by Dependable Construction | Jul 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
When it comes time for a customer of Dependable Construction to place their property on the market they always ask a ton of questions. Most common question we hear is “What home features are more desirable to buyers right now, and what is the ROI.
Each year we ask asked this question may provide a different answer as the trends change. So we speak in general terms.
Let’s say you’ve tried to sell your home over the past few years and couldn’t get any offers that came close to the asking price. I saw this with the neighbor beside me and two doors down but other side of the street. Unfortunately, our properties aren’t in the area cause the to go more quickly. Also were currently not in a seller’s market, but a buyers market. Giving the buyer more power , causing them to be more picky. It may be hard right now to fetch the right price you want, but if your home has what buyers are looking for, you might even get more than your asking price.
Dependable Construction has found that while certain home features are more desirable to some buyers, they won’t appease all. There are also certain improvements that can fetch you a premium price when a bidding war starts, over the years I have been in a couple myself.
Here are the top 8 recommendations on areas to start improving so a bidding war can start.
- Kitchen: The kitchen is a major selling point for a home, and its appearance and layout can often be a make-or-break for buyers. It’s possible to replace just the counter-tops and key appliances, fixtures and have the cabinets refaced. The good news is that most of the money spent on a new kitchen will be recouped at the time of sale, give sellers the best ROI.
- Bathrooms: Along with kitchens, bathrooms get a lot of use. New paint and new/upgraded fixtures can go a long way.
- Basement: Make the most of this bonus space by having it finished if it not.
- New Siding: What is one of the biggest contributors to curb appeal? A clean and well coordinated exterior takes one of the biggest home improvement worries off a buyer’s mind.
- Windows: Installing replacement windows can be a win for everyone. Currently the government is offer energy tax credits, benefiting the seller. And the buyer get to enjoy a lower home energy bills.
- Front entry doors: Installing a high-quality entry door is one of the simplest improvements and it delivers the right impression as they drive by or are walking up to the door.
- Decks: One of the least expensive ways to add value to a properties back yard is by adding a deck. Whenever possible, use composite deck material, this provides the buyer with less maintenance and offers the best ROI.
- Backup power generator: Our country’s aging electrical grid has recently left thousands of homeowners without power for several days with a the storms we see here in Ohio. Investing in a generator that kicks on when powers out can be a great up-sell. The buyer can see how this will help heat or cool the house while waiting for the main power to come back on.
Our area is competitive real estate market! Sometimes the prices are sluggish, these upgrades will help make your property stand out against the others on the market. For all your home improvement projects Dependable Construction is right there to assist you.
by Dependable Construction | Jun 30, 2017 | Uncategorized
Many homeowners believe that vinyl siding is maintenance free. Dependable Construction is here to tell you that’s just not the case. The cold, hard truth is that no material is maintenance free. If you know anyone who has had siding for several years, they can contest that this substitute siding is not what the manufacturers claim. If they have aluminum siding they will tell you it dents, scratches and tears. Should they have vinyl siding you’ll hear it cracks and chips easily especially in the winter. This is because any plastic, shatters when struck by something such as a rock or baseball. Like all plastic, it also expands and contracts. Some contractors will nail the siding to tight to the house during installation to hold it down in high winds. Once the hot months comes the siding will expand causing it to become distorted, homeowners will start to see wavy shapes. That’s bad for siding, once plastic takes on new, unexpected shapes, it tends to retain that very shape.
Must homeowners hate to paint their house. Whether their hiring a contractor like Dependable Construction or taking it on themselves as a DIY project. We understand this can be expensive and very bothersome. When homeowners think about this the first solution that comes to mind is vinyl siding, as its a great alternative to having the property painted every couple of years. The good thing about vinyl is its colored throughout, but like anything that left out in the sun, especially darker colors, will fade. Some manufacturers say that both vinyl and aluminum siding can be painted. Once homeowners start painting it they have to continue to paint it just like wood every couple of years. At this point what was the real benefit of going with vinyl if your painting it just like wood? Homeowners should have just stuck with the beauty of wood.
All these concerns make it clear that when homeowners choose wood siding they should have a regular maintenance and painting schedule in place. Dependable Construction recommends homeowners do a yearly inspect of the siding, checking for any rot or broken/bad pieces. This should be replaced as they are discovered. As for the painting we believe every three to four years its smart if homeowners have a fresh coat of paint applied. And if its vinyl they plan to, or already, have installed on their house that it’ll need painted down the road once its lost most of it color.
by Dependable Construction | Jun 28, 2017 | Uncategorized
If you’re a homeowner who wants the best quality in replacement windows check out the cost savings of vinyl windows. Homeowners can contact the professionals at Dependable Construction their a trusted window installer in Dayton, Ohio
Homeowner always have a dozens of projects to tackle, or that are half complete, it’s hard to decide on just ones are more important. There are some home improvements that are more noticeable than others. Aside from keeping up with basic maintenance of your home replacing existing windows with new vinyl windows can have a positive impact on energy efficiency. Whats more important is new windows will increase your home’s future resale value while giving it some “curb appeal,” both of which are important prerequisites when it comes time to place your house on the market.
