Home Improvement Projects Made Easy (Part 1)

Everyone in Lancaster County, PA has heard the expression, “You get what you pay for?” This saying is never more relevant than when discussing your home remodeling project. Going by price alone increases the risk of a project failure… and higher costs down the road. With the proper planning and a knowledgeable contractor, you can be assured of a job well done at a reasonable cost. Remember that home improvement can be a fun experience for you and your family too. You should always choose the contractor you feel most comfortable working with. Here are some tips to get the most out of your next home project:

1. Connect with your contractor. The right person for the job will be easy to talk to.
2. Do you see eye to eye? Be sure to hire a contractor that understands your goals and has experience in the type of work you are looking for.
3. Understand the price of the materials may reflect their quality. Ask your contractor for their recommendations. Is it worth it to cut corners if it’s a temporary fix?
4. The lowest bid may not be the best candidate. Request a written description of the materials necessary for the job. A low bid may indicate a contractor that uses sub-par materials or is desperate for work. The more accurate bid is likely somewhere in the middle.
5. Get involved by keeping the lines of communication open. Insist on regular contact by e-mail, phone or text. Allow the work crew to manage their day-to-day work, but set up a weekly face-to-face update from the foreman.
6. What’s in a name? Abbreviations behind your contractor’s name can represent certifications from national trade organizations and that company belonging to certain organizations that bound them to a strict code of ethics. Such abbreviations include: CGR & CAPS and BIA & NAHB.
7. Get it in writing. Your contract should detail time frames, the total cost, payment arrangements, your contractor’s license number, project description, names of parties involved, and how to handle additional costs if necessary.
8. Be cautious if you are not given a timeline for the job to be completed. This may indicate the contractor has several current jobs and may not complete your job timely.
9. Record key contact information for everyone working on your project.
10. Be upfront about your budget. If necessary, break the project down into mini-projects. Although this may increase the total cost due to repetitious start-up expenses and inflation, it may be a better option for you to spread the cost out over time.
11. Is your contractor insured? This is a must; otherwise you are liable if a member of the work crew becomes injured on the job.
12. Educate yourself on what permits are required and what regulations need to be followed. Your contractor or architect should be responsible for applying for and acquiring all necessary permits.
13. Ask for information about what’s going on behind the scenes. The cost of the job will increase if the contractor is surprised by outdated wiring or other concealed budget-busters.
14. Organize your job-related documents (such as the contract and contact information) in a readily accessible file.
15. Make space for the work crew to keep their supplies and equipment on site. The more organized and accessible these items are, the faster they will be able to do their work.

Your dream kitchen is within your reach, your new family room awaits! Stay tuned for more tips next month.

Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC

How to Start Your Home Improvement Project

Another question we’re often asked during our Do-It-Yourself Tutoring Sessions stem from our Lancaster, PA clients watching a home improvement show and wondering to themselves; “Can I do that to my home?” or “How do I begin a project like that?”

Starting any home improvement project can seem daunting but there are some simple steps you can take to get your project under way.

First, decide why you’d like to remodel. There are several good reasons to renovate. Your home may no longer reflect your tastes or your lifestyle. Your family dynamics may have changed. Maybe you’d like to make your home more environmentally friendly. You may even be planning a move in the future and you’d like to invest in your home to make it more marketable. Whatever the reason, identify it. If there’s more than one – even better! The point is that in order for you to be thrilled at the end of the project, you need to first understand why you want the change.

The next step is to make a list of everything you’d like to have done and divide the items on that list into 3 categories:

1. Must Have Items
2. Would Like to Have Items
3. Dream Items

Once your list is complete, think about your budget… but don’t over think it! Too many people get hung up on this and never even begin their projects. You must begin to formulate what you’ll be comfortable investing in your home, but remember; until you talk with an experienced remodeling contractor, you won’t be able to take into account all of the methods that are available to help you get more out of your budget. A home improvement professional is experienced and up to date with the latest tax credits, rebates, alternative building materials, and cost saving methods that can make many of your “Dream Items” possible!

What Next?

Once you’ve created your list of remodeling projects and considered your budget, it’s time to get a professional working with you to develop a plan to make your project a reality. When dealing with something as important as your home, you don’t want to settle for just anyone. Selecting an unqualified individual or low quality renovation crew can cost you dearly in the end. Don’t trust something this important to the unqualified, inexperienced, uninsured, or anyone promising you something that you know is too good to be true. You owe it to yourself and your home to begin with speaking to a trusted professional. For more tips on choosing your remodeling contractor, check out this related post on our blog.

If you’re in Lancaster County, PA, please consider MBC for your next Home Improvement project!

Thank you,

Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
Serving Lancaster County, PA since 1999!

Painting Tips from DoItYourself.com

We get a lot of questions about painting during our Do-It-Yourself Tutoring Sessions, so I figured I'd share some useful painting tips from DoItYourself.com. If you're a Do-It-Yourselfer in Lancaster County, PA, feel free to give us a call if you'd like to set up a Tutoring Session.

Enjoy!

Mike Blank, CGR CAPS
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
(717) 371-5136

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According to the Paint & Decorating Retailers Association, there are a few tips to keep in mind when considering a new paint job.

First, light colors make a home look larger. They also reflect light and heat, making them good choices for sun-drenched areas. And they intensify shadows, which enhances trim and relief details.

Dark colors, on the other hand, absorb light and heat. They make a house appear smaller but also can create drama, weight and mass. Used on the tip of a tall house, a dark color will visually diminish its height.

Softer or muted colors are usually preferred for the body of the house. Deep or bright colors are good choices for accents and trim. Deep red and greens traditionally have been popular colors for doors. However, violets and deep plums also are gaining at the portal.

