Canopy Concepts Blog

FOUR CONTRACTOR SCAMS TO AVOID

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      Recently while working with customers and potential customers I have encountered some of the old and a couple of new contractor scams that you need to avoid.

1. "Yes, I pulled a permit".  When I am looking at a job to replace an existing structure such as a patio cover or sunroom I will ask the customer if they have a permit on it.  Frequently the customer will tell me that the contractor told them he pulled the permit.  When I ask to see it they have no idea where it is and never received anything from the previous contractor.  This usually means that the contractor did not have an approved license or insurance or did not want to bother.  If a permit is pulled it is the property of the homeowner and not the contractor.  Insist on receiving your copy along with the receipts for fees paid and the job card signed by the inspector.
2. "I need a 50% deposit" - Unless otherwise agreed upon, California Contracting Law states that a deposit must be $1000 or 10% of the contract price - whichever is lowest.  It grieves me when I hear of customers who give the contractor a large deposit and then never hear from them again.
3. "I will pull an owner/builder permit and you will need to sign for it".  This is another signal that the contractor has no license, an expired license, no insurance or has been suspended by the state licensing agency.  It also means that you as the homeowner will be responsible for any accidents or injuries to workers on your project.
4. "Insurance is the responsibility of the homeowner".  I was amazed when recently I encountered a customer who took the time to read the small print on a proposal and they saw in small print "insurance is the responsibility of the customer".  This means that any injury to a worker or any damage to your home will be your responsibility.  A licensed contractor is required to at least carry workers compensation insurance if he has any employees.  It is OK to ask to see a copy of the insurance policy.  Look to see that it is current and in the name of the contractor.

Hope this helps.

Patio Enclosures - Great Solution for your Home Office

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   We are getting more calls from customers who have added a home office and need more space.  Some of them have started a new business and are operating it out of their home.  Others have downsized their existing business and and using their home as a "virtual office".  Also, many people are working out of their home because of the advances in electronics.  People can hold meetings with associates or make presentations to clients using the new web-based tools.

    Sunrooms and patio enclosures are better now than ever before.  In a few days we can add hundreds of square feet of new living space for a fraction of the cost of conventional construction.  The new features include electrical raceways in the walls and roof than can carry cable, telephone and electric wiring. 

    The windows and doors can be built with dual pane Low E glass to reduce heat gain and noise.  The roofs are insulated and we can install track lighting or any other type of light fixtures.  The walls can be built with a maximum amount of glass to brighten the work space.

    The floor can be finished with wood, tile or carpeting.  Usually we use an existing concrete slab but frequently we pour a new slab or build a wood deck as the foundation for the sunroom or patio enclosure.

    Use this link to download a free catalog Catalogs and this link to view more pictures Patio Enclosures and Sunrooms.

Great Place for those Solar Panels.

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 Thinking about solar panels for you home?  Usually they are installed on the roof but sometimes there are reasons why that will not work.  Lately we are getting more requests to not only build a patio cover to add outdoor living space but also to serve as a platform for solar panels.

We have a 4" thick insulated roof panel that is our best patio cover roof but it is now becoming a popular solar panels platform. Full Shade Patio Covers.

This product is very strong.  It is walkable and easy to maintain.  It also qualifies for the Energy Star rebate program.  The panels can be built at any length up to 20'.  Each panel is 4' wide and they connect with a tongue and groove system that is leak proof.  We can built the patio cover in any width.

Engineering can be created to meet and exceed any building code to enable you to pull permits.  Before beginning it is important to bring your solar contractor and patio cover contractor together to determine how the panels will be installed on the patio cover roof.

This type of project will help you not only save money on electricity but you will also shade a large portion of your home and reduce your air conditioning expense.

How to Plan Your Patio Cover Project

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    We frequently receive calls from people who are uncertain on how to get started with the process of planning, obtaining bids and selecting a contractor for their patio cover project.  Here are some suggestions.

1. Spend some time looking at your patio area and think about how much space you want to cover.  Look at my other blog for help with this.-Free DVD | Patio Covers that add value to your pro
2. Make some calls.  Many people look on the internet, select companies from direct mail ads or talk to a friend or neighbor who has already added a patio cover.  Be wary of companies that will not discuss your project with you on the phone and pressure you for an appointment.  Most companies will come to your home and give you a free estimate but you have every right to discuss the project briefly on the phone.

 Also, think about the style of patio cover you want. Lattice, full shade, clear, insulated, etc. Your estimator will bring pictures and should have samples to show you of the various materials available.

    Schedule appointments with the companies you select.  Showrooms are also excellent.  Many people want to see an installed patio cover in a nearby residence.  That can sometimes be arranged but many times people do no want strangers coming to their home.  That is why a showroom is so useful.

    Remember, the low bid is not always the best bid.  Most jobs that went wrong for the homeowner have one thing in common - they were the low bid. 

    Examine the contract carefully and be sure that every detail is in writing and your expectations are stated clearly.  Take nothing for granted and never assume.

    References are good but many times overrated.  Ask to speak with somebody in charge at the company that supplies the materials.  You can usually get more relevant information from them.

    Hope this helps.

Exciting New Lighting Product for Patio Covers.

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Our most popular option when building a patio cover is adding lights on the posts or in the ceiling. Sometimes the patio ceiling is too low for an overhead light fixture and recessed lighting would be perfect.  Now we can offer a new product called "Lightstrip".

