Home improvement

With many the many different climates that the Earth has to offer there are products that can offer great convenience to many homes around the world. One of the most convenient home products that offer climate control for your home is a storm door. These doors are not for storms but for climates and the convenience of having the option of having the front or back door open without the problem of pests such as animals and insects. This is an additional door that is installed over a home’s metal or wooden door, usually the front that has glass or screens to prevent moisture from getting on a home’s front door. There are many different types of doors that range from metal, steel, aluminum, wooden or even fiberglass that not only prevents moisture and bugs, but also gives some homes a different look. In some cases the storm door may not be used due to the damage that they may give a front door due to heat or direct sunlight.

There are many different types of doors that are available at many home improvement stores such as, Home Depot or Lowes. These doors can be as low as $75 and can cost up to $400 or $500, depending on how it is constructed. Metal Storm doors with glass are usually more expensive than that may be made from fiberglass. Fiberglass storm doors have changed over the years and many home owners are changing from aluminum storm doors to fiberglass storm doors that have internal screens. These internal screens have the ability to change from a glass opening to prevent weather damage to screens with the touch of a button to give the option of getting a fresh breeze throughout the house. Many home owners that may not have storm doors over their doors may have to replace their doors more frequent than a person who may have storm doors on their home.

The best storm doors available to home owners come from one of the leading manufacturers of storm doors and windows in Larson Doors and Andersen. Larson Doors has been a leader since 1954 and also offer custom doors that best fit a homeowner’s needs. Larson offers many different styles of doors where consumers can choose from many different designs and colors. Andersen in the company that offers EMCO doors, that have built in screens to prevent home owners from constantly changing screens and glass whenever the weather changes. This a convenience that many homeowners are starting to choose now.

By: Clyde Hart

In many cases, when homeowners are interested in home improvement projects, professionals are hired to improve the home. There are, however, a lot of people who prefer the do-it-yourself approach for improving their own homes.

Home improvement may be done individually or with the help of professionals through consultations. Also, a lot of home improvement stores offer efficient tools and kits and even lessons for the do-it-yourself individual.

Homeowners may hire general contractors to supervise home improvement projects. These contractors perform multiple tasks in managing the resources to be used and the people who will be working on the project, providing site access, removing debris after the project, and even performing some the tasks needed for the project. They are also in charge of hiring specialized workers such as plumbers, electricians, or roofers, although homeowners may actually opt to hire these workers themselves.

Different Types of Home Improvement

Improving one’s home varies from house to house; it may depend on what part or area of the house is to be refurbished. Improvement may be as simple as applying wallpaper or painting the walls, or it can be installing wood paneling on the walls. It can also included improving flooring by such means as installing carpet, tile, linoleum, or wood parquet, or even installing solid hardwood flooring. Upgrading cabinets, adding shelves, changing fixtures, and replacing sinks in the kitchen and the bathroom are also home improvement projects. Even repairing or adding to existing plumbing and electrical systems are considered home improvement. Upgrading heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems in the home and waterproofing and roof replacement are also ways of improving the home. Installing or replacing doors and windows, turning marginal areas into livable spaces as well as reducing utilities through insulation and solar paneling are still other ways of refurbishing the home. In general, anything that is employed to improve and beautify or make the home or a space in the house more functional may well be considered to be a home improvement project.

By: Alison Cole

Lowes remains to be one of the most popular home improvement stores throughout the United States. It has stayed on top because of it great selection of products at low prices. Competitive prices ensure that Lowes guarantees its steady stream of customers. In order to meet the rising demand from customers, Lowes is always on the search for new people to join the team. Submitting an application online is quick, easy and a great way to make your first impression.

Your first step will be to find the application on Lowe’s corporate website. Although this is a simple process, it does require some care in order to make it as effective as possible. Try to give yourself enough time the thoughtfully fill it out and proofread, before you send it off. This will be the company’s first impression of you, any blank spaces or vague responses will result in your application being discarded. The sheer number of applications being processed means that one small error could cost you the job. If possible, have a friend or family member proofread your application to ensure nothing was overlooked.

The personal information that you provide must be as correct and up to date as possible. You will also be asked to provide your work history. Try to highlight the aspects of your past experiences that are relevant to the job you are applying for now. If you have completed courses or programs relating to the position you are applying for make sure they are included. Also, when providing references, make certain that you select past managers or supervisors that you had a good working relationship with. Your potential employer will want to speak directly with someone who can speak about your skills and work ethic.

