Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Home renovations can be one of the most stressful projects a homeowner takes on.

If it goes right, you could increase the value of your home and enjoy an improved lifestyle.

If it goes wrong, you could be on the hook for thousands of dollars, have mortgage issues or even be liable if a contractor gets hurt doing the job.

Of the $65 billion Canadians spent on home renovations in 2014, about $10-11 billion was undocumented, according to David Foster, communications director for the Canadian Home Builders Association (CHBA).

Foster warns there are no guarantees, but there are steps you can take to protect yourself and get the job done right.

Q: What are some of the warning signs?

A: Foster said undocumented, cash deals should be avoided.

Theres all sorts of risks, not the least of which is if something goes wrong youre kind of on your own. If the company youre dealing with doesnt deliver what they promised, if you have a contract, you can sue them. Its not a lot of fun, but you can take them to small claims court. If you dont have anything written down, you cant go to court.

The courts generally frown on both parties when the work is undocumented.

You cant operate outside of the law and then ask the law to resolve your differences.

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From left, Michael Murphy, Diane Murphy, Lois Arena, energy consultant, Laura Murphy, CJ Murphy, Norton Wheeler, 2015 president of HBRA of CT, Nils Fredricksen, and project architect Chris Murphy, president of Murphy Brothers Contracting.

Murphy Brothers Contracting recently announced that their Shore Road Project was selected to receive three Home Building Industry (HOBI) Awards from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association (HRA) of Connecticut and two Pinnacle Awards from the Hudson Valley Builders & Remodelers Association (HVBRA) in New York.

With a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) rating of 27, the Shore Road Project meets all of the high-performance requirements of the Department of Energy Zero Energy Ready Home certification program. Constructed with Fox Block ICF exterior walls, it meets the building envelope and HVAC requirements listed in the checklists of ENERGY STAR Certified Homes Version 3.0.

The home meets the indoor air quality specifications of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Indoor AirPlus and the water-saving requirements of EPAs WaterSense program. It also meets the insulation requirements of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), which is a DOE program requirement. It more than meets the programs renewable energy ready checklists by having a 4.5-kW Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingle photovoltaic (PV) system already integrated into the roof.

The Shore Road Project was the site of several muddy boots tours designed to provide education on green building methods to area design professionals and hosted a continuing education seminar on the Energy Star Rating Program. The project is a DOE Zero Energy Ready Home case study and has been accepted into the CT Zero Energy Challenge. And it was chosen as a featured home on the CT-USGC 2014 Spring Green Home Tour, proving that style and sustainability can go hand-in-hand.

The HBRA of Connecticut HOBI awards are the most prestigious awards presented in Connecticut for excellence in design, construction, sales & marketing, and financing by members of the state-wide organization. The three HOBI Awards are Best Green Energy-Efficient Custom Home, Best Green Product for the use of Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles and Best Special Event for the muddy boots tours.

Murphy Brothers also received (2) 2014 HVBRA Pinnacle Awards for the same energy-efficient project. The Pinnacle Awards recognize outstanding performance by Hudson Valley building industry professionals during 2014.

The two Pinnacle Awards are Best Green Home and Best Innovative Product for the Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles. The Shore Road Project was crafted with the help of Crozier Gedney Architects and energy consultant Lois Arena of Steven Winter Associates.

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