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Vetting a contractor, Part 2

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Public Notices

Public Notices

Q. We need some advice on how to pick a contractor. Our neighbors down the street are going through a tough time with delays, seemingly shoddy work that didn’t pass inspection and extra costs for things they didn’t want or expect. Do you have any suggestions on how to interview a contractor, and what to ask about or look for in their proposal? We want to avoid what our neighbor is going through.

A. Continuing from last week, make a checklist of questions. Ask how long the contractor has been in business, and check the information with New York state. Businesses are registered in the state Department of State database, at dos. ny.gov. If the company isn’t there, ask if they have a different name — but ask. Giving a large sum of money to a business without confirming who they are is risky.

Ask The Architect Monte Leeper

Anthony M. Ponte Broker Owner

Stonegate Real Estate 2A Poole Street Oceanside, NY 11572

Cell: (516) 852-2071 Office: (516) 740-2777

Open Houses

HEWLETT BAY PARK 7/2, 11-12:30

190 Meadowview Ave Ever Dream of Living in A Castle? This 8000 Sq Ft Mansion is Full of Character. Amazing Architectural Details, Soaring Ceilings, Stained Glass Windows. 5 BR, 6.55 Bths. Sprawling 1.3 Acre Prop with IG Gunite Pool.

SD#14.Near All. Must See This Unique Home!..REDUCED $2,999,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas elliman 516-238-429 ba

HEWLETT HARBOR BA, 1025 Seawane Dr,NEW TO MARKET! Beautiful 4 BR, 4.5 Bth Contemporary Home on Ω Acre Resortlike Prop. LR,DR, EIK & Family Room All Overlooking IG Gunite Pool & Magnificent Landscaping.Soaring Ceilings, Loads of Natural Light. Fabulous House For Entertaining. Circular Driveway, 2 Car Att Gar. SD #14...$1,899,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Open Houses

WOODMERE BA, 504 Saddle Ridge Rd., FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Move Right Into This Renovated 4 BR, 2 Bth Split with Open Layout in Prime Location! Granite/Wood EIK Opens to Dining Room & Living Room. Lower Level Den. HW Flrs, Gas Heat, CAC. Oversized Property! SD#14.Near All!..$999,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

Apartments For Rent

CEDARHURST NO FEE Private Entrance, Modern 1BR, 2BR, 3BR, CAC, W/D, Storage, Wall To Wall Carpeting, Indoor Parking Space. Starting At $1450 For One Bedroom When Available. (516)860-6889/ (516)852-5135/ (516)582-9978

Next, contact the Department of Consumer Affairs, which issues the contractor’s license. This serves more than one purpose, by confirming the contractor has a clean record, and is licensed for the work you want done. You’ll need the license number to give to your municipality to apply for a permit for the work. This information is available by looking up your county consumer affairs office.

When the time comes, the same should be done for your plumber and your electrician, both of whom are supposed to be licensed and on file with the local jurisdiction where the work will be done. From time to time, people use an electrician’s or plumber’s license number but aren’t that plumber or electrician. This just complicates and delays things, since no local government will issue a permit without confirming that the license number given to the owner matches the name of the license holder. When the wrong information is given, suspicions arise. Whatever the arrangement is, the correct information must be given.

The same goes for insurance. When you interview a contractor, familiarize yourself with the insurances that are required by your local building department, and be sure to verify that the contractor you are interviewing can provide the documents.

1638 Ridgeway Dr, BA, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! Well Maintained 6 BR, 3.5 Bth 3500 Sq Ft Exp CH Colonial on Beautiful St. LR/Fpl, Spac Fam Rm/Fpl, FDR, EIK & Sun Rm Overlooking 1/3 Acre Resortlike Prop, IG Lap Pool, Hot Tub, Bar & Gazebo. FBsmt. 2

Car Gar. SD#20 $1,149,000

1193 E. Broadway # M23, BA, Move Right Into This Stunning Gut Renovated 2 BR,

Real Estate

MOTIVATED SELLER: 44 Mohawk Way, Elizabethtown, NY Adirondack Mountain Home overlooking village.Stunning attention to details, blazing internet, close to I-87 and Ferry to Vermont. Christine Benedict, 518-593-0533 or Christine.adkrealtor@gmail.com

HEWLETT HARBOR BA, 1051 Channel Dr, FIRST TIME ON MARKET! 3/4 BR, 2.5 Bth Split on Beautiful Ω Acre Parklike Property. Updtd Gran/Wood EIK, Spac LR/DR with Vaulted Ceiling & Fpl, & Fam Rm. 2 Car Att Gar.Endless Possibilities!

SD#14...$1,349,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-429

HEWLETT HARBOR BA 246 Adams Rd, NEW TO MARKET! Elegant & Stately 4200 Sq Ft CH Col on Beautiful Quiet St. 5 BR, 4.55 Bth. Sweeping Staircase. All Spacious Rooms with Top Quality Finishes. Amazing Fam Rm with Cathedral Ceiling Overlooking 1 Acre Resortlike Prop Featuring IG Gunite Pool, Patio & Tennis Ct. XL Fin Bsmt. Upper Level has Primary Ste w/ Dressing Rm & Bth Plus 3 BRs & 2 Bths. 2 Car Att Gar.Low Taxes!

