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At Home with Tom and Sandy

Deciding Whether to Buy a New Home or Remodel 

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom and Sandy.”  Sit back, relax and enjoy.   

Tom: Hi Sandy, what are we going to talk about this month? 

Sandy: Well, I have had some calls recently from folks who want to know who they can turn to for help in deciding whether they should stay in their home and remodel, build new or move to another existing home. So, this is what I want to talk about, Tom; are you game? 

Tom: GREAT subject. We spend quite a bit of time helping folks find some of the answers they need to make that exact and careful decision. It is quite a process! 

Sandy: I suppose the first question to share with our readers would be what and why are they considering this decision.    

Tom: Exactly. We suggest families sit down and list five things they like and enjoy about their home and five things they are not keen on about their home. This helps people gain some focus on a discussion that can get lost down all the rabbit holes. Families will also need to look at their finances and determine a general budget for buying new or resale or taking on remodeling. This is important to have the range of budget figures as they move through the process. 

Sandy: Good start. Once they do that and have the budget numbers and the list of “not keen on items” would they then bring in professional assistance to see if those aspects of the home can be modified and changed and/or is the home in a hard-and-fast non-flexible, cost-prohibitive state? 

Tom: Right again. Sometimes it’s the kitchen or the bath or the lack of outdoor space that need remodeling and a fresh look and or need to be changed due to family circumstances. And sometimes it is just simply the quality of finishes that are causing gloom and the homeowners want more brightness. 

Sandy:Okay, easy enough, but what if the house is just to big for some empty nesters?  

Tom: Then the decision is pretty clear. 

Tom: Once those “Home Improvement” projects are identified, owners can do one or two things, or both, to move forward. There is an article published in Remodeling Magazine every year called “Cost vs Value” and the link is remodeling.hw.  

Tom: This link identifies several common renovation projects and relays the typical cost of those projects for average homes and some for upscale homes in different parts of the country.  

Sandy: WOW, very interesting and I hope our readers take a peek at the link.  Noteworthy to see the different areas and costs.  

Tom: Clearly. This information allows people to get some idea of how much a project will cost them. The desired change menu of projects can then be added up to get a preliminary budget for staying in the current home and remodeling vs. going and purchasing new. 

Sandy: It is still a good idea for our readers to contact a professional for help, though. Most design/build companies specializing in remodeling will have an initial conversation at no cost. 

Tom: Yes, that is of course true. If a company wants to charge you for very basic and common information, tell them “I don’t have the right company” to work with.    

Sandy: When the homeowner has all of this valuable information, there is still more work to do though. What do you suggest about figuring out if they would be better off moving? 

Tom: We suggest if a homeowner wants to relocate, and let’s use our local area, he or she lists about five different desirable areas to live in. Then research those areas for available homes and their respective price ranges. 

Sandy: And, of course, a realtor would be a starting point for that process. 

Tom: Absolutely. No question there. Realtors have access to information and the skill to drill into that info on the client’s behalf. 

Sandy: That will be work for sure and it is important that these families share with the realtor they are gathering information for “the decision to stay and remodel or buy.”  

Tom: That would be fair. For some, the information can be obtained in the realtor’s office. By way of example, simply finding out the cost of existing homes in an area might force the decision right there. 

Sandy: Gathering the information is what this whole process is about. In fact, I shout from the rooftops that gathering information on any form of construction from purchase of items, to remodeling, to building new, to all everything from A to Z in construction is important. 

Sandy: With new construction, folks can reach out to custom home builders for an initial consultation to obtain information about the costs of a new custom home.
 

Tom: Right. And those first meetings with homebuilders are typically at no cost, just like the design/build remodeling company. I recommend that folks look at model homes also. Not all new construction is custom. By looking at floor plans that are part of a developer’s package, you can get a lot of info. 

 

Sandy: With a lot of the developers in our area, homebuyers can add or customize features with all their homes giving them their own unique solutions. That is important to know.  

 

Tom: Yes, it is. When all this information is gathered, the homeowner can now sit down and mull over the options. The information is critical to a sound decision-making process. 

 

Sandy: I understand that as a general rule of thumb in today’s market, given the same square footage, building new is more costly than buying existing. 

 

Tom: That is a typical generalization, you are right. I would not recommend making a final decision to stay or go based on that, though.  

 

Sandy:The decision to stay or go really is a tough one, the greatest quandary of homeowner ownership. Our topic this month is certainly an age-old decision “whether to remodel or build new.”  There are so many things to consider. How about in closing, Tom, let’s give our readers some quick pointers:  

 

Tom:Right on, Sandy. Let’s step it off. 

 

As far as financial decision, an important decision to consider is whether the cost of remodeling the home will outpace its resale value if you are looking to flip it in a couple of years. If you plan to stay there, then build what you want. The last thing you want to do is spend a bunch of money and sit back when it is done and say, “I wish I would have….!” 

Again, prepare a list of features you cannot live without. Include wants, needs, wishes and the amount of money and time you are willing to commit. 

Carefully calculate and consider the amount of money being invested for the remodel and/or the purchase of new: the budget.   

Thanks, readers, 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 

 

YCCA Boot Camp for Construction Trades

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Welcome to “At Home with Tom & Sandy!”  Here we are warp-speeding into 2019. Speaking of warp speed, yes, Tom, I am exhausted, done-in, spent and dog-tired – and on the other end of the spectrum, exhilarated, ecstatic, delighted, joyful, overjoyed and euphoric.

Tom:  The month of January kept you going almost 24/7 with the fantastic Boot Camp you orchestrated. You and the YCCA are certainly going above and beyond to help with the labor shortage the construction industry is facing. Have you come up for air yet?

Sandy:  Indeed I have. For three weeks, I felt I was airborne, in-fight, mid-flight and sky-high with the YCCA Boot Camp. What a huge success. We had 27 young adults from our area participating, along with a grand group of local contractors, suppliers, engineers and even an architect adding to the education of the industry and life in general. 

Tom:  I have seen the brochure YCCA and you put out there, but I understand you utilized some very unconventional recruiting techniques. And not just for the students!

Sandy: So, it worked when I said to you, “Tom, you will be there, or else!” Our Boot Camp idea was overwhelming embraced by school officials. With their support, we reached our local graduating students and the majority of the young adults were from our local high schools.

Tom:  The young adults that I was privileged to work with all were attentive and genuine in their desire to learn. They wanted to learn, make a better life for themselves and their families, and obtain a position in a rewarding career.   

Sandy:  Tom, the project would never have been accomplished without a lot of help and dedication from our community. And with that, here are my big thanks to so many humans who had the desire to make a positive difference in 27 young, wonderful lives.

Tom: United Way’s Annette Olson stated the ball rolling when United Way awarded YCCA a $15,000 grant to make a metamorphosis in our community. The boot camp concept and an out-of-the-box idea was born.   

Sandy: The power of giving from United Way – along with the wonderful humans in our community who gave their patience, heart, soul and humor – made a positive difference in the lives of these young adults. To Greg, our bus driver for three weeks from Prescott Unified School District: Wow, PUSD is lucky to have Greg behind the wheel of the big yellow bus! How great it is that PUSD offers a bus for rent, at a very reasonable rate, with a driver. This was better than an Uber!

Tom: I was at the boot camp when life coach Deb Peterson of Coaching Clarity By Definition talked with the young adults. That was a great way to start the boot camp off. Deb’s words and communication were extraordinary and displayed love and warmth, which will affect their attitudes and life.    

