Kitchen Project in Richardson

Just a few pictures from one of our kitchen projects. The last photo is a picture of the two project managers we worked with on a daily basis.

Slow Time in Design Land

Such a slow time for us! Holidays always bring a slow down but we are continuing to market ourselves and hope to launch our new website sometime after the new year. We will share more with you as we go and hope you will stay tuned to learn more about our business and us as individuals. Happy Holidays!

Trusted Professionals

By Kait Downey:

Many times CKD Interiors comes across a few housewives that are kept well and have great taste. These same individuals seem to think that their knowledge of interiors/staging/taste in general my be more expansive than our own. I am sad to say that this is a great disservice to themselves. Don't think of a designer as just an artist, they are a broker, a manager of sorts. The designer is there to organize and move tasks along quickly ensuring a safe and beautiful project. We come across individuals with great taste all of the time and believe me they are just as fun to work with as someone that has no idea what they want. People with their own opinion about their surroundings are creative in their own right but not qualified to work in the professional construction industry.

My questions to the public are this. Would you allow a self-proclaimed surgeon operate on you? Let's say he/she possesses the confidence and knowledge but you never actually see a degree or certification. Another example; allow your neighbor to write up and execute your will and manage your estate. Your neighbor seems very organized, why not? 

If you make these comparisons you will understand my point. A decorator or anyone with decorative knowledge, taste, etc, is just that, a decorator. Designers are not decorators. Though they can provide the same services Interior Designer are qualified to take apart your walls, plumbing, and electrical and orchestrate all of this in an orderly manner. They are college educated and most likely state qualified. If they are not state qualified look at the number of years they interned in a professional office learning the construction and architecture part of the business.

So I leave you with that thought for today. I wish I could personally educate everyone on this subject matter, but alas, I cannot. Most individuals think I'm speaking myself up or trying to sell something when I start down the path of this conversation. People will find that I and other professionals in this trade do care about you and your home. We do not want a self-proclaimed quack coming in to tear up your hearth! So take that into consideration when you are looking at pricing and bidding your bath or kitchen. Shall you pay the handyman, neighbor, decorator, housewife, or hire the pro?

P.S. CKD Interiors adds 20 percent on all goods and labor in your project. You pay retail amounts and the 20 percent plus our hourly is how we are compensated. Trust me it's well worth it!

Ten Easy Ways to Save Energy This Winter

By Elle MacKenna

Winter is a great time of year but brings with it increased costs of homeownership. Cold winds, winter snows, less sunlight all present challenges to keeping warm. But there are easy ways to help ease the cost of heating your home and keeping it running throughout the winter months.



Install a Programmable Thermostat

Typical buildings usually heat with fuel-fired appliances. Just like any other operating system start up and shut down require a lot of energy. For this reason, constant temperatures or temperatures that heat and cool gradually provide the most efficient heating.

Installing a programmable thermostat allows you to use this principle to save energy and money. Set it to cooler temperatures at night and to start heating before you wake up. Your home will be warm during waking hours and you’ll shave money off of your heating bill.

Keep Temperatures Lower

A few degrees in temperature does little for thermal comfort but can make a big difference in heating costs. For every degree you take the thermostat down you can expect about 3% savings on your fuel bill. Optimal indoor temperature is 68 degrees during waking hours and 5-8 degrees cooler while you’re sleeping. Set your programmable thermostat and forget about the 70s. Come spring you’ll still be cozy and have a warm fuzzy feeling about all the money you saved during the winter.

Reverse the Spin

Ceiling fans are great for keeping cool in summer but they are also useful during colder months. Most fans come with a tiny switch that sets the paddle direction. In summer this should be set so the lower part of the paddle goes first around the fan. This draws air up. In winter, flip the switch so the fan pushes warm air down. This helps keep living spaces comfortable and will help take a load off of the furnace.

Add a Thermal Layer to Windows


A quick, inexpensive way to seal up leaky windows is to install shrink wrap, clear plastic films. These are available at most hardware stores and easy to install. Even if you just apply this to some windows throughout your home, you will notice a difference. The plastic creates insulating air pocket while still allowing the sun in.

