Home Related Questions and Answers

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

What is the best way/place to get an entire kitchen remodel done?

Q. Where should we go to get the best possible kitchen remodel done? Criteria:
1. Budget
2. Service
3. Choice
4. Timing

A. First do your homework...You should not even think about hiring anyone until you know : What exact cabinets youwant,what sink you want,counter tops,faucets.....appliances, Etc warming drawers to keep food warm, wine fridge,microwave drawer,..........If you know nothing of the above spend some money on a "kitchen designer". A designer would be a good start and they should be able to give you a "ballpark " figure on how much project would cost. Next get estimates from local builder or remodeler. "GET REFRENCES" Check if they have INSURANCE.!!!!!!!Good luck

Exploring Options for uising a General Contractor for a kitchen remodel?

Q. We are considering a kitchen remodel. We've hired a general contractor and a kitchen designer for the DESIGN PHASE (a seperate agreement will be presented for the BUILD PHASE). We would like to explore other paths in lieu of hiring a GC.

We are interested in hearing from homeowners who have done kitchen remodels as to the options they pursued? How many served as their own GC's? How did that go? How many worked with the local home center for cabinets, floors, etc and left the structural stuff to someone else? How did that work? We're not interested in being our own GC, but there has got to be a less expensive way! We're making quality decisions and downgrading OUR choices for OUR kitchen just to pay the GC's fee and overhead costs. For example, we did all the work to select over $10K worth of appliances (which will be delivered and installed) and the GC will stand to earn quite a bit for what appears little work (enough for another appliance). Are there any other options?

A. best thing is go to places research your materials price them out & compair prices through differant places to save money, then go home measure then measure again! sometimes sandpaper, new paint & hardwear, with some ellbow grease goes a long way man save alot of money to then you can buy new appliances lol to go with new look!

Is it normal for contractors to include a fee on cabinets as a part of a kitchen remodel?

Q. The quote from our contractor includes an 8% contractor's fee. This fee is applied to all aspects of the kitchen remodel-the demo, electric, etc. and it even includes the cabinets although the cabinets are ordered through a separate company and that company is responsible for installation. Just curious if it's normal to pay this as we could save over $1,000 if the fee was removed for that portion of the project!

A. Sounds like he is being upfront that he is charging 8% for being you contractor on each area. Do it yourself and save that plus you can hire who you want, not his buddies?

Monday, June 17, 2013

What does it mean when the security light comes on, in a 1995 buick lesabre? is the car safe to drive?

Q. The security light came on when I started the car, and stayed on. The car did not seem to have any problems. How safe is it to drive the car? How do I get the light to go off?

A. only light that is coming on,more than one,low charging system that light should be on too,if not turn the key over three times ,on,off no start,since it is still running fine for you if that does not work,have your remoteless key checked for free at a lot of places

Why is the security light on my Camaro coming on all of the sudden?

Q. I've had a '97 Camaro for a few months and all of the sudden the security light is coming on when I try to start it disabling the starter. I've been using the same key the whole time. I have had no problems with this car until now. I have to wait 3 minutes and then it will start. The key is in good shape. Not dirty or wet. Is there an underlying issue I should check out? Thanks.

A. Do NOT replace the ignition by yourself! My car's ignition was replaced by the dealer (not a Chevy dealer, just a used car lot) and now my light will NEVER go off. Take it to a Chevy dealer and they CAN help you. If it is the ignition then they will be able to fix it, but if you replace the ignition yourself then you risk having that light on forever because the ignition was not programmed into the car's security system. The guy I got my car from said they didn't have a key for my car and that is why they replaced the ignition but if he would have actually read the owner's manual it says that if you take it to a dealer they can make a new key that is made specifically for that ignition. I don't know what could be wrong with it, but if you have the funds to do so, I would take it to a Chevy dealer.

How to get past a security light?

Q. I'm sneaking out tonight, and we have security lights in our yard. How do you get past them without making them turn on?

A. best way is to go to your circuit breaker in the garage and find the breaker for the security lights/that side of the house. turn it off. then wala, problem solved.
another way would be to remove the sensor on the lights
remove the light bulbs
avoid the lights/sensor
tape the sensor up (during the day or something)
or as someone else said, avoid emitting Infra red radiation

actually, I think the way you COULD do this seriously, is the following:

find/buy one of those "space blankets". (reflective blankets meant to keep you warm by keeping in all IR heat) you can buy em at walmart and camping store as well as the kennedy space center if your interested haha.

then, cover yourself in it COMPLETELY shielding yourself form the camera, and go for it, walk, dont run, past the sensor, and you may be able to sneak past it because the blanket will hide your IR radiation from view of the sensor.
I haven't tried it, but I think it might work, seeing as how the blankets ar meant to keep IR radiation in. so they wont let it out and will act like a sort of camo from the sensor.
btw, the blankets go for like a max of 20 bucks.

