Now that the holidays are behind us, many people begin to think about their new home or remodeling projects.  There are many factors that come into play when making the decision to start a large project.  The biggest hurdle for many people  right now is the uncertain economy.

Despite this uncertainty, there are a number of really great reasons to start your project now:

1. Materials are still reasonbly priced, and lumber is at historical lows.
2. Labor market is available and willing to negotiate
3. Banks are still lending at very favorable rates

Thes are just a few reasons, that are covered in our free informational download.  Click the button below to find out more!

Positive news about the housing market is becoming easier to find. 

A recent article for the NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) reveals that, "The number of housing markets showing measurable improvement nearly doubled in January with the addition of 40 new metros to the National Association of Home Builders/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI), released today.  The IMI now boasts 76 improving markets, up from 41 in December, with 31 states and the District of Columbia represented by at least one entry.The index identifies metropolitan areas that have shown improvement from their respective troughs in housing permits, employment and house prices for at least six consecutive months."

To View the Entire article on the NAHB website, click on the link below;

http://www.nahb.org/news_details.aspx?newsID=14478

   Now that we are in the throes of winter here in the northeast, we wanted to offer some tips on preventing ice dams.  Ice dams are caused when ice forms at the roof edges and gutter line, and prevents the natural flow of water off a roof.  They can cause thousands of dollars in damage as the water flows into the house in an irregular pattern, showing up over windows, in ceilings and running down the inside of walls. 

Amica and the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offer these tips:

• Make sure the ceiling is airtight, so warm, moist air doesn’t flow into the attic space.
• Increase ceiling and roof insulation to minimize the amount of heat that rises into the attic.
• Use weather-stripping around entryways to the attic.
• Seal around attic ducts, light fixtures, chimneys and fans to prevent heat from melting snow.
• Make sure the attic is well ventilated so that any warm air is replaced with cold outside air.
• Clean debris from gutters and drains to allow for proper drainage.

One of the best ways we have found to prevent ice dams, is to use a self-adhereing ice and water shield at all roof edges, valleys and other critical roof / wall intersections. Although it adds some cost up front, it is insignificant comparted to the damage and hassle invloved in repairing the results of an ice dam.  If you are thinking about remodeling, renovating or building a new home, please contact us to talk about ways of preventing this common problem: CONTACT US  

If you have any other questions concerning your home... visit our Ask Capecodbuilder page and let's see if we can help!

  Often times, especially on Cape Cod, the biggest hurdle for homeowners is how to get their project off the ground. Whether you are buying a lot, tearing down a house, or remodeling, the challenge is alway how to start. Here are some suggestions.

1. Write down a list of wants vs. needs for your project
2. Hire a reputable design-build contractor who can assemble the team of experts needed to make the project a success.
3. Discuss budget early in the process, working with a design/build contractor is the best way to project a reasonable budget so there are no surprises.
4. Work with a local lender and the building team to ensure realistic financing options.  Bankers are ready and willing to lend, but local banks have much more flexibility and know the unique characteristics of the Cape.
5. Permits need to be the first priority after the exterior design work is complete, especially if you are purchasing land.  NEVER buy a vacant lot without a valid building permit.
6. Make decisions on all of the details before you start work.  Picking out cabinets, paint colors, roofing, siding, flooring and all of the other finish components is critical if you want accurate pricing and timely completion of the work. 
7. The team approach works! - Take the time to investigate all of the players involved and find a team that you feel comfortable with and that has the track record that can guarantee the success of your project.

This is just a brief synopsis of the key steps involved in a successful project.  If you are thinking of starting a new construction or renovation project on Cape Cod and have any questions, click here to talk to one of REEF's experts!

Check out photos of our recently-completed project in Orleans!!

http://www.facebook.com/CapeCodBuilder

This week we have launched a new feature on our website.... REEF's "Ask Cape Cod Builder" page.  There are a lot of questions out there regarding home construction, renovation, design, permitting and remodeling, so we felt it would be a helpful resource for homeowners in need of information.  So if you have a question about your next project... visit our home page, blog or just click here:

  Every year manufacturers come out with the latest and greatest gadgets for the home. This year, LG has introduced smart appliances that can communicate with each other throughout the home. They also have features that allow the user to monitor energy usage and can help reduce the day to day costs of running your home.  For more information read LG's press release here below:

LAS VEGAS , Jan. 9, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics (LG) today unveiled a new series of smart appliances at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show (booth #8204) that reflect the company's vision for a more connected, eco-friendly lifestyle. Centered on LG's proprietary Smart ThinQ™ technology, LG's new smart appliances are equipped with innovative device-to-device connectivity features and the LG Home Energy Management System (HeMS), opening up a new era in convenient and efficient home management.

