An addition project involves hundreds of choices, about everything from the overall design approach to the materials you’ll use. But no decision will have as large an impact on the success of the job as the choice of the team you hire to do the job. So don’t make a snap decision. Follow this simple six-step vetting process:

1. Get Recommendations. There are possibly hundreds of contractors in your area who’d love to come and build your addition. But to get your job done right, on time and on budget, you need to be very careful about which one you choose. Talk to friends who’s taste and sensibilities you trust and who’ve recently done similar projects. Talk to tradesmen who’ve done good work for you before. Put together a short list of 3 to 5 contractors with topnotch recommendations.

2. Show Your Project. Invite each of the contractors on your short list to come and look at your project, making sure to drop the name of the person who recommended them. “Just as the homeowner is vetting the contractor, we’re vetting the homeowner and the project,” says Eden Prairie, Minn., design-build contractor Mark Mackmiller. “And a referral from a great customer gets my attention.” Walk through the house—and your ideas—with the contractor, taking notes on his feedback and any other impressions you get about him. If you like what you hear, ask him to bid on the job.

3. Look at Their Other Jobs. Look at the quality and aesthetics of the finished job. And check the ongoing project to see the professionalism of the crew and the cleanliness of the jobsite. Take notes about your impressions, either at the scene or immediately afterward, because things can start to blend together when you’re visiting numerous sites with different contractors.

4. Check Their References. Ask, also, for some references you can speak with. If a contractor produces a long list of names in and nearby your community, that’s a terrific sign because a short list could be a bunch of ringers (like family members and friends—or the few happy customers he’s ever had). Call a random sampling from the list, not the first ones, and ask them some pointed questions, such as if they’d use the contractor again, what his greatest strength is, what his biggest weakness is, if there were any cost or time overruns on the project and so forth.

5. Compare Their Bids. When you see the bids, don’t focus too much on price. Unless you’ve already designed and specified the project in a pretty detailed manner (in other words, you’ve hired an architect and already have the plans), the contractors are all guessing at what your project will entail. A single window can range from $300 to $1,200 for example, depending on the product you choose.  But the bid does offer you a good window into the approach each contractor will take.

6. Go With Your Gut. After throwing out any extremely high or low bids, both of which are typically trouble, set aside the prices they’ve quoted and think about what you’ve learned about each candidate from one-on-one conversations, from looking at their work, from talking to their customers, and from looking at their proposals. By now, you’ve learned a lot about the style, character and diligence of each one, says New York City architect Dennis Wedlick. And it’s those factors that you should consider most in your decision.

By Oliver Marks

To Read the Full Article from HGTV Remodels, Click Here.

About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

No matter how small your outdoor space — hard to believe but this is actually a carport — make it pop with paper lanterns, table linens and fresh flowers in look-at-me shades. Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves and add cushions or pillows to chairs; comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit a spell. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Bring the Indoors Out

No patio furniture? No worries! Weather permitting, bring your dining table, chairs, china, glasses and utensils outdoors to turn your fête into a fine-dining experience. Guests will appreciate the extra effort and your carefully-prepared meal will look (and taste) much better served on china instead of a flimsy, disposable plate. Design by One Charming Party; photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat

Freshen Up Tired Surfaces

Turn a worn deck into a colorful outdoor room with a few coats of paint and coordinating draperies made from weather-resistant fabric. To ensure a lasting painted finish, first sand the deck to create a smooth surface then coat with exterior deck or porch paint which is specifically formulated to withstand foot traffic and weather. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Pick a Palette

The same rule of three (main colors, that is) that applies to selecting an indoor color scheme also works when planning an outdoor party. Choose three main colors to create a theme then carry those colors throughout with accessories like napkins, plates, place cards, paper pom-poms, pennants or balloons. Design by Kim Stoegbauer

Construct a DIY Buffet in a Snap

If you’re short on surfaces for serving guests, try this designers’ go-to trick: lay a hollow-core door or thick piece of plywood over evenly-spaced sawhorses, cover with fabric and voila — a beautiful buffet table with plenty of serving space that can be broken down again and stored when the party’s over. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

Make a Splash

Pool parties are a great way to cool off on a hot day, but ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves without overdoing it can require a bit of planning ahead. Guests may forget to bring pool necessities like a towel, sunscreen, goggles and ear plugs, so it’s best to have several on hand along with plenty of iced beverages so partygoers don’t become dehydrated from too much fun in the sun. Image courtesy of Oxford Garden

During the last few years, the backyard living concept has evolved from a deck or patio area to true outdoor living spaces complete with full kitchens, eating, sitting and living areas. And with this rise in the popularity of outdoor living spaces, it’s no surprise that outdoor structures such as gazebos, arbors, trellises, pergolas and the like are also more in demand.

“People aren’t looking for a simple outdoor space anymore. They’re thinking in terms of defining spaces with walls, ceilings and roofs, but only in an open sense to blend with the outdoors,” says Ernie Sears, president and owner of Backyard America of Manassas, Va. Ernie began his business as a building contractor specializing in outdoor structures, but since 1998 has been providing design services and fabricating kits for customers all over the country.

