Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Glenn Haege, Special to The Detroit News 6:07 p.m. ET Feb. 23, 2017

Updating cabinets is a big part of any kitchen remodel.(Photo: KSI Kitchen and Bath)

Kitchen and bathroom remodeling is so popular the industry has its own national event, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. And each time I attend, I wonder if most homeowners are buying these types of showcase products.

Jill Johnson, manager of the KSI showroom in Ann Arbor, (734) 388-4691, ksikitchens.com, said typically items at these types of shows take a few years to become popular in our area, if at all.

Most of our customers have a more conservative style for their kitchen, so a lot of the things you see at the Kitchen and Bath show arent in demand here, Johnson said.

Her counterpart, Brooke Schall, a designer at KSI Kitchen and Bath in Macomb Township, (586) 789-9421 agrees that trendy isnt necessarily the focus for her customers in Macomb County.

People watch HGTV and see all this new technology, but we arent seeing a demand for that yet, Schall said.

One area that customers seem to be interested in for bath remodeling is custom showers.

Most of them are updating homes built in the 80s and 90s that had a traditional tub and shower, which they dont want today, Schall said. Instead, they want a large walk-in shower and even want more than one shower head. I had one customer tell me he wanted a shower like a car wash with body sprays all around him.

Johnson said seated showers with hand-held shower heads are also popular, and Delta (deltafaucet.com) makes a dual-function two-in-one shower head that features both an integrated shower head and hand shower that can be used separately or together.

Kristen Andrews, corporate showroom manager for Infusion Kitchen and Bath, (248) 624-6905,

infusionshowrooms.com, said technology is becoming more popular in the toilet category.

We are starting to see more interest in intelligent toilets like Kohlers Numi with an integrated bidet, especially among older people who want to remain self-sufficient, Andrews said.

Andrews said her most popular bathroom product is the Choreograph collection from Kohler, (kohler.com) a shower wall system made from composite material that is easy to install and resembles tile, granite or marble without the grout lines that are hard to keep clean.

In the kitchen, Andrews said Kohler touchless faucets are a hot item, especially among people who cook and want to be able to turn the water on without touching it so they dont spread bacteria from uncooked food.

Updating the cabinets is a big part of any kitchen remodel, and KSIs Schall said people are replacing their old oak cabinets with white, gray or true brown colored cabinets.

Johnson agreed that white is the most popular color choice at her Ann Arbor showroom, and the style is transitional with cabinets that are usually plain with solid flat wood doors. I have a white kitchen display in our showroom and customers immediately go to it when they walk in, Johnson said. The white or gray flat finishes on cabinets really is a classy look and very popular.

The lighter white or gray colors are also popular with countertops, but granite is no longer the favorite. Johnson said five years ago, it was 70 percent granite countertops and 30 percent quartz, but today that has reversed. Both Schall and Johnson said the biggest reason for the transition to quartz is the wider variety of color options and that quartz is much easier to maintain than granite. Infusions Andrews agreed that quartz is her most popular countertop item, and the nonporous aspect also makes it more sanitary for people who cook.

While surfing the internet and looking at all the pretty pictures are fun, its especially important to visit a physical showroom and talk face to face with experts whenever you are planning an update to your homes kitchen and bathrooms.

For more home improvement advice, call The Handyman Show With Glenn Haege on WJR-AM (760) at (866) ASK GLENN, (866) 275-4536 between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday and from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday. The Handyman Show can also be heard on more than 135 radio stations nationwide.

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Handyman: Kitchen, bath remodeling have evolved - The Detroit News

Are you planning a kitchen renovation for the purpose of accessibility? Good luck and dont forget to do your homework, investigating all the details of what goes into a workable, safe kitchen for disabled access or aging in place. Be sure to avoid the following accessible kitchen remodel mistakes.

1. Skimping on the space thats necessary to turn around a mobility device.When you make up yourkitchen remodelfloor plan,incorporate a minimum five-foot turning radius of free space. This is the amount needed to allow a person using an electric wheelchair or scooter plenty of room to turn their device around, while minimizing the risk of bumping into kitchen cabinets, countertops, or appliances.

