Fixing up your home can be fun and often times very profitable even when you’re only doing a few easy home improvement projects. Home improvement projects can improve the look and value of your home dramatically. Many of us avoid home improvement projects due to their expense. And it can become expensive! Do your homework and you should not experience any surprises!

There are many things to ask yourself when looking to increase the value of your home through home improvement projects. One of the neat tricks you can do when creating some easy home improvement projects is to add some trim around the top of your ceiling. Like crown molding, which really enriches the beauty of any home.

After you have decided on and planned for your first home improvement projects, new window coverings and upgraded flooring should receive attention along with Interior painting and exterior painting. Also, at Home Depot they have a section of books on literally any home improvement projects you can imagine. Leave the landscaping for the end, this would be your final step.

Also, you will want to be practical when deciding on your home improvement! You can very easily waste money, where money is not needed. For example, If your fence is in dire need of repair, don’t think that by painting it you will hide the real problem. You need a new fence, period!

Here are some things to think about before you say go!

1) Does your home improvement project add space, function or added benefits to the area?

2) Does the home improvement project make the area more attractive, not only to you but to others?

3) Does the home improvement project make significant positive changes to the home?

Each of these things is something to take into consideration. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t properly plan ahead, don’t have the budget to cover the costs and re-mortgage their homes or take out other home improvement loans to help.

Many landscaping projects can be done throughout the year but it can be easier and more enjoyable during the summer. Families that have allergies or respiratory problems should be careful about what chemicals may have been used in the manufacture of finished products. Allowing problems to remain increases the risk of damage to your house.

Some people use home improvement as a creative outlet, and if it makes you happy then go for it! I personally enjoy making repairs around the house knowing the job is getting done right! But, if that isn’t your cup of tea, then once go with a professional, you should get multiple quotes before making your choice of who to use. The fact is that home improvement debts are easily avoided by simple planning.

Once all the work is completed you will be very happy with the end results of all your hard work.

Clifton Waldrep

http://www.articlesbase.com/gardening-articles/a-home-improvement-project-139327.html

1) References: Reference are the easiest way to narrow down your list of contractors. If a contractor cannot produce at least three references, you should eliminate them as a choice for your project. For the contractors that do give you references, you should take the time to contact these individuals. Previous references can give you an honest opinion about the contractor’s level of skill, reliability and any other issues that you may have overlooked.

2) Networking: If a contractor has a strong network of reliable subcontractors, your project will progress much faster. This is because a well connected contractor will not have to waste time searching and waiting for unknown subcontractors . The easiest way to find out whether or not a contractor has a solid network is to talk with them about the subcontractors that they normally use to complete different tasks. You can even request that the contractor give you a list of their usual subcontractors.

3) Reliability: Although this was mentioned in the first tip, reliability is so important that it needs to be reemphasized. If you hire a contractor that is not reliable, the task of building your dream home or office is going to turn into a nightmare. To avoid a long, frustrating building project, make sure that you talk to the contractor’s references about how reliable the contractor was during previous projects. If you have any doubts about the reliability of a potential contractor, you should move on and find a more suitable candidate.

4) Competitive Pricing: Your contractor’s rates can be an excellent gauge of their skill. If a quote is extremely low, the quality of the contractor is most likely poor. However, an extremely high price does not guarantee above average quality. Many of the best contractors charge prices that fall in the middle of the scale. The best way to find the reasonable price range for your project is to obtain quotes from a wide variety of contractors. Once you have these quotes, you can find your optimal price range by comparing the quotes to the contractors’ reputation.

5) Personality: This may not be the most important trait of the contractor you hire, but you should at least take it into consideration. If you are thinking about hiring a contractor that has a personality which clashes with yours, you should try to find a contractor that is more compatible with you. You will be communicating with your contractor quite a bit, and if you cannot stand them, your building project is going to be an unpleasant experience.

