Step 1 - Organize your Ideas

One of the most important steps before you begin meeting with Contractors to work up estimates is to educate yourself about the work you want to have completed. The internet, library, neighbors, etc. are all good places to start.

Your goal is to get several estimates or bids that are all based on the same scope of work; apples to apples if you will. You have to be able to provide the Contractor with enough information so they can prepare an estimate that meets your goals and you must provide each Contractor with the same scope of work. If not, the pricing that you get from each Contractor will be very difficult to interpret which could slow you down and ultimately cost you more money. The last thing you want is a Contractor that is going to "Change Order" you until your pocket book has dried up. So, try to finalize as many of the details as possible.
This means that you, the Homeowner, must put all of your ideas and scope on paper including photocopies of pictures, any layouts, designs, sketches, etc. And never give your originals away because you may not see them again.

Step 2 - Schedule Meetings with Several Contractors

Look for Contractors affiliated with the Better Business Bureau, National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) or any other local building or remodeling association. Look at each Contractors website to see what type of work they perform. What are their specialties? And if they do not have a website, you should be cautious if you decide to contract with them.

As a Contractor myself, when we show up to a job for an initial meeting with a Client, the most organized Homeowners hand us a typed copy of a basic scope of work with copies of any pictures, layouts, designs, sketches, etc. And we love them for it because we know exactly what they want!

During your meetings with each Contractor, hand over your information that you compiled and walk the job with each of them. Be prepared to answer numerous questions. Some will be easy to answer and others may need some additional research on your part. Either way, try to stick with your initial scope of work and do not deviate. You want the bids to be apples to apples and changing the scope during your meeting with the Contractor will only make it more difficult for you to interpret the figures on each bid. You can always adjust the scope after the estimates are gathered and you have narrowed down the potential Contractors.

Ask each Contractor how long it will take them to prepare the estimate and make sure they honor those dates. If they don't, that should be a red flag.

Step 3 - Review & Compare each Bid

This is where your initial homework starts to pay off. Each estimate your receive needs to be in writing and it should have a specific scope of work that mirrors the information that you provided them. And in most cases the estimate will have more detail. If the Contractor's estimate is vague and lacking specific details relating to the work, this is a Contractor that you may want to pass on. If you accept an estimate that does not specifically describe the work that the Contractor is proposing to complete, you are leaving yourself open to costly "Change Orders" at the discretion of the Contractor. It's not a good position for you, as a homeowner, to put yourself in. So keep in mind, it's your responsibility as a homeowner to make sure the Contractor has a complete understanding of the work you want completed and it must be conveyed in writing on the estimate.

Once you have established that each estimate is for the same scope of work, let's now look at each price. When it comes to remodeling, the saying "You get what you pay for" is a good guideline but it definitely doesn't mean that a more expensive bid is your best choice. For example, you could have (2) bids that are somewhat higher than your budget and a lower bid that may be a little less than your budget. Most of us would automatically consider the lowest estimate initially but we have to figure out why that Contractor's bid is much lower than the other two. Below are some questions you need to ask each bidder.

- Did the Contractor omit a portion of the scope of work? If so, have them revise the estimate.
- Does the Estimate include having the Contractor prepare architectural drawings, if necessary?
- Are they using lesser quality materials (paint, cabinets, tile, etc.)?
- How long will it take to complete the work?
- Are they insured with a General Liability policy?
- Can they provide a minimum of 5 to 10 references from previous projects?
- Are permits necessary and if so, is the cost included in the estimate?
- Is the Contractor willing to let you visit several of their jobs?
- What type of Warranty does the Contractor provide?

When it comes to interpreting a bid that may be higher than your budget, you still have to ask all the same questions. And just because the estimate is on the higher end of the spectrum, don't assume that the bid is all inclusive. As a General Contractor, we have bid on and successfully completed several projects and found out later that some of our competitors pricing for the same work was 50-75% higher than ours. This can be attributed to higher overhead as well as a desire for higher profit margins. The bottom line is, you don't have to overpay to get quality service and workmanship.

Step 4 - Select your Contractor

After reviewing all estimates, it's time to narrow down your selections to one or two Contractors. Call their references to see how well they did on previous projects. Did they finish on time? Ask their references about the quality of work and if they would recommend them. Did they keep a clean and safe job-site?

