We’re happy to help you navigate how you can add value to your home, save on your monthly energy bill, as well as help conserve our energy resources. That’s a win-win for your pocketbook, as well as the environment, when you upgrade your windows, siding, roofing, or insulation.

Candy Bishop-Conlon, Accountant of Bishop & Associates in Marblehead, explains the details for us. The 2009/2010 Home Improvement Tax Credit applies to the same items allowed in the 2007 tax credit for Home Improvements (no credit was allowed in 2008), but for 2009/2010 it is a bit more generous.

• For 2009/2010, there is a 30% tax credit for energy efficient doors, windows, insulation, air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and boilers.
• The maximum lifetime deduction for the items is $1500. (For example if you install new windows in 2009 and take the full $1500, then you can’t take another $1500 for windows in 2010.)
• You can include the cost of installation for allowed items in calculation the tax credit.
• The tax credit only applies to your primary residence.
• Unlike a lot of the other credits, the Home Improvement Credit doesn’t phase out for high income tax payers.
• Additionally, the 2009 credit is expanded through 2016 for installing solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and wind energy systems. You receive a straight 30% credit (no $1500 cap for these items).

In order for the credit to apply, the doors, windows, insulation, air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and boilers installed must meet these energy efficient criteria:

• Water Heaters: Must have an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%.
• Natural Gas & Propane Furnaces: Must have an annual fuel utilization efficiency rating of not less than 95.
• Propane Hot Water Boilers, Oil Furnaces, Oil Hot Water Boilers: Must have an annual fuel utilization rate of not less than 90.
• Exterior Windows & Doors – U Factor at or below 0.30 and a seasonal heat gain coefficient (SHGC) at or below 0.30.

For more information related to the credit directly from the IRS, visit: IRS Home Improvement Tax Credit Notice

We’d be happy to further discussing an energy efficient project on your home. Candy Bishop-Conlon, Accountant of Bishop & Associates in Marblehead (781-631-9000) is also happy to further discuss the tax credit in more detail with you.

 This blog is brought to you by James Gilroy House Wright Inc. We’re an exceptional builder, not your average general building contractor. We focus on serving clients in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, and Beverly, MA. We are happy to discuss your project with you. You can call us at 781-639-4868 or contact us from this website for a FREE estimate.

1. Know your project.
• Have a clear and definite idea in your own mind of the project you want done. What is the scope of your project? Make a list of everything you would like to renovate. For larger renovations, you may need architectural drawings.
• Review home improvement or decorating magazines to find photos of the styles and the look that you want. Look for what styles and types of tile, fixtures, cabinetry and appliances you would like to install and the colors you want to use. The more information you can provide your contractor, the more helpful we can be in building your vision.
• Most importantly, know what your budget is for the project. Read our helpful hints on our “Calculating the Total Cost of Your Project” sheet.

2. Do your homework.
• Be very thorough in researching the contractors in your area. Go on the Internet and through telephone books. Ask friends, family and neighbors about the home remodeling contractors they have used.
• Inquire with the Better Business Bureau to make sure no complaints have been filed. You may want to use contractors that are part of your local chamber of commerce such as the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce. For James Gilroy House Wright, under “Search Category”, select “Building Contractors”.
• Check references (see below).
• It is important to make sure your contractor has business liability and workman’s compensation insurance and is registered with the state (see below).

3. Registration counts.
• Confirm with the state that a contractor is registered. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires contractors to be registered for the Home Improvement Contractors License and to display their six-digit registration number in all advertisements, contracts, and permits. James Gilroy House Wright’s registration numbers can be found on our website, advertisements, permits, and contracts.
• Check for the Home Improvement Contractors Licensees. For James Gilroy House Wright, under the “Businesses” tab, “Select a License Type”, choose “Home Improvement Contractor.” Then type in “James Gilroy House Wright” for “Search by Business Name”.

4. Licensing is critical!
• Contractor licensing and registration is in place to protect the consumer and the public. You have the state on your side — be sure you’re protected. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires that any contractor requesting a building permit have a Construction Supervisor License. This license requires the contractor to take a test on their knowledge of MA’s building code and construction practices.
• Check for the Construction Supervisor Licensees. For James Gilroy House Wright, under the “Individuals” tab, “Select a License Type”, choose “Construction Supervisor.” Then type “Gilroy” under “Search by Last Name.”

