Category: Home Improvement

Home Improvement: PAINT COLORS 2016 FORECAST

Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT: PAINT COLORS AND DESCRIPTIONS DESIGNED TO HYPNOTIZE YOUR MIND

Anyone Can Paint

Over the years, we have seen many interesting paint color choices for interior and exterior home remodeling projects.

But, did you know, that each year paint manufacturers predict what the hottest trends will be for the next year?

I am not one to follow trends, but for fun let’s see what the paint companies have to say.

2016 Color of the Year

Leading Edge Homes - Paint Color of 2016

2016 Paint Colors of the Year — Shades of White

The 2016 “color of the year” for Benjamin Moore and Glidden is off-white and Sherwin-Williams and Behr also include off-white in their 2016 color trend forecasts.

Benjamin Moore is still showing pops of color with trims and accents walls.

Color Names and Descriptions

Sherwin Williams describes their paint colors vividly.

This is the description of the Sherwin Williams 2016 color forecast. 

Passionate pursuit. Fresh mindfulness. Vintage workmanship. Social engagement. And technology and materials that seem to come from out of this world. We’re taking the best of everything life has to offer and indulging in the moment. Prepare to come together as we go in passionate pursuit of a shared color consciousness.

The colors are made to sound exciting!

Personally, I don’t choose colors based on the wording describing how the colors should make me feel, I choose colors based on my personal tastes, how it will blend in with my furniture and accessories, etc. But, it is fun to read the descriptions.

Choosing a Paint Color

Leading Edge Homes - Accent walls give a pop of color.

An accent wall gives the family room a pop of color.

Color set the mood.  You have to decide what kind of space you want to create.
What Inspires You?

Do you have a favorite pillow, painting, a vacation spot or fruit? Look for colors that make you happy or bring you to a happy place. Remember, you don’t need to follow trends.

 

Colors Can Define Your Mood

Color psychology says the room color can define your mood.

Pick the color that you want to use.

Since white is the color of the season, you may want to choose one of the colors above as an accent.

What is in Your Home?

Your furnishing and flooring should also be considered when choosing a paint color.

To see if the color you are choosing will go with your room, get paint samples and paint them on the wall.  Colors will look differently from the paper sample because of your lighting, furniture, and room size.

Remember, there is more to changing the color of your walls to make sure your paint looks good. You need to prep your walls, fill in nail holes, and buy the proper paint.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: SIMPLE CHANGES TO PREPARE YOUR HOUSE FOR THE FUTURE

Home Improvement, Home Safety

HOME IMPROVEMENT IDEAS – SIMPLE, TECHNOLOGY-FREE IDEAS TO MAKE YOUR HOME EASIER TO NAVIGATE

There is so much talk about home technology, especially since today is October 21, 2015.  For those of you who don’t remember the importance of today, it is when Marty McFly traveled to October 21, 2015, to save his children who were yet to be born, in the film “Back to the Future Part II.”

 

Of course, adding technology to your home can be great, but for aging in place there are some simple design things you can implement to make it easier for you and your loved ones. It’s the little things that make a difference:

Cabinet Handles

A Leading Edge Homes, Inc. kitchen – with a hidden spice rack.

D-Shaped handles are much easier to grasp than round knobs. They don’t have to look utilitarian… There are many pretty designs to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look.  If you already have knobs, you may need to add a backer plate to the doors to hide the old holes or mount the handle lower to reuse the existing hole.

Door Handles

Image result for door lever styles

Use lever handles, not knobs, because they are easier to push and grab on to.

Faucet Handles

Bathroom Remodeling - Leading Edge Homes, Inc. - Home Remodeler

A modern look for your bathroom.

Change your faucets to lever, touch, or sensor style faucets. Again, the shape of the handle makes it easier to use.

If you have been inspired by something you have seen or want to determine if it can be duplicated in your home, contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.  We will be happy to help you.

Other Thoughts

Place your microwave at counter top level because it is easier to reach.

Use a hand-held shower head that gets attached to a holster on an adjustable bar because it can be used when standing or sitting.

Modern conveniences and technology are great… but simple changes make aging in place easier.

