Home Improvements Advantage Realty, homes for sale in San Francisco East Bay, Alameda County

Saws and hammers not your style? Call Joanne to sell your existing home and find you a swell new one.

Six Cures for the Small-Kitchen Blues

Expand your kitchen without breaking the bank.

By Josh Garskof, excerpted from Money magazine

Sure, you order takeout three nights a week, and preparing a burger tests the limits of your culinary know-how. But that doesn’t mean you don’t need and deserve a spacious kitchen. After all, the kitchen has evolved from a room where food is prepared to the hub of a house, where you do everything from eating casual meals to paying the bills and helping Junior with his algebra homework. Plus, as long as you stick within the norms of the neighborhood, a kitchen expansion is one of the best ways to increase your property value, says Omaha appraiser John Bredemeyer, a spokesman for the Appraisal Institute.

“A lot of people buy the kitchen and take the house that comes along with it,” he says.

“So going from a cooking kitchen to an entertaining kitchen is likely to pay for itself when you sell your house someday.”

Best of all, you don’t necessarily have to shell out the $50,000 to $100,000 cost of a kitchen addition. Here are some money-saving tricks for enlarging the kitchen—or at least making it seem bigger:

Reconfigure the Eating Area

Having a place to eat in the kitchen is essential, but even a 3½-foot-wide round table takes up a 10-foot-by-10-foot floor space to comfortably accommodate walking around it, says Denver architect Doug Walter. So consider these space-conserving alternatives:

1. LOSE THE TABLE. Replace it with a diner-style booth ($2,000 to $5,000), which needs just six feet by eight feet of floor space and can be set directly against the wall or in an alcove. Or, let a new countertop double as a breakfast bar by overhanging it 15 inches off a peninsula or an island. Opt for backless stools that can be tucked almost entirely under the counter.

2. USE THE DINING ROOM. If you rarely eat a meal in the dining room, consider knocking down the wall separating it from the kitchen to form an attached, everyday eating area. That costs about $1,500 (if you have to move a structural wall, it will cost another $4,500). You’ll lose cabinets, but if you put a peninsula in the wall’s place, you’ll retain some storage space.

Maximize the Space

Sometimes kitchen congestion can be resolved by updating an old-fashioned floor plan that’s chopping up ample square footage with too many walls and other obstructions.

1. ANNEX OTHER SPACES. Walk-in pantries, mudrooms and laundry rooms that abut the kitchen are often worth sacrificing for an expanded kitchen, says Charlotte, N.C. contractor John Harmon. Construction costs can be as little as $2,000, depending on the situation. And thanks to stackable laundry machines that can be tucked away in a closet and cabinets that can store as much as an entire closet in a fraction of the space, they won’t be missed.

2. MOVE THE SLIDERS. Replacing sliding-glass patio doors with a single swing-out door ($3,000 to $4,000) or relocating your backdoor out of prime kitchen territory ($5,000 to $7,000) can free up vital wall space for new cabinets and a countertop without adding any floor space.

Add On Economically

If the only solution is more physical space, you may be able to do the job for less than the $400-a-square-foot (or higher) cost of a full-scale kitchen addition and remodel.

1. ADD ADJACENT LIVING SPACE. If what you really need is an eating area or a space next to your existing kitchen, build a family room, den or great room alongside it. The open floor plan will make the kitchen seem bigger, and the person cooking, (or microwaving, as the case may be), will feel like part of the household activity. And because the new space won’t require all the labor and materials involved in reconstructing a kitchen, the project will cost about $200 a square foot.

2. HANG A “BUMP-OUT.” If your plans for the kitchen require just a little more room, you may be able to hang the space off the side of the house by suspending the additional square footage from the existing structure, much like a bay window. As long as the bump-out doesn’t extend more than three feet beyond the main exterior wall, it should easily cost $2,000 less than if the contractor had to excavate the yard and pour a new foundation, says Walter.

Whatever technique you use to expand your kitchen, once it has an open, spacious feel, it’s sure to become an even more popular hangout. Heck, it might even inspire you to break out a cookbook.

A Home Improvement Project that Saves Big Money on Taxes ~ Thanks to Ms. Pam Winterbauer

Tax Credit Available for Insulated Garage Doors in 2009 and 2010

March 10, 2009 - Wouldn't it be nice if adding style, curb appeal and energy efficiency to your home actually saved you money? In 2009 and 2010, it can. Thanks to the new 2009 stimulus legislation, American homeowners can earn up to a $1,500 tax credit for buying qualifying insulated garage doors.

