| Author |
Message |
    
Susan
Citizen
Username: Sms
Post Number: 6
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 8:56 pm: | 
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I have water damage to parts of my facia board and soffits and got several estimates for fix/replacement as well as reroofing of portion of my roof where damaged shingles were causing the problem. Tico's was the best price but I'd feel better if I had feedback from someone who has used them before. Can anyone provide first hand comments on the quality of their work? |
Shawna
Citizen
Username: Lucies_mom
Post Number: 126
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 11:36 pm: |
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This leads me to a question- if there is a sign on the front lawn advertising a place, is it ok to knock on the door and ask to see the work or is that rude?As for Tico's I've seen some top notch renovation work they've done and although I haven't hired them for anything, I would if i needed to. |
Politicalmon
Citizen
Username: Politicalmon
Post Number: 154
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, May 13, 2006 - 11:40 pm: |
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Tico is owned by Rutgers Painting - undocumented workers from Central America -no social security or taxes taken out for workers and they should be able to offer a better price then others. |
Susan
Citizen
Username: Sms
Post Number: 7
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 6:06 am: |
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Thanks Shawna. Yes I've thought about that. My neighbor suggested them because of the work he'd seen done on buildings with their sign in front. I suppose I could ask for references also (is that an accepted practice?). |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 195
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 6:51 am: |
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Hi,
I believe if there is a sign out, then you may definitely ask to see the work being done. And always ask for references. However, as you may well expect the only references you will receive are those where the previous work was done well.
Not wanting to make a political statement here but I don't think you will find local New Jerseyians (New Jerseyites?) who will do this type of work.
What you need to make sure that you see is proof of liability insurance and the license we receive from the NJ Dept of Consumer Affairs. Your contractor should have the NJ Consumer card with him/her while doing the work. It must be renewed each year. Note, also that any work that is not a capital improvement will have NJ state tax charged at 6 per cent. |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 395
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 9:41 am: |
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Sherri,
What about workman's comp insurance policy? This is just as crucial as liability insurance because if a un-insured worked gets injured while working at your home, the homeowner is liable.
I would not hire any contractor who doesn't show this coverage as well. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7672
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:00 am: |
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Susan - when we painted our house & had some carpentry work done, we asked for current references and older ones. We wanted to see the job 3-4 years later. It was very helpful. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 397
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:06 am: |
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I see your point, greentree, but, I gotta say though, I don't think I'd want someone trapsing thorough my house after 3-4 years. When a contractor contracts with a client, it never specifies that people will be able to view the thing years after the job is complete. I don't think this is fair to the older references. A phone call should be enough. So that way, no suspicians are raised if the older client says "I don't think so" when you suggest coming over. |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 196
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:18 am: |
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Darren,
Thank you for the info on Workmens Comp. I will check this further on Mon. However, while doing some research today it appears that the Workmens Comp is only necessary if you have a salaried worker. If someone who owns the business is doing the work, then Workmens Comp is not mandatory. Thanks again.
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george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 193
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
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Not only is it not mandatory,it would not cover a sole prop.,unless of course they were incorporated. |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 396
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 12:19 pm: |
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Still, I wouldn't hire a sole prop or a company that does not have a workman's comp policy.
What, are you saying the person who both owns and does the work can't come after the homeowner if they get hurt at your house and sue for damages? OF COURSE THEY CAN!
The only other thing I could think of is then having a sole prop or owner/worker sign a form that waives the homeowner of any liability if they get hurt "on the job" while working at your home.
I still don't know if that would cover the homeowner's you know what.
Also what if the sole prop owner/worker shows up with a helper. Whether or not that helper is a part time or full time employee if they get hurt at your home, they can come after you for lost income and other damages.
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gotoffadaroof
Citizen
Username: Upondaroof
Post Number: 702
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 2:37 pm: |
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Darren, workers comp only protects the employer from litigation by the employee. If an insured (workers comp) person gets injured while doing work at your home, ya better hope your insurance is paid to date and ya have a good lawyer. You may very well need both since the injured can sue you for damages. Been there. |
Susan
Citizen
Username: Sms
Post Number: 8
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
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Thanks everyone. Actually I just checked the estimate form and it states "fully insured: workman's compensation & liability" on it (and is on custom forms from Tico's Roofing & Carpentry) so it looks like that is probably standard. But I get your point that neither may prevent you from being sued for injuries if there is an accident while working on your house. I had not realized that that could happen.
I was fairly impressed with the two people that estimated the job from Tico's. They were on time (in fact a little early) and spoke knowledgeably. The description of the job was the same on the estimates from both companies (the third company - Scotts told me right up front that they don't do carpentry and therefore I was better off finding a roofing company that did both the carpentry and roofing).
I am leaning toward Tico and perhaps I can provide some feedback when I'm done.