Sandy: We also had a magnificent group of Prescott Area Young Professionals. They were fabulous and I really liked how their by-laws changed to allow this Baby Boomer to be a part of the PAYP organization. Tom, the way the PAYP spoke to these young adults about failures in life helped them understand that one failure does not make one a failure in life. 

Tom: I really liked the session on our local Women in Construction and the Job Expectations. Those two classes were monumental. Kathy from Haley Construction, Cindy from 2-A-T Construction, Rachel from Chino Heating & Cooling, Kim from The Plumbing Store and Brenda from Yavapai Mechanical are wonderful women in the industry shared what it is like to work in a man’s world. Allan and Jeff from Haley, Garth from Fann and Patrice from the City of Prescott made a difference in sharing what the workforce is like and what is expected of young adults when they go to work in any field or any service industry. Such nobility of purpose these professionals have and I know that their time spent with these young adults made a difference in their lives.

Sandy: We had five father and son teams talk to the young adults: Jim and Jimmy Johnson, Wyatt and Will Orr, Bill and William Gagnon, Mike and Brady Little and Chuck and Kurt Merritt. The father/son sharing of untiring devotion was so full of inspiration, passion and love of family and business.

Tom:  I heard nothing but glowing reports about the field trips and in classroom talks. 

Sandy: Yes, the field trips were exciting, all over Yavapai County. Chuck Merritt and his entire crew brought in more tools than I ever knew existed. Brent from Arizona Public Service gave a fantastic talk. Jim Reed from HR Quality Homes was so great! And, after listening to Josh Lewis from Foxworth, I wanted to fill out an employment application. Jon from Certa Pro and his team made painting sound outrageously exciting! Mike McCormick from Asphalt Paving & Supply arranged a field trip that was beyond exciting. The hands-on tours were so appreciated by the young adults. Keven Kullberg and Glen Copeland shared their loved of foundations and soils issues. And, of course, to you, Tom Reilly, hats off! A teacher of accomplishment you were with your blueprint reading and math skills. Thank you for giving your time and expertise many times throughout the course of three weeks.

Tom: I loved the roofing classroom time that was a hit thanks to Roger Barton of Badger Roofing and Greg Barstad of Granite Basin Roofing. The young adults loved the hands-on project that was created for them. And then there was Matt Greenlee, Greenlee Designer Surfaces. What a great teacher and Matt is an artist from the word “go.” Several of the young adults were interested in his field of work.

Sandy: Regarding Wyatt, BJ and Dan from Earth Resources, well, there are no words. Their untiring devotion and love of earth work and yellow metal and talk of family and respect for one another was held in high regard by these young adults. Tom, I cannot even begin to describe the sterling qualities that these men possess.

Tom: And then there was Chris Welborn from Vincente Landscaping. He sure did wow the young adults when he brought in his entire team and lots of equipment and talked about the thrill of landscaping.    

Sandy: And then the marvelous crew from JT’s Septic. We love those guys. Their true and faithful outstanding service to this community just gleams. It was wonderful to have Jim Crawford of Steel Erection and Maintenance and Pat Dugan from A Action Welding share the love of an industry that will never be obsolete. The inspiration and admiration that they have from their employees and that they display to others is an indication of devotion to education of our youth. I mentioned to Jim that it would be thrilling to be female steel erector. He took one look at my shoes and said “Sandy, you need more boot and less heel.” Guess I will not be walking the steel anytime soon.  Field Trip Uber Ride: Elan Electric, (Jim & Jimmy Johnson), The Plumbing Store, (Bill, William and Kim Gagnon) Dorn Homes, (Rusty Weathersby, Chris Harrison), MI Windows, (Dan Bidwell), Premier Builders, (Ron Owsley),  Gale Insulation, (Shane Burginger), Sun States Builders, (Colin Lovdahl), Chino Heating & Cooling, (Mike & Brady Little). 

Tom:  Sandy, one of the greatest aspects of the boot camp was that all of the young adults were CPR and First Aid certified. Lesa and Dan of New Life CPR did for these young adults made a huge difference in many lives.

Sandy: Tom, all of our boot camp participants represent what is good, fine and admirable. Every person and company is a vital and effective force in our area. The team spirit, hard work and loyalty to the industry that built America and will continue to build American and the spirit was displayed by each and every one of these companies and their employees. 

Tom:  Sandy, it is remarkable what you put together. This was a total volunteer boot camp and I am indeed humbled and proud of everyone who worked so hard to make this boot camp for 27 young adults a success. It is great to know you, Sandy, be a part of YCCA and work with so many wonderful companies in the most fabulous industry and community ever! The community came together to support a cause that is not only worthwhile but filling a huge need in the construction industry. Presenters explained just about every facet of the construction industry we involve locally.

Sandy: The goal was to expose the participants to as much of what is out there so they might find their interest and pursue their possibilities. We want them to get really good jobs and help fill the labor gap that plagues all of our members.

Tom: Again, Sandy, that is absolutely outstanding. The presenters also got some good exposure to potential workers. That is a real plus. I met some eager people during my presentation. A great many were like sponges, soaking up info.   

Sandy: As of today, we have placed 15 young adults in the construction industry and made connections for others in fields of their passion and interest. I would call that successful. The other wonderful outcome was every attendee left boot camp with a professionally prepared résumé. That was a huge step that will help them land interviews.

Tom:  It is a great way for the companies to see the interest in people wanting to get to work. I know I am impressed with the enthusiasm I saw at the presentations. So, where does this go from here? Surely this may become an annual event? One of the participants said they wish they had this in high school. Do you have plans to work with the local school districts?

Sandy:  Tom, ideas are springing and bouncing. The phone calls are coming in about another boot camp so we are looking at June or July. 

Tom: Sign me up! I am on board!

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. QCBN

By Sandy Griffis and Tom Reilly

Tom Reilly, architect, contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506  renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, executive director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040. ycca@cableone.net

Exploring Kitchen Trends

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” Here we are, Tom, in a new year. As they say, “How time flies.” Speaking of time flying, fleeting and anything but coasting – we have been sharing our column on a monthly basis with the community and what fun it is. I would say pretty cool. It is indeed an honor to be your partner, Tom, and share boundless significant information with our readers such as our column this month, featuring kitchen trends.

Sandy: Tom, since it is the start of a New Year, new thoughts, new goals, like rebooting your laptop!

Tom: Yes, it is, Sandy. Good analogy there with the reboot; the main stuff is still there, just clearing out the stuff you don’t need.

Sandy: We have some new goals at YCCA. We are really into strengthening the workforce in Yavapai County. We have high hopes for our boot camp young adults. We just completed the first bootcamp and the new name designated and voted on by the first group of attendees is the YCCA Young Builders Bootcamp. What a treat and joy to have been able to create our first of many YCCA Young Builders Bootcamps for our local young adults. Tom, you are a part of that team to help these young adults find a career in the trades and you skill with math and blueprint reading was greatly appreciated.

Tom: I loved it and thanks for asking me to take part. Plan reading is my thing and I also love teaching construction math. Some math teachers I have had are wondering what the world is coming to, though.

Sandy: LOL. Tom, I could gush for hours on the bootcamp, but let’s talk construction. That is what we do best! What is new in the world of remodeling? Any new products? New trends?

Tom: Gosh, there are always new products, and as for trends, well, heck yeah. The trend pundits love setting the bar this time of year. Let’s look at the 2019 kitchen trends.

Sandy: It can be so hard to figure out where to start. There must be hundreds if not thousands of websites, magazines and books each saying, “Look at me – I am a new trend and you need to incorporate me into your home!”

