Arts & Entertainment

Successful contracting

Take your time, conduct research before hiring workers

Published

14 years ago

April 19, 2012

WBadmin

Be sure to spend an hour getting to know a contractor before hiring him or her for your job.

By SCOTT SIEGAL
Special to the Blade

Over the last decade, the largest trade publication (Remodeling Magazine) has conducted surveys of homeowners who have recently performed home improvement projects. According to the results, almost half of the respondents would not recommend their contractor. This means that if you are contemplating any type of home improvement work, you are at great risk, even if the contractor was referred to you.

All construction projects end with the customer being either satisfied or dissatisfied. There are clear-cut patterns in both the satisfied and dissatisfied situations. The following information is intended to help you identify the telltale patterns so that you better understand the contracting process.

If you do your homework and take the time to make the proper decisions, you will be one of the satisfied owners and not one of the victims. Generally, most dissatisfied construction project victims limited their focus to the following two questions:

“How much will the project cost?” and “When can the work get started?”

However, many authorities have suggested focusing on other questions before awarding your project to anyone. There is a lot to learn before awarding your project, such as, what products are available and which procedures to use. Therefore, it is vital to know that you can rely on the contractor you choose to give you good advice about those products and procedures that may be new to you. The critical factor in a successful contracting project is selecting the right contractor.

In order to select the right contractor, it is necessary to evaluate what I call the 4Ps of owner protection:

Problems: What are the problems that are causing the need for construction?

Products: What products and procedures solve those problems?

People: Who is the contractor to install the products and how do you qualify him/her?

Price: How do you determine if the price quoted is fair and competitive?

You should evaluate your contractor as carefully as you would choose your doctor or lawyer. You will want to select a contractor who can perform the work to your expectations and satisfaction. I will try to highlight some very straightforward questions that you should ask contractors in order to protect yourself from the nonprofessional or unqualified contractor. A professional contractor will have no problem working with you to answer these questions so that you can proceed with trust and confidence.

First, allow yourself a minimum of one hour to sit down with each contractor. You need to explore the problems, products and prices. You will be surprised at how many options and questions can be discussed with a professional contractor. This hour of getting to know and qualify your contractor can save endless hours of time dealing with dissatisfaction.

Question 1: What is the full name and address of the company?

Reject a contractor without a permanent place of business. Visit the contractor’s place of business. Does it appear that the equipment, manpower, and wherewithal is available to complete your project in a professional and timely manner?

Question 2: Does the contractor carry insurance and is the coverage adequate?

Reject the contractor without proper and adequate insurance. You should have them provide you a Certificate of Liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Verify with the insurance agent that the coverage is still in effect and for the type of work you are contracting.

Question 3: Is the company a licensed contractor?

Licensing is required in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. Each jurisdiction has its own requirements. Reject a contractor that doesn’t have a valid license.

Question 4: Is the contractor a member of a trade association and in good standing?

Contractors that are members of trade associations get training and up-to-date industry information that prove they are committed to their trade.

Question 5: How long has the contractor been in business?

Needless to say, the more experienced the better. Less than five years is often a telltale sign of an unstable business. Most contractors (96 percent) fail within the first five years.

Question 6: What is the contractor’s track record for handling complaints?

Many quality contractors with thousands of completed projects are exposed to disputes. The question is not if they have had disputes, but what was done about the dispute after it occurred.

There are many more questions, but I hope that this information helps you make a wise contracting decision. This may seem like a lot of work, but if you ever had a bad contracting experience, or know someone who has, you can appreciate the value of the time spent evaluating your contractor.

Scott Siegal is president of Maggio Roofing. Reach him at 301-891-1390 or [email protected].

Related Topics:Maggio Roofing Scott Siegal

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Bars & Parties

Mixtape Sapphics hosts holiday party on Dec. 13

‘Sugar & Spice’ night planned for Saturday

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Mixtape Sapphics will host “Sapphic Sugar & Spice: A Naughty-Nice Mixtape Holiday Party” on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 4 p.m. at Amsterdam Lounge.

This is a festive, grown holiday party for queer women and sapphics 35 and older at Revolt’s Christmas pop-up. There will be music, joy, and an optional White Elephant.

This is Mixtape Sapphics’ first-ever holiday party — a cozy, flirty, intentionally grounded night created just for queer women and sapphics 35+ who want real connection, festive joy, and a warm place to land at the end of the year.

