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How to Learn About Sustainable Building

Learning about sustainable building ideas has consistently been intriguing for environmentalists and green enthusiasts. The two long-lasting values that can be obtained from this approach is clean lifestyle and affordability. Here is a glimpse of various sources where you can find topics about sustainable building practices.

Whole Building Design Guide

The desire to be surrounded by green things, be it woods, plants, natural resources, and energy-efficient materials, is nothing but instinctive. Nevertheless, it is surprising to discover the origins of sustainable building practices through this guide and design ideas that are simply taken for granted. Explore with this guide and there may seem very little new under the sun nowadays compared to what people did a long time ago. When it comes to houses, sustainable building practice has been associated with evolution since time immemorial. Only recently that the idea is being given more prominence. In fact, if there is a specific building idea that you wish to implement for your residence, you will probably find hints from nearly any century. This source teaches you new ways of preserving those ideas that are reinterpreted for today’s use.

Econet

No homes made of clay and straw from the earliest history survive in cities today, but what is remaining is the relentless inkling about the value and expression of green living and its concepts. Sustainability in the form of Econest homes reflects the culture that can attest to the importance of living pollution-free. It certainly is beneficial for everyone to learn about the concepts of sustainable building through the company’s workshops that are enjoyed in modernized form. After all, any good idea has great persistence.

Green Building and Design Magazine

People who prefer green lifestyle overcome myriad obstacles on a daily basis in an effort to use natural resources for personal use. This magazine is worth reading if you agree with this fact. In any event, sustainability is achieved by establishing needs and priorities in a clear and workable fashion and then moving on to many details necessary for a perfect outcome. While each house property can be a unique canvas for implementing this concept, some land areas are better than others as far as the availability of resources is concerned. Keep in mind that available space on a property in order to achieve sustainability is not only determined by the shape, size, and contour but also by the abundance of natural elements surrounding it.

Bend Bulletin

Not every existing idea has to be cherished, but if you are unclear about the merits of an idea, you need to identify the worth before remodeling your house. Once you have thoroughly learned and investigated sustainable building practices through this online bulletin, you will become more aware of your options. This will also help you raise awareness for better environmental-performing construction methods among other consumers. Also, you will improve your knowledge about related environmental impacts with respect to buildings and make the appropriate decisions for architects, developers, and construction investors.

Fine Home Building

As the years pass, major or minor changes to your home are inevitable. With sustainability in mind, this means adding materials that are energy efficient or expanding the existing structures to include resource-saving plans. Learning more about sustainable building from finehomebuilding.com can greatly assist your efforts.

Sources:

http://www.wbdg.org/resources/sustainable_hp.php

Building System


http://gbdmagazine.com/
http://www.bendbulletin.com/home/2172467-151/saving-green-by-going-green
http://www.finehomebuilding.com/pages/energy-efficient-homes.asp

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Room Additions – Cost and Savings Analysis

room additions san diegoTurning your home into a construction zone may not have been in your mind when you bought your dream home; but when the right opportunity comes along, doing a remodeling could be your best option. Millions of homeowners have discovered the potential and value of remodeling. It is time for you to find out.

Before we begin some useful cost-value analysis of home remodeling, let us look around at some facts. Remodeling magazines publish the importance of remodeling a home by telling people that it improves the home's livability and enhances the home's appeal for potential buyers. That's true until now. In fact, the highest remodeling comes from updating the kitchen and baths. The home office is another area that increases a home's value.

Payback after a home remodeling is defined as the total investment a homeowner can earn back upon selling the home. In general, when a kitchen is upgraded, the homeowner can recoup around 101% of the money invested in the project. Similarly, upgrading a bathroom will earn 85% of the cost, adding a family room 86%, adding a master bedroom 85% and adding sunroom 71% within a year, maybe more later. Here is a list of returns (% of cost recouped) for different remodeling projects in different states.

Kitchen remodeling CT - 125%
Bathroom addition MI - 96%
Kitchen remodeling KT - 92%
Exterior pain change MA - 90%
Master bedroom remodeling FL - 86%

As you can see from the above list, the payoff associated with a remodeling project is significant when the right strategy is followed. Remember that costs of upgrades can escalate over time and therefore money invested in a project will surely increase the home's value. You may not be able to recoup the entire investment the first year but over the years, the investment can bring a great return.

