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New Mexico

Empire Builders Inc.
PO Box 23008
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87192
Ph. 505-271-1999
Commercial &Residential remodeling
Lic. # 50361
Serving: Bernalillo County, Albuquerque, Bernalillo, Los Lunas.

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New York

A-1 Home Improvement
227 East 50th Street Suite 13
Manhattan, New York 10022
ph. 212-758- 8453

Westchester Wood Works, Inc.
P. O. Box 391
Mt. Kisco, New York 10549
Phone: (914) 666-0655
Fax: (914) 666-0655
Web: www.westchesterwoodworks.com
E-mail: cardillo@computer.net

Improve Today Inc.
223 Wall St
Huntington , NY. 11743
Website: www.Roofer911.com
Phone: 631-271-6444
Fax: 516-541-1350
Lic. # 29,466-HI
Roofing contractor

Universal Renovation USA Corp.
Guy Papich
1350 East 66th Street
Brooklyn , NY. 11234
Website: www.universalrenovation.com
Phone: 866-867-2306
Email:
Lic. # 1194302
Specialty: Home Improvement
Service Area: New York City, Brooklyn

Abe Builders
Jack
112 East 23rd St
New York, NY 10010
Website: www.universalrenovation.com
Phone: 212-233-4566
Email:
Specialty: plumbing
License#: 456377
Service Area: Manhattan Metro

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North Carolina

Plumbing Express - Plumbing
7711 Welborn Street, Suite 101
Raleigh, North Carolina 27615
Phone: (919) 873-9889
Toll Free: (800) 873-9697
Fax: (919) 873-9699

Triangle Const.& Restoration
7917 Afton Ln.
Willow Springs, N.C.
www.tcrconstruction.com

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Ohio

J&L Electric of Ohio LTD
365 Ridgewood Dr.
Fairborn, OH 45324
Email jperkins44@aol.com
Ph. 937-878-7368
Specialty Electric Contractor
Lic. # 24970
Area of service, Montgomery, Green, Warren, Butler

Babco Enterprises Inc.
P.O. Box 141177
Toledo, OH 43614
Email jimmy_doe_43609@yahoo.com
Ph. 419-392-5853
Specialty HVAC & Electrical
Lic. # 29966
Area of service Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan

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Pennsylvania

Mutual Builders Acceptance Corp.
432 Hill St.
Carnegie, Pa. 15106
www.mutualcorp.com
Email mutual@nb.net
Ph. 412-422-1922
Fx. 412-276-3087
Specialty: General Contractor
Lic.# WV 003295
Areas of service: Pennsylvania,Ohio, West Virginia.
Mutual Builders Corp is a full service builder with 48 years of service to the community, they do all phases of remodeling, siding, roofing, windows, decks, bathrooms, kitchens, and room additions. Mutual Builders are members of the Better Business Bureau, and consummate professionals who are proud of their reputation in the construction industry.

Family Contractors Inc.
1169 Mettler Road
Huntington, Valley, Pa. 19006
Ph. 267-307-3881
Fx. 215-938-1510
Remodeling Contractor
Lic.# 397521
Serving: 25 mile radius of zip code

Kerlicker Brothers Carpet Care
615 Third Ave.
Sutersville, Pa. 15083
ph. 724-872-0290

All Wood Cabinets
457 Locust St
Columbia, PA 17512
Ph. 717-615-7395
Contact: Kevin Shaffer
Email: kvn459b@yahoo.com
Website: allwoodscabinet.org
Lic.# 232625300
Specialty: Kitchen Cabinets
Service Area: MD and PA

Gethsemani Concrete
Charles Crandall
20 Cherry Rd.
Airville, Pa 17302
Ph. 443-632-4140
Website: www.geocities.com/gethsemaniconcrete
Email:
Specialty: Stamped Concrete
License#: MHIC 91181
Service Area: Harford and Baltimore County. Southern eastern Pa.

