Home Improvement, Remodeling, and Insurance Restoration in Maryland

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. provides no cost, no obligation consultations for all of your remodeling and home improvement needs. Our primary focus in business is to help you get more comfort and value from your home. Fantastic finance offers are currently available to help you fund your improvement projects, and depending on how you finance you may even earn tax benefits by financing. Protect your investment in your home by maintaining it and preparing for the winter storms ahead. Beat the destructive forces of winter such as heavy snows, ice damming, and other potential causes of headaches by replacing your roof, gutters/downspouts, siding, and/or windows as soon as possible. Most jobs can be completed in a single day. While it is better to be proactive it is not always possible to avoid damages to your home. We specialize in working with your insurance company as the premier Maryland insurance restoration contractor. If you are in an area that was impacted by the recent hurricane, earthquake, or one of this past years numerous hail storms we invite you to pick up the phone and call us for a no cost, no obligation damage assessment today. Time is of the essence as some insurance companies only allow filing a claim within six months of a date of loss. For more information on Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. and a complete list of storm dates/locations visit our website at: http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net or call us at 1-800-646-2846

Happy Holidays from Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. of Beltsville, MD

Happy Holidays to everyone from the team at Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. of Beltsville, MD. Now that 2011 is coming to a close many of us are running around frantically preparing for parties, events, and family gatherings as well as handling all sorts of end of the year business. That's right tax time is right around the corner. Are you prepared? Do you have all of your documentation together for your tax preparer? Did you get every tax credit that you possibly could? The tax laws change every year and there are some great energy tax credits that are set to expire at the end of 2011. Energy efficient replacement windows are one of many home improvements that can often be completed in just a day or two once the product is delivered. Perhaps you use the New Year as motivation to plan improvement projects in your home. There is no time like the present to begin thinking about how you can make your home more comfortable, more energy efficient, and perhaps most importantly in this economy more valuable. Speaking of ways to make your home comfortable purging unused items is an excellent way to do this. Many non-profit organizations receive the majority of their annual contributions during the holiday season. Your donations benefit you in numerous ways. You get unused items out of your home thereby recovering valuable space. You get great tax benefits so make sure you save any receipts you get for donated items. Most importantly you help those in need. We at Nations encourage you to load up that car or truck and donate your unused treasures to help those less fortunate and do it quickly, time is running out. A quick internet search will help you find your local non-profit organizations that are seeking household goods. This holiday season please consider taking some time to assist those in need while reaping tremendous benefits for yourself in the process. For a more information about Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. please visit our website at: http://www.nationshomeremodelers.net or call us at 1-800-646-2846

Better Business Bureau advice on hiring a home improvement contractor

Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. wants to make sure you make an informed decision when choosing a contractor to work on your home. We have over 20 years in business as a locally owned and operated company. We are in good standing with the Maryland Home Improvement Commission and we are accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Our goal is your complete satisfaction. Please see the below article from the Better Business Bureau website about choosing a contractor to work on your home. After you get a better understanding of how important it is to do business with a reputable, licensed, and insured contractor we hope you will choose Nations Home Remodelers, Inc. to take care of your home. We can be reached at 301-847-8800 or via the web at Nations Home Remodelers Home Page

Planning Your Project

Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should carefully plan your project from start to finish. For example, if your project involves a room addition, determine exactly what your needs are, how the room is to be used, and what you want the completed job to look like. It is a good idea to coordinate your color schemes and draw a simple floor plan using miniature tables and chairs to lay out the room arrangement.

Be specific in explaining to the contractor what you want, and be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved in the remodeling job before the contractor begins the work.

Hiring a Contractor

It is extremely important to compare costs before making a financial commitment toward any home improvement project. You should solicit at least two or three bids from prospective contractors—bids based upon the same building specifications, materials, labor, and time needed to complete the project.

Discuss bids in detail with each contractor, making certain you understand the reasons for any variations in the prices. Do not automatically choose the lowest price. One contractor's bid might be higher because the materials to be used are of a better quality or because the work will be especially thorough and, therefore, require more time and labor.

Ask the remodeling contractor for local references and find out if these customers were satisfied with the contractor's work. If possible, visit and inspect their completed projects.

Find out if the contractor is a member of a professional association which has standards or a code of ethics for remodelers.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to learn how long a contractor has been in business and if the firm has been responsive to any complaints filed with the BBB.

Another important matter to consider before hiring a contractor deals with insurance. Ask the contractor if the company is insured against claims covering worker's compensation, property damage, and personal liability in case of accidents. Then call to verify the contractor's insurance coverage after obtaining the name of the carrier and agency.

Finally, check with your state, county, or city housing authority to see if the contractor must meet certain licensing and/or bonding requirements in your area. If so, make sure your contractor is properly licensed and bonded. Never pay a contractor for the entire job in advance and avoid paying in cash whenever possible.

