Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Rebuilding North Jersey and Lowe's renovated a home in Teaneck to help a single mother with Rheumatoid arthritis get around easier. NorthJersey.com

Many businesses have faced financial hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The home improvement industry, much of which is considered essential business, is faring far better.

Michael DeMarco, owner of On The Spot Home Improvements in Saddle Brook,said his sales have increased about 25% since the pandemic hit. On The Spot does emergency home repairs, as well as roofing, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, deck installation, power washing and gutter installation, repair and cleaning.

On The Spot Home Improvements has implemented safety measures for its staff, including regular cleanings of the office and trucks and PPE gear(Photo: Courtesy of On The Spot Home Improvements)

Theres a lot of people staying home, said DeMarco. People have called us saying their home is going to be their office for the foreseeable future, and they want to make it nice.

According to DeMarco, many of his clients rerouted the money from their canceled vacations to finance repairs andadditions to their homes.

Real estate: NJ could see increase in people moving from the cities to the suburbs after coronavirus

Social distancing rules have made homethe safest place to be. With parks packed, backyards and front porches have becomethe ideal place to get some sun and let the kids burn off some energy which means On The Spot Home Improvements and other landscaping, contracting and home improvement businesses are experiencing a rise in sales.

Swing Set & Toy Warehouse, which has locations in Upper Saddle River, Freehold, Fleming and East Hanover, has seen a 50% increase in business, said Sue Williams, a sales representative for the company for the past 30 years.

Ive never seen anything like it, said Williams. Trampolines, basketball hoops and swing sets, specifically, are being ordered nonstop.

Usually families decide to buy swing sets when their children are age-appropriate. But now, Im seeing even people with very young kids buying this year, she added. Why? Because being outside eases stress, said Williams, especially in a time when entire families are cooped up at home.

On The Spot Home Improvements has been busy redoing bathrooms, kitchens and more during the pandemic.(Photo: Courtesy of On The Spot Home Improvements)

The phones at Jacobsen Landscape Design in Midland Park, which designs landscaping for pools and patios andinstalls irrigation systems and outdoor landscape lighting, have been ringing off the hook, as customers yearn for more put-together homes.

Of course, things in the home improvement industry have changed since the pandemic. DeMarco says his staff members wear masks and get their temperatures taken at the door. They keep 6 feet apart from each other and clients. The office building and trucks are constantly being sanitized.

On The Spot Home Improvements has seen an increase in its revenue, as folks reroute their vacation money to pay for pool installations and more.(Photo: Courtesy of On The Spot Home Improvements)

DeMarco predicts the home improvement boomwill continue for the next year, even as businesses and entertainment venues open up. As expensive vacations will likely have to be canceled for the rest of the year, he thinks that money will instead go to building a new cabana in the backyard, installing a pool, or finally building that dream deck.

Rebecca King is a food writer for NorthJersey.com. For more on where to dine and drink, pleasesubscribe todayand sign up forourNorth Jersey Eats newsletter.

Email:kingr@northjersey.comTwitter:@rebeccakingnj Instagram: @northjerseyeats

Read or Share this story: https://www.northjersey.com/story/life/2020/05/28/coronavirus-keeps-people-home-nj-home-improvement-companies-thrive/5183793002/

Go here to see the original:
Rebuilding America: Home improvement companies thrive as pandemic keeps North Jersey shut in - NorthJersey.com

Its literally a breath of fresh air, to be in another environment, says Joan Talmadge, who, with her husband, Jeff, owns the vacation rental platform WeNeedaVacation.com. While she expects to see fewer tourists on Cape Cod this summer, given COVID-19 concerns and the potential for restrictions on restaurants, beaches, and other attractions, she says, We also anticipate a great pent-up demand from vacationers who cant wait to get out of their homes restrictions or not.

Mark and Gwenn Snider, owners of the Nantucket Hotel and Resort, expect this season to be something of a throwback. Itll be more like the 1950s and early 60s, Mark Snider says, with families drawn to the simplicity of open spaces and natural beauty. The hotel is already soliciting vintage vacation photos from guests to celebrate that spirit. If youre coming to go bar hopping, thats probably a very different experience this year, Snider says. [But] I think a lot of people will be very happy to get out of their homes, and people will be looking for local destinations.

Indeed, 47 percent of Americans surveyed by the US Travel Association in April said they would be more likely to travel by car for any post-pandemic vacations, and 42 percent are now more likely to choose destinations closer to home.

Thats good news for properties such as Basin Harbor on Vermonts Lake Champlain, where most guests arrive by car from nearby states, says general manager Jamie Fox. He expects the resorts 74 private cottages and sprawling setting to be a selling point this year. Were on 700 acres, so no matter what you do, you can get away from people, Fox says. We have a lot of hiking trails around the property. We have a great waterfront area where people can rent kayaks and canoes, and they can rent powerboats and go out on the lake with their family and be separate from other groups of people.

As idyllic as that sounds, traveling this summer may still be a surreal experience at times. Hotels across the region are developing safety and cleaning protocols based on guidance from state public health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says Beth Steucek, chief executive of the New England Inn and Resort Association. So expect chlorine vapors, even if theres not a pool.

Staff will probably be serving with masks on, Steucek says, and guests will likely encounter plexiglass shields at front desks, tables removed from restaurants to add space between diners, near-constant cleaning of common areas, and an end to self-serve breakfast buffets and coffee stations. It will look different, but I think people will understand that and respect that, she says.

While most seasonal properties have delayed their openings and are still working out details, some year-round establishmentssuch as the Nantucket Hotel and 16 Bay View in Camden, Maine have already put stringent protocols in place while hosting medical staff and other essential workers this spring. They offer a preview of what guests can expect this summer.

