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maryland home remodeling

Door Hardware To Increase Curb Appeal

by admin on November 5, 2009

in home remodeling

The very first step to generating an impression & making your dream home the perfect place to seek solace starts with the front door.

Door Hardware To Increase Curb Appeal
They all wish to have our dream home, but what they may not realize is that a dream home can be made with small changes in the details of our houses.

The front of your home speaks volumes about your style, taste, preferences for living, & depicts the person you are. The entry in to your house through which visitors are welcomed is also perceived as a gateway to your heart.

Choosing the right door hardware adds to your interior decor, enhances the curb appeal, creates a lovely first impression on welcoming guests, exudes sophistication in lifestyle & living & provides better security. Wow! All of that from a few pieces of well designed metal!

Knobs & push locks are available in the market which may make the decision making process a small overwhelming. On selecting knockers affixed along with knobs, you can add flare & grace to the regular door.

Appropriately selected door hardware grabs instant attention & adds more value to your home. There’s a myriad of products available in gold, silver, or bronze finishes.

Reasons to Get New Door Hardware

When it comes to door hardware, even choosing the right hinges does matter as they permit you to open & close with ease & without that dreadful screeching sound.

2. The other most important reason being the need for design that can generate wonders by adding grace to overall curb appeal of your home. You need the front of your house & your entryway to be maintained & stunning & strong.

1. The first two being security. Safety & security is a primary need of every human. Hence locks & tough equipment is needed for your front door. Strong hardware can be stunning .

Before choosing appropriate door hardware, there’s some important factors that need to be considered like:

1. The type of door you have (does it swing open or slide), the height, measurement of the knob & width, all play a vital role in the decision making process for purchasing new door hardware.

3. The door should not be difficult to open or handle. Attention should be paid to special needs for a round knob, a lever handle, or a traditional entry set with thumb press.

2. Look around for the latest trends & fittings in door hardware to accessorize your door.

4. Besides the handle & lock, there is so much you can do to dress up your front door: knocker with viewer, peephole with 160 & 180 degree, aluminum closer, chain guard with key, push plate, kick plate with screws, pull plate, ring bolts, beauty plates, spring & solid door stops, adapter plates, swing bar guards, spring loaded hinges, door fillers & knob guards. Whew! two or two of these can make your entry shine.

Door hardware is available in a variety of materials, styles & finishes. Understand the importance of door hardware & generate an everlasting impression on friends & relatives while you secure your home.

Dan and Tom Martin of BT Martin Contractors

301 253-1068

Maryland Home Remodeling  Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

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How unlicensed contractors can cost you

by admin on November 5, 2009

in home remodeling

How unlicensed contractors can cost you
Published on September 1, 2009

by Daniel Simmons

It’s down to two. You’ve vetted a long list of contractors. Wheat has emerged from chaff. Now the final decision gets tough. Each appeals to you for different reasons. They’re almost identically qualified, with one difference: one’s licensed, the other isn’t.

FROM THE EDITOR
Homeowners care, but
don’t understand licensing

ANGIE’S STANCE
Angie’s List takes a harder line

ALL OVER THE MAP
Licensing laws across
the United States

MORE ON LICENSING
Unlicensed contractors
feel the sting of the law

Licensing issues
in major U.S. cities

Terms you should know

Tips for verifying
contractor licensing
Questions float through your head: What does it really mean to be licensed? Why are some contractors licensed and others not? And the ultimate question: Does it matter?

You’re not alone in your confusion. Contractors feel it, too. Licensing rules vary state to state. Most states require a license for at least a few home-improvement trades, some don’t. Some cities and counties require additional licenses, some don’t. Some states and municipalities strictly enforce their licensing laws, most don’t.

Once contractors think they’ve got the rules figured out for where they work, another unhappy epiphany dawns: not everyone — homeowners or contractors — knows the rules. And not everyone plays by the rules. Contractors pay a tidy sum to play by the rules, which makes it hard for them to compete against those who don’t. Homeowners can pay the price when they fail to distinguish between the two.

What follows are several stories about homeowners and contractors across the country negotiating the complicated world of trade licensing. In each you’ll see the complexities and frustrations encountered in a system that can be called many things, but definitely cannot be called simple.

