Family Friendly Easter Egg Hunt!! Everyone Welcome!
Saturday, March 31, 2012 at 11:30 am
Errol Hassell Field
18100 SW Bany Road Aloha OR
Join us Rain or Shine for Prizes, Candy & Fun!
Egg Hunt for Kids ages 0 -12 accompanied by an adult
Parents don’t forget your camera!
Kids, Please bring your baskets!
Your neighbor called … its time to start thinking about painting your house!
Our spring schedule is quickly filling and we wanted to give you the opportunity to get on the schedule while you
still can. We want you to know that if you received a painting proposal from us last Fall, we will honor the price we gave for you.
Green, fuzzy moss growing on your concrete is unsightly. Moss tends to thrive in places that do not get a lot of sunlight, so if your concrete driveway, walkway is in the shade, it is not uncommon for moss to grow on it. — e-How.
We can help you get rid of the moss!
PRESSURE WASHING SPECIALS!
$99 – Flat Driveway up to 600sf. $25 for each additional 100sf
$199 – Exterior of Home up to 2500sf (Restrictions apply)
MOSS TREATMENT ROOF SPECIAL!
$99 – One time application, does not include moss removal. (Pitch & size restrictions apply)
Home industry experts around the country grew optimistic at the recent news that the Remodeling Market Index had risen to its highest level in 5 years. According to the National Association of Home Builders, remodeling sentiment is at its highest since 2007, and should continue to increase through 2012. This shift has been a long time coming, and it can be seen in the projects on Houzz and just about everywhere else.
Much of this has to do with the global economy. Some remodels are based on changes in family life — a parent or a child moving in, for example. Others are based on a pent-up demand for creating a dream home. People are spending more time at home with the people they love. Long-lasting materials, sustainability, style and livable floor plans have become priorities.
We spoke to builders and experts from around the country to get a glimpse of how widespread this change is and its impact on the home industry. The consensus seems clear: Remodeling is king right now, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Home professionals note different trends in remodeling across the country”Two years ago, two-thirds of my work was new construction and a third was renovation projects. In the last two years, that has completely flipped,” says Charlie Simmons of Charlie & Co. Design, Minneapolis. “It’s hard to sell a home — instead of potentially taking a loss to sell their house, people are modifying their existing home to make the most out of what they have.”Sven Gustafson, a custom home builder and owner of Stonewood LLC in Minneapolis, Minnesota says that while his new construction business hasn’t decreased, the remodeling side of his business has increased to about the same level as the new construction side.
Ed Dion of Dion Builders in Tallahassee, Florida has observed something quite different in his home state. “I haven’t noticed an increase in remodeling,” he says. “More of a decrease in construction overall with remodeling faring better than new home construction — so contractors who normally build new homes are now renovating.”
by Charlie Simmons – Charlie & Co. Design, Ltd.
Remodeling projects mirror changes in lifestyleWhile the push at the heart of this shift is definitely the current state of the global economy, smaller factors are at work, too. People are living different lives than they did five or 10 years ago.People want open family areas where everyone can spend time together, and family-friendly houses that allow every room to be used on a regular basis. For many homeowners, the kitchen has become the true heart of the home, and family life emanates around it.
Kitchens, master suites and outdoor spaces are still the most renovated spaces. Builders and remodelers around the country often cite these parts of the home as the main priorities for their clients. “Of course, often you start working on a kitchen and the remodel gradually makes its way out to other rooms,” Charlie Simmons says.
Pent-up demand
Many homeowners have been waiting to remodel since the downturn in 2008. “Our clients have been talking about improving their homes for quite some time,” says Dave Spetrino of thePlantation Building Corp in Wilmington, North Carolina. “They feel as though they’ve been patient long enough, and even if the recovery is slow, there’s no reason they should continue to delay much needed and well-deserved improvements.”
Some projects reflect an aging populationA large amount of these remodeling projects are done with aging in mind. According to the NAHB, about 62 percent of builders surveyed in 2010 were working on home modification projects due to aging. “We aging baby boomers are spending money to make our homes more accessible,” says Ed Dion. “Everything from grab bars over the tub, to retrofitting homes to fit an elevator somewhere.” Many builders expect boomers to dictate the market as the population continues to age.Young families will eventually dictate the market.
