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How To Find A Contractor | The Contractor Search Guide

Kevin — Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:38:59 +0000

Knowing how to find a contractor that won’t turn your project into a nightmare situation isn’t as hard as it seems. There is a right way, and a wrong way to go about finding one. If you take the steps below, you are much more likely to find someone amazing in your area. Keep reading to find out what the right steps are to hiring a reliable contractor for your home remodel project.

I made The Contractor Search Guide to help cover the most important steps in the hiring process. They are easy to understand and follow along with. What this guide covers are three crucial parts of looking for a contractor.

First is an in depth list of places to look for the contractor you want to hire. It covers the best options to use, no matter where you are living. It’s important to go where they are if you want to find them.

Next you get a list of 14 interview questions to ask your potential prospects. Each question also shows you what to listen for in their answers. You will get a printable PDF version of these questions, making it easier to ask them in the interview process.

The third part of The Contractor Search Guide talks about everything you need to know about the contract. It discusses the clauses in it, and what they mean. It also tells you where to go to make sure the contract you use is a good one for your own situation. You get a PDF of an example contract for you to look at when you write up your own.

Click the button below to get your copy of The Contractor Search Guide now.

The Contractor Search Guide Will Show You The Exact Process For Finding a Reliable and Trustworthy Contractor. Don’t Pick Someone Who Will make things worse!

You Will:

Know Where to Look For A Contractor to Hire
Get a Complete List of Interview Questions
Know What Goes Into The Contract

Make Your Next Renovation Project As Seamless As Possible. Get Your Copy of The Contractor Search Guide When You Click The Link Below.

Let’s take a look at the three main parts of hiring a contractor for your personal home remodel job.

Where To Look For a Contractor to Hire

The first step to finding a contractor is to look in the right places. There are a few ways to do this. The first is probably the most reliable. You can get references from your friends and family. This is a great way to vet somebody because you trust what your family member would recommend to you. They would let you know if they didn’t like the person.

But you may run into the issue of either not knowing anyone who has had work done on their home. Or perhaps the people you know live far away so that the contractor can’t get to your home to work. That’s okay because the second place for you to look is with the local home builder’s association.

To do this you will go on the search engine of your choice and search for the term “home builder’s association”. You may need to type in the city or region you live in as well. Do some searching for a business directory. Then look for terms like “Remodeling”, or “Builders- Custom”. Think creatively for search terms you can use.

There are more options for you to use when looking for a contractor. You want to find about 3-5 of them for the next step. It’s okay if you go to the next step with each person when you find them.

Questions to Ask a Contractor

The interview process is a crucial stage for successfully finding someone who is reliable. It will help you get to know who you are working with better. You will want to ask some key questions to figure out if they are the right fit for your situation.

There is a good chance they won’t work out, so that’s why we will have 3-5 lined up for an interview. If they don’t work out, go back to the previous step and find another one to interview. Once you find the one you want to use, you can move on to the next phase.

Here are some good questions to ask. If you want a more thorough list to use, check out The Contractor Search Guide.

What made you want to get into this business?

This question is meant to give you a basic understanding of whether or not this person enjoys this type of work. Do you get a sense they are there just for a paycheck, or is it more than that? Do they have experience with the profession, or are they pretty young in the field?

Do you have any examples of projects like mine that you’ve already done? Can I see Photos?

Their portfolio might not have exact replicas of what you want in your bathroom, but it’s good to know if they have experience with similar projects. You can also build upon their experience to improve on the ideas you have.

The contractor’s previous experience and knowledge base is a good resource for you to tap into. Don’t be afraid to change your mind about some of your ideas if you like theirs better.

Can you provide at least 3 references for your work?

These can be previous clients, other contractors they worked with, etc. It’s better if it is a former client they have worked with. This will let you get a feel for what it’s like to work with them.

You want to call these people and ask how the experience was. Get a feel for what the contractor’s work ethic is like, and if the project was completed on time. You don’t need to ask about too many specifics, but instead get an idea of the overall experience of what the contractor was like working with them.

These questions are good starting questions for the conversation you are about to have. Remember that the main intention for asking these questions is to get to know who it is you are inviting into your home to help you. Make sure the person you choose is the best option for you to use.

After picking the right person to help with your home remodel, you want to cover all your bases legally. That’s why next we will be discussing what goes into drafting a contract.

What You Need To Know About The Contract

A contract is a legal document used to protect yourself from any damages that are caused by the other party/parties within the contract. There are many different versions to use for a renovation.

Not all contractors choose to use a written contract when taking a job. This may seem silly because their title is “contractor”, but it is considered normal because a handshake is technically a legally binding contract.

It is best to use a written contract for during and after the project is complete. There are many parts that can be included that are important for both parties.

