If it Doesn't Make Sense to Sell it Might Be a Good Idea to Remodel

Money. It is becoming the most commonly used word in today's economy. How much? Can I afford it? What is the wisest use of the dollars I have? All words being used around the kitchen table as American citizens are struggling to cope with the failures of every facet of the finances that control our economy. As we see our tax dollars being gobbled up for bailing out those who did not use financial prudence or responsibility as CEO's on Wall Street, the banking industry, and the automobile companies, protecting what little money or investments we have is the average citizen's main concern.

Homeowner's are in a special quandary. Their homes are usually the largest investment that they own. The uncertainty of the housing market combined with the banking industry's lack of moving forward to use their bail out money to make loans available leaves homeowners with precious few choices. Many are opting for renovating their existing homes rather than trying to sell; thereby accomplishing two things: living in a home better suited for their needs while waiting for the housing market to stabilize and/or once again becoming a seller's market. Others are left with the option of either renovating in order to compete with the millions of homes for sale or lose most or all of their equity and simply selling for the best price they can get.

A quick look at several of HGTV's most popular renovation gives us the right answer. It is always worthwhile to upgrade your largest investment: your home. These shows also give a proper perspective on how much to spend where in order to get your money back when you do decide to sell. Any renovation, large or small, that adds value to your selling price can be accomplished with the right guidance from a reputable builder who will keep you on track of doing what must be done at a cost that will give you a profit, sometimes even double the amount you spent, when you sell.

To get the biggest bang for your buck, upgraded kitchens and bathrooms are first on the list. Functional and luxurious kitchens and bathrooms steal the show and, just like first impressions coloring what follows behind, the homeowner who wisely spends his money in these areas is certain to get a huge return on every dollar spent. Flooring and curb appeal are number two and three to grab the buyer's attention. Cosmetic changes, like paint and wallpaper; even knocking out a wall to make a room larger also add to the first impression eye appeal so necessary to entice a buyer to purchase your particular home.

However, first things first. Decide what you need to renovate and the budget you can afford. Then do your research and find a reputable builder in your area. The Internet can help you search and narrow down your choices. Your most important key to look for is to make certain the builder is insured and certified. Second, look for a builder with longevity. Any builder who has been in business for 10, 20 even 30 years tells you that they intend to stay in business; and, had happy clients along the way. Another key sign of a quality builder is the fact that they have a website that you can peruse as long and as often as you choose before you ever make contact. This allows you to compare other contractors and make a judgment of whom you want to call. A quality home builder will have a website easy for you to navigate while giving you the information you need to make your decision.

In northern Florida, Davis & Associates Builders Inc owned and operated by Fred Davis, offers quality built homes and renovations at either a guaranteed price or a cost plus basis. Free Estimates available for Contracting needs, please feel free to contact us 24/7 JaxBuild.com

Structural Framing Beams

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall - House Building Tips

Nails versus screws who will become the winner. When drywall first came out the installers used everything from regular steel nails to galvanized roofing nails. After a short amount of time they started to develop major problems from nails popping out of the finished drywall.

Nail popping results when the nail is driven into moist lumber and as the lumber shrinks the house settles and nail can actually pop out to the walls. Hard to imagine the nail could actually pop out of the drywall as the wood was drying out.

How far the nail would actually pop out was determined by how far it was driven in to the framing studs or ceiling joists. Well pretty soon drywall installers started to use ring shank nails to eliminate this problem. This worked great but these nails were hard to drive in and would often break.

As time went on the nails improved and were made out of galvanized metal with cupped shaped heads and came in a few different sizes. The size of the nail used was determined by the thickness of the drywall. These new nails worked great and had good holding power and eliminated a lot of nail popping.

Using nails means driving them in with a hammer. If you miss the nail you damage the drywall. This seemed to be a big problem and was virtually eliminated with the screws.

Well pretty soon people started using screws which had greater holding power and pretty much nail popping. Another advantage to using screws over nails is the simple fact you need less screws than you do nails to attach the drywall to the metal or wood framing.

This means less labor installing and finishing the drywall.

There is one problem with the screws and that is they have to be set perfectly. They can not break the paper surface on the drywall but have to be set enough into the drywall so that it can be finished properly. Most screw guns have an adjustable setting used to get just the right depth for the screws installed in the drywall. But this also was a problem when screwing into a hard piece of wood you can actually snapped the screw head off, strip the screw head or break the screw.

Nails on the other hand can bend while driving them into a hard surface.

Who wins the nails versus screws while installing drywall? I have got to give it to the screws. That doesn't mean the nails just got screwed or the screws just got nailed.