Joshua Dundrin

http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/the-top-five-traits-of-an-excellent-contractor-97741.html

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A thought comes to you and you bound out of the chair and head for the corner where you went and stashed all your magazines. There were about two knee-high stacks worth of these magazines and you didn’t know what to do with them.

You might have thought about giving them to a charity or something like that, but you hadn’t bothered. But now, when you realized just how useful those improvement tips had been, you were struck by what you can only call brilliance. Since all the home improvement tips had come in handy once, couldn’t it do so again?

Considering this to be likely, and since you now had time on your hands to start a new project, you get started immediately sorting through the magazines and cutting out the home improvement tips to put into a binder with clear pockets. That would make your life much easier when you eventually succumbed to the decorating bug again.

And having done it once and learned from your mistakes and enjoyed yourself immensely into the bargain, you’re pretty sure there’s a good chance that you’ll be at it again before the season is out. And since these home improvement tips definitely wouldn’t date you could use them time and again, only changing the things here and there which might need it.

Basically though, the home improvement tips would come in good stead for you when you did your redecorating jaunt again. Besides, since most of these handy home improvement tips were suitable for small-budget d’cor changes they were all the more welcome for you.

And one thing that you could be certain of almost one hundred percent was that by the time you got through compiling your folder of handy home improvement tips, everyone you knew would want to borrow it. Especially after they saw how well your own redecorating attempts had fared. There’s nothing like the knowledge of a job well done to bring a sense of satisfaction to your mind.

So, if you want, a good home improvement tip would be to cut and store carefully all those home improvement tips that you find in magazines for a future date when you may want to use it. Besides, it makes a great conversational piece when you have the girls over for coffee!

John Pawlett

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/home-improvement-tips-89366.html

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Home Improvement Complaints and Scams:

“With lower-rate mortgages tempting homeowners to trade up to a bigger house, or to refinance and expand or repair their existing home, we’re finding that construction and home improvement activity is way up, and with it is the number of complaints in those areas,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez. (Consumer Affairs, January 2006)

“Home improvement complaints rank as the top consumer complaint in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country,” Rodriguez said. “While home improvements themselves can be expensive, any problems that arise often cost consumers thousands more to fix. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where a homeowner is left with a huge problem and has no financial means of getting it repaired.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Basic scams usually do not occur with accredited companies, so make sure the company you use is licensed. “The law requires home improvement contractors to register and follow certain procedures for a reason, to protect homeowners,” Rodriguez said. “This includes complying with state laws that assure consumers a level of financial protection.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Be Wary of Certain Sales Tactic:

According to the National Consumer Law Center at consumerlaw.org, unscrupulous contractors mostly target senior citizens. Do not fall into the trap of the following sales tactics that take advantage of homeowners:

• “Bait and Switch” – offers low prices for installed items like windows and home siding, and then tells the homeowner the item is out of stock and can only be replaced with a high-priced substitute.

• Misrepresent the urgency of a needed repair.

• Claim the item is more expensive than advertised because it has to be “custom made” to fit the home.

• Misrepresent that the consumer is receiving a discount because the home is selected to model the repair when, in reality, the consumer is paying market price or more.

• Misrepresent the energy savings, health benefits and value added to the home.

• Misrepresent the terms on which financing is likely to be arranged.

Practices to Follow for Finding the Right Contractor:

If you hire a contractor with a license and a good reputation (such as the Home Remodelers Group®), you are guaranteed to avoid unfinished work, financial wrongdoing and fraud.

The National Consumer Law Center has a list of suggestions for homeowners looking for a home improvement company:

• Do not hire an unknown contractor that solicits business by knocking on your door. Deal with companies recommended by friends or reputable building supply stores.

• Before agreeing to hire any home improvement contractor, get a second estimate for the same work from another contractor.

• Get references for the contractor and speak to those references. Ask about satisfaction and any problems that arose.

• Look at other work performed by the same contractor.

• Many states require contractors to be licensed and/or bonded. Check with the state licensing body to see if the contractor you are considering is licensed.

