Attention Homeowners: Do you want to find a contractor you can trust and have peace of mind with your remodeling project?
Revealed! How you can plan a problem free remodel, find a great contractor you can trust! (and have your project move forward on time and within budget!)
Discover little known mistakes people make that costs them thousands of dollars in remodeling disasters – but YOU don’t have to be one of them! I’ll show you how!
From the Desk of Jody Costello
Founder, ContractorsFromHell.com
Dear Homeowner,
You’re ready to renovate your home and you’re excited about having your vision become a reality. But you’re also wondering “how am I going to find a good contractor and one I can trust?” “And where do I start?”
You’ve heard of remodeling horror stories others have gone through and you sure don’t want to be one of them. And quite frankly, the whole process just seems overwhelming. The last thing you need is a stressful remodeling experience. There has to be an easier way to figure it all out.
Does any of this sound familiar?
How will I know if I can trust the contractor?
How will I know if they’re ethical and won’t take advantage of me?
What should I be looking for in order to avoid problems with the contractor?
What kinds of questions should I be asking the contractor?
How can I avoid problems with my project?
I’m not completely sure of everything I need to do to have a successful outcome. How can I find that out?
I can’t afford to have my project drag on forever. How can I keep it moving forward without having to argue with the contractor? Worse yet, what if he doesn’t respond to my phone calls?
I can’t afford to go over budget. How can I stay in control of my money and my project?
I don’t want a stressful remodeling experience to ruin my marriage – how can I ago avoid going through all the drama?
All good questions you should be asking yourself but more importantly you need to know the answers. You need to know what to do. Because if you don’t, you risk getting involved with a smarmy contractor, finding yourself faced with problems you can’t possibly easily overcome or worse, a remodeling disaster that drains your bank account, stresses you out and an unfinished project that comes to a halt.
And you know what? You wouldn’t be alone.
Folks who have found themselves in a bad situation like this share one common thread. And that is, they don’t know what they don’t know and that’s what gets them into trouble. Let me explain.
I have found that most people rely on trusting their contractor WITHOUT KNOWING if they should. They just “hope” and blindly choose the contractor because:
» Their references looked good
» Their licensing information didn’t reveal any disciplinary actions
» Their friends recommended the contractor
» The contractor lives across the street
» They’ve seen the contractors’ truck driving around the town
» They’ve heard their advertising on radio
» They feel they’ve done enough research and want to get on with it
» Remodeling disasters happen to others; it won’t happen to me
» The architect recommended the contractor
In all of these scenarios every homeowner failed to thoroughly do their homework because they simply didn’t know all the risks involved and assumed that nothing would happen. They didn’t know what to include in the contract agreement, lost control of their projects, and lost money in cost overruns and shoddy work. They believed that the contractor would do what he said he would do and abide by the contract. They secretly believed that if they did end up with problems, their State Contractor Licensing Board would make it right. FAT CHANCE!
If you don’t understand how to protect yourself from any of these situations or the risks and realities in contracting, you’re leaving yourself vulnerable to having problems with your project. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can have a successful renovation project, you can find a contractor you can trust and you can have peace of mind. Thousands have been successful and so can you.
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Dear Jody,
Thank you so much for creating this course. We are so much more confident moving forward with our remodel and learned a lot.
And I know we’ll be finding a great contractor – we’ve started the interview process and one of the contractors was even impressed with what we knew and with the questions we asked. Thank again for all your help.
Sharon P., San Francisco, CA
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And let me just say that it’s not your fault. The typical advice given to consumers about hiring and working with contractors by most regulatory agencies and home improvement sites simply don’t tell you the whole truth. The usual check their references, licensing information, go to job sites, look at their portfolios, are they a member of the BBB, etc. just doesn’t uncover the things that you should be looking at and what you should be doing.
The fact is, most people do these very suggestions and STILL end up with problems or in a remodeling nightmare. It’s just not enough!
So I decided to put together a course that would guide homeowners through the “pre-renovation” process that helps them find a contractor they can trust, how they can avoid a remodeling disaster, how they can be in control of their project and money and how to have a problem-free remodeling project and have peace of mind knowing they’ve chosen wisely.
And why should you believe that I know the secret to choosing a contractor you can trust and have a more positive remodeling experience? Glad you asked.
MY STORY
If you haven’t already read my remodeling story 10 years ago and the nightmare that it became, you should check it out on my website. But let me give you the shorter version here for now.
In 1999, my husband and I decided to build on an addition to our home so that we could bring my mother home to live with us. We chose a contractor who had no disciplinary action on his license, had great referrals and promised us great results. But he soon turned out to be the contractor from hell, and pretty much from the beginning we began having problems. He failed inspections, rarely appeared on the job and performed shoddy work that lead to leaky roofs, windows, doors and decks. We were constantly trying to track him down, to no avail. Then his workers ended up building the addition 15″ over height limits and everything stopped for the next 2 months.
