& Design
Hiring a Contractor? Ask these questions ďŹ rst
Weekend Warriors Projects that can be completed in a single weekend
Picture Perfect How to hang photos and artwork with ease
a blank slate media/litmor publications special section • march 2, 2018
30 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
Ask these questions first when hiring a contractor
I
s it time to update your kitchen? Or maybe you’re thinking of a beautiful princess tub in a gorgeous marble bathroom. But who is going to do the work? How do you choose the best contractor for the job? Many people enter into agreements with contractors they don’t know well and end up disappointed – or worse – when things don’t go as planned. Hiring a contractor is like hiring anyone else who is going to work in your home or for your business. You should plan to interview the contractors you are considering, and they should be prepared to answer all of your questions patiently and thoroughly. Here is a list of questions that can help you have the best possible experience with your home improvements.
Is the contractor licensed? Contractors in New York must be licensed by the counties in which they do work. In
Nassau County, contractors are licensed by the Office of Consumer Affairs in Mineola. The licensing process ensures that the contractor’s identity and address have been verified, that the company is a properly registered business, and that the necessary insurance is in place – but ask them about their insurance anyway. Is the contractor properly insured? Contractors should carry two types of insurance: liability insurance, which covers property damage and some injuries, and workers compensation, which provides coverage for the contractor’s employees in the event of on-the-job injury. Without these types of insurance, you could end up having to file a claim against your homeowner’s policy for any incidents that occur on your property and could even have to pay out pocket for what your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover. Ask to see your contractor’s Certificate of Insurance.
If the contractor uses subcontractors such as electricians and plumbers, make sure that those businesses are also properly insured, and that the homeowner is listed as additionally insured on the certificates of insurance. What is the contractor’s process for paperwork and payment? This should include a written contract for you to review and sign, a clear description of the work to be done, the cost and payment terms, and a projection of how long the project will take. What about permits? Ask if the contractor plans to secure the appropriate permits for the type of work you will have done. Experience working with the Building Department in your municipality – the Town of North Hempstead or Town of Oyster Bay – is helpful and proper permits are a must. If a contractor talks about bypassing or neglecting the permit process, run the other way!
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The costs will be far greater to you in the long run with increased fees, potential fines, and the challenging process of seeking retroactive permits when the time comes to sell your home. How will the day-to-day operation of the job be handled? Will the contractor be on site to oversee the project? How and when will the contractor communicate with you regarding progress and possible issues that may arise? How many employees do they have? Will you be seeing the same team throughout the project? And if your contractor is using subcontractors such as electricians and plumbers, be sure to ask if they have worked together before. And what is the cleanup going to be like on the job site – not just at the end of the project but daily. Will equipment be left on site, and if so, where? Be sure to ask how long the contractor has been in business and what type of work they typically do. Companies that have been in business for longer, doing the type of work you need, have had the opportunity to develop experience in dealing with the variables and unforeseen circumstances that may arise. Ideally, they also
have learned how be on time and on budget. And to check on the claims of quality, reliability, and punctuality, don’t hesitate to ask the contractor for references. Call two or more of their former customers and ask about their experience with the contractor. And remember, there are scammers out there so be sure to listen to your gut and be suspicious of anyone who shows up at your door offering to do work with “leftover materials,” people who pressure you to make a quick decision, and bids that are unusually low. These people may be looking to take your deposit and disappear. So ask these questions, and listen to the answers. It may be tempting to go with the lowest price, but in the long run, this could end up costing you far more than going with a reasonably priced, experienced, licensed and insured contractor who will deliver high quality work that will provide you with years of happy enjoyment of your newly customized home. Information provided by John Santos, Island Contracting, www.Islandcontractinginc.com
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or inexperienced opportunists. The staff from Able Lock can examine your existing doors and locks and make recommendations to improve the security of your home. They also have a great selection of Safes for your home and office. They have Fire, Burglary and combination safes that serve both purposes. For your business they have under-counter safes, drop safes, cash drawer boxes and composite safes for your electronic media. Their safe technicians are highly experienced in the delivery and installation of your new safe. They can move the heaviest of safes into your home without damage or disturbance of any kind. They are licensed and bonded so you can trust your privacy and security to them. As their reputation can attest Able Lock Shop will provide great service before, during and after the fact and you can always find them at 1100 Jericho Turnpike if you need them or you just want to say Hi! Come and down today and let them know how they can be of service.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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32 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
