old to new

decks !!! many people have one attached to their home and as they get old and start to decay they stop using them and thats when your deck become dangerous . 

The biggest problem is that once the deck is built you start using it but most never maintain their decks

Thing like just keeping the trees and bushes cut back to let the wood breath and not to let the leaves and pine needles sit on it . 

You should shovel the snow off in the winter the added weight could do damage .

Inspecting you deck every year and fix anything that starts to show signs of decay or damage will help make your deck lasts , adding a stain or wood renewer every few years helps to extend the life of your deck .

If you stay on top of it you will not only keep the value the deck adds to your home but you will continue to enjoy your deck and not have to spend a hole lot of money to replace it .

From small decks to large out door living area fix , repair and maintain so you can enjoy for years to come .

here are some pic from a deck that was not looked after and needed over $15,000.00 in work to fix

Trades I Trust

Yes when it comes to making sure the job gets done right then I trust in my own trades .

I am constantly asked by my clients why I bring my Trades from outside the area when doing their project . 

It is simple when your reputation is on the line and performance will be judged you need to bring your game , many guys out there try to build with low bidder or un tried trades and soon find themselves in trouble .

Yes there is always luck and experience to help get you through but using   untried trades can and will complicate thing sometimes .

for this reason I take some of my trades with me when doing projects out of town  , I know their work and can trust them to do the job right and on time .

Just last week this was quite evident when I sent my tree guy's down to Toronto to cut trees down for my next build , the client was worried the neighbour  is a big problem  but my client was very pleased my guys not only clean their yard but cleaned the neighbour yard of all mess from cutting the trees down .

 The neighbour was happy and my client remarked to my tree guy that they can see why I was insistent on using my trades. 

The fact is my project must reflect the quality of work that is expected and for me to deliver that when ever possible I use only trades that I trust from other jobs that I have done or trades sent to me from my friends that are builder that deliver the same quality work that I do .

By sticking to this system I can control and deliver a project  On Time On Budget Total satisfaction  

  

Not Getting Paid

We all know how hard it is to find work and with all that it brings with it like having to deal with low bidders and fly by nighters .

just keeping your self and your employee working is quite a job in it self, so when  you do find work you put all that you are into it and hope that everything you do will result in leading to more work.

But even when you go over and above to complete your work with professional workmanship  and fix other peoples work all the time dealing with the owner sending other trades in and screwing up your time line. 

you do not expect to have to deal with not getting your money , but that is what just happen .

I went into this job knowing  I would have to fix the mess that the first framer had done .

the floor was out of square by 6" and the project was 2 month behind .

So in I come and not only fix everything and get the job back on track but take over and finish everything .

So after i spend 2 nights installing pine flooring along comes the owner and the stain they want is a rub on furniture stain sorry not what was quoted  , the wife decides that she wants the finish applied with some stain mixed in .

the next day they do not like the look so sand all day and start over he picks a stain half a bedroom done the wife does not like that .

Now 6 sat night and i still have not been paid for the pine install and now they want me to hand rub stain on all night , well not happening they will not pay extra so tell them no and then they decideI should   leave and now they will not pay me for the pine install which was a separate contract .

This kind of crap is what really tics me off you give the job all you got and the owner could give a dam they just think that you are disposable with no regard to what  not getting your money will do to you and your family.

Now what are you to do put a lien on the house well that takes money and remember just did not get paid , threaten  them well maybe might work but most often they will call police and them were will you be . 

I use social media to inform people just who they are and try to hurt them this way if they have a company then this can effect them but most often you will be out and without using violence to  make them pay people will just keep doing it .

in my case the owner is greg peterson  with growthadvisors.ca   and renovantage.com  president of renovantage inc    

Flood rebuilding

Over the past few weeks we have all seen the picture listen to the story of heartbreak and devastation that was all in thanks to the hight water causing flooding throughout muskoka and Halliburton .

As the water starts to recede and the damage is finally being inspected the cost are rising and with many not covered under their insurance it will be up to the home owners to deal with the repairs.
While this will give the local guy a chance to pick up some work it will also open the door for bad choices and fraud , as with all building projects when hiring contractors always ask and check ref,
always get 3 quote and never feel rushed or pushed to commit to a contractor .

now paying for material when they are delivered is common but large deposit is a red flag and make sure that the work is done and been inspected before paying .
remember all work requires a permit .
if your contractor brings in subs then make sure you get a clearance that they have been paid before you pay off the builder for everything.

Now with everything else it is very important that you do not try to do more than you can afford.
work with your contractor not against them set your goals and time line at the start .

remember just as many jobs go south because of bad contractor as do bad home owners

huntsville project coming to an end

well we are at the trim stage now soon it will be over and on to the next project
hear are some pic of the progress