Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company have recently purchased and shipped a large quantity of cement type HE: High Early Strength from Indonesia for one of our projects in Seoul, South Korea. Though Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company did extensive quality control testing on arrival in Seoul, we found substantial defects in the quality of the cement.
Though Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company do not wish to name the manufacturer, please be extra careful in your quality control testing.
This was obviously blatant fraud and a scam. This sort of scamming is endemic and please be careful out there.
“As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulent transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulent financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.”
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are endemic to each particular company.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Welcome to Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea.
Our main base of operations is at Baltimore, Maryland..
We have two main areas of expertise, international trading and shipments of construction products from cement to structural steel to panzer glass office windows and many more.
We also supply particularly to Bangkok Thailand, and Seoul Korea a wide range of highly skilled personnel from structural engineers to quantity surveyors.
The extensive building code and best practices knowledge that the construction defect litigation group provides is a significant advantage to our clients, allowing us to draw upon the years of experience in building projects and construction quality assurance of their GCs, Architects, and Engineers on every project."
Kevin Gilles, CEO
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions are the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea.
Our main base of operations is at Baltimore, Maryland..
We have two main areas of expertise, international trading and shipments of construction products from cement to structural steel to panzer glass office windows and many more.
We also supply particularly to Bangkok Thailand, and Seoul Korea a wide range of highly skilled personnel from structural engineers to quantity surveyors.
The extensive building code and best practices knowledge that the construction defect litigation group provides is a significant advantage to our clients, allowing us to draw upon the years of experience in building projects and construction quality assurance of their GCs, Architects, and Engineers on every project."
Kevin Gilles, CEO
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions are the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News: CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorials Published
4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : 4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series. The 18-hour training course is composed of 312 granular video tutorials and includes basic concepts, application demonstrations, tips and tricks for productivity and exercise files for users to follow along using their own software. Presented by well-known CAD instructor Reid Addis, this course offers users the ability to stay current with the latest version of AutoCAD Architecture and gain skills and knowledge to better utilize their software application.
“The lessons are clear and concise, which makes it easy for architects to learn during their limited free time,” said Matt Murphy, 4D Director of Content Management and Development. “With searchable lessons, users can access the content they need, when they need it, and come back to it at any-time.”
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : The course walks users through features and functions of the AutoCAD Architecture software application. Chapter topics include; Introduction to AutoCAD Architecture, Quick Start, Productivity Tools, Introduction To Content, Conceptual Design Tools, Building Geometry, More Geometry, Adding Components, Sections and Elevations, Annotation, Detailing, Understanding The Display System, Using AutoCAD Architecture Layer Tools, Layout Design Objects, Organizing Projects with the Drawing Management System, Advanced Building Geometry, Publishing from the Project Navigator, Creating Custom Styles and Components, Graphic Presentation and Visualization, Working with Others, and Troubleshooting.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : This is the latest addition to 4D’s continuously growing CADLearning course library, currently offering training on 16 Autodesk software titles, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit Architecture. The AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial series is available for purchase at www.cadlearning.com or by phone at +1 603.641.3900.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
About 4D Technologies
4D Technologies is a producer and publisher of self-paced eLearning products for the latest CAD and BIM software . Since its inception in 2002, 4D has worked closely with industry experts, including professional CAD instructors and trainers, CAD consultants, and experienced users to develop its learning content. 4D addresses the learning needs of individuals and organizations in a wide variety of markets including education, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive and transportation, manufacturing, utilities and communication, government
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : 4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series. The 18-hour training course is composed of 312 granular video tutorials and includes basic concepts, application demonstrations, tips and tricks for productivity and exercise files for users to follow along using their own software. Presented by well-known CAD instructor Reid Addis, this course offers users the ability to stay current with the latest version of AutoCAD Architecture and gain skills and knowledge to better utilize their software application.
“The lessons are clear and concise, which makes it easy for architects to learn during their limited free time,” said Matt Murphy, 4D Director of Content Management and Development. “With searchable lessons, users can access the content they need, when they need it, and come back to it at any-time.”
