A&A Design Build Remodeling Blog

Have you heard this saying: "Free cheese is only in the mouse trap, and only for the second mouse". Now, when money/credit is tight, the consumers became more price sensitive. Many negociate to such a degree it is not even funny. No matter what is going on with the market, you still need to pay g...

Over the last 10 years, I have recognized the value of being connected on and off line. I joined LinkedIn, Plaxo, Merchant Circle, Face Book, Twitter, Trulia, Active Rain, Zillow, Naymz and others. I post to these sites periodically. In the last couple of months, I have attended several presentat...

Check this link out, sounds just like in my business. I am sure many of you can relate. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2a8TRSgzZY In home remodeling we have always seen a fair share of this kind of consumer behavior. Now it is even more so. Everyone wants a deal, something for nothing. I think t...

According to Forbes http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/21/investment-obama-realestate-forbeslife-cx_mw_0121realestate.html?feed=rss_news Washington, D.C., traditionally takes a back seat to world cities like London, New York and Tokyo when it comes to real estate investment. That's likely to change. T...

I am curious to find out the combine opinion of Active Rainers, will we see interest rates for 30 years fixed as low as 3-1/2% or 4%? I think having interest rate so low will jump start the housing and the economy in general. With this interest rate, housing will be affordable again for so many m...

Check this link out, this video is by Jerry Howard, CEO of the National Association of Home Builders. I think he makes a good point. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MG_5b9XKAYI As a remodeling contractor I agree with Jerry Howard. We are all in it together, but remodelers and builders can fix it. ...

I am wondering why people are so attracted to the word FREE? We are all in business, many of our clients are in business, and we know quite well that nothing is free. And yet, a lot of people are so addicted to getting something for nothing. I personally don't expect to get anything for free. I a...

We all know that using Green products saves energy and helps the environment. In our design-build remodeling company, we use Green products as much as we can. However, lately, I noticed that many clients decide against using Green products/technology because it can, on average, add 10% to 20% to ...

I just joined Active Rain network and really like it. After reading several blogs, I decided that it may be a good idea to have Ask the Contractor blog. I am a civil engineer by education an have been in business for 18 years providing design-build remodeling and Handyman Services in Washington D...

I own a design-build remodeling company and live in Chevy Chase, MD. The real estate market here is quite stable. However, most of our projects lately are smaller in size and scope. It looks to me that people only do whatever is absolutely necessary. In addition to remodeling, we also provide Han...