How to get results from a contractor.

This blog will explain some of the things that you may do if you cannot get results from your contractor. This may include new home construction or remodeling (additions to a home).

Individuals and contractors in Virginia are required to get permits from the County for new construction and additions to the home. Therefore, the County inspectors will be involved. So, if you have a problem with your contractor, feel free to discuss your concerns with the County inspectors. I have contacted the inspectors on numerous occasions and I have never been let down.

If you live in the state of Virginia, you may file a complaint with the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation. DPOR is the government agency who issues contractors their licenses. This will put your complaint on file for others to see. You may also look up a contractor to see if they have any complaints against them.

If you do not live in Virginia, find out which local government agency provides the licenses in your state and file a formal compliant with them.

There are many other things that you may do such as leaving a review on 5 Star Review and contacting the Better Business Bureau. The idea that I am trying to convey is to not let companies take advantage of you and for you to get what you paid for.

If you have advice that can help others, please leave a comment. We want this to help everyone.

How to protect yourself from home construction contractors.

I created the website 5 Star Review to help you (the Consumer) find reputable businesses. I next created this blog to provide a resource to you when you have to deal with businesses that cut corners or do not treat you fairly.

Have you heard the TV commercial where the attorney says, "The insurance company has attorneys on their side, so you need one on your side". The businesses and contractors have someone on their side, and you have me and your fellow consumers commenting in this blog on YOUR side. Hopefully this blog will provide you with resources when needed.

Let's start with new home construction. Some people will advise you to hire a home inspector to inspect your new home. But is this home inspector an expert in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, framing and roofing? I advise anyone buying a new home to hire a separate inspector for each major component of the house. I was advised to do this, but I did not want to spend the money. I regret not taking this advice.

The roofer will walk the roof to determine if the shingles, ridge vents, drip edge, and gutters are installed properly. The general home inspector might not be an expert in ALL of the areas of the home, including the roof. The general home inspector cannot determine the roofing installation practices from looking at the roof from the ground.

The HVAC professional should check your HVAC system for proper installation. He/she should also check the heating ducts to make sure that they are secured per CABO Code 1901.3.1 - the building code which states that all metal joints are overlapped by 1 1/2 inches, secured with 3 screws equally spaced and taped. Contractors can save a lot of time if the joints are not screwed and taped. What will happen to unsecured ducts 2 years after construction when they are inside of the wall? You might be heating and cooling the inside of your walls and not your living areas.

The electrician might notice that the contractor needs to replace the bathroom outlet with an outlet with a ground-fault circuit interrupter, per CABO code 4402-1.

If you want to be aware of the building codes that contractors have to abide by, you might want to purchase the "CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code book". This will give you ammunition when the contractor tries to argue with you about the workmanship. The building codes above are from the CABO book. Xxx State where you get the book!!

Finally, some contractors will ask you to sign an agreement that states that you will NOT step on the building lot without someone employed by the contractor. This saves the contractor from liability BUT how can you make sure that you are getting what you paid for if you only see the house twice during construction? I recommend having an attorney review the contract before signing it. You also want the attorney to review any amendments or changes you and the builder agree to make to the contract.

I have used real estate agents in the past, and things slipped through. Therefore, I recommend an attorney.

In summary, please consider hiring a separate inspector who is reputable in their field to inspect the separate components of your new home. At least, hire a roofer to inspect the roof. If you need a reputable inspector, please look on 5 Star Review. If you can't find one on the site, please contact us through the site, and we will do our best to find one in your area. You may also add your favorite contractors to the site.

I hope this blog helps you to make educated, informed decisions.

Learn from the expensive mistakes that I, and your fellow consumers, have made in the past!

My next blog concerns what to do when you can't get results from a contractor.