Chesterfield Home Modernization Guide Chesterfield Home Modernization Guide November 2012 Prepared for: Chesterfield County, Virginia Prepared by: Acknowledgements Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Daniel A. Gecker - Midlothian District Vice-Chairman, Dorothy Jaeckle - Bermuda District James “Jim” Holland - Dale District Steve A. Elswick - Matoaca District Art Warren - Clover Hill District Chesterfield County Sustain Our Communities Committee Chesterfield County Department of Economic Development Copyright © 2012 Chesterfield County and Frazier Associates. All right reserved. No part of this report, including text, photographs, illustrations, and cove design may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publishers. This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for use in matters related to the Home Modernization Guide project by Chesterfield County without prior written permission. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Getting Started Introduction ................................................................. 1-2 Don’t Move, Improve ........................................................ 1-3 What Can This Guide Do For You? ........................................1-3 How To Use This Guide ................................................... 1-3 What is Curb Appeal? ...................................................... 1-4 Chapter 2: Going Green: Save Energy, Water and Money! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle ...................................................... 2-2 What Does It Mean to Be Green? .......................................... 2-2 Going Green Shopping Guide ............................................... 2-2 Recycling is Easy in Chesterfield ............................................ 2-3 Where is the Money Going? ................................................ 2-4 Home Energy Audit ......................................................... 2-5 Where to Look for Air Leaks .............................................. 2-5 Fixing the Air Leaks You Found ............................................2-6 Benefits and Cost of Replacement Windows ................................ 2-7 Simple Ways to Reduce Energy Usage ....................................... 2-8 Average U. S. Household Water Usage .....................................2-11 Table of Contents Chapter 3: Aging in Place What is Aging in Place? .................................................... 3-2 What Can You Do? .........................................................3-3 Chapter 4: Getting It Done: Project Planning, Funding, and Working with Contractors Planning Your Project .......................................................4-3 Where’s the Money? .........................................................4-4 Do I Need a Permit? .......................................................4-6 Working with Contractors ................................................. 4-10 Chapter 5: The Ranch History of The Ranch .......................................................5-2 Characteristics ...............................................................5-3 Creating Curb Appeal ......................................................5-5 Adding On - Option 1 .....................................................5-6 Adding On - Option 2 ..................................................... 5-7 Adding On - Option 3 .....................................................5-8 Table of Contents Chapter 6: The Cape Cod History of the Cape Cod ...................................................6-3 Characteristics ...............................................................6-4 Creating Curb Appeal .......................................................6-6 Adding On - Option 1 ....................................................6-8 Adding On - Option 2 .....................................................6-9 Adding On - Option 3 .................................................. 6-10 Chapter 7: The Split Level History of the Split Level ................................................... 7-3 Characteristics ............................................................... 7-4 Creating Curb Appeal ....................................................... 7-6 Adding On - Option 1 ..................................................... 7-8 Adding On - Option 2 ..................................................... 7-9 Adding On - Option 3 ....................................................7-10 Table of Contents Chapter 8: The Colonial Revival History of the Colonial Revival .............................................8-3 Characteristics ...............................................................8-4 Creating Curb Appeal .......................................................8-6 Adding On - Option 1 .....................................................8-8 Adding On - Option 2 ..................................................... 8-9 Adding On - Option 3 ................................................... 8-10 Chapter 9: The Minimal Traditional History of the Minimal Traditional .......................................... 9-3 Characteristics ...............................................................9-4 Creating Curb Appeal .......................................................9-6 Adding On - Option 1 .....................................................9-8 Adding On - Option 2 ..................................................... 9-9 Adding On - Option 3 ................................................... 9-10 Table of Contents Chapter 10: Making the Most of Your Site Maintaining Your Yard .................................................... 10-3 Lawn Maintenance Checklist .............................................. 10-4 Tree and Shrub Maintenance ..............................................10-4 Pruning Basics ............................................................ 10-5 Get Inspired .............................................................. 10-7 What Do You Want From Your Garden? ................................. 10-7 Before You Go Any Further .............................................. 10-8 Consider These Green Ideas .............................................. 10-9 Be Water-wise in the Garden ...........................................10-10 Start a Home Garden ...................................................10-11 Typical Site Improvements ...............................................10-11 A Cape Cod Site ........................................................10-12 A Colonial Revival Site ..................................................10-14 A Minimal Traditional Site ...............................................10-16 A Ranch Site ............................................................10-18 A Split Level Site ....................................................... 10-20 Table of Contents Appendices Appendix A: Inside and Out: Seasonal Maintenance Appendix B: Online Resources Home Modernization Guide Getting Started 1 Chapter 1: Getting Started Introduction Chesterfield County is the largest municipality in the Richmond and Petersburg/Tri-Cities area and has a population of over 319,000. The County also has the largest number of housing units in the statistical area. Roughly 81% of the County’s over 123,000 Chesterfield Mid-Century Houses housing units are single-family residences. Of those, approximately 34% were built before 1980 (from Ranch 46% 5-15-2012 comp plan draft). As these mid-century homes age, they are often in need of modernization to fit the requirements of 18% today’s families. This guide is focused on improving Colonial Revival the appearance and functionality of Chesterfield County’s older single-family homes. It provides tools that can be used by homeowners, prospective home Split-Level/Foyer 14% purchasers, real estate agents, and others. Many of the home styles illustrated in the following pages are found in subdivisions throughout the An early Chesterfield County suburb of Richmond, Bon Air 11% county. Often, these homes are located near made the transition from a resort to a full time residential suburb. Minimal Traditional major transportation routes, providing access to nearby shopping, entertainment, and employment destinations as well as downtown Richmond. Cape Cod 11% The Ranch style is easily the most popular mid-century home style in Chesterfield County. An advertisement for the Achievement Home touted “a living dream in a wonderful home designed for family living” that “prove that fine homes need not be overpriced!” 1-2 Chapter 1: Getting Started Don’t Move, Improve How To Use This Guide You have great neighbors, like the convenience of The Home Modernization Guide is organized in where you live, and have a well-built house on a two ways. Individual chapters take a look at the generous lot, maybe even with mature trees and most popular styles found in Chesterfield County: LOOK FOR THESE HELPFUL TIP shrubs… So, why move – when you can improve. Ranch, Colonial Revival, Cape Cod, Split Level, SYMBOLS IN THE GUIDE Like most homeowners, there are probably some and Minimal Traditional; their distinguishing stylistic aspects of your home you’d like to change. If those characteristics, suggestions for exterior enhancements, things include opening up the floor plan, increasing and typical additions or plan modifications to update Green/Energy Efficiency the size and/or functionality of your kitchen, the them for 21st century living. need for more bathrooms or bedrooms, or a garage, For enhancements that are applicable