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How to Choose Roofing Contractor

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best roofing contractor

Choosing the roofing contractor for your house is very important because poor installation and substandard materials may cause damage to your roof.

The following are some things to consider when choosing roofing contractor:

  • Free Quotes
    It is better to have a lot of options so that you will be able to select the best and suited to your needs and budget.  You cannot hand out your business without getting a written estimate which is done after the contractor actually came out and take a look at the damage first. In that way, the contractor will be able to compute their estimate.

 

  • Cost of Roofing Contract
    Analyze and review the cost of roofing contract before picking up a contractor.   Don’t go with the roofing contractor who have a lowest quote because this can be a sign that they use substandard materials or do a poor work.   It might also mean that they have a good source of quality materials and knows exactly how to fix your roofing issue with out so much effort. So better check the contractor’s reputation and make sure you weigh each of them instead of jumping at a low cost.

 

  • License
    Make sure that the contractor has license in doing the job.

 

  • Insurance
    Before allowing a contractor to work, it is important to know if these people are insured, otherwise if they get injured most probably you will be the one who is financially responsible.

 

  • Communication Skills
    Your roofing contractor should have good communication skills.  It is essential that your roofing contractor explain to you about how they plan on fixing your problem. They should explain to you the details since you have the right to know their plan.

 

  • Terms of payment
    Know how to pay your roofing contractor.

 

  • Warranty
    Verify the type of warranty they provided such as the scope of coverage, the time frame and exclusion.

Choosing the Right Roof for my Home

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roofing materialsEvery home owner wants the best roof for their home but buying inappropriate materials for your roof and poor installation make your roof more vulnerable to damage.

 Consider the following factors when choosing roof:

  • Budget
    When buying a roof, budget will be the primary concern. Ask for the possible option that within your budget.
  • Durability
    Make sure that your roofing materials are appropriate for your home in order for your roof to last for a long time.
  • Ventilation
    If the roof has no proper ventilation, both moisture and heat can build up in you attic. With proper ventilation will prevent moisture and the air flowing freely and avoid any related damage.
  • Type of Roofing Materials
    Figure out what type of materials suited for your home. Before choosing the right materials for your home, consider this checklist:
    –    Strong enough for extreme weather
    –    Roofing materials match with your home
    –    Enough slope
    –    Materials is permitted to use by local building codes
    –    Material is too heavy for the existing roof framing materials
  • Climate
    Give consideration to climate because some certain condition may affect the roofing materials and cause accelerated deterioration of the roof. These climate factors include sun exposure, too much wind, rain, snow, hot and cold temperature, and condensation.

Home Construction Checklist

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home construction checklistAre you excited to have your own home?  Are you planning to build your home? If so, here are some home construction checklists to become aware what are truly needed for your plans.

  • Budget
    Building a house require you to have upfront money because house financing is really complicated than buying existing house.  You need funds for non-budgeted expenses such as cost overruns, missed deadlines, and construction update or modification.
  • Lot or location for your home
    Is there a lot or area that available to use for the construction of your home?
  • Cost
    Always consider that cost if it is meet your total budget for your home construction. Are you planning to get financial support such as loan from bank or Pag-ibig loan?
  • Type of house
    Consider that type of house you really like that will suited to your budget and your lifestyle, bungalow or two-storey house. You can ask your architect if there is an existing house plan tha meet your requirements or customize a new one. Sketch the house you want as well as the floor plan so that architect may know your design.
  • Home builder or contractor
    Look for home builder or contractor for your home.  Review each qualification and evaluate their past project in order for you to decide and choose the right contractor.
  • House Construction Contract / Contractor’s Agreement
    Review and check contract before signing. It is very important to elaborate clearly what are written in the contract. Be sure to consult your family, friends or expert to better understanding the content most specially the payment terms.
  • Start the construction of your home
    Be sure that you are present at the start of the construction to check the layout of your house and if you are not available, take someone in-charge to do the job.
  • Inspect your home during construction
    Do not rely everything on your contractor. Once in a while you should check and visit your construction site most especially during critical time You can hire someone who understand civil works to check if the contractors follows what are written in the contractor’s agreement.

