So, after about two months of taking out your Saturdays and/or Sundays to look at the homes within your city that are for sale, you and your spouse have come to the conclusion that you would actually rather build your own dream home. Congratulations! There is definitely nothing like living in a space that has everything you want (and where you want it) within it.

Of course, it probably goes without saying that a project of that magnitude requires a lot of focus, patience…oh, and money.

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Actually, that’s why we’re here. To help to prepare you for your great undertaking by providing you with a list of some of the hidden costs that sometimes unexpectedly come up when planning to build a new home so that you will be well prepared during the process:

Finance costs.

Most of us don’t know people who can pay outright cash to have their house built. Therefore, there is a loan that has to be taken out. Whenever you go through a lender, there are going to be things like finance costs and mortgage fees. Make sure to inquire about the specifics on them.

Insurance and warranties.

Nobody really likes to pay for insurance, but we all accept that it’s a “necessary evil” to protect us from things that sometimes happen that are well beyond our control. Therefore, you definitely need to take out a self-build insurance policy and to make sure there are warranties purchased on all of the supplies and items used for the home.

Labor costs.

Sometimes materials arrive on time and the weather cooperates with the contractor’s schedule. Sometimes, it doesn’t. When there are delays in receiving supplies that are needed to work or there are weather conditions that make it impossible to do certain projects, that can cause labor fees to incur. You definitely want to ask the contractor about their policies on these kinds of matters before signing on any dotted line (even when it comes to things like the use of cranes: overheadcranetec.com).

A change of plans.

You may have started out with you wanting your kitchen to look one way, but in the midst of building, you might have discovered that you now want something totally different. When that happens, the designer and contractor have to totally reroute their plans as well. Time is money and so if/when you get to a point that you want/need to make some adjustments, be prepared to pay some additional monies for that.

Waste of materials.

When you do change your plans, what happens to all of the materials that you already used up? A lot of it ends up getting thrown away or recycled. Plus, you end up needing to purchase some new items. That’s definitely something that you need to plan for.

Theft.

No one really wants to think about the fact that their property or supplies could be stolen or vandalized, but it does happen from time to time. This is just one more reason why it’s a good idea to have an insurance policy in place. However, be prepared to still have to pay out of pocket for some of the smaller things (such as tools) that your insurance may not cover on your claim.

Connection fees.

Once your house is complete, it’s still not “move-in ready” until the utilities are on and you oftentimes have to put down a deposit on things like electricity, water and cable hookups. Thankfully, these are some of the less expensive items, but it’s still something to put on your to-do list. After all, a house is not complete without lights to turn on and running water, right. Exactly.

For more moving tips on Stagetecture, click here.

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Protecting yourself when renovating

The problem with having a contractor and his crew doing renovations in your home is that these people are considered home workers (rather than, say, guests). They are not technically employees in your home, like a nanny, for example, so you don’t have to arrange for workers compensation coverage. And most contractors carry their own liability insurance to cover themselves and any crew they bring with them. Does that mean you’re off the hook? No. There are two reasons why you may still want to look into additional liability coverage when you have contractors working in your home.

First, the policy your contractor has may be bare bones, meaning a worker who is injured on your property could still come after you for any medical costs (or even punitive damages) not covered under his employer’s policy. Second, some independent contractors have no insurance to begin with. If you fail to ask you could be on the hook for accident and injury costs. In truth you should request a printed copy of your contractor’s policy before any work begins so that you have legal grounds for a grievance should an injured employee come after you rather than seeking coverage under his employer’s plan.

So why is liability insurance important?

Well, for the reasons listed above, for starters. If anyone is injured on your property the insurance will cover part or all of the associated medical costs. However, a good policy will also cover your court costs should you be sued. In short, it will protect you financially in the event that a contract worker on your property suffers from an injury. So now that you’re convinced, how do you go about getting this coverage?

Again, you should ascertain whether or not your contractor already has coverage. If he doesn’t, you should probably go with another vendor. But even if he does and you still want some extra protection, start by talking to your current insurance provider to find out what your homeowner’s policy covers, if you can tack on additional liability (and if there are any restrictions on removing it once the work is complete), and whether or not a beefier umbrella policy is necessary. Then seek out liability insurance quotes from other providers to see if you can get more coverage at a better price or use lower numbers as leverage to secure a discounted rate with your provider of choice. Liability coverage is a good idea any time you have workers in your home, but it’s especially essential when they’re doing a dangerous job.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Happy DIY Saturday! Today we are talking about safeguarding your home’s belongings from fire or water damage. After a house fire or after a flood or hot water tank leak, most homeowners lose valuable contents in the process.

