How to Install Kitchen Cabinets – You Can Do That

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Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house. Not only do you rely on it to cook, you do most of your socializing and entertaining in there as well. And one of the first things people notice about a nice kitchen is the cabinets.


kitchen remodeling, kitchen cabinets, cabinets, kitchen

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Copyright 2006 Dennis Watson

Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house. Not only do you rely on it to cook, you do most of your socializing and entertaining in there as well. And one of the first things people notice about a nice kitchen is the cabinets. Not only is it important to have cabinets that are functional and that provide adequate space, they tend to be compared to as a nice peace of furniture. Below I will step you through the steps necessary to install your own cabinets enabling you to feel proud of your accomplishment and saving you a ton of money.

1. First you must remove your old cabinets. Be sure to turn off all electrical breakers and shut off all water valves in the kitchen. Once that is done start removing the old cabinets and cap off water pipes and electrical wires.

2. Remember to always keep your work space clean to prevent accidents. Once the area is clear of all unwanted items use a level and draw a line across the wall parallel to the floor about 3 inches up from the floor. At this point you want to find the high point in the floor and from there measure 34 1/2 inches and draw a level line across the wall to determine where the top of the cabinet base will be.

3. From your 34 1/2-inch line, measure up another 19 1/2 inches and mark a level line across the wall to determine the bottom of the wall cabinets.

4. At this point locate the wall studs, then, mark their locations above and at least 5-6 inches below the mark you’ve made for the bottom of the wall cabinets. Draw some vertical guide lines on the wall between the two horizontal lines to give you guidance when attaching the cabinets. Be sure to place those vertical lines in the center of each stud.

5. To provide a ledge to support your cabinets fasten a temporary 2-by-4 support rail to the wall, aligning the top edge of the 2-by-4 with the line for the bottom edge of the wall cabinets.

6. Install the corner wall cabinet first. Always drill pilot holes to prevent splitting through the cabinet framing support rail and into the wall studs. Do not use nails but instead screw the cabinet to the wall using two to three screws that are long enough to penetrate the studs by at least 1 1/2 inches. During this phase make sure that the cabinet is level and plumb and to adjust the position, back off the screws, and add shims behind the cabinet at stud locations as needed.

7. Next install the adjacent cabinets. Secure each cabinet to its neighbor with a clamp and check it for plumb. Once you have the cabinets aligned properly use screws to attach them together, be sure not to use the shelf-peg holes that you will need for shelves later.

8. Once all the wall cabinets are in place, install the corner and/or end base cabinet. When necessary, use shims to level it and raise it up to the high point of the floor. Once level from front to back and from side to side screw it to the wall studs.

9. Finally place screws through the cabinet back and shims where used into the wall studs. Always trim all excess material from the shims with a sharp utility knife.

That’s it, I know it sounds easy but don’t be fooled it will take some detailed planning on your part and most likely a helping hand from a friend. Good luck with your project.

How To Install Bamboo Flooring

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Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap picnic mats, bamboo is now being processed with modern techniques into beautiful “hardwood” flooring that beats standard wood floors in durability, hardness, and dimensional stability.

An added bonus to these beautiful floors is the knowledge that bamboo, unlike wood, grows quickly and abundantly, reaching maturity in five years or less. Red oak and maple, by comparison, can take decades to mature and then have to be replante…


home care

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Not just food for pandas or the stuff of cheap picnic mats, bamboo is now being processed with modern techniques into beautiful “hardwood” flooring that beats standard wood floors in durability, hardness, and dimensional stability.

An added bonus to these beautiful floors is the knowledge that bamboo, unlike wood, grows quickly and abundantly, reaching maturity in five years or less. Red oak and maple, by comparison, can take decades to mature and then have to be replanted. Clear-cutting of forests also has a negative environmental impact and threatens the planet’s biodiversity.

After harvesting, cutting, processing, and finishing, bamboo flooring installation is not much different from standard hardwood floor installation. The important steps in installation occur before putting in the bamboo floor. First, make sure you buy from a reputable manufacturer who is willing to back up their product with a warranty.

