As a financial planner and a new-ish home owner, I’m always on the look out for ways I can furnish our house without breaking our budget.  Home Depot and Lowe’s are both within a ten minute drive, and so the opportunity to spend big is never far from reach!

However, I’ve learned that, in addition to online stores, we have quite a number of under-the-radar home supply and decoration options here in Lancaster County.  I’d like to share some of the options that I’ve discovered, and encourage you to share other opportunities that you know are out there, as I’m sure there are more.

Craigslist, which can be Lancaster County-specific, is a good first option for finding things that you can go inspect in person and pick up.  You can search for just about anything, and if Lancaster doesn’t have what you’re looking for, Craigslist will suggest other local areas that may.  I purchased the pavers for our backyard patio on Craigslist – and received two year old, almost perfect condition 6”x9” trapezoid-shaped pavers for 40 cents each.  I found comparable, but not identical, pavers at Lowe’s that were listed at over 2 bucks a piece.

The Lancaster Restore, a division of Habitat for Humanity, is a great option.  My wife and I frequent here monthly.  When contractors are working on houses, often they’ll salvage building supplies and then re-sell them through the Restore.  You wouldn’t know it by driving by on Route 30, but the place has an enormous inventory.  Everything from light fixtures, to drawer knobs, to windows, to toilets.  We scored ten 1’ sheets of backsplash tile for our kitchen for $5 a piece.  Similar ones were selling at Home Depot for $10-15.  We also purchased toilet paper dispensers for $2 and a medicine cabinet for $15 – which after the rehab of a bottle of spray paint looked brand new.

And my personal favorite: Wolgemuth Auction.  This is a monthly auction held every second Thursday at a simply gigantic property in Leola.  Both new and used building supplies are sold here, as well as returns from Costco and other local big box stores.  With auctions, you have to carefully inspect what you’re buying – but there are some serious deals to be had.  So far, I’ve purchased a brand new solid wood interior door for $5, a brand new stainless steel sink for $17, a brand new bathroom vanity for $17, ten boxes of new bathroom tile for $30, and a “lot box” for $1 which ended up containing three brand new digital thermostats, six 5-gallon drywall buckets, miscellaneous electric wiring, plumbing tools, and three door knobs.  Wolgemuth has everything from power tools to hand tools, kitchen cabinets to wicker furniture, insulation to lumber, doors to windows, and just about everything in between.  But – it is auction, and at times things sell for more than what you can get them at retail price, so you need to be weary of what you’re buying.  What’s that saying in real estate, Jeff? … Buyer Beware.

There are tremendous opportunities and deals available right here in Lancaster PA that can allow you to furnish your home without breaking your budget.  The trade off is convenience, and requires a little patience.

There is no doubt that summer has been here with a vengeance for the past month. Many homeowners are frustrated at this time of year to see their beautiful lawn declining. Figuring out what to do to change that situation is a hard task. With so many issues on lawns in summer, where would you even start?

Hindsight is 20/20: If you are a lawn enthusiast like us, you got extremely spoiled in 2009. Last year, we saw lawns lose a little bit of color in the month of June, but the ample rainfall kept things lush and green all the way through the hottest time of year. This is definitely not the case in 2010. Our area has seen regular temperatures for the last month in the 90’s, which is more typical of August weather, than June and early July. This heat coupled with a lack of regular rainfall has stressed out grass plants, and let to even more problems.

The Miracle Serum: The most crucial element any plant needs to survive is water. Without the right amount of it, it will stress the plant out and kill it. Most lawns are able to survive periods of 4-7 weeks of drought conditions, by going into dormancy. The blades of the grass lose moisture, and turn a straw-brown color. Energy in the grass plants is diverted to keeping the roots and crowns of the grass plants alive, so they can regenerate new blades when the environment permits. When cooler temperatures arrive later in the year, and rainfall is more abundant, most lawn areas will green back up, if only under typical drought conditions.

There’s a Fungus Among Us: There are dozens of turf fungi that cause damage to lawns in a year. Some are less of a concern than others, and some can cause permanent damage in a short period of time. During the summer, there are several fungi that can damage your lawn extensively. Summer Patch, Brown Patch, Leaf Spot, and Pythium Blight are just a few of those we typically see on lawns. The common catalyst for this is the proper environmental conditions. Night-time temperatures above 68 degrees and high humidity or rainfall at night will be very conducive to helping these grow on grass plants. Fungicides can be applied to lawns to lessen the effects. These applications can be more expensive than typical treatments, and only last for approximately 30 days, but may be what your lawn needs to survive.

