Believe it or not, there are a ton of home renovations going on right now as we speak where the owner and the contractor have NO CONTRACT!!!! You heard that right. And there are even more where there is a contract in place but it’s, well, weak. Over the years and having dealt with every flavor of contractor, I have a compiled a checklist of items you absolutely must have in your contract before your next rehab starts. There are other methods I’m sure, but the bulletproof methods have kept my crews happy and out of court.

Days To Completion- Make sure you have a clause in your contract that states exactly how long a contractor has to complete a job. This avoids dragging a job out longer than agreed upon. If you really want to make this clause ironclad, charge a daily penalty for each day the contractor takes over the contracted completion date.

Itemized Labor And Material Costs- Each of these items should be itemized and broken down into two separate costs as well as put into an agreed upon draw schedule. As far as labor goes, I advise to set this up into either 3 or four initial draws based upon the length of the project. Make the final labor payment due upon your final walk through and passing final inspection. Set total materials cost up into at least 3 draws and make sure to include a clause that states that all unused materials are returned to you.

Warranty- A warranty basically guarantees the contractors work against any defects for a said time period. I always put at least 120 days in a contract. This will come in handy when your property finally goes under contract or lease and the buyer/renters inspection is completed. If any of the work that was completed needs to be corrected, the contractor is obligated to fix all problems without cost to you.

Scope Of Work- This should be a separate document that should be an addendum to your contract. Your scope of work should lay out, in detail, room by room, interior and exterior, exactly what work is to be performed on your property, thoroughly. At the end of this document, both you and the contractor should sign so that all work is agreed upon and there are no disputes during your renovation.

These are the main points that I like to address in any contract with a contractor. These items will cover your butt in most situations. Be as detailed as possible in order to minimize your risks on your next renovation. Lastly, no matter how many jobs you do with a contractor, and no matter how comfortable you are with your contractor, ALWAYS have a signed contract before the job begins. JT

If you are at a time in your life where you feel like you have found the right town or community you want to live in for a while and are prepared to custom build your home, there are some ways to plan and prepare for the quite large task ahead. Here are just a few tips to consider when building your own home.

Many home builder don’t have a clue the first time they build a home. The idea of the project can seem either fun or scary and maybe a bit of both. The details you are going to be dealing with are countless and you will probably be over budget. If you know these things ahead of time, it can make for an easier task. If you think everything is going to be done on time, on budget and without any glitches, you will be sadly disappointed and frustrated. By knowing ahead of time that there will be issues along the way and to prepare for them now, you can save yourself a lot of headaches.

- You will probably go over budget. If you know this now, then plan accordingly. Estimate high and make sure you have enough in your budget for 5-10,000 over the estimate, at least. Even if the builder guarantees the price, there will be issues along the way that will be unexpected or things you may want to upgrade at the time.

- There are way more details then you expected. Think about all the details you may have to deal with. Now double that… and that’s still probably not enough. Details such as trim and molding; paint color and cabinet hardware; fixtures and switch plate covers; door knobs and wall texture. These are many details that home builders don’t consider until the builder asks. Sometimes without proper planning, these items need to be special ordered and it takes longer to finish. Which brings me to the next topic.

- Pay close attention to space. Remember that plans and bone structure of a home does not include furniture or sometimes counters and cabinets. If you think you have enough space remember you may have chairs, counters or other furniture that will take up the space. Will you have enough space to move around once you are actually living in the home.

- It will take longer than expected. Even if the builder gives you a time, certain issues beyond their control can come up. If you change anything along the way such as siding, paint choices, trims pieces or fixtures, they may need to be ordered and this may take time. Building a home is not based one one or even two person’s schedules but many all trying to work together to finish a house. By keeping flexible in your schedule and current living situation, you can finish to as close on time as possible.

- You will probably get frustrated. If you are building a home with your spouse, you will probably get into some heated discussions at some point. Its a long, detailed process with two or more people working closely with each other to pull off the building of a home. If nothing ever goes wrong, it would be a miracle. Just know, you will get through it and it will be wonderful on the other side.

