Bring New Life to that Old, Inefficient Kitchen

We have long known that small changes in the layout of your kitchen can add some much needed space and make you more efficient.

Because cabinets are usually the most expensive item in a kitchen remodel you should consider whether you want stock, semi-custom or custom cabinets, and what kind of accessories and hardware you want.

Also, there are also many different choices for your countertop materials ranging from laminate thru granite. It’s important to discuss with your contractor what your goals are and what kind of investment you are looking to make.

Have you been dreaming of a new kitchen? New Cabinets and lighting will give you room a whole new feeling and make one of the most important spaces in your home, also one of your favorites. Call Almar Now to set up a FREE consultation with a FREE ESTIMATE for your kitchen renovation!

Almar is a Full Service Remodeling Company. We are Fully licensed and insured with Workers comp. Almar always pulls the permits in our name for you project. Don't let a contractor tell you that you have to pull the permit or your homeowners insurance could be liable for any damages. Hire Almar, Hire Safe! Almar has 4 Fully Licensed Massachusetts Construction Supervisors on Staff.

Almar can help you with all your Home Improvement Projects: Designs, Additions, Basement, Sunrooms, Decks, Hardie Siding, Vinyl Siding, Replacement Windows and Doors, Leaf Relief Gutter Protection, Velux Skylights and Sun Tunnels, and any other Remodeling project you can envision.

Give us a call 781-825-277 or Email us at Almar@AlmarBuilding.com to discuss your Kitchen Project.

Rebuilding Together Boston

Almar’s President Terry Quinn and his wife Gail were pleased to be able to participate in Rebuilding Together Boston on April 28, 2007. As posted on their web site “Rebuilding Together Boston (RTB) is a non-profit organization working in partnership with the community, with volunteers and skilled labor, to stabilize and revitalize homes in our city at no cost to our recipient. Our initiative brings homeowners in need together with volunteers from all walks of life, to preserve home ownership and reduce the risk of homelessness by improving the quality of the lives of our recipients.”

Terry & Gail worked on a house sponsored by the Builders Association of Greater Boston. When asked about the event Gail said, “Rebuilding Together Boston was fun- a LOT of work, but fun. The homeowner and her family were lovely people, all worked so hard right along with us, hugging & thanking us as we left. They said they will see us next year, when THEY volunteer to work on someone else’s house!”

May is Deck Safety Month! How safe is your Deck???

As the weather starts to improve around New England more and more homeowners are starting to migrate outside to use their decks and lawns. It’s important that before you start using your deck this season you make sure that it is safe and secure.

May 2007 has been declared Deck Safety Month, and marks the second year of the North American Deck & Railing Association’s (NADRA) public safety program. As posted on their web site, “According to Mike Beaudry, Executive Vice-President of NADRA. “A simple, annual inspection doesn’t take long or require special tools, but it’s a great investment of your time. It can help prevent unnecessary accidents, and keep your deck a safe place for everyone to enjoy.” “May is a great time to make your deck-check,” Beaudry continues. “In parts of the country where there’s a lot of snow and ice, your deck could have developed a trouble spot over the winter.” Beaudry adds “If you’ve never had your deck professionally inspected, by all means, make that appointment.”

Almar encourages all homeowners to have your deck inspected for safety and comfort issues. When we examine an existing deck we look for and discuss with you the following issues:

Improper Footings
Missing bar hangers
Missing or improperly installed balusters, or railings.
Safe and easy to grip handrails.
Splintering Pressure Treated wood.
Rising nail heads.
Rot issues.
Deck accessories that may be hazardous, such as anything that creates heat (grills, fire pits, etc.)
Upgrading Pressure Treated wood to lower maintenance Composite decking.

If you haven’t had your deck looked at in a while, please give us a call and we can take check it out for you, and handle all your maintenance issues. Almar Building & Remodeling is a full service remodeling company located on Rt. 53 in Hanover. We have been serving the South Shore since 1959 and is still family owned and operated.

Want more information on how to adapt your home?
Call Almar at 781-826-2577.

http://www.almarbuilding.com/

Or stop by our office:

RT 53 (1 mile south of the Hanover Mall, across from Namco Pool Supply)

1130 Washington St. Suite 3
Hanover, Ma 02339

Spring Savings

It’s Spring, we are looking for work and would love for you to consider Almar once again! Now that the temperatures are starting to turn most people start to head out doors and start making their Home Improvement list for the New Year. And Almar wants to continue be your Home Improvement Contractor and handle that list for you, so you can enjoy more time with your friends and family.

As you well know, making the right decision on a major home improvement investment is extremely important. Of course you should realize the long term implication of a poor choice; lowered property values, expensive repairs, shortened life... the list goes on and on. It's a homeowner’s nightmare to be caught in a situation where they didn't get what they paid for. A quality job depends on two essential elements: an excellent material choice and superior workmanship. Our goal is customer satisfaction from start to finish.