“Pergolas have really taken off over the last few years,” says Ernie. “They’ve gone from practically zero percent of our business to the single largest segment.”

Michael Mendelsohn, owner of Mendelsohn Construction in Scottsdale, Ariz., is also seeing his business grow as a result of more outdoor structures. “Every home I’m doing, we’re enlarging the back patio areas — even after the plans are done. People want more multi-use living centers with TVs and full kitchens.”

For Contractors, Not Much Difference Most outdoor structures are some sort of variation or combination of a deck, patio, pergola, arbor, trellis or gazebo, and sometimes they may be of a custom design or even go by different names to reflect their function or region of the country (lanai, ramada, veranda). But they all serve the same basic function: to provide an aesthetically pleasing place to hang light fixtures, fans or A/V equipment, provide shade or a break from the wind, and even as a place to locate cooling misters or infrared heaters.

“These structures are all about expanding use,” says Ernie. “People want to get more useful hours per day and more useful days per year from the outdoor living spaces.”

From a contractor’s standpoint, the same basic principles of design and construction apply as to the main house: use materials and design similar to those of the home to blend the two structures, make sure you follow all codes — especially those regarding setbacks and electrical/gas hookups, and choose materials and build carefully so that the structure will stand up to the elements.

“Where snow load is a concern, most pergolas will have less structure on top to reduce surface area, and where wind load is a concern, make sure you have the structure properly anchored to the ground,” says Ernie. “But those are all things most contractors know anyway.”

“These types of jobs tend to go up very quickly, and they impress the neighbors,” he says. “These structures are very visible and can be a way to open the door to larger jobs.”

About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

A room for all seasons, you can enjoy the beauty of nature while still getting the benefits of an indoor living room. Many homeowners find a sunroom to be the perfect area for a comfortable TV room, dining room, kids’ playroom or even a spot for all that workout equipment that’s been stuffed in a closet for years.

CURRENT TRENDS

In years past, a sunroom was considered an enclosed deck space, similar to a screened-in porch. Large windows have taken the place of screens, while quality flooring materials have made indoor/outdoor carpeting a thing of the past.

BIGGEST MISTAKE

Sunrooms might seem like an easy enough DIY project, but they are, in fact, quite the opposite. According to appraisal expert, Leslie Sellers, president of the Appraisal Institute, nothing kills home value more than poor addition construction or window installation.

“It’s important to remember,” says Sellers, “that the risk of taking on a sunroom addition yourself to keep costs down can backfire in the long run if something goes wrong.” The cost to fix any problems that might arise, such as a bad window installation or an unlevel foundation, are great, and will likely double the cost than if you were to have it installed professionally in the first place.

EXPERT TIPS

>> Style, function and design do not have to be sacrificed when trying to stay on a budget. Vinyl is a great option and has become more popular in sunroom construction. Highly insulated, durable and virtually maintenance free, vinyl sunrooms are versatile and can be tailored to your personal home style. Although overall a solid material, it is important to remember that in a large space, vinyl needs to be reinforced to keep its strength throughout the entire frame.

>>If you are looking to upgrade from a basic vinyl construction, consider an aluminum sunroom. Aluminum is a superb conductor of heat, extremely durable, resistant to deterioration, and is available in many different colors to fit with your home. Depending on where you live, it is necessary to keep in mind that without thermal breaks, aluminum frames will cause extreme temperatures, so remember this when planning a budget and future use of your sunroom.

By HGTV Front Door.

To Read the Full Article, Click Here.

About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

Good landscaping increases your property’s value as it boosts curb appeal and solves problems ranging from ugly views and lack of privacy to poor drainage and nondescript plantings. By developing a smart, long-term landscape plan, you can transform a drab, dysfunctional yard into a space that enhances and complements your home’s architecture and becomes a place where you love to hang out.

Even if gardening is your secret passion, a professional landscape designer may see solutions you never dreamed of and help you avoid costly mistakes. To smooth the way for such a major undertaking, it helps to assess your property’s strengths and weaknesses, think about the ways you envision using your yard, and understand the steps involved in the landscape design process.

Setting Goals

The reasons for updating your yard range from the practical to the indulgent. Improving curb appeal, privacy and functionality are usually high on the list. You might also have safety issues to address such as a pool fence, firescaping or erosion.

“A detailed understanding of your goals and likes and dislikes are needed from the onset of the design process,” says Risa Edelstein, president of the Ecological Landscaping Association, based in Arlington, Mass.

She emphasizes that developing a master plan is essential. That doesn’t mean planning every detail to the nth degree. A master plan is more about broad strokes, a theme, a look, a feeling you want to evoke. Thinking through the entire landscape design, from hardscapes (man-made solid surfaces) to plants, helps you focus your goals in the beginning and provides a touchstone for decisions down the line so you don’t end up with a mishmash of hardscapes, colors and awkward proportions.

