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Home Renovations Tips On Hiring A General Contractor

September 20, 2022 Comments Off

What comes to mind when I say home remodeling? Dread I bet! Remodeling, renovations, sprucing up, whatever you want to call it can all be done without headaches guaranteed. I know it is hard to believe but it is possible to do kitchen and bathroom remodeling, flooring renovations, home additions, porch upgrades and general upgrades without stress or breaking the budget.
Our home, like many, is in a constant state of repair and could always benefit from a minor remodel or home renovation. I can think of many things that need to be done right now. The bathroom renovations would include a flooring renovation along with updates faucets and a new styled mirror. The kitchen remodel could easily start with cabinet refinishing, flooring upgrade and hardware touches. This is not to mention we could use a room addition for extra storage and possible a guest bedroom along with some work in the basement. A basement transformation would be on that wish list too. I am sure if you spoke with my husband an out building, shed addition would be first on his list.
Of course these are the major things. This does not touch base on the millions of little items that could use some handyman touches. The doors get loose, moldings could be updated, crown molding added, pavement outside needs some repair and I am sure you could find some lose boards on our porch and deck not to mention some staining efforts could be used. There is always something big or small to be done.
This is when I begin to tell you the secret to painless home renovations. Listen close. The key to stress free remodeling is to hire a trusted contractor. When you hire a contractor you are not only hiring that person but a team of experts that support him. A licensed contractor has resources available at the touch of a button. If you need an electrician, a plumber, general handyman, painter or skilled carpenter they will be able to show you the way to a trusted professional. I am not saying that finding a contractor will be easy but the effort will pay for itself tenfold.
There are some things that will help lead the way in helping you find a licensed skilled contractor that best fits your need. The first step in finding a contractor you want to work with is to get a list of contractors from friends, family and acquaintances have used in the past. This is a great place to start. If you are new to the area a quick Google search will lend a hand in supplying a number of home renovation specialists. A terrific way in which to find out a lot of information quickly is to check their website. A website is the front window to their "store". Your gut will help steer from here on whether you want to interview them in person.
Once you have a list the next step is to call and do some preliminary checking. You will want to only work with insured, licensed contractors. This is an important first question. If they are not licensed and insured move on to the next home remodeler as a possible source for your renovation needs. Eventually you will decide on a few to meet in person. Ask them to bring a portfolio with references. Most general contractors will let you know what their specialty is. Finding a home remodeling specialist will not be difficult. Your first impression will immediately tell you whether or not this person is someone that is a professional or a quack. Ask basic questions, get a general feel and move forward. It is this simple.
A contractor should be willing to vouch for the professionals they hire to work alongside them. Professional renovators will ensure satisfaction and will guarantee that a job is not complete until the client is one hundred percent satisfied. Once you have found someone you like. Trust and that does work that impresses you refer them often and use them often. A reliable general contractor is a commodity and should be treated as one. You will find that the quality of work they do is good but is better when you are pleasant and helpful in continuing to help them grow their business as well.

Should You Hire A Remodeling Contractor Or Do The Job On Your Own?

September 16, 2022 Comments Off

Many people like to do the home renovation jobs by themselves and treat them as weekend DIY projects, as this allows people to save their hard earned money. You can even find nowadays many workshops that teach you the basics of home remodeling so you are more confident in your abilities of doing the job by yourself.
However not everyone has the time to invest in doing such a huge project, particularly with having a regular job as well, so hiring a contractor is the next best thing. But this comes with a set of other problems altogether. First you need to find the contractor, then to hire him and then discuss the job. Then hopefully he will execute your commands without mistakes. Sadly there are many bad apples out there that give contractors a bad name and this is one reason why many people shy away from asking the help of a professional. They say they can do a much better job of it and in many cases they are right.
If you’ve decided to go through the route of hiring a contractor, there are a few things you need to pay attention to. For example one aspect you might consider is price. However avoid hiring somebody just because he has the best prices on offer. This is particularly important if the offer is even cheaper than what you’ve initially estimated. Something is usually wrong with such offers.
One thing that people end up being angry about once the contract is over is the fact that they have to pay extra, more than what they’ve initially agreed. When you sign the contract, make sure you read everything, including the small print. Anything extra that needs to be purchased, such as more materials, should be first approved by you. You don’t have to pay for anything that was not planned and discussed with the contractor beforehand.
As you can see, there are indeed many reasons why one would want to do the home remodeling on their own, without hiring a professional contractor. However this doesn’t mean that you will be scammed out of your money or you will get a bad job all the time. If you decide to hire somebody, you simply need to do your due diligence and learn as much as you can about your contractor, so you can be sure that you get, indeed, a good job done at the end of the day.

