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At Home with Tom and Sandy

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Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy!” This month, we have a hot topic. As Tom and I always say, we are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down; what’s hot, and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment.

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some interesting information with you this month. So, settle in and enjoy.

Sandy:   Okay, Tom, what is our sizzling emotional topic this month?

Tom:       Multi-gen housing.

Sandy:   Tom, I am pretty sure you are not talking about multi generators and back-up battery packs as energy sources for coffee pots, ovens, dishwashers and rowing machines are you? Multi-gen?

Tom:       Ha, Sandy! All in the Family Multigenerational Living is making a comeback – multi-gen housing for short – where two and three generations are living under the same roof.

Sandy:   Tom, I am seeing more and more folks visit my office – adult children and parents or a parent with them. So, one is to assume that more generations are sharing a roof as a growing number of adult children move back in with their parents and aging parents move in with their grown children. WOW, I can think of a bazillion reasons why that would be a challenge, but I get it. What are you seeing age-wise with families?

Tom:       I am seeing and designing home features that accommodate younger generations, 20- and 30-year-olds moving in with their parents and I am also beginning to see the 40-year-old generation with their children moving back in with parents.

Sandy:   How do you wrap your arms around a design concept to accommodate generations, personalities and different life styles all under one roof? There are a lot of considerations.

Tom:       Now you know I am thinking like an architect and builder here. We have remodeled homes for what has been call a “Mother in Law quarters.” Multi-gen is not a “Mother in Law suite.” We are starting to see new homes being built and remodeled with two master suites and one small and one larger kitchen.

Sandy:   I know we are not talking about a duplex here, but explain how these are different. I know it must do with connectivity. You know I serve on the Yavapai County Planning and Zoning Commission, and Yavapai County has been on the forefront of this issue.

Tom:       Well yes, I knew that and you are correct. In a duplex, there is no internal connectivity. In multi-Generational Housing, connectivity comes in the most minimal form as a doorway from one space to either a common area, or connecting hallway.

Sandy:   How widespread is this in our area?

Tom:       The Pew Research Center says that about 57 million Americans are living in multi-generational homes. That’s almost 19 percent! And our area is slowly but surely taking this multi-gen housing on.

Sandy:   As I understand it, there are many reasons why this is happening. It was just a few generations ago that this might have been considered the norm and therefore it is not a new phenomenon. The Great Recession is a major contributor.

Tom:       Nearly one in five Americans are now living in a multigenerational household (defined as a home with two or more adult generations or grandparents living with grandchildren).

Sandy:   I did some quick research while you were on the drafting board Tom and economists say the main reasons for the uptick are rising home prices, higher child care expenses, increasing college debt, longer life expectancies, and the growth in communities.

Sandy:   Tom as a builder you must be able to respond to the trend, constructing homes with more square footage that contain a separate wing for extended family members. How do you communicate with your clients about Multi Gen?

Tom:       Everyone is looking for the perfect home for any number of family situations and I feel that Multigenerational homes in our area will be on an up-tick account and we are going to see more and more homes with multiple kitchens and master suites and separate entrances. The team at Renovations is skilled and adept at asking questions such as life style, later years, family and then bingo we have a house model to start from.

Sandy:   I am fielding a lot of calls from homeowners looking to adapt their current home to better accommodate multiple generations and I caution them to investigate the zoning laws in the Jurisdiction in which they reside.

Tom:       Because of this change taking place we need to make additions easier, passing laws that ease restrictions on constructing a second unit on a piece of land or again, adding multiple kitchens, etc. in an existing home.

Tom:       Again, along with student loans being high, losing a job and divorce are among the plethora of reasons why multi-gen housing is gaining traction.

Sandy:   What about the “Boomers” turning 65 at a rate of 11,000 per day and what about considering the effects aging will have on us and how convenient it will be to have family on hand to assist. Tom, can I move in with you and your wife? Hey, as you said it is the new way of living!

Sandy:   Let’s talk design, Mr. Architect. Clearly the grown kids moving back home, usually with children of their own have a different daily cycle than you boomers – especially the boomers who have been empty nesters for a while. What are the design considerations here? Not all can afford to build two of everything; why not just build two homes?

Tom:       Fair question. The answer largely depends on several factors. The needs of the older parent are usually met in the home they are living in. What needs to be decided is what are the two generations willing to share, how they will share and what aspects of daily living are going to be separate. Mealtime and preparation is often one of the daily activities generations like to share. Sleeping is separate, as are bathrooms. There might be a shared living room or family room space, but typically there are also spaces for retreat for the separate occupants.

Sandy:   Do you find that people build new or do the remodel on existing homes? Where do these folks start?

Tom:       Typically, the older parents’ home is the starting point. It is either close to or possibly already paid off. We have added to the home by going out as a single-story addition, or going up as a second floor.

Sandy:   I can guess who would get the second floor in your home! Both of those options represent an investment. With the equity you mentioned in the home I can see where that would help out. Is there a typical cost involved with adding on?

Tom:       That of course depends on what you are adding on. Investments of $100K to $250K are not out of the realm of possibility. Think about it though. You would be hard pressed to find a home for under $200k that would not need some work. Adding onto an existing home is usually more cost effective, because the land is already there.

Sandy:   What about Including age-friendly and privacy features if renovating or building: Consider wider doorways, brighter lighting, grab bars, low-pile carpeting and a separate space for additional family members.

Tom:       Yes, these are all component considerations with multi-gen housing – knocking at our door here in Yavapai County.

Sandy:   On a closing note, I say if you are considering multi-gen housing, don’t forget to divvy up chores!

 

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

 

Tom Reilly, LEED Accredited Professional, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 www.renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040

At Home with Tom and Sandy

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy!” This month, we are going to talk about insulation. Yep, in the middle of summer, we are going to talk about thermal mass so keep reading and you will discover the facts about insulation.

Sandy: Tom, where has the time gone? How time flies, as they say. Here we are, 2/3 of the way through 2017 and Christmas decorations are starting to show up in the stores. Tom, what did you think about the monsoon season this year? The rains were pretty healthy. It is amazing when the rains hit how the temperature drops as much as 15 to 20 degrees and when that happens, I hit the off button on my A/C and smile about the dollars I am saving and at the same time am thankful for good insulation in my home. So because of the rains, hitting the A/C off switch and saving money, that made me think about insulation and what that could mean to homeowners in the summer AND winter.

Tom: Oh yeah, I am loving the cool as well. As for thinking about insulation, you are spot on, Sandy. The benefits are felt summer and winter in our homes because of that unattractive, itchy stuff called insulation, which is a primary component of creating a “Thermal Envelope” for our homes. Wall construction, windows and doors are also components, but those are matters for another discussion.

