Bill Walker For Governor
On July 31st, I had the privilege of Bill Walker participating on the Radio Remodeling Show. As you know, Bill is running for governor of Alaska. He had quite a few interesting bits of insight and comments related to the governments involvement in the building and remodeling of our homes. He also shared his ideas on how to encourage contractors to be licensed, bonded, and insured. In addition, Bill shared comments on the weatherization and rebate programs, the lead abatement law, and more. Because of the nature of this program, if you want to hear portions of the program, please contact us and request a copy.
Farmhouse Cast Iron Sink with Oil Rubbed Bronze Faucet
Have you really ever thought about how much plumbing technology has improved the comfort of our daily life? Whether we simply know the basic warm water for our morning shower, or we consider the ability to drink fresh water on demand compared with other areas of the world. We really do have so many wonderful luxuries brought to us because of the advanced in plumbing. It was my pleasure to have Larry McIntyre with the Kohler company on as a special guest. He shared how good plumbing products have reduced spread of disease, improved hygiene, and making cleaning & cooking much easier.
Even with all the advanced mentioned, unfortunately, we still have a long way to go. We have existing piping issues in aging buildings still causing problems with leaking, corrosion, etc. As the federal laws change and tighten for restrictions on water use, we have the daunting task of trying to manage existing properties in a way to improve their usage of water, fuel and more. Finally, making all of the improvements and changes affordable takes some creative strategy. Certainly the energy rebate programs as well as the municipal level weatherization programs are all attempting that very challenge.
When it all comes down to it though, you, the end user really benefits and bears the burden of all these opportunities. I would like to know your thoughts…
Women in Construction
I spent a good portion of the program on June 12th talking about my mother, and her amazing influence in my life and career when it comes to building and remodeling. She owns a handyman business now- called Handi-Gal (www.handi-gal.com) . Growing up, I remember her building a detached garage and an addition on one house, refinishing old high school gym wood floors and installing them in another, and lots of paining projects. In the last 5-7 years, she has built a home from scratch, and remodeled 7-10 others. She loves the trade, and so do I. I thank her for her passion, drive, and talent.
Though only 9.6% of the construction workforce in 2006 were women (according to NAWIC National Association of Women in Construction), that number is rising. Unfortunately though, women are reported to have less in Assets, Revenue, and Profits than their male counterparts. I don’t understand this. Anyway, I would love to get your feedback on this topic.
Until the next post…
Here is my first YouTube video for the Worst Kitchen Contest. I filmed it at Royal Interiors showroom, who is the largest sponsor of the 2010 Worst Kitchen Contest. I think it was an okay production. Many more to come. We also have plans to start a video remodeling program…it will probably interrelate with this site and all the other very interesting remodeling industry projects that we have going on. Return for more as always.
Worst Kitchen Contest by AlaskaBuild.com- Sponsored by Royal Interiors, Allen & Petersen, Alaska USA, Alaska Marble & Granite.
Is Your Kitchen DESPERATELY in Need of A Remodel? How would you like to have professionals provide you with the best of design, products, and construction labor to remodel your kitchen!?
Register your worst kitchen online at www.alaskabuild.com or in person at Royal Interiors showroom now through July 26th, 2010. There is no cost to enter. After which your friends and family and the public will vote, from selected finalists, the winner of the “Worst Kitchen Contest”!
Enter that poorly designed kitchen, or the one where the materials are in very bad condition. Perhaps your kitchen is a safety hazard…or all the above. By entering Alaska’s Worst Kitchen Contest, you have a chance to win a $25,000 kitchen remodel. See the website
for complete details.
Kitchen Product Samples
1. How Does it Relate?: First of all, remember that this color (product) will be interacting in an environment with many other colors and materials. It is a good idea to always choose the color when it is next to its neighbor. In other words, make sure that you know how the cabinet color coordinates with the choice of countertop, paint on the walls, and the preferred flooring.
2. Don’t Be Nearsited: Rarely do your life within a couple of feet of the products that you choose for your kitchen. A good rule of thumb is to view the color from about six feet away. This should help you with a realistic perception of how the color will look from your average point of view.
3. Cover Your Moods: Take all of the prospective colors, in your palette, for the kitchen project home and set them in the room. Throughout the day for a couple of days review and look at the colors to make sure that they look good together, and that they still have the same feel and appeal to you as they did in the showroom.
4. Characterize Some Color: A room without character is like a cake without icing. It needs something to be in the spotlight. Something with flavor and interest. Even if all the other materials in the room are just supporting elements. So don’t be afraid to use a little creative juice.
5. Ask a Professional: Designers are making choices on large projects off of small samples all the time. They are trained to know what to put together, and they can envision how the whole space will look from such a small sample.
Natural Gas
Recently, we had a home explosion that could have turned into a tragedy. On the east side of Anchorage, there was a gas leak in the lower level of a home. One member of the family heard the hissing from the leaking gas, and also smelled the distinct odor of natural gas. They notified their mother who requested that the family leave the home immediately. Just a few moments after they pulled out of the driveway…BOOM! The house blew up. Wow! What a blessing that they made it out okay.
So, what would you do? Would you take the time to check on the leak? Would you call 911 or the fire department or the gas company? Or, would you call a family member, friend, or neighbor to take a look? Perhaps you would simply try to figure out what is wrong all on your own. Share what you would do if you were there. Or, share experiences that you have had with gas leaks.
Good question. This can be a hot topic between general contractors who are required to have business and state contractors’ licenses, constant maintenance on continuing educational units, and endless bills that all make it almost impossible to compete in cost with a homeowner simply hiring subcontractors all on their own!
However, one of the beautiful blessings about living in this country is the freedom to improve our property with little to no restrictions from the government to our choices. That is one of the most wonderful privileges we enjoy for the American Dream.
I have worked with many clients who have acted as their own general contractor on a simple remodel, house addition, or building a new home. Many of them have done a great job. Have maintained a good schedule with teh subs, controlled costs, and made product decisions without delaying the project. However, there have been many more homeowners who have come to me after the completion of the project to tell me that if they were ever to do a project like that again, they would hire a general contractor.
If a homeowner can dedicate a full-time job amount of their schedule to building their home, they will be able to do maybe half of what a general contractor typically can do as successfully. They will have an easier time with change orders, making appointments with subcontractors at any convenient time of the work day. But, unless the home being built is very very large, the homeowner will almost never be able to compete with a general contractor when it comes to offering a consistent amount of work to the subcontractors.
What do you think? Do you feel that the homeowner is the best person for the job when it comes to being the general contractor, or that they simply have to place to do so?
Where were you when 9/11 happened?
I was in Alaska. My wife had been doing some early morning exercises. She woke me up to let me see the second plane hit the world trade center building. After such a tragic event, I went to work only to find almost everyone is a virtual shock. We prayed as a company for everyone involved in the terrible situation that we were witnessing long distance.
We honor the emergency personnel, our great soldiers, our political and military leaders, and many others who continue to make our country safe so that we can enjoy our freedoms. Those freedoms allow us to blog, call anyone we want, remodel our homes if we wish, make big mistakes, big corrections, worship God in our own right mind, and many other rights now shared throughout the world.
God bless us as we continue on our path to improve the livelihood of ourselves, our children, our grandchildren and on.
So, think about where you were when Nine-Eleven happened in 2001. Then, please share with our site visitors, and some of the lessons that you have learned since then, as well as some of the great blessings of freedom that you also appreciate.
May we never forget!
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