Tag: palm beach county general contractor

HOME IMPROVEMENT: DO YOU NEED A RENOVATION COACH?

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT: THE NEW ERA OF RENOVATIONS – HANDS OFF REMODELING?

Leading Edge Homes - Home Remodeling - Advice

Like you, I read other people’s articles about home improvement, remodeling, home renovations, and kitchen design. However, sometimes, when I read an article I am surprised about what I read and the advice that is offered.

 

COACHES ARE ADVOCATES DURING THE HOME REMODELING PROCESS

The article: What the Heck Is a Renovation Coach (and Do You Need One)? on realtor.com caught my eye. According to the article, “[renovation coaches] aren’t contractors or architects, but they advocate for you in hiring those folks and managing their work. Coaches help with budgeting, design, meeting with vendors, and/or choosing materials. They may guide you every step of the way, or just help you get your feet wet…There’s no professional association for renovation coaches, so you’ll have to search for one…”  Of course, to me that is a red flag.

DANGERS OF HIRING A COACH

If the “coach” is not familiar with local regulations, permitting, order of operations, etc,. your remodeling experience can become a disaster. An expert home renovations / remodeling contractor can guide you through the process, understand your design needs, and tastes, and make your remodeling process stress free and on budget.

Interview your local contractor, speak with him on the phone, find out what types of services he provides and how he can make the remodeling process go smoothly. A true remodeling professional will coordinate all of the work so all you have to do is choose the materials (of course the remodeling professional can make recommendations of where to look and what to purchase) and enjoy your updated home.

 

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: Common Mistakes 3 – Not Verifying Information

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Common Mistakes 3 – NOT VERIFYING INFORMATION

Leading Edge Homes - A Home Improvement Contractor You Can Trust

Home Improvement Contractors Provide References

When hiring a remodeling / home improvement contractor, it is common practice to ask for references.  In my experience, almost everyone asks me to provide references before they hire Leading Edge Homes, Inc.  

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. gladly provides references. But…

Most People Don’t Call References before they Hire A Home Improvement Contractor

Call at least three of the references you’re given.

You can never learn too much about the company you are considering using.  Take a few minutes to talk to these people.  It will be worth it!

Ask if the job was done to their satisfaction and at the agreed upon price.  Ask if the contractor was easy to communicate with and deal with.

Call the references and see example work.  You can learn a lot by seeing the finished product.  If the contractor is good, many previous clients are extremely proud of their “new” home and will be glad to let you look.

Also… VERIFY A Contractor’s Insurance

Anyone can say they are insured.  Insist the contractor prove it by having their insurance company FAX or mail to you a certificate of insurance with you as the certificate holder.

 

The most important advice I can give you is:

TRUST that you have chosen the right home remodeling professional to complete your home improvement project but VERIFY that what he has told you is true.

In case you missed it:

Common Mistake 1 – Listening to the Wrong People

Common Mistake 2 – Using Only the Better Business Bureau to Assess a Contractor’s Reputation Only

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: Common Mistake 2 – An “A” Rating by the Better Business Bureau Means a Company is Reputable

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Common Mistake 2 – An “A” Rating from the Better Business Bureau Means A Company is Reputable

 

BBB - Reputable

Yesterday, while reading articles on the internet, I came across this one:

Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau

on the CNN Money website.

It is a warning to all people who believe that an “A” rating from the Better Business Bureau means a company is reputable.

What is Leading Edge Home’s Rating?

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is often asked, what is your Better Business Bureau rating? We used to have an “A+” rating until the Better Business Bureau only rated “accredited” businesses.

Not having a rating doesn’t mean we are not a reputable company. It means…

Leading Edge Homes Refuse to Pay to Play

A business only gets accredited if they pay an annual fee. In our experience (we were once a member), once a business is accredited, it gets an “A” rating, and then has the “privilege” of using the Better Business Bureau logo on all of its advertising.  The BBB does not do an initial, thorough investigation of a company and does not re-investigate a company before renewing their membership.  It seems as though they are only interested in collecting money.

According to the CNNMoney article, [The Better Business Bureau] says that its ratings are not endorsements and that they don’t mean that a business’ products or services have been evaluated. Instead, the organization told CNNMoney in a written statement that the ratings represent the “BBB’s opinion about a business’s trustworthiness and how it is likely to interact with its customers.”

Yet, millions of American consumers are counting on them to be reliable and reputations of businesses all over the country are depending on them. Last year alone, company ratings were viewed on the BBB website more than 165 million times — a 25% jump from 2013.

