Kathy's Remodeling Blog

Guardian fiberglass threatens blogger with legal action

From Martin Holladay, Green Building Advisor:

On October 19, 2011, blogger Allison Bailes, a frequent contributor to GBA, posted a blog on his Energy Vanguard website about the difficulty of installing fiberglass batts well. You can read his excellent blog here: A Visual Guide to Why Fiberglass Batt Insulation Underperforms.

Bailes wrote that fiberglass batts “get a Grade III in the typical installation. That’s because it’s so difficult to install them well.” Bailes’s statement is indisputable, and hundreds of HERS raters around the country could be called on to back Bailes up. In a July 2009 blog, I wrote almost the same thing.

The lawyers bring out the big guns

But the lawyers at Guardian Fiberglass didn’t like what they read. (If you looked closely at Bailes's photos, you could see that the batts in the photos happened to be manufactured by Guardian.)

In a letter written to Bailes on October 21, Michael Metz, a Guardian lawyer, informed Bailes that “Guardian disagrees with [the] assertion that it is difficult to install fiberglass insulation well. … It is Guardian’s position that these comments by your company together with the picture of Guardian’s products constitute libel, slander, and commercial disparagement. … Guardian demands a response to this letter within ten days with regard to (i) Energy Vanguard’s agreement to cease its negative advertising, and (ii) evidence of Energy Vanguard’s statements and their sources. Guardian will aggressively pursue its remedies to the fullest extent permitted by law, and any further conduct by Energy Vanguard of a similar nature will be dealt with accordingly.”

To be sure that readers of his letter could reach him with their reactions, Michael Metz kindly included his e-mail address on the letter: michaelmetz@bp.guardian.com

Read the whole story

Why competitive bidding doesn't work

Perhaps you’ve heard this quip when a spacecraft is launched: “There goes the lowest bid.”

In my mind, trying to get the lowest bid for a remodeling project is just as foolish. And a lot of contractors agree with me.

Gayler Construction explains very clearly how buying remodeling services is not even remotely like buying a new car.

And check out how Baywood Building explains the problems with competitive bidding.

So why not?

First off, you won’t have complete plans for each of the contractors to look at in order to get an "apples to apples" bid. Complete plans are too expensive for an architect to create.

So the honorable contractor will include all the elements (like moldings and light sockets and so on) that are not on the plans, but should be. The shady contractor will not include those things, and will therefore give you a lower bid. That's called low-balling.

Later on, you'll be made aware of those extras, and will pay for them. By then, it's too late to turn back.

Also, some people get bids in order to see how much the project their architect designed will cost. That's an enormous waste of time for the contractor, and many self-respecting contractors will no longer do competitive bidding.

So, what to do? I suggest you find an excellent contractor (whom you judge by face-to-face meetings, talking to staff, talking to references, visiting prior jobs, searching the Internet, considering awards and professional certifications), and an excellent architect or designer (judged by the same criteria), and put these two stellar individuals together to design your remodel. Find the great people first, then move forward as a team.

This should eliminate the finger-pointing architects and contractors are famous for. Or, hire a design-build company where the designer and builders are in the same firm. This way, when the designer comes up with an idea that would blow your budget out of the water, the contractor will make that known immediately.

As one construction loan agent told me, the country is littered with architectural plans that were put out to bid and then abandoned after the bidding process revealed the project would cost two to three times what the clients could afford. That's sad.

So how about you? Have you found competitive bidding to be a satisfying way to achieve a remodel?

(Image: Solution Crafters Group)

Report: 'Green' product claims are often misleading — USA Today

More than 95% of consumer products marketed as "green," including all toys surveyed, make misleading or inaccurate claims, says a report today.

The number of products claiming to be green increased 73% since 2009, according to a survey by TerraChoice,an Ottawa-based marketing firm owned mostly by Underwriters Laboratory of Canada. The UL network does independent product testing and certification.

