Hiring a contractor who is not bonded, insured — and licensed, if applicable — is a risk you don’t want to take.

Let’s talk about the importance of insurance first. Contractors should carry two types of insurance: liability and worker’s compensation. As a homeowner, these protect you in two ways. First, liability insurance will protect you in the event the contractor causes damage to your home. What if, say during an upstairs bathroom remodel, your uninsured contractor was doing work that caused the bathtub to crash through the floor? If you think your homeowner’s policy would cover you, think again. It likely won’t, unless you’ve purchased additional coverage for in-home employees.
What if the contractor had an employee on the job at your home who was injured on your property but the contractor didn’t carry worker’s compensation insurance? Your homeowner’s insurance policy might help cover the cost to pay that worker’s claim, after you meet your deductible, but that claim could result in an increase in your rates and make it more difficult for you to get insured in the future.

Bonding is often confused for insurance, but there is a notable difference. A bond is intended to act as a guarantee that the contractor will perform the work as he or she is supposed to. It is secured money that would be distributed to the homeowner in the event the contractor failed to perform as he or she should. For example, if a plumbing contractor failed to perform a pipe repair adequately and caused a leak that went undetected and caused damage to the home. Or, if a company employee stole personal items from your home, the bond would cover that loss. Don’t take a contractor’s word that he or she is bonded. Ask for proof of the bond and be sure you understand exactly what it covers.

Finally, you want to make sure your contractor holds the appropriate licensing, if it’s needed. Check with your local licensing authority and, if applicable, ask for a copy of the license. Licensing offers proof that the contractor has met certain industry training standards and is allowed to do the work in your area. Hiring an unlicensed contractor could cost you big. If the work does not meet local building codes, or the contractor doesn’t pull the necessary permits (which an unlicensed contractor cannot do), you will be responsible for making the repairs to meet code. Allowing work to be done by an unlicensed contractor could also void your homeowner’s insurance policy, should a claim arise as a result of that work.

It might be appealing when comparing the estimate of an unlicensed, uninsured and non-bonded contractor to one who has those credentials. Licensed, bonded and insured contractors usually charge more than those who haven’t earned the credentials or paid for the insurance protection. I like to look at it this way: if a contractor doesn’t follow the law (or good business practices) in being licensed, insured or bonded, what else is he or she cutting corners on? If something goes wrong, it’s you who will be paying the price.

My advice is to save yourself the stress and risks involved with hiring cheap, unqualified help. Hire a contractor who you know has earned the credentials of his or her trade and follows good business practices. You’ll have a much better chance of seeing your job done right the first time.

SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, basement finishing, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Lenexa, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.

 BY MELISSA DITTMANN TRACEY When home owners take on a remodeling project, they’re often far more focused on choosing glistening fixtures for a new bathroom or debating the type of granite to use on a kitchen counter top than, say, navigating the intricacies of the building permit process. That could be a huge mistake, however, and it may not even come to light until the house is put up for sale. Ignoring local approval requirements not only poses safety and legal problems but also can potentially derail an otherwise smooth sale.
Home owners using licensed contractors for remodeling work typically don’t have to get involved with permitting. Most licensed contractors will handle the cumbersome process for them—filling out the paperwork with the municipality, collecting fees, and being present for the required inspections, says Michael Hydeck, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. But when home owners tackle do-it-yourself projects or use unlicensed contractors, they risk problems later.
The permit process varies widely from city to city and state to state). But the purpose of the document is the same everywhere: It offers ­assurance by a municipal building department that the work being done meets all safety codes.

