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this was a duplicate of one shawn already posted…needs to be linked to ask shawn

We sometimes get questions that have short answers.  I’ve decided to place them here under one section.  Hopefully if you don’t find what you’re looking for elsewhere in the site, you’ll find it here.

How do I plan for my remodel?

Items to consider:

1.    Determine what you really want in advance. What are your basic priorities and the goals for what you want your remodel to achieve? Write these items down on paper for future reference.
2.    Cut pictures from magazines and articles on remodeling. Make any notes or questions you have and about the various products and designs that you are potentially interested in.
3.    Determine a budget. Your budget will ultimately decide what you can do and how you will go about doing it. How much do you want to spend? Are you familiar with current remodeling costs and the value of home improvements?
4.    Consider how you will finance the project. Determine if you will pay cash, home improvement loan, home equity line of credit, re-finance, or take out a second mortgage.
5.    Call Reliable Contractors Inc. to set up an appointment at (800) 989-1354.

Do you charge for an estimate?

The initial consultation is free. We do charge for our designs. Typical design fees range from $500 to $2,500. We do complete proposals after the design is agreed upon. We prefer to work with our clients through a design/ build process that allows us to deliver the best project to our clients.

Who will be running my project?

Each and every project will be run by Shawn, he is the Remodeling Advisor and Project manager. As the Remodeling Advisor he is responsible for the project and meets with the homeowner once a week during the construction process; he is also responsible for customer satisfaction and financial management of the project. As the Project Manager he is responsible for handling all suppliers, subcontractors, customer satisfaction and completing the project according to the schedule and plan. At Reliable Contractors, the president is involved with your project and will always be able to answer any questions on your project.

Do you use sub-contractors?

Yes. We believe that you will get a project with the highest level of quality and craftsmanship by using the best companies in each field of your project. To handle specific mechanicals such as HVAC, electrical and plumbing, and other skilled trades such as drywall, roofing, siding, cabinetry, we do rely on reputable subcontractors to help complete our projects. All of our subcontractors must meet our guidelines and expectations, and must sign an agreement with RCI before doing any work.

How do we make fixture selections?

We have an extensive network of suppliers and vendors to give you every possible option on the products that are used in your project.

Do you have an interior designer we can work with?

Yes. we feel that you will get the best finished product by using an interior designer on your project. We do have a relationship with an outstanding interior design firm.

If you have ever thought about Remodeling your home, now is the time to make it happen. Just as the cost of homes is dropping, the cost of remodeling is dropping as well including building materials and contractor’s fees. And while it may be difficult to think about spending money on your home when the values are falling, taking advantage of lower remodeling costs could be a great investment if you are not planning on selling your home anytime soon. From low interest loans to highly discounted building products there are several reasons that make now the time to start remodeling.  Let’s look at each of these factors:

1. LOW INTEREST LOANS: If you need to finance your remodeling project interest rates are at an all time low. Lower interest rates mean that consumers spend less on interest costs, leaving them with more of their income to spend on that remodeling project they have waited years to do.

2. GET MUCH MORE FOR MUCH LESS: The economy has had a severe impact on the building and remodeling industry which resulted in many contractors going out of business.  Labor costs for all skill levels in the construction industry have also dropped dramatically. With that being said contractors are able to do much more for a lot less to stay busy and competitive.  They are willing to go that extra mile to give their customer ultimate satisfaction. This is the single most important reason why NOW is the time to complete that Remodeling Project.

3. REDUCED PRICE BUILDING PRODUCTS: Given the laws of supply and demand, the drop-off in work has driven down prices on most building products.  From lumber to fixtures you are able to get incredible deals on almost every building product, which allows Contractors to pass down the discounts!

4. TOP NOTCH BUILDERS: The best builders, contractors and trades have much greater scheduling availability right now, which gives you access to professionals you might not otherwise be able to get. During the boom years, Good contractors were as hard to get as celebrated doctors.

5. TAX INCENTIVES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY: The government has rolled out several programs that can put up to 30% of the cost of energy efficient building products back in your pocket. These rebates are not limited to hot water heaters and refrigerators they are also geared towards high efficiency windows and insulation. So not only are you able to have a greener home you can put some green back in your bank!

Q. Shawn, I own a real estate company and am looking to have some renovations completed in my office. What can be done to minimize the disruption of my business during construction?

A. Jerry, we have a few solutions to alleviate that problem.  Reliable Contractors of San Diego has the capability to schedule work after regular business hours. We have crews available that can also work 24 hour shifts on weekends in the case you are in an office building with other businesses who work late during week days.

However if we do need to work during business hours there are several building products out there that make this process seamless. We utilize the most advance dust control systems available such as ZipWall, HEPA filtering and negative air technologies throughout site preparation and construction to minimize collateral impact. We are also quite proficient at scheduling deliveries and loud work when the site is empty and employee free.

Hope this helps!

