Construction Deal Update

At ConstructionDeal.com, we get a lot of people posting their jobs with us. Most are pretty normal, but some are downright strange.

So far, this has been my favorite:

"I need a plumber to come over and remove my neighbor's head from my toilet. Apparently, you're not supposed to give a woman with hair longer than 2 feet a swirly. Who knew?"

Here's a little trick to tell if you're dealing with mold in your home. If you have a small patch of black, green or gray colored spots, Frank Foreman, of NO ODOR, Inc., has a smart tip to determine whether or not it is mold: put some hydrogen peroxide on the growth and watch the reaction.

Almost everyone has one of those brown bottles of the 3% hydrogen peroxide solution in their medicine cabinet, so he suggests putting it in a clean spray bottle and spraying the colored spots. If the solution runs down the wall and there is no reaction, then the spots are not growths of mold (it could possibly just be dirt.) Since mold is a living organism, when sprayed with the hydrogen peroxide, there will be an oxidation process. If you hit it and the growth starts to foam up with white foam, then you know you are dealing with mold.

Read the complete Mold Article in our Resources Section of the ConstructionDeal.com site.

If it turns out you do have mold and need an inspection or removal expert, Click Here to Find an Expert

Not that kind of stud. A wall stud. Whenever possible, always try to secure shelves, mirrors, or other slightly heavy items into a wall stud. But, you know that...

What you might not know is how to find the stud. Sure, you can cheat and use one of the electronic stud finders -- you place it against the wall and move it along until it lights up when covering over a stud.

If you don't have one of those, you go "low tech." Studs are typically 16 inches, center to center. Remove one of the wall plates from a light switch or electrical socket -- usually the electrical boxes are mounted to a stud. Look to see if it's on the right or left hand side and measure 16 inches either way to find your stud.

You can also check your baseboards. Most baseboards are nailed directly into the studs. If it appears the nails are about 16 inches apart, you've more than likely got the location of the wall studs.

You might be able to remove a lamp shade from a lamp and shine the bare bulb on the walls -- drywall is normally screwed into the studs and it can leave a seam. You can move the lamp around to expose highlights to see those seams.

I saw this little item in a remodeling magazine the other day. It's a microwave, that can be placed under a countertop, and it opens automatically. It says it comes in 24" and 30" models. You can also put it under a cooktop or wall oven. It says it can hold a 9" by 13" plate. It has an Auto-Touch control panel that is angled so it's convenient and easy to use. Click Here for Sharp's Microwave page.

I'm not sold on it. I think it might be too low (I'd have to get on my hands and knees to look through the viewing window) and difficult to use. But... it could be a great space saver in a small, tight kitchen. It would really free up counter space.

What do you think?

As far as I can tell, the Sharp unit costs about $900. That doesn't include installation. It comes in white, black, and stainless steel.

I've also found a similar microwave from KitchenAid. It's not necessarily a drawer, but it does have a pulldown or drop down drawer (similar to a standard oven.) As a built-in microwave, it could be considered more comfortable than the Sharp unit.

If you need to find a Kitchen Applicance Pro for your microwave purchase, consider Construction Deal and our network of kitchen installers!

With the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina upon us, and with a new season of storms moving in, it's important to remember something that most homeowners forget: flood insurance.

Most insurance policies do not specifically cover flood damage (usually only rain damage from water that enters from the roof and windows.) Also, check with your insurance supplier soon - most policies only cover a homeowner who has taken it out at least 30 days before disaster strikes.

Check out FEMA's FloodSmart page, which is the official site for the National Flood Insurance Program. If disaster does strike, don't forget to use Construction Deal to find a local Water Damage Restoration Company!

"So... what can your site, ConstructionDeal.com, do for me?" you ask.

Here's the short version -- we'll help you find a contractor (and save you time and money doing it.)

Here's the slightly longer version -- Let's say you have a remodeling or repair project and you need a professional to help you do it. From help building a new house all the way down to stopping that faucet leak in the kitchen. You have a few options to find an expert - you can ask a friend or family member for a referral. You can pick up your yellow pages and thumb through to find a few companies that have a pretty ad. Or, you can use a service like ours.