Image via: Trendir

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Today, watch a video on fire safe boxes. See how important it is to read the box when purchasing and see how a ‘fire retardant’ box is different from a ‘fire safe”. Watch this You Tube video to see which holds up in a house fire, and which one doesn’t.

You Tube Video – Protecting your valuables from a house fire

Guest Blogger – How to Protect your Belongings from Water Damage

Let’s face it, storage units are awesome. They’re a great way to get rid of clutter and still keep your stuff. However, if units aren’t climate controlled, moisture is a problem. Moisture brings with it mold, mildew, corrosion, and general destruction of your stuff – no one wants that. Here are some options to keep your stuff dry:

Image via: Joanna Goddard

Option A – Upgrade

Upgrade to a climate controlled unit, especially if storing furniture. These units are usually more expensive but generally keep your stuff dry. For a little extra monthly expense, you can save a lot more in the long run by not having to replace damaged goods.

Option B – Plastic Containers

The best option for using these in your unit is probably to go with watertight totes. Not only can you keep your clothes and electronics organized, they’ll stay dry to boot. Sizes range from tackle boxes to larger totes.

Option C – Plastic Bags

There are two choices here: Space Bags and Ziploc. Space Bags come with the advantage of compressing things like clothes, comforters, winter coats, etc. However, they’re generally more expensive than Ziploc bags. Ziplocs are simpler to use, too. Just remember to double-bag. There are also bags specifically for mattresses and box-springs.

Image via: Remodelista

Option D – Pallets and Boards

You can’t actually put anything in them, but they will keep your furniture and boxes safe from minor flooding. Not really the best option, here, but they’re great if you’re worried about rising water.

Option E – Plastic Sheeting or Tarps

Wrapping furniture tightly in plastic is not a good idea. Plastic traps moisture, mold, mildew, etc. up against the wood. Your furniture will rot. Furniture of any type is difficult to keep away from water. Wrapping your furniture loosely in a tarp is a good way to keep new moisture from getting at it. It’s not water-tight, so it won’t solve the problem completely.

Option F – Airing Out

Visiting and airing out your storage unit every once in a while is a great idea that helps in a couple of ways. You can remove anything that’s obviously been water-damaged and reassess what you’re keeping in the unit at the same time.

As you can see, there are a lot of ways to keep your stored stuff dry. These options can be used everywhere from storage units to your home. Don’t let moisture and mold infect your stuff, keep it dry and mold free.

Sasha Smith is a blogger with EZ Storage self storage facilities. EZ Storage offers units in many sizes with locations in the Boston area, including Framingham, Newton and Natick.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

With the onset of hurricane season, and Hurricane Irene becoming a historical storm threatening over 2.2 million people in the south and northeastern U.S., the reality of what your home will look like after the storm is a concern to many. Living in Jacksonville, Florida, we have become accustomed to hurricanes, but no one can ever prepare for what they may face at their home after returning from an evacuation.

I have compiled a list of resources and important information to help you and your family clean up after a flood or hurricane. Even if you haven’t been effected by a hurricane or natural disaster, these tips are helpful to know in advance. As the United States has seen in the last week, there is no such thing as “My part of the country doesn’t get that type of natural disaster!”

Flood Cleanup Resources

Flood Cleanup – source EPA

During a flood cleanup, the indoor air quality in your home or office may appear to be the least of your problems. However, failure to remove contaminated materials and to reduce moisture and humidity can present serious long-term health risks. Standing water and wet materials are a breeding ground for microorganisms, such as viruses, bacteria, and mold. They can cause disease, trigger allergic reactions, and continue to damage materials long after the flood.

For basic information on how to clean up after a flood and how to prevent indoor air problems – download the flood_booklet here.

Returning Home after a Natural Disaster

Source – One Storm

Download the returning home after a natural disaster booklet here

Reentering Buildings

• Stay away from damaged buildings or structures until they have been examined and certified as safe by a building inspector or other government authority. You may want to wait to return to buildings during daylight hours, when it is easier to avoid hazards, particularly if the electricity is off and you have no lights.
• Leave immediately if you hear shifting or unusual noises that signal that the structure may fall or if you smell gas or suspect a leak. If you smell gas, notify emergency authorities and do not turn on the lights, light matches, smoke, or do anything that could cause a spark. Do not return to the house until you are told it is safe to do so.
• Keep children and pets out of the affected area until cleanup has been completed.