Keep on building,
Shawn Bonneau

Q. Shawn, how do I know if a general contractor is needed for my project?

A. Stephanie that is a very popular question.  While do-it-yourself centers like Lowes and Home Depot make it seem easier to perform small projects around your home or business, there are many times when a professional should be called in. This is particularly true for larger, more complicated projects. Simply put, if something is beyond your skill level, you should avoid trying to save money by doing it yourself. Chances are you will end up hiring a professional not only to finish the task, but to clean up the mess!

If your project is specific and limited enough to allow for a specialty contractor, e.g. hiring a tile contractor to install new stone or tiles, then choosing a specialty contractor makes sense. However, if you have doubts about the details of the work that will be performed or are unsure about what specialty to choose, going with a general contractor–someone qualified to handle ALL types of work–is the smarter choice. At a minimum you should take advantage of getting a free consultation that Reliable Contractors offer. This will allow you to make an educated decision on exactly who to hire for the project you need to complete.

Hope this helps!

Keep on building,
Shawn Bonneau

What should I know before hiring a contractor? – Bill, WI

Bill, Thank you for your question!  There are several elements to that question so let me break it down to the ones we at Reliable Contractors hold most important.

- Licensing and Insurance: The phrases “Licensed and Insured” are common, if all too often misused. Many companies utilize a qualifier such as “acting as a contractor,” when they are in fact not licensed and may be unfamiliar with local ordinances or building codes. Verify with WWW.CSLB.CA.GOV to insure your contractor’s license is valid and the actual license holder works in the company.

Many companies advertise they are “Insured,” when in actuality they are not fully insured. Both general contractor’s liability and worker’s compensation insurance are required to insulate a home or business owner from workman’s injury claims. Protect yourself by requesting proof of adequate insurance from your contractor.

- Warranty: The state requires all licensed contractors to provide a minimum of one year warranty on workmanship. Only if your contractor is properly licensed is this protection available.

- Payment: If you are working with a reputable contractor, they should never do the following: (1) Request that you to pay in cash; (2) Request that you to pay based on anything other than work completion milestones; or (3) Request that you provide more than a $1000.00 or 10% deposit whichever is less on a materials and labor contract. If a contractor makes these requests, beware.

Lastly, be educated on mechanics liens. California law provides that anyone performing labor or providing materials to improve or repair a property may obtain a mechanics lien against that property. Suppliers of materials and subcontractors, which your general contractor employs, can hold you liable for any bills your contractor fails to pay. Therefore, make sure your contract specifies that you will be furnished a signed mechanic’s lien waiver or releases from material suppliers and subcontractors.

- Timeline: Ask when they are available to start your project and how long they estimate it will take. These are basic yet critical questions a prospective contractor should be able to answer.

- Bids: If you request bids from several contractors, make sure to request a formal bid based on exactly the same plans and specifications. This is important in order to compare “apples to apples”; otherwise the low bid may turn out to be low quality as well.

- Communication: Home or business owners should have the reasonable expectation of communicating with the contractor regarding questions or concerns about their project. A reputable contractor will have a representative of the company available to speak with the home or business owner about the projectís cost, schedule or implications.

- Overall: Bottom line, look for a contractor who is experienced and has a reputation for delivering Reliable and quality work.  Reliable Contractors of San Diego is committed to doing just that.  Whether you’re looking for a Handyman in San Diego to a full commercial construction or home remodeling project, we’re here to serve your every construction need.

Bonnie of Carlsbad, CA: What advice can you give to first-time homeowners looking to do some large renovations to our new home?

That is a good question Bonnie and Congratulations on the purchase of your first home! Now that you own a home it might seem like the projects around the house are going to be endless. So my job is to help you organize your projects in a manner that will be seamless and economical.

Lets talk Budget, this is the single most important part of any home improvement project. Determining the appropriate budget and sticking to it is vital.

Next, start first with the projects that are going to require an empty house. Example: a Kitchen renovation, Master bath renovation, Home additions, etc. Completing these types of projects first before you move into your new home will help you to keep your sanity since these type of projects are dirty, noisy and quite time consuming.

Lastly, you are going to own this home for a long time so take time with the remainder of your renovations. Make a list of improvements from most important to least and give yourself an attainable time frame to complete them in. We here at Reliable Contractors can help you from start to finish with all your home improvement needs. So call us today for a FREE in home consultation!

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To ask a question yourself, simply visit the “Ask Shawn” page and leave a comment.  I respond personally, and will post the questions asked most-often of me within 48 hours of receiving them. – Shawn Bonneau / Reliable Contractors, Inc.

You have an idea of how to fix-up your home. You know what the counters look like, you can feel the new floor underneath your feet, and you can see the vivid colors of each room. Well if you can design your home, you can leave the building to us.

We have a team of experienced contractors who specialize in taking the renovations and designs in your mind and building them in your actual home. No matter how complicated or simple the design, we can build it.

