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Scott Cloud, Cloud Construction License B481406 Is remodeling the right choice for your home? You’ve owned your home for several years and never really had to do a lot of repairs. You have gotten used to it’s looks, it’s quirks. Your mortgage payments are little, if any. The house looks it’s age. The market has taken a hit the last couple of years and the thought of selling the house, your old friend, and buying a new home, seems a bit daunting. Finding a buyer for your home and qualifying on a loan for a new purchase, for a lot of us, well, that is just not in the cards right now. However, the family is growing, you need more living space or you simply need a change of scene but you like the neighborhood and the good friends that you have made over the years which in itself is irreplaceable. What to do? Remodeling could be an option. An add-on will give you the little extra space and comfort you deservedly need for your expanding family or new endeavors. Maybe it’s time for that new look that you’ve been dreaming of for years. It could be as simple as a new coat of paint or maybe some new windows, doors and moldings. A little bit of TLC can make your home look and feel like new and above all, protect your investment. If, as or when you decide to remodel, remember to use a licensed contractor to perform the work. A licensed contractor will be insured and accountable for the entire project. Unlicensed workers may not be, putting you and your home at risk for any mishaps that may occur, leaving you with little (if any) legal recourse. A General Contractor will coordinate the various trades needed to execute the project according to code, design and plan specifications. They will work with and orchestrate the various trades, i.e., the electrician, the plumber, the cabinet and woodworking professionals, the painters and appliance installers, ensuring that they are there when they are needed and that they do their job correctly and to code. The General Contractor will also verify that the costs and materials that are used are in accordance with budgets and specifications. So maybe remodeling is the answer. Now certainly is the time. After all, this is your Castle. See you next month. Scott Cloud, the owner of Cloud Construction has been a General Contractor since 1985, specializing in residential and commercial new construction and renovations. Call Cloud Construction, License B481406 at (310) 919-7394 for all of your construction needs.
VOICE OF THE VILLAGE ARTICLE DATED AUGUST 1, 2011, TUJUNGA, CA Scott Cloud, Cloud Construction - B481406 CC2
Thanks for welcoming me back into your home. Last issue we discussed the idea of remodeling as opposed to buying or building a new home. Well for now, with the economy the way it is and all, let’s say you have decided to remodel. Great! So let us get started here. First, we need to decide what we want to do and to what extent. The wife would like to have nicer bathrooms with updated tile and fixtures. And let’s not forget about that Jacuzzi tub that you promised her she would get when the remodel came. But wait. While we are at it, let’s remodel the kitchen. Some new cabinets, a new layout with new refrigerator, sink, stove etc… At this point you should call a good General Contractor and discuss with them what your intentions are for your remodel and ask if for what you want to do requires a permit. Most everything does these days including changing out a garbage disposer. Not everything requires a permit however, the contractor or the building department decides if you need a permit. A permit protects you and assures that the work is being done safely and per local building codes. The city will inform you of any requirements for issuing a permit. The first is that you are using a licensed contractor. Next would be to have a plan drawn with all required information on it, i.e., address, plot plan, square footage of remodel, scope of work, quantities etc…This can be done by the owner, (unless structural or engineered specs are required), the contractor or an architectural draftsperson. Now that you have your permit, you will need to call your contractor back and have them give you a bid or proposal of what the total amount would be to complete the project as per plans with inclusions and exclusions written in the bid so you know exactly what you are getting for what you are paying. To be really comprehensive I like to get 3 bids from each trade. That way, if a couple of the bids are real close in price and the third bid is way out there, you know somebody is not pricing it correctly. Have your contractor make up a schedule of values, which itemizes each item of cost on the project. This way you can see what each line item is costing and this will also allow you to “trim the fat” or add to the scope of work as necessary keep the cost of the project within your budget. Well, you have everything in line now to start your project. Enjoy the ride and we will see you next time.
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