Happy New Year!
We would like to thank all of you for your support in 2011 and are looking forward to 2012 as the best year ever! With that I leave you this thought to ponder:
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. –Mark Twain
Happy New Year everyone!
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Working with a Designer for Your New Kitchen
All designers work a little differently but this article should give you a general idea of what to expect and how to prepare.
Make an appointment
Most designers (including P & B Finishers) want to have the initial meeting in your home. This allows the designer to visualize how your ideas fit into your space. Some designers will want the initial meeting in their office or showroom. They feel you are more serious if you come to them. Either way, you’ll need to get on their calendar to start the process.
Before the meeting
Many designers will give you an hour or so of free consultation at the initial meeting. But remember, time is money so make good use of this time by being prepared.
1. Gather some ideas of what you like. Styles and colors, wood specie, etc. Magazines are a wonderful source of ideas and you can easily tear out pages and keep them in a folder for your meeting.
2. Ask the designer if they have a design questionnaire that you can fill out in advance of the initial meeting.
3. Input from your family members is critical. Everyone in the house will likely use the kitchen extensively. It needs to work for the family.
4. Establish a budget. Having at least a range can help your designer steer you in a direction you can afford. An average size kitchen can cost from $18,000 to $100,000 or more to remodel, depending on your taste and budget. A good designer can steer you into your budget or at least let you know that what you want is outside your budget.
At the initial meeting
That first meeting is all about getting to know one another. It’s important that both parties establish what is needed from the other in order to do business. Good designers won’t give you a hard sell but instead want to hear about what you want and need out of your new kitchen and what your budget is. The designer will measure your kitchen and probably take a few pictures.
If the initial meeting is to be in the showroom you should prepare further by having a sketch and dimensions of your kitchen along with some photos.
After the first meeting the designer should be able to come up with an initial estimate. This may be done on the spot or may require a second meeting, usually within two weeks. You can expect some rough concepts and a ballpark price.
Design Phase
The initial design will be conceptual based on the budget and ideas established at the initial meeting. Drawings can range from mere sketches to computer aided designs.
Once the initial design is presented the designer will likely require a retainer to continue. This is not a hard sell but rather a commitment. Again, time is money and design work takes a lot of time. By now you should be comfortable with your designer and know if the company is one you would seriously consider. Most design retainers are based on project scope and can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. P & B’s average retainer is $600 but does vary and does have restrictions on the maximum number of hours spent on your design.
Once you have paid the retainer your designer will refine the drawings, selections and specifications to your desire. Remember that this can and most likely will change the initial estimate. Good designers can help you maintain your budget as long as it is a reasonable one to begin with. Remember, you may need to compromise so keep an open mind if you are budget conscious.
The design phase can take a week to a month or more. A lot depends on the complexity of the design and how quickly you can make decisions.
Signing the Contract
Once you are comfortable with the design you are ready to enter into a contract. Many firms (including us) will credit you the design retainer with a signed contract. This doesn’t always include additional hours above and beyond the design agreement spent on your design. The contract will include the final price with any stipulations that might change it, the drawings and specifications and payment schedules. Keep in mind that some designers offer just design service and cabinetry while true design/build firms and full service remodeling companies will handle the entire project from permits, demolition, materials and installation to final cleanup and everything in between.
Remember that if your home was built before 1978 your contractor MUST be certified by the EPA as a Lead Safe Firm and must follow the EPA regulations regarding lead safe work practices. Lead is a health hazard especially to young and unborn children and should not be taken lightly. You can learn more at http://epa.gov/lead.
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Michigan Energy News
Filed under: Energy, Environmental, Green Building and Remodeling
RETAP (Retired Engineer Technical Assistance Program), a free and confidential service, is
looking for ~75 organizations to receive energy assessments that will help them
reduce their facility energy costs. Businesses with 500 or fewer full-time
employees, institutions, schools, universities, and nonprofits are eligible,
but must own their facility, have annual utility expenses of $15,000 or more,
and floor space of 20,000 square feet or more. If interested, contact: David
Herb, Michigan DEQ at 517-241-8176 or herbd@michigan.gov.