"How does using your site save me time and money?" you follow up. You're tricky that way. Always asking the good questions.

If you rely on the referral from your friend or sister-in-law, you end up calling only one company. That company might not do the type of work you need. And, you'll only be talking to ONE company. That means you'll get only ONE bid on the job. You might pay too much, n'est pas?

If you have to pick a few random companies from the phone book, you have to spend time calling them all up, qualifying them over the phone to make sure they can do the job, and then you have to wait for follow-up calls. You might even need to pull a few more names out of the book and call those up. Takes a lot of time.

What our site does is this -- you post your project under the correct category. You choose how many companies you would like to call you. You provide an accurate description of what the project involves (thus, qualifying the contractors), and then you sit back and wait for them to call you. Nice, huh?

Anyway. That's what we're all about. Matching you up to service pros. If you need some work done, post your project -- for FREE -- and decide on the best bid, from all the contractors, to have the job completed. Simple.

If you don't need anyone right now... be sure and bookmark our page.

"Thank you," you say.

You're welcome.

Click Here to post a project!

Labels: Find a Contractor, Home Improvement, Home Repair

I’ve already posted a few links, over on the blogroll, to some blogging sites. But I wanted to spread the love and let you all know what some crazy people are doing. They're writing about their home renovations. In other words: House Blogging. House blogs are online journals the homeowners keep while they renovate or restore their houses (as if doing a lot of the work themselves weren't tiring enough.)

House in Progress is the popular online diary of a family renovating their 1900’s bungalow in Chicago.

At 1902 Victorian, they’re working to take their “old house out of the disco era and back into the Victorian.”

Domicile – this blog covers the “domestic musings” from homeowners in Canada which can cover anything from home renovation to gardening and even cooking and recipes.

House Made chronicles two Bay Area women's purchase and revitalization of what they describe as "a neglected 1922 Pueblo/Spanish bungalow in Oakland."

Finally, there is a central hub for some of the DIY house bloggers out there, called HouseBlogs.net, that is a directory for over 300 House Blogs.


My favorite house blog title? This Old Crack House about the adventures of turning a... well, a crack house into a home.

Looking to renovate your old home? We can help save you time -- post your project on ConstructionDeal.com's website and you can choose how many Contractors you would like to contact you!

AP Economics Writer Jeannine Aversa thinks so. The headline reads, "Existing Home Sales Drop to 2-Year Low" in this Yahoo Finance article. It states, "House hunters shied away from buying in July, driving down sales of previously owned homes to a 2 1/2-year low. The inventory of unsold homes climbed to a new record high."

"The new figures, released Wednesday, provided fresh evidence of how much the once-sizzling housing market has cooled."Existing-home sales dropped 4.1 percent in July from the previous month to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 6.33 million units, the National Association of Realtors reported. That was the lowest level since January 2004."

The article has this little gem, too: "Meanwhile, the inventory of unsold homes in July rose to a record high of 3.86 million. At the current sales pace, it would take 7.3 months to exhaust that overhang. That is the longest period to exhaust the supply of homes since the spring of 1993."

The Bosch AquaStar tankless water heater is the exact reason that I cannot wait for my old water heater to die a painful and horrible death. What's so special about tankless water heating? Most people don't seem to know it, but tankless heaters save space, save energy, and can give you a ton of hot water that almost never runs out.

Bosch has a model of the Aquastar, the 250SX, that can even give you enough hot water to supply two showers at the same time. It can run on either natural gas or propane. It saves on energy, running from around 82 to 87 percent efficiency, because it has no pilot light that must stay lit at all times. It has temperature-limiting protection to prevent the appliance from producing water that's hot enough to scald. It costs about $950 and has a limited warranty that covers some of it for 12 years.

Now, if I could just get my old tank to keel over.

It. Just. Won't. Die.

