An Important Key To
A Successful
Renovation Project!
You have as much
chance of getting
expert advice on
home renovation
materials and
installation methods
at a “Big Box”
retailer as you do
in winning a major
lottery. Of course
if you do win the
lottery you can
always hire experts
to help you choose
the materials and
provide the
installation.
In most cases the
poor advice given is
due to a lack of
specific product
training and having
little if any actual
experience in the
profession. The
greatest number of
clerks at any of the
big box retailers
are part-time
employees who either
work at the big-box
to augment their
incomes or because
they are going to
school to become
something that has
nothing to do with
home repair or
renovation. The
primary function of
a clerk at a big box
retailer is to
ensure that the
products are stacked
neatly on the
shelves, that aisles
are clear of debris
and to point
customers in the
right direction
within the store on
where specific
merchandise is. All
big box retailers
merchandise the
products that they
sell in order to
promote self
service.
Where are the
biggest areas of
poor advice? I can
only speak for
myself, but I find
that it is specific
application of
materials. Following
are some areas that
I have encountered
where the wrong
product, for the
application, was
recommended.
Luckily, I read the
label before buying
the product.
· Caulking –
caulking has matured
over the years and
now there are
specific types of
caulking for almost
every job. Some
caulking will not
adhere to certain
materials, some can
be painted, some are
specially designed
for indoors, and
others are designed
for high heat
applications (to
mention only a few
variations).
· Electrical devices
– I asked for a
dryer receptacle and
was given a stove
receptacle (I know
the difference).
· Adhesive for PVC
pipe – I was given
adhesive for ABS
pipe (the label
specifically said,
“Not For PVC Pipe”
in bold letters),
after pointing out
the error, I was
given the correct
adhesive, without a
recommendation to
use PVC cleaner
before applying the
adhesive.
· Screws – I was
given a box of
drywall screws when
I requested flooring
screws.
This article is not
a “complaint”
against big box
retailers. They
provide a great
function, they have
everything under one
roof and because of
their existence the
cost of renovation
and repair materials
have gone down in
price. And in order
for them to keep
prices low, as a
general statement,
they cannot afford
to have “experts” on
staff.
Product knowledge is
one of the keys to a
successful
renovation project,
whether it is small
or large. Invest
some time before you
buy, visit the
Internet and get the
knowledge that will
allow you to do the
job right the first
time, it will save
you time and money.
And when you do buy
material, take a
moment and read the
label to ensure that
you understand its
safety, recommended
use and how to
install it.
For additional
information on home
renovation materials
or projects, visit
Renovation
Headquarters
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_Prudehome
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