Illinois News Index

McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 13 Feb 1974, p. 16

The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Consumer Forum ifle'S DAY (FEBiM) Uf OUT SCULPT STO WHATEVER. ..AMP' mm mmw liMilED 1220 N.G^ENST McHENE.Y,it.6°o50 \0 +he Street Wal\ RiONC. 385 -0150 by Illinois Attorney General William J. Scott HOME IMPROVEMENT ADVICE If you plan a major home improvement, you could find yourself in serious financial trouble if you don't heed the warnings in this column. Ideally, one should secure the services of an attorney in contracting for a major home improvement. For, as you will see, such dealings can become most complicated. In the next few paragraphs I shall touch on some important points of which both you and any attorney you may engage should be aware. I'm talking about the "waivers of lien" and sworn statements from contractors and subcontractors that are YOUR responsibility to request at the^time of making home Improvements. Now, that sounds a bit complicated, but I'll try to keep it as simple as possible. ^ A lien is defined as a "claim or charge on property for payment of some debt, obligation, or duty." Or, more simply, a hold or claim which one person (for example: a contractor, subcontractor, sub- subcontractor, or supplier !) has upon the property of another (for example: you) for some debt or charge (for example: payment of bills for materials and services.) Let me use an illustration to explain how NOT getting sworn statements and "waivers of lien" from the contractor and subcontractors can backfire... Robert O. Decides to add a recreation room to his home. He signs a contract with a local contractor for the work. When the work is finished, Robert 0. pays the contractor in full. That's that. However, a few weeks later, Robert 0. gets a bill from an electrician. Then he gets a bill from a plumber. And another bill from a painter. "But I paid in full," cries Robert 0. "But WE didn't get paid," reply the electrician, the plumber and the painter. "So we're putting a LIEN on your property for the amount of money owed us." And, believe it or not, Robert 0. had to pay all over again. He had no legal recourse other than to bring suit against the original contractor, who by this time probably had disappeared! to a sunny beach in som# foreign land! Robert O. had to pay part of his bill twice! "What happened to poor Robert 0.," you ask? Well, Robert O. didn't request sworn statements and "waivers of lien" from his primary con­ tractor, subcontractors and sub-subcontractors. Nor did the contractor - who obviously was dishonest ~ secure such documents. Consequently, Robert O. got caught. LEGAL PROCEDURES TO REMEMBER So, what should Robert 0. have done? And what should you do if you plan a major home improvement? First of all, as I've cautioned before, check the reliability of your contractor - especially his reputation among others for whom he's worked. Once you're satisfied with the contractor's reputation, you'll be ready to sign a contract for the work to be done. But DON'T make a large down payment. No work has been done yet, so if a down payment is required, keep it small. Again, I suggest you secure the services of an attorney at this time. Then, when the work is complete and it's time to pay...the complicated but very important part enters the picture. According to Illinois law, it's YOUR responsibility to require the contractor - before or at the time of payment - to give you a "waiver of lien" and a statement made under oath of the names of the parties fur­ nishing ^materials and labor and the amounts due or to become due to each. It's also YOUR responsibility to require each subcontractor to furnish a "waiver of lien" and a similar statement of the names of the parties furnishing materials and labor and the amounts due or to become due to each under any sub-subcontracts made by the subcontractor. Therefore, be sure you have sworn statements from the contractor and subcontractors and "waivers of lien" from all - - including any suppliers. In other wdrds, if your total bill is $2,000 and you are paying $2,000, be sure all figures in the sworn statements from the contractor and subcontractors added together equal $2,000, and that everybody involved has signed "waivers of lien". TO CAPSULIZE 1. Check your contractor's reputation. 2. Don't make a large downpayment. 3. Before or at the time of payment, get sworn statements from the contractor and sub­ contractors of the names of all parties furnishing materials and labor and the amounts of money due or to become due to each. And, get "waivers of lien" from the contractor, subcontractors and sub- subcontractors. I've tried to simplify this to make it as understandable - as possible. But there always are variations, and that's why I strongly urge you to secure the services of an attorney any time you plan to contract for major home improvements. And always remember that it is YOUR responsibility to request "waivers of lien" and sworn statements from all con­ tractors and subcontractors with whom you do business. If a contractor tells you 'waivers of lien" and sworn Classic wrought fam railings From Mrs. O. Tolleson, Spar­ tanburg, S.C.: I remember grow­ ing up on a farm in South Caro­ lina. We walked four miles to school over muddy rOads. When it was rainy and bad, daddy would hitch up the team to the wagon. When school was ..out. everyone going our way climbed aboard. , We had box suppers and cake walks on the school lawn, parties statements aren't necessary - don't believe him. _L_ They are necessary - to protect you! in the fall, picnics in the summer. The boys would go fishing the night before and we brought well- filled