Spring maintenance for your home

With spring just around the corner, it’s important to maintain both the inside and outside of our homes.

Below are a few easy tips to get your home ready for spring:

Outside

• Clean and remove debris from your window wells, rain gutters and down spouts.
• Trim back overhanging tree limbs and overgrown shrubs around your home. If you are in a wildfire-prone area be sure to trim all vegetation at least 100 ft. from your home.
• Inspect and clean up debris surrounding your air conditioner. If you detect any problems, schedule to have your air conditioner serviced.
• Turn on your outdoor water faucets and sprinkler system., Check the main lines and sprinkler heads for any sign of leakage and make necessary repairs.
• If you have a wood deck, now is the time to clean and inspect the wood for stains or warping. Remove any debris that has accumulated over the winter and replace damaged wood. Consider restaining your deck before you bring out the patio furniture!
• Clean off your concrete and apply a sealer. Visit our post  Maintain and protect your concrete for more great tips.

Inside

• Change your furnace air filter. A clear filter will increase your homes air flow and increase your furnace’s energy efficiency.
• Remove hair from drains in sinks, tubs, and showers.
• Test all smoke alarms and replace batteries.
• Inspect washer hoses and clean your dryer vents inside and outside your home. Washer hoses should be replaced every five years and dryer vents should be thoroughly cleaned every six months. This will make your appliances last longer, use less energy, and run safely.
• Clean and reseal tile floors, showers and counter tops.

DIY Holiday Wreath

One of the great things about wreaths is that they are not just for hanging on your front door. You can decorate windows, fireplaces, and mirrors with them. You can hang them around your indoor and outdoor light fixtures or anywhere else in your home.

Here is my attempt at a holiday wreath:

Supplies you will need

• 20" green garland wreath (I got mine for $2.48)
• Extra fir branches
• Wired floral picks
• 2" silver-ball ornaments
• 6 smaller silver-ball ornaments
• 1 silver star ornament
• Wire (preferably green or the color of your wreath)
• Hot glue (and lots of it)

First, wire the extra fir branches into the garland. This will give the wreath interesting textures, a variety of colors, and makes the arrangement look fuller.

Second, space the largest silver-ball ornaments around the garland and glue them on the wreath.

Third, add the largest floral picks and then the smaller floral picks around the entire wreath. To secure them use floral wire.

Fourth, glue the small silver-ball ornaments in between the larger decorations on the wreath.

Lastly, add the Silver Star.

Not only was this wreath super easy and fast to make, but it cost less than $6.00. It’s an inexpensive way to make your home more beautiful for the holidays.

Hope you have a wonderful Holiday Season with the ones you love!

Energy Saving Ideas

With Christmas just around the corner, who couldn’t use a little extra money?

Here are a few tips to not only help you save money but, to save energy around your home:

1. Turn down your water heater, it can be lowered to 120° F. Not only will this save energy and money, but it will be safer for your family.

2. If not using appliances and electronics, faithfully unplug them. Also, consider using a power strip so you will only have one switch to turn off.

3. Lower your thermostat when away from home and at night. Be sure not to go lower than 55°F when away on vacation, you don’t want your pipes to freeze!

4. Seal around windows and doors to prevent air leaks (drafts).

5. Change your air filter at least every 3 months (for more information refer to "Here are a few easy tips to get your home ready for winter").

6. Replace light bulbs in your high usage areas with Energy Star CFL bulbs.

7. Add extra insulation in the attic to reduce both heating and cooling expenses.

If you are planning on building a new home, Jake Hulet Construction can help you become more energy efficient from day one! Whether that is by choosing Low-E Energy Star windows or installing a 90% efficient furnace, Jake Hulet Construction can meet your needs!

For more energy saving ideas, go to www.energystar.gov

Building a new home-part 2

With the paper work complete (building permit issued) and with the home positioned to your liking, the construction begins!

Step 1: Excavation
Excavation includes clearing your lot of debris, digging your footings and compacting the soil where your home will be built

Step 2: Foundation

Your foundation consists of pouring concrete footings, basement walls and a floor slab. Following this concrete work, the outside foundation walls are waterproofed and backfilling (moving dirt back around the outside of your foundation walls and compacting the soil) begins.

Step 3: Framing
Your framing will begin with the floor followed by the walls. Once your walls are complete, trusses are set and your home begins to take shape!

Step 4: Rough-In
Rough-In is a construction term that refers to the installation of your, plumbing, electrical, heating and air conditioning, central vacuum, alarm system and audio visual. Once this is complete, we will be ready for the Four Way Inspection from the city or county inspector. Once we have passed, insulation is installed.

Step 5:Roofing, Drywall and Paint
First, your roof will be prepped for the installation of shingles or tiles. Drywall will be hung, taped, and textured. Next, your walls and ceilings will be painted.

Step 6: Exterior Finishes
We are now ready to complete the outside of your home! Once your roof is installed, stucco, siding, rocks or bricks will be placed on your exterior walls. Next, your concrete driveways, porches, and walks are poured.

At this point, you typically only have 4-6 weeks until you can move in!

Step 7: Interior Finishes
There are many interior finishes that will make your house a home. We start by hanging your interior doors followed by baseboards, door casing, window seals, and closet shelving. The painters will return to finish painting all doors and trim work. Next, your handrail will be installed and your flooring will be laid.. Plumbing fixtures will then be set, cabinets will be installed followed by your countertops. Finishing touches (light fixtures, door knobs, mirrors, shower doors) complete your interior.

