Many people in today's world see their pets as one of their children. For many people that do not have children, their pet is their child. And there is an ever increasing trend in the home remodeling business that substantiates the growing bonds that homeowners have with their pets as they work to have their home modified to accommodate their pet's needs.
Projects can vary in size and creativity, but below are listed some of the trends industry experts are seeing as written in Qualified Remodeler Magazine:
• Doggy showers with low-level, hand-held sprayers, are often located in mud rooms or garages. These spaces, often tiled and custom-painted to suit a pet's personality, make bathing or rinsing off muddy paws a breeze.
• Feeding stations can be built into a family's kitchen or mud room. Wall build outs accommodate feeding bowls and can include adequate space for the storage of food and other pet-related items, such as toys and medications. Some spaces even feature an installed water line that automatically refills the water bowl as needed.
• Litter boxes can be discretely located in custom cabinetry with whimsical, cat-shaped cutout entryways to help contain a kitty's potty area.
• Pet doors have become elaborate with options including French doors, screen door panels, and infrared and magnetic key options.
• Hideaways and sleeping areas can be built into laundry or foyer areas, creating peaceful and private spaces for pets to retreat.
• Windows are being designed to be located lower to flooring so pets have excellent outdoor views- complete with personalized 'pet seats' for four-legged friends to enjoy hours of "built-in" entertainment.
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
Great news for the remodeling industry
If you are a remodeling professional or have a job that is tied to the remodeling industry, there are some new positive trends that are hopefully pointing towards better days for you.
For the first time since 2006, home improvement spending is on the increase. In 2010, annual growth will be nearly five percent and many trends suggest that the increased spending will continue in 2011, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
You can view more about this subject in a recent article posted by Remodeling Magazine:
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/lira/remodeling-growth-its-back.aspx
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
For the first time since 2006, home improvement spending is on the increase. In 2010, annual growth will be nearly five percent and many trends suggest that the increased spending will continue in 2011, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), released today by the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
You can view more about this subject in a recent article posted by Remodeling Magazine:
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/lira/remodeling-growth-its-back.aspx
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Good news for Texas home owners!
Are you looking at remodeling your home but unsure whether it is a wise decision with recent changes in the housing market? Well if you live in Texas, odds are your housing market is pretty solid and you can justify making those remodeling plans.
The recent Builder Magazine published a study of the most 20 healthiest housing markets in the U.S.
Here is what they wrote:
Boyce Thompson’s article in Builder Magazine listed the 20 healthiest housing markets for 2010 that are poised to recover more quickly than other markets in the US. His premise is: “Housing economists have long held that the housing rebound, when it comes, will be uneven. The markets that benefit first will be the ones with the strongest core dynamics; places where house prices never got out of hand, cities where a diverse and progressive employment base drives job creation, towns that continue to draw population despite the economic recession.”
It is of very little surprise to me that the Austin MSA is number one on this list. The other top markets (including the surrounding municipalities are:
20 – Des Moines, Iowa
19 – Greenville, SC
18 – Houston, TX
17 – Wilmington, NC
16 – Portland, OR
15 – Myrtle Beach, SC
14 – Colorado Springs, CO
13 – Minneapolis, MN
12 – Richmond, VA
11 – Dallas – Fort Worth, TX
10 – Eugene, OR
9 – Durham, NC
8 – Washinton DC – I guess all the hot air in DC is blowing that market up
7 – Huntsville, AL
6 – Denver, CO
5 – Charleston, NC
4 – San Antonio, TX
3 – Charlotte, SC
2 – Raleigh, NC
#1 – AUSTIN, TEXAS!
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
The recent Builder Magazine published a study of the most 20 healthiest housing markets in the U.S.
Here is what they wrote:
Boyce Thompson’s article in Builder Magazine listed the 20 healthiest housing markets for 2010 that are poised to recover more quickly than other markets in the US. His premise is: “Housing economists have long held that the housing rebound, when it comes, will be uneven. The markets that benefit first will be the ones with the strongest core dynamics; places where house prices never got out of hand, cities where a diverse and progressive employment base drives job creation, towns that continue to draw population despite the economic recession.”
