Things to Look Out For When Remodeling

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Ten Things to Look Out For When Remodeling

 home improvement - before you remodel

#1 – Lead based paint.

If your house was built prior to 1978, it may have lead based paint.  If your project involves disturbing more than 3 square feet of wall (interior or exterior), you MUST test for the presence of lead based paint or risk being severely fined by the EPA.  Paint chips are especially hazardous to toddler who may touch the chips and put their hands in their mouths ingesting the poison.

#2 – Asbestos floor tile.

Typically 9″x9″ up to 12″x12″. Even the glues used may contain asbestos.  The danger occurs when the flooring crumbles and dust is scattered into the air and inhaled.  This stuff could kill you with a long painful death.  Have the flooring tested by a professional and if it must be removed, hire a professional remediation contractor.

#3 – Contractors who say no permit is needed.

Other than painting and floorcovering, a permit is typically required for all projects.  Don’t get caught and have to pay a fine.  When in doubt, call your local building department and ask.  Inspections are for life safety purposes and protect you and future owners of your house.  Failing to obtain a permit can even stop the sale of your house if discovered.

#4 – Water damage.

What seems like an innocent brown stain on the ceiling could be the sign of a roof leak, water supply pipe leak, or an air leak around an A/C register.  Don’t disregard this important message from your house.  Investigate the source and make the necessary repairs to avoid major repairs in the future.  Also, if mold has formed, don’t disturb the surface or you can send mold spores throughout your house.  Call a mold remediation contractor to avoid respiratory problems.

#5 – Termites.

If you see mud trails going from the ground up to the floor level of your house, you may have termites.  If you see little wings or droppings along baseboards, you might have termites.  Call a pest control professional before the termites eat up so much of your house that you need structural repairs.

#6 – Property headaches.

Before installing a fence, get an updated survey of your property and have the corners marked.  This will avoid issues with the fence encroaching on your neighbor’s property.  Before doing a room addition, contact the local zoning department and ask what your setbacks are to avoid submitting plans for a room addition that puts the building too close to your property lines.

#7 – Bank problems.

Make sure your bank financing is approved and funded before giving a contractor a deposit on a job.  It would really ruin your day if the financing is not approved, your contractor has already demolished part of your house, and you can’t afford to finish the project.

#8 – Plan.

Don’t draw up plans that don’t provide sufficient detail.  If you think that you will fill in the details later, you may be in for some very expensive surprises.  Sub-contractors will charge for what you have left out and you may not have enough money to finish your project.  Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

#9 – Cracks.

Both vertical and horizontal cracks in a block wall can spell trouble.  There may be uncompacted soil under the foundation or insufficient support of a tie beam.  Consult with a structural engineer to determine the source.

#10 – Illegal wiring.

Many homeowners think they know how to perform electrical repairs.  Although the light or receptacle may work, the repair may be a fire waiting to happen.  If you open up a wall and find spliced wires that are not inside an electrical box, call a licensed electrician.

 

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 Maintenance: A Fire Waiting to Happen

Home Maintenance/Repairs

YOUR DRYER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS APPLIANCE IN YOUR HOUSE

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires.  Watch this from the NBC Today Show:

 

LINT… LINT… GO AWAY!

Not all of the lint generated by a dryer is stopped by the lint screen.  Much of it ends up inside the machine on the heating element – and lint is highly combustible.  Lint also builds up in elbows, termination caps, and in flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders. Only smooth metal vents should be used and fittings must be taped together with aluminum tape (no screws), which is what most manufacturers specify.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Here’s the take away – have your dryer and duct work cleaned out once a year.  If you need a recommendation, call us.

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: Add On or Move Out?

Home Improvement, Room Additions
Add on or Move Out?

Which door you choose – a room addition, a new home, or nothing at all depends on your personal choices. There are many hard costs and personal costs that should help you decide.

Is It More Cost Effective To Move To A Bigger House Or Add On?

There’s no easy answer for this question.  Often it depends on how much value the addition adds and whether the addition will price you out of the neighborhood.

Questions You need to Ask Yourself?

Can you find an existing house with the additional space for less than the price of an addition?

How easily can you sell your home?

Will you be able to carry two homes if you find a home that fits your needs but haven’t sold your current home?

 

It’s Not Just Hard Costs

Other things to consider include the cost of moving, closing costs, if it’s a new house the cost of window treatments, etc.