How are we improving our Customer service? In several ways, including our new 3-Year Warranty Package for all projects, And 10-Year Glass Breakage Warranty on all new Harvey Vinyl Window Installations for any reason, no questions asked. We also have new financing programs available!

We also have some special Spring Savings Offers:
1.Siding projects ordered before April 23rd will receive free Alcoa Leaf Relief Gutter Protection.
2. Vinyl Replacement windows ordered before April 27th will receive a free Low-E Upgrade, and a 5-Year Installation Warranty, and our 10-Year Glass Breakage warranty.
3.Free Gutter Cleaning with the purchase of Alcoa Leaf Relief Gutter Protection.

To set up an appointment today contact our office at 781-826-2577 or email us at Almar@AlmarBuilding.com. Our office hours are 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday thru Friday.

Sincerely,
Allison Quinn Guido, CS
General Manager

Join Almar's Asthma Avengers for the 4th Annual Boston Asthma Walk

As Team Captain I am proud to announce that Almar is coordinating our third team for the American Lung Association of Massachusetts 4th Annual Boston Asthma Walk at Artesani Park, Brighton on May 5, 2007 the walk starts: 10:00 a.m. Registration: 8:30 a.m.

As you may or may not know I have suffered from serious Asthma most of my life. I have been in and out of the hospital numerous times, and unlike some kids it looks like I am never going to “grow out of it.” So this is definitely a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I have been blessed to have found a great specialist while I lived in West Virginia and I finally have my Asthma under control, so I want to do whatever I can to help support the research to help other people manage this disease.

Please join Almar's Asthma Avengers for 4th Annual Boston Asthma Walk at Artesani Park in Brighton for a 5-kilometer walk to support children with asthma and their families. Asthma is a chronic condition affecting an estimated 17 million Americans. Its death rate has increased an alarming 55% over the last 20 years.

Can't make it? Please sponsor an Almar team member! Still want to raise money and earn incentives? Register at the "Virtual Walk" location! As a Virtual Walker, you still do all your fund-raising on-line! You can even form a Virtual Walk TEAM! You will still earn incentives.

Our goal this year:
10+ Team Members
$2,000+ in donations.

Please visit our Almar Asthma Avengers team web site to monitor ours goals, sponsor & join the team.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to email me at: Allison@AlmarBuilding.com

Thanks

ALLISON

To read articles about Team Almar's past participation click here:

It's Spring Brighten Up with Bump-Outs

Remodelers have long known that a small addition (a “bump-out”) that enlarges an existing room can be a value-conscious remodeling project. Often that bump out brightens your home more than a large addition.

Look around your home for cramped, dark areas that could be improved with a minimum-sized addition.

Have you considered adding a walkout bay window to your dinning room? You’ll be amazed at how this small change will open up and brighten the room.

How about a deep window seat in your favorite room for a cozy readying nook? This can be designed to include hidden storage. Angled entrances can give you access to a little-used section of the yard while allowing light to stream in.

Have you been dreaming of a whirlpool in the bathroom? A bump out would give you room for new baths and an expanse of windows to add spaciousness.

Bump-outs have a funny name, but they can add space, light, and interest to many rooms in your house. Now that springs officially here call us today to discuss creative bump-out ideas for your home at: 781-826-2577, www.AlmarBuilding.com

A Taste of Pembroke

Allison and I participated in the Taste of Pembroke today at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Pembroke. Besides getting to talk about Almar Building and Remodeling, we got to try some amazing food from many of Pembroke's great eateries and restaurants. Participating restaurants include Café Eleganza, 99 Restaurant & Pub, British Beer Company, Gunter Tootie’s Bagel Shoppe, Bryantville Deli, Sweet Fordy’s and many more South Shore eateries. The South Shore Business Round tables sponsored a table, and the event rasined money for the Pembroke High school Athletics Boosters Club. Along with Almar at the SSBRT table was Stephen Berthiaume from the Wireless Zone in Abington, Jon Bonwitt from Wiring Solutions, and Joel Sugarman from Rockland Trust Company. Joel was the highlight of our table with his "Rockland Trust Mortage Chili" which has been a hit for the past 6 years at the event.

It was a great time with great food and we got to talk to some great people about Almar and our Almar Advantage services. Give us a call in our offices anytime to find out how Almar can help you with your home improvement projects at 781-826-2577

Almar's President Earns his CGR Designation

The Almar Building and Remodeling Co. family is happy to announce that company president Terry Quinn has been awarded Certified Graduate Remodelor (CGR) status by The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Remodelors™ Council. He is currently one of only 12 individuals in the state of Massachusetts to hold this designation.

