Everyone knows that somewhere, some way, the government always gets their “cut”. From income taxes to sales tax it seems that nothing is untouchable anymore. So, it stands to reason that anyone considering Home Improvements will wonder what those improvements will do to their property value and, eventually, their property taxes.

Seeing as how this type of information is often hard to find, and even more often hard to understand, we have decided to do the dirty work for you. We’ve researched what types of Home Improvements are considered “taxable” and which are not. The information below comes directly from the Orange County, CA Office of the Assessor and is a handy homeowner’s guide to how remodeling may or may not affect your property value:

New Construction is Taxable – Typical Maintenance & Repairs Are Not!

• New construction is taxable, but does not trigger a reassessment of the entire property.
• Only the market value of new constructions is added to the existing Proposition 13 value.
• New construction is subject to a one-time supplemental assessment.
• Maintenance or replacement of existing items is not taxable.

Examples of Taxable New Construction:

• New buildings or significant enhancements that change the size, condition or usability of a property.
• New additions to real property including room additions, swimming pools, spas, patio covers, central heating/air conditioning, fireplaces, decks, fences or flatwork.

Examples of NON-Taxable Maintenance or Replacement:

• Maintenance or replacement of existing improvements including roofs, garage doors, kitchen cabinets, counters, bathroom fixtures, heating/air conditioning units, flatwork or fences
• Certain types of new construction are specifically excluded from assessment. These may include alterations to make a building more accessible to, or more usable by, a disabled person; active solar energy systems; seismic rehabilitation or retrofitting or a fire sprinkler or detection system.

So, if you’ve been putting off that Kitchen, Bathroom, or other interior remodel for fear that it will affect your property value, remove Proposition 13 protection, and raise your property taxes, rest easy. Simple things like new cabinets, counters, and more will not trigger a new assessment or affect your taxes.

For more information regarding how to reduce property taxes, what is and isn’t taxable and how to request a new appraisal – visit the Assessor’s website at www.ocgov.com/assessor.

If you’re like most homeowners (or at least like me) you spend countless hours and dollars trying to clean your tile, natural stone, laminate, hardwood and grout…especially grout. Finding the right product that will actually clean these surfaces without damaging them seems to be practically impossible. We’ve all tried the cleaners from the grocery store, home improvement stores, even a little bleach pen, which isn’t fun with more than 1800 square feet of tile floor!

Well, apparently, we aren’t the only ones who have been searching for a solution. In 1992 Joe Ribble, owner of Anaheim Hills Tile Supply gave up on his search for the perfect cleaner. He realized that it didn’t exist and decided that it was time to create his own!

His line of products are called Magellan Solutions and they include cleaners, polishers and sealers. They cover everything from tile and granite to laminate and hard wood. And, here’s the kicker, they actually work…yes, even the grout cleaner! One line of solutions for all of the toughest to clean surfaces in our homes, amazing!

Many of our clients know Joe for the amazing service in his store as well as his creative tile designs. We have been working with him for more than 8 years now and use the Magellan products on a daily basis. Our relationship with Joe has grown over the years from that of colleagues to a strong friendship based on trust. We have always recommended him for the best in price and quality when it comes to tile and we’re happy to do so with the Magellan products as well.

If you are interested in these products and want more information you can visit his site at www.themagellansolution.com, contact them by phone at 866-221-8108, or contact us at 714-558-1094 and we’ll be happy to assist you in ordering and to answer any questions you may have.

Happy Cleaning – Finally!

Do you start each day in a small cramped space? Do you dread ending your day in a bathroom that only adds to your frustration rather than providing a relaxing place to unwind?

These were the obstacles facing the Greenbergs every day. After bringing in Burgin Construction last year to remodel their Kitchen they decided that it was now time for an update in their Master Bathroom. Once again, they called on Burgin to create a space that they could truly enjoy.

They began by having their designer, Joni Owen, draw up a plan to enlarge the Master Bath and add more functionality to the space. Marble flooring and countertops now add a touch of luxury, offset by Ann Sack Tile on the shower walls and bathtub surround. New custom cabinetry designed and built by Burgin add a touch of warmth to the room which exudes calm through the use of light blues and grays in the marble and tile. Kalista plumbing fixtures in a chrome finish complete the contemporary and sophisticated look.