Portland painter falls hard for licensing
Fifteen years ago, one of Eric Hernanz’ employees fell off a ladder. The fall resulted in a broken elbow and a sky-high medical bill — about $18,000. Hernanz, a Portland painter, was young and “borderline destitute,” but he had his Oregon contractor’s license, which requires workers’ compensation insurance. And his insurance paid the bill.

Photo by James Holk | State-licensed painter Eric Hernanz learned the value of having a license and proper insurance when one of his employees fell off a ladder.But what if he wasn’t licensed and didn’t have insurance? “My employee very well could have sued the homeowner for medical bills and lost wages since it happened on his property,” Hernanz says. “Unlicensed contractors put their own clients at risk if someone’s injured on the job.”

The incident illustrates why Hernanz still cares — really cares — about contractors being licensed. “Choosing to go with an unlicensed contractor is like a drug user choosing to perpetuate the drug dealing system,” he says. “I feel very strongly that there are moral and ethical implications, as well as tangible reasons, for being licensed.”

According to research compiled by Angie’s List Magazine, contractors must demonstrate proof of insurance as part of obtaining a trade license or registering in 39 states. Claire Wilkinson, vice president of global issues for the Insurance Information Institute, says the first thing a homeowner should do before hiring is ask for proof of a license and insurance.

Liability insurance covers property damage and bodily injury caused by that contractor’s work. Homeowners should also make certain the contractor’s insurance policy includes workers’ compensation, which covers injuries the contractor’s employees may suffer while on the job, says Dean Herriges, vice president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. If a contractor doesn’t have these types of insurance, consumers could end up paying out of their own pocket if their homeowner’s policy is insufficient to cover the bills, Herriges says.

Bonding is also important, which is why many licensing and some registration boards require it as well. Bonds protect homeowners if the company performs shoddy work, doesn’t finish the project, or fails to pay subcontractors and suppliers.

The economy makes these assurances all the more important. There’s been a surge in unlicensed painters in the Portland area, Hernanz says, as contractors take financial shortcuts by not paying licensing and insurance fees. And he says the penalty if caught working without a license deters no one. “The fines are a slap on the wrist,” he says.

Oregon Construction Contractors Board Enforcement Manager Rich Blank responds that unlicensed contractors face increased fines for repeat offenses, and that the board will ultimately seek criminal charges if the first few sanctions don’t work.

In June alone, Hernanz bid four jobs against competitors he believes to be unlicensed. “A telltale sign is a too-good-to-be-true price,” he says. In those cases, Hernanz e-mails the customers, explaining the increased costs of being licensed. He encourages them to check with the state board to make sure the companies are properly licensed, bonded and insured. “I think it’s important they know the risks,” he says.

And he believes homeowners should be held criminally liable for knowingly hiring unlicensed contractors. “They’re contributing to fraud and cutting into the business of legitimate companies,” he says.

He knows it’s unlikely that punishing homeowners will fly politically. But it doesn’t dampen his resolve. “This isn’t how I want it to be,” he says.
read more…

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors
7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646

MHIC #83244 call (301) 253-1068

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Green Materials Guide: Bethesda Maryland Remodeling

by admin on October 20, 2009

in BT Martin Contractors, Bethesda Maryland, Eco Friendly

Green Remodeling Materials Guide
Bethesda Maryland Home Remodeling Customers want Green Materials where ever possible. This is the first in a series of articles we found on the topic of remodeling your Maryland home and keeping it eco friendly. I wish I could say I wrote this but I can not, I found it on TreeHugger.com
Your Guide to Materials for Green Home Improvement, Remodeling and Renovation (Slideshow)

green-house-green-materials-guide-teaser-photo.jpg
Image credit: Getty Images / Dieter Spannknebel

There are few simple choices when it comes to building or renovating a home. From colors to style, location to design, there’s an awful lot to consider; part of that consideration is the impact each step will have on the planet. Thankfully, you don’t have to settle for materials whose production or use has a big-time negative impact on the planet.

