Home Guide

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Inspiring guide for building and remodeling your home

BUILD & RENOVATE

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THE HOME GUIDE /OCTUBER 2014

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LETTER FROM EDITOR

Welcome to the first edition of The Home Guide. In developing this magazine it was our goal to provide

the most up-to-date information about contractors, vendor, products, services and ideas for improving your home or work environments. It is our hope that as you consider projects large or small, residential or commercial, you will use this Guide as a resource.

The building industry is constantly evolving. It is dificult to keep up the latest technology and products that are being developed to make our homes and buildings better places to live and works. As professionals in our industry, it is our team job to stay on top of the trends and regulations making the building and remodeling process easier for you.

In addition, be sure to check out the feature stories in this issue. We are visiting a stunning xxxxx remodel on page xx and if you are looking for hire someone for your next project, our pages will give you a quick look at what many local contractors have to offer, their company philosophy, and the specialized education and training they possess.


J.D. (photo)

Justyna Dorouch,EditorThe Home Guide Group

The Home Guide Editorial Group587 Industrial Dr Suite 105 Carmel IN 46032317-408--0537 • 317-509-3981www.thehomeguidex.com

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CONTENTS

04 Letters from the Editor

10 Choosing a Contractor

16 Remodeling Trends

20 Green Home

24 Decorating Ideas

28 Handyman

32 Integrating Technology

36 Counter Surface

38 Your Outdoor Room

41 Commercial Projects

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Choosing a ContractorThese simple steps can mean the difference between complete confidence

and sleepless nights

Ask for Referrals

Word of mouth-hands down, is the best way to find a qualified professional to tackle the job. Ask relatives, friends and neighbors whom they’ve had good experiences with. And ask what made it a positive experience, how the contractor handled problems and whether he or she would use the same contractor again.

Look at Credentials

With recommendations in hand, do some preliminary research, whether it’s with a phone call or a visit to the contractor’s website. Find out whether he or she holds all the required licenses from state and local municipalities, along with designations from any professional associations.

Interview Candidates

Narrow down the list of contenders and set up meetings. Try to keep it to three contractors, because things can get confusing beyond that. How a contractor answers questions is extremely important, but communication goes both ways. Candidates should ask plenty of questions, too.

For my Remodeling Project

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Check References

Ask to see some of the contractors’ projects. If you approve of them, request references and call contractors’ former customers to check up on them. Ask how the contractors did at executing the projects. Were they on time and on budget? Were the customers pleased with the outcome? Was there anything that could have been done differently?

Remember that when you’re hiring a remodeler, you are buying a service and not a product. Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. Here are some things you’ll want to explore and questions you’ll want to ask when interviewing a remodeler.

Business Experience

Does the remodeler:Maintain a permanent mailing address, e-mail address, personal phone number, fax number, cell phone and voicemail?

Carry insurance that protects you from liability?

Ask for a copy of the remodeler’s insurance certificates to be sure. Also, ask the remodeler how much the project will add to the home’s value and attain additional insurance from your provider.

Have an established presencin the community?

How long has the company been in business under this name?


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Get It in WritingAfter selecting a contractor, take a look at the documents he or she has prepared. Do they look professional? And make sure the legal agreement includes the following:•a bid price and payment schedule•specifics about the scope of work•the site plan•a sequential schedule of primary construction tasks•a change-order clause•a written procedural list for close-out•an express limited warranty•a clause about dispute resolution•a waiver of lien, which would prevent subcontractors and suppliers from putting a lien on a house should their invoices go unpaid by the contractor

If everything checks out, you can sign on the dotted line with confidence.

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Remodeling TrendsThe trend will continue next year, and homeowners are planning for projects now. Energy savings or better organization often drives remodeling projects, while other homeowners want to create space or

add accents to suit their lifestyle.

CABINET DESIGN

Designing a new kitchen involves more than selecting cabinets and countertops. How the kitchen fits and functions within the entire home, the impacts of technology and sustainability options, are as integral to successful home design as selecting the perfect color palette. New kitchen cabinet design features help to

customize your space, including the ability to accommodate varying levels of mobility. Technology also comes to the kitchen, bringing energy saving strategies with it

STAND ALONE TUBS

If homeowners want a tub experience in 2015, it’s likely they will select a free standing tub as a structural element, which takes up much less space in the room than the old tiled-in tub dec

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CURBLESS SHOWER

Here is a totally beautiful, modern, open concept bathroom, featuring a concrete floor, a curbless shower and a linear drain - all the concrete (floor finishing, sloped shower concrete pad, linear drain concrete tile)

U-SOCKET

Eliminate the tangle of cords and electrical adapters plugged in throughout the house. A single wall outlet with USB ports is not only more organized, it keeps people from shouting “Have you seen my phone?”


