You know fall is coming when you start to feel that slight chill in the air. You suddenly realize you need blankets at night and a sweater in the morning. Whether we like it or not, summer is ending. It’s already September and Labor Day weekend is past.
End of summer for many homeowners means the end of their big summer home improvement plans but consider these three things before you stop thinking about your home entirely:
Plan, Plan, Plan
It’s never too early to start thinking about your home improvement plans for next summer or over the coming year. Keep an inspiration binder where you tear out pictures you like and jot down ideas that inspire you. You might also want to keep a file or magazine holder full of the catalogues and magazines you pick up, so when it’s time for a project you have a one stop visual resource.
An inspiration binder is a great way not only to help you plan, but contractors can use it as a guide for helping you achieve your dream project. Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and an inspiration binder can help insure you’re vision and your contractor’s vision match.
Take Advantage of Contractor’s Lighter Schedules
After a busy spring and summer, contractors usually have a smaller number of projects. With a more open schedule you’ll have more control over your project timeline and will likely have more one on one time working directly with your contractor. You might want to consider a small interior remodel before Thanksgiving, or perhaps even before Christmas for you and your family to enjoy for the holidays.
A Homeowner’s Work is Never Done – Fall Home Maintenance
You may not be embarking on any projects for the fall and winter, but that doesn’t mean you’ve got nothing home related to do. Home maintenance should be a high priority for both fall and winter. Check out our Fall Maintenance Guide for a more information about how to prepare and protect your home. Hiring a handyman for your home maintenance could be a good option for you if you prefer to outsource home related projects.
Whether or not you’ll start a home improvement project this Fall, or if you’ll just plan for the warmer weather, here are some more ideas to check out:
It’s time to revisit the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and its energy improvements section. In sum, Section 1121 of the act was created to offer a $1,500 tax credit for materials applied towards an energy retrofit of windows, skylights, doors, insulation and roofing.
Homeowners can earn the credit up to a 30 percent ceiling on materials. However, if you’re working with heating and air conditioning, you could receive a credit up to 30 percent of the cost and installation for a solar- powered water heater or biomass stove. Another provision of the legislation creates a no-repay $8,000 tax credit to a first-time homeowner.
Tax Rules and a Quick Warning
The provisions of the stimulus tripled the size of credits for upgrading your home. But you must meet Federal requirements to successfully file for the credit or return. All new HVAC systems or new windows, skylights, doors, etc., have to be installed between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2010.
If you’re planning on taking the credit, you must buy products that meet Federal energy efficiency requirements. Even a product identified on its label as an Energy Star certified item may not meet the regulations. New compliance levels have been set based on National Fenestration Council(NFRC) ratings for U-Factor and Solar Heat-Gain-Coefficient values.
There are varieties of insulation products that meet lifespan and warranty requirements that you can add to your materials checklist. And roofing materials that meet Energy Star requirements may also qualify.
Insist on Paper
For each purchase you want to apply to your tax return, you’ll need the receipt, the product tag verifying its energy-efficiency ratings (Manufacturer’s Certification Statement), and a separate form provided by the retailer indicating the sale of an qualifying item.
Don’t confuse your contractor with your tax attorney. Look carefully at advertising from contractors who claim that they’ll match your $1,500 tax credit. That’s assuming that you can qualify for one. Remember, only certain energy-efficient renovations qualify for tax credits and include labor costs. Review the list at the Energy Star website.
Also, don’t take a contractor’s word that the materials meet the provisions unless you see the actual manufacturer’s certification tag. Any contract or work-order you arrange with your installer should itemize materials costs in a separate breakout from labor. You’ll need to save all the documentation you can for your records.
It’s worth a note that the law also set aside $5 billion in funds for weatherization assistance to qualified low-income households.
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The season is starting to shift. The cherry blossoms are blooming, Farmer’s Markers are opening again and it’s getting slightly warmer. That can only mean one thing: Spring is on the way!
Or maybe two things. This shift also usually means homeowners are done hibernating through the windy, cold and rainy months, and they are again ready to tackle their list of home improvements.
