What Projects First? | Prioritizing Your Repairs & Renovations

If you’ve invested in a “fixer-upper” then good for you – you’re able to see the potential in a home with a lot of character hidden under peeling laminate floors, outdated fixtures and a roof that’s certainly seen better days.

The question is, where on earth do you start?? Well, HAConstruction believes there are four areas you should focus on. Below is a brief overview, and we will expand upon each in future posts to help you really plan and get a handle on the projects you have looming.

Personal Safety

When you buy and older home, the first thing you notice are the cosmetic issues, such as the pink carpet or mustard yellow shower (or both in the same bathroom???). However, it’s those hidden problem areas that could truly put your family in danger. Bad electrical wiring could easily cause a fire. If you have a gas furnace or stove that’s not in proper condition, that can result in carbon monoxide leaks. While you can install CO detectors, your safety still may be compromised, so possible leaks need to be addressed before they become problematic.

Additionally, if the structural integrity of the home isn’t sound, you’re risking injury. It’s important to verify that your home, new or old, is built to code – the last thing you need is unstable walls, doorframes or floors. There are many causes for these problems, including termite and water damage, as well as a strain on the structure from settling ground. This goes for outside structures too. If there is a deck, it’s important to verify that the boards haven’t suffered water damage and that it’s properly fastened to the home.

Home Protection

It’s also important that the integrity of your home is protected from future damage. Siding in bad shape is susceptible to water damage and bugs. A leaky roof and gutters that are falling apart will cause even more water damage than you want to think about (or pay to repair). You might also run into water damage if poor landscaping causes improper water drainage during rain – you home may even flood under the conditions of a thunderstorm if your yard isn’t graded properly.

Home Efficiency

Without the right precautions, repairs will take a hit to your budget. But so will an inefficient home. Without the proper insulation, pipes in your home can freeze during winter, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Improper insulation in your walls, attic and around your windows means outrageous utility bills. An HVAC system that is ill-equipped for the size of your home means it will be working overtime to heat or cool (more high utility bills) and burn out faster, needing repairs or even replacement.

Aesthetics

Grandma’s 1970s dusty rose carpet isn’t only an incredible eyesore, but packed full of nearly 50 years of trekking the outdoors in, water damage, and goodness knows what else you’ll find underneath. While other cosmetic issues in your home—such as wallpaper covered walls, drop ceilings and mustard yellow tile—aren’t necessarily something you have to worry about in regard to the safety of your family or integrity of your home, they are still important to your lifestyle and comfort of living. Not to mention the fact that, if you plan to sell the place eventually, you’ll need to address these things.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll address each of these areas in more depth, giving you the guidance you need to discern where you should begin, what you can do yourself, and what you might need assistance with. Of course, Andy and his team are always hear to help. 

Saving Money by Making Your Own Household Cleaners

Coupons, daily deals, bartering… these are all popular ways to save a buck. Many have also taken to making their own household cleaning products in order to keep costs down. Rather than spending hours on Google searches or Pinterest trending topics, we’ve put a variety of effective methods for home-made cleaners and remedies all in one place. Many of these have actually been tried by our staff, so we know they’re legit.

Laundry Day

Let’s compare store-bought laundry detergent to a home-made batch. We’ll go the cheaper route and compare to one gallon of Purex, which costs approximately $8. Utilizing this recipe for liquid laundry soap (which is usable in front loading washers), the cost breaks down to approximately $0.38 per gallon. The recipe makes five gallons and lasts for about a year for a family of four. So that’s $40 a year for the store product versus $1.90 a year for the homemade product. A no brainer in our book!

And let’s not forget fabric softener. Now, the easiest fix here is simply to put vinegar in the dispenser. This method limits static, but doesn’t really soften the clothes. If you’re looking for that soft touch too, without the expense, then utilize this fabric softener recipe. After experimentation with several scents, we recommend Suave’s everlasting sunshine conditioner. While the scent of the vinegar and conditioner does not transfer to the clothes once dry, it can be strong out of the bottle and these two scents complement each other quite well.

As far as price comparison goes, a 75 ounce bottle of Snuggle fabric softener runs approximately $6 and it costs about $1.25 for 88 ounces with the home-made version, which equates to 99 cents for 75 ounces (as opposed to $6).

Tidying Up the Place

As a starting point, our research showed that this dishwasher detergent recipe didn’t save any money when compared to the off-brand at the store and was actually more difficult to use, and proved less effective. Additionally, homemade dish soap didn’t work very well or save much money.

