Looking for Love? REMODEL!!

Mason — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:00:00 -1800

I just HAD to pass this one along to our readers. Of course, you come to this weblog for tips on how to get lucky, right (hands, please)?

Well, the latest advisor to the lovelorn is - who else - Kilz products (that's right, those folks that make the stain-blocking primer we're all so very fond-of).

According to the latest Kilz Roller Report:

- 85% of women would prefer a $5,000 room remodel over a new pair of diamond earrings

- 63% of women consider home decor to be a key in [...]

Let's Not Say Cheap; Rather...

Mason — Tue, 05 May 2009 01:00:00 -1800

In this economy, many of our remodeling-happy customers have a renewed interest in cost-sensitive improvements. As usual, we ALL want to achieve the greatest impact; the most WOW factor for our investment.

Regardless the economic situation, some folks just cannot leave things alone, around their homes. We refer to them as serial remodelers. Bless their souls!

I'll be posting a series of great ideas along these lines in upcoming pieces. Let's n [...]

On Cabinet Refacing, Square Pegs and Round Holes

Mason — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Mason, enjoy your articles. After 12 years in the refacing business, I finally started my own co. What do you think of the laminate and veneer process? Since I am now also doing sales, I could use any sales pitches you might have. Thanks!

Kirk B Reno, NV

Kirk,

Congratulations on taking the jump to ownership. Remember, you're not your own boss... now you have so many more bosses - your customers!

I confess that when I first read your inquiry [...]

Barnwood Restoration

Mason — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Question for Mason:

We are finally after 4 years re insulating our kitchen walls. The drywall has been removed as well as a layer of old barnboards. We have reinsulated and the vapor barrier is in place. I like the idea of putting the barnboards back and having a rustic looking kitchen wall. My question is how would you refinish barnboard? (this board is really old and has a rough dark colour to it). And what would I use to fill the gaps between boards?

Why Invest in Remodeling, In Today's Market?

Mason — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Some of the earliest signs of the present economic troubles appeared in the nation's housing industry. Presently, new home starts (as indicated by permit activity) have dredged 25-year lows, and existing home sales have fallen even as they become seemingly more affordable amidst heretofore unseen devaluation. As lenders tighten their practices, real estate finance has become markedly more conservative, decreasing the ability for many to obtain credit for purchases and improvem [...]

Recycling Cedar for Flooring

Mason — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:00:00 -1800

We are buying a 1922 stick built home. In the back two bedrooms the walls are tongue and groove cedar planks. My question is if we can remove the planks and reuse them as flooring else where in the house??
Thank you
Catie

Catie,

I certainly encourage all forms of recycling. We should strive to make the most of our limited resources, and avoid waste wherever we can.

Generally, the most common forms of cedar, such as Eastern Red [...]

Earth-Friendly Systems Sources

Mason — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:00:00 -1800

Hello,

We are remodeling a home in Midlothian and we are trying to come up with very efficient and eco-friendly technology to integrate into the home including, solar panels, radiant heating, water recycling, geo thermal heating, heat recovery systems and smart technology.

Is there anyone out there selling these services in Central Virginia for one stop shopping that could provide a plan to achieve the highest efficiencies based on what is available. We moved from Engl [...]

Poker & Unlicensed Contractors

Mason — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Who thought the interest in gambling would be so great that the World Series of Poker would be televised on ESPN? Obviously, somebody's watching.

An interesting point in that regard, quoting Pug Pearson, 1973 World Series of Poker champion, made this observation about human nature:

"The real thing to know is that folks will stand to lose more than they will to win. That's the most important percentage there is. I mean, if they lose, they'r [...]

What is the Value?

Mason — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -1800

One of my favorite entries was lost during some recent website updating, so I thought I'd re-post it here. The theme appears to be more pertinent than ever as home values have taken a turn unlike that seen in previous years. Read on...

Somewhere during early conversations with almost every client, we are asked something to the effect of "Do you think we'll build value with our proposed renovation?"

Naturally, I have had plenty of opportunity to build [...]

Kitchen Flooring - Stick a Cork in It!

Mason — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason,

Would you recommend cork flooring for a kitchen?

Brenda G. Dallas, TX

Dang, Brenda, I didn’t know our blog went all the way to the Lone Star State! Welcome, and know that I love your question!

There are SO many choices for flooring these days. Kitchens, obviously, have some very special needs in terms of durability, maintenance, clean-up, comfort, and of course, STYLE! The “best” floor for your kitchen should be based on which of these consider [...]

Patch to Match, This Way or That

Mason — Mon, 05 May 2008 00:00:00 -1800

How do you repair hardwood floors after taking out walls? I want to take out a wall to open up my living space, but I don't want to redo or replace the existing flooring--it's not rare and important, but it is over 50 years old and in good shape. Can you patch the floor and make it look okay? The flooring runs perpendicular to the wall I want take out.

