Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Home, Lawn & Garden 1
Spring 2017
Home, Lawn
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Provided by the Angola & Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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Post-winter garden prep
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How to keep animals out of your garden
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The benefits of hiring professional contractors
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How to transform a fixer-upper
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Tips for novice composters
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Expect the unexpected when renovating a home
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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Lawns and gardens can bear the brunt of winter weather and are often in need of tender loving care by the time spring arrives. Preparing a garden for spring and summer involves assessing any damage that harsh weather might have caused. As temperatures climb, gardeners can heed the following post-winter garden preparation tips in an effort to ensure some successful gardening in the months ahead. Assess the damage. Even if winter was mild, gardens might still have suffered some damage. Inspect garden beds and any fencing or barriers designed to keep wildlife from getting into the garden. Before planting anew, fix any damage that Mother Nature or local wildlife might have caused over the past several months. Clear debris. Garden beds and surrounding landscapes that survived winter without being damaged might still be littered with debris. Remove fallen leaves, branches and even litter that blew about on windy winter days before planting season. Make sure to discard any debris effectively so it does not find its way back into the garden. Turn the greenhouse into a clean house. Spring cleaning is not just for the interior of a home. Cleaning a greenhouse in advance of spring can help gardeners evict any overwintering pests that can
threaten plant life once spring gardening season arrives. A thorough cleaning, which should include cleaning the inside of greenhouse glass and washing flower pots and plant trays, also can prevent plant diseases from surviving into spring. Check for pests. Speak with a local gardening professional to determine if there are any local pests to look out for and how to recognize and remove these pets from gardens. Pests may hibernate in the soil over the winter, and such unwelcome visitors can make it difficult for gardens to thrive come spring and summer. Assess plant location. If plants, flowers or gardens have struggled in recent years or never grew especially vibrant, then gardeners may want to assess the location of their plant life before spring gardening season begins. Some plants may not be getting enough sunlight in certain locations on a property, while others might be overexposed to the sun during spring and summer. Moving plants that are not thriving prior to the start of spring gardening season may be just what gardens need to flourish in the coming weeks. Spring gardening season is right around the corner, so now is an ideal time to prepare gardens for the warmer seasons ahead.
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
How to keep animals out of your garden
gardeners understand the frustration that stems from seeing a garden destroyed by wildlife. While protecting wildlife is a cause that’s near and dear to many gardening enthusiasts, even the most ardent wildlife supporter does not want to see his or her garden trampled, eaten or adversely affected by animals.
Container gardens can deter pests from trampling and eating plants.
Many
Safeguarding gardens from local wildlife can require some trial and error. Animals may find ways to circumvent gardeners’ initial efforts to protect their gardens, but the following methods might just do the trick the first time around. Erect physical barriers around gardens. Barriers may not be gardeners’ first choices, as some people feel barriers such as wire cages or mesh coverings make it more difficult to tend to gardens and rob gardens of some of their
aesthetic appeal. But coverings and wire cages can effectively prevent wildlife from trampling or eating plants while still allowing the gardens to get adequate sunlight. Make sure barriers extend to the ground so animals cannot access gardens by entering beneath the barricades. Fight intruders with odor. Stray cats may mistake gardens for litter boxes and enter them to relieve themselves. Preventing such intrusions can be as simple as placing items around the garden to reduce the likelihood that gardens will be mistaken for litter boxes. Peels from oranges and lemons or coffee grounds can be placed in the garden and can emit odors
strong enough to deter cats. Install motion detecting lights around gardens. Motion detection technology might be enough to deter nocturnal wildlife from trampling or eating gardens. Animals might be spooked and run away when lights suddenly turn on. A similar approach can be taken using noise instead of lights. Gardeners who hope to avoid erecting barriers around their gardens can put up posts instead, attaching aluminum cans or wind chimes to the posts that will make noise when animals come near. Much like light, noise can be enough to deter animals. Consider raised garden beds. When small critters, such as
moles, are the main problem, then raised garden beds with wood or plastic bottoms and sides can be enough to safeguard gardens. Raised garden beds might not be accessible to small critters, though such beds likely won’t deter larger animals from getting into gardens that are not barricaded. Erect fencing around the yard. Though fencing is expensive, fencing in a backyard or side yard where gardens are located can deter wildlife big and small from trampling or eating gardens. Wildlife is worth protecting, but gardeners must also take steps to protect their gardens from animals looking for something to eat.
