HAPPY 10 Year Anniversary to Allison Guido

By: Craig H. Guido, CS (Hanover. Ma)

Ten years ago this week Almar Building & Remodeling invested in it’s own future when we welcomed our General Manager Allison QuinnGuido, CS as the third generation of Quinn’s to the team full time. (Almar was founded in 1959 by Allison paternal grandfather Gerald Quinn.) Allison had worked part-time with Almar thru college running vinyl siding installation crews, and helping with the marketing in the office. But upon her graduation from West Virginia Wesleyan College she joined the team full time taking over the administrative tasks full time.

In Almar’s 53 years we have gone thru many different phases but we have been delighted to have Allison’s leadership and organizational skills with us thru the last decade especially as we navigated thru the recent economic challenges.  Allison was learning the new skills of running a business in the moment. When asked about her time at Almar she said; “One of the greatest parts of being part of a small family business is that I have had the opportunity to jump right in and have my opinions heard. Terry has given me the opportunity to learn by doing and opened me up to education experiences I never would have been able to have in other situations.”

In the time Allison has been with the Almar team we have won Remodeling Magazine’s BIG 50 Award - 2005. In addition Allison has individually been recognized with the following honors:

Builders Association of Greater Boston Rookie of the Year – 2004

Cape &Plymouth Business Magazine 40 Under 40 Award – 2010
West Virginia Wesleyan Young Alumnae Award - 2010
Professional Remodeler Magazine 40 Under 40 Award – 2011
Bay State Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha: Zeta Lady Award – 2012
And featured in both 2008 and 2009 by South Shore LivingMagazine as one of their Women in Business.

Aside from all her duties here at Almar, Allison also captained our Asthma Avenger team for several years till the American Lung Association stopped their Asthma Walk. She is also the current president of the Alumnae Association for Notre Dame Academy in Hingham Ma, and the Secretary/Treasurer for the Bay State Alumnae Chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha – in all her free time from looking after the hopefully fourth generation of Almar’s leadership, 9 month old Giovanni Quinn Guido.

When I think about working with my wife, I think that “ Allison’s leadership and organization not only help our team on a daily basis, but has been a major factor in Almar’s ability to survive and grow over the past 10 years.” As we look to the future Allison and I are hard at work thinking about where we want to take Almar Building & Remodeling, and CATExteriors over the next ten and twenty years.

HOW TO FIND THE RIGHT REMODELING PROFESSIONAL

Tips to help save your big investment

May is National Home Improvement Month. Before you dive into a major home remodel, however, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) reminds homeowners to take a close look at the contractor they plan to hire for the job.

Almar Building & Remodeling President Terrance F Quinn, CS, CGR, CAPS, VSI., is a remodeling veteran with more than 47 years’ of experience who says homeowners need to ask the right questions before committing to a contractor. As a professional remodeler has made it his job to inform consumers about what to look for before signing on the dotted line.

“Homeowners are always looking at the bottom line, but they should be aware of what it represents,” he says. “Many homeowners have 60 percent or more of their net worth invested in their homes, so a remodeler can be responsible for half of someone’s physical existence.”

That’s a big responsibility. Quinn recommends that homeowners do their homework by asking the right questions. The goal is to find out whether the remodeler has a track record of happy customers, if he or she will communicate with you openly, work on a realistic time schedule and within your budget. Here are some things to keep in mind:

What type of contractor do I need? Deciding which type of professional to hire will depend on
the size and scope of your project. A general remodeling contractor works on a variety of home projects that either does not require professional design services, or design services are outsourced.

A design/build contractor, on the other hand, provides both quality design and construction services within the same company. They will oversee a project from start to finish, keeping design, budget and engineering in mind. (A Design/Build contractor can also be a General Contractor)

Another option is to work with an architect to help you create plans and drawings. For remodels, it’s important to work with an architect who has done remodeling work in the past because they will be sensitive to the challenges existing structures may represent.

Check references Ask the contractor how long they have been in business and request the names and numbers of references. Also, look at photos of completed work to determine the quality, fit and finish of installations.

