OFFICIAL 2017 GUIDE
24th Annual
Fall Home Improvement Show September 8, 9 & 10 MetraPark Expo Center The largest trade show in a five state area with more than 400 exhibits!
LANDSCAPING | HOME REMODELING | NEW PRODUCTS | INTERIOR/EXTERIOR AND MORE!
INSIDE Business is Booming................................. 4 Preparing for a Remodel...........................5 Map and Vendor List.............................. 6-7 Refinishing Wood Floors...........................8 Make Your Fireplace New..........................9 Learn to DIY..............................................10 Sticking to a Budget.................................10 Fall Lawn Care Tips...................................11 LARRY MAYER/Gazette Staff
The official guide to the Fall Home Improvement Show is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette. General Manager Dave Worstell Advertising Director Ryan Brosseau Advertising Manager Arcadea Scott Special Sections Coordinator Spencyr Knatterud Content Editor Tara Cady
Access the Fall Home Improvement Show guide at www.billingsgazette.com/specialsections
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Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
Get free home improvement ideas at fall show By TARA CADY tcady@billingsgazette.com
Fall is for planning and spring is for action. At least that’s what Rimrock Promotions thinks. So fall back in love with your home and cultivate ideas for next spring’s project at the 24th annual Fall Home Improvement Show Sept. 8-10 at MetraPark’s Expo Center. The three-generation family-owned business, which includes Mark and Rhonda Hedin and their sons Beau and Devon, considers the three-day event a win-win for vendors and homeowners alike. “The true benefit of the show is that face-to-face interaction,” said Beau. “It’s a great place if you’re just in the idea stage. Take fall and winter to develop ideas. You’re ready to go come spring.” Beau says many vendors use the show as a testing ground to gauge audiences on new products. Mark adds that homeowners will know right away whether they can work with a company. What sets the fall show apart from the spring is outdoor expansion. Early Sep-
tember affords vendors to venture outside with their exhibits, and it’s not too late for some contractors to accommodate project needs before the holidays. “There are guys there that can get (projects) done before Thanksgiving, Christmas,” said Mark. “You want your kitchen ready by Thanksgiving, right?” More than 400 booths are slated for this year’s show, featuring live demonstrations and covering more than 100,000 square feet of space. It’s the largest fall show in a five-state area. The fun begins Friday, Sept. 8 at noon. Those who can’t get to all of the vendor displays by 8 p.m. are encouraged to return both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to the event’s news release, “nesting” has become a nationwide movement. Nesting involves creating a “more enjoyable living environment,” with luxury items like a home theater, hobby room, exercise room, outdoor kitchen, pond, pool, spa and more. Expect to dream big with related vendors showcasing their products.
“The majority of the businesses exhibiting at the show are from Billings, thus all business transactions and the revenue derived from these transactions remain in our community,” the news release said. Not a homeowner yet? No problem. There will be realtors to show you new listings. “See what’s on the market,” said Devon. “Find an agent.” Beau considers the show an entire experience, where the food is as diverse as the booths. Expect to see food trucks and live cooking shows, so you can stay satiated while browsing plethora displays. And kids are not excluded. The Home Depot is bringing back its kid’s workshop, complete with toolkits to build bird houses and aprons for them to look like builders-in-training. Lynnrich also joins in the fun with custom balloon animals. With free admission and parking, there’s no excuse not to say “Let’s go!” Attendees are also eligible to win more than $25,000 worth of exhibitor prizes. “It’s like trick-or-treat Halloween in September,” said Mark.
