Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

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With the mercury continuing to drop and cold days setting in across the country, many of us are thinking about the heating we have in our home. Does it heat the house well? How much does the heating cost each season? Is there a better solution? There are a number of heating options available for Australian homes, though it's important to choose one that will work best for you. Any built-in and long term heating solutions will require a qualified tradesperson to install. Stuart Tucker, chief customer officer at hipages recommends getting quotes from your local heating tradie to find your best options based on the climate you live in, size of your home, budget and lifestyle. Keep in mind that a combination of heating sources may be the right choice for your space. An expert will be able to talk you through all heating options available, their energy use and associated running costs. Here is Tucker's overview of heating options to consider. Space heaters to heat a small room Fan forced space heaters are a great idea for smaller rooms like a study or living area. These heaters are some of the least expensive heating options, costing between $38 - $700. Most space heaters are electric with gas options also available, though these are typically more expensive. Split system heating for an entire room Split system heaters have an outdoor unit that generates heat and an indoor unit that releases that heat throughout a room. These types of heaters can come in many different sizes and it's important to choose one that matches the square metres of your room. This will also determine the cost. Inexpensive split systems can be around $750 with large capacity systems around $3000. Multi-split system heaters for several rooms Multi-split heaters are larger units and have ducting that can deliver heat to several rooms of the home. These can be used for either heating, cooling or reverse cycle, costing around $3000. In addition, this system requires installation from a qualified tradesperson, which would typically cost $50 an hour though could increase to as much as $2500 for a difficult installation. Hydronic heaters built under the floor or in wall panels Hydronic heaters use heated water to generate warmth available as a wall unit or under flooring. The drawback is that they take longer to heat a room (about half an hour) compared to other instant options. A hydronic wall mounted heater usually costs between $10,000 to $15,000, including installation. Floor systems cost around $7200, but are best laid on new floors as installation under existing floors is expensive. Ducted heating for the entire home Ducted heaters are expensive but effective if you're wanting a solution to heat your whole home. If you have a large house, a good way to save money on ducted heating is to buy a zone system which allows you to choose the rooms heating will go to. Zone systems cost more to install but will save you money in the long run. A ducted heating system must be professionally installed and the cost, including installation, will be based on the size of your system. Fireplaces Traditional timber burning fireplaces are no longer considered old-fashioned and do still exist in homes today. They are effective for heating large rooms and do look great aesthetically within a home. As fireplaces require a brick chimney, they can be expensive to build and require ongoing maintenance from a chimney sweep. These days there are a number of alternative options to timber fireplaces which can be more affordable and may suit your home and lifestyle better. Gas fireplaces can generate as much warmth as a wood burning fireplace. They do, however, need a way to expel fumes, which can be done through flues that leave the house. Electric fireplaces generate less heat, but the unit itself is inexpensive and can be wall mounted. They often have a "fire" to make them appear more authentic. Whatever solution you choose in your home, ensure you consult your local professional. A heating expert will make sure your system will fit the room or space you desire, ensure it is installed properly for the safety of your home and that your chosen system will deliver the heating you require without breaking the bank.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/aXbQqPFQZXxqQVWT4Cngtq/86510d92-e2d3-47ee-a6ce-48282bd084fa.jpg/r0_237_7360_4395_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

With the mercury continuing to drop and cold days setting in across the country, many of us are thinking about the heating we have in our home. Does it heat the house well? How much does the heating cost each season? Is there a better solution?

There are a number of heating options available for Australian homes, though it's important to choose one that will work best for you. Any built-in and long term heating solutions will require a qualified tradesperson to install.

Stuart Tucker, chief customer officer at hipages recommends getting quotes from your local heating tradie to find your best options based on the climate you live in, size of your home, budget and lifestyle. Keep in mind that a combination of heating sources may be the right choice for your space.

An expert will be able to talk you through all heating options available, their energy use and associated running costs. Here is Tucker's overview of heating options to consider.

