5 Fall Home Maintenance Must-Do’s
Pumpkin lattes, beautiful color changing foliage, brisk clean smelling air and comfortable sweaters. Fall certainly brings a lot of great things to look forward to. As a homeowner, Fall brings a transition to colder weather, high winds, rain, leaves and other changes that can leave you in a rut. Don’t get caught off guard, use these 5 expert tips from Duce Construction to make sure the season is free of unnecessary damage, wasted time and costs. Turn Off and Drain Outdoor Faucets – Most homes have one or more outdoor water faucets. If you have a hose make sure to disconnect it, turn the faucet to “off” and drain it. Water trapped inside can freeze as we approach colder temperatures and can lead to very serious damage. Winterize Air Conditioning Systems – Firstly remove any debris in the area. Once removed make sure to clean the unit off adequately. Cover the unit, and any exposed pipe, with a waterproof cover. Make sure the cover is fastened and will not blow away in inclement weather. Inspect Weather Stripping Around Doors and Windows – By sealing gaps in your doors and windows not only will you save money on heating but you’ll also provide a flush surface to protect from water damage. Water can lead to a degradation of the area, resulting in further air and water leakage and more serious related issues. Test Operation of Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detectors – There’s nothing more important than your family’s safety. Every season make sure all detecting equipment is working properly and has new batteries if necessary. Here is a great video on how to test your CO detector. Change Filters on Heating and Cooling Systems; service HVAC unit – Keeping ductwork clean is essential in preventing mold. It’s crucial that you keep a consistent schedule with filter replacement to ensure a healthy and clean environment.
4 Important Tips for Choosing A Contractor
In a saturated field, abundant with unprofessional workmanship, it’s important that a person knows what to look for before they start a project. Here are some consumer tips to ensure that your next experience with a contractor is smooth, efficient, and returns the results that you are looking for. Don’t choose any name and number, do your research. Get an address and check out their business in depth. Do they have a portfolio? Make sure that it’s their work being portrayed is in fact their work. Furthermore, go see some of their previous work in person. At Duce Construction Corporation we will even take people to past clients’ homes so they can see and touch our work. If they come to provide a quote, they should treat your home with respect. If a crew walks into your house for the first time take note of their disposition. Were they courteous enough to ask whether or not to take off their shoes or work boots? Remember, you’re bringing strangers into your home and this is a telltale sign of professionalism. Look for an itemized bid. Homeowners need to realize they pay for expertise and peace of mind. But, they should also know exactly what’s going into a bid. That way there’s a clear understanding of a presented price and how it was determined. Duce itemizes each individual piece of a bid to enforce clarity in our work. We provide the cost of the supervisor, the materials, the cost to install those materials, and liability and worker’s compensation insurance. Duce even factors in the fee for the worker who does punch-list items such as installing hardware, touch-ups and cleanup. Look for a payment plan that makes sense. If a contractor asks you for 100% of the bill up front, run quickly! Generally speaking if advanced money is needed, you would pay around 10% retainer and up to 30% for materials that are needed right away. They should be up front with their needs and you should feel comfortable with any payment schedule agreed upon. At Duce we always encourage our clients to take their time when going through the process of choosing a contractor. If you remember to do your research, find a team that is respectful of your home, provides a clear itemized bid, and includes a payment plan that makes sense – then you will often be in a good place when it comes to having a successful project.
Duce Construction Company – The Keys to a Successful Home Build
Being the expert home builder and remodeler in the tri-state area is something we take great pride in. For thirty years, Duce Construction Corporation has been the pinnacle of general contracting and construction management. We could list all of our awards and accomplishments, but the true core of our achievement is based on the trust we build with our customers. Communication Is Key First and foremost, we listen. We understand that communication is the key during any aspect of home construction. From the day we break ground to project completion; Duce Construction Corporation is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We are honest and up front with how your project is moving forward; which, many clients find as a breath of fresh air. We Know Our Clients We work hard to get to know our clients, and not just from the perspective of what their home project entails. Our commitment to quality workmanship and accountability has garnered us true respect in our industry. With that respect in mind, we understand and appreciate how stressful a home remodel can be, and at the end of the day, we never forget what your vision is. Many clients have told us that one of the hardest parts of a home remodel or new construction is selecting the finishings and fixtures: and it’s true, the list of options is nearly limitless! We are ready and able to guide you through those tough choices and offer suggestions for what will best suit your home. We Make The Experience Fun When working with a construction company, the experience can actually be very exciting and surprisingly fun, so make sure you choose the right one. Our core culture is to provide uncompromising quality, craftsmanship, and service to our clients. We work tirelessly to bring you the home of your dreams. Let us show you the Duce difference.