Advanced Craftsmanship LLC
| Rather your building a new home or just need to make a few repairs to an existing residence Advanced Craftsmanship LLC is your one stop shop. We are committed to complete customer satisfaction. We have yet to find a job to large and still strive to perform the little task that gave this company it's start. In most cases no job is to large and no job is to small. In this section you will find:
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Remodeling/Repairs
Floors:
Silence!
A squeaky floor is usually caused by two or more boards
rubbing against each other. Silence the noise by sprinkling talcum
powder over the boards and sweeping it into the cracks. Another
option is to pour liquid wax (which acts as a lubricant) between
the cracks. Or rub a bar of soap back and forth over the cracks.
If you can get under the floor (in a basement or crawl space),
place wedges between the subfloor and the joists.
Silence!
A squeaky floor is usually caused by two or more boards
rubbing against each other. Silence the noise by sprinkling talcum
powder over the boards and sweeping it into the cracks. Another
option is to pour liquid wax (which acts as a lubricant) between
the cracks. Or rub a bar of soap back and forth over the cracks.
If you can get under the floor (in a basement or crawl space),
place wedges between the subfloor and the joists.
HELPFUL HINTS:
Sealing a drafty room or breeze way:
You don't have to be handy when it comes to caulking: You need just a few tools and a little patience. Start by examining your windows and doors (both the interior and
exterior of each) for cracks in the panels or gaps behind the frames. If you find old caulk, see if it's cracked; if so, it needs to be replaced.
You can also try the incense test: With the stick smoldering, move it toward the edges of windows and doors. If there's a draft, the smoke will be blown horizontally (no
draft, and the smoke will rise as normal). Take note of how many problem areas you find. As a rule of thumb, you'll need to buy a tube of caulk for every two windows or
doors that need sealing.
When you're ready to shop, make sure you choose the right caulk: There's latex, which can be painted (perfect for, say, your dining room, where you'll want windows to
look their best); and silicone, which is mildew-resistant and much more flexible than latex, so it'll expand and contract when temperatures fluctuate (better for use
outdoors).
You don't have to be handy when it comes to caulking: You need just a few tools and a little patience. Start by examining your windows and doors (both the interior and
exterior of each) for cracks in the panels or gaps behind the frames. If you find old caulk, see if it's cracked; if so, it needs to be replaced.
You can also try the incense test: With the stick smoldering, move it toward the edges of windows and doors. If there's a draft, the smoke will be blown horizontally (no
draft, and the smoke will rise as normal). Take note of how many problem areas you find. As a rule of thumb, you'll need to buy a tube of caulk for every two windows or
doors that need sealing.
When you're ready to shop, make sure you choose the right caulk: There's latex, which can be painted (perfect for, say, your dining room, where you'll want windows to
look their best); and silicone, which is mildew-resistant and much more flexible than latex, so it'll expand and contract when temperatures fluctuate (better for use
outdoors).
You may not need to replace your Door:
Step One: Check to see that the hinges are tight. Loose hinges can cause a door to drag against the jam or on the threshold.
Step Two: Replace old mounting screws with larger bore screws if the holes are worn or stripped. In some cases the hinges themselves may be worn and need to be
replaced.
Step Three: Determine where the door is sticking - at the threshold, the side, or the top. Mark the areas of drag with a pencil or chalk.
Step Four: If the door is sticking at the top, bottom or sides, remove the door from the hinges and sand it very lightly where it sticks.
Step Five: If the door is sticking on the contact plate of the lock, use a thinner plate or use a chisel to deepen the mortise it fits in.
Step Six: Replace the door.
Step One: Check to see that the hinges are tight. Loose hinges can cause a door to drag against the jam or on the threshold.
Step Two: Replace old mounting screws with larger bore screws if the holes are worn or stripped. In some cases the hinges themselves may be worn and need to be
replaced.
Step Three: Determine where the door is sticking - at the threshold, the side, or the top. Mark the areas of drag with a pencil or chalk.
Step Four: If the door is sticking at the top, bottom or sides, remove the door from the hinges and sand it very lightly where it sticks.
Step Five: If the door is sticking on the contact plate of the lock, use a thinner plate or use a chisel to deepen the mortise it fits in.
Step Six: Replace the door.
