Best Home Remodeling

WHEN YOU DECIDE TO IMPROVE YOUR MOST VALUABLE INVESTMENT CONSIDER THESE POINTS:

TRUST

·        ESTABLISHED COMPANY

·        EXCELLENT REPUTATION

 

VALUE

·      QUALITY PRODUCTS- the materials that will be used on your project.

   Is your contractor going to use expensive materials? OR are they going to use cheap materials?

·      UNSURPASSED CRAFTSMANSHIP

 

 SERVICE

·      COMPANY COMMITMENT

·      PRODUCT WARRANTY

·      LABOR WARRANTY

·      PERSONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE

   

     “The Bitterness of Poor Quality Remains Long After the Sweetness of a       a Low Price is Forgotten”

    Click Here to start experiencing the Classic Homes Remodeling Difference

   

    

 

 

 

 

 

Check List to Help You Remodel Your Home

 

·         Figure out how much money you have to spend on your home renovation project.

·         Seek referrals from friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and others who have had similar work done.

·         Check out local online forums and Local Newspaper forums. Type into the Google Search Engine , “your local city” example: “Ventura online forum”…and you will get results to local online forums.  This website came up as a result for searching “Ventura Online Forum”: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/ventura-ca . In Ventura The Newspaper had an online forum and this is the link to give you an idea of what you are looking for as an example of a local newspaper online forum

·         Contact remodelers trade associations such as your area’s local home Builders Association, Remodelers Council or the National Association of the Remodeling Industry known as “Nari”

·         Check with your local Better Business Bureau or local state office of consumer protection.

·         Check with the Chamber of Commerce

·         Verify the remodeler has the appropriate license(s) in your state and that they are current.

·         Look for professional certifications, associations and designations.

·         Ask your professional remodeler for a written estimate of the work to be done based on a set of plans and specifications.

·         Be prepared to pay for this package.

·         Select a professional remodeler who is a specialist with your type of project.

·         “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of a low price is forgotten.” The lowest price does not ensure a successful remodeling project. My Father once taught me that it is better to pay a little more to get the job done right the first time so you do not have to pay over and over again.

 

Home Renovation Tips - Remodeling Tips

When considering remodeling your home, ask yourself:

Do I want to add a bathroom and possibly a bedroom to the main level?

How can I make my kitchen more functional?

How much money can I budget for this project?

Will other members of my family benefit from modifications?

Will remodeling increase the energy efficiency of my home?

Where do I find a professional I can consult with about my needs?

 

Photos are a great way to get your point across. Take photos of different parts of houses and show your remodeling specialist.  The General Contractor and his team of expert tradesmen are skilled in building, but you have the vision of how you want your remodeling project to look! You must be the creator and be able to share that vision with your general contractor.

 

Look through magazines that contain a multitude of pictures of renovated and decorated homes to find the layouts you want. Cut these pictures out and put them in a file to show your contractor.

 

Find the homes you like in your area or take photos of the ones out of your area and tell your contractor you want it to look like this, and if you want to add some minor modifications like a different color for the cabinets.

 

A qualified contractor should be able to recreate the photo and to make any changes to that picture that will be necessary. Get final drawings of the overall design so that you know you’re both on the same page.

 

One of the classic home remodeling tips is to maximize resale value by spending your money in kitchens and bathrooms first. Have your contractor install fine crown molding which can really dress up your house.

 

Instead of wasting time giving directions over the phone, print out directions to your house and fax them to your contractor.

 

Local building codes require a certain number of electrical outlets in a room.  However, some electricians will slap the plug-in outlets into the walls in an unattractive configuration when you consider where the phone and cable jacks are going. 

 

Tell your electrician exactly where you want the outlets and jacks to be and how high you want them. Hide your new outlets and jacks behind the furniture.

 

Be sure that your painter saves you some paint in the cans for touch-ups and duplication later.

 

When renovating, it is important to specify to your contractor what you expect with your drywalls. Some contractors will screw in the ceiling drywall, but nail in the walls.  With fluctuations in humidity, the nails invariably pop out within a few years at the latest.  Screwing the drywall in takes a lot more time, and the contractor may charge extra, but I generally think it’s worth it in order to have the job done right the first time.

 

Written by Temogen Amato

 

Got Questions? Write to us here with your questions and to get a Free No Obligation Estimate Consultation  

Follow these tips when dealing with a building contractor

 

A home improvement project can very easily increase the value of your home. But before you get started, I’d like to share with you some tips with regards to dealing with home contractors.

