MADAC Award Winning Project

Titus Contracting constructed a project that was chosen for the MADAC award through the Minnesota Multi-Housing Awards!

Titus Contracting is a full-service remodeling company offering both residential and commercial construction. Additionally, Titus Contracting provides cabinets, tile installation, and finish carpentry in Savage, Lakeville, and the Twin Cities, MN.

Here is just a sneak peak of the project chosen for the MADAC award!


To view more photos of this project visit Titus Contracting.

The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

Questions to Help Hire the Right Bathroom Remodeler

The bathroom has finally grated on your last nerve. The 80's brown and orange has got to go. If you have reached a similar point, it can be very intimidating to decide on a bathroom remodel contractor. The last thing you want to do is discover that you have hired a sub-par professional. Not hiring a quality contractor can lead to the job costing more than estimated, missed job completion deadlines and much frustration.

To avoid this, be sure to interview several contractors. This will allow you to get a good feel for what is standard in the industry in your area and to become comfortable with the person you decide to hire.

Here are several questions you might want to ask during the interview process.

1) "How long have you been remodeling bathrooms?" This question is similar to "How long have you been in business?" but gets at the heart of the experience a particular contractor might have. He or she may have recently started a new business but has years of experience in the industry. Just because the business is new does not indicate that the job will be done poorly. However, it is probably best to ask both questions and steer clear of new businesses if you can. They may be good at the work but business issues can distract and cause delays.

2) "Are you insured?" This is a big one. If something goes wrong with your job you want to be sure that you can recoup losses and you are protected.

3) "Do you pull the appropriate permits and is this cost covered in the estimate?" You want to make absolutely sure you have proper permitting for your job. Not having permits can cause you to run afoul of government agencies and cause headaches. Making sure the costs are in the bid ensures you don't receive add on "surprises" at job completion.

4) "Do you provide references?" This is a great way to help select an bathroom remodel contractor. By talking to previous customers, you can get a feel for the kind of work the contractor does and how he or she conducts himself during the job. You can find out if the workers were rude, cleaned up the job site poorly, played loud music, etc. These might not impact the quality of the job but they can be very frustrating and are good to know up front. Ask for several references from recent jobs.

These are just a few questions to ask. In the end, however, listen to your intuition and make sure you are 100% comfortable with the company you hire. Ask lots of questions and wait a day or two before signing a contract to give you time to reflect.

If you follow these guidelines you will much more likely to hire the right contractor for your bathroom remodel. Happy remodeling!

For additional information on bathroom remodeling visit Titus Contracting. Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

The Dos and Don'ts of Hiring a Home Contractor

If you are in need of having some work done on your home and don't have time to do it yourself, then perhaps it would be wise to hire a general contractor to take care of all the details for you. After all, a good building contractor will help you make the best decisions for how to get a job done, and will then line up the workmen to do the job.

Of course, not all home contractors are the same. Some of them have specialized areas while others are qualified to handle an abundance of fields. But regardless of the type of job you need done, you want to be sure that the contractor you hire is trustworthy and that you and the contractor understand what the job will entail. To make the job go as smoothly as possible, start by having a good contractor. To help you determine what qualifications to look for, look for theses dos and don'ts of hiring a contractor.

Do:

• Talk to friends, family and co-workers to get recommendations and references.
• Check with the BBB or Angieslist.com for any complaints or comments.
• Interview at least 3 contractors and get a written estimate from each one. Be sure each contractor lists the same work so you can make a fair comparison.
• Check licensing and registration requirements for your state and find out if the contractor adheres to them.
• Be sure the contractor and any subcontractors are licensed and insured. Check with your own insurance provider to find out if you are covered for any injury or damage that may occur.
• Get the name of the suppliers and ask to see if the contractor pays their bills on time.
• Insist on a written contract that states exactly what work will be done, the quality of the materials, warranties, timetables, names of any subcontractors, total price, and payment schedule.
• Keep in mind, that most states gives you 3 business days to cancel without penalty, though you will be responsible for any benefits already received.

Don'ts:

• Make a final payment or sign a final release until you are satisfied with the work and know that all those involved have been paid.
• Pay up front for the entire job.
• Be pressured into making an immediate decision.
• Hire a contractor that tells you that the job will be a demonstration.
• Hire a contractor that who offers discounts for finding other customers.
• Hire someone who can only be reached by leaving messages with an answering service.
• Be impressed with an unusually long guarantee.

Be Wary of:

• Contractors who have vehicles with out of state plates or drive an unmarked vehicle.
• Those who offer a bid that is completely out of sync with the others; typically you will want to steer away from the lowest bid and the highest bid.
• Hiring the person who "just happens" to have materials left over from a job or who solicited the job from a door to door neighborhood canvassing.

For more information on contracting and design process visit Titus Contracting or call 952-746-7817.

What to Look for When Hiring Home Contractor

Whether you are planning a basic remodel of your master bedroom, adding a family room or building a house, one of the most important aspects of the job is hiring a competent, reliable, and trustworthy contractor. When you hire a contractor, it is vital that it be someone you feel comfortable with, since you will likely be spending a fair amount of time discussing the work to be done. Keeping this in mind, you will want to take your time choosing a general contractor. Talk to those you know for recommendations, contact your local home builders association or make inquiries at your home improvement store to get a list of the contractors in your area who meet your needs.

