However, you wouldn’t feel so lucky if an unscrupulous lout found his way into your home without credentials and the abilities needed to do the job right. We all know better than to hire such a person or company, but it happens all of the time.

True professionals understand the expenses that go into providing a service, whether it is design, materials, labor, marketing or other items needed for a successful business. Those costs and a profit margin have to be covered when a contractor agrees to work in your home. In addition to being comfortable with your contractor’s personality (you might need to interview as many as three separate firms), you have to be comfortable with the cost. Know your budget and stick to it. And if a bid seems too low to be realistic, beware. It will likely cost you more than a legitimate bid in the long run.

Local professionals are dealing with the economic downturn in a variety of ways. One industry supplier has added additional product lines to keep contractors happy. A designer said her clients have scaled back the size of their projects, so she simply tries to take on more projects to make up the difference.

A few words of caution: As a friend and food expert always says, don’t visit a Mexican restaurant and order the French cuisine. Or, if the folks that keep your lawn manicured decide they are also plumbers, be careful. With the industry turned upside down, there are plenty of carpenters willing to try electrical work and vice versa. Don’t be fooled. Hire professionals and check their credentials, insurance and worker’s comp. If it was a jack-of-all-trades that you sought, you’d have hired your son-in-law to do the work.

And one last timely issue to consider: Make sure you have your own definition or at least expectation of “green remodeling” when you launch a project. All companies want to advertise the word green when they hang out their shingle. Most firms have moved toward more sustainable remodeling practices, and the trade associations offer classes and certifications now. However, if your idea of green is a zero carbon footprint, then you’d better outline that expectation upfront with your contractor. His or her idea of green or sustainable home improvement practices could differ from yours.

Joe Ross
Renew Associate Publisher, Editor
joe@pub-house.com

Hanley Wood issues the annual Cost vs. Value report, which surveys members of the National Association of Realtors about the changes in anticipated resale value based on specific remodeling projects. According to the report, a wood deck addition brings the greatest boost in resale value — often for less than $10,000.

Ben Maxwell of Dovetail Homes agrees. Dovetail works on both whole-house remodels and smaller projects in various price ranges throughout the metro area. “Creating an outdoor living space is huge,” Maxwell said, adding that either a front patio or backyard deck can bring a return on investment above 100 percent.

New siding is another relatively inexpensive project with a high return on investment. “If the siding is falling apart, it really dates the home,” Maxwell said.
Both projects will give buyers a good impression before they even enter the house. Denver real estate agent Bill Fung emphasized the value of first impressions. “Make sure the entryway area is bright, clean and uncluttered,” he said.

The Cost vs. Value report’s regional breakdown suggests a $60,000 basement remodel brings a higher-than-average rate of return in the Denver area. Most figures for the Rocky Mountain region match national averages, but roof replacements and basements bring a greater return on investment in the Colorado region than in other areas.

Maxwell disagrees. He said larger homes typically have enough living space on the main levels, and a top-of-the-line basement may be extraneous. Likewise, a large, expensive addition or second floor is unlikely to offer a full payback in resale value. An exception is the addition of a garage to an older home near central Denver, where few homes have enclosed garages.

To be sure, kitchen and bathroom remodels offer solid return on investment — to a point. Expensive custom cabinetry with built-in wine rack and spice holders is unlikely to increase sale values enough to justify the high cost.

Simpler upgrades such as new lighting and plumbing fixtures, on the other hand, can attract buyers and make the difference between weeks and months on the market. Fung said upgrades as cheap and simple as drawer handles and showerheads can make a difference in selling a house.

Maxwell said dark cabinetry, bright paint, tile backsplashes and stainless steel appliances are popular kitchen upgrades in Colorado. He noted that granite, tile and other quality materials show little wear, so homeowners should enjoy their new kitchen or bathroom for a couple of years before selling. Fung also recommends cheap, simple upgrades shortly before selling a house, such as a new closet organizer or shelves, and new doorknobs.

