Save Energy Company Blog

(877) 312-1327
315 Petaluma Boulevard South
Petaluma, CA 94952
Save Energy Company’s employees are replacement window and door experts.
Dry rot and Replacement Windows
VickieV
Jun 29, 2010

Dry rot is a problem that can come up on any construction project and it has even reared its ugly head here at Save Energy Company. As explained in the last blog, we had decided to repaint the building and during our preparations we found several trim boards that had dry rot. As you can see in the photo below, we were able to apply the new brown base color on the body of the building but several trim boards between the front door and window have been removed and need to be replaced.

So this brings up a good lesson about how to handle dry rot, termites or other unforeseen issues with your home improvement project when you are hiring a contractor.

First of all, the contractor should explain when they prepare and go over their bid with you that there is always a possibility that unforeseen circumstances like dry rot may come up during the project. If you don’t talk about it beforehand then you are more likely to be disappointed and upset when it does happen later. No one like surprises, particularly when it comes to extra costs that they weren’t expecting, so we make sure that every client knows that dry rot is a possibility and can be mentally and emotionally prepared for it should it arise. We charge an extra $85/hour plus material to do those repairs. That said, we usually only discover dry rot on less than 10% of our jobs and the repairs are usually under $100 total.

So when you are getting bids for a construction project make sure to ask if there are any other hidden costs that could come up.

San Francisco Replacement Windows and the New Lead Law
VickieV
Apr 13, 2010

A federal law passed more than two years ago finally takes effect on (appropriately enough) April 22, Earth Day. On that day the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin enforcing its regulations covering work performed in homes that might possibly contain lead paint. Because the vast majority of houses in San Francisco were built before 1978, this law is set to affect nearly every homeowner. The 1978 date is critical because that is when the government finally banned the use of lead-based paints.

Lead never decomposes, leaving a risk for homeowners, their friends and family, and any future occupants. Lead also binds to soil, so exterior remodeling of homes may result in the contamination of lawns that will remain hazardous for years. The EPA’s standards have been enacted to drastically reduce the risk homeowners take when hiring a contractor to perform work on their homes. Processes and procedures have been developed that renovators are required to follow. Unfortunately, these mandatory steps will add additional time, materials, and costs to many typical home improvement jobs that disturb any painted surface.

Home improvement projects will now require more set-up, clean-up and tear down work. Special equipment, such as HEPA vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters, must be purchased. Individual contractors who directly oversee the project must be trained and certified. All employees must receive additional training. As a consequence, the cost for this extra work will have to be added as a surcharge to the regular price of each remodeling job. While this surcharge will vary depending upon the type of job being done, it is estimated to be in the 5% to 10% range.

Replacement Windows and Federal Tax Credits
VickieV
Apr 6, 2010

While the government has long offered tax credits for green home improvements like solar panels, federal tax credits are also available again this year for other home improvements such as window and door replacements. The credits were available last year as well and those credits are still available at a deduction of 30 percent of the cost of materials. Labor costs are not included. So if your project cost say $10,000.00 and $2,000.00 of that total was for the labor to install it you would be eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the $8,000.00 balance or $2,400.00. However, there is a cap of a total rebate not to exceed $1,500.00 for each home. Other items eligible for the tax credits include additional insulation, new water heaters, and heating and cooling improvements. There is no income limit on this, but everything has to be installed by Dec. 31, 2010.

“If someone is thinking about making an energy-efficient improvement, this is a time to do it,” said Amy McAnarney, executive director of the Tax Institute at H&R Block in Kansas City, Mo. “You just calculate the cost of the improvements less the labor component and take up to 30 percent of that cost.”

For more information please go to the IRS’s website at: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206869,00.html.

Ballpark Pricing
VickieV
Mar 16, 2010

I recently got off the phone with a potential client who at one point during our conversation had asked me, “So how much are replacement windows going to cost, just a ballpark figure.”
I know that he was anxious about the cost and standing in his shoes I can completely understand, but I had to tell him, “Honestly, it’s so hard to say.” Because window replacement jobs or any other construction related project is so site specific, any contractor worth his/her salt would never bid a project sight unseen. There are just too many options to consider; type of window frame (wood, aluminum, fiberglass, composite or vinyl windows, installation style (“new construction” or retro-fit), glass type (clear, LowE2, Lowe-366, obscure, tempered, etc) and grids or no grids, to name a few of the many choices to be made and price variances. Many times the caller or home owner doesn’t even know what they want or that these various options exist. And a home in Petaluma or Novato may require a different application than window replacements in San Francisco.
So we recommend that you take the time to get written estimates from reputable contractors working in your area. You may have a great feeling about someone over the phone but make sure to check out the company through third party verification such as the BBB, Diamond Certified, and the Contractors State License Board.
Remember, purchasing a contracting experience is different than buying a new car or appliance. If you can get the very same car or refrigerator for a few dollars less down the street, then by all means go and purchase the less expensive one. However, when you are going forward with a remodel of any kind, the grade of materials is an important consideration, but who is going to install them is even more important. Do your homework; most often the least expensive bid is not the “best price.”

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