Leave the Cubicles in the Office
As we are continuously "educated" with information about all the latest innovative construction methods, these fiberglass wall systems being pushed for basement remodeling really intrigue me. Sometimes it seems we overlook practicality, just in order to be hip to the "cutting edge." I mean, think about it; do we really want that "fiberglass cubical office wall look" all around us as we gaze into our new plasma? Sounds cozy. I can't help but compare it to the paneling of the 70s that we all had to rip out a few years later. Only that stuff was cheap; the cost of a fiberglass wall remodel job, from what I've heard, is astronomical compared to normal construction with studs, drywall, etc.
Now the real pitch might be how great these wall systems are in wet applications, but let's face it: If you know there is a moisture problem behind your walls, is that really where you want your home theater or the kids' rec room? Call me old fashioned, but I'd put my money into stopping any moisture problems first, and after that make my new living space uniform with the rest of my house. And who knows, by going conventional you may even have enough left over to have your craftsman build you that mahogany bar you always wanted... Now that sure would look funny in a cubical.
Cutting Hair or Cutting Walls
If I had a dollar for every contractor horror story I've heard over the past twenty years, I could probably treat the family to a nice vacation this year. Instead, I find myself constantly confronted by potential customers strickened with paranoia about hiring a contractor — a situation, quite frankly, I'm sick of. But the reality is that their stories are real. We hear in the news constantly tales of misfortune: "Contractor botched up job," "Contractor took my money and never returned," "Contractor hiked up prices with extras." MAKE IT STOP!
Did you know that there is no certification required for contractors to be in business? Licenses are issued on an as-needed basis per township annually, usually for fifty bucks. All you have to do is prove insurance, not skill or experience.
I, for one, would have no problem supporting a certification process for contractors much like teachers and realtors have, if it would ease the minds of homeowners and restore trust in the trades — and, most importantly, keep out the hacks! It's pretty amazing that you need certification to cut hair in this country, but not to cut open the walls in a person's home.
How Clean is Clean?
I once installed a kitchen for a gentleman who, the entire time, ran a shop vac twelve inches away from whatever task I was involved in, for the course of the entire project. For example, if I was screwing down a piece of plywood, every pull of my screw gun trigger would immediately be followed by the click of his vacuum's power switch, followed by a massive roar as the tip of his shop vac nozzle was kept a consistent eight to twelve inches from each screw being inserted, in the event that a loose particle of plywood might break away into the atmosphere. Now, granted, no one wants to have their home contaminated by dust and dirt, but we should know where to draw the line.
If you're considering a home improvement project, but are leery because you want your clean home to maintain a clean bill of health during and after completion of the project, here are my suggestions:
Check references: Ask point blank if they were okay with the contractor's ethics when it came to their home's cleanliness.
Look the prospective contractor over: Other than the sawdust in his hair, does he appear organized and tidy?
Be realistic: Looking around for a competitive quote for your job is certainly reasonable, but remember that the saying "you get what you pay for" does apply to the trades as well. Professionalism in a contractor is a commitment not only of work ethic but also of time and satisfaction. A contractor hired under the pretense of "get it done as cheap as possible" is not going to commit the time for detail and thoroughness to your project as would a contractor who feels compensated to do so.
If an economical price on your project is top priority, I recommend you offer to clean up after your craftsman. Make it abundantly clear up front that they don't have to worry about the mess. Trust me, it will have an effect on the price. There isn't a contractor out there who won't tell you there have been jobs where they felt more like a cleaning service than a carpenter. Do us a favor, though, and run the shop vac every other screw!
Let It Flow
When it comes to clogged rain gutters and downspouts, every homeowner gets a little jammed up. After all, who wants to deal with dragging out the old ladder from the garage, journeying up to the roof's edge, and scooping out that wonderful great-smelling muck that has clogged up your downspouts and gutters? And on your day off yet! So what do millions of homeowners across America do? They put up gutter guards.
Oh no! These are the not-so-wonderful vinyl or metal mesh strips that are supposed to fit in your gutters. "Supposed to" — yeah, right! If that's the case, then what's that thing lying over at the end of your driveway next to the mailbox? Come on, you know you saw one in the neighbor's back yard last week on that windy Wednesday morning as you were hurrying out to go to work. The truth of the matter is that gutter guards are ugly and they rarely stay put. Even worse, when they do stay put, they can cause roof leaks and damage because they tend to create leaf, ice, and snow damns.
What to do? We recommend calling a reputable contractor such as New Visions to install oversized outlets and downspouts. Or, if you don't feel you'll find the larger downspouts aesthetically pleasing, call upon your local tree trimmer. Although it will only be temporary, he can help make sure all vegetation is away from your roof's edges. So on your next day off, you can relax and just let it flow.
To Suite or Not to Suite
More and more often I'm approached by families who are considering the idea of creating more living space to allow for siblings to reside with their senior family members on the same property. This can happen in a number of different ways. A detached garage can be converted easily. Attached garages often can be utilized for space. And of course, adding on is usually an option. This, to me, is a wonderful "no brainer." Families reuniting in times of economic uncertainty, where everyone seems to desire a way of life that's hard to afford, can be a beautiful solution.
And the benefits go beyond that. Think about built-in babysitting services. Who's taking care of the pets when you need to get away? No more "I'll be home for the holidays" — you're already there! But yes, inevitably as time goes on, for a period there will be some sacrifice and caretaking obligations to be fulfilled. But hey, think about all the sacrifices our parents made for us. And besides, that's why they flip for the contractor's bill, right?
So if you have the potential space, or if you're entertaining the idea of purchasing a property for this reason, I say make a sweet suite! A variance may be needed for such a project if the square foot allowance guidelines are exceeded, but from my experience, such variances are usually granted, as township councils recognize family value.