I thought this was a good article for those people considering a home renovation and/or a kitchen remodel.  Its a good start for preparing yourself for a home renovation project and hiring a general contractor.

http://articlesdoor.com/home-remodeling-contractor/how-kitchen-remodeling-can-enhance-your-home.html

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Did you know contracts are just as important for the customer as they are for Seattle General Contractors?

Most people expect to sign a contract when hiring a Seattle General Contractor for construction services.  Most people also think that the contract is between you and the Seattle General Contractors you hired.  That much is true but what most people don’t realize is that the same contract ties you to the sub contractors that work on your project weather it be commercial or residential construction.

Seattle General Contractors should have agreements in place with building partners.

All Seattle General Contractors should have contracts or agreements in place with their sub contractors that protect their clients.  Without an agreement the door is left open for mayhem to ensue if something goes sideways on the project.

Customers that are hiring Seattle General Contractors should in addition to the standard reference check and compatibility concerns also inquire how the Seattle general contractors’ relationship is set up with its subs.  This is important because part of the Seattle General Contractors’ job is to manage the risk of your project.  In order to do this effectively controls need to be placed on the companies the Seattle General Contractor hires on your behalf.  These controls need to be memorialized in an agreement that in a worse case scenario can be defended in court.   Just like the contract you sign with the Seattle General Contractor illuminates and defines the working relationship between you and the Seattle General Contractors, the same is true for the agreement between the Contractor and its subs.

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Very interesting building material.  Finally a good use for styrofoam.  These houses must last forever.

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Video – Seattle General Contractors – basement finishing

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This video of the construction of the Sands resort in Singapore is amazing.  Check it out!

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Seattle Remodeling – Everyone is on a budget

I’ve written about the need to evaluate your budget with a Seattle remodeling contractor in the past and feel it is worth visiting the subject again.  Whether you are using a Seattle architect or interior designer to design a project for you or just doing it on your own you will be well served having a Seattle home remodeling contractor give pricing feedback.  Designers usually have some sense of cost that is limited to order of magnitude.  Most Seattle remodeling contractors will offer their value engineering expertise for free or at a modest cost than can be applied to the construction of your project should you go forward.

Borrowing is tight for Seattle Remodeling

With the ability to borrow money for Seattle remodeling/addition projects getting more difficult it is more imperative than ever to design your project within the constraints of your budget.  It doesn’t do anyone any good to spend the money developing plans with a Seattle architect if the project exceeds what you are willing to spend.  That’s why it is important to get a Seattle remodeling contractor on board early in the design phase to avoid designing outside of your budget.  Too often I run into a home owner that has spent money on plans and permits and then contacts us for a bid on their project.  We develop a budget for the project and the owner is shocked by how much more the project costs compared to their budget.  Basically there are two outcomes that result from this scenario.  The project is abandoned and the design and permit fees are wasted.  Or the project gets effectively redesigned with the help of the Seattle home remodeling contractor which takes time and may require more design and permit fees to fit the owners cost constraints.

Even if you are doing the design work on your own it is still a good idea to align with a Seattle remodeling contractor early in the process.  The Seattle remodeling contractor will have advice to help your self performed design efforts as well as providing cost feedback.

I believe there is great value in employing professional design service such as a Seattle architect  for your home improvement projects.  However that value is lost if it is done in a cost vacuum and your project never goes to construction.  Contacting a reputable Seattle remodeling contractor can help you keep your project on track while rounding out your construction project team.

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EPA LEAD PAINT RULE IS IN AFFECT FOR HOME RENOVATORS / Seattle Remodeling

For those of you that aren’t in the know the EPA has come out with a new rule that affects Seattle remodeling contractors that perform renovation projects on houses built on our before 1978.  In a nut shell the rule stipulates various methods that Seattle remodeling contractors need to follow for dealing with lead based paint in older homes when it is disturbed by construction activities.  It also requires that Seattle remodeling contractors engaging in renovation work of these older homes be certified and have EPA “Certified Renovator” personnel monitor and document the lead clean up.

Seattle Remodeling Contractors need to get EPA certified.

I recently became a “EPA Certified Renovator” by attending an 8 hour training class and passing a multiple choice exam.  The main message of the class is to underline to Seattle general contractors and Seattle remodeling contractors, the health risk lead dust has to children and how sloppy housekeeping by Seattle remodeling contractors can contribute to contamination and put families at risk of exposure to this harmful element.  The class also involves some hands on training setting up containment, testing for lead based paint, cleaning and verifying a clean site before allowing the general public to inhabit it again.

Most Seattle remodeling contractors already know the value of good house keeping and dust control.  With or without lead, nobody wants to live in a cloud of dust over the duration of their Seattle remodeling projects, and being a clean and conscientious Seattle remodeling contractor will get you referrals.  Most good Seattle remodeling contractors already do most of the things the EPA rule asks of the contractor as a matter of good business practice.  So it seems the EPA rule seeks to standardize the methods in which lead based paint is handled and punish the bad actors in our Seattle remodeling  industry that have not and will not deal with it properly.

The new rule will add cost toSeattle remodeling projects in homes older than 1978.  Even though many Seattle remodeling contractors already implement many of the techniques the EPA rule lays out as best practices for dealing with lead based paint in home renovation projects there is still the added cost of:  Seattle remodeling firm certification, employee certification, cost of documentation and document management and storage.  Not to mention the miles of plastic this rule requires Seattle remodeling contractors to use.  The rule is new enough that the insurance industry has not really come down on the cost to insure a EPA Certified Seattle remodeling  firms that will be coming in regular contact with lead based paint.  It’s quite possible that there will be insurance cost implications for Seattle remodeling as well.

The EPA rule is well intentioned in that it seeks to reduce exposure of lead in children where they are most at risk to its effects.  Unfortunately the same bad actors in the home renovation business that do not practice good housekeeping and dust control on their projects will likely not bother to get certified.  These unscrupulous home renovation contractors will ultimately gain an advantage by undercutting the pricing of the above board remodeling contractor.  That is why the only way for this rule to have its desired affect and be fair to the industry is to have rigorous enforcement to keep everyone on an even playing field.

Contact Keever and Associates for your Seattle Remodeling needs.

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Seattle General Contractors – Tenant Improvement

As noted in an earlier post, Magnolia Chiropractic and Massage tenant improvement project has been completed.  Please click the picture above or here to be directed to the picture portfolio for this project.  The office build out turned out very well.  The space is stunningly beautiful and calming simultaneously.  The custom artwork through out the space reflects the work that is being done inside.  I encourage anyone that’s interested to stop in, take a look and meet Dr. Penner.

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Keever and Associates, Inc. a Seattle General Contractor has recently completed a tenant improvement for a Seattle Chiropractic Office.  As the tenant improvement Seattle general contractor for this project we provided services including:  Matching the owner with an appropriate architect for his project, value engineering and turn-key general construction services that met the owner’s dead lines and got his business up and running fast.  You can view pictures of the project by clicking here.  I will be updating later with pictures of the completed construction project.  The art the owner is having installed is worthy of being posted.  Stay tuned to this Seattle general contractors blog.

Keever and Associates, Inc.  Seattle General Contractors – Residential and commercial construction services.

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