Critters with an Appetite: There are a few insects that can extensively cause irreversible damage to your lawn in the summer. Chinch Bugs, Billbugs, Sod Webworms, and Grubs are the main destroyers in our areas. Preventative applications can be made to lawns to keep these invaders from damaging your lawn.

Stay off My Lawn! One of the worst things you can do for a stressed lawn is to mow it too short, too often, or when it’s too hot. This can make the lawn look even worse! The best thing to do would be only mow the lawn when you can’t tolerate it anymore, and mow it on your mower’s highest height setting. Try to stay off the lawn completely. Parties, playing hard on the lawn, and heavy foot traffic can damage the crowns of the grass plants making it even harder for the lawn to regenerate when conditions improve.

So what should you do? If you believe you have any of these issues, let a trained lawn care professional check them out for you. The diagnosis of these problems is very difficult, especially for homeowners. Some issues are easily addressed, and some issues are also beyond control. Either way, it’s important to understand these lawn stresses, and know what options are available.

As we move into the sultry summer months, the temperatures will rise … and so will those energy bills! For those homeowners who may not have felt the sting of their electric bill over the winter months, they most likely will feel it this summer when their air conditioning is running 24/7 to keep their family comfortable.

Remember, with Federal tax credits still available through the end of 2010, I encourage anyone considering a home improvement project to heavily weigh the benefits of doing it NOW so you can take advantage of the tax credits – and energy savings. That’s what this month’s article is all about.

It’s nearly impossible these days to not see or hear about “green” ways. Everything is “Going Green” ― from vehicles to building materials. Not only are consumers much more conscientious about their carbon footprints, in today’s economy they are also getting savvy about saving money, too.

One of the biggest investments you will ever make is on your home, and for consumers who are looking to build a new home, building one that is certified “green” is certainly something I encourage you to look into. In fact, a recent survey revealed that homeowners of green homes said they were happier 85 percent of the time with their new green homes than with their previous, more traditionally built ones, due in part to the lower operating and maintenance costs that come with energy- and resource-efficient homes.

But for the 120 million existing homes in the United States, remodeling is the only way for homeowners to incorporate green. Here are some suggestions to homeowners who want to increase their home’s efficiency, decrease costs, and take advantage of the other benefits that green offers.

1. Install maximum insulation in the area to be remodeled.

Forty percent of the energy consumed in a typical house goes to heating and cooling. Adding insulation is an easy way to increase efficiency. It will also help save energy costs, increase comfort by better controlling temperature, and improve indoor air quality by eliminating many gaps through which dirt, dust, and other impurities can enter.

2. Install high-efficiency windows instead of those that “just meet” code.

Ordinary window glass transmits ultraviolet heat rays from the sun, which can increase your air conditioning bill dramatically. Energy-efficient windows can help control this effect. These windows may have two or more panes of glass, warm-edge spacers between the panes, improved framing materials, and microscopically thin metal or metallic oxide layers deposited on windows to reduce radiative heat flow.

3. Seal all exterior penetration points.

You can reduce energy loss by inspecting your home from the inside and outside, and plugging cracks or openings. Anywhere a home’s envelope has been punctured (windows, doors, electrical outlets, etc.) can be an energy loss point, especially over time when the original protective seal begins to deteriorate. Use caulk to seal all small cracks on non-moving surfaces, and install weather stripping on windows, doors and other movable parts of the home.

4. Purchase only ENERGY STAR-rated appliances.

ENERGY STAR-rated appliances, ranging from dishwashers and refrigerators to computers and televisions, meet strict energy-efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and the U.S. Department of Energy. Qualified refrigerators, dishwashers and vent fans incorporate advanced technologies that use 10-50 percent less energy and water than standard models, more than making up for the slightly higher initial costs of these products.

5. Install low-flow water plumbing fixtures.

In the average home, toilet flushing accounts for some 30 percent of water usage. By using low-flow plumbing fixtures such as toilets, faucet aerators and showerheads, you can save up to 25 percent of that water, compared to conventional fixtures, while providing the same utility.

6. Upgrade to a high-efficiency or tankless water heater.

Homeowners looking to conserve money can save big by replacing their traditional water heater with a high-efficiency or tankless one. Traditional water heaters use a lot of energy because they keep the water in the tank at a constant temperature ― whether the water is immediately needed or not. There are now many water heater options on the market that only heat the water, when needed.

Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand at a preset temperature rather than storing it. Replacing an electric water heater with a solar model can reduce costs by up to 80 percent a year. Over its 20-year lifespan, a solar heater will prevent more than 50 tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

And if nothing else, a low-cost alternative is to wrap insulation around your heater, which can reduce standby heat losses 25 to 45 percent.

