Home improvement

If you are a home or property owner it is certain that eventually you will need to hire a home improvement contractor for one reason or another.? Whether its for an emergency situation such as a roof leak, or simply for the purpose of modernizing an element of your home; such as installing new kitchen cabinets and counter tops, upgrading your bathroom, or a major project like converting your basement into a living and recreation area.

Whatever the case may be, hiring a credible home improvement expert is most vital to your home improvement investment, and to achieve this there are certain facts that you should know and be aware of when choosing a home improvement contractor for your home or property investment.

A carpenter by trade with a newly started business, I am writing to provide some helpful tips for homeowners so they can choose a credible contractor and evade the scam artists when exploring their home improvement options. The term home improvement is an ambiguous term because there are so many elements to your home: the roof, deck, porch, kitchen, basement, bathroom, etc. In essence there could be a thousand tips to discuss, but I will contain this article to the two primary things to watch for if and when you find the need to choose a contractor to work on your home.

First and foremost is the fact that generally most credible home improvement contractors fall into a specific category of expertise and have a reputation based on that expertise. As such, in your initial search, don’t just pick the first home improvement advertiser because maybe they offer a better price or have fancy ads. Instead, make your choice from the contractors who advertise under the specific project you are interested in.?

For example, if you need a new roof, choose from roofing contractors — preferably one that has long-standing reputation in your community. If you come across someone advertising that they provide a litany of services, be wary of their credibility and the quality of their work. Despite the fact that there are talented individuals who have the skills to cover all the facets of home improvement, generally even these individuals will choose to specialize in a targeted area and will not cover the “Jack of all Trades” title.? Most, but not all, “Jack Of All Trades” contractors are bad news, so you may wish to stay away from them.

The second tip I offer is choosing a contractor who offers a warranty coverage package that protects you and your property investment.? Although many contractors allege to offer warranty coverage, many of their warranties offer very little protection for the consumer whatsoever!? The fact is that the best warranty coverage is a “Non-prorated” warranty because this contract policy covers all costs should there be ANY defect in the workmanship and/or product(s), and there is NO cost to the consumer.?

Although some warranties appear to look good because they have a long coverage period like 20 – 30 years, the cold hard truth is that they may only be a “prorated” warranty.? A prorated warranty clearly states that it ONLY covers a certain dollar amount of any defect!? Anything beyond that specified dollar amount is then paid for by the homeowner, even if the product was installed incorrectly by the contractor!? Needless to say, most prorated warranties are useless, and home and property owners need to be aware of this!? Remember, you get what you pay for, so read the warranty contract terms.

In conclusion I can only state that I hope this article finds its way to homeowners who are soon to do some remodeling projects,and that the facts I have provided were able to help save you from a hard lesson learned.

By: Scott Ludtke

Many different home improvement contractors are available to help with everything from home maintenance to interior remodeling to exterior work. Then, there are the types of contractors–known as general contractors–responsible for an entire construction project. It is important to follow and look for contractor qualifications if you are an independent home improvement contractor or are hiring someone to work on a construction project. Below are license and other requirements specifically for general contractors:

Specific requirements for general contractors can vary slightly by state, but here are the requirements that are most common for general contractors:

Have at least 2 years experience in home improvement, construction, or related education.
Must fill out credit report application form providing proof of credit to pay debts and long-term expenses as they become due in the course of business.
Must submit articles of incorporation and certificate of good standing from the Assessments & Taxation Department in one’s state if representing a corporation.
Must check with state’s department of licensing if they want to use a trade name to make sure the name is available to use. If so, register the name with their state’s assessments and taxation department. Submit trade name registration certificate with license application.
Proof of $50,000 liability insurance in effect at all times.
Renew license every 2 years.

General contractors also need to follow the requirements that all contractors must follow in the United States. That is, to be a legitimate contractor in the United States one needs to:

Be at least 18 years old.
Give proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency.
Have liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. A certificate of insurance should also be ready to show customers. Contractors can get certificates of insurance that show policy limits and coverage dates from insurance carriers.

