Information on Acoustic Ceiling Removal ~ Drywall Repairs & Patches ~  Interior & Exterior Painting ~ Wall & Ceiling Textures ~ Hand Textures

Pictures
Complete process of popcorn ceiling removal

How-To Manual DIY
How to remove popcorn ceilings yourself & SAVE $$
  
Frequently Asked Questions
Acoustic removal information to answer many common questions

Styles of Texture
Pictures & descriptions of common wall textures

Helpful Links
Home improvement, do it yourself DIY, real estate, construction & more

Home Improvement Articles
Advice, tips, and insight on the wacky & wonderful world of construction

Sitemap
Links to every page on this website

How to Remove Popcorn Ceiling

Home Improvement Article.......February 2008

How to Hire a Home Improvement Contractor
                                                      by Christy Church

Hiring a contractor can seem like a daunting task. I could fill a 200 page book on the finer points of working with home improvement contractors. I'm going to go over some of the basics here so you can feel a bit more confident on your quest. Most folks don't even know where to begin. Not only can it be tough to even find a decent contractor, the legalities of hiring one can be confusing. Even if you find a great contractor that comes highly recommended, there's no guarantee everything will go smoothly on your project. So how do you protect yourself?

A crystal ball helps (just kidding.) Honestly, some intuition is your best defense. If something sounds fishy, it probably is. Trust your instincts. Just because you're new to hiring a contractor doesn't make you a fool. Be on the lookout for red flags...you know, those small indications there may be something wrong. Most people look back on a bad situation and recall those red flags, but don't act on their gut instincts until it's too late.

Any contractor who tries to make you feel stupid or intrusive just because you ask questions should be avoided like the plague. Questions are a normal part of the construction business and are encouraged by reputable businesses. A good question & answer session prevents misunderstandings, which is beneficial to everyone. Some clients don't even know what questions to ask. That's why we started this webpage... so people would feel more informed and less intimidated by the whole process. Many say "I love your webpage! I had no clue about any of this and your information kept me from feeling foolish."

How it works: Depending on the size of the company, you may never actually meet the contractor, meaning the legal qualifier for the license. You will probably interact with a receptionist, then an estimator and finally the actual work crew. This is just the way it is. Smaller companies usually have one or more people who wear several hats, such as a contractor who is the owner and the estimator and works on the crew. There are drawbacks and advantages to both types of businesses. The larger companies tend to lose touch with their customers and quality can suffer. When a large company operates, they have to do huge amounts of business in order to turn a profit. If a handful of jobs goes sour every now and then, their bottom line doesn't really suffer. The smaller companies can come across as small-timers, who lack corporate-type gloss that most people associate with success. They might show up in a beater truck and in shabby clothes, indications of potential financial difficulties from mismanagement. You need to take-in all factors before you make a final decision. It really boils down to what's important to you.

Locating a Good Contractor
Friends, co-workers and neighbors are a good starting point in your search. Local advertising can be good, like the yellow pages, home improvement publications and home shows. The internet is an incredible tool for just about any sort of research.  No matter how you find one, but be sure to verify the contractor's license for the state in which you live. In California, use the Contractors' State License Board (CSLB) to check the status of a license, get consumer tips, file a complaint and more.

Company Image & Behavior
Not every poor contractor in jeans and a t-shirt is lousy, just like how not every snazzy, well-manicured one in a $60,000 truck is fantastic. A slick sales pitch has little to do with the quality of the work. Beware of pushy salesmen or estimators, trying to jam you into scheduling a job ASAP. Find out how long have they've been licensed, but don't rely solely on length of time in business. Some of the worst construction companies have been around for 20+ years (amazing.) Weigh it along with other factors, such as attitude, amount of notoriety and professionalism. Do most of your investigative-type research yourself, using the internet and consumer-protection resources like the contractor's board. If you conduct a grand inquisition session on your contractor, you'll run the risk of coming across as a paranoid wacko, possibly alienating decent people in the process. Contractors pick up cues from customer's behavior and make determinations on whether or not they will become headaches. Even the most enthusiastic contractor will only jump through so many hoops to impress you.

Questions to Ask
A contractor I know starts off his estimating spiel with "You should have two questions for me...How much does it cost and when can you do it." It's an aggressive and condescending approach, which works on some people. Sure, it gives you a little chuckle, but not if you're looking to your contractor as a source of knowledge and assurance. View the estimate as a job interview. You are hiring someone to complete the work you want done, the way you want it done, for a reasonable price. Here are some examples of basic questions you should ask: What is involved in completing the job; What are my choices as far as colors, styles, options (if applicable;) How much does it cost and is everything included; What are the possible cost increases; How long will it take to complete; Will I have use of the area, or do I need to go away for a bit; Is there anything I need to know as far as risks, safety concerns, possibility of damages; Are there any preparations I need to make prior to starting.

It's a good idea to jot down some questions ahead of time. Pay close attention during the estimate. Sometimes people just let things go in one ear and out the other, then problems arise out of a simple breakdown in communication. If you get it in writing, there is no confusion. As for demanding a list of references....It's probably a fat waste of time for everyone involved. Honestly, would the company put an unhappy client as a reference on that list? You're not going to get a realistic, unbiased sampling of opinions.