It is now time to turn our attention to making these remodeling projects successful. A simple kitchen remodeling job can easily cost more than $20,000, while a bathroom makeover is as high as $60,000 depending on the materials and labor used. Your first priority here is to keep to a budget, follow a careful plan and pay attention to details. Then, communicate your ideas and budget parameters to your contractor without overstating the amount. Set aside emergency expenditures as well because there should be room left for sudden cost increases or project modification that may arise in the future. Having a detailed agreement from start to finish will let you double-check that you are getting what you are paying for and the project runs smoothly. Remember that a little can go a long way with remodeling. Anything that increases the functionality, durability, and appeal of the project will pay off in the end.

Whether you want to rely on a contractor or roll up your sleeves and start your remodeling project yourself is entirely up to you. But make sure to weigh the cost of time spent on researching or supervising against the hidden value of your property that you hope to capitalize through remodeling.

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Top Remodeling Event Shows in 2014

Since May is national remodeling month, there is no better time than this month to review – and preview – the top remodeling show events of this year.

At the top of 2014 was the Colorado Springs’ 16th annual Home Building and Remodeling Show, held January 10-12. This is the longest-running national trade show devoted to remodeling in the US. Over 150 exhibitors including turnkey remodeling companies, architects, and products ranging from kitchen & bath to lawn & garden attend the show each year. This should be the first stop for any serious remodeling professionals or for homeowners who would like to see cutting-edge products and technologies as they plan their makeovers. Plan to go in January 2015.

Another big trade show that comes around every winter is the National Association of the Remodelers’ Industry (NARI) Trade Show. Held last January at the Cleveland I-X Center, the coming winter show will be in Madison, WI. Almost as big as the Colorado Springs shows, the NARI trade shows feature around 100 exhibitors and include seminars for DIY and professional remodeling.

Here is a list of a few trade shows that are coming up for the balance of the year.

Neocon World Trade Fair, to convene this June 9th to 11th, is one of the largest commercial interiors-industry-related trade events in the United States. Held at the Merchandise Mart at Chicago, the event welcomes more than 40,000 visitors. A special Student Program is arranged during the event. More than 700 exhibiting companies take part.

Home & Garden Market-Dallas, coming this September 6th and 7th, targets a large number of potential buyers. A NARI pavilion and a Taste of home cooking show are featured as part of the event. This show exhibits an exclusive range of leisure and outdoor products, energy-efficient products, kitchen & bath products along with various builders and remodelers, gardening experts, and home improvement professionals.

The Atlanta Residential Construction and Remodeling Expo, sponsored by The Home Depot, is being held this year from October 7 – 9. “RCRE trade show and conference will be influenced by insights and intelligence of industry experts from our partner associations such as Greater Atlanta HBA,” Verne Packer, Senior Vice President, RCRE. “We are excited to have their professional thought leaders as part of our team helping to guide the Expo.”

The Baltimore Remodeling Show and DeckExpo combines three events in two days at one location. Featured at the October 23rd and 24th event, open to professionals only, will be hundreds of exhibitors, installation clinics, interactive workshops, and instructional exhibitor-led product demonstrations. Featured manufacturers include Andersen Windows and Doors, Swanstone custom kitchen and bath fixtures, and a wide array of green and sustainable building products.

Homeowners are investing more in their homes than ever. The Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS) recently forecast that growth in remodeling expenses on projects costing more than $500 should rise by 14.7 percent from the end of June 2013 through the end of this June, continuing a quarter-over-quarter trend that began around September of last year.

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Building Trends in 2014

Over the past several years, there’s been a growing demand for energy-efficient homes with eco-friendly materials and versatile living spaces. Homeowners are looking for features that create a comfortable and convenient lifestyle. To meet demands, building trends in 2014 are including features that homeowners want. Take a look at some of the most popular home features.

Smart Home Systems

In today’s computerized world, homeowners love smart home systems that help conserve energy and make household tasks easy and convenient. With the push of a button from any computer or smartphone, you can automate numerous home features from any location. Smart home systems allow you to turn your home lights on or off, lock and unlock doors, arm or disarm your security system, program or adjust thermostat settings, and program or adjust swimming pool and spa temperatures.

Green Materials

Homeowners are opting for healthy living environments with safe eco-friendly materials in the home. Many building materials contain toxic or harmful chemicals which can contribute to allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, and other health issues. Interior and exterior materials like paints, wood stains, insulation, carpet, and upholstery are being replaced with recycled and green materials that are chemical-free and hypoallergenic. Popular materials include recycled wood products, eco-friendly bamboo flooring, non-toxic adhesives and carpet backing, and hypoallergenic textiles.

