Industry News:
Are you renovating, repairing or painting a home, child care facility or school built before 1978?
Beginning April 22, 2010, federal law requires that contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb more than six square feet of paint in homes, child care facilities, and schools built before 1978 must be certified and trained to follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination. more...
Q: Why Do I Need A Licensed Contractor in Maryland?
A: Because it's the law!
Under Maryland Law, a real estate agent that recommends an unlicensed home improvement contractor can be fined up to $5,000. This can be found in the civil penalty (fine) provision of the Business Regulation Article, Sec. 8-620(a), Annotated Code of Maryland.
Tip-offs to Potential Rip-offs
Right from the start, you can eliminate what are likely to be less-than-reputable contractors by considering a list of traits common to rip-off artists. Both the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau have found the following to be indications that a contractor may not be interested in satisfying customers:
- Solicits door-to-door: Be suspicious of contractors who attempt to gain business by visiting door-to-door. "Cold calls" can sometimes mean that the contractor is not from a local, established business but is instead just passing through and trying to make a quick buck.
- Has materials left over from a previous job: It is not your lucky day when a contractor shows up on your doorstep offering a cut-rate price on a project because they have materials left over from a recent job at your neighbor’s house or the house “down the street.” This is a common ploy of fly-by-night operators or handymen who are based out-of-state and use their pick-up trucks as their place of business.
- Asks you to get the required building permits: This could be a sign that the contractor is hoping to avoid contact with the local agency that issues such permits. Perhaps he is not licensed or registered, as required by your state or locality. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project.
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Testimonials
"I just wanted to thank you, Matt and the rest of the crew for the great job done on remodeling our sun room. Everyone I came in contact with was professional, courteous, and obviously skilled. After working with a number of other contractors, it's encouraging to find a company that truly takes pride in the finished product. I also appreciated the fact that I was kept abreast of your progress and was left with a clean and organized job site at the end of each day..."
-Steve M., West Friendship, MD
"[I would] ...like to thank you for your excellent and prompt work done in my new home... I wish you all the success and good luck. This is the way business is supposed to be done."
-Maria K., Owings Mills, MD
"Thanks for a great experience on our recent addition. Your crew was timely, professional, and very neat. We are so happy with the end result of our new room; it's exactly what we pictured... We'll recommend you again and again!"
-Sean & Jen K., Eldersburg. MD
"Awesome, you definitely take the cake as the ONLY technically advanced contractor that I know. I am used to getting drawings on the back of a scrap of drywall, and digital photos are out of the question!"
-Mike Y., A Material Supplier in Baltimore
"..From our initial meeting you immediately grasped our concept and vision and set out to meet our every expectation. The most important aspects of this project were timing and making sure the addition blended well with the existing house. You certainly obtained both of these goals, and we constantly get compliments from the neighbors stating that the addition looks like it was part of the original house... you provided us exactly what we were looking for and delivered a superior product to our family... I can truly say AJ DeLuca Contractors is the best choice for any home project in Carroll County. We are eternally grateful for taking the "Con" out of Contracting, just like your motto states on your uniform shirts!"
-Nicholas & Michelle G., Eldersburg, MD
"..You have truly transformed the room into a space that I am proud to show to our members and guests... Your entire crew was a pleasure to work with; I appreciate their cleanliness, professionalism, and overall respect for our day to day activities. The staff and members of the Club barely new there was a major renovation taking place just feet from their events!"
- Keri K.,Director of Member Services. The Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion.
"Thank you for doing the railings so quickly! They look great and the guys did a great job with no mess!" "ps- You matched the stain perfectly!"
- Nancy D., Eldersburg
"Saved us from making a big mistake!" "My wife and I were in the market for buying an old home... We found a house that was the right price on the right street at the right time, but it was too small and ugly. AJ DeLuca Contractors visited the home with us and gave us an all-inclusive estimate for the project and reviewed it with us... By laying it all out for us, we realized we were trying to make the house into something it wasn't. AJ DeLuca stopped us from heading down the wrong road, saving us from buying the wrong house and, as a result, probably saving our marriage!"
- Rob S., Baltimore
"We were pleased with the professionalism and work of the construction team. Thank you for taking on the job... [we] are extremely happy with the finished results."
- Judy B., Woodbine, MD
