R&A Magazine: Ask the Experts » Other/General

A combination of large budget deficits, an election year and high numbers of bank foreclosures on residential real estate make for an interesting combination of events and current discussions about proposals coming out of Washington DC. The search for ways to raise significant tax revenues to try and partially eliminate a portion of the ongoing budget deficits has resulted in proposals to eliminate or restrict deductions to an area long off limits to politicians. A reduction in both mortgage interest on personal residences and real estate tax deductions has been entered into various proposals to try and reduce deficits.

With the housing markets still not fully recovered from recent lows and bank foreclosures continuing to run at a higher than normal pace, any tax policy changes that might negatively affect the health of the housing market would seem to have little if no hope of being seriously considered. However, in today's strange world of political maneuvering where the word compromise and common sense seem to have little meaning, nothing can be considered completely safe.

As a matter of fact, both the mortgage deduction and the deduction for real estate taxes on a personal residence already are subject to certain limits that can affect certain taxpayers due to the amount of the deductions or their level of income. In the next several paragraphs, we will discuss those limits and the general rules concerning both mortgage interest and real estate taxes.

Real estate taxes are deductible on your personal residence, but only to the extent that one is able to itemize deductions. The Internal Revenue Service gives a taxpayer the option of using the standard deduction or itemizing deductions. The higher of the two amounts can be deducted from income prior to calculating the federal tax. Two of the major components of the itemized deductions are taxes, state and local income tax and real estate tax on one's residence, and mortgage interest. There is no dollar limit on the deduction of real estate taxes but the deduction can be eliminated if the taxpayer is subject to the alternative minimum tax which will be discussed briefly later in this article.

Mortgage interest is deductible to the extent that it is paid on what is termed the taxpayer's "qualified residence". This term is defined in Internal Revenue regulations and is basically the residence that is used as the taxpayer's principal residence, although certain second homes can be designated as such. Only acquisition indebtedness that meets certain dollar limitations and was used to acquire, construct or substantially improve the taxpayer's qualified residence qualifies. The aggregate amount of debt that may be treated as acquisition indebtedness for any period can't exceed $1,000,000. The debt must be secured by the personal residence. While this amount may seem high consider the cost of housing in other areas of the country such as New York or California.

In addition to acquisition debt, home equity indebtedness, which is any debt other than acquisition indebtedness that is secured by the taxpayer's qualified residence is deductible to the extent the aggregate amount of this type of indebtedness does not exceed $100,000. In the case of both acquisition indebtedness and home equity indebtedness, there are a number of other rules that need to be met in order to deduct the interest. These will not be discussed in detail in this article. See IRS Publication 535 for more details.

After meeting all the requirements previously listed there is still a possibility that the deductions may be eliminated or reduced by the imposition of the alternative minimum tax calculation. A simple way of describing this tax is that it is a "flat" tax that is calculated by adding back to taxable income certain items referred to as tax preference items and calculating a tax at a flat rate (depending on your income level) on this higher adjusted taxable income number. The higher of the regular tax or the tax arrived at under the alternative minimum tax calculation, is the tax you pay for the year.

One of the items added back for the calculation is state and local taxes including real estate taxes on your residence. Another add back is the tax on home equity indebtedness. Many people pay this alternative minimum tax and do not realize that it has in effect eliminated a portion of the tax and mortgage interest deductions that they thought were being generated by their personal residence. When preparing your tax return or having it prepared by a professional, ask what the true tax savings generated from your personal residence is for the year. In many cases it may be substantial but in others, it may not be as much of a benefit as you might think.

Should you have additional questions, don't hesitate to call us as 717.569.2900.

It's true that every year "being better organized" is near the top of many New Years' Resolution lists. And each year we try. And each year we are only moderately successful. Why? Typically because we don't start out with a comprehensive plan.

There is a reason why several times per year the Big Box stores display those large plastic containers right near the door. It's an "impulse buy". But did you measure the things you want to store IN the bin before coming to the store? Did you determine HOW MANY bins you need to solve your problem? Did you measure to see IF the bin will fit in the space you want to put it. Those are just a few of the elements that are often overlooked when the urge to get organized hits. And that is only addressing the use of containers.