GRAND PRIZES INCLUDE: $5,000 Roofing Package Courtesy of Moonlight Construction Includes material and labor
$1,000 House Cleaning Package Courtesy of Brice’s Masterclean Wall-mounted Fireplace Courtesy of Fireplace Center 58-inch Simplifire Wall-mounted Fireplace
Lennox Gas Furnace Courtesy of White Heating and Air Conditioning High-efficiency Lennox natural gas furnace with 95-percent energy efficiency; includes normal installation
Home Insulation Package Courtesy of Billings Insulation Service $1,500 worth of insulation products and services
Home Security System Courtesy of Kenco Security & Technology Residential security system custom-designed for your home; includes equipment, installation and one-year monitoring
Custom Patio Door Courtesy of Lynnrich Seamless Siding, Windows and Doors 6-foot custom patio door; installation not included
250cc Roketa Motor Bike Courtesy of TNT Automotive & Marine Enduro motorcycle
Honda Generator Courtesy of King’s Ace Hardware 2,000-watt Honda generator
Custom Epoxy/Aggregate Flooring Package Courtesy of Rocky Mountain Hard Rock Flooring $1,500 toward any service
Retractable Screen Door Courtesy of Phantom Retractable Screens Includes installation
Body-Solid Elliptical Courtesy of B-Fit Best Fitness E-1 Elliptical Package; includes assembly, delivery, fitness evaluation and exercise program
RADIO PRIZE GIVEAWAYS $1,000 Photography Gift Certificate Courtesy of Clark Marten Photography 25-Person Catered BBQ Courtesy of Big Guy BBQ
RADIO DAILY GIVEAWAYS Parade of Homes Tickets Courtesy of the Home Builders Association of Billings Mountain Mudd Gift Cards Courtesy of Mountain Mudd Rio Sabinas Gift Card Courtesy of Rio Sabinas
SOCIAL MEDIA PRIZES Two one-year Costco Memberships Courtesy of Costco Interior/Exterior Window, Window Screen and Dryer Vent Cleaning Courtesy of Alpine Window Clean
Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
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Business is Booming Green Shoot Media If you’re thinking of remodeling your home, you’ve got plenty of company. The housing and remodeling industries are booming, according to a pair of reports out in mid2017. Home improvement and repair spending was healthy and stable growth was expected through the first half of 2018, according to the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. According to the Center’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), annual increases in remodeling expenditures were expected to remain at or above 6 percent through the second quarter of 2018. “The remodeling market continues to benefit from a stronger housing market and, in particular, solid gains in house prices, which
are encouraging owners to make larger investments in their homes,” said Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies. “Yet, weak gains in home sales activity due to tight inventories in many parts of the country is constraining opportunities for more robust remodeling growth given that significant investments often occur around the time of a sale.” LIRA did project that annual increases in remodeling expenditures will soften somewhat moving forward, according to a news release. In a separate study, the Center declared the national housing market fully recovered from the depths of the housing crisis. “A decade after the onset of the Great Recession, the national housing market has, by many measures, returned to normal: housing demand, home prices,
and construction volumes are all on the rise, and the number of distressed homeowners has fallen sharply,” the Center said in a news release announcing its “State of the Nation’s Housing 2017” report. “However, high demand and tight supply are pushing up housing costs and adding to concerns about affordability.” National home prices
“The remodeling market continues to benefit from a stronger housing market and, in particular, solid gains in house prices, which are encouraging owners to make larger investments in their homes.” Chris Herbert, managing director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies
Red Lodge/Luther Area
finally passed the pre-re- nation’s 100 largest metrocession peak in 2016, ac- politan areas in 2016. cording to the report, and The report also had an prices were up in 97 of the optimistic outlook on the
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Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
coming decade, projecting that housing demand will soar as both millennials and baby boomers age.
housing.mt.gov
Preparing for a Remodel Green Shoot Media A remodeling project involves financial, design and logistics challenges. It can all seem overwhelming. That means it’s crucial to have a plan. “The planning and researching phases of a project are the most critical steps in the remodeling process,” according to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. “The more knowledgeable and prepared a homeowner is, the more they protect themselves.” NARI offers the following tips for a successful remodeling project.
Research your project This involves looking for photos and information about completed projects you like. Reading about others’ experiences can help prepare you for potential challenges and educate you about the time and materials involved.
Plan for the long term Ask yourself how the project fits with your long-term goals. Are you planning to add to your family? Is there a potential move in your future? Answering these questions will help you make wise decisions about how to use your time and money.
Set your budget Be realistic, and be sure to include all the materials and labor you will need. Be honest with your contractor about your budget, and ask for his advice about cost-saving measures you can take.
Use advanced search for professionals
and see how it interacts with its customers on social media.
Ask the right questions NARI suggests asking remodelers about their education and training, whether they specialize in a certain type of remodeling and how they handle issues with clients.
Verify your remodeler
Make your selections
Before you choose a remodeler, you want to be sure you’ve done your homework. See if it’s possible to arrange a visit to a current job site. Double check his certifications and licenses with the issuing agencies.
Making firm decisions about your project materials plays a huge role in the project being completed on time. Don’t always choose the least expensive material. Instead, consider value. Ask that materials be listed in the contract.