Tom: Well, you are right about that. Some of the trends we are seeing locally as well as nationally are starting with color. Color of the walls, cabinets and countertops.

Sandy: Color always plays a big part of any project. What’s different?

Tom: You are correct, Sandy. The color trend we are seeing and reading about refers to cabinetry. For the most part, stained wood has dominated the industry locally and nationally as well. We are seeing that change to painted wood cabinets.

Sandy: Are you talking about new cabinets or existing?

Tom: Both, really.

Sandy: Is there a particular color that is more popular than others? I would think, Tom, that selecting a paint color for kitchen cabinetry can be one of the toughest color decisions to make. Color trends have never been as varied as they are today. One sees that in all of the magazine and websites. There are so many color possibilities and I am sure it would be pretty agonizing to settle on a final color choice. After all, your choice of cabinet color has to stand the test of time and be a shade that you’ll love for years to come.

Tom: Totally agree, Sandy.  Traditionally, kitchen cabinet color has been some variation of white. Usually, white mixed with a slightly warm color tint. This year, gray is becoming the new neutral color and blue is even slipping in in some places.

Sandy: What else is trending? There are more than cabinets in a kitchen.

Tom: Countertops would be high on the new trend list. There are two trends here that are kind of interesting. Granite has dominated the market for a while, and will probably do so for the foreseeable future; however, solid surfaces such as quartz and concrete, where color can be more consistent, are becoming more popular. I predict we will do as much of those two as we do granite this year.

Sandy: That is interesting. People who are redoing their kitchens have a lot of solid (pun intended) choices to make. Concrete counters sound most interesting. Concrete can have a lot of diversity to it with color. I have seen integral colors, stained colors, acid washes and all manner of embedded items to give the product a lot of pizazz. Is that possible with counters as well?

Tom: By and large, yes. Acid washes get a little tricky on cabinetry, though. What I find interesting and kind of exciting really is using different materials for tops in the same kitchen. The main counters are a solid quartz and usually a fairly uniform color that can be paired well with painted cabinets. The island top however is a natural granite with lots of movement and color variations. The island bases are painted a different color as well.

Sandy: I imagine the style of cabinet is also given to variations. With the color being added, what’s happening to the doors and drawer fronts?

Tom: Two things, really. The Shaker-style doors are a common solution and full overlay doors and drawers are the two popular choices. Both are indicating a trend toward simplicity.

Sandy: I like simple. Easy to clean, easy to look at. Where does this information come from? I mean does somebody sit around and make this stuff up?

Tom: I don’t know. I get it from sources like Houzz, Pinterest and some of my remodeling industry periodicals. That doesn’t mean that somebody is sitting behind a keyboard somewhere initiating the whole deal.

Sandy: Does the remodeling industry as a whole buy into this or is there some diversity of opinion?

Tom: Glad you asked. The answer is, no, not everyone feels the same way. By way of example, Sherwin Williams Color of the Year is Cavern Clay, sort of an adobe color. Not the gray or blues spoken about by others.

Sandy: Tom, kitchen trends for 2019 – let’s dream – you’re dreaming about the wall color (gray), the countertops, probably quartz, a really super cool backsplash that will add pizazz and, of course, we cannot forget about appliance trends. Black and stainless steel appliances are the 2019 trend. 

Tom: And then there are the sink accessories and dishwashers. I heard there is a range with a new trend that vacuum seals your food via a vacuuming drawer.  The future of the kitchen is always exciting.

Sandy: I think I am just going to call Alexa and Google and ask what new design trend I should consider that will take the stress out of having to decide.

Tom: Whether you’re planning to remodel your kitchen or get inspired for a simple refresh, there’s a whole new crop of design trends to consider. In 2019, kitchens will be a mix of classic and modern. To our readers, remember that the kitchen is the heart of the home and homeowners will want their kitchens to feel warm, welcoming and attractive.

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. So, remember: New Year, new trends. QCBN

Tom Reilly, architect, contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506  renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, executive director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040. ycca@cableone.net

Resolving to Be Better People, Business Owners, Community Partners 

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” Happy New Year! It is never too late. Every day, people pass up opportunities to make a difference in our community. We can all do “something” and it doesn’t have to cost anything. So, start a daily habit of doing “something.” If you have the power to make someone happy – DO IT. Our world needs more happy! Tom and I thought our first column of 2019 would be about more happy, human kindness and resolutions. Settle in, and thanks for reading “At Home with Tom & Sandy.” We appreciate your readership, comments and to the many new friends that we have met through our column, thanks for your support.  

 

SANDY:Tom, it is that time of year again – the New Year, time for those resolutions. Some resolutions are hard to stay the course like those diets and the exercise. 

 

TOM:I am so bad about doing those personal varieties of resolutions, but for business, you bet I have made resolutions. 

 

SANDY:Well…. Continue, Tom. 

 

TOM:Okay, there are two major issues that I resolve to continue to address along with other community partners and that is continuing to make a real push locally to broaden the opportunities for our young generation of men and women to join the trades as a career. 

 

SANDY:Tom, I like that one and as you know, YCCA developed our first YCCA Bootcamp for young adults. Our three-week FREE course/education in construction is FULL! This is a fabulous way to teach the trades to our younger generation.  

 

TOM:I am really looking forward to helping those efforts. The struggle for qualified tradesman is not going away. I firmly believe this is a worthwhile resolution. I am honored to be able to share my knowledge on blueprint reading and construction math to the young adults. I am excited about my three hours of classroom time. 

 

SANDY:What is the second resolution you are so passionate about? 

 

TOM:A resolution to our homeowners by using venues such as our column, radio shows, our company newsletter and printed information to help keep them apprised on new information, maintenance schedules and continue to be an effective resource for them. We need to expand our ability to share all the new products on the market, new design trends and generally cool stuff that is out there and coming out there. 

 

What about you? What about YCCA? Has the board jumped on the resolution bandwagon? Your turn, Sandy! 

 

SANDY:As an organization and partner in the community, we have resolved to continue to promote our organization and share with the community the importance of using local, licensed contractors. YCCA and our board have also resolved that we will continue to give back to the community through our membership. There are many good causes that matter and YCCA will continue to mentor and volunteer in our community to make our community a better place. The most recent community partnership was the Shop With A Cop in December. Tom, collectively, our members contributed almost $10,000. 

 

TOM:How about those resolutions that homeowners can follow all year long? Like resolve to hire licensed contractors, resolve to hire local contractors. 

 

SANDY:Right on, Tom, and I can add to that list: Resolve to verify insurance, resolve to get estimates in writing nothing verbal, resolve to turn the estimate into a signed executed contract and always resolve to put changes in writing.  

 

SANDY:These resolutions are non-fattening, easy to stick to, healthy for your remodeling projects and headache-free.  

 

SANDY:Tom, the introduction of our column we talked about Happy. I love to SMILE at everyone – it may be the only smile they get all day and, gosh, it makes me feel good and the smiles I receive in return are amazing. What about your input on Happy for our readers? 

 

TOM:I always like to hold a door open for the person coming in or going out, young or old, male or female, it is the polite thing to do. Yep, kindness. Now, more than ever, people need to honestly think about what it means to be kind. Not because the world is in any more of a state of chaos then it ever has been, but because our world lends itself less and less to kindness. The automatic sliding door has eliminated a common act of kindness people do every day, which is holding the door for someone. There are many instances that still require people to act on their sense of kindness and hold doors open, but the automatic door has diminished those acts.  

