Types of Space Heaters

Convection Heater

Did you ever have that spot in your house that just seems colder than anywhere else during the winter months? Sure, it’s all cozy just like the rest of the house most days, but as soon as it hits below freezing, that room suddenly requires layers… gloves, a jacket, a blanket. And I would guess that it either happens to be where you sleep or where you spend most of your time during the day (because that’s just how it works out, isn’t it).

Rather than crank up the HVAC to take the chill out of your home when temperatures fall below freezing this winter, space heaters provide a more energy efficient alternative. Because they allow you to focus the heat on certain areas of the home, rather than have the heating unit try and get all of the house to a consistent temperature. That means keeping your energy bill a bit lower during the winter, and we all know that any little bit helps, especially the way Missouri winters have been going.

Thing is, there are a variety of space hearers out there, and a variety of concerns for using them. Namely, the biggest concern most people have is risk of fire, so that will be the number one thing we address as we examine the different types of space heaters available.

Propane/Kerosene Space Heaters

We’re only mentioning this type of space heater in an effort to prevent its use – at least indoors. These space heaters have an open flame and require fuel, and that means major risk factors for fire and for carbon monoxide poisoning. These are great, however, for unheated covered patios and the like, with a lot of air flow. And only used under supervision (and away from children or pets).

Convection Space Heaters

 Designed to warm the air in a room, rather than the people, if you’re looking for an instant warm up, these aren’t for you. It’s like using an oven to heat food over a microwave – it takes longer, but the results are better. Baseboard convection heaters are common, but the most effective are the water or oil filled heater options, which start at about $50 but last a very long time.

Find one with a built in timer and you’re all set – you can set it come on an hour before you typically use the room so that it’s ready when you are. This is also your most energy efficient option, because, once the oil or water is heated, it doesn’t require as much power to keep it hot.

Radiant Space Heaters

Radiant heaters are typically the kind you see under each desk at work during the winter months. They are designed to heat a person rather than the room itself. There is increased risk of burn with this method, as well as fire if a radiant heater is placed too close to something flammable. So, be careful. This option isn’t as energy efficient because it has to continually “kick on” to maintain the temperature you’ve set it at, using wattage each time.

Of course, if you feel that more needs to be done than simply adding a space heater (such as heated floors in the bathroom), give Andy and his HA Construction team a call to get an estimate for the job! 

Christmas Decorating Safety Tips

Yeah, that’s right… Christmas decorations are harmful. That is, if they aren’t used properly.

Just the other day I tried to change a broken lightbulb in a string of Christmas lights… while they were plugged in. Yes, I’m admitting that momentary lack in judgment. My finger got a little zinger and no real harm done.

But, what if it had been worse? There are many ways that carelessness and oversight when dealing with Christmas decorations can have really terrible results. Electrocution, burns, a trip to the hospital, starting a fire – these are all possibilities if you’re not careful.

Using a Real Tree

They’re certainly beautiful, but real Christmas trees require extra care to prevent a fire. First, make sure the tree is fresh. If you can’t get to a tree farm to cut one down yourself so you know how fresh it is (the closest one is Cole’s Tree Farm in Lebanon – another is King Tree Farm in Ozark, but the trees are pre-cut), then there are few ways you can check:

• Needles resist being pulled off
• Needles do not snap when bent
• Bottom of the trunk has resin
• Only a few needles fall when you shake a limb

It may sound like a bit of common sense, but don’t place your real tree near the fireplace, heating ducts, space heaters or radiators. This is a fire waiting to happen. Also, be sure to water the tree daily to keep it from getting dry. Know that, if the water falls below the trunk, then a resin seal will form over the opening and the tree will no longer take on water. In which case you will need to make a fresh cut in the bottom of the trunk (the outside rings are where the most water is absorbed). If you can cut the bottom, mist the branches with water twice a day.

If the water reserve stops going down each day, then the tree isn’t taking any water on and is drying out. It would be best, at this point, to remove the tree. With proper watering and care, your tree will last three to four weeks. Find answers to more real Christmas tree questions on the Pfaff Christmas Tree website.

Christmas Lights

Before you string sets of lights together, check the instructions on the packaging – it should tell you how many of the same sets can be put in one string (usually three to five). Be sure to follow this rule because otherwise you may overload the circuit and start a fire.

Speaking of circuits, because of the mass quantity of outdoor lights most people like to put up, you need to make sure they are plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) plug. If there is overcurrent, a GFCI will shut that circuit down, which can prevent fire. If you need one (or several) installed outside, HA Construction can help you. And it’s not a bad idea to use a GFCI for your tree either.

And, you know, check for frayed wires and broken lights before plugging the lights in… so that you don’t accidentally shock yourself. A little extra caution (and common sense) will go a long way toward protecting your family while you enjoy a festival holiday home.

Easy Ways to Make Your Home Warmer

Used with permission © Eternal Image Photography

Here we are, still in November, and the winter winds have already blown in, creating a “polar vortex” that chills to the bone. Even the coziest of homes can seem a bit like a refrigerator in below freezing  temperatures. And turning up the heat means an even larger utility bill—and that’s already hard enough to afford.

A little bit of grunt work can help even the least handy person trap a little more heat in his home over the colder months. Try any (or all) of these tricks.

Thermal Curtains

Windows and doors are the main way that you lose heat in your home. Anything from bad seals to poor insulation or old windows can mean the heat has a clear escape route. While HA Construction can certainly fix leak problems, thermal curtains will help regardless of how snug the seal on your windows is. They’re thick and keep cold air from coming in and warm air from going out. Of course, if you have single-pane windows from the ‘70s, the assistance thermal curtains provides will be hardly noticeable against the draft those windows let in. You’d better start saving up to replace them! In the meantime, a window sealing kit might help too.

Of note, if you have high quality, energy efficient windows, open the curtains on sunny days and let the sunlight assist in warming your home. But as soon as dusk hits, closes those thermals to keep as much of that daytime heat in as possible.

Also, cover the floors. There’s a reason carpet came to be—bare floors suffer heat loss (as you likely know from how cold the floor is in your bathroom after that perfectly pleasant hot shower). It’s not a bad idea to use rugs in the winter months to keep that heat loss down.

