Home Improvement Blog

Additions and the added value to your home

Posted by william bateman on Mon, Mar 21, 2011 @ 09:37 PM

You may have purchased your dream home a couple of years ago or maybe many years ago. The home you purchased was ideal at the time but you never thought about what the future could hold. Times change and so do families. Adding children to your family or maybe bringing your elderly parents into your home, you will require extra space. An extension and/or addition is the perfect anwser! e and d home improvements monroe ny

Five key reasons to add an extension on your home:

  • Instant added value to your home
  • More square footage
  • Improve, don't move! You like your location and just the thought and aggrevation of moving will give you a headache.
  • Parents/inlaws need a place to stay. Create a mother/daughter apartment off your home for the ones who gave you a home as a child.
  • Your home has taken on more children. Create that extra playroom or bedroom!

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Even a small addition has a huge impact on a home. Added square footage always makes a huge difference in the quality of living. I personally enjoy building additions here in Orange County, NY and enjoy the customers faces when we have completed their project. From start to finish, an addition project is always a satisfaction for both customer and contractor!

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WMB Construction addition line offers:

  • Full addtions
  • Full rooms above garages
  • Finished basements
  • Garage extensions

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To schedule Your FREE estimate for your next addition or renovation Click HERE!

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Topics: orange county ny, remodel, construction-general, Construction, construction-general--monroe, additions

WMB Construction bathroom remodel, attached slideshow

Posted by william bateman on Tue, Mar 01, 2011 @ 09:37 PM

Bathroom renovations are one of our favorite remodels performed. Average of one or two weeks, we can transform your once dispicatble room into a room of beauty and elegance. WMB Construction has been creating elegant products for many years now throughout Orange County, NY.

On a personal level, I experience that my wife enjoys a shower 3-4 times a day. The bathroom is an area of your home that is a necessity that cleans, relieves, prepares and relaxes you for the next day, morning or the night! Now on that note, I mostly notice that women have a stronger desire to enjoy the bathroom. Soft soaps, candles, bubble bath, make-up, etc.; it is a priority to relax and keep themselves moisturized and beautiful. 

 

 

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Now, male or female, who would want to take a bath in this tub? Just think of the mold, rust and mildew that has been growing in this tub.

In this situation what to do:

  • Call "Rebath" to cover up the mold and mildew
  • Try bleach and ammonia to kill the bacteria
  • Sell and take a huge loss

In this situation there is only one realistic solution in correcting the problem!

 

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 A full bathroom renovation increases the value and quality of your life!!

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 WMB CONSTRUCTION new tub install and recessed shelf constructed!

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Within a week to two, we will transform your bathroom!

 

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Ever think of a recessed shelf built into your wall?

 

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In one to two weeks you can enjoy this!!!

 

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A new bathroom renovation gains:

  • Added value to your home
  • Eliminate mold and mildew problems
  • Elevated mood in a clean enviroment
  • Less health issues due to allergies
  • New fixtures create a better atomosphere for less water issues

WMB Construction is your full phase construction company for any of your home improvements needs!

Enjoy our selected slideshow of our most recent bathroom renovation.

Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, remodel, construction-general, bathrooms, Construction, Creations, monroe

WMB Construction with Benjamin Moore paint applications!

Posted by william bateman on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 @ 01:22 PM

Interior or exterior, there is no faster way to improve the appearance of your home. So many options of colors, shades and finishes to create a total transformation to your largest investment. You have the opportunity to create a warming atmosphere within the walls of your home in a couple of days without major renovation.pauls painting mccormick monroe nyA great paint job starts with a great product. Painting for many years out of Monroe, NY I have found that Benjamin Moore products are the best in the industry. They offer a large line and grades of paint for whatever your application may be.  With thousands of colors to choose from you can create the perfect color combination for your home. Benjamin Moore also has recommended color combinations available for you to see to make choosing easier.

 

Benjamin Moores five favorite greys:

Benjamin Moore paint color revere pewter HC-172

revere pewter (HC-172)

A light gray with warm undertones, this classic shade creates a unifying look that calms and restores. A great transitional color, it's perfect for an open floor plan.

Benjamin Moore Gray Paint Color kendall charcoal HC-166

kendall charcoal (HC-166)

Rich, deep, and luxurious, kendall charcoal pops beautifully when paired with crisp white room accents and trim. A versatile neutral, it also works well with most color schemes.

Benjamin Moore paint color cape may cobblestone 1474

cape may cobblestone (1474)

This classic, elegant gray confers a sense of spaciousness that makes it ideal for small bedrooms and areas like hallways and mudrooms.

Benjamin Moore paint color metropolitan AF-690

metropolitan (AF-690)

A stylish gray with cool blue undertones, metropolitan reflects the modern sophistication of 21st-century urban spaces.

