Tips on ContractorsThis is a featured page

Contractor FAQ

Ask questions on finding, hiring, and working with a contractor. If you have experience working with contractors, share your tips and advice!
<< Also see the page on kitchen and bath designers>>

Q: How do you check their credentials to be sure they know what they're doing?
A:

Check with your state DLLR (department of labor licensing and regulation) to verify current license status. If you are the homeowner doing the work do not be afraid to ask for proof of insurance. Generally you will contact the insurance company and have a copy sent directly to you.
With that being said, not everyone that has a license knows what they are doing. If you request referrals and previous work photos this should cover any suprises.
Q: I want to hear how a contractor did on other jobs. Is it okay to ask for the phone numbers of previous clients?
A:
sure it is. Ask ask ask.

Q: How many estimates should you get before you start?
A: 3 is a good number and if you know someone who has used a contractor doesn't mean they will do as good of a job for you as they did for them!

3 is good. Our rule of thumb in dealing with sub-contractors is toss the high and low and use the man in the middle. Dont be afraid to go with your gut feeling. If something seems too good IT IS! Dont be afraid to ask questions on the pricing, you may get lucky and find that your low price guy has materials left over from another job and is giving you a break.
DO NOT SETTLE! Always remember, Your House Your Project Your Rules.
Q: I've heard you should budget an extra 10% onto a contractor's estimate for cost overruns. I'm on a tight budget, and can't afford that. How do I make sure the contractor stays strictly to the estimate?
A: Get your contract in writing always!

If you are on a budget make sure you let the contractor know up front. A good contractor should be able to fit your requirements into a REALISTIC budget number, or make suggestions on where to change so that you can meet that number.
As a rule of thumb estimates are just that, estimating. As long as everything is clearly stated in your CONTRACT you will generally not run into cost overrun. READ THE CONTRACT. There are clauses in the contracts to cover unforseen items which is usually where you have additional charges, these are not uncommon in rennovations and remodels. There are paragraphs that also cover change orders and allowances, become familiar with these. Most change orders come when the homeowner decides on a different material, this is also normal from new construction to remodel. Always stay in communication with your contractor as this will alleviate many headaches.

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GShuber 		Latest page update: made by GShuber , Feb 17 2009, 9:09 AM EST (about this update About This Update GShuber Edited by GShuber

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wyg3035411 Pebble Tiles are turning to be a fashion. 0 Sep 19 2009, 9:39 PM EDT by wyg3035411
Thread started: Sep 19 2009, 9:39 PM EDT  Watch
Pebble Tiles are turning to be a fashion.
Many retail company are beginning to sell pebble tiles. Costco had begun to selling pebble tiles years ago. And The Home Depot HomeDepot begun to sell pebble tiles this year.
Why are pebble tiles turning to be a fashion?
The first, it is none-slippery. That you do not need worry about falling down in the wet bathroom.
The second, it can be use for massage. Massage feeling you gotten from the pebble stone will definitely make you relaxed. That is the reason why most of the people like pebble tiles.
Third, easy to install. When you cut the pebble tile, you only need use scissor to cut the backing mesh. No special tool needed.
Fourth, Pebble tiles are natural and elegant. No breakage and no scratches.
I had done many pebble tile projects. Recently, I found the pebble tile from www.discountpebbletiles.com for $6.29/sft. The price is the lowest one I found after I Google searched on Internet. Hoping pebble tiles will help you to make a beautiful projects as well.
[img]http://www.discountpebbletiles.com/images/pebbletiles/mixed%20color%20pebble%20tile%20project5.jpg[/img]





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wyg3035411 Why pebble tiles are the best for bathroom shower floor? 0 Sep 19 2009, 9:38 PM EDT by wyg3035411
Thread started: Sep 19 2009, 9:38 PM EDT  Watch
Why pebble tiles are the best for bathroom shower floor?
The first, it is none-slippery. That you do not need worry about falling down in the wet bathroom.
The second, it can be use for massage. Massage feeling you gotten from the pebble stone will definitely make you relaxed. That is the reason why most of the people like pebble tiles.
Third, easy to install. When you cut the pebble tile, you only need use scissor to cut the backing mesh. No special tool needed.
Fourth, Pebble tiles are natural and elegant. No breakage and no scratches.
I had done many pebble tile projects. Recently, I found the pebble tile from www.discountpebbletiles.com for $6.29/sft. The price is the lowest one I found after I Google searched on Internet.
[img]http://www.discountpebbletiles.com/images/pebbletiles/mixed%20color%20pebble%20tile%20project3.jpg[/img]


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wyg3035411 Here is some pebble tile installation I collect on the Intenet for ins 0 Sep 19 2009, 9:38 PM EDT by wyg3035411
Thread started: Sep 19 2009, 9:38 PM EDT  Watch
Here is some pebble tile installation I collect on the Intenet for installation and Tips.
1. With the trowel, apply the thinset evenly on the desired area.
2. Lay the pebble tiles down, interlocking each tile on all sides.
3. To fit a tile in a space too small for a whole tile, cut the mesh which hold the pebbles together. You can also remove individual pebbles to fill empty spaces.
4. Once complete, allow at least 24 hours for the thinset to dry before grouting.
5. Apply a coat of sealer to prevent the stone absorbing color from the grout.
6. Apply the grout with the grout float so that the grout is packed in all the space between the pebbles.
7. Allow the grout to set for up to 20 minutes. Then, with a wet sponge, clean the excess grout off the surface of the pebbles.
8. Continue to clean the grout residue with a clean sponge until desired pebble exposure is reached.
9. Allow 24 hours for the grout to dry completely then apply a coat of sealer over the grout and pebbles.
Here is some tips:
1. Sort the tiles before doing the installation. Generally, the tile thickness varies a little bit. It would be better to put together the tiles with similiar thickness at a adjacent area.
2. For the ceiling or wall, if motar is not strong enough to hold the tile, use sheet-rock screws or nails at the corners to hold the tiles.
3. After you fill grout to the pebble gap, to remove the excess grout, you can spray dry sufaces with a little water using mister to minimize grout sticking to the surface of pebbles.
Here is a company I found with a lowest price on Internet:
check the company www.discountpebbletiles.com. You can find the six different color pebble tiles starting only from $6.29/sft with free shipping. Let me know if you can find some other company with a lower price.
[img]http://www.discountpebbletiles.com/images/pebbletiles/mixed%20color%20pebble%20tile%20project2.jpg[/img]

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