Space heaters to heat a small room

Fan forced space heaters are a great idea for smaller rooms like a study or living area. These heaters are some of the least expensive heating options, costing between $38 - $700. Most space heaters are electric with gas options also available, though these are typically more expensive.

Split system heating for an entire room

Split system heaters have an outdoor unit that generates heat and an indoor unit that releases that heat throughout a room. These types of heaters can come in many different sizes and it's important to choose one that matches the square metres of your room. This will also determine the cost. Inexpensive split systems can be around $750 with large capacity systems around $3000.

Multi-split system heaters for several rooms

Multi-split heaters are larger units and have ducting that can deliver heat to several rooms of the home. These can be used for either heating, cooling or reverse cycle, costing around $3000. In addition, this system requires installation from a qualified tradesperson, which would typically cost $50 an hour though could increase to as much as $2500 for a difficult installation.

Hydronic heaters built under the floor or in wall panels

Hydronic heaters use heated water to generate warmth available as a wall unit or under flooring. The drawback is that they take longer to heat a room (about half an hour) compared to other instant options. A hydronic wall mounted heater usually costs between $10,000 to $15,000, including installation. Floor systems cost around $7200, but are best laid on new floors as installation under existing floors is expensive.

Ducted heating for the entire home

Ducted heaters are expensive but effective if you're wanting a solution to heat your whole home. If you have a large house, a good way to save money on ducted heating is to buy a zone system which allows you to choose the rooms heating will go to. Zone systems cost more to install but will save you money in the long run. A ducted heating system must be professionally installed and the cost, including installation, will be based on the size of your system.

Traditional timber burning fireplaces are no longer considered old-fashioned and do still exist in homes today. They are effective for heating large rooms and do look great aesthetically within a home. As fireplaces require a brick chimney, they can be expensive to build and require ongoing maintenance from a chimney sweep. These days there are a number of alternative options to timber fireplaces which can be more affordable and may suit your home and lifestyle better.

Gas fireplaces can generate as much warmth as a wood burning fireplace. They do, however, need a way to expel fumes, which can be done through flues that leave the house. Electric fireplaces generate less heat, but the unit itself is inexpensive and can be wall mounted. They often have a "fire" to make them appear more authentic.

Whatever solution you choose in your home, ensure you consult your local professional. A heating expert will make sure your system will fit the room or space you desire, ensure it is installed properly for the safety of your home and that your chosen system will deliver the heating you require without breaking the bank.

Read this article:
Home heating options to keep your house warm and cosy - The Canberra Times

ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen Price, Features and Real Customers Reviews.

Check The Updated Price of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen:

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Top Features of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen Are:

SAVE MONEY: Homeowners save up to 23% annually on heating or cooling costs, plus ecobee pays for itself in under 2 years (compared to a hold of 72 degrees)WORKS WITH ROOM SENSORS: Place them in the rooms that matter the most and have the temperature balanced throughout your whole home. Measuring both occupancy and temperature, sensors signal your ecobee Smart Thermostat to automatically switch to the right mode for comfort when youre home or for savings when youre not. 2-pack sold separately.EASILY INSTALL YOURSELF: It only takes about 30 minutes, thanks to an easy to follow installation guide and an in-app step-by-step walkthrough. Everything you need comes in the box, including a Power Extender Kit for homes with no common wire (C-wire).Power consumption:Less than 3.5 VACONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: Easily adjust your thermostat from wherever you are using your iOS (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch) or Android device. The ecobee mobile app is available in the App Store or on Google Play. Compatibility- Gas, oil, electric, dual fuel, Conventional (2H/2C), Heat Pump (4H/2C)PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS: ecobee3 lite works with your favorite smart home setups, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, Samsung SmartThings, Wink, and IFTTT.Power Source: AC. Contact Manufacture for any assistance contact in user manual

Verified Customers Reviews of ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen:

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ecobee3 lite Smart Thermostat, 2nd gen - The Report

One of Britains biggest foodservice suppliers, Brakes, announced it was nearing its target of 30 per cent carbon emissions reduction by 2025.

