Framewerks would like to thank all of those who took the time to stop by and vist our booth at the 2012 Life Style Home Show. We had a great time meeting all of you and discussing your projects. We will be following up with those of you who left us contact information in the coming days. For those of you who did not make it to the show here are a few pictures of our completed booth.

Today was the big moving in day for the 2012 London Lifestyle Home Show. The Framewerks team has been working hard on creating an amazing display in our workshop that is sure to be a crowd stopper at the show. It was "all hands on deck" today during setup at the Western Fair grounds. There is something for everyone at this show and we hope to see you there. So stop by the Framewerks display, booth 9 in the Progress Building. We look forward to talking to you. Below are some setup pictures...but if you want to see the finished product, you'll just have to come see us at the show. See you there!

We finished up a fantastic deck project in the late fall and wanted to share it with you. As you can see from the pictures, this deck was a beautiful addition to a fantastic home. It was definitely one of the larger decks Framewerks has ever designed and brought to life! 

Here are the specs :

• - 1600 sq ft deck space
• - Cedar and pressure treated wood construction
• - Second level walkout from bedroom
• - Built around above ground pool
• - Hot tub dropped in for easy entry
• - Outdoor shower/change area

Quick note about the last picture, in case you are wondering we rented an airplane to get that shot!

Framewerks will be at the Lifestyle Home Show on Jan 27, 28, & 29 at the Western Fair! The show is a great place to get inspired and learn about a variety of home improvement projects. Please feel free to stop by the Framewerks booth for a quick meet and greet, or run some project idea by us! What a great way to meet us and talk about your project, without pressure or obligation.

Hope to see you there!

This London Free Press article provides even more info about the show. 

Mike

It's easy to find someone to do that renovation work you want done around your house. Just call the number on one of those hand-drawn ads posted on utility poles in your neighbourhood. Or you could do some legwork and try to find a reputable contractor. You'll be happier with a job done well. Word of mouth is often the best way to find the right person for your job. If you know someone who's had work done in their home and they are pleased with the results, ask for a name and number. Local and national home building associations also recommend contractors who meet insurance and licensing standards. The Canadian Home Builders’ Association refers contractors, renovators, land developers and other specialists who are members. The CHBA accepts inquiries, and their website has a searchable database for members across Canada.Get two or three quotes for the work you want done. The quotes should be written and spell out exactly the work you want done and how long it should take.

The lowest quote may not necessarily be the best."If the bid is much lower than others, find out why," home renovating expert Mike Holmes told CBC News Marketplace. "It may be because of corner cutting. Trust your instincts. If the red flags start to wave so much in front of your face, ask the contractor to leave your home."Don't let a contractor pressure you into making a quick decision to either hire him/her or hand over money. Commit only when you are ready.

Any contractor who comes onto your property should have a valid renovator's licence. It is your right to ask to see it. If the contractor is reluctant to show it to you, you should be reluctant to hire him/her.Requirements for renovators' licences vary from municipality to municipality. Check with your local government for the rules in your area before hiring a contractor. Other tradespeople who work on your property should also have the proper certifications. If a person claims to be a licensed electrician, they should be more than happy to provide you with proof. Same goes for a plumber.

Your contract should outline exactly what work will be done in the renovation. It should include all drawings that can be done in advance of the project. It should also include a timetable for the project, with start and end dates.

