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The Cambridge Construction 3rd Annual Denver Open Squash Tournament

We are happy to announce the Cambridge Construction 3rd Annual Denver Open Squash Tournament

New Date! April 9 -10, 2011
Play Begins Saturday Morning
Schedules available Friday morning, April 8th

Location: http://www.lifetimefitness.com/, 9250 Crown Crest, Parker, CO 80138 (E470 @ Parker Rd.)

Divisions, Fees, Rules: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, Men's Open, Women's Round Robin, Junior Event Saturday. Adults $35 Junior $15.
Hi-Altitude Ball, Eye Protection required. Par11 Scoring

Hospitality & Favors: Regular entrants will receive a tournament t-shirt. Snacks, fruit and energy drinks provided throughout the tournament. Discount meals available at the LTF Cafe. Trophies provided to champions.

Schedule: Play begins Saturday morning and will conclude on Sunday. Each Singles draw will have a consolation draw. First match time and brackets will be available Friday morning and will be e-mailed and posted.

Flexibility: While being a fully competitive tournament for all levels, we are focusing also on players with families that find it hard to play weekend tournaments. The family friendly environment and flexibility in scheduling matches should enable this. This being said, if you plan on being competitive, you must be available at some point each day.

Deadline: Thursday, April 7th, 2011 at 9PM.Please contact the Parker Lifetime Fitness Member Activity Center at 720-544-6018 or email sspindler@lifetimefitness.com

Sponsor: Cambridge Construction: http://www.basementsandremodels.com/

Support: Be sure to also check with Parker Squashed, the independent website where you can find news and information about the Denver metro area squash happenings including squash activities at Lifetime Fitness in Parker http://www.parkersquashed.com/

Organize for the New Year!

Organization is essential for so many areas of our lives but especially before and after a remodel.

If you need a team to assist you through the often challenging process of letting go and creating a centralized home for all things: I can't say enough good things about Major Mom Professional Organizers. They help do the actual work and/or teach clients the Major Mom method. Decluttering and centralizing can help free up tremendous abouts of time and energy.

Holidays in the Home

The winter holidays often inspire home improvement projects.

Maybe you want to get the project done before the holidays. (Just be realistic and communicate your schedule and expectations if you need work complete before certain date!)

Or maybe while you are entertaining and enjoying the holidays, you become inspired to make some changes or improvements to the functionality of your home for entertaining or simply living.

In either case, make time to enjoy the season and find gratitude with what works in your home and the good in your life.

And If you are inspired while entertaining or being entertained - jot down your ideas! The more you live in your home, and do your research the more you learn your patterns and needs and can plan for necessary improvements.

Happy Holidays!

New Products

Product pros & cons from Builder magazine/website including new innovations such as BainUltra's Vedana shower - which turns the shower into a home spa!

Offering five therapies, the Vedana is designed to turn a shower into a wellness experience. Users can select aromatherapy, chromatherapy, light therapy, sound therapy, and thermotherapy.

It's always fun to see what is out there...as if we don't have enough to choose from!!!

Talk it over!

“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” - George Bernard Shaw

One of the keys to a successful remodel is communication. There are so many variables and factors that play into a project and we understand that our clients like to know what is happening and when.

We also encourage our clients to maintain this two-way process by asking questions and giving feedback. The comfort and satisfaction continue to be our #1 priority.

Denver Basement Finish Expectations

It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home. ~Author Unknown

Managing expectations is an essential part of the remodeling or basement finishing process here in the Denver Metro area . It's easy to include everything on your wishlist if budget is not a concern, but most of us have to consider the numbers!

We help our clients maintain realistic expectations of what they can achieve within their budgets.

It helps to have a plan, a vision and a wishlist to work towards because we can accomodate for future projects or upgrades when designing & building. (Adding the door/framing out a future bathroom to complete as a separate project)

Communicating Budgets

Many times during preliminary conversations about renovation projects, homeowners do not want to provide a budget or even a budget range to us. This can be problematic for the homeowner and contractor. (Read more: "Home Renovation Article Library - Tips From the Pros - Home Remodeling and Home Improvement: "Budget or No Budget by Robert Wright)

June Maintenance Tips

It's much nicer to CHOOSE to remodel than to remodel/repair something that could have been prevented. The link below shares June tips from a monthly remodeling calendar.

I would call this more of a maintenance calendar than remodeling calendar but regardless, home maintenance is very important in helping avoid costly repairs and projects that you weren't expecting!

Home and Garden June - Remodeling Calendar - Remodel:

• Clean and seal decks. Ideally, you'll need three consecutive warm, sunny days. On day one, dry out the deck. Apply deck cleaner and scrub the deck on the second day and let it dry 24 hours. On the third day, apply deck sealer.


• Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean chimneys. Doing this task now instead of the fall allows plenty of time for repairs before the next heating season. It's also easier to schedule a sweep.


• Wash the exterior of your house, using ordinary garden hose pressure and a mild detergent. Beware of the pressure washers – they are powerful enough to force water under the siding where it may encourage mildew and rot.


• Caulk exterior joints around window and doors.


• Clean lint from the entire clothes dryer vent system, from the dryer to the exterior vent cap.


• Inspect and repair or repaint all patio and deck furniture.


• Check operation of attic fans and roof-mounted turbine vents."

Spring/Summer projects

“A house is a home when it shelters the body and comforts the soul.” Phillip Moffitt

Spring/Summer remodels are by far the most popular. The weather is more reliable and easier to work with if you're considering larger projects such as an addition or exterior remodel.

As you assess your home improvement goals and needs, really hone in on functionality. Try to determine what works and what doesn't work in your existing space. We are happy to help during the planning stage and share our experiences of what works well and what doesn't.

Outdoor Living!

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

Spring often gets people thinking about summer plans and entertaining. What better way to entertain than an outdoor kitchen!

If you are eager to create your own outdoor entertaining/eating space, start with your wish list but stay focused on how you want to use the kitchen. This can involve the type of cooking you intend to do or the type of entertaining. How many people you think you will have, etc.

Staying in touch with the functionality and budget goals and the design will evolve accordingly. Versatile spaces receive the most use.

Kitchen Cabinet Decisions

Kitchen cabinets set the style, mood and functionality of your kitchen - thus spending time on your decision is worthwhile.

Considerations:
Stock, Semi-Custom and Custom Cabinets
Contrary to what many people think, these terms are not related to the quality of cabinets but rather, how they're manufactured. Here are the basic definitions:

Stock - Stock kitchen cabinets are pre-manufactured in specific sizes with few if any options for "customization" other than some limited choices the manufacturer might offer. They are off-the-shelf products in a limited range of styles.

Semi-Custom - Semi-custom cabinets are like stock in that they're also pre-manufactured but come with a wider array of options and sizes than pure stock cabinets, so you have some 'customization' choices.

Custom - Custom cabinets are built to the customer's specifications, with no limitation on size, style choices, wood grade or finish. They are truly made-to-order. They may be fancy or they may be plain but the difference is that they're made to suit your specific design requirements, in whatever size, form, color and material you can get someone to produce for you.

Sponsoring DENVER OPEN Squash Tournament @ Lifetime Fitness Parker, CO, MARCH 12-14

Cambridge Construction is supporting community fitness as a sponsor of the 2010 Denver Open Squash Tournament at Lifetime Fitness in Parker, CO.

While being a fully competitive tournament for all levels, the tournament is focusing also on players with families that find it hard to play weekend tournaments. The Family Day Pass Option, family friendly environment and flexibility in scheduling matches should enable this. They can also try and schedule matches to help those traveling from a distance.

Entry Deadline: *Extended to Wednesday, March 10th, 2010 at 9PM

Director: Please contact Jim Martin, 720-988-8926, jimyuko@gmail.com or the Parker Lifetime Fitness Activity Center for a Registration Form at 720-544-6018

Location: www.lifetimefitness.com, 9250 Crown Crest, Parker, CO 80138 (E470 @ Parker Rd.)

Divisions: Men's 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, Open. Junior Round Robins. Women's Round Robin if possible

Entry Fees: Adults $50, Junior $20, Optional 4 Family Member Club Day Pass $5

Rules: Dunlop Green Dot Hi-Altitude Ball. Eye Protection is encouraged. Par11 Scoring.Hospitality & Favors: Entrants will receive a tournament t-shirt, light snacks, brunch Saturday and Sunday. Trophies awarded to champions.

Schedule: Play begins at 5:00pm Friday and will conclude on Sunday until complete. Each draw will have a consolation draw. All players are assured 2 matches. The Junior Round Robin will start at roughly Noon Saturday for 2 hours. First match time and brackets will be available via email 5PM Thursday March 11th.

Note: Tournament Director reserves the right to combine or cancel draws dependent on the number of entries received. The Tournament Director will do everything in his power to facilitate personal schedules, etc. The Junior Round Robin format will be determined based on the number of entries and skill level breakdown. Some skill levels could be converted to round robins if there are not enough participants

Denver Basement Finish Specials

Happy New Year! Is your home on your list of resolutions for the new year? We have some great specials and packages for basement finishes in Denver - contact us today!

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.