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DECK PAVERS

Old decks and patios are being replaced with waterproof pavers made of recycled materials. Pavers last longer than wood planks or cement slabs, and eliminate the need to seal or stain. Pavers in interesting patterns help define “outdoor rooms.”

The reason for multiple spaces include that you may want furniture on one level and your outdoor kitchen or grill on a different

TOUCHLESS FAUCET

You’ve seen them in hotel restrooms, now they’re available in sleek designs for home. Touchless faucets help reduce water waste and are more sanitary than ones with handles. Place them in kitchens and bathrooms, or in home bars.

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Instead of having to replace structurally sound windows, a simple, yet cost-effective solution is to apply a thin layer of window film to help regulate temperatures within the home, minimize cooling costs and increase comfort. Window film is a thin sheet of window coating that is professionally and permanently installed and rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). It delivers up to seven times the energy savings per dollar spent, as compared to installing replacement windows. For single-family homes, window film installation costs can range from $3 to $11 per square foot, depending on the type of window film installed, and the process can be completed in one or two days. Window film is available in a range of shades from clear to dark and once installed, the energy conservation benefits are immediate. An added benefit of this hidden home-improvement solution is that many window films qualify for “green” credits and energy rebates and are considered carbon-negative products

Green HouseSave Energy with

Window Film

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BedroomsThe perfect bedroom is a cozy, stylish space that invites rest and

relaxation

Plan your look and layoutIn a master bedroom, you will need to assess the space you have and work out a plan for positioning furniture. If you are lucky enough to have an en-suite bathroom or a dressing room you may be able to move some bedroom storage elements into those rooms, freeing up your bedroom to the simplest of layouts. Centre the bed to allow you to have a

bedside table and reading lamp on either side. Before placing other furniture think about how you will use the room. Keep in mind that you will need space for dressing and undressing. Will you and your partner be able to move around easily with full access to storage even when cupboard doors or drawers are open? Is there enough space to Balance storage needs against manoeuvrability and the feel of a room. Storage aplenty is fabulous, but if it makes

DESIGN

IDEAS

1 When choosing a bed be sure to consider width, length and height

2 For a fresh look all year round, update your bedding seasonally

3 To keep things calm, have plenty of storage to tuck essentials away

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the room unnecessarily cramped and difficult to move around it will neither function properly nor feel like a relaxing space. Keeping to neutrals and plains, rather than strong colour and pattern, will help open up the space, too. Go for a shade that you will both be happy with and one that will aid relaxation and sleep.



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Sort your bedroom storageIf you have the space, there’s nothing like belt-and-braces storage in a bedroom. Go for the whole kit and caboodle: his and hers bedside cabinets, chests of drawers and freestanding wardrobes. However the reality for most of us is that we have to find a compromise between essential storage, a comfortable space and the practicalities of getting around the room. If your bedroom is small, bespoke


built-in wardrobes make sense. They can incorporate hanging space for two people (hang one rail above another), shelves with pull-out drawers if you have no space for chests of drawers, and even perhaps a small built-in desk in lieu of a dressing

table. Hide everything behind a run of sliding screens or mirrored doors and you will not need to allow space for hinged doors to open.

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Lots of companies produce slimline units that are narrow enough to fit either side of a bed and function as bedside tables while being tall enough to house five or six drawers – ideal for smaller clothing items such as underwear or nightwear. Buy a bed with built-in storage. Try and avoid models with large pull-out drawers as any bedside tables sitting close to the bed will prevent them from opening. Choose designs with sliding doors instead. If your bedroom is short on tabletop space, think about adding a shelf above a picture rail. You can use it to store all those bits and bobs that would be in the way on bedside cabinets and also provides a neat solution for displaying decorative objects.

Essentials checklist for a guest bedroom

If you have a spare bedroom to redecorate, include a combination of furniture and furnishings that will be versatile enough to accommodate guests of all shapes and sizes - an older couple one week and two young children or teenage friends the next. Always go for twin beds rather than a double to keep your options open. Just as in a main bedroom, if you have the space, double up on bedside cabinets, table lamps and storage. Leave the space under the bed clear for storing visitors’ suitcases neatly out of view. Include a wall shelf and stock it full of favourite books and magazines for on-tap reading matter, fit hooks on the back of the bedroom door for hanging coats and bags and add a basket of luxury bath and shower toiletries – even slippers


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HandymanAdding value to your home can be done with some simple tasks that do

not require a lot of money

Some tasks require no money at all but a little effort and time on the homeowner’s part.

