News You Can Use From Leading Edge Homes
November 2013
     

   

 

The permits for the two large additions I mentioned in the last newsletter were just issued.  Now it's time to get down to some serious work!  I'll share pictures soon.

  
Speaking of pictures, check out the featured article about compact fluorescent bulbs.  With the federal government slowly banning the sale of incandescent light bulbs, there is an article circulating on the Internet about fire dangers from compact fluorescent bulbs.  Should you be concerned if you have installed some?  See the article below.
  

If it's been a while since you have put a new filter in your A/C system, do yourself a big favor and perform the replacement now.  They are very inexpensive and can save you from a large repair bill if your machine can't "breathe" properly. 

 

Also, if it's been a couple of years since your entire HVAC system has been serviced, consider doing it now.  It's amazing how much more efficiently it will run and you could avoid an imminent failure before it occurs.  If you need a recommendation for a service company you can trust not to rip you off, please call the office at 561-795-2551 and we will be happy to give you their phone number.

 

Till next time...

Sincerely,

 

Todd Perry
Leading Edge Homes, Inc.

 

Are All Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Created Equally?

 

There is an article on the Internet that I have been sent indicating that compact fluorescent light bulbs manufactured in China for Globe Electric and sold through Wal-Mart sometime burn, smoke, or even shoot flames out of their base.

 

 

It's true that when a CFL light bulb burns out it may emit a bit of smoke and its plastic base may become blackened, as seen in the photo above.  According to the safety testing company Underwriters Laboratory, this is normal and not dangerous.  Per U.S. ENERGY STAR safety standards, all plastics used in the manufacture of CFL light bulbs bearing the ENERGY STAR label must be flame retardant. 

 

When the Globe CFL story was investigated on snopes.com, it turns out it's false.  It made we wonder how many and which products are dangerous. 

 

The Federal Government to the rescue!  There is a website where you can view recalled, dangerous products according to the Consumer Products Safety Commission.  Click here.

 

Buy wisely!

Expert Tips to Help You Manage Financial Risk When You Remodel
 

 

 

Remodeling can be a confusing and stressful process, with most of the stress centering around the amount of money involved and the complex nature of construction projects.  Knowing and following these tips to manage the finances of your home remodel can save you from major headaches -- or disasters -- down the line.  Here are guidelines from Frasier Patterson, an international construction expert, as published in the Huffington Post:

 

1. At the beginning, work to reduce the chance that something goes wrong because mistakes can cost money.  The key to financial risk reduction is specificity -- be clear with what you want.  If you define the desired outcome, you'll know whether you're getting it or not.  This means creating a very detailed scope of work, reviewing it carefully with your contractor, and managing the project based on completion of every element your plan describes.

 

2. Reduce your financial risk by having a fixed price contract.  The nature of remodeling is that there are many, many factors outside the control of both you and your contractor.  As such, the only way to be financially responsible is to ensure your contractor is financially aligned to deliver your project at a set price.  Make sure you sign a fixed price, lump sum contract (as opposed to ones known as "cost plus" or "time and material" contracts, since these often lead to lawsuits and problems for everyone involved).   Note: This does not mean "squeeze your contractor and pay as little as possible for your project" -- that can affect the chances the project is delivered at all.  Rather, it means, "own your scope of work from the outset, partner with the contractor, and agree exactly on how it will be delivered according to budget, quality, and schedule."

 

3. Know whether and why you need a change order.  Often change orders accompany an argument over whether or not a piece of the project falls inside the scope of work -- this is by far the most common cause of arguments between homeowners and contractors, since more often than not they mean more money changing hands.  Having a very clear scope of work will be your best leverage against unnecessarily expensive change orders.

 

4. Only make the final payment on the project once your task list is complete.  Every task on the list should be finished before you hand over the last check.  A good contractor will return to fix problems, if they occur, with his/her workmanship on reputation.

 

5. Motivate your contractor by proving that he/she will get paid.  Think about it -- if you know your employer may not come up with the money for your next paycheck, do you have any motivation to work?  The best way to ensure great work from your contractor is to prove that you can and will pay him. Consider handing over some type of proof of available funds at the beginning.  Your contractor will know the money is ready and waiting to be disbursed, so he'll be motivated to do a good job and focus on your project.

 

6. Never pay in cash, and keep receipts -- having no proof that you actually paid puts your home at risk.  If you hand over cash, you have no paper trail for the payment you made, and you have no protection if you then discover that something is wrong with the work.  Note: Some contractors convince homeowners to pay cash with the promise that they won't have to pay sales tax.  What paying cash really means is no paperwork, and therefore no accountability or recourse if the contractor fails.  Plus if you don't have records, you risk having subcontractors or suppliers place mechanic liens against your home -- meaning that you'll have a serious problem when you go to sell.

 

You can rest easy when Leading Edge Homes is your contractor.  You always get a detailed Scope Sheet for every project, all contracts are for a fixed price, your never pay an administrative fee on top of a change order's cost, you are never presented with a final invoice before all Scope Sheet items are complete, and you always get a receipt no matter how you make a payment.  It's just the right way to do business.  --Todd

 

 

       
On A Personal Note...
  
My daughter was proposed to recently by her boyfriend and she said YES!  We are all very excited for them both and have begun the involved task of choosing the venue, flowers, band, etc.  I'm confident the day will be spectacular and when it's over, I'll have a bonus son!
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In This Issue
Are All Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Created Equally?
Expert Tips to Help You Manage Financial Risk When You Remodel
Featured Article
Could you be risking an electrical fire with certain compact fluorescent bulbs? Click on Are All Compact Fluorescent Bulbs  Created Equally above to discover why.
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