Helpful Tips and Articles From GMG
Welcome to our tips page where we will be providing you with articles, ideas and tips to help you create a better living at home.
Why hire a Master Builder Association Member
In joining the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, all builder, remodeler and associate members agree to abide by the Association's Code of Ethics. By doing so, members demonstrate to the public and to others in their respective fields that they take pride in their profession and will do their best to provide the highest quality work possible.
Code of Ethics
The philosophy of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties is that:
- Home ownership can and should be within the reach of every American family.
- American homes should be well designed, constructed, and located.
- American homes should be built under the free enterprise system.
To achieve these three goals, our members pledge to uphold the following Code of Ethics:
- Conduct our business in a manner that will reflect credit upon our association, our industry.
- Avoid statements or implications that may be misleading or deceptive.
- Describe accurately and honestly the price, materials and standards of workmanship used in our jobs.
- Provide high standards of health and safety.
- Deal fairly with everyone involved in our projects including: employees, sub-contractors, suppliers and customers.
- Encourage research to develop new materials, building techniques, improved building practices and financing methods.
- Perform to the standards of the NAHB residential construction performance guideline in effect at the time of construction.
- Offer a minimum one-year written warranty on new homes and remodels, and use the MBA's consumer dispute resource program to settle disagreements with builders and remodelers of single family homes should the Association receive a consumer complaint.
- Support our local, state and national associations and all related industries concerned with providing affordable housing.
- Do business with association members whenever possible.
Choosing a Master Builder Association member who is bonded, insured and registered, offers a warranty, and abides by a code of ethics, gives you the peace of mind you need when you are building, remodeling, maintaining or repairing the home of your dreams. This article provided by the MBA.
Important Information on Caring for Your Wood Floors
The most common type of finish used professionally in the northwest is the Swedish Finish. Swedish Finish is a wood floor finish that gives the floor an attractive appearance combined with good durability and ease of maintenance.
Special care must be taken the first month, since Swedish Finish needs time to create the excellent hardness, durability and spot resistance to soaps, detergents, water, pets, fruit juices, ink, alcohol, etc. Avoid severe wear and washing during that period. It is recommended that all the furniture be equipped with self-sticking felt pads under the supports to protect against scratches.
Properties of Wood
All the wood in your home will contract or expand according to the moisture in the air. Doors and windows may swell and stick during a rainy season. In dry, cold weather, cracks and fine lines of separation may appear in walls, cabinets and furniture. The same reaction to humidity or the lack of it is happening constantly in your wood floors. Tiny cracks between edges of boards may appear when unusually dry conditions are produced by your heating system. In the warmer summer months your floor may expand somewhat making those same cracks less noticeable. In addition, if your home is newly completed the inside climate may change to a dryer one as many of the building materials are slow to dry. These are characteristics of wood because wood is a product of nature, and its natural quality is what makes it desirable.
Cleaning
Keeping your hardwood floors in good condition should be relatively easy. Dirt and grit are the major sources of surface destruction. Even small soil particles, ground in by foot traffic, can wear away at the protective coating and eventually damage the grain over a period of time. Sweep with a soft bristle broom or use a light vacuum. Use a well squeezed cloth or damp mop for small spills with water only or water with a small amount of vinegar. Use floor cleaner specifically formulated for Swedish floors for additional cleaning when necessary. Never scrub with coarse brushes or detergents. Never intentionally pour water onto your floor. Steam Cleaners may cause warping. Please Note: An additional coat of finish cannot be applied if wax, oil soaps or similar floor products have been used.
Long Term Maintenance
A recoat of Swedish Finish can be applied if you use the recommended procedures to care for your wood floors. An additional coat of finish is recommended in Five to Ten years in high traffic areas or longer in low wearing areas. Recoating your finish will eliminate the need for refinishing, unless there has been significant wear-through or oil soaps or waxes have been used.
Remodeling Your Home
Advantages to remodeling your home
There are many advantages to choosing to remodel instead of moving to a different home:
- You can stay in your comfortable neighborhood near friends, church and familiar shopping centers.
- Moving often means relocating farther from work. By remodeling your home, you can keep your convenient commute to work.
- Children can stay in familiar schools with good friends.
- You can update a home with new amenities while maintaining the charm of an older home.
- Many times there are only a few areas of your home you want to change. You can choose what you want to upgrade and what you want to keep.
- You can creatively design your home to meet your particular lifestyle.
- You can work with your remodeler to design unique, one-of-a-kind plans.
- You will increase the value of your home.
Now more than ever, homeowners are tearing down walls to make their homes brighter, more open and more compatible to their lifestyles. Homeowners remodel to update outdated homes, by adding a kitchen/family room, bonus room, windows and sky lights to bring in views of the outdoors and natural light, and to add a bath so parents don't have to share one with the children.
In addition to updating interiors, some remodeling projects are important to the structure of the home. One of the most common remodeling jobs is roof replacement. Other projects include replacement of siding, storm doors and windows, and insulation. All of these enhancements add to the comfort and energy-efficiency of your home.
Professional house remodels bring big return on investment
One of the first questions people ask about any remodeling project is whether the project will substantially increase the value of their home if and when they choose to sell it. A general rule is that any remodeling project that will bring a home up to the level of the others in the neighborhood is a worthy investment.
Not coincidentally, many of the popular trends and good remodeling investments mirror the trends in new housing, such as a master bedroom suite, exercise room and media room. Potential buyers compare remodeled homes with those that are newly built. So, it makes sense the most sought-after amenities follow similar patterns with new housing and remodeling. Minor kitchen remodels where the homeowner adds a few amenities and resurfaces worn and obsolete tiling, counter tops and cabinets not only raise a home's value, but they may mean the difference between selling or not selling the home.
Remodeling master suites has been one of the most popular projects in recent years. These suites can include everything from skylights to exercise facilities, a hot tub and state-of-the-art video and sound systems. Another popular remodel addition is a second full bath to house with only one. The average home has two-and-one-half baths. So, adding a second full bathroom to a home with only one is likely to pay for itself.
The following is a list of the nine remodeling projects that provide the best return on investment (listed from biggest return to least return). This list assumes the project is professionally constructed.
- Minor Kitchen Remodel
- Bathroom Addition
- Major Kitchen Remodel
- Master Suite Conversion
- Family Room Addition
- Exterior Remodel
- Deck Addition
- Sun Space Addition
- Home Office Addition
This article is by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties