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Articles by kia
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Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Home Repairs
When water damage occurs, it’s essential to act quickly. Water damage restoration contractors have specific steps they perform to facilitate drying. Understanding this process helps you vet these contractors before hiring them for needed work. Here are steps ... -
Your Home As A Patient-Rebuilding after a storm
I’m frequently asked how to handle rebuilding after a storm-especially when there is a shortfall of competent contractors. The answer? Stabilize and then repair correctly. After a storm, there is an influx of scam artist who steal deposit money and do shoddy ... -
Clarity and Collaboration-The keys to a successful scope
When it comes to construction, people often have to make important decisions without the tools to do so. They may have watched HGTV or read articles at Houzz, Fine Homebuilding, or This Old House, but these entities address “construction,” when “contracting” ... -
Burned Once, Burned Twice-How to avoid rip-off after a house fire.
Home is where your heart is, and rebuilding after a fire is a heartbreaking undertaking-especially if you are cheated by a scam artist. To help ensure contractor competency, you should verify a contractor’s qualifications. Government required professional ... -
Hardening Your Home Pays Off
“Mitigation” can generally be defined as “lessening the severity of something” and “construction mitigation” refers to actions that reduce the risk to property from hazards. The good news is that the cost of protecting your property can now be shared by your ... -
Forecasting The Unknown
Like all professionals who are asked to predict future events, meteorologists bear a heavy burden because their forecasts effect people's safety and wellbeing. At the 2014 National Hurricane Conference and the Florida Governor's Hurricane Conference, ... -
FLASH 2013- Mitigation in motion
Since man's early existence, shelter has provided protection and comfort which in turn has prolonged survival. Today, in addition to providing shelter, homeownership has become a symbol of independence and success. Consequently, care is given to maintain and ... -
Credential Confidential -Understanding Government's Requirements for Contractors
"If you think professionals are expensive, try hiring an amateur”- Red Adair
Sometimes a few words say a lot, and the quote above hits it on the head when it comes to construction. Construction is notorious for cost overruns and delays. From ... -
Keeping Up With Elevation Issues
In construction, while large loaders shape the ground underfoot and tall cranes fly supplies overhead, it is easy to be swept away by the massiveness of it all. Even a modest project, let's say the construction of a house, is an impressive ... -
The Contractor's License-An important credential that should be in place for renovations, repairs, and new construction
Many states use licensing as a means to regulate an activity, particularly one that requires a high level of skill and is deemed dangerous when performed incorrectly. Professionals are often licensed because unqualified practitioners can cause harm. A state ... -
Contractor Insurance-Avoiding loss when you remodel, repair, or build a new home
Risk is an uncertainty you assume everyday and sometimes it can result in loss. Insurance is a resource that protects you against major financial loss because the risk of loss is transferred to the insurance company. In exchange for a small fee (the ... -
Finding Your Initial Contractor Candidates When You Build a House or Remodel or Repair an Existing One
Have you ever wondered why some building projects come off without a hitch while others drag on, draining your energy and funds? The outcome often depends on whether you hired a tip-top team of good contractors or a ragtag team of ne'er-do-wells. ... -
The Key to Productive Inspections When You Build A New House or Renovate An Existing One
Most contractors agree that once a building project breaks ground, the job is halfway done. Yes, it is true. It takes as much time and effort to design, estimate, contract, schedule, and permit the work as it takes to build ... -
OSHA Imposes Stricter Fall-Protection Requirements To Help Protect Contractors
Because falls are the No. 1 cause of workplace death, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is tightening up regulations designed to protect workers from this deadly type of accident. In December 2010, OSHA withdrew an exemption that ... -
Eat Your Heart Out, New York
New York City is a melting pot of various cuisines and the International Restaurant and Foodservice Show of New York reflects this diversity. This trade show, where I presented information about construction, showcases new trends and products in the ... -
A Peek at the Past
When I visited Colorado recently, I noticed that the town of Frisco transported several historic homes to its Historic Park and Museum. This park is a great place for families to "go back in time" and see how life was in the early 19th ... -
The 2011 International Builders' Show-New products and services for your home improvement and new construction projects
Visiting the International Builders' Show (IBS) is like running a marathon: it's an exhausting ordeal but the rewards are worth the effort. This year, the trade show featured more than 1,000 exhibitors, 170 educational sessions, and 47,000 ... -
Wishing You a Happy, Healthy and Humorous New Year
Wit and wisdom are virtues I admire most in people. No matter what you"™re working on, a good sense of humor is always a useful addition to your toolbox. Here are a few wise and witty gems I"™d like to share with you. During the holidays, I had a ... -
Art Helps Make a House a Home
Building a house is a process that's fraught with challenging decisions. From contractors to cabinetry, your choices define the finished house. Because your home is a reflection of you, good design decisions require that you know yourself: Are you an ... -
The Contractress Presents...Using state website to find good contractors
With hurricane season in full swing, I am often asked to give presentations about how to find and properly contract with contractors for post-hurricane repairs. Sometimes I am invited by local government to participate in hurricane readiness events; other ...
GET IT RIGHT
iCheck Contractors verifies Florida contractors'
· Professional licensing
· Workers’ comp insurance
· Corporate standing
