AUGUST 2016
Storm Recovery Guide Vol. II
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Sunday, August 28, 2016
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ABOUT THE HBA T 1645 Avenue D, Suite F • Billings, MT 59102 (406) 252-7533 www.hbabillings.net
INSIDE
he Home Builders Association of Billings is comprised of over 400 building industry members. This is important to you because their membership means they strive to maintain the highest standards in all aspects of their business and the building industry. Today’s home building industry requires skilled, knowledgeable professionals who are committed to quality and a solid code of ethics. Our members stay abreast of the latest industry trends, technology, innovative fi nancing options, and changes in state and
local codes and ordinances. This all benefits you when you choose to do business with an HBA member. As Billings’ primary resource for building industry professionals and affi liates, we are committed to maintaining the highest level of professionalism within the industry and continuously advocate for your right to have the home of your dreams. So before you build, buy, remodel, or redesign, we encourage you to utilize the HBA as a resource to fi nd the professional you need for your project.
Keep Your Home and Family Safe and Secure ............................. 5 HBA Membership Directory ..................................................6-7
HBA BOARD & STAFF MEMBERS
Electrical Safety Facts Every Home Owner Should Know .............9 How to Evaluate Online Reviews When Choosing a Remodeler .....9 Show Your Home Some Love .................................................. 10 Your 2016 Home Maintenance To-Do List ................................. 11 Content provided by the Home Builders Association of Billings
HBA BUILDER DIRECTORS President Nick Ban, Ban Construction
Nick Ban, Ban Construction Sam Nelson, Cougar Construction Brian Williams, First Interstate Bank Greg McCall, McCall Homes Jan Rehberg, Rehberg Ranch Beth Klunder, Western Security Bank
Joe Bonini, Bonini Construction
2nd Vice President
Brad McCall, McCall Homes
*Montana Building Industry Association
Beau Thompson, Thompson Homes Jack Daniels, Daniels Builders Mac Leffler, Mac Leffler Construction Andrew Newman, Newman Built Quality Homes
HBA ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
UPCOMING HBA EVENTS 2016 Parade of Homes Twilight Tour
Wayne Nelson, Stockman Bank
MBIA* DIRECTORS
1st Vice President
Immediate Past President
HBA Storm Recovery Guide is a special advertising section of The Billings Gazette Access the HBA Storm Recovery Guide at www.billingsgazette.com/specialsections
HBA TREASURER
Kristy Berckmoes, Beyond the Box Randy Mostad, Carpet One Emily Stewart, Ferguson Enterprises Jeremiah Rouane, Stockman Bank
NAHB* DIRECTORS
Brad McCall, McCall Homes Ryan Helgeson, Helgeson Homes *National Association of Home Builders
HBA STAFF Executive Officer/CEO Kimberly Welzenbach
Office Manager Valary Obert
Friday, September 16 Tickets on sale now www.BillingsParadeOfHomes.com
2016 Parade of Homes Saturday & Sunday September 17/18, 24/25 www.BillingsParadeOfHomes.com
Title and Escrow | New Construction | Related Real Estate Amenities 1575 Shiloh Rd, Suite J – 406-238-9999
2017 Building & Remodeling Expo Saturday & Sunday January 21 & 22, 2017 MetraPark Pavilion www.BillingsBuildingExpo.com
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Sunday, August 28, 2016
Laura O’Bleness County Manager
Jason Harman Escrow Officer / Escrow Manager
Linda Logan Escrow Officer
Carmen CarmenWaters Waters Escrow EscrowOfficer Officer
Darcy Bouchard Escrow Officer
Keep Your Home and Family Safe and Secure By KIMBERLY WELZENBACH Home Builders Association of Billings Your home is likely the largest investment you own, but more importantly, it protects and provides a sanctuary where your family will share experiences and create lifelong memories. The National Association of Home Builders’ MyHome Press has published a handbook for home owners, “Home Maintenance Made Easy,” and below are just some of the many tips provided in the Safety and Security section that can help you keep your home and family out of harm’s way.
General Safety Keep a home first aid kit or first aid materials in a convenient location. Buy and keep a booklet on basic first aid with it. If you decide to remodel, finish the basement, or add on to your home, work with trained professionals who will make sure a building permit is obtained, all building department inspections occur and the work complies with applicable codes. Teach children how and why to dial 911.