However, Thad Siemasko and Jean Verbridge of Siemasko + Verbridge architects in Massachusetts think young people will grab hold of the market eventually and start focusing on family-friendly housing in a mid-century style. This architecture firm is also seeing a change in style in their renovation projects. Owners are starting to look more towards clean and more modern designs, and want customized spaces with quality materials.
A change in demand creates a change in supplyFor many builders, it’s meant a shift in goals. For others, it’s meant keeping an eye on the competition. “The trend shift is a bit scary,” says Nathan Cross of NWC Construction in Florida. “Most builders are capable of building something new, very few are capable of doing renovation work. Sometimes that means the market is flooded with inexperienced people. Homeowners should make sure to hire a professional remodeler — one that can give you references and show you projects.”Dave Nielsen, CEO of Portland Oregon’s HBA and the Professional Remodeler’s Organization spoke with some of the group’s 200 members to get their input, and many had concerns about new builders getting into the remodeling market. It’s an entirely different field. New builders often price by square footage, which doesn’t work in remodeling. As a result, prices are quoted far too low, and sometimes they’ll find out they can’t complete the job at that cost. This also means that professional remodelers have to work even harder and lower their margins substantially in to compete.
There’s often confusion on what kind of professional to hire when remodeling. Portland’s HBA PROs often clarify this difference with their clients: Builders create a product, and remodelers provide a service. However, there are also many full-service companies that can do whatever a client needs.
Remodeling helps homes sellFor homeowners looking to sell, the fact that buyers are willing to remodel in the future doesn’t mean you can leave your house in fixer-upper condition. Most builders say the market is looking for houses in great condition. “In many instances, buyers have many homes to choose from,” says Dave Spetrino. “They’re naturally going to gravitate toward homes that need less work or have the move-right-in feeling. Updating your home before you list it for sale will definitely increase the number of prospects.”The consensus is that people are looking to have a home that they’ll stay in for quite some time. Bob Peterson, the NAHB Remodelers Chair, says that he’s heard less about resale among homeowners in the last six months than at any other time during his career. “People are staying home,” he says. “They want a place to make their own.”
Projects focus on quality and sustainability”We anticipate that the trend in the next several years will focus on value remodeling. Those projects will add value to a home, while at the same time providing greater livability and a fresh sense of style,” says Douglas Dick, AIA, of LDa Architecture and Interiors in Cambridge, Mass. “Sustainability will continue to be an important part of any remodel as homeowners work to lower their energy costs while making a real effort to live in an earth-friendly manner.” Remodeling to rise through 2012
As existing houses on the market continue to age and the availability of land continues to decrease, odds are that the amount of remodels will continue to go up. “Our latest release of our Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity suggests the year will start out slow, but gain momentum by the second half of the year,” says Abbe H. Will, a Research Analyst at the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. “Continued improvements in the job market and housing market should make homeowners more confident about investing in their homes and undertaking some of those bigger discretionary projects that they put off during the downturn.”
“The long and short of it is, I think people are figuring out that the economy is what it is,” says Mike Davis of TMT Home Remodelers in Central Oregon and chair of the State Remodelers Committee. “Even though we aren’t seeing a very serious uptick in the economy, we aren’t seeing it fall any further either. That essence of predictability serves well for the consuming public as they have some idea of what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
Winter is coming, meaning more time indoors. When windows and doors are sealed against the cold, the chances of carbon monoxide contamination increase. This winter, learn and understand the dangers of carbon monoxide and ways to reduce the risk.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless gas that is toxic to humans and animals. Therefore the real danger of CO is that it can make you ill, or even kill you, before you even realize that it’s there. Even low levels of carbon monoxide exposure can cause flu-like symptoms including headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue and disorientation. The effects of CO poisoning can vary depending on a person’s age, general health, how much they have been exposed to, and for how long.
There are many different sources of carbon monoxide in your home: kerosene and gas space heaters that aren’t properly vented, leaking chimneys and furnaces, back draft from a furnace, gas-powered water heaters, wood stove or fireplace, gas stoves and ovens, generators and other gasoline-powered equipment, auto exhaust, and tobacco smoke are all some of the most common sources of carbon monoxide. The best way to prevent exposure would be to get rid of these things. If that’s not possible, read on for tips about reducing the risk of CO poisoning when using these devises.