Matthew Levin, director of hotels and marketing for 16 Bay Views parent company, believes the new procedures theyve adopted on top of an already strict cleaning protocol including the use of personal protective equipment and the frequent, diligent disinfection of common areas will remain in effect for quite a while, and perhaps become regular practice moving forward, he says. Likewise, social distancing wont be going away anytime soon. Even if its not mandated, it will still be second nature for most of us.

Another practice Levin expects to continue when his groups seasonal properties open in June is a minimum 24-hour period between room stays. Daily housekeeping will also be suspended, at least initially, with guests able to request new towels or toiletries to be delivered to the room. I think the guests expectations will dictate how this will eventually look, he says.

In spite of all the work to keep guests and staff safe, hoteliers remain committed to sparking vacation magic. Were not a hospital, but we want to be able to assure our guests that were following all the most stringent protocols, says Gwenn Snider. But we try to surprise and delight our guests its a hallmark of our hospitality ethos and we dont want to lose that.

To that end, the Sniders, who also own the Winnetu Oceanside Resort on Marthas Vineyard, plan to make use of the ample outdoor space at their properties to create a broader range of dining options, including pre-packed picnic baskets and grab-and-go restaurant meals that guests can enjoy outdoors. Guests may also be able to reserve private cabanas by the pool or elsewhere on the property, where they can enjoy chef-prepared meals. One of things people love to do on the island is eat out, so we have to reinvent that, Snider says.

Fox is hoping his team at Basin Harbor in Vermont can get creative as well, because theres so much uncertainty ahead. More than 20 million people lost their jobs in April, and somehow, thats not even the biggest threat to tourism right now. Youre not just dealing with peoples inability to spend, Fox says, youre dealing with peoples fears around getting sick, and that adds a whole new element. Hes planning to offer lower rates with more flexible cancellation terms, but whether thats enough to lure people from the safety of their homes remains to be seen.

In addition to a shortened season, Fox is bracing for lower occupancy rates, and is planning to hire a lean, local staff no H2-B visa applicants from abroad this year trained as utility players. Were going to set the tone that wed love to hire you as a bartender, but we may need you as a server or we may need you as a bellhop, he says. We really want to create a team-oriented, all-hands-on-deck mind-set.

The biggest financial hit, though, has come from a lost season of weddings, Fox says. Brides and grooms dont really want to wear masks, he notes, and almost everything about a wedding, from dancing to dining at banquet tables, defies social distancing.

Levin fears this year could be worse than the depths of the Great Recession. We are definitely forecasting a much slower than anticipated, shorter peak season, he says. He also expects booking behavior to shift more toward last-minute planning by travelers within a days drive of Camden mostly New Englanders who think of midcoast Maine as a safe escape.

Fox is also counting on the appeal of fresh air and waterfront living. We just have everything people are craving right now, he says. For urbanites stressed out after being on high alert in the presence of other people, he adds, We have the ability to take that worry away to some degree.

In the age of social distancing, Talmadge of WeNeedaVacation.com says houses with a private beach, pool, or frontage on one of the Capes lakes or kettle ponds likewise hold greater appeal this year. For families who simply want to spend time together outdoors, prepare their own meals at home, and relax on a deck without worrying about bumping into other people in a hotel lobby, even a modest vacation rental makes a lot of sense, she adds.

Thats especially true for those seeking a longer getaway. Were noticing a real uptick in inquiries for longer stays, for more than a month even, and weve never seen that before for the summer, Talmadge says. With many nonessential workers permitted or encouraged to work remotely, some could be looking to upgrade the view from their home offices.

Or it might simply be a case of collective cabin fever, Talmadge says. I think a lot of people, after this lockdown, feel that a week is just a tease.

Jon Gorey is a regular contributor to the Globe Magazine. Send comments to magazine@globe.com.

See more here:
Heres how New England hotels and resorts are getting ready for summer travelers - The Boston Globe

Chloe Taylor - Contributing Write

Green or clean energy has been around for as long as we exist. It wasnt until the industrial age that we started to use some not so eco-friendly energy solutions and this was only because they were more efficient at that time. However, in the last couple of decades, green energy has slowly started to make a comeback and all thanks to advancements in technology.

Probably the biggest breakthroughs have been made with solar panels. Not so long ago these devices were far from cost-effective. If you wanted to install a couple of solar panels on your roof, you had to spend quite a lot of money and on top of that, they were not so efficient.

Luckily, things have changed. Todays solar panels are much more advanced and offer a more reliable energy output. Justifying installing one has never been easier. However, in case you still have some doubts, here are a couple of things that will alleviate them.

The number one reason why you should install solar panels is their environmentally friendly nature. Our environment is suffering a lot because of our way of living, and we should do everything we can to minimize those effects. Hence, choosing to convert your place of living into a well-maintained solar home will surely be of great help to the environment.

Besides biodegradable materials and eco-friendly cars, solar panels are the way to go. Clean energy is more important than most people think. CO2 emissions have skyrocketed in the past couple of decades and if we dont do something about it, the repercussions will be huge. Sure, you wont see the immediate effects after installing solar panels, but a few generations from now people will live in a much healthier environment.

If the eco-friendly side of solar panels hasnt persuaded you, then maybe their cost-efficiency will. Solar energy is practically free, you just need a way to harness it. After the initial costs of installation, solar panels will begin to pay for themselves.

Think of them as an investment. You pay upfront for something that will return the invested money in the near future. Solar panels will not only return you the money, you will actually make a profit on them in a form of savings. With solar panels, your house will have completely free electricity, heating, cooling, etc. and your energy bill will be significantly smaller.