Building a Home Tips

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build home tipsJust remember that building a home is one of the biggest investments anyone will ever make so it is important to make sure that you get what you want without breaking the bank. So it is very essential to be careful in making decision.  Here are some things to ensure that you are in the right track:

Review the contractor’s agreement carefully

It is good to review all that was written in the contractor’s agreement before signing it. Once you sign the contract, it has no turning back. Hire an expert such as lawyer and engineer or architect that will definitely know what is inside the contract. The lawyer knows the legalities if in case the contractor has illegal action while engineer and architect understand the drawing specification as well as the materials to be used in the contract. These expert will give you advises if there is a need for modification of the contract before signing it.

Do not rely on your contractor for everything

Even though there is a contractor’s agreement sign by parties, you and your contractor, there is no guarantee that your contractor will follow what is in the contractor’s agreement. For instance, he may not follow the brand of material in the contract or he did not follow the drawing specification. It is best that there is someone to look at your house while building or check it regularly most especially during critical works. You may hire someone that will supervise the work of the contractor and will report to you every detail so that at the beginning you may modify what you want.

Prevent making changes

Minor changes may not affect the construction of your house but major changes make a difference.  Once you and your contractor or engineer approved the plan, any alteration or modification will set you back by at least a few weeks. Simple request may require a massive revision to the building’s layout such as moving the stairway or a doorway.

Review the cost of the construction

Verify with your contractor if there is an extra fees to pay such as hidden charges, or rising cost during the construction.

Things to Consider when Buying a House

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buy a houseAre you planning to buy a house?  Some people decided to buy a house so that they may not experience the stress of constructing the house on your own. And it is the easy way to have your own house without so much effort and time. Chances are you are having different brochure looking for a house suited to your budget and your needs.
I see some of my friends regretting the house they bought because they miss to consider the following things:

•    Location
You should choose a location that near to your work, children’s school, market and other place that you need in your daily life including church, hospital, shopping malls, etc.

•    Security
Make sure that the subdivision is secure. Survey that area if the place is safe and conducive to secure living for you and your family

•    Neighborhood
Investigate if the neighborhood is suited to your lifestyle and if it is convenient to live for you and for your family.

•    Developer’s Track Record
It is important to investigate and research for the developer’s record whether they delivered a quality house and in a timely manner.  This is to make sure that your investment is not wasted.

•    Neighbors
Consider knowing your neighbor because once in a while you will getting along with them.  Know their habits if their habits do not disturb you.

•    Features and Accessories of the house
Know what are included in your house such as sliding doors and windows, screen doors, lights and fixtures, closets, kitchen cabinets, faucets, shower and other accessories.  Other than accessories, also verify if the house is fully furnished or not.

•    Property Taxes
Estimate the property tax for your property. Property tax or real estate tax is pay yearly to your city or municipal accessor. It is computed based on the location and size of the house.  The city or municipal accessor will assess to determine the amount of property tax to be paid when ready for occupancy.

•    Monthly Dues
Homeowners association usually charges a monthly due for security, garbage disposal, building maintenance, and other expenses in common areas.

•    Subdivision Rules and Policies
Some subdivision implements rules and policies which residents are expected to follow to.  You should know that if their rules are suited to your lifestyle and you can follow them. These rules include rules on noise, pets, number of occupants, guest, etc.

•    Other’s Cost
Know the other cost that you have to pay aside from the property purchase. This cost includes value added tax, transfer tax, registration fees, documentary stamp tax, and other hidden charges. It is better to ask your agent or developer if there are any charges or other cost that will add to your expenses.