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : The course walks users through features and functions of the AutoCAD Architecture software application. Chapter topics include; Introduction to AutoCAD Architecture, Quick Start, Productivity Tools, Introduction To Content, Conceptual Design Tools, Building Geometry, More Geometry, Adding Components, Sections and Elevations, Annotation, Detailing, Understanding The Display System, Using AutoCAD Architecture Layer Tools, Layout Design Objects, Organizing Projects with the Drawing Management System, Advanced Building Geometry, Publishing from the Project Navigator, Creating Custom Styles and Components, Graphic Presentation and Visualization, Working with Others, and Troubleshooting.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : This is the latest addition to 4D’s continuously growing CADLearning course library, currently offering training on 16 Autodesk software titles, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit Architecture. The AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial series is available for purchase at www.cadlearning.com or by phone at +1 603.641.3900.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
About 4D Technologies
4D Technologies is a producer and publisher of self-paced eLearning products for the latest CAD and BIM software . Since its inception in 2002, 4D has worked closely with industry experts, including professional CAD instructors and trainers, CAD consultants, and experienced users to develop its learning content. 4D addresses the learning needs of individuals and organizations in a wide variety of markets including education, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive and transportation, manufacturing, utilities and communication, government
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Welcome to Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea.
Our main base of operations is at Baltimore, Maryland..
We have two main areas of expertise, international trading and shipments of construction products from cement to structural steel to panzer glass office windows and many more.
We also supply particularly to Bangkok Thailand, and Seoul Korea a wide range of highly skilled personnel from structural engineers to quantity surveyors.
The extensive building code and best practices knowledge that the construction defect litigation group provides is a significant advantage to our clients, allowing us to draw upon the years of experience in building projects and construction quality assurance of their GCs, Architects, and Engineers on every project.”
Kevin Gilles, CEO
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions are the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to STRATHCLYDE ASSOCIATES TRADING & MANAGEMENT. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Korea.
Our main base of operations is at Baltimore, Maryland..
We have two main areas of expertise, international trading and shipments of construction products from cement to structural steel to panzer glass office windows and many more.
We also supply particularly to Bangkok Thailand, and Seoul Korea a wide range of highly skilled personnel from structural engineers to quantity surveyors.
The extensive building code and best practices knowledge that the construction defect litigation group provides is a significant advantage to our clients, allowing us to draw upon the years of experience in building projects and construction quality assurance of their GCs, Architects, and Engineers on every project.”
Kevin Gilles, CEO
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions are the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
About Us: Strathclyde Associates Trading & Management Construction Company
For over 5 years, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company’s professionals have been a leading Service Providers to the construction industry. Bringing together a wealth of Business, Legal, Financial, and Specialized Industry experience, Consolidated Construction Services helps industry professionals continue to thrive in an increasingly competitive and challenging business environment.
We are very involved in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo International City near Seoul in Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Challenging economic times provide the opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework for eventual transition of the business.
We help companies find those core strengths and take those steps now.
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
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We are very involved in clean room IT factories in Thailand and particularly the new Songdo International City near Seoul in Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or priniciples that are indemic to each particular company.
Challenging economic times provide the opportunity for companies to take the steps necessary to becoming more successful, to get leaner and more focused. Those actions taken today to make a company more successful, also provide the needed framework for eventual transition of the business.
We help companies find those core strengths and take those steps now.
As mentioned our two main areas of expertise are construction materials and management personnel. In both these fields, there is some bad reputations in the area of fraud and fraudulant transactions. There are many scams and in the field of personnel, many scammers. We are proud of our reputation of checking and verifying all our products and personnel. Fraudulant financial transactions is the norm. Our checking procedures are second to none.
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
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Strathclyde Associates Trading News: CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorials Published
4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : 4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series. The 18-hour training course is composed of 312 granular video tutorials and includes basic concepts, application demonstrations, tips and tricks for productivity and exercise files for users to follow along using their own software. Presented by well-known CAD instructor Reid Addis, this course offers users the ability to stay current with the latest version of AutoCAD Architecture and gain skills and knowledge to better utilize their software application.
“The lessons are clear and concise, which makes it easy for architects to learn during their limited free time,” said Matt Murphy, 4D Director of Content Management and Development. “With searchable lessons, users can access the content they need, when they need it, and come back to it at any-time.”