*edit*
The walking slow thing, may work a bit, but you must understand how this stuff works to understand that it wont work well. maybe at all. the security light sensor is looking for a "change" in the IR temperature it is sensing. so if you move really slow, it might not detect a change. but then again, it might. its not worth trying. US a highly reflective material like a space blanket or shiny shiny aluminum.

Do you select your friends by their work skills?

Q. You know, slowly befriend a home contractor, drywall install/finish person, mechanic, electrician, pool installer, appliance repair person, plumber, HVAC person, landscaping person, mover person, computer specialist, etc.?

When something at home goes amiss, you just pick up the phone and get the work done for free or at a reduced rate?

A. Let's just say that if I ever want someone to help me sniff strangers butts and inhale paint fumes - I'm pretty well covered.

Where can I leave complaints about a business?

Q. Like Angieslist, but free? I had an experience with a home contractor that was simply horrible.

A. Better Business Bureau

You State Attorney General - Consumer Affairs Division

Why so many No-show Home Improvement contractors?

Q. Over the years, I have had several Home improvement contractors show up to take measurements for floors, windows, plumbing, etc, but then they never follow through and send an estimate.

Why do you think that is happening? I have money to spend and tried to track themn down for their quote but they gve me the runaround.

A. I have had the EXACT same problem! It is sooooo frustrating. I can only guess that it's because there is so much work out there, and if they feel like the job is going to be small, or if a bigger job comes along, they don't want to waste their time.

What are the steps to carpeting a concrete floor, like a basement floor?

Q. wall to wall carpeting for a living room or a bedroom. What materials do I need, what tools? What is the cost?

A. It depends on the type of carpet you are going to put down. If the carpeting you are looking to laydown is a berber or indoor/outdoor rated gluedown, you don't have to worry about padding or tackstrips. If you are looking for a padded berber, plush or texture then there is more materials that is needed for the job, such as the padding, tackstrips, kneekickers, ect. I would go to your nearest carpet/home improvement store to start pricing the exact type of carpet you are looking for, while you are there, look at the how to books for a step by step guide for installation, such as Flooring 1-2-3 by Home Depot. It has step by step instructions, a time frame for installation and the tools you'll need.

Is there any way to remove gum stuck to carpeting, without damaging chemicals?

Q. My carpeting is light, so I'd prefer not to use chemicals that may cause discoloration. Thanks.

A. Getting gum out of carpet is alot like getting it out of your hair. Use an ice cube! Apply the ice to the gum and it hardens up to a much more manageable form; if you can get it cold enough, and depending on the type of gum, you may be able to 'pick' it out when it's all hardened. Yeah, stay away from chemicals as they won't get gum out.

Else you may be able to cut it out very carefully when it's in its hardened form - use a short pair of scissors to cut its way out of the fibers.

How can I remove a cat vomit stain from carpeting?

Q. I have beige carpeting (standard synthetic) that was stained by cat vomit. The stain is pink in color. I've used several methods to clean the carpet such as Resolve carpet cleaner and Spot Shot. I also tried wetting the stain and putting baking soda on it to see if the soda would absorb the color. Nothing has worked. Can any of you recommend something else I should try?

A. Kitty barf stains can be hard to remove. Three things you can try:

Orange oil (citrisolve or goo gone.) this may dissolve what the carpet cleaner did not.

Simple Green TM

Windex TM glass cleaner. I have found this very effective at removing all sorts of stains from nylon carpet.

Be sure to first remove any chunks and the majority of the spew before cleaning. You don't want to spread it around. a Wet/Dry vacuum works well for this.

How do I get home improvement reviews?

Q. I am helping http://www.showroom411.com launch their new site and they need product reviews. What is the best place to find people interested in Home Improvement?

A. Every women is passionate about their house and definitely go for home improvement reviews.
I have gone through your website. I saw affiliate ads, rather than becoming an affiliate i suggest you to introduce contextual ads in your web.
You can either get codes from google that help you to get your company listed in most frequent searches.

Federal Home Improvement Grants, how do they work, how do you apply?

Q. I see advertisements for federal grants that do not have to be paid back that are for everything from small business funding to home improvements. I was wondering if anyone has ever received a grant for home improvement and how you apply and/or qualify to receive one. Basically, how do I get one to do home improvements and renovations??

A. Most of the home improvement grants are for renovating property in low income areas, and you have to use the property for section 8 rentals, not your own home. google search it, I found the site that way. There are grants for everything you can think of. It's a .gov website. Don't subscribe to any service that wants to charge money for finding grants for you, those svcs. are just a scam. Anyone can research and apply. I spent two days scrolling through all of the grant information just to find out that I didn't qualify for anything. Some of them are pretty funny, I saw one grant for immigrants from Africa to study ancestrial drumming. The comedian David Letterman has set up a grant for " mediocre students with little ambition". The only grant I was eligible for was down payment assistance for first time homebuyers, the application process was so long I closed on the house and moved in before I heard anything.