It is of very little surprise to me that the Austin MSA is number one on this list. The other top markets (including the surrounding municipalities are:
20 – Des Moines, Iowa
19 – Greenville, SC
18 – Houston, TX
17 – Wilmington, NC
16 – Portland, OR
15 – Myrtle Beach, SC
14 – Colorado Springs, CO
13 – Minneapolis, MN
12 – Richmond, VA
11 – Dallas – Fort Worth, TX
10 – Eugene, OR
9 – Durham, NC
8 – Washinton DC – I guess all the hot air in DC is blowing that market up
7 – Huntsville, AL
6 – Denver, CO
5 – Charleston, NC
4 – San Antonio, TX
3 – Charlotte, SC
2 – Raleigh, NC
#1 – AUSTIN, TEXAS!
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Adding glass doors to your old and tired cabinets!
Are you looking to give your cabinets a quick makeover? Adding glass can give you a clean, fresh new look without having to spend a lot of money on completely replacing your old cabinets. As long as you like the current layout of your cabinets and they function as you want them to, then this is a great solution in addition to painting/staining your cabinets to give your kitchen an instant facelift.
Most people feel more comfortable in hiring a remodeler to insure proper installation, however if you are adventurous, have access to the proper tools and feel confident enough in your hands-on skills, then here is a quick how-to guide:
Using a router, remove the door's raised panel. Chisel out the rounded corners left by the router so right angles remain.
Sand the frame, wipe with a cloth, clean with sodium triphosphate solution, apply a stain-blocking primer, then semi gloss latex paint.
Measure the opening and add an extra half inch all around. Order glass from a glass shop, choosing from clear, frosted, seeded, or ribbed glass for a unique look. Be sure to have the edges of the glass smoothed.
Place the piece of glass that has been cut to size on the back of the frame and secure it with clips. (A glass shop can do this for you or they will sell you the correct parts.)
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
Most people feel more comfortable in hiring a remodeler to insure proper installation, however if you are adventurous, have access to the proper tools and feel confident enough in your hands-on skills, then here is a quick how-to guide:
Using a router, remove the door's raised panel. Chisel out the rounded corners left by the router so right angles remain.
Sand the frame, wipe with a cloth, clean with sodium triphosphate solution, apply a stain-blocking primer, then semi gloss latex paint.
Measure the opening and add an extra half inch all around. Order glass from a glass shop, choosing from clear, frosted, seeded, or ribbed glass for a unique look. Be sure to have the edges of the glass smoothed.
Place the piece of glass that has been cut to size on the back of the frame and secure it with clips. (A glass shop can do this for you or they will sell you the correct parts.)
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Do you have Chinese Drywall in your house?
Chinese food, good. Chinese drywall, not so good. Last week, the Consumer Product Safety Commission made a press release stating that any homes tainted by Chinese drywall should be gutted.
They concluded that the drywall has been linked to corrosion of wiring, air conditioning units, computers, doorknobs and jewelry, along with possible health effects. Some of the possible health side effects preliminary testing have linked are throat, nose and lung irritation and high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas emitted from the wallboard, coupled with formaldehyde, which is commonly found in new houses.
Most of the homes tainted by the Chinese drywall are located in the Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana areas. The drywall was used in the homes during the recent housing boom and Gulf Coast Hurricanes such as Katrina.
Inez Tenebaum, chairwoman of the commission, said "We want families to tear it all out and rebuild the interior of their homes, and they need to start this to get their lives started all over again,"
Luckily, if you reside in Texas as I do, you should not have fell victim to it. However, if you have any doubts whether or not you might suspect that your home contains Chinese drywall, please contact your local trusted home expert as soon as possible.
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
They concluded that the drywall has been linked to corrosion of wiring, air conditioning units, computers, doorknobs and jewelry, along with possible health effects. Some of the possible health side effects preliminary testing have linked are throat, nose and lung irritation and high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas emitted from the wallboard, coupled with formaldehyde, which is commonly found in new houses.
Most of the homes tainted by the Chinese drywall are located in the Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana areas. The drywall was used in the homes during the recent housing boom and Gulf Coast Hurricanes such as Katrina.
Inez Tenebaum, chairwoman of the commission, said "We want families to tear it all out and rebuild the interior of their homes, and they need to start this to get their lives started all over again,"
Luckily, if you reside in Texas as I do, you should not have fell victim to it. However, if you have any doubts whether or not you might suspect that your home contains Chinese drywall, please contact your local trusted home expert as soon as possible.
Brian Heltzel
Putting On The Fix Remodeling
Burleson, TX
www.puttingonthefix.com
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