The Necessary Building Block

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Kitchen Remodels
Bathroom Remodels
Room Additions
Garage Conversions
Every day major and minor repairs

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. Do your homework! Whether it is a big job or small one please take some time to check out each contractor you intend to use.
You took the time searching for the perfect home, why wouldn't you take time to check out the people who are going to change it.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. It isn't a secret, but most people do not take the time to investigate a potential contractor. Ask for references, contact those references and if possible look at the work done in the references home. Use the internet to log onto the CSLB and check out the contractor's license. CSLB will inform you about the license status, if there are any complaints against the contractor and if they are bonded.

Q. What questions should a consumer ask to hire the right service professional?

A. A home owner should always ask for an insurance certificate. On this the home owner will find enough information to contact the insurance company and verify that the contractor is insured.

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Home Solutions does not charge for estimates. So the biggest information a customer would need is simply, do I want this done and have a budget in mind for the project.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. Home Solutions does not charge by the hour, but by the job. This affords ourselves and the homeowner two advantages. The home owner knows up front what the cost will be. Home Solutions is not fighting the clock to get the job done quickly, we are doing our job at our pace that both the homeowner and us have agreed upon in our timely completion guarantee. Home Solutions is a company built upon quality and will continue to give the homeowner the best quality possible.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I have always enjoyed working with my hands and building homes and projects. There is nothing like seeing a smile on a customer's face.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Do we need a permit? In 9 out of 10 times the answer is yes!
A permit is required any time an electrical item, gas line, frame work or vent is moved.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. It isn't exactly from work, but it is what got me excited about working with my hands. As a teenager my four brothers and I were watching tv when our father walked in an asked "Do you boys want a swimming pool?". We all jumped up excided and answered yes. Our father walked back outside and came in a couple minutes later with five brand new shovels.
We started that night marking out and digging a 16'X32' Doughboy sunken swimming pool.
It took us a couple of weeks to get the pool in and filled with water. Our father let us swim the rest of the day and the following day we started on the deck surrounding half the pool. We were not allowed to swim again until the deck was done.
Our family enjoyed that pool and deck for many years to come. That one experience made a big impact on me and my life.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I would like to be know as an honest contractor who is reliable and produces what he promises.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. Since building the swimming pool and deck as a teenager. I feel great at the end of the day of good hard work done right.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I am proud of all my work and it is hard to chose just one. One job stands out because of the work involved as opposed to quality.
The job required us to remove walls and install a 37foot header to open the kitchen to the living room. A crane was not an option, so the task was done by simple car jacks a little at a time.
The finished project was so eye opening to the home owner, they couldn't believe it was thier own home.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I am a subscriber to several building and remodeling magazines. I search the internet for new products and methods of my trade.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The new trend is GREEN. New products are coming out that are recycled or made of a renewable product. Energy saving is going to be a major focus in the years to come. There are bigger and better windows, insulation and methods to keep the outside air where it belongs.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. A kitchen remodel
We removed the old kitchen cabinets and appliances.
We installed new kitchen cabinets.
We installed a new wood floor throughout the kitchen and dining room.
We are now waiting on counter tops to complete the project.
We accomplished this in one week and we will have a day or two after counter tops are in.
Our charge for this was $6,300.00

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. We do not use a complicated pricing system. However each project has its own difficulties and is priced differently. Our promise from us to any home owner is "You will know the price up front and in writing."

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. One can study for years and tinker around in thier garage, but you can only learn this trade by doing, not only once, but over and over again. Doing this will provide oneself with convidence and knowlege to tackle projects that are new and demanding.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Should I pay for the work up front?
NO! A home owner is only required to pay a deposit up front on large projects and make payments in phases. One should never have to pay full price until the project is completed.