Category: Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional

Buying a Home: Always Get it Inspected

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

FAIRY TALE DREAMS: HOME MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ISSUES

A friend recently wanted to purchase a home and fell in love with it because of it’s old world charm. But… they were looking at the house with fairy tale dreams.

Why You Should Get Your Home Inspected

As seen on http://www.gocomics.com/wumo/2015/09/24

GET YOUR HOME INSPECTED BEFORE YOUR BUY

BEFORE you purchase a home… get it inspected by a reputable home inspection company or a general contractor like Leading Edge Homes, Inc.  Your inspector should check the electrical, plumbing, roofing, appliances, foundation, and more. You may not notice if the house is sinking, has mold, or if it has illegal wiring. The money you spend on doing an inspection will save you costs and heartache in the future.

 

If you have questions about a home you are purchasing or have questions about a home improvement project, 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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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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Always Use a Licensed Contractor

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional

A Licensed Contractor Would Never Let This Happen

Several weeks ago, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. received a frantic call from a potential client in Lake Worth,FL.  Palm Beach County building and code enforcement were going to begin fining him for the work done to his home. He had hired an unlicensed contractor to put on an addition to his house and he needed to have it completed by a licensed contractor.

What Went Wrong

The walls weren’t the right height. The floor was too low. The washing machine wasn’t connected to the septic system. There was no means of egress to escape a fire in the new bedroom. The walls weren’t properly fastened. The roof was rotting and the wrong pitch. And so much more!

A Picture is Worth A Thousand Words

This video, from Sarasota County, Florida, could have been produced right here in Palm Beach County and at the house that Leading Edge Homes, Inc. looked at.

The house had similar problems and unfortunately the cost was too high for the homeowner to correct all of the defects in the home. He may lose the house!

If You A Purchasing A Home

Ask questions and see if the house had any modifications made to it. Make sure you have it inspected.  Contact a licensed contractor to look at the home. A licensed contractor should be able to see if there was an addition built on the house and notice and violations that don’t meet the Florida Building Code. Having the knowledge is power.

Questions?

If you have specific questions or need a home inspection, please call me 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.

Protect Yourself When Doing a Home Remodeling / Home Improvement Project

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

Top Consumer Complaints of 2014

Stress free home remodeling.

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. makes your home remodeling experience stress free.

Unfortunately, the home improvement industry as a whole took two of the top five consumer complaints according to a report published by the Consumer Federation of America.  Although misrepresentations by car dealers took the top spot, shoddy home repair jobs was #2 and “services”, which definitely includes the home improvement industry, was #5.  Leading Edge Homes, Inc. wants your home remodeling experience to be stress free!

 

  1. Home Improvement & Construction:

The top complaint was “Shoddy work, failure to start or complete the job.” That is why we recently reminded you to do your due diligence when hiring a home remodeling contractor.

  1. Services

People who hired lawyers, real estate brokers and other service people had grievances about their help not having proper licenses, misrepresenting their service or doing shoddy work. Florida requires that a contractor be licensed for many home improvement contracts. Verify a contractor’s license and that they are licensed to do the type of project you want. Click here for a list of services that requires a Florida license.

How Do Palm Beach County Homeowners Protect Themselves?

Go to www.remodelingquestions.com for lots of free, helpful advice to keep you from being a victim.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida certified building contractor specializing in improving your lifestyle through room additions, bathroom renovations, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. In business since 1991, the most important thing they demolish is your stress and build is 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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A Reminder: Do your Due Diligence BEFORE HIRING A HOME REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional, Home Improvement

 

house POSTCARD

 

In our last post, Questions to Ask before Selecting a Home Remodeling Contractor, I suggested key information to ask from you home improvement specialist before you hire one.

There is still more that you need to do, before you sign a contract for your bathroom remodel, room addition, kitchen renovation, building your hurricane-resistant screen enclosure, or any other home improvement project.

Verify A Contractor’s License

For a Florida state-licensed general contractor, visit the Florida Department of Regulation website. In Palm Beach County you can verify a contractor’s license here.  Make sure the contractor is licensed to do the type of work you want.

