ABSOLUTE REMODELING QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER –

FALL & WINTER 2005-2006 EDITION

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IN THIS ISSUE:
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* OUR LATEST COMPLETED PROJECTS * 

* PROJECTS IN THE WORKS *

* NEWS OF INTEREST * 

* QUOTE OF THE QUARTER *

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* OUR LATEST COMPLETED PROJECTS * 

	Larchmont Stone Wall A complete front yard makeover.  Too bad we did not take a "before" picture.  Hopefully, the homeowners can provide us with one, so you too can appreciate the difference...
	Scarsdale Whole House Remodel This inviting kitchen is only a "small part" of a major whole house remodel, incl. 4 bathrooms, new HVAC, whole-house insulation, and many more features making this old colonial home energy efficient and its occupants comfortable.
	White Plains Lower Level From wasted to wonderful.
	New Rochelle Basement From dungeon to decidedly delightful.

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* PROJECTS IN THE WORKS *

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* NEWS OF INTEREST * 

Green Buildings Open House

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the nation’s leading regional education and advocacy association that aims to accelerate the deployment and use of renewable energy, green buildings, and energy efficiency. NESEA produces major events that inspire and motivate large numbers of people to get involved and make a difference.

The event, which is part of the American Solar Energy Society's National Solar Tour, offered a unique opportunity for people to see first-hand how clean energy and green building practices can be put to work. Homeowners and building managers were on site to describe their green building features and answer questions. Members of the public were able to learn basic principles of green building, such as designing for solar heating ("passive solar"), energy-efficient building techniques such as super insulation and air sealing, safe indoor air quality, and resource-efficient and healthy building materials. Many of the buildings demonstrated how solar hot water is collected and stored, how photo-voltaic can be placed on or integrated into the shell of a building to produce electricity, and how wind can be used to generate power. The Green Buildings Open House demystifies green buildings, proving that they are comfortable, affordable, and attractive.
 

Our Transformations home was on this tour, and we had quite a turn out.  You can still "tour" the home here for a picture and a brief description.  Look for the South Salem home.


 

Energy Star Partner

Absolute Remodeling Corp is now officially a certified Energy Star Partner.  ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency.  Energy efficient choices can save families about a third on their energy bill with similar savings of greenhouse gas emissions, without sacrificing features, style or comfort. ENERGY STAR helps you make the energy efficient choice.  Find out more
Find out the features and many benefits of Energy Star homes, and locate a Energy Star contractor near you.

Free Money in New York State

Who knew?  Did you know NY State is a leader, if not a pioneer, in homeowners incentives to help you in making your home a healthier place while saving you money?  Several programs are available through NYSERDA and/or the New York Energy Smart program .   With a little bit of research and a New York state certified builder, you may be on your way to a better home with lower utility bills...
Of course, Absolute Remodeling Corp is now a NY state certified builder, as well as a certified BPI  contractor (Building Performance Institute).
In fact, we did use a NY state certified solar contractor ourselves for our solar installation (scroll down to the third or fourth project to see our house), and the state did pay 60% of the invoice, which translates quite a few thousands dollars... Best of all, there was no paper work whatsoever for us to fill out, as ISI Solar (our contractor) handled all of it and dealt directly with NYSERDA

Viega radiant Heat Class

Just one last accreditation: Well, sort of;  I did receive a certificate for going back to school, but the teachers said we didn't behave ourselves...
Just kidding:  Viega prefers not to certify any contractor.  But the information learned at this one day class in Massachusetts still is greatly valuable for our many hydronic radiant heat projects that we undertake.  Since hydronic radiant heat is simply the best heat you can get, we better know everything there is to know!

More Free Money!

Joining our state is the federal government;  Federal Tax Credits for Residential Energy Efficiency. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was signed into law by the President on August 8, 2005.  It includes tax credits for homeowners and home builders alike.  Find Out More

Architects drawings

Effective immediately, we are no longer accepting outside drawings, meaning any drawings and/or blueprints drawn by any architects or engineers.  We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause to our future customers, but in the end, we are doing this because it's in THEIR best interest.  How so?

Design/build firms, like ours, offer countless benefits and advantages.  Just to mention a few of them:  Our design team uses 3D CAD programs, enabling people to visualize the finished project early on.  For some reason, it is still a rarity to find an architect out there that is willing to uses the 3D capabilities of their CAD program. 

Another major benefit is the cost;  We can produce working drawings at a fraction of the outgoing rate.  There's no fee percentage over the construction cost either. Since we are the ones working in the field, we can keep the cost of construction itself lower by various means, with practical design solutions.  If there's a change order (and there always is), whether it is during the drawing phase or during the construction itself, we can tell you the price (and the effect on the time frame) of the change order right away. No back and forth between the architect and the builder.  Speaking of prices, for some reason most architects, like most real estate agents, tend to underestimate the actual cost of construction, usually by half.  Maybe being realistic would jeopardize the sale...

Then there's the fact that our team has a "vision", a "flair" for great design;  I believe our portfolio proves it.

Better, faster, cheaper;  what else could you be asking for?