Before You Hire a Home Renovation Contractor

August 26, 2022 Comments Off

If you are planning to hire a contractor for your home remodeling project, there are several things you will want to consider. You will want to make sure that the contractor is licensed. Do not be afraid to ask the contractor to show you his or her license. In fact, you may want to check to see if the license is current by going to one of the websites that provide this service. You can find this information for free by doing an online search for contractor licenses.
Another thing you will want to look for and check is references. Most contractors will be happy to provide you with references and pictures of jobs they have done in your area. You will want to insist on a contract, whether or not the contractor offers this upfront. You will want everything spelled out in the contract; exactly what is to be done, when the job will be completed, and how much it will cost.
Your contractor may ask you for money upfront. While this is customary, never pay for the full job at the outset. You want to be able to pay for the job in stages. You may be asked to put down a deposit or a percentage of the job’s total worth. Then it should be spelled out in the contract at which stage you will pay more and how much. In addition, inspect the job thoroughly before you finish paying the contractor.
By doing your research ahead of time and carefully planning your home renovation, you can avoid many of the pitfalls that other homeowners have experienced when they engage the services of a contractor. While most of them are above board and hardworking, unfortunately, there are those that will take advantage of you if you let them.

Home Remodeling Tips for Finding a Reliable Contractor

July 10, 2022 Comments Off

A home renovation or remodel can be a costly and life-altering undertaking. You don’t want to spend that kind of money and invest that much time, not to mention the inconvenience of giving up your personal space, on a job that is not done exactly as you specify. In order to ensure a top-notch job, you need the right company handling the work. When it comes to home remodeling, here are a few basic, simple tips for finding a reliable contractor.
It is essential that any contractor you hire to perform work in your home be licensed and insured. That means they’ve proven their ability to do the work to the licensing board and they have an insurance company that will cover the cost of any damages to your home that result from their negligence or ineptitude. While your cousin’s nephew might be a whiz with a hammer, if he is not licensed and insured, he is not the contractor you want.
Secondly, check any and all potential contractors for your job out with the local Better Business Bureau and, if possible, get references from some of their other customers. Many of these contractors will have websites or photo albums showing you the work they’ve done in the past. Seeing past success will boost your confidence in their ability to do your remodel right.
Finally, do shop around. Two equally qualified, licensed and insured contractors may have very different price quotes. Get all quotes in writing and request a guarantee. After all, you want to be able to recommend them to your friends. So, when it is time for home remodeling, just follow these tips for finding a reliable contractor and you can rest easier knowing the job will be done the right way by the right people.

Guidelines to Hire a Contractor

April 26, 2022 Comments Off

Home improvement serves as a task itself, however, the contractor/contractors involved can turn a simple task into a large sum of woeful worries. Hiring a contractor may seem like a minuscule feat, but such a myriad of things can go so wrong, so fast.
Marketing referral websites are companies formed to make money, similar to any advertising magazines received in the mail. The only difference is that they air it on popular devices such as television, for the general public to view, and be unduly influenced. In my opinion and personal experience as a client, I have seen disreputable companies represented as credible by marketing engines. As a general contractor myself, I would personally recommend to use these guidelines when hiring a contractor.
1. Make sure your contractor is licensed and insured.
2. Whether you are getting a permit for the job or not, tell them that you are, in order to see the reaction, and if you are told it will only influence the price, it is a good sign, but if he begins to say things such as “It’s a small job”, “You don’t need one”, or “I’ve done so many jobs without permits”, etc. you should be cautious. (In my opinion, sometimes it is okay to do the job without a permit, in order to prolong the job.
The only way to do this though, is if you trust your contractor, and he is using the right materials, guidelines, and knows what he’s doing.
3. If possible, it is recommended to ask to see other work that the contractor has done. Ask about warranties.
4. Inquire to see works in progress, and use this advantage to see the crew.
5. Try to use contractors that people you know have used. This way, you can see work that they have previously done, and can get honest opinions of the contractor and his work, instead of playing guessing games, and reading online reviews that could be fraudulent and misleading.
6. Once the job has been completed, don’t be afraid to openly share your opinions of the contractor. Prove unreal reviews to be false, and alert anyone you know seeking to improve their home, of the contractor and whether they are credible or not. Also, try to file “Rip-off Reports” which allow other people to know/see the true work/reviews of the business. Many disreputable businesses use marketing tools to heavily advertise, and receive jobs, which is how they make their income. Filing reports against them helps to get the word out about their downfalls, and whether or not they are a company worth hiring.
7. Make sure to make a contract with the contractor you have selected to hire, but remember to make sure that everything you are looking for is included in the contract. Remember that having the contract does not insure that your contractor will respect the contract. Make sure the payments specified in the contract keep you comfortable throughout the whole process.
Good Luck!