Before you start searching the Dayton yellow pages for any old window contractor, take some time to learn about the various window grades and you will know how to spot one that fits your house and neighborhood while saving you money.
Vinyl;
Depending on where you live, contractors like Dependable Construction tend to recommend a variety of different window options. Today in the Dayton area, most replacement windows are made of vinyl. That’s because vinyl stands up well to the elements, including sun, rain, wind and snow. Residents of Ohio Know that we can see all of this in a week and still have the weekend left. What’s nice about vinyl replacement windows is; unlike windows made from aluminum, vinyl will never pit or flake, and unlike wood they will never rot or require repainting. Make vinyl windows last longer and saving you money.
The majority of homeowners are buying vinyl windows because they are a cost-effective solution that is also energy efficient; however there are many different types of vinyl windows depending on where you live. For example, the variable weather changes we see here in Ohio might require a high quality PVC window with the greatest number of chambers. Both of these factors make a window more efficient in the winter months.
Prevent yellowing
For sunnier climates, yellowing can occur in some less expensive vinyl windows, but there are ways to prevent this. Look for two vital ingredients in your vinyl windows – organic tin and titanium dioxide, but of which will help the window retain its brilliance longer. The reason that some cheaper windows yellow is because manufacturers often scrimp on these ingredients.
Look for welded connections
The most energy efficient vinyl windows will be made with welded connections with a lot of PVC that is in contact at each corner. Welded connections are preferable to mechanically fastened windows for a number of reasons, but a welded connection is best when the amount of PVC that touches another piece of PVC is large enough to prevent leaks.
By the time most homeowners get around to replacing window they find they know very little about the type they want to buy. Dependable Construction offers homeowners in the Dayton area a wide range of options in vinyl replacement windows. For those who want to make a sound investment in the value of their homes, new windows will give your home a fresh and exciting look.
Consider Simonton windows
If you want to be sure you are buying high quality vinyl windows for your home, Simonton windows is the way to go. The installers at Dependable Construction recommend Simonton vinyl replacement windows because they are known for quality construction and durability. Dependable Construction also chose Simonton because they deliver the highest quality products and they make a long-term commitment to their customers. With over 65 years of experience in making top quality products for the home, Simonton makes all their windows in state-of-the-art production facilities where the windows can be tested and streamlined to ensure maximum performance and reliability.
Both Dependable Construction and Simonton Windows are committed to providing the highest standards of quality to Dayton area residents. If you are a homeowner who wants the best quality vinyl replacement windows our area, contact the professional contractors at Dependable Construction.
by Dependable Construction | Jun 26, 2017 | Uncategorized
Is the paint on your house starting to peel. Not sure why since its only been 4 years! Dependable Construction understands your pain. Well, here are a few things all homeowners need to consider. First homeowners need to understand the various types of paint that have been applied to your house over the years and how they work together.
There are many reason as to whats causing the paint to peel. Peeling paint may be symptomatic of a house with too much moisture inside. As the warm, moist indoor air passes through the interior walls and hits cold exterior walls, it condenses into water, causing the exterior paint to start bubbling which leads to peeling.
Trapping moisture
Slapping new siding on a weeping house will only trap moisture like a plastic bag. This will damage an old house by creating an ideal habitat for wood destroying insects like termites, and cause the material underneath to decay faster. Over time, this problem can become very serious, with the growth of mold spreading into the interior of the house. This can cause headaches and breathing problems and should be addressed to fix the problem. In many areas like bathroom a simple exhaust fan. If it’s happening in the attic a roof mounted power fan can help eliminate the problem. Others have the issue in crawl spaces, having another window added helps to circulate the air better.
For help with any of these issues its best to contact a professional like Dependable Construction to assist and direct you to the best solution(s).
by Dependable Construction | Jun 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
It’s time for Dependable Construction to explore and discuss the wood trim that’s installed on your house. Let’s talk about all the wood on the outside of your house, Fascia, Frieze Boards, Rake Boards. Most houses that were built after 1984 used Tree-Farm wood for all these areas. Okay you may be asking at this point “What is Tree-farm wood?” Tree-Farm wood consists of young trees that were still drinking LOTS of water, (about 20 year old trees), that were cut into boards and placed into a kiln. These boards were then painted and placed on the outside of your home as Fascia, Frieze Boards, Rake Boards.