Sandy: How do you figure out how much insulation, why type of insulation to use and where it goes in a home? I know there are building codes that dictate minimums and areas, but do builders exceed these?

Tom: Well, yes, we can exceed them, but it is part of an overall system. The basis or measurement for determining insulation needs is referred to as the “R Value.” Every building material has an R Value that measures the resistance to heat flow through a given material. The higher the R value, the greater the resistance. While this in not the only component to determining a thermal envelope, it is key and the simplest way to understand the concept.

Sandy: We have homes in Yavapai County that range from over 100 years old to new. I know the older homes don’t have much, if any, insulation. Can they be retrofit to have better thermal envelopes? I have heard of blown-in cellulose and spray foam as two possible products to get this done. What else is there?

Tom: Again, you are spot on. Those are the typical products. In some older homes made of masonry there is no additional insulation on the outer walls. In this case, we need to either add insulation by putting in on the inside or the outside of the walls. The best place to put insulation is on the outside of the masonry and cover it with a weatherproof material such as stucco. This allows the mass of the masonry to help stabilize the temperature inside the home.

Sandy: So I am going to use one of my “Life Lines” and call for Wikipedia to define thermal mass. In building design, thermal mass is a property of the mass of a building that enables it to store heat, providing “inertia” against temperature fluctuations. For example, when outside temperatures are fluctuating throughout the day, a large thermal mass within the insulated portion of a house can serve to “flatten out” the daily temperature fluctuations, since the thermal mass will absorb thermal energy when the surroundings are higher in temperature than the mass, and give thermal energy back when the surroundings are cooler, without reaching thermal equilibrium. Thermal mass is the ability of a material to absorb and store heat energy. A lot of heat energy is required to change the temperature of high density materials like concrete, bricks and tiles. They are therefore said to have high thermal mass. Lightweight materials such as timber have low thermal mass. Appropriate use of thermal mass throughout your home can make a big difference to comfort and heating and cooling bills.

Okay, Tom, back to my one of my original questions, how do folks determine if there is adequate insulation?

Tom: Several ways, really. The simplest is to look and measure the depth of insulation, whether blown in or batts under floors and in the attic where access is available. Knowing the thickness of your wall construction can assist in making an educated guess as to what is behind the drywall or plaster.

Knowing the thickness and the material we can back into the R Value. There are several Insulation R Value Calculators on the Internet. You input material type and thickness, it will tell you the R Value.

Some will be pretty sophisticated and ask about wall construction to value all the materials, but that is really not necessary for folks to know what their circumstance is.

Sandy: What about those areas you can’t get to – how do you know if there is or may not be R Value material? What magic calculations do you have for that?

Tom: No magic. If you can’t see what is there and measure it, the next best test is a thermal imaging of your home. Good insulation contractors will have this capacity, or know someone with whom they can contract. This process visually identifies thermal leaks. With “Hot Spots” identified, solutions to fix them can be instituted.

Sandy: What are some minimums of insulation that need to be considered?

Tom: The Energy Code, as adopted by all our local jurisdictions, has set some very high standards, really. Walls are generally an R 20 to 21, roofs an R 49, and floors an R 19. That being said, Yavapai County has developed standards that differ depending on the area in the county you are building in.

Sandy: There are five climatic zones in Yavapai County based on elevation. From Crown King to Camp Verde, there is a wide array. Each of these zones has requirements specific to it.

Wow, lots of stuff. What are some of the materials used for insulation these days? I know about fiberglass, cellulose and Styrofoam; aren’t there others? And of course, the amount of space available to place the insulation in would dictate the appropriate product to use.

Tom: Oh yeah!

There are products made out of rock fibers, recycled blue jeans, treated natural products such as hay bales as well as other recycled material. No shortage here. Just google “Recycled Insulation Materials.” You will spend hours looking at what is out there.

Tom: In our renovation and remodeling world, we often are working on homes that were constructed prior to the Building Code being adopted in the early 2000s. As a general rule (varies per jurisdiction), if you remodel less than 50 percent of the home, the existing insulation can remain. The area being remodeled or any additional space being added needs to meet the current codes.

Sandy: Do you have a favorite insulation that you like to use?

Tom: Our favorite standby is spray foam. This sprays on as a liquid filling all the nooks and crannies and then solidifies in a very short time frame. Due to its density, the R Value per inch of thickness is better than fiberglass.

Sandy: Let’s leave our readers with one last important comment and that is the effectiveness of an insulation material’s resistance to heat flow also depends on how and where the insulation is installed. The amount of insulation or R Value you’ll need depends on your climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the part of the house you plan to insulate. Also, remember that air sealing and moisture control are important to home energy efficiency, health and comfort.

Tom: Insulate and be like a YETI.

Thanks for stopping in and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. Until next month. QCBN

 

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 www.renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.

 

 

Welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy!

By Leave a Comment

We are here to give you the inside scoop on the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share our thoughts, thinking and, of course, opinions on construction, remodeling, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment and, as they say, “so much more.”

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy. We are going to talk about value-added remodeling dreams.

Sandy: You know, Tom, one of my big wants if money were not object, as they say, and I could remodel my home to my heart’s content, would be to have a steam shower in the master bath. The ahhh in steam would be terrific.

Tom: I am halfway there with you, Sandy. There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to add steam to your existing shower enclosure or get a standalone shower. Either way, you could be looking at an investment between $2,500 to $5,000, or higher depending on the bells and whistles.

Tom: I love outdoor living in our area. Since this can happen eight to nine months a year, my big “If money were no object” would be an outdoor living room and kitchen, where I could hang out, grill, maybe nap, listen to the birds and watch the coyotes walk by.

Sandy: Sounds cool, Mr. R., what would that dream run you?

Tom: My dream… probably $100K. Then again, I can design some pretty cool stuff! What else is on your remodel bucket list?

Sandy: I like the idea of outdoor living, but my next thought runs to my kitchen. I would like to have a deep sink, like a farmers sink, warming drawers and a really cool “kick it” cooking surface, complete with four to five burners and a griddle. I love to cook fresh, healthy meals!

Tom: Sounds like my kinda kitchen. A nice big Wolf range with an intergyral convection oven could cost $10K. The warming, or even cooling drawers cost about $2,000 and up. The deep farmerhouse sinks are all over the cost map. Enamel, cast iron, pewter type metal, hammered metal, will run anywhere from $600 to $2,500.

Sandy: Well, we started this conversation with the thought that “money was no object,” so let me dream a little.

