Hiring a contractor for home renovations can definitely be a harrying process. Not only do you have to find a vendor that is willing to work with your budget and deadline, but you also need to secure the services of a professional that you trust. After all, your home is in his hands. And if you can’t get any referrals from family and friends you may find yourself winging it by going through a directory. In short, you could end up with a contractor that doesn’t work out as well as you hope. And whether you end up in a dispute over the cost of the project, the work to be done, the amount of time it will take, or some other aspect of the remodeling process, you might find yourself in a pretty bad spot, with work only partially complete and a contractor that refuses to move forward for one reason or another. So what can you do to resolve the issue? Here are a few tips.

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Start with a clear contract.

When you have an ironclad contract in place at the start of your project, conflicts are far less likely. Aside from having the power of a legal document to bolster your position on any issue, a written contract signed by both parties means that any changes your contractor wishes to make will result only through renegotiation, which gives you the opportunity to gain some advantage. For example, if your contractor needs more time to finish the project, you may be able to negotiate a lower price for this allowance. Just keep in mind that setbacks and overages do occur on such jobs, so your contractor will likely want a little wiggle room in the contract.

Talk it out.

The best thing to do in any conflict situation is sit down and talk like rational adults. You have wants and needs and your contractor does, too. Since this is your home you have an obvious emotional investment at stake (in addition to the monetary expenditure). But for your contractor it’s just another job. So don’t make it so difficult that he takes a walk. If he is the one being unreasonable then you might be stuck with a problem. But you can do your part to work through a dispute by making an effort to meet your contractor halfway through rational discourse.

Cave to his demands.

Nobody wants to pay more to replace ancient pipes that were hiding under the floorboards when they only budgeted for a cosmetic bathroom remodel, but if you want your build to be up to code you might have to cave to your contractor’s suggestions. Or if you need to get back in your house post haste, you might be willing to pay more to get your contractor to shake a leg, even though it’s not your fault that he’s behind schedule. Always remember that you have legal recourse after the fact if you’re somehow dissatisfied.

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Sue.

Unfortunately, you may be unable to resolve a dispute with a contractor any other way. As long as you have a contract in place and you can prove that he broke it you may have a case for reimbursement of some sort.

Hire someone else.

If you’re at the end of your rope with your current contractor, it may be time to start reading business reviews to find someone else. Just remember that if you break the contract before your vendor does you could be on the hook to pay him regardless of how much work he has (or hasn’t) completed.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

So you’ve decided that you’re finally ready to gut your outdated and non-functional kitchen and replace it with the gleaming, modern temple of culinary delights that you’ve been dreaming of in a renovated kitchen. Or perhaps you’re ready to remove the peeling, bordello wallpaper and ruby red tile from the distasteful master bathroom designed by the previous owners. Maybe you want to add a covered deck in the backyard to extend your usable square footage with an open-air, outdoor lounge. Whatever has got you looking for a contractor, there are a few things you need to know before you hire the first guy that gives you a good price. And one thing that few people consider is whether or not they’ll be liable if workers are injured on their property.

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Find out the facts first

The short answer is yes, you may be held liable for any accidents and injuries that occur on your property, whether they involve family, friends, clients, or contractors. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you WILL be held liable. For example, if you can prove negligence on the part of any injured parties (i.e. they were to blame for the accident) you will not be held liable. And in truth, even if you are legally responsible, you might not have to pay any medical bills, legal costs, or punitive damages; if the contractor has worker’s compensation or the company you hire carries its own liability coverage you shouldn’t be on the hook to pay anything. Still, it is important to understand how far your liability extends when you have workers on your property.

Research your contractors

You might have heard about a famous case in which a school was sued when a burglar (a former student) fell through a skylight and injured himself during the robbery, only to turn around and sue the school, eventually winning a settlement (Bodine v Enterprise High School). And while there are certainly a handful of outlandish cases like this one out there to scare the wary homeowner, the truth is that justice generally prevails. If a worker is behaving in an unsafe manner and suffers an injury, you shouldn’t be held liable for his medical bills or any other costs. But accidents do happen and it never hurts to be prepared.