There are numerous negative health effects associated with CO exposure. At low concentration levels, carbon monoxide can cause fatigue in otherwise healthy people and chest pains in people with existing heart conditions. Higher levels of CO can lead to impaired vision, headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, diminished coordination, and flu-like symptoms. These issues usually disappear soon after you leave the contaminated area. However, very high CO concentration can be fatal, due to the formation of a toxin in the blood that can block oxygen intake.
The very best way to cut your risk of CO exposure is to remove any gas-powered or combustion equipment (like kerosene heaters and wood stoves) from your home. However, if you must use any of these devices, always be sure to have proper ventilation and follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly. If you smoke, why not consider quitting this winter, or limit yourself to smoking outside where CO isn’t confined to your home?
Investing in a good quality programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to keep warm this winter without breaking the bank. Not only can they help you save on utility bills, they are also very low maintenance. Once you establish your desired settings, the thermostats will do the rest.
Prevent heat loss by ensuring that gaps around windows and doors are sealed or by using thermal curtains to hold heat in and keep cold out.
Instead of jacking up the whole-house heating system, along with your monthly energy bill, try supplementing your HVAC system with space heaters to warm smaller rooms in the house.
Heat can be lost through gaps and cracks around electrical outlets and switch plates. Plug holes with basic expanding foam, insulation or foam plate seals.
Do not wait until the first snowfall to have a professional out to check your furnace. Schedule a full maintenance and tune-up before the weather turns cold.
If you are lucky enough to have a working fireplace, use it. Sitting in front of a roaring fire is a great way to spend a winter evening, but it can also provide significant heat without running up your utility bill.
Solar heat is free and it works, so look for ways to capture warmth from the sun. Thermal curtains, metal light fixtures, even a tower of soda cans painted black can all be used to collect solar heat. You will put less strain on your HVAC system, helping you reduce your energy consumption and save money on winter heating bills.
Hot chocolate and tea are old stand-bys, but give your taste buds something new, like Sbiten, a Russian beverage with spices and honey or a sweet chai tea. If you are feeling under the weather, you might want to try a nice,soothing honey-lemon-ginger infusion or steaming cup of broth or soup. Look up a different recipe each night of the week or invite your friends over for a tasting party.
You have probably got an old electric blanket lying around the house, but did you know that you could make your own heated clothing? Use Teflon and copper wire, connect it to a battery and you have your very own toasty, thermal kit. Extreme; perhaps, but strangely comforting.
Preparing yourself for colder weather is just as important as preparing your home’s HVAC system. Your body has different needs in the winter as you try to fight off colds and viruses, so spend more time in dry, indoor air. Start early by getting as much sun as you can, keep the hand sanitizer handy, take a multi-vitamin, drink plenty of water and always get a flu shot if you qualify for one.
Absolute Painting & Power Washing
Earns Coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award 5 Years in Row!
Award reflects businesses’ consistently high level of customer service
Absolute Painting & Power Washing has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor bestowed annually on approximately 5 percent of all the businesses rated on the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service and health providers.
“Our goal is to continually improve our services by asking our customers how we are doing. We are proud of our “A” rating and our many awards from Angie’s List!”
–Michael Hughes, owner
“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Absolute Painting & Power Washing can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”
Angie’s List Super Service Award winners have met strict eligibility requirements including earning a minimum number of reports, an exemplary rating from their clients and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.
Ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List, but members can find the 2011 Super Service Award logo next to business names in search results on AngiesList.com.
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Angie’s List collects consumer reviews on local contractors and doctors in more than 500 service categories. Currently, more than 2 million consumers across the U.S. rely on Angie’s List to help them make the best hiring decisions. Members get unlimited access to local ratings via Internet or phone, exclusive discounts, the Angie’s List magazine and help from the Angie’s List complaint resolution service. Take a quick tour of Angie’s List and view the latest Angie’s List news.
Many homes are infected with mold and the residents do not realize it and are not doing anything to prevent it.