But those projects often require tools you might not have, and you most likely won’t want to invest in
So, what’s an enthusiastic DIY-er to do?
If you’re lucky, you may have a tool lending library near your home which you can sign up for and “rent” from their warehouse of tools on hand. Community based tool libraries are a great asset to neighborhoods and the people that live in them. The North Portland tool library is the nearest to my home, and all I have to do is fill out a sign-up form and bring a utility bill proving I live within the neighborhood. Then I can start borrowing from a list of over 500 tools for projects large and small. Look at this Wikipedia entry on neighborhood tool libraries to see if there is one near your home.
No neighborhood tool library? The Home Depot has tool rental services. A quick google search will also lead you to other independent tool rental companies. The one downfall is you’ll have to pay to use these tools. But if you’re looking for a one time use of something like a nail gun or a dovetail jig, then it’s still a good option.
Another smart choice is always to hire a local contractor to do the job. They’ve likely already invested in the tools for the project, and they’ll have the expereince to get the job done quickly and correctly.
What projects are you looking forward to this spring and summer to spruce up your home?.
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We love being a business based in Portland, and we love it even more when one of our own gets recognized for greatness.
The Neil Kelly Company, a home remodeling and construction company based in Portland, OR, has been named the 2008 Remodeler of the Year by Professional Remodeler magazine.
It’s easy to see why Professional Remodeler would choose Neil Kelly Co., and President Tom Kelly, as the Remodeler of the Year. In a time of economic downturn, Neil Kelly Co. is showing its biggest year of profits yet. Profits aside, the Neil Kelly Co. has consistently been an aggressive player in the industry since it’s was created in 1947. Neil Kelly Co. is committed to setting high industry standards and driving new and innovative ideas.
As a company in the Pacific Northwest, Neil Kelly Co. has focused much of its attention and marketing efforts on the strong environmental values of Oregon. Understanding that being a leader in the green industry is not only appealing to potential customers, but is destined to be the building preference of all homeowners.
Smart marketing, a green focus and emphasis on the market share that becomes available with the economy hitting other companies, Neil Kelly will likely continue to grow and be an even bigger part of the industry.
We’re a fan of builders providing quality, eco-friendly options and practices for homeowners. So, congratulations to the Neil Kelly Company and their continued success!
Hiring a contractor is overwhelming, but if you know the questions to ask, you’ll be sure to get all the information you need when interviewing a contractor to be able to hire the right person for the job.
We always recommend getting more than one estimate for a project. So, with each contractor you meet, you’ll want to ask the same questions so that you can get the most accurate, comparable impressions and estimates from each person you meet with.
Here is a list of questions we recommend asking:
1. Do you have up-to-date licenses and registration with the state?
2. Do you have copies of these documents to show me?
3. Do you have proper insurance and bonding?
a. They should have liability insurance, as well as worker’s compensation insurance.
4. Have you worked on projects similar to mine?
5. Do you have a list of references?
6. Do you have a portfolio with past work?
7. Would any of your references be willing to show me the work done on their home?
8. Will you be able to obtain and handle any permits for my project if they are required?
9. Who will be overseeing the work being done?
10. Will you be using any sub-contractors?
11. What type of warranties or guarantees do you put on your work?
A quick search online will provide even more questions to ask. The most important things to remember is there is not such thing as a dumb question, or too many questions!
I’ve been working on some new resources for homeowners, and have been thinking about a basic checklist for homeowners to follow during the process.
Contractor Hiring Process Checklist
1. Receive at least three estimates on your project
2. Ask each contractor the same questions, and give them the same project parameters to get the most accurate and comparable estimates
3. Verify professional licenses
4. Ask for and check references
5. Do a background check through the Better Business Bureau, or another agency.
6. Verify Insurance and Bonding
7. Make sure you are given a contract, and make sure all parties agree to and sign it.
To me these are the essential parts of the hiring process for homeowners. Not doing these things can mean disastrous results and a frustrating process. Everyone has heard horror stories about contractor fraud, and to avoid it, it’s very important for homeowners to take the time to consider a checklist like this.