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Rhode Island

Pelletier & Son
13 Kulas Rd
West Warwick, RI 02893
Contact: Alfred Leo Pelletier, BBA. Phone: (401) 822-3282 / (401) 286-8808
Fax: (401) 821-9401
License#: RI. Reg.#23124
Specialties: General Contractor
Service Area: ALL of Rhode Island
Referrals: CertainTeed, Certified http://www.certainteed.com
WRCLA, AEC, Florida State University, Expert Rating

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Texas

America's Choice - Carpet & Upholstering Cleaning Co.
IICRG Certified Restoration Specialist
13146 Fall Manor Drive
Dallas, TX 75243
Phone: (972) 238-9200
Fax: (972) 680-8941
Pager: (972) 933-2284
Specialties: Hard floors and fire restoration, water extraction and air duct cleaning, Oriental rugs

Corporate Green, Inc. - Interior Foliage
Dallas, Texas USA
Phone: (214) 739-6478
Fax: (214) 668-3921
Web: www.corporategreen.com
E-mail: info@corporategreen.com

K&M Contractors
10101 W. Parmer Ln. Suite 117
Austin Tx 78717
ph: 972-2312-8910
fax: 972-231-8915
Website: www.eliminatemold.com
Specialties: Fire and Water Resoration, Mold Remediation, HVAC Cleaning
License #: TACLA015389E
Service Area: Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex
email: khinton@eliminatemold.com

Restoration and Air Management, Inc
3411 Preston Road, C13-205
Frisco Tx 75034
ph. 512-563-4680
Custom Home Builder
email: krocha@austin.rr.com

REI
One Rose Drive
Wylie, Tx. 75098
ph. 214- 912-2574

Tims Handyman Service
4101 Keystone
Garland, Tx. 75041
ph. 214-850-5627

Window Blinds Mall
Floyd Prather
119 W Virginia St #200
McKinney, TX 75069
Ph: 972-741-4743
Website: www.windowblindsmall.com
Email:
Specialty: Custom wood and faux window blinds
License #: 7414743
Service Area: Anywhere U.S.A.
Free Shipping

Your Blinds, Inc. & YourBlinds.com
Linda Lee
10713 RR 620 N, Suite 511
Austin, TX 78726
Ph: (512) 251-0394
Toll Free: (800) 575-7045
Website: www.yourblinds.com
Email:
Specialty: Custom Window Coverings
Service Area: Nationwide
Referrals: http://www.epinions.com/

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Virginia

Edwards Home Improvements
5214 Dalton Rd.
Springfield, Va. 22151
ph. 703-795-3358

Koppers Waterproofing - Waterproofing & More
MHIC # 50608
512 Rollins Avenue Seat
Pleasant, MD 20743
Phone: (888)-575-4457
Fax: (301)-324-5434
E-mail: vkoppers@juno.com

Plumbing Express - Plumbing
450-C South Pickett Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Phone: (703) 461-0350
Toll Free: (800) 280-1205
Fax: (703) 461-0349

Adam Whitaker Construction LLC
1039 Leicester Rd.
Richmond, Va. 23225
Website: www.adamwhitakerconstruction.com
Ph. 804-651-6855
Specialty, Renovation of historic residences
Lic# 2705 072788A
Area of service Va. Md. N.C.

Torogoz Painting Services
6836 Amster Rd.
Richmond , Va. 23225
Phone: 804-745-7755
Fax: 804-745-7755
Email: Torogozpaintingca@msn.com
Lic # 2705079911
Painting & Wallpaper
Commercial & Residential

Foundation Home Improvement Services
Thomas Morton
3121 Harvie Rd.
Richmond, VA 23223
Phone: 804-397-8795
Email:
Specialty: Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Lic # 2705 100076
Service Area: State of Virginia

Azteca Concrete Contractors
Rodrigo Martinez
3037 Rushton Road
Richmond, VA 23237
E-mail:
Phone: 804-517-8948
Specialty: Concretework, slabs, sidewalks, driveways, drywall install and repair
License# 2705-116103
Service Area: Chesterfield, Chester, Petersburg, Enon, Richmond and surrounding areas

Complete Home Improvements
Robert Brown
25368 Shipley Terr
South Riding, VA 20152
E-mail:
Phone: 571-235-3894
Specialty: Home Improvements
License# 2705113611
Service Area: Northern Virginia

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Washington

NookSack Construction
P.O. Box 638
Deming ,Wa. 98244
ph. 360-592-0162
Lic.# NOOKSCC98Qk
Earthwork & Utilities
email: mwatson@nooksack-tribe.org

Greg Senger Construction, Inc.
1312 Canyon Lakes Drive
Kenniwick, WA 99337
Contact: GREG SENGER
Website: www.gregsengerconstruction.com
E-mail: SENGERWIELT@MSN.COM
Phone: 509-586-4705
Fax: 509-582-7430
Licence: GREGSCI022LK
Specialty: CUSTOM HOMES REMODELS AND ADDITIONS
Service Area: Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, In Washington State

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Washington, DC

INEX Construction, Inc.
MHIC # 43551, DC Permit #4810
636 Blandford Street
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Phone: (301) 565-8009
Fax: (301) 251-7843
Web: www.inexconstruction.net
E-mail: inex1@erols.com

