To Dos: Your February Home Checklist

This February think about getting cozy, gathering with friends, enjoying more time for your hobbies and planning changes both big (like the sale of your home) and small (new paint colors). It may still be cold out there, but there’s plenty to do indoors. Here are 10 ideas to make the most of your month.

Supple Homes, Inc

1. Plan for a spring or summer home sale. With warmer weather and kids out of school, summer is a popular time to sell or buy a home. If you are considering putting your home on the market this year, it’s a good idea to start planning now. Interview real estate agents, make a list of home projects that need to get done to help your home look its best, and line up work so any major projects will be completed in time.

15 Questions to Ask When Interviewing a Real Estate Agent

Betsy Bassett interiors

2. Clean road salt from entrances. Road salt, melting snow, mud and grime can give the floors around entrances a beating this time of year. Clear away the clutter and give your floors a thorough cleaning. Then set up shelving or a tray to store boots near the door, and protect your floors with waterproof mats. Stash a few old towels in a basket near the door to quickly wipe up messes.

Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd

3. Clean interior windows. It may be too cold and icy to clean windows outside, but cleaning interior windows can still help boost light — something we could all use a bit more of during the winter.

4. Conserve energy and stay warm. Block drafts coming through cracks around doors with door sweeps or good old-fashioned door snakes. Keep doors shut to rooms you’re not using, and warm up with cozy rugs, throws and duvets.

Neat Method San Diego

5. Organize the craft area. If you enjoy crafting as a hobby, you probably find yourself doing more of it in the winter. And more crafting usually means more mess. Get a handle on your craft stash by sorting through your supplies and storing them in labeled bins, baskets and jars.

Nanette Wong

6. Clean the air. Treat your home to a few new houseplants this month to help boost interior air quality and add life to your home. Even if it’s cold where you live, try cracking open a window or two each day (even if only for a moment) to bring in some fresh air. Clean or replace furnace filters as needed. And if you have allergies or are concerned about the quality of air where you live, look into getting an air purifier as well.

Clear the Air: A Guide to Indoor Air Purifiers

C+M Studio

7. Give your bath a spa-inspired makeover. Details can make a big impact in a small space like the bathroom. Bring in fresh white towels, a new shower curtain and liner, and a few organic accents, like potted plants and a wooden stool. Then be sure to make time for a relaxing soak in your refreshed bathroom!

Atypical Type A

8. Pick up some paint swatches. Fight off winter doldrums by focusing on ways to enhance your home with color. Visit a paint store and scoop up swatches. Play around with potential color combinations by pinning your favorites to a bulletin board. By the time spring rolls around, you’ll be ready to break out the paintbrushes.

Nest Architects

9. Invite friends into the kitchen for “freezer cooking.” Make lighter work for all by inviting friends to participate in a day of cooking, with the express purpose of making dinners that can be stored in the freezer. Go in on ingredients and make a really big batch of chili, pans of lasagna or whatever strikes your fancy — just remind guests to bring their own containers to take food home.

10. Treat your home (and yourself) to fresh flowers. With Valentine’s Day this month, the markets are bound to be bursting with blooms — and often at good prices. Why not treat yourself to a weekly bouquet?

-Laura Gaskill

>>SOURCE

http://www.americanhomecontractors.com/blog

10 Things to Ask Your Contractor Before You Start Your Project

Remodeling or building a new home is a big financial and emotional investment. It can also be a big investment of your time if you want to be closely involved in the decision-making. Knowing what to expect before the project gets started will help you better prepare for the process. Here are 10 questions you should always ask your contractor before starting a home remodeling project.

1. What is our schedule? A schedule is more than just a start and end date. Having a schedule that outlines tasks and timing will give you a big-picture view of sequencing and deadlines for things such as tile and countertops. It will also give you a benchmark so that you know if things are slipping by a day or two.

With small projects such as kitchens and baths, schedule is everything. The cabinet lead time determines the start date and sub-trades need to be scheduled in quick succession, for instance. Don’t start without a schedule that tells you what days and times workers will be on site.