Sometimes there are other factors to consider besides cost that make adding on more desirable:

  •   not disrupting children in school
  •   convenience of existing home’s location
  •   great neighbors
  •   getting the new space built to your exact specifications
  •   no plans to move for 10 years or more, etc.

Doing any home remodeling project is a personal decision and only you can weigh what is best for you and your family.

If you have questions about any home improvement project or are considering a home room addition 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 Maintenance : Gas vs. Electric Water Heater

Home Maintenance/Repairs

what type of water heater should you chooseYou May Think You Know Who the Winner Is…

First some clarification must be made.  If you do not already have fuel lines in your house for natural gas appliances, adding them is very expensive – more than negating any savings in energy costs.  Also, the initial cost to purchase and install a gas water heater is higher than an electric one, which also must be taken into consideration.

Now let’s assume you are strictly looking at the energy cost of running a natural gas versus electric water heater.  A very good, scientific study was performed by the City of Statesboro, GA consisting of three tests.  Here is what they found.

Operating Costs

“Test #1 , between the traditional electric and gas tank water heaters, showed natural gas water heating operating costs to be 35% less than the electric water heating system operating costs.”

Delivery

“Test #2 measured delivery (how much hot water can you get from the tank before you run out). The natural gas tank delivered 36% more hot water than the electric unit. That’s an extra 33.2 gallons of hot water for bathing, washing clothes and dishes.”

Recovery

“Test #3 measured recovery (how much time does it take for the water heater to heat the incoming water to the desired temperature). The natural gas tank recovered 64% faster than the electric tank.”

AND THE WINNER IS…

Which costs less?  Natural gas costs less strictly to run.  Just remember all the other costs to get there if your house is not already set up for natural gas.  The payback period in cost savings may exceed your lifespan.

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 Improvement: Is Hard Water Driving Up Your Electric Bills?

Home Improvement

Is Your Water Increasing Your Electric Bill?

 

Not too long ago, I came across this interesting article. Who would have thought your water can be increasing your electric bill?

(BPT) – For many homeowners the biggest utility bill is electricity. Heating and cooling the home makes up nearly half of electricity costs, but the next biggest source is the water heater. Water heaters can account for up to 25 percent of total household energy use. Taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of a home with better insulation and more efficient furnaces and air conditioners can reduce energy costs significantly, as can making sure water heaters are operating properly.

Hard Water Reduces the Efficiency of Water Heaters

However, purchasing a high efficiency water heater does little good if the environment in which it operates is not right. The main culprit in reducing the efficiency of water heaters is hard water. Nearly 90 percent of American homes have hard water which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause scaling, a buildup that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. Hard water can reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent according to the Battelle Memorial Institute.

Hard Water Damages Your Appliances

The problem can be particularly severe with electric water heaters. These can accumulate up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate, a rock-like scale, eventually damaging the heating element which will have to be replaced. The cost of hard water is not higher just because of reduced energy efficiency and higher electric bills; hard water also damages appliances like water heaters, dish washers, shower heads and faucets. These must be repaired and replaced more often as a result.

Benefits of Soft Water

Kitchens benefit from soft water as well because soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used. Researchers also found that for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increasing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half.

How do I Know If I Have Hard Water?

To determine if you have hard water, look for spots and scale build-up on fixtures. “A less obvious indication is the lack of that luxury feeling of a hot shower you get at a nice hotel,” says Michael Mecca of Performance Water Products. “That feeling is not because of the nice towels and soaps. It’s because nice hotels use soft water not only for their guests’ benefit but also to protect their investments in boilers, piping and fixtures.”

Many water treatment companies offer free tests to homeowners to measure the degree of hardness in the water and offer appropriate systems that fit. “Hardness in water can vary widely in some parts of the country and pipe size, number of bathrooms, number of people in the house, types of showerheads and intended use all need to be considered for the right system,” says Mecca.

“Wells in particular are susceptible to hard water since municipal water departments often take care of the worst offenders such as iron-manganese-hydrogen sulfide. Even if you get municipal water you likely still have calcium and other hard water deposits and can benefit from a water softener. Systems for well water will cost a little more but it is well worth it,” he adds.

How do I Soften My Water?

The only way to truly remove the calcium and magnesium from household water systems is with a salt-based water softener. These remove the scaling in the pipes entirely by running the incoming hard water through a resin filter that traps the calcium and magnesium in the water – as well as any iron, manganese or radium ions. It then replaces them with sodium ions.