NAHB is the largest trade organization in the building industry and is recognized as the leading advocate of quality construction, responsible business practices and reliable customer service. In the pursuit of those ideals, the CGR designation was created to help identify those individuals who exemplify professionalism in the remodeling industry.

As a recipient of the CGR designation, it was determined that Terry followed prescribed standards of business practice, has a proven track record of successful project management, had completed a comprehensive course curriculum and has pledged to uphold the program's code of ethics. None of this should come as any surprise to the countless homeowners and colleagues Terry has worked with over the last 30+ years

We’re proud to have Terry as our leader, and hope you will join us in wishing him congratulations on this very impressive accomplishment.

Dressing Your Home For Winter

By Jayne Pelosi

When the temperature drops, we expect most humans to begin donning additional layers of warm clothing. But what about our homes? Light and airy interiors can not only look, but feel viscerally cold and uninviting when cooler weather arrives. As a child, both my Mother and Grandmother changed the living and dining room curtains to reflect the new season. It was a tradition practiced by generations gone by, that has all but fallen by the wayside.
As we approach the coldest months of the season, why not consider adding additional warmth and coziness to your interiors? Here are a few easy ways:

1. Dress up your windows. Hang sumptuous velvet or brocade panels to your windows by adding a second curtain rod, or by flanking them aside of your airy sheers. Or if you prefer the look of casually draped yards of fabrics, replace your filmy linen and sheer fabric window scarves with yards of burnt velvet or soft chenille. Letting the scarves puddle to the floor adds extra drama and richness.

2. Bring out the heavy wool area rugs. Many of my clients like the cool and smooth feel of bare hardwood floors under their feet in the warmer weather. Now is definitely the time to add insulation and texture by bringing back the richness of wool area rugs. If you currently have wall to wall broadloom, an area rug will add color and new style placed right over it, either in front of the coffee table or along the sides and at the end of your bed. Very plush, very cozy!

3. Pull your furnishings closer together. We now want to focus more on hunkering down and nesting. Especially if you have a fireplace, there is nothing that says winter more than friends gathering around a crackling fire sipping brandy (herbal tea?), sitting close to each other. If you don’t already own one, invest in a few soft chenille throws.

4. Change the scent of your home. Home scenting has never been more popular than it is today. In October and November, I break out all of my cool weather scents such as cinnamon, spiced pumpkin and gingerbread. The day after Thanksgiving, without fail, I put out the hollyberry, sugar cookie and balsam scents. Evergreen and balsam are particularly nice throughout the winter, until the temperatures start to break. And these days, you can find scents in a plethora of forms, including candles, sprays, potpourri and “plug in” oils and gel packs.

5. “Winterize” your accessories. Many interiors lend themselves to both a “light and bright” as well as “deep and rich” interpretation of their color scheme. Look at your silk centerpieces, interior wreathes candles, pillows and throws. If they are expressing “summer” more than “winter”, its time to change. For example, consider replacing your soft sage, lemon yellow and mauve floral arrangement with one that is olive, butternut and claret. I would bet the deeper arrangement will look just as lovely, just more seasonally appropriate.


Jayne Pelosi is an HGTV Designer and the author of "Interior Divine: Walking You Through the Transformation of Your Home". She can be seen at http://www.renaissanceinteriordesign.com/

Aging in Place Week

In honor of National Aging in Place Week Almar has joined with a group of local professionals from the retirement planning, in-home healthcare, and financial services, who have banded together to host seminars to encourage people to be proactive in thinking about their future financial, housing and health care needs.

We hope to provide ideas and information on products, services, and lifestyle tips that will help baby boomers achieve comfortable and independent living as they age.

A home that’s user friendly for the elderly and the disabled doesn’t have to look like a hospital. More and more products designed for disabled people have broken the “utilitarian” design mold and are now quite attractive. Plus. The simple structural modifications won’t even be noticed. Here are some things to think about:

Low Maintenance Exteriors Vinyl siding can help reduce the amount of work that is necessary to maintain your home’s exterior.



Vinyl windows: Saves energy, are low maintenance & reliable

Entry ways: no step or low step can make life more barrier free. Lifts can also enable someone with limited mobility to gain more independant access.



Installing grab bars by toilets and bathtubs or shower stalls to make entry and exit easier.
Also consider ADA showers & tubs, elevated toiltes and safety treads


Ample lighting: well placed skylights, suntubes and ceiling lights are a couple of expamles of items that can birng in more natual light and help active adults recived the light that they need.


These are just a few things Almar asks all homeoners consider when they are making their plan to Age in Place. We can work with you to develop your renovation plans in easy to manage stages.

