Get It In Writing!

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating, GET IT IN WRITING! How many times have you contracted for a home improvement project and when it was done, the end product wasn’t what you were expecting? If you’ve experienced this, it’s common, so don’t feel bad.

Both the homeowner and the contractor want a successful project and are looking for a win-win. One of the best ways to achieve success is to have all the details down on paper so everything is understood up front. If this is so obvious, how come some contractors don’t provide details and customers don’t ask for them? Read on, I’ll tell you why.

This is the scenario: The “completed” job is missing a few things the homeowner assumed would be done. When asked about them, the contractor replies, “They weren’t included in the contract.” (Not included items can be anything from hauling away trash, to touch up painting, to reinstalling window coverings that came down when replacing windows, to who was supposed to pull the building permit, etc., you name it.)

Most items are not big things, but potential extra charges at least.
The homeowner responds: “Well, we assumed _________ was included in your bid!” The contractor counters with: “There’s nothing in my contract about doing that.”
Homeowner responds: “Well, I thought we talked about it! The job isn’t complete until _________ is done!”

At this point, you are at a stalemate. You thought you had a complete job, with a final dependable price. The contractor is acting defensive. He feels he’s about to be nickeled and dimed for some extras he didn’t charge for. Obviously, no one wants to be at this point.


It doesn’t pay to accuse the contractor of promises you heard. If you received more than one bid on the job, there may have been promises made by other contractors that you’re mistakenly applying to this contractor. Honest contractors will often recall a previous conversation about your issue and try to work out a solution. Other contractors may claim the conversation never took place. The estimating and bidding process is a detail laden, code rich environment that most homeowners are unfamiliar with. On top of that, speaking with several contractors about aspects of your project can create confusion as each contractor may have a different approach. It’s no wonder that “who said what” becomes a blur.

How do you prevent this? GET IT IN WRITING! But you need to get two things spelled out clearly.

1. Make sure everything that you want done on the project is written down on the contract.

2. Make sure the contractor writes down everything that ISN’T INCLUDED and what he’s NOT doing. This is as important as item #1.

As a layperson, you aren’t expected to know every aspect of your project that should be written down. This is the responsibility of the contractor. Unfortunately, many contractors don’t like to get too detailed for a couple of reasons.

First, the details on complex jobs can be tedious to explain, have many choices to review and time consuming. Many of us contractors didn’t get into theis business because we love paperwork and documenting details. If that was the case, we’d all be attorneys. Why, I’ve heard that 70% of us have ADD and just want to do our jobs, please our customer, and move to the next job. That’s why we tend to skip details during the estimating stage. There is nothing sinister or intentionally deceptive about a contractor skipping details. Contractors are doers not writers.

Secondly, some contractors feel that excessive details in the paperwork may complicate things during the work phase. When a field condition, supplier interruption, or unforeseen condition requires a change to what was originally specified, writing a change order, getting an approval from the homeowner, and refiguring the cost often bogs down the contractor who’d prefer to substitute in another item to just keeping working on the job. It’s important to note that a substitution isn’t generally an attempt to cut corners. Also, I am not excusing or condoning the lack of clear, precise and detailed paperwork.

Generally, 1 hour spent planning, specifying, and writing down details saves about 10 hours of explaining and resolving disputes. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips:

1. If your contractor has very simple forms and minimal paperwork, be prepared to assist in documenting what you want and what you expect. Ask the contractor to explain everything about the process, step by step. Ask questions if you don’t understand. Don’t allow yourself to be rushed.

2. Be wary if the paperwork is minimal compared to other contractors’ paperwork. That could indicate a contractor who is counting on your vague understand of what’s required to do the project, then doing minimal work, and relying on the phrase, “Well, it wasn’t in the contract.”

3. Don’t be intimidated by the contractor with lots of paperwork. This contractor knows the pitfalls of relying on non-specific promises and the customers’ good nature to forgive an oversight. Yes, you’ll probably be signing more than one document when you proceed, but the paperwork is designed to make all aspects of the job as clear as possible so there are no misunderstandings.

4. Make a list of what ISN’T BEING DONE. With multiple bids, this will get a better “apples to apples” comparison, and prompt a discussion on those excluded items.

5. Ask-“Is there anything else in this job that we should discuss, or issues not covered that we should talk about?” This is a final “catch all” inquiry. Be quiet and wait as long as you can for an answer. Important issues often surface at this point.

GET IT IN WRITING! And good luck on your next home improvement project!

Redondo Beach Patio Door Installation

Our installers at the Clark Adams Window Company have the knowledge and the craftsmanship to work and make adjustments to your windows to ensure complete satisfaction! Visit us at http://www.clarkadams.com/ for your free In-Home Estimate or Call us @ 1-888-786-2821

Lo-E4 Glass vs. Tint & Film for Energy Efficiency

What is the difference between Low E4 glass and having glass with tinted window film? The tint that claims to have heat rejection/retention. Does window tint/film provide a comparable window efficiency?