Keep design in mind
Read a remodeler’s online reviews and look into licensing, certifications, association memberships and other credentials. Look at the company’s online portfolio
Think about how the space will Review contracts closely be used and how it could be made A remodeling contract conmore useful. Visit websites to find design ideas and talk to your de- tains language designed to protect signer about what you like about a you and the contractor. Be sure to particular design. read it thoroughly and ask que-
stons about anything you don’t understand. Make sure you know how and when the contractor will be paid, how change orders will be handled, how long the job will take and how additional fees and delays will be handled.
Create communication plan Communicating with your remodeler and vice versa is key to a project’s success. Work out with your remodeler how you will contact her and how often you will be in touch.
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24TH ANNUAL FALL HOM VENDOR............................BOOTH 2K Kennels...................................... 453 41 Realty Group............................... 112 AAA Leather Doctor........................60 AAA Trees Done Right.Outside Space Aaron’s Back Company...................123 Aaron’s Furnace & A/C.................. 329 ABC Seamless........................ 28-29-30 Accent Windows......................188-189 Advanced Water Solutions............300
Aerus Electrolux..............................331 Air Controls..............................152-153 Aire Serve of Billings.............. 198-199 All Star Custom Seamless Gutters 44 Allstate Insurance- Mike Hass......... 43 Alpha Omega Disaster Restoration..................................101 Alpha Overhead Door............002-003 Alpine Window Cleaning....................... ................................Grand Prize Room
American Exteriors........................ 333 American Granite...........................454 Artison Exterior Designs........ 241-242 Artistic Stone Montana................... 97 Bailey Garage Doors............................. .......................436-437 & Demo Room Berkshire Hathaway Home Services... ......................................... 245-246-247 Better Body Fitness 186-187 & 218-219 B-Fit for Life........... 297-298 & 311-312
Big Guy BBQ................. Outside Space Big Sky Backyards....... Outside Space Big Sky Disaster Restoration........ 332 Big Sky Exterior Designs...................... ................................127-129 & 140-142 Big Sky Insulation, Inc............ 163-164 Big Sky Natural Wellness Clinic............ ................................................. 201-202 Big Sky Pet Resort.........................260 Big Sky Wakaya..............................284
Billings Bernina Sewing Center............ ................................................440-441 Billings Best Blinds and Shutters 239 Billings Construction Supply.........249 Billings Ink and Toner.................... 146 Billings Insulation.............................72 Billings Kubota......263-265 & 276-278 Billings Last Diet.....................235-236 Billings Lifestyle Magazine... Sponsor Billings Real Estate Professionals....10
EXPO CENTER
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Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
ME IMPROVEMENT SHOW Branding Iron BBQ....... Outside Space Braun Building & Remodeling......... 67 Breakers Billiards...........................456 Brewer Dental Center....................304 Brices Masterclean........................429 Bridger Steel Inc......................213-214 B-Seamless.....................................280 Buckaroo Organics.......................... 26 Budget Blinds............................. 45-46 Burch Drywall and Paint................183 Cabinet Depot & Design Center....305 Carpet Barn................................. 31-34 Celias Gourmet Balsamics..............157 Cellular Plus.................................... 339 Central City Remodelers........ 159-160 Central Heating & Air Conditioning..... ................................................. 105-106 Chiropractic first.....................235-236 Choice Floors........................... 184-185 CK Builders...............................125-126 Clark Marten Photo................ 143-144 Cleary Building Corp.......................170 Collective Goods........................... 464 Comfort Heating & Air, LLC.......39-40 Comtech...................................... 65-66 Concrete Transformation.............. 225 Construction by Design................. 433 Cornerstone Exteriors............. 99-100 Costco Wholesale............................179 Cowboy’s Touch Products.............344 Creative Magnetic Artists..............306 Creative Vinyl Fencing, Inc................... ...................................93-94 & 107-108 Cricket Wireless.257 & Outside Space C’s Exterior Designs.................... 41-42 Cutco Cutlery...................................147 D & D Poppers..................Outside 002 Dakota Sales................................... 237 Dakota Walk In Tubs............... 159-160 Dawn’s Gifts.................................... 293 Decorative Iron & Fence................ 207 Denver Mattress.........................76-79 Dept of Labor/MT Contractors............ ..................................................173-174 Dish Network...........................269-272 Dogwatch of Montana...113 & Outside Doterra Essential Oils............. 327-328 E & P Painting..................................155 Earth Busters....................................15 EAS Innovation....................... 294-295 Edward Jones......................................7 Eggerts Tree Service.................... 444 Expressive Art....................................... ...................... 442-443 & Demo Room Exterior Design Solutions.............343 EZ Thrive.......................................... 171 Farmers Insurance-Susan Walters Agency................................86-87-88 Fireplace Center, Inc............................. ................................. 118-119 & 150-151