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
The benefits of hiring professional contractors
The DIY movement has inspired many homeowners to tackle home repair and remodeling projects on their own. DIY projects can be rewarding, and many homeowners who have embraced the DIY movement have discovered talents they never before knew they had. But no matter how simple popular home renovation television shows make remodeling projects appear, homeowners should know that such undertakings are far more difficult than they appear on television. Homeowners who overestimate their abilities and the time they have to complete projects can cost themselves substantial amounts of money. In fact, there are a variety of reasons homeowners might want to work with professional contractors when tackling home improvement projects. Experience A trial and error approach can work with various projects and problems. But applying such an approach to home improvement projects is risky and potentially dangerous, not to mention costly. Experienced professional contractors with strong track records (seek recommendations from friends or neighbors) won’t have to go through trial and error and are therefore more likely than DIYers to complete a project on time and on budget. Inspiration One oft-overlooked benefit of working with professional contractors is the likelihood that they can draw up ideas for projects that homeowners might otherwise never have thought up on their own. Homeowners without specific ideas in mind can ask contractors to come up with various scenarios
before committing to a particular one. Veteran contractors can draw on years of experience to create designs that DIYers might be incapable of coming up with and/ or incapable of seeing through to completion. Cost Conventional wisdom suggests it’s less expensive to do something yourself than to hire someone else to do it for you, but that’s not necessarily true of home improvement projects. Labor costs typically account for a substantial amount of professionally contracted projects, but homeowners can cut those costs by volunteering to do some of the simpler tasks themselves. In addition, contractors often purchase materials at a much lower cost than individual homeowners because contractors buy in bulk. So while labor costs might be lower on DIY projects, the cost of materials can offset those savings. Resale value Many homeowners renovate their homes with eyes on improving the resale value of those homes. But if homeowners want to showcase a newly remodeled kitchen when selling their homes, they should be prepared for prospective buyers to ask who worked on the project. Fearing potential problems down the road, some buyers might be put off by homes that were remodeled by DIYers and not professional contractors. Renovating a home on your own can be a rewarding project for homeowners. But it’s important that homeowners recognize the many benefits of working with professional contractors before making any final decisions with regard to who will tackle their next project.
Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Home, Lawn & Garden 7
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
How to transform a fixer-upper • Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Make an honest assessment of your abilities and which renovations, if any, you can handle. If you are unskilled or inexperienced working with your hands, then it can be easy for an investment property to quickly become a money pit. Before purchasing a property, hire a trained home inspector to tour the home with you and point out all of the areas that will need renovation. With this list, begin getting estimates on how much money the work will entail. Determine if this fits with your budget or not. You do not want to invest so much that it exceeds what you could feasibly recoup when it comes time to sell. • Overlook cosmetic things when visiting properties. Cosmetic issues include all of the easily replaceable items in a home, such as carpeting, appliances, interior paint colors and cabinetry. Focus on the bones of the house — the architectural integrity and those little touches that you envision having a “wow” factor. The real estate market will always have its ups and downs, but real estate is an oft-profitable investment. Real estate investors do their investing for various reasons. Some see a house as a place to hang their hats for years and years, while others look at properties as nothing more than investments. Buying a home with the intent to fix it up and resell it is called a “fix and flip.” In such situations, investors buy homes at below-market prices before refurbishing the homes with the goal of recouping their initial investment and then some when the homes are ultimately put back on the market. Flipping has become popular for both expert
remodelers and novice investors. RealtyTrac®, the nation’s leading source for comprehensive housing data, noted in its “YearEnd and Q4 2015 U.S. Home Flipping” report that 5.5 percent of all single family home and condo sales during the year were flipped properties. This marked an increase from the same time the previous year. Investing in a fixer-upper requires a leap of faith and a vision of what the home can look like in the future. Turning a real estate lemon into lemonade requires certain skills and a good measure of patience. The following are some guidelines to get anyone started.
