Washington County Builders Association

How to Choose a Reputable Contractor

If you are ready to build a new home or remodel an existing one, you are probably wondering what to look for in a responsible builder. Here are some tips:

Call the Washington County Builders Association for a list of our members, or refer to our Membership Directory.
Ask a contractor if he/she belongs to a builders association.
Take your time. Most problems occur when consumers fail to investigate contractors carefully before hiring them.
Ask for an insurance certificate to verify current workers' compensation and general liability insurance.
Ask for references. Talk with others who have had work done by the contractor about his capabilities and quality of workmanship.
Ask to see the contractor's work. Check for yourself the quality of work.
Make sure the contractor has a permanent business location and a good reputation with local banks and suppliers.
Incorporate and warranties, guarantees or other promises in your written change orders.
Be specific about starting and completion dates. Some delays are unavoidable and beyond the contractor's control.
Beware of an unusually low bid or low advertised price. If a contractor cannot pay for labor, materials and overhead, you are both in trouble.
Select a contractor you are comfortable with - one who understands your tastes and needs and with whom you can communicate easily.

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The Contractor's Responsibilities

Hiring a builder's association member makes good sense. Your home is probably your biggest investment. Poor quality work can reduce the return on your invested dollars. A reputable contractor provides the following services:

Is responsible for all phases of job from start to finish - planning, design, labor, materials and scheduling.
Coordinates all work to avoid costly and inconvenient delays.
Obtains high quality materials and labor, sometimes at lower prices than you would pay because of volume and knowledge of the marketplace.
Performs work according to specifications, hires competent workers and subcontractors and knows what products provide lasting satisfaction.
Is familiar with design options, building codes and construction practices.
Obtains all necessary permits; arranges for required inspections; complies with social security, workers' compensation and other local, state and national regulations that protect the consumer.

Without a reputable contractor working on your behalf, you would have to assume these responsibilities and financial obligations.

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The Consumer's Role in Construction

As a homeowner you help ensure a project goes smoothly when you:

Designate one person to be the contact with the contractor, keep informed of the job's progress and answer questions as they arise.
Make changes to the original contract in writing and specify cost. Verbal change orders can be very costly, cause delays and create misunderstandings.
Plan your project carefully in order to avoid unnecessary delays.

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Evaluating the Contract

Your contract should be easily understood and detailed. It should clearly spell out the responsibilities and obligations of both parties and should be based on complete plans or specifications prepared by reputable contractors, architects or designers.
The contract should specify:

Quality and quantity of materials.
Styles and brand names of products.
A firm price for the work and payment schedule and whether there is a cancellation penalty.
Any items of work that will not be performed by the contractor.

Read your contract carefully and ask questions.

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Beware of These

Some warning sines of possible trouble ahead are the following:

You cannot verify the name, address and telephone number or credentials of the contractor.
The salesperson tries to "high pressure" you into signing a contract by using scare tactics, treats or intimidation.
The company or salesperson says your home will be used for advertising purposes and that for this, you will receive a special low price.
The contractor does not comply with your request for references or the references have some reservations about the contractor.
You are unable to verify that the contractor is insured.

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Tips About Framing - What You Should Know

If you are considering either building or buying a new home, there are several ways to check the quality of the job. Be sure to:

Look at the joint line at the junction of the ceiling and along one of the longest unbroken walls in the house. Check to see if the line is straight or wavy. A quality frame job will show nothing but precise straight lines.
Check where ceramic tile has been lain on a floor or wall. Look at the width of te grout line (the material between tiles) parallel to the wall. Look to see if the grout lines are even from one corner to the other. An even line is evidence of a plumb and straight frame job.
Survey your windows to make sure they were installed straight. If your windows close evenly, without gaps on one side or another, your frame is true.
As your builder how many homes the framing crew has completed. Experience is a decided advantage with a framing crew.
Ask the builder if anyone on the framing crew has completed formal training in programs such as the "Carpentry: Qualified Framer" program.

Be sure to research your framing job. It can make all the difference in a successful start to your new home. For more information on framing tips, call the Home Builders Institute at (800) 795-7955.

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Home Maintenance Basics for New Homeowners

You’ve finally done it - you’ve moved into your new home. The smell of fresh paint still lingers in the air, and you’re likely consumed with unpacking, setting up furnishings, rearranging and decorating. But once the moving trucks have left and everything is neatly in its place, what do you do next? It’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance you’ll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your family live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here’s some advice to get you started and help save you money:

Maintaining a clean home ensures its longevity. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to use a cleaner that does not scratch or damage the finishes.

Make sure that gutters and downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior products.

When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform routine maintenance. For example, if you develop a problem because water backed up in clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not responsible for repairs.

Fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal document. Nonetheless, you should not wait until a problem arises to read your warranty. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights and responsibilities are from the outset.

Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining specific systems in your new home:

Heating and Cooling Systems

Late summer or early fall are the ideal times to do an annual inspection and cleaning of these systems.

Change the filters every three months.

Keep your pilot light burning during the summer to help keep the furnace dry and prevent corrosion.

Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired temperature in your home. Keep registers closed in rooms you don’t use to save on cooling/heating costs.

Using heat generating appliances in the evening and reducing the number of lights on will help keep the temperature down and save on costs during the summer.

Plumbing

Every member of your family should know where the intake valves are located. Label each one.

If any of your appliances develop a leak, inspect your drain trap. A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these techniques don’t work.

A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water pipe are generally the causes of a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise-vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks.

Driveways

If you have an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar substances immediately with soapy water or other household substances such as dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent or cat litter.

To avoid holes in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio furniture or bicycle stands on it.

Do not burn anything on your driveway.

When winter weather produces ice and snow, remove it promptly and avoid gouging your pavement while chipping away at ice.

Use kitty litter or sand for traction on tough patches of ice. Thawing and freezing agents using salt and chemicals can damage concrete, brick, mortar and asphalt. Salt will kill grass, shrubs and trees as well-and wreaks havoc on leather-soled shoes.

Gutters and Downspouts

Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and downspouts.

Downspouts should be turned away from your home’s foundation.

Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not made of aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust.

Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and maintenance schedules and sometimes your warranty will become void if you don’t follow these recommendations.

Look for more information about taking care of your new home on www.nahb.com, or contact the Washington County Builders Association by clicking here.

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