• Get a written contract describing explicit specifications of the work, the price (including details of any financing or credit terms), the responsibility for cleaning up, and the hourly rate for any added work. Ask for guarantees and other promises to be made in writing.

• If the written documents are different from oral promises, do not sign them.

• A 3-day right-to-cancel applies to door-to-door sales and home improvement loans even after the papers have been signed.

• Do not allow a contractor to begin work until financial arrangements to pay for the work are complete.

• Do not agree to pay the final payment until the project is finished.

• Do not consolidate other debts with a home improvement loan.

• If problems with a contractor or home improvement lender arise, get help from a lawyer or housing counselor immediately.

Take Care of Your Home:

The Home Remodelers Group® has been in business since 1964 and there is a simple reason for our longevity. We take great pride in helping our customers beautify their homes, we enjoy our work and we want our customers to be happy with their homes. The Home Remodelers Goup® is licensed and insured so you can feel secure when working with us. Before you sign any contract, we provide a written estimate and detailed information on the scope of the project. You’ll know exactly what you are getting before we do anything. We do this to provide our customers with peace of mind. We have survived in this business because we focus on customer satisfaction, attention to customer service and offer quality products at a fair price.

Think of your home like a child that needs a doctor. You would take your child to a licensed and professional doctor, not someone that comes to your door. So make sure your home receives the care it deserves by hiring experienced and well-accredited home improvement professionals.

For more information visit http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles

Home Remodelers Group

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/hire-licensed-and-respected-home-improvement-companies-97204.html

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There are contractors for practically any type of job like remodeling, interior specialists, exterior specialists, new buildings designers, utilities and service/repairs. Before hiring one, it is always better to ensure they are appropriately licensed and both are bound by a mutual agreement.

Normally you enter into an agreement with these contractors to build or improve your project according to certain specifications, within a certain amount of time and a budget. You should be able to talk to your contractors freely about the cost and deadline for a certain project, to ensure that all expectations will be met.

In general, big building contractors sometimes have to work with real estate developers, Cities and State governing bodies for housing developments, roads and office buildings. Whereas home contractors will work with you to determine the specifications of your project, the amount of money you would like to spend, what materials you wish to use and the length of construction time.

Building contractors are normally hired to construct a building or a house right from foundation upto its completion. Building a deck or pool, remodeling the bathroom or kitchen, or adding a bedroom are all jobs that require home contractors.

While Building Contractors are required to provide amenities like Parking Lots, Playgrounds and Recreation centers, Swimming pools, Gymnasiums, Amphitheatres, Shopping centers etc depending on the type of assignment. Sometimes owners can accomplish such projects on their own, but finding qualified contractors ensures that the project will be finished on time and within the budget.

Many times these contractors hire specialized subcontractors for specific tasks like Carpentry, Electrical, Fencing, Floor Covering, Heating and Ventilation, Landscaping, Masonry, Plumbing, Painting, Water Proofing etc. to get more experienced physical labor and complete according to plans within the deadline.

All your communications will be through your building contractor, who will then delegate responsibility and tasks to their team of professionals. Since this involves lot of money it is better to hire the best contractor. See photos of completed projects or read testimonials of the contractor’s work, to make sure he is good. Many people find contractors through word of mouth or in newspaper ads, but with the popularity of the internet, you can easily find websites that list experienced, licensed contractors.

Some States even provide The Contractor’s Recovery Fund which compensates owners or renters of property, who have lost money due to a licensed contractor’s fraudulent, deceptive or dishonest practices, diversion of funds or failure of performance.

Namsing Then

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/what-you-need-to-know-about-building-contractors-62807.html

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Technorati Tags: handyman, painting contractor, plumbing contractor, roofing contractor

Through time, man has devised an array of ways to deal with different materials to build roofs, each with its own strong and weak points relative to conditions of weather and area restrictions. These are what roofing contractors know best.

If you are surveying for roofing materials, contact first a roofing constructor in order to provide you with several options. Roofing constructors also need to explain the exact roofing materials you need against the materials they want to give you. Budget allocation also influences the final choice of the material to be used for roofing a structure.

