Brighten Up Your Life: How to Pick the Right Contractor for Your Window Replacement Project
Sometimes the toughest part of any home remodeling project is finding the right person for the job. Here's how to take the fear out of fixing your windows.
Pick a Number, Any Number
Insist on an estimate that itemizes the materials, labor and time involved ? and make sure that that estimate is based on reality. The estimate should take into account your actual window sizes and types (single, double-glazed, storm, etc.). An estimate will be meaningless without specifics because you won't be able to compare it with other contractors' estimates. If the estimates you get from different contractors are based on different assumptions, it's like comparing apples to oranges ? and you're likely to get a nasty surprise.
Once you've got your estimates from a few contractors, don't immediately zero in on the lowest bid.
It may be the most expensive choice in the end.
Conversational Gambits
Don't stop at the estimate ? while you've got the contractor in front of you, here are some important questions to ask:
"How long have you been in business?"
"What licenses do you hold? What are your license numbers?" (Note: the exact license requirements vary from state to state, but in many areas contractors need two separate licenses for window installation: a Construction Supervisor's License and a Home Improvement Contractor's License.)
"How many window replacements have you done in the past year?"
"Do you offer warranties / refunds?"
"What's the time frame for starting my project?"
"Have you had any special training in remodeling?"
"Are you a member of any national trade associations?"
Background is Crucial
Don't be afraid to ask for recent references (recent meaning within the past 30 days or so) and follow up. Some questions to ask a reference are:
"Were you satisfied with the project?"
"Was it finished on time and within the specified budget?"
"Did the workers arrive on time? Did the contractor manage them well?"
"Were you able to communicate with the contractor? Did he/she seem receptive and willing to answer questions?"
"How did the contractor handle any problems that arose?" (Note: on a substantial project there are almost certainly going to be SOME problems. If something goes wrong that's not necessarily a mark against the contractor ? what's more important is how he/she addressed the problem.)
"Did the workers clean up after themselves? Was the work completed in a safe manner?"
"The next time you have a major project, will you call this contractor again?"
It's a good idea to contact your state's licensing board and confirm that his/her licenses are valid (you DID get those license numbers, right?). You can also find out if the contractor has had any disciplinary action levied against them. Other good places to check are the local Better Business Bureau, Builder's Association and Consumer Protection Office.
How's Your Liability?
A reputable contractor will carry several kinds of insurance to protect both you and them.
At a minimum, a contractor should have automobile insurance on whatever vehicle(s) they will use for your project, personal liability insurance, property damage coverage, and workers compensation. Ask the contractor to have the insurance agency mail copies of these certificates to you. If something goes wrong and your contractor is not carrying the appropriate insurance, YOU could be held liable!
It's also wise to confirm that, when the job is completed, the contractor will give you an affidavit stating that all suppliers and subcontractors have been paid. This is important because some subcontractors will place a lien on your house that allows them to file a claim against you if your contractor doesn't pay them!
Warning Signs
Watch out for any of the following behaviors:
- Refusal to provide references
- Pressure to make an immediate decision (your immediate decision should be "Thanks, I'll go with someone else.")
- Offers of a discount for referring the contractor to other customers
- A request for you to get any required building permits ? this usually means that the contractor is not licensed and can't get them himself
- Door-to door solicitation
- Offers to use materials that the contractor "just happens" to have left over from another job
- Requests for payment up front or payment in cash
Yes, going through all the above steps will be additional and time-consuming work on your part. Just keep in mind that the right contractor can make your window replacement job run smoothly and deliver the results you hoped for.
The wrong contractor can cost a great deal of money and turn your home into a disaster area. So do your contractor homework, and you can have the windows you always wanted!
Copyright ? 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd
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Is Your Car Insurance Policy Protecting All Of Your Assets?
Copyright 2006 Barry Brenner
Do you own a home? Are you in the process of buying a home? Do you hope to one day own a home? Do you own any assets other than property? Like stocks, bonds, CD's, mutual funds, or have a savings account? Do you own any assets that can be traced through an asset search?
If you answered yes to owning any of the above-mentioned assets, then you need to understand how to protect those assets in the event you cause an
automobile accident, or someone driving your vehicle is at fault in an accident. Your bodily injury and property damage coverages are the coverages on your auto insurance policy that financially protect you if you are at fault in an automobile accident.
