Insulation plays a very important role in maintaining the efficiency of your home. Without it your home would be a very uncomfortable atomosphere. Basically every home has some form of insulation in the walls and ceiling but most homes don't have nearly enough. This is why many people add more insulation to what they have already. Increasing your R-value saves you thousands over years and creates a greener tomorrow with less energy and raw materials being used.

Can insulation be installed incorrectly?

Apparently it can! This is what I found in an attic where the customer paid to have insulation added to her attic. The contractor installed R-30 faced fiberglass insulation in between the rafter bays instead of over the ceiling joists.

The contractor achieved nothing by installing insulation between the rafters and would have dry rotted the entire roof if left like that.

How we corrected the problem:

• The original insulation installed when the house was built was unfaced so we removed it

• We removed the R-30 insulation from in between the rafter and reused it in between the ceiling joists, vapor barrier facing down

• We took the original unfaced insulation and layed it over the R-30 insulation

A simple mistake could have cost this customer thousands down the road. The proper way is always to add unfaced insulation on top of faced insulation. You never want two faced insulations together that create a double vapor barrier.

Benefits of adding insulation:

• Keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer

• Lowers heating and cooling bills

• Added vapor barrier

• Helps prevent ice damming

• Sound barrier

Over insulating is not recommended either. Insulation must remain fluffy to maintain its R-value. Too much insulation creates dry rot especially in between roof rafters where the summers sun cooks roofs. The only time insulation is installed in between roof rafters is with cathedral ceiling and then baffles should be installed.

Decks, whether attached to your home, around you pool or just on the ground, enhance your living and entertaining area. Your front entrance may need an upgrade, your back deck may need to be replaced or built from scratch, your pool may need a deck around it! Whatever the case is, a deck increases the value of your home and adds extra outdoor square footage to your home.

WMB Construction offers many different deck designs and options.

Different materials WMB Construction works with:

• Treated lumber

• Composite

• cedar

• Redwood

• Many different railing types

 Treated lumber is, believe it or not, still the number #1 choice for building decks. With the proper up keep, you will receive many, many years of use.

Benefits of using treated lumber for your deck:

• Wood is more structurally sound

• Less expensive to buy and install

• Ability to change color of deck

• Spiral nails used for attaching decking make for a stronger bond than composite screws.

Down fall of using treated lumber:

• If not treated properly decking will splinter over time

Composite decks are also very popular in the industry. They offer a look of elegance that cannot  be achieved when using treated lumber.

Benefits of using composite:

• Will not splinter

• Low maintenance

• Variety of colors and combinations

• Will not warp or shrink

• Added value to your home

Most composite decking is enhanced to prevent the growth of mold and mildew build up. Your composite deck should still be cleaned at least once a year though.

No matter what material you use, lighting can always be installed to enhance any deck project!

WMB Construction deck services:

• Decks off of your home

• Deck around pools

• Deck refacing(save existing structure and add new decking and railings)

• Deck extensions

• Deck staining

• Stair construction

Click to contact us today for your next deck project!!!!

Most of my customers are not to familiar with the word "egress". It is a term that mostly defines a fire escape window in your homes basement that acts as an exit in case of an emergency. It is the most effective way to move you and your loved ones out of harms way in case tragedy does occur. Can you imagine your loved ones trapped under fire with nowhere to go? Horrible thought but it happens more often then you can imagine.

What you Risk by not having an egress window:

• In time of a possible tragedy, you and your loved ones need to be able to escape
• National building codes require egress windows so if tragedy occurs, you will be held at fault.
• When you sell, most building departments will require installation of an egress window.(not doing so will most likely create huge delays in closing dates)

Within a few days we will cleanly dig and cut your foundation out for your newly installed egress window. With many installs under our belt, we have perfected installing egress windows with minimal dust and damage. Most contractors cut from the inside- out, we have perfected a technique from the outside-in that brings dust levels to extreme lows. Cutting on the inside reduces dust contents to an extreme low leaving your home virtually free of contaminating particles. Cutting inside will create enormous dust up to three stories high. It is kind of amazing where concrete dust will travel!