Even though it takes some time for solar panels to become fully cost-effective, its still an investment worth considering, especially in uncertain times like these, when the environment has been under a constant threat due to global warming and over-consumption and rampant industrialization, mainly in African and South-East Asian countries, such as Indonesia and Philippines. Therefore, choosing solar panels is a great way to do your part and contribute to a more eco-friendly future. Installing a zero-carbon SMA inverter will surely improve the quality of your solar panels and help you get your moneys worth in the long run.

As we said before, solar panels have been around for a number of years. This concept and idea have been developing and evolving for a long, long time and finally, we have come to the point where solar panels are not just some niche market that only few households can afford.

The technology has become widespread and the cost of production has become more economical. On top of that, governments all across the world have started to encourage potential buyers with federal and local subsidies, making these products attractive for homeowners more than ever. So now is probably the best time to go to solar panel shopping.

Also, you can just install one solar panel and use it to heat your water or run it as a backup when the power is down. There are a lot more options, but we recommend checking it with some of the companies that offer solar panel installation services. Trust us, if you create a good solar panel plan, you can almost cut your energy bill to zero.

More here:
Solar Panels: Why Is Now the Right Time for Them - GREENandSAVE

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Smart thermostats are the most popular smart home device overall of more than 20 different devices according to new research published in Strategy Analytics report Smart Home Survey - Device Segment Analysis - Smart Thermostats.

Strategy Analytics reports smart thermostats are most popular in the US where almost 50% of US smart homes have one. The devices are also the most popular smart home device in the UK and Germany; smart thermostats are the second most popular device in France, close behind surveillance cameras.

Nest is the most popular brand overall, followed closely by Honeywell. After the top two, the smart thermostat competitive landscape is wide open. In the UK, Centrica Connected Homes Hive thermostat is the most popular, almost twice as popular as Nest. In the US, ecobee is in nearly 20% of smart homes. Rounding out the top brands in Germany and France are Netatmo and tado.

Jack Narcotta, Senior Industry Analyst in Strategy Analytics Smart Home Strategies advisory service, said, The popularity of smart thermostats isnt that surprising, given that the devices embody many of the best practices for all smart home devices. Theyre widely available, theyre increasingly simple to install, theyre becoming easier to set up and activate, and brands apps take full advantage of consumers smartphones when it comes to thermostat operation and creating heating or cooling schedules.

Bill Ablondi, Director of Strategy Analytics Smart Home Strategies advisory service, added, Nest and Honeywell arguably created the smart thermostat market. Nest has a sizable presence in retail channels, where its brand enjoys high visibility among consumers. Honeywells massive network of dealers set the stage for its presence in the smart home market, and Honeywell spin-off Resideo will help those dealers evolve Honeywells first-generation offerings for the consumer market. Smaller brands such as ecobee, Hive, Netatmo, and tado will have to get creative to successfully compete with the top two brands.

About Strategy AnalyticsStrategy Analytics, Inc. is a global leader in supporting companies across their planning lifecycle through a range of customized market research solutions. Our multi-discipline capabilities include: industry research advisory services, customer insights, user experience design and innovation expertise, mobile consumer on-device tracking and business-to-business consulting competencies. With domain expertise in: smart devices, connected cars, intelligent home, service providers, IoT, strategic components and media, Strategy Analytics can develop a solution to meet your specific planning need. For more information, visit us at http://www.strategyanalytics.com.

For more information about Strategy AnalyticsSmart Home Strategies: Smart Home Strategies (SHS) Home Page

See the original post:
Strategy Analytics: Smart Thermostats Most Popular Smart Home Device - Nest and Honeywell on Top - Business Wire

In this exclusive factory tour and interview, The Manufacturer meets up with Bromptons chief operating officer Paul Williams to discuss the new factory, Bromptons training programme, two recent automation installations, the companys electrification development with Williams Advanced Engineering, and the secret to Bromptons unrivalled success in the personal transport industry.

There are many manufacturers located on the Greenford Industrial Estate in West London, but one among them is renowned for its truly unique and some might say quirky technology which led to it becoming a household name and design recognised the world over.

Brompton Bicycle Ltd moved to the Greenford estate from Brentford three years ago to take advantage of a much larger factory and manufacturing capability, as well as to house several new innovations and an ever-growing, locally sourced workforce.

The brand has become synonymous with efficiency and responsible attitudes towards the environment, as well as for its seemingly conventional design that betrays a much more innovative technology in the personal transport marketplace.

Founded in 1976 by inventor Andrew Richie, Bromptons road to success wasnt a smooth one despite winning many export, design and sales accolades.

Bromptons first iterations, prior to the folding-frame design it eventually become famous for, were rejected at the time by much larger bicycle manufacturers like Raleigh, who just didnt get it.

Unable to strike a partnership that would enable Brompton to step its production up a gear, the company resolved to go it alone, investing internally in its technologies and staff, resulting in a slower rise to the summit of British design and bicycle manufacturing.

More than four decades later, Brompton hit sales of 42.5m in 2019, an 18% year-on-year increase, and with the significant target of 60,000 units sold now in sight, the company is looking once again to the future of mobility and to its role in driving the pace of cycling evolution.

Our tour of Bromptons Greenford factory begins in the companys mini museum, an antechamber of now redundant versions of the Brompton bicycle mounted on the walls with historical descriptions underneath, to rows of ultra-modern, lightweight iterations in a variety of colours and metals on small podiums, showcasing the evolution of the Brompton over decades.