Want to see some of our work? Visit our website or view our online book.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: REALITY SHOWS ARE NOT REAL

Home Improvement, Home Improvement Pricing

Remodeling Reality Shows – the ABC’s

abc

The ABC’s of home improvement reality shows may be a shock to you!

A – Always Believe What You See (NOT!)

Since 2000, when Trading Spaces hit the airways, networks have been creating more and more remodeling/home improvement shows to capture viewers. The theme is always the same: quick, easy, and cheap.

Of course, when I watch these shows I know that quick, easy, and cheap are not three words I would ever use when quoting a remodeling project – but many people who call me about jobs believe what they see on TV.

What you don’t see is that the shows are really taped over weeks if not months. Don’t let home renovation shows trick you into thinking you’ll be able to tear out all the walls and completely change the layout of the kitchen during a 3-day weekend. Besides, inspectors don’t work weekends!

B – Biggest Myth (How Long Will it Take?)

The programs show homeowners quickly demolishing a kitchen. What you don’t see is the large crew really doing it! The shows have an entire team working quickly behind the scenes, but they are not on camera. What you see is typically staged and edited to make a nice television show and not the real process.

Cost – It Only Costs $2,500 to Update the Kitchen (Another Reality Show Myth)

Cost is another thing that surprises most first-time renovators. Shows claim an entire kitchen or bathroom remodel was done for a couple thousand dollars but don’t tell you about labor that was supplied by local contractors to have their name listed in the credit or deals that were pre-arranged for materials. They also don’t tell you about any costs that were absorbed by the show.

You might be surprised by what the real costs are for updating a bathroom or kitchen, especially when walls or appliance locations need to be relocated. When floors may have to be cut to re-route plumbing or electrical wiring has to be brought up-to-date and compliant with current codes costs add up quickly.

The $5,000 television “phantom” cost could be more like $25,000 in real life! Small budgets may be great for a new coat of paint and surface changes but not for a major, professionally completed remodeling project.

Talk to a remodeling professional to discover the real cost to complete the work.

Do It Yourself

Don’t let your ego make you think you are better than the clueless homeowner you saw on television. It’s so easy to think “I can do that just like I saw on TV.”

Remember, behind every clueless homeowner filming on television is a remodeling professional guiding them, if not actually doing the work for them. You don’t want to burst a pipe, cut into electric wiring, or leave your house in worse shape than before you started. Reality television is NOT reality – it’s entertainment.

Installing cabinets, laying tile, moving and building walls are not necessarily for weekend-warriors.

Reality home remodeling shows should be used for inspiration only.

If you have been inspired by something you have seen on television and want to determine if it can be duplicated in your home, contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.  We will give you a real, guaranteed price.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: KITCHEN REMODELING WHEN YOU HAVE FURRY FRIENDS

Home Improvement, Home Safety, Kitchen Ideas

Remodeling Your Kitchen With Your Dog In Mind

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. dog and human approved!

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. dog and human approved!

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is dog and owner approved and your dog will love these changes when you are remodeling your kitchen.

There are so many things you can do to make hidden nooks and crannies for your dog and keep your kitchen safe from trip hazards. It’s a win-win for you and your furry friend.

SAFETY FOR YOU AND YOUR PET

A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR DOG TO REST
dog in bed

If you have  “extra” base cabinet space install a dog bed under the counter or in your island. However, don’t build the bed space under a cooking area. Your dog will have a safe place to stay while you are working in the kitchen.

DON’T TRIP OVER YOUR DOG’S BOWLS

How many times have you tripped over your dog’s bowls?

pull out food

Hiding the food bowls in your cabinets.

Ask your remodeler to build a custom drawer, where the toe-kick is, that you can pull out when it is feeding time.

Although this is a unique idea there are downsides. You will need to pull the drawer out frequently so your dog can get water throughout the day and your dog may try to pull open the drawer and paw at the cabinet to get to his food.

food under cabinet

Another way to avoid a trip hazard!

Or, build a special feeding area under a cabinet or island.  That way the bowls are safely out of the way and your dog will have access to water as needed.

