Tag: contractor

Home Renovation

Don’t Hire An Expensive Contractor! Use These Tips For Caring For Your Roof Instead!

Laura

Are you experiencing any roofing problems? Are there parts of it that look worrisome? Do you know what you are looking for when looking at a roof? If you maintain your roof, your house will be in better shape. By learning more on the subject, you will be better able to spot potential problems and correct them.

Though leaks may be the result of shingle issues, you may also need to inspect your roof’s foundation. If there’s dry rot on your home’s sides, water will be able to get in through there. Look for ever potential entry area, rotten wood included, to be sure you get the problem permanently fixed.

Do not try to repair a roof if it’s raining, snowing or icy outside. Wet roofs greatly increase the chances of accidents caused by slips and falls. Wait for a clean, crisp day to repair your roof.

You need to consider the climate when choosing a roof type. If you are in a dry climate and want to keep your house cool, then a clay roof would be ideal. Clay roof tiles in rainy climates will cause your roof to deteriorate quickly. If you are hesitant if it will suit your area, ask an expert.

You should always first ask family and friends regarding contractors when getting started. They will tell you about their experiences, including workmanship and price. You might also inquire about the clean-up involved after completion or whether certain materials and work was covered by warranty.

Do not let a contractor pressure you into hiring them. It is better to turn down salesmen using an unrealistic pitch. They are unlikely to fulfill a contract if you do sign one.

Make sure whatever roofing contractor you hire has adequate liability insurance. The mere existence of such a policy bodes well for a contractor’s reliability. Secondly, in the event that something should happen to your house, their insurance should cover any damages.

Never go up onto your roof to inspect for damage. If you have roof problems, you should hire a person to examine things. You want to avoid walking up there and causing a cave in.

The age of your roof determines whether it needs to be replaced or not. Many roofs last around twenty years prior to needing replacement. When your current roof is a second layer on top of your old roof, it has to be replaced after 20 years.

Don’t get discouraged if you can’t locate the source of a leak on your roof. Have another person inside the home and carefully use a hose to find the location of the leak. Communications can be enhanced by using cellular phones. This is especially helpful in the case of large houses.

With the tips mentioned earlier, you are now well equipped to handle any roofing situation that may arise. Once you know what to look out for and what steps to take when you spot trouble, you’re ready to give your roof the care it deserves. …

Remodeling

Finding A Great Contractor To Do Your Home Repair Is Easy

Laura

Always have a working knowledge of the tasks at hand when you are completing a home improvement project. In this article, you’ll find tips, tricks, and pointers that will guide you through any home improvement project. This advice will assist both beginners and experts.

Make sure you understand your style before customizing your home. Getting to know the decorating style you prefer can guide your home improvement and decorating choices. You may accidentally change your decorating style midway through without realizing it. At this point, it may cost more to change the style back to what you originally intended.

Air filters are something you have to remember to change. This will bring in healthier air and keep your air conditioners and heaters running efficiently. Repairmen are often called out only to find that the filters are simply clogged.

The commercially available shades for your lamp tend to be mundane and lack creativity. Use some basic stencils and paint to give your boring lamp shade something extra. This will add a little personality to any room, and give your lighting source an interesting effect.

In order to make storage containers for small items like screws and nuts more useful, try hot-gluing an example of the contents to the outside of the container. When you’re looking for just one tool, even the best shops may have difficulty finding it. These labels provide better organization so that you do not have to waste time.

Take time to investigate the background of any company you wish to do business with to ensure that they are above-board. Look for a real address and in-person meetings. Stick to working with contractors and businesses that can show you a strong, verifiable track record.

Before you work on your outlets, be certain the power is turned off where you’re working. Leaving the power circuit on can increase the chance of electrocution.

Think about the colors you want to add to your home and decide what is a good fit for the impression you want to give off. Stick to airy fabrics, like linen and cotton, instead of heavy brocades and dark patterns. The way a room smells can also help create a relaxing atmosphere, so considering the use of potpourri or scented candles.

You must make an effort to drain the water out of your hot water at least twice per year. When you take the time to do this, you will find that it it will run much more efficiently, and you will help to improve the life of the heater, too. Just put a hose on the drain value and release the water.

If you want a quick way to add value to your home, considering refinishing your wood floors. It’s not really hard to refinish floors, but it can take quite a bit of time and effort. You can even take classes at a big box hardware store. This can save you a lot of money instead of putting a new floor in.