The next step in bamboo flooring installation is making sure the subfloor is dry, clean, and level. Dirty subfloors will not bond well with the adhesive, and subfloors that are not dry will eventually cause rot. If not level, the bamboo flooring will squeak when walked on. If you are competent in home repair and good with your hands, you may be able to complete the bamboo flooring installation on your own. In some cases, with certain types of bamboo flooring, a professional will be needed.

Bamboo flooring may be glued down using a moisture barrier flooring adhesive. After applying the adhesive to the subfloor with a trowel, the bamboo flooring planks should be immediately placed. You may also install bamboo flooring using a nail gun over plywood or particleboard. Once starter rows are secure, subsequent planks should be nailed directly above the tongue at a 45-degree angle to face.

After installing the bamboo flooring, you will care for it in a similar way to hardwood floors; frequent dusting/sweeping, occasionally mopping, and use of wood cleaners. With regular care, bamboo flooring will add a stylish, beautiful component to your home for many years to come.

How to Install a Prehung Door

651


Learn how to install a prehung door. Learn what to look for before you start.
Learn what it takes to get the job done right.


House Plans, homebuilding, home improvement, blueprints, building, contractor, home, construction, house, covenants, subcontractors, home plans

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Hanging a door these days is easier than its ever been. In the days before prehung doors, it took more tools and knowledge to hang a door than it does now.

Imagine getting a door slab, an unassembled door jamb, hinges and door hardware and having to do all the mortising, drilling, rabbeting on site.

No longer do you need an array of tools such as a drill, a mortising jig for hinges, strikes, and bolt plate. No jig for drilling the backset for the doorknob and bolt.

Nowadays all you need is a hammer and hard trim nails or a finish nail gun and some shims.

The first thing you need to do is check the opening you’ll be hanging the door in for the correct size. It should be 2″ bigger than the door size. Even though it’s a rough opening it should be reasonably plumb and square.

If the opening was framed by someone else, you may want to break out your level and framing square and check this also. Drywallers sometimes believe the rough opening was meant for them and will let the drywall run into the opening. If this is the case use a drywall saw or sawzall to cut it back.

Once all the vitals have been checked your ready to hang a door. Prehung doors come assembled a couple different ways. They can be bought with trim already mitered and nailed on to one side and without trim. If there is no trim installed, I like to put it on before I put the door in the opening. The trim is installed on the hinge side.

Most doors open into a room and against a wall. When putting the door into the opening, try to put the door in the center of the opening. The door jamb should be able to move to the left and right in the opening. The gap between the door and jamb on the hinge side is usually about an 1/8″ of an inch. This dictates the gap or space you should have all around the door. Move the door jamb to the left or right until you have that same space at the top. You then nail the trim on the top hinge side and the bottom hinge side. Then nail the strike side on the top making sure you still have an equal space. Nail off the rest of the hinge side with 3 or 4 more nails. The 2 nails already in the top are all I usually put in. Now nail the rest of the strike side starting at the top and working your way down, maintaining the same space as the top and hinge side.

Once the door is nailed into the opening on the inside, it’s time to shim the door jamb. First, pull the door closed to make sure it hits the door stop evenly on the strike side. If it is hitting only at the top pull the hinge side toward you till it hits even. If it hits only at the bottom, push the hinge side jamb away from you till it hits evenly.

Once you get the jamb aligned put shims between the jamb and stud opening, being careful not to bow the jamb into the opening. If need be use a straight edge to keep it straight. I put shims behind every hinge and the strike and also at the top and bottom of the strike side. I nail these shims in with two nails, one on each side of the stop.

The next step is to apply the door casing to the outside of the door. Once this is done, your ready for the door hardware. If everything went right, the bolt should engage the strike plate and the door should fit snuggly against the stops.

(c) 2005 Mike Merisko paving.sawkerfs.paving

How to Increase the Value of Your Home Today

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Everyone wants to make sure that they can sell their house for at least as much as they paid for it. Sometimes, people go to great trouble to fix up their homes to make sure they sell for a good price. People replace windows, roofs, furnaces, even plumbing. These are all costly renovations, and are often unnecessary. There are many small and inexpensive changes you can make to your home that will raise its resale value. Consider these ideas:


home, value, increase, inexpensive, selling, buying, sell, price

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Selling your home can often be a stressful occasion. Everyone wants to make sure that they can sell their house for at least as much as they paid for it. Sometimes, people go to great trouble to fix up their homes to make sure they sell for a good price. People replace windows, roofs, furnaces, even plumbing. These are all costly renovations, and are often unnecessary. There are many small and inexpensive changes you can make to your home that will raise its resale value. Consider these ideas:

Paint every space in your house that you think could use freshening up. If you want a space to look bigger, such as a living room or closet, use a light color, or white. Although painting is time-consuming, it is quite inexpensive, and helps to make a house look new again.

