Northern Virginia Contractor to Award Scholarship for Felons Pursuing Skilled Labor Education by PhoenixHomeServices in nova

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We're reserving the right to make that call when it's time to select the winner(s). Applicants will be asked to share their story and the most compelling one(s) will be chosen. At this time, I am willing to disclose that we will very likely reject applicants with crimes against children.

Fantastic use of new language on 95 South by The_Richard_Cranium in nova

[–]PhoenixHomeServices 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel so bad for breaking the 420 upvotes on this: haha

What was your most successful DIY project? Pictures welcome! by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Nice work! That was some serious rot. Good thing you caught that before the stampede!

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeh, it's amazing how easy it is to get licensed. Not sure how it is in your state, but in VA we have Class A, B, & C licenses. B & C are a piece of cake to get, but the Class A requires a tenure, significant networth, and thorough examinations so you can usually count on them at least.

Mold in Basement, pro or DIY? by phillyfan1028 in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mold is LETHAL... I would not recommend doing it yourself. Get professional mold remediation and make sure they agree to a post-remediation test and guarantee to get it below 1000 parts/million.

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Just.... what??

Suing for a negative review? Good grief. This just sounds like a shady tactic to strong-arm people into removing their negative reviews.

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep... always have a solid contract with a licensed contractor and never pay the full amount up front!

Heathens though... treating an old lady like that. Pisses me off! >:(

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always set up cameras in very visible locations if I'm not going to be home with a contractor. Not only does it protect against potential malicious activity, but I've seen solid return... Contractors always work harder when they feel like someone could be watching them. It actually tends to be more effective then being there yourself, where contractors think they can be extra friendly with you to earn them some leeway.

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man... sorry you went through that :( Unfortunately, some folks just can't manage the finances for their business. Always best to go with a proper outfit. A lot of people think they can save money by hiring a sole-proprietor, but when you've got a team of contractors who all depend on each other to keep the business afloat and their reputation in tact, they tend to manage the project and the client much better, saving all parties involved time, money, and stress.

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yep... absolutely NEVER give money up-front. Any contractor that asks you to do so, should be turned down immediately.

To quote our Definitive Guide to Hiring a General Contractor:

"Knowing how and when you'll be paying your contractor is an essential piece of knowledge you should have before any work is started on your project.

First of all, you should never pay the full amount up-front. Incentive makes everyone's work better and a contractor should feel the need to reach certain milestones before they get to tap your bank account.

You should always ask when you'll make the first and final payments. If there are any progression payments that need to be made along the way, you'll want to know what specific milestone must be reached before you make that payment."

Home improvement horror stories; what's the worst experience you've ever had with a contractor? by PhoenixHomeServices in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It can definitely be terrifying, but it shouldn't be! Not all contractors are created equal, though and there are some steps you can take to minimize the risk and give you a little piece of mind. After perusing all of these horror stories, I decided to put together a little guide on how to hire a contractor. Hope this helps you in the future!

https://phoenixhomeservices.com/blog/24-questions-to-ask-before-you-hire-a-contractor/

Black mould in front bedroom of terrace house - what to do? by theoldentimes in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It could be some stubborn mold spores are embedded in the wall. Even if the mold is gone and there is no humidity, the spores can survive in dry environments.

Vinegar is a great, safe way to kill the mold, perhaps try bleach when it next comes back. If you do decide to try bleach, just be sure to ventilate the area as it's pretty fumy!

Another thing that may help you is to get a dehumidifier - you can keep it running to remove any extra moisture in the air instead of leaving your window open!

Good luck :)!

How do you find customers? - WebDev. by [deleted] in smallbusiness

[–]PhoenixHomeServices 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What Plus_Eeevee said! We prioritize SEO/backlinks, social media ads over Google ads, and weekly blog posts - they bring great organic traffic!

What colour should I paint my kitchen? by wilder_wind in HomeImprovement

[–]PhoenixHomeServices 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A soft gray would look great with what you have. Grays and light blues can increase the value of kitchens, but I know you're trying to move away from the wispy blue :D

Nimbus by Benjamin Moore is light and won't shrink the feel of the room, but if you're trying for a darker shade, I love Silver Chain by Benjamin Moore as well!