 

When you are looking for a home contractor make sure to get references and check them. Make sure that the contractor’s insurance, bonding, licenses and other credentials are current. Narrow down your list to your favorite home contractors and ask if they had done any similar projects in the neighborhood.

 

If you have a lot of money and plan on hiring a designer, this person will draw up a detailed design based on your needs, creative ideas and specifications. The designer will make the blueprint plans for the General Contractor.

 

If you want to pay less, you can avoid having to hire an architect or a designer by hiring a company like “Classic Homes Remodeling” who feels that generating and providing blue print plans are a part of the complete service to their client.

 

Get a list of client references from your contractor. Visit the homes, see the work that the contractor has done and talk with these satisfied clients.

 

When you speak to a reference ask them these questions:

 

· How was the communication before and during your projects? Were you kept informed about the status of your home improvement project, of any problems that came up or of any changes that needed to be made?

 

· Were you satisfied with your contractor’s answers to your questions?

 

· Was your contractor willing to listen to your suggestions and input?

 

· Did they arrive at work on time every day, and did they clean up after themselves?

 

· Was the work done within the budget? Did you end up with costs that were outside of your original estimate? What were those extra costs?

 

· Ask if the project completed in a timely manner or were there delays?

 

· Would they hire this contractor again to do additional work?

 

· Would they recommend their contracting services to other home owners who are considering having a contracting project done?

 

You might get lucky and have one of the references let you stop by and see the completed work on their home to get a better idea of the accuracy of their project. Hopefully you will be impressed with the work done and the openness of the reference.

 

 

Choosing your home Remodeling Contractor and hiring the right Contractor for your project

 

 · Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see the license.

 

· Don’t hire the first contractor who comes along.

 

· Contractor doesn’t solicit door to door.

 

· Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed.

 

· Contractor should discuss your project in detail before giving a quote.

 

· Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract.

 

· Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there were any complaints against the contractor

 

· Contractor doesn’t require me to obtain the building permits because they take care of that.

 

· Contractor doesn’t request cash only payments.

 

· Don’t pay cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work.

 

· Contractor doesn’t require a large down payment. Don’t pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.

 

· If a remodeling contractor comes into your home for an estimate and asks you for a large down payment…I would strongly consider, not giving them any money. You may ask: Don’t they need money for labor and materials? If they needed your money to pay for labor and materials…they don’t have much of a business.

 

If they don’t have the cash flow and money in their business to take care of your job, you should consider not doing business with them at all. Another thing you have to be aware of in regards to this issue is that if you do pay the contractor and he uses subcontractors or certain suppliers and he doesn’t pay them…they can put a lien on your house and you’ll be forced to pay them.

 

· Homeowners should look closely at all paperwork or contracts

 

· Any properly prepared contract will include all the costs, not only for the General Contractor but also for all his/her subcontractors as well. In terms of actual payment, prepare to pay in increments. You obviously wouldn’t pay all the money up front (just in case he/she absconds with the money without finishing or even beginning the job), and it’s not feasible to pay the fee all at the end, since he/she would need the money to pay the subs on a weekly basis.

 

· Consumers can verify a contractor’s license status through the CSLB’s Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov or through its toll-free automated telephone system at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). Find out if the contractor’s license is active and in the right classification for the work to be done. Consumers can also see if there are any legal complaints against the contractor, if the business name and address are correct.

 

How to Avoid and Resolve Contractor Disputes

 

It is best to deal with any conflicts that come up immediately — don’t wait.

 

Start out with a good attitude, communicate with your contractor and address things amicably.

 

If you follow this advice, your home projects should progress smoothly. If your contractor and his subcontractors repeatedly show up for work late, even though you want your “add-a level” finished quickly, I advise you to keep your cool. Try your my best to talk sensibly with your home contractor and try to work out the problems. Don’t be itchy on the trigger finger to contact your attorney to help settle any disputes that may arise with your home contractor.

 

Once you’ve gotten the referrals, chosen your contractor, secured the finances, and have finalized your vision, embark on a journey for a much happier home!

 

Contact us for your Free No Obligation Estimate Consultation in your home or our Showroom 

 

 

 

Follow these tips when dealing with a building contractor

 

A home improvement project can very easily increase the value of your home. But before you get started, I’d like to share with you some tips with regards to dealing with home contractors.

 

When you are looking for a home contractor make sure to get references and check them. Make sure that the contractor’s insurance, bonding, licenses and other credentials are current. Narrow down your list to your favorite home contractors and ask if they had done any similar projects in the neighborhood.

