Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

June 6th, 2017 by DWM Magazine

A bill that would require window manufacturers to include replacement and labor costs in product warranties has passed the Connecticut State Senate and is making its way through the states House of Representatives, and its facing opposition from the Window and Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA).

The legislation would also require manufacturers to settle claims and make payments within 30 days of receipt of a warranty claim. According to WDMA, the vague language of the bill could open the door for warranty coverage ofimproper installation or use of aproduct.

The bill would also apply to roofing and siding.

WDMA says the new lawisnt needed because consumers are already covered by product warranties that protect them from legitimate product defects or failures, and many of those warranties will cover replacement costs. In addition, manufacturers provide specific instructions for the installation of products, along with maintenance and other important documents.

The association says that making all warranties cover all labor costs for product defects is unreasonable because products can fail for many reasons, such as improper installation, misuse or modification after its installed, or improper maintenance.

As in other industries, a window manufacturer should not be held responsible for every single instance of a products failure, WDMA says, and forcing manufacturers to pay for all labor costs to replace a window thats been improperly installed or maintained is unfair and unreasonable.

WDMA is urging window companies that could be affected by this bill to reach out to their representatives via this form.

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Connecticut Window Warranty Bill Concerns Industry - DWM Magazine

Q: I own a unit on the first floor of a small condominium building. At my expense, I replaced my kitchen window; however, when it rains, I still see water dripping into the window frame. The window installation company inspected the window, stated the installation was correct and opined the water is coming in from deteriorated tuckpointing near the window. The association board refuses to take any action, claiming the water infiltration issue is my problem because I replaced the window. Thoughts?

A: Section 18.4(a) of the Illinois Condominium Property Act says a board of directors is responsible for maintaining, repairing and replacing the common elements. If the common element tuckpointing and/or waterproof membrane underneath the masonry is insufficient or deteriorated such that water is penetrating into the building cavity, the board must repair the water infiltration as a common expense.

The board's failure to maintain, repair and replace the common elements is a breach of its fiduciary duties. If the board continues to refuse to maintain the common elements to stop the water infiltration into the building cavity (and thus, your windows), a unit owner has the right to file a lawsuit against the board members for breach of fiduciary duty, or more practically, may seek board approval for the owner to take corrective action to stop the water infiltration. After the repair, the unit owner can decide whether to pursue legal remedies against the association for reimbursement.

Q: I am a board member of a condominium association, and there is a unit owner who routinely harasses the board with endless questions and demands for documents. The most recent demand was for all financial records and statements of the association for the last 10 years, which equates to thousands of pages of documents. The requestor's alleged "proper purpose" as required by the Condominium Property Act is to determine if there is financial mismanagement by the board. What is considered a proper response?

A: Section 19(a) of the Condominium Act states that unit owners are entitled to inspect and obtain copies of books and records of account for the current and 10 immediately preceding fiscal years. According to Section 19(e) of the Condominium Act, the unit owner must state a proper purpose for such records and the records must be produced within 30 business days of the unit owner's request.

The association may charge the unit owner the actual cost of retrieving and making the requested records available for inspection as well as the actual cost to the association for such copies.

A proper purpose under Illinois case law cannot be for purposes of harassment and retaliation. A mere statement alleging financial mismanagement may not be sufficient depending on the facts and circumstances of the request, and the past conduct of the unit owner toward the board.

Q: I am on the board of a self-managed condominium association, and the association needs access to a penthouse unit to investigate and repair water infiltration coming from the roof. However, the unit owner will not allow access to the unit unless the board provides a copy of the contract with the association's architect and answers other questions. Can a unit owner condition access upon delivery of a contract and information?

A: Legally speaking, a unit owner cannot condition the board's access to a unit for maintenance, repair or replacement of the common elements when emergency repairs are necessary to prevent damage to common elements. Section 18.4(j) of the Condominium Act expressly gives the board such authority to access a unit for the above purposes.

However, as a practical matter, seeking court intervention to exercise such a right would cause a significant delay in investigating and making such repairs, even though the board would be able to recover its legal fees according to Section 9.2 of the Condominium Act.

The practical solution is to give the unit owner reasonable information to solicit his or her cooperation. Unit owners are entitled to inspect copies of contracts to which the association is a party upon stating a proper purpose, according to Section 19 of the Condominium Act.

CondoAdviserQuestions@lplegal.com

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Water leaking into your condo unit? - Chicago Tribune

Fox17

Long-time customers share positive experience with West Michigan Heating and Air Conditioning Fox17 West Michigan Heating and Air Conditioning has built a business on referrals and testimonials, making them one of the most recommended businesses to install heating and cooling units like the Lennox system in homes across West Michigan. Joe and ...

