PDX Renovations

Category: Blog

  • 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!

  • Household dangers

    Do you know what’s in your walls?

    Household dangers

    Did you know that asbestos and lead based paint are still a big problem? They are just some of the household dangers you don’t really think about. In Portland, thousands of homes are affected by these dangerous materials and when it comes to renovating, you don’t want to be surprised. For one, you wouldn’t want harm to come to yourself or your loved ones and secondly, the DEQ and EPA will be swarming the place, handing out fines and making sure it’s taken care of in the proper manner.

    So how do you know if it’s asbestos. It’s not like your home came with a manual mapping out exactly where the carcinogens were placed. Asbestos isn’t always obvious. Asbestos cement pipes and tiles are labeled, but you might not know this until you have already uncovered them.  There is a protocol if you have discovered it while working on your and it’s important that you follow safety guidelines. You can find these online at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/em1.pdf

    Lead Paint. Yep, this is still around too and you won’t know if until you go get it tested. There is a simple solution to this one, you can get test strips and peel off a piece of paint that you suspect is lead based, but thankfully Lead based paint hasn’t been manufactured since 1978 when it was banned. Still if you house was built before 1978. There’s a small chance you could have some in your house. Again the joint EPA-HUD or even CDC can give you guidelines on what to do if you find lead based paint in your home. Go to http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/tips.htm

    On another note, make sure that when you hire out contractors, they follow these guidelines as well because as the homeowner you are ultimately responsible for what goes on on your property. Get informed and stay safe from the harmful materials and potential big  fines.

    And as always, if a project is too big and you need to sell. Call us today for a quick visit and we’ll get you an offer tomorrow with no out of pocket expenses or repairs needed.

  • Fraud and Identity Theft | PDX Renovations LLC Can Help

    Fraud and Identity Theft

    Fraud and Identity Theft. Fraud and Identity theft are on the rise. It’s no surprise that more and more Americans are using the world wide web, therefore making them subject to Identity theft and fraud.

    Seniors are especially vulnerable and there are plenty of avenues these days to take advantage of just about anyone. If you commonly use the internet for purchases, bill paying, and even social media, you are among the many that can become easy targets.

    Putting out ANY personal information about yourself can be dangerous. Predators prey on you, reading up about your life, your childhood, your PETS names, and where you bank.

    Even online dating sites are reporting “Fraud and scams” often. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that “Online dating” is a really good way to “meet” someone and get some personal information, so be aware.

    The IRS has been under attack the past few years, trying to crack down on “Fake agents” calling and attempting to get information.

    The best way to stay safe is to keep on top of your identity and your credit. Report anything suspicious and never give out personal information.

    If a bill collector is contacting you, make sure it’s upfront. Most will not even accept payments over the phone anymore.

    They will simply call and ask you to call them back, making it so that you, the consumer, can verify it’s real. But there are plenty of other scams to worry about.

    Housing scams. Rental scams. Craigslist.org is a breeding ground for such activity, so please do your homework. Visit such sites as http://www.fraud.org/ and even government sites that focus solely on trying to stop online predators.

    Check into companies that are contacting you regarding your home, your finances, etc. Real and true companies can be verified online or by simply visiting the Better Business Bureau.