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : The course walks users through features and functions of the AutoCAD Architecture software application. Chapter topics include; Introduction to AutoCAD Architecture, Quick Start, Productivity Tools, Introduction To Content, Conceptual Design Tools, Building Geometry, More Geometry, Adding Components, Sections and Elevations, Annotation, Detailing, Understanding The Display System, Using AutoCAD Architecture Layer Tools, Layout Design Objects, Organizing Projects with the Drawing Management System, Advanced Building Geometry, Publishing from the Project Navigator, Creating Custom Styles and Components, Graphic Presentation and Visualization, Working with Others, and Troubleshooting.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : This is the latest addition to 4D’s continuously growing CADLearning course library, currently offering training on 16 Autodesk software titles, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit Architecture. The AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial series is available for purchase at www.cadlearning.com or by phone at +1 603.641.3900.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
About 4D Technologies
4D Technologies is a producer and publisher of self-paced eLearning products for the latest CAD and BIM software . Since its inception in 2002, 4D has worked closely with industry experts, including professional CAD instructors and trainers, CAD consultants, and experienced users to develop its learning content. 4D addresses the learning needs of individuals and organizations in a wide variety of markets including education, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive and transportation, manufacturing, utilities and communication, government
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : 4D Technologies, an Autodesk Authorized Publisher specializing in self-paced eLearning for CAD and BIM software , announced today that it has published its CADLearning AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial Series. The 18-hour training course is composed of 312 granular video tutorials and includes basic concepts, application demonstrations, tips and tricks for productivity and exercise files for users to follow along using their own software. Presented by well-known CAD instructor Reid Addis, this course offers users the ability to stay current with the latest version of AutoCAD Architecture and gain skills and knowledge to better utilize their software application.
“The lessons are clear and concise, which makes it easy for architects to learn during their limited free time,” said Matt Murphy, 4D Director of Content Management and Development. “With searchable lessons, users can access the content they need, when they need it, and come back to it at any-time.”
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : The course walks users through features and functions of the AutoCAD Architecture software application. Chapter topics include; Introduction to AutoCAD Architecture, Quick Start, Productivity Tools, Introduction To Content, Conceptual Design Tools, Building Geometry, More Geometry, Adding Components, Sections and Elevations, Annotation, Detailing, Understanding The Display System, Using AutoCAD Architecture Layer Tools, Layout Design Objects, Organizing Projects with the Drawing Management System, Advanced Building Geometry, Publishing from the Project Navigator, Creating Custom Styles and Components, Graphic Presentation and Visualization, Working with Others, and Troubleshooting.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : This is the latest addition to 4D’s continuously growing CADLearning course library, currently offering training on 16 Autodesk software titles, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit Architecture. The AutoCAD Architecture 2011 Tutorial series is available for purchase at www.cadlearning.com or by phone at +1 603.641.3900.
Strathclyde Associates Trading News : Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Autodesk Inventor, and Autodesk Revit are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders.
About 4D Technologies
4D Technologies is a producer and publisher of self-paced eLearning products for the latest CAD and BIM software . Since its inception in 2002, 4D has worked closely with industry experts, including professional CAD instructors and trainers, CAD consultants, and experienced users to develop its learning content. 4D addresses the learning needs of individuals and organizations in a wide variety of markets including education, architecture, engineering, construction, automotive and transportation, manufacturing, utilities and communication, government
The company was established in early 2005 to serve the booming international construction industry. We work with associate companies worldwide.
Soon after its establishment, Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company made a number of associations mainly in the Pacific and Southeast Asia regions. These business partnerships added extra strength to Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company. We are proud to be associated with projects in countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Seoul, S Korea.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Strathclyde Associates Trading - Things Contractors Won't Tell You
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: Learning a few tricks of their trade will help you ensure you get the job done right and at a fair price and to avoid scam By SmartMoney
Things Contractors Won't Tell You, avoid scam - "My license is laughable."
When you hire a general contractor to build an addition onto your house, you probably assume you're getting someone who has spent years learning his craft, giving him the proper credentials to saw a hole in the side of your den. In reality, you could be getting a madman with a toolbox who answers to no one. That's because only 27 states have any state-licensing requirements ? and where regulations do exist, they vary. In California, one of the stricter states, aspiring contractors must have four years' experience, prove their financial solvency and pass a written exam to become licensed, whereas in South Carolina, they need only two years of experience along with an exam and submission of financials. Maybe the disparity helps in part to explain why the Better Business Bureau received 1.1 million inquiries in 2006 from people seeking "reliability reports" on specific contractors ? to ensure they were trustworthy enough to hire ? ranking them third among industries for that request, according to the Council of BBBs.
So how should you shop for a contractor? Ask for and check references, of course. One good resource is Handyman Online, a referral service that can connect you with contractors in your area who are legitimately licensed, carry liability insurance and have at least three references. And Tom Pendleton, owner of McLean, Va.-based consulting firm The House Inspector, offers this advice: "Close to 95 percent of home-improvement contractors go out of business or change their name within three years" due to consumer complaints or mismanagement, he says, "so you want a contractor who's been in business under the same name for more than three years."
