Bill Simone isn’t content to just condemn the practices of unethical remodeling contractors. He’s taking steps to stop them. As president of Los Angeles-based Custom Design & Construction, one of America’s top 50 residential remodeling firms as well as California’s Remodeler of the Year, he is well qualified to meet the challenge.
"Too many people who are planning to remodel their homes lack the information that enables them to recognize scam artists for what they are. When they finally realize that they have been duped, serious and costly problems must be dealt with. My objective is to head off those problems by providing needed information based on insight gained during more than 15 years in the business of remodeling homes. And I intend to reach as many people as possible," he declared.
What prompted Simone to take on the bad apples in his profession?
"My company is frequently called in by homeowners to clean up the mess these people create. I hear horror stories of unfulfilled promises, shoddy workmanship and unfinished jobs. I see firsthand the disappointment and anger of people who unwisely put their trust in these unprincipled individuals. And it’s appalling."
Simone believes that homeowners can avoid becoming victims through careful pre-planning and by becoming familiar with the remodeling process.
To facilitate planning and familiarization, he has compiled a consumer report entitled "Six Secrets to Successful Remodeling." It focuses on the most critical mistakes made by homeowners when selecting a remodeling contractor and during the remodeling process. The report then provides tips on avoiding these mistakes.
Simone developed and published "Six Secrets to Successful Remodeling. at his own expense and offers it to the public at no charge. The thousands of copies already distributed have earned praise from those in the remodeling industry and from homeowners coast to coast. In the report, Simone prefaces his explanation of the six secrets by calling attention to the "nightmare stories of botched jobs, scam artists, fly-by-nighters, unfinished jobs and general lack of professionalism."
He relates this situation to contemporary lifestyles, pointing out that "most of us are just too busy these days to take the time to acquire all the important information that is necessary when deciding on a major expenditure like how to go about a remodel of our home." The challenge, he argues, is to find that extra time and expend the effort necessary to assure a trouble-free remodel.
This introduction is followed by two case histories. One is a "horror story" involving a homeowner who was totally unfamiliar with the ramifications of home remodeling. Based on a simple letter of agreement, she hired a contractor without thoroughly interviewing and investigating him. He subsequently performed unauthorized work and, of course, billed for it. Three years of litigation followed.
The other case history recounts a highly satisfactory remodeling experience enjoyed by a homeowner. She hired a remodeling contractor who took the time to document and schedule every task in a truly business-like manner. She also got to know—and appreciate—the contractor of her choice before she hired him.
With the problems clearly defined, the report launches into the six secrets that can lead to their solution. The first corrects a number of commonly held misconceptions regarding the remodeling process in general. Secret number two provides full information on the scams most often used by unscrupulous contractors. The third secret lists ten questions to ask before inviting him out to your home. The fourth secret explains the biggest mistakes homeowners make and how to avoid them. The subject of the fifth secret is how to tell if your remodeling project will run smoothly—before you sign the contract. The report concludes with what Simone calls "the greatest secret of all:" Plan your project with a qualified remodeling expert, whom he describes in the report as "someone who can help you through the maze of planning, not to mention all the bureaucratic red tape awaiting you at the building department. Someone who listens to your every concern. Someone who subscribes to the principles and secrets discussed above."
As part of the ongoing effort to make the valuable information in "Six Secrets to Successful Remodeling.accessible to more homeowners, Simone is distributing the report at an upcoming free seminar designed to cover all phases of remodeling. To make seminar reservations, obtain information on a particular remodeling project, or to order a free copy of "Six Secrets To Successful Remodeling," contact Custom Design & Construction at 3652 Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90034. Or call (310) 815-4815
