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.

 

 

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.

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.

Update Your Home Safely with a Lead Safe 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, 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.

Get the Best Bang for Your Remodeling Buck

Your home is your castle, but sometimes that castle may need a facelift. Remodeling is a great way to create a home environment that can meet your family’s changing needs and tastes without you having to spend a lot of money. 

Before you spend your hard-earned dollars, however, make sure that the changes you make now will have longer-term benefits for you when you look to sell your home in the future. 

You should find out what features are standard for homes in your neighborhood.  If you only have one bathroom but most of the other homes average two or more, you will want to bring your house up to that standard.  On the flipside, do not make changes to your house that are too extravagant or out-of-place for your neighborhood. 

Make sure you are not making changes that will turn off prospective buyers. Keep in mind what future home buyers would like to see in their next home. It is often wiser to add an additional bathroom or bedroom rather than a sunroom or sauna, for example, which are costly and will not necessarily be a priority for anyone else.

The size and cost of your project matter as well. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University advises that smaller or midrange jobs overall will tend to recover a higher percentage of their cost than larger, higher-end projects.

For example, replacing old windows will generate a higher payback ratio than adding a high-end kitchen with all of the bells and whistles and it costs significantly less, according to Stephen Melman, an economist with the National Association of Home Builders.

Maintenance-related projects, such as siding and window replacement, are especially popular because they are repairs that are seen as needed, but can also help improve curb appeal at fairly low costs in relation to other projects.

The top-ten midrange projects cited in Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report” that provide the highest percentage return are: 

1. Deck Addition (wood)  -  81.8 percent 
2. Siding Replacement (vinyl) – 80.7 percent 
3. Minor Kitchen Remodel - 79.5 percent
4. Window Replacement (wood) – 77.7 percent 
5. Window Replacement (vinyl) – 77.2 percent 
6. Major Kitchen Remodel - 76.0 percent 
7. Bathroom Remodel - 74.6 percent 
8. Attic Bedroom - 73.8 percent
9. Deck Addition (composite) – 73.7 percent 
10. Basement Remodel - 72.9 percent

 These numbers represent the national average and percentages may vary in your region.  To get information on projects that are the best investment for your area, check out the Remodeling magazine’s “2009-2010 Cost vs. Value Report” published by Hanley Wood online at www.costvsvalue.com.  If you would like a copy of the Detroit area Cost v Value report contact P & B Finishers and we will send you one.

 Whether you are looking to sell your house soon, or are just looking to remodel for yourself, it makes sense to keep an eye on how the changes you make now will reflect on your biggest investment down the road.

 To find a professional remodeler in southeast Michigan, contact your local home builders’ association at http://www.biaremodelor.org/ or visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

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Remodeling Dos and Don’ts

1. Don’t neglect your home. Do maintain and enhance the value of your home with maintenance and remodeling projects.
2. Don’t try complex remodels on your own. Do call a professional remodeler to get the job done right the first time and save yourself time and money.
3. Don’t necessarily hire the cheapest remodeler. Do a thorough check on the remodeler’s experience, references, and qualifications, such as membership with NAHB Remodelers. Use these interview questions to identify the best remodeler for your needs.
4. Don’t lose patience during the remodel. Do prepare yourself for challenges and realistically understand the time and money your remodel may require.
5. Don’t try to remove or deal with lead paint on your own. Do call a professional remodeler or remediator to minimize exposure to lead paint.

Lumber Prices Increasing

There’s no time like the present to remodel.  I’ve been predicting price increases for labor and material for this year.  Lumber prices have already started to climb.

Window Replacement Choices

I’ve been doing window replacements since the late 70′s and have seen a lot of evolution in window manufacture and operation.  Many of  today’s windows are by far much better than anything manufactured prior to the previous decade.

Today we have a lot of choices from simple vinyl gliders to Smart Windows that can block out light automatically or at the flick of a switch.  Your choice of replacements will depend on your taste, the quality you desire, the features you desire and your budget.  Finding the balance can be tricky.  Whatever window type you decide on, make sure they’re installed right.

At P & B we recommend and install Pella Brand windows more often than any other.  We offer vinyl, fiberglass, wood and clad (maintenance free) along with numerous choices of interior wood and finishes and exterior colors.  We also offer pocket replacements which leave your existing window frames undisturbed.  And we can make most of them in any size.

