Directbuy of Boston South Adds Design/build Contractor to Its Rolodex of Contractors and Services for Members



The Foxboro-based company specializes in both commercial and residential construction and offers design services in addition to construction management and consulting.

“Many of our customers come in here with a specific renovation project in mind but don’t have either the background or the time to oversee a project from start to finish and almost always without a set of designs to help make their selections,” said John Massaria, owner of DirectBuy of Boston South. “At a discounted rate, Rinaldi, Inc. acts as a construction consultant, assisting our members with every phase of a project—from design and product selection to management of the entire project—including coordinating the various sub-contractors larger projects require and the appropriate local permitting. ”

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Finding Reliable Contractors for Kitchen Cabinet Refacing Services in Los Angeles


Kitchen cabinet refacing in Los Angeles is preferred by many house owners wanting to upgrade and redesign the look of their kitchens. Changing the entire interiors of kitchen can be quite taxing and is not advisable unless serious flaws need to be addressed. The house owners can, alternatively, restore the cabinets by replacing the doors and hardware of the cabinets and applying a fresh coat of paint on the inside surfaces. The process is started by appointing reliable contractors for cabinet refacing in Los Angeles who can do the job efficiently and bring in their exclusive touch of Los Angeles aesthetics. Finding contractors and service providers The process starts with the hunt for people capable of the job. Yellow pages and online searches can be a good place to start with, listing the service providers in and around Los Angeles who can undertake the assignment. It will take couples of phone calls and some visits before the house owner can zero on a select few. Deciding on the contractors The contractors should be asked to pay a visit to the site. It will be prudent to check their credentials, license and registrations. A registered and licensed contractor can bring in more professionalism and expertise as compared to a freelance. It is also advisable to ask them to furnish reference and photographs of the assignments undertaken by them in the past, so that they can be cross-checked and the employer gets a fair idea about the quality of work done by them while doing cabinet refacing in Los Angeles. Costs and charges involved After the inspection, asked the contractor to submit the costs and fee charged by them. The costs should involve the charge of restoration per square feet, labor charges and fee for the equipments involved. They should also be asked to disclose any other expenses they reckon might be incurred during the processes. Ask them to break down the entire assignment into smaller and manageable tasks and the time frame required for them. Keep yourself involved At the end of the day, it is your kitchen and your money which is being used. So, the house owner should keep themselves involved in the entire process lest things go awry. The hardware and new installations should be chosen together with the service provider.

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

How to find a local Air Conditioning and Heating Repair & Service Contractor


How to find a local Air Conditioning and Heating Repair & Service Contractor.

 

Why Cheap Isn’t Cheap – If you have a problem with your air conditioning or heating system you may get advice from acquaintances who suggest someone who does work for a very cheap price. Perhaps this person is a friend of a friend or someone who does the work in their spare time. Take our advice and think very carefully before you let just anyone work on your system. There was a time when you could pull your car under the shade of a tree and almost anyone with mechanical skills could repair it for you. This also used to be true of air conditioning equipment. With today’s equipment this is no longer the case. If your air conditioner or heater breaks down you need the services of licensed contractor who has the knowledge, proper tools and equipment, access to the proper parts, and most importantly the experience to do the job right the first time and not leave you in worse shape that when you started. Improper installation and start up can result in early system failure and cause the need for additional maintenance throughout the life of the equipment.

1) Licensed, Insured and Bonded – Make sure any contractor you consider is licensed in the state for the work which you require them to perform. Contractors are required to take tests to prove they have the skills to do the type of work for which they are licensed. Also make sure they carry the proper insurance, including workers compensation and are bonded to insure against damages to your home and property.

2) Make Sure They are Listed – Get a business address and telephone number. Reputable companies will be happy to give out this information. If they don’t have a valid business address and proper contact information then they are likely to be gone when warrantee repairs need to be done.

3) Make Sure they Have an EPA License – Make sure any company you deal with has the proper EPA license for the equipment they are servicing. An EPA license is different than a state license and is required to handle refrigerants and to make sure that they are not contaminated and are properly disposed of when removed. (Air Conditioning only)

4) Consider their Business History – When dealing with a contractor ask how long they have been in business. Especially in a smaller community businesses that have been around a while are generally more honest, better trained, and have a reputation for keeping their customers satisfied.

