Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Many more people are facing the reality of working from home today than ever before. For some, it has been difficult to create a routine and find a balance between work and home life.

If youre going to work from home for the long haul, you may need to make some changes to make your life more organized, functional, inspiring and stress-reducing. Here are some DIY tips you can put into practice to improve your work-from-home life.

Create clever storage solutions

Storage is everything when you work from home and you want to stay organized. You can think about designing and making a desk that acts as a combination of work and storage space.

Creating storage for office clutter is another worthwhile project. For example, a well-organized bag or basket can hold office supplies, a planner and writing utensils. Beautiful rattan baskets in shelves can provide ample storage for your home office and this is a fairly easy DIY project.

Establish an indoor plant collection

Establishing an indoor plant collection near your workspace can provide you with natural greenery that lifts your spirits while working from home. Having plants around a desk can fuel your creativity and bring life into your workspace. Plants also absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen and can filter out toxins and help freshen up the air. Just a small handful of houseplants can affect your productivity.

There is some evidence that plants can decrease nose and eye irritation, fatigue, and concentration problems. They can also reduce stress and absorb sound. By placing large, potted plants in corners, you can keep distracting noises to a minimum.

Remodel your basement

An obvious space to begin with DIY when youre working from home is your workspace. If you know youre likely to continue to work from home, you may want to turn a specific space, like your basement, into a dedicated workspace. This could make you more productive than sitting in a space in your home where youre continuously distracted.

Getting basement remodeling right requires knowing how to take a dank, dark space and re-imagine it. If you need a Chicago remodeling company to help you convert your basement, HX Home Solutions can complete the job from start to finish. Once the basic work is done, you will have plenty of DIY projects left to do, such as creating suitable storage solutions.

Define your internal workspace

If you cant afford to remodel a garage or basement, you can still create a lovely workspace within your home. An important factor to consider is natural light. Windows properly ventilate your indoor space, allow you to breathe in oxygen, and let in natural sunlight which gives you some vitamin D, improves your mood and offers other health benefits.

If you need to add some windows, they can improve the overall aesthetic appeal of your home and increase its value. Chicago window replacement company reviews can guide your choice of who to use if you dont want to tackle this project yourself.

Turn a closet into a workspace

It is possible to turn a spare closet into a very organized home office. This can also be a perfect space for kids to do their homework at night. Converting a closet can offer much-needed workspace without having to use a whole room.

You will need bright lighting and will also have to add at least one electrical outlet. Spacious drawers in a desk and shelves can provide plenty of storage for office supplies, documents, books etc. and closing the closet doors hides any clutter.

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DIY Projects to Improve Your Work-from-Home Life - Southeast Missourian

QUINCY A Quincy man was arrested on a charge of aggravated home repair fraud for the second time in five months.

Randy J. Ferguson, 64, was arrested Thursday on the charge.

The Quincy Police Department said it learned last week that an elderly couple entered into an agreement with Ferguson who was doing business as Construction Services Unlimited in December 2020.

Police said the couple paid Ferguson more than $25,000 up front with the remainder to be paid throughout the project, but Ferguson reportedly didn't complete the work nor returned the funds.

Ferguson was arrested in December 2020 after he and two other Quincy men were paid more than $40,000 reportedly considered substandard or never completed. He was charged with six counts of aggravated home repair fraud.

He was out on bond at the time of his arrest Thursday.

Ferguson previously previously been convicted for theft in connection with home repairs. In 2014, he pleaded guilty to one count of theft after he scammed more than $13,000 from an elderly couple while remodeling their basement.

He is being held in the Adams County Jail on a $100,000 bond pending his first court appearance.

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Windows offer a view of the world. But, when you dig deeper, youll see that different window styles have different advantages and disadvantages. From shape to the amount of ventilation they provide to the all-important cost factor, there is a lot to keep in mind as you select window styles.

Natural light is a popular selling feature for homes, so making a wise choice with your window selection can be a great return on investment. Whether you are building or remodeling, choose the types of windows that meet your needs for lighting, function and price.

Also known as crank windows for the method used to open them, casement windows swing from a hinge, just like a door. The strong seal around these windows means they are generally weathertight. The swing function also allows for a great amount of airflow when desired.

Screens can fit securely inside the window, which can be helpful for cleaning purposes. On average, individual casement windows cost $300 to $750 installed.

