BECOME a PARTNER with ABD!

Announcing ABD’s new Partner Rewards Program for clients who get out the good word about us.

Beginning January 1, 2008 we would like YOU to become a Partner with ABD and start earning points. First, you’ll win a $50 Dinner Certificate for any referral that leads to a signed contract with ABD. THEN, you may build points to win a free, all-inclusive trip for two!

There are THREE ways to build and redeem Partner Rewards Points:

1. Collect one point for every one every dollar you spend with ABD for projects of your own. Choose ABD for a new construction, remodel, interior design, or retail projects.
2. Collect ½ a point for every dollar that a NEW client whom you have referred spends with ABD for any kind of project listed above.
3. BONUS! BONUS! Collect 5000 EASY points by attending ABD’s Annual Client Party. It’s at a different time and event every year, so watch for your invitation!
4. Partners may "bank" points to reach a higher level reward, or redeem at any level:
   • Level 1: 100,000 points = $500 travel voucher
   • Level 2: 200,000 points = 4 nights, all-inclusive vacation in Mexico for two
   • Level 3: 400,000 points or above = 1 WEEK all-inclusive vacation at Sandals Resort in the Caribbean for two

Additional Information and Rules:

• Points and dinner certificates are awarded only when projects are completed and paid in full.
• Client/Partner refers to one family unit only, not related parties. Points may not be pooled from multiple Partners.
• Referral points are awarded on a new referral client’s initial project only. The new client/partner accumulates points on his/her own account for his/her subsequent projects.
• When a Partner reaches the 100,000 point level, a representative from ABD will contact the Partner to inform him or her. At this point the Partner either chooses to receive the $500.00 travel voucher, or bank the points for a higher level. The same for reaching the 200,000 points.
• Once a Partner reaches the 400,000 point level, the points must be redeemed before a new point accrual period begins for that Partner.
• Once per year, ABD will plan and coordinate both the 4 nights in Mexico trip and the week-long trip to the Caribbean. Client/Partners will be informed of the trips approximately 3-4 months in advance in order to plan to attend, if eligible.
• ABD reserves the right to change, amend, or expand, any rules, policies, or parameters of this rewards program or to discontinue this program without notice.
• Program begins 01/01/08. No ending date is currently designated.

Renovation from the Ground UP

An exciting ABD project is underway on a 103 year-old, 2 bedroom bungalow located in old town Fort Collins. The condition of the home revealed very minor renovations in its 103 year old history. There was an approximately 50 year-old addition at the rear of the home that began as a back porch and morphed into a rustic bedroom and a laundry / mudroom. The addition included a very dilapidated stairway into a cellar style basement with 6’4” ceilings and a 103 year old stone foundation from which much of the mortar was missing. The home had no garage and a kitchen that had been very slightly modernized at some point in the past 30-40 years.

The owner’s desire was to completely renovate and remodel the home into a modern functional home with the latest in technology, energy efficiency & green products while preserving the original integrity of the 103 year old design elements. A garage was also desired and the big challenge was to create a usable and functional basement under the home while preserving the old stone foundation.

The owner’s preliminary design ideas were refined and developed into working construction documents via our in-house design staff. Once that was completed and pricing established for the new layout and finishes, the permit was applied for with historical review being the biggest hurdle.

The project was staged into two phases with an oversized two car garage being built first in the fall of 2007 off the adjacent alley. It was designed to duplicate exterior design features of the home down to hand milling the siding and replicating the home’s dormer.

Work began in staging the home phase to allow ABD to dig out the basement to 8 feet to offer more usable space. Egress escape windows will be included.

Demo work began on the upper level of the home simultaneously. The result: was a three wall skeleton of the home with a roof over it. All wiring, plumbing, and plaster were stripped from the home in preparation for the new framing configuration of the home to begin after foundation work is completed.

The home will consist of converting two small bedrooms and a small bath into a new master bedroom and bath with period-specific but modern fixtures, including a jetted claw foot tub. We’ll be converting a dining/living area and kitchen into a very open grand living area with a gourmet kitchen, stainless steel appliances, and custom cabinetry with granite countertops. High tech sound will be incorporated into the living space, along with a new powder bath. The re-built rear porch area will result in a den/2nd bedroom, a modern laundry/mudroom and newly re-configured stairway leading to the new basement.

Finishes for the home are first class throughout. The main floor finish is an environmental friendly Brazilian Tigerwood; Baths are porcelain tile with programmable heat source installed under the tile for comfort and efficiency. Windows are Pella inserts installed in existing jambs adding function and thermal character to the home that keep exterior architectural integrity in place and allow for maximum air infiltration sealing. The existing siding is being restored and repainted. The front porch is being re-constructed using a new foundation and environmentally friendly t & g decking. Three layers of old shingles are being removed with new structural sheathing and 40 year laminated shingles installed.

All in all, the home will transform into a very efficient, well designed, energy conscious residence, suited to the owner’s desires while keeping the original integrity of the home intact. See pictures of this progress on our website at www.abd-ltd.com.

PREPARE Yourself Now for Aging Later

According to NAHB (National Association of Home Builders), 40% of all U.S. households will be 55 years of age or older by the year 2012 and that segment of the population is expected to grow well over 2% annually, reaching 85 million by the year 2014.Whether caring for aging parents or actually aging themselves, maintaining an independent lifestyle for this group is very important.

Many homes are currently not designed for growing old. As we age, we experience changes in our abilities and gain different perspective on second story bedrooms, narrow hallways and cramped bathrooms with slippery surfaces. You may find yourself or your parents in this situation and are concerned about the necessity of purchasing a different home, losing familiar surroundings and neighbors, or losing independence by relocating to an assisted care facility.

Adapting the living space in a current home to age with you is a great alternative and that’s where ABD comes in. The ABD team takes an integrated approach, utilizing design principles, structural knowledge, expertise and ongoing training to increase functionality and foster sustained independence.

Bob and Rita, along with employee Terry Bennett, have done the homework and taken the tests to acquire CAPS (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists) designation from NAHB. What this means is that ABD has the qualifications to address this issue professionally, with a commitment to ongoing education and knowledge of the latest trends and products.

When making recommendations to maintain independence, ABD’s team of designers incorporate philosophies of universality, accessibility, adaptability and visitability. They are trained to tailor spaces with awareness to the needs of specific individuals and specific circumstances.

ABD’s Build team is able to remodel and adapt a home to for example, add a main floor bedroom or bathroom, widen doorways, reinforce walls for grab bars or install other systems for safety and convenience. They retrofit homes with modified design, technology and products to keep aging residents in their own homes longer. To learn more, call for an in-home consultation to learn how you can benefit from ABD’s expertise.