Aging in place - Homes

According to NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) Aging in Place means living in one’s home independently regardless of age or ability.

How big is Aging in Place?

89% of people 50+ wish to remain in their own homes indefinitely (AARP).
75% of remodelers have seen an increase in requests for aging in place work (NAHB).
60% of remodelers already perform aging in place work (NAHB).
Over half of all 55+ households rate their current home a 9 or 10 out of 10 (American Housing Survey).
The aging population is the number two issue to affect the remodeling industry over the next five years, only behind the availability of skilled labor (NAHB).

What should my home contain if I want to age in place?

A master bedroom and bath on the first floor.
A low or no-threshold entrance to the home with an overhang.
Lever-style door handles.
No change in levels on the main floor.
Bright lighting in all areas, especially places like stairways.
A low-maintenance exterior.
Non-slip flooring at the main entryway.
An open floor plan, especially in the kitchen/dining area.
Handrails at all steps.

2009 Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence

Denver Metro HBA Colorado Awards for Remodeling Excellence (CARE) is the largest, and longest-running contest recognizing remodeling of all types.

It is open to any firm or individual in the state. Categories are numerous, and recognize everything from budget kitchens to green remodels. Unlike other design contests, this one is open to all, not just members of the association. It is judged blind, making it a fair competition that recognizes excellence in remodeling, no matter the authorship.

Cambridge Construction is honored to be recognized in the 2009 CARE Awards for this stunning exterior remodel in Centennial, CO.

Visit the before/after photo gallery to see the complete transformation.

Our gratitude to all of our trade partners, the homeowners and to Jay S. Simon for the beautiful "after" photography.

Great News for Denver

On May 19, Denver was named America’s No. 1 city on the verge of recovery in a segment on NBC’s “Today” show. Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran, a regular guest on the show, said Denver more than any other U.S. city is “clearly on a rebound.”

Forbes Magazine also just listed Denver as the #1 city to buy a home. The report ranked the 25 largest U.S. metro areas on the basis of change in price per square foot, frequency of real-estate transactions, and how evenly distributed home-sales activity is in a metro area.

“Denver tops the list,” Forbes said. “It had 25 percent of its property sales occur within approximately 25 percent of the city’s ZIP codes. This means sales in various parts of the city were fairly evenly distributed, showing proportionate activity. The further a city deviates from the 25 percent mark, the less evenly distributed the market is in that city, and thus the lower that city ranks.” (Read full Forbes article)

Searching for Truth Behind Green-Product Claims

Searching for Truth Behind Green-Product Claims
While we still have a lot of work to do to establish reliable standards for the multiple attributes that define green products, the good news is that there are a lot of dedicated people working on this problem, and there are a good number of resources already available to help you find your own comfort level with third-party verification of green claims. This article will guide you through the complexities of green product selection, help you understand how products are labeled and certified, and lead you to the most useful navigational resources. (Read Article)

Paint Manufacturers Launch Color-Capturing iPhone Apps

For color enthusiasts, two major paint manufacturers have introduced new iPhone applications to help capture color inspiration -- and automatically generate palettes -- all on the go.

ColorCapture Ben, a new iPhone and iPod Touch application, allows users to match any color in a photograph to one of Benjamin Moore’s more than 3,300 paint colors.

The application, which was developed by Benjamin Moore, allows users to zoom in on a particular color in a picture they’ve taken or loaded onto their device, tap a “match” key and see a display of the paints closest to the color desired, plus a range of darker and lighter shades on either side. These color “chips” can be saved to a favorites folder for future reference. Should users want to take the next step, the application will use the device’s built-in GPS system to find the nearest store carrying Benjamin Moore paint.

Sherwin-Williams is also joining the fun with ColorSnap, an app that feeds off the maker’s more than 1,500 available colors. Both apps offer the same goal with different levels of functionality.

Applications: apple.com/iphone/appstore.

Adding Value

Why are you remodeling? If your main goal is to increase the value of your home, keep in mind:

• The costs for your remodeling projects should be based on the value of your home. Investing too much or too little could lead to a poor return on investment or a home valued outside the local market expectations.
• Your home size and your neighborhood should be considered too. If your improvement or remodeling project are extensive compared to the rest of the neighborhood or size of the home, then a high expectation of return on investment may be unrealistic.

You should always consider function and livability, especially if you plan on living at the home for some time to come. You might even love your updated home so much that you forget about any notion of selling and moving out. At the very least, you've considered function and flow which can also help resale!

Remodeling Magazine puts out a great report each year which covers costs vs. value: costvsvalue.com.

Good Time to Remodel?

We've had people ask if now is really a good time to remodel.

And our answer is yes: it's a great time to make smart improvements and updates to your home.
Houses continue to age and need improvements, no matter what the market is doing and, as this is not a good time to sell, it could be time to make your current house a better place for you and your family.

Competition is strong among remodeling contractors and the new-home builders who are now remodeling. Many contractors and trade/subcontractors are lowering their fees. And even some material prices have come down, giving homeowners more flexibility than before.

Just beware of less-than-reputable or unqualified contractors promising a variety of services at cut-rate prices. They may show up at your doorstep, advertise in local mailers or deliver fliers to the home. It pays to look beyond the lowest bid and really dig into the details to find qualified contractors. Researching the reputation of a company through referrals and by checking their business history at the better business bureau can go a long way in preventing problems.

