Tuesday, November 23, 2010
7 Essential Tips for Hiring a Home General Contractor
Are you thinking of renovating a bathroom, or knocking out walls to make your kitchen larger?A If you arena??t experienced yourself, most likely you will be hiring a general contractor.A Do you know how to weed out the bad ones from the good ones?A There are several television do it yourself programs out there that showcase bad contractors and good contractors having to a??clean up their messa? . Before you are dreaming of what your remodeled bathroom will look like, you will need some tips. In an effort to ensure you hire a reputable general contractor, follow these 7 tips to help you with the process.
1.) Determine if you need a handy person or a contractor: Depending on your home project you first need to differentiate between a handy person and a contractor. If you want home repairs that dona??t require permitting and arena??t more than $500.00 US dollars, you can use a handy person.A While if you need major plumbing, electrical, mechanical or plumbing needs that will require permits to be pulled, then you are seeking a general contractor.A Additionally, most handy personnel are not licensed but may still have the skill sets to perform the duty.
2.) Ask for referrals when searching for a reputable contractor: If you live in an area that has plenty of resources, ask around at your local home improvement store or lumber yard for contractors they have seen buying quality products. Be mindful of contractors that few people have heard of, or havena??t seen where they purchase their building materials. Poor quality building materials can be the beginning of an awful renovation.
3.) Ask a home inspector: When a home inspector conducts an inspection on a home sellera??s home with major problems, they usually will try and refer general contractors that may help the home owner get the problem solved.A Consider calling home inspectors in your area and asking for general contractor referrals.A This way you will weed out going through a phone book and looking through hundreds of contractors.
4.) Ask questions over the phone first: Before having a contractor come out to your home, ask them interview questions by phone. Questions should include: A *What other projects have they done that are similar in size and complexity as your project? *What are their payment requirements? (Avoid contractors who only accept cash, or require you to write a check directly to them instead of the business) *Ask if their license is current and when it expires *Where is their office located.A (Be careful of contractors who only have a P.O. box and dona??t have a physical company location) *Make sure they carry necessary insurances a?? Surety bond, Workman's compensation if they have employees and General liability insurance.
5.) Meet the general contractor in person: Once you feel comfortable over the phone, it is time to meet the general contractor at your home.A Dona??t ignore your gut feeling when talking with a general contractor.A When you ask them questions, the contractor should be able to answer concisely and not seem hesitant.A Ask them in person again for projects that you can go see, or ask for contact information of previous clients and projects.
6.) Get at least 3-4 bids on your project: Each general contractor should ask for floor plans of your home, and get a list of your wants and needs from you.A Have the contractor explain how they will begin, execute and finish the project from beginning to end.A Ask each contractor to divide their bids into categories for easy determination of what you are really paying for. Categories should include: labor, materials, profit and miscellaneous expenses.
7.) Dona??t choose the contractor with the cheapest price: Although tempting, dona??t go with the lowest price contractor.A They could be the lowest because of low quality materials, or they are desperate and havena??t worked recently.A Choose one that you feel comfortable with their personality, price, background, and methods. Put everything in writing and make a schedule of milestones in which to pay the contractor. Assure that your contractor gets a lien release which will protect you if they dona??t pay their subcontractors and bills. Remember a quality contractor will not give you a "low ball" offer.
Home renovation can be fun and exciting.A When hiring a general contractor dona??t be afraid of doing your research and hiring a reputable one.A Use these 7 tips when considering hiring and being mindful of the contractor and their reputation.A You can tell a lot by the history a general contractor carries. Research and feel confident that you will find the best contractor to suit your needs.
Freshome readera??s what advice do you have from experience in hiring general contractors? Tell us your lessons learned.
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Thursday, November 18, 2010
Interview: Interior Design Attitudes with Magdalena Keck
We ran across Magdalena Keck's portfolio a while ago, when we featured some of her work on Freshome. We decided to forward our 15 question interview to her as a challenge and she kindly replied. We received some strong and determined answers which unriddle an impressive experience as an interior designer. And if they were not enough, we've also added a few photos of Magdalena's projects to convince you of her passion for hard work.
- Freshome: What determined your passion for design? Tell us about the moment when you decided this is the way to go.
- Magdalena Keck: I have always had passion for art. Have been always drawing as a child, attended art classes as a teenager and eventually studied fine arts and then interior design. Interior design is like any other media, you work with color, light texture, time and dimension. The difference is that you also work with people, who are completely integral to the process.
Tribeca Apartment
- Freshome: Can you remember your first design project? Describe it a bit, whether it is a gizmo you worked at as a little kid or something that was sold at a large scale
- Magdalena Keck: It was probably rearranging my room. I got rid of the bed and put the mattress on the floor. My parents ordered low bookcases for me, so everything was really low. I had my own huge abstract painting on the wall. It was painted on a sheet of galvanized metal.
