A kitchen nook to solve your dining issues for a growing family

A nook addition can solve a cramped eating area in your home

Has your family grown? If so, how have you accommodated your new family members?  For most, it is tough. As our kids grown, the amount of space necessary to get them into their chairs grows. Many of us are left dealing with a chair hitting the wall and trying to squeeze in a kid! Thankfully, there are options.

For some, dining areas are located at the rear of the home and adjacent to our kitchens. If that relates to you, your in luck! Sometimes a simple addition is all it takes to alleviate your growing pains!  No, this does not entail a large-scale kitchen remodel. You CAN start small and eventually work up to further modification if you wish.  Rather, it usually involves removing a section of your existing rear wall and extending an addition.

Sure, it does cost money. And it won't be cheap. However, it will add value and appeal and of course, take care of any space issues your experiencing when gathering your family at the dinner table.  If your considering such an option, there are a few tips that can help you along the way.

First, be sure you seek an experienced, qualified remodel contractor in your area. Second, know your requirements. How many people are in your family now? What about the future? Now is the time to think about adding any members to your team.  Be sure your remodel contractor is aware of your family and your future plans! With this knowledge, the proper amount of space can be incorporated into the design of your nook addition.

As an Indianapolis area experience remodel professional, we routinely advise our clients in how to plan for the now as well as the future. One tip of advice is to hire a skilled, design build remodel contractor. Someone who can fulfill your vision of the near future as well as your long-term goals.  For example, if you think you may improve your kitchen at a later time be sure to mention your goals for that as well. Sometimes, a master plan can be develope that can allow you to remodel and improve in phases. This not makes sense not only in having future insight, but also in overall costs.

For more information about adding a nook addition or remodeling your Indianapolis area kitchen, give Gettum Associates a call. We have provided long-term kitchen and space solutions for hundreds of clients around the central Indiana area since 1987.

How to solve 3 common landscaping problems|Indianapolis home advice

SOLVE 3 COMMON LANDSCAPING PROBLEMS

As a homeowner, I’m sure you enjoy looking out over a well-manicured garden or landscape. Whether you’re updating a landscape’s design or starting a new project from scratch, the process is often a difficult experience. When undertaking a challenging garden or landscape task, completing the project successfully can be accomplished with simple solutions to three of the most common landscape issues facing homeowners. Hardworking plant breeders and growers are turning out innovative new plant genetics and an ever-growing array of plant offerings that solve these common landscape challenges.

Problem #1: Areas of the garden are overwhelmed with sun, heat and humidity.

Solution: Plants bred for heat and/or humidity. Due to varying sun exposure across a property, pockets of the landscape can become scorched by sun, heat and humidity, no matter in which region of the country or USDA Zone one lives. Address specific plant needs related to hot and humid conditions with a robust group of plants that tolerate this type of challenging environment. There are a wide variety of top-notch, heat and humidity tolerant plants and lush bright flowers that are hardy in even the hottest, brightest zones of the country.

Problem #2: What to do with unique, small-scale areas of the garden.

Solution: Plantings for small spaces and special places. Whether rooftop gardens, pathways, walkways, patios, rock gardens, water gardens, terraces, cracks, or crevices, accent plantings embellish the garden area and add life, color, texture, detail, harmony, and natural appearance to the landscape. Incorporating these kinds of plants into a creative garden design for areas that are small or unique in shape serves as garnish, the final decorative touch to the space.

Problem #3:Short-lived, feeble annuals that will not last.

Solution: Finer, genetically superior, color bedding plantings. When used in containers, garden beds and borders, annual color varieties are a bright, rich and vibrant outdoor design component. Yet, numerous annual plant selections cannot survive the first chilly night or burst of extended warmth that many regions of the country are experiencing from frequent spells of environmental instability. Try plant varieties that are cultivated to address the need for more robust plant material. They accentuate outdoor living, provide solutions for garden beds and borders, and provide superior-performing, garden-worthy, annual color plants with heat and cold tolerance.

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Need lawn or landscaping advice?