The strip is a row of recessed lights than can be inserted between the ceiling panels.  Each row is 7 1/2" wide and be from 8' to 20' long depending on the size of the patio cover.  Lightstrip clean and weather resistant.  The are UL listed and can be used with our flat panFull Shade Patio Covers or insulated patio covers.

They are also a perfect lighting option for a patio enclosurePatio Enclosures. 

Five Best Cost vs. Value Home Improvements.

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When you plan a remodeling project for your home it is always helpful if the project will retain its value when you sell the home.  If you spend thousands of dollars you want to think that there is some return on your investment.  Obviously some jobs provide a higher return than others.  Here is a list of the top five as reported by Remodeling Magazine.

1. Steel entry door replacement.
2. Garage door replacement.
3. Wood deck addition.
4. Fiber cement siding replacement.
5. Minor kitchen remodel.

I am reporting on the values as described for the Pacific Region which includes Calif., Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii.  The percentage recouped is as follows:

1. Entry door (steel) 112%
2. Garage door 96.4%
3. Wood deck addition 86.5%
4. Siding replacement 85.6%
5. Minor kitchen remodel  84.1%.

These projects were in the cost range of $5,000 to $25,000. 

2011 Energy Star Rebates for Insulated Patio Covers

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It's a new year and we have a new set of guidelines for the federal government sponsored Energy Star Rebates.  All categories have been reduced including windows, doors, water heaters, etc. 

As before the rebate applies only to the cost of materials.  Labor costs do not qualify for the rebate.  Your contractor will provide the information for the materials cost and help you with the forms.  As before the rebate is in the form of a tax credit to be taken with you file you tax return.

The rebate is 10% of the cost of materials up to $500.  Not as much as before but still worth the effort.  This would apply to the 3" insulated patio covers only.

THREE SPECIAL FEATURES OF PATIO ENCLOSURES

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     Patio enclosures and sunrooms continue to be an excellent way to quickly add living space and at a very low cost when compared to conventional construction.  New features include:

 

THE BEST EVER SOLID PATIO COVER

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While lattice patio covers are our most popular style many times homeowners want more protection from direct sun and rain.  A solid or full shade patio cover is the best solution.

 

Until recently this style of patio cover came only in the old style corrugated aluminum or wood frame & shingle structures.  In the last few years the insulated aluminum patio cover has emerged as our most popular style.  Here is why:

1. Insulated Laminated Roof Panels (LRP) are manufactured with high density expanded polystyrene cores (EPS)that are uniformly bonded between two heavy guage textured aluminum skins.  The resulting one-piece insulated panel system creates a patio cover with superior strength.
2. The panels are flat on top and bottom giving a very pleasing appearance even when viewed from above as in a two story home.
3. The insulated roof panels create a thermal barrier system that will not radiate heat like single-skin, non-insulated patio covers.
4. The panels are walkable.  This enables the homeowner the ability to walk on the surface in order to gain access to the house for painting or other chores.
5. Internal electrical channels are embedded into the insulated roof panels allowing for safe and easy wiring of ceiling fans or other light fixtures.
6. The gutter system comes with lead guards to reduce the need to clean the gutters.
   

BUILDING PERMITS FOR PATIO COVERS & SUNROOMS.

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     One of the most common questions we receive on a patio cover bid is "do I need a permit?"  The answer is simply "yes".  This also applies to replacing an old patio cover that was built with a permit.  A new permit is required even if you are only replacing an existing structure.  In fact, any structure over 4' high requires a permit including sunrooms, metal canopies, lattice and full shade patio covers.

     Here are a few things to remember when working with your contractor:

1. Your contractor should pull the permit using his license.  If they ask you to pull a "owner/builder permit" this is a signal that the contractor does not have a valid license or they do not have the required insurance.  This also means that you accept financial responsibility if there is an injury to a worker or damage to your property during the construction of the project.
2. Permit fees charged by the city vary wildly from city to city.  There are no  guidelines.  A city can charge what they want and these days many cities are using permit fees to extract money from the citizens to support their spending habits.  If you want to know what the permit fees for your project will be call your local Department of Building & Safety.  Tell them the type of project and the cost and they should help.
3. The city will usually require a set of engineered plans drawn up by a licensed structural engineer.  These plans will show how the patio cover or sunroom is going to be built and will meet local building codes.  Some cities have "standard plans" that can be used but these are becoming rare.  The plans have to be "wet stamped" by the structural engineer.  These means they must be originals and not photocopies.  Your contractor will provide these plans.  The cost can be built into his bid or billed separately.
4. The city will also require a plot plan.  This is a bird's eye view of your property showing the entire lot with existing structures on it.  It should be drawn to scale.  Once again, your contractor will drawn one up or perhaps you have a plot plan used to pull a permit on another project.
5. When the building inspector signs off on the permit you should keep the documents yourself.  Frequently I have homeowners tell me that a contractor pulled a permit on work performed but they do not have a copy.  This means the contractor actually did not pull the permit.
6. If you have work done without a permit or decide later you want a permit on some type of structure or work done on your home you can still get a permit.  This is called an "as built" permit.  In order to get this type of permit you need to follow the guidelines described above and the work must meet current building codes.