Home Improvement of RI

Finding a qualified Roofing company

When having a new roof replaced it's something you know you need but sometimes take for granted. Choosing a roofing company to replace your roof in Rhode Island is not the easiest task. Here is a check list and tips that will help you and your home when it comes time to replace the roof.

- Don't wait until you absolutely need a roof. Try to contact a roofing company in the off season when it's not raining or snowing. If you find out your roof has a leak, it can be a mess to have a roof completed during bad weather.

- Always compare different prices for your roof. Don't make the mistake of choosing the least expensive company, make sure the products and services you are looking into are all created equally.

- Ask to see projects that the roofing company has completed in your area. Pictures are great but being able to drive by someone's house who lives close by really gives you an idea of the service you will be receiving.

- Speak with the roofing company about what time of material he think would work best for your house. After all, he is the professional and if he can answer you honestly it should generate a great relationship between the both of you.

- Make sure you go over how long the roof will be off your house, how long the project will take to complete and how long their equipment will be on your property.

- Warranties aren't always as clear as you think. Make sure you know who will be coming out if there is a problem with the roof and if the service is completely free or not.

Is it time for you to replace a roof? Are you looking for a roofing company in Rhode Island? We've got you covered.

Joe Russo
www.homeimprovementri.com
401-588-9358

The 2011 home show is almost here! It's hard to believe it was just last year that we attended the show. This year we have four different companies who will be attending the show - ranging from windows to roofing to remodeling. We will update you with pictures and information as soon as the show is over. We will also post tips and tricks to get the most out of your home show experience next week.

Okay, but enough of our updates, here is the information for this years home show. Also, provided is a link so you can check out specific information and details about the show.

John Rossi
Home Improvement of RI

We are constantly looking for new ways to match home owners with pre-screened, qualified contractors. Unfortunately, Rhode Island is filled with thousands and thousands of home improvement companies and contractors. So we decided to start another free service for Rhode Island home owners to use. 

Meet HomeImprovementRIcontractors.com. This is a listing of qualified home improvement companies and contractors in Rhode Island. In order for a company to be listed on our new website they must have been in business for over 5 years, be licensed, insured, have no compliments with the BBB and have extremely competitive prices.

If you are interested in home improvement you can visit the website here or you can always have us match you with companies for free by visiting www.homeimprovementri.com.

John Rossi
Home Improvement RI

Understanding Home Improvement Projects

Whenever you take on a new home improvement project, you should look at two factors: the look and durability of the product. If you have replacement windows installed, they should be energy efficient, but durable and easy to clean, too. If you have vinyl siding installed, it should look good and also have a long lifetime expectancy.

Tax Credit for Home Improvement Projects

As of February 17th, 2009, a tax credit policy was enacted which included replacement windows on home improvement projects.

Delay of the EPA Lead Paint Fines


Last week the U.S. Senate voted 60-37 to approve a bill that will prevent home improvement contractors from being fined for not complying with the new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule on lead paint. 

The bill, which was sponsored by Sens. James Inhofe, R-Okla., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, passed last Thursday with the support of all of the Senate's Republicans who were present, with opposition from 36 Democrats and one Independent. The law blocks funds in a supplemental appropriations bill from being used to levy fines or "hold any person liable for construction or renovation work performed by a person." 

The bill's passage is a sign that "there is bipartisan concern about the disastrous implementation of EPA's lead-based paint rule," Inhofe said.

The senator also called on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to hold a hearing on the rule. The EPA's Lead Renovation Repair and Painting Rule, which went into effect April 22, requires that renovations of homes built before 1978 be supervised by a certified renovator and conducted by a certified renovation firm to prevent workers from putting homes in danger with potentially harmful lead dust. Contractors must pay a fee to get certified through a training course, which covers lead-safe work practices. A contractor or home improvement company that is not certified faces a fine of $37,500 per day. 

The rule affects anyone who is paid for work which disturbs painted surfaces in home built before 1978. Those performing similar work in buildings occupied by children younger than 6 years old, such as schools or day care centers built before 1978, are also affected by the rule, as landlords. 

According to Inhofe, most of his constituents in Oklahoma were not aware of the bill until a week before it went into effect and no certification classes were available because of lack of EPA-certified instructors.Since the lead paint rule was instated, the EPA has carried out "an extensive compliance assistance campaign aimed at contractors and other affected stakeholders," the agency said.

Inhofe and Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., have also introduced another bill that would put off enforcement of the lead paint rule for at least a year, until contractors have a chance to take the required course. No action has been taken with this bill yet.

John Rossi
Johnston, Rhode Island
Home Improvement of RI

Why Vinyl Siding?

There are a lot of reasons why vinyl siding has become one of the more popular materials on the siding market, but one of the biggest reasons is cost. Vinyl siding is one of the less expensive options for siding, and while the material is attractive, durable and basically maintenance free, it is easy to see why vinyl siding is a homeowner's favorite

Price of Vinyl Siding

Just like with other building material, the price of vinyl siding is going to vary depending on many factors, like style, quality, thickness, durability, insulation properties, installation, and UV protection. If you wanted to try and ballpark the cost of vinyl siding, along with installation, it can run anywhere from $2 to $10 per linear foot. You could receive cheap vinyl siding prices for as little as $1 per linear foot, if you were willing to install it yourself. Although, you should remember that cheap material is bottom tier and vinyl siding is worth spending a little more money on, for reasons we will mention shortly.

Figuring Out the Cost of Vinyl Siding for Your Home

We now have a rough idea of what the cost is per linear foot, but what is the total cost for your home? To figure out the total cost, you will need to multiply the number per linear foot by the number of exterior square footage. Then, add the length of your home to the width, multiply that by two, and then multiply by 10. For a 50 foot long home that is 10 feet tall and 20 feet wide, it comes to 1,400 exterior square feet you have got to cover (50 + 50 + 20 + 20) x 10 = 1,400).


If you do a little more math, you would be able to figure out that the siding will cost between $2,800 to $9,800, not including extras and unexpected expenses.

Calculating the price is almost impossible when you do not know the size of your house. As always, you can simply contact HomeImprovementRI.Com to receive and compare free vinyl siding estimates. A written quote from pre-screened, licensed & insured contractors will be as accurate as you could come, without actually completing the work.


John Rossi
Johnston, Rhode Island
Home Improvement of RI