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Long-time customers share positive experience with West Michigan Heating and Air Conditioning - Fox17

Tri-City Herald

Geothermal technology picking up steam in Washington state Tri-City Herald Jim Kohl, a retired Gleed fire chief, recalled that a geothermal heating and cooling system was installed when the fire department's new headquarters station was built about 20 years ago. The design team for the building suggested such a system because ...

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Geothermal technology picking up steam in Washington state - Tri-City Herald

Your kitchen is about food, family, friends, and functionality.

The kitchen is the heart and soul of the home. Mealtime, family time, and social timeso much happens in and around the kitchen. But without a practical layout, ample storage, or plenty of seating, you could be in for a rude awakening at your next family gathering. So how do you get from where you are right now, to the kitchen youve always wanted?

Thats where Hatfield Builders & Remodelers expertise comes in handy. Well take that faded wallpaper and dated linoleum and transform your space into an elegant and functional room that you can truly enjoy. Outdated cabinets? Limited storage? No problem. Our design experts will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind space you and your family can enjoy for many years to come.

Let Hatfield Builders & Remodelers help you add your personal touch to the look and feel of your kitchen. We specialize in kitchen remodeling in the Dallas, Texas area, including Plano and Richardson. Schedule a consultation with our kitchen designers!

At Hatfield Builders & Remodelers, we pride ourselves for our keen eye, sense of detail, and listening ear. This is your kitchen, which is why we listen to your ideas and vision. Youre the expert at knowing what you want and were the expert at creating the picture perfect kitchen. Do you want an island with seating? A walk in pantry? An in-drawer dishwasher? Or a commercial style range? When you choose Hatfield Builders & Remodelers, your wish is our command. Based on your needs, we form a unique plan suitable for the home and the homeowner. We will work with you to create a space that is not only functional and efficient but also stunningone that reflects your lifestyle and blends in seamlessly with the rest of your home.

View our photo gallery of award-winning kitchen remodels in the Dallas area.

Come to us with a stack of dog-eared design magazines, Idea Books, or a Pinterest Board full of ideas. Do you want an open layout? An island? Better cooking stations? If you dont know exactly what you want, or you have a millionand oneideas that need to be combined into your picture perfect kitchen, thats ok! We can work with your interior designer or introduce you to our award-winning in-house design team to create a kitchen masterpiece.

Well look at your existing kitchen and the adjoining rooms to explore all of your options. Removing a wall between the kitchen and dining room or pantry can dramatically open a space up, as can removing closets, adding windows, or additions. All of our recommendations will be done to maintain (or improve) the structural integrity, design aesthetic, and resale value of the home.

So, youve decided to remodel your kitchen. Now comes the fun partpiecing together the perfect custom-made kitchen specifically targeting your wants and needs. Once youve settled on a layout, youll need to choose cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, hardware, and paint colors. The choices are endless, so consider these factors when selecting materials:

Our kitchen designerswill help plan your new kitchen layout, assist with appliance selection, and guide you through the myriad kitchen finishes, from countertops to drawer pulls.

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Kitchen Remodeling Dallas, TX | Texas Kitchen Design ...

Excel Builders, a Chaska, MN remodeling company, is proud to announce that they have been able to expand their services into the Minneapolis residential communities. The Excel Builders - MN Remodeling Company is highly respected because aside from offering home remodeling services, it also provides important advice, information, and guidance to people across Minnesota about finding contractors. With their expanded reach, they will be able to serve a greater part of the community.

Trent Newville from Excel Builders says: "There are dozens of remodeling companies spread throughout the Minneapolis area. Choosing the best one near your location is no easy task. When choosing a reliable renovation contractor you need to make sure you are comfortable with them and that they offer all of the services you are looking for. We provide some guidelines you can use to make the selection process a bit easier. We are a highly respected company and are happy to now offer our trusted services across a wider area to include Minneapolis homes."

The company has also been featured at the Houzz website. The Houzz - Excel Builders of MN page shows 47 of their projects for people to peruse. Past clients have also taken the time to review the company to discuss their experiences. "Trent did a great job of guiding me through the process," says one past client, for instance. "His designers helped me, his on-site team helped me, and in the end the kitchen is beautiful. They listened to me and inc. my ideas into the design. In the final walk-through there were a couple items that needed to be addressed. Trent took a look agreed then fixed the issues with no problem. I would highly recommend this firm."

To ensure that more people are able to learn about the work that the company does, and that they can access the advice and information they provide both on their website and on Houzz, the Facebook - Minneapolis Remodeling Contractors page has also been launched. This social media page not only features information about past projects, but also relevant external information on remodeling issues, including white board videos and hints and tips to declutter spaces, for instance.

