You should develop your project dreams/desires and come to an agreement within your family of generally what the “Big Picture” will look like when the project is completed-  We can provide typical ideas with photos and advice if you prefer.

Step 2-Research fixtures and appliances

You should research plumbing and lighting fixtures and appliances (sinks, faucets, disposals, dishwasher, range, hood, refrigerators, compactors, warming trays. ice makers, ceiling lighting, wall lighting, over cabinet and under counter lighting, etc.) and make selections on brand, style, color, and provide a model number and retail cost, if possible, so we can compare wholesale pricing-  Often on line shopping can give you some great ideas and pricing; but there may be shipping costs and delays that a local provider may alleviate.  We can provide suggested sources for all these items if you prefer.

Step 3-Research flooring, countertops, and backsplash materials

You should research hardwoods, laminate or vinyl floor options, tile and grout choices  (floor, wall, backsplash, deco borders, accent tiles, etc.), and countertop materials and make selections on brand, style, color, and retail cost-  We can provide suggested sources for all these items if you prefer.

Step 4-Research paint
You should research paint colors and select, wall, trim, and ceiling colors and textures-   We can provide suggested sources for these items if you prefer.

Step 5-Select your cabinetry

We’ll arrange for the cabinetmaker to meet with you and discuss cabinetry design, door style, glides, pulls, knobs, hardware, and develop a 3D computerized drawing of the finished room and products for your review.  There may be a design fee for this service.

Step 6- Project Pricing/Work Order Creation

Once all the project decisions have been made, we’ll price the job and prepare a detailed Work Order listing the work to be performed, by trade, for your review with pricing by function, bearing in mind your stated budget price range.  Here is where you prioritize your strongest wishes to ensure that they are included in the project.

If needed, we’ll edit this document with you as many times as you request until we come to a Work Order listing that specifies exactly what you request, and exactly what our charges will be.  We don’t like surprises; and neither should you when it comes to having a complete and clear understanding of what is to be provided and what the costs will be for the project.

Step 7-Contract Acceptance/Payment Schedule Development-

At this point, we’ll agree on a payment schedule.  We usually don’t ask for any payment in advance unless you request a special order item that cannot be returned.   We will ask for you to pay for an initial deposit (draw) with the signed Work Order and from then on will request payment for “work in place” after it is completed to your satisfaction.

We are quite flexible on payments; but they are important to keep the project moving and on schedule.

Examples of a typical project payment schedule include:

• “Initial Draw”  -  a deposit with the signed Work Order and for special order items if applicable (custome cabinetry or non-stock fixtures)
• “Rough-In Draw”  - after the behind the wall/floor work has been completed and inspections passed
• “Surface Completion Draw”  - after floor tile and painting is completed
• “Fixture & Trades Trim Draw”  -  after the cabinetry, fixtures, and lighting is installed and functioning
• “Final Draw”  - after the Final Inspection has been performed, a Certificate of Occupancy has been granted, we “Walk the Job” with you and ensure your satisfaction with every aspect of our work on the project

Remodeling has its challenges for your family with noise, debris, interruption of your family routine, etc.  We do our best to minimize these challenges and make remodeling FUN so you can enjoy the finished product.

An experienced remodeling contractor should have hundreds of customers who can answer simple questions to help you make a selection.

We encourage folks to go and see previous projects.  Most former customers are anxious to share their experiences with others.

Ask basic questions like:

• “Would you hire this contractor/company again?”
• “Was the final price charged the quoted price?”
• “Was the project completed in a timely manner?”
• “How were changes in the scope of work handled?”
• “Was your property properly protected, cleaned, and treated with respect throughout the project?”
• “Did you verify that the contractor was licensed, insured, and that proper permits and inspections were performed?”
• “Were you and your family comfortable with the crew members who worked on your home?”

Let’s face it; there are LOTS of handymen, contractors, and companies who actively advertise their services and make lots of promises.

Past performance is a good indicator of future behavior. A wide customer base of satisfied customers is the best predictor of performance in your home.

There are several factors that are important factors to answer your question.

1)  How much preparation of the surfaces is required?

Is the current paint solid?  Is the substrate firm and not water damaged?  Are there blisters, cracks, or is there any peeling of the paint?

2) Are all areas of your home accessible?  How many stories high is your home?

Taller houses that are difficult to access require more set-up time and therfore increased costs.  If additional aerial equipment is required there is additional cost.

3)  Are there wall areas that are difficult to access?

Any areas of your home above shingled roofs on an unwalkable pitch may require scaffolding and staging or aerial equipment to gain access.

It seems that prices are so expensive I want to be sure I am not taken advantage of.

We would be pleased to provide a written estimate to repaint your home.  You may feel free to compare our price with anyone you wish.  We compete on quality using our premium products and superior craftsmanship.  If you are seeking the lowest price, you will not select our company.  There is always someone who will paint your home for a lower price.

What is the difference in having one coat versus two coats?