Check out the exterior of your house, including the yard; are there changes you could make here to improve its curb appeal? Paint trim and any steps or railings that look worn out, replace or repaint house numbers and light fixtures, and trim any hedges or bushes in your yard. Keep your grass cut and, even if you don’t have a flower garden, consider buying a pot or hanging basket of flowers to add color to your home’s entrance. You might even want to buy a welcome mat!

The kitchen and bathroom are two rooms you will want to pay special attention to. Make sure they are spotless. Are all of your lights and electrical outlets working? Do you need to add more to make the rooms brighter and more accessible? If you are unable to do these jobs on your own, ask an electrician to do it for you. Although it will cost more, you will know that everything works; also, extra lighting and outlets really do increase the value of a room in the eyes of potential home buyers.

Take a look at the flooring in your home. Are there rips or stains in linoleum or carpet? Are hardwood floors looking dull? Have all of your carpets cleaned. You can rent a carpet cleaner for a good price from a local home hardware or grocery store. If your carpet is damaged, you may be able to patch it if the spot is small. Linoleum is quite inexpensive, and easy to install. Clean and polish all hardwood floors.

Finally, before potential home buyers arrive to look through your house, add the finishing touches. Put fresh towels in the bathrooms and kitchen. Tidy closets, and make sure no newspapers or bills are lying out. Wipe down counters. Light a candle or two and put on some quiet music. Make sure all pets are out of the way. By following these tips, your home will be sold before you know it, and the selling price will put a smile on your face!

How To Hire The Right Carpenter For The Job

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A carpenter is a person who creates objects made of wood for various projects, from home remodeling to furniture. These skilled craftsmen should be able to complete the work per your specifications. There are several types of carpenters to choose from and hiring one should be determined based on the scope of the project.

A rough carpenter is someone who specializes in roofing, framing and structural work. These designs are not likely to need exact finishing edges or artis…


carpenter

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A carpenter is a person who creates objects made of wood for various projects, from home remodeling to furniture. These skilled craftsmen should be able to complete the work per your specifications. There are several types of carpenters to choose from and hiring one should be determined based on the scope of the project.

A rough carpenter is someone who specializes in roofing, framing and structural work. These designs are not likely to need exact finishing edges or artistic ability. These people are generally used for home construction, additions and remodels. Choose an individual who has experience and can provide references of past projects. They may also need to have knowledge of structural safety and local building codes. Ask what requirements are necessary for your area and ensure they comply with those standards. If the project is small, budget may be a consideration. Many inexpensive rough carpenters are available who will provide a quality product.

A finish carpenter is someone who artistically crafts fine wood pieces with an eye toward exact joints and finishes. There is minimal margin for error so carpenters of this sort are generally highly skilled and experienced. Because of this, the cost is typically a bit more expensive but you will get a quality product. These types specialize in furnishings, cabinetry and other fine woodworking. Larger projects such as home remodels and building may also utilize this type if it is necessary to have precision or an artistic flair. It is important to discuss the ideas you have and get feedback on how the carpenter will accomplish the task. Look at pictures of previous work to get a feel for their style and skill level.

When hiring a carpenter get a contract in writing. This should include the scope of the work to be completed outlining all specifications, requirements and any special considerations to be made. Ensure the total price for the project is detailed as well as payment procedures. Many carpenters will require a down payment for purchasing materials but do not require a complete advanced payment. Ensure you have some leverage for quality assurance by retaining a portion for acceptance of work. Check the terms of any warranties available. Even pieces that look nice may not be structurally sound or may need tweaking after in use for a period of time. Be sure the carpenter will be willing to make minor repairs within the scope of work if necessary.

