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Preparation For Remodeling

What to Expect During Your Kitchen or Bath Remodel To help ensure quality work, Cook’s Kitchen and Bath, Inc. offers the following helpful tips.You will not have use of your kitchen for at least two weeks. Usually a total of six from start to finish of construction is necessary and depending on client selection.Plan on eating out or BBQ, toaster/microwave.Set up a table in another part of your home for such things as cereal, coffeepot, toaster, etc. Use paper plates, bowls, cups, plastic silverware and paper towels to get you through buy commercial jumping castle. Your refrigerator will still be available but not like you are used to using to using it. It may be relocated to the garage or nearby room.There will be a lot of dust. We will do our best to keep the area closed-off (i.e. tenting) but dust tends to permeate throughout the house. Plan on removing everything from your cabinets prior to demolition. We will give you advance notice of when this will need to be completed (give yourself several days to do this). Put your dishes, pots, pans, etc. into boxes. Organize items by those you won’t need at all vs. those you may want to access. You may want to get the plastic containers with lids for your food items and don’t “stock up on food” before the remodel. It is easier not to have to pack them up.If you work out of your home plan on either working at the office, or at another

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10 Mistakes Homeowners Make When Hiring a Remodeler

The Homeowner: Doesn’t bother to check the remodeling or building contractor’s license status at all, if just to verify that he/she has one and that it is in good standing. Checking the license is a necessary formality but it does not guarantee a favorable outcome. (Not all States require licensing) Assumes that just because a building contractor is licensed in his/her state that they will be ethical, will abide by the contractors laws in their state and perform quality work that meets industry standards. Many homeowners stop here without doing further background checks on the contractor. Doesn’t thoroughly interview the contractor, asking key questions about job performance, employees or subcontractors and material suppliers he uses, projects he has done similar to yours and how he handles problems when they come up – because they will come up. Has an uncomfortable “gut” feeling about the contractor but ignores it and hires him/her anyways because they want to get going with their project.Does not verify if the contractor maintains a permanent physical business address – not a PO Box or Postal Annex type address with a suite number – a mailing address, published phone number, fax, and cell phone or voice messaging system. Does not verify if the contractor maintains a permanent physical business address – not a PO Box or Postal Annex type address with a suite number – a mailing address, published phone number, fax, and cell phone or voice messaging system. Doesn’t verify that the contractor has all the

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Regular Tile Maintenance

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The inherent technical characteristics of these porcelain tiles ensures that they will be relatively easy to maintain and should provide years of enjoyment. Many general purpose cleaners that are readily available are acceptable for use on our tiles. It is important that the cleaner has a non-oil, non-animal fat, non-soap base. These components can leave behind an invisible residue with can trap dirt. It is also important that the tile receive a thorough rinsing with clean water after the cleaning process has been completed. The general cleaning steps for porcelain tile can be summarized as follows: Remove all loose debris from the tile by sweeping with a soft bristle broom or vacuuming. Any spills should be wiped up as quickly as possible. Apply the recommended amount and dilution of the appropriate cleaner to the tile. Allow the cleaner to remain on the tile for short period of time (at least 5 minutes). For unpolished tile, scrub with a nylon pad or soft bristle brush. For more heavily soiled floors a floor machine equipped with a nylon pad or bristle brush may be used. For polished tile, wipe or mop with a nonabrasive mop or cloth. Remove the dirty cleaning solution and water with a wet vacuum or mop. Thoroughly rinse the tile with clean water and remove with a wet vacuum, mop, or towel. It is absolutely essential for all detergent residues to be completely removed from the tile. Any remaining detergent residue can dry on the tile and form

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Is Your Vinyl Siding Looking a Little Dull? Here’s What You Can Do

Design/build firm general contractor dream kitchen and bath Benicia, CA 94510

Vinyl siding can be washed with just a soft cloth. For siding with a textured finish (or any other siding as well), a long-handled, soft-bristled brush can be used to get into the grooves. It’s best to start at the bottom of your home and work your way up making sure you rinse the cleaning solution off prior to it drying. Remember to cover any parts of your house that has brick facing so runoff doesn’t affect it. Can vinyl siding be cleaned with a power washer? First, check to see what the siding manufacturer recommends for power washer use. Some will not allow it on any of their products, while some will have pressure limitations and advise against using pressure washers near wall openings like doors, windows, electrical outlets and plumbing. If there is no problem with using a power washer, make sure you point it straight rather than upwards as water may be forced behind the siding. Read your washer’s instructions carefully before use. How do I remove mold and mildew? Small spots of mold and mildew can be handled with cleaners such as Fantastik® or Windex®. For larger sections, a solution of vinegar (30%) and water (70%) has proven successful. Alternatively, you also could try the following solution: 1/3 cup (2 2/3 ounces) powdered laundry detergent (e.g., Tide®, Fab®, or equivalent), 2/3 cup (5 1/3 ounces) powdered household cleaner (e.g., Spic & Span®, Soilax®, or equivalent), 1 quart (32 fluid ounces) liquid laundry bleach, and 1 gallon

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Bathroom Fans: What Should You Look For?