A slumping housing market is certainly reducing the return on investment of remodeling. For example, a new deck generated a 104 percent return on investment in 2004, according to the Cost vs. Value report. The latest report estimates an 82 percent return on investment. Still, a remodel can make the difference between a rapid sale and months of inactivity.

For the full Cost vs. Value report, visit www.remodeling.hw.net

Mary Jane Fletcher, manager of the Northstar Lighting Design store in Westminster, said the most popular lighting fixtures have clean lines and a “warm contemporary feel.” Hubbardton Forge exemplifies the style, she said. Northstar sells the company’s products, which are hand-crafted in Vermont.

Donna Dones of Galleria Lighting and Design in Denver said simple, elegant fixtures with fewer curves are replacing Tuscan styles and ornate fixtures. However, no single style suits every home.

“Houses and spaces are like people,” Dones said. “They have their own idiosyncrasies and they speak to you. … There is nothing I steer people away from.”

Instead, she focuses on lighting that complements a range of styles and furniture layouts. Otherwise, a room will be less functional.

“When your lighting is wrong, you tend not to use the space and you don’t even know what’s wrong,” Dones said. “Most of the time it’s the lighting.”

Fletcher said homeowners are typically updating their kitchens and bathrooms with bright fixtures that match the rest of the room’s décor and illuminate the right areas.

“People come in saying ‘I love my light fixture but it doesn’t function,’” Fletcher said.

Art glass and creative stonework are the latest additions to some lighting lines. Hand-blown glass, stone mosaics and onyx are especially popular for kitchen islands, where cooks want bright light but also want artistic additions and flair.

The green movement is driving buzz around compact fluorescent light bulbs, but the hype may not be translating to sales. The U.S. Department of Energy reported a drop in CFL sales in 2008.

Some blame the recession but Fletcher offers another reason. Dimmable CFLs are still expensive, so they are not in widespread use for living and dining rooms or other areas where adjustable lighting is important.

Dones dislikes the color and quality of CFL light output. She said it is too white, and not warm enough. She said it can ruin the colors in paintings or colored walls.

The next green trend is likely to be light-emitting diodes, which use roughly 10 to 20 percent of the energy of an incandescent bulb. The bright, low-energy lighting is widely used for stoplights, billboards and other industrial applications, but is too expensive for most homeowners. Ledtronics of California sells LED chandelier bulbs for $50 each and dimmable task lights for $55 each.

Some designers are looking forward to LED prices dropping.

“LEDs (light-emitting diodes) are about to become a huge light source in buildings,” said Stephen Kohlbeck of Tilde Design Studio in Denver. “To me, they are the best type of showcase and art lighting.”

On the other hand, Dones steers her clients away from LEDs in remodeling projects, even if they are trying to join the green movement.

“Everybody jumps on the band wagon,” she said. “But (LED lighting) doesn’t go with anything and it costs too much.”

She said the bulbs sometimes work for inconspicuous spots, such as recessed lights and under-cabinet lighting. Otherwise, LEDs are too “architectural” and cold.

She said some customers are happy to find a remodeling consultant who isn’t following environmental trends.

“Somebody told me the other day, ‘There’s enough people going green that you don’t have to,’” Dones said.

All designs and images © 1989-2009 Hubbardton Forge®. All rights reserved.

It is also Randy Shelton’s goal. The Bucklands’ project earned his company, GRC Builders, first place in the basement remodel luxury category at the 2009 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence.

Randy and Lisa Shelton founded GRC Builders in 1990. Randy’s father was a Denver homebuilder. Lisa previously worked with several architectural firms in the Denver area, and has a background in interior design, fine arts and art history.

Both Randy and Lisa work closely with homeowners. Lisa said they provide male and female perspectives, as well as both aesthetic and structural input on remodeling projects. “We started out doing custom homes, so we know what can happen if you finish a basement incorrectly,” she said.