Michigan jumped from 27th to 17th in state rankings by the American Council for
an Energy-Efficient Economy. Michigan improved its energy efficiency ranking
more than any other state in the past year. A 2008 law requires utilities to
offer energy-saving programs and these programs cost 3 cents per kWh, while
building and fueling a new power plant costs 9 cents per kWh according to Marty
Kushler, ACEEE. http://www.freep.com/article/20111021/NEWS05/110210357/1001/news
Corner Brewery in Ann Arbor will have 144 solar panels on its roof. The panels, a hybrid type that
generates both electricity and hot water, are manufactured by Detroit-based
Power Panel. The brewery will get 100% of the heat needed for brewing from the
sun. The panels are expected to save about $6,800 in energy costs
annually. A good portion of the $150,000 project cost will be offset with
incentives from DTE and a 30% federal tax grant. The brewery is looking at an
11 to 12-year payback and hopes to cut energy bills by 30-50%. A separate, but
similar project will install 20 solar panels at the Arbor Brewing Company in
downtown Ann Arbor.
http://www.concentratemedia.com/devnews/cornerbrewery0166.aspx?utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Ypsilanti’s+Corner+Brewery+to+heat+all+brewing+water+from+solar+power&utm_content=%7bEmail_Address%7d&utm_campaign=Our+Tiny+Big+Stories
Consumers Energy’s Green Generation program is inviting Michigan high schools in its electric or
combination service territory to participate in a video contest showing their
school’s commitment to renewable energy. The grand prize entry will receive
$5,000 for their school, with smaller prizes for first, second and third place.
Videos can be submitted now through Nov. 15. www.greenscenescontest.com
The above are excerpts from the November 2011 issue of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association’s newsletter Great Lakes Energy News. Visit GLREA at http://glrea.org
For help with your home’s energy efficiency contact P & B Finishers.
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Weatherization Programs Available
Filed under: Air Sealing, Doors, Energy, Insulation, Windows
DTE Energy, MichCon and Consumers Energy are offering several programs including rebates for energy efficiency upgrades. For example, DTE offers up to a $750 rebate for having your windows replaced with qualified, energy efficient windows or up to $500 for attic insulation. Consumers Energy has similar offers to its customers including up to a $750 rebate for installing a high-efficiency, natural gas boiler.
Some other offers include:
· Appliance Recycling – The utility will pick up your old, working refrigerator and pay you for it.
· Instant, in-store rebates on lighting at participating retailers.
· Free, online energy audits including a free gift just for using the service.
And these are just a few.
There is also energy efficiency assistance for those who qualify and always programs to help with the bill. Want to get started? Visit:
http://dteenergy.com
http://consumersenergy.com
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The NKBA Uncovers 11 Kitchen & Bath Trends for 2011
HACKETTSTOWN, NJ (February 8, 2011) – More than 100 designers who are members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), and have designed kitchens or bathrooms during the last three months of 2010, participated in an NKBA survey to reveal design trends in the marketplace for 2011. The results of this survey suggest there will be some changes in the direction that kitchen and bath styles will take this year. Below are 7 kitchen trends and 4 bathroom trends that are poised to take hold in 2011. These are overall trends across the United States and Canada; they won’t necessarily appear in all geographic areas.
Kitchens
1) Shake It Up
The Shaker style began a rise in popularity in 2009 and gained momentum in 2010. By the end of the year, Shaker has supplanted Contemporary as the second most popular style used by NKBA member designers. While Traditional remains the most popular style, having been used by 76% of designers surveyed over that last three months of 2010, that’s a slight drop from the previous year. Meanwhile, the percent of respondents who designed contemporary kitchens fell to 48%, while Shaker rose to 55%. Cottage was the only other style to garner at least 20% of the market, as it registered at 21%.
2) Dark Finishes
Dark natural finishes overtook medium natural, glazed, and white painted finishes to become the most specified type of finish toward the end of 2010. While medium natural fell from being used by 53% to 48% of designers, glazed from 53% to 42%, and white painted from 49% to 47%, dark natural finishes rose from 42 to 51%. Light natural and colored painted finishes remained fairly common, as each rose slightly from the previous year: 24% to 25% for light natural and 24% to 29% for colored paints. Distressed finishes dropped significantly from a year ago, when they were used by 16% of designers, to just 5%.
