Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Mark of Excellence Introduces New Home Maintenance Club
Mark of Excellence Remodeling, an award winning New Jersey remodeling company, is taking their customer service one step further and introducing their new Home Maintenance Club. The goal of this new club is to help families keep homes maintained and energy efficient.
Using the NJ Clean Energy program as well as Energy Star, the Home Maintenance Club is offering home energy audits. These audits provide excellent incentives and rebates when families evaluate and work on improving the energy efficient of their home. Audits are conducted by technicians that are trained and certified and include taking inventory of the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, safety and health checks, lighting, insulation levels, the overall level of comfort, and more.
Air sealing of the home is offered free, up to the amount of $1,000 of sealing. A special comprehensive package is also offered, which includes other measures including insulation, domestic hot water, HVAC upgrades, more air sealing, and other measures that are recommended and eligible. The cost of this package can vary, but includes various incentives that provide excellent savings to consumers.
Handyman services are also offered through the Home Maintenance club. Labor for small projects and simple home repairs is provided at hourly rates by the club. Services available include trim work, repairs, flooring, stairs, masonry, doors, carpentry, decks, drywall, windows, tile repair, caulking, and more. All estimates on handyman services are totally free.
Another benefit offered by the new Home Maintenance Club is their aging in place aid for seniors. Both tips and advice are offered on improving accessibility throughout a home by remodeling to avoid accidents. Various remodeling services are available as a part of the aging in place program, including bigger bathrooms, eliminating steps at the entrance, non-slip floors, elevators, wider hallways, emergency call buttons, easy open windows, and more.
Building on their superior reputation for customer service excellence, Mark of Excellence Remodeling is taking this one step further with this new club. Consumers can benefit from all the excellent programs offered as a part of the Home Maintenance Club, enjoying better safety and comfort in their homes.
To learn more about the new Home Maintenance Club and how you can become a part of this club, visit http://www.homemaintenanceclub.com/ for more information.
Contact:
Name: Neil Parsons (VP of Sales & Marketing)
Company: Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc.
Address: 952 Broadway, West Long Branch, NJ 07764
Phone: 732-263-9890
Website: http://www.homemaintenanceclub.com
Email: INFO@HomeMaintenanceClub.com
Get to know: Mark of Excellence Remodeling
Having the area's most accomplished staff, including Certified Graduate Remodelers, Certified Lead Carpenters, Certified Green Professionals, Build Performance Institute certifications, and National Award-Winning Project Designers is only part of what makes Mark of Excellence Remodeling the premier Design + Build remodeling firm. The unparalleled attention to detail and white glove service from the initial design and budget consultation through the project's timely and efficient management, place Mark of Excellence Remodeling in an elite group of one! The Mark of Excellence Remodeling Design + Build process is aptly named the “Path to Excellence”.
Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc., located at 952 Broadway, West Long Branch in Monmouth County, New Jersey specializes in Design + Build remodeling projects. Projects range from whole-house renovations and additions to kitchen, bathroom and exterior remodels. The company also has a division that provides Home Energy Audits through the state Energy Star Home Performance program, Professional Handyman Services, and Aging in Place Upgrades through its Home Maintenance Club.
Mark of Excellence Remodeling has received numerous local and national awards and was named the 2009 Northeast U.S. Remodeler of the Year by Chrysalis Awards for Remodeling Excellence. Other accolades include the Asbury Park Press “Best of the Best”, QR 2008 Master Design Awards, Innovation in Construction Awards, “Best Design + Build Addition Project” and “Best Marketing Program.” The company has been featured in Remodeling News, Qualified Remodeler, Design NJ, Remodeling Magazine and the Asbury Park Press. Mark of Excellence Remodeling was also selected to “The BIG 50” among the nation’s premier remodeling contractors for its business acumen.
Mark of Excellence Remodeling has been lauded both locally and nationally for its dedication to client satisfaction. The company has several programs in place, most notably its On-Time Project Completion Guarantee. Mark of Excellence Remodeling is prepared to pay a client $500 for each day that the completion of the remodeling project extends past the targeted date.
Company President Mark T. Elia, CGR, CGP settles for nothing less than complete customer satisfaction, especially with his name on every Mark of Excellence Remodeling sign. Making people happy is merely the start. The goal is a dynamic transformation that leaves the clients with great value for their investment plus a renovation project that they will enjoy and rave about for decades.
Friday, April 17, 2009
SPA-TASTIC bathroom remodel
Our homeowners wanted a modern, spa-like update for their bath. Our design team selected the materials and created a 3D rendering of the space. The footprint was expanded two feet to allow for the vanity and storage unit. An arched soffit compliments the clean lines of the cabinetry and custom vanity. The two-person tub and shower were combined to save space, while the knee wall and partial glass enclosure provide the openness of separate units. The green glass tile instills a calming effect to the room and the vertical mixed-mesh glass application gives the illusion of rain. Mission Accomplished!
