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Bluebirds
Copyright © 2005 Tammy Clayton This brightly colored bird has always been a romantic symbol for their unusual coloring as well as their gentle loving nature. In Victorian times, they were a common artful addition to romantic floral artwork on...
Deer Don't Eat Dragons!!
Ilex 'Dragon Lady'
Dragon Lady Hollies are plants for zone 6b-8a. These hollies
are thought of as perfect columnar hollies. These hollies can
reach 20' in height and 6' in width. The leaves being smaller
than most hollies with stiff,...
How To Build A Waterfall
The number one, most asked question that I receive about water features is "How do I build a waterfall?"
The first advice I give is to visit natural waterfalls or at least look at photos. Don't try to memorize just how they look...just get a...
Landscaping: 3 Ways to Use Concrete in your Yard
The mental images that the word concrete invokes may not be of
something you'd want in your yard but in fact, the landscaping
industry has begun to incorporate concrete materials in their
designs the past few years with surprising results....
Mulch Your Flower Bulbs in the Fall for a Beautiful Spring Display
You are welcome to use this article on your website or In your newsletter as long as you reprint it as is, including the contact information at the end. Website URLs must be active links. You are welcome to use this article with an affiliate link, ...
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Where Are All the Good Contractors!!
Have you ever had a bad experience with a contractor (ex. painter, roofer, plumber, landscaper, carpenter etc.)? Did problems such as these occur: contractor showing up late or not at all; poor workmanship and work ethics; missed deadlines? Have you landed in court because of a bad contractor?
I can relate. Although finding a reliable and punctual contractor who takes pride in his or her work often seems impossible, contractors possessing these characteristics do exist. The key is knowing how and where to find them.
Here are a few easy ways (outside of using the yellow pages) to find contractors who will make you want to smile at the completion of the job, instead of cry:
·Ask family members, friends and associates for referrals of contractors who have worked for them. People close to you are usually more than happy to give you the name of someone who did excellent work for them.
·Visit your local home improvement center. Employees and customer service representatives (CSRs) may be able to refer quality contractors to you. Contractors patronize these centers regularly and sometimes leave business cards with the CSRs.
·Attend local home and garden shows. These shows are packed with home improvement professionals who are eager to explain and demonstrate the type of services they provide. Visit the various vendor tables/booths. Retrieve information provided by the professionals and use this opportunity to ask any questions you may have concerning your next project and your search for a contractor.
·If your city or town has a real estate association, attend one of the regular meetings. The real estate investors, agents, brokers and others who attend the meetings can refer you to quality contractors. Some contractors are members of real estate associations.
Remember, before hiring any contractor, do the following:
·Contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if the contractor
is a member of the bureau. If so, obtain a copy of the bureau’s report. The report contains general information about the contractor and will inform you whether or not the contractor has a satisfactory record with the bureau. The report also contains information such as the number of complaints, if any, the contractor received within a determined period of time (usually 36 months).
·Ask the contractor to provide references and pictures (if applicable) of his or her completed work from previous jobs.
·Make sure the contractor is fully licensed and insured.
·Try to obtain a minimum of 3 price quotes for the job to be performed.
After you have selected a contractor for your project, be sure to PUT EVERYTHING IN WRITING! This can save you down the road in the event that something becomes a disputable issue in court. Your contract should include a detailed description of the work to be performed; materials that will be used; timeframes (dates) for the progression and completion of the project; a cost breakdown for the project and payment information. Penalty clauses should also be included for any breach of the contract by either party. The contract should be signed and dated.
By looking for contractors in the right places and doing a little research prior to hiring a contractor, you will greatly increase your chances of having a satisfying and relatively trouble free experience that will be a win/win for you and the contractor.
About the Author
Celise Bealer is an independent distributor for Tahitian Noni International. TNI markets an all natural health supplement called Tahitian Noni Juice, which helps people who suffer from ailments such as arthritis, asthma, diabetes and allergies. Tahitian Noni Juice, along with information about TNI’s unprecedented home-based business opportunity can be found at http://www.tahitiannoni.com/cbealer. Celise’s email address is cbealer@tahitiannoni.com.
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