A Passion for Restoration

We've often wondered what sets a construction apart from others. We basically all do the same thing, we make or fix things for customers. Simple enough, right? 

Working in this industry for twenty years we've noticed that one of the things we get complimented the most is about the quality of work. We've asked our customers why they say this since it has been brought up more than a few times. Their answers seem to be the same all the time to various degrees. 

According to our customers, New Earth doesn't take shortcuts and has a kind of experience that not everybody has. In addition to this we are truly passionate about what we do, we think of wood working as an art that requires great attention to detail.

Could we make more money by using non-natural but cheaper materials? Absolutely, but we are not interested in doing that. We want to make sure that our clients are fully satisfied with the products that we make for them, not only that but we also want these products to last. 

Some of the houses that are in downtown Richmond are a few decades old, the reason why they stood the test of time? Because the materials that they used were natural quality materials, New Earth does its best to ensure that we use some of the same building techniques. It has worked before and it will work again. 

We are one of the few companies that has their own saw mills on site. What this means to the customer is that we are able to build customer parts and pieces depending on the type of project we are working on. This is very unique to our industry since we don't have to contract that out which in turn is cheaper to our customers. This also allows us to have quality control over the product produce and ensures that it meets specifications accurately. 

We are more than just a construction company, we are a cause to the restoration and preservation of Richmond, Virginia. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
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Eco Friendly Homes

(Image Courtesy ChicagoMag.com)

There has been an increasing amount of homeowners that are considering building green, not only because it is better for the environment but because it can be better for homes in the long run. These options can also end up saving some money on utility and repair bills. 

Insulation

You can get different type of materials, both synthetic and natural for insulation, but did you know you could use things like old carpets and curtains as insulation? These materials may already be readily available to you in your home or you may know of someone who has an excess amount of these supplies laying around the house. These items can easily be found in thrift stores or discount stores. 

Geothermal Heating

This isn't an option that a lot of people know about, this option is something that harvests the heat from the soil beneath us. It is expensive to install at first but can save you a lot of money over time. It uses minimal electricity and no gas. It can be incorporated into the whole HVAC system and is regulated in a traditional way, with a thermostat. 

Water Based Paints

Most paints have a chemical element to them, water based paints don't. These are better for your overall health and the environment will help you since they are biodegradable. An added bonus to using this type of paint is the more natural look that you'll get. Chemical paints to have a much harsher tone to them. 

Furniture & Material Repurposing

One of our favorite past times is to find old furniture or using found pieces of wood and giving them new life. You can find many amazing pieces of furniture at places like antique shops or thrift stores, a fresh coat of paint and some adjustments and you can have a piece of furniture that is unique and has character. Turning a piece of found wood into something completely different like a coffee table is another great way to make a statement piece. If you haven't done so already, visit our website at www.newearthva.com to find some examples of how this can be accomplished. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

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5 Things That May Reduce Your Home's Value

When we think of doing home improvements, we think of how it can benefit us directly as homeowners. A common misconception is that all upgrades or investments into a home automatically add value to the property. Unfortunately this is not always true. Here are five things to stay away from when you are doing home improvements

Room Conversions
When you have a spare bedroom or an empty garage, it may be easy to try to use that space for something that you've always wanted, like a home gym or making the garage into a bedroom or living room. Most buyers want to be able to use the space for what it was originally intended for, or at least they want to decide on their own what that space should become. If you do end up making a room conversion make sure that it is something that can be easily reversed. 

Extravagant Paint Jobs
Today's home color trends can be very bold and stylized. Many home improvements blogs and catalogues will tell you that adding a brave splash of color can give a room much needed character. We couldn't agree more, however when you are trying to sell a home, it is important to remember that your home buyer may not fully agree with your design preferences. Complicated trim jobs or wall papers are included in this. When presenting a home to a seller, keep the colors plain so they can envision what it will look like when they live there or stick to earth and neutral colors which don't present a bold statement. 

