The list sits prominently on your fridge. “TO DO: 7 Home Improvement Projects”
We all have a list of things we want to do to make our homes look and work the way we want. After months of procrastination, you’re finally going to tackle the list…woohoo! Then, while walking the dog you notice paint chipping above your bedroom window. Hmm, never noticed that before.
A leak in the gutter creates a pool on your front steps every rainstorm…and that constant drip-drip-drip from the bathroom is keeping you awake.
Your list just grew to 10. You may not have the time or funds to do them all. So where do you start?
Let us help you prioritize. First, it’s important to know which tasks are nice-to-have cosmetic changes and which problems are either a safety concern or can cause further damage to your house. From an insurance perspective you want to tackle those items that pose a risk to you and your guests, while avoiding damage to your house. With a little planning, a quick run to the hardware store and some elbow grease, you should be able to check these five off the list. They could save you in the long run.
As always be safe, follow directions and if you doubt your ability to complete the job be sure to hire a professional. Checking items off the To Do list can be more than satisfying – it may keep you, your guests and your property in tact.
Bids in Texas | Texas Bid Network provides construction bids and government bids for Texas projects – Bid Opportunities
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Partial Kitchen Renovation – Coffield Unit
The following is general information and may not always be entirely accurate or complete. Bidders MUST ensure that they have the latest and most complete information from the soliciting entity before submitting a bid.
Bid Date & Time: 05/16/18 2:00 PM
Prebid: Prebid Mandatory: yes
Solicitation Title: Partial Kitchen Renovation – Coffield Unit
Scope: The project consists of removing existing kitchen equipment and approx. 1,000 SF of existing brick pavers. Repair all damaged substrate and install new multiple-layer, antimicrobial, non-slip cementitious urethane floor coating system; then reinstall kitchen equipment.
Notes: A mandatory Pre-Bid Conference will be held at 02:00 PM on April 25, 2018 at the Coffield Unit, 2661 FM 2054, Tennessee Colony, Texas, followed by a site-visit. HUB: 36.9%.
Plans: From Owner, at a cost of $60.00 (Sixty Dollars). non-refundable per set, inclusive of mailing/delivery costs, or they may be viewed at various plan rooms. See attached bid ad.
Bond: 5% bid bond
Owner Type: Public
Buyer: Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
Address: PO Box 99 861 B IH 45 North, 2 Financial Plaza, Suite 525
City: Huntsville
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 77340-0099
TEL: 936-295-6371
FAX: 325-223-0310
Website:http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us
Contact: Pauline Hester
TEL: 936-437-7021
FAX: 325-223-0310
Bid Pkg Source: Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice
Address: PO Box 99 861 B IH 45 North, 2 Financial Plaza, Suite 525
City: Huntsville
State: TX
Zip/Postal Code: 77340-0099
TEL: 936-295-6371
FAX: 325-223-0310
Website:http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us
Contact: Pauline Hester
TEL: 936-437-7021
FAX: 325-223-0310
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Mom Power: ‘Home Improvement’s’ Jill Taylor Is The Best Sitcom Mom Of All Time
2017 Was The Year Hulu Won Me Over
Brett White’s Top 10 Of 2017
Dave Holmes Revisits The Top 20 TV Shows Of Christmas 1991
With the revival dominating headlines and ratings, we’d all be crazy not to expect more new seasons of old shows in the future. Considering Roseanne’s specific record-breaking success, ABC has to be eyeing their other blue collar, mega-blockbuster ’90s sitcom starring an outspoken Hollywood conservative: . The show’s leading man Tim Allenhas expressed interest in strapping on a tool belt again, and the time sure does seem right, doesn’t it? If ABC is looking to hold Middle America’s attention, pairing the Conners and the Taylors again wouldn’t be a bad idea.
