#10 – Less is more
Out with the old and in with the new! Cleaning up and pairing down will go a long way in relieving anxiety induced by piles of clutter that accumulated over the year. And as an added bonus, donating unused clothing and housewares is good for the soul!

#9 – Bust out your ladder
A simple roof examination can prevent major damage to the roof and interior of your home. Pick a warm afternoon to do a quick check for missing shingles or potential leaks and make any necessary repairs. If your roof’s pitch is too steep for even Santa Claus to climb, or you simply don’t like heights, it might be wise to call a handyman.

#8 – A clean home is a happy home
This may already be on your to-do list for 2012, but we can’t stress enough the importance of keeping your basement and attic clean and free of debris. Sweeping up dust will keep unwanted critters away, help minimize allergy problems, and even decrease your risk of a house fire.

#7 – Improve your curbside manner
Most neighborhoods have that one homeowner who refuses to rake in the fall, shovel in the winter and mow their lawn in the spring and summer. But, curb appeal is a powerful thing. Maintaining your landscape can add great value to your home and put a smile on your face every time you come home from a hard day of work.

#6 – Keep drafts out
One of the biggest reasons for bloated heating and air conditioning bills is poor or deteriorated seals on windows and doors. It’s not hard to tell if there’s a draft. Often you can actually feel the cold air coming in–and in some cases it feels like wind is passing through your window. As much as we love Snuggies, they don’t lower the utility bills.  So, track down the source of that pesky draft and keep your dollar bills from blowing out the window.

#5 – Filters are your friend
HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) units should be cleaned annually to optimize energy efficiency and to avoid major maintenance.  Simply remembering to change out the filter can dramatically decrease the amount of dust and allergens floating around in your home.  We recommend having your heating and air conditioning equipment serviced regularly by a professional.

#4 – Get digitized
It may sound like a minor suggestion, but installing a digital thermostat can save you big money on heating and improve your home’s energy efficiency. This one is a no brainer!

#3 – Gut the gutters
Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year, but it is recommended to get the gunk out of your gutters every six months. Any handyman would be happy to do it, but to save a little money all you need is a ladder, a bucket or garbage bag, a goop-scooping tool, and thick rubber gloves. The thicker the better–just trust us.

#2 – New colors for the new year
After a few years, your home and your family can tire from the same old colors. A fresh coat of paint and a few new accessories can breathe new life into your household. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and have fun with colors outside of your comfort zone! And as an added bonus, fresh interior and exterior paint can increase your home value!

#1 – Shine a light on savings
This tip is by far the easiest on our list. There is a small up-font investment, but swapping out your current light bulbs for eco-friendly bulbs will make your home more efficient–resulting in lower electrical bills. Another tip: your electronics draw energy even while they’re not in use. Every minute your toaster sits there plugged into the wall it’s driving up your utility bill. Unplug your gadgets before work or at bedtime and see how much you can drive-up your savings!

June 9th, 2011 -

When homeowner Nancy Schwartz experienced a change in her life, she decided it was time to take charge. Her actions helped her rediscover herself and, with HighCraft’s remodel expertise, create a new living space that is bright, cheery and open – just like its owner.

The project started with the master bath. “I had decided it was time to do something for myself,” says Nancy. “The bath was dark charcoal grey and very masculine. I wanted it brighter and lighter.” A phone call to HighCraft led to a transformation for both the bath and for Nancy.

“The bath ended up just the way I wanted it, very contemporary, though I didn’t know that was my style at the time.” As Nancy watched the charcoal disappear, she felt the room come alive. The dour color was replaced with fresh, glass blue and white mosaic wall tiles, and clean, cream and soft gray textured floor tiles.

“That contemporary look became my style: clean and open,” she says. “Three-quarters of the way through the bath, I decided to have HighCraft redo the tile around my fireplace and repaint the whole area in light green. When I saw the result, I just had to do the kitchen.”

HighCraft’s Project Manager Dana Gibson provided Nancy the support she needed to follow through with her design. “The fun thing for me is that I designed it and Dana made it happen,” she recalls. She selected a watery seafoam green glass brick tile for her kitchen backsplash and together she and the team at HighCraft based the design off of that element. Unnecessary headers and restricting walls that closed the kitchen off from the rest of the house were removed, opening up the space and allowing natural light to spill in. The dark, oil-finished hardwood floors were stripped and re-finished with a natural tone that immediately enlivened the space.

