Preparing For a Remodel

Whether you are remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, if you plan on remaining in the house while construction is going on, plan in advance for any inconveniences that may incur.  To avoid frustrations, misunderstandings or conflicts it is best to:

• Protect and cover all furniture and carpets that will be exposed to the work areas.  A responsible crew should take all the necessary precautions to avoid any damage, however, it is always recommended for you to remove fragile and valuable items from the immediate working vicinity.
• Remove all artwork, mirrors and draperies from the walls of the work area before the work begins.  If you have any valuable items on the walls in the rooms directly behind the work areas, it is always a wise idea to take them off of shelves or remove them from the walls.
• Remove to safekeeping any jewelry, cash and collectibles.
• Remove all plants from the work area.
• Remove your tools and do not offer your tools to the workers.  They should provide their own.  Your tools are not covered under your contractor’s policy so, if your item is used and is damaged in any way, your homeowner’s policy may not cover it.
• Secure all animals.  Curious cats can sometimes become trapped inside of wall cavities  or in kitchen and bathroom cabinets.  Dogs, out of protection for their owners, may cause an unwanted confrontation.
• Also, think about the items that you need MOST and put those in boxes or containers for easy access.  Just remember to keep the containers out of the work area.

Remember, precautions taken ahead of time save time!

The Remodeling Business

Remodeling as a recognized industry has been around for a relatively short time. A handyman or “Jack of all trades” was called in to people’s homes to help with home improvements and repairs. This was often a costly, time-consuming affair.

More recently, many people have gone to small construction/remodeling businesses. The operation of small businesses must factor in many of the same expenses as a larger corporation: cost control, scheduling, purchasing, payroll, insurance, contract construction laws, workman’s compensation, bonds and overhead expenses. But the biggest challenge to the small business is to see that the customer is satisfied.

Remodeling is an art. When a new home is initially contracted, a blueprint is drawn and the building proceeds. When remodeling is done, it often involves lots of dust and disarray from the demolition of cabinetry, counter tops, flooring and tile back splashes. Small construction businesses like ours work hard to assure the customer that he will get quality and dependability from the workers, giving the best possible service, with the least amount of disruption to the occupants of the home as it is being remodeled.

Each remodeling job is unique. All remodeling jobs are custom jobs. There is no situation with the same conditions. Therefore, each job is just as important as any other – big or small.

What is sustainable wood?

This article was reprinted with permission from Bradco Kitchens and Baths.

There is no clear cut definition of what sustainability is. The World Commission (Bruntland 1987) has broadly defined sustainability as “development that meets needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Luckily, when it comes to wood and forestry, there is a clear definition:

“the capacity of forests, ranging from stands to ecoregions, to maintain their health, productivity, diversity, and overall integrity, in the long run, in the context of human activity and use.”

What does that mean? It means trees should not be cut down faster than what is necessary to keep the earth safe and habitable for humans.

Why use sustainable wood?

In general, wood is a more eco-friendly choice. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the leading gas contributing to the greenhouse effect. Trees “breathe” CO2. They store the carbon-C and release the oxygen-O2. Most cubic meters of wood have about 0.8 to 0.9 tonnes of CO2.

1 tonne CO2 = 556,000 litres or 556 cubic meters (about the volume of a 3 bedroom house)

On average, 1.1 tonnes CO2 emissions would be produced for each cubic meter of a manufactured material such as plastics or other materials that aren’t eco-friendly. So by selecting wood over a less eco-friendly product you are essentially saving 2 tonnes of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere.

In addition, if you select wood from a sustainable source that wood is being replaced by new growth.

What kinds of woods are sustainable?

1. Bamboo – Grown on immense plantations in China, Vietnam, other Asian countries and is over 1/8 of the forests in India. This fast-growing wood is ready to harvest in 4-6 years! Due to its fast rate of growth, it utilizes much less fertilizers and pesticides. Technically it’s grass and not wood, but is more durable than many hardwoods due to its pore structure – it’s the same as wood. Its light in color like ash or maple.
2. Cane – Like bamboo, it is a grass, but is stronger and more flexible. It is indigenous to the Phillipines and like bamboo it is also 100% sustainable.
3. Mango – Chances are you’ve eaten a mango, afterall it is the world’s #1 fruit! Mango trees provide fruit for 15 years, after that, they stop. So the wood is harvested and new trees are planted.
4. Maple – It is a relatively fast growing tree; growing 18” or more per year.

What are the worst woods to buy?

Obviously, buying wood from endangered species is not a good idea. Luckily, in the US it is prohibited so your chances are very slim.

Stay away from slow growing trees such as Oak, Redwood, Beech and Colorado Spruce. However, these are great trees to select when landscaping your home! Medium growth rate trees such as red oak, birch and red-bud have medium growth rates and should be okay when purchased from sustainable resources.

How do I find sustainable woods?

The Forest Stewardship Council is an international not-for-profit organization that has created a set of standards that finds solutions for existing bad forestry practices and promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. By purchasing products with their label, you are supporting environmentally responsible management of the world’s forests.

For more information, about custom, formaldehyde-free cabinets made from sustainable wood, contact Bradco Kitchens & Baths at (323) 936-3457 or visit their showroom at 6011 West Pico Blvd, LA 90036 (at the corner of Pico and Crescent Heights).

Caring for your stainless steel sink

Stainless steel sinks are easy to care for. Water spots and mineral deposits can be prevented by rinsing thoroughly after each use and wiping dry with a clean, soft cloth. Non-abrasive cleaners are ideal for regular maintenance. Use vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar) for a non-toxic, eco-friendly way to clean your sink.

In regards to stainless steel, most minor scratches can be softened with a Scotch Brite (soft scour) pad, accompanied with a deep cleansing agent such as Comet. Wet pad, apply cleansing agent, rub vigorously with the “grain” or finish of the sink (note: do not just rub against the grain or in one area. You must rub across the entire surface), then rinse thoroughly.

Free kitchen remodeling calculator

Click Here to use our Free Online Kitchen Remodeling Calculator

Remodeling your kitchen can be one of the most exciting things you do. It can improve the value of your home and help you save money because you’ll want to cook at home every night! But it can also be very scary once you start seeing all the different costs adding up particularly during our current economy.

If you’re like most consumers, it is very difficult to find out how much it is going to cost to remodel your kitchen on your own.  Figuring out the prices for the cabinets, counter top, back splash, sink, faucet and the installation and demolition of everything can be time consuming and exhausting.  But now we offer a free online calculator to help you figure out how much it will cost to remodel your kitchen. Of course, the calculator is for our prices.

Luckily, most of our kitchen remodels cost an average of $10,000, but most cost even less! How much will it cost to remodel your kitchen?  Compare it to the quotes averaging $25,000 or more if you live in the Los Angeles area.