The reasons people on Cape Cod remodel their homes are as varied as the seashells on one of our beaches. But one thing they all have in common is a desire to make the best investment possible, one that adds value to their home.

The editors of Remodeling magazine recently conducted a nationwide “cost vs. value” study that quantifies just how much “return on investment” a homeowner can expect from the 35 most popular home improvement projects. The results are a surprising mix of repairs, additions and beautification projects. Here are the top ten projects as rated by the Remodeling study.

1. Replacing exterior siding with upscale fiber cement. Siding pays back a whopping 78%, on average, of the $13,461 average cost. The most cost-effective thing you can do to your home this year is to replace old siding with new, higher-end fiber cement.

2. Replacing an entry door with a midlevel 20-gauge steel door is an inexpensive upgrade at $1,238 on average, but it pays back 73% and greatly improves curb appeal.

3. A midrange attic bedroom remodel involves popping out a dormer for a 5-by-7-foot bathroom with shower, insulating and finishing the walls and ceiling, adding four windows, extending the heating and air conditioning and improving wiring and lighting. The payback is 72.5% on the $50,148 average expenditure. An attic remodel is the cheapest way to add space and a bathroom within the house. A basement remodel is the next most cost-efficient way to add living space, although code requirements for headroom and exterior doors make that project more complicated and more expensive.

4. A midrange minor kitchen remodel paid back 72.1% of the average $19,588 investment. Included are new laminate countertops and new sink, faucets and appliances. The floor is untouched and cabinets are kept in place but refaced with new hardware added.

5. A midrange garage door replacement may not be high on many wish lists; it’s one of those jobs that you do because it’s needed. But it adds curb appeal and function, and it pays back 71.9%, on average, of the $1,512 average cost.

6. A high-end garage door replacement recoups almost as much, 71.1% of the $2,994 average cost.

7. A new wood deck earns back 70.1%, on average, of its $10,350 cost. Decks made with engineered wood or composites have a greater appeal.

8. New foam-backed vinyl siding replacement keeps the house warm and pays back 69.6% of its $14,274 average cost. The average project involves 1,250 square feet of siding, including trim.

9. New midrange replacement vinyl siding upgrades the look of the home and pays back 69.5% of the $11,729 average price.

10. Upscale vinyl replacement windows have a 69.1% payback on the $14,328 average cost of replacing 10 double-hung 3-by-5 windows. The new windows are low-emissivity glass, with an insulated frame, that also help lower monthly energy costs.
Ready to make a wise investment in your home? We can help with any or all of the “top ten” remodeling projects. Call Capizzi Home Improvement toll-free at 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

It is not too late to earn a $500 federal energy tax credit by making certain improvements to your home. But you’ll have to hurry! The current energy tax credit expires on December 31, 2011. There are no plans right now to extend this credit.

Typical improvements that may qualify include adding insulation to your attic, or replacing old windows with energy efficient models. We can help you determine which energy projects qualify and provide the necessary documentation for tax filing.

Call Capizzi Home Improvement toll-free at 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

The cold weather of fall and winter are a thing of the past and the summer heat is upon us. So thinking of lowering your heating costs is probably not a high priority for you right now. However, the bitter winds and cold nights will return soon enough. Will your home be ready?

A switch to energy efficient windows now will prepare you for those cold nights that seem so far away. Waiting until it gets cold out to take action could make it too late. You want to be secure in knowing that your home will be ready and at a comfortable temperature as soon as it starts to get cold.

As the months go on and the temperature begins to drop, your energy efficient windows will adapt to whatever you feel is a comfortable indoor temperature. The same way they kept the cool air in during the summer will seamlessly transfer to keeping warm air in during the colder months.

Each window comes equipped with a custom fit screen, to keep your house naturally ventilated through the warmer months, as well as thermal glass and an insulated frame to keep the heat in during the colder months. By making the switch to newer windows during the summer months, you will reap the benefits through all the seasons.

So meet the cold head on by installing energy efficient windows before winter rears its cold, ugly head. A summer installation will ensure that you will be ready for anything Jack Frost can throw at you.

