Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Do Your Homework on Home Building Permits



Even if a home remodeling project seems small, you might need a permit. Anything that changes the roof line, removes a load-bearing wall, or modifies sewer lines may need a permit. Check local ordinances and interview contractors to ensure proper paperwork is in place before building begins. 


3 Top Home Construction Projects in Carlsbad

Professional general contractors provide a wide variety of services in the Carlsbad area. From underpinning to painting and more, the options for your home needs provide a complete package. There are three most popular home construction projects that take care of many of contracts for homeowners in this area.

1. Building From Start to Finish

As the economy continues to improve, more families are choosing to build from scratch. After finding that perfect view or neighborhood, dream homes are being constructed to encompass the best features the industry has to offer.

2. Remodeling

The next best thing to having everything brand new is to transform your existing space for improved beauty and functionality. Kitchen remodels with new countertops, cabinets, floors, and appliances are dramatic upgrades. Bathroom remodels can give you that Jacuzzi tub or custom glass-walled shower you’ve been dreaming of for years.

3. Decorative Concrete

Decorative Concrete can evolve an indoor or outdoor space into a beautiful and durable area of functionality and entertainment including patios, entryways and floors.

• Staining
• Stamping
• Stenciling
• Concrete Dyes

More information can be obtained about the diversity of looks that decorative concrete can add to your home or property from your contractor.

These top three projects are the main focus of professional contractors in the area. For more information, and to begin your home construction services in Carlsbad, visit this website.

Gov. Brown Signs CAA-Sponsored Vacation-Rental Bill

Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a CAA-sponsored bill aimed at ensuring that tenants check their rental agreements before subletting their apartments….read more

How to Choose a Home Painter

Whether painting a brand new home or renovating your existing one, following the proper process to hire a painter ensures you receive quality work for a fair price. Use the following tips to help you get started.

1. Ask Your Friends

Ask your friends who they recommend for the job. You can also look to social media and other review sites for tips on who to hire and who to avoid.

2. Interview Your Top Candidate

Once you’ve narrowed down the list, bring your top choice in and show him what you need painted. Be particular about the paint colors and finishes you want to use to receive the best estimate. During the interview process, be sure to ask how long he’s been painting, which products he uses and if he offers any guarantees. Other questions include:

• Is he licensed, bonded and insured?
• Does he belong to any industry-related associations?
• Does he hire subcontractors?
• Can he provide references?

Additionally, pay attention to mannerisms. A good painter will be professional and courteous, and always return communication in a timely manner.

3. Review the Contract

After you hire a painter, go over the contract. It should include details about what he is painting and whether he handles preparation and cleanup. It should also detail how long the project will take and when and how you will pay the contractor.

These basic steps will help you find the best painter for your job. Find a painting contractor in San Diego by visiting the website!

Creative Color and Design Enliven any Room



A fresh coat of unexpected color can turn a plain room into a relaxing bedroom retreat, while delicate painted designs add energy to an office or promote relaxation in a dining room. Let your personality shine through with creative color and patterns.


Different Home Insulation Types Explained

Proper insulation is necessary for any home to remain cool in the summer, warm in the winter and protected from the elements all year. Insulation is available in a variety of materials, and each type offers unique advantages.

Blanket Insulation

Comprised of rock or slag mineral wool, plastic and other natural fibers,blanket insulation is useful in unfinished foundations, floors and ceilings. It is suitable for standard or joint spacing that doesn’t have a lot of obstructions,and is one of the least expensive options.

Concrete Block Insulation

Concrete block insulation is an optimal choice for new construction. It insulates the core of the home and increases the wall’s R-value, which is the capacity the insulation has to resist the flow of heat.

Foam Board or Rigid Foam Insulation

Foam insulation is common in ceilings and low-sloping roofs. It must have a ½-inch of building code-approved material covering it for fire safety when used inside. Outside, it must have weatherproof facing. Foam has a high insulation value, and can block thermal short circuits.

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)

Created with a foam board or liquid foam insulation at its core, SIPs are useful for new construction buildings. This type of insulation creates a uniform and quick installation process.

This is a small sampling of the types of insulation you can purchase. For information on even more types of insulation, or to learn about construction services in Carlsbad, visit the website.

Add Value to Your Home With Paint

A good exterior paint job not only makes your house look good, but it also adds value should you decide to sell. Well-applied color adds elegance and lends a warm touch that makes any house more welcoming.

Cleaning Decorative Concrete is Easy With These Tips

Floors made of decorative concrete are a contemporary and beautiful addition to your home. They showcase you and your family’s style with class. With a few easy tips, you can keep your floors maintained and looking great for years to come.

