Hiring A Bathroom Remodeling Contractor

Busy, busy, busy, that is how you have to describe the people of the new millennium. People seem to have less time for things around the house. The work week never seems to be over, people are tired and just want to spend time with their family. The average work week has increased from 38 to 44 hours. Traffic and distance makes commuting to work last much longer. There is actually less time for yourself and your family.5B4 When it comes to remodeling a room in the house, it just seems like too much time and effort. So when the bathroom needs to be remodeled, who do people call?

The first choice for busy people is to call bathroom remodeling contractors. There are a lot of contractors and it can be confusing at first. The people have to choose one and that is sometimes the hardest part of all of the remodeling. There is the Yellow Pages but if you call all the contractors in the yellow pages you are likely to get many messages saying the number is disconnected. What about flyers at your door? Bad Idea, These guys are usually people laid off from some other kind of work not necessarily contracting work. What about TV ads? These people are usually reliable but costly. They charge anywhere from half again to twice what a smaller reputable firm would charge. So what is the best way to find a contractor? The best way to choose bathroom remodeling contractor is to ask family and friends if they have had work done and how they liked their contractor. The price he gives you will probably not be the lowest price you can get. A person that is in a lasting business can not afford to give work away long before going under. Going under means owing a lot of people a lot of money. Going for the lowest price often can mean you are shopping for trouble.

Word of mouth means more than almost anything. People can also go to most home warehouse centers a5B4nd ask for a list of recommended contractors. This gives people a good place to start but do yourself a favor and ask friends and co-workers first.

Next, call all of the contractors on the list and show them what needs to be done. It is perfectly acceptable to ask for references if the contractor in not a referral. Check with some of the references and find out what they liked and didn't like. Bathroom remodeling contractors get work by their previous work. If they aren't good, they won't have very much work to do.

Paying Bathroom Remodeling Contractors

Once the people have decided on the right contractor and the right price, the terms of payment will soon surface. In most cases, people don't want to pay the contractor before the work is started. If payment is made before any work has started, the incentive to finish the project will have been lost.

They may ask for a portion up front for materials and the amount is something that the people and the contractor will have to talk about. We have found that a minimal down payment is all that is needed. Just a few hundred dollars or less. Then 30% when we start and 30% after all the rough in work is done then another 30% when the drywall is completed leaving 10% for the final. That way everyone is even money wise most the way along. There are special circumstances such as plans and permits the city wants up front. Special purchases such as special order tubs a111Cnd tile that needs to be paid up front. Keep in mind that there is a 3 day rescission law. That means the job is officially under way at 3 business days. If you cancel the job after this time you still owe the contractor. Talking about these things opens the doors for more questions. Talking to bathroom remodeling contractors is a good thing. If the people see something that they don't like, the contractor will appreciate being told immediately. This saves materials and time.

Time is money and most people have a budget that they are following. When the work is finished, the final payment will be expected. Remember that the contractor needs the money and if the work was performed in a satisfactory matter, then people should pay the difference right away.

Bob is a staff writer for http://www.expertcarpenter.com/ and http://www.expertwaterproofing.com/

Home Remodeling Books

Outdoor Fireplace Designs - What You Need To Know

Outdoor fireplace design is quickly growing in popularity among homeowners in the U.S. Having an outside fire burning in your backyard while entertaining friends and family is life at its best. But, what should you be aware of with any outdoor fireplace design before installing one? Here's a quick look. Basically, an outdoor fireplace is the same as an indoor fireplace with the exception of a damper.

Your fireplace design can include standard bricks to cultured stones. Cultured stone differs from natural stone in that it is a cast stone, which makes it easier to work with.

A chimney is also used with outdoor design just as it is inside. The difference here is that you can use anything from a standard brick chimney to Mexican style chimney pots and many other designs as well.

Fireplace construction can be done with terra cotta, aluminum or cast iron in addition to brick. You can really get creative with any outdoor fireplace design.

Your outdoor fireplace can also include items such as a hearth, mantel and shelves if you would like. A stone16D0 mantel can be most attractive and a real conversation piece.

If you live in an area with frequent rain or snow, a masonry design may be your best choice. It will not rust or create other problems like metal can.

If you are in the process of an outdoor fireplace design, let your imagination flow and have fun with it.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.