The recent stimulus legislation signed by President Obama on Feb..17, extends and significantly increases these tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. Adding a new garage door in 2009 or 2010 can save homeowners money by not only helping lower energy consumption and costs, but also by paying for itself through the tax credit incentive.
A tax credit is more valuable than an equivalent tax deduction because a tax credit reduces tax dollar-for-dollar, while a deduction only decreases the amount of income that is taxed. More details on the tax credit, along with information about garage door styles and local dealer installers, can be found at GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial Web site.

If your home has an attached garage, the room next to the garage is often the coldest room in the winter. Cold air in the winter, and warm air in the summer, can enter the house through the garage, increasing the amount of energy the home needs for heating and cooling. Insulated garage doors not only make a noticeable difference in the temperature of a home, but now can also save you money off the bottom line of your income taxes.

The new tax credits are available for qualifying garage door purchases placed in service from Jan.1, 2009, through Dec. 31, 2010. The maximum tax credit that a taxpayer may claim from all qualifying improvements combined is a whopping 30 percent of the cost of each product and $1,500 over the lifetime of the tax credit periods (2009 and 2010). To be eligible for the tax credit:

The door must be an insulated residential garage door, installed on an insulated garage.
The door must have a U-factor equal to or less than 0.30, even if the door contains windows.
The door perimeter must have a means to control air infiltration.
The door must be expected to remain in service for at least five years.
The garage must be part of the taxpayer's principal United States residence.

In addition to saving money and energy, installing a new garage door also improves a home's appearance and value. The garage can comprise a third or more of your home's front appearance. A new door that is quickly, safely and correctly installed by a local professional will differentiate your home and add style, value and curb appeal.

Even in today's tough economic times, replacing your garage door with a new upscale model can boost the resale value of your home. A recent online survey revealed that 71 percent of homeowners who recently replaced their garage door believe it definitely increased the value of their home.

To find a professional dealer/installer and the garage door style that's right for you, visit GarageWowNow.com. The site's ZIP code search function will help you find a professional in your area who can install your door in a few hours. The site also features before and after images of new garage doors that have dramatically changed the appearance of homes.

Courtesy of AC

Their blinds are made in Hayward, CA and unlike their competition they make their blinds with steel headers for durability. Their Hercules Blinds are the ones we use.

Order only from P.J. Vierra. He will personally come to your home or office and measure your windows the right way. The blinds will be custom made right in Hayward, CA. Your windows will have the best fitting blinds they've ever had. Call P.J. today at 510-487-3500 or Toll Free 800-972-0660. He goes the extra mile!

STUDY TRACKS MOST COST EFFECTIVE REMODELING PROJECTS

December 10, 2008 - Exterior remodeling projects return the most money as a percentage of cost, according to the 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report. On a national level, wood deck additions and all types of siding replacements -- upscale fiber cement, midrange vinyl, and upscale foam-backed vinyl -- returned more than 80 percent of project costs upon resale.

The 2008 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report compares construction costs with resale values for 30 midrange and upscale remodeling projects comprising additions, remodels and replacements in 79 markets across the country.The report is produced by Hanley Wood, LLC in cooperation with "REALTOR®" magazine.

In addition to wood decks and siding, window replacements and kitchen remodels also returned a relatively high percentage of remodeling costs. A midrange bathroom remodel was estimated to return 74.4 percent on resale, comparable to a midrange attic-to-bedroom conversion, at 73.6 percent of costs recouped, and a midrange basement remodel, at 72.7 percent of costs recouped. As in last year's report, the least profitable remodeling projects in terms of resale value were home office remodels, sunroom additions, and back-up power generators, returning only 54.4 percent, 56.6 percent, and 57.1 percent, respectively, of project costs. More info

C.A.R. LAUNCHES GREEN WEB SITE

C.A.R. has launched "At home with green(tm)," a Green Web site focusing on the Association's new Green Initiative and providing information to homeowners, REALTORS(R), and the general public on how to green their homes, offices, and lives.

Features of "At home with green(tm)" include: . "Understanding Green" an index of green resources, green terminology, and key green principles. Homeowners and Buyers" provides current homeowners and home buyers with information about buying a green home, finding a REALTOR(R) with green credentials, understanding the incentives for going green, and greening a home room by room.