Tickets start at $13.26 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Calendar

Calendar: December 12-18

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, December 12

“Center Aging Friday Tea Time” will be at 12 p.m. in person at the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s new location at 1827 Wiltberger St., N.W. To RSVP, visit the DC Center’s website or email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Happy Hour” at 7 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar and Restaurant. This event is ideal for making new friends, professional networking, idea-sharing, and community building. This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Women in Their Twenties and Thirties will be at 8 p.m. on Zoom. This is a social discussion group for queer women in the Washington, D.C. area. For more details, go to Facebook.

Saturday, December 13

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Community Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ+ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Sunday Supper on Saturday” at 2 p.m. D.C.’s queer community will gather for good food, laughter, and community. For more information, email [email protected].

Sunday, December 14

SADBrunch will host “HokiSlay Drag Brunch” at 12 p.m. at Throw Social. This festive affair brings fierce performances, over-the-top holiday looks, and more sparkle than a tinsel explosion. Expect powerhouse lip-syncs, laughter, and cheer hotter than your spiked cocoa. Cake Pop will host the event. Tickets cost $28.52 and are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, December 15

“Center Aging: Monday Coffee Klatch” will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ+ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice. For more information, contact Adam ([email protected]).

Genderqueer DC will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a support group for people who identify outside of the gender binary, whether you’re bigender, agender, genderfluid, or just know that you’re not 100% cis. For more details, visit genderqueerdc.org or Facebook.

Tuesday, December 16

Center Bi+ Roundtable will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is an opportunity for people to gather and discuss issues related to bisexuality or as Bi individuals in a private setting. Visit Facebook or Meetup for more information.

The DC Center for the LGBT Community will host “Self-Defense Class with Avi Rome” at 12:30 p.m. Rome is a proud member of the LGBTQ community and a full-time martial arts instructor with 25 years of teaching experience. He holds a Fifth Degree Black Belt in Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do and is the director of the studio’s Adaptive Tae Kwon Do program for students with special needs. He has also run numerous self-defense workshops for various groups and situations. For more details, visit the center’s website.

Wednesday, December 17

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom upon request. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Asexual and Aromantic Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a space where people who are questioning this aspect of their identity or those who identify as asexual and/or aromantic can come together, share stories and experiences, and discuss various topics. For more details, email [email protected].

Thursday, December 18

The DC Center’s Fresh Produce Program will be held all day at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. People will be informed on Wednesday at 5 p.m. if they are picked to receive a produce box. No proof of residency or income is required. For more information, email [email protected] or call 202-682-2245.

Virtual Yoga Class will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This free weekly class is a combination of yoga, breath work and meditation that allows LGBTQ+ community members to continue their healing journey with somatic and mindfulness practices. For more details, visit the DC Center’s website.

Egypt

Iran, Egypt object to playing in Seattle World Cup ‘Pride Match’

Game to take place on June 26

Published

2 days ago

December 11, 2025

Michael K. Lavers

(Photo by fifg/Bigstock)

Iran and Egypt have objected to playing in a “Pride Match” that will take place in Seattle during the 2026 World Cup.

The Egyptian Football Association on Tuesday said it told FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström in a letter that “it categorically rejects holding any activities related to supporting (homosexuality) during the match between the Egyptian national team and Iran, scheduled to be held in Seattle, USA, on June 26, 2026, in the third round of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup.” Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj told ISNA, a semi-official Iranian news agency that both his country and Egypt “protested this issue.”

The 2026 World Cup will take place in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The draw took place at the Kennedy Center on Dec. 5.

Iran is among the handful of countries in which consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death.

The State Department’s 2023 human rights report notes that while Egyptian law “did not explicitly criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, authorities regularly arrested and prosecuted LGBTQI+ persons on charges including ‘debauchery,’ prostitution, and ‘violating family values.’” Egyptian authorities “also reportedly prosecuted LGBTQI+ individuals for ‘misuse of social media.’”

“This resulted in de facto criminalization of same-sex conduct and identity,” notes the report.

The 2024 human rights report the State Department released earlier this year did not include LGBTQ-specific references.

Soccer has ‘unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs’

The June 26 match between Iran and Egypt coincides with Seattle Pride. The Washington Post reported the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee decided to hold the “Pride Match” before last week’s draw.

“As the Local Organizing Committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said SeattleFWC26 Vice President of Communications Hana Tadesse in a statement the committee sent to the Washington Blade on Wednesday. “SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists, and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”

“Football has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures, and beliefs,” added Tadeese. “The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian-American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora, and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle. We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect, and dignity that defines our region.”

The 2034 World Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia.

Consensual same-sex sexual relations remain punishable by death in the country. The 2022 World Cup took place in neighboring Qatar, despite concerns over the country’s anti-LGBTQ rights record.