I couldn't resist. I actually preferred the screws over the nails except for when nailing the drywall corner bead on. Some drywall professionals use nails to hang the drywall and go back with a screw gun and some screws to finish the job. The nails sometimes seem handier than the screws when installing the drywall.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Carlsbad Home Improvement

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

How to Decorate Any Fireplace Mantel

This Christmas vacation, friends and I have decided to volunteer at the local RMCC House. I wanted to do something different with my vacation time this year. When I was much younger, my mother brought my brother and I here for months at a time. Both of us were ill with a rare blood disorder and the volunteers here made our visits a delightful experience. We spent many a holiday here, away from our home. One of the things that I remember fondly about these holiday visits was how much effort volunteer groups put in to decorate fireplace mantel in each of the large community rooms. For little children watching, this was quite the holiday occasion.

The giant Christmas trees would come out of the storage closets, bulbs and decorations appeared from their hiding places, Christmas villages were being created before our eyes and throughout all of this activity, food of all kinds was being delivered to the kitchen area. For a few normal days, sick children and their family members had a chance to be dazzled by all of Santa's helpers. Holly, small light bulbs, miniature statuettes, artificial snow and musical pieces of furniture, all found their rightful places to decorate fireplace mantel.

The fireplaces in this old, renovated farmhouse could no longer be used due to State Fire Marshall Regulations. In lieu of this, more efforts went to decorate the fireplaces with the use of pipe cleaners, velcro strips, string, beads etc... all kinds of whimsical, fanciful creatures come to life. Some folks brought hand painted fireplace screens. There were scenes of snowmen and reindeer having hot dog roasts and toasting marshmallows. So much fun!

Now, my college roommates and I are going to be the volunteers this time around. It will be a new experience for me being the care provider as opposed to the care receiver. Perhaps I will be able to bring a unique gift to children and their families because of all that I received in my time of need.

Simon Harris has tips about how to decorate fireplace mantels at http://www.fireplace-reviews.com

Need Help Remodeling In Carlsbad

How Do I Build a Sunroom?

If you love the idea of being out side and enjoy the sun but you don't want to deal with bugs, hot or cold temperatures, or allergies, building a sunroom definitely makes sense. It's a great place where you can enjoy the feeling of being outdoors without having to deal with all of these problems. You'll find that a sunroom is a great place to relax and enjoy yourself and it will also increase the value of your home too. If you want to build a sunroom on your own, here are some simple steps that will guide you as you work to build your own beautiful haven.

Step #1 - Find the Sunroom Site - The first thing that you need to do is to find the sunroom site. Take a look at your home, the area around your home, and where the sun is most of the time in relation to your home. Usually your sunroom should face as close to solar south as possible so that you get sun in the room all day long. Once you have decided where to build the sunroom, you're ready to go on to the next step.

Step #2 - Come Up with a Design - Now it is time for you to come up with a great design for your sunroom. If you're not sure where to begin, then consider looking online or in magazines at some pictures of sunrooms to get a good idea of what you may want your sunroom to be like. While you'll want to think about the appearance of the sunroom, remember that you'll have to build it, so you want to think about how difficult it will be to build as well.

Step #3 - Pick Materials - Once you have a design in mind, you'll need to consider the materials. Many times when you build your own sunroom, it won't be quite as energy efficient as sunrooms that are professionally built. So, you'll want to make sure that you go with materials that are energy efficient.

Step #4 - Decide on Windows Carefully - The windows that you choose to install in your sunroom should be carefully decided upon. Make sure that you know how energy efficient your windows are going to be and you you'll also want to check out the U-value of the windows as well. Consider going with windows that are especially treated to keep out harmful UV rays from the sun.

Step #5 - Get Some Professional Help - When you decide that you are going to build your own sunroom, there are many things that you can do on your own; however, in some cases you are probably going to need some professional help. You'll need to have a professional help you with the plumbing and electricity installation, since you probably are not a professional with these skills. So, don't be afraid to have some professional help with these important parts of sunroom installation.

For lots of sunroom ideas as well as information on sunroom windows and related topics visit TheDiyHomeGuide.com

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room

The den, the rec room, the family room...no matter what you call it, there should be one place in the home where the entire family can relax after a long day. If you are especially sociable, the room should be inviting and spacious, perfect for receiving guests, and equipped to entertain. Most definitely, a wet bar is needed for all your planned activities.

If you're not familiar with the term, a wet bar is simply a counter area or bar, recessed within the room or situated like a kitchen island, that features a working sink with running water. Unlike the standard kitchen sink, a bar sink is usually a small single bowl, often stainless steel, used for rinsing glasses and flatware or adding water to mixed drinks. Wet bars may also features miniature refrigerators for storage of wine and beer, and cabinets for glassware and other items needed for entertaining. For families who host gatherings on a regular basis, be they club meetings or a weekly football game viewing, having a wet bar offers a great advantage.

A wet bar takes some pressure away from the kitchen by allowing drinks to be stored and served where the party is, plus the host can save time using this service area rather than having to run to different parts of the house. Using a stainless steel sink for the bar allows for an attractive, sanitary workspace for your parties as well.

