How many times have we heard the comments, "my builder was a disaster." "I am never remodeling or building again." "All contractors are rip-offs."
In this industry, it is actually very common to experience misunderstanding as well as budget "malfuntcions." However, there is no need for these to ocurr. The truth of the matter is that these type of misunderstandings can happen only under three circumstances. Either your contractor is actually a crook, you did not put everything in writing, or there was no follow up on the client's and builder's part to continually be informed of progress and expenses.
Here are a few tips that will help when you begin your next project:
On the actual contractor:
1) Get references. If all references come from the builder, call them, but also contact the local construction commission or remodeler's association and find out if there are any outstanding claims for the company.
2) Try to gage the builder and look for the following signs during the interview. Does he tell you he call deliver all you ask for with no type of disclaimers. He seems so easy to work with, he is willing to do anything you want, and never says it will cost more, even when you start adding items to the project. He tells you that you cannot contact his trades directly.
3) He cannot give you vendor referrals, such as a lumber company or plumbing company. Every referral he has is an independent "guy."
Keeping it all in writing:
1) Your contract. It is very important to have an attorney look it over. The amount of money you will save if all your points are covered is worth the small fee an attorney will charge.
2) Change orders. Keep track of every change you make, as well as those the builder recommends, etc. Even if you keep it in an email, you will have something to refer back to.
3) Lien waivers. When you issue a payment to your builder, it is not out of line to request that after paying all trades, the builder bring you copies of the lien waivers signed by all vendors working on your house. In case some disguntled trade comes knocking, you will have proof that he has been paid.
4) Keep track of deliveries, quality of items, etc. When you discuss with the builder what material will be used, make sure that it matches what was delivered.
Keeping Track:
1) You should have weekly or monthly meetings with your builder to see where you are in the construction process, both financially and time wise. There may be issues you are not aware of, or expectations the builder is not aware of. This is the time to go over every issue you have before it grows into a bigger problem.
If you have a party planned at your home, don't expect the builder to know about it unless you've told him how important it is to complete the work beforehand.
2) Make sure the builder knows immediately if you are unhappy with the way something looks. It is easier for the builder to tackle issues when the trades are on site, or before they have received final payment.
3) Keep all paperwork you are sent. When warranty time comes, you will want to have as much information as you can available to you.
Important rules to keep in mind:
1) Never pay for items that have not been completed unless it is a deposit (In this case, we usually recommend you make a check to the builder and the trade together, so there are no misunderstandings).
2) Know that just because you've paid your contractor, it does not mean he has paid his subs. Find out if your money is properly distributed so you have no hold ups or surprises.
Most builders will work with these rules because it benefits you both. If you find one that has an issue with them, RUN!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Where can I save money on my construction job?
When you remodel or begin new construction, there are a few areas where pricing is almost standard across the board. For example, concrete, lumber and framing are not items that are readily available to the consumer and therefore by the time you add labor, waste allowances and hidden costs, you will probably not be able to save much.
Drywall, as well as insulation and electric are other items for which you will probably not be able to save much as well since pricing is standard and these services are widely used.
Where you can begin to save money is in doors and windows. There are many discount stores as well as salvage places that carry a wide variety of designs. If you have a place to store these items, and you are not limited by design, this is the first step in achieving savings.
Plumbing fixtures are a great way to save money. However, you will need to know up front what fixtures will go in showers and tubs as these require valves installed up front during construction. It is also important to consider warranty when purchasing these items. You want to be able to return them, or receive defective parts from your vendor if the need arises.
Electrical fixtures are also constantly on sale. You can purchase these from the Internet and local stores. Keep in mind when purchasing lamps, chandeliers, fans, etc, their size, location of the electrical contact so you do not purchase an item that will not fit, or is too heavy for the framing and makes you incur costly change orders.
Tile offers a great opportunity for savings. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can select a tile that is not very expensive for the main part of your shower and splurge on accents. Most people focus on the overall design and do not focus on the background. Still, keep in mind, proper installation of tile is important for presentation, no matter the price of the tile you've purchased.
Drywall, as well as insulation and electric are other items for which you will probably not be able to save much as well since pricing is standard and these services are widely used.
Where you can begin to save money is in doors and windows. There are many discount stores as well as salvage places that carry a wide variety of designs. If you have a place to store these items, and you are not limited by design, this is the first step in achieving savings.
Plumbing fixtures are a great way to save money. However, you will need to know up front what fixtures will go in showers and tubs as these require valves installed up front during construction. It is also important to consider warranty when purchasing these items. You want to be able to return them, or receive defective parts from your vendor if the need arises.
Electrical fixtures are also constantly on sale. You can purchase these from the Internet and local stores. Keep in mind when purchasing lamps, chandeliers, fans, etc, their size, location of the electrical contact so you do not purchase an item that will not fit, or is too heavy for the framing and makes you incur costly change orders.
