Star Construction Company

Home for the Holidays with Star Construction

2011-12-21T10:46:00.000-08:00

Hurry! Get your Bathroom Remodeled Before the Price Goes up!

2011-12-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

A new bathroom makes a great gift!

Our bathroom special continues. With the price to remodel an average 5'x8' bath as low as $130/mo how could you go wrong? Give the gift of a new bathroom that increases the value, comfort, and beauty of your home (even if it doesn't fit under the tree!)

We still have openings available on a first come/ first serve basis, so call and book your today. We’ll even put together a box with gift certificate to put under the tree if you’d like.

Special Offer! Get $200 off a Bathroom Renovation.

2011-11-08T15:30:00.000-08:00

Is your bath a place that you operate safely, comfortably and effectively? If you’re like many homeowners the answer is a resounding NO.

You complain it too hard to clean, it’s old, it’s cold, it’s too small, it’s uses too much water and electricity, it’s too dark, it doesn’t have enough storage, the fixture don’t work right and the list goes on.

But what are you doing about it?

We can help.

I’ve partnered with some of the best construction professionals in the region to put together a few very special bath renovation packages. We have taken the most common bathroom layouts, put together a list of products and services for each package, and made the price extremely low. We even have a list of options that are most commonly asked for.

We want to make it quick and easy to get your bath feeling, working and looking the way you want it to.

Hurry! These packages will only be available of a limited time.

Any project signed off on before Nov 30, 2011 will also receive a $200 discount.

Call today or email now for an appointment to schedule your bathroom project before this offer is over.

But it doesn’t stop there. We can customize any of these packages to suit your existing bath at very reasonable prices. Perhaps you want to enlarge an existing bath or add another bath for the kids or guest, we can help with that too. We can even put a new bath or powder room on another floor of your home.

Get even more discounts id you want to update multiple baths at the same time.

To make this as easy for you as possible we also offer financing and accept MC and Visa for your convenience.

Contact me today and discover the possibilities.

Sample Finance Option

Assuming a project amount of $13,000:

There are four credit score categories and five different terms. I will, for the purpose of keeping it simple, quote both the 10 year and 20 year payment

Credit score Term Monthly Payment Rate

725+ 10 Year $176/month 6.95

20 Year $130/month 7.95

700 – 724 10 Year $191/month 8.95

20 Year $139/month 8.95

660 – 699 10 Year $199/month 9.95

20 Year $148/month 9.95

650 – 659 10 Year $207/month 10.95

20 Year $168/month 11.95

We also have terms of 5,7,and 15 years as well. No matter which term the customer settles on there is never any pre-payment penalties so they can pay the loan down as quick as they like. Please just use these as general payment estimates. As a reminder, there is no equity requirements for this loan so it can be done with little or no equity as well as no seasoning requirements so a new homeowner could still qualify.

Don't have a heart attack when you get your remodeling bill.

2011-10-11T19:43:00.000-07:00

In order to make the remodeling process easy for our clients, we've developed systems and processes, and labeled them with terms that you’re probably very familiar with. Those terms are things like an estimate, a bid, a proposal, and a CO or change order. These terms can be very confusing because they are used differently by different companies.

Let us walk you through the steps of a construction job and explain what these terms mean to us at Star Construction. Our aim is to provide the best customer experience with the best product, at a best price, with no surprises, so that you avoid a homeowner heart attack!

Once you've read this, pick up the phone and call me. Let's talk about fixing that old bathroom that desperately needs an update. Let's plan a small or a large job before it gets too cold, or even plan for the spring.

Estimates

We use the information provided by you to create an estimate of cost and time needed to build what you have asked us for. We do this with the aid of a computer estimating system, and based on similar types of projects that we have completed.

An estimate is not an exact number, but a general range of what we believe the time and cost of the project will take to complete. You have control to say if this is the right product, at the right price range, for the features you want. Click here to see a sample estimate.

Bidding

When the scope and timetable bring the estimate into an acceptable range you’re ready to go to the next step. With your commitment to work with SCC we’ll start the bidding process. This step allows you to further control the budget and scope of the work.