- Freshome: What field of design are you most interested in? Do your works have anything to do with it ? (We are asking this because not many designers do what they actually want)
- Magdalena Keck: I most enjoy working on residential projects, but also on retail projects. Each presents different opportunities for expression. In residential projects I enjoy paying attention to details, individual needs and desires. In retail concept development is a key it is one of my favorite aspects. Many of my residential projects have outdoor spaces and I do increasingly become more and more interested in landscape design. It is something that I am definitely going to peruse further.
- Freshome: Chronologically describe what you are going through (feeling and thoughts) on your way to work.
- Magdalena Keck: Excitement, discovery, lots of work and research , frustration somewhere along the way, problem solving, fulfillment, pride.
- Freshome: What is your favourite book/magazine on design? How about your favourite site?
- Magdalena Keck: Right now I like French Elle Decore, and I always go back to FRAME and Object.
Upper East Side Residence
- Freshome: What inspires you?
- Magdalena Keck: Anything can really. Ita??s quiet easy. I am never short on ideas. Usually the minute I start the project I can see it. Often it is the space itself, or the person I am working with, piece of art they own or desire to own. Anything, really.
- Freshome: What is the most frustrating aspect of your job as a designer? And the most rewarding one?
- Magdalena Keck: Most frustrating aspect is when people make stupid mistakes that could be easily avoided. Most rewarding: have a Client who enjoys their space and is comfortable in it.
- Freshome: From your point of view, is design an art or a science?
- Magdalena Keck: I have to say 50% art and 50% science.
- Freshome: Tell us something unusual that happened in your carrier.
- Magdalena Keck: I interviewed with Naomi Leff years ago for a consultant position. I didna??t get the job. It turned out to be for the best. I opened my own studio. Few years later when I was looking for an office space I came across a beautiful space with a fantastic view on 18th floor of a building on 27th Street that looked very familiar. I found out that Naomi Leff Associates had closed and moved out. Thata??s where my office is now.
Soho Flat
- Freshome: Let's say you entered a contest. You have to come up with a design for the first house on the Moon built for extra-terrestrial living. How would your project look like?
- Magdalena Keck: I would have to go the site and meet the Client to tell you. Naturally the thing to do would be to use locally available materials. The challenge would probably be to free yourself of human preconceptions what a HOUSE is.
- Freshome: If you had no limits (money, resources), what would you create?
- Magdalena Keck: Roof top shade garden on every building.
- Freshome: Share something you would like the world to know about you or your ideas.A
- Magdalena Keck: Take what you need (make it beautiful and functional) and leave the rest out.A Nothing new yet so hard to implement for so many people.
- Freshome: What do you think of our site?
- Magdalena Keck: Ita??s great and apparently very popular. I had magazines from Poland, Portugal and Italy publish several projects after you have mentioned my work. I enjoy seeing variety of projects and topics.
- Freshome: What advice do you have for young designers or architects reading this interview?
- Magdalena Keck: Keep your eyes and ears open, absorb and learn, be open minded and considered, but dona??t compromise. Opportunities and inspirations are everywhere.
www.freshome.com
Monday, November 1, 2010
Stylish Floor Lamp with Interesting Lighting Effects
It has been a while since we featured a lighting project on Freshome. Today we would like to present this stylish floor lamp from the "Tree Series" by Spanish company Dab. Designed by Werner Aisslinger, the lamp has an interesting "sliced" aspect, which happens to be a distinctive and appealing product feature. At the same time, it allows light to create interesting effects in the room where it is placed contributing to a playful game of shades. Available in two sizes (55 and 65 cm), the Tree lamp can be integrated in almost any type of modern interior, whether it is the bedroom, living room or hallway. For any further information you can visit the official site of the company or get in contact with them for purchasing details.- via Trendir
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Monday, October 18, 2010
Door Designs With Punchy Colors and Fun Graphics
Here is a set of colorful door designs as featured in the Sensunels door collection from Dibi Group. Designed by Karim Rashid, the doors manage to create an amazing interior effect, hard to match but easy to complement by the furniture arrangements inside. Some of the models (such as the "Check door" below) are great for the kids' rooms, other have a more sober look. Since the designs are so diverse, they appeal to a various target. We have to say we particularly enjoy the colorful models, as we find them to be quite original and give away a genuine happy feel. Since the uncommon patterns just had to have matching door knobs, check out how well the Blip door handles integrate in the "spirit" of the door designs! Which one do you like best?- via Trendir
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Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Chillout Sessions XII Disc Release, a Tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright
Ministry of Sound Australia recently released its newest chillout collection featuring various music tracks, from "laidback acoustic tunes to hip future-disco beats". We consider that the advertising campaign behind the launch of Chillout Sessions XII is so cute and creative, that we just had to share it on Freshome. Designed by Andrew van der Westhuyzen, the prints meant to promote the disc are said to be a tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright and Neutra and their ways of life as influenced by the buildings they lived in. According to the initiators of this advertising campaign, "Chillout Sessions XII takes us to a fusion of time periods somewhere between the 50s and the 80s in the filtered light of California." There is also a movie that accompanies these prints and we have to say we were pleasantly amused how the characters were constructed. Have a look!-via Collider
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Thursday, September 16, 2010
Top 4 Tips to Know Before Selling/Buying a Home for 2010
The last two years have produced the most turbulent home market statistics in the past 30 years.A From banks not lending as much to homeowners not able to sell their homes as quickly as they used to, the real estate market can look dismal for some.A Although, there is always a bright side to every negative statistic and there is promise for many home buyers. Therea??s a lot of inventory in the housing market so if you are a new home buyer or ready to start owning instead of rentinga? now is the time!A Here 4 of the top tips to know if you plan on jumping into the real estate market in 2010.