"The biggest sin is making claims without any proof," says Scot Case of UL Environment, adding that companies want consumers to "just trust them." The report finds "vagueness" is the second-leading problem (a shampoo claimed it was "mother-earth approved") in "greenwashing" -- a term that refers to misleading, false or unproven green claims.

 

Read the whole story at: content.usatoday.com

Protect your family from lead-dust poisoning during remodeling

If you live in a house older than 1978, there's a chance it contains paint with lead in it. Now don't freak out. Even though lead when ingested or inhaled can cause brain damage, the paint itself is not dangerous unless it's chipping off or is turned into dust by sanding and cutting.

In a home remodel, old paint that contains lead could well get turned into dust and will potentially harm your family and pets. Do not let this happen.

If professionals are working on your home, and disturbing more than 6 square feet of surface, they are required by EPA to get certified in how to handle lead paint. The newly enacted rule is referred to as RRP and a firm operating under the law will be referred to as a Certified Firm or Certified Renovator (logo above).

If you're doing your own work, you don't need to get certified. That means you must take your own precautions when working on your house. If you poison your family with lead-tainted dust, you have only yourself to blame.

To check for lead, go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy some LeadCheck swabs. They cost $25 for 8 of them. To find out how to deal with and control lead dust, do a Google search and you'll turn up all kinds of resources.

Or, if you want to see how the pros do it, you can purchase a new DVD training program that teaches on-the-job workers how to protect themselves, the homeowners and their own families from lead poisoning during renovations.

To purchase this training video, go to Train2Rebuild

To see a movie trailer of the DVD, watch the 2-minute clip below:

Coach Sean Payton wants to know: Does your house contain tainted drywall?

By Kathy Price-Robinson for DIY Life:

Lately, when Louisiana residents like myself see New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton on TV, it's usually not in reference to the Saints' first-ever trip to the Super Bowl February 7.

Rather, in numerous ad spots, Payton can be seen discussing tainted drywall from China that was used in his home in Mandeville, just north of New Orleans. In the ads, he urges homeowners to take notice and perhaps seek legal help.

Payton is the lead plaintiff in a class-action lawsuit filed last month in U.S. District Court against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co. Ltd, a Chinese drywall manufacturer. According to Payton and and his attorneys, ingredients in the drywall smell like rotten eggs, and corroded certain metal components in the house -- such as plumbing and electrical equipment -- and caused his family to become sick. Payton now considers his house uninhabitable and moved his family out.

See the whole story at www.diylife.com

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is lead plaintiff in Chinese drywall suit

Saints coach Sean Payton is the lead plaintiff in a 591-page class action lawsuit against Knauf Plasterboard Tainjin Co. Ltd., a Chinese company that manufactured drywall that is believed to be corroding homes and making people sick.

The suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in New Orleans on behalf of people with this particular brand of drywall, attempts to give some scope to the problem of defective drywall as both plaintiffs and defendants figure out how many people are affected and much it will cost to repair damage.

See the whole story at www.nola.com

Unlicensed contractor faces jail time, restitution

An unlicensed Napa (Calif.) contractor has been ordered to pay full restitution to three customers he defrauded or he faces a six-year prison term, the Contractors State Licensing Board said this week.

Ronald Russell Clawson, 27, pleaded no contest in Napa County Superior Court last week to elder abuse, identity theft, grand theft and fraudulent use of a contractor license number, board spokeswoman Venus Stromberg said.

See the whole story at www.napavalleyregister.com

Rent-a-Husband allegedly divorces investors

Home repair contractor Kaile Warren had a rags-to-riches story that was enviable. The former homeless home improver credits "divine intervention" with giving him the idea for a home improvement company and brand name that would ultimately place him on a national stage that included appearances on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the CBS Early Show, to name a few.

via www.walletpop.com

4 steps to avoid a 'remodel gone wrong'

A recent article on Bankrate.com, nicely written by Margarette Burnette, lists four steps to make sure you don't end up with a nightmare remodeling story to share at dinner parties. Sure, a nightmare remodel makes for some lively minutes of banter. But really, in the end, you want a successful remodel. If you need something to talk about at dinner parties, focus on the goofy things your kids or pets did.

