What no builder or remodeler will tell you...

Think Cleaning Is Hard? Think Again.

noreply@blogger.com (1234) — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 14:18:00 +0000

Cleaning can seem like a difficult task at first; however, there may be some things you might or might not be doing that may help you save time.

Cleaning as you go

Once you use something you try to clean it right then and there, whether its cooking or showering, the best time to clean things is right after you've done something. For example, the best time to clean the bathroom would be after you shower since everything is already wet. This helps the dirt come off easily.

You might be rushing

At first, cleaning the counters or wiping your windows might seem like a quick and easy job, but doing it quickly might be causing you extra work. These things take time, and if you are cleaning your house to quickly, you might be leaving behind more work for later. Its better to wait for an opportune moment rather that to do it now because you have five minutes before you have to go to work.

You might not be using the right tools

Before you begin cleaning whatever it is you need to clean, be sure you know you are doing whats right. A quick glance at a product can help save time or even prevent you from messing up in the long run. Sometimes, the product that was recommended by a friend can be the wrong one, worsening your mess.

Easter aftermath? Let's get cleaning!

noreply@blogger.com (1234) — Fri, 25 Mar 2016 21:21:00 +0000

We all know that Easter is a fun holiday with your family, but we also know how messy it can get. Here are some tips on cleaning up the mess after the fun has ended and everyone is gone.

Wine Stains? No Problem.

This is for cleaning wine stains off of fabrics.

To clean this mess up, we're going to need:

Salt
Cotton cloth
Bowl
Rubber band
Hot water
Washing machine

Dab at the stain with a damp white cotton cloth to absorb any excess wine. (Rubbing is the wrong move because it will actually set the stain.) Slide a bowl under the fabric, centering the stain over the bowl. Secure with a large rubber band. Coat the stain with a generous amount of salt and let sit for at least five minutes to allow the salt to start absorbing the liquid. Keep in mind: The sooner salt is applied, the easier it will be to lift the stain. Slowly—and carefully—pour boiling water over the stain from a height of at least eight inches. (Pouring from this height gives you enough force to flush out the stain.) Then, using the hottest water setting, launder the fabric.

Spill food coloring? We've got you covered.

This is for cleaning the spills that occurred on some upholstery.

To clean this one up, we'll be using:

Detergent
Ammonia
White vinegar
Rubbing alcohol

Lets begin by mixing one teaspoon of liquid dish washing detergent and one tablespoon of ammonia with two cups of warm water. (Caution: Never mix chlorine bleach and ammonia – fumes are hazardous) Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent/ammonia solution and then blot until the liquid is absorbed. Continue blotting until the stain is absorbed into the cloth. If the stain remains, mix one tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Sponge the stain with the detergent/vinegar solution and blot until the liquid is absorbed. Keep going until the stain disappears or is no longer absorbed into the cloth.

Carpet and Tile renewed!

noreply@blogger.com (1234) — Sun, 20 Mar 2016 22:49:00 +0000

HOMECORP EARNS BEST OF HOUZZ FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 04:10:00 +0000

HOMECORP EARNS BEST OF HOUZZ FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Best Of Houzz 2016 Winners
Annual Survey and Analysis of Community of Over 35 Million Monthly Users Reveals the Top-Rated Home Remodeling Professionals and Most Popular Home Designs

Houzz Inc., the leading platform for home renovation and design, today announced the community’s picks for Best Of Houzz 2016 in North America, a homeowner-to-homeowner guide to the top home builders, architects, interior designers, landscape pros and other residential remodeling professionals on Houzz from cabinetry or roofing pros to painters.

“Anyone building, remodeling or decorating looks to Houzz for the most talented, competent and service-oriented professionals,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to join our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts in recognizing our “Best Of Houzz” professionals around the world.”

The Best Of Houzz is awarded annually in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 35 million monthly users on Houzz. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including the number and quality of recent client reviews. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.

A “Best Of Houzz 2016” badge appears on winners’ profiles, as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz. Winners will be announced globally throughout the month.

Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into re. For more information, visit houzz.com.

Winter fixes for your home

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 04:07:00 +0000

New Year Resolutions for Your Home!

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 17:57:00 +0000

A few tips from us to you ... for 2016!

Lose Weight – De-Clutter and Organize your Home

Don’t try to do too much in too little time... Organizing takes effort, and it’s not the most exciting task you can take on for a weekend. Make sure you’re giving yourself enough time and not pushing yourself to finish in an unreasonable amount of time. You’re more likely to get burnt out.