5. Compare quotes.
• Obtain estimates from more than one contractor. Ideally, you should get at least three quotes, and keep in mind that the cheapest quote isn’t always the best deal. This is another area in which it is important to do your homework. Make sure you look at the whole package — for example, is a warranty included? Also, confirm with the contractor(s) that they are bidding on ALL parts of your project and that the prices they have provided are “apples to apples.”

6. Check references.
• Call the references and check out the already completed work of the contractors you’re considering. Pictures may be worth a thousand words, but you’re better off actually speaking with former clients and checking out the contractors’ work for yourself.
• Ask references about whether they had any services issues, whether the project was done on time and within the budget (Were there any hidden costs?), and the contractor’s cleanliness level (Did they clean up after themselves and remove their trash?). Be very wary if a contractor is reluctant to give you references!

7. Consider your contract carefully.
• Make sure you ALWAYS get a written contract — don’t rely on verbal promises.
• As soon as you receive a copy of your contract, read it thoroughly. Everything you discussed with the contractor should be included, particularly the costs. Don’t hesitate to ask questions if there is anything in the contract that is unclear. Make sure you understand the terms and conditions.
• Don’t succumb to signing pressure (a good contractor won’t pressure you anyway), and by all means, NEVER sign a blank or incomplete contract. Once the contract has been signed by both you and the contractor, you should get a copy of it for your records.
• Want to know what your contractor’s contract should contain? We are happy to show you what House Wright’s contract looks like, including the basic terms and conditions.

8. Check on whether the contractor is insured.
• If your contractor is not carrying insurance, it may cost you! To protect you and your home, the contractor should have (and show you) certificates of general liability and Workman’s Compensation insurance coverage, obtained from an insurance agent and containing your name and address. The effective dates for the insurance coverage should be clear on the certificates.
o Liability Insurance
Protects your property in case of accidental damage during your project. The contractor should have a minimum of $500,000 to $1 million insurance coverage, depending on the scope of your project.
o Workman’s Compensation Insurance
Covers the medical, hospital and time-off expenses of any workers who are injured during the project. This insurance protects you from being sued by these workers.
• The Commonwealth of Massachusetts doesn’t require contractors to be insured, however most towns in the Commonwealth will ask for proof of insurance when a contractor pulls a building permit.

9. Make sure the contractor obtains the proper building permit(s).
• A building permit is required for any home remodeling project (including adding a deck) and any work involving a contractor. A permit is not necessary for roofing, siding and window replacement and other minor repairs. You can be fined by the town and the project can be stopped if your contractor does not have the necessary permit(s). Building permit regulations differ from town to town, so check with your local building inspector on what the regulations are in your town.
• As mentioned above, the contractor needs a construction supervisor license to obtain a building permit. Unfortunately, there are contractors who try to circumvent regulations by obtaining a permit with the “rented” license of another, less-than-ethical contractor, or by asking the homeowner to obtain the permit. Homeowners are only allowed certain permits on their primary residence and only when doing the work themselves. Therefore, if a homeowner obtains a permit and allows another person (a contractor) to perform the work for pay, they are disqualified from participation in the Commonwealth’s Guaranty Fund, which is available to protect them from this same group of unscrupulous contractors.

10. Once your project has started, keep records of everything.
• Maintain files of all the documents pertaining to your project, including the copy of your contract with the contractor, the building permit(s), all receipts, proof of insurance, etc. Keep these files organized and in one place so that it is easy to find a specific document if you need it.

BONUS TIP: Ultimately, after all of the above have been considered, you want to go with your gut.
• When you select a contractor, you are inviting them and their crew into your home. You are entering a relationship that is (hopefully) a professional, working partnership. We highly recommend that you work with someone who you feel you can trust and who will work with you to minimize the stress of a renovation.
• The comfort you feel in being able to communicating and work with your contractor is priceless. So if you feel uncomfortable with a contractor (even if you don’t know why), follow your instincts and use someone else.
• We believe that a contractor should care about you and your project, treat your home as if it were their own, build the finest quality work at the best price possible, understand your concern about cost, and always return your phone calls in a timely manner. At James Gilroy House Wright, we pride ourselves on delivering this level of service.

This blog is brought to you by James Gilroy House Wright Inc. We’re an exceptional builder, not your average general building contractor. We focus on serving clients in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, and Beverly, MA. We are happy to discuss your project with you. You can call us at 781-639-4868 or contact us from this website for a FREE estimate.

Renovating impacts your living space.

