El Dorado County Home Improvement

Last week I received a call from a couple who needed help. It seems that their contractor was not really a contractor. The couple had been to a plumbing supply showroom to look at fixtures for a bathroom remodel. The salesperson recommended someone to do the job for them. After a few months and some undesired materials the remodel was finished. Or so they thought. The first few showers in the new bathroom revealed a problem. The water did not drain, and the drain pipes were not properly installed. Upon further inspection, it became clear that the “contractor” they had hired did not have much experience in bathroom remodels. Furthermore, the “contractor” did not have a license or liability insurance. This unknowing couple was duped.

There are fairly simple steps a homeowner should take before hiring anybody to make improvements to their home. The first step should be to visit the Contractors State License Board (CSLB) to see if the person or business has an active and clean contractor’s license. This can be done by logging on to www.cslb.ca.gov/ and clicking on the “instant license check” icon. If you know a license number, type it in. If not, then select “contractor name” and type in the name of the person to check on. This link will tell you if the contractor is licensed, carries workers compensation insurance or is exempt, and if there are any violations attached to that license.

The next step is to ask if the contractor carries liability insurance. Although, in California a contractor is not required by law to have liability insurance, it is a smart practice. The coverage not only protects the contractor, but the homeowner as well. The contractor should be able to provide you with a certificate of liability insurance.

You should also find out if the contractor has a business license. If a person is receiving payment for work done they must have a business license in current good standing in that city or county.

Next, it is wise to talk to previous clients of the contractor. Here are some questions you might ask:

• How well did you get along with the people working in your home?
• Was the jobsite kept clean and safe?
• Did the project get done in a reasonable amount of time?
• Was the work performed the same as described in the scope of work, and with the same materials specified?
• Were change orders avoided or kept to a minimum?
• Would you hire this contractor again?

The couple I mentioned above now must pay to have the bathroom torn out and re-done completely. I cringe each time I hear a story like this one. I hope the word spreads that homeowners need to do a little bit of homework before they hire a contractor. It does not take much effort to protect yourself and it could save you a lot of money and headaches. Even if a contractor comes recommended, a homeowner should take these steps listed to ensure that there will be no surprises.

In today’s questionable economy we are all looking for ways to spend less money. From coupon shopping to hard bargaining with a car salesman, a dollar saved is a victory. This does not mean that we do not want to enjoy our lives and continue to improve our living spaces. The easiest, most cost conscious projects can sometimes produce grand results. Here are a few ways to save some money while still sprucing up your home.

• Install new cabinet hardware. Knobs and pulls become faded and worn with time and use. New hardware with a different finish and style can make a room feel brand new.
• If you desire a bit more drastic change, try painting your cabinets. It is not an easy task to take on. You may want to hire a professional for this project. A fresh coat of paint and new knobs and pulls will provide a fresh look for fraction of the cost of new cabinets.
• Change the paint color in a room. A fresh coat of paint will make an ordinary master bedroom feel like new, or add character to an otherwise ordinary dining room.
• Add crown moulding to that newly painted master bedroom and you will feel like you have your own private retreat. Add crown moulding and chair rail or wainscot to your dining room and you will feel like you are in an upscale restaurant.
• Lighting can drastically change the appearance of a room. It can also provide important task lighting where it did not previously exist. Swapping out light fixtures and/or adding new lights can be a reasonably low cost project with huge results.
• A new faucet or new shower trim will make a sink or shower sparkle. Remember that you will likely want to install new towel bars, towel hooks and toilet paper holders to match. Also make sure the new knobs and pulls go with the look.
• One step up from new faucets is a new countertop. There are many reasonably priced solid surface materials available today. There are also limitless options in tile and natural stone.

Please welcome El Dorado Hills Painting to our expert panel. President, Kevin Orehek, and his wife, Diana, are well known in the community, not just for their outstanding business services, but also for their dedication to local programs that generate interest in El Dorado County. You can meet them at most El Dorado Hills Chamber events! Check back soon as they begin offering tips, tricks and advice for you, the local homeowner.