On World Environment Day, Brakes revealed a combination of reduction in fuel consumption, reduction in use of gas for boilers and heating and more efficient lighting had helped shave 3 per cent off its carbon emissions in 2019 alone.

Most effective however was the switching to natural refrigerants across its UK-wide network.

Brakes data revealed that changing to natural refrigerants saved the company more than 75 tonnes of carbon emissions in its first year of operation thats roughly equivalent to 75 flights from London to New York.

The savings prompted Brakes to install identical systems at Bodelwyddan and Thorpe depots.

Ian Hunt, Brakes Director of Engineering and Environment, said: The new equipment has worked brilliantly to reduce our carbon usage and weve been able to save around 75 tonnes of carbon which is the equivalent of an average car driving 24,000 miles around the world 13 times.

Brakes has long-since used natural refrigerants in its larger distribution centres, but until recently it has not been technically possible to scale such solutions down for smaller regional operations

Hunt continued: As the first wholesaler committed to rolling out more environmentally sustainable refrigeration across its entire network, weve seen the new system deliver not only better environmental performance, but we are also seeing other benefits such as a 25% reduction in the energy consumed at the depots.

Weve achieved our 2020 target of 20 per cent absolute carbon reduction, in fact already hitting 27 per cent reduction by end of 2019. And we believe that initiatives such as our refrigeration strategy mean that we are well on our way to hitting our revised target of a 30 per cent reduction by 2025.

Daniel Clark from isentra, which supplied the fridges, said: As well as the obvious carbon benefits, we have seen refrigerationelectricity usage down by almost half and the Global Warming Potential of the refrigerant has reduced to almost zero.

The newer technology also allows Brakes to benefit from the other upsides of this sustainable refrigeration technology, such as harnessing low outdoor ambient temperatures and benefiting from a free cooling effect.

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Brakes nearing 30 per cent carbon reduction - Fruitnet

NORTHBORO Summering at home would be a breeze on this 22-acre property with its heated in-ground pool, large herb and vegetable garden, a walking trail and 14 rooms of understated elegance.

The four-story, 6,732-square-foot estate at 600 West Main Street is listed with Lee Joseph of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Worcester at $1,790,000.

Its like a little sanctuary, its peaceful, its secluded, Joseph said.

Conservation-minded couple Dr. Mark Notash and Jennifer Wilcox bought the property in 2018 and have since installed green features highly sought after in todays market.

The three-car attached garage was recently fitted with an electrical panel and ports for three electric car chargers. They installed high-efficiency propane boilers, and outdoors, a 10-kw solar tracking array with backup battery.

Notash, an emergency room physician who also has a background in forestry management, groomed the wooded portion of the property and installed a hiking trail.

Notash noted the property is also suited for a micro farm and sugaring from its many maple trees.

As for favorite features inside the home, Notash spoke of the workout room in the lower level and steam shower in the master bath.

The entrance to the home opens in a two-story foyer and continues to a chefs kitchen that holds a custom-hammered kitchen sink, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, high-end appliances, large center island with seating for four, and a butlers pantry.

A dining room accented by pillars and walk-out angled bay windows would easily accommodate large family gatherings.

A second-floor balcony overlooks the family room that features a floor to ceiling sandstone fireplace with keyhole window surrounded by built-in bookcases. French doors in the family room lead to a bright sunroom with tiled floor and a wall of glass that offers scenic views of the grounds.

A living room and two dedicated office spaces complete the first floor.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is big and bright with cathedral ceilings and glass doors to a balcony. In addition to the steam shower, the master bath holds a jet tub and comfort features, such as heated towel bars.

The second floor has three more bedrooms and a laundry. The third floor is dedicated to one bedroom and bath. The finished, walk-out basement has a fireplace, a fitness room and a second laundry.

The manicured grounds and rolling lawns hold a bluestone patio, in-ground heated pool and gazebo.

At the end of a recently paved circular driveway is a new cobblestone drive to a post-and-beam barn complete with hay loft, electricity, water and gas.

About one mile off property is the Cold Harbor Brook F.C. recreation ground. The 231 acres and its hiking trails are open to the public.

