About Westmoreland County, PA

Home remodeling is not just a summer time business, home improvements continue year round. So whether you thinking about preparing for the winter season or thinking about a remodeling project to spruce up your home for the holidays, now is the time to start contacting a contractor.

The top winter preparation projects for the home are roofing, siding, gutters, and windows. These projects can save your heating bill as well as protecting your home from the cold and freezing damages that can occur. Missing shingles and leaks in the roof or gutters can become a huge problem as the weather changes, so roof repair is vitally important. It is a good idea to have these checked out and repaired right away. Gutters that are not properly cleaned out prior to the start of winter can cause major damage to the roof, basement, and landscaping. Older windows let heat escape along with your heating dollars.

Contractors are readily available during this time of year and have more flexibility to work within your time frame and budget. Along with those projects the other top home remodeling requests this time of the year includes kitchen remodeling, bathroom renovations, basement finishing, and interior painting. This popular investment in the home is mostly due to the down turn in the home market and it adds value to the home. Today’s contractors use modern technology to shorten the overall construction time and can move quickly to finish projects for individual homeowner needs. These projects are increasingly becoming very popular just prior to the Christmas holiday or are started immediately after.

A kitchen remodeling contractor or bathroom contractor is happy to help you get your project going in the winter. Basement remodeling is also a great undertaking for the so-called off-season, when you might have less competition at the hardware store, and more time on your hands to plan that new basement or even a home theatre of your dreams. A basement contractor general contractor can advise you on cold weather building procedures, and how to avoid potential winter related delays in your project.

If you don’t want to start a project during the winter months, it is a good idea to talk to you remodeling contractor now to start planning your project and get some ideas. There's no better time of the year to collect your thoughts, develop a concept, and put the plans in order for a kitchen remodeling or bathroom renovation project than winter. Then, when the warm weather does come back around, you'll be thoroughly prepared to tackle your project.

Article submitted by Debra Nolan, owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, a business dedicated to helping homeowners find dependable contractors for home improvements. For more information visit www.westmorelandcrs.com.

The first step to a successful basement makeover is proper planning. Remodeling a basement is the easiest and most affordable way to add value and additional living space to you home. Before starting a basement-remodeling project, decide what will be the planned usage for the completed room. This will help decide on the floor-planning phase. If you have, laundry facilities already in your basemen decide if they are located in the right location for your finished plan. All laundry, heating, and water systems should be closed off into a separate space, which allows for additional storage and the overall appearance of the completed room. Ask basic questions about what activities will you use your space for, will it be for recreation, office space, living space for an in-law? How much time will be spent in the new space? Is a bathroom necessary? What type of furniture do you plan to have in the new room? Do you want a pool table, bar, exercise equipment? All of these questions will help you design the layout of your new room.

The next phase of planning the basement makeover must include checking for moisture problems. Moisture problems could be caused by many reasons such as improperly installed or clogged downspouts or the outside drainage problems. If serious moisture problems exists, it is recommended that a repair of the outside foundation walls. A draining system that takes the water away from the foundation can correct these problems and a good water proofing company can resolve these problems to divert the water.

Other possible solutions to correct wet basements includes installing gutters, installing window wells for basement windows, adding sump pumps, and application of waterproofing compounds to the walls.

Proper planning of a basement remodeling project includes starting with measuring everything first. Decide where you want your doors, outlets, light switches, and start to plan the layout of the finished room. This will help you decide on what additional items that you will need to consider. As an example, if you plan of having a bar, do you need additional plumbing? Think about closets and storage areas. It is easier to plan around main walls first and then plan closets and smaller rooms if you want to divide the basement into rooms.

Only experienced professionals should do plumbing and electrical work. If your planning a bathroom or wet bar the first priority should be on the installation of new plumbing and wiring. When planning for the electrical outlets don’t forget about cable and telephone lines. The other priority should focus on heating and cooling the basement and perhaps a dehumidification system. A good heating contractor can determine what is needed to extend existing systems to the basement. This is usually an easy job and most home systems can handle the increased load requirements.

Lighting in a basement is another area that a remodeling project needs to consider. Most basements do not provide ample natural lighting. One option is a Glass block window, which offers both an aesthetic appeal with light transmission and provides security.

Basements are ideal for adding a quiet and distinctly separate space from the main living area. Proper planning will enable you to create additional space and add value to your home that can fit any budget and style.

