It’s often been said that the outside of your house is the first impression for visitors and passersby. What is your home’s exterior telling them? Are there dangers lurking that are signs of structural damage? Is there excess debris that’s not only unsightly, but that also could be causing improper water run-off or gutter clogs? Regardless, it’s wise to take a look around at the exterior components of your house to prevent costly repairs in the future. Here are some ideas to help you get the process started in the most common problem-areas:

The Roof

We’re not necessarily advocating that you grab a ladder and climb up on the roof, but the great news is that technology can assist in the process, allowing you to assess the area. For example, binoculars or a digital camera can come in handy when it comes to inspecting your roof. Both of these items will allow users to zoom in to view the details of the home. Plus, if you take digital photos each Spring, you can compare photos and see how your roof is aging, or identify problems that you may not have otherwise noticed.

Gutters

Chances are, debris has accumulated in your gutters over time. Your gutters may contain leaves, or even grime or pollutants from the snow or rain. Clogged gutters can cause major problems, including roof damage and water leaks.

Attics

If you suspect any roof damage, or are concerned that clogged gutters may have caused water to seep into your home (or if you’re just curious about what’s happening up there), pop your head up into your attic space. If you see any water stains which would look like black streaks on the ceiling of your attic, you may have a water leak. Black streaks typically unveil the path water has taken to get under your roof and inside your home.

Siding

Regardless of what material your siding is made of, spring is a great time to walk around the house and expect all sides. This will not only help you identify any damage, but will also uncover which side of your home is most impacted by sun, wind, rain, and other weather conditions that winter has brought your way. Check to ensure that your siding, fascia and trim are secure and in good condition. If you have wood siding, be sure the paint or stain is in good condition to prevent water damage. Or, it may be time to do some power washing, especially if you have vinyl siding.

Other Exterior Components to Consider

Your windows and doors may also need some attention now that winter has finally passed. Check for leaks and broken seals, and determine if there’s any air flowing into the home, which may signal the need for repair or replacement, or just a simple caulk job. If your windows and doors are made of wood, inspect all surfaces and perform any touch-up or re-painting necessary. Finally, decks, porches, stairs and railings will call for different upgrades depending on the material.

It may seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! To help assist with your spring exterior inspection, develop an exterior maintenance checklist based on the points above to guide you through repairs to prevent water damage, reduce the loss of heated/cooled air and secure valuable belongings. And don’t forget, you don’t have to do this alone! If you suspect or encounter any damage, enlist the help of a professional. By hiring contractors to correct damage, you’ll keep your property well-maintained. Homeowners who act promptly to correct problems with home systems extend the lifespan of residential property. We’re looking forward to helping you revitalize your home. Give us a call today!

The post Exterior Maintenance Matters appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

One of the first questions people ask going into a remodel meeting is “how much will this cost me?” There is no simple formula to how much a remodel will cost, and every situation has its own set of variables and circumstances that affect the final price of a project.

As a home owner going into a remodel, here are some variables you might not have considered:

• The location of the remodel in your home- is it on the first floor or second floor, and how will the materials be transported? Is it easily accessible?
• Once a demolition project is started, sometimes setbacks occur such as discovering asbestos, mold, or other unexpected things. This would take additional time, money, and crew that would not be originally calculated into a price.
• Will there be a dedicate site supervisor who will be the go-to person for questions, or will that job be run from an office off site? You also have to consider if all the workers on the crew are insured and qualified.
• Will upgrades be necessary to add on during the process? This includes water, gas or electric.
• The quality of the finished product is a major factor into the cost. What materials have you chosen, high end or bargain? Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each, choosing a cheaper quality product might save you money in the short term, but might not last as long and cost you more to replace.

There are too many variables in a remodel project to truly judge how much the final project will cost. The best way to think about it is cost vs. value. There are many ways to cut corners and save cost, but the higher the quality of the products and service, the longer your remodel will hold its value.

Looking to start a remodel project of your own? RIGGS is here to help! We offer superior design, planning and remodeling solutions that are truly second to none. Drop us a line or visit us 24/7 at www.riggscompanystl.com.

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As someone who has helped hundreds of people design the homes of their dreams, you would think when it comes time to remodeling my own home it would be a cake walk, right? Well… not so much. I have found that it is much easier helping others in the planning, design and remodeling phases than it is assisting myself. HA! I recently began a major home renovation project myself. While the process has been a very rewarding one, I have learned several valuable lessons along the way.

I thought it would be fun to share this entire experience with all of you in a series of informative and sometimes comical blog entries. First up: the day we took possession of our new home. Let the fun begin!