Locks Chains or locks will be the most secure if the screws and bolts used to attach them go all the way through the door or frame and cannot be removed from the outside. Locks should be located so they cannot be reached by breaking a small windowpane in or near the door. Locks that require a key to open from the inside are potentially dangerous if any emergency such as a fire occurs. Be sure a spare key is close by to prevent trapping anyone inside the house.
Fire Prevention Have a fire extinguisher and ensure all family members know where it is and how to use it. Fires from combustible solids such as wood, cloth or paper differ from electrical and chemical fires, so make sure your extinguisher is multipurpose. Check annually that the charge is still in the green area of the scale. A qualified and licensed professional
at a specialty store can recharge it. Make sure all family members know the escape routes to use in a fire. Conduct regular fire drills to practice. Test your smoke detectors to ensure they function correctly and so everyone will recognize the warning alarm’s sound. If a detector chirps, the battery needs replacement. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for cleaning and servicing your detectors. Store volatile materials (such as paint and gasoline) in appropriate containers and away from flames and heat sources, ideally in a garage or building that is not part of your habitat space. Don’t place flammable objects or materials near the stove or fireplace, and store matches away from heat sources and the reach of children. Also keep flammable objects away from the grill. Make sure all electrical cords are in good repair. Use properly sized fuses and don’t overload electrical outlets. For more home maintenance advice, contact HBA of Billings online at hbabillings.net or go to myhomepress.com for publications on current topics including social media, home design and more.
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HBA Membership Directory
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11 Eleven Interiors (406) 670-5485 2 Sisters Design (406) 697-9482 5 Star Pool & Spa (406) 647-8850 A & H Turf & Specialties (406) 245-8466 A-1 Drilling (406) 628-6364 A-Line Drafting & Design (406) 321-2280 AAA Lawn & Landscape, Inc. (406) 670-6590 Action Electric (406) 245-9551 Advanced Counter Technology (406) 248-7112 Aflac (406) 670-2540 AIH Manufacturing, Inc. (406) 894-2264 Air Controls-Billings, Inc. (406) 245-6416 Albaugh Construction (406) 860-8769 All Kinds of Blinds & Window Film (406) 839-8055 Allegra (406) 248-6811 Alpha Overhead Door, Inc. (406) 652-5555 Altana Federal Credit Union (406) 651-2315 American Appliance Co. (406) 252-0188 American Glass, Inc. (406) 652-3020 American Title & Escrow (406) 248-7877 AQUA Systems of MT (406) 628-6059 Arrowhead Marketing, LLC (406) 969-3150 Artcraft Printers (406) 248-1000 Artistic Iron (406) 656-7017 Ashley Furniture Homestore Billings (406) 259-5900 AT Architecture (406) 245-2724 Avitus Group (406) 255-7470 B-Fit for Life Fitness Equipment (406) 245-0445 Bailey Garage Doors, Inc. (406) 656-2905 Ban Construction Corp. (406) 850-2138 Bank of Red Lodge (406) 446-3208 Beartooth Bank (406) 294-6505 Beartooth Holding & Construction (406) 839-7661 Benchmark Sash & Door (406) 969-1491 Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices (406) 238-7161 Beyond the Box, Inc. (406) 245-6981 Big Sky Exterior Designs (406) 259-7020 Billings Alarm Co, Inc. (406) 245-7219 Billings Association of Realtors (406) 248-7145 Billings Best Blinds (406) 698-8534 Billings Career Center (406) 281-5343 Billings Chamber of Commerce/CVB (406) 245-4111 Sunday, August 28, 2016
