Monday, March 31, 2014

Redo Your Roof The Right Way

Roofing Image

Money Magazine and CNN posted an article awhile back entitled: "Redo Your Roof The Right Way" By Josh Garskof @Money May 11, 2012: 6:28 AM ET

Think about this. Aside from perhaps a lavish kitchen remodel, what other home project is as critical for protecting your home's value than a new roof?

To read the full article about roofing and how to redo it the right way, click here.

Here's some highlights of what Josh says:

  • Getting a new roof put on your home can dramatically increase your home's value.

  • The process doesn't have to be a nightmare!

  • Know when it's time to get a new roof (versus repair).

  •  Get bids from three roofers, to compare not just prices but also their attitude and approach.

  • Hire someone who is willing to: (1) get a building permit, (2) remove only as much roofing each day as he can reinstall by the end of that day, (3) lay protective plywood over decks and patios, and tarps over walls, the lawn, shrubs, and unfinished areas, and (4) clean the job site every night.

  • Be sure they also install vents at the roof’s peak and under the eaves — and agree to specify all that in the contract.

  • Don’t cut corners.

  • Get the right shingles.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

How to Hire Roofing Contractor - BBB Advice

Better Business Bureau - Hiring A Roofing Contractor

As you know, Trinity is proudly rated with the Better Business Bureau with a grade of:


(view profile and ranking scale)


Thanks to our partnership with them, we are able to bring you this great video they did that talks about how to go about hiring a roofing contractor. As a certified roofing company, placing new roofs on local homes is a big part of our business. We highly recommend you take the 2 minutes to watch this informative video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDdqIH2sRxU

Some Tips:



  • Get a business card in the physical location of the roofing business

  • Deal only with well established businesses

  • Beware of scams (verify the company with the BBB)

  • Don't succumb to high pressure sales techniques

  • Do your homework - research, read testimonials, look for high customer satisfaction ratings

  • Check for required licensing

  • Understand the contract you're signing - a good contractor will take the time to explain it to you in detail

  • Fully understand and accept the payment schedule

Sunday, March 9, 2014

How To Choose The Right Siding For Your Home

Take a look at this before & after photo. The results are dramatic. Replacing the siding on your home can make a huge difference in curb appeal.

Before & After - City of Rochester Home Receives New Siding & Roof This Rochester, NY home features Mastic Carvedwood siding with a .044 - Hang double 4” vinyl clapboard siding including all cornice, corner, door and window trim. We installed insulation over the entire surface area of the home and seal tape to all seams before siding to prevent air infiltration. The color was chosen by the homeowner. The home also received a new roof!

But how do you know which type of siding to go with? The Rochester weather can wreak havoc on our homes so you want to be sure you choose the right siding for your house. The decision can be based on affordability, style, durability and more. Here at Trinity, our experience in the field has led us to become experts on all types of siding and their pros and cons.

Vinyl Siding


One of the more traditional choices, vinyl siding is a great fit for many homeowners. It is relatively inexpensive, requires minimal maintenance and is overall quite durable. The nice thing is that vinyl siding now also comes in a style that mimics wood siding! Because you won’t be dealing with natural wood, you'll never have to deal with insect or pest damage.

Vinyl siding never needs painting, doesn't show scratches, doesn't dent, peel or rot, and is not affected by snow, salt, cold or rain.

One "con" to vinyl siding is that it can't be painted over. So, be sure to choose your vinyl siding color wisely. Also, it can become susceptible to the sun over time and may fade (over many years).

Aluminum Siding


While more expensive than vinyl siding, aluminum siding is still more economical per square foot when compared to other types of siding. Aluminum siding expands and contracts much less than vinyl. The main disadvantage to aluminum siding is that it can be easily dented or damaged. However, overall it is durable, can be painted and is low maintenance.

Wood Siding


If you're looking for something a bit higher end (but with more maintenance and a higher cost), wood siding might work for you. Your home will look more unique and will have a distinct appearance to it. Wood siding tends to have more of a warm and classic look to it. The value of your house when you go to sell it will undoubtedly be higher with wood siding.