PULL OUT CABINETS FOR YOUR DOG KIBBLE!

Wooden Kitchen Cabinets with Trash Cans inside

Normally, people use this type of cabinet for holding garbage cans. Why not install a pull out cabinet for your dog food?

Now you won’t have to walk to the garage or storage cupboard for a cup of kibble.

I would strongly recommend that you use a container that is air-tight and has a lid so ants and other creatures don’t try to get a free meal!

TILE COLOR MATTERS

Want to hide your dog hair? Choosing the right color tile, depending on the color of your dog, makes a difference!

Kitchen remodeling tile color

I bet you can’t find my hairs on the tile!

Tiles that are in the grey or tan family hide a multitude of sins!  We have a brindle Jack-Russell / Boston Terrier mix, Tedy, and a regular visiting mixed breed dog that we affectionately named Blizzard. As you can imagine, Blizzard sheds white hair everywhere and Tedy is not far behind him.

The tile always looks clean (unless of course you are looking from an angle and can see the dogs hairs).

Renovating your kitchen with your dog in mind can help bring many great conveniences to your home.

For more ideas about how you can customize your house for your needs contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. at 561-795-2551.

 

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO…

Bathroom Renovations, Home Improvement, Home Improvement Pricing

How Much Will it Cost To Remodel My Bathroom

Leading Edge Homes - Not all Bathrooms are Created Equal

Bathroom remodeling prices are unique to your individual tastes.

Remodeling Pricing is Not Instant

Yesterday I told you about the article on BloombergBusiness that said Facebook Inc. is teaming up with Pro.com, which will help a Facebook Messenger user find a qualified contractor [and get] an instant quote “within minutes on home projects…”

This concept reminds me of the calls I get where people ask me how much will it cost to add a bathroom, remodel a bathroom, paint a room, build an addition, etc.

There is no such thing as an instant price!

Home Remodeling Price Estimates Online

I have often wondered where people determine what a job should cost. So like many people do, I went to some of the sites that give pricing. On one of the “advisor” sites, it gives a range of pricing in a graphic form that says bathroom remodeling ranges from about $3,000 to a high of $20,000. It took me several times of looking at the site until I found where it said it was for installation only… but the heading said “How Much Does it Cost to Remodel A Bathroom.” What about the materials, permit, trash disposal, etc.?

If you are like me, I did not catch that it didn’t include materials, until I looked at it more than several times. Relying on these sites to guestimate what your project might cost is a total waste of time.

My Least Favorite Question

How much do you charge per square foot?  The answer is simply, I don’t charge by the square foot because it is totally inaccurate. Obviously a 500 square foot family room with a shingled roof and carpeting will cost far less that a 500 square foot two bedroom, one bath addition with barrel tile roof and marble flooring/shower walls.

RUN, DON’T WALK If a Contractor Gives a Price By Instant Message or Over the Phone Without a Site Visit and Asking Questions About Finish Materials

A bathroom built by Leading Edge Homes.

There are many things that a professional home improvement contractor needs to know before giving you a price. For example, if you are remodeling your bathroom:

Are you installing basic fixtures?

Faucets may cost as little as $40.00 and as high as $600 (or more).  That’s without installation!

Are you installing tile or marble?

Tile may be as little as $5 per square foot and marble as much as $20 per square foot installed.

What type of counter top do you want – mica, marble, granite, quartz?

What type of lavatory?

Will it be an under mount bowl?

What type of cabinetry do you want?

Are you getting a prefabricated cabinet with lavatory? (Better make sure it meets the building codes.)

Do you want solid wood cabinets?

What type of knobs / pulls do you want?  (They range in price from $1 per knob to $25 per knob – without installation.)

What are the conditions in the bathroom?

Is there drywall damage from moisture or mold? (If there is mold, you will need someone to clean out the mold and get certification that the mold removal was done properly before any work can proceed.)

Do the walls need to be demolished down to the studs?

Is there proper backing for the new cabinets) you want to install?

What are you doing with the existing bath / shower?

Are your replacing the tub?

What type of shower enclosure do you want?

Are you changing the layout of the room?