Gettum Associates has been fortunate to have worked with a few great Indianapolis area landscape contractors. Give us a call and we will be happy to give you a referral. We can be reached at (317) 888-5681 or click here to send a message

Choose the Perfect Gate for Your Home-Home improvement advice

Choose the Perfect Gate for Your Home

Are you planning a home-remodeling project? Do you have a garden in front of your home? Then, the one thing that you must include is a gate. It not only ensures the safety and security of your house, but also enhances the beauty. Gates have enamored us for a long time. A mansion with an imposing gate in front of it has never failed to impress us.

There are several kinds of gates available. The two basic models are slide gates and swing gates. If you can manage the space in front of your home, then the swing gates are a good option. A swing gate is something that comes to our minds when we think of gates. But, if you do not have the space then a slide gate is a good option too. They are very good if your home is of a modern design. The swing gates have fewer mechanisms compared to a slide gate and so they are expected to develop fewer glitches in them.

The gates can be made out of various kinds of materials. They include, wrought iron, wooden picket, vinyl, etc. the material that you choose will depend on the kind of climate you have round the year, the maintenance cost and the safety that it will provide. The most popular are wood and iron.

They can either be simple or ornate. Simple gates are of course easy to maintain and they are cheap. Also, if you are installing a simple wooden swing gate then you can do it yourself on a weekend. Gates with complicated patterns on them look very grand and add to the beauty of the house. But, you have to work really hard to keep them clean. Besides, they must be compatible with the house and the gate of your neighbors, if any. A grand, imposing gate in a row of simpler ones looks very odd.

If you have seen a spy movies or a horror movie, a gate opening by itself is something that must have attracted you. You can also have a gate like that at your home that opens automatically. A manual gate has to be opened either by you or by your guests. Also, it becomes difficult sometimes to open the gate. In such cases an automatic gate is very helpful. They provide better security than the manual ones as they are not so easy to break-in. they also provide you with the added facility of installing a burglar alarm that you can activate at night or when you are not at home.

There are several kinds of automatic gates and you must consult an expert before you invest in one. The perfect kind of electric gates Surrey home owners should install depends on the owner’s needs and affordability.

Author's Bio:

The author Eve Warner has a deep interest in home remodeling. She has written many blogs on the same. Here, she shares some tips about installing http://www.geminigates.co.uk/electric gates Surrey residents will find helpful.

 

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Indianapolis 500|Guess the Winner|Gettum Associates

2012 Indianapolis 500 contest

Guess the winner to win a $25 Target Gift Card

The month of May in Indy is here!

Throughout the rest of the month, we offer this fun contest.

What to do? It's easy.

Go to http://info.gettum.com/indianapolis-500-2012-guess-the-winner/ and enter your winning pick for a chance at a $25 Target Gift Card.

or click below:

This contest is brought to you by Gettum Associates Inc., a design/build remodel contractor located in Greenwood Indiana. Gettum Associates has served the Indianapolis area wit award winning home remodeling services since 1987.

"Don't move, improve"

Clean and seal your deck regularly|Indianapolis home advice

Deck maintenance-Indianapolis home advice

How often should a deck be cleaned and how long does a sealant last?

QUESTION:  I’d like to make sure that I’m on the right maintenance schedule for my deck. How often should I have it cleaned and how long does sealant last? - Bob Ryan

ANSWER:  That’s a great question Bob.  Many people realize too late that without proper maintenance the lifespan of your deck can be surprisingly short. First let me say that spring, summer, and fall are typically the best time for deck maintenance. The key factor is temperature.  

Almost all deck preservative products cure and dry properly when the temperature is at least 50 degrees. Cleaning and sealing your deck depends on climate, weather, and sun exposure. Decks in the direct sunlight tend to fade and dry out. Decks in humid and shady areas may grow algae and fungus spores. Both problems require attention yearly, or no later than two seasons apart. One additional factor to consider is your choice of products. Having your deck cleaned and sealed with quality products will help prolong your enjoyment of your outdoor getaway.

Do you have questions about your Indianapolis area home or need advice on home improvement and remodeling? If so, "Email the Expert" and get answers to your questions.