Step 8: Final Inspection
At this point, you have made it through the difficult part and we will be ready for our Final Occupancy Inspection by the city or county building inspector. Once we have received your certificate of occupancy, we will walk through your home together and do any final touch-ups.

Your brand new home is now complete and ready to move in!

We know you will enjoy your new home built by Jake Hulet Construction.

Building a new home-part 1

Are you considering building your first home, dream home, or settling into a place for retirement? It can be overwhelming. Here are a few guidelines that can help make this process go smoothly:

1. Meet with me - Contact Jake @ 435-590-9565 or email jakehulet@hotmail. He can discuss your options and guide you throughout the process to make it simpler and stress free.

2. Arrange financing - Meet with at least two lenders. Ask for Good Faith Estimates so you will know how much you can afford and what your monthly payments will be.

3. Purchase land if not already owned- Location is very important when looking for a lot. Consider the neighborhood. Will it meet your needs now and in the future? Think about the style of home you would like. Will it fit into the zoning requirements and limitations? Is there a Home Owner Association? Consider how the home will sit on the lot.Which direction will your driveways and porches face? Are you planning on watching sunsets on your covered porch? Look at the soil. Would excavation cost a lot, would materials need to be hauled in or soil need to be hauled off?

4. Style of home - Next, look through our many plans. You may want to meet with an architect, a draftsman, or purchase plans online. What features are important to you? What special needs do you have? How much room do you need? Do you have children or plan on having children? Do you need a home office? At this time you may want to meet with an interior decorator.

5. Review your selections - Jake will review your plans and discuss what your needs for a home are. He will provide you with a home price and a cost breakdown including all allowances. If the price fits in your budget and you make an agreement, Jake will review your plans with you and make sure he has answered all your questions before construction begins.

6. Begin the project- A building permit is paid and all beginning building requirements are met. Jake will meet with you at the job site and lay out the home to make sure its position is how you want it and it meets all required setbacks. Next begins the fun! (We will post the process of building an actual home at a later time.)

7. Close/ Move in- When your home is complete we will do a walk through and make a list of anything that needs touching up. We are sure you will enjoy your beautiful new home!

Maintain and protect your concrete by following these 8 easy steps:

Proper maintenance of your concrete is important and can greatly extend the life and beauty.
Maintain and protect your concrete driveways, walks and patios by following these 8 easy tips:

1. Keep your concrete clean by sweeping off dirt and debris.
2. Use a power washer to thoroughly clean your concrete.
3. Once your cement is at least 30 days old, apply a sealer to keep water out and prevent stains.
4. Remove snow and ice immediately.
5. When removing snow and ice from your cement, be careful not to scratch or chip the surface.
6. When ice builds up on your concrete, try to avoid using salt and some snow melt products. This may cause the surface of your concrete to flake off.
7. When landscaping, be sure to keep water away from the driveway. You don't want water collecting under your cement which may cause it to sink. 
8. Remember, cement is strong but heavy machinery may be too much!

Bathroom Countertop Options

The perfect bathroom countertops is one of the things you will choose for your bathroom remodel. Unlike the kitchen,  bathroom countertops do not need to be as functional. For example, cultured marble makes a great countertop in the bathroom, but would not be as practical for the kitchen countertop. Here are a few things to consider:

TILE
PROS
1. Selection- There is many different colors, sizes, and types of material.
2. Style- It can be cut in many different angles, patterns.
3. Durable- It is scratch and stain resistant.
4. Price- If you have a cracked or chipped tile it is easy and inexpensive to replace.
5. Upgrade- Tile is considered an upgrade.

CONS
1. Uneven- Surfaces are uneven where the grout line meets the tile.
2. Sealing- Grout needs to be sealed and could be harder to clean. We suggest using a bigger tile for less grout lines to clean.
3. Crack- Tiles will crack or chip if something hard is dropped on them.

GRANITE
PROS
1. Beautiful- Looks elegant.
2. Unique- Since granite is a natural stone, each slab is different. You have a one of a kind countertop.
3. Durable-It is scratch resistant and holds up well to heat. It should last a lifetime with proper maintenance and care.
4. Resale Value-  It will add more value to your home.
5. Price- Granite has greatly decreased in price. When looking for a bathroom countertop look for a remnant, smaller pieces of granite can work well.

CONS
1. Porous- It can stain.
2. Sealing- Granite needs to be resealed more often then other surfaces.
3. Price- It can be the most expensive option for your counter tops.

CULTURED MARBLE
PROS
1. Price- Very affordable.
2. Shiny- Usually shinny which gives an attractive appearance.
3. Sinks- Sink and countertops are made of one continuous piece which makes it good to clean.
4. Durable-Typically doesn’t damage easily.
5. Cleaning- Easy to clean.

CONS
1. Shiny-Darker colors don’t always hold the shine.
2. Durable-The top coat doesn’t seam as strong.
3. Appearance- Marble may look less expensive than other solid surfaces.

LAMINATE
PROS
1. Price- It is less expensive option for bathroom countertops.
2. Clean- Laminate is easy to clean and maintain.
3. Selection- There is a huge selection of colors.
4. Available- It is readily available.
5. Durable- It is dent and chip resistant.

CONS
1. Durable- Hot items can burn it and it can scratch.
2. Stain- Laminate can stain.
3. Repair- It is hard to repair if damaged.

All these products are great to use in your next bathroom remodel. Remember to choose the countertop that works best for you and your family.  Here are a few pictures of bathroom countertops showing different materials that we have used. Which do you prefer?