So you want to add value to your home, great idea!   In my 25 years as a home improvement contractor, I have heard several reasons for improving a home. All of these made a lot of sense to the client, and they were willing to do the work. Adding more space, Preparing for sale, or updating the style of the home are all good reasons to improve your property.   If the only reason you are looking to do a home improvement is to add value, then you may have to take a closer look at the projects you are about to choose. Home Improvement projects generally have an average return on investment of 70%. So for ever $10,000 you invest in your property, you can expect about $7,000 in added value. But there are other things to consider. Will it make your home sell quicker? Is the improvement som... 05/28/2012

    Looking out the window this afternoon, we saw an incredible rainbow. Since I couldn’t get the whole thing in the iPhone screen, I used a panoramic merge. The panoramic photograph is a first attempt, but the rainbow was a beautiful sight. We don’t get too many rainbows in late May in El Dorado County.   05/26/2012

    It was another beautiful day in El Dorado County. While driving through Greenstone Country I had to take a quick photo of one of the small lakes in the community. The colors were just amazing today. The clear blue skies, lush green landscape, and deep blue water needed to be captured. Greenstone Country in Placerville, California View Larger Map 05/23/2012

Every year at this time there is a rush to get our property cleared of fire hazards. The growth of weeds and vegetation that grow up to your property is considered a fire hazard in El Dorado County. All vegetation higher than 6” must be cleared in all areas within 100 feet of the home.     This Year’s Deadline for Weed Abatement is June 11, 2012 05/17/2012

  “Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:   - I shall not fear anyone on Earth. - I shall fear only God. - I shall not bear ill will toward anyone. - I shall not submit to injustice from anyone. - I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”   ~ Mahatma Gandhi 05/15/2012

  With Certification Comes a Lot of Reading Material – Just to Be Safe!   I passed my Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Certification today, that’s the good news. This also requires a lot of reading material written by the EPA and HUD. Not that that is bad, it is important material; it’s just not all that much fun to read. Better get started…   05/08/2012

  Plenty to eat in the high grass.     The late season rains have kept the grasses and vegetation tall and green for the deer in Greenstone Country. Sure, the weather has helped many of the animals here in Placerville, CA but I was able to shoot the deer as I drove past him tonight. Enjoy the weekend!     05/04/2012

  I had a long day working in the yard today. It involved a lot of burning of tree trimmings and dead wood. It was hot, hard work but needed to be done. The window of opportunity to have a burn pile in El Dorado County will be ending soon, this had to be done. We hope to get one more good burn in before summer. During a short break, I got a chance to see the signs of spring.   04/29/2012

     There is so much to see once the spring weather hits; new blossoms, new growth, insects and mammals.  It all starts to appear again once it get warmer. Got an opportunity to shoot this butterfly, it was a beauty in El Dorado County. Hope you have similar sightings where you are. 04/23/2012

Suffering from allergies? I love the spring time; plants are blooming, things are drying up, and we can start to work on those outside projects. But with the spring weather comes the allergy season. If you suffer from allergies you know what it is like. Would do you do for relief?   04/22/2012

    Sunrise and Sunset Today – Photo   The day stated off with a colorful beginning, and ended with cloudy, overcast sky.   At sunrise everything is luminous but not clear. It is those we live with and love and should know who elude us. You can love completely without complete understanding. Norman Maclean   04/16/2012

Is your cat this curious? Sometimes you just can’t get done what you need to do, because the pet just needs attention. When trying to get a photo of the moisture rising in a valley in the foothills of the Sierras this week, Mr. Kitty just had to get in the act.   04/01/2012

  Fog rising in Foothill Valleys in El Dorado County There has been a lot of moisture in the foothills these last few weeks. The moisture gets a chance to escape a little when the morning temps are warmer. This morning, there was a hazy layer of moisture over Cold Springs Country Club. The skies are not clear this morning, but it is noticeably warmer in Placerville, Ca.   View Larger Map 03/30/2012

A late rain today, reminded me that the rainy season is not over yet. I was driving home just in time to see the sunset below the clouds, just above the horizon; a great way to end the work day. Of course that does not mean the day is through.     03/22/2012

You Know its Spring-Time When, the Placerville Speedway Schedule Begins Once spring comes around, the Saturday evenings are filled with thunderous Sprint Car action. It all starts on Saturday, March 31st; don’t miss all the excitement. Races are held at the Placerville Fairgrounds at the Placerville Speedway.     You don’t have a schedule? Placerville Speedway Racing Schedule Here! 03/20/2012

Sunset in Greenstone Country – Photo   Well it’s the first day of spring, and today was dry and warmer than it has been lately. Maybe things will be more like spring in the coming weeks or maybe not. We still need a whole bunch of rainfall to get back to normal. In the meantime, let’s enjoy the view of today. 03/20/2012

Band of Brothers Blood Drive – March 17th   El Dorado County Sheriff’s Officer - Brett Ream For 26 years, Brett Ream has served in the local law enforcement. He began in Bakersfield, 14 years as a Reserve Deputy and Search and Rescue.  He is currently employed with the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office where he spends time as a training officer and mentor to the new officers. Brett is suffering from a genetic blood disorder which will eventually lead to the need for a liver transplant. Brett has helped his community for most of his life; he now needs your support. You can help! By participating in a blood drive, you will be helping in two ways. First the blood will go to those in need of blood, a vital resource for those in need. Second, Marshall Hospital Community Medical Center will ... 03/13/2012

Okay, so I’m looking at a property to give the owners an estimate for repairs in Placerville, and I see the darnedest thing. I am looking at the back side of the building and I see this galvanizes pipe poking out of the building. It is not strapped and is loose to the touch. It is connected to some flexible rubber tubing going away from the property. So I followed it.   In the middle of the yard is a puddle of soapy water. What? This can’t be good. Apparently the pipe at the house is the clothes washer drain line. It flows out to the middle of the yard and soaks into the ground.   I am sure that this is not the proper way the drain this water. Looking inside the room was not done with a permit, it couldn’t have. There were many things that needed attention. The drain line was just the t... 03/05/2012

    Placerville Contractor Enjoys Girl Scout Cookies   It’s the time of year when the little girl scouts are testing the entrepreneurial waters. I’ve seen them at the grocery store, door-to-door, and of course – prepaid sales. I really do enjoy those girl scout cookies, can’t seem to keep them around for very long. Maybe it time to get some more. Ever wonder which are the best selling cookies?   25% Thin Mints®   19% Samoas®/Caramel deLites®   13% Peanut Butter Patties®/Tagalongs®   11% Peanut Butter Sandwich/Do-si-dos®   9% Shortbread/Trefoils® What's your favorite? 03/04/2012

Water Damage Repair in Placerville - Before and After Early in the Water Damage Repair project, things can look a bit overwhelming. There will be damaged materials, discolored surfaces, and maybe even some dry rot involved; all of this can be corrected by a professional.   After correcting the source of the problem, the rebuilding can begin. You will be amazed how quickly the change will occur. Once the new building materials have been installed, and the finishing touches applied, you will be pleased with how things have turned out.      If you are in need of dry rot or water damage repair in the Placerville, Ca area, give us a call. Tromler Construction 916-765-5366     02/23/2012