See why IKEA, a beloved Swedish home goods retailer, is a go-to resource for kitchen cabinets

(Above) Lavanya and Regis’ Sweeten

written by Lee Wallender October 28, 2020

Kitchen cabinets make up a large portion of a kitchen remodel budget. However, one way homeowners can control this cost is to buy IKEA cabinets. 

IKEA offers low prices on its cabinets. IKEA’s cabinets are based on a flexible system that allows you to add components as needed. 

How IKEA’s SEKTION cabinet system works

SEKTION is IKEA’s kitchen cabinet system. Base cabinets, wall cabinets, and high cabinets are the core parts of the SEKTION system. Cabinets and drawer fronts fit with the SEKTION system but go by different names. 

Base cabinets

Base cabinets are lower cabinets that are mounted on the floor. They hold the countertop and the sink. IKEA base cabinets are 30 inches high and 24.75 inches deep. In addition, adding legs and a countertop brings the height up to 36 inches, which is the standard height for most kitchen base cabinets.

A complete IKEA base cabinet consists of the cabinet box, drawers and drawer fronts, and inner drawers and fronts. Drawer organizers are optional.

Wall cabinets

Wall cabinets are mounted on the wall and are attached to the studs. They hold plates and food items. Wall cabinets are usually mounted 20 inches above the base cabinets. Most of IKEA’s wall cabinets are 15 inches deep. A few of IKEA’s wall cabinets are 24 inches deep. These wall cabinets are typically mounted over refrigerators.

A complete IKEA wall cabinet consists of the cabinet box, doors, hinges, and shelves. Shelf inserts are optional.

High cabinets

High cabinets are mounted on the floor. They are intended for pantry items or small appliances. IKEA’s high cabinets are narrow—15 to 30 inches wide. Twenty-four inches is the most common width for IKEA’s high cabinets. High cabinets are either 80 inches or 90 inches high. 

A complete IKEA high cabinet consists of the cabinet, fronts, and shelves. Doors and drawers are often included.

Drawers, shelves, and dividers

MAXIMERA and FORVARA soft-closing drawers and dividers come with the cabinets.

UTRUSTA shelves made either of MDF or of glass. Shelves are included. The UTRUSTA line comes with pegs that fit into the sides of SEKTION cabinets to hold up the shelves.

(Above) Roxana and Gabriel’s Sweeten

What are IKEA cabinets made of?

IKEA cabinet boxes are made of fiberboard and melamine foil. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are made of fiberboard. They are covered in melamine foil, paint, wood, or glass.

IKEA cabinet boxes

Fiberboard is made from a mixture of wood chips and resins. Wood chips are pressed together with heat and high pressure to form boards. Fiberboard must always be coated for durability.

IKEA cabinet and drawer fronts

Currently, IKEA offers 18 cabinet and drawer front styles. All of the fronts have a contemporary style. The cabinet front profile options include slab, beveled, beadboard, and Shaker. 

IKEA has one natural wood veneer cabinet front. The TORHAMN cabinet fronts are covered in real ash wood veneer.

IKEA fronts are either a solid color, wood effect, or real wood grain. Except for white, the solid colors veer toward darker or earthen tones: gray, brown, black, or green. The style and texture of the fronts affect the price. 

• IKEA’s lowest-priced and most basic cabinet front is HÄGGEBY. It is a white slab-style cabinet.

• IKEA’s highest cost cabinets have high-gloss and wood effect cabinet fronts. RINGHULT is a high-gloss white. VOXTORP is the highest price cabinet front. VOXTORP has a walnut effect and a high-gloss light beige.

• IKEA does have one low-priced wood effect cabinet front: ASKERSUND. This cabinet has a light ash wood effect with horizontal wood grain.

Quality: Are IKEA cabinets good?

IKEA cabinets are well-designed to be structurally sound. All fasteners that hold the cabinets together are internal and invisible. Euro-style hinges on the doors are soft-closing and hidden. The drawers are also silently self-closing.

SEKTION kitchen cabinets have a 25-year limited warranty. This warranty covers all components of a SEKTION cabinet system. The policy warrants against defects in materials and work. IKEA will either repair or replace any defective part of the SEKTION system.

Take note: IKEA states that its natural wood and light lacquered (painted) surfaces may yellow with age. As a result, exposure to light will contribute to this aging.

One key to maintaining the IKEA SEKTION system is regular maintenance. Specifically, you’ll need to protect your SEKTION cabinets from heat and humidity. Fiberboard can swell when it absorbs moisture. Therefore, avoid letting coffee makers or dishwashers steam under or against SEKTION cabinets. Also, make sure to wipe up any spills in your cabinets.

