There are over 40 million adults over the age of 65 in the US right now. By 2020 more than half of the US population will be over 65. This is changing the way homebuilders and remodelers look at design and the concept of aging in place.
Chelsea Morris and Jeffrey DeMure from JDA Architects spoke at our Remodelers Council this afternoon. They addressed the changing needs of homebuyers and what they’re doing to match these needs. They’ve partnered with Eskaton Senior Residences and Services to put together a program called Livable Design. It provides a third party verified designation that meets the needs, or is adaptable to the needs of the aging population.
There were some pretty interesting things mentioned that I never would have thought of like replacing standard bathroom towel bars with fall rated bars. This could help a senior in a falling situation and could also be a great feature for younger families with children who like to hang from towel bars or yank on their towels causing the bars to fall.
Check out the Livable Design website for more information.
Showing posts with label remodelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label remodelers. Show all posts
Monday, April 19, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Hiring a licensed contractor could save you money and problems in the long run
Even if your repair or renovation is completed and everything seems to be fine, it could be years before you find something wrong. Even worse, you could learn about problems after you decide to sell your home. At a minimum, you’ll have to disclose the problem. More than likely, you’ll have to make some repairs and/or reduce the price of your home. That is exactly what happened to one of our contractor’s clients.
During one of the extreme cold spells we experienced in northern Nevada this winter, one of our contractors was contacted to repair some damage caused by frozen pipes in a “cottage” on his property. When our contractor went to look at the damage, he realized that the dwelling was not up to code and he suspected that it was a converted garage. There were issues with the sewer vent, grading, electrical and fire hazards and other problems that made the dwelling illegal and unsafe. He explained to the homeowner the liability issues and that as a licensed contractor he couldn’t perform the work without bringing the cottage up to code.
The homeowner had already received quotes from other contractors that were willing to just fix the pipes.
It turns out that the homeowner’s mother had purchased the property and none of this was brought to her attention. The “cottage” was built without any permits and the property is not zoned for duel dwellings. The homeowner has now listed the property for sale as though the “cottage” doesn’t exist. He thanked the contractor for saving him from making a huge mistake. “If I had pursued the repairs,” he said, “I could have run into major problems and expenses on all levels.”
Visit the Builders Association of Northern Nevada Remodelers Council webpage for a list of remodelers dedicated to providing professional service and quality work.
You can also contact the Nevada State Contractors Board to make sure your contractor is licensed by calling 775-688-1141.
During one of the extreme cold spells we experienced in northern Nevada this winter, one of our contractors was contacted to repair some damage caused by frozen pipes in a “cottage” on his property. When our contractor went to look at the damage, he realized that the dwelling was not up to code and he suspected that it was a converted garage. There were issues with the sewer vent, grading, electrical and fire hazards and other problems that made the dwelling illegal and unsafe. He explained to the homeowner the liability issues and that as a licensed contractor he couldn’t perform the work without bringing the cottage up to code.
The homeowner had already received quotes from other contractors that were willing to just fix the pipes.
It turns out that the homeowner’s mother had purchased the property and none of this was brought to her attention. The “cottage” was built without any permits and the property is not zoned for duel dwellings. The homeowner has now listed the property for sale as though the “cottage” doesn’t exist. He thanked the contractor for saving him from making a huge mistake. “If I had pursued the repairs,” he said, “I could have run into major problems and expenses on all levels.”
Visit the Builders Association of Northern Nevada Remodelers Council webpage for a list of remodelers dedicated to providing professional service and quality work.
You can also contact the Nevada State Contractors Board to make sure your contractor is licensed by calling 775-688-1141.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Tired of Training? There's More Coming!
OK...most of us working in construction in Nevada have obtained our OSHA 30 or OSHA 10 certifications. We're ready to hit the jobsite. Right? Wrong! Many builders and contractors who are doing small remodeling jobs while they wait for our market to stabilize are now faced with a new, pretty unpleasant mandate: Lead Certification!
The short "heads up" is that this is the brand new Lead Renovator, Repair and Painting program (LRRP) that we’re talking about, NOT the prior lead abatement program. It’s a new regulation adopted by EPA, effective in April 2010, which requires that all contractors who perform renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 where children may be present must be certified by the EPA and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Failure to follow the rule can result in severe civil penalties and other unpleasantness. And by severe civil penalties, I mean fines of up to $37,500 per day per violation, not to mention exposure to civil liability actions with treble damages. Like I said, unpleasant.
Taken to a penultimate scenario, suppose you're all set to remodel the kitchen of an empty-nester, retired couple who plan to invite their grandchildren over for Christmas next year. They don't have children living in the home, so you're not required to comply with LRRP, right? Wrong again! Notice the "where children may be present" requirement? To remodel this kitchen, you must comply with LRRP.
The best thing a building company can do is to have a LRRP-certified person present within your company. Better yet, have two--you'll need one available in case the other is on vacation or is sick....or leaves to move somewhere where the snow doesn't fall and the cost of living is low.
Visit our website for a training schedule. We'll be adding more lead training classes in April, and will continue to offer them regularly. An OSHA training schedule is also posted. I guess the old saying is true...."if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
The short "heads up" is that this is the brand new Lead Renovator, Repair and Painting program (LRRP) that we’re talking about, NOT the prior lead abatement program. It’s a new regulation adopted by EPA, effective in April 2010, which requires that all contractors who perform renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 where children may be present must be certified by the EPA and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Failure to follow the rule can result in severe civil penalties and other unpleasantness. And by severe civil penalties, I mean fines of up to $37,500 per day per violation, not to mention exposure to civil liability actions with treble damages. Like I said, unpleasant.
Taken to a penultimate scenario, suppose you're all set to remodel the kitchen of an empty-nester, retired couple who plan to invite their grandchildren over for Christmas next year. They don't have children living in the home, so you're not required to comply with LRRP, right? Wrong again! Notice the "where children may be present" requirement? To remodel this kitchen, you must comply with LRRP.
The best thing a building company can do is to have a LRRP-certified person present within your company. Better yet, have two--you'll need one available in case the other is on vacation or is sick....or leaves to move somewhere where the snow doesn't fall and the cost of living is low.
Visit our website for a training schedule. We'll be adding more lead training classes in April, and will continue to offer them regularly. An OSHA training schedule is also posted. I guess the old saying is true...."if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!"
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
NEW - Builders Association of Northern Nevada Remodelers Council
We just wrapped up the second organizational meeting for our Remodelers Council. It's going to be a great group! We’ll be working on ways to promote our Remodelers - licensed, educated professionals that operate under a strict code of ethics. We’ll focus on education, consumer advocacy and promotional opportunities.
NAHB provides a tremendous amount of support both to professionals and to consumers. Check out their website.
If you’re interested in joining the council, please submit this application. Annual Dues are $30, which are forwarded on to NAHB to get you listed in their online Remodelers index and access to their information.
A vote to approve the creation of the Remodelers Council will go to the Board of Directors on Tuesday, June 30th. You're application will help support our cause. We'd like to have as many as possible submitted before then.
If you have any questions or need more information, contact Missy Hinton (775) 329-4611.
NAHB provides a tremendous amount of support both to professionals and to consumers. Check out their website.
If you’re interested in joining the council, please submit this application. Annual Dues are $30, which are forwarded on to NAHB to get you listed in their online Remodelers index and access to their information.
A vote to approve the creation of the Remodelers Council will go to the Board of Directors on Tuesday, June 30th. You're application will help support our cause. We'd like to have as many as possible submitted before then.
If you have any questions or need more information, contact Missy Hinton (775) 329-4611.
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