There are a few negatives to be aware of, however. Wood siding needs to be painted or stained and you'll need to keep up with maintenance of that over time. Not only can this maintenance be a bit costly, but it is time consuming as well. Furthermore, if you fail to maintain the siding properly, it may rot or otherwise fall into disrepair.

Cement Fiber Siding


Cement fiber siding is a new development in residential siding. It's quite durable, very low maintenance, made from recyclable materials (so it's "green") and it's beautiful as well. It is more fire resistant than wood or vinyl, it can be painted, and it may be more cost effective than wood siding.

Cons: More expensive than vinyl; Takes longer to install.

Getting Help With The Choice


Still confused? Aren't sure which option is right for you? There are even more options for siding your house than are listed here. Contact us and we can help guide you in the right direction. Remember, we proudly offer complimentary consultations on all projects!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Kitchen Remodeling — When is the right time?

remodeled kitchen image

Trying to decide when the best time to remodel your kitchen is? Nervous about pulling the trigger because you think it will cause chaos in your home?

We understand. Remodeling any room in your house will definitely disrupt the flow of things for a bit until the project is complete. The two rooms that tend to have the biggest disruption are the kitchen and bathroom.

At Trinity, we focus on making sure your daily activities aren't side tracked. Each of our team members are courteous of your space and time. Our project managers will work with you to map out a timeline for when the remodeling work will be happening throughout the day and when any noise disruption may occur.

As we mentioned in our most recent blog post, spring time is the perfect time to get started on a remodel of your home's kitchen. If you're worried about how much it will cost to renovate your kitchen, give us a call or contact us and we'll provide a 100% free estimate for you.

In closing, there is no "wrong" time to remodel your kitchen. With the crazy Rochester weather, the natural choice is spring, summer or fall but don't completely discount winter, either. It's possible to renovate your home anytime throughout the year.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Do You Have Any Home Remodeling Ideas?

Home Remodeling Ideas


Many folks choose to remodel their home in the warmer months. Coming up with home remodeling ideas is much easier to do when you find the right professional beforehand.

Springtime is also a great time for you to determine if you would like to add a pool or an outdoor kitchen to your backyard to enjoy all summer long. Who wouldn't love an outdoor kitchen!?

It’s Time for Home Repairs and Remodeling Projects to Begin


Preventing hot or cold weather issues in your home is something that should be checked each spring. This means that by the time summer comes around again, you can have the means to protect your outdoor furnishings when cold weather begins. Home remodeling ideas should always take this into account.

Kicking off a kitchen or bathroom remodeling project in the spring is a great time because it’s not terribly hot outside nor is it cold (it might be rainy, though!).

The spring season provides the best weather for contractors to make home remodeling ideas come to life. Because of the warmer weather, it could take less time to have these projects done during the spring than at any other time of the year. Every contractor handles this issue differently.

Having a home remodeled during the spring is very easy to do, but make sure that you find an experienced contractor to look at whether your project may need some structural revisions to make that dream come true.

Expert Home Remodelers


Trinity's professional team has the experience to deal with simple jobs or very complex projects.

Have a great idea that you think we should share on Facebook or Twitter? Let us know!

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Kitchen Remodeling On A Budget

This home in Rochester features a newly remodeled kitchen by Trinity.

This home in Rochester features a newly remodeled kitchen by Trinity.

It seems like everyone gathers in the kitchen. Think of the last party or gathering you had at your home. Where does everyone linger? In the kitchen, of course! Maybe it’s the smell of your cooking or perhaps they just like your décor. In any case, having a kitchen that you and your guests love is a major source of satisfaction as a homeowner.

Remodeling a kitchen can be expensive. Forbes magazine reported the national average cost for a high-end kitchen makeover is now more than $53,000! While this is certainly money well spent and the costs of doing a kitchen remodel in Rochester may be lower than the national average, most of us are looking for ways to reduce the expense while still having a great end result.

The first step is to research what you’d like in your kitchen and assessing your budget. Next, spend time researching kitchen remodeling contractors in Rochester. It’s so very important to find a company you’re comfortable with and one that offers you a fair price.

When shopping for kitchen appliances think outside the box and be on the lookout for sales. Your renovation company may also be able to recommend some places to shop that perhaps you didn’t consider.

