Home Improvement Archives - Page 22 of 32

Don’t Hire Just any Home Remodel Contractor

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

When you’re ready for a new kitchen, bathroom, fireplace or garage door, you’re ready for it now. It’s easy to go with the first home remodel contractor that gives you and estimate. But it’s not a good idea. Don’t hire just any home remodel contractor, hire the best for the job you need done. Here’s how.

Do your research

Have you spent hours looking at appliances, flooring, fixtures and cabinets? Well, prepare to spend the same amount of time researching your contractor. First, start with friends, family, and neighbors that have actually used a contractor.

See a contractor’s sign in a yard? Don’t be afraid to ring the doorbell. Ask the homeowner what they think about the work being done. If the neighbor isn’t home, leave a note with your name and number. Just ask for a reference.

When checking references, it’s a good idea to talk to people that have had similar work done. Because, a contractor may be fabulous at removing a wall to open up a living area but not so great when it comes to the plumbing required for a bathroom remodel.

Compare apples to apples

When you are getting the three quotes everybody tells you to get, make sure they are quoting for the same work. Unless you’ve provided each contractor the exact specifications for the work you want done, (drawings, materials to use, and specific product names) each home remodel contractor is making assumptions. The price quoted reflects these assumptions.

Know exactly what is included in the quote and the allowance for overage. One quote for a bathroom may appear to be considerably lower, but upon inspection may require the homeowner to purchase flooring, fixtures and/or lighting.

If you want custom cabinets, make sure all quotes include custom cabinets of the same quality and made of the same materials.

Some remodeling work requires a permit from the local government. If your job requires a permit, make sure the bid includes any permit fees and specifies that the contractor is responsible for the permit. A contractor that asks a homeowner to pull a permit is a red flag. It’s a sign the contractor has a problem with their license. And speaking of licenses, be sure to check.

Check licenses and insurance

Once you’ve decided that a contractor can do the work you want at a budget you can afford, it’s time to do more research.

Fortunately, the State of California makes it easy to check licenses. Just go to https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicenseII/CheckLicense.aspx and type in the name of the contractor. For example, type in Inspired Remodels and you get a page that tells you the license number and that the license is active. Just click the license number and discover the status of the contractor’s bond, workmen’s compensation insurance and the history of both.

Don’t hire a contractor that isn’t bonded and doesn’t carry worker’s compensation insurance. If the contractor’s employee gets hurt on the job at your house, you can be liable if worker’s compensation insurance isn’t in place. It’s not a risk you want to take.

Consider Inspired Remodels as your Home Remodel Contractor

When you start to collect quotes and talk to contractors, contact Inspired Remodels. You will find their reputation is sterling and their work is exceptional.

Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule a consultation. You’ll find Joe and Jason Mueller are Orange County’s property brothers. Their design and construction services that are truly inspired.

Kitchen and Bath Contractors are Wild for Ultra Violet – Pantone’s Color of the Year

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

The Pantone Color Institute forecasts global color trends. They are recognized around the world as a leading source of color information. Each year, they release the Color of the Year and for 2018 the color is 18-3838 Ultra Violet. This blue-based purple is perfect for accents and kitchen and bath contractors will rush to incorporate the color in new designs.

A Palette of Smoky and Hazy Colors to Calm

Ultra Violet works and plays well with a surprising number of colors. Pair it with greys (and grey is still the hottest neutral), blues, and rose tones. This palette brings calmness to spa-like bathrooms. The hazy and smoky hues play off each other and create subtle harmonies that will remain timeless.

Kitchen and bath contractors will use Ultra Violet alongside the colors that occupy the spaces beside it on the color wheel. Look for rooms that use these color combinations to provide a look that exudes spirited, good humor and playful exuberance. These engaging color mixes spill out of the bathroom and into the bedroom and living spaces too.

Ultra Violet the Ultra Drama Queen

Look for kitchen and bath contractors to play up the ability of Ultra Violet to star in the role of drama queen. Bring a striking presence to kitchens, dining areas, and living areas. Pair Ultra Violet with other show-stopping saturated colors. The result isn’t garish. To the contrary, you set a mood for excitement and drama. Use Ultra Violet as an accent with earth tones for adventurous bedrooms and bathrooms too.

Desert Sunsets for Any Room

Get the serene feel of a desert sunset any time of day. Ultra Violet goes with warm shades to simulate the palette of the desert sky as the sun sets. Bathroom contractors use Ultra Violet for the perfect California spa retreat bathroom. This color is perfect for warm wood cabinets or wood-look tile. A little goes a long way. Use as accent tiles, linens, or accessories.

Inspired Remodels – The Kitchen and Bath Contractors That Know Color

Planning a kitchen, bedroom or bathroom remodel? Be sure to work with a company that understands design as well as construction. Inspired Remodels are kitchen and bathroom contractors that know the elements of design and style as well as quality construction techniques. Want to learn how to incorporate Ultra Violet? Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us. We help with other colors too!

What Your Renovation Contractor Knows that You Don’t

By Inspired Remodels / Home Improvement / Comments Off

Starting to think about a renovation in the kitchen, bathroom or bedroom? Whether the job is a major addition or just a remodel, here’s a few things your renovation contractor knows that you don’t.

Why Bids Vary Wildly

Behind every bid for a renovation or remodel is a renovation contractor. The contractor’s bid is influenced by many factors. But, the chief factor is their overhead. If you hire a contractor that has a large staff and large offices, the contractor has a large overhead to cover. That bid will be higher.

In addition, some contractors take shortcuts that can end up costing you more in the long run. If the job requires the work of a plumber, but the contractor doesn’t use a licensed plumber for the work, you can end up paying extra in repairs.

You Can Judge a Renovation Contractor by Demolition

If you think it’s hard to judge the quality of work a contractor will do before the work starts you are wrong. Renovation contractors know that you can begin to judge the quality of the work that will be done during the demolition phase.

If a contractor treats your home as a job site, it shows a lack of respect and a willingness to cut corners. A quality contractor treats demolition with the same care as they treat construction. The work area should be isolated with plastic sheeting where possible to retain dust. Protective coverings should go over floors to guard against damage from worker’s boots and debris carried through the house.

If the contractor asks you to pull any permits during the demolition phase or later in the project it is a large, screaming red flag that cannot be ignored. This is a sure sign the contractor has a problem with their license or has allowed their license to lapse.

The Actual Contractor is Rarely on the Job

The job of the renovation contractor is to see that the work is done as contracted and to the proper specifications. The contractor will hire and schedule subcontractors that perform the actual work.

Your contractor will assign a project manager to your job. The project manager will be on-site regularly. That’s a good thing, because the project manager will know the details of your job better than the contractor will.

Both the contractor and project manager should be available to answer your questions. A sign of a good renovation contractor is the willingness to return phone calls and respond to emails. It’s a sign of a great project manager as well.

Some Renovation Contractors Pass on Jobs

Repairing a DIY job gone bad can be a bigger hassle than building from scratch. Don’t be surprised if many renovation contractors take a pass on this type of work.

Frequently, the DIY horrors only get worse once walls come out and shoddy wiring and plumbing are exposed. This is why many contractors won’t take a job repairing bad DIY work. It’s better to hire a pro in the beginning than hire someone later to rescue the project.

Orange County Renovation Pros

For your renovation project, call Jason and Joe at Inspired Remodels. You’ll get a professional renovation contractor and an awesome project manager. It’s the team that’s creating functional and fabulous indoor spaces, one renovation at a time. Call (949) 716-1938 and schedule your consultation today.