Build a Fire

If you have a working fireplace, use it. Though we have a few recommendations to protect your home and family:

• Have the fireplace cleaned each fall before you put it to use (do it now, if you haven’t already!) – the soot buildup from months of use last year can cause a fire when you light it up again.
• Use dry, clean wood – if you keep your wood on hand, make sure that it’s stored in a dry place and covered because wet wood causes lots of smoke. And make sure you know where you got the wood from. Any number of exposures can cause the wood to burn differently and increase risk of home fire.
• Clean out the ash each morning before you build a new fire to prevent build up and decrease risk of out-of-control flames.
• Make sure there is an adequate amount of tile or other hard surface space in front of your exposed fireplace. Tile and rock don’t burn, but carpet and hardwoods that catch a spark sure will!

And, if you’re fireplace is simply for looks, make sure you install a chimney balloon to close off the open chimney hole and prevent further heat loss.

Block the Draft

Take an old pair of stockings and stuff them full of socks or old, torn up towels, and lay them in front of exterior doors. Regardless of how good you think the seal is, there may still be a draft at the bottom. Also, spend a few bucks on outlet insulators. Have you ever put your hand in front of an outlet on an exterior wall during those cold winter months? Poorly insulated ones will allow cold air in. All you have to do is remove the cover, slide the pre-cut insulator on and reattach the cover. 

And if the seals on windows and doors aren’t great, but you can’t wretch up the funds to do much about it right now, buy adhesive window insulation tape (foam strips that come in rolls, found at any big box store) and run that along the interior seal of doors and the frames around windows.

Protect Your Pipes

Speaking of insulation tape, you may also want to wrap your water pipes in the crawl space, if they’re not already, to help keep them from freezing in the really cold nights. The general rule is to start where the pipe meets the ground and work your way back to where it enters the home. Obviously, the thicker the insulation, the better.

Heat tape is another option, but use this with caution. Leaving something plugged in under your house, without regular supervision, always carries some risk. But if you pipes freeze frequently, even with insulation, this may be the best alternative.

And, if worse comes to worse and none of these measures seem to help make your home cozy (or at least bearable) during the winter, give Andy at HA Construction a call. He’ll come do an assessment and let you know if something else is sucking the heat out of your home. 

Choosing a Plumber You Can Trust

You caught your toddler playing in the bathroom… and now the toilet is overflowing. Where did the hand towel go? And the spare rolls of toilet paper? And your son’s shirt?

Time to call a plumber! But that’s almost as daunting and trying to fish your son’s shirt out of the toilet. Plumbers are expensive and we all have that fear that they’re going to tell you far more is wrong than really is. Or charge you an arm-and-a-leg per hour…. And who knew it took two hours to unclog a toilet?!

Hopefully our tips will give you a little more piece of mind so you can make that call before water starts seeping through the floor.

Licensing

First and foremost, anyone you consider for a plumbing gig needs to provide you with verification of their license. This isn’t a typical request, as most people don’t think to ask. You can first try looking up the plumber’s name in the Missouri Professional Registration Search. But there are basically three levels of skill: apprentice, journeyman and master plumber. Apprentice is what you want to avoid because, as one might assume, these are folks in training.

A journeyman’s license means that apprenticeship is complete. According to the Missouri Revised Statute for plumbers, applicants for a journeyman’s license must be at least 21 years old and have at least five years experience as an apprentice under a master plumber. A master plumber must be at least 25 years old and have at least three years experience in the field with a journeyman’s license.

What You Need to Ask For

There are a few items that you should request – in addition to licensing proof – to make sure your plumber is legit and will charge a reasonable rate:

• References – Ask for them and then actually contact them to see what they have to say. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out reviews online, but remember that most people only get online to complain, not appreciate, so it’s an unbalanced ratio.
• Estimate – Be sure to get your estimates in writing.
• Insurance – Ask for insurance verification and clarify what it covers.
• Payment Schedule – If you’re hiring a plumber for a bigger job, such as a renovation, ask for the payment scheduled in writing so you know how much will be due from you and when.
• Office Address – There are many great reasons for a company to have a post office box, but this is also a way for fake contractors to take advantage of people. Ask where their office is located and verify that it’s actually there.

Other Important Items

As you look at plumbing companies, you may also want to consider the services they offer as part of your assessment. For example, plumbers that offer 24/7 services or guarantee a fast response time sound great, and are sometimes necessary, but a often very expensive. HA Construction recommends that you not use these companies outside of an emergency situation.

Often, the way that a plumber dresses and conducts himself – and even the condition of his work truck – say a lot about his reliability and the overall experience you’re going to have. A plumber that puts time and energy in appearance means that his company is important to him.  

Also, cheaper doesn’t always mean better. Everyone is on a budget these days, but it’s probably better to go with the master plumber that charges $75 an hour than the journeyman who just got his license and charges $50 an hour – because you may end up spending far more in the end if they don’t get something right.

Who We Recommend

While we absolutely encourage you to support any locally owned plumber service, HA Construction has working experience with and highly recommends the following companies:

• Accro Plumbing
• Farr Better Plumbing
• Lorenz Plumbing

Springfield City Utilities Solar Initiative

Did you know that solar energy is available in the Springfield City Utilities service area without spending up to $25,000 on solar panels and other equipment?

The City Utilities Solar Initiative took effect October 1st and the hope is to move many Springfield residences to a conservative approach to energy consumption. While pre-enrollment started back in August, some spots still remain available. But now is the time to sign up, as spots are limited for the time being until the program really takes off.

How it Works

CU has installed a solar farm East of the McCartney Generating Station. The farm is owned by Strata Solar and CU is under a 25 year purchase power agreement with the owner, with the option to buy. This adds solar power to CU’s current power generation portfolio, along with natural gas, landfill gas and coal. The output from the solar farm generates enough power for over 900 homes.

CU customers who sign up (which could be anyone from a home owner to someone living in an apartment complex and even businesses, as long as you are in the CU service area) pay an extra fee to have solar power. Basically, it’s a way for the environmentally conscious to participate in eco-friendly way to produce energy.

