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Tampa Construction and Remodeling Company. General Contractor Tampa Florida Call Anthony 813 446-4076 Free Estimate What You Need To Know About Tampa Construction and Remodeling Whether you are considering an addition that will accommodate a growing family or simply want new storm windows, finding a contractor who is competent and reliable is the first step toward success. You have invested a lot of money into your home, thus making it a very valuable asset. That is why you should be cautious whenever hiring contractors to work for you. Home improvement and repair contractors often advertise in common areas including newspapers, the Yellow Pages, on television and through radio spots. Even if you have seen an ad several times, this does not indicate a particular contractor will turn out quality work. When looking for a competent, reliable contractor, you should instead follow the advice of those who have been there and experienced firsthand the results you desire. You can start by asking friends, neighbors, family members and even co-workers who have used contractors and are happy with the work. It is also a good idea to obtain written estimates from several companies and request explanations of price variations. Never simply choose the lowest bidder as this does not necessarily signify quality. If your project is large, complex or both, you may choose to work with a number of professionals to get the job done. General contractors are there to manage all aspects of the project from hiring and supervising subcontractors to obtaining building permits and scheduling inspections. General contractors also work with designers and architects to ensure your project will go as smoothly as possible. When it comes to the installation of particular components, specialty contractors will be hired to take care of the important details. Such products include: cabinets, bathroom fixtures and other similar items. The architects are there to design additions and major renovations. If your project requires that structural changes be made, hiring an architect specializing in home remodeling is a good idea. The designers will be there to take care of such areas in the home as kitchens and bathrooms. Their expertise in these specific areas will make the entire job come together and ensure all your needs and specifications are met. Design/build contractors are present to provide service, overseeing your project through from the beginning to the end. Some contracting firms hire architects who are on staff at all times while others choose to utilize the services of certified designers.
Don’t Get Nailed – Avoiding Contractor Rip-offs When hiring contractors to do work on or in your home, keep in mind not all of them operate within the law. Here are some tips you can follow to avoid being ripped off in the process. A contractor that is less than reputable will do almost anything to acquire business. Such actions include: •soliciting door-to-door •offering discounts for finding additional customers •just happens to have materials needed to complete your project left over from a previous job •accepts cash payments only •requests you obtain the necessary building permits •is not listed in the local phone directory •tells you the job you are requesting will be a demonstration •pressures you to make a decision immediately •offers guarantees that are exceptionally long •requires you to pay in full up front •suggests you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows, thus potentially scamming you into losing your home When hiring a contractor, there are several steps you need to take to ensure you are making the right decision. Interview each contractor you are considering. When doing so, make a list of questions you wish to ask. These will get you started in the right direction. How long have you been in business? This is a very important question because a contractor who is well established will know how to complete a wide variety of projects. You can check out the company with consumer protection officials who will be able to tell you if any filed unresolved consumer complaints exist. Also keep in mind that a lack of filed complaints does not necessarily equal none at all. No complaints on file could mean they exist but have not yet been reported or the contractor is operating under several different names. Are you licensed and registered with the state? Most states license electrical and plumbing contractors but not all have licensing and registration statutes that affect contractors, remodelers and specialty contractors. Currently, only 36 states provide this type of licensing and registration. It can range from a simple registration to a detailed qualification process. It is also important to remember the requirements in one location may be different from those in another. Your building department or consumer protection agency can tell you about the licensing requirements in your area. If there are licensing laws for your state, request to see each contractor’s license to be sure it is current. How many projects like mine have you completed in the last year? When asking this question, request a list. This will help you determine whether or not the contractor is familiar with the type of project you want completed. Will my project require a permit? Permits for building projects are required by most states and localities, even for the simple projects such as the installation of a deck. A competent contractor will obtain all necessary permits before beginning work on the project. May I have a list of references? The contractors you interview should be able to provide names, addresses and phone numbers of at least three clients whose projects were similar in nature to yours. Ask each reference how long ago the project was completed and if you would be permitted to see it. During the interview, also tell the contractors you would like to visit jobs in progress. Will you be using subcontractors on this project? If the answer is yes, ask to meet them. Also make sure their insurance coverages and licenses if required are public. Ask if they were paid on time by the contractor. What types of insurance do you carry? All contractors have personal liability, worker’s compensation and property damage coverage. Request copies of insurance certificates and be sure they are all current. Failing to check this could leave you liable for any damages or injuries that occur during the project. The Importance of Checking References Whenever planning a home improvement project or addition, it would be in your best interest to check references of the remodelers you are considering. Below are some tips to follow and questions you should ask before deciding on a remodeler to complete your project. Talk with past customers of the remodelers you are considering. They will be able to help you decide whether or not a particular contractor is right for you. You can ask some specific questions in order to obtain the information you need. They are listed below. Can I visit your home to see the completed job? Taking a look at the completed work will give you a good idea of the quality you can expect. •Were you satisfied with the project? If a particular customer was dissatisfied, find out why. •Was it completed on time? While time may not be of particular importance for your specific project, it is always good to know the remodelers you consider work well within a specified timeframe. •Did the contractor keep you informed about the status of the contract and any problems experienced along the way? Since the contractor is working on your home, being informed is of the most importance. •Were there any unexpected costs? If so, what were they? Sometimes unexpected events occur that wind up costing more than expected. If this happens frequently with a particular contractor, it is a sign you should probably keep looking. •Did workers show up on time? Punctuality is important when a project is slated to be completed by a certain date. •Did they clean up after the job? This is important as no one likes a mess left by workers, especially when it is left on your premises. •Would you recommend the contractor? If the answer to this question is no, find out why. •Would you use the contractor again? Satisfied customers often have no difficulty using the same contractor as before to complete future projects because they are happy with the end results. Taking the time to obtain information from references will prove very valuable in the end. If you are able to narrow down your choices, you can make a more informed decision based on the proven track records of remodelers in your area. Tampa Construction and Remodeling Company - What You Need To Know About Tampa Construction and Remodeling. Tampa, Construction, Remodeling, Company, General, Contractor, Tampa construction, Tampa construction company, Tampa construction companies, Tampa contractors, Tampa remodeling, Tampa remodelers, Tampa remodeling companies, Tampa home improvement, Tampa home builders, Tampa general contractors, home construction, house construction, building contractors, home remodeling remodeling companies, construction companies, general contractors in tampa, remodeling tampa, tampa home builders, contractor estimate, tampa construction companies, general contractor tampa, home builders tampa, remodelers, construction companies in tampa, home builders in tampa Call Anthony 813 446-4076 © Copyright 2010 - 2011 tampa-construction-and-remodeling.com. 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