Tips on Finding the Right Pro for the Job

With summer on the way, you might be in a race to get a few things fixed around the house to make the most of the warmer season.  Finding the right expert for a big job might seem daunting, but while you’re probably excited to get the required work done as quickly and efficiently as possible, hiring the wrong professional can do a lot more harm than good. So what to do? Here are my top tips for finding the right expert for the job.

Ask for Referrals

When it comes to hiring a pro for remodeling or home repair work, you should look at it the same way you would for a doctor or accountant. Start by asking friends, family or co-workers for a referral, or you can also try your local building inspector or the owner of the lumberyard in your area. Also, every tradesperson has a network of other home professionals that they prefer to deal with so if you have a relationship with a plumber but need an electrician, don’t be afraid to reach out.

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When meeting with tradespeople, your gut feeling is as important as anything else. Home improvement is a personal process so go at it in the same way you would a first date. Do you like what solutions and options that the expert provides? Does he communicate with you in a way that’s clear and concise?  Do you feel comfortable that he will do the job the way you want it done? Don’t get caught up in special deals or flashy talk, trust your instincts and go with a professional that feels more like a partner than a salesman.

Don’t Ask for a Rough Estimate

If you have a big job that needs to be done, there is no use in asking for a “ballpark figure”. Chances are that the prices quoted in the estimate will change once the contractor has a chance to understand what is specifically required. Certain things such as the condition of the property, the materials used for the job and the personalization that you require will make up the price, so save yourself some time and confusion by making a list of what you really want before contractors show up for the first appointment. Most professionals will give you an estimate for free; so make the most of it by getting specific. Remember, getting a good deal is important, but not if it means scrimping on quality workmanship.

Do Ask for a Plan

Understanding your costs is key, but it’s also a good idea to ask for a plan of action to ensure you are fully aware of both the process and the timeline for the job. A simple step-by-step explanation will give you the clarity you need to ensure that you and your contractor are on the same page, and it will also help you plan around activities you might have going on, like summer visitors or kids coming back from college. As a professional, I like to make sure the steps involved in a job are clearly articulated for two reasons; it gives my customers confidence in the project and it helps them understand all the work being undertaken, especially the parts that might not be as obvious from the surface.  In my opinion, an educated customer is the best kind of customer.

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Help! The Cold Weather Has Cracked Our Concrete

I received an interesting letter from a reader this week who said, “Dear Bob, we got started on our outdoor clean-up last weekend and noticed that the concrete in our patio area has some cracks that weren’t there in the fall. Is there anything we can do to fix it or do we have to have it professionally repaired? Thank you, Barbara D.”

This is a great question and it’s a common problem for homeowners during this time of year. Concrete, like most natural materials, changes with the environment. When there is a lot of snow, ice, and rain, that water can seep down into the porous concrete. As the temperature drops, the moisture freezes, causing the concrete to expand. When the temperature warms and the ground thaws, the concrete then shrinks, which leads to cracking. Most of the time, these hairline cracks aren’t problematic on their own but left untreated, it is likely that they will get bigger and tougher to fix. Unfortunately, cracking is one of the downsides to concrete and it can be tough to prevent. On the flip side, fixing them is relatively simple, so let’s walk through it.

First, you’ll always want to work with a very dry surface, so don’t start this project if it has recently rained. Once the weather is ready to cooperate, be sure that the cracks are completely clean of debris by using a chisel to remove loose pieces of concrete, dirt or sand.  Next, you’re ready to fill the crack using either a concrete caulk for small cracks or a pourable concrete mix for larger gaps. Always follow the manufacturer's directions as some products will require you to fill the crack with sand and others will recommend using a trowel to pack down the material. Then leave it plenty of time for it to cure before sealing the concrete to protect it from cracking again.

If you simply have too many cracks and you’d rather replace the concrete, here are a few things to remember. Firstly, make sure the pour is done in ideal conditions and ask your contractor about using plastic sheeting or a curing compound to control the moisture from the beginning. Next, don’t mess with it! Concrete takes three to seven days to set depending on the environment, so don’t rush it. Allowing the surface to harden completely before you use it can delay or prevent cracking in the future. Next, be sure to maintain your concrete with a sealant which will allow the right amount of moisture to come in and will let the surface breathe. Finally, check that your driveway or patio has proper drainage. The longer water sits on it, the more likely that it will seep through the surface. Taking these steps will help to ensure that your concrete stays looking newer for longer with less probability for additionally cracking after our next bout of extreme weather.  

Bob O'Donnell is the owner of O'Donnell Bros, Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro”. All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O'Donnell Bros, Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Rain and Moisture Make Basement Leaks a Common Problem

I have been talking about the importance of proper ventilation in the attic to prevent leaks lately and for good reason. But as the spring starts to edge closer, the basement takes the stage as the place in the house where leaks will most likely occur.

As the temperature warms, the snow melts and the rain becomes more frequent, the ground gets saturated with water. This water can find its way into your basement through non-structural cracks in poured concrete walls or deteriorated joints in masonry walls. Poorly fitted or old basement windows can also let water in, as well as utility openings.

The best line of defense against a wet basement is to make sure that the water is directed away from the foundation. Inspect your gutters and downspouts to see if they are working the way they should be and also check to see that the ground right around the house is higher than the rest of the yard. Having the yard grade at its highest around the perimeter of the foundation will ensure water drains away from the house instead of into it.  

If you think your house is susceptible to leaks, you can also use a waterproofing membrane or coating to seal the foundation or basement area. However, if you have regular leaking problems, you may need to have a drainage or sump pump system installed by a professional.

Even if you don’t have a leak problem, the basement can get pretty damp from now through April which creates the perfect environment for nasty mold and mildew. To get rid of the excess water, I always like to run a dehumidifier in the basement as the weather warms up.

A dehumidifier works by pulling the moisture out of the air and storing the excess water in a holding tank. Many people keep dehumidifiers in their basement all year long to control the dampness that can often be felt in underground areas, but I find it especially useful this time of year.

You can find out if your basement is holding a lot of moisture by purchasing a simple five-dollar humidity gauge from the local hardware store. Ideally, you want the humidity to be under 50%. If it’s higher, a dehumidifier might be a good solution. Generally, a unit will come in 25, 30 and 40-pint models, and on average a 25-pint unit will be sufficient to control the moisture in a 1,000 square foot area.

One last word of advice - if you have a dehumidifier or plan on getting one, please be sure to empty it regularly and keep the filter clean. A simple wipe down with a damp cloth and spray bottle will do the trick to keep you breathing freely and ensure a longer life for the appliance.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions for Bob to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.