The bid will take the estimate information, refined with your help, to make scope of work choices and selections of products. This allows us to give detailed information to our subcontractors and venders to use in providing quotes that will become part of the final bid you will receive. The bid will look very much like the estimate, but contain all scope of work details and the cost of products selected and quoted, from venders and subcontractors to determine the final price.

Proposals

We then incorporate that information into the form of a proposal, which creates the legal agreement. Your project information is brought over directly from the bid, plus provides payment information and a project duration schedule. (To see an example, click here.) The purpose of this is to show you in writing what you are buying, how long it will take, how much it cost and when those payments need to be made. Info in the bid and proposal are then used to generate work orders and purchase orders.

Phase Reviews ensure that the work completed is acceptable to you before continuing on to the next phase. You will be asked to sign off on completed work as we review it together during each Phase Review.

Change Orders

If you ask to add or modify the work, or if unexpected issues arise that need to be addressed we would need to create a Change Order. Change Orders are paid in advance and would become part of the next Phase Review if applicable, before moving forward with the remaining balance of the project.

Why do we create these processes and procedures? The answer is we find that it provides more value, clarity and understanding of the project for our clients.

Star Construction strives to provide this each and every day!

Now is the Best Time to Plan Your Remodel

2011-09-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

Summer is over and since school has started, schedules become the focus . That’s true for construction too. This is the time when most people think about starting projects they didn’t get to over the summer. Some people start to plan for the holiday season while a few start to think about next year's big project.

But what is the best time to do a project? Let’s look at some projects and the amount of time they typically need. We’ll look at additions, kitchens and bathrooms as they are the most involved. Let’s take them in order. But first some basic info can go a long way.

Planning is everything

Planning is the most important part of any project. Many things will negatively impact starting a project if no or little planning is done. Lead time on ordering materials, design changes, permitting & legal time tables, and general seasonal weather conditions can all delay projects, not to mention things like buried damage, the availability of a subcontractor, changes required by codes, and owner initiated change orders.

Additions can be done at any time of the year, even in the dead of winter (with planning!) if a foundation is in place before a frost sets in. Sometimes, if the concrete is in the ground and you're willing to wait for the carpentry to be done over the winter you can save yourself some money.

Additions take time, but often not too much time

Additions can move very quickly. Small rooms can only take a few weeks, but of course the larger the room, the longer it will take. That’s where Star can help guide you through the planning and selection maze so you won’t feel so stressed and can feel good about the progress you are making.

Some of the biggest delays may come from determining property boundaries so you can properly place an addition, and if you need to get a variance from the zoning authorities this can add months to the start of your project.

Keep in mind that late spring, summer and early fall groundbreakings generally work best. Early spring and late fall starts might be held up by rain and mud. Winter frost and snow are also obvious problems.

Some rooms are more complicated than others

Kitchens can take a tremendous amount of planning, and much more lead time than you might expect. Something as simple as cabinets can take from a few days to a few months to arrive and that’s after the plan has been finalized! Don't forget that if you’re adding new appliances or relocating them, those decision need to be made before the plan can be finalized. Now layer in windows, doors, flooring, counter tops, plumbing fixtures, lighting and more, and you can see why hiring a contractor like Star brings so much value to your remodelling project, helping you with things that need to be done so you can begin to enjoy your new kitchen as quickly as possible.

We find it generally takes about six weeks from our initial meeting with the client before a new kitchen construction starts. So if you start your planning now you can generally have a new kitchen for the holiday season. But waiting until October will generally mean you’ll be ready for Christmas but not Thanksgiving.

And don’t forget that when the kitchen is down your whole world changes and not for the better. That’s why Star is invaluable to our clients as we help them to minimize the down time with our thorough planning and job site management. A good plan will reduce the difficulty and down time of not having a kitchen while the new one is under construction.

Bathrooms, although generally the highest cost per square foot to renovate, are generally quicker to change than most other rooms. This is because of their specific function and smaller size. But planning still requires the selection of products and layout changes that need to be confirmed by your contractor.

