PDX Renovations

Author: joseph

  • Fall Back November 6th

    Fall back November 6th

    The days are getting shorter, there’s a chill in the air and the leaves are starting to turn magnificent colors and fall to the streets and, unfortunately our yards and gutters. Yes, it’s that time of year again! It happens like clock work, and even though we know what needs to be done around the house, sometimes things slip our minds. For instance. How long ago did you clean out your gutters or pressure wash your driveway. Little things like that can fall through the cracks and become a big problem when the rain starts to fall.

    Ideally, right now, is the time to get those gutters clear of debris if you haven’t already. I’m sure you’re thinking, “What’s the point, the leaves are about to fall and clog them up again anyway?” Well, then look at it this way, you’ll at least make room for the fallen leaves and you’ll clean them out while it’s still dry out. Sure, you might have to do it again depending on your location, but that’s the joy of owning your own home.

    When was the last time you have your roof inspected? Great time to do it would be now as well to make sure there are no surprises come November.

    If you want to prolong the life of your patio furniture, get it stored away in a clean dry place. Other ideas on getting prepared for winter:

    Everyone’s heard of spring cleaning, but no one really talks about “Autumn cleaning,” and there is so much to do around the house to prepare for the cold days ahead. Getting it done now while there’s still sunny days is ideal and if you divide up the chores, you can still get out and enjoy the last few weeks of great Pacific Northwest weather.

     

    For a fall checklist, visit : https://www.bobvila.com/articles/502-winter-preparation-checklist/#.VC7d0tJ0xHg

     

     

  • Inherited Home?

    Inherited home?

     

    Life is fragile and the older we get the more we are reminded that everyone dies. Our loved ones, our parents, siblings. It’s a natural part of life and even after a loved one passes on, there is so much to wrap up and it’s a difficult time to make decisions.

    So what if you inherit a house that you never intended on owning. Perhaps you live out of state, or even a few hours away. You don’t plan on living in it and You’ve never been a landlord before, so where do you start?

    In these instances, there are plenty of resources, but only one can give you all the options. Cash buyers like ourselves help you make the right choice for you. We aren’t just there for ourselves, we take the time to help you understand the numbers and most of the time it’s not worth it to try to rent it out or even list it with a Realtor because of the costs involved. Of course there are going to be repairs needed and a great deal of clean up and preparations to either rent or list on the market. By calling us, there is no need for any out of pocket expenses. We’ll even take care of the garbage. All it takes is a quick phone call or quick form online and we can meet you at the house, take a few minutes to walk around and then give you a cash offer and some great options for you to move forward.

     

    During a difficult time, we try to ease the headache and will never waste your time.

  • Remodeling True Costs

     

    Remodeling True Costs

    Estimates: Contractors and how much do they really charge?

     

    Just like anything else in life, unless you are educated and knowledgeable in specific areas, you truly don’t know everything. And subsequently, sometimes you don’t really know the true cost of things. For example getting your car’s brakes done. Do you know how much the mark-up on pads and rotors is. Or when ordering wine at a restaurant, do you know it’s a 200-300% mark up on your favorite wines and spirits. It’s the cost of doing business. Everyone does it.  Now, imagine the big picture. Big dollars…maybe you need new drywall in your living room because a pipe burst or your roof is leaking. Your electricity goes haywire. Until you get a few different estimates, you truly don’t know how much it’s going to cost you and how much different each bid can be.

    For example. Getting a concrete bid. Sure, each company will probably tell you a set amount that is very similar to the next guy’s as far as how much the concrete itself will be but the contractor will then add in delivery fees, labor, mileage, etc. And each estimate you get can vary by hundreds of dollars. It’s always a wise idea to get 3 to 5 bids whenever doing any kind of home repair job. Don’t feel bad for having them come out and give you an estimate either. It’s their way of marketing themselves as well and keeping prices down for the public. Besides if they really want your business, they will work for it. It’s not a monopoly by any means. Getting estimates is also a good way to get comfortable with someone being in your space with your family and your belongings.

    Now, you’ve got your estimates and you are comparing costs, labor, timing, etc. You can go even further and use the internet for reviews, Better Business Bureau ratings and anything else you might need to know. When you pick the right contractor, the real work begins.

    Make sure you are prepared for the unexpected. We all joke about the famous, “two weeks” Sure, it could take two weeks, but more times than not, something will come up and it will take a bit longer. Is the contractor you hired going to bump up your bill, inflate it for the extra time they are putting in? What if something happens beyond their control? Who pays for mistakes or do-overs? Do they offer a warranty on their product and services? These are important things to think of as well.

    Of course, there’s always your network of friends and family who can give great reviews and referrals, so don’t just pick up the phone and hire the first company you talk to. You’ll save money and headaches down the road by doing it right and getting a few different estimates first!