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How to cut energy costs this summer-House and home advice

How to Cut Energy Costs This Summer

Summer is just around the corner, and temperatures are already starting to rise. If you live in a relatively warm part of the country, you’re probably accustomed to high electricity bills in the summer thanks to how hard your air conditioning has to work. No matter what you do, your electricity bills will typically be higher in the summer, but they don’t have to be significantly higher. There are things you can do in your home to cut energy costs, even when it’s incredibly hot outside. Here are some of the things you should consider doing if you want to save energy and some extra money this summer:

1. Invest in a new thermostat – If you don’t have a digital thermostat, consider getting one. Older thermostats are generally not as good at measuring and regulating the temperature in your home. Additionally, digital thermostats that are programmable allow you to set how hard your air conditioner works during different parts of the day, minimizing how much energy is used to keep your house cool when you’re not around. Look for thermostats with the ENERGY STAR label because these will generally help you cut down energy expenses the most. Plus, these types of thermostats only cost around $40, so they’re not much of an investment.

2. Turn off all the lights when you leave – You probably already turn off most of the lights in your home before you leave your house. However, many people forget to turn off porch lights and lights in rooms like the bathroom and kitchen when they leave their home. Get into the habit of turning off all the lights in your house when you leave and when you go to bed. You may also want to unplug appliances and electronics before you leave or go to sleep. Appliances and electronics use up energy, even when they’re not running, if they’re still plugged in.

3. Get your insulation inspected – If your home isn’t properly insulated, your air conditioner has to work harder and use up more energy. Get a professional to come out and inspect your walls, windows, doors, floors, and ceiling to see if these areas are letting any heat into your home. If you’re home isn’t properly insulated, consider hiring someone to help you seal and insulate it or consider sealing and insulating problem areas yourself.

You’ll be amazed by how much cash you can save this summer if you try out the tips above. Taking the time to turn off all the lights in your home when you aren’t using them and investing in a new thermostat and better insulation can make a huge difference!

Author’s Bio: Ryan Franklin is a guest blogger who writes about home improvement, renovation, and cross country relocation with the help of cross country movers.

Do you have questions about your house or questions about home improvement or remodeling?

Ask Gettum Associates, The Indianapolis home expert. Click below:

 

Exterior remodel progress pictures|Zionsville, Indiana renovation

Exterior remodel and renovation pictures-Zionsville, Indiana

One of the most popular projects homeowner's are completing this past winer and into this spring has been exterior make overs, renovations and upgrades. In many cases, it's to revamp the overall look of the home. In others, it's to replace materials that have lived out there useful life. Plywood panel siding is a perfect example of a product that we find ourselves removing and replacing with more advanced, longer-lasting materials such as fiber cement.

What follows is a great example of the type of work central Indiana homeowner's are interested in.  Below are both before and in-progress pictures of an exterior renovation and remodel project located in Zionsville, Indiana.

Project scope includes:

• new James Hardi fiber cement siding, both lap and shake siding styles
• new fiber cement exterior trim
• new front porch roof
• new front dormers
• new rear sliding patio door
• new rough-sawn cedar pergola
• new rear concrete porch slab and new concrete walkway
• new roof shingles

Before photos: (pre-demo/pre-construction)

 

Construction pictures (in-progress):

 

More pictures coming soon!

To learn more about updating your exterior, give the the Zionsville remodeling experts at Gettum Associates, Inc a call! You can learn more at www.Gettum.com and check out additional examples of before and after remodeling projects around the Indianapolis Indiana area.

There has never been a better time to renovate and upgrade your home! To help even more, check out our current offer below:

 

Questions about concrete problems|Indiana remodeling advice

Get answers to quesitons about your house and home improvement from Gettum Associates Inc, Indianapolis area home experts. (Click Here to submit your question)

Questions about concrete problems

Question for the expert: 

I recently put in a new concrete walkway.  Are there common problems I should be aware?  If so, how can I repair them? - Don G.