Benjamin Moore paint color silhouette AF-655

silhouette (AF-655)

Red undertones make silhouette a sultry gray that can turn an unremarkable room into a lush, sumptuous space.

Each color almost seems to have a story being told behind it. Different color go with different styles, different emotions and different people. This is a story that dates back to the early 1900's when Henry Ford realized that not everybody wanted a black car. Colors describe people differently.

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Colour & Style Ideas by Sharon Grech

I believe that colour is the most affordable and influential factor to creating an atmosphere that best expresses your personal style! Paint colour can be vibrant, dramatic, tranquil or fun. With Colour & Style Ideas, I hope to inspire you to bring some colour into your life!

Sharon Grech is a Colour & Style expert with Benjamin Moore Paints in Canada and regularly appears on CityTV's CityLine with colourful room makeovers that appeal to all budgets and style preferences.

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Traditional plaid gets a modern update when partnered with an unexpected geometric. Soft cotton sateen sheets and coordinating decorative cushions complete the Lauren ensemble. With its understated palette, this collection is a perfect addition to any bedroom.
feather gray
2127-60
ivory white
CC-130
kingsport gray
HC-86

 

The possibilites are endless when you start painting.

What you gain with a new paint job:

  • Fresh appearance to your home
  • Elevated mood
  • Inspiration
  • Added value to your home
  • Protection from the elements

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Contact us today for your free painting estimate!!

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Topics: Monroe NY, painting, orange county ny, remodel, construction-general--monroe, Creations

Five key drainage installations to eliminate your homes water issues

Posted by william bateman on Fri, Feb 25, 2011 @ 10:14 AM

Lots of water and no where for it to go. Water tables this time of year are at their capacity leaving water to seep into undesired areas. These areas usually consist of your homes basement. With improper drainage water cannot be diverted away from your home.

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Tips for removing water away and out of your home:

  • Install a sump pump inside your basement. It is installed in the concrete floor to relieve aquastatic pressure before it can enter into your home.
  • Install french drains inside your basement. Drains are installed in the corner of the wall and floor. Usually installed due to failing footing drains.
  • All homes are installed with footing drains unless built on a slab. Over time, older footing drains fail due to products used years ago or poor installation. Footing drains are the number one factor for relieving water away from your home.
  • Install a curtain drain. Curtain drains help relieve water before it reaches your footing drains. Also good for wet areas of your property.
  • Divert gutter downspouts away from home.

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 The key to good drainage is a good installation. Most systems fail due to poor installation and a misunderstanding of how the system works. Water is one of natures greatest forces and costs homeowners and insurance companies trillions of dollars a year.

Key factors when installing footing drains:

  • Make sure before you dig, call! Have a markout done so you don't hit any underground lines.
  • Use a minimum 4" corrugated pipe.
  • Use more gravel than necessary. Gravel is natural drainage.
  • Install filter fabric around gravel.
  • Install filter fabric around corrugated pipe.
  • Use a good quality foundation coating.

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 Curtain drains are a perfect way to relieve water away from your home or property. It works the same way as a footing drain and a lot of the time they are installed together. With both systems installed it cuts down your risk of water penetrating your home.

Why you might need a curtain drain:

  • Areas of your property are consistently wet
  • Water problems in your basement
  • Your soil has bad perculation

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Sump pumps are an excellent way of keeping unwanted water out of your basement. Installed in your basement floor, sump pumps relieve water from aquastatic pressure. In some areas, water tables are always high. As the pressure builds, water will always go where there is the least resistance. This will be in the cracks of your floor or walls. A sump pump catches any unwanted water before it can penetrate  into your home.

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 Removing water away from your home is always a good idea. Gutter downspouts drain a massive amount of water from your roof. Installing a 4" pipe in the ground to divert the water elsewhere is an excellent investment.

What you gain by diverting water from your downspouts:

  • Less water to worry about penetrating your foundation.
  • Less mold and mildew issues next to your home.
  • Much cleaner appearance.

 

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 Water problems are always an issue. Fixing the problem is another issue. In the picture above you can easily see the high water table before we installed the curtain drain. Contact WMB Construction today for your next water issue.

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Topics: orange county ny, General Contractor, remodel, Construction, basements, Creations, footing drain

Half priced bathrooms

Posted by william bateman on Wed, Feb 16, 2011 @ 08:51 AM

Complete bathroom renovations sometimes cannot be avoided if years of water and mildew has left your bathroom in disrepair. In many cases though, your walls and ceiling may be in good condition leaving you only to change the components of your bathroom. Most bathrooms deteriorate in the shower area. Years ago cement board was not available on the market so moisture resistant sheetrock was used. Moisture resistant sheetrock was good for its time,  but in contact with water it would quickly deteriorate. When installing cement board, you are replacing a water resistant product with a waterproof product, huge difference.