We only use Sherwin Williams premium paints.  These paints offer excellent adhesion, UV degradation protection, and extreme durability.  In our climate, most homeowners repaint every 7 to 10 years.  These products provide the manufacturer’s warranty against cracking, peeling, blistering or fading.

Spray or roll and why?

Does your home have lap siding?  T1-11 wood panels?  Brick veneer?  Cement-fiberglass siding?   Is your siding type composition hardboard siding? (Masonite)  Different materials are better suited to different application methods.  We advise as to the best suited method, but ultimately the customer’s preference determines the method which also may affect the cost.

Detailed dental moldings or soffit treatments are almost always best suited for spray techniques.  Confined areas are better suited for application using a brush.  Rough surfaces are better suited for application with a thick roller.

If you have other questions, please contact our office.   We’d be pleased to make an appointment at your convenience to assess your needs and provide additional recommendations.

Then, for some reason, there was a change in the thinking and builders discontinued wrapping houses in felt. I know that many new scientific advances made houses more energy efficient efficient over the years and now are much easier to heat and cool. But I never could figure out why the protective felt was omitted. Then I remembered my dad’s words once when I asked him why a previous carpenter had constructed a particular feature on one of our projects.

I remember him saying, “Son, in life, in politics, in building, and in knowing a man’s heart:   follow the money.”

At the time I did not fully understand the impact of those words. In life, why do people do what they do? In many situations its for the money. In politics the same is true and in the case of construction unfortunately it applies as well.

If it requires more material, more labor, more travel time, more attention to detail then it requires more money. More money spent in building a new home means less profit. Follow the money. That is why a great deal of construction is of poor quality. If you cut corners, save time, save materials that means more profit.

A protective moisture barrier allows water vapor to pass from inside your home to the exterior. But it will not allow water to pass from the exterior to the inside. Kinda like a one way valve that serves one purpose when operated in one direction and a totally different purpose when operated in another direction.

If a house has composition hardboard siding (Masonite, Champion, Georgia-Pacific, Louisiana Pacific, Weyerhaeuser, Certainteed, Abitibi, etc.) then it just makes sense to me that there should be a protective membrane behind the siding to prevent water penetration. Unfortunately not all contractors think that way and there are literally MILLIONS of homes with composite siding (Masonite) made of paper, wood, sawdust, glue, with a thin outer membrane covering homes all over the country.

Unfortunately, for any of these products to give a reasonable service life, many particular conditions would have to have been followed:

1. The framing must stay dry (a rare occurrence in the construction industry)
2. Moisture protective membrane should be installed (felt or Tyvek)
3. The siding was properly installed (nails not overdriven or underdriven)
4. The framing did not shrink (pulling the nail heads through the outer protective membrane which allows water entry)
5. A high quality caulk was used to seal openings in the siding (not the builder’s grade)
6. The siding was properly primed (many painting contractors applied paint directly to the factory product without primer)
7. A high quality paint was used to provide UV and water protection (not usually specified because of additional cost)
8. The siding was properly painted
9. Siding was periodically chemically treated and pressure cleaned (to prevent mold and mildew)
10. Window, door, fixture, and roof flashings were properly installed to prevent water entry

After sheathing, contractors are supposed to install Tyvek (or competitive brand) house wrap, tape the seams, and flash all the wall penetrations to prevent water entry. In our area, an inspection by the local municipality is required before siding can be installed.

Follow the money. If you do things right the first time, you may save a little money; but more than likely will pay even more when the project is corrected.

Here is an example of wall sheathing damage to the interior and the exterior corner of this chimney chase. Note the black stains/rot on the OSB wall sheathing.

In an average year, we are in more than 100 crawlspaces. I have been crawling around in them throughout my 30 year construction career and have seen just about every possible scenario there is.

My house is over 40 years old and was built on a foundation with piers. The foundation vents are closed, blocked with 1″ foil faced polystyrene, and sealed with expanding foam and sealants. Humidity-laden air no longer enters through the foundation vents. There is 100% coverage of the dirt area with 6 mil clear polyethylene that is staked to the ground with landscape staples, sealed at the seams with Tyvek tape, and secured to the walls with PVC lathe.  All was accomplished on a Saturday for less than a few hundred dollars spent for materials.

There is no moisture, no mold, no mildew and it is quite clean and cozy when access is needed for appliance, electrical or plumbing repair/modification. If this minimal correction was not effective, we would have installed a dehumidifier with a controller that monitors temperature, relative humidity, and water vapor to increase the effectiveness of our efforts.

You can have a totally sealed and conditioned crawlspace for thousands of dollars; but rarely is that level of attention and expense required if you manage the conditions by other means. Each person has to determine what is best for their situation. The methods described above work perfectly for me and my situation.

Us old guys really don’t intend to be cheerleaders or beat a differing opinion over the head with a stick. We just share what we know from our experience and let others decide for themselves.

J. Trent