January 29th, 2009
Green Building Advisor is a new resource where you can get a plethora of information on Green Building all in one spot. I especially liked this page where the top 20 questions regarding green building are answered. This is a really good place to begin when you are thinking of building new or remodeling. There are more detailed answers available if you find you need more information, but the basics are covered with the answers to the 20 questions. See if your question is on the top twenty list.
January 27th, 2009
If you are still unsure about the modular building process and the ability for modular builders to custom build for you, watch this short video from Builder TV. Home Building Trends: Modular Housing Home Design – Build TV . This is yet another confirmation that the old stigma of modular building being just boxes is finally dying off. Systems built technology is a good bet for quality, customization and price.
January 22nd, 2009
How much wall paper should I buy? How much paint should I buy? How much grass seed will be enough? Quick answers to these questions can be found using these home calculators. In the case of ceramic tiles for your floor or wall it will tell you how many tiles you need if they are 4″ tiles, or 6″ tiles…all the way up to 18″ tiles. This is so simple. It sure makes shopping for the finishing touches to your home much easier. It is so frustrating to have to return to the store because you didn’t purchase enough of the product the first time around.
January 20th, 2009
Ever wondered if going green really has any impact? This review of the Green Building 2008 Impact report sums things up in a way that won’t leave you wondering. It’ s estimated that just by becoming conscious of the efficiency of location and the promotion of alternate transportation, nearly 400 million vehicle miles have been saved. That’s a lot of miles, and that’s just the beginning of the impact green building is having. We can do our part by making smart choices when we build. Collectively it will reduce the environmental impact and individually we stand to save some money in energy costs. Pretty much a win-win situation.
January 15th, 2009
We make all kinds of New Years resolutions and rarely stick to them. So maybe we need to be a bit more general. I decided to check out the National Association of State Energy Officials site and try to follow their tip of the day. It’s on the bottom of their home page. Maybe I can’t change all my habits at once, but I can pick one thing to do better on each day. As I become more concientous of the little things, perhaps I can start working on a plan to make my entire home more energy efficient. Need some ideas about that? We can help – give us a call.
January 13th, 2009
The Maine winters just don’t appeal to me as much as they used to. It’s now a chore to get out the snowshoes and I feel like I can’t put on enough warm clothes to keep my body temperature above freezing. So – when I came across this plan to build a fire pit in your own backyard, I got that warm fuzzy feeling I get when I think about spring and backyard bar-b-ques. Visit This Old House and find do it yourself plans for a great fire pit. It may seem a little early to start thinking about spring, but by planning you can make this fire pit yours instead of just a dream.
January 8th, 2009
Well we all know haste makes waste, and that’s what has happened to some of the economic relief money that has already been released – it has been wasted. It’s good to know that President-elect Obama is considering releasing the remaining money with conditions attached. If all goes well, much of the money will go to help those in foreclosure, and to stimulate new home loan packages. Read this article from Bloomberg.com to see what House Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank has been discussing with the President-elect. It could be a big boon to the housing industry – good for us!
January 6th, 2009
Here are some tips from the National Association of Home Builders about where to begin when you decide to remodel or renovate:
- Prioritize your needs and your wants
- Check magazines and websites for ideas so you can visualize your project
- Remember to think about traffic patterns and furniture placement
- Determine the amount of money you can allocate to the project
- Make sure you set up good communications with your contractor
- Understand the schedule of completion for your project
- Get a written proposal for all work to be done
Remodeling can cause an interruption in your everyday life so the more organized your project is, the less stress it should present. Contact Schiavi Home Builders with your remodeling questions and we will walk you through the process.