So, the mechanics of it might be a bit confusing at first, but here’s the gist of it: customers subscribe to kilowatt (kW) blocks of energy. You can get a minimum of one block, up to 200 blocks. One kW block produces an average of 162 kWh per month, and, at CU’s current rates, would average out as $7.67 per month for that block, which would be in addition to your regular monthly bill. Of note, the amount of energy produced depends upon the season and weather conditions – for example, a rainy day obviously produces less solar energy, as do the shorter days in the winter compared to the long days of summer.

To best determine what this would cost you, have your CU bill handy and utilize the Solar Calculator on the CU website.

Why Do It

Tree Hugger arguments aside, you might be wondering why you would want to pay extra to use solar power through CU. Well, consider that solar power provides energy reliability. The sun rises; the sun sets. These are facts no one can dispute. There is also security in the fact that no one country can monopolize solar power over another – we won’t have to fight over it – yey for energy independence!

Additionally, the rates should stay relatively the same over a long term because there isn’t ever going to be a shortage of sunshine. In fact, when you sign up for the solar program with CU, you lock your rate in for 20 years. And, the management of solar energy creates twice as many jobs as coal energy management (and more than twice as much as natural gas).

And let’s talk about those rates. Yes, it costs more than your current utility bill to add solar energy. However, should you decide to install your own solar energy, it would be far more expensive. Do you think my number of $25 grand is high? Not according to Sunrun, a solar power company dedicated to helping families install solar panels on their home. Let’s look at the numbers, shall we? Sunrun says:

Depending on the location and design of your system, the typical home installation ranges from 3 to 7 kilowatts and costs between $18,000 to $40,000 to purchase. Solar panels: About a third of the cost of a residential photovoltaic system comes from the cost of solar panels, which can cost around $4,500-$12,000.

What it comes down to is, if you’re interested in helping the planet and local economy, and don’t have upwards of  $40,000 to install a system as efficient as the one CU built, then CU’s access is the way to go.

Broken Water Mains and Sleep Deprivation

Cue the rattling noise of a jack hammer crunching the asphalt of a busy street… at ten o’clock in the evening. Children nestled in their beds with visions of pounded rock dancing in their heads.

When Sally asked City Utilities why they chose to work on the street directly in front of her house so late in the evening, she was informed, with sincere apologies, that the water main under the street had burst. Failure to fix it immediately would result in the entire street out of water by morning.

Disturbed sleep aside, what would cause the water main to bust? And how would all of the water for the neighborhood run out so quickly? And if it hadn’t been fixed, what else could happen?

How it Works

A water main is the chief source for providing water from a water treatment plant to city neighborhoods. According to the EPA website:

Water distribution systems consist of an interconnected series of pipes, storage facilities, and components that convey drinking water and meeting fire protection needs for cities, homes, schools, hospitals, businesses, industries and other facilities.  Public water systems depend on distribution systems to provide an uninterrupted supply of pressurized safe drinking water to all consumers. It is the distribution system mains that carry water from the treatment plant (or from the source in the absence of treatment) to the consumer.  Spanning almost one million miles in the United States, distribution systems represent the vast majority of physical infrastructure for water supplies.

A broken main means a major disruption in the water system. There are several possible causes, but since most water mains are several feet underground, breaks are typically the result of worn out pipes. Cold weather conditions cause pipes to expand and contract as the water within gets colder and warmer with temperature changes, which weakens pipes over time. Additionally, changes in soil conditions, pipe corrosion, and movement underground can cause pipes to lose stability.

Immediate Attention Required

In order to limit disruption in the water supply to residence, or to prevent flooding and possible property damage, City Utilities must address a broken water main immediately. When the break occurs, water starts to find its way to the surface and flooding may even occur. This is typically how the break is discovered – when a resident reports water flow in a place this is unusual, especially when there is no rain or other precipitation in the area. Typically, the repair process occurs as follows:

• Crews respond to a report of water seepage and look for the source of the problem
• If necessary, water valves are closed to stop water flow to the damaged area and contain the leak
• Electrical equipment is used to obtain the exact location of the leak
• Crews dig to the section of the water main that is damaged and repair the leak as needed
• Valves are turned on and water is restored so the repair can be tested
• The hole is backfilled and sod or pavement replaced over the water main

So, even if the jack hammer resounds through your neighborhood all night long, it’s better than having flood damage or no usable water, wouldn’t you say? Maybe sleeping with some headphones on can keep the pounding at bay.

The Fluctuating Housing Market and You

Reports came out last week that home construction in the U.S. is down by 14 percent. Several factors are to blame, but the most prevalent is that the recovery of the housing market is moving at a snail’s pace. In other words there are too many homes already available for sale and not enough buyers.

Weren’t they just saying a few months ago – maybe even in July – how the housing market was seeing an upswing? How is it that we’re here again? And what does all this fluctuating mean for you?

First, the Why

There are any number of factors that contribute to how well the housing market is doing, including:

• The Season – Generally speaking, home sell better in the spring and summer months because that is, ideally, when most people want to move. There are more buyers during these seasons, which means sellers will get better offers from interested parties.
• Construction – More new homes means more options for buyers to choose from.
• Lending Restrictions – There appears to be an increasing number of home buyers who think they qualify for a certain loan amount, only to find that they can’t. This leaves them buying smaller homes within their loan budget, meaning the larger, more expensive homes are left. 

For the Buyer

As a buyer in a fluctuating housing market, you have the advantage when supply outweighs demand because sellers get desperate and reduce the price in order to sell the home sooner. It also means that you have many more options to choose from and are more likely to find what you’re looking for in a home.

Then again, you may not be able to find what you’re looking for because in a slow moving housing market, the best homes tend to get swiped up quickly, leaving you to settle for a home that doesn’t quite hit the mark. But this is an opportunity that you can easily take advantage of if you’re able to visualize the potential a home has to offer.

If you can find a great deal – and typically you can these days because of the seller desperation – then you can make it your own quite readily with the help of a local contractor like Andy and his team. Outdated bathrooms in your dream home? No problem. HA Construction kind of specializes in bathroom renovation.