Here are the four steps mentioned in the article. Let's see if they make sense:

1. Research before the job starts

Yes, yes, yes. I concur. If there's one thing I've heard from homeowners over the years, it's this: "We should have done more research before we started. We didn't really understand the process." And the trouble is, when you lack knowledge, you lack power. So how do you learn about remodeling? Buy books on remodeling, or check them out of the library. Look for contract-it-yourself books. Even if you will hire a contractor, you should know what a contractor does. Research the heck out of materials and appliances and new products. The bigger your potential remodel, the more time you should spend on this.

2. Document everything

Yes, again. Write notes for every meeting you have with the designer or architect, the contractor, subcontractors, the building department officials and anyone else. Memory is funny and faulty. We all forget what was said or twist the facts to conform to our wishes. Create a notebook where you keep everything having to do with your remodel: notes, receipts, warranty information, contracts.

3. Raise concerns immediately

Definitely. You don't want to appear like a nag. And you don't want to let your emotions take over. But if something seems wrong, bring it up sooner rather than later. Sometimes the success of your communication is all in the tone of your voice and the way you phrase your concern. I'm partial to these phrases: "I have a concern about something. Is this a good time to discuss it?" Or: "I'd like to get some clarity on this." Or: "I'm not sure this element of the remodel is what I wanted." These might sound like a weak way of addressing a contractor. But civility is always the best course. Trust me on this.

4. Escalate if necessary

Be careful with this one. Yes, you should certainly take legal action if you've got a lot of money involved and the work is simply awful. Likely, you scrimped on steps one and three above. I'll tell you that it's very rare for a person who has thoroughly researched a remodel beforehand — the process, the best contractors in town, the right materials, the most talented and ethical subcontractors — to get into trouble. I'm not saying it can't happen, but it's rare. You really don't want to end up here, where you're turning to expensive lawyers and getting involved in a drawn-out legal battle. The grief and stress are unimaginable. Your main concern should be to avoid putting this step into action. So, steps one through three should be your focus.

And, having said all that, happy remodeling!

Police seek contractor accused of bilking woman, 73, out of $35,000

From the Orange County Register:

HUNTINGTON BEACH — Police are seeking the public's help in finding Masoud Tabeshnekoo, who is charged with stealing $35,000 from a 73-year-old woman.

The 48-year-old Tabeshnekoo, who is also known as Matthew Nekoo, has been charged with five felony counts of theft, theft from an elder, and diversion of construction funds, and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

The woman responded to a commercial for Hollow Brick Inc. on a Persian language radio station in December 2006 to have some remodeling done on her home.

Tabeshnekoo agreed to do the remodel in two weeks for $60,000, police said, but insisted on $35,000 up front, police said.

Tabeshnekoo, who wasn't licensed as a contractor, hired unlicensed workers to begin some demolition work at the house, police said.

Read the whole story

(Photo: Huntington Beach Police)

The temptation of the professional Viking gas grill

Sen. Ted Sevens of Alaska, the longest-serving Republican in the U.S. Senate, was indicted yesterday on allegations that he failed to report $250,000 in improvements that were done to his home. He has denied the charges.

Among the items he allegedly got for free and didn't report, according a story in the L.A. Times, were: "new and used furniture, a new stationary tool storage cabinet with new tools, and a new professional Viking gas grill." (Emphasis added by me.)

It was that Viking grill that got me thinking about the temptation that politicians face. It might be easy to deflect bribes and money and watches (who wears a watch anymore?) and trips to Bermuda. But how in the world can you turn down a professional Viking gas grill? That's tough!

And so many times, when corruption is alleged, it has to do with home improvements. Have you noticed that?