Joseph noted that this property straddles a town line with 14.92 acres in Northboro, assessed at $1,320,600 with taxes of $22,780, and 7.74 acres are in Shrewsbury, assessed at $310,500 with taxes of $3,872.

See more pictures at Telegram.com

Originally posted here:
House of the Week: 14-room secluded estate in Northboro lists for $1.8M - Worcester Telegram

TYSONS, VA Construction activity has kicked off for The Mather, the first continuing care high rise for seniors ages 62 and over in Tysons. Demolition of the existing structure at 7929 Westpark Drive has started, while site work such as utility relocation and public street improvements will happen over the summer. The first phase of the community is slated to open in 2023.

Phase one is currently 65 percent sold out, drawing residents from places like McLean, Arlington, Falls Church, Vienna, DC and Maryland. Nearly 150 priority reservations are being taken for phase two of the community.

The Mather is a life plan community, which means residents can pursue their interests and priorities with a plan in place for aging. Residents can plan ahead for access to additional services, including health care, when needed.

"I'm able to make my own decision about what I want," said Lynn Pivik, a future resident from Bethesda, Maryland. "I can always change my mind, but I go to bed at night knowing that I have a plan, and I'm not leaving anything to chance."

The high rise offers apartments starting at $660,000 and depend on apartment size, location, service package and health plan. Each unit is between 850 to over 3,000 square feet. Units have smart home technology and a home automation hub that can be integrated with smartphones, tablets, and home computer systems.

The Mather will also have retail on Westpark Drive; green space; a park with walking paths, sitting areas and connections to local trails; and parking and loading areas below grade.

A virtual information seminar will be held at 1 p.m. on June 24. More information is available at http://www.themathertysons.com.

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Construction Activity Begins On Senior Living High Rise In Tysons - McLean, VA Patch

A new study has revealed the link between one of Scotlands most famous churches and an ancient forest in Morayshire.

The research into the timber used to build the bell tower of St Giles in Edinburgh has uncovered details about its construction as the kirks 900th anniversary beckons.

Historic Environment Scotland provided funding for the South East Scotland Oak Dendrochronology project, led by Dr Coralie Mills, to investigate the five-storey timber frame within the bell tower of St Giles High Kirk on the Royal Mile.

Originally founded in 1124, the church has undergone many additions and alterations during its history, particularly in the 19th century.

Dendrochronology the process of dating tree rings to the exact year they were formed was conducted on samples from oak timbers in the bell frame, which has refined the probable date for completion of the St Giles bell tower to between 1460 and 1467.

These established the felling dates for timber in the frame in the winters of 1453-54 and 1459-60 and revealed it was sourced from one of the last remaining reserves of old oak timber in Scotland, the Royal Forest of Darnaway, in Morayshire.

Dr Coralie Mills, who carried out the work, told History Scotland: Discovering the date and provenance of the timbers in the tower at St Giles and allowing a new insight into the medieval history of our native woods, has been a highlight of my career.

The mid-15thcentury was a pivotal time when Scotland turned to Scandinavia for most of its timber supply, but this research shows that Darnaway still had reserves of old growth oak, by then a very scarce and valuable resource in Scotland.

The St Giles timbers match closely with other material from reused timber in the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle, which is also thought to have come from Darnaway.

These results enhance our understanding of St Giles construction history and provide valuable insights into the medieval timber supply in Scotland.

John Lawson, Edinburghs city archaeologist, said: This fascinating research into the original timber used to build the bell tower of St Giles has given us new insight into the Kirk, a building we thought we knew so well.

This has been an incredible piece of work which has helped shed light on the question of exactly when and how the present tower was constructed.

Read more here:
New study highlights Moray link to construction of St Giles in Edinburgh - Press and Journal

Published 4 June 2020

Glasgow City Heritage Trust has announced over 360,000 of funding to support 12 heritage projects in the city,including five historic building repair projects, in its latest round of funding.

A building repair grant of 57,344 has been awarded towards conservation repairs to the Category A-listed Royal Faculty of Procurators building, which was modelled on Sansovinos Library in Venice and is a rare city centre building by architect Charles Wilson, better known for his work in Glasgows Park District.