(Above) Sally and Ross

Whether a kitchen needs updating or the style just isn’t your taste, the price point of stock cabinetry, like IKEA cabinets, helps stretch a budget. Feeling inspired to use IKEA cabinets in your own kitchen renovation project?  Contact ACR Pro Contractors Today! Click below to start the quotation process.

Cleaning Routines to Keep Your Home Virus-Free

Follow this CDC advice to make sure your kitchen, bathroom and other high-traffic areas are clean and disinfected

We want home to be a haven (especially during stressful times), and part of that, at a fundamental level, means living in a space that helps keep us healthy. According to the most current evidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the virus that causes COVID-19 is spread primarily through close personal contact (within about 6 feet). So it’s more important to practice social distancing, not touch your face and wash your hands often and well than it is to be overly concerned about cleaning your house. And although the CDC has not found evidence of surface-to-person transmission to date (which is good news!), the virus may live on surfaces for hours to days, making regular cleaning and disinfecting a wise practice during this time.

Upgrade Hand-Washing Stations
The CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing; before eating or preparing food; and after using the bathroom. Stock up every sink in the house to make hand-washing easier and more sanitary with:

• A bottle of liquid hand soap (anti-bacterial soap not needed)

• Stacks of fresh hand towels and a hamper for dirty towels, or a roll of paper towels and a wastebasket

• A container of sanitizing wipes for daily cleaning of faucets and counters

What About Hand Sanitizer?
You can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol when soap and water aren’t available. But if your hands are visibly dirty, the hand sanitizer will not be effective, and hand-washing is recommended.

Know the Difference Between Cleaning and Disinfecting
The important thing to remember is that cleaning should come first — if a surface is dirty, germs can be hiding below the dirt and grime, making disinfecting efforts less effective.

• Cleaning removes dirt, grime and germs — this helps reduce the number of germs.

• Disinfecting actually kills germs on surfaces using chemicals, which helps reduce the risk of spreading infection when done after cleaning.

Photo by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry - Visit ACR Pro Contractors On Houzz

Use the Right Products — and Follow Instructions
When it comes to cleaning, regular soap and water is all you need. But for the second step of disinfecting, it’s important to be sure you’re using the right product. EPA-registered disinfectants (see the current list here) approved to fight the novel coronavirus are what you want to look for. Already have rubbing alcohol or bleach in your cupboards? Either one will fight the COVID-19 virus. (A word of caution on using bleach to clean surfaces: It can discolor laminate and may damage the seal on granite and other stone countertops over time.)

• If surfaces are dirty, remember to clean with soap and water first.

• To prepare a bleach solution, mix 5 tablespoons (⅓ cup) bleach per gallon of water, or 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleaners.

• If using rubbing alcohol, choose an alcohol solution containing at least 70% alcohol.

• Check expiration dates. Do not use expired products, as they may not be effective against the COVID-19 virus.

• Follow label instructions. Clorox has issued specific recommendations for preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including leaving bleach solution on surfaces for five minutes.

Focus on High-Touch Surfaces
Cleaning and sanitizing the entire house would be overwhelming — and probably excessive. Instead, focus on the surfaces that get lots of contact throughout the day. These areas include doorknobs, light switches, tables, remote controls, handles, desks, toilets and sinks. And if you have kids or housemates who play video games, include those video game controllers.

Photo by Phoenix Renovations - Visit ACR Pro Contractors On Houzz

Start a Just-Got-Home Routine
Put your belongings down in one spot, paying attention to what you carried with you throughout the day — likely suspects include your phone, key ring and sunglasses. Wash your hands for 20 seconds, then wipe personal items with an EPA-registered disinfecting wipe and leave to dry. When cleaning electronics, keep liquids away from openings, never submerge devices, and be especially gentle with touchscreens.

Photo by Studio Dearborn - Visit ACR Pro Contractors On Houzz

Help Kids Follow the Recommendations

If you have kids at home — especially if they’re not so keen on frequent hand-washing — consider one or more of these to make the ritual more fun:

• Let your child pick out a fragrant hand soap, or put hand soap in a colorful container.

• Tape the verse of a silly song to the mirror so they can sing for the recommended 20 seconds.

• For younger children, cue up a song to sing along to on your phone.

• Be sure a sturdy stool is positioned by every sink in the house to make the soap and water accessible.