Visit the Go Green web site

Green tip: Mulch slows down evaporation
Planting a layer of mulch around trees and plants, such as chunks of bark, peat moss or gravel slows down evaporation. By doing so, 750 to 1,500 gallons of water can be saved a month.

Green tip: The two-minute test
If you aren’t sure about the flow rate of your showerhead, you can test it using a five-gallon bucket and a stopwatch. Turn the shower on full blast (hot and cold). Place a five-gallon bucket under the shower and capture all of the flow. Fill the bucket for exactly two minutes. If your showerhead uses 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less, the bucket will not overflow during the two-minute test. If the bucket overflows during the test, you do not have a functioning low-flow showerhead.

Recycling codes: What they mean

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ( http://www.epa.gov ), in 2006, the U.S. produced more than 251 million tons of garbage -- approximately 4.6 pounds of waste per person per day. Of that, recycling diverted 82 million tons of material away from disposal. In short, Americans are putting plastics into their recycling bins.

Many of us recycle without knowing if something is actually recyclable. Have you ever wondered what those numbers mean on plastic bottles? Below we explain what the seven different codes found on plastics mean and what they are recycled into. Check to see which plastics are accepted in your city; every city has different curbside recycling programs.

1. Polyethylene Terephtalate (PET, PETE): PET is a clear plastic found in soft drinks, water, juice, sports drinks, and condiments bottles; food jars for such products as peanut butter and jelly; and in frozen food packaging.

PET is recycled into fiber for carpets, clothing, and tote bags. It can also be re-used for food and beverage bottles. PET is the most common-used plastic due to its inexpensive and easy-to-recycle features, and is widely accepted by most curbside recycling programs.

2. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE): HDPE is resistant to most solvents and is used for food products with a shorter shelf life such as bottled milk. Because it's more chemical-resistant than PET, it's also used for household cleaners including laundry detergent, shampoo, and plastic grocery bags.

HDPE is recycled into bottling for non-food items, such as motor oil and antifreeze, plastic lumber, flowerpots, and recycling bins. It's accepted by most curbside recycling programs.

3. Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC, Vinyl): You won't find this recycling symbol on household items. PVC is chemical-resistant so it's used to make packaging products, shrink-wrap, window frames, fencing, and decking.
PVC is recycled into pipes, fencing, decking, floor tiles, traffic cones, garden hoses, and packaging products. It's not commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs.

4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE): A tougher and more flexible plastic, LDPE is used for dry cleaning bags, newspapers, breads, frozen food, shrink-wrap, container lids for hot and cold beverages, and toys. It's most common use is for plastic shopping bags.

LDPE is recycled into envelopes, garbage can liners, trashcans, paneling, and floor tile. LPDE is not commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs, but plastic bags are now readily accepted at supermarkets.

5. Polypropylene (PP): PP is also strong and chemical-resistant, which is good for hot-fill liquids. It's used for takeout food, yogurts, margarine, and bottle caps.

PP is recycled into automobile parts, such as turn signal lights; brooms; bicycle racks; and trays. Some recycling curbside recycling programs accept PP.

6. Polystyrene (PS): PS is more versatile than the other plastics and is used in many food items such as cutlery, plates, cups, and containers. It's also used for those pesky packing peanuts, as well as foam packaging for electronics and furniture.

PS is recycled into mouldings, thermometers, and license plate frames. Some recycling curbside recycling programs accept PS.

7. Other: An item with this marking means that it is made with a different resin other than the six listed above. These items can include oven-baking bags, some juice and ketchup bottles, and packaging materials. It's recycled into bottles and plastic lumber and is not commonly accepted by curbside recycling programs.

For more info: http://www.americanchemistrycouncil.com

Detox Your Indoor Air
By: Elyse Umlauf-Garneau

Some solutions:

When you’re building a new house or renovating, pay attention to air quality. Choose formaldehyde-free products and use low VOC paints, caulks and adhesives. Work with architects and contractors who understand and can address IAQ issues and who know how to balance energy efficiency with proper ventilation.

Often correcting IAQ problems is simple. Golden points out that bag-less vacuum cleaners may suck microscopic contaminants and blow them right back into the air. Just switching to a vacuum with a HEPA filter could eliminate many irritants. And though cutting off the heat in an unused room may save energy, you could inadvertently be creating a mold problem. Needless to say, smoking cigarettes indoors is taboo.

