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"Renovation Risks and Realities"
I recently received an email from a homeowner who asked if he should sign a Mechanics Lien document that was included with the contract he was to sign to begin a home renovation project. He made reference to some article he read – perhaps on my site – and wanted some clarification.
First off, a [...]
Continue Reading →Knowing this before you choose a general contractor and sign on the dotted line could very well keep you from having a home remodeling nightmare and horror story to share with family and friends.
Ever wonder why everyone you talk to knows someone who has had a home remodeling nightmare or they themselves have [...]
Continue Reading →With demand for residential construction still in a slump and contractors holding on for the tides to turn, folks are being told that this a great time to strike up a deal on that home renovation project. After all, materials costs are down and contractors are willing to pass on those savings and even perhaps [...]
Continue Reading →As I’m typing this the house next door is being completely renovated – actually they tore it down and are rebuilding – and the sound of nail guns popping away is constant. And there are three other renovations within a couple of blocks from us under way in the last couple of months. So at [...]
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If your home was built in or before 1978 it is highly likely that it contains lead-based paint. If not conducted properly, certain types of renovations can release lead from paint and dust into the air.
Lead is a highly toxic metal that was used for many [...]
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You’ve remodeled your home and you’ve lived to talk about it. And despite the problems and inconveniences (contractor from hell experiences excluded, thank you very much!) you’re happily into choosing home furnishings, colors, textures and all the fun stuff that goes into designing the interior of your home.
As time [...]
Continue Reading →Here’s a scenario that is common practice amongst unethical
contractors: The homeowner pays the General Contractor who in turn is
supposed to pay the sub contractors for work performed. But the
contractor decides to pocket all the money and later down the road, the
homeowner gets hit with a mechanics lien against their property from
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One of the first things a contractor learns and is advised to do by
training institutions and Contractors Boards alike is to retain an
attorney before they begin their contracting business. Makes sense,
given the problems and challenges that are likely to arise for the
“newbie” or up and coming general contractor. Truth be told, [...]
This past month of August proved to be a month of emails regarding mechanics liens, lien releases and one in particular about a Material Supplier who could quite possibly be in cahoots with the contractor.
There were a few homeowners who gave 50% or more upfront – with no work started as yet and the [...]
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Top 50 Construction Blog
ContractorsFromHell.com was proudly nominated as one of the top 50 construction blogs for consumer education in the home improvement industry!- Free Remodeling Estimates!
Get Free Remodeling Bids from Licensed and Certified General Contractors Testimonials
- "Jody Costello's website - Contractors From Hell.com - is a must-read for homeowners who have endured - or who hope to avoid - dishonest or incompetent home builders and remodelers."
Los Angeles Times, Feb 22, 2004
- "Great site -- it really puts the hazards of dealing with contractor-bozos into chilling perspective... I was a general contractor for about 20 years, but have retired from remodeling and am now a member of the American Society of Home Inspectors.""
Paul S., Berkely CA - "This is a great site! I found it while going through the same misery and was thinking about making a web site ... I was a bureau chief in a regulatory agency and actually worked on the regulation side. The problem is that state contractor laws seem to be primarily written by the contractor special interest, not by the citizens with no affiliation to contractors."
Thanks, H.M. Jones - "Hey guys! Found your website while researching about how to deal with contractors. I am about to begin a home renovation project, and I must say thank you for creating this website! I'm not going into this project expecting problems, but I can say now that I am very much more prepared if and /or when they present. Thanks again, this information is priceless!
- Nate
- "Jody Costello's website - Contractors From Hell.com - is a must-read for homeowners who have endured - or who hope to avoid - dishonest or incompetent home builders and remodelers."
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Jody Costello, founder of ContractorsFromHell.com is a contributing writer for cover2covermag.com, a lifestyle online digital magazine, where she covers all things home improvement.
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