Tile offers a great opportunity for savings. Depending on the look you want to achieve, you can select a tile that is not very expensive for the main part of your shower and splurge on accents. Most people focus on the overall design and do not focus on the background. Still, keep in mind, proper installation of tile is important for presentation, no matter the price of the tile you've purchased.
On landscaping there are easy ways to save. If you do not mind waiting a bit for your landscaping to look "finished," you can order smaller size plants and allow them time to bloom. Usually prices for smaller plants are less and really you only need to wait a month or two for a full landscape. Just make sure you give your plants proper irrigation.
Lastly, allow for future improvements. There may be many features you want to incorporate in your new home/remodel. The trick is to do them all correctly. Trying to cut corners on finish outs or quality in order to save money or cram an entire wish list is not a smart move. Quality is important. Discuss with your builder and decide what items can be left for a "second phase" without affecting cost in a big way.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Energy Tax Credits Available
For those of you who want to upgrade, change or improve your home, there are many tax credits available from the government. If you are not sure what those credits are, here is a short list with facts you can use (Please keep in mind that these repairs need to meet certain criteria established by the government. For that criteria you can go to http://www.energystar.gov/taxcredits
Insulation - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Windows and Skylights - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Windows - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Roofing - Energy star qualified and reflective asphalt shingles - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Installation costs are not covered by the tax credit for windows, doors, insulation and roofs. It is for materials only.
On new construction you can obtain tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC or nonsolar water heaters.
In order to qualify for the tax credit, all products must have a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying the product meets the standards for the tax credit. The Manufacturer Certification Statement isn’t required to send in with your tax return but must accompany your receipts and records.
It is recommended by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to save all receipts with the contact information of each manufacturer, the make and model of the product, and the manufacturer’s statement that the product meets the tax credit standards.
Conserving energy through the use of “green” products might not have been at the top of your list a few years ago, but thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill the government has made it financially beneficial to homeowners to work toward energy efficiency. Tax credits are available unlike ever before to homeowners who are planning a home remodel with green appliances and practices.
When helping the environment while saving money, everybody wins.
Insulation - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Windows and Skylights - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Windows - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Exterior Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Storm Doors - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Roofing - Energy star qualified and reflective asphalt shingles - 30% of cost up to $1,500
Installation costs are not covered by the tax credit for windows, doors, insulation and roofs. It is for materials only.
On new construction you can obtain tax credits for geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaics, solar water heaters, small wind energy systems and fuel cells, but not for windows, doors, insulation, roofs, HVAC or nonsolar water heaters.
In order to qualify for the tax credit, all products must have a signed statement from the manufacturer certifying the product meets the standards for the tax credit. The Manufacturer Certification Statement isn’t required to send in with your tax return but must accompany your receipts and records.
It is recommended by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to save all receipts with the contact information of each manufacturer, the make and model of the product, and the manufacturer’s statement that the product meets the tax credit standards.
Conserving energy through the use of “green” products might not have been at the top of your list a few years ago, but thanks to the 2009 economic stimulus bill the government has made it financially beneficial to homeowners to work toward energy efficiency. Tax credits are available unlike ever before to homeowners who are planning a home remodel with green appliances and practices.
When helping the environment while saving money, everybody wins.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Women in the construction industry, can it work?
It can be hard for women in a male-dominated world of construction.
Female owners of construction companies are often the only women at job-site meetings. Not yet used to women running the show, construction workers at sites sometimes mistake them for building owner representatives or inspectors.
It can be uncomfortable to be the only woman on a job site where it is all men. There are times that you look around, and you stick out like a sore thumb. The woman-owned construction firm is a rare breed. Just 12 percent of those working nationally in the construction industry are women and only 6 percent are managers, according to the National Association of Women in Construction in Fort Worth, Texas.
Running a company in this male-dominated industry takes perseverance -- and a thick skin.
Our firm has been involved for years on new construction, renovation and tenant improvement, still, men don't assume we know what we're talking about when it comes to construction. In this business it is important to know the trade because you are dealing with a lot of men and a male-dominated profession.
When women first started in their roles as company executives, plenty of men challenged their authority. I have had men come in the office demanding to speak to my boss.
Female construction firm owners deal with these attitudes by demonstrating their knowledge of construction. A friendly golf game or social outing with a client doesn't hurt either. Golf playing being a goal I have not yet achieved.
Despite the gender imbalance in the industry, some progress has been made in acceptance of women in construction. Sexist workers are unlikely to sign up for a female-owned construction company's job. It almost makes women a natural filter for “jerks” in the construction business.