Monday, April 6, 2009
MARK-over My Bathroom! by Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc.
Mark of Excellence takes a 1960's original hall bath and propels it into the 2000's with a new moisture ventilation fan, insulation, moisture-resistant drywall, updated lighting, and a vibrant color.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Cape Cod Conversion by Mark of Excellence Remodeling
This project 2,400 square foot design + build addition from Mark of Excellence Remodeling. The project included a two plus car garage, new expanded kitchen, master bedroom suite, mud room and game room over the garage with a terrace and spiral staircase to first floor. The exterior includes vinyl shakes and stone siding, dimensional roof shingles, and Andersen windows. The result is a home that is double in size and the envy of the neighborhood.
A Master Bath Retreat by Mark of Excellence Remodeling
A master bathroom remodel from Mark of Excellence Remodeling. The existing bathroom is in a townhouse. The result is a 2-time national award winner and a spa-like retreat.
Luxurious Master Bath by Mark of Excellence Remodeling
Mark of Excellence Remodeling Re-configures a bathroom and closet space to create a luxury master bathroom. The project features a custom over-sized shower, jetted tub, marble vanity tops, custom detailed molding and bead board
Help! My Basement Needs a Makeover by Mark of Excellence Remodeling
An 800 square foot upscale basement remodel including a powder room. The project features porcelain tile, decorative trimwork and columns, glass French style doors and an abundance of lighting.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
Design + Build video clips
Three Mark of Excellence Remodeling Path to Excellence projects are displayed as videos set to music. They can be found on the HomeMaintenanceClub.com website:
http://www.homemaintenanceclub.com/VIDEO-CLIPS.html
http://www.homemaintenanceclub.com/VIDEO-CLIPS.html
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Luxury Outdoor Living
This project displays the transformation of a back yard into a gorgeous portico designed for entertaining. It features a fireplace, tv, tile floor, great lighting and elegant seating areas. Mark of Excellence Remodeling, Inc. creates any space one can conjure in or around a home. The award-winning design + build staff manages the entire project from concept to completion.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Go green in remodel to get your money back
Just a few years ago, a real estate flipper could parlay a several-thousand-dollar upgrade into a substantial profit. A $30,000 investment in new kitchen tiles, countertops and appliances, for example, might reap $60,000 upon resale.
Those days are over. Contractors' phones are no longer ringing off the hook, and as housing prices continue to drop, cash-strapped homeowners are remodeling in different ways.
One clear favorite? Going green. "Sustainable" and "renewable" materials and appliances are in high demand based on present trends, according to the American Institute of Architects.
A large part of that has to do with how people now view their homes. As flipping has stalled, and many would-be sellers are sitting out the market, they're turning to green changes as a way to reduce their energy bills and improve their quality of life. Based on AIA research in February that polled 500 architects in the residential sector, buyers are willing to pay $5,000 extra for an energy-efficient home.
Kitchens have always been home-design hot spots, and that is unlikely to change. But instead of shelling out for a stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator or marble countertops, homeowners are opting for renewable materials.
"There is a growing interest in eco-friendly features for kitchens, such as bamboo and cork flooring, and concrete and bamboo countertops," says Kermit Baker, the AIA's chief economist. He says that this trend continues to the bathroom, where water-saving toilets and LED lighting have displaced demand for luxury installations like towel-warming drawers, double-sink vanities and whirlpool baths.
Radiant heating, though, is a luxury buy that for some is also economical. While outfitting an 800-square-foot space with such a system, which entails installing heatable coils below the floor surface, can run between $5,000 and $7,000, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that radiant heating saves 20 percent a year in energy costs.
While energy-efficient features like these will undoubtedly require an outlay, many come with large tax rebates. In heating costs alone, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates as much as $465 in savings when EnergyStar windows are used to replace single-pane ones. What's more, you'll get a tax rebate of 10 percent of costs, up to $200.
But before you hit up your local home store, take heed. Appraisers stress that simple cosmetic touch-ups often have the highest rates of return.
"It can be as simple as making sure landscaping looks good, or that the exterior paint is fresh," says Alan Hummel, chief appraiser of Minneapolis-based Forsythe Appraisals. "Especially with median to luxury homes, curb appeal is very important."
That means additions like carriage-style garage doors or a well-manicured flower bed. Garages, in particular, can take up one-third to one-half of a home's exterior, and a sharp door and drive might impress online house-hunters and create a favorable impression once they get there.
One final note: Given the current state of the market, you might have to settle for these improvements merely helping to sell your home faster, as opposed to netting more cash at the bargaining table.
Those days are over. Contractors' phones are no longer ringing off the hook, and as housing prices continue to drop, cash-strapped homeowners are remodeling in different ways.
One clear favorite? Going green. "Sustainable" and "renewable" materials and appliances are in high demand based on present trends, according to the American Institute of Architects.
