And while spring cleaning, look around and ask yourself if your home is secure. Recently the Pima County Sheriff’s Department warned about homeowners assuming security while they are at home. An occupied home does not always deter a burglar, but good home security does. Check out the article to the Left for more information.

Perhaps while spring cleaning you’ll come across things that you might like to repair or update or totally change. Whether you want to re-invent your existing home, or you’re considering purchasing a home that requires improvements to meet your family’s needs, McCaleb Construction offers one-stop, full-service solutions…from concept to warranty. Check out our website www.mccalebconstruction.com and then give us a call…520-323-2100. My direct extension is #101. ‘Til next issue, remain…On The Level

John McCaleb

Spring Cleaning, Desert Style

The flowers are blooming, the birds are serenading, and our house still feels like it’s stuck with winter blues. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows us to freshen up our homes and get a head start on the hectic seasons of spring and summer. Here are some ideas to help you with your spring cleaning.

1. Storing Seasonal Clothing When warmer spring weather arrives, it’s time to pack away sweaters, coats, and other cold weather clothing. Storing seasonal clothing is easy to do safely if you follow a few simple rules. Making sure that the storage containers and areas follow the rules of clean, cool, dark, and dry will keep clothing in good shape for next winter.

2. Check Appliances We expect our appliances to perform whenever we need them, but sometimes their care can be neglected. Each spring take the time to inspect your major appliances for wear and tear. The coils of the refrigerator should be vacuumed, and the drain pan should be cleaned out. Accumulated lint needs to be cleaned from the dryer vents. Clean out accumulated gunk from your oven and refrigerator. Clean dishwashers, disposals, and washing machines. Heating and cooling units need maintenance as well.

3. Clutter Control Spring is the perfect time to remove clutter and excess from the home. Try the 4 container clutter method to help figure out items that need to be kept, sold, given away, or trashed. If paper clutter is one of your problems, find out how to reduce paper piles around the home.

4. Garage Storage It may be a little daunting, but chances are your garage could use some attention this spring. Whether you need to organize a garage cleanup day or just need to remove a few items to be used in a garage sale , it makes sense to pay a little attention to your garage this spring. Try some new organizational tools or techniques to store sports equipment, holiday decorations, or whatever your family hides in your garage space.

5. Patios and Outdoor Areas Spring is a great time to get the outdoors ready for entertaining. Clean the patio and outdoor furniture. Do some basic landscaping repairs on the lawn, shrubbery, and plants. The exterior doors and windows of the home may need some attention. Check for fence and exterior repairs. Lawn maintenance or pest prevention may need to be performed as well. With a little effort this spring, outdoor areas will be ready to entertain throughout the summer.

6. Window Treatments Spring is a great time to inspect and clean window treatments. Whether you need to wash blinds, send drapes to the dry cleaners, or throw washable curtains into the washing machine, getting your window treatments clean after a long winter can brighten an entire room. Be sure to dust down the window casing, wash window sills, and clean any window hardware while you are at it.

7. Beds and Bedding Even with mattress covers, and all of our bedding, mattresses occasionally need to be inspected and cleaned, and in some cases flipped. Use this time to inspect your mattress pads, pillow covers, and all bedding for needed replacement or repairs.

GREEN ANSWER:

There are lots of simple, no-cost things you can do. For example, keep chemical fumes out of the indoor air by storing chemicals safely outdoors or in a ventilated space. The Healthy Homes Partnership offers an online tool designed to help you evaluate the environmental risks in your home. To try this tool, visit www.uwex.edu/healthyhome/.

Also, consider switching to cleaning products to do everyday household cleaning. More information about environmentally-friendly (and economical) cleaning products can be found through your local cooperative extension service. For example, www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/housing/pubs/fcs3682r.html and www.epa.gov/garbage/hhw.htm.

Carpets and fabric draperies can accumulate dust and other allergens. Therefore, reducing the amount of upholstery and carpet is another way to improve indoor air quality and “green” an existing home. Energy efficiency is a big aspect of green homes. A low-cost way to improve energy efficiency is to seal up penetrations between conditioned and unconditioned space with foam sealant (such as Great Stuff, DapTex, or Hilti brands found at hardware stores).