On New Years Eve at the turn of the New Millennium, we experienced some heavy rain storms and with no tarp protection over the addition (and no contractor in town) we completely flooded out down to the 2 levels below. We spent bringing in the new year desperately trying to put a large tarp over the addition in the dark of night. We almost killed ourselves doing this and the water destroyed a lot of the furnishings in the floors below. We were exhausted as we sat there in disbelief looking at the mess around us. Shortly thereafter, I got very sick from the mold growing in the walls and we had to have the mold remediated.
That was it for me. I no longer was going to be a “victim” at the mercy of this smarmy contractor and I was going to fight back and was determined to win on all levels. I filed complaints with the Contractors State License Board, got his license revoked and successfully settled my civil suit against the contractor. And I learned a great deal from our construction law attorney on what we should have done differently to protect ourselves and have greater control over our project. I then began working with the Enforcement Chief for the Contractors State License Board exploring ways in which consumers can better protect themselves and testified before the California State Senate on consumer related bills.
Fast forward to 2007 when we had the Wild Fires in Southern California where several thousands of homes were lost and seminars were being put on to help folks rebuild. Wanting to be sure they did not get victimized again by unethical contractors, a local Building Industry Association put together an event and I was asked to sit on the “Don’t Get Scammed Panel” and share my expertise on how to avoid a construction nightmare and choose a contractor wisely. And that’s where the idea of a Boot Camp was born.
I’m now on a mission to use my experience to teach others how to avoid a remodeling disaster and understand how to find an ethical contractor they can trust and have peace of mind with their remodel.
Working with construction consultants, contractors, attorneys and regulatory agencies I put together my “Home [Pre]modeling Bootcamp for Women (and the Men Who Love Them!) and I’m committed to helping others find that great contractor they can trust and experience a remodel that has few problems, comes within budget and without delays. I’m honored to be able to help others achieve the remodel of their dreams – drama free!
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Hi Jody,
I just completed your course and enjoyed it!
I have not started my project yet, but feel better prepared.
Phil G.
AZ
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It’s not your fault and it wasn’t mine either. It’s what we didn’t know about the entire contracting process well before hiring a contractor that we missed. No one ever told us but I’m telling you now – it goes beyond the typical advice given to consumers.
And that’s what you’ll learn in my “HOME [PRE]MODELING BOOT CAMP FOR WOMEN (AND THE MEN WHO LOVE THEM!)
IMAGINE…FINDING A GREAT CONTRACTOR YOU CAN TRUST AND HAVING YOUR RENOVATION COMPLETED ON TIME AND WITHIN BUDGET!
It’s absolutely possible when you learn the “pre-renovation process” and that’s exactly what you’ll get in the Home [Pre]modeling Bootcamp For Women (and The Men Who Love Them!).
So how does this whole program work?
Well it couldn’t be ay easier. I’ve done all the major research for you – you just have to point, click, read and download. You won’t ever have to wonder where to begin because I walk you through it step by step.
Everything is on line and you go through the modules at your leisure and download everything you’ll need.
IN JUST A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, YOU WILL QUICKLY AND EASILY BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY A CONTRACTOR YOU CAN TRUST AND DISCOVER HOW TO AVOID A HOME REMODELING NIGHTMARE!
Here’s a sample of what we’ll cover:
You’ll be getting simple to understand, step-by-step guidelines taking you through what you need to know and do to begin planning your project, finding a contractor you can trust and have peace of mind with your project.
• Module 1 - Plans and Specifications:
The “devil is in the details” and you’ll learn how to suss them out including what to consider and what you can’t afford not to include. An overview of how items should be itemized in the “spec’ sheet and understanding what the “Scope of Work” should be. (Not knowing this alone will surely lead you down the road to disaster!)
• Module 2 – Permits:
It never ceases to amaze me how so many folks get tripped on this one because they made some incorrect assumptions but you’ll learn to avoid their oversight and mistakes. It can be a daunting task and if you don’t know the ins and outs could lead to problems with the City or County Inspector. You’ll learn why the contractor has to be the one to obtain the permits and what you must do before you even begin sketching out your ideas.
• Module 3 – Estimates and Bids:
Deciphering these alone can be challenging. Heck, do you even know what you’re looking at? Well there is a difference and every trade and state use these legal documents. You’ll get a understanding of why you must be careful not to sign something that obligates you contractually – unknowingly!
• Module 4 – Insurance Requirements:
You’ll be able to quickly breakdown what types of insurance the contractor should carry and how to avoid being duped. This is a big one and something you cannot overlook as you don’t want to be responsible for any and all things that can happen on the job.