Day 1

We took possession on Friday (11/16/12) and let the kids demo a wall in the dining room, followed by a pizza picnic on the floor. Saturday we decided to take a breather. After all the bank nonsense and the complications with the closing we just needed a little rest and to spend the day with the kids.

Today is Sunday. My sister took my daughter for a couple of hours and my son is at my brother’s playing with his cousins. We arrived here about 10:30 with a plan to start washing down the walls and woodwork on the second floor. After rearranging the stuff we had previously unloaded in the garage I found a bucket and filled it with soilex and water and headed upstairs. I turned the corner to the master bedroom and realized I would need to first pull down all the old shelving and rods in the closets and then pull down all the curtains, sheers, blinds and hardware.

New plan:  get a ladder and toolbox. I feel sorry for the bucket of soilex that is probably not going to get used today.

Day 2

So, I’m off to buy a new screw gun today.  You would think because I own a company that has many screw guns that I would have my own screw gun or at least be able to get my hands on one.  Well, you thought wrong.  I have a 4 year old Black & Decker power screw driver that has no original tips left because my son lost all of them (Phillips and flat head tips). I only have a Phillips head, that I rigged, and in order to remove the remaining window treatment hardware I had to use a regular old fashioned flat head screwdriver.  My problem is that when I get focused on one task I want to complete it before I move on. So I trudged forward using a manual screwdriver instead of waiting until I got a screw gun and I bet I lost 2-3 hours.  I told you there were a lot of window treatments!

As you can see, fun times, right? LOL! Stay tuned for part 2. This is where you will see why I am the greatest wife of all time.

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Houses, while strong and sturdy, need continued care to stay that way. When a leak starts it will continue to become larger and larger until eventually damaging everything around it. Without the initial repair there is nothing to stop it.

But maintenance doesn’t need to be preventative, it can also help keep your wonderful renovations looking great. For example you may have just completed the kitchen of your dreams. It is everything you have ever wanted, with beautiful cabinets, tiled floors and granite counter tops. But areas like cabinets get worn down after years of use and will eventually begin to show their age. At some point refacing the doors of the cabinets might be needed.

Another thing to consider when thinking about maintenance is a possible future move. To truly get the most for your renovation dollar, you want to get a strong return on your investment. If you are aiming to raise the resale value of your home with a renovation, neglecting small maintenance items could cause your value to slide.

Don’t take regular maintenance for granted. Staying up to date and fixing problems areas as they happen is essential to your home.

The post The Importance of Maintaining Your Home appeared first on RIGGS Company in St. Louis, MO.

Let’s take the issue of caulk, the namesake of the program.  Almost any home can be re-caulked with a case of caulking which can be purchased for about $100.  That’s about a $30 tax credit.  Yet if you wanted to hire someone to take care of the project for you, regardless of the labor cost, you’re still only looking at a $30 tax credit even though you may have spent hundreds of dollars for labor.  We’re not completely criticizing the program here, but this example shows the limitations homeowners will face that they may not be aware of.

Below is a breakdown of what the 30% tax credit (again, up to $1500 per household) can be used for.  These items do not include installation costs and are only included if they meet the efficiency standards set forth by the IRS:

• Windows, doors, skylights, and some storm windows and doors
• Insulation
• Caulking
• Weather Stripping
• Some metal and special heat reflecting asphalt shingles

There are, however, some high ticket items for which installation costs are included:

• Traditional, highly efficient HVAC systems that meet the energy requirements

And more, even higher ticket items which have no limit on the 30% tax credit:

• Geothermal heat pumps
• Wind turbines for residential use
• Solar hot water heaters
• Solar panels

If it costs you, say, $30,000 for one of these expensive items, you get a tax credit of $9,000.  The catch is that you have to be able to afford the $30,000 item in the first place – something most homeowners, especially in this economy, aren’t going to be able to do.  Perhaps I’m in a cynical mood, but it seems to me that people with money (who can afford such things in the first place) will benefit, whereas the average homeowner may just be able to save a few bucks if he buys his own caulking and installs it himself.

There is one exception, and the best deal for homeowners right now may be in window replacements.  Many window companies are selling the windows at an increased amount and providing the installation for free.  It’s a matter of just moving the numbers around, but it’s a great way for them to sell more windows and for homeowners to get more of a tax credit while the Cash for Caulkers program is in effect.

Being more energy efficient and going green is always a good thing, and at RIGGS we routinely encourage homeowners to incorporate into their projects whatever level of green they can realistically manage and afford.  Saving a few bucks today, and a lot of bucks over the life of the investment is an added bonus.

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