Less Heat to Hot Water

We tend to use more hot water in winter because we’re cold. Showers get a little longer, we use hand washing as an opportunity to warm up a bit. To take the bite out of the bigger hot water bill adjust the temperature setting of the hot water heater. You can take it down even 20 degrees and still be comfortable. Who knows, you may not even notice the difference and keep it there year round. You will however notice a savings on your bill, about 10%.

Let the Sun In

Solar gain is a challenge in summer but in winter it should be invited in. Using the heat gain from the sun’s energy can help increase thermal comfort inside the home. If you’ve got long drapes or blinds, open them up to take advantage of this free heat source – especially on the south side of your home.

Do a little Maintenance

Forced-air HVAC systems usually have a simple filter integrated in the ducts near the furnace. These should be changed every couple of months to keep the furnace clean and running efficiently. This is especially important during winter months when the furnace is already working overtime. The filters are inexpensive and readily available so buy them two at a time and mark the calendar for change dates.

Seal Your Home

Even small leaks in walls and windows can be energy black holes where your money is literally out the window. Weatherstripping and caulk are two inexpensive products that will save you money. Use them around windows, doors, chimneys and anywhere two surfaces meet to stop drafts and seal up your home. The efforts will come back in noticeable energy savings.

Replace Old Elements

If your furnace is older than your teenager it’s likely time for a new one and it best to switch it out before the cold months. Hoping the old one will get you through one more season is a short-sighted approach to savings. Look for the Energy STAR label and increase your home’s energy efficiency.

Switch Bulbs

It’s darker in winter, the days are shorter and so we use more electricity for lighting. Switch out bulbs for energy saving Energy STAR products.

WBE Here We Come

We just finished our application for the WBE. Hopefully it won't take the full 90 days to be certified but we are well on our way to becoming an official Woman Owned Business!!!

Cool and Innovative Kitchen Ideas

By Kait Downey

Article Word Count: 591 [View Summary] Comments (0)

Innovation is not always a new fancy gadget or appliance for your kitchen. Have you ever considered that your layout may be the most important part of your work space? As an Interior Designer I divide kitchens into two categories, and believe me, being in either of these categories carries no shame. There are the cooking enthusiasts or those interested and then there are the entertainers. Entertainers are looking for aesthetic only; the microwave is their best friend. The cooking enthusiasts want function. Here is how you can have both!
First of all figure your work triangle. The work triangle consists of your sink, refrigerator and range top. These three items are the major functions and therefore should not be more than 9'-0" apart from each other. If you were to draw a line from the middle of the sink to the middle of your refrigerator and then connect to the range you should have a triangle. The purpose is to keep the cook within a range that is comfortable for food prep and cooking obviously. I, personally, like to put the dishwasher to the left of the sink when possible. I also like to elevate the dishwasher and put it in a built in floor to upper cabinet. This not only keeps me from bending to load but the unloading process is much easier. The sink is centrally located most of the time. When it is not I do my best to locate the range and refrigerator within the constraints mentioned above.
Another innovative idea would be to install a floor heating system to keep your kitchen warm in the cold winter months. Not everyone likes the idea but when you consider that the average kitchen is open these days, the heating system will save you some electrical bill nightmares. I also like to incorporate fluorescents under the cabinets for task lighting and now days energy saving bulbs here will help give the kitchen a designer glow without the fuss of incandescent.
Benches with pet supply storage and built-in closets that look like pantries are just a few of the features we include for our clients. One suggestion we make is, if you cannot afford it now, plan ahead by leaving the space for that future appliance in the cabinets when the cabinet maker is making his/her installation. This will allow you to put a level one appliance in its place so the space remains functional and pleasing until you make that purchase. Also adding trim to cabinets and base moulding to the floor helps really make the kitchen look expensive without breaking the bank. For those that truly want that designer look and won't settle for less we have an option for that too.
In today's economy we like to do what is called phasing. A plan of which a kitchen or bath is executed in phases. This allows the client to make choices that are pleasing and pay for the process in steps instead of all at once. This eases the pocket book and doesn't leave the space disastrous. People can assume that designers will cost you more money than doing the job yourself. This is a myth. Interior Designers can broker your project out to the best vendors and build it at cost. You will pay for our services but you will also save the money that you would have spent at the big box store. The time and labor is usually cut in half, so take those factors into consideration when you renovate your kitchen.

