Test Your Basement for Radon Before Remodeling
If your basement remodeling plans include adding living space to your home’s lower level, it is imperative to test for, and if necessary, to mitigate for radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has been found to cause lung cancer. The EPA estimates that 1 in 15 homes in the U.S. has elevated levels of radon.
Radon is most commonly found in your home’s basement, where it collects after seeping through the small cracks and seams in your foundation and floor slab.
How Do You Test for Radon?
Testing for radon is simple, and Do-It-Yourself kits are inexpensive and widely available at home improvement stores. Testing kits measure radon in Pico curies per liter of air, or pCi/L, and the EPA estimates that the average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L. Although it is thought that no level of radon in your home is completely safe, it is worth noting that 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air.
If your first test indicates that your home’s level of radon is 4 pCi/L or greater, you should call a radon mitigation specialist. By using more accurate testing equipment, these specialized remodeling contractors can confirm your home’s radon level and recommend mitigation systems that can help solve the problem. Fixes can include sealing the cracks in your concrete floor with silicone caulk or installing a fan-driven venting system under your basement slab.
Sub-slab Venting Systems for Radon Mitigation
If a sub-slab venting system is the recommended solution, you will be glad that you tested for radon before the new basement flooring was installed. Cutting a trench in a basement floor is messy, difficult work, but it is the only way to place the needed vent pipe under the existing slab. The easiest conditions to mitigate are those prior to pouring a cement slab in your basement, but most often this situation is only available during new construction.
Because installing an active venting system requires digging up your basement floor and drilling through your home’s roof, it is recommended that you consult several remodeling contractors before beginning a project of this scope. Fortunately, a well-installed mitigation system can reduce the radon in your home to a worry-free and acceptable level.
Radon in your basement is a serious problem, but it can be dealt with successfully. Testing for radon in your basement is the first step on the path to a radon-free home.
6 Steps to Choosing a Masonry Contractor
March 18th, 2010 by
If you have concrete, brick, stucco, or stone anywhere in or around your home, you might eventually need to hire a masonry contractor for repairs and renovations. But where should your search begin? These tips can help you get started on the road to project success!
Choosing a Masonry Contractor
Many homeowners make the mistake of choosing a masonry contractor based on a low bid for their project. Before you start accepting those bids, check out the contractors and create a short list of those you might like working on your property. Here are a few tips on narrowing the search:
- Educate yourself. Learn everything you can about the requirements of your project. Start by exploring online forums, renovation and building sites, and other interesting tidbits that show up in a search engine. The more you know about your project, the better prepared you are to hire the appropriate contractor to handle the job.
- Ask around. You can find a wealth of information from those who have dealt with the same home repair and improvement projects. Ask coworkers, friends, and family about their experiences. Approach your neighbors and ask about that great retaining wall they just had built, or the recent repairs on their stone wall. If they are happy with the job, put their contractor on your short list.
- Check for certification. The Mason Contractors Association of America offers a certification program for masonry companies. Certification requires completion of approved classes, a comprehensive exam, and continuing education to keep certification up-to-date.
- Reputation matters! Check out masonry companies with the Better Business Bureau. Look online for reviews, but keep in mind that anonymous reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. Speak to vendors or supply stores about the people you are considering; who would they recommend?
- Meet face-to-face. Invite each masonry contractor on your short list to come out and look at the project. Are they enthusiastic about handling the job? Do they try to pressure you into expanding the project? Do you get a good feeling about them and their abilities?
- Ask for bids. If you are impressed with a masonry contractor, ask for their bid on the project. Try to get at least three bids for the work, then compare them. Remember that the lowest is not always the best. Compare warranties, guarantees, and other factors that might make one contractor rise above the rest.
Get that masonry work done right the first time by hiring a certified, experienced masonry contractor. You’ll be glad you took the time to get the best!
Affordable Remodeling Made Simple
December 5th, 2009 by admin
When you’re planning a remodel, no matter whether your job is small or large in scope, no detail is insignificant. That’s why, before you start knocking down walls or wielding a paint brush, you should consider all of your options, including whether or not it makes financial sense to remodel at all.
Start with a simple list. Prioritize your needs and wants. Collect photographs from magazines and Web sites illustrating examples of what you’re seeking in a home. Consider how you use your home and how you expect to grow in your home, as well as the furnishings you have. Ask: how energy efficient is my home and will I need to upgrade windows, doors, insulation and appliances?
These steps will help you envision exactly what you want–and determine whether the costs of remodeling your home will exceed what it would cost to move to a home that better fits your needs.
Budgeting Basics
Budgeting is a key factor in successful home improvement. Without a remodeling budget, it’s easy to get carried away with projects that, in the end, will improve neither the quality of your life nor value of your home. In fact, spending too much can put a real damper on what should be a positive event in your life. To determine a remodeling budget, begin seeking estimates for your remodel. Ask friends and family members for recommendations for local contractors. Contact at least three.