By the way, you can learn more about Outdoor Fireplace Designs as well as much more information on all types of fireplace designs at http://www.FireplaceDesignTips.com

Step Ladders

Stepladders are ladders with wide steps that are specifically designed to provide foot comfort while climbing or standing. Stepladders are mostly used for painting, repairs, industrial work and household jobs. They come in an A-shape model with either one side having steps or both sides having steps. They are made from steel, wood, aluminum or fiberglass. The steps are lined with corrugated rubber or have slip-resistant texture. Generally, the depth of steps ranges from 3 inches to 10 inches. If the steps fold up, it becomes compact to store the ladder. The foot of the ladder should have slip-resistant molded footpads or rubber cups for better grip. Usually step ladders5B2 range from 18 inches to 20 feet height. Stepladders can carry up to 375 lbs of weight, depending on the model.

Some stepladders have a high railing for support at the top and wheels for rolling at the bottom. A few have an adjustable height of about one foot that can be incremented or reduced per requirements. A platform on the stepladder provides an ideal working place to keep tools and materials. Most stepladders can accommodate accessories that can be used while working. The assortment of accessories consists of paint can/bucket hanger, conduit holder, tool holder and ladder caddy. A special type of stepladder that can fold up to the length of a step is known as the Telescopic stepladder. It uses a patented lock and release mechanism for opening and closing the ladder.

Even though stepladders provide a better standing space, they must be used carefully. There should not be any extra loading on the side, since they can easily overturn. Stepladders can be purchased at a hardware store or over the Internet.

Ladders provides detailed information about ladders, pool ladders, boat ladders, step ladders and more. Ladders is the sister site of School Playground Equipment.

Used Concrete Stairs
Utility Closet At Entrance

Essentials on Hard Hats

When working at construction sites and other workplace surroundings, helmets, better known as hard hats, provide protection to the head from debris, bad weather and falling objects. According to a number of tests, a hard hat can take the impact of an 8-pound object that is released from a height of five feet. It is an indispensable piece of gear and mandatory for people that work with earth moving machinery. For instance, miners, road and maintenance workers, and those in the construction industry use them. They are even used by manufacturing personnel.

A hard hat is characterized by an exterior surface made of rigid and hard plastic that is intended to protect heads from falling stones, small objects, loose rubble and even bad weather. It weighs an average of fourteen ounces and is seen in a variety of colors.

The most comfortable and protective version is the one that fits you perfectly. Hard hats are the best PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) when on the job and have been used for a number of years. In the US, the Bullard Company was the first to manufacture protective headgear, which he called as "hard boiled hats". While the first construction site that required a hard hat to be used was the 'Golden Gate Bridge' construction in 1933. Today they have evolved into better pieces of Personal Protection and are fitted with add-ons like visors, earmuffs, mirrors that enhance rear view, and are made from HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene).

The HDPE used for making the hard hat ensures that it is as lightweight as possible while providing maximum protection to the head. They have to undergo stringent quality tests to make sure that meet necessary safety standards. The types used by workers provide a characteristic profile - one that can be identified in peripheral vision. Usually, the hard hat colors symbolize the worker category like workmen wear yellow, technicians wear blue, safety administrators wear red and supervisors wear white.

For road maintenance workers, the hard hats are pasted with reflective material or fluorescent strips, which adds to their safety while on the job. Other additional safety features that are seen are the hard safety suspension system which is a simple shock absorber incase of impact with an object. Sweatbands are a requirement and this prevents the hat from slipping off. As mentioned earlier, to get the maximum protection and safety make sure that these fit right.

Hard hats is classified into three classes, A, B and C. A hard hat made with insulating material that protects you from electrical shock (2,200V) and impact from a falling object is a 'Class A' hard hat. Class B are similar to A but can withstand shocks up to 20, 000 V. The 'Class C' hard hat is meant only to protect you from impact from falling objects and not an electric shock.

Are you looking to buy a hard hat or just looking for more information on hard hats? Going to this site will give you a better idea on which hard hat is the best suited for your job at hand More information on Hard Hat

Is A Metal Roof A Good Idea

The Cost of Metal Roofing - Is It Reasonable?