Although more advanced and therefore more costly for the customer, the overall design is still very much the same: that distinctive low, angular frame and high seat and handlebars that can be folded down to an area the size of a small suitcase and erected again in a matter of seconds.

Leading away from Bromptons history section, COO Paul Williams opens the door to the company of the present, and indeed the future.

The jewel in Bromptons manufacturing crown is undoubtedly its brazing capabilities. The largest production cell on its factory floor comprises tens of individual workstations manned by as many people.

Brompton prides itself on its ability to fuse different types of metal together individually and in a style that while neat and effective, does not hide the unique handiwork of each technician responsible.

Indeed, Brompton has installed a brazing board adjacent to the production cell, showcasing dozens of Polaroids of brazing work undertaken by its specialists. Each is unique to the worker for its tight, or conversely less crowded layering, at the bicycles joints while remaining equally strong and meeting all design and production specifications.

For me its really important our employees understand the cause and effect of what they do, said Williams. Brazing requires the highest commitment and skills level, and there arent many people doing brazing of this nature in the UK.

We consider out-house and in-house applicants for these roles, but at the moment we are finding more success with people hired internally, who see the brazing every day, who know what were about here, and who have a desire to get the torch in their hands.

The unique handiwork of each technician is an artisanal feature of Bromptons production process

We run a fairly intensive in-house training programme and build up over an 18-month period before trainees are given a real project, and weve found being diligent in that pursuit highly effective, he added.

Not wishing to rest on its laurels, the company is experimenting with three brazing machines designed and calibrated in-house by its own engineers to produce the unique Brompton hinge.

These are our autobraze machines that join the cast hinge to the thin walled tubes, explained Williams. They use pyrometers to monitor heating and cooling profiles as the brass is melted between the hinge and tube components. All three are fully-operational production war horses.

This hinge is the critical component that defines the Brompton bike, enabling it to fold perfectly away and be stored, without compromising the bikes performance, durability or safety.

It is this very hinge, seemingly simple in design but resilient and internally complex owing to miniscule notches allowing for precision and flexibility, that sets Brompton apart from copycat designs which cannot fold down in the same compact way, Williams said.

One Brompton-built hinge brazing machine is entirely manually operated, while another is part-operated by a technician and partly by automation, and a third is almost entirely robot-operated.

Automation has delivered a more than 20% volume gain for two years in a row

Williams toldThe Manufacturerthat while the company is always considering scope for automation, development in those areas does not need to come at the expense of its employees.

Many will be retrained in how to operate such machinery, and in its current triple-machine set up Brompton is able to experiment with three very different hinge production processes, each as valid as the next.

Williams said Brompton hinges brazed individually are also inscribed with the technicians initials in shadow parts of the component, allowing the company to monitor the quality and traceability of each hinge, while cultivating a simple system of pride and personal responsibility among its workforce.

Two recent automation additions to Bromptons Greenford site are in its painting department. Installed just before Christmas 2019, the company invested some 250,000 in two separate companion technologies in order to automate this area of production.

Designed and installed by Randex, Brompton now has a floor-to-ceiling paint picker which stands some 31 feet high and more than 14 feet across, silently selecting a range of colours to paint the bicycles and operated by a single technician who inputs the required colours via computer.

Once programmed, those selected colours are automatically fed into a separate, giant unit which carries the Brompton bicycles through on a conveyer-like hooking system and are sprayed from multiple angles according to requirement.

Sensors identify the various heights of multiple parts on hangers as they go through powder coating spray

Again, a single operator is charged with overseeing the entire robot from a control board, while manually using hand-held paint spraying apparatuses to get into all the shadow, or hard to reach corners of the frame the robot misses.

Since the end of 2017, the paint plant has used sensors to identify the various heights of multiple parts on hangers as they go through powder coating spray bringing a degree of automation to the process and enabling a throughput of 25,000-30,000 parts a month through this system.

This represents a 20% volume gain, nearer 30% in the past financial year, and contributed to addressing one of the most clunky bottlenecks in the business.

Other areas of automation were considering are in those which dont bring value add to the company for instance the movement, locating, and loading of stock. So, were looking at AGVs (automated guided vehicles), nothing bleeding-edge, but logistics are really one of the best places to start.

And we are really on a recruitment and growth drive so if I can redeploy people currently doing those jobs in areas where they will create more value add then I will. After that, we would just refine those processes over time to give rise to a more agile operation overall, Williams added.

A major development in Bromptons portfolio is the emergence of its electric bicycle range.

Still in the early stages, though already exporting some 6,000 units globally a year, the electric bike marks a step-change in Bromptons attitude towards the future of the personal transport marketplace and the role it wants to play in leading that evolution.

Williams Advanced Engineering is a technology and engineering business, providing world class technical innovation, engineering, testing and manufacturing services

Brompton has teamed up with Oxford-based cross-industry engineering leaders Williams Advanced Engineering in the development of this technology, to take Bromptons technology from design phase through to implementation.

WAE is perhaps best known for delivering discrete project support, right through to ground-up vehicle development programmes and associated support packages in automotive, especially in Formula One motorsport.

One of the key challenges Brompton successfully overcame when developing its electric bicycle, was how best to install a discreet motor inside the bike frame without compromising on the unique hinge design, efficient folding characteristic, or the size and weight of the product.

We could have gone back to the beginning with a blank sheet of paper and started again, but we recognised the USP Andrew Richies product had and theres a huge responsibility to build on that foundation, said Williams.

We went to WAE as our development partner because we had a challenging set of constraints to overcome and incorporate into an existing product.

We needed to produce the smallest width electric motor in the most compact, lightest-weight form, still in-keeping with the uniqueness of our product and now with a removeable battery and a separate, compact charging package while retaining a Brompton bike the rider can transport anywhere.