That’s why I want to get ahead of the curve on this one and make sure everyone remembers what Home Improvement was actually about. When people look back on Home Improvement, they hear a muffled grunt and the musky smell of sweat and leather wafts out from their memory cave. You remember “more power” and the Man’s Bathroom and head trauma, and you probably write off the show as a cyclical family sitcom running through all the same plots. As a kid, I watched every single episode as it aired from the comfort of a UT Vols beanbag chair and that was mainly my takeaway. Then earlier this year I binged all 204 episodes of Home Improvementon Hulu in just over a month and I realized that the show is not just the grunt-fest tool-a-palooza I remember it being. If ABC wants to bring back Home Improvement, it has to remember that Home Improvement was one massive indictment on toxic masculinity.
Think about the formula of pretty much every single episode of Home Improvement: a problem arises either at work or at home, Tim makes it worse by recklessly dumping gasoline on it, he gets advice from his cultured next-door neighbor Wilson, and then Tim fixes the problem by using his newfound knowledge (or at least his garbled but well-intentioned take on it). “More power” may be Tim’s slogan, but it was never the solution. That slogan blew up a dishwasher, turned the washing machine into a mechanical bull, and routinely sent Tim to the hospital. Tim’s machismo always blows up in his face, literally.
That’s pretty clear, isn’t it? But we don’t see it that way because Tim is the lead character, the guy we’re supposed to root for. When he shoots a grill into orbit, it’s rightfully played as a laugh and not as a red flag. But Home Improvement was more than just a live-action Looney Tunes with power tools. In addition to showing how unchecked masculinity can cause emotional/property damage, the show gave us examples of totally different types of masculinity.
Sure, Tim’s sensitive, flannel-clad sidekick Al Borland (Richard Karn) is the butt of every joke. But even though he’s constantly dragged by Tim, the show regularly reminds us that Al is way more popular. Viewers love him, women love him (even if he’s nervous around them), and he knows way more about home repair than Tim. He’d have to in order to survive the exploding pumpkins and powered-up stilts Tim brings into the workroom. Al is unquestionably masculine, but his definition of what it means to be a man is not so limited.
And then there’s Wilson (Earl Hindman), the neighbor with an entire liberal arts college in his partially-obstructed noggin. Wilson is also an outdoorsy guy, except he can name more ancient philosophers than Detroit Lions players. Tim regularly confides in him, listens to him, and takes those life lessons to heart. Tim may act like he thinks Al is lame and Wilson is weird, but the show treats their depiction of masculinity as way healthier than Tim “got his forehead stuck to a table” Taylor.
But all that wouldn’t mean as much if the show didn’t also have a strong, commanding feminine presence that more than holds her own. Jill (Patricia Richardson) is the best sitcom mom of all time, and the fact that Home Improvement didn’t pair steamrolling Tim with a naysaying pushover speaks volumes. The show, which had a lot of women in the writers room BTW, created a TV wife and mother that was funny, tough, caring, career-driven, nurturing, and flawed on top of all of that. The show gave ’90s moms like my own a real stand-in, a mom that existed in-between the brash Roseanne Conner and the terminally cheerful Carol Brady. It’s surprising to say, but Home Improvement was not only concerned with showing varied kinds of masculinity, it depicted a femininity that was way sturdier than anything Tim built (except the hot rod, which somehow did not explode!).
Home Improvement was never a political show, not like Roseanne. Instead of getting into topical issues, though, Home Improvement got to something more guttural: how we treat each other and–to get all Wilson-y–ourselves. At least half, probably more, of Home Improvement’s episodes are about the give and take of Jill and Tim’s marriage. She wants the kids to develop a relationship with the ballet, but Tim wants to take them to a basketball game. Jill wants a romantic dinner, but it’s the same night as a big game. Tim’s psyched for his Super Bowl party, and then Jill gets super sick. And then there are the episodes about Tim coping with the death of his surrogate father Mr. Binford, or his mom selling their childhood home, or his son potentially having cancer. In all of those episodes, Tim learned how his stereotypically dudely leanings got in the way of his real relationships and his own mental, emotional health. The show’s testosterone trappings provided for a lot of hilarious bits (Tim drove a tank through a golf course, remember?), but that raucous comedy coexisted with a consistent examination and, fingers-crossed, broadening of what it means to be a man.
