Stay tuned for great fall home improvment and maintenance tips!

Happy late summer! Hopefully everyone has been busy with vacations, outdoor activities, kids sports and time with friends and family.

As fall nears, it is that time of the year to think about winterizing our home and assessing any routine maintenance that may be needed to protect your home.  After all, for most a home is our largest investment. Addressing items that need attention is  an important step in maintaining your homes' value and will ultimately SAVE you money in the long run.  Speaking of saving money, check out our current offer for great savings on your next project. Print out your coupon at http://www.gettum.com/currentofferequest

Be on the look out for an upcoming blog post on steps you can take to keep your home in tip-top shape.

For other home maintenance tips and other useful content, consider signing up for our Indianopoiis area, home remodeling newsletter.  The Gettum Associates HomeFront newsletter is sent out monthly and contains great household tips, a fun trivia contest with prizes and important information.

To receive yours, Sign up at http:.//www.gettum.com/subscribe

We wish you a great end of summer!

-The Gettum Associates, Inc Remodeling Team

Gettum Associates, Inc
4984 W Smith Valley Rd.
Greenwood, Indiana  46142
http://www.gettum.com/
http://blog.gettum.com/
317.888.5681 South
317.575.8445 North
866.234.7465 Toll Free
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Add light to your basement with a window well

We talk to many people every day considering home improvement options. Some need their kitchen remodeled. Others are looking to update bathrooms. And some homeowners simply need more space.

Those looking for more space may be overlooking the most inexpensive part of a home to renovate: The Basement! Whether you want a rec area, wet bar, bathroom or bedroom, a basement allows for many options. But what about the dungeon look of most basements?

Some basements, especially older basements, have small "hopper" type windows. These windows might be fine if all your going to use your basement for is storage. However, if your considering finishing the basement to add additional living space, the installation of larger windows will be a benefit. Not to mention, if your considering adding a basement bedroom, a larger window to provide a means of e-gress is required by the building code. Along with a window which meets the sizing requirements of the building code, there must also be a way to climb out of the window and up to grade, or the ground level. This is where a window well comes into play.

A window well allows for light to enter the basement space through an excavated well and a wall to retain the dirt. Whatever is chosen to act as the well wall must provide an easy way to exit the well. A window well retaining wall can be constructed with concrete footings and block and/or brick walls. One alternative to a concrete or brick window well wall, is modular plastic units that install together to create a "terrace" effect that provides an easy way to exit the basement and the well itself. These units are more cost friendly than concrete or masonry walls. The "terraces" provide a nice place for plants or decorative rock. One example of these units can be seen at Bilco's website

Gettum Associates, an Indianapolis area home remodeling contractor, has installed many window wells. Our clients have found to the addition of a window well to be of tremendous value to their home and lifestyle. Allowing light into a space and providing a code-compliant means of e-gress is the first step in creating a basement bedroom or living space.

For more information on window well installations and finishing off your basement, give us a call or click here to email us

-JG



4984 W. Smith Valley Rd
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
(317) 888-5681 South
(317) 575-8445 North
(866)234-7465 Toll Free

http://www.gettum.com/

New EPA lead paint rule now in effect

The new EPA lead rule will cover more than half of U.S. homes, is your home one of them?

According to the EPA's website, "Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law will require that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination." (Source)

According to an article on USAToday.com, many homeowners are unaware of the new regulations (source). Even worse, some contractors aren't aware of the new rules. Beware of those contractors that cannot provide you proof of certification or knowledge of the new rules. Most reputable contractors, especially those that are members of BAGI (Builder's Association of Greater Indianapolis), are familiar with the new requirements and will be making arrangements to be certified by the cut-off date.

Gettum Associates, Inc. received our training on Friday, April 16th to comply with the new law. Please be assured if your home and living situation falls within the regulations we will responsibly take measures to reduce your potential exposure to lead.

If you have questions, please feel free to give us a call or e-mail

-JG



4984 W Smith Valley Rd.
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
(317) 888-5681 South
(317) 575-8445 North
(866) 234-7465 Toll Free
www.Gettum.com

Something to think about when comparing prices

Happy spring to everyone!

If you read this blog regularly you will notice how many posts involve the comparison of specifications and pricing between quotes for remodeling projects. We also try to educate consumers on what to look for when choosing a contractor. A lot has been written on these topics. But, what I found to be interesting is what was written long ago by John Ruskin. According to Wikipedia, John Ruskin was "an English art critic and social thinker, also remembered as a poet and artist. His essays on art and architecture were extremely influential in the Victorian and Edwardian eras."

