Getting Into Hot Water, The Right Way

Summer’s inching its way closer, folks. And this last weekend, I kept hearing one thing over and over again: I want a hot tub. Seems like everybody wants one this season.

Most people like hot tubs. Some people love them — and what’s not to love? What better place to relax after a hard day’s work?

As a contractor, there have been days when I could really use one. But when it comes to installing a hot tub, it’s too easy to end up in hot water.

Most of us get caught up in all the fun hot tubs bring — the drinks, the friends, the good times. We forget about the work that needs to go into properly installing and maintaining one.

Whether you’re buying a new hot tub, a used one, or even if someone gives you one, you’re go-ing to spend money. People forget about installation costs. And how much that will be depends on how much you plan ahead.

Before getting one, you need to ask yourself if there’s enough space to safely install and support a hot tub on your property. Is the space accessible? What’s going to support the tub? Do you need to build a deck? Do you need to re-inforce your deck? Will you need permits? Do you need to bring in an electrician? A plumber? An en-gineer or architect?

I’ve heard some homeowners say they want an indoor hot tub. I don’t recommend this. Why not? Think about it. What’s your home’s No. 1 enemy? Water. Not only do hot tubs have water, they have hot water. That means a lot of vapour and moisture. It’s too easy for this moisture to get into the structure of your home. It’s an open invitation for mould.

That’s why you want to keep them outdoors. Installing a hot tub outside is also cheaper. But that doesn’t mean you’re not going to spend money. You’ll need to bring in skilled tradespeople to build the proper concrete foundation, build stable footings and do some electrical work.

For example, you’ll need a licensed electrician to install and wire a dedicated GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) — and it must be dedicated. How far it needs to be from the tub depends on the province you live in. In most cases it’s a minimum of 1.5 metres. But you need to double-check the provincial codes.

An electrician might also need to trench a PVC conduit from the junction box and install a dedicated 30-50 AMP main breaker box — if there isn’t one already. A real pro will also make sure the shut-off or means to disconnect is outside and close to the tub. Why? So it’s accessible in case you need someone to check it out when no one’s home.

Hot tubs are also heavy. Add water and people and you’ve got a major load — about 5,000 pounds. Homeowners need to make sure the right structures are in place to properly support this weight. Do you need to build a deck? If you have a deck, is it strong enough? How strong does it have to be? The best way to figure this out is by bringing in the pros.

Professionals such as a structural engineer or architect can tell you the load capacity per square foot of a supporting structure, like a deck. They can also make the appropriate designs for reinforcing these structures so they can han-dle this kind of load.

Professionals are an absolute must when you’re installing a hot tub on a pre-existing deck. Why? Because without the right structural upgrades, the chance of a deck collapsing under the weight of a hot tub is 99.99 per cent. People can get seriously hurt or worse.

If you’re installing a hot tub on a pre-existing deck without professional help, you’re asking for trouble. Don’t become a headline.

Nine times out of 10, you’re going to have to make structural changes. In most cases, you’re also going to need proper permits. And again, this changes depending on the province and municipality in which you live.

For example, in Ontario, hot tubs fall under the “new structure, addition or renovation” category. That means permits need to be applied for and approved by a city’s municipality before any work can start. If codes aren’t followed, a homeowner risks being forced to remove the hot tub, making the entire project a waste of time and money.

Getting a hot tub is fun but it’s a big project. Buying the tub is only the first step — and it’s usually the easiest. Installation is whole other ball game.

You need to know what you’re getting into before jumping in. That’s why for most homeowners, hiring a contractor experienced in hot tub installations is the smartest choice.

The right contractor will bring in the right professionals. They’ll make sure everything from the footings to the electrical work is done right the first time. So all you have to do is sit back and relax. As far as I’m concerned, that’s money well spent.

Catch Mike in his new series, Best of Holmes on Homes, Tuesdays on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

Read more: http://www.leaderpost.com/Getting+into+water+right/6800096/story.html#ixzz1ypGalle3

Steven Giffin
REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty
902.233.7756 Mobile
902.482.5832 Fax
stevengiffin.kwrealty.com

            

How To Beat The Heat And Save 25% On Energy Bills

Things are heating up, folks.

Most of us love the warmer weather. We count down the days until we can say, “Man, is it hot.” But as soon as the temperature rises, a lot of us crank our air conditioners into overdrive.

If you can’t take the heat, there are different ways to keep your home cool over the summer. Not only do they work, but they’re easy on the wallet and the environment — I love it when that happens.

Keeping blinds and curtains closed during the day helps. I encourage everyone to do this. But a lot of heat can get trapped between the blinds and the window. And once the heat is already in your home, cooling things down is an uphill battle. Most homeowners treat the effects of heat. The smart ones stop them before they start.