• Seek the help of experts. Some flippers think they’ll save the most money by doing all of the work themselves. This isn’t always the case. Professional architects, designers and contractors may help you save money. Contractors have an intimate knowledge of where to buy materials and may be able to negotiate prices based on wholesale or trade costs. In addition, experts can help you avoid common pitfalls because they’ve already done this type of work time and again. It’s smart to rely on expert advice, even if it means investing a little bit more.
parts of a given project, such as rewiring electricity or changing the footprint of a home, you can still be involved. Ask to participate in demolition, such as taking down walls or removing old materials from the home. Such participation may be fun, and it can save you substantial amounts of money on labor. • Recognize that not everything must be completely redone. Realize that, in some instances, a coat of paint and some new accents may be all you need to transform a space. For example, if kitchen cabinets are in good condition, see if they can be refaced or painted instead of replaced entirely. Install new door pulls/handles to add visual interest. Look for some readymade items, such as bookshelves, instead of installing custom carpentry. • Think about what the buyer wants and not what you want. Renovate with an eye toward prospective buyers’ needs. Keep things neutral and accommodating. Research the latest trends to understand what buyers might be seeking in a home. You want potential buyers to envision themselves moving right in. Renovating a fixer-upper takes time, but it can be a worthwhile project, and one that can help anyone turn a profit in a booming real estate market.
• Save money by doing some work yourself. While the pros may tackle the more complex
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Tips for novice composters
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“Beautiful Landscaping doesn’t happen by accident.” Owned and Operated by Ryan McMillan
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FREE ESTIMATES • FULLY INSURED COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES • Patios with a specialty in • Grass Cutting Flagstone Walls, Gardens The United States Environmental Protection Agency notes that food scraps and yard waste account for between 20 and 30 percent of what we throw away. But thanks to composting, such waste can be put to work rather than discarded. Compost is organic material that helps plants grow when added to soil. Benefitting the planet in myriad ways, compost enriches the soil by helping it retain moisture. The EPA notes that composting also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers while also suppressing plant diseases and pests. In addition, when homeowners compost, they inadvertently reduce methane emissions from landfills, thereby lowering their carbon footprints. Homeowners who do not know how to compost can consider the following tips as they start compost piles on their properties. Choose an accessible spot on your property. When looking for a spot on your property for your compost bin, choose a location that’s easily accessible. The less accessible the bin is, the less likely you are to stick with composting over the long-term. The EPA also recommends placing a compost bin or pile in a dry, shady spot near a water source. Add the appropriate materials. Animal waste, cooked foods, diseased plants, and fresh weeds from perennial plants should not be added to a compost pile. The EPA recommends moistening dry
materials as they’re added and adding brown and green materials as they are collected. Examples of green waste include grass clippings, weeds from annual plants and plant trimmings. Brown materials include dead leaves and shredded cardboard. Chop or shred large pieces before adding them to the pile. Give the pile structure. Layering materials can give compost piles better structure. The EPA suggests burying fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material, including brown and green waste. Turn and aerate the pile. Using a garden fork, periodically turn the compost pile. This aerates the heap and provides oxygen that can accelerate the decomposition of the pile. Piles that are not periodically turned and aerated may grow malodorous, which can be unpleasant for homeowners who hope to add materials to their piles on a regular basis. In addition, without the heat produced by aeration, composting piles will break down very slowly. Recognize when the material is ready. The EPA notes that compost is ready to use when materials at the bottom of a pile are dark and rich in color. According to the EPA, this can take anywhere from two months to two years, so composters must be patient. More information about composting can be found at www. epa.gov.
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Helpful and harmful insects A lthough it’s virtually impossible to count them, insects are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet. Nine hundred thousand different kinds of insects are known to exist. At any given time, it is estimated that there are around 10 quintillion individual insects living. Gardeners grow frustrated when seeing their gardens infested with insects. In an effort to restore their gardens, homeowners might be tempted to eradicate any bug that moves in their yards. But gardeners would be wise to first learn which insects are hurting their gardens and which can actually help gardens in the long run.