1. Start by clearing the clutter. Put away the contents on counters in kitchens and bathrooms that are not used every day and for the items that are, add some organizing tools to get those items looking neat on counters. To show that a home does have enough storage make sure you remove items in your closets that you are no longer using. If closets look too full, then it appears as if the house does not have

enough storage, plus this could be a good time to rethink what you really need. Donate away.

2. Clean tile grout throughout the home. You can do this yourself or you can hire a professional to steam-clean your grout. It is amazing how fresh tile will look and bring new life to rooms. The same holds true with cleaning windows and getting carpets cleaned. Cleaning the windows or hiring professionals to do this work is a fantastic way to create a feeling of space in your home. Clean windows can open

up a home. Cleaning carpets will make them look fresh and also remove the dust and dirt that may have built up in them creating a healthier home.

3. Next, get the front and back yards organized. Making sure the lawn is mowed, the bushes are trimmed and planting some flowers can go a long way to getting a home in tip top shape. Get a fresh coat of paint or a new seal on a front door can really brighten a front entrance. Additionally, add some new house numbers and door knobs to make the

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front door pop. Adding some potted plants can also brighten a welcome. If your yard really needs an overhaul, this is a great investment to get the home’s appearance improved as a value enhancer. This also applies to the back yard. Adding a deck or refreshing it with some sealant gives a look of ready to play in your yard.

4. Adding value can be as simple as adding the accessories. Add new hardware to kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Knobs and drawer pulls go a long way. In a similar fashion, for $200 - $300 updating faucets is an inexpensive way to add value. Even new towel bars in bathrooms can add more style to the existing room.

5. Repainting your house not only gives a home a fresh look, but can add character by choosing a few bold colors to add to a few rooms. Remember to refresh the ceilings while you are painting your home. No one wants grey walls and dingy ceilings. Further, consider repainting or pressure-washing the outside of the house for a fresh look making the house’s first impression even more welcoming.



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Remodeler Profile

BUILDER/REMODELER PROFILE

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Remodeler Profile

BUILDER/REMODELER PROFILE


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Technology in the home is getting more popular, and is being integrated more into the design of new homes.

Integrating Technology

New home technologies seem to become strikingly more advanced every year. This is largely due to the growth of home automation, technology that allows homeowners to centralize the control of home functions. Home automation is meant to make home living faster, safer, more convenient and more energy efficient. Here’s some of the hottest new technology:

SMART GRID APPLIANCES

The Smart Grid is the revolutionary system being developed and implemented across the United States and around the world that delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers using two-way data communications to save energy, reduce cost, and increase reliability and transparency.

The most important characteristic of the Smart

Grid will be a two-way flow of electricity and information enabling the capability to monitor everything from power plants, to sun and wind forecasts, to electricity meters and individual appliances. It incorporates digital communications to deliver real-time information and enable the balance of supply and demand at the device level.

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Major home appliance manufacturers such as Whirlpool and GE have come out in support of the Smart Grid. Whirlpool has announced that all of its electronically controlled appliances will be Smart Energy compliant by 2015. These appliances will be able to respond to signals from the utility company to choose the best time to operate based on real-time electricity pricing. GE’s smart appliances include a refrigerator, range, microwave, dishwasher and washer and dryer. Other manufacturers are designing pool filters, water heaters and home heating and air-conditioning units that are Smart Energy compliant.

VIRTUAL VIEWS

A product of an Italian design company, the Eye+ Window is a 46-inch LED HDTV that plays scenic videos of any view you desire: The Golden Gate Bridge, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, a warm beach, outer space – you name it, you can have it. Beyond the glorified digital photo frame, the Eye+ also comes packed with sensors to track the viewer’s eye and location so the scenery displayed looks like it is actually outside of your window, allowing for added interactivity

SUN TUNNEL

Solatube tubular daylighting devices, or TDDs for short, are affordable, high-performance lighting solutions that bring daylight into interior spaces where traditional skylights and windows simply can’t reach. Sometimes called “tubular skylights,” “light tubes,” “sun pipes,” and even “light tunnels,” TDDs have become the ideal solution for lighting interiors in a cost-effective, energy-efficient

and eco-friendly way because they significantly reduce the need for electricity while keeping people connected to the outdoor environment.

LASER ROBOT VACUUM

The new line of Neato Robotics BotVac vacuums instead of repeatedly bumping into walls, chairs, tables, and lazy cats,

the tiny robots rely on lasers to map your house. Using the same SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) laser technology found in Google’s driverless cars, the BotVacs lasers constantly track 12 to 15 feet in front of the vacuum to create a cleaning path. This leads to a more uniform back-and-forth cleaning of your floor, according to Neato.

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Things to keep in mind when you consider a

commercial project

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CountertopSurface

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Outdoor Room

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Commercial ProjectsThings to keep in mind when you consider a commercial project

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