Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Maintaining Your House During Winter


If you own a home in an area where snow can be expected every winter, then you’ve had to deal with the number of activities that come along with it; shoveling, plowing, scraping off your car, salting, and dressing in multiple layers just to go outside. However,if you keep with these tasks during the winter months, you’ll protect your home from damage and make it easier on yourself when a big snowfall does happen.

Store Away Tools 
Make sure all your tools and equipment are properly cleaned, fixed, and ready for use. You don’t want to have to rummage through your garage or storage shed to find your shovel. Have your snow shovels, snow blower, and plenty of rock salt handy so you are prepared for a major winter storm. Do you have a snowblower? Make sure you have the tools to maintain and take care of it in case it needs repairs.


Maintaining Your House During WinterCheck Your Furnace
Before winter arrives, the most important thing you need to do for yourself and your family is to ensure that your furnace is operational, safe, and as energy-efficient as you can make it. When that first cold day hits, you don’t want to turn on the furnace only to discover that it isn’t working (a lot can happen during the warmer months to affect your furnace). Your best bet is to call an HVAC professional and have them come out and inspect your furnace. During a regular maintenance inspection, the repairman also will clean the furnace, change the filter, check for leaks and unhealthy gases, and ensure that everything is operational. If you can, have them to clean the furnace ducts.

Seal Any Drafts
Older houses can be drafty. It’s a fact. But just because they are drafty doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. The good news is it doesn’t require a huge sum of money spent on big projects to stop the drafts. Rope caulk is a fantastic and super easy solution to drafty windows in the wintertime. Plastic film covering your windows is another affordable solution in keeping out the cold. Stop frigid air from creeping through window sills and under doors with a draft snake. You can buy them online, or easily make one by filling a knee sock with dry rice.

To learn more about JD Coussens Inc. and how we can help make sure your home can handle winter, please visit our website!

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Helpful Kitchen Renovation Tips


Kitchen renovations can be stressful, expensive, and time consuming but the incredible new space created makes all of this hard work worthwhile. Many homeowners aren’t sure where to begin with this daunting task of renovations. A kitchen upgrade and a complete kitchen renovation are 1st and 2nd in the NARI’s “Rank of projects’ appeal to buyers” and “rank of projects’ likely value to home for resale” lists. Whether you are crafting your dream kitchen, updating for a move, or flipping a house as a Real Estate investor, here are some tips.
  1. Measurements Matter- Measure all doorways carefully to ensure your purchased appliance will fit.
  2. Helpful Kitchen Renovation Tips
    Shopping Spree- Select all materials, appliances, and fixtures you would like installed in your new kitchen. This will allow for a more accurate timeline because it avoids back orders. This will also allow contractors to provide a more accurate bid.
  3. Too Many Cooks- Measure the amount of work area or aisle between counter tops and islands. All aisles should be a minimum of 42 inches wide, however 48 inches is recommended.
  4. “I’ve Got Some Bad News…”- HGTV has taught us all that there are always some unforeseeable events that either increases the budget or the timeline. Allow for a little bit of leeway in both of these aspects of the renovation.
During a simpler kitchen update, the top goals includes upgrading a worn out surface, modernizing, and creating a better functionally for the space, 57% of relators encourage seller to upgrade the kitchen. An additional 25% stated that the updates are what closed the sale.
The goals for a complete kitchen remodel are the same as an upgrade. The budget and timeline are increased with a full remodel but so is the selling potential. When a $60,000 budget is used when renovating a kitchen, the cost recovery at the time of sale is an estimated $40,000. The increase in value on the home is 67%!
JD Coussens offers a comprehensive Design-Build remodel schedule. First, goals and budgets are discussed. We then create a design plan with a 3D computerized walk through. Next, a proposal is signed, materials are ordered, and a start date is set. Now comes the actual remodel, overseen by a production manager. Before you know it, it will be time for the walkthrough of your new kitchen! Don’t forget we provide a one-year warranty! To set up an appointment, call (563) 388-0963. To view more of our past kitchen remodels, check out these before and after photos on our website!