With casement windows, youll need to keep in mind the design of your home to ensure open windows match with each other and sides of the home. Casement windows are not ideal for securing window air conditioning units, so beware if you depend on that method of cooling.

The most common window style, double-hung or single-hung windows slide along a vertical track to open. Although these two types of windows look just about the same, the distinction between them is single-hung windows only open from the bottom half.

Unlike casement windows that swing outward, you dont need to worry about double- or single-hung windows bumping into each other or anything on the exterior or the house.

These classic windows provide good ventilation, offer access for cleaning and are easier to replace than more unique window styles. Because they work against gravity, double- or single-hung windows may not stay open as desired if not properly maintained.

Double-hung windows cost slightly more than their single-hung siblings, but both are relatively budget-friendly window options with an average price point of $200 to $1,000 per window installed.

Locked in place and unmoving, picture windows dont obstruct the outside view, which can provide a real wow factor. The big drawback? There is no airflow with these windows. Without any opening mechanisms, the upkeep is simple and the seal will be weathertight.

On the downside, picture windows arent exactly energy-efficient, at least compared to solid walls. The heat from inside the home may escape during cooler months while sunlight streaming through the picture window may overheat the interior space in warmer months.

Because there are no mechanical elements, picture windows offer good bang for the buck when you want a lot of natural light. Depending on size and shape, each picture window costs an average of $150 to $750 installed.

Both functional and an interesting design feature, the term bay windows describes windows grouped together to extend from the house. On the inside, this can create a bay or shelf. The individual windows in a bay window group meet at angles. Bow windows are similar, but the design is curved without angles between windows.

If youre doing a remodel and want to add bay windows where there is currently an exterior wall, expect a significant expense in the $1,150 to $3,550 range. If youre just swapping windows in an existing bay window arrangement, the price will depend on the style of the specific window.

In a typical bay window arrangement, the center window is a fixed picture window while the two flanking windows may be casement, single- or double-hung windows.

A more common option for horizontal window orientations, sliding windows work much like they sound: by one section sliding over another, just like sliding glass doors. This can allow for great airflow and relatively good sealing.

Sliders are often used for basement egress windows but may lack the sophisticated look for areas where curb appeal is a bigger concern.

Other than a lock, sliders dont have mechanical components, which helps with the upkeep and overall cost. On average, sliders cost $400 to $1,300 to installwith the top range representing quite large sliding windows.

These windows get their name from the awning-like protection they provide when open. This makes them good options if you like to keep your windows open during rainfall. With hinges at the top, awning windows are paired above, below or to the side of a picture window.

Unlike casement windows, which open along a vertical plane, awning windows open from the top of the frame. The crank mechanism is easy to operate and creates a tight seal when not in use. When open, they allow for decent airflow.

The downside of this is awning windows protrude outward and may obstruct walkways. If used on a second floor or higher up on the wall, this issue can be avoided. Average costs to install awning windows are $350 to $900 per window.

Available in a variety of styles from stained glass to glass blocks, decorative glass windows are generally stationary. The purpose of these windows can be two-fold: They deliver a nice design point and can provide some privacy. For that reason, they are often found near front doors or in bathrooms.

Although they offer natural light to the interior, decorative glass windows are not the way to go if you want an exterior view. The installation cost for glass blocks ranges from $375 to $800.

A great solution for providing natural light to interior rooms, skylights are built into the roof. Skylights can be either fixed or ventable. Types that open are similar to a casement or awning window in that they open with a hinge.

Although you shouldnt expect a skylight to open completely, even a bit of venting can provide welcome airflow to a space.

The greatest benefit to skylights is the natural light. For new installations, this comes at a price. Average skylight installation costs run from $900 to $2,150 per window.

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8 Types of Windows To Consider For Your Home - Forbes

Indianapolis, IN - Half Price Roof Indianapolis is family-owned and known for offering excellent roofing services. The roofing company has several 5-star customer ratings and has employed experienced roofers to provide quality commercial and residential services. From roof replacement, repair, kitchen remodeling, and more, this company takes pride in assisting clients to get what they need. Clients are welcome to browse the company's portfolios on its site.

It doesn't matter if one doesn't have the skills or experience to handle roofing tasks because Half Price Roof will ensure professionals with the right tools handle the project. Not only is the team certified, but it understands what techniques to use to ensure the project is completed on time.