Article submitted by Debra Nolan, owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, a business dedicated to helping homeowners find dependable contractors for home improvements. For more information visit www.westmorelandcrs.com.

Going green in your home is simple, whether you’re doing a home renovation project or looking for ways to reduce your energy costs.

It is possible to go green in every room in your home went designing your home improvement project. There are a number of ways that going green will not only help the environment, but can reduce your energy cost and consumption thereby making your home more energy efficient. As the owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, homeowners ask us how they can be more environmentally conscious with their home remodeling projects.

Going green is a conscious decision to look for and incorporate green materials instead of the traditional building supplies. Going green can include simple lifestyle changes to the way we view the conveniences of energy usage.

Simple steps to reducing energy usage includes turning down the thermostat. By setting your thermostat by one to two degrees, you could save five percent or more on your energy costs. This slight change in temperature will not feel uncomfortable and you can simply dress a little warmer. It is recommended to set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower while sleeping.

Window replacements are the most common area for green home improvements. An older window will allow heat to escape. New green window products offer a stylish way to take your home green and reduce energy cost.

Green home improvements include attic insulation to reduce energy costs. A properly insulated attic is well vented will keep your home cool during warmer months and keep the heat in during the cold months. Doors to the attic are often overlooked, but a simple weather strip will help to reduce energy costs as well.

Simply and inexpensive ways to reduce energy cost include replacing existing light bulbs with florescent and LED lights. The traditional halogen light tend to product a lot of heat. Look for light bulbs that uses a lower voltage. These can be incorporated into existing fixtures and can minimize energy usage.

Water conservation is an area that environmentally homeowners can greatly impact the water consumption and save energy costs. A few areas that homeowners look at when trying to reduce consumption and energy are as simple as using a dishwasher for full loads only. New products for kitchen renovations include energy efficient appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerators, and even stoves.

Bathroom renovations offer plenty of options to go green. Water conserving toilets offer low flow and dual flush toilets that can save gallons per day. Some manufactures also offer toilets and tubs that are made of 50% post recycled materials.

It is important to understand how each home uses our natural resources and with simple conscious decisions we all can reduce our energy consumption and do our part to conserve our valuable resources. Going green gives the added benefit of saving money too.

Article submitted by Debra Nolan, owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, a business dedicated to helping homeowners find dependable contractors for home improvements. For more information visit www.westmorelandcrs.com.

Adequately sealing off your windows and doors from possible air leaks will reduce your heating costs. Winterizing your home can be as simple as applying weather stripping to doors, which can save you about 10% in heating costs, or installing and upgrading doors and windows. Evaluate your home to assess the current problem areas. Weather stripping is a quick and easy process that can be done by the average do-it-yourselfer. If, however, you decide that window replacements are needed, consult with a professional. As the owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, customers have shared their stories with me regarding their attempt at replacing windows on their own. Window replacements must be installed correctly to maximize the insulation.

Gaps around doors and baseboards are the typical areas where homeowners can apply a simple weather stripping or caulking to stop drafts. In addition, may homeowners forget to close the working fireplace when not in use. Warm air will rise and escape from your home through the chimney.

Properly insulating your walls and ceilings can provide a large savings in heating with little investment. Insulation is measured by an R-value. R-values measure the materials with respect to how easily heat can pass through. The easier for heat to pass through, the lower the R-value. R stands for resistance. Newly constructed homes typically have a wall R-value of 20 to 30. Older homes were typically built with a much lower R-value. Insulating older homes is simple and can have a major impact on heating and cooling costs.

A few ways to insulate include, blown in insulation, mild renovation, and true renovation. Blown in instulation is done by drilling two inch hole into the walls and using a blowing machine to force pulverized insulation into the wall space. Although it is impossible to guarantee that the wall space is filled completely, this process is effective. A three to four inch wall space with increased R-value of R-2 to R-13 can save up to six times the amount of heat that can escape.

Mild renovation insulation is a process of adding one inch of foam board or R-5 to existing inside walls and them covering them with new drywall. This option is not as effective as blown in insulation, but can provide up to four times the heat that can escape.

True renovation insulation is a process of removing old plaster wall sheathing and then properly sealing and insulating the wall space. This is the best option and would fill the entire wall space and seal all cracks. The R-value could be increased from R-2 to R-20 and provide up to ten times the amount of heat that escapes.

