What to Know When Hiring a Contractor

Be Cautious of "Cash Up Front" Requirements

Some jobs are simply beyond the scope of the average homeowner. Whether the size is too big, or requires specialized equipment or experience, there are some things that most homeowners need to call in a professional for.

When hiring a contractor, most homeowners find themselves faced with a number of different companies they can choose from. Each of these companies will do nearly everything they can to convince a homeowner that they are the best choice for the job. This may be done trying to convince the homeowner that the company has the best quality work or materials, or that they're the least expensive or even that they can complete a project in the shortest amount of time. While each of these approaches will appeal to different customers there may still be some important things that the homeowner doesn't know, doesn't even know to ask, and may not be volunteered by some contractors.

If you are looking at hiring a contractor for remodeling a room, performing home repairs or doing just about any other work on or around your property, do you know what information you need to know about your contractor?

The first, and perhaps most obvious, question to ask is if the contractor is properly licensed. There are different types of licenses, such as commercial or residential licenses or licenses for specialized types of work as a few examples, and it is important that the contractor has the correct one for your project.

Get quotes from multiple contractors, particularly on large jobs. Be cautious of any contractor who is significantly lower than any others, this can be a sign that the contractor is cutting corners and may not actually be properly insured or keeping all his licenses up to date.

Always get the ROC (Registrar of Contractors) number of the contractor prior to signing any agreement. This will allow you to look up their license online to make sure that it's up to date and see if they've had any complaints against them. Alternately, you can look them up by business name prior to even meeting with them.

Please refer to the ROC website for more information on the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and their consumer tips and information when hiring a contractor as well as a video on hiring a contractor. To get your home renovation or improvement project started with a licensed, bonded and insured contractor in Sierra Vista, Arizona, visit mrfixitsv.com or call Mr. Fix It of Sierra Vista, LLC at 520-227-8194 today!

Six Home Improvements to Increase Property Value

Any time you are thinking of starting a home improvement project it's important to know what kind of return you can expect for it. Some remodeling projects will make your home more enjoyable to live in but will not do much in terms of raising the actual property. This may be absolutely fine if you like your home and have no intention of moving any time soon but if there's even a possibility of the property going on the market it's important to know what kind of return you can expect from the investment.

This reader is looking to get the most bang for their buck:

"I'm planning to move in the next six months or so and I want to make some improvements to my home before I put it on the market, what can I do that will actually let me raise my asking price?"

Here are 6 areas you can look at improving that will show you an increase in property value, actual percentage of return can vary.

6) Deck - Building a deck can be a good home addition. Returns usually range 65%-90% with 73% being a safe amount. This is an improvement that can vary a lot depending on what materials are chosen and the complexity. A nice deck will also provide a good selling point for a home and will help it to stand out.

5) Windows - The addition of energy efficient windows can generate a return of 60%-90% with 80% or 81% being most common depending on the type of window being used. On top of the increase to property value, this is an improvement that will result in a savings in energy costs and may qualify for tax rebates.

4) Adding a room - While the actual addition of a room will add square footage and improve the property value, it can be very expensive and usually results in returns between 50%-83%. However, a more cost effective alternative may be to transform an existing space into a living area. Most common methods for this involve remodeling a basement or attic. If these aren't an option then closing in an attached garage or Arizona room may be a good way to go.

3) Siding - Installation of vinyl siding can show a return as high as 89% - 94%. The highest returns will be seen in cases where the existing siding is very old or there is none. This can be a good time to evaluate your current insulation, adding this as an upgrade can help lower your heating and cooling costs which will improve the long term returns.

A nice kitchen adds value but be careful with high end upgrades.

2) Kitchen - This room is considered to be the home's heart. Improvements here can not only raise the property value but increase the likelihood of the property selling. Return on investment figures estimate that you can recoup 60%-120% of the remodeling costs with a 98% return being very common. As a point of caution though, in most homes, an expensive, high end remodel isn't as likely to get as high of a return as a mid-range one, especially when it doesn't fit with the home or is unusually expensive for the neighborhood. Generally speaking, a modest improvement in this area will give the highest return. Consider updating appliances, adding fresh paint, updating cabinet hardware, replacing old faucets, a new counter top or updating the lighting to get the biggest return for the money you spend and give your kitchen a real "wow" factor.

The best bang for your buck is in the bathroom.

1) Bathroom - Remodeling a bathroom or adding a new one, particularly if your home only has one bathroom, generally provides the highest return on investment. It is estimated that 80%-130% of the costs associated with a project like this can be recouped and 101% is considered a realistic return on many projects. Turning an extra room or other unused space into a new bathroom can take some time and be costly if there aren't water supply lines nearby already so be careful when choosing a location. Improvements that will provide the best return include tile flooring, tile surround for the tub/shower, adding a recessed medicine cabinet with lighting, updating hardware and updating faucets.

While some of these projects, or at least parts of them, can be done by the average home owner. For improvements beyond your ability though it's a good idea to find a skilled general contractor.