Butterflies and other helpful insects, such as bees, pollinate flowers and can keep dangerous pests at bay in the garden.
Harmful
Certain insects can be dangerous to animals and plants. The following are a handful of insects that can threaten the vitality of gardens.
Aphids: These insects suck on the juice needed to sustain plants, particularly when they congregate.
Bald-faced hornet: Hornets tend to be an aggressive species that can sting repeatedly. Should you find a nest near an entertaining space or garden, it can cause trouble. Carpenter ants: These ants will burrow into wood causing damage. They may compromise any wooden structure in and around a home.
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Locusts: Various species of locust can damage plants and crops due to their voracious appetites.
Treehoppers: These small, green insects mimic the look of leaves, and their appetites can affect crops and gardens.
Red pavement ant: As they feed on all manner of human food, these ants can quickly overtake areas with their staggering numbers and deliver painful bites.
Grasshoppers: Certain grasshoppers, like the red-legged grasshopper, can decimate food crops and transfer parasites to birds when eaten as prey. Caterpillars: Many caterpillars, the precursor to adult moths, will feed constantly on leaves, stems and other parts of plants. The tobacco hornworm moth caterpillar can damage potato and tomato plants.
Helpful
Plants depend on insects to transfer pollen as they forage, and many insects are quite beneficial to have around. While some pollinate, others are predators of other pests. Antlion: A foe of ants, they’ll help eat and control ant populations and pollinate flowers. They pose no threat to humans, either. Big dipper firefly: These colorful insects feast on earthworms, slugs and snails during the larval stage. Fireflies add drama to evening gardens with their twinkling lights.
Garden spiders: Although some spiders can be venomous, many are quite handy to have around the garden. They’ll help control pest populations that can damage plants and crops.
Dragonflies: These arial artists that zip around the yard are consuming smaller insects that would otherwise pester plants and humans.
Blue-winged wasp: This wasp attacks the larvae of Japanese beetles, helping to control beetle populations. Bees and butterflies: Butterflies and bees are some of the best pollinators out there, and each can add whimsy to gardens.
Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Expect the unexpected when renovating a home
According to projections released in 2015 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, a growing number of people in the United States planned to renovate their homes in 2016. The report estimated that spending on remodeling and repairs in 2016 would climb 8.6 percent to $310 billion, a figure that is close to the peak reached in 2006. While it is still too soon to tabulate all of the figures from 2016, a quick glance at the data indicates renovations have increased across the country. And one only need travel through communities to see a greater number of contractors and homeowners working on homes. Tackling any renovation project is an exercise in patience. Renovations can impede on daily activities and cause a certain level of upheaval in homeowners’ lives. Homeowners planning renovations also may find that they must have some wiggle room when it comes to both their budgets and their expectations. Remodeling, particularly with regard to older homes, may unveil unforeseen issues that only arise in the face of the renovation. So what can homeowners expect during a renovation? The following are a few issues that might arise during home improvement projects. • Dirt and noise: Homeowners can count on dust, debris and noise throughout the renovation process. Dust appears when walls come down or go up, and construction teams typically erect temporary walls or tarps to contain the debris. Air filtering systems
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also can limit dust particles. Noise is unavoidable. If it becomes troublesome, arrange to be outside of the home when the bulk of the construction is taking place. • Delays or schedule changes: Even the best contractors cannot control every aspect of the job. They rely on subcontractors and vendors to do portions of the work. Materials may not always arrive on time, or they may fall short of homeowners’ expectations. This can push back the project schedule. Homeowners should hope for everything to be done on time, but it can be less stressful if homeowners anticipate delays and be a pleasant surprise if there are no delays. • Hidden issues: Contractors may uncover all sorts of issues that need to be addressed before a project can progress. Examples include the presence of asbestos (common in older homes), plumbing problems, incorrectly wired electrical systems, and leaks or moisture issues. These problems also can impact the cost of the project, so set aside some money in the budget for unforeseen expenses. Chances are you are going to need some extra money to handle a few surprises during the project. It’s important to expect the unexpected when embarking on home renovations. Budgeting for hidden costs, expecting delays and coping with the upheaval to daily schedules are par for the remodeling course. However, the end result is often well worth the time and effort.