3) A Place for Wine
While the incorporation of wine refrigerators seems to be on the decline (see Bonjour Réfrigérateur below), unchilled wine storage is growing in popularity. While only 39% of surveyed designers incorporated wine storage areas into their kitchens at the end of 2009, just over half—51%—did so as 2010 came to a close. While other types of cabinetry options remain more common, most are on the decline, including tall pantries (89% to 84%), lazy Susans (90% to 78%), and pull-out racks (81% to 71%). Appliance garages also seem to be falling out of favor, as their use declined from 36% at the end of 2009 to 29% a year later.
4) Bonjour Réfrigérateur
The French door refrigerator has strengthened its position as the type specified most often by NKBA member designers. While freezer-top refrigerators were only specified by 8% of designers as 2010 d
Read the entire article via The NKBA Uncovers 11 Kitchen & Bath Trends for 2011.
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Bathroom Remodeling – Michigan
Bathroom Remodeling in Michigan has seen a spike in demand in recent months. The community is capitalizing on the rock bottom prices for all renovations, but targeting bathroom remodeling in particular as a low risk renovation with large ending gains for the value of their home.
With so much demand for bathroom renovation, Michigan attracts remodeling businesses of almost every conceivable genre. But before choosing a Michigan remodeling contractor for your remodeling project, weigh your options carefully and do your research.
Old fashioned proprietors who have been doing business for many years have a great sense of commitment to their community, but they often lack the streamlined efficiency of some of the newer renovation companies. They typically have a more relaxed attitude about project management and deadlines, and while they will certainly give the customer one on one attention, rarely do they follow through with their commitments.
Larger companies, on the other hand, are often so streamlined and efficient that the customer himself can be all but forgotten. The personal touch that so many home owners look for is lost amid the many tentacles of the corporation. And when it comes to something as personal as a home, this gives the whole project an underlying feeling of coldness and trepidation. Sure, they get the job done fast, but the sense of community and one on one service is practically non-existent.
This is why home owners in Michigan have come to trust companies that not only give the personal attention of an old fashioned business, but execute the renovation at the speed, cost, and efficiency of a multi-conglomerate corporation. When dealing with a local company of solid reputation, home owners can rest assured that the contractor’s experience with homes of similar style and value will make their renovation as successful as possible.
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DOE Awards $76 Million for Energy-Efficient Building Technologies
DOE announced on June 17 awards totaling more than $76 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to support advanced energy-efficient building technology projects. The research is designed to help make buildings more energy efficient and cost-effective. The Recovery Act funds will also be used to develop training programs for commercial building equipment technicians, building operators, and energy auditors. Those initiatives will prepare workers to service and operate new and existing buildings, to develop and deploy best practices resulting in fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and to establish a green workforce with technical expertise to reduce energy costs for consumers. The 58 selected projects are in 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Buildings account for about 40% of the energy used in the United States, as well as 39% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.
To boost advanced energy-efficient building technologies, DOE made 45 awards totaling more than $68.4 million, while leveraging an additional $31.4 million from private industry. The projects are in six technical areas: advanced building control strategies for net-zero energy buildings; improved capabilities to simulate complex interactions between building elements and energy costs; new technologies for building envelopes and windows; increased efficiencies for residential and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; improved water heating; and methods to reduce miscellaneous electrical loads. For example, the University of Washington will develop detailed energy simulation models for the design of hospitals that use 60% less energy than typical hospitals in the Pacific Northwest. And Syntroleum Corporation of Oklahoma will investigate the use of low-cost bioproducts for phase-change materials in building walls and roofs. Materials that change phase can store more energy than traditional building materials, allowing them to absorb heat on sunny winter days and release that heat during the night. See the DOE press release, the list of awards (PDF 115 KB), and the Web site for DOE’s Building Technologies Program. Download Adobe Reader.
As an example of the positive impact that efficiency measures can bring to the built environment, DOE also released a new video that showcases the story of Greensburg, Kansas, which has recovered from a 2007 tornado to become one of the top U.S. communities in terms of sustainable energy use. Many of the town’s government buildings use cutting-edge energy-saving technologies, such as high-efficiency windows, lighting, and heating and ventilation systems, saving local taxpayer money. View the YouTube video.
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The Green Effect
“Green Building” and “Green Remodeling” are two fairly recent phrases in our industry. Actually being “green” is a little more difficult than including the phrase in the marketing campaigns.
P & B has been a Certified Green Professional for a couple of years now. What does that mean? It means we took the time to sit in classes and get at least some insight on what “Green” is all about. What it doesn’t mean is everything we do is bamboo or recycled or PVC free. Sometimes that’s neither possible or practical. What it does mean is that we care and we always have. It was pleasant to learn in the classes that we have practiced “Green” remodeling and building methods as long as we’ve been in business.