We ended up with a system that has a front wheel hub-drive motor delivering the power we needed, a battery that sits in our bagging system, and pushed tolerances right down to the nth degree in terms of the stack within the motor.

The flipside has set us some real operational challenges, there is no room for waving outside those really tight tolerances for everything we do because everything is stacked so tightly.

From that weve built a system we think gives real benefit to the customer. And weve essentially taken the pain on the operational side, by having a slower Takt-time, a more controlled training programme, as well as retaining in-house capabilities our suppliers thought were not possible.

Weve really had to push ourselves within manufacturing capabilities to meet the requirements of our in-house goals and those we were pushed to by Williams and what they thought was possible.

We could be producing a lot more electric bikes due to the demand, we could flood the market but weve held that spacious Takt time to make sure we learn and develop that product and integrity every time, said Williams.

Bromptons electric bicycle production cell is unique among the others in the factory, because in addition to being sparsely populated with relatively few technicians, it also moves at a much slower pace as the work requires near surgical precision.

One of the challenges facing Brompton is having enough engineers at the level it needs.

Williams told The Manufacturer that of the technicians currently working in the electric bicycle production cell, almost all were seasoned Brompton employees with the highest level of technical skills, many with more than two decades of service at the company.

All are also receiving additional, ongoing training in electric bike manufacture, he said.

Recruitment in manufacturing is a constant challenge here at Brompton. We are in a particularly challenging place in West London, in that not a huge amount of manufacturing happens here, Williams explained.

If I go to the automotive sector in the Midlands and try to recruit from there, I am competing on an entirely different cost basis from what it costs a person to live in west London for instance, with like-for-like salaries, we simply wont stack up because it is much higher here.

Our challenge is having enough engineers out there at the level we need. Currently, our workforce is comprised of about 37 nationalities, but many are locally sourced. Our job is making this an appealing place to work while recognising we are in a higher than average cost of living part of the UK.

We do what can in terms of school tours, volunteering days, events where we can get engineering and manufacturing into the minds of young people and especially among females. Our customer base is 50% female and wed like that to be represented in our design, our manufacturing and our management.

With a workforce of 37 nationalities, Bromptons focus is on making the company an appealing place to work

Other challenges we face are a fast-moving world, having to manage things on a global scale, sales activities in our global offices, supply chains in Eastern Europe, right down to those 1,200 components hitting the production line right when you need them.

But thats common to all manufacturers and we are just pleased to be a part of that and creating a product that, when it reaches the customer, essentially makes them happier and healthier, and enables them to live in the city in a different way. Its a privilege to contribute to a greater good, added Williams.

Out of nowhere came this virus and businesses are doing what they can to mitigate. But at the end of the day you must have the flexibility in your operational capability to flex and pivot as required, said Williams.

That is potentially one reason why we havent gone in for wholesale automation, because that reduces flexibility on the level of technical capability, and by being a predominantly human-based operation we can redeploy, putting people where they need to be to react to those changing situations.

Brexit is another factor that informs this way of working and we will act accordingly as things become clearer for business, he concluded.

Reporting by Rory Butler

*All images courtesy ofBrompton

See the rest here:
How Brompton is steering the future of electric bicycles - Manufacturer.com

Social distancing matters. Here is how to do it and how it can help curb the COVID-19 pandemic. USA TODAY

Light poured through the empty windows and lit up the exposed wooden beams inside. The home on the lakefront property in Fort Gratiot was being remodeled. Almost the entire thing had been gutted and was being prepped for new drywall. Among the new amenities will be a shower with hookups for body jets on the walls in the master bathroom.

The project is just one of many that home remodeling businesses like LaDuke Construction are working on since restrictions related to the coronaviruspandemic were lifted earlier in May.

COVID-19 and the associated stay-at-home order had paused all services deemed non-essential, putting a stop to construction projects big and small across Michigan. Now, the projects are back on.

Kirk Harms, a field supervisor for LaDuke Construction, walks through a home in the process of being renovated Monday, May 18, 2020, in Fort Gratiot. The coronavirus pandemic and associated lockdown paused all services deemend non-essential, which put a pause on construction projects across the state.(Photo: Brian Wells/Times Herald)

The original stay-at-home order prohibited construction work except for those related to the safety, sanitation and basic operations of a home. This left remodelers with some work to do, but there's not that many emergency calls out there, Home Builders Association of Southeastern Michigan CEO Michael Stoskopf said.

"Most of their activity had to come to a standstill," he said.

During this time, remodelers were able to do some back-end work like ordering materials,speaking with clients, and developing safety plans. But since restrictions relaxed on May 7, contractors have had plenty to do.

"You've got clients who've been living in the house with maybe a partially remodeled bathroom or kitchen," Stoskopf said. "You know they're eager to get that project done."

Stoskopf expects remodeling businesses will operate under some kind of directive from the state until the pandemic is declared over, whether that comes through executive orders,laws passed through the Legislatureor revised OSHA regulations. Jobs will likely take a bit longer due to social distancing requirements, which Stoskopf said is likely the most lasting impact.

More: County extends due diligence period for developer hoping to buy former Art Van building

"Where you might be able to put a painter and a trim carpenter and a tile guy all in the same house at the same time on a remodeling project, you can't do that anymore at least not under these social distancing requirements that are in effect currently," he said.

Prices should stay relatively the same, however.

"While the amount of money spent in projects may be the same as it would without this occurring, it's going to take longer for that money to be spent," he said.

"A lot of things we had ordered pre-lockdown had been put off, and we're just starting to hear back from our supply chains now to get material," he said.