"LG's direction in smart appliance development has been in pursuing technological advancements that will make consumers' lives more convenient and ultimately upgrade their quality of life," said Moon-bum Shin, CEO of LG Electronics Home Appliance Company. "Device-to-device connectivity with smartphones and among LG appliances is a new and exciting way for us to realize this goal, helping consumers handle housework in a smarter manner by saving time, money and energy."

LG has differentiated its smart appliances with its advanced and highly complementary technologies. These four core technologies – the Linear Compressor, the Inverter Direct Drive™, the Infrared Grill and the KOMPRESSOR® – enable superior performance. At the same time, Smart ThinQ™ technologies – Smart Manager, Smart Diagnosis™, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid – bring smart savings and enhanced convenience to consumers. Technology enthusiasts will notice that LG's Smart ThinQ™ technologies have evolved considerably since their introduction at CES 2011. For example, LG's smart refrigerators and smart washing machines are now connected to Smart TVs and smartphones, which enables convenient monitoring of the operational status of the two appliances*.

Device-to-Device Connectivity: Building a Smarter Home*

One of the most compelling features in this year's LG smart appliances is enhanced device-to-device connectivity, which enables LG's smart refrigerators and smart washing machines to be monitored from a Smart TV or smartphone. For instance, individuals can monitor the status of their laundry cycles from their TV screen without being physically present in the laundry room.

The Smart Refrigerator Gets Smarter with the Enhanced Smart Manager*

Built around the company's signature Linear Compressor, which comes with a 10-year manufacturer's limited warranty, LG's flagship smart French-door refrigerator is equipped with a full range of Smart ThinQ™ technologies. Key among them is Smart Manager, which transforms the refrigerator into a complete food management system. Consumers can use the refrigerator's LCD panel or their smartphones to check the food items stored inside, as well as their location and expiration date. Using the Smart Manager's Freshness Tracker, users can also enter various food items, such as eggs, milk and vegetables, and check their suggested expiration dates. Additionally, the refrigerator recommends dishes that can be cooked using the ingredients available in the refrigerator.

There are multiple ways to record the food items stored in the refrigerator including selecting icons from the panel or using voice recognition technology. Additionally, grocery receipts can be scanned using smartphones, allowing the refrigerator to automatically download the food item list. Barcodes can also be scanned with smartphones to input food items.

Smart Shopping is another new aspect of the Smart Manager feature. It offers online grocery shopping directly from the refrigerator's LCD panel or smartphone. A shopping list is created by selecting food items from the inventory, which will be loaded onto Smart Shopping by pressing the "Go Shopping" button. Consumers can purchase these food items from the refrigerator's LCD panel or smartphone, while items not on the list can be searched for and selected manually. These features eliminate the hassle of having to write down grocery shopping lists the old-fashioned way or the need to visit the grocery store, saving time and increasing convenience.

The Smart Manager also now includes LG's unique Health Manager feature, which recommends recipes and menus based on personal profiles that take into account factors such as an individual's age, gender, weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI). The information is used to determine options that may be more suitable to the person's physical condition and might be particularly useful for consumers with medical conditions that require special diets, such as diabetes, high blood pressure or food allergies, and for those on a weight-loss program**. The Health Manager even recommends daily or weekly meal plans based on personal profiles, while also providing recipes for each dish. Should consumers wish to cook a recommended dish, they can select the dish and press "Send to Oven," which sends the necessary information to a LG Smart Oven and automatically arranges the proper oven settings.

The Smart Access feature lets users check the status of their LG appliances via smartphones, regardless of their geographic location. For refrigerators, consumers can check food items that are running low in quantity while they are at a grocery store. That can help reduce accidental double purchases and save money on groceries.

Meanwhile, LG's Smart Diagnosis™ feature helps customer service representatives to quickly and efficiently troubleshoot mechanical issues. Once the consumer contacts the LG service center by phone, a technician will direct her to press the "Smart Diagnosis™" button, which then triggers a series of signals that the service center uses to determine the faults and errors and whether a service call is required. In addition, consumers can be directly alerted through their smartphones about minor issues, such as when the door is left open or the ice-maker is switched off.

The refrigerator is also Smart Grid-ready. As local utility companies begin offering Smart Grid-compatible, differentiated energy-rate time slots, the refrigerator will be able to automatically readjust its temperature and function settings to take advantage of optimum energy rates on a daily basis, offering a smart energy-saving solution. In addition to the Smart Grid-ready feature, LG's smart refrigerator also offers the "Night Saving Mode," which reduces energy consumption for up to four hours at nighttime and a "Customize Saving Mode" that lowers energy use during periods pre-set by the user.

The smart refrigerator also offers useful and entertaining functions, such as access to digital photo albums, calendars, text memos and news reports. Additionally, a voice memo function is planned for the future.

