Welcome to Ask Adam, a sponsored column from Hire It Done that answers your home improvement questions. Have a question about a tricky project, how to deal with a contractor, or suggestions on new products? Hire It Done's Adam Helfman is here to help. Send it in using the form below or go here.
We're remodeling our kitchen and are on a tight budget. My husband wants us to use laminate, but I really like stone – is a stone countertop worth busting my budget?
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I always teach homeowners to watch budget busting purchases. I tell them to avoid the "might as wells!" but there is one exception and that is allowed in the kitchen. So yes! Splurge and get the stone countertop. Not only is it going to make you happy but according to a recent study adding stone tops increases the ROI of your kitchen project. I suggest you visit this link to learn more.
I already have insulation in my attic – what are some other things you can recommend to improve energy efficiency this winter?
Energy prices are never coming down, so it's a good idea to look for ways to try and save energy around your home. One product you might want to consider is radiant barrier insulation. This will supercharge your savings. This new option to your insulation in your attic is gaining popularity in the Midwest. Hire it done has a contractor that specializes in installing radiant barrier insulation. We recently featured it here.
Just came back from the fall home show – there were 7 different types of gutter protection there. Of course everyone says they’re the best, can you please help me pick the right gutter solutions?
The weather in Michigan is always changing and you always need to clean your gutters in Michigan. I tell homeowners that gutter protection is a worthy addition to your gutters. There are many choices in gutter protection on the market and the choice is not that difficult once you do a little bit of research. Gutter protection needs to be installed properly and that's where there are differences. Hire It Done recently did a video demonstration on gutter protection and it is very informative. Take a look at this quick video.
My roof is leaking in two different spots, i have seen the advertisements for 50-year or lifetime roofs – what should i be looking for to maximize the life of my roof and my warranty?
The best roof is the one that is installed properly! With that being said, it is important that the roofer you select is certified by the manufacturer of the shingle. This ensures that you will get proper intake, exhaust and ventilation. These three key components are just as important as the shingles themselves. Also you may want to look into adding insulation in your attic as well. As far as 50-year roofs go, newer warranties are better written and ensure that the contractor is performing the work as the roofing manufacturer prescribed. Take a look at this recent roofing video Hire It Done produced that answers your question specifically.
My parents are getting older, and live in a home they love. What are some little things I can do to make it easier for them to move around?
As the population gets older, remodelers have seen a surge in requests for better design for aging homeowners. This new trend has many names: aging in place, universal design and design with everyone in mind. Whatever you want to call it, it is here to stay. Some items that are popular are : wider doorways (up to 36" in width), comfort height toilets (17'-19" high) as opposed to 14" high, decorator grab bars that do not have a "hospital look" to them and zero clearance curbs for showers. If your parents do not want to leave their home and would rather stay then it is a good idea to have a remodeling contractor that specializes in this type of project. We recently teamed up with Transitions Remodeling and produced an informative video that introduces homeowners to what Hire It Done likes to call "universal design.
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