• Module 5 – Joint Control / Escrow:
Should you or should you not, let someone else make payments to the contractor because you don’t want to worry about things? There are pitfalls if you’re not aware of what goes on behind the scenes and you’ll learn all the ins and outs on how to avoid surprises and stay in control of your money.
• Module 6 – Knowing how much and when To Pay: Deposit-Installments and Payments:
Most homeowners just accept the contractors’ offering of how all things will be done and that IS NOT not what you want to have happen. How much do you give the contractor to start the project and how often you should make payments will be covered so that you’re not blindsided and you’re in control of your money – not the contractor! You’ll learn the best way to do just that and keep in line with your State’s laws. Yes, every state is different and you’ll learn what your are state laws.
• Module 7 – Not Paying Twice For Work Using Lien Releases Waivers
This is the most overlooked part of the contract agreement and one that is intended to give you peace of mind. We’ll cover what they are and how to use them to keep you from having to pay more. (In fact, unsuspecting homeowners almost always get hit with this one – and it hurts!) We’ll include links to sample forms and state-by-state laws. You’ll never be in the dark.
• Module 8 – Avoiding the Dreadful Property Lien and Making Your Contractor Accountable
Oh yes, this is a common problem and one I personally dealt with and successfully won. You NEVER want to have your property used as a means for more money because subs have not been paid. You’ll learn what to do to be the one in control and how to protect your home from fraudulent liens. AND IT’S SIMPLE! YOU JUST NEED TO KNOWN WHAT CONTRACTORS’ KNOW – AND YOU’LL BE ON EVEN GROUND.
• Module 9 – Navigating Construction Contracts:
The “Holy Grail” that can make or break your renovation project. And of course, not your area of expertise but there are things you will learn that are important to consider. Things like key clauses to have including why accepting what the contractor gives you to sign is not a good idea – in fact it’s bad one. Plus, you’ll uncover how you can control any “surprise extra work” bills contractors like to present at the end of a project.
• Module 10 - Hiring Contractors :
This will be the easy part because of all the ground work thus far AND the vetting tools you’ll use that will weed out the less that desirable and identify the best. You get:
• A Contractor questionnaire which you will provide each bidder along with plans and specs for them to fill out.
• Contractor evaluation forms that will help you to easily identify and compare each contractor side by side.
• Module 11 – The So Called “Warranties” and How To Be Sure You’re Covered:
It’s not until you find yourself needing to dig out the warranty that you discover you’re not covered. You’ll go through some key points made by the experts and you’ll be better prepared to avoid getting caught without coverage. (In fact, because of what I learned I was able to avert a serious problem during my recent kitchen remodel)
• Module 12 – Communicating and Working With Your Contractor and Creating A Punch List
You’ve found a contractor you can trust and now the work begins. You want to keep the lines of communication open and staying engaged throughout the project timeline is important. You’ll learn how to do that and foster a good relationship as well as to handle any challenges that come along. It’s part of the business of construction and you’ll be better prepared to confidently make good decisions and help keep your project moving forward.
• Module 13 – Done – For – You Research on Contractors State Laws
State-by-State List and links to all 50 states Contractors Boards and Regulatory Agencies
Plus, you’ll also get these bonuses!
Bonus # 1:
A sample Bid Proposal Template that helps you easily identify and understand every bid you get from contractors. THIS IS GOLD! Because the hardest thing for most homeowners is trying to breakdown and understand what each contractor is charging you for and comparing those costs. THIS IS WHERE YOU’LL BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES – GOOD OR BAD! You’ll easily discover who is overcharging or undercharging and why. And that helps you to eliminate those who don’t meet your criteria.
Bonus#2:
Access to me as you go through the Boot Camp and as you begin putting what you learn to work. You can email me with questions if you need help or clarification on anything in the course.
A great start to ensuring you’ll have a positive remodeling experience. Wondering how much this will cost?
Well, instead of costing you it will actually save you money and time lost to a bad builder, a contractor you can’t trust, a remodeling disaster and all the stress from losing it all. For me, had I gone through this 11 years ago it would have saved me over $200,000 in construction defects and attorney fees. And I would have paid a lot more than what your investment will be.
Think you know everything you need to know to avoid a remodeling nightmare and find a contractor you can trust? If you’re not confident. it could cost you tens of thousands of dollars lost to shoddy work, paying twice and hiring an attorney to bail you out. And he may not even be able to help you. Sometimes you just have to cut your losses and learn from your mistakes. Don’t let this happen to you.