Exposure to mold is common both inside and outside the home. Some people are more sensitive than others, especially those with allergies and asthma. Because some mold spores are very small and can be easily inhaled into the lungs, it is harmful to live in a home with high mold levels. Exposure to high spore levels can cause the development of an allergy to mold.
Molds grow on organic materials such as paper, leather, dirt and soap scum. They grow best at warm, moist temperatures, between 22 and 27 degrees Celsius.
The simplest way to detect a mold problem is using your own senses. A musty odor is one indication. Not only is mold smelly, but can be many different colors from black and gray to orange and green.
Watermarks on the ceiling and walls are also a telltale sign.
Most often bleach and water can be used to rid the house of mold. The problem is this does not guarantee that the mold will not come back. The only way to keep your house clean is to prevent mold from occurring.
Confined spaces and dark areas should be kept ventilated. Open windows are preferable over fans and air conditioning. There should be a stable availability of fresh air coming inside the house to prevent mold.
One simple treatment can help keep your houseplants mold free. Taheboo tea can help to retard mold growth in your plants soil. Just adding this tea to your house plant water in a mild solution is enough to do the trick!
It’s late at night, and you’re asleep in your bed. Your children fell asleep hours ago, and the house is completely quiet. Suddenly, the smoke detector goes off! You wake up, and realize that smoke is pouring into your room under your bedroom door! What should you do? Are your children able to escape on their own? Should you open the door and try to wake them up?
The last time that you want to be thinking about fire safety is during an emergency. It’s highly recommended that you teach your children about fire safety, as well as what to do in the event of a fire. However, did you know that fire safety can be fun? Here are four activities to help teach your children about what to do during a fire!
For much of the United States, the winter season is often characterized by severe weather situations. Storms that bring snow, sleet, ice, freezing rain and blizzards are only some of the hazards that can occur due to winter weather. In an effort to help warn people about approaching bad weather, the NOAA National Weather Service has designed a number of winter weather safety alerts. However, many people don’t understand the meaning of these winter weather safety alerts, and how to prepare a safety plan for severe weather. What is the difference between a “Watch”, “Advisory” and “Warning”? What temperatures should you prepare for in the event of a “Wind Chill Warning”? Understanding these winter weather safety advisories can help you to be better prepared to protect your family’s safety in severe weather situations.
If your area is currently being affected by a “Winter Storm Warning”, you can expect that you will be dealing with ice and/or heavy snow that will create emergency conditions. Driving during a winter storm warning is not recommended. As a general description, this warning means that there is a confirmed storm that will most likely create severe wind chills, drifting snow and heavy precipitation. The conditions during a winter storm warning are considered to be life-threatening.
During a “Winter Storm Watch”, there is a chance that your area will be exposed to conditions expected during a severe winter storm. Blowing/drifting snow, severe wind chills, blizzard conditions, snow and ice are all weather conditions that characterize a winter storm. In a “Winter Storm Watch”, this means that weather forecasters are approximately 50% certain that a winter storm will affect your area.
This alert is issued for a combination of heavy snow and ice that does not exceed or meet the criteria required for a “Warning” to be issued. The combination of weather conditions expected during a winter weather advisory are considered to be hazardous, and travel is not recommended without extreme caution.
When this alert is issued, weather experts are expecting that the wind chill will be less than -25F. In these conditions, extreme caution should be taken, since frostbite on any exposed skin may occur in ten minutes or less.
A wind chill watch is issued when there is a potential chance of wind chills dropping below -25F. This can cause conditions where frostbite or hypothermia occur in a relatively short time.
During a heavy snow warning, weather forecasters are expecting that over 7 inches of snow will be falling within less than 12 hours. However, this warning may also refer to a weather system that will result in over nine inches of snow falling in a 24 hour period. During a heavy snow warning, chances are that the storm will primarily be characterized by snow, without freezing rain or sleet.
A blizzard warning refers to a weather system that will result in blizzard conditions in a particular area. Visibility during a blizzard will usually be reduced to 1/4 mile or less, in addition to wind gusts sometimes exceeding 35mph. Other weather conditions that may occur ding a blizzard are heavy snow, blowing snow or drifting snow.
During a blizzard watch, weather experts are around 50% confident that a weather system with blizzard conditions will affect a particular area. This may include heavy snow, high winds, drifting snow and reduced visibility.