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Contact Excel Builders:

Trent Newville (612) 255-2021 trent@excelbuildersmn.com Excel Builders, MN Remodeling Contractors 2420 Chaska Blvd Chaska, MN 55318

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MN Kitchen Remodeling Contractor Expands To Serve Minneapolis Homes - Digital Journal

Rendering courtesy of KTGY Architecture + Planning

A long-awaited transit-oriented development in the heart of Denvers Stapleton neighborhood is finally moving forward.

Included in the 35-acre developments first phaseis a 120-unit condominiumproject, something that has been all but nonexistent inrecent years due in large part, developers have said,to the states construction-defects laws.

There is a tremendous need for it, said David Friedman, president of D.H. Friedman Properties,the condo projects developer.

The five-story condo building will join a 190,000-square-foot Class A office building, a300-unit apartment building and 60,000 square feet of retail around a large public plaza south of theRegional Transportation DistrictsCentral Park commuter-rail station.

Master developer Forest City Stapleton and real estate firm Newmark Knight Frank announced the developments first phase Tuesday.

Were kicking it off with office, multifamily and retail we think its very important to have all those going at the same time so we can really start to create a sense of place and help people understand the context of the ultimatebuildout, versus having just one building, Forest Citysenior vice president Jim Chrisman said. This will be a very urban, mixed-use, transit-oriented development.

The buildingsare expected to break ground starting in late first quarter next year or early second quarter, with deliveryin the summer of 2019, Chrisman said. A hotel, too, is the works.

At completion, Central Park Stationcould be home to1million square feet of office space, 1,000 apartments, 400 condos, 120 hotel rooms and 100,000 square feet of retail.

The condo project, anticipated asthefirst of three phases, will include units that range in size from 550 to 1,200 square feet, Friedman said. Prices will start in the mid-$200,000s and go up to the mid-$500,000s.

Our price points are going to be dramatically lower than downtown with all the amenities of Stapleton, Friedman said. The condos youve seen have been inCherryCreek. Youre seeing some in Union Station. We are a different market. Our land costs are less.

Friedman said a recent change to Coloradosconstruction-defects laws, requiring a majority of a complexs condoowners to sign off onlegal action against a developer for shoddy construction,hasnt really impacted the way hell approach the project.

His Greenwood Village-based company has built condos in the past,including Villa Rosso, a seven-story, 65-unit complex in the Denver Tech Center near Belleview Station.

I do think they made big progress yesterday with that case, he said, referring to a related Colorado Supreme Court decision Mondaythat ruled a condo association could not change bylaws requiringbinding arbitration without the consent of the builder.I think that will help, but theres still a lot to do.

Forest City is developing the office building, apartmentsand public plaza in the first phase. Located a block from the train platform at East 37th Place and Uinta Street, the office building, Central Park Station One, will be six stories tall with each office floor offering outdoor terraces and balconies. Ground-floor retail will open onto the public plaza via roll-up doors.

Office is the last piece of the puzzle for Stapleton, Chrisman said. If you go down the checklist of what an office user is looking for, we believe we can check everything on that list.

Zoning generally allows for buildings up to 16 stories high near the train station, but Chrisman saidwhile they may get there eventually, they thought it would be a little aggressive to go that tall right out of the gate.

We have virtually unlimited expansion capability, he said.

And while many office tenants set their sights on downtown Denver, Central Park Station and Stapleton arejust a 15-minute train ride from Denver Union Station and they have lower rents and more affordable parking, Chrisman said.

The public plaza next to the office buildingwill be home to unique shade structures meant to emulate clouds floating over the prairie, he said.

Were trying to do something that will be memorable, that will be iconic, when you say Central Park Station, Oh, thats where that really cool public space is,' he said. Were looking at those elements that can act like the blue bear at the convention centeror themilk jug at Little Man.

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Office building, condos, apartments to kick-start Central Park Station development in Stapleton - The Denver Post

McGuire Development Co. got the green light to proceed with construction of a planned 48,000-square-foot office building in front of its Compass East project on Michigan Avenue, after winning over a neighborhood group and nearby church.

The developer plans to erect the new facility at 425 Michigan Ave., at the front end of the long parking lot for Compass East, formerly Sheehan Memorial Hospital.

The proposal had already been reviewed by the Buffalo Planning Board, but officials wanted to wait for final approval until the developer had met with the Copper Town Block Club to alleviate any concerns over parking, debris removal and noise. Residents also wanted to ensure the building's modern appearance would mesh with the area's historic character.