"Roofs are essential components to both residential and commercial properties. They will also increase the property's value, but they will offer protection to you and your loved ones. Half Price Roof Indianapolis provides a wide range of roofing services that will ensure you have a beautiful, high-quality, and durable roof. From ready-made to custom-made, our products and services will be worthwhile," said the company's Oswald Baker.

Additionally, Half Price Roof's roofing Indianapolis IN team is always prepared to help clients with window, siding, and gutter installation. They will also help them with other roofing projects if required. Homes with cracked siding or windows with warped frames may need to be assessed by a roofer to avoid further damage as there is a chance that the furnace or air conditioning system is overworked. Half Price Roof is there for homeowners who are looking to get the issues resolved.

When it comes to kitchen or bathroom remodeling, the team at Half Price Roof doesn't think one method is the answer to making sure the project goes smoothly. They will find time to talk to the client, listen to their needs, record the measurements and offer the ideal solution suitable for the client. Half Price Roof can bring to life the client's vision and ensure the client is satisfied with the outcome. The company also provides various designs from which the client can pick.

Half Price Roof Indianapolis offers waterproof and mold-resistant products that will be helpful in case of water damage. They will detect the water leak issue in the basement and do what they know best to prevent the problem from occurring in the future. The professional team can also offer basement waterproofing. Clients who need same-day estimates can call Half Price Roof to get instant quotes. The company will make sure that the basement waterproofing project is handled with the utmost professionalism. They will strive to make sure the client is satisfied.

Half Price Roof Indianapolis is located at 4120 W 47th St, Indianapolis, IN, 46254, United States. For roofing services or additional questions, call the team at (513)-440-3580; they are available 24/7. Visit the company's site at https://www.halfpriceroof.com/roofing-indianapolis/ for more information about the roofing services or an instant estimate.

Media ContactCompany Name: Half Price Roof IndianapolisContact Person: Oswald BakerEmail: Send EmailPhone: (513)-440-3580Address:4120 W 47th St City: IndianapolisState: INCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.halfpriceroof.com/roofing-indianapolis/

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Indianapolis Roofing Contractor is Proud to Be Serving the Greater Indianapolis, IN, Area - Press Release - Digital Journal

Friday, April 29, 2011 --

Candidates seeking election for school trustee positions are interviewed. Candidates are Steve Baldwin., Kevin Dukart, Shawna Knipp and Tom Muckle. There are two trustee seats open for election. . .High Tech Construction broke ground at the Longfellow School April 20 in preparation for building a new gymnasium. The first phase of the project is building the new gymnasium. Phase two will be the remodeling of the old gym into a music room and classrooms. All this should be done by fall of 2012. . .J & M Lumber will celebrate their eighth anniversary and customer appreciation day May 7. . .Brandon Schmidt is the newest employee at the Fallon County Federal Credit Union. . .The High School/YRA Rodeo held April 23-24 was a great success with approximately 60 entries and close to 200 attendees. Sunday, children participated in an egg hunt immediately followed by Cowboy Church led by Bruce Ketchum. . .Nellie Rost will celebrate her 85th birthday May 8 at the Marmarth Community Center.

Thursday, April 27, 2001 --

The Montana liquor store has a change of name, owner and location. Now called Spirits Plus, it is located at 15 South Main, Baker and is owned and operated by Russ Stoddard. . .2001 delegates to the Montana American Legion Auxiliary Girls State from Baker and Plevna schools are Michelle Becker and Maranda Zachmann of Baker and Leanne Klos from Plevna. . .Students in Lynnda Evans after school French class will present their spring program May 2. . .Delphine Maier has taken over the duties as Welcome Wagon representative from Helen Rieger. . .High temperature April 18 was 73 degrees. . .Employees of Fallon County Library served cake and coffee at an open house in honor of their volunteers. Those special ladies are Maxine Winters, Lauretta Stenglein, Eunice Higgins. Betty Kusler and Arleen Graham. . .April 8 a drilling derrick in the South Pine Unit north of Baker collapsed and fell to the ground, seriously injuring Jeff McGillivray of Chinook. McGillivray was at the top of the derrick when it fell. He was transported to Fallon Medical Complex and transfered to Holy Rosary Hospital. He was later transferred to Billings Deaconess and is much improved.

