Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

If you have ever had even one party you know: The kitchen is the most important room in your house. That is where all the guests congregate. The kitchen is also where the most homework is done, and where important family meetings are held. Also, as any Realtor will tell you, remodeling your kitchen is the quickest way to add value to your house. Remodeling your kitchen can be an extremely expensive and emotionally daunting task. But there are ways to make it easier.

Plan a budget

Remodeling an average 10-foot by 10-foot kitchen will cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000 or more. Cabinets will be the most expensive item, not including labor.

Check out the contractor

The most important thing in remodeling your kitchen is picking a reliable contractor. Everyone has heard horror stories about people who spent a fortune on a remodeling job and found the contractor fleeing to Aruba, usually after reducing a kitchen to rubble and swearing that hed be right back.

There are many ways to verify reliability. Call the Better Business Bureau or any of the local remodeling associations. The main thing is to check.

And even more importantly, demand references, especially recent ones, and call the numbers. Almost all contractors will send much of the work to subcontractors. There is nothing wrong with this, as long as the company you are hiring provides insurance and workmans comp for their subs. If they dont don't hire them.

Get three estimates

Some people want 10 or 12 estimates. But experts say they are wasting their time. Three is sufficient.

Design a friendly, functional kitchen

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Remodeling a kitchen

MINNEAPOLIS and GRAND RAPID, Mich., June 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --Minnesota GreenStar (MNGS) and the Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (AES) will make MNGS's successful Green Remodeling Certification program; 'GreenStar' available outside of Minnesota. Initial expansion states include Michigan, Illinois and Wisconsin, followed by Indiana and Ohio. Nationwide expansion is also possible.

The partnership's efforts will focus on educating occupants and remodelers on improving the five key categories of existing homes; Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Water Conservation, Site & Community Impact and Resource Efficiency. This is a holistic program that views the home and lot as an interactive system.

"Our entire board is thrilled with this collaboration," said Minnesota GreenStar Board President Marc Sloot. "We are impressed with AES's success at delivering Green Certifications through their well-developed Green Rater / Verifier network, which certified about 400 Green new homes through the LEED for Homes program last year alone. MNGS has a robust remodeling program that is easily adaptable to the states AES serves." Brett Little, executive director of AES, noted that "The Green Star Remodeling certification works for remodels of virtually all sizes and types, making certification of those projects meaningful and attainable."

Founded in 2007, Minnesota GreenStar has developed a leading residential building standards and certification program created to promote healthy, durable, high-performance design and construction for both new and existing homes. AES provides training, education, seminars, and consulting services, supporting investments in homes, communities, and environments by implementing sustainable building practices. "We are working collaboratively to provide awareness, education, and access to sustainable building resources for individuals, experts, and leaders to encourage sustainable choices."

More information about the partnership and its programs is available at both organizations' websites, http://www.mngreenstar.org http://www.alliancees.org info@mngreenstar.org info@alliancees.org

Contact

Mr. Marc Sloot, President

Mr. Brett Little, Executive Director

Minnesota GreenStar

Alliance for Environmental Sustainability

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Minnesota GreenStar and Alliance for Environmental Sustainability Announce Partnership to Advance Green Remodeling ...

Scythe Plays Fallout 2 - E10 - Plumber "Doody" (2013 Commentary)
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Scythe Plays Fallout 2 - E10 - Plumber "Doody" (2013 Commentary) - Video

Q: My wife and I are updating our bathroom with a complete remodel. Not only do we want to bring our bathroom up to date, we want to bring it into the future with the latest technology. Music is very important to us, so what are some new plumbing fixtures we can look at that have built-in sound systems? -- Bill, California

A: Today, we do have plumbing fixtures complete with internal sound systems. While they can be pricey, the good news is that usually you only need one of these musical plumbing fixtures to fill your bathroom with sound. Here are three basic types you can choose from:

-- Showerhead with a built-in speaker -- These are fully functional showerheads with a water-resistant wireless speaker. Just pair it up with your wireless device and you can listen to news and/or music while you shower. The speaker part is removable so you can listen to it outside the shower area as well.

-- High-tech toilet -- Not only do these electronic toilets flush themselves, some models feature complete audio systems with AM/FM radio and an auxiliary input to play your stored music and podcasts.

