With 2011 coming to an end many are uncertain about what 2012 might bring for homeowners and contractors. This is the time to look at Cost versus Value and how to improve your home. People have much more interest in protecting their investments and are remodeling on a need base. Due to the sluggish housing market it continues to push down the remodeling return investments. Since 2005 the cost-value ratio has dropped 29 points because of the high construction costs and the homeowners have given remodelers smaller budgets to work with. With the decreasing cost this results in a higher cost-value ratio. Almost half the people surveyed showed that homeowners believe it is a good time to remodel. In 2012 people will be more concerned with first impressions like window replacement, siding and doors. Improving the exterior of your home is cost effective and saves money on energy bills. Whereas, for the interior of the home people will be focusing on kitchen, basement and attic remodeling.

Curb appeal has become crucial due to the housing market. Homeowners are opting to stay put even though they need more space or want a new or better space. People are deciding to stay put because of the low housing prices, the hassle of getting a loan and the cost of moving. Sprucing up the exterior or interior is a great way to get a much needed face-lift at a good value. The high value of replacements is partly due to the relatively low cost. People are willing to spend more on one area of the project and less on another area. People who are remodeling the exterior of their home and kitchen are retaining the most value. Replacement projects are the highest in return rate in value verses cost, for example fiber cement siding is seeing a 78% return rate. Entry door replacement is seeing 68% which was the number 1 recommended work last year and this year in second place. While the attic,  and kitchen remodeling is seeing a 60% average of return rate.
Remodeling your home is a huge investment and with the housing market continuing to push down remodel returns on investments it doesn’t help. However, the future of remodeling does look bright due to the fact that many homeowners are willing to start modifying their space. The more someone can add to the value of their home now the better. Also, with many homeowners over the age of 50 planning to remain in their homes through retirement this brings in a high demand for aging in place (universal design). This is another important reason for people to replace and remodel now if they plan on staying put longer. People are looking to reduce both operational and maintenance costs of their homes.
The attic has always been an interesting space and for many an unused space. However, for the year 2012 adding a bedroom or bathroom in the attic space will be on the rise. It is the least expensive way to add a bedroom or bathroom because it uses the space within the homes existing footprint. The kitchen remodeling is also on the rise, especially with people replacing cabinets, counter tops, hardware, appliances and painting.

So with this we are excited to see what 2012 will bring. Remodeling and replacing existing spaces will be on the rise. At Sweet Home Improvements we will do everything we can to give you the best quality with the best value for your home. Interior and Exterior projects will give you a revitalized space and home. People are very price-conscious right now and Sweet Home Improvements is on time, on budget guaranteed.

With the economy so uncertain home owners are choosing to improve and optimize their space instead of moving.  The kitchen has become the “hub”  of the home where families gather to eat,meet, work and have a wonderful time.  No longer are rooms divided with walls but, rather creating a large open space is the current practical and worthwhile things to do. There is no longer a need for non-essentials in a space but rather filling the room with simple pieces and using  new textiles, colors, rugs, pillows and accent pieces in place of unnecessary things.  There has been a great global influence on our  fabrics, food, patterns, textures,animal prints within the last year.

For 2011 the color for Interior Design paint that is very trendy is purple. Purple is a very rich and vibrant color. Earthy neutrals like tans and browns provide depth to a space and can also down play a strong color like purple. Some other popular paint colors have been blue, greens, grays and copper. Some greens that have been popular include cabbage and safari green.

For 2012 I believe that the new trend will be a blue/green hue that has some gray in it. Grey offers a rich smokey, yet soft color to a space.  While, blue is excellent with wood tones, grays and white.

Painting an interior wall with a neutral like white, tan, brown or grey is not boring. An easy way to make a room pop is by adding color through the use of fabric, pillows, rugs, accessories, art work or furniture.

There are a couple misconceptions about exhaust fans. One is that they are only for removing odors in the air and another is they have nothing to do with the quality of air flow.

Stale air and a home filled with pollutants could easily cause health issues in many people. Many factors create a bad air environment such as: pets, smoking, mildew, mold, dust mites, viruses and bacteria, cleaning materials and beauty spray products.

An excellent way to improve the quality of air in your home is to have a good ventilation system in place; this includes an exhaust fan for the bathroom. Exhaust fans that are connected to the duct work help the flow of air. With good air flow, there will be less moisture and condensation.