It's been running for, like, 20 years and refuses to give up. Maybe I'll go kick it now...


If you're in the market for a tankless water heater, talk to one of our specialists in the Construction Deal network. It's a free way to find a local expert!

One of my favorite shows is House Hunters on HGTV. Yeah, I know -- it's sometimes very staged, with homeowners being shown homes that aren't on the market and such. I like it. Most of the homes are in my neck of the woods, my friend is a show editor, and I worked with Suzanne on a film project a few years ago (she's a very funny stand-up comedian, by the way.)

The one thing about the show that always disturbs me is when the prospective homeowner is viewing a house. They'll walk into a loudly bright fuchsia room or one with pitiful wallpaper from the 1960's -- and they'll declare that they don't like the room. Or the whole house. I guess it was odd to discover that some people don't see the potential of a house when they're walking through it. Like everything must stay exactly the way they bought it... so it has to be "perfect" before they'll move in.

I could see if a master suite was too small. Or if the property had no garage. Room additions and moving walls ain't easy. But replacing a countertop on a dated 70's bathroom-from-hell is not that hard.

Do you have problems "visualizing" the potential of a house? Does it have to be "move-in ready" or you wouldn't buy?

Yep, it's possible to use old jeans for insulation! One company, Bonded Logic, is using recycled denim to make a natural cotton insulation for homes.


Why bother? What's wrong with fiberglass? Well, fiberglass insulation is made up of tiny fibers (like asbestos) and chemicals - both of which can make their way down into your home (and your lungs.)

Over at Inhabitat, they've got a great article on insulation alternatives.

Also, the all-about-Brooklyn blog Brownstoner has a photo of the lead actor from the HBO series Entourage, Adrian Grenier, showing off his recycled denim wall insulation:


If you're looking for an insulation installer, check out Construction Deal. We'll help you receive several bids from local companies, which can save you time and money.

Some more tips on Acid Stained Concrete Flooring from Joe Welch at Stained By Design in Louisiana - "As you know, Stained Concrete Floors are growing in popularity. While once reserved for restaurants and stores, stained concrete is becoming more popular in the home. People like the beauty of the surface and the benefits of a surface that doesn’t hold dust.

However, there is one problem with transforming your dull Gray Concrete into an Acid Stained Floor... Once you make something pretty, you notice when it is dirty. Stained Concrete floors should be considered a "Low Maintenance" floor Not a "No Maintenance" floor. This information will give you the knowledge needed to keep your surface looking its best.

Your Custom Interior Floor will last a lifetime if properly maintained. Plastic glides, felt pads, or "Magic Movers" should be affixed to heavy furnishings or those which will move frequently. Use the same precautions you would use for a Hard Wood Floor. A doormat at the outside (Hemp or Rope style) and inside entrance (one with a solid backing that can be shook off outside) of a home will pick up over 85% of the dirt that would otherwise be tracked inside.

One important thing to mention about your walk-off mat is how to choose one. For the first month, an open-back mat such as a carpet remnant should be used while the sealer/finish cures. Plastic-backed products should NOT be used for your mats. An acrylic or plastic backed mat can cause discoloration under and around the mat. This phenomenon is called Plasticizer Migration. This is caused when a plasticizer in a floor mat or floor material transfers itself (migrates) into the floor finish or sealer. When you pull up the mat, you may be tearing up part of your sealer. If a solid backed mat is used, it should be a mat with a backing of 100% Rubber material.

ACID STAINED CONCRETE FLOORING CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

Daily Dust Mopping

Dusting removes the fine dust and grit which can grind away floor finish. It will help prevent major floor finish deterioration caused by normal foot traffic. The best results are obtained by using a Micro-Fiber Dust Mop. The following procedures should be followed:

1. Dust mop the floor in one continuous movement without lifting the mop off the floor. Overlap your stroke on each pass (you can also vacuum but without the brush turning.)

