7 Things Your Contractor Won't Tell You

It can be difficult to find a good contractor. Knowledge is half the battle, however, so try using these statements as a guide to only hiring the best and most reputable remodeling experts in your area. Here are just seven things that your contractor probably hasn't told you.


1. They Delegate

Your contractor might not do the job himself. He might have a team of sub-contractors to handle the everyday working, sawing, sanding, planning and budgeting of your remodel. If you want a contractor who really does work on-site, ask them in advance if they do.


2. They Work Multiple Projects At Once

The nature of the business means that contractors rarely work a single job at a time. Instead, they juggle multiple clients and multiple properties at once, which means they probably won't be at your house every day. They'll swing by according to a predetermined schedule.


3. They Might Not Be Licensed

Only some states require their contractors to be licensed. This doesn't mean they aren't experienced or can't handle your remodel, but if having real qualifications is important to you, make sure you ask them about their credentials.


4. They Make Their Own Prices

Contractors might tell you that a price is "standard," but this simply isn't true. They decide for themselves how much to charge for their labor. The only things set in stone are the prices of supplies and materials.


5. They Write Their Own Contracts

You can find templates for remodeling contracts on the web, but contractors are also allowed to draft their own. You'll want to make sure you read all the fine print before signing on the dotted line.


6. They're Actually Very Concerned About Safety

If your contractor knocks down a wall and discovers mold, they're legally required to stop working until the problem is resolved. This means a half-finished project and a delayed payday for them. They want things to go smoothly, so take their advice if they suggest hiring an exterminator or getting a wall evaluated.


7. They Aren't Designers

Most contractors have no idea how to style a room. They just build them. If you want to know how to best utilize your floor space or what kind of plumbing will really make your bathroom pop, don't ask your contractor.


These are just a few things to keep in mind when hiring a contractor. Learn more now by clicking here!

Storage Units for Personal Use

Having problems with room organization and storage?  Tried everything from drawers and closet organizers to boxes, suitcases and bags but still lacking liveable space? If you’re at your wits’ end trying to fit all that stuff into your home, click here for the right solution.

Yes, storage units are not just ideal for businesses but also for personal use.  At some point in our lives, we accumulate all that stuff and then it starts to get a little over-crowded and looks like a complete mess. None of the organization skills and tricks you learned works and the only option is either to throw away most of your stuff or to expand areas outwards or upwards which is not always feasible. Not every one of us has basements, garages or spare rooms to use in cases like this.

You’re not the only one with this dilemma. In fact, many of us do. There’s just too many stuff around us that we could not bear to part with. But hey, do not fret. They say there is a solution to every problem, and most of the times it’s true.

Why rent a storage unit?

- Because you need a place to store things you own that you do not need at the moment; and
- Because it is secured, convenient and accessible anytime;

Inquire if there are companies that provide low-cost and accessible business and personal storage solutions in your area. Most companies offer 25sq.ft. up to 200sq.ft areas for personal use. Call them and ask for an estimate, or visit their online website and let them know how much space you need. There are companies who even offer free storage units for the first week, so don’t forget to inquire about special offers and promos as well.

Everybody rents storage space these days, from businesses to households to students! Next time you get all crazy wondering how to fit at all your stuff nicely into your room or home, think about renting storage.

Just imagine what you can do with the extra space in your home.

Hammer Drills - A Craftman's Bestfriend

My uncle Leonardo is perhaps the most trusted craftsman in our place. Our version of Handy Manny, the one we call when something needs to be fixed. Last week I sent him a text message asking if he can drop by our house and repair our broken doorknob, but he politely told me that he could not make it that day because he’s stuck at someone else’s living room trying to mount a large flat screen television.

The task seems too minor for a seasoned worker like him so I asked what the problem was.  Turned out that his most prized possession, an electric Ridgid hammer drill given to him by his younger brother as a birthday gift many many years ago, needs a new power cord. He wasn’t able to use it that time so he just rented one from his friend who works at a nearby construction site.