If your duct isn’t connected to exhaust fan in the bathroom(s), the possibility of mold is greater. When there is no ventilation, the moisture in the air is basically sucked into the attic or crawl space and redistributed in the bathroom. No circulation can cause mold to form.

A lot of condensation and moisture in the bathroom could be due to a damaged exhaust vent. A possibility of this problem is when an exhaust fan is disconnected from the duct work or when there is no roof cap. If there is no roof cap to release the moisture in the air, then all of the moisture is being released in the attic. In other words, exhaust fan must be connected to duct that is connected to roof cap and not hang in there.

We recommend for our entire bathroom remodeling projects a Panasonic ventilation fan, these are ENERGY STAR qualified where guidelines exist and help to meet the terms of state codes and green building standards.

Many of our past clients have been asking me how the economy has affected us. The response to this question can be challenging. The reason I opened the business is because I enjoy troubleshooting and love the challenges each house give me. But with this tough economy it has given me different perspective on how to run the business and how to help my clients.

If I look a year back, I still had good projects that we did from downtown to Arlington Heights. We had 2 house renovations, multiple custom carpentry jobs. 10 bathrooms, 5 basements,3 kitchens many hardwood flooring and re-tiling jobs. I can go on and on the jobs that we did and their numbers but what was really different in those jobs compare to previous years. I will explain below.

First, clients are more cautious about the material they use. They want medium to higher grade material to save the cost for later days. (Why to spend money twice when you can get it right the first time) People want to save money in the long run by getting better windows/ doors and insulation. The tax credit was helpful to pick better materials.

Second, since there are many companies that either closed their doors or are about to, the first things they do are to cut down on insurance. We kept the same high premium of liability insurance and worker’s compensation. We also kept our memberships in all the organization. Even though we weren’t that busy it was the best time to educate our staff. Since many clients got burned by bad customer service by a previous contractor, I won the jobs due to my reliability records and always coming back to fix any errors. Communication is a big key for us.

At the same time, I spend more time with my vendors and subcontractor and asked them to lower their prices in order for us to lower our prices and give you better rates. Many of you work many hours, so we made it easy for you by helping you buy the materials through us with nearly zero markups. We think that helping clients in bad time will boomerang to us with referrals and future work in your home.

If your bill is high, you won’t like us throughout the project. The stress level will be felt by both parties.

According to Remodeling Magazine the most popular job for next year is entry doors since its inexpensive job that will save you energy and the face of the house. Door’s replacement can get you tax credit as well.

Did you know we are an Authorized remodeler by Wellborn cabinets? We also sell Alside windows and siding.

We work very closely with the biggest and best fabricator of countertop in Illinois. Name any materials and we can fabricate it. However, we don’t do laminate countertop since it doesn’t add value to your home. We come across that many clients like quartz countertop. Quarts is gaining more and more market share and it is great material and maintenance free.

On Sunday, March 21 I read a very nice article by Karl Richardson in the Chicago Tribune.

He said “Designers and architects can save you money by advising on project costs and preventing expensive errors”.

The article gave many examples of the benefit of hiring a pro rather than trying to tackle it yourself.

You tell yourself it will be simple. You are heading to the nearest hardware store and make your selection. Some pretty tiles, couple cans of paint, light fixtures and you have the recipe for a rehabbed kitchen.

But what happens when the cabinets won’t open fully because the self designed layout didn’t account for their hardware? Or when you can’t plug in the mixer because you forgot to include an electrical outlet on the kitchen island? Perhaps it’s time to call a professional designer.

Architects, designers and remodeling professionals are experts at planning for long- term needs, advising on the latest and best products for the home and navigating the details of construction projects – things many homeowners aren’t equipped to do themselves. Professionals can even save homeowners money by advising on reasonable projects costs, space planning ability or preventing expensive errors.

Hiring a designer doesn’t mean its high-end or luxury projects. In reality, we can save people time and expensive mistakes. In best scenarios, professional design increase resale value and boosts enjoyment during the time a homeowner spends in the property.

Every homeowner has his/her unique needs and budget. I find it very important as a contractor to work in various neighborhoods and gain the experience of each house characteristics and layouts. Working on a Bungalow or other old house will need lots of ideas and find away to utilize every space.