Here is a few examples of what John Ruskin had to say relevant to comparing specs, quotes and contractors when making decisions about your next remodel project.

John Ruskin (1819-1900) on Prices:

"It is unwise to pay too much, but it is unwise to pay too little.

When you pay too much, you lose a little money; that is all.

When you pay too little you sometimes lose everything.

Because the thing you bought was incapable of doing the thing you bought it to do.

The common law of business balance prohibits paying a little and getting a lot.

It cannot be done.

If you deal with the lowest bidder, it is well to add something for the risk you run and if you do that, you will have enough to pay for something better."

And, here is another:

There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.

So, what does it all mean?

It means do yourself a favor. Use due diligence and do your homework when making your decisions. Be sure you get the work done right, the first time. By hiring a reputable contractor, such as Gettum Associates, Inc. (http://www.gettum.com), you can protect your investment. For more information on how to choose your next contractor, give us a call at (317) 888-5681 South/(317) 575-8445 North. Or, visit us on the web at www.Gettum.com. To request your free guide on "costly mistakes to avoid when choosing your next contractor", go to http://www.gettum.com/mistakes.htm



4984 W Smith Valley Rd
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
(317) 888-5681 South
(317) 575-8445 North
(866) 234-7465 Toll Free
Click here for E-mail

We service and perform remodeling work in Indianapolis and the surrounding communities including Carmel, Greenwood, Plainfield, Noblesville, Cicero, Westfield, Fishers, Geist, Martinsville

Dont gamble with your next project! Choose a professional

Got an idea for your next remodel project?

Maybe its a deck or a pergola. Or, it may be a sunroom. Perhaps your family needs the extra room a second story addition can add? No matter the size, it is important for you, as a consumer, to educate yourself about the dangers of choosing the wrong contractor.

There are plenty of horror stories out there. I'm sure you have heard some of them. I came across a past article published by Angie's List (http://www.angieslist.com) regarding the use of unlicensed contractors. It is important to note that licensing requirements vary from state to state and sometimes city to city. Regardless, the article "How Unlicensed Contractors Can Cost You" is a great read.

If the link does not work, you can go to http://magazine.angieslist.com/Articles/2009/September/NATIONAL/contractor-licensing.aspx

We have mentioned this topic on our blog before, but its never enough to warn of the perils of using unprofessional contractors. The cost to fix mistakes that can occur will always be greater than the initial cost savings.

-JG

For more information on the benefits of using a professional contractor for your next Indianapolis area remodeling project, contact Gettum Associates, Inc. (http://www.gettum.com)



4984 W Smith Valley Rd
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
317-888-5681 South
317-575-8445 north
866-234-7465 Toll Free
http://www.gettum.com
Click HERE to Email

To move, OR improve? That is the question

The Burgan’s were feeling a bit cramped. Their three bedroom ranch could no longer accommodate their family of five.

Parents Blaine and Neelu were in one bedroom; their daughter was in another; and “my two boys were squished in the third. It was way too small for them to share,” lamented Neelu. “And when guests came over, there was no place for them to stay.”

Better shop around

So they shopped around for a new home, but, Neelu said, “We couldn’t find anything without spending at least two or three hundred thousand dollars more than we wanted to spend.” Also, by the time their home had become too small for them, they had already fallen in love with their neighbors. “Everyone on our street gets along, we have parties every summer, we watch each others’ homes...we could never find this again,” said Neelu. “You can’t pay for neighbors that you love as much as we love ours.”

So moving was soon ruled out.

Then one day they received a post card in the mail from Gettum Associates, Inc. a design/build remodeling firm specializing in kitchens, bathrooms and one- and two-story additions. “We checked out their website and were really impressed with their work. They came out and gave us a quote and we found it much more affordable,” said Neelu.

A perfect storm

“The Burgans had a very standard three bedroom ranch,” explained vice-president of Gettum Associates, Inc Gary Mullikin, “and they put a second story on it. This is one of those homes we have done where the budget was perfect, the project was perfect – it was almost a perfect storm. And the value put into it was well worth the neighborhood – it wasn’t overbuilt for the neighborhood. It’s fantastic!”