Don’t procrastinate donating Do you have a donation pile? Or maybe you have a few things in your closets that you know are going to be donated eventually, you just haven’t gotten there yet. Don’t procrastinate boxing them up and donating them. You can always go in shifts to your local Goodwill – don’t feel like you have to donate everything in one go.

Organize first, buy organizational materials second Many individuals buy boxes and tubs, hoping it will help them get organized, but they end up not fitting their needs. Get organized first, and then determine what you need to purchase after. You’ll save money and have a better system.

Get Fit! Keep your appliances running

Use Energy Efficient Appliances Even doing something as simple as changing your light bulbs to compact fluorescents can help you to save 75% of the energy you were burning earlier. Upgrading your larger appliances, like your washer, dryer or oven can save you even more money and energy.

Clean and Maintain your Appliances The more you clean your appliances, the better they run. For example, if you change our your HVAC filters regularly (like every 1-3 months) your system will be able to push that air through the system easier, making sure the motor doesn’t work too hard.

Make sure Air isn’t Escaping Warm air in the winter and cool air in the summer can escape through less insulated doors, windows and ducts. Make sure you’re caulking and repairing any places that could become drafts.

Spend Less, Save More: Get a home warranty

You can spend less money on your home’s systems and appliances, and save thousands of dollars with a home warranty. A home warranty covers repairs and replacements on your home’s systems and appliances (such as the HVAC system, oven, dishwasher, electrical and plumbing systems, etc.) for a $60 service call fee. So if you have a system or appliance in your home fail from normal wear and tear, all you have to do is pay $60 to have it repaired or replaced. Not only would you save money, but you’d also spend a lot less money. Most homeowners spend 1-4% of their home’s value on repairs and replacements per year. With a home warranty, you can reduce that percentage significantly.

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Sun, 03 Jan 2016 03:39:00 +0000

PRESS RELEASE

Homecorp LLC of Dallas Receives

Best Of Houzz 2015 Award

Over 25 Million Monthly Unique Users Rated Top-Rated Home Building,

Remodeling and Design Professionals in the United States and Around the World

[Dallas, TX], December 31, 2015 – Homecorp of Dallas has been awarded “Best Of Houzz” for Customer Satisfaction by Houzz, the leading platform for home remodeling and design. The 10 year old custom home builder and remodeler was chosen by the more than 25 million monthly unique users that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 500,000 active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

The Best Of Houzz award is given in two categories: Design and Customer Satisfaction. Design award winners’ work was the most popular among the more than 25 million monthly users on Houzz, known as “Houzzers.” Customer Satisfaction honors are determined by a variety of factors, including the number and quality of client reviews a professional received in 2014. Winners will receive a “Best Of Houzz 2015” badge on their profiles, helping Houzz users around the world who discover and love a professional’s work to learn even more about that business’ popularity and satisfaction rating among their peers in the Houzz community.

“Homecorp is at the forefront of design and construction with excellent service. It is our goal to provide all three in a manner that clients feel confident, happy and excited to live in their updated or new homes.”

“Houzz provides homeowners with a 360 degree view of home building, remodeling and design industry professionals, empowering them to engage the right people and products for their project,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of industry marketing for Houzz. “We’re delighted to recognize Homecorp among our “Best Of” professionals as judged by our community of homeowners and design enthusiasts who are actively remodeling and decorating their homes.”

Follow Homecorp on Houzz http://www.houzz.com/pro/homecorp/homecorp-sandy-tabacinic

About Homecorp

Sandy Tabacinic is the President and CEO of Homecorp LLC, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Homecorp provides construction, remodeling, architectural, and interior design services to wide range of client across North Texas. Sandy tapped into her entrepreneurial instincts in 2009, when she launched Homecorp.

She made the decision to start her own business after many years working under some of the most highly regarded leaders in the construction industry. Sandy is an expert in contract negotiations, expense control, and operations management. She has led residential projects up to $4-million-dollars on properties up to 15,000 square feet. Sandy holds an associate degree in graphic design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Her creative background gives her a special eye for home design. She also studied at Tel Aviv University in Israel and the University of Miami. Born and raised in Colombia, Sandy is fluent in Spanish and English.

She is a member of the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association, the Dallas Builders Association and the Dallas chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.

Sandy is a single mom to three teenagers. She and her family live in Plano, Texas.

