With all the discussion (see previous posts) about the best way to hire a general contractor, Los Angeles residents might ask themselves a legitimate questions: “do I really need a general contractor on my project?”

Well, in my opinion, the answer depends on your particular circumstances.

Generally speaking, the more complex your project is and the larger it is, the more a competent general contractor is needed. Many homeowners might not be aware of it, but being an owner-builder is a viable option for many remodeling projects. That category (owner-builder) is also recognized by the city for the purpose of securing permits.

As an owner-builder, you act as the GC (general contractor). So let’s say that you live in Los Angeles and Kitchen remodeling is what you are considering. You might decide to do the demolition yourself, have an electrician take care of the electrical, a handy man patch the walls, you’ll do the painting, the Home Depot would supply and install the cabinets and a friend of yours would install the tile counters. Is that a legitimate approach? It sure is…providing;

Here are some of the challenges you should be aware of:
1. Like for anything else, for this too there is a learning curve. Even if you are a very fast learner, chances are that you’ll have a few missteps the ‘first time out’.
2. Design knowhow: the more complex the project, the more critical the design would be. Unless there is a design professional on your team, yours would be a hit-n-miss experience.
3. Code and construction knowhow: Someone on your team needs to be knowledgeable in the various codes pertaining to your project and in the best sequencing for your particular work.
4. Competent supervision: while a layperson can review finish work and judge it satisfactory (or not), the same does not hold true for ‘rough’ work. As a layperson, can you tell if the plumbing is run correctly, the wires properly sized, the drywall legally nailed, etc?
5. Availability: will you be able to be on site to see that things are done as agreed to or as needed? Was the gravel base placed before the driveway was poured? Was the second coat of paint applied? Were the old pipes abandoned and new ones ran in the wall? Unless you are – A. On site to supervise and note all these things, short cuts are certain to take place and B. Even if you are at home to supervise, do you know enough about construction’s ‘best practices’ to be able to effectively supervise?

None of it is rocket science. Truly. But there is enough complexity in today’s homes that you need to consider your options; if you have a basic project that does not involve multiple trades, is not too complex and the overall scope and budget are small, I think you can take it on yourself, should you be so inclined. Just take time to educate yourself (endless resources available online these days) and stay on top of everyone. If, on the other hand, the home remodeling you are considering is complex, involves structural work, requires design and/or is broad in scope and budget, I strongly feel that teaming with a competent, professional and experienced general contractor would be in your best interest.

Happy remodeling!
http://www.megabuilders.com/blog/?p=45

When faced with a wall of nail holes, cracks and random gashes, spackle is your friend. But when you go to the big box home store and ask for it, you'll get one of two things: A tub marked "spackle" or a pail of joint compound. If you get the latter, don't panic. For us home DIYers, the stuff is generally the same thing, functioning to repair holes in the wall. Though I know the pro contractor set might disagree, the main difference I've seen is that joint compound doesn't dry out as fast as spackle.

Next you'll need a spatula for spreading the spackle across the damaged area. Though the plastic ones are cheaper, go for the metal instead. (Or at least a metal-edged plastic model.) Metal will level the spackle more precisely than plastic. If you don't have the requisite ventilating mask, primer and paint to match the wall, now's the time to get them. And for your final purchase, pick up a sanding block.

With tools in tow, you're ready to go back home for the repair job. Let's assume that you've opened the door too hard, sending the knob into the wall, leaving a gash. Pick out the crushed bits of wall from the gash, leaving a clean crevice. Now, apply a good sized blob of spackle to your spatula and spread over the crevice to fill, using a smooth stroke. Wipe away the excess from your spatula, then use the clean edge to level out the spackle filling. Don't make it too flush; remember that spackle constricts as it dries. A wet sponge can be used to even-out big blobs.

After the spackle completely dries, check to see if you need another layer (which you will need if it's a big area to repair). If so, repeat the filling process. If not, then you can sand the area smooth and apply primer/paint as needed. You're done.

DIY LIFE
http://www.diylife.com/2011/05/10/spackle/

Shelter from the Storms

Insured losses from last week's devastating tornadoes are estimated to reach $2 to $5 billion, and combined with more than 300 deaths will almost certainly bring renewed attention to developing more resilient building practices. In all, tornadoes rated as high as F5 on the Fujita scale -- with winds of up to 318 miles per hour -- destroyed as many as 10,000 buildings in several Southeastern states.