First Class Bamboo........................459 Freedom Equity Group.....................14 Freedom Windows, Doors & Siding..... .....................................................19-20 Fullcourt Athletics................................. ........................Restroom Sponsorship G & J Enterprises..............................64 Guardian Building Products... 138-139 Guardian Mortgage........................... 8 Halo Tek......................................... 460 Hawaiian Moon.............................. 203 Healing Vibrations......................... 136 Health and Beauty Max..............90-91 Healthmate International..............215 Home Builders Association of Billings .........................................................145 Hotsy WyMont........................ 340-341 HRDC........................................335-336 I Spin- Wind Spinner...................... 293 ICWBF......................................... 84-85 iDoctor............................116 & Outside Intelligent Canine........................... 134 Isagenix.......................................... 435 J and J Construction............................. ........................ 35-36 & Outside Space J and L Industries...............................0 Juro’s Pharmacy..................... 250-251 JW Synthetic Grass.................148-149 K & K Lanscaping & Deck Works... 285 K&P Enterprises................................15 K2 Spas & Sport............ 16-18 & 47-49 K2 Spas & Sport............51-53 & 80-82 K-Designers................................. 73-74 Keller Williams Premier Brokers...231 Kenco Security & Technology....54-55 Kennells Radiant Heat.................... 115 KG Post Frame.................................00 Khanthaly’s Eggrolls.... Outside Space King’s ACE Hardware............................ .................................. 161-162 / 175-176 Kirby Co.......................................... 180 Kitchen Tune-up...............................89 Kleer Vu..........................................205 KOB Enterprizes............................. 180 Ledgestone Hotel................Host Hotel Legacy TV Box Innovations...........334 Leisure in MT......................................... ...................288-292/317-325/450-451 Levi’s Roofing and Siding...............114 LightTunes Productions................ 238 Lilla Rose.........................................281 Linda Kay’s Caramel Kitchen........344 Loveless Wealth Management.......182 Lowe’s......................................309-310 LuLaRoe- Tiffanie Jones................ 455 Lynnrich ................. 195-197 / 208-210 Magic City Real Estate....................133 Mahindra Implement...........Small Bay Make Like A Tree Professional Tree Care..................................... 207
My Handyman Service & Construction..........................110-111 My Pillow........................................ 228 Naturally Montana.........................302 NCI Windows......................................... .....................50 & 83 & Outside Space New Tek Solutions................................. ...................Exhibit Alley/Demo Room Newman Quality Built Homes.............. ................................... 56-57 & Outside Newman Restoration and Cleaning..... ................................... 56-57 & Outside Norse Construction.......................... 59 Northwestern Energy..................21-22 Norwex...........................................447 Oh So Clean.................................... 232 Pain Free Zone........................258-259 Pampered Chef.................................71 Paramount Log Homes..................135 Parkers Hangover Tonic................ 279 Patriot Construction.............. 307-308 September 8, 9 & 10 Payne Construction....................... 190 Friday: Noon to 8 p.m. Peak Contracting........................... 282 Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Perky J Upholstery........................ 301 Phantom Retractable Screens.......... 6 Sunday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pierce Flooring & Cabinets......58 & 75 Kids Experience Pocket Pets.................................... 326 Home Depot Kids Workshops Post Frame Specialists.................. 452 Saturday & Sunday Premier Carpet Cleaning...............240 Lynnrich Custom Primerica........................................ 457 Balloon Animals Procrete.......................................... 169 Friday, Saturday & Sunday Protech Steel......................................... Pocket Pets Interactive ....................Outside Space/Small Bay Friday, Saturday & Sunday Protech Steel.........266-268 & 273-275 Quality Edge Construction............248 Maranatha Construction...............206 Quantum Health..............................98 Mary Kay.........................................103 R&L Painting & Remodeling...........172 Rada Cutlery...................................299 Matt the Painter............................. 104 RC Heating Cooling Refrigeration........ McCall Homes.................................434 .................................................... 