5) Require the Proper Recycling Equipment – Ask what type of recovery system they use for refrigerants. A reputable contractor uses a recycle recovery machine to reclaim any refrigerant which must be removed from the system saving you money and protecting the environment from harmful refrigerants. (Air Conditioning only)

6) Require the Proper Heater Testing Equipment – Ask what type of carbon monoxide detection device they use to determine the safety of your heating system. A reputable service person will use a high quality detection system able to read carbon monoxide or CO down to 1 part per million. (Heating only)

7) Don’t be afraid to ask for references. You can also ask friends and family members if they have a company they are happy with but remember to apply the above criteria before making a final decision.

8) Call the Better Business Bureau for a Report. If the company has a complaint on file or they have multiple complaints ask if the percentage of complaints are higher or lower that usual. 1-3 percent of jobs in this field result in a complaint so if the company does hundreds of jobs and only has one or two complaints they may still be acceptable.

9) Check with Local Officials – Check with the building inspector in the area to ask if the company is reputable.

Company Profile of The Pipe Doctor Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning located in Woodmere, NY – Our Mission – Since 1999 we have been providing prompt, professional and affordable residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning, heating and plumbing service and installation to our customers in and around the Long Island area. Our goal is exemplary service built on honesty, education, certification, and high ethical standards. As a result we are quickly growing into one of the leading Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning contractors on Long Island with 7 locations.

http://www. pipedoc. net

516-295-2448

 

Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Tips for Hiring Contractors & Subcontractors


To begin with, it is extremely important that you make sure the contractor and/or subcontractor you choose has the proper license. This is rather easy to check out. You can either ask them to show you the appropriate documentation, i. e. a license card, or you can do a check through your closest local authority. For instance, feel free to check out the Contractor License & Background Check, where you can not only check a contractor’s license, but you can do a professional background check as well. When you use a contractor who does not have a license, you run the risk of being held liable for any injuries or damages which happen during your project. Plus, if you do not feel happy with the finished job, you are basically out of luck. Perhaps the best thing you can do when you are ready to hire a Contractor and/or subcontractor is ask for references. You can ask the workers themselves or talk to people for whom they have worked in the past. In that case, it is better to talk to former clients whose jobs were similar to yours. You can find out how satisfied they were. You also need to get different quotes from different contractors — but remember, you should not automatically choose the contractor with the cheapest quote. Sometimes it is necessary to spend a bit more money so that you can make sure that you get high quality work. Contracts are an important part of the majority of contracted projects. You should not sign the contract until you read it through thoroughly and know that your contractor is properly licensed and has the proper insurance. Whenever you do not understand something in a contract, do not sign it until you do. If all else fails, have a lawyer look over it. Feel free to ask for changes if you need to do so. Make sure that specifics are included, such as cleaning up, getting rid of debris, follow up visits, and guarantees for the quality of work. Usually, the builder will hire the subcontractors for the main project. They are typically hired for very special jobs and they answer to the contractor. Of course, you can always take on the task of hiring the subcontractors. If you choose to do that, you just need to keep to the same standards as you would when hiring a contractor. Make sure you get references and recommendations, talk to the candidates, ask for quotes, and put together a schedule for payment. Most importantly, make sure that you get along with the person you ultimately choose.

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

Hiring Home Remodeling Contractor Wise or Not?


