That’s Not An Elf on the Shelf
A Holiday Message about Drywood Termite Damage
As the holiday season approaches, you might tell your children that Santa’s elves are hard at work determining who’s a good boy or girl so Santa can finalize his list. You might even have your own “Elf on the Shelf” who hides throughout the house reporting all good and bad deeds to Santa.
However, if you notice disturbances in your attic, garage, or wooden shelves, it probably isn’t your Elf on the Shelf. In fact, it might even be worse than a box filled with coal for Christmas. You might have termites.
Drywood termites are found throughout the southwest, including San Diego. They love munching on wood, including dead trees, hardwood floors, wooden eaves and your attic.
Drywood termites are the most destructive type of termites in the U.S., and their colonies can grow to include 5,000 living insects. That’s definitely not the visitors you want in your home on Christmas Eve.
So how do you know whether you’ve got elves or drywood termites on your shelf or in your attic? It may be a little difficult to tell. Many drywood termite colonies are relatively small, meaning that you might not see a whole lot of damage all at once, especially in an out-of-the-way place like your attic. Be on the lookout for discarded termite wings or small mounds of fecal pellets, especially when you are taking out or putting away your Christmas decorations.
If you do notice signs of a drywood termite infestation, you’ll need to do more than to put “termite-free house” on your wish list and hope Santa takes pity on you. Instead, pick up the phone and call Best Rate Repair at (619) 229-0116 or contact us through our website.
We know the best termite exterminators in San Diego and San Diego County and can give you a great referral. If the infestation is small, an exterminator can apply pesticides in the places where the termites are active. If the colony is larger or is in a hard-to-reach place, then fumigation may be the best option.
A fumigation tent isn’t exactly the home decorations you were planning on this season, but it’s better to get your termites taken care of right away, or your Elf on a Shelf may not have any shelves to hide on.
What Does A Deck Collapse Actually Look Like?
Deck safety is a topic I’ve covered several times on this blog, but it’s always good to remind readers that deck collapse is a real safety concern. Every year hundreds of people across the country are killed or sustain serious injuries when their old or poorly-built deck collapses.
Some homeowners consider building a deck on their own to try and save money. If you are an experienced builder who has the time and energy to construct your own deck, then DIY may be the right decision for you. However, if you are not 100% confident in your skills and knowledge, please don’t attempt to build a deck on your own, or you could make a dangerous, even deadly mistake!
Also, if the wood on your deck looks aged or warped, or if any part of the deck seems unstable, call a wood repair company like Best Rate Repair immediately, and we’ll send a wood repair expert out to assess your deck.
Don’t take any chances when it comes to deck safety! To give you a powerful visual of what a deck collapse looks like, check out this deck collapse demonstration recorded at the 2010 Deck Expo.
Not a pretty sight! If you want to make sure a deck crash never happens to you or your family, give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or contact us on our website to schedule a deck safety inspection.
Top Five Ways Lack Of Preparation Can Sink A Home Closing
Don't let one of these reasons hold up your client's closing
The vast majority of home closings go off without a hitch, but as every real estate agent knows, things don’t always go smoothly. Sometimes the buyer gets last-minute jitters, or interest rates increase and the buyer can no longer qualify for a loan.
These types of things can’t be controlled, but there are many things that a real estate agent can help their selling client control in order to increase the likelihood of a painless closing. The most important thing a seller (and their agent) needs to keep in mind is to be prepared.
As the owner of a wood repair company, I get to see what happens when a home seller is not prepared. My team regularly gets calls from panicked homeowners and real estate agents who need us to do last-minute repairs for termite clearance or for safety issues found during the inspection.
Based on my direct experience, here are the top five ways that a lack of preparation can sink a home closing:
- The seller doesn’t allow inspectors inside the home in a timely manner
- The seller does not disclose all hidden defects, which are subsequently discovered during inspection
- The seller does not address issues that have been found during inspection
- The home doesn’t pass a final inspection
- The seller can’t leave the house if it needs to be fumigated
Agents, it’s up to you to try and make sure your seller is as communicative and honest as possible when describing issues with the property. It’s always better to address issues before inspection so that the home will pass quickly and the closing can take place in a timely manner (especially if the buyer is on a deadline).
If you notice any wood damage in your client’s home, or an unsafe deck or patio, give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or contact us through our website. We’d be happy to send a friendly, knowledgeable wood repair specialist to your client’s home to provide an assessment and a quote for any needed wood repair. We can also recommend great extermination if termites are discovered.