It’s an entirely new room and offers the family a fresh start or relaxing end to any day. Click on the image below to see the portfolio of before and after images for the project. Don’t forget to leave comments. We love to see your feedback!

Before:                       After:

This year, due to other obligations, we were unable to attend the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Chicago. KBIS is the foremost trade show each year for the building and remodeling industries with lots of big product names, new product launches and an all around good time. We truly are sad that we missed it and hope to be able to attend in 2011 so that we can give you our first-hand account of the show and all the new products that will be unveiled.

In years past the biggest complaint about KBIS was the low number of attendees. From what we’ve heard and read, that definitely wasn’t the case this year. According to reports, the people were there this year but some of the biggest names in the industry were not. Some of the most notable MIA’s were Whirlpool, Bosch, Amana, Jacuzzi, Grohe, Viking, Wolf, and LG. It seems that the general public is a bit more optimistic about the economy these days than some of the large manufacturers.

This is a good sign for those planning a home remodel however. It means that many companies are still being careful with their money and therefore trying to keep their prices low for the consumer. So, this is really a perfect time to get those new appliances purchased. Aside from the new Cash for Appliances Rebate you will probably get a great deal. Keep in mind though that KBIS is also an industry test of interest. Many of those no-show companies will be looking at revamping now that they have seen the rebound in interest. In the long run – this means that prices will go up!

One very exciting note from the KBIS show is that Cosentino, parent company of Silestone, announced a new Silestone sink line. Yes, you read that right, sinks made entirely out of Silestone! These sinks have the same antimicrobial, scratch and stain resistant, and durability properties as Silestone countertops and with 39 colors to choose from, you can get one to match or compliment your counter. For more information on availability and installation contact us at 714-558-1094.

Silestone Sink Colors

Yay! Spring is finally here! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the  flowers are budding…and my house is a mess!

I’m not sure what it is, but something about the winter months turns my home into a packrat heaven. It’s as if we are unable to throw anything away during this time. Of course, the accumulation of holiday gifts, cards, school papers, outgrown clothing and more are the real issue.

My solution? Garage Sale Time!!! Tomorrow morning I will be happily sitting in the sunshine in my driveway and getting rid of a ton of clutter that I don’t need, while making a bit of money to boot. Even the kids are getting involved and will each have their own “store” of toys that they have chosen to sell. And, whatever is left will go immediately into the van for drop-off at a local charity.

Once that is all out of the way I’ll be able to tackle the rest of the spring cleaning with less dread. We’ll spend the rest of the weekend cleaning out gutters and spouts, touching up some paint, cleaning dead plants and weeds out of the flower beds, changing out the air filter and smoke alarm batteries, and touching up window caulking. Next, we will make a list of larger items that need to be handled by the professionals such as scheduling the annual A/C maintenance, replacing any torn or damaged screens, power-washing the exterior of the house and other small repairs throughout the house.

Here are a few tips courtesy of www.organizedhome.com that can help put some spring into your spring cleaning:

• Schedule a family garage clean-out. Create efficient storage for sporting goods, camping equipment, recreational vehicles, and garden tools. Reward the team with dinner at a pizza parlor.
• Inspect, clean and repair outdoor furniture.
• Tour house exterior and grounds. Make a list of any needed seasonal maintenance.
• Inspect the roof for winter damage: leaks, missing or broken shingles or tiles. Arrange for any needed repairs early; roofing contractors can be hard to find during summer’s construction season.
• Use a sunny Saturday to scrape, prime and paint peeling spots on trim or woodwork. You’ll protect wood against Summer’s heat and moisture–and prevent a more difficult paint job come fall.
• Clear away any remaining dead foliage and weeds from beds and lawn.
• Changing seasons, changing clothes. Hold a family wardrobe check as you bring out warm-weather clothing. Sort winter clothing for discards and donations before you store.
• Hold a garage sale! Declutter house and garage to turn trash into cash. Build your yard sale savvy here.
• Wash windows inside and out.
• Move furniture and vacuum beneath it.
• Arrange for a spring inspection of cooling systems. Don’t wait for the first hot day!