Consider these two recent stories:

From New Brunswick, N.J.: 'A former New Brunswick housing inspector avoided prison Thursday after pleading guilty to stealing federal grant money to remodel the kitchen and bathroom in his city home and make other repairs."

From Washington D.C.: A woman pleaded guilty in a tax fraud scheme and, according to a statement from the prosecutors, used $150,000 "to make a personal loan to a family member and remodel her home."

As a journalist, I deal with my own minor temptations. Most of the publications I write for, including the L.A. Times, have a strict rule that writers cannot accept anything worth more than $25. That's basically a pretty good lunch. It's a great rule. Otherwise, how would we know if we're writing about something because it's newsworthy or because we expect a freebie? The way I've run my career the past two decades, there's no doubt about my motives. I can assure you, I do not have a professional Viking gas grill.

I would never risk my career and integrity by taking home-improvement freebies. But as a devotee of all things home-related, I can certainly understand the temptation.

California's most-wanted unlicensed contractors

News from the California Contractors State License Board:

Worst of the Worst — Avoid These Contractors

In our ongoing effort to protect California consumers, the CSLB has identified the worst unlicensed violators who are known to prey on vulnerable and unsuspecting homeowners that are involved in new home or home improvement projects. Complaints against the following unlicensed individuals have been lodged with the CSLB, law enforcement agencies and District Attorneys around the state.

Warrants have been issued for the arrest of the people who appear in this section. If you see any of these people on the street or have any information as to their whereabouts, please contact your local Police or Sheriff's Department. After contacting local law enforcement, call the CSLB in Nothern California at (916) 255-2924 or in Southern California at (562) 345-7600.

All warrants must be verified with the law enforcement agency holding the warrant before an apprehension can be made.

WARNING: NO ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO APPREHEND THESE INDIVIDUALS, EXCEPT BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

See the whole press release and a few more photos.

Guest Blogger: Why you should hire a licensed contractor

Our guest blogger today is Pamela Mares, an information officer with the California Contractors State License Board. Pamela is responding to a recent post titled: When a job goes bad, is the contractor the only one at fault?). Here's what she had to say about it:

You are so right in your analogy about how people spend more time picking out a hotel than hiring a contractor. It is usually the lack of planning and research that leads to problems.

We receive more than 20,000 complaints each year at the Contractors State License Board (CSLB). About one-quarter of them are from consumers who hired unlicensed operators. These are usually the cases with the biggest money loss. That is why it is so important to hire only licensed contractors.

You have already mentioned the importance of checking out contractors and their status with CSLB. To get a license, contractors are tested and fingerprinted and must undergo a background check. They must have at least four years of experience, demonstrate knowledge of their craft and pass two tests to be licensed. They have promised by virtue of their license (and a $12,500 bond) to be accountable for the work they perform.

Another perilous area for homeowners are “consultants” who will offer to talk them through the owner-builder permit system for a fee. Unless you are knowledgeable about the construction process, it may not be worth it.

When subcontractors and suppliers are not paid on schedule, they may file mechanic's liens against your property.

If your workers are injured -- or your subcontractors are not licensed or do not carry liability insurance or worker’s compensation and are injured -- you could be asked to pay for injuries and rehabilitation through your homeowner’s insurance policy or face lawsuits.

If you don’t pull the necessary permits or pass inspection, it may be difficult to sell or insure your property.

Anyone can check out a contractor, file a complaint or get information about hiring a contractor at www.cslb.ca.gov or at (900) 321-2752.

Weed problem in Ohio town, but not the smoking kind

A proposed amendment by the Canton City Council in Ohio could put homeowners who let their weeds and grass grow too high in jail.

As the law stands now, according to The Repository in Canton, more than 8 inches constitutes high grass or weeds and first-time violators face a minor misdemeanor, which carries up to a $150 fine and no jail time.

The new law would make a second offense a fourth-degree misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $250 and up to 30 days in jail. Ouch!