If they are a member of the Better Business Bureau or any other remodeling or construction association, are they in good standing? Try http://www.bbbonline.org to check.

These are all good clues that will give you the inside track as to whether this prospective Contractor will be the right choice for your project. You also need to ask yourself if you feel comfortable with this person and are they willing to openly discuss materials, methods, and details regarding your project?

Step 5 - Execute the written Contract

Most often, the Contractor will provide their own Contract for you to sign. Be sure to read it carefully and do not hesitate to ask any questions for language that may need explanation or clarification. Ask the Contractor how the payment schedule will be put together. Never give a Contractor more than 50% of the contract amount up front. If the Contractor has to purchase a large amount of materials prior to starting work, a payment or draw for the materials is understandable.

The payment schedule (aka Schedule of Values) should be spelled out in the Contract. After a specific portion of work is completed, the Contract will say how much money the Contractor can Invoice you for that work. For example, after all cabinets are installed, the Contractor can request a draw of say $1000 as spelled out in the Contract. After the countertops and tile backsplash are both installed, the Contractor can request the next draw of say $3500 for this work. And, so on. Be sure that the last draw equals 10% of the total contract amount and do not pay this until the Contract is 100% complete. If you give the Contractor their last payment before 100% completion of work, you could have issues with them completing the balance of work in a timely manner.

The following items need to be included in the written Contract:

- Scope of Work
- Design Selections
- If using Architectural Drawings, they need to referenced in the Contract
- Total Dollar Amount of Work
- Construction Schedule
- Detailed Explanation of the Contractor's Warranty
- Payment Draw Schedule

And now you're ready to take on your next renovation. It's going to be challenging, but it doesn't have to be cumbersome. That's why it is so important to do your homework upfront and find the right Contractor that will meet your needs and turn your dreams into reality.

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If you are looking for information on how to build a wind mill, you are arrived at the right place and here we will discuss some of the points that will help us in building our own wind mill. Although you can get a ready made wind mill from market, however you will have to pay a few thousand dollars for purchasing a complete wind mill.

More and more people are now becoming money conscious and are using cost effective methods for producing electricity. Wind and solar power are such two renewable sources of energy available to all of us and we can start producing electricity from either of the two by installing a wind mill or solar power generators in our own backyard.

We can assemble the parts of a wind mill in our own house and can thus save thousands of dollar as the various parts required for a wind mill can be purchased from the local market within $200. So, with the initial cost of $200 and practically negligible amount of maintenance cost on a wind mill, we have a potential to save huge amount and up to 80% of our electricity bill per month, which would have been paid to electricity marketing companies.

We can build a wind mill in our own house with the help of a do it yourself guide. These guides are available at the Internet and by following step by step instructions, we can easily build wind mill. These guides are very cheap and contain each and every instruction in details with the details or raw material required with their dimensions.

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The need for alternative sources of energy has become more and more pressing day by day. Cost and supply of conventional fuel have gone out of whack and the effect of their wastes and emission on the environment going from bad to worse. If ever there was a time for alternative solutions for power, now is it! Actually, clean and renewable energy sources have been around for a long time: hydro, wind and solar power.

Each of these sources has its strengths and setbacks. Between them, solar power is the most suited for the household. Once installed, solar power systems are practically maintenance free. The average lifespan of solar panels is more than thirty years and they come in all shapes and sizes, blending very well into all varieties of buildings both aesthetically and functionally. Of course, it's emission free, silent and runs on sunlight for fuel and sunlight alone.

Solar power is increasingly making an impact on modern society on several fronts but residential solar power users are where it has gained the greatest penetration. These folks are by and large forced into the situation by the cost and emission concerns associated with non-renewable energy. Technology-based lifestyle also cannot afford to continue to be at the mercy of power outages and residential solar power provides just the answer.

There are a number of ways to make use of solar power and residential solar power generators are the most popular means. The concept is straightforward and powerful. Sunlight energy is simply harnessed through solar panels and converted to electrical power by the circuitry in the power generators. They are then wired onto the mains of the house for consumption and also possibly interconnected to the grid where excess electricity produced can be sold.

