Did you read Money Magazine's August 2010 issue?  Fort Collins was listed as #6 Best Place to Live in America!  This is something to be proud of, and realize how fortunate we are to live in a great city.  The statistics are interesting to compare.  Out of the top 10 listed, Fort Collins has the 4th LOWEST price of a typical single-family home; and TIED for the lowest average annual property tax!  Interesting.  Following is the Money Magazine article on Fort Collins:

WINNER Top 100 rank: 6 Population: 141,000 Unemployment: 7.4% Compare Fort Collins to Top 10 Best Places Bikers and beers. In most parts of the country, those two elements may be reasons to move elsewhere. But in the foothills of Colorado's Front Range, bikers mean cyclists: Fort Collins has 29 miles of well-used trails. As for beers, this town has become a high-end microbrew mecca. New Belgium Brewery (maker of Fat Tire) is based in this entrepreneurial town, and competitors are moving in. People here aren't slackers either. Bolstered by Colorado State University, which employs 7,000, "the Fort" is a center of economic activity. Hewlett-Packard, the city's second-largest employer, announced worldwide layoffs in June, but they won't affect Fort Collins. In fact, the company is adding jobs here. This idyllic town -- No. 1 in 2006 -- would rank even higher but for one thing. (No, it's not last summer's Balloon Boy hoax, perpetrated by the local Heene family.) Colorado schools are hurting. After the state sliced public schools budget this year, Fort Collins's Poudre School District laid off 139 full-time employees. --Pieter van Noordennen   ABD's Customer Satisfaction and Reporting We feel it is important for a customer to feel comfortable and be honest about their experience working with ABD.  ABD contracts with a third party survey company, Guild Quality, to contact our customers and report back to us their findings.  Following each project, it is our policy to submit the projects basic information to Guild Quality, including personnel names assigned to the project, for evaluation.  The questions ask range from satisfaction with contracts, design selections, budget, construction quality, communication, project management, schedules, to final outcome. And of course a recommendation and option to add in their own words any comments.  We urge you to go to the website, www.guildquality.com, "Find a Guildmember", by state use Colorado, and then click on Associates in Building and Design to view overall ratings by our customers on ABD.  We are proud of our customer satisfaction! Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do Have you seen the email going around the last few months on this? These may come in handy: 1) Emergency: The Emergency number worldwide for mobile is 112. If you are out of coverage area of your network, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you. 2) Have you locked your keys in the car? Does your car have remote keyless entry? If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell and hold yours about a foot from your car door.  Have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Distance is no object.  You could be hundreds of miles away. 3) Hidden battery power:  If your cell bettery is very low, to activate, press the keys *3370#.  Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. 4) How to disable a stolen mobile phone? To check your mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone:  *06#.  A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset.  Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code.  They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. 5) Free directory service for cells: Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to.  When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:  (800)FREE411, or (800)373-3411 without incurring any charge at all.  Program this into your cell phone now!  Happy Summer!  ABD hopes you are enjoying our beautiful Fort Collins and surrounding areas, just like Money Magazine, we believe ABD is in the top ten places to live in America! Are you considering moving to Fort Collins and need a professional design/build company OR are you thinking of upgrading your existing home?  Be it interior design, remodel, an addition, patio living, basement finish, painting, or even a new home - please call us at ABD, 970.225.2323 and let us help you.  (Or go to the Contact Us page to email.)  We appreciate your business!

Effective Acoustics

Poor acoustics can cause workplace dissatisfaction and can be the most significant factor affecting employee performance. The workplace should provide occupants with speech privacy, comfort and freedom from distracting noises, and enable them to work without disrupting others.

Not only can this affect the workplace, the noise factor may affect your sleep in the bedroom. Summer temperatures in our area cool down in the evenings, and allow us to open our windows for fresh air.  Live by a busy street?  Hear the neighbors come home or leave in the early morning hours?  Even the paper being delivered and you are not ready to wake up? 

There are three ways to create effective acoustics, absorb, block, and cover up. I'd like to address controlling noise thru a term many of you may have heard, "masking". Sound masking systems provide the only way to truly replenish and keep the background sound level at an appropriate volume, which is typically between 42 and 48 decibels. In an office, a sound masking system consists of "loudspeakers" installed in a grid-like pattern in an open ceiling or above the suspended tiles. The system distributes a comfortable background sound at controlled levels across the facility.

Though the sound is often compared to that of softly blowing air, it has been specifically engineered to increase speech privacy. It also improves general acoustical comfort by covering up a lot of intermittent noises or reducing the amount of disruption they cause by decreasing the magnitude of change between baseline and peak volumes. In addition, if the sound masking technology features small adjustment zones with fine control over both volume and frequency, and is installed throughout the space, it will also ensure acoustic consistency.