Take your time to fill out the applications to guarantee no mistakes or omissions. Although you do want to submit it as soon as possible, it would be a waste to send it in incomplete. It is customary to wait one week before placing the follow up call. Taking this initiative will give you an edge over competitors because it demonstrates your interest in the position and enthusiasm. Be confident and professional in you conversation, while you take the opportunity to introduce yourself and put a voice to the name. By taking the process seriously and following through, you are guaranteeing yourself at securing this job opportunity.

By: Shelly Wyatt

If you have a home improvement project that needs to be done, how do you decide whether to do it yourself or hire a professional? Here are some tips to help you decide.

Renovation do-it-yourself projects have become more popular, especially with the rise of television shows such as Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. They make it look so easy to “flip” a house, don’t they? DIY is popular mainly because doing it yourself saves money, obviously.

Contractors can be expensive:
They have to consider materials, labor, insurance as well as their profit margin when quoting a price. Frankly, they are in business to make money to put food on their families’ tables. So hiring someone won’t necessarily be cheap.

DIY projects are not necessarily hard to do. All the home improvement stores and even some community colleges offer seminars in how to complete common tasks such as applying tile or building decks. There are also scores of books, magazines, pamphlets and other information on all sorts of projects. You can also look online for more tips.

By carefully planning what you are doing, be it new windows or just installing wall mount sinks, and knowing how to use the equipment, you should be able to do the most common tasks yourself. As an added feature, making it your own project will give your family a chance to “bond” and give you a great feeling of accomplishment.

On the other hand, you may decide that hiring a professional is best for you. People are busy today and you simply may not have time to wallpaper the bedroom. Or, you may start a project and run out of time: a family emergency may arise and any free time you thought you had is gone. It happens.

Another common scenario occurs when someone gets started on a project and encounters a problem. It is perfectly all right to contact a professional to either fix just the problem portion or to finish the entire project. Some contractors are sneaky and tack on an additional fee to fix problem projects but if you shop around and find a reputable contractor, he or she should treat you fairly.

So, before you start a home improvement project, ask yourself: Do I have the time to do the work? Do I know how to do the work? Are there resources I can refer to if something unexpected arises? Or, would it be worth it to hire a professional? Have I called around and gotten price estimates for labor and materials?

By asking these common-sense questions before you start, you can determine whether you have the makings of a do-it-yourselfer or if you’d rather leave it to the pros. It’s better to figure that out now than after you’ve gotten yourself into a mess you can’t get out of.

By: Robert J. Carlton

At any point in the life of your New York home, the need to hire contractors will inevitably arise whether for emergency repairs or a grand remodeling project. In fact, one of the keys to a successful home improvement is craftsmanship and to afford your project one of the essentials to an efficient completion, it is important that you give much attention to which service you choose. Whether you are in Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn, Staten Island, or Manhattan; give the best bang for every remodeling buck by choosing the right contractors.

Finding Contractors

Looking for professionals is not so hard a task but finding the most qualified one to handle your project in the most time and cost-efficient manner is what’s hard. Knowing where to look is crucial to avoid getting ripped off by cons.

The most effective as well as most damaging form of marketing is word of mouth, so try and look around for well-reputed contractors. The best resource there is are referrals from your circle of trusted people from your close family to friends and neighbors who have worked successfully with the same home improvement.

Other sources are your local building department, contractors’ websites, and your local associations of homebuilders and renovators. Be wary about referrals that you get from home improvement stores. They might have been mentioned out of some referral-fee-scheme.

Factors to Consider

Choose contractors that have everything that it takes to make a success out of your home improvement including the skill set when it comes not only to technical matters but interpersonal and business as well. Other than these qualities, here are other things to check on:

· Membership and good reputation at your local BBB or Better Business Bureau.

· Valid and proper coverage of insurance

· Appropriate licenses and trainings that make them qualified to take on tasks, especially if the renovation involves areas needing specific expertise such as electrical systems and plumbing

· Satisfied referrals to backup quality of work and professionalism

Taking the time to make sure that your contractor candidate has all these will avoid problems along the way that can be both disastrous as well as costly. Make sure that you work with someone who has the experience and has already established a name in the industry. Other than knowing how to go about the actual remodeling, the experience and network helps professionals know what to do when problems arise as well get subcontractors and immediate professional help when necessary.

