The Fort Dodge Community School District Board of Education approved a $2.59 million bid proposal from Woodruff Construction for the districts Central Office and Maintenance Facility Remodel Project on Monday night.

The project, slated to begin this spring, is a remodel of the former Hy-Vee building, 109 N. 25th St., which will be used as the districts central offices and main maintenance facility. The current central offices are housed in the former Arey School, which will later be remodeled back into a school building to house preschool and kindergarten.

The school board meeting opened up to a public hearing on the Central Office and Maintenance Facility Remodel Project. Prior to the hearing, the board did not receive any written objections or comments on the project. During the hearing, there were no oral objections or comments from the public, either.

Following the public hearing, Ryan Utley, director of buildings and grounds, presented to the board the three bids the district received for the project.

The district received bids from Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge; Sande Construction and Supply, of Humboldt; and Woodruff Construction, of Fort Dodge.

All three bids were within $200,000 of each other, Utley said. (The architects) estimated cost for the project is $3.9 million.

Woodruff Construction was the low bid at $2,594,700.

(The architect) after that went through their qualification processes to make sure that (Woodruff) understood the project timeline and make sure that their bid was within specs, Utley added.

Superintendent Dr. Jesse Ulrich added that the subcontractors for the project will all be local to Fort Dodge.

The board unanimously voted to award the bid to Woodruff Construction, with board members Lisa Shimkat and Bill Kent absent.

In his superintendent updates, Ulrich noted the hiring of Nik Moser as the Fort Dodge Community School District Foundations new director. Moser will begin on Feb. 17.

Also on Monday night, the school board appointed Barbara Bachman as the temporary board secretary to serve while board secretary Adriana Utley is out on maternity leave.

The board also approved a first review and revision of the boards policies and procedures on anti-bullying, substance free workplace, child abuse reporting, student-to-student harassment-bullying and drug and alcohol testing program.

The next school board meeting will be at 6 p.m. on Feb. 24, at the Central Administration Building, 104 S. 17th St. All school board meetings are open to the public.

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School board awards central office remodel project to Woodruff Construction | News, Sports, Jobs - Fort Dodge Messenger

You spent the holidays binging on HGTV, and now visions of shiplap accent walls and free-standing soaking tubs are dancing through your head.

Don't let your desire to upgrade your home downgrade your home's market value. Before you make a renovation fantasy a reality, consider whether the project will pay off when you're ready to sell. Plenty of home improvements add value, but others like these five can hurt it.

1. A CHEF-QUALITY KITCHEN

If you love to cook, a high-end kitchen could be the ultimate gift for you. But if you think a massive overhaul will majorly impact resale value, you might be in for a surprise. An upscale kitchen renovation recoups just 54% of its cost in added value, according to Remodeling magazine's 2020 Cost vs. Value report.

"If you do marble countertops and high-end appliances, you could spend $100,000, and it doesn't necessarily mean your house is worth an extra $100,000," says Beatrice de Jong, a consumer trends expert for Opendoor, a San Francisco-based direct homebuyer and seller.

Smaller kitchen upgrades could yield a bigger payoff. Chris Arienti, broker and owner of Re/Max Executive Realty near Boston, suggests keeping updates reasonable: Think granite rather than marble, and GE instead of Sub-Zero.

2. DIY PAINTING

A bold statement wall can say the wrong thing to potential buyers if the workmanship is questionable. Streaky, chipped or low-quality paint can knock $1,700 off a home's sale price, according to Opendoor data that looked at home offers made from June 2018 to June 2019.

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"A good paint job is not easy," says Sarah Cunningham, a real estate agent with Ethos Design + Remodel in Boise, Idaho. "It is all in the prep work, and most people don't want to do the prep work." Hiring a professional to paint can help ensure a more attractive result.

3. AN EXPANDED MASTER SUITE

Knocking down a wall to create an oversize master bedroom or stealing closet space to build out a spa-style bathroom may sound dreamy. But how about as a selling point? "If you go from five bedrooms to four, and you can make it work, no big deal," Arienti says. But he cautions that losing a bedroom in a smaller house could mean a lower selling price.

As for cutting into closet space, residential building codes don't mandate that bedrooms have closets. But, Arienti says, "Once you take the closet out of a bedroom, to a buyer, that no longer looks like a bedroom."