Contractors ought to be able to give you a high-end estimate that lays out how much it would cost to complete every item on your dream list, as well as middle and low cost options. Be sure to request that each item be listed a la carte to give a sense of possible add-ons down the road.
Do You Need Financing?
Once you have a grasp on the price tag, start crunching the numbers. A number of financing options are available through banks, including home equity lines of credit and fixed-interest home improvement loans.
If you’re handy, perhaps you’ll be completing some, or all, of the work yourself, which is not only satisfying, but also great for your bottom-line. Keep in mind your time constraints and the fact that about 30 percent of contractors’ remodeling jobs result from failed do-it-yourselfers, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Getting a job done professionally is often cost effective simply because it’s done quickly–and right–the first time.
Cost Saving Tips
Green remodeling is all the rage and for good reason. It’s good for the planet, good for your well-being and good for your wallet. New windows and doors, added insulation and energy efficient appliances can reduce your carbon footprint significantly and save you hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of dollars in heating and cooling expenses every year.
Yet another way to be green is to offset construction waste and save money by reusing and recycling building materials. Building material salvage yards offer a treasure trove of bath tubs, solid wood doors, hardware and wood flooring, among other items, all at a considerable discount. Avoid landfill fees and recycle your own construction waste by dissembling rather than destroying items you no longer want. Your trash may be someone else’s gold mine.
And for everything you need to buy new, remember that the current economic recession means you may be able to find excellent bargains. Beyond basic homeowner tax credits for energy efficency updgrades, many home improvement retailers are offering zero-percent financing for a year or more for customers making significant purchases. Some contractors might even be willing to trade services if you can offer something that’s valuable to them, i.e. an accountant might offer tax services or a veterinarian may swap animal care.
Remodeling is expensive and time-consuming. But it can also be highly rewarding: living in a beautiful and comfortable space is a priceless luxury. Avoid headaches and heartaches and make your remodel a good experience by doing your homework and taking time to plan and budget.
If you do these things, not only can your remodel be affordable, it’ll be some of the best money you’ve ever spent.
Thinking about Remodeling, Start With These Resources
Request Free Estimates from Local Contractors
National Association of Home Builders
Look Before You Leap: Home Improvement Cost Versus Return on Investment
December 5th, 2009 by admin
By Roger Diez
Now is an excellent time to tackle that home improvement project you have been considering. Due to the slow economy, cost of materials and labor are down from just two years ago. But if you have several projects under consideration, you might want to concentrate on those that will give you the best return on investment (ROI).
Remodeling Costs and Average Returns
Remodeling Magazine’s most recent survey of remodeling costs indicates that projects that enhance the exterior of your home are generally less costly and yield a greater return on investment than interior improvements. Projects like an outside deck addition, window replacement, and vinyl siding cost on average between $10,000 and $15,000, and return 76 percent to 81 percent of their cost on resale. Higher cost projects typically yield a smaller return. A master suite addition, second story addition, or major kitchen remodel have an average cost of over $100,000 and generally return between between 61 percent and 70 percent of their cost.
Regional Return on Investment Differences: Your Return May Vary
The numbers quoted above are national averages, but there are significant differences in costs and returns depending on where you live. Here is what you can expect in various areas of the country.
New England: High Remodeling Costs, Lower Returns
The highest cost of remodeling in the country is in New England, leading to a somewhat lower return on investment in this area of the country. Remodeling costs can range from 2 percent to 10 percent above the national average, but return on investment can be 2 percent to 10 percent lower than the national average. Homeowners in this region may achieve the best payback on remodeling costs by focusing on high yield exterior home improvement projects.
Southeast: Lowest Home Improvement Costs, Good Value
Remodeling costs in the southeast are the lowest in the country, and the return on investment is significantly higher for some projects. Your deck addition may cost almost $1,700 dollars less than the national average, and your return may be
Five Tips for Choosing the Best Electrical Contractor
December 5th, 2009 by admin
One of the most important parts of building or renovating a home is the work of the electrical contractor. The last thing you want is a problem with your wiring or even an electrical fire. When you are choosing an electrician, keep the following tips in mind.
- Know exactly what you want. You can make life easier on yourself and your electrical contractor if you know what you need from the very beginning. Are you hoping to “go green” with your renovations? Do you live in an older house that needs serious rewiring work? If you can guide your electrical contractor through what you want, the professional can then guide you through what it should take to get there.
- Listen to recommendations. Your neighbors, family members, friends, and even colleagues at work have probably dealt with an electrical contractor at some point. Who would they recommend? Once you start asking questions, you may find certain names pop up again and again.
