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Garden Supplies Are the Gardener's Paint and Brush
So you have finally decided to have your own garden. That is a
very good decision. Having a garden is one of the joys in life
that everyone on planet earth can practically accomplish. Seeing
your plants grow, as you care for them, can be both...
Landscaping For Winter Fuel Saving
September 2005 Windbreaks - Breakup the Cold Winds of Winter
Landscaping For Winter Fuel Saving Evergreens of Highland Hill
Farm This Saturday and Sunday will be a Crazy Weekend Greetings!
In the past week there has been an increasing...
Landscaping to Attract Birds
Many people enjoy the dulcet sounds of birds singing and chirping in their yards. Birds are beautiful to look at, and they provide many with an appreciation for nature. There are many benefits associated with attracting birds to the landscape,...
Tips on How to Plant Roses
When spring comes and the ground is thawed, it is time to start planting your rose garden. Roses have been a cherished aphrodisiac since biblical times. They have been around for over 3000 years, yet they still hold a particular mystery and...
Viburnums: Shrubs With All Season Interest
Viburnums: Shrubs with All Season Interest Viburnums are the
most attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape.
They can be used as hedges or screens and in mixed
perennial/shrub borders. They can also stand alone as...
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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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