7. Purchase the highest efficiency HVAC system you can afford.

Over a ten-year period, the average homeowner spends more than $10,000 for heating and cooling. Installing high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment can reduce utility costs on average by 10 to 30 percent over minimum efficiency equipment. It also can improve your home’s overall comfort.(Source: NAHB)

If you are thinking about improving the energy efficiency of your home this summer, give Rick at Wheatland a call at (717) 560-3400 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. He’d be happy to discuss options that will work within your budget.

Short circuits happen when a hot wire touches a neutral or ground wire; the extra current flowing through the circuit causes the breaker to trip or the fuse to blow. Your home electrical circuits could have a number of problems:

• Faulty wiring within the house

• Too many lamps or appliances on one circuit

• Defective wall switches or receptacles

• Defective cords or plugs

• Defective circuits within appliances

Although it’s often easy to tell when you have a short or overloaded circuit – the lights go dead when you plug in the toaster over – it isn’t always as simple to tell where in the system this has occurred. Start by turning off all wall switches and unplugging all lights and appliances. Then reset the circuit breaker. Pull the lever to off and then to on again to reset a circuit breaker with a lever switch. If a fuse is blown, it must be replaced.

1. Unscrew the fuse to replace it with one exactly the same amperage rating (both circuit breakers and fuses should be sized according to the wire used in the circuit they protect).
2. If the breaker trips immediately, the problem may be a short circuit in a receptacle or switch.
3. If the breaker does not trip again, turn on each switch one at a time and check if and when the breaker trips again.
4. If turning on a switch causes the breaker to trip, there’s a short circuit in a fixture or receptacle controlled by the switch.
5. If turning on the switch makes no difference, the problem is in one of the appliances connected to the switch.
6. If the circuit went dead when you plugged in the appliance, the problem is probably in the cord or plug.
7. If the circuit went dead when you turned on the appliance, the appliance itself is defective.

As always, if you’re unsure or uncomfortable around electrical systems, stop and contact a professional for advice and an estimate to repair.

Planning on installing a new deck or sprucing-up an existing one this season?  If so, you’re not alone. Decks are still among the most popular home improvements in Lancaster County.  So, what’s hot in decks this summer?  Here are some of the top deck trends for summer 2010:

Railings – Once merely a functional safety element, railings are now doing double duty as design statements. Railings are often the first thing one notices about a deck, so manufacturers are offering more aesthetically pleasing, architecturally interesting options. Hot railing trends include decorative balusters of aluminum, iron or even cable, glass panels and railing systems that combine materials for durability, as well as visual effect.

Multiple Levels – Designers are using multiple levels to create virtual rooms for outdoor use. A main deck might function as living and dining space, while a smaller, lower level addition serves as a kitchen area, and another level might host a hot tub. Multi-level decks facilitate multiple uses and add visual interest to the overall deck structure.

Indoor Luxuries, Outdoors – Homeowners want to bring the same luxuries they enjoy indoors outside onto their decks. In response, builders are adding touches like built-in fire pits and fireplaces, full kitchens with professional grade gas grills, spas, built-in benches and cabinets, shade structures and lighting to deck designs.

New Shapes – Piano-shaped, arrowhead and even oval shapes are appearing in back yards across the country. Modern materials, improved building methods and the creativity of designers and homeowners have permanently changed the shape and size of the great American deck. For added pizzazz, you can incorporate a pattern, such as herringbone or checkerboard, into the deck surface.

Composite Materials – While some homeowners prefer wood, composite materials continue to gain popularity. Not only are they durable and often eco-friendly (as many of them are made from recycled materials), composites can now mimic the much-loved look of wood.

I know it sounds backwards and many people will say being able to submit a claim when something happens is why they have insurance in the first place! However, submitting a homeowner insurance can actually cost you more money in the long run and the claim remains on file for 5 years. That is why it is important to consider these 3 factors before making the final decision to submit a homeowner insurance claim.

Claims May Add Surcharges

Most insurance carriers surcharge an existing homeowner insurance policy once a customer submits 2 or more paid claims in a 5 year period. Even if a policy has 2 paid claims costing $500 or 2 paid claims costing $50,000 in a 5 year period, the homeowner insurance policy will still have the same surcharge. Thus, before submitting a claim it is important to consider the estimated cost of a claim and how much your insurance carrier may surcharge the policy.