- Do some serious research. Make a list of contractors, and then narrow it down. The best professionals should expect you to examine their reputation, so give them a call and ask if they have a list of former clients you can call. Most states require electricians to be licensed, so make sure those requirements are met, and don’t forget to check with the Better Business Bureau.
- Get a firm estimate. When you’ve narrowed down your list of electrical contractors, get estimates from each. A firm estimate can give you an idea of cost for parts, labor, repairs, and any other work that might be necessary to fulfill your electricity needs.
- Make the hire and then get out of the way. Check every aspect of the estimates and contracts to make sure you understand all the fine print, and then do what you can to make the job easier. Make sure the workspaces are cleared of any household items. If furniture may need to be moved, do it before the contractor shows up. The less “extra” work a contractor has to do, the faster the job should get done and the faster you can experience the warm glow of new lights.
The best electrical contractors got their sterling reputations by working many jobs over a period of years and delivering excellent work each time. Many of the best will be listed by contracting websites, such as Reliable Remodeler. Take your time and do your homework to find the perfect electrician for your particular job.
About the author: Shannon Dauphin is a freelance writer based near Nashville, Tennessee. Her house was built in 1901, so home repair and renovation have become her hobbies.
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Five Tips for Choosing the Best Electrical Contractor
Keep Remodeling Costs Real: Budget and Shop for Value, Comfort, and Style
December 5th, 2009 by admin
by Mary Butler
Remodeling materials can make up half the cost of a home improvement project. While you might want to pick trendy flooring or fixtures, be careful to consider what remodeling materials add the most value, comfort, style – and durability to your home.
It’s easy to dream about remodeling your home. Whether you’d love a new kitchen or you simply desire to personalize your space, remodeling is a way to add comfort and style to your home, as well as make your home truly yours. And, depending on where you live, upgrading your home can be a no-brainer investment in the future.
But before you jump into any project, begin with the basics.
Envision Your Remodel
You might know that you want to remodel a room in your house. But do you know how you’d like it to look? Spend some time flipping through magazines and surfing the Internet to find examples of the kinds of remodeling materials and styles that you like. Ask yourself: Do you want a sunken tub in the bathroom? What kind of kitchen countertops appeal to you? Do you want wood floors or would you prefer tile?
Being able to envision your remodel can serve as a helpful touchstone as you begin exploring how to fund and complete the projects you dream about. Knowing what remodeling materials appeal to you can allow you to speak intelligently to designers and contractors about what you want–and it may also give you a head start if you decide you want to do some of the work yourself.
Remodeling Costs
Create a realistic remodeling budget. The average remodeling costs for three popular projects, according to Better Homes and Gardens’ Remodeling Cost Guide, can give you an idea of what to expect: a kitchen project typically begins at $15,000 and goes up to $45,000, with an average remodeling cost of $26,888.
“National averages can’t account for problem plumbing setups or your taste for exotic countertops, but they can tell you that it’s unrealistic to plan on remodeling a whole kitchen for $7,000,” the magazine reports.
Bathroom remodeling generally costs between $7,000 and $20,000, with an average remodeling cost of $11,605. A family room addition may cost a whopping $50,000 to $90,000, with an average remodeling cost of $70,000.
The lesson here is that remodeling is typically expensive. You want to be thoughtful about how you proceed.
The Cost of Remodeling Materials
Next to labor, remodeling materials are traditionally your most expensive budget item.
When remodeling your kitchen, for instance, cabinets can make up half the cost. “Stock cabinets cost $50 to $200 per linear foot. Semi-custom cabinets with more finish and style options can cost two to three times more, and custom cabinets often cost five times more than stock cabinets,” according to Better Homes and Gardens.
Granite countertops usually cost far more than your standard laminate and a hand-blown glass vessel sink are generally more expensive than standard porcelain. But don’t let cost alone drive your decisions. Think about what materials can add the greatest value to your home. You might have to pay extra for durability and sustainability, for instance, but in the long run, those attributes often can more than pay for themselves.
And, sometimes, choosing high-quality materials that are also good for the earth can actually help your bottom line.
Shopping for Remodeling Materials
There are few more cost effective ways to remodel than by reusing building materials. Reuse construction yards are a terrific place to find porcelain tubs and sinks, solid wood doors, tile flooring, among other materials for a fraction of their original cost.
Be careful choose classic designs and colors when purchasing reused building materials. On that same note, avoid paying a premium for trendy items, too.
Consider the rise and fall of the master bath whirlpool tubs. Trendy items are not only expensive when you buy them, they can also severely date your home (remember orange shag carpeting?), lowering the desirability of your home when you try to sell it.
Mary Butler is Colorado-based freelancer. Mary Butler writes about homes and gardens.
Better Homes and Garden