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish - online or from a mobile device. From decorating a room to building a custom home, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin and Sydney. For more information, visit www.houzz.com

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Wed, 11 Feb 2015 04:11:00 +0000

Trends that have staying power

Open kitchens seem to be in that category.

“Due to the lifestyle of a family today, I think open floor plans are certainly here to stay. Generalizing a bit, new footprints of homes are getting a bit smaller, so we need to use space in a multipurpose sense. The kitchen is a room where most gravitate towards naturally, so it makes sense for the open plan.”

Open kitchen plans....

We’ll see more walk-in pantries, butler’s pantries and small, secondary kitchens being incorporated into homes. “This will solve a lot of storage and clutter concerns.”

Tips for designing a new kitchen.

1. Start with the right flooring.

“Pick the floor first, because it will affect the height of appliances, and you will want to make sure the new floor runs under all the appliances, such as the dishwasher, range, etc.”

Choose items in this order: appliances, cabinets, countertops.

2. Layout should focus on function.

“The key to space planning is good function and keeping things in relation to one another,” Is the fridge going to open into a major walkway? Can you reach the dishwasher from the sink?

3. Frozen with indecision? Get a designer.

Neutral Debates: Grey vs Beige in Your Decor

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 14:39:00 +0000

Neutral Debates: Grey vs Beige in Your Decor

Whether you embrace color, or hide from the wilder hues, neutrals are essential to any design: they form the backdrop to the boldest colour palettes and the airiest atmospheres, keeping us from feeling overwhelmed and tying disparate hues together. However, there are two major sides one has to choose from when selecting a neutral: beige vs. grey. To help settle the Great Neutral Debate (at least in your own home), here's some advice on the best both grey and beige have to offer.

Pros and Cons
-Beige: Fans of beige find its warmth inviting, lending a natural quality and adding a human touch not found in colder colours like silver or stark white. However, some find it offputtingly traditional, with a less clean look than crisp greys. Ultimately, the fact that it does contain some undertone will result in more contrast when paired with stronger hues, creating a sense of a more colourful space.

-Grey: Those who love grey appreciate the utter simplicity of a colourless colour, while those who don't share this passion will find it often find it cold or dreary. Greys with minimal undertones are the most truly neutral hue possible, so they can pair well with literally anything else -- the "value" (darkness or lightness) becoming the important factor for creating contrast or harmony.

-Ultimately, one of the best ways to use either grey or beige is by actually mixing them together, allowing the contrast between them to highlight the beauty of both. Add warm pillows to a silvery sofa, layer a sandy jute rug on a cold stone floor, or even use two different tones on the walls: the mix is guaranteed to be relaxing but not boring, and sophisticated without feeling too serious. Or, if you really love the combination, you can take the Grey+Beige formula a bit more literally...

The Best of Both Worlds

-Because contemporary design is all about mixing, today we often see a favourite new colour, a hybrid of grey and beige called "greige." Whether you see it as a toned-down beige or a warmed-up grey, greige takes on the sophisticated simplicity of grey, adds the softness of beige, and creates an atmosphere of liveable, demure elegance.
-While the subtlety of greige may not translate into a small accessory, it makes an excellent shade for wall treatments, drapery, and other large canvases that let its hidden depths speak (while forming the perfect accompaniment to virtually any colour scheme). This is why Benjamin Moore's OC23 Classic gray is my ultimate go-to wall paint: it can hold its own, or play second fiddle, allowing it to run throughout a entire space without ever feeling out of place.

If you prefer to choose sides, here are some of my favourite Benjamin Moore hues from each side of the neutral battlefield:
Beige:
white: CC-70 Dune White
midtone: CC-90 Natural Line
dark: CC-510 Buckhorn

Grey:
white: 2121-70 Chantilly Lace
midtone: OC-26 Silver Satin
dark: 2121-10 Gray

Here in Texas, we have a lot of beige … and travertine ... and warm neutrals. Not that there’s anything wrong with warm neutrals, but, if you WANT to go gray, if you want a cooler palette, if you want a change in your look... How do you do it without the clash?

Chances are you have warm neutrals everywhere - most people around here do.

If you have travertine or travertine-like tile on floors, backsplashes, bathrooms, etc., then warm neutrals will follow: warm neutral granite counters, carpet, paint, window treatments, furniture, etc.If you don’t have the luxury of being able to redo everything in your beige interior but want some grey, I’ve got just the thing for you -

Paint.

