Michael F. Simon Builders

Michael F. Simon Builders December 2009 Newsletter

Happy Holidays!

As the snow falls and the Christmas holidays get closer, we would like to wish everyone a very safe and happy holidays! As times seem to be getting better and talk of the "recession" being over continues, remember now is a great time to build a new home or remodel your existing home!

Most of our clients have heard about us from friends or peers. We wouldn't be in business without referrals. We appreciate any referrals from you to your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors.

Thank you for taking time to read our newsletter and for thinking of the Michael F. Simon Builders Team in your future building or remodeling plans.

Best regards,

Simon Builders earns Pella's "Certified Contractor Certification"

Michael F Simon Builders teams up with Pella this year.

Pella has been named #1 for brand familiarity and quality three years in a row and compliments Simon Builders commitment to quality very nicely.

Michael F Simon Builders has been selected to participate in Pella Corporation's newly revised national Certified Pella Contractor (CPC) program.

Certified Pella Contractors receive special ongoing training in the installation of Pella Windows and Doors as well as marketing assistance. This continued education is just one more way were showing our dedication to providing only the best quality possible and why you won't have to worry about the work being done to your home.

Being a Certified Pella Contractor demonstrates our willingness to provide quality installation services which complement Pella's quality windows and doors. Customers will benefit by knowing that dedicated profession as are performing their work.

Past Projects: Before & After Kitchen Remodel Pictures

It doesn't matter how big or small the job is, if quality is what you're looking for, you're at the right place. Michael F Simon Builders has been remodeling longer than anyone in the area. We bring the quality we are known for in our bigger homes to every single remodel project we work on. From replacing a single patio door, to new windows in an entire house, to a bathroom refresh, finished off lower levels, or kitchens which can be seen below, we've seen and done it all.

Scroll over the pictures below to see what it looked like before Simon Builders came and worked their remodeling magic.

Below- This kitchen has been updated, while improving the layout, and traffic patterns. New hardwood floors were a must for this kitchen. We replaced the old white tile floor with a beautiful new wood floor, replaced the old laminate cabinets with new matching wood cabinets, and made a pathway creating the beautiful island with new oversized farm style sink as the center point. New lighting fixtures bring the look together as you gaze through the kitchen out onto the lake.

Below- It's amazing what a big difference some paint, window treatments, and granite countertops can make to a kitchen. This is proof that kitchen remodels do not need to be expensive to give you that rich look.

Below- This is hard to believe from the pictures but this once cramped kitchen was opened up before it received the royal treatment. The wall that was once separating kitchen from the stairway was removed, allowing a seating area to be formed. New hardwood floors, cabinets, wood "chop block" style countertop, paint and lighting are just some of the updates this kitchen now features. This truly transformed this kitchen to a beautiful useable kitchen.

How You Can Save Money & Energy

Reduce Heating Costs With These Money Saving Tips.
Heating costs can take a big bite out of your monthly budget over the next few months. Due to the rapidly escalating costs of home heating oil, propane, and kerosene, you may be paying more to heat your house as you did just a few years ago. You can cut your heating costs by following these money-saving tips.

• Do an energy audit of your house. See our October Newsletter for more information on identifying areas where heated air is leaking out.
• Don't heat areas of your house you don't use regularly, such as guest rooms. Close heating vents or turn back thermostats in those areas and close the doors for a painless reduction in heating costs.
• Don't turn your thermostat up above the desired temperature. It won't heat up any more quickly and will make your furnace work harder. Also, while it makes sense to turn the heat back when you're sleeping or not at home, turning it down too low can actually cost you more because the contents of the house have to be re-heated in addition to the air. 68 to 70 degrees while you're home and awake and 60 to 65 degrees while you're asleep or not at home are reasonable temperatures.
• If you don't already have one, get a programmable thermostat to raise and lower the temperature at pre-set times, saving $100 per year on heating costs.
• Check the temperature setting on your hot water heater. Your water should be heated to 120 degrees or lower.
• Most of your entrance doors have an adjustable threshold. Now is the time to make sure they are adjusted correctly. 
• Cutting your shower time in half can save up to 33% on your hot water heating costs. You can also get a low flow showerhead.
• In winter, open the blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house (the south-facing side) when the sun is shining and close them as soon as the sun goes down to retain the solar heat. Close curtains on the shady side of the house (north-facing side). If you don't have curtains, consider installing some. Curtains made from heavy fabric with lots of folds (fullness) can prevent cold air from seeping in and warm air from seeping out, which reduces your heating costs. 
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, now is the time to open the return air registers. See Bob & Terry's tip above. In short: if you have a high and low register on your interior wall, the lower register should be closed in summer, open in winter!