This may seem like a doomed project from the beginning but unless you look at the project realistically, you can end up so frustrated you may never want to move again. These are real issues that you may have to deal with. By knowing them up front, you can plan better and be more prepared when something does come along and throws a wrench into the mix. For more tips on building visit the masters in Kentucky construction. These experts can help manage all your residential construction in Kentucky and also help with Kentucky home loans.

Building a home is everyone’s dream, whether you agree with me or not. At any rate, people dream of owning a home one day, and a stupendous one at that, after all, dreaming is free and there is no limit to it.

Lately, building homes is not just for purposes of having a comfortable place to stay where the entire family can grow and where the kids will have a better place to roam around. Homes are not furnished with priceless items such as antique decors that flew from the east and carpets that had to come from Persia or tapestries that were part of a Brazilian antiquities collection just for visual play. Homes nowadays are an epitome of class and price. Some that command tags that are way above most people’s wildest imaginations.

Consider the estate of the estranged couple Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston that dropped the jaws of many with a $22.5 million price tag. Rumors had it that after the fantasy soured out, the estate was reportedly marketed at $25 million. Hefty, wasn’t it? Think for a moment about Bill Gate’s estate with taxes alone that reached a jaw-dropping $1.063 million dollars! Now that should be one very expensive house. True enough, his house in Lake Washington in Medina, Washington was assessed in 2009 at a whopping $147.5 million. Can it get any better than that? But what is the motivation of homeowners to even think about building homes this massive and this expensive?

Many celebrities who registered with their names houses that shot adrenaline rush into their real estate agents wanted to have homes that could still sell out with tremendous potential when they’d feel that its time to move out. There are variety of reasons why celebrities and those borne with silver spoon would think about moving out despite the almost-heavenly realm their present abodes exude. One is simply because the magic is lost. Just so happens that after all the fantasy the house has lost its luster and the corners can no longer provide the virgin excitement that it used to give, so its time to pack and find something else, much better and grander! Another reason is due to tumultuous events that are synonymous with the home that leaving the dwelling place is the only way to trash all harrowing experiences into oblivion. One common reason is when lovers no longer agree on terms and conditions that selling the house proves to be the best option there is to maintain civility.

So, is trading homes a common thing in today’s society? Look around and you’ll find out that unlike the days of old when grandfather and grandmother would have to ceremonially bequeath the grandiose heirloom to their children in tears of joy, houses now are like gadgets; should there be no more intrinsic value to it, its time to let go! I hope it doesn’t turn out the same with wives and husbands in the next century.

Just because you’re renovating a property sure doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg. Take it from a guy that digs for more cost effective ways to renovate on the daily. From scouring the internet, to calling vendors directly, to spending hours in home improvement stores every week, I’m always digging for deals and so should you. Check out these tips and tricks to save thousands on your next project…

Used Windows- In many instances, when windows need to be replaced on a property, I contact my used window supplier. Most of these windows were replaced by brand new windows but instead of throwing them in a dumpster, the supplier picked them for later use. These windows are tested and re-glazed if needed. In any case they look and perform like brand new windows. Cost is usually $50-$80 as opposed to $140-$180 for a brand new window.

Discounted Tile- Nice tile is really cheap if you dig far enough. One of my favorites is Craigslist. I often find builders or homeowners that purchased too much tile for a project and they have leftover boxes sitting in their garage somewhere. And I’m not talking about the cheap stuff. I’m talking marble, slate, mosaic, you name it. They want to get rid of this stuff fast so negotiating a reduced price is a breeze. I often buy tiles off these guys that retail for $4-$5 a piece for $0.50-$2! Seriously.