A large part of that has to do with how people now view their homes. As flipping has stalled, and many would-be sellers are sitting out the market, they're turning to green changes as a way to reduce their energy bills and improve their quality of life. Based on AIA research in February that polled 500 architects in the residential sector, buyers are willing to pay $5,000 extra for an energy-efficient home.
Kitchens have always been home-design hot spots, and that is unlikely to change. But instead of shelling out for a stainless steel Sub-Zero refrigerator or marble countertops, homeowners are opting for renewable materials.
"There is a growing interest in eco-friendly features for kitchens, such as bamboo and cork flooring, and concrete and bamboo countertops," says Kermit Baker, the AIA's chief economist. He says that this trend continues to the bathroom, where water-saving toilets and LED lighting have displaced demand for luxury installations like towel-warming drawers, double-sink vanities and whirlpool baths.
Radiant heating, though, is a luxury buy that for some is also economical. While outfitting an 800-square-foot space with such a system, which entails installing heatable coils below the floor surface, can run between $5,000 and $7,000, the U.S. Department of Energy estimates that radiant heating saves 20 percent a year in energy costs.
While energy-efficient features like these will undoubtedly require an outlay, many come with large tax rebates. In heating costs alone, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates as much as $465 in savings when EnergyStar windows are used to replace single-pane ones. What's more, you'll get a tax rebate of 10 percent of costs, up to $200.
But before you hit up your local home store, take heed. Appraisers stress that simple cosmetic touch-ups often have the highest rates of return.
"It can be as simple as making sure landscaping looks good, or that the exterior paint is fresh," says Alan Hummel, chief appraiser of Minneapolis-based Forsythe Appraisals. "Especially with median to luxury homes, curb appeal is very important."
That means additions like carriage-style garage doors or a well-manicured flower bed. Garages, in particular, can take up one-third to one-half of a home's exterior, and a sharp door and drive might impress online house-hunters and create a favorable impression once they get there.
One final note: Given the current state of the market, you might have to settle for these improvements merely helping to sell your home faster, as opposed to netting more cash at the bargaining table.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
BBB offers winter checklist
In an effort to save money through energy efficiency, many people are looking for ways to ensure their homes are ready for the cold winter months. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is offering a checklist for homeowners to safely prepare their homes for winter and perhaps save a few dollars in the process.
“With energy costs on the rise, winterizing a home makes good economic sense,” says Beverly Baskin, of the Better Business Bureau. “A small up-front investment can pay dividends for months by increasing the energy efficiency of a house and reducing overall heating costs.”
“With energy costs on the rise, winterizing a home makes good economic sense,” says Beverly Baskin, of the Better Business Bureau. “A small up-front investment can pay dividends for months by increasing the energy efficiency of a house and reducing overall heating costs.”
According to the Energy Information Administration, a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy, home heating costs this winter are expected to rise by 23 percent for homeowners who rely on heating oil, 18 percent for homes relying on natural gas and 10-11 percent for homes heated by propane or electricity. Luckily, homeowners can fend off some of the rising energy costs by winterizing their home before the harshest weather takes hold.
Below is the BBB home winterizing checklist for consumers to consult when preparing for the cold months ahead:
Furnace. Furnaces older than 15 years might be due for a replacement. For younger furnaces, BBB recommends making sure the furnace filter is clean, the thermostat is working properly and the pilot light is functioning. Homeowners can also hire an inspector to do the job and make sure the furnace is in safe working order.
Heating ducts. Ducts should be cleaned once every two years. Homeowners should also consider adding insulation to any exposed ductwork. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60 percent of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it travels through unheated spaces.
Chimney. Before lighting up, homeowners planning on using their fireplace come winter should have the chimney inspected for animals, debris and leaves that may have fallen in. BBB also recommends installing a screen over the chimney opening.
Gutters and ridge vents. Gutters should be cleaned to prevent any clogs that would cause rainwater to back up and freeze, making the gutters expand and crack. The ridge vents need to be cleaned as well in order to allow the house to "breath" correctly. Otherwise, air will stagnate and create an unhealthy environment.
Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detectors. BBB recommends testing smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and installing fresh batteries. Homeowners should consider replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.
Caulking and weather stripping. The average American home has air leaks that amount to a nine-square-foot hole in the wall, according to the EarthWorks Group. To prevent leaks, homeowners should inspect the caulking around windows and doors and check for cracking and peeling. In addition, BBB recommends ensuring that doors and windows shut tightly and no cold air is coming in due to worn down weather stripping.
Seasonal equipment. Homeowners won’t need their spring and summer equipment for a few months, so BBB recommends draining the water from garden hoses and air conditioner pipes and the gasoline from the lawnmower and other garden tools. It’s also time to pull out the snow shovels and plows and ensure they are in good repair.
Emergency kit. When a winter storm strikes, an emergency kit should have all essential materials in one handy place. An emergency kit should include flashlights, candles and matches, a first aid kit, bottled water, non-perishable food and a battery-powered radio. BBB recommends creating the same emergency kit for the car as well, including several blankets.
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