Mark of Excellence Remodeling http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:04:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Aging In Place: Live in Your Own Home in Comfort http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/06/aging-in-place-live-in-your-own-home-in-comfort/ http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/06/aging-in-place-live-in-your-own-home-in-comfort/#comments Tue, 15 Jun 2010 19:04:19 +0000 Mark http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/?p=952 An overwhelming majority of older Americans want to remain in their homes for as long as possible.  Aging-in-place refers to just that:  staying in one’s own home as one ages. As we age, safety and mobility become the main issues to consider when thinking of remaining in our current homes.

There are many modifications that can enable you to stay living in the beloved family home.  Hallways may need to be widened, ramps installed and kitchens and bathrooms redesigned.  Evaluate your current living environment by examining all of the major areas of you home including entry ways, bathrooms, bedrooms, and the kitchen.  In addition to modifications discussed below, proper lighting is the key to avoiding accidents in and around the home.

Entry Ways

The entry to your home is your connection to the rest of the world. It is important for receiving guests, for bringing in the groceries, for getting to appointments and for getting out to social events. It should be safe and convenient regardless of the time of day, the weather conditions and your physical condition.
Barrier-free entryways make it easier for you or a family member who uses a wheelchair or a walker to safely come and go from your home.

No-Step Entries
An accessible walkway leading to the front entrance should have no steps and very little, if any, slope to accommodate someone who uses a wheelchair or has trouble climbing steps.  A ramp is another type of no-step entry.

No-Step Thresholds

To eliminate a common tripping hazard, entryways leading into the home and into each room should not be divided by a raised threshold.

Garage Lift

Installing a garage lift enables someone who uses a wheelchair, or has problems climbing steps, to gain access from the garage to the inside of the home.

Bathroom

This is an important room on which to focus when considering aging-in-place modifications.  Your bathroom should be safe and convenient to enable you to use the shower and toilet facilities without risking a fall.  Even minor modifications, such as the addition of grab bars in the shower and near the toilet, can greatly increase ease-of-use and safety.  Other changes to consider:  a roll-in shower with multiple shower heads (a height-adjustable, hand-held and a fixed); lower bathroom sink; or an elevated toilet.

Bedroom

Changes that enhance the use of the bedroom included ensuring there is ample maneuvering clearance around furniture, building a walk-in closet with storage at differing heights and installing rocker light switches that are quicker and easier to turn on compared to a more common flip switch.

Kitchens

There are many modifications that allow you to retain the use of your kitchen.  Consider the following items when assessing your kitchen:
  • Ample Maneuvering Space
  • Varied Countertop Heights
  • Sink with Knee Clearance (Wheelchair Accessibility)
  • Raised Dishwasher
  • Lower Cooking Surfaces
  • Wall Oven and/or Microwave Oven at Reachable Heights
  • Storage Space within Reach
  • Desk or Work Area with Knee Clearance
  • Lighting
Lighting
One of the most important factors to reduce accidents in the home is to ensure there is proper lighting where you need it.  Outdoor areas, stairways, the kitchen, living room and hallways are just of few examples where proper lighting is most needed.

Use rocker-type light switches wherever possible.  You can turn them on and off with the touch of an elbow, even if your hands are full.

These are some considerations and possibilities to make a home safe and comfortable as one ages.  For more information about aging in place, visit our website.

]]> http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/06/aging-in-place-live-in-your-own-home-in-comfort/feed/ 0 Watch us on HGTV “Home Rules” tonight, May 25th at 9 PM EST http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/05/watch-us-on-hgtv-home-rules-monday-march-29th-at-9-pm-est/ http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/05/watch-us-on-hgtv-home-rules-monday-march-29th-at-9-pm-est/#comments Tue, 25 May 2010 23:30:06 +0000 Mark http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/?p=910 Local Contractor Does Second Extreme Remodel On HGTV

West Long Branch Mark Of Excellence Remodeling Inc., based in West Long Branch, is proud to announce their participation again in the  HGTV show Home Rules.  The episode is scheduled to air on Tuesday, May 25th at 9 p.m.   Each week the program introduces a new family with an untenable living situation. The Home Rules experts sort out what changes need to be made in their lifestyle and home, and they assemble a team to tackle the unique challenges and reconstruct the perfect home.