 

SANDY:I think it is very important to give affirmation. Praise someone about a quality that they have that you really appreciate. Their face just lights up. That is Happy! I also love helping someone. When I see an elderly person struggling with belongings or even groceries, I offer to help carry them and have even put bags into the car. I love the sweet golden year citizens. 

 

TOM:Another Happy for me is when I stop for cars backing out of parking spaces. With our narrow streets in Prescott, I am always watching for the back-up lights and stop to let the car pull out. The waves I get from the drivers are great. 

I am back into driving again. I will continue to resolve to let another driver into my lane when I see a turn signal on. It takes a nanosecond to slow down and let the driver into your lane. 

 

SANDY:I say the ripple effect starts with one. One person to be a spark of kindness, we can all be that ONE person.  

 

TOM:Everybody has the potential to change the world and I believe everyone wants to seize that potential. These people are called a RAKtivist. RAKtivists are the heroes of our world. They live and breathe kindness, sharing knowledge and leading by example. A RAKtivist leaves a trail of warm-and-fuzzy feelings in their wake. 

 

So, you say, WHAT IS A RAKTIVIST? RAKtivist is short for “Random Acts of Kindness activist.” RAKtivists are everywhere. RAKtivist: Anyone who believes kindness can change the world, who reminds everyone around that person how much love there is. Let’s all be a RAKtivist.  

 

SANDY:What I see happening is that when people are not kind, they are labeled as rude. Rudeness is becoming easier to recognize than kindness, such as not stopping to let the car pull out of the parking space, not letting the driver into your lane, not holding door open, not saying please or thank you. And there are those people who not only just talk on the phone in a public place, but shout into a conversation. 

 

Without kindness there is rudeness. Kindness is simply when a person isn’t rude, and to avoid rudeness is to simply be kind. Kindness is stepping away from the self-centered oblivion so often promoted in modern culture and appreciate the people around you, even if it is someone just a few steps short of catching the door. So the only New Year’s resolution we should all care about for 2019 is keeping kindness on the mind and following our resolutions to be better people, better company owners and better community partners. 

 

TOM:I got it, Sandy, and I agree with you – everyone, go make a change.  

 

SANDY:Nearly 100 years ago, aviator Amelia Earhart observed, “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”  

 

From Tom and Sandy – Happy New Year! These resolutions, happiness expressions and widespread kindness makes our community feel happier. We crave the sweetness that kindness brings to life. In 2019 clear your schedule for kindness. Small intentional acts of kindness can change the world.  

  

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  

Adding Reality to HGTV Remodeling Programs 

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” As always, Tom and I are happy and enthusiastic and maybe a little wound-up from time to time but always ready to give you the inside scoop, what’s up, what’s down and what’s hot and what’s not and, in some cases, information that is just naturally straightforward, of which homeowners should be aware. Settle in and enjoy.  

Sandy:So, Tom, I was watching HGTV the other evening and was wondering if you watch those shows such as Fixer Upper, The Property Brothers, Flip or Flop and various others. 

Tom: Well sometimes. Sandy, my wife, doesn’t let me when she is home. She says I get too worked up. 

Sandy:Okay. Define worked up and what is it about these programs that gets your Irish up? 

Tom: Usually, it’s the cost of a project. I have seen amazing kitchen makeovers for under $20,000 and no way no how is that realistic for the project that is shown.  

Sandy: So that’s when ‘reality’ starts to slip away for you is it – the dollars expended for such beautiful and creative projects? 

Tom: On some shows, yes. Others get it right from time to time.  

Sandy: The remodeling shows usually start with someplace that is really run down or terribly dated from what I have discovered.  

Tom: Yup. The old Harvest Gold or Avocado Green refrigerator is a dead giveaway! Today, stainless is popular in kitchen remodeling, but it is slowly losing its standing to oiled bronze. Thirty years from now, we will all look back at these kitchens and fondly remember them the same way we are chuckling at the Harvest Gold and Avocado Green kitchens of the 1970s. 

Sandy:Tom, do you think the owners always see the potential and the hosts are there to help them through the remodeling maze or the homeowners do not see the outcome and isn’t that what you and your team do is help your clients see the outcome right from the get-go? I know most of you contractors/remodeling experts are there to help clients along. 

Tom: You are right on, Sandy. Our local life is not like HGTV! 

Sandy: That part that always gets me is how fast the projects move along and the contractor team shows up with 10-20 guys and it is banged out in an hour! 

Tom: Yeah, I love the 40-minute makeover. Time lapse photography helps that along. 

Sandy: I am not sure I want a fast-forward button in my life though! The show has to make things happen quickly though for it to be a commercial success and to hold our interest. 

Tom: Oh, I get that. My concern is that there is a tendency to paint an unrealistic expectation on the part of the public. How many shows talk about waiting a day for the building inspector to show up. 

Sandy: Doesn’t that happen during commercials? 

Tom: LOL. Now that I never thought of! The key is how much really goes into a project and the real time it takes.  

Sandy: Some shows I have seen have the subtitles where they say “Two Weeks Later.” That gives the audience some idea. 

Tom: You are right. Sometimes that happens. I also think they give short shrift to the design process. I saw one program where the host had the designer/ drafter walk up and two minutes later produce a complete 3D drawing for the owners. 

Sandy: Is that when your wife made you turn off the TV? 

Tom:  Yes, it was. 

Sandy: I get that. I like the part where the hosts are halfway through the project and uncover a major flaw in the existing structure that must be repaired. Does that happen to you? 

Tom: Major flaws are very rare. Most of us take the time to plan and research the project thoroughly before finalizing the work scope and price. If we were to present a client with the budget-breaking big flaw, I suspect my life expectancy would greatly diminish. 

Sandy: The owners seem to take it in stride, though. I would be in the face of the hosts for sure! That is a part of the unreality for me. 

Tom:Me too. The drama makes for great TV, but in life it does not. 

Sandy: It does set the stage for the ending “Big Reveal” though. That is the part where the owners haven’t seen the project for some time and are delighted with the results. It becomes repetitive and boring. 

Tom: That, again, makes for good TV but not reality. I find clients are wanting to see the daily progress. Even remote clients can be in the loop with uploaded photos and I will add that our projects are anything but repetitive and boring. 

Sandy: If I could make one change to HGTV it would be to show home-improvement projects that can actually happen in our real world. HGTV is a highly polished transformation project by miracle workers. I want to see contractors and construction crews actually working on the projects, versus everything always looking glam and perfect.  

Sandy:But then again, Tom, I know all the hard work is done by your team of heroic individuals for your remodel clients and your clients always, in the end, have a meticulously completed renovation.  

Tom:Sandy, are you suggesting a new series called TRRTV, Tom Reilly Renovations TV, looking more like the real people who actually exist in Prescott.  

Sandy:Yes, because you are the real people, you and your team are the ones on which we can count. Even though you are not HGTV, Renovations is a helpful resource for all people looking to spruce up their spaces and you have fun doing it.  

I am so happy that our local industry is more like the real world and the people living in it. 

Tom: I’m still thinking what a pause and fast-forward button might be like! 

Tom:As always, thanks to our readers for stopping by and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing our column with you.  

And we always love hearing from the community. QCBN 

By Tom and Sandy

Demystifying Costs Per Square Foot

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy.” As we always are, Tom and I are happy and enthusiastic and maybe a little wound-up from time to time but always ready to give you the inside scoop, what’s up, what’s down and what’s hot and what’s not and, in some cases, information that is just straightforward and as homeowners you should be aware.