In the past, we could finish a fully gutted bathroom project, around 5'x8' in about 1 to1-1/2 weeks. Now, because of required inspections for the various trades (plumbing, electrical, etc.) it takes a little longer. Since many homes having more than one bathroom nowadays it's not so much of an inconvenience as it was when a large family all had to share just one bathroom. Why not let Star’s experts show you what your bathroom can be, and how quickly it can happen.

Remodeling and Your Pets

2011-07-21T07:40:00.001-07:00

You’ve been dreaming of that new kitchen, the dream deck, the renovated bathroom or the expanded living room. Planning is well underway. You are in the middle of talking with your contractor about tiles, fixtures, surfaces, lights and more. Everyone is excited, but what about Fido and Fluffy? Your pets’ health and well being need to be carefully considered and openly discussed as part of this planning process.

Planning Phase

During the planning of your construction or home renovation project, you should have early and frequent discussions with your contractor about the logistics surrounding all family pets. Even small renovation project such as painting can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety in your animal family members.

First, outline your normal daily routine of caring for your pet. Write down each detail on a piece of paper so you can map out where changes will need to be made. Pets need to be fed and watered – will these areas need to be changed? Will the outside spaces still be accessible for exercise your dog, cat or horses? Will small animal cages be in the way of the crew? Will there be fumes emitted from the project? Fumes can be very harmful to indoor housed pets, but can be deadly to birds. Will you need to move litter boxes to a new spot? If there will be a lot of noise, this can be very unnerving to pets housed indoors. Where will supplies be stored? Will there be potentially harmful debris on the ground and how will this be managed and cleaned? One nail left on the ground which becomes embedded in a horse’s foot can be a huge problem.

Second , consider temporary relocation options for your pet. Most pets would be more comfortable as far away from the noise and confusion of construction as possible. Is relocating your pet to another room or part of the house feasible and safe? Do you have a good way to secure that pet in the new location? What about boarding your dog/cat/horse somewhere offsite? Even better, would a family member or friend be able to take in your pet while the construction is going on?

Management

Crates/gates/locks – If you don’t already own some of these items, purchase or borrow them before the project begins. Crates and gates can be a safe way to secure your dog away from the confusion of the project. Gates and locks on door can ensure that project workers do not accidentally open doors and let your pets out when they need to stay in a certain location.

Signs – Post signs with simple, bulleted instructions or reminders for all people to see who are entering and exiting your home. For example, “Cats are indoor only, please keep door closed”. Or, “Dog in here, do not enter.” Making sure signs are posted and highly visual will ensure that mistakes do not happen through the duration of the project.

Collars/tags/microchips – Make sure all dogs and cats are wearing up-to-date collars and ID tags. If cats are indoor only, make sure the tag indicates this as well as your phone number. (i.e. – “Fluffy / (978) 123-4567 / INDOOR ONLY” or “Fido / (978) 123-4567 / OUTSIDE =LOST”) If your pets are not already micro-chipped, you may want to consider having this simple procedure done. Your vet can implant a tiny chip (the size of a grain of rice) under the skin. The number of the chip is then registered to you with your contact information should your pet get lost.

Leashes and tethers- When taking dogs in and out for walks make sure that they are securely leashed so as not to get loose and interrupt the project. Similarly, tethers can provide additional security to dog owners who may need to put a dog outside briefly during the day for potty breaks.

Routines

Start changes early! Pets, like children, thrive on routine and consistency. Disruption to their routines can lead to a wide array of behavior issues like litter box problems, aggression, anxiety and fear. By starting changes to your pet’s life in advance you can also see if there are modifications to your plan for your pets that need to be made. Some changes will need to be done gradually if your pets are particularly sensitive so doing things well in advance is best.

Fearful or Aggressive Pets

If your pet is highly fearful by nature or very aggressive to people, you will want to take extra precautions. The environmental changes which happen with a construction project can be even more difficult for a very fearful pet. If your dog, cat or horses are aggressive or unpredictable around strangers, you will want to take extra measures to secure your animals away from people and clearly communicate this to your contractors and any additional people who may be in and out of your home. In these cases, being overly cautious is a good thing. If you are not certain about your pet’s reactions to people, seek out advice from a certified trainer or your veterinarian.