Choosing the Right Location for your House

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You have a perspective of your dream house but you do not yet a location. It is important to investigate and review the location first before deciding to purchase it. There are many things to consider before choosing a right location for your house.

houselocation

Even though you find the location a perfect place to live but not suitable for your need then one day you may find yourself regretting and planning to sell your own house. Just like in our case, we decided to build our house in a subdivision. We thought that this subdivision is a perfect place because it is a very high place and we think that it is peaceful to live. After one year we realized that our neighbors are not friendly and we are not on the same principles and subdivision association is not fair, and there are many monthly dues to pay. So, later on we decided to sell our dream house and now we are living a place that is accessible to our office, school and market place.
Remember the decision to choose an area for your house greatly affects in your life such as your daily life. The location you chose may influence your lifestyle and future plans so it is necessary to consult your loved one and investigate carefully to make final decision. There are many factors to consider before choosing the location for your house.

The following are some things to consider in choosing a location for your house:

• Trust your instinct. If you see something that is not good for you, walk away, there are many available options.

• Accessible to your needs. Check the location if it is near to work, market, church or school, hospital and restaurant or any place that you love to visit. Some people want to live near their friends and loved ones.

• Distance from work. Know how much time you need to travel from your home to your workplace.

• Investigate your neighborhood. Research your neighborhood because it has impact to your lifestyle so that you may know if this is convenient to you or not.

• Knows your neighbor. It is important to know if the habit of your neighbor cannot disturb you because ideally you need to get along with them for sometimes.

• Transport availability. Research if there are public vehicles near the area most especially if you do not have your own wheels.

• Knows if the area is safe and free from crime.

• Consider your hobbies. Take time to see if you can practice your hobbies like for instance if you want to do outdoor activities. Make sure that the location you choose makes you enjoy your hobbies.

• Check water, electricity and drainage. Investigate if these things are working always.

• Verify amenities. Think of the place you often visited including gyms, shopping malls or cinema and look a location that matches your desires.

Applying Building Permit

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bldg permitYou are so excited that you are finally chose a contractor that will build your house. But of course you should negotiate with your contractor or builder who will be responsible for securing a building permit.  Building permit is a written permission from your municipality that they are allowing you to build your house.  It is issued by local authorities to builder or contractor to construct or renovate the building. The authorities will check whether your house or building conform the approved specifications and drawing.  The cost of building permit ranges from Php6,000 to Php 20,000 depending on the total estimated cost of the building, size of the building, and lot size as well as the location of the building whether it is located in rural areas or in the city.

Here are the requirements for applying building permit:

  • Lot Title
  • House plan which contains floor plan, estimated cost of your house signed by authorized persons.
  • Real Property Tax Receipts
  • Barangay Construction Permit
  • Vicinity Map

The local authorities such as the zoning inspector will visit the location of your house for evaluation before approving your building permit. It takes 5 to 10 working days before

Tips before Signing a Contractor’s Agreement

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Once you signed an agreement, there is turning back so it is crucial to review one by one all that written in your contractor’s agreement. If there are things that are not clear, better to ask help from your friends or relatives or hiconstractor's agreementre a professional that will explain the details of the agreement. You should read all the text from beginning to end. Your verbal agreement to your contractors should be correspond to what is written in your contractor’s agreement.

The following are some crucial information to look up in your contractor’s agreement

  1. The range and scope of work should provide in the agreement. This includes the
  2. The contract price should also be included in the contract as well as the terms of payment and how much is the initial payment before the construction of the house. It also indicated the schedule of payment.
  3. The contractor should identify the type of materials and specification of materials to be used in the construction of your house from elevation of the house from the land, roof types and brands, windows type, size of metal to be used, the cement brand, paint brand, and everything that will be used for the construction.
  4. Time frame for the construction of the house should be provided. It includes the time of the completion of the house.
  5. The warranty of the house should also be indicated in the contract such as the type of defects that have warranty.
  6. In case of dispute, consider to include which party will pay for the attorney’s fees.
  7. Penalty fee in case of delayed payment and delayed construction schedule.