For the Seller

As a seller, you tend to benefit when the housing market is consistent, with supply and demand on a more even footing, and especially when there are more buyers than homes. Unfortunately, we haven’t really seen that much of a “seller friendly market” since historic 2008.

So, what can you do to make your home more appealing in a buyer’s market without plummeting your asking price? Make it more appealing to the buyer. This may take some additional investment on your part, but it may be worth it.

For example, let’s say you have carpet in your living room that, while not an eye sore, could stand to be replaced. You’ve resolved to leave that to the buyer, as is often the case. But in a buyer’s market, you’d see more success if you went ahead and replaced the carpet for them – because your providing incentive for the purchase of your “move-in ready home” over the house they saw that is also great, but needs more work.

Or, if your relocating for reasons like you’ve outgrown your current home or simply want something different, consider hiring a contractor to put on an addition or make changes so that the home you have is more you in the first place.

For the Contractor

You might be thinking that the contractor benefits regardless of the housing market’s condition, but this isn’t always the case. These days, a construction company has to show versatility in its services in order to keep work consistent. For example, a construction business that only does new construction could obviously be struggling with a 14 percent decrease in home construction around the country last month.

Whereas, a company like HA Construction, that provides a broad range of services from bathroom renovations to new construction… from commercial work to replacing windows… (and does a great job) will see success regardless of the housing market. Work may fluctuate as the housing market and seasons change, but consistency can be found in diversity. 

Reliable Contractor References

Let me tell you a story (the names have been changed to, well, you know… protect folks).

Steve needed a new roof on his home. So he did some research online and picked a few local contractors with a strong rating on the Better Business Bureau website and several years of experience. After meeting with a few, he chose A+ Roofing.

However, Steve’s new roof turned out to be a dud, with several leaks, wrong sized guttering and a number of other issues. Countless attempts to call A+ Roofing led to an irate owner yelling obscenities at Steve and his wife over the phone. It turns out that one of the contractors for A+ Roofing was pocketing the money from several jobs that he did poorly and then took off. And A+ Roofing didn’t feel the need to rectify the situation.

Don’t Put all Your Eggs in one Basket

Despite the cliché, as a consumer, you should never solely depend upon a BBB rating to determine if a construction company is reliable.  Granted, in Steve’s case, the owner of A+ Roofing was certainly handed a rotten situation (pun intended), but it’s how he handled it – allowing the stress of it all to make customer service non-existent – that reveals his business practices.

It’s almost a guarantee that this isn’t the first time the owner of A+ Roofing treated a customer horribly. So you need to first get references from a company.  In the interest of full disclosure, you shouldn’t trust all of the reviews you read on the Internet about a company either – at least not without a little more research. Because, unfortunately, we live in a society that is more than willing to plaster bad reviews all over the Internet when someone does them wrong (often before they’ve even tried to resolve the situation with the company), but those treated well rarely take the time to proclaim that in a public forum. It’s better to talk to several previous clients one-on-one to get an accurate assessment of a company’s strengths and weaknesses before you hire them.

Keeping in mind, however, that they are only going to give you contact information for happy clients (of course!). In which case, references still aren’t enough. What you really need to do is go beyond the commonly sought after sources and find out what else the company is involved in.

Memberships Mean Devotion

Another thing to consider is that, like any other service, in order to be listed on the BBB website, a company must pay annual dues. This doesn’t mean a lot, other than the fact that a company that can’t afford that fee won’t be listed, but could still be a viable company. This also means that a company that can afford to maintain a listing with the BBB is successful. And, such a company should have listings with other reliable sources to balance that out.

For example, HA Construction has a listing with the Better Business Bureau, but also with the Home Builders Association (HBA) of Greater Springfield, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce and the Springfield Contractors Association. All of these require membership, and HA Construction is happy to oblige in order to show current and potential clients how dedicated we are to providing quality work and customer service.

So it’s important to remember that you shouldn’t rely on just the Better Business Bureau to give you a complete picture of a company’s success rate, customer service and reliability. Consider the BBB as one in a number of reviews and association memberships you will verify before you hire a contractor, so that you’ll avoid being in a situation like Steve.

The Hassle of Connecting to the City Sewer System

Kelly, a Springfield, Missouri resident, received a letter from the City of Springfield a few months ago that she wasn’t prepared for. Her family was growing and attempting to move into a larger home to accommodate that, but the letter put a damper on plans. According to the letter, the city would be connecting Kelly’s northside home, and several others in the Woodland Heights neighborhood, to the city sewer lines. And Kelly’s family had few options.

Construction is to begin in October of this year, and the estimated cost per household is $16,000. While the city’s assistance program implemented in 1999 will put a cap on that cost at $8,300 (plus the expense of connecting their home to the sewer line through a plumbing service), this is still a large, unplanned expense for Kelly’s family (and likely many others).

While one would concede that connecting this homes to the city sewer line is probably a good idea, and that doing so is a strong recommendation (requirement?) through the EPA and Missouri Department of Natural Resources, it certainly isn’t without significant drawbacks. Inconvenient construction, torn up yards and a large bill make it virtually impossible for Kelly’s family to sell their home until the project is done and, even then, it will still be difficult.

The Cost

Let’s talk about the most obvious downside to a new sewer system: the wad of cash home owners have to pay out.  Upon completion of the project, the City of Springfield a tax bill to homeowners/business owner within that sewer district. The cost to each customer is calculated with the following formula: (District Cost / District Square Footage) * Property Owner Square Footage = Property Owner Cost. The City does offer repayment options, in addition to the cost cap, which are:

• Pay the tax bill in full within 30 days
• An installment plan that basically treats the tax bill like a 15 year loan, including interest. Property owners pay 1/15th of the bill once a year after the issuance of the tax bill. Payment in full can be provided at any time.
• Apply for a grant to cover the cost of the sewer line. However, if Kelly’s family qualifies for this option, they cannot sell the home within five years, or they have to pay back the grant.