For more tips or to check out some of the renovation work we do please visit us at http://www.ckdinteriors.com/.
CKD Interiors is a residential and commercial firm located and working in Dallas, Texas. For more information please go to http://www.ckdinteriors.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kait_Downey

Beach Meets Contemporary

Just a few pictures from our latest and greatest bathroom project. The client was unhappy with the tub she currently had and requested a 6 jet tub deep enough to soak in. She also wanted to convert the adjacent shower into a frameless surround with built-in bench. By incorporating the bench into the tub surround we created a unique and contemporary bathroom space with a carefree beachy feel. For more pictures or questions about this project please feel free to contact us.

Home prices falling faster in most metro areas

AP – In this photo take Oct. 26, 2010, a sold sign is displayed outside a house in Mayfield Hts., Ohio. Home …

By JANNA HERRON, AP Real Estate Writer Janna Herron, Ap Real Estate Writer – 20 mins ago

NEW YORK – Home prices are falling faster in the nation's largest cities, and a record number of foreclosures are expected to push prices down further through next year.
The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller 20-city home price index released Tuesday fell 0.7 percent in September from August. Eighteen of the cities recorded monthly price declines.
Analysts say high unemployment, tight lending standards and millions of foreclosures will weigh on home prices.
"Unemployment is still high, people are afraid of losing their homes and credit is hard to get," said Maureen Maitland, vice president of S&P indices.
Still, Americans are gaining more confidence in the broader economy, a new report Tuesday showed. The Conference Board, a private research group based in New York, said consumer confidence rose to a five-month high in November.
Yet the housing market remains depressed.
Among the cities in the Case-Shiller index, Cleveland recorded the largest decline. Prices there dropped 3 percent from a month earlier. Prices in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego, which had been showing strength this year, also dropped in September from August.
Washington and Las Vegas were the only metro areas to post gains in monthly prices.
The 20-city index has risen 5.9 percent from their April 2009 bottom. But it remains nearly 28.6 percent below its July 2006 peak.
And home prices have fallen in 15 of the 20 cities in the past year.
Prices in Tampa, Fla., fell to their lowest point since the index was created in 2000. Portland, Ore., Charlotte, N.C., Miami are also near their low points since the U.S. housing market collapsed in 2006.
Prices were on the upswing in many cities from April through July, mostly boosted by government tax credits which have since expired. Job worries and record high foreclosures are dampening buyer demand and weighing on prices.
The national quarterly index, which measures home prices in the nine U.S. census regions, dropped 2 percent in the third quarter from the previous quarter.

Pets and the job site.

I love animals. People should be aware that some chemicals used in construction are harmful and toxic to your fur babies. Boarding is a good solution during the day but always notify your project manager about their location and existance. Even after the workers are gone you should keep the pets away from the area under construction. Large dogs in particular can cause problems if the subcontractors are not notified. For more tips please visit the aspca site and don't be afraid to ask your professionals about the processes used on your project.

Giving the Man Cave a Makeover

Once Relegated to the Garage, Rooms Get So Nice, Wives Muscle In; Pool Table or Quilting Table?

By Gwendolyn Bounds , WSJ.com

Nov 12, 2010

Provided by:

Buzz up!

Craig Schuelke's Forest Hill, Md., basement is a testament to manliness. There's the Arnold Schwarzenegger pinball machine and about $30,000 of signed Michigan and Maryland sports memorabilia the construction superintendent has enshrined on the walls. An air-hockey table commands one corner, flanked by a pool table, shot-glass collection and dart board.
It's a quintessential "man cave," except for one feature: Mr. Schuelke's wife, Melanie.