Complete these home improvements over the weekend H ome improvement projects ramp up when the weather warms up, as homeowners channel the rejuvenating feelings of spring and tackle their home todo lists. Large-scale renovations can greatly affect a home, but smaller projects can yield impressive results and be completed over the course of a single weekend. If time is of the essence, these weekend or one-day projects may satisfy homeowners’ desires to fix up their homes. Create an accent wall. Painting a focal wall in a home can create a serious impact. The bonus is it will not take as long or require as many materials as painting an entire room. Accent walls frequently feature a bold color, so decide on placement and tackle this project in less than a day. Install stair runners. Dress up hardwood stairs with decorative carpet runners. Runners come in elongated pieces of carpeting or individual pieces that can be placed on each step. If carpeting doesn’t fit with the home’s design,
painting individual stair treads also can create visual appeal. Dress up the entryway. An entryway is a guest’s first impression of a home. Many entryways can use a minor overhaul, both inside and outside. Paint the front door a different color so it pops from the curb. Install a new mailbox or decorative house numbers. A new welcome mat can change the look as well. Inside, consider laying a new floor. Resilient vinyl tiles come in many different patterns and can mimic the look of wood, travertine or marble. Installing a floor can take a day or two.
Install a new faucet. Instantly improve a kitchen or a bathroom with new fixtures. New faucets can provide aesthetic appeal and lowflow faucets can help conserve water. Create a gallery on the staircase. Gather and arrange framed photos, artwork or wall accents so that they ascend the wall of a staircase. This creates a designer touch and can dress up an often barren area of wall space.
Install a fresh light fixture. Improve drab spaces with a little illumination. Better Homes & Gardens suggests replacing an existing fixture with something new and vibrant. If hanging a new fixture is not within one’s skill set, free-standing table or floor lamps also can cast a new glow on a space. Add molding. Molding can add instant aesthetic appeal to a room. Molding is appropriate near the floor, at the top of walls where they meet the ceiling, or even mid-wall as a chair rail. Some homeowners like to create framed molding on walls in formal living spaces. Update kitchen or bathroom hardware. Replacing hardware is a fast and easy project, but one that can have immediate impact. Swap out tired or outdated hardware for newer brushed metals and more impactful shapes and designs. Home renovations do not need to take weeks or months. Many projects can be completed over the course of a weekend.
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34 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
How to hang photos and artwork with ease
P
ersonal touches turn a house into a home. Hanging pictures, whether they’re personal photographs or artwork, can really change the character of a room. Unfortunately, some people may not know the proper ways to display pictures on a wall. Design maven Martha Stewart advises that the first step is to gather all of the pictures that are in consideration for hanging. This will enable a person to see what is available and edit their selection based on the space available, theme or color scheme. Having the artwork there enables a person to move it around like a puzzle until the placement feels just right. Next, plan on hanging artwork at 57 inches on center, according to the renovation experts at Apartment Therapy. “On center” means the middle of the photograph or painting will always be at 57”, as this measurement represents the average human eye height. This height is regularly used as a standard in many galleries and museums. When the goal is to hang multiple
pictures, treat the entire grouping as a single unit. This means creating the layout and finding the center of the middle piece of the grouping. To make picture grouping easier, use paper templates with arrows to indicate whether the artwork will be hung horizontally or vertically. These templates can then be easily taped to the wall and rearranged until the grouping is ideal. There are no hard and fast rules concerning frames, meaning they do not all have to match. But placing framed artwork side by side can give a person a feel for whether the images and the frames work together in the space. Some people like to use frames of similar colors and sizes. Others want the eclectic mix-and-match appeal. It’s ultimately up to the homeowner. Measuring is key to hanging a picture correctly on the wall. Take into consideration the type of attachment, whether it’s D-rings, sawtooth hangers, wire, or other fasteners on the back. Measure from the top of the frame to the hanger. Measure the wall to achieve the 57” on center location, and then calculate where
this falls within the height of the artwork and frame top. Adjust accordingly and mark. Then measure the distance from the frame top to the hanger location on the wall. Be sure to take the weight of the picture into consideration when selecting hanging hardware. Wall anchors may be needed if measurements determine a wall stud will not help secure the artwork — to keep the frame sturdy in the drywall. Home improvement resource Today’s Homeowner also suggests using self-adhesive rubber bumpers to the bottom corners on the back of the frame before hanging so that the picture will not damage the wall and will help it hang level. It can take a few attempts to hang pictures correctly, but with practice it should come with greater ease. The good news is there are new products constantly being evolved to make picture hanging easier, including those that enable removal and relocation of artwork without damaging walls.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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36 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
