It makes sense to price shop for certain items like clothes and groceries, while trying to find the cheapest surgeon sounds odd because your health is too valuable for bargain shopping.

The health of your home is just as important as your personal well being, yet when it comes to home repairs and remodeling, price shopping is considered the norm. But bargain shopping for a contractor often leads to expensive and reoccurring problems that could have been avoided if price were not the main criteria for which contractor was chosen in the first place.

Do It Right The First Time

There is no value in continually paying to correct a problem. The benefit of paying upfront for quality is that you pay for it once. Correcting bad work requires double the time to equal and/or surpass the original price offered by the professional company who pride themselves on doing it right the first time. To see the consequences of not doing it right the first time, watch any episode of HGTV’s Holmes on Homes; host Mike Holmes is an experienced craftsman who demonstrates the benefits of using knowledgeable professionals for home repairs and remodeling.

A professional takes into consideration all the details of a job to come up with a fair price for expert work backed with a warranty and assurance of future support to you.  And the enduring value and service you want many times comes with a higher price tag; consider the price and quality difference between Macy’s and Walmart, and know that the same applies to the companies who work on your biggest investment – your home.

There Are No Short-Cuts

Knowledgeable and experienced tradespeople know exactly what it takes, and how long it will take, to do the job right. Anything less than that is a short cut, and a shortcut is making a conscious decision to not do the job correctly.

Before a home improvement project begins, there should be a contract with a written scope of work. The scope of work avoids shortcuts by detailing exactly what tasks, materials and labor will be performed for the price paid.  Professionals who take pride in their work and customer service rely on the scope of work so that expectations are met for both the homeowner and the contractor.

Accredited professionals include a written scope of work and contract as standard procedure. If a contractor you’re considering doesn’t offer this, ask for one; if they resist your request, consider this a red flag to choose another company.

If It’s Too Good To Be True, It Probably Is

A catchy sales pitch will not make up for dashed expectations and inferior work. To avoid falling for a false promise, ask questions until you’re satisfied with the answers. Professionals with the knowledge and experience love to talk about their work. They understand that your trust and comfort is part of a good working relationship, so are happy to fulfill any request that proves their expertise.

You Get What You Pay For

You deserve honest work for an honest price, but if that price is far lower than those being offered by other companies then chances are good you’ll get low quality. If you’ve checked a company’s credentials, received good answers to your questions, have a written contract and scope of work, and feel a sense of trust, then the cost of the project will most likely be worth every penny.

The care and value of your home is far too important to focus on finding the cheapest price. Investing in quality and doing things right the first time saves you time, money and valuable resources. Don’t judge a contractor solely on price – buy on proven knowledge and performance.

For a remodeling and repair company that meets the standards of knowledge and performance you can trust in, look to Mosby Building Arts. They have over 60 years of experience improving every aspect of homes in Metro St. Louis, and their team of home improvement professionals will help you make wise choices for your home. Call the Mosby office at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

MP3: Scott Mosby Tip of the Week – 17

Each week on KMOX 1120 AM, The Home Improvement Answer Man Scott Mosby shares a timely tip that will improve your home and life.

Tune into the KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. During that time, Scott answers your questions at 314.436.7900 or 1.800.925.1120.

The Home Builders Association of St. Louis presents the 2010 Home & Remodeling Show from Friday, October 1 to Sunday, October 3, at the St. Charles Convention Center.  Admission and parking are free all weekend.

Click for show hours.

Click for driving directions to the event.

The Home Advice Stage Makes It’s First Appearance at the Fall Home Show

To gain the knowledge you need to make wise choices regarding your home directly from the experts who do the work, attend the free seminars every half hour at the Home Advice Stage presented by the Mosby Solution Center (aisle 400). All weekend long, on the half hour, experts from all home improvement fields will share and demonstrate their specialty, followed by a Question & Answer session.

As an extra bonus, you can watch a live broadcast of the KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby on Saturday from 11 am – 2 pm. It’s like an afternoon of HGTV come to life, so grab a seat and learn tips, tricks and trends to help you improve and maintain your home.

Home Advice Stage Topics & Schedule

The Mosby Solution Center is your one-stop source for all home improvement answers and solutions, comprised of the trusted Trade Partners who work with KMOX Home Answer Man Scott Mosby. These Trade Partners regularly work together to bring you consistent quality and value, and now is your chance to talk with the teams that know how to enhance and maintain every part of your home.

We look forward to meeting with you during the first weekend of October, and are excited to share valuable home improvement knowledge with you!

Mosby Building Arts is pleased to share that they have been named the September Remodeler of the Month by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This national honor is accompanied by a feature article in the September 2010 issue of Qualified Remodeler magazine.

Click to read a pdf of the Mosby Remodeler of the Month article.