The meeting was held, and Erie County Legislator Barbara Miller-Williams, who also lives in the neighborhood, praised the developer's outreach efforts.

"This is a project that will spur economic development along the Michigan Avenue corridor," Miller-Williams said. "We're fortunate enough to have this modern-looking building. We wanted to make sure that the future meets the past."

McGuire unveils Compass East Phase 2 plans

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Office building on former Sheehan Memorial lot gets go-ahead - Buffalo News

A vacant garage at 85 Yonkers Ave. in Tuckahoe was recently torn down and will be replaced with a three-story office building. Wochit

The site of a former service garage at 85 Yonkers Ave. in Tuckahoe is fenced off for construction of a two-story office building, June 2, 2017.(Photo: Dan Reiner/The Journal News)Buy Photo

TUCKAHOE - A long-standing vacant building at the edge of town was torn down last month, making way for a planned three-story office building along the Bronx River.

Village officials often heard complaints from residents, Village Manager David Burke said, about the former service garage at 85 Yonkers Ave., at the corner of Scarsdale Road near the Yonkers border.

"It was such an eyesore," saidMichael Cuozzo, owner of Tuck'd Away Bar & Grill, which faces the property fromacross the street.

MARBLEDALE:Tainted soil cleared from hotel site, developer says

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Cuozzo, a Yonkers resident, said the 1,000-square-foot former garagehad been vacant for at least20 years. He said the crumbling building had a negative impact on his business.

"You had people dining at my place and youd look outside and had that ugly building," he said. "It was not a great attraction."

In 2013, the village Planning Boardapproved a proposal by the property's owner, Mario Durante, to demolish the garage and replace it with an office building. However, Durante lost funding for the project and the plan fell through, according to Scarsdale-based architect Leonard Brandes.

Durante brought his proposal back to the Planning Board in 2015, and it was approved again in July of that year.

The three-story planned office building tentatively called the "Durante Building" on the 0.1-acre property that abuts the Bronx River would have 2,600 square feet of office space, with five ground-level parking spaces underneath the structure, Brandes said. Construction is expected to begin this summer, and no tenants have yet been signed, he said.

A preliminary drawing of the planned Durante Building at 85 Yonkers Ave. in Tuckahoe(Photo: Leonard Brandes Architect)

Cuozzo said the new building wouldgive the village a fresh look as drivers and pedestrians enter from Yonkers. He said it wouldfitwith the village's development plans, with a hotel and restaurant being built on Marbledale Road and moreapartments underway on Main Street.

"Tuckahoe is doing so much to increase everything in town, and thats the beginning of town," Cuozzo said of the Durante property. "Itll be something better to look at as youre coming into Tuckahoe."

Twitter: @reinerwire

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Tuckahoe 'eyesore' torn down, office building planned - The Journal News | LoHud.com

Its a first for the United States: the State of Oregon and City of Portland have granted a building permit for the first Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) high rise over 85 feet. The building is called Framework, an under development 12-story (148 feet tall), 90,000-square-foot mixed-use building in Portland, Oregon designed by LEVER Architecturethat will make use of a wood core structure. The building will house a bank and timber exhibit at ground level, offices and affordable housing above, as well as a roof deck and garden. Construction is expected to begin this fall, while the building is slated to open in the winter of 2018.

The design required rigorous fire,seismic, and other safety tests to prove its durability compared to typical steel and concrete construction. Testing and research at Portland State University and Oregon State University was funded in part from a $1.5 million U.S. Tall Wood Building award sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture.

While Framework is not the first tall wood building in the U.S.Michael Green Architecture with DLR Group designed T3, a seven-story mass timber building clad in steel in Minneapolis and completed in November 2016it is now the tallest permitted mass timber building in the U.S. today.

(Courtesy of KPFF Consulting Engineers)

In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle was the first U.S. city to allow CLT in construction, yet the current building code caps wood office buildings at six stories high and wood residential buildings at five stories. Oregon may have gained an advantage through a convergence of factors: ample resources, performance-based testing, political support, and perhaps even that quirky Portland entrepreneurial spirit.

Projects like the Framework building present a new opportunity for Oregon that we are perfectly suited to take on, said Governor of Oregon, Kate Brown, in a statement. Oregons forests are a tried and true resource that may again be the key to economic stability for rural Oregon, expanding opportunity for communities hit hard by the decline of the natural resource economy. The Framework building shows that we can use sustainably harvested timber in a sustainable way to act as a catalyst for economic development through the creation of timber and manufacturing jobs in rural economies.

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The first cross-laminated timber high-rise in the US now has a building permit - The Architect's Newspaper