In your home, placing one unit, (available for table top) in your bedroom amazingly masks the disruptive outside noise.  The masking's soft blowing air is soothing. Ready for a good nights sleep?

Please call us and we'll direct you to ensure your office or home has effective acoustics.

Consider Upgrading Your Home During National Remodeling Month

By Bob D. Peterson, Vice Chair, National Association of Home Builders Remodelers 

Did you know that existing equity in your home may comprise a larger portion of your net wealth than the holdings in your stock market or retirement fund? Compared to conventional financial investments that rise and fall with regular frequency, housing has proven to be a stable and sound investment.  During National Remodeling Month in May, consider upgrading your home to increase your family’s comfort and at the same time add value to what may be your most important financial asset.

Why Consider Remodeling?

Last year was a banner year for the remodeling industry, thanks to increased consumer interest in modifying existing homes.  Why the rise in popularity? 

First, remodeling is an efficient way to enhance the value of your current home.  Although few of us purchase a home strictly for financial reasons, in practical terms it represents an asset that can pay high returns.  A home that is well-maintained and offers up-to-date systems and amenities will have a higher value than a comparable home that is poorly maintained or lacking the conveniences and extra living space that appeal to today’s home buyers. 

Remodeling also allows homeowners to customize a home to meet their needs and desires, without giving up a familiar neighborhood or school.  Whether you are looking to add space, incorporate new amenities or accommodate lifestyle changes such as new children or aging, remodeling can provide an alternative to moving.  Adding a new master suite or playroom, finishing a basement or upgrading kitchens and baths always are popular projects, while modifications designed to allow residents to “age in place” are becoming increasingly widespread with baby boomers and retirees.

Where Should I Start?

Before you begin remodeling, it's a good idea to think through your wants and needs.  First, decide what changes you would like to make—ask yourself what you like and dislike about the house, and examine what options may be most useful for you in the future.  For example, are you planning to stay in your home through retirement?  In that case, you may want to consider features such as wider doors, grab bars and better lighting to allow you to comfortably “age in place.”  After you’ve evaluated the potential improvements you’d like to make to your home, create a prioritized list.   

Look at magazines and collect pictures of what you like.   Think about traffic patterns, furniture placement, colors, lighting, and how you want to use the remodeled space now and in the future.  When you meet with your designer and builder, this will help you to work together and achieve the results you want.  Budget - although we understand you may not know how much your project may cost, it is helpful to us to get an idea of what you are willing to invest so we may help guide you in the design and final construction costs. 

What is Next?

Hiring a professional designer and a professional remodeler offers you important service and expertise.  ABD's in house designers and construction staff have years of experience, the right tools, a network of suppliers and subcontractors, and an in-depth understanding of area code and legal regulations, cost estimating, scheduling, and the latest design and construction techniques.  We will help you thru the process of space planning, finish selections, estimating and construction to fit your needs and budget.   

What is a Good Investment?

If you have several projects from that list you made, you may want to consider what investments will give you the higest percentage of return.  Obviously you may wish to invest in personal priorities, afterall this is your home to enjoy! The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University advises that smaller or midrange jobs overall will tend to recover a higher percentage of their cost than larger, higher-end projects.  

The top-ten midrange projects cited in Remodeling magazine’s “Cost vs. Value Report” that provide the highest percentage return are:

1. Deck Addition (wood)  -  81.8 percent 
2. Siding Replacement - 80.7 percent 
3. Minor Kitchen Remodel - 79.5 percent
4. Window Replacement (wood) - 77.7 percent 
5. Window Replacement (vinyl) - 77.2 percent 
6. Major Kitchen Remodel - 76.0 percent 
7. Bathroom Remodel - 74.6 percent 
8. Attic Bedroom - 73.8 percent
9. Deck Addition (composite) - 73.7 percent 
10. Basement Remodel - 72.9 percent

ABD was recently awarded a Chrysalis Award for Remodeling Excellence for “Best Kitchen” in the Western Region for the design and construction of a local remodeled kitchen. We are so proud of our team and especially want to thank our clients, Glen & Jo Orr for allowing us to help them create their new kitchen!

Quoted from Ken Kanline, Director of Awards:

“ This is the fourth year in which they have won a Chrysalis Award, which demonstrates their ongoing commitment to excellence. In addition to their Chrysalis Awards, they were named the National Remodeler of the Year by the National Association of Homebuilders in 2008, and the Colorado Remodeler of the Year by Chrysalis in 2002. This is a dramatic testimony to their professionalism, and distinguishes them as among the top companies in the industry.”

Continuing to set new standards of professionalism, 87 remodeling companies from across the United States were named winners at the seventeenth annual Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. The winning projects were selected from over 475 entries. The entries were judged on overall design, the creative use of space and materials, and the degree to which the project enhanced the original structure.