Are you moving the toilet? (The floors will have to be demolished to get to the plumbing pipes.)

Are you converting from a tub to a shower or vice versa?

Does your shower pan need to be replaced?

Was your house built before 1978 and perhaps need lead paint removal?

Is your electric up-to-code?  

Will smoke detectors have to be added to your home to meet the current National Electric Code?

When you remodel the interior of your house, under most circumstances you will need to update your smoke detectors per the latest code.

Other Costs Included When A Professional Remodels Your Bathroom

  • Permit fees — Yes, a permit must be pulled and inspections performed
  • Trash removal
  • Clean-Up
  • Builder’s Risk Insurance Policy
  • General Liability / Workman’s Compensation Insurance
Don’t trust advisor sites that sell your project to home improvement contractors that pay for your information. Contact contractors in your area and interview them to get an accurate price.
Your home improvement contractor can guide you, tell you where you can save money, and help you turn your home into an oasis.
You already know a trustworthy contractor – Leading Edge Homes.  Whenever a project comes up, please call us at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to complete it for you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Online Contractor Referrals: The Hidden Truth – Part 3

Home Improvement

Online Contractor Referrals: The Hidden Truth – Part 3

Another player thinks they know something about home remodeling. Facebook is joining the home remodeling match making service.

Another player thinks they know something about home remodeling. Facebook is joining the home remodeling match making service.

Online Contractor Referral Sites Are A Big Business

Several days ago I wrote an article about how online contractor referral services have hidden costs for you, and in many cases do not vet contractors.  Contractors pay a fee for every lead that they receive, and these costs are hidden costs of your remodeling project.

Social Media Giant, Facebook, Enters the Business

An article on BloombergBusiness states:

“Facebook Inc. is the latest technology company that wants to connect you with a handyman who can install a ceiling fan or fix a leaky toilet, following Amazon.com Inc., Google Inc. and a slew of startups seeking ways to make money from the $300 billion home-improvement market.

The social networking site is joining with Seattle startup Pro.com, which will help a Facebook Messenger user find a qualified contractor, get an instant quote and schedule an appointment within minutes on home projects from mounting a big-screen television to painting a room.”

RED FLAG

When someone calls Leading Edge Homes, Inc. we schedule an appointment to meet with the client and SEE what the home improvement project entails. Even painting a room is not just a simple quote. What are the condition of the walls?  Are the walls going to be the same color?  What about the conditions/colors of the baseboards and doors?  Were the walls painted properly before?  

Pay-to-Play

Perhaps we are still a dinosaur in a modern world and are not interested in the pay-to play world. As the article said:
“More than one-third of contractors subscribe to technology-based lead generation services … [and sites like] Amazon takes a 10 percent to 20 percent commission for each job booked through the site.
These lead generation companies don’t understand how the industry works; they just want to make money off of it.  They don’t realize that remodeling and specialty contractors don’t provide a commodity, they provide a service.  Having repairs done, or a bookcase built, isn’t like buying a book or a dress or a pair of shoes that can be returned.

Home Remodeling Done One House At A Time

The home remodeling industry hasn’t moved online and you shouldn’t choose a contractor without first interviewing him.  Home improvement projects should still be done one home at a time, one project at a time, using the hands of craftsmen who know their trade and do it well.
You already know a trustworthy contractor – Leading Edge Homes.  Whenever a project comes up, please call us at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to complete it for you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: HOMEOWNER’S NIGHTMARE — WHERE DO WORKMEN GO TO THE BATHROOM?

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance/Repairs

Home Improvement Contractors Have to Go to the Bathroom Too…

 

We don’t like to talk about it, but everyone needs to go to the bathroom at some time. But, what happens when you have workmen working on your house?

No... you don't need to hang toilet paper from your trees if you have workmen at your house.

No… you don’t need to hang toilet paper from your trees if you have workmen at your house.

There are many horror stories such as “workmen have been using my yard as their toilet! I just caught one urinating and told him my yard is not a ‘toilet’.” In another case, I heard about workers asking if they could go behind the garage to go to the bathroom. I can only imagine what else they might be doing in the yard.

