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A Look at Aluminum Awnings
Awnings can be a great way to add value to your home. Most real estate agents will tell you that when you are trying to sell your home, curb appeal is certainly not something to skimp on. In addition to making sure your property is nicely groomed,...
Canadian Gardening
People around the world tend to have a prejudice about the prospects of Canadian gardening or simply, the gardening in Canada. Its position in North America, to the north of United States and near the artic circle adds an air of chill to the whole...
Real Estate - Investments That Increase Your Net Worth
Consider these parameters for a real estate deal:
Property Value: $250,000
Purchase Price: $160,000
Repairs: $2,500
If you analyze the numbers, you see that the equity available in this deal is $87,500 (Property Value minus Purchase...
Real Estate Marketing Online -- Search Engine Tips For Agents
Spend some time in a real estate marketing forum online, and you'll soon discover that search engines top the list of hot topics.
Every agent wants his or her website to rank high in the search engines, and rightfully so. But with so much...
Tips to Improve the Functionality and Atmosphere of Your Patio with Plants
When I began to create planting plans for clients in the mid 1990’s one of my main concerns was, how will this collection of plants; the greenery, the flowering, the size and the shape grow together to create an aesthetically pleasing arrangement...
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Ten Tips For Hiring A Contractor
A very smart attorney I know paid $7,000 for a roof repair, only to have the roof leak the next time it rained. The contractor stalled, made excuses, but never did a thing about it. Anyone can have these kinds of problems when having repairs or improvements done, but to make it less likely, avoid the folowing mistakes when hiring a contractor.
1. Not knowing what you want. If you don't know what you want, you might not like what you get. Also, if you change your mind and change the job halfway through, the contract - and price - have changed (Hint: it won't get cheaper). Know clearly what you want done.
2. Not getting everything in writing. You don't want to hear, "I didn't say I was going to include the gutters."
3. Not having dates in the contract. Did you want it finished this year? You better have it in the contract.
4. Paying too much up front. A deposit may be a reasonable request when the contract is signed, and money for materials prior to the start date. Never pay in full before the job is finished.
5. Hiring unlicensed contractors. Actually, this can be okay, if you know what you are doing (and he does). The license doesn't mean you get expertise, but it does mean you get leverage. A contractor will right his wrongs to avoid losing that license.
6. Hiring the first one in the phone book. Ask friends who had work done, or the owner of a hardware
store. Find a recommendation based on a similar job to yours.
7. Thinking there will be no problems. Weather delays, employees quitting, and more will happen. Having problems is okay, but it's not okay if the contractor can't work out the issues to your satisfaction.
8. Expecting neatness. Believe it or not, it is sometimes efficient to leave things laying where they'll next be used. There will be messes, so prepare accordingly. Cover things if it will be a dusty job, for example. Also be clear in the contract that the jobsite will be cleaned up at the end of the job.
9. Not having penalties in the contract. This is important on large jobs. It's one thing to say "Work to be completed by May 2nd," but better to add, "$100 per day to be deducted from the contract price for each day the job is unfinished beyond May 2nd." That's what I call a motivational clause.
10. Thinking contracts will prevent problems. They help, but unreasonable people on either side of a contract can ignore them, or use "literal readings" to make things even worse. Find someone you can work with, and keep your eyes open.
About the Author
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To learn more, and to see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought for $17,500, visit http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
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