Don’t cheap out!

People need to have a better understanding of what they are getting for there money! here good places to spend money and then are not so good. A good example is Insulation, Tiles, Real Hardwood. A bad example is cheap insulation, cheap clay tiles or laminate flooring.

When your trying to raise the value of your home it is good to make it look nice. Don’t get me wrong on this please. People know that laminate is a substitute for the Real Deal Hardwood that’s why one house sells for more than the other even if it is next door.

Protecting your investments at the bank is an everyday thing! What about the home investment. If you ever had your house appraised you know exactly what I am talking about. You can have someone come in and he say’s your home is worth this much. Have the same guy come back after making some changes for the better of coarse and he say’s it is worth $30-40,000 more than last month.

There is great insulation that can save you big on energy bills and then there is poor insulation that will cost you money in the long run. A perfect example is comparing R-Values, the R-Values is the best why to save money in the long run.

The best way to increase R-Values is with spray foam insulation. The problem is people don’t know the difference between different types of spray foam. At Abba’s Service we use Tiger spray Foam why? Because it is the best spray foam on the market today! It is waterproof, Fire Rated, Mold and Mildew resistant and works as a solid air barrier.

Sure there are cheaper brands out their but they can not claim the same things that Tiger foam does! There is a reason for the name, The Tiger bits the cold back! It is more expensive but for good reason.1200 sq/ft will cost you around $4000-4500 but it will cut your energy bills at the very least in half. $1500 dollars in energy bills a year to $750 dollars. Insulation is not the place to go cheap by any means. The extra money could be used for the finer things in life like a vacation every year or recouping the funds you spent for all those renovations!

People always ask why should I put a sub floor in my basement. I tell them all the time it is up to them. I explain that if they ever had a flood they would probably save money because the materials are all of the ground. This is another place that customers try and cheap out on all the time, and it seams they end up costing themselves money! In Rigdeway Ontario There has been many cases of people that had renovations done and payed big bucks! When the power went off for 2 weeks back a couple of years ago it cost them big when the sump pump would not work. $60,000 $70,000 gone in a week! I hope that helps! Always spend the extra on a good sub floor period!

When people look at homes they notice the little things that are cheap like cheap tiles. Take a clay tile and compare it to even a cheap marble or granite tile. There is a big difference! Marble say’s expensive, granite the same and what about slate. A good natural stone will increase your purchase price of the material and installation at least 10 times that amount.

OK hardwood or laminate everybody knows the difference and laminate definitely say’s cheap. Could not afford the good stuff, I wonder where else I will have to make improvements. I don’t need to explain this you already know!  visit our web site at http://abbassevice.ca

Keep the cold out this winter!

In the winter there seams to be a scramble for everybody trying to get things done fast before the cold air really hits. Insulation in your home can save you thousands of dollars on your energy bills.

You can save 50% or more if your home is insulated properly. In Toronto Ontario there are so many homes and business that do not have proper insulation it is unbelievable.

I was just giving an estimate the other day for a condo complex. What most people don’t realize is most insulation breaks down over time. There is ways that you can increase the insulation in those walls without taking the walls down.

Tiger spray foam from Abba’s Service has 2 different types, slow rise for homes with existing walls and fast rise for all other installations!

Slow rise formula can be injected into your walls simply by cutting 7/8 holes in the walls it will completely seal the whole wall cavity. It is expensive but it will save you tons of money over the next couple of years.

Tiger spray foam insulation from Abba’s Service is the best you can buy. It is waterproof, Fire Rated E-84 mold resistant and a vapour barrier. Not to mention it is mold and mildew resistant and will seal every crack even the ones you don’t see. It also works like a sound barrier. If you live in a noisy area we can help you all around.

Many music studios are insulating there walls with spray foam these days! An air tight home will save you a least 50% on your heating bills. It is definitively worth the money Guaranteed. visit or website at http://abbasservice.ca for more complete details.

Differnce between Tiger spray foam insulation and the rest!

There are many different types of insulation for your home but there is none that can compare to tiger spray foam injection insulation.

Regular Batt insulation these days is becoming obsolete. New technology has done some great things in the insulation fields. There is a more than just a few options these days! Inside out side you name the it, it can be insulated.

Maybe you are just looking at tearing the walls down in your home, Wait! Did you know that you can still add spray foam to those walls and then you will have the best. Think about it, Tearing the walls down means new drywall, taping, plaster, vapour barrier and don’t forget the new insulation.

