They say life is one big gamble, and that outlook is especially relevant when you decide to undergo a home remodeling project. The key to minimizing the risk that is inherent in a home remodeling project involves hiring the right team of home remodeling contractors.
Hiring the right team of home remodeling contractors requires you to consider several factors. You want to hire a team of home remodeling contractors that demonstrate the appropriate level of proven experience in successfully managing the type of project that you want done to your home. Homeowner reviews on sites such as Yelp and Google help, as does the feedback accumulated by the Better Business Bureau. One of the most important factors to consider is to confirm every general contractor on your shortlist carries the right amount of liability insurance coverage. Let’s review the four reasons why home remodeling contractors need to carry liability insurance. Minimize Your Damage Exposure The most important reason why a team of home remodeling contractors must carry liability insurance is to reduce the financial risk you face that is caused by property damage. From a new roof that collapses to a foundation that sinks into the ground, you face many possible types of property damage that result from the work done by home remodeling contractors. Damage coverage also covers the costs associated with an onsite accident, which even the most accomplished home remodeling contractors can experience. Establish Trust Building trust between you and a team of home remodeling contractors represents the first building block of developing a healthy professional relationship. To build trust, the general contractor overseeing your project must demonstrate credibility, which can be established right at the start of your project by verifying liability insurance coverage. This type of insurance coverage shows the general contractor managing your project has confidence in the abilities of the crew. Liability insurance also demonstrates the team of general contractors working on your home remodeling project places an emphasis on delivering high-quality services. Protection for Your Property If you do not vet a team of home remodeling contractors for possessing enough liability coverage, you might find yourself on the financial hook for any type of property damage because your insurance company has the legal right to refuse paying out a claim. This means you must pay for any property damages out of your pocket. Damaged property also negatively impacts the property’s value. Repair and Maintenance Savings Hiring an uninsured or underinsured team of home remodeling contractors can be expensive in many ways. One way a team of home remodeling contractors without liability insurance or with not enough liability insurance can cost you money concerns the costs of repairing damages and then maintaining the new and improved property. Uninsured and insufficiently insured home remodeling contractors tend to make more mistakes that result in property damages that require repairs and maintenance. Perhaps the greatest benefit of hiring a fully insured general contractor is it gives you peace of mind. At Mares & Dow, we give our clients immediate peace of mind by presenting our liability insurance coverage early on during the discussions concerning remodeling their properties.
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Homeowners have to make many important decisions before a home remodeling project gets off the ground. One of the most important decisions concerns choosing the right team of home remodeling contractors. Choosing the right team of home remodeling contractors helps you answer other important questions, such as what types of materials to use and developing a project schedule that meets your criteria. One question does not get asked enough by homeowners, but it should.
Can I stay in my home during a home remodeling project? The answer is it depends on the extent of a home remodeling project. At Mares & Dow, we complete a wide variety of home remodeling projects. Most of the home remodeling projects that we tackle allow the homeowner to remain onsite during the entire length of a project. For example, a homeowner does not have to leave the property for us to replace siding or build a retaining wall. However, a few home modeling projects present enough risk to force residents to find temporary shelter, whether the shelter acts as a temporary home for one day or a couple of weeks. Roofing replacement projects typically require homeowners to vacate the property throughout the entire project. If you want to stay at home during a home remodeling project, let’s take a look at a few factors that should help you gain peace of mind. Build Trust with the General Contractor You have to trust the general contractor to do much more than complete the project on time and under budget. Because of the inherent dangers associated with construction work, you also have to trust the general contractor to protect you and your family against getting hurt. One effective way to verify the trust factor with a team of home remodeling contractors involves asking for and checking out professional references. Did the team of general contractors under consideration take the steps required to protect the safety of all residents? Establish a Work Schedule Although your home remodeling project might not be extensive enough to warrant you and your family vacating the premises for an extensive period, the project might require one or two days when it is much safer for residents to spend time elsewhere. Agreeing to a work schedule with the team of home remodeling contractors allows you to plan to account for the day or two when the project includes one or more dangerous procedures. Minimize the Spread of Dust Your home remodeling project might not include any phases that put you and your family immediately in harm’s way. However, there is a good chance that you and your family might become exposed to dust particles. You and the team of home remodeling contractors should devise a plan to minimize the negative health consequences of dust exposure, which should allow everyone to stay onsite throughout the entire project. A mobile dust control system is capable of removing dust particles during both small and large home remodeling projects. Just one home improvement project can cause a considerable amount of stress and anxiety. From searching for the right team of home remodeling contractors to dealing with project delays that develop because of bad weather, you might find yourself tossing and turning at night with less-than-pleasant dreams. If one home improvement project presents enough issues to keep you wide awake at night, imagine what it is like managing two or more projects.