• If you are planning a major renovation or losing your only bathroom, you may want to consider an alternate place to stay – whether it’s for the full renovation or just for a few weeks.
• If we are remodeling your kitchen, you may want to set up a temporary kitchen in another room or plan on eating out more. 

Please make room for us.

• At the start of your project, we will be bringing in tools and supplies to do our job as efficiently as possible. We ask that you clear the area that we are working in and we may need you to clear an additional space as well. If you need help doing so, just ask us.
• Our crew is very considerate and respectful of your belongings. Still, we recommend that you store any breakables or especially meaningful belongings in a part of the house that is not adjacent to our workspace. Some clients find renting a temporary storage unit works well.

Designate a place for communications.

• We find that successful projects require lots of clear communication. We will be calling and emailing regularly to check in with you throughout the project. We also request that you make a small area where we can leave each other notes, invoices, etc.

Renovating makes dust – lots of dust.

• You may be surprised at how much dust we make. Even when we protect your space, dust often travels throughout your house. While we try to localize our impact on your home and clean up after ourselves everyday, your house will most likely not be as clean as it normally is.
• Expect that some phases of the project will be messier than others – demolition, plastering, floor sanding.
• We do leave the jobsite as clean as possible at the end of your project, yet many clients budget for a cleaning crew to come in at the end of the job to make your improved home really sparkle.

Renovation is a process.

• We will be working together as partners to build your vision in a timely manner. We will keep you as informed as possible about what to expect each day or week. If you have questions, concerns, or compliments, please let us know so we can address the problem right away.
• Some phases of the project appear to move quickly – you’ll see big results while we are demolishing or framing. If other trades are working on your home (electrician, plumber, flooring, HVAC, etc.), there may be a day or so of down time while we are coordinating and scheduling the next phase. The finish phases can be more detailed and take more time so it may be harder to detect what we have accomplished. Please be assured that we are hard at work.
• Sometimes clients hit “a threshold” with the process. You’ll be ready to have your home back neat and clean, without us being in it. It may feel daunting to write multiple checks for a large expenditure. All of this is a normal part of the process and if you can have a little patience, you will be in your new and improved home shortly!

Plan on time to put your house back together.

• Once we are finished with your project, you’ll still have a bit of “work” to do – final touches that are beyond the scope of our work such as moving furniture back into room(s) or restoring landscaping that may have been disturbed on exterior projects.

We are here to be of service!

Please let us know how we can make the renovation process more comfortable for you. We look forward to a successful renovation of your home.

James Gilroy

781.639.2868 office

781.640.0031 cell

jamie@jamesgilroyhousewright.com

1. Give Yourself Enough Time. We find that selecting paint often takes several trips to the paint store (We’ll explain why below). To have fun with this part of your renovation, make sure you give yourself a good week to make your final selection. You’ll be living with the results for years to come. Although you can always re-paint if you really don’t like it!

2. Find Inspiration. Maybe you have an accent pillow that you love, or you saw a stunning photo in a magazine. Scout for ideas from around your home or in the color of your furniture. We’ve even used the color of bedsheets for inspiration for the paint color in a bedroom. Bring your sample or a picture of your inspiration with you to the paint store. We’ve carried in a bag full of fabric in order to find just the right match for covering both chairs and the walls.

3. Take Advantage of Free Professional Advice. Now you’re ready to make your first outing to a paint store. We love Waters & Brown Painting & Decorating. You can find them at 281 Derby Street Salem, MA 01970 Phone: (978) 744-1007. You’ll find the staff to be friendly, helpful, and professional. And they carry our favorite line of paint – C2, which has sophisticated colors and is high quality. They also carry Benjamin Moore paint, which has great historical colors that work well for older homes in the North Shore Area.

Ask to speak with one of the Waters & Brown design consultants (they usually hang around the front of the store near the C2 line of paint chip samples.)  They have an amazing eye and will often pick a color that you may not think of that is “spot on”. Show them your inspiration or explain the look and feel that you are going for.

If you are using one of our painting subcontractors, you can take advantage of their professional eye as well. They’ll have good suggestions for what will work in your space.  Little known hint: Jamie also is an expert at finding the right color for the right space.