 

If you have a lot of money and plan on hiring a designer, this person will draw up a detailed design based on your needs, creative ideas and specifications. The designer will make the blueprint plans for the General Contractor.

 

If you want to pay less, you can avoid having to hire an architect or a designer by hiring a company like “Classic Homes Remodeling” who feels that generating and providing blue print plans are a part of the complete service to their client.

 

Get a list of client references from your contractor. Visit the homes, see the work that the contractor has done and talk with these satisfied clients.

 

When you speak to a reference ask them these questions:

 

· How was the communication before and during your projects? Were you kept informed about the status of your home improvement project, of any problems that came up or of any changes that needed to be made?

 

· Were you satisfied with your contractor’s answers to your questions?

 

· Was your contractor willing to listen to your suggestions and input?

 

· Did they arrive at work on time every day, and did they clean up after themselves?

 

· Was the work done within the budget? Did you end up with costs that were outside of your original estimate? What were those extra costs?

 

· Ask if the project completed in a timely manner or were there delays?

 

· Would they hire this contractor again to do additional work?

 

· Would they recommend their contracting services to other home owners who are considering having a contracting project done?

 

You might get lucky and have one of the references let you stop by and see the completed work on their home to get a better idea of the accuracy of their project. Hopefully you will be impressed with the work done and the openness of the reference.

 

Choosing your home Remodeling Contractor and hiring the right Contractor for your project

 

 · Hire only licensed contractors and ask to see the license.

 

· Don’t hire the first contractor who comes along.

 

· Contractor doesn’t solicit door to door.

 

· Don’t rush into repairs, no matter how badly they’re needed.

 

· Contractor should discuss your project in detail before giving a quote.

 

· Get three bids, check references, and get a written contract.

 

· Check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there were any complaints against the contractor

 

· Contractor doesn’t require me to obtain the building permits because they take care of that.

 

· Contractor doesn’t request cash only payments.

 

· Don’t pay cash, and don’t let the payments get ahead of the work.

 

· Contractor doesn’t require a large down payment. Don’t pay more than 10 percent or $1,000, whichever is less, as a down payment.

 

· If a remodeling contractor comes into your home for an estimate and asks you for a large down payment…I would strongly consider, not giving them any money. You may ask: Don’t they need money for labor and materials? If they needed your money to pay for labor and materials…they don’t have much of a business.

 

If they don’t have the cash flow and money in their business to take care of your job, you should consider not doing business with them at all. Another thing you have to be aware of in regards to this issue is that if you do pay the contractor and he uses subcontractors or certain suppliers and he doesn’t pay them…they can put a lien on your house and you’ll be forced to pay them.

 

· Homeowners should look closely at all paperwork or contracts

 

· Any properly prepared contract will include all the costs, not only for the General Contractor but also for all his/her subcontractors as well. In terms of actual payment, prepare to pay in increments. You obviously wouldn’t pay all the money up front (just in case he/she absconds with the money without finishing or even beginning the job), and it’s not feasible to pay the fee all at the end, since he/she would need the money to pay the subs on a weekly basis.

 

· Consumers can verify a contractor’s license status through the CSLB’s Web site at www.cslb.ca.gov or through its toll-free automated telephone system at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752). Find out if the contractor’s license is active and in the right classification for the work to be done. Consumers can also see if there are any legal complaints against the contractor, if the business name and address are correct.

 

How to Avoid and Resolve Contractor Disputes

 

It is best to deal with any conflicts that come up immediately — don’t wait.

 

Start out with a good attitude, communicate with your contractor and address things amicably.

 

If you follow this advice, your home projects should progress smoothly. If your contractor and his subcontractors repeatedly show up for work late, even though you want your “add-a level” finished quickly, I advise you to keep your cool. Try your my best to talk sensibly with your home contractor and try to work out the problems. Don’t be itchy on the trigger finger to contact your attorney to help settle any disputes that may arise with your home contractor.

 

Once you’ve gotten the referrals, chosen your contractor, secured the finances, and have finalized your vision, embark on a journey for a much happier home!

 

Contact us for your Free No Obligation Estimate Consultation in your home or our Showroom 

 

 

 

Yesterday, Marianne Fontaine came into our headquarters and showroom for a visit. Marianne lives in Ventura and wanted to see our new neighborhood showroom. She came in and over a cup of coffee was expressing her joy with the kitchen that we remodeled for her.

 

It turns out that Marianne also needs a service call.

What would generate a service call on a Classic Homes Remodeling job?