Photo by KUBE architecture - Visit ACR Pro Contractors On Houzz

Do the Laundry, Wash Your Hands

If you have a cloth laundry hamper liner, toss it in the wash when you do the laundry. Wash laundry on the warmest setting your clothes and linens can handle, and avoid shaking dirty laundry, which can spread virus through the air. And when you’re done handling dirty clothes and towels, be sure to wash your hands.

Photo by SSC Countertops - Visit ACR Pro Contractors On Houzz

If Someone Is Sick, Take Extra Care

If you or someone in your house may be sick, you’ll need to take more precautions. Check the CDC’s recommendations for household members and caregivers on its website. A few of the most important precautions include isolating the sick person in their own room and bathroom, not sharing personal household items, handling their laundry with gloves (and washing your hands afterward) and cleaning high-touch surfaces daily.

Other household items you should consider disinfecting

• Your computer keyboard and mouse

• Google Home and Amazon Echo speakers

• TV remote and TV buttons

• All frequently used electronics, like tablets and phones

• Debit cards

Visit the CDC Coronavirus Information Page

Visit The NYC Department of Health Coronavirus Information Page

Visit ACR Pro Contractors Safety Protocols For Job Sites

Visit the CDC Coronavirus Information Page.

Houzz.com Source Link

ACR Pro Contractors Coronavirus (COVID-19) Protocols

ACR Pro Contractors Coronavirus

(COVID-19) Protocols

Life, Safety & Health Are Our Priority

Dear Valued Customer & Friend,

We wish to communicate to all Customers and Clients of our plans to help our customers, employees, subcontractors, neighbors and communities from the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As of today, ACR Pro Contractors has implemented Company Wide Safety & Health Protocols due to the serious impact the virus can have on those susceptible. These protocols start at the estimating process and applies to all renovation projects, installations, operations, consultations and job site visits.

Renewed Estimating Process:

1. Click on our “Get A Quote” Button found throughout our website. Or Click Here

2. Fill in the form details on our “Get A Quote” Page. Including entering a link to either a File Cloud such as Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox or a Real Estate Listing Link so that we can have a look at the pictures or plans of the space, you may include any inspirational photos as well.

3. You will receive an email response from someone in our Team.

4. We will set up a phone call to discuss the project to:

• Discuss expectations and ideas.

• FREE Ballpark estimate.

• If we are in agreeance, and would like to proceed to the next step, we will set up an in Home Consultation.

5. In Home Consultation:

• Discuss details of the project in depth providing you with valuable information that is exclusive to the consultation

• Goals, problems, expectations, regulations (e.g., Management Company, HOA)

• $250.00 Consultation Fee (Credit applied toward project).

• After the consultation, if you would like to hire us to provide you with our renowned services, we ask for a deposit in order to secure a project commencement date.

Our new protocols consists of, but are not limited to:

1. Washing hands with Sanitizing Soap regularly.

2. Covering the mouth when coughing & sneezing with arm or shoulder—not hands.

3. No extraneous visits to our clients without express call ahead notification.

4. No casual drop by visits from our vendors without express call ahead and screening.

5. All ACR Pro Contractors personnel will check in with management before entering our office or work site.

6. Maintaining a distance of at least 3 feet from others.

7. All employees will hand sanitize upon entering job site and upon leaving a job site, including during break or lunch hours.

8. ACR will provide complete transparency about virus symptoms or cases to our customers.

9. An ACR representative will call ahead to the customer to verify that both the job site and ACR personnel are free of any symptoms as described by the CDC for the COVID-19 virus. We consider our customers, employees, subcontractors, neighbors and communities as family; and as such, we will vigilantly guard ALL parties from possibility of contamination. Please feel free to reach out to Al Rosario via call, text or email to (212) 203-7560 or al@acrcontracting.com with any questions or concerns. We look forward to the rapid de-escalation of this global situation and wish good health for your employees and your families.

Contractors Reveal Their 4 Biggest Pet Peeves About Working on Your New House! ACR Featured

by SARAH MAGNUSON

PUBLISHED: FEB 7, 2020 Source Link

Renovating a new home is an exciting, albeit stressful, process for new homebuyers. Whether you’re imparting a personal touch to a new build or a customizing a just-bought abode, your contractor is the secret to a renovation’s success.

When considering the scope of your project, it’s important to keep your contractor’s perspective in mind—and it’s my personal belief that the happier a contractor, the more beautiful your subway tiled/soaking tub-ed/marble countertop-ed dream bathroom. I spoke with professionals who shared their project pet peeves and the best ways to keep them (and you!) happy during a reno.