Although working in a male-dominated field is a challenge, female owners of construction firms also see advantages. Home owners are happy to know there is a person that can relate to the construction from a woman’s perspective, who understands and has valuable input on the flow and design of a home. Also, women often have a different perspective and are usually more adept at communicating, these women owners said. Women will pick up the phone more often than men, who tend to communicate better via email.
They also benefit from Women Business Enterprise certifications. Governments and other entities are often required to contract a certain percentage of their projects to woman- or minority-owned firms.
Although we hope to be accepted by the old boys' club, women construction company owners aren't necessarily vying for membership.
"I still wear my high heels to the job site."
Female owners of construction companies are often the only women at job-site meetings. Not yet used to women running the show, construction workers at sites sometimes mistake them for building owner representatives or inspectors.
It can be uncomfortable to be the only woman on a job site where it is all men. There are times that you look around, and you stick out like a sore thumb. The woman-owned construction firm is a rare breed. Just 12 percent of those working nationally in the construction industry are women and only 6 percent are managers, according to the National Association of Women in Construction in Fort Worth, Texas.
Running a company in this male-dominated industry takes perseverance -- and a thick skin.
Our firm has been involved for years on new construction, renovation and tenant improvement, still, men don't assume we know what we're talking about when it comes to construction. In this business it is important to know the trade because you are dealing with a lot of men and a male-dominated profession.
When women first started in their roles as company executives, plenty of men challenged their authority. I have had men come in the office demanding to speak to my boss.
Female construction firm owners deal with these attitudes by demonstrating their knowledge of construction. A friendly golf game or social outing with a client doesn't hurt either. Golf playing being a goal I have not yet achieved.
Despite the gender imbalance in the industry, some progress has been made in acceptance of women in construction. Sexist workers are unlikely to sign up for a female-owned construction company's job. It almost makes women a natural filter for “jerks” in the construction business.
Although working in a male-dominated field is a challenge, female owners of construction firms also see advantages. Home owners are happy to know there is a person that can relate to the construction from a woman’s perspective, who understands and has valuable input on the flow and design of a home. Also, women often have a different perspective and are usually more adept at communicating, these women owners said. Women will pick up the phone more often than men, who tend to communicate better via email.
They also benefit from Women Business Enterprise certifications. Governments and other entities are often required to contract a certain percentage of their projects to woman- or minority-owned firms.
Although we hope to be accepted by the old boys' club, women construction company owners aren't necessarily vying for membership.
"I still wear my high heels to the job site."
Monday, August 17, 2009
Remodeling Tips
Here are a few things to consider when you remodel:
1) Electrical: Make sure you understand the space. When placing electrical outlets, you will need to meet code, however, you can make sure the location of the outlets fit your room layout. Tell your electrician exactly where you want the outlets and jacks to be (and how high you want them as well). This is especially true if you have an idea where you want your furniture to go and you want to hide the outlets and jacks behind the furniture.
2) Paint: Make sure the painter leaves a few cans of paint, labeled, in your garage so you can do your own touch ups after you've completed the work.
3) There is an unknown rule of thumb when remodeling. Spend the money where the water is. That means kitchen and bathrooms. A quick face lift of these areas will completely change your entire house look.
4) When hiring a contractor, keep in mind: You can only have 2 of these 3: Fast, Quality, Cheap. ie, if the work gets down fast and cheap, chances are you won't have the quality. If you want the job done quickly with excelent quality, changes are it won't be too cheap, etc...
5) Adding a bit of crown and trim around the house can dress it up a bit, for a low cost.
6) Find out if there are rebates available for the products you purchase for your home. Rebates are commonly found in appliances.
7) Make sure you buy a roll of blue tape and mark clearly the areas you need to touch up or fix for your builder.
8) No matter how well you plan, expect the project to “cost more and take longer than you think,”
9) Landscaping: It is easy and fun to plant trees and watch them grow. If you plant a very young tree, it can resemble a weed to a yard maintenance man in a hurry! Be sure to put a colorful piece of tape around it so that everyone knows that it is not to be destroyed.
10) Here's an area where renovators often cut corners: Exterior trim should be backprimed. This means that the decorative pieces of wood on the outside of your house should have paint on all sides before they are attached to the house. Without backpriming, the wood can absorb moisture, which can cause warping, rotting, and shorter paint life on the front of the piece of trim.
1) Electrical: Make sure you understand the space. When placing electrical outlets, you will need to meet code, however, you can make sure the location of the outlets fit your room layout. Tell your electrician exactly where you want the outlets and jacks to be (and how high you want them as well). This is especially true if you have an idea where you want your furniture to go and you want to hide the outlets and jacks behind the furniture.
2) Paint: Make sure the painter leaves a few cans of paint, labeled, in your garage so you can do your own touch ups after you've completed the work.
