Considerations to Have When Making Improvements to Your Businesses and Homes

One of the biggest mistakes I find clients make when undertaking improvements on their home or business property is that they do not expend the time and resources to start the process in the right manner. The initial preparation and steps to be sure that the project will be properly completed often appear to be an unnecessary expense and delay, however it is extremely important to address these initial concerns. Several overlooked issues include:
1. Municipal Requirements – Very often a building permit is not obtained prior to the initiation of construction or if the building permit is obtained, the follow-up certificate of compliance or certificate of occupancy is not received. Equally disastrous is the failure to keep a copy of that building permit and then the certificate of completion in your records. If it is lost or never filed by the building department, a new inspection is required. This can require the new work to be brought to the then current code. It is my recommendation that both the landowner and the contractor retain a copy of the municipal approval of the construction.

2. Contracts – I am always amazed when clients come to me with a problem with a contractor and when I ask to see the contract, they either never received one or signed it without having it reviewed by an attorney, or even having read the same. Making sure there is a signed agreement and making sure that the agreement is reviewed prior to signing, protects both the contractor and the landowner from problems that result from misunderstandings, misconstrued promises or a simple misunderstanding of terms.


written by Stephen Diamond of Vergilis, Stenger, Roberts, Davis & Diamond, in Wappingers Falls, NY. For more information, please contact them at (845)298-2000 or visit www.vsrp.com

Renovations and Addition to Two Hundred Year Old Home

Meyer Contracting recently completed renovations and addition to the two-hundred- year-old Diamond Residence in Verbank, New York. The project was a success for many reasons, but most of all it was a success due to the seamless transition from the existing house to the newly renovated areas and the addition. This seamless transition was achieved because of the Team’s combined and coordinated efforts; i.e., the Owner’s (Donna, aka “The Boss”) desire for the function of the space they wanted to create, the finishes they selected and their commitment to maintaining the integrity character of the existing house, along with the Architect’s (Tinkleman Architecture) development of the Owner’s vision to a set of documents and Meyer Contracting’s (and our Subcontractors’, JP Masonry, Cabinet Designers, Walkers Tile Services, Harmony Hill Landscaping and Poughkeepsie Painting) execution and commitment to details.

The renovation areas consisted of refinishing and upgrading the second floor hallway/stairs, two bedrooms and a new laundry room. The main floor renovation area included a complete kitchen renovation and modernization and new finishes to the informal dining area, including a faux tin ceiling for the kitchen and informal dining areas. The addition consisted of an 18’ x 23’ sunroom and a 14’ x 16’ jacuzzi room.

The new addition areas’ interior and exterior finishes were completed with finishes and trim consistent with the existing building, which solidified the transition, creating a warm, cozy and inviting atmosphere. In keeping with the times, a couple of modern features were implemented into the project, which included spray foam insulation at the new addition roof and walls, existing structure exterior walls where accessible and the existing structure’s entire attic. This will provide a more efficient envelope and future energy savings, which will pay back the cost of the insulation in five to seven years time. The new addition’s heating system employs an in-slab radiant heat system which provides an efficient and consistent method for heating the space.

In conclusion, many thanks to our superintendent Butch Sullinger and all of Meyer Contracting’s employees and subcontractors for a job well done. We also want to thank Stephen and Donna for giving us this privilege and opportunity to perform the work on this special project.

Rebuilding Together Fall Project

When temperatures are in the 90s, winter seems a long way off. But freezing weather will arrive soon enough and homes need to be prepared.

This fall, Rebuilding Together Dutchess County will be completing four home repair and renovation projects, including three homes of veterans and their families. The projects will be sponsored by both national and local businesses, and teams of volunteers will complete the work.

Chris Meyer will act as house captain and project coordinator for the TD Charitable Foundation sponsored project. The project is the Polluzzi home which is located in Pleasant Valley. Both TD Bank and Meyer Contracting will provide the volunteer labor force to upgrade windows and spruce up the exterior.

“We’re fortunate to have such great support from the community,” said Executive Director Christina Boryk, “The homes of these families in need will be warm, safe and dry before the first snow falls.”

If you are interested in volunteering and participating in the Fall Project visit rebuildingtogetherdutchess.org or call them at 845-454-7310. You can also contact Chris Meyer at 845-635-1416.

Benefits of generators for the elderly

In our area, having a generator during a power outage is very beneficial. As experienced this past winter, Central Hudson comments that it was the worst winter on record. A generator can provide peace of mind and may actually be life-saving or, at the very least, ease an unpleasant experience such as an extended power outage due to something like a storm. As long as proper safety considerations are followed, having a generator can be incredibly valuable during a power outage. If an emergency arises, you will be glad you took this extra step. While generators can be a great tool for people of any age, they tend to be especially valuable for the elderly.

