With the kids back in school, you finally have the house all to yourself again. Now that you’re not spending all of your time chauffeuring your kids to summer camp, the pool, and sleepovers, it’s time to tackle those home improvement projects that you’ve been putting off all summer.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get started repairing your home and amping up your curb appeal! Here are 5 home improvement projects that you can finish during the back-to-school season, while the kids are away at school:

1. Install gutter guards. As we come into the fall season, protecting your gutters from becoming clogged with leaves, roofing granules, twigs, and debris is vital to proper gutter care. In addition to interfering with the proper drainage, the buildup of these materials can lead to the shifting of your gutters, which may result in water runoff  leaking into your home. You will want to set up your gutter guards before fall rolls around,the leaves start changing color and falling off the trees en masse.

2. Seal the cracks and gaps on the exterior of your home with caulk. Stop letting the precious A/C or heat that you pay for escape from your home. Insulate your home by applying caulk into the little openings that you find on the outside of your home. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, caulking is a cost-effective way to decrease cooling and heating costs and promote a healthier environment in your home.

3. Fix the cracks in your driveway and walkways. Did you know that the cold weather can actually expand the cracks in your driveway and walkways of your home? Prevent this from happening this winter by being proactive now. Seal the cracks in your concrete or asphalt by calling a home improvement contractor.

4. Repair your roof.  Take the time to insulate your roof now while the weather’s still nice out to so that you won’t be stuck with a drafty home when the temperature drops during the fall and winter. Remember to give your roof the proper tune-up it deserves with caulking and sealing of all the vents, flashings, and nail holes, along with the tightening of loose shingles. Don’t forget to also have loose shingles tightened, and exposed nail heads and broken seams on your roof fixed. Taking the time to repair your roof before the cold weather hits will drastically extend the life of your roof so that you get to enjoy the full value of your roof!

5. Pressure wash the exterior of your home. By maintaining the cleanliness of your home’s exterior, you can help prevent the premature aging of your home. If you are planning on pressure washing your home by yourself, remember to be extremely careful because using the machine incorrectly can result in serious injury. The pressure of the water can be so high that it penetrates through your skin, so when in doubt, consult a professional!

From our team at AROCON Roofing and Construction, have a fabulous back-to-school season, and remember, if you need any home improvement help, we are here for you and your home!

After deciding to repair your roof or install some new gutters, you call your contractor. Together you negotiate the details regarding cost, the timeline of the project, and what you want the final product to look like. Then, your contractor hands you the contract to sign.

BUT WAIT! Before you sign the contract, you should review it thoroughly and check to make sure that the contract covers the basic details of the project, as well as any potential problems that may arise while the work is being completed. Here’s what you should look for on any typical construction company’s contract:.

9. Description of the home improvement project. This will tell you what is being done to your home and where. You’ll want to ensure that everything you have discussed with your estimator is reflected correctly here.

10. Approximate dates of when the home improvement project will begin and will it will be completed. This is very important so that you can keep track of timeliness should any issues come up.

11. Cost of the project, which should also include how much money is required for the deposit. As a side note, according to Maryland state law, governed by the MHIC, a contractor can’t accept more than a third of the contract price as a deposit.

12. Payment/draw Schedule. It is in your best interest to ensure that the contract includes a section linking each sum of your payment with the progress of the project.

13. A list of the materials that will be used in the project, along with the warranty information for each of the items. Here you should be sure to check off the specific colors and styles that you have selected to ensure that everything is accurate.

14. Rules about the contractor’s use of your property. Is you contractor allowed to store materials on your property? Park in your garage? These rules should be outlined clearly in the contract to ensure that both parties know their boundaries

15. Information about whether your contractor will use subcontractors.

16. Who takes responsibility for damage or theft that occurs as a result of the home improvement project. Unfortunately, sometimes mistakes are made during these projects so it’s important to state who has to pay for repairs or replacements before any problems occur.