Repairing a old stuck wood window:
A simple sash or stop repair can often restore a window to good working order. If a sash is temporarily stuck because of high humidity, a change of weather may
correct the problem. If a sash moves reluctantly, clean the sash channels. Windows that have been painted shut require a little more effort but can be opened, too.
If a window sticks, chisel any dirt or large globs of paint from the channel and then sand it smooth with sandpaper wrapped around a wood block. It also helps to coat
the surface of the channel with wax so the sash will move easily.
If the window binds against the channel, widen the channel by inserting a wood block inside the channel at the point that binds and tapping it with a hammer.
A simple sash or stop repair can often restore a window to good working order. If a sash is temporarily stuck because of high humidity, a change of weather may
correct the problem. If a sash moves reluctantly, clean the sash channels. Windows that have been painted shut require a little more effort but can be opened, too.
If a window sticks, chisel any dirt or large globs of paint from the channel and then sand it smooth with sandpaper wrapped around a wood block. It also helps to coat
the surface of the channel with wax so the sash will move easily.
If the window binds against the channel, widen the channel by inserting a wood block inside the channel at the point that binds and tapping it with a hammer.
Things to Consider when Hiring a Contractor:
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Take the Initiative. Check Available Resources
When hiring a contractor, homeowners are encouraged to check validity of insurance (Workman’s Compensation or other), bonding, licenses and other credentials.
Check out references provided; ask about recently completed projects similar to your own. Get project owner names and contact information and then check those out,
as well.
Questions to ask when contacting references include:
The Better Business Bureau – check to see whether any complaints against the contractor have been filed. If there are complaints, check to see whether or not they
are valid. Was any action required; disciplinary or otherwise?
Word-of-Mouth References – one of your best and most readily available resources. Get references from co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members;
thoroughly check out references provided by the contractor.
The Construction Industry Licensing Board; within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at a state or provincial level if the contractor is certified.
Or the local growth management department if the contractor is registered. Check to see if any complaints have been lodged against the contractor in question.
By contacting either of these two agencies you can discover whether the contractor has been convicted or found guilty of any crime in any jurisdiction which relates to
contracting, used false names or documentation for obtaining contractual work, ever abandoned a job, or been found negligent – resulting in danger to life or property.
You can also find out if the contractor has ever committed mismanagement or misconduct while working; causing financial harm to the homeowner. Or, failed to
obtain necessary local building permits or inspections for a project, falsely indicated the work is bonded and that payment has been made for all subcontractor work
and materials, etc., or committed fraud or deceit in the practice of contracting.
Red Flags that Scream “Do Not Hire”
As with any other type service provider – whether licensed or not – some contractors may not operate within the law.
The following should serve as red flags that the contractor might be less than reputable; certainly, less professional and reliable than what you might desire.
Avoid hiring a contractor who:
consumer agency.
Checking out a service provider’s credentials and references before making a hiring decision is basic to helping to insure the contractor you hire is the right one for
you. It also helps to protect your investment by making sure contractor credentials are up-to-date, and that the project will be a success.
One basic requirement every contractor with employees should meet is the provision of Workers’ Compensation; a type medical insurance also known as “workers’
comp.” Any sub-contractor hired by the contractor should also be covered.
If the contractor is uninsured and/or has uninsured employees don’t even consider hiring them. Otherwise, you could be sued and held monetarily responsible for
worker’s injuries sustained while on your property. A fate more than one project owner has been forced to deal with, simply because of a hasty hiring decision.
Workers’ Compensation coverage releases the project owner from responsibility should a contractor, subcontractor, or contractor employee become injured while
working on the project. Workers’ Compensation, originally known as “workman’s compensation,” helps protect project owners from liability.
Before Hiring a Contractor
Before making a hiring decision, do the following:
When hiring a contractor, homeowners are encouraged to check validity of insurance (Workman’s Compensation or other), bonding, licenses and other credentials.
Check out references provided; ask about recently completed projects similar to your own. Get project owner names and contact information and then check those out,
as well.
Questions to ask when contacting references include:
- Did the contractor maintain open communication throughout the project? Did they keep you informed as to the status of the project, problems encountered, or
changes necessary before making them? - Did he or she provide answers to questions to your satisfaction?
- Did they seem receptive to your input
- Did workers show up on time? Did they clean up the job site at the end of each day
- Were there any unexpected costs? If so, what?