We will recommend several installation choices to give you increased protection against air and moisture infiltration.  The better way to do the job is not always the easiest or cheapest.  Doing it right will protect your investment and your home, saving you money in the long run.

There has never been a better time to replace your old, drafty windows.  The Energy Tax Credit will pay you 30% of the cost of your new windows (not including installation).  But you’ll need to act soon.  Time will soon run out.

Choose your window contractor carefully.  There are many options and methods used.  Some are not so good.  Protect your investment by hiring a qualified, experienced and licensed remodeling contractor.  Remember too, starting in April 2010, contractors who do window replacements in homes built prior to 1978 will be required to be certified through the EPA as a Lead Safe Certified Firm.  Yes, it applies to windows!

Call (586) 254-7969 or fill out our online form for a free estimate.

EIA: Cold January Temperatures Affected U.S. Use of Power and Natural Gas

From the weekly newsletter of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The EERE Network News is also available on the Web at: www.eere.energy.gov/news/enn.cfm

Colder-than-normal U.S. temperatures in January, particularly in the Southeast, drove up the use of electric power and natural gas, according to DOE’s Energy Information Administration (EIA). In the South Census Region, where about 60% of households use electricity as their primary space heating fuel, residential electricity sales increased by about 12% in January, relative to January 2009. Most of that increased power probably came from natural gas, and the cold further north also increased the use of natural gas for heating. That double-whammy caused natural gas spot prices to peak at $7.51 per million Btu on January 7, but as temperatures eased, the spot price fell to about $5.30 per million Btu by the end of the month. The spot price averaged $5.83 per million Btu for all of January, about 49 cents higher than December. Despite the potential for price spikes, natural gas spot prices are expected to average only $5.37 per million Btu in 2010. The nation should also see some energy cost relief this summer, as temperatures are expected to be about 2.5% cooler than last summer. See the EIA’s “Short-Term Energy Outlook,” published on February 10.

Reduce your energy costs!  Call P & B today for windows, doors and insulation solutions.

Michigan Appliance Rebate Program

The program will spur economic growth, save energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by encouraging appliance replacements.  This program will create jobs in retailing and manufacturing and Michigan companies make many of the products included in this program.  The Michigan strategy will have the following objectives: 

1. Complement existing utility energy optimization programs by providing rebates for appliances not covered by utility programs. 
2. Reach rural areas not served by utility natural gas programs.
3. Push the marketplace by providing rebates for appliances that exceed the ENERGY STAR standards.

 The program will start on February 10, 2010 and end when funds run out.  Rebates are not retroactive. Only Michigan residents will be eligible to participate and rebates are limited to one per product per household. Appliances have to be replaced.  Customers can go online or call a toll-free number to reserve a rebate. Participants will be required to mail in a rebate application and valid receipt for proof of purchase.        

Products to be Rebated	Rebate Level ($)	Targeted Quantity	Total Cost
Clothes Washers Tier 3*	$50	30,764	$1,538,200
Refrigerators  ENERGY STAR	$50	30,000	$1,500,000
Refrigerators  Tier 3	$100	28,073	$2,807,300
Dishwashers  ENERGY STAR	$25	10,601	$265,025
Dishwashers  Tier 2	$50	10,600	$530,000
Propane Furnaces –AFUE 95%	$300	4,280	$1,284,000
Propane Storage Water Heaters EF>=.67	$100	1,280	$128,000
Propane Tankless Water Heaters EF>=.82	$100	3,000	$300,000
Oil Furnaces  ENERGY STAR	$300	770	$231,000
Solar Water Heaters ENERGY STAR	20%, max $1200	200	$240,000
Total Rebates		119,568	$8,823,525

* Tiers refer to Consortium for Energy Efficiency standards.

Websites to reserve rebates:
http://www.MIrebates.com/ – Refrigerators, dishwashers, & clothes washers
http://www.michrebate.com/ – Furnaces & hot water heaters

 Call-In Numbers for additional information or to reserve a rebate:
1-866-621-8782 – Refrigerators, dishwashers, & clothes washers
1-888-MICHNRG (1-888-642-4674) – Furnaces & hot water heaters

P & B Finishers is a Certified Green Professional

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