Who can forget when Clark Griswold’s tree went up in flames, due to Uncle Lewis’s cigar in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation? It may have been one of the funniest holiday movie moments of all time, but it also highlights a serious concern for homeowners – Christmas tree fires.

Clark’s tree was “ugly”, except its actual problem was the fact it was dry. (Partly because Uncle Eddie’s dog drank the water.) When a Christmas tree does go dry, it is more susceptible to fire. Every year there are 250 reported Christmas tree fires, causing millions of dollars in damage.

As a homeowner, the most important maintenance for your Christmas tree is to keep it watered. A tree can take in a significant amount of water every day, so keep an eye on the water level in the stand. Also when you buy your tree, always have a fresh cut on the bottom, this will allow the tree to last longer. And keep a close eye on the health of your tree. Live Christmas trees will always drop needles, but that process will speed up as the tree dies.

Similar to Clark’s tree, fires only need a small spark to start. And the best prevention is to remove all possible areas of concern. Always place the tree away from fireplaces, candles and electrical outlets. It is also best to place your tree in an area where a small child or pet will be unable to knock over the tree. Also, because lights are a must have on a tree, check them for frayed wiring and never overload an electrical outlet with plugs. A tree without lights isn’t a Christmas tree, but the precautions are needed.

And finally, once you suspect your tree is reaching the end of its lifecycle, take it down. Most homeowners keep trees up throughout December and into the first week of January. That is a long time considering the Germans who invented the concept of the Christmas tree, only put it up on Christmas Eve and would take it down on January 7. So of you know your tree can’t wait for your city’s tree pick up date, just leave it in the backyard, it could save someone’s life.

Have a safe and happy holidays from all of us at Riggs!

Every year Remodeling Magazine produces a Cost vs. Value Report on the top home remodeling projects which offer the best return on investment. As you might expect many of the top ROI projects are home improvements, as opposed to large additions like bedrooms or family rooms. Since the recession, we have seen a shift happen in the types of projects homeowners are requesting, with this year’s report continuing to reflect that trend.

At Riggs, we are seeing people do more with less (usually existing space) and remodeling areas of the home which have needed it for some time. This year alone, our phones have been ringing off the hook, with new and old customers asking about remodeling. They want to know what they can do, to get the most out of their space, because mobility is no longer a first option with the current economy.

As part of the report, Remodeling Magazine literally breaks down the cost recouped on projects in a metro area, including St. Louis. Below are the top projects in St. Louis:

• Attic Bedroom – Cost recouped 62.3%
• Backup Power Generators – Cost recouped 41.4%
• Basement Remodel – Cost recouped 52.4%
• Bathroom Addition – Cost recouped 47.9%
• Bathroom Remodel – Cost recouped 55.1%
• Deck Addition (wood) – Cost recouped 70.7%
• Deck Addition (composite) – Cost recouped 49.1%

We would like to highlight the top project on this list, attic bedrooms. This project has been on the list three years running. While an attic remodel is more expensive than other typical remodels, they have proven to be highly valued.

With a dormer, attic bedrooms can be the size of a typical bedroom in the existing footprint of the home. In many cases we can add closet space in the eaves and even include a bathroom. Many homeowners are surprised by the space they have always had above their head. If you are interested in an attic remodel, give us a call today!

Jack Frost is on the doorstep and Santa will soon be coming down the chimney soon. This means two things, higher energy bills and the need to buy gifts for family and friends. This year the average person is going to spend an average of $715 on holiday gifts and around $1,900 on the year’s utilities.

While everyone is looking for the best deal on holiday gifts, they aren’t doing the same with their more expensive home utility bills. What many homeowners do not know is they are actually paying more for utilities than they should be, because of inefficiencies throughout the house. We tell homeowners our goal is to create a tight “envelope” within the home so that warm air cannot escape and cold air cannot infiltrate.

We suggest looking around your home and finding areas that could have the potential to leak warm air and let in cold air. Often it will be obvious where you are losing heat, which is evident by a draft or even frost. But it can also be much harder. To help save money this winter with energy efficiency, we have provided the below common areas where heat escapes:

• Cracks Around Chimney
•  Improper working fireplace flue
• Poor Insulated Attic
• Electrical Outlets
• Ceiling Fixtures
• Windows
• Doors & Floors
• Walls
• Light Switch
• Non Insulated Perimeter Band Boards

When you do find an area that is allowing infiltration of cold air, sealing or insulation are the two greatest tools in your toolbox. By simply caulking around a window or blocking the passing of air under your front door you can save yourself some serious money.

This holiday season, instead of clipping coupons to save money, look into cutting your energy costs. At Riggs, we can help make your home more energy efficient, whether that is through an exterior renovation or home improvements. We have acertified green professional on staff to help you get the most from your home!

