Home and Garden

Scott Salter asked:


There are many things that you need to consider before pursuing a home remodeling idea. The sheer variety of materials and styles available can cause headaches when it comes to making a choice; and if that isn’t bad enough, you then have the home remodeling costs to consider and whether the remodeling you have your heart set on is actually within your budget range. For most people, cost is the primary consideration and it is inevitable that compromises will have to be made at some to some stage so that your plans can stay within a workable budget.

When looking at your home remodeling costs, the question that really needs to be asked is: “Will the planned home improvements increase the value of my home by more than what I have spent?” If the answer is yes, then you have half a green light. I say “half a green light” because you need to consider things such as not overcapitalizing your home and whether you are ever going to sell your home in order to realize that increased value. Beyond that, home remodeling costs are really a question of style, materials and the scope of your vision.

The first step when considering the “how to of home remodeling” should really be to consult with a contractor who will make suggestions on materials and styles given the budget you have set. If you hire a contractor you will need to clearly work out beforehand who will be responsible for obtaining the supplies.

It is also worthwhile at this point to let your neighbors know that there may be some remodeling disturbances for a while as it always pays to keep on their good side. Your crucial task however, is to take accurate measurements of the materials you will need and remember that mistakes at this stage can be costly. One of the harder aspects to deal with is ordering the correct products and materials for your home improvement and you might find it easier to leave this in the hands of the contractor.

Often a contractor is only called in to consult with the home owners on technical aspects for which they have already made plans. Some contractors will carry out all the work themselves with their own team or they may sub-contract certain aspects of the project to other remodeling contractors if they feel it will be beneficial. General project managers can also carry out all of the remodeling or you may decide you only require them for aspects you don’t feel comfortable about completing yourself.

Home remodeling is often carried out by owners who do not want to move as they really like the area they live in, and this kind of work is on the increase. Many aspects of internal home improvements can be more about what is currently trendy rather than dealing with practical considerations so it is worth finding out what other types of work are being carried out in your area. This is of course more relevant if you’re intending on selling your property at some stage but if it is purely for your own benefit then your home remodeling idea need not necessarily fit in with what others that are doing around you.



How long have you been working on your site?

Home Remodelers Group asked:


Finding the right home improvement company to update or renovate your home doesn’t have to be a stressful and disheartening process. Yet most homeowners have no idea where to start because they are bombarded with bad press about contractors who are dishonest, inexperienced and downright unreliable. Homeowners today are wary of who they can trust.

Home Improvement Complaints and Scams:

“With lower-rate mortgages tempting homeowners to trade up to a bigger house, or to refinance and expand or repair their existing home, we’re finding that construction and home improvement activity is way up, and with it is the number of complaints in those areas,” said Consumer Protection Commissioner Edwin R. Rodriguez. (Consumer Affairs, January 2006)

“Home improvement complaints rank as the top consumer complaint in Connecticut and elsewhere across the country,” Rodriguez said. “While home improvements themselves can be expensive, any problems that arise often cost consumers thousands more to fix. Unfortunately, there have been many cases where a homeowner is left with a huge problem and has no financial means of getting it repaired.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Basic scams usually do not occur with accredited companies, so make sure the company you use is licensed. “The law requires home improvement contractors to register and follow certain procedures for a reason, to protect homeowners,” Rodriguez said. “This includes complying with state laws that assure consumers a level of financial protection.” (Consumer Affairs, June 2006)

Be Wary of Certain Sales Tactic:

According to the National Consumer Law Center at consumerlaw.org, unscrupulous contractors mostly target senior citizens. Do not fall into the trap of the following sales tactics that take advantage of homeowners:

• “Bait and Switch” - offers low prices for installed items like windows and home siding, and then tells the homeowner the item is out of stock and can only be replaced with a high-priced substitute.

• Misrepresent the urgency of a needed repair.

• Claim the item is more expensive than advertised because it has to be “custom made” to fit the home.

• Misrepresent that the consumer is receiving a discount because the home is selected to model the repair when, in reality, the consumer is paying market price or more.

• Misrepresent the energy savings, health benefits and value added to the home.

• Misrepresent the terms on which financing is likely to be arranged.

Practices to Follow for Finding the Right Contractor:

If you hire a contractor with a license and a good reputation (such as the Home Remodelers Group®), you are guaranteed to avoid unfinished work, financial wrongdoing and fraud.

The National Consumer Law Center has a list of suggestions for homeowners looking for a home improvement company:

• Do not hire an unknown contractor that solicits business by knocking on your door. Deal with companies recommended by friends or reputable building supply stores.