A hammer drill is essential to any craftsman. It makes drilling into hard surfaces easier, like concrete and metal for example. My uncle said it’s one of the best and the most effective tools he currently have and not being able to use it on important projects can be compared to losing his best friend. He asserted further that he really needs to find replacement Ridgid parts. And I think I can help him. :)

Don’t Let Bugs Get the Best of You

It seems like a new set of bugs comes with every changing season, so it is important that you get the best of the bugs before they get the best of you. Certain helpful websites, such as www.PestControlStCharlesMO.com, can provide useful tips on what you can do to deal with a problem. Over time, an infestation can lead to property damage, sanitary concerns, and even health issues. The longer you wait to deal with the problem, the worse the resulting damage will be.

One-Time or Ongoing Services

If you notice a pest problem in your home, business, or yard, it is important to hire professional exterminators as soon as possible so that you can eliminate a problem before it gets out of hand. A professional exterminator can also take measures to help prevent a future problem, saving you time, money, and frustration in the long-run.

Most exterminators will offer an option of one-time service or ongoing pest control plans. They can either deal with a problem on the spot or create a maintenance plan that protects your property throughout the year.

Don’t Bother with Generic Solutions

While some generic bug sprays and pest solutions can help to alleviate the problem, they cannot provide the same results as professional solutions. If you want lasting results that you can depend on, a professional is the best way to go. They know where the typical points of entry are and can treat the source of the problem to ensure that your pest issue is dealt with once and for all.

Choosing the Right Exterminator

It is important to carefully choose the right exterminator to ensure that they can meet your needs and expectations. Make sure that they can treat the particular type of critter or insect that is affecting your home. They should also offer safe, effective solutions that can eliminate the problem once and for all.

You can find more information on how professional pest control services can help you by calling your exterminator of choice or visiting such sites as www.PestControlStCharlesMO.com. Your exterminator should be able to work with you to create a pest control treatment plan that can fit your needs and budget.

Broken Doorknob

Forgive this unusual rant but I just would like to express my disappointment about our broken bedroom doorknob. It’s not yet fixed and I don’t feel comfortable and at ease knowing that anybody can barge in anytime because privacy is very important to me.

My husband already removed the broken knob but still hasn’t bought a replacement because it rained all day. I wish we have online stores like http://www.reidsupply.com so we can order tools and other maintenance supplies at the comfort of our own home.

*Sigh* Hope it gets fixed soon.

How To Tell If You Need Foundation Repair

Image courtesy of Gualberto107 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Your foundation is perhaps the most important part of your home. Not only does it hold all of your home’s weight, but it also keeps everything level. You may not think that this is such a big deal, but wait until your chair starts sliding down hill indoors or your windows stick shut. Without a decent foundation you can find yourself with a house that leans. Needless to say, your house won’t be worth much if this is the case. However, most foundations should be made well. The trouble is in how the house settles after that. If you suspect your home may be suffering from a bad foundation call a Dallas foundation repair company to check it out.

Checking For Damage

One way to check for damage to your foundation is by the cracks you find on the outside of your house. Serious foundation damage will cause large cracks at definite locations.  Normal settling and weather, however, can also form cracks, but these will be minimal and less isolated. If you’re looking at a brick wall on your house, small cracks in the mortar are normal. These should be fairly small, under a ¼ inch. If they are larger, then you could be looking at bigger problem. Cracks in the actual cement foundation can also be normal, such as in slopes or steps, and are probably just indications of the cement curing. The worst cracks you could have are horizontal because these are not from normal settling.

Preventing Damage

Smaller cracks are easy to tend to. Simply paint over them with waterproofing paint and see what happens. This is useful for two reasons. The first reason is to prevent water getting into the cracks and causing more damage, especially if it freezes and expands. The second reason is so you can watch to see if the crack gets worse. It the crack is simply from the cement curing then it shouldn’t get worse. If the foundation is actually sinking unevenly, then you could see the paint crack wider than it was before. The dreaded horizontal cracks means that your foundation has been compressed by interior pressure, probably from water that leaked in and froze. If you find yourself with foundation problems, be sure to call Dallas foundation repair specialists soon.

Heavy Duty

My uncle Leonardo is a seasoned woodworker and ever since he moved back home to our town after his wife passed away in Ilocos Sur, I have been asking him to make me a pretty but sturdy standalone cabinet where I can store chunky and heavy items.

Just the other day he showed me the finished design and I was really pleased. The drawers are 40” deep and have a capacity of up to 200lbs. And wow that’s really heavy duty, but he said he’ll need to shop for heavy duty drawer slides as well as a precaution.