Degnan Design Builders, Inc.

Chest Deep in Bad Customer Service

2012-02-07T15:03:00.002-06:00

Sometimes customer service lessons come from unexpected places. Take, for example, one of our recent on-line shopping experiences.

We needed 15 easels. The plan was to use them at the company anniversary party to display pictures of our past client's homes. I went online, found some that were relatively inexpensive, and placed the order.

Now we all know, in the technology driven world we inhabit, there are a few inefficiencies we just tolerate. When they happen, we chuckle, move on, and chalk it up to progress.

But when faced with this daunting pile...

...it's pretty hard to ignore the obvious: sometimes it's easier and cheaper to do dumb things. That doesn't mean it's the best business decision. The little thing on the top? That's the easel, all disassembled, nice and compact.

Here are all the easels I ordered, TOGETHER in one of the boxes, with room to spare.

And here is the chest-deep pile of garbage that filled the office (and the recycling bin)...

A big, cumbersome, not-so-subtle reminder that we have to make a considered attempt if we aren't going to use technology as an excuse for bad customer service.

Although most of us are not in the shipping/receiving business, there are little inefficiencies we accept on a day to day basis that can add up to a less than stellar customer service rating over the length of the job.

Things like returning emails with only the easy questions answered, or the lumber truck showing up to the job site daily when the shipments could have been combined. It's so easy to pass the buck, but just because it's harder to hold someone accountable, that doesn't mean its not worth the effort to make excellent customer service a goal.

Sometimes, we have to protect our customers from the technology we use. It's our responsibility to be the last word, and to expect the subcontractors and suppliers we work with to stand back and assess what they are doing. Going beyond, if there is a failure, it's our responsibility to catch it before our customers do, and finally, if we miss the problem, to apologize for it--not offer some mediocre excuse about a technology failure.

With so many tools available to us, do we really have to accept an office full of junk as a payoff for fast delivery? Do our customers have to expect it from us?

At Degnan Design Builders, Inc., we strive to use technology whenever possible in order to streamline, organize, and keep everyone in the loop. But we always keep in mind, there is no substitute for a person.

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. ...Designed for your Life.

Thank you, Extreme Makeover Home Edition

2012-02-01T12:53:00.010-06:00

I have been a fan of Extreme Makeover Home Edition from the very first episode, quite literally. Lisa and I tuned in to the pilot back when our first son was just a baby. Back then we probably recorded it on VHS. We were captivated and it was our Sunday night tradition. This year when they moved the show to Friday, I sensed that the end could be near.

I’m full of EMHE trivia. You want to know something about the show? I’ll try to answer it. Here are a few things that only the really hardcore, faithful viewers might know.

In the first season, almost every home was a remodel. It was about 2/3 through the first season when Extreme Makeover Home Edition did its first tear-down.
During the first few episodes, there was a landscape designer who liked to get in every other designer’s business. The show was focused on the conflict between the designers. That didn’t last very long, as I can’t even remember “that guy’s” name anymore. The show matured and focused on other things.
Michael Moloney is one of the original designers. He was usually the one who was most in conflict with “that guy.”
I am pretty sure that Ty Pennington, Paul DiMeo, Paige Hemmis, and Michael have been there the since the first season. Other designers were added over time and in fact they split into two design teams.
Why two design teams? I found out while working on the Anders-Beattie house that there are actually TWO homes in production at once! One design team is working on each home. The schedule is offset by a few days. Ty flies back and forth between both homes. He is there for the start and finish of each home and spends part of the time at each home in between. While they build 25 homes per season, this gives the designers and the dozens of other producers and crew members behind the scenes more time off in between builds. It must be a little crazy for Ty, though!
As of Season 6, almost every family still owned their home. While there were a few “extreme” examples, at that time 148 out of 150 families were successful in their endeavors.
There were about 4 times in 9 seasons where a house was not completed on time. The funny thing is, every time it happened, Ty Pennington would announce in a dejected voice, “This has never happened to us before!” Well, it was only true once… but that didn’t keep them from making the claim during several seasons.
For years, the designers played like they were making up the plans for the home on the spot. Eventually they gave up that practice, but they always worked to put together customization after doing their in-person meeting of the family and interviewing each of them—everyone’s room was somehow tailored to fit them.
During the first season, they even went so far as to pretend that they just showed up in the city without having a builder lined up. They filmed Ty running around franticly, usually with his bullhorn in hand, screaming, “Does anyone know where I can find a good remodeler???” He would walk into an office and the guy in a button-down denim shirt would inevitably manage to clear out his full schedule and have all the materials they needed on hand (including the special order windows, cabinets, and special decorative tile that take me weeks to get), and the build would progress.
Eventually, the big builders and suppliers got wind of this show. Builders are not remodelers, so it became easier to do a tear-down than a remodeling of a home. The fact is, things are more certain when building new than remodeling. They could find more suppliers willing to donate materials, more big builders who could support the show in any city or state where they worked

In the 9 years since then, I have not missed a single episode. This is a show that I can honestly say has changed my perspective, even changed my life. How can a mere TV show do something like that? Let me tell you.

As a member of the Madison Area Builders Association (link www.maba.org), in 2007 we were looking for something to increase our community presence. Inspired by the concept of EMHE and the public and media’s interest in Green Building techniques, we quickly came up with the concept of the Green Built Home Makeover http://www.maba.org/home-makeover . It was our own test in extreme speed. In a matter of a few meetings, we formed a team, got Board of Directors approval, and began securing volunteers. Dozens of companies and people signed up to volunteer. Competitors teamed up to complete specific trade work. In a matter of 6 weeks of work, what might normally be more like a 3 month project was complete: Energy improvements and healthy, green finishes in a home for an elderly woman on a fixed income – with a phenomenal energy savings that proved to be 52% in the next year.

We continued this event for two more years, doing a lead-safe renovation for a family whose child suffered elevated blood lead levels, and improving efficiency, comfort and health for a family of 6 living in an 800 square foot home that formerly lacked a heat in the bedrooms.

Just like MABA teamed up to do the Green Built Home Makeover, on Extreme Makeover Home Edition some of my favorite builds were in smaller markets where there is no big company to support a project. One of my favorites was in northern Wisconsin where a co-operative company of small guys teamed up to form Extreme Builders Commonwealth and build what I consider the most beautiful, modern designed homes. It was also one of my favorite family stories, but there is hardly one that is not a tear-jerker. Throughout the country, Home Builders Associations teamed up to do Extreme Makeover builds for families in need. Especially as the economy slowed, the big guys were around less, but the HBA teams, who are normally competitors, instead teamed up to make a difference.

http://www.builderscommonwealth.com/content/photo-galleries

I am proud to have been a volunteer myself. During season 6, I helped Veridian Homes on their build near Richland Center. Their trim subcontractor, Twohig Construction, needed some extra people to do a week’s worth of work in 12 hours. As Mike Twohig volunteered his guys for my Green Built Home Makeover projects, I was more than happy to be a volunteer myself and pay my crew to be there. We pulled in a few more people and came up with a crew of 20, and despite challenges (least of which was a shift from 3:00 AM to 3:00 PM) finished on time. It is an experience that I’ll remember for life.

So it was fitting that the final EMHE episode was again a team. Joplin, Missouri was devastated by tornados this year. The team completed 7 homes in 7 days – which truly is a new, one-time record by EMHE. Now a family of 5, Degnans watched together the stories of the devastated city, injured families, and a hopeful future. I look forward to future retrospectives on Joplin and the 207 families whose lives have been changed. Thank you Ty, Paul, Paige, and especially John Littlefield – you are the faces of Extreme Makeover Home Edition who inspired me every week.

Winter Maintenance

2012-01-24T12:31:00.009-06:00

Inspecting your home and taking care of it with regular maintenance protects your investment and ensures little problems don’t become big expenses. Although we typically think of home maintenance in the spring and the fall, there are a few tasks that should be tackled mid-winter, along with some diagnostic checks that are best performed at this time of year.

In order to ensure your home is healthy and is performing as it should, the following tasks should be on your January maintenance list:

Change furnace filters
Clean the humidifier
Vacuum or dust bathroom fans, smoke and CO2 detectors, and the grilles of refrigerators and freezers
Check under all sinks for leaks
Test plumbing shut-off valves
Check window latches, door knobs, and cupboard hinges and tighten if necessary

When these are complete, and if you are still feeling ambitious, you may want to take on the next list.

Feel for drafts around doors and windows. Now may not be the time to repair or replace them, but it is a really good time to take note for when the weather warms.
Feel for drafts at the electrical outlets. Again, this probably isn't the time of year when the drafts are going to be corrected, but later you may want to remember where the problem places were. This fix is typically completed when other exterior maintenance is performed, so take good notes--especially if you plan on replacing siding or making future energy improvements.
Stick your head up into the attic and look around for signs of frost or mold. You’re only going to see frost in the winter, so now is the time. If you do see any frost, it’s a sure sign something needs to be addressed.
Perform an inspection of your roof from the ground. Do you see ice dams? Uneven melting?
Check all exterior vents to be sure they are free of snow and ice.

If you happen to find something that is not easily repaired, or something that concerns you, please give us a call. It might be something we can help you with, or it might be a task better suited for a member of our outstanding subcontractor team. Either way, we want to be your first call for any of your home care questions.

Updates

2012-01-17T12:17:00.005-06:00

Some projects seem to go so fast, especially the ones where we are not replacing EVERYTHING in the room…which is an option we find a lot of homeowners forget is available.

Sometimes homeowners put off updating their old space because they think it might be too expensive, messy or disruptive. Worse yet, when a homeowner becomes disenchanted with the older space, sometimes they begin to put off needed repairs. This is a mistake – small changes now could save quite a bit of time and money later.

One of our recent projects was to transform a kitchen. This homeowner knew what he needed and what he wanted to spend. We knew the budget didn't have enough room to purchase new cabinetry. We offered a solution: replace the counter tops and leave the cabinets. They were still in great shape, well taken care of, and although not the newest style, they worked well. In fact, by not replacing the cabinets, there was room in the budget for a snazzy back-splash, which worked to make that not-so-new cabinetry look downright up-to-date!

The options are endless, and if you do a little something now, you might avoid having to do a lot of something later. Give us a call today, and let us show you what we can do with the budget you have. Even if it’s only repairs to your current space, why not enjoy living in your home now, without the worry and frustration of “the big project” looming in the future.

Our Vendor and Subcontractor Team

2011-11-23T11:57:00.016-06:00

We couldn't do what we do without the help of our dedicated vendor and subcontractor team. This month we would like to thank a few who have gone "above and beyond," providing truly superior service to our clients.

H&R Carpets...

consistently wow our clients with their tile designs and customer service. Their designers work to offer budget-appropriate solutions while maintaining quality and style.

Elite Electric...

are the electricians we consult with for nearly every project. We can always trust they will give our customers a well though out lighting plan.

Cardinal Heating and Air Conditioning...

is the HVAC contractor we have used for years. We can count on them to get it done right, the first time.

AnneMarie Designs...

is always helpful. She patiently meets with clients and offers solutions to design conundrums. We find her ideas consistently fresh and presented in with a positive, can-do attitude.

Auburn Ridge...

Has proven to be the best of all worlds as far as cabinetry goes. They produce a superior product both in beauty and function. They are consistently on time and on top of their schedule.

Sheri at Wisconsin Building Supply...

Is one of the most helpful salespeople we have encountered. Her product knowledge is phenomenal, and she consistently goes out of her way to answer even the pickiest of questions.

CB Painting and Decorating...

Is our go-to for all things painting. Cheryl's conscientious approach and careful clean-up means the finished product is beautiful and free of flaws.

Tammy Krez with Lakewood Realty...

Is the listing agent for our houses and properties. Tammy watches the little things that add up to a great customer service experience, and we always enjoy working with her.

Work in Progress - Tile Design By H&R Carpets

The Service part of Customer Service

2011-10-18T13:05:00.007-05:00

I was at the office supply store hoping to find some labels, miscellaneous cleaning supplies and a doodad that would let my computer read my camera’s SD card through the USB port.

With the cleaning supplies and the labels in my cart, I walked up to the customer service register and asked where I could find an SD card reader. She said she knew they had them. Dutifully, she clicked the button on the box at her hip, brought the microphone closer to her face and described what I was looking for to the invisible person on the other end. Presumably, they answered, because she looked at me and announced I should search in Aisle F. “I already did,” I replied. She blinked a few times, swung her head back and forth in search for human assistance and, when no one appeared, she shrugged and stared at me. “I guess I can look again?” I offered, ending the uncomfortable moment. She looked relieved, and I turned to have another go at Aisle F.

I searched, unsuccessfully. Deciding to cut my losses, I returned to the cashier to check out. I figured I would stop at another store, or just add it to my online order and maybe get my wish list over that $25.00 minimum for free shipping.

“Did you find everything you were looking for?” she asked, before looking up to see it was me.

“Um, no.”

She looked up, "Oh." She continued to ring up the three items I had in my cart. Her hand flitted to the box at her hip, in a useless attempt to encourage the technology to magically solve her problem. But it hadn't worked before, and probably wouldn't work now. Her face started to pink up as she fumbled my items into the bag.

“Do you need to buy any postage today?” She blurted out, in a customer service training fallback.

“No,” I lied.

Really I did need postage, but I didn't want to waste any more time at a store that couldn't manage to get the inventory they already had into the hands of a motivated customer. All the technology, the corporate sponsored training programs, the money invested in marketing, advertising, and hiring employees, and this store couldn't sell me the merchandise from their own shelves.

At Degnan Design Builders, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our customer service. Like the next guy, we go through training, we invest money in our product and in advertising, and we pride ourselves on using the latest in technology to bring our customers the absolute best in service. This experience was a reminder, though. For all the latest tools, the most important thing is the person using the tool. It’s not the level that makes the cabinets straight; it’s the carpenter using it.

Your Contractor’s Ring Tone

2011-09-14T12:44:00.006-05:00

It was my first day as the office manager (at a previous job). The owner swept into my office, teetering on the highest of heels. She dumped a pile of folders: last month’s accounts receivables, employment applications, and bits and pieces of various abandoned training programs. On top of the pile were my office phone and a list of needed supplies. She left with a flourish, her impossibly colored silk scarf trailing in a wave of spicy perfume. I grabbed my keys and new phone and headed out.

Five minutes away, a horrible barking erupted from my purse. It was high pitched, frantically loud, and I couldn't answer it fast enough. It was the owner calling. I later learned I had inherited the phone from the previous manager…she lasted 3 months.

The take away? You can learn a lot from a ring tone.

So, what does your contractors ring tone say about him/her? Our lead carpenter, Anthony, carries a phone that rings with an old-fashioned, heart-stopping, grandma’s-calling-from-her-rotary ring. Obviously, this guy doesn't want to miss a call.

But some others have a bit more pizzazz. Here is a list of some possibilities, and what they might reveal about the guy (or gal) with the hammer.

Bach - Fugue in G minor

This guy is a bit of an intellectual, or not. One thing is sure; you (and everyone else) will most likely be treated to high-minded conversations, accompanied by the constant drone of NPR. Unless you are privy to an inverse voice, which would be a fun guy who simply likes classical. Unfortunately, the first is much more common; but for a chance at finding the second, he might be worth the risk.