A CLUE Records All Claims

In a our prior blog post “Get A C.L.U.E – A Carfax Report for Houses”, we talked about how a CLUE report shows homeowner insurance claims on a property for the past 5 years. However, did you know that all homeowner insurance claims submitted to the insurance carrier are documented on a CLUE report regardless if the claim is paid or not. Thus, it is always good to talk with your insurance agent to understand if your claim is covered or excluded before it goes on a CLUE report for the next 5 years.

Claims Information Can be Available to Buyers

Home buyers and real estate agents can now get a CLUE report by requesting the seller to purchase a CLUE Home Seller’s Disclosure Report from Choicepoint. This special CLUE report removes all the personal information about the property owner but it still has the 5 year claims history. Thus, it is important to remember that submitting a homeowner insurance claim could impact a future real estate transaction.

Overall, submitting a homeowner insurance claim can be a very smart decision but make sure to consider all the implications of a claim with your agent before submitting one. Being surprised when your next homeowner insurance bill comes in the mail or when you try to sell your home is never a fun experience.

Post by Mike Blank, MBC Building & Remodeling

The EPA rule requires lead-safe work practices in pre-1978 homes, including posting warning signs; using disposable plastic drop cloths; cleaning the work area with HEPA vacuuming and wet washing; and individual certification through a training course. The full rule and brochures for consumers can be downloaded from the EPA’s Web site.

A 2006 NAHB study on lead-safe work practices showed that a home was better off after a remodel than before, as long as the work was performed by trained remodelers who clean the work area with HEPA-equipped vacuums, wet washing and use disposable drop cloths.

Summary of the Rule

1. Training and Certification

As of April 2010, remodeling firms working in pre-1978 homes need to be certified. In addition to firm certification, the company must employ a Certified Renovator. When hiring a remodeler, home owners should verify the firm is certified and employs a Certified Renovator to be sure the work is completed properly.

2. Work Practices

The Certified Renovator has a number of responsibilities. The remodeler must distribute the Renovate Right brochure to the homeowner and ask them to sign the pre-renovation form several days before work begins. They must also post warning signs outside the work area and supervise setting up containment to prevent spreading dust. The rule lists specific containment procedures for both interior and exterior projects. It forbids certain work practices including open flame or torch burning, use of a heat gun that exceeds 1100°F, and high-speed sanding and grinding unless the tool is equipped with a HEPA exhaust control. Once the work is completed, the regulation specifies cleaning and waste disposal procedures. Clean up procedures must be supervised by a Certified Renovator.

3. Verification and Record Keeping

After clean up is complete the Certified Renovator must verify by matching a cleaning cloth with an EPA verification card. If the cloth appears dirtier or darker than the card, the cleaning must be repeated.

A complete file of records on the project must be kept by the certified renovator for three years. These records include, but aren’t limited to: verification of owner/occupant receipt of the Renovate Right pamphlet or attempt to inform, documentation of work practices, Certified Renovator certification, and proof of worker training.

Starting in July 2010, remodeling firms are also required to share with home owners a copy of the records created under the rule within 30 days of completing the renovation.

4. Exemptions

It is important to note that these work practices may be waived under these conditions:

• The home or child occupied facility was built after 1978.
• The repairs are minor, with interior work disturbing less than six sq. ft. or exteriors disturbing less than 20 sq. ft.
• If the house or components test lead free by a Certified Risk Assessor, Lead Inspector, or Certified Renovator.
• The homeowner may also opt out by signing a waiver if there are no children under age six frequently visiting the property, no one in the home is pregnant, or the property is not a child-occupied facility. The EPA is revoking the opt-out waiver as of July 2010. This means all remodeling work conducted in pre-1978 housing must comply with the regulation after this date.

Learn more about EPA’s lead paint rule by visiting www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm.

Mike Blank, CGR CAPS, President

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC

cell: (717) 371-5136

Post by Mike Blank, MBC Building & Remodeling

The government is currently giving up to $1,500 in tax credits to homeowners who remodel their existing (principle) residence to reduce energy consumption. A lot of people think this tax credit only applies to replacement windows, but it is actually much more encompassing. The official name for the program is the Existing Home Retrofit (25C) tax credit and it extends to replacing insulation, doors, skylights, water heaters, heat pumps, central air conditioning, and metal or asphalt roofs.

Exisiting Home Retrofit (25C) at a glance:

Up to $1,500 can be claimed for all qualifying products placed into service by 12/31/10 for most home improvements. Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2010 (for existing homes only) for:

• Windows and Doors
• Insulation
• Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
• HVAC
• Water Heaters (non-solar)
• Biomass Stoves

Improvements made in 2010 will be claimed on your 2010 taxes.