If you find that you have some projects that need a professional’s touch give us a call at 714-558-1094. Happy spring!

We just wanted to take a moment to tell all of you who voted for our blog in the “Best Construction Blog” competition THANK YOU! The voting for the competition lasted for two months and we finished in third place. This is even more amazing to us when we consider that we were unaware of the competition until two weeks before it ended. We rallied the troops and you, our loyal friends and readers came through for us as always. Below is an excerpt from the Construction Marketing Ideas Blog which hosted the competition:

“The Best Construction Blog and Forum contest has concluded and the voting results are in, but what do they mean?

Obviously, results from what essentially is a “get out the votes” competition provide a different perspective than we would discover from an independent judging panel.  They suggest, for example, that Bobby Darnell (http://www.buildingnewbusiness.com) in Atlanta has mastered the art of online viral relationships and networking, while Michael Stone (http://www.markupandprofit.com/blog) has the most enthusiastic and loyal followers, certainly judging by the positive comments associated with his votes.  Burgin Construction Inc. in California (http://www.burginconstructioninc.com/blog) , meanwhile, has proven that a local construction business can be a contender in an international competition.”  Click for More

Once again, thank you for your support not only in this competition but in our business in general. The true mark of a great company is not the company itself, but its customers and colleagues. And, we truly have the best of both!

On April 22nd California’s “Cash for Refrigerators” program begins. The State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is funded by $300 million from the federal stimulus package but is governed by each individual state. California has been approved for $35.3 million of these funds.

According to the California Energy Commission Website many of the specifics are yet to be determined, however rebates of $50 – $250 are possible for the replacement of old appliances. All appliances must be Energy Star listed and a list of the specific appliances eligible is expected to be released soon. The new cash4appliances website is expected to be launched on March 1st.

If you’re thinking about a remodel and plan to replace your outdated appliances this is definitely the time to start planning. Once the details of the program are released and the dates for eligibility are set, the funds are expected to go very quickly, just as they did with the Cash for Clunkers program. Planning now for that remodel and purchasing the appliances as soon as the criteria are released is the best way to ensure you receive your rebate. If you have any questions about the program please contact us at 714-558-1094.

Earlier this week Cambria Natural Quartz Surfaces and Benjamin Moore Paints announced a new partnership:

“Cambria and Benjamin Moore have joined forces to offer pre-selected countertop and paint color combinations to help you achieve a designer look in your home or business. Chosen by trained color professionals, these suggestions can add confidence and ease to your color selection process.”

This arrangement makes it easy for customers to choose colors which will accentuate one another beautifully. The user friendly coordination tool on the Cambria website is a simple way to find exactly the right combination of colors which were chosen by trained color professionals.

Please leave your comments and feed back once you’ve tried the new tool. We’d love to know what you think about it!

For many years now we have been a proud dealer for DeWils Custom Cabinetry. Their quality and wide array of styles are the things that drew us to them in the beginning and are what have kept us as a partner with them for so long. And, just when we thought they couldn’t possibly have anything else up their sleeve, we received notice of some amazing new offerings! New door styles, Calypso and Sifton add two completely new elements to the Horizon and Designer lines and a brand new set of profiles introduce raised beveled panels on NINE new door styles in the Designer line.

As if that weren’t enough, DeWils has gone above an beyond to give their customers what they’ve been asking for – White Paint Finish! The “Just White” finish is three coats of white catalyzed paint finish and is available in all three lines on maple and red oak materials. It’s a timeless classic that will turn your home into a work of art!

For more information on these or other DeWils offerings, including custom stain matching, please give us a call at 714-558-1094.

We’d like to extend our congratulations to Designer Cindy Smetana. Her design on the Harmeyer project won Best Kitchen Design - Gold Award in the November, 2009 special issue of Orange Coast Home Magazine! To see the special November issue click on the magazine cover below. If you’d like to see more photos of the Harmeyer project click on the image from the article on the right.

We are so honored to have been a part of this project and are extremely proud of Cindy for all of her hard work on it. Congratulations Cindy!