By Mike Nelson and Terry Tomsha
Avoiding Contractor Scams
Hello Neighbors! With the emergence of spring, our thoughts turn to love, and home improvement projects. When hiring a contractor to do a project that you can’t (or won’t) do yourself, there are a few things to look for to avoid getting scammed. Only a small percentage of contractors are dishonest, and they can be easy to spot, as long as your desire to save money doesn’t blind you to the tell-tale signs:
The “low-ball” offer: When getting bids, beware of any bid that is significantly lower than average. Often the low-bid contractor hasn’t given you a fair estimate, or doesn’t intend to finish the work. Another trick is to bid low and charge extra for materials you thought were included.
Second-rate or subpar materials:
Watch out if a contractor claims he has materials that he wants to pass along at a discount. Often these materials are poor quality seconds, or possibly even stolen. Small contractors rarely buy in volumes that provide more than a small discount over retail, and few contractors carry large inventories of materials. Also, if you notice that the materials installed don’t match what’s called for in your contract, confront your contractor right away. Some dishonest contractors will try and line their pockets by skimping on materials. If it happens once, it might be an honest mistake, or it could be a sign of a sloppy or disreputable contractor.
High up-front percentage
For larger jobs like a kitchen or bathroom remodel, no contractor should ask for more than 25 percent of the total job cost as an up-front deposit, with the remainder to be paid out on a mutually agreed upon schedule. For smaller jobs, a deposit of a third is reasonable. If the contractor is special ordering a large amount of materials, such as the cabinets for a kitchen remodel, then it is reasonable to expect those costs to be paid up front.
Cash payments:
A contractor who pushes hard to be paid in cash is probably not paying taxes, and almost certainly not paying for insurance. The same goes for a contractor that wants to be paid each day. In any case, anyone working on your home should carry contractor’s liability insurance.
Permits and licenses:
Colorado requires plumbers and electricians to carry state licenses, and Denver requires a separate contractor’s license to pull permits. In some cases, homeowners can pull permits after taking a test. Jobs that are more than simple repairs or fixture replacements may require a permit. Be wary of a contractor who seems to try hard to avoid having to pull permits. Generally speaking, permits provide a layer of protection for the homeowner, and a tradesperson shouldn’t be afraid to have his or her work inspected. Be aware that permits and inspections do add some time and cost to any project. You can find a list of projects that require a permit at the denvergov.org website, under “building and construction”.
Unexpected price hikes:
Don’t let a contractor try and charge more by claiming that the materials cost more than he had quoted you. Unless your contract was “cost-plus,” the contractor should have given you a firm price for labor and materials. Unless you have mutually agreed upon a change order, the contractor should have to absorb any cost overruns on materials.
Contract changes:
Never let a contractor violate the payment terms of your contract or agreement. If he tries to move up the date of a progress payment by claiming he is running short of money, insist on sticking to the original terms. It’s not your problem that the contractor can’t manage his cash flow.
Final payment:
Never make the final payment unless you are satisfied that the job is complete. You will obviously lose leverage to make adjustments once you’ve paid the bill. That said, if there is a legitimate delay that is beyond the influence of the contractor (like a special-order fixture that gets back-ordered), try and reach a fair compromise on the withholding.
Document and ask questions:
No contractor should be unwilling to answer a reasonable amount of questions about the materials, progress or subcontractors being used on your job. If he seems to be hiding something, that should raise a red flag. Either way, you should document the progress, especially on larger jobs, and feel free to ask if things seems to be moving at a slower pace than promised. It’s worth the investment in a digital camera to photograph the project before, during, and after.
Hire local: We’re obviously biased here, but it really makes a difference if you can find a contractor that works in your neighborhood and knows the construction methods common to the era when your home was built. Website testimonials are nice, but a referral from a trusted neighbor or REALTOR® is even better.
By Dr. Jerry Rubin
A Holistic Approach to Treating Common Conditions Kids Face during Spring and Summer
While all are all eager for spring and summer to arrive (sooner rather than later), oftentimes, these seasons can present parents with frequent health challenges, which readily lend themselves to a holistic approach.
Injuries
The first of these challenges are injuries. This could include sunburn; scrapes and bruises; sprains; and fractures. Besides the initial management, which includes appropriate first aid and cleansing the wound, this is a perfect time to use a simple but effective homeopathic remedy known as Rescue Remedy. This remedy is derived from the Bach Flower remedy group and is a great tool to aid children in working through the initial shock of an injury. It is not a sedative, nor does it have any drugs in it, rather it acts as a soothing agent to quickly and effectively calm nerves, fears and agitation. It is safe to administer to anyone at any age. The dose is 2 to 4 drops, which should be placed on the tongue as needed, every 5 to 30 minutes, until calmness has been restored.
Regardless of the injury, a homeopathic remedy for trauma can aid in speeding up the healing process. At Partners in Pediatrics (www.partnersinpediatrics.com) our favorite is Traumeel. It is available in a cream. liquid or tablet form. The cream is excellent for sunburns and abrasions, once they have dried and stopped bleeding. The tablets or drops can be given several times a day. Homeopathic remedies should be administered in the mouth at a time when there has been no food or beverage for the preceding 15 minutes, and then another 15 minutes should be allowed before eating or drinking anything. This gives the remedy time to absorb through the membranes of the mouth – the most effective way to benefit from homeopathy in general.
Bites and Stings
The next most common condition that can be treated holistically is bug bites and stings. If a child is experiencing a painful sting (such as a bee sting), Rescue Remedy can be invaluable to calm them. Additionally, Apis is another homeopathic remedy that helps reduce swelling and itching. It is available as a homeopathic globule and it will state the potency on the label. We usually recommend a potency between 6x and 30x. It can be administered several times a day. Again, 1-3 globules should be taken in the mouth following the same directions above. Traumeel can also help bites to heal more quickly.
Spring and summer are wonderful months to get out, get physically active and should be filled with fun and safety. Hopefully, these ideas can keep smiles on the faces of kids.
