How To Avoid Home Improvement Scams

If you’re thinking about hiring someone to work on your home, the last thing on your mind may be protecting yourself from a scam. But unscrupulous contractors – or people posing as contractors – can win your confidence and quickly disappear with your money.

There are precautions you can take to protect yourself against home improvement scams. Before you begin looking for someone to fix your roof or paint your house, consider the following tips:

Ask questions

Before you settle on what contractor to use, you should ask specific questions. If a contractor seems hesitant to answer the following questions, which may be a sign that you should avoid working with that person:

• When will this project be finished?
• How much is labor going to cost?
• How much are the materials going to cost?
• Will you be using new materials?
• Can I have your contact information?
• Can you provide references?

Make sure you get the name, phone number and address for references. A dishonest contractor will have no qualms with giving you phone numbers for his friends. When you ask for detailed contact information, observe how the contractor reacts. Professionals should anticipate that request and be happy to honor it.

Get a written contract

No matter how large or small the project is you need to get a signed contract. Your contract should include details like: project cost, a timeline, a schedule of payment, contact information and the contractor’s signature. The contract will create a legally binding agreement and allow you to sue the contractor if the agreement is not honored.

Listen for clues

Communication is always key when working with a contractor. Make sure the contractor seems attentive when you’re talking about the work you want done. And listen for phrases that may reveal ill intentions, like: “I need to be paid in advance,” or “I was in the neighborhood and noticed your roof needs fixed.” Scam artists will try to create a sense of urgency about work that needs to be done to pressure you into making a hasty decision.

Get more than one estimate

A good rule of thumb is to always get a second opinion when it comes to home improvement projects. It’s OK to shop around and get estimates from a few contractors. Find the contractor who offers use the best materials at the best price, with a timeline that works for you.

As you start looking for a contractor keep all  of these things in the back of your mind. Avoiding a scam doesn’t need to be confusing or time consuming. However, in order to not break the bank and get the best work, you should do a little research and shop around. Take your time and make sure you are hiring a qualified contractor.

Matt Herndon loves spending as much time as possible with his wife and three kids. When he’s not rushing from his son’s football games to his daughter’s riding lessons or his other daughter’s volleyball games, he’s busy checking things off his honey-do list.

Steps to Make Your Home’s Windows Safer and More Secure

Window Protection

An open or unlocked window represents a safety and security risk for homeowners, and especially for any children that may live in the home. Risks come in the form of a child falling from an open window, an unsecured window falling on a child, or an intruder gaining entry into your home. Shattered glass and flying window debris are threats, too.

                                                                                                                                          

Luckily, there are steps homeowners can take to make their windows safer and more secure:

·         Protect against falls. Intrusion isn’t the only security risk windows present. An open window – or a damaged or improperly installed window – poses a danger of falling, especially for small children. Secure your window with child-proof locks. When opening a window for ventilation, only open windows that small children can’t reach. Add window guards to prevent children from crawling through slightly open windows.

·         Choose impact-resistant windows. Flying glass represents another safety and security risk. Impact-resistant windows are constructed with laminated glass and durable framing materials to reduce the risk of flying glass during wind storms and other inclement weather. Impact-resistant windows also improve home security. Since impact-resistant glass stays in the frame when broken, forced entry into your home is more difficult and time-consuming.

·         Install multi-point locks. Many homeowners mistakenly believe replacing locks after a move is sufficient protection from a home intrusion. But replacing an existing lock with a new, low-quality lock doesn’t enhance security. Multi-point locks provide additional defense against burglars.

Few home improvement projects boost your safety and security at home as much as replacing windows that aren’t secure. If your windows are old, worn out, or damaged, replace or repair your windows today – your family’s safety is worth it.

American Custom Contractors is a home improvement company in Maryland and Virginia that specializes in window repair, window replacement, and siding replacement. Learn more about repairing and replacing windows.

Top 6 Home Improvement Ideas You Should Know

When it comes to home remodeling projects, there is a wide range of available options. You can spend a small fortune and make a major investment in your home, or you can spend less than a thousand bucks and still enjoy a beautiful new look. Here are a few home improvement ideas you should consider before you get started.

•     Expand Floor Space to Boost Home Value
Additions provide you with additional floor space and increase your home’s value. The key is to make sure that you don’t overbuild your home for the neighborhood. Adding an addition with one or two rooms will give you the space you need for company, another child or the home office of your dreams. It’s a reasonable adjustment that should boost value while keeping you in line with the neighborhood.

•     A Coat of Paint for a Fresh Look
A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference. One of the most affordable home improvement projects you can invest in, it makes the entire home look fresh and clean. If you are preparing your home for the market, it will give you the greatest return on your investment.

•     Think Efficiency to Save Money
The cost of heating and cooling your home is rising, and it isn’t going to come down anytime soon. Projects that make your property more energy efficient are always a smart choice. Start by sealing heating and cooling ducts, adding insulation to the attic and crawlspace and investing in additional insulating around fixtures and light switches. From new windows to beautiful energy efficient doors and extra rolls of attic insulation, you will save money by making the home more energy efficient and increase the value of your property.

•     Organize the Home for Efficiency and Value
People are always looking for more storage space, and a well-organized home is an attractive one. Add closet organizers to the bedrooms, extra shelves to the linen closet and additional storage in the basement. Any project that adds storage space in an attractive and efficient way is a smart investment in your home. In addition to making your home more valuable, you are also sure to love how much easier it is to find items when you need them.

•     Improved Security for Now and in the Future
You will always appreciate the feeling of a secure home. Invest in anti-kick doorjambs that will make your front door stronger. Put security locks on patio doors to keep burglars out, and add quality deadbolts to the door connecting the home and garage. The changes are affordable, and they will provide you with extra peace of mind now and in the future.