Don't Shoot Yourself In the Foot
Don't be a bad customer. Don't insult the workers on your project. You need them as much as they need you. Be cordial and friendly with your home improvement company and their crew. Construction is demanding, both physically and emotionally. Most work way beyond 8-hour workdays, have little time to spend relaxing or just being with their families. Theirs is generally a thankless job. Many customers resent having to hire someone to complete work they are not capable of doing. Most people have a less-than-flattering opinion of construction workers. They are perceived as ignorant, morally depraved cads who would sell their mothers to make a buck. I frequently read articles where authors warn people of the evils of all contractors...we're all criminals and liars, only out to make a quick dollar. They instruct consumers on how to screw a contractor before they can screw you. I could go on. Just be pleasant....you don't need to go all out, just be courteous and respectful. You can protect your interests without being insulting or untrusting. Provide the crew with a bathroom to use. Don't make snide remarks about their education, dirty clothes, or how you're too good to get dirty and do the job their being paid to do. Point is, treat them how you would want to be treated.

Financial
  Price Shopping & Value of Bids.....Shop around for a price that's comfortable for you, but make a clear decision about what's more important to you: quality or price. Some contractors are so cheap it it begs the question, how do they turn a profit? Or, it gives clients the false impression other contractors are overpriced. On closer inspection, the cheap prices are usually based on cheap overhead, stemming from no contractor's license, no bonds, no insurance, no workers' compensation insurance, etc...Here's a common scenario: Competition is fierce between many companies, so they try to outbid one another by being the cheapest. Once the work starts, that age-old cliché about contractors kicks-in...suddenly there are hidden costs, price increases and unforeseen "issues." Your cheap deal just morphed into a need for a second mortgage. Use common sense and don't use price as your main factor in hiring a home improvement contractor.

Deposits & Progress Payments: Never give more than a 10% deposit on your project. Some criminals go around pretending to be contractors, collecting deposits (some refer to these deposits as "downstrokes") but then never complete any work. These crooks especially love swooping-in after natural disasters, when people are bewildered and vulnerable. Seniors are another favorite prey of thieves pretending to be contractors. Protect yourself from crooks by never letting payments get ahead of the work. For instance, our general policy is to bear all start-up costs ourselves, with the exception of special-order paints and lengthy projects. It's not a hard & fast rule...there are circumstances which warrant a deposit, such as the need to purchase expensive, custom-order materials that are non-returnable. Progress payments are also pretty standard, especially on large, lengthy or expensive projects.

Insurance Policies: A commercial liability policy might make you feel warm and fuzzy, but just because a business carries it, it's no guarantee of a trouble-free job. It will only cover damage to your home in the event of a major accident. These policies have a minimum of a $1000 deductible, so if some worker smashes your great-grandmother's $500 vase, the policy is meaningless. It also won't help you in the event of contractor problems, like poor quality or breach of contract. That's where the license bond comes in. Every contractor must maintain a surety bond in order to remain licensed. If a contractor doesn't fulfill his or her obligations with you, you can seek payment through their bond company, without having to file a lawsuit. Any company that uses employees or subcontractors is required by law to carry Workers' Compensation insurance. It covers the contractor's employees while they are working on your project, protecting your interests as well. Workers' Compensation policy information is generally made available by the contractor's license board of the state in which you live, so you can verify license status, bond information and Workers' Comp info all at the same time.

Legalities
Contractor Licensing: Never hire an unlicensed contractor. You will have no recourse if things go wrong. It is not that difficult to get a license. It is not a big tangle of impossible red tape as some knuckleheads would have you believe. If you are not a criminal, have a least 4 years experience, and can pass a test, you can get a contractor's license. Keeping one is a different story. It can be difficult if you mismanage your business, flake on your customers or don't pay your bills. It's merely a formality and just part of doing business. When you hire someone who is unlicensed, you might save some money, but the risk isn't worth it. Most likely, they lack the experience to qualify for a license or they have a bad reputation with the community.

Contracts & Paperwork: Never sign anything unless you have read it and understand it. Make sure the contract you sign reads exactly what work you want done. It should list specifics, not just generalities. Example of a poorly-written description: Drywall patch $120.   Example of a well-written description for doing a drywall patch: Drywall repair in north wall of bedroom- replace damaged sheetrock (apprx 6" diameter). Tape & skim, apply texture to match existing. Customer will prime and paint.

Just use common sense, do plenty of research and trust your instincts. Relax...You'll do just fine.      [view more articles]

Feel free to email me with your questions. I'm here to help. 

Why remove your old acoustic?

For A More Modern Look ....To Brighten Up Your Home .... To Eliminate Falling White Specks ....  For Ease In Cleaning .... Easier Painting ... To Alleviate Allergy Symptoms ... You don't own a disco ball ... Your appliances are not avocado green or mustard yellow... It's not 1974 anymore... Popcorn belongs in a bucket, covered with butter ...

Acoustic ceiling texture is also referred to as "cottage cheese" "popcorn" and "polystyrene" texture.  Looking for popcorn ceiling removal? We can help.

We gladly accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express & Paypal

Acoustic Ceiling Removal