You can cut small holes in the wall and inject it with a spray foam. The only difference is that you need a slow rise formula! Fast rise formula will not do the job because it will adhere to the walls on the way down. The slow rise formula will fall between the walls to the bottom and work it’s way up the wall filling the whole wall. Tiger spray foam comes in fast rise and slow rise. It is a lot easier to spray the walls with the fast rise formula if there is no drywall there in the first place.

There different types of spray foam for many different applications. There is polar foam, Icylene, Tiger foam. They are close to being the same but tiger foam is the best. It is a closed cell process that beat the rest by fare. Polar foam and Icylene are good to but there is a few draw backs. They are not fire Rated and they are made with a  water compound so they are not waterproof. Tiger foam is fire Rated and waterproof it is made totally different. There are many different places that you can use tiger foam that you can not use the others. Like in a pontoon boat. Tiger foam will float, the others will dissipate over a period of time.

At Abba’s Service we will only install the best products for your money. That’s why we use only the tiger foam! It is also environmentally friendly and is energy star rated. Insulating your home with Tiger Spray foam Insulation will save you big on those energy bills there is no doubt about that. The price difference is a little more but it is well worth the money.

Why put a none waterproof, none fire rated product in your home that will not last. Get the best from a contractor that cares for your home as much as you do… Call Abba’s Service today! Or send us an email with your total sq/ft to be done. We will send you an estimate right over the internet and then it is up to you! email abbasservice@bellnet.ca right now by clicking here!

Heating!

Heating your costs money! You should always try and save as much in this area as possible. Regular furnace tune ups will save you headaches  and on a freezing cold night!

Nobody cleans your furnace the same way Abba’s Service does.  Abba’s Service has been in this industry since 1991. We are experts at helping people save money on there energy bills.

There are companies that are just trying to sell you something and there are parts changers. That is what I call them!

A true heating specialist can tell you ways that will save you money in the long run. A perfect example is duct cleaning.

There is good and bad when it comes to duct cleaning. People have got the shaft by some so called duct cleaning companies. They give you a rate that just is to cheap to turn up!

The average price for a good company to clean your duct system is $250.00 and up. Reputable companies are at least that price. At Abba’s Service we offer a flate rate up to a total of 25 vents. Larger homes are more expensive.

Is there mold in those ducts. Yes you cannot see it but it is there. Lets say you didn’t have your ducts cleaned out and your house has dust flying around.

The air circulates From hot to cold. It comes out one register and returns to the furnace to get either heated or cooled again.

Dust travels through the system and builds up over time. This is standard and why we recommend getting your ducts cleaned every 7 years. BY real professionals. Furnace should be Know more less than every 2 years.

Visit http://abbasservice.ca to view are christmas specials!

Saving Big on Your Energy Bills!

People get the wrong understanding on how to save money on there energy bills.
Insulation is the best way to cut costs by 30% or more if done correctly.

There are so many different types of insulation these days that people have a had a hard time choosing the insulation that is necessary for there home. Properly insulating your home will cut your energy bills by at least 30%. In this article I will give try to give you my best advise and explain the differences of each.

First thing is builders always do the minimum  requirements. Pink fibreglass in the walls, cellulose in the attic. Sounds just like your house does it not. Maybe you live in an really old house that does not have any insulation.

Insulation R-Values
Batt types
Pink Fibreglass has an R-value of 3.0-3.7 per sq/in easy to find
Mineral wool same as fibreglass 2.8-3.7 per sq/in
Cotton   3.0-3.7 per sq/in

Loose Fill
Fiberglass 3.0-3.7 per sq/in
Mineral fibre  2.8-3.7
Cellulose fibre 3.0-3.7

Board stock
Type 1 and 11 expanding polystyrene or EPS 3.6-4.4
type 111 and 1V extruded polystyrene or XPS 5
Rigid fibreglass 4.2-4.5
rigid mineral fibre 4.2-4.5
Polyisocyanurate 5.6-7.7

Spray applied
Wet spray cellulose 3.0-3.7
Polystyrene 3.6
Polyurethane 5.8-6.8

These figures are from Insulating your home guide from CMHC!