Remodeling Realities

There’s no doubt about it, emotional ups and downs are just a part of the remodeling process. Whether you’re doing the project yourself or you have a contractor, your home and personal space will be disrupted – you just have to expect for some ups and downs. If you know this ahead of time, then you won’t be surprised at these feelings when you’re in the middle of the disruption. And if you choose a good contractor - you have an ally; someone who will educate and help you and your family throughout the ups and downs of a remodel to get the results you want.

Tips to help:
Remember the temporary nature of the disruption
Pack up what you can to minimize impacts of dust
Plan ahead - make sure you have what you need accessible during the remodel

Home Improvement Projects: Do It Yourself? Or Not

Should you save money by doing the job yourself? Do-it-yourself (DIY) jobs are a popular trend in the home improvement industry; however, before you grab a hammer and start swinging, you should know that this is a trend with a few potential problems. Before you decide to do-it-yourself, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) recommends taking this DIY quiz:
Yes or No:
1. Do you enjoy physical work?
2. Are you persistent and patient?
3. Do you have reliable work habits—meaning that once the project is started, will it get finished? 4. Do you have all the tools needed and, more importantly, the skills required to do the job?
5. What quality level do you need for this project? Are your skills at that level?
6. Do you have the time that will be required to complete the project? (Always double or triple the time estimated for a DIY project, unless you are highly skilled and familiar with that particular project.)
7. Will it matter if the project remains unfinished for a period of time?
8. Are you prepared to handle the kind of stress this project will create in your family relationships?
9. Do you know all of the steps involved in the project?
10. Have you gotten the installation instructions from the manufacturer to determine whether this is a project you still want to undertake? (Most manufacturers will send you installation instructions before purchase to determine whether the product will meet your needs.)
11. Is this a job you can do completely by yourself or will you need assistance? If you do need assistance, what skill level is involved for your assistant? If you need a professional subcontractor, do you have access to a skilled labor pool?
12. Are you familiar with your local building codes and permit requirements? (Some jurisdictions require that the work be completed by a licensed and bonded professional in order to meet code.) It’s best to check these requirements before beginning work on the project.
13. What will you do if the project goes awry? (Most contractors are wary about taking on a botched DIY job, and many just won't take them.)
14. Is it safe for you to do this project? (If you are not familiar with roofing or do not have fall protection restraints, you may not want to venture into a roofing job. Similarly, if you know nothing about electricity—leave it to the professional. Some jobs can be fatal if not performed correctly. Your health and safety should be the primary concern. Never enter into a DIY project that would jeopardize either.)
15. Will you be able to obtain the materials you need? Who will be your source of supply? Will they deliver?
16. Are you attempting to do-it-yourself for financial reasons? If so, have you looked at all of your costs, including the cost of materials, your time, and the tools you need to purchase? If you are new to the DIY game, you may also want to look at the cost to correct any mistakes you may make—i.e., the damage factor. Will it still be a cost-saving venture?
17. If you are trying DIY for the satisfaction of a job well done—can you ensure that the job will be "well done"? If it doesn't come out right, how will you feel? Will you be able to afford to redo any unsatisfactory work?

If you answered yes to 8 or more of these questions, you might attempt a DIY project. But before you run for the nearest hardware store, revisit those questions you marked "No" and carefully consider the potential problems you will face in those areas if you proceed with the project. Hiring a professional might still be your best choice. NARI suggests that you be prepared and take your time in selecting a home improvement partner and reminds consumers that such a project can be one of the most important investments that a homeowner can make.

The "Honey-do" home repair list

So maybe your honey will never get to the "do" list for your home or maybe you are the one that gets this list, but start and keep this list anyway!

If you're not handy, hopefully you will bring someone in at some point to help you knock out this list and perform important preventative care maintenance.

And your honey-do or home maintenance list tends to multiply....often to the point of becoming a substantial remodeling project. Start that list now, keeping track of everything that needs to be done ..... you'll get those thoughts out of your head on onto paper. And when you DO get ready to work on your house and/or bring someone in, you'll have a well-defined scope of work to bid out.

Denver Home Remodeling Show

Sunday, March 15, 2009. 1:00pm Denver Merchandise Mart

"Plan, Prepare & Organize for your Remodel"presented by Shari Molk Beaudette, MBA, Co-Owner Cambridge Construction, LLC

Are you planning a remodel or hoping to finish your basement? Whether you're just putting together your wish list or you've hired a contractor and are starting tomorrow, come learn how to prepare for a successful project! Being prepared will help you get the results you want.

http://denverhomeremodelingshow.com/info.html

Reasons to Finish or Remodel your Basement

Just a few great reasons:

1. To add space when outgrowing the upstairs


2. To add funtional and customized rooms/spaces that you can design from scratch


3. To increase the value of the home and resale appeal, just in case


4. To help get rid of all that stuff you're storing down there!


5. To have a place for entertaining


6. To create play areas for the kids and the toys that are taking over upstairs!

What do the best basements have? They have what YOU need for you and YOUR family. Family rooms, "kid's caves", wetbars, built-ins, game areas, guest suites, home theaters, wine cellars and STORAGE are all top choices.