Amy O. Richmond, VA

Amy,

I am reminded of a bit from The Honeymooners (I'm not that old, but we did have r [...]

House Lust

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Highly recommend this book for anyone involved, interested or intrigued by the housing industry. House Lust: America's Obsession with our Homes by Daniel McGinn is an entertaining and easy read (those aspects of any book being important to me). The premise of McGinn's study is the evolution of the American mindset wherein those things previously considered luxuries are becoming necessities - particularly regarding real estate and housing.

The book covers the gro [...]

More Talk about Cracks

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Dear Mason,

My house was built in 1938. The walls are plaster over lathe. I'm noticing more cracks in the ceilings, including one that runs parallel to the chimney bump out, about 3 inches away from the wall. It actually looks like the part of the ceiling that is closer to the fireplace is a fraction (1/32"?) higher than the part outside the crack. The crack follows that chimney exactly. Is my house sinking? And do I just repair the crack, or is there more that needs to h [...]

(Sing Along:) Who's Afraid of a Load-Bearing Wall?

Mason — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason,

I have a small (1400 sf) old Cape. There is a wall with a double-door opening that separates the living room from a small sunroom. Around the corner from that, there is a tiny bathroom and corridor that separates that sunroom from the kitchen. I'd really like to remove the wall and the bathroom and open the whole space up. My question is, what are the factors that need to be considered to do this and keep my house from falling down? I hear the term "load bearing wall&qu [...]

Hard Time with Hardwood Floors

Mason — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -1800

Mason:

Our hardwood flooring was buckled in several areas, so we hired a flooring guy to sand and refinish all of it throughout our first floor. Two months later, those same areas have buckled again! What happened, and what do we do now?

Elsie M., Gum Springs

Dear Elsie:

There are several possibilities for this, but (without examining the before and after conditions), I can give you the “90% probability” response…

When the [...]

On Becoming a Cellar Dweller

Mason — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -1800

I am trying to figure out how to make the basement a livable space. The partial earth covering 4-7 feet of the front and side of the foundation needs to be excavated and moisture proofed before backfilling. Instead would in be a reasonable proposition to remove the soil and add four windows across the bottom of the house for a two-story look? There are homes in Longwood Acres that were built with windows and very little earth against the home..

Basement space is GREAT spa [...]

Cutting-edge Country

Mason — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -1800

I just had to show y’all this recently-completed project in Manakin-Sabot. It is a 1400 SF master suite addition - the second major remodel designed and built by HomeMasons at this property.

The first, a den extension with a sunroom, screened porch and exterior improvements, won a “Best of the South” Award in 2004. The Homeowner declares these new enhancements to be “HomeMasons’ best work ever”.

Brick Floor Restoration

Mason — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -1800

Mason:

I’m a friend and neighbor of Jim and Marguerite Bruce and, having seen their home being built in the late 70’s - knowing it could be so much more than it was - love what you did for “the old Groseclose place”! I have a question - can you recommend someone experienced in cleaning and sealing an interior brick floor? My living room, approx. 16 x 40', is brick over concrete on grade. Installed in 1981, it was sealed with polyurethane. Most of that has [...]

Dryvit Stair Repair - Beware!

Mason — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -1800

hello,

I have Dryvit entry stairway on my house. They are cracking and peeling along the base and I would like to get it repaired. Can it be patched or is it a total redo? Any recommendations for a small repair?

Thanks,

kerry kelley

Kerry,

Dryvit is a brand name for EIFS (Exterior Finish and Insulation System), intended for use on vertical wall cladding. We’ve seen it used in other applications – some not so successfully. Due to [...]

Critter Control

Mason — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -1800

I have beveled wood siding - cedar I guess - on a 40 year old house. I had an instance last fall/winter where mice found an entry point in my garage. The entry point was just outside the door frame where it meets the bottom run of siding, underneath. It appears that all of the bottom run of my siding does have a little space (an inch or so) up behind it, and overtime, at least at the door frame entry point it appears that time took it's toll and allowed the mice to squeeze in. The house is i [...]

Ask Mason tagged 'renovation'

Looking for Love? REMODEL!!

Let's Not Say Cheap; Rather...

On Cabinet Refacing, Square Pegs and Round Holes

Barnwood Restoration

Why Invest in Remodeling, In Today's Market?

Recycling Cedar for Flooring

Earth-Friendly Systems Sources

Poker & Unlicensed Contractors

What is the Value?

Kitchen Flooring - Stick a Cork in It!

Patch to Match, This Way or That

House Lust

More Talk about Cracks

(Sing Along:) Who's Afraid of a Load-Bearing Wall?

Hard Time with Hardwood Floors

On Becoming a Cellar Dweller

Cutting-edge Country

Brick Floor Restoration

Dryvit Stair Repair - Beware!

Critter Control