2. Installing inaccessible faucets.Opt for kitchen faucets which are either hands-free or operated by means of a lever rather than difficult-to-turn knobs. But thats only the first step. In order for your faucets to be truly accessible, they also need to be reachable. Make sure that yourkitchen designincludes undersink clearance, allowing sufficient room (30 wide x 27 high x 19 deep) to roll a wheelchair under the sink, within easy reach of the taps. Dont forget to: A. move plumbing pipes to the rear to maximize your space and B. shield them with insulation or some other barrier to guard against burns.

3. Designing countertops that will not be fully usable by your household.The recommended accessible kitchen counter height is 28 to 34 inches above the floor level. If a mobility-impaired individual is going to be sharing the kitchen workspace with other household members, make your kitchen truly usable for all; alternate accessible countertops with some at the conventional height of 36 inches, as well, or have adjustable counters installed.

4. Flooring with slip-hazard materials.Food prep and cleanup tend to be messy tasks in a busy kitchen, so choose your floor material with this in mind. Ceramic tile flooring and linoleum, both popular for use in kitchens, can become very slippery when wet, and are especially hazardous for mobility-impaired cooks. Choose slip-resistant flooring; alternatively, a floor made up of small-size ceramic tiles (6- or 8-inch squares are ideal) will offer reduced slipperiness due to its higher proportion of grout lines.

5. Choosing the wrong appliances.When purchasing new appliances, give careful thought to how they will be used. For example, a side-by-side refrigerator will provide much readier access to both the freezer compartment and the cooling section than a freezer-on-top or on-bottom type.Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)compliant cooktops feature front controls so the home chef doesnt have to reach over hazardous hot burners and a hot-surface indicator. A side-opening wall oven is easier and safer to open. Appliance position is equally important: for instance, a countertop microwave is obviously more accessible than an over-the-stove unit is.

6. Ignoring accessible innovations in kitchen cabinets.Todays kitchen cabinetry has come a long way. Do some research into recent innovations such as soft-close cupboards, touch-release drawers, pullout shelving, or pull and swing lazy Susan corner units, all of which will simplify working in the kitchen for folks with limited strength and/or mobility.

7. Neglecting the small details that actually can make all the difference.Install an ample supply of electrical outlets andlight switchesthat are operable from a seated position. Lighting at up to twice the standard strength should be made available. Plan pantry and cooking pot storage at a height of 20 to 44 inches above the floor.

By Laura Firszt,Networx.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Read more from the original source:
Remodeling a Kitchen for Disabled Access or Aging in Place? 7 Mistakes to Avoid - Care2.com

The Parker County Hospital District Board of Directors Thursday voted unanimously to move ahead with a medical office building project.

The district has been in discussions with Weatherford Regional Medical Center for some time about the possibility of a medical office building, which would help alleviate some of the hospital space problems and benefit the community, attorney and PCHD interim administrator Brian Jackson said.

What we are contemplating moving forward with is an arrangement by which, on district-owned land, we would construct a medical office building that would be used by Weatherford Regional Medical Center for its physicians, Jackson said.

A building is expected to be constructed on property owned by the district in the 700 block of Anderson Street near the hospital.

Community Health Systems would pay rent in addition to the rent it pays for use of the hospital.

Calculating the amount of rent is always difficult to do. However, the arrangement that I think would be favorable for the district would be for the district to charge a percentage of the cost of the construction of the building, Jackson said.

Jackson said he is hopeful that they can reach an agreement for annual payments of 6 percent of the construction cost of the building.

That would be cheaper than rental rates WRMC can get on the open market, Jackson said.

The details of the building, such as size and cost, havent been decided.

Legal documents detailing occupancy, upkeep and other arrangements would need to be worked out and any agreements between the Weatherford Regional Medical Center and the hospital district would come to the districts board of directors for approval, Jackson said.

Jackson does not expect the hospital district to use the building for its own expansion needs.

This is more an opportunity for Weatherford Regional Medical Center to bring in more physicians, more specialties, support the existing physicians [and] have an office building for them thats close to the hospital that that can access, Jackson said.

Link:
WRMC to get new medical office building - Weatherford Democrat

The Department of Insurance is warning to the public.

Dean Johnson, KTVB 6:11 PM. MST February 21, 2017

(Photo: KTVB)

BOISE - Many times when we think of storm chasers, we think of those who go out and chase storms. However, the Idaho Department of Insurance says there's another kind of storm chaser. One they suspect will be targeting you and your roof this spring after this year's historic snowfall. These roofers travel around the country following storms and looking to exploit any homeowner.

