5 Things to Consider When Planning Your Kitchen Remodel

Visualize your goal. This part is easy. First, decide what you need, and then determine what you want. It might be a good idea to prioritize your list of “wants,” so you can easily make budget decisions when finalizing your design plan.

Know your investment. Consult with a local realtor to determine how much your home is currently worth, and to see how much a new kitchen might add to the home’s overall value. Home improvement trade publications also offer annual “Cost Vs. Value” reports that provide comparative information for popular home remodeling projects.

Set a budget. Every homeowner is cost-conscious nowadays, and setting a reasonable spending limit only makes good sense. However, be cautious to avoid skimping simply for the sake of cost. You are spending a substantial amount of money into a long term investment – not to mention that you will get a result that you can enjoy for years to come. In order to cut cost, consider keeping the same basic layout, if possible. Relocating plumbing and electrical can be a significant expense.

Take inventory. Assess the needs of your home, and write down all items for future reference. Make sure to involve the whole family in this process. You might want to consider these questions:
- What must change?
- What must not change?
- Are there any current safety hazards?
- Is there adequate counter and drawer space?
- What special features are currently lacking?

Consider a professional. Simply put, hiring a professional designer can help you avoid costly pitfalls or design mistakes that lead to future regret. A true professional will observe state and municipal building code regulations as well as uphold the highest ethical standards in the industry – giving you the confidence that your remodel will be a solid investment.

Good luck!

Find out more HERE

4 Little Known Secrets to Successfully Remodel Your Home

Dear Homeowner,
We want your next remodeling project to meet your expectations. Of course, we want to be your home improvement company of choice. However, regardless of who you ultimately choose, we offer this guide as an informational tool helping you to avoid the scams and unscrupulous tactics that are rife within the home improvement industry.

By reading this report, you will learn:
• How to discern the truth regarding the biggest misconceptions about home construction.
• How to avoid common scams used to pressure homeowners into buying.
• How to choose the RIGHT CONTRACTOR for your project.

We know it’s sometimes hard to figure out the “good guys” from the “bad guys.” For this very reason, we proudly offer this report.




SECRET #1 – Avoid The Two Biggest Misconceptions About Remodeling

Misconception #1: Taking a contractor’s word simply at face value.

Request to see all claims in writing. Believing simply what a contractor tells you can be a costly mistake. If a contractor claims to be a member of a particular organization, there is certainly nothing wrong with asking to see proof. Hearsay is not admissible in a court of law, and so should be the case when it comes to dealing with your biggest investment – your home.

Misconception #2: Going with the lowest price saves you money.

This statement is not necessarily true. Everyone wants three things when making a purchase: 1) Low Price, 2) Best Quality, and 3) Best Service. It’s nearly impossible to get all three. As the old adage goes, “You can’t get something for nothing.” Before accepting a low price, consider the level of service involved, the type of company you are choosing, the design of your project, and the specifications of your project. Price should always be weighed, but value is always the more important consideration.

SECRET #2 – Elude High Pressure Sales
Beware of high pressure tactics; they are intended to get you to sign a contract immediately. A good deal of skepticism is recommended for any offer that states, “You must sign now!” If you are offered a limited time special, ask for documentation or samples of flyers stating to that effect. Legitimate companies make legitimized “limited time only” offers.

SECRET #3 – Beware Of Door-To-Door Handymen
These people may not be contractors at all. Never allow them into your home until you have checked them out thoroughly. Even if they turn out to be real contractors, door-to-door contractors are notorious for providing incomplete or sub-par work. There is no real savings if you spend your time tracking down a contractor to finish the job, or, worse yet, you must hire another contractor to correct the other’s inferior work.

SECRET #4 – Ask These Questions Before Hiring Any Contractor

“Are you licensed?” Make sure your contractor is deemed by your state to have the proficiency and knowledge to work on your home.

“Do you carry general liability insurance?” This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contracting company.

“Do you carry workman’s compensation insurance?” This insurance protects you from liability if a worker is injured while on your property. Some contractors claim that your homeowners insurance will sufficiently cover them. This statement is simply not true. In most cases, your homeowners insurance excludes injuries sustained by hired workers.