The purpose of the NAHB Remodeler of the Month award program is to celebrate remodelers who stand out because of recent quality work, customer service, community involvement, and dedication to furthering the industry.

Scott Mosby and his deep bench of home improvement professionals at Mosby Building Arts are honored to be recognized by NAHB, an organization they have been a member of since the late 1980s.

Updating your bathroom not only adds recoupable value to your home but it also improves your quality of life.  A bathroom remodel is an opportunity to have a safe and healthy space that lends pleasure to your daily routines.

The latest trends in Metro St. Louis bathroom remodeling reveal desires for accessible design that creates ease of use and a spa-like serenity that soothes the soul.

A Walk-In Shower with Bench Seating

There are so many wonderful benefits of a walk-in shower that it’s no secret why they’ve become a must-have in master bathrooms. A low-clearance entry makes it accessible to everyone of all ages, and who wouldn’t love the luxury of sitting down while showering with a hand-held shower head? These features create a relaxing experience, add sophisticated beauty to the bathroom and will accommodate walkers or wheelchairs if your abilities change in the future. Click to see how a walk-in shower looks in a master bathroom.

A Touchless Faucet and Soap Dispenser

They have become standard features in public restrooms, and now the designs have been refined for hands-free use in the home. Automatic fixtures are great for both small children and those with decreased hand mobility, and other benefits include less mess to clean up, and (with the faucets) less water used since it only runs when your hands activate it.

A Customized Showering Experience

Imagine waking up in the morning and walking into a shower already running at your perfect temperature. Your shower can become as dependable as an alarm clock with a digital control panel. They are easily programmable so that each user has push button access to their preferred temperature and water pressure. The Kohler model even coordinates music, lighting and steam for the ultimate showering experience.

A Curved Bath Tub

Would you like a bigger tub to fit in an existing space in your bathroom? That option is yours with a curved apron bathtub, which gives you 6” more width at the widest point while fitting into the same footprint. And it’s the perfect match for the curved shower rods which are now so popular.

A Trench Shower Drain

For showers with no entry curb, a trench drain is a must. They serve as the barrier between the wet and dry parts of a walk-in shower without doors, and are ADA-compliant for wheelchairs and walkers. They are also sleek, discreet and blend in with the tile, opening up new design options. Click to see a trench drain in an accessible shower within an apartment room addition.

If you’d like to add any of these exciting new features to your bathroom, work with the bathroom designers and Certified Aging In-Place Specialists at Mosby Building Arts. From floorplans to selections shopping to construction, the deep bench of Mosby experts will help you create the safe and beautiful bathroom you deserve. You can have a satisfying bathroom remodeling experience when you call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

MP3: Scott Mosby Tip of the Week – 15

Each week on KMOX 1120 AM, The Home Improvement Answer Man Scott Mosby shares a timely tip that will improve your home and life.

Tune into the KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. During that time, Scott answers your questions at 314.436.7900 or 1.800.925.1120.

Even when the economy is tight, kitchen remodeling remains a desirable project because of its high return on investment. Realtors confirm that home buyers’ decisions most often hinge on how up-to-date a kitchen is.

Even when you’ve no intention of selling your home, creating the kitchen you’ve always longed for is a great investment for improving quality of life. The latest trends in Metro St. Louis kitchen remodeling reflect a desire for new finishes and ease of use for everyone in the family.

The Newest Finishes for Appliances

While stainless steel finishes for refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers remain popular, other metals such as oiled bronze and copper are adding warmth to the look of modern kitchens. Glass front appliances are the most exciting of the new finishes, available in glossy or matte finishes, and when combined with stainless steel (as shown above) it adds design distinction to your kitchen.

You Can Have Marble Countertops

Because marble is so porous it is prone to staining, which is why it has not been the ideal material for a kitchen countertop. This is why the introduction of a hard, low-porosity marble from Vermont quarries is so exciting – you can have white or light colored marble countertops that hold up to normal use. Plus, they have a honed finish that is cashmere-soft to the touch.  Click to see a St. Louis kitchen with honed white marble countertops.

Dishwasher drawers

You can have the convenience of a dishwasher without taking up a lot of valuable space by going with a dishwasher drawer. They glide in and out as easily as a cabinet drawer, and are the perfect space-saving solution in older homes built before dishwashers became standard appliances. There are also stackable double-drawer options, or you can place them in two separate spots in the kitchen.

Disguising Air Registers

No longer do air vents have to ruin the lines of your cabinetry or flooring, because they can be conveniently disguised in the toe kick area of kitchen cabinets. Register covers can be customized to blend in with the toe kick finish, or even become an accent while still providing proper air flow. Click to see a St. Louis kitchen with toe kick air vents.