Additionally, there is a huge difference between cleaning out the garage and organizing the garage. And this holds true regardless of whether it's your garage, laundry room, home office, pantry or closets. It's likely that these areas have been cleaned up before but the clutter just crept back in. And guess what? It will creep back in again if you don't create adequate storage spaces and systems that will allow you to successfully maintain the organization that you are working so hard to achieve. Need a hand in creating the plan and customized storage systems that will enable you to be organized once and for all?...then let us help!

At California Closets, we are committed to providing you with the highest possible level of quality products and services. Our professional Design Consultants will assist by carefully analyzing your space, your "stuff" and your budget then working with you to create the custom storage solution that meets all your needs.

So give us a call, stop by our showroom or check out our website at www.californiaclosets. com to request your free in–home consultation and to see more tips and organizing ideas. We'll help you get organized!

Any home improvement project can be a big investment and you want to make sure it is done correctly by a qualified contractor. When choosing a contractor there should be multiple credentials that you the consumer should analyze. There are two items that should be looked at first and foremost. Is the contractor licensed by the State of Pennsylvania and do they have the proper insurances. The PA contractor license means that the contractor is registered with the State of Pennsylvania to perform services within the state and that they have to abide by certain rules and regulations. The second item of having the proper insurance is a protection to you the consumer. This is a very important item that is often overlooked. Without the proper Liability insurance and Workman's' Compensation insurance the consumer shoulders all of the liability for the work being performed and the workers performing the job. After you have checked on these items, now you get down to the nitty gritty about the contractors abilities. How long have they been in business? Can the contactor provide references? Have they done similar jobs to mine? Do they have any additional certifications for my particular home improvement? What are their guarantees/warranties? What is the bottom line price?

As you can see price is the last item on my list. Don't get me wrong, price is very important in your decision, but it should not be your sole discretionary decision maker.

"Fly by night" contractors are prevalent in the home improvement industry. A pickup truck, ladder racks and a hammer and you are a contractor. They are here one day and gone the next. Keep in mind that when they leave so do your warranties. This also can be the same for the "storm chasers". This is why years in business can be an important thing to look at.

Completing similar projects to yours helps you to determine the contractor's abilities. Work on existing homes can be challenging at times. Past experiences of similar jobs can sometimes be the only thing the contractor has to rely on in coming up with solutions quickly and accurately. It also helps you to feel comfortable that the contractor will include everything in the original quote and not keep having change orders to cover missed items. (With that being said you will always have the possibility for extras due to hidden conditions that are not identifiable at the time of the quote.)

Additional certifications can also be helpful in the overall knowledge base of the contractor. These additional certifications help to show that the contractor is willing to keep up with the changing products and installation procedures.

Guarantees/Warranties speak for themselves. If the contractor is not willing to stand behind their work, I would not want them working on my home. Once you have looked at all of the above items you can now look at the price. Quality, experience and proper insurance do not always come at the cheapest price. As I said before price does matter, but it should not be your sole decision maker. Get 2–3 quotes from reputable contractors, weigh all of the above factors and then you can make an educated choice on whom best to work on your home improvement project.

If you are looking for a reputable contractor to handle any home improvement project, do not hesitate to give us a call at 717–626–4253 for a free estimate.

There are many advantages to working with a company that offers both inhouse design and construction services. Here are a few items to consider:

Budget Accountably. One of the biggest advantages of working with a design/build company is the ability to design within your budget. Most designers dream of being freed from the restraints of construction costs and product availability, but that is typically not reality. Every client has a budget. It only makes sense to review financial goals and move forward with a home improvement project focused on a budget that is realistic.

Recently, a potential client came to us with a full set of construction plans that had already been designed. The homeowner had every design wish and dream laid out artistically on plans. Once we met with him and presented an estimate based on these plans, the anticipated price more than doubled the cost of his desired budget. Because the client had been focused on the design only, the estimated cost to build came as a complete surprise. He spent several months and thousands of dollars for a set of plans that now had to be re-designed.

The beauty of working with a company that offers both design and build services is that the entire project can be managed from start to finish based on your budget.

A Teamwork Approach. Another advantage of working with a design/build company is the ability these companies have to offer a client cost-saving product alternatives. Builders work with and install various products daily. Designers typically recognize what products will be the most aesthetically pleasing. If builders and designers can work together as a team during the design process, a client can be advised based on a full spectrum of expertise from both fields.