Answer:  There are a few common concrete problems:

1. Sunken concrete is caused by erosion of the sub-base. The best solution for this is to have a contractor raise the concrete surface and inject fresh concrete underneath it. 
2. Frost heaving is most common in cold climates. It is when the cold forces concrete pieces off the ground. The best solution is to remove the damaged pieces and restore the sub-base adding an asphalt board to keep the new concrete sections from attaching to each other.
3. Cracks or surface deterioration are the most common problems.  However, both can sometimes be repaired.  Fill small cracks with concrete caulk and for large cracks, use a vinyl-reinforced patching product. As for surface deterioration, this problem is completely widespread with the weakening of the concrete; the best solution to this would be resurfacing, if possible. In some cases, a  thin layer of fresh concrete (or an overlay) can be poured over the existing surface.

If you have questions about your house, home improvement and remodeling Ask The Expert! Click below:

Quick tips to tackle spring cleaning|Free home guides

Quick Tips to Tackle Spring Cleaning

Spring is here and with it comes the annual ritual of seasonal cleaning. During the month of April you can expect that nearly every house from one end of town to the other will have large piles of “stuff” out for the garbage.

Here are a few basic tips to help get your spring cleaning projects underway:

1. Dust each room, including all knickknacks and bookshelves.
2. Clean the telephones, keyboards, tables, desks, doorknobs, light switches, hanging lights, ceiling fans, and yes, even the walls. The walls might not seem dirty, but if you don’t wipe them down every year or so they could build up dirt and grease, which could alter the color of your walls.
3. Clean all mirrors and windows.
4. Throw away old newspapers, junk mail, and magazines.
5. Use white vinegar and rubbing alcohol to polish and shine chrome fixtures.  
6. Clean out the fridge and freezer. 
7. Vacuum all rooms of the house, including the windowsills, bookshelves, air vents, and under the furniture.
8. Give your stove a good cleaning - inside, out and behind. Replace the dials, if necessary.
9. Clean out the inside and outside of your washer and dryer. Sweep behind them and under them to ensure that stray items are removed that could cause a fire. Vacuum out the dryer vent as well, to keep lint at a minimum.

Follow these quick tips and you'll be well on your way to tackling spring cleaning early this season and enjoying a little more relaxation during the summer months ahead.

Do you have questions about your house, home improvement or remodeling?

Consult with the experts at Gettum Associates Inc! Click below to "Ask the expert"

Investing in your home: Your car vs your home

Depreciation: Your car vs your home

I wanted to share something I found recently while researching the current value of my truck.  I happen to stumble upon an article dealing with auto depreciation. The article on www.Edmunds.com had a great infographic titled http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-fast-does-my-new-car-lose-value-infographic.html

(see photo at right, click for FULL graphic thru 5 yrs and full article. Source: Edmunds.com)

While Gettum Associates is a local, Indianapolis area remodel contractor, the information on car depreciation is relevant, so bear with me.  While we would love to complete projects for every person we meet, we know this is unrealistic.  There are a variety of reasons why we don't win every job, but the biggest reason is cost. For some, it's a simple matter of budget.  For others, the price quoted is believed to be "too high".   So, how is this relevant to new car values and depreciation?

Click on the graphic to the left or go to http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/how-fast-does-my-new-car-lose-value-infographic.html and take a look.   While perception is reality for many, here is a staggering fact that may rearrange your perspective: 

While we do not hesitate to spend $20, $30 or $40 thousand dollars on a car or SUV, many do not realize that we lose about about 37% of what we pay the dealer after 5 years!  Ouch!

In comparison, your home has historically been one of the most stable assets you can invest your money in.  In fact, when it's done by a true professional, an investment in your home increases the value of your home AND your daily enjoyment of it.

While we can explain to our clients WHY home improvement prices can be high (quality materials and installation, service after the sale, etc,), ultimately we understand everyone has different values and everyone has a budget they must go by.

But these are facts, and something to keep in mind next time you buy a vehicle! If your considering an investment in your home, give us a call. We can help you discuss your options.  In the end, it may make sense to move to a new home.  For others, who like their neighborhood, neighbors, schools, etc it may make sense to stay put and modify your home to suit your needs. Give us a call, we are happy to help!