Remodelers and homebuilders fall into one of three categories: Accounting driven, Marketing driven, or Construction driven. It is very important to know which kind of builder you are consulting with in order to know what to expect from them and their building processes.

Accounting Oriented Builder:

They are always fixed on their bottom line as they are constantly thinking, “How can we reduce our costs so we can maximize profit and still get the job from our competition?”Costs are always accumulated in construction by types and quality of products, quality of workmanship, amount and quality of service, how fast can the job be done and what can they not put in the bid  to later add as change orders at the end of the job?  Yes, they’re initial estimate will usually be less money but the end product will be of less quality, and change orders will bump the price up to at or more than what the experienced, reputable construction driven builder would have been.  In a remodel, living in the home while an accounting oriented builder works could be a nightmare. These types of builders are usually not worried about reputation and long term commitment as they’re intention is to make a lot of money and go to the next job.

Marketing Driven Builder:

These are the builders you notice through traditional advertising like magazines, newspapers, and billboards. They buy their way to the top of the social media network as they strive for top-of-mind awareness so you go to them first. Initially you will think that since they are advertising heavily, they must be doing a lot of remodels and new homes and produce great results. They will sell you on a home you love, but often your dreams won’t be met through implementation. That doesn’t really sound like the best builder. Always be weary of strong marketers who have no reputation or very little history.

Indoor air pollutants have increased over the past few decades for variety of reasons. Contributing to indoor air quality issues in homes are construction of more tightly sealed buildings, reduced ventilation rates to save energy, the use of synthetic building materials and furnishings, and increased use of chemical products such as pesticides, housekeeping supplies, and personal care products. The four basic factors affecting indoor air quality (IAQ) are indoor air pollutant sources; the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system; pollutant pathways; and occupants.

Moisture and Biologicals:

Moisture problems in homes can result in the growth or amplification of biological and microbial organisms like mold, mildew, dust mites and pet dander. Exposure to these organisms can increase the risk of allergic illness, trigger asthma, cause respiratory infections, or have other health effects. Common sources of moisture include high indoor humidity, plumbing leaks, and water leaks. Poorly maintained heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems can also contribute to moisture problems. To remedy the problem, the source of excess moisture must be found and fixed, and contaminated materials must be removed and discarded if they cannot be thoroughly cleaned.

As a follow up to our article at the beginning of December 2011 on, preventing and minimizing fires in your home I thought it would be good to include a very important article on wood burning in your home.  With the increasing natural gas and fuel oil heating costs, many homeowners are turning to wood burning stoves to keep their home warm. Beware, that while you are saving money, you may increase your risk of a home fire.

In Salem, as well as most parts of Western Oregon, our weather is usually mild enough to allow certain remodeling projects and custom homes throughout the Fall and Winter without serious problems. In past years, Kaufman homes have begun many various size new homes, remodels and additions in October and November without significant problems. Ideally, if you can get the shell of the structure up and “dried-in” before mid-October, the remaining exterior work can dodge the storms, and the interior work can proceed unimpeded. If the roof must be removed, it is often easier to protect the house from snow than from Spring rains, since snow can be removed before melting.

When you start a Remodel or Custom Home is CRITICAL

Timing, however, is crucial. If a surprise storm brings a foot of wet snow or a week of sub-zero temperatures just after the basement or crawl space is excavated, you may incur costly delays or remedies in order to form and pour the foundation. On the other hand, the same storm an hour after the foundation is poured may be nothing more than a minor inconvenience.

We get various questions from homeowners regarding the maintenance of their granite countertops. Granite is perceived to be durable and maintenance free, and in most cases that applies to most stone counters, but not all granite is the same. Although granite is extremely hard, some of the minerals in it may be very soft, depending on the type of granite.  The type of finish may affect how often the countertop should be cleaned and sealed. A polished finish is more desirable in the kitchen because it is easier to keep clean. Other finishes, such as, honed, flamed, sand blasted and brushed are available but will require more attention to the maintenance of the countertop. Knowing how and when to clean and seal your granite countertops will ensure they will maintain their beauty well beyond the life of your home.

The easiest way to keep your stone looking great is to avoid bad habits that may damage it. Granite, marble, travertine, limestone, soapstone, quartz and solid surface are similar in many ways, but their differences require varying degrees of maintenance.

The following post deals with the most common myths that I hear as a builder all the time. I hope to once and for all stop these myths from continuing. Whether you are doing a home remodel or a custom home these apply. In fact, these apply to almost any project that you could do on your home.

Myth: “I can buy the materials myself and save money”

This is not a professional way of doing business and for good reason. If you supply materials, you are risking not ordering enough for the job. Running short can hold up the job. Poor quality products will also affect the final product. Unfamiliar suppliers can hold up the schedule and cost more money. The costs of mistakes will be passed on to the homeowner and would cost more than if the contractor did the ordering in the first place.

Whether you are wanting to do a home remodel or build a custom home, this is a great list of items to keep in mind. We know that over the years there are lessons that we have learned. The list below are just some of the lessons that we would like to share with you. This list also serves as what you should also be thinking of when starting a home remodeling project or custom home because more often than not, these items don't come up until it is too late to tackle a problem that could have been brought up at the very beginning.

Once you have selected a contractor, and signed the contract, the job is ready to go.  The project will be a team effort and you are the main player.  There are a few things to know in order to help keep the project going on a positive track.

When I first started thinking about Kaufman Homes and the service we provided I started to list items that we have either heard about from other customers who made the right choice of using us versus someone else. I took a lot of the items that they spoke about and made a list. I then expanded the list to reflect what we see both with general contractors (like ourselves) and the sub-contractors that we have worked with in the past and currently work with. Below is that list.

Traits of Flaky Contractors:

1. High Pressure Sales
2. No Office or Land Line
3. No or Very Low Overhead
4. Odd Hours
5. No References
6. Last Chance Price Reduction
7. Unusual Payment Terms
8. No Written Contract or Estimate
9. Want substantial or all the money upfront
10. Pricing or Schedule too Good to be True
11. Unclear Specifications or Contract
12. Gut Feelings
13. Poor Workmanship and Incomplete Work
14. Permits By Owner
15. No Warranty
16. Disorganized

Traits of a Good Contractor:

1. Credible and Trustworthy
2. Organized and Timely
3. Detailed Specifications and Contract
4. Professional and Community Outreach
5. Certified with Various Trade Organizations
6. Quality Materials and Labor
7. Welcomes Questions
8. Protects You and Your Home

I really hope that this is a list that you can use to compare the contractor that you are using on your home remodel or custom home and that you find that he or she falls in the "good contractor".