How about a HUGE walk-in closet with shelves, drawers and lots of hanging space? Some daylighting in there, places for an untold number of shoes. OH, can I get an automatic shoe polisher too?

Tom: Okay then. Wait…. How many shoes do you have?

Sandy: A girl never tells!

Tom: Fair enough.

Let’s pretend you can steal space from an adjacent room to expand your itty-bitty closet. Say, eight feet by 10 feet. That will give you all kinds of room for dressing, a chair or bench to sit on, and of course a full-length mirror. I assume, since we are dreaming, you might want piped in music or a TV. A custom designed closet system can run between $1,500 to $4,000 or more. When you think about using this space 365 days a year, over a period of 10 years, two times a day, the high end would only cost about $0.50 per use. Well worth it.

As for the automatic shoe polisher, well, they run about $100 to $300 plus a 110v outlet. The LEED Accredited Professional in me is glad you mentioned daylighting. Skylights can work well. Lately, we have been using the indirect solar tube systems for closets since you don’t really need to see outside.

Seems you can have it all, Sandy!

Sandy: Oh boy, I am not done yet! The laundry room is next. A side-by-side front loading washer and dryer with storage below and above, a deep sink for prewashing, with a spray nozzle, a space to hang wet things, dry things and a way to catch the dripping water on the floor for the wet stuff and maybe a bench where people could sit and take off their shoes. Think you could do all that for under $10K?

Tom: You have got your priorities together, that’s for sure. As for the cost, that largely depends on the washer and dryer you choose. Your budget could be realistic though.

Sandy: Well, I ALWAYS have all kinds of ideas that I think up as my days roll on. You know how great it is working in this industry, we see so many innovative ideas and new products. I told you about my dream kitchen, but I want to add a fireplace where I can warm my tired feet while I sip my tea. Have you ever done something like that, Mr. Architect?

Tom: No I haven’t, but what a great idea! We have put fireplaces in living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms and outside rooms, but not in a kitchen. Maybe a space for a flat screen above so you can watch the DIY home improvement TV shows!

Sandy: I LOVE those shows, don’t you be making fun of them, mister!

Tom: Sorry. This has been fun column. When we meet with clients, we encourage them to do just like you are doing, Sandy, and DREAM. Too often, folks think about the next homeowner, some day, down the road and try to imagine what might help with resale. I say dream, invest in your own comfort and lifestyle. When you do what you want you will be much happier.

Thanks for stopping in at “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month.

 

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association 928-778-0040.

 

Welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy!

By Leave a Comment

We are here to give you the inside scoop on the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share our thoughts, thinking and, of course, opinions on construction, remodeling, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment and, as they say, “so much more.”

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy. We are going to talk about value-added remodeling dreams.

Sandy: You know, Tom, one of my big wants if money were not object, as they say, and I could remodel my home to my heart’s content, would be to have a steam shower in the master bath. The ahhh in steam would be terrific.

Tom: I am halfway there with you, Sandy. There are a couple of ways to do this. One is to add steam to your existing shower enclosure or get a standalone shower. Either way, you could be looking at an investment between $2,500 to $5,000, or higher depending on the bells and whistles.

Tom: I love outdoor living in our area. Since this can happen eight to nine months a year, my big “If money were no object” would be an outdoor living room and kitchen, where I could hang out, grill, maybe nap, listen to the birds and watch the coyotes walk by.

Sandy: Sounds cool, Mr. R., what would that dream run you?

Tom: My dream… probably $100K. Then again, I can design some pretty cool stuff! What else is on your remodel bucket list?

Sandy: I like the idea of outdoor living, but my next thought runs to my kitchen. I would like to have a deep sink, like a farmers sink, warming drawers and a really cool “kick it” cooking surface, complete with four to five burners and a griddle. I love to cook fresh, healthy meals!

Tom: Sounds like my kinda kitchen. A nice big Wolf range with an intergyral convection oven could cost $10K. The warming, or even cooling drawers cost about $2,000 and up. The deep farmerhouse sinks are all over the cost map. Enamel, cast iron, pewter type metal, hammered metal, will run anywhere from $600 to $2,500.

Sandy: Well, we started this conversation with the thought that “money was no object,” so let me dream a little.

How about a HUGE walk-in closet with shelves, drawers and lots of hanging space? Some daylighting in there, places for an untold number of shoes. OH, can I get an automatic shoe polisher too?

Tom: Okay then. Wait…. How many shoes do you have?

Sandy: A girl never tells!

Tom: Fair enough.

Let’s pretend you can steal space from an adjacent room to expand your itty-bitty closet. Say, eight feet by 10 feet. That will give you all kinds of room for dressing, a chair or bench to sit on, and of course a full-length mirror. I assume, since we are dreaming, you might want piped in music or a TV. A custom designed closet system can run between $1,500 to $4,000 or more. When you think about using this space 365 days a year, over a period of 10 years, two times a day, the high end would only cost about $0.50 per use. Well worth it.

As for the automatic shoe polisher, well, they run about $100 to $300 plus a 110v outlet. The LEED Accredited Professional in me is glad you mentioned daylighting. Skylights can work well. Lately, we have been using the indirect solar tube systems for closets since you don’t really need to see outside.

Seems you can have it all, Sandy!

Sandy: Oh boy, I am not done yet! The laundry room is next. A side-by-side front loading washer and dryer with storage below and above, a deep sink for prewashing, with a spray nozzle, a space to hang wet things, dry things and a way to catch the dripping water on the floor for the wet stuff and maybe a bench where people could sit and take off their shoes. Think you could do all that for under $10K?

Tom: You have got your priorities together, that’s for sure. As for the cost, that largely depends on the washer and dryer you choose. Your budget could be realistic though.

Sandy: Well, I ALWAYS have all kinds of ideas that I think up as my days roll on. You know how great it is working in this industry, we see so many innovative ideas and new products. I told you about my dream kitchen, but I want to add a fireplace where I can warm my tired feet while I sip my tea. Have you ever done something like that, Mr. Architect?

Tom: No I haven’t, but what a great idea! We have put fireplaces in living rooms, family rooms, bedrooms and outside rooms, but not in a kitchen. Maybe a space for a flat screen above so you can watch the DIY home improvement TV shows!

Sandy: I LOVE those shows, don’t you be making fun of them, mister!

Tom: Sorry. This has been fun column. When we meet with clients, we encourage them to do just like you are doing, Sandy, and DREAM. Too often, folks think about the next homeowner, some day, down the road and try to imagine what might help with resale. I say dream, invest in your own comfort and lifestyle. When you do what you want you will be much happier.

Thanks for stopping in at “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month.

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association 928-778-0040.