SD#20..$2,500,000 Ronnie Gerber, Douglas Elliman 516-238-4299

MoneyTo Lend

ARE YOU BEHIND $10k OR MORE ON YOUR TAXES? Stop wage & bank levies, liens & audits, unfiled tax returns, payroll issues, & resolve tax debt FAST. Call 888-869-5361 (Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-5pm PST)

Cemetery Plots

CEMETERY PLOT FOR TWO For Sale: Pinelawn Cemetery. Garden Of Normandy North. Price Negotiable. 516-375-1905

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next, ask if the contractor will be arranging the required building inspections, in stages throughout the job, from your jurisdiction. Ask how you can also verify that the inspector was there. Many municipalities have gone to online portals where you can track which inspection has been done and whether a project passed. Discuss timelines, who will be managing the work onsite and whether there will be site meetings to keep up communications about the progress.

When you get to the point of discussing costs, confirm the method of payment. As I previously recommended, milestone payments for things you can see, such as when the concrete foundation is done, when the windows and doors are installed, etc., are the best way to keep track of the payment process. There’s a lot to be done, but this is one of the most expensive things you will ever do. Good luck!

© 2022 Monte Leeper

Readers are encouraged to send questions to yourhousedr@aol.com, with “Herald question” in the subject line, or to Herald Homes, 2 Endo Blvd., Garden City, NY 11530, Attn: Monte Leeper, architect.

Garage Sales

LIDO BEACH: SATURDAY 7/1/23 And Sunday 7/2/23 10am-4pm. 22 Biarritz Street (Off Lido Blvd.) Shoes, Clothes, Jewelry, Bags, Etc.

LYNBROOK - 176 CHARING CROSS Sat. 7/8. (Rain Date Sun. 7/9). 9am-3pm. Collectible Figurines, Home Furnishings, Housewares, Baseball Cards, Christmas Decorations & Much More.

SEAFORD: Saturday 7/1/23 and Sunday 7/2/23 9am-1pm. 1725 Washington Ave. Multi- family Moving Sale!

MERCHANDISE

Mar

Antiques/Collectibles

We Buy Antiques, Fine Art, Coins & Jewelry Same Day Service, Free In-Home Evaluations, 45 Year Family Business. Licensed and Bonded, Immediate Cash Paid. SYL-LEE ANTIQUES www.syl-leeantiques.com 516-671-6464

FINDS UNDER $100

Finds Under $100

1950'S HOME MOVIE Screen, Ray-Tone Royal Scot, $79. 516-798-2098

2 FOLDING CHAIRS, Deluxe, Padded by Meco, Black, Excellent, $39. 516-798-2098

20 LB YORK dumbell set of 2 and 12 lb Reebok dumbell set of 2. $60 for both. 516-785-6031

Finds Under $100

3 PIECE BEIGE leather sectional couch. Good condition. $99 call Lisa @ 516-241-7713

ELECTRIC SINGER #95 sewing machine with table. Good condition $75. Call Lisa@ 516-241-7713

GOLF BAG 3 Woods 8 irons $65

(516) 445-7390.

MIKASA BONE CHINA: Service for 12. All Serviing Pieces. White with Silver Rim, $80. 516-840-6081

SNACK PLATES FLEUR de Lis 12 plates

10 teacups $60. 516 445-3212

VINTAGE CHODZIEZ BONE china complete service for 8. Made in Poland $80.00. 516-785-6031

SERVICES

Brick/Block/Concrete/Masonry

*MICHAEL LO BAIDO CONSTRUCTION*

Cement Specialist, Brickwork, Interlock Bricks, Belgium Blocks, Stoops, Patios, Driveways, Sidewalks, Basement Entrances, Pavers, Waterproofing. Quality Work, Lic./ Ins. Owner Always Onsite Free Estimates 516-354-5578

Decks

DECKS DECKS Our Only Business COMPOSITES/WOOD

Handyman

HANDYMAN

Home

LITO CONSTRUCTION

Home Improvement/ Construction 10% OFF ANY JOB OVER $2,000 Masonry, Brick Work, Stone Decor, Pointing, Tile, Driveways, Sidewalks, Steps, Framing, Foundations, Remodel Interiors, Extensions, Bathrooms, Basements. Licensed/ Insured. Free Estimates. 516-564-8315, 516-376-9365

WIREMAN/CABLEMAN/HANDYMAN

FLAT TVS mounted, Phone, TVs&Computer wiring installed & serviced, camera &stereos , HDTV – Antennas- FREE TV www.davewireman.com Call Dave 516-433-WIRE (9473) 631-667-WIRE (9473) or Text 516-353-1118

Miscellaneous

BEST SATELLITE TV with 2 Year Price Guarantee! $59.99/mo with 190 channels and 3 months free premium movie channels! Free next day installation! Call 888-508-5313

Painting

OLD SALT PAINTING Small Job Specialist Great Rates, Free Estimates 516-312-9643

Power Washing

POWERWASHING ALL SURFACES: Houses, Fences, Concrete/ Brick, Decks/Sealing. . ANTHONY & J HOME IMPROVEMENT, INC. 516-678-6641

Tree Services

T&M GREENCARE TREE SERVICE

*Tree Removal *Stump Grinding *Pruning *Roof Line Clearing. Residential and Commercial. "We Beat All Competitors' Rates." Lowest Rates. *Senior Discount. Free Estimates. *516-223-4525, 631-586-3800 www.tmgreencare.com

Satellite/TV Equipment

DIRECTV. NEW 2-YEAR Price Guarantee. The most live MLB games this season, 200+ channels and over 45,000 on-demand titles. $84.99/mo for 24 months with CHOICE Package. Some restrictions apply. Call DIRECTV 1-888-534-6918

Sprinkler Syst./Irrig.Wells

Satellite/TV Equipment

DISH TV $64.99 For 190 Channels + $14.95 High Speed Internet. Free Installation, Smart HD DVR Included, Free Voice Remote. Some restrictions apply. Promo Expires

PROFESSIONAL

Education

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