Excerpt from the article, Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau, relating to Home Remodeling and Home Improvement:

Online ratings, real-life consequences

Michigan resident Christopher DiPiero says he chose Jack’s Wholesale Windows & Design to replace the windows in his Michigan home five years ago based on its A rating from the BBB. But he claims the $5,000 job turned into a nightmare when the new windows he ordered were too small and improperly installed.

The BBB 'could care less about consumers'
The BBB ‘could care less about consumers’
 

DiPiero says Jack’s refused to replace them so he turned to the BBB. After months of asking for help through the BBB’s online complaint process with no success, he sued the company and ended up winning a more than $20,000 judgment (including attorney’s fees), in part because the judge found that Jack’s had broken a federal warranty law. He notified the BBB about the ruling but says the organization still did nothing to help or warn other consumers by including the ruling against Jack’s on its website or factoring it into its grade.

So DiPiero turned around and sued the BBB itself, alleging that the nonprofit violated consumer protection laws by allowing paying members to retain membership and high grades even when they broke the organization’s own rules. But judges threw out his case because no consumer transaction took place between DiPiero and the BBB, and the state supreme court declined to hear the case.

“The Better Business Bureau is 100% a fraud,” said DiPiero. “They’re not doing what they’re saying they’re doing in terms of making sure these businesses are credible.”

The owner of Jack’s, Jack Tilka, blamed a personnel issue and said he regrets that Jack’s didn’t do more to resolve DiPiero’s grievances sooner. But he says he tried to offer DiPiero a full refund during court proceedings.

better business jacks window

Jack’s Wholesale Windows, in Schoolcraft, Michigan.

The BBB has come under fire for allegations of unfair ratings and unethical practices in the past. In 2010, the Connecticut Attorney General likened its membership program to a “pay to play” scheme after a local bureau gave an annual award for business ethics to a company that was under investigation by his office. When the organization vowed to address the issues, which included eliminating a policy that barred non-members from earning A+ ratings, he backed down.

Read the full article Slammed by the government, A-rated by the Better Business Bureau to see the full CNN investigation.

In case you missed it:

Common Mistake 1

 

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: Common Mistake 1 – Listening to the Wrong People

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

BIG MISTAKES HOMEOWNERS MAKE WHEN DOING A HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – PART 1

 

Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Listening to the wrong people.  

It never ceases to amaze me how many people take advice on their construction and remodeling project from people who are totally unqualified to give this critical advice.

Quite often, when I see construction messes (as many as three in one month) and I ask where they got the idea to do this or that, I inevitably hear things like:

My brother-in-law told me to do that.  He used to do work like this on the side over summers when he was in college 35 years ago.

I asked the guy in the office next to mine.  He did the same thing to his home when he lived in Wisconsin..

I read an article by so-and-so that said we should….

Everyone Has An Opinion

Everyone’s got an opinion on what you should do with your remodeling dollars.  “Do it yourself” or “Hire the subcontractors and run the project yourself”, etc.  Just because someone is your relative, friend, or thinks they are well versed in construction, doesn’t mean they know the answers to your remodeling questions or problems.

Call Someone Qualified

If you’ve got an idea or a thought about improving your home, call someone qualified to answer your questions.

 

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: THE LOWEST PRICE IS THE BEST OPTION – OR NOT

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

A MISCONCEPTION ABOUT HIRING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Price should not be the only factor when hiring a professional home remodeling contractor.

Price should not be the only factor when hiring a professional home remodeling contractor.

Choosing the lowest price saves you money. 

This is not always true!  Although a low price seems tempting, you must ask yourself what is the contractor omitting or what shortcut is the contractor taking?

A True Story:

One roofer’s price on a job was $300 lower than the other price estimates.  The homeowner wanted to save money and accepted his proposal.  After the roofer installed the new roof covering, all the old shingles, tarpaper and nails were lying all the way around the house in the shrubs, trees, and grass.  When the homeowner saw the debris strewn throughout his yard, he was enraged!  The contractor told him that cleanup was not a part of his proposal and that was how he could do the job for less money than the other contractors could.

Signs of Trouble

One of the most common signs of trouble ahead is someone offering to do work for less money than others do.  Like anything else, you cannot get something for nothing.  Be careful of choosing your home remodeling / general contractor based upon the lowest 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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Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional: 1 in 5 Seniors Victimized By Scams

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

DON’T BE A VICTIM OF FRAUD

Nothing makes our blood boil more than seniors, or anyone else, be scammed by “contractors.”