At Mares & Dow, we help property owners manage multiple home remodeling projects by offering the most organized and efficient way to get the work done on time and under budget. 4 Projects Completed By a Team of Experienced Home Remodeling Contractors The best home remodeling contractors easily handle any type of project, but four projects stand out as the ones best handled by the team of professional general contractors from Mares & Dow. Skylights Installing skylights delivers several benefits for property owners, starting with opening up one or more living spaces to sunlight. Additional sunlight improves the ambiance of a living space, as well as helps keep rooms comfortably warm during the coldest months of the year. Property owners that install residential skylights also report lower monthly energy bills and an increase in air circulation. Retaining Walls Adding one or more retaining walls to the front and/or back yard generates an aesthetically appealing look that should boost your home’s curb appeal. Heightened curb appeal usually translates into a substantial increase in property value. Retaining walls also deliver an important functional benefit by trapping loose soil that forms because of issues such as landscape sloping and exposure to too much rainwater. A team of experienced home remodeling contractors such as the ones from Mares & Dow can make a seemingly difficult project turn into a project that finishes on time and under budget. Siding Hiring a team of properly credentialed home remodeling contractors is the right choice to work on a complex project such as installing siding. You receive expert advice on the type of siding to install, which matters because of the style of your home and the type of harsh weather your property is exposed to throughout the year. If you do not have the right type of siding installed, your home might succumb to the damage caused by prolonged exposure to moisture. Outdoor Living Space One of the most effective ways to increase the value of your home is to increase the space inside of it. However, you should also look outdoors to increase the number of square feet listed on your property description. Building an outdoor living space such as a kitchen, gazebo, or pergola should immediately increase the value of your property. An outdoor living space also creates a visually appealing addition to your home. A team of experienced home remodeling contractors offers advice on which type of outdoor living space to select, as well as completes the installation project. Hire Our Team of Experienced Home Remodeling Contractors When the time comes to choose a team of home remodeling contractors, you should ensure they cross off every box on a criteria list. They should have earned a positive reputation like receiving the highest rating handed out by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Your home remodeling contractors also should possess every professional credential, as well as provide personable and knowledgeable customer service. Even homeowners who are comfortable with taking on small remodeling tasks benefit from hiring a team of qualified home remodeling contractors for larger projects. They bring experience, manpower, and the right equipment to complete your projects with as little inconvenience as possible.
1. Room Additions When your family grows, the best solution may be to add a room or convert your garage to a living area. Home remodeling contractors will assess your home and renovation plans and help you make your home more comfortable as the family grows. 2. Aging Floors From peeling linoleum to sagging floors, home remodelers can do everything you need to fix your floors. This includes replacing decayed floor joists, replacing the underlayment, and installing new carpet, tile, or other floor coverings. 3. Stained or Sagging Ceilings If you notice water spots on your ceilings, or you have places where the ceiling looks to be sagging, it is time to call a remodeling company. It should also be noted that water stains on your ceiling may indicate a leak above the house, so have your roof inspected during the repair process. 4. Interior Renovations Household remodeling allows you to give the interior of your home a new look. From rearranging the kitchen layout or installing a new tub and bathroom sink, to simply converting an unused closet to additional living room space, remodelers transform what you have into what you'd like to see. 5. Energy Reduction Home renovations are an excellent approach to rising energy costs in the home. Aging windows and doors, a roof in need of repairs, and siding that is beyond its prime are common causes of higher heating and cooling costs that can be eliminated with remodeling. Hiring Home Remodeling ContractorsHiring contractors for room additions can be a significant undertaking. There are some important things to look for to make sure you are getting your money's worth:
If you are ready to sit down with home remodeling contractors to discuss your home renovation, keep this checklist in mind and go over them as you plan the remodel. Don't hesitate to ask questions about the job, what will be expected from you and your family, and the logistics of accomplishing the job in a timely manner.
