Kroger clears major hurdle - Canton Public Library

06 The 06A*RWR/THURSDAY, MAY 2, 1996
LET'S REMODEL
Be careful when choosing a remodeler
As dependable at the coming of
spring, so is the information put out
to the public on selecting a remodeling
contractor. And although many
associations and businesses attempt
to educate the homeowner on their
responsibility in their selections, we
unfortunately get calls after it is too
late. As NARI celebrates National
Home Improvement Month in May we
find that it is still necessary (at least
twice each year) to publish our sug-
gestions on l how nc to go about selecting
a remodeling contractor.
The process of finding a qualified
and professional contractor does not
need to be difficult, by following some
basic guidelines you will be prepared to
make an informed decision that best
suits your needs.
•Employ a contractor with an established
business. Local firms can be
checked through past customers. They
are tax-paying members of your community
and are compelled to perform
satisfactory- work for local homeowners
in order for their business to survive.
•Ask to see the contractor's state
builder's license. If you have questions
you can contact the state licensing
departments to ensure they meet all
requirements.
•Ask to see a copy of the contractor's
certificate of insurance. You can also
call his or her insurance agency to verify,
cove rage for worker's compensation
and personal liability insurance. To be
sure their coverage meets all state min-
MICHIGAN REMODELING
ASSOCIATION
imum requirements you can contact the
Department of Labor at 517-322-1195.
•Contact the Better Business Bureau
or government Consumer Affairs Office
to ensure there is no adverse file on
record.
•Check credentials with professional
organizations. If the contractor has an
affiliation with a professional organization
and uses an acronym such as C.R.,
C.K.D, C.B.D. or C.G.R. after their
names, contact the association to be
sure they are a member and in fact
have been given these credentials
which can certify Jjbat the contractor
has met certain criteria for experience,
commitment to ethical conduct and professionalism.
•Ask for local homeowner references
and be sure to follow up on them. Call
the references and don't be afraid to
ask specific questions such as: "Did the
contractor begin the work on time?"
"Was the job site kept neat?" "Did the
contractor stay in touch throughout
the project?" "Were the fine details
finished in a timely manner?" and
"Would you use this contractor again
without hesitation?" Ask to see the finished
project if possible. Make sure
you are satisfied with the quality of
the work.
•Do not blindly accept the lowest
bid. If you elect to solicit bids from sev-
eral different contractors, be sure they
are bidding on the same scope and
quality of work. Discuss variation in
bids and beware of any bid that is substantially
lower than the others. Low
bids could suggest poor workmanship
or inferior materials. Make sure that
you have a thorough understanding of
all materials to be used.
•Get it is writing. A well-written contract
is essential when doing remodeling.
Although there are many issues to
be covered in a contract be sure the following
is included:
1. Contractor's name, address, phone
number and license numbers.
2. Details of what the contractor will
and will, not do _ such as protection of
your household goods and daily
cleanup.
3. Specifications for all materials to
be used, including size, color, model,
brand name and product.
4. Approximate start date and substantial
completion date.
5. Financial terms including total
price, payment schedule and cancellation
policy.
6. Changes to th| original agreement
should be in writing and signed by both
parties.
If you would like more information on
contracts contact our office. Be sure to
protect your investment by selecting a
reputable contractor and avoiding a disappointment
or mistakes that you could
end up paying for.
Gayle Walters, executive director,
NARI-Michigan Remodeling Association.
Excerpts taken from the NARI
National guidelines "Selecting a Professional
Remodeler."
For your home improvement ques- -
tions or a copy of our roster booklet, call
Gayle Walters, executive director of the
Michigan Remodeling Association
(MRA) at 810-335-3232, or send questions
to "Let's Remodel," 2187 Orchard
Lake 4ioad, No. 103 , Sylvan Lake, MI
48320. Answers are provided by members
of the MRA, the local chapter o£
the National Association of the Remodeling
Industry (NARI). Members
include professional contractors, manufacturers,
wholesalers, consultants and
lenders representing all facets of residential
and light'commercial remodeling.
Members also answer questions on
"Construction Talk will Murray Gula on
WEXL-AM 1340 , 1-2 p.m. Saturday.
You can call in your questions at 810-
544-1340.
Plan a wildflower outing for Mother's Day at Matthaei Gardens
Treat Mom to the fresh blush of redbuds
and dogwood, the early nod of trillium,
Virginia bluebells, bloodroot and
spring beauty noon to 4 p.m. Sunday,
May 12, when the University of Michigan
Matthaei Botanical Gardens celebrates
the opening day of Michigan
Wildflower Week and the peak season
of the Helen V. Smith Woodland Wildflower
Garden.
To help kick off the day's festivities.
the gardens will_ offer for sale a limited
supply of spring blooniing trillium and
other select wildflowers.
An exemplary blend of wildflower
gardening, inerpretation and education,
the Woodland Wildflower Garden has
quickly become one of Matthaei Botanical
Gardens' premier garden presentations.
Plan to spend Mother's Day delighting
the senses with a tour of the Woodland
Wildflower Garden beginning 2
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0FFEB LOW COST HOME REPAIRS 8 REMODELING
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Festivities for the day begin noon.
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Afternoon tea will be served on the
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stop by the Gift Shop where a special
assortment of gifts for Mom will be
available. Included will be flower
fairies, herbal bath salts, new wildflower
T-shirts, botanical paper products,
garden jewelry and terracotta pots for
porches and patios.
The Matthaei Botanical Gardens is at
1800 N. Dixboro Road, Ann Arbor, 2-1/2
miles north of Geddes Road.
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