1 in 5 Victimized by Scams

According to a recent article in the Palm Beach Post, 1 in 5 seniors have been victimized by scams… including home improvements.

The Knock on the Door Scam

One story sited in the article talked about a 92 year-old woman who was “offered what sounded like a good deal to repave her driveway.” She was told, by the woman who knocked on her door (RED FLAG) that her family’s business was finishing a job down the street, had materials left over, and could give her a low price.  But all they did was take up front fees and did no work.  This story is a common one.

The Pay Up Front Scam

Here’s another one about a woman who paid for her kitchen to be remodeled by an unlicensed contractor who paid up front and was left with nothing in her kitchen. The victim paid everything up front and then was asked for more money. This is what she was left with.

Press on the picture below to hear the victim’s story!

 

Unlicensed contractor arrested

Only Hire A Licensed Contractor

For your safety, financial well-being, and to get your home remodeling project done properly… only hire a licensed contractor. 

 

 

If you have questions about any home improvement project, please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing 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. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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HOME IMPROVEMENT: What to Expect When Remodeling

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Ten Things to Expect When Remodeling

Leading Edge Homes - Remodeling Dreams

Home improvement projects don’t happen overnight like they do on television. Know what to expect before you begin the process.

Dust.

Even when temporary plastic sheeting walls are erected, a fine layer of dust and dirt will still get passed it. Remember to change the air filters on your HVAC system often.

Noise.

There is no way to get around it – from circular saws to air guns and compressors, construction is noisy. Plan to take a daytime nap somewhere else or invest in a good set of ear muffs if the noise will bother you.

Soaring highs.

It may be the demolition of those ugly kitchen cabinets you’ve hated for years or the installation of drywall signaling a milestone toward completion. Celebrate them.
A few sighs. You may become tired of making so many decisions or writing large checks. Don’t be discouraged, it will be worth it when the project is complete.

 

The unexpected.

Lead based paint, crooked existing walls, or a cracked tie beam. No, you won’t be laughing but neither will the contractor.

Change orders.

You may want to upgrade materials or add to the scope of work. Yes it will cost more and the project may take longer, but you will be enjoying the new or remodeled area for years to come.

Cash concerns.

You may start getting upset over the amount of money you are spending, especially if you have made many change orders. A good rule of thumb is to set aside a minimum of 10% of the project cost for extras. Doing so will help alleviate some of the stress.

Delays.

Rain storms, sub-contractors not showing up, materials on back order – the list is endless. Construction is far from a perfect world. You need to be resilient.

Decisions.

Where do you want the switches, how high should the fixture be hung, oil-rubbed bronze or chrome? Count on lots of questions. Your selection of a contractor is just the first of many decisions you will have to make.

A party.

When everything is complete, you are going to want to show off your project. It’s fun for both you and your guests to see a beautifully finished home.

 

If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing 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. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS:

Don’ts from a Contractor’s Point of View

Don’t delay decisions.

Make your product and color selections well in advance of when they are needed.  A late decision on a faucet can mean weeks of delay if it is on back order.

Don’t change your mind (too much).

Although this is inevitable, remember that change orders cost money and delay completion.

Don’t buy your own materials.

Contractors typically get better prices than consumers.
Also, if that toilet you got “such a good deal” on has defective parts in it, you will be paying the plumber to uninstall it and paying him again to reinstall a replacement once you get it.  If he buys it and there is a problem, it’s on his dime to make it right.

Don’t start a project without a contingency fund.

Unforeseen issues can arise or you can get carried away with change orders (“while you’re here” syndrome).  You don’t want to run out of funds before the project is complete.

Don’t put lipstick on a pig.

Some people insist on putting high end cabinets into a house with a sinking foundation or a super high-efficiency air conditioner in a house with leaking windows and no insulation. Listen to your contractor.  Sometimes it makes more sense to tear a house down than spend a fortune repairing it.

Don’t let kids and pets get in the way.

Remodeling work in inherently dangerous.  It’s just not safe to have children or animals around construction.  The same holds true for your guests and nosy neighbors too.

Don’t live in the home. 

If you are having a whole house remodel done or taking the roof off to add a second floor, don’t try to live in the house.  Make other living arrangements that are safe, comfortable, and dry.

Don’t ignore what the house needs.

If the contractor finds that existing walls do not have fire stops in them, spend the money to correct the problem because it’s a matter of life safety.  If he suggests repainting the rest of the house’s exterior while adding on a garage, you can easily defer that expense to a later date.