Micromanagement

No one bothered Michelangelo while he painted the Sistine Chapel, and you wouldn’t dare disturb Beyoncé in the recording studio. So why keep a close, critical watch over your contractor? Al Rosario of ACR Pro Contractors Corp. in Brooklyn shares that while his team loves their work, “occasionally we do run into a homeowner who micromanages the project, but doesn’t really understand the project and the process of how things are done and in which order they are done,” thus slowing down progress. You hired a professional for a reason, right? Sit back, try to relax while living in a hard hat zone, and let them work their magic. 

Indecisiveness

According to Rosario, there’s one type of client they see frequently: the “confused homeowner.” “This client changes their mind throughout the project, often resulting in [changed] orders.” Justin Krzyston of Stonehurst Construction, a contracting firm in Los Angeles, agrees. “Clients that are indecisive—that is the one thing that kind of holds up the project.” Having a clear idea of what you want before breaking ground and sticking to that vision will help keep the process moving.

Know-it-alls

Luxury construction firm owner Amos Guetta says one of his biggest pet peeves is “when the client is not organized and [creates] a mess by trying to force their knowledge on the contractor.” Krzyston agrees: “We live in that day and age of HGTV, Pinterest, Instagram. There are [clients who] are completely hands-off and are ready to go, and there are the ones who think that they are designers, or think that they are builders because they’ve watched HGTV or they’ve seen some things on Instagram. It’s not letting the experts be the experts.” While we all are the masters of our own taste, most of us don’t know the ins and outs of how our ideas might come together, aesthetically or structurally. Let the pros be the pros.

Cold shoulders

One thing Guetta won’t tolerate? “People being disrespectful to my workers, definitely. When clients almost treat my workers as if they don’t exist.” Treat your contractors and workers like your teammates. After all, they’re the ones working diligently to make your vision a reality. Another disappointing behavior? Not spreading the word. Chicago-based independent contractor Luc Gehant shares, “I work by word of mouth.” The highest compliment is when a client is so pleased with the outcome of the contractor’s work that they refer their friends.

Is It Ever OK to Sleep with a Space Heater On?

by CAROLINE BIGGS for apartmenttherapy.com

PUBLISHED: FEB 6, 2019

For as awesome as having an electric space heater can be during the cold weather season, they often come with a lot of safety risks.

We called on Jim Bullock, a retired FDNY Deputy Chief and President of New York Fire Consultants (NYFC) for advice on how to manage our space heaters properly at home. From when to turn yours off to places you should never put one, here are 10 expert tips for handling your space heater safely this winter.

Choose auto-shut-off styles only

“When purchasing an electric space heater, only look for heaters with automatic shut-off features (to help prevent them overheating).”

Turn them off before you snooze (and unplug before you bounce)

“Never leave an operating heater unattended and always unplug it when not in use.”

Mind your cords

“String out power cords on top of your area rugs and carpeting. Placing anything, including furniture, on top of the cord might damage it and create a potential fire hazard.”

Only plug yours into a wall outlet

“Do not use your heater with a power strip or extension cord. Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could quickly result in a fire.”

Keep flammables at least three feet away

“Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes, and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear.”

No bathrooms!

“Unless the heater is specifically designed for bathroom or outdoor use, don’t use one in damp or wet areas. Parts in the heater could get damaged by the moisture and create a bigger safety hazard down the line.”

Watch how you unplug

“Unplug your heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out from the outlet (and inspect the cord periodically for damage when you do).”

Don’t share

“Never plug any other electrical device into the same outlet as your heater. This could result in overheating.”

Keep your little ones away

“Heaters should be kept away from children and pets and only placed in a child’s room with supervision.”

Stay level

“Keep your space heater on a flat and sturdy surface (such as the floor) and never on top of furniture, where they can easily get knocked over and start a fire.

Looking to buy one? Here are Apartment Therapy’s latest picks for the best space heaters.

Some Safety Tips for Electric Blankets, Too

Barbara Guthrie, Chief Public Safety Officer at UL, schools us on the dos and dont’s of using electric blankets this season.

1. DON’T use if you’re sensitive to heat: “It’s important to remember that electric bedding should not used for an infant or an immobile person, or anyone insensitive to heat, such as a person with poor blood circulation. Damage to the product or misuse could increase the risk of fire, electric shock, and thermal burns. An overheating condition may not be obvious to the user but can result in a thermal burn if exposed long enough.”