Don’t replace the windows in your home until you’ve met with the experts from Capizzi Home Improvement. Or else you’ll pay too much and get too little for your investment! Call us toll-free: 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

Winter arrived early this year, but it is not too late to take steps to “winterize” your home against the cold, snow, wind and ice that will batter Cape Cod and the Islands this year. Here are five steps to take now to help make sure you will remain safe and comfortable this winter, while also reducing your home energy use.

1. Windows – No other opening in your home allows energy loss like a poorly insulated window. If you have storm windows make sure they are in place and properly seated and sealed. Better yet, replace your old, drafty windows with the new, energy-efficient double- or triple-pane windows that about three times better at keeping the cold out and warm air in. You’ll see an immediate improvement in your heating bills and comfort level.

2. Siding – Neither wood or aluminum siding do a good job of insulating your home against the wind and cold. Wood siding has too many cracks and openings, and aluminum simply conducts the cold right through. Insulated vinyl siding, on the other hand, wraps the home in a blanket that keeps warm air inside and deflects the cold wind outside.

3. Doors – When your father admonished, “Close the door! Do you live in a barn?” he had a good point. An open door allows warm out to rush out and cold air to rush in. But a poorly insulated door is almost as bad, even when it is closed. Make sure all exterior doors are properly seated in their frames and sealed against cold infiltration. A triple rubber seal along the base of the door is recommended, along with foam sealant along the seams between door and jamb.

4. Insulation – A well-insulated attic can keep your family cozy, reduce your heating bills, and prevent melting snow from forming “ice dams” that can cause thousands of dollars of damage. But the paper-backed fiberglass rolls from the home store do not provide the level of protection and insulation you need. That requires professional installation of insulation that seals the attic with high R-value materials.

5. Roof – Have your roof inspected by a professional before the snow flies. Loose or missing shingles can allow water to seep into your home and should be repaired or replaced. Flashing around chimneys and vent pipes can loosen to allow moisture in and must be resealed. Gutters should be cleaned to allow melting snow to flow away from your home.

Need help getting your home ready for the winter? Call Capizzi Home Improvement toll-free at 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

Fully insulating your home’s attic will not only keep you warmer this winter, it can also help prevent the formation of dangerous “ice dams” that can cause significant – and expensive – damage to your home.

Everybody knows that attic insulation can help reduce the amount of warm air that escapes from your home. By trapping this heated air in the living spaces of your home, your home heating system will have to run less frequently and for shorter periods of time. This will help reduce energy usage and lower your monthly heating bills. All while keeping you and your family snug and warm.

But a well-insulted attic also serves to keep your roof cooler during the winter months, and that’s a good thing. Here’s why.

When snow and ice blanket a roof that covers an uninsulated or under-insulated attic, warm air from inside the home can rise and heat the underside of the roof. This causes the snow and ice to melt from the bottom up. This melted snow runs down the roof in the form of water, trickling under the layer of snow.

The problem occurs when the water reaches the edge of your roof and is exposed to frigid air again. It freezes up at the roof’s edge or in the gutters, forming an “ice dam” that causes additional water to back up under the shingles and seep into your home.

Once inside, the water can travel along rafters and crossbeams, and leak down into walls, onto ceilings – even as far as your basement foundation. This can cause staining, mold and mildew growth, rot and even cracks in the foundation. All are expensive problems to fix.

But an insulated attic reduces the temperature of the roof, creating a better balance with the outside temperature. This lessens the likelihood of snowmelt and ice dams, preventing water backup and the resultant damage.

In order for attic insulation to do the best job of keeping you comfortable and preventing ice dams, there must be enough insulation – and the right type of insulation – to provide adequate protection. The rolls of paper-backed fiberglass you can pick up at the local home store simply won’t do the job. You are much better off investing in professional insulation that seals your attic thoroughly and won’t compress or lose its insulating properties.

For help in insulating your home’s attic, call Capizzi Home Improvement toll-free at 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

I have a thing for going fast. You might find me roaring around a racetrack somewhere in New England. Before every competition I put in hours of driving practice, honing my skills, working with my pit crew to prepare as thoroughly as possible for race day so that we can execute our race plan successfully.