 The ground has been excavated and concrete removed from the outside. This is a huge part of performing a quality and clean job when performing an egress window. You cannot believe the damage that can be done by hiring an unexperienced contractor for a project like this. Dust control is priority as well as maintaining the integrity of your foundation.

Egress windows will also enhance your basement:

• More natural light
• Better ventilation
• Less mold and mildew
• Makes rooms appear larger

Egress windows are a huge investment to your home. From protection to enhancement, think about what you will gain! It is one of the projects in your home you think the least about, but will have one of the biggest effects in the future!

I have to say, most of my calls for egress windows come from home sales that hold up closings for weeks or maybe months. You may have bought your home years ago and during inspection it was overlooked! The new codes have building departments all over enforcing it, and you may/or may not get away with it. If you are looking to sell, do your research ahead of time because the building department can make the closing process painful and costly for both buyer and seller! Most delays range from 3 weeks to a couple of months!

On the other hand, look into the safety and benefits an egress window will add to your home. Pound per penny, it is a wise investment.

 Click on our logo to set up your free estimate!!

Kitchen renovations can be one of the biggest remodels to your home. It can take a lot of lead work preparing for the project and a lot of work during the project. Choosing a good home improvement contractor can take some of the headaches out of the process. You usually only have one kitchen in your home, so you want your remodel to go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

A great kitchen remodel requires working with the greatest specialists in the field. You always want experienced and established businesses working in your home.

A great kitchen remodel starts with:

• A reputable contractor
• A great 3-D design of your future kitchen
• Choice of a good quality kitchen cabinet
• Sub contractors that are experienced and reputable
• Everything in place before you start

With your kitchen gutted, now is the time to upgrade everything you do not see behind the wall.  Might as well bring it up to code and icrease efficiency while the walls are open.

Changes made while walls were open in this WMB Construction kitchen renovation picture:

• Solid nailers were installed so that every cabinet has a solid attachment
• Electric was upgraded and extra circuits added for appliances
• Plumbing was upgraded and new chrome right angle supply valves were installed.
• New fiberglass insulation installed up to new industry standards

The kitchen is the heart of your home and living without one is very hard. You need to set up a schedule with your contractor to ensure they will be in and out as quickly as possible. Most kitchen renovations take 2-3 weeks to perform, but I have seen other contractors take months. Add eating out a lot to your estimate if you choose a contractor with the best price.

When choosing a qualified contractor, question:

• Neat appearance
• In depth contract
• If he uses sub contractors, a list of who they will be using
• Insurance?
• References?
• Years in business
• Who will be working in your home
• Is the person you hire an owner/operator

Your kitchen can be whatever you dream, it can be just that. It is the main focal point of your home so make it the best room of your house. The money you spend today will give you a lifetime of appreciation!!!

A kitchen renovation gains:

• Increased value to your home
• Pleasing environment
• Electrical updated to current codes
• Plumbing updated to ensure no future water damage
• Family and friends to visit without embarrasement of an old kitchen

You are looking to improve and spruce up your home. Looking for a qualified contractor you can trust can be a little discouraging and where do you start? You might look in the phonebook, a wall ad, internet or maybe a reference from your neighbor. All good ways to start but you never know who you are hiring. I always find word of mouth is the best reference. A contractor that has been tried and true is your best bet. I receive 95 percent of my referrals by word of mouth. A chance to see a contractors craftsmanship and hear about his professionalism is worth everything compared to a paid ad.

I have been working in the construction industry my entire life and have experienced hundreds of so called contractors come and go over the years. The biggest problems within the industry is the quick availability to start a business. A hammer and a pickup truck, and you are in business. No real experience and no insurance leaves an established contractor hard to compete with fly by night contractors. They are a dime a dozen and believe me, they will not be around if your project fails.

On the other end of the spectrum, I have seen many companies  come in strong with equipment and advertisement. They appear to be the perfect company but really do your research here. Most of the time the boss has little to no experience in the field and relies on his hired help to complete projects for him. He will sell you the job, get you to sign the contract and you will almost never see him again throughout the project.

What to look for when hiring a home improvement contractor:

• Established name within the area

• References of work performed

• Owner/Operator

• Knowledge in all fields of the trade

• Neat and clean

 When working in a customers home you must realize you are a guest. Cleanliness is key when working inside of a home. Dropclothes must be placed everyday before any work is performed to protect floors and contents of home from dirt and dust.