Swap chemically-based household cleaners for non-toxic ones made from natural materials. They’re readily available at stores and online. Find them at http://www.greenseal.org/findaproduct/index.cfm. Better yet, save money and make your own with easy-to-find products like vinegar and baking soda. Find some recipes at http://greenlivingideas.com/housecleaning/natural-cleaning-recipes.html#Surface.

Additional resources:

-Learn about improving IAQ during wildfires at www.allergyconsumerreview.com/improve-indoor-air-quality.html.

-The sites, www.healthyhouseinstitute.com and www.healthhouse.org/ provide guidance on all aspects of creating a healthy home.

-Find healthy household furnishings and building supplies at www.greenfusiondesigncenter.com/index.htm.

-The California Air Resources Board www.arb.ca.gov/research/indoor/indoor.htm features IAQ guidelines and fact sheets.

top of page

Home Maintence Checklist

Annual Maintenace Tips Appliance Maintenance Tips

Weekly

Check sprinklers for broken heads, etc. repair as needed

Complete yard maintenance including weeding, pruning, mowing.

Monthly

Check trash bins, recycle bins, and yard clipping bins for odors and slime. Wash thoroughly. Pour in 1 to 2 cups bleach into each bin.

Check faucets and hose bibs for leakage. Replace washers as needed.

Quarterly

Check shrubry. If necessary prune trees and shrubs away from gutters and neighbors' houses.

Semi-annually

Change batteries in smoke dectectors

Check screens for tears and deterioation, repair or replace.

Annually

Check the roof and gutters for needed repairs.

Change filters in furnace

Have central air conditioner serviced

Check caulk around windows and doors, replace if needed.

Check for the beginning of peeling paint and repair accordingly

Check for cracks in concrete driveways and walkways and fill with appropriate material

Drain and refill water heater to remove sludge that accumulates at bottom of tank. This will greatly lengthen the life of the water heater.

Fall Lawn and Garden Tips

Every 2 to 5 years

Have a complete pest control inspection and do necessary repairs

Check fencing for stability. Replace any boards and re-sturdy fence and paint or stain.

top of page

Air Conditioning Maintenance

With good maintenance and proper care, your air conditioning unit should run efficiently for up to 15 years! Try these easy tips for getting the most out of your AC this summer.

Don't short cycle the cooling system. Make sure that when you turn the unit off you then wait 10 minutes before turning it on again. This will allow the pressure in the conditioning system to equalize again which will prolong the life of your AC.

Clean the area around your AC. Dirt and debris on your outdoor condenser coils can block the air flow through the unit, causing your cooling system to work harder and increasing your bill. Allow for adequate air flow to your unit by cleaning the area around the condenser coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage.
NEVER use water to clean your air conditioning system. A thoroughly cleaned AC unit will operate at top efficiency. However, do not attempt to clean your own unit with water because of the very serious risk of electrical shock and possible shorting of electrical components. If your cooling system is in need of deep cleaning seek professional help.
Clean your air filter regularly. During cooling season you should clean your filter once a month and replace it when it develops holes or appears worn.
Don't cool the air outside, too. To ensure that your cooling system is working most efficiently, check for holes or separated joints in your AC ducts. Also, add insulation around ducts in attics, crawl spaces and garages. Check the settings on the system and close the “fresh air” vent.

Trouble spots to look for:

Leaky ductwork. Leakage from areas such as ductwork joints, elbows, and connections can be substantial, up to 20% - 30%! This is especially costly if the ducts travel through unheated or uncooled spaces such as attics, basements, or crawl spaces. Use duct tape or caulk to seal ductwork.
Thermostat placement. Do not place lamps or TV sets near your AC thermostat. The thermostat senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air conditioner to run longer than necessary.

top of page

Liberty Floor Covering.
New Location: 30139 Industrial S.W. #G - Hayward, Ca 94544
Phone: 510-315-0808
Browse their web site

Energy Saving Tips

While you can't exactly print dollar bills from your AC unit, you can do the equivalent by saving money on how efficiently your conditioning system operates. With the proper maintenance (follow the tips above) and these energy saving tactics you'll find yourself with money to spare this summer!