95-96 MDU.............................Coffee Sponsor Remax of Billings............................158 Miller Farms..........................448-449 Renewal by Anderson.......................... Miracle Method of the Big Horn.......... ...............120-121-122 & Outside Space ................................................. 222-223 Republic Trash Services................ 432 Mono Slab EZ Form......................... 25 Reule Builders................................. 117 Montana Customs.............................. 9 Reynolds Window & Door.............. 433 Montana Melt............... Outside Space Rim Advertising.............................462 Montana Piering & Concrete Lifting ... Rocky Mountain Bank........... Sponsor ....................................................... 37 Rocky Mountain Hardrock Flooring 5 Montana Segway............ Outside 004 Rocky Mountain Rug Gallery............... Montana Shed Center........................... ......................... 438-439/Demo Room Roger Daniel Insurance Agency...200 ....................Outside Space/Small Bay S Bar S...................229-230 & 243-244 Moonlight Construction....................... Sacramento Hottub Warehouse.......... ...................................224 and Outside ................................................. 165-168 Morton Buildings............................181 Safety Siphons...............................459 Motto Mortgage..............................158 Sam’s Club.......................................124 Mountain Mudd Espresso.................... Satellite Guru..........................226-227 ...................................... Outside Space Scentsy............................................132 Murphy Wall Beds............................ 27 Seder’s Construction & Metal...286-287
Show Hours
Seder’s Fireplace Central......92 & 109 Serv Pro of Billings.......................... 38 Sewing Center West.............337 & 342 Sheets-R-Us....................................299 Shepherd Warrior Martial Arts..........1 Sheridan Tent & Awning................458 Shinler Cabinetry........................... 262 Simply Family......................... Sponsor Sissies Cleaning Service................296 Six Sigma Contracting....................102 Sleep Number..........................130-131 Snap Sports of Montana...................... ........................Restroom Sponsorship Snirt Stopper.....................................61 Soft Touch Designs..................216-217 Soil Shaker.........................................15 Solariums Direct............................204 State Farm Insurance-Jeff Boyd/ Diana Larsen................................. 63 Stronghold Surface Solutions....... 338 Stuarts House of Vacuums...............13 Sunshine Infrared Therapy........... 461 Swift Construction.........................462 Territorial Landworks....................330 The 406 Store.................................313 The Glass Doctor/Masterlube........316 The Home Depost...................233-234 The Nut Shack.................................... 4 The Rollin Donut.......... Outside Space The Tub Guys............................ 177-178 The Water Guy.................................431 Thompson Pools....220-221 & 252-255 Tile by Lyle........................................ 62 Timbercreek Manufacturing.........463 TLC Laser Eye Centers....................314 TNT Automotive...................Small Bay Touchstone by Swakovski.............430 Triple 3 Elite Group........................ 326 Tuff Spas of Montana............68-69-70 Tupperware....................................445 Usborne Books & More..................156 Valley Federal Credit Union.......... 256 Vertex Controls........................ 191-192 Victory Organics...............................12 Vivint................................................315 Volunteers of America Northern Rockies.........................................261 Waddell & Reed.............................. 283 Wally World Satellite......................... 11 Watkins.......................................... 446 Weekly Real Estate Portfolio........462 White Heating & A/C............................. ................................. 193-194 & 211-212 Wild West Woods...........................303 Win-Dor Industries.....................23-24 Woodteck........................................ 154 Yellowstone County News.............TBD Young Living Essential Oils........... 237
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Refinishing Wood Floors Green Shoot Media Flooring is a hot feature in the housing market once again. However, home buyers are less enthused with new “wall-to-wall” carpeting and more interested in natural, hard surfaces such as hardwood floors. If you live in an older home, it is likely that wood floors exist underneath carpeting. This does not guarantee they will be in optimal condition. Removing old carpeting and restoring wood floors is a sound investment. You can expect a professional to take the following steps when refinishing hardwood floors. If you are feeling a confident burst of DIY zest, you can follow them yourself.
Sanding A drum sander is used to remove all the old coatings of stain and sealer and to level out any minor bumps in the wood. Sanding should always following the grain of the wood. A professional will attach a bag to the sander so that a majority of the resulting dust will be caught and not end spread over every room of your home.
Edging Edging is a term applied to sanding with a handheld edge sander — frequently used to sand hard-to-reach areas and corners. (Drum sanders are big and round). The sandpaper should be the same grit level as the paper used on the drum sander.
