Sunday, January 18, 2009

Top Star Remodeling - tips for choosing the right contractor

Selecting a remodeling contractor for your Home improvement remodeling project can not only be a time consuming but can be a bit confusing as well, but a little forethought and research will make the process much smoother. Follow these tips for choosing the right person for the job. •Before you even call a company, ask relatives, friends, and co-workers if they have recently hired a Construction company. You will be surprised how many people will have either recently had a home remodeling job done or know of someone who has, i.e. a neighbor or relative of their. •When you call a company to request an estimate, consider how your inquiry was handled. If you are not satisfied with how you were treated initially, imagine how you will be cared for if you used their services and had to call back with a problem. •Be sure your contractor is licensed. All contractors in the state of California are required to have a license number issued by the Contractors State License Board. Make sure that the contractor is insured and licensed. Be certain he carries either "Workers Compensation" or "General Liability" Insurance. •Management, sales and office staff - Be sure your contractor has the appropriate support staff to keep you informed. An administrative team and customer service person are a must. Sales staff should be trained and up to date on the latest technologies, they need to fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of the products they are trying to sell. The very best sales people are those who have been applicators themselves. •Insist that contractors come to the site to quote prices and make sure all the contractors are bidding on the same specifications. Always get a written quote with a materials list. •It is very important to make sure that everything is in writing! This is the best way to prevent problems before they even begin. The contract protects you and the contractor by including everything you have both agreed upon. If everything is spelled out, you are protected against unnecessary change orders. •Are you required to pay a down payment? If you are, the down payment should never be more than the legal percentage allowed in your state. In California the maximum deposit is not to be more than 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less. The payment schedule varies according to the size and scope of the project, but make sure it is spelled out in the contract. The final payment should be held back until all work is completed to your satisfaction. •Low Bids-Are they really a good thing? Finally, beware of the low bid. If there is more than a 15% disparity between the lowest and the next lowest bid, ask the lowest bidder to look over their bid sheet for possible errors. If it looks too good to be true it probably is. There is a saying among roofers on large or complex jobs that whoever made the biggest mistake will get the job. •Although the bottom line is important, never compare estimates only by the overall cost to you. If you are putting in a new roof it should be free of major repairs for at least twenty five years. Trust your instincts. You should never base your decision on price alone. Let Top Star put your worries to rest. With Top Star you can have a remodeling experience that will be pleasant and successful! Commitment to our projects, our customers, and delivering the best product possible are the ideals that have built us into a recognized construction leader. We pride ourselves on our quality work and great customer relationships. Our years of experience, knowledge and creativity give us the tools to plan and build any of your home improvement needs. We specialize in entire home remodeling projects including; Kitchen and Bathroom remodeling, Home Addition, New Construction, Roofing and Flooring Contractors, Electrical, Plumbing, Tex-Cote, Stucco, Driveways, Fire Damage and much more! At Top Star, we create the most exciting living spaces imaginable. Our mission is to provide you with the highest possible quality and service. Our goal is to provide your dream with unique design that allows you to live and work just the way you want to! Top Star is serving LOS ANGELES county, ORANGE county, VENTURA county and SAN DIEGO county! Call Us Now And Get A FREE Estimate! 1.877.818.6778 You Can Also Visit Our Web Site: http://www.topstarremodeling.com/ Have A Nice Day!

by TOP STAR