Home Improvement projects can be a daunting challenge. Between permits, materials selection and hiring a trusted, reliable General Contractor many home owners don't know where to begin! At SAH Builders, South Jersey's most trusted builder, you relax and rest assured that we can help you from the planning stages to completion of your bathroom or kitchen remodel, basement finish, new deck or adding an addition to your home in the Cherry Hill / Marlton area of South Jersey.
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Top 5 Spring Home Maintenance Tips
After a harsh winter it’s always good idea to take a look at your home’s exterior to make sure that cold temperatures and storms haven’t compromised your most valuable asset. Here’s a quick check list you can knock out in just few hours this weekend!
Clean out your gutters and downspouts - After of winter of cold rain and ice you want to make sure that your gutters are clean and clear. This will guarantee that during the spring rains water will not run into areas that are not protected such as eves and fascia’s where water can cause rot and decay. Clogged gutters can also cause water to pool around foundation areas and cause seepage into basements or crawl spaces, again causing unwanted damage and possible mold issues.
Clean and reseal your wood fences and wood deck spaces - With today’s mildew removal products stripping off winters effects on these surfaces is easier than ever. There are many products available that you can apply using a simple garden sprayer and simply hose off for great results. Likewise after cleaning the surfaces there are many great products that can be easily applied to protect these surfaces for summer use and enjoyment.
Schedule a central air conditioning inspection - Before the heat of the summer comes it’s always a good idea to have a licensed HVAC professional check and service your central AC system. Waiting until it’s hot to turn on your air can cause unwanted down time waiting for a busy AC repairman. Most qualified HVAC contractors will offer an inexpensive agreement for yearly checks of your systems that nip potential issues in the bud.
Check your window and door screens - The winter has a way of creating rips and holes in screen doors and windows. Take a few minutes to lower window screens and check out screen door panels to make sure they have made it through the winter intact. If a repair is needed almost every hardware store can install new screening inexpensively.
Paint exteriors now - If you’ve been contemplating painting the exterior your home the springtime is the best time to get it scheduled. Good Painter’s book early and waiting to contact them can cost you a slot in their schedule. Exterior painting is actually one of the best values for your home improvement dollar, nothing looks better than fresh paint on your exterior even if it’s the just the trim portion of the house.
IDEAS FOR YOUR UNFINISHED BASEMENT
Are you tired of constantly tripping over your kids toys? Do you have limited space for them to play without making a mess in your main living areas? Finishing your basement could provide that carefree area for your kids to play without having to worry about cleaning up right away!
Have you ever dreamed of having your own mega media room? You could invite guests over to enjoy sporting events, movies, etc! With the addition of a nice surround sound system, it could sound like you are actually at the game! Add a nice bar and your guests may not want to leave!
You could quiet things down a bit and add a private office space. Because it is isolated from the upstairs, you can make that important conference call and not have to worry about having any regular disruptions.
What about all your workout equipment? Maybe you don't have all the equipment your would like because you are limited on space! Home gyms are one of the most popular rooms to add to a basement. Between monthly membership fees and gas, it is less expensive in the long run.
DOES CHEAPER MEAN BETTER?
Are you considering hiring a contractor to perform work on your home, whether it be a bathroom/kitchen remodel, basement finish or a new addition in South Jersey? It's not always best to choose the cheapest quote you receive. General Contractor are required to not only be licensed in the State they are working in, but they also must carry Workman's Comp & General Liability Insurances. Why? Good question - let me explain:
Licensed General Contractor - when you hire a contractor that does not carry a state license, they are unable to pull the necessary permits that are required to perform renovations in your home. If these renovations are discovered by your local town inspectors - YOU would be responsible if these improvements do not meet township codes! You will be required to pay the cost of the permit at that time along with possible penalties! Also, if something happened and your Homeowner's Insurance company had to get involved, they may decide to drop all coverage and cancel your policy! Always ask for a copy of your contractor's current State License!
Insured Contractors - General Liability insurance protects YOU if your contractor causes damage to your home while performing renovations he was hired to do. Most likely, your Homeowner's Insurance plan will not cover you for these damages!
Workman's Comp insurance pays an employee's claim if that employee is injured at your home while performing renovations. If your contractor does not have Workman's Comp insurance, your Homeowner's insurance company might have to pay this employee's claim AFTER you meet your deductible!
SO, when you are interviewing contractors, don't choose the cheapest because you think it may be better financially! It could actually cost you MORE in the long run. The expense of these insurance policies are not cheap for any contractor, which is why their prices may be higher than others. Always, ask your contractor for a copy of their license and current insurance policies!
Wouldn't you rather be protected by a contractor that is fully licensed & insured than to take take the risk of trying to save a few dollars? I know I would!
Top 4 Winter Home Maintenance Tips
Brought to you by SAH Builders, Inc.I’ve heard it said that “a little bit of summer is what the whole year is all about”, and I couldn’t agree more!! Unfortunately summer has come and gone… So, time to take a few minutes and make sure your home is ready for winter before the snow and sleet come. Here are some things you can do to beautify your home over the winter and save expensive repairs in the spring.
1. Clean your gutters and downspouts. With the fall leaves and pine needles done coming down now, you want to make sure that your gutters are clean and clear. This will guarantee that the winter’s snow and rain will not run into areas that are not protected such as eves and fascia’s where water can cause rot and decay.
2. If you haven’t already, schedule your furnace for a cleaning and maintenance inspection. This will help to avoid emergency repairs when the temperatures dip below freezing and you have no heat!
3. Painters are looking for winter work now, so if you’ve been thinking about getting the interior of your home freshened up it’s a good time to get some quotes. Painters are more willing to give you a good price now that the winter weather has begun to set in and their outside work has been put on hold.
4. It’s also a great time to get a quote for interior work like kitchen and bath renovations, basement finishes or even interior doors and trim work. At SAH we spend every winter hiding from the cold in homes just like yours!! Check out our galleries for ideas
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