January 2024 (255)

Featured Video:

How Rain Affects Your Chimney

With the help of JR with Lonestar Masonry Repair we take a look at chimney design and how rain affects the life of your chimney. Water overtime will lead to brick deterioration, and the spark arrestor cap can play a role in preventing this damage.

When the cold weather arrives homeowners need to be prepared for the possibility of pipes freezing. Jim walks you through the steps of getting the materials you need to do a DIY repair until the plumber can arrive.

If your driveway, or other concrete surfaces have developed cracks, Jim recommends a method for filling them if you are not yet ready to replace it.

From Jim's Notebook

Hiring a Contractor...

Ask the right questions up front.

• How long has the contractor been working under the current name? Ideal for it to be at least 3-5 years as a business under the current name - not just "years of experience".
• Does your work require a license?
• Do they have an office? Working out of a garage or pick-up truck = here today, gone tomorrow.
• Does the contractor carry insurance? General liability and worker's comp are a must. Provided they have worker's comp insurance, if a worker gets hurt on the job the property owner cannot be sued.
• Does the contractor have their own employees, use sub-contractors or both? Beware of the suitcase contractor - a real contractor will at least have some employees of their own and use subs for specialty jobs.
• Are there unanswered complaints with the BBB? Any business can have complaints against them. The good ones always answer regardless of the complaint.
• Is your contractor willing to give you a reference list?
• Will your contractor stay on the job once it starts or will they be bouncing around between projects?

Hiring a Good Contractor Costs More, and Here's Why...

Jim frequently answers questions about finding a good contractor at a "reasonable" price. The old adage about "getting what you pay for" applies to contractors too...and Jim explains why.

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