Going Green and The Recovery Act

Although the Recovery Act has a lot of people putting it down, we here at B & R Construction are excited about it.  Did you know there are two ways that the $787 billion Recovery Act can help you?

1. $5 billion of the has been allocated to Home Weatherization.  If you are income level qualifies (at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) money has been set aside to help you improve the energy efficiency of your home. We can provide efficient lighting including solar tubes and skylights, on demand water heaters, double pane windows and more.
2. Through 2010, homeowners will be able to claim a 30% tax credit (up from 10%) for purchases of new furnaces, windows and insulation.   Check out the EnergyStar.gov website for a more thorough summary of the Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency.

Contact us today for more information about how to green your home.

Be wary of contractors who lack the proper credentials – Los Angeles Times

Be wary of contractors who lack the proper credentials – Los Angeles Times.

Excerpt:

“Californians spend an estimated $10 billion annually on home remodeling and construction projects, officials say. Many have provided fertile ground for unlicensed contractors.”

Top 5 Tips to Green Your Home

By now we all know we have to take action to make our home a greener environment, but most of us don’t know where to start.

Formaldehyde free cabinets from Bradco

1.  Green Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets -

No we don’t mean your cabinets have to be the color green.  But they should be free of toxins.  Harsh chemicals and in particular, formaldehyde, have been know to cause a large variety of illnesses, including asthma, seizures, and even cancer.  Look for cabinetry that is free of formaldehyde, uses low- or no- VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint, and is made from sustainable wood resources.  Bradco Kitchens and Baths makes custom, formaldehyde free cabinets made from 100% sustainable wood sources.

2.  Stop drinking bottled water -

We know that clean water is good for our health, but buying bottled water is actually very bad for the environment.  Bottled water takes an enormous amount of energy, not just to produce, but to get the product to the consumer.  The cost of transporting the 3.4 billion gallons of bottled water to Americans is staggering.  It’s nowonder that gas prices have sky rocketed.  By purchasing bottled water you not only pay for it at the checkout counter, but you also pay for it at the pump and at home as energy bills keep rising.  To top things off, research indicates that bottled water is often no healthier or safter to drink than tap water.  Reverse osmosis systems, such as the one from Everpure® provide the highest level of filtration.  Look for a system that has been issued the highest ratings from NSF International.

Handmade spiral tiles from Eli's Tiles

3.  Conserver water  -

The bathroom is the number one source of wasted water in the home, but now the advancement in toilet technology is astonishing.  With dual flush systems such as the ones by TOTO® and Caroma®, as seen on Oprah and The View, you can conserve water by selecting a little flush or a big flush.

4.  Buy handmade -

It might seem obvious, but we often overlook the amount of energy that is required to make products.  By purchasing handmade products like the tiles from Eli’s Tiles for your kitchen or bathroom, you not only get a one of a kind product, but you are also protecting the environment.

5.  Buy recycled products -

Products made from recycled materials are a great way to show how eco-savvy you are and prevent extra waste from ending up in our landfills.  Recycled aluminum sinks are an excellent way to spruce up your bathroom and do something good for the environment.  If you can’t find a product made from recycled materials, then choose products that can be recycled such as fixtures from Mina that are made from 100% stainless steel.

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.