4. Use the Tools of the Trade: Color Wands, Paint Swatches, Color Chips, and Sample Paints. While at the paint store, pick up some samples to take home with you. If you are doing a lot of painting or think that you might re-paint in the future, you can purchase a color wand for $25-30. Each brand of paint has their own wand, so you’ll want to decide on which brand you are using before purchasing one. Otherwise go for the freebies. Every line of paint has free color chips. Select a range of samples that match your inspiration to take home. Once you have narrowed your selection down, you may want to purchase a few paint swatches which are larger paint chips (approximately 1 1/2′ x 2 1/2′, usually around $5). C2 line is the only brand that currently uses them (another reason why we love C2!) You can also buy sample paints in small containers or even a pint to paint a small area at home. We highly recommend this! To find out why read on…

5. Live with Your Choice for a Few Days. Save yourself money and disappointment. There’s no sense in purchasing gallons of paint (that are often not returnable) unless you love them. So take your paint swatch home and tape it to the wall. Roll up your sleeves and paint a small area with the paint sample. Don’t worry, the color in the can often looks nothing like the dried color on the walls. Don’t forget – wait until the paint dries completely as the color will change this way too. You’ll be amazed at how different a bigger swatch of the color looks than a paint chip.

Too much? You may be surprised at how much darker or more saturated a color looks on your wall. When looking at a small paint chip, our imagination often has a difficult time projecting what it will look like over many square feet of walls. Here’s a tip: if you like the color but it’s “too much,” ask the paint store to “knock it down.” They can add white to the color and reduce the saturation by 25%, 50% or 75%.

Too little? Many brands have gradated colors. Check out the colors that are next to each other on your paint wand or paint chip. Bumping it up a notch or two may be all the adjustment you need.

Looking for just right? Here’s a clever suggestion – feature one wall with a stronger, more vibrant color and then paint the remaining three walls a more subtle complementary color. This can add some drama to a room without being too overwhelming.

Now step back and live with your selection for a few days. Check out the color at different times of the day – it will change in the light. Look at how the color works where it adjoins to other rooms. Often times you’ll discover that a color that seemed perfect in the store looks nothing like you imagined at home. Or you may be surprised at how much you love the suggestion from one of the design consultants that didn’t seem right at the store.

6. Make a Healthy Choice. Now that you’re ready to head back to the paint store (one more time) to make your final purchase, make a healthy choice for you and your family. Indoor air pollution is one of the biggest health problems that we face in our environment. Buy a low or no VOC (volatile organic compound) paint. These have less toxic chemicals in them. For a few dollars more a gallon, you’ll be making a good investment in your health, and you’ll be helping the environment too. In addition, make sure you ventilate the freshly painted space for several days. We also like to leave essential oils in a small dish in the room where we are painting to help reduce the odor. You can buy a scent that appeals to you at Whole Foods in their beauty section.

When the paint dries, enjoy your perfect paint choice. As our one-year old would say, “Wooooow!” You did it!

We hope these suggestions will help you select a paint color that you love for your home. There’s nothing more exciting than seeing a room that has been under construction go from a raw, unfinished space to one that looks lovely and livable.

This blog is brought to you by James Gilroy House Wright Inc. We’re an exceptional builder, not your average contractor. We focus on serving clients in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, and Beverly, MA. We are happy to discuss your project with you. You can call us at 781-639-4868 or contact us from this website for a FREE estimate.

We do our best to accurately estimate the cost of your project.

Using the information that you provide us, we’ll give you a written estimate or bid of the project cost so you know what to plan for in your overall budget. If there are unforeseen circumstances or you authorize additional work beyond the scope of the original project, we provide written change orders along with a revised project total so you will know the revised total cost.

We track the actual cost of your project invoice by invoice.

We are happy to provide a Project Analysis Spreadsheet, along with your invoices to date and a summary of work completed, so that you’ll know how much you’ve spent in comparison to your budget.

Remember to allow for these additional factors in properly calculating the total cost of your project.

The carpentry work completed by House Wright is often only part of your total project. Depending on the size and scope of your project, you’ll also want to budget for:

• Architectural plans. On some projects, our expertise allows us to create a solution that does not involve an architect. Other projects are best suited to having an architect draw up plans so that you can best achieve your vision. We are happy to discuss whether you will need an architect or just a design consultation with us. If you do need an architect, we can recommend one.

• Exclusions. On your written contract, you will often find areas of the project that have been excluded from the House Wright cost.
  • For example, unless an architect specifies tile, plumbing or lighting fixtures, these are usually purchased by the home owner so that you can select exactly the ones you want. And unless we are building custom cabinets, this is another item that is often excluded. Make sure you do some research on the price of the exclusions that you desire since they can have a wide range of costs. Then budget accordingly. 
  • Beyond fixtures, certain trades are sometimes excluded as well. We may exclude painting at your request since you may want to have this done after we are gone and the dust has settled. Other clients prefer to have us manage the painters and we are happy to do so. Either way, you’ll want to look over our exclusions and determine a cost for each of them. If needed, we can help you calculate these.