2. Clean the dust mop after each use by shaking it outdoors; clean it with a brush over a garbage can, or vacuuming it.

3. NEVER use a "Swiffer Wet-Jet" type of cleaning tool. The liquid in these devices contain trace amounts of solvent material. The solvent will not harm the sealer but will cause the wax to egg-shell. Also, you should not use ammonia, bleach or Pine Sol.

Damp Mopping

1. Damp mopping with cool water and a neutral PH cleaner extends the floor finish life. It will not dull the finish and will enhance the gloss retention.

2. Follow the recommended dilution rates on label directions.

3. The mop should be wrung out tightly so that it is just damp. Do not allow the cleaning solution to puddle.

4. NEVER use a "Swiffer" type of cleaning tool (I know this is a repeat from above but I must state this again.)

Waxing

Wax is the sacrificial coating to protect the sealer and bear the brunt of the scuff and scratches. Your floor should be finished with 4 coats of wax on top of the sealer for additional protection. When this is done, the wax coats bear the brunt of the traffic load and preserve the concrete and sealer. It is much easier to apply a refresher coat of wax than it is to reseal a floor. Use a commercial-quality floor finish of at least 20% solids material as the final coatings. Never use Mop-n-Glo or similar wax products. These quickie products do not have the durability to last for very long.

1. How often you need to re-wax depends on the abuse you, your children or pets put on the floor. It varies by owner and may be anywhere from every 6 months to every year.

2. Use a looped-end Rayon mop -- synthetics release material cotton absorbs.

3. Pour a dinner-plate sized puddle on the floor and spread it evenly and thinly. Spread the material across the surface and let it dry for 1 hour. You are now ready for foot traffic again."

If you need to find a Decorative Concrete Specialist, use ConstructionDeal.com - we've got a whole network of nationwide concrete experts! Save time and money and let contractors bid on your project.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Decorative Concrete Overlays
Acid Stained Concrete Flooring 101
Acid Stained Concrete - Exterior Care

Labels: Acid Stained Concrete, Decorative Concrete, Floors

How can all those TV show contractors, who claim to be experts, find time to actually get out there to build anything? I found a great new site that claims it is the "Antidote to Home Improvement Television." It's the Remodeling Repartee blog and they ask the same question and many more. Check it out.

I love how there are numerous versions of previous blog posts titled "Why I Hate Home Improvement Television." Fun stuff written by two women who are out there doing it.

Every year, the cycle continues. Kids get older and finish school and head off to college or the world beyond. With each generation, you've got parents who are becoming "empty-nesters". These are the folks with a new empty bedroom or two in their homes. And many don't have plans for that new room...

The trick is -- to renovate the empty nest bedroom as fast as possible... before the kids try to move back!

But, what do you do with that new bedroom? Using it for storage is a complete waste. It can be anything for you -- a specialty room that could fulfill an old dream or that's always been on that wishlist.

The Construction Deal Update has a few ideas on what you can do with the room:

• You can leave it as-is, dusting it occasionally, to let Junior sleep there when he or she comes back to do laundry. Bad idea. The room could be so much more. Try to think about any of your current hobbies or pastimes. Could the room be used for one of your hobbies?
  

• You could do the obvious and convert it to a guest room. Junior won't like it but it's still a place to crash. A guest room will certainly come in handy... every once in a while.
  

• Go the Specialty Room route. Are you an Arts & Crafts person? Do you sew, scrapbook, paint, draw, or sculpt? The room could be a studio for your crafts. You could add tables, desks, lamps, and shelving for materials.
  

• Use the room for a Home Gym. Add exercise equipment and a few mirrors. Perhaps a stereo system left over from Junior for motivation.
  

• Personal Rooms are big now. Sometimes the husband gets the garage or basement but the wife doesn't have a personal room of her own. Or vice versa. The room could be a library or den for reading, meditation, yoga, or just quiet time. And only you would have the key.
  

You've done your job with Junior... now it's time to work on you. Unleash your creativity on the empty room. Then you'll have no excuse for not pulling out those boxes of photographs and tackling that photo album project you've been talking about... for years.

