Resources

Q: Do you take credit cards?
A: Yes. We take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal.

Q: Do you have financing available?
A: Yes. We first take a credit application and then shop it around with several lenders. Interest rates are based on credit.

Q: What is a building code?
A: A building code is a law or ordinance enacted by a local authority that sets out the minimum standards that must be met for building design, construction, quality, and location. There are also specialized codes for plumbing, electrical and fire safety. Building codes cover most remodeling projects. Building codes are enforced by local building inspectors, who have the authority to deny permission to occupy or use a building that does not meet the building code.

Q: What about the permits?
A: Every community has different requirements. But it is the policy of Kingsmen Construction to handle all purchasing and posting of permits.

Q: Do I have to use a licensed contractor?
A: In the state of Michigan, any job over the total dollar value of $600.00 is required by State Law to have a licensed contractor pull a permit. In the State of Michigan some allowances are made for home-owners residing on the property to pull permits. See your local building dept., or contact Kingsmen Construction directly for more details.

Q: My contractor gave me a written estimate at the start of the project, and now, he is billing me for more than the estimate. Can he do that?
A: Generally speaking, yes. An estimate is just that - the contractor's guess as to how much the project would cost you. Be sure before you sign a contract that you know whether the price quoted is an estimate, or a firm price. You may, however, be suspicious if the estimate was significantly lower than the actual price charged. If you were induced to sign a contract by an estimate that bears no relation to the actual price, you may have a claim for fraud against the contractor.

Q: Do you give free estimates?
A: Yes. All you need to do is schedule an appointment and one of our representatives will measure your job, review your project plans, and provide a very detailed quote withing a few days.

Q: Can your prices change from the estimate?
A: No. Once we give an estimate, the price will not change during the time frame noted on the agreement.

Q: Do you have lots available, or do we need to find our own to build a new home?
A: Yes. We do have lots available that can be wrapped into a construction loan for the new home. Please see rep for details.

As you probably already know, the new Stimulus Bill - known as The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 - was signed into law on February 17, 2009. The bill extends and modifies the tax credits for qualifying products as established in the Energy Tax Policy Act of 2005.

You could be eligible for up to $1,500 in tax credits, if you purchase energy efficient windows, roofing, doors, or insulation from Kingsmen Construction in 2010. Reduce your energy bills while saving on your new home improvements.

Kingsmen Construction products that qualify for the tax credit include: windows, roofing, doors and insulation.

When purchasing products from Kingsmen Construction that are eligible for the 2009 Tax Credit, please pay attention to the following to ensure credit:

• Retain the Kingsmen Construction invoice, ENERGY STAR® labels, and the Manufacturer's Certificate for your IRS records. You are not required to provide this documentation to the IRS, but you will be required to present it if audited.
  
• File your taxes and file out the appropriate form. You will be asked the cost of the windows less the cost of installation labor. Upon request Kingsmen Construction will provide all necessary job information to complete your Tax Credit form.

For information on the tax credit and eligible products visit the ENERGY STAR® website here.

Disclaimer: State and Federal laws and regulations are subject to change. Not all purchasers may qualify for energy efficient federal and state tax credit. Please consult with tax and financial advisor for further help.

The window your choose depends on the type of project you're doing. If your replacing windows, be sure to check the effeciency values and ratings before making your purchase. Energy efficient windows help reduce energy bills and extend the life of your furnace and air conditioning unit. Most windows receive an efficiency rating. Your objective is to find a window with a high R-value and a low U-value.

The R-value measures how resistant a window is to heat loss, so the higher the R-value, the higher the resistance to heat loss.

The U-value measures the actual transfer of heat through a window, so a lower U-value the lower the heat loss.

Before making your final decision, remember it pays to do your research. Give Kingsmen Construction a call for your free estimate and a free demonstration of how energy effecient our windows perform. Don't forget to ask about our fuel savings guarantee.

In Michigan, we have our share of snow storms, heavy rains, and high winds can take a serious toll on your roof. It’s a good idea to be on the lookout for trouble, and catch any problems before they turn into costly repairs. Taking steps now to give your roof a thorough check-up can help catch minor problems before they become larger, more expensive ones. Here is a checklist of warning signs that indicate a troubled roof:

Ceiling spots
Water spots on the ceiling are often caused by leaks in the roof. There are many places you should look to find the source of the problem. Check the roof for damaged or missing shingles, the chimney and vents for cracks in flashing, the eaves for water backing up from ice dams and the rafters for leaks that travel away from the source.

Damaged flashing
Flashing are pieces of metal or roll roofing around vent pipes, chimneys, adjoining walls, dormers and valleys used to prevent water from seeping in. Damage to the flashing can be caused by improper installation or by drying and cracking. Flashing can sometimes be repaired without replacing the roof.

Missing shingles
Missing shingles are often caused by exposure to high winds and improper fastening, but usually can be replaced individually. If you decide to re-roof, you might consider shingles that are specially designed to stand up to strong winds like CertainTeed Shingles that have wind ratings up to 110mph.

Buckling and curling
When a shingle buckles, they bends upwards in the middle, forming a peak. Buckling is caused by improperly applied felt or by movement in the decking (the wood surface the roof is applied to). Curling causes the corners of the shingle to turn up. It is usually a result of a lack of ventilation, nails positioned too high up, an incorrect number of fasteners or under-saturation of the shingle.

Algae growth
Algae growth shows up as a dark discoloration on the roof. It is found most often in warm, humid climates such as the Southeast but does not affect the service life of the roofing material. In areas where algae growth is most common, you might consider using algae-resistant shingles.

Missing granules
Normally, a certain number of granules will be loose, especially after application. But on aging shingles this is often a sign that you need to replace the roof.