Family Kitchens

Kitchens are being designed as a multitasking space that’s used by the entire family. They are becoming the central activity center, the hub-of-the-house, where the family spends time together cooking, eating and entertaining. Kitchen layouts include various cooking zones with state-of-the-art appliances, kitchen islands with prep stations and sinks, and planning areas with desks and computers. This versatile layout creates a kitchen where kids can do homework while parents cook dinner. It encourages family conversations and shared activities.

Outdoor Fireplaces and Firepits

Outdoor fireplaces and fire pits create an outdoor environment with a cozy, relaxing atmosphere. The glow of a warm fire creates a comfortable setting for outdoor dining and entertaining. The added warmth and light extend the time you can spend outdoors throughout the year. Outdoor fireplaces require more space, more money, and special skills to build and install. Free-standing firepits require very little space, less money, and no building skills. The choice usually depends on space and budget limitations, but they are both popular outdoor features.

Outdoor Kitchens

A luxury home feature that’s in big demand with homeowners today is outdoor kitchens. They provide a great way to cook, dine and entertain outdoors year-round. Simple designs usually include a grill, side burner, sink, and countertops. Luxury designs can include rotisseries, pizza ovens, warming drawers, storage areas, compact refrigerators, ice makers, wine coolers, and beer keg dispensers. Depending on the design and selected appliances, outdoor kitchens can range from $2,000 to $50,000, but homeowners love the lifestyle options that they provide.

Spas and Hot Tubs

With today’s busy lifestyles, homeowners want relaxation features in their homes. Spas and hot tubs top the list for popularity. They are being included in new homes around the country in warm and cold climates. Outdoor spas and hot tubs are still the most popular, but some homeowners are opting for indoor spas in the master bathroom or just outside the master bedroom. New homes without spas or hot tubs often include whirlpool baths with adjustable water jets and showers with specialty showerheads and side jets. Whether inside or outside, relaxing spas and hot tubs are home features that homeowners want.

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How To Prepare for a Room Addition

There are many reasons why a homeowner would choose to increase the size of their property. Those reasons could involve a new addition to the family, space for an office, or the homeowner may require extra space for some other reason. Additional rooms involve demands, a goal and a list of requirements that should be met before the project gets underway. The first thing on the agenda should be to figure out how much money you will have to work with before you can get started.

Finalizing your decision

An addition can be a costly exercise and the responsibility involved can become a little overwhelming if you don’t think the whole thing through. Before jumping off the deep end, make very sure that there is no way to get around this addition, if only for the fact that it is going to require some juggling of funds. Financing can be attained through a personal loan from the bank or dipping into your savings if you happen to have it.

Qualifications are key

Unless you plan on doing the job yourself; you need to think in terms of what sort of a contractor you require to handle the task. This is not like replacing some pipes, or a window that the neighborhood kids broke with a ball; this is an entire room, which usually comes with walls, a ceiling, electrical wiring, and everything else that comes with a house, so make certain that your contractor has done this work of thing before.

A design that makes sense

There may be certain things that you may be able to get away with as you plan on your room addition, but a good set of blueprints should not be one of them. This may just be a few walls, a ceiling, and a floor, however, depending on what you need the addition for you will have to think in terms of how many electrical outlets you need, and if you plan on using a window AC unit or try to extend the ductwork from the central air.

Shop around

Keep in mind that this is not necessarily a small job so the average contractor would be only too happy to do it for you. Rather than let your fingers do the walking, consider calling a few reputable contracting firms and let them put a bid in order to handle the job for you. This will give you more than one option as far as a contractor is concerned and in addition to that, you will have a few prices to choose from.

Making it legal

Most general contractors will usually remind you that building permits are required, in fact; some will actually apply for the permits for you. If you don’t have a permit work cannot begin and considering the fact that it is your home, at the very least you will need to make sure that the permits are in hand. In addition to that, whatever contractor you end up with, double-check that they are licensed and insured before they get started.

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Four Great Ideas for Second Story Additions to Your Home

second story addition san diegoAdding a second story addition to your home can add value, personality and excitement to your home. While any homeowner can easily get excited by the possibilities available to them about additions, the process of actually deciding what your addition should be can be time-consuming and frustrating. While there are many options available for numerous types of homes, here are four great ideas for second story additions that can work with any home style and homeowner preference.

Storage Area

While a new storage area might be low on the list of potential additions, it is very practical. This is especially useful if you have children, love collecting or if you simply have a lot of items that tend to do nothing but add clutter to the house. While you may want to keep your items due to sentimental value or monetary value, clutter can make a house seem very cramped and stuffy. In addition, cluttered houses with no room for storage tend to become stagnant in their décor because homeowner's don't want to get rid of their old items to make room for new items.

