The following is an excerpt from our FREE Report: Six “Secrets” To The Perfect Custom Remodel Of Your Home (To Request your copy of the full report please visit our website http://www.almarbuilding.com/)
I can't tell you how many people receive bad workmanship from contractors who've claimed to be in business for 15, 20, 25 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. Investigate further to make sure you're dealing with a qualified professional.
Ask for the following Items: (or better yet you should be given these items without asking. These items come standard in all Almar information packets)
1. Reference List
2. Testimonials
3. Copies of their Workman’s Compensation & General Liability Certificates (for the current year)
4. Current Copies of their Home Improvement Contractors License
5. Current Copies of their Construction Supervisors License
6. Current Copies of their EPA EER Certificate (required if your house was built before 1978)
7. Current Copies of their Lead Safe Renovator Certificate
8. Other certificates of Merit or Elite Contractor Status from Manufacturers.
So besure you do a little research and realize that you need to compare apple to apples when talking to contractors. If someone is giving a significantly lower pricer you need to know why. If you have any more questions about what you look for feel free to drop us a line at almar@almarbuilding.com or 781-826-2577
Monday, March 28, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Remodeling Misconception #2: Doing It Yourself Saves Money. (Hanover)
The following is an excerpt from out FREE Report: Six “Secrets” To The Perfect Custom Remodel Of Your Home (To Request your copy of the full report please visit our website http://www.almarbuilding.com/)
Misconception #2: Doing It Yourself Saves Money.
Not Always! 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.
According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, less than 20% of these do-it-yourself jobs work out, mostly due to a lack of experience on the part of the homeowner. If you want to be assured your project will turn out the way you want it, call a qualified professional.
Here are some tips one when you should call in a professional:
1. If the job had plumbing or electrical (if you aren't experienced it is risky and potentially dangerous to take this on yourself)
2. When you don't have the experience required.
Even though there are lots of books and online videos a certain amount of experience is required to do remodeling properly & safely.
3. Time Constraints - Neither you nor your spouse wants to be living in upheaval longer than necessary. And even when working with a professional it can take longer than you initially anticipate, and we aren't trying to do it nights and weekends for you.
4. You don't have the right tools.
We find people often spend too much money in tools they'll never use (or don't know how to use) to get started doing it on their own. Its safer and easier to hire a professional.
So be realistic when choosing to do a project on your own and when you are comparing Remodeling Professionals make sure you are comparing similar companies, a professional company will look and feel much different to you then a fly-by-night "guy in truck" and although a much lower price might look attractive on paper consider what you are really getting and who you are allowing into your home.
For more tips or a copy of this complete article please visit our website: http://www.almarbuilding.com/
Misconception #2: Doing It Yourself Saves Money.
Not Always! 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.
According to an article in the Baltimore Sun, less than 20% of these do-it-yourself jobs work out, mostly due to a lack of experience on the part of the homeowner. If you want to be assured your project will turn out the way you want it, call a qualified professional.
Here are some tips one when you should call in a professional:
1. If the job had plumbing or electrical (if you aren't experienced it is risky and potentially dangerous to take this on yourself)
2. When you don't have the experience required.
Even though there are lots of books and online videos a certain amount of experience is required to do remodeling properly & safely.
3. Time Constraints - Neither you nor your spouse wants to be living in upheaval longer than necessary. And even when working with a professional it can take longer than you initially anticipate, and we aren't trying to do it nights and weekends for you.
4. You don't have the right tools.
We find people often spend too much money in tools they'll never use (or don't know how to use) to get started doing it on their own. Its safer and easier to hire a professional.
So be realistic when choosing to do a project on your own and when you are comparing Remodeling Professionals make sure you are comparing similar companies, a professional company will look and feel much different to you then a fly-by-night "guy in truck" and although a much lower price might look attractive on paper consider what you are really getting and who you are allowing into your home.
For more tips or a copy of this complete article please visit our website: http://www.almarbuilding.com/
Friday, March 04, 2011
Remodeling Misconceptions - Part 1
The following is an excerpt from out FREE Report: Six “Secrets” To The Perfect Custom Remodel Of Your Home (To Request your copy of the full report please visit our website www.AlmarBuilding.com)
Misconception: 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.
One roofer had his re-roof job $750 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 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 who is offering to do comparable work for much less money than others. Chuck Morn learned that lesson the hard way when he converted an attic to living space at his home.
"It was a $50,000 project, but the contractor bid $40,000," Morn said. Not only did that contractor not finish the project, we had to get someone else to finish the project." Meanwhile, the first contractor declared bankruptcy, leaving Morn stuck with bills from subcontractors. Liens were placed against his home.
"It ended up costing a lot more," Morn said. Now, Morn is adding a deck and 600 square feet of living space. "Our thought was, this time let's go with the best contractor we can find," he said.
Like anything else, you can't get somethin' for nothin'. Be careful of choosing your remodeler based upon lowest price.
So when you are comparing Remodeling Professionals make sure you are comparing similar companies, a professional company will look and feel much different to you then a fly-by-night "guy in truck" and although a much lower price might look attractive on paper consider what you are really getting and who you are allowing into your home.
For more tips or a copy of this complete article please visit our website: www.almarbuilding.com
Misconception: 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.
One roofer had his re-roof job $750 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 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 who is offering to do comparable work for much less money than others. Chuck Morn learned that lesson the hard way when he converted an attic to living space at his home.
"It was a $50,000 project, but the contractor bid $40,000," Morn said. Not only did that contractor not finish the project, we had to get someone else to finish the project." Meanwhile, the first contractor declared bankruptcy, leaving Morn stuck with bills from subcontractors. Liens were placed against his home.
"It ended up costing a lot more," Morn said. Now, Morn is adding a deck and 600 square feet of living space. "Our thought was, this time let's go with the best contractor we can find," he said.
Like anything else, you can't get somethin' for nothin'. Be careful of choosing your remodeler based upon lowest price.
So when you are comparing Remodeling Professionals make sure you are comparing similar companies, a professional company will look and feel much different to you then a fly-by-night "guy in truck" and although a much lower price might look attractive on paper consider what you are really getting and who you are allowing into your home.
For more tips or a copy of this complete article please visit our website: www.almarbuilding.com
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