Ask Sellers Before You List Home owners may be asked about permits in the process of selling a home. At closing, they may have to disclose any remodeling work they did and verify permits. A home inspector evaluating a property for a buyer may want to know whether a permit was obtained. Furthermore, the buyer’s appraiser may want to see permit records to check the legality of any home renovations.
“If no permits are found and it’s obvious the home has been renovated, the bank will likely refuse to make the loan,” according to the American Bar Association’s book Legal Guide to Home Renovation(Random House Reference, 2006). If the permitless work isn’t discovered until after closing, the home’s value could even be subject to a lawsuit, such as in cases when an addition added extra square footage to the home’s value but the construction wasn’t done legally with a permit.
That’s why contractors and legal experts say real estate practitioners are well advised to ask sellers before they take on a listing for a renovated home: “Did you get a permit for that?”
Remodeling contractor John Price in Merced, Calif., has been called in to help home owners after permit problems have been uncovered. He once worked with a home owner who installed siding by himself, but added it too far down along the wall of the house, so it rubbed up against dirt and picked up moisture. Eventually the poor installation led to mold growing in the drywall throughout the inside of the house.
Some home owners, however, are tempted to sidestep the permit process not wanting to pay the fees (municipalities generally charge a minimum issuing fee—such as $25—as well as an additional fee—sometimes 1 percent—of total construction costs), or they might not want to risk delaying a project or a sale by waiting for city inspections (obtaining permits can take anywhere from a day to six weeks or more).
“People have strong incentives to cheat, and some of that lays squarely on the feet of policymakers who have sometimes created a system that is time-consuming and frustrating,” Price says.
But caught without a permit during resale, home owners may face big consequences. They may have to pay fines (possibly up to quadruple the original permit cost) or may have to tear the project down and redo it.

Virtually No Job Is Too Small Home owners making any changes to the structures of a home will likely need a permit—and you may need more than one, Price says.
While kitchen and bathroom remodels and housing additions are obvious permit candidates, people may not realize they might also need one for such projects as installing a window, adding a new light switch, or replacing a shower. “There are not too many jobs you don’t need a permit for,” Hydeck adds. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

​SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, basement finishing, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.

Remodeling a basement can be one of the most daunting projects for a new homeowner. There are a variety of considerations that go into remodeling a new home and the multitude of choices and decisions can often overwhelm a homeowner. Fortunately, and experienced home remodeling contractor can help homeowners avoid many of the common pitfall. At SCS we have been helping homeowners with the remodeling needs for over 20 years and we are happy to provide some tips for a homeowner looking to remodel a basement or other part of their home.

1. Set a budget. By setting a budget homeowners can understand what is possible for remodeling their basement and not end up with a project that does not represent a realistic projection of their needs vs. their desires.

2. Set a space use goal. Do you want this project to be more room for entertaining? More room for the kids? Or just a space to store additional items without looking terrible? These are considerations when evaluating the design of  your basement and should be primary conversations with your home remodeling contractor.

3. Do some research. Having some ideas and design samples from the internet can be a great way to start the conversation with your remodeling contractor. These ideas can be the foundation for what ultimately becomes a valuable addition to your home remodeling project.

4. Ask Questions. Asking the right questions can be the difference between a positive experience with your home remodeling contractor and disappointment with the finished project. By asking questions at every step of the process you can insure you are informed and understand what the completed project will look like.

5. Research Home Remodeling Contractors. There are a variety of resources for researching contractors such as Google, Yelp and other review based search engines. Also checking the Better Business Bureau and other sources can be very helpful to insuring your home remodeling project is completed to your satisfaction.

SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams. Find out why SCS is the custom home builder and remodeler of choice in Lawrence. Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.

By Brian J. Curry

Finding a remodeling contractor can be one of the toughest challenges a homeowner will face when deciding to enhance the look of their home by remodeling their kitchen, basement or bathroom or entire home. Homeowners have a significant amount of information to sift through before choosing a remodeling contractor and the choices and decisions can be overwhelming if not carefully managed and researched.

Here is our list of the 5 things you should look for when choosing a remodeling contractor in your area:

1. Research Remodeling Contractors That Specialize in Your Area.

Finding a remodeling contractor in your area however by researching them using the Internet, Social Media and other techniques you can often find highly recommended remodeling contractors.

2. Use Your Social Media Network

By utilizing your social media network you can often find friends or acquaintances who have had success with a remodeling contractor in your area.

3. Utilize The Better Business Bureau.

By checking the Better Business Bureau website you can often locate many qualified remodeling contractors in the Lawrence area.

4. Ask For References Up Front.

By asking for references up front you can find out if the contractor has done work for other homeowners in the Lawrence, KS area and contact these clients to find out how their remodeling project turned out.

5.  Evaluate Based On Initial Customer Service.

If the contractors you contact do not call you back in a reasonable amount of time or seem to not be focused on customer service during your conversations then you can weed out those contractors from the rest of the contractors and move forward with the companies with which you feel comfortable.

SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, basement finishing, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas.   . Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.
Our services include:
ACOUSTICAL CEILING, ACOUSTICAL CEILING REMOVAL, BACK SPLASH, BASEBOARD, BATHROOM REMODEL, BLOCK WALLS, BLUEPRINTS, BUILDING PERMIT, CABINETS, CEILING SCRAPE DOWN, CEILING TEXTURING , CERAMIC TILE, COUNTER TOPS, CARPENTRY, CARPETING, COMMERCIAL BUILDING, CROWN MOLDING, DECKS, DEMOLITION
DOORS AND HARDWARE, DOWN LIGHTS , DRYWALL, DRYWALL FINISHING, DRYWALL TEXTURING, EIFS REPAIR, FLOORS, FLOORING, FRAMING, , EGRESS WINDOWS, ELECTRICAL, GRANITE WORKS, INSULATION, SOUND/THERMAL, HARDWOOD FLOORS, HVAC, KITCHEN REMODEL, LIGHTS, LIGHTING, MASONRY, PAINTING, PORCELAIN TILE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, ROOM ADDITIONS, STEEL STUD FRAMING, STUCCO REPAIR, TAPING, TEE BAR CEILINGS, TERMITE, DAMAGE REPAIRS, TILE, TRIM, WINDOW REPLACEMENT, WOOD ROT, WOOD FRAMING, DECKS, PATIOS, DRYWALL, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, HISTORIC BUILDING, DRYWALL FINISHING, INSULATING, TRIM, CABINETS, CROWN, MOLDING, PAINT, DOOR AND WINDOW INSTALLS, KITCHEN REMODELS, BATH REMODELS,  BASEMENT REMODELS, ROOM ADDITIONS, LIGHT COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, TENANT FINISH, COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING,

   
  Remodeling your home is often one of the most important things you can do enhance the enjoyment you derive from your home. Many homeowners view home remodeling as a way to increase the value or attractiveness of you home. However, one of the most overlooked factors in remodeling your home is just the pure enjoyment and increased quality of life you can derive from a simple kitchen, bathroom or basement remodel.



Here are 3 reasons every homeowner should look into Remodeling their home:

1. You Can Not Utilize The Current Space To Fit Your Needs.
Often a home does not fit your current needs and you don't even realize it. Things such as an unwieldy design in your kitchen or a bathroom that does not fit your needs can create more challenges that create underlying stress in your life and you may not even know it.

2. Under Utilized Space Causes You To Not Have The Proper Room For your Growing Family.
Often you may not have enough space and not even realize that you have the opportunity to increase the feeling of space in your home. A simple remodel can often open up your house and give you that needed space.

3. The Appearance Of Your Home Or Certain Rooms Creates Visual Stress.
Just by changing the appearance of certain rooms you can lower your stress levels by undoing visually unappealing design elements, color schemes and other factors.

For more information about remodeling your entire home, kitchen, bathroom or basement contact us for a FREE no hassle consultation. SCS offers our clients the opportunity to revitalize their home and increase their quality of life by enhancing the look of their existing home. We work with clients in Lawrence, KS, Kansas City and Topeka and help them increase the quality of their home environment.

      Home Remodeling can be a daunting process for any homeowner in the Kansas City Area. That is why it is important for homeowners in the Lawrence, Kansas City and Topeka areas to take the necessary steps prior to starting a remodeling project and choose the right general contractors. It is critical that you have a remodeling contractor that will help you through this process. At SCS we have experience in all facets of home remodeling general contracting and the remodeling process and here are our top tips for a homeowner looking to increase the value of their Lawrence, Kansas City or Topeka home:
















1. Design

Make sure you pay attention to the design process. Particularly if the remodeling project is a complicated or intensive design project. Bring in professionals general contractors and professionals as needs such as architects, designers and contractors. SCS can guide you  through this process and help pick the right professional for your job in the Kansas City Area.

2. Implementation.

The implementation of your design process is something that should involve your contractor and all other parties during the remodeling process. SCS will help guide you through this process by working with you and another other professionals who are part of the process.

3. Communication.
Communicating with your contractor is one of the most important things you can do during the remodeling process. By making sure you have open lines of communication you can make sure that details that are important to you when remodeling your house are not overlooked by your contractor and the other parties involved in the upgrade to your Kansas City home.