Billings Construction Supply (406) 248-8355 Billings Federal Credit Union (406) 248-1127 Billings Gazette Communications (406) 657-1340 Billings Insulation Service, Inc. (406) 256-1956 Billings Marble & Granite (406) 248-6884 Billings Overhead Door Co. (406) 248-7785 Bloedorn Lumber Co. (406) 259-4534 Bob Pentecost Construction, Inc. (406) 656-8658 Bobcat of Big Sky, Inc. (406) 252-0822 Boise Cascade (406) 652-3250 Bonini Construction (406) 651-4585 Border States Electric (406) 238-1318 Boyer Land, LLC. (406) 698-5455 Branding Iron Construction, LLC (406) 850-8877 Brey Industries (406) 697-2850 Brown Builders (406) 656-0772 Brownson Construction Inc. (406) 839-9066 Buscher Development, Inc. (406) 698-1488 C & L Service, Inc. (406) 252-8010 Cabinet Center (406) 656-9300 Cabinet Works (406) 655-8955 Calder Creek Cabinetry (406) 545-9556 Capp Construction (406) 656-8979 Carpet Garage (406) 652-5568 Carpet One (406) 656-9300 CarpetsPlus Colortile (406) 652-3262 CC Insulation & Urethane (406) 245-3636 CDW Construction (406) 672-1448 Century 21 Hometown Brokers, Inc. (406) 294-2121 Chance Robinson Fine Art (406) 697-1778 Chapel Custom Handywork, Inc. (406) 591-7418 Chicago Title (406) 238-9999 Circle T Construction (406) 670-4924 City of Billings Building Division (406) 657-8273 City of Billings Engineering Division (406) 657-3095 CityService Valcon (406) 252-4661 CK Tech Security (406)899-8076 Clark Marten Photography (406) 256-5555 Classic Design Homes (406) 294-2218 CM Cleaning LLC (406) 690-4584 CMG Construction (406) 655-1892 Cole Law Firm, PLLC (406) 294-5700 Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC (406) 656-5157
COMTECH Audio Theater Security (406) 373-8395 Conlins Furniture (406) 656-4900 Cooper Creative Advertising & Design (406) 655-0151 COP Construction, LLC (406) 656-4632 Cougar Construction (406) 861-3753 Covering Broadway (406) 446-4344 Cowles Montana Media Co. (406) 656-8000 Craigo Construction (406) 325-2005 Creative Vinyl Fencing, Inc. (406) 259-5200 CRH US (406) 581-2789 Curb Box Specialists/Montana Segway (406) 652-5523 D’s Insulation (406) 252-6688 Dan Fleury Construction Co. (406) 656-5638 Daniels Builders LLC (406) 855-8680 Davidson Home Furnishings & Design (406) 656-9540 Dawson Builders, Inc. (406) 652-2924 DB Carpentry (406) 208-4760 Design Builders (406) 698-5454 Digger Excavation (406) 861-3821 Dirt Dynamics Excavation (406) 855-5521 Dorn Construction (406) 652-8232 Driftwood Designs (406) 850-8985 Duke’s Concrete Construction (406) 656-6791 Dustin Davison Construction (406) 697-3808 DW Hill Flooring (406) 861-9658 Eaton Electric, Inc. (406) 652-4733 EBC Trusses (406) 259-1814 Econo Glass Company, Inc. (406) 245-2999 Econo Print (406) 252-7191 EEC Eggart Engineering and Construction (406) 839-9151 Emineth Custom Homes Inc. (406) 855-8109 ERA American Real Estate (406) 259-3977 Ernie Szillat Construction (406) 259-5200 Evergreen Builder Supply (406) 652-3610 Evergreen Paint, Inc. (406) 652-2305 Expert Excavation (406) 850-0377 Fabricators Unlimited (406) 245-6770 Ferguson Enterprises (406) 252-4442 Finishing Touch Paint & Raingutter (406) 373-9345 Fireplace Center, Inc. (406) 259-9690 First Interstate Bank (406) 255-5156 First Interstate Bank (406) 255-5070 First Montana Title (406) 248-3000 Fisher Sand & Gravel Company (406) 657-9603