Thursday, April 25, 1991 --

Robert Singer, clerk at the Baker Post Office, has been named Local Postal Volunteer of the Year. Postmaster Mike Mangen presented Robert with a certificate of appreciation signed by Postmaster General Anthony M. Frank. . .Bakers interest in developing an industrial park have not been discarded. Monday evening following discussion with Dr. Pierce Parker and Charles Henry of Pierce International, community members who had not pledged funds voted to support the continuation of the project. The Industrial Park complex would consist of a 25 acre core park that would contain diversified support companies to provide services for larger manufacturing plants. . .Statewide average price of unleaded gasoline at self-service pumps is $1.14. . .The benefit dinner and auction for John Reetz, son of James and LaTonne Reetz, netted $6,477.76. John has cancer and may have to undergo a bone marrow transplant.

Thursday, April 23, 1981 --

A 1977 black Ford pickup with a yellow stripe was reported missing from the driveway of the Don Groshans, Sr. home April 18. The pickup, belonging to Don Groshans, Jr. of Glasgow, was unlocked and full of gas. . .Prom royalty candidates are Kurt Schell, Barb Mahon, Jeff Varner, Colette Hurley, Marie Lund, Kevin Helfrich and Sandy Engesser. . .Marge Koenig, Lillian Jensen and Frances Sikorski will be attending the Democratic Womens regional conference in Glendive this month. . .Leon Newell, Chief of the local fire unit, presented the city council with a list of specs for a new fire truck, costing $83,000. . .The New Horizons Health Spa has opened. They are located at 207 Young Ave., Stanhope Addition.

Thursday, April 29, 1971 --

John Brown is named valedictorian of the class of 1971 at Baker High School. Dennis Bechtold is salutatorian. . .Baker will stay in the same basketball district as last year. . .Harold Jensen is elected president of the OFallon Historical Society. Other officers are Marion Hanson, Lillian Jensen and Forrest Duffield. . .T. V. Critchfield guided representatives from the Montana Fish and Game Department to the Arnold Pinnow and Art Meccage ranches where they planted 7,000 trout. . .Leo Riley recently captured two baby beavers during a trapping expedition. . .Special recognition was given to L. F. Bruggeman, Baker High School Principal, at the District Music Festival in Glendive. Bruggeman has been taking music students to festival for 35 years. . .Bev Breitbach has been named winner of the BHS John Phillip Sousa award as outstanding senior band student.

Thursday, April 27, 1961 --

Delila Fried, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emil Fried, and Kay Rediske, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sheldon Rediske, share the honor of co-valedictorians for the class of 1961. Arthur Linden, son of Mrs. Lena Linden, is salutatorian. . .Lee Stevenson was elected president of the Montana Funeral Directors Association. . .Mrs. Richard Vilhauer is elected president of the Baker Jaycee Jaynes; Mrs. Arlene Steffes, vice president; Mrs. Leland Gundlach, secretary; and Mrs. Bernell Pfeifle, treasurer. . .Frank Lewis, incoming superintendent of Baker schools, visited Baker. . .Mrs. Fredric Bruggeman has prepared a history of the Baker Homemakers Club in recognition of National Home Demonstration Week. . .Delila Fried, Judy Hatton, Art Linden, Tom Olson and Robert Yokley attend the annual High School Week at Montana State in Bozeman.

Thursday, April 26, 1951 --

A group of rural farmers and citizens met April 23, in the courtroom of the courthouse to take part in the discussion and planning of a rain-making project. This project is designed to increase the natural rainfall between the dates of May 1 and September 1. Since the western states are so dry, many are participating in rain-making, and more than 100 million acres are already under contract for cloud-seeding. . .Mr. John Gray, manager, Montana State Employment Service, Miles City, MT announces the appointment of Clarence Heiser, Heisers Bar, Baker, MT, as Farm Placement Representative. . .The Baker Library is richer by a number of current best sellers, which were given by Mr. and Mrs. Larry Busch.

Thursday, April 24, 1941 --

Lieutenant James Ovens, Army reserve officer, has received notice from district recruiting headquarters in Missoula that he is authorized to assist with the present recruiting drive. . .C. W. Samsel was elected to chairman of the board of school trustees for the coming year, and Evelyn Hitch was named clerk. . .Mrs. Minnie Niccum this week made a contract with Douglas Holmes of Glendive for the erection of a brick and tile one story building with full basement. The location is next to the Green Dragon and upon its completion will be leased to R. Luckow for a bakery. . .Leon LaCross was appointed local liquor vendor to succeed Jack Eichenberger.