As you work through the design of your floor plans and exterior elevations it is never too early to talk about products and building materials. Some products may carry specific framing or wiring requirements. You want to be sure that you are considering those items early in the process. A design/ build company will be able to offer recommendations from both a design and a construction point of view.

Seamless Transition. A third advantage of working with a design/build company is a smoother transition from the planning stage to the field construction. When one company not only helps you to design your project, but also brings it to life through construction, the possibility of losing any aspect of your vision in translation is minimized. Inevitably, questions, issues or possible concerns will arise over the course of building a new home or addition. In working through these matters with one company that excels in both design and construction, a resolution can be reached promptly.

Working with a design/build company is an excellent choice for clients who value accountability to their budget, cost savings based on a wide range of expertise and seamless transition from vision all the way through construction.

For more information about our design/build process, please visit our website at www.customhomegroup.com.

As a local painting contractor I am constantly reminded of the trust that my clients put in me as they willingly open their homes and properties to me and my crew. I often wonder how many homes are being exposed to unscrupulous contractors and tradesmen that are not committed to the work ethics and business practices that homeowners should expect.

How do you as a consumer protect your home and family from opening the door to a company that does not have your best intentions in mind and should not be trusted in your home or on your property? It is amazing to me how much time and energy is spent on protecting our homes from the evils of the outside world. All of us feel safer when our doors are locked and our alarms are set. So why do people willingly open their doors to contractors who may be making promises that cannot be kept; who may not be qualified to be doing the work for which they were hired; or who have a poor track record for customer satisfaction and staying within the agreed upon budget?

I understand the need for a good deal and for searching out a bargain, but is it possible that homeowners are falling prey to the contractor who does not play by the rules—causing more harm than good as problems arise in the performance of the work and the quality expected.

Beware! Regardless of the state of the economy, you still get what you pay for. Yes, now is the time to expect a fair price but how do you know you can trust the company that you let on your property or in your door. Asking a few standard questions and putting a little time in the research of your perspective contractor could protect you and your family from a problem waiting to happen.

Please allow me to give you a few suggestions that will help protect you on your next project you choose to have done around your home. Don't set your mind on the lowest bid before the prices come in. Not all contractors do work the same way and a little extra money paid may be the answer to getting the job you want. If the contractor you choose can pass the tests I list below and they are the price that you are looking for then you may have a deal on your hands.

First off, look for companies that you have seen in the community. Committed local companies are a treasure and the owners are highly protective of their image to the public. Google your contracting needs. Reputable contractors will have a website that clearly defines their company and services provided. It will also include their PA Contractor Number which must be used by all contractors that operate in Pennsylvania.

Look for affiliations with local trade organizations that give credibility to the services they offer. A company that is willing to invest in their business even in a weak economy is one that believes in itself and is here to stay.

Make sure that the contractor is adequately insured—it is not safe to assume that anyone giving you a bid is so. In this economy people are cutting corners any way they can. A safe coverage limit most contractors carry is at least 1,000,000.00 of General liability insurance. Also, ask your prospective contractor if subcontractors will be used to perform any of the work—and are they adequately insured? Aside from the insurance issue, depending on the work being performed, you may not want to have your home exposed to people who are not directly employed by your contractor.

Lastly, ask for references. Calling a few past clients could separate the wheat from the chaff very quickly. In today's cyber age some companies also have online video testimonials that can be very helpful in determining the integrity of a contractor. We all want to spend less and get more. So make sure that your bases are covered and you can rest easy knowing that your home is safe and sound in the hands of a professional you can trust.

For more information, I invite you to visit my website at www.JoelsPainting.com

Like many homeowners, you have chosen to adapt your home to meet the needs of an aging parent in lieu of alternate options. Designing a space to meet the physical needs of your loved one, while at the same time offering comfort by threading bits and pieces of the "familiar" throughout, requires thoughtful deliberation. Will you be adding on to your home or simply renovating existing space? Before you jump into building an in–law's quarters, you may want to consider the following:

Ease of Accessibility. Keep the location of the in–law's quarters on ground level whenever possible. Even if your parent is fit and agile enough to handle stairs, it is important to plan ahead for any health issues that might come down the road. While an unfinished bonus room over a garage or basement area might seem like a ready-made space, it could potentially create difficulties with accessibility. Consider how your parent will get into the home most often. If the in–law’s quarters has a separate outside entrance, you may want to install a ramp (or at least prepare for one in the future).