There are several things you can do to protect yourself. Make sure to do your research.

"They can check with the Better Business Bureau to see if they've had any complaints on that particular contractor," Elaine Mellon with the Department of Insurance said.

If you do suspect your roof may have received some damage this past winter, make sure to check your insurance policy and see what is and isn't covered.

"No roofing contractor should be advising you on your insurance policy," Mellon said.

A homeowner can also have their insurance company come out and take a look.

Many times these storm chasers will show up looking for homeowners in need of repairs. They'll pass our flyers and even show up to your door unannounced.

Josh and Kimberly Adams with Paradigm Roofing in Boise say door knocking isn't only a common practice for storm chasers, but for any company. They advise not only doing your research through the Better Business Bureau, but also checking out the company on the secretary of state's website.

"Verification of licensing with the state, and even if they are licensed in another state, make sure they're able to be doing work in your state," Kimberly Adams said.

If the contractor does have a license, also double check to make sure they have insurance, and ask if you can see it.

"It should be common communication and common conversation for any contractor if you say 'hey I need your general liability insurance.' It should come easy for them," Adams said.

If the contractor is hesitant, then you should be hesitant.

The contractor's insurance certificate should also include workman's compensation.

"If they are hurt on your property this is what covers that worker from not having liability towards you as a homeowner," Josh Adams said.

In the end, it's important that you take a step back, take your time, and never sign anything upfront.

"I encourage consumers to take time. Do their research. Research the contractor, talk with their insurance agency," Mellon said.

( 2017 KTVB)

Excerpt from:
Protecting yourself from 'storm chasers' roofing scam - KTVB.com

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) The beginning of the year is generally a busy time for ABC Roofing. Barbara Hauan, office manager for the Reno-based company, says this is the time of year people like to use their tax refunds to make needed repairs on their homes. But since January, the phones have been ringing non-stop and repair jobs are stacking up. And this is not a problem unique to ABC Roofing.

"Unfortunately a lot of the roofing companies are way behind," Hauan said.

The explanation is simple- the extremely wet winter. The unending string of storms has cause thousands of roof leaks across the area, putting a strain on roofing companies.

"We've been overwhelmed with leak repairs," Hauan said. "We're actually 4 to 5 weeks out from repairs."

That means some people won't be getting their repairs made until early spring- later if the winter weather continues. That's because the uptick in demand isn't the only reason for the backlog. Safety concerns are also delaying repairs.

"We're a family-owned business, so we try to accommodate the customer to the best of our ability and we never say no," Hauan said. 'But the weather is a huge risk. We want to make sure it's not too wet. We can't open a roof if it's going to rain. We can't just run out anytime and just get up there, and I think a lot of people don't understand that. You know, safety's a big issue."

Enrique Juarez Delariva, project manager with ABC Roofing, says crews are trying to find any break in the weather they can to make repairs.

"We try to beat it," he said. "When we get a little bit of sunshine, a couple hours, as much as we can get done with a day or two, then we're back to square one with waiting and waiting."

He said if you do find yourself waiting, poke a small hole in the affected area to minimize the damage.

"Nothing too drastic, but at least to alleviate pressure and allow draining," Juarez Delariva said.

At this point, with the end of winter still several weeks away, Hauan says she hopes people have patience, and understand crews are hoping to get caught up soon.

"Just be patient and keep your fingers crossed that we have some sunshine pretty soon," she said.

The rest is here:
Local roofing companies face backlog - KOLO

Redmond firefighters survey the scene where 40-50 gallons of roofing glue spilled on a portion of Redmond Way this morning. Courtesy of the Redmond Police Department

Drivers were stuck in traffic on Tuesday morning when a truck spilled 40-50 gallons of roofing glue on westbound Redmond Way at Northeast 76th Street.

The Redmond Police Department (RPD) tweeted about the sticky situation at 10:45 a.m.

At about 5 p.m. on Tuesday, police opened one westbound lane actually a left-turn lane temporarily used as a main lane on Redmond Way. At about 10 p.m. on Tuesday, all lanes were open, according to RPD public information officer Becky Range.