New Product: Vacuum in a Drawer

DrawerVacâ„¢ is a new vacuum accessory that simplifies how homeowners and businesses clean their countertops of food waste, paper scraps and other unwanted debris. Mounted just beneath the countertop, users simply pull DrawerVac's tray forward, activating the vacuum, and then hand sweep debris into its powerful suction stream. When finished, the pan retracts and automatically turns off the vacuum.

DrawerVac is a high-value addition to any central vacuum system, bringing convenience to kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, hobby rooms, office desks and workshops. With its low cost and quick installation, DrawerVac is a must addition to all central vacuum systems.

Green Tip:

Check your furnace filter monthly and replace it if needed. It may be a good idea to get it tuned up if you haven't already. Also make sure to you have a programmable thermostat and have it set to lower the temperature while you're gone or sleeping. (Do not lower it below 55 degrees)

Featured Lot for Sale:

Tuscany Ridge, Waunakee

Lot 21, Tuscany Lane

Click for Printable Lot Map

This lot contains 27,994 sq. ft. (.64 acre) and allows a full walkout to the rear (south). This is your chance to get one of the last lots available in Tuscany Ridge. Priced at $209,900.00.

LED Holiday Lights

If you haven't done so already, you are probably getting in the Christmas spirit by putting up outdoor lighting. LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights are the newest way to decorate energy efficiently. The benefits are as follows:

•  They are more energy efficient . They use up to 95% less energy. C7 bulbs use 100 times more energy and mini-lights use 10 times more energy.

•  Longer lasting . Up to 10 times longer (100,000 hours or 11 years).

•  Safer . Bulbs don't heat up so they're cool to the touch and won't dry out a natural tree.

•  Sturdier bulbs . LED bulbs are made of plastic so there's no glass bulbs to break. Some are sealed from moisture to prevent bulb damage.

•  Easy-to-use . Up to 20 strings can be connected end-to-end without overloading a typical household's electrical circuit. If a bulb burns out, the other bulbs stay lit.

LED lights come in many colors and costs can vary by color, with blue and white being the most expensive. Although LED lights have a higher initial cost (starting around $7 for a 25-light string), the amount saved in energy costs outweighs the initial purchase price. When you compare the cost to purchase and operate the lights over five years (see chart below), the savings are clear.

Bulb Type *Annual elec. cost

C9 - $7.65

C7 - $5.46

Mini - $0.43

LED - $0.09

*Based on 1 string of 25 lights burning an average of 8 hours/day for 45 days; Costs vary depending on number of strings and how long the strings are lit; Based on 12 cents per kilowatt-hour

For more information on these newest holiday lights, go to the Madison Gas & Electric website: www.mge.com

Tips from Bob & Terry:

Bob Clemens (remodeling expert) and Terry Dowell (Project Manager) from Simon Builders, have picked up a few tips and tricks over their 50 plus combined years here at Simon Builders. This month, they would like to remind you to adjust your HVAC (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning) return registers.  

The return registers in your home pull in room air and return it to the HVAC unit to be reconditioned. They are located on interior walls. The majority of homes are equipped with return air registers that are capable of being redirected seasonally. These are called Hi-Lo registers. To tell if you have this type, look at the registers on your interior walls. If you have one located on the wall near the floor and one directly above it, near the ceiling, you do. In the summer, they pull the rising warm air off of the ceiling and return it to the air conditioner to be cooled. In the winter, with the flip of a damper onthe lower register, they pull the cold air from the floor and return it to the HVAC unit.

If you haven't switched your return air dampers from the air conditioning position to the heating position, now is the time to do so. In short: if you have a high and low register on your interior wall, the lower register should be closed in summer, open in winter!

If you have any questions on this, give us a call and we will help you out.

If you'd like Bob & Terry to answer any specific home related questions, feel free to email them to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Cheers to You: Our New Referral Program

The greatest compliment we can receive is a referral from you! If you know of anyone looking for a lot, a new home or a refresh or remodel in their current home, please have them give us a call.

As a token of our appreciation, we will treat you to a wine or brew of the month club, if your referral builds with us. Please contact us for more details. Cheers & thank you!

In the next issue:

» Available Lots
» New Products

» Green Tips

» Past Project: Grage Overhaul

» Tips from Bob & Terry

» Email the Builder

Send story ideas and feedback to Paul Simon ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).