Regardless of the layout of your home, wet bars are usually simple to install. Hiring the proper plumber and contractor for the job is one step in the right direction, and an attractive countertop and accessories will enhance the look of your entertaining area. So if you plan to receive friends, family, or co-workers into your home, why not consider making them more comfortable with the luxury of a wet bar? This is one investment guaranteed to enhance the value of your home.

Kate Lively is a freelance SEO writer specializing in tips for home improvement, from buying the right stainless steel sinks to new carpeting.

Nailing Or Screwing Drywall

Follow Your Instincts When Looking For a Contractor

One of the most popular search terms on the Internet is the word "contractor." People are searching on how to find good ones, recommendations, reviews, and information to back up who the contractors actually say they are. The largest global topic about contractors is "how do I find a good one?"

If you're looking for a contractor, or have recommendations or names, the first step in getting to know someone who's going to be doing work in your home is to call them.

When you call them, set up a sit down conversation about your project. Remind them to bring their license numbers and credentials. Having them provide pictures of past jobs only helps you to see their individual style and how it might coincide with yours. This first meeting is for them to get an idea of the job and for you to feel out your reactions to them being in the home.

My first rule with this is simple: Trust your gut.

If you get a funny feeling having the person in the home, most likely it's not someone you're going to trust to have there and in the long term this can and will cause problems. Not only will they feel like you're trying to "watch their every move" through the whole project, you'll be uncomfortable with the whole process. Avoid this at the beginning, smile and nod, and kindly say "I don't think we're going to be a match."

Second rule: Once you find a contractor you get along with check their license number against the state records.

Simply put, there are many capable people out there who are trained to do your home improvement job the right way. There are also many capable people who don't really follow the rules. To further narrow down the field of people you're going to let do work in your home, compare their contractor license number against state records.

You can easily do this on most State's Public Safety Department websites as well as over the phone. This information will let you know who's up to date, keeping certified and if "everything is in order." Not to say that people who are carrying out of date license numbers are bad, but it means that the state won't protect you against something that goes wrong in the case that something does in deed go "off-plan".

Always trust your gut and always check the information they give you. Just two ways to keep yourself protected, prepared and on your way to finding the right contractor for your job.

Jacob Lee - pioneer basement
http://www.pioneerbasement.com

Saving Money by Using Photoluminescent Materials in Your Emergency Lighting

The use of photoluminescent materials in exit signs and other emergency lighting fixtures is an idea whose time has come. According to the US Department Of Energy, there are more than 100 million electric exit signs in use across the country, running twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. This adds up to a total of some $1 billion per year in energy and maintenance dollars, much of which could be avoided by using photoluminescent exit signs. These could save the owner of a typical building with 100 exit signs a cool $3,500 a year in direct energy costs. These days, that's nothing to sneeze at!

Photoluminescent exit signs can save your company cash in many other, indirect ways as well. They use no electricity, which means there are no wires to run or electrician to have on speed-dial. They also consume no batteries, even as backup power, therefore you won't be concerned with the hassle of failing batteries or the expense of replacing them. They require no maintenance, save for the occasional dust-off, so your staff is free to tackle other, much more pressing issues.

These signs have a life span of 25 years, so this is an issue and expense you'll not see again for quite a while. Once the time comes to replace them, they are easy to dispose of. They are 100% recyclable, and can simply be dropped off in the nearest metal recycling bin. If your emergency egress plans change, they are easy to move and remount. It can be accomplished in as little as 15 minutes. All of the above translate to substantial cost savings, both in terms of time and actual dollars spent.

For those companies unfortunate enough to have tritium exit signs adorning their building, the difference will be enormous. Tritium signs have huge disposal issues. They are radioactive, and are tagged and monitored by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Government regulations require that they be disposed of by licensed hazardous materials handlers, and the paperwork associated with maintaining them is considerable. Photoluminscent exit signs have none of these concerns.

U.S. companies that switch to photoluminescent exit signs can save not only thousands of kilowatts of electricity each year, but the equivalent of hundreds of millions of dollars in annual energy cost savings. This would go a long way toward making our energy stores much more sustainable, renewable, and long-lasting.

These exits signs are 100% reliable and will be there for you when the need arises. They are visible at a distance of up to 100 feet in dark or smoky conditions, and will stay illuminated for several days. This will contribute enormously to reduced panic and injury during emergency situations.

The market leader in this industry is a product called the Glo Brite Eco Exit Signs. Produced by Jessop Manufacturing, they can be found at GloBriteSystem.com. Give them a try, and see how much money you can save!

To learn more about how photoluminescent exit signs can help your company become more eco-friendly and save energy dollars in the process, visit us today at http://www.GloBriteSystem.com