Fresh Paint- Paint is hands down, the number one tool a renovator has when it comes to cutting the cost on a renovation. Repainting aluminum siding, interior trim and baseboards, porches etc. can save you thousands of dollars as opposed to replacing these items. You can save about $1,500 by repainting the trim and baseboards on a 1000 square foot home as opposed to replacing them with brand new pieces. On an $8,000 re-siding project you can cut your cost down to about $2,000 by tossing on a new, stylish coat of fresh paint. Take the extra cash and go on vacation why don’t cha!!!!

Refinish Old Harwood Flooring- Many homes have old hardwood underneath the horrid carpeting throughout the house. Rip it up, trash it and refinish those beautiful floors like new for about $1-$1.50 a square foot depending on their condition. A little sanding, staining and clear coat and you just breathed new life into those beat up old floors. Nice!

These few items will save you thousands on renovation costs and as you know every dollar saved can go into picking up MORE properties and making MORE money. That’s the whole point in winning at the game of Monopoly, right?!?! So whether you’re refreshing a rental unit or totally gutting one of your cribs, use these tips to make them look like works of art from Picasso at thrift store prices. Go get ‘em…

The City of Angels, Los Angeles is a city famous for its diverse and unique architecture. The birthplace of exciting and varied Architecture, Los Angeles is home to the bizarre, the sublime, the historic and even the grand as people find themselves spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury homes. The case is somewhat similar when it comes to the Hollywood Hills. There is rarely an experience that surpasses that of living in the Hollywood Hills in a bungalow made on specific architectural guidelines especially for you. The best part is that apart from the star studded celebrity neighborhood of Sunset Boulevard, you may find it extremely comfortable as a place to stay in such a place simply because of the amenities that are available in these homes. These amenities can start from your own swimming pool to advanced security systems and services of the best quality all around you. Add to all that a wonderful view from your terrace and what you have is something close to paradise if not paradise itself.

The most basic idea which comes with owning an architectural home in Hollywood hills is that you are successful. Without a doubt these pieces of property are expensive. Most of these houses are just two or three stories high however their finish is of the highest quality. These homes are sometimes ancient in nature dating back to as long as the 1920′s at times. These are the homes which have been renovated from time to time however their basic architectural design remains the same. The homes are now fitted with the latest tools and gadgets that make your home experience a pleasant one with a lot of comfort involved. Several houses are made with a wooden floor finish or are made with wooden beams to give it an archaic touch.

Just because these houses are old doesn’t mean they are rundown or cheap. A house on the Hollywood Hills can cost you anything like $800,000 to $ 2-3 million depending on your tastes. However if you want to buy something to feel the comfort of your successful story of life then buying a Hollywood Hill architectural home is something that would be highly recommended. You could choose locations from the likes of Brier Drive, Argyle Avenue, Taft Avenue and a dozen other wonderful locations in Hollywood.

Now the question is how do you get someone to show you one? Well the answer is simple really. There are plenty of agents out there who would be able to get you a piece of privileged realty from Hollywood in a matter of days. They can be found in something as mundane as a Yellow Pages book or on the internet. All you need to do is use the search engine of your choice and surf away. A few clicks here and there and who knows? In a matter of days you might just end up sipping tea from the terrace right next to Megan Fox’s very own bungalow in Hollywood!

There is no secret about the cost of modular homes. These homes cost a lot less than those which are built on the sites. Although it will take you quite a lot of money to buy the modular homes they cost around 30 per cent less than the usual traditional homes. But then when you buy these homes you have to make sure that you keep everything in mind when you compare these with the traditional ones. Keep the footage, the amount of bathrooms and so on, on your list for comparison.

The amount of money which you save out on basically depends on the type of modular home which you decide to buy; also it depends on if it is being created or if it is being assembled. If you find that you are getting a deal on a home like this which is almost too good to believe then you should probably take a closer look at it.

Now conventionally you have to keep in mind that the cost of a modular home per square feet is going to be around 5 to 25 per cent less than of the traditional homes. But then don’t mix up the manufactured homes with the modular ones. The modular homes can be customized very easily. Although they give out the same kind of luxury as well as warmth that the conventionally built homes give it, they can be customized according to your choice.