“Are you a member of the Better Business Bureau or any other building association?” Conscientious contractors usually belong to multiple associations. These associations investigate contractors’ backgrounds and references as well. Therefore, undesirable contractors are usually weeded out of these organizations.

“Will you pull the required permits?” A reputable contractor will pull a permit on every job where one is required. Some contractors may ask you to pull your own permit. This could be a warning sign that the contractor is not licensed to do the specified work. In addition, some insurance companies will not cover work that is done without a proper permit.

“Do you guarantee your work?” This one is simple. If a contractor can’t guarantee it, then don’t buy it.

“How do you handle your clean-up?” A clean work site is fundamental to a smooth remodeling project. Your contractor should dispose of any debris at the end of each day. Your home should be left “broom swept.”

Feel smarter? We hope so.

Now, you should be properly prepared to solicit estimates for your upcoming project. At Majors Home Improvement, we know it’s necessary for you to feel comfortable with your contractor. We hope you find this information useful to that end.

We are proud of the fact that we avoid high pressure sales tactics, follow local and state laws, and offer all of our guarantees in writing. In our opinion, there is no other way to do business. We value your trust, and we are pleased that you are considering us for your home improvement needs. We hope that you will allow us to give you a competitive estimate on your next job. After all, estimates are FREE!

Best of luck with your remodeling plans!

Majors Home Improvement - Windows Tax Credit - TV Spot

Windows & Doors -Tax Credit Up To $1,500

Majors Select® windows and patio doors help increase your home's comfort and energy efficiency. Buy today to qualify for a federal income tax credit of 30% of the product cost - up to $1,500.*

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“the Act”) provides federal tax credits for eligible building envelope components that improve energy efficiency. To meet the eligibility performance criteria under the Act, windows, doors and skylights must have both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30.
Qualifying and Claiming Tax Credit is Easy**

To get in on the energy cost savings, as well as the attractive tax incentives:

• Purchase qualifying windows or doors from Majors Home Improvement, then save your sales receipt and the NFRC/ENERGY STAR label with your tax documents. **
  
• Have your windows or doors installed between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2010.
  
• Claim the tax credit on your federal filing for the 2009 and/or 2010 tax year.
  

A “qualifying” window or door is one that carries both a U-Factor equal to or less than 0.30 and a Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) equal to or less than 0.30.

2009/2010 FEDERAL ENERGY TAX CREDIT DETAILS

• Tax credit applies to "qualified energy efficient improvements" which include exterior windows, doors and skylights, for the taxpayer’s principal residence in the United States.**
• Tax credit is for the cost of the product only and does not include installation costs. Be sure to ask for a sales receipt that shows the cost of the product only.
• Tax credit is 30% of the amount paid for the product up to a maximum of $1,500 combined for 2009 and 2010 (including other eligible items listed in the IRS Notice).**

For more information, check out the ENERGY STAR guidelines at the ENERGY STAR® website.


*Many Majors Home Improvement products with Low-E glass meet the performance requirements for the tax credit when used for remodeling or replacement. Please consult your tax planner and review all IRS guidelines. Majors Home Improvement is not a tax advisor.

**The above is the best available information and is a partial summary of the revisions to the federal tax code (U.S. Code Title 26, Section 25C) as updated by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Taxpayers should check IRS Notice 2009-53 for further details on the tax credit. Other energy efficient improvements may apply; check IRS website for more details and updates.

The information discussed in this communication relates to tax credits for existing “non-business” properties (defined as the taxpayer’s principal residence in the United States.) For information about tax credits for homebuilders for new construction in 2009, please refer to the IRS Website.

Majors Home Improvement bears no responsibility for validating or obtaining the tax credit and expressly disclaims any responsibility for determining whether a particular purchase or application qualifies for the tax credit. Further, Majors Home Improvement does not intend to and is not providing legal or tax advice and recommends that purchasers consult their own tax advisor or the IRS to determine whether the products they purchase for a particular application qualify for the tax credit.

