DO YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO RUN YOUR
HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT LIKE THE PROS?
THEN YOU REALLY SHOULD READ..
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"How to Deal With Contractors"
A COMMON SENSE GUIDE TO DEALING EFFECTIVELY WITH CONTRACTORS OF ALL KINDS !
by Charles D. Porteous
Former California General Contractor - License #570-615
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"The best place to look to save money on any home improvement project is in the preparation.
Any savings beyond that point will have to be fought for."
C.D. Porteous
If you can answer ALL of the following questions with confidence, then you may not need the
information in this book. If not, chances are YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO NOT READ THIS BOOK.
When do you need to hire a contractor vs a handyman?
What kind of contractor is right for your situation? When should you require or purchase a bond?
Who has the right to put a lien on your property?
What should you expect from any and all contractors?
How do you limit what gets done on your job?
Where will you look for your contractor?
How will you know if they are what they claim to be?
What value should be applied to references?
What should you expect during/from inspections?
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? Where Else Can You Learn...?
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How to make friends with and arrange for “the best” inspector to come to your inspections.How to protect your self with a well thought out contract.Where not to get financing.How to properly check on references.The 6 ways to get ripped-off, for sure, according to the best source.The signs that you are being ripped-off.Where to look for official advice before starting your project.
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CONTACT SUPPORT
If you need any help, please contact us at [howtodealwithcontractors@gmail.com](mailto:howtodealwithcontractors@gmail.com)
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Can you hire a contractor with
confidence from a web site like Angie’s list?
With all due respect to Angie, in a word, NO. I’m sorry to put down such sites, but
the fact is, just like any reference you might “hear” or “read”, you really
don’t know who it was that made the remark(s) about one contractor or another.
Using such a site is the same thing as calling a reference given to you by the
contractor. The problem is always the same, is the reference real or made up by
the contractor or his buddies who may be writing “revues” for each other, from
hundreds or thousands of miles away from you, in order to build up good
reputations for each other. There are only a couple sure-fire ways to check references.
[
CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE
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HOW WILL YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CHOSEN CONTRACTOR(S) ARE NOT HIDING INFERIOR WORK?
Many of the unscrupulous, inexperienced and the morally questionable so-called contractors have developed a kind of "aren't we great buddies" way about them that lets them get away with things that a real contractor would scream about.
Whether it is poor framing or finish work, taking dangerous shortcuts becomes a way of life for some contractors.
For instance, the photo at right shows the head of some kind of bolt protruding from the field of a floor joist. This is an invitation for the joist to fracture.
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THE WRITERS QUALIFICATIONS
I can share this information with you as a result of my "formative" years in the building trades as a laborer, carpenter, roofer, steeplejack, business manager and owner and then 20 plus years as a General Contractor in California’s Bay Area.
When I started contracting in 1985, I was under the impression that I was in the building business. As it turned out, I was in the problem solving business. I spent my time looking for building projects and finding building problems to solve. Most of my work came from correcting some other contractor’s problems that at the very least cost a lot of lost sleep. I have many horror stories.
As a direct result of my finding so much indifference to outright fraud within the building industry, I have become a Homeowners Advocate and it has been my pleasure to fight for home/building owners who have been wronged by some form of contractor/crook. Beside writing this book of information to share I am actively looking to help people through problems they may be having with any kind of contractor. In many cases, the offending party can be made to "make it right".
SPEND A LITTLE TIME AND MONEY NOW TO GAIN THE SELF CONFIDENCE NEEDED TO BE THE TRUE MASTER OF YOUR PROJECT!
50 pages of easy to read and understand information. Pure, formerly esoteric kowledge that is not readily shared.
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READ THIS BOOK and AVOID being part of...
THE HORROR STORIES
DON'T LET YOURSELF BECOME A VICTIM
The Horror Stories that follow are culled from various public web sites. I put these here instead of Testimonials because they tell the story better than someone who has read the book and DID NOT go through what these people endured. I hope your story does not see this section of this site!
See what some uneducated customers had to say:
I am currently in the process of purchasing my own "Old House". The Plan was to move in and add an addition and move the kitchen. Before signing I had an oil tank search done (house is currently heated with hot water) and low and behold there is a buried, leaking tank. I swore I would kill the deal if it was so but........I am awaiting the results of the soil samples (nightmare). Any way, in the meantime I am getting feedback from people telling me that what I think I am going to spend on my renovations and addition I should double and double the time expected as well. Is there any advice as to how to stay close to my budget and time line? I realize the more reputable the contractor the better but even with everything in writing should I still expect to double the time and money?
Name Witheld
An engineered wood floor that snaps together and is designed to float has been installed over tar paper (without a pad) and has been stapled down. The edges are tight and have no expansion gaps. It is 400 sq ft. We are getting a sticky, crackly sound in several areas when walking on it. That is, if you put your foot down on the floor and put your body's weight on it, when you lift your foot, it will sound like the floor is sticky and your foot is sticking to it. It actually appears to be the floor getting pushed down when you step on it and when you unweight your foot, the floor returns to its natural higher positon and you hear some combination of the tarpaper (and maybe staples?) making a sticky/crunchy sound. My questions are the following? How big of a deal is it that this floor is installed using staples and no expansion gaps? Would you expect the crunchy cracking sounds to get worse or gradually go away? Should I be concerned with problems such as buckling in the future?
Name Witheld
I am new to this web site and found it while trying to research suggestions for my dilema. Four months ago I signed a contract for a 20'x16' free standing garage on my property. Work was slow to start, but eventually got going. All of the proper permits have been applied for and a framing and electrical inspection is ready to be ordered.I have paid $23K in draws on a $38K contract. No work has been done and I have not been able to raise my contractor on the phone in almost one month. I spoke to the electrician who is also been unable to get the contractor on the phone (he's owed money on my and other projects by said contractor). At this point, the structure needs to be drywalled inside, a brick front done, some asphalt driveway tie in, interior and exterior paint, gutters and downspouts.
I sent a return receipt letter laying out the contract breaches demanding a response/resumption of work within seven days or I would initiate civil action.
My questions are many, and I would like very much to have this guy complete the job, but suspect his self created cashflow problems preclude any subs wanting to work for him now.
Basically, how do I protect my interest against mechanic liens (if possible), do I file a small claims civil suit (less than $15K)? When can I hire my own contractors to finish the work? How do I protect the work done so far?
Name Witheld
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