What’s unique about Gettum Associates, Inc, Mullikin explained, is that they have everything they need in-house to remodel or to build an addition, including an in-house designer. They don’t have to farm out the design to another company. “As we design and work with the customer we know precisely what needs to be done for the job and we have the homeowner’s interest and wants and dislikes kept in-house. We don’t lose all that in translation,” he said.

Designer Dan Miller created the plan for the Burgans and Mullikin praised Dan by saying, “He comes up with some very, very unique designs.”

The Burgans praised Dan as well. “We didn’t give him any suggestions as to what we imagined the upstairs would look like,” Neelu said. “He just came and took pictures of every room on the inside and from every angle outside. And a week or two later we had the drawings. They were beautiful. I never would have dreamed of designing the house the way he did. I never would have thought it possible.”

Extreme- makeover

Literally before their eyes, the Burgans saw their ranch transform into a stylish two-story home. “We thought we were in that show ‘Extreme-Makeover: Home Edition.’ The crew ripped off the roof in one day and framed it the same day. Every week there was this huge, physical change to the outside of our house,” said Neelu. Gettum started the project at the end of September and they were finished by Thanksgiving. “To come in way before completion date and within budget – it was amazing!” she said.

During construction, the Burgans wanted to change some room sizes. “Steve Denny, the one who runs the show, is phenomenal,” Neelu said. “He would just say, ‘You’re right, let’s take care of it.’ It just didn’t seem to be a problem.”

Now their cramped ranch has three large bedrooms and a bath on the second floor; their master bedroom downstairs is the same, but their daughter’s bedroom has been redecorated and made into a guest room; the boys’ bedroom is now an office; and the downstairs bath was gutted and remodeled with new tile and new fixtures and now is “always clean so when someone comes over it’s always nice.”

Neelu said she can’t believe she ever lived in her house without the upstairs. “It seems so natural. It looks natural. It feels natural.”

They were awesome

“They did a great job,” Neelu concluded. “They were so clean and so professional. They didn’t overprice it. We felt we got everything we paid for and more. It was really one of the best experiences. And how many people can say that?”

SIDEBAR

Gettum Associates, Inc. Highlights

• Design and remodeling contractors since 1987
• Recognized as one of the top 50 remodelers in the U.S.
• Recipient of more awards for remodeling excellence than any other remodeling member of BAGI.
• Free house-call
• Award-winning design service
• Guaranteed to complete the work on time and on budget.
• On the web at www.Gettum.com
• AND Indianapolis remodeling blog at Blog.Gettum.com

4984 W Smith Valley Rd
Greenwood, Indiana 46142

Remodel@Gettum.com
317-888-5681 South
317-575-8445 North
866-234-7465 Toll Free
www.Gettum.com

Split-level Home Transformation

The words “tri-level floor plan” and “Arts & Crafts Bungalow” don’t logically belong in the same sentence.

Nonetheless, Mike and Deb Grisham wanted their typical 70’s split-level home in Westfield to be completely renovated to take on the feel of an Arts & Crafts “bungalow style” home.

This distinctive styling inspired nostalgia in the couple -- Mike was raised in an Arts & Crafts bungalow while growing up in the Broad Ripple area.

“This was a tall order considering the existing plan layout and the location on the lot,” said Phil Gettum, owner of Gettum Associates Inc, an award-winning design/build remodeling company. The home is situated on a small lake, practically surrounded by beautiful water views that weren’t being taken advantage of. “It was as if the home was turning a cold shoulder to its most obvious asset – the lake,” said Gettum.

So, a number of expansive new casement windows were positioned to open the home up to its glorious water views. The other highly visible feature in the renovation is the front elevation, where Gettum designed a stunning new entrance. “Since the garage sort of stuck out beyond the front of the house, we wanted to pull the entry wall forward,” said Grisham. “By adding the porch, stairs, sidewalk, and parking area, it makes it clear where to enter the house. Before, it wasn’t very welcoming since it was hard to figure out how to get in.”

The front entrance “was way up in the air from grade,” confirms Gettum. The solution was to bring the feel of the front door closer to the ground. This was accomplished by an ingenious combination of gentle cascading stairs and landings. Says Grisham, “I didn’t want eight steps marching straight up to the porch. So, we did a few steps, a small landing, and then a few more steps.” A large, overhanging front porch complete with gorgeous tapered wood columns is faithful to the Arts & Craft motif. The wood chosen for the front deck is a super-hard Brazilian hardwood called Ipe`. An inviting porch swing, a couple of rocking chairs, hanging ferns, and a craftsman-style mahogany entrance-door system beckon visitors as well as passersby. “We went online and found period-specific lighting that we used for both interior and exterior. The fixtures are copper,” says Grisham. The addition of gable and window trim completes the exterior allusion.