The elderly face more distress than the average person. Elderly individuals tend to get the most benefit from having a generator. Because they are more susceptible to temperature variations and are at greater risk for hypothermia during the winter months than younger individuals, being without heat or air conditioning for an extended length of time can be detrimental to the health of elderly individuals. Many elderly individuals also rely on medications that require refrigeration. If an extended power outage occurs, the medicine can go bad, which can cause serious complications. For an elderly, insulin-dependent diabetic, keeping a power supply to the refrigerator is crucial.

Having a generator in case of a power outage is a wise decision. A generator can provide added peace of mind until power is restored by keeping power supplied to your house. We often forget how much we rely on power to keep perishable food and medication that require refrigeration to be stored at the proper temperature.

If you have any elderly family member who currently doesn’t have a generator, consider getting them one as a gift or having other family members chip in with you so the cost isn’t too prohibitive. It’s a gift that could literally save a life.

Written by Don Veith, Veith Electric in Poughkeepsie, NY. For more information on generators, please contact them at 845-485-2900 or www.veithelectric.com.

Care Keeper Farm in Millbrook, NY

Houlihan Lawrence's Carol Smerling's spare time is solely devoted to her Millbrook rescue farm for abandoned donkeys and mules, Caring Keeper Farm. Aside from her donkeys and mules the farm is also home to 6 fabulous, rescued dogs of all shapes and sizes. In addition to Turning Pointe, Carol also supports Catskill Animal Sanctuary. Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue (aka TPDR and/or the rescue) is a Michigan based non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of miniature,standard and mammoth donkeys. Through the rescue, they promote the humane care and proper training of these long ears. They strive to provide the public with a better understanding of their true nature. Our efforts will be directed towards education of perspective and current donkey owners. Donkeys come to the rescue from a variety of difficult situations. They will be matched with the most compatible, compassionate and supportive environment.

When you hire Carol to represent you in a real estate transaction, she donates a portion of her earnings from each transaction to the animal rescue groups. So not only are you getting an experienced, knowledgeable Realtor, you are supporting a worthy cause too!
Carol can be reached at 845-677-6161 ext. 311.

Hudson Valley Independent Living

As a general contractor in the Hudson Valley for over 20 years, Meyer Contracting recognizes that, as our loved ones grow older, they may require modifications to their homes. These alterations can include front entrances, stairways, bathrooms, kitchens and other changes, all for continued mobility, while still providing a safe, secure and obstacle-free living environment.

The Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) program, instituted by AARP and the National Association of Home Builders, provides a certification for contractors in designing and remodeling homes for maturing adults and those with special needs.

As a Certified Aging in Place contractor, we understand the needs of the senior and special needs population, and will design environments that will accommodate individuals that require barrier-free living. With our expert knowledge in Aging-in-Place design, we provide high quality remodeling solutions, while keeping the customer’s budget in mind.

For more information or to schedule your or your family member’s FREE, no obligation consultation, please contact us at 845-635-1416.

Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom

Independent Living – The Creation of Freedom
By Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP
Spire Architecture & Design, PLLC

As we travel along the path of life, we all face challenges of varying degrees. Some of these challenges will have minor impacts to our quality of life while others may significantly degrade our once fruitful and active lives.

It’s an undeniable fact that as we get older we will face challenges with our health, mobility and abilities to perform once seemingly easy tasks. However, with proper planning and preparation the challenges of life can be navigated with ease. Independent Living, sometimes called “aging in place” can be a useful tool in the preparation of one’s golden years. Years that can be filled with freedom and independence rather than isolation and challenges.

Typically homes are not built or designed with our “golden years” in mind, and, therefore, present challenges in our sunset years when we least expect them. Getting an early start on the planning and design of an Independent Living lifestyle can be essential to freedom in your later years. Although it is never too late to get started, an Independent lifestyle at any stage of life can be much more cost effective than assisted living options, which can reach well into thousands of dollars a month!

Simple steps can be taken early on in a design or construction project that will greatly enhance your quality of life as you reach your golden years. For example, some of the following ideas create little impact on a budget, but will prepare you and your home for an independent lifestyle:
• Add blocking to walls that will be able to receive grab bars and other wall mounted aids in the future.
• Create wider hallways and passages, including doorways that will allow for the use of a wheelchair or walker without obstructions.
• Design rooms so that they have an unobstructed pathway and layout.
• Design or create a master bedroom suite on the first floor so that stairs will not become a problem in the future.
• Choose lever handles instead of door knobs; they will be easier to turn.
• Design cabinets and vanities so that they are easily accessible for someone in a wheel chair or create multiple mounting heights.

While it is easier to implement some of these ideas during the initial construction of a home, it is not your only window of opportunity to create an independent living lifestyle. Every home can be renovated to accommodate everyone’s specific needs at anytime.

Helping you create a free and independent future in your golden years is something we would like to help you achieve. Feel free to contact our office so that we can schedule an appointment with our team to help you create an independent lifestyle.

Christopher L. Colby, AIA, LEED AP is the Principal and Founder of Spire Architecture and Design, PLLC. Visit www.spirearchitecture.com to learn more. Copyright © 2010 Spire Architecture & Design. All Rights Reserved