The trucks huge containers of the glue were unsecured and all went flying out on the roadway, Range said.

Cars were still coming and cars were driving through the glue, said Range, noting that there were no injuries. It kind of made a huge traffic issue, but it could have been worse.

The fire department quickly blocked drains, but the Department of Ecology is en route to take a look, another police tweet read.

It was quick thinking on their part, Range said of the fire departments actions.

Ecologys Larry Altose said the city public works and fire crews placed sand and sorbents around the drain and installed storm drain shields. His staff observed no impacts to the storm drain.

We appreciate the citys response to protect the storm drain system and, in turn, the nearby creek, Altose added.

Fire, Ecology and hazmat crews along with an environmental contractor cleaned up the mess. Scott McQuary of Redmonds public works department and natural resources division said no spillage entered the drains or nearby Bear Creek.

McQuary said everyone put their heads together to devise a cleanup solution. The truck driver was required to hire an environmental cleanup contractor, who was soon on scene. They decided to let the substance solidify a little bit and then crews shoveled and scraped up the hardened glue. The truck driver was required to dispose of the material.

The truck remained on scene Tuesday and the driver was cited.

Drivers headed downtown were advised to use west State Route 520 as an alternate route, according to police. Police called Metro right away so they could figure out bus routes, and Range said the Washington State Department of Transportation helped in informing drivers about the scenario.

Read more here:
Sticky situation: Truck spills roofing glue on Redmond roadway ... - Redmond Reporter

Gusty winds have caused a lot of headaches for homeowners over the last few weeks, which means for many roofing companies, business isnt slowing down any time soon.

Roof repairs could run into the tens of thousands of dollars, so taking action before a storm could save you big in the long run.

Business is booming for the folks at Ohana Construction, working on blown roofs to leaks and repairs.

Tanden Hayes tells us the phone calls for help havent stopped over the last month. As a general manager, Im usually in the office doing operations, but Ive been out in the field, up on roofs and doing inspections myself.

He says the company has even had to hire more people. We have crews that go out into the island, into the community, and survey the affected areas, Hayes said. On average, I would say weve done about 5-10 projects, signed contracts a week.

Having home insurance, and knowing when to use it, is key to saving money, as was the case for a home in Manoa, where about 75 percent of the roof was blown off.

It actually ended up costing the homeowner no more than their deductible, said Hayes. I think they ended up paying about a thousand dollars and the rest of it was covered by their insurance.

Homeowners, especially in Hawaii, they dont automatically think about filing insurance claims.

Hayes says to simply put pay attention to your home and dont wait until its too late. If they have an old roof, they would want to get it fixed before the strong winds come. That way, they can avoid material being ripped off and leaks happening.

And if your roof is anywhere between 10 to 15 years old, its a good time to call an inspector. Hayes says we can come and do a damage assessment, especially if youre seeing tiles flying off, even just one or two.

Here is the original post:
Business booming for roofing companies due to recent gusty winds ... - KHON2

Market Summary Follow

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. is a Distributors of roofing materials

BECN - Market Data & News

BECN - Stock Valuation Report

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (BECN) traded on unusually high volume on Feb. 22, as the stock gained 0.31% to close at $45.88. On the day, Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. saw 614,576 shares trade hands on 5,931 trades. Considering that the stock averages only a daily volume of 405,769 shares a day over the last month, this represents a pretty significant bump in volume over the norm.

Generally speaking, when a stock experiences a sudden spike in trading volume, it may be seen as a bullish signal for investors. An increase in volume means more market awareness for the company, potentially setting up a more meaningful move in stock price. The added volume also provides a level of support and stability for price advances.

The stock has traded between $49.32 and $32.75 over the last 52-weeks, its 50-day SMA is now $45.66, and its 200-day SMA $44.64. Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has a P/B ratio of 2.04. It also has a P/E ratio of 27.1.

Beacon Roofing Supply Inc is engaged in the distribution of residential and non-residential roofing materials in the United States and Canada.

Headquartered in Herndon, VA, Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. has 5,042 employees and is currently under the leadership of CEO Paul M. Isabella.

For a complete fundamental analysis analysis of Beacon Roofing Supply Inc., check out Equities.coms Stock Valuation Analysis report for BECN.