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Owen & Nancy Englander

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Cathy Hubeli

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Curtis & Katherine Hoglan

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Gary & Judy Zeckinne

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Jack & Betty Williamson

Majors Home Improvement - Testimonial - Steve & Lorrie Brown

Majors Home Improvement Makes Remodeling’s Top 550 Contractors List

National Industry Publication Recognizes Local Contractor

In its annual compilation, the Remodeling 550, Remodeling magazine honors Majors Home Improvement as one of the largest remodeling companies in the United States. Majors Home Improvement makes the replacement contractors list at 147th place.

According to the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, there are approximately 530,200 Contractors within the United States who provide remodeling services. The Joint Center divides that number into 320,100 specialty trade firms and 210,100 general contractors.

“It’s a real honor to be distinguished as one of the best in your industry,” said Mike Majors, owner of Majors Home Improvement. “However, the true measure still remains with our loyal customers. We would like to say ‘Thank You’ for making us the premier remodeling company on the Gulf Coast over the past 12 years, and we look forward to serving you again in the near future.”

The Remodeling 550 is a list of the largest remodeling and home improvement companies based on residential remodeling revenue. The list groups remodeling companies into 4 major categories: full-service, replacement or specialty, insurance restoration, and franchise. Data for the 550 is based on a survey jointly developed by Remodeling, its sister publication Replacement Contractor, and Specpan, a consultancy and business data collection provider. Additional information was obtained through survey mailings, phone calls, and public information sources.

WEAR-TV 3: Energy Savings Makeover

WEAR ABC 3 :: Energy Savings Makeover

PENSACOLA - For six months we have been following a local Gulf Power customer in her quest to lower her power bill and make her home more energy-efficient.

Now, the results are in. How much difference does it make when you have consistent energy habits and the proper equipment to support them?

Channel Three's Kathryn Daniel finds out.

Sarah Riley and Pete Bailey set a goal this past May: to lower her energy use by 40 percent. That's when Bailey did an energy checkup. At the time, her power bill was high and her house was very inefficient, but since then, she's had a complete energy makeover and the first month of data is in.

Pete Bailey/Gulf Power: "Mrs. Riley had a sixty three and a half percent reduction in her daily usage."

Sixty three and a half percent cut in her daily use of power translates to a savings of 88 bucks a month for Bailey.

In August, a team of local businesses donated and installed a slew of energy-saving elements to Riley's home: Gator Insulation put in new material in her attic over a previously uninsulated room; Majors Home Improvement put in the most efficient windows on the market, along with making her hurricane shutters; and Associated Equipment upgraded her heat and A/C unit. Will Clause of Southern Breeze One Hour Air installed it for Riley.

Pete Bailey: "The biggest driver of your energy bill is your heating and cooling costs."

Bailey says all of the upgrades were necessary for such a reduction, and the new A/C unit is the most crucial one for savings.

Pete Bailey: "Absolutely, compared to what she had before, this system is 40 to 45 percent more efficient in terms of heating and cooling the building."

With our current cold snap, Bailey says customers are now concerned about how to manage their heating units. He says set your thermostat at 68 degrees, and lower than that if you're going to be out for much of the day.

Pete Bailey: "If the house is going to be unoccupied for four hours or more and you decrease the temperature three to five degrees, the amount of energy it takes to bring your temperature back to 68 is less than it would've took to maintain that 68-degree temperature during that four-hour time period."

Bailey says Riley was already practicing good energy habits, and now has the efficient house to accompany them. Before the makeover, her house scored a D-minus. Now, it's an A-plus, and a project the Gulf Power crew has enjoyed.

Pete Bailey: "It really is, it is really wonderful to see when people come together and make a difference in the community and help someone who is really in need, it was a good deal."

Kathryn Daniel, Channel Three News.

For more energy and money saving tips, click on "Energy Savings Makeover" on our website.

Ten ways to add value to your home

Simonton Windows

Whether you’re interested in making a resale investment or just want to enhance your living space, industry experts agree there are a number of easy ways you can add value to your home.

“Home improvement projects always equate to increasing the value of your house,” says Don Zeman, host of the home improvement radio show, Homefront with Don Zeman. “Whether you’re replacing an old dishwasher with a newer, energy-efficient model or simply adding crown moulding to a bedroom, every activity you do means you’re investing in the future of your home.”