FKF Concrete (406) 245-3110 Fleury Concrete, Inc. (406) 252-6479 Floor to Ceiling (406) 671-8896 Fred’s Appliance Inc. (406) 894-2310 Full Moon Enterprises (406) 206-4808 Furniture Land USA (406) 294-1872 Garage Storage Solutions (406) 670-3789 Gayvert Construction (406) 962-3405 Geck’s Garage Door Co. (406) 256-3413 General Shale Brick (406) 259-9222 Grand Lumber (406) 656-3588 Granite Realty (406) 633-1278 Great Northern Builders (406) 698-4549 Green Realty, LLC (406) 839-9141 Guardian Building Products (406) 656-7710 Guild Mortgage (406) 252-2600 H2 Lawn & Snow LLC (406) 598-4612 Habitat For Humanity/Re-Store (406) 652-0960 Halton Homes (406) 591-4123 Harper Masonry, Inc. (406) 248-3003 Helgeson Homes (406) 248-1555 Home Theaters and More, Inc (406) 252-4928 Horizon Landscaping & Sprinklers, Inc. (406) 671-2660 HUB International (406) 652-9151 Image Builders (406) 861-2250 IMPACT Drafting & Design, Inc. (406) 259-2110 Infinity Homes LLC (406) 591-0221 Island at Rock Creek, LLC (831) 334-8476 Jares Fence, Inc. (406) 652-1924 JD Construction (406) 656-4469 JDR Solutions (406) 371-7177 Jeff Engel Construction, Inc. (406) 534-4655 Jeff Junkert Construction (406) 652-4873 Jeff Kreitzberg Homes, LLC (406) 698-1105 JKC Inc. (406) 698-5489 Johnstone Supply Co. (406) 252-1207 K2 Spas & Sports (406) 254-0102 KE Construction, LLC (406) 855-8004 Kenco Security & Technology (406) 245-4946 Kenmark Construction Corp. (406) 652-3142 Kibler & Kirch (406) 446-2226 Kirkness Roofing Co. (406) 256-1798 Kisling Quality Builders (406) 6714749 Kismet Fine Rugs (406) 200-7291 Kitchen Innovations (406) 969-4284 Kitchens Plus, Inc. (406) 652-5772 KLJ (406) 247-2907 Knife River-Billings (406) 651-2516
HBA Membership Directory
Komposition Studio (406) 633-5389 Kosmann Furniture (406) 661-2684 L & L Construction, LLC (406) 869-2017 Lais Development (406) 655-1155 Langlas Homes, Inc. (406) 656-0629 Lansing Building Products (406) 256-3878 Laughlin Construction, Inc. (406) 259-6100 Leisure in Montana (406) 652-6500 Lines & Designs, Inc. (406) 698-3484 Link Construction Service, Co. (406) 670-3067 Lynnrich Inc. (406) 252-2020 M.R. Concrete (406) 896-1488 Mac Leffler Construction (406) 855-5328 MacArthur Company (406) 652-8989 Magic City Granite (406) 252-1106 Magic City Real Estate & Business Consulting (406) 850-9858 Majestic Homes (406) 248-1412 Maple Falls Landscaping (406) 855-0356 May Mechanical, Inc. (406) 671-7954 McCall Homes (406) 651-5354 McFadden Construction (406) 652-5496 MDJ Contracting, Inc. (406) 248-6595 Merenz Insurance Agency (406) 294-9114 Meyerco Sprinklers (406) 652-3929 Miller Electric Service (406) 839-4260 MJ Construction, Inc. (406) 698-6828 MJH Construction (406) 855-2365 Moen, Inc. (800) 628-0723 Montana Contractors Association (406) 442-4162 Montana Dakota Utilities Co. (406) 896-4233 Montana Flooring Liquidators (406) 294-2955 Montana Hot Spring Spas (406) 652-7727 Montana Real Estate Brokers (406) 869-2000 Montana Window & Door (406) 656-9091 Morrison-Maierle, Inc. (406) 656-6000 Moser Tile, Design & Construction (406) 894-2370 Mountain Electric of Montana (406) 245-8658 Mountain Supply Co. (406) 543-8255 Mountain Vertical (406) 371-5588 Murray Floor & Window Coverings (406) 373-0055 My Handyman Service & Construction Inc. (406) 534-0018 Myers Custom Homes, Inc. (406) 259-1229
N.C.I. Northwest Custom Improvements (406) 670-2781 Newman Built Quality Homes (406) 672-2819 Newman Restoration & Cleaning (406) 672-2819 Northwest Floors (406) 651-8080 Northwest Glass, Inc. (406) 252-7196 Northwest Pipe Fittings, Inc. (406) 252-0142 NorthWestern Energy (406) 655-2523 Oakland Built Homes, Inc. (406) 248-3641 One Source Lighting (406) 655-7949 Opportunity Bank (406) 256-1891 Outdoor Expressions, Inc. (406) 655-3598 Overhead Door Co of S Mt (406) 259-8807 Pacific Supply (406) 254-8876 Paramount Log Homes (406) 373-5811 Patriot Construction (406) 794-8906 PayneWest Insurance (406) 656-9800 Pella Windows & Doors, Inc. (406) 656-1516 Picard Development, Inc. (406) 208-9440 Pierce Flooring & Design (406) 652-4666 Pioneer Technical Services, Inc. (406) 545-4805 PKL Construction, Inc. (406) 855-2343 Point Scape, Inc. (406) 860-9017 