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Latest Articles
6 Home Repairs to Leave to an Expert
Being able to repair things around your home is a point of pride. When you can take something that is not working, or doesn’t look great and...
on Jan 27, 2021
6 High Value Renovations to Increase Fix and Flip ROI
So you have analyzed the market, purchased a property and now you are ready to renovate? After purchasing an undervalued home for a fix and flip,...
on Jan 26, 2021
7 Top Home Decor Trends for 2021
A lot of us have spent most of 2020 sheltering in place. We have transformed our living rooms into multifunctional spaces that are all about...
on Jan 25, 2021
7 Tips to Increase The Value of Your Property
If you are considering renovating or selling your property, it should be able to add value to space. Several projects that are aimed at increasing...
on Jan 25, 2021
When to Replace Your Heater
Consider the number of damages the heating unit has so that you will know right away if you will need to buy a new one or not. You better replace...
on Jan 16, 2021
Popular Articles
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
60443 Views
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
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Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
53448 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
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Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
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6 Questions You Need to Ask Before Hiring a Home Remodeling Contractor
by Joe Goldstein on Mar 10, 2020
If you are planning to hire a contractor for some remodel work, it’s vital that you do your research and ask the right questions. Here are a few to get you started.
Did You Ever Do Business Using Another Name?
You must be paying attention to the way the question’s answered. If they operated using another name, chances are they won’t want to speak with you about it.
If they have, it means that it had been shut down because of shady practices, like asking people to pay upfront and disappear before they completed the work. This is the last thing you want to happen.
What’s the Number of Your License?
In a lot of states, contractors have to register with their state so they can do business. Having a license number will let you verify any judgments or claims they have against them. It also will show if they owned another business using another name.
How can You Be Reached?
You should definitely ask this. It’s essential that you get their business address along with their cell and business phone numbers of your contractor.
If contractor only will give you their cell phone and a post office box, or they’re operating using a trailer, it’s a good idea to look someplace else. These are all signs that warn you that they may not be reachable years down the line if there’s something wrong.
Can I get an Insurance Policy Copy?
It's important to ask for their insurance policy copy. This will show they carry insurance, what kind of insurance they carry and the amount they carry. There are many contractors with coverage but they might not have enough for covering your property.
You want to ensure that your property’s covered but that they also are carrying enough workman’s comp. if your contractor isn’t insured properly, you might be liable for injuries or accidents which happen.
What’s the Cost for the Project?
Make sure you’re getting costs up front and in writing. Ensure your estimates are very detailed. This way, when they’re compared against one another, you know you’re comparing apples and apples.
Be careful of quotes that are very lower than others. This might not include all labor and materials. If you’re getting an estimate that’s a lot higher than others, it could mean the others are missing key barriers that are necessary for completing your project and might get back to you asking for additional money after they’ve started.
Can I Get Some References?
Any remodeling contractor should be able to provide you with at least a few good references, but the devil is in the details.
Is that it?
Not by a long shot, but these questions will help you weed out the bad apples quickly, and help you avoid contractors who just aren’t right for your needs.
Most Recent Articles
- Jan 26, 2021 6 High Value Renovations to Increase Fix and Flip ROI by Russell Barneson
- Dec 16, 2020 Advantages of Having an Outdoor Kitchen by Mildred Ray
- Dec 16, 2020 Things to Do Before Deciding to Remodel Your Bathroom by Kimberley Evans
- Dec 15, 2020 Determining Where to Begin Home Remodeling by Ariel Lampkins
- Dec 5, 2020 Top 8 Must Have DIY Tools for Home Improvement and Maintenance by Vesna Dragojlov
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