Concerns you might have when calling a home improvements contractor:

• Your contractor did not return your call immediately. This is not a bad thing.A contractor that can call and meet with you immediately probably has no work and is sitting by the phone waiting for your phone call. You should expect at least 48 hours for a response especially during the busy season. Understand that a reputable contractor has a busy schedule  performing the work, estimates, phonecalls and paperwork.

• You have made a appointment with your contractor for an estimate and he comes late or not at all. This is not a good thing. If your contractor cannot keep his appointment, what will his schedule be with your project? If he is running late or has to reschedule you should expect a phone call.

• Your contractor keeps referring to "his guys" or "his crew". Who are these guys/crew? This could be good or bad. If the contractor works with good mechanics it could be good. Unfortunately most of the time his guys/crew are the helpers he drops off in the morning and picks up at the end of the day. I like to refer to them as Hollywood Contractors who don't want to get dirty and play the role of a successful business owner. Remember, you hire a contractor for their professional craftsmanship, not just to draw up a contract and taxi helpers around.

William M. Bateman ensures quality, hands on, Owner/Operatored craftsmanship with every job performed. We deal with one job and one customer at a time allowing undivided attention to your next remodeling project!

I cannot think of a better place in your home to create a warm atomsphere and family closeness than the kitchen. Every family memory starts in the kitchen; Valentines Day, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc.; the kitchen is the area where meals are prepared and everyday life is sustained. Everyday, even without family and friends, it is the heart of your home. Ever think of upgrading your kitchen? Ever think what you will gain by upgrading your kitchen?

 Kitchens and bathrooms are the biggest assets of your home. These are the rooms you will frequent everyday, so make them the best. This photo explains a kitchen that is well outdated and in need of a remodel.

A kitchen we started with in Monroe, NY that was in desperate need of complete remodel. A simple kitchen remodel easily added $50k to the value of the home. The total cost of the kitchen remodel was around $25k, a $25k gain in the longrun.

Notice after the kitchen has been gutted, the nailers that have been installed in the walls for a solid cabinet placement. This is crucial when performing a new kitchen remodel to ensure the integrity of your cabinet installation.

Your kitchen can make any transformation you want. Walls can be removed and and cabinet configuration can easily be changed. Let us remodel your next kitchen remodel!

Let WMB Construction remodel your next kitchen!!!!

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.

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!

 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.

 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.

Basements are always prone to mold and mildew. This is due to the fact that basements are below grade level leaving your basement subject to water and moisture that enter through your porous foundation. When your foundation was first constructed a foundation coating was applied to the exterior wall of your foundation to prevent any penetration of water to enter. Over time your foundation coating will deteriorate allowing water through the foundation. Concrete is a porous material that welcomes water and moisture if not treated correctly. Especially if you have a block foundation compared to a poured foudation.

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.

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.

The thought of a new bathroom remodel is always exciting to most of us. Removal of all those old contents in your bathroom should be enough inspiration to work towards the goal of a new bathroom remodel.   

 These are before pictures of a bathroom that we recently renovated. As you can see the bathroom was over 30 years old and over due for an update. We removed the shower doors, shower base, sink, toilet, floor, and diverter. 

We installed a new shower base, single hand diverter, cement board on walls and floor before tiles were applied.

Tiles were then installed on the walls and floor and grout was applied the day after allowing the tile glue to completely dry.

New sink and vanity installed, toilet, paint and Century neo-angle shower door with DFI treatment installed. The customer decided to go with a more modern decor on this bathroom instead of a more traditional decor. These are some of the bathroom ideas you must consider before you start renovation of your bathroom project.

Tips to renovating you bathroom:

• Decide what decor you will be working with so you have direction when choosing products to be installed in your bathroom.
• Choose a reputable contractor that will be honest about start and finish times.
• Keep your distance from companies that promise to be done in a few days. Mother nature does not allow glue, grouts, caulking,  etc. to dry that quickly leaving tiles falling off the walls. Your bathroom probably has waited 20-30 years to be remodeled, what is an extra couple of days?
• Install cement board on walls in shower areas and on floors. Cement board is not affected by contact with water.