Apples to Oranges, Why Contractors Prices are Different

By admin | Published: August 2009

Comparing Prices

Comparing Prices

Every homeowner gets lured by the guy whose price is so much lower than everyone else. They can’t believe their good fortune in finding someone who is willing to give them top-shelf work at bargain-basement prices. The pitch sounds really great, the references check out, and he can start tomorrow. All the other guys who gave a proposal are just trying to rip you off, take long vacations at your expense, and besides, you think every contractor does the same quality work and has the same costs so it is your duty to find the lowest priced one out there. Right?

Why do you think that contractor pricing for a given project is all over the board? Do you honestly think that every contractor has the same project costs, overhead, and profit margins as every other contractor? Do you think that every contractor provides the same quality of service, has the same skills and experience, and uses the same quality materials? If you answer yes to the last two questions, …ok, so let’s talk about that about land in Florida I have to sell.
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Change Orders or Pocket Change

By admin | Published: August 2009

Let’s start with the basics. Every project should have a contract and every contract should spell out exactly what is to be done, usually called the Scope of Work. Included in the contract’s Terms and Conditions should be sections that describe what it means to deviate from the Scope of Work, what Change Orders are, who is authorized to sign them, and a sample copy of the Change Order form should be attached to the contract.
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Ups And Downs Of Remodeling

By admin | Published: August 2009

Customer Information Sheet

Remodeling projects seem to have some common high and low points for many owners. If you are a seasoned remodeling veteran, you may already know what to expect and may not need to read this letter. If you have not lived through a remodeling project before, however, you are probably approaching your project with some degree of both anxiety and excitement. The purpose of this letter is not to cast a shadow of doubt on your project before it starts, but rather to simply point out some of these high and low points that naturally occur in the course of most remodeling projects. This way, you will a have a realistic idea of what to expect.

First, I will send an email FLASH REPORT weekly informing you of progress made throughout the previous week and letting you know what you may expect the following week. This is also an opportunity for me to receive feedback from you concerning your observations of the ongoing work or expressing any concerns or requests you may have.
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Hidden In Plain Sight

By admin | Published: August 2009

Hidden rooms, safe rooms, panic rooms, shielded rooms, disguised passages and exits, candlesticks that turn and cause a bookcase to move. Stuff of legend and movies (Panic Room by David Fincher, 2002, starring Jodie Foster) or modern day necessities for some?

While much of what you may know about these features comes from legends and movies, there is a very real need for them in today’s world. Collectively, we call them ‘features’ and we will explain their major types and purposes. Features can be as simple as a hide-away under the stairs for kids to elaborate underground structures encompassing thousands of square feet with all the amenities one could imagine, and maybe hidden in plain sight!

We can divide features this way: rooms, safes/vaults/niches, and movable structures. The common theme to most of these features is that they are hidden or disguised. So let’s take a peek at what each of these look like and what their purpose could be. This is just a quick overview and all components and considerations of these features ARE NOT included here.

ROOMS. Safe rooms, panic rooms, security rooms, shielded rooms, play rooms, passages, stairs, and exits. All can be hidden but the purpose defines its accessibility. Some of these rooms can be multi-purpose, but again, the primary purpose determines whether the room and access is hidden. Read More »

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