2. DO use the blanket to heat up the bed. “Just remember to turn it off before you go to sleep. ”

3. DO keep your blanket in good condition. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for proper cleaning and storage. Check for worn areas, loose plugs or other damage like cracks and breaks in the wiring, plugs, and connectors, and look for charred spots on both sides. Throw out any blanket that shows signs of damage.

4. DON’T let your pets near one. “They can nibble the wires, which can create a shock or fire hazard.”

5. DO store it correctly. Never fold an electric blanket when using it—the wires inside the blanket can become damaged, causing the blanket to overheat and maybe even spark. Store the electric blanket by rolling, not folding, it.”

6. DON’T put bedding or anything else on top of an electric blanket when you’re using it. “And never use it along with a heating pad, since heat can become trapped in the bedding layers and cause burns. Never use electric blankets on sofa beds, pullout beds, or mechanically adjustable beds as the heater or control wires could become pinched or frayed. When you’re done using the blanket, turn it off and unplug it.”

7. DO look for the UL Mark. “Only use blankets that have been approved by nationally recognized testing agencies, such as UL. Never buy an electric blanket from a secondhand shop or garage sale.”

HOW TO CHOOSE A CONTRACTOR AND WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN AN ESTIMATE.

Q: I’ve followed your advice and gotten three bids from different contractors who want to do my project. Now what? Do I just hire the one with the best price?

A: Those bids can tell you a lot about the contractors who wrote them—but they may not be very accurate measures of the total price each one would wind up charging for your project. Here’s why.

Unless you’ve given the bidders the exact scope of work / specifications for your job—in other words, drawings, materials lists, and product names put together by an architect or designer—the bids are at best educated guesses, says Cambridge, Mass., Realtor and renovation consultant Bruce Irving.

If you have hired a professional designer, the bids are likely much more accurate measures of what each contractor will charge, especially if their bottom lines are just a few percentage points apart. Always throw away outliers. Extreme low bidders are probably desperate for work and planning to cut corners on your job, and super high bidders are probably too busy to take on your project unless you’re willing to overpay.

“Look not only at the numbers but at how they’re presented,” says Irving. “Are they clear, organized, detail-oriented, and delivered when they were promised? Do they accurately reflect the nuances of what you told him you’re looking to do?” There’s no guarantee that a quality bid equates to a quality contractor—or that a sloppy one means you’ll get sloppy work—but it increases the odds. Look for a bid that thoroughly outlines every aspect of the job, that way, even without architect specs, you can see, in writing, exactly what he’s proposing to deliver—and charge you—for each part of the job. Once you sign the bid and it becomes your contract, if a question arises later about whether the price includes, say, installing stone or ceramic tiles, you’ll have his description to refer back to.

If you chose to have plastic surgery, you would thoroughly research surgeons, talk to prior patients, or at least review before and after photos of patients’ noses or chins before deciding on a surgeon.

So why wouldn’t you use the same due diligence when choosing a contractor to renovate, remodel or otherwise perform surgery on your house, asks interior designer Tyler Wisler of HGTV’s “Design Star.”

“I don’t think people realize how much work is involved in renovations,” says Wisler, whose father is a professional contractor. “I’m as guilty as anyone of [perpetrating] that myth. On “Design Star” we show a [complex home] problem that is fixed in 22 minutes. It’s not that easy.”

It’s a rare home improvement job that doesn’t have its share of hiccups– rotted floorboards, faulty wiring, leaky pipes – that invariably surprise the contractors and owners. And that’s why it’s imperative you invest the time for due diligence before agreeing to work with a contractor.

A contractor’s track record will likely also influence their bid. When you consider estimates, remember that a general rule of thumb for contractors to price a job at 1.5 times cost. That means if work and supplies cost $10,000, the contractor will likely give you a cost estimate of $15,000, report many construction experts including Construction Programs and Results. That extra money is not pure profit. Contractors must cover many costs from tools to advertising.

It’s human nature to want to secure the lowest price for your job, but think twice before automatically doing so, says Wisler. “Is it worth it to you to pay for a proven contractor who knows how to handle the hiccups that will develop,” he asks. “Finding an excellent contractor takes work. When you do find one, you want to hang onto them. Those trades need to be celebrated. There is a lot of work, knowledge and skill needed to do those jobs correctly.” 