 

Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.”

By Leave a Comment

We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate and the construction industry; what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, lending information, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment. There is plenty going on in the real estate industry and the construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy.

SANDY:  As education and awareness for our readers, Tom and I feel it is important to inform our community on soils reports, also known as geotechnical engineering reports. One big change: effective this past January 2016 for unincorporated Yavapai County only, “It shall be the responsibility of the PROPERTY OWNER to provide a Geotechnical Engineering Report at the time of permit application for all habitable structures.

Tom:  The definition of a habitable structure is: Single family residences, manufactured/modular/factory built and park model homes secured to a permanent foundation, additions to single family residences over 400 square feet in size, guests houses, all livable accessory structures and detached structures that require a registered design professional (engineer or architect) and, of course, any appropriate permits are required.

Sandy:  There are exceptions to this requirement and they are: Attached patio covers, deck (covered or open), and additions to habitable structures under 400 square feet are exempt from these requirements. The Building Inspector and/or the Chief Building Official for Yavapai County Development Services can waive this exemption if the site conditions warrant recommendations from a Geotechnical Engineer.

Tom: This is important information to know: If a Geotechnical Engineering Report exists for a property, it is the responsibility of the PROPERTY OWNER to contact that engineer/engineering company to ensure the report includes all proposed structures. Buyers of vacant land in unincorporated Yavapai County should be encouraged to investigate soils conditions upon considering purchase of property in order to adequately project development costs.

And also it would be beneficial to anyone building a new home to investigate, sample and test the soils prior to permit and construction to determine their physical and engineering characteristics of the soil. You should know what you are building on!

Sandy: In Arizona, our biggest worry is our soil, which can cause problems with the foundations of our homes. Fortunately, most problems caused by bad soil can be repaired. A lot of soil-related problems arise because homeowners assume living in a dry climate means the soil is dry, sandy and stable, so they do not think twice about planting and watering near the house. In many areas of the state, the soil contains a high percentage of clay, meaning it is neither sandy nor stable. In fact clay-based soil expands when it gets wet and shrinks when it dries. Soil is moisture-sensitive, and as long as it is dry, there is no problem. Water changes everything. As soon as moisture fluctuates, during a monsoon storm or if you plant a yard full of thirsty greenery, the problems begin. When clay-rich soil comes in contact with water, it expands, causing the soil particles to push upward. If that happens right under your house, it can damage your foundation. Expansive soil is among the most expensive geologic hazards and causes $300 million a year in damage to homes. Building codes do not assure long-term performance (settlement or heave values within industry standards) of the fills, footings and floors. We can only assume that you all want to build a good, well-performing building.

Tom:    Sandy, what does a soils report address?

Sandy: The report will address the conditions of the soil where development is proposed. This information is imperative when considering the foundation design of the structure, as depending on conditions, significant foundation engineering may need to be performed. A soil engineering report will present a picture of what the intended project will consist of; recommendations to be used by a structural engineering for footing depth, width, bearing pressure, estimated settlements, heave potential, etc. A soils report also presents to civil engineers site grading requirements, minimum ground slopes, minimum permanent cut and fill, etc. The report contains a description of the site and soil conditions so the builder will now what they will have to contend with.

In short a soils report is the “how to design and build recipe for the foundation structure” that goes on the site. When followed the design will result in a successful, long-term performance of the home.

Tom:                         I have been involved in situations where substandard soils have been discovered upon inspection of foundation footings and the builder was required to cease construction until the soils issue could be mitigated. This has resulted in unexpected costs to the builder and homeowner and unnecessary delays in the project.

SANDY:                    Tom, you are absolutely correct, failure to mitigate substandard soils can result in complete failure of a structure. Buyers of vacant lands in the unincorporated areas of Yavapai County should be encouraged to investigate soils conditions upon considering purchase of property in order to adequately project development costs.

SANDY:                    Some of the problems associated with expansive soils include: foundation cracks, cracks in floor slabs and walls, jammed doors and windows, ruptured pipes and cracks in sidewalks and roads. Not all soil is Arizona is expansive. Some is collapsible, which means it is loose and dry, and will collapse and compact when it gets wet. This kind of soil can cause your home to settle rather than heave, but the symptoms are similar to the heaving brought on by expansive soils, cracked foundations, floors and walls.

Tom: Recently, a four-year-old home started to heave such that there was more than three inches of differential floor movement from one side of the house to the other. Subsequent remediation revealed that the soils consisted of a medium to high plasticity clay soil. The maximum soil movement occurred under the bearing footings on the southerly side of the house where exposure to rain, snow and the yard irrigation water was the highest. Remediation efforts consisted of: installation of helical piers under house footings, removal of the entire flor slab, temporary support of interior non-load bearing walls, removal of two feet of the clay soils from within the entire building footprint, removal of eight inches of clay soil from below the base of the foundations, installation of a low-density foam between the clay soil and the footing base, installation of non-expansive floor fill, replacement of concrete floors. Cost to repair: $250,000, as compared to a soil investigation report at approximately $1,600 if one had been performed prior to building on the lot.

Swelling soils cause damage to thousands of homes every year. The extent of the damage varies from cracked driveways and sidewalks to severe structural deformation.

SANDY:                    Tom, our population is growing and as the population continues to move into the outer reaches of communities, many times project sites become more and more marginal. These sites can be built upon, but it is critically important to address the long-term performance of the home on the lot and build to a “higher” industry standard by obtaining a Geotechnical Engineering Report on your lot before you build.

SANDY:                    Tom, as a realtor, when you have buyers purchasing a home I know that you share the importance of looking for signs of “heaving” or “settling” which could indicate there is evidence of active foundation movement. Minimal settling cracks are common, but an inspection by a licensed concrete foundation specialist will help identify if there are other items of concern.

SANDY:                    For new homeowners looking to purchase a home and current homeowners, there are several practices that will allow you to grow a landscape that complements your home, while avoiding the potentially damaging effects of swelling soils and perhaps mitigate the damage to your home.

Tom:                         When landscaping your home, plant vegetation no closer than five feet from the foundation, unless the plants have very low water requirements. Xeriscape-type groundcovers and mulches are especially useful near houses because they can help reduce extreme moisture fluctuations. Don’t allow sprinkler systems to spray any closer than five feet from the foundation, and plant trees no closer than 15 feet from the foundation. Another tip is to make sure all water drains away from the foundation and there is proper slope to the yard.

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

 

Welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy!

By Leave a Comment

We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry – what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot, and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment and so much more.

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So, settle in and enjoy.