With restrictions being eased, the business is seeing a slight influx of exterior work such as deck work or painting.

LaDuke Construction owner Craig LaDuke said the business has many projects in the works, and is also waiting for suppliers to gear up for some other projects.One open project had to waiton a truss manufacturer to start back up. Others are unaffected.

"We have to be careful if we're going to start a new project that we're able to obtain the materials and supplies needed in a reasonable time frame," he said.

LaDuke said he hasn't seen an increase in demand for any particular kinds of renovation jobs, mostly a normal slate of kitchen, bathroom and other improvements. Overall, LaDuke said, the restart has been going pretty well.

"We've got a lot of work, which is great," he said.

While the regulations surrounding the pandemic change over time and could potentially tighten again, LaDuke said he plans to move forward and not worry about the "what if."

"I'm looking at what we can do now, hoping that everything's going to move forward," he said.

HBA of Southeastern Michigan maintains a COVID-19 resources page atbuilders.org/covid-19-resources.

Support stories like these. Find our subscription offers here.

Contact Jeremy Ervinat (810) 989-6273 or jervin@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @ErvinJeremy.

Read or Share this story: https://www.thetimesherald.com/story/news/2020/05/28/port-huron-home-remodeling-rebounds-coronavirus-lockdown/5190384002/

Go here to read the rest:
Home remodelers find there is plenty of work now that pandemic restrictions have been eased - The Times Herald

Contractors are less busy and material costs are lower

If youve done the hard number-crunching and are confident you can afford to stay put in retirement, your home likely needs a few tweaks to make it safer for an older you.

If your household finances are not under stress due to the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis, now can be a smart time to start tackling age-in-place renovation projects.

A slowdown in the remodeling boom means contractors and architects are likely more motivated to return phone calls. For the past few years, spending on remodeling grew at nearly triple the rate of inflation. The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard recently issued a downside update to its remodeling forecast that projects spending growth will turn negative into early next year due to the economic impact of the coronavirus.

A slowdown in business should make contractors more willing to negotiate price, and timing may be more flexible, as their backlog and waitlist on projects may have already shrunk.

Material costs are also lower. The National Association of Home Builders reported a record 4.1% decline in material costs in April. The -5.4% year-to-date decline eclipses the previous record slide of -1.3% in 2009.

Appliance costs should also decline amid reduced consumer demand.

And though some banks are making it harder if not impossible to qualify for a home equity line or loan, there are still lenders out there (hint: Check out credit unions) willing to make deals with qualified borrowers. If you have $400,000 in equity and are looking to borrow 10% or so of that to polish off an age-in-place project, you could get a more receptive greeting than if you have $100,000 in equity and want to borrow more than half of that.

Heres how to create a sensible age-in-place renovation game plan:

Focus on needs, not aspirations. Sure, aesthetics matter, but so too does cost. Reworking the bathroom so there is a level-in shower that wont require an older you to climb over a bathtub rim is a valuable age-in-place project. But its on you to decide if youre going to spend $20,000 for the bathroom you need or $40,000 for the HGTV-ready bathroom you want.

And keep reminding yourself that every dollar you spend will never be fully recouped by you, or your heirs. A quick web search of remodeling cost v. value will land you at sites that show the typical payback can range from 65% to 75% for many projects, such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel.

Polish off the low-hanging fruit first. Age-in-place renovations fall into two camps: smaller less expensive projects, such as installing grab bars in bathrooms and replacing trip-tastic rugs with carpet, to big-time construction, such as a new full bathroom on the first floor.

What you always want to avoid, especially right now, is stretching your renovation budget. If you have any queasiness about household income as we work our way through the coronavirus crisis, focus on affordable projects first.

Get three line-item bids The standard advice to get at least three bids is especially useful now. Quality and reputation remain paramount especially for big projects but having multiple bids gives you valuable intel to negotiate the best rate with the best contractor for your project.

There is never a good reason to accept a bid that does not carefully line-item every expense, but right now, with demand expected to be weaker, contractors should be more than eager to provide this breakdown to you.

Drill down on materials. Carefully reviewing the bid is essential before you hire anybody. Is the estimate based on using the materials and appliances you want? A low bid can be based on using cheap materials that you dont want. Conversely, you may find that your contractor has assumed a higher quality material than you deem necessary. Make sure you are comparing apples-to-apples bids that use the same materials and assume the same quality of appliances and mechanicals. For instance, does the bid include the cost of the most energy efficient new HVAC system which might cost more upfront or is it based on a more middle-of-the-road model?

Discuss subs. If you ask, you can often learn there are a variety of qualified subcontractors your contractor can use. Again, work quality is important, but there can be a wide range of rates among providers for certain projects.

And if your contractor suggests sticking with a certain sub, dont be shy asking if there is any give in the cost. In a slower market a smaller profit margin is better than having no work. But youre not going to get a break unless you ask.

View post:
Planning to Age in Place? A Recession Can Be a Good Time to Remodel - Guaranteed Rate

Lennie Omalza, Special to Courier Journal Published 6:40 a.m. ET May 28, 2020

Autoplay

Show Thumbnails

Show Captions

Taking an old bathroom from drab to fab is about more than having a pretty powder room. A properly designed washroom can improve functionality in any home,making everyday experiences more efficient and comfortable while providing a clean, calming space to make your bathroom feel like an at-home spa getaway.

These three Louisville interiordesigners break downtheir experiences in building a better bath.

On the East End of Louisville, the bathroom in a midcentury-style ranch house was spacious, but in desperate need of an overhaul.

The home was built in 1959 with essentially no updates since then, said Dani Harris, principal and designer at Knot & Company Interiors.