As part of the repairs programme, there will also be a small exhibition about the building and Charles Wilson, guided walks around legal buildings in Glasgow, and Strathclyde University Law Clinic will run legal advice clinics.

A building repair grant of 80,000 has been awarded in the form towards conservation repairs to Smiths Hotel at 963 Sauchiehall Street, which is within a Category B-listed early Victorian tenement on the western stretch of Sauchiehall Street as it passes through the Park Conservation Area.

The aim of the project is to return the property to a condition in keeping with the wider Sauchiehall Street townscape in this key approach to Kelvingrove from Glasgow city centre. As part of the repairs programme, there will also be traditional skills training offered to schools and the surrounding community, with site visits and demonstrations of the conservation work in progress.

In Hillhead, a 5,886 collective building repair grant has been offered to the six owners of 3-7 Great George Street, a Category B-Listed early Victorian tenement in Hillhead.

The failing and dangerous window jambs on the tenements main faade have been propped with timbers for several years so the repairs are required on Health and Safety grounds, as well as to preserve the character of the handsome well-proportioned facade.

As part of the repairs programme, the stonemason will be training apprentices in traditional skills, while a traditional skills demonstration event will also be offered to local schools and community.

A viability study is being supported with a 5,000 development grant to Glasgow Building Preservation Trust to help carry out work to determine if Govanhill Trinity Church could be used as a community space.

The Category B-listed building, known locally as the Daisy Street Church and built in 1878, closed as a church in 2015 when its congregation joined forces with nearby Queens Park Govanhill Church. The study will look at the repair works that need to be done to the building and how it could be used in the future to benefit the community.

Other recipients of funding from the Glasgow City Heritage Trust include Smithycroft Secondary School which has been awarded a traditional skills grant of 4,424 to provide vocational traditional construction skills training to a class of 12 pupils, providing them with the skills necessary to improve their employment prospects.

As well as providing a qualification, it is hoped that the course will encourage an appreciation of the historic built environment in Glasgow with speakers and demonstrations from people in a number of traditional construction crafts as well as hands-on experience on current sites.

The Trust has also funded educational and outreach projects including phase two of the popular Ghost Signs of Glasgow project run by volunteers and On Our Streets: Protest & Celebration, a social history study of Govanhill being delivered by Govanhill Baths Community Trust.

Torsten Haak, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, said: We are delighted to announce this round of financial support for Glasgows historic buildings and neighbourhoods. Im particularly pleased that we are supporting such a wide variety of projects, from small grants for domestic stonework repairs to comprehensive projects to repair significant buildings in the city centre, along with traditional skills training and projects that will support communities to engage with their local place and their heritage.

Throughout the current crisis we are still open, still listening to ideas and still providing funding for projects that protect, conserve and celebrate our citys rich built heritage. We know how difficult this time is for our partners and colleagues and we are trying to be as supportive and flexible as possible. We want to help those who already have projects underway to continue their work where possible, and to encourage people with new projects in development to get in touch and see if we can help.

With total project costs of 1.4 million for this latest round of support, every pound the Trust has invested has helped to secure another 3 from other sources. This funding has come from the five grant programmes run by the Trust, which is supported by Historic Environment Scotland and Glasgow City Council. Applications are open throughout the year and are considered quarterly. The next closing date is the end of July.

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Historic Glasgow buildings to be protected in 360000 funding round - Scottish Construction Now

SINGAPORE - A construction firm began to assiduously impose strict social distancing measures at its work site and dormitories a few months ago, yet almost 30 per cent of its workers at a project site were infected by Covid-19, said Second Minister for National Development Desmond Lee on Friday (June 5).

Recounting its efforts, he said the measures include having all the workers of a project live at the site and ensuring they are segregated, as well as disallowing those living on different levels of dormitories to mix.

The workers had not left the worksite since late March, even before circuit breaker measures kicked in.