Coming Soon

To be added to our site in the near future is our "On-Line Store";  Almost every project we undertake generates quality, sometimes antique, sometimes brand new building materials that we are "stuck with".  So, instead of disposing of these salvaged items and having them hauled to the junk yard, or worst - the landfill, we will offer them at 10 to 20% of the MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) on our web site.  With the help of our search engine, you will be able to browse quickly through the list.  For example, right now we have several new large (3' x 4') double hung Andersen windows, a bow window, as well as many antique solid pine, 6 panel arched top pre-hung interior doors.  We also have a real old style pull down attic stair.  Let us know if you are interested in any of those items, or tell us what you are looking for.  Doors and windows are definitely what we have most.  Come back soon to find treasures.

Career opportunity

We are now seeking a field production manager;  For more info on the experience requirements and the compensation, please visit our web site here

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GREAT ARTICLES

Buried Treasure

That is the title Builder magazine gave to its article on the energy bill new tax break for builders.  Read more.

Kitchens for the Rest of Us

The folks of Taunton Press, authors of one of the magazine Fine Homebuilding and Inspired House two of the best magazine out there, just released this new book that emphasizes kitchens that place function, craft, and intelligent design over grandeur and extravagance. By showing you twenty newly remodeled and hard-working kitchens built within typical-sized spaces, you’ll be inspired to pursue your own mix of dreams, hopes, and needs.  Great reading for anyone contemplating a kitchen remodel.

Smart HomeOwner Magazine

One of the few, really good magazines out there.  As one of the thinnest in size, it does make up nicely with a heavy content.

Home technology and systems have become steadily more complex and demanding for the owner who wants to understand his or her home.

Where do you turn for home system information that is presented in a clear, stimulating way? Information that doesn’t talk down to you but instead helps put you in control of your home? Smart HomeOwner helps homeowners make sense of the choices.  It tells owners about new techniques and technologies they didn’t know existed.  Shows them simple solutions to problems they thought were unsolvable.
 

Starchitect

A new role for Brad Pitt?  Some actors dream of rock stardom. Brad Pitt wants to be an architect. According to the U.K.-based Guardian newspaper, the 41-year-old movie star recently apprenticed at architect Frank Gehry's Los Angeles studio and is now putting his CAD skills to the test as a member of the design team for Gehry's $475 million seaside redevelopment project in the East Sussex city of Hove, England.  Read More

High Standards

Good design should last a long time. This is true in the sense of good engineering, but also in the sense of timeless relevance.  "I think we can all agree that good design, like quality and beauty, is hard to define, but “we know it when we see it" ", says Remodeling magazine editor Sal Alfano.  "This is a question worth asking, because all remodeling projects deserve good design but, I'm sorry to say, too few receive it" is another nice quote from the editor.  Here's another one of my favorites: "A vaulted ceiling is “expensive air,” as one of my carpenters used to call it, if thought of merely as the underside of a roof. But it takes on a deeper purpose if it serves to uplift the spirit of those who gather under its protection."  There are several other nice quotes, too many to keep copying and pasting.  Keep up the good work Sal!

This fine article is only available for a short time at no charge, so 'better read it now!

The Next Big Thing

Experts from the worlds of construction, design, demographics, and management forecast hotspots on the road ahead.  Great stuff form over a dozen of our industry leaders.  My favorite:

"We're on the verge of a pendulum swing similar to that from the Victorian era to the Craftsman era, when people began to reject the showiness of bigger and bigger homes for smaller homes that are more tailored to how we really live. This will present interesting challenges for remodelers in terms of differentiating big spaces and incorporating the level of detail that makes a house feel comfortable.  The biggest thing is going to be remodeling houses with almost no additions."  —Sarah Susanka, architect and author of The Not So Big House series, including the forthcoming Remodeling the Not So Big House

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* QUOTE OF THE QUARTER *

"as long as reputable firms can't keep up with the work, not-so-reputable firms will have a field day".

- Sal Alfano, Editorial Director of Remodeling magazine, August 2005.  More Quotes Please!

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* HAVE A $100 DINNER ON US

Are you aware that your recently completed project became "Our Working Showroom"* and you have become "Our Best Salesperson"?

When your support results into a signed project with us, we will show our gratitude to those who recommend us and to those of you who open their doors to let one of our prospective customers see "the Working Showroom"*.

We'll send you to dinner at one of Westchester's premiere restaurants, Peter Pratt's Inn, on us! (A $100 value.  Good for a la carte dining, Tuesdays to Sundays).

Peter Pratt's Inn was recently awarded a four star rating by Gerry Dawes, a writer for The Journal News.  You can find out more by visiting the web site, Peter Pratt's Inn.com.  You'll be able to review the menu and wine list, and even get directions. We recommend printing the map.

Bon Appetit!

*What WE call a "Working Showroom" is an actual, real, functional project (i.e.: kitchen, bathroom) that has been built around existing conditions, restrictions and obstructions, as opposed to those setup showrooms found in retailer's displays where the only limitation is the designer's imagination!

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For help locating a reliable contractor in your area, go to ImproveNet.com

For any construction technical matter, direct your questions to ExpertCentral.com

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