-- Musical baths -- When filled, hidden transducers in the shell of the tub broadcast sound waves that travel through the water, allowing you to feel the music as well as hear it. When they're empty, once again just plug in your smart device and the tub itself acts like a big working speaker. So, even if you're not taking a bath, the sounds coming from the empty tub can still be music to your ears! Master contractor/plumber Ed Del Grande is known internationally as the author of the book "Ed Del Grande's House Call," the host of TV and Internet shows, and a LEED green associate. Visit eddelgrande.com or write eadelg@cs.com. Always consult local contractors and codes.

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Plumber: Singin' in the shower on a whole-new level

(PRWEB UK) 18 June 2013

The UK energy provider EDF Energy has announced it is backing plans to simplify gas and electricity pricing for customers, reports the International Business Times on June 15, in the article EDF Energy Proposes Unified Pricing Method for Gas and Electricity. The plans propose to apply forecourt style pricing which allows customers to easily compare energy prices across energy providers. EDF Energy has announced that it will put the price plan into practice if the other major energy providers also agree to the plans.

The new price plan means that customers would only need to know the unit price of energy in order to compare prices between energy providers, EDF outlined in a statement. As energy prices often vary regionally it is currently difficult for customers to accurately work out which energy provider can offer them the best deal. For the plan to work successfully, all energy providers would have to agree to implement the plan.

The managing director of EDF Energy, Martin Lawrence, said in a statement that:

We know many consumers are confused when it comes to identifying which tariff is the cheapest for them which is why we back these plans to simplify the market.

However, Ofgem, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, believe that the scheme would be difficult to put in place due to the various payment options and packages which currently save customers money.

The specialists at Plumber 24 Hours, who offer emergency plumbers, gas engineers and electricians amongst other services across London and the UK, welcome the news that energy prices may be simplified under this new plan. A representative from Croydon emergency plumber said that:

It is welcome news that energy prices may be simplified under this new plan. As customers often find it difficult to work out which energy provider offers the cheapest or most value for money, any scheme which simplifies this is a welcome one. This proposed scheme seems as if it will offer customers a simpler and easier method of saving money and finding the energy provider which suits their needs.

Plumber 24 Hours is the nations leading emergency plumber company. Run by Martin Smith, the firm offers plumbers, gas engineers, oil engineers, drainage engineers and emergency electricians and works to provide a 24 hour domestic and commercial plumbing service 365 days of the year. With customer service the principle concern, Plumber 24 Hours has been noted by magazines as the most reliable plumbing emergency company. The company also makes use of the latest technology on the internet to make sure everything runs smoothly.

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Plumber 24 Hours Reacts to New Gas Pricing Plans

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Bronx, New York (PRWEB) June 18, 2013

EliminateEm Pest Control Services is celebrating Carpenter Ant Awareness week from June 23, 2013 June 29, 2013. Carpenter Ants are a wood destroying organism that cost Americans billions of dollars each year in property damage.

We are celebrating Carpenter Ant Awareness week as a way to educate consumers on the identification of these wood destroying ants as well as their biology and habits to better educate consumers to protecting their property. It can be so costly to a homeowner should they have carpenter ants says Kenny Vayda, President and owner of EliminateEm Pest Control Services.

Carpenter Ants are a larger species of ant that typically build their nests in damp or decaying wood. Carpenter Ants do not actually feed on wood but their nests can cause severe damage. A Carpenter Ants nest can be very difficult to spot because they are actually located inside the wood therefore causing long term damage to walls, door frames and moldings all over a home.

Vayda states Carpenter Ants are most commonly found in areas where damp and decaying wood is in abundance. Homeowners often are remiss when it comes to Carpenter Ants. They think because their home is not in the woods that they should not be concerned. Decomposing tree trunks, stumps, roots and possibly healthy trees can be infiltrated by these ants if the wood is moist. If Carpenter Ants are not controlled over time they can cause serious damage to structures. They also will travel (forage) in ranges beyond 300 feet making nearby structures susceptible.

The extermination experts at EliminateEm Pest Control Services urge homeowners to be proactive this month and inspect any wooden structures that have been moistened or softened by water damage. We urge homeowners to look at their roof, porches, decking, frames of windows and doors and the areas around the bathroom walls where the walls meet the bathtub and/or shower. Any spot in your home where moisture meets wood is a potential area for Carpenter Ants to nest adds Vayda.

Carpenter Ant activity greatly increases in the Spring and Summer months particularly in the areas of Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. These types of ants can usually be seen after sunset as they are nocturnal by nature.

