By B.F.Matthews, President,

Contracting News: Avoiding Contract  and construction nightmares.

Consumer Laws

As a person involved in the construction industry it is often heart breaking
when the news programs cover stories about up front payments to
contractors or a senior citizen paying for work not completed and in some
cases never started.
Virginia has laws that protect citizens rights when contracting for work to
be performed, I urge all citizens that are considering hiring a contractor to
contact The State Board of Contractors at (804) 367-8511 or go to the web
site below and get a complete list of those rights, down payment
restrictions, contract requirements, start and finish dates and many more.
All contractors pay into a fund that the State offers for citizens to recoup a
limited amount when contractors are found guilty of these cases but this
can be prevented and regretfully is in some cases the results of hoping to
get work at a less cost than possible from a contractor that follows State
laws and meets requirements mandated by those laws. Ask your
Contractor to show you his Contractors License and furnish a certificate of
Insurance before signing a contract.

A little information could save you a lot of Money.
Quality, quality and more Quality

Please remember that fast work or low bid does not mean
Quality Work.  Often quality work takes more planning and time to
perform the work, and high quality products are often available only
by special order, this must be reflected in cost estimates, so don't
short change your job by insisting on a unreasonable time schedule if
you want quality construction.
Questions about construction problems or about a
product?

There are many products today that have been developed for use in special
conditions and also many construction problems that can be dangerous for
homeowners if not properly handled during construction or not properly
repaired. Email us at the address below and we will recommend sites or
provide you with information on:

  1. Mold
  2. Asbestos
  3. Radon
  4. Lead Paint
  5. Smoke Detectors
  6. Air Quality
  7. Roofing
  8. Porches and Decks
  9. Siding
  10. Doors and Trim
  11. Windows and Trim
  12. Lighting
  13. Heating and A/C
  14. Insulation
  15. Wall products ( special Applications )

We have researched sites on these subjects and many others and can
provide you with information on dangers to your families health if repairs
are not  made properly or how work repairs must be made. We can also
furnish you with product information.

If you have a special construction problem Contact us and we will try to
find a answer for you, Click on Contact us.   
              
                                        Contact us page
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B.F. Mathews, Inc. General Contractors
Chester,Va. 23836                (804) 530-2509


Time Factors

Many major home improvements and additions take a longer time to
complete than construction of a home. The contractor in most cases is
required to maintain services and livability to the existing structure, be on
site for all inspections that  are required  and are only made by building
inspectors with the presence of the owner or contractor when the structure
is occupied.  Many small jobs require 3 to 5 inspections and major
renovations can require 20 or more. Often repairs are required to existing
services or structure in order that the project can proceed.
All home owners should allow for extra charges if unseen repairs are
necessary, these items are often found in bathrooms and kitchens from
unseen water leaks that  have taken place during past years. We
recommend that Owners set aside at least 15% of the project cost for any
unseen costs that may arise during construction.

Craft personnel

Most major projects involve the same crafts that are required
in the construction of a new home and most involve at least 6 months
from initial contractor contact to completion of project. Many of these
crafts require multiple visits to the job site and the larger the project,
the more restrictions these crafts face. Many projects require the
contractors involved to remove and upgrade existing services such as
plumbing, and this is especially true in the electrical phase of projects
when often work added over the years will not pass existing code
requirements or even work that was legal at the time of installation
but not under the new codes, these items can often initiate extra
charges and/or delays to projects.
www.dpor.virginia.gov
Information
B.F.Mathews, Inc.
General Contractors
Chester,Va. 23836
(804) 530-2509