Enter the Green Materials Guide, a new feature over on our sister site, Planet Green. We’ve put together information and resources on the materials you might need for any home construction, renovation or remodeling job. From the building blocks of a structure, to the system you use to heat and cool it, to the decorations and decor you choose for the walls, the guide is stacked full of green info to help navigate the increasingly busy world of green home improvement; here’s a quick peek at everything the guide contains.

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

BT Marting Contractors Bethesda Maryland Custom Painting http://btmartincontractors.com

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
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Choosing the Ideal Bethesda Maryland Contractor

by admin on October 16, 2009

in home improvement

Choosing the Ideal Contractor For Your Exterior Home Remodeling Project
By Ryan Coisson

In these tough times, savvy homeowners are not moving up and out: rather, they are staying put in their homes and adding value to their existing investment by making much-needed Maryland Home Improvements. If you have made the decision to remodel your home’s exterior by refacing its walls, here are some tips for choosing the ideal contractor to do the job.

Years of Experience

Choose a contractor in your area whose longevity in the business alone is a testament to the quality of his work. After all, in this competitive industry, no one stays in for long who does not build a reputation for quality, dependability, and overall excellent customer service. He should also be recognized as an award-winning leader in the remodeling field whose commitment to excellence is unsurpassed.

You Get Just What You Want

When you deal with a contractor who handles only vinyl siding, your choices are already severely restricted. A good contractor will offer a variety of facing mediums to choose from so that you get just what you want without having to accept less. You should have your choice of siding, stucco, hardcoat, as well as the current favorites: brickface and stoneface.

Warranties

For your own protection, insist on hiring a company that offers comprehensive and long-lasting warranties. A company that installs all its own products with its own certified craftsmen instead of hiring sub-contractors may be able to offer a strong lifetime warranty. If money is tight, you may also want to find one that offers deferred interest financing for your convenience.

When it comes to investing money in your home, you cannot afford to take chances on a contractor who may or may not come through for you. Do some research, then choose carefully.

Garden State Brick (http://www.brickface.com/) is about NY home remodeling. Ryan Coisson is a freelance writer.

Dan and Tom Martin of BT Martin Contractors

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors
7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646

(301) 253-1068

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Chevy Chase Maryland Remodeling

by admin on October 4, 2009

in BT Martin Contractors, Chevy Chase DC

BT Martin Contractors serving Chevy Chase DC and Bethesda Maryland luxury home owners for 30 years with Maryland Home Remodeling Services.
Articles on remodeling:
You ve loved living in your apartment; it s convenient to your job, and it’s easy to maintain. However, your bachelor/bachelorette days are gone, you have a family, and you re finally financially ready for something bigger – meaning a house.
You ve notified your landlord that you ll be moving out on such and such date, and in the meantime you re actively looking for your dream home.

After an extensive search, you ve finally found the perfect house for you and your family regardless of home improvement needs. You ve now moved out of that apartment (funny how it seems so cramped now in comparison to your new home!) and are in the process of getting settled.

You’ve never had to do much work on a home before, or any place that you lived. At your old place, if you noticed a sink was leaking, or there was a crack in the wall, it was up to your landlord to fix it. Now, you want to experience what you think is the thrilling challenge of home improvement.

As a result, you and your wife agreed to buy a real fixer upper. What could
be better than accomplishing your own home improvement projects? You
envision yourself pointing to some pristine tiling work and proudly
declaring, I did that!

Well, before you get started on any of the many home improvement projects you want to accomplish, you should first consult people who actually know what they re doing. For example, for that painting project you have in the living room, why not talk to your nephew? After all, he recently completed a College Home Painting Class, and is well on his way to establishing a
successful painting career!

Once you ve consulted the professionals, you can then start thinking about tackling a few projects yourself. However, it s important that you stick to smaller projects – ones that don t have a high probability of getting injured.

A perfect way to start is actually not inside the home, but outside of it.
The yard looks awful, and the gazebo needs to be painted. Start by getting yourself a really good lawnmower and mowing that lawn! You might even want to add some extra color to the lawn too, but adding various flowers and decorative plants.

Then, there s the gazebo. The white paint is chipping off in clumps, and mold is growing on the side. No need to panic, this is a great job for you “Oh Home Improvement Man!” Lay a tarp down around the gazebo area. Get some clean rags, and dip them in basic household cleaning solution. Vigorously rub away any signs of mold. That step was pretty easy, right?