Precision Plumbing & Heating (406) 655-9240 Pride Industries (406) 655-1200 ProBuild North (406) 252-9395 ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings (406) 652-9406 Pyramid Cabinet Shop (406) 876-1521 Quality Edge (406) 591-2885 Quality Foundations of Montana, Inc. (406) 860-5979 R & K Electric (406) 252-3297 R & R Builders (406) 252-2181 R & S Concrete Pumping, Inc. (406) 855-8844 R & S Supply (406) 252-1626 R & T Services, Inc. (406) 655-9700 RDO Equipment Co. (406) 259-5536 Rec Room (406) 670-4325 Red Lodge Pizza Co. / Carbon County Steak House (406) 446-3333 Rehberg Ranch Marketing, Inc. (406) 656-6628 REMAX of Billings (406) 896-2200 Republic Services (406) 896-7255 Reule Builders, Inc. (406) 281-1338 Rich’s Modern Flooring (406) 248-3656 Rimrock Builders Inc. (406) 855-3497 Rimrock Cabinet Co. (406) 651-8109 Rimrock Lighting & Paint (406) 652-3574
River Ridge Landscape Co. (406) 628-7317 RJ Mac Homes (406) 860-4586 RL Schaff Concrete Construction, Inc. (406) 373-5832 Rocky Mountain Bank (406) 655-2792 Rocky Mountain Hard Rock Flooring (406) 652-6701 Rocky Mountain Roofing Co., LLC (406) 656-6173 Rocky Mountain Seamless Raingutters (406) 252-3419 Roof Depot (406) 652-1558 Sanderson Stewart (406) 869-3338 SAVI, Inc. (406) 855-3464 Schneider Concrete, Inc. (406) 794-9911 Sears (406) 247-2700 Selby’s (406) 652-4414 Shawn Nelson Construction (406) 860-4643 Sherwin Williams (406) 655-9801 Six Sigma Contracting (406) 850-5343 Smart Home Systems, Inc. (406) 325-0676 Smooth Finish Inc. (406) 850-3512 Soft Touch Designs, Inc. (406) 656-3613 Specialized Construction, Inc. (406) 256-8844 Sprague Construction Roofing, LLC (406) 534-1222 Spring Creek Landscape Co. (406) 652-5337 Stewart Title of Billings (406) 656-7200 Stockland Properties, Inc. (406) 591-4540 Stockman Bank (406) 655-2700 Stoneworks Landscaping (406) 839-9110 Streeter Bros Corp (406) 252-0551 Studio Sky (406) 860-3282 Style Homes (406) 698-2099 Summit Cabinetry (406) 655-1610 Summit Construction (406) 259-6160 Superior Concrete (406) 205-8151 Superior Gutter Systems (406) 208-4225 TC Custom Building, LLC. (307) 250-0415 Team MPM (406) 670-0897 Terrell’s Office Machines, Inc. (406) 252-0055 Territorial Landworks (406) 248-9000 The Closet Guy (406) 657-5507 The Countertoppers (406) 259-9433 The Home Center (406) 206-2717 The Masonry Center (406) 254-6696 The Picard Co. (406) 255-6300 Thomae Lumber & Truss (406) 256-0740 Thompson Homes (406) 850-9765
Thompson Pools and Spas (406) 656-8511 Time Square Furniture & Mattress (406) 294-5266 Titan Machinery (406) 259-5500 Toad N Willow (406) 294-6040 Townsquare Media (406) 869-3661 Tractor & Equipment (406) 245-4426 Trailhead Builders Inc. (406) 294-5355 Trails West (406) 702-1766 Tri-State Truck & Equipment (406) 245-3188 Tvetene Turf (406) 652-8485 Ty Nelson Construction (406) 534-8360 Ultimate Custom Cabinets, Inc. (406) 256-9310 Urapeein Porta Pots (406) 252-3040 US Bank (406) 655-1699 US Lawns (406) 894-2570 Van Leggalo Photography by Robb Vann (406) 697-4572 Ventling Building & Development, Inc. (406) 628-6849 Vertex Controls, LLC. (406) 294-4880 Vinton Construction, Inc. (406) 248-1984 Wallis Mechanical (406) 591-4512 Wells Built Homes, Inc. (406) 656-1301 Wells Fargo Home Mortgage (406) 247-8315 Western Art Forum / Kira Fercho Inc. (406) 661-1030 Western Security Bank (406) 371-8337 White Heating & Air Conditioning (406) 248-2162 Wilson Cabinetry (406) 652-4671 Win-Dor Industries, Inc. (406) 248-2051 Wolf Construction (406) 256-3561 Yellowstone Bank (406) 628-7951 Yellowstone Basin Construction (406) 671-2287 Yellowstone County (406) 256-2701 Yellowstone County Implement (406) 248-7787 Yellowstone Polaris & Recreation (406) 259-7777 Yellowstone Valley Electric Co-op, Inc. (406) 348-3411 Yellowstone Valley Woman (406) 254-1394 Zach Besel Construction, LLC. (406) 794-1917 Zentz Lumber Co. (406) 252-4810 For a complete list of HBA members by their profession, please visit the HBA website at www.hbabillings.net
