general | Yakima Furniture

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.

General Contractors Tips – Carpeting a Basement

August 30, 2022 Comments Off

When you’re remodeling your basement, carpeting is often on your mind at least for part of it – especially if you’re building out a space that’s going to be used for family gathering and entertainment. Before you jump at the first carpet choice that looks good however, take the time to consider what you’ll really be using that space for. Likewise, talk with some general contractors about the best carpet choice for your design ideas.
Carpeting for a Playroom
Growing families with small children often require a lot of space for romping, fun, playtime and the mass amounts of toys. If you plan on remodeling your basement to turn it into a playroom then you should consider a quality, durable carpet that will stand the test of time.
A second option for a playroom is carpet tiles. Tiles offer easy installation and maintenance, and should the carpet need replacing you can just go after the problem tiles instead of tearing up the entire run of carpet in your basement or play area. While quality tiles are expensive, you’ll save on maintenance and replacement down the road. Buying some extra tiles ahead of time will ensure that you have them on hand if there’s an accident or damage later on – allowing for quick replacement.
Installing Carpet Tiles
Carpet tiles are a great DIY project once general contractors have finished the rest of your basement. The first step is to ensure that you have a clean floor, free of debris, and level. Review the layout of your basement and find the center of the room or area. You can do this by pulling chalk lines from corner to corner. From here, locate the centers of the walls for the playroom in the basement. Connect the midpoints of all walls that face one another with chalk lines again.
After you have the chalk lines, you can start laying carpet tape over those lines as well as the room perimeter. Once your lines are in place you can begin laying carpet tiles, starting from the center of one wall and working your way to another. Depending on the size of the room or basement area and the layout, you may need to cut some tiles to fit snugly.
Carpeting a Game Room or Family Room
If you’ll be turning your basement into a game room or other gathering area then you can expect a lot of high traffic – more so than a kids play area. An indoor/outdoor carpet designed to withstand high traffic with shoes is a good idea here. If you prefer something that’s more comfortable then you may want to make the extra investment and go for a more plush but highly durable stainmaster carpet. The added plush is comfortable on feet, adds the right atmosphere to a family room and cozy’s up any basement.
There are a lot of carpet styles on the market, so choosing the right style and color for your basement will be difficult. If you’re stuck, run over your design ideas with a general contractor and get their input. Likewise, you can speak with friends and family to check their experience with carpet installation and carpet preference.

Important Considerations to Make Before Choosing General Contractors

June 28, 2022 Comments Off

One of worst mistakes that homeowners could make in their home building or home remodeling projects is to choose and hire general contractors based on how low they offered their bids for a particular project. Hiring a contractor or a home builder with the lowest bid does not guarantee that you will get a high level of quality, an efficient construction schedule, good materials and even security.A�
Although cost-effectiveness is an important aspect in any home remodeling project and would be an important and vital factor in the selection process for general contractors, it is not your only or sole basis for selection. There are other considerations to make that involve checking out the company and getting guarantees of their work. This should be your basic process whether you plan to build or renovate a home in Boston, Massachusetts or anywhere else around the nation.A�
On top of that, there are certain qualifications and standards that your general contractors should adhere to, including green building standards and practices. These requirements are being applied by government entities in their own construction requirements and these should also be applied to domestic applications as well.A�
Green Building Qualification of Your General ContractorsA�
The concept of environmental practices or what is more commonly called as green building has been an old concept already used in the past but it recently gained more attention and popularity in recent times. In line with this, the U.S. Green Building Council developed a Green Building Rating System which is more commonly known as the LEED certification. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is an important qualification that your general contractors should have.A�
General contractors that are qualified for LEED certification are expected to use environmental-friendly methods and procedures during their construction projects, including activities for home renovation or home remodeling. Such practices include the construction of energy-efficient structures, as wells as reducing or even eliminating the volume of waste materials generated within a construction site.A�
There are four levels of certification in LEED and this includes the Certified, Silver, Gold and the Platinum levels. General contractors with certain levels of LEED certification would be ideal for your home remodeling project, particularly if you are keen in having an environmentally friendly and energy-efficient home. The result would not only be good for the environment, but with your finances in the long run as well.A�
Other Considerations for Selecting General ContractorsA�
Aside from LEED certification, there are other considerations that a homeowner could rely upon when trying to decide which general contractors to hire for their home remodeling projects. These considerations include:A�
* Membership in a reputable association or organization such as the National Association of Home Builders. As a member, general contractors are required to provide company information which will be scrutinized by the association in order to gain acceptance as a member. Homeowners can get required information from the association regarding a particular contractor.A�
* Check for any consumer complaints lodged against your general contractors from your state or local Better Business Bureau. Should there be a complaint, try to get in touch with the complainant and know the nature and reason behind the complaint.A�
* Avoid entities that have no apparent documented records in any associations, organizations or even in the Better Business Bureau. You might be dealing with a building scammer.A�
* Get as many bidders as you can, with three as a minimum. An indication of reputable companies would be a bid that would be at least closer or slightly higher with the rest of the bids. A bid that is considerably low than others are questionable in nature, so be careful and ask a lot of questions and background checks.A�
A home renovation or a home remodeling project is a worthwhile endeavor particularly if you have the design and the budget in place. However, you would need qualified general contractors who will get the job done and give you the results that you are expecting.

General Contractors

April 19, 2022 Comments Off

It’s Easy To Find The Right General Contractor For Your Project
You’re ready to renovate and you know you need a General Contractor, but how do you find the best one for you? With a little work, you’re sure to find someone who’s just right for the project you have planned. By taking a methodical approach to the hiring process, you can avoid those nightmare tales of construction you’ve heard about.
Before you start looking for the right company to update your home, take a trip down to your local planning department. You can speak to a professional there about the requirements you’re going to have during your project. They can let you know what plans or surveys you’ll need and what kind of permits will be necessary. They may also tell you of specific companies with numerous successful inspections in your area.
When looking for a construction company to hire, start with word of mouth referrals. Someone you know is most likely to give you an accurate account of their experience. Check with the Better Business Bureau, local Chamber of Commerce, or Associations. There are websites devoted to construction referrals as well, and might provide more information than the yellow pages.
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential companies, do a little research. The most important verification is the license. Most state licensing boards have a website where you can look up license, bonding, address, years in business and complaint information. Based on this, check with the firms to find out about liability and disability insurances.
Make appointments to review the work with several potential bidders. Verify that the companies you are hoping to work with are the ones showing up by requesting a photo ID and the contractor’s license. Provide a detailed list of all the work to be done and request written quotes and contracts from each. This will ensure the bids include the same work. Make sure to request that the contract include a projected payment schedule and completion time line.
While reviewing the bids, remember most state boards recommend avoiding a bid that is significantly lower than the others as this could be a sign of a problem with the company. Review any workmanship guarantees, as this might make a seemingly higher quote much more valuable. Make sure the bids are inclusive of all the work you want done as well. This will prevent an unwanted cost increase later.
You’ve picked one reputable company and signed the contract. Because you have a schedule and a guarantee, rest easy knowing the general contractor will protect the company name by ensuring the contract is upheld. Enjoy your new renovations.