4. Prepare For The Demolition.
There are some structural and cosmetic that require the take down of existing structures and elements during the remodel. It is important that you prepare for these by either working with your contractor to insure you living space is not impacted or that you have alternate living arrangements. This will prevent any associated problems during the remodel process  in your Kansas City home.  

5. Keep Your Eye On The Prize.
Remodeling your Kansas City home can be a stressful and sometimes overwhelming process. However, if you keep in mind the beautiful home you envisioned when starting this process and the increased value to your home you will have less problems in the future.

SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, basement finishing, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas . Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.
Our services include:
ACOUSTICAL CEILING, ACOUSTICAL CEILING REMOVAL, BACK SPLASH, BASEBOARD, BATHROOM REMODEL, BLOCK WALLS, BLUEPRINTS, BUILDING PERMIT, CABINETS, CEILING SCRAPE DOWN, CEILING TEXTURING , CERAMIC TILE, COUNTER TOPS, CARPENTRY, CARPETING, COMMERCIAL BUILDING, CROWN MOLDING, DECKS, DEMOLITION
DOORS AND HARDWARE, DOWN LIGHTS , DRYWALL, DRYWALL FINISHING, DRYWALL TEXTURING, EIFS REPAIR, FLOORS, FLOORING, FRAMING, , EGRESS WINDOWS, ELECTRICAL, GRANITE WORKS, INSULATION, SOUND/THERMAL, HARDWOOD FLOORS, HVAC, KITCHEN REMODEL, LIGHTS, LIGHTING, MASONRY, PAINTING, PORCELAIN TILE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, ROOM ADDITIONS, STEEL STUD FRAMING, STUCCO REPAIR, TAPING, TEE BAR CEILINGS, TERMITE, DAMAGE REPAIRS, TILE, TRIM, WINDOW REPLACEMENT, WOOD ROT, WOOD FRAMING, DECKS, PATIOS, DRYWALL, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, HISTORIC BUILDING, DRYWALL FINISHING, INSULATING, TRIM, CABINETS, CROWN, MOLDING, PAINT, DOOR AND WINDOW INSTALLS, KITCHEN REMODELS, BATH REMODELS,  BASEMENT REMODELS, ROOM ADDITIONS, LIGHT COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, TENANT FINISH, COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING.

​If you have any questions about drywall, home remodeling or any other project in Lawrence, Topeka or Kansas City do not hesitate to contact us at SCS. We are experienced and affordable. You can reach us by phone at 785-840-4040  or click here to send us and email.

By Brian J. Curry

Choosing a drywall contractor in Lawrence or Kansas City can be an expensive and confusing option if not done properly.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a drywall contractor. SCS is experience, reliable and affordable when it comes to drywall installation. We have outlined several factors to consider when choosing your next drywall contractor in Kansas City Lawrence and Topeka.


1. Make sure the contractor has workmens comp and liability insurance.


Always make sure your Kansas City contractor has the appropriate insurance and licenses when choosing a contractor. Here at SCS we have years of experience in drywall contracting and can offer you peace of mind when choosing your drywall contractor.

2. Get multiple quotes.

A good contractor will come and measure your house before supplying you with a quote. You can take this opportunity to ask them any questions you may have.

3. Check the phone book as well as online for contractor listings and read the reviews online about the contractor.

Online reviews and listings can be an excellent way to choose a drywall Kansas City contractor. There are many online resources including Google, Bing, Yelp, etc to help you choose the best Kansas City drywall contractor. However, do not rely on the online reviews alone, call a contractor that you may be interested in and check their customer service and references.

4. Don't always go with the lowest quote. Choose quality and reliability over price.

Price is one consideration but you should always choose quality over price from your Kansas City general contractors. Many of the lowest price contractors will not always offer the best service or final product.

5. Get references.

References are critical when choosing a new drywall contractor. It is very important to determine if your Lawrence or Kansas City drywall contractor has good references and is a reliable drywall contractor.