Sunday, August 28, 2016
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Home Repairs Made Easy!
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Sunday, August 28, 2016
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Five Electrical Safety Facts Every Home Owner Should Know By KIMBERLY WELZENBACH Home Builders Association of Billings Electricity is such a fundamental part of our everyday lives that we hardly ever think about how it works or any safety issues that could occur as a result of our pluggedin homes. Here are five electrical safety facts that you should know to protect your family and your home.
wires can become frayed or broken, creating a fire hazard. If you have any doubts about your wiring, have a qualified electrician perform a complete inspection. Houses built between 1965 and 1973, in particular, are at risk because many were built with aluminum wiring, which the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says is 55 times more likely to reach “fire hazard conditions” than regular copper wire.
1. If lights flicker or dim repeatedly, you should call an electrician.
4. A circuit breaker is not designed to protect against a ground fault.
Flickering or dimming lights signifies an overload and a professional should be contacted. Power outages due to power line accidents, strong wind, storms or extreme heat also can cause brief interruptions. You can call your power company to find out details on the situation, or check your circuit boxes for those outages. You also should call your electrician if you are constantly resetting circuit breakers or changing fuses, smell burning electricity or need to replace faulty wiring.
Circuit breakers are designed to protect against high levels of electrical current caused by a short circuit. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) protect against ground faults, when current leaking from an appliance goes to ground through a person touching the appliance. Even a small amount of current passing through a person this way can be lethal; a GFCI will trip if there’s a ground fault, whereas a circuit breaker won’t.
5. You can damage a power tool by using the 2. If you do lose power, turn off all appliances wrong size extension cord. to prevent a circuit overload when electricity If your electric lawn mower, hedge trimmer, or leaf is restored.
blower doesn’t get enough power, either because the extension cord is too thin or too long, the motor can be damaged and eventually destroyed. Also, overloading an extension cord can cause a fire or shock hazard. Be sure to use a cord rated to provide the proper amperage the tool requires, which is listed on the tool. Just a little electrical knowledge can go a long way. Remember, when dealing with electrical issues in your home, safety should be your number one priority. For more information and tips, contact HBA of Billings 3. House wiring eventually needs to be replaced. at 406-252-7533 or online at hbabillings.net. Some mateDepending on the amount of use, insulation on house rial in this article was provided by the Leviton Institute.
Your house may temporarily lose power due to weather issues or even on hot summer days of high demand. If you experience an outage, it is important turn off all of the appliances in your house to prevent a circuit overload or even another outage when the power is restored. Electric companies recommend leaving one lamp on so that you’ll know when the power is back.
