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All Forum Posts by: Matthew Paul

Matthew Paul has started 166 posts and replied 6754 times.

Post: Do investors really hate being cold called?

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

EVERYBODY hates being bothered by cold calls . 

What " great value " do you bring ?  What is " great value  " ?

If you had a great deal , all you have to do is put it on the MLS and its gone that day .

The easiest way to never have me as a customer is to cold call me . 

Post: Exterior painting advice. Is this reasonable?

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

Try power washing the house

Post: Buyer, negotiating after inspection

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

If the AC works , as a seller I would say no .  Sane with an old electrical panel , as long as its safe its fine . 

Its not a new house 

Post: Renovation Project Downpayment

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

Yes , investors and homeowners have been burned by contractors , BUT contractors get burned by investors and homeowners also , but that never makes the news . Thats why as a contractor we provide the customer with a detailed contract stating the payment terms and the scope of work . 

I rarely have failed inspections , but if the failure is our fault , we correct the problem at our expense . But if the inspector finds something outside our scope of work and says it must be corrected before we will pass an inspection , that is a change order and the customer pays for this .

Post: Renovation Project Downpayment

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

@Tyrone Marson I hold a Md Home Improvement license . It sounds like you dont trust the contractor , if so find another one . We ALWAYS get 30% when we sign a contract . This doesnt just cover materials , it covers permits and fees , monies to cover dumpsters , portable bathroom , drawings ,ordering materials  and administrative costs, etc  in preparing for your job .                                 

    Professional contractors DO NOT use any of their funds to buy materials or cover ANY cost of YOUR job . If the money stops , so does the work .

      We get the next draw of 30% once the demo is complete and the framing materials are on site .

     Additional payment are  based on inspections , when we pass framing inspection we get another draw , sane with plumbing rough in , electrical , and HVAC . 

     Again when we get finals on those inspections we collect money again                      

             If there are any change orders and or extras they are paid right away 

        Your final payment is generally about 10% of the contract price .

Do your research , check your contractor on Md judical case search , go to Dept of license and regulations and check their home improvement license and complaints , if any .    

Read the rules and regulations about what a home improvement contractor can and cant do on the state web site . 

Post: Renovation Project Downpayment

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

Here in Maryland its 1/3 down when you sign the contract . then 1/3 when the job starts , and the final upon completion . 

Post: Porch Roof Repair Quote

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

Remember its spring , contractors are busy . There is no reason to bid a job low . 

Post: Electrical panel/ Breaker

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515

The inspector is an idiot , they are color coded for the different amperage . , They should be labeled for ease of identifying . 

Post: Applicants provide their own credit report

Matthew Paul#2 Contractors ContributorPosted
  • Severna Park, MD
  • Posts 6,923
  • Votes 7,515