This east-end bathroom remodel features a dual sink, marble-topped vanity with gold faucets, black mirrors, Shaker cabinets, and floor-to-ceiling wainscoting.(Photo: Provided by Knot & Company)

Harris utilized the ample amount of space by adding an extra sink and updating the room with gold fixtures, a marble-topped vanity, black mirrors, and shaker cabinets. She also added floor-to-ceiling wainscoting, as well as mixed metals and slate floors, creating an interesting architectural touch.

The best part of this project, Harris said, is that although we didnt move any walls or really even change the layout, the remodel is so drastic! We were able to add a sink, include better lighting, as well as create a simple but beautiful atmosphere for children and parents alike.

Home of the Week: A tale of two homes. Interior designer brings warm, cohesive flow to two Louisville homes

In Old Louisville, marvelous mansions require equally breathtaking bathrooms. Bethany Adams, principal of Bethany Adams Interiors, said her work on thisGeorgian homes washroom remodel was exactly that.

The goal of this project, she said, was to create a functional and modern master bathroom that complements the grandeur of my clients' historic home and its unique architectural features.

This Old Louisville bathroom remodel features book-matched Carrara marble slabs in the shower.(Photo: Courtesy of Justin L. Jordan)

While making a home from the 1910s functional for life in the 2000s, Adams still managed to respect and maintain certain historic details, such as original millwork and tile wainscoting.

We took a very sad space into this century, she said, describing the modern chrome vanity from Restoration Hardware and fixtures by Delta. The bathrooms shower glass and mirror, as well as the storage unit under the Palladian window, were all custom-made for the space.

My favorite aspect of this bathroom is how the Palladian window is reflected in the mirror, she said. There's a big tree outside the window, so every morning my clients get to walk into their bathroom, look in their mirror and experience the stunning architecture of their home, as well as be bathed in light and nature.

Home of the Week: Step inside the 'heart of the home' with amazing kitchen renovations in 3 Louisville homes

The bathroom in Cortney Hoeses colonial home in Holly Springs hadnt been updated since its construction in 1987 and her family was ready for a redo.

Functionally, it didnt do it for us, she said. And aesthetically, it definitely didnt do it for us. It was a combination of form and function.

The Kohler jetted soaker tub in this Holly Springs bathroom remodel features deck-mounted hardware, including a hand sprayer.(Photo: Courtesy of Bill Worley Photography)

A self-proclaimed design hobbyist, Hoese came up with the bathroom redesign herself, then enlisted Bailey Remodeling and Construction to execute the plans. Certain aspects of the renovation were set in stone: the color palette was predetermined, and Hoese was firm on adding a freestanding tub. With other parts of the remodel, Hoese just went with the flow.

Some of the tile choices were spur of the moment, she said (and) designing the countertop vanity that was an experience. That was a labor of love.

Hoese said that vanity was always long, but it used to be much lower all the way across. The biggest difference is the height. It was really hard to use.

The sinks were brought up to a higher level for ease of use, and a makeup counter placed slightly lower was added in the middle. Hoese also replaced the built-in Whirlpool tub with a freestanding tub and updated the shower to include a bench, two-tier shampoo niche, and three showerheads.

Home of the Week: This renovated Northfield ranch-style home is a modern, craftsmen-focused dream house

Her favorite aspect of the remodel, however, is the new heated floors. With the bathroom located directly above the garage, the flooring used to get cold very quickly and was unbearable during winter.

I love my heated floors, she said. We (used to have) rugs everywhere. Now its comfortable.

Know a house that would make a great Home of the Week? Email writer Lennie Omalzaataloha@lennieomalza.comor Lifestyle Editor Kathryn Gregory atkgregory@gannett.com.

Bathroom 1: This was a full bathroom remodel in a midcentury ranch home in East End Louisville that was built in 1959.

Bathroom 2: This was a full bathroom remodel in a Georgian revival home in Old Louisville that was built in 1910.

Bathroom 3: This was a full bathroom remodel in a two-story colonial home in Holly Springs that was built in 1987.

Read or Share this story: https://www.courier-journal.com/story/life/home-garden/home-of-the-week/2020/05/28/louiosville-homes-3-bathroom-renovations-take-spaces-drab-fab/5242516002/

See original here:
From heated floors to marble countertops, these bathroom renovations will make you swoon - Courier Journal

Across Chicago and the U.S., the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting everyone. Every business is in jeopardy of shutting its doors for goods. Every employee is in danger of losing their job. Every family is concerned about their health and wellbeing. And every single person in America is hoping to stop the spread of this deadly virus.

One thing that isnt stopping, however, is home renovation projects. Since everyone aside from essential workers are remaining in their homes almost 100% of the time, now is the perfect time for homeowners to improve their properties and begin (and hopefully finish) some important projects.

There is some concern over whether its even advisable to work on your home during this pandemic or not. Though there are some cons to beginning home remodeling projects due to the shortage of supply, potentially higher costs, and general feelings of being overwhelmed; there are plenty of advantages, too. For the most part, the costs are actually much lower right now. Several remodeling companies have come up with great deals and substantial discounts. Plus, if youre hoping to sell your home in the next few years, taking advantage of all this downtime and upgrading your home is a great option!

Here are some important things to consider whenever starting, or even thinking about starting, home remodeling projects:

There isnt a project on earth that wouldnt benefit from some diligent planning beforehand. Still, so many homeowners jump right into specific projects without an actual plan in mind, which can subsequently lead to a messy home, costly remodeling expenses, and high stress levels. Even skillful do-it-yourselfers need to plan out every step of their remodeling project. Without planning, chaos will certainly be the end result.