Insurance is important Inquire about the contractor’s certification insurance and request to see a copy, or get the name of the insurance agency, to verify coverage. Massachusetts require that contractors carry property damage, personal liability and worker’s compensation insurance, but don’t assume a contractor has it.

Shop for honesty and professionalism Choose a remodeler who is communicative and straight
forward. Quinn says he provided client with a new client kit which includes all of Almar’s contact information for each team member, how to prepare for the project, commonly asked questions, details about the client’s specific project and much more.

How do I compare estimates? Make sure that each contractor provides a quote for the same
scope and level of quality for the work. Beware of bids that are much lower than others. Quinn says “Unless the quotes are written and detailed out you can never assume contractors are estimating the same project for you. You also need to be aware when trying to compare types of contractors to each other, if one is a professional business with an office, staff, and history and the other is not – what could that mean for you short and long term.”

Trust in the professionals Lastly, once you’ve decided on a plan and the contractor, let
them do their job. Too much micromanaging or design changes can take additional
time and ultimately cut into your bottom line, Quinn says.

Certified remodelers with NARI Some NARI members are also certified; NARI certification is a challenging process that requires a contractor have extensive knowledge of the industry and a commitment to professional conduct. Contractors who are certified by NARI have received an acceptable review by the NARI Certification Board by providing an outline of their hands-on experience, training, education, technical skills and practices in business management. They are committed to staying current with industry issues, and have successfully completed a rigorous written exam, which includes questions about business management, building codes, construction law, specification, safe use of tools and equipment, safety standards, math and other special skills.

Remodeling your home can be one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. Homeowners can gain a sense of security knowing they’ve done their homework before choosing a remodeling professional.

# # #

About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association which represents more than 8,200 member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors— is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™ To locate a local NARI chapter or a remodeling
professional, visit NARI’s Web site at www.nariremodelers.com, or contact the national headquarters, based in Des Plaines, Illinois, at 800-611-NARI.

Almar (781-826-2577) is proud to be a member of NARI and is committed to uphold the
standards that all NARI members represent. Almar’s entire team is ready to work with homeowners from all over the south shore of Massachusetts like Hanover, Pembroke, Hingham, Norwell, Scituate, and Cohasset. As a full service Design/Build remodeler Almar can handle all phases of remodeling: Additions, Kitchens, Bathrooms, Basements, and Sunroom projects.

Hanover, Ma: Earth Day 2012 - Tips for Your Home

by: Allison Q Guido, CS (Hanover Ma)

Yesterday was Earth Day 2012. Earth Day is a celebrated each year, and events are held worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth's natural environment. 2012 was the 42nd anniversary of that mission which was attributed to John McConnell staring in 1969.

In honor of Earth Day Almar Building & Remodeling, Hanover Ma wanted to share some tips and information about how you can make changes in your own home to improve the earth’s and your personal environment.

1.      Replace leaky Faucets: gallons of water can be wasted each day from what appears to be a minor leak.  Need helping finding the right faucets for your home? Stop in and see our friends at Snow & Jones in Norwell to get a Kohler faucet.

2. Choose the Right Cabinets: “Many cabinets are made from particle board, hardwood plywood paneling, or medium density fiberboard glued together using a formaldehyde-based adhesive. To avoid exposure to harmful chemicals, purchase cabinetry made with formaldehyde-free adhesives and finishes.”*1 Almar installs Huntwood Custom Cabinets which offers us Green Manufacturing.  

3.      Choose Flooring that has environmentally friendly attributes without sacrificing style.

a.       Sustainable Grown/Harvested Materials

b.      Reclaimed materials

c.       Recycles materials

d.      Reduced Toxicity 

4.      Water Filtration: Although the EPA enforces national standards for taps water approximately 4 out 10 American homes also have a water filtration system.  

