Over the past few months, GuildQuality has reviewed more than 300 applicants for the 2013 Guildmaster Awards. Based on their review of our company’s feedback, we are pleased to announce that Blue Ribbon Residential Construction Company has earned recognition as a “2013 Guildmaster with Distinction“.

The primary requirement for receiving this high honor is exemplary customer service, as demonstrated by an extremely high customer recommendation rate. In the home building, remodeling, and real estate industry, the average customer recommendation rate for businesses is approximately 70%.  In order to receive the award as a member, Blue Ribbon Residential Construction must have achieved a recommendation rate of 90% or greater.  We received 97%!

We take tremendous pride in providing the highest quality work and the highest level of customer service possible.  Because of this, many of our customers return to us for subsequent projects.

Says the company’s owner, John Sperath:

“Over my 25 years in the Professional Remodeling business I have learned to listen carefully to prospective clients and develop solutions to their problems. Oftentimes, we’ll brain storm together regarding their personal likes, needs and wants to drill down to exactly what their mind’s eye is seeing so that I can see it, too.  I solidly believe in renovating people’s homes based on need now, and in the future. Through creative design ideas, my team and I build client confidence throughout the design process so there is full and ultimate trust on the client’s part before the first nail is driven or the first wall taken down.

Remodeling your castle has a definite fear factor. i.e. will it be done right, will they trash my house in the process, have I made the right decisions, will my family be safe while the workmen are in the house, will I get good value for my money, etc.  If we didn’t address the fear factor with each and every client, we would not have the referral base that we do and the extensive list of repeat clients.”

Click the link below to read the actual reviews!

http://www.guildquality.com/cr/Blue-Ribbon-Residential-Construction-Company/NZM49769831TM/

1. Dust and Noise. There’s no way to avoid it, but there are ways to contain it. Putting up plastic or using a temporary wall to close off the construction area from the rest of the house will greatly reduce dust from spreading and temper the noise. And when it all gets on your nerves, go for a walk or a shopping trip to pick out some new accessories for your new space.
2. Highs and Lows. Embrace the process and celebrate the joy – whether it’s seeing the old vinyl flooring removed or the installation of the glass tile you agonized over – be happy – your project is finally underway! However, if “remodeling fatigue” sets in because you simply want the project to be done, the workers gone, and your house returned to normal – hang in there and try to focus on how amazing your space will look when it’s all done.
3. Unexpected Delays. Expecting the unexpected is certainly the adage for remodeling. Count on finding something no one could have anticipated in your budget and time frame, and be resilient when the schedule shifts a bit.
4. Change Orders. Most often occur because of things that you decide to add or change outside of the original scope of the job. When you absolutely, positively have to make a change, your contractor will document it with a change order and adjust the cost.
5. Cash Concerns. Sometimes costs increase, especially with change orders, which can cause your anxiety level to rise. Having cash on hand that’s a bare minimum of 10 percent above contract for contingencies will help alleviate that stress. Have 20 percent if you want to worry less.
6. Outliers. At the end of your project, expect one or two punch-list items that will take longer to resolve than anything else. The important thing is to get the final details right, even if they take a little longer.

To claim a tax credit, you’ll need to file Form 5695 along with your federal tax return for the year the improvement is made. The credit will be subtracted from the amount of tax you owe or added to your tax refund. You are also required to obtain for your records a manufacturer’s certification statement which indicates the product qualifies for a tax credit. Get all the details on how to qualify HERE.

Blue Ribbon Residential Construction can help you make energy efficient investments in your home. Here are some of the credits you can take advantage of:

• 10% of the cost of insulation materials and systems, not including installation.

• 10% of the cost of qualifying exterior doors, windows and skylights, not including installation.  (Credits for windows and skylights are capped at $200.)

• 10% of the cost of metal and asphalt roof’s specially designed to keep buildings cooler, not including installation.

• $50 for a furnace fan called a main air circulating fan

• $150 for a natural gas, propane or oil furnace or hotwater boiler with an annual fuel utilization efficiency rate of 95% or greater.

• $300 for an electric heat pump water heater with an energy factor of at least 2.0

• $300 for a highly efficient electric heat pump

• $300 for a highly efficient central air conditioner

• $300 for a natural gas, propane or oil water heater with an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90%

• $300 for a biomass stove

If Blue Ribbon has helped you with energy efficient projects in 2012, give us a call for the information you need to get your tax credit.