Up coming Seminars are currently scheduled for:
October 10, 2007, Crane Public Library; Quincy

For more seminar information please call Matthew Peck at 866-746-2401 X240 or Craig Guido at 781-826-2577

Vinyl Sunrooms and Patio Room Made for New England

Almar Building and Harvey industries are now offering Sunrooms and Patio Enclosure that were made and tested for New England.

Unlike the other brands of rooms offered, Harvey Industries has designed and made thier new Vinyl Sunrooms and Patio rooms to hold up the harsh New England weather.

Do you have a porch area you’re not using? Almar can transform your under-used deck or patio into a custom designed Harvey Classic Vinyl Patio Room.

It won’t just give you more room. It will give you more of everything! More brilliant sunshine. More fresh air. More of the great outdoors. More ways to relax and have fun. More quality time to enjoy with your family and friends.

Sunrooms can even be installed on an approved existing deck or patio.

Thermally broken components that maximize thermal performance
• Insulated walls with vinyl inside and out
• Tempered insulated glass standard
• Sloped sill base to drain water
• Built-in gutter and fascia system
• Choice of gable or studio style roof
• Engineer tested to meet snow-load requirements for New England
• Choice of Harvey vinyl patio doors or Therma-Tru Smooth-Star

Sunrooms are a cost effective way to add space to your home and enjoy the outdoors with out bugs or inclement weather.

Call Almar Today for more information 781-826-2577

Velux Certified Contractor

Almar is proud to Announce:

We are now a Velux Certified Contractor!!!

”A VELUX Solutions Certified Installation Contractor is required to complete an extensive training program. They are also required to be in the construction industry for a minimum of 5 years, insured and licensed to install skylights. All installations are guaranteed for two years!”

Almar likes skylights because “rooms filled with natural light and fresh air are invariably more beautiful, spacious and uplifting to your spirits. Daylight is the essential element that transforms conventional rooms into splendid spaces that add value and quality to your home and your life.

And then there's the breeze. VELUX skylights, Sun Tunnel™ skylights and roof windows let you bring the best of the outdoors inside with you.”

For more information about Velux products or your skylights please email us at Almar@AlmarBuilding.com or call 781-826-2577

Any Vinyl Siding Color You Want

You Dream it, and Almar will get it!

We know that your home is one of your most important investments, and it is our privilege to work with you to make your house your DREAM HOME.

Forget what you thought you knew about vinyl siding. Imagine maintenance-free shutters in virtually any color, any shade or any tone. Now imagine window frames, door mantels and design accents that match perfectly and last a lifetime

Alcoa DreamColor™ brings a fresh new perspective to low-maintenance home exteriors with:

* Over 700 hues of high-quality siding and accessories.
* Perfectly coordinated palette of DreamColor™
* More creative color choices than you've ever dreamed possible.
* If you can't find the perfect color on our palette, we'll make it for you.
* Custom color matching.

Whether Almar is adding on a room or reinventing the look of your home's exterior, DreamColor™ can help you realize your vision and make all that you imagine your home to be a reality.

See our portfolio at: www.AlmarBuilding.com or call/email us to learn more 781-826-2577, Almar@AlmarBuilding.com

Azek Trimboards - "Trim will never be the same"

Recently the entire Almar team participated in a training workshop with Kristen Baer of Azek.

AZEK trim products will not split, cup, rot, warp or twist. In fact, since AZEK can be used in direct contact with the ground or masonry it is the perfect choice for moisture-prone applications like garage door jambs and hot tub surrounds. And AZEK trim products have a 25-year warranty.

“AZEK® is the leading brand of cellular P.V.C. lumber offering a combination of Uniformity, Durability, Workability, and Beauty. Available in standard trim boards, bead-board, corner-board, sheet sizes, and NEW precision crafted millwork, AZEK is ideal for everything from trim to fascia to detailed moldings. With the look, feel and sound of clear, premium lumber, AZEK is available in Traditional smooth finish or a reversible rustic, Frontier texture.

During this workshop the team learned about new Azek products, installation techniques, asked questions and participated in a hands on bending exercises to create custom trim pieces.

For more information about Azek please email us at Almar@AlmarBuilding.com or call 781-826-2577

Blogging into the Future.

We here at Almar feel that giving the customer as much information as possible is the best way to make a project go smoothly and give everyone the results they are looking for. Hence, Almar has decided to start an online Blog that will allow current, past, and future customers to come and learn about new products and services that are available through Almar, as well as to let everyone know what is new at Almar. We hope to use this BLOG to educate our customers on how to choose the right products for thier home and the right contractor. We think you'll agree that Almar is the right choice for your project!

For more information please email Allison: Almar@AlmarBuilding.com or call us at 781-826-2577