 By Brian J. Curry
 Use SCS as your home remodeling contractor in Kansas City

     A kitchen remodeling project can  be a challenging and frustrating            experience for any homeowner. Before starting a kitchen remodeling project there are a variety of factors to consider. Choosing a contractor is one of the most important. SCS is an experienced, dependable contractor that can help with all your home remodeling needs. SCS offers custom home, kitchen, bath, basement, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas.    Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.  Home remodeling contractors in  Kansas City are ideal.
Our services include:
ACOUSTICAL CEILING, ACOUSTICAL CEILING REMOVAL, BACK SPLASH, BASEBOARD, BATHROOM REMODEL, BLOCK WALLS, BLUEPRINTS, BUILDING PERMIT, CABINETS, CEILING SCRAPE DOWN, CEILING TEXTURING , CERAMIC TILE, COUNTER TOPS, CARPENTRY, CARPETING, COMMERCIAL BUILDING, CROWN MOLDING, DECKS, DEMOLITION
DOORS AND HARDWARE, DOWN LIGHTS , DRYWALL, DRYWALL FINISHING, DRYWALL TEXTURING, EIFS REPAIR, FLOORS, FLOORING, FRAMING, , EGRESS WINDOWS, ELECTRICAL, GRANITE WORKS, INSULATION, SOUND/THERMAL, HARDWOOD FLOORS, HVAC, KITCHEN REMODEL, LIGHTS, LIGHTING, MASONRY, PAINTING, PORCELAIN TILE, PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, ROOM ADDITIONS, STEEL STUD FRAMING, STUCCO REPAIR, TAPING, TEE BAR CEILINGS, TERMITE, DAMAGE REPAIRS, TILE, TRIM, WINDOW REPLACEMENT, WOOD ROT, WOOD FRAMING, DECKS, PATIOS, DRYWALL, HISTORIC PRESERVATION, HISTORIC BUILDING, DRYWALL FINISHING, INSULATING, TRIM, CABINETS, CROWN, MOLDING, PAINT, DOOR AND WINDOW INSTALLS, KITCHEN REMODELS, BATH REMODELS,  BASEMENT REMODELS, ROOM ADDITIONS, LIGHT COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION, TENANT FINISH, COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING,.

We specialize in home remodeling including basements, kitchens, bathrooms and whole house remodels in Kansas City. Our team have put together a list of items that you should consider when starting your home remodeling projects in Kansas City: 

Hire The Right Kansas City, Lawrence or Topeka Contractor and Get The Correct Permits:
When  hiring a Kansas City, Lawrence or Topeka contractor find one who has references, sample projects and all the proper licensing. Get approval and obtain all necessary permits from your city’s planning department before beginning any remodeling project.  Always use a home remodeling contractor in Kansas City.  

Make Sure The New Style Is A Fit For the Rest of The House.
Unless you’re changing the look of the entire home, keep your new Kansas City kitchen’s style consistent with the home’s style, from classic with crown moldings to minimalist with clean lines. Don't forget about your Kansas City Basement. Discuss the kitchen’s work triangle --a well-flowing, triangular path from the fridge to the stove to the sink -- with your cabinetry retailer or installer. Always talk with your remodeler in Kansas City.  

Cabinets and Cabinetry
Choose cabinetry that complements your style and kitchen appliances. Also choose Kansas city materials that are durable yet attractive.

Appliances
Choose energy-efficient appliances in Kansas City that suit your lifestyle, such as a large refrigerator for a large family and a convection, gas or double oven for the cooking enthusiast. Select a brand that you trust, and ask your retailer about warranties, delivery and their return policy.  Let a home remodeling contractor in Kansas City help you today.  

Investment
Make sure you have set a budget and determined that this upgrade to your home in Kansas City will result in incremental value for the  home in the long term.   Unless you will be in the home for a long time and then it is often best to make your self happy and upgrade as necessary.   Home remodeling contractors in Kansas City can help you with your project. Also be sure to use a home remodeling contractor in Kansas City KS.  

For more information or to ask a question about a home remodeling project in Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, overland park, Topeka or Kansas City visit the contact page of our website or call 785-840-4040. 

SCS offers custom home remodeling, kitchen remodeling, bath remodeling, basement finishing, room additions and total home remodeling services with unprecedented reliability and a conscientious desire to help our customers achieve their dreams in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. On the commercial side we provide services for light commercial construction, tenant finish and general contracting services also in the Lawrence, Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa, Overland Park, Kansas City and Topeka, KS areas. Contact us today and find out why our customers are completely satisfied with their remodeling and home building projects.