When doing taxes can you deduct home improvement expenses every year or only the year you sell?

Q. I was told that you could deduct home improvement expenses until the year you sold your house. Is this true?

A. Home improvement costs generally increase your adjusted basis to your house and not deductible during current year. If you took a loan to pay for these improvements, the interests you paid are deductible. Also, if your home improvement is only repainting the house, it is not considered home improvement and you cannot add the costs to your adjusted basis regarding capital gain taxes. But if the repainting job is part of a bigger home improvement project, then it's ok to add the costs to the your adjusted basis.

Now make sure you keep very good records on the costs for home improvement so you don't run into problems when you sold your home and report it to the IRS.

What is the best interior paint for resale?

Q. Okay. I am going crazy trying to find the right interior paint color for resale. I eventually want to sell my condo and I want the best color. Has anybody used Restoration Hardware's Latte and do you like it? Please give me your favorite neutral paint color or maybe a link to a website that has great suggestions. Brands and specific colors please. Not just "beige". LOL. Thank you!

A. I think you have the right idea. Any soothing neutral earth tone is going to please the eyes well. As long as you have coordinating furniture and accents done correctly. Staging is just as important as color when you sell. We can all give you a color that will work, but so will the latte.

Can a half of a can of interior paint that is out in the garage during freezing weather be used again?

Q. I started a project a month ago to paint some interior walls but I got too busy to finish, can I continue with interior paint that has been sitting in our garage in below freezing temperatures to work again? I was wondering if I need to go buy another can of the same paint instead of messing up and taking a risk of using what I have already started to uset. Can anyone help me before I begin the project again. HELP!
Just FYI...the paint is water based. Hope that helps when answering the question. Thanks! :)

A. There is no "set" answer to this, as paint comes in a vast number of chemical combinations, and it depends on the paint you have.

A very broad answer is that some water-based paints will not survive. Others will survive, but may dry with a flaky or loose finish when applied. Some will work nearly, or fully, as well as before.

Oil-based paints are harder to predict. The solvents will be undamaged, but the solids may congeal and become useless.

All you can do is to slowly thaw your paint indoors, (do NOT apply any heat to speed it up,) then try to mix it. If it mixes well, try it on a spare piece of material and let it dry for a few days, then examine it and rub it with a coarse cloth to test its staying ability.

Note

Once it is fully dry, compare the newly-painted piece with whatever you painted before, as the frozen paint may have acquired a colour shift.

Would painting over interior paint with exterior paint on an outside wall hold up in the elements?

Q. I was given the wrong paint while working on a project, and am now worried about the paint buckling because it is interior paint on an outside wall. Can I simply paint over it with exterior paint or would it still lead to buckling because of the binding in the interior paint?

A. Sorry to say but simply painting over the interior paint with an exterior paint will not work. The elements will break down the binding of the interior paint coating and start peeling or splitting both that coat and the exterior coat on top. How large was the area that you have to redo? The best thing is to remove the original layer of paint and re-paint. Unfortunately! You will be told that you can use other products or methods but none of them will work as well as stripping off that layer of interior paint.

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

Q. I need to install marble flooring throughout the house, and I was wondering, what is the fair price per square feet for tile installation?

I already have the marble, so the installer just needs to provide the underlayment, thinset, and floor leveling.

Also, the tile would need to be installed in 45 degree angles, instead of straight rows.

Thanks!

A. About 4.00 a square foot just make sure to use membrane on all joints and cracks or else you will be replacing cracked marble tile good luck

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

A. For marble labor , floor prep ( unknown because it varies a lot with marble) your looking at 5.00$ a s/f and up.
The proper way to prep for marble is a mud job which gives the absolute best support for marble and will also provide ( when done properly) a flat level floor. That alone can go for 2.00$ a s/f and up depending where you live.
In the real world your looking at closer to 10$ a s/f ( and up)with the prep.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

Starting a tile installation company?

Q. I want to start installing tile, and I am familiar with the process, but I have no "real" experience except for the DIY (peel and stick) tile. If I got a tile installation book and practiced on a few tiles on a small scale, how hard would it be to tile a floor good enough to get a positive referral from it?

A. I did a 20 x 18 foot room with 12 inch ceramic tiles. It was a snap really. I used a wide grout line because these were mexican tile. No spacers, just did it by eye.

Plan it so that you dont have "sliver" size peices on any wall , if possible. Rent a wet saw. Or buy one for $89, it will get you through the job.

Now if you are talking tiling a shopping mall thats something different. I have looked at some of that work , and man, those lines are straight for miles. But for homes, you will never see the errors after a week.