|
|
|
|
| |
 |
|
|
|
Special
Bonus
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret #1 - Four Common Misconceptions
|
|
|
|
Four Common Misconceptions
1. If the Better Business Bureau doesn't have any complaints against the contractor, he must be qualified.
NO, NO, NO! The Better Business Bureau (BBB) often does a lousy job of reporting offending companies, especially if they're dues paying ''members''.
Many consumers believe that the BBB is a non-profit organization or even a government agency. The BBB is a franchised for-profit business that often fails to give unsatisfactory ratings to member companies plagued by a history of serious complaints.
The BBB is in the business of selling ''memberships'' not ''ratting on'' dues paying members. Just because a contractor doesn't have any complaints with the BBB doesn't mean you're working with someone who is a reputable professional.
2. Going with the lowest price saves you money.
NO, not necessarily! Everyone tends to look for the lowest price. On a low estimate, you must ask yourself what is being left out or what short-cut is being taken in order for them to be the lowest price.
One roofer had his re-roof job $500 cheaper than anyone else. The homeowner wanted to save money and accepted his proposal. After the job was completed, all the old shingles and nails were still lying around the yard and shrubs and the homeowner was having a fit. The contractor told them that he had not figured the clean-up in his proposal and that was how he could do the job so much cheaper.
One of the most common signs of trouble ahead is someone offering to do work for much less money than others. Like anything else, you can't get something for nothing. Be careful of choosing your remodeler based upon the lowest price.
3. Doing it yourself saves money.
NO! Sometimes the ''weekend warrior'' can undertake small projects like painting, hanging wallpaper, routine repairs, etc. But beware of undertaking larger, more complicated projects.
What starts out as an attempt to save money can turn into a costly folly. All too often the job is botched and it costs more to have a professional come in and fix what's been done. lf you want to be assured your project will turn out the way you want it, call a qualified professional.
4. lf a person claims to have many years of experience, they must do quality work.
NO! I can't tell you how many people receive bad workmanship from contractors who've claimed to be in business or the trade for twenty years. Take experience claims with a grain of salt. Don't believe just because a person has twenty years experience, he will do a good job. He could have done a poor job for twenty years.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret #3 - How To Choose The Right Contractor
|
|
|
|
Secret #3 - How To Choose The Right Contractor,
11
Questions To Ask Before Inviting
Him Into Your Home
1. Are you licensed?
Make sure your contractor is properly licensed. In the States of Virginia and Maryland, all contractors MUST be-either licensed. Anyone can say they are licensed. Make the contractor prove it by either showing you the license or giving you a copy of it. Being licensed is the law. lf a contractor can not produce a valid license, DON'T HIRE HIM!
f you live in a townhouse, villa, or high rise condominium building with four or more units, only a Building Contractor or General Contractor is permitted to perform remodeling work. Do not hire a Residential Contractor; he would be operating outside of his license. Furthermore, hire a specialty contractor (trim carpentry, drywall, glazing, vinyl, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, roofing, etc.) to do only the type of work the license specifies.
If you have any questions or doubts, call the Virginia Board for Contractors, or the Maryland Home Improvement Commission (if in Maryland).
2. Do you carry general liability insurance?
Make sure your contractor carries general liability insurance. This type of insurance protects your property in case of damage caused by the contractor and/or his employees. The insurance company will pay for the cost of replacing and/ or repairing any damage that occurs. Anyone can say they are insured. Make the contractor prove it.
3. Do you carry workers' compensation insurance?
Make sure your contractor carries workers' compensation insurance. It protects you from liability if a worker is injured while on your property. Be aware that if the contractor doesn't carry workers' compensation coverage, you may be liable for any injuries suffered by the contractor or any of his employees on your property.
lf the contractor is a one man operation, he can be exempt from having to carry workers' compensation insurance. lf he is doing so legally, he can provide you with a copy of his Construction Industry Certificate of Exemption From Workers' Compensation. This is very risky for you though. If he shows up with a helper and the helper gets hurt, with no workers' compensation insurance, you may have to pay the medical bills. If the uninsured contractor is sloppy about verifying his sub-contractor's workers' compensation insurance and the sub- contractor gets hurt, again you may have to pay the medical bills. In short, it is much safer to deal with a fully insured contractor.