Your Investment: $67
A small price to pay for knowledge you can use for peace of mind knowing you’re going to have a problem free remodel and a contractor you can trust. Plus, this kind of information will serve you for years to come as you’ll likely find yourself having to hire a contractor for one job or another - owning a home means having to do repairs and renovating! Plus, try getting the kind of useful information and instruction from an attorney – and certainly not for this low cost!
AND though contractors won’t give you a guarantee - I will.
You have my 100% guarantee – You’ll be more knowledgeable and confident in hiring and working with your contractor or your money back!
Ready to get started? Click “Register Now” to register through our secure credit card payment system.
NOTE: After you click the button above, you will be redirected to Paypal for securely processing your order. After you are completed with Paypal Make Sure to Click on the “Return to Merchant” Button in order to set up your login to the Bootcamp!
Still have some questions?
Q: Do I really need to know this stuff? Can’t I just depend on the contractor to do his job? After all, he is licensed
A. Please. Having a license does not guarantee you’ll end up with an ethical contractor who performs excellent work. If that were true, there would not be the hundreds of thousands of complaints filed every year against contractors. And according to the various Consumer Protection Agencies complaints filed against contractors consistently ranks at the top for consumer dissatisfaction and fraud. And I can personally attest to that given my own experience and those of others who have mailed me over the years.
Q. This all sounds like a lot of work – I’m just going to let my architect/designer handle it.
A. Your architect is going to look to you for what your needs are and through out the renovation you’ll need do be providing feedback on what’s working and what’s not working for you. NEVER let yourself be out of the loop on anything that has to do with your money or your home. Moreover, it’s not a lot of work; it’s your responsibility to get informed and engaged.
Q. How long is it going to take me to go through the course?
A. It’s not time consuming – it’s actually enjoyable based on the feedback I’ve received. Some folks can go through it in a weeks’ time, some in a weekend if they throw themselves into it and still others prefer to go through it leisurely. It’s your choice and you have three months to keep going through it if you wish.
Q. My neighbor just had her remodel done last year and she just raved about her contractor – I don’t really have to worry about anything.
A. Ah, famous last words. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard from homeowners who hired a contractor that was their friend or neighbor, but failed to know anything about his/her business practices and got burned. They just “trusted” they’d have a good experience too. Their experience is not always an indicator of what yours will be. And a contractor is only as good as his/hers last job and you need to get a solid sense of where they are at now.
Q. You know, I’m just going to do some background work and take it from there. Once the project starts, I’m sure nothing bad will happen.
A. Good luck with that. If throwing caution to the wind works for you, so be it. But, if the possibility of spending more money than you had planned on or end up with a project that drags on is at the back of your mind or if getting taken advantage of by an unethical contractor is a concern, then this course is a must.
Q. The contractor I’m thinking of is a friend. A friend would never scam me or do me harm.
A. Oh boy, this is another one I get complaints and comments on. In fact recently a homeowner emailed me who was so distressed because his wife insisted they go with her best friends’ boyfriend, a contractor. Well, it cost them several thousands of dollars in cost overruns and litigation and needless to say the “friendship” is over. My advice? Never go with a friend – you’ll be hurt, angry and a friendship destroyed.
Q. My attorney will handle everything.
A. Well, that’s true to an extent. He/she will make sure the legal verbiage is in there correctly ago protect you but helping you find a contractor you can trust and knowing what you need to include in your “spec sheet? No attorney can do that for you. That’s your responsibility and his is to legally represent your best interests.
Ready to invest in yourself and have peace of mind knowing you’ll be hiring a contractor you can trust? Click on the button below and you’ll be taken to our secure credit card payment server.
Just to recap here’s what you’re getting:
› The course will provide you with information, guidelines and downloads:
→ Plans and Specifications
→ Architect, Draftsman Services or Design/Build
→ Permits
→ Estimates and Bids
→ Construction Contracts
→ Hiring Contractors:
– Contractor Checklist
– Contractor Questionnaire
– Contractor Evaluation Form
→ Deposits, Installments and Payments
→ Preliminary and Mechanics Liens
→ Lien Releases
→ Insurance Requirements
→ Joint Control and Escrow
→ Warranties
→ Communicating With Your Contractor
Plus you’ll get these 3 bonuses:
Bonus # 1 : A sample Bid Proposal Template to help you break down the bids
Bonus #2: Access to me throughout the course and as you begin to apply what you’ve learned.
And of course my 100% guarantee – You’ll be more confident knowing you’ll be choosing a contractor you can trust.
All for just a small investment of $67 – for knowledge that will give you peace of mind and help you in finding a contractor you can trust!
Ready to get started?
Click “Register Now” to register through our secure credit card payment system.
Jody Costello
P.S. Don’t let your lack of knowledge of what you need to know about working with the construction trades ruin your remodel. Take the time now to get educated and stay in control of your money and your project AND have a stress-free experience!