Sandy:  Here we are again Mr. R., and I know this will shock and surprise you, but I have something I think we need to talk about.

Tom: Well that is a shocker, Ms. G. Pray tell us what this month’s topic will be!

Sandy:Square foot costs. I receive numerous calls from homeowners asking the cost per square foot, mostly for their homes.

Tom: Great topic, Sandy. Renovations also receives calls from folks wanting to know the costs of everything from a new home to a master bath remodel. Square footage numbers can be misleading, though.

Sandy: We see so many variables with those types of numbers throughout the industry. Since their use is so widespread, Tom, explain to our readers why they can be misleading.

Tom: Let’s first look at what they mean, and how they are developed. Square footage costs are a ratio of the total cost of a project, or portion of a project compared to the size of that project. The dollars over the length and width of something built. Given that, how that project is built, the materials used, the finishes installed, and the quality of products utilized, all play a part in determining the cost. Because these factors can vary widely from project to project, the ratio of cost to size can be misleading.

Sandy: Very nicely said, Tom. And that certainly makes sense. One category of a square foot price phone call that I receive most often is from homeowners who want to know things like the replacement value of there house, typically for insurance purposes. They all want to know what the square footage cost is to rebuild. I thought it would be beneficial and valuable to “phone a friend” and invite a terrific insurance guy into our column conversation. Readers, meet Eric Strobel of Eric Strobel State Farm Agency. Hey Eric, welcome to At Home with Tom and Sandy!

Eric: Hi, Sandy and Tom. I read your column every month and am delighted to be your “phone a friend” and a part of this month’s column.

Tom: That is very cool. And Eric, you know Sandy, she is going to put you to work right away.

Sandy: Tom you make me sound menacing! But you are right. So, Eric, when people call me asking about the replacement value of their home by square foot costs, what should I tell them, because that is not a number that is readily available and one-size-fits-all.

Eric: Great question. The insurance industry does have a fairly standardized process we take folks through to calculate the replacement value of their home. The key is the process.

Sandy: Okay. Good stuff. Tell us all about the process and what the key is.

Eric: We utilize an in-depth interview process with pre-prepared questions designed to learn about each individual home and its unique value. As Tom mentioned earlier, the type, quantity and quality of products used in a home play a large roll in calculating the accurate cost of each home.

Sandy: Makes sense. What kind of questions do you ask? Can you give us some examples?

Eric: Sure. The goal is to get detailed information about the home. We ask questions like, “Is your roof tile or asphalt shingle?” “What are your kitchen counters made from: laminate, granite, another solid surface product?” The answers to these detailed questions are entered into what we call the 360 calculator. Once all the data is inserted, the program will give us a cost in dollars per square foot. Each agent reviews it and adds to that number as they interpret local circumstances.

Sandy: Interesting. So, each home is a little different. My next-door neighbor’s replacement costs may be different from mine.

Eric: Might be. Usually in a subdivision/track development the replacement costs don’t vary significantly.

Sandy: What if homeowners don’t know the answers to your questions?

Eric: We rely on the internet to try and gather relevant data. We used to go out and inspect primary homes, but State Farm only does that now in a random fashion. This helps in making sure our data pool is as accurate as can be.

Tom: Interesting process. This does support the unique value of each project as it relates to square footage costs.

Eric:Tom, you are 100 percent correct. The value assigned is unique to each home.

Sandy:I presume you use this data to determine insurance costs.

Eric: Absolutely. Insurance costs are only as good as the information we get.

Tom: Hopefully folks can see that square footage costs, without detailed, accurate information, are not really helpful.

Sandy: I think you both described the process of developing square foot cost is a subjective one, and as such can be misleading.

Tom:Sandy, back to the all-too-common question that you receive, “What is the price per square foot to rebuild?” Let’s remind our readers that the condition of a home, everything from the roof to the plumbing, to the heating system and electrical wiring, and as we said earlier all of the upgrades and material in the home are factored in this square foot price.

Eric:It is important for homeowners to know that rebuilding a home after a property loss can restore a home to like new condition. However, rebuilding can cost more than the value of your home or even more than a new construction. This is often the case when home values have declined but the cost of materials and labor has risen. This is why it is extremely important to review policy coverage yearly to calculate the cost to rebuild a home before damage strikes. This allows the homeowner to purchase enough insurance coverage to reconstruct their home to its original state if a total loss has occurred.

Tom:Eric, I have learned from you that when buying home insurance, one of the most important things to know is the replacement cost of your home and, as we discussed in our column, the replacement cost is how much it would take to rebuild your home with similar materials if it is damaged or destroyed.

Eric:Insurance can be very confusing. It is important for homeowners to choose a “dwelling coverage” amount when they are shopping for a policy. They should select a dwelling coverage amount that best matches the replacement cost of your home. The cost to repair damage to your home or rebuild it completely at equal quality — at current prices – is the replacement cost.

Sandy:Eric, I am sure that homeowners to not want to have an inaccurate replacement cost, as it’s tied to how much dwelling coverage they purchase, and they can be at risk for being underinsured.

Eric:Sandy, this is a very common oversight that I see often. Many homeowners are underinsured.

Sandy:Here is my take on today’s insurance lesson: figuring out an accurate replacement cost can be a challenging task. Replacement cost is the amount a homeowner will need to rebuild the home if it is damaged or destroyed, which is not the home’s market value. Replacement cost offers more protection because the cost of building a home often exceeds its market value.

Tom:And let’s not forget building codes. This mainly affects older homes as well. While homeowners are usually not required to upgrade their homes every time the building codes change, if your home is destroyed and needs to be rebuilt, the current building codes will apply.

Tom:The takeaway here is that insurance is important and it is a good idea to have your home insured with a local insurance agent that knows our area, knows the conditions of our area and is knowledgeable about our resources and the community.

Sandy: Eric, thanks so much for stopping by to visit with Tom and me and our readers. Insurance is not one-size-fits-all. And for our readers that need a “life line” to insurance and/or want to “phone our friend” Eric, he can be reached at Eric Strobel, Agent, State Farm 928-772-8338.

Tom:As always, thanks to our readers for stopping by and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing our column with you. Always love hearing from the community. Enjoy November! QCBN

By Sandy Griffis and Tom Reilly

Tom Reilly, architect, contractor, Renovations 928-445-8506  renovationsaz.com

Sandy Griffis, executive director, Yavapai County Contractors Association. 928-778-0040. ycca@cableone.net

Life Coaching Can Open Doors  

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Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” This month, Tom and I thought we would take a pause and take a lunch-break as they say, or for those of us who breakfunch, something which I do all day – eating small meals between breakfast and lunch and do not take a lunch break, we are going to veer away from our normal column. Settle in; this is going to be wonderful! 

Sandy: Hi, Tom! Wow, a little more than 100 days until Christmas! For our detour topic this month, I have invited Deborah Peterson to join us. Deborah is a life coach, ordained counselor/clergy, and has a business called, Coaching Clarity by Definition.  

Tom: Well, hello Sandy, and thanks for the reminder about Christmas. I like taking a break from the usual, however, I can’t promise I won’t weave some reference to remodeling in here. Hello Deborah and welcome to At Home.  

Deborah: Hello Sandy and Tom, It’s great to be a part of your column and thanks for asking me to participate.  

Sandy: Deborah, you do all these fascinating things, so let’s start by you telling us and our readers what a Life Coach is! 

Deborah: In a condensed version, I help people develop strategies that allow them to focus on making positive internal shifts in thinking and behaving that changes “whom we are and what we do.”  