Your storage area can also be a display area for collections and precious family items like photos and trophies. Your sentimental items can be displayed with pride and visited as often as you'd like instead of merely placing them in a box and only looking at them while cleaning.

Personal Office or Study

Personal offices and studies are perfect for people who need a quiet place to concentrate on work or schoolwork, especially in a house filled with various people and pets. A locking door, a desk, a computer and a bookshelf are all practically anyone needs for their own personal office. If you have the means, you can also easily convert your working space into a meeting area for your business. It's also a good idea to include an additional exterior entrance for more private and professional meetings as it may seem unprofessional to lead clients and associates in through your house.

Entertainment Room

A dream for many people may be a reality for you. An entertainment room or personal theater is an extremely appealing addition to many homes. You can tailor the room for your own personal interests by including a flat screen TV, entertainment center, a small arrangement of theater-styled seating, gaming consoles, surround sound, arcade games and more. It is one of the more expensive options, but it is also one of the most enjoyable.

Additional Bedrooms or Apartments

If you plan on extending your family soon or want to have an extra room for company, additional space can easily be converted to additional bedrooms. The simple addition of a bed, dresser and perhaps a small desk can easily convert any space into a viable bedroom.

In addition, you can also convert the space into an apartment and rent it out for extra money. If you have extra space in your home that you're not using, it's a great way to make some money.

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Planning – The second Step to getting Permit Approved

The division of land and the location is what planning focuses on.  Some rural cities have an issue where planning approval is required but the staff does not have the authority to give the approval.  Fortunately, San Diego is not one of the cities, nor are the majority of more populated urban cities.  If your new construction project requires a subdivision of land or the addition of built materials including parking services and other significant changes to the site, these changes must be approved before a planning board.

  • To streamline this process an SJB Construction Inc. recommends bringing a large site plan or handouts of the site plan that can be easily viewed showing the dimensions of the lot, the buildings, the trees and all boundaries involved in the scope of work.

Typical conflicts:

The relationship of the existing lot – keep in mind if you’re planning to build the board do not wish to negatively affect the street, neighboring properties within this proximity.  Easy access for fire and emergency equipment and visibility for oncoming motorists are basic musts if this project has a chance of approval.

Advice from an experienced contractor: Don’t be intimidated if you have a tailored blueprint or site plan that’s completely customized.  Just keep in mind to make this as clear as possible with all detailed dimensions proposed.

Another good idea is to bring photographs of neighboring properties and streets.  This will help give the board members a visual representation of your ideal project alongside the existing structures.  The thoroughness involved and showing good faith go a long way in these initial efforts.

Again, this is a part of the permit approval that is important for an experienced general contractor to do.  An experienced contractor has all previous county relationships and knows all the correct rules and regulations along with great assets to leverage if there are any hang-ups.

 

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You are ready to Remodel – Getting Permit Approved – Step 1

Based on your location what you’re remodeling/building may require any of the following types of approval.  Although we wish to give the most accurate information on homeowners it is always best to use a professional general contractor vs. doing it on your own with less experience and risking a major headache/financial burden.  With that said here are the general steps/rules required to get your building permit approved.

Zoning – The First Step Involved

Your city/home has ordinances that apply to areas or zones, on the town’s map.  Some areas are zoned residential (such as homes) and some are commercial (such as business).  Not all eventualities are covered and so the zoning board hears owners seeking clarification or exception to these rules.  An owner may go before a zoning board for a variance granting relief from a particular zoning ordinance or to appeal the denial of a permit based on an interpretation of that area.  During this process is important to be patient as these things definitely can take time.  The zoning process also gets you on the municipality property tax roll.

Typical conflicts:

Adding an in-home business or to add a unit for my parents/in laws

It will be necessary to seek conditional use approval rating exception to the rules of property use.  You may also need to seek a variance on the number of dwelling units allowed.

Advice from an experienced contractor:

For any reason if you need to go before a zoning board before you can move forward with a project that a lot of its ease of Edinburgh as there is this a home that show that the data is imperative to stop all work and wait for the approval.  Don’t be careless and make the mistake of thinking that you can continue to build while this issue is pending.  It is not an easy task to bend the rules of zoning ordinances and it’s not always a grandslam.  The board will need a convincing reason to make an exception for you without setting a bad presence this is exactly why you are hiring an experienced a general contractor.

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Construction management – Residential Remodeling

Construction management started with the development of huge commercial projects. Large construction companies would be delighted just to have a small portion of the work and were the executives did not want to pay a general contractor the standard markup of all the work involved.

