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Articles and Home Remodeling Tips

Today's Custom Home Magazine featured articles

Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor
Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report 2008-09 from remodelingmagazine.com.
Palmer Custom Builders has always done extensive planning prior to the start of any project and encouraged our clients to talk openly about their budget because we know how important it is to the project’s success.
The article below accurately tells the story of how designing to cost and staying within budget takes a lot of work and is not an easy task. They confirm, what we have learned over the years, that it is essential that you have an open, honest conversation with your architect and/or builder about your budget. It is critical to the success of a design-build project and will save you time, aggravation and money. All the facts here, apply to any new construction or renovation project you may be considering, not just new home construction.
We hope you will find this information to be very helpful.
Designing to Cost- Honest clients play the key role in the process of aligning budget, home size and client expectations
By: Rob Heselbarth, Editor, Residential Design and Build Magazine
Frequently used construction terms

Study concludes no health risk from granite, Marble Institute of America contends. See results from study on natural stone countertops and radon by Environmental Health and Engineering, an independent environmental testing firm based in Needham, Massachusetts.
Solid Surface vs. Granite
A Great Countertop Surface Idea

cricket: small peaked roof tucked behind a chimney to divert water around the chimney
fascia: vertical board at the lower edge of the roof on which gutters are often mounted
gable: wall triangle formed when two sloping roofs meet at a ridge
header: Structural horizontal framing member over a door or window
joist: heavy horizontal support framing, as in floor or ceiling joist
knee wall: in a bonus room, or any room with sloping ceiling, the short vertical wall below the slopping wall
muntins, mullions: dividing bars between panels of glass in a window or attached on the inside of the window sash
ogee: classic S-shaped molding contour used throughout your house A gutter face is an ogee and so is the top of a traditional baseboard. Also, an edge style on hard-surface countertops
quarter round: molding with curved face that’s one-quarter of a circle
rafter: sloping framing that supports your roof
sister: to attach one piece of framing lumber to another for additional support
underlayment: plywood or other material laid on subfloor before installing carpet, tile, vinyl or other flooring
vapor barrier: layer of plastic or other material on walls, crawl space or under a slab to keep moisture from penetrating insulation or living area