What You Don’t
Know Can Hurt You!
By ADC Limited, LLC Researchers
The old adage, “What you don’t know can’t
hurt you” is the farthest thing from the truth in the construction
industry. Many consumers and newly licensed general contractors
find this out the hard way. The high rate of construction complaints
and actions taken by the state licensing boards across the country
bear this fact out. Between 2002 and 2005 there were over 71,000
complaints against California State licensed general contractors.
This high rate is likely a result of the following four contributing
factors:
- Lack of clearly stated “work statements” in
the basic contract language.
- Poorly defined “scope of work” in the approved
building plans. (And in some cases, no approved building plans.)
- Not obtaining and following proper approvals and inspections
requests.
- Not taking care of the legal paper work that legitimizes
contractual relations between the contractor and the home owner.
Any one of the above items could lead to problems and
a combination of them would be a recipe for disaster.
An ancillary problem that exists in addition to the factors
mentioned above is the role of city or county planning
and building officials. Cities and counties normally have
clear and specific guidelines for conducting building,
remodeling, and house moves in their jurisdictions. These
guidelines include policies for review, compliance approval,
inspections, and sign-off and can be a complex labyrinth
to navigate when planning your project.
Unfortunately, despite the potential pitfalls, one thing
not in place is a consistent and coherent training program
to help the general contractor, the consumer, and to support
the cities and counties.
Many consumers and well meaning general contractors venture
off into the uncharted waters of construction without a
compass to point the way to successful project completion.
Case in Point
A client in the western part of the country engaged an
individual that alleged to have been a general contractor.
The individual subsequently walked away with $29,500
in cash and left the consumer with nothing other than
a hole in their back yard and neighbors contemplating
law suits. In this case the State Licensing Board is
powerless to help, owing to the fact that the perpetrator
was neither a licensed contractor nor was the written
contract valid.
Second case: A consumer contracted with a legitimate licensed
contractor to remodel their home and was left with a half completed
project. $145,000 in construction funds were missing and the
family was forced to live in a one bedroom house with only
partial utilities for eighteen months.
The lesson from both of these cases is that a lack of education
regarding project planning and implementation, on the part
of all parties concerned, can result in disaster for your project.
Or worse, you could become the victim of outright fraud.
If you find yourself in one of the dilemmas described above,
there is help. Go to: www.adcbuilderseminar.com for help with
one of these, or any other construction project snafu. |
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Transform Your Home with Trim
and Add Instant Value
By Evelyn Moorman
One of the most affordable ways to add instant value to your
home project is to embellish it with decorative trim and molding.
Trim defines the architectural style of a home. It adds character
and conveys that eye appealing high-end look to a home. Buyers
are willing to pay for the image of refinement associated with
expensive quality homes.
Deep crown molding, a classical pediment over a door, an intricately
carved fireplace surround are good examples of decorative trim
that translate into big bucks. Period details such as panel molding,
chair railing, plate railing and ceiling medallions add rich
luxurious texture to a room. The room itself becomes a work of
art.
Buyers seeking classic homes are very sophisticated about the
authentic period details that are distinct to a home’s
style. Is the home a “Queen Anne Victorian,” “Classic
Craftsman,” Stately Georgian Beauty,” or “Cozy
Country Cottage?” Amateur mistakes cost in the long run!
Expertise pays!
A Few Rules:
Rule # 1 Consult an expert. Research your local architectural
library. Experts know the art and science of surface ornamentation.
They can insure style and showy splendor.
Rule # 2 Select the trim most appropriate for the style of the
home including matching period flourish and finishes. Less is
more. Restraint is key.
Rule # 3 Contact the best master finishing carpenters for installation.
They have the right tools and equipment for precise cuts, joints,
and finish ends and they know how to deal with irregular walls,
floors, and ceilings.
There is a broad and renewed interest in high design nowadays.
The elements that define a beautiful elegant home are available
and affordable in a wide array of molding and materials: From
hardwood, to softwoods, plaster, or even high tech composites
such as high-density polyurethane. Today you can create that
luxurious look with decorative trim and molding.
Workshop Coming in June Homemaker’s Design Series
Design Your Beautiful Kitchen
Today’s kitchen is the “heart” of the home.
A beautiful kitchen is a feast for the senses whether its style
is dramatic Contemporary, French Country, or Tuscan Tradition.
Creating a new kitchen? Remodeling an existing one? You need
to attend this workshop. Don’t miss this opportunity to
work with a certified Kitchen Designer. Miguel Thurston, has
thirteen years of experience, studied at West Valley College-School
of Interior Design, and is pursuing the Professional Designation,
Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer ( CMKBD) from the
National Kitchens and Bath Association. Currently, a New Century
Kitchens and Baths Designer, she has worked with Home Depot,
Expo Design Center, Independent Design Associates, and numerous
private clients.
You will learn everything you need to know to design an elegant
professional grade kitchen that increases both the function and
value of your home. Watch for May’s issue of the ADC Limited,
LLC Newsletter for the June date.
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It is our objective to provide
the maximum education through our workbook(s) and seminars.
To that extent, we are starting this column with a "pre-test." We
are asking our readers to take this pre-test and register at
the link below to receive the correct answers to the questions.
We will be using your responses to further develop and expand
our educational effort to better prepare our end-user, the
home
owner and newly licensed contractor. This pre-test will also
be used to validate our presentations via our workbook (s) and
seminars. Our aim is to assist our readers by gauging their
level of knowledge of the building industry and identify areas
in which
they need further education. It will also aid ADC Limited,
LLC to provide more timely information about the industry and
how
newly acquired information can accelerate the readers understanding.
In no way will the test be used to deny our readers the opportunity
to continue receiving the newsletter. The newsletter will be
distributed monthly without bias whether or not you take the
test.
The test will take on the average 5 minutes. Thanks for your cooperation in this venture.
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Welcome Aboard!
Certified Kitchen Designer
Miguel Thurston has thirteen years of experience, holds an
Interior Design Degree from West Valley College School of Interior
design and was awarded the professional designation of Certified
Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) by the National Kitchens
and Bath Association. Her Client list includes Home Depot Expo
Design Center, Independent Design Associates, and numerous
private kitchen projects.
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