You’re likely going to have to compromise when renovating your kitchen. If you can’t afford all the bells and whistles (who wouldn’t love quartz countertops!?), investigate other options that give you a similar look or functionality at a reduced cost. For example, Corian® countertops look as nice as granite in some cases.

Another idea is to renovate your kitchen in phases. It doesn’t make sense to chop your remodel up into multiple phases but doing two might make sense. First, focus on the major structural changes (cabinets, layout, floors and counters). Then wait a bit and save money for the new appliances or sink. Ask your contractor to help you brainstorm ways to reduce your budget without cutting critical corners.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Meet John Hoagland, Trinity's Owner

Hello, everyone! My name is Chris Murtaugh and I work on a lot of the website and marketing efforts for Trinity Home Renovations. As you know, we’ve started a new blog series and in this week’s post, I want to introduce you to Trinity’s owner John Hoagland.

John is one of the nicest guys around and a great business man to boot. He’s taken his company from a small contractor business to a flourishing organization that is helping homeowners all over Rochester.

I spent time interviewing him recently and was able to glean some information that you may want to know. Oh, did I mention that he’s a Yankees fan? More on that later...

How did you get into the home renovation business in the first place?

Picture of John Hoagland

My journey into the full-time working world started right after high school with a small local roofing company. I worked as a laborer for the first 2 years. I transitioned to a full-time mechanic once I learned the trade well enough. After 5 years with this company, I switched trades and took a job with an HVAC company for the next 5 years working in the sheet metal shop and later, a team doing heating and cooling installations.

After 11 years in the construction trade, I left to take an entry-level sales position with a telemarketing company. Finding something I was very good at, I excelled over the next 8-10 years spring boarding from a minimum wage job to VP of Sales. I was responsible for a multi-million dollar sales quota.

Working within a corporate structure was stressful and at times, thankless. I started to think about ways I could provide for my family while having the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business. I had never considered myself an entrepreneur; however I wanted to pursue the American dream of owning my own business. I wanted to be able to be solely responsible for my success or failure.

In 2007, I partnered with a friend who was gracious enough to offer half of his existing business if I would come in and run the sales and marketing. After a year I still had aspirations to be in business on my own. I spoke with my wife and we started Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. in the spring of 2008 and our small business has continuously grown year after year. We are now known in Rochester and the surrounding area as a business that is truly faithful to providing our valued customers with high quality home improvements at reasonable prices. We are driven by customer satisfaction and long to leave a legacy of happy customers.

What's the best part of owning your own company and working on roofing and home renovation projects?

Owning my own business has been the most rewarding accomplishment I've ever achieved. We are a business that puts family first, so we have the freedom to take the time off when needed. So, never having to miss another birthday, holiday, etc. with our children. For us, the absolute most rewarding part of owning my own business is the sense of accomplishment.

We love our customers, and being able to help them create their dream living space is very rewarding to us. As a home improvement contractor in Rochester, it grants me the flexibility and autonomy of owning my own business, while allowing me to work with my hands and take pride in the work we do.

What are some of your hobbies?My wife and I have two small children; so much of our time is devoted to them. During my free time I enjoy softball, fishing, hunting, bowling and of course, like any good New Yorker—the New York Yankees!

As a Christian-focused business, how do you apply the principles in your day-to-day business affairs?

At Trinity Home Renovations, Inc. we focus on three key principles that demonstrate our Christian values. These three biblical principles define a Christian business worthy of the Trinity name.

(1) The first principal is integrity. It is about doing what is right rather than what is fastest or easiest. Our company strives to make all its business decisions based on the standards and principles of God—righteousness, truth and honesty.

(2) Next is a commitment of excellence to our customers. For our company to be recognized as a praiseworthy one, our goal is to glorify God through our commitment to excellence in the service and products we provide our customers on a daily basis.

(3) And finally, as a Christian business we have a commitment to our people. This includes providing fair compensation, performance recognition, and providing growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. We believe that recognition of the needs of our employees and by creating opportunities for them to fulfill those needs will bring out the very best in them.

Source: http://www.trinityhomerenovations.com