A lot of homeowners are very overwhelmed by the low cost of the homes. But then it would be best if you went over the entire fine print. After all you don’t want to be tricked into buying something which might just look like an amazing bargain but isn’t worth it.

So make sure that you go over every single detail which is necessary. If you have a planned and a controlled construction then you will find that the costs wont escalate that much. Sometimes if the site preparation as well as the construction are carried out in a simultaneous way then the building time will get reduced. Also the interest payments also will record a bit of a downfall.

Now the modular homes promise a quality which is unrivaled and also the speed of the construction is remarkable. But then if you plan on getting huge discounts from the manufacturers then you will be disappointed badly. A lot of builders actually offer homes at prices which are going to make you very happy but then you have to make sure that you read all of their documents carefully and that you don’t fall pray to their false prices.

But if you think that a modular home will be good for you and that you have gone through all of the paper work and you are getting a good price for it. Then you should probably go ahead and purchase one since they really are cheaper than the traditional built homes.

Drywall brought in from China and commonly known to as “Chinese drywall” is creating quite a stir. But I also discovered from my own office manager that no less than 9 various countries- including the USA – ended up actually making faulty drywall and US builders were purchasing and importing them into the United States. So although individuals’ drywall are recognized as Chinese drywall, I prefer to call them defective drywall instead.

Defective drywall was imported to the United States in massive amounts in the course of the housing boom between 2004 and 2008. It appears that when the importation of defective drywall first started, nobody realized how many issues it would trigger. I challenge builders to open the doors of their imported containers full of Chinese drywall and not detect the smell. That alone should have raised a red flag!

Over time those drywall begins to emit toxic fumes and odors that smell like rotten eggs. As if the smell isn’t bad enough, a lot of people have turned out to be ill from chemicals found in drywall from those nations and houses themselves are falling apart with the defective drywall. For example, copper plumbing are corroding and appliances are breaking down, all consequently of your defective drywall.

Determined homeowners have submitted claims regarding the complications associated with defective drywall with their insurance agencies only to find that the issues of defective materials employed in construction will not be covered in their policies.

To add insult to injury, the insurance policies on properties constructed with defective drywall are then canceled, especially here in Cape Coral. To complicate matters further, other insurance agencies don’t want to sell policies on properties built with defective drywall, so desperate residence owners are left without insurance coverage on their properties. Since it is needed to have insurance on houses that are not completely paid for, this puts property owners in a real emergency and some of them even lose their homes simply because of this situation.

The number of properties with these drywall in Cape Coral is huge. This is due to the fact that, between 2002 and 2006, Cape Coral was an under developed area where people from south and north Florida came to buy cheap land, build on it quick and flip those properties. They use their own home equity to do so. What happened is builders were quickly sold out with drywall, making them to look elsewhere for that product, coming most of the time from foreign countries back then.

Replacing defective drywall may perhaps seem to be the main remedy to this difficulty, however such a solution is neither inexpensive nor straightforward. Depending on the size and development of the household, the two quotes I got from a contractor ended up roughly around $20,000 for each 1,000 s/f of home. Not only these drywall need to be replaced but the isolation also should be replaced. Plus, all copper pipes and electric wired have to be fixed too.

Most with the households that possess defective drywall had been built in Florida, but other states, including Colorado, had been also produced with those same drywall. Right here, in Cape Coral, whenever I show a few homes to prospective buyers, I get a lots of concerns to address in regards of defective drywall. I hope the public will find their questions answered here.

Would you believe that there was once a time when it was the norm for people to build their own homes? That’s right, and quite often an entire extended family would get involved in the project, or neighbors would share labor. They would take turns helping one another with their barns, outbuildings, and homes.

It’s the same with a lot of things that people are getting back to doing themselves again, although self build homes do tend to be among the more labor intensive of all of them. Even so, now that they come in kits, the task of completing this type of project is made far less complicated.

