Delighted to have this blog recognized by the construction industry. Read the Press Release here:
http://www.onlineprnews.com/
Thursday, March 10, 2011
5 Key Tips For Hiring The Right Contractor For Your Home Remodeling Project (and avoid the contractor from hell!)
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.
Continue reading article here...
The fact is that home improvement has consistently ranked at the top for consumer dissatisfaction and fraud according to various consumer agencies.
Continue reading article here...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Home Improvement Expert At eLocal.com!
www.elocalplumbers.com
eLocal is thrilled to announce a new blog-off series that will bring bloggers and professionals together to discuss hot topics and exciting trends in home
Top 50 Home Building and Cosntruction Blogs
bit.ly
If you are a home remodeler, home builder or a construction manager who is about to begin a remodeling project, the list of the top 50 construction and home-building industry jobs on this page can be of great benefit to you. Here, you will hear first-hand information from a wide range of constructio
Monday, January 31, 2011
The “Green Approach” To Hiring Home Renovation Contractors
3 Tips Homeowners Can Use to Reduce Wasteful Spending and Create a Sustainable Project That Moves Forward With Fewer Problems
Summary: Green building has been growing as way to reduce waste, conserve energy and repurpose materials, all with the goal of creating a sustainable home. Using these same principals is what I call the “green approach” to hiring home renovation contractors that will reduce wasteful spending, conserves time and energy and contributes to a sustainable project that moves forward with few problems and a positive experience for everyone.
Green building has been all the rage the last couple of years and for good reason. Reducing waste, conserving and repurposing materials and creating a sustainable structure and project benefit’s everyone and protects the environment.
But did you know that you could apply these same principals when hiring home remodeling contractors that will protect your money by reducing the potential for wasting it while creating clear and concise guidelines that both parties can consistently depend on to guide them throughout the project?
Read the rest of the rest of the article: http://www.contractorsfromhell.com/the-green-approach-to-hiring-home-renovation-contractors
Summary: Green building has been growing as way to reduce waste, conserve energy and repurpose materials, all with the goal of creating a sustainable home. Using these same principals is what I call the “green approach” to hiring home renovation contractors that will reduce wasteful spending, conserves time and energy and contributes to a sustainable project that moves forward with few problems and a positive experience for everyone.
Green building has been all the rage the last couple of years and for good reason. Reducing waste, conserving and repurposing materials and creating a sustainable structure and project benefit’s everyone and protects the environment.
But did you know that you could apply these same principals when hiring home remodeling contractors that will protect your money by reducing the potential for wasting it while creating clear and concise guidelines that both parties can consistently depend on to guide them throughout the project?
Read the rest of the rest of the article: http://www.contractorsfromhell.com/the-green-approach-to-hiring-home-renovation-contractors
Monday, November 01, 2010
To Trust or Not To Trust: When Should You Place Your Trust In Your Contractor
First of all, the number one confession homeowner 's reveal when burned by a contractor is that they "trusted" them right off the bat. They did not do any research, did not check their license, (if required in their state) or check for any history of complaints, either through regulatory agencies or the BBB.
Many believed that because the person called him/herself a contractor, had a business license, cards - the whole kit and caboodle - was enough for them to move forward. BIG MISTAKE!
Consumers have to do more than just the bare requirements to avoid a home remodeling nightmare and an encounter with the contractor from hell. Doing your license check and relying on that plus a "no history of complaints" is only a necessary formality but in no way gives you the entire picture. Plus a 'No history of complaints" from a regulatory agency does not reveal ongoing investigations not yet disclosed to the public. Same thing goes for checking references. How do you know those are legitimate references? Homeowners check references, get good reviews ( we did!) and still end up with serious problems.
Bottom line - trust is something that is earned, not freely given to a stranger. Once you've done all the necessary ground
work on potential contractors and conducted thorough interviews will you be able to get to trust your contractor of choice. Trust is based on their behavior, past and current record and what you discover in your research.
If you want to learn more on how to best protect yourself check out the "Home [Pre]modeling Bootcamp for Women and the Men Who Love Them" and get informed!
Many believed that because the person called him/herself a contractor, had a business license, cards - the whole kit and caboodle - was enough for them to move forward. BIG MISTAKE!
Consumers have to do more than just the bare requirements to avoid a home remodeling nightmare and an encounter with the contractor from hell. Doing your license check and relying on that plus a "no history of complaints" is only a necessary formality but in no way gives you the entire picture. Plus a 'No history of complaints" from a regulatory agency does not reveal ongoing investigations not yet disclosed to the public. Same thing goes for checking references. How do you know those are legitimate references? Homeowners check references, get good reviews ( we did!) and still end up with serious problems.
