General Contracting and the Rule of Thirds

When a leaky pipe needs fixing, a porch needs building, or a house needs remodeling, many homeowners hire a contractor to get the job done. Home improvement contractors are those who agree to fulfill the demands of a contract securing a service between two or more people within the context of the interior remodeling and outdoor living space industry. In any standard contract, money is exchanged for these services, but where do contractors get their price quotes from, and how can you tell if their estimate is legitimate?

How to Determine if Your Contractor’s Estimate is Accurate

Most contractors in Maryland and Virginia will break down a project into thirds when conceiving an estimate. In practice, these thirds consist of (1) materials, (2) labor and (3) overhead expenses and profit. However, the total presented in an initial estimate is not always an accurate projection of how much a build will actually cost, be it a deck, screened porch, or outdoor kitchen design. Inexperienced or shady contractors do not always account for additional fees, unexpected costs, and other pricey details that can arise after a build is started.

Top 5 Cost Factors for Outdoor Electrical Outlets

There’s no getting around it; exterior outlets aren’t pretty. Local ordinances demand that exterior electrical outlets be designed to be weatherproof and tamper-proof for safety reasons, and their protective watertight casings can be bulbous, bulky, and downright ugly.

Local building ordinances also require all screen porches to have a minimum of one outlet. Not only are outlets necessary if you want to design a porch that complies with building standards, exterior outlets can also be useful if you want to use a TV, stereo system, or lamp on your screened porch.

What factors determine the cost of upgrading to a screened room?

If you own a classic screened porch, you know the pleasures only screened rooms can provide. For years, it’s given you and your family shade from the hot sun and cool rain. It has protected your family from pesky insects while allowing you all to enjoy the benefits of fresh, natural air. Your screen room has been the venue for countless family gatherings, celebrations, and lazy Sunday afternoons.

Screened porches and exterior decks are similar in many ways. They are both used for leisure and are attached to the exterior of a home. The major difference that distinguishes a screened porch from a deck? A roof.