2. Who will be here every day? Depending on the size and structure of the company you hire, the answer could vary widely. Many remodelers use a lead carpenter system, where a staff member (sometimes called a superintendent) is responsible for day-to-day work on site, and often swings a hammer as well. Ask your contractor direct questions about who will be responsible for opening and locking up, who will supervise subcontractors on site and who to call on a daily basis with any questions.

Find a contractor near you

Ventana Construction LLC

3. How will you protect my property?  This is a conversation best had before demolition, not after you come home and find dust all over the house.  There are a number of dust-containment measures that can be taken, and talking about it ahead of time will provide you will a clear idea of how the construction area will be cordoned off from the rest of your home and how you'll be able to move through your house. 

There’s also the issue of stuff — all the books, furniture, drapes, delicate vases and paintings on the wall.  It’s helpful to remove them all from the construction zone. This includes anything hung on walls or sitting on shelves in adjacent rooms, since they can shake loose from persistent hammering.  If you leave them as-is, it will cost to have them moved and moved again to keep them out of the way, and you risk damage in the process.  It's better to move it all at once and know it’s safe and sound.

Ventana Construction LLC

4. How will you communicate with me? With every mode of electronic communication at your fingertips, you may have some ideas about how you would like to receive information about your project. Your contractor likely has specific ways he or she likes to communicate, too — daily emails, cloud-based schedules or maybe just phone calls.  Make sure you understand how you will be contacted and receive information. If the contractor's format doesn't give you what you think you'll need, agree on a method and format so that you’re not in remodeling limbo on a daily basis. Weekly meetings at a specific time are an effective way to make sure you see your contractor in person to get your questions answered.

Buckminster Green LLC

5. What part of my project concerns you? There’s always something unknown about a project, or an area that is most likely to trigger an immediate change order. Odds are, your contractor already knows what that is. Talking about it upfront and running some worst-case-scenario numbers or doing some early, selective demolition to get more information could be the best way to get a handle on what may be ahead.

6. What will happen if there is a change order? Change orders can be easily handled in your construction contract. A common way to document change orders is in writing, where the change in scope of work and the price are noted and signed by the client and contractor. Some contracts also note the change in schedule, if applicable. Make sure you have a plan in place to document the unexpected and expected changes that happen along the way.

7. How will you let me know I need to make a decision? There are many ways to organize a list of decisions — from spreadsheets, to lists, to notes on a calendar. But all of these methods focus on the same outcome: giving you clear direction about what and when you need to make a decision on something. Asking for a list and deadlines will help you keep organized and ensure you are able to shop for materials and make decisions in time to meet your contractor’s schedule.

8. How do I reach you after hours? Knowing how to reach your contractor on an emergency basis is just as important as your contractor being able to reach you. Exchange all your numbers — work, cell and landline — so that contacting each other won’t be a crisis in itself.

Ventana Construction LLC

9. When do I need to be available to meet? Even if you set up a regular weekly meeting, there may still be necessary additional meetings.  We usually schedule an electrical walk-through on the day the electrician sets boxes and can lights so that everyone can review their placement and function before wires are run.  Another key day is when the tile-setter works on layout.  There are a number of ways to set tile, and having an on-site meeting is the best way to make these decisions.  It’s also possible to have your architect or designerattend those meetings in your place.

10. What kind of documentation will I receive when the project is done? Contracts frequently call out end-of-project paperwork — lien releases, marked-up plans with as-builts on plumbing and other utilities, copies of inspection reports, etc. But there may be additional items you will find valuable: a full set of mechanical photos before insulation is installed, the operating manuals for installed equipment (and a personal lesson in their operation if you don’t know the basics), a list of subcontractors and contact info, care for things such as countertops and tile and a well-marked electrical panel. Confirming that you will receive these things before you get started will help ensure that you finish the project with all the information you need. - Anne Higuera

SOURCE

http://www.americanhomecontractors.com/blog

To Dos: Your December Home Check List

From prepping for winter storms to gift-wrapping (or cookie-baking) marathons, December is a busy, holiday-focused month. Make the most of it by planning ahead, setting intentions and focusing on meaningful events rather than trying to do it all. The weather outside may be getting frightful, but that just means it’s the perfect time to get cozy indoors with a mug of hot cocoa. Check off these tasks for an easier, safer and cozier month.

