School has started, fall is on the way, and that means just one thing – A fully packed schedule with one thing after another for the next 4 months. For those people who have never owned a home, it may surprise you to know that spring isn’t the only season that goes hand-in-hand with “cleaning”.
Every “homemaker” knows that fall cleaning is just as important as spring cleaning, maybe even more so. The holidays are fast approaching and we’ll all have guests (planned and surprises), new gifts to give new homes, and schedules that will not allow for a moment of spare time until after the new year.
Another thing that non-homeowners may not know is that fall and spring cleaning aren’t strictly about “cleaning”. There are literally dozens of little home maintenance things that have to be done during these times of year. From weather stripping to battery changes, a home requires a lot of attention and if it doesn’t get it, the cost can be quite high.
Below you’ll find a short list of tips for preparing your home this fall for the winter months. Kick back with a cup of coffee (or tea if you prefer), put your feet up and read through them. Relax while you can and enjoy the peace and quiet. My sane self will see you again in January!
Have your heating systems inspected by a qualified service professional, including lubrication and cleaning, replacing filters, a check of belts and thermostats, and having vents cleared of obstructions, as necessary.
Caulking and new weather stripping around windows and other openings can stop the cold air invasion dead in its tracks. You’ll be warmer and the lower utility bills will give you warm fuzzies!
If you use portable electric heater do a full check now to be sure everything is in working order. It is most likely that you’ve had it packed away for the sunny, warm summer and you don’t want to find out on the first cold night of the year that it doesn’t work!
I know you’ve heard it a thousand times, but I’m going to say it again. Change out the smoke alarm batteries! Now’s the time to just go through and change all of them, even if they seem to be fine. This is not a place to save a few pennies. It’s one of those better safe than sorry times!
If you don’t have them, install a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm near bedrooms and on each floor of your home. Know the symptoms of CO poisoning: headache, fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. If you do have them – just like the smoke alarms, change the batteries!
Have your fireplace chimney and flue inspected and cleaned if needed before you build the first cozy fire of the season.
Check window and door locks. We often take for granted that locks we checked at the beginning of summer are still working. Most of us are a/c fiends and haven’t had a window open all summer. Check now to be sure they are all operating properly.
Check around the vents, skylights and chimneys for any roof leaks.
Last but not least, plan extra time for each of these tasks. Then, when you find a bit of free time on your hands, relax and enjoy the quiet of your house before the holiday crazies start!
Have something to add to the checklist? Post it in the comments below. We’re always happy to read your input and ideas!
It’s finally here! That fantastic time of year when our children return to school! Now, don’t get me wrong, I love my children and I love spending time with them. However, as the years go by, I’ve found that one of the greatest joys in life is the beginning of the school year. As Edgar W. Howe said, “If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers.”
It’s not pure selfishness on my part (mostly, but not all). My children are also genuinely happy about this time of year. They’ve missed their friends, are anxious to share summer experiences with everyone, and there’s always the excitement of new teachers, new classrooms, new friends, etc.
For me, the school year means being able to organize my life again. I can make uninterrupted phone calls, have meetings, and take care of things around our home without children under foot. It is the perfect time for me to begin planning any home projects that need to be done whether they are do-it-yourself things or larger jobs that will require professionals to come in. I don’t have to worry about interrupted naptimes, refereeing a fight, or children knocking over ladders. I can plan and schedule things and get them done faster and much more easily.
It’s also the perfect time of year for these projects because it ensures that I can get them completed before the rapidly approaching holidays. While it may only be August, with our busy schedules over the next few months the holidays will sneak up on me. They always do. By planning now I can make sure that all of the things I want to have done in my home will be ready before the visits by family and friends begin.
Whether a new Kitchen, an updated bathroom or smaller changes such as built-in cabinetry, a fresh coat of paint, or new flooring – now is the perfect time to get started on your home projects. Just think of how much easier it will be now that the kids are in school!
Now here’s a little treat for the parents out there who, like me, are excited about the start of the school year. Don’t feel bad. We’re obviously not alone. It’s an oldie, but a goodie
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.
We all know that the 4th of July weekend usually means gathering with family and friends, barbecues and fireworks. It’s a wonderful time to get together and enjoy some great food and wonderful company.
It’s also one of the best times to show our pride in our Country and extend our thanks for all of those who keep it safe. As we enjoy the long holiday, we will be keeping in mind all of those who have served our Country in order to secure the freedom we are celebrating. To our troops serving at home and abroad, as well as their families who sacrifice so much – THANK YOU!!!
In the spirit of the holiday we’d like to share this fun and easy recipe with you. It’s a great way to show your pride in the red, white and blue while enjoying something delicious! And don’t forget to check out this link for fireworks safety if you’ll be putting on your own show this weekend -
Serving this traditional English dessert in a glass pedestal bowl shows off its impressive layers of ladyfingers, pudding, and colorful fruits. If you don’t have one, a regular glass bowl will also do the trick.
Ingredients
1 package (3.4-ounce) instant vanilla pudding
4 cups fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries), washed and hulled, plus extra for garnish
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 to 36 ladyfingers
Instructions
To make the fillings, prepare the pudding according to the package directions and chill it.
Slice the strawberries, if you’re using them, then toss all of the berries with the lemon juice and the 1/4 cup of sugar. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the berries to release their juices.
In a medium mixing bowl, whip the cream, vanilla extract, and remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar until soft peaks form. Set aside.