RELATED ARTICLES:
Interior Design: 7 Furniture Shopping Keys
Home Remodeling Cost Estimator
Interior Design Trends for 2007

If you don't know what to do with your new room, you might consider consulting an interior designer. A designer could give you plans and ideas for just that one room, at a very modest cost. It might even be just to change room colors and window treatments. If you'd like to talk with a local interior designer, post your request with Construction Deal today. We'll match you with several in your area and it's free to use our service.

Labels: Interior Design, Specialty Rooms

Where do you go, on average, eight times a day (2920 times a year!) and spend about 4 years of your life?

Your bathroom.

It's your place to unwind, to get ready for a night on the town, and just to brush your teeth. And, it's probably time for you to update your master bath. Make sure your bathroom remodel takes into account your needs and how you use the room.

Do you want modern, chic elegance or the practicality and roominess of two sinks so you can spread out? These days, the bathroom has become as important as the master bedroom or the kitchen. Everyone wants a bigger bathroom, so many are knocking out walls or adding on a whole new addition to the house. Personally, I'd love to have a bigger bathroom in my house, but it would mean knocking out a wall and losing a lot of closet space in the bedroom -- and that's not going to happen...

Whatever you decide to do to your bathroom, here are some fun new bathroom products available now:

Toto's new EcoPower Sensor Faucet has a max flow rate of a half gallon per minute (making it environmentally-friendly!) It employs an aeration system for efficient washing with an anti-scalding feature. To ensure that no water is wasted, EcoPower's sensor angles down into the lavatory bowl, and water will not be discharged until hands are placed directly in the sensor's path.

The Windward Bath Whirlpool from Kohler comes in 60" x 42" and 72" x 42" models. The features include: integral tile flange; ability to position the pump in multiple locations; individually controlled whirlpool jets; jets rotate 360 degrees and are 60 degree directionally adjustable; quiet pump/motor; with drop-in and integral apron configurations -- which means you can put it where your old bathtub is now!

Moving Color offers some really cool glass shower tiles that are waterproof and come in a variety of styles. They change color, moving through a color spectrum, when temperature is applied. They come in "Northern Lights," "Tye Dye", and "Watercolors" versions.

If you need to find a local bathroom remodeling company or a bathroom designer, consider Construction Deal.com.

We're your resource for a nationwide network of service professionals... and it's free to post a job with us. Saves you time and money (no more searching through the phone book and picking someone at random! More bids means you'll be able to choose the lowest bid!)

RELATED POSTS:
Bathroom Remodeling Options
Choosing the Right Bathtub
Budget Bathroom Remodeling Ideas

Labels: Bath Renovation, Bathroom Designer, Bathroom Remodeling

Everyone wants to make their home truly their own. Naturally, your creative juices never start flowing when you want them to, do they? Mine never do. I usually need something to jump-start the brain. Recently, I ran into a couple of design sites that I really like. Whether you're into fun artwork, funky furniture, or even modern home design... these blogs cover the latest trends. And everybody always wants the "latest trends", right? Take a peek and let me know what you think.


The first is design*sponge: It's a "daily website dedicated to home and product design run by Brooklyn-based writer, Grace Bonney." You can review new products or learn about the latest designer and ultra-cool "undiscovered" store. You can explore new decorating styles, new artists, and the art they create.


Also, check out Inhabitat: this site focuses on the future of design in technology, home interiors, and architecture. They look into sustainability, energy efficiency, and green products and materials that can affect us in our daily lives. And, of course, just because it's good for you, doesn't mean it can't look good as well!

Know of any other good design sites that inspire the imagination? Email us or post a comment!

If you need to find a local home improvement designer, consider Construction Deal! We'll help you locate an expert design company in your area.

Some of you may have heard of those who flip a house for profit. Others may even watch the TV shows, like "Flip This House" or "Property Ladder" and may be considering investing in real estate. What is House Flipping and should you consider doing it?

There's a lot of information out there on flipping real estate - some good and some bad - but it's very important to know that it's not easy, that you need to do your research, and that there is no secret formula.