1.) Buyera??s market means lots of opportunities: The term a??Ita??s a buyera??s marketa?? is still valid and truer than ever.A There is a surplus of homes from bank owned; foreclosed, new construction and pre-owned homes, that buyers literally have their pick of the masses.A This news is great for those who thought they would never own a home, as the opportunities may look more promising with lower prices to entice them.A This news is not great for sellers, because there is more competition, especially with foreclosed and bank owned properties that are selling for dirt cheap prices.A Remember, everyone has an opportunity in this market, but sellers need to make their homes the best they can be for resale if they want to get to be the a??buyera?? in the near future.
2.) Getting a bank loan is stricter than in past years: In past years, the requirements for qualifying for a home loan were relatively lenient and the average individual could find terms to meet their financial situation.A After the fall of several bank and lending institutions in 2009, banks have stricter rules, require more documentation and will require your credit to be higher than in past years.A This shouldna??t discourage you if you dona??t have all items in perfect condition.A It should be a red flag to you to start getting these items in order and visit a home mortgage loan specialist that can guide you to getting on the right track for the future.
3.) Home values are still stabilizing: Your home used to be the one purchase in your life that you could guarantee on appreciating over the years.A Unfortunately with the home market crisis this is no longer true for some. As the market becomes flooded with more inventory homes, especially ones that are trying to get a quick sale or are bank owned, the value of homes may not be what you expect. If selling your home be certain to get a professional home appraisal before setting the asking price on your home. If you are buying a home an appraisal will most likely be done if you are seeking bank loan assistance, as they will not loan more than the home is appraised for.A In many areas homes that are located in desirable areas are getting back their value quicker, while in some areas the stabilization rate is much slower.A Check with a Realtor to get information for the area you wish to buy or sell a home.
4.) New construction has its pros and cons: Just like the rest of the housing market, housing developers and construction companies took a big hit with the reduction of sales.A With the banka??s lending less money and competing with previously owned homes, new construction has its pros and cons.A On the upside, many builders have decided to go ahead and finish building their home inventory if they dona??t have contracts on them. This helps them have finished, move-in ready homes for buyers who are ready to sign on the dotted line now.A This is great for home buyers that want to move quickly.A The cons of buying new construction are the prices may not be competitive with pre owned sales, foreclosed or bank homes.A Depending on your area this will vary, so check with local builders and developers in your area, they may surprise you and offer great incentives to move in!
Buying or selling a home has always been a process that many enjoy, but many despise. A If you arena??t home market savvy, consider hiring a Realtor to help you through the process either way.A They can help you with understand the ever changing market, and also help you narrow down homes in the vast inventory that is out there.A With these 4 tips you should be able to make more informed decision as to whether now maybe the right time for you and your family to consider moving.
Freshome readera??s are you in the market to buy or sell your home? What concerns do you have? Have you been able to overcome many concerns on your own? Let us know.
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Sunday, September 12, 2010
The Coolest Way to Exercise at Home : Ciclotte Stationary Bicycle
When I first saw this exercise bike I've immediately told to myself "This is a damn good looking exercise bike." Designed by Luca Scheippati and produced by Lamiflex, Ciclotte is an exercise bike that is designed to blend into the dA cor of the office, home, gym and the outdoor. The concept of Ciclotte was born out of the need to create a product that is an expression of contemporary life; where work and relaxation, exercise and fun inhabit the same dimensions, within fluid spaces in which all objects can interact with one another. Ciclotte is constructed with top materials like carbon, steel and fiberglass, which is ought to keep the exercise equipment lightweight and portable. The saddle of Ciclotte is ergonomic, comfortable and adjustable in three directions to facilitate the choice of twelve exercise choices.