Put It On Paper Discuss your ideas with your remodeling contractors and plan it out. Make drawings and create lists. Express how the finished remodel is going to look and feel. The more completely your contractors understand what you want to achieve, the better they will be able to do so. Once you know what you want to be done, your contractor can get back to you with a contract so that everything can get underway. Know What to Expect Discuss permits that will be required, and how the code inspection process will affect job progress. Get familiar with the details of electrical or plumbing lines and fixtures that will either be moved, eliminated, or added. This may be your first remodel, but experienced contractors know the ropes and can advise of considerations that need to be made and possible consequences of unseen problems. No matter how well you plan out your home remodel, things can still go awry. Contractors know what to expect when they open a wall, for example, but they have no way of knowing when and where previous contractors may have taken shortcuts or dealt with architectural problems of their own. Prepare for Inconvenience Even if you are only remodeling one room of the home, there is going to be a certain amount of disruption during the construction process. You can prevent some of that by removing everything you can from areas where work will be done and hanging shower curtains or other thin barriers to divide off doorways or other locations. Keeping the amount of interference for yourself and your contractors to a minimum will facilitate faster, more accurate job completion. The Realities of Cost and Time Cost and completion dates can be critical, but not everything can be perfectly orchestrated. Today's marketplace is still experiencing temporary shortages and order delays related to COVID-19, and those can delay progress even when everything else is ready. And that is only one example of how the job may miss the completion date, or why the costs may be a little different than originally expected. The simple reality is that you should hope for everything to fall in place, but enter the home remodel with allowances for additional costs or time constraints. Qualify Your Home Remodeling Contractors Research your contractors before you commit to the contract. For many people, their home is the single largest investment of their lives and something that important deserves craftspeople who are competent and well-equipped to take on the job. The contractors should carry liability insurance to cover any problems or injuries which may occur, and you should always deal with contractors who are properly licensed and insured to work in your area. When the job is carefully planned and communicated with your remodeling contractors, it will progress smoothly and efficiently. Depending on the scope of the project, your renovation could be completed very quickly by experienced workers. One of the renovation options you may want to discuss with your home remodeling contractors is whether a walk-In shower or tub is right for you. There are situations unsuitable for a walk-in shower or tub enclosure, but most people decide that the convenience and durability alone are worth the upgrade.
Improves Home Value A walk-in shower or tub has a wonderful impact on your home value. If you are calling in home remodeling contractors now but plan to sell the home in a few years, adding this feature gives your home a whole new selling point and buyer appeal. And if you are already remodeling, making the upgrade now is the most affordable way to go. Walk-Ins are Versatile Walk-in showers and tubs can be fitted to most bathroom configurations without any major refitting. From one-piece drop-in units to more spacious custom designs, a walk-in shower fits perfectly. Whatever the available space may be, there will be a walk-in option available. Walk-ins Use Less Space Because they are available in many different sizes and configurations, including custom designs tailored to the space available, a walk-in tub can save space in the room for other remodeling options such as a linen shelf or backlit vanity. Many Styles and Options Available Walk-in showers and tubs fit well into almost any type of home decor. Your home remodeling contractors can talk to you about the many options and styles you can choose from. Water jets in the tub and directional shower heads are two examples of ways to customize your walk-in shower or tub, but walk-ins are versatile enough to accommodate almost any feature you want to add. Easier Access for Seniors For homes where seniors are aging in place, alone or with relatives, a walk-in tub or shower can be a huge benefit. It allows them to be more independent and improves their hygiene and self-care routines. Walk-ins also reduce the risk of falls, and you can add additional fall protection equipment if necessary. For some seniors, a walk-in tub enclosure may even be a medical necessity because it allows them to get in and out without stepping up or over anything. Unless your home remodeling contractors cannot install a walk-in unit for some reason, making one a part of your bathroom remodel is probably a great idea. Depending on the enclosure and features, many walk-ins are comparably priced with regular shower and tub models. For the price, you really can’t beat the performance and functionality. When it comes to our homes, two things have been made incredibly clear over the last few months: our home must be able to shelter us comfortably for lengthy amounts of time and our home investments need to be strategic in an uncertain economy. For this reason, a total home remodel is at the top of the list for many families. Providing the security of staying in your existing property long term, this also creates your home office, dining, and entertainment to stay comfortable for as long as you need.
But first, you'll need a home remodeling contractor. "Timing is everything" became a cliche because it's true. When it comes to home remodeling projects, you may believe any time is as good as the next. In fact, planning home remodeling projects for the optimal time of year saves both time and money, two of everyone's most precious resources.
What improvements are you hoping to make within the next year? When you sit down with your home remodeling contractor, use these guidelines to create a schedule that benefits both of you. Congratulations, you've decided to remodel your home and you're ready to take the next step! Before you begin, here are seven questions to discuss with your home remodeling contractor before starting the project.
With spring on the way, it's time to think about a fresh new look ... for your home, that is! Break out of the winter blues and get ready for summer with some great spring remodeling projects to add style and utility. An experienced home remodeling contractor can help you implement these ideas in the way that best suits your house and budget.
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