Question: Which home improvement projects have the best return on value?

May 14, 2020 — 1 Comment

It’s sometimes daunting trying to figure out which home improvement projects should take priority over others when it comes to increasing your home’s overall value.  According to the latest 2020 remodeling research study I’ve seen, here are 5 of the top  return value projects for the Southeast region of the country:

1. 94% avg. cost recouped – Adding Manufactured Stone Veneer to the exterior of your home.  This assumes replacing at least 300SF of your existing front exterior vinyl siding with stone veneer including around the front entry door.  Average cost of project is around $9,000.
2. 88% avg. cost recouped – Garage Door Replacement.  This assumes replacing your old 16×7 garage door with a new, high strength steel door with heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks, windows along the top panel of door, and foam insulated to at least R-12 in the latest on trend carriage door design style.  Average cost of project is around $3,600.
3. 77% avg. cost recouped – Add a Deck.  This assumes adding a 16×20 pressure-treated wood deck complete with steps to grade, a built in bench, posts, railings, and balusters.  (Another option is to add a composite deck but be aware they return slightly less with 66% of their costs being recouped.)  Average cost of project is around $12,800.
4. 76% avg. cost recouped – Midrange Kitchen Remodel.  This assumes remodeling a functional but dated 200SF kitchen with approximately 30LF of cabinetry and countertops, leaving existing cabinet boxes in place but replacing fronts with new shaker-style wood panels & drawer fronts & new hardware. This also includes replacing the cooktop/oven range and slide-in refrigerator with new energy-efficient models, replacing laminate countertops, installing a midpriced sink & faucet, adding new resilient flooring, and finishing by painting walls, trim, and the ceiling.  Average cost of project is around $22,000.
5. 67% avg. cost recouped – Replace Front Entry Door with steel replacement.  This assumes removing existing 3-0/6-8 door and replacing with a 20 gauge steel door that includes a clear, dual-pane half-glass panel, jambs, and aluminum threshold as well as replacing existing lockset.  Average cost of project is around is $1,800.

Question: Can I put pumpkin seeds down my garbage disposal?

September 30, 2019

The short answer is no!  You should not put fibrous vegetables such as pumpkin, kale, celery, and asparagus down your disposal because of how easily they get tangled up in the unit and often jam the motor.  Here’s a helpful list of what should and shouldn’t go in your garbage disposal:

Should:

• soft foods
• liquids
• some hard vegetables and fruits as long as they are chopped up

Should Not:

• coffee grounds (they clump together in a thick mass that can clog drains)
• pasta, rice, & other starchy foods that expand when wet
• egg shells
• potato peels
• nuts
• meat remnants
• bones
• shells of seafood fish
• grease, oil, & cooking fat (these can solidify in pipes and cause serious clogs)
• fibrous vegetables (as mentioned above)
• seeds from peaches & mangoes
• apple cores

Question: What’s the best way to clean a Trex deck?

May 23, 2019

Memorial Day weekend is the perfect time to get your deck set up if you haven’t already! Like any outdoor structure, your Trex deck needs to be cared for and cleaned well to maintain it’s optimal beauty and life.  Early generation Trex decks do not encourage power washing, just soap and water and a soft bristled brush.  The Transcend, Enhance, & Select Trex products allow for pressure washers with equal to or less than 3100 PSI and recommend holding the tip no closer than 8″ from each deck board.  Never use cleaning products with Acetone in them; but rather, use a Magic Eraser to try to remove any stains you may have.  Also, never sand a Trex deck.  Lastly, as a reminder for next winter,  never use a metal shovel on a Trex deck, only plastic should you need to remove snow and/or debris. For now, happy deck season!

Merry Christmas!

December 20, 2018

We Made the Top 5! Vote Now for Top Homebuilder!

July 23, 2018

As many of you may have seen in the newspaper yesterday, we made the Top 5 as one of Richmond’s Best Homebuilders! Thanks to your nomination votes back in the Spring, AHI broke through the historically all-production-builder ranks and grabbed a spot in the Top 5 of the annual Richmond Times Dispatch’s “The Best of Richmond” competition. We know this is because of you, thank you!

VOTE HERE

If you feel like voting again,the competition is now to the final phase and will be narrowing the list down to the Top 3 to be announced at a ceremony in October. You can vote daily, at the link above! (You’ll find Best Homebuilder in the Home and Garden section).

We appreciate your support!

The AHI Team

Question: What does the noise from my AC unit mean?