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HINTS FOR THE SMART SHOPPER Confusion is probably the word on the minds of most home improvement shoppers. Between fast talking salesmen and manufacturer statistic sheets, some people lose sight of their most valuable shopping asset common sense. The following six tips on shopping for home improvements could come from any person with nothing more than good old fashioned horse sense.
1. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS: Most people think it is acceptable to buy home improvements from a person they don’t entirely trust because they think all salesmen are alike. That is probably the one biggest mistake. You should never buy anything from any person you don’t trust and feel one hundred percent comfortable with. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. 2. SEE THE PRODUCTS: Sometimes what sounds good in description and looks great in pictures turns out to be a total disappointment. You should never sign a contract without seeing the product first and never be afraid to tell your salesman just that. An honest salesman will understand your apprehension and welcome you to go to the showroom before signing a contract. 3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK: A company’s reputation says it all. Always inquire how long a company has been in business and how many jobs they complete each year. This information will give you a good idea about a company’s experience. Unified completes approximately 6000 jobs per year and has been in business over 25 years. That’s over 125,000 happy customers since the company was started. Always check with Consumer Affairs to determine when the company was first licensed to ensure they didn’t change names along the way. 4. VISIT THE SHOWROOM: Unified never recommends buying any product or home improvements from a person or company that does not work out of a showroom, factory, or professional storefront. Even though the price will be lower, anyone who works out of a house, truck, or post office box, can seem to disappear into thin air. Take the time to go out and see the place of business, even if the contractor comes to give you an in home estimate. 5. GET DIRECT ANSWERS: If a company and salesman are really honest, you should be able to get direct answers over the telephone, including exact prices and descriptions without having to give your name or address and without talking to a specific person. An honest company should have nothing to hide. 6. GET EVERYTHING IN THE CONTRACT: Before signing a contract, make a quick list on your own of everything you expect from the job and everything the salesperson promised you. Then compare your list with the contract to be sure each item is clearly written. Don’t hesitate to have the salesman add what is missing. Steven J DiMare Written by: Steven J DiMare Chief Executive Officer Unified Window Systems, Inc.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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38 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
Home security in the modern era D o you own or rent a home or apartment? You should be aware of your residential security. Hopefully when you moved in to your residence you rekeyed or replaced your outer locks. These are the primary barrier and security features of your home. If you have purchased your locks from a “ Big Box Store” you are sharing your keys with thousands of other folks across the area. They sell packages of keyed alike locks which share the same key so people can buy multiple locks and use one key for all of them. This is a dangerous breach of your security. You might be thinking “if a person wants to get in then they will find a way”. This is NOT a valid argument. Home burglaries are easier when doors are equipped with cheap (normally weaker and poorly made) locks and many doors only have a doorknob and no deadbolt. Doorknobs are a convenience function used to open and hold your door closed: they are not meant for security. Deadbolts are the locks on your door that provide the security. Your door should have a
properly installed high quality deadbolt. Doors without deadbolts or with poorly installed deadbolts can be opened quicker and more quietly than properly installed locks. Your neighbors will hear and therefore see a burglar trying to open a high security properly installed deadbolt. Burglars know this and tend to move on to the next weaker target house which have no deadbolts or cheap locks. Your Home is worth Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars or more. Are you protecting it with $50 or $100 dollar mass marketed locks? If you are then think twice. Burglars are very sophisticated and skilled in our area. Homes in the New York City Metro Region should be protected with high security locks such as Medeco or Mul-t-lock. These locks are built to much higher quality standards. The design of the Medeco lock contains 3 separate locking components. The keys must be properly milled and cut to very exacting specifications in order to release the separate locking components in the locks. The keys are restricted—almost impossible to duplicate without the
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needs. At the very least you should have a good quality Fire Safe to keep your important documents safe in case of fire. Moving up to a Fire/Burglary safe adds important protection for your valuables. If you have a lot of high value items such as watches, jewelry, coins etc you should consider a burglary rated safe which is made to withstand repeated forcible attacks and still keep your items protected. There are multiple grades of high security burglary safes available depending on what you require for your valuables.