If I am this dedicated to my hobby, you can imagine how much attention I give my business! Actually, the dedication, preparing and training that goes into racing sports cars is very similar to the work we do at Capizzi Home Improvement.

 Photo Detail: Tom Capizzi, Jr. of Centerville, MA, shown with crewmen  Adam Desrosiers (l) and Nick Leverone(r), owner of Flatout Motor Sports (www.flatout-motorsports.com).

Our crews are highly skilled and experienced, yet continue to practice their craft on a daily basis in order to keep up with the latest construction materials and techniques. Just as you want to be driving a race car that is powerful, fast and reliable, we use only the highest quality, most durable materials on your home. And, like a finely coordinated pit crew, our Project Managers put hours of planning and preparation into each job, making sure we stick to the schedule and budget.

Whether you are repairing or replacing your roof, putting vinyl siding on your Cape Cod home, adding a deck, or taking advantage of one of Capizzi Home Improvement’s many other services, you can rest assured that the work will be done quickly and expertly.

Don’t make improvements to your home until you’ve met with Capizzi Home Improvement. Or else you’ll pay too much and get too little for your investment! Call us toll-free: 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

Cotuit, MA (June 18, 2011): Despite a painful eye injury caused by flying debris from a crash, Cotuit’s Tom Capizzi, Jr. drove his modified Mazda race car to a second place finish in his first Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) event at Lime Rock Park, Lakeville, CT.

Fellow ace, Attilio Albani, got spun by a competitor, causing him to be hit multiple times and cutting his race short. As a result of Albani’s crash, debris hit Capizzi. Both racers were treated and released at Sharon Hospital. Albani suffered a couple broken ribs and Capizzi an eye injury.

Competing in the SCCA’s SM2 class of vehicle, in which vehicles routinely travel in excess of 100 MPH, Capizzi took the checkered flag in second place out of a group of 30 cars and turned the fasted lap time during his qualifying run around the historic 1.53 mile Lime Rock Park road course.

As Steve Ulfelder from FlatOut Motor sports put it, “When qualifying time came, so did some pleasant surprises. Tom Capizzi, a new arrive and drive racer, put his Mazda on the pole for the SM2 class. Fellow ace, Attilio Albani, was alongside Tom, qualifying 2nd in the STU class. For his part, Tom Capizzi finished second place – Impressive!”

Tom Capizzi, Jr. is the owner of Capizzi Home Improvement in Cotuit; for more info go to (www.capizzihome.com/tomcapizziracing).

The cold weather of fall and winter are a thing of the past and the summer heat is upon us. So thinking of lowering your heating costs is probably not a high priority for you right now. However, the bitter winds and cold nights will return soon enough. Will your home be ready?

A switch to energy efficient windows now will prepare you for those cold nights that seem so far away. Waiting until it gets cold out to take action could make it too late. You want to be secure in knowing that your home will be ready and at a comfortable temperature as soon as it starts to get cold.

As the months go on and the temperature begins to drop, your energy efficient windows will adapt to whatever you feel is a comfortable indoor temperature. The same way they kept the cool air in during the summer will seamlessly transfer to keeping warm air in during the colder months.

Each window comes equipped with a custom fit screen, to keep your house naturally ventilated through the warmer months, as well as thermal glass and an insulated frame to keep the heat in during the colder months. By making the switch to newer windows during the summer months, you will reap the benefits through all the seasons.

So meet the cold head on by installing energy efficient windows before winter rears its cold, ugly head. A summer installation will ensure that you will be ready for anything Jack Frost can throw at you.

Don’t replace the windows in your home until you’ve met with the experts from Capizzi Home Improvement. Or else you’ll pay too much and get too little for your investment! Call us toll-free: 800-809-0290 or visit our web site at http://www.capizzihome.com/

If you are planning on selling your home your real estate agent has probably talked about the vital importance of “curb appeal” in attracting buyers. First impressions are critical, and the way your home looks from the outside can determine whether or not a prospect becomes a buyer.

