Vinborg Custom Homes

I’m sure you have seen examples of both decks and patios that have caught your eye.  And much of what you liked about them what was around them and not just the deck or patio itself.  Landscaping, retaining walls and lighting add to the beauty.  These items can add significant cost that can be added later.  Try to plan the vision for the finished product once you’ve added the extra details.  Do your homework in regard to pricing so the project stays within your budget.

A standard concrete patio is the most economical choice.  If price is a significant concern this may be the right option and can be enhanced with creative landscaping.  Add curves to the perimeter of the patio to give it more character.  You will be pleasantly surprised by the difference this makes.

Stamped concrete has become more popular, recently and can add more elements such as patterns and colors.  It is more expensive than standard concrete.  However the beauty of it will enhance your home’s exterior.  Stamped concrete can be very slippery and some patterns have an uneven surface.  If you have a member of the family that has mobility issues then you may want to consider these characteristics prior to selecting it.  Both types of concrete are easy to care for because all you have to do is hose them off.

Some yards are better suited for a patio due to the grade of the land surrounding the home.  If the yard is very flat and runs right up to the top of the foundation it may be easier and less expensive to install a patio.  The patio can be enhanced by adding planting beds to give it a feeling of privacy and to dress it up.

Decks are more suitable for lots with variations in grade and slope.  A deck built in an elevation with a falling slope provides a feeling of privacy because it is above the eye level of the surrounding yards.  The railing will also block the view.  If a complete obstruction of the line of sight is desired a section of privacy fencing may be substituted for a section of the railing.

Standard wood decking requires annual maintenance.  Deck boards take a beating from sunlight and moisture.  Water, ice and snow sit on them for long periods of time and the sun discolors the wood wearing down the stain or sealer that is used for protection.  In order to maintain an acceptable appearance, wood deck boards need to be cleaned and reconditioned regularly.

Composite decking has become much more popular over the past few years and now comes in many different materials and colors.  The major benefit to composites is they require very little maintenance.  They just need to be cleaned with a hose to retain their appearance.  Many of today’s composites have a very natural appearance and this is reflected in their cost.  Composite deck and rail systems can be approximately two or three times that of a comparable wood deck.  A drawback of composite decking is the temperature of the deck in the summer months.  On a hot, sunny day the composite materials absorb the heat of the sun more readily than wood and can be quite uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet.

Any deck that is more than two feet above grade reveals whatever is under it.  Often times, this is gravel, dirt or weeds that can be unsightly.  Adding a skirt to the underside of the deck hides this area.  By using the support posts and some 2 x 4’s as the frame, deck boards can be installed vertically from the bottom of the deck joists down to the grade.  A mulch or gravel bed can then be installed right up to the skirt for a finished look.

The options are many with a patio or deck.  The important thing to remember is to think the project all the way through.  Imagine the elements you may want to include to enhance the appearance of your yard area.  Don’t forget that if your budget doesn’t cover the whole project split it up into stages that fit into your budget.

“I went to the home show this weekend to look for ideas.”  As the building contractor working on the new (and nearly complete) home design, this is the last thing I really wanted to hear from my client.  We had spent a great deal of time reviewing the details of his plans and the selection of products to be placed in the home.  At this stage, we were down to minor details on the electrical plan and some plumbing finishes.

Mr. Jones calls me on Monday morning excited about what he found over the weekend at the show.  It was a fantastic window with a great R-value.  “Please call the local sales representative and get a quote for our window package.”  So I did.  When the sales rep told me the windows were produced in the Rocky Mountains somewhere, little alarm bells started going off in my head.  The cost of these Rocky Mountain windows was $25,000.  The existing budget for the current window package (windows made locally here in Ohio) was $7000.  Doing a little research, I found that the Rocky Mountain-made windows were designed for extreme climates for large homes with huge walls of windows (not for a modest 2500 square foot home in northeast Ohio).

The point of this story is that my client was ready to spend an extra $18,000 to increase the window R-value from an R-4 to an R-9.  I won’t bore you with the details of the energy calculations for the home, but failure to properly insulate around one window frame, would have sent that $18,000 investment out that R-9 window.

Understand, I’m not knocking a great quality window.  Although the R-value is important, in my opinion it is the installation and insulation around that window that makes the biggest difference.  Government tax credits are driving a minimum R-value of the glass, so you, the consumer, are somewhat protected and don’t have to worry too much about that part (here is where working with a reliable contractor helps).

