Kitchen design should be both comfortable and practical.

Kitchen design should be both comfortable and practical.


Kitchen layout, organization and storage determine how comfortable the space feels and whether the workflow is effective for the homeowner’s lifestyle. Lighting in the kitchen is especially important, from how the overhead adds the ambiance that you want, to the task lights that make your job easier. Is your kitchen the hub of family activity, a place where you spend hours preparing gourmet meals, or just a convenience as you grab and go? Determining your lifestyle needs will help with the overall design of your kitchen including color, storage, ease of care, durability, counter space, and selection of appliances.

Choosing a Kitchen and Bath Contractor

Choosing a Kitchen and Bath Contractor:  Whether it's a bathroom or kitchen remodel, renovation, upgrade or repair, an experienced contractor will make all the difference. Consider what you will be needing - cabinets, countertops, new plumbing, new fixtures, floor coverings, lighting, electrical updates, new paint, tile or stonework. Using a remodeling contractor that can make it all happen on time and on budget, while considering the need for permits, floor plans, upgrades to current codes, and help you select the right materials for your bath or kitchen, will make your whole project a better experience. Interview and get bids from multiple contractors -  not only comparing prices and materials, but make sure the contractor you select is someone you feel comfortable working with over a period of time and having in your home. 

Quick Tip: Kitchens and baths are hubs of the home. Be prepared to work around the construction process including times when the power or water may be shut off.

http://www.responsiblecontractors.com/kitchen_bath_contractor.html

Siding for the Average Homeowner

Are you thinking about replacing the siding of your home? Siding beautifies the home as well as protects it from the elements. It’s important to do your research in order to choose the right siding for your home. Fortunately, there are many options available and price ranges that can fit any homeowner’s needs. 

Low Cost Siding: Aluminum and vinyl siding are inexpensive to install and look about the same. Aluminum siding requires more upkeep.
Moderate Cost Siding: Wood siding is easy to install, affordable and beautiful. Keep in mind the upkeep and maintenance is more than most other types of siding and costs more over time. Fiber-cement siding, often known by the brand name Hardie board, is made of wood fibers mixed with sand and cement. It can withstand harsh weather like hail and holds paint years longer than other types of siding. Fiber-cement has a reputation of being durable with little maintenance and homeowners can paint it to change the look of their home. Stucco is also affordable and durable and where it is popular it’s easy to find a reputable company who knows how to install it. Areas where stucco is rarely used may make your home too unique for the neighborhood, which can impact resale value and it may be hard to find a company that knows how to install it.
High Cost Siding: Brick is considered one of the most durable, holding up almost indefinitely and gives any home a classic traditional look. Because it’s costly, some homeowners choose to use a combination of brick and another type of siding or a brick veneer. Stone is the most durable option, lasting for hundreds of years and gives the home a beautiful bold look. It does require a skilled mason for proper installation.
Green Siding: For those concerned about their impact to the environment, going green is a good option that offers vinyl, wood, brick, stone, stucco and fiber-cement. Materials are made from recycled or repurposed content and offer low impact to the environment, energy efficiency, and durability depending on the material.
Research: Besides doing research on the best siding for your home it’s also important to find a reputable contractor. Make your search easier by going to Responsible Contractors that provides a list of licensed and bonded contractors who do siding. http://www.responsiblecontractors.com/siding_contractor.html

Consumers want contractors they can trust.

Consumers want contractors they can trust. They want a contractor who will give them a fair price, use quality materials, show up on time, complete work on schedule, and stand behind their work. Sounds simple but everyone has heard horror stories about shabby work, poor quality materials, unfinished or never started jobs, and additional unjustified charges.

So how can a homeowner find a qualified contractor? Previous experience or a referral from a trusted friend or neighbor is obviously the best bet but often that's not an option. So then what? In the best of all worlds, a consumer will ask for the contractor's license/ registration number, check out their license status, bonds and insurance, ask for references, call and verify the references, ask to see samples of the contractors work and materials to be used, require warranties, etc. But it's not a perfect world and many people have limited time and resources.

And there are sooo.. many types of contractors requiring different types and levels of skills: additions, bath and kitchen remodelers, cabinets, concrete foundations and flat work, counter tops, custom homes, decks, patios, duct cleaning, drain cleaning, electrical, fences, floor coverings, handyman, heating & cooling, insulation, painting, plumbing, general remodeling and renovation, roofing, tile, stone, siding, storage sheds, tree services, windows & doors, and window coverings to name a few.

Real world scenario - people search on line. But anyone can pay for a website, ad, directory listing or referrals. And many of the companies that would have you believe you can trust the contractors on their sites have rigged the system so that the contractors who have paid the most get the best ranking or get the top listings.

The other concern today is privacy. Most online referral companies want some kind of personal information from you. No one wants to get added to another email or phone list, but even if your information is kept private, how secure is it? It becomes more of an issue if you pay for the service and give out your credit card information.

At Responsible Contractors, we are trying to create a win-win for consumers and qualified contractors. It is a open resource directory where consumers can search for free without providing any personal information and find contractors that are licensed, bonded, insured with verified references of at least three satisfied customers. Qualified contractors who have completed the application process, benefit by getting calls from consumers who have serious interest in their services. Contractors are listed alphabetically in their specialty, city, and county areas.

http://www.ResponsibleContractors.com is a starting point, not a promise or a guarantee. Every project is different. Consumers should always verify that all information is current, the contractor is licensed to perform the job they are hired for, and work to be performed and materials to be used are in writing. Be a responsible consumer and use responsible contractors!