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Room Additions

5 Key Tips For Hiring The Right Contractor For Your Home Remodeling Project

Hiring the right home renovation contractor really is an “inside job” that requires thoughtful research on the part of the homeowner. Folks who are considering renovating their homes this year should plan first on getting educated about hiring the right contractor for their project and understanding their rights.
The fact is that home improvement has consistently ranked at the top for consumer dissatisfaction and fraud according to various consumer agencies. With little accountability on the part of the home improvement industry, it becomes the homeowners’ responsibility to get educated and informed so they don’t become a victim of an unscrupulous contractor.
This much needed education focuses on the “pre-renovation” process, which centers on doing research that reveals background information on the contractor such as his/her business ethics, legal history, reputation and competence in handling your project. Skip this step and you risk getting involved with the wrong contractor and worse, a home remodeling nightmare.
The following 5 tips are critical steps any homeowner should do first regardless of the size and scope of their project. Hiring a roofing company to install a new roof or an electrician to upgrade and rewire the home can prove to be disastrous if you choose poorly.
The following tips will provide the consumer with key information about the contractors’ ethics and willingness to be transparent:
* Conduct background checks that include uncovering relevant lawsuits, any small claims court filings, mechanics lien history, credit standing with suppliers and licensing history if required by your state.
* Conduct a thorough interview, asking key questions around customer care, problem solving, safety issues, working with city inspectors, knowledge of code compliance, who will supervise your project and how much time they’ll spend, and how they handle unexpected surprises.
* State in writing that you require Lien Releases at the time of each payment (in writing as part of the contract) from all subs/suppliers for work performed and material supplied to date.
* Create a thoroughly written specifications sheet and contract with every single detail spelled out, including key clauses to protect yourself and reviewed by a construction law or contract attorney.
* Get in writing – as part of your contract – start and stop dates and hours of working time on your project: specify days- Monday through Friday, hours such as 7am – 3:30pm. This ensures that the contractor is committed to completing your project on time, has the crew to perform and is serious about his business. Signing on the dotted line to this commits him to adhering to the contract and that’s a good sign.
Implementing these steps will help to protect you from hiring an unethical contractor. A contractor who is willing to be transparent in his/her business practices and competency is whom you want to hire.
With thoughtful insight and due diligence, hiring a contractor you respect and whose work you appreciate makes it all worth it and in the end you’re rewarded with a positive experience and a great working relationship with your contractor.

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Home Improvement Contractors

Home Improvements – Making Up Your Mind to Begin Your Project

Getting up the nerve to begin your home improvement project can be exasperating to say the least. One moment you’re gung-ho and ready to tackle the next minute you’re almost suffering from anxiety attacks.
But you shouldn’t allow these roller coaster feelings to continue to prevent you from doing what you really want to do. And besides, after almost a quarter of a century as a home improvement contractor, I sometimes still get these same feelings.
It remind me of the butterflies I would get just before kick-off, when I was playing football back in the day. So, if you are having uneasy feelings and doubting yourself, just put your foot down and make a commitment to start the job immediately and do it. Don’t get caught up worrying about making mistakes because mistakes are really nothing more than growing pains. That’s right. We all are human and we all make mistakes, but you can profit from your mistakes and turn those bloopers into building blocks.
Never give up on yourself before you even give it a try. First, take the necessary time to get all the information you can from as many reputable sources available and immerse yourself in it. Try to obtain all the knowledge you can about whatever task you will be performing and prepare to follow those instructions completely.
Remember, even if the outcome is less than perfect you still are to be commended for overcoming your fears and going forward with your project. And you are the better for it too. Let this be a spring board for future references. No matter the outcome you really have succeeded and deserves to be congratulated for it.
One note of caution in closing, always use common sense and do not jeopardize your safety and the safety of others by attempting to do a dangerous job that should only be done by licensed professionals. And always call a reputable contractor if in doubt about anything at all. And be sure to check with your local officials concerning codes, regulations and licensing permits. Thank you and good luck.