Courtesy Everett Collection
That’s a show we need right now. If we can get that Tim Taylor back, bring him back. Because the Tim Taylor on the original show was not “politically correct” and he wasn’t a “snowflake,” sure, but he was also open-minded enough to listen to those around him–well, only if you were standing behind fence. Yeah, Tim had a blast making a mess of Tool Time in every episode, but he also learned something new every week, mostly learning to look past himself and see the world from another point-of-view. That right there, that’s a valuable tool to have.
Put your money to good use when improving your home – to prepare to sell or not – with these projects with the highest return on investment (ROI). Home renovations can be very expensive so it is wise to keep resale value in mind.
New entry door
The face of your home… improving your door is easy, not that expensive, provides a new fresh look and pays off big with 90-100% ROI
Installing a fireplace
A fireplace is something that many buyers long for in a home. Adding one adds value, atmosphere, and warmth. Estimated ROI 91%
Replacing exterior siding
Not a very exciting project but it goes very far in putting a fresh and updated look to your home. Nothing speaks “expense” to a buyer like a house that needs painting or residing. Estimated ROI 80%
Replace garage door
Sometimes these face the street and are very noticeable and sometimes not. Either way, garage doors are an integral part of our daily lives and ones that works well and looks great will add value. Estimated ROI 90%
Adding attic insulation
Another not-so-exciting one. However, this improvement can get a return on investment of up to 116% in addition to saving energy costs on an ongoing basis. Because this improvement is not readily visible, make sure you let buyers know about it when you sell your home.
Often, the items that return the most are not the big-ticket items like luxury kitchen and baths. It is hard to re-coup costs of adding a $25,000 bathroom or a $50,000 kitchen remodel. But, a $1200 shiny new efficient entry door or $1600 new garage door pay off big in making your home seem brand new with a lower cost that is easier to recoup upon selling.
Have a question? Ask your First Weber agent
First Weber agents are in and out of homes every day and can help you with suggestions on how to improve your home in the smartest way. Take advantage of their knowledge in the neighborhoods and invite them over to talk home value/home improvements buyers like.
Ask your First Weber Agent
First Weber sells real estate throughout Wisconsin: Metro Milwaukee and Southeastern WI, South Central Wisconsin/Greater Madison, Southwest Wisconsin, Western WI, Central Wisconsin, Northeast Wisconsin and Wisconsin’s great Northwoods. You can start searching for Wisconsin real estate and Wisconsin real estate agents at firstweber.com
From eye-catching tilework to impressive slabs of marble, this collection of some of our favorite backsplashes will help inspire your next remodel.
In the kitchen, copper-colored stainless steel tiles from TileBar create a glowing backsplash. The cabinetry is by IKEA, the countertop is Caesarstone, and the induction cooktop is by Bosch.
The stools are from Crate & Barrel. The Hobsons chose a geometric-patterned glass tile backsplash by Island Stone. Induction cooktop and oven are by Bosch.
In total, the renovation was completed for around $35,000.
The showstopping material elements are the Borghini honed marble countertop and backsplash by Ann Sacks. Hasami porcelain vessels line the open shelving.
In the bathroom, a custom ceramic backsplash designed by Meredith and Sample joins an iroko-wood tub created by their students a the University of Toronto.
Sasha samples berries at the island while Wes, perched on the counter next to Deborah, clutches the whipped cream—similar in color to the backsplash, made of traditional Moroccan tiles and available through Emory & Cie.
Butler’s pantry with herringbone backsplash
Heath Ceramics hex tile backsplash and counter with copper edge
We had the stone counter and backsplash cut from the same slab of Vermont marble, achieving a continuous graphic pattern.
The metal backsplash and drawer pulls were fabricated by 12th Avenue Iron; the cooktop is by Miele.
In this California home, a red mosaic tiled backsplash balances the lower white marble counter.