Dust, dirt and other debris can be removed from your floor with ease with the right products. A microfiber mop is your best friend when it comes to cleaning. This is nice because they are lightweight and simple to use. Before you get started though, it is a good idea to remove any large pieces that might have been dropped on the floor, and vacuum in the corners and underneath the furniture with your extensions. Be careful of the beater brush on some vacuums because they can sit too low and scrape your floor.

Once this is done, dry cleaning can be completed by the microfiber mop. These are typically available in 18”, 24” and 36” sizes. Choose a mop like you would a lawnmower – the bigger the surface area you have to work with, the wider cleaning tool you need. If you have a large home, it is still good to have a small one around to get into the harder to reach areas. These types of mops are great because you just have to shake them outside to get the dust and dirt out, and can be washed hundreds of times.

Occasional damp cleaning will be needed too. The most important thing to know about liquid cleaners for concrete is that they cannot be cleaned by harsh chemicals. Using a pH balanced non-acidic cleaner will still do a great job, and won’t harm your floors. Never use products such as bleach or ammonia as they can do severe harm to your finish. Flat mops are the most convenient, but you can use a string mop if you prefer.

Preventative measures can also save you time and effort with cleaning. Both outdoor and indoor mats with a firm backing will keep a lot from even entering your home. To prevent stains, clean up spills and Fido’s little accidents right away to keep them from penetrating your finish.

Decorative concrete floors are a great choice for a home improvement project. With the above easy tips, you can maintain them to keep that beautiful look all year round with minimal time and effort. You can receive more information on these floors and other construction services in Carlsbad at this website.

Monday, 19 October 2015

CAA San Diego Mission Awards

Join us for a night on the town as we honor the best of the best at the fourth annual CAA San Diego Mission Awards. This year will be better than ever with awesome entertainment...read more

The Benefits of Composite Shingles

A roof is an important part of a home. When it is time to remodel the roof, or to fix it up after a rough season, there are plenty of options to consider. Composite shingles are a new and effective material for home roofing. There are many benefits to having composite shingles on your house.

1. A unique aesthetic.

Composite shingles are a synthetic form of roofing made out of multiple materials. This gives them their own unique style. Choosing to use composite shingles will help to add a very interesting and captivating aesthetic to your home.

2. Protection from the elements.

While some natural disasters are more damaging than others, composite shingles are built to protect your roof. Composite shingles are designed to withstand some of the most intense of winds, giving it an edge for those who live in areas prone to hurricanes. They are also resistant to fire, which can really make a difference when the unthinkable happens.

3. A lasting choice.

Outside of the visual aspect, composite shingles are built to last a very long time. In fact, the average lifespan of composite shingles ranges anywhere from three to five decades. This means that you will probably never have to redo your roof again and can rest easy with your choice.

To learn more about the benefits of composite shingles and find a residential roofer in Leland to help your remodel, visit this website. 
 

Rethink Doorways

More often than not, little changes made in our home can make a world of difference. Open doorways are a great place to remodel, with plenty of interesting structural options to give your home its own distinct look and feel.


Three Things to Consider for Bathroom Remodeling

The bathroom is one of the areas of your home that you see every day. Because it is a frequented room, it only takes a certain amount of time before you will want to change it all up and redesign. Remodeling a bathroom can be something of a lengthy process, and it always helps to have a vision as you begin the journey of remodelling your bathroom. Here are a few things to consider to make the process easier when you want to remodel your bathroom.

The shower is definitely going to be a big part of your remodel, so think hard about it. If you are planning on changing up your bathroom, chances are you will want to rework the shower. In order to best remodel the shower, you should consider how you want it to be improved. If you want extra storage space, perhaps consider having shelving built into the shower for easy access to products and toiletries. Changing the shower head can also add new levels of comfort and luxury to your bathroom.

The floor should be thought about in a significant way. Believe it or not, the floor actually ties the entire bathroom together. It has been said that the shower curtain is the first thing someone notices when entering a bathroom, but the floor is often what people will look at for more time. The right tile in your bathroom can make the aesthetic, so think of your floor as a focal point when considering options for remodel.

Unique aspects of design. All homes are different. Even if the style or layout of a home matches another, how we tweak and play with our surroundings give a different feel to each home. When planning to remodel, consider how this project can add a unique aspect of design to your bathroom. Maybe you have always dreamt of having more counter space in the bathroom, or you feel like you could increase the size of the shower area. There are lots of ways to put your own spin on your bathroom with the structure of the room itself. The right company will be able to help you with what structural changes are, in fact, possible, but it is good to have some ideas before calling a company to begin the process.

If you are searching for a construction company in Leland to help make your dreams of a perfect bathroom a reality, then visit this website and learn more about your options.