LIMITED REMODELS CAN WORK FOR HOMEOWNERS

LIMITED REMODELS CAN WORK FOR HOMEOWNERS

Remodeling can add value to your home, but more importantly, it can make your home more functional and livable

Two of the most popular remodel jobs are kitchens and bathrooms. Complete renovations in these areas to create rooms of your dream can be expensive.  If you do not have funds for a complete remodel, there is nevertheless work that can be done that would make the areas more usable and comfortable.

For example, would a new vanity sink top and updated light fixtures suffice without replacing an entire cabinet?  Would painting and resurfacing walls help modernize your bathroom? Installing new vinyl or cork flooring can also freshen the area. Adding a recessed cabinet can give much needed storage space.

Be creative and think of main areas that need “fixing.” Repurposing spaces and making more efficient use of your home’s square footage can bring major benefits.  Your kitchen might have enough space to add an island that could be used both for prep work and much needed storage underneath as well as an eating bar on one side. A small food storage pantry might be added with space borrowed from an adjacent room.

Work with your certified contractor to plan and design smaller additions and renovations to your existing kitchen and bathrooms that will increase your home’s usability if you can’t fund complete remodels at this time.

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INCLUDE OUTDOOR LIVING SPACES IN YOUR HOME DESIGN

Planning a new home in Florida should always include consideration of outdoor living spaces.  These spaces could include decks, porches, pavilions, pergolas, gazebos, or covered patios.  Our wonderful climate encourages Floridians to take advantage of their gardens and lawns for expanded living spaces. 

Homeowners can think ahead of how they plan to utilize their living areas.  Before construction begins is the time to consider all outdoor options that are easy enough to add onto existing house blueprints.  Our Sunshine State offers the perfect combination of winter and summer weather to take advantage of making the entire grounds into extended living areas.

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HURRICANE CATEGORIES

Butler Builders Inc is posting the following information directly from NOAA’s  National Hurricane Center of the National Weather Service website in order to better inform the public of potential danger from high winds in hurricanes, or lesser storms.

“The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still dangerous, however, and require preventative measures

History teaches that a lack of hurricane awareness and preparation are common threads among all major hurricane disasters. By knowing your vulnerability and what actions you should take, you can reduce the effects of a hurricane disaster.”

After a storm is on the way may be too late, but preventive action ahead of time may save not only money in the long run, but the heartbreak of losing irreplaceable personal belongings, even if your family gets to safer ground and is not in danger.

Call now for an inspection and, if needed, remedial work on your home so that it will be best able to withstand storms and avoid losses.

A description of wind damage for the power of a storm is given below:

(Source:  http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutsshws.php)

Category	Sustained Winds	Types of Damage Due to Hurricane Winds
1	74-95 mph 64-82 kt 119-153 km/h	Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
2	96-110 mph 83-95 kt 154-177 km/h	Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
3 (major)	111-129 mph 96-112 kt 178-208 km/h	Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
4 (major)	130-156 mph 113-136 kt 209-251 km/h	Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
5 (major)	157 mph or higher 137 kt or higher 252 km/h or higher	Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Contact Butler Builders, Inc through their “CONTACT US” page at http://butlerbuildersinc.com

Hurricane Wind Damage

Hurricanes pose three principal threats to property and persons:  wind, tidal surge, and flooding.    Since there are no known ways to mitigate damage to property vulnerable to tidal surge or flooding from torrential rains, other than sandbagging or raising the structure above ground level, the focus of this blog will be wind damage.

Insurance companies recommend wind mitigation inspections to assess the vulnerability of homes to wind damage and to allow home owners to do all they can to reduce this potential. 

Following Hurricane Andrew in August 1992, the state legislature passed a law that requires stricter building codes for all new homes built in Florida.  The law also allows for insurance companies to give insurance discounts to owners of homes built before the law was enacted, if those owners add features which would put their homes in compliance and would therefore greatly lessen the likelihood of damage in high winds.

Butler Builders, Inc. specializes in Wind Mitigation inspections and can complete the considerable paperwork needed for you to submit to your insurance company to reduce your premiums.  They can also work with you to bring your home up to code in any area you might be lacking in order to make your home better equipped to come through Florida’s frequent hurricanes.  Keep in mind also, that we have many incidences of high winds in other storms besides hurricanes.

Contact Butler Builders, Inc. before the next “Andrew” or other natural disaster can wreck havoc on your biggest investment, your home.

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2012 Hurricane Season Has Begun

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts a near normal 2012 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and says, “The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Andrew underscores the necessity to prepare every year.”

For 2012,  NOAA predicts 9-15 named storms.  The average season for the past 20 years produced 12 named storms with 6 hurricanes, including 3 that were designated as “major.”  In 1992, Andrew, the first named Tropical Storm of that year, hit South Florida in August with devastating effects.

This year the season began early when both Tropical Storms Alberto and Beryl developed several days before the June 1^st official start of the hurricane season.  This was the first time this had happened since 1908.

With the recent hit by Tropical Storm Debby and the major damage caused by rain and wind, homeowners are reminded to have their homes checked by a certified inspector such as Butler Builders, Inc.  Butler Builders is also a State of Florida licensed Certified General Contractor and can advise homeowners on bringing any deficiencies they might have for severe weather readiness up to code, making their homes safer.

Florida is now entering the heart of the hurricane season. Call today!

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Hurricane Season is Here

                                                                                                                                               The official start of Hurricane Season is June 1st, and the end is November 30^th, although hurricanes and severe weather can certainly occur outside these six months.                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Be prepared, and make sure your home is ready to withstand hurricane force winds and rain intrusion damage.   

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Think About a Garage Addition for Your Home

Besides protecting your second most valuable asset – your car- from the elements, you can eliminate the worry of constantly removing items that would attract an overnight opportunity of passing theft. Even in the best of neighborhoods, thieves can intrude and car windows are often broken to snatch electronic equipment, cell phones, attaché cases, or purses and packages.

Adding a garage to your home is a also a good way to make your home more livable by giving room to keep useful, bulky items accessible. Consider areas in the garage for storing sports equipment to free up inside closet space. Often these items can be hung on the garage wall.  Smaller items like balls and gloves can be stored in bins stacked together.  Also, lawn maintenance and gardening items can be stored all together and a work station set up with tools hung in sight and handy on a pegboard. 

By adding some simple racks, bikes, skateboards, and such can be kept lined up and secure along one side of the garage.

Garages also provide a good indoor, out-of-the-weather location to work on large projects and on projects that will take a while to complete and which would be in the way on the dining room table. Storage can also be set up to keep seasonal items such as Christmas decorations and free up inside closet storage space, making the main house much less cluttered.

Garages also add value to your home in giving square footage, under roof and with floor and windows, that can be seen as an easy way to add living space to a home if another room is needed. Most garages are easily converted and in general, garages are an excellent value as additions to an existing home.

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