Before Hiring a Contractor

Once you have made some inquiries and have a list of contractors, you will want to do a little research before you schedule the first interview.

• Verify that the contractor is registered with your state's contractors association.
• Check out the contractor online with sites like Angies List; call your local building department or the BBB to find out if there have been any reports about the contractors you are considering.
• Find out how long the contractor has been in business and if there are any pending or past actions against a contractor's bond.
• As you make the calls, be sure that you have a clear idea of what the project will be. After all, if you don't know what you want to have done or are unable to clearly explain it to the contractor, it will be much more difficult to find someone willing to work for you.

Queries for Interviewing a General Contractor

Once you have the scope of the project determined, you will want to start talking to prospective contractors. As part of the interview, there are several items that should be discussed.

• Ask for references and then check them out. If at all possible, ask the other homeowners if you can see the work. Also, see if you can drop by a current jobsite to see work in progress.
• Ask for references of suppliers that the contractor works with and check out their payment record. If they are behind on any bills, find another contractor!
• Ask for a copy of the contractor's insurance policy and make sure you understand what is covered.
• Ask that the contractor post a performance bond for the entire cost of the project if it is more than $6,000.
• Try to anticipate any inconveniences, variables, potential weather concerns, etc. and come to an agreement, in writing, on how they will be handled. A good contractor will include clean up of the job site as part of the job as it their responsibility to leave your property neat and clean!
• Evaluate all aspects of the job-scope of work, product and material warranties, references, time frames and price- get everything in writing and do not sign anything until there is agreement on all aspects of the job.

For additional information on the topic of home improvements and general contractors visit Titus Contracting LLC. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting LLC. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.

EPA Lead Certification

Contractors who perform work in housing built before 1978 must be trained and certified to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) regulation. The rule applies to any contractor who might disturb lead paint to, for example, service behind-the-wall plumbing.

The EPA’s RRP regulation affects a wide range of contracting firms, including renovators, painters, electricians, plumbers, maintenance firms, and others. It applies to pre-1978 housing and “child-occupied facilities,” which would include childcare centers and schools.

Both individual “renovators” and contracting firms must be EPA-certified, noted Michelle Price, chief of the agency’s Lead, Heavy Metal and Inorganic Branch. Even contractors with previous lead abatement training must be trained and certified under this new program. This new program will allow contractors to help reduce childhood lead poisoning by working lead-safe. Contractors who fail to comply will risk penalties of up to $37,500 per day as well as potential private lawsuits.

Titus Contracting is a proud to announce that we are Lead Certified. For more information on this certification you may visit the Environmental Protection Agency website or contact Titus Contracting directly at 952-746-7817 or online at TitusContracting.com

Kitchen Remodels - Why Countertops and Cabinets Are Best Left to Professional Contractors

Remodeling a kitchen is a time consuming and often a sizable investment. It is comforting to know, however, that a kitchen remodel will yield a maximum return on the investment when the house is sold. Strangely enough, many homeowners will remodel a kitchen, not for their own enjoyment and convenience, but for the convenience and pleasure of the new homeowners. While an upgraded kitchen will be a large factor in the overall presentation of the home regarding resale value, it makes more sense for the home owner to upgrade for the purpose of using the new amenities.

Kitchen countertops and cabinetry are the most important focal point of any kitchen remodel and require the utmost attention to detail. There are several choices to make from countertop material to the type of cabinet door hinges and drawer slides. There is a plethora of different types of construction which will determine whether or not the cabinets can be $2,000, $12,000 or more. It is quite realistic for the average investment of a complete kitchen remodel to range from around $30,000 or so to $50,000 with appliances.

What can a home owner expect for $2,000? The quality of cabinets and countertops at this price point will be on the most basic type with no styling and white in color. Construction will generally be 100% particle board or MDF (medium density fiber) board with an extremely thin veneer. The cabinet and door fronts will just be a flat door with no architectural styling. Cabinets of this type are commonly sold at the local home improvement stores. $2,000 is a very conservative estimate for bare bones kitchen cabinetry and if the remodel is a do-it-yourself project. The majority of home owners, however, will not have the knowledge, expertise or tools to safely and correctly remove the old cabinets and install a new cabinet arrangement.

Installing a laminate countertop may seem to be more of a straight forward and simple task, but can prove to be problematic for a do-it-yourself project. Laminates are extremely easy to chip and ruin if careful attention to technique is not applied. When the countertop of choice is an engineered solid surface or fabricated stone, such as granite, it is always wisest to obtain the services of an experienced professional. While it is possible for the do-it-yourself home owner to install a sectional, prefabricated laminate countertop purchased from a home improvement center, most upgrading is done with the intent of leaving behind a laminate countertop for a sleek and durable engineered quartz or granite slab.

With just the cost for a countertop able to surpass $2000, depending upon the style, material and size, a quality kitchen remodel should not be attempted by most home owners. Home owners may believe that the savings will be worth the added stress and time, but after everything is said and done, mistakes can be just as costly as hiring a reputable contractor. Remodelers and contractors possess the muscle, knowledge and skill to successfully turn a dated and drab kitchen into a beautiful and enjoyable centerpiece of any home.

For additional information on the topic of home remodels an new home additions visit Titus Contracting LLC.

Article independently authored by Daniel P. Elliott. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Titus Contracting LLC. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.