The Need

As much of a nuisance as this is, if you live within the city limits of Springfield, or any other municipality for that matter, it really is to your benefit and the benefit of those around you to be connected to the city sewer system. Being a part of the city sewer system has the following benefits:

• According to the City of Springfield, it reduces the potential for health hazards and ground water contamination.
• The geology of the Ozarks is generally considered intolerable of septic systems, causing them to fail frequently.
• Scientific America points out that most people prefer to be hooked up to city sewer because, once you are, the burden of keeping the system running properly outside of your property falls on the municipalities.
• Less chance of backup (which can happen frequently with a septic system) because the water is sent to a treatment plant rather than resting in a tank on your property.
• City systems are better equipped to handle extended or heavy periods of precipitation that a septic system may not be able to bear.

Because of the risk of ground water contamination, Springfield and Greene Country require a minimum 30 acre tract size of land for septic systems and, obviously, most homes in the Woodland Heights neighborhood don’t meet that criteria. So, while Kelly and her neighbors are somewhat backed into a corner both legally (see our article on Easements) and, and the sale of their home will likely have to wait, being on a city sewer system is better in the bigger picture.

One might argue that the financial burden should solely fall on the city, with the exception of hooking a home or business up to the new system. But that is a post for another day.

What “Easement” Means for You, the Home Owner

Springfield and the surrounding metropolitan area (if you want to call it that – metro with down-home feel, you could say) seems to be ever growing. Sure, there are empty buildings on every corner too, but new ones are going up alongside them, the population grows, new businesses open, new homes built.

And more traffic. While we certainly don’t have to endure hour long commutes over a 20 mile stretch of highway like other Missouri cities, traipsing down National at 8:00 AM is no picnic.

Can you imagine living in one of those houses on National, just north of Sunshine? I always wonder what it’s like for career-minded individuals who live in that area and are trying to get to work in the morning. Or the moms and dads trying to get their kids to school on time.

Especially when the city decides that the road on one of these traffic heavy streets needs to be a little bit wider to lessen the jam-packed, bumper-to-bumper wait at the intersection.

In which case, the city will start digging up your front yard, and creating more chaos in order to squelch the chaos later (hopefully). This, my friend, is called “easement,” and it means your yard is partially owned by city municipalities to do with as they please.

The Legality of an Easement

First, any easement on your property will be laid out in writing within the title. If you’re uncertain whether there is an easement on your property, check there first, or call the county Assessor’s office. The most common form is a Utility Easement, which gives the city and is divisions (utility company, water company, etc) access to a certain portion of your land for repairs or renovations.

For example, the utility company may need to replace buried utility lines on your property and, with and easement, you must give them access (even if it destroys your landscaping). Likewise, the city may have an easement on the first several feet of yard along a road for homes on streets with heavier traffic, in case there is a need for expansion later.

Keep in mind, that there may be an unwritten easement on your property unassociated with any local municipality. For example, if your neighbor’s only access to his backyard garage is by utilizing your driveway, this is called and “Easement by Necessity” or a “Prescriptive Easement.” Basically, the law will recognize the neighbor’s right to access their land, even if yours is in the way. If their access to your land causes problems, however, you can fight in court to relinquish that access.

Conflict Over an Easement

It’s not necessarily impossible to dispute an easement, but it can be difficult. If the City of Springfield owns and easement on your property, then you can file an Application for Relinquishment of Easement. Ideally, you don’t want to wait until the city starts knocking on your door to inform you their going to be tearing up your yard next week to file this form. This is something you should do upon acquiring a property with an easement attached.

Keep in mind, however, that your reasons for relinquishment have to be more than an adverse reaction to your beautiful green grass in disarray. Of course, the city is pretty vague on what reasons they would approve.

In regard to fighting an easement of necessity, you would have to provide proof of some kind that it’s causing a problem to give your neighbor access to your property, such as property damage. This would likely be a small claims matter if you take it to court, but sometimes simply getting an attorney involved will solve the problem. Of course, you should attempt to work it out with your neighbor first, but we know that doesn’t always goes as one would hope. 

Finding a Green Construction Company

We all know how to switch our light bulbs to the more energy efficient kind. And we know to turn the faucet off while we brush our teeth, or to buy a low-flow toilet to conserve water. Energy efficient washing machine? Check. Dishwasher? Check. Recycle everything with a label? Check.

So, let’s say you’re wanting to do a renovation or build an addition on your home. As earth-conscious as you are, you want a construction company with the same green-friendly approach to its everyday work habits.

The Mindset of a Green Contractor

It’s one thing to be told a construction company is green, but how do you really know that is the case? AEC Business (offering resources for architects, engineers and contractors) recommends that green building practices needs to take the following into account:

• An intelligent approach to energy
• Safeguarding water resources
• Minimizing waste
• Maximizing reuse
• Promoting health and well-being
• Creating resilient and flexible structures
• Considering the building’s effects on the surrounding community
• Considering all stages of the building’s life cycle

You’ll know upon initial interview if a construction company stands behind these same motivations.

Certification

In addition to all of the ways a construction company shows itself to be green through its business practices, you can be certain that it’s a green construction company if it has a U.S. Green Building Council membership and/or goes through the USGBC’s LEED certification process for each and every renovation project and new build. USGBC members receive exclusive access to education, programs and resources that help them develop effective green business practices and promote that to the community.

True to Life Application

Obviously a green mindset needs to align with action. How does all of this look in real life during the construction process? When you interview contractors and speak to their references, consider that a green construction company should do the following:

• Focus on the use of quality air barriers, caulking, foam, insulation, sealants, etc to reduce air leakage from any renovated or newly built area.
• Highly suggesting the use of recycled building materials, such as glass, concrete, steel and wood.
• Open to the use of reclaimed building materials (however, this is dependent upon the look you want), which can save money as well as help the environment.
• Retaining outdated materials (rather than taking them to the dump when they’re replaced) to donate to organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
• Emphasizing the installation of energy efficient devices in your renovation design or build.
• Conserving energy during the building process, such as unplugging devices when not in use.
• Using electric- or battery-powered tools over gas-powered tools.

