Visited Montreal, Canada This Weekend

By Mark J. Donovan

I had a chance to spend the weekend up in Canada this weekend. I based myself in Montreal, but spent much of Saturday up at Mont Tremblant Ski Resort area checking out homes and the scenery. What a beautiful place. It was like being in the European Alps.

I also had a chance to spend two evenings in old Montreal and see the Notre Dame Cathederal and other tourist attractions.

Suffice it to say, what a beautiful city and great people. I was shocked when a Metro worker came out from behind his glass window information office to spend 10 minutes talking with us. He gave us detailed directions and made recommendations on what to see in Montreal.

Above is a picture looking over at the ski resort of Mont Tremlant in Quebec, Canada.

Leading Indicator of Home Remodeling Activity Shows Hope - Maybe

The American Dream of Owning a Home, and Caring for it, Appears to be Fading

Mark J. Donovan

Last month Harvard’s “Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint center for Housing Studies” reported that home remodeling spending is expected to accelerate in early 2011. This is based on its “Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity”, also known as LIRA. However the report is quick to state “absent a reversal of recent economic progress”.

I’m not so sure that there has been any real economic progress, at least at the homeowner and consumer level. Certainly corporations showed some positive quarterly reports earlier this year, but the ability for them to sustain those positive earnings are now coming into question. But in terms of unemployment, at 9.5% officially and 20% unofficially, homeowners and consumers have yet to see any economic bullish times.

Reviewing the LIRA historical data table linked in the report (Home Remodeling Spending Report) it is astounding to see that homeowner improvement spending has declined from 3Q2007 through 1Q2010 in every quarter, and is expected to continue to fall until 4Q2010. Based on new economic data since this July report, it may be even longer before there is finally an uptick in homeowner improvement spending.

The data further suggests that homeowner improvement spending peaked at $146.2B in 2Q2007, and is expected to fall to $107.7B by 3Q2010. That represents a 36% decline in homeowner improvement spending. This fact is both shocking and not surprising. Not surprising that homeowner spending dropped, but shocking by how much. The home has been historically the quintessential American dream. Based on a combination of economic conditions and possibly a new view of owning a home, it appears that the home is no longer a special commodity in the hearts of Americans.

Managing Home Remodeling Costs

By Mark J. Donovan

When managing a major home remodeling project, trying to keep track of multiple contractor material lists can be nearly impossible. In addition, trying to use multiple paper copy cost breakdown lists to manage overal home remodeling project costs is impossible.

By organizing all of the material and labor costs in one home construction Excel spreadsheet file you can more easily manage your home remodeling costs. Check out my home remodeling bid sheets and their associated material / labor Excel spreadsheet forms to learn how you can more accuratlely manage your home remodeling construction costs.

Wood Flooring Installation Checklist

By Mark J. Donovan

I just released my lastest new bid sheet / checklist, the "Wood Flooring Installation Bid Sheet". The Wood flooring installation Bid Sheet provides a 100 question "Request for Quote" section for soliciting wood flooring installation contractor bids. It also includes information on wood flooring material and labor costs and time intervals for completing work. Lastly, it includes a homeowners section on how to interpret hardwood floor installation contractor responses to the "Request for Quote" section, so that the right wood flooring installation professional is hired.

Learn how to find the real wood flooring installation professionals who know all the trade secrets in achieving a beautiful wood floor installation and finish that will hold up for decades to come. Steer clear of an expensive learning lesson and disappointment. Order my Wood Flooring Installation Checklist / Bid Sheet today and learn how to avoid wood flooring installation disasters.

Foam Based Sealant for Closing Joints and Cracks

Owens Corning Announces New Foam Insulation Sealant to Complement its Batt Insulation Products

Mark J. Donovan

The new foam insulation sealant from Owens Corning is part of its EnergyCompleteTM insulation product line. The foam sealant is a low expanding air infiltration barrier product that utilizes a flexible seal technology that makes it ideal for using around doors and windows, as well as in sheathing joints and cracks. It is also ideal around duct work and construction joints.

Using a portable sprayer, it is easily applied and foams in places. In addition, it does not require the use of a mask or full body protection when applying it. Also, because of its low expansion level it is ideal to use around doors and windows.

The foam based sealant sets up in less than 30 minutes. Once fully set, batt insulation can then be installed over or adjacent to it.

Insulating with rolled or batt insulation around doors and windows and in construction seams is slow and ineffective in many cases. Using a foam sealant such as this product can save time and insulation installation costs, as well as make for a better insulated home.