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The best place to start is by finding a contractor that has liability insurance of his own and carries worker’s compensation. This will alleviate the majority of your own responsibility should workers become injured in the course of doing their job on your property. But you may also want to check in with your own insurance provider. They will be able to inform you as to the extent of your liability in this situation, as well as how much your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover. In most cases you will have basic liability, but your policy provider may advise you on how to best avoid out-of-pocket expenses in the event of an injury and subsequent lawsuit (should one arise), and this could entail an additional, temporary policy or even a long-term switch to a more comprehensive insurance plan if you want to do extensive renovations. Once a personal injury lawyer Atlanta to Los Angeles gets involved you’ll be glad you have a beefy policy in place to protect yourself.

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All homeowners harbor at least a few issues with their current place of residence. Perhaps the avocado wallpaper and shag carpet in the basement make you feel like you’re stuck in an episode of That ’70s Show, or the leaky faucet in the master bath has got you pulling your hair out in frustration as you try (and fail) to fall asleep at night. Maybe you’d like to fill in those cracks in the driveway, build out the attic to make the space usable, or get rid of the wall between the kitchen and dining room to create an open floor plan. Or it could be that the space has become insufficient for your growing family and you’d rather build an addition than move. Whether your problems are small or large, the cost of fixing them to make your house the perfect fit for you and your family can quickly add up. This is why many homeowners seek a home construction loan to get the job done. But what do you need to qualify?

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Consider your credit score

When qualifying for any loan, the first thing you’ll want to consider is your credit score. And if there are any problems you should definitely address them before you apply for a loan. You can order a copy of your credit report for free from annualcreditreport.com to see your credit score and any black marks (like debt collection). Even if you have paid off debts, the lender has to submit this information to regulatory bodies before it can be wiped from your credit report, so you may have to get proactive and make some calls if the black marks persist. You might also need to balance out your debt-to-income ratio (i.e. pay down some debts, like credit cards or car payments) before you can gain loan approval (although equity in your home can help).

Where should you look for a lender?

Once your credit is in order you should start thinking about where you want to get a loan. There are a couple of options to consider. First, you could go with a national or international lender. The upside is that many have programs specifically for home construction loans with tons of options for loan amounts and repayment schedules. The only problem is that they may not offer you the best rates simply because they are more likely to base them on national averages rather than your local economy. So you might also want to look into reputable local banks or credit unions. They may not be able to offer you as much money as their larger competitors (not necessarily a bad thing) and their options might not be as diverse, but chances are good that they can get you a better rate.

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Determine how much money you need

Now that all of your ducks are in a row and you can get pre-qualified for your loan, you need to think about how much money you actually need and what sort of loan you want. Keep in mind that these projects nearly always go over budget, so it’s a good idea to factor in a 20% overage on costs. And you need to figure out if a variable or fixed rate is better for you (keep in mind that rates are not likely to get much lower at this point) and if you’d rather go with a short- or long-term payment plan. Once all of the decisions have been made, there’s nothing left to do but call in contractors to check out the site and give you bids so you can get started on renovating your home.

For more tips for your home on Stagetecture, click here.

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No matter how good you are at tackling DIY projects around the house, nearly everyone has limits when it comes to home repair and upgrades. So at some point you may find that you need to hire a contractor in order to get some major renovations completed. Although finding such a professional can be as easy as hauling out the yellow pages or perusing local directories online, these research methods won’t tell you anything about whether or not a contractor is qualified and able to handle your particular project, or if they will do a good job. So here are just a few tips to help you avoid hiring a contractor that is nothing but trouble.

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Your first step is to get referrals

This requires some legwork on your part as you’ll have to approach family members, friends, and trusted colleagues to discuss their contracting experiences. But considering that it could deliver on a fantastic service provider it’s well worth the effort you’ll put in up front. So start asking everyone you know about their prior experiences with contractors. Although many people will have horror stories to tell about contractors upping the cost midway through a job, tacking on extra fees, or outright disappearing and leaving a job only partially finished, you’ll probably find a few who can’t stop raving about the incredible prices and service they received from a contractor.

