Don Jason Remodeling
440-365-0303

Are remodeling contractors required to pass a test in order to receive their contractor’s licenses?

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Question: Are remodeling contractors required to pass a test in order to receive their contractor’s licenses?

Answer: When I started my company I did have to pass a test to get my licenses in some of the cities. Currently most cities now in our local area don’t require contractors to take a test. Each jurisdiction has certain requirements that you must comply with. Usually you are required to prove that you have a certain number of years of experience or education equivalent. You must also provide references and proof of insurance. That’s why it’s important to check out your contractor to be sure he has the ability to complete your project in a professional manner.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

We live in a slab house and can feel cold air coming in at our baseboards, what can we do to fix this?

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Question: We live in a slab house and can feel cold air coming in at our baseboards, what can we do to fix this?

Answer: If you have a draft coming in by your baseboards it’s usually because the sill seal that is placed between the exterior walls and the slab is not sealing properly. You can remove the baseboards and seal the void between the wall and the foundation and reinstall the base. You can also remove the bottom row of siding and seal this void from the outside. The type of siding you have will determine which side will create the easiest solution.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

Are there ways to remove a bearing wall and still have a structurally sound house?

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Question:  We want to remove a wall and we know it is a bearing wall.  Are there ways to remove a bearing wall and still have a structurally sound house?

Answer:  Many times there are ways to remove this wall and just leave a header which will carry the weight.  Sometimes this support beam can even be hidden in the ceiling by aligning it with the bottom of the rafters or floor joists.  One thing to check out is what mechanicals are involved in the wall.  Sometimes moving plumbing, heating or electric can be quite expensive.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

How deep do I need to dig for the bottom of my foundation if I want to be protected from the ground freezing?

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Question:  How deep do I need to dig for the bottom of my foundation if I want to be protected from the ground freezing?

Answer:  The code in our area is 38 inches below finish grade.  This means the bottom of your footer should rest on unexcavated earth that is a minimum of 38 inch below finish grade.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

Why are foundations so expensive on small remodeling jobs?

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Question:  Why are foundations so expensive on small remodeling jobs?

Answer:  When we come in to a completed house and need to add a foundation as part of our project it requires much more care than when the home was originally built.  We have to protect the lawn and landscaping.  We usually have to use smaller equipment and haul all the extra dirt away from the jobsite.  We have to order small amounts of concrete which has a light load charge added to the price.  We also usually have to hand wheel or power buggy the concrete to the jobsite which takes longer and cost more.  The extra care not to damage the property along with the higher price paid for smaller quantities makes the price per square foot much more expensive.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

How do we know that we can trust new products to the market?

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Question:  We want to add some products in our remodeling project that are new to the market.  How do we know that we can trust these products?

Answer:  This is a very good question.  When we are introduced to a new product, we trust the judgment of our loyal suppliers.  If they are not familiar with the product, we have less confidence in the product.  If we have to buy it from a supplier we haven’t worked with often, we do some more research.  We check online and also call our many other contractor friends to see what they know and have experienced with the new product.  If we don’t feel comfortable with the product, we share this fact with our client.  If the client still wants to use the product, we will install it, but all we can do is follow the manufacturer’s directions and hope for good results.  Needless to say we would much rather use a product and a company with which we have previously experienced success.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

Does someone need to be at home while the remodeling project is being constructed?

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Question:  Does someone need to be at home while the remodeling project is being constructed?

Answer:  We do not need the homeowner to be at home while we do the remodeling work.  Some clients are there for the complete project while others we see only when we make an appointment.  It’s convenient for us if the clients can be reached if something unexpected comes up, but with the use of cell phones and email we can usually share what info we need and keep the project on track.  When clients are available it’s nice to communicate so we know how they feel about the work we are doing, and they are aware of the next steps in the completion of the project.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

How can we prepare ourselves for the inconvenience that will occur during our remodeling project?

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Question:  How can we prepare ourselves for the inconvenience that will occur during our remodeling project?

Answer:  I don’t know if there is a way to be truly prepared for the inconveniences you will experience during a remodeling project.  Possibly you could drop by one of your friend’s projects and ask how they are dealing with all the turmoil.  Let them share with you what they have experienced.  The more areas of your home that are involved with the project, the more difficult it is.  The best you can do is to make sure you select a remodeler who takes every step possible to make the event the least disruptive as possible.  Usually the more experienced the remodeler the better they are at minimizing the disruptions.  We try to explain what the process is like but talking about it doesn’t compare with living through it.

 

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

What are examples of unknown elements or structural defects that can make the cost of a remodeling contract go over the contract cost?

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Question:  What are examples of unknown elements or structural defects that can make the cost of a remodeling contract go over the contract cost?

Answer:  During our design process, we make thorough visual inspections of the existing structure and make our analysis of the building methods and location of covered systems.  We have not made destructive inspections (that is, we do NOT remove floors, walls, sidings or other coverings) to reveal possible unknowns.  Some examples of unknown elements could be hidden faulty wiring, substandard plumbing, water damage or any structural defect which the demolition phase of the project may reveal.  In the event of a discovery (not an oversight on our part), any additional cost involved shall be a cost incurred by the property owner.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

What percentages of your clients do some of the work?

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Question:  We would like to do some of the work on our remodeling project ourselves. What percentages of your clients do some of the work?

Answer:  For most of the projects we do, we complete 100% of the work.  Sometimes clients will do the painting or some of the demolition.  I would say the percentage of projects that clients do some of the work is less than 5%.  Each year I believe the percentage is becoming smaller.

If you have any questions you would like to ask, send them to me via email at [email protected].

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Don Jason Remodeling
725 Sugar Lane Elyria, OH 44035

Call Us for a Free Consultation at 440-365-0303