As currently built, most U.S. homes are desgined to withstand winds of only 90 mph, according to Larry Tanner of Texas Tech University’s Wind Engineering Research Center. A report from that center determined the following (as cited in USA Today):

"For a home to be 'tornado-proof,' ... the walls, roof, windows, doors and garage doors would have to be “missile-resistant” to halt penetration by flying debris, and the connections of the structural elements would need to be capable of withstanding 250 mph wind pressures.

"Additionally, the connections for long-span roofs and tall walls to transfer the loads induced by a 250 mph wind would have to be 7½ times stronger than those routinely required by today’s codes, the wind research center reports.

"'Realistically speaking, it is not practical, much less reasonable, to build a tornado-proof house,' the report notes."

Can homes ever sustain winds of 250 mph or higher? Here are a few of the practices being proposed for more storm-resistant structures:

Less lumber, not more
A blog posted Friday on Fine Homebuilding suggests that advanced framing techniques -- which use fewer framing elements than the current industry standard -- aren't just cheaper, more energy-efficient and faster to build. Theycan also make structures more storm-resistant, especially when combined with optimum-value engineering (OVE) through methods such as strengthening the impact zone, stiffening the ridge and planning "break-aways."

Wrote Michael Chandler:

"Builders have been slow to adopt 24” OC 2x6 optimum value framing due to concerns about the strength of the structure. We have adopted several framing techniques that work with OVE to improve storm survivability while also maintaining good energy efficiency and stiffness."

Strengthen the connection points
North Carolina's Institute for Business & Home Safety notes that only "specialty buildings" are designed to withstand mega storms such as those of last week, but "good construction choices can give added protection and increase the likelihood that at least part of a home will remain standing to provide some shelter."

For example:

Strengthen homes in critical areas such as connection points between the roof and walls and walls and foundation.
Provide homes with more resistance to uplift and lateral loads through construction that connects all parts of the building.

However, the institute notes that a tornado shelter or "safe room" is "the most economical and effective way to provide a safe place for riding out a tornado." See next section.

Posted on May 2, 2011 at:

Does it Pay to Remodel Your Home
By Kathy Price-Robinson

Each year, following the release of Remodeling Magazine's annual Cost vs. Value Report, we see a slew of headlines telling us "It Doesn't Pay to Remodel Your Home."

But despite the naysayers, a home-renovation project can still be profitable -- even in this current market. As any savvy DIYer will notice, the costs of the projects are inflated to cover the expense of hiring professionals. Those who take on DIY home improvement projects can plug in their own costs, note the value stated in the report and calculate a custom cost vs. value return percentage.For instance, if a DIYer completes a major kitchen remodel for $30,000 and the return is an expected $40,126, that's a big 133% return (approx.) on expenditures.

Seen in those terms, yes, it pays to remodel your home.

(See the whole story at )

12 top remodeling trends for 2011 - from CBS MoneyWatch.com
By Ilyce Glink

New year, new list of remodeling projects to start around the house. At least that’s what remodelers and contractors are hoping.

So, what remodeling projects are on top of everyone’s list?

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) conducted an exclusive poll of their top builders and developers for us and found that while most people are not starting major renovation projects due to the economy, now is the time to take care of the smaller jobs around your home.

Call it the over-arching remodeling trend for 2011: Tackling small projects while you wait to do the really big remodeling project that’s on your list.

Here are 12 top remodeling trends to welcome in the “aught teens”:

1. Save Money: Remodel Your Bathroom. Old tile getting a little grungy? It looks like 2011 is the year for a bathroom update. Dennis D. Gehman, president of Gehman Custom Remodeling says, “Bathrooms are the hottest project, we think it’s due to the economy. Baths cost less than a kitchen or addition and most houses have more than one bath, so there are more available to be remodeled.”

(See the whole story at moneywatch.bnet.com)

There are many reasons why a ‘contractor’ may charge so low. One reason may be inexperience. Be careful if you choose to go with the lowest bid. This may lead to rising change orders and hidden fees in the end. The homeowner may eventually end up with a ‘contractor’ that cannot complete the project based on the initial estimate. We get phone calls every week from homeowners who have unfinished projects because their original ‘contractor’ never finished the project and ran off with their money.