When choosing a color, take the color chips provided by the decorating center outside to observe the color under varying light conditions. Look at the color vertically in open shade or on an overcast day.

Also important to consider is the landscape. Consider flower pots and window boxes, garden furniture, benches, gazebos - these perhaps could use some paint, too. A well-groomed look is easily created by painting landscape accessories in the same color as the house trim.

Tips for Successful Home Improvements

It’s getting HOT in Lancaster, PA, and many homeowners are eager to update and improve their homes through remodeling projects like decks, sunrooms and finished basements (for those 100+ degrees like today!).

Before you begin your home improvement project, here are a few smart ideas for planning a success that will bring you joy for many years to come.

1. Write down a list of the remodeling ideas you have for your home. Include everything you think needs to be done and everything you wish you could improve about your home. Drafting a budget is a key early step. Most homeowners already have projects in mind, such as modernizing the kitchen, adding a bathroom or replacing windows, but not always the budget to take care of everything right now. That’s why you should prioritize your list. Perhaps it’s not the right time to do everything, but most homeowner’s are delighted to discover how they can maximize their budget by doing the work in phases. If you’re in Lancaster County, PA, MBC (that’s us!) is available for suggesting budget-friendly materials and utilizing innovative solutions to help you stretch your home improvement budget. We also offer financing options.

2. Make sure you team up with a professional. Call my Dad Mike or me so we can help you uncover the best way to get your home improvement projects completed.

Even if you only have exploratory questions, the best way to get good information is to simply ask… that’s what we’re here for!

3. Explore your creative side and help make the project fun for you too! Many "amateur" designers come up with wonderful ideas, and since you are living in your home everyday, your input will help us come up with a final plan that meets your specific needs. A good start could be to make a sketch of your current floor plan and work out your concepts. It doesn't matter if you’re “van Gogh” or not, we’ll make sure that your creativity doesn’t go unnoticed! Plus, by brainstorming you might come up with ideas you had never even thought of.

4. Take advantage of the current energy-efficiency tax credits. Don’t miss out on time sensitive incentives for replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater or installing energy generating products.

These incentives are a great way to enhance your home and defray the costs… maximizing your remodeling budget AND reducing home energy bills; it’s a win, win for YOU!

Best,

Matt Blank
MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC has served Lancaster County, PA with Award-Winning Home Remodeling since 1999. Please visit our website for all things Lancaster, PA Remodeling.

Ready for a Home Makeover? Here’s How To Do It.

Today people are looking for ways to improve their homes for better living and more enjoyment. Investing a little time and money will go a long way to transform your home into the pride of the neighborhood.

Curb Appeal - Let’s begin outside. Mow the grass, pull the weeds, edge the lawns and give the bedding areas the attention and maintenance they deserve. Liven up the planting areas with perennials for substance, and then go for color with annuals. Select a color scheme such as reds and yellows then use it throughout the bedding areas for a well-planned professional appearance.

Your Home’s Exterior - Addressing your home’s landscaping is the first step to improving curb appeal. Next you have to pay attention to the physical structure of your home. You can easily make over your home in a few days time by replacing windows, painting, adding new siding, or replacing an old roof. On top of transforming your home, these improvements will increase the value of your home and can greatly improve your home’s energy efficiency. This translates into lower heating bills in the winter and lower cooling costs in the summer. Combine these savings with tax credits and rebates and these improvements will pay for themselves several times over while you experience the pleasure and pride of owning a beautiful home. If you are in Lancaster County, PA, feel free to contact us with any tax credit questions.

Clean Up Your Entry - Analyze your walkway and repair wobbly cobblestones or bricks. If the sidewalk is cracked get it repaired or replaced. Next place to turn is your porch. Erase clutter by removing excess plants, kids toys or old knickknacks. If you’re unsure, remove it. The best bet is to get back to a clean slate with simply a welcome mat and a chair or two. If you’ve got additional room, a nicely placed plant will make the area look inviting and create an ideal area for after-dinner coffee or a glass of wine.

Your Main Entry - One of the most important areas of your home is the main entry. It can set the mood for the homes occupants and visitors. Make your entry room feel comfortable by opening it up and making it feel as big as possible. The first step to this is with the right paint color. Select colors that give the illusion of space and light and even small entry rooms magically seem to double in size. Eliminate clutter, excess furniture, and all unnecessary items from your entry room. Most homes have too much furniture and too many objects occupying valuable space and making living space cramped.


Your Kitchen… Is For Living - Today the kitchen is the most popular room in the home. You can’t truly have a dream home without investing properly in your kitchen. Outdated appliances, cabinets, flooring, countertops, and layout all contribute to an overall feeling that the entire home is outdated. Take stock of your kitchen and identify which of these items need attention. Your kitchen can make or break your homes style so make sure to use a professional, in the end it will make all the difference in the world.

Your Bathroom is Your Sanctuary - The bathroom is also a room where the touch of a professional is important, and like your kitchen, outdated materials, color, and layout can make your bathroom extremely uncomfortable and can severely decrease the overall enjoyment of your home.


Sometimes quick fixes are all you need. Fresh paint, new tile, updated shower or bathtub, new fixtures, etc. When you find that you have more than one of these items it’s time to consider a complete remodel. Today bathroom remodeling is a lot more cost effective than ever before and you’ll be amazed at how an updated bathroom will improve your every day disposition as well as the value of your home.

Lancaster County, PA Residents: If you’d like to setup a free consultation to discuss transforming any part of your home, give me a call today. You’ll be delighted at how easy it is to get started.

Sincerely,

Mike Blank, CGR CAPS
President – MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC
(717) 371-5136
Serving Lancaster County, PA Since 1999!