Tom: That actually sounds like a tall order, and not easy to do. 

Deborah: It’s pleasantly demanding, of course, and so many people today are really hurting, feeling stuck and they are exhausted with the status quo template of life.  

Sandy: Deborah, it sounds as if even though many people tend to be motivated and possess an entrepreneurial spirit, are you saying there isn’t one of us who couldn’t benefit from some help from time to time? What are some of the things you look for in a client to know if you can help them or not? 

Tom: What a great question, Sandy. It’s akin to us asking questions to see if we are a fit to help with their remodeling goals.  

Sandy: Tom, I knew you would find a way to sneak in remodeling! 

Deborah: LOL! And, actually, Sandy and Tom, you’re right on. I help people remodel (there, I snuck in your word, Tom) their thinking and, hence, their responses/behaviors; after all, we are what we believe or internally calculate. 

Sandy: To me, that sounds a lot like helping people figure out new ways for dealing with stress, the pressure, the strain and anxiety of dealing with life.  

Deborah: Exactly, Sandy, and teaching individuals that when we allow bitterness and anger from past, unresolved issues to eat away at us, it spills out into our everyday life. So, I focus and strategize on removing these “self-sabotaging” resentments and unresolved issues. 

Tom: Do you mean we are often our own worst enemy? 

Deborah:  Absolutely, Tom! The self-principle that gets neglected is being aware of the negative internal dialogue we believe more than any other words/actions of other well-meaning/harmful people.  

Tom: Boy, oh boy, isn’t that the truth.  

Sandy:Can you share with us some of the steps you take to sort out the behaviors that are getting in the way? 

Deborah: Yes. It’s more about defining and clarifying the root cause of the symptomatic feelings of self-loss and “emotional clutter.” Emotional clutter will manifest in various ways with each individual. The way we internalize/perceive our past clutter must be exposed; however, the one constant is that all alike suffer an inner exhaustion, an energy drain that causes people to feel angry, intolerant and frustrated, unable to conduct themselves in a constructive manner in personal/extended relationships. 

Sandy: Deborah, once you determine what some of the “clutter” is, what can you do to help people to get rid of it? 

Deborah: I educate them to better ways of thinking and, hence, the way they will respond to trouble and problems. 

Tom: Interesting that you seem to make a distinction between trouble and problems. What do you see as the difference between the two? 

Deborah: Simply put, “trouble” stems from an inward hostility or varying degrees of resentment that I spoke of earlier, and “problems” are the external symptoms and often the result of a negative cyclical lifestyle nourished by unresolved trouble. To further answer Sandy’s question about how I can help, together with the client, I reveal the root to the trouble, hence gaining insight into deeply held values and beliefs that most often are limiting in nourishing/providing positive behaviors. By identifying them, we can begin to teach how to replace bad habits with good or positive habits of thinking and responding. 

Sandy: Sounds so fascinating, and Deborah, you are also ordained and use the title Rev. How does that play into your process? 

Deborah: Spirituality plays a large role in how we formulate our responses to trouble and problems. I work within the client’s theology as this is a very powerful means to help unlock new perspectives. 

Tom: Once those new perspectives are recognized, what happens next? 

Deborah: To use your remodeling metaphor, together we begin the design and construction of principle-based thinking so their outcomes better fit their values, and as well, showing my clients to be “self-actualizing” individuals really helps initiate some intrinsic motivation to move forward. 

Sandy:What an exciting process. And, Tom, now you have Deborah using remodeling metaphors. You are incorrigible.
Deborah, what a delight to have you join us. You have helped our readers and myself better understand the positive role a Life Coach can make in our selves and our lives.  

Deborah: It’s an honor to be a part of and Tom’s and your column. I love the opportunity to relate all the positive things we can accomplish in our lives to as many people as I can. Thanks for the invite and fun! 

Sandy:Tom, here is my takeaway. Life Coaching is an asset to get the job done and you as a contractor life coach with your clients. It is a form of communication and building client awareness and trust. A Life Coach helps people make conscious choices. 

Tom:Sandy, you are right, Deborah is indeed a valuable resource, talent and a blessing to people.  She helps people increase their clarity and move forward in their lives.   

Sandy:How do you know if Life Coaching works and if someone is ready for the process? 

Deborah:I offer a free 30-minute consultation to determine their readiness in making this significant life transition in themselves. 

Sandy:Okay, Tom, back to construction and Life Coaching. It sounds to me like Deborah works with a door. A door closes off a room. A door provides a barrier. We can’t see through a door, and Deborah can help see through the door by adding a window. A door can lock us out, a door can let us in easily, a door protects us, keep us safe and even more exciting, Deborah can be the access to a beautiful space where anything is possible by opening the door. 

Tom:This was indeed fun taking a detour from our normal column. Deborah, thanks so much for offering your insight and value to the foundation of problems, the tools available and that doors can be opened. 

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. QCBN  

By Tom and Sandy, QCBN

Understanding the DIY Process

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Welcome to AT HOME with Tom and Sandy.

Sandy:    Here we are, Tom, more than halfway through 2018. How time flies. Speaking of time flying, fleeting and anything but coasting – we have been sharing our column on a monthly basis with the community for almost two years now. I would say pretty cool. It is indeed an honor to be your partner, Tom, and share boundless significant information with our readers such as our column this month: DIY or hire.

Tom:       Hi, Sandy! And, yes, DIY or hire is a complex and tough decision and makes for a great column for our readers.

Sandy:   Tom, I thought it would be interesting to go to our internet resource “Wikipedia” and see what they say the definition of Do it yourself is. “(“DIY”) is the method of building, modifying or repairing things without the direct aid of experts or professionals. Academic research describes DIY as behaviors where “individuals engage raw and semi-raw materials and parts to produce, transform or reconstruct material possessions, including those drawn from the natural environment (e.g., landscaping).” DIY behavior can be triggered by various motivations previously categorized as marketplace motivations (economic benefits, lack of product quality, need for customization) and identity enhancement (craftsmanship, empowerment, community seeking, uniqueness).

The term “do-it-yourself” has been associated with consumers since at least 1912, primarily in the domain of home improvement and maintenance activities. The phrase “do it yourself” had come into common usage (in standard English) by the 1950s, in reference to the emergence of a trend of people undertaking home improvement and various other small craft and construction projects as both a creative-recreational and cost-saving activity.”

Tom, I have been thinking about folks who are DIYers. I get frequent calls from some people who take on a project and find themselves in a pickle, plight, jam or even a mess once they are into it. I am sure you come across that as well. Is there a process the DIY person could go through that might help them sort out the decision to be a DIY or hire?

Tom:       The simple answer is yes, there is a process. We are rarely asked about that though until as you said Sandy, the homeowner is in a mess. Some folks just start the project without a plan, without a vision and think the project is simple and are unware of all the connections and parts and pieces needed.

Sandy:   I think I see where you are heading with this. Gotta have a plan!

Tom:       That is the key. If someone is going to take on a DIY project they need to understand the process that project must go through. That requires sitting down and really assessing your knowledge base and thinking about all the steps you will need to go through to complete the project.

Sandy:   I get it. Just like the pros do. They need to write it down, make a plan understand the entire depth of the job and depending of the type of project they are contemplating, that could be a long list. But you are right. This step will help plan the project.

Tom:       That is the critical step. Whether you are going to paint a room, remodel a shower or build an addition, you have to plan. While the process will be different for each, they all have a step by step procedure that needs to take place.

Sandy:   The steps that need to be done are typically sequential as well. They need to be done in the proper order. That should be part of the list as well. What other information should people include with this list?

