They say that if you want to do a job right, you have to do it yourself. However, the timeless expression does not apply to several home improvement projects. Instead of doing it yourself, hiring a team of general contractors is the way to go for many reasons. From the planning stage to putting the finishing touches on a construction project, hiring a team of general contractors helps you finish your construction project on time, as well as enjoy the results of professionally done work. You also do not have to worry about the middle parts of a construction project, such as applying for permits and addressing project delays.
Why Should You Hire a General Contractor? A home construction project should increase the value of your property. However, if done improperly, a home construction project can do more damage than good. Hiring a team of general contractors from Mares & Dow benefits you in three important ways. First, you benefit from hiring a team of general contractors that possess considerable experience. Nothing beats the experience brought to the table by licensed and bonded general contractors. Second, you reap the benefits of hiring a knowledgeable team of professionals who understand how to complete every type of construction on time and under budget. Third, experienced and knowledgeable general contractors complete your construction project much faster than if you choose to do it yourself. 4 Home Improvement Projects Best Completed By a General Contractor General contractors handle any type of construction project, but four projects are especially performed best by a team of home improvement professionals. Siding It is not just the work itself that makes general contractors the right choice to complete a siding installation project. You also need to select the right material for the siding installed on your home. Installing stylish and highly functional siding enhances curb appeal, as well as prevents moisture from degrading the structural integrity of your house. Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause the development of unhealthy mold and mildew. Skylights Installing residential skylights by hiring general contractors dramatically increases the amount of sunlight that enters a living space. Numerous studies demonstrate exposure to light sources enhances the ambiance of a living space, as well as boosts the mood of everyone who enters a room. Skylights also reduce energy costs and when left open, enhance air circulation to remove harmful particulates. Windows Because windows are typically fragile, installing a set of windows is best left to a team of experienced and highly knowledgeable general contractors. The most significant benefit of installing a new set of windows is the money saved in energy costs. In addition to providing energy-saving benefits, new windows also enhance the decor of the entire interior of your house. New windows require much less maintenance, as well as help reduce the noise that comes from adjoining living spaces. Outdoor Living Space If you have run out of ideas to increase the amount of space inside of your home, look no further than your backyard for additional space. An outdoor living space such as a kitchen, gazebo, or pergola increases the amount of room you have to cook and entertain friends. Building a patio also is an effective way to optimize the open space you have in the backyard. A team of general contractors can help you choose the right type of living space, as well as build it in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
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General contractors are responsible for job site safety and held to high standards by the Occupational Safety and Health Administrations, or OSHA. Penalties for failure to meet safety standards can include fines or in some instances jail time, beyond the much larger cost of having valued and skilled workers who suffer injuries or even death. With these high stakes, experienced general contractors take job site safety seriously, and ensure the safety of themselves, their employees, subcontractors, and others in multiple ways. Common Hazards and Solutions According to OSHA, the six biggest potentials for hazard on a construction site are falls from heights, trench collapse, scaffold collapse, electric shock, improper or non-use of proper personal protective equipment, and repetitive motion injuries. In order to mitigate these risks, general contractors and their employees can utilize safety checklists and simple rules in their construction processes. For example, when it comes to scaffold collapse, which leads to fall hazards as well as materials lofted above the ground coming crashing to the floor of the site and injuring anyone in its vicinity, starting with a structurally sound scaffold can avoid this outcome. This means the scaffold should be able to support its weight and four times the weight of the load it is intended to carry, and be erected on solid footing, avoiding any unstable objects, such as concrete blocks or loose bricks, in its construction. The Use of Personal Protection Equipment Failure to use proper personal protection equipment is another hazard that contractors can address on their job sites, and here, a safety checklist can be a helpful tool. It is recommended that safety glasses and face shields are used anytime foreign objects may impact the eye or when an employee is exposed to electrical hazards. Foot protection like safety-toe footwear is recommended when there is a potential for falling objects or when working around heavy equipment. Similarly, head protection should be used in most construction environments, and should be kept in good condition. These and other recommendations can be transformed into a checklist for employees to use in order to determine which protective equipment is appropriate for the task at hand. Cultivating a Practice of Safety When a general contractor is lauded for their skill and experience, their care and attention for safety on the job site is an important part of those qualities. The conscientiousness and adherence to standards that are at the heart of practicing safety are behaviors learned by contractors who have worked safely on many a project and are meticulous in their craftsmanship. While accidents can and do happen, an experienced and knowledgable general contractor will take all the necessary steps to avoid careless or foreseeable mishaps. Serving the Bay Area since 1983, Mares & Dow Construction’s general contractors practice safety methods throughout their projects. Contact us today to get started on your next project. |
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