Can anyone think of anything I’m missing? Or is this a good bare basics summary of essentials that all homeowners need to consider?
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I recently came across this quote in the New York Times Home & Garden section from a veteran contractor:
“A contractor is like a cold: you’re not going to get rid of it.”
That is sage advice from someone who has spent their entire career in the remodeling industry. You don’t want to get stuck with a contractor you’re not happy with for the length of a major remodeling project.
Almost everyone has heard stories about contractors who did less than satisfactory jobs, left giant messes, or were generally frustrating to work with.
At worst, you may have heard of homeowners who were conned into giving large sums of money to a contractor only to have them disappear, or of contractors who started on a project, made a mess ripping things apart, but then never showed up to the job site again.
While these stories may scare you, instead of fearing the contractor hiring process, just make sure you know what you need to do to end up with a contractor you’ll love.
Essential parts of the contractor hiring process are:
1. Receive Multiple Estimates: Getting at least three estimates will enable you to compare prices from different contractors. Take the time to talk with each contractor and get a feel for which one you will be most comfortable working with and having in your home. A sign of a good contractor is one who is on time, communicates effectively with you, and presents himself professionally.
2.Get a Contract: Don’t do anything with a contractor unless you have it in writing. Any professional contractor will create a contract for both parties to agree to before starting work. This protects both homeowners, and the contractor, and ensures that the project is done to your exact specifications.
3. Check References: You should check the professional references of any contractor you are thinking of hiring. You can ask to see past work, as well as ask for prior client contact information. When talking to former clients, have a list of questions to ask them, such as “How close to the project timeline was your project completed?” and “Did the contractor clean up the job site after completion?” Former clients can give great insight into a contractor’s work.
4. Check License and Insurance Information: Make sure to check the that the remodeling contractor you choose is licensed, bonded, and insured. Proper licensing and insurance doesn’t guarantee a job will be completed to your satisfaction, but it does give you leverage with your local consumer affairs department who can investigate any problems on your behalf. To obtain a license, a remodeling contractor must undergo a background check, pass a written test and pay for the license. They should be able to provide copies of their licenses, and you can verify these licenses with the proper state agencies.
Taking the time to go through each of these steps, and simply using your instinct and common sense, will ensure that you get a contractor who does the job right.
Here are some helpful links to help you hire the right contractor:
When you plan a major remodeling project, first things first: you have to hire a contractor. Of course, you’ll want to make sure that you are hiring the best person for the job. You’ll want to consider a contractor’s past work, your rapport with the person, and perhaps most importantly, the price they quote you.
Many homeowners are baffled when it comes to looking at a quote. They see lots of numbers, and of course, the final price. No one wants to pay too much. One common cost on a quote that homeowners often grapple with is the contractor markup. This markup is the amount over cost that a contractor charges. It’s vital for contractors, since this is where they earn their profit, but what kind of markup is appropriate?
The answer? The honest truth is that there is no industry standard for pricing a remodeling project. Contractors will create margins that suit them, as well as what the industry will bear.
This can all sound rather negative from the consumer’s point of view, but it doesn’t mean you lose out. If you don’t like the contractor’s price, your choice is simple: Don’t hire the contractor! It’s always suggested to get at least three quotes from contractors, so if you feel one is too high, maybe one of the other two will be more in your ballpark. If you are working within a certain budget, make sure to stick to that budget. Choose a contractor who quotes you within your budget, and who you think will be able to do the best job for you.
Just how much a contractor will charge is compromised of many components, but you can expect at least 20 percent. Obviously it might be more if your contractor has a great reputation for his work and is in great demand by everyone in your neighborhood. The theory of supply and demand isn’t lost on the remodeling industry. Sometimes if you want the best, you need to be prepared to pay a little bit more.
Contractors don’t use markups as a way to make an easy penny off homeowners. Instead a markup is where contractors are able to truly make a living from their work. So, when you’re looking at your quote, don’t assume you’re being cheated. Instead, take your time to look over your quote and decide if you’re truly looking at a fair price.
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