Category Archives: Homeowner Tips
‘Green’ Your Home Well Beyond St. Patrick’s Day
Written on February 16, 2012 at 1:53 pm, by sthbra
By Marc Mazzei President, Southern Tier Home Builders & Remodelers Association In March, many Americans celebrate St. Patrick’s Day by attending parties, wearing green clothing, and even bedecking their homes with green shamrock and leprechaun-adorned decorations. With nearly 37 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry (according to Ancestry.com), that’s no surprise. But what may surprise you are the many ways that you can “green” your home that will last well beyond March 17, and save you money on utility bills year-round. Here are a few recommendations from NAHB Remodelers to home owners who want to increase their home’s efficiency, decrease costs, and take advantage of the other benefits of “greening” your home. • Add insulation Adding insulation will help save energy costs, increase comfort by better controlling temperature, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating many gaps through which dirt, dust, and other impurities can enter. Insulation is rated by its ability to resist heat flow, known as the “R-value.” The higher the R-value, the better its ability to resist heat flow. • Install high-efficiency windows [...]
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Hiring A Professional Remodeler
Written on February 16, 2012 at 1:50 pm, by sthbra
The decision to hire a home remodeler can be intimidating. This section will give you the tools and inside information on finding, evaluating, hiring and working with a remodeler. Your home is your biggest investment, and the best way to protect it is by hiring an ethical, professional remodeler. Let’s get started! Find a Professional When you hire a remodeler, you are buying a service rather than a product. The quality of the service the remodeler provides will determine the quality of the finished product and your satisfaction. Get a List: The first step to hiring a professional is to build a list of candidates, and flipping through the Yellow Pages is not the ideal method. Learn the best way to begin your search. The Inside Scoop: Once you have your list of remodelers, how do you properly evaluate their credentials? Get the inside information on what to ask and look for in home contractors. Evaluate References: You don’t want to just question the remodeler, but also learn first hand from the remodeler’s current and [...]
Flood The Tier With The Sound Of Music!
Written on December 7, 2011 at 11:01 am, by sthbra
$10 General Admission Tickets are available at the Arena box office or at Ticketmaster outlets. Children 12 and under are FREE Local Flood Victims & Relief Workers recieve free admission. Please pick up your vouchers from the Broome County Council of Churches: 3 Otseningo Street, Binghamton. Line-up (main stage) 12:00-12:30 Cheating Intention 12:30-1:00-Zarni (\1:15-1:30 Broome County Pipe & Drum Band (Floor) Headline Performer 1:45-2:30 Shawn Gallaway 2:30-2:45 GleePac (Floor) 2:45-3:30 Scott Freeman Band & The Revival Horns 3:45-4:30 Eric Ross 4:45-5:15 Lo-Fi Resistance 5:15–5:30 BHS Steel Drum Band (floor) 5:30-6:00 Jared Campbell •Local Restaurant “Tastings” •Ross Park Zoo-mobile •Face Painting •Balloon Animals •Local Mascots •Jugglers •Clowns •The Magic Paintbrush Project •Bag-Pipers (1:15-1:30pm) •Belly-Dancers •Irish Dancers •50/50 Raffles •Silent Auction •Photos taken with Santa on a Harley! •Holiday Craft Vendors
Flood Victims: Beware of Unscrupulous Contractors
Written on October 7, 2011 at 10:21 am, by mike
We can be proud that neighbors in our area have pulled together to help each other after our recent floods. Now, it’s time to pull together again as we try to rebuild lives and homes. On behalf of Southern Tier Home Builders & Remodelers Association, we’d like to warn you about another potential disaster: unscrupulous contractors. Beware Of These Warning Signs: You’re told that on this job, a contract “won’t be necessary.” You’re asked to pay for the entire job “up front”—or pay cash to a salesperson instead of a check or money order to a company. You are confronted with scare tactics. You’re told you’ve been “chosen” as a demonstration project at a special, low price. You’re told a low price is good only if you sign a contract today. The contractor won’t give you references—or the references can’t be located. You can’t verify the contractor’s business address. Need Help Finding A Contractor? If a contractor you feel is not being upfront has contacted you, please contact Southern Tier Home Builders & Remodelers Association [...]
Home Storage Tips and Tricks
Written on October 6, 2011 at 11:08 am, by mike
When you first move into your new home, you wonder how you are going to fill up the large, empty space. Pretty soon life takes over — and before you know it, you are wondering where all of that space went. If you find yourself struggling to find room to store everything you’ve accumulated over the years, see if these storage options might work for you. Do An Audit Before you invest a lot of time deciding where things should go, look through your closet, files and drawers to determine what can be thrown or given away. For clothes, it is a good rule of thumb to get rid of items that you have not worn in more than 12 months. A lot of your household financial documents and papers may be available online through the provider company’s Web site. If that is the case, discard old financial statements or bills that you can more easily access electronically. Invest in a paper shredder for these documents to protect your identity and accounts. It is very [...]
Update Your Home Safely
Written on October 6, 2011 at 10:41 am, by mike
Update Your Home Safely with a Certified Remodeler You’ve made the decision to finally remodel the outdated kitchen and living room of your home. But if you live in a house built before 1978, a new federal law regulating the removal of lead paint may affect your home remodeling project. In 1978, the use of lead paint was officially banned from residential construction. Before that, however, lead paint was used in more than 38 million homes, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Beginning in April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead- based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. The Dangers of Lead Paint During a renovation or remodel, dust from lead paint removal can fill the air and be breathed in or small children could ingest lead paint chips that fall from the wall. For young children, lead poisoning can cause learning disabilities, hearing loss and behavior problems. In adults, [...]