Existing Home Sales Rise Sharply and Encourage Custom Remodels, Tip Sheet By Chris Bidwell

Golden, Colorado (PRWEB) August 31, 2013

According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), existing-home sales increased strongly in July 2013, renewing a desire for custom home remodels, reports Chris Bidwell.

Chris Bidwell, a general contractor with more than 25 years of experience, specializes in home remodels and custom cabinets for the individual homeowner. Service area is Golden, Colorado and surrounding cities. Website is http://www.GoldenCarpenter.com.

While existing-home sales rose, the percentage of distressed homes sold, including foreclosures and short sales, remained steady at 15 percent.

With an increase overall in existing-home sales, including an average discounted rate of 16 percent below market value for foreclosures, people are turning to General Contractors to remodel both before and after home sales.

One of the most common remodel requests is custom kitchen cabinetry, especially for homes sold as short sales and foreclosures.

In order to avoid some of the most common scams in the general contractor industry, here are 5 Tips to Hiring a General Contractor to Build Your Custom Cabinets:

1. Ask questions upfront: You have the right to understand exactly what to expect before, during, and after construction so write up a list of questions to ask beforehand including what kind of experience does the contractor have, who is responsible for getting the building permits, where are the cabinets going to be assembled, and what types of payment are accepted?

2. Ask for proof of licensing and insurance. A professional general contractor will often volunteer to show you documentation before you ask. It’s a big red flag if the potential contractor in unable or unwilling to produce these documents.

3. Get a written bid and contract: Always ask for a bid in writing and obtain a written contract that includes, along with the terms specified in the original bid, itemized pricing, payment terms, permit fees, the scope of work to be performed, start and end dates, and final review and sign-off procedures. Make sure you look it over carefully and ask for clarification where needed before signing.

4. Get specific about materials: Ask the contractor exactly what materials will be used including hardware, finishes, doors, and drawers. Make sure that this is detailed out in the contract.

5. Determine whether or not installation is included: This one sounds like it should be a non-issue but you should not assume that a bid includes installation. If it is not clearly spelled out in the bid, be sure to ask for a detailed explanation of what you can expect from start to finish and make sure the terms are included in the final contract.

For 25 years Chris Bidwell has built a solid reputation as a general contractor in Golden, Colorado and the surrounding area. He has specialized expertise in historical homes. His own house is an officially listed historic structure. Chris Bidwell markets his services on the internet at http://www.GoldenCarpenter.com. For more information or for an estimate call 303-746-4128 or visit http://www.GoldenCarpenter.com.

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