The main aesthetic goal for the Buckland project was to continue the classic Old World look of the main floor and the exterior. Shelton said she was initially surprised by the young couple’s traditional, “masculine” style, but enjoyed the challenge of continuing the look in the basement.

“We didn’t’ want it to feel like culture shock,” she said. GRC matched the wood, wrought-iron and stucco throughout the house, as well as the arches and exposed stone of the exterior.
“I gave them a conception of what I wanted,” Mac Buckland said. “They came back and nailed it. It was exactly what I wanted. It feels like an extension of the upstairs.”

GRC Builders finished 1,720 square feet in the basement, and the four-month project cost $132,790. The challenge in a basement is always making it look like it’s not a basement despite the posts, beams, heat runs and other structural features. The Buckland basement now looks more like an upscale European tavern than a basement.

The granite-topped bar looks over the pool table, entertainment center and gas fireplace. The bar also takes advantage of existing windows. Shelton said the low windows created a challenge when trying to add knotty walnut cabinets and spaces for a refrigerator, microwave and other appliances. The bar also has a hand-crafted copper sink and an arch over the countertop.

A walk-in stone-and-stucco wine cellar is another highlight of the project. The cellar has a locked gate with wrought-iron finishes. The locks don’t always keep the 4- and 7-year-old Buckland children from playing in the dark stone cave, even though they have a craft room and another hidden playroom area under the stairs with a specialized 4-foot-tall cottage door entry.

Shelton said the kids already spent time in the unfinished basement prior to the remodel, but “we made it way more pleasant to play down there.” The kids play in the basement every day — doing crafts, playing with toys or playing Nintendo Wii video games on the big-screen TV. “They love it,” Buckland said.

Buckland loves that the bar has so many appliances and conveniences that he can entertain in the basement without running up to the kitchen or bathroom.

“When we’re down there, we don’t have to leave. We don’t have to go upstairs,” he said.

He also appreciated regular, open communication with the GRC team. He said the project’s cost matched the estimate, and carefully accounted for every item. “Randy has the numbers down to the screws,” he said. “The other companies had a lot of fluff.”

Shelton said her company is more interested on communication with clients than finding top-shelf projects. She said she was proud to beat out specialized basement remodelers for the top prize in the Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence. She said GRC’s contracts are fairly evenly split between basements, kitchens, bathrooms and additions, but most of the firm’s basement work is simple finishing. “We do every regular Joe’s basement all day long,” she said, adding that larger projects are rare.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins-based freelance writer.

Photos provided by GRC Builders

1. Lead paint was banned from use in consumer products in 1978. Lead paint often was used in houses and multi-family dwellings built before then. Lead had been added to paint for many decades because it improved the performance of the paint (drying time, durability, etc.). However, if lead is inhaled or ingested (usually in the form of lead paint dust), it can be harmful to adults and especially to young children.

2. To try and reduce the potential problem of lead paint in older houses, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that contractors inform their customers about lead paint. A contractor is supposed to provide you with a special pamphlet titled “Renovate Right: Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools.” Unless your house was built after 1977, you are probably entitled to a copy of this pamphlet from your contractor before any work begins on your house.

3. As of April 22, 2010, if a planned remodeling project is being done to a house or multi-family dwelling that was built before 1978, and the work involves or impacts painted surfaces, then the contractor has to test one or more paint samples from the work area to see if there is lead paint. These tests can only be performed by an EPA-approved Certified Renovator. A quality contractor should have EPA approved Certified Renovators working for them. It is estimated that 35 percent of the housing in Colorado was built before 1978.

4. If lead paint is found in the work area, then the contractor has to use specialized “lead-safe work practices” in performing the planned remodeling project. This means using specialized clothing, equipment, procedures, and clearance testing to perform and complete the work. This is to reduce or eliminate the risk of lead paint dust resulting from the work. Only contractors that have registered with the EPA are allowed to do this, and only Certified Renovators and specially trained crews can perform lead-safe work practices.