17. Contract disputes. What are the steps that you and your contractor can take if either of you believes the other has broken the contract? Arbitration or mediation? Or something else? Hopefully you won’t have to deal with contract disputes, but you want to make sure that you are prepared in case you run into conflicts with your contractor. And always remember that should any issue arise, calling your contractor directly is the best way to get things taken care of in a timely fashion.

After you’ve thoroughly read through the contract (no skimming!), sign the contract and let the home improvement magic begin! If you’re looking for a contractor, consider working with AROCON Roofing and Construction. We offer everything from roof tune-ups to window installation, gutter repairs, and more!

As a homeowner, it can be easy to become absorbed in the interior of your home. After all, you spend a lot of time in it, so it better be appealing! And while it is important, maintaining a home’s interior should never be your only focus, as it can leave the exterior looking neglected. In fact, a home’s exterior appeal should be given equal importance in any good homeowners mind.

After all, your home’’s exterior is not only the determining factor in its public appeal , but it reflects who you are as a homeowner. This makes maintaining your home’s exterior appearance, or curb appeal, an essential part of owning a house. If you have neglected your home’s exterior, think it is time for some renovations, or are simply looking for some new ways to enhance your home, take a look at the following tips to boost your curb appeal an have your home looking better than ever.

1. Make an Entrance

The front door is the focal point of your home’s exterior, which makes it an important factor to your home’s curb appeal, since it is one of the first things people see while looking at your home. When you think about it, your front door can make or break your home’s overall exterior appeal!  If the first thing people look at is an old and worn out door, it will be harder for them to appreciate the rest of the house. For this reason, replacing or simply repairing your front door can do wonders for the overall appeal of your home. Don’t let your home’s front door tarnish the whole house’s curb appeal!

2. Choose a Side

Often, while considering exterior work, siding gets pushed to the back of the list. Because Siding takes up somuch of your home, renovating and/or replacing it can seem like a daunting, prolonged task. Not only that, siding work is often viewed as an expensive endeavor. However, with the right contractor, repairing or replacing your siding can be a surprisingly quick and inexpensive project.

3. Light Up the Night 

Even if you have maxed out your curb appeal, your job’s not done! While you may have your house looking pristine, it all goes to waste if you can’t see it after the sun goes down. This is whereoutdoor lighting comes into play. Outdoor lighting can add decour to your house and front lawn, allowing for your house’s features to be displayed beautifully at night. It can also can improve your home’s security, which is an added bonus!

4. Get Into the Gutters

There are many factors that contribute to your home’s curb appeal, and neglecting any of those areas can decrease its overall appeal. In fact, even seemingly small areas stick out like a sore thumb when they are not well maintained. Take gutters for example; while they seem like a small part of your home, a busted gutter system can make your house seem messy and unkept. Not only that, a leaking gutter can ruin your house’s siding, making things even worse. Whether it is a good cleaning or a complete renovation, maintaining your gutters is a must for any appealing home, so make sure to keep up with them twice a year or call in a professional to help.

No matter how you choose to boost your home’s curb appeal, we recommned hiring a licensed contractor to help get the job done right. After all, a botched makeover can leave your home looking worse than before. So before making repairs or renovations, make sure to  contact a licensed contractor, like AROCON, to ensure your home gets the curb appeal boost it needs!

You have finally made the decision to make renovations on your home. You have the funds. You know what you want done. Now, all you have to do is select a contractor to do the job. However, this step is the most crucial step of the home improvement process. No matter how much funds you have or how grand your desired designs are, only a quality contractor can turn your dreams into a reality. For this reason, you must be educated on how to select a quality contractor.

Luckily, this guide covers the essential information you need to select a quality contractor.

The first step to selecting any quality contractor is to make sure they are licensed. Licensed contractors must uphold certain standards to maintain their status, so you can be assured that they perform quality work. Aside from guaranteed quality, a licensed contractor means a legal renovations. In many states, it is illegal for unlicensed contractors to perform renovations. So, when considering contractors, make sure they are licensed to avoid spotty work and legal problems!