This summer you have had months of enjoyment, barbequing and entertaining in your backyard. You have laughed and soaked up the sun, but now that Fall is here and cooler weather has arrived, it is a great time to imagine what your outdoor space can become.

While not part of your home’s square footage, outdoor space is truly an extra room in your home. It is just as customizable, if not more, and renovations can vary in involvement and cost. After using your backyard for an entire season, your needs and also wants are still fresh in your mind.

Beside from your choice in ground cover (grass, rock, mulch), the patio is one of the most important components. This area will draw the most attention and presumably, will be the area you spend the most time on. Stone, brick and wood patio arrangements are among the most popular with our customers, who are often amazed by how much a new patio and walkway was able to transform the entire space.

Other popular renovations are outdoor kitchens and covered areas. With an outdoor kitchen you can entertain outside, while still cooking the hot dogs! Outdoor kitchens include refrigerators, sinks, stoves and barbeques. And covered areas are becoming increasing popular for outdoor kitchens, allowing homeowners to enjoy the outdoors rain or shine.

Even though the outdoor season is coming to an end, there are options to extend your season. Projects like outdoor fire pits and heaters can heat up those cold Fall nights. Fire pits come in all shapes and sizes to fit your space. We can also build wood, charcoal and gas burning fire pits.

If you are interested in an outdoor renovation, give us a call at Riggs. We can give you an estimate and bring your backyard dream to reality.

As we all learned in grade school, Christopher Columbus discovered America. He bravely climbed in his ship and sailed across the Atlantic, despite popular (or not so popular) belief that the world was flat. If he had been wrong, he might have sailed right off the edge of the world and straight into space – ridiculous right? Well, contrary to what the history books say, most people at that time understood that the earth was round! It was on a minority of scientist and theologians who despite evidence, still swore the earth was flat.

In the spirit of Christopher Columbus Day on October 10, we at Riggs are going to bust another myth common today, the idea that green remodeling is a fad and expensive.  We understand how easy it is to be confused about green remodeling, as there are so many conflicting messages. The simple truth is green construction has been around for a long time, even before we builders began using the term. In its mort simple term, green remodeling is improving upon construction methods for better energy efficiency.

We are essentially helping you get the best energy performance out of your home. We use materials which help with energy efficiency and create a tight “envelope” in your house, sealing out outside air. And if you think a green home will look weird or ugly, it doesn’t. In fact, they’re indistinguishable. (Sorry Frank Lloyd Wright!)

Green remodeling offers a great return on investment for homeowners and is not an expensive or complicated process. If you are afraid that a green remodel will lead you off the side of the earth, give us a call at Riggs. Our certified green remodeler on staff can talk to you about past remodels in the St. Louis area and answer any of your questions.

Did you know roughly 20 percent of your monthly electric bill is from lighting? That just doesn’t seem very bright. (We couldn’t help ourselves with the lighting jokes!) But joking aside, cutting down on your lighting bill can be very easy.

As we move into Fall and daylight savings, homeowners will begin using lighting much earlier in the night. While we always encourage natural light from windows and skylights, that is not always an option, especially when the sun is setting at 5 pm.

The simplest option, with greatest immediate impact is to replace all of your current light bulbs with more efficient ones, like Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL), LED and Halogen incandescent bulbs. All of these light bulbs will last you for many years and save you up to $30 over the lifetime of the bulb. And because these newer light bulbs are more energy efficient, they give off 70 percent less heat; which will have a dramatic effect on your HVAC bill.

At Riggs, there are also renovations which can save you money. One such project is replacing your old and out dated lighting fixtures, with newer more efficient ones. One example of a feature of a new fixture is a dimming function. What most homeowners do not know, is that by slightly dimming your light to 80 percent, the savings will be felt without the human eye being able to detect the difference.

We also install a number of indoor and outdoor motion sensors. These sensors help forgetful homeowners from leaving the light on all night.

Making changes to your lighting doesn’t need to leave you in the dark. Often when we talk to homeowners about making their lighting more efficient it leads to other conversations which can save the homeowner thousands of dollars in the future.

If you are feeling burned every time you receive your electric bill, give us a call at Riggs. We have a certified green remodeler on staff waiting to answer your questions.

The oldest standing log home in the United States was built around 1638, only 20 years after the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock. The amazing thing about this cabin, besides from its age, is the fact that a large addition was built about 100 years after initial construction, with people living in the home until 1919! The purpose behind this history lesson is to show that a well built home can continue being viable to the homeowners, no matter the age, with modern renovations.

In St. Louis we don’t have homes quite as old, but the same reasoning exists – no home is too old for a renovation. Yes, additions and other renovations might cost a little extra to upgrade outdated water and electric, as well as removing lead and asbestos, but the final product is nearly always worth it.