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: "Our contract favors me ..."
When it's time to sign on the dotted line, most contractors will present you with a boilerplate agreement based on one created by the American Institute of Architects. It lays out the job's details, including its scope, materials to be used and a payment schedule. Not surprisingly, according to Mark Levine, co-author of "The Big Fix-Up," a consumer guide to home remodeling, some contractors will set up a schedule that puts your payments ahead of the work. "When (a contractor) has received 50 percent of the money for 25 percent of the work, that's when he stops showing up as often," he says.
Levine suggests a plan such as paying 10 percent down, 25 percent when plumbing and electrical work are done, 25 percent after cabinets and windows are finished, and 25 percent for flooring and painting. "And don't hand him the last 15 percent on his final day," Levine says. "It's called 'retainage,' and you should keep it for 30 extra days just to make sure everything is working the way it should." In addition, if the job is big enough ? say, $50,000 or more ? Levine suggests investing in four hours of attorney fees to devise a contract that includes a fair payment plan, with retainage, and stipulates that disputes will be settled through arbitration (the quick and easy way to do it).
" ... so I can take your money and run."
Mark Zarrilli decided to enhance his Wall, N.J., home by putting a new path around his swimming pool. It was an $11,000 job, and he paid $7,000 upfront to the contractors ? supposedly for materials. "They brought somebody in to do the preliminary brickwork, then played a duck-and-run game for three months," Zarrilli says. "They'd tell me the truck broke down, the wife was sick, the cement company couldn't deliver. I'll never get my money back." Zarrilli took the dispute to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office, who charged the contractor with theft by deception. (The contractor eventually pleaded guilty.)
Mark Herr, former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, calls this alleged scam "spiking the job," and it's one of the worst possible outcomes when you've signed a contract that includes a front-loaded payment schedule. "By completing a little bit of the work, they can face only civil rather than criminal charges," Herr says. You might get sucked into such a scenario if your contractor tells you ? like Zarrilli's did ? that the upfront cash is for materials. "Typically," Herr says, "that happens because the guy needs to pay upfront for goods since he has no credit, probably because he screwed up somewhere else." Your pre-emptive strategy: Offer to have the materials delivered to your house and to pay for them C.O.D.
"Bargains don't exist in my world."
Before hiring a contractor, you'll probably solicit various bids. If one comes in much lower than the others, it's natural to think you've lucked out, but that's not necessarily the case, says Lisa Curtis, former director of consumer services for the Denver district attorney's office. Because of the fixed costs of materials and labor, a stunningly low bid is a red flag.
Common tactics include starting a job based on a bargain-basement price, then telling the customer that the work is more complicated (and more costly) than originally thought. Then there's the contractor who quotes a price that includes windows he knows are of poor quality; once the job is under way, he'll present his client with what is clearly a better window and talk him into upgrading. "Ultimately," Curtis says, "you may pay more than you would have with a reputable person who started off at a reasonably higher price."
"I'll be back when I feel like it."
So you found yourself a good contractor. Terrific ? but here's the bad news. When contractors are busy with multiple jobs, as the best in the business inevitably are, you can pretty much expect the schedule for completing your job will go out the window. "If the contractor's got too many jobs going," Pendleton says, "the workers might only be in your house for two hours when they should have been there all day."
One way to guarantee that your job won't stretch to Wagnerian lengths, he says, is to hire a contractor with a lead person or project manager, "a working supervisor who is on the job from beginning to end." If the job drags, the contractor still has to pay that person, so it "becomes in the contractor's interest to finish the job," Pendleton says.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are endemic to each particular company.
Things Contractors Won't Tell You, avoid scam - "My license is laughable."
When you hire a general contractor to build an addition onto your house, you probably assume you're getting someone who has spent years learning his craft, giving him the proper credentials to saw a hole in the side of your den. In reality, you could be getting a madman with a toolbox who answers to no one. That's because only 27 states have any state-licensing requirements ? and where regulations do exist, they vary. In California, one of the stricter states, aspiring contractors must have four years' experience, prove their financial solvency and pass a written exam to become licensed, whereas in South Carolina, they need only two years of experience along with an exam and submission of financials. Maybe the disparity helps in part to explain why the Better Business Bureau received 1.1 million inquiries in 2006 from people seeking "reliability reports" on specific contractors ? to ensure they were trustworthy enough to hire ? ranking them third among industries for that request, according to the Council of BBBs.
