We all want to save money these days and do-it-yourself home remodeling can save a lot, however, the savings can come at a significant cost in time, frustration and aggravation. It is no surprise that substandard quality materials don't perform or last as long as their high quality counterparts. As is often the case with home improvements, it is better to spend a little more to do it once, do it right and never have to worry about it again. Working with a quality company known for its service can prove to be a blessing if/when problems arise.
In her expose on Home Depot, Katy McColl outlines five product categories to stay away from at Home Depot: specifically basic hardware items, major appliances, doors/windows/trim, kitchen cabinets, and cleaning products. Following are a few key issues she cited.
"The retail giant is known among contractors as the place where you'll get the lowest price but sometimes the worst service".
"And unlike Home Depot, local dealers service what they
sell — instead of pawning you off to a manufacturer's 800 number".
She quotes Larry Roland as saying "fixing problems takes longer at Home Depot because
"you never speak to the same person twice,"
Julie
Carlson, editor-in-chief of the influential decor and renovation site
Remodelista.com. On a recent visit to her local Home Depot in the Bay Area,
Carlson found the design of the kitchen storage
units particularly depressing, describing them as "cheap stuff trying to
look like hand-carved, baronial cabinets."
Click the following link to read the entire article:
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505144_162-57247997/what-not-to-buy-at-home-depot/?tag=mwuser
"Your home is your castle." "There's no place like home." "Home is where the heart is." "Make a house into a home." We have all heard these and countless other adages about the bond between an individual and their dwelling. It doesn't matter if we are describing a mobile home or a mansion, a quaint cottage or sprawling estate. For most people, their home is among their largest investments. Even in a tough economy with rampant foreclosures, a house is also one of the best ways to build wealth over time. Equity comes from paying down debt, as well as increasing the value of the property. And just as a high tide raises all boats (that are in the water), an improving market elevates the vast majority of housing values. Of course, a poorly maintained, leaking boat will struggle to stay above the tides and the same can be said of a poorly maintained house.
This blog will delve into some off the many systems that comprise a house (roofing, ventilation, HVAC, insulation, windows, entry systems, flooring, kitchen and bath). We will discuss what it takes to keep these systems functioning properly, how to maintain them, and what to look for when replacing or upgrading them.
Home improvement is a scary business. Cutting corners to save a few bucks may end up costing you dearly in aggravation, legal entanglements, premature system failure and subsequent replacement. Unpaid subcontractors can place a lien on your home, even if you paid the entire amount of the contract. Does the contractor carry insurance? The Yellow Pages ad may say so, but those claims are never verified. A worker getting injured on the job potentially places the home-owner at risk of liability. "Lifetime" warranties are only as strong as the company that backs them up. With nearly 70% of contractors going under within 7 years, who do you go after if/when something goes wrong? Buried deep in the fine print, it is all-too common to find clauses nullifying warranty protection if installation is not in accordance with manufacturer specifications. How does an unsuspecting homeowner know if the installation is done properly and in accordance with those specifications?
This blog will help to expose the issues that can turn a home improvement project into a nightmare. Knowing how to protect yourself should provide some much needed peace of mind.
This blog will delve into some off the many systems that comprise a house (roofing, ventilation, HVAC, insulation, windows, entry systems, flooring, kitchen and bath). We will discuss what it takes to keep these systems functioning properly, how to maintain them, and what to look for when replacing or upgrading them.
Home improvement is a scary business. Cutting corners to save a few bucks may end up costing you dearly in aggravation, legal entanglements, premature system failure and subsequent replacement. Unpaid subcontractors can place a lien on your home, even if you paid the entire amount of the contract. Does the contractor carry insurance? The Yellow Pages ad may say so, but those claims are never verified. A worker getting injured on the job potentially places the home-owner at risk of liability. "Lifetime" warranties are only as strong as the company that backs them up. With nearly 70% of contractors going under within 7 years, who do you go after if/when something goes wrong? Buried deep in the fine print, it is all-too common to find clauses nullifying warranty protection if installation is not in accordance with manufacturer specifications. How does an unsuspecting homeowner know if the installation is done properly and in accordance with those specifications?
This blog will help to expose the issues that can turn a home improvement project into a nightmare. Knowing how to protect yourself should provide some much needed peace of mind.
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