The trick here is to take a positive referral with a grain of salt and temper your expectations. Keep in mind that the job a contractor performed for a friend could be night and day when compared to what you want done. Most contractors are fairly versatile and cover a wide range of renovating services (or hire a crew of specialists to make sure the job gets done right), but still they may not be familiar with the particular renovations you’re seeking. Even if they can offer you the same great prices and speedy, caring service that your friends received, they may not be able to give you exactly what you want.

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Try to get several bids

You can likely secure a load of referrals from many trusted sources of such information in your life, but ultimately you’re the one who has to be comfortable with a contractor (not to mention confident in his abilities to deliver). Along those lines you should ascertain a couple of things at the outset. First, can your contractor work within your budget? Will he offer you alternatives to help you save money whenever possible (even if it means he loses a little bit in the process)? If he exceeds his schedule, are there consequences (like further savings to you)? Does he have his own liability insurance to cover himself and his crew in your home (and can he provide proof of this so you don’t have to worry about small claims court down the road when a laborer breaks his thumb with a poorly-aimed hammer).

And of course, you must ask if he is licensed and make sure to sign a contract stating that he will be liable should you have to redo any of his work at a later date due to code-related issues. In fact, a contract in general is a good idea to ensure that you have some legal recourse should he bail on your project. Finally, make sure that the payment structure is beneficial, including milestones, and that you don’t pay in full until the project is complete.

For more home renovation ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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Protecting yourself when renovating

The problem with having a contractor and his crew doing renovations in your home is that these people are considered home workers (rather than, say, guests). They are not technically employees in your home, like a nanny, for example, so you don’t have to arrange for workers compensation coverage. And most contractors carry their own liability insurance to cover themselves and any crew they bring with them. Does that mean you’re off the hook? No. There are two reasons why you may still want to look into additional liability coverage when you have contractors working in your home.

First, the policy your contractor has may be bare bones, meaning a worker who is injured on your property could still come after you for any medical costs (or even punitive damages) not covered under his employer’s policy. Second, some independent contractors have no insurance to begin with. If you fail to ask you could be on the hook for accident and injury costs. In truth you should request a printed copy of your contractor’s policy before any work begins so that you have legal grounds for a grievance should an injured employee come after you rather than seeking coverage under his employer’s plan.

So why is liability insurance important?

Well, for the reasons listed above, for starters. If anyone is injured on your property the insurance will cover part or all of the associated medical costs. However, a good policy will also cover your court costs should you be sued. In short, it will protect you financially in the event that a contract worker on your property suffers from an injury. So now that you’re convinced, how do you go about getting this coverage?

Again, you should ascertain whether or not your contractor already has coverage. If he doesn’t, you should probably go with another vendor. But even if he does and you still want some extra protection, start by talking to your current insurance provider to find out what your homeowner’s policy covers, if you can tack on additional liability (and if there are any restrictions on removing it once the work is complete), and whether or not a beefier umbrella policy is necessary. Then seek out liability insurance quotes from other providers to see if you can get more coverage at a better price or use lower numbers as leverage to secure a discounted rate with your provider of choice. Liability coverage is a good idea any time you have workers in your home, but it’s especially essential when they’re doing a dangerous job.

For more home improvement ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

7 Essential Property Maintenance Tips

A home is a large investment and if neglected, the property will pay no dividends if you ever decide to sell. Good property maintenance is essential no matter if you are a new homeowner or just interested in real estate investing. If it’s properly maintained and improved, you will see high yield returns and avoid costly repair bills in the long run.

In addition, home improvements tend to propel certain neighborhoods into the desirable category. As a result, property values increase as well. From an economic standpoint, home improvements can bring increased markets for homes in that area, which leads to a more prosperous community.

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Obviously, the price you will get for your property investment will be determined, ultimately, by how much a potential buyer wants your home. So if you keep your house well decorated, clean, and well maintained you are much more likely to get top price for it when you decide to sell.

So how can you decide between do-it-yourself (or DIY) renovations vs. hiring a contractor?

Do-it-yourself (or DIY)

If the idea is to make the most money you can for any real estate you invest in which it is you can save a ton of cash by doing much of the essential home maintenance yourself. That is, of course, if you’re handy with tools and have the experience in home renovations. However, if you are not knowledgeable in electrical wiring, plumbing, heating systems, and architecture wiring your property investment or cutting through that walls may cost you more repairs in the long run. In this case you should seek help from the professionals. If you do choose to DIY your home; don’t skimp on the materials. You don’t need to buy the most expensive flooring and kitchen cabinets, however, home decor that looks good is typically also easy to maintain and it will be durable.