Exterior wood like this is not designed to withstand the exterior elements of the weather. This means it won’t last as long as the pressure treated wood contractors are required to install.
What should homeowners do?
- Homeowners paint their exterior every 2-3 years. This is more costly than vinyl since it has to be done every 3 to 4 years.
- Homeowners can replace with PVC wood. Dependable Construction does this every time we receive a call to brick-mold around an exterior door. This is a great option since it does warp, crack or shrink, scratch however. Homeowners will find it may be cost prohibitive in some cases as it does cost more than wood.
- Homeowners can install aluminum fascia metal over to protect the wood. This option is the most economical for homeowners overall and can be done in a variety of colors. Down side is the color will fade and the metal can scratch.
- Homeowners also have the choose of installing PVC trim over top to protect the wood. However just like the PVC brick-mold there is a cost increase. Making this option not the most economical for homeowners who don’t want to upgrade.
Homeowners should note that while trim can look rather simple to bend and install its more complicated than that. If the correct bends aren’t placed in the metal to help add integrity it can warp. This will completely defeat the purpose of the trim. Homeowners should call a professional like Dependable Construction to get a quote on the work.
by Dependable Construction | Jun 21, 2017 | Uncategorized
As trusted home improvement contractor in Dayton, Ohio Dependable Construction is asked about how to restore older homes in our area. Some of our customers will go to great lengths to pay for the finest materials, restoring the home to its original splendor; but the majority of homeowners don’t have the resources to splurge on a full blown restoration.
Sometimes we discover the wood siding has been so badly neglected with water-damaged it requires a complete overhaul. Many homeowners are tempted to replace with vinyl siding, this can act as an exterior vapor barrier, trapping moisture within the walls and hastening decay. Leading to the rapid grown of mold that will work its way to the interior of your home.
Not surprisingly, experts like Dependable Construction often recommend fiber cement siding over vinyl siding when a homeowner can afford the cost upgrade. While fiber cement siding is expensive, it adds a lot of character to an older home. This cost upgrade has a great ROI for your property. Fiber cement siding is warranted for up to 50 years. The most popular brand and well known name in the fiber siding department is HardieBoard, developed and manufactured by James Hardie. HardieBoard comes available in 12′ 7 16′ lengths, it is installed like any other lap siding, but it is best to nail it directly into the studs. HardieBoard can also be purchased in pre-painted specific colors, help it to not chip for quite some time. You can also refresh the color with paint down the road if it fades. Fiber cement siding is also non-combustible; it won’t crack or rot, doesn’t dent, and termites can’t eat it.
Why hire a fiber cement contractor?
If homeowners have never installed fiber cement siding their unaware of the many difficulties that come along with it. Fiber cement siding is installed allot differently than vinyl siding because the boards are heavier, must be cut with a saw and are individually mounted to the wall. Professional installers are very experienced with this material and will make sure your home looks fantastic. Homeowners always want the job to be done right, so it only makes sense they should hire an experienced siding contractor like Dependable Construction.
A word about trim;
Whatever siding you choose for your older home, it is imperative that you leave the original trim intact. While the process of stripping and repainting may be labor-intensive, and expensive it would do irreparable harm to the architectural character of the home if this trim was replaced with vinyl. Many contractors like Dependable Construction will install aluminum coil metal over the wood trim around windows to help pull it in to the siding when new siding is going on. This helps save the homeowner time and money down the road not having to paint it every couple of years.
Prep for your new fiber cement siding;
Before your siding can be installed, it is important that you or a contractor like Dependable Construction they understand the importance of appling an anti-infiltration membrane over the sheathing before the siding is installed. This will prevent outside air from getting into the house and it will make it easier to control the internal humidity, it will also reduce the risk of condensation beneath the siding.
Ways to prevent moisture infiltration;
Moisture proofing an older home will require more than just siding; it’s also important homeowners look at their windows and doors and replace any with new if an issue is found. A vapor barrier, Dependable Construction recommended a thermal vapor barrier, installed over a bare-earth cellar floor. A thermal vapor barrier will also help with the cost of heating and cooling the house. If just a vapor barrier is installed its smart to have it covered with up to 1″of sand then 3″ of stone like pea-gravel. Homeowners could also have a concrete slab pour over top.
Whether you’re planning to restore an older home or starting from scratch with new construction, fiber-cement siding is an ideal way to beautify your home’s exterior and help avoid moisture issues down the road. Dependable Construction is just a phone call away to help with any remodeling or new construction project you may have.
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