In this day where every homeowner in the country have saddened about some big loss on the equity of their abode, it just seemed wise to either keep it or rent it until the housing market goes back to normal. When? No one can say. But the situation is not all that bad if you where to stay in it, of course, as long as you can keep up with paying the higher mortgage interest, and just make it a future investment. Price may not be as it used to be when you first bought it, but 5 to 10 years from now, price should pick-up and you gain substantial amount of equity out of it.   Weather you decide to keep it to live on or get it rented, one thing is sure. You want to keep your place as nice looking as it should. If you are staying, this of course if you have some money to spare, you might want to consider home remodeling, re-decorating or re-arranging for a different look and feel. You can do this on your own or with the help of your family member and friends. Maybe repainting the living room and re-arranging the furniture. Taking the clutter out and make it homier organized kind of house. Re-decorating your house not only will give you this “oh I like it” feeling, but it also gives you the sense of pride and relief that you might say to yourself, yeah, I’m glad I did not sell it. You maybe even say, well, it’s not all that bad after all. Your friends might even like it and have you do the re-decorating of their house for a fee! That’s just a thought. However, if you really do need some cash to help you pay the increased payment in mortgage, in lieu of selling (first of all you cannot sell as the housing inventory is too high up), consider get it rented. But how can you compete with what’s available in the rental market in your neighborhood with the same layout, square footage, number of bedrooms and bath, etc? Mind you, a lot of them if they look old, rundown or even just the ordinary bare looking with no accent whatsoever take a lot longer to get a rented. Ones again, think about home remodeling or home improvement. Home remodeling does not need to be very pricey. You just need to have a clear picture of what you want done, check out the prices of materials you need, how many days will take and so on. If you are thinking of doing it yourself and you’re crunching with the time, then take a few days leave if you have some. But for those who doesn’t and cannot for whatever reason, you might want to consider hiring a home remodeling or home improvement contractor. Hiring a home improvement contractor does not necessarily mean getting someone just down the street because “maybe” you will save some money. The average carpenter Jose down the street can probably do the job and he’s cheaper. I don’t necessarily agree. Regardless if you’re hiring Jose down the street, or hiring a licensed contractor, there should be a few things you need to consider before deciding who to hire to get the job done and do it right with a lot less money.   I say, look around, local yellow pages or Google it and look for home remodeling resource network. Most of these companies can connect you to the right candidate in your area with the following credentials: 1) they are licensed and bonded;  2) they have liability and workers compensation insurance, and 3) highest approval rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB). Most of the time, they would send you up to 3 pre-screened contractors and on top of that, this service along with the job quote is FREE for you. They will not charge you a dime as they deal directly with the contractor for whatever fee they charge. By doing this, the expense is within your affordability, the job is done to your instruction and specification and more importantly, in a timely manner. In closing, I say whatever you decide, keep in mind some, if not all the pointers I shared with you. You ultimately decide what’s best for you. Just a hope that it is one wise and intelligent decision so it makes a long lasting productive effect for the future!

####

This article is an original copyright of Claire Schaper, online media specialist for All Around Home Remodeling. For inquiry, e-mail Nir Arie at lionsmarketing@gmail. com or e-mail at 818-745-5168. You can also visit http://www. allaroundhomeremodeling. com.

Friday, November 27th, 2009

Home Improvement and Repairs – Hiring a Contractor


Hiring a competent and reliable contractor is essential to making sure that the job is done right. While it may seem as if it should be as easy as opening the yellow pages and choosing one in your area, smart homeowners know that finding a good contractor takes as much time and effort as other aspects of your remodeling job.
Remember, the person you choose to do the work for you will have complete access to your home and family for several days or even weeks, so you must be completely comfortable with having them in your home for an extended period of time. The best way to find a contractor that you can trust is to:
-Ask friends, neighbors and co-workers for referrals
-Check references with people the contractor has done work for in the past
-Ask salespeople at the local lumber yard or home renovation center who they recommend
-Check with your local zooming and/or code enforcement office for a list of licensed contractors in your area
Once you find a few contractors that you’d like to consider using for your remodeling project, it’s time to schedule an interview. The Federal Trade Commission suggests that homeowners ask the following questions to determine if a contractor is right for you and your project:
-How Long Have You Been In Business?
-Are You Registered and Licensed With the State and Local Building Authorities?
-How Many Projects Like Mine Have You Completed in the Past Year?
-May I Contact Some of Your Former Clients?
-Will You Be Hiring Any Subcontractors for This Project?
-What Types of Insurance Do You Carry?
Once you’ve chosen your new contractor, be sure to insist that you get all the details of your project (including price and delivery estimates/completion dates), in writing before paying any deposits. A written contract is essential to ensuring that the work is done properly and on time.
Unfortunately, not every contractor is reputable, and homeowners need to be on the look-out for potential rip-offs. Here are a few things to watch for when hiring a contractor:
-Door-to-door solicitation.
-Offers to use leftover materials from another job.
-A contractor who only accepts cash payments.
-Someone who insists on receiving payment in full before commencing work.
-Pressure to make an on-the-spot decision.
-Offers to help you secure financing with their own “lender”.
Hiring a reputable contractor seems like it should be easy, but oftentimes it isn’t. Homeowners should be aware of the dangers of hiring the wrong person to work on their home and take all necessary steps to ensure that the work is completed to their specifications, timetable and budget.