Note that a general contractor is responsible for the entire construction project and accepts full responsibility for the construction process and final results. Subcontractors may be hired by a general contractor to work on various aspects of a project. A subcontractor is an individual or business that enters into a legally binding agreement to complete some or all of a contractor’s work. The general contractor may hire electrical, plumbing, and roofing subcontractors as well as subcontractors for the various other construction specialties. The general contractor coordinates the work and pays the subcontractors.

Contractors exist in many construction fields including basement waterproofing, remodeling, and more. It may seem that anyone with construction knowledge can call themselves a contractor, but this is not necessarily the case. Contractors and subcontractors in the various construction fields like plumbing, electrical, and hvac all have certain requirements they must meet.

By: Ryan Corey

Developing your homes for better comfort and privacy are one of the things homeowners would love to do, but they tend to be deterred by the financial issues they would face should they proceed with their plans. Even though there are many ways that they can secure financial resources, the majority of homeowners can be hindered by a multitude of requirements that lending institutions ask for and thus they have second thoughts and in many cases give up on their development plans. Also for renovation plans the same issue arises and so having a no risk financial and development program is certainly something homeowners crave for.

A no equity home improvement loan is now being offered to homeowners who are interested in further developing their properties. This offer is ideal for those that want to improve or develop their properties such as the house, garage, gardens or other structures in the property to better the functionality and comfort. It is has a low risk factor, and this type of loan is a very effective solution for many.

Is This Real?

The characteristics of no equity home improvement loans financially and legal are commonly doubted by many people because of the obligatory situations and its profit issues. This said, what the homeowners should concentrate on with these kind of services is the interest of the home improvement contractors and organizations that offer this. The main is that no equity home improvement loans are specifically designed to address the interests of the homeowner by providing a solution for the financial problems encountered in their plans. This being the primary interest, no equity home improvement loans do offer an advantage to the aspiring homeowners in that they have a low risk investment opportunity.

Supposedly, the loans are in part directed toward the financial and profit interest with regards to the risk for money lending, thus the loan’s interest should then be directed on the payment scheme of the loan and not on the equity of the property. This is so that contracting and obligatory payment of these financial transactions will be encouraged. The business organizations that are involved in this industry can actually get more business and profit for themselves from debtors by offering no equity home improvement loans. This great potential thus offers the benefit of not needing to put interest on the property’s equity.

When you decide to look for a no equity home improvement loan [http://www.globalfinanceworld.com/category/finance/loans/home-equity], as aspiring and potential homeowners you need to actually consider from number of packages offered and then compare the benefits of the offers with each other so that you can determine which one provides the most advantages with your interest in mind.

The loan offerings will vary and some will even include additional benefits such as project materials, home improvement contractor and design plans which make them a complete package and thus could potentially mean less problems and cost. This aspect of no equity home improvement loans make it a very attractive financial solution in your favor as a homeowner wanting to develop your homes for better functionality, comfort or ambiance, and thus will make your homes more suitable to your needs.

By: Luvi Marie Corcuera

If you are a home improvement contractor, you already know that the economy has directly impacted your business. You have probably felt the pinch in your bottom line profits. In the past, many home improvement contractors have relied on homebuilders to provide the majority of their business. With the housing market in a spiral, what has happened to contractors who relied exclusively on new home construction to keep their business viable? The truth is many have gone out of business or are struggling to stay afloat hoping the housing market will resurge.

Perhaps for the first time, many contractors are forced to reach out to a new type of customer – the homeowner. While contractors may be experts in their field, many have never had experience in creating a marketing or advertising campaign. The logical response is to buy advertising because they know little about marketing. However, unless your advertising efforts are targeted to your audience, meaning homeowners who want and can afford your services, you may be wasting money and not getting desired results.