In the end, all renovation projects end and things return to normal. With these steps taken in the planning and execution of your project, your pets are sure to be impacted in the least ways possible. For more information about this or other behavior assistance with your pets, contact the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen, MA at www.mspca.org/nevins or (978) 687-7453.

_______________________________________________________________________________

The MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen cared for more than 7,000 animals last year. The MSPCA does not receive state or federal funding and continues its work based solely on the generosity of its supporters. The MSPCA at Nevins Farm is located at 400 Broadway, Rte. 28 in Methuen and is open to the public from 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays & Thursdays; 11:00am – 4:00p.m. Wednesdays & Fridays; 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. To contact the MSPCA at Nevins Farm regarding adoptions and programs please call (978) 687-7453 x. 6101 or on the Web at: www.mspca.org/nevins.

Star Construction becomes Authorized Wellborn Contractor

2011-05-27T13:50:00.001-07:00

Your house has a heart...a pulse

2011-05-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Because of this, we can help you (just like a doctor). A doctor can guide you to getting and staying healthy. I haven’t met anyone yet, who does not want to be healthy. That holds true for the home they live in, too.

Similar to your doctor guiding you in health, we can help you get and keep your home in good shape. A regular diet of maintenance, like keeping it painted, with "systems" tuned up, will keep it running smoothly and looking good.

Regular work-outs can change the way that you look, providing you with more energy and less problems. The same can be said about your home. Flexing its muscles by adding insulation, upgrading electrical and/or heating systems, perhaps putting in a new kitchen, bathroom or even new flooring will keep it healthy and strong. It may get so strong that it needs to expand with an added room or rooms. And when that happens -- just like for your workout -- you should get help and guidance from those who can keep you from hurting yourself.

Let SCC guide you to a healthy, efficient, more productive and enjoyable home. We offer services for all sorts of home improvement, maintenance and expansion.

We design kitchens, baths and additions, as well as install windows and doors. We also tackle plumbing, electrical, masonry, siding, roofing, painting and wallpaper projects. We can also help with landscape design, engineering, land survey and insurance repairs.

Like your body, your house has many areas that are dependent on one another and need to monitored and maintained. SCC can help you and your home just like your doctor helps you keep your body health and strong.

Is Storm water backing up into your home?

2011-03-30T08:30:00.000-07:00

In many older houses with basements (mostly pre-1980), there is a perimeter foundation drain outside the exterior wall, at the level of the basement floor, next to the footings at the time the house was built. A pipe was usually installed from the perimeter foundation drain to the street where it was connected to the city storm sewer system.

This can become a problem as the city storm sewer system becomes too small when more development causes more rain runoff. When this happens, the rainwater in the sewer system can get so high that water flows backwards toward the house. The perimeter foundation drain fills with water and releases large quantities into the soil next to the footing and basement floor. The soil becomes water-logged and the water which is under hydrostatic pressure leaks into the basement.

Usually the installation of an interior perimeter basement drain system connected to a sump pump will take care of the problem. The interior perimeter basement drain system can usually pump the water out and onto the ground as fast as the water is backing up from the city storm sewer system.

Do you have wet basement problems?

2011-03-23T11:29:00.000-07:00

Call NOW for a FREE Estimate at your home!!

Nothing is more frustrating than dealing with a wet basement. It can damage walls and flooring and ruin irreplaceable items like furniture and family heirlooms. But knowing the causes of wet basements and how to prevent water damage can help avoid this frustration.

In order to prevent wet basements, it is important to understand where the water is coming from. There are four common sources of water that seeps into basements:

Surface water running down foundation walls
Groundwater in water-saturated soils being pushed into the basement by hydrostatic pressure
Storm sewer water from the municipal storm sewer system backing up into the home's existing perimeter foundation drain and leaking into the basement (this can only occur if the perimeter foundation drain system is connected to the municipal sewer system)
Sanitary sewer water from a combined municipal storm/sanitary sewer system backing up into the home's drain system, causing sewer water to come up through sink drains and floor drains on lower levels.