Lo-E4 SmartSun glass, used in Renewal by Andersen replacement windows, is the most advanced glass Andersen has ever offered for energy efficiency. When comparing Lo-E4 to a tint or film, it's important to know which one we are comparing it against.

By definition, a tine is a coloring of the glass to darken the glass typically for solar relief purposed. A film, on the other hand, is a separate layer that is applied to the glass for the same objective, solar relief.

A film is specifically forbidden for use on a dual pane window, as it will void the manufacturer's warranty. This is because a film can only be used on a single pane window, this negating the benefits of the dual pane feature that offers exceptional energy efficiency.

A tint is designed only to darken the glass. While this reduces some infrared heat rays, and some ultra-violet light rays, the visible light is lost as well. In order to achieve the energy efficiency level of Andersen's Lo-E4, the tint would have to be severely dark, making it impractical in every day use since interior lights would be needed to keep the home lit during the day.

Visit us or call us for a Free No-Obligation In-Home Quote
www.clarkadams.com
1-888-786-2821

Santa Monica Alt Build

Happening this weekend May 6th and May 7th! Visit us free of charge at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. http://www.clarkadams.com/

Achieving Window Security from the Glass

It may sound odd to increase the security of a window or door from the use of glass, but there are types of glass that are harder to penetrate than standard glass used in windows and doors.
By a vast majority, the two most common types of glass used in windows and doors is:

1. Annealed glass, and 2. Tempered glass.
Annealed glass is the typical glass used in windows, unless tempered is required. When broken it has the tendency to leave behind shards that can cause injuries by cutting when coming into contact with anyone or anything. It is also the least expensive.
Tempered glass is designed to shatter, when hit, into small, jelly bean sized chunks to prevent injuries from sharp glass. All doors, swinging or sliding must, by code, have tempered glass.

A third type of glass, laminated, is useful when security is a priority. Laminated glass is essentially a “sandwich” of two pieces of glass on either side of a flexible but tough, clear core that bonds the two pieces together. Security is achieved because, even though the glass can break, the inner core holds both pieces together and doesn’t easily permit penetration. So even if the bad guys break the glass of a laminated glass window, they can’t readily get inside the home. Repeated thrusts must be made into a window or door with laminated glass to eventually create an opening large enough to permit entry. (By then, the prowler has probably moved onto easier pickins’.) The ability of the laminated glass to hold itself together is obvious to those of us who have driven by a bad car accident and seen a crumpled windshield on the side of the road. Made of laminated glass, the windshield stays together even though severely damaged.

In hurricane prone areas, laminated glass can provide a measure of protection from wind whipped debris smashing through a window or door and causing injury.

Another benefit of laminated glass is its’ inherent sound resistance characteristics. But that is a topic for another time.

Fibrex Window Facts

Fibrex Windows Facts
Fibrex windows are the new "hybrid" product made from a material that combines the strength of natural wood and the low maintenance of vinyl - the best qualities of each! Andersen Corporattion's custom replacement window division, Renewal By Andersen, has set up a network of exclusive Renewal by Andersen affiliate dealers who are authorized to sell, install, and service Fibrex products. They offer superior product, superior installation technology, and superior support - a total solution to a homeowner's window replacement challenges. There are several factors that set Renewal By Andersen Fibrex Windows apart from vinyl windows:
Fibrex is a composite made from wood fibers bonded with a specially forumlated thermoplastic polymer (40% wood and 60% plastic polymers). Fibrex not only delivers a strength, rigidity and thermal performance equal to wood, it also delivers stability superior to wood. It still provides the texture and appearance of natural wood without the maintenance issues.
The plastic polymer provides resistance to flaking, blistering, peeling, cracking, and corrosion so that there is no need for painting or regular maintenance. Fibrex is also resistant to bowing and cracking - conditions that lead to air and water leakage. An excellent insulator (about 700 times better than aluminum), Fibrex eliminates the transfer of heat out of your home and eliminates the ability of cold temperatures outdoors to chill the window areas inside.
Renewal by Andersen windows are available with many grille options, tilt-in features for easy cleaning, mortise and tendon-style joints instead of welded corners, traditional chamfered check rails and a variety of external colors.
Renewal By Anderesen Windows have received numerous green certifications and environmental awards. The SCS Gold Advantage Certification has been given to us for having the met the most strict indoor air standards in the nation & California. Andersen Corp., Renewal By Andersen is the only window & door manufacturer whose products have been given this certification.

Andersen Windows Rehires Workers

Andersen Corp., makers of Renewal by Andersen Windows, has recently rehired 32% of workers originally laid-off at the beginning of the recession. He attributes this to, among other things, the energy-efficiency tax credit received in the stimulus plan.

Jim Humphrey, the company's president, talked to NPR about the rehires and the energy tax credit from the stimulus plan. Click here to listen.

Clark Adams Co. is the exclusive retailer of Renewal by Andersen windows for western Los Angeles County.