Replacing showerheads and faucets with low-flow versions can cost just a few dollars and can save a lot of energy and water. New showerheads and faucet aerators can reduce water flow by 50 percent or more without compromising performance. Turn down your water heater set point to 120°F to reduce standby heat loss. Seal ducts to prevent dusty air from getting into ductwork and energy from getting out. When painting or finishing floors, use water-based, low-VOC paints, stains, and sealers. They tend to be cost-competitive with products containing higher levels of VOCs.

Contact McCaleb’s Certified GREEN Professionals for more ideas on how to “green” your home!

This month, let’s focus on “thinking outside the box” for your home remodel.

The Lindseys came to McCaleb Construction for a kitchen remodel. Their idea was to break through the north facing wall to add 12 feet to their existing kitchen. “We entertain a lot and everyone always seems to congregate in our tiny kitchen space.” Adding on to existing kitchen space would not only necessitate changing interior spaces, but would result in costly alteration to outdoor living areas. Their # 1 desire was to have more open space in which guests could mingle. Our design team listened to their needs, evaluated existing space and discussed preliminary budget expectations. A simple, but clever and cost effective solution emerged…by opting to open up the kitchen to their formal living/dining room area and adding an island we were able to give them the space they desired, allowing them to significantly upgrade their cabinetry choices and spending less than they had originally anticipated. The Lindseys are delighted.

For more innovative design solutions go to www.mccalebconstruction.com

So how can replacing old, worn windows put money back into your pocket? Let’s take a look at today’s energy-efficient choices for homeowners:

An Array of Window Frames Homeowners have long selected wood frames for their natural beauty and classic look, as well as their ability to insulate well (since wood is not a good conductor of heat). But, extra care must be taken to keep them from fading, cracking and warping when exposed to the elements. Be prepared to pay a premium price for quality wood frames with a high level of craftsmanship.

Today’s metal frames use a “thermal break,” a built-in separation between inner and outer frames, to fight temperature changes that lead to condensation. Metal has the advantage of being strong and standing up to the elements, with new finishing technologies providing more color choices than ever before.

Vinyl frames are a popular choice that can offer great performance for an affordable cost. The plastic-type material will stand up to exterior influences of weather, yet show a neutral finish inside. Well-made frames from reputable companies can be sturdy and well functioning.

A newer hybrid design option is to combine two frame materials. These frames have an exterior of extruded aluminum and an interior of finish-quality wood. This creates a “best of both worlds” design. The aluminum will stand up to exterior forces while the wood can offer a rich appeal and flexibility for finishing.

Window Glass Made for Performance One of the most important advances in glass construction is the double-paned window, which creates another type of “thermal break” between interior and exterior environments. This benefit is enhanced by filling the spaces between panes with inert gas, and adding performance glazing and coatings to cut down on heat gain.

Installation Is Key But remember, getting top-of-the-line windows will do you no good if they are not installed properly. Sealing of windows is key in order to support good performance in your home. Windows are one of the major areas where leakage and air intrusion can happen, negatively impacting other systems. Properly installed insulation or heating/cooling equipment can suffer from poor window installation and cause unneeded utility usage.

No matter your home’s age, sooner or later you will join the millions of people who remodel their homes each year. The reasons for remodeling are as varied as the projects themselves. Remodeling adds comfort, convenience and space to what is for most homeowners their most valued asset. Home improvement can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether you’re just thinking about remodeling or ready to start, we’ll provide you all the tools you need to make a smart decision.

USE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE TO HELP YOU SELECT A REMODELER IN ORDER TO AVOID MYRIAD PITFALLS.

• Does the remodeler have a permanent business location?
• Does the remodeler have a good reputation with banks and suppliers?
• How long have they been in the building business? It usually takes five years or more to establish a financially sound business.
• Will the remodeler be around after the construction is complete to service any warranties?
• Have you called the Better Business Bureau, Registrar of Contractors, Southern Arizona HomeBuilders Association? They can alert you to any concerns.
• Does the remodeler have sufficient worker’s compensation and general liability insurance? If not, you may be liable for any construction-related accidents on the premises.
• Will the remodeler provide you with names of previous clients. Ask them if they would hire the remodeler again.
• Are you able to communicate with the remodeler? Remember you will be in close contact with them throughout the construction process and afterward as you live in your new home.
• Will the remodeler provide you with a complete and clearly written contract? The contract will benefit both of you. Review it carefully.
• Be cautious of unusually low-priced bids. If the remodeler is unable to pay for the materials and labor as the project proceeds, this may indicate a problem.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY McCALEB CONSTRUCTION, INC.

