Articles | Home Performance Contractor

Why a smart thermostat is a good investment

by homedoctorofam | Aug 26, 2015

The average American household using natural gas is projected to spend $649 on heating this winter. Americans in the coldest states, and those who heat their homes with more expensive fuels like propane or heating oil, will pay a lot more than that. These households...

Energy Department Awards Nearly $10 Million for Efficient Lighting Development

by homedoctorofam | Jul 15, 2015

The Energy Department announced nine research and development projects that will receive funding to support solid-state lighting (SSL) core technology research, product development and U.S. manufacturing. The projects will help accelerate the development of...

Five Reasons to Replace Your Home Insulation

by homedoctorofam | Jun 24, 2015

Home insulation is paramount to the proper heating and cooling of a home. While insulation in a newer or custom-built house is usually high quality, insulation in an older home wears with age. If worn insulation is not replaced, it could mean a significant increase on...

Taking the Bite Out of Record Cold

by homedoctorofam | Jun 10, 2015

The winter of 2015 may go down as one of the coldest on record, but for Connecticut homeowner Art Adelman it will be remembered as the year he finally improved the indoor comfort of his home and put a significant dent in his monthly energy bill. For years, Art put up...

IN THE NEWS: A good year ahead.

by homedoctorofam | May 27, 2015

A number of interesting surveys and industry-related forecasts made headlines over the past several weeks… All of them pointing to a good year ahead. A couple of surveys that caught my eye had to do with new trends in Generation Y home buying preferences. This is...

Portman-Shaheen Energy Efficiency Bill Includes Bennet’s SAVE Act, Better Buildings Act

by homedoctorofam | Apr 15, 2015

Measures would Promote Energy Efficient Construction in Homes, Commercial Buildings Washington, DC – March 12, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — A bipartisan energy bill introduced in the Senate today includes two bipartisan measures authored by Colorado U.S. Senator Michael...

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Current Jobs

Going Green

Installing solar panels
New kitchen is done. Working on powder room next on this job and then two new bathrooms

Working on powder room next on this job and then two new bathrooms
Beam is cracking. We will be installed steel enhance the structure

A before picture. An elliptical machine on the loft is too heavy and this beam is cracking.
Power Room Stripped

Powder room after removing fixtures and wallpaper and flooring.
Kitchen Before… we are removing this kitchen and building a custom one. Cabinets will be made in my shop.

Before… we are removing this kitchen and building a custom one.
Kitchen Refurb Before

Kitchen Before
Out with the old kitchen… demo stage

Demo stage
Discovered Bad DIY Project - bad electrical work and other scary homeowner DIY projects left this home in sad shape

Example scary homeowner DIY projects left this home in sad shape
Our onsite store room. We keep our jobs organized

We have every specialized tool or materials available.
Large drying fans. This allows this whole house to be patched, painted and floors refinished in a week’s time

Large fans are used to dry compound and floors.
Custom woodworking added storage space

Add shelving to this kitchen that blend in with existing cabinets.
Setting up another project.

We are finishing the basement, master bath, custom woodworking and many electrical upgrades for a couple just arriving from Sweden. Because they are energy conscious we did an energy audit and insulated the rim joists, walls and attic. European light fixtures were rewired to handle American connections and all bulbs were replaced with LEDs
Basement improvements - We insulated, repaired everything. The basement was a mess. It was cleared, floors and walls grinded down and waterproofed and painted. The home was sold above the asking price in three days. (“ We love the basement” ) was the common comment.

This project is part of our First Impressions department. The house was to be sold.
Chimney Cap Repair - Without adequate drip edge the rain deteriorates the brick allowing water to eventually make the chimney unsafe for use. We fix these almost every week.

Chimney caps are rarely built correctly.
Deck Work Replacing decking and railings with composites for a sustainable deck

Replacing decking with composites for a sustainable deck
We work rain or shine!

New Deck Installation - Rain or Shine
AZEK railings to keep a maintenance free deck

Replacing Railing
Finished Deck

Long Lasting - Low Maintenance Deck
Roof lift saves labor in getting materials to upper floors. Notice the old rafters were saved to build a large shed for another customer with limited funds (no charge) all equipment you see is mine.

Roofing started.
Removed the roof to build a second floor master bed bath suite.

Removed the roof
Water damage due to improperly installed flashing. The constant wet areas attack ants and termites which are happy with poor workmanship

Water damage
Drainage system installed to handle large water flow from nearby hillside

Drainage system
This was discovered under what appeared to be a good piece of exterior trim in the front entry. Again improper flashing details lead to water which leads to insects and vermin

Vermin and Insects
Roof venting needs to be in balance between the eaves (soffit vents) and the ridge venting.

Roof venting
Yes we are cutting trees too.

Tree Cutting
Ceiling and walls are netted and dense-packed with cellulose. This eliminates vermin, mold, deadens sound transmission by 80% and reduces heat transfer 100% better than fiberglass. A house with all cellulose insulation can get a 5% deduction on their insurance since the home is fire proof.

Ceiling and walls
Our landscaping works includes stone walls, plantings and even new driveways. This one included electric heat mats due to the steep driveway which were powered by solar panels in the back yard

Our landscaping
Some jobs are small but make a big difference

Fireplace Before
Some jobs are small but make a big difference

Fireplace After
Custom floor, finishing and woodworking. New stairs, floor and wainscoting made this entry more inviting.

Custom floor
Complex framing is not a challenge to us but a joy!

Complex framing
A new kitchen in an old house. I built these cabinets for my own kitchen.

A new kitchen in an old house
This is my barbeque area. I did all the stone work and flagstone and colored cement.

This is my barbeque area
Sample job with closed cell spray foam. This was an energy star rated home.

Sample job
Another spray foam roof on a residential low slope roof.

Spray Foam Roof.
We can inject retro foam into a brick wall with only small holes in the mortar joints

Retro Foam Brick
Retro foam being injected into a cathedral ceiling

Cathedral Retro Foam.
Retro Foam being injected into exterior walls. new siding and trim was later installed as part of this project.

Retro Foam Being Injected.
Another angle of my kitchen

Kitchen
A cabinet refacing job. Pecan veneer with metal formica as a backsplash and custom paint to touch up the counter top

A cabinet refacing job.
My pond in winter

Pond in Winter
New construction is also available. We did all the work with our own employees. 15 carpenters and 20 masons were on this job at one time.

New construction
I personally designed this chimney and stone work. Each corner stone was selected, cut and placed by me.

Chimney and Stone Work.
Dead birds... vermin love fiberglass…they hate cellulose

Dead Birds
retro foam in an 1880 house
Open cell foam in basement ceiling

Open cell foam in basement ceiling
Refinishing wood floors with a scandanavian white finish

Refinishing wood floors with a scandanavian white finish
Off to sea for customer support

Off to sea for customer support
The view from my living room

The view from my living room
Insulation attic and walls in one day

Insulation attic and walls in one day
Retro Foam in the snow

Retro Foam in the snow
Time to make new friends on the job

Time to make new friends on the job
Tight access

Tight access