However, the following provide a brief description and costing of different roofing materials you can discuss with a roofing constructor:

Asphalt Shingles

This is the most common choice among roofing materials. This is classified as organic and fiberglass. The durability of asphalt shingles ranges from between 20 up to 40 years. Roofing of this material rates from 30 to 35 dollars.

Wood Shingles

Western Red Cedar is the usual material used for wood shingles because this wood variety does not easily crumble. This has three categories.
Number one category is highly recommended for roofing because it is durable unlike the other two categories, which are only used for lining purposes. They are usually sold thinly and in different sizes. This type of roofing normally costs between 80 up to 170 dollars.

Wood Shakes

This is another roofing material from cedar. They are usually chosen for their natural look because they are usually sawed or even hand split. Likewise, they are normally categorized according to their weights and differing sizes. Costs for wood shake are much cheaper which is from an inexpensive 70 to a mere hundred dollars.

Concrete or clay roofing

If you are looking for the most corrosive-resistant roofing material, this is the item to choose. Concrete or clay roofing prices range from 150 to 400 dollars in similar dimension for its durability that lasts from at least fifty up to a century. Be it flat or corrugated, this type of roofing usually requires additional costing for extra weight needed in the roof beams.

Daniel Roshard

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/basic-things-about-roofing-contractors-81472.html

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If you have ever done any type of major remodeling or construction to an existing home then you know how tough and confusing it can be. This is especially true if you have an idea of what you want but you don’t know where to begin or how to start.

Now, imagine how confusing it can be when you are building a whole house! Remodeling your kitchen may have seemed difficult, but wait until you have to make decisions on a new construction home.

Building a home can be both exciting and nerve wracking. You have the great ideas of how the house will look like once it’s done, but how do you even get the ground broke? This is why it is key to find a contractor that will work with you rather than against you. First you will want to begin by looking at several different contractors and getting a feel for what is available. Generally, each contractor has their own set floor plans while others are more than happy to help you build a custom home. All contractors should have the proper licensing, bonding and insurance. Be certain that you get proof of these things before hiring any contractor or subcontractor.

Next you will need to sign an agreement. All contracting agreements should be in writing as that is your only protection when it comes to getting what you want in the home you are building. If your builder doesn’t do what you want or a serious problem occurs and you feel you need to sue, then the contract is going to be imperative for you to win the case. You don’t have anything to stand on without a contract. This is also the only way to track how the project is progressing.

When building your own home you may also be able to save some money by purchasing your own fixtures. You can pick out exactly what you want and the contractor will install it. Be sure to have the cost of installation noted in your contract as well. If you do choose to purchase your own fixtures then you are making yourself responsible for getting those items to the job site when the contractor is ready to install it.

A knowledgeable contractor is essential when it comes to building a house. They will tell you where to start, how it’s going to be done and even give you advice on where to find your fixtures, countertops, brick, tile, etc. This is not an easy task to do on your own and the experience of a professional is a necessity.

Scott Hubbard
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/building-your-own-home-114802.html

I write this article with some real specific experience on dealing with contractors and their subs. I have, in the past 30 years, had built 3 homes and renovated probably 10. With each of these projects I learned more and more lessons and with each asked my friends and family just to take a gun and shoot me if I ever even spoke of doing either again. My last experience in having a home built ended in a major cost overrun which taught me the legal lesson of the difference between the words “will” and “should”. You see my iron clad contract which made all of the provisions I requested and guaranteed the finished price stated that the final price “SHOULD NOT EXCEED X $$”. $40,000 later I discovered it should have said, “WILL NOT EXCEED X $$”. The word “will” affirming the agreement while the word “should” infers some sense of a possibility of the price changing and changing it did ending in a final demand by the contractor for the aforementioned $40,000 before I could move into the home. While most home contractors out there are legitimate and do great work, the list of nightmare contractors is long and represents thousands of lost dollars and a myriad of disappointments. To avoid hiring the contractor from hell I offer the following advice:

1. Make plans

Before you begin your process of locating, interviewing, investigating and hiring a contractor you should have a completed set of plans for your project including detailed drawings and specifications. Without these plans in place you are asking a tradesman to bid on a nebulous non specific job and you are asking for trouble. A conscientious contractor will want not only a complete set of blueprints but also a sense of what homeowners want out of a project and what they plan to spend. Once these plans are in place, stick to them. Making changes to plans after work begins could lead to cost overruns and delays.

