Here's a place to post referrals, phone numbers, and websites of Northern Virginia building or remodeling contractors you feel comfortable recommending. If you're a contractor who'd like to be interviewed for some work, feel free to post.
Obviously, referrals are subjective; I'm sure any referrals will be further checked (due diligence) by interested persons.
I've been gathering a personal list of energy-saving features to incorporate into a new house:
WaterFurnace - Geothermal Comfort Systems
Tulikivi
Rinnai Tankless Water Heaters
Washington, DC Solar Tours
Here's a question from a commenter that might have gotten lost a few posts ago:
lee said...
lisak,
I'm also building a house with a contractor's help in stafford (builder-owner/construction management), and our cost per sq.ft is a lot higher than your estimates, which sub-contractors did you pick? We are having a hard time finding a framing laborers whose cost would be under $5 per sq.ft.
9 comments:
I would like to point out that while tankless water heaters are thought of as "Energy Saving" this is not exactly true. There is a huge energy draw when the tank is actually being used. Comparable or greater than a regular tank water heater. My dad, an electrical engineer, did a study for us when we were thinking of getting one for a cabin in WV we are building.
The true value of a tankless water heater in in the space savings, such as small europen apts where they are commonly used, not the energy savings. Buy a water heater with the best insulation and your energy costs will be much less.
Thanks for the info, Pat!
I know many people these days are also interested to know whether the contractor hires illegal immigrants.
Usually the cost savings using illegal immigrant labor is lost in the poor quality of the work anyway.
This might be of interest:
http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org/greenhome.htm
I DONT recommend Bray and Scarff if you are upgrading appliances.
Worst customer service ever. They stand you up, refuse to make appointment windows, show up and say they dont have correct tools. You will end up wasting several days of vacation sitting around waiting for these jerks. If you call to complain they hang up on you.
Pat, I'd be interested to see that research -- those we have interviewed who have switched (gas tank to gas tankless) watched their gas bill drop by 45% a month.
That said, do have a general understanding that
switching from an electric WH tank to an electric tankless -- may not be the same type of savings. Electric just isn't an efficient means of heating a lot of hot water quickly.
Another reason why having a tankless system may be better is a matter of conveneince.
Large families (such as mine) currently have to schedule every hot-water event around the water heater.
the most important thing you can do for your home is insulate it well.
Being in the mid-atlantic, we aren't subject to the extremes of either hot or cold, so increasing the money you spend on insulation, caulking, windows, etc. will give you the best bang-for-your buck.
For example, using the bio-based insulation (spray-in foam) cut heating/cooling energy bills of a friend of ours from $300 a month for a 3,000 square foot home (average for that size/age) to $80 a month.
Also, making sure the heat/ac system you put in is not too big -- or too small for your home. Bigger isn't better -- it will run inefficiently and work harder (meaning you'll have to replace it sooner).
Honey-Do Handyman -- Dave Palmer (well connected -- if they don't do it, they know someone who does. They do good, solid work & fair pricing) 540-548-0456
Outsiders -- www.outsidersremodeling.com Sean Bradshaw 540-379-1934. Again, if Sean doesn't do it, he knows people who do!
Battlefield Homes--540-786-2388. GContractor, fair, easy to work with, and stands by his work.
Owner-Builder Solutions--(VA). www.ownerbuildersolutions.com. This is part of American Building Systems (Panelized home company). Helps with everything from financing to plans, provides everything you need (other than dirt work & foundation) to get your home "dried in." Will save labor costs, and is a greener process than traditional "stick built" (panelized is how KHOV and ryland keep their prices lower, but structural build solid... no comoments on the finish work).
this is who we are using, doing a 6" exterior walls too! Kathy (financing) and Theresa Lilly (CSR) have been awesome at helping me every step of the way.
I'll post more as I get good work done.
Thanks, lisak!!
We're definitely leaning toward building after this winter. I'm tired of dealing with poorly built and poorly insulated houses.
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