Bathroom. This particular room is full of opportunities to provide comfort to your loved one while maintaining important functional features. First, making the room spacious prepares you for the possibilities of walkers, wheelchairs, even home health care nurses who may be needed. Once walls are up, you're not going to want to renovate again! Knowing that our joints are not going to be as limber as we get older, you might want to opt for a shower in lieu of a tub-shower combo. While there are many models of showers available, take your time in looking at various showrooms or speaking with a contractor about the advantages and disadvantages of each. A shallow-step shower unit, for example, fits well with the lifestyle of an aging parent and can still be easy to use if they require some assistance. An ADA-approved shower is typically useful for the loved ones who require more regular at-home assistance. While installing an ADA-approved toilet at the time of construction is generally a good idea, grab bars could be installed at whatever point is essential to your loved one's safety. If deciding to hold off on those in the beginning, plan to install your paper holder and towel bars in locations that would not affect future grab bar installation.

Kitchen or Kitchenette. Every township or municipality has its own requirements for what is acceptable when it comes to secondary living spaces, especially kitchens. Your contractor should be able to assist you in determining your options. If you get the green light for moving forward with a kitchen and/or kitchenette, spend some time learning how your parent moves around and functions in a kitchen. Ask yourself, would an island be more of a hindrance if a walker or wheelchair were introduced? Perhaps widening the space between the island and other cabinetry would be a suitable compromise.

Lighting. A small but important thing to keep in mind is how our eyesight diminishes as we age. Having a well-lit living space would add to the comfort that you are trying to create for your loved one. Contemplate where it would be most beneficial to have ample lighting, for example kitchen countertops, bathroom vanities, over the shower, hallways and closets.

Recreate Design Elements. Think about it. Your aging parent is probably going to experience a mix of emotions with moving into an in–law’s quarters in your home. Having the design reflect their lifestyle will likely decrease the anxiety about making this adjustment. If your loved one couldn't live without that special spice rack in their last kitchen, why not include one here? If they loved how their favorite recliner faced the television from a certain angle, try to accommodate the layout and electrical outlet placement accordingly. If there was a special piece of furniture that just cannot be parted with, now is the time to think about window and door placement.

Spending a little time thinking about the functionality of the space and how you can create the feeling of familiarity and comfort through design will ease the transition for both you and your loved one. Here at Duff Builders, we know the importance of family. If you would like more information on building an in-laws quarters or any other project, please call us at 293.5100 or visit us at www. DuffBuilders.com.

Unfortunately, this scenario is not uncommon. Many clients are so busy with the planning of a new addition that they fail or forget to discuss the changes with their insurance agent. You should always notify your agent once you decide to make ANY changes/improvements to your home. They work in your best interest and will determine a revised accurate replacement cost of your home. Additional credits may be available such as a central alarm installation, or using "green" products.

But the market value is much lower than the replacement cost, why do I need to increase the coverage?
The market value represents the price you may sell your home for today which is not the same as replacement cost. The replacement cost is the amount needed to rebuild it as it exists prior to your loss. This value may be higher than the market value because it includes several factors such as availability of materials originally used, debris removal, the cost of construction labor in your area, or changes in building codes that may require updated, more costly materials.

It is important to insure up to the replacement value of your home to avoid a coinsurance penalty in the event of a loss, even a partial loss. If you insure lower than the new replacement value of your home, you may not be paid the full amount of your loss.

My house was completely destroyed by fire. I am trying to collect on my personal property that I had in the house, but the insurance company is telling me I need an inventory. Can they require that?
Yes, whether your policy pays for the replacement or just the actual cash value, the company is only obligated to pay for the personal property that you can show you owned at the time of loss. It is a very good idea to keep an up to date inventory in an off-site, secure place. Also, to help you remember what you had, it is helpful to take pictures or a video of each room and keep them with your inventory.

Always consult with your agent if you have any questions or concerns about your homeowner insurance as they prove to be a valuable resource. You should read over your policy and discuss additional coverage that may be available such as identity theft, water back-up/sump pump failure, and flood.

Interest rates have remained at record lows for some time now, which would make this a GREAT time to consider that addition or renovation to your home that you've been contemplating.