Rules and Regulations

These workmen should not be using your yard, garage wall, or anything else other than a toilet!  According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

Toilet facilities shall be provided and maintained in a sanitary condition during construction. An adequate number of facilities must be provided for the number of employees at the construction site according to the following

1 to 20 workers- 1 toilet
21 to 200 workers- 1 for each 40 workers
over 200 workers= 1 for each 50 work

The toilet facility can be yours or one provided by your contractor.

Your Bathroom or a Port-A-Potty?

Do you want the workmen to use your facility or a port-a-potty provided by the contractor?  Of course that is a personal preference.

You have hired a contractor that you trust. Perhaps you can extend this trust to using your bathroom.  But, not everyone is comfortable having strangers use their bathrooms nor do they want to clean up after them.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. doesn’t want to put your privacy at risk and never wants a customer to feel obligated to allow workmen to use their bathroom. Employees and subcontractors are instructed to use a port-a-potty that is delivered to the job site.

If possible, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. builds a temporary shroud around the port-a-potty in an attempt to make it less unsightly for your neighbors.

 

Before you hire a contractor you might want to ask what are their employees instructed to do in the event that they need to use the bathroom.  Furthermore, if the job will take more than a week, does the contractor provide a port-a-potty? If he is unwilling to spend about $100 a month for your safety and privacy, what other corners will he cut?

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: FINDING YOUR CONTRACTOR THROUGH AN ONLINE SERVICE – SCAM OR NOT? – Part 2

Home Improvement

Online Contractor Referrals: The Hidden Truth – Part 2

Online contractor referral services are really pay to play... Just you may not pay directly.

Online contractor referral services are really pay to play… Just you may not pay directly! They are even willing to sue one another to get your and other contractor’s business.

Online Contractor Referral Sites Are A Big Business

Yesterday, I wrote an article about how online contractor referral services have hidden costs for you, and in many cases do not vet contractors.  Contractors pay a fee for every lead that they receive, and these costs are hidden costs of your remodeling project.

Home Improvement Referral Services Face Off In Court

Two Internet giants are heading to court. According Pool & Spa News, Angie’s List is suing Amazon for 11 infractions, including stealing trade secrets.

A lawsuit filed June 19, 2015, in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis, alleges Amazon stole proprietary information to establish the home services business it launches earlier this year.

The article shows how important these companies regard their contractors and potential consumers, not because they are helping consumers like you find reputable, local contractors, but because they are concerned about increasing their bottom line.

The Better Business Bureau and Contractor Referral Services

Contractor referral services that do not vet contractors properly, require contractors to pay to be listed and don’t identify that a contractor’s ranking is based on the price they pay give you, misleads home improvement consumers like you.  It is no different than the false sense of security you get when researching a company on the Better Business Bureau site and find an “A” rating doesn’t guarantee that a company is reputable. 

Best Way to Find A Trustworthy Contractor

In reality, the best way for you to find a trustworthy contractor online is to visit contractors’ websites and watch videos from, and talk to, their clients. Consumers can and should vet a contractor (such as checking for licenses, insurance, references, etc.), but testimonials from past clients are priceless.
These lead generation companies don’t understand how the industry works; they just want to make money off it.  They don’t realize that remodeling and specialty contractors don’t provide a commodity, they provide a service.  Having repairs done, or a bookcase built, isn’t like buying a book or a dress or a pair of shoes that can be returned.

Home Remodeling Done One House At A Time

The home remodeling industry hasn’t moved online and you shouldn’t choose a contractor without first interviewing him.  Home improvement projects should still be done one home at a time, one project at a time, using the hands of craftsmen who know their trade and do it well.
You already know a trustworthy contractor – Leading Edge Homes.  Whenever a project comes up, please call us at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to complete it for you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

Home Improvement: FINDING YOUR CONTRACTOR THROUGH AN ONLINE SERVICE – SCAM OR NOT?

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Online Contractor Referrals: The Hidden Truth

Online contractor referral services are really pay to play... Just you may not pay directly.

Online contractor referral services are really pay to play… Just you may not pay directly.