• The “while you are here” factor. Once you have a handy carpenter in your home, you’re likely to find an old door that needs to be repaired or some other minor project that’s been on your to do/to fix list. We call this the “while you are here” factor. You may want to add some additional funds into your budget since we rarely finish a project without a “while you are here” request by the homeowner.

• Unforeseen work. While we wish we had x-ray vision and a crystal ball, we occasionally encounter unforeseen difficulties on a job. Particularly in Marblehead and the North Shore area where there are lots of older homes, we find unexpected surprises. Once we were renovating a home that was originally a fisherman’s shack and discovered that the walls were framed with irregular pieces of driftwood. In order to tie in the new addition, we had to re-frame these walls. Obviously this was not anticipated in the original scope of work. Even on newer homes, we sometimes find problems that were hidden beneath walls or ceilings that need to be repaired in order to proceed with your original project. We recommend that you have some extra room in your budget (between 10-20%) as a safety net so that you can be prepared for the unexpected - if needed.

• Landscaping/site restoration. For an addition that results in disturbing the landscaping in your yard, you’ll want to budget to restore your yard to its original – or better! – condition.         

• Other expenses. Some clients choose to move out of their house for a part or all of the renovation. Others find eating out more makes the renovating process easier. Both of these can be an unanticipated increase in your regular household budget.          

• Furniture/Redecorating. This is the fun part! Once we’ve created your vision and the last nail is hammered in, you’ll be ready to move into your new space. You may want to have some funds allocated for furniture or redecorating, as you’ll want your new space to look as fabulous as possible!

We hope these words of wisdom will allow you to properly plan for the total cost of your project. Remember, a little advance planning goes a long way in reducing the stress of a project.

This blog is brought to you by James Gilroy House Wright Inc. We’re an exceptional builder, not your average contractor. We focus on serving clients in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, and Beverly, MA. We are happy to discuss your project with you. You can call us at 781-639-4868 or contact us from this website for a FREE estimate.

Is there a time of year that works best for you and your family? 

For example, some clients with children prefer to renovate during the school year when their children are out of the house during the day. Others prefer to renovate in the summer when there is less stress or mess in trying to get to school each day.

Can you go on vacation for part of the renovation?

If you are renovating a bathroom or kitchen, many clients enjoy a break from the renovation and the convenience of having a shower or stove available away from home. For larger renovations that impact the entire house, some clients will move out temporarily to make it more efficient for the crew - and for you.

Do you need to dig a foundation for your project?

In New England, weather is always a consideration. After October of most years, the ground is frozen so it is not possible to lay a foundation for major additions or decks. This means you’ll need to start the planning process in the summer to ensure all your plans, permits, and scheduling are in order.

Is there a season that you will most use your new addition?

If you are planning on adding a deck or sun porch to your home, you’ll want to be able to enjoy it throughout the summer. This means you’ll want to start your preparations in late winter/early spring to ensure it will be ready for maximum summertime enjoyment.

Are you renovating in time for a special occasion?

We’ve had clients renovate in time for the holidays, a backyard wedding, or a new baby. While we do our best to stay on schedule, we occasionally encounter unforeseen problems, weather delays, or you may request additional work beyond the scope of the original project. Make sure you plan extra time before your special event that allows for delays, as well as time to decorate and settle back into your new space.

We believe in helping our clients make informed choices so that the process of renovating is as enjoyable as the finished product. When all the dust has settled from the improvements on your home, our goal is to hear you say, “I love it!” Hopefully these tips make the planning and process of renovating a little easier on you. We’ll be there for you every step of the way.

This blog is brought to you by James Gilroy House Wright Inc. We’re an exceptional builder, not your average contractor. We focus on serving clients in Marblehead, Salem, Swampscott, Lynn, Nahant, and Beverly, MA. We are happy to discuss your project with you. You can call us at 781-639-4868 or contact us from this website for a FREE estimate.

James Gilroy

781.639.2868 office

781.640.0031 cell

jamie@jamesgilroyhousewright.com

James Gilroy

781.639.2868 office

781.640.0031 cell

jamie@jamesgilroyhousewright.com