Hire a Contractor or Do It Yourself (DIY)?

With all the different DIY tutorials on the web, is it really necessary to hire a contractor for a remodel? There are important factors to consider when attempting a remodel on your own. Quicken Loans offers some Pros and Cons of both.

Photo: Bathroom remodel of a client in Long Beach, CA. For more photos of the entire home remodel, click here.

With a contractor

• You save time. Meaning they can most likely get the job done faster than you can, especially if you have work and a family to take care of.
• Quality. The contractor will do the job right the first time, compared to you attempting to do the job yourself for the first time.
• Warranties. Many contractors offer warranties to fix problems that may occur within a certain period of time after the project is completed.

DIY

• Money. One of the main reasons people tend to go with DIY is because they save money.
• Satisfaction. The fact you did the project on your own will leave you with a sense of satisfaction.
• Experience. By working on a project yourself, you will gain some experience, whether it be becoming handy with tools or learning new techniques in building.

You can find the full article here.

If you decide you need a contractor, contact Kaplan Construction today at (562) 495-0483 or via email at info@kaplanconstruction.com to get started on your home remodel!

May is National Electrical Safety Month!

The month of May is National Electrical Safety Month! Here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to ensure electrical safety in your home.

Photo: One of Kaplan Construction's projects, a kitchen remodel in Belmont Shore. For more photos of this remodel, click here.

• Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
• Avoid running extension cords across doorways or under carpets.
• In homes with small children, make sure your home has tamper resistant receptacles.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only high-wattage appliance in to each receptacle outlet at a time.
• If outlet or switches feel warm, frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuits, or flickering or dimming lights, call a qualified electrician.
• Place lamps on level surfaces, away from things that can burn and use bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage.
• Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas.
• Arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs) should be installed in your home to protect electrical outlets,

For more information on electrical safety, you can check the NFPA's website here.

Hello, May! Your May To-Do List!

This month, we would like to focus on maintenance that will increase your energy efficiency at home.

Photo: The kitchen remodel of one of our clients in Belmont Heights, CA. To see more photos of this home, click here.

Here is your May home maintenance to do list!

1. Clean your windows and window screens. This will allow you to enjoy the natural ventilation of your home.
2. Optimize your thermostat or install a thermostat to use your energy efficiently.
3. Clean your AC units.
4. Check all appliances for buildup and clean.
5. Seal all cracks around doors and windows.
6. Lower your water temperature.

For detailed information on each task, coverhound.com offers a blog post on this topic here.

For a printable to-do list, click here.

Be Water-Wise!

wateruseitwisely.com offers 200 ways to conserve water.

Here are 3 of our favorites:

Look for WaterSense® labeled toilets, sink faucets, urinals and showerheads.

Grab a wrench and fix that leaky faucet. It’s simple, inexpensive, and you can save 140 gallons a week.

Run your washer and dishwasher only when they are full. You can save up to 1,000 gallons a month.

To view all 200 ways, click here.