4. PLUSH WALL-TO-WALL CARPETING

Carpet can be especially unattractive to first-time homebuyers, who may be used to landlords updating carpet between renters, de Jong says.

"In general, people are grossed out by (carpeting). It can make a room look a little bit dated."

It can also ding your sale price. Carpet as the primary flooring in a house drops the value by $3,900 and carpeting in the master bedroom causes a $3,800 plunge, according to Opendoor. Conversely, a 2019 report from the National Association of Realtors estimated that sellers could recoup the entire cost of refinishing hardwood floors. New wood flooring could actually add value, with sellers getting $1.06 for every dollar spent according to NAR.

5. A SWIMMING POOL

It doesn't matter if it's infinity edge or aboveground: Any pool can be seen as a drawback by buyers who don't want to deal with maintenance or insurance. Even in Florida, a pool doesn't add value, Liede DeValdivielso, a real estate agent with the Keyes Company in Miami-Dade, said via email. If you're thinking resale, it's not worth it you'll never recoup the cost, DeValdivielso said. But if you'll use it and enjoy it, put in a pool.

HOW TO DECIDE IF A RENOVATION IS WORTH THE COST

To ensure you're making an informed decision:

CONSIDER YOUR TIMELINE. "If you're going to be in the home for 30 years, you can do anything, because at that point, your mortgage is paid off," Arienti says. Looking to sell in the near future? Pay closer attention to whether your choices will appeal to a potential buyer.

CONSULT AN EXPERT. "Talk to a professional so you aren't making misinformed choices that are going to work against you in five to 10 years," Cunningham says. A designer can help you tell fleeting trends from future classics; a contractor can explain what kind of work a proposed renovation would entail.

COMPARE HOME FEATURES IN YOUR AREA. De Jong suggests looking at comparable homes for sale near you and going to open houses to make sure your improvements align with the norms for your neighborhood.

GET AN APPRAISAL. A licensed appraiser can do a feasibility study to estimate your home's current value and its likely value after the improvements.

Read more from the original source:
5 home improvements that may not pay off when you sell - Newsday

Tony Mixon @TmixonPCNH93

ThursdayJan30,2020at1:57PM

The plan was to save money by remodeling an existing building. The building at McKenzie Avenue was the home of EMS units that were moved after Hurricane Michael.

PANAMA CITY The Bay County Courts and Clerks facilities committee met Tuesday afternoon to discuss a plan to move the clerk functions into an unincorporated building at 225 Mckenzie Ave.

The plan was to save money by remodeling an existing building. The building at McKenzie Avenue was the home of EMS units that were moved after Hurricane Michael.

The plan to remodel the existing building at 225 McKenzie Avenue will save an estimated $500,000, said Keith Bryant, Bay County Public Works Director. It will decrease construction from 31,000 square feet to 28,000 square feet for the new courthouse.

Bay County moves forward on juvenile courthouse project

The new facility that will hold clerk functions is still on courthouse grounds, adjacent to the county courthouse. According to Bryant, the committee was all in agreement for the plan.

I think the main thing was that nobody was aware that the building at 225 McKenzie Avenue was not being used, Bryant said. With repairs to the courthouse, it just made it cheaper to remodel at that location (McKenzie Avenue).

The remodeling of the McKenzie building is expected to take six to eight months.

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Bay County court clerk services moving to McKenzie Avenue - The News Herald

LAKE FOREST, California, Jan. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- InMode Ltd. (Nasdaq:INMD) ("InMode"), a leading global provider of innovative medical technologies, introduces Evoke, a breakthrough non-invasive solution for facial remodeling.

Evoke is the first hands-free device for the face and submental area cleared by the FDA. This advanced radiofrequency-based platform addresses patient aesthetic concerns with uniform and controlled heating of the skin and subdermal tissue.

Dr. Michael Kreindel, InMode Chief Technology Officer, and inventor of Evoke commented, "The idea of a facial hands-free treatment has been circulating in the market for about 8 years. I'm proud that InMode, after years of research and development, is the first company to bring this solution to patients worldwide."