A carpenter becomes more skilled with experience, so it is important to check references and see past projects. For minor, one off work, hiring on a budget is acceptable and you will likely get decent quality of work inexpensively. For more important or larger projects, however, look for a carpenter who has a track record of quality work and sound references. The slightly added expense in the beginning may be worth saving frustration and disappointment in the end.

How to Hire the Right Building Contractor for Your Home Remodeling Project

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Finding and hiring the right home remodeling contractor for your home remodeling project can be daunting and confusing.


Hiring Home Remodeling Contractor, Home Improvement, home remodeling project

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Finding and hiring the right home remodeling contractor for your home remodeling project can be daunting and confusing. You can easily search the web or look in the yellow pages and find many home remodeling contractors listed in your area but the question remains – which one do you hire for your home remodeling project. Which one will perform quality work, charge a fair price and get the job done on time.

To reduce the risk of hiring the wrong home remodeling contractor you should first do a little preparation yourself for the home remodeling project. Sketch out and write down what you want remodeled. Provide a copy of this information to each prospective home remodeling contractor as this will help to minimize misunderstandings of requirements.

If you are adding a home addition, use stakes and string or even spray paint and mark the area on the existing lawn/ground.

Next talk to your local building inspector to understand what permits and building requirements are necessary for your home remodeling project.

Visit home improvement centers such as Lowes and Home Depot, and look at materials expected to be used on your project (e.g. lumber, doors, windows, appliances, countertops, roofing material, etc.). Make note of their costs so you will be able to compare material costs proposed by prospective contractors. While visting home improvement centers also talk with some of the employees about costs and lead times for particular products of interest. For example, there are many types of doors and windows and frequently there can be significant lead times for deliveries.

When you start calling prospective contracts ask for references and previous work that you can visit.

Finally, make sure you get multiple quotes and make sure that they are in writing. Also ask how long the quotaion is vaild.

For further help in hiring a home remodeling contractor for your next home remodeling project visit HomeAdditionPlus.paving’s Home Addition Bid Sheets. Home Addition Bid Sheets include the tools and information you need to ensure you hire the right home remodeling contractor for you home remodeling project. Each bid sheet contains a comprehensive checklist of questions to ask prospective contractors, as well as cost and timeframe estimates. Home Addition Bid Sheets help ensure that your home remodeling project will be accomplished on time and on budget.

How To Hire Someone To Care For Your Lawn

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Lawn care is a very important aspect of home maintenance. Lawns need to be regularly mowed, weeded, edged, controlled for pests, and fertilized to ensure a beautiful compliment to your home. Often the amount of time needed to properly care for a lawn can be extensive. With today’s busy schedules, people often don’t have the time to care for their yard properly. Using a lawn care service is an inexpensive way to keep the yard looking nice without taking up all your free time.


lawn care

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Lawn care is a very important aspect of home maintenance. Lawns need to be regularly mowed, weeded, edged, controlled for pests, and fertilized to ensure a beautiful compliment to your home. Often the amount of time needed to properly care for a lawn can be extensive. With today’s busy schedules, people often don’t have the time to care for their yard properly. Using a lawn care service is an inexpensive way to keep the yard looking nice without taking up all your free time.

There are several types of lawn care services from large professional organizations to the neighborhood kid making a few extra dollars. Who to choose will depend on the size of your lawn and what type of maintenance you’ll need. For weekly or bi weekly lawn trimmings, it is quite acceptable to choose someone at a budget price. If you are looking for more intense upkeep, look for a company that has a lot of experience in professional landscape maintenance.

Most people who opt for using a neighbor to do their regular lawn upkeep will not ask for a service contract. For this type of work, it is not necessary and even if they don’t show up, you can get another person or a professional service in without too much hassle. Make sure though, that you pay after the work is completed so you can inspect the job and ensure quality work. You may need to occasionally hire a professional to do some more sophisticated things like pest control or landscaping.

If hiring a professional lawn service company, there are several things you should look for. Ensure they have experience in and the ability to do full service lawn care. This would include mowing, weeding, edging and fertilizing. They may also provide services such as pest control, seeding and landscape design. Choose only the services you will need on a regular basis and obtain quotes for additional items as necessary.