In addition to insulating your walls the attic space should be completely insulated and sealed. The goal is to stop your heat from rising and escaping through the attic. The same options are available to attic insulation as walls, with some small deviations. The primary issue with insulating attic spaces is with ensuring that you maintain air circulation so that condensation build up does not occur.

Regardless of the type of insulating project you decide to do, the end result is a reduction in the overall heating and cooling cost. Although many homeowners have a general idea of the benefits of insulating the home, most don’t realize that a little insulation can provide a cost savings benefit.

Article submitted by Debra Nolan, owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, a business dedicated to helping homeowners find dependable contractors for home improvements. For more information visit www.westmorelandcrs.com.

Take the time to research and qualify the right contractor to ease your stress and ensure and successful home improvement project.

It is important to understand the steps necessary to find and hire the right contractor for any home improvement project. As the owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral service, I always provide these tips to homeowners. The first step begins once you have decided on your project. Now that you know what you what to do, it is time to begin the process of finding that home improvement contractor that can bring your home remodeling ideas to life and beautify your home. The process takes time and involves a great deal of research, so be patient and give your self plenty of time during the selection process.

The top ten tips that I always provide to homeowners starting a home improvement project include the following steps when selecting the best contractor.

1. Start asking friends, neighbors, and local businesses for referrals. This is just that starting point to compile a list of potential contractors. The local lumberyards, painting stores, and electrical supply stores, will know the contractors, usually personally, and will be able to assist you based on the information you provide about your project. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers will know of the contractors work first hand, or will know the quality of work the contractor did for someone they know. If you have a local contractor referral service in your area, I would recommend talking to them. Remember, they are providing a local service to assist the homeowner to find a reliable contractor and they are staking their reputation on your satisfaction.

2. Now that you have a list of potential contractors, start researching each one. Look for the contractor that is well established in the community and has experience in the improvement type project you are planning. Some contractors offer specialized services, such as concrete stamping, custom woodworking, and interior design services.

3. Research the contractor by contacting your local Better Business, state department of consumer affairs, and local chamber of commerce. Find out if the contractor has any complaints recorded against them.

4. Contact your state licensing department and find out what the license requirements are for your area. Another great source is your local municipality. Call them and ask about license, permits, and insurance requirements as well.

5. Now you have the information that you will need to be an informed consumer. The next step is to call the contractor. The initial contact will provide you with a first impression. Was the contractor pleasant and courteous? Did the contractor return your call promptly? Did the contractor set up an appointment with you within a reasonable time (usually within 24 hours)?

6. During the initial phone call ask pertinent questions, such as do you have insurance, license, how long have you been in business, what is your specialty, how many employees? If time is a priority for you, ask how soon a project could be started.

7. Meet the contractor and provide a clear detailed description of the project. Include as much information as possible, including materials, budget, time frame, and any other important information about your expectations. It is always a good idea to be as honest and open with the contractor as possible. The contractor should never guess about your project and you should make every attempt to ensure the contractor understands what you want. As you are discussing the project with the contractor, pay attention to body language and voice tone. Remember, based on the size of the project you will be working with this person, in your home, and you must feel comfortable.

8. Obtain a detailed estimate. Make sure it includes a complete description with materials. An estimate should include a projected start time and the project duration. An estimate should include a note that states if the price could change and if so what percentage. If you request any changes during the project, make sure you get a complete updated document that shows exactly what changes has been made and the impact on the final price.

9. Ask for a copy of a certificate of insurance or the name and phone number of the insurance company. Contact the insurance company and verify the policy is current. Get at least three references from the contractor and make sure you call them and ask them about the quality of work, satisfaction, was it completed on time, and would they hire them again.

10. Compare all the estimates you have received and make sure that each one contains the same information. If you added something to the project between meetings with contractors, the estimates are not similar. A caution is always necessary when homeowners decide based on lowest price only. Make sure that the estimates contain the same quality materials; some times the lowest bid is not using the same quality materials. Once you select the contractor for your dream home improvement project remember you have three days to cancel the contract.

Article submitted by Debra Nolan, owner of Westmoreland Contractor Referral Service, a business dedicated to helping homeowners find dependable contractors for home improvements. For more information visit www.westmorelandcrs.com.