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Why Choose Luxury Bath?


There’s nothing like taking the time to relax and unwind with a luxurious bath. A warm bath can help relieve tense muscles, improve health and even enhance your mental well being. However, an outdated bathroom with a grimy, slimy tub is not relaxing. If you haven’t updated your bathroom lately, now is a great time to get the bath of your dreams!

Luxury Bath Technologies is an exclusive manufacturer of custom tubs and showers. Here are just a few of the benefits you will achieve from investing in Luxury Bath Technologies:

  • Luxury Bath Technology uses Microban® protection to inhibit mold, mildew and other microbes from reproducing. It is a great way to ensure a clean and healthy bath every day.
  • Luxury BathAll bathtubs are anchored with LuxBond® adhesive systems that harden like a rock for permanent fit.
  • Luxury Bath’s are created with signature Luxsan acrylic. This is the heaviest gauge in North America and is more impact/chemical resistant and less porous than most others. This means a more durable and easier to clean surface for your bath enclosure!
  • You can’t find LuxSeal® shower doors anywhere else! LuxSeal® glass surface is ultra-smooth, optically clear and has a protective layer for easy cleaning.
  • Each tub or shower from Luxury Bath is manufactured for your specific space.
  • Luxury Bath has a variety of colors available thanks to silicone sealant. This silicone sealant also prevents the growth of mold and mildew.
  • Luxury Bath’s exclusive SuperTach adhesive guarantees that your acrylic walls will be anchored in place for a lifetime.

The secret to a perfect bath starts with the perfect tub! If you are ready to enhance your bathroom and create a relaxing environment, don’t wait. Get started on your Luxury Bath remodel today. JD Coussens is a premier dealer for Luxury Bath Technologies and much more! We are happy to provide you with a new way to remodel your bathroom with less time and endless options. Schedule an appointment with our professionals today and we will show you just why Luxury Bath Technologies is the best way to transform your bathroom.

Friday, September 9, 2016

Why Trust JD Coussens For Your Next Remodeling Project?

Home remodeling can be an overwhelming venture without the right resources. While simple jobs like painting or small remodeling projects can be done by the average do-it-yourselfer, more advanced jobs like renovating kitchens or baths might require the assistance of a trusted expert.

At JD Coussens, we have been helping residents of Davenport, Iowa, and the Quad Cities area with full-service home remodeling since 1990. We understand that remodeling your home is a stressful time and work closely with the customer to ensure the project is completed to their expectations. Here is what you can expect when working with the JD Coussens team:

  1. Pre-planning meeting – During this meeting we discuss your project goals, take measurements and photos and discuss your initial budget.
  2. Conceptual plans and proposal – Once we understand the scope of the project, we draw up 3D renderings and provide you an initial project proposal giving the specifics about what you can expect during the remodeling process.
  3. Plan modifications / pricing – The next step in the process is gathering customer input about the initial plans. Our team will modify the plan and provide a pricing estimate for the project based on the changes.
  4. Job site visit – After the plans are finalized, you will meet the sales rep, project estimator and any necessary subcontractors at the job site to discuss the plans.
  5. Final pricing – When all final changes are made, a detailed proposal is provided and a deposit for a portion of the work is paid.
  6. Demolition – On the pre-determined start date, the fun really begins as the team clears away the area to be remodeled.
  7. Remodeling – The remodeling process is where we create your dream space adding all the little details that will personalize it to your tastes.
  8. Final walk through – At the conclusion of remodeling, the project manager and the client walk through the space with a detailed check list verifying all work is completed to expectations. Final payment is made after approval of project
  9. Enjoy your new space – After the project is completed, you will be able to rest easy with a one-year warranty for all work completed.

Are you considering a remodeling project? Contact the experts at JD Coussens Remodeling to design the space of your dreams!