I’m working on several projects where we’ve done just that. For instance:

One interior had beige everywhere, mouldings, doors, and a travertine-like tile in the entry/reception area. Overall, the entire office had quite a yellowed look.

The client wanted to go grey, so we did. We just painted the walls and ceilings, making the paint job much easier and cost effective.

Before

After

A cool, grey color instead of that yellowish tone provides such a nice contrast that it looks amazing. Rich. Dramatic. Cool...

And no longer yellow ;-)

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Sat, 21 Jun 2014 09:59:00 +0000

Homecorp is featured on CBS. The hidden, underground wine cellar

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Wed, 04 Jun 2014 12:21:00 +0000

BEST WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR GARAGE THIS SUMMER

1. Use as much vertical and ceiling space as possible. This rule is particularly important if you're planning to keep your car here. Make sure you'll have room to pull the car in without running into — or over — anything.

2. Before reorganizing, try taking everything out of your garage. Looking at the space you have as a blank canvas can give you a better idea of what you're working with.

3. Decide what to keep, what to donate, and what to throw away. When you find yourself questioning a particular item, ask yourself:
-Do I love it?
-Do I need it?
-When was the last time I used this?
-If I donated it, could it be safely used by another person?

4. Group like items together so they're easy to find.

5. Decide which area of the garage is going to be used for what purpose. Think carefully about what you want your garage to be used for, and the best possible way this space can be divided.

6. Label absolutely everything. If you’re tired of drawers and bins full of a hodgepodge of nails, screws, and bolts, take the time to sort each piece by type and label your storage containers and shelves accordingly. Tedious? Yes. Worth it? Yes.

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Thu, 29 May 2014 11:57:00 +0000

3 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR HOME FOR THE SUMMER...

1) Protect all your exterior wood: From furniture and decks to fences and siding, wood adds a touch of understated natural beauty to the exterior of your home. Wood also takes a lot of abuse from rain, snow, and sun. Keep them in good shape by staining or sealing them.

2) Replace windows that have broken seals or simply improve the quality of the glass. If you notice that your windows are "fogging," chances are the seal is broken and you need to do some replacing. You don't have to change the entire window, just the glass to avoid high costs. Replacing drafty single pane windows with insulated, double pane vinyl windows is a great way to save energy, reduce noise, and improve the look of your home.

3) Add insulation: Another way to reduce your utility bills, both summer and winter, is to make sure your attic has plenty of insulation.

Enjoy the summer!!!

What what our customers have to say about our company....

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Thu, 29 May 2014 02:47:00 +0000

Everything you wanted to know about flooring

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 01:43:00 +0000

Today more the ever, the popularity of hardwood floors in American homes has manufacturers developing new techniques to create hardwood flooring. Besides the common 3/4" solid oak flooring there are many new options for consumers to choose from. By gluing hardwood veneers together manufacturers are able create a hardwood floor that can be installed in places that the old 3/4" solid wood floors could not. In addition, the factory finishes that are used today are extremely tough and durable. So what hardwood floor is right for you? We'll help you determine which floors are best for your particular situation and we'll also help you avoid some common homeowner mistakes when buying hardwood flooring.

Wood Floor Construction

Solid – These floors are one complete piece of solid wood from top to bottom. They generally are 3/4" thick, however new technology in milling is allowing for a 5/16" thickness as well. The most commonly recognized width is 2 1/4" but also comes in sizes from 1 1/2" strips to 7" planks. Lengths will be random from 12" – 84".

All solid products react to the presents of moisture. In the winter heating months, moisture leaves the wood causing the floor to contract or leave gaps between each board. In the summer months when humidity enters the wood, it will cause the wood to expand and if there is too much moisture it can cause it to cup.

Solid strip or plank floors can only be installed with the Nail Down procedure on a wooden subfloor.

Engineered – Refers to products that have 2,3, or 5 layers of wood laminated together to become one board. These products will arrange in thickness from 1/4" to 9/16" and widths from 2 ¼" to 7". Lengths will be random from 12" – 60".

Engineered floors have layers of wood that have a cross-graining lamination process resulting in a product that is dimensionally stable and not affected by moisture as greatly as solids. With cross-graining the plies, engineered floors become very stable so they do not expand and contact like solid products. Engineered floors can be installed on any grade level of the home; below grade, on grade or above grade. Installation options are Nail Down, Staple Down, Glue Down, or Floating.

