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If tax day stings (even stinks)…
Start thinking about next year’s return today
That American Recovery and Reinvenstment Act of 2009 signed by the President earlier this year includes lots of stuff. Some of it left us scratching our heads. Other parts offer pretty good tax credits for home upgrades.
Need new windows or doors? Maybe your roof is older than you?! Dump the duck tape and start thinking about tax credits. Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 and 2010 (for existing homes only) areas. The new credits are tripled from past years and count toward:
- Windows and Doors
- Insulation
- Roofs (Metal and Asphalt)
- HVAC
- Water Heaters (non-solar)
- Biomass Stoves
For details on the credit amounts visit the Energy Star web site. If you’re considering an upgrade, SGR Handyman Division can help with selections and installations.
How do I know if my house needs energy updates?
 Windows: If your window frames or sills are rotting, your windows need replaced. I have used something as simple as a screwdriver to tap the frame to test the softness of the wood. If the tip of the screwdriver pushes into the wood easily it’s a sign of decay and rot in the window. When you replace rotted windows, ask if new windows are eligible for the energy tax credit. NOT all windows are eligible.
 Roofs and Shingles: If your shingles are blistered, curled or split, it’s time to replace. Other indicators are: loose or missing shingles throughout the roof; exposed/rusted nails; and excess granules from shingles in your gutters. The excessive amount shingle granules in the gutters, means the shingle coating is wearing away.
 Attic Insulation: The attic is the most neglected area of the home. It’s for storage and that’s it. Right? Wrong! The attic needs proper insulation for all of your stuff and for proper HVAC control. So head up and measure the depth of the blown-in insulation. All homes need to have a minimum of 16” to 18" of blown insulation, which would equal an insulation rating of a R - 38. Most attics we see only have about half of that. Just think of all of the heating and cooling escaping the home.
 Please join us in welcoming Doug Smith to the SGR team. Doug has more than 30 years of professional experience. We think he’s awesome and hope you do, too. He’s worked for companies and owned his own remodeling business earning a reputation that parallels SGR’s— honesty, integrity, quality and craftsmanship.
Doug’s worked on authentic 18th century reproduction home renovations, commercial building renovations and maintenance, and luxury home renovations. He owned a business in Santa Barbara, Calf. called Little Luxury Developers before coming to Indianapolis. “One of my most gratifying professional experiences was when I owned my company and had clients arrive to their newly renovated homes to find it lit, staged and ready for them to enjoy. They never expected such care. The SGR team has the same customer service philosophy—to exceed expectations—which is what makes this a great fit.”
 We won! SGR was just awarded a 2009 Professional Remodeler Best of the Best Design Award for our kitchen Revival Project. You might remember this one. It was written up by the Indianapolis Star’s TJ Banes. SGR took a small galley kitchen and opened it up to the living room giving the family an indoor space that reflected their outdoor 3-acre wooded lot.
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