A Builder’s Guide To Different Types Of Patio Covers
Homeowners have a lot of choice when it comes to patio covers
At Best Rate Repair, we meet lots of homeowners who want to get the most out of their backyard by adding a patio cover to their existing patio. Oftentimes, however, the homeowner isn’t really sure what type of patio cover they want. Many are surprised to learn about all the different patio cover options that are available.
So, for all you homeowners out there who are looking to improve your patio with a patio cover, here is a rundown of the most popular patio cover options.
Latticed Patio Covers
Latticed patio covers provide partial coverage from the sun and elements. They work particularly well in Southern California where rain is less of a concern.
Latticed patio covers provide a simple and pleasant ascetic and can be built directly from the house. While homeowners can hang plants, birdfeeders and wind chimes from latticed patio covers, in most cases, heavier objects are not recommended. They also usually can’t be wired for electricity, so if you’re looking for fans or lights, latticed patio covers are not the choice for you.
Lastly, lattice patio covers can be built with a variety of woods or metals. Wood patio covers provide a rustic, natural look, while aluminum patio covers are more durable and less sensitive to the weather. Make sure to read my post on wood vs. aluminum patio covers.
Solid Patio Covers
Many homeowners prefer to have full protection from the sun and elements. In this case, a solid patio cover is the right choice. A solid patio cover is essentially a roof. It provides shade and shelter and can make the patio a great place for hosting parties, eating family meals outside or even just settling down with a great book.
Solid patio covers can also be wired for overhead lights and fans, making it a great addition to an outdoor living room.
Solid patio covers come in all shapes and sizes and can be built out of a variety of woods or metals, including aluminum.
Duel Patio Covers
Some owners want the best of a latticed patio cover and a solid patio cover. In this case, we recommend building both! It is possible to build a patio where one half is latticed and the other half is solid. The benefit of this arrangement is that it gives the homeowners choice. They may want to feel the sun trickling on their shoulders in the morning but then enjoy the cool shade beneath the solid roof during the hot afternoon.
Other Kinds of Patio Covers
The majority of the patio covers we build at Best Rate Repair fall into one of the three categories above. However, homeowners do have additional patio cover options, which include awnings and even vinyl patio covers. Pergolas are also sometimes lumped into the patio cover category, though they are less “cover” and more of a framework for climbing plants.
Each different type of patio can be customized in a variety of ways. One homeowner’s latticed patio cover may look completely different from their neighbor’s latticed patio cover. Each design is customized for the client’s particular home, vision and existing backyard design.
Still don’t know what type of patio cover you want? Give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or contact us through our website to set up a no pressure, free consultation.
Real Estate Agent Quick Tip: Make Sure New Homes Get Termite Pre-Treatment
Termite pre-treatments mean your clients don't have to worry about moving into a home already occupied by termites!
The numbers on new home construction are finally starting to jump, which means real estate agents are jumping as well (for joy!).
If you’ve taken on a client or two who are looking for a brand new home or looking to build a home, it’s important to suggest that they consider properties that are pre-treated for termites.
A lot of people assume that termites only infest old houses, but that just isn’t true. Brand new homes are just as vulnerable to termite infestations as homes that have been standing for 100 years or more. Actually, in some cases, new homes might be even more at risk, since much of the wood used for its construction will be sitting out on site.
There are a variety of ways that builders can pre-treat a home for termites so that it isn’t built with a bunch of unwanted guests munching through the walls. Firstly, they can build with termite-resistant wood, such a Redwoods, which are naturally resinous (termites hate that).
Secondly, builders can treat the wood with chemicals that ward off termites. Additionally, home builders can create natural barriers around the house to make it harder for termites to invade. This includes surrounding the house’s foundation with chemically treated soil or insulation. They can also make sure to pare back highly wooded areas where termites thrive.
There’s absolutely nothing worse than your client moving into a brand new home, only to have to move right back out and get it tented. By advising your client to consider properties that have been pre-treated for termites, you’ll be increasing your value to them and increasing the likelihood of a very positive moving experience.
If you client falls in love with a property that has not yet been built, it may be possible for them or for you to negotiate with the builder to implement a termite pre-treatment plan. This is especially relevant in Southern California where the mild climate makes termite infestations common and where very few home insurance policies cover termite damage.