Thursday, April 23, 1931 --

The William Krukeberg gas and oil filling station will be greatly improved by the addition of three private garages housed in one building at the east side of the lot on First Street. . .Juanita LaCross and Karl Pleissner, Jr. were the local Christian Endeavor delegates to the convention in Miles City last week. . .Eight pupils of Baker High School will take part in the scholarship contest at Bozeman next week. Those to go are Richard Johnson, John Dougherty, Alvin Beckman, Karl Pleissner, Bonita Hythecker, Priscilla Larson, Mildred McDonald and Mary Christopher. . .A disastrous fire Friday night razed Mrs. Elmer Cates house, C. O. Wrights feed barn and partially destroyed the Victor North home.

Thursday, April 28, 1921 --

Baseball season opens in Baker next week when Baker meets Westmore on the local diamond. . .To show appreciation of the interest shown in Boy Scouting by Baker people, the boys have offered to load all the rubbish gathered on lots and premises into wagons furnished by the city. . .The Ollie High School gave a party for the graduates, the Misses Lillian Esmay and Ruth Baker, at the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Wang Friday evening. . .Graduates of the class of 21 in the play Mr. Bob were Roger Silvernale, Alf Trandum, Mel Schneider, Verna Bond, Frances Hiscock and Helen Norman.

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Files of the Times | Community | falloncountyextra.com - Fallon County Extra

Everything but the horses is included on this private gated fence-lined 10-acre property in a secluded area of Fishing Creek Valley in Dauphin County.

The horse lovers dream is turn-key ready with a heated eight stall barn including automatic waterers, wash stall, feed/tack room, fly spray system and Dutch doors that open to the separate fenced-in paddock areas throughout the property.

An indoor arena measuring 60- by 90-feet, with premium footing, is attached to the barn.

Other outbuildings include a four-bay workshop and a multi-bay 16-foot by 42-foot run-in shed.

The custom 3,150-square-foot home, built in 2002, beckons its occupants outdoors with a large wrap-around front porch offering a view of the horses, and a generous balcony off of one of four bedrooms, offering an elevated view of the property and nearby mountains. A screened-in covered back porch allows for entertaining and dining with the convenience of kitchen access.

The home has an open gourmet kitchen and family room area with a semi-private formal dining room and kitchen breakfast nook area. A stone fireplace is the centerpiece of the family room.

Hickory wood floors carry through the entire first floor down the hall to the large sunlit laundry room/mud room, which opens via a pocket door to a full first floor bath with steam shower. Two exterior doors in the laundry room allow easy outdoor access.

The wood staircase leads up to the large open hallway, which completely circles the staircase. French doors lead to the master bedroom with stone fireplace and wood mantel. A large master bath includes walk-in closet, double bowl vanities, tile floors and walls and large window-lit stone surround shower with multiple spray heads.

The basement level includes exterior access, office space and a second laundry room for horse-related wearables.

Located at 1841 Potato Valley Road in Middle Paxton Township, the home is listed for $939,900 by agent Steve Black, with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.

Want more Cool Spaces? See all of our stories showcasing the neatest homes in central Pennsylvania by clicking here. Know of any Cool Spaces? Submit ideas to dgleiter@pennlive.com.

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Custom home with barn on 10 acres in Fishing Creek Valley for 940K: Cool Spaces - pennlive.com

Have you been shopping around for a new home? Perhaps one in or near Boerne?

You can now take a tour of some exquisite homes in the beautiful Texas Hill Country during the 2021 Spring Tour of Homes.

Spring Tour of Homes, also known as the biggest open house in Central Texas, is happening this weekend, April 24-25 in San Antonio, Boerne and New Braunfels.

The annual tour, presented by the Greater San Antonio Builders Association, offers eight key communities and 39 new homes.

Homes range in price from $200,000 to more than $1 million and can suit most budgets and lifestyle needs.

Featured in the tour is Monticello Homes, which will offer homes in The Estates at Hinder Ridge at Kinder Ranch, located off Bulverde Road north of Stone Oak.

Located in the gated enclave of Hastings Ridge, The Estates features spacious estate-sized lots with eight luxury semi-custom home options from Monticello Homes Legacy design series.