The question becomes how do you buy home improvement advertising which will produce results? There are many publications who claim to specialize in home improvement advertising, but there are many variables which can affect their efficiency. The majority of these publications contain editorial content in the form of articles and tips which are often contributed by your competitors. Many of them also contain ads from non-home improvement businesses. The reader’s focus can be distracted by pizza coupons, dry cleaning, or oil change advertising, for example. While these publications may have a large distribution, they may never reach your target audience, especially if they are sent to apartments or homeowners not in your geographic or economic target market, or if they are placed in businesses counting on foot traffic.

What should you look for when choosing a venue for your home improvement advertising? Follow these tips for optimum results. Look for publications which:

target the top homes by value in the marketplace; provide a venue to showcase your best work through photographs and images of how a home could look; only have advertisers who specialize in home remodeling; and
give your direct contact information

By: C. Goebel

The shaky housing market has some home improvement contractors running scared, but there is no reason to hang up your tool belt just yet. Business from homebuilders may have dried up, but homeowners themselves still need what you have to offer. In fact, experts are forecasting growth in the remodeling arena – in part as an offshoot of the decline in home sales. The trick will be switching your marketing strategy to reach your new target audience.
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Remodeling, of course, is an evergreen business. Approximately 25 million homeowners undertake some type of home improvement project each year, according to research from Harvard’s Improving America’s Housing 2007.?And the Home Improvement Research Institute predicts that sales of home improvement products will grow at an average rate of 6% annually over the next four years – a sign that people will still be investing in their homes.?
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Some of this demand is triggered by normal home upkeep. Two-thirds of existing homes are now at least 25 years old – the age at which items such as the roof, windows and plumbing fixtures begin to need repair or replacement, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Other projects are inspired by a simple desire to upgrade one’s living environment – perhaps pushed along these days by television lifestyle shows filled with luxury amenities.
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Additional demand will be driven by the state of the housing market, experts say. Some homeowners who were planning to move will instead renovate because they can’t sell their homes in the current economy. Properties that have fallen victim to the foreclosure crisis will be acquired and in need of remodeling, particularly over the next 18 months as foreclosures peak. And pent-up demand for older home remodeling, energy efficiency retrofits and rental stock improvements will be unleashed when the economy perks up, according to Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
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Bottom line: there’s still business today, and there will be MORE business over the near term. Now is the time to lay the marketing groundwork to cash in.
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While word-of-mouth referrals will always be important, it’s not enough to keep your pipeline filled. Advertising plays an essential role in bringing customers to your door by building brand recognition as well as credibility. But not all ads are created equal. Follow these rules of thumb for best results:

Define your target audience and create an effective method to reach them. If your service is high-end, maximize your advertising dollars by targeting only top homes by value in the marketplace. Showcase your best work through photographs. This inspires remodeling ideas and helps consumers visualize the effect that a remodeling project will have on their own home. Look for advertising outlets that focus on home remodeling, because that’s where your target customer is going to be looking for contractors – not mixed in with pizza coupons. Advertise on a regular basis. A consumer normally needs to see your name and ad repeatedly before picking up the phone. Be sure that your phone number and other contact information is prominently displayed in your ad so that consumers can reach you easily.?

Remember: the home improvement business is still alive and kicking. It’s just a matter of finding opportunities in new places. Put yourself in front of the right people – through advertising – and the work will come.
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For more information on home improvement advertising, visit www.thehomemag.com.

By: C. Goebel

Are you planning to build your home? If yes, here is a list of Top 10 Builders & Contractors services in Charlotte city.

Building contractors hire qualified sub contractors, who are specialized in certain skills, apart from sometimes performing some of the construction activity as well. Most of the leading building contractors share a good rapport with other experts in the field of construction.

