This article also ran in the Houston Chronicle, Earthtimes.org, FinanzNachrichten.de, Yahoo! Canada, Business Wire and Forbes.

It’s the height of remodeling season during a weak economy, which is a tough combination for homeowners needing to make upgrades to their kitchen. This summer, things are heating up as people debate a costly home improvement that also offers one of the best returns on investment.

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen offers these five tips for kitchen updates that look good and also make ‘cents.’

1. Granite counters: Look for thinner widths without the beveled edges.

2. Cabinets: Shop stock items or semi-custom cabinets that can rival custom craftsmanship. Or, for real savings, consider refacing your cabinets to get a new look without the demolition and installation of costly new units.

3. Stainless steel appliances: Skip the high-end manufacturers and go to cost-conscious labels that can still perform.

4. Wood flooring: Wood laminate flooring gives the look of an expensive wood surface with lower cost and easier cleanup.

5. Energy Star ratings: Look for energy savings on appliances that may be a little more expensive today, but will save you even more on energy bills down the road. Our clients are surprised to see all of the remodeling options available to them that can achieve their goals and still work within a budget, said Doug Dwyer, president and CSO of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen. And we are noticing that people are still interested in investing in their largest asset, their home. They just want to make wise decisions.

CONTACT REDBUD Construction Services at 865-250-9172 to determine an affordable budget for your kitchen design.

Our next GENERAL MEETING will be held on Tuesday, September 23 at 6:30 pm and will be sponsored by FERGUSON, a Wolseley company. The topic for the evening is WATER CONSERVATION PRODUCTS FOR REMODELERS, presented by Kohler.

We invite all remodeling contractors, tradesmen and suppliers to attend and become a part of this exciting new chapter.
Event Info

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 @ 6:30 PM

Sponsored by FERGUSON, a Wolseley company

Location – Ferguson Showroom
215 Peregrine Way
Knoxville TN 37922
865-531-8550
DIRECTIONS

From the NARI website:

What is Green Remodeling?
· NARI’s approach to teaching Green Remodeling is an all-encompassing approach that emphasizes making a home healthy, comfortable, and efficient. Consideration is given to indoor air quality, energy conservation, resource conservation, reduced material waste, and the use of products that are better for the environment (and for people).

Why Go Green?
· It’s easier on the earth, it lowers costs, and it provides a healthier home in which to live. According to the Sustainable Building Industry Council (SBIC), housing alone consumes 20% of America’s energy.
· Homeowners who choose to remodel green can lower their energy consumption by 30-50%. It’s widely agreed that forests produce 40% of Earth’s oxygen, and that building supplies use 25% of its forests.
· Remodeling green by incorporating recycled materials or sustainable species will help homeowners to tread more lightly on Earth’s natural resources.
· Green remodeling is becoming more popular as homeowners consider health issues, skyrocketing energy costs and Earth’s natural resources.

The article covers the following aspects of Green Remodeling:

1. Energy Conservation
2. Indoor Air Quality
3. Reduced Material Waste and Resource Conservation
4. Environmentally Safe Products

Here are ways that you can implement Green Into Your Home:

Non-toxic paints and sealants
Programmable thermostats
Energy efficient appliances
Natural flooring
Local building materials
Natural fiber rugs and fabrics
Recycled material roof shingles and tiles
Energy efficient lighting
Insulated hot water pipes
Tankless water heaters
Quality insulation
Native plants for landscaping

For more information about remodeling and incorporating green elements into your new space, visit the NARI Web site or CONTACT REDBUD Construction Services at 865-250-9172.

The Knoxville Area chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry hosts home remodeling seminars at the Knoxville Fall Home Remodeling and Log-Home Show. The show at the Knoxville Convention Center is 4-7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. Admission is $5.75 for adults, $4.75 for senior citizens 62 and older; $3.75 for children 6-12; free children younger than 6. The seminars are hourly beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday and continuing through Sunday. The Knoxville chapter of NARI is part of a national not-for-profit trade association with nearly 8,000 member companies nationwide.

NARI Knoxville will be hosting a series of seminars during this exciting 3 day remodeling show.

Here is the schedule of Seminars.

REDBUD Construction Services will be leading the “How to Choose a Remodeling Professional” seminar 11am-12pm on Saturday September 6th and partaking in the “Q and A Session” at 4pm.

Come by the NARI Knoxville booth and meet the professionals that will be constructing your next project.

Event Info
Knoxville Convention Center
701 Henley Street
Knoxville TN
Adults $5.75
Seniors [[62+] $4.75
Kids [6-12] $375

For more information call
865-622-7686

NARI Knoxville will be hosting a series of seminars during this exciting 3 day remodeling show

Saturday, September 6
11:00 How To Choose A Professional Remodeler
12:00 N Green Remodeling 101
1:30 Remodeling As Your Needs Change With Age
2:30 What To Prepare For When Remodeling
4:00 Sustainability In Concrete
5:00 Consumers Question The Remodelers – A Q&A Session (Shawn Van Dyke with REDBUD Construction Services will be participating in this seminar.)

Sunday
12:00 How To Choose Floor Covers
1:00 Energy Efficient Appliances
2:30 How To Choose A Professional Remodeler

Event Info
Knoxville Convention Center
701 Henley Street
Knoxville TN
Adults $5.75
Seniors [[62+] $4.75
Kids [6-12] $375

For more information call
865-622-7686

This recent article from the NARI website discusses when is the right time to hire a professional for your remodeling or construction project.  Here are a few great points:

A kitchen designer or interior designer can create a functional and attractive layout for your kitchen cabinets and appliances. But if you want to start knocking down walls to increase floor space or change the traffic flow, it’s best to have the advice of someone who understands the ramifications of doing so.

Even seemingly innocuous projects can lead to unforeseen consequences. Creating an extra bedroom in a basement is a great way to maximize the space within your home. But if it doesn’t have an appropriate escape route, you could be building what amounts to a death trap.

If you’re uncertain whether your remodeling project requires professional advice, one way to be sure is to ask. …After all, not every project is as easy to manage as HGTV might have you believe.

REDBUD Construction Services does not give out free estimates, but we do offer a one hour consultation to determine the scope of your project and the level of design that would be required to price your project.  To schedule a consultation, call 865-250-9172.

REDBUD Construction Services is a member of NARI and active in the Knoxville chapter.

[The first meeting, held July 31,] was a great success.  We had about 40 people – it was standing-room-only!  We worked so hard to get the word out and get this started, and we were thrilled with the turnout.

Redbud Construction Services was in attendance at the meeting and is an active member in NARI Knoxville.  We look forward to meeting you at the upcoming Knoxville Fall Remodeling and Log Home Show, which will be held Sept. 5, 6 and 7 in the Knoxville Convention Center.

Come by the NARI booth and tell us about your latest project.