After understanding that these are the insulation in your walls it is easy to see that the best R-Value for your dollar comes from Polyurethane spray foam injection. It completely fills all cavities and creates an air barrier and vapour retarder. It also works to cut reduction of noise. Many recording studio’s are insulating there walls with polyurethane spray foam.

There are two different types that should be used for residential and commercial applications. You have slow rise and standard, both are different applications. If you already have your walls drywall or plastered with no insulation, you use the slow rise formula, if the walls are open then you would use the standard.

Insulating you home with spray polyurethane will a least double the R-Values of your home. It is easier to do this work with bare walls and a bare attic.

The cost of Tiger spray foam from Abba’s Service is more expensive but it will pay for itself in the long run. It lasts forever and it can not be removed easily.

Cellulose breaks down and shrinks  over time as well as most insulation and is effected with air movement. If you make air movement between your walls disappear then that will save you big. This can not happen unless you use a water resistant fire retarder, vapour barrier type spray foam injection system.

You should have a qualified person installing it. and it will cost you double the amount.

The savings! Remember your home is now air tight, water proofed! You will never loose on you energy bills again. I think you will save about 50% on your energy bills if you insulate the hole house with polyurethane spray foam insulation and I will stand by that. You will see your money saved over the next 5 years and it will be at least the amount of what it cost you in the first place.

Example is 1000sq/ft of foam
1000 sq/ft of spray foam costs $3500 + GST
if it saves you $500 in energy savings every year for 5 years you saved $2500. This is just an example. It is probably more than that I am just talking about the winter. I think you got the picture Now!

Michael Keel from Abba’s Service thanks you for reading this article and would like to invite you to our blog at http://abbasservice.ca for more helpful tips! Click here!

Asking contractors questions?

When asking a contractor questions also ask detialed questions! This is where you find out if he is good or bad and really know’s what he is talking about.

If a contractor that you are going to spend a great deal of money with can’t answer even the basics then he is not a good contractor and you don’t wish to deal with him. At Abba’s Service we welcome all your questions and if I don’t know the answer I will find it out for you!

Most great contractors know a lot about stuff about everything in the renovations field. If he say’s ask the plumber or electrician then he just does not have a clue. He might me good at building walls and drywall but he does not know about anything else.

This is why people like to use smaller renovation guy’s. Price is cheaper also. Remember that a contractor that can do all the work himself and not have to sub anything out is really good. A contractor should be able to answer all your questions form permits to the best way to go about it.

Don’t make mistakes by substituting price for quality! Quality last a long time and if you don’t have the money save it. Another downside is that good contractors are in demand.

When is the best time to book my contractor? NOW! At this time of year some contractors wish to do one more job before the year ends. Most home renovations guy’s know that they have enough work to keep them busy till Dec1/2008.

By booking now! You just might get a deal, or you will be first in line for the next upcoming year.  Makes more sense then trying to find a contractor when everybody is busy. You might even be able to get the best. Big projects take time and should always be planned in advance.

I know at Abba’s Service we stop for only 2 weeks out of the year because I do all my own work. Quality work that will last. Another thing is a contractor should always be there until the job is done. There are things that do come up but don’t get caught with contractor’s that are joggling more than one job at a time! You will tank me latter for that. Call Abba’s Service at 289-321-0348 for your free estimate today… and book NOW! or email us your project abbasservice@bellnet.ca visit our website at http://abbasservice.ca  Click here

DIY bathroom renovations

Bathrooms

When getting into a bathroom renovation, it is always better to start from scratch! Newer homes are easy if the builders did everything right. Older homes is another story.

In this chapter we will be referring to older homes that are in serious need of help. The reason is if you can do a bathroom renovation in and older home, you can do any home with a lot less work.

First thing you should do is always access the situation. This is a process that can apply to every renovation project that you decide to take on.

Keep in you mind to remember the first rule it is better to start from Scratch. I always tell people they should gut the Bathroom completely.
You probably already knew I would say that so get the hammer, pry bar if you even know what they are, if not stay away from the local hardware store and go straight to the nearest Home Depot or Lowes store.

You bought this book to renovations in your home so you need good tools that you will need for this job and the next.

Take your hammer and start smashing a straight line down the middle of the back walls first, be careful there is wiring and copper pipes behind those walls. Do not even bring a hammer close to a pipe or wire. Use a little pry bar for those area’s.