5. There are some exemptions and exclusions that can apply so that lead-safe work practices may not have to be used, even on a house built before 1978. A good contractor will be able to review these possible exemptions and exclusions with you to see if any might apply to the planned remodeling project.

6. Testing and the use of lead-safe work practices will increase the amount of time and the expense incurred by the contractor in performing the planned remodeling project. A contractor may need to apply a special “Lead-Safe Work Practices Fee” to a remodeling project, based on the size and type of the work involved. The fees could run from hundreds to thousands of dollars in addition to the project cost. Completion time tables also may be extended.

7. You should be given copies of any exemption or exclusion forms used by a contractor, as well as copies of the results of any paint samples tested by a Certified Renovator. If lead-safe work practices are used on a planned remodeling project, you should be given a certificate signed by the Certified Renovator showing that lead-safe work practices were properly performed.

8. You need to request a liability insurance certificate from the contractor validating that they are insured to do lead paint testing and renovation work.

If your contractor is not telling you about lead paint or is not following the law regarding lead paint, you should find another contractor!

About The Author:
Tom Higgins is the owner of Superior Products Home Improvements, a local, family-owned remodeling company that specializes in exterior remodeling. Tom is the former chairman of the Remodelers Council of the Metro Denver Home Builders Association. He is an award-winning contractor, and, in 2009, he was awarded Dealer of the Year-Community Service by Window & Door Magazine. Tom can be reached at:  (303) 347-2555, or www.asksuperior.com.

Despite the fact that solar panels are dotting roofs all across Colorado, many homeowners still might be skeptical. Several myths exist about this form of energy, including its cost and effectiveness. Below are five commonly held myths and the actual facts that dispel these falsehoods.

Solar Myth #1: Solar panel systems are too expensive.

Colorado currently has some of the best local utility rebates in the country. Rebates from utility providers such as Xcel Energy or Black Hills Energy, combined with a federal tax credit, can pay for more than 50 percent of a system’s cost. You can avoid missing out on these huge rebates by working with a solar installer to lock in your rebate.

Solar Myth #2:  Solar panel prices keep dropping, so I should wait to purchase a solar panel system for my home.

Solar panel pricing has gone down over the past several years and is currently at a historic, all time low. One reason for this is the basic law of supply and demand. Currently, solar panel manufacturers are sitting on large inventories of solar panels that they are trying to sell — panels they purchased before the current economic recession hit. Industry competition also has continued to drive down the price of solar panel systems.

However, the market for solar is growing at a rapid pace, and the increased demand is leveling out pricing. With the current incentives pushing an ever-growing demand, the price of solar panels has stabilized.

Solar Myth #3: If I install now, my panels will become obsolete.

While there are new products in development, such as thin-film technologies, most experts would agree that there is nothing on the near-term horizon that will rival the efficiency, durability or performance of the current generation of poly-and mono-crystalline solar panels. Unlike other products, like televisions or computers, the same technology that has been in place for more than 30 years is still the leading technology today. In fact, many of the first solar panels that were ever developed are still in use currently, with only slightly lower production levels than when they were originally installed. As a proven and widespread technology, solar panel manufacturers typically offer an incredible 25-year power production warranty, attesting to the longevity and performance of today’s panels.

Solar Myth #4: Solar panels are aesthetically unappealing and will lower the value of my home.

Most people who make this statement are referring to the older solar water heating (thermal) systems that were installed several decades ago. These large solar collectors, used to heat your home’s water supply, were typically installed on a tilt-up racking system and were larger and much more visible than the even more modern and compact solar water heating collectors installed today.

Solar electric panels, by contrast, are typically mounted flush to your roof, and now come in a variety of sizes and shapes to make them fit the angles and contours of your roof. At only about two inches thick, solar electric panels integrate virtually seamlessly onto your home.