2. Get recommendations

Start with your friends, family and neighbors. Check with the national associations of the trade that you wish to hire for a list of members in your area, Angie’s List, which is an on going internet site which lists real personal recommendations and warnings in your specific area, and maybe check an individual business with the Better Business Bureau. I hesitate to mention the BBB because this is an organization of paid members which in some cases may also skew their results. In smaller areas you may also talk with a building inspector, who should know which contractors routinely meet code requirements and may be able to give you advice regarding code requirements. Visit your local building supply or hardware store, they know the local contractors and which ones have the best reputations. Although most of the big box stores do have professionals that either they recommend or that they can sell you the services of, remember they are being recommended because of an existing relationship with the store. The store is likely making a profit on your transaction and thus their opinion may be skewed. In some cases you may have recourse back to the store but make sure that is the case and be aware that this arrangement may cause your cost to be higher. I have heard many horror stories about the contractor who was hired through the retailer only to disappoint the customer and satisfaction only coming after considerable effort if at all.

3. Call your prospective Contractors

Now that you have a list of possible contractors, consider that you are an employer interviewing a prospective employee. Make calls to each of your prospects and ask them the questions that you feel are important to you which should include the following: •Do they take on projects of your size? •Are they willing to provide references from suppliers or banks? •Will they give you a list of previous clients? Remember, though, they are not going to give you names of dissatisfied customers so you are going to have to do some of your own research on their work. •How many other projects do they typically have going at the same time? •Do they maintain their own tradesmen or do they have to depend on subcontractors? If they have to use subs you may be put in a position of having to research their reputations as well. Sub contractors can be the weakest link in the chain of getting your project done and are the easiest excuse your contractor can use for a lack of progress or delays on your job. It is important, therefore, that the contractor have a good relationship with his subs and is good with his scheduling of those subs. These answers should give you an idea of the company’s availability, reliability, how much attention they’ll be able to give your project and how smoothly the work will go.

4. Invite them over to see your job

Once you have made these phone calls, pick three or four contractors to show them your proposed project, to obtain an estimate and for further discussion and questions. A contractor should be able to answer your questions satisfactorily and in a manner that puts you at ease. It’s important that you feel comfortable with the contractor you choose, that you communicate well and that you have a sense of trust. Remember this person and their crews will be in your home for hours at a time.

5. Build trust by verifying the facts

Call up former clients to find how their project went and ask if you can see the finished job. Ask if they know of other customers of this contractor so that you can find additional references that didn’t come from the contractor himself. You should ask to see a current job site and see for yourself how the contractor works. Is the job site neat and safe? Are workers courteous and careful with the homeowner’s property and is this homeowner happy, so far, with his results?

6. Demand proof of proper licensing and insurance

Make sure the contractor is licensed to do business in your state and that he has proper general liability and workers-compensation insurance. Learn the requirements in your state and verify that contractor is licensed.

7. Get bids

To compare bids, ask everyone to break down the cost of materials, labor, profit margins and other expenses. Generally materials account for 40 percent of the total cost; the rest covers overhead and the typical profit margin, which is 15 to 20 percent. Don’t let price be your guide. I believe, that as hard as it is to do, you should disregard the lowest bid especially if it is significantly lower than the others. A bid like this can usually point to a desperate contractor or a major mistake in his calculations. Even though you may have the law on your side to enforce this contract you still will be burdened with the legal costs and efforts to win and you may end up with a project left unfinished or poorly completed. These situations may be more frequent as a sign of our current unhealthy economy. Beyond technical competence, comfort should play an equal or greater role in your decision. The single most important factor in choosing a contractor is how well you and he communicate. All things being equal, it’s better to spend more and get someone you’re with whom you are comfortable.