Next, take a paint chipper (if you have to idea what that is, just go to your local hardware store and ask for one) and scrape off as much of the flaking paint that you can. By this time, the area around the gazebo probably looks very, very messy. Thank goodness for that tarp! Gently gather the corners of the tarp, drag it over to a trash can, and dump in the bits and pieces of trash. Just think, after all that hard work, you can actually start painting.

Who said house projects were time consuming and not much fun?

Now if you’d rather hire an experience professional that’s worked in your Upper Northwest DC or Bethesda Maryland area for 30 years and you can walk to the homes of people who have previously hired:
From Maryland Home Remodeling

 

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors
7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646
(301) 253-1068

7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646
(301) 253-1068
Maryland Custom Home Remodeling
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Home Remodeling is your contractor insured?

by admin on September 27, 2009

in MHIC, insured

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

BT Marting Contractors Bethesda Maryland Custom Painting http://btmartincontractors.com

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.

Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
HMIC# 83244
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13 Things Your Remodeler Wont Tell You

by admin on September 26, 2009

in home remodeling

With business down it may be the perfect time to indulge in some home improvement projects.

Read on for more secrets of home remodelers.

From Reader’s Digest

1. Business is down 16 percent. The good news for you: I’m returning calls and trimming prices.

2. High-end people will do smaller jobs we might have spurned a few years ago. Focus on projects that will keep your house market-ready, like upgrading a bathroom.

Custom Interior Painting in Chevy Chase MD

3. Triple-check financing before you start. You don’t want to run out of money to pay me because your lender decides to lower or eliminate your home equity line of credit. (And it can, at any time.)

4. Those of us who do new houses or commercial projects may not have great remodeling skills. Long track records count.

5. Look at work I’ve done in the past 12 months, on a budget similar to yours. (Older projects likely had bigger budgets and more expensive materials.)

6. Check me out: Any liens? Pending lawsuits? Do I have a valid state license? Do my subcontractors?

7. Test-drive me on a smaller project before you commit.

8. Do I have insurance? (Check directly with my insurance company. Those papers I waved in front of you may have expired years ago.)

9. Don’t over- improve—especially since home values are falling. Check out local trends in the “Cost vs. Value” report at remodeling.hw.net.

10. Spell everything out. Otherwise, I may not prime the walls before I paint or I may not build that closet shelf and put up that rod. Expect nothing that’s not in writing.

11. Ask if you’re getting a dedicated crew. If not, your project may drag on while I juggle multiple jobs. Tie the contract to deadlines for each phase.

12. Ditto for the brand and precise quality of the materials, appliances, and fixtures you are ordering. Don’t let us sub in materials of “equal or better quality” that aren’t.

13. Put “while you’re at it” projects on a separate list and ask me to give you separate estimates. Home improvement spending is projected to slide another 12 percent this year. I’ll likely have time—and be glad—to come back.

Sources: Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies; Roger Peugeot, president of Roger the Plumber, Inc., Overland Park, KS; Collin Johnson, director of inspection services for the City of Glendale, WI; Bruce Case, president of Case Design/Remodeling, Inc., based in Bethesda, MD. Interviews by Joanne Cleaver.

From Reader’s Digest

 

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.

We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.
We understand… that the importance of maintaining a clean work environment. We make it a top priority
7130 Rock Creek Dr, Frederick, MD (301) 253-1068 ‎
Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
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Home Remodeling in a Recession – Would it Be Possible?

by admin on September 26, 2009

in home remodeling

These are truly tough financial times, and the boom days are now over for the US real estate industry. Today, many homeowners are having second thoughts on undertaking a home improvement activity, and are questioning whether if it’s worth the time and money that’s required. A home remodeling activity could still be done, however, as knowing which type of remodeling activity to invest in should help to make a major difference.

The positive side of remodeling your home during a recession is that, when it comes to major home remodeling aspects, renovating the bathroom, kitchen, and basement continues to serve as the main backbone of the remodeling industry and has only incurred minimal losses in recoup values, and has surprisingly maintained steady values in some cases. Home improvement analysts agree that simple improvements such as repairing the sliding door or replacing the windows lead the pack when it comes to rising recoup values.

