Lisa Arnett asked:
Mar 30, 2020
There are a lot of companies out there that will try and spin why certain cover products are better than others. No cover product out there is 100% maintanence free. And depending on how your roof line is designed a cover may not work at all. I.E. Cut up/ short gutter runs and inside corners.
Any cover that messes with the last layer of shingles stay far far away from. Lifting the first layer of shingles can only potential do more harm to your roof than good.
My professional opinion, install some sort of metal screen that locks into the lip of your gutter and clean them annually or bi-annually depending where you live and if your surrounded by mature trees. Installing screens will eliminate the amount of cleaning done per year.
There are several options you might select to create a "usable" outdoor area for you, family and friends.
1) Have a concrete pad poured to extend the current pad you have or to create a new one. These are durable and last decades with the minor issue of possible cracking.
2) Create a backyard stone pad. Stone pads look great and don't have the cracking issues of concrete pads.
3) If cost is a major issue, create a pebble or gravel area. Although it's not the best idea to walk on barefooted, it does create a flat area for a picnic table or beach chairs for example.
4) A gazebo is a wonderful way to create a sitting area outside that that doesn't have a patio. It also creates shade and is quite eye pleasing.
5) A wood or composite deck can create a great outdoor area and it doesn't necessarily have to be attached to your home.
Once you chose your method of backyard area, accent it with solar or electric lights, sun shades, furniture, plants and yard art to make it trully yours and to add character to your outdoor living space!
Get with a local solar company and have them look at your plans. You may be building a home that cannot work with solar due to your roof pitch, orientation or shade. Let them give you a site assessment and run the financials based on your available incentives. You can look them up here: http://dsireusa.org/
With a lump sum contract, all the risk is placed on your contractor. If you want assurance, a lump sump contract with a professional remodeler will give you a guaranteed price... but be sure you have a clear understanding of change orders and hidden condition clauses in the contract, as well as finding out if any allowances are realistic. Cost plus, you take on all the risk. Everything is billable, and the contractor has no risk for this. In return, you might be charged a lower markup. So if you are willing to take on some risk or if you have a highly evolving project, a cost plus contract might help you. You must have a clear discussion of maximum price and be prepared for price escalation, though. Any other question on the subject?
Ask for references of their Clients who worked with the architect in the past year on a project similar to what you're planning.
Ask for a copy of their contract
Who owns the plans and specifications?
Ask to visit a project that is in process
How long have they been in business?
Who will be our main point of contact? and then ask to meet the individual
Dennis D. Gehman, Master Certifed Remodeler (MCR)
President
Gehman Design Remodeling
PA297
RetroFoam
PA120258
Office 215-513-0300
Most likely it is a GFCI outlet which esssentially means the circut has been blown at the outlet. This usually happens if a drop of water or a hard bump occured within the circuit. If this is the case then there should be a"reset" button that you can push and the light should stop blinking and the outlet will work again. If there is no "reset" button or you aren't sure what to do then call a licensed electrician.
A change order is written (or at least should be) any time there is a 'change' in the original scope of work for your project. It documents this 'change' and any additional cost (or credit) that you as the homeowner may incur. For example: your contract clearly specifies that you have selected laminate countertops for your kitchen, but shortly after the contractors begin demolishing your existing kitchen you decide you want to upgrade to quartz countertops. The contractor will write a change order specifying this change and what the additional amount will be. If you accept, both parties sign the document and each gets a copy. It now becomes a legal addition to your contract. Probably the most common causes of a change order are 1) when hidden conditions are found after the contractors have peformed the demolition phase (defects in the structure or previous workmanship in your home, dicovery of hazardous materials, etc.) and 2) because the written scope of work is vague or there simply is no written scope of work. The scope of work should be extremely detailed listing makes, model numbers, colors and finishes, door styles, etc. as well as the specific tasks to be performed. The more detailed the better. You want to make sure that both parties understand exactly what is to be done (and sometimes what is NOT going to be done) and what materials are going to be included. The best way to avoid change orders is to select a company to work with that is vastly experienced and specializes in the kind of work that you want done. There will be far less chance that they will be "surprised" when they begin constructing your project. Have a detailed scope of work and working drawings or prints that each party clearly understands and signs before the project begins. In a perfect world, if you don't change your mind during construction, there shouldn't be any change orders. A rule of thumb that I suggest to homeowners is to leave about 10% of the contract amount for contingencies. If your maximum budget is $40,000., don't sign a contract for $40,000. That leaves you no way to accomodate any change orders; whether they're for hidden conditions or, more likely, you decide to add or upgrade something to the project. Your human nature will have a tendency to do this. If, after seeing your project start to come together, you decide that a little addition here and there would now be the perfect compliment to bring your kitchen to another level, you will have set aside a little extra money to be able to do that.
I have yet to survey a home that didn't need additional insulation and more importantly....air sealing.
While HVAC systems are typically older in most homes that we audit, every home that I have ever been in leaks too much air and much, much more than is required.
Air Sealing and Insulation would be #1 and #2 on my list. After that, items like HVAC and windows will jockey for position depending on the condition of both.
How will they integrate design, selections, and construction?
What is their track record for being able to design a project that meets a target construction budget, and actually complete the construction project?
How do they help to ensure that the project ends up on time, on budget, and as beautiful as imagined?
Hey Scott,
I would say the best course of action would be to contact a certified mold remediation company and set up an inspection to determine if mold is present, because you never know what kind of mold it may be and it's better to be safe than sorry!
Hope this helps!
Eric Consuegra, Arocon Roofing and Construction, LLC
Hey Michael,
Here's a quick guide to show your the pros and cons of having asphalt roof shingles applied over your existing roof:
