Informations
Media, Internet
Business
Sport
property MaintenanceRemember....you get what you pay for! The only way we won't make money in these stocks is if the companies don't make it through this cycle," says Josh Spencer, homebuilding analyst with T. Rowe Price. "It's hard to think the housing market won't recover eventually and that homebuilding stocks won't get back to profitability. written by: Muskoka TradeSource Remember....you get what you pay for! In the last edition, we discussed the process of getting quotes on your project from potential contractors. This time we’re taking it one step further and looking at the importance checking the quality of your contractor – including appropriate insurance coverage, something that is extremely necessary for both the homeowner and those working on the site. Once you’ve narrowed your choices for a contractor down, your next step is to verify the quality of their work and to ensure that they work under proper insurance coverage and ethics. Laurie Campbell of Ed Campbell Construction Ltd. emphasizes the importance of doing some background research into your proposed contractor: “A gentleman’s handshake is no longer all that’s needed to secure a deal; it’s very important to verify the legitimacy and reputation of a company before signing anything.” So talk to friends, neighbours and acquaintances, ask a contractor to see their references, view some of their previous work to check quality, and make sure that the company is a reputable one. Free Classified Ads Canada's free, local classified site. Post your ads for free. Sell or exchange goods and services. www.alboa.ca Be aware, however, that just as you’re doing background work on your prospective contractor, they could be doing the same to you. Some contractors are now doing background checks on clients to verify their reputation when it comes to payment. “Attitudes about payment have changed,” says Campbell. “Both parties need to make sure that a payment schedule has been put into place. Have a discussion and agree on whether payments will be made in regular installments, or if invoices will be made once a month.” In addition, you need to make sure that the company / contractor you hire has all of the required insurance coverage. Says Les Bell, State Farm Insurance Agent, “Always verify that the contractor has the appropriate liability and disability insurance; otherwise, the homeowner is responsible for any damage, loss of hours, injury, etc.” Homeowners need to understand the importance of proper insurance coverage. If, for example, a contractor or one of his workers left some tools at the work site, and a child playing with or around the tools gets injured, one would expect the company to be held responsible. However, if the company isn’t properly insured, the onus is shifted and becomes the responsibility of the homeowner. We offer a wide range of services from wholesale modular sales & installation to a complete turn-key package for both residential or commercial projects. Financing programs are available to qualified buyers. With designers in both our office and at our manufacturer, your project is only limited by your imagination. Insurance coverage doesn’t stop with the contractor. All trades and subtrades hired on by the contractor must also have their own insurance. Not only does everyone involved in working on the project need appropriate coverage, but so does the property. Says Bell, “It’s a common misconception that people don’t insure property during construction. In fact, proper coverage should be in place even before excavation begins.” No matter what size the project is, whether it’s a minor repair, an addition, or the construction of an entire new structure, your insurance company should be aware of it. To find out what your responsibilities as a homeowner are, contact your insurance agent before any work is done and they will inform you of the appropriate coverage needed for the project. You don’t want to be held responsible for any injuries, loss of work time or loss of pay, especially if it’s something that can easily be avoided. “Only employ contractors with proper coverage and make sure you’ve got the necessary coverage on your property,” repeats Bell. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.The Builders London is the principal trade organisation for private sector housebuilders and voice of the home building industry in England and Wales. It is an exciting industry filled with many talented people and organisations, providing sustainable and attractive homes to meet the demands of consumers. Our member firms account for approximately 80% of all new homes built in England and Wales in any one year, and include companies of all sizes, ranging from multi-national household names through regionally based businesses and small local companies. 1. Breeder plans to clone 'genius' fighting bull data: 27.03.08 The Spanish breeder Victoriano del Rio plans to turn to ViaGen, a cloning and genomics company, to clone his prize bull Alcalde. Animal rights activists object to the project. 2. ITV1 clash over children's fare data: 19.03.08 Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, and ITV have clashed over the broadcaster's decision to reduce sharply the children's programming on its terrestrial channel, it... 3. Tennis: Murray battles to win data: 19.03.08 Andy Murray battles past Croatian Ivo Karlovic in the third round of the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells. 4. Olympics: Kluft to skip heptathlon data: 19.03.08 Olympic champion Carolina Kluft will not defend her heptathlon title at the Beijing Games this year. 5. Trial of 8 in alleged plot to down trans-Atlantic flights starts in London data: 07.04.08 The trial of eight Britons accused of plotting to blow up airliners bound for North America began Wednesday with jury selection for a trial that could last up to eight months. 