Bottom line - trust is something that is earned, not freely given to a stranger. Once you've done all the necessary ground
work on potential contractors and conducted thorough interviews will you be able to get to trust your contractor of choice. Trust is based on their behavior, past and current record and what you discover in your research.
If you want to learn more on how to best protect yourself check out the "Home [Pre]modeling Bootcamp for Women and the Men Who Love Them" and get informed!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Renovating in a Recession
As I'm typing this the house next door is being completely renovated - actually they tore it down and are rebuilding - and the sound of nail guns popping away is constant. And there are three other renovations within a couple of blocks from us under way in the last couple of months. So at least in my neighborhood contractors are working, albeit not in the way it was during the hey days of refinancing.
I've written an article on renovating in a recession, which you'll be able to link to and read at the end of this blog, the theme being that more than ever homeowners need to protect themselves from ending up with an unethical contractor.
Just stating "renovating in a recession" sounds silly given the fact that recession denotes a lack of money, but there are going to be those folks who are beginning to remodel or rebuild their home out of necessity. Natural disasters such as wild fires and floods as well as those fortunate to be financially set to do so, but perhaps waited to see how the economy would play out. Either way, a heightened sense of being smart about doing all the important research, knowing what needs to be included in a contract and choosing a contractor wisely are even more critical during these challenging times.
I see articles that are geared towards encouraging homeowners to strike up deals with contractors whose businesses have been hit hard by the recession believing they are willing to cut their profits to get the job. The fact is that contractors can indeed pass on savings such as lower material costs but they have to pay themselves as well. Any contractor that promises thousands of dollars in cost reductions (this includes labor) isn't being truthful and that shouldn't be the basis for your choice in a contractor. Far from it. If you read through my site, you'll know what you need to look for and do and certainly in my Home Remodeling Bootcamp For Homeowners I stress these points in a lesson format that takes you through all the elements, but never is it about getting a great deal.
Unless you define a great deal as getting quality workmanship, having an ethical contractor who is transparent in his business practices and communicates with you on a regular basis, giving you an opportunity to ask questions and address concerns. That's what I call a great deal and something most people overlook or fail to understand, and that it doesn't come with every contractor out there.
I've written an article entitled "Renovating In A Recession: Why It Could Cost You More If You Don't Protect Yourself With These 7 Key Clauses In Your Contract".
I've taken some of the points I cover in my "Home Remodeling Bootcamp For Homeowners" and stress these in the article. You can read the article by clicking here: Renovating In A Recession.
I've written an article on renovating in a recession, which you'll be able to link to and read at the end of this blog, the theme being that more than ever homeowners need to protect themselves from ending up with an unethical contractor.
Just stating "renovating in a recession" sounds silly given the fact that recession denotes a lack of money, but there are going to be those folks who are beginning to remodel or rebuild their home out of necessity. Natural disasters such as wild fires and floods as well as those fortunate to be financially set to do so, but perhaps waited to see how the economy would play out. Either way, a heightened sense of being smart about doing all the important research, knowing what needs to be included in a contract and choosing a contractor wisely are even more critical during these challenging times.
I see articles that are geared towards encouraging homeowners to strike up deals with contractors whose businesses have been hit hard by the recession believing they are willing to cut their profits to get the job. The fact is that contractors can indeed pass on savings such as lower material costs but they have to pay themselves as well. Any contractor that promises thousands of dollars in cost reductions (this includes labor) isn't being truthful and that shouldn't be the basis for your choice in a contractor. Far from it. If you read through my site, you'll know what you need to look for and do and certainly in my Home Remodeling Bootcamp For Homeowners I stress these points in a lesson format that takes you through all the elements, but never is it about getting a great deal.
Unless you define a great deal as getting quality workmanship, having an ethical contractor who is transparent in his business practices and communicates with you on a regular basis, giving you an opportunity to ask questions and address concerns. That's what I call a great deal and something most people overlook or fail to understand, and that it doesn't come with every contractor out there.
I've written an article entitled "Renovating In A Recession: Why It Could Cost You More If You Don't Protect Yourself With These 7 Key Clauses In Your Contract".
I've taken some of the points I cover in my "Home Remodeling Bootcamp For Homeowners" and stress these in the article. You can read the article by clicking here: Renovating In A Recession.
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