REPLACEMENT WINDOWS

Real Estate Values

2010-07-06T05:37:00.000-07:00

Old windows aren't just ugly — they can also let your heat and air conditioning escape, costing you big bucks.

"While window treatments are typically a focus in many home makeovers, the actual windows themselves are often overlooked," says Victor Gonzales Maertens, an energy efficiency expert with Lennox Industries. "However, upgrading old single-pane windows with new Energy Star-qualified windows can save an average of between $126 and $465 per year on energy bills, and some new windows qualify for the federal tax credit."

Lead Safe Practices - NEW EPA Rule

2010-05-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

Beginning April 22, 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and must follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. The EPA requires that firms performing renovation, repair, and painting projects in pre-1978 homes, use certified renovators who are trained by EPA-approved training providers.

Contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects must provide the lead hazard information pamphlet "Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools." It can be found at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm

If you are a homeowner performing renovation, repair, or painting work in your own home, EPA's RRP rule does not cover your project. However, you have the ultimate responsibility for the safety of your family or children in your care. If you are living in a pre-1978 home and planning to do painting or repairs, please read a copy of EPA's "Renovate Right" pamphlet as mentioned above. You may also want to call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323) and ask for more information on how to work safely in a home with lead-based paint.

Superior Remodeling has two EPA trained and certified employees and trained installers. Our Firms's Certification number is: NAT-40278-1 If you have any questions about Lead Safe Practices, please give us a call at 770-613-8043.

Congress Passes Home Star Act

2010-05-17T06:36:00.000-07:00

The U.S. House of Representative passed the the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act (H.R. 5019) yesterday by a vote of 246 to 161. The legislation will provide temporary rebates to homeowners to refit, renovate and insulate their homes, while putting 170,000 Americans to work.

Details of the Bill
H.R. 5019 includes two types of consumer incentives. The first, Silver Star, provides up-front rebates for specific energy-saving investments, including windows and doors. Homeowners receive up to $1,500 per improvement—capped at a total of $3,000 or 50 percent of the total project cost.

A window replacement project that replaces at least eight exterior windows or skylights, or 75 percent of the exterior windows and skylights in a home, qualifies. To qualify, windows must meet the same .30 U-value/.30 SHGC requirements established for the current federal tax credits, while skylights must meet 2010 Energy Star criteria to qualify. Door replacement also qualifies for a Silver Star rebate, if the door meets 2010 Energy Star criteria.

Home Star also provides larger rebates to homeowners who conduct a comprehensive energy audit and implement measures to reduce energy use. Consumers receive $3,000 for a demonstrated energy savings of 20 percent, plus an additional $1,000 for each additional 5 percent energy savings—capped at $8,000 or 50 percent of the project cost.

State of the Union

2010-01-27T06:00:00.000-08:00

President Obama's address tonight is important for all of us. The proposals he puts forth will have both a short term and long term impact on the economy and, personally, on our business. Many folks are sitting on the sidelines putting off necessary roofing, siding and window repairs because they are not sure of what the future will bring. But postponing the work may end up costing more in the long run. There was an old motor oil commercial that had a tag line that said, "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later" intimating that it will cost more in the long run. That is true with home repairs, also. Find a trusted remodeler through the National Association of the Remodeling industry http://www.nari.org/ or you local Better Business Bureau http://www.bb.org/ Ask your friends and neighbors who they have used and been well pleased. It's your largest investment. Protect it.

EnergyStar Update

2010-01-25T07:23:00.000-08:00

What a football weekend. Congrats to all those Colts and Saints fans out there. It should be a good Superbowl!

You may have seen remodelers promoting tax credits for roof replacement. True, like windows and doors you may receive a tax credit of up to $1500 for roof replacement, but the cost of a roof replacement that qualifies for an energy tax credit will cause serious sticker shock. So, be careful when a remodeler calls about the tax credit for a new roof. All they are trying to do is get in the door. Ask them what the cost difference is for a traditional asphalt roof and one that qualifies for a tax credit.

Foe more information visit EnergyStar.gov

Industry Barometer

2010-01-13T07:04:00.000-08:00

Good morning sports fans! Went to a NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry) function last night hosted by Traditions in Tile & Stone of Alpharetta, GA. Alpharetta is a suburb of Atlanta. Traditions did a very nice job. One of my goals last night was to get a feel for how others perceive the current economic climate; translation = how's business? The response was mixed. It seems the larger remodelers had record months in December signing good sized contracts and the smaller guys, who may not do the "entire" job are still slow. Having not been in this business very long but having had experience in other industries, I would like to think the larger remodelers are the leading indicators for the smaller ones. After all, the smaller guys come in and do their "sub-contracting" for the larger guys once projects get started. That's what we're hoping for.

Expectations

2010-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Good morning- had a difficult call today with a dissatisfied customer. It wasn't the quality of the job that was the problem, but the failure to deliver on expectations. As the saying goes, " under promise and over deliver" or something to that effect. Where did we go wrong, you ask. It was telling him we'd be done in a day and a half (weather permitting) with his roof replacement and not clearly communicating that the other work we were doing would take another 2 1/2 to 3 days. Therefore, he "expected" us to be out of there in 1 ands 1/2 days and we were there for 5. Who was right? It doesn't matter. What matters is learning from this situation and in the future making sure we clearly communicate not only how long we will be at a customer's home, but every other detail and if any should change, making sure they know that and know why.

Do Your Homework

2010-01-11T17:36:00.000-08:00

There are thousands, yes thousands, of window manufacturers in the USA. Many have been in business for a long time and others started as spin-offs of the older established companies. Before you buy, make sure the company you are dealing with is reputable, solvent and a member of either the National Association of Home Builders http://www.nahb.org/ or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry http://www.nari.org/ Also make sure their windows are tested and listed in the directory of the National Fenestration Rating Council http://www.nfrc.org/

The second most important thing to look for is an EnergyStar rating that qualifies for the Reinvestment and Recovery Act federal tax credit. Qualifying wndows must have a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC)and a U-Factor of .30 or less. Every homeowner is eligible for a $1,500 tax credit for installing energy efficient windows, doors and other qualifying products. For more information go to http://www.energystar.gov/

Thank you visiting my blog.

Bill Magyar
Superior Remodeling of Georgia Inc.
http://www.callsuperior.com/