 

Deck the halls with boughs of holly

Fa la la la la la la la la,

‘Tis the season to be jolly

… and take care of your decks, build decks and enjoy decks.

 

Sandy: Tom, that is not an easy task taking care of decks, deciding on what material to use since not all decks are created equal.

 

Tom: In our climate, outdoor living is almost a requirement and given our mountainous terrain, we often need to construct an area for outdoor enjoyment well above the ground: the deck!

 

Sandy: If a homeowner does not have a deck, where does he or she start? Material selection? Site and layout design? Is there a basic rule of thumb?

 

Tom: Start with a few basics as you contemplate your deck design. Typically, when a deck is constructed, the surface is about 30” from the surrounding ground. This can vary to some extent and the distance is generated by building codes. The clearance from the bottom of the deck joists to the ground needs to be 18” if constructed with Douglas fir standard dimensional lumber. Treated lumber will allow you to get closer to the ground. It is standard to either paint or seal the deck frame prior to applying the surface deck material.

 

Sandy: When does the requirement and building code for railing come into play? I would think that the design of the railing is an important function of your view shed when seated on the deck. I have seen very cool railings that are made from clear glass, plastic and even wrought iron to add to the design of the deck.

 

Tom: If you do build 30” or higher from the ground, you will need a railing – that is code. The real decisions, aside from orientation, dimensions and shape are what type of material to use for the decking itself. Let’s look at three popular choices.

 

Sandy: With the section of deck materials the homeowner must also be aware of and consider maintenance. I would guess, Tom, that the most popular of desk materials would be wood. Probably, cedar and redwood because they are naturally resistant to insects and rot.

 

Tom: Yes, cedar and redwood are the number one choices for deck material. These products need to be sealed with a deck sealer that provides protection from the sun’s UV rays. Typically, this should be done every two years.

 

Sandy: I would think other choices for decking surface material are composites. For our readers, composites are generally products that are composed of predominately recycled material.

Tom: Composite decking is typically manufactured from wood, reclaimed wood, sawdust and chips, bound together in a plastic material. Decking is now more than a $9 billion industry and is growing daily.

 

Sandy: Now we have evolved into a greener society and today, if cost is not a factor, the greenest decking is a plantation-grown wood product that is naturally resistant to rot and bugs and does not need further preservative treatment. Eco-friendly decking includes black locust or tamarack or domestic and tropical woods (redwood and teak) and all are certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. Nowadays, we all want our decking to last for many years without maintenance and that alone is a big challenge.

 

Tom: If homeowners are weary of maintenance, and we are becoming a “greener society,” I am all for composite deck materials. The great things about composites is they look and act like wood. Popular manufacturers known for sustainable products are TREX, NEXWOOD and TIMBERTECH. These products have been known to last for up to 20 years with little maintenance; however, you must keep in mind that all of these products will weather and some warping may occur. Composite decking is as strong as wood; it looks and feels like wood. When selecting this type of decking, it is important to verify how well this product holds fasteners, so discuss this with your contractor.

 

Sandy: There are also plastic deck products, vinyl or PVC decking and all of these products are considered “green.” Again, eco-friendly composite decks made from a blend of recycled wood and plastic and processed with earth-friendly manufacturing processes, reclaiming factory waste and eliminating the use of harmful chemicals are the wave of the future.

 

Tom:    It is not easy being green and the good thing is that locally sourced reclaimed wood that would otherwise end up in a landfill finds its way into many high-performance composite decks. By using reclaimed sawdust, “green decking” companies never have to cut down a tree to make their products.

 

Sandy: The recycled wood in TREX decks is combined with recycled plastic film from a variety of sources ranging from the overwrap on paper towels to dry cleaner bags, sandwich bags, newspaper sleeves and grocery and shopping bags. The average 500-square foot composite TREX deck contains 140,000 recycled plastic bags! That makes TREX one of the largest plastic bag recyclers in the U.S. As one of the largest plastic film recyclers in the U.S., TREX saves 400 million pounds of plastic film and wood from landfills each year.

 

Tom: It is important to note that a deck is like the space inside your residence. It needs regular cleaning and maintenance to remain habitable and safe. Decks made of composites require less maintenance than wooden decks, but there’s no such thing as a self-cleaning deck or a deck that lasts forever. By doing what’s good for the wood and avoiding what’s not, however, you’ll get more life from your outdoor living space.

 

Sandy: Here are some DOs and DONTs for deck cleaning.

 

Sandy: DO CLEAN. Decks need exfoliation so protective sealers can seep deeper into the wood. When it’s dry and moderately warm – 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit – apply an appropriate deck-cleaning solution with a roller or sprayer to kill mold and bacteria. Use a utility brush to scrub the deck where it’s especially dirty and where mold or mildew might lurk. (Power washers and pressure washers are the quickest way to clear residue, but you risk gouging the wood. A garden hose outfitted with any nozzle that has a hard-stream setting will work; a “fireman” nozzle, found in auto-parts stores, delivers an intense spray without the risks associated with a pressure washer.)

 

Tom: DON’T CLEAN THE DECK WITH CHLORINE BLEACH. Unless, of course, you don’t mind stripping the wood of its natural color and damaging its cellular structure. Oxygen bleach is an all-purpose alternative that won’t wash out colors or harm plants, but it’s still not appropriate for redwood.

 

Sandy: DO SAND your deck before sealing. It can take up to 48 hours for the deck to fully dry. At that point, lightly sand the surface to remove splintery or fuzzy patches caused by pressure-washing the deck. A pole sander with 80-grit sandpaper will suffice; a power sander is overkill. Then seal the deck to protect from cracking, cupping, and warping. A clear sealer lasts longer; a tinted stain or sealant fades quickly with lots of foot traffic. Paint looks nice when it’s first applied, but it looks downright distressed before long. If you then decide to refinish the deck with an alternative sealant, you’ll need to first remove all the paint with a stripper or sander.

 

Tom: DON’T ASSUME that pressure-treated wood is maintenance-free. It might resist rot and insect infestation, but pressure-treated wood still needs to be cleaned and sealed to withstand water and solar damage. Use products made for pressure-treated wood.

 

Sandy: DO BE VIGILANT ABOUT DAMAGE. This is an important issue. Inspect periodically for soft or splintered spots, loose nails and deck attachments, and split or rotten planks.

 

Tom: DON’T USE NATURAL MATERIALS UNDER DECK FURNITURE. Protect the wood deck from scrapes inflicted by chair and table legs, but don’t use natural fiber rugs such as jute and bamboo. These absorb moisture and promote mildew. Rugs made of recycled plastics won’t cause these problems, and they’ll last longer.

