With the prediction that another large storm is on its way to New England this week. I thought it might be a good reminder for everyone to make sure there cars are ready for more cold, snow and ice. The tips below come from a sheet I share with my carpenters every winter so they can be ready before the weather hits.
Reliable transportation is especially important in the winter. Not only should you keep your vehicle in top operating condition all year round - for safety and fuel economy - it is especially important to get it winterized to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous situations while traveling in frigid weather. Check the following:
_____ Belts
_____ Fluids
_____ Add De-Icer Wind Shield Washer Fluid
_____ Add one container of Dri-Gas to your gas tank
_____ Check the antifreeze. The radiator can freeze even while driving.
_____ Brakes
_____ Wiper Blades (Buys some spare ones now, keep them in the vehicle)
_____ Tire Tread and pressure
(Use a tire pressure gage, available at Wal-Mart for about $2.00)
_____ De Froster
_____ Oil Level (Get an oil Change if needed)
_____ Battery (Clean the terminals)
_____ Lights (Do your Head lights and Tail lights work?)
_____ Make sure you have:
_____ Scraper
_____ Bottle of di-icer in the cab of your truck
_____ Jumper Cables
_____ Jack, lug wrench and spare tire.
Always fill the gasoline tank before entering open country, even for a short distance, and stop to fill up long before the tank begins to run low. Keeping your tank as full as possible will minimize condensation, providing the maximum advantage in case of trouble.
· Don't overdrive your visibility. Slow down….leave early enough not to have to rush
· Make sure you leave extra time each morning to get your vehicle warmed up and cleaned off before you leave.
· Drive with your headlights on.
· Include road reflectors, a blanket, heavy boots, warm clothing, and flashlight with batteries.
· Make sure you keep a charged Cell phone with you in case of an emergency.
· Be prepared. Be alert. Be safe.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Almar President Achieves Re certification
Hanover, MA (January 24, 2011) Terrance Quinn of Almar Building & Remodeling Co in Hanover Ma has renewed his Certified Installer status by passing a test on the latest vinyl siding application techniques.
Through the Vinyl Siding Institute’s (VSI) VSI Certified Installer Program, all Certified Installers have completed a rigorous course of study and examination on the proper installation techniques for vinyl siding, soffitt, and accessories, as verified by an independent certification firm, Architectural Testing, Inc., and based on the standard ASTM D4756. All Certified Installers must rectify their status every three-years, and Quinn has completed the recertification examination proving his continued knowledge of the proper installation techniques.
“The VSI Certified Installer Program was created to recognize top quality vinyl siding installers, said VSI President and CEO Jery Y. Huntley. “By Achieving recertification, Quinn has demonstrated that he continues to display the knowledge and skills to install quality durable vinyl siding”
For a full list of VSI Certified Installers for certified vinyl siding, visit VSI’s website at www.vinylsding.org
Almar Building & Remodeling, a full service Design Build Remodeling company serving the South Shore since 1959. They deliver not only a guarantee and warranty with all of their work, but they also promise quality to homeowners.
Almar is a serviced based remodeler who works with the homeowner to get the product that they desire. Their office is located at 1130 Washington St on Rt. 53 in Hanover. For more information please call 781-826-2577 or visit their website at www.AlmarBuilding.com
Through the Vinyl Siding Institute’s (VSI) VSI Certified Installer Program, all Certified Installers have completed a rigorous course of study and examination on the proper installation techniques for vinyl siding, soffitt, and accessories, as verified by an independent certification firm, Architectural Testing, Inc., and based on the standard ASTM D4756. All Certified Installers must rectify their status every three-years, and Quinn has completed the recertification examination proving his continued knowledge of the proper installation techniques.
“The VSI Certified Installer Program was created to recognize top quality vinyl siding installers, said VSI President and CEO Jery Y. Huntley. “By Achieving recertification, Quinn has demonstrated that he continues to display the knowledge and skills to install quality durable vinyl siding”
For a full list of VSI Certified Installers for certified vinyl siding, visit VSI’s website at www.vinylsding.org
Almar Building & Remodeling, a full service Design Build Remodeling company serving the South Shore since 1959. They deliver not only a guarantee and warranty with all of their work, but they also promise quality to homeowners.
Almar is a serviced based remodeler who works with the homeowner to get the product that they desire. Their office is located at 1130 Washington St on Rt. 53 in Hanover. For more information please call 781-826-2577 or visit their website at www.AlmarBuilding.com
Friday, January 14, 2011
2011 Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Home Imporvements
NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) has an article posted on their website dated 12.26.10, talking about how new federal law guts tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. While reading this article I feel like they are taking a totally negative attitude towards the revisions in the tax credits.