But here's the rub: With an increasing number of homes in foreclosure, and owned by the bank, there's no one to throw into the pokey.

I mean, you can't jail a bank. Can you?

What do you think about this proposed law? Do you have a few neighbors who could use a wake-up call on their weed issues?

(Photo: Kathy Price-Robinson)

Q&A: If a neighbor's dead tree falls on my roof, who pays?

From Barry Stone's "Ask the Inspector" column in the Real Estate section:

Question: The neighbors who live behind us have three large, dead trees that border our fence. A few years ago, our insurance company informed us that they would no longer insure our roof because it has wood shingles. If our neighbors' trees should fall on our roof, who would be responsible for the repair costs?

Answer: The exclusion of the roof by your insurance company may only involve fire damage or rain leakage. You should contact them to see if you would be covered for damages caused by a falling tree.

As for your neighbors, their dead trees constitute a significant public-safety hazard. Notify them immediately that you want these trees removed and will hold them legally and financially responsible for any personal injuries or property damage that may be caused by their failure to do so.

If they do not respond, the municipal authorities should be notified. The appropriate agency should then give notice to your neighbors to have the trees removed. If your neighbors still fail to act, the municipality can remove the trees and bill your neighbor for the work.

(Photo: Botanic Gardens Trust)

New limits on McMansions bring cheers, jeers from readers

Tuesday's vote by the L.A. City Council to limit home sizes to 3,000 square feet on 5,000-square-foot flatland lots (a little larger on larger lots) was unanimous at 12 to 0.

But the responses by readers were more, shall we say, well rounded.

Are these restrictions a communist plot? Or necessary to preserve neighborhoods?

Some comments from L.A. Times readers:

Cheers

"It's all about restraining those whose selfishness exceeds their social conscience." — Rocky JS

"The fact of the matter is that these grotesque homes are ugly and that in a few year's time they will fall into disrepair and hasten the decline of the neighborhoods they infest." — Ted Burke

"By the way, even 3,000 square feet is pretty darn large!" — Kirsten

"Awesome. Awesome. Awesome." — Stever R.

Jeers

"It's a sad state of affairs when property rights are considered meaningless, and the government starts taking on the right to limit, regulate, and control every last stitch of our lives." — Sad

"Excuse me!! Who paid for the land???" — Oscar Myer

"Los Angeles is the 2nd largest city of the richest nation on earth — and we're suddenly limiting the size of new homes (teardowns) to 3000 sq ft? This is nuts!" — David in Los Angeles

"Stupid, Stupid, Stupid." — David H

POLL: Complete the following sentence:

(Photo: Building Green TV)

Honey, who put the 90-foot power pole in front of our house?

So imagine this: One day you look out your front window and see a gleaming 90-foot power pole in front of your house that was not there before.

You're shocked because you had no notice or warning from the power company, Edison. And that's because Edison has the right of way and is not required to give you notice, according to an article in the Long Beach Press-Telegram.

This house is in Lakewood, on the northeast corner of Palo Verde Avenue and Centralia Street, in front of Bill and Shelby Ranson's home of 15 years. An older, shorter, wooden pole on the corner is not an eyesore to them. But this one, right in front of their home, is not setting well with them. They are livid and want the pole removed. Edison says it's for the greater good.

The Ransons know getting the pole removed is a long shot, and Bill is quoted in the story as saying: "We're humble, little ant-like people going up against this huge, mega-corporation. We don't want to mess with them, but what happened wasn't right."

What if a pole like this landed in front of your house? Would you fight it? Or accept it?

(Photo: Long Beach Press-Telegram)

Fun facts about building permits

If you live in the city of Los Angeles and are planning some home improvements, the city's Department of Building and Safety offers some fascinating FAQs:

Do I need a permit to build a fence around my property?
A permit is not required for any type of fence under 3'6" in height. A permit is required for a masonry or concrete fence over 3'6" in height, and for a fence of any other material over 10'0" in height. Please note that even though a permit may not be required, all fences must comply with the requirements of the L.A. Zoning Code.