Remodeling during a recession also has its share of negatives. As the housing market is on a slump, the pocketbooks of consumers have also gotten much thinner. With the recession serving as a gloomy backdrop, home remodeling projects have seen the largest drop in recoup values over the years. Two-story home additions for instance, have incurred a major drop in recoup values, by around 20% between 2002 and 2007. Among the other home remodeling projects that have lost value over the last five years include family room remodels, office remodels, and attic bedroom constructions.

Maryland Custom Painting for fine homes

While most studies have indicated that the overall value of home improvements have considerably dropped over the last five years, a number of projects have successfully held the recession at bay, and are steadily holding on their own. Housing analysts stress that the trick is in knowing which projects to steer clear from and spotting which ones are worth your trouble. While choosing the appropriate home remodeling job may be a wise move, it would even be smarter if homeowners see these tough times as an opportunity for negotiating affordable or even fairly-priced home remodeling deals. Who knows, these tough economic times may even provide you with much-lower home reconstruction deals?

Custom Interior Painting in Chevy Chase MD

Lizette Provence has been writing for almost four years now. She writes articles on home improvement, fitness and technology. Recently, she has launched a new website which features different Electrolux Vacuum Cleaners suitable for your home needs. You can visit her site at Vacuum Cleaner Bags for more useful information.

Maryland Home Remodeling by BT Martin Contractors

Maryland Custom Painting Contractor serving Bethesda, Potomac and Howard County for 30 yrs. Maryland Home Remodeling for discriminating exclusive clientèle. Commercial and Residential Work

7130 Rock Creek Dr, Frederick, MD (301) 253-1068 ‎

Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
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BT Martin Contractors

by admin on September 24, 2009

in BT Martin Contractors, Maryland custom remodeling

Meet Dan and Ben Martin of

BT Martin Contractors

Based in Frederick Maryland home remodeling contractor serving primarily:
Bethesda, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Upper NW DC, Howard County and Loudoun County Va.
with exquisite upscale renovations worthy of the exclusive neighborhoods they serve.

BT Martin Contractors has been helping people just like you—visualize, plan and complete home improvement projects for almost 30 years. We show up on time, listen, respect your home, and complete your project on time and on budget.

Specializing in custom work, custom remodeling and custom painting, uniquely tailored for each client’s needs and tastes.

Ben and Dan Martin, business partners and hands on owners, use our years of experience to design spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

We have an extensive list of satisfied customers whose referrals and pictures of remodeling projects that may be viewed as examples of our work.

We can dramatically improve your home’s first impression and value.

Just as no two homes are alike, no two customers are alike. We happily customize our services to meet your exact needs. BT Martin Contractors is proud of our top notch craftsmanship used to complete our many remodeling projects over the years.

Our pledge is to always offer honest advice, quality workmanship and fair prices. Every project begins with a free on site consultation and estimate. Please call and allow us the opportunity of serving you with any remodeling needs.


Maryland Custom Remodeling
7130 Rock Creek Dr
Frederick, MD 21702-3646
(301) 253-1068‎
Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
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Bethesda Maryland Custom Painting

by admin on September 23, 2009

in Bethesda Maryland

Montgomery County Maryland Home Remodeling by 

BT Martin Contractors
Residential Interior and Exterior Painting for Discriminating Clients.

BT Marting Contractors Bethesda Maryland Custom Painting http://btmartincontractors.com

Realizing you have many choices when it comes to residential contractors, we thank you for considering us. We provide the highest level of commitment to ensure your satisfaction with each and every project. We use only premium products and apply them with the latest methods and highest standards.

We are fully licensed and insured, with excellent references available upon request. Our team of quality-conscious professionals will address all of your home improvement concerns, treating your home and property with high regards.
We understand… the importance of completing the projects in a timely manner without interrupting your daily life.
We understand… that the importance of maintaining a clean work environment. We make it a top priority

BT Martin Contractors
Maryland Custom Painting
7130 Rock Creek Dr Frederick, MD 21702-3646

Maryland Home Remodeling
by BT Martin Contractors
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