While there are many design decisions to make so your renovation or addition turns out just as you've pictured it, one of the most important decisions you will make is how to finance your project. This decision can be intimidating and sometimes even confusing. There are many options, but with the right information you can make the financing decision that best suits your needs.

The three most popular home improvement financing options include a refinance of your existing mortgage, a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit.

To finance your project you may decide to refinance your existing property. In this situation, the lender will give you the money you need to pay off your existing mortgage and then disburse the remaining funds as your project progresses. Interest is charged only on the amount that is disbursed so you won't be making a full mortgage payment until after the project is completed and all funds have been used. Alternatively, some lenders will give you the money you need to payoff your existing mortgage but then deposit the funds for the project into an escrow account to be disbursed as the project proceeds. In this situation you would start making a full mortgage payment shortly after settlement. The benefits to refinancing are that you will have one loan and your monthly payments can be stretched out for as long as 30 years.

Another option would be to finance your project with a home equity loan or line of credit. Both options allow you to borrow against the value of your home and the interest you pay may be tax-deductible. Chances are one may make more sense than the other based on your individual situation.

A home equity loan provides you with financing for a specific, one-time purpose such as a home renovation or addition. You receive an up-front lump sum to pay for your home renovation or addition. The benefits of a home equity loan are that the interest rate and term on a home equity loan are fixed, making your monthly principal and interest payments a set amount.

A home equity line of credit enables you to borrow funds only as you need them, repay them, and borrow again if you wish, much like a credit card.

The interest rate on a home equity line of credit is typically lower than a home equity loan, however the rate fluctuates with the Prime Rate and therefore your monthly payment amounts may vary depending on the current rate. The main benefit of a home equity line of credit is that you can borrow funds on a revolving basis.

There is also a newer home equity line of credit product that is a hybrid of the home equity loan and the home equity line. This new financing vehicle works like a line of credit, but gives you the option at any time to fix the interest rate and payment on all, or a portion, of your balance. This option may be ideal for financing your home renovation or addition because you can enjoy the benefit of advancing funds only as you need them and have the option to move your balance from a variable rate and payment to a fixed rate and payment at any time.

With the wide array of financing options available in the market today, making the right decision can seem like a big challenge. But finding a lender who takes the time to listen and understand your goals can make the process less intimidating. In the end, the satisfaction and enjoyment you receive from a new addition or renovation can be worth all the effort—and now may be the perfect time to start the project you've been dreaming about.

For more information, you can contact me at listening@fult.com.

Choosing a quality security system is a very critical decision for you and your family. Here are the most common questions we get from our customers along with our response. What does a typical system cost and should I own the system or rent? For a variety of reasons, we recommend that you purchase the system. Costs range from $1,100- $1,400. What are the monthly monitoring fees and how long is the term of the service/monitoring contract? Our standard monitoring is one of the lowest in Lancaster County, starting at around $15/month. Each contract is for an initial term of 1-3 years and automatically renews for 1-year periods. Beware of long-term contracts.

How often does the system report in to the central station and why is that important? We program our panels to test every couple of days. This is a programming feature that allows the system to “check in,” testing the communications with a central station to verify that signals can be sent. Most people think that a security panel is always “connected” to the central station and that a loss of the phone line will prompt a dispatch or phone call to the site, but that is not true with a land based phone line. Daily tests can be performed at an additional cost.

What happens if the phone line is cut? What are my alternate choices? Is the communication two-way? If the phone line is cut, the panel has no means to communicate the signals it is trying to send to a central station to dispatch the fire or police assistance. As a security feature, we program our panels so that if cut while armed, the siren will go off. For added protection, we have systems that are totally wireless and do not need to have a phone line. This type of system that we use also allows you to communicate with your panel for remote arming and disarming of the system without a phone line. This is not possible with a more common cellular backup unit.

What is a lockout code and why is it used? A lockout code is a number that allows only the person authorized to service your system to gain access to the programming. This is a way that companies keep competitors from taking over “their” system. We believe that our customers deserve choices and will never lock you out of your system. If a company needs to protect their customers in this manner, it is probably not a wise decision to deal with them.