If emphasizing the conservation of the planet is important to you in all aspects of life, it won’t take long to determine whether a construction company truly stands behind the green-friendly practices it proclaims. A little digging and observation can go a long way toward finding a contractor that is a good fit for your earth-conscious ideals during a renovation process or new build. 

Communicating With Your Contractor Effectively

Okay, so you’ve hired someone to do a home repair or remodel. You have in your mind exactly what you want the end result to look like, so it’s time to sit down with your contractor and give him all the details.

But, when it comes time to make a plan of action, you find your contractor has ideas that are a little different than yours, or tells you certain things can’t be done. And suddenly you’re wondering if maybe you hired the wrong person for the job.

Don’t fret. Don’t let the fact that your contractor knows more about construction work intimidate you. You also don’t want to get overbearing and insist upon things your way, despite your lack of industry know-how.

Instead, find a common ground. Utilize these tips to make sure you get what you want, while still allowing the contractor to give you the best possible results.

1. Pick the Right Person for the Job

Once your determine you want a project done, choose the right contractor. Don’t just hoard estimates and pick the cheapest one. Take the time to interview the top candidates in person; tell each what you’re wanting to do and your budget and see how it goes. View some of their completed projects and talk to previous clients to see what the process was like.

You want someone whose personality meshes with yours so that you can communicate effectively throughout the process. You have to be able to get along – and even laugh – because even the best projects have a hiccup or two. You also want someone that clearly listens to your ideas.

2. Be on the Same Page With Your Spouse

Your contractor doesn’t want to play marriage counselor or mediator – at least not without charging your for it. If there is more than one person making the decisions about the remodeling project, then you need to come to a consensus about what you want and your budget long before hiring a contractor. There will be moments in the process where questions come up or decisions have to be made, in which case you and your spouse (roommate, sibling, what-have-you) should take some time to discuss it in private and give the contractor an answer once you agree.

3. Make a Plan

You need to sit down with your contractor and discuss exactly what you want and allow him to tell you what can be done (and how) and what can’t. This is the time that you will address how you can’t knock out that wall to open up the kitchen because it’s load bearing – but you can put in a support beam or a pass through to open up the space and still provide structural integrity for your home.

Remember, you may not have all of the information when you envision your renovated space. Be willing to hear your contractor out and work together to make a plan that you can both live with and stick to throughout the entire process. Be sure to communicate your “must have” items and the ones you’re willing to compromise on to get the job done efficiently.

4. Be a Good Sport

Effective communication with your contractor means that you treat him the way you would want to be treated in his shoes. Be patient. Be gracious and kind (but not a doormat). Understand that delays happen. Obviously, if no one is showing up for work when they are supposed to and things aren’t being done the way you agreed without more communication, then your contractor isn’t doing his part. But if he and his team are always there on time and working hard to get you what you want, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t cut them some slack.

And bringing them lemonade and snacks every once in awhile doesn’t hurt much either.

Pitfalls of DIY Projects

“You can do it. We can help.”

Well… maybe. Sure, it looks easy and quick to do a repair or renovation project yourself, and the idea of hiring a professional seems far too expensive. And, by golly, those big box stores make it sound completely feasible to manage any DIY project. After all, they have “experts” to help you.

Truth is, there are some DIY projects you can be successful at, and the list gets longer depending on the kind of experience you have. Painting a room, for example, is something most anyone can handle. Installing a new floor, however, is much more complicated. You’re bound to run into trouble along the way with a DIY project of that magnitude.

Where the Help Comes From

It’s important to note that the “we can help” motto isn’t as reliable as you might think. In truth, many of the employees at big box stores don’t have a lot of training or experience in construction and remodeling.

In fact, to make our point, the following is taken directly from a job listing on a certain popular box store website for a lumber customer service associate – these are the job requirements for interested applicants:

“Ability to operate, demonstrate and explain merchandise in assigned area. Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts such as adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing and knowledge of weights and measures. Understand and respond appropriately to basic customer and employee inquiries… Ability to operate store equipment in assigned area (including but not limited to LRT, telephone, paging system, copiers, fax machines, computers, CCTV surveillance system, key cutting, panel saw, paint mixing computer, blind cutting, forklifts, pallet jacks, electric lifts, etc). Ability to interpret price tag and UPC information.” 

The requirements are virtually the same for customer service associates job listing in all departments. We include this to show you that employees in these stores may not have any experience building an addition on to a home, installing floors or replacing doors. They may simply have a operations knowledge of the cutting tools in the lumber department or the difference between a 2x4 and a piece of plywood. But as far as guiding your through your DIY process, their knowledge is limited. Yes, they have folks that will do installations if you pay extra, but those are typically contractors that work with the store, rather than direct employees.

The Learning Curve

Okay, so let’s say you go ahead and decide to take on your first major DIY project. And let’s say that you’re going to put new tile down in the bathroom. Seems relatively simple enough – you’ve seen it done a thousand times over on HGTV.

It’s easy to mix thin set and spread it out on the floor. And you can even manage to lay the tile evenly, mix the grout and fill it. But, do you know how to lay out a floor to make it even with the walls? Do you know how to cut tile for those tights spots like the threshold and corners?  Do you know how to sponge it properly to reduce haze?

Do they know enough at the big box stores to guide you through that process from afar?

There is a learning curve with big projects like this – a curve that professional contractors have navigated for years, finding the most effective ways to do each task for quality results.

The Details

There are so many things that must be taken into consideration when doing a repair or renovation. Take hanging an interior door, for example. It’s far more than putting it on the hinges and making sure it swings the right direction. Did you know that it must be level in four different directions? Or what causes a door to rub in the winter and not in the summer? And that trimming the bottom of the door is is not the way to repair one that rubs or fails to latch?

In just about any home repair or remodel there are little traps for DIYers to fall into – details that go overlooked and cause bigger problems down the line.

Trust the Experts… Really

When it comes to DIY projects that go beyond interior design, you’re better off trusting professionals to do the job for you (or, if you’re really lucky, chatting it up with a friend who is a contractor). The time factor alone should be enough to deter you from completing a DIY home repair – it will always take you 2-3 times longer than it would a professional. That alone may be worth paying a little more money…  and dishing out a bit of humility to admit your knowledge is a bit limited on these sorts of things. 