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In the market for a luxurious home? This tour highlights 8 new communities hidden in the Texas Hill Country - KSAT San Antonio

In todays homes kitchens serve a multitude of purposes beyond being a space to whip up a meal. Theyre the heart of your home, the command center, the family gathering spot. So its no wonder why kitchens are where homeowners invest their renovation budget and why homebuyers pay a premium for an updated look.

Savvy design professionals agree, spicing up your kitchen with stylish, timeless and natural materials like cypress is a recipe for success.

Planning a new or remodeled kitchen can be an exciting yet overwhelming time. Designer Erika Powell from Urban Grace Interiors in Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., says making the process less stressful boils down to ensuring the layout meets your needs.

When starting a project we first like to sit down with our clients in order to get to know them and how they will be using their kitchen, she said. If an architect is involved, we also like to work hand-in-hand with them so that any overarching architectural vision they may have is included in the interior design as well.

Nowadays homeowners are mostly looking for open-concept floorplans with kitchens that open up to living and dining rooms. And because theres less available wall space, there are fewer upper cabinets. To compensate modern kitchen layouts feature expansive islands with seating and storage, a pantry for canned and dry goods and a butler pantry to hide away less frequently used items.

Once we determine the layout, then we get to work on selecting building products and finishes, Powell said. While there is a wide range of products to choose from, our style focuses on fine materials and classic design elements. Being near the beach, our clients gravitate toward light and natural materials products like real wood are just more beautiful. A wood like cypress is stable and durable with unique charm. Its a fixture in many of our kitchen projects.

When it comes to choosing cabinetry, architect Ben Patterson from Bossier City, La., says it doesnt take long to notice the difference between cabinetry thats built with solid wood and what you can find at the big box stores.

In my experience homeowners value the natural character and quality of solid wood cabinets, he said. Im a full-service architect and usually design custom cabinets for the projects I work on. And I like working with local materials, so my cabinet designs usually have a cypress face with a birch box.

Selecting a finish can be tricky but Patterson said trends come and go. Painted cabinets seem to be all the rage these days but a natural wood finish is tasteful and timeless, he added. And thats another reason I love cypress. Whether new growth, old growth, sinker or pecky, cypress is simply beautiful.

If your kitchen feels a little bland, luxury homebuilder Matt Cain from Dallas-based Tatum Brown Custom Homes says whats overhead is often overlooked.

In kitchens, we typically install a wood plank ceiling treatment to add visual texture and aesthetic warmth, he said. There are a lot of materials to work with, but I prefer cypress especially pecky cypress because it offers such a specific look and homeowners just fall in love with it. In fact, Ive never painted a cypress ceiling; its too beautiful to cover up.

For more ideas on how to add some spice and style to your kitchen, visit CypressInfo.org.

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Cypress wood brings a dash of spice and style - Mountain Democrat

FRESNO, Calif. (KGPE) Could tiny homes help those who lost houses in the Creek Fire?

The Creek Fire destroyed 853 structures last year, including hundreds of homes.

Rebuild Our Sierra is partnering with Operation Tiny Home to help some families make a quick return to their property.

Dylan Johnson, one of the co-founders of Rebuild Our Sierra, says it takes three or four years to rebuild a full home and less than three months for a tiny house.

Operation Tiny Home founder Gabrielle Rapport says, A lot of times when people go tiny they are interested in that more minimalist lifestyle. Its not for everybody.

Operation Tiny Home is known for projects like housing veterans in volunteer-built and self-built tiny homes.

Rapport says, We do like to tailor it custom built to the needs of whoever it is we are building for. In these situations where we are building for people who lost their homes in the fires, we know that they want to have all the amenities and it might take them some time to rebuild their lives. They want a washer and dryer and they want access to a full size kitchen and a full size refrigerator. In these homes we can absolutely provide that for them.

Tiny homes are popular because they are often affordable, customizable and eco friendly.

Rapport says, It definitely does take a tremendous amount of creativity when youre building a small space like that. You really want to be thoughtful and use multifunctional furniture. So everything in the home typically has more than one function. You have a table that folds up or moves over and becomes a cutting board. You really do have to get creative.

Rebuild our Sierra already has four families set to receive tiny homes through the partnership with the first to be delivered this summer.

Sometimes local regulations dictate sizes of homes allowed and whether some may be permanent or temporary. Rules often differ community to community.

Rapport says, Our warehouse is in Oregon and we are building these homes to be able to transport them to the location and then they can be taken off that trailer. Theyre not intended to be moveable tiny homes. We do build moveable tiny homes but we also like to work within local zoning laws and whatever is allowed for the community where we are building it.

