Construction Advice

Quality of Workmanship

Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:23:00 +0000

For what single feature are all buyers most looking for? The National Association of Home Builders reported in a survey (What Buyers Want, National Association of Home Builders, 1989) that quality of workmanship in the appearance of all improvements ranked highest. A professional appearance in the finished product was valued more highly than the project itself.

In general, the cost of renovations that brings a residence up to par with other similar homes in a neighborhood can be nearly recovered at resale; over-enhancements may not be recovered. The results of national surveys are provided as an indication to valuation. These are national averages. Results vary from localities where low cost of construction is available to localities where cost of construction is high.

Solar Power Cost Effectiveness

Tue, 02 Oct 2007 13:05:27 +0000

Solar power is still not cost effective with photovoltics (PV) costing in the neighborhood of 30 cents per kilowatt and 20-22 cents per kilowatt for solar thermal plants. Taxpayers subsidize this inefficient roll out of solar panels by way of government (on the backs of taxpayer) subsidized incentives instead of waiting for the technology to improve.











Solar thermal essentially uses mirrors to heat water or other liquids, turn it into steam that cranks turbines to provide electricity. PV, by contrast, takes the rays of the sun and converts it into electricity without water or a turbine.











There is hope in a company called Ausra (manufactures a solar thermal product) who have developed technology that cuts the cost of solar thermal to 8 cents per kilowatt. They use batteries to provide power when the sun isn’t shining. Solar panels for PV use the same expensive silicon that computer chips do.










The shortage of the silicon is driving up prices. It is not clear if or when at all that solar power will become cost competitive with oil, coal or nuclear power.

U. S. Average Revenue per KWh is 7.62 cents

STATE	CENTS PER KWh
KENTUCKY	4.63
IDAHO	4.97
WYOMING	4.98
WEST VIRGINIA	5.13
INDIANA	5.58
ARKANSAS	5.67
UTAH	5.69
NORTH DAKOTA	5.69
NEBRASKA	5.70
WASHINGTON	5.80
MISSOURI	6.07
ALABAMA	6.08
TENNESSEE	6.14
OREGON	6.21
SOUTH CAROLINA	6.22
MINNESOTA	6.24
KANSAS	6.37
IOWA	6.40
MONTANA	6.40
VIRGINIA	6.43
SOUTH DAKOTA	6.44
OKLAHOMA	6.50
GEORGIA	6.58
ILLINOIS	6.80
WISCONSIN	6.88
OHIO	6.89
MICHIGAN	6.94
COLORADO	6.95
NORTH CAROLINA	6.97
MISSISSIPPI	7.00
NEW MEXICO	7.10
LOUISIANA	7.13
MARYLAND	7.15
ARIZONA	7.45
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA	7.47
DELAWARE	7.53
TEXAS	7.95
PENNSYLVANIA	8.00
FLORIDA	8.16
NEVADA	8.56
MAINE	9.69
CONNECTICUT	10.26
NEW JERSEY	10.29
MASSACHUSETTS	10.77
RHODE ISLAND	10.96
ALASKA	10.99
VERMONT	11.02
NEW HAMPSHIRE	11.37
CALIFORNIA	11.45
NEW YORK	12.55
HAWAII	15.70

Construction 3-4-5 Square Layout

Sun, 22 Jul 2007 19:23:12 +0000

One of the tricks in carpentry is to determine how square a layout is or to check an existing layout for square . The custom is to use a 3-4-5 triangle or multiples thereof such as 6,8,10 forming a 90-degree angle opposite the hypotenuse.

The 3-4-5 method is easy to remember but is not the only option to determine square on a construction job. You can use any triangle that conforms to the formula a

² + b² = c², where "a" and "b" are the two sides that meet at the right angle and "c" is the hypotenuse.

In other words you can use a 5-12-13 triangle, a 8-15-17 or a 7-24-25 triangle for checking square. This is a timesaver when working around obstacles you’ll need to dodge in the course of project such as a wall or other object. While the 3-4-5 is easy to remember, it is not the only set of numbers you can use.

Appraisal Price Concessions

Mon, 16 Jul 2007 12:52:49 +0000

Often a home’s values are lower than the sales price since many concession are made.

Before putting it on the market, they may install new carpets, new windows dressings,
ceramic tile, new kitchen appliances, redo the kitchen, new ceiling fans, repaint the
interior or replace window air conditioner units.

If the home still doesn’t sell they may paint the exterior, do extensive landscaping,
walkway changes or change entrance features etc.

If after six months on the market, a potential buyer may like some of the home but
did not add on features and ask for a price concession. Sellers may have to make
numerous financial concessions, not reflected in the sales price to unload their
properties. This is a buyers market,

If you sold you a house for $550,000 but gave you $50,000 in concessions, then that
house's real value is $500,000. But, since only the sold price is recorded you can’t
tell the Department of Revenue that home values is lower than the sales price when
you use a comparable in your property tax appeal or appraisal unless you prove it
with a study.

The housing glut, increases in property taxes and skyrocketing homeowners' insurance
rates are reflected in the real estate market. Price concessions are hard to prove
and a study to prove a lower sold value for the comparable homes due to price
concessions is debateable.

Often a home’s actual value is lower than the sales price since many price concession
are made. If you are using a comparable sales to determine market value, that figure
may in reality be much lower than the actual recorded price indicated.

Do-It-Yourself Electrical Wiring

Sat, 23 Jun 2007 13:10:52 +0000

Electrical wiring is basically simple and extensive knowledge and experience can be picked up easily from books and tapes. Most of the wiring is hidden so the "skill" aspect of a fine craftsman or carpenter is not needed. Be sure to get an electrical inspection if it is a large project to be on the safe side as well as use the electrical inspector to get training and advice. The cost is minimal and the process nearly painless.

For complete article go to do-it-yourself electrical wiring

Installing Concrete Pavers

Wed, 23 May 2007 13:18:13 +0000

installing concrete paver block.

Beautify your home using concrete paver blocks. Concrete pavers makes sense when weighed against aesthetics of concrete and often the environmentally unfriendly asphalt driveway. Besides, pavers come in such a wide variety of colors, textures, patterns and sizes that add value and beauty to almost any application. The added curb appeal makes pavers a popular outdoor home enhancement.

Concrete pavers come in a variety of sizes, textures, shapes and colors that will blend in or make a statement. The cost of installation is minimal if one does it as a do-it-your-self project and repair is simple. If at some time one needs to install pipes for plumbing or electric and need to cross the path of a paver sidewalk re-installing the same pavers is simple and incurs no extra expense. For more information click

Home Prices Fell 2% in First Quarter Nationwide

Wed, 16 May 2007 13:20:05 +0000

According to the National Accociation of Realtors, single family homes nationwide fell 2.8% for the 1st quarter 2007. The median price was $216,100.

In the Midwest, prices fell 2.8%. In the East down 2.5%. In the West 1.8%. The NAR feel that the worste of the price correction has already taken place.