Then if you should replace the tube so disconnect the drain and the vent cap. If it is a really old tub that is made of cast iron. Buy a Sludge Hammer and smash away and make sure you were your safety goggles.
Don’t leave anything that you can trip over, you will thank me latter for that.

Now that you have a bare naked bathroom. You can check to see if the wiring is old and the plumbing is leaking. If the plumbing looks old change it! If the wiring is old change it! It is always better to start from scratch! Make sure all drains are vented trough the roof because the smell is toxic and you will not be able to live in that house.

99% of the time when a drain has a really bad smell it is because it is not vented or the pipes are old. Older homes didn’t put vents in back more than 25 years ago. Use PVC drain pipe instead of iron our cooper. It lasts forever. Don’t forget the glue!

Wen soldering cooper water lines make sure you use new pipe, not the you got from a friend. Lead free paste and solder, no 50-50 here you are asking for trouble, and it is against code. You solder all pipes to the shower taps and shower head before you can put anything back together.

I always put in shut-off valves on every tap and line. Lets say you have a leak somewhere. The store is closed and you have to shut the water off to the hole house to fix it. Think first, if there is a shut off on every tap they you can isolate the problem area and still have plenty of water. Sounds better does it not.

Wiring is easy if you can remember a few things. Shut power off to any lines you are working on. Run all wires first before you put up the gypsum board. Make sure all wires have merited ends and all have a proper ground, ground the box too. Why not drywall in the bathroom or the green drywall that they say is water proof. Gypsum board is the blue stuff, just in case somebody tells you different. It is water and mildew resistant.

For the shower tile area use Denishield Boards. They are more expensive but they are water resistant and mildew resistant. Better than cement board that falls apart after 10 years. Cement produces moisture.
Make sure that every joint is taped and adhesive.
Now you can start putting the tub first after running the boards all the way to the floor. The tub should always be anchored to the wall.  Hook up drains and use plumbers putty, even if it has a gasket! Now it will never leak. Always check tapes and joints for any leaks before you close up the walls. Sometimes it may drip just a little, redo the job. At least you have a shut off valve this time.

No leaks you are on your way to freedom now! Drains don’t leak taps don’t leak what are you going to fix? TV remote!

If your going to install a standing shower use the kerdi system. It will be the best 600 after tax you ever spent. I personally use this system all the time. Shower boards should be on top of it, not behind like the tub.

Install a water proof membrane for the floor. If the subfloor needs replacing do this before you do anything you heard before. The membrane should be adhesive to the subfloor and allow 24 hours to dry.
Now the hole bathroom is safe and waterproof.

Choose a tile you wish and tile from the tub to the ceiling. Let dry for 24 hrs. Same thing for shower tiles. If you are using heavy tiles use a product that is made for it. When using marble tiles always use white adhesive. Grey adhesive will change the color of the marble!

If you can tile the floor the same day, if you wish but it is always better to do one area first. If you do the floor at the same time do not walk on the floor for 48-72 hrs.

After installing tiles, grout every joint and push the grout all the way to the wall backing board. This will last forever, if you seal the tiles and grout the next day. You can find different types of sealer and cleaners at the home depot store. For marble the adhesive and the sealer should say right on the bottle for marble. If it doesn’t go somewhere else.

After grouting wait about 20-30 minutes and use a lot of clean water, changing it every time it gets really dirty. You should see a light film on the tiles. Before sealing take a dry towel and dust it off, then seal. For marble seal before and after you grout.

Hey that bathroom is starting to look like something special. 24 hrs after that you can install the vanity and toilet, pot lights, vanity lights, mirror. Make sure all pot lights in the bathroom are waterproof pot lights. Yes you can pot them in the shower too. For a tub install a whirlpool tub for two if you can more room the better. Silicone the grout lines at the lowest joints and everywhere you think water might get in and cause damage.

Congratulations! You now have a spa bathroom remember to install glass shower doors at the end.

Tiger Spray Foam from Abba’s Service!

Abba’s Service knows all about spray foam! It is not cheap if your using the best stuff!

Just like regular insulation there are different R-Values and types. There is spray Foam for Basements, Attic’s, Bathrooms, Crawl, Spaces, Window’s, Doors and don’t forget insulation for that cottage.

Yes that cottage! There is nothing better than going to the old cottage that was insulated and winterized with top Quality Tiger Spray Foam.

