Over the years I have worked on thousands of projects, all in various trades and scopes.
Time after time I see Homeowners, Property Management Companies, and Contractors make costly mistakes that could have been avoided or easily minimized had they only known a few simple things.
Recent Tashman home installation of windows in Faye Dunaway’s house
The Plan
Every job or project needs a plan and the best way to start is by drawing out your ideas and developing goals for the job. When first meeting with a client about an installation, I ask them “What is your goal?” Some common goals are beauty, energy efficiency, or noise reduction.
Often there is no clear plan or expert guiding you or involved in the project and this is why clients come to us. We work with your budget so as to maximize efficiency and cost effectiveness. Most people renovate on average every 8-10 years so planning is so important, because this is something you will be living with for a long while.
Trust
Finding a trustworthy and reliable contractor can be a challenge and could make or break the project. Everyone thinks we (contactors) are out to steal from them so remember you are not picking a person who is just doing a job. They are working on your valuable property and they will hopefully be a resource for you for many years and projects to come.
Kenny donating to Habitat for humanity
There are no shortages of horror stories about hiring a cheap and unreliable contractor or handyman. There are certainly people who are dishonest and lazy but often it is a simple problem of getting an accurate estimate up front. Often people will come to Tashmans to finish or fix a poorly done job and it is truly sad to see the original budget swirling down the drain. Tashman home center is insured, licensed, bonded and we stand behind all of our work. We have been here since 1961 and we make every possible effort to ensure the customers complete satisfaction.
Installing a 200 pound piece of glass, not a job for a cheap handyman.
Getting it all in writing
When I first started to do contracting, a hand shake was the normal way to close a business deal. In todays more litigious world, this is absolutely the wrong way to do home improvement. Make sure all of your contracts are clearly written, describing the work to be done and how much everything will cost. Some important questions that need answers include the length of the job, the finish date, and the primary person to call if you have questions.
Often people neglect to get concrete answers and give too much money to a contractor who then absconds with the cash, never to be seen again. Most contractors do not have a store front so you can not go see them when you have a concern or question. Tashman Home Center has maintained a store for 54 years you will always know where we are and you will always get it in writing what we are doing for you.
Three Generations of Tashman (Kenny, Charles, Mark)
Quality installations
Buying the right product at the best price is half the battle and installing what you want is even more important. No matter how fancy and expensive the product is, the installation part of the job can not be done on the cheap. A poor installation job will make whatever you have bought look bad, buyer’s remorse will set in and you will not want to purchase new materials.
There are some simple things to look for when your installation is being done and cleanliness and organization count for a lot. The installers should set up a clean area for all the materials and tools. They should cover your property well, using plastic, paper, drop cloths, shop-vacs, trash cans, and bags, even the type of tape used is important so as to not leave marks or goo on your floor or furniture.
The right tools make a huge difference in the quality of the job. If the installer shows up with only a hammer and a chisel, you might want to go with someone owning high quality power tools. Having a properly equipped crew is not only going to give you a better looking job, but a faster completion time as well.
Safe and Organized