5 Tips for Hiring an Electrician

If you're looking for an electrician or electrical contractor, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of possibilities in the phone book. The good news is that it's easier than you think to narrow down the list of potentials and find "the one." Here are just a few tips for finding the right electrician for you. 

1. Know Your Needs 

Are you wiring a simple, old-fashioned cabin, or do you need an electrician who can handle the technological wizardry of a high-powered "smart" home? Not all electricians are created equal, so make sure you choose one that's suited to your unique needs and demands. 

2. Talk About Prices and Payments 

Money is often the big elephant in the room when you're negotiating with an electrician for the first time, but it's better for everyone if you acknowledge the issue of finances right off the bat. How much are their services going to cost you? Do they have payment plans available for large bills? Be upfront about the details in advance to avoid unpleasant surprises down the line. 

3. Stay Local 

Stay within your city when hiring an electrician. For example, if you're looking for specialists in Jacksonville, plug terms like "electrical contractors Jacksonville FL" into a search engine. Not only will local electricians get to your home faster than others, but they'll also be familiar with the regulations and ordinances of your specific neighborhood. 

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4. Ask to See Their Documents 

You'll want a fully-qualified electrician handling the delicate circuitry around your home. If you're concerned about the qualifications of the person you've chosen, ask them directly about their paperwork. Legitimate professionals should have no problem offering their licenses and certificates for your examination. 

5. Read the Fine Print 

Speaking of documents, always read the fine print on things like budgets, schedules and contracts. You never know when a little loophole will come back to haunt you later. It's especially important to look out for these things with an electrician you've never used before, but it's a good habit to form with everyone, even trusted workers you've hired in the past. 

These are just a few things to keep in mind as you search for an electrician. Don't be afraid to compare and contrast if the perfect company doesn't immediately spring out at you; sometimes it takes awhile for the right choice to become apparent.
 

Top Green Remodeling Trends for 2016

Undertaking a remodel of your home in 2016 goes beyond planning for style and comfort upgrades. At Modernize, we strive to take better care of the world we inhabit. By considering eco-friendly flooring, walls, and roof additions, you can devise a plan for a green home without losing any flair.

Eco-Friendly Floors

When choosing flooring materials, think beyond traditional and stain-attracting carpet. Reclaimed hardwood, cork, stained concrete, linoleum and bamboo are all chic earth friendly choices that can last for generations, making them a much more sustainable choice. Hardwood floors are usually associated with deforestation, but savvy homeowners are opting for hardwoods that have been reclaimed from old barns and other rural structures. Also, wood floorings certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) have been deemed to have not taken part in excessive harm to the environment.

Concrete can be stained an array of colors, and it never needs to be replaced. Linoleum has a long life as well. Though it fell out of style in the 40’s when vinyl became popular, linoleum is made from more natural materials than vinyl, so it’s seeing a resurgence in popularity.

Cork and bamboo are even newer trends that have taken off due to their durability and unique grain that can be finished in many colors. Cork oak trees do not have to be completely cut down to harvest their bark,  and fast-growing bamboo makes for long-lasting flooring that’s not only beautiful, but naturally water-resistant and anti-bacterial, too.

Beautiful Wall Colors

Scientists have discovered that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air. This is partially due to the ongoing toxins released in house paint years after application. Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, used to be a crucial part of high quality paints. Luckily, low- and zero-VOCs are now widely manufactured, so smart homeowners can choose an environmentally friendly option.

Zero-VOC paints have 5 grams/liter or less of harmful pollutants. Sometimes adding a colorant can up this count to 10 grams/liter, but that’s still considered very low. Low-VOCs contain 200 grams/liter or less of the unwanted chemicals. These still may emit an odor for a short amount of time. A list of compliant paints can be found here.

Add On Solar

Now that we’ve added “green” flooring and walls, why not extend the environmental awareness to the roof? By using solar panels, homeowners become more aware of the energy they use while generating their own power for their small place in the world. This essentially remodels one’s electricity source and mindset. Adding solar panels can be financially beneficial, too. In many forward-thinking cities, like Austin, Texas, residents get a rebate for going solar, which can oftentimes recoup your up-front investment. And recent developments have made for sleeker solar systems, with no-grid panels, new color choices, and thinner designs. Best of all, they show an awareness of modern and ecologically friendly living.

2016 and Beyond

Following environmentally thoughtful trends feels is a safe step in the right direction while maintaining one’s individuality. Choosing zero-VOC paints and sustainable flooring still leaves open countless color and texture options. Remodeling is a long process, but the earth and your senses will thank you. 

The Home Remodeler Survival Guide

Although there are no official statistics, home remodeling is probably up there among the top 10 of stressful situations. Use these tips to help you get through the process, and then delight in the results of your renovations. And, remember that your home improvements increase the value of your property.

Prep Your Home

Get organized before the remodeling begins, and move essential and valuable items out of the area that is being worked on. For example, if you're cabinet refacing in your kitchen, your cooking and dishwashing areas are going to be unusable for a time. Move the microwave and refrigerator into another room or the garage so they're easily accessible. Borrow or buy a portable hotplate or a camping stove, and make good use of your barbecue grill if the weather is fine. Make sure you move all your utensils, crockery and cookware out of the kitchen.

Protect your floors, whether they are tiles, hardwood or carpets. Cover them with heavy-duty plastic sheets or canvas tarpaulins; your building contractor may have some you can use.

 

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Off-Limit Areas

Kids and pets are often extremely curious about building work going on in their homes, but exploring busy sites can be dangerous. Set down rules for children, making sure they know to stay out of construction areas. Either restrict access of pets to these spots or relocate them to a friend's home for the duration.

Turn a Blind Eye

Many remodeling projects involve copious amounts of dust. Shut as many internal doors as possible to seal off rooms that are not undergoing renovations, and ignore the rest of the house. It's pointless trying to keep your home totally clean when it's being refashioned, and you'll add to your stress levels if you attempt it.

Keep Communicating

Any project manager will tell you that a key part of successful endeavors is for team members to effectively communicate with each other. You and your contractor are on the same side, and you need to regularly talk face-to-face or on Skype to resolve any problems and discuss the next steps of the renovations. Be sure to swap cell phone numbers so you can be contacted during the day when you're at work or out on errands.

Be Kind

Remember the whole family is feeling the disruption of your home remodeling. Be kind to one another, make allowances for crabby behavior and take time out to have some fun.

If you need advice on refacing kitchen cabinets in Georgia, contact Detail Design & Remodeling today.