So how should you shop for a contractor? Ask for and check references, of course. One good resource is Handyman Online, a referral service that can connect you with contractors in your area who are legitimately licensed, carry liability insurance and have at least three references. And Tom Pendleton, owner of McLean, Va.-based consulting firm The House Inspector, offers this advice: "Close to 95 percent of home-improvement contractors go out of business or change their name within three years" due to consumer complaints or mismanagement, he says, "so you want a contractor who's been in business under the same name for more than three years."
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company: "Our contract favors me ..."
When it's time to sign on the dotted line, most contractors will present you with a boilerplate agreement based on one created by the American Institute of Architects. It lays out the job's details, including its scope, materials to be used and a payment schedule. Not surprisingly, according to Mark Levine, co-author of "The Big Fix-Up," a consumer guide to home remodeling, some contractors will set up a schedule that puts your payments ahead of the work. "When (a contractor) has received 50 percent of the money for 25 percent of the work, that's when he stops showing up as often," he says.
Levine suggests a plan such as paying 10 percent down, 25 percent when plumbing and electrical work are done, 25 percent after cabinets and windows are finished, and 25 percent for flooring and painting. "And don't hand him the last 15 percent on his final day," Levine says. "It's called 'retainage,' and you should keep it for 30 extra days just to make sure everything is working the way it should." In addition, if the job is big enough ? say, $50,000 or more ? Levine suggests investing in four hours of attorney fees to devise a contract that includes a fair payment plan, with retainage, and stipulates that disputes will be settled through arbitration (the quick and easy way to do it).
" ... so I can take your money and run."
Mark Zarrilli decided to enhance his Wall, N.J., home by putting a new path around his swimming pool. It was an $11,000 job, and he paid $7,000 upfront to the contractors ? supposedly for materials. "They brought somebody in to do the preliminary brickwork, then played a duck-and-run game for three months," Zarrilli says. "They'd tell me the truck broke down, the wife was sick, the cement company couldn't deliver. I'll never get my money back." Zarrilli took the dispute to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's office, who charged the contractor with theft by deception. (The contractor eventually pleaded guilty.)
Mark Herr, former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, calls this alleged scam "spiking the job," and it's one of the worst possible outcomes when you've signed a contract that includes a front-loaded payment schedule. "By completing a little bit of the work, they can face only civil rather than criminal charges," Herr says. You might get sucked into such a scenario if your contractor tells you ? like Zarrilli's did ? that the upfront cash is for materials. "Typically," Herr says, "that happens because the guy needs to pay upfront for goods since he has no credit, probably because he screwed up somewhere else." Your pre-emptive strategy: Offer to have the materials delivered to your house and to pay for them C.O.D.
"Bargains don't exist in my world."
Before hiring a contractor, you'll probably solicit various bids. If one comes in much lower than the others, it's natural to think you've lucked out, but that's not necessarily the case, says Lisa Curtis, former director of consumer services for the Denver district attorney's office. Because of the fixed costs of materials and labor, a stunningly low bid is a red flag.
Common tactics include starting a job based on a bargain-basement price, then telling the customer that the work is more complicated (and more costly) than originally thought. Then there's the contractor who quotes a price that includes windows he knows are of poor quality; once the job is under way, he'll present his client with what is clearly a better window and talk him into upgrading. "Ultimately," Curtis says, "you may pay more than you would have with a reputable person who started off at a reasonably higher price."
"I'll be back when I feel like it."
So you found yourself a good contractor. Terrific ? but here's the bad news. When contractors are busy with multiple jobs, as the best in the business inevitably are, you can pretty much expect the schedule for completing your job will go out the window. "If the contractor's got too many jobs going," Pendleton says, "the workers might only be in your house for two hours when they should have been there all day."
One way to guarantee that your job won't stretch to Wagnerian lengths, he says, is to hire a contractor with a lead person or project manager, "a working supervisor who is on the job from beginning to end." If the job drags, the contractor still has to pay that person, so it "becomes in the contractor's interest to finish the job," Pendleton says.
Strathclyde Associates Trading and Management Construction Company is passionate in the belief that from adversity comes opportunity. We believe that sustainable competitive advantage is always predicated upon the focused execution of a few core strengths or principles that are endemic to each particular company.
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