But despite the full attention the management paid to safety and protection against the coronavirus, Covid-19 could not be kept at bay, noted Mr Lee, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development.

He cited the firm, which he did not name, to explain why stringent measures had to be imposed on construction companies before they were allowed to resume work progressively, starting from June 2.

The minister acknowledged their anxieties and eagerness to resume work, which has been suspended for two months under the circuit breaker that ended on June 1.

But the experience of the mentioned project shows how infectious the Covid-19 disease is, and how difficult it is to prevent a single case from infecting many more who live and work together, Mr Lee said during the debate on the supplementary Fortitude Budget.

"Imagine how much more challenging it might befor projects with workers living in different accommodation, or having to move between different sites."

So, it is equally important that the resumption of work is done safely, not just swiftly, he said, given that most of Covid-19 cases were construction workers.

A new case could easily cause another outbreak, which could bring the industry to a halt again, he added.

He also told the House that 60 dormitories have been cleared of Covid-19, and another 111 are due to be cleared in the coming weeks.

Workers tested and found free of the infection are being resettled in designated dormitory blocks.

The minister also said more regular updates will be given to the industry, including a rolling forecast of the dormitory clearance schedule to help the builders plan ahead on when their workers can return to work.

He assured the House that there isenough testing capacity for workers living in the wider community.

And that almost 20,000 safety management officers will be trained this month to ensure workers comply with safety measures, with priority given to officers in charge of projects that are ready to restart.

"Many firms in the construction sector, including many small and medium-sized enterprises, are very anxious about survival and about their future. Let me assure you that our main priority is to restart construction quickly but safely," said Mr Lee.

Singapore's efforts to raise productivity in construction have been going on for decades, Mr Lee said, in his reply to Nominated MP Walter Theseira, who called for a rethink of Singapore's dependence on foreign labour, particularly in construction.

Under the construction sector's Industry Transformation Map, "major structural changes" are needed on how work is done to reduce the reliance on foreign labour, including the greater adoption of technology, the minister said.

But the change will create higher-skilled jobs, including many good jobs for Singaporeans. Foreign workers who take on such jobs will also need to be higher skilled, he noted.

"However, the construction sector will not be able to reduce our foreign worker reliance to zeroas there will still be lower-skilled jobs that Singaporeans do not want to take up.

"We appreciate the contributions of our foreign workers, who have come to Singapore to make an honest living for themselves and their families, and it is incumbent on us to also take good care of them when they are unwell," said Mr Lee.

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Singapore's top priority is to restart construction quickly but safely after Covid-19 circuit breaker, says Desmond Lee - The Straits Times

So youve added a splash of color to the walls in your kitchen and upgraded the appliances, but its not quite enough. Those cabinets still seem drab, bringing down that fresh look you were going for. Or perhaps youre looking to sell your house, but the kitchen is not a selling point because of worn-out cabinetry. Your cabinets need a pick-me-up, and professionals usually opt for one of three ways to give your kitchen a facelift: replacing, refacing or refinishing.

Replacing

Replacing your cabinets gives you a chance to go with something completely new. A company comes in, guts your kitchen and gives you brand new cabinet doors, drawers and boxes. You can go from a very traditional look to a modern, European style, change the wood, add doors with glass panes, or even restructure the kitchen layout. This is great for old, rundown cabinetry thats been chipped, cracked and worn.

Keep in mind that this generally leads to a bigger project as homeowners will often replace countertops and sinks and maybe even the flooring to give the kitchen a fresh, new look.

Refacing

For a little less drastic and more economical kitchen renovation, refacing is an option. You pick out new doors and drawer fronts to replace the ones you have, and the existing cabinet boxes are covered with a veneer to match your new doors/drawers. There is a wide variety of colors and finishes to choose from.

Refacing cabinets gives you lots of options and half the mess!

For those who want to update their kitchen look without changing the layout, this is a great option. And since the doors and drawer faces are being replaced, they dont have to be in mint condition.

Refinishing

But what if your cabinets are in great shape and you like the style, but the finish needs to be updated, thats where refinishing comes in. Refinishing is the most affordable and usually the quickest way to bring life back into dreary cabinets.