Def Leopard – anything by Def Leopard

This guy knows how to use a drill - just make sure he knows where to use it. If he’s wearing a t-shirt to match his ring tone, leave him at the doorstep. Unless, of course, you planned for a long summer project, and hoped to find a buddy with whom you might relive the glory years over cold bottle of beer (at 10:00am) whilst reclining in decaying lawn chairs and kicking your feet up on your uninstalled lumber.

Tone Loc – Wild thing

You’ll hear him before you see him, and if you love the 80’s, this is the guy for you. He’s bound to suggest forest green or burgundy to accent your red oak cabinetry. He’ll also offer to install your “modern-looking” vertical blinds. If you hire this guy, you probably still have a stereo system with mammoth speakers - which is good - because he needs a place to set his ice cold Mountain Dew.

Vibrate option - set to taze

What do you have to do to get this guy’s attention? And does he really think that the phone crawling off the table on its own is any less distracting than a ring? Subtlety is lost on this guy, so speak plainly, get things in writing, and understand you might have to call 911 if the guy strokes out on your jobsite due to repeated shocks.

One, small, discrete beep

This guy spends a lot of time in meetings. The good thing is you can be relatively sure he’s a professional, at least to the extent he is concerned about interruptions. On the other hand, if he’s the one doing the work, you might plan ahead of time to communicate through email, that is, if phone tag is not on your list of favorite ways to waste time.

Rascal Flatts – Bless the Broken Road

With his cowboy hat and boots, he’s easy to spot. “Yes ma’am” will preface every sentence, and he won’t curse in front of the kids. That being said, once you let this guy in, he’s a member of your family. You’ll be feeding him, your kids will run to hug him when he arrives to work, and, at the end of the day, you might just wind up watching a Hallmark movie marathon together. Of course, he’ll cry. His craftsmanship is impeccable, but he will be as permanent a fixture as those new kitchen cabinets.

The Flinstones theme song (or Smurfs, or Bugs Bunny…)

This guy is a fun loving kind of dude, and since some of us might know him, we’ll end it there.

30th Anniversary and Retirement Party

2011-07-26T09:15:00.011-05:00

On Sunday, we had the privilege of celebrating our 30th Anniversary as well as the retirement of our founder, Bob Degnan.

Over 120 of our past clients, as well as a number of our preferred vendors and contractors, joined us to share memories about the dream Bob had for the company, and the commitment to quality that made that dream a reality.

A huge thanks to all who shared with us.

We appreciate your continued involvement as we look to the future!

Happy Retirement, Bob!

Haggling for Home Improvements?

2011-06-30T15:40:00.005-05:00

Yes, we know homeowners need to watch the bottom line. That being said, so does any reputable contractor.

Like all contractors, sometimes we hear the budget for a project is more than the homeowner wanted to pay. We understand this, really, we do. We want you to be comfortable with your investment, and if it is more than you want to spend, we want to work with you. We could adjust the scope of your project. We could juggle the time frame so maybe we do the bathroom this year and the kitchen next year. We could take a close look at your product selections and possibly find less expensive options to incorporate without compromising the functionality and beauty of the space. We might even be able to redesign so you get that same feeling you were looking for, but in a smaller space. There are many, many options.

We will not, however, haggle.

There is always someone out there who will undercut the other guy in order to get the work. But let’s look at the anatomy of this contractor.

As a homeowner, you basically know the prices. You see them at the big-box stores, you can shop online as well as any contractor, so unlike you may be led to believe, that low bid is not possible due to miraculous discounts earned by the charming quote on the back of your contractor’s hat. If they insist the discrepancy is in the material prices, you best double check the line items to make sure you have an apples to apples bid.

The price difference is not in the materials. You know it, we know it, and they know it.

So, where is it?

It’s in the details - the ones that separate a professional remodeler from a non-professional.

Things like proper insurances, well-maintained tools, good relationships with other subcontractors, and highly trained craftsmen do not come cheap. So, which one can you do without?

A professional knows how house systems work. They have thoroughly investigated your home and are prepared to offer budget appropriate solutions. They have taken the time to gather enough information to offer comprehensive bids, and should be able to complete the job with minimal change orders.

The conclusion: we will not haggle because we offer a high quality product, delivered in a realistic, honest and solid time frame. As always, we will work with you to make sure your project is completed on time, on budget, and to your specifications.

Do you have a project in mind? Give us a call!

Designed for your Life.

Hair Gel, Change Orders, and Trust

2011-06-07T10:37:00.009-05:00

One day, I went to get my hair done at a popular “upper scale” salon that shall remain nameless for the purposes of this blog (If you ask me in person, I’ll tell you all about it).

I looked great. She cut my hair the exact length, she offered the perfect amount of pointless conversation to take my attention off her strangely applied eyeliner, and I walked up to the counter feeling spiffed up and ready for the rest of my day.

She, extending the camaraderie (or so I thought), walked with me, chatted with the cheery receptionist, and commenced to pull bottles off the shelves. She placed them in front of me, “you’re gonna’ love how easy this style is to maintain.” She waved at the clerk and bounced off to her next ~~victim~~ client.

And there I stood; buying bottles of junk I didn’t want.

I walked to my car, convincing myself I had not just been duped, but I knew better. She employed a tactic that worked on me, and probably a lot of other people as well.

You know the one. It’s the one where the customer unwittingly buys a bunch of stuff they didn't plan on buying.

Last week, I was talking to another contractor who had recently lost a bid to a competitor. The competitor bid low and planned to make up the difference in change orders. It’s sad to say, but this is a standard practice for many builders. Unfortunately, clients don’t talk about it much, because no one likes to admit they feel cheated.

After I got my hair cut, my friends all complimented me. Do you think I told them the truth about my experience? No way. I told them the name of the stylist and pretended like her up-sale at the end of the transaction was normal.

But it wasn’t. And it didn’t have to be.

If she wanted to style my hair in a way so I would have to buy bottles of goo, she should have told me, and I would have probably been on board – maybe even excited about the change. I definitely would not be writing this blog.

The fact is every sales transaction involves a level of trust. I will not return to that stylist. Not because my bill was too much, but because of the surprise at the end of the process. In essence, no matter how good the cut was, I do not trust her to work in my best interest.

So what about contractors who work with this surprise at the end philosophy, and do so successfully? Why do they get away with it? Why do people still use that styling salon?

It goes back to not wanting to be the person who was taken advantage of.

As contractors, this is frustrating. We are professional, we know how much something costs, and to have another “professional” under-bid to get the homeowner to sign the bottom line is just plain dishonest. But, there is little we as contractors can do about it.

However, there is a lot you, as a customer, can do.

The builder wants you to trust them. Make them earn it. Call their references, and keep in mind, like me not telling my friends about how I was duped, people do not want to think they have been taken advantage of. They probably won’t admit it if they went with the lowest bid and their finished project cost them more than the highest bid. Ask specific questions that go beyond if they liked their experience. Questions like:

-How many change orders were there in total?

-What was the dollar amount of change orders?

-What was the reason for the change orders?

-How much did you spend on your home outside of your construction loan?

-Were the contractor’s allowances realistic for your goals?

-Did your appliances go over your allowance?

-Did your flooring go over your allowance?

-Did your landscape go over your allowance?

-Did your lighting selections stay within the allowance?

-Was the decorating and painting budget sufficient?

-Did you feel like you had the option to reject change orders, or did you feel forced into them?

-After you reflected on the allowances you were given, did you feel like they met your original expectations?

A $50.00 haircut is not exactly what I would call low cost, but it still was a lot less than I ended up paying for the privilege of the experience.

How much will you pay for your experience? Has your builder earned your trust?

We pride ourselves on our honest approach, and yes, sometimes our numbers might sound a bit high. That’s because we will bid what you ask for and nothing less. If you want an expensive faucet, you will find it in your bid, and not buried in an allowance that does not get close enough to paying for it. On the flip side, if it turns out to be more than you wanted to spend, we will help you trim your budget in a way that will not come back to bite you in the end.

Working with unrealistic allowances cheats the homeowner, the builder, and everyone involved. At Degnan Design Builders, we design to your budget. That means you have to power to control your costs, and can be assured we will not suddenly raise prices at the end of the transaction and leave you walking to your car, wondering what just happened, and why your $50.00 haircut turned into a $100.00 experience.

Oh, and ask me for the name of my new stylist…she’s fantastic.

By: Cara Luecht - Office Manager

Energy Improvements for the 30 year old home

2011-05-26T09:27:00.011-05:00

For the next few blogs, we will continue the discussion about energy improvements, using home age to focus in on what might need to be done to your home in order to bring it to today’s energy standards.

This week we will discuss a home approximately 30 years old. This home, built in the early 1980’s, can actually be one of the best as far as energy improvements go. Much older, and factors like lead remediation and asbestos removal come into play. Much newer, and the function of the home may need to be improved, but the form may still be acceptable to the homeowners, meaning the improvements may offer less of a “wow” factor when complete.

First, before you do anything, think about having an energy efficiency test to see where your biggest challenges are. Most likely, you will find some surprises. Let’s face it, making improvements to your home investment can be expensive, so it’s nice to know your effort will pay off with lower utility bills. Replacing your windows may not do much for your energy bill if an infrared camera shows the air infiltration is from around the window, where it may not have been properly insulated. You could think of an energy improvement assessment as an insurance policy…it means what you hoped to accomplish with your improvements will be what gets done.

Not only that, but with an energy audit, there is a system of checks and balances, with more accountability on your contractors part to perform to the standards.

Getting back to the 30 year old home, the list of improvements often includes a new roof (if it has not already been installed), windows, and siding replacement. These are big improvements, but when making these changes, being cognizant of the energy impact of your choices can lead to a big payoff in energy savings.

The roof:

As long as you’re up there, you might as well take a look at the insulation in the attic. Chances are it could use some sprucing up. If you have ever noticed ice damming, it is definitely time to climb around the attic to see what is going on. Your home should never have ice dams. They shorten the life of your roof, can cause leaks into your attic, and in severe cases, might damage drywall. They are often a source of mold growth, possibly affecting the health of your family. Luckily, proper insulation along with air sealing can rid your home of ice dams for good. An energy audit will expose each small problem spot in detail so they can be tackled with efficiency.

The Siding:

If that old aluminum siding is faded and dented and just not up to par, there are many energy improvement options available when the new siding is installed. Some 30 year old homes may already have a 1” layer of foam, but many do not. A 1-2” finished layer before t the siding with PROPERLY installed housewrap will help to increase the comfort of your home tremendously. (As a side note, the plan to incorporate foam should be coordinated with the window installer as it will add thickness to the outside wall and change the size of your window jamb.)

Another place for improvement is adding a 2” layer of foam to the exposed areas of your basement foundation. A significant amount of heat loss takes place here, and a foam surround at the foundation is now considered standard in today’s homes. This is not a difficult, nor is it an incredibly expensive improvement, and your siding installer would probably be more than happy to help you with this.

Windows:

Oh, the windows…so many choices, so many options, so much information (for fun in your spare time, count the number of advertisements for window installers you see in one day).

Here is the lowdown with windows…you get what you pay for in quality and installation.

Cheap windows will yield meager energy savings. Expensive windows will feel like you have no window at all. But, each homeowner needs to find their balance, and if the top of the line window is not in your budget, you still have options.

One thing is essential…quality installation…it will make a huge difference, especially with the less expensive varieties. The challenge is, not everyone knows when the installer is doing all they can to make your home more than aesthetically pleasing. One thing is for certain though, energy efficient improvements need to be intentional. This is where your energy audit comes in handy.

Armed with knowledge, you can be an advocate for your home and demand the windows be properly insulated, the siding and housewrap be properly installed, and the attic be properly sealed.

Of course, you could call us, and we would be more than happy to coordinate the project from beginning to end.

Functional, Beautiful, Efficient….Designed for your Life.

Workman's Comp and the Homeowner

2011-05-17T07:23:00.003-05:00

A few months ago, my son fell while at Grandma's house. We received a call from our insurance company. They wanted to hold Grandma liable because the injury happened on her property.

This seems to be the way things are with health insurance. So, being part of the building industry, I started wondering about workplace injuries when the contractor does not carry Workman's Comp insurance.

I called our insurance agent and learned if a contractor is injured while on a job site, even if they have liability insurance, without Workman's Comp, the homeowner is at risk.

Working with liability and not carrying a Work Comp policy is a common practice in the construction trades, especially when dealing with a small company where the owner is the carpenter. In Wisconsin, when there are no employees, there is no law to say the owner has to cover him/herself with a Workman's Comp policy. After all, Workman's Comp can be expensive, and for many contractors, working without the insurance is a risk they are willing to take. What the contractor probably does not realize is the risk they are placing on their customers.

(Click on the picture below for Abe's explanation of the importance of Workman's Comp)

Even if you have a trusted relationship with your contractor, and you know they would not sue if injured, their insurance company may not have the same respect for your relationship.

Remember Grandma's house? I (being unhappy at the thought of my own health insurance suing Grandma because my son fell on her property) asked the agent if things had gotten to the point where a child cannot play at Grandma's house without Grandma being sued. Her heartwarming response was "...if the injury was on her property, she is liable."

Workman's Comp not only acts as an insurance covering a worker who might be injured while on the job, but also it works as a firewall for the homeowner, shielding them from liability in case of an injury.

When considering a remodel or building project, it is essential to work with professional contractors who know the laws and regulations and all of the potential impacts on their customer's lives and homes. Of course, at Degnan Design Builders, Inc., we not only have the proper insurances, but also have the systems in place to track the insurance of all of our subcontractors. We do everything in our power to make sure the building process is as least disruptive as possible. Just as we clean and lock up the job site at the end of every day, we consider having the proper insurances essential to providing the exceptional service we are known for.

Design, circa 1997

2011-04-25T13:46:00.015-05:00

At a job site meeting this past week, our newest design clients handed Abe a small pile of dog-eared, marked-up “inspiration” magazines. They contained pictures and ideas collected by the homeowners, and demonstrated their affection for clean lines, neutral colors, and a judicious use of space.

One magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, looked particularly well loved. The corner of page 137 was folded over to mark the homeowner’s favorite article and pictures, entitled “Small Wonder…A Little House that Lives Large.”

Thinking about the line of books on our office coffee table with titles boasting the modern ideals of conservation, energy efficiency, and living larger in a smaller space, I settled in to see what was new in the world of small design.

The author wrote about eliminating unnecessary rooms, defining open spaces, and the use of natural light. What I didn’t expect was the sentence, “…we pumped up the volume with 17-foot high vaulted ceilings to ease the squeeze.”

What?! 17 foot high ceilings? Why would they promote such an energy and space guzzling design?

I flipped the cover over and found the publishing date. August 1997.

A ha!

After that, I sat back to read and discover what has changed over time, and what hasn’t. Truthfully, 1997 doesn’t seem like that long ago, but in the world of energy innovations, building design and language use (“pumped up the volume…” - hehe), things change quickly. Consequently, the home we will soon remodel, inspired by the more timeless elements of the magazine pictures, will be tighter, more functional, and energy conscious enough to meet today’s standards.