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
Planting Perennials and Shrubs in Western New York By: David R. Clark, CNLP
grade 20% Acetic Acid, which is the main ingredient of vinegar. This stuff will burn the hide off of your skin, so do read the label safety instructions! Perform a drainage test. Dig a hole about 10” deep and fill with water. The next day, fill that hole again with water and see how long it takes for the water to completely drain. If the water is still standing after 8-10 hours, choose another spot or consider creating raised beds or planting in containers.
am sure many of you, including myself (!) complain about our clay soils here in Western New York. However, I will tell you that clay soils are the most fertile soils, and it only takes a few tips and techniques to correctly plant perennials and install small perennial shrubs and trees. The first thing that I highly recommend is to perform a soil test. This procedure will give you a snapshot of what your soil condition currently is, including Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium (the three macronutrients) and the pH of your soil. pH is the most important test one can perform, as it controls bio-availability of nutrients in the soil. Aim for a slightly acid pH of 6.25 -> 6.5. Lowering pH may be accomplished by adding garden sulfur, and most importantly, organic matter in the form of compost…at a ratio of 3 parts soil::1 part compost. Proper planting is critically important if you want healthy, vigorously growing shrubs and perennials. Plants growing in containers can be installed any time of the year if they are provided with appropriate amounts of water. Remove existing weeds either by pulling by hand, or for difficult situations, a careful application of an organic herbicide. I use Pharmsolutions “Weed Pharm Fast Acting Weed & Grass Killer”. This product is composed of food
Next, for shrubs, dig a hole 2-3X wide and the same depth as the root ball of your pot. Save this soil aside on a tarp for easy back-filling. Herbaceous perennials need only to be installed about 6” deep, but do also loosen the surrounding soil. You want to install your herbaceous perennial plant at the same level in the ground as it is growing in the pot. Shrubs (woody perennials) should be planted a bit higher, 1 to 1 ½”, than the existing soil level, especially in clay or compacted soils. To do this, find the top-most root of the plant by removing soil from the pot surface until you see it. This is the top of the root ball. Add your amended soil+compost mix to the bottom of the hole to raise the plant to the appropriate level. Fertilizer is not needed in the bottom of the hole, and can actually harm the plant by burning new roots. Remove your new shrub from its growing pot. The best and easiest way is to cut the pot away using pruning shears or a garden knifeplease do be careful with sharp garden tools! Removing the plant from the pot by pulling on the trunk may damage the root ball. Inspect the roots…if you see them circling the root ball, it is ok to prune them away. Roots growing in this circular fashion, may never take hold in the new planting area, and this pruning procedure will cause new roots to grow. Install your new shrub in its carefully prepared area. Add the reserved soil from your tarp to fill the hole about a third of the way up. Gently press the soil in place with your hands- do not step on it! Now, fill the hole with water and let it drain naturally to remove air pockets from the soil. Add another third of soil, water and complete
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until the plant is installed. Staking may be necessary for tree and hedge installations…but remove the stakes after the plants have established themselves.
Apply a 2-3” layer of organic mulch (compost, grass clippings, straw-not hay) to the entire shrub planting area. Mulches reduce competition from weeds, and help to regulate soil moisture and temperature. Peat Moss is not my personal favorite, as once it dries out, water rolls off of it just like a duck’s back --- And avoid “Volcano Mulching”! It used to be that we were told to prune back shrubs by a third when installing them – a practice not to be followed anymore. Hold off pruning shrubs until their 2nd year in the ground, but it is ok to remove damaged, broken or crossing branches at planting time. Hold off fertilizing for a month or two – there are enough nutrients in the soil because you added compost to the hole – you did, right? Woody perennials have an establishment period of anywhere from 6 to 9 months. During this time, you want to apply appropriate and regular amounts of water. The recommendations are: 1 gallon of water per week if your plant came in a 10” pot, and 4-6 gallons per week if it came in a 12” to 14” pot. Some folks stand a 5 gallon bucket, which has small holes drilled around the base, near their plant and fill it once a week...an easy and economical way to measure water! For herbaceous perennials, avoid overplanting the garden and space your plants appropriately. Herbaceous perennial plants are said to “sleep the first year, creep the second year, and leap the third year”, so do be patient. Annual plants may be added for a couple of years to fill voids in the space. A finished garden is an overplanted
garden!
