tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23102293952658243092024-03-12T21:21:03.989-07:00Select Contractors | Kansas City ContractorsSelect Contractors serves the entire metro area as a Class-A licensed residential and commercial contractor. The new facility includes a complete clean room for wood finishing and an expansion of Select’s cabinet and custom woodwork shop. With this addition, Select will be able to stock materials ensuring you get the best prices possible along with the skill, precision, and customer-centric attitude that guarantees your satisfaction.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124388290203300989noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2310229395265824309.post-35115517999929771302013-07-08T10:09:00.002-07:002013-07-08T10:09:57.225-07:00Top 5 Problems with Hiring a Contractor to Finish Your Basement<h2>
It is easy to believe that hiring a contractor will
magically transform your basement into a masterpiece of living space. </h2>
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While it
is certain that professionals know what they are doing, they can burn quite a
hole in your pocket. Furthermore, their work may not always mirror your
expectations. So before you decide to hire a contractor and sign a heavy check,
do consider the following problems that you might have to tackle:</h3>
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<b>1. Expensive</b></div>
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Labor costs can exceed the total material
costs by as many as three times. This simply translates to a huge cash leak of
thousands of dollars. Often, people fail to realize what they could do with
this extra cash that they pay for labor charges. You could utilize it to
purchase higher quality materials, better lighting, plush furnishings, and much
more.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>2. The Trust Factor</b></div>
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A contractor comes with an
assortment of hassles – paperwork, billing, multiple invoices, and what not.
And in spite of all this, a few months later a lot of us find ourselves coping
with waterproofing faults, broken tiles, and things not working as smoothly as
expected. In other words, it is only foolish to trust a contractor without any
references. Get references from family and friends. If that is not possible,
please do check with the references provided by the contractor.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>3. Constant Monitoring</b></div>
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Hiring a contractor to finish
your basement isn't where your job ends. From that point on, you will have to
discuss the fine details, negotiate, plan the work, and constantly monitor the
progress. This will take your nearly as much, if not more, time as it does to
finish your basement on your own.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>4. Hidden Costs</b></div>
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The price quoted by the contractor may
not cover all the expenses that will be incurred during the finishing process.
Besides the lump sum you will initially allocate to the contractor, you will
also have to bear extra costs that come along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>5. Unmet Expectations</b></div>
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The finished basement may not be
your dream come true. There are bound to be differences in what you had planned
and what the contractor actually delivers. You may be thinking of tiles of a
certain color and texture, but the ones used may be entirely different. And if
you decide to do purchase the materials yourself, then the contractor isn't
really helping you much except charging you excessive labor costs. In such a
case, you might as well spend a little more time and finish the basement too.
For those who love doing new things, this can be a great one-time experience.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124388290203300989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2310229395265824309.post-61875153230141771022013-06-13T20:31:00.001-07:002013-06-13T20:31:29.924-07:00Best and Worst Time to Hire a Kansas City Contractor <div class="MsoPlainText">
When you think it is the best time for you to hire a Kansas City contractor and start remodeling your house, everybody else is probably thinking
the same. Sure, summer is a great season to work outdoors, but also the most
expensive. Kansas City home contractors are in high demand during summer and their busy
schedule allows them to charge hiked rates.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thus, the temperature alone can’t tell you if it is the
best time to hire a contractor and kick-start your project. Looking at the
forces of supply and demand and understanding how they affect prices, you will
see that summer is actually the worst time to hire a contractor. It is wiser to
hire one about two months before or after their peak schedule as then you will
be able to negotiate a better rate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The same principles apply to material costs as well. All
the wood, pipes, electrical fittings, paints and adhesives that you need for your remodeling project tend to be expensive when they are in high demand. The off-season is
indeed the best for material purchase in Kansas City as well getting a contractor to remodel
your house. Even though it might not present to you the best of working
conditions, you will benefit from some key advantages such as:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<li>Lower contractor fees,</li>
<li>Cheaper labor,</li>
<li>Cheaper construction/remodeling materials,</li>
<li>The undivided attention of your contractor, as you will
perhaps be their only client.</li>
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However, if you plan to take charge of some of the
remodeling tasks and want to finish them yourself, it is best to chalk out a
plan well in advance. Have the contractor finish the major and more difficult
jobs in the off-season and you can take up the less demanding ones in the
following months. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Bottom line, the best time to hire a contractor is
when both your hassle and cost are at a minimum. And since these might not
happen at the same time, you will have to look for a smart trade-off and grab
one when you see one!<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124388290203300989noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2310229395265824309.post-7064756005695233922013-06-10T11:52:00.000-07:002013-06-10T11:52:32.762-07:00Finishing a Basement – Contracting vs. Doing it Yourself<div class="MsoPlainText">
Many homeowners wish to finish their basements, not only
because it offers additional usable space for living and recreation, but also
because it greatly enhances the resale value of the house. Finishing a basement
can be a high-cost affair and seemingly very tedious. Therefore, a lot of
people deliberate between hiring a contractor and doing it on their own. Here
are a pros and cons of these two options. Assessing the trade-off between the
two will help you decide which choice is better for you:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Contracting Pros:</h4>
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<li>Professional contractors are experienced and have access
to all the necessary equipment and machinery. They are also well connected with
suppliers so they know where to get the materials from.</li>
<li>Full-time contractors can devote several days at a
stretch and get the job done in a matter of weeks, ensuring that your basement
is finished as fast as possible.</li>
<li>They are also well aware of current trends and practices
in the industry, and can offer you the latest information and advice on
finishing or remodeling your basement space.</li>
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Contracting Cons:</h4>
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<li>Labor charges account for as much 75% of the total cost.
Therefore, homeowners on a tight budget may want to consider finishing the
basement on their own.</li>
<li>You will have to deal with a lot of paperwork arising
from work permits, drawings and layouts, invoices, material billing, etc.</li>
<li>A contractor may not work in the same manner as you would
like him to. Things done differently give different results, and the contractor
can never guarantee if you will be pleased with the work done.</li>
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DIY Pros:</h4>
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<li>If you have ample time at hand, you can easily learn how
to finish your basement. In fact, if you have the knack for doing things with
your own hands and love learning new skills, this is one experience you are
bound to enjoy. Your finished basement will be something you will be proud of
forever.</li>
<li>Doing it yourself will help you save on the labor cost.
You can use these savings for other purposes such as purchasing lights,
furnishings, and other decorative installations for your finished basement.</li>
<li>You will actually find some tasks very simple. Hanging
doors and trim, drop ceiling construction, and framing and installing drywall
are jobs that can be done in simple steps, one at a time.</li>
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DIY Cons</h4>
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<li>Some other tasks may not be so simple, and you might have
to consult a professional for help. Electrical work, flooring, and plumbing are
areas where you might face problems if you do not have prior experience or
knowledge. It is advisable to take help from an electrician for the
installation of electrical wiring and fittings.</li>
<li>It may take up quite a lot of your time. A busy person
may not be able to dedicate too many working hours to get the basement
completed in a reasonable amount of time.</li>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07124388290203300989noreply@blogger.com0