General Safety Measures

• Have at least two fire extinguishers, each with a UL rating of at least 10A, at every cleanup job.
• Wear hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank) for cleanup work.
• Wear earplugs or protective headphones to reduce risk from equipment noise.
• Use teams of two or more people to move bulky objects. Avoid lifting any material that weighs more than 50 pounds (per person).
• When using a chain saw, operate the saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions, wear appropriate protective equipment, avoid contact with power lines, be sure that bystanders are at a safe distance, and take extra care in cutting trees or branches that have gotten bent or caught under another object. Use extreme caution to avoid electrical shock when using an electric chain saw. For tips on safely operating a chain saw, see “Preventing Chain Saw Injury During Tree Removal.”
• If there has been a backflow of sewage into your house, wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and goggles during cleanup of the affected area.
• In hot weather, try to stay cool by staying in air-conditioned buildings, taking breaks in shaded areas or in cool rooms, drinking water and nonalcoholic fluids often, and wearing light and loose-fitting clothing. Do outdoor activities during cooler hours. For more information on protecting yourself against heat-related illness, see the CDC Extreme Heat website.

Cleanup Efforts

Source – Chiff

These tips from Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores will help you get busy with the clean-up and started on the way to returning to your normal life:
•    Keep battery-powered radios or televisions at hand for important flood or power updates
•    Check the home’s exterior and hose down debris and mud left by floodwater
Open interior doors with caution – doors that stick at the top could indicate a ceiling ready to fall.
•    Use fans, dehumidifiers and products such as calcium chloride pellets and cat litter to get rid of excess moisture.
•    Remove wet wallpaper – damp wallpaper paste is a prime location for mold to grow.
•    Ask a contractor or building inspector to check for mold damage after a flood.
•    Scrub all interior surfaces that were in contact with flood waters with bleach or a household disinfectant containing bleach.

For natural disaster information for your local area, check with disaster relief entities. In the United States – The Red Cross is a great resource.

Your home is usually the largest investment that you will ever own.  The belongings and your family are THE most prized possessions that you want to protect.  Today, my guest blogger Judy Moore from Taking Stock, LLC explains the importance of conducting a home inventory of your belongings and getting them appraised. At any time your home can be endangered, be prepared.

Do you have a home inventory of your family’s belongings?  We don’t tend to think about it until we’ve been hit by a burglary or natural disaster, but it’s important to have an up-to-date home inventory before disaster strikes.  The amount of your insurance settlement will depend on how well you document the items in your home.  Insurance companies demand documentation before

paying out claims, so you can never have too much documentation.  In addition to making a video of every room in your house, I recommend writing down model and serial numbers for your expensive items, such as flat screen tvs, computers, electronics, appliances and tools.  Don’t forget to include items in the basement, attic and garage of your home.  Keep this list with any receipts you have for these items and store your home inventory in a safe place outside your home.

Once you’ve completed your home inventory, you may find that you need to get appraisals for some of your valuables.  Appraisals should be performed by a qualified appraiser who specializes in the category of items being appraised.  Know the appraiser’s field of expertise.  There are three professional organizations that set standards for appraisers.

These are:

Appraisers Association of America (AAA)

International Society of Appraisers (ISA)

American Society of Appraisers (ASA)

Many appraisers, such as those who give appraisals on Antiques Roadshow, also belong to the Appraisal Foundation.  The websites for these organizations also have lists of their members, so you may be able to find an appraiser in your area.  Bring the appraiser any documentation of the history of the items being appraised.  This is called “provenance” and helps establish value.  If you want an appraisal for insurance purposes, be sure to tell the appraiser, as the resale or auction value for an item may be different from the insurance value.

Finally, now that you have your home inventory and appraisals for your valuables, make sure that you’re adequately insured.  Many standard homeowners insurance policies only offer coverage of about $1500 for jewelry and $1500-$2000 for artwork.  Talk to your insurance agent about any additional coverage you may need.

Judy Moore is the founder of Taking Stock, LLC in Mesa, AZ.  Judy has performed many home inventories for clients in the Phoenix area.  She is also the creator of the Taking Stock Home Inventory System, a do-it-yourself version of the home inventory service she provides to clients.  Learn more about the Taking Stock Home Inventory System and visit Judy’s blog at www.TakeStockToday.com.

For more home solutions blog posts at Stagetecture, click here.