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Basement Finishing Contractors in Toms River, Camden, Brick ...

Dear Angie: Can I save money by finishing my basement piecemeal rather than hiring a general contractor? Jennifer M., Alpharetta, Ga.

Dear Jennifer: It depends. There are risks and rewards if you act as your own general contractor on a large project.

Our researchers found that general contractors who hire and supervise subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters typically mark up labor and material costs by as much as 20 percent. A 20 percent markup on a $15,000 remodel, for example, would be $3,000. Thats money you could pocket if you supervise all aspects of the project.

But weigh your options carefully before deciding whats best for your situation. Unless you have experience in the building trades or house construction, as well as a flexible schedule with significant free time, youre probably not ready to act as your own general contractor. Orchestrating a full remodeling of your basement can be a monumental task for an inexperienced homeowner.

You could end up paying more if the job is done incorrectly by the subcontractors you hire or if scheduling conflicts arise. Highly rated general contractors tell our team that they sometimes are brought in to fix problems created by workers homeowners hired on the cheap.

A general contractor is responsible for fixing problems with the job. If things go wrong on your watch, youll be paying.

Also, keep in mind that an experienced and qualified general contractor will handle getting all necessary permits, and making sure subcontractors are appropriately insured and licensed. A good general contractor also will ensure that work meets local building codes, comes in on budget and maintains high quality standards.

But if you have the experience and the time to be your own general contractor, you may save money as well as stay on top of all details.

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Being your own contractor carries some risks

Actual construction is nearly ready to begin on the first part of the Ward County jail remodeling and expansion.

The Ward County Board voted today to move offices and people from the basement of the courthouse so that work can begin to turn the space into a juvenile detention center.

The work could begin within six weeks or so in an area adjacent to the existing juvenile court.

County Engineer Dana Larsen told board members the engineers on the project want to get going on identifying structural issues they'll face in putting the center in the basement.

(Dana Larsen, Ward County Engineer) "They would like for individuals to be out within maybe 30 days so they could start removing items so they can begin the process - and I think they talked about maybe within a year juvenile detention could be open if we got going on it right away."

(Shelly Weppler, Ward County Commissioner) "I think we should just get moving on it and make it happen."

Sheriff Steve Kukowski told commissioners the work is important because it will help him spend grant money that might run out if work isn't begun soon.

He also says the relocation of the juvenile detention center will open up several new beds for the county jail.

The jail remodeling and expansion will ultimately include a new building to help greatly expand the capacity of the jail.

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Jail Project Close to Start

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) - Kevin Wharton doesn't have to look long or hard to find trouble spots in your house when Kentuckiana is dealing with its worst flash freeze in 20 years.

"This hose is frozen solid," said Wharton as he inspected a home in Louisville's Crescent Hill neighborhood.

Wharton, a reconstruction specialist for Paul Davis Restorations, believes we can save ourselves money and grief by attending to small details we otherwise might overlook. He's big on venting; specifically, closing the vents to the crawl space.

"You need to stop that cold air from entering," Wharton said. "But if you have heat going into your partial basement, leave an opening so that some of that heat can get into the crawl space, particularly if you have pipes there."

Shutoff valves can also stop a lot of trouble cold.

"Shut off your washer valve between loads, but turn the machine on. It relieves the pressure on the line," Wharton said.

The same is true of water lines connecting to hoses outside.

"Turn off the valve back in the warm house, open up the outside, and let it drain out."

Otherwise, Wharton said, you may not realize that outside water line has frozen, and compromised the pipe, until spring.

"Last thing you want is to wash your car, and go back in to find a flooded basement," said Wharton.

Here is the original post:
Flash freeze: What all those thumps and bumps mean for your house

by Joe Smith, KGW Business Reporter

kgw.com

Posted on January 3, 2014 at 5:38 PM

Updated today at 5:41 PM

PORTLAND Its only January but remodeling and landscaping shows, with an eye toward spring, have already begun pop up.

The Build, Remodel & Landscape Show at the Oregon Convention Center, for example, is a one-stop source for ideas on home improvements from roof to basement. Its a great place to start before you tackle a remodeling project.

The remodeling industry has seen tremendous growth in the past several years.

Last year alone, with home sales up, over $150 billion was spent to spruce up kitchens and baths. This year looks to be another good one for an industry that always likes to come up with something new.

For example, one vendor at the convention center was displaying floors made out of ordinary craft paper.

I took the decoupage process, which is obviously centuries old, and I translated it into a large surface like a floor or countertop, said Lisa Raymer of Decoupage Floors. It can be colored anyway you want.

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Ideas for home improvements abound at convention center

Henryville, Pennsylvania (PRWEB) January 01, 2014

For the third year in a row, Pocono Luxury Inc. has earned a 5 star satisfaction rating from its customers, winning it the 2013 Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award in the Home Improvement & Remodeling category.

Originally begun as a home builder/developer, Pocono Luxury has truly made a name for itself in the home improvement/remodeling industry with three consecutive Talk of the Town Awards under its belt.

Pocono Luxury President Dimitry Metelkin and his team are grateful to their customers for acknowledging their efforts. "We would like to thank our customers for the business and the opportunity to make their visions come to life in turning their houses into homes," he says. "We would also like to thank them for their high praise on the finished product."

Despite the fact that the remodeling industry and contractors often get a bad name, Pocono Luxury continues to grow its list of satisfied customers. "This third consecutive award for customer satisfaction means a lot to our business," says Metelkin. "It tells us that we are on the right path and encourages us by letting us know that our efforts are not going unnoticed."