"Evoke delivers the ultimate solution in thermal facial procedures. Patients can not only turn back the hands of time but are now also able to achieve long-lasting structural enhancements to their face without excisional surgery. InMode once again has brought to market another aesthetics industry game changer," said Dr. Spero Theodorou, InMode Chief Medical Officer and Plastic Surgeon (bodySCULPT, NY).

About InMode

InMode is a leading global provider of innovative medical technologies. InMode develops, manufactures, and markets devices harnessing novel radiofrequency ("RF") technology. InMode strives to enable new emerging surgical procedures as well as improve existing treatments. InMode has leveraged its medically-accepted minimally-invasive RF technologies to offer a comprehensive line of products across several categories for plastic surgery, gynecology, dermatology, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology.

For more information about InMode and its wide array of medical technologies, visit http://www.inmodemd.com.

Press Contact:Behrman CommunicationsAmanda Reinsteinareinstein@behrmanpr.com

Investor Contact:MS-IR LLCMiri Segal Schariair@inmodemd.comTel: +1-917-607-8654

SOURCE InMode Ltd.

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InMode Launches Evoke, the First and Only Hands-free Facial Remodeling Technology - PRNewswire

Q: Im ready to hire someone for a kitchen remodel, but Im not sure what information I need to share with prospective contractors to hire the right one. Can you help?

A: When looking for the right contractor for your project, there are several topics that will arise during your first conversation, including their availability, how to begin the process and what youre looking for.

One topic that often gets overlooked is the budget dont make this mistake. If you want the right contractor and not just the cheapest youll need to get serious about how much youre willing to spend.

If this is your first time working with a remodeling contractor, feeling hesitant to discuss your budget is understandable. But its the first discussion you should have, and heres why:

Contractors know how much its likely to cost. A good contractor has enough experience to establish a good starting budget. They know how much it generally costs to complete a project based on past remodels, and while each remodel is unique, the contractors experience plus the clients budget will tell them if the project is a good fit for both parties.

Contractors can point you in the right direction. Most contractors specialize in types of remodels based on area, design and budget. A contractor who tells you that your budget is too small may specialize in the higher-end market. If they do, dont be discouraged and continue your search. Its worth your time to talk to them because they may recommend another contractor if you have a workable budget.

Discussing the budget will save you time. Its easy to design your dream kitchen with a contractor without a budget. But an hour-long budget conversation may lead you to conclude that the cost to complete the project is twice what youre willing to spend. You and the contractor can save a lot of time by starting with that conversation.

Its not a negotiation. Clients reluctant to disclose their budget often believe theyre entering a negotiation and dont want to show their cards. However, a good contractor has set costs for labor and overhead. The only thing that comes close to a negotiation is selecting materials to fit the budget.

Many factors go into planning a remodel and its safe to say that a starting budget may change once planning has been finalized, but its good to start with a number. Talking about the budget early will establish trust and clear communication with the contractor that will help you complete your remodel without breaking the bank.

Nathan Coons is owner and operator of Coons Construction LLC, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS), and HomeWork is the groups weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question youd like answered by one of MBAKSs more than 2,700 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Excerpt from:
When talking to a remodeling contractor, start with the budget - Seattle Times

SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) Better Call Behnken is helping customers get answers after they forked over thousands to Jamestown Kitchens and received nothing in return.

Others say projects were started but never finished and now they cant get answers from the business or owner James Gerard.

On Monday, the Sarasota County Sheriffs Office issued an unusual public request for anyone with information related to Jamestown Kitchens to please contact the Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900.

The sheriffs office release stated that over the past few weeks, the sheriffs office has received several reports from citizens reporting they paid money to the company however, the work was never completed.

One of the customers who turned to Better Call Behnken for help is Gary and Sandra Garcia of Sarasota. They say they paid a $16,960 deposit to have two bathrooms remodeled. They paid in October toward the more than $30,000 job, but work never started.

We dont know whats going to happen with our money, but at this point in time, we just want it stopped, Gary Garcia said. We just want this man stopped so that other people arent hurt by this.

Jamestown Kitchens did not return a call for comment.

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Customers say they paid thousands for remodeling and got nothing - WFLA

LAKE FOREST, California, Jan. 27, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- InMode Ltd. (Nasdaq:INMD) ("InMode"), a leading global provider of innovative medical technologies, introduces Evoke, a breakthrough non-invasive solution for facial remodeling.