Pick a room you’d like to improve. Any design you choose. Go ahead. Bathroom? You imagine a special mirror big enough to fit two people, attached to a custom built wooden cabinet with soft lighting hanging from the ceiling. Now shake it all up and start again. Maybe switch the room and start at the kitchen, or take a trip outside and imagine a custom patio or a wrap around wooden deck. We make your designs come to life, and our professional contractors will build whatever designs you can dream up.

It all starts with you dialing our number and speaking to one of our specialists. We’ll listen to your ideas and schedule a time for us to meet. Then we’ll let you walk us through your design, step by step, and create a few sketches before we start building.

Once you give us the go-ahead, our team of contractors gets right to work to bring your design to life. From day one until clean up, you’ll see the progress of your renovations that you could only imagine before. Your satisfaction is guaranteed with every project, and no job is too big or too small.

Have you always wanted a pool in your backyard to help you beat the summer heat? We can help you build it. What does your design look like? Does it have both a shallow and deep end? Is there a hot tub attached, or a waterfall off the to the side with ornaments? However you want it, that’s how we’ll build it. No design is too far-fetched for our creative team of engineers to create for you and your dream.

Maybe you already have the room you love, but you need the accessories and decoration to fit your design. Our team will work closely with you to find out exactly what you need to get the room perfect for you.

Our rates are affordable, and we will work with any budget. Your dream designs can come to life today, but it all starts with the first phone call and our estimate. Call today!

Click to our new Handyman Section for details and Special Offers!

When you have a remodeling or renovation project that needs to get done, but don’t have the time or resources to get it done yourself; call the handyman San Diego trusts!

Our team of contractors has a wide array of specialties and services available for you. Depending on your needs, we will send a handyman with the appropriate skill-set right to your front door. From plumbing to construction, remodeling to electricity, painting to landscaping; we have the handyman you need.

Make the phone call today, and receive an estimate for your next project. Our contractors will come to you to assess and begin working on plans for what you need done right. We strive to be the best in San Diego, so we keep prices low for our top of the line services.

You want a new deck or patio in your yard, but don’t want to spend the season hauling lumber and nailing? Let us take on the project. We have specially trained handymen to work efficiently and see your project through from start to finish. Our team of creative engineers can even help you think of the layouts. No job is too big or too small; from patio structures to full decks; we have the handyman you need to get the job done right the first time.

If the inside of your home is more of a concern, it’s no concern to us. Our contractors can take on any remodeling project. Let us rebuild your kitchen and bathroom, either updating with a more modern aesthetic or improving on your current one. We will work closely with you to guarantee your complete satisfaction on any project.

While there is a sense of pride in starting and finishing your own project, think of what you can do with that time while you leave that project to San Diego’s most trusted handymen? We will dispatch the right team for your specific project, saving you precious time and money.

Your next major renovation starts with a phone call. Call our team of expert handymen standing by to get started on that project you’ve wanted to take care of for some time now. We’ll go to your house and provide you with an estimate.

Our handymen specialize in new construction, renovations, and remodeling. We are the contractors you need to make your dreams a reality. Your satisfaction is guaranteed by San Diego’s favorite place to go for total home improvement.

Call us today for an estimate!

Mold is a serious problem. Luckily, there is a solution.

When mold starts to grow in your home, the time to act is now. Pick up your phone and call the mold remediation experts. We have been San Diego’s trusted specialists for years, and have saved countless homes millions in damage by acting quickly and professionally.

Mold can do more than just damage your house, which is why it’s important to have the remediation specialists you can trust. Many times, when families have unexplained health issues, it’s because mold has begun growing within the walls or ceilings. As mold grows and spreads, breathing can become more difficult, even when outside the home. Asthmatic tendencies and allergic reactions can also increase after exposure to mold, even when not in direct contact. It’s important to turn to the contractors who specialize in mold detection and removal as soon as possible.

Mold is a fungus that grows in damp conditions. In many homes, mold will spread after a pipe has burst, or in the bathroom and other areas constantly exposed to water. Undetected mold can cause structural damage as well as the health issues already mentioned.

That’s why we are San Diego’s trusted source for mold remediation. We use state of the art equipment and procedures to detect and eliminate all mold from your home. We pride ourselves on our thorough work, and we will follow up at your house even after our work is complete to ensure we’ve eliminated all traces of mold, as even dead mold can cause health issues.

Our process makes us number one in the San Diego area. Before we act, we work to learn exactly how damaged your home is. We use an array of equipment to provide detailed assessments to you. Our contractors are equipped with thermographic cameras to help detect points of mold infiltration, as well as humidity gauges and moisture meters for early detection.

We also use special vacuums designed to remove all water and dampness from carpets, floors, and other places where mold may spawn. Rest assured we will provide the most complete services available while disturbing your home as little as possible. Thought in some cases, more severe measures need to be taken, we will never act without full consent and disclosure regarding your mold situation.

No other mold remediation contractors provide the complete services we do, which makes us San Diego’s most trusted and most referred. Your safety is of utmost importance to us.

We’ll provide you with an early estimate and give you all of the facts you need to best make your decision. If you think you may have a mold problem in your home, call us now.