Longstrip – Is constructed the same as Engineered products, but carries its own description because these products are "Long" planks – approximately 84" in length – and have individual sliced cut slats that are glued together to make up the face of each plank. Longstrip boards can have as few as 17 slats per board or as many as 35 slats per board.

Longstrip products are designed for a Floating installation, but certain manufacturers also recommend Glue Down, and or Staple Down.

Parquet – Comes in many unique patterns, but generally thought of as a 12"x12" square. Six 1" fillets are assembled into 6"x6" squares and then four of these are quarter-turned to make the 12"x12" square. Patterned parquets are very elegant and can add a special feature to your wood floor.

Parquets are a Glue Down installation either on grade or above grade.

A big difference between solid oak floors and engineered oak floors is how they are cut from the tree. Solid oak planks are sawn from the tree trunk, which cuts right through the tree's circular growth rings. While the engineered planks begin by cutting the wood veneers with sharp knives as the tree is spun in a circle. The wood veneers are then dried and laminated together to make wood flooring planks.

Wood always wants to grow in a certain direction. In solid wood planks the boards will always grow across the width of the planks, not the lengths. By taking each ply in an engineered plank and by changing the direction of wood graining for each ply you can drastically reduce the expansion and contraction problem. This is called cross-ply construction. To help understand this, think of it as one ply will be growing to the left, while the other ply will be growing to the right. Thus the plies counteract each other and prohibit expanding, or contracting. This is why it's not necessary to leave an expansion gap around the perimeter of a room when installing most engineered floors.

Hardwood floors come in either a beveled edge or a square edge. Today, most hardwood floor manufacturers are calling their beveled edge "eased edge" because the tapered edge is dramatically reduced from the old deeply grooved edges. The eased edge does serve a purpose. First, the manufacturer can produce these planks faster and thus lower the price per square foot without sacrificing the quality of the hardwood. Second, the eased edge is more forgiving over slightly irregular subfloors. If you are concerned with variations in plank heights than the eased edge is the style to choose.

Unfinished solid oak floors come in several different qualities. These qualities are clear, select and better, #1 common, and #2 common. The clear has no visual blemishes or knots and is extremely expensive. The select and better quality has some small knots and very little dark graining, while the #1 common and #2 common have more knots and more dark graining. When buying an unfinished solid oak floor make sure you know what quality you are buying.

Wood Finishes

UV-cured – Factory finishes that are cured with Ultra Violet lights versus heat.

Polyurethane – A clear, tough and durable finish that is applied as a wear layer.

Acrylic-urethane – A slightly different chemical make up than Polyurethane with the same benefits.

Ceramic – Advanced technology that allows the use of ceramics to increase the abrasion resistance of the wear layer.

Aluminum Oxide – Added to the urethane finish for increased abrasion resistance of the wear layer.

Acrylic Impregnated – Acrylic monomers are injected into the cell structure of the wood to give increased hardness and then finished with a wear layer over the wood.

Although the old method of stain and coat is still used on unfinished wood floors, the factory pre-finished wood floors have grown tremendously. Today the hardwood flooring manufacturers are using several coats of ultra-violet(UV) cured urethane to protect their wood floors. The UV cured urethanes can only be properly cured in the presence of UV light, which can only be done in a manufacturing facility. These UV cured urethanes create a tough, scratch resistant wear layer and help prevent moisture from penetrating the wood's surface. This does not mean you should wash your floor with a mop, but it does mean these floors won't watermark like the old waxed hardwood floors and the UV cure urethanes do make it easier to maintain the like new appearance than the old waxed hardwood floors.

Most factory finished hardwood floors have several coats of finish applied to the wood's surface. For example, on some flooring 7 coats of UV cured urethane is applied. This would be extremely difficult for someone to duplicate on a job site finish, not to mention how many days it would take. This is one of the main reasons why many flooring mechanics, retailers, as well as, builders are pushing pre-finished hardwood flooring. Instead of taking several days to install and finish a new hardwood floor, a pre-finished hardwood floor is generally done in one day.

Wood Installation Methods

Nail Down – Typically used with the 3/4" solid products, however there are adapters available for thinner products as well. 2" nailing cleats are used with a wood flooring nailer and mallet to attach the flooring to the subfloor. Solid Strip floors or Plank floors can only be installed on wooden subfloors on grade or above grade. The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association has complete installation instructions available on their web site.

Staple Down – Staples are used versus nailing cleats to attach the wood flooring to the subfloor. A pneumatic gun is used to drive the staple into the wood flooring and subfloor. This procedure is easier than the nail down for do-it-yourself installations. Not all wood flooring manufacturers recommend the same staple gun. Read the manufacturers installation manual to assure you have the right staple gun and right size staples.