• Small plants (1’ tall) should be planted 8-12” apart. • Medium plants (1’- 2 1/2’) should be planted 15-24” apart. • Large plants (3’ or more) should be planted 2-3’ apart. Planting perennials in drifts or clusters will provide a nicer visual value than planting in rows… that is, unless you are creating a garden for cutting flowers. Do plant in groups of uneven numbers. Apply a couple of inches of water to settle the plants in place and top off with 2-3” of organic mulch, as in our shrub planting above. After care is best accomplished by adding 2” of water per week to the entire area… “deeply weekly”, and by replenishing mulch as necessary. How to measure 2”? – Use a cat food or tuna can! By following the above recommendations, you will be rewarded with beautiful perennials and thriving shrubs. Now, get out there and garden! David R. Clark holds a degree in Floriculture from SUNY Cobleskill and is the Horticulture Instructor for The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. David is an internationally recognized garden speaker, florist and educator. He recently achieved Certified Nursery and Landscape Professional status in New York State via PlantWNY and the NYS Nursery and Landscape Association. For further information and for booking presentations: David R. Clark, CNLP Websites: www.DavidClarkWNY.com www.greatgardenspeakers.com Email: david3777@aol.com Phone: 716-997-4363 Twitter: @david37771
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
How building permits protect homeowners
You are thinking of making a major renovation to your home. Perhaps it’s time to create that master bedroom suite you long have admired or install that wraparound porch? What is the first thing that should be done before getting down to business? The correct way to begin a home remodeling project is to obtain the necessary permits for the job. Many municipalities request individuals obtain permits for a range of work on homes or other structures, such as office buildings. Permits are generally required for all new construction as well as specific modifications that will affect structural, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical systems. It’s important to check with the local building office prior to beginning work to see which permits you will need before the project can begin. Permits are necessary whether a homeowner is doing the work or hiring an outside contractor. Due to the cost and time involved with securing permits, some homeowners skip this step so they can begin a project promptly. However, this can end up being a costly mistake. Permits might seem like a nuisance, but they actually protect homeowners in various ways. Permits ensure safe workmanship Permits provide a blueprint by which contractors and doit-yourselfers must complete renovations. Because inspections will take place, there is no wiggle room. Shortcuts often translate into subpar work that may lead to malfunction and injury in the long
run. Safeguarding against poor workmanship means homeowners can feel confident in the work being done. Permits reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes As inspectors go through their checklists, they may notice things that were done incorrectly and will offer advice about how to mend the problem before it becomes a larger headache. If left unchecked, an electrical error could lead to a fire or another dangerous situation. Repairs that are not structurally sound may pose problems or deteriorate more quickly than structures that are constructed correctly. Furthermore, catching improper technique early on eliminates having to tear down and redo work, which can be a costly and time-consuming endeavor. Permits protect against fines Sometimes work goes as planned even for homeowners who did not obtain the necessary permits. However, years later, when other work needs to be done, inspectors may discover homeowners never secured proper permits and inspections years earlier, leading to fines. Furthermore, if work is done without a permit and an accident occurs, any damages or injuries may not be covered by a homeowner’s insurance policy. Permits are an important part of the home improvement process. Homeowners should not skirt the responsibility because the permit and inspection process is in place to provide protection to occupants.
Home, Lawn & Garden 15
Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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16 Home, Lawn & Garden
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Spring 2017 • Angola and Eden-North Collins Pennysavers
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