Contractors for repair work are the same people who also undertake other home improvement contracts. You may find several of them online as also in your own neighborhood street. Home improvement contractors work as smalltime businesses. They generally have a few skilled and unskilled laborers and limited resources. They also have built-up contacts with certain suppliers, who sell them materials at concession rates.

The Top 10 Contractors in the Charlotte

1. Doerre Construction Company LLC(328)(704) 374-1440 1608 East Blvd – Charlotte, NC 28203.

2. Beazer Homes(293)(704) 370-7200 1300 South Blvd – Charlotte, NC 28203 beazer.com

3. Southside Constructors Incorporated (259)(704) 825-8881 1401 Catawba St – Belmont, NC 28012

4. Carocon(183)(704) 525-1410 5934 Old Pineville Rd – Charlotte, NC 239

5. Centex Construction(153)(704) 319-4000 3735 Glenlake Dr Ste 125 – Charlotte, NC 28208

6. The Conner Company(126)(704) 375-1466 1713 Cleveland Ave – Charlotte, NC 28203
7. Mobile Construction Company(111)(704) 531-8514 3115 Shamrock Dr – Charlotte, NC 28215

8. Whitlock Hubert Builders Incorporated(104)(704) 364-9577 5672 International Dr – Charlotte, NC 28270

9. Davis Homes Incorporated(66)(704) 398-6626 2716 Westport Rd – Charlotte, NC 28208 davishomesinc.com

10. Barrett H C & Associates Incorporated(58)(704) 542-1105 10100 Park Cedar Dr – Charlotte, NC 28210

Find a right person for improvement and oversight of your Building construction. This Top 10 List is for you to find and get a highly qualified Contractor in your locality to help you fulfill your dream of a sweet home.

By: Zander Smith

New York totally fits the name “megacity,” a complex network of residential, industrial and commercial establishments. Naturally, home improvement is gaining priority in the lives of its multi-million residents. Busy lifestyles demand versatile, living spaces that are snug refuges at the end of the day, regardless of the size or type of units. Homeowners need to know what to do it cases of damages and functionality issues hiding; who is busy corporate man who wants to wait for the time when the damage is beyond repair? The time will come when having a contact number on a home improvement contractor will prove handy. So how do you get the best one?

For starters, good feedback passed from friends is the best form of marketing among business owners, which can lead to the demise of one’s business too, if not that positive. Check among the circle of people around you as to who they can recommend. A careful search will almost always turn up testimonials about a good contractor. Be prudent, if not keep clear about names that come up in your trips to a construction supply store; some of these references could simply be false contacts that rely only on finder’s fees.

If you run out of totally reliable sources of information in these matters, look them up in the BBB or the Better Business Bureau in your locality first before rubbing your elbows raw together with some worn local Yellow Pages. Maximize your time too by looking up home improvement contractors with less-than-polished records or with dubious and vague feedback. Of course, the web or the Information Superhighway is always a standalone archive of contacts with a good home improvement contractor waiting at the end. Try Googling keywords like “contractors”, or the name of some familiar professional that you are interested in, and you might also find some of his good affiliates in your own area.

As you near the end of your worries about those tiles or your ceiling, screen through the contacts you have amassed to spot the right contractor to invest your money and time on. Call each of your prospects and do not get surprised that you have to go through specific details he needs to know about. Your home as an investment is at stake here, so do not hold back questions especially the critical ones that could mean aesthetic and safety issues. Deciding on your choices only because of the price quoted by the contractor to be the lowest does not mean reliable. It may also not mean the highest quality possible. When mulling over price bids, think about what the contractor plans to do plus materials involved in the project. Needless to say, you also need to be responsible in looking up his license.

If you do your own careful contacts review, you can get a competent contractor, for sure. The time extended on going through the selection and the dollars spent would prove to be well worth it not only after the project has been finished successfully but in the long run. Getting the right and sensible handyman for your home project steers you clear of those unnecessary headaches and additional costs.