Can I as a homeowner apply for a construction permit?
A homeowner can obtain a permit and do the construction, alteration or repair on his/her house and accessory buildings or facilities thereto if the owner resides or will reside in the dwelling.

How much is a building permit and what is it based on?
Building permit fees are calculated based on the valuation of the project. Please refer to the Los Angeles City Building Code section 91.107, or call our Customer Call Center for assistance.

Can a homeowner prepare the drawings, obtain my building permit, and construct my own house or addition without consulting an architect/engineer/contractor?
Yes, if the house is one story, and will be built from plans based on the Department standard "TYPE V" sheet.

Is a plumbing permit required to replace my residential garbage disposer?
No.

Is a permit required to install a domestic cooking range, broiler unit or domestic-type clothes dryer in my single-family dwelling?
No.

When is a plumbing permit required for natural gas piping?
A plumbing permit is required for the installation of any gas piping except piping less than 6 feet in length between an existing gas outlet and a gas appliance in the same room.

See more
Links to all building departments in California

Coming soon: a million solar spats?

The case of one Sunnyvale, Calif., neighbor's redwood trees versus another neighbor's solar panels and hot tub ended up in court and is still not settled, according to a story in the New York Times.

The story is long and convoluted, with eight redwood trees in question. When were they planted? How tall were they when the neighbor installed his solar panels? How many trees were planted after he installed the panels?

A judge ruled, according the article, that "trees Nos. 4, 5 and 6, which cast little shade when the solar panels were installed, were now collectively blocking more than 10 percent of the panels over the hot tub. Trees Nos. 1, 2 and 3 shaded the area when the panels were installed, so they were exempt, and Trees Nos. 7 and 8 did not violate the law."

Does the solar guy have a right to get sun on his property? Do any of us have a right to get sun on our properties? If we want and need sun, do we have to move if a neighbor decides to plant 30- or 40- or 60-foot trees, or even taller ones that block the sun?

This case is waiting resolution until the winter solstice in December so a judge can see if tree No. 6, which was trimmed in a really bizarre way, will allow enough sun to satisfy the Solar Shade Act of 1978.

The case is being watched by solar power advocates, private property advocates and those in the legal profession.

Meanwhile, Joe Simitian, a Democratic state senator from Palo Alto, introduced a bill that determines when trees can grow amid solar panels, for instance if they are planted ahead of time. But if the trees are planted after the solar panels are installed and create shade problems, they have to go.

(Note to homeowners on either side of the fence: Whoever gets their trees planted or solar panels installed first will be the winner.)

This issue needs strict guidelines in light of California's Million Solar Roofs Program.

As the article quoted Simitian: “I’m trying to avoid a million neighborhood arguments."

Read the whole story

(Photo: New York Times)

EPA issues new rules to protect kids from lead during remodels

Sixteen years ago, Congress told the Environmental Protection Agency to do something about the lead-tainted dust that seeps into the air during renovations of houses built before 1978.

Perhaps spurred on by recent recalls of lead-taineted toys from China, this week the EPA finally issued new rules requiring contractors to take additional precautions when it comes to the lead-tainted dust in renovations where kids under 6 and pregnant women are living.

According to an L.A. Times article, "Exposure to lead is especially dangerous to young children, because it can damage their developing brains, causing learning disabilities and behavioral problems."

The new rules apply to work done in residences, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978, the year lead was banned for use in housing.

The new standards were praised by advocacy group Alliance for Healthy Homes, according to an Associated Press article, but its executive director, Patrick MacRoy, said: "In the 16 years since we've been waiting for this rule, at least 17 million children have been exposed to harmful levels of lead unnecessarily."

The alliance also said the rule should have stricter requirements such as banning "dry-scraping" of lead-based paint, which creates more dust.