Always have …

Renovation Contractor

Kitchen Renovations – How to Pick Your Contractor

Laura

If your kitchen renovation is going to be a sizable job, unless you are a genius at DIY, and have a lot of time on your hands, your are probably going to have to hire a contractor. With the right contractor, kitchen renovation can be a wonderful experience. With the wrong contractor, you can find yourself in the middle of a nightmare. Do all you can in the beginning to make sure you know how to pick your contractor wisely, rather than live to regret you choice later on.
The first step in answer to the question ‘how to pick your contractor’ is to start by making a list of contractors in your area. Word of mouth is often the best reference, but don’t rely on it. Ask your friends and family, and check out a couple of companies online. Another good option is to enquire at your local building supply store – they will often have good suggestions. Make sure to tell them you want someone who specialises in kitchen renovation. A quick first step is to check the names of the contractors with your local Better Business Bureau – a quick and easy step to take before making your primary choices.
The next step is to contact the contractors on your list, and set up an interview. If you want to know ‘how to pick your contractor’ then pay careful attention to this. A good contractor is willing to discuss his experience in kitchen renovation, more than happy to hand of a list of references from satisfied customers, and answers your questions in a forthright manner. If the contractor is offended by your questions, or evasive, that should be a red flag, to move on to the next interview. Kitchen renovation is an expensive exercise, and you don’t want to find yourself halfway in with a disaster on your hands.
Don’t just rely on written references – the contractor’s girlfriend and brother could have written them. Anyone with experience advising you on how to pick your contractor will tell you to contact the people on the list, and while you should be polite, you should also ask them as many questions as possible. You should look for an answer to these questions in particular ‘did you use him for kitchen renovation?’, ‘did he complete the job on time and on budget?’, and ‘were you happy with the contractor’s workmanship?’ If a contractor did a great job, you should have no trouble finding people who used him and are willing to answer a couple of questions. If the responses are lukewarm – be careful. Often people don’t want to speak outright of a bad experience. Besides references, there are a couple of other things to consider when you pick your contractor for kitchen renovation. Is he qualified/licensed, and does he have insurance which is current – don’t rely on his word here, ask for proof.
When you have chosen your top 3 or 4 contractors, ask them for a …

Kitchen Renovation

11 Ways to Protect Yourself From Getting Hammered by a General Contractor

Laura

The smell of sawdust wafting through the air, the sounds of hammers and saws, stacks of building supplies, and workers in , it looks like someone is having some construction work done! And while all of the pieces and players are in place and all appears to be in order, looks can be deceiving. In fact, if you have hired a contractor that you know very little about then until the project is completed and proven acceptable, there is likely a certain amount of trepidation…unless, you have done your homework.

Before having any home or office remodel done, it is an absolute must that you take the time to protect yourself and your investments by doing all you can to make sure that your contractor is everything they should be. Sad to say, just because you have spent the time getting an assortment of bids, contacting the Better Business Bureau, checking with state and local consumer protection agencies, the local authorities in regard to any licensing or banding requirements and a host of other background related details, you still need to go a few steps farther to protect yourself from getting hammered at the end of the job.

Write It Down!

Once you have found the contractor for your job, you need more than a gentleman’s agreement. You are making a choice to spend a great deal of money and you need to make sure you understand what the cost will cover. Consequently, you need to get all agreements and promises in writing, before anything else is done. In addition, there is no crime in asking for clarification of any part of the contract you don’t understand. If you don’t understand something or are not in agreement, don’t sign the contract! A general construction contract should include:

The contractor’s name, address, phone number and fax number

A detailed description of all the work to be done

A description of materials-this includes brand names, size, weight, color, etc…

Beginning and finishing dates

Payment schedule. You want to pay as little up front as possible and make payments throughout the course of the project, with the right to withhold payment if at any time the work does not meet your satisfaction. Don’t agree to financing arrangements you cannot afford.

Any guarantees that the contractor is making or warranties regarding the workmanship

A statement allowing you to cancel the contract based on the laws of your state.

A statement allowing you to cancel the contract after work has begun if you find unexpected or hidden problems once the job has been started.

The contractor’s responsibility to secure permits; if you have to get the permit, do not sign!

The bonding and licensing numbers of the contractor

The contractor is responsible for paying any subcontractors, supply costs, equipment rentals, etc. before you make the final payment. If this is not done, you become liable for the charges!

Don’t be pressured into signing a contract that you have not read through or don’t understand!…