Archive for the ‘Renovations Vancouver’ Category

When you hire a contractor for new construction or a re-fit of some sort you should check their work once completed. It is not common but city inspectors have been known to overlook public safety concerns in the building inspection process.

Here are Five Steps You Should  Know About When Hiring a Contractor

1 – Hire a contractor who has been a long time and has good references.

2 – Do some research on plumbing, electrical, and building codes so that you can recognize if someone is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

3 – Take pictures of the work and mark items such as sanitary sewer line and storm sewer. Make sure the connected ends are marked with the same.

4 – Write down any problems you have in a notebook, so you can ask the contractor and the inspector about your concerns. Do not be afraid to ask too many questions. A good contractor will take the time to answer your questions.

5 – Always check to see if the inspector looks at all the important points that you learned during your research so you can ask any other questions that may come up.

Remember

Even if a house has been inspected and the contractor goes bankrupt, it is the homeowner who gets stuck with the cost of repairs. Spend a few hours doing your homework. By doing so you could possibly save yourself thousands of dollars in the long run.

For a local Vancouver Plumber call Mr Rooter – 604.736.9200

When looking for plumbers in Vancouver there are a lot of choices when you go online these days. It used to be that you could ask a friend and they would know someone who could recommend a good plumber.

Our world may be shrinking, but our neighbors seem to be further away sometimes. One thing that has been helpful lately are those business sites with reviews. Nowadays you can look around a number of places like the Maps area and Google Places to see what other people are saying about companies in the service industry.

A few good reviews sites are N49, Yelp and 4Square.  Those guys have gone overboard to find ways for you to leave your opinion on a contractor who worked for you in some capacity.

If you need a plumber in a hurry, or just looking around for a reliable plumbing contractor Mr Rooter in Vancouver is a good pick. They’ve got an A+ rating at the BBB and specialize in plumbing emergencies.

Mr. Rooter Plumbers Vancouver contact information:  604.736.9200

Count on our experienced painters to bring your decorating vision to life. We pride ourselves on delivering professional results without hassle or disruption.

Painting Contractors Vancouver

Focus on precision is the reason Heritage Painting & Decorating has grown so quickly on the Vancouver house painting scene. Whether the work needed is on your Heritage home, renovations or new construction… we Guarantee Results for up to 5 Years.

You might describe painting Vancouver homes as a commercial art form we take seriously. We feel the way your home is painted reflects your artistic values to a certain degree, so we’re particular about recommending the styles we do. As a Vancouver painter who cares we specialize in painting Heritage homes, but don’t let that stop you from calling if you just need the deck done.

When the concern is quality you’ll love the work we do. Feel free to call about any professional painting job you have in mind.

Count on our experienced painters to bring your decorating vision to life. We pride ourselves on delivering professional results without hassle or disruption. We use quality products and the best equipment, so you’re sure to be pleased with the results, – whether we paint one room or your entire home. Call for your free estimate today.

DIY Home Insulation Tips:

If you’re thinking about saving money on your heat bill this winter, here’s a 5-step Energy Audit:

1. Take a walk around the exterior of your house and check for cracks around windows and doors where cold air can come in. Also examine brick work, stucco, siding and the foundation for any gaps. And be sure to check around gas and electric lines and plumbing, too.

2. Your next step is to get to the hardware store to purchase weather stripping, caulk and foam. The money you save on energy will be well worth the small price you pay for these materials. Then take your check list and plug those cracks and install the weather stripping. It shouldn’t take more than a couple hours depending on the amount of cracks and the size of your home.

3. Do a similar inside audit, check for air infiltration around windows, doors and switch plates on outside walls. To find air leaks use a piece of tissue on a tooth pick or an incense stick. Air coming in will make the tissue flag wave or disperse the incense smoke. Temporary caulking can be used around windows and then removed in the spring. Foam inserts behind switch plates will eliminate that infiltration problem (be sure power to switch plates is turned off when adding insulation).

4. Take your Energy Audit into the basement, attic or crawl space. Since insulation gets compacted over the years, add insulation to keep the heat from escaping. Check vents and duct work for leaks or separation.

5. Turn off the water supply to outside faucets, and even cover them with insulating material. Water damage caused by broken pipes can result in untimely, expensive repairs.

For more great tips about home renovations Vancouver, read the complete article here… http://www.homerenovationguide.com/articles/do-it-yourself-home-winterization-tips