A contractor and builder for 25 years before starting his nationally syndicated radio show, Zeman knows the best ways to add value to a house. “Research shows that major remodeling projects like adding a bathroom or renovating a basement definitely pay off when it comes time to selling your home,” says Zeman. “Those are big projects. Homeowners need to understand that smaller and medium-sized projects can also have huge benefits.”

According to Zeman, there are 10 extremely positive home improvement projects that can make life in your current home more enjoyable in the short-term and pay big dividends when selling the home in the future.

Project #1 – Create a designated home office space. Whether it’s just part of a room partitioned off with an obscure acrylic block wall to create a private nook or an entire room, home offices are essential parts of today’s living. The multi-functional space can be used for children to study, paying bills, writing or for a home business.

Project #2 – Treat your ceilings as the fifth wall in a room. Accent and embellish them with beaded plywood, paints or decorative finishes. Consider adding a lightweight urethane ceiling medallion from Fypon® around ceiling lights and fans. Two-piece medallions snap into place in less than five minutes to add more ambiance to a room.

Project #3 – Invest in your lawn. Nothing puts forth a better first impression than a well-manicured lawn and continuously-maintained shrubs and flower beds. If you’re selling your home, a buyer immediately forms his opinion of how well you have taken care of the interior by the look of the exterior.

Project #4 – Replace old, leaky windows with energy efficient vinyl windows. ENERGY STAR™ compliant windows help save on heating and cooling bills all year long. And, for added safety and security, consider Simonton StormBreaker™ Plus impact-resistant windows. Much like a car windshield, when broken the glass in these windows adheres to a heavy invisible plastic interlayer, thus reducing the damage inside the home from storms or crime attempts.

Project #5 – Expand living space by adding a deck or sunroom. Increasing the amount of usable space in a home always equates to adding more value. Whether it’s placing an awning over a patio area, converting a screened-in porch to a sunroom or adding a deck, the creation of more living space makes life more enjoyable for you now and adds an appealing selling feature for the future.

Project #6 – Remove mildew from your home’s exterior and prevent it from coming back. Start by killing any mildew by using a garden sprayer and JOMAX®, which contains an EPA-registered mildecide that kills mildew without harming your siding, shrubs or grass. After killing the mildew, prevent it from coming back by using PERMA-WHITE® Mold and Mildew-Proof Exterior Paint.

Project #7 – Trim out exterior windows and doors. If you have old, rotting wood around windows (or no trim at all) install all-weather millwork. Fypon cellular PVC trim resists insects, rot and termites, making it an ideal low-maintenance product.

Project #8 –Upgrade the master bathroom with a tub window. Made of durable acrylic blocks, Hy-Lite’s fix and operable windows provide privacy in the bathroom while allowing light into the room. A decorative bathroom window over the tub serves as a focal point in the room.

Project #9 – Replace rotted columns and porch posts with fiberglass columns. When you start spending several weekends each year repairing and repainting exterior rail systems and columns, it’s time to invest in low-maintenance fiberglass columns. Structural load-bearing columns from Dixie-Pacific are an affordable investment. Options include columns with lifetime finishes to eliminate painting and a variety of styles to complement any home design.

Project #10 – Bump out to a bay or bow window. Along with adding extra living space, bay and bow windows add instant visual interior and exterior appeal to homes. People value the extended space that can highlight a holiday tree, a window seat or simply adds more light to the home.

For more tips and ideas on adding value to your home, along with information on products discussed here, visit www.homefront.com.

Matchmaking 201: the marriage of gas and glass

Simonton Windows

PARKERSBURG WV - Dearly beloved, we join together, in bonded matrimony … gas and glass. For anyone interested in one of the best unions of all time, it’s important to look at the marriage of gas and glass in window and door units.

Why is such a marriage of importance to the average homeowner? Because it can either save them — or cost them — hundreds of dollars each year on heating and cooling bills. The union of gas and glass firmly stands together to block harmful ultraviolet sunrays, a major cause of high energy costs, faded flooring and condensation buildup.?Homeowners selecting windows and doors for new homes or as replacement units need to fully understand the construction of fenestration products and their potential cost-saving benefits. That’s the advice of Bill Lazor, senior product manager at Simonton Windows.

“In this age of advanced technology, it’s unthinkable and unwise for anyone to have just plain glass in their windows or doors,” says Lazor. “Clear glass offers no protection at all from ultraviolet rays coming into the home that can cause fading of carpets and furnishings. Plus, your heater and air conditioner work harder to keep the home comfortable when only plain glass is used in windows.”

According to Lazor, the ideal selection for homeowners is to specify an IGU (Insulated Glass Unit) made of at least two pieces of annealed glass sandwiched together with a thermal spacer and then filled with either an Argon or Krypton gas. These odorless, harmless gases are denser than air and act as an invisible barriers to prevent damaging UV rays and extreme temperatures from entering the home. Similarly, the IGU helps prevent the comfortable, climate-controlled air in the home from escaping to the outdoors.

"If you want to have a highly energy efficient home, consider glazing and gas options when thinking about your windows,” says Lazor. “Low E glass is a ‘must’ if you want to maximize the energy efficiency of your windows. Tinted and clear glazings (or coatings) help prevent the transference of heat, cold and sunlight into the home. That’s one reason why Low-E coatings are so popular. Gas-filled insulating units, where the invisible gas is hermetically sealed in the window unit using spacer systems, is an excellent barrier. The more barriers that separate the inside of your house from the exterior, the stronger your protection from heat gain or loss.”

Concerned about the idea of having gasses in your windows? Don’t be. The two most popular gas fillers for windows, Argon and Krypton (which are present in the air we breathe), are odorless and nontoxic. These gasses, when forced into an IGU during the manufacturing process, are carefully sealed so they won’t leak out. The gasses help reduce heat transfer between the glazing layers and the chance for condensation buildup on the interior and exterior of your windows.

“Homeowners need to fully understand the construction and options involved with windows before making a major purchase,” says Lazor. “We encourage them to visit the www.energystar.gov, www.efficientwindows.org, and www.simonton.com web sites. The information on these web sites is critical in determining what type of windows work best in your specific geographic area.” In addition, Simonton Windows offers a series of free consumer booklets by calling 1-800-SIMONTON. The award-winning booklets, entitled “What every homeowner should know about window replacement,” A few ways to save energy to make the most of your home” and “A few things to think about when choosing windows for your new home” are all information-packed with cost-saving ideas and advice for homeowners.

Headquartered in Parkersburg, W.Va., Simonton has manufacturing facilities in Pennsboro, Harrisville, St. Marys and Ellenboro, W.Va.; Paris, Ill.; Bradenton, Fla.; McAlester, Okla. and Vacaville, Calif. Founded in 1946, Simonton Windows’ hallmarks include superior quality products, outstanding customer service and delivery of “made-to-order” vinyl replacement or new construction windows in seven days or less under normal business conditions. For more information on Simonton Windows, call (800) SIMONTON or visit www.simonton.com on the Internet.

Ten tips for rebuilding after the storm

Simonton Windows

PARKERSBURG WV - Whether you’re looking at replacing a few roofing shingles or your entire home after a hurricane or severe storm, the process of rebuilding can be intimidating. Experts at Simonton Windows, manufacturers of impact-resistant Simonton StormBreaker™ Plus windows and doors, offer these tips for homeowners faced with the challenge of rebuilding:

Tip #1 – Take pictures of your damaged home immediately after the storm and contact your insurance company. Leave your home “as is” until your insurance representative visits and assesses the damage. They’ll tell you when you can start cleaning up and rebuilding. As part of the rebuilding process, make a home disaster kit for the future. Include inside a water-tight container a disposable camera, tarps, bungie cords, duct tape, waterproof markers, heavy plastic garbage bags, copies of insurance papers and other items that can help secure your home and personal items immediately after a storm.

