1. The Bed-Watchers. They come in every shape and size, but they’ve all got a couple of things in common: they live in their pajamas and they are attached to their beds for no particular reason. One contractor was installing new windows in a bedroom and the lady of the house never left the room all day, let alone the safety of the bedcovers. She didn’t do anything, actually (not even sleep), except watch the work for hours on end and get up to go to the bathroom. Another contractor was working on a master bath while the homeowners watched TV in matching bathrobes, bringing every meal to bed for the duration of the job, caring not for noise nor company.
2. Showing Off the Toys. The contractor in this case was working on a flooring installation, where nothing in particular stood out … until the end of the job, when the homeowner asked him to retrieve a box from the closet. The box contained handcuffs, chains, explicit videos, and other “paraphernalia.” At this point, the homeowner asked for more upgrades to the home, including a bedroom swing. I guess this contractor passed the test for comfort level?
3. Kitchen Emergency Zone. Contractors are typically conscientious about keeping their job sites neat, but they don’t always get the same courtesy. One contractor, who admitted to living in a perpetual mess himself, was amazed at the conditions he once worked in. He said the house was so cluttered he could not see the rooms. He worked in a kitchen that looked like an emergency zone, with meals eaten and forgotten beneath more meals eaten and forgotten.
4. Fetch, Kitty! Sometimes, the only one left at home to greet a contractor during the day is the household pet. One pet in particular wanted lots of attention, and her favorite activity was fetching. You’d assume it was the dog, perhaps a golden retriever or border collie. But it was a cat, a petite one at that. According to the contractor, she was a calico, and she left her little rattling toy mouse at his feet all day until he threw it for her, at which point she’d fetch it and start the game all over again.
5. Secret Room … for Beanie Babies. Secret rooms are more common than you might think. You don’t necessarily need to build a whole new room, but conceal an existing room with a custom bookcase or other secret door. Reasons for a secret room include hiding unsightly closets, concealing valuables, or even creating a panic room for security purposes. One contractor built a custom bookshelf for a client’s secret treasure trough – of beanie babies!
6. The Haunted Victorian. It sounds lame, but if you think about it, a crowded house in the middle of the day should be far from scary. One contractor who was not superstitious coming into the project had thought nothing of the age of the Victorian home he was retrofitting, save for all the upgrades it needed. Word was that several deaths had occurred within the home’s walls over the years. After this contractor experienced tools moving from one room to another, even while working alone, he blamed it on his memory, but when one perfectly functioning door got stuck, only to open suddenly as he burst into the room, he got an official case of the creeps.
7. Mood Rooms. Let’s lighten things up again, with a colorful example of style from a Bay Area contractor’s experience. This painter was instructed to endow each room a different color, but we’re not talking tropical chic or even bold in a contemporary sort of way. We’re talking bright pink here, aqua blue there, florescent yellow there, and the list went on. Each room featured its own unique trim in equally bright, random, and unmatching colors. The homeowner mentioned needing a “mood lift.”
8. Singing Moosehead. Ever see those stuffed toys dressed in Mariachi Hats that sing “Feliz Navidad” with the press of a button? This home had one of those … sort of. In true taxidermy style, the faux moosehead was hung just above the threshold. It sang “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” for every passerby, so this contractor grew to hate the song with a passion by the end of the project.

Photo Credits:
sergis blog
aprillynn77
joeltelling
David Boyle

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What’s the weakest link in a home’s thermal shell? You guessed it – windows. Even the most modern homes can suffer from window leaks. That’s why one of the first steps you can take to improve your home’s efficiency overall is to install replacement windows. But where to start?

Dan Wolt, President and Founder of Zen Windows, stopped in to provide the answer. Dan’s been in the business for 23 years, and his company has serviced all of Ohio for the past 12. You can bet his advice is solid. The following steps cover everything from glass selection to navigating energy efficiency levels to screening a potential window contractor.

1. How do I decide what type of glass to buy?

   Dan: The most important thing when it comes to glass is to make sure it is manufactured by a glass manufacturer that has been in business for at least 50 years. Also, make sure the glass has either two panes or three panes and is coated with low-E coating on every piece of glass.

