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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 -
May 31st, 2010Great TipsWhether it’s a Christmas golf gift for a serious golfer or a fun prize for the family reunion or company tournament, picking out a golf gift that is truly appreciated takes a bit of planning. Here are a few tips that will help you adjust your gift to the golfer’s skill level.
The first thing to do is determine the skill level of the golfer who will receive the gift. A seasoned veteran of the game with a 4 handicap will probably place little value in instruction books or training aids that a beginner may appreciate. Similarly, the occasional golfer may not know how to use the high degree wedge you put in his stocking.
Here are a few suggestions, based on skill level:
For the beginner, a swing training video with some easy drills may provide an easy way to practice in the privacy of home or office. There are a wide variety of choices, professionally produced by professional trainers.
For the intermediate or occasional golfer, a hinged training club may be a good idea. I have found this type of device excellent not only for developing my swing, but something I reach for when my slice starts creeping back. It is designed for improvement, so it likely won’t be resented as an insinuation that a swing needs improvement.
The experienced, low handicapper may be the most difficult to please. Of course, every golfer appreciates more quality balls and nice shirts. But if you want to get something special, sneak out to the garage or try to gain access to his or her locker at the club, and take an inventory of every club that is in his or her bag. Take this list to a golf shop, or access a shop online, and ask the pro there what is missing from this bag. Just about every golfer appreciates trying something new, whether it’s a new high degree wedge, a new style of putter or something new in hybrid technology. Even if it’s not used (you can always return it), he or she will appreciate the attention.
These are just a few ideas for something with a personal touch that will likely be appreciated. There are thousands of golf gift ideas, so perhaps you can apply the same logic, along with some creativity, and come up with your own great Christmas golf gift idea.
Tags: Choices, Christmas Gift, Christmas Golf Gift, Family Reunion, Few Suggestions, Golf Shop, Great Golf, Handicap, Handicapper, Hybrid Technology, Insinuation, Instruction Books, New Style, Personal Touch, Professional Trainers, Quality Balls, Seasoned Veteran, Skill Level, Stocking, Training Aids
Related posts
Tags: Choices, Christmas Gift, Christmas Golf Gift, Family Reunion, Few Suggestions, Golf Shop, Great Golf, Handicap, Handicapper, Hybrid Technology, Insinuation, Instruction Books, New Style, Personal Touch, Professional Trainers, Quality Balls, Seasoned Veteran, Skill Level, Stocking, Training Aids