However, home-made disinfecting wipes are certainly the way to go! With the guidance from this home-made wipes method, we used an old disinfecting wipes container and it works great! Store-bought wipes breakdown in cost as follows:

• Redi-Wipes (off brand at Wal-Mart): $3 for 75 ct = $0.04 per wipe
• Lysol: $4.50 for 80 ct = $0.056 per wipe
• Clorox: $4.63 for 75 ct = $0.062 per wipe

We’ve found that the distilled water the recipe suggests is not necessary. By using the tea tree oil, our wipes have never molded and it usually takes a month or more to go through a container of them. Bownty paper towels are about $6 for a package of eight, so that’s approximately $0.38 per use when cut in half. While tea tree oil can be expensive to purchase outright, it comes out to about $0.20 per pack of wipes. And we used the Fabuloso Lavender Scent, a generic Pine-Sol for about $3 for 56 ounces; with half a cup used it comes to $0.21 per set of wipes. With 52 sheets per roll of paper towels, that comes to $0.015 per wipe; or $1.14 for 75 as opposed to $3 for 75 count in the generic brand. And they work and smell great!

Additionally, Eartheasy provides recommendations for several homemade cleaning solutions and combinations that will give you quality cleaning results, save money and are all eco-friendly. You might also find use for these homemade options tried and tested by a member of our staff, and guaranteed to continue to save you money:

• Liquid Hand Soap
• Bees Wax Chapstick
• Lotion
• Swiffer WetJet Pads and Mop Solution

Carpet in the Bathroom | N-to-the-O!!

First glance, there is something seemingly odd about this house for sale in the UK with an online listing that recently went viral on the Internet. For most, the virility was tightly connected to the color choice for the entire home (that’s a whole other blog post in itself), but something that stuck out to us was the garishly long carpet in the bathroom!

Now, some are avid supporters of carpet in the bathroom, and we admit that there are some advantages to it. First, it’s cheaper than putting in heated floors – carpet feels awfully nice under your feet when you step out of the shower on a cold winter day. You’ve got us there. Not to mention the fact that tile can be slippery when wet, but carpet isn’t.

Therein lies one of the major problems, however: wet carpet. Carpet and moisture are not very good friends. In fact, their relationship is pretty damaging. Rhoda’s blog post about her carpeted bathroom on Southern Hospitality shows why; check out that second image and the bottom of the carpet. Do you see all the water rings?

And that is a particularly “best case” scenario. Most often, one can find mold growing in a carpeted bathroom because the moisture never fully dissipates.  This is not only bad for the people that live in your home, but moisture collection can cause the carpet pad and even the sub-flooring to decay.

Let’s not forget about the germs – it’s just a matter of fact. Lots of germs escape from the toilet due to flushing or, in actuality, bad aim. But, consider for a moment what would happen if your toilet overflowed. How much easier that mess would be to clean up if you had anything other than carpet on the bathroom floor. Not to mention the fact that you could be certain the floor was clean and sanitary with tile or laminate, but no matter how your tried, you couldn’t guarantee that the carpet was clean unless you ripped it out and replaced it.

According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the 2007 edition of the International Building Code states that carpet cannot be in commercial bathrooms. Now, while bathrooms in businesses clearly see more traffic than the bathroom in your home, that code is a clear indicator of how damaging a carpeted bathroom can be. While there may be some advantages, it is the opinion of HA Construction that the disadvantages far outweigh them.

There are many more affordable options for your bathroom floor – contact us and we’ll help you find the right one for you.

Designing Your Kitchen Pantry

As we conclude our look at designing the ultimate kitchen, down to every detail, we certainly can’t leave out that element you’ll find yourself using several times a day: the pantry.

Pantry Styles

There are lot of factors that go into the design of this ultimate dinner-prep storage space, not the least of which is where it should be located. Now, if you’re doing a remodel, then the options here are somewhat limited. You may be able to redo a closet space that already exists, or turn pre-existing cabinets into a more functional pantry space. You could also put in an additional wardrobe sized cabinet built to suit your pantry needs.

Basically, it comes down to three designs: reach-in, pull-out or walk-in. Reach-in pantries are the most common, often used in a small closet or built in cabinets spaces. The pull-out option isn’t always convenient, but works great when space is limited. And, of course, walk-in pantries are every cook’s storage dream.