Buy a programmable thermostat. You can program this thermostat to automatically lower or raise your conditioning system in order to avoid cooling your house when you are not around. A normal temperature for your cooling system is 72 degrees F for the summer. If you have central air conditioning keep the thermostat at 78 degrees F. If you leave your home for an extended period of time, do not go below 55 degrees F or your pipes might freeze.
Ceiling fans are your best friend. A ceiling fan can make a room feel 6 - 7 degrees cooler, and even the most power-hungry fan costs less than $10 a month to use if you keep it on for 12 hours a day. Good fans make it possible for you to raise your thermostat setting and save on air-conditioning costs.
Your windows matter. Buy white window shades, blinds or drapes to reflect heat away from the house. Depending on the severity of the heat where you live, you also can use sun-control or other reflective films on south-facing windows and mount awnings over them.

top of page

Extension Cord Safety

Always Use the Right Extension Cord for the Job

Power requirements vary for different tool applications. Using the wrong extension cord can damage a tool or create a fire hazard.

Cords differ in the number and thickness of the wires, the type of plug, and the length of the cord.

Wire thickness determines the amount of power that will be delivered to the tool. Common sizes, or gauges, are 18, 16, 14, and 10. Oddly, the higher the gauge number, the thinner the wire is. So, of these, the 10 gauge is thickest and will deliver the most power.
You can always use a thicker cord than the one called for in tool instructions, but not a lighter one. When in doubt, chose the heaviest three-prong cord available.
Length of the cord can cause problems. Don't use a cord that is far longer than what you need, especially if you leave the excess cord coiled. Leaving coils in the cord allows heat to build up in the wires which can get hot enough to melt the insulation. Always uncoil a cord fully before using it.
Never hook a three-prong cord to a two-prong cord. It can be done with some two-prong cords, but it's very dangerous.
When working outdoors, choose a cord with an outdoor rating. They usually bear the designation "W-A." And don't let the cord lie in the sun for extended periods. The sun's ultraviolet rays can cause insulation to deteriorate.
Occasionally, a good cord can get cut or damaged in the middle. Never try to salvage it by taping the wires together. Instead, make two smaller cords out of it by adding a socket to one and a plug to the other.
Always unplug extension cords when they are not in use.

Three Important Reasons to Check Your Cords Today
by SixWise.com

Most people don’t give much thought to the extension cords running under their couches, connecting lamps to faraway sockets or allowing five plugs to fit into one electrical outlet—until something goes wrong. Please don’t make that mistake!

Every year, an estimated 4,000 injuries are treated in hospital emergency rooms, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and 13 percent of those injuries involve young children aged 5 years or less.

Three Major Extension Cord Risks

1. Tripping
How many extension cords are running across your floors, in heavily trafficked, common areas, right now? This accident waiting to happen is the reason why, according to the CPSC, about half of extension-cord-related injuries involve fractures, lacerations, contusions, or sprains from people tripping over extension cords. The elderly are most at risk, as a fall can easily break bones or result in the need for surgery.

The solution: Place extension cords with extreme care, in areas that are not normally walked over. Run cords along baseboards or walls or thread them behind tables or other furniture where they are out of the way. (DO NOT put them under rugs or heavy furniture, or behind radiators or heaters, as this is a fire hazard)

2. Fires
The CPSC estimates that extension cords cause about 3,300 residential fires each year, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most frequent causes of extension cord fires?

Short circuits
Using old, damaged cords
Overloading cords, which leads to overheating
Misuse

The solution: Delaware’s Assistant State Fire Marshal Richard Ward said homeowners can reduce their risk of extension cord fires by investing in heavier gauge extension cords and avoiding “bargain cords.”

"You get what you pay for," Ward said. "If you pay more money, you're going to get a better extension cord.” Other tips include:

Replace cords that are cracked or frayed.
Don’t overload cords or sockets.
Don’t run cords under rugs or near heaters or radiators.
Only use exterior extension cords for outside use. Firefighters in Phoenix, AZ said they see several fires each year caused solely by people using interior extension cords outside.
Pay attention to cord quality and purpose—don’t use a light-duty extension cord for a job that really needs a heavy-duty variety, such as air conditioners or freezers.
Feel the temperature of the cords when they are in use. If they are hot to the touch, unplug them immediately. Replace the extension cord with one that has No. 16 or heavier gauge wire (the lower the number, the heavier the wire and the more electrical current the cord can safely carry).

3. Electrical Burns
Electrical burns to the mouth accounted for half the extension-cord-related injuries to young children, according to the CPSC. They reported one incident in which a 15-month-old girl put an extension cord in her mouth and suffered an electrical burn that required surgery.

The solution: Keep all extension cords out of the reach of children. Plugs, outlets and cords can be irresistible to young children who don’t realize their dangers.