To make the layers, set a layer of ladyfingers, around 7 or 8, on the bottom of a large, clear serving bowl (ours was 4 quarts). Top with the berries with half of the pudding.
Add another layer of ladyfingers, another third of the berries and juice, and the rest of the pudding. Add a final layer of ladyfingers and berries. Top with the whipped cream and a berry garnish.
Refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. Serves 8 to 10.
Throughout the economic downturn of the past couple of years we have seen a merging trend. It seems that everyone is getting back to the basics. Rather than spend money on lavish luxuries, clients are focusing more on the day-to-day functionality of their home and making more practical choices.
Rather than bringing the remodeling industry to a standstill, this trend has taught those willing to listen that they also need to get back to the basics. By making some changes in how we operate on a daily basis and listening to clients’ when they spoke of affordable, yet quality materials, we have been able to adhere to the changes in the market and maintain our standards of quality and service.
The strangest thing about these “back to basics” changes is that we have seen their affect on every facet of our lives, not just business. One very valuable lesson that most seem to have take away from this time of tightening belts and pinching pennies is that the basics can be fun, exciting and bring us closer together. Activities such as picnics, biking, nature walks and hikes have become all the rage recently. In an effort to find recreation and entertainment without the expense, Americans are getting back to the basics of life and spending quality time with family, friends and nature!
Recently Brad and his 13 year old son, Sean decided to get back to basics with a hiking trip in Palm Springs. After a 2 1/2 mile tram ride they set off on an adventure through the Mount San Jacinto State Park. This pristine wilderness covers more than 14,000 acres with 54 miles of hiking trails and offers beautiful scenery and tons of activities. Below is a photo of Brad and Sean as they set off.
If you have a “back to basics” story you’d like to share please do so in the comments. We’d love to hear what you and your family are doing. And, as always, if you’re looking for a back to basics, or any other remodel please give us a call at 714-558-1094.
Finally! I can say it out loud!Burgin Construction has been selected by Remodeling Magazine to join the Remodeling Big50!
As I said last week, I have been biting my tongue since we received the news a couple of weeks ago. Since 1986, the Remodeling Big50 has inducted the owners of 50 remodeling companies around the country that have set exceptionally high standards for professionalism and integrity through their business practices, craftsmanship, and impact on their community and the industry as a whole.
This year’s selection process was very rigorous and Remodeling Magazine say it is one of the strongest classes to date. The process involves detailed examinations of the businesses, their staff, their books, lengthy evaluation and interviews, and more. We are extremely honored to have been chosen to join this elite group of companies!
Burgin Construction will be honored with the Big50 award on May 15th in Alexandria, VA at the Remodeling Leadership Conference. Brad and Rhonda will be attending the gala and will bring back photos to share here on our blog. We will also be featured in this month’s Remodeling Magazine which was released today (we will have a link to the online version later this week when it is published).
A Note from Brad and Rhonda:
“We want to say thank you to our staff, trade partners, vendors and, of course, our customers for earning us this award. We may be the owners, but we understand that it is a team effort and, without each of you, we would never have achieved this goal!”
May is National Home Improvement Month and, to celebrate, the National Association of Remodelers (NARI) has released some new videos. These videos offer a humorous take on missing and sleazy contractors and discuss how NARI can help homeowners choose the right contractor. Click below to watch the new videos:
By being NARI certified remodelers, companies like Burgin Construction are easy to distinguish from the fly-by-night contractors who promise the world then leave you high and dry. You can use NARI’s Contractor Search feature (click to view) to find a reputable contractor near you.
Also – Don’t forget Mother’s Day is this Sunday! If you haven’t gotten anything special yet for Mom you only have one more day to do so. Of course, most of us Moms prefer the gifts from the heart to the ones from the store.
And one last note…Be sure and keep an eye on your inbox this Monday the 10th because we have some BIG news coming. I’ve been biting my tongue for weeks now trying not to let this BIG news slip and it was all I could do to keep a lid on it! I’m so excited that I finally get to share the BIG news with you! I can’t wait ‘til Monday! Have a wonderful weekend!
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.
As I’m sure you know, Earth Day is this Thursday, April 22nd. There is always a wide array of feelings about Earth Day, however this year there is something for everyone to celebrate.
April 22nd also marks the kickoff of The Cash for Appliances program in California! The California Energy Commission has set up a handy website to help consumers find out what items qualify and make it very easy for you to get the form and information you need. I have checked out the websites for a few other states and must say that California’s is well above the rest. It’s a very user-friendly site that provides all of the information you will need.
From my research, I found that the best rebates seem to be for refrigerators. So, if you’ve been thinking about giving your Kitchen a facelift – now is definitely the time! Just click on the picture below to go to the California Cash 4 Appliances website and get started.
Also, April 22nd, is the deadline for the new EPA Lead Based Paint certification for contractors. If you are having any work done on your home please ask to see the contractor’s certification. You can find more information about certification and requirements by clicking on the image to the right.
If you have any questions about either of these programs please feel free to give us a call at 714-558-1094. We will be happy to help you in any way. Happy Earth Day!
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!
Another thing that non-homeowners may not know is that fall and spring cleaning aren’t strictly about “cleaning”. There are literally dozens of little home maintenance things that have to be done during these times of year. From weather stripping to battery changes, a home requires a lot of attention and if it doesn’t get it, the cost can be quite high.