Mark of Excellence was selected as general contractor for the remodeling of a home in Middletown that is the focus of the twelth episode of Home Rules.   They had just four days to complete all the necessary demolition, construction and finishing, while the homeowners were sent to stay elsewhere.  The work was quite extensive, and the family was unaware of exactly what changes were being made.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been in business for over 20 years, and has developed an outstanding reputation for home improvements.  The company has won a number of both trade and consumer awards and offers customers unique design and build services, green remodeling and professional handyman services.   For more information about Mark of Excellence, please visit www.markofexcellence.com or call 800-734-3737.

]]> http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/05/watch-us-on-hgtv-home-rules-monday-march-29th-at-9-pm-est/feed/ 1 May is National Home Remodeling Month http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/931/ http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/931/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:42:28 +0000 Mark http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/?p=931 May is National Home Remodeling Month!  Instead of moving, consider a remodel. Our award-winning design team can find affordable ways to transform your home.

Whether you need a kitchen, bathroom remodel or addition to your home in Monmouth County, NJ, Mark of Excellence Remodeling can provide you with a free estimate for your project.

Visit our website for hundreds of photos of our work.

Mark of Excellence Remodeling

]]> http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/931/feed/ 0 “Opt-Out” Provision in Lead Paint Regulations Now Excluded http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/opt-out-provision-in-lead-paint-regulations-now-excluded/ http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/opt-out-provision-in-lead-paint-regulations-now-excluded/#comments Sat, 24 Apr 2010 19:17:07 +0000 Mark http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/?p=927 Effective April 22nd, 2010, the EPA put a lead safe work practices law into effect that must be used by renovation firms when working on homes built prior to 1978.  Then later that afternoon, they made an announcement that  they were taking away the opt-out provision that allowed homeowners to allow contractors to renovate their homes without using lead safe work practices.  See below for more information….

On April 22nd, the EPA has announced it is eliminating the “opt-out” provision that currently allows a homeowner to “waive” the use of lead safe work practices by a renovation firm.  At this time the change has not been published in the Federal Register, so the legal specifics of this modification are not yet available. We hope some reasonable time period has been allowed by which the opt-out can be phased out of practice by contractors, perhaps allowing continued use for at least a 2-3 month period.

At the moment, we are waiting for the actual regulatory text which will have a major influence on the manner in which contractors are expected to address this change.

The EPA has also announced it will require remodeling firms to provide a copy of their records demonstrating compliance with lead safe practices to the owner (or occupant, if different) of the building being renovated.  In addition, the EPA announced its intention to propose lead safe regulations for remodeling/renovations on the exteriors of public and commercial buildings.

Mark Elia

Mark of Excellence Remodeling,  Inc.

Your EPA lead safe certified contractor

]]> http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/opt-out-provision-in-lead-paint-regulations-now-excluded/feed/ 0 3 days and counting! Get ready for the EPA Lead Rule. http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/3-days-and-counting-get-ready-for-the-epa-lead-rule/ http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/2010/04/3-days-and-counting-get-ready-for-the-epa-lead-rule/#comments Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:53:44 +0000 Mark http://www.markofexcellence.com/blog/?p=925 New EPA Rule goes into effect on April 22nd, 2010

The new rule from the EPA (40 CFR Part 745) states that any contractor/renovator who disturbs more than six (6) square feet of painted surface must follow lead safe practices. These include activities like sanding, cutting drywall, demolition, etc. Under the new rule, a contractor will need to become a certified renovator, taking an training course from an accredited training provider. Once they are certified, they will need to only work for a certified firm, whether their own company, a property management firm, or another contracting company.

They will also need to keep the necessary records:

  • Copy of the Certified Firm and Certified Renovator(s) certifications
  • Non certified worker training documentation
  • Designation of Certified Renovator to the job
  • Information on and results of the use of EPA-recognized test kits provided by a Certified Renovator who acted as a representative on the Certified Firm at the job site and who conducted testing for the presence of lead-based paint on surfaces to be affected by the renovation
  • Lead based paint inspection reports provided by a Certified Lead Inspector or Certified Lead Risk Assessor, if applicable
  • Proof of owner/occupant, when they qualify to, and decide to, opt-out of lead safe work practice requirements
  • Any other signed and dated documents form the owner(s) and/or residents regarding conduct of the renovation and requirements in the EPA RRP Rule
  • All reports required from the Certified Firm and Certified Renovator by the EPA RRP Rule

Contact Mark of Excellence Remodeling, your NJ remodeler for your next lead based paint renovation.

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