If you are determined at fault in an accident and do not have adequate liability coverage, that is enough to cover the injuries and damages to the other party, and you are sued by the other party's insurance company, the court could order you to pay...
Auto insurance > Is Your Car Insurance Policy Protecting All Of Your Assets?
10 Strategies to Become Debt Free
Copyright 2006 By Lynnette Khalfani
Millions of Americans struggle with credit card debt and other bills every month. Many people live paycheck to paycheck and feel hopeless about their situation. But there are some basic strategies you can take to become debt free and achieve financial freedom.
Here are 10 fool-proof ways to eliminate debt:
1. Put everything you owe in writing.
Create a written list or a spreadsheet of each credit card you owe. For some people, this step will be a big eye-opener. You may find out that you have way more debt than you thought. For others, putting all your obligations in black and white will be a relief: you'll discover things aren't as bad as you'd imagined. Either way, having everything in writing gives you a realistic look at where you stand, and let's you start a plan of attack to pay off your debts.
To jumpstart your efforts, go to www.themoneycoach.net and download a free form called...
10 Strategies to Become Debt Free
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Individual Dental Plans
Individual dental plans are designed for people and families looking to save money on dental services. This differs from an insurance scheme in that the employment organizations execute an agreement with the local dental units or dentists to establish a discount for specific sets of dental procedures. The discounts may run as high as 70% in certain cases.
Both large and small employers offer some form of dental plan to their employees as part of their comprehensive benefit policy. The preferred form of the dental plan that is normally offered is the individual dental discount plan.
It is an undeniable truth that regular routine checkups and cleanings by the dentist are the easiest ways to maintain oral health. Most dental plans are structured towards covering the cost of these procedures, which come under preventive care. However, they do not cover treatments such as orthodontics, esthetics or cosmetic restoration such as fillings, crowns, braces and...
Auto insurance > Individual Dental Plans
Why Taking Care of Cleaning Equipment Adds to the Bottom Line
Copyright 2006 The Janitorial Store
Taking good care of your cleaning equipment not only extends the life of your machines, but it saves you money too. Cleaning equipment such as vacuums, buffing machines, and automatic scrubbers can last years longer with the proper care. Caring for your cleaning equipment also shows your clients that you are a professional and you are serious when it comes to making their buildings look good! Proper maintenance of equipment helps to assure that your machine is available when you need it and will help to avoid those unexpected equipment breakdowns.
Preventative maintenance is the best practice for your cleaning machines. Your maintenance program should start when you buy a new piece of equipment. Although very few people actually do it, begin by reading the owner's manual.
It will give you tips on operating the equipment as well as important advice on how to best maintain the equipment. With most of the large cleaning...
Why Taking Care of Cleaning Equipment Adds to the Bottom Line
Auto insurance > Why Taking Care of Cleaning Equipment Adds to the Bottom Line
Life4Mom Expands Into Tennessee
CHICAGO, IL (ContentDesk) February 2, 2004 -- Plinex, Inc. announces the expansion of Life4Mom.com, which has designed a whole life insurance policy that provides for savings of up to 40% over traditional whole life premiums, into Tennessee.
Whole life insurance provides for cash value buildup, not normally found in Term Insurance.
It is currently available in an additional eight states.
The company expects to expand nationally over the upcoming months.The whole life policy is underwritten by North American Company for Life and Health Insurance and is marketed exclusively through the Internet.About Plinex, Inc.
Since its founding in 1999, Plinex, Inc., has executed an exclusive agreement with North American Company for Life and Health Insurance www.nacolah.com to underwrite and administer its whole life insurance program available only through the Internet.
Its initial web site,...
Auto insurance > Life4Mom Expands Into Tennessee
Is Your Insurance HEALTHY?
Is Your Insurance HEALTHY?By
===========================================================The author grants permission to publish this article, in its entirety, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication (or, at least, an e-mail notification) sent to irbonness@ureach.com will be appreciated.===========================================================Five years ago, average health insurance premium was equivalent of a car payment, now it's more like a mortgage. More and more people are faced with a tough choice: indefinitely postpone their next visit to the doctor or start depleting retirement savings in order to pay medical bills. There should be a better way to keep our families healthy...Let's begin with terminology. The generally accepted definition of an "insurable event" - be it a traffic accident, a house fire, or an earthquake - is something that (a) comes without warning; (b) is very unlikely to happen and (c) is...
Auto insurance > Is Your Insurance HEALTHY?