Awad + Koontz Architects Builders

Save

Email

1. Get ready for winter storms. Keep snow shovels, gloves, ice melt and window scrapers near the door. Mark the sides of your driveway and other key places with reflective poles, to help the snowplows see where to go. Even if it doesn’t snow where you live, it’s smart to keep the pantry stocked with food, bottled water, candles and flashlights in case of power outages.

Simple Pleasures: Stocking Up for Winter

Jeni Lee

Save

Email

2. Disconnect hoses. If you haven’t done so yet, shut off the water supply to your outdoor faucets. After shutting off the water, turn on the faucets outside to allow any water left to drain out. Then disconnect garden hoses, drain the water and roll up the hoses to store them inside.

3. Decorate for the holidays —and sort holiday decor for the future. When you pull out the holiday gear this year, pay attention to what you are passing over. If you didn’t use a decor item last year and don’t feel like putting it up again, do your storage space a favor and donate it to charity.

Illuminations

Save

Email

4. Make space for mucky boots, coats and scarves. If you have a coat closet by the door, clean it out to make way for bulky winter coats and boots. If you don’t have a hall closet, set up your own systems to handle mucky items. A boot tray on the floor, a bench for sitting on, wall hooks for coats and a basket for hats and mittens should do the trick.

5. Update emergency supplies. Put your mind at ease that you are prepared for emergencies by making sure you have a well-stocked emergency kit in the house and in the trunk of your car. At the very least, include bottled water, a hand-cranked radio, a flashlight and extra batteries, a cell phone charger, food, blankets and a first-aid kit. At home also keep your most essential documents in one easily accessible place.

Get Organized: First Aid, Emergency and Medical Supply Checklist

Sasha Meredith Designs

Save

Email

6. Boost home security. If you will be traveling over the holidays, use light timers for interior lights and ask a friend or neighbor to take in mail. If it’s going to snow while you are away, hire a service to plow or shovel your walkways. It will give the impression that your house is being lived in and make coming home much more pleasant. Even if you are staying at home, consider adding motion-sensor exterior lights to make it less inviting to potential burglars.

7. Check for drafts. Feel a chilly draft when you’re hanging out in the living room? Don’t just reach for a blanket; get out the weather stripping! Taking care of gaps that let in cold air can make a big difference in how well your home holds heat.

Jeni Lee

Save

Email

8. Set up a gift-wrapping station. Preparing early for the gift-wrapping frenzy means it won’t have to be frenzied at all. Stock up on pretty papers, ribbon, gift tags and tape — anddon’t forget to grab some plain boxes and gift bags for hard-to-wrap items, too. Set up your supplies near a table with enough room to spread out, and you’ll be ready to wrap.

Heide Hendricks

Save

Email

9. Give the guest room some love. Expecting overnight visitors over the holidays? Get your guest quarters shipshape now and avoid a last-minute rush to get ready. If you can’t remember the last time the guest bedding was used, it may need to be laundered. Clean the room, make the bed and include a few extra touches, like a fluffy bedside rug and a carafe for water.

The Cure for Houzz Envy: Guest Room Touches Anyone Can Do

One Small Room - OSR Interiors & Building Design

Save

Email

10. Set your intentions for the holiday season. Avoid the steamroller sensation that comes from giving in to too-high expectations this holiday season and commit to focusing instead on what is most important to you. If you have children, consider what you most want them to remember about the holidays at home once they are grown — and think back to what meant the most to you when you were young.

Tolaris Homes

Save

Email

11. Go on a holiday home tour. Most holiday home tours are run by local historical societies — look in your local paper for happenings in your area. This time of year is often the only time some of the loveliest historic homes are open to the public, and fully decorated for the holidays at that! Going on a holiday home tour is a great way to get into the holiday spirit … and maybe get some ideas for your own home.

