Coral Gables Historical Archive
The Times
Saturday, October 16, 1976, page 15 (of 28)
The page
The text of this pageRead by computer from the scan, so some words may be wrong. The page picture is the original.
Planning a home addition? Don't get ripped off
Thomas Marin wanted an additional room built onto his home at 7331 SW 14th St. He called a local building contractor who had advertised in the newspaper. Now, Thomas' problems began. The contractor agreed to build the addition for $4,500 with a $500 down payment, and the remainder to be paid in three installments. Soon after the building contractor had collected $4,100 from Marin, the builder and his wife took their belongings and disappeared from Florida, leaving much of Thomas' room unfinished. Marin went to Small Claims Court. Since the building contractor never appeared in court as ordered, Thomas received a default judgement for more than $1,000. He also found out that he was not the only unhappy homeowner to be the victim of this fly-by-night builder. And although Marin and the other victims had legally enforceable judgments, no one could collect the money owed them, since no one knew where to find the builder. Now Marin was out: more than $1,000 on the uncollectible judgment, Small Claims court costs and wages lost due to time from work pursuing his claim. He also had to spend approximately $600 extra just to make his new room usable. How many ways can you prevent being caught in the same situation? (1) Deal only with building contractors or other tradesmen (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc.) who have a "Certificate of Competency" in their field. An Occupational License is not a certificate of Competency. Call 579-2524 to obtain this information. (2) Call the Contractor's section of Metropolitan Dade County's Building and Zoning Department at 579-2524 to find out if the contractor is entitled to work in incorporated or unincorporated Dade County. (3) Make sure your contractor gets all the required building permits in his own name. Fly-by-night operators often try to use your name or someone else's name in order to get around your county-provided protection. Ask to see the permits and check the names, especially if the permits are not posted at the job site. (4) Don't pay any money until you have compared at least three written estimates. (5) Be sure each bid completely describes what work is to be done and how you want this work performed: name each type of material to be used, and the quality of each of those materials, the location of doors, windows, walls, plumbing, electric outlets, and other items that are important to your own home's renovation or addition. (6) If your cheapest bid is drastically lower than the other two bids, be alert. Maybe the builder is planning to use different quality and different priced materials, or has misunderstood what you want. (7) Always get your bid or agreement in writing before paying any money. (8) Your written agreement or bid should also provide a firm commitment to finish the job on a stated date or within a definite time; that your contractor will use only certified sub-contractors and will provide you with a list of subcontractors names; that your contractor will provide you with a list of all materialmen that supplied all building materials for your job; that these materialmen will sign release of liens on your home to show that they have been paid for your materials; and that your installment payments will be based on the percentage of the job that is completed: for example, you will have paid about half of the total cost when the complete job is half finished. Failure to follow these simple steps may result in the imposition of a mechanic's lien against your home.
HOME WATCHERS SERVICE, INC.
Let us sit with your home, plants & pets, while you're out of town! Telephone: 945-3841
EMILY'S BEAUTY SALON
(NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT) SPECIALIZING IN THE LATEST CUTS AND CORRECTIVE COLORING. WE ALSO DO MEN'S HAIR Call for Appointment: 854-7525 2565 S.W. 27th Ave. Miami, Fla.
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES! FLOOR SAFE $11500 Model T425
(for in-floor installation) INSTALLATION AVAILABLE MIAMI SAFE & LOCK 368 Sevilla Avenue Coral Gables 442-2700
400 ACRE RANCH With Hunting Lodge — Near Ocala & Gainesville
This beautiful ranch may be used as a cattle or horse ranch. It has been fenced and crossed fenced, has wells, & was recently pastured. The lodge has 5 bedrooms, 3 baths & a swimming pool. The ranch has almost 2 miles of road frontage. Price: $600,000 (Terms Negotiable) CALL: Frank Muscarella 813-446-8501 (Days) 813-442-6227 (Eves.)
EDEN KOSHER MEATS SELF-SERVICE
UNDER STRICT RABBINICAL SUPERVISION OF RABBI SAFRA CLOSED THIS SUNDAY 10/17 FOR "SUCCOS" THE SHOPS OF KENDALL 12588 N. KENDALL TEL.: 279-9345/6 APPX. 4 MILES WEST OF DADELAND SHOPPING CENTER GROUND CHUCK APPROX. 5 LBS. 79¢ LB. | HEBREW NATIONAL SALAMI OR BOLOGNA 12 OZ. $1.19 | FRESHLY SLICED BEEF LIVER 79¢ LB. | LEAN BEEF STEW $1.39 LB. | BAR-B-QUE CHICKEN $1.19 LB. | BREAST OF VEAL 99¢ LB.
COMBINE BEAUTY & PROTECTION CHASE ALUMINUM PRODUCTS, INC.
FINANCING AVAILABLE UP TO 48 MONTHS FREE ESTIMATES SECURITY DOOR | MESH GUARDS (Inside or Out) | ENCLOSURES | WINDOW GRILL Sherry Joy Div. 8808 S.W. 129th St., Miami, Fla. 33176 251-4660 •Window Grills •Security Doors •Sliding Door Guards •Area Enclosures •Railings •Gates •Double Strength Jalousie Door Guards