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FAQ | Hiring A Residential ContractorStart with a licensed contractor! The MN Department of Labor & Industry strongly recommends that you hire a contractor that is licensed by the state of Minnesota, like Golden Rule Remodeling Inc. By hiring a licensed contractor, you ensure your contractor has met certain requirements, including having a principal of the company pass an appropriate examination and having liability and property damage insurance. Golden Rule Remodeling Inc carries much more than the minimum insurance requirements the state of Minnesota; in fact, we carry 2 million dollars of total liability coverage!
This level of insurance enables Golden Rule to handle any level of residential project you are considering, and also enables Golden Rule to work with large commercial contruction projects. In past years we have worked on numerous commercial jobsites including those for Cargill and the State of Minnesota! Not every contractor can state that type of experience, and the difference in experience truly matters!
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How can I check the status of a contractor?Check on the license status of a contractor by looking their license number up on the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry website. The department can verify if the contractor has a license and also if there are any actions or sanctions on record. You can also look up a contractor on the Minnesota Better Business Bureau to find out more about a contractor, the Bureau rating of the company and whether there have been any consumer complaints recorded against a company. Golden Rule Remodeling Inc has an A+ Rating with the Better Business Bureau, which is the highest rating a company can get!
What contractors should be avoided?It is probably best to avoid working with a contractor who works from unmarked vans or trucks, are willing to do the job at an usually low price, or requires full or substantial payment before any work begins. Additionally, avoid a company that refuses to provide a written estimate or contract, refuses to provide a builder license number, or refuses to provide references. Don't work with any company that uses high pressure sales tactics. And finally, don't work with a contractor that asks you to obtain any necessary permits.
What should a contract include?Once you have the names of potential contractors you consider satisfactory, ask them to submit bids. You should receive at least three bids on any home construction or major remodeling project. The bids should be in writing and be fairly detailed in the scope of work, type of materials, and total cost. If time is a factor, an approximate completion date should be included. Remember that the lowest bid is not necessarily the best. The contract you sign should be specific and detailed. Items to include are the contractors obligation to obtain the necessary permits so that the contractor is responsible for meeting all building codes; if you obtain the permits, you will be responsible! Change order information describes how the original contract can be modified and should appear on the contract you sign. A schedule of payment should be clear and understandable; on larger projects a "holdback" amount may be implemented to allow clients to withhold a portion of the final payment until final customer concerns are addressed. Lastly, clean up should be included, especially if a project is likely to create debris.
What consumer protections do clients have?Minnesota law requires Minnesota builders and remodelers to warrant that home improvement projects are free of major construction defects for 10 years. "Major construction defect" means damage affecting the stability and safety of the dwelling. It does not include damage caused by flood, earthquake, or other natural disaster. Also, every project needs to be mechanically free of defects for 2 years. This covers defects caused by faulty installation of plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling systems. Lastly, all projects must carry a free for 1 year warranty from defects caused by faulty workmanship and defective materials..
Does Golden Rule Remodeling work with insurance claims or storm damage repair?Yes, Golden Rule Remodeling works with all insurance companies and has been referred to many clients requiring help in times of natural disaster. We work directly with your insurance company on your behalf to identify the type and amount of repair that is needed. Contact us for more information.
What is the Contractors Recovery Fund and how can it help a consumer?Despite taking all necessary precautions in selecting a contractor and signing a contract, people can end up with an unsatisfactory job. The first step if this occurs is to take legal action and obtain a judgement against the contractor. If unable to collect, a client can seek compensation from the Contractors Recovery Fund which is establised and administered by the state, BUT ONLY IF YOUR CONTRACTOR IS LICENSED BY THE STATE. This is yet another reason to hire a licensed contractor! The Contractors Recovery Fund is a fund that all licensed contractors contribute to through our licensing fees.
What's a mechanic's lien?Any licensed contractor or material supplier for a building project can go to court and try to take possession of your property if he or she is not paid. This is called a "mechanic's lien". When there is a problem with an element of the project that leads to an impass in the relationship a client and a contractor share, state law allows clients to pay any subcontractor directly and deduct that amount from the total contract price; or a client can withhold from the contractor, for 120 days after all work is completed, the amount needed to pay the subcontractors directly, unless the contractor has given the client waivers signed by the subcontractors that give up their right to file a lien against your property when they are paid. In most cases, your contractor must give you written notice of an intent to file a lien if the contractor is not paid. This notice is required whenever subcontractors or material suppliers are employed; it must either be included in the written contract or delivered separately to a client within 10 days after the work is agreed upon. In short, this contractor's notice must be given properly for the contractor to have the right to a lien against a customer property.