A Smart Washing Machine with Wi-Fi Smart Diagnosis™*

Another highlight at CES 2012 is LG's smart washing machine, which incorporates Smart Diagnosis™, Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Grid-ready features. Smart Diagnosis™ has undergone an impressive upgrade for the smart washing machine, an effort which resulted this year in Wi-Fi Certification for a washing machine from the Wi-Fi Alliance. This addition enables LG's washer to self-diagnose its problems via Wi-Fi connection. Should a problem, such as a water input issue, occur with the washer, Wi-Fi Smart Diagnosis™ quickly and efficiently helps troubleshoot, limiting costly, inconvenient service calls and in-home visits. Also, a downloadable smartphone application alerts consumers about less significant problems, such as when the door is left open.

Like the refrigerator, the washing machine uses Smart Access to keep owners connected regardless of their location. Consumers no longer need to worry when leaving the house with the washer running as Smart Access makes it possible to monitor the overall operational status of the washer and dryer, such as the stage of operation and remaining time. Certain functions, such as changing the pre-programmed wash time or adding fabric softner, can be adjusted remotely controlled and pop-up messages on the smartphone signal when the wash cycle is finished. In addition, consumers can check the washing status from their living room through a Smart TV. Meanwhile, Smart Adapt makes it possible to download new washing cycle programs, such as Super Rinse and Baby Sanitize, through smartphones or the washing machine's LCD panel.

Smart HOM-BOT:A Vacuum and So Much More*

The LG Smart HOM-BOT is a remotely controlled vacuum cleaner that uses the Smart Access feature to allow users to start their Smart HOM-BOT and monitor the vacuum's progress from remote locations. Techies will love its advanced control features, as the HOM-BOT can be steered via smartphones in a manner similar to a remote-control car. In turn, users can remotely roam their house while using the HOM-BOT's camera eye for navigation. Furthermore, while outside their homes, consumers can use a smartphone application to use their roving HOM-BOT to communicate with their family in any room.

In addition, the smart mapping navigation enabled by the robotic vacuum cleaner's triple eye camera helps LG's vacuum to clean smarter, faster and more efficiently. The Smart HOM-BOT is equipped with LG's innovative learning algorithm, which memorizes mapping information to calculate optimal paths for future cleaning sessions.

A Smarter Oven for Smarter Cooking*

LG's Smart Oven comes equipped with a suite of Smart ThinQ features, including Smart Access, Smart Adapt and Smart Diagnosis™, which opens up a whole new array of smarter cooking possibilities. Smart Access enables home chefs to monitor cooking settings, such as time and temperature, via their mobile devices. With Smart Adapt, users can send cooking time information by smartphone directly to the oven to make sumptuous dishes via the oven's auto-cooking function. Smart Diagnosis™ makes it easy to diagnose simple problems, using a smartphone application or through direct contact with the customer service center for quick and efficient diagnosis and troubleshooting.

The smart oven is also equipped with LG's unique Infrared Grill technology, a unique technology that helps cook food more efficiently and evenly. The Infrared Grill is another new way to enjoy convenient, gourmet cooking. The freestanding electric single oven is extremely large at 6.2 cubic feet, allowing consumers to cook large dishes with ease, a welcome addition for holiday meal preparations and when entertaining for large groups.

Extending the Smart Concept from Connectivity to Total Home Management*

LG's new Home Energy Management System (HeMS) is an ultra-intelligent companion to the Smart Grid technology that helps manage smart appliances, lighting and HVAC in a more power-efficient manner. Through a smart meter, HeMS collects energy usage data throughout a home. Consumers can monitor the electricity usage of each smart appliance by the hour, day, month or year; the overall energy consumption in a home; and the resulting costs. The collected data can be viewed anytime, anywhere through PCs and smartphones. HeMS even suggests ways through which overall energy consumption can be reduced, enlightening users with ways to save on their electricity bills, while doing their part in helping the environment.

For more information and product images, please visit LG's online press kit at www.LGnewsroom.com/ces2012.

* Wireless Internet connection required and sold separately.

**The Heath Management feature is not a substitute for medical or healthcare advice. Users should consult a healthcare professional for any special dietary needs.

About LG Electronics, Inc.

LG Electronics, Inc. (KSE: 066570.KS) is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, mobile communications and home appliances, employing more than 93,000 people working in over 120 operations around the world. With 2010 global sales of KRW 55.8 trillion ( USD 48.2 billion ), LG comprises four business units – Home Entertainment, Mobile Communications, Home Appliance, and Air Conditioning & Energy Solutions. LG is one of the world's leading producers of flat panel TVs, mobile devices, air conditioners, washing machines and refrigerators. For more information, please visit www.LGnewsroom.com.

