Before You Hire A Contractor

It is unfortunate that many consumers spend more time selecting a vehicle than choosing a contractor and learning about the process of selecting a reputable contracting company. Most issues arise because consumers are unaware of what their specific obligations are.

One of the biggest mistakes many homeowners make is that they feel that they could save money by hiring each of the subcontractors individually instead of hiring a general contractor to oversee the entire job. Unfortunately, most are not aware that by doing this, they become the general contractor.

This type of project is classified as an “owner/builder” project and it is then the homeowner’s obligation to include state and federal taxes, workers’ compensation, building permits and other legal liabilities. If something is to go wrong, such as a worker gets injured or if your contractor damages your property and doesn’t carry general liability insurance, you or your insurance policy could end up paying for damages, injuries and rehabilitation.

The three key areas to check out before hiring a contractor are:

• Make sure they are licensed
• They carry relevant Worker’s Comp insurance
• They have sufficient general liability insurance

In California, before hiring a contractor you can check their license status, bonding and worker’s comp information by entering their license number on the California State License Board website at https://www2.cslb.ca.gov/OnlineServices/CheckLicense/LicenseRequest.asp

Stainless Steel Fixtures are Green

When you buy a stainless steel sink or faucet, you’re actually not only buying a terrific value, you’re also doing a good thing for the environment.  Stainless steel has a relatively low environmental impact as compared to many other popular materials.

• AISI 316 stainless steel is a highly durable metal that does not contain any additives or additional metals.
• Steel fixtures are the healthiest.  Since only steel is used, it is free from other toxic particles, such as lead and zinc which have been found to leech into drinking water. In fact, the National Sanitation Foundation promotes the use of stainless steel faucets. Many faucets made from brass or chrome plated brass faucets can leech significant amounts of lead into the water.

• The durability of the stainless steel allows for a longer life cycle, thus reducing the need for replacement and extra waste. Stainless steel will remain stainless steel forever and does not corrode like chrome plating. It is also recommended for coastal regions as it as a higher corrosion resistance than other metals
• Stainless steel production has significantly lower environmental waste as compared to other metals commonly used (copper, brass, and chrome).
• Steel is the most recycled metal in the world.

So next time you’re looking to update your fixtures for your bathroom or kitchen, think about stainless steel…  stylish and eco-friendly.

Measuring Your Kitchen

Detailed instructions on measuring your kitchen