Tom:       We suggest that with each task you write down, you should include a list of materials and tools you will need to perform that step. This really helps you understand the process.

Sandy:   You want to be sure you are not missing something. As a pro, you write up a scope of work and know the connections to the project. I had a homeowner call last week and they were going to install a new window. The removed the window without a problem, however, the new window frame was not the precise and defined size of the window that was removed. It was larger in width. The homeowner assumed he could just enlarge the width of the wall and bingo, install the window. The homeowner – based on your point of having a plan Tom – did not realize there was electrical adjacent to the window, did not take that into consideration and now there were electrical issues. The DIY yourself project turned into hiring a general contractor to take over and the DIY cost of $350 for the window turned into $1,567 for electrical relocation, insulation and to top it all of the homeowner was going to install the flashing incorrectly so there would have been leaks at some point.

Tom:       Another point to consider is if you are doing the project yourself, the duration of each task may not be as critical. We include time when we are hired to do a project because our clients want us to be done as soon as possible.

Sandy:   Well, I don’t know if I agree that it is not as critical. Whoever is doing the DIY project should check with their spouse or partner. I know I would not want my kitchen shredded up for months at a time because of a DIY issue that created delay and lack of understanding the process.

Tom:       LOL, You have a very valid point. I concede to your wisdom.

Sandy:   Okay, Tom, once the list is done are they ready to go and the DIY person “thinks” they know what to do are they ready to go?

Tom:       Not yet. You need to sit down and really study the list to determine if you have the skills to take on all the tasks. Some might need assistance with components of the project, some may determine that do not want to be a DIY, some will move forward and others may after all decide to hire a professional to perform the project.

Sandy:   As another important piece of the DIY project, homeowners when doing do-it-yourself projects around the home, it is important to remember that safety comes first for yourself and for others. Licensed professionals are aware of this; however, many homeowners are not. Many injuries and deaths happen during home maintenance and DIY activities when people have used the wrong tool for the job, or have not taken the proper care when using tools around the home. Additionally, not following instructions, or failing to heed warning labels, can have tragic results. So my word of warning for DIY folks, be prepared and be on your toes when it comes to safety.

Tom:       Sandy, excellent point. Licensed professionals are trained, know OSHA and do not take shortcuts. Another point of concern for the DIY if they have decided to hire a person to help, they need to ensure the “person” is licensed, bonded and insured. This can be where people get into real trouble if they don’t hire a pro.

Sandy:   And this brings me to another point, Tom. What about permitting?

Tom:       Depending on the project’s complexity, a permit may or may not be required. If you are changing anything involving electrical, plumbing or structurally, a permit is probably a necessity.

Sandy:   So, folks should call the local building department and ask the best course of action.

Tom:       I would recommend taking your list and any plan you might have and going down to the building department and asking. They really are there to help, as you know.

Sandy: This is good stuff and should help people decide how to move ahead on their project.

Tom:       In closing, DIY can be very fulfilling. The sense of accomplishment is a reward in and of itself.

Sandy:   I know there are certain problems homeowners grow accustomed to seeing over the years: leaky faucets, squeaky doors, loose gutters a little painting here and a little do-it-yourself attitude and know-how can come in handy. A homeowner does not even have to go to a hardware store to buy a book about how to fix a problem anymore. The internet is filled with articles and DIY videos about tackling common household mishaps and how to fix them.

In short, even though DIY determination is applauded, again, remember to exercise caution around projects that can be dangerous. Every DIY person must know their limits. Attempting some projects without being proficient can lead to injury and property damage. Employ this mantra: “If you don’t know, call a pro.”

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. QCBN

 

How to Find Qualified, Reputable Contractors

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Welcome to “At Home With Tom & Sandy!” Here we are, Tom, on the south side of 2018. July is such a special patriotic month and I feel that not nearly enough Americans are aware that much of what the country considers our most patriotic month is peppered with some great songs that make clear what’s splendid about the U.S. I am going to list some of my favorites – are you ready to sing along, Tom?

Tom:       I am ready and I already have my favorite from years ago and it is Los Lobos with Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, “This Land is Your Land.”

Sandy:   Okay, Mr. Music Man, here are some of my faves and then, on to our column.

Bruce Springsteen, “Chimes of Freedom,” Phil Ochs, “The Power and Glory,” The Mormon Tabernacle Choir, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” Leontyne Price, “America the Beautiful,” Johnny Cash, “Ragged Old Flag.”

Tom:       Sandy, speaking of July being such a patriotic month and other months having their national recognition days and flowers and birthstones, and assorted holidays…

Sandy:   Tom, not to interrupt, I know exactly where you are going with this. Every month should be designated as “How to hire a contractor!” Am I right?

Tom:       Spot on, as they say. And you have a terrific idea. Let’s talk about that.

Sandy:   Tom, I am sure there are lots of different reasons why people pick a certain contractor over another. I really believe in the three bids and then study the bids and ask questions and then hopefully decide on your contractor. But, I know, Tom, that doesn’t always work. What are you seeing?

Tom:       Well the three-bid deal works if the homeowner is ONLY concerned about the cost. We find that people tend to buy emotionally and feel if they choose by low cost they are making a less emotional purchase.

Sandy:   That is probably true, but the wrong way to do business. I understand that doing major work to your home becomes an emotional consideration. The selection of a designer or contractor does have an emotional component to it though. Customers need to feel that whomever they hire, they are going to get along with.

Tom:       Exactly. We suggest that potential clients interview two or three designers and/or contractors and choose based on how they listen, how they address the client’s needs during the preliminary discussion phase and, of course, the rapport they develop after the first meeting or two.

Sandy:   I agree that to choose a professional, it takes more than one meeting. I have understood that two or three meetings are typical. At YCCA, we strongly recommend that people also check out the company they are looking to hire. That includes asking for references, visiting job sites, verifying the license status and even talking with subcontractors.

Tom:       That is great advice. We recommend they ask for up to five past clients, going back at least five years, then a couple of intermediate years and recent, by which I mean less than one year. If they can visit a current project, all the better.

Sandy:   I get calls all the time from homeowners wanting to know about a contractor and also wanting a recommendation. Our YCCA members are a great gathering of qualified people and companies from all the trades. I am happy to share!

Tom:       That is great. It also brings up other vetting groups. How do you feel about such organizations as the BBB, Angie’s List, Houzz, Guild Quality?

Sandy:   Tom, I feel that the “net” offers near-instant access to a variety of information that someone could find helpful in the research. Yet, because anybody can post information online, and because most online information does not have to pass any standards of peer review, there is a very real risk that on-line resources can lead you astray. I feel the best way to “vet” is to call the local organization leadership.  I see two issues for hiring contractors and one is Craigslist, as the majority are not licensed, and the other is Facebook.  There are tremendous postings for construction work and 99.9 percent of the postings are non-licensed entities. BEWARE!

Tom:       My concern about some of these groups is there is no vetting process. You pay your fees and you are in. That always seems a little shallow to me. At Renovations, we find that potential clients come from two primary sources, repeat clients and referrals. Word of mouth is huge.

Sandy:   I agree, but people should still check out the other resources we mentioned. Are you finding that potential clients do check you out?

Tom:       Oh yeah. Most of the time a potential client has not only checked out our credentials, he or she has been to our website and given it a thorough going over. We love it when folks do that. To us, that indicates they are serious about what they want.