Koppers Waterproofing - Waterproofing & More
MHIC # 50608
512 Rollins Avenue Seat
Pleasant, MD 20743
Phone: (888)-575-4457
Fax: (301)-324-5434
E-Mail: vkoppers@juno.com

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Wisconsin

APSCO of WI Inc.
6514 North 73rd Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53223
Phone: (414) 931-0400
Fax: (414) 353-1140
Web: www.apscowi.qpg.com

Hermes Custum Building LLC
821 Spruce St.
DePere, WI 54115
Contact: Tom Hermes
Email: Thermes5@sbcglobal.net
Phone: (920)337-9369
Fax: (920) 337-9369
Specialty: Custom Building
License#: 910967j
Service Area: 50 mi radius of DePere, WI
Referrals: Fabco, Hoida Lumber, Sinclair Plumbing, Berkin Heating and Cooling, Seymour Lumber, Green Bay Crane Service, Gagnon Clay Products

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Canada

A.J. Allain & Sons Ltd.
78 Drummond St.
Moncton , NB E1A2Z2
ph. 1-506-388-1971
www.ajallian.com
Lic. # 73068
Regis.w/province

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Home Owners FAQ

1. Why Does ACE Publish This Web Site?
2. I Need Some Work Done, What's The First Step I Should Take?
3. I Have A Design And Am Ready To Hire A Contractor, What Now?
4. How Do I Shop For The Best Price?
5. Selecting The Best Bid.
6. Do I Really Need A Licensed Contractor?
7. How Do I Hire A Contractor?
8. I've Already Hired A Contractor And Now I'm Having Problems.
9. I Own A Business. Can ACE Help Me?

Q: Why Does ACE Publish This Web Site?
A: ACE is a network of independent contractors that are dedicated to stamping out disreputable home repair contractors. Every time a homeowner is ripped off by a disreputable contractor it hurts everyone in the field by the loss of the customer's confidence and this, in turn, increases the difficulty of doing business for the reputable contractors. How many of us have had a bad experience with a contractor? According to consumer watch groups, contractor complaints rank second only to auto repair complaints. ACE is here to assure you that there are reputable contractors who really do want to do a good job and we are providing a way for you to ensure that the contractor you hire is one of the good guys! Our members "put their money where their mouth is" and spend their hard earned money in support of this Web Site to educate the public about home repair. The people and companies who support this Web Site have taken the first step in earning your business by earning your trust.

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Q: I Need Some Work Done, What's The First Step I Should Take?
A: The first step you need to take is to decide exactly what you want to do. This sounds silly, but you need to have a very good picture of exactly what you want to do as the first step to ensuring your satisfaction. We'll use the example of remodeling a kitchen but the steps would be the same regardless of the project. You need to know exactly what you want to do in order to get bids from different contractors so you can compare apples to apples. Are you going to gut the entire kitchen and start over or just replace the cabinets? Do you want a center island? A professional stove? Do not even start to think of who to hire before you know what the job is. How do you know what you want? There are several ways to get going:

• Hire an architect to design it for you. Architects are trained to look at a space and help you decide what you want to do with it. The advantage is expert advice. The down side is added cost to your renovation.
• Buy a computer program. There are many programs on the market that are basically "architects in a box". The advantage is low cost but you lose the expert advice.
• Magazines are an excellent source of ideas. They are inexpensive and offer a wide range of styles and information about different products that are available.
• Look around. Tour houses for sale or friends' houses that have a kitchen like the one you want. Take pictures and notes.
• Ask some contractors. Some contractors even offer a free design service. It is fine to use these services and advice but do not be pressured into signing up yet.

It does not really matter what the source of the design, but the point is to have a firm idea of what you want to do. Real wood cabinets or laminate? Real marble counter top or Formica? Ceramic tile floor or linoleum? Solid brass fixtures or plated? Once you have it written down from floor to ceiling you're ready for the next step.