Paying a contractor

If you plan to pay a contractor to do your home maintenance, take care to choose one with a reputation for price and quality workmanship. There are several ways to check a contractor’s references, including:

• Ask the contractor for former costumer references
• Do a search through your local Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau or local consumer protection agency
• Visit the contractor’s place of business
• Ask for a contractor recommendation through wholesale suppliers
• Ask friends and relatives to recommend a contractor

Once you’ve decided to DIY or hire a contractor, follow this list of essential property maintenance tips to keep the value of your home growing:

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1. Essential home maintenance tools:

Regardless of it you hire a contractor or DIY home maintenance, all home owners should have the basic tools on hand including a range of screwdrivers, a hammer, pliers, a measuring tape, caulking, special pliers to strip wires for rewriting plugs, a standard wrench for plumbing leaks, insulation, and gaffer and masking tape. You should also keep a decent ladder on hand for cleaning gutters and for roof and window inspection. Chose a ladder that reaches the very top of your house and keep it safely locked up in your shed or basement when not in use.

2. Essential home necessities:

In addition to the tools above, you’ll also require home consumables like extra fuses and light bulbs, washers, sink and pipe unclogger, grout filler and various screws and wall plugs.

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3. Walls:

The skeleton of your house may endure surface cracks or damage to the wallpaper or paint. Repair any widening cracks as soon as possible. Likewise, keep an eye out for damp or dry rot in your walls especially in the bathroom. You want to ensure that moisture and condensation isn’t settling into the walls by installing a ceiling fan. Small dents and scratches can be easy DIY repairs using new paint or wall decor.

4. Windows:

Check your windows regularly for condensation or leaks. Be sure to wipe away any excess condensation and caulk any leaks. You should also paint wooden windows yourself every three years (minimum) to prevent and restore weather damage.

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5. Floors:

The floors in your property will get more damage to them than any other surface especially if you have pets or children, or if you’re doing renovations in work boots. Try your best to keep the carpets dirt free and the hard wood floors unscuffed by keeping mats by all entrances, asking visitors to remove their shoes, and cleaning scuffs and spills quickly. Before you sell, you may also want to rent a carpet steam cleaner or get a professional steam clean service to do it for you.

6. Plumbing:

Tighten any dripping taps with a handy wrench, and check pipes and taps regularly.

7. Electrical:

Basic maintenance, like replacing plugs, can be done on a DIY basis. Just adhere to caution by turning off the power source before you tinker. Any serious problems or major installations should be looked at by a qualified electrician.

Heather J. Sanchez is a freelance writer who enjoys analyzes the truths, debunking the myths, examining the legalities and exposing the trends of real estate investing with her articles. As the owner of multiple rental properties, and flipped houses, Heather believes that Real Estate Investors help put money back into the North American economy. She knows a good real estate investment and a lemon when she sees one and she’ll always provide the solid statistics to back up her facts on why you should invest.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

How to Safely Remove your Outdated Popcorn Ceiling

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Safety practices

For starters, you want to practice safety first.  This means having a professional come out to test your ceiling for asbestos.  If your home was manufactured in the late ‘80s or after, there’s a good chance it doesn’t have asbestos.  While the manufacturing of this type of ceiling material was banned in 1978, installation continued until products ran out (so into the early ‘80s).  However, it doesn’t hurt to check and be sure (since you definitely don’t want to inhale the harmful toxin as you work).  Engage the services of a contractor to take a sample and send it to a lab for testing.  Once you know if there is asbestos in your ceiling you can better determine how to proceed with your home beautification project.

If there is asbestos present you will almost certainly want to hire a professional crew to remove it (or can the project altogether).  Since the EPA has strict regulations concerning the handling and disposal of such hazardous materials, you really can’t handle the project on your own (nor should you).  However, if you happen to have a newer home and there is no asbestos you can go ahead and remove the ceiling on your own.