The clauses may or may not be included in the contract, depending on the situation. A lot of it has to do with the size of the job being done. If you have a big job for instance, you may need to pull permits. But some jobs don’t deal with work that would require this clause to be included.

On the other hand, each project is going to have a “scope of work” which lists the details of the job. This will clear up a lot of confusion that might arise regarding what specifics need to get done.

There are many more clauses that are used in these types of jobs. This article is not designed to have a thorough listing of all the clauses to choose from. You will get a more complete list in The Contractor Search Guide.

The Contractor Search Guide Will Show You The Exact Process For Finding a Reliable and Trustworthy Contractor. Don’t Pick Someone Who Will make things worse!

You Will:

Know Where to Look For A Contractor to Hire
Get a Complete List of Interview Questions
Know What Goes Into The Contract

Make Your Next Renovation Project As Seamless As Possible. Get Your Copy of The Contractor Search Guide When You Click The Link Below.

How To Find a Contractor Near Me

My favorite resource for looking up contractors in my area is HomeAdvisor.com. This website will compare options depending on your specific job requirements. You will simply type in the type of work you are doing (e.g. home remodel) into the search bar. After hitting enter it will ask you what your zip code is. This will narrow down the workers to those in your area. Take a look through the options before picking the one you think is the best.

You can also browse the categories to find specific jobs you might need done. This website has several ways you can use it to find a reliable worker for you to use at home.

I hope this article helped you with the process on how to find a contractor. There really are some simple steps to follow that will get you the result you are looking for. If you go through these steps you are more likely to find a contractor that you can trust. Also remember if you don’t have a good feeling about someone, you don’t need to use them. It’s best to search for the best contractor for your home remodel.

Happy Remodeling,

Kevin

The post How To Find A Contractor | The Contractor Search Guide appeared first on Castle Remodel.

How to Read A Tape Measure

Kevin — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 05:35:30 +0000

You shouldn’t be embarrassed if you don’t know how to read a tape measure. This is a skill that needs to be taught in order to truly understand how to use this tool. After you learn the few rules I show you below, you will see how quick and easy it is to read a tape measure. Keep reading to learn how to read a tape measure.

A tape measure is a tool we use to take accurate measurements of virtually any object. There are two main types of tape measures. They are known as metric, and standard tape measures. Both of these are divided into smaller segments that make it possible to get an accurate measurement. Both will do the same job, all that matters is choosing the one you are most comfortable with.

I will start off by explaining the standard tape measure, and then cover the metric tape measure later.

It is best if you use the same tape measure rather than switching between multiple ones on a project. Different tape measures may have a slight variation in the location of their marks. This difference is very minor, but it may affect your measurements if switching back and forth. Remembering this will insure you are as accurate as possible.

Before you learn how to read a tape measure, first you must learn about the tape measure itself. Let’s take a look at the parts of the tape, and get an understanding of their functions.

Tape Measure Componenets

Hook – The angled metal piece at the end of the blade that hooks onto, or butts up against a surface being measured. This piece slides a small amount, making sure you are not including the thickness of the hook in your final measurement.
Hook slot – A hollow hole on the hook that allows the hook to attach to an object like a nail or screw. This can come in handy at times when you need an extra set of hands but don’t have a helper. Tap a nail at the spot you are measuring from and hook the hook slot on.
Tape or blade – The long part of the tape measure that retracts from the case. It has numbers and lines on it that indicate measurement lengths. It is usually a bright yellow color with black writing/marks for easy reading.
Thumb lock – A sliding portion above the tape on the case that allows the blade to be locked in place. This can be useful when you need an extra hand to make a mark or write a measurement down.
Belt clip – A metal clip on the side of the case that allows the tape measure to be hooked onto something like a belt or pants pocket.
Case – This is the housing that holds all the above components together. There is a spring inside the case that allows the tape to retract when not in use.

How to Use a Tape Measure

There is a method of using a tape measure. It’s simple, and can be explained like this. Hold the tape measure in one hand with the hook at the bottom near your index finger. With your other hand you will pull out the hook and place it on one side of the item you want to measure. pull the tape measure to the other side of the item, and hold it square against the edge of what you are measuring. Take a look at the mark that is touching (or closest to) the edge you are measuring.

Start by looking at the nearest foot that is between the two edges of what is being measured. Then find the closest inch between. Next you will figure out what mark the edge is at, giving you the entire measurement. You will read the measurement in the order of feet, inches, then fractions of an inch. Let’s take a look at how to read fractions of an inch on a tape measure.

Standard Tape Measure

The standard, also known imperial tape measure is a tape that measures in inches. When you look at the tape, there are numbers that indicate inches and feet. There are also groups of lines that are several different lengths. These lines are what tell you the fractions of the inch, giving a specific and accurate measurement.