For more information go to:

The Basement Learning Center

Adopt a Contractor and Protect Your Assets

2011-02-22T12:11:00.001-08:00

by ChattanoogaRemodeler.com on January 23, 2011

If you are sitting on a million dollars or half a million dollars or even $200,000, you might consider getting advice from a financial advisor. With that kind of money, you’d want the best advice on how to grow your investment. During your first session with him you are going to go over your goals and ambitions, what assets you have, and when and how you plan to retire. With this information, your advisor will put together a plan to help you achieve your goals. You may put some of the money in stocks, some in bonds and some in annuities. At certain milestones you’ll change the funds from one place to another to maximize your return. Most of you will stick with your advisor for life, if he does a good job for you. Having a good financial advisor turns out to be a good move for you and your family.

We’ve all heard that most people’s homes are their largest assets. This is repeated in many ways, and in many circumstances. We’ve heard it so many times that it is rather a cliché of sorts, and we don’t give it that much thought. All we know is that when the time comes to sell our homes, we hope to get a good return on our investment.

So, how many of you have hired a financial advisor to protect your home, your largest asset in most cases? I’m guessing that very few have. Most live by the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” rule. When you think about this philosophy, as far as your house goes, it’s plain dumb. Take a look at car maintenance for instance. Do you perform routine preventative maintenance on it? Sure you do. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road somewhere. What if the airlines adopted that philosophy? Now that’s scary. Nobody would want to fly anymore. So why let your house rot, and then fix it. Why have your furnace fail on a cold night, and then fix it. Why let your home decrease in value when it could be increasing in value with routine maintenance.

I think you get my point by now. Routine maintenance on your home is very important, not only financially, but also in terms of your comfort and convenience. You need a trusted advisor to look over your entire home and see when certain parts of the home need to be replaced or serviced. You need to know when the repairs or maintenance will be needed and how much it will cost. It’s time to —– Adopt a contractor!

Just as you hired your financial advisor, you need to interview a few contractors and get references. She or he need to be experienced with all facets of your home. I would suggest a full service remodeler, possibly with design-then-build experience. They need to know what products are best, and how they should be installed and who should install them. A good contractor should be surrounded by experts in all fields. She or he should have built relations with the best in the business, so you get the best advice and service when it is needed.

Your home is a system. Everything in your home has to work together. Your home’s function is to keep you warm and dry, safe and comfortable at all times. It is an envelope that protects you from the outside world. Find a contractor that understands this; one that can see the big picture, and will guide you toward the best possible return on your investment. This should be a long term relation, so that your contractor becomes familiar with your home and your lifestyle and you know what to expect from your contractor. When you find such a person, life will be so much better. Now you can set up an annual budget for the future maintenance needs of your home and schedule them at your convenience.

Your contractor may not wear a suit and tie, but he may well be the most important financial advisor you’ve ever hired.

The Man Cave

2010-12-16T10:36:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of the year when we hear more about the “MAN CAVE”. You know that place where the man of the house goes to "hibernate". The place with all the comforts. Big screen TV, surround sound, the wet bar, reclining leather stadium seating, the kegerator, Gaming systems, movie library, the latest in music technology , automated lighting, and remote control everything , the pool table, arcade games and access to the barbecue. We recognize that not all of our readers may appreciate the "Man Cave"...Star Construction can transform your Master Bathroom into your oasis, complete with a soaking tub.

These room may in actuality be called the Family Room , The Theater Room , The Rec Room, The Playroom but all have the same theme , comfort and entertainment for one person to many people to enjoy relaxation time.

With the Super bowl only weeks away these room get move attention than other times of the year, but these room are used year round. Is your MAN CAVE what you really want it to be.

If not, we can help. We can renovate an existing room, build a new room for this specific purpose, or convert that space in the basement, attic or over the garage. We will help you design the space, we’ll build it out, install all your equipment, show you how it all works and make your MAN CAVE , REC-ROOM, THEATER ROOM or what ever you call it the talk of the family and neighborhood. But you’ll have to supply the beer and food.

Send us your questions

2010-11-19T08:34:00.001-08:00

A number of questions have come my way lately and I wanted to take the time to address some of the more common ones.

