Contractors Outlook

CONTRACTORS OUTLOOK

A Special Advertising Section of the Bangor Daily News • Friday, June 14, 2024

WHEN TO HIRE A PRO

Some home projects just aren’t worth the DIY hassle

By Katie Smith

Keeping up with daily household chores is hard enough, much less tackling the bigger jobs like cleaning out the gutters, roof repair, or electrical work. Sometimes taking on these jobs ourselves can feel empowering, especially with the assistance of all those helpful videos out there on social media and YouTube. There are times when we can manage to get some of the bigger tasks knocked off the list without having to wait for a professional.

But how do you know when it’s time to hire a pro and let them handle it for you?

When You Don’t Have the Time

When time is an issue and there’s a pressing need for something, say electrical work, a clogged drain, or deck repair that needs to get completed so no one gets hurt, it’s probably time to call a professional and let them get it done for you. Because whether you know how to do something or not, it’s really easy to procrastinate — the last thing many want to do after working all day is to come home, rip something apart, and attempt to get it up and running again.

If You Don’t Have the Tools

There are times when the expense of going out and purchasing all the materials to fix something can cost a lot more than hiring someone who already has all the equipment. Sure, investing in a table saw is wonderful if you know you’re going to get your money’s worth over time. However, if you only need it for one job, and don’t have the space to store it, hiring someone to do the job may make more sense.

If You Could Potentially Get Hurt

Does your roof need repair or do you have some electrical wires that need replacing? These are the times to play it safe and hire a pro. While learning a new skill can be a big confidence booster, for more dangerous jobs it’s always best to have a trusted, experienced person show you how to do things. And if you don’t have a connection like that, hiring a professional is key.

If It’s an Aesthetic Repair

If you’re doing something you are going to see everyday and you want it to look fantastic, hiring a professional is your best bet. Simple tasks like painting might be good DIY projects, but if you want to replace your fireplace, hiring someone with experience to achieve the exact look you want will be worth the investment.

Handling home repairs yourself is definitely doable if you have the time, skills, and the tools. But there are also times when it’s nice to sit back and let a professional handle it so you can focus on other things like family and some much needed relaxation.

INTRODUCING ENSEMBLE ENTRY DOORS BY RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN

Courtesy of Renewal by Andersen

Stylish and elegant, Ensemble entry doors are carefully crafted so all components work together seamlessly as a system. The panel, frame, hardware, sidelights, and transom are precisely designed to fit perfectly and perform smoothly as one. You can expect easy and reliable operation the first time and every time you use your new door.

These doors feature lasting beauty and are sure to stand out and get noticed by the entire neighborhood. With 38 stunning panel styles and endless ways to customize, it’s easy to create a unique door all your own.

Ensemble entry doors also help make your home more secure. They provide extra protection against forced entry which can give you and your family peace of mind.

Moreover, Renewal by Andersen has engineered Ensemble entry doors to deliver superior performance. They’re designed to stand up to extreme weather, help make your home more comfortable, and reduce energy costs — all while providing years* of troublefree operation.

It doesn’t make sense to settle for anything less. Upgrade your home with Ensemble entry doors and enjoy all the advantages, everyday!

*See limited warranty for details

TIPS WHEN HIRING A CONTRACTOR

Courtesy of Metro Creative

Contractors perform important work for millions of homeowners every day. Home improvement projects are complicated undertakings, and the experience of skilled contractors can ensure jobs are completed on time and within homeowners’ budgets.

Homeowners have undoubtedly heard horror stories from neighbors about projects that have gone awry. Projects can go sideways for a number of reasons, but a skilled contractor can help homeowners navigate such situations successfully. That underscores how important it can be to find the right professional for the job. The following are some tips homeowners can consider as they look to hire a contractor.

• Some contractors are of the jack-of-all-trades variety, but many specialize in a particular line of work. It’s important that homeowners identify which type of contractor they should work with prior to starting a project. This requires homeowners to define the goal of the project (i.e., new wood floor installation), which can serve as a springboard into finding the right type of contractor.

• Safety should be the utmost priority for homeowners and contractors alike. Prior to hiring a contractor, homeowners should identify any safety restrictions that might be enforced by local governments and take note of all the permits necessary to get a job done. Homeowners can then discuss those restrictions and permits as they interview contractors. Projects that do not adhere to code are illegal and can compromise homeowners’ ability to sell their homes in the future. So it’s vital to work with contractors who are familiar with local codes and aware of which permits are necessary to ensure a project can go forward.

• Handshake agreements offer no protection to homeowners or contractors, so estimates indicating what will be done and how much the project will cost should be provided. Homeowners should insist on receiving written estimates and interpret an unwillingness to provide one as a significant red flag.