Here’s how to get competitive Apples to Apples bids –

Decide on job details. You have a general idea of the project for which you’ll engage a contractor – remodel a kitchen, retile a bathroom, or reconfigure a laundry room. Before you choose a contractor, it’s important to understand available options, such as specific flooring materials (reclaimed hardwood versus natural stone) or bath options (Japanese soaking tub versus waterfall showerhead). You’ll want to hire a contractor that understands the precise requirements for your specific job. Some homes aren’t as easily retrofitted with modern upgrades as others. For example, including a whirlpool tub in your renovation may require significant additional wiring, plumbing and even structural support work, to accommodate the new electrical, water and weight demands of a large spa tub.

Dig Deep on References –

Many homeowners ask family and friends for contractor referrals. They also follow online reviews from Yelp, Facebook and other online review providers. There’s nothing wrong with using those groups – in fact, some people swear by them. It is also wise to go further with references and ask the contractor for a reference list.

Choosing Your Contractor –

In any case, the estimated cost should only play a supporting role in your decision about who to hire. You should feel comfortable with the contractor and the contractor’s estimate should be detailed and never vague, you should have a clear understanding of what each of your responsibilities will be. To help the process, create a basic scope of work for your contractors, this way your bids are competitive and Apples to Apples, many contractors have their own design ideas which would offset the pricing in the thousands of dollars, by creating a scope of work, you will receive bids that are competitive and relevant to the work that you would like performed.

We hope that these tips help you in making the right decision for your home or business.

6 REASONS TO HIRE A PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTOR

Most homeowners think about renovations sooner or later. Unless you have good handle on home improvement, you’ll probably hire someone to do the work for you. That’s where things can get tricky. Who do you hire, and how do you know whether he’s reputable?

A professional contractor is always the right choice, and for many reasons. He’s licensed and insured, and he probably has a list of references that you can check. Because that’s not enough, here are 6 more reasons to go with a pro:

#1: Experience with Projects Like Yours

It’s true that there’s no other home quite like yours, but there are common threads among most renovation projects. For bathrooms, kitchens, home additions, and anything else that you might want, a professional contractor has years of experience working with the home systems and materials to do the job right.

#2: Professional Connections with Vendors

Every home project comes with a materials and supplies list, and that’s where a lot of your budget goes. If you work with a professional contractor, chances are he has connections that can save you money. A contractor may have vendor accounts with discounted pricing or he might get discounts because he buys from certain vendors fairly often. Either way, his savings is passed on to you, which means your budget can stretch more.

#3: Skills in Different Areas of Home Improvement

Along with experience comes expertise, and that’s something that can only be learned with time in the industry. A professional contractor has framed a wall, installed a subfloor, hung doors and windows and mounted kitchen cabinets in many other homes. He knows the pitfalls to watch out for, which tools and materials work best, and the right way to perform each aspect of your project.

#4: Safety That Protects You and Your Home

Safety is a top concern among all professional contractors. It means that a job is done right, and it also helps prevent injuries and property damage. A contractor knows the local and international code, and will obtain the right permits for the job. That means you can count on the work to be code compliant. He understands OSHA regulations, so he and his crew will maintain a safe work environment that doesn’t damage your home.

#5: Respect for Your Property

A big complaint with homeowners is when workers make a mess and then leave the mess once the work is done. Some track in dirt, leave lunch wrappers lying around, drop nails, leave sawdust and any number of other annoyances. Some of those annoyances can also be hazards. A professional contractor respects your home, and he never leaves a mess for you to clean up.

#6: Overall Money Savings

Aside from saving money on materials and supplies, there’s a bigger way that a professional contractor saves you money. A job well done is money well spent. But a job that’s half-done or one where the work is performed poorly can cost you double in the long run, once you factor in replacements and repairs. A contractor gets it right the first time. And if there’s a problem with his work, you’re not stuck footing the bill to correct it.

There aren’t any real reasons not to hire a professional contractor, but every aspect of your project is a reason why you should. You’ve spent time and energy, not to mention budgeting, to bring your home improvement dreams to life. Put it in the hands of a pro, and you won’t be disappointed.

Are you in the market for a contractor to handle your project? Contact ACR Pro Contractors by clicking below.

ACR PRO CONTRACTORS HAS MOVED TO A NEW GOWANAS / PARK SLOPE LOCATION TO BETTER SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS!

We have acquired a Lease of a Warehouse Space in Gowanas / Park Slope, Brooklyn in order to serve our customers better. This space will allow for us to swiftly prepare our jobsites. Our Proximity to Home Depot, Lowe’s and other local Suppliers makes this a Win for Us & Our Customers!