If there are things you want to include in your contract, do not hesitate to tell to your contractor to avoid misunderstanding and disagreements.

Tips before you Start House Construction

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Everybody dreams is to have their own house. Once we get married, we want to be separated with our parents and live with your husband and one way to fulfill this is to construction your own house. Note of the following points before construction your house:

houseconstruction

1. Budget for the house

Think of how much money will you spend for the house construction and how much money is needed for your new home. Chances are you will need a construction loan or mortgage loan. You can ask the bank or finance institution on how much loan can be grant to you. In this way, you can adjust and modify your house based on your budget.

2. Location of the House

Of course you have to choose a location or a lot for your house. You have to investigate the condition of the soil, drainage, zoning and building code to the area.

3. Designer and Contractor of the House

You have to choose the builder and designer of your dream house. It is best to get reference from your friends and families. Your builder and designer can be an engineer or architect. Inquire first for their services with corresponding professional fees. You can visit the past project of the builder to see their sample works.

4. House Plan

After choosing the builder of your house, you can now prepare the house plan based on your desire floor layout. House plan provides the preliminary plan and estimates for the overall cost of the house. Once you approved the final design and layout as well as the estimates of your house, you are now ready to sign a contractor’s agreement of contract of construction.

5. Contractor Agreement

After the approval of designs and layout of your house, a contractor’s agreement or contractor’s construction will be written. All your verbal agreement will be put in writing. Remember to double check the contract before signing. If there are things that are not clear to you, you can hire an expert or professional to explain some details of your contract.

Sample Scope of Works for House Construction

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Project Type: Two Storey Residential Structure
Project Cost: Php3,200,000.00 (Three Million and Two Hundred Thousand Pesos)

scope of works 2-storey

 

Scope of Works

I.    General Requirements                                         
a.    Mobilization, Materials Handling
a.    Site Clearing
b.    Temporary Facilities
c.    Demolition
d.    Excavation
e.    Demobilization
f.    Hauling

II.    Concrete Works                                                
a.    Foundation      (Excavation, Pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)   b.    Footing      (Excavation, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
c.    Wall Footing (Excavation, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
d.    Tie Beams (Excavation, formworks, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
e.    Columns (Formworks, scaffolding, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
f.    Beams (Formworks, scaffolding, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
g.    Roof Beams (Formworks, scaffolding, pouring of concrete, steel fabrications)
h.    Concrete Slab Works (Formworks, scaffolding, poring of concrete, steel fabrications)
i.    Canopies
j.    Counter Top

III.  Masonry Works                                
a.    CHB Laying and CHB reinforcements
b.    Brick Works (Limited to conservative finish)
c.    Stone Works (Limited to conservative finish)

IV.  Roofing and Tinsmitry                            
a.    Truss work
b.    Roofing Installations (.40mm thick Rib Type Roofing)
c.    Gutter Installations (Colored S-gutter)

V.   Finishing Works                                                       
a.    Plastering
b.    Ceiling Works ( Limited to conservative finish)
c.    Tile Works
-Ground Floor common areas (Granite Tiles .60x.60m)
-Toilet and Bath (.20x.30 and .20x.20m ceramic tiles)
-Counter Top (Granite Tiles .60x.60m)
-Laminated Flooring for al l rooms
-Second floor common areas (Granite Tiles .60x.60m)
d. Painting Works (Interior and exterior painting)
e. Carpentry works , Cabinets(Limited to conservative finish)
f. Doors (Panel and flush doors, aluminum framed sliding doors, hardware)
g. Windows (Aluminum framed sliding, awning and fixed windows)

XV.  Electrical Works
a.    Electrical rough-ins, power and lighting lines
b.    Main entrance, Panel board

XVI. Sanitary Works  
a.    Septic Vault
b.    Sanitary lines
c.    Installation of fixtures
d.    Storm drain

XVII. Plumbing Works    
a.    Cold Water line installations