Tip #2 – Get contractor references and written job quotes before selecting your contractor. While the temptation to “get back to normal quickly” may be great, do not jump at the first contractor who offers his services. Beware of “door-to-door” contractors. Make certain the contractor you hire is licensed in your state and has a staggered payment plan for services so that you don’t complete payment until the project is done. Check with your insurance company to determine their requirements and involvement before you start rebuilding. And, if you feel you’ve been “gouged” by a contractor, report this immediately to state officials.

Tip #3 - Check your local building codes. Even if your home is just a few years old, codes in the southeast change rapidly. The window or roof that was in your home just a few days ago may no longer meet current codes. It’s not simply a matter of reconstructing the home you had. The law requires you and your contractor to abide by current codes when rebuilding after the storm. Visit www.statelocalgov.net or www.ibhs.org/building_codes for more information.

Tip #4 – Research storm-enhanced building products. Take this opportunity to “upgrade” the building products in your home to secure it from future storms. Investigate building products that offer protection from storms, such as impact-resistant hurricane windows. Using these enhanced products may even lower your insurance rates in the future because you’re going “above and beyond” to create a storm-safe home. Visit www.simonton.com for information on impact-resistant windows featuring tempered and laminated glass with a thick, plastic interlayer. Much like a car windshield, this glass resists puncturing during severe storms.

Tip #5 – Plan for future storms by requesting your contractor to use additional foundation reinforcements. Wall framing-to-floor systems should include anchor bolts or connectors tying the wall framing to the foundation. These connections will help the walls resist wind uplift forces as well as wind shear forces that try to push the walls over.

Tip #6 - Select exterior products that withstand the challenges of coastal living. For example, urethane moulding, millwork, door and entrance trim all resist salt air, humidity, sea spray, termites, warping and rotting. These products will long outlast wood trim on a home and require minimal upkeep. Visit www.fyponinc.com for more information. And, when considering windows, remember that vinyl-framed Simonton StormBreaker Plus windows with Dade County approval and featuring impact resistant glass, are perfect for rebuilding.

Tip #7 – Choose energy-efficient products that can save on your long-term heating and cooling bills. Go the extra step by ordering building products that meet ENERGY STAR™ guidelines in your area. Select windows with vinyl frames, which is an excellent insulator. And, when thinking about the glass in your windows, think about lowering your monthly energy bills by specifying windows with double-pane Insulated Glass Units featuring argon-filled Low E glass. Visit www.ENERGYSTAR.gov for more details.

Tip #8 – Build a safe room. Use your rebuilding opportunity to create a “safe room” inside the home that is specially reinforced to withstand severe weather and serve as a safe haven during storms. Consult Taking Shelter from the Storm: Building a Safe Room Inside Your Home, published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Contact FEMA at (888) 565-3896 or visit www.fema.gov for more information.

Tip #9 – Before rebuilding, pay special attention to the roof, windows, doors and garage doors you select. These are the four critical areas of your home that can receive the most damage during severe storms. And, once penetrated, these areas can cause wind to enter the home and collapse the structure. For comprehensive information about keeping your home safe, visit http://www.blueprintforsafety.org/.

Tip #10 – Ask questions and save paperwork. Don’t rush through any building decisions. Check out all products carefully and inspect warranties. Save receipts, product information and warranties in a secure location for the future.

For more tips on rebuilding and living in coastal areas, call 1-800-SIMONTON for the free eight-page brochure, “Making the Most of Life on the Coast.”Headquartered in Parkersburg, W.Va., Simonton has manufacturing facilities in Pennsboro, Harrisville and Ellenboro, W.Va.; Paris, Ill.; Bradenton, Fla.; McAlester, Okla. and Vacaville, Calif. Founded in 1946, Simonton Windows’ hallmarks include superior quality products, outstanding customer service and delivery of “made-to-order” standard vinyl replacement or new construction windows in seven days or less under normal business conditions. Simonton StormBreaker Plus products require additional manufacturing time. For more information on Simonton Windows, call (800) SIMONTON or visit www.simonton.com on the Internet.

WEAR TV-3: Extreme Dream Makeover

My Journey Begins Now: Prayers for this family

My Journey Begins Now: Prayers for this family

Majors Home Improvement - Cabinet Restyling TV Spot :30