The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency updated several of its Web resources related to the lead renovation, repair and painting rule. The EPA improved its search tool for EPA-certified RRP firms, allowing the public to search by firm name and location. EPA-certified firms should encourage their potential customers to use the tool to check the certification [...]
Archive for the ‘FAQs’ Category
January 5th, 2012
Does Maryland Home Improvement Commission do anything about unlicensed contractors?
MHIC investigators actively work to enforce the home improvement law by coordinating with the local prosecutor’s offices throughout the State and by continuously educating homeowners about the risks and dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors. MHIC depends upon licensed contractors and homeowners filing written complaints against unlicensed contractors. Each month, MHIC investigators make approximately 75 appearances [...]
December 9th, 2011
Tips for Building a Two-Story Addition
Homeowners who might have tried to sell their houses a few years ago are staying put with the hope that they’ll fetch a higher price if they wait out the bad economy. In the meantime, some are making their homes more comfortable by adding rooms—downstairs and up. Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies notes [...]
November 15th, 2011
Home prices up in half of US major cities
WASHINGTON — Home prices rose in August in half of major U.S. cities measured by a private survey, a sign that prices are stabilizing in some hard-hit portions of the country. The Standard & Poor’s/Case-Shiller index showed Tuesday that prices increased in August from July in 10 of the 20 cities tracked. That marked the [...]
September 9th, 2011
New Home Sales Holding Steady
Sales of new homes were down 2.1% from April to May but up when observing a more appropriate 3-month average. New home sales dropped to a record low in February but rose 16% above that level by April and have since leveled off at about a 320,000 home sales per year. This level still remains [...]
June 16th, 2011
Cooking Appliances Focus on Time Savings and Ease of Use
While the recovering economy may eventually drive consumers back to restaurants in droves, the past few years have taught many that cooking and entertaining at home can be every bit as enjoyable as eating out – and a lot less expensive. Whether they want to create restaurant-style gourmet meals or quick and easy eat-and-run dishes, [...]
June 16th, 2011
Recent Remodeling Activity Hits Record Levels
The remodeling industry continues to show strength, with record levels of activity for the month of April. The BuildFax Remodeling Index for April 2011 shows that remodeling activity for the month was higher than any April since BuildFax started tracking the market in 2004. The latest BFRI index indicates that residential remodeling activity registered the [...]
May 16th, 2011
How can I prevent paint from peeling in my bathroom?
Moisture: If the paint was put on while the walls were still damp (previous leak, build-up, etc.) this can cause blistering and pealing. Ceiling fans are needed to help get this moist air out of the bathroom. Surface prep: It’s very important to get all the grease, grime and dirt build-up off the surfaces before [...]
March 21st, 2011
Remodeling Projects Are Making a Come-Back
After years of shelving projects and doing only improvements deemed absolutely necessary, more homeowners are dusting off their remodeling plans this year as they grow more hopeful about the economy. Many contractors are still willing to cut their prices to get new business, it could be a good time to get projects done for a [...]
March 10th, 2011
Better Homes & Gardens and Local Mt. Airy Remodeler
Craig Knott, CR of Houseworks Unlimited, Inc. has been asked to serve as an expert on the Better Home and Gardens ‘Ask-A-Pro’ section of their web-site. Need help with your project? Ask home improvement professionals from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), an association of remodeling professionals committed to providing the consumer with [...]