Tools Needed

To start you’re going to need some tools.  The first items you should procure are a mask and goggles; even without the worry of asbestos you definitely don’t want to inhale the dust that is sure to result from scraping your ceiling.  You’ll also need a ladder, a spray bottle, and a scraper (such as a putty knife), as well as plenty of plastic sheeting and painter’s tape.  Begin by emptying the room, turning off the power, and removing any ceiling fixtures.  Then cover at least the floor with plastic sheeting (this is going to get messy!).  You may want to cover the walls, as well, but you could always vacuum them later.

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Loosen up ceiling fibers

Now comes the hard part.  You should start by spraying a small area of the textured ceiling with water to loosen up the fibers.  Wait about ten minutes for the water to soak in and then begin scraping away at the dampened section.  It’s a good idea to round the edges of your scraper beforehand (with a file) in order to prevent gouging the ceiling.  The surface should scrape off pretty easily, but if you hit a rough section simply hit it up with more water, wait a few minutes, and try again.

Once you’ve completed your scraping, you’re going to want to revamp your ceiling with a new look.  This could mean adding texture, installing acoustical elements (like Dune Supreme ceiling tiles), or simply slapping on a coat of paint.  It simply depends on the look you’re going for and how much energy you have left for the project.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, & Stagetecture’s YouTube Channel, click here.

Depending on what type of modifications, restoration or changes you want to your home, hiring a contractor could be in your near future. If you are considering a contractor, do you know what to ask, and what factors to consider before deciding on one? Today’s Guest Blogger, Mike Rogers gives tips for choosing one.

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Do you need to do residential construction at your home? If so, then it’s crucial that you choose the right contractor specializing in residential construction. Here are some key features to look for in such contractors:

1. Experience

It’s crucial that a residential contractor that you choose have enough experience. He doesn’t necessary have to have decades of experience in the business. But the “more is better” rule generally applies when choosing a contractor. Years of experience will help him to avoid common pitfalls, and to find the best solution if any problems arise while doing residential construction work.

2. Cost

Keep in mind that the residential construction work that you’ll have done on your home will be an investment. In fact, it could substantially increase its value. That said, make sure that you don’t pay more than you should. Do some research about the industry standard costs of completing the construction work on your home. Also, whenever possible try to negotiate the cost of the construction work. These steps will help you to get the best price. While work from quality contractors will likely cost more, it still shouldn’t cost more than usual.

3. Guarantee

This is crucial whether you’re searching for a roofing contractor or a different specialist. Keep in mind that not all guarantees are alike. It’s absolutely, positively important that the guarantee be written. Just as importantly, it should be detailed. What specific work will the contractor be doing? When will the work be completed? How much will the work cost you? If a certain residential contractor can’t provide a written guarantee that answers such questions, then you should keep searching.

4. History

Unfortunately, it’s difficult for any business to satisfy all of its customers. However, if a home construction contractor hasn’t satisfied most of its customers, then you should think twice about hiring him. So before choosing a contractor (such as a roofing contractor) do some research about a particular contractor’s track record. Get personal referrals from friends, relatives, and coworkers. Review organizations that track complaints filed about individual construction contractors. Taking these steps will help you to avoid contractors who have built up a bad reputation.

5. Paperwork

It’s crucial to choose a residential construction specialist who’s fully licensed, bonded, and insured. How about for outstanding contractors? You should do this paperwork check 100% of the time. Even if a residential contractor is skilled and careful, mistakes and accidents are simply a part of life. Stuff happens. Choosing a contractor who’s fully licensed, bonded, and insured will help to protect not only you, but also the construction contractor for residences.

6. Warranty

This is an official way to protect you if your house were to experience any problems after the contractor completes his work. Generally you should look for warranties that are at least a year long. Sometimes your house won’t experience any problems until months after the contractor completed the work. So make sure that you’ve protected yourself for such situations.

If you want to find the right construction contractor who specializes in homes, then the above considerations will help you to accomplish your mission

Mike Rogers is president of MW Rogers Construction which is a Houston roofing contractor and also does Houston residential construction

Rogers, M.W. Construction
7536 Harms Road # A, Houston, TX 77041-2142
(713) 937-7200

For more architectural ideas on Stagetecture, click here.