We care enough to question things. How are we effecting our environment by using this product? Are we doing the right thing? Is there a better way? Better product? Something considered not so green that is more efficient? Can I reuse this? Where does the waste go? Can this be recycled?
Sometimes materials considered green might not be so much. For instance, I’ve often wondered just how green bamboo really is when it has to be shipped from the other side of the globe. It does mature in about five years which makes it a wonderful product for building and remodeling but what about all the diesel it takes to get it here? Kinda makes you think, doesn’t it?
And that’s really what it’s all about. Thinking. Planning a project and running a business in a way that is less wasteful, consumptive and polluting. Having a “green” office…fairly paperless and efficient. Logistics…visiting job sites in a logical and efficient way. All of these things add to “The Green Effect”.
The single most important thing (in my opinion) is that the “greenest” house is one that’s already standing. Remodeling is, in and of itself, a green process. The resources in an existing home have already been used and may even have renewed. Changing a bathroom or kitchen might make more sense than building a new house. Even if your current home doesn’t meet today’s “green” standards for energy use, water consumption, etc., you’ll be hard pressed to honestly say it’s greener to build new than to remodel.
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DOE Halts Sales of Inefficient Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners
DOE has ordered three manufacturers to stop distributing 61 models of heat pumps and one air conditioner model that do not comply with federal energy conservation standards. On June 3, DOE ordered Aspen Manufacturing, Inc.; Summit Manufacturing; and Advanced Distributor Products to halt the distribution of the noncompliant models and to notify all previous buyers of the noncompliant models. If the companies fail to respond or to notify their customers, DOE will seek a judicial order to prevent the sale of the noncompliant models.
Under federal law, manufacturers of certain products covered by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act must certify with DOE that their models meet the applicable minimum energy conservation standards. Based on certification information submitted to DOE, the agency discovered that Aspen Manufacturing had certified 58 heat pumps models and one air conditioner model that failed to meet federal energy efficiency standards by up to 7%. DOE also found one heat pump model manufactured by Summit Manufacturing that failed the energy use standards by about 16%, as well as two heat pump models manufactured by Advanced Distributor Products that missed the standard by 1%-2%. See the DOE press release and the Web site for DOE’s Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program.
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Update Your Home Safely with a Lead Safe Certified Remodeler
Filed under: Bathroom Remodeling, Doors, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Lead Safety, Sunrooms, Windows
P & B Finishers is a Lead Safe Certified Firm
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, lead poisoning can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure. Pregnant women run the risk of passing the poison on to their unborn child.
It is important that you find a remodeler who is trained in lead-safe work practices rather than try to do the work yourself. To ensure the safety of the home’s occupants, the EPA’s new regulation requires that any major renovation to homes built before 1978 must be performed by a certified remodeler or renovator.
What are Lead-Safe Work Practices?
EPA has a free brochure on its website called “Renovate Right” that provides guidance to home owners and contractors about the safe removal of lead paint. Your contractor should follow specific work practices, including these three simple procedures:
1. Contain the work area so that dust and debris do not escape. Warning signs should be put up and heavy-duty plastic and tape should be used to seal off doors and heating and cooling system vents and to cover the floors and any furniture that cannot be moved.
2. Minimize dust. There is no way to eliminate dust, but some paint removal methods create less dust than others. For example, using water to mist areas before sanding or scraping; scoring paint before separating components; and prying and pulling apart components instead of breaking them. Methods that generate large amounts of dust and should not be used include open flame burning or torching; sanding, grinding, planing, needle gunning, or blasting with power tools and equipment not equipped with a shroud and high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuum attachment; or using a heat gun at temperatures greater than 1100°F.
3. Clean up thoroughly. When all the work is done, and before taking down any plastic that isolates the work area from the rest of the home, the area should be cleaned up using special cleaning methods . These include using a HEPA vacuum to clean up dust and debris on all surfaces, followed by wet mopping with plenty of water.
How Do I Find a Certified Firm?
To become lead-safe certified the firm must submit an application to the EPA and complete a federal or state-administered eight-hour class with two hours of hands-on training.
To find a lead-safe certified contractor or firm near you visit EPA Certified Firm Locator.
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