How to Read a Tape Measure in Inches

Let’s start by learning what the marks on the tape measure mean. You will notice there are a series of lines on the tape measure. The longest lines go across the tape, and have numbers next to them. These lines are the inch marks. That means whatever the number is next to that line, it is that many inches away from the hook on the tape measure.

The Lines Between Inches on a Tape Measure

Between the inch marks are shorter lines of different lengths. These lines are 1/16 of an inch increments. If you start at any one of the inch marks, and count all the lines including the next inch mark you will notice that there are 16 of them.

The tallest line between the inch marks is the ½ inch mark. There is one of these lines, as they indicate the halfway point between inches. The mark show in the picture here is the 1 and 1/2 inch mark.

Half way between the inch marks and the ½ inch mark are the quarter inch marks. These are slightly shorter than the half inch mark. There are two of these marks at the 1/4 inch and 3/4 inch locations. The 1/2 inch mark can also be used as a 1/4 inch mark because 1/2 will translate to 2/4.

The next shorter one is the 1/8th inch mark. You will notice there are four marks at this length. They are 1/8, 3/8, 5/8, and 7/8 measurements. The 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 do not have an 8 in the denominator because we want to read the lowest common denominator. That is true for any of the measurements we have.

The shortest marks on most tape measures are the 1/16 marks. These are located between every other mark on the tape measure. Like the fractions above, we are only reading the odd numbered ones as having a 16 in the denominator.

This is the way the marks between the inches read. They all are read with the lowest common denominator (the bottom number) for that fraction. You will notice the numerator (top number on the fraction) is always an odd number. That’s because if it was even, the fraction has not been reduced completely at that point.

How to Read a Metric Tape Measure

Reading a metric tape measure is similar to reading a standard tape measure. But there is one main difference. The marks between the centimeters are read in decimals rather than fractions. That is because there are ten spaces between the centimeter marks. These segments are divided into “tenths” of a centimeter.

Go about reading your measurement off the same way as a standard tape. In this case you will start with the nearest meter to the inside of what you are measuring. Meters are at the 100 centimeter marks. The tape should indicate this measurement with a 1M, 2M, etc at these locations.

Next look for the nearest centimeter to the inside of the spot you are measuring. There will be a number at this location.

Finally count how many millimeters there are From the centimeter you found to the location you are measuring. This will give you the final amount of your measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Measuring Tape Start With Zero or One?

On a measuring tape, the hook is at the zero location. Any length beyond the hook is a fraction of an inch until you get to the one. Sometimes it’s necessary to make your measurement by holding the tape at the one. This is called burning an inch. Make sure you subtract one inch from your final measurement in this circumstance.

Is it Better to Use a Metric or Standard Tape Measure?

Deciding to use a metric or standard tape is up to you. Both of them are capable of taking measurements with great accuracy. The question is which one are you more comfortable with. If you don’t know yet, you may want to ask yourself a few questions. Will you be working with other people who have a preference? Have you learned how to read one or the other yet? What is the common unit of measurement for the country you are living in at the moment?

These questions should help you make an educated decision on which one you want to use. If you can’t decide then consider getting a tape measure that has both options. Over time you may find yourself using one the majority of the time.

What is the black diamond on a tape measure?

Some tape measures have a black diamond on them. These diamonds are used in construction, and indicate the spacing for floor joists. This diamond is a quick way for construction workers to have an accurate spacing of floor joists when framing a house.

What are the red numbers on a tape measure?

Tape measures have red numbers that are spaced every 16 inches apart. This is to help construction workers find the correct spacing for studs placement quickly. When hooking the tape on the end of a board, they can quickly mark where the 16 inch marks are by looking at the red numbers. These marks are called “sixteen on center” marks.

What is the Easiest Tape Measure to Read?

The easiest tape measure to read would be one with a digital readout. Lexivon makes one with not only a digital readout, but also a laser measure option as well. It will shoot a laser at the object you want to measure, and tell you the distance to that object. The extendable tape has all the necessary markings and measurements if you still need to take a measurement the old fashioned way.

Conclusion

As you see, learning how to read a tape measure is easy to learn. It’s really as simple as holding the hook end on one side of what you are measuring, and extending the tape to the other end. Read the nearest foot mark that is inside the two edges of what you are measuring. Then find the nearest inch, and finally the nearest fraction of an inch. These three measurements will tell you what the final distance is of what you are measuring.

Thank you for reading this blog article. Here at Castle Remodel I want to help you learn how to turn your home into your own sanctuary. Reading a tape measure is an important part of that.

Happy Remodeling,

Kevin

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