Thursday, May 26, 2011
GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR CONTRACTOR
Track All Changes In Writing No matter how well you planned, your home improvement job will change as it moves along. You may encounter unforeseen structural issues, or you may decide to include additional work.
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Any good contractor can handle these changes—just make sure all costs are specified in writing first. Tell the contractor at the outset (and put in the contract) that you want to sign off on written change orders for anything that’s going to add to the bottom line of the job. That means the contractor has to give you a bid (a description of the change and a fixed price for what it will cost) and you both have to sign it before the work is done.
**** This eliminates misunderstandings about the scope and price of the new work. Also, it helps you keep track of your bottom line.
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--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation ---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 12:00 PM
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
GETTING THE BEST WORK FROM YOUR CONTRACTOR
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Part scrapbook, part diary, part to-do list, a project journal will help you stay organized.
Use a notebook to record progress, remember questions you want to ask your contractor, jot down ideas, record product order numbers, and anything else that comes along. It’ll help you keep things on track, communicate with the team, and provide a record of exactly who said what when—which could help you iron out disagreements later on.
--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation ---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 12:13 PM
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
GETTING THE BEST WORK FROM YOUR CONTRACTOR
Establish Communication Discuss with your contractor how you prefer to communicate. Establish a regular meeting time, perhaps at the site for a few minutes before work each day. Exchange cell phone numbers so urgent questions—from either party—can get answers quickly and keep work moving.
Your contractor may ask you to speak with the project manager who is running the job. Whatever the arrangement, chat at least once a day.
These discussions are your opportunity to hear progress reports, review work schedules, ask questions, and voice concerns. Daily chitchats help identify and remedy problems in their infancy. And even though no one likes change orders, it’s better to spend a little more to fix a problem then to live with it for the next 10 years.
--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation ---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 10:58 AM
Friday, May 13, 2011
GETTING THE BEST WORK FROM YOUR CONTRACTOR
Managing your contractor is your biggest job during a remodel. You must make sure the project stays on target, on time, and on budget.
Get apathetic or lose your focus, and you may pay for it—literally. Here’s what you need to know to stay organized and keep your contractor and construction team on the ball.
Make important decisions about finishes and hardware before your contractor delivers an itemized bid. Otherwise, the bid will contain “allowances,” estimates that may grossly overstate or understate the cost of items you eventually pick.
Allowances ultimately can send your budget reeling. If you can’t pinpoint the master bath tile or kitchen sink, at least give your contractor an accurate ballpark price for items you’re considering. Guess higher, rather than lower; that way you’re more likely to come in under—rather than over—budget.
By: Oliver Marks
Published March 4, 2011
--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation ---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 11:55 AM
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
1021 S Charles, Belleville, Il
$73,000
MLS# 4005644
A lovely little bungalow to call your own! This two bedroom charmer has Pergo floors in the living room, dining room, master bedroom, and the full bathroom. Built in cabinets, separate the living room and the dining room and add a touch of the past to the décor. The kitchen has plenty of cabinet space, a tile floor and a breakfast nook for enjoying the morning paper along with your favorite drink. There is a fenced backyard with a shed for storage and an area for parking.
http://www.propertypanorama.com/145753
http://www.bryanvogt.com/
--- Bryan Vogt Strano & Associates, Realtors® - GMAC Real Estate (618) 355-5824 --- O'Fallon IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Swansea IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Bellville IL Real Estate, Condos, Homes for Sale Scott AFB PCS Relocation ---
# posted by Bryan Vogt @ 3:20 PM
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