I turned another page and gave silent credit to the gurus of technology. A lot has changed in the last decade.

I finished scanning the necessary pictures into our computer so Abe can access them wherever he decides to work, picked up my smart phone to check my email and my schedule for the rest of the day, and headed home to the sound of digital tunes that did not require a CD, tape, 8 track, record, or victrola.

But, radio is still totally awesome.

LED Lighting Becoming Mainstream

2011-04-15T07:43:00.005-05:00

With prices approaching affordable, LED lighting is finally becoming mainstream.

Recently, we’ve tested 3 different brands of 5-6 watt, LED MR16 lamps. They range in price from $12 to $20 each, and have a life span of 20,000-30,000 hours. We’ve done the math, and if used about 40 hours/week, this can be well over a decade of illumination.

In comparison to the LED options, MR16 halogen bulbs (20 and 35 watt) cost around $5 each. They last about 5000 hours (if you are lucky), and have around 250-300 lumens. In our office environment, the LED bulbs appear slightly brighter than the 20 watt 250 lumen halogen lamps.

Beyond brightness, if the color of light is a concern, the LED’s are available in 3000k (Kelvin degree) warm white or cool white options. Typically, lower k temps mean a warmer color of light. But we found while halogen bulbs can be anywhere between 2800k to 3200k, they do appear slightly warmer than the LED’s in color, no matter the source.

There are two main factors to consider when comparing LED, halogen, xenon, or fluorescent options: 1. Duration of use; 2. Cost of replacement. The question is how long will the lights be on each day? The more they are used, the quicker the payback in energy savings. You can expect an LED lamp to last 4-6 times as long as a halogen. Keep in mind that while the purchase price of an LED bulb might be 3 times that of a halogen, an LED lamp can boast over $100 in savings over its 50,000 hour lifespan. When you add to these factors the cost and trouble of going to the store, finding the right bulbs, and replacing them; the decision in favor of the LED bulb seems fairly simple.

But other options, such as undercabinet lighting or recessed lighting could introduce variables that would sway your preference. This winter, thinking about efficiency and life span, I purchased LED undercabinet lighting from a MABA member (previously, I had used Xenon lights but was disappointed by the inordinate number of bulbs that quickly burned out). The reflective nature of the countertops created an unexpected consequence. Polished granite, it turns out, reflected the individual dots of light. Therefore, florescent T5 undercabinet lighting, due to cost and energy use (and the fact that it does not reflect off the granite) turned out to be a winning product for this application.

Compact florescent bulbs in recessed can lights are a viable option depending on your usage. LED’s currently win out in life span and energy savings, but when adding the extra cost of trim rings, and taking into account how often you use the lights, they may not be optimal for every situation. However, if you want to be able to dim the lights, the LED’s are the way to go.

Candelabra-base bulbs are another challenge, but we have tested a couple of products from former MABA member EFI (Energy Federation, Inc.) as well as The Home Depot with pleasing results. While not dimmable, there are some 5, 7 and 9 watt CFL’s that provide great lumens with a color similar to that of a traditional incandescent light.

For more product details, please follow the links below.

EFI candelabra base, 40 lumen/watt rating, with the flame-tip decorative style: http://bit.ly/f9vR9v

Home Depot Product comparison:

http://bit.ly/dG7scj

Home Depot - highest lumens and least expensive:

http://bit.ly/giB8Zy

These are the 3 MR16 LED's that we've found:

http://bit.ly/gC0NMV

This is the brightest lamp we tried:

http://bit.ly/evVkE0

Most efficient, least expensive, and bright:

http://bit.ly/fFIJfY

Demystifying Energy Improvements

2011-04-05T10:39:00.007-05:00

If you look out your window in the morning and see this on the neighbor’s roof, you know something is not quite up to par with their home’s energy efficiency.

Besides causing you to wonder if your own roof has tell-tale spots (you may want to put on your robe and take a look while the frost is still on the roof, or better yet, ask your neighbor what they can see over their morning cup of coffee), signs like these reveal the lack of knowledge that homeowners, and even many builders, have in regards to performance expectations.

The dark spots on the left side of this picture reveal areas where heat from inside the house has escaped to melt the frost off the shingles. This is concerning for three reasons. The first is the potential of ice damming and the resulting damage. The second is the transfer of heat to the outdoors, which reduces efficiency and increases utility bills. The third, and possibly most concerning, is the evidence that for this home, energy efficiency may have been an afterthought, and along with the keys, the homeowners may have purchased an abundance of missed opportunities and unrealized potential savings.

Last week, I (Cara) crawled into an attic with Anthony as he taught some local maintenance technicians how to make their apartments more efficient. Going into the project, I thought I knew a fair amount about building with efficiency in mind. What I learned, however, is unless efficiency is a priority of the builder, it simply does not exist. The spots on the roof should not be there. They are easily preventable, and planning their prevention, or in this case, their correction, is essential to a well performing structure.

Over the next few weeks, we will work to demystify energy efficiency. We will describe what the term means, the modern expectations for an energy efficient home, and how these expectations are realized.

Watch our upcoming blogs for hints on how to make your home more efficient, including a list of projects, some approximate costs, what improvements can give you the most bang for your buck, and advice on what you may or may not want to tackle on your own.

Our Philosophy

2011-03-22T07:44:00.007-05:00

Please let us share our philosophy with you...

The support system of our business is our philosophy. We believe the fundamental values that guide our practices are as important to the success of our projects as are the foundations of the structures we design and build. Using our philosophy as a blueprint for how we operate means we have the ability to act with intention, and our customers have the opportunity to know who we are and the level of quality they can expect from us as a company.

Our Philosophy

Our primary occupation is one of stewardship. We understand every decision has a cost, whether it is financial, environmental, or relational. This is why we focus on the design process. Years of successful projects demonstrate how the time invested with us in the planning phase pays dividends in up-front proposals and fewer change orders and surprises.

Our process is based on communication, respect, and the details that showcase our commitments to our customers and our community.

Our Values

-We believe you can find success in playing by the rules.

-We believe that all regulations should be adhered to, and Building Code is the minimum required, not the final product. We do not just “build to code,” we build beyond the code, offering our customers truly exceptional quality and long term value through better comfort, durability, safety, and efficiency.

-We believe in giving back. The owners and employees are actively involved in their communities, and we strive to find subcontractors with the same values.

-We believe in the importance of relationships and work to nurture healthy alliances in both our professional and personal lives.

-We believe in earning our customer’s business. We want our customers to choose us because they know we embody the best the building trades have to offer.

-We believe in the principles of stewardship: of finances, of the environment, of resources, and of friendships.

-We believe in the power of analysis, and continually find new ways to put ourselves to the test. We look for measurable results, testing our homes, customer satisfaction and other business benchmarks.

-We believe in being proactive.

-We believe our business will grow, because we make intentional decisions that will yield positive future results.

“I have gained this by philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law.” – Aristotle

The VALUE of DESIGN

2011-03-18T08:50:00.004-05:00

Given the small area of most bathrooms, and the number of elements that need to be included, it is no wonder why remodeling can be such a challenge. However, breaking the obstacles down to their most honest form reveals a much simpler challenge, and fortunately, simple challenges usually have simple solutions.

No budge in the budget ...

Let's face it; the budget dictates your project. Even if it's a generous budget, it's still the deciding factor in not only the choices you make, but also the options you have to choose from. In fact, the only thing more important than creating the budget is sticking to it - and in a big-box-world of choices, sticking to a budget isn't easy…

…and the solution is not always about cutting back.

It is about making smart choices. Educating yourself about the available options is a good place to start, but the information is only as good as the source, and if you are counting on a teenager standing in the tile aisle of your local big box as your main source of information, then you may be placing your project in the hands of someone with very little practical knowledge. This assistance is probably fine for choosing paint colors, or a cool new lamp, but surely not the best source when considering plumbing and electrical code. In order to make the most informed decisions, you need a professional who is familiar with your home’s intricacies.

Your one defense against budget breaking choices are the experts you rely on. Yet for some reason, when attempting to control the budget, professional design is often the first item scratched off the list.

Design takes into account all of the elements: plumbing, electrical, traffic movement, ventilation, storage space, and aesthetics. A good design means that you will have a convenient place to plug in your blow dryer. It means that your door will close properly. It also means that the toilet is not the first thing you see when you walk past the bathroom.

A good design ensures the room will last. It alleviates mold and mildew before it starts to grow. It allows for plumbing accessibility in case of a malfunction. A good design means you only remodel once, the right way, with the right elements, chosen with the help of someone who knows which faucets will last, which tile is too slippery, and how to save you money without sacrificing value.

Consider this: over the past three years of projects, 100% of our customers surveyed reported that they were satisfied with how we handled their budget. We attribute this to the planning that takes place in the design phase, and more importantly, the resulting low incidence of change orders and surprises during construction.

When was the last time you talked to a friend who remodeled, and they reported their project actually stayed on budget?

If remodeling choices are truly about money, and they always are, the question is not if you can afford to use a design/builder, but rather, if you can afford not to use one.

The Man Cave

2011-02-28T09:22:00.009-06:00

Every time I surf through the home building networks on TV, I seem to run into a “man cave” episode. So, with my curiosity piqued (and ignoring the potentially sexist implications), I decided to fire up the search engine and type it in.

One website, boasting the best of the best, caught my eye and I found myself scrolling through photos of rooms that look like hotel fantasy suites minus the hot tub. Star Wars rooms (including a life size 3CPO), and Star Trek rooms (let’s not get the two confused), popped up on the screen. The website promoted theater rooms with walls textured like an actual cave, garages with wet bars, spaces designed to look like a NFL locker room, and even a room built around a pole (yes…you know the kind). After the initial smirk and eye roll, I was impressed by the detail that went into these spaces, and especially the level of craftsmanship displayed. After all, taking a basement block wall and turning it into the Starship Enterprise, and doing it well, is not an easy task. There’s electrical to run (a lot of it for those control panels), and plumbing for the wet bar (where was that on the bridge?), and a good deal of well planned audio and visual equipment. In short, design and planning cannot be taken lightly for a well done “man cave."

If you have dreams of a “man cave” of your own, and you want it to be a place you are proud to invite your like-minded friends, give us a call. We will make sure your space consists of more than a big screen hanging on a painted block wall, attached to a giant orange extension cord running the perimeter of the room. In all seriousness, we would design it so every square foot is utilized to its fullest potential. Non-standard lighting choices, the perfect fixtures, and carefully selected flooring all influence the comfort of your “man cave”. We could even create a wet bar in the place where the replicator should be (as we have not perfected that yet). Or, add that fantasy suite hot tub back in.

Of course, if you are looking for a room that blends with the rest of your decor, we could design that as well, paying close attention to the details that will make your remodel or addition feel seamless and comfortable.

2011 Parade of Homes

2011-02-09T09:42:00.002-06:00

Are you ready to save $25,000 building your new home? We have 2 different homes, 2 different lots, and 2 different price ranges -- ready to go, both with $25,000 in Parade of Homes savings and ready to occupy after the Parade of Homes in June 2011.

If you are ready for your dream ranch, with an open floor plan, great room, 2 fireplaces and room for everyone, see Lot 35 Rivers Turn. There are 4 bedrooms, views to die for, and a garage that you just won't believe -- room for 6 cars, or all your toys! Quit paying storage fees for your boat or hobbies and buy this home. Entertain in the open great room and kitchen, enjoy holiday dinners in a semi-formal dining room that is still comfortable for your weekday dinner. A 1/2 acre lot with a private back yard leads you to the Yahara River conservancy -- and no back yard neighbors! Notice 3 sets of patio doors that connect you to that back yard. Views from every part of the house -- even across the street there are no homes.

Front view of 35 Rivers Turn

Rear view of 35 Rivers Turn

Looking for an open 2-story plan at a modest budget? Then Lot 66 Rivers Turn is for you. We have options to build with 3 or 4 bedrooms, and it has an exposed basement for future finishing. On the main level, find a REAL mudroom with room for all your stuff, a home office, and living room with a fireplace that is open to the kitchen and dining area. Windows make the difference -- take in views of the conservancy from your large living room and master bedrooms. Notice the large 10 foot patio door off the dining area. And again, a 3 car garage with extra depth to store the fun things every family has!

Front view of 66 Rivers Turn

Rear View of 66 Rivers Turn

With Degnan Design Builders, the differences are in the details and in the design. Our homes are tested to prove their energy efficiency using Home Performance with ENERGY STAR and the Focus on Energy New Homes Program. What were your heating bills this winter? In my own home, the most expensive month this year is $133, including our heat, hot water and a gas dryer used for 5 family members in a 2800 square foot home. Thanks to the Intelligent Wall construction methods, we can produce the same results for you.

For more information, you can call Abe at 846-5963, or Ted & Tammy Krez at Lakewood Realty.

Wish for Santa

2010-12-30T08:45:00.007-06:00

Last month we received a call from a DeForest home daycare provider who suffered an overnight kitchen fire. The disaster not only closed their business, but also made their home unlivable. Thankfully, no one was hurt.

We began working immediately to return their home and business to normal.

First, we assessed the damage. We found black walls and ceilings, ashes and dirt everywhere, destroyed appliances, and ruined cabinetry. The acrid smell of smoke permeated the house. A thorough clean-up job, new cabinets, new appliances, as wells as a lot of other work was needed to make this house a home again.

Although a fire right before the holidays seems to be doubly tragic, it provided a window when the kids were home for the Holiday break. This allowed Anthony to begin the task of lead safe demolition as soon as A & J Restoration Services finished cleaning. With the lead safe work out of the way, Cheryl of CB Custom Painting quickly sealed the newly clean walls, effectively erasing any residual smoke odors. New cabinets and appliances went on order and the kids were able to come back to their home away from home.

Although Anthony works diligently on all of his jobs, this one was special, as this smoke damaged home is the home of his children’s daycare provider.

Imagine our surprise when the next week we read this in the DeForest Times Tribune:

Dominic, Anthony’s son, had a special wish for Santa. We find it heartwarming that Santa is using Dominic’s dad to make the wish come true.

Wondering what "The Not So Big House" really means?

2010-11-22T19:59:00.001-06:00

I've talked to many clients about the concept of "The Not So Big House" as architect/author Sara Susanka presents. In case you've wondered about it, but haven't taken time to read the books, here is a primer in a half-hour webinar that Sarah presents.

You need to enter your email address but this is a free recording and you can also download the slides to review for yourself.

To find out about creating your own "not so big house", an inspired home full of warmth, beauty, and detail, just contact us! Or consider building yours as our 2011 Parade Home(tm).

2011 Parade of Homes(tm)

2010-11-10T10:56:00.001-06:00

Degnan Design Builders is proud to be a 2011 Madison Area Builders Association Parade of Homes(tm) builder. We are offering Lot 35 in Rivers Turn, Conservancy Place, DeForest. Please view this video to learn more about the site we are offering and contact us if you are interested.