The cost of metal roofing is always debated on the ground of whether or not it is a reasonable alternative for someone who is constructing a new home. It is quite easy for a home builder to merely choose other options other than metal roofing because of the simple fact that it requires too high cash outlay. But who are the type of people that would benefit more with a metal roofing system more than anything else?

It is generally agreed that a metal roof system is highly durable. It is one of the longest-lasting options available in the market today, as far as roofing systems go. So, if you are a homeowner who values durability and strength, then the cost of metal roofing becomes a reasonable expense.

The durability of metal roofing is shown with the number of years it can withstand. Considering that the roof is subject to extreme weather conditions, metal roofing can easily hold out for as long as 50 years, and it can do it quite easily at that. In places where there is not much rains, storms, hail and other similar weather conditions, metal roofs can even go as long as 75 to a hundred years. And this only goes to show that your roofing becomes almost permanent - there's often no need to change it for as long as your house is standing.

A metal roof is also low in maintenance. In fact, this type of roofing system hardly requires any. It is claimed that the moment you install the roofing system, you can just forget all about it. You are not likely to do any maintenance job with it at any point in time. The problems of installing a metal roof end the moment it is fully functional - or so its adherents say. A lot of people are willing to pay a great deal for a worry-free service. For this reason alone, the cost of metal roofing becomes quite justifiable. If you can direct your resources away from roof repairs into some other useful things, then so much the better.

Aside from all these, a metal roof can also be elegant. It can be created, assembled, and installed with a similar look as higher priced roofing systems. And they simply don't cost as much. The cost of metal roofing is just about right. It is not too cheap like that of the asphalt shingle option, but not as high as the top quality slates and tiles.

These are some factors you can consider when choosing a roofing system. Metal roofing certainly seems to be a good choice. But then again, if you are a home owner who builds or renovates your house every 5 years or so, then using metal would prove too expensive in the long run. The cost of installing a metal roof is not practical if it is going to be used for such a short time span. The cost advantage of installing metal roofing is apparent only after 30 years or more. This means that if you won't be living in the house for at least a few decades, installing a metal roofing system may not be economically advantageous.

Ernest Jarquio is a dedicated family man hopelessly addicted to do-it-yourself projects. For more information, visit his website, where he discusses various subjects such as cost of metal roofing, metal roofing materials and standing seam metal roofing.

Safety Clothing at Work

The way in which we clothe and arm ourselves for our daily routines takes on many guises. From an early age we are dressed up in various school uniforms and team strips. We learn that clothing becomes, rather than a personal expression of individuality, an identification of belonging to a group. It can serve many purposes, it can help an external viewer identify a group by its garb or can help to engender a feeling of togetherness amongst work colleagues.

Now, I occasionally moonlight as a roofer. We saunter over the tiles in good work protective uniform all dressed in matching Dewalt safety boots and Dickies Deluxe Lined Coveralls , we look like a well honed professional army. We specialize in what the construction industry refers to as "up and overs", these are simple affairs, generally on terraced or semi detached properties where we remove the old tiles ( we try to find a sunny day for periods when we leave a house roofless ) and replace the underlying course of felt.

On this protective felt layer we lay wooden batons, spaced out to receive the tiles. Once the roof is fully felt and battoned we can spend an hour/ day or two eating bacon sandwiches and playing games with our nail guns. Once this traditional period of sloth has passed we will be back up the ladders with the tiles ( generally Redland 49'ers - easy to cut, durable and manageable up a ladder up to about 15 tiles ). The tiles are then laid out overlapping each other over the battoning and nailed tight. Nail guns here perform their secondary function.

Where necessary we cut the tiles to shape or width using an angle grinder. Here, with the copious amounts of dust and chips flying it is a good idea ( and even the law ) to wear some sensible and durable safety glasses or even a Pulsafe Bionic face shield, these are a must at most times within the construction industry as all sorts of things tend to fly around when the going gets tough.

Once the roof is completed, sometimes we flash around the edges with a bit of lead sheeting. Then we are off, dismantling our work gear and back to our nail gun firing range competitions.

Alexis Svenn is interested in many things he finds online and in his pockets.

Door Knobs

Doorknob - An Essential Part of Tot Proofing Your Home

If you have a new baby in the house, it's never too early to start thinking about how to make your home safer.