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 Due to economic times, our customers have liked the idea of a quick makeover that leaves them with all new components in their bathroom at a discounted price. In the picture above we replaced the old neo-angle showerbase, new divertor, cement board, tile floor and ceiling, vanity and paint.

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This was the shower before we started. You can easily see the decor of the bathroom tile is outdated and in need of replacement. The original two valve diverter had been leaking for years and was beyond repair. We replaced it with a more modern single hand diverter. 

 

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 Customer was thrilled with the new bathroom remodel we performed and left them with a few extra bucks in their pocket. Their new bathroom is ready for many more years of use.

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 This is another bathroom remodel we performed in Monroe, NY. You can easily see in the photo the mildew and water damage. The  tub was one of the cheapest tubs on the market, a steel tub. The tub was rusting for many years and we removed it just in time before more damage occured. We installed a new Americast tub in place of the old and replaced all new components in the bathroom. We were able to save the walls in this bathroom.

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You would never know this was the same bathroom. We removed the old motel look and upgraded the entire appearance of the bathroom in a few days. Another happy customer with a WMB Construction remodel.

 

Topics: painting, remodel, bathrooms, Construction, construction-general--monroe, Creations

The beauty crown moulding adds to your home

Posted by william bateman on Sun, Feb 13, 2011 @ 09:38 AM

Your house can easily be enhanced by installing crown moulding. Crown moulding quickly adds elegance and beauty to any room of your house. In fact, when purchasing my own personal home, crown moulding was the first remodel I performed. The cost of installing was nominal to the appearance and transformation it made to the room(s).

 

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In this photo we installed 5 1/2" crown moulding in the kitchen and throughout the living room.

Crown moulding also greatly enhances:ray davis home improvements otisville

  • Kitchen cabinets.
  • Mantles
  • Bookcases
  • Wall shelves
  • Window treatments

 

 

 

Crown moulding comes in many different sizes and many different styles to pick from. You also have the option to pick a different species of wood or you might prefer the painted look. You just need to pick the right combination for the room you are decorating.

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 In this photo the room was decorated with painted crown moulding. You can easily see the richness and value that was added by installing crown moulding.

If planning to install yourself or hire a carpenter, keep in mind that crown moulding can be very tricky to install. A professional carpenter will be able to tackle the job with little to no waste and understand how to make tight mitres even in the most crooked of homes. Ask for references to ensure you have a qualified carpenter because I have seen many carpenters that claim to know how to install crown moulding and completely ruin the entire project.

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Let WMB Construction enhance your home with a crown moulding upgrade!!

 

Topics: painting, orange county ny, remodel, construction-general, Construction, construction-general--monroe

Enhance your kitchen by adding a tile backsplash

Posted by william bateman on Tue, Feb 08, 2011 @ 12:10 PM

The backsplash of your kitchen can take quite a beating from water, grease and grime. Your backsplash wall with a little paint applied over the sheetrock surface is not enough protection from these elements. Soon the paint and sheetrock will deteriorate leaving more of a problem. If you have a formica countertop that isn't caulked correctly, you can risk damage to the countertop due to water penetration.

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Besides just protection, tile backsplashes add elegance and beauty to your kitchen. With so many decorating options available for your kitchen, a backsplash will have the most impact. From natural stone, to ceramic tile, to different borders; the ideas start to become endless.

 

 

In this photo we installed a natural stone tile. You can quickly see the difference it made to this kitchen. Because natural stone is porous, Bright Seal was applied to the tile to seal and protect. The sealer also enhances the natural beauty of the tile.

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 The tile installed even made the beauty of the faucet stand out. This countertop came unequipped without any attached backsplash. The customer almost lost the countertop due to water penetrating and delaminating the formica. We saved the countertop just in time by adding the tile backsplash and sealing off all voids where water could penetrate.

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In this photo we installed ceramic subway tile with a natural stone border. The countertop in this photo is equipped with a 4" backsplash giving the countertop a little more integrity.

The added beauty and protection with a tile backsplash is an unmatched upgrade to your kitchen. Tile back splashes also offer added value to your home along with peace in mind that you will get longevity out of your kitchen. 

 

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Topics: orange county ny, remodel, construction-general--monroe, Creations, kitchens, tile

Kitchen remodel may be the best investment for your home

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Feb 05, 2011 @ 03:22 PM

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The kitchen is the heart of the home and in many cases is the number one seller when purchasing a home. The kitchen is the one area that brings family closer together everyday and on special occasions. When you have company you will most likely be entertaining your guests in the vicinity of the kitchen. Unlike the other rooms in your house, you can't just close the door and hide your kitchen if it is in need of a desperate remodel. Nothing can be more embarrassing than entertaining with a dilapidated kitchen.

