"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.
WAUKESHA -- A Waukesha couple lost more than $11,000 after a man
agreed to complete home improvement work and instead took their money
and ran.
According to Waukesha police, Thomas Krivitz of
Greenfield agreed to complete the work back in May but after only doing
about six hours of work, he never returned to the house.
Richard Hunn said he hired Krivitz to do some work on his gutters and
deck. They signed a contract that said the work would be finished in 10
business days and Hunn would pay Krivitz in two separate payments.
"After the $6,200 second payment, I never saw him again," Hunn said.
During the course of their investigation, Waukesha police said they learned Krivitz has recently spent $350,000 while gambling.
"It's
a large amount of money," said Waukesha Police Detective Thomas Casey.
"There's no way he could be making that money legitimately so we figure
that is probably from other victims as well."
Police said they know of at least three victims, including Richard Hunn. They hope additional victims will come forward.
"I should have caught it a lot sooner because the guy was just making things up as he went along," Hunn said.
Hunn said he checked references on Krivitz and even looked his company up with the Better Business Bureau.
Police
said his company is called "TK Improvements." While it isn't accredited
with the BBB, it does currently have a B+ rating.
While Hunn said he doesn't think he will get any of his money back, he hopes speaking out will help other victims come forward.
"I'm stuck now trying to find somebody else to finish this job before winter hopefully," Hunn said.
Police said Krivitz now faces a felony Theft by Contractor charge. He's expected back in court at the end of October.
Police
ask anyone with information about Krivitz or who believe they were also
a victim to contact Detective Casey at 262-524-3924.
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