I was at a Ski Club meeting the other day and was asked: Can I still add an addition now that the weather is getting cold…you can’t do concrete now in the cold weather right?
Concrete can actually be poured year-round...even in the dead of winter. It will cost a little more because the ground and the pour must be protected to keep it from freezing before the concrete sets. So, the short answer is “Yes”, you can still do a foundation for an addition even in cold weather. If you’re considering an addition this winter, please contact us and we’ll be glad to help.

Another question I am asked a lot is: Can I add a room in my attic? Well that depends... there are a few things that can really change the scope of the project Is there a place for a stairway or do you already have one? Are the existing ceiling joists sized properly to support a room above? What is the pitch of your existing roof line? Do you have enough clearance to just put up some knee-walls and ceiling? If not, you may need to add a dormer.
So the answer is yes, no and maybe.

Lastly, another question that I am always asked is: I would like to finish my basement; however, it sometimes gets water. Can you build something that will not get ruined by the water if it leaks? Well, basement waterproofing has come a long way and many basements can be kept dry by putting in a perimeter drain system. In addition, choosing “finish materials” in your lower level that are water resistant can give you peace of mind when finishing off your basement. So, if you want to finish your basement or just want to keep it dry check with us here at Star Construction. We will work with you to find the best approach for you.

I hope these answers help you. If you have more questions, please click here to e-mail them to us, and we’d be happy to answer them for you.

Is Your Home Growing with your Family?

2010-11-09T04:37:00.000-08:00

Is Your Home Growing As Your Family Changes?

There is still time to expand, even with winter coming.

Have you had a change in your family? Finding you need additional space because one of the kids has come back home to live? Or, perhaps you have an elder that has moved in with you, or you are expecting a newborn? We can help! There is still time to add a room or convert a garage or basement into additional living space. We build year-round, provided the foundation is in the ground before the frost sets in. So, if you would like to add that extra room now is the time start.

Let us say you do have a garage or basement you want to convert to a sports room, playroom or home theater. Well then you are ready to get started. What are you waiting for?

Star Construction can easily help turn that space into one or more useable rooms, even after the snow starts to fly.

Hundreds of winners in the Kitchen Kollaborative Raffle

2010-10-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

We were unable to reach the min 400 ticket in order to declare a winner so all monies are being returned and the discounts will be honored. The returns are being processed now, and being sent out now.

Everyone wins - everyone will receive their $100.00 and an additional ticket worth $100 when use toward a $1,500 one-time purchase at any of the following: Star Construction, Uptack Plumbing, Samarra Painting, Donna Michaels Flooring, Appliance Warehouse and Winslow Electrical.

As a bonus we have drawn one ticket to receive a $25.00 Gift cert to David's Tavern. That person is Monique Labrecque of Newbury. Thanks you to all who participated and congrats to Monique.

Typical projects and what do they cost

2010-09-14T12:36:00.000-07:00

Room additions

Room additions will include plans, permits, excavation, foundation piers, wood frame floor, plywood sub-floor, wood framing of wall, wood framed roof, all plywood sheathing, insulated exterior envelope, opening to adjoining existing structure, four windows, vinyl siding, asphalt roofing, plastered walls and ceiling, wall to wall carpet with pad and underlayment, wood interior trim, interior painting, electric heat, electrical convenience outlets, site cleanup and rough grading.

A one-story room addition (12 x 12) on piers start at $25,000

Garages

Garages will include plans , permits, excavation, concrete foundation, concrete slab, wood framing of wall, woof framed and roof, all plywood sheathing, garage doors, one window, one overhead pull chain light, vinyl siding, asphalt roofing, site cleanup and rough grading.

Single car attached - $20,000 and up
Two car detached - $25,000.00 and up

Kitchens

The average price of $60,000 for a Major Kitchen Project and $22,000 for a minor kitchen project was reported in Remodeling Magazine for Eastern Massachusetts.