Glue Down – Mastic or adhesive is spread on with a trowel to adhere the wood flooring to the subfloor.

Engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. Solid strip floors and solid plank floors can only be nailed or stapled. There are many types of adhesives on the market, please use the manufacturers recommended adhesive when installing their flooring. Not using the manufacturers recommended adhesive could void any warranties you may.

Floating – Floating refers that these floors are not mechanically fastened to the subfloor. There is a thin pad that is placed between the wood flooring and the subfloor. A wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove of each plank to hold the planks together. The padding protects against moisture, reduces noise transmission, softer under foot, and provides for some additional "R" value. Some engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated. This is a very fast, easy and clean method of installation. Please consult the manufacturer installation instructions to see if your flooring can be floated.

At Homecorp, we do all kind of wood flooring installation in the Dallas and Metroplex. Call us for your new home construction or remodel.

www.homecorptx.com

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 04:09:00 +0000

Swimming Pool Safety and Maintenance

With Labor Day around the corner, Homecorp would like to provide you with some swimming pool safety and maintenance tips. It is critical that you protect your friends and family as you beat the heat this holiday!

1. Maintain secure fencing and a locked entrance around the pool and deck area to prevent access when adequate supervision is not available.

2. Make sure there is adequate lifesaving equipment in the pool area, including life preservers and a rescue hook.

3. Keep chemicals safely stored away from the pool area. Follow all storage and usage instructions recommended by the manufacturer.

4. Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area.

5. Inspect the liner periodically. Rips and tears can appear undetected at the top of the lining.

6. Check for signs of wear and tear in areas where pipes or other items may have penetrated the liner (e.g., skimmers, hoses, etc.).

7. For above ground pools, check metal supports for rust or deterioration. These may indicate areas where the pool could rupture or a person could be injured.

8. Check the deck for safety hazards (e.g., protruding nails, loose boards, etc.).

9. Keep your pool maintained and seasonably prepped. Be sure to lower the water level and keep the pool covered in the winter months.

10. Install an audible pool alarm to alert you if someone falls into the pool while it is unattended.

Enjoy the weekend!!!! We're here for all your pool needs!

www.facebook.com/homecorptx

www.homecorptx.com

Visit our website and pictures

Horror Stories

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:49:00 +0000

How many times have we heard the comments, "my builder was a disaster." "I am never remodeling or building again." "All contractors are rip-offs."

In this industry, it is actually very common to experience misunderstanding as well as budget "malfuntcions." However, there is no need for these to ocurr. The truth of the matter is that these type of misunderstandings can happen only under three circumstances. Either your contractor is actually a crook, you did not put everything in writing, or there was no follow up on the client's and builder's part to continually be informed of progress and expenses.

Here are a few tips that will help when you begin your next project:

On the actual contractor:
1) Get references. If all references come from the builder, call them, but also contact the local construction commission or remodeler's association and find out if there are any outstanding claims for the company.
2) Try to gage the builder and look for the following signs during the interview. Does he tell you he call deliver all you ask for with no type of disclaimers. He seems so easy to work with, he is willing to do anything you want, and never says it will cost more, even when you start adding items to the project. He tells you that you cannot contact his trades directly.
3) He cannot give you vendor referrals, such as a lumber company or plumbing company. Every referral he has is an independent "guy."

Keeping it all in writing:
1) Your contract. It is very important to have an attorney look it over. The amount of money you will save if all your points are covered is worth the small fee an attorney will charge.
2) Change orders. Keep track of every change you make, as well as those the builder recommends, etc. Even if you keep it in an email, you will have something to refer back to.
3) Lien waivers. When you issue a payment to your builder, it is not out of line to request that after paying all trades, the builder bring you copies of the lien waivers signed by all vendors working on your house. In case some disguntled trade comes knocking, you will have proof that he has been paid.
4) Keep track of deliveries, quality of items, etc. When you discuss with the builder what material will be used, make sure that it matches what was delivered.

Keeping Track:
1) You should have weekly or monthly meetings with your builder to see where you are in the construction process, both financially and time wise. There may be issues you are not aware of, or expectations the builder is not aware of. This is the time to go over every issue you have before it grows into a bigger problem.
If you have a party planned at your home, don't expect the builder to know about it unless you've told him how important it is to complete the work beforehand.
2) Make sure the builder knows immediately if you are unhappy with the way something looks. It is easier for the builder to tackle issues when the trades are on site, or before they have received final payment.
3) Keep all paperwork you are sent. When warranty time comes, you will want to have as much information as you can available to you.

