Category Archives: Decoration

Reviews On Construction Estimating Software

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Construction estimating refers to calculating the materials needed, costs, and quantities necessary for a certain construction project. In today’s digital age, many things are done electronically, so this is certainly no exception. Instead of toiling with pencil and paper to calculate these things, what’s called a construction estimating software is used. An electronic blueprint is ultimately the result after the user inputs many parameters like dimensions, budget, and materials needed. Eventually, the user will be given a full report of the exact cost of their project as well as costs of changes or amount per day.

If you’re an individual who is looking for construction estimating software to help you, it’s important to do some research before you decide which one to buy. Like cars, there are many different brands, varieties, and price ranges out there that satisfy different needs, so make sure you go to different sites available on the internet to check them out. A great website that gives a thorough review of construction estimating software is http://www.toptenreviews.com. Makers of the website give you what the names presents: the best ten construction cost estimating software that they choose. Of course, if you’re simply starting out, you might not need all the features presented on the number one choice the site gives you, and can opt out for a cheaper but also useful brand. Prices from $99 all the way to $1595.00 are available even on the top ten list, so make sure you look carefully before purchasing.

Another easy to use website is http://www.buyerzone.com. The approach this website uses is somewhat different, because they ask you to fill out an extensive survey on your individual needs for the software, and then give reviews for what they think is appropriate for your individual situation. This feature is completely free and the website states its purpose which is to give aid to serious business owners. On top of that, it’s very easy to use because the buyer only needs to check off what features he or she needs and all the information they need will be give out. The site is mentioned in USA Today so it’s a reliable service as well.

No matter if you’re a new entrepreneur looking for a cheap way to start out or an experienced and already successful owner of a construction business, the two websites provide a perfect way for you to find what you’re looking for.

Construction Contract Template – Framework For Legal Contracts

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Once any construction project is procured, it is time to form come up with a contract between the contractor and the owner of the structure. There are a number of construction contract templates available today which can be used as a guide to form your own contract. The rules and legal clauses differ from one state to the other; hence, it is better to opt for legal advice before signing these contracts.

The basic construction contract template has seven to eight different sections, depending on your requirements. If the building comes with all the furnishings and the complete package, then the contract can extend beyond eight sections. A construction contract template cannot act as a legal contract but can only be used as a basis to build the original contract.

Structure and Plan

This section will cover all conditions about the structure and state specifically the roles of owner and the contractor, in terms of the construction site, the prior arrangements owner should take care of before the commencement of construction and the contractor’s duties with respect to the construction.

Payment

This will talk about all the payments and the due date by which the owner is supposed to pay them. Consequences of the payment being missed and the construction being stopped are also covered under them.

Utilities

This will have all the utilities the contractor is supposed to provide with the structure. The contractor will only provide services and utilities listed under this clause.

Responsibility Towards the Structure

This will have all the details of when the contractor can be held responsible if the structure fails, or collapses. All legal issues that do not bind the contractor, if the structure is damaged are listed in this section.

Building Possession

This will state when the owner can have possession of the building and what will happen if the construction of the building extends before the contract period.

General Terms

All other requirements and specific needs in the can be listed under this section as general provisions.

Oregon’s New Construction Contract Laws

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Legislators in Salem dropped a long list of new statutes on Oregon contractors in 2008. Like many other states, Oregon has jumped with both feet into writing residential construction contracts. And, like other states, Oregon imposes stiff penalties on contractors who are not paying attention. Most of the new requirements are simple disclosures designed to educate the buyer (home owner) before agreeing to anything.

If the value of a residential job exceeds $1,000, you’ll need to supply a notice about construction liens. If the value exceeds $2,000, the contract has to include both a Consumer Protection Notice and a Notice of Procedure. All three of these notices have to be signed by both the contractor and the owner. The contractor has to keep a file copy for two years. The fine for failure to comply is up to $5,000. These three disclosure forms are available from the Oregon Construction Contractors Board at the CCB site. Unfortunately, these disclosures are just the beginning.

Oregon Administrative Rules 812-012-0110 requires that residential contracts explain property owner rights and terms of the contract. Most of what’s required is strictly routine — names and numbers. But some of what has to be in the contract is pretty much off the wall (the right to file a complaint). The same rule requires a checkbox in the contract disclosing whether arbitration is required to settle disputes. These disclosures are part of the contract. So no separate signature is required. Finally, for residential work, the owner has to receive notice of the right to cancel, using either the federal right of rescission form or an equivalent Oregon form.

More disclosures are required if the project is a new residence (rather than home improvement). As of July 2008, the contractor has to offer a written warranty against defects in material and workmanship. The owner has to acknowledge receipt of that offer and indicate either acceptance or rejection. No separate signature is required because this offer has to be part of the basic contract. Finally, you have to provide a Moisture Intrusion and Water Damage Maintenance Schedule and have that schedule signed by both the contractor and the owner.

If you haven’t been counting, a total of seven disclosures are required, each with many parts. Obviously, it’s easy for an Oregon contractor to make a mistake. And more than a few have. In the last three months of 2008, nearly 600 Oregon contractors were fined by Oregon’s Construction Contractors Board. The average fine was about $1,000. Another 218 warnings were issued. Licenses were pulled on 204 contractors. In all, more than 2% of all licensed contractors in Oregon were cited by the CCB. And that was in just three months! Many of these fines were the result of a simple mistake — such as failure to attach a Consumer Protection Notice.

Oregon’s seven disclosures add at least four pages to the shortest, simplest home improvement contract you can imagine. I wonder if disclosures aren’t subject to the law of diminishing returns. Every additional disclosure form deflates the shock value of disclosures already made. If there’s a practical limit to how much disclosure is too much, Oregon may be getting close.

But don’t get me wrong. I like disclosures. The more the buyer knows, the better informed the decision. True, the new Oregon rules create a mine field for Oregon residential contractors. You have to be careful. But with one exception, Oregon has resisted the temptation to tip the fairness scale against contractors. That’s what Pennsylvania and Texas do — flatly outlawing some contract clauses or demanding a written warranty. Oregon doesn’t do that. At least not yet.

The one exception: Oregon Revised Statutes Section 87.037 denies lien rights to prime contractors who do work valued at over $2,000 without a written contract. Think about that. It’s heavy stuff. If you expect to get paid, you need a written contract.

I can recommend a safe path through the mine field Oregon has laid out. www.Construction-Contract.net has a good free selection of residential contracts that comply with Oregon law. All download at no charge.