It will seem like no time at all before that cooing baby is a crawling baby, then a toddling tot. This is when they're going to start getting in trouble.

Babies are curious by nature. They want to know what everything is, how it works, and how it tastes. When they start gaining mobility this means no cabinet or door in your home is going to be free of their scrutiny, unless you secure them now.

Now is a good time to take an inventory of your house. Think of all the cabinets and doors at the baby's level. Let's start in the bathroom. What's under the sink? Chances are you have cleaning supplies for the toilet and sink, as well as possibly make-up, perfumes, hair sprays, and a number of other chemicals and items that should not be part of a baby's diet. In the kitchen, you also probably have more cleaning supplies in the cabinet under the sink. The food shelves have more than their fair share of glass bottles and jars that could come tumbling down and break. All of these threats are just inside the house.

Then look outside. While you may say you won't let your little one get outside, that is exactly the attitude that leads to problems. It takes just seconds for you to turn your back and that small one to have twisted the doorknob and started out into your back yard or towards your pool.

So how do you keep your child from being one of th5B4ose sad statistics? Start now. In the bathrooms and kitchen you should look for safety latches that can be hooked to the doorknob on a cabinet and keep it closed. These will have to be installed, but it's relatively easy. Doorknob locks and latches are screwed into the main part of the cabinetry and can be latched around the doorknob to hold it shut when someone pulls on it. There are a number of styles of doorknob locks and latches on the market, and you should choose them carefully. Not all of them are strong enough to hold up against a big tug from a child. Make sure you choose ones that will be durable when a little one, who wants to get in, tugs on the doorknob time and time again.

If it would be better to keep your little one out of an entire room that holds threats, but you can't lock everyone out, there is also the option of installing doorknob covers. They are literally covers that slip over the door knob, but can be removed by an adult, to keep a child from being able to turn the knob and get in or out. These can also be a useful tool to put on the doors to the outside of your home to keep your child from making his way out.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of different online niche stores that specialize in providing online consumers with not only useful and eye-catching products, but valuable informat43Dion as well on how to nicely decorate and furnish your space, whether it be in your home or out on your deck or patio. There are many tips that are helpful for creating a space that others will envy and here she offers buying advice when purchasing lavish antique doorknobs, stylish glass door knobs, and unique glass doorknobs.

Shed Ideas

Easy Construction Of A Shed

Do you want to try your hand at redecoration and construction of home but have no experience? Constructing your own shed is one project, which you can start off with. In case of construction of deck or fireplace, you 16D0will need to add to its existing construction but this is not required in case of a shed. In other words, you don't have to fret about having the perfect design because the shed will not influence the overall arrangement of your home. Some of you may not succeed at one attempt to construct a shed. Don't fret, as it will not permanently damage the look of a small portion of your backyard and not damage the lounge area.

One other reason for you to construct your own shed, if it's your first time in construction, is that it is very simple. Most of the shed designs are practical and uncomplicated. You simply need to build a strong shed and it does not have to look good or have insulation regardless of whether you are constructing a home workshop or tool shed. You will find that the designs are very simple and you can alter them for your task of certain measurements. However, you will need to work more if you alter the measurements of the deck.

Prior to construction, you must ask yourself the reason for constructing the shed. You must decide the location and how you will store your instruments in case you want to build a tool shed. When I first started to construct my own shed, I used pieces of tape to mark a wall where will be storing the tools. I was able to find out how vast a wall I require and where the hooks should be put.

Moreover, I even worked out the places where I would keep my wood supplies, workbench designs and workbench. All this saved me the misery, which many people face. The main reason of building a shed should be the excitement and joy you derive from building it apart from using it.

Linden Walhard's reports can be found on plenty of websites tied to information on woodworking workbench. His publications on workbench designs and build a workbench can be found on his web pages.

Preliminary Notices and Mechanics Liens - A Contractors' Right Can Be A Homeowners' Plight

Every homeowner who embarks on a home remodeling or building project looks forward to their dream home beginning to take shape. They anticipate a flurry of activity at the beginning, first with demolition followed by the arrival of materials and subcontractors ready to work.