Nancy’s dated, rustic Hickory cabinets were removed and replaced with modern, crisp white painted cabinets. The impressive height of the kitchen was emphasized by installing double stacked cabinets all the way to the ceiling. Reeded glass fronts were added to the top row, acting as mini display cases for Nancy’s glassware and pottery when lit from within. Sleek stainless steel appliances and a high end stainless Grohe faucet provided by Ferguson Enterprises help create a cohesive design. . The contrasting natural Maple island designed specifically for Nancy can be repositioned within the space, making the room not only aesthetically pleasing, but highly functional.

During the kitchen remodel, Nancy came to Dana with an unusual request: hide the power outlets and switchplates in the backsplash. “The glass tile needed to be seamless. Being broken up by outlets would ruin the look. I asked Dana if we could tuck the outlets up under the cabinets. He said he had never done that before, but, by the next morning, he had it figured out.” The result is breathtaking; a smooth stream of uninterrupted glass.

Now Nancy has a home that makes her feel lighter, brighter and happy. “Walls really came down in the house – it opened up and I opened up at the same time,” says the happy homeowner. “I really came out of myself with this project. And Dana was great – so supportive of my ideas. We have become great friends.”

Nancy now feels like her home fits her personality, and she has a new appreciation for the importance of a living space that makes you happy. Let the team at HighCraft help you find your new space. To find out more visit www.HighCraft.net or call (970) 472-8100.

Your home needs a tune-up after a long winter. Here’s a handy list put together by the fine folks at HGTV to help you prepare for those Spring projects.

Inspect brickwork and stucco.
Check for chipping, deteriorated mortar and unsightly deposits.

Replace rotted siding and trim; paint as needed.
Hire a professional to tackle siding maintenance.

Clean gutters and downspouts.
Multiple freezes and thaws can result in sags and dips.

Inspect your roof.
Check for damaged shingles, which can make your roof susceptible to leaks.

Get a chimney check-up.
Hire a pro that can quickly check for cracks or leaks.

Don’t overlook your attic.
Check for proper ventilation, obstructions and leaks.

Check out your heat/air unit; change batteries in detectors.
Change filters and clean the air purifier, but leave the rest to the pros.

Prune landscaping and create good drainage.
Maintain your plants and shrubs to prevent soil erosion.

Give concrete a little TLC.
Seal your driveway, power wash your patio and have a pro service your pool.

Weatherproof your windows and doors.
Check all caulk lines and weather stripping; replace screens.

Don’t forget the sump pump.
Install a battery backup pump as insurance against water damage.

Print a PDF of the handy checklist

What sets HighCraft Home Services apart from other remodeling, renovation and handyman type companies here in Northern Colorado? You can rest assured knowing that HighCraft is fully licensed/insured and offers an unprecedented five year warranty on all projects! Call to schedule a free consultation at 970-472-8100.

Saturday March 5th & Sunday the 6th, 2011

10:00 am to 5:00 PM Both Days

First National Bank Exhibit North Hall, The Ranch, Loveland, Colorado

Free admission and Free parking

Come visit HighCraft Home Services this weekend at the Greeley Tribune’s 2011 Home and Garden Show. We will be booth #2000 in the Exhibition Hall.

» Saturday, February 26 — 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
» Sunday, February 27 — 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Facility:
Island Grove Regional Park
14th Avenue & A Street,
Greeley CO 80631
Buildings; Events Center and Exhibition Hall

The show includes:
» Free admission
» Free parking
» Daily workshops
» Pet Zone
» Gardens
» Shopping
» Decision-making information
» Prize giveaways

Exhibitors to include:
Landscaping, home services, décor, gardening, interior and exterior products, energy efficiency, gifts for the home and more!

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20101115/SPECIAL_MEDIA/101119824

To read the article please click the link below and scroll down.

http://www.stylemedia.com/Lydias_Style_Magazine/40-SPECIAL_BUILDING_SECTION.html

]]> http://www.highcrafthomeservices.net/small-scale-remodeling/thanks-for-coming-to-the-home-show.html/feed 0 http://www.highcrafthomeservices.net/home-repair-maintenance/highcraft-home-services-now-accepting-visamastercard.html http://www.highcrafthomeservices.net/home-repair-maintenance/highcraft-home-services-now-accepting-visamastercard.html#comments Wed, 19 Jan 2011 23:00:51 +0000 kira http://www.highcrafthomeservices.net/?p=602 January 19th, 2011 – HighCraft Home Services is pleased to announce that we are now accepting Visa/Mastercard. If you have any questions please feel free to call the office at 970.472.8100.