Save Yourself From A Home Remodeling Nightmare
Make Sure Contractor Is Bonded, Insured, Expert Says
Even in the best cases, home remodeling can be difficult. But when things go wrong, it can be a nightmare. A simple sheet of paper can spare you some of the worst problems and save you thousands of dollars on a remodeling job.Make sure you have a written document showing the contractor is bonded or insured. That document is something that Cathy Crawford of Denver wishes she had when her remodeling problems began."(They said), 'You're going to be so impressed, you're going to be bragging to people and we'll get some business.' And I'm like, 'I can't wait,'" said Crawford.But seven months later and six months after the contractor said it would be done soon, Crawford was still waiting."The lights aren't here. The cabinets aren't done. The backsplash isn't done and the dryer, my dad had to do," said Crawford.The family room was piled high with food, dishes and boxes."That's my pantry. I'm having to live out of boxes to cook," she said.She had the range hood for her stove but no one to install it."I had to go out and buy the range hood. They kind of forgot to mention that to the electrician," said Crawford.And the work inside left some ugly gaps outside."They haven't finished the siding, and this is another thing that's going to have to come out of my pocket," Crawford said.She's tapped her retirement funds to finish some work but the tile installer who wasn't paid filed a lien against Crawford and her home."You can't sell it and more than likely you can't get another refinance or mortgage," said attorney John Zakhem.He said a lien could lead to foreclosure, so you've got to know the rules to protect yourself."Rule No. 1 is to make sure that anyone who's doing work for you is insured or bonded," Zakhem said.A bond is financial protection for subcontractors and suppliers, but call the bonding company to make sure the policy is real."And make sure the amount of the bond covers what you're going to be paying them and the work they're going to do," Zakhem said.A lien waiver is more protection. By signing it, subcontractors and suppliers agree not to tie up your home and property if they're not paid in full. That means getting a complete list of subcontractors and suppliers and contacting every one of them."You need to make sure everybody has signed your lien waiver," Zakhem said.You can buy the document for $3 at many office supply stores, but Zakhem said he'll send them to anyone who wants one and do it for free. You can contact him at (303) 837-8035 or e-mail him at john@doyleandzakhem.com.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Three men have been arrested by Daytona Beach police after a 16-year-old died from stab wounds.
Hurricane Ida was weakening as it headed for the Gulf Coast but could still pack hurricane winds and storm surges when it hits the shore Monday night or early Tuesday.
Images and hundreds of pages of documents related to the Casey Anthony case are released by the state attorney's office.
Jason Rodriguez is formally charged with first-degree murder and ordered to be held on no bond on charges he shot five people, killing one in a downtown office building on Friday.
| Arrest | Suspect
With prayers, music and pomp, Germany on Monday remembered the 20th anniversary of the day the Berlin Wall fell, sending East Germans flooding west and setting in motion events that soon led to the country's reunification.
Local 6 News, led by investigative reporter Mike Holfeld, will host an interactive experience on Monday, including a phone bank and online chat with homeowners association experts.
Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009.
Local 6 News, led by investigative reporter Mike Holfeld, will host an interactive experience on Monday at 6:30 p.m. with viewers, including a phone bank and online chat with homeowners association experts.
Police released a 911 call in which a young woman tells a dispatcher about a drunken, naked girl on a high school campus whom officers later said was gang-raped. The call is apparently the first report police received about the Oct. 24 attack.
A South Carolina man caught on video having sex with a horse has been sentenced to three years in prison for abusing the animal.
Top-dollar designs don't always provide a good return for the rich and famous. Check out which celebs were caught in fashion flops.
Hundreds of photos in the Casey Anthony case are released.
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