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Q: I Have A Design And Am Ready To Hire A Contractor, What Now?
A: After completing the first step you're ready to hire someone to do the work. This is the most important part of the job so take your time! How do you choose a contractor? Pick up that big, yellow book and let your fingers do the walking? How do you know that contractor is qualified? What's their record? How do they perform? Are they on time? Do they finish the project? While the phone book or newspaper ads can be one source of contractors be sure you thoroughly check their credentials. Particularly:

• Are they qualified? Ask to see their state license. Then call the state to be sure it is a valid license. Ask what trade organizations they belong to, then call the organization to confirm. (See our section on Licensed Contractors)
• Find out their record. Ask for a list of past projects and go take a look at their work. Call the state and ask if there are any complaints against them. Call the Better Business Bureau, both local and state chapters, to see if they have any complaints. Call the local trade organizations to see if they have any complaints.
• Check out their performance. Ask for a list of references. Call the references and ask if the job was done well, as promised, when promised and completely. Ask the references to be specific. What project did they do? Did they arrive on time, at the same time every day? Did they clean up the job site? Did they finish the project when promised? Did they work continuously on the project until completion or only in spurts? Then ask the references if they know of any additional references and call them. Be cautious of a contractor that supplies three or four references and then the reference you call supplies the same references to you. The references could be "arranged" and may not have even had any work done at all.
• Are they insured? Ask to see a valid Certificate of Insurance. Then call the Insurance company to confirm that it is valid. You are responsible for all workers on your property. Are you ready to be sued by the guy who falls off your roof?

You could save yourself a lot of time by limiting your search to contractors already approved by ACE. George Waldhauser, the President and Founder of ACE, has personally done each of these steps for you. Only the most reputable and qualified companies can become members of ACE and the ACE seal is your assurance of a quality project. After compiling your list of possible contractors you're ready for the third step.

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Q: How Do I Shop For The Best Price?
A: After you have completed step one and step two you're ready to shop for the best price you can get. You've already separated the wheat from the chaff in step two so the contractors you have left are the cream of the crop. Price is where most people fall prey to disreputable contractors. They get an unbelievably cheap bid and jump at it. Remember the old saying that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You shouldn't be looking for the cheapest price, you should be looking for the greatest value! The best way to shop for value is to ask for bids on your project. Give each contractor, from the list you made in step two, a copy of the written list, the one you completed in step one, of what you want done. This ensures that each contractor has the same understanding of the project and you will be able to compare the estimates on an apples to apples basis. Give the contractor a firm, but reasonable deadline to submit bids by, usually two to three weeks later. That brings us to step four.

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Q: Selecting The Best Bid.
A: Please note that this section is not called "Selecting The Cheapest Bid" but is called "Selecting The Best Bid". The first thing to do is to look at the bids as a group. They should all be in about the same price range. If a bid is way out of line with the rest, take a careful look at it. If it is higher than the rest, perhaps this contractor knows something the rest overlooked such as something you didn't include that must be done to bring the project up to code. If it is lower than the rest be particularly cautious. What is it that is costing less? Is it inferior materials or just lower prices? Don't be shy or afraid of sounding un-knowledgeable, you can always call the contractor and ask any questions you have about the bid. The final selection is a trade off of choices and you must decide what you want. Don't just automatically pick the lowest price. Pick the best trade off between price and quality. For example, one bid is for custom cabinets while the other is for off-the-shelf cabinets. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and neither is inherently better. Just take your time and make a well informed, carefully considered decision.

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Q: Do I Really Need A Licensed Contractor?
A: Only if you like your home and want to keep it. A license does more than just ensure that the person you're dealing with isn't a fly by night operator, it gives you important legal protections that truly could mean the difference between keeping and losing your home. Here are just a few of the potential problems:

• Unlicensed individuals are considered your employees. That means you are required to provide them with workman's compensation insurance. If you do not provide this insurance not only are you in violation of the law, you could be held responsible for paying their salary for the rest of their life should they get hurt.
• Unlicensed individuals have no liability insurance. That means no protection of your investment from faulty materials or workmanship. Theft from the job site isn't covered and a worker's carelessness that leads to injury or property damage could leave you holding a very large bill.
• Unlicensed individuals leave you unprotected against a mechanic's lien. If the contractor you hired to do the work doesn't pay his suppliers they can put a lien on your house.
• Individuals not licensed do not have bonding protection on their jobs through the state fund, which means you don't have this protection.
• Unlicensed individuals can not apply for permits on the job you hired them for. Without a permit, not only are you again breaking the law, you are afforded none of the protections the permitting process offers you.
• Your job will not be covered by your homeowner's insurance because insurance companies won't cover bootleg work.
• You may encounter problems when you attempt to sell your house. Some counties may even require you to rework the job, costing you twice.
• Officials can, and do, even require the entire removal of the non-permitted structures.
• Permitting is done to ensure that the building codes are met. Building codes are there to ensure that the job is done correctly. The unlicensed individual probably doesn't even know what the codes are, and is even less likely to follow them.
• If the codes aren't followed and the job isn't done correctly severe injury to you or your family could result from using the incorrect materials or through faulty workmanship.
• People often "poo-poo" the building codes when it comes to "simple" projects like a deck or garage but it is no laughing matter when an improperly built garage or deck collapses, leaving a family member buried under five or six hundred pounds of wood.