Rendered in sharp blue, the timeless motif of Greek Key is used as this kitchen’s backsplash.
Kitchen Sink with J Schatz Platinum Formations Tile Backsplash and Brutal Coffeemaker
The pendants over the kitchen island are from Cisco Home; the bar chairs are by Studio One for Lost & Found. The patterned concrete tile floor is from Mission Tile West, as is the mirrored backsplash (above), which was originally meant for the living room fireplace. “I think we over-ordered,” Lena recalls. “So I said, ‘Let’s do a disco backsplash.’ It just needs to make you smile, and I think it does.”
Fresh white kitchen with warm wood wrapped island, black cabinet pulls and Dwell patterns Heath tile backsplash .
A backsplash laid out in a herringbone pattern adds a subtle layer of texture while pendant lighting adds depth.
Fireclay Tile in a classic subway pattern goes beyond the standard 18″ H backsplash raising the ceiling visually.
Detail of natural stone backsplash by Decorative Materials Inc. High gloss white cabinets by Vogo.
To complement the white-washed custom cabinetry in her kitchen, architect Julie Salles Schaffer has designed a tile backsplash to resemble “melting butter in a white pan”. Daltile arranged her two-color AutoCAD design—white and off-white—onto a mesh backing for a small fee. To soften the edges of the cabinets’ drawers and doors, Schaffer requested radial edging.
Hand-made Moroccan tile backsplash by Mosaic House with contrasting niche; custom kitchen cabinets designed by MIRIAM BIOLEK Interior Design with Bendheim’s mouth-blown glass inserts.
In this urban townhouse, a Zodiaq® London Sky countertop wraps the wall behind it to become the backsplash, providing a polished backdrop for design details and vignettes. Its muted color complements dark wood cabinets and rich, metallic accents.
The Ferry Building shop displays seasonal goods as well as items from some of Heath’s most popular collections. The top shelf here features serve bowls, platters, modern cups, bud vases, and a pitcher from this year’s Summer line in aqua/zest and ocean pacific. Heath worked with chef Alice Waters and designer Christina Kim to create the Chez Panisse line, named after the famed Berkeley restaurant, which is seen here on the second shelf: side bowls, mugs, and café bowls in Jicama, Cardoon, and Forrest. The backsplash is Heath dual glaze tile.
Owners Kirsten and Lloyd chose a muted mosaic tile from Modwalls to cover the backsplash and back wall of the kitchen. New cork floors from House + Earth give a nice feel underfoot. Perforated chrome lights from Rejuvenation under the bar soffit enhance the mid-century vibe.
Serious problems can pop up around your home without much warning — some of which can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Fortunately, you can prevent the majority of these household calamities by recognizing their warning signs. Here are three signs of impending disaster that you can’t afford to miss:
A FLAILING FURNACE
Unpleasant sounds and reduced energy efficiency point toward a potentially disastrous furnace problem. In many cases, furnace issues are caused by an old or clogged air filter. Forgetting to change your furnace filter can seriously damage your furnace and threaten the safety of your home. Dirty filters restrict your furnace’s airflow and reduce its energy efficiency. This will result in higher utility bills and additional strain on your unit. An overworked furnace can also experience mechanical failures. In extreme cases, furnace defects can cause gas and carbon monoxide leaks.
Update your filter if you notice the signs of a furnace problem. Most furnace professionals recommend changing your filter once a month — especially during seasons that require constant HVAC activity. The cost of a replacement will differ according to the filter’s effectiveness. Bargain- priced models come in convenient multipacks but lack sufficient filtering capabilities. Washable filters — while more expensive than disposable models — are reusable for several years and provide excellent protection against dirt, dander and other airborne irritants.
HomeAway.com, most summer rental homes are booked April 1. Which means it’s time to start planning.
Lucky for Illinoisans, we needn’t travel far to find gorgeous scenery (hello, Great Lakes). Here are 10 lakeside homes for rent in locales worthy of your summer vacation.