Evoke is the first hands-free device for the face and submental area cleared by the FDA. This advanced radiofrequency-based platform addresses patient aesthetic concerns with uniform and controlled heating of the skin and subdermal tissue.

Dr. Michael Kreindel, InMode Chief Technology Officer, and inventor of Evoke commented, "The idea of a facial hands-free treatment has been circulating in the market for about 8 years. I'm proud that InMode, after years of research and development, is the first company to bring this solution to patients worldwide."

"Evoke delivers the ultimate solution in thermal facial procedures. Patients can not only turn back the hands of time but are now also able to achieve long-lasting structural enhancements to their face without excisional surgery. InMode once again has brought to market another aesthetics industry game changer," said Dr. Spero Theodorou, InMode Chief Medical Officer and Plastic Surgeon (bodySCULPT, NY).

About InMode

InMode is a leading global provider of innovative medical technologies. InMode develops, manufactures, and markets devices harnessing novel radiofrequency ("RF") technology. InMode strives to enable new emerging surgical procedures as well as improve existing treatments. InMode has leveraged its medically-accepted minimally-invasive RF technologies to offer a comprehensive line of products across several categories for plastic surgery, gynecology, dermatology, otolaryngology, and ophthalmology.

For more information about InMode and its wide array of medical technologies, visit http://www.inmodemd.com.

Press Contact:Behrman CommunicationsAmanda Reinsteinareinstein@behrmanpr.com

Investor Contact:MS-IR LLCMiri Segal Schariair@inmodemd.comTel: +1-917-607-8654

SOURCE InMode Ltd.

See the original post here:
InMode Launches Evoke, the First and Only Hands-free Facial Remodeling Technology - Yahoo Finance

Residential Remodeling Continues to Trend Upward

Spending on residential remodeling improvements will continue to grow at a gradual pace over the next two years according to experts. At an NAHB Remodelers press conference at the NAHB International Builders Show in Las Vegas, professional remodelers cited increased consumer confidence and demand as a reason for the uptick in spending.

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Paul Emrath, Ph.D., NAHBs Assistant Vice President for Surveys and Housing Policy Research, predicts that the spending on remodeling owner-occupied, single-family homes will decrease by 0.6% percent in 2020, but increase 1.2% in 2021.

According to Tim Ellis, the 2019 NAHB Remodelers Chair, remodeler certainty remains at a high level because remodeling generated $158 billion in 2019.

Although there is steady consumer demand in all areas of the country, the biggest challenge continues to be the cost of, and lack of, skilled labor to meet the interest.

Paul Emrath, Ph.D.

Remodelers quote a few reasons for the slow growth in remodeling spending.

Were not only seeing more requests for proposals because the housing stock is limited, but also a higher request for aging-in-place work because boomers want to stay in their homes longer. Because people are choosing to stay in their homes, the demand and backlog for remodeling remains high.

Nick Scheel, CGR, remodeler from Spokane Valley, WA

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However, experts claim that the growth were seeing in the remodeling market could rise more quickly except for the lack of skilled labor in the field.

Although the economy shows signs of slowing down ever so slightly, the risk of recession is low, and according to experts, remodeling should keep pace with inflation into 2021.

In or corner of the world (central Florida), new construction and existing home sales remain hot. New developments focusing on houses priced in the $200,000 to $250,000 range move quickly. On the real estate market for existing homes, anything in good shape under $200,000 usually doesnt last more than a week and often no more than a few days.

Younger homebuyers are simply being priced out of this sector of the market, leaving them few options that are genuinely affordable. Remodeling a fixer-upper is a good possibility. The trick is knowing what your total budget is, finding a home that has real potential, and knowing what kind of work the home needs. For more patient homebuyers, it can be a way to get into a neighborhood you really want to live in or getting the kind of square footage and/or layout youd like.

Either way you look at it, professional contractors in our area have no trouble finding work whether its on the new construction or remodeling side. Like Dr. Emrath said, finding skilled labor is the number one factor keeping builders and remodelers from being able to take on more work.

Would you rather remodel or move? Check out this article and let us know in the comments what you think!