baskets of food, cooked fish on the stove. Teachers were chaperrones and we had great times. (Sand cantrifauti.nl to H»i» «•••"• JSjlT OH Timer, Box ttt, Frankfort, Ky. 40MI.) All Shook Up! Do things get you all shook up; -- like trying to decide which checkout line at the supermarket to stand in? CHECK OUR IQW-PRICES Large Selection In Stock Railing Section (4 Ft) Railing Section (5 Ft) Railing Section (6 Ft.) Newel Post Floor Flange No-Drill Fitting AS LOW AS $7.95 $10.50 $10.60 AS LOW AS $2.65 $1.75 $1.75 We also have a complete selection of matching support columns(flat or corner) and decorative accessories. Now you can add safety and beauty to your home ... for less. ANELING ' JSI»' CH'., 815 385 5511 907 N. Front St. McHenry, III . (Rte 31) HOURS 8 5:30 Men. thru Sat 8 9 Friday 10 2 Sunday THINGS YOU MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT CONSERVING ELECTRICITY Forgotten filters can cost you money. Since filters are usually out of sight, they're usually out of mind. That is, until you notice something wrong with your heating or air conditioning. Then you may find a dirty filter behind it. Dust or lint on filters reduces your system's ability to move heated or cooled air. It's a good idea to check your filters every 30-60 days. To remind yourself, you may want to do it the same day you pay your fuel bill. If the filter is dirty, clean or replace it. Clean filters also help keep your home cleaner. This principle applies essentially to all heating fuels--electricity, gas or oil. Don't forget the filter on your clothes dryer either. Clean it after every load to keep your dryer in top operating condition. Maintaining clean filters is only one area where we have information that can help you conserve energy. If you would like our booklet "101 Ways to Conserve Electricity at Home," write Commonwealth Edison, Department AV, P.O. Box 767, Chicago, Illinois 60690. Well send it to you free. Commonwealth Edison concern lor your total environment Bicentennial Year License Plate Plans According to an an­ nouncement by Mrs. Kermit V. Haugan, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs, every State Federation of Women's Clubs throughout America is taking part in the "Official" GFWC Bicentennial Commemorative Plate project. "Clubwomen from nearly every club in the nation are enthusiastically participating in this exciting project which instills pride in our country and rekindles the wondrous 'Spirit of 76", said Mrs. Haugan. The second plate in the series was issued Jan. 1, 1974. This plate, with patriotic in­ scription, depicts Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson in a classic pose as they meet to finalize their draft of the Declaration of Independence. The first plate, issued in 1973, featured Patrick Henry ad­ dressing the Virginia con­ vention with his ultimate challenge, "Give me Liberty or give me death." George Washington praying at Valley Forge will be featured on the third plate to be out in 1975 and the fourth plate (1976) shows the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. The handmade commemorative plates are being produced by the prestigious Fenton Art Glass Company of Williams town, West Virginia. On July 4, 1976, clubwomen will gather at Independence Hall for a final ceremony when the molds of the plates will be publicly destroyed, thereby creating a limited edition. "This means," says Mrs. Haugan, "that not only will these plates become treasured heirlooms of great personal value, but also they are destined to greatly increase in market value." "The second com­ memorative plate," Mrs. Haugan continues, "will soon be available through local Women's clubs all over the nation. The opportunity for Women's clubs all over America to participate in this patriotic project, pleases me greatly, for the project not only commemorates the principles on which our proud nation was founded, but at the same time allows individual Women's clubs, State federations, and the General federation to all earn funds for our many worth­ while endeavors." Consumers' Corner Wallcovering Back "In" Washable wallcoverings are at­ tractive as well as practical. And with sofas and comfortable chairs taking a back seat in decorator's eyes, accessories and interesting rugs and wallcoverings are gain­ ing favor. In fact, people who previously had only the bathroom and kitch­ en walls papered are choosing prints and stripes for the dining room, bedrooms and living room. Newest on the wall paper scene are handsome phonies that simu­ late marble, stone, leather, wood and fabric, but are far easier to care for than their real counter­ parts. Many of these wallpapers come with pre-pasted backing - a boon for do-it-yourselfers. Other types are stripable for those who redecorate often. Polyvinyl chloride is the most scrubbable of the vinyls, while plastic coating over ordinary wall­ paper is the most fragile. Since all vinyls can be wiped with soap or detergent and water, a home­ owner should consider where the covering will be used to deter­ mine the degree of durability needed. If the particular pattern you like is not waahable, look into wallpaper protective coatings. These are applied with a roller after the wallpaper is installed and make the wallpaper com­ pletely waahable. Check the ef­ fect on a small sample of paper first, because these coatings will occasionally darken a paper slightly. The second of a aeries «f four commemorative plates depicts Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson meeting to finalize their draft of the Declaration of Independence. The plates are available from Women's Clubs throughout America.

Powered by / Alimenté par VITA Toolkit
Privacy Policy