4. Will you provide me with a written lien waiver?
Your contractor should provide you with a written lien waiver at the end of the job. This is a legal document which says you the homeowner have paid the contractor in full for the services rendered and the contractor waives his right to place a mechanic's lien on your property.
5. Are you a member of a local Chamber of Commerce or NARI?
NARI stands for the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. It is a good idea to consider hiring a NARI contractor. In most cases, NARI only attracts conscientious contractors interested in bettering the industry and in weeding out unprofessional contractors. In order to become a member, the contractor's background and references are thoroughly investigated.
6. Will you pull all the required building permits?
Make sure your contractor pulls all required permits. Many prefer not to pull permits because of the time involved and the ''hassle'' with the inspectors. Some contractors may ask you to get the permits. This could be a warning sign that they are not able to pull the permit because they are unlicensed, or the work is outside of their license. A reputable contractor will permit every job where a permit is required.
7. Do you guarantee your work?
Your contractor should guarantee his work for at least one year from date of completion. Some contractors guarantee their work for two or even three years.
8. Who will be in charge of the Job? Make sure the contractor or his foreman is on the job whenever work is being performed - especially if sub-contractors will be used. The responsible party must be intimately familiar with every aspect of your project. If you won't be home during the construction and must leave the house unlocked, or leave a key with the contractor, you must feel comfortable. You can't be worried about what is going on when you are not there.
9. Will you provide me with written references?
A good contractor will be happy to provide you with references. You should look for a well established contractor who can give you several customer references from the last 6 months to one year. Ask for the name of the contractor's accountant or banker. You want to ensure the contractor is financially sound and won't be declaring bankruptcy in the middle of your project.
10. How do you handle ''dirty work''?
Construction is dusty and dirty! It gets everywhere, especially if any sanding is being done. Make sure the contractor will make an honest effort to keep the dust contained, or notify you when the heavy dust generating operations will take place so you can place sheets over furniture or move sensitive belongings. Make sure the contractor agrees to sweep up and place all construction debris in a predetermined place or refuse container at the end of every day.
11. How much of a deposit will you require?
In Maryland a contractor can legally ask for up to one third of the total contract price as a down payment. In Virginia they can legally request up to 50% of the contract price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret #4 - The Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make And How To Avoid Them
|
|
The Biggest Mistakes Homeowners Make
And How To Avoid Them
Giving a contractor a deposit or down payment.
Once you give a contractor money, you no longer have control over the quality of the job. He knows that you aren’t going to fire him because he has a third or one half of the project cost. You lose control over the quality of the job, you lose interest that you could be earning on your money, he could go out of business, and you’ll lose your deposit.
Listening to the wrong people.
It never ceases to amaze me how many people take advice on their construction and remodeling project from people who are totally unqualified to give this critical advice. Quite often, when I see construction messes, (which l see virtually every day) and I ask where they got the idea to do'-this that, I inevitably 'hear things like:
My brother-in-law told me to do that. He used to do work like this on the side when he was a student.
I asked the guy in the office next to mine. He did the same thing to his home when he lived in Wisconsin.
I read an article by so-and-so who said we should ...
Everyone's got an opinion on what you should do with your remodeling dollars. ''Do it yourself' or ''Hire the sub-contractors and run the project yourself' , etc. Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they know construction, doesn't mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.
Call at least three of the references you're given. So many people start out on the right track by asking for references but then they never call them. You can never learn too much about the company you are considering using. Take a few minutes to talk to these people. It will be worth it! Ask if the job was done on time and at the agreed upon price. Ask if the contractor was easy to reach ànd easy to deal with.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret #5 - How To Tell If Your Remodeling Project Will Run Smoothly
|
|
|
|
Before You Sign The Contract
Good communication.
lf you can talk with each other, you can work out any details that come along. Where you leave a message, does he return your call? Does he return a page promptly? Does he listen to you?
It’s important that you feel like your contractor understands your needs and wants. lf your contractor is so busy that he can't return calls or pages promptly, maybe it's time to look for a new contractor. When you're in a discussion, does the contractor really listen to you? l mean really listen. This is vital.
You should feel like the both of you are on the same page. This can avoid miscommunication and costly errors. This is a very important ''secret'' to a successful and enjoyable remodeling experience. Choose someone who will listen to you.
1. Comfort.
If you feel comfortable with your contractor, the chances are good your project will run smoothly. Think about it. You've just invited a stranger into you're home. Do you find this person nice? Considerate? Personable? A listener? Was he polite and courteous?