2. How do I decide which window frame material to choose?

   Dan: Make sure that the window frame has fusion welded corners and an I Beam construction (the same one used for building bridges) as opposed to a chemical weld, which will break over time. Even worse is a mechanical weld, which consists of screws holding a window together.

3. How do I pick out the energy efficiency level?

   Dan: You can either go to the Energy Star website or my website explains it all. Most importantly, when speaking with your window reps, ask them for copies of materials on the glass packages and for energy efficiency ratings.


Photo credit: HomeWorks

4. Is there a simple way I can predict costs?

   Dan: No. Every home is different, so every installation procedure is going to be different. On top of that, although windows may look the same, each and every one is built differently and has a multitude of options. You can get a window installed for $150 or $1500 and they’re going to look the same; the difference is in how well it’s installed and how well it’s manufactured, so it’s really difficult to predict cost.

   On top of that, there are two types of windows. One is a stock window, such as a standard 48” by 48.” The other is the window you should be buying: a custom made window. You should buy a window to fit your home, not buy a window and make your home fit into it. This can harm your home, and it can be very intrusive when you start tearing apart walls. It might also end up costing you more.

5. How do I determine which window shape is most suitable for the room I’m remodeling?

   Dan: If you are replacing an old, existing window, you want to match your new window to the exact degree of the window currently in there so as not to be intrusive to your home and get into unnecessary damages. If you want to put a window into a wall that does not have an opening, the potential window shape is completely in the eyes of the beholder. Aesthetically speaking, you can do anything, as long as you have the right installer.

6. How do I decide on a window contractor?

   Dan: It’s very simple. There are 3 easy steps:

   1. First and foremost, make sure that the contractor is not taking a down payment. A contractor taking a down will teach you that 1, the contractor will take your money and not come back (worst case). 2, the company is capitalized. If it needs $1,000 to $2,000 to get a job going, it might not be in business that much longer. 3, if you give a down payment, once the contractor has profit in his back pocket, you’re held hostage to when the job is installed. 4, withholding a down insulates you from having anything wrong with project. If a contractor is willing to wait, you’re insulated knowing it will be done perfectly or you don’t pay.

   2. Make sure that the window that you are purchasing has been manufactured by a company that has been in business for at least 30 years because if a manufacturer goes out of business, there goes your warranty.

   3. The rest comes down to comfort level. Make sure you’re comfortable with who you’re dealing with. Do a Google search. If you put Dan Wolt Zen Windows in there, you’ll see that everything that comes up is positive.

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Finding the right match and filtering through the “bad apples.” Is this the homeowner’s job, or the contractor’s? Actually, it’s both, even though contractors get the bad rap most of the time. But a positive relationship has to work both ways. And believe it or not, contractors are screening you, too, even, and perhaps especially, in this economy, where every job counts.

I spoke with Bob Banaugh, Owner of Fischer Banaugh, to get the scoop from the contractor’s perspective. Bob likes to have a good gut feeling about his clients and pays attention to the little things during their initial meeting. He keeps in mind the following questions:

• Are the clients on time for the meeting?
• Do they treat me politely and respectfully?
• Do they listen to me and not constantly interrupt?
• Do I feel comfortable after the meeting, especially enough to feel that I could talk with them reasonably and realistically enough to deal with the problems and difficult situations that I know may arise?

The answers to these questions help indicate the way a client will treat the relationship in the future. “Neither of us is going to be happy if we do not feel good and comfortable with each other before the job starts,” Bob says. “We like to feel comfortable and appreciated with our work situation. We do watch out for potential personality conflicts. We want our clients to feel good about us being in their home and trust us. Every job involves an element of trust and we try to see that it works both ways.”

While a big part of Fischer Banaugh’s decision to select a job comes from the initial client meeting, other factors come into play, like the scope of work and whether or not it is a project that the company would enjoy doing, given other choices available.

“Given our abilities and strengths,” Bob says. “We want to do a high quality job and still make money. Given the current economy, this is a different work climate than we have faced before. We do expect to have to make adjustments in how we do business. We all have bills to pay.”

