In honor of our 10 year anniversary this year, we would like to help you find the best contractor for your project! Here is a simple list of the 10 things we advise you to look for when looking for a contractor.

1. License

When looking for a contractor, it is important to find one that is licensed. This means that the contractor has met the state mandated qualifications for contractors. This is also important if you are looking to sell your house in the future, work done by an unlicensed contractor is not usually recognised in real estate transactions. You can find license holders on most state DLLR websites, for instance, you can find Maryland license holders online.

2. General Liability and Workers Comp Insurance

Insurance is a major factor when it comes to choosing a contractor. Your contractor’s insurance policy protects you as the homeowner from incurring responsibility for an injury sustained on your property.

3. Experience

Experience is important when it comes to choosing a contractor because you want to make sure that they are able to provide you with quality workmanship. You can ask your contractor questions like how long the have been in business, how many projects they do in a month, and if they have any references for their work.

4. References and a Positive Reputation

References and a positive online reputation is a good indication that the company has done significant work and that their customers are happy with their services. Beware of a “too perfect” looking reputation though. A 100% satisfaction rate could be a red flag indicating that the reviews posted are not from actual customers.

5. Steady and Trained Staff and Crew

Never be afraid to ask how long a company has been in business or how long an individual has worked for the company. Lengthy tenure can show that the company has a good reputation not only with customers, but within the company as well. Training is also important, you can ask questions like what licenses or special training’s the company or individual has received.

6. Turnaround Time

Once you speak with a company, turnaround time is also a good indicator of what kind of company you are speaking with. If the turnaround time is too short it may indicate that the company is sacrificing quality for speed. If the estimated length of completion is wildly different from other contractors there could be an issue. During busy seasons, turn around time could be between 3-4 weeks for a standard asphalt roof replacement, or even longer if a severe weather event has occurred.

7. Pricing

Pricing is an important to look for, and not for the reason you might be thinking. When searching for a contractor, you do not want a contractor that has the highest or the lowest pricing. Contractors should be competitive with pricing, but if the pricing seems too good to be true, it usually is. You also want to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples” when it comes to pricing. Different manufacturers or types of shingles can raise or lower costs.

8. Material Suppliers

A good way to check in with a contractor would be to check with the material suppliers. If the company has a good reputation with the people they work most closely with and often (suppliers), than it is a good indication that it will be a good company to work with.

9. Communication

From the beginning of contacting your contractor, you want to make sure that they are providing good communication. Did the office get back to you in a timely manner? Did they answer all of your questions? Did they confirm the appointment? Did your consultant answer all of your questions? If the answer is “no” to several of theses questions, it may be a good indicator that the company will not be able to have open communication with you during the process of your job.

10. Contract

Your contract will show a lot about your company. It will include most of the items listed above, it should show you their license number, answer questions about materials used, timelines, and a detailed contract can show you the experience of a company. If you have a vague or hard to understand contract, it might indicate that there are hidden fees or procedures.

AROCON is proud to announce our 10th Anniversary. We have been able to grow as a company through the support and recommendations of customers like you. Thank you for being a valued customer over the years! We are excited to move forward to the next chapter of our AROCON Family!

Getting your home ready for the holidays can be one of the most fun things you’ll do all year – if you do it right. Gathering the family together on a wintry evening to witness all of your hard work, when you turn everything on, is what memories are made of.

Nearly six thousand people are admitted to the hospital each year, however, for injuries related to attaching holiday decorations to the outsides of their homes. So stay safe and enjoy this holiday season by following these four, straightforward tips for how to properly hang lights:

1. Hang holidays lights on a windless day when the weather is dry. Please use extreme caution and make sure a second person is on hand any time you mount a ladder, especially in wet conditions. Climbing the rungs of a ladder during a downpour is dangerous, even when you’re not carrying a limp cardboard box overflowing with holiday decorations.

2. Work in stages, around a plan. Before the day upon which you plan to actually put up your festive lights, lay some groundwork by staging reliable extension cords in strategic spots and firmly attaching any necessary hooks or hangers. Chances are you’ve got a busy schedule, so working in stages can help you fit in your decorating duties around the rest of the day. Planning out which lights go where and making sure you’ve got enough of them to go around can save unnecessary trips to the store and back. Anchoring your holiday lights correctly will keep you from climbing around on ladders to fix things, later on.