Our Landscaping Planning Guide will show you what to consider when planning a landscaping project, give you tips for adding curb appeal, offer solutions to your outdoor issues and give you the information you need to choose the right products.

Start by figuring out what you like or dislike, what you need versus what you want, by downloading and filling out our Landscaping Priorities Questionnaire. To figure out what you need, fill out ourLandscape Site Analysis Worksheet.

By Laura Fisher Kaiser

To Read the Full Article, Click Here.

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About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

US Aluminum Services, Corp. is proud to bring you a new division of our company – US Outdoor Living! We are happy to start offering summer kitchens, saunas, fire pits, and spas. To learn more and see some of our work please visit www.usoutdoorliving.com.

Extend your living and entertaining space with an outdoor kitchen that suits your lifestyle needs.

Before you do anything else, spend some time thinking about what you really want and need in an outdoor kitchen. Don’t let your neighbors’ houses or something you’ve seen on TV or in a magazine influence you. There’s plenty of time for that later, when you’ve moved onto the “style” part of the planning process. Instead, ask yourself how you’ll actually use the new space and what makes the most sense in terms of your home’s architecture and its existing landscaping.

Watch these helpful videos:

Planning an Outdoor Kitchen - http://www.hgtvremodels.com/video/planning-an-outdoor-kitchen-video/index.html

Choosing Outdoor Appliances - http://www.hgtvremodels.com/outdoors/planning-your-outdoor-kitchen/index.html

Hiring Outdoor Kitchen Pros - http://www.hgtvremodels.com/outdoors/planning-your-outdoor-kitchen/index.html

By Amanda Lecky

To Read the Full Article and for More Tips for Planning an Outdoor Kitchen, Click Here.

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About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

All New Tampa Home & Garden Show! It will be held at the Tampa Convention Center from April 19-21, 2013.

Want FREE tickets?
Like our Facebook page and E-mail marketing@us-aluminum.com with your name, mailing address, and number of tickets (up to 6).

See you there!

To view our Facebook page, Click Here.

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About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

It’s time for the Central Florida Home + Garden Show! It will be held at the Orange County Convention Center from March 22-24.

Want FREE tickets?
Like our Facebook page and E-mail marketing@us-aluminum.com with your name, mailing address, and number of tickets (up to 6).

See you there!

To view our Facebook page, Click Here.

About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/

Photo courtesy of Joanne Kostecky

As with any major improvement or addition to your home, when you hire a reputable professional to design and build your patio it is their job to contact the local building department in your area to find out what the building codes, zoning and setbacks from the property lines are in your town.

Not all towns have the same codes and in fact, some municipalities may not require a building permit at all for patio construction. The professional will need to contact the town before they finalize plans for your patio. Often, towns require that the professional submit a copy of the plans for approval before a building permit will be issued and construction can begin.

If the plans do not meet the town code, the professional modifies them and the plans are resubmitted for approval. Any applicable fees required by the town for permits will be applied to the cost of the project.

If you want to check with your town yourself before you hire a professional, they will generally have printed guidelines for you to follow. Again, the professional you hire should be able to tell you what you can and cannot build before they begin.

Whether you use your outdoor living space for entertaining, relaxation or both, you don’t want the fun to end when the sun goes down. As you explore deck and patio design ideas, consider that the right outdoor lighting ideas and options will help beautify the space and ensure it can be a ’round-the-clock destination.

One of the simplest outdoor lighting touches you can add to your patio, deck or hardscape is lantern table lighting. Candle lanterns will add the same soft, elegant glow as normal candles, but they won’t blow out in the slightest breeze. Kerosene lanterns can provide the same lighting style as candle lanterns, but they’ll burn longer.

Staying with the lantern theme, Asian-inspired vellum-paper lanterns housing votive candles can provide an elegant touch to any nighttime outdoor gathering. Another Asian-inspired design is hanging paper origami lanterns. Just place battery-powered lights in these and hang them throughout the space for a touch of whimsy.

Many people add holiday-style strands of lights to their outdoor space. These can be a lovely touch on their own, or you can cover them with colored shades for a design that’s more evergreen.

Flaming tiki torches are a familiar touch in backyards across the land. They can also provide a defense against mosquitos.

Placing candles in large hurricane vases, then decorating the outside with tissue paper is another simple and elegant idea for outdoor lighting.Lastly, consider combining contrasting elements by placing floating candles in a large bowl or a vase filled with water.

By Sean McEvoy

To Read the Full Article, Click Here.

About US Aluminum Services, Corp

Founded in 2004, US Aluminum Services, Corp. is a fully insured and state certified construction company that complies with all Florida Codes for the construction industry. US Aluminum Services offers the best designed, best installed and best backed warranty in the business. All services are executed to the exact specifications of our customers’ request. Our materials are top of the line, made exclusively to US Aluminum Service specifications by the top manufactures in Florida. Their services include: Florida screen rooms, patio and pool enclosures, sunrooms, architectural columns, pergolas, seamless gutters, pavers and fences. http://us-aluminum.com/