8Oct Remodeling by Lee Seward Remodeling Remodeling Renovating your Home New Kitchen, Bathroom, or considering a Remodeling Project, be sure to know what you are getting when you select your General Contractor. Here in Florida I have witnessed two General Contractors (in St. Petersburg FL.) start projects and never finish them. Homeowners with projects started and never completed waiting patiently for years (not months). They are told story after story and they are hoping one day the work will be completed. Most likely that day will unfortunately never come. How do you protect yourself from being a victim? Start with the estimate you receive and make sure it has detailed line items for the work you require. A short paragraph and zero definitive details is not worthy of a conversation let alone awarding the Contractor a project. You should have around 10-16+ line items of work required and costs associated. Each line item should explain the detail and the cost for labor and material. Here is an example of one line item: Do your Homework When you find the company you are comfortable with and you can tell what is included in the price by the scope and details if the work then go to contract. Some General Contractors have local attorneys make contracts and I reviewed one of them that had more language about not reporting negative reviews than any protection for the client or even the contractor. We use AIA contracts, this is the industry standard and this is what the courts use to solve conflicts. When you read an AIA contract you see that it is very fair for both parties involved in the project. It covers all of the typical discrepancies and sometimes unseen issues that can arise in a project. This is not unfair for the Client or the Contractor, it is just more transparent so both parties clearly know who is responsible for what and when. Be your Advocate If you are a victim in a bad deal then you need to be your advocate and change the terms. The first step is to have a few contractors come to give you an estimate for the work that is left to complete. Of course a detailed line item estimate. The second step is to assess the cost to complete against the cost paid to date. Most likely you will have grossly overpaid your current contractor. The third step is to speak with a few attorneys and research your options. Florida adopted House Bill 7125 governing claims of Contractor Fraud. Section 489.126 of the Florida Statutes covers the following:When a contractor receives an initial payment of at least 10 percent of the contract price for any repair, restoration, improvement, or construction job involving a residential property, the contractor is required to apply for any necessary permits within 30 days of receiving the payment, and to start the work within 90 days after all necessary permits have been issued.When a contractor fails to meet the deadlines, the client must send a written demand letter insisting the contractor either apply for the permits, start work, or refund the initial payment.+ If the contractor cannot meet these deadlines and refuses to refund the payment, the contractor must show “just cause” for the failure, unless the contractor and the client agree to an extension of time in writing; keep in mind, however, that failure to respond to the client’s demand letter within 30 days of receipt creates a legal inference that the contractor does not have “just cause”.“If the contractor receives total payments for a project “in excess of the value of the work performed,” the contractor may not refuse to complete the job within 90 days (or a different time period specified in the contract) or refund the excess money charged; if the client sends the contractor a written demand letter demanding completion or a refund, the contractor must reply within 30 days of receipt.A contractor who violates the law is subject to criminal prosecution for theft. The degree of the offense–and the accompanying jail time–escalates depending on the total amount of money received:If the amount received was less than $1,000, the contractor can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor;If the amount is between $1,000 and $19,999, the charge is a third-degree felony;If the amount is between $20,000 and $199,999, the charge is a second-degree felony;If the amount is $200,000 or greater, the charge is a first-degree felony. Proactive is always better than Reactive Renovations and remodeling is not that bad and should be fun. Unfortunately there are a few bad apples out there and if you hired one the process is not fun. Know that there are laws protecting you the victim. Be transparent in all of your dealings and expect transparency in return. Yes discrepancies happen and sometimes they are not in anyone’s control. Having a detailed fair contract avoids most issues or at the least provides instruction of how to handle unseen issues when they arise. If you are looking for transparency and fair pricing please contact us at:info@iridiumdev.io561-597-0021
11Sep Is Good Enough, Good Enough? by Lee Seward Remodeling New Homes and Remodeling When we renovated this home and added a pool in the basement we had to work with existing conditions, we also saved the rooms directly above this location so the beams had to stay intact. I mention this because when you are remodeling an area you have to work with existing conditions. How easy would it be to just stick lighting in the ceiling, or HVAC vents, at locations that are easy to work with? Very easy in fact most of the time spent on a remodel or renovation project is coordinating existing and new installation so it works with the design intent. After all what would be the point of working with a Designer or Architect if you are just going to place things where and when it is easy? Design is personal as is style, when you look past the design or style of something and focus on the details what do you see? What should you see? I will share what I see when I view pictures of others work. “Good Enough“, when you see lighting in a Kitchen without symmetry…a light over the kitchen sink that is not centered, or offset in front of the refrigerator (not centered over appliances), or huge obnoxious air vents (randomly placed)? A gaggle of switches most likely operating lights around the room and not near the location you enter. Ugh, or crown molding that runs the perimeter of the ceiling and stops at all of the wall registers or window openings…? What I see is much more than what is in the picture. I see disorganization and lack of planning, I see “Good Enough” just leave it. I see a project where the client hired a General Contractor, maybe an Interior Designer, or Architect, there were probably design drawings and rather than work with the team the GC provided excuses to why this is not possible or that will not work. The results of the work is “Good Enough” not “Wow that’s Great.” How does this happen? It is accepted or overlooked. If you take what I just explained and searched GC firms, Design Firms, Architect Firms you will see what I am talking about. “Nice from Far but Far from Nice.” When you select your next GC or Remodeling Contractor, see if they are ok with Good Enough! We accept only excellence.info@iridiumdev.io
23Aug Mortgage Rates by Lee Seward Remodeling Lower Cost Savings Are you feeling trapped by high mortgage rates? Instead of considering the daunting task of purchasing a new home with even higher mortgage rates, why not explore the option of remodeling your current home? With Iridium Development, a trusted and experienced general contractor, you can transform your existing space into your dream home while still living there.Imagine having a brand-new kitchen that perfectly suits your culinary needs or adding that much-needed extra room for your growing family. Our team of skilled professionals specializes in various aspects of home remodeling, including kitchen remodels, additions, window installations, roofing repairs, and more. We are committed to providing free estimates and delivering top-quality workmanship to ensure your satisfaction.By choosing to remodel instead of moving, you not only save yourself from the stress and expenses associated with buying a new property but also have the opportunity to customize every aspect of your home according to your preferences. Whether it’s creating an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) for additional rental income or upgrading your bathrooms and flooring for enhanced comfort and aesthetics, our dedicated team will work closely with you to bring your vision to life.Don’t let high mortgage rates hold you back from achieving the home of your dreams. Contact Iridium Development today and let us guide you through the exciting journey of transforming your current space into a place you’ll love coming home to.