If you do notice termite damage in a house you are trying to sell, call Best Rate Repair at (619) 229-0116, or contact us online. We can recommend honest, professional and cost-effective termite extermination companies and then we can come in and repair the wood damage so that your client’s home can go back on the market in no time!
Is Your House Haunted Or Does It Just Need Some Wood Repair?
Don't call The Ghostbusters, call Best Rate Repair
Have loud creaks and groans been keeping you up at night? Are the stairs beginning to give under your feet? Is your basement dank and wet?
Sure, your house might be haunted, but more than likely you just need some wood repair.
Those creaks and groans you’ve been hearing at night? It’s not some nighttime monster wandering around looking for a snack. It’s probably your spouse or children walking on aged-damaged wood. As wood gets old and dries out it can start to groan or creak when weight is placed on it. When your wood starts talking, you need to listen and get it fixed!
What about those stairs that are starting to give way? This isn’t a ghost trying to scare you out of the house. It’s age and general wear. Over time, wood will begin to break down, especially in heavily trafficked parts of the house like the stairs. If your stairs start to buckle, you need to get them looked at immediately, or there might be an accident that has nothing to do with an angry poltergeist.
Now, let’s talk about that basement. If it’s dark and wet, you should worry less about ghouls and trolls hiding in the dark than about wood rot. It sounds like you might have a leak, which, over time can lead to mold in your wood or a full blown case of wood rot. Both mold and wood rot are highly damaging to your wooden structures and need to be addressed as soon as you recognize the problem.
If the mold or wood rot are not too extensive, the damaged wood can be removed without having to replace the entire structure. In more advance cases, however, all of the wood may need to be replaced.
Your basement isn’t the only place that wood rot and mold like to hide. Make sure to check your attic, your garage and your deck or wet spots or for wood that is soft and moist.
As Halloween approaches, ghouls and ghosts aren’t the only things you should be looking out for. Make sure you aren’t being haunted my something even more vicious – termites. Read my blog about how to identify termites in your home. If you do find them, don’t call the Ghostbusters, call Best Rate Repair. We can recommend a termite extermination service and then – once your house is termite free – go in and repair any damage they caused.
This Halloween, if your house starts acting up, it’s not haunted – it’s just trying to tell you that it needs a wood repair expert to come take a look.
Real Estate Agent Quick Tip: Always Ask For A Home’s Termite Infestation History
If a for-sale home has a history of termites, your home buying client has a right to know!
Home sellers are required to disclose a variety of information about their home to buyers. The specific disclosure requirements vary by state, so buyers and their real estate agents should make sure they know what is and is not required.
Some states require the seller to disclose the home’s past history of termite inspections. In these states, a real estate agent should always demand that the seller fess up about past termite infestations. However, even in those states that don’t require full infestation disclosure, I recommend that real estate agents ask for the information a home’s infestation history anyway.
A past termite infestation could mean that there is still underlying damage to the wooden structures of the house even if the termites were exterminated. Additionally, the same factors that caused the original infestation could increase the risk of a second infestation, which your client should take into consideration when bidding on the property.
If a home infestation history indicates that there was a termite infestation in the home’s past, it’s important that you try to gauge the factors that led to the infestation, the amount of damage the infestation caused and whether or not that damage was repaired.
Ask the sellers if they had a wood repair specialist assess the damage to the house and what repairs were made. Sellers are obligated to disclose their home’s full repair history (including even mild repairs), so you should be able to see if the termite damage was addressed. If not, the damage could still be present even if it’s not immediately visible. Make sure you and your client carefully assess all the wooden structures in the house, including the basement, garage, attic and foundation.
If you determine that the factors that led to the original infestation are still present your client may be able to negotiate with the seller to remove or address these risks.
Demanding to see the infestation history of a home will be of great value to your client, especially if it does reveal a previous termite infestation. If the home has been infested multiple times, consider this a big red flag. Your client may want to look elsewhere or may want to lower their bid. No matter what, your client will appreciate the fact that you took the extra initiative to provide this important information.
If you notice termite damage in a home you are trying to sell or a home a client is interested in purchasing, give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or contact us online. We can send a friendly and professional wood repair specialist to the property to assess the damage and provide a repair quote.
Light Up Your Deck
Deck Lighting Options For San Diego
Stay out all night with deck lights
If you have no lights on your deck, then you’re only getting half the use out of it. Here in San Diego, our nights are long and warm almost year round, which means you can be spending them outside on the deck sharing a meal with friends and family.
