| |
| |
|
Home Improvement Information |
|
|
|
10 Tips for Working With a Contractor
This is the year you're going all out. You're going to build a deck, add a porch, erect a gazebo or lay a patio. You've done the research. It's well within your capability and you're looking forward to the satisfaction of creating a structure of beauty. Or not. Yes -- you'd like to proceed with an outdoor structure but for you, it isn't a do-it-yourself project. How can you find the right person to do it for you? Here are 10 tips for hiring and working with a contractor. 1. Plan your project carefully. Clip pictures, make sketches, write a description. This will help you accurately convey to the contractor what you want the finished product to be. 2. Make a list of contractors. Ask your neighbors or friends for the names of reputable tradesmen. Contact material suppliers -- lumberyards, for example -- and ask for recommendations. 3. Get at least three written bids for the project, but don't give in to the temptation to automatically accept the lowest bid. A higher bid may be worth the price in better materials, workmanship and reliability. If you get a very low bid, the contractor may have made a mistake or forgotten to bid on everything you wanted. If they have deliberately low-bid, they may use cheaper materials or take shortcuts to make a profit. 4. Many states and provinces require registration and/or licensing. For the USA, www.nationalcontractors.com provides a starting point for your state and type of construction. Click on Verify Contractors License. If licences are required in your jurisdiction, be certain to ask to see your contractor's licences and be sure that it's not expired. 5. Ask for references and then check them out. Look at the projects and ask the previous clients if they are satisfied with the quality of work done, if it was started and completed on schedule and if it is complete. 6. Get a signed, written contract and be sure you understand it. The Construction Contractors Board of Oregon claims that the single biggest cause of homeowner-contractor disputes is the written contract: not having one, having a poor one, or having one everyone ignores. A good contract should include:
7. Make any changes to the project in writing with a "work order change" to avoid misunderstandings and surprises. 8. Keep pets and children away from the construction site. This will ensure not only their safety, but also that of the workers. In addition, it helps keep the project on schedule. 9. Inspect the work regularly. 10. Pay directly and promptly according to the contract. Above all, you should feel comfortable communicating with your contractor. If you sense he is being evasive when you are getting a quote, it won't get any better during the construction period. Find someone you understand and who understands you, and who is open and forthright. Working with a contractor takes a little preparation, but following these steps is well worth it. Are you looking forward to your new outdoor space? About The Author Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Visit her on the web at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on "Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space". Mail to debbie@paradiseporch.com
MORE RESOURCES:
Home-Improvement - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Five Easy Ways to Give Your Kitchen Designer Wow! A beautiful kitchen is the heart of any home (even for those of us who spend most of our cooking time around the microwave!) Time spent together in the kitchen can bring a family closer together and make wonderful memories (although my own memories of doing dishes as a teenager are less than pleasant - something about dishwater being *disgusting!*) Turning your plain kitchen into something special isn*t as hard as you might think. Here are a few simple ideas which can make your kitchen a designer showcase. CCTV for the Home Securing your property is one of the growing domestic issues in the UK today. Some research suggests that at least one home is broken into every minute. How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold Spec How to Collect Physical Mold Growth Samples for Low-Cost Mold Laboratory Identification of Mold SpeciesVANCOUVER, CANADA. Many property owners, apartment landlords, renters, employers, and employees want to know, and need to know, the precise identities of the various mold species infesting their moldy house, rental unit, or place of employment, according to Phillip Fry, Certified Mold Inspector and author of the book Do-It-Best-Yourself Mold Prevention, Inspection, Testing, & Remediation. Glass Sinks - 4 Unbreakable Rules of Buying a Glass Vessel Sink 1. Know your sinks How durable are these sinks? These sinks are tempered. Building Wood Stairs Building a set of wood stairs is not nearly as hard as you may think. With some basic wood tools and a bit of algebra you can easily build your own. Home Improvement for The Ladies! Your Own Homes Improvement Outline(One for the Ladies)Let me begin by saying what a home improvement plan will not do! I have seen this happen more than once, so I will say this now. A home improvement project, addition, upgrade, remodel, or makeover will not make up for a troubled marriage. Discovering Fiberglass Roofing Panels for Your Roofing Needs Roofs are an integral part of the house. The design of a roof tells a lot about the structure. Seeing the Light Lighting"Light has illuminated the path of humanity" - While Einstein was probably referring to one of his mind-blowing theories, lighting has also revolutionized the home. Before incandescent and fluorescent lighting, most activities stopped after dusk. Spring Home Projects in Northern New England As I sit on a plane in route from Chicago to Boston this evening, I realize I have been staring out into the dark abyss contemplating the arrival of spring. Spring is a time of anticipation and renewed life. Interior Design For New Homes When decorating or making decorating decisions for new homes, it is important to remember that your major decisions could affect decorating choices for quite a long period of time. Commitment to bold or unusual color treatments before you have actually had the opportunity to consider how such changes will coordinate with your furniture placement is not very advisable in this type of situation. Key Bathroom Remodeling Ideas One of the simplest ways to start planning your bathroom remodeling is to tour other bathrooms to get bathroom remodeling ideas. Pay attention to what you like and don't like. Comparing Types Of Conservatory Blinds The cost of furnishing a conservatory can catch many people out, in fact it can often cost more than the conservatory itself. Conservatory Blinds can be very expensive so it is important to know what the choices are and what value a particular blind will bring. Keep Your Home Happier It turns out your mother was right after all -- Happiness really does begin at home, with the things and the people you are surrounded by. Your vision is one of the first messengers to send signals to your brain as to how it feels. Finishing Your Basement Can be Very Rewarding Transforming your home's basement into a finished space can prove to be very rewarding. Frequently the additional living space is used for a variety of entertainment functions including: Recreation Rooms, Bars, Gyms, Billiard Rooms, Home Theatres and Family Rooms. The Wireless Home It was only a few years ago that Real Estate agents and Builders were promoting the "Wired" feature as a must have when buying a new home. Wired meant that the home not only had cable running throughout it, but also Cat-5 wire. Buying Home Appliances The Smart Way When you add up all the money that you can spend on home appliances and fixtures it becomes obvious that you need to spend wisely and carefully to keep costs under control. These items tend to be some of the larger ticket purchases around the home and lots of money can be wasted if buying isn't done properly. Getting the Power to Control One of the advantages of using machines to control processes for you is that you can harness tremendous amounts of power and energy which humans do not possess.By a flick of a switch, huge sliding flood gates can move to allow large quantities of water to flow out of a dam. Dining Rooms: Designing for Your Emotional Well-Being I read an interior design book last night. Since I can't recommend it to you, I won't reveal the name. 10 Things To Consider Before Planning And Installing A New Bathroom Whether you want to install a new bathroom or make improvements to an existing one there are some decisions you need to make and challenges to overcome. A bathroom must be tailored to your requirements and every plan will vary depending on the planner's needs. How to Install a Ceiling Fan - A Simple Guide A Complete manual on how to install a Ceiling Fan may take more than just an article; it may all even take up an entire booklet. Let me just give you a simple, no-nonsense essential guide in installing a ceiling fan.
|
| home | index |site map |
| © 2006 |