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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40 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
Make garage organization go smoothly
G
arages tend to fall victim to disorganization during the winter, when homeowners want to hurry inside and get some respite from the cold. As a result, many homeowners resolve to clean their garages come springtime. Cleaning a disorganized garage overcome with clutter can be an all-day job, so homeowners would be wise to reserve a springtime Saturday or Sunday to get their garages back in order. Upon designating ample time to clean their garages, homeowners can then utilize a few additional tips to make the project go as smoothly as possible.
Empty the garage. The first step when organizing a garage is to empty it completely. Old machinery and rusted lawn and garden tools have a way of disappearing in garages, and those items may remain there for
years if the garage is never emptied. Once you have emptied the garage, you might be surprised to learn just how much or even how little space you have to work with. Clean the garage top to bottom. After you have emptied the garage, give it a thorough cleaning. Cleaning the garage serves multiple purposes. A clean garage is less likely to be overcome with dirt and/or critters, both of which can contribute to the deterioration of tools and machinery stored in the garage. In addition, you may be less likely to let a clean garage fall back into disorganization, saving you the trouble of reorganizing the garage next spring. Look up. Many homeowners fail to make adequate use of the vertical space in their garages. But keeping items off the floor can make it easier to clean the garage and will provide more
room for your car or other machinery you don’t want to leave in the driveway or a backyard shed. Install shelves so you can more safely store automotive fluids and cleaners, and hang some hooks or hammer a few nails into the garage walls so you can hang tools like rakes and garden shears. Group tools by season. Grouping tools by season can make for a more organized garage and one less likely to be overcome with clutter. Designate one corner of the garage for lawn and gardening tools and another for winter tools like snow shovels or snowblowers. This makes it easier to find tools when you need them. When grouping tools, you can
also group items by who uses them. For example, parents can designate one area of the garage for their tools, while kids can get their own area for their toys and bicycles. Resolve to park in the garage. One of the best ways to keep a garage organized is to park your vehicle or vehicles inside the garage each night. Parking in a garage protects your vehicle(s) from the elements, and you also won’t be tempted to leave items lying around on the garage floor if you know you will eventually be pulling your vehicle in. A few simple strategies can make springtime garage organization more effective and efficient.
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MOVING AHEAD has been in business on Long Island since 1983. We are active members of the LIMSA (Long Island Moving & Storage Association), Business Networking International (BNI), and The New Hyde Park chamber of Commerce. Our goal is to keep business flourishing and expanding right here on Long Island. MOVING AHEAD runs a 7 day a week operation that goes to great lengths to do whatever if takes to make our customers satisfied. We invite you to visit our facility at any time. Our office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. We look forward to being of service to you soon!!!
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Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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42 HOME & DESIGN • Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018
Things to consider Add curb appeal before expanding to your property your home M any people are familiar with the idea that a strong first impression can go a long way. While that idea is most often referenced in regard to personal interactions, it’s also applicable to real estate.
