Contractor Study
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GA Business/Law for General Contractors Prep Course $69.00 This review course is for the Georgia General Contractor Business and Law exam. The program consists of online presentations reviewing the reference book and includes practice exams and a home study guide. This course is INCLUDED in the full package. This exam is required for Georgia General Contractors, Georgia Residential Basic Contractors, and Georgia Residential-Light Commercial Co… |
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Calculated Industries 4080 Construction Master Pro Trigonometric Calculator $79.95 Complete trigonometric functions in a handheld field calculator (view larger). A more compact version of its desktop sibling, the handheld Construction Master Pro Trigonometric calculator (model 4080) from Calculated Industries is the most complete construction-math calculator on the market. Offering powerful built-in solutions and expanded preference settings, it’s perfect for completin… |
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SOG Specialty Knives & Tools FF-01 2-by-4 Contractor Knife, Bead Blasted $22.05 SOG FF – 01 Contractor 2 x 4 Knife. A multi – purpose knife for any fix – it job! Has a ton of uses, with a cool design too! When you open or close the blade, the faux circular saw gear spins for a look fit for your job site. Aside from the durable, no-nonsense 440A steel blade, you get a level and wire stripper to quickly knock out tasks that usually demand another tool. More: Straight-edge blade… |
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iGo PM00012-0001 Green Power Smart Wall Surge Protectors $8.99 2 outlets using iGo Green Technology automatically powers down outlets when not in use and powers back up again when devices need powerReduces standby power waste by up to 85%2 always-on outlets for devices requiring continuous powerInstant on button for immediate power up of managed outletsWall-mounted design ideal for home/office/kitchen use5 1/4″ W x 3″ H x 3 1/2″ D… |
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DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide, Based on the NEC 2011 (Dewalt Exam/Certification Series) $24.33 For years, electricians and apprentices alike have turned to the DEWALT Electrical Licensing Exam Guide for all of their licensing exam preparation needs. With a commitment to delivering both the need-to-know knowledge and valuable test-taking strategies to demonstrate that knowledge, it is a comprehensive and thorough guide to successfully mastering various state and local electrical licensing ex… |
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Electrician’s Exam Study Guide (McGraw-Hill’s Electrician’s Exam Study Guide) $19.81 Get 1,500 Exam-Style Questions and Answers to Help You Pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician Exams on the First Try! Turn to the Electrician’s Exam Study Guide for the knowledge, practice, and confidence needed to pass the Journeyman and Master Electrician exams with flying colors. This practical resource contains 1,500 questions_presented in the same format used on the actual exam_plus accur… |
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Carpentry & Building Construction Student Edition $67.35 Help students get ready for professional certification and competitive events with Glencoe’s NEW Carpentry and Building Construction! This newly revised edition includes content from McGraw-Hill Construction, where the professionals stay informed on the latest industry developments. Carpentry and construction industry standards are fully integrated, and project-based learning is supported with uni… |
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TriSquare TSX300 eXRS Digital Two-Way Radio, Charcoal Metallic/Black $31.10 900 MHZ FREQUENCY HOPPING SPREAD SPECTRUM (FHSS) FOR PRIVATE & SECURE COMMUNICATIONS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM OTHER RADIO USERSPROVIDES RANGE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THAT OF OTHER PORTABLE UHF (INCLUDING FRS/GMRS) 2-WAY RADIOS10 BILLION CHANNELSVOX COMPATIBLE FOR HANDS-FREE USEPHONEBOOK STORES UP TO 100 CONTACT NAMES & CHANNEL ENTRIESBACKLIT DOT-MATRIX LCD DISPLAYCALL/TALK WITH GROUP OR INDIVIDU… |
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TriSquare eXRS TSX100 900MHz FHSS Digital Two-Way Radio (Charcoal Metallic/Black) $20.23 900 MHZ FREQUENCY HOPPING SPREAD SPECTRUM (FHSS) FOR PRIVATE & SECURE COMMUNICATIONS WITHOUT INTERFERENCE FROM OTHER RADIO USERSPROVIDES RANGE EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THAT OF OTHER PORTABLE UHF (INCLUDING FRS/GMRS) 2-WAY RADIOS1000 CHANNELS FOR PRIVACYFEATURES HANDS-FREE (VOX) CAPABILITIESCONTACT STORAGE HOLDS UP TO 10 CONTACT CHANNELSBACKLIT LCDCALL/TALK WITH GROUP OR INDIVIDUALPAGE/CALL ALERT W… |
Residential Home Improvement Contractors: Protect yourself With These Tips
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
About the Author
Dan Fritschen, Publisher at ABCD Publishing, is a consultant to both individuals and businesses who are trying to decide whether to remodel or move. ABCD publishing currently owns two helpful websites, www.remodelormove.com and www.remodelestimates.com.
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Collision Study in Live Session with Coordinating Engineer and Fire Sprinkler Contractor
In by gone days all a contractor had to do was give the customer good quality and good service and he/she would be set. Then set back and let your customers do your selling for you. They would tell a friend and then that friend would tell a friend. Your phone would be ringing off the hook. I remember as an Architectural designer some days I would have up to four people wanting to schedule appointments for designs. Those days are long gone! But Fear Not! Click Here For Help