Renovate or Move Whats the Best Option?

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NAHB Prediction: Slow Growth in Remodeling Through 2021 | PTR - Pro Tool Reviews

Find Professional Remodeling Contractors. Finding a professional remodeling contractor you can trust with your remodeling project can be a daunting task. It seems like everyone you know has a horror story to share about a disastrous remodel and the sub-par "professional" they chose for the project. Let Networx help you find an experienced, proven contractor for your next remodeling project. Our job is to connect you with professional remodelers who are qualified to help with all your remodeling needs - whether it's getting the upstairs bathroom redone or it's the total design and build of a home addition. Simply enter your zip code in the box above and we'll match you with multiple remodeling contractors in your area today. Compare different quotes and choose the remodeler that's best for you.

Why choose a Networx Remodeler? It's our mission to provide a superb experience for you by helping you quickly and easily connect with local remodeling professionals so that you can make the best choice for your needs. To that end, every remodeler on our site has been screened by us to ensure they are certified and licensed. In order to be listed with us, our remodeling contractors are required to maintain a high level of professionalism - if we receive any valid negative feedback about any of our remodelers, we will promptly remove them from our site.

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Home Remodeling & Renovation Contractors Near Me | Networx

Home Remodeling, Commercial Remodeling and Construction Services

Gulf Remodeling specializes in home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, room additions, drywall repairs, flooring, general home renovation, outdoor remodeling andcommercial build-outs and commercial remodels.

Based out of Houston, TXGulf Remodelings general area of operation includes Houston and all the surrounding cities.

Residential: Home renovations, Home remodeling, Home construction, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, insurance claims, room additions, patio covers, garage conversions and building new garages.

Commercial: Build outs, tenant improvements, tenant construction, retail maintenance, retail remodeling, finish-outs, build-to-suit, water damage restoration and commercial construction. Office buildings & medical centers, retail stores, restaurants, gas stations, shopping centers, malls, warehouses, car dealerships, apartment complexes in and around Houston.

We work with the best name brands in the industry so youre 100% satisfied with the final results. We have a 100% satisfaction guarantee as Gulf Remodeling is the brand of trust.

Gulf Remodelingalso is a platinum member of the chamber of commerce. You can be rest assured that your project will be stress-free, affordable and just as you imagined it.

Home remodeling Houston TX is not only a profession, it is an art form. To convert & remodel home that weve never seen before and turn them into something that our customers will love is something we have mastered. Read more

Are you tired of the same old kitchen? Do you want to turn your drab kitchen into a fab one? Well, we have just the right services for you. When it comes to Houston TXKitchen Remodeling,we have years of experience in converting a dusty, old-fashioned kitchens to 21st-century ones and ones that youll love. Our Kitchen Remodeling HoustonTX team is always ready to give you all the needed details regarding costs and materials. We will turn your kitchen remodel dream into a beautiful realityRead more

Bathrooms are something that there is no excuse about; we buy houses and one of the main selling points is the bathroom. We, as people just like having clean, good looking bathrooms, even though its something very private.

Whether you want to upgrade your bathroom, fit in some new commodities, do a customer bathroom remodel, or you want to remodel it entirely, were the Houston bathroom remodeling company that will help you do just that. Read more

Dont you just hate it when your houses beauty and integrity is affected because of a busted-up drywall? Drywall repairs are common when people are moving around furniture or are remodeling their home.

While drywall is actually not the weakest material you can find in your house, it can be dented, chipped or punctured in everyday use. It could be because of the doorknob hitting the wall hard enough or due to other reasons. Read more

As a commercial build out & remodeling contractor in Houston, we understand that each and every business relies on their own kind of jargon and commercial buildings / real estate businesses are no exception. When office buildings are rented out, they are nothing more than 4 walls and a roof but Read more

When it comes to flooring, Gulf Remodeling offers a wide variety of flooring including: Bamboo flooring, laminate flooring, ceramic tile, hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl. By choosing us, we guarantee you the best remodels, flooring and cabinets.You will be happy to invite your family & friends to see how your decision was the best because you decided to go with a company that guarantees the quality of their work. Read more about our flooring installation and repair services.See gallery

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Houston Remodeling Company | Home Remodeling | Gulf Remodeling