Renovation & Design
Renovation & Design
MIKE HOLMES: If salesman comes knocking, keep door shut
We've all been there. You're just about to sit down to dinner when the doorbell rings. It's a salesperson who's come to sell you home-renovation services.
He says he's noticed your driveway needs re-sealing, or your shingles need replacing, or your foundation needs new parging. And the best part? You're in luck. He'll be in your neighbourhood two weeks from now on another job. He'd be happy to book you in for some work when he's done that job. Heck, he's even willing to offer you a great deal: a 10 per cent rebate on his services and an even deeper discount if you want to pay cash.
If this situation or something like it has ever happened to you -- and chances are good it has, and will happen again -- I urge you to firmly but politely say "no way." Entertaining this guy for even a second longer is a waste of your time and a danger to your wallet.
When it comes to door-to-door sales for construction services, always say no. No matter how urgent the need, no matter how friendly the seller, no matter how sweet the deal. Here are five reasons why you must slam the door on door-to-door construction sales.
1. Good contractors don't need to look for work.
In the construction business, reputation is everything. If you've ever tried to get ahold of a contractor you know is good -- who came highly recommended from a trustworthy source -- chance are, his phone was busy, or the call wasn't answered. Why? Because he was busy working.
The good contractors are always busy. They have great reputations that precede them on every job. So they don't need to advertise or go door to door to get work. Word-of-mouth recommendations bring in all the work they need.
So what does that say about the guy who sells reno services door to door? For one, he's got no reputation that you know of. For another, his phone isn't ringing off the hook. If it were, he wouldn't need to knock on every door in your neighbourhood to drum up work.
2. You don't know who's at your door.
The best con men trick customers into believing anything. They'll carry slick-looking business cards, maybe even photo ID to show just how "official" they are. Don't buy into any of this. With a few basic computer skills and a good-quality printer, anyone can make some official-looking papers.
If you're the slightest bit interested in following up with a door-to-door salesperson, never agree to anything on the spot. Do your homework. Call to see if his company is registered and has a good reputation. And ask for, and check, the contractor's references -- in person, if possible.
A few hours spent digging into a contractor's history will be time well-spent. And if your research turns up suspicious leads or no leads at all, take that as a clear sign to stay well away.
3. They prey on ignorance.
When they sell construction services, door-to-door salespeople will try to overwhelm and confuse. They may try to scare you. They'll say you have a problem and explain the work that needs doing, using as many technical terms as possible. Their aim is to wow you with their supposed knowledge and make you believe your problem must be fixed immediately.
My advice: If you genuinely believe those repairs need to be made, make a note of the seller's suggestions, take his business card and tell him you'll call him for a quote later. Then do your homework. Get a second, third or even fourth opinion from other contractors -- ones you've called yourself. If everyone agrees you have a problem, then it's time to act. But don't take the word of any old door-to-door salesman, just because he sounds knowledgeable.
4. They use high-pressure tactics.
One of the most common tactics the door-to-door renovator uses is the limited-time deal. He's got a great special on his services if you buy now. No, he can't promise you the deal if you call him back tomorrow. It's now or never.
If you hear that line from a salesperson, end the conversation right away. That's a classic high-pressure pitch that's designed to separate you from your money as fast as possible. No reputable contractor will pressure you into buying a service. The good renovators expect you to take time to think about a project and your budget, and make the decision that's best for you. If a seller tries to force you into making an immediate decision, chances are good he's got his best interests in mind, not yours. Walk away.
(The other classic "deal" the door-to-door contractor will offer is a discount for cash sales. That offer is the biggest red flag of all. It's unethical. It's risky. And it's flat-out illegal. If someone offers you a cash discount on construction services, you can safely assume he's not afraid to try other unethical, illegal activities.)
5. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
A renovation job will always cost money when it's done by a professional. So if your house needs work, take time to educate yourself. Understand the job and who's doing it, and what the job should cost to be done right.
-- Postmedia News
Catch Mike on Holmes Inspection, airing Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV. For more information, visit www.hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visitmakeitright.ca
Renovation & Design
Arrange furniture around a focal point
Dear Marc:
I am currently working on my floor plan and am trying to figure out how to properly place my furniture in the living room. I have one sofa and two chairs. The room has one doorway coming into the room and a fireplace on the opposite wall. Where do I start? -- Annie
Dear Annie:
The key to achieving a successful floor plan is proper planning. The first step is to take inventory of all the furniture pieces that will be present in the final design.
Now take a look at the room to see if there are any architectural elements you need to take into account. Architectural elements can be found in the form of a fireplace, large windows, columns, doorways, etc. In this case, you'll want to sit facing the fireplace. Doorways also alter floor plans, since who wants to come into a room and have to squeeze past the sofa to get to the other chairs? The key is for everything to be functional. It may look pretty, but if you can't use it, then you don't have a successful designer space.
Now you need to locate the focal point of the room, which the seating will revolve around. Some architectural focal points are fixed, such as a fireplace or bay window. But there are instances where the focal point of the room is not apparent or is non-existent, forcing the homeowner to create one.
A focal point is essentially a point in the room where the eye will be drawn upon entering the space. This point will also be the focus of the seating arrangement. A focal point is traditionally used to accentuate a special feature found in the space. In this particular space, we have already determined that the focal point is the fireplace.
Now look for ways to place the furniture so every seat in the room has a clear view of the focal point. It does not have to be a direct view of the focal point, but should be within a 180-degree view. For instance, a chair doesn't have to be placed facing the fireplace, but rather, it can be placed facing the sofa, which is located on the wall perpendicular to the fireplace.
The other consideration when arranging your furniture is to create balance. You always want everything in design to balance, since even the most design-illiterate person's eye will automatically see if the space is balanced or not. She won't know what is wrong with the space, but she'll know it just doesn't look right.
To determine if you have properly placed your furniture in your space, simply test it out. Sit on every piece of furniture and see if you have a clear view of the focal point, if you are comfortable and if you have access to a hard surface to set your beverage on. If you have checked off a 'yes' to each, then you have yourself a designer space, so enjoy!
-- Postmedia News
Marc Atiyolil is the editor-in-chief of Canadian Home Trends: Canada's Home Decor & Lifestyle Magazine. To submit a question for Marc, visit CanadianHomeTrends.ca