Slide Show: Enter the new 'Man Caves'
"He doesn't know what we're doing when he's not home," says Mrs. Schuelke. "My female friends, we shoot pool, drink beer and throw darts down there."
The man cave has a secret: Women use them, too. Their new interest comes as these spaces have morphed from cold garage outposts into tricked-out comfy spreads, complete with flat screens TVs, fully stocked bars, arcade games and plush (clean!) furniture.

Red-hot Coja Malibu recliner $1,493: CSN stores.

As a result, men are learning to share with the family while combating the inevitable intrusion of scented candles, flowers and kiddie toys. While couples often cozy up together or party in caves with friends, a growing number of women say they retreat there-even holding the occasional quilting party-without the guys.
The struggling housing market is partly behind the evolution of the man cave into a multipurpose space. Rather than trade up or build on, more homeowners are squeezing the most out of their existing living quarters-but splurging on the decor. As a result, today's man caves are desirable and even luxurious pads that the whole family wants to enjoy.

Improve a golf swing at halftime: Electric-Spin

An entire marketplace has emerged in recent years to outfit these spaces. There's Man Cave LLC, modeled after Mary Kay cosmetics, where guys hold barbecue parties dubbed "meatings" to sell steak and cave accoutrements, such as bacon-scented candles and beer pagers to locate lost brew. Online retailers mancavemarket.com and themancaveoutletstore.com hawk essentials, such as beer kegerators, pool tables and Skee-Ball games.
Higher-ticket items make women feel more proprietary over caves, originally intended as spots where guys could be alone or hang with pals, says Mike Yost, who runs cave community site mancavesite.org. "If the guys spend on the big-screen TV and chairs, the wife typically is going to have to sign off on it, too."
Further stoking female cave envy is cable TV's "Man Caves" show on the DIY Network. Episodes feature bling such as a pool table that rises out of the floor. "These are really, really nice spaces, and when the guys want to spend time there, the family wants to spend time there," says Andy Singer, DIY Network's general manager.

Neon signs are a popular touch: Alex Bellus.

That's the case in Robert Butterfield's Sierra Vista, Ariz., home. His retreat is a 400-square-foot homage to Nascar racers Dale Earnhardt and his son. It also sports a 50-inch TV, couch, hundreds of Diecast model cars, even a Christmas tree decked in Earnhardt ornaments-about a $50,000 investment. Mr. Butterfield, 43, calls it "my space," but it's often where his wife Maria and sons also congregate when he's home from his overseas government-contracting job.
Says Mrs. Butterfield, 45: "I enjoy being in there because it's kind of like a little getaway from the rest of the house. When I'm in there, I'm not reminded about dishes or laundry." That's cool with her husband: "Sure, I like time to chill alone, but I started a family because I wanted to be with them."
Still, the gender cohabitation raises a nettlesome question: When does a man cave stop being a man cave and become just a family room? "There's a real blurring of the line between man cave and family room," warns Minnesota decorator Sue Hunter, who runs mancaveinteriors.com. "I think guys are going to start taking charge back in that area."
And certainly purists remain, such as Tommy "Buck Buck" Sattler of Islip, N.Y., who rigged his 325-square-foot getaway with New York Giants football paraphernalia, seven TVs, a red-oak bar top, and urinal in the bathroom.