Or did he make you feel that he wasn't interested? You will be working with this person for a matter of days, weeds, or months depending upon the project you need completed. Can you stand to have this person around?
2. Trustworthy.
lf you feel your contractor is trust-worthy, the likelihood of a successful project is good. Check his references. Keep in mind that if your project will entail entrance into your home and you won't be home during the day, the keys to your castle will be given to your contractor. Can you trust him? Listen to your conscience.
3. Completion.
Will your contractor give you a reasonable estimate for how long the project will take to complete. A good contractor will do this. Remember, you want to hire a good contractor, not get a new roommate! Nothing is more frustrating and irritating than a remodel job that drags on and on.
4. Written Proposal.
I can't tell you how many contractors I've seen look at rather complex jobs, pick a price out of thin air, scribble the figure only on the back of their business card, and give the card to the homeowner. Show contractors that do this the door! You want a detailed written proposal that shows what is included: exact materials, brand names where important, costs, and the payment schedule.
5. Details.
Work out the little details before work begins. Talk about things like: Where will the dumpster go, or the debris pile be created? What time will construction begin in the morning? What time will construction end in the evening? Will work take place on weekends? Will workmen refrain from smoking inside the house?
6. Flexibility.
Remodeling is an interruption to your normal lifestyle. If your project involves the kitchen, plan on eating a few extra meals out with the kids' (or better yet, send the kids to ''Mom'' and go out alone). Remodeling time may not be the best time to host a slumber party for your eight year old daughter.
7. Appearance.
lf your contractor’s appearance is neat and clean, that is a very good sign of things to come. This may sound silly, but it's not. He doesn't have to show up in a coat and tie, but neatness does count. Is he clean? Is his truck presentable, or falling apart? Is his truck permanently lettered and contain his license number? If his appearance is neat, chances are he will keep your job neat.
8. Down payment.
If the contractor asks for a big chunk of money up front, this could be a tip-off that they are not in good financial shape and you could be in for a rocky experience. A fair down payment should not exceed one third, unless custom ordered items are needed in the beginning stage of construction. As the work progresses, you should expect to pay out additional funds to match the prescribed, completed stages.
9. Change orders.
With remodeling, there is always the chance that you may want or need to change a material or contract item. Ask how these are handled. They should be written on a separate document showing in detail what is being changed and how much it will cost. This should be done before the change is affected and signed by both the contractor and homeowner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Secret #6 – Cost vs. Value: What does it really cost?
|
|
|
|
What
does it really cost?
The REMODELING MAGAZINE Cost vs. Value Report compares the estimated cost of a professional renovation or other improvement with the value it's likely to add to the home.
This secret answers the question: What should this project
cost? Now you know what the experts say you should pay if you live in the Washington, D.C. area.
If you pay substantially more than the average for the Washington, D.C. area, then you now know that you are paying too much. If you pay substantially less than the average for this region, you are getting a very good deal.
Washington, D.C. Area
$9,179 Roofing Project Description: Remove existing roofing to bare wood. Install 3,000 square feet (30 squares) of new fiberglass shingles with new felt under-layment.
(Cost per square: $305.96)
Washington, D.C. Area
$9,020 Replacement Windows Project description: Replace 10 existing 3-by-5-foot windows with vinyl-clad windows, including new trim. Replace sash, frames, and casings.
(Cost per window: $902.00)
Washington, D.C. Area
$6,166 Siding Project description: Replace 1,250 square feet (12.5 squares) of existing siding with new vinyl siding, including trim.
(Cost per square: $493.28)
To see these cost for yourself, please go to the Remodeling Magazine’s online version
(http://www.remodelingmagazine.com), and click on
Special Features
Cost vs. Value 2001 Check out our annual Cost vs. Value Report, the industry's only detailed account of investment returns on popular projects like kitchen remodels, bathroom additions, and much more.
|
|
|
|
Report That Fly-By-Night Contractors Hope You Never Read
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Information:
Telephone: 703-322-1500
FAX: 703-938-2977
Address: 204 F Mill St.
Vienna, VA 22180
E-Mail: General Information: novaexteriors@aol.com
Request For A Free, No Obligation Estimate Or Just Some Info
We have appointments Monday thru Friday 9am to 8pm & Saturdays from 9am to 4pm.
|
|
|
|
All contents © copyright 2008 NovaExteriors.com |
|
| |
|
|