Can I buy materials for the project?Yes, with some exceptions. The basic idea is that Golden Rule Remodeling is willing to work with whatever desires our clients have. Materials warranties do not apply to customer procured materials, and as long as our clients understand that, we in many cases will work with the client buying assorted materials on their own.
What is the overall goal of Golden Rule Remodeling?We have created a sustainable company for the express purpose of impacting our client's lives in positive ways through providing quality work through a company you can trust. Regardless of the size of the projects we do for our clients, no one job will ever allow us to retire. Knowing that, we work with the intention of being referred to others. This is the way we insure our clients are truly satisfied and that we continue to be a successful contracting company. You may contact us if you’d like further information.
Contact Us for a further information on New Build projects or RepairsTo obtain a free quote for your project, please contact us today. We provide service to customers throughout the Twin Cities metro area.Please read more about our products & services, and thanks for considering Golden Rule Remodeling Inc as your General Contractor of Choice! |
/h3> | Preventing Water DamageWe have seen firsthand the terrible damage water can do to a home. Water is an incredibly destructive element, particularly in the harsh thaw and freeze cycles of Minnesota. For an example of the amazing power of water, just look at the Grand Canyon. You can see why allowing this element to seep into your home is a terrible idea. Water damage can undermine the value of your home, both for you and for potential buyers when you are ready to sell. Ice dams ruin roofs. Crumbling and cracked foundations compromise structural integrity. Interior walls and floors damaged by water weaken the entire home and create ripe conditions for mold growth. With over 10,000 mold spores fitting on the head of a pin, mold is extremely difficult to get rid of and compromises the health of your family and your home.
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What are seamless gutters?Seamless gutters are gutters that are custom cut to the entire length of the house versus pre-cut gutters that are pieced together. Seamless gutters, because they have no “seams” along straight lengths reduce the chance water has to leak out of the gutter before it is carried away from your home. Will there be any seams at all? Seamless gutters are cut from one piece to fit the length and width of your house, however, seamless gutters are not able to bend around corners or into downspouts. Any seamless gutter installation will use corner pieces and seams where the gutter must “bend” to direct water away from the house. At Golden Rule, our quality workmanship ensures your seams will be watertight.
What is the fascia? What is a soffit?These terms refer to the parts of the house that are directly under the roofline and connect the roof to your home. It is just as important to protect your fascia, soffit, and eaves from water as it is to install rain gutters. At Golden Rule, we evaluate all surfaces of your home from the roof down for potential weak spots and recommend solutions to protect your investment.
Who does the actual installation?At Golden Rule, a team of trained professionals installs your gutters, with our owner/operator guiding the process. At our company, installations must pass high standards. Read more about our workmanship and installation.
How expensive are the projects?With construction, as with so many other things in life, you’ll find that you get what you pay for. At Golden Rule, we don’t necessarily do things cheaper, but we do things better, from the initial free consultation, to installation, service and beyond. We strive to provide competitive pricing and a great value to every customer. In terms of overall cost and quality, you get a great deal. Contact us for a free quote.
What types of Countertops do you install?We primarily install natural solid surface countertops, such as granite or other natural stone countertops, though we can install many different surfaces to meet client needs. We promote "green" building practices not only in our countertop installations but as well within all lines of our business. We look for and recommend solutions that are not harmful to the environment in the ways the products are manufactured or harvested from the environment. We also promote using solutions, like countertops, that perform well for our clients.
Is Golden Rule a "green" contractor?Yes! We promote "green" building practices whenever possible to lessen the impacts of our society on the environment. From design through installation Golden Rule looks for and recommends solutions that are least harmful to the environment in the ways the products we use are manufactured or harvested naturally to reduce the "footprint" of humankind on the earth.
Can Golden Rule work with unique needs of clients?For various reasons every client has unique desires that dictate a custom solution. We at Golden Rule recognize each client has unique wants and needs, and we welcome the opportunity to provide custom solutions that meet those needs. You may contact us if you’d like further information.
Contact Us for a Free EstimateTo obtain a free quote for your project, please contact us today. We provide service to customers throughout the Twin Cities metro area.Please read more about our products & services, and thanks for considering Golden Rule Remodeling Inc as your General Contractor of Choice! |
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