Ice dams

2010-11-09T13:31:00.012-06:00

With winter fast approaching, energy savings and comfort are primary focuses for many of our homeowners. Snow shovels, blowers, boots, and gloves beckon from their various household corners, and we at Degnan Design Builders, Inc. remember the heavy snows of recent winters with visions of ice dams, soggy insulation, and dripping drywall. Here’s to hoping for a mild winter…

Example of an ice dam

But just in case, there’s nothing like a little preparation to be on the safe side.

One of Anthony’s current projects is an interesting 1950’s ranch home in Madison, WI. As you drive down the quiet street bordered by mature trees, you realize that over the years the houses here have shed their post war look-alike aura for the more individual identities provided by generations of creative do-it-yourselfers. This home in particular started out modest, but with the prior addition of a room off the back of the kitchen, the footprint offered workable space for the homeowner’s desired improvements and updates. Specifically, he wanted the added room to be comfortable both during the summer and winter, a roof that did not develop ice dams and leak, and a focus on energy savings. Being a Green Built Home builder and remodeler, we at Degnan Design Builders, Inc. are prepared to help all of our homeowners meet these three goals.

As every experienced remodeler knows, working with an existing structure can offer some unique challenges, and as each new found layer if interest is peeled back, another may appear. In a house of this age, it is not uncommon to find signs of renovations that were poorly executed, and this home is no different: the floor didn’t align, and the roof actually sloped the wrong way. Another roof was built over the top in an effort to correct the problem, but it simply remained non-functioning. Consequently, in an effort to meet our customer’s goals, Anthony and Seth are working tirelessly to make the needed improvements to the existing structure.

After removing the old roof layers, Anthony is creating a cathedral ceiling which will give the room interest as well as provide an appropriate pitch for the roof.

According to permit records, the roof on this structure is only approximately 5 years old. So, as well as sharing a concern for the triple factors of comfort, functionality and efficiency, this homeowner wanted to know what can make a 5 year old roof wear out as if it has protected a house for decades.

Note how the shingles on the front of the house have curled.

Anthony’s answer: Improper insulation.

And, while the homeowner attempted to fix the problem by installing additional insulation in the attic, the new insulation did not extend all the way out over the wall plates at the overhangs of the house. This was the primary source of heat loss in winters past.

Simply described, proper insulation (in the Wisconsin winter season) creates a barrier between the heated indoors and the cold weather outside. In reality, however, it does much more than keep the household inhabitants snug and warm. When installed correctly, the insulation also sees to the protection of the house itself: wood, shingles and all.

Proper installation takes into account issues such as the type of insulation for the space and how the area is ventilated. But how is it that poor insulation can take years off of a good roof?

It begins with our weather. Remember, in the simplest terms insulation keeps the cold out and the heat in. In addition, it also provides a buffer so the cold and heat do not meet anywhere on the house. It is this meeting of extreme temperatures that damages so many roofs, including this one.

The damage occurs when snow falls on the roof and stays. If the insulation is inadequate, the rising heat meets the cold and begins to melt the snow.

http://www.tecotested.com

Now, in Wisconsin, in the dead of winter, this melt may only happen for a few hours during the short afternoons followed by a hard freeze at night - especially over the soffits and gutters at the edge of the roof. This freeze thaw cycle can take place daily for much of the winter and is the cause of the huge, dangerous looking, overhanging chunks of ice that we call ice damming.

The cycle can go largely unnoticed for most of the winter, but spring eventually comes to Wisconsin, and when the roof begins to reappear, the curled shingles are only the beginning of the problems.

The blockage of ice that forms at (or near) the gutters for most of the winter forces the melting water into the attic. This saturates wood, insulation, and sometimes pushes enough water into the house to penetrate the drywall as well. All this moisture leaves tell-tale lines and streaks on ceilings and walls, along with mold in the attic.

Example of mold due to moisture in the attic

Luckily, this problem is easily avoidable, and although fixing the damage can be daunting, protecting your home from the potential damage can be rather painlessly arranged.

There are many functional options to choose from when considering better insulation, or even replacing a damaged roof. With Anthony’s help, the homeowner of our current job chose a multifaceted approach to make sure that the new roof will stand up to whatever winter brings this year. For his new roofing material, he selected an upgraded, heavier-gauge standing seam metal roof system. In addition, the new roof over the old addition will receive foam insulation and dense-packed cellulose in order to achieve ventilated rafters, air sealing, and maximum energy efficiency. As we replace soffit and fascia around the perimeter of the house, ventilation baffles will be installed along with insulation over the wood top plates of the house (which were the previous heat loss and ice damming culprits).

All of these choices were made with energy savings in mind, and because of his focus on efficiency, over the upcoming years our homeowner will not only look forward to lower energy bills, but also a functioning roof that will last, and a room that will be comfortable in every season.

Do you have any questions or concerns about your roof? Call or post a message to us and we will do our best to help. You can find us here on our blog, on Facebook, Twitter, and in the office too!

If you clog your sink drain...

2010-09-08T08:44:00.004-05:00

A client recently reported that he has clogged his prep sink and asked for advice. Personally, I find clogs to be rare if you use your garbage disposal properly while running water through it. The only time I ever clogged a pipe myself was in an apartment after putting potato peels down a disposal. I learned my lesson!

Here is a primer on how you can try to first avoid, and then repair, this potential problem.

1) Make sure that the garbage disposal gets run every time anything is put down it. Run it with water. If there is a lot of waste going down it, run the disposal with water running for 30 seconds after the disposal sounds like the debris is cleared.

2) If you do clog the drain, one way to try to "force" the issue is to fill the sink up with water, pull the drain plug, run the disposal, and the disposal will "push" the debris through by force because it will be pushing the water out.

There is a risk: that you end up with the sink full of water and a clog so severe that it does not clear out with that force. The other risk is that if there is a dishwasher air gap or a double sink, you will actually force water backwards up into the other sink or out through the air gap. If this happens, it is an indication that the clog is beyond the P-trap and in the main line of the drain.

If the sink remains full of water, take a container and scoop out the water and get rid of it through another sink so that the next step gets easier for you.

3) Disassemble the P-trap under the sink and clear it out. That can be done without tools, usually you can do it by hand because they are plastic fittings. Pay attention to how it comes apart and put it together exactly the same again. Place a bucket underneath as you disassemble it so that no water spills into the cabinet. Wear long rubber gloves if you are going to get grossed out about getting a little dirty water/debris on you.

After doing this, you should be able to visually see whether the trap or pipe is clogged. Look at the inside of the P-trap. Is it full of debris? Is gunk caked onto the sides of it? Clean it out. Look where the drain pipes continue toward the wall, usually a horizontal run before it goes to the wall into a vertical drain. Is that clogged with gunk or debris? Clean it out. If the P-trap and the adjacent run of pipe are not the culprit, then move on to part 4.

4) Use a drain snake to clean out the pipe. If you don't own one, you can buy one or rent one from a home center, lumber yard, or supply house. You can also call a plumber at this point if it is beyond your skills or your gag reflex!

Good luck. Please respond with any additional tricks, tips, or questions that I can answer.

New Building Materials Called Into Question

2010-07-20T07:18:00.001-05:00

The Madison Fire department recently called into questions new building materials saying they can accelerate fire damage after a fire on the far East Side of Madison. See this recent article in the Wisconsin State Journal.

The loss of property is always tragic. Thankfully, in this new home built to modern standards, there was no loss of life.

Thanks to modern construction materials, building products perform better than ever. We no longer log old growth forests to get 2x12's like we did in the 1960's. We build stronger and greener using trees created for the purpose of engineered building materials. Clients actually get a stronger, better performing home thanks to modern materials.

Besides, this is a green building practice to farm & harvest materials in our own part of the country as opposed to logging old-growth forests in the pacific northwest and Canada to get the big 2x12 joists, which can still burn!

When it comes to life safety, homes built since the Uniform Dwelling Code was implemented in 1978 all have smoke detectors. They are now required to be interconnected so they all sound no matter where one goes off. The deaths from fires occur in old homes and old multi-family buildings. New homes are safer than ever thanks to fire blocking, smoke detectors, fire doors to the garage, etc.

I wonder if ALL the smoke detectors in this house were working? And, what was stored in the basement that was the source of this fire? The building alone could not have caused the fuel for this fire. Something else had to fuel it to cause that much destruction.

There is so much missing from this story that we don't yet know. I look forward to a full report after the cause of the fire is determined. Unfortunately, almost a month later I have seen no follow-up and limited discussion.

Ban on multiple shower heads?

2010-07-19T07:16:00.001-05:00

The Department of Energy is considering a ban on multiple shower heads as reported by the NAHB. Good or bad? Most of you know us as proponents of wise energy use and Green Building techniques, but it concerns me from a standpoint of personal liberty as well.

In fact, there are several reasons why I actually think multiple shower heads can be more efficient than the alternatives. I encourage you to consider:

A nice shower with a body spray system can often take the place of a large, water-guzzling whirlpool tub. You can enjoy your body spray shower every time you use it, and you can use it for as short or as long as you wish.

By eliminating a whirlpool, you can save on the square footage of your home. Not only do you not need a $1500 - $5000 whirlpool, you can save between 20 and 60 square feet of floor space by not needing to oversize your bathroom further.

While some shower systems can use as much as 10 gallons or more per minute, this is rare. And,you have the opportunity to still get a refreshing shower with as little as 4 or 5 gallons per minute with greater bursts of water when needed. Or, switch on the single shower head for average use of 2 gallons, and then go to full blast when you rinse your body.

In almost any case, a 10 minute shower is going to use less water than a 70 gallon fill-up of your whirlpool. And in any case, water conservation and energy conservation is up to you. Choose to live your life responsibly. Enjoy it, but why waste it?

I hope that if we all make wise decisions, and bit by bit take personal responsibility, we can avoid misguided, overreaching mandates by the government that intrude into our daily lives.

Your thoughts are always welcome!

Choosing an efficient air conditioner

2010-07-16T22:26:00.001-05:00

A friend asked me about choosing a replacement air conditioner. He wonders about what SEER rating to choose in order to get best payback for the added cost of a higher SEER efficiency.

Until about 3 years ago, the minimum standard was 10.0 SEER. New minimum requirement is 13.0 SEER. It is a linear scale, so 13.0 is 30% more efficient than 10.0. You can get them as 16, 18, even 20 or more.

Typically, the highest efficiency units are a Hybrid Heat Pump which will run the AC summer & in the winter to provide heat. It runs "forward" in summer, and "backward" in winter. Then when it gets too cold in winter for the heat pump to be efficient, the gas furnace kicks on. The combination of the electric heat pump and the gas furnace is what makes this a Hybrid system.

Now, to analyze efficiency. If you use the AC a lot, then the quicker it will pay back for you, and the higher the SEER you should get. If the AC is running almost constantly, then the more money you are saving with a high SEER unit every hour it runs! The money you save goes toward paying back the higher upfront cost.

But if you don't use the AC often, then the efficiency hardly matters at all. Think about it - if you only drive 5 miles to work, then the gas mileage of your car hardly matters. On the other hand, if you drive 60 miles each way, the savings of an efficient car really pays off. The same goes for AC: the more you use it, the more important efficiency is.

And, if you are going for a high SEER AC then it might make sense to also get the Hybrid Heat Pump version of it. The heat pump will generally save you money on winter heating bills, and it gives you the flexibility to fine tune your gas and electric use in case of a massive fluctuation in the price of one or the other.

My own house uses a 14 SEER AC unit, and it was built 4 years ago when 10 SEER was still standard. So it was an upgrade at that time, but now it is just slightly more efficient than the minimum standard. We are not heavy AC users. But even though we don't use the AC too much, if I was building a house now I probably would use a hybrid heat pump. The extra expense would be justified by the winter savings, and as a added benefit I would save on the summer AC costs as well.

Hemp Underwear?

2010-07-08T07:59:00.000-05:00

My colleague and advisor Robin Pharo has a new book with a different take on how to be green. To find out more, take a look at her promotional video. The video itself is fun. Now, it is time for me to read the book, soon!

Did you remember to claim your tax credit?

2010-07-07T07:39:00.002-05:00

I am a little late in telling you this, for most of your 2009 taxes. But in case you forgot to claim your ARRA federal tax credit, here is a link that will tell you how. You can always file an amended tax return, or, you may be able to claim credit on your 2010 taxes.

Remember the tax credit it typically for materials only, and you need purchase receipts or documentation from your contractor of the material price. It generally applies to insulation and energy efficiency improvements in your home.

Contact me with any questions, and, if you wish to make improvements to your home to claim your 2010 tax credit!

Claiming the Tax Credit: About IRS Form 5695 - Tax Credits, Green Policy, Legislation - Remodeling Magazine

Post #5 - Opt out clarifications

2010-07-05T07:26:00.002-05:00

Comments about whether you can opt out from Lead Safe Work Practices lead me to post clarification:

You need to PROVE that you are free of lead coatings in order to not use lead-safe work practices. Or, you need to prove that your home is built 1978 or later. To prove 1978 or later, a building permit or real estate record will serve as proof in most cases. They say it must be a legal/municipal record of some sort.

If you are in the Dane County WI area, I can help you to get the testing done. Otherwise, look up your state's list of Lead Risk Assessors and one of these consultants can do the testing on your home.

I want to have some remodeling done on my pre-1978 home. What do I have to do first? FAQ # 21

2010-06-29T08:00:00.003-05:00

This is the last in our series on Lead-Safe Renovation Practices FAQs. We hope you found these FAQs informative.

Q. I want to have some remodeling done on my pre-1978 home. What do I have to do first?
A. Give us a call @ 608-846-5963 or e-mail . We will be happy to talk to you about your project and help you through the process from beginning to end.

What does a general contractor need to know when working with sub‐contractors? FAQ # 20

2010-06-28T14:30:00.011-05:00

What does a general contractor need to know when working with sub‐contractors?
A. The person/firm who has the contract with the homeowner to conduct renovation work must be a certified firm and is responsible for all reporting requirements. While it is strongly recommended that all companies involved in a renovation are certified, a general contractor can hire an uncertified lead safe renovator sub‐contractor as long as the following is met:
o The general is responsible for assuring that other companies are properly trained and certified for the tasks they will perform and that work is performed per the work practice standards
o An uncertified sub‐contractor may not be in the work area while paint is being disturbed
o An uncertified sub‐contractor cannot disturb more than 6 sq feet of interior surfaces, 20 sq feet of exterior surfaces or remove or replace windows
o The general contractor must educate the uncertified sub‐contractor on:
The requirement to keep barriers and containment up, intact, and secured
The requirements of entering and exiting the contained work area
o The general contractor that hires a subcontractor is also responsible for lead‐safe renovation violations committed by the sub.

