Cost vs. Value in Remodeling Projects Print

• The crew talk about all the events and happenings all across Arizona!
• Jay talks about using plants as part of a trends in using natural remedies in plants as an alternative to medicine and supplements.

Callers:

• Arlene - Her cassia bush is getting too big for her trim back, but it's starting to bloom right now and she wants to know if she should wait?

Recommendation - If she cuts it back now, it won't flower, but it won't leave all the pods on the ground either.  Jay talks about "The May Rule" (if a plant blooms during the winter, before the new growth of spring, then its blooming on old growth wood and it should be pruned after it flowers, if it blooms late in the summer, prune it early)

Callers:

• Mike - He planted 3 fruit trees last year and 2 died this year.  Now, the last tree, a peach tree, had had all the leaves have fall off. Does that mean it is dying?

Recommendation - Peach trees (also apricots, plums, apples, pears) are deciduous and will lose their leaves, annually.  There is nothing wrong.

*Jay and Romey talk about "the scratch test" to determine if a tree is still alive.

• Bernie - Her Mediterranean Palm tree for about a year and it's droopy and dull ever since she planted it about a year ago. What should she do?

Recommendation - It sounds like it was under stress when it was moved.  It could've been transplanted late in it's life and just didn't go well.  Add a root stimulator to revive the plant.

• Joy - She found grubs in her flower bed and wants to know if she should treat the soil or just start over?

Recommendation - Jay would turn the soil and determine if the grubs are gone. If not, go ahead and use the existing soils.  If she finds a few, there is a way to treat for them.

• Lydia - She has a blood orange tree in 2010 and it's not producing any fruit.  She investigated online and thinks it might have too much nitrogen in the soil...what do we think?

Recommendation - The blood orange tree struggles here and it might need to just mature a bit more. Since it sounds like the plant is healthy, supplement the soils with a good citrus fertilizer three times a year. It also could be a pollination issue.

*Jay & Romey talk through ways to pollinate the plants in your yard.

• Phil - He wants to grow potatoes in his raised garden and want to know where to buy potato sets?

Recommendation - Many potato sets are found at local nurseries, but they're usually sold in late fall and he might be too late.  He might need it mailed to him, this time of year.

Callers:

• Eddie - He bought a bronze leaf loquat tree and it had an early bloom, went dormant and now it's blooming again, but it's not producing any fruit?

Recommendation - Unfortunately, it sounds like the variety of loquat tree he picked is actually not a fruit producing tree. He needs to verify the species and could replace it. We'd go to Tropical Mango in Apache Junction.

• Carolyn - She has pearl scale on her rye grass and wants tips on getting rid of it.  

Recommendation - Add soil sulfur through the spring and summer season. Then apply grub free zone insecticide.  Jay talks through the process and common issues associated with this problem.

• Tom - He's been trying to prune his plum and peach tree small enough to put a net over it to protect it from birds and pests.  Should he use paper bags to protect individual pieces of fruit and how should he be pruning both?

Recommendation - He can use paper bags, but that's sure a lot of work. Consider a late spring or early summer light pruning.  Here's a guide to help. 

If you have questions or need help out in your yard, visit John Jay at Harper's Nursery & Landscaping Company on the corner of Thomas and Hayden Rd in Scottsdale.

Arizona has had a very busy monsoon season and rainy winter.  If you've had rain damage, call ServPro!

We share fun food facts about "The Big Game"

• American's will eat 80 million avocados, enough to fill a football field 12 feet deep!
• 325 million gallons of beer, enough to fill an Olympic size pool 1,900 times.
• There will be 1.2 BILLION wings eaten this weekend!
• Average caloric intake is about 3,000.
• Find Romero Family recipes, here.

The Digital Newsroom:

• "S" - He has Babcock Plumbing out to do some major work and he'll "never call another plumber again."
• Julie  - She wrote in to share how much she appreciated the quick and quality help from A-Authentic Garage.
• Larry - Just wanted to say, "I used Integrity Air Conditioning.....I'll never use anyone else!"
• Patrick - He just completed a successful pool project and loved Postorino Pools. 
• Pete - "I'll never use anyone who's not on your network. I've used Arizona Painting Company and Reeis...All Great!"