Contrary to some people’s beliefs, homes equipped with solar panel systems are proven to actually increase in value and appreciate over time. According to a study conducted by the Appraisal Institute, the selling prices of homes increased by $20.73 for every $1 decrease in annual utility bills.

For example, a Colorado home outfitted with an average-size renewable energy system would add $20,000 to the overall value of the home at current electricity rates.

Solar Myth #5: My Homeowner’s Association (HOA) would never allow me to install solar panels on my roof.

In Colorado, there is a law that prevents Homeowner’s Associations from forbidding homeowners who wish to install renewable energy or energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. This law was actually strengthened in August of 2008, and it now includes a more extensive list of energy-saving improvements you can make to your home.

Solar panels are not only cost-effective, but save money in the long run and can increase the overall value of your home. Solar is not a futuristic idea — it’s becoming more commonplace everyday and will continue to grow in popularity as more of these common myths are shattered.

Founded in 2006, Standard Renewable Energy (SRE) is the nation’s largest Distributed Energy Services Company (DESCO) and leading provider of energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy solutions for homes and businesses. Products and services include solar and wind energy systems, energy monitoring, energy audits, efficiency heating and cooling products, high-efficiency insulation and lighting, solar window film and more.

By Zeke Yewdall, Chief Electrical Engineer
Standard Renewable Energy
www.sre3.com

The first concern of today’s homeowner who is looking for a high-end kitchen, whether it’s new construction or a remodel, is to find a designer consultant who is knowledgeable and experienced, has a hand on the pulse of the industry and is a good fit for them and their project. What the homeowner wants is someone who can create an individualized space featuring one-of-a-kind luxury items and the newest and hottest products. The room must reflect their lifestyle and life preference. The “wow” factor is being replaced with the “me” expression in this highly used room as homeowners’ needs evolve.

Spatial planning
Kitchen design is now based on activity zones rather than the working triangle or work centers of the past. Activities include a consumable zone that contains both dry and refrigerated food items; a non-consumable zone that is used to store items accessed daily, such as dishes, glasses, plastic containers and silverware; a cleaning zone where the sink, dishwasher and recycling center are located, as well as trash bins. Cleaning supplies are also kept in this zone. The preparation zone is the main work area of the kitchen. Utensils, mixing bowls, small electrical items, plus all items needed for food preparation are found here. Finally, the cooking zone includes the cooktop, ovens, microwave, pots and pans, cooking utensils, baking items, spices and all items commonly used while cooking.

Bigger vs. smaller
A smaller kitchen within the full kitchen works well for today’s lifestyle. During the week, we use a smaller portion of the room to prepare meals and snacks.

Gathering areas
During the weekend we spend more time there with our family members and friends. Having enough space for this social interaction is a must, and should include plenty of seating. Seating can be at table height, countertop height or even higher.

Storage and organization
These options are big factors when it comes to individualizing a kitchen for the homeowner. It could include a silvercloth-lined drawer for the silverware, customized storage for several sets of dishes, special serving pieces, specialty appliances and refrigeration for handy storage of wines.

Appliances
The appearance of appliances is emerging as an important design element in the kitchen. Having the same style handle on every appliance is important to some homeowners. The brands of the appliances need to fit into the design based on the “me” factor.

Personal mementos
Well-traveled people like to incorporate styles they’ve discovered in foreign countries in their new kitchens. They also bring home goods to use in the kitchen or to simply enjoy as a reminder of their trip. The inclusion of these mementos is tantamount to creating that “me” expression in their kitchen. Foreign travel is also influencing color. Many cultures of the world use a more saturated color pallet, which is needed to help create the feeling of the design expression.

Penny Morrow, CKD, is based in Arvada.
pennym.ckd@gmail.com
303-795-6060, office
303-931-7070, cell

Lenders look at three financial fundamentals in order to make a lending decision, reports Wells Fargo:
• Your credit history
• Your home’s available equity
• Your monthly income and debt payments

Your credit rating is the first stop for lenders. A credit score below 500 might be a red flag to a lender who is trying to avoid risky business. However, those with credit scores above 700 are likely to get favorable attention.