6. More flights canceled as Heathrow remains in chaos data: 07.04.08 British Airways' chief executive offered a public apology for disrupting the travel plans of thousands of people. 7. Researchers discover pre-Edison recording in France data: 07.04.08 They say they have unearthed a recording of the human voice, made by a little-known Frenchman, that predates Edison's invention of the phonograph by nearly two decades. 8. In pictures data: 10.04.08 Anti-Chinese protesters outfoxed in US torch relay 9. Captain Birdseye actor John Hewer dies data: 19.03.08 The actor who starred as Captain Birdseye in the adverts for fish fingers for more than thirty years has died 10. Investigations: Car scam back on the road data: 07.04.08 Does a conman ever change his spots? We only ask because just as George Constanti (below) has one dodgy company shut down by the courts he's busy running a new one. 11. Good Friday! data: 27.03.08 12. Kevin Maguire: Dunce's cap fits like glove data: 10.04.08 Full marks to Education Minister Jim Knight for calmly exposing another headline-grabbing Tory initiative as an examination failure. 13. Writer Arthur C Clarke dies at 90 data: 19.03.08 British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke, author of more than 100 books, dies in Sri Lanka at the age of 90. 14. Kosovo heartens a Hungarian enclave in Romania data: 07.04.08 When Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in February, some ethnic Hungarians in Romania took to the main square to demonstrate in its favor and, by extension, their own aspirations for autonomy. 15. Chaos complicates life for Walsh, chief executive of British Airways data: 07.04.08 The financial year just ended was supposed to mark a turnaround but just when Walsh should have been planning celebrations, he was juggling record fuel prices, economic malaise and Terminal 5 troubles. 16. 'Internet used' to plan city riot data: 07.04.08 Police believe a riot in Londonderry involving up to 100 youths was organised on the internet. 17. Gordon Brown accused of breaking Iraq promise data: 19.03.08 Gordon Brown was accused of breaking his promises on Iraq yesterday as troops were told a force of 4,000 would need to stay in the country until the end of the year. 18. Poland could face EU treaty vote data: 19.03.08 Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk says a referendum may be needed to end a row over the EU Lisbon Treaty. 19. Olympics to 'rebound from crisis' data: 10.04.08 The head of the Olympic committee says the Games will recover from "crisis" after days of anti-Chinese protests. 20. Broken homes creating 'toxic circle' for children data: 19.03.08 The demise of the traditional family is creating a "toxic circle" of school failure, poverty and crime, teachers said yesterday. 21. Racing: Murphy revels in victory data: 07.04.08 Jockey Timmy Murphy says the Grand National victory on board Comply Or Die is the best result of his career. 22. John McCain: Israel's enemies threaten us all data: 19.03.08 The success of Hamas and Hizbollah in the Middle East is not only a danger for Israel, but also a threat to US national interests, said John McCain, the US Republican presidential candidate. 23. Toxic gas 'helps lung patients' data: 19.03.08 A toxic gas could improve the lives of patients with serious lung conditions, say scientists. 24. Motorola divides into two separate companies data: 27.03.08 Motorola's chief executive said he hoped that by spinning off the unprofitable mobile phone unit, the company would have better luck attracting a new chief executive to revive it. 25. Romania reconsiders its welcome of biotech corn data: 27.03.08 The country had been one of the most receptive on a continent skeptical of genetically modified crops, but is moving toward a reversal of its stance. 26. U.S. to cut staff at its embassy in Belarus data: 27.03.08 The United States will cut staff levels at its embassy in Minsk by almost half, bowing to demands from Belarus amid worsening relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said Monday. 27. Heather Mills and Paul McCartney divorce: 'Ridiculous' living expense claims data: 19.03.08 The water thrown at Sir Paul McCartney's lawyer at the end of his acrimonious divorce settlement sounded like a "waterfall", Heather Mills' legal aide has said. 28. Blacksliding on reform is seen in new EU states data: 07.04.08 The European Union's eastward expansion aimed to cement former Communist countries into a bloc committed to pluralism, democracy and good government. But the new members have a tendency to backslide and succumb to "reform fatigue," according to a recent academic study. 29. Retailer Next sees profits up 4% data: 19.03.08 Retailer Next unveils a 4% rise in annual profits, saying it is a good result "in a period of economic slowdown". 30. Mascherano charged with improper conduct data: 27.03.08 Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano was charged with improper conduct by the FA on Wednesday following his refusal to leave the field after being sent off in last Sunday's 3-0 defeat by Manchester United. |