Don’t plan a room addition without thinking about furniture.

Although you may like French doors centered on a wall, it’s too late after the project is done to determine the couch blocks the door.  I suggest drawing the rooms to scale on one sheet of paper and your furniture to scale on another sheet of paper.  Cut out the furniture and place it on the room to make sure you like the way things lay out and verify there are no conflicts with windows and doors.

If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing 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. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Improvement: Things to Look Out For When Remodeling

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Ten Things to Look Out For When Remodeling

 home improvement - before you remodel

#1 – Lead based paint.

If your house was built prior to 1978, it may have lead based paint.  If your project involves disturbing more than 3 square feet of wall (interior or exterior), you MUST test for the presence of lead based paint or risk being severely fined by the EPA.  Paint chips are especially hazardous to toddler who may touch the chips and put their hands in their mouths ingesting the poison.

#2 – Asbestos floor tile.

Typically 9″x9″ up to 12″x12″. Even the glues used may contain asbestos.  The danger occurs when the flooring crumbles and dust is scattered into the air and inhaled.  This stuff could kill you with a long painful death.  Have the flooring tested by a professional and if it must be removed, hire a professional remediation contractor.

#3 – Contractors who say no permit is needed.

Other than painting and floorcovering, a permit is typically required for all projects.  Don’t get caught and have to pay a fine.  When in doubt, call your local building department and ask.  Inspections are for life safety purposes and protect you and future owners of your house.  Failing to obtain a permit can even stop the sale of your house if discovered.

#4 – Water damage.

What seems like an innocent brown stain on the ceiling could be the sign of a roof leak, water supply pipe leak, or an air leak around an A/C register.  Don’t disregard this important message from your house.  Investigate the source and make the necessary repairs to avoid major repairs in the future.  Also, if mold has formed, don’t disturb the surface or you can send mold spores throughout your house.  Call a mold remediation contractor to avoid respiratory problems.

#5 – Termites.

If you see mud trails going from the ground up to the floor level of your house, you may have termites.  If you see little wings or droppings along baseboards, you might have termites.  Call a pest control professional before the termites eat up so much of your house that you need structural repairs.

#6 – Property headaches.

Before installing a fence, get an updated survey of your property and have the corners marked.  This will avoid issues with the fence encroaching on your neighbor’s property.  Before doing a room addition, contact the local zoning department and ask what your setbacks are to avoid submitting plans for a room addition that puts the building too close to your property lines.

#7 – Bank problems.

Make sure your bank financing is approved and funded before giving a contractor a deposit on a job.  It would really ruin your day if the financing is not approved, your contractor has already demolished part of your house, and you can’t afford to finish the project.

#8 – Plan.

Don’t draw up plans that don’t provide sufficient detail.  If you think that you will fill in the details later, you may be in for some very expensive surprises.  Sub-contractors will charge for what you have left out and you may not have enough money to finish your project.  Remember, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

#9 – Cracks.

Both vertical and horizontal cracks in a block wall can spell trouble.  There may be uncompacted soil under the foundation or insufficient support of a tie beam.  Consult with a structural engineer to determine the source.

#10 – Illegal wiring.

Many homeowners think they know how to perform electrical repairs.  Although the light or receptacle may work, the repair may be a fire waiting to happen.  If you open up a wall and find spliced wires that are not inside an electrical box, call a licensed electrician.

 

If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing 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. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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Home Maintenance: A Fire Waiting to Happen

Home Maintenance/Repairs

YOUR DRYER IS THE MOST DANGEROUS APPLIANCE IN YOUR HOUSE

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are an estimated annual 15,500 fires, 10 deaths and 10 injuries due to clothes dryer fires.  Watch this from the NBC Today Show:

 

LINT… LINT… GO AWAY!

Not all of the lint generated by a dryer is stopped by the lint screen.  Much of it ends up inside the machine on the heating element – and lint is highly combustible.  Lint also builds up in elbows, termination caps, and in flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders. Only smooth metal vents should be used and fittings must be taped together with aluminum tape (no screws), which is what most manufacturers specify.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?

Here’s the take away – have your dryer and duct work cleaned out once a year.  If you need a recommendation, call us.

If you have questions about any home improvement project please call Leading Edge Homes at 561-795-2551 or email me at: todd@leadingedgehomes.com and I’ll be happy to share my knowledge with you.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing 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. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website to discover how they can help you with your next home remodeling project in Palm Beach County.
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