It's safe to say that most homes can benefit from having a residential solar power generator but a feasibility study is recommended to determine for sure. If you want to make solar power at home, the foremost factors are sunlight and neighbors followed by orientation, structure and shading of the house. Be sure that the solar panels are able to access sufficient sunlight without running foul of local ordinances or neighborhood covenants. On the plus side, net metering by the grid supplier and tax incentives by the state are commonplace nowadays.

Although solar power can generally supplant the grid-supply, most households employ it as a complement or backup. Its primacy in powering the home is an individual matter of comfort and preference which can best be determined by actually trying it out. Small-scale residential solar power generators are very affordable nowadays or they can even be built from scratch by DIY (do-it-yourself). Guides and handbooks are abundantly retailed on the internet and those who are handy can save more money than they spend.

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Installing tile is an expensive option compared with other forms of decor. It is important you know how to lay tile. You certainly do not want to make these mistakes.

1 Not Planning Tile Layout

Result: too many tile cuts

Solution: plan where any pattern, border or accent tiles will go before you start tiling. An important element of knowing how to lay tile is being able to visualize the finished tile effect.

2 Incorrect Tiling Base

Result: loose tiles, cracks

Solution: Fill in any cracks with appropriate filler. Hammer down any protruding nails. Remove any glue or cement residue with a blade scraper. Thoroughly clean the surface. Cement is by far the best base for laying tile. Cement backboard is excellent for wooden floors, walls and counter tops.

3 Not reviewing work at regular intervals

Result: poorly laid tile or grout errors that are very difficult to correct

Solution: Inspect your handiwork every 15 minutes. It's easier to rectify mistakes before tile or grout has set.

4 Using The Wrong Adhesive

Result: tiles come loose, water seepage, cracks in tile

Solution: Choose an adhesive suitable for the use of area where you are laying tiles. For example, waterproof for wet areas, flexible additive for floors.

5 Excess Grout

Result: overall appearance of tiles is spoilt

Solution: Use straight edge of grout float at a ninety degree angle to scrape off excess. When grout is dry, clean and polish tile. Grouting tile correctly is essential for a quality finish.

6 Using Wrong Grout

Result:water seepage or cracks over time.

Solution: Use a grout suitable for how tiled area is to be used. Waterproof grout for wet areas, specialist grout for exterior use or food preparation areas.

7 Miscalculating Number Of Tiles Required

Result: You run out of tiles.

Solution: measure the area very carefully. Calculate the number of tiles needed in each pattern/color. Allow extra tiles for awkward shaped areas. Add 15% to allow for mistakes, cuts and spares. Buy all the tiles at the same time. Make sure they come from the same batch to avoid shade variations in the color.

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A pergola gives your home elegance and character. It can also provide an excellent focal point. If you've always wanted to grow a vine but weren't sure where or how, consider growing it on your pergola because climbing plants love the design of a pergola. Hanging baskets also make a great decorative and natural looking addition. It doesn't need to be difficult to learn how to build a pergola.

A pergola can be built in a weekend with two or three people helping. You don't require a lot of materials and the cost is quite small considering the overall effect and value it can add to your home. If you ever decide to sell your home, a pergola will make it look incredibly attractive to prospective buyers.

Knowing how to build a pergola only takes some research and reading. It is a good idea to pick up some home improvement magazines and browse websites which provide pergola building instructions and tips. You can also ask family and tradespeople for tips on building your own pergola. By building it yourself you are saving significant amounts of money compared with paying hundreds of dollars per hour to hire several tradesmen to undertake the job. It can also give you a great sense of accomplishment building it yourself whilst allowing you to maintain complete control over the process from start to finish.

Some materials you will need include cement, foundation tubes, stock of various sizes, anchors for posts, bolts and screws, nails and paint or stain (depending on the material you are using). The main tools required for most pergola building jobs are a hammer or nail gun, drill, wheelbarrow, shovel, tape measure, stakes, ladder, paint brush, table saw and ratchets. You will most likely already own most or all of these tools, meaning there is no added expense.

The basic process of building a pergola include drawing up the layout, laying the foundation, installing posts and headers, painting, cutting cross members, flooring (if you are making a patio) and cross members. The process will vary depending on the size, type and purpose of your pergola but the basic structural process is similar for all types of pergolas.

Once you learn how to build a pergola you will have no trouble completing the project. You might also choose to use your newly found expertise to help friends and family build their own pergolas or even turn it into a side business for some extra weekend income.

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