Mailer

This is something I've been working on for a while. So additional assistance for our Ad campaign. As you can see from my previous post its been a while since I addressed this blog. I am hoping for some feedback so feel free to comment.

New Ad

We are just winning awards right and left!  This is our latest feature in ARW magazine!

New Logo

We've been creating a new image for our business.  Our commitment is to homeowners who are dedicated to preserving and enhancing the architectural details of their homes.  Our design services maintain the richness of yesteryear and marrying that to the modern systems of today.

Remodeling Tips

This is a good, quick video from the publishers of This Old House magazine.  They go over 5 very important considerations before diving into a remodel.  

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,20281057,00.html?partner=yes&xid=myyahoo-feed-052909-TOH-how-to-avoid-the-top-5-remodeling-mistakes-maincontent-2

There is another way to think about the remodeling process tho.  If you are a little more flush with cash, you can start a remodeling project(with a very trusted General Contractor)without having all the details worked out, but the GC might insist on a 'Cost Plus Contract'.  Typically the contractor will give a very strong estimate for every line item in the contract, but the aesthetic details will be listed as 'allowances'.  Then, it is up to you as the homeowner/client to stay within the 'allowance' or decide to exceed the allotted amount.  Your contractor should be able to tell you right away how that will affect the overall budget.  Since, not only will the material costs go up, your contractors overhead/markup fee will increase because it will be based on a percentage of all labor and materials.  

It sounds scary but your expert contractor, in a cost plus situation, should have given you realistic allowances.  Another big advantage is that the job costs are completely transparent.  Unlike a fixed bid, which only shows you that ominous big, final number, the cost plus job shows every last little expense you are paying for.  NO HIDDEN COSTS!

Legal Definition of Contractor

For those of you that were curious about the Cal. State legal definition of a contractor - well here ya go.

Chances are, as a home owner or small business owner you will be in contact with, what is known as, a General Building Contractor with a 'B' designation.  The California State Licensing Board issues these licenses.  The general contractor can only, legally, perform carpentry or framing unless he/she has an additional specialty(sub contractor) classification for that trade.  The general contractor 'B' class is one who works on structures built for the shelter of persons or animals requiring more that two unrelated trades or crafts.

The state will issue the original license to an "entity" which may be an Individual, a Partnership or a Corporation.

All licensed contractors must submit a contractor's surety bond in the amount of $12,500.00.

So, without boring everyone to tears, hopefully some of this information will help you the next time you are ready to jump into a build project.  The California State Licensing Board, of course, has a website, where it is quite convenient to look up a construction company's license status and see if there are any filed complaints with that entity.

So, you can use your 'mc giver' prowess to check out the guy who is going to tear your house apart - and hopefully put it back together.

Owner/Builder or Hire a Contractor

Many believe they can struggle thru the world of being their own General Contractor.  For some, this is a possibility.  Others will try and get bogged down by a delinquent sub contractor or get stuck in a tricky area of the project.  So, how do you decide if you can take on the project yourself or not?  

The first few questions are:

-do you have the time to do it all yourself?  Or if not, do you have a list of reliable sub contractors that will be there to step in and complete their specialties?

-Does your municipality allow you as an owner/builder to pull your own permits?  

-Do you have the liability insurance to cover your sub contractors?

This is just the start of the questioning.  A good general contractor will get the job done in a timely fashion, whereas you might get distracted by your 'real job'.

There are lots of things to consider.  Saving that 10 to 15% by trying to do it yourself might not be worth it.

Trying to quantify at what point it would be wise to hand over the reigns?  Of course it depends on your location and project expectations but, probably any project that exceeds $10,000 would a good time to step aside and let the pros take over.  

First Entry - new construction blog

The goal here is to help all of you non construction people navigate the world of remodeling.  I'm hoping to attach as much specific, personal experience as I can to help those getting ready to go thru the home upheaval in the most efficient way possible.   The first helpful hint - good design is a strong recommendation - and sticking to the original plan will keep things on schedule and on budget.  Get a good 'cost conscious' designer to guide you thru the process.  Find someone that is in tune with what projects cost.  Getting a design done that doesn't fit your budget is relatively useless.  Don't put the responsibility on the contractor to marry the budget and design if the two are not copacetic.  A design/build firm is always an option.  It might seem like it is costing more upfront but the smoothness and time efficiency   of the build will pay for itself again and again.