A salt-based water softener is one home improvement that will not only pay for itself but add value to a home. A properly sized quality water softener appliance can save a homeowner thousands of dollars over its life in reduced soap and detergent costs, electricity, efficiency and extended life for expensive appliances.

Questions?

If you have questions about about any home improvement or remodeling 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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HELP! There is a Water Stain on My Ceiling

Home Improvement

Air Vent StainingWhy Is There A Water Stain On My Ceiling Next To An A/C Vent?

Now that summer is in full swing, the temperature inside your attic can be well over 100 degrees.  The temperature inside your air conditioned house is probably between 72 and 80 degrees.

Construction Details Count

If there is an air gap between the register “can” and the ceiling drywall, condensation (water) will form on the warm side because of the extreme temperature differential and drip onto the drywall leaving a stain when the drywall dries out.  Do not fear.  There is a solution for this problem.

How To Solve The Problem

First, remove the grill from the ceiling.  Then, carefully spray expandable foam between the register “can” and the drywall that surrounds it.  I say carefully because the foam can drip, or if too much is applied, it can get over everything and it’s difficult to clean up.

Once the foam is completely dry, tear off any excess foam and spray the water-stained ceiling drywall with oil-based Kilz (white pigmented shellac).  Once the Kilz dries, touch up the ceiling with matching paint and reinstall the grill.

Problem solved!

Questions?

If you have questions about about any home improvement or remodeling 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 Improvement: Taking the Heat – Spray Foam VS Batt Insulation

Home Improvement

Spray Foam VS Fiberglass Batt Insulation: Which Is Better?

Virtually every room addition and home remodeling project I have completed over the last 24 years has needed wall and ceiling insulation.  I understand the trouble homeowners are faced with when making the decision of which type of insulation to use due to the long term consequences.  While both types of insulation have their own unique pros and cons, this article will explain enough of the benefits and drawbacks 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 insulation, 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 remodeling a bathroom and just need to insulate the ceiling, the low price option (fiberglass batts) makes the most sense.  If you are adding 1000 s.f. of living space to your house, the low cost option (spray foam) probably makes the most sense if you have no intentions of moving.

Fiberglass Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of fiberglass insulation is its low cost, availability in small quantities, and ease of installation by almost anyone.  The downside is that it allows a lot of air movement because it does not seal tightly to itself or structural members, it gets installed above the ceiling still allowing the attic above it to get very hot in the summer, and it is not as efficient of an insulator on an inch by inch basis.

Spray Foam Insulation Pros/Cons

The upside of spray foam insulation is many:  more efficient than fiberglass bath (inch per inch), near 100% air sealing, soffit and ridge vents are not needed, applied to the underside of the roof deck so attic is kept cool and a smaller size HVAC system can be used, and it won’t get stepped on and have its R-value reduced due to its application location.  It’s downsides include it must be applied by an approved application company and set-up/minimum charges start at about $1,500.

 

Questions?

If you have questions about  about any home improvement or remodeling 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 Improvement: Will My Air Conditioning System Be Sufficient When I Do My Room Addition

Home Improvement, Room Additions

Will I Need A Larger Air Conditioning System Or An Additional One For The Room Addition?

The answer depends on how much additional air conditioning is required, how old the existing system is, and whether you want a back-up system if the main system has a failure.  Sometimes it’s a matter of personal choice.

Common Myth

Bigger isn't always Better

Bigger isn’t always better!

Before expanding on each option, a typical notion must be dispelled.  Air conditioning is a prime example of where more is not better.  Having too large of an air conditioning system can cause the formation of mold and mildew.  This is because an over-sized system will cool the house down quickly and shut off, but not stay on long enough to remove humidity from the air.

Industry Change

Manufacturers have stopped making one ton units due to a lack of demand.  One and a half ton units are often too large for an addition.  If this is the case, the existing system would need to be replaced with one that is one ton larger.  This is easier to justify if the existing system is 10 years old or older, but sometimes there is no other choice.

Alternative Idea

Provided the addition has at least 600 s.f. of living space, or if part of the existing house ductwork can be fed off the new system to reach 600 s.f., a separate system is the way to go.  If one A/C system goes down, you can always stay in the part of the house that has working A/C until the other one is repaired.  If you only have one A/C system and it goes down on a Friday night, you and your family could be miserable and fighting with one another, or out more money for a hotel room, if it doesn’t get repaired until Tuesday.

Questions?

If you have specific questions or need a home inspection, 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 Count
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