2008-09 Projects Major Kitchen Remodel Update a completely obsolete, 200-square-foot kitchen with a functional layout of 30 linear feet of semi-custom wood cabinets, including a 3 foot-by-5-foot island; laminate counter-tops; and standard double-tub stainless-steel sink with standard single-lever faucet. Include energy-efficient wall oven, cook-top, ventilation system, built-in microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, and custom lighting. New resilient flooring. Finished with painted walls, trim, and ceiling.
2008-09 Projects Minor Kitchen Remodel In a functional, but dated 200-square-foot kitchen with 30 linear feet of cabinetry and counter-tops, leave cabinet boxes in place but replace fronts with new raised-panel wood doors and drawers, including new hardware. Replace wall oven and cook-top with new energy-efficient models. Replace laminate counter-tops; install mid-priced sink and faucet. Repaint trim, add wall covering, and remove and replace resilient flooring.

To see more of our portfolio, please click here:

Imagine Your Home with a Brand New $50,000 Kitchen!

2010-08-03T14:16:00.000-07:00

Kitchen Raffle

$50,000 value kitchen remodel limited to 500 tickets at $100 apiece

We hope you're as excited as we are about the Kitchen Raffle that we created with several of the areas finest businesses under the name of the Kitchen Kollaborative: The Drawing Room interior design, Uptack Plumbing, Winslow Electrical Service, Samarra Painting, Appliance Warehouse, Donna Michaels Carpet and Flooring, and of course Star Construction. David's Tavern will provide the winning family one meal with childcare during the renovation, (excludes alcohol). Carryout Cafe' will supply lunches and dinners for four days for the family during the construction. To top it all off. Stephen Deffley of Got Thyme the personal culinary coach, will cook you a gourmet meal in your new kitchen once it's complete.

Kitchen Kollaborative offers a kitchen remodel valued at $50,000. Tickets will be limited to 500 tickets at $100 apiece. So, 1/500 are your odds of winning a brand-new $50,000 kitchen.

There are some rules; here's what you have to know:

* A minimum of 400 tickets must be sold.

* If 400 tickets are not sold your money will be returned.

* The drawing will be held at the end of the Newburyport Elementary School PTO Kitchen Tour.

* Winner must start claim process within 60 days of drawing

* Winner must be be within 20 mile of Newburyport city limits

* Winner outside of 20 miles limit will receive at $30,000 cash price

* Winner will be responsible for any and all taxes applicable

* Your $100.00 ticket will be redeemable at the some major business involved for it's full cash value, provided you present your ticket and make a one-time purchase of $1500 or more, so keep your ticket safe.

You'll be able to buy your tickets at Donna Michaels Flooring, Appliance Warehouse. David's Tavern, Carryout Cafe' and Star Construction. More locations will be announced as they come on board .

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Newburyport Elementary School PTO, 10% of the proceeds up to $5000. So buy your tickets early, tell your friends and family to buy them too.

Remember we need to sell at least 400 tickets to make this happen. If you are interested, or just want to ask a few more questions, click on this button and mark the subject line with "$50,000 Kitchen".

Good luck .

Even with all this dry weather...

2010-07-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

...your home may be suffering from a common moisture problem.

The weather over the last couple months has shown we have problems with some basic building elements, specifically siding and siding application. The common practice seems to be the improper application of building papers, elimination of building paper, or to stop the building paper short of flashing. Also the use of finger jointed exterior trim seems to be having its own set of problems. It's common nowadays for builders to use oriented strand board sheathing attached to the structural framing. This product is fine provided it is protected from the elements, which means that we want it to stay dry. The problem we're seeing is that because the siding is installed without building papers or house wrap underneath it, the oriented strand board of many of these homes has become saturated, expanded and disintegrated on the side of the house. Building paper is meant to be a barrier between the siding and sheathing of the home, which attaches directly to the framing, giving structural integrity and nailing base for the siding.

Where we have found building paper or weather barrier applied to the sheathing, in a lot of cases it seems to have been applied before flashing and never brought down over the top of the flashing. This in itself allows water to get behind the flashing and into the structure and again creates the rot and mold and mildew problems that have become an issue of recent years.