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DEGNAN DESIGN BUILDERS WINS 2010 DANE COUNTY SMALL BUSINESS AWARD

2010-06-25T15:30:00.006-05:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc., a local Remodeler and Builder, was honored to receive a 2010 Dane County Small Business Award at the 28th annual Awards Presentation Breakfast held June 18th at the Sheraton Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin.
“I am who I am”, Abe Degnan, President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc., remarked to the audience when presented with the Award. “That was how my Dad, who began the business 29 years ago operated, and that is how I run the company. Just be yourself!” By being themselves, father and son developed a loyal following of satisfied clients over the years that continues on today.
The Awards Event celebrates small businesses and the contributions they make to our communities and economy. The Award is given to the business including all of the employees— not just the owners. Award judges recognize that the owner(s) have the vision and take the risk, but it is the teamwork of all the employees that makes a successful company.
Degnan Design Builders was chosen for the 2010 Small Business Award because they have proven that they are successful. Their reputation and character say a lot about them as a company and as individual team members. They have the ability and foresight to carry them through the tough times. Company owners and staff also find significant ways to give back to their communities, even in our difficult economic climate. Some of the ways Degnan Design Builders’ owners and staff contribute to their communities are — volunteering at events held by local schools, their church and non-profit organizations; being involved in public service and community organizations; coaching their children’s sports teams; and participation in annual home building projects in partnership with local non-profit organizations.
Degnan Design Builders wants to thank the Award judges for choosing our company as one of this year’s Award recipients, our clients and vendors/subcontractors for remaining true business partners over the years, and our employees who have maintained a passion for the remodeling/building profession and created trust with those who do business with us.

Who can do the testing? FAQ # 19

2010-06-25T08:00:00.003-05:00

Who can do the testing?

A. We work with local testing consultants who are certified to conduct the proper testing for the presence of lead. We can arrange for the testing to be done for you.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit Monday's Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What if I don’t know when my home was built? FAQ # 18

2010-06-24T08:00:00.002-05:00

What if I don’t know when my home was built?

A. In this case, we must assume that lead-based coatings are present and proceed as though they are. The homeowner can assist us by providing a copy of public records documenting the age of the home such as an Abstract available from the Register of Deeds office.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Do I need to have my house tested? FAQ # 17

2010-06-23T08:00:00.002-05:00

Do I need to have my house tested?

A. If you are remodeling and your home was built before 1978, test to prove. In 1960’s and 70’s houses, it is beneficial to test because there’s a low chance of having lead present. The hazard of lead is creating dust through disturbing surfaces by means of cutting through, sanding, or scraping, and similar actions. It is helpful to know the specifics about any past remodeling done on the home. We need to prove that coatings such as paint and varnish do not contain lead. We look to the homeowner for the home’s history.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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How do I know where the lead problems are in my home? FAQ # 16

2010-06-22T08:00:00.003-05:00

How do I know where the lead problems are in my home?

A. Statistics show that from 25% to 86% of pre-1978 homes, depending on when they were built, contain lead-based coatings. In Wisconsin we currently need to use EPA recognized test kits, an XRF (x-ray fluorescence instruments), or paint chip sampling and laboratory testing to determine and prove exactly which surfaces do or do not have lead coatings. Otherwise, on pre-1978 houses, we must assume that lead coatings are present and work as if they are.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What if the required work is minor? FAQ # 15

2010-06-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

What if the required work is minor?
A. The rule applies to any remodeling done in a pre-1978 home where the work will disturb 6 square feet or more of paint per room inside, or 20 square feet or more on the exterior of a home or building.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Extreme Makeover Home Edition continues to amaze me.

2010-06-20T21:35:00.001-05:00

Once again, Extreme Makeover Home Edition doesn't disappoint and never ceases to amaze me. The current build starts with the family being invited to attend a New York Mets game. Ty comes out to the mound to throw out the first pitch, bullhorn in hand, and yells, "Good morning Lutz family!"

They continue to find amazing families with heart-wrenching stories: Kathleen Lutz has an inoperable brain tumor and is the adoptive mother of 6 children with Down Syndrome.

I can only wait to see this episode air.

A win-win at Yankee Stadium: Lutz family's Long Island home to get 'Extreme Makeover'

Will old lead coatings be covered up or removed completely? FAQ # 14

2010-06-18T08:00:00.011-05:00

Will old lead coatings be covered up or removed completely?

A. Again, it depends. Items that are being disposed of or that exhibit flaking, chipping, or peeling of the paint or other finish are removed completely from your home. However, if you have lead paint on your walls that is in good condition and not flaking, chipping or peeling and is not part of the remodeling process, there is no need to remove it.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.
Visit Monday’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.
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Will all lead coatings be removed from my home during the lead-based renovation project? FAQ # 13

2010-06-17T08:00:00.005-05:00

Will all lead coatings be removed from my home during the lead-based renovation project?

A. Depends on the scope of the project and the degree of lead found in the home. Under the lead-safe renovation rules, we, as lead-Safe Renovators, are required to address only the specific areas within the parameters of the job contracted. If true lead abatement is necessary because of the extent and level of lead-based contaminants found in the home, a lead-abatement contractor would need to be consulted.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What about my pets, children? FAQ # 12

2010-06-16T08:00:00.006-05:00

What about my pets, children?

A. Pets must be confined to non-containment areas of the house during the renovation period. If pets gained access to the containment area, they could get lead dust on their feet and coats and track it to other areas of the home and yard exposing you and your children to lead dust. Children must be kept out of the containment area at all times for the same reason.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.
Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

What about heavy furniture or other things that cannot be removed from the work area? FAQ # 11

2010-06-15T08:00:00.003-05:00

What about heavy furniture or other things that cannot be removed from the work area?
A. Immovable objects are covered in protective sheeting. This includes such items as furniture, floor/carpet, lamps, televisions, etc.

Please contact us if yo have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What is a containment area? FAQ # 10

2010-06-14T08:00:00.003-05:00

What is a containment area?

A. Containment is the process of blocking off an area where work is conducted to keep lead-contaminated dust confined to the work area where it can easily be cleaned. Proper containment of the work area helps to limit the area to be cleaned after the job is completed, saving time and money on the clean-up process.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Can I have access to the renovation area during the project? FAQ # 9

2010-06-11T08:00:00.005-05:00

Can I have access to the renovation area during the project?

A. Unfortunately, that is not an option. The renovation area must be completely contained (closed off) during the renovation work period. The Rules prohibit any person (other than certified lead-safe renovation workers) or animal from entering the work area while it is blocked off. Only after final clean up can anyone enter the area. If you were to use the area during the work period, it would have to be cleaned to Rule specifications prior to each and every time you wanted to enter the area. This would add significantly to the cost of the project.
Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit Monday’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Will I be able to live in my home while the lead-based renovation work is being done? FAQ # 8

2010-06-10T08:00:00.002-05:00

Will I be able to live in my home while the lead-based renovation work is being done?

A. Depends on the scope of the renovation. Basically, follow these guidelines during the renovation project to protect your family or the children (and pets) in your care:

Stay out of work areas while work occurs

Move children and pets to a different location until the work is completed.

Turn off forced air heating and air conditioning systems while work is being done.

In the case of large projects, you will find it more convenient and less expensive to move out of the house due to the new lead-safe work practices. With large or whole house renovations, we can set you up with a camper trailer during the lead-safe renovation work. Once the work is completed and clean-up meets the new Rule standards, you can move back into your home. Other options past clients have used are taking a vacation, moving daily living activities to another portion of the house, or possibly living with relatives/friends.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Who is considered to be a contractor under the new rule? FAQ # 7

2010-06-09T08:00:00.003-05:00

Who is considered to be a contractor under the new rule?
a. In general, anyone who is paid to perform work that disturbs paint in housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978, this may include, but is not limited to:
– Residential rental property owners/managers
– General contractors
– Special trade contractors, including Painters, Plumbers, Carpenters, Electricians
As your general contractor, we take care of making sure subcontractors are licensed or trained in lead-safe renovation practices before beginning any work on your project.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

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Can I use the services of anyone to remodel my home? FAQ # 6

2010-06-08T08:00:00.003-05:00

Can I use the services of anyone to remodel my home?
a. The new rules require that renovation contractors who disturb lead-based paint must be lead-safe certified by the State of Wisconsin and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. Contractors must provide a pamphlet called Renovate Right to the occupants of the housing. Also, they must inform the occupants about how the work areas will be set up, what work practices will be used to minimize dust and debris, how work areas will be cleaned, and what is to be expected after the work is completed. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to make sure they hire a certified lead-safe renovation company. Be sure to request to see a copy of the company’s Lead-Safe Certification certificate and the Lead-Safe Renovator certificate of the Lead Carpenter who will be working on your project.

Please contact us if you have a specific questions that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Can I exempt my home from the new rules? FAQ # 5

2010-06-07T08:00:00.007-05:00

Can I exempt my home from the new rules?
a. No. Wisconsin no longer allows the opt-out rule for pre-1978 homes or facilities where children or pregnant women are present. The only way to opt out is to have your home tested for the presence of lead paint and other types of finishes. If your home tests negative or under the threshold requirement set by the State for lead contamination, lead-safe practices are not required.

Please contact us if yo have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What types of homes & buildings are subject to the new Lead-Safe Renovation Rules? FAQ # 4

2010-06-04T08:00:00.009-05:00

What types of homes & buildings are subject to the new Lead-Safe Renovation Rules:

a. Any home, child care facility, or school containing children under age 6 built prior to 1978.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit Monday’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

Why was the Lead-Safe Rule enacted into law? FAQ # 3

2010-06-03T08:00:00.007-05:00

Why was the Lead-Safe Rule enacted into law?
A. The Rule was enacted to protect young children during renovation activity in homes, child care facilities and schools built before 1978. Lead-tainted dust is a serious health hazard for workers, occupants and their families, especially young children.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Why should I be concerned about lead poisoning? FAQ # 2

2010-06-02T16:49:00.006-05:00

Why should I be concerned about lead poisoning?
A. Wisconsin consistently ranks in the top ten states in the nation for the number of children identified with lead poisoning, and since 1996 more than 44,000 Wisconsin children younger than 6 years of age were identified with lead poisoning. Lead poisoning interferes with the normal development of a young child’s brain, resulting in lowered IQ, attention disorders, developmental delays and aggressive behavior problems. Children who are lead poisoned are more likely to suffer as adults from kidney disease, diabetes, cognitive deficits such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s, and early death from high blood pressure, stroke and heart attack.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in ths series.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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What is Lead Safe Renovation? FAQ # 1

2010-06-01T08:30:00.019-05:00

With the advent of the new Lead-Safe Renovation Rule that went into effect on April 22, you may be wondering what this Rule will mean to you, as the homeowner.

Watch our blog for the next 19 days (M-F). We will present a series of Questions and answers to address some of your concerns.

Please contact us if you have a specific question that is not addressed in this series.

What is Lead-Safe Renovation?

A. Safely remodeling a pre-1978 home containing lead by using lead-safe renovation practices as contained in Wisconsin’s Administrative Rule, DHS-163, that went into effect on April 22, 2010.

Visit tomorrow’s Blog Post to read another FAQ on Lead-Safe Renovation.

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Bob Degnan featured in Waunakee Tribune

2010-05-31T21:52:00.001-05:00

Bob Degnan, founder of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. was recently featured in the Waunakee Tribune. The article features his personal and business history, specifically about his constant desire to learn new skills. Whether as a self-taught carpenter and business man, or now a 3rd degree black belt at Kicks Unlimited, you'll find out about Bob Degnan: He's constantly learning new skills - The Waunakee Tribune - Waunakee, WI

Commercial Design Award

2010-05-27T15:47:00.006-05:00

We occasionally dabble in commercial design. We recently helped Steven Kalscheuer atAdvanced Building Corp with this commercial remodel, turning a formerly ramshackle warehouse into a classy vehicle lettering facility.

Take a look when you drive by! It is highly visible on the east side of Hwy 51 in Madison when you are between Cottage Grove Road and Milwaukee Street. Map it and view it as a "before" street view by clicking here.

American Buildings has it posted here.

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Digging Out - Madison Magazine - June 2010

2010-05-21T13:38:00.001-05:00

It's no secret that the home building and remodeling industry has been challenged for the last several years. But things are changing. There are bright spots out there. Find out what Madison Magazine reports in their latest article: Digging Out - Madison Magazine - June 2010. There is great information from Degnan Design Builders and many other of Dane County's best companies.

Quality Leaders

2010-05-20T15:21:00.001-05:00

What are the best companies doing to ensure quality work? Find out what Qualified Remodeler Magazine has to say about Quality Leaders and why Degnan Design Builders, Inc is one of the 55 featured companies!

2010 Guildmaster Award Winner

2010-05-03T15:13:00.007-05:00

We are honored that Degnan Design Builders has earned recognition as a 2010 Guildmaster With Distinction. GuildQuality, a leading survey company, publishes their Guildmaster Awards in May of each year. We are particularly delighted that our company is one of only three companies in Wisconsin to earn this Award in 2010. We have surveyed our customers since April 2009 and received a 93.3% "easier than expected" rating. We appreciate the confidence our customers have in the quality of our workmanship and customer service.
Follow this link to see the GuildQuality website and learn more about this Award.

This Old House Magazine's badmouthing of Remodelers

2010-03-13T08:43:00.003-06:00

Dear Scott, and the TOH staff,
I've been reading This Old House magazine for about 4 or 5 years now. I have to tell you, your April 2010 editorial may be the straw breaking my back. Scott, gain you compare contractors to criminals, con-men, and robbers? Shame on you!
You are doing nothing to help the average homeowner. You are perpetuating a myth. Do you describe Norm Abram, Tom Silva, Rich Trethewy, Roger Cook, or any of the other TOH professionals in this way? Do those guys even read what you are writing? They should be furious!
If you truly have this many problems with your remodelers, this reflects poorly on your own choices. Have you ever check references? Here, check my GuildQuality satisfaction rating: http://www.guildquality.com/cr/Degnan-Design-Builders/7JU42382883JRF/. Have you ever asked one of your contractors for a 3rd party customer satisfaction rating? Have you ever checked Angie's List? Have you checked with the Home Builders Association or NARI in your area? If you are hiring bozos, this only reflects your own business acumen.
I hope that you'll proactively address this and QUIT IT! I'm in the middle of my subscription so I'll keep watching for improvements until that runs out. But if some things don't change in your editorial attitude, don't hold your breath for my renewal payment.

Degnan Design Builders is Winner of WBA Remodeling "A Cut Above The Rest" Award for Room Additions over $75,000

2010-02-17T11:39:00.002-06:00

Our client recently came to Degnan Design Builders, Inc. with a concern--and a challenge. Create a beautiful, yet functional, 3-season sun porch and prevent future water damage to their home.

These clients had a full walk-out basement looking out toward a small river about 50 yeards away--a river with a propensity to overflow its banks during spring melting or times of heavy rain. Should the river ever flood to the point of reaching their home considerable damage could occur.

A small outdoor patio remains under the waterproofed deck, adjacent to the 3-season sun porch. The deck provides a small overhang to prevent excessive heat gain during summer months while still allowing for sun rays to prenetrate deeply in the spring and fall. The deck was made into a "hot roof" ceiling for the patio by using 10" of dense-packed cellulose insulation. Foam insulates the floor slab and foundation of the 3-season sun porch in case of a future conversion to a 4-season sun room. TThese design and insulation techniques help to ensure the new 3-season sun porch and patio stay as comfortable as possible--for as long as possible.

Installation of a glass railing from RailCraft Glass Railing Systems improved the main level views from the deck.