Prioritizing Repairs | Aesthetics

As far as prioritizing the things you need to do to your home, repairs are essential. But you still need to be comfortable in your living space. After all, it’s where you spend most of your time each day.

One great way to address the aesthetics of your home is to do so right after buying, before you move in. You want to make everything as livable as possible, even when it comes to how it looks. Take down outdated wallpaper, paint and replace old carpet prior to bringing in furnishings. Because, the truth is, you’re less likely to change the things you want to once you’re settled (it’s just so darn inconvenient).

But what if you’re long since moved in already? Then you need to prioritize your cosmetic projects based upon a few factors:

Need

In a house with an average of 2 to 4 residents, carpet that is simply vacuumed regularly will “last” about 3 to 5 years. But that number is certainly negotiable. It can be less if you have animals and young children, as they put more wear and tear on a carpet. But it can also be extended if the carpet is properly cared for, such as addressing stains immediately when they occur and having the carpet professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months.

What it comes down to is just how bad the carpet looks. If it’s stained and frayed and nothing will change that, then it’s time to have it replaced. The same goes for painting. If you can’t use soap and water – or that handy Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge – to get the scuff marks off the walls, then it’s time for a coat of fresh paint.

Time

Putting down laminate woodgrain flooring is going to take much longer to accomplish than painting a room.  Additionally, scraping the popcorn ceiling or painting the kitchen cabinetry is going to take a day our two (and some sore arms). Keep these things in mind if you’re planning a bunch of DIY updates around the house.

That is, assuming you want to do it yourself. Installing carpet, vinyl or even laminate flooring is better left to the professional – there are just too many factors at play, too many difficulties and too many tools required. Besides, with a professional handling a flooring project, what might take you several days (a week?!?) to complete can be accomplished in one, especially if you remove the old carpet for them (which will also save on labor costs).

Budget

Painting takes less time than changing the floors, and is also much cheaper. If you’re looking for an inexpensive way to update your living space, then fresh paint is the answer. On average, a gallon of quality interior paint costs $15-$25. A gallon of primer typically covers 200 square feet, while a gallon of paint covers about 350 square feet. This paint calculator will help you to determine how much paint you need for the space you’re looking to tackle so you can budget accordingly. 

Other inexpensive updates may include:

• Changing out light fixtures or adding ceiling fans
• Painting trim and/or doors
• Changing door hardware
• Changing cabinet and drawer hardware in the kitchen
• A new faucet in the kitchen (just turn the water line to the sink off first!)

Alternatively, the budget for flooring can vary tremendously depending upon what type of flooring you have installed and how much square footage you need. It’s best to consult with a professional to get an idea of all available options and prices, but look to spend (at the low end) $1,000 for vinyl flooring installed in a rather small room to upwards of $10,000+ for hardwoods installed in a large space.

As always, HA Construction is here to help you in whatever capacity you need. Give us a call and we’ll help you prioritize your home repairs and renovations so that you can make it your ideal living space.

Prioritizing Repairs | Home Efficiency

You have a home that needs some repairs. Whether minor or large scale (home flippers have our utmost respect), sometimes it’s hard to prioritize what needs to be done first. For this portion of our What Projects First? series, we’re going to address the things in your home that affect efficiency… and your wallet.

Proper Insulation

Is your home (or a room in your home) exceedingly cold in the winter and hot in the summer? There could be an issue with insulation. Do your pipes freeze if it gets too cold outside – like the horrible winter we had this go around? This is also an insulation issue.

First step is to check the insulation in your attic for a cold room, because this is the easiest to address. If the insulation there is in adequate, you can have blown insulation added to the attic at a relatively inexpensive cost (in fact, you can rent the blower and save on labor because this is a pretty easy DIY project). Just be sure not to overdo it – if you put in too much insulation, it will close off air circulation through your soffit and roof vent, which will overheat your roof in the summer time (i.e. bad news).

Of note, it’s not necessary to insulate crawl space. It won’t really make a difference. Not enough to offset the cost of adding the insulation anyway.

If adding insulation to the attic doesn’t make much of a dent, you may need to check the windows and exterior doors (where applicable) in the room to make sure there aren’t any air leaks around the seals. This can be addressed with insulation added and sealed around the seams, or older doors and windows may need to be replaced with more energy efficient options. Also check outlets on outside walls – they may need an insulator (an inexpensive product) between the wall and the cover to keep air from escaping.

If all else fails, there may be insufficient insulation within your walls – and addressing this can be a challenge. It may require removing sheetrock to insert additional insulation between wall studs – either rolled or expanding foam insulation (which is the ideal, but more expensive, option). Of note, expanding foam insulation completely seals off air infiltration and increases the R-Value of your walls. It’s a cumbersome project, but worth it in the end if it saves on your electric bill and keeps you comfortable.

Another approach to adding insulation in the walls is to blow it in. This option is utilized in older (turn-of-the-century) homes that have no insulation at all in the walls. The procedure to cut a hole in the top and bottom of the wall between each stud. Insulation is pumped in from the top hole, and the bottom hole allows air to escape until the wall is full. Then you patch the holes and, of course, paint.

In regard to freezing pipes, you’ll need to address the insulation in and around the area between the ground and where the pipes enter the home. You can purchase pipe insulation at any hardware store and, while it’s a time consuming and tedious task, wrap the pipes in the crawl space (and anywhere you have access to them) starting at where they meet the ground. It’s probably not a bad idea to wrap the pipes inside cabinets as well – wherever you have access to exposed pipe line, insulation certainly doesn’t hurt one bit. Afterall, a busted pipe can cause you worlds of financial hurt.

HVAC System

If you have a 2200 square foot home and a mid-sized HVAC system… well… that doesn’t add up. The system simply won’t have the capacity to heat or cool a home of that size. This means:

• An uncomfortable living situation
• Higher utility bills because they system is always going
• Frequent and expensive repairs to your system because it’s wearing out

So, while it is a significant investment, upgrading your HVAC system and air conditioner to units that can handle the capacity of your home is a really smart idea. This HVAC load calculator can help you to estimate the size unit you will need, but it’s best to have a professional verify that calculation.