 

So, with this information, you are now better prepared to concentrate on the fun part of designing your deck, selecting the material and determining how to care for your deck to make your outdoor living go from good to GREAT!

 

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

Welcome to At Home With Tom and Sandy!

Tom Reilly, Architect, Contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506 renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy”

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We are here to give you the inside scoop on real estate, the construction industry – what’s up, what’s down, what’s hot, and what’s not. We’ll share real estate stats, home prices, building permit numbers, construction pointers and give you hints on renovations that will give you a return on your investment.

There is plenty going on in the housing and construction industry and we want to share some fantastic, cool, groovy and helpful information with you. We are going to use our insight and local expertise to help you save time, money and surmount obstacles of all kinds. So settle in and enjoy.

 

Sandy: WOW, how fantabulous is this weather! I am already breaking out the BBQ and patio furniture as I am sure many other are doing as well and our YCCA peeps are busy helping folks prepare for outdoor living again.

 

Tom: Sandy, you are spot on about the weather. It is good to hear that business is hopping also. We are getting calls from folks who want to maximize their outdoor living time. As you know, the planning process is step one in getting it right.

 

Sandy: Right on, Tom. So what is the first step in the planning process to maximize outdoor living? I guess first of all folks need to know what they want from their outdoor spaces and get started by asking the right questions. Tom, what are some of those questions that you ask families when planning an outdoor living area?

 

Tom: First of all, do you want to sit outside? Do you want to cook outside? Is dining outdoors a goal? The answers to these questions will get you started down the right path. In this region, the opportunities for living outside are huge and that’s why we live here!

Other questions to ask are, if you are cooking outside, how close is the kitchen and do you want to be running back and forth while trying to cook? Knowing the answers to this can help you decide if you need outdoor storage for cooking tools, spices, condiments and the like. Taking the time to analyze these issues will help give your architect and builder the information they need to meet your goals.

 

Sandy: I personally like to eat outside, and with the great climate here, entertain outside as well, and I am not one who wants to run back and forth – I like everything at my fingertips and I would not be big on running back and forth to the kitchen every time someone wants a drink or a fork or another plate. I have seen some simple outdoor cabinets for storage and I have seen some elaborate setups that include outdoor refrigerators and sinks, just like a full kitchen.

Tom, share with our readers some of the outdoor kitchens you have designed and built.

Tom: We have designed and built several outdoor spaces ranging from the simple and basic to the full kitchen and dining area. Some have included warming drawers to keep the veggies warm while the steaks cook and cooling drawers for salads and other condiments. Refrigerators for drinks range from full size to smaller under-the-counter types. We have even used dispensers for soda, beer kegs and juices. A lot of these are a big step up from the Igloo cooler filled with ice and drinks, although that still works!

 

Sandy: I love my Yeti cooler. I would guess that the size and outdoor kitchen components would certainly depend on how often the space is used to some extent. Outdoor parties during our GREAT summer evenings make for some good times, that’s for sure.

Tom, as people are thinking about what their space needs to be, size, location, etc., wouldn’t another consideration be protecting the equipment from the elements? I understand that those appliances and cabinets are made to be left outside. Do you build the kitchens under cover in most cases? I would think that the thought of a cover, or roof over the outdoor kitchen area might be considered as well. Hey Tom, what about counter top material for outside use?

 

Tom: Sandy, that is a good thought and thanks for bringing it up. The surfaces are different than those you normally find inside of the home kitchen. While the counters can be the same materials, such as granite or concrete, there are some solid surface products that don’t perform as well outside in the sun and rain. The appliances as you mentioned are typically made of stainless steel. We have constructed the vertical surfaces with stucco finishes, stone and specialty metals such as copper. As for cover, that depends largely on how the space is oriented. While our climate is generally great, the sun can be somewhat unforgiving in the afternoon. A roof to screen out the sun makes for a more comfortable area with the added benefit of protecting from the rain.

 

Sandy: You make it sound as though everything but the kitchen sink is out there! How does one power all this? Or even clean up afterward?

 

Tom: You are right Sandy, except the kitchen sink is often included for the full outdoor kitchens. Hot water is often supplied by an electric or gas (both propane and natural) on-demand heaters. Power for other appliances is usually from a separate electrical circuit(s) as needed. As we started this conversation saying, early planning is the key to any successful project.

 

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy”

 

Understanding Impact Fees

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I want our readers to understand the effects of impact fees. The good, the bad and the misunderstood.

Welcome to “At Home with Tom & Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on everything A to Z for your home and the community. Tom and I love talking with our readers. Settle in, enjoy and have fun reading our column this month. Thanks for being such loyal and great readers.

Sandy: Hi Tom, back again and this time our conversation is going to be about impact fees.

Tom: Oh, joy. Our favorite subject.

Sandy: Sure is. I want our readers to understand the effects of impact fees. The good, the bad and the misunderstood.

Tom: Let’s start with a quick primer on what they are. These are added fees that are charged to new residential development at the time the dwelling(s) is permitted. The State of Arizona legislature regulates quite strictly what infrastructure they can be charged for.

Sandy: There are strict rules regarding what collected funds can be used for and how they are calculated.

Tom: The money collected from the new homebuyers can only be applied to infrastructure needs necessitated by growth.

Sandy: Correct. Not only must they be used for specific capital improvements, but those improvements must also have a reasonable relationship between the amount of the fee collected and the project the money is used for. It must also be demonstrated that the new development has necessitated this project.

Tom: An example might be if an existing arterial roadway needs to be widened because new development has contributed to exceeding traffic capacity. Impact fee funds can be used for that. What they can’t be used for is fixing sidewalks in an existing development.

Sandy: We could go on and on with examples, I think our readers get the point.

Tom: Agreed. Perhaps you can tell our readers what kind of dollars we are talking about.

Sandy: Basically, the impact fees currently are $11,650 per residential unit. The proposed increase will take that to $19,754 per residential unit. That is a 70% increase. Perhaps the best way to communicate the fees is by including a table.

The fees will vary depending on the water meter size and home square footage.

Tom: That table says it all. I like that is breaks out the fees into their respective parts. That is a bit of a shock to the new home real estate market. I am sure the local no-growth PAC groups perceive this as a step to curbing growth.

Sandy: I think the perception by most folks is that growth is paying for growth. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Tom: There are those in elected positions who tout that impact fees do exactly that for political gain. It speaks to the perceptions held by their constituents.

Sandy: Another perception is that developers pay this fee. The reality is that the fees are incorporated into the cost of the home, so the homebuyer is the one paying.

Tom: So, impact fees increase the cost of new homes in Prescott corporate limits. The impact fees imposed by the City of Prescott have zero effect on development in the surrounding towns or county.