Shortly thereafter, certified letters requiring their signature arrive in the mail from suppliers and subcontractors. When they anxiously open the letters to read the words "Preliminary Notice" stating that someone is asserting lien rights against their property - they panic! But they shouldn't - at least not at this point. The homeowner is simply being alerted to a commonly used legal instrument in construction that ensures payment for services, labor and materials provided for a home remodeling or building project.

The purpose of a Preliminary Notice, also know as "Right To Lien", "Pre-Lien" or "20 days Notice", is to notify the owner of the property that if the party providing the Preliminary Notice is not paid, then that party will have the right to record a Mechanics Lien against the owners' property. The time frame within which the notices must be sent to the property owner varies from state to state. Some must be sent to the homeowner within 20 days the sub contractor begins work on the project or when a supplier delivers materials. Other States have less than 20 days and still others have up to 90 or 120 days.

As a general rule, every subcontractor and materials supplier furnishing labor, services, equipment or materials to a construction project without a direct contract with the owner of the project, must give a written Preliminary Notice to the property owner if they want to retain their lien rights. Accuracy is essential for a valid preliminary notice. Notices should be served by certified or registered mail or if delivered in person, proper documentation and signatures must accompany the preliminary notice. Finally, receiving a preliminary notice does not mean someone is going to file a Mechanics Lien against you. It simply ensures their right to lien you if the contractor doesn't pay them.

It is the responsibility of any homeowner who remodels or builds a home to educate him or her self about the construction laws in their state. Understanding lien laws and pre-lien rights and learning how to protect yourself from having a Mechanics Lien filed against your property are key to having greater control over the project and your money. Obtaining Lien Releases and Waivers after each payment to the contractor is something homeowners need to educate themselves about. Once you understand this, you'll avoid the surprise and justified anger that the money given to the contractor to pay the subs and suppliers never transpired, despite the fact that it is his/her responsibility to do so. A homeowner typically finds this out when they get slapped with a Mechanics Lien against their property for non-payment from a supplier or sub contractor.

So just what is a Mechanics Lien and what should a homeowner to do at this point?

A Mechanics Lien is a legal claim to real property until a debt has been paid. If you employ a trades person or contractor to work on your home and a dispute arises wherein you refuse to pay, the worker has a right to file a lien thus making the property responsible for payment. Mechanics' Liens must be recorded with the County recorder where the property is located. Liens must be enforced by a lawsuit to foreclose on the property within a specific time frame (varies from state to state -usually 90 up to 180 days) of the date of recording or they automatically become null, void and unenforceable. If this time has elapsed and the contractor has not filed a lawsuit within the time period allowed, then demand that he execute a release of lien in writing. If he refuses to cooperate then t57Ehe homeowner can petition the courts for a decree to release the lien. This usually requires hiring an attorney, as the process can be somewhat complicated.

It's important to note that unethical contractors file the majority of liens and usually the liens become null and void based on the fact that the burden of proof lies with them. It's costly, requires legal representation, proper documentation but more importantly they have to be 100% correct to win their case. Moreover, these contractors never intend to perfect the lien but instead use it as a tactic to either scare the homeowner into paying them more money, or to get back at the homeowner who has filed a legitimate complaint against the contractor. Ethical contractors use it only as a last resort and know they have a legitimate case.

Good contractors strive to maintain excellent customer relationships by working with their clients to resolve problems, perform quality work, always pay their subs, and conduct themselves professionally with the goal of building a successful business. Finding an ethical contractor takes some work on the part of the homeowner but by doing so ensures having less problems and a more positive outcome for both parties.

Jody Costello is a Consumer Advocate and web publisher of 5D7ContractorsFromHell.com As a result of a home remodeling nightmare and shock at how little oversight state regulatory agencies have over contractors, she created ContractorsFromHell.com to help others avoid the problems her family encountered. Over the last eight years she has helped homeowners deal with problems they have had with their own contractors as well as providing tips, guidelines and resources on avoiding a home remodeling nightmare. Ms. Costello has worked with the Contractors State License Board over the years to help create greater protection and a voice for consumers harmed by unethical contractors. She has testified before the State Senate supporting legislation that would benefit homeowners on construction related issues. You can learn more about hiring building/remodeling contractors, red flags to look for, read other homeowners horror stories and become better informed before you begin your project. Go to http://www.contractorsfromhell.com