May 10, 2018

Most of today’s high-efficiency AC units keep noise levels below 55 decibels.  So, if you hear an unusual or loud noise, don’t ignore it and turn a potentially minor issue into a major expense.  Below are the most common AC unit noises and what they may mean:

• Screaming – if you hear a high-pitched whistle or scream like noise, this could indicate a refrigerant leak in your unit or high internal pressure inside your compressor.  Both of these situations are dangerous for your family, shut the unit off and call a professional.
• Rattling – a rattling noise could mean that your unit is either starting to deteriorate, some of its parts are becoming loose like the fan, or that twigs or debris could be clogging it.  Check for loose screws and bolts in the unit, change the indoor air filter, and clean the condenser coils.
• Humming – if your compressor hums and refuses to start, more than likely there is an issue with your motor but first check the wiring as a loose wire would cause the same humming sound.
• Clicking – your AC unit will make a normal clicking sound as it starts up and shuts down but be aware if this clicking noise becomes constant,  it could indicate a defective control or failing thermostat.
• Banging – if you hear banging, something in your AC unit is not functioning properly and needs to be fixed right away before the problem causes more expensive ripple effects.  Banging indicates there’s a broken or loose part in your compressor system or that your indoor blower might be unbalanced.  Call a professional while there is still time to repair that one part and not have to replace the whole unit from the damage it caused!

Question: How Do I Pick a Refrigerator-there’s too many options?!

March 1, 2018

Choosing a refrigerator doesn’t have to be overwhelming, even though one walk down the home improvement store appliance aisle might seem like it!  Take a step back, identify your lifestyle & needs, and you’ll see an intelligent choice emerge for your particular situation.  Refer to this guide below from my friends at AHS to offer better insight for selecting a refrigerator that’s best for you:

Refrigerator Needs

To pick the fridge that’s right for you, consider the following factors:

• Kitchen space – How much space do you have? Be sure to purchase a fridge that can fit in your kitchen, while leaving a few inches around each side to let the fridge operate efficiently. Also, be sure to consider how wide the fridge doors can swing open and in what direction, too.
• Eating habits – Do you eat more fresh foods or frozen foods? Select a fridge type that caters to your dining habits. If you consume mainly fresh foods, consider a bottom-mount fridge (freezer on the bottom). If you prepare meals from frozen items, a top-mount fridge may work better.
• Your family – If you have kids or elderly people in your home, pick a fridge that provides easy access to food items. A side-by-side unit allows you to place food on lower or upper shelves, depending on who needs to reach it.

Refrigerator Features

Most refrigerators come with standard features, including shelves, crisper drawers and on-door compartments. If you’re looking for more than the basics, here are additional features to consider.

• Ice and water dispensers: While models with these features are the most popular, they also require the most repairs. Energy costs are higher, too.
• Adjustable shelving
• Soda-can dispenser
• Moisture control
• Air filtration system
• Programmable control pad: With this feature, you can set the temperature, lock ice and water dispensers and preset the amount of water to dispense.
• Energy-saving models: Certain refrigerator models can use up to 20 percent less energy, saving you money on utility bills. Just look for Energy Star-qualified units.

Refrigerator Types

Refrigerator types prioritize size, food types, access and appearance. Select the one that best matches your needs. 

• Top mount – The freezer is on the top, and the refrigerator is on the bottom. Top-mount fridges are the most common and typically the least expensive. These models prioritize refrigerator space, but the drawback is the limited capacity (about 18 cubic feet on the smaller end).
• Bottom mount – The refrigerator is on the top, and the freezer is on the bottom. In these units, the freezer typically consists of a pullout shelf.
• Side-by-side – The refrigerator and freezer compartments run from the top to the bottom of the unit. These models provide the same or similar amount of freezer and refrigeration capacity. While these units take up less space with the doors open, the compartments are relatively narrow (making it tough to fit those frozen pizzas).

Additionally, counter-depth models are popular options. These provide a built-in look, as the fridge sits flush with your cabinetry. For the sake of that perfect fit, you may have to sacrifice storage capacity though.

Lastly, there are several options when it comes to color and finish. Stainless steel is an appealing option, but fingerprints leave smudges, necessitating constant wiping. Consider a faux-stainless finish, which saves you from the never-ending cleanup.

Is Your Fireplace Ready for the Holidays?

November 28, 2017

As the holiday season approaches, now is the time to ensure your fireplace will be in good working condition for those cold winter nights.  Keeping your chimney clean and clear is of the utmost importance!  Both gas burning and wood burning fireplaces need to be cleaned annually by a professional chimney sweep.  A rough guide is to have your fireplace cleaned after approximately 60-80 fires, for most people having it cleaned annually achieves this.  A good chimney sweep service will inspect & clean the flue, smoke chamber, damper, vents, and check for cracks and loose bricks.   Also, make sure your chimney technician inspects the chimney cap as this is critical in preventing stray embers from igniting your roof.  Lastly, if you have a wood burning fireplace, make sure they check and clear any creosote buildup they may find.  Creosote is a byproduct of burning wood and is extremely toxic (bad for your lungs) and highly flammable (house fires get quickly out of control).  Keeping your fireplace components clean and in good working condition will enable you to have a safe and warm holiday season!