Play it safe and avoid using them if you have small children, or ensure that your child cannot get access to the cord. Some of the worst places to put them are dangling over counters or tabletops where they can be pulled down. If you do use one, be sure it has a safety closure to cover any unused outlets.

Other Tips For Safe Extension Cord Use
Extension cords are handy tools and necessities in many homes, so follow these other tips to help you use extension cords in the safest manner:

Make sure new cords are listed by a recognized national testing laboratory
Only use extension cords when they’re absolutely necessary
Use polarized extension cords with polarized appliances
Don’t leave prongs exposed, even partly, when the cord is in use
Pull the plug, not the cord, when disconnecting it from the socket
Special “angle extension cords” can be used where furniture or beds may push against the plug
Don’t use staples or nails to attach extension cords to any surface
Don’t exceed the total wattage listed on the cord by plugging in too many appliances
Try not to use them for long-term purposes

top of page

American Dream

Homeownership is the American Dream and home maintenance can be the American Nightmare.

Certain areas of a home need regular monitoring and attention. Ignoring the basic elements of a home can be costly.

Don't gamble your investment away through neglect. Pay attention to your home and do repairs as needed to save the most money possible.

Remember, if ignored a small problem today usually leads to a big repair cost tomorrow.

For information on buying or selling east bay homes, please contact me at 510-429-4800 or send me a note on the Contact Joanne form.

Take care,
Joanne
Your San Francisco Bay Area Real Estate Broker

~
Joanne L. Gardiner, Broker, e-PRO Realtor

Advantage Realty
3205 Whipple Road - Union City, California 94587

(510) 429-4800

San Francisco Bay Area ~ San Francisco East Bay Real Estate

Our primary realty service areas in the San Francisco Bay Area: Hayward, Castro Valley, Fremont, Newark, Niles, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Ramon, Sunol, Oakland, Foster City, Burlingame, and San Mateo.

The types of real estate in which we specialize are: single family homes, detached homes, attached homes, duets, condominiums, townhomes, garden homes, PUDs, manufactured homes, mobile homes, income property, investment property, tri-plexes, four-plexes, apartment property, and special use properties such as churches for sale.

Sears Outlet

Delores Gallegos
Assistant Sales Manager
Sears Outlet Store #09497
680 W. Winton Ave
Hayward Ca 94545
(510)265-1003 Store
(510)825-1533 Mobile

Delores is knowledgeable, helpful and makes customers glad they did business with her and with Sears. Stop by the Sears Outlet at Southland Mall, the old Levitz building, and see Delores. She's the best!

Sears Outlet Web Site

From rural areas to urban communities, home farms are sprouting up all over the country. And it's only just begun.

Triscuit has created this site with help from Urban Farming, a non-profit organization, to help build a home farming community where both beginners and more seasoned gardeners can dialogue and gather information towards their common mission: to reap food that is deliciously fresh, penny-wise, healthier for themselves and the planet.

It’s about home farming, and the everyday joy that grows out of it. So join us and let’s get farming!

Visit Home Farming

Moulding Masters
Serving the San Francisco East Bay
Click here

Economically Priced
Quality Constructed Cabinets

At a fraction of the price of home improvement centers, etc.

KWW Kitchen Cabinets & Bath
2955 Merced Street
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 351-8830
Map

236 Balboa St
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 668-6333
Map

1090 N 7th Street
San Jose, CA 95112
(408) 289-8838
Map

Don't throw it out,
get it fixed at...

Also, New & Refurbished
Small Appliances

840 Folsom Street.
San Francisco, CA USA 94107
1-800-424-6783
In San Francisco (415)777-5144
Map

Deep Discounted
High-End Appliances
33 Hegenberger Court
Oakland, CA 94621
510-635-5100
Map

Leaks Equal
Money Down The Drain!

These simple tips can significantly decrease water waste and help you save over $600 per year on your water bills!

Check and repair leaky faucets and toilets: A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water a month and cost you over $100 each year. Silent toilet leaks can account for hundreds of gallons a week of lost water and can cost you over $500 each year.

Dripping faucets are relatively easy to notice, but silent toilet leaks can continue to drain water virtually undetected. To check for a silent toilet leak, remove the toilet tank lid, place ten drops of food coloring in the tank, do not flush, and check the bowl water color in 15 minutes. If the water is colored, you’ve got a leak.