• Before agreeing to hire any home improvement contractor, get a second estimate for the same work from another contractor.

• Get references for the contractor and speak to those references. Ask about satisfaction and any problems that arose.

• Look at other work performed by the same contractor.

• Many states require contractors to be licensed and/or bonded. Check with the state licensing body to see if the contractor you are considering is licensed.

• Get a written contract describing explicit specifications of the work, the price (including details of any financing or credit terms), the responsibility for cleaning up, and the hourly rate for any added work. Ask for guarantees and other promises to be made in writing.

• If the written documents are different from oral promises, do not sign them.

• A 3-day right-to-cancel applies to door-to-door sales and home improvement loans even after the papers have been signed.

• Do not allow a contractor to begin work until financial arrangements to pay for the work are complete.

• Do not agree to pay the final payment until the project is finished.

• Do not consolidate other debts with a home improvement loan.

• If problems with a contractor or home improvement lender arise, get help from a lawyer or housing counselor immediately.

Take Care of Your Home:

The Home Remodelers Group® has been in business since 1964 and there is a simple reason for our longevity. We take great pride in helping our customers beautify their homes, we enjoy our work and we want our customers to be happy with their homes. The Home Remodelers Goup® is licensed and insured so you can feel secure when working with us. Before you sign any contract, we provide a written estimate and detailed information on the scope of the project. You’ll know exactly what you are getting before we do anything. We do this to provide our customers with peace of mind. We have survived in this business because we focus on customer satisfaction, attention to customer service and offer quality products at a fair price.

Think of your home like a child that needs a doctor. You would take your child to a licensed and professional doctor, not someone that comes to your door. So make sure your home receives the care it deserves by hiring experienced and well-accredited home improvement professionals.

For more information visit http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/?source=articles



I like the use of color on this site

Blue Sky Guy asked:


Do they have a problem going from hardwood to carpeted floors. Do they pick up as well as a traditional vacuum? Of six answeres to my original question, three were positive, three negative. Please send me more details.

I wish I had the time to do this

Sam M asked:


I want to know about what is the shop vacuum, and what are the Vacuum Cleaners and Latest technology??

Where do you get your ideas? Can you take a look at my blog and critique it?

ericvelden asked:


i have heard so much about dyson vacuum cleaners and want to try one out and see what it is thats so great about them.
Where can i view them online?

Here are the best deals I’ve found online

search rankpros asked:


April 29, 2008 LOS ANGELES - Dream Home Remodeling, the premiere remodeling solution in the Los Angeles and Southern California, is please to announce the Grand Opening of their new website at http://www.dreamhomeremodel.com To celebrate, and show appreciation for its customers after so many years, Dream Home is extending its free consultation offer to all prospective clients.

With the combined effort of Dream Home Remodeling, LegendFX, and SARBRO Solutions, Dream Home Remodeling’s new site offers customers the chance to view Dream Home’s beautiful portfolio. Dream Home Remodeling has years of experience making dreams a reality for many homeowners.

Categories within Dream Home’s portfolio cover the full spectrum of home renovation.

.

• Additions

• Bathrooms

• Fireplaces

• Kitchens

• Outdoor

• Front Entrances

• And Much More

Dream Home remodeling is dedicated to making your next remodeling project a fantasy, not a nightmare. Communication is a key factor in a smooth remodeling project, which is why daily jobsite meetings with our clients are standard.

Available Services:

• Complete Kitchen Design & Remodeling

• Complete Bathroom Design & Remodeling

• Entire Home Remodeling - Top To Bottom

• CAD - Computer Aided Design drawing services for your project

• Complete upgrading and renovations to current decor and materials.

Why choose us:

• Free Consultation

• Clear contracts, no hidden fees - all financial/project changes require your approval

• Professional & honest workers

• Personal assistance and service

• Modeled plans so you see exactly what you are getting, before you get it

Contact Dream Home Remodeling today with your remodeling and home renovation ideas. We look forward to planning your Dream Home with you!



I hope everyone is having a great week and is not working too hard! I

comet girl…DUCK! asked:


crazy. Although I empty my bags or canister frequently, my vacuums only seem to last a few months. I just got a Dirt Devil about 2 months ago and its suction is just horrible now. Can anyone recommend a vacuum for under $500 that will last? Thank you.
That should read “Are ALL vacuum cleaners stupid?”
Thanks for all of your suggestions. I am looking into each one of them.

I

Posted by Garden Guru on April 14th, 2009 Read More 3 Comments