Blog Posts - MBC Capital General Contractors

How Moisture in Your Walls Can Harm Your Family

Last Updated on June 9, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

Did you know that about half of homes have moisture in the walls? Moisture can gather in your walls as a result of plumbing issues or a leaky roof. Sometimes the damage causing the moisture is so minor that you have absolutely no indication that there is moisture gathering in your walls until the problem builds and becomes a severe and visible issue.

Moisture build-up in your walls may cause significant harm to your family. The most commonly known result of moisture in the home is the development of mold. Even people who do not normally have allergies can have allergy symptoms when exposed directly to mold. Breathing mold for a long period of time can lead to serious respiratory illness.

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Being Prepared for Storm Damage

Last Updated on June 9, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

It is no secret that Florida is prone to severe storms with high winds, hail, and sometimes hurricanes. It is important to be prepared for severe weather and the effects of it on your home and property. While there are some measures you can take to try to prevent storm damage, such as hurricane screens or shutters or impact resistant glass, it is also important to be prepared for the storm damage that is likely to eventually occur. Here are some ways you can be prepared to deal with storm damage.

Check Your Homeowner’s Policy

Does your homeowner’s insurance policy cover you fully for storm damage? Most policies in Florida do include coverage for damages caused by severe weather, but there are some exceptions. Most people will get flood insurance through FEMA. Make sure that all of your belongings and property is covered by the policy. You’ll be glad you double checked if you end up with costly storm damage that you can’t afford to pay for.

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The Role and Responsibilities of a General Contractor

Last Updated on May 4, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

If you are considering a remodel of your home, you might be looking into options for contractors. You will quickly discover that you will need to work with several subcontractors for different areas of the remodel, such as plumbing, wiring, cabinets, counters, etc. Each craft requires a different professional. Keeping up with all of these contractors and organizing the remodel can be a chore that most people are unprepared for.

This is when you want to use a general contractor. Many people think that a general contractor does all of the work of a remodel on their own, but this is usually not the case. A general contractor provides all of the materials and services necessary to complete your project. That means that some of the work they will do themselves, but other parts of the work will be given to trained and experienced subcontractors.

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Your Post-Construction Checklist

Last Updated on May 4, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

Having home renovations professionally done should be a stress-free process. Your contractor should work with you on design, perform the work in a timely manner, and leave the work site as clean as possible. For the most part, you don’t have to do much during or after your remodel. However, there are a few things you should check during your walkthrough with the contractor.

The Walkthrough

Your contractor should offer to do a walkthrough with you of the renovated space. During this walkthrough you want to check out all of the work your contractor did and pay attention to the details. Make sure that hardware is correctly installed, faucets and drains work, and light switches and fixtures function normally.

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Deciding the Best Time to Renovate

Last Updated on April 8, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

So you’ve decided that your current business space doesn’t work for you, and you need to renovate to make it more effective and productive for your workforce. Knowing that you need to make a change is a good first step, but there are a lot of considerations to make when developing your renovation plans. One of those considerations is the best time to renovate based on your business needs.

As a general rule, it is not a good idea to renovate your business during your busy season. Most businesses have an off season—a period of the year in which they do significantly less business than other months. If your business has an off-season, that is the best time to renovate. It is much easier to move staff around, alter client contact methods or areas, and potentially shut down a department or two during your off-season.

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Safety Tips for On-Site Construction Projects

Last Updated on April 8, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

Sometimes it is not possible to vacate your home or business during a construction project such as a remodel or renovation. While it is possible to work around your needs for your home or building, there are some things that you need to keep in mind. These safety tips for on-site construction projects should be passed on to all members of your family or business.

Do Not Walk Under

Do not walk underneath ladders, scaffolding, or ceiling work. Not only do you put yourself at risk when you walk underneath, you are also putting the workers in danger. Walking underneath ladders and scaffolding could knock it loose, causing someone to fall.

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What You Need to Know About the Contract in Contractor

Last Updated on March 9, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

If you are dealing with a reputable contractor, you will have a contract between you and the contractor outlining the work to be performed, a timeline for the project, and what the project is going to cost. There are some other components of a good construction contract as well. Understanding the contract is important for making sure that you are holding your contractor accountable.

What the Contract Should Include

The construction contract should have some basic information that absolutely must be present for a legally binding contract. It must have your name and contact information, as well as the contact information and name of the contractor. The contract should describe the property in legal terms, such as the description on the deed filed with the county. Attachments to the contract, such as blueprints or schedules, should be listed directly on the contract.

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What to Do After a Hurricane or Tropical Storm

Last Updated on March 9, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

You probably know that you should evacuate the area as directed in the case of a severe tropical storm or hurricane. It can be very nerve wracking to have to leave your home and all of your possessions behind to flee the area, and you might be anxious about what you will come home to. Although you may simply have relief that your home is still standing, it is important to take some steps when you arrive back at home to ensure that you and your family are safe.

Check All Points of Entry

Check all of the points of entry to your home, including every window and door. Make sure that the storm didn’t cause any holes, drafts, or shattered windows. If you do have broken windows or doors, get some plastic and wood to cover the entryways completely to protect your home and belongings while you are waiting for repairs. Call a contractor right away.

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Turning Your Garage into a Finished Room

Last Updated on February 7, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

It is very convenient to have a garage. But when you find yourself in need of more space, one of the easiest ways to get it is to turn your garage into a finished room or series of rooms. You have a lot of options for using the space when you finish out your garage, but there are some important things to keep in mind.

One of the most common reasons to turn a garage into a finished room is to make more space for older children, siblings, or parents to come stay with you indefinitely. A two-car garage can easily be converted into a decent-sized, one-bedroom apartment with its own entrance. A smaller garage can be turned into one or two open rooms that can be used for other purposes such as an exercise room, a bedroom, a family room, or an office.

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Top Three Reasons to Finish Your Basement

Last Updated on February 7, 2020 by MBC General Contractors

If you have an unfinished basement, you have a lot of space in your home that is not being utilized effectively. That space has unlimited possibilities if you consider finishing your basement. Here are just a few reasons you should do so.

Home Value

Of all remodeling projects, finishing the basement gives your home the most value in relation to the cost of the remodel. You can increase your home’s value so that you can have more equity, which is important if you ever need a home equity loan. Increasing your home’s value is also important if you ever want to sell it.

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