By: Lori T Smith

For the roofer, plumber, repairman, or general contractor who relies on local patronage to keep business coming, nothing is more important than visibility. These days people will drive past home undergoing extensive makeovers and see the lawn signs planted by the curb informing everybody who is doing the work. While that’s a great method of exposing a first-hand look at your craftsmanship, you must also consider the limits of such advertising. If the home is not in a busy area, how many people will really see the sign? To broaden your reach, it’s necessary to set aside time for online marketing, and having a blog is key.

The home improvement owner who is skilled with his hands for building and repairs might not think he is apt to write about his work, but in truth blogging doesn’t necessarily have to be regular theses on construction. Blogs are flexible yet powerful marketing tools – you don’t need a marketing or writing degree to operate a successful webblog that attracts readers. All you need is the time to invest in building an audience and showcasing what your company does best. Here are just a few things you can do with a blog to help bring homeowners to your site, and to contact you for work.

Post before and after photos. If you have an especially daunting renovation project, nothing is more encouraging to a homeowner than to see the progress of the job. Posting before, mid and after pictures of a kitchen or bathroom remodel, a new roof installation, or a deck construction lets prospective clients see you in action, and the great results.

Post videos. You can embed videos in posts of certain blog content systems. Show locals how you operate, the quality materials you use, and the efficient labor that defines your brand.

Offer online specials. Gauge different promotions with your blog. Advertise “blog only” discounts and track how often they are redeemed.

Offer home improvement tips. Does a homeowner need a quick fix for the toilet or faucet? How can somebody keep their roof safe in winter? Provide helpful tips on your blog and build authority and trust.

With a blog attached to your main website, you provide regular fresh content, which in turn alerts search engines to give you better results in search. Start a blog today if you have not done so, and see the positive effects it can have on your online presence, and your business.

By: Kathryn Lively

Good Home improvement contractors are very important for your home improvement project. Without them, you cannot alone bring into existence all your ideas that you have planned for your home improvement plan. However, there are some easy home improvements that you can handle alone. But when you talk about big home improvement projects, you are indirectly talking about home improvement contractor.

They are important because they are professionally trained for home improvement projects. Plus, they are into business and they know more than you do and think of. Whether you are planning a kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling or repairs on a big scale, you should get help from a professional home improvement contractor. On the other hand, if you plan to redecorate your home with a low budget and cost effective measures, you can do it yourself.

Big projects need bigger planning as well as understanding of the entire situation. It needs a lot of effort to complete a project with all the requirements. Home improvement contractors are licensed and also have financial assistance which they get from insurance companies. In case of a loss, mishap, thunder or any such unpredictable phenomena, good contractors have a safe side.

But do not select any home improvement contractor which does not qualify for your requirements; does not have a license and professional experience. Good contractors are those which help you save your time and money. In addition they also support your ideas just like you want them to be. One needs to think deeply before signing any contractor. Otherwise, results can be harmful.

By: Aron Joshua

As I say so frequently that I’m beginning to bore myself, “most remodeling contractors are honest and reliable individuals who want to do quality work at a reasonable price.” Unfortunately, there are just enough contractors out there (or people who claim to be contractors) who take advantage of their customers that some reminders and tips are helpful if you want to do everything possible to protect yourself and your property during home improvement.

1. Don’t make assumptions about referrals. Exercise the same due diligence in evaluating and checking out all contractors. You might have friends or relatives, co-workers or neighbors referring you to contractors they have used with good results. Many people are also simply trusting recommendations from home improvement stores. Even when you are referred to a contractor, check him or her out before you sign a contract. Consumer Reports recently released findings from a study of people who hired contractors to whom they were referred by the two leading home improvement stores. Their survey indicated that people who used these referrals had more problems and were less satisfied with the work than people who used other contractors.