• Laws vary by region, but in general homeowners have a right to a written contract and contractors are obligated to provide a copy of that contract signed by both parties. That contract must be provided prior to the start of the project. The contract should provide a detailed account of the work that will be done, as well as a timeline indicating important dates that components of the project will begin and be completed. The contract also should detail materials and who is providing them. Details regarding payments, guarantees and warranties also should be cited.

• Some contractors may suggest that the project will cost less if they’re paid in cash. However, home improvements should never be cash transactions. Cash does not indicate proof of payment, which can be problematic if a dispute arises.

Contractors help homeowners turn dream projects into reality. Homeowners can employ various strategies to ensure they find the right professional for their home improvement project.

A CONTRACTOR YOU CAN TRUST

Courtesy of Smith Builders

At Smith Builders, we are committed to being a contractor you can trust. From first contact to job completion, you’ll be kept in the loop and know what to expect from us. We’ve installed roofing, siding, and seamless gutters for over 30 years across Penobscot, Piscataqis, Hancock and Waldo county. We’ve helped thousands of people protect their homes and businesses from Maine’s drastic weather and we know how stressful major renovations can be. Each project may be different but our commitment is the same: Provide prompt communication, protect your entire property throughout the process, provide adequate and proper insurance, use the highest quality materials and warranties, and provide our team with factory training and certification to ensure your roof is installed right the first time.

We think you’ll love working with us, but don’t take our word for it; we are backed by our product manufacturers, nonprofits, and industry groups. We were recently recognized as GAF® President’s Club Members. This is achieved through a commitment to offering premier service, reliability, and performance within the roofing industry. Less than 2% of GAF installers are recognized as Master Elite Certified, and less than half of those installers are recognized as President’s Club members. These credentials allow us to offer the Golden Pledge Warranty, a 50 year product warranty and a 25 year workmanship warranty on full roof replacements that’s transferable should you sell your home.

Other recognitions include: Being Greater Bangor’s only GAF Master Elite® Certified Contractor, VELUX® Certified Installer for skylights. We received The Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association Bronze Award in 2023. We are rated 4.8 stars on Google, A+ by the Better Business Bureau, and are a member of the Roofing and Solar Reform Alliance, a group committed to best practices and ethical sales practices in the industry. We’ve built a culture that’s customer focused, committed to high-quality work and educating our customers.

No project is too big or too small. From typical single-family homes, large apartment complexes, off-grid properties, or 3,000+ square foot homes, we’ve been there. Our Project Managers know how to best protect your property and will be with you every step of the way. We pride ourselves in providing detailed estimates that are right the first time. If we run into any unexpected problems on installation day, we’ll reach out and work with you to make the best decisions for your property instead of sending a surprise bill.

Once we’ve completed your project, the only evidence we’ve been there is what we installed. We stand by the work that we do. You’ll have peace of mind that your home or business is protected for years to come. If there’s ever an issue, we’ll be there to address it promptly. On all of our projects we offer at least a 10 year workmanship warranty and are experienced in navigating product warranties if needed. We look forward to serving the Greater Bangor area for another 31 years!

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO REPAIR OR REPLACE YOUR DECK

Courtesy of Metro Creative

Summer means more time spent outdoors, which makes it the perfect season to assess your home’s exterior — namely those areas like your deck where people will spend a lot of time in these warmer months.

Assessing a deck after winter can be eye-opening. Harsh winter weather can take its toll on a deck, and the following are some telltale signs that a deck could be in need of repair or replacement.

Wobbly underfoot and in hand: Wobbly planks and railings are one sign of a deteriorating deck homeowners won’t recognize as they hide from winter weather indoors. But these tend to reveal themselves rather quickly when examining a deck after winter. Wobbly planks in the middle of the deck can be inconvenient, but wobbly steps and railings can be dangerous. Wobbly railings are often a byproduct of rot. A local decking professional can assess the extent of the rot in railings and elsewhere, and determine the best course of action. If the rot is isolated to an area or two, a simple repair may be all that’s necessary. Extensive rot may require a full replacement of the existing deck.

Faded paint: Many homeowners paint their wood decks, and that paint will not last forever. Faded paint can turn an otherwise lovely deck into an eyesore, and paint can fade over the winter. Thankfully, a local painter can address a faded deck and may recommend some additional strategies to safeguard the deck against fading next winter and beyond.

Holes in the wood: Many a homeowner has encountered curious-looking holes in their deck. This could be a sign of insect infestation. Termites, carpenter ants, and carpenter bees are among the various types of insects that can bore holes through wood. Homeowners who notice holes throughout their deck are urged to call a deck professional and/or pest control firm to assess the holes and offer a solution. Though small issues may be addressed with repairs, a deck littered with holes caused by insects may need a full replacement.

