From the Builder

Greetings!

With the first official day of summer finally here and the weather getting warmer each day, families around the valley are finally able to start planning those back yard summer Bar-B-Q’s and get-togethers.  Along with all this summer fun, it is also the perfect  time for those outdoor home improvement projects.

So far this spring, Hibbard Construction has had three past clients and some new friends come to us to do paint jobs for them. It’s very rewarding to see past clients come back to us when it’s time for these home improvement projects. And, we really appreciate our new clients as well!

Have you had a chance to take a good look at the exterior of your house? Have you inspected the caulk around your windows? Are you one of many homeowners that have decided this is the year for a new coat of paint for your home?

If so, you’ll enjoy the articles we have included in this month’s newsletter. This time of year is the perfect time for an exterior paint project. The weather is not too hot and the spring rains have finally dissipated. Maybe it’s time to update the exterior color of your home for a more modern look and enhanced curbside appeal. If so, check out the article on choosing the perfect exterior paint color.

Maybe you are a hard-core do-it-yourselfer. If so, we have included an informative article on how to achieve a great exterior paint job. If your not planning on doing the job yourself, this article will still benefit you in selecting a qualified contractor to ensure you receive the highest quality of work for your investment.

As always, I sincerely hope this newsletter is beneficial to you. We appreciate the feedback and enjoy your ideas for future articles. If you find yourself in need of our services, please feel free to give me a call.

Sincerely,
 

Jeff Hibbard
 

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Choosing the Perfect Exterior Paint Color

Choosing your house paint colors isn't just difficult. It's nerve wracking! If you choose colors that are blah, your house will seem bland and featureless. If you choose colors that are too bold, they might overpower the architecture... and upset your neighbors.

The best colors will emphasize the most beautiful features and architecture of your home. Clever use of color can even camouflage design flaws, boosting the curb appeal and market value of your home. How do you find that magic color combination? Here are some tips to get you headed in the right direction.

Honor History or Jazz Up the Past?
If you're planning to paint an older home, a safe paint color selection is to use a historically accurate color scheme. Most paint stores can analyze old paint chips and recreate the original color. Or, you can refer to historic color charts and select shades that might have been used at the time your home was built.

In some neighborhoods, homeowners paint their houses modern colors to dramatize architectural details. Using bright colors on old architectural details can produce amazing and exciting results. But before you buy 10 gallons of daffodil yellow, it's a good idea to look at what your neighbors are doing. A fluorescent colored Victorian that looks splendid in San Francisco will seem wildly out of place in more conservative neighborhoods.

Borrow From Nature but not Your Neighbors
The house next door can give you paint color ideas, but don't copy your neighbor exactly. Choose colors that set your house apart, without clashing with nearby buildings.

The landscape around your house is blooming with color ideas. Trees may suggest an earthy palette of greens and browns. A beach setting might suggest vivid blues, turquoises, and coral colors. Even the garden in your front yard can inspire exciting color combinations. 

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Do it Yourself or Hire a Pro? -Things to Consider to Achieve the Perfect Exterior Paint Job

Painting the exterior of your home is one of the most important types of home maintenance. Many homeowners choose to hire a painting contractor for this task as it does require a lot of time, good tools and equipment, and quality paint. But, if this is one project you want to tackle yourself, below are a few things to consider before taking on the task.

According to the Paint Quality Institute, there are four keys to successful exterior painting. These expert tips will ensure that you get a great-looking exterior paint job that will last for years.

Careful Surface Preparation
Inexperienced painters can't wait to begin applying the paint. However, professionals know it's what you do beforehand that spells success or failure with exterior home painting.

Before starting to paint, make sure the surface is clean and free of dirt and chalk. Scrub with soap and water, then rinse. Next, remove any loose, flaking, or peeling paint by scraping, wire-brushing, and sanding. Or, speed the whole process by renting a pressure washer to prepare the surface for painting. If using a pressure washer, be sure to allow a fews days for surfaces to dry before you apply paint or you will have problems later.

Be sure to sand wood siding that was painted with a glossy paint so the new paint will adhere better. If you see any bare wood, be sure to spot-prime that area. You can skip this step if you are using an advanced, top-quality paint, since these coatings act as both primer and paint.

Finally, brush off any dust or paint chips that remain. Your home exterior is now ready to paint.

Buy Quality Paint
Even though the highest quality exterior paint costs a little more, you can't afford to cut corners here: Your paint is the protective coating that keeps the elements at bay. Fortunately, even the best exterior paints are still rather inexpensive. Plus, since most of the work in painting is labor, your exterior paint job will last far longer when you use the best possible paint.

For the best performance, purchase quality 100% acrylic latex exterior paint. These paints have superior adhesion, so they'll "grab" tightly onto a properly prepared surface. They also are very flexible, which permits them to expand and contract with the surface below in extreme cold or heat. Down the road, these qualities help prevent many common exterior paint failures like peeling and flaking.

There are other benefits to the highest quality 100% acrylic latex paints: they typically hide better than ordinary paint, which is especially important when painting over a dark color. They are easier to apply by brush and they typically contain special additives to help keep mildew in check.

Despite their higher cost per gallon, top quality 100% acrylic latex paints actually save you money and time. How? Because the best of these paints function as both primer and paint, therefore, you won't have to buy and apply two types of coatings to your home exterior. Plus, top quality home exterior paints typically last 10 years or more compared to three or four years for ordinary home exterior paint; so they are actually much cheaper when you consider their cost-per-year-of-service.

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Removing Wallpaper: A step by step guide

Whether you want to put up new wallpaper or switch to painted walls, removing wallpaper is a significant way to give a room a fresh new look. Below are 12 easy steps to aid you in the process of wallpaper removal.

Step 1: Lay down a drop cloth.
Before removing the wallpaper, cover your floor with a drop cloth. If you have any furniture in the room, you will want to cover that as well.

Step 2: Turn off power to the electrical circuits.
As a safety precaution, turn off power to any electrical circuits running to the wall where the wallpaper will be removed. Do this by switching the breaker to the off position at the main electrical panel.

Step 3: Remove outlet covers and face plates.
Remove any outlet covers or face plates on the wall that you will be working on.

Step 4: Cover the exposed outlets with tape.
Use tape to cover the exposed outlets to keep them from getting wet.

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Hibbard Construction Takes Traditional and Adds a Modern Touch

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                  BEFORE                                                        AFTER

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This classic farm house needed some updating and the homeowners wanted to maintain some of the traditional charm of this older home.  Hibbard Construction not only remodeled the interior of the home and added a very inviting front entry, bay window, new roof, and fireplace, but also gave the home even more charm and character with the updated exterior paint job. Notice how the white and red accents make the architecture of this classic farm house really stand out?  Red trim with white accents around the windows not only add character but also depth and dimension giving this home a charming and cheery look.