Design/build firm general contractor dream kitchen and bath Benicia, CA 94510

Fan exhaust capacity is rated in litres per second (L/s) or cubic feet per minute (cfm). A normal bathroom needs a good-quality fan that draws 25 L/s (50 cfm). A poor-quality fan won’t exhaust enough air and will be too noisy for regular use. The best fans have sound ratings of 0.5 sones or less and consume about 20 watts. Older units typically run up to 4 sones and 80 watts. Large bathrooms, or those with bigger fixtures, such as spas, need larger fans. Place the bathroom fan as close as possible to the source of moisture or odor. For in-line fans, as long as the intake grille is properly located, the fan itself does not have to be close to the bathroom. Some bathroom fans have lights or heating lamps. If you choose a fan with integrated lights, look for efficiency. Any fan installed in an insulated ceiling — for instance, if the attic is above the bathroom ceiling — must not leak air and must be rated for use under insulation inflatable sumo wrestling suits. Make sure that exhaust fans, lights and heaters in bath or shower enclosures are rated and approved for wet conditions. Newer units approved for wet conditions may include ground fault protection.

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Interior House Painting Rules

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On your next inside painting project, religiously follow these simple rules and I guarantee that you will save at least 2 hours. Here we go! 1. Slosh Your Brush Before painting, slosh your brush in whatever solvent you will be using at the end of the day to clean the brush (i.e., water for latex, mineral spirits for oil, etc.) It’ll be easier to clean when you’re done. 2. Wrap Brush or Roller If you don’t feel like cleaning your brush or roller at the end of the day and expect to get back to painting within a few days–wrap the brush or roller tightly in a plastic bag and put in the freezer. 3. Latex Gloves or Lotion, Your Pick Latex gloves are great for keeping your hands clean (especially if you’re using oil-based paint!). If you can’t stand latex gloves or are allergic, a thick application of hand lotion before painting will make cleaning a lot easier later on. 4. Wet Edge Always keep a wet edge as you paint, and work away from that wet edge. If you paint over a dry edge, you will get overlap marks. 5. Avoid Cheap Roller Covers and Brushes This one is important. Cheap roller covers leave fuzz on the wall. Cheap brushes leave streaky brush marks. Avoid those multi-packs of rollers, ten for a dollar. Pay the extra few cents and get better tools. It’ll be worth it. Honest it will. 6. Test for Loose Paint Will the existing painted

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Help Prevent Falls

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Use this list to prioritize work tasks. Leave a copy of this list with the family so they can make further improvements. EXTERIOR ENTRANCES AND EXITS Note condition of walk and drive surface; existence of curb cuts Note handrail condition, right and left sides Note light level for driveway, walk, porch Check door threshold height Note ability to use knob. lock key, mailbox, peephole, and package shelf Do door and window locks work? INTERIOR DOORS, STAIRS, HALLS Note height of door threshold. Knob and hinge types; clear width door opening; determine direction that door swings Note presence of floor level changes Note hall width, adequate for walker/wheelchair Determine stair flight run: straight or curved Note stair rails.. condition, right and left side Examine light level, clutter hazards Note floor surface texture and contrast BATHROOM Are basins and tub faucets, shower control and drain plugs manageable? Are hot water pipes covered? Is mirror height appropriate, sit and stand? Note ability reach shelf above, below basin covered? Note ability to step in and out of the bath and shower Can resident use bath bench in tub or shower? Note toilet height; ability to reach paper; flush; come from sit to stand posture Is space available for caregiver to assist? KITCHEN Note overall light level, task lighting Note sink and counter heights Note wall and floor storage shelf heights Are underside hot water pipes covered? Is there under counter knee space? Is there a nearby surface to rest hot foods on when removed

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WHAT WE DO

Cook’s Kitchen and Bath, Inc. is a design / build firm; specializing in start to finish residential remodeling. As a general contractor (CSLB # 835584), our goal is to create the kitchen and bath of your dreams. “We take the guesswork out of remodeling, guaranteed.”

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Contact us

  • Cooks Kitchen and Bath Showroom
    701 Southampton Road, Suite 105
    Benicia, CA 94510
  •   707-342-2820
  • [email protected]

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