My advice:  invest in a good, reasonably priced window and spend those extra dollars on the cost of removing and replacing the entire window and frame. Be leery of window companies with huge advertising budgets.  Many of those who advertise on TV can offer replacement windows at such a cheap price because all they do is remove the old sashes, put in new ones, and then just fill in the space between the sash and the frame with caulk.  They leave the old frame.  No insulation. No flashing.  You help them pay for a nice loud T.V. ad and get a cheap window in return.  Don’t settle for just removing the old sashes and installing replacements with a big bead of caulk around them.

I have also noticed that many windows installed more than a few years ago were not insulated and flashed properly (made watertight/waterproof).  Mold issues and the desire for energy efficiency and have placed more attention on the importance of insulation and proper installation of windows.  Don’t invest your hard earned dollars on window replacement without completing the job.    If you don’t replace the entire window and frame and properly insulate around it, you will waste your money. (Can you tell I feel strongly about this?)

Lastly, find a local contractor with a good track record who can recommend a solid window.  You may not have heard of the brand but you can do your homework on the internet to find out about the company.  In addition, working with the owner of the company installing your new windows is always a plus because you not only get to meet the guy calling the shots but there won’t be any commission costs associated with employing sales reps.

Choosing the right contractor is kind of like shopping for a new car.
Do you need the top of the line or will the basic model do?
Which one best fits your budget?
Which dealership should you choose?
How important is your relationship with the dealership and the salesmen?

Are they pushy?
Do they take the time to explain options and features?
Do they answer your questions and give you time to decide?

What kind of customer are you?
Do you want to know about and discuss every last detail of your project?  Or, would you prefer to have the contractor make some decisions for you in your best interest?

Choose a remodeling contractor that best fits your needs and personality as a client.  Having a good rapport is important.  Whomever you select will be coming into your home for the duration of the project.  You need to be able to trust him and he (and his crew) must respect your home.  It is important that they understand your expectations.  Some contractors want to make a majority of the decisions and use the brands and sources they are familiar with.  Others will be more flexible and will source other options to match your vision of your new space with little resistance.  So, spend enough time with them to get a feel whether they are a good fit for you.  You have plenty of options out there! Take advantage of it and spend the time to pick the best one for you.

One last thing:  working with the owner of the company is usually a benefit.  The owner is responsible for all phases of the project including client satisfaction (not just the sale).  If you are dealing with the owner there is no commission or overhead costs of a salesman.  This could save you money in the long run.

(Five questions to ask prior to investing in any remodeling project)

In today’s volatile economy more home owners are staying put and investing in their current homes rather than moving on to bigger and better.  Smart thinking.  Before you run down to the big box retailer to start making selections, answer these questions prior to getting started:

How are you going to fund the project?
Can you afford to pay in cash or do you need to borrow the funds?

• Make sure you can afford the payments within your current budget.
• Consider any other major expenditure you may have to make in the near future.

Does it make sense to invest money in your home today?

• Invest in your home if you plan to live there for a long, long time.  The improvements you make will be yours to appreciate for years to come.
• Invest in the project if it increases the value of your home (finished basements, master suites, walk-in closets, and extra bathrooms).
• A good place to spend money would be an area that is in obvious need of repair (broken tile, outdated or worn out cabinets, chipped countertops ,fixtures or any room that looks like could be on the set of “That 70’s Show”).
• Carefully consider any investment in a home project that does not dramatically change your home or is for personal preference only (like replacing tile in good condition simply to change the color).
• Sometimes the benefit to you outweighs the risk of the lack of return on the investment (the color of that tile makes you clench your teeth every time you walk on it).

If you sell, will you get a return on your investment?

• We know you are going to like the improvement but will the majority of potential future buyers want to pay more because of the change (even though that expensive Italian tile looks fantastic).
• Consider how long you plan to live in your home.  If there is a chance you’ll move in the next 3-5 years then you may not be able to recoup the investment.

How does the value of your home compare to that of the Jones’ next door?

• The most expensive home on the street will not sell for appreciatively more than those of their neighbors, which can lower the return on its investment.
• Conversely if your home is undervalued for your neighborhood you have a greater chance to improve the value.

What projects give the best bang for the buck?

• Any remodeling project that dramatically improves the appearance of your home is an asset.  Paint, flooring, countertops and lighting updates are always good investments.  These enhance the look of your home with minimal expense.
• Kitchens and baths are important rooms in your home but can be costly to remodel. Modifying the layout of an older bath or replacing kitchen cabinets and appliances can drastically improve your home but you have to watch how much you spend.
• Finishing a portion of your basement commits a larger investment but the increased living space comes at a good value.  Home offices and “man caves” are extremely popular today and add increased appeal to your home.

Remodeling your home can be a rewarding experience and enhance the comfort of your home.  Make sure you research the project carefully.  In the long run, the key is working with a remodeling contractor you trust.  He will help you decide what to do, how to do it and the best way to get it done within your budget.