Hockey-themed NY Rangers chairs: DIY Network

Mr. Sattler flips on an outdoor blue light to let the neighbors know when his "underground lounge" is open, but jokes that women, including his wife, typically stop by only if "they are dropping off food or bringing cleaning products."
Most guys, however, seem game for co-ed caves-so long as there are ground rules, such as no potpourri or decorative pillows. Ms. Hunter, the man-cave decorator, steers clear of big glass vases and baskets in favor of art, she says, that means something to a man, such as "I want to go kill the buck in that picture."
Then there's the "no touch" rule that's reigned in Mr. Butterfield's Nascar sanctuary since he found his 4-year-old son's fingerprints on the display cases with his model cars. "It's a little bit of an ownership thing," he says. "I'm really detail oriented, and this is the way I want the room."
Other regulations are trickier to enforce. Karen Dixon gladly turned over her Friendswood, Texas, garage to husband Shawn, even though parking outside means unloading groceries in the rain. "I'm not controlling, and it makes him happy," she says. Inside, he's stationed his Harley Davidson motorcycle, a 1967 Cavalier Coca-Cola machine, pay phone painted Harley orange, and heavy-weight punching bag.
The Dixons, both 38, often play cards together in the cave, but she balks at his suggestion that usage is by "invitation" only. "Really? I think that he doesn't own it," says Mrs. Dixon, who believes her husband would be secretly "flattered if I brought my friends in there to have crafts and a book club." Mr. Dixon's concern: "I'd be afraid something would be moved and I'd never find it."
The stickiest time can be during cave construction. Mrs. Dixon advises other women to negotiate time limits. "When Shawn is focused on something, it consumes him. Looking back, what I should have done is said, 'Spend as much time with your family as with the man cave. If you work out there for an hour, then come inside for an hour.' "
Indeed, compromise is critical in any man cave negotiation. Married 36 years, Steve and Pam Flaten, both 56, share space in AutoMotorPlex Minneapolis, a compound of high-end garages ranging from 1,000- to 6,500-square feet for fixing up and storing specialty vehicles.
In the loft living area the Flatens constructed inside their garage, Mrs. Flaten typically quilts while her husband tinkers with his race cars below. Recently she held a quilting party.
Despite the domestic influence, Mr. Flaten has stood his ground on certain points. The racing flames on the toilet seat, those get to stay. The flowers she wanted for an end table, those got moved outside.
Women's interest in the man cave phenomenon is sparking a logical next step: woman caves. The DIY Network is exploring development of a new show around the concept. Retailer HomeGoods just launched a campaign to outfit what it dubs "Mom Caves."
To some, that's redundant. "A chick cave?" sniffs Dan Cunningham, owner of the Monroe, Mich.-based mancavemarket.com, "That's what the rest of the house is."
Click here for more photos of 'man caves.' Other popular stories on Yahoo!:

Top Interior Design Sites for Inspiration

Here are some of the top sites for interior design inspiration in the modern world. I love modern though I design a lot of traditional rooms in Dallas. Dallas is a bit of modernist newbie but they are coming along fast. Look at how you can incorporate some modern into your home.


http://www.design-training.com/interior-design/best-interior-design-websites.html

The Coolest Home Upgrades

By Cindy Perman, CNBC.com

Oct 29, 2010

Provided by:

Fewer people are buying new homes these days, opting instead to do home renovations - you know, just to spice things up a little.
Maybe you turn your bathroom into a high-tech spa or get some smart appliances in the kitchen. Maybe you do some green upgrades or maybe you do something purely for luxury.
So, what's the new rain showerhead, the new infinity pool?
We talked to contractors, designers and developers all over the country and here are the 10 Coolest Home Upgrades.

Hidden, Wall-mounted TV

Photo: Electronichouse.com

It's go big or go home with televisions these days - but when you bring one of these drive-in movie-sized screens home, it can often wreck the design of the room. When a guest walks in, they won't say, "Wow, what a nice house," but rather, "Wow, what a big TV you have!"
Well now, you can have it all - a big screen and big style. Designers are increasingly choosing to hide gigantic televisions in the wall and cover them with a mirror or artwork so when they're not in use, you don't even know they're there!
When it's above the fireplace, it can be a framed mirror or piece of art. In the photo at left, this Samsung 37-inch LCD is mounted in the closet behind the mirror, hidden by a removable panel in the closet.
You probably want a pro to do this - TVs require proper ventilation.

Water Feature With Fire

Photo: MerchantCircle.com

Fountains aren't new and fire pits aren't new but put them together - maybe even add some LED lighting - and shazam! Welcome to the future.
A water feature with fire shooting out of the middle can instantly remind you of that Hawaiian vacation (maybe pump some hula music into the outdoor speakers) or just ensure that you not only keep up with the Joneses but knock their socks off when they come over for a barbeque.
They can be rectangular trough-like structures with broken glass in the middle where the fire shoots out, or circular like this one in the picture at left. They can be freestanding, attached to a pool or create a big ridge of fire in a stoned wall. Have a seat because you can control it all by remote control!
OK, who wants toasted marshmallows?