3. Test your lights before they go up. Few things in life are as frustrating as spending hours hanging a string of lights only to find they don’t work. Opting for shorter strings of lights will cut down on the amount of time needed to pull out any section that might decide to stop working. Decrease the risk of moisture intrusion by using duct or electrical tape to seal the connectors that attach one string of lights to its neighbor.

4. Use appropriate materials. Avoid overloading any one socket by plugging all your lights into it. Also make sure to use an extension cord that’s thick enough to power all the lights it’s supposed to supply energy to without overheating or causing a fire. Select extension cords that are rated for outdoor use and tested by an independent industrial body such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL).With some foresight and diligence, the ritual of hanging holiday lights can be a fun and safe time for everyone involved.

At AROCON Roofing and Construction, our experts can help you with all your roofing and home improvement needs! Regardless of whether you just need a quick roof tune-up or a brand new roof, our trained technicians can provide you with customized service to simplify your home improvement project.

Whether you’re putting on a new deck or building a whole new home, remodeling can be a very exciting and joyous time. You’re changing your home into a space that you’ve always dreamed about. Home remodels, however, aren’t always as simple as they seem. As you may have experienced, the stress of constant chaos in your home can really cause a strain on your personal relationship. So how do you prevent the stress of a home remodel from affecting your relationship? Can your love really survive such a daunting task?

Follow our guide below to ensure that your home and your relationship stay in excellent shape during this hectic time:

Budget First

Money can be the source of a lot of conflict between couples, particularly during a house remodel. The first task you should complete before doing anything else is deciding on the budget for your project. Set this number in stone after careful discussion with your partner and make sure you stick to it. That way, everyone is clear about the financial plan from the beginning.

The 51-49 Split

Someone needs to be in charge. It can be extremely difficult, if not impossible to split all the work perfectly 50-50. So instead, the one of you who would prefer to have a bit more control and deciding power should have 51% of the power, while the other partner has 49%. The one with 51% is able to veto decisions made by the other after discussion and has the ultimate say in the remodel. However, this does not mean they can wield power like a dictator. Make sure the basis of every decision is a respectful discussion with your partner.

Schedule

Set a timeline for this project. Map it out on a calendar that the whole family has access to, and make sure that you all stick to it. If a project drags on, this can be a major source of stress for the family. And if this is out of your hands, remember that patience is key.

Housing Plan

If you are remodeling enough of your home that you need somewhere else to stay, make sure you plan ahead for this. Book a hotel for a few nights if your renovating your bedroom or doing an extensive bathroom remodeling project. If you need a space to stay long-term, try to arrange to stay with some close friends or neighbors. Or, make sure that there is always a room available for the family to stay during the remodeling.

Plan for the Kids

As much as you may love them, your children can definitely add to the stress of a home project, because they’ll want to run around and play and this can get in the way of the work. Consider arranging some sleepovers or play dates for your younger children during the period of remodeling. Even getting them out of the house for a few hours a week can relieve a lot of the pressure that you feel to take care of them and also manage the project.

Couple’s Time

Make sure you set aside time just for the two of you. With the stress of a home remodel, it can feel like you are being pulled in all different directions. Before the project even gets started, map out set dates on the calendar where you and your partner will get out of the house and have a date night. Arrange a babysitter for the kids ahead of time, and do your best not to cancel these dates. Remembering to spend time together will be crucial to getting through this stressful period stronger.

Small Surprises

If you sense that the stress of the remodel is weighing on your partner, try making some small gestures like bringing home flowers or food from their favorite restaurant for dinner. Remember that you two are a team, and you should treat each other with a lot of care and attention during this time.

Me Time

Of course, along with spending quality stress-free time together, you both need to have some time alone to relax and unwind. Try to get out of the house or spend some time alone for an hour or two a day just to clear your head.

Hiccups Plan

So you planned, you scheduled, and your home improvement project still took an unexpected turn. Veering from the schedule is normal, and in fact it is quite likely to happen. Real life rarely goes according to plan. Your schedule should serve as an outline for the path you want your project to take, but if things change don’t freak out. Try to embrace the change and just work around it. Being a little more flexible will help keep your stress levels down, which can only help your relationship and your home in the long run.

The Back-Up Plan

If all else fails, do not be afraid to see a couples’ counselor. It’s their job to listen to your issues and help you work through them diplomatically and respectfully. A home remodel is stressful for anyone; you don’t need to let your relationship suffer for the sake of your home.

Remember that your relationship with your family is more important than any home project. If you have to extend the project to make it easier on everyone, do it. And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Visit some of our older posts on everything from home decor to different types of windows  for other ways that AROCON can make your home project a little easier.