by Sean | Jan 17, 2013 | Testimonials, What Customers Are Saying
LSC has been a major part in my tenure as a Certified Lighting Consultant/Administrative Assistant for as a major collaborative partner, Lux Lighting & Design.
We have worked on smaller ‘modest’ projects, to large-scale near “mansions”. The “thing” that sets LSC apart from many other builders I have encountered in my career is the meticulous and spectacular craftsmanship that is maintained throughout each and every project. Working closely with the LSC team, Owner Sean Sullivan and his team of professionals and incredibly knowledgeable Project Managers, that see the projects from start to finish, maintaining the excellent and almost seemingly proprietary craftsmanship, no matter the square footage of the project or the budget.
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by Sean | Jan 14, 2013 | News
Top trends include the move toward clean, contemporary kitchen cabinets and the rise of quartz composite countertops. Here are Neil Kelly’s top trends for 2013, based on extensive input from the firm's 20-person design team: 10. Kitchen Cabinets A clean, simple, contemporary look will be popular with homeowners looking to economize and eliminate unnecessary clutter and fussy details that equate to high maintenance and complicated living. For those who don’t want to spring for new cabinetry, re-facing or refinishing cabinets offers more bang for the buck. 9. Countertops Granite has been dethroned. While granite isn’t going away and still has many die-hard fans, the new king of countertops will be quartz composite — the closest thing to no maintenance, bullet-proof countertop materials available today. 8. Hardwood Floors Pre-finished and engineered wood flooring will become more popular than the once gold-standard of site-finished flooring. Pre-finished woods provide a hard, durable finish, are an installation time saver, and eliminate the sanding dust dilemma. Engineered wood floors are also compatible with under-floor heating systems, a big plus in cold climates. 7. Glass Backsplashes Glass mosaic tile is on the way out. Taking its place are glass/stone/tile mosaic composites that can add more texture and visual interest and that tie in more readily with stone or quartz countertops. Be on the lookout for back-painted, solid glass panel backsplashes in contemporary settings, which provides an ultra-clean, almost ethereal look to a polished, modern kitchen setting. 6. Stylishly Simple Sinks Goodbye double-sinks, hello deep single-bowl sinks. With accessories such as fitted colanders and dish drains, deep single-bowl sinks have all the benefits of a divided sink, plus the large size to actually fit that roasting pan or those baking sheets into the sink all at once. Stainless is still popular, but the quartz composites are a great value and durable option. 5. Color Palette Charcoal is the new black. 2013 will find this silky color everywhere as it blends the right amount of chocolate, grey and a touch of green. 4. Bathroom Stone Synonymous with luxury, Calacatta marble will find its way into both traditional and contemporary bathrooms. Calacatta is a rarer stone than Carrara marble, but is quarried in the same region. It is valued for a whiter background and bolder grey veins. 3. Texture and Sparkle Bedazzled may find its way into home décor and design as homeowners seek a blend of classic textures and colors with pops of bold color and elements of sparkle. Glossy glass tile backsplashes and sparkle on polished nickel fixtures trend in 2013. 2. Living In Your Home Longer/Multi-Generational Living With many certified aging-in-place specialists (CAPS), Neil Kelly designers predict a growing trend to help aging baby boomers safely “grow old” in their homes, for as long as possible. Watch for easy kitchen and bath upgrades to enhance functionality, comfort and safety. 1. Healthy Home, Healthy Living Green and sustainable design is here to stay. The number one trend for 2013 will be to create a healthy living environment, free of toxins and harsh chemicals. More and more homeowners are taking advantage of federal and state incentives to evaluate their home’s energy efficiency and overall performance. Upgrade trends include the use of low VOC materials to improve indoor air quality, testing combustion safety, and radon mitigation.
by Sean | Jan 14, 2013 | Construction, Construction & Design, News
Provided by Bonded Builders Warranty Protection Overview Workmanship, Materials and System Defects During the warranty period on your new home, the builder warrants that the home will be free from: Defects in the materials or workmanship as defined in the Construction Performance Standards. This does not include defects in appliances, fixtures and equipment, which are not covered in this warranty. Defects in the electrical, plumbing and mechanical systems as defined in the Construction Performance Standards, including wiring, piping and ductwork of those systems. Any systems defects resulting from failure of an appliance, fixture or equipment that is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty are not covered by this warranty. Bonded Builders guarantees the builder’s performance underthe warranty. Refer to the warranty for complete terms and conditions,including exclusions. Major Structural Defects The warranty provides coverage for major structural defects that occur during the term of the warranty. A “major structural defect” is defined as actual physical damage to designated load-bearing portions of the home. This damage must affect the load-bearing function to the extent that the home becomes unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise unlivable. The repair will include only the steps necessary to ensure that the home is restored to its approximate condition just prior to the defect, not “like new” condition. Subject to the limits provided in the warranty, we will a) repair or replace a covered major structural defect or b) pay the homeowner the reasonable actual cost of repair or replacement. Bonded Builders is fully responsible to you, the homeowner, for total liability of all major structural defects arising during the term of the warranty. Liability is limited to the amount of coverage provided under the warranty as specified in your warranty document, but shall not exceed the original purchase price of the home. Repair and/or replacement shall not extend the term of the warranty. Refer to the warranty confirmation page in your document and review the full warranty document for all coverage exclusions.
by Sean | Jan 14, 2013 | Building Green, Green Building, News
Data from the 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS) offer proof. The AHS classifies new construction as homes no more than four years old. For example, for routine maintenance expenses, 26% of all homeowners spent $100 or more a month on various upkeep costs. However, only 11% of owners of newly constructed homes spent this amount. In fact, 73% of new homeowners spent less than $25 a month on routine maintenance costs.
by Sean | Jan 11, 2013 | Building Green, Energy Efficiencies, Energy Efficient, Green Building
Things that all people need to know whether you are building, buying, or renovating.
Listen to the podcast here!
(1) Enhanced insulation
(2) Air sealing (this keeps pests out too!)
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