An article was published in the Seattle Times online last week.   As background, Seattle is the home of Amazon, Porch, and Pro.com, three of the big players in the lead-generation industry.  (Hmmm… this is suspiciously convenient!)

BIG RED FLAG – No reputable contractor gives a price for a project without first seeing the house, site conditions, asking the homeowners detailed questions, etc.

 

The article’s goal was to let homeowners know they should be going online and using lead-generating companies to find a contractor.  One of the things the article says is: “The technology enables customers to find contractors, price jobs and even schedule appointments – without leaving the couch.”
Although the article doesn’t directly say it, it comes pretty darned close to saying contractors can’t be trusted without the oversight of lead-generation companies:
“It’s an industry that totally lacks transparency and trust,” said Pro.com CEO Matt Williams.

Lead Generation Companies Don’t Vet Contractors

So, lead-generating companies are marketing themselves to homeowners as the only way to find a trustworthy contractor.  But what’s in it for these companies?  They want to sell each lead to as many as four contractors, who then have to either raise their prices or cut corners to cover the lead costs. In reality, homeowners will be the ones paying for the use of these middlemen even though their service is touted as “free”.

 

These companies do no better of a job vetting a contractor than you can, and they don’t want to.  They just want to sell leads.  So long as a contractor keeps buying leads, they’re happy and have no reason to ban them.

Best Way to Find A Trustworthy Contractor

In reality, the best way for a consumer to find a trustworthy contractor online is to visit contractors’ websites and watch videos from, and talk to, their clients. Consumers can and should vet a contractor (such as checking for licenses, insurance, references, etc.), but testimonials from past clients are priceless.
These lead generation companies don’t understand how the industry works; they just want to make money off it.  They don’t realize that remodeling and specialty contractors don’t provide a commodity, they provide a service.  Having repairs done, or a bookcase built, isn’t like buying a book or a dress or a pair of shoes that can be returned.

Home Remodeling Done One House At A Time

Contrary to the theme of the article, the home remodeling industry hasn’t moved online.  It’s still done one home at a time, one project at a time, using the hands of craftsmen who know their trade and do it well.

 

Besides, you already know a trustworthy contractor – Leading Edge Homes.  Whenever a project comes up, please call us at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to complete it for you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME SAFETY: HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP

Home Improvement, Home Safety

IT’S NATIONAL FIRE SAFETY WEEK

 

hear the beep

Keep your family safe with a working smoke alarm in every bedroom.

Did you know that roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep? Last year, 114 people died in Florida house fires.

Smoke alarms save lives.

Almost half of those who died in the Florida house fires didn’t have working smoke alarms. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out. In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half!

When it comes to smoke alarms, it’s about “location, location, location”.

The key message of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 4-10, is to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home.

Is Your House Protected?

The Florida Building Code will requires that homeowners install a 10-year, sealed battery smoke alarm in homes when replacing outdated or nonworking alarms.

The batteries are virtually tamper proof. You can’t take the battery out and it doesn’t need to be replaced for a decade.

If you are updating a home, you can also use the alarms instead of using hard-wired models, which may save you money.

My Thoughts…

A sticker or something needs to be places on the “new” type of smoke alarms so that you know when the alarm was installed. I have enough trouble remembering what I ate for dinner yesterday, let alone remembering what year I need to replace my smoke detectors.

If you purchase a home, replace all the smoke detectors when you move in. This way, you will know when the ten year countdown begins.

My fear is, in ten years, people will forget to replace their smoke detectors and then they will not be protected.

Although it is more expensive, I prefer the hard-wired alarms that are interconnected in your home. That way, if one alarm sounds, the others will sound too!

NEED HELP?

If you need help installing your replacement smoke detectors call us at 561-795-2551.  We will be happy to assist you.

Todd Perry, a State of Florida Certified Building Contractor and president of Leading Edge Homes, Inc., provided this information.

If you have questions about a home improvement project, call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email Todd at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and he’ll be happy to share his knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. specializes in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, hurricane-resistant screen enclosures, and more!  In business since 1991, they demolish your stress by building your trust.
Visit the Leading Edge Home’s website or call 561-795-2551 to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.

 

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