Savvy consumers on top of their game, know that 2009 is the right time to remodel or improve their home. What do they know that you don’t?

Timing! Three years ago most contractors worth their salt were booked months, if not years in advance. This year, although many are still booked, they are not anticipating long wait times as in years past. As a consumer this means, contractors and other home improvement specialists are able to meet with you sooner, get estimates quicker, and begin your project earlier. The lull in our economy has forced our vendors to really hustle to help us get those jobs, so wait time for pricing and ordering has dramatically decreased.

Tax Relief! President Obama has added many new tax relief options for those looking to remodel and include energy- efficient improvements.

Pricing! With material prices down and contractors competitive, now is the time to tackle that home improvement project. Forbes.com recently said, “With materials costs down, the time is right to redo or add on a room.” Vendors such as window and door companies are offering incentives to contractors which allow them to pass on the savings to you.

Don’t Move! Improve! If you have found your house no longer fits your needs you have a choice: move or improve. Unless you’ve been living under a rock over the past year, you know selling a house right now is a really bad idea. However, improving your home can prove to be a great investment. Investing in your home now can increase the value of the home itself. Therefore, if you ever decide to sell, it may increase the asking price of the home.

Although reports are all doom and gloom, there is a very bright spot on the horizon for homeowners; remodel now and become one of those savvy consumers who recognize that now is the time for action!

Hiring the right contractor for your home improvement project may seem as simple as choosing the one with the lowest price. But the truth is price should not be your single basis for selecting a contractor. There are three specific tips we suggest you use during your selection process.

First, choose a contractor that you actually like. Think in terms of the fact that this person and their crew will become a part of your home during the remodeling process. Do you have a feeling of genuine trust and does your instinct tell you they have integrity? Trusting your instinct is important because your contractor more often than not will hire sub-contractors with a similar set of values and work ethics. If you like the contractor, then you will most likely be partial to their subs. Working with a contractor you genuinely like, will help your remodeling project go smoothly.

Second, perform your due diligence. A contractor must be licensed in the state of California and you can check their license number at the CSLB. Don’t be fooled by a contractor that uses only a business license number! A person doing business as a contractor in El Dorado County must have a county business license AND a contractor’s license. (Also check that the work being offered is allowed by the contractor’s license, a person with a landscaping license should not be hired to put up your crown mould!) Although California does not require contractors to carry General Liability insurance, make sure that the contractor you choose carries it anyway. Contractor’s that carry general liability typically require their subs to carry liability insurance as well. This doubly protects the homeowner. If a contractor says they are a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau, or some other organization, double-check their status. Home improvement specialists that take these extra steps prove that they are serious about their business and want you to check them out!

Third, be clear, concise and honest with any remodeling contractor you meet to discuss your project. If you’re going to meet with three contractors to get three bids, be sure that you are giving the same details to each specialist. If you don’t, comparing bids will be like comparing apples and oranges.

Most home improvement contractors have your best interest at heart. Contractors with great business skills know that when they provide excellent service to you, you will refer them to friends and family. Take these tips for a test drive and may you find that right person for the job!

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed a stimulus bill (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009) that made some significant changes to the energy efficiency tax credits. These new tax laws allow homeowners tax credits for energy efficient home improvements. The EnergyStar website has all the specific details. Lucky for us and for you, the government is basically subsidizing home improvements and construction that promote energy efficiency in our homes. Now is a great time to remodel!

Tax credits are available at 30% of the cost, up to $1,500, in 2009 & 2010 (for existing homes only) for:

·     Windows and Doors

·     Insulation

·     Roofing

·     HVAC

·     Water Heaters

As a service to our neighbors, Bliss Builders, Inc. has created a community where professional home service providers from all over El Dorado County gather in one place to answer all of your home improvement questions, while offering useful tips and tricks as you begin any DIY project.

Our panel of experts are contractors that we not only use on our own jobs, but each one has also become a trusted friend.

We welcome you to our community and hope to see you here often.