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August 4th, 2010Great TipsSome Great Tips To Help You Before You Hire A Mason
A mason is a skilled craftsman who works with brick, concrete and stone. These are necessary for all types of new construction and repairs from building a fireplace to erecting a wall or laying flooring. Anywhere you will use brick, stone, or concrete, a mason can help. They will ensure the project is completed properly; the structure is sound; and that it is visually pleasing. Before hiring a mason, consider the project and ask questions.
Know what you want to accomplish before requesting bids from masons. A mason can help with design and layout but you should have a general idea of what you want done before requesting bids. The mason will ask specific questions and inspect the area where the work will be done to give you a better idea of the needs and scope of work.
Always get multiple quotes when hiring any contractor. Get referrals from friends or check the local directories to find several masons to quote on your project. Get references and review pictures of past projects to determine the skill level of the mason. Masonry can truly be an art form that takes time, skill, and patience. When I had stone put on the front of my new home, I was amazed at the amount of skill it took to make the wall look good. It took a lot of time to fit the stones properly so that there werent all big stones in one area and all little stones in another. The project took time but turned out gorgeous.
When looking for a mason ask questions about how long they have been in business and the types of projects they specialize in. Make sure they are fully insured and get proof. There is potential for damage to your property and you want to ensure it will be covered.
A quote will generally be comprised of labor and materials. The labor costs will include preparation, the actual work to complete the project, and clean up. Material prices will vary depending on the materials desired for the structure. An experienced mason can give you suggestions on the best materials for your project and possible options for budget concerns.
Hire the mason who has the best mix of experience, quality past projects and price. Make sure you feel comfortable with the person as they will be working closely with you and have access to your home. If you are not comfortable with a mason, do not hire them. Execute a contract before work is started. This should include detailed specifications of the work including labor and materials. It should also include cleaning post project and a warranty of work. Read this carefully to ensure you have everything covered. The costs should be clearly outlined and include the payment terms. Never pay the total cost upfront but instead reserve some for completion of work.
An experienced mason will be able to make a sound, beautiful structure to your specifications. They will be able to complete the project in a timely manner and clean up all debris so your home is properly maintained and safe. Choose a mason you feel comfortable communicating with and who has a proven record of quality work.
And if you are having a difficult time choosing a mason, try your local stone/brick company. Many have showrooms that youll want to visit anyway to pick out the stone or brick you want. They will often have business cards of masons that past customers have used and some showrooms will even have sample walls of work done by various area masons for you to look at.
Tags: Art Form, Brick Stone, Building A Fireplace, Concrete, Fit, Flooring, General Idea, Laying Brick, Masonry, Masons, Material Prices, New Construction, Patience, Quote, Quotes, Referrals, Scope Of Work, Skill Level, Skilled Craftsman, Stone Mason
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Tags: Art Form, Brick Stone, Building A Fireplace, Concrete, Fit, Flooring, General Idea, Laying Brick, Masonry, Masons, Material Prices, New Construction, Patience, Quote, Quotes, Referrals, Scope Of Work, Skill Level, Skilled Craftsman, Stone Mason -
February 28th, 2010Dollar
Selling a home can be difficult. But by employing the right tactics, you can find a buyer who’s willing to pay the price you want.
Here are four tips to help you sell your home for top dollar:
* Create competition for the property. Create an environment where multiple buyers are competing to buy. Stack appointments to show the house in a narrow window so that several buyers are at the property at the same time. This strategy taps into a buyer’s fear of loss, the single greatest spark to get a buyer to buy now.
* List it with the very best agent in the area. Interview agents and choose one who has a record of selling homes for a high percentage of the listing price. You should interview at least three agents, ask for referrals and ask for proof of their ability to do what they say they can do. Get in writing what the agent will do to market the house. Be clear that if the agent doesn’t live up to his or her promises, you want the option of canceling the listing.
* Set the right scene in your house. Make sure the house is bright, clean and open. Get the temperature right, and make sure the house smells nice. The three most important views of the house are the view from the front curb at the front of the house, the view at the front door, and the view at the front entranceway when someone first walks into the house. The combination of these three views gives the prospective buyer his or her first impression of the house. Make sure it’s a good one.
To improve the front view, use flowers with color and ensure the front porch looks tidy. The door should be either freshly painted or brand new.
The kitchen and master bedroom deserve special attention. Simple things like new hand towels in the bathroom or fresh flowers in the kitchen go a long way.
* Spend money for the upgrades that buyers want most. Before you rush off to make repairs in the property or pay for expensive upgrades, tour five or more homes of similar value that are selling in your area. See what final touches are popular with actual buyers. For example, a Jacuzzi tub can be an important feature on homes in certain price ranges but can be a waste of money in others. The key is to ensure upgrades generate at least twice their cost in the home’s final selling price.
David Finkel is co-author of the Wall Street Journal best seller “Making Big Money Investing in Foreclosures Without Cash or Credit.” He also is a full-time real estate investor and the host of the nationally broadcast “Real Estate Radio.”
Tags: Appointments, Buy House, Fear, First Impression, Flowers In The Kitchen, Fresh Flowers, Front Porch, Hand Towels, Interview Agents, Master Bedroom, Money, Promises, Proof, Prospective Buyer, Referrals, Rush, Selling A Home, Stack, Tips To Sell Your House, Top Dollar
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Tags: Appointments, Buy House, Fear, First Impression, Flowers In The Kitchen, Fresh Flowers, Front Porch, Hand Towels, Interview Agents, Master Bedroom, Money, Promises, Proof, Prospective Buyer, Referrals, Rush, Selling A Home, Stack, Tips To Sell Your House, Top Dollar