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
Is your home ready for the So Cal Wildfire Season? It may seem a bit early to think about it. After all, the normal wildfire season doesn’t even begin until October, with the arrival of the ever so popular (insert sarcasm here) Santa Ana winds, but we have to remember that it came early last year. And, so far, this year seems to be shaping up to be about the same with the high temperatures, lack of rain and already a few wildfires in the area.
In 2009 August was the worst month for wildfires in Southern California. So, this year we decided to run our reminders and tips for protecting your home a bit early. If you’re considering a home remodel, now is the perfect time to look at the overall construction of your home and find places where fire-resistant materials can help you prepare for the worst.
There are several upgrades that can be made to a home which can help to make it more fire-resistant from windows to landscaping. Here are a few suggestions to consider:
Roofing – Any home’s most important defense is the roof. A Class A roof made of steel, aluminum, concrete, clay or slate will help to ward off the hot embers emitted from a nearby foliage fire.
Ceilings, Walls, and Floors – Fire-resistant gypsum wall board can be used in walls, floors and ceilings to create a stronger and longer lasting fire barrier.
Landscaping – What grows around your home can also be your first line of defense against wildfires. Many plants are simply fuel for a fire, however, there are those which can help save your home. Plants that should go include pines, cypresses, junipers and eucalyptus. Also get rid of shrubs near your home such as ornamental grasses, acacias, hopseed and berry vines. Vegetation that retains water such as ice plant, California lilac, Carmel creeper, ivy geranium and sedums are wonderful ground cover which can help to hold off a fire.
Decks – While providing the perfect family gathering spot to enjoy the gorgeous California weather, decks are an easy fuel source for wildfires. Fire retardant wood should be used to build the deck and then covered with a fire-resistant polyurethane coating. You can also isolate the deck from the fuels and fire by building a noncombustible patio and wall below it. The patio prevents combustible materials from getting below the deck. The wall helps shield the deck from both the radiant and convective energy of the fire.
Exteriors – Splurge on the stone, stucco, masonry and other exterior alternatives instead of wood. Though more expensive, they can provide up to a two-hour fire rating which could save your home and, most importantly, your life.
Windows – Recently we’ve all heard a lot about the energy efficiency of dual- glazed windows but many people don’t think about the safety. During past wildfires, the exterior pane of many dual-glazed windows cracked but their interior pane held. Dual or triple-glazed windows with tempered glass and Low-E coating will add fire-resistance to your home by keeping out the radiant energy that can heat up indoor combustibles such as fabrics and wood, causing them to catch fire.
Doors – Just like roofing materials, doors are also fire rated. Metal doors are always best with a longer fire rating but if wood doors are a must-have, consider going with solid wood doors instead of hollow core ones. Regardless of your choice you must ensure that adequate weather stripping is installed on all exterior doors to keep out hot gasses and tiny burning embers during a fire.
Venting – Vents should not be located in roof eaves or cornices or in the underside or on exposed edges of decks. Required individual venting at gable ends and on roofs should be covered with a 1 ¼” mesh screen to keep out embers.
If you’d like to find out how we can help make your home safer during the wildfire season call us at 714-558-1094.
For years we have played the “what’s the best way to dispose of jobsite waste?” game. The only real option has always been to bring in an on-site dumpster. It is the perfect solution for large jobs and makes cleanup during and after a project very easy. But for smaller jobs, they just don’t make much sense.
Getting a dumpster is a big hassle, even more so for homeowners than for contractors. You have to schedule the drop-off, make sure someone is there to receive it, and then deal with the limitations. You are often limited to how much of the dumpster you can use and for how long. You have to plan well in advance for the project and are at the mercy of their schedule. And, last but certainly not least, you have a rather large and ugly metal container sitting in your drive.
Now, there’s a much simpler alternative. The Bagster from Waste Management is the perfect solution for small renovations, garage cleanouts, landscaping and other home improvement projects. It can hold up to 3,300 lbs and is roughly equivalent to an entire 8ft pickup truck bed!
We recently began using these bags on smaller jobsites and we love the ease and simplicity. We no longer have to work around someone else’s schedule to get a dumpster onsite and if we find that we need more space we just pick up a new bag. Our customers also appreciate the bags for their cleaner and lower profile looks.
The bags are available at Lowe’s, Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Tustin Meadows Nursery and other local stores. They generally run approximately $30 per bag and pick-up charges vary based on the area. The average pickup price in the Orange County area is $129 for the first bag and $109 for each additional bag.
Though they do have some limitations, the bags will hold just about anything. So, next time you wake up on a Saturday morning and decide it’s the perfect day to start that project you’ve been putting off you can actually do something about it! Just head over to www.thebagster.com, make sure they offer pickup in your area, find a local retailer, pick up a bag and get to work!
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.
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.
As many of you know, Brad and I were out of town from May 13th through the 21st for the Remodeling Big50 Awards and Leadership Conference in Alexandria, VA. We had an absolutely wonderful time and learned more from the experience than we ever expected!
Though we were unable to attend the networking meeting on the 13th, we were able to attend several of the fantastic Conference seminars lead by Featured Speakers Rich Armstrong, Kristin Binford, Bill Collier, Craig Durosko, Bob Gallagher, Marty Gould, George Hedley, Jeff Tobe, Mark VanDeWege, and Liz Wilder. These courses provided us with a fresh look at the Remodeling markets around the country as well as an introspective look at what we are doing right and wrong within our company.
We found areas in which we are very strong and also identified those which need some work and have committed ourselves to focusing on those over the next few months. We have definitely come up with some “Big” ideas which will be implemented in our marketing and customer service later this year. You will be seeing some of these changes coming up, so be on the lookout!
Brad and I also wanted to thank each and every one of our clients, trade partners and colleagues for your support over the past 20 years. While we work hard to earn our reputation, it is the trust and respect we truly strive for. Thanks to all of you we have had a wonderful year and can’t even begin to tell you how much we appreciate you!
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!
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.