 

Since we stand behind our work, we have a lifetime guarantee on materials and labor. 

Marianne reported that the kitchen valve that we installed when we remodeled her whole kitchen 2 years ago, all of a sudden had only hot water coming out of it but no cold water. We promptly filled out a service call slip to visit her home and fix her problem.

 

Marianne was so pleased that we agreed to promptly come out to her home for a service call to fix her problem that she insisted upon letting everybody know and so she wants to share the joy that she experiences everyday in her kitchen.

 

“Every morning when I make coffee, I get reminded how lovely my kitchen counter-top looks”. “Looking at my new counter-top, I smile as I wipe it off because it’s a true pleasure in my life”

Find out more about Frequently Asked Questions to Classic Homes Remodeling

Local Business owners are usually unhappy with the results that their website is bringing in. Isn’t the purpose of a website to bring in new business, get leads and make money?

WELL…IT SHOULD BE http://bit.ly/bE66do

The Problem: Many Local Businesses use their website as a static business card. But does your website get leads, sell products/services or create a mailing/customer list for you?

Most of the local business owners I ask…tell me NO…that they don’t like their website and that it is not generating leads or making money for them.

Before I joined the present company I work at (as their Marketing and PR Director/Webmaster) their website never got one lead or a job.

Now that I have revamped their website completely the website does its job; it brings in regular leads and business.

Problem: The people usually hired to do your website are not fully qualified with the full array of rounded out talents that they need to make an effective website that brings in leads, sells products/services and money.
Why your web maker is not well rounded enough?

Because usually the person you hired to do your website is probably an expert at one discipline and that might be at web designing BUT…

Effective Website Building needs mastery at many disciplines…such as Web Development, Internet Marketing Mastery, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Marketing, Writing Original Relevant Content, Editing, Photography, Graphic Arts, Videography, etc etc. etc.

If your website is built properly (few really are) it would then be ready for Search Engine Marketing (SEM) and Search Engine Optimization (SEO) which needs to be done by en expert.

This is also why your website needs to be built in such a way that it is ready for the Marketers and Search Engine Optimizers to come in and get started at getting your optimized website placed all over the web as well as on the first page listings of Google and other Search Engines like Yahoo and Bing.

This is how your website gets seen by your “Target Customer” and finds them wherever they hang out online. Your targeted customer will then see your listings, banners or ads and then click on the link that takes them to your website.

What does this mean? Remember that I made the point earlier in this article that your website is there to make you money?

That is the purpose of your website…”To Make Money” NOT to act as a static business card just to give you a “Web Presence”.

Want to learn more?

Adding these elements to your Google Local Business Listing will get you in the Top Ten  http://bit.ly/bE66do

By Temogen Amato

If you decide to attempt a remodeling job by yourself, you actually become the prime contractor and everyone you hire is a subcontractor. You thus assume the liability and full responsibility of the project.

 

The very first thing you should ask yourself before even considering hiring a contractor is, can I do this myself? ;can I be the General Contractor and oversee  others doing some of the work.

 

The obvious benefit would be the money saved from not having to pay a General Contractor and Subcontractors. There are other things to consider, such as the many responsibilities entailed in being a General Contractor and the time it will take away from your full time job. If you can’t find subcontractors that will work on evenings and weekends, you’ll be taking time out of spending time with your family.

 

If any of the people working on your project or one of your Subcontractors doesn’t do it properly, you assume the liability. If you call them after the fact the chances of them coming back to fix it are very slim, even if they are still in business.

 

So you have to personally inspect the work, make sure that the project is done properly and do the quality control during the job and perhaps have to take time off your regular job and worry about everything that is part of the project.

 

If something goes wrong or you miss something when attempting to do it yourself, you might have to rip it out later on or demolish it and redo it…the job can cost you 3 times more than it should. So you think you’re saving money by doing it yourself but the job can literally cost you 3 times more than what we are charging you to do the job properly.

 

If that’s not bad enough let’s examine the legal ramifications. If the work is not done properly and according to codes your insurance company is not liable to pay any claims pertaining to your home.

 

To be a General Contractor, you must have at least a rudimentary knowledge of construction or you won’t know if the people you’ve hired are doing a good job. Considering this, you will probably be better off, avoid a lot of hassle and save time by actually hiring a contractor.

 

Classic Homes is giving you a Lifetime Guarantee on materials and labor. We make sure that we do it right the first time so that we don’t incur the extra costs of reworking a job

 

Click Here to find out more about what makes the Classic Homes Remodeling Difference?

 

By Temogen Amato