Honesty and professionalism are important elements throughout the process, even if the contractor must ultimately turn down the job. “We try to be as honest and straightforward as we can. Sometimes we will tell them right after the initial meeting. Sometimes we ask to get back to them so we can discuss it before we decide. It depends on what we feel will be the best way to handle it.”

At that point, Fischer Banaugh may refer the homeowners to other contractors, discussing reasons for the denial in the most diplomatic way possible. The results of this conversation can be unpredictable.

“Interestingly, sometimes we have taken the job after having told the client that maybe we are not right for them. The discussion becomes real honest and the tone of the meeting changes when you turn down a job and the client wonders why. This is not a strategy, but it can happen.”

Bob Banaugh believes that being selective in the work he chooses has contributed to the company’s success. “Everyone needs to make their job selection based upon what is best for them. We have found that selecting the right jobs makes our quality of life a lot better. Selecting the right job allows us to enjoy our work more and earns us a positive referral from our client. We are not stuck doing a job that we wished we would not have taken. We then have the opportunity to go after the right job for us. Being happy in your work, getting positive referrals and peace of mind, that can only help lead to a more successful business.”

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There’s no denying it’s a buyer’s market, and not just any buyer’s market, but the “best of times” for the consumer and the “worst of times” for builders and remodelers, according to NAHB chief economist David Crowe. Why do homeowners have everything going for them today, as opposed to last year? In fact, a combination of factors have come together to create the golden ticket for home makeovers, and taken as a whole, the picture looks pretty bright, if you act soon.

In honor of National Home Improvement Month, here are 5 reasons you should invest in home improvement — right now.

1. Building material costs are at record lows.

Photo credit: onecog2manyAccording to the Producer Price Index released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the price of materials used in all forms of commercial construction dropped in the past year. With the nationwide slump in new construction, prices for several building materials such as structural steel, plywood, and lumber have gone down along with demand, and overall construction costs have fallen between 10 and 20 percent.

2. Builders and contractors are vying for your contracts.

Falling material costs aren’t the only thing you can take advantage of; labor prices are also being discounted left and right. Remodeling pro Randy Angeloci, President of Home Pro Inc., has been in the industry for 45 years and says he’s now charging his lowest prices in five decades, and other remodelers are doing the same. One couple featured in the New York Times got their second bathroom at a 30% discount. At the same time, you can enjoy a more hands-on approach from contractors, including company owners, who were way too busy during the real estate boom to give you the time of day. Today, if you have the money to put down, these same remodelers will come to you.

3. Investment value is stable, earning major returns.

According to the most recent Cost vs. Value report, exterior upgrades from vinyl and fiber cement siding to wood decks still earn over an 80% return. Window replacements and kitchen remodels also expect high rates of return close to 80%. When you take in the savings on your job due to discounted prices and the anticipated resurrection of the real estate market, you can sit quite smugly in your newly renovated home.

4. Get bigger payback on energy efficiency upgrades.

Here’s where Obama’s stimulus package comes in. Because $300 million went into Energy Star funding, you can receive a 30% rebate on upgrading your HVAC system or windows. Low-income families also get help with weather stripping and insulation through the Weatherization Assistance Program, and solar tax credits are still going strong.

5. Quicker remodel.

Get it done and get the construction crew cleared out so you can enjoy your newly renovated home. “Ahead of schedule.” You’ll hear that more often now that contractors have much more time on their hands to focus on you.

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It’s not often that you come across the exceptional, and when you do, it’s something you want to pass on and share. That’s the idea behind our new sister site, Best of Remodeling (BOR), designed to showcase innovative, noteworthy remodeling projects and ideas from around the globe.

We decided that the time to branch out was long overdue. At Best of Remodeling, homeowners and construction professionals, aficionados and amateurs alike, both under or out of the CalFinder umbrella can trade ideas or plain show off. As a community forum, BOR encourages reader participation and feedback in order to be a valuable resource chock-full of the most relevant, timely, and useful information for home remodeling enthusiasts everywhere.