Hot Tubs
You may think that having a hot tub can be a great added bonus to someone who is purchasing a home, however your buyer may feel different. Hot tubs are not always associated with sanitation, especially if the hot tub has not been used or cleaned in sometime. In this instance it may be best to take the hot tub with you and reinstall it in your new property.

Closets
Adding closet space is always welcome, however if you are planning on removing closet space because you don't use it may not be the best idea. Closet space is always in high demand and is a priority on most people's lists. Keep this in mind when you are working on home improvement projects.

Too Much... of Everything!
We may want to keep up with the neighborhood and install the latest and greatest of well... anything! There are things like home appliances and bathrooms that should always be kept up to date. However, adding unnecessary gadgets just for the sake of adding more may not be seen as a pro but more of a con. Do your research on home improvement trends and what the majority of the neighborhood is doing so your home stays competitive in the housing market but not to the point where is no longer added value.

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

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4 Reasons to Hire a Contractor Vs. DIY

We’ve all been in a situation where we have debated whether or not calling a contractor is worth it or not. Here are the top reason’s why you’d want to call a contractor versus trying to do something yourself… 

1. Discounts on materials

When your contractor purchases materials on your behalf, they probably already have ties with the stores they are getting them from and they can typically negotiate prices in bulk. This is something that they can easily do because you are not their only client and have to typically stock up on materials anyway. Also, a lot of the contractors have credit or membership cards from supply stores that automatically give them a certain percentage off, these are savings that eventually get passed onto you.

2. Smaller Margin of Error

There are certain projects like finishing a basement, building an outdoor deck, or installing new doors that can be easily accomplished if you are pretty handy. There are many other things that people think are easy like taking down a wall, installing a new ceiling fan or redoing a bathroom that may not actually as simple to redo as expected. Taking down a wall for example has complications like electrical wiring running through it, whether or not it is a wall that supports weight or plumbing that runs through it. A ceiling fan needs to be installed under the right support beams and needs to run the correct electrical connections to it. Redoing a bathroom can have complications both in plumbing and electrical. If you make any mistakes in these undertakings that appear DIY, without consulting an expert first, they can end up being very costly. Ask to see if your contractor provides a free consultation and you might be able to see whether or not your home improvement project is doable on your own.

3.Time Efficiency

A contractor will know exactly what needs to be done and how long it will take them. If you do your research you might find out how long it will take you to complete a project as an individual, however it is nearly impossible for you to plan on additional time for unexpected issues if the complication is out of your scope of knowledge. You can also hold a contractor accountable for how long it will take, if you start a project and become unmotivated then the project might never reach full completion.

4. Level of Complexity

A simple project that does not require much attention to detail is something that the majority of homeowners or renters can do. However if you take on a project that requires attention to several details and has a lot of parts then it might be best to leave it to the experts. When you hire a contractor to take on a big project like making an addition to your home, there’s many parts to that they’ll take care of for you: electrical, plumbing structural, etc. All of those things may be too much of an undertaking and provide risks that you may not want to take. If one piece is missing because you forgot it or didn’t know how to execute it correctly, your whole project may come to a halt or fail completely. 

Each home project is going to be unique and every individual will have different levels of experience. Call a contractor when it doubt to get advice and to figure out costs. If what you’re saving by doing it yourself is not much it may really be worth it to call an expert, especially if they are insured. 

For more tips and tricks for all your home needs visit:
NewEarthVA.com

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12 Clever Uses for Old Furniture

Need some inexpensive home decorating ideas? HGTV.com shares some really cool ideas that you can do with items that can be easily be found around your home or through a quick trip to your local thrift store. New Earth VA will always be on board with concepts that are friendly to the environment and that give new life to an item that has been discarded, which in addition also adds character to your home.

Old Mattress Turned Into Multipurpose Message Board

(Via HGTV.com)

Home Office Made from Different Salvaged Materials

(via HGTV.com)

Repurposed Table with Wallpaper

(via HGTV.com)