It's vital that the cabinets are in good condition since refinishing includes paint stripping, sanding, and staining or painting. The most economical choice here is to match the existing finish.

Refinishing cabinets requires the right tools!

Creating a unique faux finishing or going from one color or stain to another is more expensive. You can go from whitewashed to a deep cherry wood color. It is, however, hard to go from a very dark to very light.

Painting is another option, with unlimited color choices. You can match your cabinet color to that perfect shade of blue on the dishes as professional paint stores can easily perform a match on any item you bring in. Generally, this is a project for a professional painter. They have the tools and expertise to make cabinets look like new.

Pricing

Refinishing costs: It is most economical to match the finish of the existing cabinetry. The cost of changing the color or creating a faux finish increases the price to as much as it would cost to install nice, lower end cabinets.

Refacing costs are as much as a faux finish, but the advantage to both is that there is less of a mess. Cabinets, flooring and countertop can stay in place and dont need to be replaced.

Cabinet costs: A good quality new cabinet starts at about $550 per cabinet box professionally installed. A typical nice, whole kitchen cabinet package is hard to buy installed for less than $5,000 in a small kitchen. And going to this level probably involves new counters, plumbing fixtures and flooring.

Of course, you can do some mixing and matching. Stain the cabinets to that beautiful oak color, but have a door or two replaced with glass panes to show off the fine china and crystal.

Revamp the kitchen and reface the cabinets in the bathroom. Giving your cabinets a total-body makeover or just a facelift can make the whole house seem to come back to life.

For more do-it-yourself tips, go to rosieonthehouse.com. An Arizona home building and remodeling industry expert for 35 years, Rosie Romero is the host of the syndicated Saturday morning Rosie on the House radio program, heard locally from 8 to 11 a.m. on KNST-AM (790) in Tucson and from 7 to 10 a.m. on KGVY-AM (1080) and -FM (100.7) in Green Valley. Call 888-767-4348.

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Rosie on the House: Check out choices for outdated cabinets - Green Valley News

This time of year is normally filled with joy and celebration, as millions of graduates across the country take their first steps into the "real world".

Some of you reading this are families of graduates. Some are graduates yourselves. Either way, you may be thinking of all the 2020 graduates who didn't get a ceremony, celebrated with loved ones over Zoom, and are entering into the most uncertain jobs market since the Great Depression.

I am, too.

So here's my message to the Class of 2020:

I'm not going to beat around the bush. These are hard times. You're graduating into the worst economy in 80 years, and we don't have any idea when or how the economy will recover. Much depends on the course of this tragic pandemic.

On the other hand, I don't want you to despair. You have your entire lives in front of you. And you have your education, and, hopefully, resilience and fortitude.

The multiple crises we're facing are also opportunities to remake this nation and the world, hopefully into more just societies.

In this spirit, I wanted to share with you a final class I taught a few years back, when I and my students were still all together in a classroom. In watching it, it seemed to me that the lessons still hold, especially in this pandemic and economic crisis the importance of personal resilience, the inevitability of failure, the challenge of designing your own hoops to jump through, the new careers and forms of work you'll encounter, the central importance of gaining wisdom about yourself.

I hope these ideas give you the courage to face the future with realism and resourcefulness, and the confidence to dedicate at least some of your life to fortifying the common good.

Robert B. Reich is Chancellor's Professor of Public Policy at the University of California at Berkeley and Senior Fellow at the Blum Center for Developing Economies. He served as Secretary of Labor in the Clinton administration, for which Time Magazine named him one of the ten most effective cabinet secretaries of the twentieth century. He has written 15 books, including the best sellers "Aftershock", "The Work of Nations," and"Beyond Outrage," and, his most recent, "The Common Good." He is also a founding editor of the American Prospect magazine, chairman of Common Cause, a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and co-creator of the award-winning documentary, "Inequality For All." He's also co-creator of the Netflix original documentary "Saving Capitalism."

Link:
Robert Reich's advice to the Class of 2020 - Salon