A credit report includes information such as types of accounts (credit cards, auto loans and mortgages), credit limits on original loan amounts, account balances on current financial statements and payment history, going back seven years.

The amount of equity in our homes also weighs heavy in the decision to acquire funding. Lenders will want to know the fair market value of your home, which might require an appraisal. To get a quick idea, websites such as Realtor.com and zillow.com have information that will help you compare prices of homes in your neighborhood.

Additionally, the remaining portion of your mortgage must be considered, as well as other outstanding debt that is secured by your home.

“The amount of equity in your home is calculated by subtracting the outstanding balance owed on home-secured loans from your home’s current value,” Wells Fargo reports.

If the outstanding balance on your $800,000 home is $500,000, that means you have $300,000 in equity, providing there are no other debts that are secured by your home.

From there, lenders will consider your neighborhood and other factors before deciding how much they will loan you based on a percentage of your equity, which could be up to 75 percent in some cases.

The third factor for lenders is your monthly before-tax income and all your bills. Bills or debts include all required payments on an outstanding mortgage, homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, car leases and other debts.

According to Wells Fargo, “Lenders may want to ensure that the amount of your monthly debt payment is lower than 45 percent of your monthly income.”

“Hard surface flooring will probably outlast you,” said Anita Howard of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Carpet is still the most popular flooring material, covering about 62 percent of the market. Laminate wood flooring is also popular and inexpensive, but laminates and carpet will not last as long as tile true hardwood.

Howard said homeowners typically replace laminates and carpet starting in living rooms and other highly visible areas, later moving into bedrooms as their budgets allow. Many hardwood floors are environmentally sound and may increase resale value. In a national survey, 58 percent of real estate agents said wood floors help sell a house faster and fetch a higher price.

About 50 percent of hardwood flooring is oak, with a small but growing market for more exotic species. Antique looks are also popular — either salvaged wood from old buildings or new hardwood that has been scraped and distressed to look old.

Wide Plank Flooring in Eldorado Springs sells and installs old-growth and salvaged wood. The company also hand-sands and hand-finishes wood floors to custom specifications for texture and feel. The company specializes in oak and other varieties in three- to nine-inch widths. The planks cost between $15 and $35 per square foot, said Jim O’Connor, owner and president of Wide Plank.

O’Connor recommends using a professional installer for hardwood floors because drying, affixing, finishing and treating hardwood flooring require training and experience to create perfection. For example, inexperienced contractors may underestimate the time needed to dry and acclimate wood from the eastern United States to Colorado’s dry weather. Also, as energy-saving radiant heat flooring becomes more popular, installers will need to work with plumbers to create an appropriate subfloor and ensure even heating throughout the home.

A local, sustainable hardwood option is beetle-kill pine. Green Way in Granby and other companies specialize in salvaging acres of beetle-infested Colorado trees for flooring, furniture and building materials. Colorado Forest Products lists suppliers and consumer information at www.coloradoforestproducts.org.

Exotic, fast-growing wood options include eucalyptus and bamboo, but a rapidly replenished forest isn’t the only sustainability issue. Eco-conscious homeowners should consider durability and the energy costs involved in importing the wood to Colorado. Bamboo has a unique look and texture, but often scratches easily.

Tiles and stones are another durable hard-surface option. The options are nearly endless considering the variety of materials, roughness, size, grout, thickness, color and more.

Staci Griffin of Boulder Stove and Flooring said large, rectangular tiles are the major current trend. Her company sells porcelain slabs up to two feet wide and four feet long, mostly in solid, contemporary colors. Porcelain is typically more dense and absorbs less water, making it a better choice for outdoor use.

Natural stone is also a growing option.

“It’s always in style and it’s been around for thousands of years,” Griffin said.