How to Evaluate Online Reviews When Choosing a Remodeler
ers to choose from, how do you find the Keep in mind: right one for you and your home? Customers who had any sort of The easiest way to begin your reEmbarrassed by your outdated kitch- modeler reconnaissance is by going negative experience are much more motivated to post an online review than en or tired of that ugly bathroom, but online. those who had a thoroughly positive exaren’t yet ready to move to a new home? perience. Remodeling those rooms is your next Proceed with Caution A few negative reviews of a less-exbest option. The Internet makes it easy to find a wealth perienced remodeler carry far more weight But beware that even a seemingly simple modification to your home could be- of information with just a few quick clicks of than the same number of negative reviews come a dangerous task for even the most the mouse. Much of what you find will provide of an established remodeler with several confident do-it-yourselfer. By first con- some useful background, but you can’t be- years (or decades) of experience. sulting with a professional remodeler, you lieve everything you see or read. When look An abundance of positive, brief, noncould save yourself a lot of time, money ing through customer rating sites, use good descript reviews can often indicate phony and headache by getting the job done right judgment to weigh the value of certain online reviewers. the first time. Yet with so many remodel- reviews (positive or negative). The Better Business Bureau, www. By KIMBERLY WELZENBACH Home Builders Association of Billings
bbb.org, is a good resource to ensure the business doesn’t have any unresolved complaints. Other sites worth noting include Angie’s List, HomeAdvisor, Houzz, etc. Remember, the most accurate customer review will always come directly from the mouth of a previous client. If you don’t happen to know any former clients of the remodelers you are considering, simply ask those remodelers for references of recent projects. To learn more about finding a reliable contractor with an established business in our community, contact the Home Builders Association at 406-252-7533 or online at hbabillings.net. Sunday, August 28, 2016
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Show Your Home Some Love By KIMBERLY WELZENBACH Home Builders Association of Billings
nearly as intimidating when that time comes.
Your home puts up with a lot. It withstands inclement weather, endures the occasional stained carpet, clogged drain or broken window, and it even tolerates the smell of your burnt popcorn. So it deserves a little love once in a while. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on new appliances or significant renovations to show your home that you care. There are many simple ways to show your home some love. Here are a few suggestions.
Shed Some of that Extra Weight Do you really need to hold on to all of those 1980s leisure suits you’d hoped would come back in style? You don’t have to wait for spring to roll around to get rid of the junk that may be piling up in your coat closets, basement or garage. Lighten the load throughout your home and it will seem bigger and significantly cleaner. Plus, spring cleaning won’t be
Get Some Sun Winter doesn’t have to be dreary. Sure, the trees may be bare, but that just means less foliage is blocking the sun. Do your home and yourself a favor and let the sunlight in. Pull back (or take down) the drapes, wash the windows, and maybe even swap out dark lampshades for brighter ones to make the inside of your home cheerier.
Scrub it Down Your appliances work hard for you every day so it’s time to give them a thorough cleaning, especially if you haven’t done so recently. Refrigerators especially need a little extra attention on a regular basis. Start by taking everything out, then, be selective about what you put back. Also, check to see if any of your appliances might still be under warranty with a service plan to cover any maintenance that will keep them running smoothly.
Spruce it Up
Buy a Bouquet
One of the most economical updates you can give your home is paint. Whether it’s a bold new color, or just a fresh coat, painting a room or even just an accent wall can breathe new life into any space. Winter months can sometimes limit interior painting opportunities if it’s consistently too cold outside to open windows for ventilation. Plan ahead by checking the weather reports to find a day that might work.
If you’re not doing any gardening on the outside of your home during this time of year, bring some flowers inside. A blooming bouquet instantly warms up a room during cold winter months. Check out the flower section of your local grocery store to find festive flowers at reasonable prices. For additional home owner resources, visit hbabillings.net or call the HBA at 406252-7533.
Architectural Shingles Low Slope • Cedar Shakes Authorized Installers
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Extend your entertainment space to the great outdoors. Natural gas is the right choice.
1-800-638-3278 montana-dakota.com In the Community to Serve®
Do it in style with a fire pit, patio heater, fireplace or a grill fueled by reliable, convenient natural gas. Don’t worry about your propane tank running empty and avoid messy charcoal with a natural gas grill. And there’s no reason to end the fun when the sun goes down. You can warm up your outdoor space quickly and easily with a natural gas patio heater or fireplace.