If you have a four-to-five-month timeline, you can talk to friends on who they used and look at Angies List reviews on their performance, said Kermit Baker, project director at the Harvard remodeling program. You can do your due diligence as you prepare to get the project ready.

Its important to have plenty of tools around the house, as well. If you just need a few things for a couple of quick projects, you can take advantage of tool rental programs. However, its best to own a legitimate set of tools so you can be fully prepared to take on any kind of home remodeling project. Here is a list of tools that every homeowner should have:

Every home improvement project will cost more than you think it will and will take more time than you planned, added Bob Harkson, a chief financial planner at Phase2 Wealth Advisors.

Remodeling contractors everywhere advise the same thing: the more thorough you are during these crucial planning stages, the more likely you are to stay under budget for each project.

Another great idea is to keep a detailed journal documenting every aspect of your home remodeling project. This can be helpful for all sorts of reasons! For instance, if youre working with home builders or a team of professional contractors and something goes wrong, you can use your journal in court or arbitration. Write down things exactly as they happen so you arent being charged for unnecessary costs down the line. Its best if your remodeling journal includes at the very least the following: project start date, major milestones, inspection dates, contractor work schedules, change orders, and all financial information.

Planning is one thing but budgeting can make or break not only your remodeling project ideas but your financial stability, as well. If you arent properly budgeting especially during these wild COVID-19 times, you are putting your entire future at risk. You need to carefully determine exactly how much you can afford to spend on every facet of your remodeling projects. Take, for example, home flooring projects. Your budget needs to account for everything, not just the final tiles. If you know what youre doing, you should still keep a strict budget and plan for spending on tools, materials, and everything else. If you are completely lost when it comes to flooring jobs or other potentially complicated projects like residential siding or plumbing repairs, consider hiring a team of professional contractors. But be aware, doing this will likely significantly increase the amount you spend on each project, which should be reflected in your budget.

Be realistic as you tour your homes interior and look at it as a buyer would with a very critical eye, said Gina Wolter, Broker/Realtor with The Real Estate Group. Determine projects that need the most attention. Some things on your list may require just a little elbow grease, while others may require assistance from a professional. Whichever the case, set your budget and work from there.

If youre working with a contractor, its important to ask as many questions as possible. This way, youll actually learn whats being accomplished. You wont have to hire a contractor for that specific project next time. Instead, youll be able to handle it all on your own! There is no better feeling than that. But dont be afraid of asking questions to the professionals. Even ones that might seem like are obvious its best to get the right answer than wing it on your own down the line. Plus, its your money that youre spending on these projects. You should know why youre spending that much and whats exactly taking place!

It might seem like a scary thing to do during these uncertain times, but there are loans out there available that are designed to help you and your family upgrade your home in a financially responsible way. A Federal Housing Administration (FHA) 203(k) loan or a Fannie Mae HomeStyle Renovation loan, for example, are great options.

An FHA 203(k) loan offers flexibility because you can finance up to 97.75% of the improved home value, said Catherine Holtman, operations support manager for Embrace Home Loans. Theres a streamlined version for improvements up to $35,000 that are nonstructural and a standard version for major renovations including structural changes.

Additionally, taking out a home equity line of credit will provide you with the necessary flexibility to take advantage of remodeling projects. Youll only have to pay interest on the actual line of credit being used and not on everything else. Plus, closing costs are using pretty affordable! Cash-out refinancing, personal loans, credit cards, and 401(k) loans are all great options, as well just beware of high interest rates.

Upgrading your home is exciting but it can also be quite stressful if you dont know what youre doing, arent properly budgeting and planning, or you make mistakes. Some mistakes are minor and are just a little annoying. However, some mistakes even the minor ones can lead to catastrophic issues and ruin your home and your bank account.

Here are some of the most common home remodeling mistakes that homeowners across the country make:

So, in short, the best way to prepare for these kinds of home renovation projects is to save as much as possible, do plenty of research beforehand, make sure youre acquiring all the necessary tools, think about taking out a renovation loan,

More here:
Home Remodeling and Repairs: Everything You Need to Know - Skyline

Home of the Year is proudly presented by The Redbud Group, creating great real estate experiences. Browse featured listings to find your own Charlotte dream home.

We know coronavirus brought a lot of unexpected change to our city, but Charlotte is still a place filled with architectural beauty and some of the best designers in the country.

We created theHome of the Year Award to celebrate the best of the best in new residential real estate. We want to honor that.

The home must be a new build or remodel within the past 12 months. Any remodel qualifies the home interior and/or exterior. Condos and apartments also qualify, so it doesnt necessarily have to be a traditional home.

Can I nominate my own home? Yes, of course! We love hearing directly from homeowners and we anticipate the majority of nominations to come from directly from homeowners.

Can I nominate a clients home?Yes, of course! If youre an architect, builder, or designer wed love to receive nominations, and when we profile our winner and finalists, we will credit all the people who touched the project.

Will there be finalists?Yes, we will profile a group of finalists. We will also select one overall winner. Heres our2019 Home of the Yearif youre looking for an example of the format.

Email your nomination(s) to brianna@charlotteagenda.com using the subject line Home of the Year nomination. Please include the address, up to three sentences on the home, and up to two photos of it. If selected as a finalist, well follow up for more information.

The deadline is Wednesday, June 10, 2020.

Thank you for your help, and we look forward to celebrating the Home of the Year Award this summer!

Cover image: 2019 Home of the Year winner, The Providence Dream Home by brillhart architecture.

Read the original here:
Nominate your favorite new build or remodel for our third annual Home of the Year Award - Charlotte Agenda