2. Build your remodeling budget in a way that creates a 20% cushion for unexpected surprises. Although the National Association of the Remodeling Industry suggests an allowance of 10% to 20%, I think you are safer to budget for a 20% cost overrun due to surprises. There are literally hundreds of things that can happen or that can be discovered once remodeling begins that will result in a cost overrun. It is not uncommon, for example to discover termite damage, dry rot, damage from leaking pipes, outdated wiring, etc. My point is that you should not use your entire budget on the basics. You will be much more comfortable with your budget if you leave room for surprises.

3. Get a contract – don’t deal with a contractor on the basis of a proposal. If at all possible, get a contract that states a final price for the work, not an estimated cost that can go up or down. Your contract should be as specific as possible and as detailed as possible. It should also contain some kind of warranty for both the installation and the products or materials. You can also specify in the contract that all materials used will be new materials and meet the standards outlined in the contract. It should also state that any changes made during the construction period will be authorized only by written change orders that explain the difference in cost up front. If a contractor is unwilling to sign a contract stating the final price of the remodel, find another contractor.

4. Know what your insurance covers and take out a liability policy if necessary. It is usually easy to call your insurance agent and ask what is covered in terms of damage to your property, loss of property or possessions, and injury or death of a worker on your property during the construction period. You should also be certain that the contractor carries workman’s compensation insurance and liability insurance against injury or death of a worker and against damage or loss to your property or possessions. If you have any concerns about adequate coverage, discuss it with your insurance agent and consider taking out an additional policy during the construction period.

5. Monitor all liens placed against your property during construction (construction liens) by any contractor or subcontractor and ensure that they are removed when the project is finished and the contractor is paid in full. There are unscrupulous contractors who accept payment for a job and then do not remove the liens. In most of these cases, the homeowner is not aware of the lien until some time later when trying to sell the home or take out a loan for further improvements. When homeowners try to resolve the issue, the contractor claims that the bill or part of the bill was never paid and demands payment before removing the lien.

6. Never do business with someone who comes to your door offering their services.

7. Never pay a contractor the entire bill up front. Work out a payment schedule that reflects work completed, and put the payment schedule in the contract.

8. Specify the quality of workmanship and the quality of materials to be used in the remodel or addition in the contract. Not only should you specify materials quality, you should check materials to ensure compliance with the terms of the contract as they are delivered to the construction site. Insist that the costs of all building materials be specified.

9. Include all job specifications in the contract. The more specific the description of the work to be done, the more protection you have. Job specifications state exactly what work is to be done, how it is to be done, the quality of materials to be used, when it is to be complete, and that it must pass inspection.

10. Check all licenses, permits, proof of insurance, and state or local certification before you hire a contractor or subcontractor. Check to be certain the contractor has or obtains all necessary permits, licenses and certificates. Check with issuing agencies or insurance companies to confirm that insurance and licenses are current.

11. Insist that the contractor show you proof of bond coverage for the total replacement cost of the project.

12. Be sure the contract includes the appropriate information about how conflicts will be resolved, when and how the contract will be or can be terminated, and that lien releases will be provided upon payment.

13. If you give the contractor a key to your home for use during the construction period, change the locks as soon as construction is completed.

14. Take the necessary steps to protect your property and your possessions. Put away all valuables in a safe place. Define the construction area for everyone – tell your family not to enter the area during working hours; define limits of access to the rest of your home for the work crew. Protect your landscaping by covering shrubs if necessary and taking other steps to reduce accidental damage. Seal off the construction area from the rest of the house to confine dust, etc.

15. If you are remodeling an old home, make sure any work with potentially hazardous materials is done under the safest conditions and that hazardous materials are completely removed from the work site immediately and disposed of as instructed by your local government. Be sure any lead paint is properly removed; be sure any asbestos is removed and disposed of correctly; be sure old horse hair plaster (that could contain arsenic) is disposed of properly.

These tips will help you protect your family, your property and the people working on your remodeling project. Residential home improvement contractors should be very willing to cooperate on all of these points.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing

By: Dan Fritschen