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www.kirknessroofing.com
144 MOORE lanE
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Since 1978
Your 2016 Home Maintenance To-Do List By KIMBERLY WELZENBACH Home Builders Association of Billings Homeownership is the American dream, but it’s also a lot of work. Your home is a significant investment and requires a consistent level of upkeep to maintain its efficiency and to protect its value. Set aside some time to build a schedule of your ongoing home maintenance duties. Creating a calendar of anticipated maintenance needs will help you remember key milestones and better prepare for any big expenses. The following examples of typical home maintenance should be completed at least annually. Consider your home’s specific needs to determine the relevance and timing of each task, and mark your calendar appropriately.
In the spring: Inspect the roof for snow damage. Examine the condition of glazing compound, caulking, and interior and exterior paint. Check for broken glass and screens in windows and storm doors. (It’s also a good idea to do this the fall.) Look for evidence of termites such as sagging floors and ceilings or dry, brown tunnels in the ground near the home’s foundation. Seed and feed the lawn, plant annuals and trim perennials that need pre-growth pruning.
In the fall: Add mulch around perennials that need protection from winter weather. Clear the lawn of leaves and reseed patchy areas. Inspect the driveway for any cracks, and repair any damage with driveway filler and coat with a commercial sealer. Look for any cracks or damage to the fireplace, and have the chimney cleaned by a licensed chimney sweep.
Before winter: Inspect the roof, address any damaged shingles or flashings, and remove any debris.
Ensure gutters are securely fastened to the fascia board and clear them of any debris or build up that could inhibit proper drainage. Remove hose connections, then drain and store hoses to keep them from freezing. Empty clay pots and planters of all soil, which can freeze and cause the pots to crack.
Anytime throughout the year: Check all electrical connections for potential hazards. Pay special attention to any overloaded extension cords, and repair or replace any worn or frayed cords of electrical appliances. Test your carbon monoxide, radon and smoke detectors. Clean each unit with a vacuum or cotton swab and replace batteries and light bulbs, if needed. Have your heating and air conditioning system(s) inspected and cleaned. If your system has a filter, replace it once every three months. Inspect all doors and windows for proper operation and ensure the weather stripping is not cracked or torn. Inspect the attic insulation to ensure the entire ceiling area is covered. Insulation should not touch the underside of the roof sheathing, nor should it block vents in the eaves, which could cause condensation buildup and poor air circulation. Oil the motors of appliances as directed in their instruction manuals. Periodically check storage areas, closets and the basement to ensure that any oily rags, gas cans, paint supplies, cleaning materials or other flammable items have been stored properly. Check the functionality of your security system, inspecting each sensor and confirming the primary and backup batteries are in working order. Inspect interior stairs and exterior steps for any damage that could cause someone to fall. Make sure handrails and railings are sturdy and securely attached. The joys of homeownership come with a long list or responsibilities. But staying on top of these duties will help keep your home healthy as the seasons change and the years pass. For more ideas to maintain your home throughout the year, visit hbabillings.net or nahb.org/consumers.
CITY OF BILLINGS BUILDING & SAFETY DIVISION 2825 3rd Avenue North, 4th floor Billings, Montana 59101 Office (406) 657-8270 Fax (406) 657-8252 ci.billings.mt.us
Building Code Reminder In accordance with the 2012 IRC and 2012 IBC, ice barrier has been required and fully enforced for all new construction and roof replacement/ re-roof’s, commercial and residential, as of May 1st, 2015. The ice barrier shall extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. Building permits are required for roofing and siding. Roof inspections are required for new and replacement roofs/re-roof’s, and should be requested after ice barrier installation, and then a “mid-roof inspection,” i.e. after 8 or 10 courses of shingles have been applied, and all flashing is in place. Then a final inspection of the roof system after the job is complete. Siding and/or window inspections should be requested to verify window and flashing installation is in accordance with building code and manufacturer’s specifications. ALL inspections ShALL be done pRIoR to covering any work. Inspections need to be requested 24 hours in advance. handouts and misc. information are available from the city of billings’ web site @ “ci.billings.mt.us” under “SERVICES” or “DoING BUSINESS” “Building” - “Downloadable Forms.” Sunday, August 28, 2016
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