Five Mistakes to Avoid When Doing Your Home or Business Construction Project

Having a project done at your home or office can be a disruptive event costing more than just the construction costs--not to mention time lost if it is your business, or just the stress of having construction workers in your home for days or weeks. Here are some things to pay attention to:

1. Get a detailed estimate with price breakdown. Ask for this if you don't get it. Become your own advocate. 2. Do advanced research regarding the costs. Pricing will vary depending on the type of products and the details and extent of the work. Square footage prices usually don't apply. You don't want your contractor gauging you, but you don't want them to go out of business during the project either! 3. Get your contractor's credentials. Ask for proof of insurance and license number. Go to: http://www.cslb.ca.gov/.

4. Make sure you are given a detailed schedule. Good communication starts with a clear understanding of how long things will take. Know from the beginning when delays could take place. Ask questions if something is taking too long. There should be a logical explanation. Delays with product orders,etc. 5. Communication during the project is important. The lay person doesn't always understand the construction process. There are many things that can happen that can take you by surprise--for instance, electrical wiring may be in a different spot than what was expected or you could find leaking pipes or mold when you open up a wall. These things could cause a change to your plans and costs. Make sure you talk in the beginning about how you want to be contacted regarding the unexpected or to update progress. The goal is to avoid surprises as much as possible although it is almost impossible to avoid them entirely. But if you do these five things you will be on your way to a smooth running project.

Kitchen Remodel - Part 2: Finished at Last

 

If I were designing this remodel for anybody else, it would take about three weeks.  Maybe a month. Homeowner do-it-yourself projects always take longer. Projects that architects do for themselves run on geological time.  When I mentioned to a colleague that we had been eight months without a stove, he said his own kitchen remodel had taken four years. I probably should have asked why it took so long but I was struck dumb by the idea of four years without a kitchen.

The highlights of the kitchen remodel were when we hired professionals to install the floor and counters. The rest of the time progress inched along as we grabbed an hour before or after work. Weekends we spent wearing our oldest clothes and covered in construction dust. The biggest job was prep for painting as we mudded, filled, caulked, and sanded the walls and trim. Now we know why the professionals just tear everything out and put up new.

I’ll let the photographs tell the story. On the left is the kitchen the way it was the day we bought the house. On the right is the remodeled kitchen. Same cabinets with new paint, reconfigured to accommodate new refrigerator and added dishwasher. The cabinet color was inspired by the color of the paper towel holder in the old kitchen. We call it 1950’s Cadillac blue, complete with chrome fittings and white upholstery – I mean counters. The Marmoleum floor tiles give a nod to the 50's black and white tile kitchen floors.

It is difficult to say what made the biggest difference. I think it was repairing and taking the board off the window and letting in the sunlight.

We are still getting used to where we’ve put things in the new kitchen. And loving the new dishwasher!

New member update: Carol Graves

Women On Fire is pleased to introduce our newest member - Carol Graves!

Carol has over twenty-three years of general contracting experience of light commercial and residential projects. Before starting Abbott Lain Construction her past significant positions were Vice President, of ACG Construction, Inc., a commercial construction company and President of Bayhill Builders, Inc. a residential home building business. She is a 27 year resident of the San Francisco Bay Area and California native.

Carol enjoys the challenges of the construction business. If it is transforming a neglected property to something beautiful, or building out an empty shell to house your new business she knows how important time, attention to detail, and cost is to clients.

Abbott Lain is a woman owned company and holds a certification from The Women’s Business Enterprise Council. Carol is also certified by the EPA for Lead Renovation.

Please be sure to visit the company website www.abbottlain.com or follow Abbott Lain Construction on facebook.

Stay tuned for future blog posts from Carol Graves.

put together with a pop of red...

what better way to look "holiday"ish...than with a nice pop of red...absolutely loved these shots from the lucky magazine december issue last year...try adding a red clutch or red gloves...red shoes maybe? ok...i'll stop...i can go on and on and on about a pop of color...especially when we are talking red...

will you be sporting red this holiday season?

scanned by moi


scanned by moi

New member update: Sara Haller

Women on Fire is happy to introduce our newest member: Sara Haller



As an experienced entrepreneur, Sara is excited and grateful to partner with two billionaires from Malaysia who are bringing a new business concept to our community marketplaces! Sara's passion for improving people's personal health and helping them build residual passive income is fulfilled with the eCosway business model. She focuses on working with people who want to spend less and make more money. Sara's ultimate goal is to show you how to use your shopping money effectively on cutting edge high science products from around the world - at low price points - products you use in your everyday life.

You can find Sara on twitter: successwithsara or visit her website www.ecosway.com/ushome/US130735A

Stay tuned for future blog posts from Sara Haller!

5 Ways to Make Your Wedding Unique

Photographing weddings is an amazing job because I get to see all the planning, thoughts, and dreams come to life for one couple on a very special day. It’s also amazing to see how people make their wedding unique and personal to them. Here are 5 was to make your wedding unique to you.

1. Desert Table

A past bride who loves white chocolate incorporated it into her wedding with a magnificent white chocolate fountain. With fruit, marshmallows, and an array of other snacks to dunk into the fountain it was a crowd pleaser!


2. Centerpieces and Flowers

Designing centerpieces from her Mother’s garden not only allowed them to be unique but also gave a personal touch to a past bride’s wedding. In addition, the bridal bouquets were created from the same garden.


3. Destination with Meaning

Hawaii held a special place for one of my bridal couples so much so they decided to get married there. The ceremony was held on a boat and a close group of friends and family attended the wedding.



4. Wagon Baby Flower Girl

One bride wanted her niece to be included in the wedding as a flower girl, however she wasn’t quite ready to walk yet. Therefore, they put had her in a vintage wagon that was pulled by one of the groomsmen and a safety harness kept her safe and upright in the wagon.



5. Personalize Your Wedding Cake

In a very classic, elegant wedding one wedding couple decided to personalize their cake with their first and last name. It also announced to all of their guests, in a unique way, that the bride was taking her husband’s last name.


Rhonda Giedt Photography
www.PhotosByRhonda.com