tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59548230227512802082011-12-07T10:14:27.553-08:00Tips and Advice by EddieDarkDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720292396702709196noreply@blogger.comBlogger21100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5954823022751280208.post-46389824725982688492010-03-05T18:45:00.001-08:002010-03-05T19:39:22.521-08:00One of the biggest headaches we have all encountered when we begin our search for a home improvement contractor is how do we know he's the right one? Most importantly, how do I find information about him/her?<br /><br />Contractors requires valid licenses to pull permits. Your local government website should be able to provide links for you to look up license info on a contractor. This way you will know whether his license is up to date and valid.<br /><br />Don't be afraid to ask questions!!!<br /><br />Ask for insurance. Most contractors are required to carry liability insurance and worker's compensation insurance especially if they have subcontractors or other workers on the job.<br /><br />Ask for references. There are now customer referral sites available so that you can read the reviews from other people who have used the service, but you may have to pay for them. Don't be afraid to ask the contractor for 2-3 references and make sure you CALL CALL CALL!<br /><br />Other places you can look for information on a contractor are sites like <a href="http://www.bbb.org/">Better Business Bureau</a> or your local government website. You can find out whether any complaints have been filed against the contractors.<br /><br />To help you with your home improvement search, I will provide you a check list:<br />(please note that some of these information apply to Massachusetts residents, check your local government website for more information)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ask to see a license</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Construction Supervisor (needed to pull a permit and structural work)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">you can validate the licenses at <a href="http://db.state.ma.us/dps/licenseelist.asp">http://db.state.ma.us/dps/licenseelist.asp</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Home Improvement Contractor (needed for all home improvement work)</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">you can validate the licenses at <a href="http://db.state.ma.us/homeimprovement/licenseelist.asp">http://db.state.ma.us/homeimprovement/licenseelist.asp</a></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Get insurance binder from the contractor’s insurance company</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Get references (2-3)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Always get a written warranty or contract for jobs above $1000</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ask for professional associations</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Better Business Bureau</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> National Association for Remodeling Industry </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> National Association of Home Builders</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Remember that a cheaper quote is not going to guarantee quality work. </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Ask yourself why it is cheaper? </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Are they using cheaper materials?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Are they cutting materials?</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"> Will this need fixing again in 2-3 years?</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Remember to always protect yourself and protect you valuable home! </span><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5954823022751280208-4638982472598268849?l=eddiemacshome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DarkDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720292396702709196noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5954823022751280208.post-80334360121283653582009-06-10T13:56:00.000-07:002009-06-10T21:44:34.692-07:00I am an avid fan of cool tools that enhances my job and speed up the process of work. I like anything that creates convenience not just for me but also for the customers.<br /><br />My recent jobs include a lot of paint work. Painting can be tedious and tricky. The clean up process is not fun either. Many times a customer gets upset because I clean rollers and paint brushes using a hose in their backyard, leaving paint on their grass or ground. For my own home, I wash the rollers in the bathroom sink and that not only splatters paint all over, making my wife extremely unhappy, but I get it all over my hands. At the end of the day the roller doesn't really get cleaned all that thoroughly and I end up throwing many rollers away.<br /><br />Today I purchased a new tool, the Rejuv-a-Roller. Not only is this tool more environmentally friendly as it doesn't leave a mess in the ground and saves water, it is a cost-saving device that is easy to use and allows me to quickly clean up! I can't wait to get it! <br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mVtDHRlPxYc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mVtDHRlPxYc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="325" height="244"></embed></object><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/5954823022751280208-8033436012128365358?l=eddiemacshome.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>DarkDreamerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17720292396702709196noreply@blogger.com0