You see, if a home building project is looked at in its entirety, it can seem like a far more daunting task than it actually is. Yes it is a labor intensive job, but if one isn’t afraid of the word “labor”, it can be very rewarding. Just the same though, once you understand that home building is really a series of interconnected smaller projects, it becomes a far more realistic goal.

In fact what most first time home builder find, is that the cement foundation is actually the biggest of all the interconnected tasks. Digging the footings, and setting the forms can take up to three weeks and there’s little margin for error. Then there is “pour day”, which many first timers tend to recall as “hell day”.

The nice thing about the next stage after the foundation has cured for a couple of days, and the forms stripped off, is that one of the advantages of a self build home is that walls come pre-framed. This means that all the windows and doors are precisely where they should be, and it’s just a matter of locating, and standing them.

The next project after wall standing is bolting them to the foundation, bracing them off, and then it’s on to setting, or what carpenters refer to as “rolling” the ceiling joists. Once again, the advantage of a self build home is that all the joists are pre-cut to length and they come with a map, so there’s no confusion as to where they all go.

After the ceiling joists are all set, and nailed in place then it’s time to sheet the second floor with OSB, “oriented strand board”, or plywood. Now this is a pretty straight forward task, but it’s important that you remember to leave 1 ½ inches of overhang at the top of the stairwell when you trim off the edges.

Once that’s done then it’s time to set the top floor walls in place, brace them off and get ready to stack the roof trusses. Now if you have never walked on top plate on a two story home to set roof trusses in place, then you will be well served if you take an afternoon off to rig up some temporary scaffolding. Then it’s just a matter of nailing the trusses in place, sheeting the roof, and your frame is done.

We all would love to live in a home of our choice and design but unfortunately sometimes we just can’t afford to live in our dream homes. Seldom do our incomes exactly match our ambitious intentions for satisfying our hopes and dreams. Some of us have very few options due to a low income and lack of suitable information.

Have you realized that most people will not even have enough money to retire on? With that being said, even people of low income can have a house to call their own.

Don’t lose hope, lose the mortgage and build your own home with plans for small inexpensive house designs and your own resourceful nature. Not only would you be owner of your home, but also have powerful financial leverage at your disposal.

Building your own inexpensive small house is not as difficult as you may think. You can easily find plans for small inexpensive house designs,begin building your own cheaper home and pay no more mortgage.

Sounds great, right! Wondering how you’ll manage it?

The task of building your own small inexpensive house may seem challenging, but think of how rewarding it would be to actually do it. Because you can, in fact, build a small house without a mortgage. There are whole communities of people doing that very thing.

Explore simple small house plans, especially if this is going to be your first home. Remember, the simpler the design, the more creativity you engage, the broader your ideas for building materials and resources, the less costly your brand new small house will be to build.

The savings in monthly expenses alone is enough to make you want to start building your own house. Very small house plans significantly reduce your environmental footprint, as do the plans for small inexpensive houses. Imagine your electricity bill between $30 and $60 every month, or use solar panels (and follow the DIY [do-it-yourself] solar plans method) to eliminate and even turn a profit from the electric company. Yes, they will buy energy from you.

You won’t even owe a monthly mortgage when you build it yourself. If you decide to build your own inexpensive small house without the help of contractors, you own more than half the house because of the savings in labor cost. You are now able to borrow against the equity. Imagine tens of thousands of dollars available to you for whatever reason regardless of your employment or credit worthiness. You’re now able to open a revolving equity line of credit with low interest and a long pay-off schedule. This is a good security blanket if times get tough.

With the worldwide economy the way it is, the average used home price in America alone is around $250, 000. That’s astounding once you factor in payments and bills for mortgage, utilities, property taxes, fees and regulations over 30 years. Your home should enhance your lifestyle, not make you want to run from it. It should be a financial relief, not a financial burden. How it should be is how it could be if you take the time to consider building your own home and take a look at simple small house plans.