Getting Multiple Bids

To land only with the best contractors, it is important to get multiple bids from at least three qualified candidates. By doing so, you can further evaluate what each of them has to offer other than skills, experience, and quality results. With the different bids at hand, compare the scope of work they will be covering, the timeline and rates inclusive of the service. Comparing such would help you decide who offers the best deal as well as spot scams such as hidden fees and other project cheats.

By: Eugene G. Makeev

There are many situations in which a homeowner may consider replacing a bath tub in the home. However, purchasing and installing a new unit may prove to be quite an expense. For individuals who are interested in revamping the appearance of their bath tub, but looking to avoid the high costs that are often associated with a new installation, refinishing may be the best choice. Here, you will discover the guide to bath tub refinishing.

Preparation Steps

In order to refinish your bath tub, there are a few basic supplies that you will need to gather. Many of these supplies can be purchased at home improvement stores, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot. Some of the supplies may be available at department stores, such as Wal-Mart. When purchasing supplies, you must consider your personal safety, as well as the job that you are attempting to complete.

The first thing that you should purchase is a face mask. This will ensure that you do not inhale dangerous chemicals and other substances when performing a bath tub refinishing job. You will also be required to get some basic supplies, like masking tape, paper, and a sander that is designed for the palm. You should also ensure that you have plenty of sandpaper that is appropriate to the sander that you purchase.

When refinishing your bath tub, you will be required to purchase a few items that are chemical based. One of the first items should be epoxy paint. Many purchase primer in place of epoxy. You should also purchase an agent that works to bond porcelain or any type of tile that you may be required to work with. EP-acrylic coating is also important. Last, you should ensure that you purchase cleaners that will clean a wide range of chemicals in case it becomes necessary to clean a spill or other mess. A spray gun that distributes liquid in a low-pressure manner can also be effective.

Getting Dirty

The first step to refinishing your bath tub is to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned. You can actually use the cleaners that you purchased to clean chemical spills to clean the surfaces that you are working with. Once you thoroughly scrub the area with the cleaning agent, you should then simply rinse it with water and ensure that it is dry.

Next, you should implement the use of your sander. It is important to go over every inch that you are working with. This is an essential step for successful bath tub refinishing. It is imperative that you ensure all areas are sanded evenly. Once this part of the job is completed, you should prepare your work area for the painting stage that is required for refinishing your bath tub.

The next step to refinishing a bath tub is to put your adhesive on the surface that you are going to paint. This is usually only required if the bath tub is created with porcelain. Once you have placed the adhesive on the area it is important to give it time to dry. In the meantime, you can be preparing the paint that you are going to use.

You should have your acrylic paint prepared by following the packaging instructions. It is important to ensure that the base of this paint is gloss. This will ensure that the tub which you are refinishing dries in such a way that the appearance has the glisten and shine that most tubs do. This paint is normally applied using the spray gun that you purchased for the project. Normally two to three coats is appropriate when refinishing a bath tub.

This article details all of the steps necessary to refinish a bath tub. Once you have completed the project, it is important to allow it to dry for approximately two to three days before putting to use. This will ensure that all the paint is completely dry.

By: Timothy Croy

Lowes Home Improvement stores are well known for their low prices and quality products. If you own a home you probably have used Lowes to find the products you need to improve, maintain or repair it.

Searching for and finding the right garage doors for your home can be a nightmare even if you use the Internet to conduct your research. The best garage doors available are frequently the most expensive however you should not use garage doors pricing alone to make your selection.

Your selection process should carefully consider installation costs, construction materials, removal of any existing door, type of garage door opener and warranty. Lowes garage doors installation costs are considered one of the best buys on the market today. Lowes installers are considered and called partners and they must meet Lowes strict standards. Every installation is rated by the purchaser to assure that customers are receiving the quality services they are paying for.

Lowes garage doors installation costs range from as low as $199 to $599 depending on the size of the door and where the door is being installed. Obviously installing an oversize garage door will require more skill and time. If you need to install a garage door opener as part of your installation you can expect additional cost. Over all the, Lowes garage door installation cost is slightly lower than the average installation costs.

As an alternative to purchasing your garage door from Lowes you should consider comparing prices and services with Home Depot. Both Home Depot and Lowes sell quality garage doors. Just as with Lowes Home Depot provides garage door installation services that are comparable. In addition you have the option of installing a garage door yourself. Both home improvement stores will assist you in your efforts. The downside of self installation is the time it takes to complete the installation and the cost of disposing the old door which normally part of any professional installation cost. Self installation will also require you to have the assistance of at least one helper.