New England uses much wood siding, more than any other part of country, and typically a lot of that siding is clapboard which is more prone to having moisture penetration during windy rain storms, than other types of siding. Because of that, a barrier between sheathing and the siding is important under all siding, especially clapboards, to allow the water to drain down that barrier and pass over the top of the flashing getting delivered to the outside. In developments, especially where there are multiple contractors working on a project, it is easy for these things to get missed, skipped, or be eliminated deliberately. Building paper and weather barriers seem to be one of the most common.

The Star Construction Company approach is to start right by using plywood instead of oriented strand board, then a good building paper or wrap, proper flashing detail, optional drainage plane, then the siding. The price difference is insignificant when it comes to repairs, if you have to remove and replace the siding and sheathing from the side of your house and replace it because of poor material selection and or bad installation. So it's better to spend a couple of dollars up front and do things right the first time.

The optional drainage planes add a little to the cost of doing the siding job, but can also extend the life of the siding and the life of the paint job on the siding. Because they allow moisture to get removed from behind the siding, it keeps the siding dryer and lets the paint hold better. Again some upfront cost that can save you a lot of dollars in the long run.

We also mentioned finger jointed trim, finger jointed trim is a way to economize on wood waste by using the interlocking finger jointed patent with exterior glue to make a long the board of short pieces. Provided the moisture level in each piece stays the same, the integrity of the joint remains strong and healthy. Unfortunately, each piece of wood will absorb moisture at a different ratio. When two pieces of wood accumulate moisture content at severely different ratios the joint become stressed and generally fail. In very wet areas, using solid lumber to eliminate the possibility of a joint failure, maintains the integrity of the wood. Of course there are areas that are more prone to moisture, such as the bottom of garage door trim or window sills. These areas are generally prone to rot first. Sometimes the use of plastic composite materials may be a better long-term approach, even if it's not the greenest material to use.

Proper material selection is important. But proper installation is even more important no mater what the material. Stars approach is to use time-tested materials and proven installation techniques.

Kitchen Raffle Deadline Extended

2010-07-26T10:13:00.000-07:00

We are excited to announce that the deadline for the $50,000 Luxury Kitchen Makeover has been extended to October 1st, 2010. The contest rules remain the same, and the tickets with the drawing date on July 24, 2010 will be honored. Tickets are still available at David's Tavern, Carryout Café, Donna Michaels Flooring, Appliance Warehouse, the UPS store in Amesbury, the WNBP 1450 studio, Star Construction, Uptack Plumbing, Samara Painting, Winslow Electrical, or Donna Michaels Carpeting and Flooring. Please contact any of these businesses for your chance to win!

Kitchen Raffle/RRP Rule Information

2010-07-08T12:37:00.001-07:00

Kitchen Raffle

I'd like to have you forward our kitchen raffle information to your friends and family and direct them here to our blog so they have an opportunity get in on this drawing. This is a great opportunity to get a new kitchen for just $100. So if you have family or friends in the area who are in need of a kitchen, have mentioned a kitchen renovation, or just thought about a kitchen update, please send this along and help them out. And at the same time, you’ll be helping the PTO and Newburyport schools provide programs they wouldn't otherwise have access to. So please spread the word. Go to our Facebook Page and "Share" the information with all your local friends!

There is still time to get raffle tickets. We've added a few more places for you to get them as well. To read the entire article, click here.

Did you realize that Star Construction Company has a Remodeling Radio Program? Tune in to 1450 AM on Saturdays at 7:30 a.m., or stream us on the web at WNBP.com.

New Lead Paint Law
There is a new law going into effect countrywide about lead-safe practices. Since we've mentioned it on a radio program, I have neglected putting it out a newsletter, so let me bring you up to date. The law is been around since 1994, but the recent administration has aggressively put mandatory practices in place and they are enforcing compliance. It is known as the RRP Rule, and it’s administered and enforced under the authority of the EPA. To learn more as to how this new law may effect your project, click here.

Mixed info on the RRP rule

2010-06-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

We recently found a publication straight from the EPA on the Renovation, Repair, and Painting Rule...please click here for more details. As always, Bob is on top of the current rules and regulations that impact the Construction Industry.