Other critics, including presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, say the rules should have been stronger, requiring more testing after remodeling to make sure there is no lead left, and should have affected more homes.

According the L.A. Times, "An EPA analysis estimated that the cost of home renovations would rise by $500 million per year but that the regulations would save as much as $5 billion a year in children's health and education costs." The AP story says the regulations will add $35 to the cost of a remodel.

And, oh yeah, the rules won't take place for another two years.

Read the whole AP article, and more in the L.A. Times.

(Photo: Marin County)

When to sue a contractor? When to let it go?

A tragedy occurred last week in Walnut Creek and the thought of it continues to haunt me. Here's what was reported yesterday in the San Jose Mercury News:

Murder and other felony charges were filed Tuesday against a Martinez contractor who prosecutors say killed a Walnut Creek man during a confrontation over a home remodeling job that sparked a lawsuit. Read the whole story.

This is extreme, to say the least. But it got me thinking: When is it a good idea to sue a contractor for bad or incomplete work?

And when is it just not worth it? When is it better to accept the loss and move on?

Anyone who's been involved in a lawsuit knows how nerve-wracking and time consuming it is. There may be headaches involved, and stomachaches and sleepless nights. It can mean months or years of negativity. And even when people win, they often can't collect.

Nolo, which provides legal information to non-lawyers, gives tips on deciding whether to sue someone and suggests you ask yourself three questions:

1. Do I have a good case?

2. Am I comfortable with the idea of a compromise settlement or going to mediation?

3. Assuming a lawsuit is my best or only option, can I collect if I win?

If you cannot answer "yes" to all three questions, Nolo's advice is that you don't sue.

Most of us would focus only on the first issue: Do I have a good case? And often, there is no doubt at all that is true. You might have a great contract. And abundant evidence of work not done or done badly. But issue No. 2 — a willingness to compromise or call in a mediator — is hard to do when one is consumed with anger or hurt.

And issue No. 3 is profound: A deadbeat cannot and will not pay up.

So there might be times — especially if your life savings is not on the line — when not suing might be the kindest thing to do for yourself.

Have you ever sued a contractor for bad work, or decided not to? And would you recommend your course of action to others?

When remodeling your condo, do you play by the rules?

If you live in a condo, you know the truth about this: You often have to jump through hoops to do a remodel. There's the board to consider, and the neighbors. And the rules.

Frank Nelson wrote an interesting article on remodeling a condo, in today's Real Estate section.

As he writes: "Any homeowner who has lived through a remodel can attest to the stress of the experience. But for condo owners governed by association rules and regulations, this additional layer of oversight can heighten the strain and lead to conflicts with neighbors and boards." Read the whole story.

So that got me wondering, when remodeling your own condo, were you successful keeping your neighbors and the board happy? Did you even try?

(Photo: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)

35 California contractors lost their licenses in April (but that's not news)

Why is it not news that licenses were revoked from 35 California contractors in one month? That's because a similar number of revocations by the California Contractors State License Board happens month after month, year after year.

The real news might be the 295,000 contractors in the state who didn't lose their licenses. Who needs a license? According to the CSLB:

"All businesses or individuals who construct or alter, or offer to construct or alter, any building . . . in California must be licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) if the total cost (labor and materials) of one or more contracts on the project is $500 or more."

But geez, there are so many rules. Look at some of the complaints one of the unlucky "April 35" had toward his license that caused it to get it pulled:

• Departed from trade standards • Violated building law - no permit • Exceeded contract amount • Failed to comply with Contractor's License Law • Home Improvement Contract violation • Excessive down payment • No payment schedule • Payment exceeds value • Abandonment without legal excuse of any construction project • Contracted out of classification • Willful or fraudulent act • Failed to pay for materials or services

Here's something to know: Unlicensed contractors, or those whose licenses have been suspended or revoked, will often hand out business cards with a fake number, or with their city business license number, knowing that homeowners rarely check on the status of a contractor's license.