When selling a home, homeowners who emphasize curb appeal may find it far easier to sell their homes. Curb appeal refers to the impression a home’s exterior makes on people seeing the home for the first time. In 2014, the online real estate database Zillow® surveyed real estate agents and found that curb appeal was one of the five most important factors when selling a home. Projects that improve curb appeal can be vast undertakings or simpler projects, and the following are a handful of projects to improve a home’s curb appeal that run the gamut from simple to complex.
H
omeowners who feel their homes are a little confined may be interested in expanding their homes to make them more comfortable and serviceable. Several questions may come to mind when homeowners are considering adding on to an existing home. Expanding a home requires careful consideration. While the end results can be spectacular, expansion is typically a long and costly process that will impede on the lifestyles of a home’s inhabitants during the renovation process. Expect loud noises, work crews and sawdust throughout the project. Depending on which areas are being renovated, residents may feel their lives are in upheaval until the expansion project has been completed.
2. Visit your building inspection or municipal office to learn the local regulations. You want to ensure that any renovations you make are done in keeping with safety codes and laws. 3. While you’re thinking of your neighbors, give them the heads up on your potential plans. This way they will not be surprised by the extra noise and activity when the renovation begins.
Familiarizing yourself with the expansion process and recognizing potential snags along the way can make planning and coping that much easier.
4. Remodeling can cost anywhere from $200 to $600 per square foot added. You’ll need to figure out a way to pay for the renovations, and you may consider refinancing your home. Make sure it is a smart time financially to do so based on current real estate market conditions. Also know that additions will likely increase your home insurance coverage needs. Consult with the insurance company about estimated charges and any restrictions they have.
1. Many homeowners first consult with a contractor when mulling over expansions. However, you may want to speak with an architect first. He or she may be able to suggest renovations that fit with your neighborhood and appeal to prospective buyers when you decide to sell your home in the future.
5. Consider a standalone structure when mulling over your options. Sometimes the cost of putting up a free-standing office or another structure on your property may end up being less expansive than expanding on what you already have. Think creatively and research all of your options before committing to a project.
Clean up the yard. Cleaning up the yard is among the simpler yet most effective projects to improve a home’s curb appeal. When selling their homes, homeowners should clear the yard of any clutter, including kids’ toys, grass clippings or items that might be scattered throughout the yard. A cluttered yard suggests homeowners do not care much about their home’s appearance, and that may lead buyers to think that indifference extended to maintaining the home’s interior as well. Many buyers will ignore properties without any external aesthetic appeal, but cleaning up the yard does not require much effort or expense on the part of sellers. Make the main entryway more inviting. Creating a more inviting entryway won’t be as simple as cleaning up the yard, but it can help create a strong first impression without breaking the bank.
To begin, remove plants and furniture from the front porch or area surrounding the doorway, as such items can create a cluttered feel. If the front door is old, replace it. Custom doors may be expensive, but they might add the wow factor buyers are looking for. If a new door is beyond your means or just unnecessary, repaint the door, ideally in a color that complements the color of your home and the surrounding landscape. Address pavement problems. Paving problems are not necessarily an expensive fix, but the cost of repairing driveways and walkways can add up if it’s been awhile since these areas were refurbished. Still, one of the first things buyers will notice when getting out of their cars is the ground they’re walking on, so patch and repair or even replace driveways and walkways that have fallen into disrepair. Add or upgrade outdoor living spaces. Outdoor living spaces also can set a property apart from others on the market. A recent study from the National Association of Realtors found that buyers would not hesitate to pay asking price for homes with outdoor living spaces. When adding or upgrading outdoor living spaces, try to depersonalize the spaces as much as possible, as buyers want to picture themselves, and not the sellers, enjoying these areas. Include some comfortable furniture, adequate lighting and a dining area in your outdoor living space as well. Curb appeal can add a lot to a home, while lack of such appeal can make a home difficult to sell. Homeowners who want to sell their properties for asking price or more should address curb appeal before putting their homes on the market.
Blank Slate Media Newspapers, Friday, March 2, 2018 • HOME & DESIGN
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