“We are delighted to be getting a lot more light in the rooms on the main level,” says Grisham. “Plus, with the open floor plan, the flow is much better for entertaining. The space is much more open and inviting.”

Moving indoors, the old interior was a typical “chopped up 70s-style foyer, kitchen, dining room, and living room,” as Gettum vividly recalls. Virtually everything was gutted on the main floor, the rooms reconfigured to share one visual space. Arts & Crafts-style plaster arches were added over doorways, and more of those distinctive tapered columns were used to separate dining room, living room, kitchen, and foyer. The new kitchen cabinetry was redone to feature flat recessed cherry cabinets with "Cambria" quartz countertops.

The result is a stunningly beautiful, livable home that bears almost no resemblance to its former self.

Who knew an Arts & Crafts design can actually live inside a 70’s tri-level? Well, MAME knew. They named the Gettum-designed home the winner of its annual BAGI-sponsored MAME award for excellence in renovation. “We’re a one-stop shop,” notes Gettum. “Since we include design in what we offer homeowners, as well as supporting all construction phases in our work, there’s no finger-pointing.”

As a result, Gettum continues, “We take responsibility for all aspects of the renovation project.” The bottom line is that the homeowner couldn’t have replicated this house on this lot as new construction for the money they’ve spent on renovation. “That’s why,” says Gettum, “remodeling makes the most sense financially.”

“I had thought of what I wanted for months before Phil came along,” says Grisham. “I knew I’d found the right company when after going through the design process, they listened to what we wanted, and created a design that was exactly what we were looking for.” Overall, “It was a great experience.”

To see more pictures from this project, please click HERE

For more information on how to turn your house into your dream home, contact Gettum Associates, Inc. at 317-888-5681 South/317-575-8445 North/866-234-7465 Toll Free or visit them on the web at www.Gettum.com



4984 W Smith Valley Rd.
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
(317) 888-5681 South
(317) 575-8445 North
(866) 234-7465 Toll Free

CHECK OUT OUR CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS

Has your home kept up with you and your family?

You love your location. You love your neighborhood. You may even love your neighbors. But has your home kept up with you and your family?

Has your life style changed? Perhaps there has been the addition of the “pitter-patter” of little feet. Maybe some of the little feet have grown into bigger, teenage feet needing more space for more supervised activities at home. It’s also possible that now that the kids are all gone, and the constant trips to the soccer field, baseball diamonds, basketball courts or hockey rinks are over you’ve had a chance to catch your breath and look around. Unfortunately what you found was a dated and somewhat tired old house.

So what are your choices? Certainly you can build a brand new home or buy another used home. This will require getting your existing home ready to sell. The worn carpet, smudged walls, leaking gutters and other maintenance items will need immediate attention before you show it. There will be scheduled and unscheduled showings, offers and counteroffers, home inspections and requested repairs. Then there will be packing, moving, unpacking and all the other hidden expenses. Is all this worth it in exchange for turning your freshly maintained home plus all it’s fond memories over to a new owner?

A third choice, like those ever popular “before and after” remodeling shows on TV , you could just stay put and remodel. No moving, no showings, no finding out your new neighbor’s son is the drummer in a rock band. Instead, you get to keep your spacious lot, your trees, your flower garden and all those fond memories. Perhaps this makes more sense.

Well it made sense for Kevin Kelly of Greenwood, and in a big way.

In 1978, Kelly’s three bedroom ranch was all the rage. However, by the time the millennium rolled around Kelly’s home was antiquated in both style and space.

Initial thoughts centered on finding a new spacious house with a basement for his extensive model train collection. “I looked at newer bigger houses, but didn’t care for the construction or the locations,” says Kelly. “I couldn’t duplicate the conveniences of the grocery, the drug store, and restaurants which were currently outside my front door.” It then occurred to Kelly to “build up and out” instead of looking for a basement.

Kelly contacted Gettum Associates, a full service, design/build remodeling company he had used previously on some minor remodeling. This time Kelly inquired about the possibility of doing a much larger whole house overhaul and expansion.

“I had a list of what I liked and didn’t like about my existing house. Then Gettum’s design staff helped me set out a “wish list” of my goals. By the time we were done, there were only two minor items that couldn’t make it into the final design.”

