I got a call today from a homeowner looking for some guidance on a problem with product they bought from a wholesaler that was installed by their contractor. The homeowner bought a whirlpool tub that was installed into a custom base and then the plumber installed the drains and other items neccessary. The rough wiring was installed. The tile was installed around the perimeter, the faucets were installed and the last item to wrap  up was the final electrical connections. When the electrical was connected there was a problem with the motor and factory wiring of the unit. Turns out the motor and wiring would not work and was defective.

You have been thinking of remodeling your kitchen or bath and now you are ready to take the plunge into the world of remodeling. Like most homeowners you search through magazines for ideas, you watch HGTV, and you visit the many showrooms to see the thousands of options available. So now you search for a contractor with one eye shut hoping to avoid the pitfalls of finding the wrong company and becoming a headline contractor nightmare story on the evening news. So where do you start? What questions do you ask your potential contractor to prevent this from happening?

I just sent out my first newsletter. It’s a companion to my blog. Unfortunately, not everyone I know reads my blog every week, so I plan to send out a monthly newsletter which highlights my blog posts and invites people to networking events I am attending. So, if you don’t read blogs via RSS feeds and want to be reminded to read my blog on a monthly basis, you can sign up over here.

On March 10th and 11th, I presented a series of seminars on How to Hire a Contractor at the DCU Center Spring Home Show. There were four seminars on Hiring Contractors and three on Design/Build remodeling. All but one was well attended. The How to Hire Seminar included a panel of consumer experts who volunteered their time to answer questions about their experience with consumer complaints from homeowners who had bad contractor experiences.

Last week, Channel 5’s Susan Wornick reported on the hundreds of homeowners who have lodged complaints against Home Depot. She alleged that hundreds of home inprovement projects ordered from Home Depot were poorly installed and had numerous defects. In the news interview, a former Home Depot subcontractor stated that he was told to say he was a Home Depot contractor. When, in reality he was an independent contractor. He went on to say that the project manager couldn’t manage the jobs assigned to him.

Wow! Whizspark has done it again. Pete Caputa has found a way to put butts in seats and generate lots of activity at his events. The Art/Wine Networking event at the DCU Business Expo was outstanding. I was pleased to have the opportunity to meet so many movers and shakers in one day. I am finding that networking is helping me become more visible as well as generating high quality business opportunities. The Art/Wine events insure many contacts can be made in a short period of time. I cannot wait for the next one.

You are a homeowner who wants to remodel your home to accommadate your growing family. You need more space for the baby toys overtaking your house. Your kitchen is too small to store all your stuff and entertaining more than 4 people is a major undertaking. Your kids take over the bathroom for hours and your late for work more than usual. Your builder grade deck is so small the patio furniture takes up the whole thing.

I have known Rick Roberge for over 25 years and I am amazed that sales training from Rick 25 years ago, is still helping me succeed today. He has slowly teased me in the past few months that I could probably be the author of a blog and that I have a lot to offer based on my many years of experience in the remodeling industry. Somehow he knew what to say at the right time to slowly churn the fire within me to a point where the only obvious action was to begin my blogging experience. Yesterday he invited me and made it easy for me to do the only thing that made sense. Act!!!!

Do you know anyone who has had a nightmare contractor experience? Maybe yourself, a friend, relative or neighbor? Since 2001 according to statistics provided by the Federal Trade Commission and various consumer protection groups, home improvement contractors and the remodeling industry are responsible for the most complaints from consumers. Home improvement contractors are responsible for more complaints than used car salesman and mortgage brokers.

Well today begins my journey into the world of blogging. I am thankful for the coaching and encouragement of Rick Roberge and Pete Caputa for helping me see the possibilities of blogging.