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On the real estate side, kitchens are what will sell your home. A new kitchen remodel instantly adds value to your home and will make you more money in the long run when you decide to sell. First appearances mean everything when selling your home. Imagine the impact a new kitchen remodel will do for your home!

 

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 A kitchen remodel isn't only for selling your home. With the added value you instantly gain with a new kitchen remodel,you might as well enjoy it. Like I said before, the kitchen is the heart of your home and should be your main focus.

Kitchen design ideas are endless! We can move cabinets around, open walls, add lighting, many different floor options, and the list goes on! With 3-D imaging, you will be able to view your kitchen to scale what it will look like before any work is performed. There is nothing more exciting than creating a complete kitchen transformation.

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 In this photo we removed the wall and added a oak top. Completely transformed the entire kitchen with a open floor plan bringing all the rooms together.

What you gain by a kitchen remodel:

  • Instant added value to your home

  • Updated electric and plumbing

  • Less embarrassment when you have guests

  • Save money on gas and electric bills with newer energy efficient appliances.

 

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Topics: orange county ny, remodeling, remodel, construction-general--monroe, kitchens

cement board vs. sheetrock

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Jan 29, 2011 @ 05:01 PM

it is very common now a days to see most contractors using cement board on the walls in tub/shower areas. It has largely replaced moisture resistant sheetrock which has been used for years especially before cement board was available. Moisture resistant sheetrock is still used everyday and is an excellent product for all the walls and ceiling of your bathroom, just not in the tub/shower area. When sheetrock is used in the shower area it will most likely fail due to the fact that it is moisture resistant and not water proof. Once water infiltrates under the tile sheetrock becomes susceptible to water damage and may crumble.

IMG_5248

Today moisture resistant sheetrock has been replaced in the shower area with cement board creating a more sound base that will last. Also a superior product for your floors underlayment before installing tile and can even be installed in thinset and screwed down for a thorough installation. Cement board is a water proof product and will not deteriorate when in direct contact with water. Cement board is made using actual cement with a fiberglass mesh exterior. 

Common cement board uses:

  • Bathroom walls and floors.
  • Kitchen countertops
  • Soffits in bathrooms
  • Exterior uses before stucco or cultured stone is installed.
  • Kitchen floors.

The conclusion is that cement board is the only product you should be using when there is any chance of contact with water. Many times it's what you don't see behind the walls that has the biggest impact for  longevity of your project. Toxic mold is usually unseen until the damage is too late and run the risk of rotten wall studs that can ruin the integrity of your homes structure and attract unwelcomed insects such as carpenter ants and termites that can do a vast amount of damage. Especially the presence of termites are hard to detect as they tunnel inside of wood rarely seeing daylight leaving appearance of wood on the outside perfect while the insides are hollow. This is mostly a concern with structures on ground levels that are close to the ground as they return to the soil where they live.

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Topics: Monroe NY, orange county ny, General Contractor, remodeling, remodel, construction-general, bathrooms, Construction, toilet

Interior paint with WMB Construction.

Posted by william bateman on Sat, Jan 29, 2011 @ 02:25 PM

Your interior needs an upgrade and new paint is the best way to achieve it. Painting is the quickest and easiest way to upgrade the appearance of your home. Just think, in a few days your home will make a complete transformation from what it was!!!

 

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WMB uses only quality Benjamin Moore paints with every paint application.

What you should know about interior paints:

  • All paint companies have many different paint grades. When your painting contractor gives you a price, inform what grade he will be using.
  • Inquire if the proper primers will be used. New construction primers or stain killer primers?
  • Oil and latex are two different products. Oil is an excellent stain killer and latex is the best finish coat.
  • All paint companies offer different paint finishes. Which on is best for you? Flat? Eggshell? Semi-gloss? Gloss?
  • Interior painting is a lot more complicated than you might think. The one aspect of painting is your drop clothes. A professional will always concentrate on respecting your home and ensuring no paint will be left on your floors after the job has been completed. Unreversable damage can be done to your home due to an unexperienced painter.remodel, paint,monroe,ny

What to look for when hiring a painting contractor:

  • I believe that a good painter should have a good personal appearance. The tedious and detailed nature of painting should show in the presentation of your painting contractor.
  • Make sure your painting contractor is reputable in the area. He will be working around your personal belongings and your loved ones.
  • Ask how he will be applying the paint. If he is spraying, get rid of him quickly. As much as he trys to cover and tape off your belongings, the over spray will still be everywhere. Not to mention the amount of VOC's in the air.
  • How many guys will be in your home? Most contractors like to show up in the morning, drop off the help, and return at the end of the day. Find out!
  • It is a very common practice for painting contractors to apply the second coat before ever letting the first coat dry. This results in improper coverage and possible paint bubbling.

 

 

 

Topics: Monroe NY, painting, remodel, construction-general