Don’t leave home improvements out in the cold

Now is a good time to start planning, checking credentials

As houses are closed up tightly, leaving ventilation at a minimum, it’s best to keep winter projects as simple and undisruptive as possible so that air quality — and quality of life, for that matter — is maintained.

That doesn’t mean that plans for large-scale home improvement need to be put on the back burner, however.

Future fixes
This time of year is a good time to start planning for more intensive, and often more expensive, projects, such as additions, dormers, finishing basements and attics — things that require architectural plans, permits and financing, or must meet certain building code regulations, such as adding egress windows when finishing a basement.

“There are actually a number of regulations for dormers and additions, so now is a great time to consider it — only because with that type of project, they’ll typically need financing, and that can take about a month to process. They can have us come out now and quote the project, and either have us assist with financing or get financing from a bank,” Father & Son Construction President Mat Vivona Jr. said. “Also those types of projects require blueprints and building permits, so if they start planning now, by the time the snow melts, they’ll be in the driver’s seat and ready to go.”

Checking credentials
Such projects as kitchen or bathroom remodeling, finishing basements and attics, installing new roofs and siding, among others, most likely will require professional help — and on the homeowner’s part, some extra homework.

“(Last year) will forever be remembered as the year of the leaky roof,” said Vivona, citing poor quality roofing work done by people going door to door offering cheap roof work. “A lot of these people did more damage than good. … Most of the roofs we fixed ending up being complete tear-offs.”

That’s why, Vivona said, no matter what home improvement project being considered, checking credentials is essential to ensuring quality work.

“Be cautious of who you deal with. Any homeowner considering home improvements should check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and see how the company rates and how many complaints have been lodged against it; they should check with the state of Michigan to see if the company is licensed and check to see if they have general liability and workman’s comp insurance,” said Vivona, noting that the homeowner would be held responsible if an uninsured worker got hurt working on their property.

The Michigan Association of Home Builders (MAHB) offers an abundance of tips for consumers seeking a reputable contractor: These include making sure the business has a permanent location and can provide references; making sure that there is a complete, clearly written contract specifying the work to be done, how long it will take, the quality of materials used, and the total price and method of payment; and never paying money up front unless there is a signed, valid contract, among other helpful hints.

An eye on energy efficiency
Energy-efficient improvements are always a good thing because they have the added benefit of lowering energy bills year-round.

“Especially installing ceiling insulation, that’s always a great investment because you reap the benefits in the summer and the winter. … Also, the tax credits are good through the end of the years,” said Vivona, noting that also goes for energy-efficient doors and windows, among other energy-saving products.

Simple do-it-yourself energy-efficient fixes include switching to compact florescent or light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs, simply cleaning air-intake vents on appliances — including the oft-neglected refrigerator — and regularly changing furnace filters. For the handier homeowner, installing dimmer switches, a programmable thermostat or a low-flow showerhead, and wrapping the water heater with an insulated blanket are all simple, inexpensive ways to cut down on energy costs.

Not only do these projects save money on utility bills in the long run, they may also qualify for a federal Energy Star tax credit.

For more tips on finding a quality builder or remodeler, visit the MAHB Web site, www.buildingmichigan.org and click on the Consumer link to review the Consumer Checklist.

To inquire about a local business, contact the local BBB branch in Southfield at (248) 223-9400 or visit www.easternmichiganbbb.org.

To verify whether a builder is licensed, contact the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth’s Licensing Division at (517) 241-9454 or visit www2.dleg.state.mi.us/colaLicVerify/.

For more tips on improving energy efficiency and to check out what projects qualify for tax credits, visit www.energystar.gov.