To further secure its place in the industry, Pocono Luxury has been focusing on and expanding its philosophy of ensuring absolute customer satisfaction at any cost, according to Metelkin. "We will continue to build on this philosophy and work toward changing the overall perception, experience and expectations that homeowners have when it comes to hiring a contractor," he says.

Furthermore, Pocono Luxury is in the process of opening a retail side to the business, which will extend its ability to provide quality materials for its projects. The retail side, called unique4home.com, allows the business to offer customers an out-of-the-box shopping and selection experience so they can create truly custom rooms in their homes. "We already offer superior to most and completely customizable workmanship, but now we are able to offer a truly unique product and items that you simply cant find in the big box stores," says Metelkin.

Metelkin credits the entire Pocono Luxury team for the companys success. "All members of our team treat every project with the utmost respect and attention to detail," he says. "We realize that we are far from perfect, but no project is considered finished until the customer is completely satisfied."

Pocono Luxury stands behind its work no matter what, offering a three-year warranty separate from any manufacturers warranties. "It's all about building and keeping a good name," says Metelkin. "We go above and beyond to make sure the customer is always happy with the end result. In the construction industry, problems are common place; unlike other companies, we deal with the problems and make things right by the homeowners."

About Pocono Luxury Inc.

The rest is here:
Pocono Luxury Inc. Honored With Third Straight Talk of the Town Customer Satisfaction Award

The Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snip retails for about $13. These lightweight, 6-inch snips have been awarded the Arthritis Foundation Ease-of-Use Commendation. They're a practical gift for indoor and outdoor gardening.

HANDOUT MCT

Dear Angie: Can I save money by finishing my basement piecemeal rather than hiring a general contractor? Jennifer M., Alpharetta, Ga.

Dear Jennifer: It depends. There are risks and rewards if you act as your own general contractor on a large project.

Our researchers found that general contractors who hire and supervise subcontractors such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters typically mark up labor and material costs by as much as 20 percent. A 20 percent markup on a $15,000 remodel, for example, would be $3,000. That's money you could pocket if you supervise all aspects of the project.

But weigh your options carefully before deciding what's best for your situation.

Unless you have experience in the building trades or house construction, as well as a flexible schedule with significant free time, you're probably not ready to act as your own general contractor. Orchestrating a full remodeling of your basement can be a monumental task for an inexperienced homeowner.

You could end up paying more if the job is done incorrectly by the subcontractors you hire or if scheduling conflicts arise. Highly rated general contractors tell our team that they sometimes are brought in to fix problems created by workers homeowners hired on the cheap.

A general contractor is responsible for fixing problems with the job. If things go wrong on your watch, you'll be paying.

Also, keep in mind that an experienced and qualified general contractor will handle getting all necessary permits, and making sure subcontractors are appropriately insured and licensed. A good general contractor also will ensure that work meets local building codes, comes in on budget and maintains high quality standards.

Go here to see the original:
Ask Angie: Should I hire a general contractor?

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New home products often born out of necessity

Sandra Weese, Pepperlane co-owner, puts cloth tops on each bottle by hand. (Tom Wharton Photo)

Wanship When company founder Michele Trover began selling Pepperlane jellies in 1990, she worked out of small rented kitchens and even in the basement of the Wanship home she and her husband Mike built on the Old Lincoln Highway in this small Summit County town.

You might say the business has grown a bit. Nowadays, the Trovers and company co-owners Rod and Sandra Weese produce

14 varieties of the pepper-based jelly in a new state-of-the-art facility near the Trovers home.

Despite the new facility, each jar of jelly is produced by hand.

Rod Weese often begins his shift at 5:30 a.m., mixing 15 to 20 batches of one of the "condiments with a kick" the company produces.

On a recent day, after employee Elma Portillo hand-poured each batch into small glass jars, Rod quickly screwed on lids. Sandra, who is also the companys marketing and sales manager, labeled the jars and draped each one with the signature piece of hand-cut cloth.

Michele Trover said her 84-year-old neighbor Dot Young cuts each of those cloth squares.

The facility can produce about 500 bottles an hour, Rod Weese said. It uses about 5,000 pounds of sugar and 1,200 pounds of jalapeos each month.

On a normal day, the company produces 15 batches, but on this late December day, 20 were needed to meet demand from Associated Food Stores throughout Utah, other grocery stores in 17 Western states and catalogues such as Williams and Sonoma and Jackson and Perkins. The company also fills orders on its website, http://www.pepperlane.com.

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Utah pepper jelly business takes off in Summit County

Avista continuesrenovations

Spokane utility Avista Corp. will launch a $6 million renovation of the five-floor north half of its corporate office at 1411 E. MissionAve.

Starting in March, the work will include major renovations of heating and air systems, new carpets, ceiling fans, energy efficient lighting and otherimprovements.

The northern half of the Avista building was constructed in the 1970s; its roughly 42,000 square feet on five floors and abasement.

The project coordinator is Seattle-based McKinstry. That north-side work is expected to finish in May2015.

Avista is also concluding a first phase of

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Spokane utility Avista Corp. will launch a $6 million renovation of the five-floor north half of its corporate office at 1411 E. MissionAve.

Starting in March, the work will include major renovations of heating and air systems, new carpets, ceiling fans, energy efficient lighting and otherimprovements.

Read more:
Here's the Dirt: Avista continues renovations - Sun, 22 Dec 2013 PST