Home Improvement is not an exact science. Expensive hidden problems can be uncovered once work has begun.

Financing Your Project

To obtain financing for your home improvement project you may want to consider a personal or bank loan, a home equity loan, a loan from your credit union or insurance company, or a loan from a savings and loan institution. While your contractor may be able to assist you in securing the needed financing, it is important that you investigate the various sources of funding and compare the amounts, interest rates, terms, and tax considerations.

If you cannot pay for a home improvement project without a loan, it is a wise idea to put a clause in your contract with the remodeler stating that the agreement is valid only if financing is obtained.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans for home improvements are available through certain banks and other lending institutions. However, FHA requires that the lender approve any contractor associated with the loan request and will not guarantee the work or the contractor. Be wary of any contractor who tells you that he/she has been approved or endorsed by the FHA.

If your home improvement project results from an accident or natural disaster that is covered by insurance, check with your insurance company to determine the extent of coverage before signing a contract to have the damages repaired.

Getting a Building Permit

Building codes are established by most cities, towns, and counties and may vary considerably from one jurisdiction to another. Your contract should state that the work is performed in accordance with all applicable building codes and zoning regulations in the area where you reside.

A building permit is generally required when performing structural work or when a home’s basic living area is changed. Separate permits for electrical, heating, or plumbing work are required in some cases. Check with your local department of licensing and permits when starting a job to learn if a building or work permit is required.

If the project does, in fact, require a building permit, the contractor should apply for it in his or her name. Thus, if the contractor's work does not pass inspection, you cannot be held financially responsible for any corrections that must be made. Terms regarding the application of any permits should be outlined in the written contract.

When a government agency issues a permit for home improvement work, it will inspect the work when that work has reached a certain stage to make sure it complies with various codes and regulations. It is the responsibility of the contractor to arrange for these inspections.

Contract Negotiations

Terms and Conditions: All agreements and oral promises regarding a home improvement project should be put in writing to protect both the customer and the contractor. If you intend to do some of the work yourself or hire another contractor to do it, such terms should be written into the contract as well. The written contract should also include:

A thorough description of the work to be done—specifying all materials to be used in terms of quality, quantity, weight, color, size, brand name, etc.;

Agreed upon starting and completion dates;

Total cost, with a breakdown of labor and material charges;

A payment schedule;

Any warranties and guarantees of workmanship;

The method for debris and material removal once the job is finished; and

A clause which states your right to cancel the contract within three business days if you sign it in your home or at a location other than the contractor’s permanent place of business. This clause should also state that the contract is null and void or will be renegotiated if the job uncovers unexpected or hidden problems or damage after work has begun.

In addition, make sure the written contract includes:

The contractor's full name

Address

Telephone number

Professional license number

Never sign a partial or blank contract. Read every contract clause carefully and ask any questions you may have before signing. Retain a copy of the contract once it is signed, and file it in your records.

You should make every attempt to pay a minimal or no downpayment for supplies or services; especially if you have not done business with a contractor in the past. You should not make any payments for incomplete work. Schedule payments at weekly or monthly intervals or after completion of each phase of the project. All of these terms should be spelled out in the contract and clearly understood by both you and the contractor.

Cancellation Rights: When you sign a home improvement contract in your home and in the presence of a contractor or contractor's representative, you have three business days in which to change your mind and cancel the contract. The contractor is required to tell you about your cancellation rights and provide you with any cancellation forms. If you cancel, it is recommended that a notice of cancellation be sent to the contractor by certified mail, with a return receipt request.

Never make final payment or sign an affidavit of final release until you are satisfied with the work done and know that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid.

Lien Protection: For a large remodeling job that involves several subcontractors and a substantial financial commitment, you should protect yourself from liens against your home if the primary contractor does not pay his or her subcontractors or suppliers. You may do this by adding a release-of-lien clause to the contract or by placing your payments in an escrow account until the work is completed.

Warranty Clause: Any warranty offered on products by the contractor should be in writing and scrutinized carefully. Make certain you understand all the terms and conditions, including the length of the warranty. The warranty must state whether it is a FULL warranty that gives the consumer certain automatic rights or a LIMITED warranty that restricts certain consumer rights.

Quick Check List

Before selecting a remodeling contractor, you should do the following: 

Plan your project from start to finish.

Be specific in explaining exactly what you want.

Be sure to approve any architectural plans that are involved before the contract work begins.

Compare costs before making a financial commitment.

Discuss bids in detail with each contractor.

Ask the contractor for local references and find out if he or she is a member of a professional remodelers association.

Contact your Better Business Bureau to learn how long a contractor has been in business.

Find out if a contractor is insured against claims covering worker’s compensation, property damage, and personal liability.

Check with state, county, or city housing authorities to be sure that a contractor meets all area licensing/bonding requirements.