Keep in mind that the insulation issue plays a major factor in how hard your HAVC system works to make your home comfortable. They work together, so you’ll likely need to address both in order to make your home as energy efficient as possible.

Prioritizing Repairs | Home Protection

Damaged hardboard siding

Continuing our series on What Projects First?, today we’re going to look at protecting your home from future damage. This will not only help you retain the value of your home (or even increase it, depending on what repairs you make), but will also ensure your family’s safety in the long run.

Siding

Take the time to examine the siding on your home. Find out how old it is and how long that particular type of siding is supposed to last. For example, hardboard siding (a.k.a. masonite siding) can last several years, as long as it’s properly cared for, such as painted with a sealant regularly. But it’s quite susceptible to water damage. Alternatively, vinyl siding can last from 20-40 years, with many manufacturers now offering lifetime warranties. Our Evolution of Siding article will give you more insight into the wear life of the various siding options. 

The most important thing here is to purposefully take care of the siding you have – repair or replace any worn or broken pieces and be diligent with the rest. Cleaning the siding once a year will help you to examine each piece for damage. With painted or stained siding, annual touch ups will keep you from having to address all of it at once (that is, unless you want to change the color). HA Construction can certainly help you with any major overhaul to your siding.

Roof

The most common type of roof in our area, asphalt shingles, lasts approximately 20 years. However, it could be less in consideration of the extreme weather that sometimes hits us in Missouri (such as hail storms, strong winds or ice in the winter). As such, it’s also important to have it examined by a professional annually to check for roof damage and repair loose or missing shingles. Otherwise you’ll have to deal with leaks and the damage they can cause as well.

Landscaping

No, we’re not talking about curb appeal here. The grade of your yard is a valuable way for directing runoff and water drainage away from your home. A slope of the landscape that causes rain water to pool around your home can – you guessed it – be a source for water damage and flooding.

The next time we have a heavy rain, watch the way the water flows around your home. Does it pool in areas or drain? Does it steer clear of your home entirely, or flow next to it? Does the ground stay wet for a long period of time near your home, or dry out quickly? Do you have a sub-pump in your basement or crawl space and is it working properly to drain water (basically, that area should always be dry, even in a heavy rain)?

If water sticks around, then you likely need to address the landscaping around your home. This may require bringing in gravel or dirt to change the grade of the landscape and redirect water flow. You may need to replace or upgrade guttering to direct water off the roof more effectively so it doesn’t create a moat around your home. HA Construction can help you determine what options are best.

Speaking of Water Damage

The most common issue when dealing with siding or roof damage is a water leak. Leaving these elements under-protected and worn means water damage to the rest of your home, compromising structural integrity, and makes your home susceptible to bugs (and we’re not talking a few marching ants here).

The water damage really is of the biggest concern, because that can lead to the growth of mold, a fungus that can cause severe health problems in those exposed. This is not something you want to endure, both physically and financially. The costs for the removal of mold in your home can be devastating to your check book.

If you suspect that you have water damage – or problem areas that can lead to water damage – contact HA Construction for an assessment as soon as possible. The longer you wait to address it, the more expense you will likely incur. 

Prioritizing Repairs | Personal Safety Projects

As a follow-up to our What Projects First? post, we’re going to look at personal safety issues when considering what repair and renovation projects needs your attention in a fixer-upper.

That old adage “you can never be too careful” certainly applies when it comes to your safety in an older home. Start by bringing in a certified home inspector to look for problem areas. Home inspectors will find things you never thought to look for, but be sure that you mention these specific areas so you know they’re addressed.

Electrical

If your home is one of those eclectic structures built before 1930, then there are probably some remnants of outdated wiring still hanging around. Old electrical systems are not equipped to handle the output of today’s modern conveniences, and an overload can spark a fire. Additional electrical issues that are of concern include:

• Missing breaker panels
• Outlets located in the bathroom, kitchen or exterior that are not GFCI
• DYI electrical alterations done incorrectly
• Junction boxes left open in the attic
• Improperly sized wiring

If you have any of these issues within your home, don’t try and take on the repairs yourself. Only a licensed electrician can properly address such concerns and drastically reduce the risk of fire. By trying to fix these problem areas on your own, you may actually increase that risk.

Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Until units are updated, older homes have older furnaces, water heaters and stoves, many of which may be gas powered. According to CNN, common sources of carbon monoxide in the home include:

• Poorly vented kerosene and gas space heaters
• Leaking chimneys and furnaces
• Back-drafting from furnaces
• Gas water heaters
• Gas stoves, wood stoves and fireplaces
• Generators and other gasoline powered equipment

A leak in one of these units, even a small one, or ventilation problems can produce lethal amounts of carbon monoxide over time. Additionally, carbon monoxide poisoning can result from gas appliances failing to burn correctly or an incomplete burning, which is evident with a yellow flame, rather than a blue flame.

As such, another top priority when you purchase a fixer-upper is to replace a furnace, water heater or stove that’s more than 15 years old. And even if the units don’t quite hit that benchmark, you should have them checked for leaks. Also, just as you have smoke detectors, every home should have carbon monoxide detectors installed near stoves/furnaces and bedrooms.

Structural Integrity

When you hire a certified home inspector to look at the place, he’s going to tell you when something is not built to suit the local building code. The City of Springfield, Missouri adopted the International Building Code 2012 for residential and commercial structures. The City of Nixa, Missouri has its own building code regulations for single and two family residences. It’s important to note that, before you have anyone make changes to the structure of your home, you need a permit from whichever municipality you reside in.

Suffering structural integrity may also be the result of water or insect damage, which an inspector would likely discover also. Everything needs to be examined, including a deck – make sure its attached to the home properly and the boards are sound. The last thing you want is your child’s leg going through a board that looked okay, but turned out to be mush from years of water damage.

Next week we’ll address protecting your home from future damage. In the meantime, contact HA Construction for assistance if you need to get started on the personal safety issues you need to address in your home.