3) There is an unknown rule of thumb when remodeling. Spend the money where the water is. That means kitchen and bathrooms. A quick face lift of these areas will completely change your entire house look.
4) When hiring a contractor, keep in mind: You can only have 2 of these 3: Fast, Quality, Cheap. ie, if the work gets down fast and cheap, chances are you won't have the quality. If you want the job done quickly with excelent quality, changes are it won't be too cheap, etc...
5) Adding a bit of crown and trim around the house can dress it up a bit, for a low cost.
6) Find out if there are rebates available for the products you purchase for your home. Rebates are commonly found in appliances.
7) Make sure you buy a roll of blue tape and mark clearly the areas you need to touch up or fix for your builder.
8) No matter how well you plan, expect the project to “cost more and take longer than you think,”
9) Landscaping: It is easy and fun to plant trees and watch them grow. If you plant a very young tree, it can resemble a weed to a yard maintenance man in a hurry! Be sure to put a colorful piece of tape around it so that everyone knows that it is not to be destroyed.
10) Here's an area where renovators often cut corners: Exterior trim should be backprimed. This means that the decorative pieces of wood on the outside of your house should have paint on all sides before they are attached to the house. Without backpriming, the wood can absorb moisture, which can cause warping, rotting, and shorter paint life on the front of the piece of trim.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Which is the right insulation for your home?
Does Green matter when choosing Insulation?
To apply Green in your home, the main steps to use in your construction are low-toxicity/non-toxic building products and recyclable materials.
Insulation is one of the items where you can apply Green easily.
SIPS
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"), offering energy savings of 12%–14%. When installed properly, SIPs also provide a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house more comfortable and quieter.
SIPs can give you high values of almost R-30 and great noise reduction. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two oriented strand boards (OSB) or other structural facing materials. Normally SIPS are great when building new construction and can reduce time and costs.
Loose Fills
Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing any structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for places where it's difficult to install some other types of insulation.
Loose-fill insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock of slag) wool. All of these materials are made with recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20%–30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. Loose fill insulation is great at resisting heat flow and can reduce noise by about 50%.
Batts
Blanket insulation—the most common and widely available type of insulation—comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
The advantage of Batts insulation is that it is simple to install and you can do it yourself. It is also the least expensive of all the insulation options.
Foams
Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Their ability to fill even the smallest cavities gives them twice the R-value per inch than traditional BATT insulation. However, liquid foam insulation also forms an air barrier. This can help eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints. When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money.
To apply Green in your home, the main steps to use in your construction are low-toxicity/non-toxic building products and recyclable materials.
Insulation is one of the items where you can apply Green easily.
SIPS
Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are prefabricated insulated structural elements for use in building walls, ceilings, floors, and roofs. They provide superior and uniform insulation compared to more traditional construction methods (stud or "stick frame"), offering energy savings of 12%–14%. When installed properly, SIPs also provide a more airtight dwelling, which makes a house more comfortable and quieter.
SIPs can give you high values of almost R-30 and great noise reduction. A SIP typically consists of 4- to 8-inch thick foam board insulation sandwiched between two oriented strand boards (OSB) or other structural facing materials. Normally SIPS are great when building new construction and can reduce time and costs.
Loose Fills
Loose-fill insulation consists of small particles of fiber, foam, or other materials. These small particles form an insulation material that can conform to any space without disturbing any structures or finishes. This ability to conform makes loose-fill insulation well suited for retrofits and for places where it's difficult to install some other types of insulation.
Loose-fill insulation can be made of cellulose, fiberglass, and mineral (rock of slag) wool. All of these materials are made with recycled waste materials. Cellulose is primarily made from recycled newsprint. Most fiberglass contains 20%–30% recycled glass. Mineral wool is usually produced from 75% post-industrial recycled content. Loose fill insulation is great at resisting heat flow and can reduce noise by about 50%.
Batts
Blanket insulation—the most common and widely available type of insulation—comes in the form of batts or rolls. It consists of flexible fibers, most commonly fiberglass. You also can find batts and rolls made from mineral (rock and slag) wool, plastic fibers, and natural fibers, such as cotton and sheep's wool.
The advantage of Batts insulation is that it is simple to install and you can do it yourself. It is also the least expensive of all the insulation options.
Foams
Liquid foam insulation materials can be sprayed, foamed-in-place, injected, or poured. Their ability to fill even the smallest cavities gives them twice the R-value per inch than traditional BATT insulation. However, liquid foam insulation also forms an air barrier. This can help eliminate some of the other costs and tasks associated with weatherizing a home, such as caulking, applying housewrap and vapor barrier, and taping joints. When building a new home, this type of insulation can also help reduce construction time and the number of specialized contractors, which saves money.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)