Thanks for all the insights everyone.
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Brent Heindl
Citizen
Username: Bheindl
Post Number: 33
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 7:42 pm: |
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Susan,
Back to your original question...we had Tico's do some work for us and they did a great job. We had a couple of people bid, and they were the lowest. We're also having Rutgers paint the house this July, and we knew they use Tico's for any carpentry work needed around windows, etc.
Anyway, we had an old overhang off the back of our house taken down and a new one put up. The old one looked like a classic DIY by someone who wasn't a DIY'er. The one Tico's built mirrors our front porch--molded trim, beadboard ceiling, etc. Not that big, about 4x7 or so. The old overhang was just nailed into the shingles on the house. Tico's took shingles out and mounted to the frame of the house. They estimated two to three days for the job and were done in two. Cleaned up after themselves nicely, etc. My wife was home the whole time and said it couldn't have gone smoother.
Hope this helps.
--brent |
Susan
Citizen
Username: Sms
Post Number: 9
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 8:41 pm: |
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Thanks Brent. This is indeed what I was looking for. Appreciate the reference, |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 7673
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 9:52 pm: |
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Shana - Susan's question (and my response) were for the outside of the house. Not a major imposition. When I've gotten referrals for inside work, I usually speak with the customers via phone. Sometimes they offer a tour; I don't ask. For outside work, it is not invasive to stand on the sidewalk and check things out. I never entered a yard without an invite.
I wouldn't agree to be a referral for a contractor unless I were willing to, well, be a referral. And it's not always sufficient to talk to immediately preceeding customers.
Four months after our brand-new bathroom was built, the shower collapsed. Believe me, the referrals I gave the month after the job was finished was not the same as the ones I gave six months later. A year and a half later, we have yet another contractor in fixing things that have started to come apart.
It's very nice when they show up on time and are polite. My fake ex-contractor's crew never missed a day of work and finished on time. But the quality of the job over time is a deal-breaker for me. |
pjn
Citizen
Username: Pjn
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 10:50 pm: |
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Can someone provide the phone # for Tico's? We have some water damage in our family room (ceiling and wall) coming in from where the roof of the family room joins into the 2nd story exterior wall of the house. The flashing and watersealing job wasn't done well in the first place. I think I need some sheetrocking done on the interior and fixing up of the exterior roof. It sounds like this is something that Tico's would do, right? |
Brent Heindl
Citizen
Username: Bheindl
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 11:02 pm: |
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Tico's
973-378-3530 |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 402
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 14, 2006 - 11:26 pm: |
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Greentree: I fully understand. Unfortunately, though, I've recently had experience with people wanting to travel far and wide to see old work, and it is a little imposing, IMHO. Since the work is fine there are no worries, other than the imposition on the clients. Also, as you said, a phone conversation should reveal any "test of time" issues, too. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 5:02 am: |
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If you are having work done on your house, especially if the work is dangerous such as roofing, tree surgery, etc., you should obtain a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor naming you as an additional insured. Being named as an additional insured should make the contractors insurance primary in the event an employee is injured and decides to sue you, called in insurance parlance a third party over suit. Ideally, you should obtain a hold harmless clause from the contractor where he assumes responsibility for all suits brought as a result of his work, but this is more difficult to obtain. Workers' Compensation has to be on a "Statutory" basis (unlimited coverage) and the general liability and employeers' liabiliity limits should be at least $1,000,000.
The above is written from an insurance point of view and shouldn't be consider legal advice, as I am not an attorney. |
Darren Say Grrrrrrrr
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 397
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 7:45 am: |
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Very fine advice Bob. Very fine! |
tjohn
Supporter
Username: Tjohn
Post Number: 4321
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 8:55 am: |
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I once knocked on a homeowner's door to ask them who had done their renovation work. The homeowner was very helpful and probably a bit pleased that other some passerby had taken notice of the work done.
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Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 198
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:32 am: |
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Just got off the phone with my insurance company and they advised that if a company has no employees then workmans comp is not necessary. However, to protect our clients, I am inquiring as to how much it is to carry this insurance as well. |
cmontyburns
Citizen
Username: Cmontyburns
Post Number: 1825
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 9:53 am: |
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I'm still waiting on Politicalmom to add some more details on the bomb she dropped in the beginning of this discussion:
"Tico is owned by Rutgers Painting - undocumented workers from Central America -no social security or taxes taken out for workers and they should be able to offer a better price then others."
Any evidence to back this up, or you just enjoy trashing local businesses? |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3743
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
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Cmonty, it's actually PoliticalmoN, and this is the second thread he's done this in. In the first, someone was simply asking how long an exterior paint job was supposed to last. Politicalmon answered the question and then went off on a tirade and made all kinds of unfounded allegations against Kevin and Rutgers, although the only thing he seemed to have as "evidence" was some pictures of what he claims was shoddy workmanship on the part of Rutgers.
