Welcome to Dalco Home Remodeling's Blog Page.

We're hoping this becomes your page. We encourage you to ask questions about Dalco and the services we offer. We will also attempt to answer questions in general about remodeling and on occasion offer advice. We hope you visit often.

So please check the blog often for tips and what's new at Dalco or feel free to view our web page at http://www.dalcohomeremodeling.com/


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

I Need My Kitchen Remodeled, Now What?

With all the information available to us, it still amazes me the number of calls we get: “I hired ‘some guy’ to remodel my kitchen and he’s half done, it’s been four weeks and I haven’t seen him in two….I need someone to come and finish the job!”.
Folks….do a little research and don’t hire the guy that was referred by a friend of someone who did a job for the next door neighbor of someone who works with a buddy your uncle plays golf with!
Referrals are one of the number one sources we get most of our business.  It’s a compliment to any company when its customers think highly enough of the work that’s been done to pass on their name.  Just make sure it’s a first had referral.
Check what others have to say about the company you’re interested in by checking a few of the dozens of review sites.  Yellow Pages, Google, City Search and others have easily accessible sites that give reviews on hundreds of companies around the area.
There is also the BBB; even though the BBB doesn’t post positive reviews.  They can give additional valuable information regarding the company’s history and size, among other things.
Find out how long a company has been in business and what is their in house design and install experience?  Quite a few dealers have added installation in order to make ends meet; this doesn’t mean they know anything about the ins and outs of kitchen installations.
Now you’ve done your homework and narrowed the choices; it’s time to call for some appointments.
Insist your consultation take place in your home and NEVER pay for this service.  Why in house?  No one can give you anything resembling a complete quote until a job site survey is completed.  If the company wants to charge for this….walk away!  Find out if there will be a design fee.  Some companies will charge upwards of $600 for this service, they do this to “lock you in”. 
Next, you have to feel comfortable with the company.  If you are being subjected to hard sell tactics, invite the company to leave.  And, watch out for the old ‘if you buy tonight, we can offer X% off’ or ‘let me call my manager’.  This is the old tin man style of selling, outdated, insulting and worst of all; you never know what your true cost might have been.
You’ve done your homework, checked reviews and you feel you’ve made a good choice of companies.
Now it’s time to TRUST.  Your designer will help take you through the maze of products, will work with you on budget and ultimately you will end up with a kitchen you will be proud of and you will know you were instrumental in the final product.
The end reward is worth the effort!

Friday, August 5, 2011

IS A LINER RIGHT FOR MY HOME?

Just this week we did two job site surveys for three bathrooms our clients had requested we use the liner method instead of replacement.
As per one of our former blogs, there is a time and place for liners as this may be a perfectly good solution to a given issue. But, often we find it is'nt.
Below are a few photos of these surveys.  Two photos of tubs, a shower floor and a behind the wall view, at the shower.
The first photo shows, water has gotten behind the tile as evidenced by significant grout discoloration.  The valve is also in need of replacement.  Note too, the significant water damage around the insert soap holder.  With this much damage, replacement of the wall board behind the tile is a strong probability. 
In the second we see a stone style base, probably from the 60’s.  The client had already taken down portions of the wall to determine damage.  With the shower pan leakage showing from basement below, the sub floor under the shower must be replaced.
Another view (3rd) of the same shower shows mold growth in the insulation (right hand end of shower).  Not readily noticeable, is rot of the wall plate.  You could cover these issues up, but do you really want to?  Our client decided to replace.
The last tub photo is'nt in nearly the condition as the others.  However, upon inspection, we again see discoloration of the grout at the first and second rows of tile a clear sign of water leaking behind the tile.  What the extent of damage may be to the wall is unknown without removing some of the tile.  Given the visable discoloration and the desire for a new tub/shower valve this customer has opted to go with a new surround.
As we’ve said, there are times when liners are a good idea and Dalco is happy to oblige in these circumstances. 
However, if your bath or shower resembles these, beware.  The one product liner companies have a vested interested in selling that product.  A real remodeling company offers a range of products and will present SOLUTIONS, not just COVER UPS.



Note water damage at tile and soap dish
 

In basement below, subfloor shows damage


Mold growth in insulation


Grout is discolored from water leaks