Most services will give you a maintenance contract that will outline the days they will come, how often they will provide service, and what services are included. These are generally done on a monthly basis for a set fee. Find out how to cancel your service and what steps need to be taken to ensure you are able to easily change if needed. Ask for and get proof of insurance. In case the company damages your lawn, you want to be sure you are covered. Check how long they have been in business, and if they have referrals check them.

A lawn care service can be an affordable way to maintain your lawn while allowing you to spend free time enjoying yourself instead of working in the yard. The best way to find a new service provider is to ask friends, family and neighbors for a recommendation. Many providers will give a discount if they are already working in the same neighborhood, so be sure to ask when you see a service provider at your neighbor’s yard.

How To Hire And Electrician

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An electrician is someone who specializes in the wiring and repair of electrical mechanisms. Most people will rarely need the services of an electrician, but when it is necessary choosing the right one is very important. For home use, electricians are typically needed to re-wire or repair existing systems. They are also needed for construction, including additions and remodels, to place the electrical outlets and lighting.

Before deciding on an electrician, determine the…


electrician

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An electrician is someone who specializes in the wiring and repair of electrical mechanisms. Most people will rarely need the services of an electrician, but when it is necessary choosing the right one is very important. For home use, electricians are typically needed to re-wire or repair existing systems. They are also needed for construction, including additions and remodels, to place the electrical outlets and lighting.

Before deciding on an electrician, determine the scope of work. Be as detailed as possible so you can determine the needs for the project. Minor repair work can often be completed by an electrician who is less expensive and may not have a lot of experience. However, for major repairs, remodels, and new construction, it is imperative to get a skilled tradesman. Improper wiring can be very dangerous and can lead to fires, putting everyone at risk.

Get recommendations for an electrician before hiring one. Choose a few to get estimates on your project and compare all of them. Talk with each person to evaluate their experience and expertise. Have them walk through your project with you so you can understand what needs to be done, how it will be accomplished, how long it will take and the cost.

An electrician should be licensed and carry valid insurance. Verify that both are active and in good standing before starting a job. Damage done can be severe with improper wiring so this is very important. If an electrician can not provide you with both, do not hire them. There is too much at stake. Get copies of their license and insurance certificate.

Ask the electrician about their experience level. An electrical company that has been in business for a long time will likely be a better choice than one that is just starting out. New businesses may offer price reductions to help them establish a client list and references. If opting for a new business, check that the electrician who is working on the job has significant experience with the type of work required. Request references and check them. Electricians who have happy customers will do a good job for you.

Choose the electrician who has the best combination of price and experience, and with whom you felt most comfortable. Get the project specifications in writing so you have a detailed accounting of the job, the costs, and time for completion. This will help protect you if anything goes wrong.

How to Hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor

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Asphalt paved driveways are extremely popular and the most cost effective to install over most other driveway options. Hiring the right asphalt paving contractor however can sometimes be a challenge.


Hiring Asphalt Paving Contractor, Asphalt Paved Driveway, Hot Mix Asphalt, Lead Times, Asphalt Paving Job

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Asphalt paved driveways are extremely popular and the most cost effective to install over most other driveway options. Hiring the right asphalt paving contractor however can sometimes be a challenge. If the paving contractor installs the asphalt driveway correctly the driveway should last 25-30 years with only minor maintenance.

Unlike concrete, an asphalt paved driveway is both strong and flexible and is ideal for colder temperature zones where constant freezing and thawing occur.

Asphalt paving, also known as Hot Mix Asphalt paving, consists of an aggregate of stone and sand mixed with liquid asphalt cement. The aggregate is carefully mixed and heated prior to being mixed with liquid asphalt. The mixture needs to be delivered to the job site hot else your newly paved driveway will not cure properly.

In order to ensure a quality paved driveway it is critical that the paving contractor first properly prepare the driveway for the Hot Mix Asphalt. Preparation includes removing topsoil or clay type soil and replacing it with a sub-base layer of crushed stone and gravel.

A typical asphalt paving job consists of the application of two layers of Hot Mix Asphalt over the sub-base layer. In some cases a paving contractor may suggest a full-depth asphalt application. This type of application is best if very heavy vehicles will be regularly parked on the driveway. With a full-depth asphalt application the entire driveway, including the gravel sub-base layer, is constructed using liquid asphalt cement. By additionally binding the sub-base gravel layer with the liquid asphalt cement a much stronger paved driveway is created.