Johnson says, We dont have enough money to do it for them all. So thats why were looking for folks who believe in this and help support us make it happen. For more information on Rebuild Our Sierra visit the website here.

Operation Tiny Home is also donating $20,000 in power tools to support 18 families rebuild. These will be distributed at an April 30 Creek Fire Resource Event in Prather.

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Could tiny homes help families who lost houses in the Creek Fire? - YourCentralValley.com

Editor's Note

SPRING BRINGS LONGER DAYS AND WARMER WEATHER, reminding gardeners to get outside and put their hands in the dirt. Spring cleaning is a tradition with a long (if vague) history, related to a time of preparing our homes for something new. And after a year-plus in lockdown, we are perhaps in more need than ever of finding ways to rejuvenate the spaces we live in. This Home & Garden issue covers everything from interior upgrades (think shades and pillows) to medical gardening, plus bigger trends and policy questions related to housing, like whether we cost-effectively use Accessory Dwelling Units to increase density. Whatever your budget enough to buy a succulent for the windowsill, or rehab a historic house there are ways to invest in and improve where you live.-Sara Rubin

Not just any someone, mind you. Wizard, a Seaside City Councilmember whose day job is as a housing element coordinator with San Francisco-based YIMBY Law, and Hare, a registered nurse, had in mind someone who really needed housing, but might have trouble finding it in the Monterey Peninsulas pricey rental market.

In my mind the right person is not some bachelor from the Navy who has the BAH, Wizard says, referring to the Basic Allowance for Housing, which some believe helps contribute to high rents and low rental inventory on the Monterey Peninsula.

Our goal is to rent it out to someone who has the need for a two-bedroom apartment, Wizard says. A single parent with kids, or a couple of students. We dont really know who the person is, but we want to do it all legally and properly and because we think its a good thing to do.

It is a good thing to do, and the couple is still doing it, but what was to have been a garage conversion instead became a tear-down and new construction, after a city of Seaside building inspector took a look at the existing garage and said something to the effect of, Not a chance in hell.

The 70-plus-year-old foundation on the garage wouldnt have supported it, and building codes are stricter now than they were then. So tear it down they did and now the ADU construction is in process, with a new foundation poured and plumbing roughed in, awaiting an inspection.

Building an ADU is so much more complicated than you can even imagine, Wizard says. His advice to people interested in building one? Have patience, ask questions and be persistent with your local permitting agency.

ADUS ARENT NECESSARILY GOING TO GET CALIFORNIA OUT OF ITS WIDESPREAD AND ENTRENCHED HOUSING CRISIS, where too many people are competing for not enough space, new construction moves at a glacial pace and affordable housing construction usually doesnt move at all. But they stand to make a dent in that crisis.

California legalized ADUs for all cities in 2017 meaning cities and counties couldnt actively prohibit them, although it also didnt mean jurisdictions had to make it easy. The easy (or easier, anyway) part came in 2019, when the state legislature passed new bills aimed at making the process easier; Gov. Gavin Newsom signed all three into law.

SB 13, from Sen. Bob Wieckowski, D-Fremont, tackled the issue of high permit fees and prohibits jurisdictions from requiring the replacement of parking spots if a garage, carport or covered parking is demolished to build an ADU. AB 881, by Assemblymember Richard Bloom, D-Santa Monica, removed owner-occupancy requirements from ADUs. And maybe the most important of the three, AB 68, from Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, requires jurisdictions to approve one ADU and one junior ADU (or JADU, a unit no more than 500 square feet) per lot.

In comments to the press in 2019, Ting said the legislation was necessary because cities had been erecting barriers making it difficult to build ADUs, either through high permitting fees or by slow-rolling applications through the permitting process.

Craig Riddell, a former Pacific Grove planning commissioner and owner of Monterey Bay Design Group, which works with Hare Construction and local architects and designers on custom home design, has started to eat, sleep and breathe the ADU process, and is in the midst of writing a book on them. With a working title ofMaximizing Your Largest Investment, the theme is how to turn a home into a revenue stream via ADUs and JADUs.

He echoes Tings sentiments, about the early initial roadblocks that jurisdictions put up when it came to permitting ADUs.