GRAB BARS – Aging in Place remodeling uses six different methods of installing bars and bath seats allowing us the flexibility of providing the strongest, most watertight installation possible.

SHOWER SEATS – Mounted or Portable; Adjustable: can be used by more than just one person.

WALK-IN TUBS – Stainless Steel One-Piece Construction with a lifetime warranty; Fits into standard bathtub space; Options for air or water hydrotherapy with heater.

BARRIER-FREE showers (low or no thresholds) – Both ADA-compliant and barrier-free.

TOILETS AND ACCESSORIES – ADA compliant toilets; automatic-flushing devices; large selection of seating options; lifts.

SINK AND SHOWER FAUCETS – Anti scald devices; automated (motion sensing) sink faucets; wheelchair accessible sinks and vanities; easy-to-use shower heads; shower hoses in a variety of lengths and finishes; shower systems; multiple showerheads.

BATHTUB ACCESSORIES – Tub lifts; traction mats; large selection of tub-mounted handles and rails.

KITCHEN CABINETS – ADA compliant cabinets (higher toekicks, lower countertops, etc) roll-out shelving; cabinets lifts; glass front upper cabinets for increased visibility.

KITCHEN APPLIANCES – ADA compliant appliances; easy-to-reach control; dishwasher elevated for greater accessibility.

KITCHEN SINKS AND FAUCETS – single handle control; reduced depth sinks (for wheelchair access); sink and counter lifts to accommodate different heights; easy-to-reach garbage disposal control.

LIGHTING – Additional lighting installed to remove dark areas and help illuminate transitions or steps; illuminated switches, lower or raise switches for easier accessibility; increase natural light sources; install windows; skylights, solar tubes, etc; automated lighting systems; interior or exterior motion sensors.

ELECTRICAL – Raise outlet heights; additional outlets at front of cabinets larger electrical panels (or sub-panels): accommodates new appliances, medical devices, lifts, etc; generators: back-up power in case of black out.

PLUMBING – Anti-scald devices; water heaters; foot pedal operated faucets.

HVAC – Automated thermostats; whole house A/C units and/or single room units; programmable whole house fans; ceiling fans with remote controls.

FLOORING – Installation of all types of flooring; anti-slip coatings; backer pads: secures rugs from moving; step highlighting.

RAMPS – Fixed and portable; all sizes; custom built to site specifications; small ramps for door and/or shower thresholds.

RAILINGS – All sizes and shapes; custom fabrication available; interior and/or exterior, wood or metal.

DOORS – Door widening hinges; pocket doors; automatic door operators; easy-to-use door handles and locksets

SECURITY – Caregiver cameras: be able to view what is happening in the house from any computer; door cameras: see who is at the door from your computer on closed-circuit television; variety of door and/or phone devices for sensory impaired, trip/fall alarms; medication reminders.

LIFTS – Patient lifts; stair lifts; cabinet and appliance lifts; elevators; tub lifts; pool and spa lifts.

LANDSCAPE – All phases of landscape work; synthetic lawns; low or no maintenance landscapes; pathway lighting; concrete walkways.

Projects for Aging in Place remodeling range from installation of bath and shower grab bars and adjustment of countertop heights to the creation of multi-functional first-floor master suites and the installation of private elevators. CLICK HERE FOR A LIST OF COMMONLY REQUESTED PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. McCaleb Construction staff is trained in the mechanics and nuances of effective assessment of clients’ needs and integrating myriad considerations into functional solutions.

Most homeowners prefer to remain in their homes as they mature, rather than seek assisted living or other arrangements. And, older consumers want a reliable means of identifying the professionals they can trust to remodel their homes. Millions in the Baby Boom generation will turn 55 years old this year and millions more will cross this significant threshold in the next 15 years. About 80% of all Americans 55 years or older currently own their own homes, making it the highest rate of homeownership of any age group in the country. Members of this population group also tend to be healthier than previous generations of similar age, and expect their homes to reflect their active and independent lifestyles.

Call John McCaleb to set up an evaluation of your home or that of a loved one. Sometimes even minor changes can make a difference enabling you to live comfortably in your home for years to come.