Deck lighting can provide a calming ambiance to your backyard as well as improve your deck’s safety, especially around the stairs and railing. Most deck lighting is relatively inexpensive, and the improved visibility and beauty it creates is well worth the cost.
Below are some of the most popular deck lighting options. Some can easily be added to an existing deck, while others may require some installation. If you’re still planning to build a deck, it’s important to consider what lighting options you want for your deck so the contractor can include it into his or her building plans.
Post Lights
Post lights are a convenient lighting option that can stand in the corners of your deck. There are many decorative post lights available for sale as well as solar options that don’t need to be connected to an electrical outlet. Just be aware that low-cost solar lights rarely provide as much light as an electrical light, especially on overcast days.
String Lights
String lights are unobtrusive, relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Their soft, dim light makes them a very popular option for homeowners who want a relaxing and casual atmosphere on their deck. The only drawback to string lights is that the dim glow might not be enough to light up the whole deck, which can increase the risk of accidents.
Stair and Rail Lighting
Lighting fixtures can be installed on a deck’s railing or on the stairs to increase safety and make it easy for visitors to find the stairs. Those with elderly or handicapped family members may want to seriously consider adding this type of lighting. LED lights are a popular rail lighting choice and add a soft, white glow that is pleasing to the eye. The drawback to rail or stair lighting is that it may require professional installation.
In Ground Lighting
In ground deck lights are always a favorite with my clients. They have a certain unobtrusive elegance that clients and their guests really appreciate. It’s much easier to install in ground lighting while a deck is being built. It can be somewhat challenging to put in these types of lights to an existing deck, due to the need to connect the lights to the house’s electrical grid. If you’re considering in ground lighting, I strongly suggest hiring a deck contractor.
This article only touches the surface of all the different lighting options available for your deck. Within each category listed here are hundreds, even thousands of different options to choose from. If you’re interested in putting in deck lights that require a moderate to difficult installation, consider calling a contractor to make sure it gets done correctly and safely.
At Best Rate Repair, we are always happy to answer questions about deck lighting and to provide free installation quotes. Call us at (619) 229-0116 or visit www.Best-Rate-Repair.com.
DIY Deck – A Good Idea?
Should You Build Your Own Deck - A Contractor Weighs In
Is it a good idea to build your own deck?
As a licensed contractor in San Diego who specializes in designing and building patios and decks, I may have a small bias when it comes to the question of whether individuals should build their own deck. Certainly, there are plenty of savvy Do-It-Yourselfers out there who have the skills and patience to build a safe and sturdy deck. However, there are some big drawbacks, especially for those who are not experienced in tackling large building projects.
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First, let’s look at the three main positives of building your own deck:
Labor Cost Savings
Hiring a contractor like Best Rate Repair to design and build your deck will be more expensive than doing the work yourself. We pay our crew a fair wage for the knowledge and skills they bring to each job. For homeowners on a strict budget, money may be the overall deciding factor. A word of caution, however, you’ll only save money on your deck if you have the skill to build it correctly. If you build a shoddy deck that collapses in a year, then, obviously, it would have been in your financial interest to hire a contractor. Also, determine how much your time is worth and then consider how many hours it would take you to build a deck on your own. Oftentimes, a contractor may seem more expensive, until you realize that they could finish a deck in half the time it would take you.
Satisfaction of Building
A lot of guys (and some gals), just love putting those old shop class skills to good use. It can feel great to plunge into a big project that will add value to your home and your family’s quality of life. For those who revel in home projects, building your own deck is probably the right choice as long as you have the skill set and patience necessary to see it through to the end. For those without a lot of woodworking experience and know-how, a smaller project might be a better option just from a safety standpoint.
Stay True To Your Vision
While any contractor you choose to build your deck will try to stay true to your vision, only you can truly know what your perfect deck would look like. The best way to maintain your personal vision is to build the deck yourself. With that said, I think a lot of homeowners would be surprised with just how close a good contractor can get to their vision. At Best Rate Repair, for instance, we spend a good deal of time working closely with a client to design their deck before we begin to build. Our design experts are even sometimes able to recommend enhancements that the client wouldn’t have thought of on their own.
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Now that we’ve looked at some of the upsides of building your own deck, let’s look at my top three reasons you shouldn’t.
Safety Risk
Every year Americans are injured and killed in deck-related accidents. This usually happens when a deck collapses with people on it or under it. Sometimes the age of the deck is to blame, but in other instances, poor construction is the culprit. If you don’t feel 100% confident that you can build a solid, safe deck, then please don’t attempt it. A poorly-constructed deck could put your family and anyone you invite over at risk of injury or even death. There’s also the chance that you might injure yourself while building the deck. It’s just not worth the risk. Hire a contractor.