*Don't forget about the "Casa Grand Connection" for Rosie-Certified Contractors.

• Rosie and Romey talk about all the benefits of the recent rains.
• Romey shares an investment opportunity for our listeners.
• Rosie talks about home values and other reasons Arizona might be perfect for out of towner's to move here.
• We send subscriptions to Arizona Highways Magazine to friends of listener's that were stuck for more than 24 hours during the recent major snowstorm across the upper US.

Sign up for the Sanderson Ford Arizona Staycation, here!!!

The guys talk about all the events and great happenings all across Arizona.

• Take classes or attend seminars.
• Floating down the Salt River.
• "Photo Walks"
• Historic Home & Building Tours
• Parades
• The Pioneer Living Museum
• Rosie and Jennifer are taking a trip and staying at The Dream Manor Bed & Breakfast.

Caller:

• Trisha - She's painting her home and wants advice on painting a clean line on an archway. It's not a corner and very visible and she's concerned the paint will bleed under the tape and the line won't be straight and clean.

Recommendation - Use Frog Tape. It's designed specifically for the concerns she has and we love it.  Using caulk can be tricky and we talk through tips on making it look clean and straight.

• Things to consider adding to your toolbox to avoid issues during busy weekends with a full house of guests, like "the Big game" weekend.
• Rosie gives away more subscriptions to Arizona Highways Magazine to people who were stuck in the winter storms.
• We tease our next hour as we cover this report on Cost vs. Value for certain remodeling projects.

*A listener called in after hearing us talk about painting a clean line. She used a tool called Accubrush and loved it. (We have not tested this product, but Jennifer will)

Craig Webb with Remodeling Magazine joins us from Washington D.C. to talk about this report on Cost vs. Value.

• The history and the area this study covers.
• How the study is administered. 
• Give yourself a national and regional idea on costs for specific projects.
• How reality TV has damaged the expectations for cost to have professional work done.
• Objective Analysis vs. Subjective Analysis
• Specific projects perfect for the Phoenix Market that pays for itself.
• Remodeling Projects vs. Replacement Projects.
• How "Curb Appeal" affects value...stone facade is increasing in popularity.

*More about the using the Cost vs. Value report with localized input to set your cost expectations on different projects at your home

*Stone Veneer accents at your home are a new trend we love and the guys discuss how much they like it and how some Home Owner's Association's are allowing this modifications.

Rosie shares national averages on bathroom remodel costs...they more $ than you think!

Callers:

• Mike - After staining his deck several years ago and wants to know what kind of prep work he should do to ensure the sealer takes hold and lasts.

Recommendation - Rosie sends out his friends from Arrowhead Decking Resurfacing to give his recommendations.

• Greg - He is thinking about updating his home, but wants our thoughts on adding solar, considering they aren't sure how long they will stay in the home.

Recommendation - There are so many considerations for each solar installation, it requires a site visit. We only trust these solar companies in Arizona:

1. Southwestern Solar
2. The Solar Store
3. Harmon Solar

*Warnings about the solar and some shady practices common to the industry.

Callers:

• Dewey - He has an area in his shower that is black where the glass block meets the floor. What should he do with the mold and how does he seal off the damaged grout area?

Recommendation - He can buy a syringe to inject bleach to kill the mold. Pick it up at Rockler Woodworking & Hardware.  Replace the damaged grout, let it cure for about a week and then seal it with an epoxy sealer.

• Mike - He just discovered that an enclosed garage was not done according to code, prior to the work he's trying to do now. (He's had TWD out and LOVED their work)  Since the permit wasn't pulled, he discovered he needs a fire barrier. What would we do?

Recommendation - A masonry wall sounds like his best and possibly his only option.

• Graham - He has a leak in his flat roof. What are the materials involved and what kind of warranty should he expect?

Recommendation - Warranties depend on how thick the coat is over the foam. 5-10 year warranties are standard, depending on thickness. There is a chance that with these very slow rains are a stucco issue, rather than the roof. For peace of mind, call Durafoam Roofing, Lyons Roofing or Pinnacle Roofing. 

Join Rosie On The House every Saturday morning from 8 to 11!!!