This management approach was born with the notion of finding professionals who would work for a fee and manage a bunch of contractors, typically in a larger scale.

sjb construction team working

 

With that said construction management is typically for commercial products.  However in residential projects this can entail a process where the owner provides plans and specifications.  The construction manager takes bids from subcontractors and suppliers.  The construction manager then reviews these bids with the client and the final say in choosing the correct subcontractors is made. This is a very difficult management approach to fulfill both from the clients end and from a residential home remodeling point of view and essentially extinct for that reason.

Why is construction management not suited for my residential room addition?

  • You are dealing with a lot of many middlemen.
  • If you have separate contracts with each subcontractor and that will be a big hassle.
  • The construction manager does not always bear liability for the work rather it is the individual contractors involved.
  • It may be difficult for the construction manager to control all subcontractors since he does not hold the purse strings.

Hybrid Approach is best

The best value for residential remodeling is a process in which homeowners are dealing with the general contractor but also can rest assured that the project is going smooth and deadlines are accurately met. Trusting in one general contractor to coordinate tends to reflect value in that they tend to know subcontractors very well, pricing and have more leverage than a hired on construction manager lacking more field knowledge and established relationships. Our advice at SJB Construction Inc. is to seek a remodeling company that offers a hybrid where you can rest assured your project is monitored while trusting in a lean team to actually go in and do the work versus pass the project off to various other silos.

Photo credit: http://www.ctc.uaf.edu

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Do it Right – Remodeling Your Bathroom – Tub Conversion

If you are ready to give your bathroom a facelift there are many small caveats involved with the process that an experienced contractors know which many homeowners skip if doing on their own. This article is created for the homeowner; SJB Construction Inc. always recommends hiring a professional. In this specific example Steve is going to turn a tub into a shower. Keep in mind not all steps are included as the piece is meant for a more experienced homeowner or to offer “tricks of the trade” that most people would skip.

Step 1 – Preparation for Tub Conversion

Prep the room with masking off. You can use painter’s plastic – Home Depot sells Husky Brand 12×400 ft for about $25. Use 3M blue tape around doors and region to create a barrier that will trap 90% of dusk/debris inside demo area.

Step 2 – Best Demolition for Remodeling

This step is straightforward. Eye protection and dust masks are must. Keep any eye out for being too aggressive with plumb lines as they can be a big headache and costly if broken.

  • Remove Wall (Drywall, Tile, ect.) as complete as possible
  •  Use Jackhammer to make remove concrete for new drain (see )

 

• Typical Dimensions standard tubs are all 60” wide ( 5′ ) they vary slightly in depth, from 30” to typically 32’’; hence the shower will be typical of the existing footprint of the existing tub. Of course this can be modified if space is available

Step 3 – Extension of Drain – Once concrete is removed

2” Pipe 2” Drain 2” P-Trap – The new 2” drain pipe needs to have 1/4” per foot fall (from the center drain to the newly located santee fitting).

  • Santee aimed at drain – Center Drain to Center New Shower Value – More custom and aesthetic
  • Foam around ABS pipe in concrete prior to backfilling
  • Backfill with 3” of sand then 3” of concrete

Backing Needed – 2x12s “vertical” around perimeter – Roll up the wall to seal bottom of the shower pan. Now you are ready to create Dam for leading edge of the shower.

Drainage and all Plumbing for Shower should be installed and tested prior to moving on.

Step 4 – Create Dam to contain water flow

Backing Needed – 2x12s “vertical” around perimeter – Roll up the wall to seal bottom of the shower pan.
Now you are ready to create Dam for leading edge of the shower

  • 3 – 2x4s Douglas fir – 6” inches from edge to fasten. These will serve as the dam.

Step 5 – Hot mop for weather protection

  • Should have about 10″ Buildup around the edge.
  • Drywall will overlap 3/4″ the new hot mop this serves as weatherproofing.
  • After Hot mop is completed Plastic Cement will be floated on top.

Step 6 – Tile and Completion

Denshield is a tile backer

  • Do not use standard drywall as bathroom has high volume of moisture and you will not get this remodel passed through inspection.

What if I do not have a Level Surface?

  • Use plastic cement, typically sold in premixed bags at most of the tile supply centers. This will help float tile aesthetically. Set this and let dry 24 hours to start for best foundation.

Finally, Set the Tile and Grout!

Overall, make this a fun project and do not be afraid to hire an experienced general contractor. Such phases as the demolition, plumbing, hot mop ectera should definitely be contracted out if not comfortable. Keep in mind many steps of the process were neglected due to magnitude of project but this is just to give some secrets how to start or what to think about