* Original article by Mary Beth Breckenridge, Akron Beacon Journal

10.  Kitchen Cabinets: The look is clean, simple and contemporary. For a more cost effective solution – consider re-facing or refinishing… you still get the ‘Wow’ factor but for a lot less money.

9.    Countertops: Move over granite… the new kid in town is quartz composite (i.e. Silestone, Zodiaq). Durable, low maintenance and endless color choices – it’s every homeowner’s dream!

8.    Hardwood Floors:  Pre-finished and engineered wood flooring is gaining popularity… get a hard durable finish that never needs sanding (no dust!) or refinishing.

7.    Glass Backsplashes:  Glass/stone/tile mosaic composites add more texture and visual interest and are ‘key’ to a contemporary, clean-looking kitchen.

6.    Stylishly Simple Sinks:  Say ‘hello’ to deep, single-bowl sinks that now come with accessories like fitted colanders and dish drains. Stainless is still diehard, but quartz composites (again) are quickly taking over.

5.    Color Palette: Charcoal is the new black.  2013 will find this silky color everywhere as it blends the right amount of chocolate, grey and a touch of green.

4.    Bathroom Countertops: Calacatta marble – a rarer stone than Carrara marble – is quarried in the same region and valued for a whiter background and bolder grey veins.

3.    Texture and Sparkle: For a fresh, new looksimply add pops of bold color and elements of sparkle…  glossy glass tile backsplashes and polished nickel fixtures do the trick!

2.    Living In Your Home Longer/Multi-Generational Living: A certified aging-in-place specialist (CAPS) can help aging baby boomers safely stay in their homes, for as long as possible. Watch for easy kitchen and bath upgrades to enhance functionality, comfort and safety.

1.    Healthy Home, Healthy Living: The number one trend for 2013 will be to create a healthy living environment, free of toxins and harsh chemicals.  Upgrade trends include the use of low VOC materials to improve indoor air quality, testing combustion safety, and radon mitigation.

Read the full article here.

Raleigh boasts an unemployment rate just below the national average as well as academia, libraries and resources that are second to none. Located between Raleigh and Durham, the Research Triangle Park is home to many cutting edge medical and technology companies.

Additionally, Raleigh is known for many things including the Carolina Hurricanes, its NHL team, gorgeous weather and temperate climates nearly year-round and the annual North Carolina State Fair. For history buffs, old homes, historic districts and museums abound. The revitalized downtown Raleigh area is home to an eclectic mix of history and modern conveniences.

Whether young or old, professional or retired, no matter where you are in life, Raleigh has something you will love. It’s a great place to live, work and place!

Source: http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/2012-09-26/americas-50-best-cities#slide34

Although the home looks great as is, the homeowner wanted to make a beautiful statement and have it ready for their Christmas Decorations.  Stay tuned to see the progress and final photos.

I’m hearing from architects, designers and remodelers that their workloads are beginning to increase again, and it appears that things are looking up for many of us involved in the world of house remodeling.  This book is designed to help homeowners understand the possibilities for remodeling in a Not So Big way, either by staying within the home’s existing footprint, or adding on a little if necessary.  It’s about how to do more with less, how to use every dollar available more wisely, how to improve energy efficiency, and how to prepare to work with the professionals needed to help realize a remodeling project.

I’ve loved hearing from homeowners, architects, designers and remodelers about the benefits of using this book in accomplishing their various remodeling projects, and am excited about the potential of the paperback to help even more people save money while improving the quality, character and functionality of their existing homes.

Please help me spread the word. If anyone you know is thinking about remodeling in the not too distant future, they need this book.

And architects, designers, and remodelers, this book is intended to make your job easier by priming your clients and customers ahead of time, so they know what to look for and how to think about their projects in a Not So Big way.

]]> http://www.blue-ribbon-construction.com/2012/09/announcing-not-so-big-remodeling-now-in-paperback/feed/ 0 http://www.blue-ribbon-construction.com/2012/08/home-building-activity-now-vs-a-year-ago/ http://www.blue-ribbon-construction.com/2012/08/home-building-activity-now-vs-a-year-ago/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2012 02:13:29 +0000 BlueRibbon http://www.blue-ribbon-construction.com/?p=810 Each month a report is issued to members of the Home Builders Association of Raleigh / Wake County.  This month’s report covered activity in June 2012 as well as a January through June comparison 2011 vs 2012.  Very nice progress on the home construction and renovation front.  Did you know that if all permits pulled in the first six months of this year approximately 6777 jobs will be added to the local employment situation.  That does not count the money added to the economy through increased spending at gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, and grocery stores.