When you remodel your kitchen, bathroom, attic, or basement there are going to be problems that will need to be addressed at the moment. Otherwise, you will end up repairing the problems doubling costs and wasting time.

Many of our clients are using compact fluorescent lights in various rooms.
How many of you think, you really save money using them or how safe they are? The reality is the more you switch CFL on and off the shorter their operating life. It’s cheaper to leave fluorescent on if you’ll be out of the room for 15 minutes or less, according to the Department of Energy. In other words in order to save money leave them running. On average a CFL costs a $2.50 more than an incandescent bulb, but it will save a $5.41 annually on your electric bill.
Beside the financial part of the CFL, British and Israeli scientist discovered that standing close to CFL bulbs can increase the chance of getting cancer. They suggest being at least 3 feet away from it. So if any of you using CFL on the night stand, its time to put back the incandescent.

Regardless of what the weather brings this winter, heating your home efficiently is probably something on your mind. Keeping your home a comfortable temperature when the weather turns bad doesn’t have to be a financial drain. Here are some places to start:

Stopping Air Leaks

The first step to making your home more heat efficient is to identify air leaks. Common air leak sources such as recessed lights, attic entrances, doorframes, window frames, ducts (which we’ll cover next) and electrical outlets can be a big drain of heat and money. You can check for air leaks yourself by walking through your home with a lit incense stick (horizontal smoke indicates a leak), or you can hire a technician for a more thorough inspection. Simple fixes like sealing around outlets and switches, caulking gaps in the framing, and plugging gaps surrounding pipes will typically result in noticeable savings.

Duct Problems

One of the most important systems in your home may be quietly wasting your energy dollars. Often overlooked, typical duct systems lose 25-40% of the heating or cooling energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. Common duct system problems include:

• Leaky joints or visible holes in the duct surface
• Disconnected ducts that have fallen away from each other
• Inadequate or poorly finished duct work
• Un-insulated or poorly insulated ducts in attics and crawlspaces

Most duct repairs should be made by or with the help of a trained professional, especially those that will take place in unconditioned spaces. A qualified pro can also help you more accurately assess the duct problems that you have. If you decide to make minor duct repairs on your own, keep in mind that duct tape is usually only intended as a temporary fix. Silicone caulking or cement with mastic are better sealing options. Improving your duct system efficiency can cut your annual utility bills by as much as $300, and will improve the overall air quality in your home.

Keep your Home Insulated

Properly insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on your energy loss. Improving the insulation in your home can cut your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%, and will create a more uniform, comfortable temperature in your home. Better insulation will also help decrease outdoor noise. Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if they meet recommended standards for your area. Insulation is measured in R-values: the higher the R-value, the less transfer of heat through the material. Typically the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve your home’s insulation is to add insulation to your attic.

Fireplace Issues

Despite their undeniable aesthetic appeal, fireplaces are not desirable in terms of energy efficiency. Only about ten percent of the wood’s energy is transferred to the room as heat, the rest escapes up the chimney. When in use, the fireplace also pulls cold air into your home through cracks and leaks, and when not in use the brick and stone mass of most fireplaces readily conducts heat from your home to the outside. To minimize energy waste from the fireplace in your home, make sure the damper or flue is shut tightly when the fireplace is not in use. Consider the benefits of things like tempered glass doors, fireplace inserts that seal dormant openings, and heat exchangers that recover some of the energy that would otherwise be lost.

Thermostat Solutions

That little box on the wall can be a tool for big energy savings. You can save up to 3 percent for every one degree that you lower the temperature in your home over a 24-hour period in winter. You can also save up to 10% annually in your heating and cooling bills by adjusting your thermostat down 10% to 15% for an 8-hour period each day. Turning the heat down while you sleep or while you’re away at work is a simple and logical energy efficiency solution. If the prospect of waking up to a chilly house doesn’t excite you, buy a programmable thermostat. They are inexpensive and adjust the temperature in your home based on the schedules you determine.

Ceiling Fans

While most people think if ceiling fans as a cooling solution, they can also help maintain a warm temperature in your home during winter. Running a ceiling fan in reverse circulates rising warm air back down to living areas. Consider ceiling fans for your home, particularly if you have rooms with high ceilings that seem to stay colder. Ceiling fans vary in price depending on things like material and size, but many are inexpensive and easy to operate.