Check for Complaints

Use the internet wisely and search to see if there are any complaints about the contractor. There are many sites, including the Florida Department of Regulation and the Better Business Bureau that lists complaints against a company.

You don’t want to lose money on your investment into your home.

Don’t just take our word for it. View this newscast about Florida Screen Builders – http://www.wptv.com/money/consumer/florida-screen-builders-closes-doors-after-second-chance-to-fix-problem-permits

It will show you why it is important to do your due diligence before you hire a contractor.

 

Leading Edge Homes, Inc. is a Florida state certified general contracting company specializing in room additions, bathroom renovation, kitchen updates, and hurricane-resistant screen enclosures. The most important thing they build is your trust. Contact them at 561-795-2551 or visit their website for more information about how they can help you with your next Palm Beach County home remodeling project.

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Questions to Ask Before – SELECTING A PROFESSIONAL HOME REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional 


BEFORE You Select a Home Remodeling Contractor


question copy


 


Whether you plan to hire a professional remodeling contractor to build an addition, remodel your kitchen, update your bathroom, or any other home renovation project, it is important to do a “background check” on your home improvement specialist. Here are some of the questions that you should ask, before you choose a contractor.


 


COMPANY REPUTATION


1. Show me a copy of your up-to-date contracting license in Florida showing proper classification for the type of job I am considering.

2. Give me a list of all the businesses in which you have been an owner, shareholder, or partner that have been in the home improvement or home remodeling business within the last ten years.

3. Have you or any of the owners of your company ever filed for bankruptcy for this or any other company that you or they owned or were a shareholder or partner in?

4. Provide me with a certificate of insurance for your company.

5. What is your payment policy for your subcontractors and what type of proof will I have that they have been paid?


 


SERVICE, FOLLOW-UP AND WARRANTIES


1. What is your warranty and what does it cover?

2. Have you ever repaired a project after the warranty expired without charging for it?


EXPERIENCE


1. Who will be supervising my project on a day-to-day basis?

2. How many projects that are similar to mine have you completed?

3. What do you provide to help me understand what to expect during the remodeling process?

4. Do you have a written policy regarding tobacco, drug and alcohol use by your crews?


 


Review all the contractor’s answers. The quality contractor will stand out.


Whether your dream is to add a master bedroom suite, to complete a multi-room renovation project, or to makeover your bathroom or kitchen, Leading Edge Homes, Inc. has  the experience to construct your project in a professional manner that exceeds your expectations.


Call them at 561-795-2551 and discover how their expertise as a design-build contractor can help you remodel your home.

			

		

		
		
				
				
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Your Home Remodeling Contractor Should Be a Design Build Contractor

		
		
		
			
						
		
				
		
			
						
		
				
		
			
				Hiring a Home Remodeling Professional			
		
		

	
		

			
		
					

			
 


A design-build home remodeling contractor can seamlessly perform room additions, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations and more.
A design-build home remodeling contractor can seamlessly perform room additions, kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations and more.




What is a Design Build Contractor?


A design-build contractor is responsible for designing your room addition or remodeling project using your direct input, creating the construction documents – including the plans, and building the project from those documents. Many, like Leading Edge Homes, Inc. draw the plans and give you a chance to “see” your project in 3-D, before the plans are finalized.


The Advantages of a Home Remodeling Contractor that is a Design Build Contractor


● A single point of responsibility and eliminates the “finger pointing” inherent in the classic design-bid-build system between the architect and contractor

● A higher likelihood that the project will be constructed within the homeowner’s budget because the work scope and finish materials that impact a project’s final cost is discussed up front

● Enhanced communication

● Working with a construction expert and design professional at the same time ensures that potential problems are discovered and discussed before the project starts

● Faster creation of the construction documents and, if needed, faster turnaround of revisions

● Better quality control by removing ambiguity that may arise in material and construction specifications because the designer, engineer and contractor are on the same team so the focus remains on protecting the client’s interest

● Quicker overall time frame from initial homeowner consultation to project completion


 


For more information contact Leading Edge Homes, Inc. by visiting their website or calling 561-795-2551.

			

		

		
		
				
				
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