SOURCE

http://www.americanhomecontractors.com/blog

Your November Home Check List

The weather may be turning chillier and the leaves disappearing, but with Thanksgiving and the winter holidays approaching, you’re likely to have a bustle of activity indoors. Get ahead of things this November by checking these 12 items off your to-do list, and rest easy in a cleaner, cozier home.

John Milner Architects, Inc.

Save

Email

1. Decorate for the season naturally. You don’t need to spend much (if anything) to bring a seasonal touch to your home. Hang a wreath on the door, and collect acorns and pinecones from outdoors to make a simple centerpiece that will last indefinitely. Bowls of apples, pomegranates and nuts in the shell make for easy (and edible) table decor.

DIY fall and winter wreaths

2. Make a donation to your local food pantry. Getting Thanksgiving meal essentials to families in need can make a big impact at this time of year. Check with your local food pantry before you go shopping to see what it is most in need of — it can be hard to keep fresh items that families need, like milk, in stock, so see which fresh items are needed. Of course, food pantries need support throughout the year, so consider making donating a monthly to-do.

Miller Design Co.

Save

Email

3. Schedule a preholidays carpet cleaning. Whether you rent a carpet cleaning machine or hire pros, getting rugs freshened up before holiday gatherings will help your home look its best. If you hire a carpet cleaner, consider having your upholstery done, too.

Whitten Architects

Save

Email

4. Set up a humidifier — and keep it clean. When you’re running the heater a lot, the air can get very dry. Using a humidifier puts moisture back into the air, which can help your space feel warmer and more comfortable. But be vigilant about keeping the humidifier clean — it can easily become mildewed, which can be harmful, especially for allergy sufferers.

5. Check the sump pump. If you have a sump pump to protect your basement in case of flooding, be sure to check it and make sure it is working properly before the November rains take their toll.

Awad + Koontz Architects Builders

Save

Email

6. Deep clean the kitchen. Cleaning everything thoroughly now will give you a chance to take stock of what’s in those cupboards and pantry before any major holiday cooking happens.

Clear expired food out of the pantry, fridge and freezer; clean appliances; and clean dust and grime from the light fixtures and range hood.

How to get a spotless, beautifully organized kitchen, step by step

Croma Design Inc

Save

Email

7. Organize closets. With bulky fall and winter clothes taking up more space, it’s natural for closets to get overstuffed at this time of year.

Take a day to clear through some of the clutter, and donate a bag of clothes to charity. Make sure there is nothing on the closet floors — use shelves, bins and hooks to store things and prevent future pileups.

How to tackle your closet’s mess

Hamilton-Gray Design, Inc.

Save

Email

8. Order holiday cards and update your contact list. Planning to send out holiday cards? Make it as stress free as possible by ordering early and gathering everything you’ll need in one place.

Take a half hour to make a list of people you want to send cards to, and check that you have the most current contact information.

Magnolia Homes

Save

Email

9. Check walkways, railings and stairs for winter safety. Clear away gardening supplies and anything else that’s in the way on walking paths. Check that railings and stairs are in good repair.

10. Keep furry friends safe. Keep pets safe by storing antifreeze and other harmful chemicals securely. And with shorter days and longer nights, winter is a more dangerous time for pets to be outdoors. Get a reflective collar for your dog, especially if he or she tends to escape or you live near a busy street, and consider keeping indoor-outdoor cats inside for winter.

Lands End Development - Designers & Builders

Save

Email

11. Have trees trimmed. Trees are dormant at this time of year, which makes it a good time to have the trees on your property professionally trimmed. Trimming trees helps prevent unstable limbs from falling and causing damage during winter storms.

12. Clear rain gutters and downspouts one last time. If more leaves have fallen since the last time your gutters were cleaned, be sure to have them cleared out one last time before winter. Leaves left clogging gutters and downspouts can cause water and ice to pool, potentially causing damage to your siding or even leaks. - Laura Gaskill

SOURCE

http://www.americanhomecontractors.com/blog