With Carpenter Ant Awareness Week approaching our team of pest control experts are urging homeowners to take a stance at the start of Summer to inspect their home, call a professional exterminator and dedicate the last week of June to proactively inspecting their home. It can really ruin a Summer when a homeowner finds they have a Carpenter Ant infestation in their home claims Vayda.

EliminateEm Pest Control Services offers Carpenter Ant, insect control and wildlife removal services in Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Their team of exterminators services areas including Danbury CT, Watertown CT, Woodbury CT, New London CT, Putnam CT, Fairfield CT, Hartford CT, Manchester CT, Dutchess County NY, Bronx NY, Rockland County NY, Springfield MA, North Hampton MA, Southbridge MA and all other areas in Connecticut, as well as Eastern New York and Western Massachusetts. For a complete list of areas served consumers are encouraged to visit the Contact page on the http://www.eliminateem.com website.

EliminateEm Pest Control Services have been in business for over 25 years. Their exterminators are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week for insect control and inspections as well as wildlife removal. They are proud members of the Better Business Bureau.

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Tri-State Pest Control Services Company Observes Carpenter Ant Awareness Week

The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will hold three Institutes this Fall for industry professionals. The Institutes will be held at the LRC in Troy, New York.

Newswise LED Lighting Institute: September 10-12, 2013 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/education/outreachEducation/InHouseInstitute.asp The LED Lighting Institute is a 3-day, hands-on seminar that teaches industry professionals how to incorporate light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) into lighting applications. The workshop includes new content on OLEDs and more time for industry professionals to participate in hands-on sessions using LEDs and OLEDs. LRC experts help participants learn about these quickly evolving solid-state lighting technologies in a small classroom setting. The program culminates with participants designing, building, and evaluating their own lighting fixtures.

Photometry Institute: October 8-9, 2013 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/education/outreachEducation/PhotometryInstitute.asp The Photometry Institute is a 2-day, hands-on seminar that teaches industry professionals about the latest developments in photometric testing and evaluation, including new testing requirements for solid-state light sources and systems. Engineers, technicians, testing personnel, product developers and designers from lighting and related companies will come away with the knowledge and skills needed to establish and conduct photometric testing and evaluation of a wide range of lighting products and systems. The Institute is held at the LRCs extensive photometric laboratories, accredited by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP lab code: 200480-0).

Outdoor Lighting Institute: October 16-17, 2013 http://www.lrc.rpi.edu/education/outreachEducation/OutdoorInstitute.asp The Outdoor Lighting Institute is a 2-day, hands-on seminar that teaches engineers, lighting designers, municipal officials, utility personnel and others how to effectively design, specify, and commission energy-efficient outdoor lighting installations for a variety of sites and locations including streets and roadways, parking areas, parks, and pedestrian areas. The goal of the training program is to provide the knowledge and tools needed to develop outdoor lighting installations that substantially reduce energy use and light pollution while improving safety and security.

About the Lighting Research Center The Lighting Research Center (LRC) is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, N.Y., and is the leading university-based research center devoted to lighting. The LRC offers the world's premier graduate education in lighting, including one- and two-year master's programs and a Ph.D. program. Since 1988 the LRC has built an international reputation as a reliable source for objective information about lighting technologies, applications, and products. The LRC also provides training programs for government agencies, utilities, contractors, lighting designers, and other lighting professionals.

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LRC Announces Fall Dates for LED Lighting Institute, Photometry Institute, Outdoor Lighting Institute

Eric Engstrom, founder of EDG Interior Architecture + Design died June 15 after a long battle with cancer. He was 70.

An award-winning interior designer and graphic artist, Engstrom served as the president of IIDA from 2005 to 2006, was a member of the board of trustees of the Rhode Island School of Design, and was named a member of the Hospitality Design Magazine Platinum Circle.

Engstrom began his career as graphic designer after graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design, and went on to design iconic rock posters for bands like The Who. He later developed a passion for interior design and founded the Engstrom Design Group in 1987 in Marin County, California. Alongside business partner Jennifer Johanson, Engstrom created an acclaimed design firm known for restaurant and hospitality projects around the globe. He retired in 2007 to devote his time to art, travel, and photography.

Eric was a true renaissance manan original hipster who appreciated the undiscovered art in lifeAmerican back roads, stray graffiti, even leftover gift-wrap, Johanson, the firms president and CEO, said in a statement. His passions encompassed Ducati motorcycles, rock and roll culture, great cuisine, Japanese baseball and, of course, interior design. He had a unique way of seeing and sharing what he found through his work.

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Interior designer and artist Eric Engstrom dies at age 70