Sharing The Love

We are so excited when our customers send some love our way - like this very nice note we received this past week - from a repeat customer:

"I just want to thank you for a superb remodeling job at my new
property. The quality of the work was outstanding and the completion of the effort was in a very timely manner."

J.B., Manassas, Va.

This project was a whole house remodel of an investment property. Time was of the essence as our customer wanted to get it on the rental market asap.

Thanks for the love . . .

A Kitchen Remodel Means New Kitchen Towels, Too

What do you do once your kitchen remodel project is complete? You've replaced the cabinets, the countertops, the appliances, the sink. Now it's time to buy new kitchen towels, of course. A new kitchen just about demands new linens.

And to help you decide which towels will work best for you, there is a fantastic article in today's Washington Post entitled All kitchen towels are not created equal.

Act Fast To Get Your Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate

Virginia's Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is officially open today. If you are planning to replace your heat pump, gas furnace, tankless gas water heater, clothes washer, refrigerator, or storage gas water heater, now is the time to reserve your rebate. You will have 60 days to purchase the appliance. It's first come, first served so act fast!

For more information, visit Virginia Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.

Countertop Trends Focus on Sustainability and Durability

Sustainability is one of the hottest trends in countertops today. Homeowners are looking for stylish, durable products that incorporate recycled materials. While performance is key, today's countertops are still expected to be beautiful, with a growing demand for surfaces that offer a greater sense of depth and dimension. Kitchen & Bath Design News recently listed some of the hottest trends in countertops:

Eco-friendly is the buzzword. Countertops are made "green" by incorporating recycled materials. There's also an increasing interest in countertop products with green certifications, such as the certification offered by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute, which tests products for off-gassing of volatile organic compounds in a number of different product categories.

Granite, quartz and solid surface products are popular with homeowners for their durability, easy maintenance and wide variety of color and pattern choices.

Custom and specialized countertop materials can be everything from hand-painted glass and metal to bamboo. It's only limited by your imagination. You can even create a countertop that reflects your own personality.

Another trend is to mix and match countertop surfaces to maximize function and define different areas of the kitchen .

Color trends range from rich and warm to bright and bold.

(From Kitchen & Bath Design News)

Environmentally friendly home improvement projects

Happy Earth Day! Founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson in 1970, Earth Day is a day to inspire awareness and appreciation for the environment.

If you are thinking about remodeling your home, you may want to consider earth-friendly materials such as sustainable natural products, reclaimed materials, low-VOC paints, and materials made from recycled products. You may also want to keep energy efficiency uppermost in mind.

With planning and foresight, home improvements can help the environment.

We Are Prepared For the New Lead Safe Laws

The EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule goes into effect this week. Rest assured that Greco Remodelers is certified, trained and in compliance with all aspects of this new ruling.

The EPA rule requires contracting firms be certfied in the use of lead-safe work practices to keep occupants of homes built prior to 1978 safe from lead-paint dust hazards. The law applies to contractors, painters, plumbers, carpenters, electricians and even residential rental property owners and managers. Any activity that disturbs painted surfaces in a home built before 1978 is subject to the program. This includes remodeling, repairs and maintenance, electrical work, plumbing, painting, carpentry and window replacement.

To comply with the program, Greco Remodelers will provide customers of homes built before 1978 with a pamphlet entitled "Renovate Right" which details the dangers of lead exposure. In addition, one of our EPA Certified Renovators will manage the project and ensure that proper lead safe work practices are used during any disturbance of painted surfaces. These lead safe work practices require that we minimize dust, prepare and clean the work area, and contain lead dust. We will also prepare and keep records documenting the lead safe activities used.

To read more about the new law, check out an article in the Washinton Post entitled Lead Paint Gets the Big Brushoff that explores how the new ruling will effect homeowners.

Virginia’s Appliance Rebate Program

If you are in the market for a new home appliance like a washing machine or refrigerator, you are in luck. Virginia’s Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program is about to begin and you could be eligible for a rebate on that new appliance. But you better act fast!

Beginning on April 28th at 11 a.m. you will be able to reserve your Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate by visiting the website, http://www.dmme.virginia.gov/DE/ARRA-Public/ARRA.shtml. All rebates are on a first-come, first served basis. Reserve your rebate first, then you will have 60 days to actually purchase the equipment and apply for the rebate.

The rebate program is Virginia’s $7.45 million portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The goal of Virginia’s program is to increase residential energy conservation through more efficient appliances and stimulate the Commonwealth’s economy and job growth through additional retail sales of ENERGY STAR products.

To qualify, you must be a Virginia homeowner purchasing one of the approved items for a residence. The purchase must be made at a store in the state of Virginia or on-line from a retailer with a store in Virginia (that’s the part about stimulating the Virginia economy). You will need to sign a statement that you will no longer be using the old appliance in the home (no moving that old fridge to the basement or garage to use it as a second fridge).

Here’s what will be covered and the federal rebate available:

Energy Star washing machine - $75
Energy Star refrigerator - $60
Energy Star air source heat pump - $300
Energy Star storage gas water heater - $35
Energy Star tankless gas water heater - $225
Energy Star gas furnace - $250

In addition, you may qualify for additional rebates from your natural gas company.

If you act quick, you can take advantage of these government incentives and make your home more energy efficent. For more information, check out the website.

National Window Safety Week

April 4 – 10 is National Window Safety Week. Here are some tips for staying safe in your home and enjoying your windows:

Tip #1 – Practice fire safety drills regularly so that everyone is familiar with escape routes and knows how to operate the windows.

Tip #2 – Safety escape chain ladders should be in every second floor bedroom. Practice how to use the ladders safely.

Tip #3 - Window screens are only designed to keep insects outside and will not support the weight of a child or family pet. Do not leave windows open in rooms with unattended children and pets.

Tip #4 – If it is out of reach, the top half of a double hung window can be opened for ventilation in order to keep small children safe from falls.

Tip #5 – Keep furniture away from windows so that children do not climb up and fall out a window.

Tip #6 – Low E glass will help to protect your furniture and carpet from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet rays.

Tip #7 –Multi-point locks on new windows can provide more protection against intruders.