Source Products Group in Broomfield specializes in slate, travertine and limestone tiles and slabs. Owner Kristi Hada said natural stone is still a small flooring niche typically used for entryways, outdoor kitchens and fireplace surrounds, but natural stone bathrooms and kitchens are more popular. Another trend is mixing natural stone with glass or other elements in tile flooring for a more blended style.

Slate has a rustic look and a wide range of colors, but Hada said some slate should not be used outdoors. Limestone and Travertine feel softer and smoother, and slip-resistant finishes are available.

A green flooring option is recycled tile. TerraGreen recycled glass tile is available at Arizona Tile Supply and Design Materials in Denver. Crossville EcoCycle tile is available at Essco in Denver, Atlas Flooring in Boulder and other area stores. EcoCycle tile comes in eight colors and is certified to include at least 40 percent recycled ceramic.

Steve Graham is a Fort Collins – based freelance writer.

SIDEBAR:

It’s OK to distress your floors

Distressing floors may sound hard on your hardwood, but it is a growing trend that adds durability and antique-styled beauty. Hardwood floors can be scraped and dinged by machine or by hand. Either way, imperfections are added to replicate old, well-worn floors. Distressing can also add holes and deep grooves to help new timbers look more like salvaged wood.

Hand tools can include knives, hammers, planes, rotary tools and even bags of nuts and bolts. Experts avoid machine-distressed flooring, which typically creates a repeating pattern rather than an individual style for each plank.

The work is often performed in either classic homes or newer homes designed and built with a more classic design. Jim O’Connor of Wide Plank Flooring consults with each homeowner and customizes the texture and feel for each project. The firm even cuts custom knives for individual homes. Each employee can typically carve about 100 feet per day, and charges at least $2 per square foot for distressing floors.

Others distress floors to make them more kid- and pet-friendly. With existing scratches and wear, new blemishes will be less noticeable.

“A lot of people have made their homes more homey and more livable,” said Anita Howard of the National Wood Flooring Association.

Go with a pro
Although Americans are tightening their belts, savvy homeowners know that remodeling projects are a wise investment for the future. Hiring a professional instead of undertaking a major do-it-yourself project often pays off. “Fixing do-it-yourself projects that have gone wrong can be very expensive,” said Bill Carter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “It pays to hire a certified remodeling contractor so that the project gets done right, on schedule and on budget. It alleviates the fear of a contractor or DIY horror story.” A recent study by Kelton Research, on behalf of the online review site Kudzu.com, found 35 percent of Americans  believe it is more cost effective to hire a professional to do home improvement projects than attempting to do it themselves. In fact, 25 percent have hired a professional to fix or finish a home improvement project they first attempted themselves, NARI reports.

Save the dates
• The Colorado Fall Home Show is scheduled for Sept. 19-20 at the Colorado Convention Center.
• The 10th annual Sustainable Living Fair is scheduled for Sept. 19-20, at the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center property in Fort Collins.

Perfect remodel?
As always, we’re in search of the perfect remodeling projects from around the Front Range. If you’ve recently improved your residence and you’d like to show it off, please contact Joe Ross at Renew, Colorado’s Remodeling Magazine. Call 303-428-9529 or email joe@pub-house.com.

Round and round it goes
Have you observed that spinning wheel on your electric meter and pondered how it results in an electrical bill? Find out exactly how much you’re spending. The $119 PowerCost Monitor is a “wireless and portable device that shows homeowners what their home is spending on electricity in real time,” according to Blue Line Innovations. The monitor has two units. A sensor attaches to the electricity meter by tightening just one screw, and it works with 90 percent of all meter types. It collects data from the meter and sends it to a small LCD monitor inside the home. The data passes from the sensor to the display unit wirelessly. The unit then shows the homeowner “how much money is being spent on electricity from minute to minute and keeps a running total in dollars and cents.” www.bluelineinnovations.com or 866-607-2583.

Photo provided by Hawk Construction in Littleton