Sandy:   Websites are HUGE AND HELPFUL. In today’s world if you do not have a website you are missing the boat, as they say. When it comes down to it though, a personal relationship between client and contractor is the real meat of a relationship. As we said earlier, the decision to hire has a huge emotional component.

Tom:       Absolutely. During the course of any project, something unexpected happens. A good friend of mine from the Valley who is in the business recommends clients ask themselves, ‘of all the companies you have looked at, who do you want to see walking up the driveway to solve the problem?’

Sandy:   Tom, in closing out our July column, I know you will agree that while most contractors are legit and do quality work, the rogue gallery of bogus builders, careless carpenters, pitiful plumbers and the like is a vast one.

Tom:       Yes, Sandy, you are right and I hear your stories every week about how folks in our community have been victims of an unlicensed entity. Nightmares have been endured, but all in all, we have many genuine pros in our community. Let’s close with a reminder of some easy tips to follow:

Do your research and interview. Folks who have hired the lowest bidder generally have problems.

Sandy:   The proposal should include a detailed description of the work to be performed and the materials to be used. Material and product allowances should give prices and quantities.

Tom:       Again, remember to get references from recent and older jobs. Reputable contractors will be happy to provide names and contact information for satisfied customers. Then check the work to see how it’s holding up.

Sandy:   This is a big must with me – verify proper licensing and insurance. Make sure the contractor is licensed to do business and that he or she has proper general liability and worker’s compensation insurance.

Tom:       Another must is to always obtain a contract. A written contract will specify what will be done to complete the job, associated costs and the payment schedule.

Sandy:   As always, thanks to our readers for stopping by and reading “At Home with Tom and Sandy.” You’re in good company and we love sharing our column with you. Tom and I always love hearing from the community. Enjoy July and fly the flag high! QCBN

 

 

 Waking Up Your Plants for Spring 

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Welcome to “At Home with Tom and Sandy!” Now that we are in Spring, we have called on a “lifeline” to talk landscaping, because now is the time. 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 love sharing our column with you. So, settle in and enjoy. 

Sandy: Well Mr. R, here we are again. Spring is springing; Spring has sprung but we can still hear winter’s growl. We are not home free yet and out of weather. I’m thinking we should talk about spring stuff. What do you think? 

Tom: Agreed. In fact, I have taken it upon myself to ask our good friend Chris Welborn, owner of Vicente Landscaping, to join us and talk about getting us prepared for Spring. 

Sandy: Great idea. For some of our readers that may not know, Chris is a YCCA board member. He is our secretary/treasurer and this organization is so proud to have his representation and unselfish spirit for the community. He is so very helpful every time I have a landscape question. Chris, welcome to our column. 

Chris: Thanks for asking me to join you both and you know landscaping is one of my favorite subjects, even talking about weeds! 

Sandy: Chris, this has been such a crazy, weird season, hardly any winter, lots of summer and now our favorite time of the year – springtime! 

Chris: I call it the in-between time. April can be challenging to those who want to get out and either tend to landscape or start planting. 

Tom: Why do you say that, Chris?  

Chris: Well to begin, once the plant begins to leaf out, it is too late to prune if you want to enjoy great spring blooms. You might be able to trim sages and such, but leave your trees alone. Plants are just starting to wake up and this is the month they take to do that. 

Sandy: Chris, with our beautiful days it is so tempting to head outside and start snipping and pruning and I can be dangerous with those clippers in hand!   

Chris: First things first, now is the time to prepare for the growing season that is almost started. Start by turning on your irrigation system and inspect it. Look for line breaks, missing emitter heads, leaks and check the backflow valves. 

Tom: All good advice, Chris. We check ours out monthly. Also, we turn our irrigation on at least once a week during the winter for a couple of hours to give our plants needed water.  

Chris: Perfect, Tom, you are an overachiever for winter landscaping. Plants need water year-round. They need more during the growing season. It might still be freezing at night, so you might want to water manually if we haven’t had enough rain or snow. I heard our girl, Sandy, did not water during the winter drought and she has two not-so-healthy looking bushes.   

Sandy: Okay, okay, okay! I will turn the irrigation system on! Chris, do your helpful hints apply to lawns as well?   

Chris: Most definitely. Grasses of all sorts need water. They are waking up as well. 

Sandy: Well, I can check my irrigation in about an hour. Tom, with your acreage, I suspect it takes all day. I certainly need more to do than that. Any other tasks we should take on this month for waking up landscaping? 

Chris: Yes, Sandy. As I said, everything is waking up. The plants need not only water, but also food. This is a great month to feed all your plants.   

Tom: There seems to be an endless diversity when it comes to fertilizer. The hype would lead us to believe each plant requires its own food. 

Chris: You said it right, Tom: hype. There are so many that are specific for this or that plant type when all you really need is a good all-purpose fertilizer.  

Sandy: What makes up fertilizer and why are there so many differences? 

Chris: There are three basic components to any good, all-around fertilizer: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. They are known also as NPK, their periodic table symbols. The proportion of these in any mixture is the only difference. At Vicente Landscaping, we use a 10-10-10 mix. That would be 10 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and 10 percent potassium. There are other good all-purpose ratios as well, such as 12-5-5 and a host of others. When you go to a garden center, just ask for a good all-purpose fertilizer. Knowledgeable garden people will understand and be able to direct you to an appropriate product.  

Tom: I get the fertilizer, put it on individual plants and the lawn, water and we have the start of a good growing season. Pretty basic, as the plants wake up, we feed and water them. 

Sandy: Good advice. So, what about my vegie garden? What tasks do we start with to wake up those veggies? 

Chris: The best thing you can do is to prepare the soil for future planting. Tilling the soil and adding some fertilizer is a good start, and it will keep you out in the warm sunshine. Be careful though, DON’T plant your veggies yet. Temperatures are still getting close to, if not below, freezing. In this area, we have a rule of thumb that says we don’t plant tomatoes until Mother’s Day.  

Tom: I understand our last frost date is May 15, so that tracks well. Sandy, if you like, you can start your garden inside by planting the seeds and give them time to start germinating.  

Sandy: I could do that. Chris, any parting advice? 

Chris: Yes, if you have pinon pine trees, this is the time of year that the scale eggs hatch and the scale insects move to the needles. The egg sack looks like a white cotton-like web at the tree base or trunk. It is best to physically remove these. Once on the pine needles, the scale have a wax-like protective coating that sprays really don’t penetrate.  

Sandy:Chris, it was great having you join Tom and me. For our readers, the good news is that spring is here and as Chris said, now is the best time to work on waking up your plants, trees and shrubs.  It is always wise as well to work with your/our local landscape professional to set the stage for healthy happy plants and soon you will be well on your way to get a thriving landscape you’ll enjoy for many months.   

Tom:Remember, readers, quality lawn care and landscape professionals are important and finding the perfect one can be challenging. Those initial conversations you have with your landscape professional are essential for creating a beautiful outdoor space.  

Sandy:Tom, you are right on and one word of advice that I can offer is how important it is to have a good understanding of what you want for your yard. Determining what you want your yard to be and how it will be used can help your landscape professional realize your vision. 

Chris:One other important word of advice is to have a budget in mind when you meet with a landscape professional for assistance. We all know what it is like to dream and the dream will ultimately be your budget.  

Sandy:The long weeks of winter are gone, so now is the perfect time to make plans for a gorgeous, spring lawn and landscape.  

Thanks for stopping in “At Home with Tom and Sandy” and meeting our guest Chris Welborn, owner of Vicente Landscaping. You’re in good company and we love sharing educational, fun and important information with you. See you next month. QCBN 

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

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