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About the Contract in Contractor: What You Need to Know

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If you are dealing with a reputable contractor, you will have a contract between you and the contractor outlining the work to be performed, a timeline for the project, and what the project is going to cost. There are some other components of a good construction contract as well. Understanding it is important for making sure that you are holding your contractor accountable.

Contractor

What It Should Include

The construction contract should have some basic information that absolutely must be present for a legally binding contract. It must have your name and contact information, as well as the contact information and name of the contractor. It should describe the property in legal terms, such as the description on the deed filed with the county. Attachments to the contract, such as blueprints or schedules, should be listed directly on the contract.

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After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm: What to Do

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What to Do After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm

You probably know that you should evacuate the area as directed in the case of a severe tropical storm or hurricane. It can be very nerve wracking to have to leave your home and all of your possessions behind to flee the area, and you might be anxious about what you will come home to. Although you may simply have relief that your home is still standing, it is important to take some steps when you arrive back at home to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Tropical Storm

Check All Points of Entry

Check all of the points of entry to your home, including every window and door. Make sure that the storm didn’t cause any holes, drafts, or shattered windows. If you do have broken windows or doors, get some plastic and wood to cover the entryways completely to protect your home and belongings while you are waiting for repairs. Call a contractor right away.

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Turning Your Garage into a Finished Room

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Turning Your Garage into a Finished Room

It is very convenient to have a garage. But when you find yourself in need of more space, one of the easiest ways to get it is to turn your garage into a finished room or series of rooms. You have a lot of options for using the space when you finish out your garage, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

Turning Your Garage into a Finished Room

One of the most common reasons to turn a garage into a finished room is to make more space for older children, siblings, or parents to come stay with you indefinitely. A two-car garage can easily be converted into a decent-sized, one-bedroom apartment with its own entrance. A smaller garage can be turned into one or two open rooms that can be used for other purposes such as an exercise room, a bedroom, a family room, or an office.

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Top Three Reasons to Finish Your Basement

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Finish Your Basement

If you have an unfinished basement, you have a lot of space in your home that is not being utilized effectively. That space has unlimited possibilities if you consider finishing it. Here are just a few reasons you should do so.

Basement

Home Value

Of all remodeling projects, finishing the basement gives your home the most value in relation to the cost of the remodel. You can increase your home’s value so that you can have more equity, which is important if you ever need a home equity loan. Increasing your home’s value is also important if you ever want to sell it.

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When to Replace Roof and Four Types

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Types of Roofs and When to Replace Them

If you have owned your home for more than 20 years, or if you recently bought a home and aren’t sure of the last time the roof was replaced, you may be wondering if it is time to replace your roof. Most roofs last a minimum of 20 years, depending on the type of roof. Here are four common types of roofs and when they need to be replaced.

Types of Roofs

Asphalt Shingles

Asphalt shingles are the most common type of roof, largely because the shingles are affordable and easy to install. They are also fairly durable and protect your home from the elements. Most asphalt roofs last about 20 to 25 years. However, with additional wear due to weather, your roof may need to be replaced sooner. When the shingles are turning upward at the corners, have lost their grit, or are missing in several areas, it is time to consider replacement.

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Renovating Old Buildings Benefits Society: Three Ways

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Renovating Old Buildings Benefits Society

When you need a new space for your home or office, it can be tempting to build a new structure that meets your needs. However, there are a lot of benefits to renovating old buildings and updating them to meet your needs. You can benefit from lower construction costs and a faster move in date, while society benefits in several ways.

Renovating Old Buildings

Fewer Resources

When you renovate an old building, it requires much fewer resources than new construction. You will need less wood, fewer plastic products, and fewer metal products. All of these amount to using fewer natural resources that are limited. Essentially, renovating old buildings is a way of recycling infrastructure, which is important for a sustainable environment.

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It’s Time to Remodel Your Business Space: Four Signs

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It’s Time to Remodel Your Business Space

Whether you own or rent your business space, you are responsible for the upkeep and making it conform to your business needs. If your landlord allows it or if you own your space, it might be time to think about remodeling. As your business grows, your needs change. Here are four signs that it’s time to remodel your business space.

Remodel Your Business Space

You Have More Employees

If your business has grown, your staff probably has, too. Although you might not be to the point of needing a larger facility, it is important that you give your employees the space they need to work in a healthy environment. If your operations started out much smaller than they are now, you might need to rework the space you have to make room for certain departments. You may also need to consider adding another break room or restrooms.

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Build a New Home or Buy a New Home? Three Reasons to Build

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Build a New Home or Buy a New Home?

When you are ready to start the next chapter with your family and move to a bigger home, it may seem easiest to simply buy a home that is already on the market. But there are a lot of advantages to building your home from the ground up. Here are some reasons to build a new home for your family.

Build a New Home

Floorplan to Fit Your Lifestyle

You know your family’s needs. Perhaps you need an office or den to work or study at home. Perhaps you need a mud room off the garden. You might need a hobby room or extra children’s rooms for use as your family grows. While you can find a home that will meet your basic needs, only a home that you build from scratch will meet every desire and need of your family.

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Renovate Old Homes and Buildings: Three Reasons

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Are you considering buying old investment properties and restoring them to their former glory? Do you want to take an older home and renovate it instead of buying your own home? There are many different reasons that you might want to renovate old homes and buildings. Here are just a few of them.

Renovate

Historical Value

Some properties have significant historical value. Even homes and buildings that were not part of any major historical events could be considered to have historical value. The value could be in the old techniques used to build the home or its unique architecture. Preserving a piece of history is the most common reason to renovate old homes and buildings.

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Water Damage Can Harm Your Home and Your Family: Three Ways

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Water damage is something that can happen to anyone. It can be caused by flooding from severe storms, burst pipes, plumbing backups, or other sources. While it may seem as though the worst part is the cleanup, there are actually a lot of ways that it can harm your home and family.

Water Damage

Rot and Mold

When water sits on floors and walls for more than a few days, it can seep behind the paint or wall covering into the guts of the wall itself. This can cause drywall and other materials to become extremely weak. If you have a load-bearing wall that gets water damage, you could be putting your safety at risk. In these cases the water damage causes rot and mold that eat away at the boards inside the walls, requiring them to be replaced.

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