The decision to employ a contractor for a home improvement job, room addition, or home repair might not always be an easy one to make. Sometimes, however, it is absolutely necessary to call a professional to handle a job you are unable to do yourself. If you are ready to renovate a bathroom or remodel a kitchen, you want the best person for the job, quality worksmanship at a reasonable priced. Nobody wants to be scammed out of good money for a poor job, but unfortunately it does happen.
Oftentimes, older people are preyed upon in home improvement scams. Taking advantage of a senior citizen’s tight budget, a scam artist may try to double-talk a homeowner into expensive, unneeded repairs, then take the money and run. If any work is done on the home, more than likely it isn’t enough to justify the payment, and also the work may be shoddy and leave the house in worse condition than it was. Such scams are not always perpetrated on older homeowners, however. Therefore, it is important to know what signs to look for so you don’t become ensnared in a fraudulent remodeling job.
What to Look For in a Home Improvement Scam
One possible sign of a con-artist contractor is the approach. If a contractor approaches you for home improvement work unbidden, be warned, especially if he or she is aggressive. Don’t let anyone talk you into repairs or additions you feel your home doesn’t need, and do not allow anyone to come off the street into your home for a “free estimate.” This could actually be a way for somebody to case your home for a future robbery. Even if this person claims to have done work in your area you will want to be on guard. Many contractors find work through customer referrals, so if you are in need of home repairs it is best to get referrals from trusted sources like friends and family.
Be mindful, too, of contracts and payment. If a contractor wants cash up front, or is reluctant to agree to certain terms on a contract, that is usually a red flag. If financing is needed and a contractor insists upon your using his or her referral, that could be another sign. It is not uncommon for unscrupulous contractors to receive kickbacks from creditors they bring into a job. If you need financing, go through your own bank or resource.
Does your contractor have a physical address and phone number, or work primarily through a PO box? This could be another sign of dubious intent. You want to be certain the contractor you choose can easily be found, and is properly licensed and insured. You may wish to avoid anyone who refuses to provide such information.
Be aware of anyone and everyone you approach with a possible home improvement job. Take care to explore recommendations of people you trust and examples of work by potential contractors, and know your legalese before committing a signature to any contract. This is the best way to ensure a job well done without any problems
By: Kathryn Lively
Posts Tagged ‘Improvement Job’
How To Spot And Avoid Home Improvement Scams
April 1st, 2010How To Budget And Finance Your Home Improvement Project
February 5th, 2010
Before any home improvement project, you should start off by having some home improvement companies come out to your house to inspect and evaluate what you want done, then have them present you with the home improvement estimates.
If you only rely on one or two quotes you risk paying too much for the job. You should get home improvement estimates from several companies to get a feel for how much you should be paying for the home improvement job. You will also get a good idea of what to budget for the home improvement job. It is important to keep a budget, as it keeps you from overspending and within budget.
If your home improvement is a big project, you should consider getting a loan from loan companies to finance your home renovation project. Home improvement financing is now easier than ever to apply for. If you are working then obtaining financing should not be too difficult as long as you can afford the repayments on the loan. Before approving the loan, loan companies need to check your credit and see if there are any defaults or non payment in your report.
The easiest way to search for home improvement loans is to have a broker search for the best possible deals and loan providers. Ask the broker to seek out which loan companies offer the best deal on the amount you would like to borrow. Of course, you should select the loan company that offers the lowest APR.
No matter what type of renovation you want to do, most home improvement loans can cover it. Loan companies do ask you to specify the type of home improvement you want to do to make sure you are not over borrowing. Loan companies usually give out secured loans, which are loans secured on your house. However, if you have an excellent credit score, you are qualified to apply for unsecured loans.
Entering into any loan agreement with a loan company is a serious responsibility and you have to make sure you are on time with your payments and do not fall behind, or your house is in jeopardy.
Taking out a loan is a serious decision and something you should give serious thought to. Once you decide to apply, your home improvement will be underway, and you will have a beautiful home to look forward to.
By: Susan Jan
Home Improvements – Plan in Advance
December 24th, 2009
The materials that you will need to take on a home improvement project depends the task at hand. With any home improvement or repair job, you will need many types of tools and materials. Many materials can be bought at a fairly low rate, while some equipment will be costly, but can be used for multiple jobs.
One thing that will be required before you begin any home improvement job is a building permit. If you don’t acquire one, you will be subject to steep penalties and fines. Check with codes enforcement before starting any sizable home improvement project.
For jobs that require you to work on sub-flooring, you will likely require some kind of bonding agent, screws, a level, plywood, lumber, and nails. If you are installing new hardwood flooring you will probably need sandpaper, clean cloths, paste wax, wood restorer, oxalic acid, cleaning tools, rubber gloves, vinegar, wood patches, nails, a putty knife, a floor buffer, a hammer, and a vacuum to complete the job properly.
Not having the right materials for any home improvement job can lead to extra cost and any number of problems. Research what you need, and but the best materials that you can afford. For example, paneling the walls will require a variety of tools and materials, including a putty knife, a nail set, a caulk gun, a flat pry bar, a square, a mallet, a hammer, a carpentry knife, and a wall board knife. You will also have to buy the paneling, wood filler, putty stick, finishing nails, adhesive, and shims to finish the job right.
A common outside project is building a pond, which will require you to have a hose, hammer, spade, some pond liner, level, sand, decorative stones, and mortar. You might also want to consider landscape materials, such as plants or flowers. Plumbing jobs can be challenging, but can be done yourself. For example, repairing a shower can often be done by purchasing a repair kit. The kit might include flooring, walls, or doors. It might also consist of shower heads and facet.
Since kits don’t usually come with tools, you should have a basic stock of them. For plumbing, you might need PVC Pipe, primer, CPVC Cement, screwdriver, a pipe wrench, tubing cutter, liquid nails, and Silicon Sealant. To repair or replace drywall, you only need to follow a few simple steps. The job will require a putty trial, tray, sandpaper, joint putty, and a scraper.
Tile repair can be challenging if you don’t have the right tools for the job. You will need adhesive, scraper, a chisel, a hammer, and caulk.
For woodworking jobs, you will need to buy particular tools for the project. You will need some type of ear protection and eye protection. You will need a floor sander and belt sander, which can be rented by the hour. You will also need a dust mask, a sanding block and different grains of sandpaper, a paintbrush, and cross peen hammer. Other woodworking tools you might want to invest in include a plane and a shave hook. It is important to stay on task when working on home improvement projects, and to get the right tools for the job. This will prevent confusion and mistakes, will could cost more time and money.
By: Scotie Keithlow