 

How to Read an Alteration Agreement in NYC

For co-op and condo living, a close look at the contract—including why it exists

written by Carol Wang - November 27, 2018 (Sweeten.com)

Chances are, if you’re renovating in an apartment building—whether it’s a co-op or a condo—you’ll know what an alteration agreement is. And if you don’t, read on! It’s one of the many factors that will determine whether your renovation vision can come to life.

Alteration agreements recognize the reality of urban living: your neighbors are just a wall, ceiling, or floor away. What you choose to do in your renovation will affect their apartments and their lives over the duration of your project. This document prioritizes the greater good of the building over your desire for a new kitchen configuration, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get that new layout—it just means that you have to be considerate of your fellow residents. 

Chances are, if you’re renovating in an apartment building—whether it’s a co-op or a condo—you’ll know what an alteration agreement is. And if you don’t, read on! It’s one of the many factors that will determine whether your renovation vision can come to life.

Alteration agreements recognize the reality of urban living: your neighbors are just a wall, ceiling, or floor away. What you choose to do in your renovation will affect their apartments and their lives over the duration of your project. This document prioritizes the greater good of the building over your desire for a new kitchen configuration, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t get that new layout—it just means that you have to be considerate of your fellow residents. 

What is usually included in an alteration agreement?

SCOPE OF WORK: The document will request a scope of work from your architect or general contractor. This, along with submitted plans, will be reviewed by the board and its architect. They may have questions for you.

INSURANCE: The agreement will ask you to provide the proper paperwork from your contractor and any subcontractors working on the project. Pay attention to the level of insurance required. In New York City, buildings typically require $1 to $2 million of coverage. Some buildings, however, require upwards of $5 million. 

TIMELINE: Boards like to maintain the quality of life for other building residents over the course of your remodel. One way is by restricting the hours of the day—and sometimes even the months of the year—that a renovation is permitted. Usually, there cannot be loud noises prior to 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Additionally, Jiwoo tells us that in some apartments on Central Park West, for example, homeowners are only permitted to do renovation work in the summers.

Alteration agreements may include information on how long your project can take and require a penalty fee if you exceed that deadline.  While many alteration agreements include this penalty, boards are often willing to extend the date or to provide a grace period.

Other agreements may dictate that only a certain number of renovations can be ongoing at any given time, so you may have to plan your date and wait for your neighbors to complete their projects before you can begin yours.

WET-OVER-DRY RULE: This is another key element to look for in an alteration agreement. If you’re hoping to move or enlarge your kitchen or bath into spaces previously designated as bedrooms or living rooms, you may run into challenges. Buildings often want to keep all the “wet” rooms in a vertical stack due to the possibility of leaks. Your architect can work with the board to explain how precautions will be taken to limit the possibility of leaks or noise from these rooms that might be disruptive to neighbors.

Is it worth submitting plans that request something that is expressly prohibited in the alteration agreement?

The document provides the ground rules for your renovation. That said, depending on the character of your board and the management company, it might be worth raising a discussion on a reasonable point if you think that the agreement is outdated or does not reflect current practice. Examples could be the enforcement of the wet-over-dry rule or the prohibiting of a new HVAC system. The first person to ask is the property manager—if that person says no, it’s not worth wasting your time.

What if there is no alteration agreement?

If your building does not have an alteration agreement, it does not mean that you are free to take a no-holds-barred approach to your renovation. This means that the approvals process will be dictated entirely by the composition of the board and its preferences. Smaller buildings might not have this document and these approvals processes tend to be very hands-on. This scenario may play out in the renovator’s favor, however, given that these small buildings can also be more open to your vision.

Important things to remember

Sweeten contractor Santiago reminds us of the purpose of alteration agreements: “The main thing is that the board wants to protect itself. Second, it wants to protect the other shareholders.”

But you should take the document with a grain of salt. “It only gives you so much insight. It’s a formal document, but the truth of the matter is only revealed when you jump into the process,” explains Sweeten architect Jiwoo. “Ultimately, the alteration agreement tells you very little about what the review process is like. It’s not until you get comments back from your board’s engineer or architect that you will really discover what is off-limits and what is permitted.”

Use your alteration agreement as a guide, but work with your architect and general contractor to help you navigate both the agreement and the co-op board. Find the experts with the right experience and you’ll be on your way to demolition and a reimagined space.

