Adding color to any project can be intimidating. Here’s an article from Houzz.com that shows some unique ways to bring color to a kitchen remodel.
Adding Color To Your Kitchen Remodel
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Do We Need A Green Building Code?
Do you want to save money on your energy bills? Do you want to have better air quality in your home? Of Course!
Do you want your building and remodeling work to cost even more than it does now? Do you want the government to decide you have to build green? Well….
Lately it’s become impossible to pick up a construction industry magazine without being bombarded with “green this” and “sustainable that”. It’s become kind of taboo to question how important it is to everyone. Having only been asked about this by a handful of our remodeling clients I wonder if it’s just another case of the media telling us what to care about or if it does really matter to homeowners here in the Glen Allen, Virginia area. And more importantly should it be the law?
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against building more energy efficient homes with better air quality but with construction already struggling and homeowners putting off projects because of the cost do we really need to force more costs into the system?
One thing that bothers me is just how safe the green products are. With the current push to jump on the band wagon just about everything gets labeled green these days. Most of them haven’t been around long enough to know if they are truly safe. Which one is the next asbestos or lead? Will contractors need to be government certified to remove these products from homes in ten years?
Is bamboo grown in China and shipped across the ocean and trucked across the country really greener than oak grown in a sustainable tree farm closer to it’s final destination?
On the other hand I do have to agree with better building practices that make for a tighter seal and better insulated house. Being from the north I have a great appreciation for insulation and draft stopping to keep out the cold but those same principals do work here in the south to keep the heat out too. Making for more efficient cooling in the summer. But this is more about hiring a contractor that cares about the details and quality that you can’t see after the siding is on.
Is green building really as important as the media would lead you to believe? Maybe it is. Since we already have an energy code, do we need a green building codes to force us all to build green too? I’m not so sure.
Let me know what you think. Add your comments below.
Herb Coulter, The Remodeling Company LLC
Is Your House Your Home Or Just An Investment?
1985 Called, They Want Their Kitchen Back.
When did our houses become just investments? Don’t we still live in them? Raise families, entertain friends and call them our homes?
I ask this because every article I read about whether or not to remodel in “the new economy” says not to do it because you’ll never get your money back. It’s a terrible investment.
The one thing these “experts” seem to miss is the personal investment we make in our homes. First you have to consider rather or not you plan to stay in your home or if you plan to move soon.
If you are planning to move it may be more advisable to simply spruce up your kitchen and bathroom with a new paint job or some new counter tops just to make it more appealing for the sale.
On the other hand if you are planning to stay, even for just five years, the emotional return on the investment of a major kitchen or bathroom remodel will be far more than the financial. If you get depressed just looking at your kitchen and try to avoid having guests in the room than a remodel will definitely pay you back.
In the end it’s up to what you want to do with your own home. Don’t let the “experts” or me for that matter tell you what to do. It’s your home. Do what makes you happy.
Herb Coulter, The Remodeling Company LLC
Happy Holidays From The Remodeling Company LLC 2011
First I’d like to thank all of our customers, fans and friends for making this a great year! With all of your help we’re slowing getting our name spread around (in a good way) the Richmond area and the referrals are coming from all over but we still need your help. In the new year please continue to spread the word to your family and friends. Referrals are a big part of our business. I can tell people all day how great we are but it means a lot more coming from someone they already know and trust.
We can also use your help with this blog. I’ve been posting here almost every week for close to five months now and I am running low on ideas. My goal is to make 
this a place for you all to find information about the remodeling process as well as new trends and products for your home. It is meant to be interactive so if you have a home remodeling topic you would like to know more about or even just a question please post in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer. Also if you see an article you like don’t be afraid to hit the “like” button and let me know that I’m on the right track.
This will be the last post for the year but we’ll be back in 2012. So from all of us at The Remodeling Company LLC have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Be safe and we’ll see you next year!
Herb Coulter, The Remodeling Company LLC