Judie Docs, Executive Officer, North Coast Building Industry Association (NCBIA) www.ncbia.com, CSP, MCSP, CGP, CMP, MIRM
After a busy holiday season, you may be ready to relax at home during the remaining winter months. If you’ve been thinking about making home updates, you don’t have to wait until the spring. Housing industry professionals are always ready to tackle new projects and work with suppliers year around. Typically, during the “off-season,” home improvement experts offer discounts or lower prices to attract customers. While remodelers have been busy during the pandemic, you may find it easier to schedule a project during the winter months or get a break on the price.
Here are a few projects to consider during this winter season:
Refresh Your Floors. Hardwoods are a beautiful and classic feature of home decor. Like other home features, hardwoods need regular attention to maintain their appeal. Over time, dents and scratches can appear on your floor due to use. Sand and refinishing hardwoods can improve their condition. Refinishing hardwoods can be a DIY project; however, the task usually involves heavy machinery, loud noise, and plenty of dust. A professional floor refinisher can rejuvenate your floors, quickly, correctly and deploy dust mitigation techniques.
Update Your Roof. If the weather conditions are mild during the winter months, replacing your roof is an option. If you decide to take on this project, you’ll have to be patient. Cold temperatures present some workflow challenges. In many cases, materials such as asphalt shingles, require special handling and in some cases alternative adhesives when the temperature is cold. Your roof replacement might be completed through a series of fits and starts. Making this type of home improvement off-season will allow you to take advantage of a roofer’s flexible schedule.
Replace Your Windows. If you have old windows, you’ll start to notice them around the colder months. Try this: Stand close to your window. If there is a noticeable temperature drop or draft near your window, it’s time for a replacement. Other telling signs for window replacements include condensation build-up or operational challenges (opening and closing). During the off-season, window replacement businesses may have special pricing and can complete your project in a shorter time frame. A professional will ensure the temperature isn’t disrupted too much during the replacement process.
Renew Your Walls. An easy way to rejuvenate a space is to repaint or add a new color to the wall. A fresh coat of paint can transform a room. Even a smaller painting project, such as painting one wall a bold hue, can liven up an existing space. Before taking on this task in the winter months, you’ll want to make sure the interior of your home is warm enough for the paint to stick well. Paint manufacturers usually provide information on the best temperatures for adhesion. Like many other home improvement professionals during the off-season, finding a painting contractor should be easy.
To find a qualified professional to help with home improvement projects this winter or any time of year, contact the NCBIA.
We are your local not-for-profit trade association representing member companies involved in all aspects of home building, remodeling, and other aspects of services available to help you in the future as well as more information on the above topic. So, you can see it is for your protection that you use a NCBIA member. If you are unsure that your contractor is a member of the NCBIA or you are looking for a list of NCBIA members, you can visit our website at www.ncbia.com or call 440-934-1090. We also have a job posting board (under the industry tab).
Visit our New 24/7 Virtual Parade of Homes!!! Allows you to look at some of our builders’ new homes and communities on your mobile device or computer at your leisure (including our remodelers) We know time is our greatest asset and via our NCBIA Virtual Parade of Homes, we save you time looking for a new home or a community that fits your lifestyle. The Virtual Parade of Homes is open online 24/7. Many of the homes featured in our Virtual Parade host regular open house hours for those consumers who are looking to tour the actual homes. You can click through to builder websites to see what they have to offer.
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