Important rules to keep in mind:
1) Never pay for items that have not been completed unless it is a deposit (In this case, we usually recommend you make a check to the builder and the trade together, so there are no misunderstandings).
2) Know that just because you've paid your contractor, it does not mean he has paid his subs. Find out if your money is properly distributed so you have no hold ups or surprises.

Most builders will work with these rules because it benefits you both. If you find one that has an issue with them, RUN!

Where can I save money on my construction job?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:29:00 +0000

When you remodel or begin new construction, there are a few areas where pricing is almost standard across the board. For example, concrete, lumber and framing are not items that are readily available to the consumer and therefore by the time you add labor, waste allowances and hidden costs, you will probably not be able to save much.

Drywall, as well as insulation and electric are other items for which you will probably not be able to save much as well since pricing is standard and these services are widely used.

Where you can begin to save money is in doors and windows. There are many discount stores as well as salvage places that carry a wide variety of designs. If you have a place to store these items, and you are not limited by design, this is the first step in achieving savings.

Plumbing fixtures are a great way to save money. However, you will need to know up front what fixtures will go in showers and tubs as these require valves installed up front during construction. It is also important to consider warranty when purchasing these items. You want to be able to return them, or receive defective parts from your vendor if the need arises.

Electrical fixtures are also constantly on sale. You can purchase these from the Internet and local stores. Keep in mind when purchasing lamps, chandeliers, fans, etc, their size, location of the electrical contact so you do not purchase an item that will not fit, or is too heavy for the framing and makes you incur costly change orders.

Tile offers a great opportunity for savings. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can select a tile that is not very expensive for the main part of your shower and splurge on accents. Most people focus on the overall design and do not focus on the background. Still, keep in mind, proper installation of tile is important for presentation, no matter the price of the tile you've purchased.

On landscaping there are easy ways to save. If you do not mind waiting a bit for your landscaping to look "finished," you can order smaller size plants and allow them time to bloom. Usually prices for smaller plants are less and really you only need to wait a month or two for a full landscape. Just make sure you give your plants proper irrigation.

Lastly, allow for future improvements. There may be many features you want to incorporate in your new home/remodel. The trick is to do them all correctly. Trying to cut corners on finish outs or quality in order to save money or cram an entire wish list is not a smart move. Quality is important. Discuss with your builder and decide what items can be left for a "second phase" without affecting cost in a big way.

Energy Tax Credits Available

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:23:00 +0000

For those of you who want to upgrade, change or improve your home, there are many tax credits available from the government. If you are not sure what those credits are, here is a short list with facts you can use (Please keep in mind that these repairs need to meet certain criteria established by the government. For that criteria you can go to http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits

Insulation - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Windows and Skylights - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Windows - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Roofing - Energy star qualified and reflective asphalt shingles - 30% of cost up to $1,500

Installation costs are not covered by the tax credit for windows, doors, insulation and roofs. It is for materials only.

On new construction you can obtain tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC or nonsolar water heaters.

In order to qualify for the tax credit, all products must have a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying the product meets the standards for the tax credit. The Manufacturer Certification Statement isn’t required to send in with your tax return but must accompany your receipts and records.

It is recommended by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to save all receipts with the contact information of each manufacturer, the make and model of the product, and the manufacturer’s statement that the product meets the tax credit standards.

Conserving energy through the use of “green” products might not have been at the top of your list a few years ago, but thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill the government has made it financially beneficial to homeowners to work toward energy efficiency. Tax credits are available unlike ever before to homeowners who are planning a home remodel with green appliances and practices.

When helping the environment while saving money, everybody wins.

Women in the construction industry, can it work?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:40:00 +0000

It can be hard for women in a male-dominated world of construction.
Female owners of construction companies are often the only women at job-site meetings. Not yet used to women running the show, construction workers at sites sometimes mistake them for building owner representatives or inspectors.

It can be uncomfortable to be the only woman on a job site where it is all men. There are times that you look around, and you stick out like a sore thumb. The woman-owned construction firm is a rare breed. Just 12 percent of those working nationally in the construction industry are women and only 6 percent are managers, according to the National Association of Women in Construction in Fort Worth, Texas.