We had the initial response from some districts where they were in denial, maybe, but now a lot of them are embracing it, Riddell says. He goes through a list of cities Seaside has its pre-approved plan program, Pacific Grove is on board and very strong and positive. Carmel, he says, has a lot of issues, Monterey is fine but has no water, and Marina is also positive. The county is another animal, because there are more zoning issues and septic systems can be a limiting factor, he says.

Throughout the state, the number of ADU permits issued has increased exponentially since 2017, when 5,000 permits were issued. In 2019, almost 15,000 ADU permits were issued. And, Riddell notes in a sample chapter from his book, a study from Freddie Mac (or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) found 1.4 million properties in the U.S. with ADUs, with the fastest growing areas in high-cost states in the South and West.

Its clear the state is for ADUs, and cities have resisted for a long time, Riddell says. But, he adds, post-WWII, housing was built for nuclear families, with two parents, 2.5 kids and a dog and it was fine.

Now, though, 62 percent of homes have fewer than three people living in them. And fewer people living in larger homes means theyre paying for more housing than they may want or need.

Were in this situation where weve created a housing problem for a lot of reasons, he says. One of the concerns with ADUs is that its intensifying a propertys use, but in reality, Im not sure we are. Some people call it hidden density. ADUs are interlaced into a neighborhood, theyre built by homeowners and can become a lifesaver for that homeowner.

How is it a lifesaver? It can house an adult child moving back home from college. It can house an elderly or infirm parent and avoid the need for a more expensive care facility. Or it can serve as a rental that provides an income stream and enables a homeowner to stay in their own homes as they age.

Building them isnt cheap, though. Construction is construction, and the soft cost of lumber has risen 170 percent during the pandemic, as some places have stopped cutting and processing lumber and a beetle infestation in Canada has taken out a number of trees. Meanwhile, speculators are buying lumber on the supposition it will be worth more in the future.

In general, if the area standard on per-square-foot cost for construction is $550 a square foot, thats what an ADU is going to cost you, Riddell says. You have all the parts plumbing, bathroom, foundation, utilities. You have all of that. Its one of the reasons garage conversions and JADUs look good right now.

RIDDELL RECOMMENDS THREE THINGS FOR PEOPLE CONSIDERING BUILDING AN ADU, whether its an ADU that comes from a garage conversion, one thats carved out of space in an existing home or from building a free-standing unit in a backyard.

First, figure out the purpose of the unit: Will you use it as space for family, as a rental unit or some other use, such as a home office or art studio? Second: Figure out your budget your real budget, not your fantasy, pie-in-the-sky budget. Third: Make sure your designer and your general contractor communicate effectively, and start that communication early in the process.

If you dont throw in a budget conversation, if that conversation never gets started, theres no use in going through a whole design process, Riddell says. Figuring out a rough budget and making sure you have a general contractor lined up is helpful, and working with a designer and general contractor together is a good idea.

Wizard also points out financing can be a problem, in that theres no good mechanism for financing ADUs.

You cant go to a bank and get a mortgage for an ADU. You have to get a home equity line or a consumer loan from 8 to 15 percent, and thats not a great financial strategy, he says. The consumer financial market has not met the moment of creating funding mechanisms.

Both former Gov. Jerry Brown in 2018 and Newsom in 2019 and 2020 vetoed an ADU financing bill to create a funding mechanism for consumers to borrow against. Still, Wizard says, Seaside has seen a lot of ADU activity, allocating 5 acre-feet of water for people who want to build one, but didnt have existing water credits. So far, 1.5 acre-feet have been used and the city has issued 36 ADU permits, with 19 of those finaled.

People want to build these because its an income stream, theyre critical to aging in place and for younger families buying a home, its a way to build wealth and provide stable housing.

Its a good use of the built environment, Wizard adds, and it concentrates human uses on already disturbed land and doesnt contribute to sprawl.

Hanif Panni is one member of a younger family looking to do just that build wealth and provide stable housing. An artist and DJ whose wife works in conservation communications, both have aging parents who live elsewhere, and they wanted to have a place for grandparents to stay. They availed themselves of one of Seasides pre-approved plans, and received their construction permit earlier this month.

We thought the water issue was going to make it impossible, but we started looking into it and found it was attainable, Panni says. Seasides package looked nice and theyre sexy plans. Theyre very future-thinking, forward-thinking. Where the [building] hardships will come is yet to be seen.

The rest is here:
ADUs are now reality for California. Heres some of what to expect when you build one. - Monterey County Weekly