You want to stop the heat before it enters your home. Otherwise, half the battle of beating the heat is already lost — before it’s even started. And since the problem starts in nature, let’s look to nature to solve it.

How do we stay cool when we’re outside? We look for tree shade.

Just how trees keep us cool outside, they can help keep us cool inside, too. They provide a natural way to block the higher temperatures from entering our homes. If you’re thinking of landscaping, plant a few extra trees around your house. But don’t plant them near the house itself. The extra foliage will direct water and precipitation to your home’s exterior and roof. This wears down exterior finishes and is an open invitation to leaks.

Another way to block the heat and create shade is with an awning. These exterior coverings extend from the tops of windows. They’re like visors for your home. Some homes even have a large one that extends across one side of the house — the side that gets the most sun — usually over a patio.

Awnings are an old school solution that works. They reduce heat gain by about 55% to 77%. They also block UV rays that can damage floors, furniture and finishes. In certain climates, awnings have proved their worth — saving homeowners as much as 25% on their energy bills.

Some awnings are retractable. These are good because they let heat and light come in during the winter. Others are stationary and have to be taken down before the colder weather sets in again.

You need to install an awning the proper way. Do it wrong and it can cause a lot of damage. If it falls, it can pull the siding off your home and damage the exterior — not to mention the risks of it falling on someone. Just like everything else, you want to get the right pro for the job.

If you’re interested in awnings, contact a company that specializes in them. They’ll be able to recommend the right length, width and material depending on your home’s specific needs. And they’ll install it the right way. Their employees should have experience working with these units. Some companies even certify their installers in-house. This makes sure they know what they’re doing before they show up at your home.

Another way to keep your home cool is insulation. Most people think insulation only helps keep our homes warm during the winter. But it actually keeps the interior temperature at a comfortable, constant level. So it keeps homes cool in the summer, too.

If your air conditioning is always working, and your energy bills keep rising, your home could need insulation. A good home inspection will tell you if you’re missing insulation. Make sure the inspector you hire uses a thermal imaging camera and is certified in thermography. Otherwise, the inspection could be worthless.

Summer is a really good time to do this. It gives us that crucial temperature difference we need to do thermal imaging the right way. If the inspector knows what they’re doing, they’ll be able to see heat spots along surfaces where insulation is missing.

Air conditioners are still the crowd favourite for keeping cool. But we want to minimize our air conditioning usage and make it work as efficiently as possible. To achieve this, the outdoor unit must be clear of any leaves, dust and debris. Also, clean the filter every month. And if you can, keep the outdoor unit in the shade. This will increase its efficiency by 5% to 10%.

If you’ve had the same air conditioner for more than 10 years, consider replacing it. Older air conditioners use 30% to 70% more electricity than energy-efficient models. They can also corrode or rust. When that happens, harmful refrigerants like Freon can enter the environment. Why is this bad? Because most refrigerants deplete the ozone layer. This increases global warming.

Incorporating different cooling solutions is smart. We decrease our energy consumption, we decrease global warming, we make our homes work for us — and we save money in the process. Everyone wins when we care.

http://goo.gl/wHcDj

Steven Giffin
REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty
902.233.7756 Mobile
902.482.5832 Fax
stevengiffin.kwrealty.com

            

Ensure Your House Is Vacation Ready

As summer draws near, many Canadians plan extended visits to the family cabin or vacations in distant locations. The excitement of an impending trip can be distracting, but it is important to remember that several steps must be taken to ensure your home is vacation ready.

“Summer vacations are a great way to relax with family, friends, and loved ones,” says Wade Webb, a broker with Royal LePage Kelowna, “but returning from vacation could be far from relaxing if you leave without preparing your home for your absence.”

To set your mind at ease and enjoy your vacation to the fullest, Webb recommends these three home preparation tips:

. Unplug all non-essential electronics and appliances. Appliances and electronic devices left plugged in will continue to drain energy, even when not in use. Why add unnecessary costs to your energy bills? Any electrical appliance that is left plugged in also has the potential to cause a fire.

. Ask a trusted neighbour to check on your house. If you are away for an extended period of time, it helps to know that a reliable person will keep an eye on your home. Any-thing suspicious can be reported to the local police or brought to your attention. A house-sitter can give the appearance of an occupied home, deterring potential burglars – and they can also take care of your pets and plants.

. Cancel the newspaper delivery. No matter how reliable your neighbour is, a pile of newspapers at your doorway is a sure sign of your absence. Call your local newspaper provider to cancel service for the duration of your vacation. Most publishers will be happy to help you resume your service when you return.

http://goo.gl/Zf4J8

Steven Giffin

REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty

902.233.7756 Mobile

902.482.5832 Fax

stevengiffin.kwrealty.com

            

Lessons Learned From A Year As A Home Owner

By Krystal Yee.

A  year ago, I made the biggest financial decision of my life and bought a home. Although it hasn’t always been easy, I am still extremely happy with my purchase.

