Homeowners tips for hiring a contractor in New Jersey

HOMEOWNER TIPS FOR SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

1. Ask for a copy of a current insurance policy, and be sure it is liability AND Worker’s comp Insurance - Protect yourself and your home!
2. Ask for at least 10 references, and check all of them, or as many as you can! (Contractors can fake a few references)
3. Ask if their work was done in a timely manner. Did the worker’s keep the jobsite neat and clean? Were they courteous? Was the work done to their specification and to their complete satisfaction?  Was the price fair for the quality, and timeliness of the work?
4. Get a copy of their labor warranty. Typical is one year. We offer 10 years in writing! Materials will carry a specific warranty from each individual manufacturer.
5. Be careful when it comes to the payment schedule. Never give a contractor too much money up front. Ask for a detailed payment schedule, and negotiate one that you’re comfortable with. As a rule of thumb, larger deposits are only appropriate when there are special order items involved. (i.e. kitchen cabinets, custom windows)
6. Make certain that progress payments are tied to specific and measurable points throughout the job, so you never advance too much money to the contractor. Never agree to 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 on large jobs. The more payments the better. The best theory is to pay in stages, as the work is performed! Never give any final payments unless all of the work is completely finished to your satisfaction!
7. Always get a detailed written agreement, which should include, a detailed scope of work, a detailed payment schedule, tied to specific progress points, start and completion dates, insurance information for the contractor and subs, (if they use subs) warranty information, and right of recision forms.

         PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS – ALWAYS DEAL WITH REPUTABLE PEOPLE

How to plan a kitchen

The first step to a successful kitchen remodel is a well thought out plan. Every household is different. Families are individual and unique in how they use their kitchen.

Next, make a budget. Then make some notes. What is it about your current kitchen that you don't like? What is it about your kitchen that you need to improve? Make a wish list. If money were no object, what would you like to have in your kitchen? Later, as your plan develops, you can adjust your wish list.


Sometimes we need to make sacrifices, to complement your budget.


Three important considerations are storage, food preparation areas, and clean up.

Consider how you cook and prepare your food. Do you use a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables where you will need a large food prep area, possibly with a cutting board?Or, do you use a lot of frozen foods and need a huge refrigerator?


Do you have a large family, and possibly need two ovens, or an oversized cook top? 

What type of storage will you need? Do you prefer basic cabinets with adjustable shelves, or should you consider drawers and roll out shelves? Can you fit a tall, utility or pantry cabinet somewhere into your layout?Maybe you have limited space, and need to combine the range and oven in one area. Where will you keep your spices? Do you use a microwave? Where will you put it?

This is a sample of how your thought process will shape your plan. Think about how you will use your kitchen and a clear picture will develop in your mind.

The clean up stations are important as well! A dishwasher, a trash and recycling cabinet, good utensil storage all are important considerations. Your individual family habits will dictate the efficiencey, and convenience of your new kitchen! Family traffic patterns, spacing between items, how much countertop, and how many cabinets, are all important issues to think about. If there is more than one "chef " in your home, think about multiple work areas (islands solve this nicely). A second sink, and seperating the cooktop and oven, will help in accomodating two cooks!

ALWAYS make sure there is countertop space at each appliance!


Last, but probably not least, you need to consider finish materials. Choices for cabinet quality, style, and finish, along with countertops, flooring, appliances, sink, faucets, lighting, backsplash areas and wall finishes, are all crucial to the finished product.

Some homeowners develop a clear vision for their new space, while others seek varying levels of assistance from industry professionals.

Our design team is always ready to assist you with any and all of these decisions!

Thanks

Dan Scattolini

http://www.scattolinibrothers.com/

Older Homes

Existing homes offer a range of home repair challanges.

Some of the most difficult and costly repairs are from leaks.

Roof leaks, window and door leaks, siding leaks, and plumbing leaks, lead the way in homeowner headaches.

Leaks create multiple hazzards.

They deteriorate the property, render areas of your home unusable, and are accompanied by mold, a major source of health problems.

It takes an experienced remodeler to diagnose and repair a leak.

Never waste time and money with remodelers who are unsure, and who speculate with random solutions.

Find a remodeler, who has experience in diagnosing and repairing leaks, and who has plenty of references in doing so.

Time spent selecting the right company will go a long way, saving you time, money and aggravation!

The best approach for exterior leaks is to set up a water test.

A majority of the time, if done correctly, a water test will identify the affected area.

Interior leaks can be a bit more difficult, occasionally requiring removal of sheetrock, fixtures, and flooring.

Again, using an experienced contractor will eliminate mistakes and unecessary repairs.

Their experience and instincts will direct them to the problem area.

Remember, never take short cuts.

They are costly and will make your life miserable.

Do it right the first time.

Dan Scattolini

 

Owning a Home in Need of Repair

Sometimes it's an adventure owning a home, and not always a pleasant one!

A to do list for home repairs can be never ending. 

You finish one project, you're ready for another. 

I own a home, and even though I'm in the business, it can be a headache.  

A new home poses a different set of problems than an older home.

Not all new home builders are created equal!

If your an unlucky homeowner, of a poorly constructed new home, get out your "HOMEOWNERS WARRANTY" and read it cover to cover.

Gain an understanding of what the builder is responsible for.

In NEW JERSEY, the structural parts of the house are typically warranted from defects for 10 years.

The systems, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, are warranted for two years.

Cosmetic finishes, siding, stone work, floor coverings etc., are warranted for one year.

The trick is to get the builder to come back, if repairs are needed.

Hopefully, the builder is reputable, and will perform any warranty work promptly.

If you have difficulty getting him to come back, begin with a call to the local Consumer Affairs office.

They tend to have more influence than the BBB, which is a subscriber based organization with little clout.

Consumer affairs will pressure the builder. 

If they are unsuccessful, try filing a complaint with the state attorney general.

Also, file a complaint with the local code official.

A builder who wishes to stay in business will have to resolve the complaint.

Otherwise, the pressure from these agencies will make it difficult for him to continue operations.

Ultimately, you may have to get an attorney.

If the cost of the repair is less than what an attorney will charge, you may have to bite the bullit and pay for the repairs.

Next time we will discuss the issues with an older home.

Dan Scattolini

Welcome

Building a new home, or remodeling an exisitng home, can be an exciting experience.

On occasion, dealing with a builder or a renovation contractor, can be a nightmare.

My goal is to offer my experience to homeowners.

I hope I can offer sound advice, minimize potential mistakes, and help make your venture a pleasant one.

Most of the information will be available on my website. http://www.scattolinibrothers.com/

Over time, I plan to include tips and advice from other contributors.

I look forward to this endeavor.

Dan Scattolini