Bathroom Remodeling – Michigan
Bathroom Remodeling in Michigan has seen a spike in demand in recent months. The community is capitalizing on the rock bottom prices for all renovations, but targeting bathroom remodeling in particular as a low risk renovation with large ending gains for the value of their home.
With so much demand for bathroom renovation, Michigan attracts remodeling businesses of almost every conceivable genre. But before choosing a Michigan remodeling contractor for your remodeling project, weigh your options carefully and do your research.
Old fashioned proprietors who have been doing business for many years have a great sense of commitment to their community, but they often lack the streamlined efficiency of some of the newer renovation companies. They typically have a more relaxed attitude about project management and deadlines, and while they will certainly give the customer one on one attention, rarely do they follow through with their commitments.
Larger companies, on the other hand, are often so streamlined and efficient that the customer himself can be all but forgotten. The personal touch that so many home owners look for is lost amid the many tentacles of the corporation. And when it comes to something as personal as a home, this gives the whole project an underlying feeling of coldness and trepidation. Sure, they get the job done fast, but the sense of community and one on one service is practically non-existent.
This is why home owners in Michigan have come to trust companies that not only give the personal attention of an old fashioned business, but execute the renovation at the speed, cost, and efficiency of a multi-conglomerate corporation. When dealing with a local company of solid reputation, home owners can rest assured that the contractor’s experience with homes of similar style and value will make their renovation as successful as possible.
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HOME REMODELS, RETROFITS ARE KEY TO AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT FUTURE, NAHB PANELISTS SAY
by the National Association of Home Builders
LAS VEGAS, Jan 21 – As the nation’s home builders embrace green building in growing numbers, industry research indicates that even the most aggressive efficiency goals for new homes won’t make a dent in overall energy consumption.
Instead, remodeling and retrofitting the nation’s older homes is by far the more efficient solution, industry experts said at a press conference today at the International Builders’ Show® in Las Vegas.
The panelists spoke as the National Association of Home Builders commemorated Green Day, drawing attention to the green education and certification programs offered by the association and the many green products, supplies and materials on display this week in the world’s largest home building industry show.
The home building industry can combat the potential effects of global climate change by providing additional training to its members and by encouraging home owners to alter some of their habits – and make energy-efficient improvements to their homes, the panelists said.
Federal energy officials estimate that Americans consume about 21 percent of the energy produced each year to operate and maintain their homes: for heating, cooling and electrical appliances, from stoves and refrigerators to televisions, computers and hair dryers. “By just making thoughtful choices, we can reduce that impact,” said Ray Tonjes, chair of the NAHB Green Building Subcommittee and a green home builder in Austin, Texas.
“Energy efficiency is absolutely key to our nation’s continued security and to our economy. Additionally, we know that building with energy conservation in mind is practical and profitable. My industry has stepped up to the plate to prevent the effects of global warming – but we call it responding to market demand,” he said.
The greatest energy savings can be achieved by making changes to existing housing, which is less energy efficient than today’s new homes. “We obviously can’t solve the problem by tearing down all our inefficient housing stock and replacing it with new. We need to make some significant improvements to our existing homes,” Tonjes said.
Mike Hodgson, president of the California energy consulting company ConSol, revealed the results of a study conducted for the California Homebuilding Foundation last fall. Seventy percent of the greenhouse gas emissions related to single-family envelope energy consumption can be attributed to homes built before 1983, the study found.
Further, the study demonstrated that pending $10,000 retrofitting a 1960s home could save 8.5 tons of carbon, a cost of $588 to $1,176 per ton depending on tax credits and incentives. On the other hand, increasing the energy efficiency of a new home 35 percent over current state requirements would cost about $5,000 and would reduce emissions by 1.1 tons at a cost of $4,545 per ton.
“Simple arithmetic demonstrates how retrofitting existing homes with energy-efficient features is four to eight times more carbon- and cost-efficient than adding further energy-efficiency requirements to new housing,” Hodgson said.
Remodeler Devon Hartman of HartmanBaldwin, a Claremont, Calif design/build firm, said his customers are heeding the call. By adding insulation and sealing and tightening the duct system in one recent large home renovation project, Hartman was able to replace four older heating and air conditioning units totaling 16 tons to a new 6-ton system. “We’re no longer talking about just putting on sweaters or lowering the thermostat. We’re talking about creating energy through efficiency measures,” he said.
As more people turn to retrofitting and remodeling, demand increases for so-called green jobs, skilled employees to either manufacture or install components in the energy-efficient homes of the future.
Frederick Humphreys is President and CEO of the Home Builders Institute, which is the workforce development arm of NAHB, discussed new initiatives to prepare and train these workers, including major revisions of popular industry textbooks and other training materials to reflect today’s improved knowledge of building science and green technology.
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ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing more than 200,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. Known as “the voice of the housing industry,” NAHB is affiliated with more than 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units for 2009.
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What’s a Certified Graduate Remodeler?
Filed under: Bathroom Remodeling, Home Remodeling, Kitchen Remodeling, Sunrooms
Good afternoon.
The Certified Graduate Remodeler (CGR) designation is the title given to remodelers who complete the necessary educational course to achieve that recognition. They are also required to have aminimum of 5 years of remodeling experience.
The CGR course teaches business practices, marketing, contruction and project management, construction practices and numerous other subjects related to the industry.
Going a little deeper, finding a remodeler with the CGR designation means you have found a professeional. This remodeler is serious about what they do…serious enough to take the time for practical education and instruction in their field of expertise. It’s what helps distinguish those who just dabble or do side work from those who do high quality, professional remodeling.
I received my CGR designation 3 years ago and continually find value in the things I learned by attaining the designation. It helps me better serve my customers and give them a project that is of higher standards and better value.
It’s important to hire companies that know what they are doing and are seious about it.
–Lenox
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Welcome To Home Remodeling in Michigan
P & B Finishers, Inc. was founded in 1995 by Lenox Bowman. Our company offers top quality, full-service remodeling in Macomb and Oakland Counties and northern Detroit.
We are providing this informational blog for homeowners in Michigan to find the latest information about home remodeling contractors and design/build solutions.
If you are looking for a professional remodeling contractor please call us today at 586-254-7969 or complete our no obligation consultation form.
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