If you’re building a kitchen from scratch, or doing a full scale, gut-all-the-way-down-to-the-studs remodel, you have a lot more options on space and style. Consider the following types of pantries to fit your storage needs:

• Slide out cabinets with floor to ceiling storage racks and shelves, when your overall square footage is limited
• Turning the rarely-used dining space into an enclosed, room-sized pantry
• A walk-in pantry that allows for enough space to turn around and view everything
• Built in cabinets that aren’t deep but provide plenty of shelving for ample storage
• Utilizing a lazy-susan style cabinet for added storage in smaller spaces

Check out these images of awesome pantry ideas for more brainstorming options on your own space.

The Essential Storage Rules

Regardless of the type of pantry you want and the amount of storage you have, you should keep these “golden rules of storage” in mind as you plan:

• The Food Prep Zone – Your pantry, whatever the size or shape, should be located as close to the food prep and/or cooking zones as possible, in order to make your cooking time function efficiently
• Determine What You’re Storing – Before designing your pantry, figure out exactly what you’ll be storing there and plan the height and depth of shelves and drawers based upon what you’ll have in the pantry (whether it’s canned goods, extra appliances or cookbooks)
• Avoid Layers – Design the pantry so that items can be stored in a single layer, with nothing behind or beneath. The goal is being able to see everything at a glance, so you can find what you need and inventory is done quickly
• Store Front to Back – Put the things you use the most in the front of the pantry, and the things you use less often toward the back, or at the furthest point from the opening, that way you’re not having to constantly dig for what you need.

Don’t Forget

There are a couple of things you may not think of when it comes to your pantry design, but will later wish you had. Consider locating the pantry near a landing zone – countertop space next to (or inside a walk-in pantry) where you can put bags of groceries as you unload them into the pantry or where you can put several items as you take them out of the pantry for food prep.

Also, discuss with HA Construction the best lighting options for the style of pantry you’ll be utilizing, whether it’s a reach-in or a walk-in. Walk-ins, of course, typically have their own light switch for overhead lighting, but you might also want to consider under cabinet lighting for the shelves. That may also come in handy for a reach-in or pull-out option, depending on the design.

Double Wall Oven Hype

Kelly Ripa has a double wall oven. You see it in several of her Eletrolux commericals, such as the one for the fridge, and she’s done several demos of the style for the brand. Okay, so we don’t know for sure that she has one, but we’re certainly led to believe that she does. And that she needs them to keep up with all of the people she has over.

They question is, do you need a double wall oven? In the midst of that build or kitchen remodel, this is certainly something to consider. Sure, they’re great in theory – wonderful for when you’re cooking a Thanksgiving dinner for the masses – but are they worth the investment in the long haul?

They May Come in Handy

When you look over forums online which question the worth of a double wall oven, most folks rave about them. There seems to be a no-turning-back mentality from those that use them. As mentioned, they are perfect for cooking for large groups.

Having double wall ovens also provides the option to cook fish and cookies at the same time, without transference of flavor. And for those ladies (or gentlemen) that enjoy baking and do so regularly, it’s like winning the lottery. Additionally, the upper wall oven (and the bottom, depending on installation) eliminates the need for bending over to utilize it.

Things to Consider

Because of the unique installation requirements for wall ovens, you really can go from a regular range/oven combo to a wall unit unless you’re building or doing a full-scale kitchen remodel. Or, of course, replacing a pre-existing wall oven.

Wall ovens are available in widths from 24 to 36 inches, most of which are smaller than traditional range ovens. Many double wall oven combos have a smaller unit on top, and if you fail to determine the exact measurements you need, you may end up with a wall oven that a typical full-sized cookie sheet won’t fit in (a common complaint among forums).

Also consider that many double wall ovens have a convection oven on the top and a standard oven on bottom. Standard, conventional ovens surround the food with hot air, while convection ovens circulate the hot air with the use of a fan, which is said to cook more evenly. What you go for just depends on what you’re used to cooking with.

As far as cost goes, wall ovens are usually only a couple of hundred dollars more than range ovens – but double wall ovens mean you’ll be paying for two, so consider that in your budget. You likely won’t have to worry about gas vs. electric, as most wall ovens are only available in electric. Those that are gas are the smaller models at 24 inches and may cost more.

What it all Broils Down To

When considering whether to install a double wall oven or keep it singular, it really just comes down to your budget, available space and how much you’ll use both ovens. If you’re an avid baker and often cook for a large family, then it may be worth it to have the double wall ovens installed. HA Construction can help you determine what will work best for your budget and available space. 

Kitchen Décor | Back Splash Tile

We’ve had a few posts now on kitchen design elements that can work together to create a versatile and stylish cooking and entertaining space. Another one of those elements – one that really allows you to make a statement – is the back splash.

But not just any old rimmed countertop back splash. We’re talking fully decking out the walls between the top of your counters and the bottom of your cabinets with beautiful, eye-catching tiles.

And the design possibilities are seemingly endless.

Wowing Through Tile

According to Andy here at HA Construction, a tile back splash is the crown of the kitchen – the cherry on top, if you will. Not only does a tile backsplash make for an easily cleanable service, but it provides opportunity for aesthetic appeal. While your countertops and cabinets are generally a neutral tone, the tile back splash can be that pop of color and creative whimsy that really pulls everything together.

From a builder standpoint, the tile is mounted directly to the sheetrock between the back of your countertops and the bottom of your upper wall cabinets. Square tiles can be anywhere from one inch to the common four inch option.  You can choose tiles all the same color, some with hand-painted designs,  or a mix and match colors and designs to create something unique.

Types of Backsplash Tile

Don’t limit yourself to simple square options, especially if you want to let out your creative side. Other backsplash tiles include:

• Subway Tiles – usually something like 3x6 inches
• Glass Tiles – provide a reflective surface for another dimension t the design
• Mosaic Tiles –often come in one foot squares of several tiles put together on a mesh backing to save time
• Laser Cut Tiles – cut in beautiful shapes to create elaborate designs when pieced together on the wall
• Diagonal Design – turn ordinary square tile on the diagonal to take it up a notch
• Wallpaper Style – some companies can customize overscale patterns to repeat, producing a wallpaper effect through tile
• Herringbone Tile – also available on a mesh 12x12 backing, herringbone provides a chevron design (very popular right now)
• Custom Shapes – don’t be afraid to think outside the box and look for oval tiles or other shapes

HA Construction previously used a lot of tumbled stone in backsplash designs, but recently glass tiles have become popular. Again, don’t be afraid to get creative – the space over the stove usually lends for plenty of room for a fun pattern even if you plan to keep the rest of the backsplash neutral.

Maybe that’s why it’s called a “backsplash” – so you can add a splash of excitement to your kitchen décor. (Okay, we know that’s not the case, but we’ll go ahead and take the liberty to believe it to be true anyway.)

Kitchen Décor | Under Cabinet Lighting

There may be several ways you’re looking to add attractive design elements to your new kitchen so that it’s more than just the corner of the world where you prepare meals. One element you might consider is under the cabinet lighting.

Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting

This stylish detail brings allows showcase accents in your kitchen that emphasize your personal design style, such as:

• Bringing out the beauty in your granite countertops and tile back splash
• Adding dimension to the more typical lighting options
• Spotlighting decorative items displayed along the back of the counter (flowers, accessories, etc)

Under cabinet lighting is a great way to make a small kitchen seem larger too. Or, if your kitchen has limited window light, under cabinet lights can brighten up the place during meal prep and make the kitchen more inviting for countertop discussions and laughs.

And, something you might not even think about, under cabinet lighting provides a great nightlight so your teenage son can accommodate a midnight snack without turning on blinding lights. Of note, be sure to install the switch for your under cabinet lights in the same place as all of your other kitchen switches. If they’re switched individually or under the cabinet, you’ll forget they even exist. Putting the switch on the wall with the other lights is a convenient reminder of your awesome bonus feature.

Types of Under Cabinet Lights

There are several options when it comes to the types of lights you can install under your cabinets. Most require wiring, which HA Construction typically runs in with the display lighting for glass cabinet doors, hidden out of sight, of course. Some under cabinet lighting options include:

• LED Tape Lights – Look to spend around $50 a linear foot, but you’re getting that green-friendly, long-lasting benefit of LED.
• LED Puck Lights – This is a battery powered option, and an inexpensive one at that. At approximately $10 each, pucks are a great way to create a spotlight effect.
• Flexible Strip Lights – You’ll get a few color options with this product: warm white, cool white, green, blue or red. Most are customizable and they run about $15 a strip.
• Enhanced Incandescents – Available at around 60W, these typically come in two foot strips and run up to $50 each. Of note, they do get somewhat hot, so keep that in mind when planning what goes underneath them.

One of the kitchens in HA Construction’s portfolio had no less than 17 under the cabinet lights in its redesign and, as Andy himself said, “It looks like a million bucks.” So, if you’re looking for something to kick your kitchen design up a notch, under cabinet kitchen lighting may be just the thing. Contact HA Construction to start planning your layout!