•     Beautiful Lighting for Curb Appeal and Safety
Landscape lighting looks attractive when the sun sets and your garden or walkways are illuminated. Gently guiding people as they walk up to your front door or move around the garden, these lights are easily installed and boost curb appeal. They also help deter thieves and make it safer for friends and family to walk around your property.

There are countless ways to improve your property. Adding space, storage, energy efficiency and safety, any of these changes will make your home more enjoyable while adding value to it. Most of them are also surprisingly affordable. Your home is an investment, and you can use these improvements to transform it into one that you are proud of and enjoy

About the Author
Jo Harris is a writer and the Outreach Director for the Morgan Law Firm, a firm that represents clients going through a divorce in Austin divorce firm.  See additional articles on the firm's Austin Divorce Blog.

October 2012 Homeshow

 

Ladies and Gentlemen of Utah and areas there round about, the October Homeshow is about to fall upon us! In less than two weeks Stanfield Shutter, as well as many other Home Improvement companies, will be participating in this wonderful event.

The dates and times are as follows:

Friday October 12 2PM-10PM

Saturday October 13 10AM-10PM

Sunday October 14 11AM-6PM

We will be offering free VIP complimentary tickets to any who 'like' us on Facebook or comment on this blog post! 

We hope that many of you will take advantage of this wonderful offer! 

Unique Window Treatments

Sunburst Arches and Window Blinds

Most homes have unique windows, whether they are ovals, octagons, triangles, etc. These windows provide personality and contrast to the home, but they also cause challenges to the décor. Sometimes it is challenging to know how to dress an oddly shaped window, but listed below are a few simple tips to consider.

• Shades or Drapes – These are simple solutions to oddly shaped windows and have a wide variety of style and options to fit any décor of any room. They provide a wide range of options for the selective homeowner and are energy efficient. They do not necessarily need to be maneuvered by chords or poles, but can also be motorized to be moveable by the touch of a finger.
• Blinds – These are wonderful options for tall, narrow or hard to reach windows. They come in vast varieties of materials and colors, and have several different styles as well. For those large windows or the out-of-reach windows, blinds can be motorized and with that simple touch of a button they will function to any taste or preference.
• Shutters – These are the most versatile window treatments available on the market. Professional representatives arrive at the home to take measurements of any window to be able to form and accommodate any number of geometric shapes. In addition to its versatility, shutters are a modern and classy way to dress a window.

To summarize, any window can have a window treatment. What is necessary is to decide what treatment best fits the home and what style or design is wanted. Whether it is an octagon, a triangle or an arched window, it can be treated with a window covering.

Enhance Your Master Bedroom

The master bedroom is a place of solitude, a type of sanctuary in the home. However, even these types of rooms need a bit of redecorating or enhancement. We would like to provide a few tips or suggestions to get started, all within a nice budget.

Determine what is important to you – Most people run to the store and start buying and spending hard-earned money without taking the moment to determine what is most important to them and their room. Take a few moments and ponder these questions: Do you want the room to seem like it has more space? Are you looking to improve your bed or windows? What is the most important thing, to you, that needs to be changed in the room? Once you have pondered these questions, you can make a plan and shop without hesitation.

Improve the fabric - Changing the fabrics (i.e. bedding, carpet, and drapes) can drastically improve the look. It is important to occasionally change the bedding, something that is simple and cheap. Another improvement is to change the window coverings. One of the most popular items to install into the windows is Plantation Shutters.

Paint – Repainting the room is inexpensive and provides contrast to what you had before. A coat of clean paint gives the room that fresh, new feeling. Another thing to consider is to paint an accent wall or putting up a decorative border to add interest.

Lighting – Do you have very little lighting? Do you have musty old drapes? Are the colors of the walls and window coverings dark and foreboding? Try adding more lights on the ceilings or corners, taking down the drapes and add plantation shutters or blinds, or refer to the option above which is to repaint the walls. Lighting is key to improving the quality of the bedroom.

Clutter – More than half of the people in our society live in a cluttered room. It is also proven that a cluttered room can lead to depression, anxiety or anger. To de-clutter the room is easy and free. Get rid of what is no longer needed and enjoy more space and cleanliness in the room.

Home improvements do not need to be hard and they will always lead to a healthier lifestyle. The most important thing is to not put improvement off. Change can be hard and we are prone to not accept it, but once change has take place then the world is always a little more clearer and healthier.

Comfort and Diversity

Hardwood Stained Bathroom Shutter

 Add Contrast and Comfort at a Great Affordability

As a shutter company we have always believed in the importance of custom interior shutters and the benefits that they give to the home. Shutters, unlike blinds, are usually made from hard materials, such as hardwoods like Knotty Alder and Basswood, composite woods or even vinyl. Typically, when someone hears the word “shutter”, they sometimes think of the exterior shutter that goes on the sides of windows. Those are beautiful and nice, but the most elegant type of shutter is what you put on the inside, which improves the quality of your home.

Interior shutters are more decorative in nature and they are used to minimize or completely block sunlight from entering the room. They are wonderful for keeping your neighbors from those sneak peaks into your house. Shutters preserve the life of your furniture, paintings and walls, keeping the damaging rays of the sun to a minimum. It is always nice to know that your investments are safe from damage and you save money in the long run.

As a custom shutter design company, we can create virtually any shutter for any window size or shape. Octagons, triangles, ovals, you name it and we have done it. With this type of diversity we can create a more contrasting style to the home as well as generate more comfort at a great affordability.