Running a company in this male-dominated industry takes perseverance -- and a thick skin.
Our firm has been involved for years on new construction, renovation and tenant improvement, still, men don't assume we know what we're talking about when it comes to construction. In this business it is important to know the trade because you are dealing with a lot of men and a male-dominated profession.

When women first started in their roles as company executives, plenty of men challenged their authority. I have had men come in the office demanding to speak to my boss.
Female construction firm owners deal with these attitudes by demonstrating their knowledge of construction. A friendly golf game or social outing with a client doesn't hurt either. Golf playing being a goal I have not yet achieved.

Despite the gender imbalance in the industry, some progress has been made in acceptance of women in construction. Sexist workers are unlikely to sign up for a female-owned construction company's job. It almost makes women a natural filter for “jerks” in the construction business.
Although working in a male-dominated field is a challenge, female owners of construction firms also see advantages. Home owners are happy to know there is a person that can relate to the construction from a woman’s perspective, who understands and has valuable input on the flow and design of a home. Also, women often have a different perspective and are usually more adept at communicating, these women owners said. Women will pick up the phone more often than men, who tend to communicate better via email.

They also benefit from Women Business Enterprise certifications. Governments and other entities are often required to contract a certain percentage of their projects to woman- or minority-owned firms.
Although we hope to be accepted by the old boys' club, women construction company owners aren't necessarily vying for membership.

"I still wear my high heels to the job site."

Remodeling Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 03:40:00 +0000

Here are a few things to consider when you remodel:

1) Electrical: Make sure you understand the space. When placing electrical outlets, you will need to meet code, however, you can make sure the location of the outlets fit your room layout. Tell your electrician exactly where you want the outlets and jacks to be (and how high you want them as well). This is especially true if you have an idea where you want your furniture to go and you want to hide the outlets and jacks behind the furniture.

2) Paint: Make sure the painter leaves a few cans of paint, labeled, in your garage so you can do your own touch ups after you've completed the work.

3) There is an unknown rule of thumb when remodeling. Spend the money where the water is. That means kitchen and bathrooms. A quick face lift of these areas will completely change your entire house look.

4) When hiring a contractor, keep in mind: You can only have 2 of these 3: Fast, Quality, Cheap. ie, if the work gets down fast and cheap, chances are you won't have the quality. If you want the job done quickly with excelent quality, changes are it won't be too cheap, etc...

5) Adding a bit of crown and trim around the house can dress it up a bit, for a low cost.

6) Find out if there are rebates available for the products you purchase for your home. Rebates are commonly found in appliances.

7) Make sure you buy a roll of blue tape and mark clearly the areas you need to touch up or fix for your builder.

8) No matter how well you plan, expect the project to “cost more and take longer than you think,”

9) Landscaping: It is easy and fun to plant trees and watch them grow. If you plant a very young tree, it can resemble a weed to a yard maintenance man in a hurry! Be sure to put a colorful piece of tape around it so that everyone knows that it is not to be destroyed.

10) Here's an area where renovators often cut corners: Exterior trim should be backprimed. This means that the decorative pieces of wood on the outside of your house should have paint on all sides before they are attached to the house. Without backpriming, the wood can absorb moisture, which can cause warping, rotting, and shorter paint life on the front of the piece of trim.

Which is the right insulation for your home?

noreply@blogger.com (Sandy Tabacinic) — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Does Green matter when choosing Insulation?

To apply Green in your home, the main steps to use in your construction are low-toxicity/non-toxic building products and recyclable materials.

Insulation is one of the items where you can apply Green easily.

SIPS
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"), offering energy savings of 12%–14%. When installed properly, SIPs also provide a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house more comfortable and quieter.
SIPs can give you high values of almost R-30 and great noise reduction. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two oriented strand boards (OSB) or other structural facing materials. Normally SIPS are great when building new construction and can reduce time and costs.

Loose Fills
Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing any structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for places where it's difficult to install some other types of insulation.
Loose-fill insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock of slag) wool. All of these materials are made with recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20%–30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. Loose fill insulation is great at resisting heat flow and can reduce noise by about 50%.

Batts
Blanket insulation—the most common and widely available type of insulation—comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
The advantage of Batts insulation is that it is simple to install and you can do it yourself. It is also the least expensive of all the insulation options.

Foams
Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Their ability to fill even the smallest cavities gives them twice the R-value per inch than traditional BATT insulation. However, liquid foam insulation also forms an air barrier. This can help eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints. When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money.