Poor Quality/Design Results
It’s one thing to envision the perfect deck in your head and another to turn it into reality. If you’ve got a complicated deck in mind, it might be best to hire a contractor instead of spending countless hours of labor building something that turns out to be an eyesore. At Best Rate Repair, we’ve built almost every kind of deck imaginable. If it’s feasible, we can probably build something that will meet or exceed your expectations.
Increased Time and Cost
At the beginning of this article, I said that cost savings were one of the main positives to building a deck your own, but that may only be the case if you build it right the first time. It’s really easy to miscalculate how much money it will cost to build a deck. For instance, you may have to buy expensive tools that you will not often use. There’s also material costs and the value of your time. As I mentioned above, it will almost surely take you longer to build a deck on your own than it would for a contractor to build a deck for you. Think about how much your weekends and free time are worth to you. Are you willing to give up four, six, even eight weekends to build your deck? Also, if you mess up, that could add significant time to the project as well as cost for additional materials.
When it comes down to it, only you can decide if you want to take on the responsibility and risk of building your own deck. If you consider yourself a master workman who relishes the challenge of large home projects, then I wish you all the best on building your deck. If you’d rather pay a little extra to hire a licensed, experienced and efficient team of workers who specialize in deck and patio construction, we would appreciate the opportunity to sit down with you for a free consultation and to provide a bid. Give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or visit www.Best-Rate-Repair.com.
We’re More Than Just Decks and Patios
Best Rate Repair also builds gazebos
On the Best Rate Repair website, we emphasize our ability to construct beautiful and sturdy patios and decks, but our crews are trained to do much more. We are adept in designing, constructing and repairing almost any type of wooden structure inside or outside of a house. Here are a few common structures that we build for our clients in San Diego and San Diego County:
Sunrooms
If there’s one thing we’ve got a lot of here in Southern California, it’s sunshine. Take advantage by adding a sunroom to your home. A sunroom can increase the footprint of your home as well as its retail value at a fraction of the cost of a true room addition remodel. Our customers have told us that adding a sunroom makes their house feels much bigger and roomier.
Gazebos
A gazebo makes a beautiful addition to a big back yard and can be the perfect place to enjoy a meal with friends and family in the evening. It will also make your house the go-to place for outdoor events and celebrations. Gazebos can be built in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate almost any need.
Pergolas and Arbors
Want a little cover and shade without missing the outdoors? Than a pergola or an arbor is probably the right choice for you. A pergola or an arbor can add a strong design element to your property, drawing the eye and creating a pleasing and relaxed atmosphere. These structures can be built in a variety of ways to meet your size needs and design preference.
Pool and Spa Decks
Adding a deck structure can greatly enhance the look and utility of your pool or spa. Decking is more than just a beautiful garnish; it can help incorporate a standalone pool or spa into a larger overall design that will impress guests and make you fall in love with your yard all over again.
Pool and spa decking can also add space and utility. The decking can be built to accommodate uneven ground so your pool or deck won’t be sloped. Benches and stairs can be added for more lounging and storage space, and we can even add roofing for shade and lighting so you can enjoy your pool or spa on the long summer San Diego nights.
Privacy Fences
Who doesn’t appreciate a little privacy? A privacy fence is an easy and cost-effective way to screen your backyard so that you never have to worry about prying eyes. Privacy fences can be made to screen just about any type of yard. Clients also have a lot of choices when it comes to the look and composition of their fence. (See our recent review of the Trex Seclusions Composite Fencing)
Walkways and Ramps
Many of our baby boomer clients are welcoming aging parents into their homes. This can require some structural changes to the home, especially if the parent has mobility issues or requires a wheelchair. At Best Rate Repair, our crews are adept at building home and office ramps as well as wooden walkways to help make travel easier for those with disabilities.
We also build walkways for clients who just want to add a pathway to their front door or through their backyard.
So, if you’ve ever considered adding a sunroom, gazebo, arbor, pergola, pool deck, spa deck, privacy fence, walkway or ramp onto your home, Best Rate Repair is still the place to call. We offer fast, friendly and professional wood repair service at a great price, as well as a free consultation and quote. Do be shy about giving us a call at (619) 229-0116 or visiting www.Best-Rate-Repair.com.