During the five-month project, Kelly’s home underwent major modifications. On the first floor a master bedroom/bathroom suite was added. Most of the interior walls were reconfigured allowing for a beautiful new kitchen, open floor plan and oak stairway to the entirely new second floor. The new second floor contains a loft which look down on the great room, a third guest room, Mr. Kelly’s private office, and a dedicated model train room complete with cloud like paintings on the ceiling.

“It was a fun experience and never frustrating”, said Kelly. “Having been in the engineering business for almost 30 years, I had a general idea of what to expect. But I really have to praise Gettum for the job they did. We had daily communication when necessary, I lived in the house throughout the project, and there was never a day when something didn’t happen. They finished on schedule and on budget.”

Gary Mullikin, vice-president and general manager of Gettum Associates, known for its award winning home makeovers, says Kevin Kelly is a prime example of the true value in remodeling. Mr. Kelly could not have duplicated all the amenities he now enjoys in his newly remodeled home in a new home for less total investment. Kevin has more house, more space, and more custom designed features for less money than he could ever find in the new home market.”

To top it off, Mr. Kelley got his dream home without ever having to move away from his prized backyard water feature, greenhouse gardens, and twenty-five years of fond memories. Kelly’s aging dog “paddy”, was happy too. He didn’t have to learn “the spots” in a new back yard.

If you would like to learn more about how remodeling can add value to your home, contact Gettum Associates, Inc. Design and Remodel Contractors at 317-888-5681 South/317-575-8445 North/866-234-7465 Toll Free, or submit our online Appointment Request Form HERE (http://www.gettum.com/appointment.htm)

-JG

Gettum Associates, Inc.
4984 W Smith Valley Rd
Greenwood, Indiana 46142
http://www.gettum.com
Remodel@Gettum.com

Home Show special offer

Are you considering replacing your kitchen cabinets as part of a kitchen remodel or perhaps you have a bathroom you would like to remodel? We can help.

You can save big NOW by taking advantage of our Home Show special. Now through the end of February. To get your coupon, go to http://www.remodelindianapolis.com or follow the link at http://www.gettum.com

Any questions about your next home improvement project? Give us a call at 317.888.5681 South or 317.575.8445 North to discuss your project

Tips to survive a remodeling project

Tips to Survive a Remodeling Project

Let’s face it. Remodeling is a bit like “child birth”. Initially there’s some fear, some anxiety and yes… a little discomfort during the process. But just as these memories vanish when a mother looks into the eyes of her newborn, homeowners forget the normal trials and tribulations of remodeling once their newly “reborn” home emerges.

You can actually enjoy the remodeling process if you just follow two simple principals: #1- Be prepared and #2-have the right attitude.

Being prepared includes recognizing that a professional job with professional results requires a professional. Be sure you select a full service design/build remodeling contractor who handles, and is responsible for, the whole project-start to finish. You should be sure that they have a full time staff and are present on site throughout the process. It’s their job to manage the project, not yours; that’s what you pay them for.

Make sure you have a clear, detailed and guaranteed cost contract, a complete scope of work and full specifications before ANYTHING starts. Most horror stories involve misunderstandings involving these basic things.

Another thing that will ensure a project will run smoothly is to have a “pre-construction” conference with your contractor prior to work beginning. Great communication makes for great projects. At this meeting, go through your contract and specs once again and be sure everyone is on the same page. Even little things like work hours, bathroom availability, and talks about “who chases fluffy if she gets out” are important discussions to have. Your contractor should also warn you to remove personal items from the work area and even to take down things hanging on the other side of the walls in the work area, just to be sure. An initial schedule and basic understanding of what to expect and when will go miles toward helping you prepare for those times that sinks, ovens and dishwashers won’t be available to you. Hint: unless you have the luxury of a second kitchen or plans were included for a temporary kitchen in the basement, start to stock pile coupons for pizza delivery and Chinese right now.

But the most important part of surviving any home remodel is simply having the right attitude. Have realistic expectations. If you expect to say “Driver, MOVE THAT BUS” in seven days, you are going to be disappointed. That is not reality. Reality is, if you did your homework in selecting a professional design/build remodeling contractor, the “birthing pains” involved in your “re-born home” will all be worth it.
You can learn more about Gettum Associates by visiting their website at www.Gettum.com, or calling them at 317-888-5681.