About LG Electronics Home Appliance Company

The LG Electronics Home Appliance Company is an innovator in the home appliance industry, dedicated to offering healthier and greener products, blending smart technology and trend-setting design and providing a complete solution for improving daily life. LG's insightful products, including refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, cooking appliances, vacuum cleaners, and built-in appliances, are designed to resonate with consumers around the world. LG's innovative technologies and convenient features, including the world's first interactive refrigerator, steam washing machine and combination oven and microwave, set new trends in the appliance industry, helping to establish LG as a global leader.

   Almost all of our new customers ask about the need for hurricane resistant windows. Many people have heard that this is a requirement to build a new home on Cape Cod, however this is not entirely true. The need for hurricane or "impact-resistant" glass in a home is determined by an imaginary line drawn around the Cape, running 1 mile inland from the mean high water line at the coast. The state calls this area the "Wind Borne Debris Zone."

  Impact-resistant windows are very expensive, running at least twice the cost of traditional windows, and provide protection against flying debris that could damage a standard window, and could subject the home to substantial pressure differentials in high wind conditions.  If a window breaks under these conditions, the pressure differential could cause the windows on the other side of the house to completely blow out.   However, the building code allows for a much less expensive alternative, which consists pre-cut OSB panels with a specific screw pattern that can be left at the house, only to be installed in the case of a storm. This is a good alternative, but it does require that the panels be installed and removed with every storm event. You should also check with you insurance company, as there may be substantial differences in wind deductables and rates based on the use of impact glass vs. wood panels.

Here is a link from the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards listing FAQ's about the wind borne debris zone, and showing the map of the acutal zone: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/dps/inf/bbrs-pdf-ppt-faq-wind-borne-debris-regions-all-ma-12-20-07.pdf

If you are thinking of building a new home or contemplating a major renovation on Cape Cod and would like to know if your home falls in the wind borne debris zone click here to find out: CONTACT US

     Since it is a very rainy and windy day here on Cape Cod, we felt it would be appropriate to discuss one of our least favorite subjects... controlling water and leaks. Whether renovating or building a new home, controlling water is probably one of the most important items to consider. Really there are two areas that we focus on here at REEF, first, the building envelope, i.e. roofing, siding, doors and windows etc., and second, surface water, i.e. site drainage, foundation waterproofing etc.   Here are some tips that we have found very helpful over the years

Building Envelope:

1. Building wrap / vapor barrier: Us a high quality building wrap like Typar and ensure it is installe properly at all siding areas.  Leaks coming through siding are very hard to track down, and can cause expensive damage.
2. Windows: Properly installed windows are important, but we have found that properly installed flexible flashing like Vycor or Typar tape are cheap and effective insurance against window leaks.  They provide a virtually impenetrable seal around the windows.
3. Roofing:  Proper installation of felt paper and roof shingles is critical, but more important is proper application of a self-adhering ice and water shield at critical areas.  Roof edges, valleys, cheek walls, and low slope roofs should have an ice and water shield installed (3' wide). Given the cost of this material and the speed with which it can be installed, it is a great way to prevent and probably eliminate long term problems.  
4. Doors: Doors generall become a problem when exposed to wind-driven rain.  The best way we have found to eliminate leaks is a properly installed storm door, especially in coastal areas.

Surface Water / Site Drainage:

1. Assess soil conditions: We are fortunate to have very sandy and well draining soils here on Cape Cod. However, there are areas of the Cape that have substantial amounts of clay.  An engineer or experienced builder / excavator can make a very accurat assessment of the soil conditions.
2. Foundation Waterproofing: Current building codes still only require "dampproofing" on a foundation wall, which is the black tar typically seen on a new foundation. This product, however, does nothing to stop water from penetrating the concrete walls.  If poor soil conditions exist, invest in a true foundation waterproofing such as Mar-flex which can withstand hydrostatic pressure.
3. Foundation Drainage: Every foundation in areas of poor soil conditions should have a perimeter drain at the footing  that runs to a properly-sized drainage structure, an engineer can help in this design.  The downspouts for the house should also be run through a separate drainage system to prevent overloading the perimiter footing drain.
4. Site Grading: This is the most critical part of managing water on any site, and it is all contigent on how and where the house was located on the site. There should be a slope away from the house at all times, and the water that runs away from the house also needs to have somewhere to go.  Recently, the use of low vegetated swales, and retention areas has become increasingly popular, and provides some nice features that can be landscaped to enhance the look of the yard, while still serving an important purpose.

The bottom line is this - if you are building a home or undergoing a renovation project, handling water is a key component, and we have found a team approach is best.  A competent builder, designer, and engineering team can head off a lot of these problems early on.  One thing we have learned over time is that water problems are long term, and expensive to fix, so a little planning and preparation goes a long way.  If you are thinking of building a new home or renovating and have questions feel free to CONTACT US