Getting fence estimate - what questions should I ask?
jb989
16 years ago
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john_hyatt
16 years agonicole__
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Frozen/locked up compressor - what questions should I ask?
Comments (1)Without being there and checking the unit myself, I can only answer your replacement questions directly. I have several questions I would ask the tech. A stuck compressor can be restarted. I don't want to question the tech's ability and obviously can't at this distance. I'm going to do my best not to throw a lot of technical lingo at you. Considering the age of the unit, it would be best advice to replace it. I say that because it's age indicates other things have the possibility of going up over time and it will become a money pit. That's not always the case but it has the potential. The whole outside unit is called "the condensing unit" which contains the compressor, a fan, a condensing coil and a few electrical devices. The question you have regarding the attic area is a tough one to call from a long distance because consideration would have to be given to the size of the duct work, whether there are returns and the amount of insulation involved. I would suggest you get 3 estimates for replacement if you can. You would want each of those who look at replacing your unit to do a heat load calculation to determine what size unit you need. This will take into consideration what your house is made of, insulation values, windows, number of people in the home as well as a lot of technical data. The size of the unit will also have to take into consideration you duct work system (supply and return). After you get that information, why not post back here with it. There are a number of us here who can then help you determine what real questions you can ask, once we see what the techs are recommending. As for the window units, if you are running them all at the same time, you will be better off getting a central unit that does the whole house IF THEY CAN DO IT. I say if, because you might need all new duct work, maybe insulation, etc. and as you see, the costs may add up to an amount you may not want to spend. I don't mean to alarm you but I do think you need to see the reality you may be facing. I hope it is not that elaborate for you. I'm not familiar with the power companies in your area but maybe this suggestion might help with costs. Some power companies offer installation of equipment and add a payment plan onto your utility bill, making it a bit easier to deal with....See MoreShould I get multiple estimates?
Comments (5)I agree with ogoopogo. But what you do with the new information is a question. If a second estimate is in the same ballpark, a little higher or lower, go with the first people. But you may get a much lower estimate, a deliberately low number designed to suck you into a deal, and once they're hired they'll figure out a way to nickel and dime you to the point where their price isn't so low anymore. It's done all the time. The only way to protect against this is to get references, but that is not always reliable because they'll never give you references of customers they didn't treat right. So you have to go out on your own to get references or recommendations from friends or neighbors. It's a long and sometimes tedious process -- it takes time and patience. Another possible way out of your predicament, if the work you need done can be done that way, is to hire one of the first contractors, the one recommended by your trusted handyman company, but give them a LIMITED job to see how things play out. Then hire them for the whole job it you like them. The one thing in your favor right now is that the building industry is in a big slump, so it should be easy to find workers who are ready, willing and able....See MoreWhat questions should I ask Landscape architect?
Comments (8)You might want to do a web search including key words of your question, along with "gardenweb" and "Landscape Design forum". While the Landscape Design forum currently has fewer professionals now, it once had quite a number of helpful (though not always tactful) pros and I learned a lot there. Since this is a design/style thing, not only do you want to find someone who listens and has the appropriate training, but you want someone whose style fits what you want. So get references and not only talk to the reference for the same type of thing you would ask on any job, but either look at some of their work in person or look at their portfolio. There are also differences between landscape architects, landscape designers, and engineers, and depending on what you want done, different folks will bring different levels and types of expertise and training to the job. Some general things to think about before you have your meeting(s): Make a list of what you want in your yard and how you want to use it, ignoring what is currently there and not there. Are you a gardener and want to grow ornamentals or vegetables? Will you do your own maintenance or will you hire real gardeners or a mow, blow, and go service? Do you have kids or pets, and if so what are their needs? What is the traffic flow in your yard and do you want to change some of this? Do you like to entertain, and for what size groups? Do you like sitting out in your yard? Do you need to have any storage (trash cans, compost, lawn mower, etc.)? What issues and problems are there, such as lack of an afternoon shaded seating area or water flow or views you want to borrow or others you want to block, etc. What is your budget, and will you be doing this all at once or in stages, will you be doing the work or do you plan to hire out the work? A good book on home landscaping will probably have more of these questions to answer. Once you have thought through and answered some of these questions, you will be more ready to evaluate whether your landscape architect is right for you. You might also want to sketch out ideas, look at other folks' yards, look at other yards and gardens on the web or in books from the library so you can bring things that appeal to the meeting. In general, hardscape needs to be done first, but is also the most expensive part of the job, followed by any soil work. The plants will be the last thing added....See MoreWhat questions should I ask my father's financial advisor?
Comments (28)Ha! I'm still dealing with probate for my grandmother's estate and she passed away 2/1/2016. Yes 2016. We've been to probate court twice, so far. I am so ready for it to be over with! In our case we did not have to probate the house, but the funds. Anyhoo, I had a POA for my grandmother that was several pages long, very detailed. I could make any financial/business, etc. decisions, even selling of property. I never had to get anything different for anyone I dealt with. It was drawn up by an attorney. My sister had her medical POA (she is in the medical field). We've done the same for my dad. Having your name on the bank accounts doesn't mean you get all the money - if you dad has designated other beneficiaries. In our case there is a trust set up for one party and there is also a foundation that is a beneficiary. Legally, I was told I could keep all the money because my name was on the account(s). BUT, the will stated otherwise and of course I want to do what my grandparents (grandfather died first) wanted! If I had kept the money, others could have taken me to court - siting the will (and rightly so). With the POA I had, I was able to sell stock (our financial advisor advised me to do this BEFORE her death) and then re-invest an annuity that cashed out due to her age (she was 98 when she passed). I agree with pinkmountain. Ease the burden now. I never knew how much time settling an estate could take....See Moredavidandkasie
16 years agojohn_hyatt
16 years agoerighter
16 years ago
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