Home Golf Simulator

Photo: Truegolf.com

Golfers have been practicing their swing at home for years but not quite like this - a floor-to-ceiling golf simulator with a massive screen to let you "play" on some of the coolest courses in the world from Hawaii to England.
A golf simulator like the one from Trugolf at left is the ultimate addition to your game room next to the pool table and pinball machine.
Not only do you really feel like you're on the course but it helps you with your game, with sonic ball-tracking sensors and a program that gives you valuable feedback on your swing. They run from $20,000 to $60,000 or more.
She winds up the swing, good form and... Four!

Glass Rooms on the Patio

Photo: Cotton & Co.

Outdoor patios with full kitchens are getting even huger these days, with some nearing 10,000 square feet, said Stephann Cotton, owner of the real-estate sales and marketing firm Cotton & Co.
They've got the Rolls Royce of grills, outdoor wine fridges, fireplaces, sweeping views -- you name it. But guess what else they've got? Bugs.
Cotton said his high-end clients with penthouses in Boca Raton, Fla., are increasingly asking for these glass structures, out at the end of the patio where the best views are. They're turning them into everything from outdoor dining areas and zen gardens to man caves and music studios.
A four-sided glass structure means there aren't just northern views or southern views, Cotton says, there are north, south, east and west views!

Exotic Landscape Lighting

Photo: Robert Davie

So you've got spotlights and those little solar path lights but this is taking your backyard to the next level and doing exotic landscape lighting.
Maybe it's uplighting on the palm trees, Cotton explained, or in the waterfall that spills over into the pool.
The cool thing is, Cotton said, you can even use solar lights - so it won't cost you an arm and a leg in electricity! Take a solar light, put it in a spotlight and turn it upside down shooting up into your landscaping or water feature like a fountain or koi pond.
"Landscape lighting in the water is fairly easy to do," Cotton said. "You get that constant reflection - It's very romantic mood light. It produces a romantic and flickering light - just like a fire does."
Check out more ideas, like the one at left, from Robert Davies landscape design.

Outdoor Shower

Photo: Karmasamui.com

No, we're not talking about the kind you put next to the pool so the kids can wash off the sand, dirt or chlorine.
These are luxurious showers, usually off of the master bath, made of high-end stone and other natural materials, with lush foliage that create your own personal Eden.
You'll already find this type of outdoor shower in resorts in Bali, Fiji and the Caribbean, but now, homeowners are bringing the resort home.
"It's a very sexy thing," said Walid Wahab, president of Wahab Construction in south Florida. "It's your private shower -- you can get completely naked and take a shower outside in your private garden."
Wahab said the construction is getting very creative - things like a shower head coming out of a tree.

Master Control for Energy Consumption

Photo: Control4.com

You know you can control your entire house now from a laptop, iPhone or iPad. Everything from the lights and thermostat to the stereo - and even the pool. Here's taking it to the next level - a master control for energy consumption.
"This is very, very new - people are just experimenting with it," said Ron Rimawi, who co-owns Digital Interiors in Atlanta. "It helps make you more aware and more conscious of your energy usage, so you don't waste energy."
Basically, they're small digital panels that connect with the utilities and track various appliances and systems in your home. They can tell you everything from your usage to the temperature and how much it's all costing you!
"We have long held the belief that the promise of the Smart Grid can only be realized if the consumer is front-and-center in the design of demand-response systems," said Control4, which makes the master control for energy consumption pictured at left.

Pop-up Ventilation for the Kitchen

Photo: Dacor.com

No one wants the lingering smell of smoke and cooking fumes in the kitchen - particularly with how hot the open-concept kitchen-living area is right now. But hoods, no matter what high-end materials you use, can be clunky, not to mention they get greasy and dirty.
Enter the pop-up hood vent - You can sink it into an island or other countertop (of course, with an underground vent to the outside) and then at the press of a button, it comes up, sucks all the smoke and fumes out and then press the button again and - poof! - it vanishes again.
This is not only great for kitchen design, but also to lure other members of the family into the kitchen to help.
Make it high-tech - and they will come!