Lowering Kitchen Island and Bar Heights

Kitchen bars and islands are typically 35” – 42” high, which requires a stool or pub chair between 24” – 30” high. For small children or older family members with decreased mobility, these are uncomfortable heights. An accessible design trend is to lower the counter height of these communal kitchen spaces to 28” – 30” high so that standard height dining chairs can be used. This allows everyone of every age, size and mobility to be a part of the activities that take place in the heart of the home.

Cook Up to 15 Times Faster

The secret weapon of restaurant kitchens is now available to you – high-speed air cooking. Products like TurboChef cook food 15 times faster than standard convection ovens, and are available in sizes and finishes that fit a home kitchen.

If you’d like to incorporate any of these remodeling ideas into your own kitchen, be sure to work with the Certified Kitchen Designers and Planners at Mosby Building Arts. Along with the latest trends, they will work with you to design a kitchen that meets all your needs and desires. From floor plans to selections shopping to construction, the deep bench of Mosby experts will deliver the kitchen of your dreams. To explore all your kitchen remodeling possibilities call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

MP3: Scott Mosby Tip of the Week – 14

Each week on KMOX 1120 AM, The Home Improvement Answer Man Scott Mosby shares a timely tip that will improve your home and life.

Tune into the KMOX Home Improvement Show with Scott Mosby every Saturday from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. During that time, Scott answers your questions at 314.436.7900 or 1.800.925.1120.

A kitchen sink garbage disposal is a convenient way to be rid of table scraps, but as with any motorized appliance, it requires regular care and maintenance. Luckily, there are 4 easy things you can do each month to keep it working properly.

Use Rid-X

Even though the disposal grinds up food waste, remnants can accumulate and clog pipes. The best way to keep the plumbing pipes clean is to use an organic enzyme like Rid-X to eat up the organic waste.

Rid-X is available at most home improvement stores and is sold as a cleaner for septic systems, but it also works as a safe and effective cleaning agent for all types of plumbing.

Once a month, pour the following mixture down the kitchen drain:

● 1 tablespoon of powder per 16 oz. of warm water

● Mix it like tea and pour it down the drain.

Click for more details about the maintenance powers of Rid-X.

Grind Ice Cubes

Once a month, pour a cup of ice cubes down the running disposal to clean the grinder blades. This will not sharpen the blades; dull cutters need to be replaced and it’s usually cheaper to buy a new unit than replace individual blades.

Get Rid of Odors

Even though you run cold water while grinding items, bad smells are inevitable. Nix the odors by grinding up lemon, lime or orange peels, which have natural cleaning properties and will make the entire kitchen smell great.

Keep the Water Running

You know to always have water running while grinding waste, but it’s also important to let the water run for 5-10 seconds after you’ve turned off the switch. This allows the water to push the waste further down the pipes. And only use cold water, as hot water can cause some food items to swell, which can clog blades or the pipes.

To get optimal performance from your garbage disposal, always cut up items into small chunks and feed them slowly into the drain while the cold water runs. As soon as the items have been ground (you’ll hear a difference in the operating sound) turn off the disposal.

Do Not Put These Items in the Garbage Disposal

Any one of the following can cause blades to lock up or the pipes to clog, even with regular maintenance:

● Non-food items
● Meat fat and bones
● Popcorn kernels
● Fruit seeds
● Rice and pasta
● Grease
● Egg shells
● Fibrous vegetables like corn husks, celery or banana peels

If you experience any problems with your garbage disposal, or feel it’s time for a new one, have Mosby Building Arts take care of the problem or install a new unit for you. Call Mosby at 314.909.1800 or contact them here.

Mosby Building Arts is pleased to be recognized as a top full-service remodeling firm as ranked by a national industry publication.

Mosby is #22 on the Remodeling 550 list of full-service home improvement companies in the nation, as compiled by Remodeling magazine. They are one of two St. Louis companies to make the list.

The industry acknowledges that 2009 was a difficult year for remodelers across the nation, as shrinking home equity credit and personal incomes made homeowners cautious about undertaking remodeling projects.

Scott Mosby, president of Mosby Building Arts, attributes the ability of his company to thrive during these trying economic times to their 63 years of experience helping homeowners enhance the comfort and value of their biggest investments.

“Your home requires constant maintenance,” Scott said, “and homeowners are now concentrating on the improvements that deliver a guaranteed return on investment. Projects like new roofing, siding, and energy efficiency benefit you now and have long-term value. Homeowners want to work with companies that have the knowledge and the longevity. It’s about the security of working with a company that will treat you and your home with respect and will be around for decades to make sure their home performs as expected.”

Scott notes that “rather than building room additions, we build relationships. And at the end of the day, that’s what matters most – family, comfort and security. Those are our top priorities, and it’s why we are grateful to have so many long-term clients that trust us to take care of them.”