Thursday, November 26th, 2009

The Best Way I Know To Hire A Contractor


Are you planning to hire a contractor to do construction work on your home? If so be careful while selecting a contractor. Choosing right contractors to your home is not as easy as plucking flowers from your garden. Spend some time to hire a professional because hiring the wrong contractor can lead to a heap of financial disasters.
Here are some tips before hiring a contractor:
Hire only licensed contractors. Before coming to conclusion as a legalized contractor it is wise to verify the contractor’s license by calling contractors board. It is better if the contractor you are hiring has satisfactory general liability and workers compensation insurance.
Find out whether the contractor is experienced or not. Make sure the contractor is good, honest and reputable. The best place to see his or her entire profile and career graph is at the Board of Contractors and of course, the Better Business Bureau.
An ideal contractor is the one who provides innovative, hassle free quality construction solutions to clients on time. He or she must also provide comprehensive, efficient and cost-competitive services.
Select a contractor who look at the job from all angles and think the whole process through from innovative and cost saving design ideas to safe and efficient installation techniques. The contractor must have the ability to demonstrate a sound rationale to support his innovative recommendations.
Remember a good contractor will respond to your calls quickly and provide you with a free estimate the same day or within a reasonable amount of time and thoroughly explains what and how they propose to do your project.
An ideal contractor begins each project by developing a design and procurement strategy that is tailor-made to suit the client needs. Regardless of whether the job is a small project or a large industrial building, the contractor must have the ability to develop and coordinate each project from the design stage to completion of works – on time and on budget – every time
One of the major strengths of a contractor is Project Management. By carrying out almost the entire project works in-house, you can control the critical design interfaces between structural and architectural works in accordance to the architect intent, government laws, guidelines, and trade practices.
Remember a good contractor is known for timely service, quality work, and pricing and also renowned for developing solid relationships with all of the relevant local authorities, consultants, and suppliers throughout the project.

Wednesday, November 25th, 2009

Window Replacement Vs. Old Window Restoration: Find Out What Contractors Say


Let us face it: some old windows really last a long time, but restoring it is as expensive as getting a window replacement. This may sound surprising to many homeowners but if you compare your old windows to a newer window, you can see the difference.
Restoring an old window is a more difficult choice for you than window replacement; because of the fact that it is old, you need maintenance services to keep it in its form and shape. Maintenance service is rather costly, too. Since most old windows have single pane and have no coating or tint, when you restore it longer it will be harder for you to find the same piece of window once broken. Old windows also allow unwanted heat to come inside the homes on summer and as well as allow heat to escape on winter. Your electricity use will also heat up with the temperature conditions that old windows permit in your home.
Contractors say window replacement is the best option for homeowners. New windows are more sturdy and reliable support. Even though purchasing a new window may sound expensive to you, it can actually pay off for the maintenance and energy cost of restoring old windows.
Where do you find these contractors? The internet has enormous resources for window replacement contractors yet dealing with them with precaution is required heavily. Here are guidelines on how to find the best and trusted contractor in town:
• Gather a Variety of Contractors. As a homeowner, having a long list of contractors for home jobs like window replacement is a great and powerful tool for comparison of prices, styles, design, and sizes. If you have a gift of gab for negotiations, this will surely help you get the best quotations.
• Background Check. Do some personal investigations about the contractor. Some reliable sites offer help on company reviews or product reviews, in here you will find relevant information about the service of contractors. It is a crucial factor to discover more information about the contractor from outside sources.
• Professional and Strict Negotiation. Maintain a professional approach when dealing with window replacement contractors. This will initially give them the idea that you mean serious and good business. Ask for references of clients from their database. Then call these references and ask for feedbacks. In addition, find out if the contractor is a licensed contractor, too, by asking for their license numbers and verifying them to the licensing boards.
• Insurance You Can Trust. A good contractor will present a good insurance contract with the client. You can also ask for certificates of insurances. This insurance is will hold them liable in case something goes wrong.
• Red Flag. Identify the warning signs of a bad contractor. A bad contractor will refuse to provide references of previous clients. They will put pressure on you to make immediate decisions. They will also request for instant payments.
If you remind yourself of the above-mentioned guidelines when dealing with a contractor, your window replacement transactions will never go astray.

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009