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 the
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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