Natural finished knotty pine

creates a warm interior finish

and appearance

Aesthetics were paramount--both from inside and outside the home. To comply with this request, full Mon-Ray Glasswalls windows were chosen to preserve the views from the home's lower level porch enclosure.

The beautiful, functional 3-season sun porch features a clear-finished knotty pine on the walls and ceiling over top of brick that covers the foundation. A cove for rope lighting tops the patio doors. Wriing for a TV is present if ever desired. Tile, which was an afterthought added by the owner, finishes the floor. The owners report that on sunny days, even when the outdoor temperature is zero, the 3-season sun porch warms to 55 degrees. Sunny November days brought temperatures of 70 degrees! With two ceiling fans installed, the roof deck overhang and all the operable windows, the summer temperatures during construction allowed the 3-season sun porch to maintain a comfortable screened porch atmosphere, as well.

To meet the flood damage protection challenge, Degnan Design Builders used strategies to prevent water from infiltrating the foundation of the home. Siding was stripped from the lower portion of the rear of the house, wood decking removed, and a new foundation was poured for the 3-season porch addition. As a preventative measure, a new concrete wall was poured against the existing wood-framed wall of the house to just below the height of the windows.

A new deeper foundation was added for the 3 season sun porch addition so that the patio doors are protected from potentia flooding.

Before the concrete was poured, a waterproofing membrane was applied over the wood wall, and again, a waterproofing membrane was sprayed on over top of the new concrete and wrapped around the end, tying it into the original foundation. Thus, if water ever rises, it will be blocked by the new foundation and waterproofing membrane.

Drain tile was installed on the interior of the new foundation and tied into the existing drain tile system. That original drain tile had drained to daylight and did not have a sump crock in the basement. The daylight drain was eliminated because in a high-water situation, it would actually allow water to flow backward into the house. Instead, a crock was installed in the unfinished basement with a pump draining to the side yard. This will relieve any water table pressure from underground and any water that may follow the foundation of the house in a heavy rain.

The existing deck structure was re-used to become the roof of the room below. The shape was modified to create octagonal corners to flow with the theme of the octagonal dinette on the existing home. The next challenge was to waterproof this deck roof. Degnan Design Builders elected to treat it much like a shower, using Schluter products, with an exterior porcelain tile installed over a layer of cement board and 3/4" plywood. The multiple layers ensure stability to prevent tile or grout cracking and ensure a waterproof deck/roof surface for years to come. Repairs were made to the joist hangers and fasteners and a new beam system and posts installed over the new foundation to slope the deck surface away from the house for proper drainage of rain and snowmelt.

The deck is unique and stunning with its glass railing and tile surface. The 3-seson sun porch adds diversity to the home, since it already has a sunny 4-season sun room on the main level. The homeowners are benefitting from peace of mind that their home is protected from flood damage as they enjoy the view from their beautiful, new 3-season sun porch.

Railcraft railings preserve the view of the backyard

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Lead-Safe Renovation Compliance Required by April 22, 2010

2010-02-10T10:35:00.021-06:00

The federal EPA has announced that compliance with lead-safe renovation practices will be mandatory as of April 22, 2010. Wisconsin is one of several states allowed to promulgate and follow its own rules, Wisconsin Administrative Rule DHS 163, to regulate Wisconsin companies, individuals, and government agencies who perform, or offer to perform, renovation activities on pre-1978 built homes and child-occupied commercial structures.

Residential Remodelers working on pre-1978 homes and child-occupied commercial buildings must have a certified Lead Safe Renovation Expert on staff to oversee construction practices, be approved as an Authorized Renovation Company, and follow strict regulations and practices. Activities covered include such projects as most repairs, remodeling and maintenance, window repalcement, weatherization and demolition.

The new rules require anyone who will be disturbing surfaces containing lead paint, either inside or outside of the home, to ascertain that lead is, in fact, present. The area being worked on must be contained and closed off from other occupied areas of the building. Specific cleanup practices must be used to assure that all lead particles and dust have been cleaned up thoroughly and properly.

Degnan Design Builders is now certified as a Lead-Safe Renovation company and employees are certified as lead renovators. We are ramping up to be compliant with the new rules and ready to take on your lead-safe renovation project when the Rules go into effect on April 22 . If you own a pre-1978 home, contact us at contact-us@degnandesignbuilders.com to find out how we can safely assist you with removal of any dangerous lead your home may contain.

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Abe Degnan installed as Madison Area Builders Association's 2010 President

2010-02-04T14:39:00.006-06:00

Abe Degnan (L) with his wife, Lisa, and parents, Linda & Bob Degnan, after presenting his installation speech as the MABA 2010 President

Abe Degnan (President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc.) is now the official 2010 President of the Madison Area Builders Association (MABA). Abe presented his installation speech during a crowded gathering of Madison Area Builders Association members, family, employees and associates at Fitzgerald’s Supper Club in Middleton on February 1, 2010

In addressing the crowd, Abe reflected on the many influences by Madison Area Builders Association members that have strengthened his own business since joining the Association. Through active participation in Association projects and committees, Abe has come to recognize the advantages and strength of character he has gained since joining MABA. Abe told members that they

“should be aware that we can strongly influence others to be the best they can be in our industry. "

"Each of us has the ability to make a huge difference in the lives of other members."

"Bring others UP to your standards by encouraging professionalism.”
Events such as Green Built Home Makeover and Hammer With A Heart, “are particularly close to my heart.” “These two events give members an opportunity to give back to the community,” Abe said.

Abe Degnan is a true advocate for the Association, its members and its services. Abe commented, “I’ve met so many good and trustworthy people—

Other builders and remodelers who truly love what they do and have pride and passion for their craft.

Trade contractors and suppliers who desire to be helpful and want to be the best at what they do.

Staff members who are experts in their fields and who help us to make our jobs easier and our businesses better.”

As 2010 President, Abe plans to focus on close communication with all the Association’s committees and work groups so the Board of Directors is in tune with members’ needs. In addition to maintaining current member services, he will be exploring new ideas for additional services that can be implemented, within the scope of the current budget, that will help to reinforce the value of MABA membership.

Abe’s pledge to members is to keep the Association strong so as to help members keep their businesses strong.
As the 2010 President, Abe will lead the Madison Area Business Association in its efforts to monitor and influence issues and regulations affecting the building industry, especially those related to housing availability and affordability.

In addition, MABA provides a forum for education and information exchange for the benefit of the industry and the communities its members serve. MABA presents a variety of home-related public events and tours throughout the year.

The Madison Area Builders Association is a trade association affiliated with the Wisconsin Builders Association and the National Assocaition of Home Builders. With more than 650 company members, MABA represents persons involved in the residential and light commercial construction industry--collectively the eighth largest source of private employment in the Dane County area. Every 100 homes MABA members build will create nearly $60 million in community income over a decade. Click here for more information about the Madison Area Builders Association and its members.

Visit Degnan Design Builders, Inc. on Facebook.

Condensation on Windows - What's the deal?

2009-12-08T15:11:00.005-06:00

A friend of mine has a 1950's house in which cheap replacement inserts were installed. He asks,

"Hey Abe, I want to pick your brain a bit. We have vinyl double hung windows in our home now with storms on the outside. When the weather cools down, moisture and frost almost immediately appears...a few of the storms are cracked so we ended up removing them yesterday, and they appeared to be pretty snugly installed, somuch that I broke a couple of the windows during this process since they were cracked already.

I'm not sure if the brand of windows matters, but do believe they aren't very high quality. Not sure if purchasing new storms would help? Any ideas or suggestions for a cost effective solution would be greatly appreciated."

The cause & solution depends: Is the frost on the storm window or on the interior window? Frost will almost always appear on the storm window and it usually indicates that the interior window is working OK! That's because it is keeping the heat in the house and the storm window is the cold surface.

However, it can occasionally indicate a different problem which is leakage of humid air from the house outside. This is sometimes from the replacement windows themselves, and other times due to the fact that they are an "insert" and there is leakage around them. It is hard to say.

I generally recommend leaving the storm windows in place. If the frost is inside the house, that is a different problem for us to talk about. That is probably a problem with humidity levels inside the home, or, having window coverings left down too long, or, in the mild fall weather, a VERY inefficient window.

You can also have a Home Performance with ENERGY STAR test completed to help determine other sources of air leakage and heat loss, and that testing will evaluate the potential energy savings from window replacement as well.

Degnan Design Builders Announces Alliance With New Business Associate

2009-12-08T14:54:00.022-06:00

Abe Degnan, President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. of DeForest, Wisconsin, is pleased to announce his company's alliance with AnneMarie Dresen of AnneMarie Design LLC. AnneMarie is an interior designer with over 20 years of experience. "We have chosen to work with AnneMarie because she has a heart for the interests of our clients, a long list of satisfied clientele, shares our values and has a wonderful talent for interior design."

AnneMarie received her training at the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver, Colorado. Since graduating, she has built experience through association with interior design firms in Colorado, North Dakota and Wisconsin. She has owned Annemarie Design LLC for over seven years.

Are you choosing to build, update your existing home through a massive remodel--or perhaps a less drastic change? Degnan Design Builders and AnneMarie Design will work together to create a unique and beautiful environment by giving their attention to the tiniest details so that your home will function well, represent your personal lifestyle and tastes, and be attractive to all who enter your home.

Our firms recently collaborated on a condo remodel project in Merrimac, Wisconsin. While Degnan Design concentrated on the construction aspect of the project, AnneMarie worked her charm to create a warm, inviting aura of Wisconsin in each remodeled condo.

One of the fireplaces at Summer Oaks,
a remodeled Condo in Merrimac WI.
General Contractor, Degnan Design,
coordinated the construction
while AnneMarie Design created the
"look and feel"

One of the values we share is that AnneMarie listens until she understands your needs. Her goal is to create a custom environment that is tailored exclusively to your taste, your unique individuality and any special dictates of the space. She provides benefits and needs that become uniquely yours.

A custom look created by
AnneMarie Design LLC

Together, Degnan Design Builders and AnneMarie Design strive to exceed your expectations. We at Degnan Design work out the construction details while AnneMarie devises the look and feel that is distinctively you. The result is minimized stress, an enjoyable remodeling process and the satisfied confidence that a knowledgeable team is guiding you.

Call us when you are ready to begin your next remodeling project. We will be happy to involve AnneMarie in our discussions to guide you with the decorative aspects of your remodel project planning, furniture layout, color consultation, custom window treatment, or to consult on space planning while we put together your remodeling plans.

Visit AnneMarie's website at http://www.annemariedesign.com/ to see more photos of her work.
Visit http://www.degnandesignbuilders.com/ to see photos of our projects.
You can find us on facebook .

How should you build your walls - balancing cost and efficiency?

2009-12-04T08:40:00.007-06:00

A former employee of mine, Nick Thompson (who is also my cousin) recently asked me a question about how we build our walls now, compared to the early 2000's when he worked for me. For most of this decade we followed the principles of the Intelligent Wall method. Nick observed that on arecent project, we changed our methodology somewhat. We did this for specific reasons. Here are the details.

Nick asks, "Reading different stuff, some from your Facebook page, and comparing to what I thought I knew and what we did when I worked for Degnan Design Builders, Inc. Why is house wrap over foam not redundant? I always thought builders who put house wrap over foam were throwing money away."

The fact is, Nick - it is redundant, in a way. But as we've done some projects in the last 3 years we found reasons why to use Housewrap in addition to foam.

1) We found out how much foam shrinks over time. In 2007 we remodeled a home where my dad had done an addition in 1987 with 2x6 walls and 1" foam sheathing. When we re-sided, we found that all the seams in the foam had been taped. But, the foam shrunk and the tape broke loose, leaving some gaps and air infiltration. The housewrap will prevent that from happening.

2) On the big house in Pewaukee, we were intentionally redundant. We had a lot of stucco for the finish on that house, and we wanted a bond-break between the foam and the OSB wall sheathing. That house was fully sheathed in OSB, then it has housewrap over it, then it had foam, then the masonry or stucco finish. The stucco wire lath was fastened over the foam, and the stucco will adhere to the foam. The housewrap created a bond break to allow the stucco and foam to move interdependently (a tiny bit) compared to the structure of the house. This will keep the house energy efficient and air-tight and also it will help prevent cracking of the stucco.

3) So my new general rule is this: There should be 2 layers of "something" and the seams should overlap.
-When re-siding a house and adding a layer of foam over existing sheathing, those 2 layers will provide air tightness just by their sandwiching together. Taped seams will suffice for air sealing, and the sandwiched layers of material will provide the backup if there is shrinkage over time.

-It is noteworthy that Polyiso foam such as Tuff-R or R-board does not seem to shrink, based on the same 1987 project - Tuff-R on the old house did not shrink, but Styrofoam on the addition did shrink. So, using polyiso might be another solution.
-When building a new home, if you are using just foam you should also use housewrap, so that you have a redundant air barrier of the housewrap as the foam may shrink over time.
-If you apply OSB to the entire house first, then foam over it, with the seams offset, you should be OK to skip the housewrap in most cases (with vinyl siding or brick, for instance) because the OSB and foam will work together to form a redundant air barrier sandwich. Still, tape the seams during construction, as maybe the foam won't shrink in the future.

4) I also have some possible new methods using spray foam insulation, but that is a whole other story!

Thanks for asking.

THE REVEAL! 2009 Green Built Home Makeover

2009-12-01T13:32:00.038-06:00

THE REVEAL!

On November 6, the 2009 Green Built Home Makeover turned the keys back over to Terry and Tammy Moss. The family had not seen the inside of their house since the Sept. 25th kickoff. They are excited about their new home, its new look, comfort, and the energy efficiency savings. They have AnneMarie Design to thank for the tasteful décor of the home. The boys’ bedrooms were decorated with new beds and storage pieces from American TV. The entire house was painted and new lighting fixtures and fans installed.

Little Terrell couldn't wait for the "Reveal" to see his new home.
He just had to take a sneak peak.

Abe Degnan of Degnan Design Builders coordinated the project by lining up volunteers and scheduling the crews so the work could be completed in 5 week’s time. It was challenging but particularly important to keep the work flow moving along and overseeing quality control, and that we met the projected deadline for the family to return to their home.

Volunteers, family, and friends gathered at the "Reveal" Open House held on November 6 to see the changes that were made and share the Moss family's excitement.

Tammy Moss, Abe Degnan and
AnneMarie Dresen in Tammy's new living room at the "Reveal"

New beds and storage pieces

Merry Christmas to the Moss family from the Madison Area Builders Association, Project Managers Abe Degnan and AnneMarie Dresen, product and material donors, and all the volunteers who worked on the project.

Visit us on Facebook!
See a complete list of this year's 2009 Green Built Home Makeover donors. Click here.

www.DegnanDesignBuilders.com

2009 Green Built Home Makeover

2009-11-30T16:01:00.112-06:00

THE KICKOFF !

A South side Madison family is thankful for the best early Christmas gift ever this year!