5.      Replace old toilets: Toilets account for almost 30% of your homes water usage. In 1992 the Energy Policy Act was enacted which mandated water efficient toilets use up to 3.5 gallons of water per flush. By replacing your old toilet with a to high-efficiency toilets can save a family of four, on average, $2,000 in water bills over the lifetime of the toilets.*2 

6.      Upgrade Insulation: By insulating your house or sealing up air leaks you can your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Installed correctly, insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. 

7.      Weatherize with Windows, Doors and Skylights: Leaky unites allow warm air to escape which makes your heating/cooling units run more. By installing Energy-Efficient Windows and Doors (Like Harvey Classic or Alside Excalibur Windows) you can reduce energy costs.  

8.      Low-VOC Paint: When choosing paint opt for Low-VOC products to reduce air pollution.  

9.      Choose low-maintenance Exterior Finishes: “When choosing the finish for your home, look into recycled-content materials that are locally manufactured. High-maintenance materials (such as wood) should be avoided to reduce repair, replacement, and upkeep costs (e.g., repainting). Brick, concrete, stucco, steel, aluminum, and fiber-cement offer superior longevity, and resist cracking and other deterioration.” *3 

     10.  Choose a Cool Roof: Most people choose dark roofing shingles. But if you choose a lighter roof shingle (or one of Certainteed’s Solaris Shingles) that have high reflectance and emissivity you can keep your roof up to 70degrees cooler than traditional shingles. Which can help save you money on air conditioning costs.

You can also get information about programs and incentives for renewable energy in Massachusetts please visit: http://www.dsireusa.org The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency.  “DSIRE is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility and federal incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Established in 1995 and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, DSIRE is an ongoing project of the N.C. Solar Center and the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.”

*1. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/Kitchen.htm

*2. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/bathroom.htm

*3. http://www.epa.gov/greenhomes/WholeHouse.htm

Hanover Remodeling: Celebrates National Organize Your Office Day

Did you know that March 8th is National Organize Your Office Day?

I don’t know about you but I work much better when things are organized and I am not surrounded by clutter and piles. All those piles juts make me stress about everything on my to-do list that I haven’t gotten to yet. So as I sit here on Organize Your Office Day I wanted to share some of our favorite tips that we use to keep our office running smoothly and organized.

1. Add Built in Cabinets
Adding Huntwood Cabinets to your home office can be a great way to utilize your space. From desks to storage cabinets built in can be a great way to customize your office. Adding sufficient storage is easy and can even make your work space feel bigger if done right.

2. Labeling
By labeling your binders and folders you will be able to store important items when you don’t need them in a uniform manner while still being able to find them in seconds when you do need to reach for them. Labeling also helps smooth the transition when someone new comes in to help or find files

3. Custom Shelves
You can Recreate a Grand or not so grand library. These can be a great way to display your cherished items while still being organized and still have space to have all your work needs at the tip of your fingers.

4. Purchase Magazine boxes to store booklets, magazines, catalogs you want to keep. Remodeling like many other industries has plenty of industry and homeowner based magazines. These publications have great Renovation ideas and information but sometimes we can’t look at them all right away. Magazine boxes help us sort ideas and keep from having piles of old publications lying around

5. Add Natural Light
Natural light is so good for us. It keeps us from getting tired and keeps us healthy. If you have to spend a lot of time in the office a large Replacement window or Velux Suntunnel could be just thing you need to make your office space more comfortable. In addition to reducing energy needs natural light can help make you more efficient.

Of course there are hundreds of other tip and suggestions and to-do to help you be more organized but I think 5 is a stress free amount so give us a call and we’d be happy to help you tackle some of the suggestions above.

And don’t forget to give us a call (781-826-2577) at Almar Remodeling Co to help organize all of your remolding projects. Almar is located in Hanover Ma, and serves many South Shore towns like: Hanover, Scituate, Norwell, Hingham, Cohasset, Duxbury and Pembroke for all of your Home Remodeling needs (Additions, Kitchen Renovations, Bath Remodels, Basement Finishing)

*Photos of Huntwood Custom Cabintry. Almar is a Huntwood Dealer