So, the answer to the question seems to be that he just enjoys trashing local businesses. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 1112
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 12:49 pm: |
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I have used Tico's for a variety of projects & have been very happy with the results. |
george H
Citizen
Username: Georgieboy
Post Number: 194
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 2:40 pm: |
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Sherri, considering that workers comp.is based on payroll,with a minimum amt.needing to be charged,and considering if you have no employees to be covered,how is this going to protect your clients other than to increase your overhead which would than be passed down to the same clients? |
Sherri De Rose
Citizen
Username: Honeydo
Post Number: 199
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 6:25 pm: |
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George, you are right. Just got an answer from my insurance and it would cost us about $1700 + /yr. With no actual employees this is something we will not get at this time. |
Deidra
Citizen
Username: Deidralynn
Post Number: 566
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 8:18 pm: |
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Susan, I can't speak highly enough about Tico's. They did a lot of work on our house (big and small). As far as being fully insured, while working on our kitchen last year, a worker was cutting sheetrock he cut himself deep in the knee...horrifying to say the least! When the emergency workers came (Thank God he was okay), Tico's were fully covered and we had no liability for that incident. In fact, they showed up two hours later to finish the days' carpentry - with other workers.
They are a well run operation. I am glad to be a routine customer.
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pjn
Citizen
Username: Pjn
Post Number: 37
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 - 8:37 pm: |
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I tried dialing the number provided above for Tico's (973-378-3530) but each time I received a Verizon message stating that I needed to re-dial the number I was trying. Is that the right number? |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 26
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 16, 2006 - 2:34 am: |
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I can recommend Tico's Carpentry without hesitation. I know firsthand these workers are gentlemen. They are courteous and professional, they clean up the mess every day, which is all but unheard of in house repairs/remodels and contracting, and most importantly Tico's guys know what the heck they are doing!
When you hire Rutgers, New colors and/or Tico's, you get a Top-notch Job, all around, start to finish. And the bosses and employees alike are both friendly and trustworthy, so much so that I wish they were my next door neighbors!
When my husband discovered some areas that required further attention during the warranty period, Rutgers was on top of it immediately; someone came to inspect and the work was scheduled.
And btw, might I suggest that anyone who has anything nasty to say about our man Kevin say it on the run. Can we not be less sarcastic -and more supportive -of hard working local folks? I happen to know that working visas are indeed applied for and obtained by these companies. OK, sure, some may not have proper ID, granted. But they are trying to do it the right way. Give them some leeway and some credit where credit it due.
RE: workmen's comp, etc.... they have it, they are fully insured, and PS... they take care of their own, in terms of injury, etc.
You will not have to worry about these people suing you if one falls and gets hurt. Think of it: why would an undocumented alien ever bring on the cops and the lawyers and all that? They tend to fly below the radar, if you get my drift. They also tend not to think in terms of lawsuits. If anything, they are more concerned with completing the job! They come to the USA to work, not to sue people.
Jersey Girl
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Susan
Citizen
Username: Sms
Post Number: 10
Registered: 3-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 6:22 am: |
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Thank you Jersey Girl, Deidra, and Jet for the first hand feedback. I am set hopefully to get my roofing and soffit work done next week if only the rain would stop! You also gave me an idea about a kitchen nook that I have left open because I have been wanting to have a booth built in and just haven't gotten around to finding someone who would do it. Perhaps Tico can finally help me fill that space.
973 378-3530 is the general office number for Tico's (although both estimaters also gave out their cell numbers). I have often had to leave a message and it sometimes took a day to get it returned. |
Jersey girl
Citizen
Username: Critterlover
Post Number: 34
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 7:14 pm: |
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You're welcome,Susan, and best wishes with the work! please let us know how it goes.
Jersey Girl |
John Smith
Citizen
Username: Johns15
Post Number: 4
Registered: 2-2006
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 7:03 pm: |
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I got an estimate from this guys, this was very high and they do not return my calls. I recommend to call this other guy Ricki Carpentry lower price, professional and reliable.
(973) 280-9424. |
STEPHANIE M.
Citizen
Username: Stephi
Post Number: 4
Registered: 9-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 7:12 pm: |
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Yes, Ricky Carpentry did a great job for me too and I recommend to call not only Ticos Carpentry, specially if you are working with Rutgers because they usually recommend this company. In case you don't know both are own for the same owner, then for any work in your house get at least 3 estimates from diferent companies. Ricky's price was lower. |
charles o.
Citizen
Username: Newuser
Post Number: 10
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 - 7:19 pm: |
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I got 2 estimates to fix the proch in my house, one from Ticos and the other fro Ricky's. I got Ricky to do the work, very professional and I'm very happy, lower price too. |
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