How to Clean Up After a Major Renovation

written by Carol Wang December 18, 2018 (Sweeten.com)

Renovations are notoriously messy affairs. No one wants to find that ubiquitous construction dust on a high shelf weeks after the fact. Not only is it unpleasant, it might also be harmful to you, as well as any pets and/or tiny humans you have walking around. Prevention is key, so take a look first at Sweeten’s guide to minimizing the mess during your renovation. Then, read on down right here for a look at how to clean up after renovation.

Unless you explicitly build it into your contract, extensive cleaning is typically not part of your contractor’s job. The industry standard is “broom-swept,” which usually involves vacuuming up larger bits of debris and then running a Swiffer across surfaces. Some contractors may also wipe things down with wet rags. Anything beyond this (including cleaning up common spaces such as hallways and elevators) will need to be specifically arranged, and will most likely incur additional costs that you’ll bear as the homeowner.

Clean-up Services

Whether you moved out or stayed put in your home during the renovation process, you’ll need to arrange for a deep post-construction clean up once that last drawer pull is attached and the final coat of paint applied. Homeowners can undertake the deep clean themselves or outsource it to one of the many companies that focus on this service. Thumbtack shared that the cost of a deep clean isn’t necessarily determined by the size of a space, but rather the level of effort. A 1,400-square foot duplex apartment ranged from $900 to $1,500, while prices ranged from $1,800 to $3,000 for a 2,800-square foot house.

Clean-up Steps

Usually, a post-construction clean up will include the following:

• sweep and vacuum all surfaces, including ceilings, walls

• sweep, mop, and disinfect floors

• vacuum all upholstery

• wipe down doors, knobs, baseboards, moldings, and hardware

• thorough wipe-down and sanitizing of bathrooms and kitchens (including appliances, cabinets, and counters)

• dust, vacuum, and wipe-down of all window interiors including sills and frames

•  dust all ducts, grates, vents, blinds, ceiling fans, and lighting fixtures

• clean all hardware such as hinges and handles
  clean inside and outside of shelves and cabinets

• clean inside all closets

• removal of all remaining trash and debris (although your contractor should have removed most of this as part of the contract)

If you’re trying to decide whether to do it yourself or to outsource it to the experts, ask the following questions:

• Do you have the energy and time?

• How long will it take you?

• Do you have any money left in the renovation budget you could put toward the clean? (Or better yet, build it in now if you haven’t started!).

Different circumstances will determine who gets the job, but a thorough clean is crucial. All kinds of particles are released into the air during renovations, including various toxins, mold spores, silicates, and ultrafine dust that can damage your lungs. Freshly applied paints, lacquers, and primers also give off fumes. Given the possible dangers to your health, the hefty price tag for a proper clean may well be worth it!

Let's Have Some Fun Renovating Your Kitchen!

Prevent Frozen Pipe Disasters!

What's worse than a major home maintenance disaster? Try several major home maintenance disasters at once. When a house's water pipes freeze, the situation is not as simple as calling a plumber. A 1/8-inch crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons of water a day, causing flooding, serious structural damage, and the immediate potential for mold.

Frozen water pipes are a problem in both cold and warmer climates, affecting a quarter-million families each winter, and it can happen in homes with both plastic and copper pipes. It's all too common, especially considering this damage is largely preventable.

In addition to taking the usual preventive precautions, here are a few steps you can take to keep your pipes from turning frigid nights into inconvenient, and expensive ordeals.

Tips to help prevent pipes from freezing:

The three central causes of frozen pipes are quick drops in temperature, poor insulation, and thermostats set too low. You can prepare your home during the warmer months.

Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic, even if you live in a climate where freezing is uncommon. Exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember, the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
Heat tape or thermostatically controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents, and pipes, and use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.
Before winter hits, disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.
A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall.
Keep your thermostat set at the same temperature during both day and night. You might be in the habit of turning down the heat when you're asleep, but further drops in the temperature - more common overnight - could catch you off guard and freeze your pipes.
Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Ways to help avoid frozen pipes while on vacation:

Travelling in the winter months might be a break in your routine, but don't forget to think about your pipes before you leave. What can you do?

Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 65°F. Also be sure to replace the battery in your thermostat every winter season.
Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing.
Shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it may be deactivated when you shut off the water.
Your pipes freeze, what might you do?
What if your pipes still freeze, despite your best preventive measures? First step: Don't panic. Just because they're frozen doesn't mean they've already burst. Here's what you can do:

If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber.
Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame because it could cause a fire hazard. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house!
You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe using a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe.
If your water pipes have already burst, turn off the water at the main shutoff valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shutoff valve is and how to open and close it.

From: Statefarm Insurance.