BOR is now accepting entries on custom, high-quality projects to spotlight on our showcase, whether it’s quirky and inventive or modern and high-class. BOR seeks talent from every spectrum; tell us about the nationally recognized remodel you just finished or give your local, neighborhood professionals the credit they deserve. This is a launch you won’t want to miss — check it out, get inspired, or better yet, get involved!

Submit your outstanding work here.

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1. Vacation at Home, Especially with a Cabin-Style Game Room

Photo credit: http://www.alakecabin4u.com/

2. Keep Away the Blues

Photo credit: http://www.allphasepools.com/

3. For a Year-Round Holiday Theme

Photo credit: http://myholidayhomerental.com/

4. You Have the Space, So Make the Room

Photo credit: http://www.costco.com/Home.aspx

5. For Country Coziness at Play

http://www.firesidechalets.com/

6. You’re an Entertainer at Heart

Photo credit: http://www.inclinetahoehomes.com/

7. A Game of Pool Brings Out the Sunny Side in You

Photo credit: http://imagesus.homeaway.com/

8. For the Elegant Simplicity of a Clean Shot

Photo credit: http://www.avalonloghomes.com/

9. There’s No Telling What You Can Do

Photo credit: http://www.floridavacationvillas.org/

Get free estimates from top-notch contractors for your new pool room!

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Photo credit: Thomas Custom Builders, Inc.

Rick says there are many more components to a house than say, a shopping center, and the specifications and materials for a home are typically of a higher quality. While the same attention goes to both project types, Rick says general contractors for remodeling projects have to do more than commercial contractors.

Photo Credit: Thomas Custom Builders

“Remodeling is more difficult than building new, and residential contractors need to have greater knowledge … of in-house work, demolition, and carpentry. There are so many components to a house and there is interaction with every trade from beginning to end,” Rick says.

In business for 31 years, Rick takes pride in having a wide body of knowledge that comes from putting the time and attention into getting educated in the industry. This allows for work to come together more seamlessly, as he can plan for the time and space that subcontractors need.

Photo credit: Thomas Custom Builders, Inc.

“We make it easier. We know exactly what comes before and after without causing them trips. In the long run, we all do a better job for less money, without compromising quality.”

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Here are some down-to-earth examples:

Not sure how the space under this green roof is being used, but it makes you realize all the unused potential of your carport.

Photo credit: http://croom.wordpress.com/

Why not create a garden on your garden shed?

Where does the roof stop and the hill begin?

Photo credit: http://www.marigreen.cz/

Here’s what I meant by wild?

Photo credit: http://realneo.us/

Can you picture this on your cozy cottage?

Photo credit: http://www.techniques-flat-roofing.co.uk/

Lovely little landscape on this flat roof.

Photo credit: http://www.livegreencincinnati.com

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This archway brings country living up a notch or two.

Photo credit: Country Living

Archways like this create seamless transitions from room to room.

Photo credit: Livingetc.

Notice how designer Denise Richards incorporates multiple arches in this Mission Revival.

Photo credit: My Design Secrets

Who says log homes can’t be exciting? Archways like this create instant appeal.

Photo credit: Canadian Log House

A creative use for the outdoor archway: nestle your breakfast nook.

Photo credit: Window on Cyprus

Archways make the best frame for a beautiful view.

Photo credit: Accord-Kerkhokson.com

Multiple archways show you can never have too much of a good thing.

Photo credit: 5Oaks

Can I move here please?

Photo credit: Wallpaper Murals

In the garden, archways are hopelessly romantic.

Photo credit: World of Stock

Start with the basic arch shape, then get creative!

Photo credit: Fine Home Building

With the right archway, you can forget about doors altogether!

Photo credit: Heath Farm

Shot out to the newest member of our blog team, Taylen, for his help with the post!

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In other CalFinder news, we recently included two new writers to our team. Jennifer is an accomplished remodeler, writer, and blogger who lives in the countryside, and Tim is sports writer and television producer with a penchant for home improvement and history. We’re excited to include their lively perspectives to the blog, so look out for their posts!

Now, it’s your turn. Are there subjects you’d like to know more about? Got an idea for a blogpost? Want to tell me about an innovative remodeling company or product that you know of, maybe one you started? Send in a comment or email renee@calfinder.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Your CalFinder editor,
Renee

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