We feel that the Lowes garage door installation cost is very reasonable and provides the home owner the peace of mind knowing that the installation was done correctly. Occasionally installation cost can be included in the purchase price of your garage door. Be sure to check with you Lowes sales representative on the latest sales offers.

By: Jim Kesel

As I say so frequently that I’m beginning to bore myself, “most remodeling contractors are honest and reliable individuals who want to do quality work at a reasonable price.” Unfortunately, there are just enough contractors out there (or people who claim to be contractors) who take advantage of their customers that some reminders and tips are helpful if you want to do everything possible to protect yourself and your property during home improvement.

1. Don’t make assumptions about referrals. Exercise the same due diligence in evaluating and checking out all contractors. You might have friends or relatives, co-workers or neighbors referring you to contractors they have used with good results. Many people are also simply trusting recommendations from home improvement stores. Even when you are referred to a contractor, check him or her out before you sign a contract. Consumer Reports recently released findings from a study of people who hired contractors to whom they were referred by the two leading home improvement stores. Their survey indicated that people who used these referrals had more problems and were less satisfied with the work than people who used other contractors.

2. Build your remodeling budget in a way that creates a 20% cushion for unexpected surprises. Although the National Association of the Remodeling Industry suggests an allowance of 10% to 20%, I think you are safer to budget for a 20% cost overrun due to surprises. There are literally hundreds of things that can happen or that can be discovered once remodeling begins that will result in a cost overrun. It is not uncommon, for example to discover termite damage, dry rot, damage from leaking pipes, outdated wiring, etc. My point is that you should not use your entire budget on the basics. You will be much more comfortable with your budget if you leave room for surprises.

3. Get a contract – don’t deal with a contractor on the basis of a proposal. If at all possible, get a contract that states a final price for the work, not an estimated cost that can go up or down. Your contract should be as specific as possible and as detailed as possible. It should also contain some kind of warranty for both the installation and the products or materials. You can also specify in the contract that all materials used will be new materials and meet the standards outlined in the contract. It should also state that any changes made during the construction period will be authorized only by written change orders that explain the difference in cost up front. If a contractor is unwilling to sign a contract stating the final price of the remodel, find another contractor.

4. Know what your insurance covers and take out a liability policy if necessary. It is usually easy to call your insurance agent and ask what is covered in terms of damage to your property, loss of property or possessions, and injury or death of a worker on your property during the construction period. You should also be certain that the contractor carries workman’s compensation insurance and liability insurance against injury or death of a worker and against damage or loss to your property or possessions. If you have any concerns about adequate coverage, discuss it with your insurance agent and consider taking out an additional policy during the construction period.

5. Monitor all liens placed against your property during construction (construction liens) by any contractor or subcontractor and ensure that they are removed when the project is finished and the contractor is paid in full. There are unscrupulous contractors who accept payment for a job and then do not remove the liens. In most of these cases, the homeowner is not aware of the lien until some time later when trying to sell the home or take out a loan for further improvements. When homeowners try to resolve the issue, the contractor claims that the bill or part of the bill was never paid and demands payment before removing the lien.

6. Never do business with someone who comes to your door offering their services.

7. Never pay a contractor the entire bill up front. Work out a payment schedule that reflects work completed, and put the payment schedule in the contract.

8. Specify the quality of workmanship and the quality of materials to be used in the remodel or addition in the contract. Not only should you specify materials quality, you should check materials to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract as they are delivered to the construction site. Insist that the costs of all building materials be specified.

9. Include all job specifications in the contract. The more specific the description of the work to be done, the more protection you have. Job specifications state exactly what work is to be done, how it is to be done, the quality of materials to be used, when it is to be complete, and that it must pass inspection.

10. Check all licenses, permits, proof of insurance, and state or local certification before you hire a contractor or subcontractor. Check to be certain the contractor has or obtains all necessary permits, licenses and certificates. Check with issuing agencies or insurance companies to confirm that insurance and licenses are current.

11. Insist that the contractor show you proof of bond coverage for the total replacement cost of the project.

12. Be sure the contract includes the appropriate information about how conflicts will be resolved, when and how the contract will be or can be terminated, and that lien releases will be provided upon payment.

13. If you give the contractor a key to your home for use during the construction period, change the locks as soon as construction is completed.

14. Take the necessary steps to protect your property and your possessions. Put away all valuables in a safe place. Define the construction area for everyone – tell your family not to enter the area during working hours; define limits of access to the rest of your home for the work crew. Protect your landscaping by covering shrubs if necessary and taking other steps to reduce accidental damage. Seal off the construction area from the rest of the house to confine dust, etc.