What is it? Flipping a house is, simply, buying a house for below-market value, renovating it, and selling it for a profit. Is it legal? Yes. There are several forms of it, but the one considered here is where people buy an existing home and remodel it. And the remodeling is not so extensive that it eats into profits.

What about the "Housing Bubble"? The sale of new and existing homes is slowing and the prices will probably be coming down in most markets. It might not be the best time to break into the business. However, there are some markets where it's still a viable option. Also, after the markets stabilize, if there is a correction, it could mean the opportunity to start looking into real estate purchases again. And now is a great time to start doing your research for when you're ready.

How will I know when the time is right? Well... the old saying goes, "If you have to ask..." The point being that you need to know the real estate market where you're going to flip. Really know it. Inside and out. That way you're not overpaying on a property and eliminating future profit. Property values and prime locations are very hard to nail down and can change in just a matter of months or even weeks (even during your flip.) It could be very important to team up with a quality real estate agent who could lead you through the rapidly changing jungle.

Do I need to be an Agent or a Contractor? No. It wouldn't hurt to have the knowledge those professionals do. But if you're not a GC or Real Estate Agent, you'll need to know them. Even if you're handy with a mitre saw, "Time" is a house flippers enemy. You'll need help to monitor the markets, find properties, and to do the work. You'll need to hire a lot of subcontractors to handle the remodeling of the house to save time. Here's a tip - you can find subs for your flip on the ConstructionDeal.com website. You can select the various types of subs you'll need for the remodel on our Construction Deal Home Addition page. Paying a sub to do your stucco work will more than likely cost less than your next mortgage payment.

What will I need to fix in the Fixer-upper? You want to concentrate on buying a house that does not need a lot of structural repairs. You want a house that needs cosmetic changes - paint, trash removal, new counters, new flooring, and appliances. At best, you should only consider adding a bathroom as far as a floor plan makeover goes. Perhaps a new bedroom. Basically, you want to focus on remodeling the kitchen, bath, bedrooms, and basement. Adding copper pipes or a new septic system is not something that prospective home buyers will be able to see.

Should I have the property inspected? Absolutely! Get a professional to check for any plumbing, electrical, structural, and mold problems the house might have. Take the house off your list if means any long-term and expensive repairs to slow you down. The key to flipping a house is to turn it over in a short amount of time. You want to avoid making property tax payments and mortgage payments that will eat into your profits.

What else do I need to know?

- Have financing in place before you start, that way you have money to do your repairs and turn it over quickly.

- Make sure you have subcontractors in place and ready to start when you're ready. Have backups and backups to your backups so that you'll know the work will be done on time.

- Don't do more than you have to do. Protect walls, floors, patios during construction phase so you won't have to repair anything later.

- Don't fall in love with the house - it's a business and you're in it for a profit.

- Finally, don't put in an off-the-wall fixture or paint color because it's "to die for!" Just because you have eclectic tastes doesn't mean John Q. Public will like it. Modernize the house with granite counters and hardwood floors, but leave the red paint at home.

**The usual disclaimers apply - any type of investing is risky and no guarantees or warranties are implied in this information. Do your research and know that flipping homes is not easy and even many professionals lose money or only break even on their investments.**

RELATED POSTS:
How to Beat the Bursting Housing Bubble
How NOT to Beat the Housing Bubble
Flipping Houses: a Real Estate Investment Update

For your next remodeling, repair, or building project - use Construction Deal.com to find a local company or contractor. It's fast, free, and easy to use. Just post your project and wait for Contractors to call you!

technorati tags: home improvement, home addition, remodeling, renovation, home repair, building permits, building permit, do I need a permit, kitchen remodeling, deck installation, roofing, siding, replacement windows, contractor, find a contractor, general contractors, house flipping, real estate investment, house flip, house flipper, flip that house, flip this house, property ladder, hgtv, discovery home, real estate

Labels: House Flipping, Real Estate, Real Estate Investment