Personally Almar was taking the opinion that once the tax credits expired on 12.31.10 that was it we weren’t getting anything in 2011. So my perception of the NARI article is a bit different, cause I’m reading it thinking “Great! At least my homeowners can get something a little extra for the improvements they continue to make this year”
The long and the short of the changes for 2011 are:
1. The bill pushed back the expiration date for tax deductibility of mortgage insurance premiums for another year.
2. In 2011 you can get a 10% credit with a $500 maximum for purchases of insulation materials, exteriors windows, storm doors, skylights, metal and asphalt roofs that resist heat gain.
3. $150 tax credit limit on the cost of qualifying gas, propane, and oil furnaces, and hot water boilers.
4. $300 credit limit on central air systems, electric heat pumps water heaters, biomass stoves, electric heat pumps, and gas and propane water heaters.
5. $200 is now available for installing energy efficient windows in 2011.
These are all huge cuts from the 2010 credit available, but it is still and extra something just for making smart improvements to your home that will continue to save you money year after year. Because don’t forget that once you make an energy efficient improvement the long-terms savings need to be taken into consideration as well.
My hope is that there will be another change and increase in the tax credit program for energy efficient projects, because I think they are very important to the health and comfort of Almar’s clients. Until you experience the change from draft windows to new vinyl replacement, or the change from a home with no insulation to one with you can’t really understand how vitally important the changes your can’t see sometimes are your home.
Allison Q Guido, General Manager
Personally Almar was taking the opinion that once the tax credits expired on 12.31.10 that was it we weren’t getting anything in 2011. So my perception of the NARI article is a bit different, cause I’m reading it thinking “Great! At least my homeowners can get something a little extra for the improvements they continue to make this year”
The long and the short of the changes for 2011 are:
1. The bill pushed back the expiration date for tax deductibility of mortgage insurance premiums for another year.
2. In 2011 you can get a 10% credit with a $500 maximum for purchases of insulation materials, exteriors windows, storm doors, skylights, metal and asphalt roofs that resist heat gain.
3. $150 tax credit limit on the cost of qualifying gas, propane, and oil furnaces, and hot water boilers.
4. $300 credit limit on central air systems, electric heat pumps water heaters, biomass stoves, electric heat pumps, and gas and propane water heaters.
5. $200 is now available for installing energy efficient windows in 2011.
These are all huge cuts from the 2010 credit available, but it is still and extra something just for making smart improvements to your home that will continue to save you money year after year. Because don’t forget that once you make an energy efficient improvement the long-terms savings need to be taken into consideration as well.
My hope is that there will be another change and increase in the tax credit program for energy efficient projects, because I think they are very important to the health and comfort of Almar’s clients. Until you experience the change from draft windows to new vinyl replacement, or the change from a home with no insulation to one with you can’t really understand how vitally important the changes your can’t see sometimes are your home.
Allison Q Guido, General Manager
Wednesday, January 05, 2011
Residential Saunas
I was just skimming thru http://www.wsj.com/ to see if there was anything in the real estate section when an article titled “The Home Improvement That’s the Hottest of them All by Anne Marie Chaker” caught my attention.The article talks about how residential Saunas have long been part of the Finnish culture, but that they are also making a name for themselves in US households. And it made me think about a basement renovation Almar did a few years ago in Hanover where we added a Sauna to the bathroom section of the remodel.
The article says that “More Americans are making space for sauna rooms, clearing out basements, converting closets, and even partition off backyard sheds.” I think this is an interesting observation. Because we have found that more people in the last ten years have been choosing renovations to make their own homes more enjoyable and resort like even with the unstable economy, and a sauna is a perfect example of bring that comfort home.
Can you imagine anything better in the dead of winter, after a long stressful day, where you don’t want to go to the gym and deal with people any more than coming home and relaxing in your own personal sauna. You can have it be dry or add humidity just by adding water to the rocks.
In our project we were renovating a walk out basement and adding a full bathroom with the sauna as well. While designing the overall space we were able to find out from the homeowner what their wants and needs were for the over all space and then the bathroom specifically.
This homeowner was an athlete (who ran marathons) so the basement had a section for his gym equipment. And the shower was going to be mainly used after work outs, so the faucet and sprayers we picked we are all designed to help facilitate his post workout needs.
The sauna was to help him after his work outs but they also decided that they wanted it to be a social experience as well. So we went for a 2-4 person unit. But positioned it in the new bathroom space so that it wasn’t the focal point of the bathroom, and they chose a light colored wood to help keep the basement space from getting too dark.
So could a home sauna be right for you? I don’t know. I think that they are defiantly a luxury that many people don’t realize they could afford. But I thought it might be something fun to consider if they want to bring the calming feeling of well-being home.
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