15. If you are remodeling an old home, make sure any work with potentially hazardous materials is done under the safest conditions and that hazardous materials are completely removed from the work site immediately and disposed of as instructed by your local government. Be sure any lead paint is properly removed; be sure any asbestos is removed and disposed of correctly; be sure old horse hair plaster (that could contain arsenic) is disposed of properly.

These tips will help you protect your family, your property and the people working on your remodeling project. Residential home improvement contractors should be very willing to cooperate on all of these points.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing

By: Dan Fritschen

Horror stories abound everywhere. Novice DIY Homeowners trying to remodel their kitchen or bathroom who take on a project bigger than they can handle. Remodeling your own kitchen or bathroom can be a very rewarding project and you can save a ton of money, but buying the wrong cabinets can lead to disaster. Home Improvement stores and the name brand manufacturers have done a very good job of selling the accessories and styles of cabinets, while at the same time taking the focus away from what the cabinet is actually made of. Stores like Ikea offer a wide range of RTA cabinets in all of the most popular styles and do a very good job of helping you select everything you will need for your project. What they fail to do is talk about how hard it will be to actually assemble the cabinets or what the box of the cabinet is made of.

A quality cabinet, whether it is a customer cabinet or RTA cabinet, will be constructed of plywood or solid wood. Ikea cabinets and even the pre-assembled cabinets sold at Lowes and Home Depot, are traditionally made of particle board or fiberboard with a veneer or laminated cover. The problem with fiberboard and particle board is that it acts like a sponge when it comes in contact with water, which leads to bubbling or warping. While the face frame and doors of these cabinets may be solid wood, it is the cabinet box that is going to add stability to the cabinet. The other issue with cabinets made of these materials, is that the screws, staples, or nails that are used to hold the cabinets together, have a tendency to lose their grip, since the material is not solid. The combination of all these attributes will significantly shorten the life of your cabinets.

Another issue that DIY Homeowners don’t realize is that not all RTA cabinets are assembled the same way. A quality one will come complete with all of the pieces in one box, with simple assembly instructions, and should only require a screwdriver to assemble. A neighbor of mine thought that she found the kitchen of her dreams at Ikea…. everything was great until she got the cabinets home. Literally every piece came in a separate box (hinges in one box, doors in another box, screws in another box). It literally took her 3 days to layout, and identify all of the different pieces for each cabinet. By the time she got down to the last couple of cabinets, pieces were missing, extra pieces were left… assembling RTA cabinets doesn’t have to be that difficult. I installed some in my kitchen that I bought on-line and it was super easy. Each cabinet showed up in it’s own box, all of the pieces were included. The cabinet locked together using cam locks which only required a screw driver. In 3 hours I was able to assemble the same amount of cabinets that took my neighbor 3 days to layout.

So when considering RTA cabinets for your kitchen or bathroom, don’t fall into the common pitfalls that hundreds of other homeowners have faced when buying the wrong cabinets. Do some research on the ones that are available, both on the internet and in the stores. Inspect the materials they are made of, how they are assembled, and finally the overall cost (make sure there are no hidden costs from having to buy extra parts). Don’t get scammed by low grade RTA cabinets.

By: Gary Nealon

Lowe’s, one of America’s biggest home improvement stores is always looking for talented help and if you’re looking to get a job here, I wanted to show you how you can land the job, and what you should expect, when looking to apply for a particular job position.

How can I apply for the job?

Head into any Lowe’s and what you’re going to find is that there are kiosks set up, where you can apply. These are generally located around the customer service desk. If you can’t find them, you can always ask someone, and they will point you in the right direction.

If you don’t want to head into the store, you can always apply online. This is the best way to go, because you’re going to find that you can look for open positions, and you can apply for the job that best suits your needs. Since a store like Lowe’s is fairly large, you’re going to find that there will be a lot of positions available.

What kind of jobs are there?

If you have a specialty for the past, you’re going to have a great chance of getting hired. For example, if you where a plumber, you can probably land a job rather quickly. Lowe’s love people like this and the pay can be awfully nice if you have some sort of experience. If you don’t have any experience, you can still get hired, but you will most likely land a job around $8+ a hour doing cashier work, etc.

As for benefits, you can get health/vision, discounts, and many more. Be sure to check out the benefits package, if you’re interested.

By: Jillian Avery