Here are a few lessons I’ve learned:

1. Buy for less than you can afford
When I first started my home search, I knew that the bank would approve me for more than I was comfortable spending. I was pre-approved for close to $300,000,  but decided to cap my mortgage at $250,000, because no matter how stable you might think your life is, things can change.

When faced with the choice between a one-bedroom townhouse, and a  two-bedroom option. I ended up buying the  one-bedroom option because it freed up more money to put towards other things.

I ended up with a $238,000  mortgage, which meant my monthly payments are just under $1,100. I   increased my payments by 20 per cent, and opted for a bi-weekly schedule. Had I chosen a more expensive home, I wouldn’t be able to save for retirement or quit my full-time job to start a freelancing career.

Related: 1st time homebuyers share their lessons

2. Save for home improvement projects 
It can be so tempting to head to Home Depot or IKEA and go on a home improvement and decorating shopping spree. But  if you haven’t set aside the money, it’s better to hold off until you can afford to pay for your purchases in cash. Once you’ve made a list of what changes you want to make to your home, and the approximate cost, make sure to save an extra 10 or 15 per cent because you’re bound to spend more than you think you will.

Before I purchased my home, I had saved  approximately $4,500 for home improvement projects. I ended up blowing my budget by spending more than $5,000 for new floors, paint, decorations, and furniture. And there’s much more I want to do. However, instead of dipping into savings, I plan to set aside extra money for the additional renovations.

3. Buying is for the long-term 
If you don’t know where you will be in a couple of years, or if your financial situation might change drastically, home ownership might not be right for you. In today’s real estate market, you might need to stay put in your home for at least four or five years – maybe even more – just to break even. So for that reason, it is extremely important to evaluate where you think you will be in the next five years, as well as whether your home will still be functional for your lifestyle within that time frame.

When I bought my home, I had no idea that, eight months later, I would be presented with the opportunity to move overseas. I consider myself  lucky that my mortgage payments are small enough that I was able to afford to take that opportunity to move to Germany for seven months.

4. Have all your finances in order 
Before you even start looking at homes, you should be working to get your finances in order. This includes taking into consideration your work history (many lenders look at an average of the past two to three years of income), credit history, and cash savings. You might not think those late payments to your credit card company were a big deal, but the cleaner your overall financial history is, the better chance you will have at snagging the best interest rate possible on your mortgage.

I started thinking about becoming a homeowner six years before I closed on my townhouse. In that time, I eliminated all of my debt, saved for a down payment, created an emergency fund, and tucked money aside for closing costs, moving expenses, renovations, and furniture.

Doing my research and making sure I had enough money to cover every expense made my home buying experience a lot less stressful.

5. Be friendly with the neighbours 
You might be annoyed with your neighbour’s loud sound system, or the fact that their cats are always on your porch, but it’s in your best interest to be friendly. You never know when you’ll need someone to pick up the  mail when you’re out of town, watch your pet for a few days, or water your garden.

Related: The true cost of home ownership? Ouch!

What were the biggest lessons you learned during your first year of home ownership? 

http://goo.gl/jSxYC

Steven Giffin

REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty 

902.233.7756 Mobile

902.482.5832 Fax

stevengiffin.kwrealty.com

            

Fix It or List It?

A majority of Canadians (83%) would rather renovate their homes than find a new place to live if their current home needed major work, according to the 19th Annual RBC Homeownership Poll.

Reasons for renovating ranged from wanting to make their home more attractive (66%), increasing the value (46%) and maintaining or repairing their home (39%). Four-in-ten Canadians (39%) said that they want to renovate to increase energy efficiency.

“Canadians are more likely to customize their homes based on their personal preferences rather than buying new. Setting a strict budget can help you stay on track,” said Richard Goyder, vice-president of Personal Lending at RBC.

“You can live in a home that you love without breaking the bank, as long as you have a prudent plan for financing your project.”

The rooms that typically add the most value to a house — bathrooms and kitchens – were the top home improvement projects on the minds of Canadians, tied at 43%, while 33% plan to renovate their basement. Almost half of respondents (46%) plan to do much of the work themselves, compared to 42% who expect to hire a contractor for their renovations — up five percentage points from 37% in 2010.

When asked about their renovation budget, more than three-quarters of Canadians (78%) estimated they would spend less than $10,000 on their renovations.

The majority of renovators (71%) said they would mostly finance these projects with cash or savings, while lines of credit (15%), home equity refinancing (13%), credit cards (10%) and personal loans (4%) trailed well behind.

“Your renovation checklist should include talking to a financial expert to assess all of your financing options,” advised Goyder.

http://goo.gl/s5QZm

Steven Giffin

REALTOR® with Keller Williams Realty

902.233.7756 Mobile

902.482.5832 Fax

stevengiffin.kwrealty.com