- Was the project completed on time? Were there any unnecessary stalls or delays?
- Were you satisfied with the overall results of the completed project?
- Would you recommend the contractor? Would you hire the contractor again?
- If appropriate, you might want to ask whether or not you could stop by the person’s home to see the completed job.
The Better Business Bureau – check to see whether any complaints against the contractor have been filed. If there are complaints, check to see whether or not they
are valid. Was any action required; disciplinary or otherwise?
Word-of-Mouth References – one of your best and most readily available resources. Get references from co-workers, friends, neighbors, and family members;
thoroughly check out references provided by the contractor.
The Construction Industry Licensing Board; within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation at a state or provincial level if the contractor is certified.
Or the local growth management department if the contractor is registered. Check to see if any complaints have been lodged against the contractor in question.
By contacting either of these two agencies you can discover whether the contractor has been convicted or found guilty of any crime in any jurisdiction which relates to
contracting, used false names or documentation for obtaining contractual work, ever abandoned a job, or been found negligent – resulting in danger to life or property.
You can also find out if the contractor has ever committed mismanagement or misconduct while working; causing financial harm to the homeowner. Or, failed to
obtain necessary local building permits or inspections for a project, falsely indicated the work is bonded and that payment has been made for all subcontractor work
and materials, etc., or committed fraud or deceit in the practice of contracting.
Red Flags that Scream “Do Not Hire”
As with any other type service provider – whether licensed or not – some contractors may not operate within the law.
The following should serve as red flags that the contractor might be less than reputable; certainly, less professional and reliable than what you might desire.
Avoid hiring a contractor who:
- Pressures you for a quick hiring decision
- Requests that YOU obtain the required building permits
- Accepts only cash payments
- Solicits door-to-door
- Quotes a final price without seeing the job
- Offers only lifetime warranties (which are only as good as the life of the company)
- Requires a large down payment to buy materials
- Offers a discount for an on-the-spot hiring decision
- Wants to use materials for your project, left over from another job
- Has no business number in the local telephone directory
- Provides only a PO Box address in lieu of a physical address
- Suggests you borrow money for your project from a lender the contractor knows
- Tells you your job will be a “demonstration”
- Offers discounts for finding other customers
- Requests complete payment upfront
consumer agency.
Checking out a service provider’s credentials and references before making a hiring decision is basic to helping to insure the contractor you hire is the right one for
you. It also helps to protect your investment by making sure contractor credentials are up-to-date, and that the project will be a success.
One basic requirement every contractor with employees should meet is the provision of Workers’ Compensation; a type medical insurance also known as “workers’
comp.” Any sub-contractor hired by the contractor should also be covered.
If the contractor is uninsured and/or has uninsured employees don’t even consider hiring them. Otherwise, you could be sued and held monetarily responsible for
worker’s injuries sustained while on your property. A fate more than one project owner has been forced to deal with, simply because of a hasty hiring decision.
Workers’ Compensation coverage releases the project owner from responsibility should a contractor, subcontractor, or contractor employee become injured while
working on the project. Workers’ Compensation, originally known as “workman’s compensation,” helps protect project owners from liability.
Before Hiring a Contractor
Before making a hiring decision, do the following:
- Make sure the contractor has a sales tax ID number. This is a good way to verify a business’ existence and whether or not it is legitimate. Take note, however,
that one man or part time operations with annual sales below a specific amount may be exempt. Confirm information provided by calling the state specific
Department of Revenue in the US. - Make sure the contractor has a valid license or permit if any are required for the type project planned, whether at state or local level.
- Some locals require a contractor have a pre-paid contractor’s license if they request money prior to completion of work. Check to see whether or not this is true
is your locality. Note: in order to obtain the license, the contractor would have undergone a complete background check; notation of any previous complaints
against them would be included. - Contractors with employees should be registered with Workers Compensation. Check out information provided with your state Workers Compensation office.
Avoid hiring companies with workers who are not registered with Workers Compensation, or contractors otherwise uninsured. You could be held liable for any
accidents and injuries acquired by contractors and workers, while on your property. - Find out if a business license is required in the contractor’s local; if so, check to make sure they have one.
12480 State Rd. TT Festus, MO 63028 (Ph.) 636-931-6477
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