How much experience and/or training does a technician installing/servicing my system have? Are subcontractors used to install the system? AT 3T, all personnel have a minimum of 3 years experience with others having more than 10 years, with factory training, NAAA certification, AFAA training and an understanding of NFPA 72 standards. We provide more than just on the job training, we provide several hours of classroom training every 2 weeks. We understand that you may feel guarded about letting someone into your home, which is one reason we do not use subcontractors and each employee is in a company uniform with an identification badge and driving a company marked vehicle.

What is the term of the warranty and what does it cover? We warranty our work for 2 years. It covers all parts and labor during normal business hours. Does the central station that is monitoring your system have a backup location in case of a disaster or an evacuation at the primary site? Is it UL listed? Yes. The central station that we are involved with is able to transfer information and services in the event of a disaster without missing a beat. The central station is a UL listed central station.

Is each security device on an independent zone to reduce or eliminate the potential for false alarms? Is the system expandable? Yes, it only makes sense. If you were to have a group of windows on one zone and it set off a false alarm, you wouldn't know which individual window it was. How much have you saved when you are paying the false alarm fine, having to bypass that entire side of the building leaving it unprotected, and/or paying a service technician to locate that one window within an entire group? Yes, all of the systems we install are expandable. We do try to size your system to current needs and future demands.

To learn more, please give us a call at 717.664.0090.

Coating a garage's concrete floor is a great way to protect it from road salts and other chemical attacks, improve the garage's overall appearance, ease surface cleaning and improve the home's sales appeal and price.

Whether the concrete is new or decades old, the longevity of any coating system begins with the preparation of the con-crete surface prior to the application of the actual chemicals. Acid etching, while a common preparation technique, lacks the ability to prepare tightly toweled surfaces and cannot remove any existing paints, sealers or contaminants, all of which decrease or negate a coating's ability to stick to the concrete. A mechanical preparation method, such as diamond grinding or abrasive blasting, ensure the entire surface provides the proper surface profile to allow maxi-mum adhesion by the coating.

Many paints are available for concrete floors, but they will not hold up against “hot tire” peel as paints lack the bond strength to resist the pull from the tires. A high quality coating system designed for a garage floor will provide superior bond strength to any floor paints. Most of these coating systems are made from epoxies, polyurethanes or blends of the two.

Better coating systems will feature multiple layers, where the first layer, or “base coat”, is designed for high adhesion to the concrete and may also be the binder for decorative chips or quartz. The last layer, or “top coat”, should be formulated for UV stability, abrasion resistance and high chemical resistance. This will keep the coating looking good year after year, ensuring that it does not discolor from exposure to direct sunlight, weather and chemicals.

While the coating should hold up well to normal vehicle traffic, frequent removal of stones and other debris will greatly extend the life of the coating system. After years of daily use, even the best coating system displays signs of wear, so ensure the coating system provides the ability to re-apply the top coat layer to later rejuvenate the floor.

The options available for coating a garage floor have never been broader. Since the garage floor sustains greater abuse than the other floors in the home, ensure any coating system selected pro-vides the characteristics we have de-scribed. We invite homeowners considering a garage floor coating to contact PremierGarage of Central Pennsylvania toll-free at 888.577.0452 or visit our web site at www.PremierGarage.com.

Yes, I have heard time and time again from customers that the light from their sunroom lifts their spirits during the cold and dreary days of winter. In fact, winter is one of the busiest times of the year for many sunroom companies due to the desire for customers to escape the cold wind for a relaxing retreat where they can immerse themselves in the tranquility and beauty of the season

To take full advantage of your escape from the elements, the most important consideration is to ensure you get the most energy-efficient glass available. The wrong glass can make a sunroom too cold in winter putting you right back where you were with your patio or deck.

Consider a room for year-round use with high-performance, heat-reflective glass. Heat-reflective glass reflects winter heat back into the addition allowing for comfortable year-round use of the sunroom.

 

During the cold days of winter, I would suggest you look for a product with Energy Star qualification from the United States Department of Energy. Energy Star qualification will alert you that a product is more efficient helping to save on the price of heating your new addition! When you choose a company with Energy Star qualification, you should specifically ask if the sunroom in which you are interested is an Energy Star product. Look for high center of glass R-values for more insulating power.

The elements that make these rooms great are lots of light, nice views, and good access. A sunroom will brighten up your living space as it allows light to spread to adjoining rooms.