2009 Green Built Home Makeover kicks off!

Terry and Tammy Moss, with their four boys ages 18 months to 12 years, were chosen for the 2009 Green Built Home Makeover project—now in its third year. Degnan Design Builders with 40+ member volunteers from the Madison Area Builders Association went to work remodeling and upgrading the inside and exterior of this home with energy efficient materials, products, and practices following a September 25, 2009 kickoff. The Moss family was chosen for the Green Built Home Makeover by the Madison Area Builders Association because of their need, their efforts to help themselves, and the ability to significantly transform the home. The family had previously replaced windows and doors and added a garage and driveway. They were trying to do what they could. Terry Moss says that the improvements by the Green Built Home Makeover volunteers will help them financially and to get ahead.

Siding in need of repair ................Work in progress

The Moss' home was built during the post World War 2 era. Homes of that era were small and some were built on a concrete slab. Such is the case with this 800 square foot home. GDS Associates began the Project with Home Performance with ENERGY STAR™ testing to determine the location of air leaks, moisture problems and overall energy inefficiencies. The report allowed Project Managers, Abe Degnan of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. and AnneMarie Dresen of AnneMarie Design LLC to determine what improvements would make the most difference. Without a basement, the floors are very cold, even—with carpeting. Volunteers from Sierra Concepts dug down about two feet around the foundation and installed insulation to warm the floors by preventing heat loss through the slab. New siding was added after 1” thick foam sheathing was installed, to prevent thermal bridging through wall studs and provide additional insulation and air sealing. This, along with R-38 Bio-based spray-foam insulation in the ceiling, provided the Moss family with a snug and quiet interior.

Tyler from Maly Ceramic Tile Company
volunteers for this year's project

A closet area that housed the old furnace, water heater and washer/dryer was completely remodeled. There were no heat ducts, so the furnace blew only into the living room and not to any of the bedrooms! As long as the kids can remember, they have woken in frigid bedrooms. Now, new ductwork from a new high efficiency Hybrid Heat Pump furnace and air conditioner installed by volunteers from Cardinal Heating and Brown Heating comfortably heats the entire house including the three bedrooms. Terry and Tammy will no longer have to turn on space heaters two hours before their kids go to bed to warm their rooms. For the first time since they have lived in this house, they will all wake up to warm rooms in the morning and dress in comfort.

Thanks to Closet Tailors for
the new closet systems

A tankless water heater and a water softener are now in a small portion of the hallway closet. The water heater provides a continuous supply of hot water for showers and laundry at a fraction of the cost of the old tank – it runs about 38% more efficiently than a tank heater and has no standby heat loss! A new ENERGY STAR stacked washer and dryer donated by American TV sits alongside a cabinet/counter system donated by Closet Tailors. The unit will give Tammy a place to fold clothes and needed storage space. Closet Tailors also installed a closet system in the master bedroom and shelving in other closets.

The bathroom was depressing with a low ceiling and visible mold around a rotting window and on bathtub walls. Volunteers completely gutted the bathroom to remove the damaged materials. Spray foam insulation in the bathroom walls will prevent condensation on cold surfaces, and a cement board substrate for the tile shower walls will never become moldy. A new tub from Renew It was installed along with new plumbing fixtures and an acrylic block window. An air-to-air exchanger provides ventilation for the bathroom and the rest of the home to remove excess humidity and provide fresh air. A colorful shower curtain and new light fixtures chosen by AnneMarie Design set off the new, bright look. Tammy just loves her new bathroom.

A colorful shower curtain
chosen by AnneMarie Design
brightens the new bathroom

In the kitchen, an ENERGY STAR refrigerator was installed, and a new over-the-range microwave has its vent run outside the house to remove steam and cooking odors. The range, cabinets and countertop were in good condition and reused. Tammy will totally enjoy making and serving scrumptious meals with her new energy efficient appliances for her family and guests and snacks for all the neighborhood kids who congregate at their house

Materials that could not be reused were taken by Royal Container Service to their recycling facility in Madison for sorting and recycling. Degnan Design Builders has always reused and recycled materials in their home remodeling projects. This practice will become the standard for all contractors in 2010 when a new Madison City Ordinance goes into effect. The Ordinance will require homeowners and contractors to reuse and recycle all construction materials for 1-, 2- and 3-family dwellings among other types of projects.

While this project was valued at about $50,000, the story is not necessarily about payback on energy efficiency alone. The improvements did result in air infiltration reduction of 24% and estimated energy savings of 15%. But the bottom line is that the home just didn’t work! The furnace and water heater needed replacement. The house is finally set up with proper distribution of heat, and the systems will improve indoor air quality by providing the proper amount of fresh air and preventing mold in the future. The home will be comfortable and safe since space heaters will no longer be used to supplement the bedrooms. When so many maintenance issues exist, it is important to go the extra mile and make the house work properly to be prepared for the next 50 years of its life. Now, that is green!

Watch for the "REVEAL" in our next post.

To see a list of this year's Green Built Home Makeover donors, click here.

Visit us on Facebook.

Degnan Receives National & State Award Recognition

2009-07-27T12:36:00.008-05:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. holds the distinction of being the winner of three 2007 "A Cut Above the Rest" remodeling awards from the WBA Remodelers Council. Two of these projects received Honorable Mention from the Qualified Remodeler 2008 Master Design Awards. The projects were in the categories of Finished Basement, Green Remodeling project, and Bathroom over $30,000.

Link to view the finished basement project.

Finished Basement project: The goal of this finished basement project was to create a space with the atmosphere of an old Chicago pub combined with an industrial modern influence. The clients enjoy entertaining family and friends. One of their dreams was to have a custom-made restaurant booth for snacks or playing cards. Our clients also had a number of needs including:

-Computer and AV workspace,

-Home entertainment center with HDTV,

-Piano/reading/fireplace area,

-Informal party/entertainment area,

-Game table with reversible top,

-Hot tub area and bathroom/changing room with continuous tiled floor, and floor drain to accommodate wet guests,

-Exercise area with padded workout floor.

All of this was carefully fit into a compact footprint of under 1,000 feet.

Link to view the Bathroom Remodeling project.

Bathroom under $30,000 project: Our clients requested a larger shower and more contemporary finishes. One of Degnan Design Builder’s first suggestions was to enlarge the window looking out of the house. This window overlooked the fenced-in backyard and acres of farmland beyond. The cabinet designer created a furniture look to the cabinetry through the use of bun feet and bumped-out base cabinets on each side of the single lavatory sink.

Link to view the Green Built Home Makeover 2007:

Green Built Home Make-over: In 2007, the Madison Area Builders Association decided to embark on a philanthropic project that would educate the public about green remodeling and energy efficiency by remodeling a home. The Annual Green Built Home Makeover project came to life. After two months and the help of dozens of volunteer companies and donors, senior citizen, Hazel Tookes, was given the key to her Green Built remodeled home – with more than $100,000 in energy efficient, environmentally friendly improvements.

Read more about the Green Built Home Makeover projects:

GBHM website: www.greenbuilthomemakeover.com

Read the Degnan Blog post about the GBHM 2008.

Pewaukee Lake House - Part 2: Insulation and Energy Efficiency

2009-07-22T15:05:00.004-05:00

Material selection for the Pewaukee Lake House has been driven by several factors: energy efficiency & greenness, appearance, and authenticity. This has led us to several new suppliers and many new techniques! At the same time some of our standards have not varied: the house is well insulated, energy efficient and airtight thanks to foam sheathing, housewrap, and dense-pack cellulose insulation. I'll focus on energy efficiency systems in this article.

There is 2" foam insulation under the basement floors and also 2" foam on the exterior of the concrete walls. The concrete basement floors have radiant heat installed by Cardinal Heating and they are finished with an acid staining technique by Hottmann Concrete. On the inside finished walls there is another 1" layer of foam, then fiberglass batts. By encapsulating the concrete in these layers of insulation, not only do we have over an R-26 wall it also helps to use the concrete wall itself as thermal mass.

The main framed walls of the house also have foam and dense-pack cellulose insulation by Rainbow Insulators to achieve R-25 in most areas. This is an even-better version of the Intelligent Wall system that we use on new homes and additions. The standard system uses 2x4 walls with R-13 fiberglass insulation and 1.5" of foam to achieve a greater overall insulation value than standard 2x6 walls without any foam can. In this home we have used R-15 cellulose insulation, continuous OSB wall sheathing, 2" foam, and housewrap for a belt-and-suspenders approach to energy efficiency, moisture & air infiltration, as well as structural strength over-and-above what is required.

The home has had two Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home inspections during the construction process and will have a final test after completion. These two inspections led us to complete additional quality-control, energy-saving, and air-sealing work as we found the spots that we had previously missed. As meticulous as we are, without the ENERGY STAR system we would still miss big opportunities for energy efficiency and comfort in our homes. The fact that we fix the problems during construction gives our clients the comfort of a home build right, and when we finish, we have testing numbers to prove our quality control and construction techniques work.

The complicated truss roof system has continuous venting but better yet it has been filled with as much as R-82 in cellulose insulation! Cellulose insulation is a particularly green product because of its insulating properties, its ability to help with air sealing, and its diversion of waste from landfills.

Careful detailing was required to fill the trusses and wall cavities. The ENERGY STAR blower door test, along with use of the thermal imaging camera, helped us to find a few voids in the complicated truss system. We also found a few unsealed connections of the walls and roof where the timber framed Great Room connects to the hand-framed walls and roof of the other parts of the house. We were able to locate these areas and fix them by having the insulators add insulation in truss voids and using expanding foam to seal complicated areas. The results of our work will be revealed in the next month or so when the homeowners have moved in, doors are adjusted, and final exterior details are completed.

I'll address the heating and cooling of the home in an upcoming post.

Degnan at Extreme Makeover Home Edition - Part 2

2009-07-07T16:13:00.003-05:00

Doing the trim package at Extreme Makeover Home Edition was, without a doubt, the most challenging part of the project. Our shift was from 3 AM to 3 PM on Day 5 of the project, a Tuesday. We were recruited by my friend and frequent Green Built Home Makeover volunteer, Mike Twohig, whose company trims for Veridian Homes in addition to other custom builders for whom he works. Even though he has a substantial employee base—over a dozen people, he figured we needed 20 trimmers to get the job done.

Nighttime work at the site:

Now, 20 people in a 2500 sq ft house may not seem ALL that bad. But, on top of this there were about 10 cabinet installers and another 10 people whom we didn't know what they were doing! So, in fact, there were closer to 40 people in the house, and it was a crowd.

We planned to arrive to the site around 2 AM so that we could begin unloading equipment and start as soon as possible. It was a very hot July, and even in the middle of the night it already seemed warm. As the day continued we were certainly sweating buckets! It didn't help that the super-mix of concrete for the foundation was still curing in the walls and under the floor. So even through the insulation, heat was radiating into the finished basement. Walking into the unfinished basement with no insulation protection was nearly unbearable. I would guess it to be 120 degrees from the heat of the curing concrete in that area, while it was in the 90's during the day inside the house.

We divided into teams and each had our own area of production—window jambs, casing, doors, baseboard, etc. Challenges arose, whether it was locksets that had the wrong setback or window extension jambs that were too narrow. To be honest, I cannot now even tell you how we solved many of the challenges. What's the most important thing is that the work was completed— and it was very well done! The bumps in the road were many, but the finished product would not reveal that story. It was very good!

The evening before, Monday night, Anthony and I were called upon to help with some of the quality control. Monday afternoon, we had been working happily in the Production Tent, helping craft the special projects for the Design Team. Around 6 PM, David Simon of Veridian approached me and asked us to make repairs to the main stairway. There was miscommunication and the stairs, which were to have a finished layer of hardwood floor on them, were instead framed for a standard carpet installation. Left alone, they would not have met building code which measures from the rough dimension of carpeted stairs, but from the finished dimension of wood-surfaced stairs and floors.

The bed that Anthony helped to build:

While we wished to get some rest before our early wake-up call, Anthony and I headed in for the stairway repair. Another carpenter overheard and offered to make the repair to the basement stairway. Anthony and I went at the main level stairs, taking off the 1-1/2" thick treads and replacing them with 3/4" thick ones. When finished with another layer of 3/4" hardwood, these stairs would now comply with code.

While we were working, I heard David behind me talking to the camera. We had been given strict instructions not to intentionally look into a camera if they were near us when we are working - if we are on film, they want us working rather than hamming it up! David approached me and said something like, "We had a little problem with the stairway, but Abe is here to repair it. You can see he's putting on lots of adhesive to make sure there are no squeaks when the house is done, right Abe?" "No squeaks, David!" I replied. Unsure of the filming status, my back was to the camera the whole time. As it turns out, I did make it on film -- just not on the show. Anthony and I can be seen in Veridian's behind-the-scenes DVD that they privately produced.

The site is a production studio as much as it is a construciton site. Here they are filming Paige Hemmis. I was in the background working on Paul DiMeo's project but did not make the cut.

We thought we were done and packed up our tools and started to carry them out to load up. Soon, a project manager ran out after us and cried, "We need you to tear the basement stairs apart again! The other guys didn't fasten them correctly!" Much to our dismay, at that point (less than 6 hours until we had to be back on site), we found out that while the other carpenters replaced the treads, they did not properly fasten the treads and risers, leaving the thinner 3/4" material to flex. Luckily the adhesive was not yet dried, so our second demolition went much faster. Anthony drove in concealed screws to securely fasten the risers to treads, and within an hour the stairs were finally done correctly!

People have asked me about quality control on these homes. It is my experience that this home had excellent quality control, consistent with Veridian's standards. In fact, every one of Veridian's foremen/supervisors were on the job—someone was there 24 hours per day in charge of quality control, and that is how the stairway error was discovered, checked, fixed twice, and re-verified. The home was tested by Wisconsin ENERGY STAR™ Homes and a private, independent building inspection team was on site 24 hours per day to handle any inspection issues so work could continue. While errors certainly did happen, I choose to focus on the way that they were fixed. In any home, the final product is what counts. Errors can be fixed when they are caught, and the team was there to make sure it happened!

Volunteers Nick Hoehl and Jon Benninger is the basement "outdoor room" of the house - Paul DiMeo's special project. Abe helped fabricate the brackets from which the equipment is hung.

So we finally packed up our equipment after fixing the stairs, grabbed a late dinner around 9:00 PM, and then headed to a nearby vacation cottage belonging to one of Mike Twohig's employees. We wound down, got about 3 hours of sleep, and did make it back to the jobsite for our 3:00 AM starting time. And going full circle, that is how this story began.

The brackets:

Green Built Home Makeover 2008

2009-06-30T16:20:00.008-05:00

The second annual event featured a different type of project: A post-war ranch home which had lead paint threatening the children living there. This project was different in scope and goals. Rather than expecting a huge transformation in energy usage, our goal was instead to transform the owners lives by allowing them to open and close their windows without worry of lead dust harming their children. Exposure to lead is particularly damaging to young children and unborn babies. Most commonly, they can ingest the lead by touching the dust from lead paint.

The home was already relatively energy efficient, as it had a new high efficiency furnace, power-vented water heater, and insulation package. The window, however were another story. The original single pane windows had lead paint which turned into dust every time they were opened or closed - hence the owners had been living there for a year without even opening the windows during moderate temperatures! They focused on cleaning the home daily to prevent lead dust from harming their son Myles. The windows were replaced with new triple-pane units for maximum energy efficiency. The lead paint was removed or encapsulated so that it will no longer be a risk to the family.