8. Discuss and agree upon a payment schedule

Payment schedules can also speak to a contractor’s financial status and work ethic. If they want half the bid up front, they may have financial problems or be worried that you won’t pay the rest after you’ve seen the work. For large projects, a schedule usually starts with 10 percent at contract signing, three payments of 25 percent evenly spaced over the duration of the project and a check for the final 15 percent when you feel every item on the punch list has been completed. In no circumstances should you exceed an initial payment of 30% as a down payment and even then only upon the delivery and acceptance, by you, of the all of materials.

9. Put it in writing/Obtain a contract

Draw up a contract that details every step of the project: the payment schedule as above; proof of liability insurance and worker’s compensation, if a contractor does not have proper workers compensation insurance your home owners insurance or you personally may be held as liable; a start date and projected completion date; specific materials and products to be used; and a requirement that the contractor obtain lien releases (which protect you if he doesn’t pay his bills) from all subcontractors and suppliers. Insisting on a clear contract isn’t mistrust, it’s about insuring a successful project.

10. Pay by check or if possible by credit card

The use of a credit card gives you the leverage to charge back any disputed charges. If paying by check write it out to the contracting company rather than to an individual. Make final payments only when the work is completed to your satisfaction. A reputable contractor will not threaten you or pressure you to sign documents if the job is not finished properly.

Will these steps prevent problems? Yes. Is there still a chance that something will fall between the cracks and you will become the victim of a bad contractor? Yes. So practice vigilance. Be aware of what’s going on with your job and insist that problems be corrected as they happen. Don’t fall into a false sense of security and think that it will all be OK. Remember the first principle of “Murphy’s Law”….If any thing can go wrong, it will!!!

Richard Warren
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-hire-a-contractor-or-10-easy-steps-tp-avoid-a-nervous-breakdown-701033.html

Adhere to the recommendation to obtain at least three estimates or quotes. You will be surprised to find that two contractors may submit two widely different estimates on the same project. When comparing the estimates, though, be sure they are providing a quote on the same scope of the project, timeline and quality of work. Otherwise, it is a rather useless comparison analogous to comparing applies to oranges.

Also, request to see the contractor’s license and certificate of insurance. Most states require a contractor to carry certain types of insurance, such as worker’s compensation, property damage and personal liability. However, many either never purchased it or allowed the policies to lapse. Without proper coverage, you could be liable for any employee injuries or proper damage caused during the project.

Do not be afraid to contact and investigate local references from previous customers. Ask questions regarding their satisfaction with the contractor’s work, if they finished on time and the communication between the contractor and the homeowner. Keep in mind that a contractor may provide a reference with the mindset that he performed great on the job, but the customer may feel differently. Considering you are the potential customer, you will want to at least hear the customer’s perspective.

Because your home may be one of your most valuable assets and largest investments, it is important to hire only the best. You need to protect your investment by hiring a quality contractor and/or professional to work on it.

Home improvement, repair and maintenance professionals often advertise in the telephone book, online directories, on the radio or TV or through online referral services. Do not evaluate the contractor’s quality based on the advertisement. The best way to obtain referrals is from friends, family or co-workers who have worked with contractors on their home improvement projects. Even with these referrals, though, be sure to get multiple estimates and be sure the estimates are in writing. Do not automatically choose the lowest quote, also. Ask the contractor to explain price variations. The contractor may also be willing to revise the quote after some discussion.

Most importantly, you need to feel comfortable with the contractor. Communication is at the core of a successful home project and, if you do not feel comfortable communicating with the contractor, problems will likely arise.

Leroy K. Calstard

http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/choosing-a-contractor-for-your-remodeling-project-125455.html

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