Instead of a chain-driven system the Ciclotte uses a dual satellite epicycloids system that features four gears with varying cogs. Thus the bike doesna??t have a traditional drive train, and instead has gears that turn the magnetized main wheel, in turn creating a magnetic field and thus maximizing the level of resistance. Ciclottle will be launched in the UK at the 100% Design Show from 23-26 September 2010 at Earls Court, London.Finally I'm pretty sure that you wouldna??t mind having this workout equipment in your living room, even when youa??re not actually using it! For further information, please visit www.ciclotte.com
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
10 Home Maintenance Tips for this Fall Season
Each season your home goes through changes in temperatures, weather conditions, aging, and of course human abuse! In order to keep all your components of your home running smoothly, and to avoid costly repairs later, ita??s helpful to conduct seasonal maintenance actions each season.A As the summer continues, this is a perfect time to prepare for fall. Depending on your climate the fall season may be too late to prepare if it gets cold quickly.A Regardless of your location, start these helpful tips now to save money and get a jump on the season.
1.) Examine your roof/gutters/downspouts for debris: Your roof is often forgotten about because it is not at eye level to give you a subtle reminder every time you walk past it.A Clear leaves, dirt, and pine needles from gutters and examine downspouts for damage or loose pieces.A Check the flashing around your chimney and any openings in the roof, such as skylights for leaking problems.
2.) Examine the grounds of your property: Before the grass is covered with snow, or it is too cold to venture outside, check walkways for cracks and loose paver material. Fix walkway and entryway areas before slippery weather can cause a tripping or falling accident.
3.) Change the filters in your home: If you have a central air conditioning system, change the air filter regularly. If you have a window air conditioning unit, remove from the window or place a waterproof cover over it to prevent damage. Change filters in stove vents, clothes dryers and room fans if applicable.A Clean air filters will keep your family healthier in the fall months.
4.) Still have leaky faucets? Repair them now: Before the temperatures start to dip low, examine leaky faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms, and utility room locations. Most likely the time and money spent now to fix will be less than a broken pipe in the dead of winter!
5.) Prepare your fireplace: For some people they use their fireplace more than their central heater in the fall and winter months.A Discard old ashes and ensure the damper is open to allow air to freely move through the chimney.A If the air is becoming cold, close back the damper after cleaning. Check the damper handle and springs to ensure the flue is operating correctly. Hire a professional chimney sweep if needed.
6) Drain your hot water heater: If your live in an area with hard water extra amounts of sediments could be building up in your tank. A Now is a perfect time to drain and make sure rust is not developing in your tank as well. If your hot water heater is extremely old or is rusting considering a new one that will be more cost effective and energy efficient.
7.) Check windows and doors for drafts: The majority of conditioned air in your home is lost through the windows and doors.A Go through your home and open windows to ensure the seal and caulking around the window frame is in good condition. Think of adding heavier drapery around windows that are extra drafty, to help block some air infiltration.
8.) Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture: Once you have taken your last plunge in the pool this summer, power wash outdoor furniture and cushions.A Once dry, store cushions in dry area to prevent cracking, and fading over the fall and winter months. One spring comes along next year, you will be pleased that you stored them and theya??re ready for use!
9.)Have garden power tools serviced: Once your grass begins to enter the dormant stage, take your lawnmower, trimmer, and other tools to get their blades sharpened and fluids recapped off. In the market for new garden power tools, buy now when the season is almost over you will find great deals!
10.) Take care of your irrigation/lawn needs: Depending on where you live, the climate for your lawn and its irrigation system may need to be checked.A Consider having an irrigation service professional fix broken heads before the cold weather sets in. If you want to prevent spring weeds and winter lawn damage, dona??t forget to fertilize. Visit your local garden center to find out information on what type of fertilizer to use and when to spread it.
Enjoy these days of summer because they are going fast! Before you know it we will be getting ready for the holidays.A Use these ten tips to help you get a jump start on your fall home maintenance, your home will thank you!
Freshome reader's have you gotten started on your home checklist yet?
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Monday, September 6, 2010
Ikea Started Selling Second Hand Furniture Online
Shoppers eager to nab discounted furniture at cut-rate prices may soon be able to bypass Craigslist and head straight to the mother ship of cheap home furnishings: IKEA. A few days ago on August 28, the Swedish furniture company started selling second-hand Ikea products online in Sweden and they intend to extend this idea to other foreign outlets. Here is what Peter AgnefA ll, CEO of IKEA Sweden told the daily newspaper Dagens Nyheter about this innitiative : a??It is about taking an environmental responsibility for how our products are used in the longer term and making it easier for our customers to do their part for their responsibility towards the environment.a? We can say that this is a nice step toward sustainability, but in the same time we're wondering about the quality of the pieces that will be sold. Finally would you buy second-hand furniture from IKEA ? And what do you think about this idea ? Via - Time
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