Free online videos to repair
your faucet and toilet:

How to repair your faucet

How to repair your toilet

Schedule of Normal Life
By: Freddie Mac

Appliances
Life Estimate in Years

Dishwashers 5 to 12
Disposals 5 to 12
Washers and dryers 8 to 12
Water heaters 8 to 12
Refrigerators 15 to 20
Stoves 15 to 20

Heating and Air Conditioning Life Estimate in Years

Warm air furnace 8 to 12
Heat pumps 8 to 12
Air conditioning compressors 8 to 15
Gas chillers 8 to 15
Hot water boilers 30 to 50

Roofs
Life Estimate in Years

Selvage or asphalt roll 12 to 20
Wood shake and shingle 15 to 20
Asphalt 15 to 20
Fiberglass 15 to 20
Asbestos shingle 30-50
Slate 40-75

Plumbing
Life Estimate in Years

Gas hot water heater 8 to 12
Electric hot water heater 10-15
Private disposal systems (septic) 15 to 25
Galvanized water pipes 30 to 50

Gutters and Downspouts
Life Estimate in Years

Galvanized 15 to 20
Copper Life of home if well-maintained

Remodeling that pays off

One of the smartest things you can do with your home's equity is to put it right back into your home. It's a clear win-win: You enjoy the benefit of an improved living environment and tangibly enhance your home's value at the same time.

But not every project will increase the resale value of your home. It's best to stick with the ones that will give you the biggest return.

Here's how Remodeling Magazine rates top jobs in terms of one-year return on investment (ROI):

Remodeling Costs:

Project
ROI
Average
Price Tag

Minor kitchen remodel
88% $8,655

Second-story addition
83% $73,553

Bathroom remodel
81% $9,135

Bathroom addition
81% $13,918

Family room addition
75% $30,960

Major kitchen remodel
71% $31,090

Deck 55% $8,022

Home Improvement Tips:

Don't over improve. It's difficult to recover the investment in a home that is already more valuable than most others in the neighborhood.

Keep whimsy in check. Eclectic tastes likely won't appeal to mainstream homebuyer.

Remodeling Done Right

Going from a one-story copy of picture-all-picutres-on-camera-9-10-06 235.png

to a two-story

and having the result look good.

How Much Do I need?

These calculators will help you buy enough, but not too much.

Various HGTV Calculators

Drywall Calculator

Fences

Grass Seed

Paint Estimator

Tile Estimator

Tile Pattern Designer

Wallpaper Estimator

Window Planner

Tree Stumps
When they don't complement the landscape, get rid of them.

Here's how...

HGTV's Paul James Tip

If you don't want to go through the trouble of having a stump ground up, drill holes in its surface. The holes will allow more rainwater to enter, thus hastening decomposition.

Stumps and Roots

Helpful Links

Save Money on Energy Useage - This website, which is sponsored by the EPA and the DOE, shows how to save money on energy bills with their energy efficiency suggestions.

This Old House - Learn how to repair most anything inside and outside of your home.

HGTVPro for building and remodeling help including online "how to" videos

Online tools: draw house plans, sheeting calculator, estimate concrete, rafter length calculator, cost sheet and more.

Bob Vila: Online and on the job site, home improvement pro Bob Vila helps homeowners build their dreams. Bob Vila's TV Schedule

The Lazy Homeowner offers tip and tricks to save you time in doing the chores that have to get done whether you like to do them or not.

The Old House Web - Ideas, products and advice for restoring old houses.

Home and Garden TV

Do-It-Yourself Network

Fine Living

How Stuff Works

Vintage Woodworks

Before you sign...

Check out the contractor before you sign a contract or pay him/her any money.

Contractors State License Board

Protect Yourself. Play Detective.

After verifying that the person has a contractors license, check him/her out on the internet. Google his/her name or company name. Search Google then search Angie's List and always ask the people you trust who would they recommend.

You might also see if any complaints have been filed against a company at the Better Business Bureau web site. Every BBB in the U.S. and Canada posts its reliability reports on the web, and you can locate a report via our central lookup screen. In addition, BBB representatives are available to assist you on the phones during normal business hours.

There are 128 BBB offices in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. Each office maintains files on businesses headquartered in its service area, which may extend as far as a 200 mile radius. BBBs have the most current information on businesses from their complaint files, plus additional information gathered from various area sources such as local, state and federal government agencies. BBBs also carry reports on national businesses. The good news is - you no longer have to call us for information.

Find the BBB office nearest you.

Visit the BBB web site

top of page