Cooling Drawer

Photo: Electronichouse.com

Let's face it - kitchens are getting cool. From sleek granite to smart appliances, this isn't your grandma's kitchen.
One of the places where the most innovation is taking place is in the refrigerator. Maybe they have double French doors or are hidden by paneling that makes them blend in with the cabinets.
One of the coolest things - literally - is a cooling drawer, like the one shown left from Fisher Paykel. These are drawers with several different temperature settings, so you can store soda, wine, snacks for the kids - even ice cream.
They're individual drawers, so you can have any number of them scattered around the house.





http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/the-coolest-home-upgrades.html

Top 6 Home Renovation Scams To Avoid

A great article about contractor's scams by Michael Sanibel, Investopedia.com

Oct 18, 2010

Provided by:

Scam artists are nothing new, but there are plenty of reasons to predict there will even more of them due to tough economic times. While they tend to prey on the elderly, anyone who is not cautious and informed is a potential victim. Your best defense is a skeptical mind and knowing what to look out for when you hear that offer that's "too good to refuse." Here are some of the most popular, and costly, home improvement scams. 

More from Investopedia »  Home Renovations That Don't Pay »  Financing For First-Time Homebuyers »  5 Mistakes That Make House Flipping A Flop

1. One-Time Special
It's a very rare business that's had only one sale in its entire history. The reality is that most businesses hold sales throughout the year, and that's not likely to change anytime soon. If a contractor approaches you with a special offer, ask for concrete evidence that the quoted price is lower than what they have charged in the past for the same work. This could include a past catalog, special mailing, a dated price list or evidence of identical work for a past customer.
Don't be pressured into accepting a deal that will expire before you've had a chance to do research, get competing bids and check references. 
2. I Might As Well
Be wary of the contractor who knocks on your door and says he's working just down the street. He tells you he noticed a few things that need some work on your house and that you could save money by hiring him on the spot. Coincidentally, he just happens to have all the materials and tools to start right away.
This approach is often used to entice you into doing things that are visible from the outside like roof repair, painting, window caulking, deck restoration, driveway coating and chimney repair. If the contractor claims to have all the materials, ask him where they came from and who paid for them. If they are left over from an earlier job, there's some chance that the previous homeowner footed the bill.
3. Cash before Work
Nothing should set off more alarm bells than the contractor who wants to be paid in full for a project before it's started. This arrangement sets you up for a disappearing contractor who never starts the work.
A reasonable down payment is expected to cover startup labor costs and materials. Normally, this should not exceed one-third of the total contract value and it's wise to make it as small as possible. The balance of the money can be tied to completion milestones to keep the contractor motivated to stay on schedule. Hold a sizable portion of the money until the project is finished, and make final payment dependent on your personal inspection and satisfaction. 
4. Financing Offers
Another warning flag is the offer to arrange financing to pay for your renovation, sometimes from a lender that the contractor knows personally. The offer may include a special interest rate for a limited time only. What won't be disclosed is that the contractor may be getting kickbacks or other favors from the lender.
If you don't review the loan papers carefully, you may later find out that you've signed up for a refinancing or high-interest home equity loan, or unknowingly transferred your deed. If the money goes to the contractor, there's no incentive to complete the work. Always shop around for the best loan available, and consult an attorney if you need help understanding the terms and conditions.
5. Fly-By-Night Contractor
Be extremely wary if a contractor pulls into your driveway in an unmarked truck. If you talk to him, do it outside in public view. Anyone that enters your home is a potential burglar, or worse. If the truck has out-of-state plates, don't even waste your time.
For all contractors, you should apply due diligence. Verify their name, business name and license number, address and telephone number. Ask for their insurance papers, and verify that they are bonded in accordance with applicable laws.
6. Model Home
Beware of the contractor who wants to fix up your home so he can show it off to other potential customers. In exchange for your agreement to the proposed work, you will likely be tempted with a deal that seems too good to pass up.
Chances are pretty good that some or all of the work he's recommending doesn't really need to be done. Reputable contractors don't need models to showcase their work and if they needed one, they wouldn't use an occupied home for that purpose.
The Bottom Line
Use resources such as the Better Business Bureau, Department of Consumer Protection, and the local license board to check the contractor's business reputation and credentials. A history of consumer complaints, lawsuits and expired licenses are all reasons to keep looking for a reliable contractor.
Common sense and good judgment offer the best protection from home renovation scams. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. It's always wise to get multiple estimates before starting any project and if there are wide differences in the quotes, try to figure out why. Most importantly, don't sign any contract that you don't understand completely.