Filling Next, any gaps or cracks need to be filled. A wood filler that is tinted a similar color to the floor’s natural color should be used.
Finishing The final stage is staining and finishing the floor.
Usually two coats of stain are applied and at least one coat of sealer. Each application requires an applicator resembling a mop. You should wait at least four days before moving any furniture back into the space. The floors will take a full 30 days to cure, so limit area traffic and the placement of rugs.
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Sanding, Again And now another round of sanding. This helps to smooth over and blend the wood filler with the wood and is not as extensive as the first round of sanding. After the sanding is complete, the floors need to be both vacuumed and dry-mopped to catch any remaining dust and debris.
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Make Your Fireplace New Paint it or add art to make your fireplace a room’s centerpiece.
Working on a tight budget? white paint with an eggshell finish HGTV notes marble-like adhesive to give the fireplace a much more paper can be attached to existing subtle look. tile to cover it up with a new look. Along with being a low-priced option, this can be great for renters Cover the facade Green Shoot Media looking to temporarily change the with something new Whether wood-burning or gas, look of a room. You also can go with a relatively a fireplace can make an excellent low-cost option by just covering centerpiece for any room. If your If nothing else, paint it up whatever facade is already on fireplace is looking drab, freshen it It’s the cheapest change you the fireplace with something new. up with a quick fix or give it a major can make and can be the most ob- Artificial stone can be installed overhaul. vious. Depending on the type of with adhesive to make an old fireroom, you can paint (or strip the place look brand new. Don’t like the tile? paint from) the brick and paint the trim and wall around the fireplace. Add some art Cover it up HGTV recommends going with Depending on when your home something bright and loud, to reIf you’re looking to go ultra-low was built, the fireplace could fea- ally make the wall stand out. budget, add some flair above the ture tile around the opening as fireplace by picking up a new painting or other work of art to hang over trim. If you’re looking to make a the fireplace. Go with something change, there are a few options. Whitewash the brick that represents you, and don’t be To go big, replace or cover the tile HGTV points to a relatively afraid to try something different. with marble. It’s a bit pricey but will almost certainly add some easy project that can upgrade a The fireplace is the centerpiece of brick fireplace: multiple coats of the room, so make it count. class to the room.
Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
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Sticking to a Budget
Learn to DIY
Green Shoot Media It is easy to go over budget with home improvements, but with these easy steps, you can stay in the black.
Know what is important Know what is important to you and what is important for increasing the value of your home. Some projects see a greater return on investment, and certain projects will affect your listing price more than others. It also is important to know what you value. Oftentimes mid-project, you will find yourself needing to make tough choices on materials or installation costs. Knowing what you are willing to compromise on will make this decision smoother.
DIY - or not Completing a home project yourself to save money may not necessarily be the best way to go. For example, if you don’t have the knowledge or experience, you could end up paying much more in the long run. While your labor is free, knowledge certainly isn’t. It is smarter — and more budget-friendly — to know what you can handle and what is over your head.
Green Shoot Media Every homeowner should have basic do-it-yourself skills. Learning to DIY can save you money on tasks from installing a ceiling fan to tiling an entire room. Every home — whether newly constructed or a fixer-upper — comes with a list of projects that need to be done. Americans spent $340 billion on remodeling and maintenance in 2015, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. If you are starting from scratch on home improvement skills, it’s important to know where to look for your education. There are likely a variety of free or low-cost options available both online and in your community.
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Hardware stores Hardware stores big and small offer in-store clinics where basic skills are taught, and you can even learn to complete an entire project. You might find classes such as interior painting and drywall repair or beginning tiling. Some stores also offer libraries of online DIY videos for a range of projects. Local hardware stores can be a treasure trove of information. Not only will you likely find experienced home improvement pros behind the counter, but they also might be able to recommend local contractors they trust.
Online sources Habitat for Humanity offers its Habitat Learns program, a
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free online training portal for its volunteers, to the general public. Its Residential Construction Basics series, recommended for prospective homeowners, includes training on all of a home’s major systems, as well as construction terminology and processes. Topics include foundations, floor systems, framing walls, roofing, heating and cooling systems, electrical systems and interior and exterior finishes. Consider other online training portals that offer a wide range of courses from professional development to craft projects. Udemy.com offers low-cost courses (starting at $10) on topics such as patching walls and building a home automation system. Sites that offer free online tutorials include RonHazelton.com, DIYNetwork.com and
AsktheBuilder.com, as well as Pinterest and YouTube.