Abba’s Service likes tiger spray foam because they have many different types for different applications! We need the best products because we install the best. Tiger foam depends on the SQ/FT of the area, add i a nice thick poly and you have a warm area that can not be beat by anybody!

The prices do change depending on what application it will be used for. It cost a lot more to insulate in spray foam then your normal pink insulation.

Examples 1000/SQ/FT
Pink Insulation                                                   Tiger Spray Foam
Attic 2000.00                                                       4000
Bathroom $1000                                                  2000
Basement $4000                                                  8000

Double is the normal for this type of insulation and then there is the poly! You can expect to spend more but you will save in the long run. There is no doubt about it Tiger foam from Abba’s Service can save you big money! visit our web site for all your renovation needs. http://abbassevice.ca

General contractors Nightmares!

With all the recent buzz about home renvaions and raising the value of your home people forgot a few things along the way.

They look for home renovation guy’s in all the wrong places. Most times they get caught holding the bag with a rip off. First thing customers should do is cut out the middle men. Middle men are making money and they sub all the work out, and it cost you more than think.

Deal with your home renovation contractor one on one! He can give you more bang for your buck that way. Example is if you have a middle man take care of hiring contractors you don’t know who is doing the work. A lot of times they will choose the cheapest company they can find, so they can make more money for themselves.

Don’t you want to get something for that extra $5000 you are spending. Abba’s Service will not sub your work out and we don’t even take sub jobs. So think before you plan your project and you can save big money! Abba’s Service does are best to keep people informed so stay tune by adding us to you favorites contractors.

Recently we did some estimates for people in the Oakville area! People payed good money and did not even get what they asked for. The middle man hired so really shabby contractors to do his work for him. They did not even finish the job. $250,000 down the drain because we will have to remove everything the customer does not like, “everything”.

This job will cost them about $100,000! Can you say that the middle man made out like a bandit. I frown on that kind of stuff. You would think that with all these new show’s on TV these day’s people would learn something. It is the same story every time.  50% down, tear it apart, Redo somebody’s work. Fun, exciting for me and most of all profitable.

At Abba’s Service we do are best the first time! Our motto “Done Right! First Time! Every Time! We are expensive but it is always worth it i the end. Visit are web site at http://abbasservice.ca for all your needs!

Real Estate is where the money is and it is easy!

Make money easy in any market flipping houses! The average investor knows that they can make money in almost anything they touch.

Flipping houses and apartment buildings is not a new thing that just started yesterday! In fact Abba’s Service from Fort Erie Ontario was doing it before all these new home renovation shows came out.

Real Estate agents can be really good and bad. If your looking for properties to make money they can help you find the right properties fast and easier than the search yourself will produce.

A tip for finding properties yourself would be to find a neighborhood that has more than one house for sale. Make sure all the homes on that street are in need of desperate repair. Buy them all one at a time!

Find a good contractor like Abba’s Service that will do all the renovation work for you.  Let the contractors make the need changes that are necessary for so you don’t have to bargain latter about asking price.

Renovate the property so it will be appealing to the first time buyer. If you renovate a hole street you can ask any money you wish for those properties. You will raise the value of the homes for the hole neighborhood . Sounds to be good to be true.

Whenever you take on something like this, put money aside so your contractor gets payed. Keeping your contractor happy will be key! It is hard to find good help these day’s.

By using one contractor you can save money and get really good idea’s. always get the contractor to look at jobs before you buy any property. They can give you a better idea what it will cost you for renovations.

Even though you are paying a contractor good money to do the work explain that you are flipping this house and offer bounces if you can get near your asking price.

Example 1. Buy a house for about $200,000 put about $60,000 in renovations in and sell the home at a mark-up of at least $380,000 you just made a profit of $120,000 on one hose. Now do it for the rest of the street.

5 houses at the price range will make you $600,000 for one years work. Not bad for someone that can’t find a hammer or know what measuring tape looks like.

You don’t even need to know what a minus sign looks like. All you have to do is make a company name and file your taxes.

The contractor will be happy also dealing with one client is easy and you will be good friends before long. You make him make money and he will be a your service always.

Try doing this for 5 years and use a good General contractor like Abba’s Service and can you say retirement! Why wait for the next gig when the best gig is in front of your eyes everyday! Abba’s Service is looking for only one good investor and we look forward to dealing with you. Hire Abba’s Service for all your home Reno projects and save big! Visit are web site abbasservice.ca