Sandy: Right. Development in areas outside of Prescott still has impact on our roads and infrastructure and there is no contribution to address those impacts.

Tom: The YCCA recently engaged a development finance advisory group to provide the Prescott City Council with the likely effects of the sharp increase. Can you share some of the basics of those findings?

Sandy: Certainly. There were three basic points. 1. The price of new homes in Prescott will increase. 2. This increase is likely to lead to fewer new homes being built. 3. The demand for existing homes in Prescott will increase and that will fuel higher prices for the resale market.

Tom: There are other effects as well. Our mayor and council have been talking about addressing “workforce” housing. That is creating an environment where folks like our first responders can afford to live in the community they serve. This will be a hindrance to that goal.

Sandy: It sure will. According to Arizona State Statutes, a municipality or county cannot waive the fees for any reason. So, the cost of any new housing will be impacted.

Tom: And so goes the law of unintended consequences. When we look at the reasoning behind impact fees, they make some sense though.

Sandy: The effect growth has on our existing public safety needs and infrastructure is real. I agree that impact fees can play a role in helping offset the cost of growth. My objection is not in the concept, but rather the effect that the sudden 70% increase will have on the marketplace.

Tom:    I understand the advisory firm YCCA engages recommends a more gradual increase over three years.

Sandy: Yes. We believe that would more accurately have revenue coincide with the development of fire and police facilities. The city has not yet identified potential sites or started the design process.

Tom: That probably won’t begin in earnest until the results of the sales tax vote are in.

Sandy: That won’t be long from now. It should be said that the amount of money collected by impact fees will be a drop in the bucket compared to the money needed to get us to where we need to be with our infrastructure.

Tom: Impact fees are not supposed to pay for it all; never were, never will. They are a contributor, however. Folks need to know the difference between a political sound bite and what monetary reality is.

Sandy: What I do not understand, Tom, is, Arizona State Statutes indicate that development fees shall result in a beneficial use to the development. Let’s use Forest Trails as an example: A new home in a practically built-out development as of Jan. 1, 2025, will be required to pay the hefty impact fees. How is this benefiting the homeowner? The infrastructure is already in.                                               

Tom: Well, the theory is that the home, while having streets, sewer and water, still is contributing to a population increase that affects fire, police, traffic on collectors and arterials, and generally utilizes services from city sources. QCBN

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association 928-778-0040.

Tom Reilly, Architect, 928-445-8506

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.

Another Home Run for the Home Show

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Gosh Sandy, have you recovered yet from another fantastic Home Show?

Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” We are here to give you the inside scoop and tips on everything A to Z for your home and we love talking about the construction industry. Settle in, enjoy and have fun reading our column. We sure do enjoy sharing our words with you. Thanks for being such loyal and great readers.

Tom: Gosh Sandy, have you recovered yet from another fantastic Home Show?

Sandy:    Barely, Tom, but you are correct that the show was fantastic. The show is a wonderful forum to display your business, whether it is a service or a product or both.

Tom:    I recall my time spent there always brought new business in. A challenge we had, and I suspect others had as well, was to follow through with all the leads we got in a timely fashion.

Sandy:    That is a good problem to have and that also is the goal of the show. I talked with every industry/vendor, and they were so excited about the leads and appointments. It is critically important that they follow up!

Tom:    As always, can you give our readers some stats regarding attendance? Not only visitors, but vendors, also?

Sandy:    Tom, I started tracking home show visitors in 2010, although we had home shows in previous years. We did not have a home show in 2020 and then in 2021 we held an outdoor one-day home show. On average, we have 15,562 visitors that come through the doors in a three-day period. The number of vendors back in 2009 was 148 and we seem to have settled in at around 220 vendors. If we had additional inside booths, that would surely increase the number of vendors.

Tom:    Impressive, given the weather was nice. That seems to play into attendance.

Sandy:    We had a full house. I aways love meeting folks who visit and seeing all our member companies and their employees. The weather at this home show was close to perfect. A little windy, but we have had home shows in the past with snow and rain. Can’t figure out Mother Nature.

Tom:    Walking around, it is always good to see some of the same companies that represent their wares and services year after year.

Sandy:    We love the consistency of our regulars. While they form the backbone of our organization, we also want to celebrate the new companies as well.

Tom:    It seemed like there were quite a few new companies represented this year. More than usual was my uneducated take.

Sandy: Pretty observant, Tom. Yes, I compared the list to last year’s and we had 12 new vendors – and local as well.

Tom:    So many new people and their companies speak well of the local economy. Membership is up for the YCCA, too, I would guess.

Sandy:    Yes, we do have several new companies. It is always heartening to see people taking the big step in starting their own company. And I love that the YCCA is there to support those brave souls.

Tom:    With all the new presenters at the show, I see new faces along with some folks who have turned themselves from employees into entrepreneurs. That is always great to see.

Sandy:    We should tell our readers that not every company presenting at the Home Show is a member of YCCA. While members get a booth discount, you do not need to be a member to be in the show.

Tom:    Good point to make.

Sandy:    By not being exclusive, we are able to provide so much more variety for the community to be exposed to.

Tom:    The community had a lot to see at this home show, for certain. With so many different vendors, your volunteer staff must be quite large.

Sandy: I give huge thanks to the YCCA Board members for their participation. We are always walking and watching and helping the visitors. Prescott Regulators and Their Shady Ladies for two years now have handed out bags at the entrance, and that is such a great help. We are grateful for the forklift guys with Earth Resources Corporation who help folks move in and move out. And a huge thanks goes out to Lowes and Home Depot for allowing YCCA to use their push carts for move in and move out. Also, Elan Electric sets up the electrical system, which is huge.

Tom:    Each vendor sets up their own booth and you stage that quite well. Beginning with those that are furthest from the loading dock, there are set times that we must get our booth and wares set up.

Sandy:    It can look chaotic, but it really goes rather smoothly. There is a great deal of cooperation and coordination that goes on. The same can be said for the dismantling process. The Findlay Toyota Center management is fair, extremely helpful and such a great partner, but strict on the timing.

Tom:    Everyone seems to pull it off, year after year. Several of the vendors had quite elaborate set ups.

Sandy:    Moving in all the landscape materials and products like fireplaces, stoves and hot tubs takes coordination and a good crew to get it done in the time allotted. Vendors that are show veterans usually have their process down pat.

Tom:    Some folks may not be aware of the event center crew that sets up all the booth layout markings for aisle measurements and assists with management of the event as well.