 

As a Four Seasons Sunrooms franchise, we specialize in designing and building sunrooms that can be used in all seasons. Visit our web site at www.PAsunrooms.com for complete details on ConservaGlass Plus, our exclusive, heat-reflective glass designed for year round use.

Basically, an intrusion and fire alarm system works off a CPU board, similar to a computer, which is placed in a control panel. At Choice Security System we attempt to locate the control panel in the basement out of sight. A keypad controls the CPU board and is located in a convenient location for the customer, such as near the garage entry door or bedroom. The keypad arms and disarms the system using a four digit number that the customer chooses. The fire system is always on and cannot be shut off. The control panel is also connected to the customer's telephone line.

When the siren is activated, it's loud—by design. At the same time, the CPU dials our monitoring station and we receive a signal informing us what device went off. In most cases, we dial the customers location, identify who we are and ask for their password. Once we identify that the proper password is given, we proceed accordingly. If an improper password is given, we dispatch the proper authorities.

With regard to fire systems, Pennsylvania passed a law that requires new residential homes to have a smoke detector in every bedroom and one on every floor. We also recommend placing a heat detector in the garage, near the furnace and attic. Placing a smoke detector in a garage may create false alarms with vehicle gas fumes. Smoke detectors are the best device for early warning of fire.

The siren must be heard clearly in the bedroom with the bedroom door closed. Most building inspectors have a device that measures the loudness of the siren. Our approach is to install smoke detectors that if one smoke detector goes off, they all go off. The objective of the siren is to wake everyone so that they can take appropriate action.

We also install smoke detectors that can be attached to our control panel. Therefore, if a smoke detector goes off and no one is home, a fire signal is still sent to us. We will then be able to dispatch the fire trucks. Fires can spread quickly, timing is everything. With regard to an intrusion system, each home is different. We can accommodate whatever the customer wants. In any case we give the customer recommendations and options which allow them to make an intelligent decision.

If you read the police statistics, most break-ins occur through doors or through unlocked windows. Some basement windows are very easy to kick in and then unlock. Our approach is to alarm every door that leads to the outside and into the garage. If the burglar attempts to come through the door, the alarm goes off and the intruder usually leaves quickly.

Today, windows are double-paned and have two locks. i can tell you that 50% of the homes I survey for potential customers, I will identify an unlocked window. If the intruder comes through an unlocked window, we can identify them with motion detectors. I usually recommend one motion facing the stairs leading to the 2nd floor and one in the rear of the house. If appropriate, I sometimes recommend a motion detector
for the basement.

As for your renovation project, we recommend that you contact a security company early enough so that they can coordinate their work with the other trade partners involved in your project. At Choice, we usually install after the electrician and the plumber and before the drywall goes up. If that doesn't happen, there is enough wireless equipment
that we can utilize.

Before responding directly to the question, let's look at it from a different perspective. Could you save money by taking your own food to a restaurant and requesting that the chef prepare it for you? Or, could you save by taking mail ordered auto parts to the car dealership and asking their mechanic to install them? Well, actually, you'd likely consider those scenarios laughable, but you're not at all alone in wondering about your remodeling project.

To answer your question as straightforwardly as possible, based on industry experience, there would be little to no savings on the overall expense of your project by supplying your own materials. There are various reasons for this, as described below. However…that does not mean you shouldn't be involved in the selection process! By all means, you need to make informed decisions about what you want, because you'll be living with those decisions for years to come.

Plumbing professionals have historically done an outstanding job of connecting the links between them, the homeowner and their suppliers to provide the best quality products in the most efficient way. Do they make a profit in that process? Yes, but it's well-earned, and in the long run, it's minimal. They assume many responsibilities in that process, such as proper sizing, integration with existing systems, order scheduling, and most importantly, product warranties. They don't warrant something they haven't sold, and in the case of water-bearing products, warranties are EXTREMELY important!

So, in this age of Internet shopping, mass retailers, big-box home centers and buying clubs, you may find what you believe to be better deals on job materials, but in the long run, you'll save money and time by scheduling a visit to a local, professional showroom, and then letting your contractor take it from there.

Hajoca Corporation's Kitchen & Bath Showroom on the Fruitville Pike has been serving this community for decades, and though Hajoca recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, their showroom is cutting-edge for today's discretionary consumer. Work with professionals, save yourself the headache, then go out and enjoy a delicious, chef-prepared dinner!