Local sources Check with your local community college to see if a home improvement course is offered. Many community colleges offer non-credit courses through continuing education or community outreach programs. These courses are designed to provide practical knowledge at an affordable price. Classes are often offered on nights or weekends, making it easy to fit them in around your regular schedule. For small projects, a one-time workshop might fit the bill. These courses are often taught by local home improvement contractors, allowing you to benefit from their expertise and make connections to local pros.
When to hire an expert If you feel like a project is over your head, it is time to start looking for an expert. Be sure to get at least three quotes for each service you need done. Remember that bids are about more than price. You should care about outcome, as well. Going with the cheapest bid doesn’t do you any good if the level of work proves to be less than desired.
Budget for the unexpected Pad your budget. No matter what you think something will cost, unexpected issues always arise, from a hidden pipe that needs moving, to extra shipping charges, to unanticipated permit fees. A safety net of 10 percent of your overall budget should protect you from overextending yourself.
Fall Lawn Care Tips Metro Services Spring and summer may be the seasons most often associated with landscaping and lawn care, but tending to lawns and gardens is a year-round job. If lawn and garden responsibilities dip considerably in winter, then fall is the last significant chance before the new year that homeowners will have to address the landscaping around their homes. Fall lawn care differs from spring and summer lawn care, even if the warm temperatures of summer linger into autumn. Homeowners who want their lawns to thrive year-round can take advantage of the welcoming weather of fall to address any existing or potential issues.
long as grass is growing. But as fall transitions into winter, lower the blades so the grass is cut shorter while remaining mindful that no blade of grass should ever be trimmed by more than one-third. Lowering the blades will allow more sunlight to reach the grass in the months ahead.
Remove leaves as they fall
Much like apple-picking and foliage, raking leaves is synonymous with fall. Some homeowners may wait to pick up a rake until all of the trees on their properties are bare. However, allowing fallen leaves to sit on the ground for extended periods of time can have an adverse effect on grass. Leaves left to sit on the lawn may ultimately suffocate the grass by forming an impenetrable wall that deprives the lawn Keep mowing, of sunlight and oxygen. The result is dead grass and possibly even fungal but adjust how you mow disease. Leaves may not need to be It’s important that homeown- raked every day, but homeowners ers continue to mow their lawns so should periodically rake and remove
leaves from their grass, even if there are plenty left to fall still hanging on the trees.
Repair bald spots Summer exacts a toll on lawns in various ways, and even homeowners with green thumbs may end up with a lawn filled with bald spots come September. Autumn is a great time to repair these bald spots. Lawn repair mixes like Scotts® PatchMaster contain mulch, seed and fertilizer to repair bald spots, which can begin to recover in as little as seven days. Before applying such products, remove dead grass and loosen the top few inches of soil. Follow any additional manufacturer instrucparticularly those who take pride tions as well. in tending to their own lawns, can successfully aerate their own turf, Aerate the turf it’s best to first have soil tested so Aerating reduces soil compact- you know which amendments to ing, facilitating the delivery of fer- add after the ground has been aertilizer and water to a lawn’s roots. ated. Gardening centers and home While many homeowners, and improvement stores sell soil test-
ing kits that measure the pH of soil, but homeowners who want to test for nutrients or heavy metals in their soil may need to send their samples to a lab for further testing. Fall lawn care provides a great reason to spend some time in the yard before the arrival of winter.
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Each Miracle Method franchise independently owned and operated.
Limit one coupon per project. Valid only at participating locations.
(406) 272-0099 (307) 271-5240
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Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
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Building memories. One blueprint at a time. Your home needs just a few improvements to make it perfect for your family. Construction loans to make it together. happen*—it’s you and
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CINDY REISS NMLS# 901291 406-255-5148 cindy.reiss@fib.com
RACHEL OSBURN NMLS# 943338 406-255-6109 rachel.osburn@fib.com
NATALIE PIGG NMLS# 298633 406-255-5156 natalie.pigg@fib.com
SARA MAINS NMLS# 707785 406-255-5177 sara.mains@fib.com
TERESA GILREATH NMLS# 707960 406-255-5833 teresa.gilreath@fib.com
TASHA STRAIGHT NMLS# 1423330 406-255-5189 tasha.straight@fib.com
Fall Home Improvement Show 2017
IAN ULLMAN NMLS# 1427776 406-255-6094 ian.ullman@fib.com