One aspect important to homeowners of older homes is capturing the historical accuracy while having modern amenities. Depending on the scope of the project, changes can be made to your home’s layout for drastic results. For example, older homes often have small rooms, which homeowners find isolating. By removing walls and changing the layout, your old home can feel just like new!

Old homes are also potential candidates for a green remodel. Because they were not built with efficiency in mind, you could potentially be paying more than you need to on your monthly energy bills. Riggs has a certified green remodeler on staff who can incorporate energy efficient materials and techniques into your renovation.

The possibilities of with older homes are nearly endless. At Riggs, we can help get your older home feeling like new, but still with that historic feel.

According to research, 60 percent of people will tell a lie in a 10 minute conversation. That’s a lot of lying for such a short conversation! When you are selecting a remodeler for your next renovation, it is important that you seek and hire the 40 percent of people who will be upfront and honest with your project.

Not that we are insinuating 60 percent of remodelers are dishonest, just that you need to take steps to protect yourself from those who might try to hurt you.

The first thing we suggest is confirming your remodeler is reputable, licensed and has the proper insurance to handle your project. If they do not have a license or insurance, you as the homeowner could be liable for damages to your property and injury to the workers. For example, if your contracted worker “pulls their back” while picking a hammer, that small tweak could cost you big in the wallet. And that promise of low cost, no hassle renovation is out the window.

Ask your remodeler questions like, how long have you been in business? Haw many other projects have you done this year? Do you have pictures of those remodels? Can I have a written detailed estimate, good for six months? What is your cancellation policy? What is your payment policy? If there do not have answers for these questions that should be a red flag.

Next we suggest asking for references. This way you can speak with past clients about the quality of work and overall experience. Don’t be afraid to ask tough questions and find out more about the reference – for all you know they could be their aunt. Usually speak with at least three past customers and ask for more if you need them.

Being a member of The Home Builders Association (HBA) of St. Louis & Eastern Missouri, we encourage you to look for your remodeler on their website www.stlhba.com, and that you go The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern Missouri & Southern Illinois at www.stlouis.bbb.org. That way you can get a clear picture of how they do business and past performance.

And most importantly, follow you gut. If you have any feelings of apprehension, there’s probably a good reason. Whether they don’t have a fixed address or are just impossible to get a hold of, it’s your project and they should be treating it as if they want your business.

If you want to know more about Riggs, give us a call. We have been in business for more than 50 years and hang our hat on our reputation.

You’ve waited nine months, read all the books and now you have this bundle of joy. You bring them home and you realize…“oh my gosh, my house has danger around every corner!”

Well, there is no need to fear, new or future parents. Part of having a certified remodeler handle your next renovation project is helping you think about future changes in your lifestyle.

Most homeowners know when they perform a renovation to look for areas of concern, like electrical outlets and stairs. But there are hidden dangers like hot water heaters and dish washers, where those small hands can get into trouble.

Newborns and toddlers are extremely curious about the world and want to learn everything about it. That is why they are often getting into things they shouldn’t. Their different perspective of the world (about a foot off the floor), gives them vision for places adults might not otherwise see.

At Riggs, we know and recognize areas of concern and will make sure that it will not be a safety problem in the future. Because a new child changes the living arrangements, we often renovate custom playrooms for children, so that parents have peace of mind, while keeping a watchful eye.

Next time you are planning a renovation, consider consulting a certified remodeler with Riggs before work begins. We can help you set a budget and stick to it, so that you can still afford diapers!

Between 2000 and 2007, the number of parents moving back in with their grown children has ballooned 67% to 3.6 million people. (That’s more than the population of St. Louis)  And adding merit to this trend, an AARP poll of baby boomers found that 25 percent expect their parents to move in with them and are looking forward to it!

While they might be looking forward to the move, the truth is adding another adult to your home’s family dynamic can add tension and possibly even physical obstacles for your aging parent.

If your parent is moving in, you need to think of making adjustments for the two sides of the equation -your other house members and your parent. Many homeowners choose to remodel the basement or other parts of the house, so that their spouse or children have space to relax. That way you and your family can continue your lifestyle without making any changes. Your kids can have friends over and won’t disturb your new house guest.

And mom or dad usually are not simply moving because they want to be closer – they often are in need of the extra supervision. To help aging parents we often install items like extra lighting, shower rails and easy to reach cabinets. We also help homeowners with improvements to remove steps and make common household tasks easier.

The most important aspect of moving your parents back in is allowing them to keep their independence and dignity. Up to this point they have always been the provider in the home and have had the master bedroom. Obviously you are not going to give up your room to your parents, but instead would like to give them a guest bedroom they can feel comfortable in. With a renovation we can help expand a guest bedroom, build a new space, do an addition, or make changes to a room to their tastes.

At Riggs we have experience dealing with custom renovations to fit all types of living situations. We often do aging in place renovations and our aging in place specialist (CAPS)can answer any questions you might have before your parent moves back in. Give us a call today!