Upscale Projects

Siding Replacement (fibre-cement or foam-backed vinyl). With the economic slump, home buyers aren't being dazzled by bells and whistles as much as they are improvements that will ensure lower repair and utility bills. Although replacing current siding with fiber-cement has lost value from 2007, it still nets an astonishing 87 per cent ROI. If you prefer a foam-backed vinyl product replacement instead, you can still look to recoup 80 per cent of your cost. Window Replacement (vinyl or wood). Windows are not only an aesthetic feature. For most homeowners, they represent one of the easiest ways to lower home heating and cooling bills. By replacing your current windows with more efficient vinyl or wood ones, you can save on your utility bills, attract future home buyers and net a nearly 80 per cent (vinyl) or 77 per cent (wood) return on your investment. Bathroom Remodel. Depending on the size and amenities of your desired bathroom, you could expect to pay more than $50,000 to tear out walls, repair joists and wall studs, change structural elements and make major layout changes, such as switching a toilet and shower. However big the price tag, you can still expect to recoup nearly 71 per cent of the cost (which would be $36,400 if you have a $50,000 bill) when you go to sell. This project increased its value since 2007, while its sister project — adding a complete bathroom — fell in value. Major Kitchen Remodel. Kitchens are typically the most frequently used room in a home, so it makes sense that investing money here is going to pay off when it comes time to sell. While a major kitchen renovation is usually the most time-consuming and expensive home improvement job (averaging more than $110,000), it's also one of the most profitable. Regardless of the size of your financial layout, you can expect to get a nearly 71 per cent ROI. Deck Addition (composite product). With families cutting their entertainment budgets, they're spending more time at home, so it makes sense that adding a deck (composite, not wood) is a good investment. You can plan on recouping 63 per cent of your total job cost to boost your home's value by nearly $24,000 if you paid the average job cost of $37,000.

Mid-Range Projects

While all of the mid-range projects dropped in value versus cost since 2007, there are still numerous projects that will net you a significant ROI. Here are a few of the best bets for your money: Deck Addition (wood). If your bank balance can't swing the higher price tag that comes with composite decking, you may still be able to afford a wood addition on to your home. While a wood deck would cost you, on average, in the neighborhood of $10,000, the resale value it will add to your home is more than $8,600 — an 81.8 per cent return on your investment. Siding Replacement (vinyl). Fibre-cement or foam-banked vinyl are often more preferable siding upgrades, but getting vinyl siding replacements instead is still a good choice. You can recoup nearly 81 per cent of your cost which, if the job cost you more than $10,000, means you could add more than $8,200 to your home's value. Minor Kitchen Remodel. With belt-tightening in style, people are turning to minor kitchen improvement projects instead of major overhauls. It turns out that that choice is not only frugal, but financially wise. While major kitchen remodeling jobs can still, on average, return a nice 70 per cent ROI for homeowners, minor kitchen remodeling jobs net an even higher 79.5 per cent return. Attic Bedroom. Anytime you can add bedrooms, you're going to add to the overall value — and listed purchase price — to your home. If your attic's dimensions allow you to convert it to a bedroom, you may want to consider investing the money to do so. You'll add some sleeping space and net a nice 74 per cent return when a new buyer puts your home under contract. Basement Remodel. If you're fortunate enough to live in an area with a water table high enough to permit basements, you should think about squeezing all the value you can out of it. By remodeling and finishing a previously-unfinished basement you can expect to get nearly 73 per cent of your investment returned with a higher list price, come time to sell.

Conclusion

If you have savings or access to reasonably-priced credit, it's worth it to consider home improvement projects that will produce the best return for your time and money. Make sure you work with a reputable, licensed contractor (to avoid costly errors or budget overruns), and before you undertake any project it's a good idea to check and see if it could significantly increase your property tax bill. While it may still make sense in the long-run to undertake the project and add overall value to your home, you may need to make a few budgetary changes so that you don't get caught off-guard when the tax bill comes.

Here are some thing to watch out for when choosing a contractor, all of the below should be red flags to you.

- Contractors without a valid license.

- A contractor without his own insurance covering accidental damage that might occur on the job.
 
- Contractors asking for large down payments ahead of completing at least some work (for example, electrical), or to cover building materials. Many contractors have 30 days to pay their suppliers.

- Anyone who won't provide a contract specifying work completion and amounts paid.
 
- A contractor without a valid address and phone number, or with just an answering service. Ask for a cellphone number and know how to find a contractor in the case he goes missing without completing the work. 

- Someone unwilling to provide references of past work. Any good contractor will be happy to do so.
 
- Contractors knocking at the door offering discounts because they're working in the area, or reduced rates if they can advertise on your property. 

- A contractor quoting prices over the phone. Costs for each job are very specific, and need to be assessed at the place of completion.

Welcome to the Framewerks Blog, here you will find great information about the projects we are working and renovation information.