There’s also a tax credit of 30% of cost, with no cap, for alternative energy sources such as geothermal heat pumps, solar panels and solar water heaters. This credit can be applied to any home that you use as a residence (not just your principle) and new construction as well.

PLEASE NOTE that not all projects or products are eligible for tax credits. Be sure you check all of the guidelines to make sure your project will fall within the required conditions to be eligible. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB.org) is an excellent resource for information on the tax credit program. You can also go to IRS.gov for all of the guidelines, while a wealth of product information can be found at EnergyStar.gov/taxcredits.

Mike Blank, CGR CAPS, President

MBC Building & Remodeling, LLC

cell: (717) 371-5136

1. Building a Compost Bin using Home Depot lumber and a couple of screws
2. Installing a RainBarrel to catch downspout water for garden and pool re-use
3. Organizing a “square foot” garden

Today, let’s talk compost.

Susan & I had a small compost bin I made with some old 2×4s a couple of years ago.  It was a basic design - called a “one-chamber” because that’s all there was.  I’ve really loved not having to put the grass clippings out for 2 years!  Also, everything organic from the kitchen has gone out to the pile daily.  We got a great compost harvest the second spring but this year didn’t go as well.  The pile had gotten too high and was a bear to turn (which is required for the stuff to decompose properly) with the pitchfork.

Solution: Rip the thing out and rebuild.   I built a new compost bin (level two)!  It’s a “two-chamber” design which allows me to turn the piles more effectively by going from one side to the other, and pulling out the finished compost as it happens.  I would have preferred to have done a “three-chamber” so I had a pile for only finished compost, but space did not allow for that.  So far, it has produced a good amount of working compost for our garden.

I did the  Home Depot thing and picked up some fresh 2×4s (the last ones rotted) and 1×4’s for the side slatting.  I also bought some green-coated chicken wire in 24″x 25 ft (one roll – I already had 25 foot – you’ll need two rolls to build this compost bin design).  I used 2″ deck screws to fasten everything together.

I sunk the posts using a post-hole digger and an iron ”digging stick” with a tamping end to pack the posts in place.  Lots and lots of measuring with a tape measure and level…The screws tightened the whole compost bin up nicely.  Took me an afternoon and a half (with 3 kids in tow).

Right away I noticed how the extra 4 feet really helped separate the materials.  Note the difference between the more recent deposits and the almost-ready compost on the left.  My nagging problem had been the lack of consistent aeration – the stuff stunk! Now with the ability to turn more often without the hassle factor I’ll get better aeration, which means lots of good compost to spread on mama Geoghan’s vegetable garden in the fall and spring!

Look for my next piece – on putting together a rainbarrel using a local Lancaster PA barrel source and easily-available plumbing parts.

By Mike & Matt Blank – MBC Remodeling

Spring is here and many homeowners are eager to update and improve their homes. Before you begin, it’s an excellent idea to meet with a professional to help you come up with a practicable plan for getting better results.

An experienced Remodeling Contractor can help you transform your dreams into reality and help you avoid many common, and costly, mistakes that less qualified contractors or do-it-yourselfers often make. They can ensure that you get exactly what you need at a fair price.

Before you begin your home improvement project, here are a few key tips for planning a successful project that will being you joy for many years to come.

1. Write down a list of remodeling ideas for your home. Include everything you think needs to be done and everything you wish you could improve about your home. Draft a budget for these projects and explore ways that you can work them into it. Most homeowners already have projects in mind, such as modernizing the kitchen, adding a bathroom, replacing windows or painting the exterior. Next, prioritize your list. Perhaps it’s not the right time to do everything on your list, but most homeowner’s are delighted to discover how they can maximize their budget by doing the work in phases. The right Remodeling Contractor can help by suggesting budget-friendly materials and utilizing innovative solutions to help you stretch your home improvement budget.

2. Explore your creative side. Many “amateur” designers come up with wonderful ideas, and since you are living in your home day after day, your input will help us come up with a final plan that meets your specific needs. So make a dozen copies of your current floor plan, and sketch out your concepts. It doesn’t matter how great they are; brainstorming will help you figure out exactly what you want. Don’t worry; we’ll make sure that your winning ideas don’t go unnoticed!

3. Take advantage of the Energy Efficiency Tax Credits. Don’t miss out on time sensitive incentives for replacing windows or doors, adding insulation, installing new roofing, upgrading heating or air-conditioning units, updating the water heater or installing energy generating products. The Green Remodeling incentives are a great way to enhance your home and defray some of the costs… maximizing your remodeling budget AND reducing home energy bills; it’s a win, win for YOU!