But what if you are not selling your home? Is curb appeal all that important if you are planning on staying home for the foreseeable future? I believe that making your home as attractive as possible is important for your neighbors, visitors — and yourself!

As a homeowner you take great pride in your part of the American dream, and rightly so. But when you approach your home after a long day at work, or turn into your driveway after being away for several days, do you get a sense of place and feeling of peace? Or do you sigh deeply as you tick off the many problems that need to be fixed. Maybe you wish your house were as nice as the neighbors.

The truth is, it does not take much to spruce up the look of your home. And you might be surprised at the additional benefits you’ll enjoy, such as improved energy efficiency that can help lower your monthly utility bills. Here are the top 5 “curb appeal” projects to make your home the envy of the neighborhood:

1. Siding – New siding can completely transform the look of your home. The choice of colors and textures available on today’s siding products gives you an almost unlimited ability to choose the look you want. Plus you’ll enjoy the convenience of virtually no maintenance, and the savings of not having to paint every few years.
2. Windows – Replacing old windows with up-to-date windows brightens up the “face” of your home while delivering important energy savings. The added bonus? You even get a better look inside your home, with windows that offer more glass area, easier operation and tilt-in cleaning.
3. Roof – Installing a new roof on your home is like putting on a new hat! Replacing a stained, worn roof not only enhances the look of your home, it also provides the peace of mind of knowing that you home and family are protected from the elements.
4. Landscaping – A trim green lawn, flower beds and defining bushes or hedges can frame your home for optimum viewing.
5. Deck or Porch – Extending your home with a well-designed farmer’s porch or deck shifts the focus onto this welcoming element, while providing more outdoor living space for enjoying our beautiful Cape Cod summers.

Ready to improve? The professionals at Capizzi Home Improvement can help enhance your home’s curb appeal. Schedule an appointment at our web site at www.capizzihome.com. Or give us a call at (800) 809-0290.

As we turn the calendar page to March, we can finally see the end to our long, cold and snowy winter. Now is a great time to begin planning for spring cleaning. Here are 9 great ideas for bringing your home back from winter damage so that you will be able to enjoy the warm weather ahead.

1. Examine the roof. With spring rains in the forecast the roof should be first on your “to do” list. If you can do it safely, climb up on your roof to look for damaged or missing shingles, loose gutters, damaged flashing, blocked vents or damaged chimneys. Better yet, call us to do the inspection for you. It is safer and we’ll be able to spot potential trouble spots for you.

2. Clean your gutters and downspouts. Gutters that are clogged with leaves and debris can back up when they fill with rainwater or melting snow. Start the spring off with clean, clear gutters to avoid problems.

3. Inspect and test your windows. Go around the house and open all the windows to make sure the frames have not warped or split during the winter. Check the caulking around the edges to see if any gaps have opened up.

4. Replace old windows and doors. You know that modern, energy-efficient windows and doors are great for saving money during the heating season. But the same insulating properties can also keep you cooler during the hot summer months.

5. Examine your home’s siding. If you have wood shakes or clapboard siding, look for cracks or splits, or missing shingles; and assess the paint for flaking or peeling. Experts say you should paint your home at least every 7 years. For vinyl or aluminum siding, look for dents, cracks or gaps that may have opening during the winter cold.

6. Pressure wash patios and decks. Get the winter’s grime and grit off before you start using outdoor spaces for relaxing and grilling.

7. Look for stained ceilings. If water has seeped into your attic through roof damage or from “ice dam” backups it can travel along joists and your home’s frame to appear almost anyplace!. Don’t just paint over it! A stain appearing on your ceiling may be an indication of water damage that should be repaired as soon as possible.

8. Get your air conditioner ready. Clean off loose debris and trim back any bushes or trees that may block the exterior A/C unit. Check the coils to make sure no cooling fins are bent or blocked.

9. Insulate your attic. Does this sound like a winter project? Attic insulation will actually keep your home cooler in the summer, as it makes air conditioning much more efficient.

Let’s sit down and talk about what Capizzi can do to make your home more comfortable, convenient and energy efficient this spring. Schedule an appointment at our web site at www.capizzihome.com. Or give us a call at (800) 809-0290.