Sandy: Each booth has access to power and WiFi. In talking with many vendors that do other shows, they are charged for forklift usage, electrical and WiFi support, and there are no push carts. YCCA goes above and beyond to be a good partner and assist our vendors and members.

Tom:    The outdoor displays are impressive as well. They seem to be reserved for those vendors that need a larger area.

Sandy:    Oh yeah. This year we had lots of RVs, which take up a large area of the parking lot, also vendors with yard art and large displays of granite for countertops, along with large-scale landscaping products. The other cool thing was the “tiny house” village as I called it. Clayton Homes, United Tiny Homes and Smart Homes of Prescott Valley all had the cutest models available for walking though. It’s the wave of the future!

Tom:    Well, I wasn’t there all weekend so I can’t say for sure, but I suspect the show was successful and as always, a real asset to the community. Bravo YCCA, Sandy and company!

Sandy: I tallied 38 miles, 79,426 steps in two awesome new pairs of shoes! I think my white Sorel snow boots were the hit of the show!

Bye for now. Keep smiling, everyone. Always here if you need YCCA. QCBN

Tom Reilly, Architect, 928-445-8506

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.

Preparing for the Annual YCCA Home and Garden Show

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The YCCA Home and Garden Show has become an annual staple in our community.

Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.” This month, Tom and I thought we would take a road trip. We are going to enter the realm of the YCCA Home Show.

Tom: Hey Sandy, are you going nuts yet? Are you working yourself into the annual frenzy that is the annual YCCA Home and Garden Show?

Sandy: Busy is what I am normally and is what I love. This time of year, it is such a worthwhile and fulfilling craziness putting together the Annual YCCA Home and Garden Show.

Tom: Since the efforts of you and your team are taking up your valuable time, let me interview you this month so all you need to do is answer questions.

Sandy: That works, Tom – so go easy with me on the questions.

Tom: The YCCA Home and Garden Show has become an annual staple in our community. What do you see as the biggest benefits offered through this event?

Sandy: First and foremost Tom, this year, 2024, is the 44th annual YCCA Home and Garden Show. We missed a year with COVID. Now, to answer your question: What we see year after year is a tremendous opportunity for our community to meet and talk one-on-one with professional contractors, tradesfolk, suppliers and several of our government organizations such as City of Prescott Police and Fire departments, Town of Prescott Valley Development Services, City of Prescott Development Services, Yavapai FireWise, Yavapai County Development Services and Yavapai County Assessors Office, to name just a few.

Getting to ask questions of all the vendors, and getting information firsthand from so many different resources is the heart and purpose of the Home Show.

Tom: As a vendor in previous Home Shows, I found folks engaging us in conversation with questions and comments, and personal one-on-one conversation when they may not otherwise be able to do so.

Sandy: Exactly, we love seeing people visiting vendors and getting information on services and products they otherwise would not be exposed to. It is exciting for me to see the thousands and thousands of interactions taking place with every vendor. As I walk up and down the aisles, I rarely see a vendor sitting idle at their booth. There are always folks walking around looking, talking and learning.

Tom: Seeing that level of interaction happening must make you and your team feel as though the effort is well worth it.

Sandy: It certainly does, and my heart is so proud of the community and the support of the vendors.

Tom: Let’s talk about your team. Just getting the event set up must take an effort.

Sandy: Well, yes. There are three different phases of setup. And, of course, there are the vendors outside and indoor vendors. All the booths, their locations, power setup for the indoor vendors and pipe and drape. First is the electrical setup, coordinating the power box layout for the booths and the power cables for the spas. This is done prior to the pipe and drape setup. Elan Electric is our local company that does that for us. They are top-notch and can set up the electricity with their eyes closed.

The second phase of setup is the pipe and drape. Our vendor from Phoenix comes in with the layout, pipe and drape and they set up the booths per our booth layout. That process takes all day and what a show it is to watch that take place. It is like magic! On Thursday before the show, we are ready for the vendors. We stagger the move-in times for the vendors to set up their spaces both inside and outside vendors. This is an all-day process and I have a team of wonderful guys to assist. Earth Resources Corporation and their team manage the parking lot, unloading, bringing in the set-up displays and booth items via forklifts.

Tom: And that is where the real craziness begins. A good many vendors have quite elaborate setups. From landscapers creating a beautiful environment to the pool vendors with their pools set up full of water, it’s an active day!

Sandy: “Active” is not a robust enough word to describe the process. Even though vendors and helpers all have their hair on fire, the process runs more smoothly than you might think.

Tom: Tell our readers about your team.

Sandy: Golly, I love talking about how great, supportive and hard-working our event workers are. The team really consists of our board of directors for move-in and move-out. We have volunteers that are greeters who hand out bags to the visitors. We hire off-duty Town of Prescott Valley police officers to be watchful and mingle with the community. Last year was the first time we brought in officers and how the community loves that.

Tom: It’s impressive to see all the volunteers making this event come together. This year we have Prescott Regulators and their Shady Ladies once again assisting. A lot of different organizations and people come together to make the Home Show successful. For years, you have made this event free for people to attend.

Sandy: Well as you know, vendors pay a nominal fee to YCCA for their booth space. I am so proud of YCCA because we have maintained a low price to make this a community event. Non-members of course pay a higher fee for the booth. Most booths are 10’ x 10’ and several vendors will take two or three spaces for their displays. There is the rental cost of Findlay Toyota Center and the set up of the pipe and drape.

Tom: Our readers need to know that this year is no different. It is free to attend.

Sandy: Findlay Toyota Center and the team have been wonderful – we could not ask for a better venue. We honestly believe that the overwhelming success of the show is partly because of the no admission fees.

Tom: The thousands of attendees are a testament to that, I am sure.

With all the folks milling about, have you ever been able to discern a pattern of the people flow? By that, I am asking if there is a route you take to cover the whole show and not pass the same vendors booth twice? It’s not important, I’m just simply curious.

Sandy: LOL, Tom, I am so busy walking around with my hair on fire during the three days of the event, I never even thought about that. I just see the attendees circulating and covering all areas and looking at every single booth.

Tom: I believe that. It seems like you and your team are everywhere all the time. Trading efficient movement for ubiquitous visibility.

Sandy: There are always hundreds of issues that need to be addressed. Problems crop up regarding electrical power and internet connectivity and spills and messes that need to be cleaned up. The show days always find me wanting to curl up on the couch with a bottle of wine close by.

Tom: OK, Sandy, give us the dates and times for our readers.

Sandy: Awesome! The Home Show runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 17 and18, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at the Findlay Toyota Center in the heart of Prescott Valley. Be there or be square! QCBN

Tom Reilly, Architect, 928-445-8506

Sandy Griffis, Executive Director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040.