Winners will be featured in the June issue of Qualified Remodeler magazine. 

Thank you for joining us.  With Spring finally arriving, we want to share with you some tips on home maintenance, a new code effective this month that will effect the majority of you, we believe you need to be aware of, and happenings at ABD! We hope you find this information beneficial!

“Spring Home Maintenance Tips”

The Spring rain and warm breezes are just around the corner. These tips will help you restore your home and get it into tip top shape for the upcoming weather season.  

Inside the house:

• Clean your bath fans & tile, check for mold, mildew
• Clean your range hood filters
• Check your chimney, clean fire box (yes some of us still have wood burning fireplaces), check flashing 
• Schedule a service call for your A/C unit
• Flush water heater/tankless units if applicable
• Check your attic for signs of roof leaks, pests
• Check your basement for leaks, cracks, mold, mildew, rot
• Check your crawl space for pests/wildlife, check insulation and vapor barrier
• Test sump pump
• Reset duct dampers from heat to cool
• Clean and start dehumidifier
• Turn off humidifier switch to summer mode

Outside: 

• Inspect, clean, repair outdoor furniture
• Inspect roof for winter damage
• Clean out gutters (didn't get it done last fall, or those last leaves that fell!)
• Check glass and screen doors, replace
• Check paint and caulking
• Clean and seal decks/patios as needed
• Plan and start spring pruning and landscaping
• Service and start sprinkler system
• Aeration of yard

We didn't want to make the "honey-do" list too long!  Please, if we can help you with any type of project, home maintenance, handyman, any project is NOT too small for ABD.  We appreciate a call or email and we'll be happy to be of service.

"Lead Base Paint Ruling to Affect All”  by Bob Peterson

Most of us grew up around it, many of us still live around it, and yes, it is a health risk! What am I talking about? Lead Based Paint!  April 22, 2010 the EPA’s Renovate Right Program is going into effect. A long time coming, 1993 exactly, the EPA has committed to enacting the program in an effort to help prevent lead based paint poisoning and it is using the construction industry for its tool.

“EPA’s Facts about Lead

·         Lead can affect Children’s brains and developing nervous systems, causing reduced IQ and behavioral problems. Lead is also harmful to adults.

·         Lead in dust is the most common way people are exposed to lead. People can also get lead in their bodies from lead in soil or paint chips. Lead dust is often invisible.

·         Lead based paint was used in more than 38 million homes until it was banned for residential use in 1978.

·         Projects that disturb lead-based paint can create dust and endanger you and your family. Don’t let this happen to you. Follow the practices described in this pamphlet to protect you and your family.”

                             The above taken directly from the EPA’s Renovate Right Pamphlet!  

I share all of this with you not to scare anyone nor because I agree with the ruling. However, I do believe lead is a danger. We at ABD have always performed work in a careful manner to protect our clients, especially in the older homes that have hazards like lead. What this ruling does in fact, is subject contractors to large fines if caught not performing to the new EPA Standards. They are very strict and are frankly very expensive. We’ve been told the fines start at $37,500.00 per day for violation. 

The ruling will require, as it is currently written, all homes, child care facilities and schools built prior to 1978 to be subject to the ruling. I won’t go into the details of the requirements, but I can assure you it will add substantial cost to a project and the requirements are almost impossible to comply and still be practical in the process. Also, as in many rulings like this, there are still many unknowns.  Unfortunately, there will be many who just ignore the ruling and my fear is that the ones who do, are the ones who already ignore the danger of hazardous materials during remodeling projects. Many remodelers will just “not do work in pre 1978 homes”. The liability to not comply seems pretty heavy.

So, what is ABD doing about it? First, we are registering as a “certified renovator company” under the program and our already caring field staff have taken the training, passed the exam, and are now "Certified Renovators".  

For more information, please contact me or visit the EPA’s website www.epa.gov/lead and you’ll get a boat load of information. Personally, I feel this is an intrusion into making homes even less affordable and I would love to hear any feedback, positive or negative from any of you. You are welcome to email me directly at rpeterson@abd-ltd.com, or comment on our new Blog at www.abd-ltd.com.

"Learning and Sharing"

Bob & Rita Peterson recently attended their Remodelers 20 Club meeting in Washington, D.C.  The 20 Clubs are a unique networking and educational opportunity designed to help members maximize the benefit of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) membership.  The 20 Club is comprised of similar-type remodelers from non-competing markets who meet twice a year to share their wisdom and learn from each other ways to improve their operations. Members share and compare financial information, look for trouble spots, day to day operations, and offer each other advice.  Although we only appreciated the beautiful cherry blossoms around the Jefferson Memorial in the taxi to and from the airport, what a beautiful time to be in our nation's capital!