http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/top-6-home-renovation-scams-to-avoid.html

We strongly suggest you attend this event at least once if you own your own home. The tour is a great place to find ideas for your home and see some of DFW's best architecture and design. For more information see my follower's list for the Art Institute's blog. My alma mater posts many events open to the public that cannot only inform you of the latest legislation regarding construction legalities but fun events for the family that can feast your eyes.

Dallas Residential Developer

CKD is not a firm that will bad mouth others but we will speak the truth when we see unethical treatment of clients. A certain developer in the DFW area, whom we once did design work for, has been treating some of our past clients with the worst possible customer service care. CKD was asked to remove themselves from these last two jobs and we gladly obliged due to their lack of professionalism. We can hopefully help these clients recover some of their assets and we will do so without payment because of the situation.  This developer has in turn told some untruth's about our company and we hear this from the client because they trust us and know that the situation is false. This will be the last time we specifically state the goings on of someone's company unless it's harmful to the general public. These two need to seriously consider another business. Maybe a career that involves a lot of greed and no emotional attachments. We'll let them work that out. In the mean time if you are considering a company to renovate your house and you feel you should know the name of the aforementioned duo, drop us a note. We will happily confirm or deny the name you give us in an attempt to save you time and money. After all the goal of starting a project is to finish it. Right?

Attention Landlords

After looking through a few income properties I'm noticing that landlords are not offering some of the same amenities that a tenant can find in an apartment. There are a few items that can be updated inexpensively to give the space some new shine without breaking the bank and allow you to compete with the big boys.

• Washers and Dryers- Provide a closet with new electrical and plumbing. It may cost a bit more than a paint job but it does give you return. 
• Refinish the Countertops- (Apartments do this, it's not expensive.)
• Provide new energy efficient toilets-This can save you  money and the tenant. Plus studies show that people are getting larger. A small round bowl doesn't cut it for today's average size.
• Crown Moulding/Trim- A 16' stick of trim can be around 20 dollars. Want to save? Just trim out the living room and entry. 
• Lighting/Electrical Fixtures- Update the brass. No peer pressure but everyone else is doing it. 
• Wall treatment- paint only 1 neutral color and a light or dark trim. Be consistent and leave the space blank. New tenants want to image themselves living there. They may not care for that pink floral wallpaper border you thought would really brighten the space.
• Plumbing fixtures- This can be costly if you decided to change out brands. Not all fixtures have universal valves especially in an older home. These can be refinished to brushed nickel. Hand towel holders and new mirrors can help the bathroom too. 

So those are just a few tips I have for all of you trying to rent out a piece of property or just purchasing an income property for the first time.

Remember to also clean before you show the property. Keeping a few simple cleaning items in the closet can help make a lease happen. You want to attract the right kind of renter.

Metroplex Rip-offs

One of the things we value most is honesty. Recently while going through a standard mailer, my biz partner found several ads for bathroom remodeling from whom will remain nameless. Nameless is charging around 3k for refinishing your bathtub and sink areas. Long story short, a contractor should do this for around 300.00. Now you add design service and ad 15 percent you get a final price. Why add the designer? After all you watch  HGTV right?

Wrong! Designers are more than just flair, color, and fluffy pillows. We organize, coordinate, and bid your projects so that you get the best value for your money. Designers have the best resources and spend countless hours researching and preparing your project. Doesn't 15% seem small for the amount you receive? 

Watch out metroplex, some handymen are selling services without an educated background to manage it. You truly get what you pay for but in the case of nameless you really don't.