When hiring any contractor you should plan on getting 3-4 quotes to get the best comparison of workmanship and price. Talk with friends and family members, as well as search the yellow pages or the internet to find local paving contractors in your area.

With any contractor you hire, make sure they are insured and bonded to protect you from any liability as well as to protect you from any sub-par performance on the contractor’s behalf.

Lead times for paving a driveway can be up to several weeks, so plan appropriately when talking with your prospective paving contractors.

In order to obtain accurate quotes from the asphalt driveway paving contractors it is best to have a sketch of the home and the desired driveway footprint. You should also walk the site with the paving contractor and have him or you stake or paint lines where the paved driveway is to lay.

When talking to the prospective paving contractors make sure the subject of installing proper slopes and drainage is discussed. Otherwise you may wind up with water pooling on the finished driveway, or even worse, draining into your garage or home.

It is also critical that during the installation of all the various layers to the driveway that they are each compacted prior to the installation of the next layer of material. Quoted depths should be after compaction, not before.

Also, if there are any municipal pipes that need to be raised to the finished height of the driveway, find out if the paving contractors’ quotes include performing this task.

In addition, confirm that the contractor will remove and reinstall any type of gate or door to the new finished level of the paved driveway.

With these few basic tips you are on your way to hiring the right paving contractor for your driveway.

For more help on how to hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor, see HomeAdditionPlus.paving’s Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid sheet. The Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid Sheet will help ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your driveway is paved correctly and you get the finished driveway you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that installation of your driveway will be accomplished on time and on budget.

How To Hire A Plumber

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Plumbers are necessary for new construction of homes to install pipes and water systems. However, most people need a plumber for their existing pipes when something breaks. Unfortunately, this usually occurs at an inconvenient time and often necessitates an emergency call to fix the problem quickly. Costs for this can be high so there are several things to consider before hiring one.

Plumbers usually specialize in either repair or new construction. If you need a plumber fo…


plumber, plumbing

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Plumbers are necessary for new construction of homes to install pipes and water systems. However, most people need a plumber for their existing pipes when something breaks. Unfortunately, this usually occurs at an inconvenient time and often necessitates an emergency call to fix the problem quickly. Costs for this can be high so there are several things to consider before hiring one.

Plumbers usually specialize in either repair or new construction. If you need a plumber for new construction, get quotes from those who specialize in this area. If you are looking for repair work, hire a plumber who specializes in repair. It is always wise to get multiple bids on your project, but in an emergency situation this may not be feasible. Ask what the costs will be up front, including any after hours or emergency service fees. If the plumber works on an hourly basis, find out up front how the time is calculated and keep track of the amount of time spent.

Discuss the scope of work with the plumber so you are familiar with the type of work that needs to be done and how it may affect existing systems. Compare what each plumber told you so you can be assured you have a consistent diagnosis of the issue. If you feel a plumber is increasing the scope of work unnecessarily, do not choose them for your work. Go with someone you feel comfortable with and who can get the job done efficiently.

Always get a contract for plumbing work whether it is new construction or repair. There are several pieces of information that should be included on a contract. Plumbers must be licensed so ensure you have their license number and verify it. Make sure they have proper insurance in case there is damage to your home caused by work they did. Ensure they will take responsibility for any damage done while working or get details of any exceptions. The contract should include a detailed accounting of the work to be done and a bottom line price. If the plumber is bidding on the project, there should be one price for the entire job. If a plumber works by the hour, the hourly rate should be clearly identified along with any additional fees. There should also be an estimated time that the work will be completed. Always make sure there is a guarantee of at least a year for the work performed.

Hiring a plumber for new construction allows you to take a bit more time in the hiring process. Check references and interview plumbers. Ask for referrals from trusted sources.

If you need a plumber in an emergency situation; however, you will have to get information much more quickly. You may not have time to check around before choosing a plumber. After all, if your basement if filling up with water you don’t want to be on the phone calling several plumbers for quotes. In an emergency situation like that, try to choose someone you have worked with in the past whose work you were pleased with or a well known company in the area.