While the $1500 tax credit for energy efficient products expired at the end of 2010, there is still a little life left in the idea of crediting homeowners who increase their homes efficiency with windows and doors.
A bill signed by President Obama extended the Bush era tax cuts in reference to windows, sky lights and doors and includes a new, less generous tax credit. For the year of 2011, homeowners will be able to receive a 10% credit of up to $200 for Energy Star qualified windows and skylights and a 10% credit of up to $500 for Energy Star qualified doors.
Although the new credit is not the same as the old credit, combining the savings from heating and cooling bills with the meager tax credit will no doubt help you save in the long run.
1.26.2011
How much should a replacement window cost?
It seems like this is the first or second questions anyone in the market for windows will ask. And I always give the same answer, "You always get what you pay for, perhaps even more so in the home remodeling industry." Of course everyone loves finding a good deal, but I am sure we can all relate to the experience of joy when you do purchase something at a steal-of-a-price and then the resulting dissonance when the true quality of the product shows through. Usually after the salesman is long gone.
Replacement windows costing less than $200 will deliver you a window that is almost guaranteed to need replacing. You could call it a temporary solution to a set of ever existing problems :wind, water, solar heat, cold air, bugs, dirt, etc. It will probably perform well the first few seasons but after repeated operation and standing up to the weather the true quality of the product will appear. Which will lead to all the old problems you had before you got the new windows. Also, that lower end window will most likely have a pretty weak warranty that will end right when the problems really start.
Windows in the range of $350-$500 are really where you want to be if you plan on making an investment in your home and living there for longer than a few years. The warranties on these windows will be lifetime or transferable lifetime, the quality of the materials is better, you will have higher energy efficiency, and the company you are working with will care more about the job and customer than they do about the sale. Also, often times with the sub $200 windows there are going to be extras that come included in the higher end windows.
Replacement windows costing less than $200 will deliver you a window that is almost guaranteed to need replacing. You could call it a temporary solution to a set of ever existing problems :wind, water, solar heat, cold air, bugs, dirt, etc. It will probably perform well the first few seasons but after repeated operation and standing up to the weather the true quality of the product will appear. Which will lead to all the old problems you had before you got the new windows. Also, that lower end window will most likely have a pretty weak warranty that will end right when the problems really start.
Windows in the range of $350-$500 are really where you want to be if you plan on making an investment in your home and living there for longer than a few years. The warranties on these windows will be lifetime or transferable lifetime, the quality of the materials is better, you will have higher energy efficiency, and the company you are working with will care more about the job and customer than they do about the sale. Also, often times with the sub $200 windows there are going to be extras that come included in the higher end windows.
1.17.2011
Can windows and doors be installed in the Atlanta winter?
Absolutely.
New windows and doors can be installed in the dead of Atlanta's winter almost just as easy as in the middle of the springtime. Loss of your home's heat will still be a concern, so make sure the contractor you choose utilizes a method of only installing one window at a time during the colder months. There other steps necessary to minimize heat loss from your home like closing the doors in the rooms being worked on and hanging tarp over windows and doors that require extra labor. Another practice you can expect from a quality contractor is the placement of think plastic sheeting or durable paper strips through your home's higher traffic areas. This prevents any kind of mud, snow, or other debris being tracked through your house during installation.
There is no need to suffer through another frigid Atlanta cold season when you can have brand new, energy efficient windows installed on your home. Not only will your home be more comfortable through the rest of the winter, the long term benefits of energy savings and a greater living experience inside your home will last as long as you are a resident.
New windows and doors can be installed in the dead of Atlanta's winter almost just as easy as in the middle of the springtime. Loss of your home's heat will still be a concern, so make sure the contractor you choose utilizes a method of only installing one window at a time during the colder months. There other steps necessary to minimize heat loss from your home like closing the doors in the rooms being worked on and hanging tarp over windows and doors that require extra labor. Another practice you can expect from a quality contractor is the placement of think plastic sheeting or durable paper strips through your home's higher traffic areas. This prevents any kind of mud, snow, or other debris being tracked through your house during installation.
There is no need to suffer through another frigid Atlanta cold season when you can have brand new, energy efficient windows installed on your home. Not only will your home be more comfortable through the rest of the winter, the long term benefits of energy savings and a greater living experience inside your home will last as long as you are a resident.
8.25.2010
Cheap and Quick Ways to Increase your Homes Value
I just read an article sent to my by my friend who is a real estate worker in Maine about the 4 quickest and cheapest ways to increase the value of your home. The article can be found at HGTV's Frontdoor.com but you can read the summary right here!
The best way to successfully pre-sell your home is to keep up with the neighbors but never surpass them. If you are trying to get the highest ROI on home remodeling projects keep in mind what is standard in the area.
If everyone has laminate floors and you splurge on hardwood, you will be the envy of your neighbors but you won't get the money back at the resale. If you are in a higher end location and down grade your countertops to laminate you will sell for less or may even sit on the market indefinitely.
You never want to be the last person in the neighborhood to remodel, homebuyers will pass on your home for the one down the road where everything is already updated.
If you are tight on cash here are some quick fixes to add the most value to your home for the least amount of money:
The best way to successfully pre-sell your home is to keep up with the neighbors but never surpass them. If you are trying to get the highest ROI on home remodeling projects keep in mind what is standard in the area.
If everyone has laminate floors and you splurge on hardwood, you will be the envy of your neighbors but you won't get the money back at the resale. If you are in a higher end location and down grade your countertops to laminate you will sell for less or may even sit on the market indefinitely.
You never want to be the last person in the neighborhood to remodel, homebuyers will pass on your home for the one down the road where everything is already updated.
If you are tight on cash here are some quick fixes to add the most value to your home for the least amount of money:
- Interior Paint
- Flooring
- Front Appearance (paint and landscaping)
- Light Fixtures
8.12.2010
Survey shows what homeowners are looking for in windows
Builder Magazine published and article recently quoting a survey conducted by Ventura Associates and Simonton Windows that found Energy Efficiency is a homeowners highest priority when considering replacement windows. After contacting 13,600 people they found somewhat shocking news: aesthetic appeal landed at the bottom of the list. I always thought aesthetics would be somewhere near the top, after all these homeowners are remodeling their largest and most important investment so you would think they would something attractive installed in their home. Nearly 90% of all surveyed said the Federal Energy Star Rating is of extreme importance when considering new windows. Here is the break down of the features and how the test group ranked each characteristic:
- 66.1% - Energy Efficiency
- 12.3% - Maintenance Free
- 8.3% - Security
- 4.7% - Impact Resistance
- 4.4% - Noise Reduction
- 4.2% - Aesthetically Pleasing
My guess is that these opinions would change after a homeowner gets the windows installed and while the number one spot would stay the same I think the next important would be aesthetics, noise reduction and maintenance. Who knew people cared so much more about function over form when it comes to windows?
7.22.2010
Do Your Homework
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/
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/
7.15.2010
6 ways to increase your homes value
There are many different ways to increase your homes value these days, but here I have compiled a list of six ways you can boost the value of your home:
- Green thumbs up - one of the simplest and cheapest way to increase your homes exterior appeal is to clean up the landscape. Any bushes, weeds or dying flowers should be removed or trimmed back. Get rid of any foliage creeping up the side of the house or overflowing in your drive or walk way. This simple effort will do wonders for your home's look
- Speak with accents - an easy way to make your home a better place to live is to change accents like window treatments and rugs with the seasons. Use darker colors in the fall and winter months and swap them out for lighter colors in the warm months. It is an easy fix to keep your home looking fresh. Another trick is to remove those area rugs, as long as the floor is in decent shape, to create the perception of a larger living space
- Floor it - homeowners often overlook how large a difference new flooring can have on their home. No matter the material you install, if you choose a lighter color it brightens the entire space and will give it a updated and modern lookS
- Window shopping - do not over look updating the actual windows. New windows can save a ton of money on your heating and cooling bills while also updating the look of your home.
- Freshen up the interior with a new paint job - a new coat of a lighter color of paint can really make a room, or house, feel like new. Darker colors are trendy and stylish, but lighter colors really warm up a room and make it comfortable. A trick to make a place look larger is to paint walls different colors to trick your depth perception. Another trick is to have bolder colors on the walls of your living room combined with a white ceiling, this gives the effect of making the room look taller
- Exterior decorating - after you trim the hedges a fairly simple value added technique is to install some exterior decorations. Stepping stones, walk way lighting, fountains and benches are easy to come by and can really add to your home's appeal. Get creative and have fun decorating the outside of your house.
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