Furthermore, the bathtub glazing contained lead. They were unable to bathe their toddler and instead were forced to use a downstairs shower. Because the wall and floor tile were in great condition and the bathroom did not need a full remodel, the solution was for a Renew-it tub liner to be installed over the old bathtub. The tile remains in place, while the lead glazing is no longer exposed.

Wisconsin Environmental did the lead safe work in the home, and Advanced Health & Safety removed the asbestos window glazing. Ganser Exteriors installed aluminum soffit & fascia to encapsulate the lead paint on the soffits & fascias and installed new gutters to direct water away from the home. Degnan Design Builders installed LP SmartSide siding on the garage to encapsulate the lead paint under housewrap. By installing the housewrap and the siding, the lead paint will never be able to flake off or have dust reach the outside of the house. SmartSide will provide decades of low-maintenance service.

Learn more about lead paint in your home and new rules at www.nahb.org/leadpaint

View a slideshow and read more at greenbuilthomemakeover.com

See news coverage, Courtesy of WKOW-27 news:

2008 Sponsors include:

Presenting Sponsor: MG&E

Gold Supporters:

AnneMarie Design, LLC

Degnan Design Builders, Inc.

Silver Supporters

Advanced Health & Safety

American TV & Appliance/Kennedy-Hahn

Budget Blinds of Madison

Capital Custom Curb, LLC

Ganser Exteriors

Wisconsin Environmental, Inc.

Bronze Supporters

Aprilaire
Braatz Heating and A/C
Brighter Concepts Ltd. - Solatube
Building Services & Consultant, LLC
Charles Home Furnishings
City Glass Company
Chase Lumber Co.
Dane County "Green Realtors(r)" Group
Dirty Ducts Cleaning Environmental & Insulation, Inc.
Elite Electric, Inc.
Energy Federation Inc.
FLOOR360
Focus on Energy
HLW Builders, LLC
Healthy Homes
LYCON, Inc.
Natura Clean, LLC
Nonn's Flooring Par Concrete, Inc.Pulvermacher Construction, LLC
Qual Line Fence Corp.
Renew-It, LLC
Royal Container Service, Inc.
Sergenian's Floor Coverings, Inc.
Statz Painting & Decorating, Inc.
Twohig Construction, LLC
Window Design Center

Pewaukee Lake House - Part 1: Overview

2009-05-06T22:40:00.015-05:00

Many people ask about our current projects and it is time for me to talk about what we've been up to. We are building a custom home at Pewaukee Lake which is the largest and most detailed project we've ever completed.

The photos and subjects of discussion are neverending - I have a collection of 2000+ photos from the construction of the home so far.

The subjects are endless because every corner of this home is unique. It will be a Green Built Home and a Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Home. It is designed and built with details to look like it is already 100 years old. It has the most modern and efficient heating & cooling systems in it (geothermal, ground-source heat pumps, radiant floor heat). It has an indoor fitness center with a basketball court under the garage. There are PV solar (electric) and domestic hot water solar panels on the roof.

The point is: The home at once represents the image of a home that was created over time, but rather this one is being built with aging already built-in! It is at once a new home and also a "remodeled" home.

There are 5 separate elements to the design: the "storybook cottage", the "chapel", the "barn" garage, the "English Manor", and the "new timberframe." The challenge was to make these parts of the house into a cohesive whole, but to have the house represent a creation that was added to over time. It is as if these separate, smaller buildings were moved onto the site and connected together over time, in a slightly hodgepodge way as was often the pragmatic way of our forefathers.

In reality, this was all intentional, planned, and debated time and time again. Every square foot of space in the home was reviewed to make it functional, if not multi-functional. There are several examples. The "guest cottage" can be an in-law suite, or even an owners suite on the main level of the home should anyone ever suffer disability. The downstairs craft room doubles as a guest bedroom, and the adjacent childrens' bunk room is sound-proofed for their benefit while it can also serve as a mini recording studio. A formal sunroom was eliminated, but instead a sunny, private ingelnook will be created in the cooridor linking the "guest cottage" -- it yields an extra piece of privacy for guests and can again double as a sleeping area for additional guests. There is no dedicated home theatre room.

The clients were inspired by their trips to Europe - specifically the Cotswolds in England, but also trips to Italy. While the Italian Villa was considered, in the end the old English cotswold style won out, with a bit of storybook imagination added in.

All in all, the floor plan is about 1/3 smaller than the original schematics. This, in and of itself, will save the owners money and energy, and in turn makes this house greener than it might otherwise have been. Additionally, the house has R-80 attic insulation, R-25 or better in the walls, and has received two intermediate Wisconsin ENERGY STAR Homes inspections so far. The final results will come in after completion late this summer.

Future blogging will discuss:

Material choices
Geothermal heating & cooling
Solar panels - PV & domestic hot water
Radiant heat
Creating a gymnasium under the garage
Framing a curved roof
Timber framed great room
Wainscot details - using barnboards and creating perfect corners that Tom Silva would be proud of
And more...

Please subscribe and stay tuned!

Degnan at Extreme Makeover Home Edition - Part 1

2009-05-01T13:16:00.011-05:00

I spent about 3 days working at the Extreme Makeover Home Edition project in Richland Center in July 2008. Lisa and I also spent the first day there, known as the Braveheart March or the Blue Shirt March. The construction process was thrilling but challenging. We at Degnan Design Builders were there to help Twohig Construction, doing the trim carpentry for Veridian Homes.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Lisa and I arrived early Saturday morning in Richland Center. There were hundreds of people waiting to be shuttled to the site about 7 miles outside town, tucked high on a beautiful farm hill. Our job that day was to be part of the cast, as the army of Blue Shirts arriving to help build the new home. It was demolition day!

The story of the demolition was a "Storybook Demo" because the owner, Shelly Anders, is an elementary school teacher. It was a little like "The Little Engine that Could" since there was a small excavator "learning" how to tear the house down with the help of a bigger excavator. As we were back from the center of the circle formed around the Design Team, we could hear little of the story until we actually saw the TV show several months later.

The Design Team members were all present, including Ty Pennington, Paige Hemmis, John Littlefield, Paul DiMeo and Eduardo Xol. There were lots of "takes", they shot and re-shot the march and the demo from lots of different angles, and of course Ty had to climb up on the pile of debris with his camera for some shots for the family.

Monday, July 28, 2008

On Monday morning, I got a call from Mike Twohig asking me to get out to the site sooner than we had planned. Our trim shift was supposed to be from 3am to 3 pm Tuesday July 29. Instead, Anthony Caracci and I packed up immediately and headed for Richland Center. The funny thing is, just before we arrived Gary Zaicek from Veridian also called with a similar request, but he had better news for me: He wanted Anthony and I to work in the production tents, helping build the special projects for the design team. Well, twist my arm! Work on the special projects and maybe meet a designer? We were thrilled. Little did we know, we'd do more than just meet them in passing.

By the time we arrived on site around noon, the house looked as you see it in the third photo. The framing was complete. In fact the exterior was half done! Anthony and I quickly got started in the production tent.

My assignment in the production tent was cutting tube steel to make brackets for Paul DiMeo's special project, which was an "outdoors room" for the 2 older boys who live at home. Anthony began building furniture for two different things. He was involved in building the bed for Shelly Ander's bedroom, which was Ty Pennington's special project. He also helped build the computer desk for John Littlefield's special project, the younger son's bedroom.

My assignment at that point was pretty simple: I had to cut a few dozen pieces and then grind the ends to prep them for welding. Paul DiMeo was working on the assembly of various things right in the same tent, so I got to chat with him on and off as we were working. I found out a few things about him. For one, he's a smoker! But, I asked him whether he was an actor or a craftsman first. Paul told me that he became a tradesman - a welder, I think he said - in order to pay for acting school. And, that is how it all started for him. (I found out Paige Hemmis's answer too but I'll talk about that later.)

Around 6 PM, we were thinking about dinner and winding down so we could rest for a few hours. To be back at the site and be set up by 3 am, we figured we'd have to be up and at it by 1 am again. Those plans quickly changed, as David Simon from Veridian approached me with a special assignment: to re-build the stairway!

Upcoming parts of the blog: Stay tuned for more!

Good quality control - the stairway example
The night of trimming.
Home - for a while.
Punch list - the most thrilling part, got to see it all!
An hour in the bedroom with Paige Hemmis. Installing furniture.
Homecoming
Who else was there to help... Bob Degnan, Andy Schneider, Nick Hoehl, AnneMarie Dresen, her brother-in-law(?), Jon Benninger... more...

Sun Porch Conversion using Mon-Ray Glasswalls

2009-04-23T13:25:00.012-05:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. complete a project converting a screened porch into a 3-season sun porch. Ten years and several cats had abused the old screens to the end of their life.

The owners desired a solution that would extend the usability of their room, particularly viewing their extensive flower gardens in the spring and fall. Additionally, they wanted something that will protect the screens from their cats claws.

After we evaluated the benefits of a screened porch or a 4-

season room, we re-concluded that the 3-season porch was ap

propriate.

Anthony Caracci of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. installed the

windows, exterior cladding, and interior cedar trim. The exterior is clad in low-maintenance aluminum, while the cedar trim continues across the top of the windows. On the interior, cedar trims all sides and mullions of the windows.

The windows can be stacked open at the bottom, middle or top.

This is the perfect solution for these clients, who will stack the windows in to the bottom to open them while protecting the screens from the cats.

The clients are thrilled with the results, and should thoroughtly enjoy the April and May weather, protected from the cool spring breezes and collecting the warm sun into this new comortable sun porch.

Below: "Before" photo of the deteriorated screened porch.

Degnan Design Builders Participates in "Green Built Home Makeover"

2007-11-01T23:26:00.005-05:00

In 2007, the Madison Area Builders Association decided to embark on a philanthropic project that would educate the public about green remodeling and energy efficiency by remodeling a home -- the Green Built Home Makeover. With the help of Degnan Design Builders and dozens of volunteer companies and donors, two volunteer project managers began demolition on a home in Downtown Madison.

For 2008, this all-volunteer project was awarded A Cut Above The Rest Remodeling Award from the Wisconsin Builders Association Remodelers Council.

View the full article here.
NBC15 did 5 days of newscasts focusing on this project.

Newscast #1
Newscast #2
Newscast #3
Newscast #4
Newscats #5

Degnan Design Builders Wins Another Remodeling Award

2007-01-26T23:17:00.002-06:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of A Cut Above the Rest remodeling award presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelers Council. The award was received for the Kitchen Under $50,000 category.

The award was accepted by Abe J. Degnan, Vice President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc., at the WBA State Convention in Wisconsin Dells. “We’re proud to showcase the work of our wonderful clients, and honored to accept this award. We strive to create value for our clients, and to make the homes we remodel into the best that they can be. The award is recognition from our peers that we have achieved those goals,” said Abe J. Degnan. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. continues the winning tradition of excellence with nine awards over the last three years.

The award-winning entry can be viewed here:

"It Looks Like Something From A Magazine": Kitchen Remodeling under $50,000

Degnan Design Builders, Inc., based in DeForest for 25 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe. J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is an Energy Star and Green Built certified builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is committed to better serve its clients through continuing education and professional designations, including Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Degnan Design Builders wins 4 More Remodeling Awards

2006-03-18T17:48:00.004-06:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of four A Cut Above the Rest remodeling awards presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelors™ Council. The awards were received in the following categories: Room Addition Under $60,000; Finished Basement; Whole House Remodel; and Commercial Project.

The awards were accepted by Abe J. Degnan, Vice President of Degnan Design Builders, Inc. at the WBA State Convention in Madison. “We’re proud to showcase the work of our wonderful clients, and honored to accept these awards. We strive to create value for our clients, and to make the homes we remodel into the best that they can be. These awards are recognition from our peers that we have achieved those goals,” said Abe J. Degnan.

The award-winning entries can be viewed here:

"Not Another Sunroom": Addition Under $60,000

"Colorful Contrast": A Finished Basement

"The Potential Was Made A Fact": Whole House Remodeling

"1-2-3-4 IYA!": Commerical Remodeling

Degnan Design Builders Inc., based in DeForest for over 20 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders Inc. is an Energy Star builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Degnan Design Builders, Inc. is committed to better serve its clients through continuing education and professional designations including Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR), Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS).

Degnan on TV: Governor Doyle Visits Our Kitchen Remodeling

2005-10-25T17:22:00.004-05:00

Governor Doyle recently visited one of Degnan Design Builders remodeling jobs. We were conducting a Home Performace with Energy Star post-test to evaluate our success in improving the energy efficiency of the home during a kitchen remodeling. The remodeling was a success, as was the energy improvement: We reduced the air infiltration into the house by over 20%!

Read about this "Open, Bright, Connected" kitchen remodeling project here.

View the news story courtesy of WKOW Channel 27 in Madison by clicking here or view the embeded video below.

Abe J Degnan Earns CGB Designation

2005-06-06T16:38:00.002-05:00

Abe J. Degnan of Degnan Design Builders Inc. in DeForest, Wisconsin recently earned the Certified Graduate Builder (CGB) designation, identifying him as one of the top 2000 professional builders nationwide.

Administered by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) University of Housing, the CGB program is sponsored locally by the Madison Area Builders Association (MABA) through the Wisconsin Builders Assocation (WBA) CGBs earn the building industry’s premier professional designation by successfully completing an intensive series of testing and six-hour courses. The CGB curriculum incorporates training by leading building industry practitioners and academics on a range of topics, including business management, emerging technologies and market trends. After earning CGB credentials, program graduates are required to maintain their designation through completion of additional coursework annually.

Degnan notes, “As a professional builder and Remodelor, knowledge and training is what separates me from others in the industry. In fact, the training that I receive through the Builder’s Association is one of the greatest benefits of membership. There are many builders to choose from, but only a select few who are committed to serving their clients through professional education. I am proud to provide that level of service and commitment to my clients.”Degnan Design Builders Inc., based in DeForest for over 20 years, is owned by the father and son team of Robert A. Degnan and Abe J. Degnan. They focus on efficiency and quality as well as craftsmanship and professional customer service in remodeling and new homes. Degnan Design Builders Inc. is an Energy Star builder delivering durable homes with excellent indoor air quality. Abe J. Degnan is a graduate of Waunakee High School and the School of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Abe J. Degnan has also earned his Certified Graduate Remodelor™ (CGR) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) designation through the NAHB. Abe J. Degnan currently serves as the Education Chair of the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelors ™ Council (RC).

Degnan Design Builders Wins 4 Awards

2005-02-22T17:00:00.001-06:00

Degnan Design Builders, Inc. announced it is the winner of four A Cut Above the Rest remodeling awards presented by the Wisconsin Builders Association (WBA) Remodelers Council. The awards include two kitchen & bathroom categories, finished basement, and commercial remodeling.

The award-winning entries can be viewed at our website by clicking here:

"Functional Luxuries": A Kitchen Remodel under $30,000

"Dramatic Transformation": A Kitchen Remodel over $30,000

"Family Connections": A Basement Finishing

"Kicking Room": A Commercial Tenant Improvement