Want to invest with the experts? Subscribe to Equities Premium newsletters today! Visit http://www.equitiespremium.com/ to learn more about Guild Investments Market Commentary and Adam Sarhans Find Leading Stocks today.

To get more information on Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. and to follow the companys latest updates, you can visit the companys profile page here: BECNs Profile. For more news on the financial markets and emerging growth companies, be sure to visit Equities.coms Newsdesk. Also, dont forget to sign-up for our daily email newsletter to ensure you dont miss out on any of our best stories.

All data provided by QuoteMedia and was accurate as of 4:30PM ET.

DISCLOSURE: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors, and do not represent the views of equities.com. Readers should not consider statements made by the author as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. To read our full disclosure, please go to: http://www.equities.com/disclaimer

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Beacon Roofing Supply Inc. (BECN) Moves Higher on Volume Spike ... - Equities.com

SUDBURY Labelle Roofing recently provided free services to install a new Owens Corning Roofing System on the three buildings of the Save A Dog humane society complex in Sudbury.

We noticed that a Save A Dog fundraiser was focused on raising roofing funds, so as avid dog lovers we decided we could best contribute by lending our expertise, said Rob LaBelle.

As a not-for profit, contribution-funded organization, Save A Dog is very happy that Rob LaBelle and his company were willing to repair our infrastructure for us, said Shirley Moore, co-founder of Save A Dog. We are glad that we can use our contributors precious funds to focus on our mission of caring for and finding new homes for abandoned dogs, rather than investing in infrastructure.

Roofing the Save A Dog buildings was a coordinated group effort. In addition to the contribution from Labelle Roofing and Owens Corning, ABC Supply Co. Inc., a Sudbury-based distributor of roofing components, contributed materials for this installation, and Barry Bros. Disposal of Walpole and Newton donated the dumpster and disposal services. Rob, Matt and Josh LaBelle coordinated a large crew in order to install the three separate roofs in one days time. The goal was to minimize the noise and confusion for the dogs, especially a group of new arrivals from a hoarding situation that arrived the same evening.

Read the rest here:
LaBelle Roofing provides free services to Save a Dog - Wicked Local Sudbury

Its not uncommon for you to call a company, and for whatever reason, they dont get back to you.

But it should be uncommon for a company to take thousands from you and not get back to you.

It happened to a central Ohio man and on top of that, hes losing even more money because the company never provided the service it promised.

John Kessler has owned a block of buildings in Union County for years but he cant rent one of them. Its been a couple of years in fact but its not entirely his fault that he cant rent it.

Kesslers hardwood floors are buckled, theres standing water everywhere and doors cant shut properly because wood floors beneath are swollen with water from a leaking roof.

Hes paid $3,000 down to get a new roof to a company called Midwest Construction Services. It told him it would get his new roof put on in two weeks. That was in September.

The company address is inside a building along Campus View Boulevard in Columbus. I called this location multiple times and I went there too.

A receptionist told me, Midwest doesnt actually have an office here. It has a phone line and mailing address only.

I called the mobile phone number listed on the website multiple times too. Last week, voicemail was full and I couldnt leave a message. This week, I left two messages. No one returned my calls.

It turns out Kessler isnt the only person whos had problems with this company. On the Better Business Bureaus website, nearly two dozen people sent in complaints over the last three years.

BBB complaints show other people paid Midwest $4,000, $5,000 even $19,000 and some jobs were never completed. Numerous complaints show people trying to get their deposits back too.

Its because of problems like these; the BBB revoked its accreditation for Midwest Construction Services and now gives the company an F rating.

On the Franklin County Clerks website, theres a current case involving Midwest Construction Services. Its being sued by another local company called Hamilton Parker.

I reached out to Hamilton Parker and its attorney but no one called back.

Until Midwest Construction Services resolves issues with customers like Kessler and gets re-accredited by the BBB, Consumer 10s best advice is to research other companies for your home construction needs.

No matter who you hire for work to be done at your home or business, start your research with the BBB. Its website is a great resource and be sure to see if any complaints against a company were resolved.

Also, before you pay any money down, for example, on a sizeable home improvement job, ask a company for references, ask to see their work from other jobs and make sure theyre licensed and bonded.

See the rest here:
Union Co. man says roofing company took his money but didn't do the work - 10TV