|
“We like our neighborhood, our kids’ schools and our 1960s colonial house, but with only 3 bedrooms and a bath and half the house is too small for our growing family. An addition with some remodeling would seem like a good thing for us, but we have several concerns. We have three children, pets and my wife and one child are very allergic to dust and mold. We are worried about the health, safety and security of our family during a long and dirty process. Moving out is out of the question. What can you suggest?”
“Inspect your expects” - You are correct in assuming a remodel can be dusty and potentially open up mold in your home. Construction is inherently dangerous. To reduce your anxiety, start with a discussion of your concerns with your prospective contractors. Ask about their safety record and what measures they have to ensure the workplace is a safe place. Experienced remodelers routinely and successfully deal with your issues. A few suggestions: Have a safe zone where there is no construction work going on and have it sealed with plastic and tape (sometimes a temporary wall is best) from the construction areas. If you have a forced-air HVAC system, cut off the return air duct lines that exist in the construction area so they do not draw dust and fumes into the rest of your home. Have a family meeting to discuss the interruptions that will occur during construction. Set the expectation that it is going to be difficult for a while but remind them that the payoff will be a rewarding new space for everyone to enjoy.
(return to top of page)
“I have some carpentry skills and I like to do things myself when I can. But I don’t have all the skills or enough time to complete a project I have in mind. Is it possible to hire a remodeler to take a project to a point where I can take it over and finish it?”
In some cases yes. Smaller projects that do not require building permits or structural changes can be brought to a point where the contractor can handoff the completion of the project. Or the reverse might be the case: you will do the demolition and your contractor will take it from there. Either way, be sure it is clearly spelled out in advance what the responsibilities of the contractor are versus those you will fulfill. Most of the answer you seek will depend on your contractor. Different contractors will have different answers. Keep in mind that there is often a liability and/or warranty issue at hand when a project is completed by someone else.
(return to top of page)
I have collected a lot of barnwood, flooring and other materials from old houses. I want to hire a remodeler who will use the materials in my weekend home. A friend said I should never use these materials without having them sterilized first. I have never heard of such a thing. What is your opinion?
It depends on where you want to use these materials. Just because it is old doesn’t necessarily mean it is mold infested or germ filled. If your intention is to have the material milled into kitchen counter tops I would suggest a simple bleach and water solution to kill whatever bacteria may exist on the surface. But then, once a board is milled and the outside material is removed, most likely the bacteria is removed with it. If you are just considering using the material as a wall treatment then I suggest a thorough cleaning with a scrub brush and water to remove the years of dust and animal dandruff. Sometimes nothing beats the look of aged barnwood and the cleaning or milling of the material is worth the effort.
(return to top of page)
We love laminate flooring. It looks good, and seems softer under foot and warmer than tile. But we are getting conflicting advice as to where we can use it. Some sales people say we can use it in rooms where there is moisture (where we have our hot tub and in our bath), but a contractor we consulted wouldn’t put it in. What is your opinion?
My opinion doesn’t count for as much as the manufacturer’s specifications, so check them first. If you don’t follow them your warranty could be voided. I always advise clients of the risks involved when placing any wood product flooring in a potentially wet area. Solid wood, particleboard, pressed board, masonite, and laminate floor products all run similar risks when exposed to moisture for extended periods. Technology has improved to provide sealants for most of these products but in the worst case scenario (when the wild hot tub party gets out of control) the products could delaminate, buckle, and swell. Under the same conditions a ceramic or stone floor would not be effected. Nevertheless if you are very conscientious about protecting a wood floor from moisture you can successfully maintain its beauty for many years.
(return to top of page)
|