The bottom line is that there are lots of reasons not to hire a unlicensed contractor but only one reason to...price. We think the safety and well being of our families are worth a little extra. How about your family?

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Q: How Do I Hire A Contractor?
A: Once you have decided upon the job, solicited bids for the job and selected the bid you are going with, you're ready to hire the contractor. The most important aspect of this step is the contract. We couldn't possibly cover all of the potential pitfalls of a legal document, so we'll leave that up to your attorney, but we can give you a few pointers.

• Be sure that the contract specifies everything you and the contractor have agreed to, including time of completion, work to be done, types of materials to be used, etc. Not only will this protect you legally, but it will avoid misunderstandings between you and the contractor.
• Get any change order in writing. If you decide to go with cherry instead of oak cabinets get a change order in writing. A contractor's verbal assurances that something will get done doesn't mean that it will really get done. Again, to avoid mistakes and misunderstandings, get it in writing.
• Be sure the price on the contract is the same as the one on the bid. If the contract and the bid are different documents be sure to read the whole contract to be sure it matches the bid. Be sure that how much money is due, and when, is spelled out in the contract as well as the amount of any deposit that is required.

After you are satisfied that the contract is what you want, now comes the time to spend some money. Almost always the contractor will require a deposit to begin the work. The amount will vary depending upon the size and type of job. State laws vary but State law in Maryland, for example, allows a contractor to require up to 1/3 the cost of the entire job as a deposit. Most contracts will also have a schedule of payments that will be payable as work is completed, but you should never agree to making the final payment until after all of the work has been completed and approved. Finally, welcome the contractor into your home. You and he will be a much better team, and as a result you'll get a much better job, if you work together. All reputable contractors want to do a good job and will give you their best if you let them.

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Q: I've Already Hired A Contractor And Now I'm Having Problems.
A: First make sure you are really having problems. This is like the "check to make sure it's plugged in" step. We all know it's plugged in until... oops! Are you sure the contract, or written changes to it, say cherry cabinets and not oak? Go look. Sometimes in the flurry of activity that surrounds a home remodeling job we may want cherry and we may mean cherry but we never actually get around to telling the contractor cherry. Communication sometimes breaks down on both sides, but assuming the contract does say cherry, your first step should be to politely bring it to the attention of the contractor. Don't assume he's trying to rip you off. It's probably just an honest, and correctable, mistake. If the contractor refuses to change his mistake (you must not have hired one of our members) try negotiating with him. Perhaps he would prefer to reduce the price of his services in exchange for you accepting the oak cabinets. Remember you may be 100% right and would win if you take him to court but do you want to have an undone kitchen for two years while your case slogs through the courts? Try to work out a mutually beneficial solution. If that doesn't work call the home improvement commission in your state and your local Mediation Center for help. They may be able to do a little arm twisting for you. At this point use your most powerful weapon, the check book! Don't write any more checks until the contractor agrees to a solution to the problem. Now this, obviously, only applies to more serious problems. You'd be hard pressed to explain in court withholding a check because a nail was missing. Your last recourse is to sic your lawyer on him. The most important thing you can do is to report the contractor so, at least, others will not suffer the same fate. The best way to avoid even having to read this section is to hire a ACE member in the first place!

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Q: I Own A Business. Can ACE Help Me?
A: The short answer is "Yes." When you really need some movers and shakers, call the first and only comprehensive contracting association. We can handle your maintenance overload when you need a plumber, electrician, roofing contractor, or any trade. All of our members are licensed, bonded, and qualified in their trade. We screen every applicant, only accepting the "cream of the crop", so quality control is built into your project. When you need an office relocated, a warehouse wired, or an additional bathroom, we are there for you.

The process of jobbing out construction requirements as they occur eliminates permanent employees. When we finish your project, we are out of there. Supervision can be provided by your staff, or give us a print or specific instructions and a time limit and consider it done. So the next time you are considering adding that 8,000 sq. ft. addition to the plant, don't expect your three-man maintenance division to tackle the job. Call ACE, an association of all trades, throughout the US.

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American Contracting Exchange • Office: (410) 877-1553
Toll Free: (800) 892-0007 • FAX: (410) 877-1554
603 Millwood Drive, Fallston, MD • 21047 USA • e-mail: info@HomeRepair.org