Rust: Wood decks may be made of wood, but they can still exhibit signs of rust, namely in the nails and metal connectors that hold the deck together. If screws have rusted to the point where they are no longer holding the deck together, a full-scale replacement could be in the cards, as the deck could have substantial structural damage. Like other issues that can reveal themselves during a springtime inspection of the deck, rust necessitates a thorough examination by an experienced decking professional.

MAINE CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY EXPANDS STATEWIDE IN 2024

Courtesy of the Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine)

Regardless of which sector of commercial construction you turn to, there are investments being made in our state’s infrastructure. With sustainable funding in our transportation budget, Maine’s roads and bridges are on that list. The increased focus on clean energy and alternative fuels also creates a need for more workforce. Lastly, we would be remiss not to mention the housing needs that will likely result in more large-scale housing projects hitting the scene in the coming years. All of these demands on Maine’s construction workforce mean long term, high wage careers for those who are interested in the trades.

The Associated General Contractors of Maine (AGC Maine) has placed itself in the center of this workforce growth to support their members, who are the hard-working companies building these projects. In 2022, AGC Maine launched the Maine Construction Academy, a unique learning experience that brings together industry, K-12 education, higher education, their workforce development teams, and local workforce boards and service providers. This collaboration will be critical to filling the future workforce needs in Maine.

The Maine Construction Academy piloted the Construction Immersion program in four communities during the summer of 2023. The program provided basic work-ready certifications and multiple craft exposures through meaningful hands-on experience and job site visits with contractors. At the completion of this four-week paid program, participants were offered guaranteed interview opportunities with Maine companies, where they will move on to either a post-secondary education or a registered

apprenticeship program. The mission is to connect job seekers with the relevant connections and education necessary to be successful in their chosen path while also serving the industry with a direct opportunity to recruit their future workforce.

The pilot program was so successful that in 2024 a total of 15 programs are scheduled across the state. Programs are spread across locations in eight counties. The northernmost location being Caribou.

“We are incredibly excited to bring the Construction Academy to Aroostook County this year,” says Executive Director Kelly Flagg. “We have known for a long time that the northern part of our state needs help keeping our young people local after graduation, but to do that, we have to be able to show them opportunity to build a life of their own. This program can help open their eyes to work opportunities that they may not know exist, with wages that will sustain a family.”

“The personal growth I see in these students from day one to the end of the program is amazing. This is exactly what some of these individuals need,” says Kevin Napolillo, Extended Learning Opportunity Coordinator with Brewer High School and Instructor for the Brewer High School location of the Maine Construction Academy. “We are honored to offer this program to our students and can’t say enough how positive of an experience it has been both for us and for the students. We have two who are completing their senior year of high school while working full time as apprentices. It is life changing for these young people.”

HOW HOMEOWNERS CAN TURN ATTICS INTO LIVABLE SPACES

Houses typically feature various areas that are traditionally designed for storage, such as garages, basements, and attics. However, with some renovation, these spaces can be transformed into livable areas.

Homeowners who would like to convert their attic into livable space need to take certain things into consideration before starting an improvement project. While the attic may seem like it has plenty of room and is structurally sound enough to walk in, that’s not necessarily so. To be converted into usable living space, an attic must be brought up to the standards of modern building codes. And retrofitting beams and insulation can eat up available space in an attic. Thus, it is best to consult an expert to see if an attic can be converted.

Furthermore, an attic that was not initially designed as a room when the house was built can add extra “load” upstairs if it is converted. That could present certain structural problems. That means a structural engineer also must be consulted to see if adding beams, flooring, and drywall will necessitate other changes elsewhere in the home to accommodate the extra load.

In order to have a functional attic room, building codes will dictate that it needs to be accessible by a full-size staircase. Also, it will need to have another exit in case of an emergency, likely an accessible window. Homeowners’ budgets and renovation

plans will also need to factor into these considerations. Homeowners also are advised to check local permits to determine what else may be required to go forward. It is best to follow the rules. Lack of a permit for work can affect the ability to sell a home down the line.

Individuals also should plan for heating and cooling upgrades as the home will need to have ductwork installed in the attic, or at the least, a stand-alone heating and cooling unit. As heat rises, it can get quite warm in an attic, so ventilation and comfort should be considered. The attic will need to be wired for electricity for lighting and other needs. Air sealing and additional insulation can make the space more comfortable as well. Consult with a qualified electrician and an HVAC technician and have an energy audit done to discuss needs.

Attic renovations can give homeowners more space in their homes, which can be used as offices, bedrooms, or cozy corners. This is no small undertaking and all of the right steps need to be followed to ensure a legal, safe, and successful renovation.

Courtesy of Metro Creative