After ensuring that your contractor is licensed, the next step you should take is inquiring about their past work. Research their websites and other review sites, such as Home Advisor, for customer testimonials. Customers will be brutally honest about work done to their homes—especially if it was bad work. Finding evidence of quality work is an essential part of selecting a quality contractor. Doing so can be the difference between obtaining your dream home and getting tricked into hiring a less-than-stellar contractor!

Now that you have inquired about licenses and researched customer reviews, your next step should be inquiring about materials used. No matter how talented a contractor is, poor quality equipment will always result in poor quality work. Any worthwhile contractor will be more than knowledgeable of the quality of material they use.  In fact, many contractors take pride in giving their customers top of the line materials. If your desired contractor tries to avoid this question, send them packing!

The final step you should take when selecting a contractor is comparing their prices with competitors. Naturally, you will want to get a good deal, but there are other factors you should consider. For instance, if your contractor’s prices are considerably lower than all competitors, you should consider someone else. Chances are that this too good to be true estimate is just that: too good to be true. The low price contractor is most likely hiding fees or using poor-quality materials. On the other hand, you don’t want to select a contractor that is charging ridiculous amounts. They are likely trying to take advantage of your willingness to spend, and would likely take the price down if you refused. So, when selecting a contractor, make sure the prices are both fair, and feasible. Otherwise, you could end up sinking money into poor work, or paying ridiculous amounts for jobs that could have been done cheaper.

Home renovations should be a positive experience. Unfortunately, there are some contractors who only want money, and they are willing to rip you off along the way. For this reason, you should put a lot of thought into your contractor selection. Inquire about licensing, research customer reviews, ensure quality equipment, and compare prices! Following these steps should ensure that your home gets the quality renovations that it needs.

When it comes time for home improvement, there are many routes you can take. One such route could be hiring licensed contractor to do the job. The other would be hiring a local handyman to do the job. He is a local after all, and a friend of yours swears by him. The best part? He comes at a low rate, he’s trusted by friends and he’s cheap. What’s not to like? Sure, he is not a licensed contractor, but that really doesn’t matter, does it?

Unfortunately it does. Choosing the unlicensed route can be hazardous to your home. Sure, they may come at a slightly cheaper rate than a licensed professional, but the risk is hardly worth the reward. Contractors licensed by the Maryland Home Improvement Commission are held to certain standards that ensure quality work is done on your home. Unlicensed contractors are not held under such scrutiny. In fact, many unlicensed contractors are former MHIC members who had their contract revoked due to negligence shown during home improvement. So, before you give the local unlicensed handyman a call, consider these five ways unlicensed contractors can be a detriment to your home.

1. Take the Money and Run Scam – Unlicensed contractors make a living from offering prices that seem too good to be true. Unfortunately, most of the time said prices are just that. Unlicensed contractors have been known to make a cheap deal, take the money, and leave without ever doing or properly finishing the job.
2. The Old ‘Bait and Switch’ – Another way unlicensed contractors deceive you into employing them is by using what is called a bait and switch technique. While giving a quote, they will give a very low estimate, only to jack the price up once the job begins, with odds and ends items that were “not found during the estimate” or “accidentally left off of the contract”.
3. Hidden Fees – Again, unlicensed too good to be true prices are just that: too good to be true. This money stealing technique involves tacking on to their pay by charging for “unforeseen” repairs that are often unnecessary or service charges that were not displayed on the estimate.
4. Subpar Work – Most often, unlicensed contractors would prefer to be licensed. The reason why they are not? Their work does not live up to the quality demanded by the MHIC. Their cheap prices will not be worth it when your home requires work to fix the less than stellar job they performed.
5. Crime doesn’t Pay- If you are not yet convinced of the pitfalls of unlicensed contractors, you are about to be. In the state of Maryland, it is actually illegal for unlicensed contractors to perform work on homes. That’s right, hiring a unlicensed contractor is a crime.

Though unlicensed contractors may seem like a good idea, they can cost you your valuable time and money in the long run. To ensure your home gets the proper work it needs, hire a MHIC licensed contractor, like Arocon Roofing and Construction, who will give ate  a FREE estimate to repair your home today!