Discover the hidden space in your home

Over the past few decades, American homes have changed when it comes to basements. Gone are the days of the dark, dank area where Mom decended to store homemade preserves and canned beans or to do the laundry. Today's homes include the basement as part of the "liveable" square footage.

It is the same with attics, which in the past were just for storing Aunt Lily's travel trunk, discarded toys, and pieces of furniture no longer in fashion.

By transforming the unused space in your home, you gained areas for new activities such as a work out room, a built-in bar for parties, a home theater complete with surround sound, a home office, a crafts or sewing room, a comfy family room when the teens have friends over, or an extra bedroom for when the in-laws visit.

There are items to be considered when transforming a basement:

Before any project is understaken, the foundation will be inspected for cracks, moisture, mold and other environmental issues associated with a basement area.
Egress is important. There are local ordinances that dictate how many and what size are required for safety issues. In some cases, a room can't serve as a bedroom if there is no way to exit the room in case of a fire.
The type of flooring and wall coverings is important. Some materials trap moisture and humidity.
Don't skimp on lighting. Unless the basement is a walk out, the number and size of windows will affect how dark the space will be. Unless you are planning a home theater, you will need extra light.

For an attic remodel, consider these items:

How will you reach your attic? This is an important element. If you have a staircase, then not a problem. If a pull-down stair, that would work for a healthy adult but not for a small child. If there is room to build a staircase, it would make the investment much more valuable.
Head clearance. Can you stand upright in the center of your attic? If you can, don't be too concerned about the ceiling height at the wall. Some creative built-in furniture will make good use of the lower ceiling areas.
Dormers can add more light and make your home more visually interesting from the outside.

Give us a call and we'd be happy to take a look at your hidden spaces: 603-329-5099.

EPA

EPA Lead Certification

Getting the lead out: New EPA lead paint rules in effect since April 2010

Beginning in April 2010, federal law now requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.

It's all about the children. They aren't born with the innate knowledge to not snack on paint chips around window trim. They don't know the repercussions of putting paint chips and anything else containing lead into their mouths. And remodeling and renovation can cause lead paint to deteriorate into deadly lead dust. Unfortunately, lead can cause everything from brain and nerve damage, to behavioral and learning problems, to slowed growth and issues with their hearing, to simple headaches.

Why do you need to be concerned about lead?

Lead is a toxic metal that was used for many years in products found in and around our homes. Lead also can be emitted into the air from motor vehicles and industrial sources, and lead can enter drinking water from plumbing materials. Lead may cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities, to seizures and death. Children six years old and under are most at risk.

Basic Information from the EPA

In September, a tree fell on our deck demolishing it. After contacting the insurance company we called L & M Construction. Rick came over and gave us an estimate. The ins ... - G&S Carrie, Hampstead, NH Read more...