home

Pam Stoler
248.840.0044

Sal Impastato
248.763.2223

www.PamAndSal.com

BIRMINGHAM Four bedroom renovated

charmer with a huge yard located on a
premier street near town. Living room with
arched entry, fireplace and bookcases leads
to sunny library / solarium. Classic white
kitchen with granite tops, butcher block
island, stainless appliances opens to vaulted
family room with fireplace and custom
built-ins. Upper level features master suite
with walk-in-closet and white marble bath,
finished lower level playroom, beautiful
landscaping. $995,000

DOWNTOWN BIRMINGHAM
Prime location for this updated
townhome. High end finishes throughout
including newer island kitchen with
granite and stainless appliances. Living
room and dining room boast cherry
flooring, fireplace and doorwall to serene
private patio. Master suite with jetted tub
and separate euro steam shower. Finished
lower level with fireplace. First floor
laundry, 2 car attached garage, walk to
everything! Sq65,000

DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER Four bedroom
colonial built in 2005 by Smith Homes. Large
foyer opens to living room with fireplace, dining
room with wainscoting and crown molding
and library featuring french doors and arched
bayed window. Open kitchen has center island
with snack bar, custom cabinetry, granite tops
and walk-in pantry. Main floor with 9' ceilings,
hardwood floors and plantation shutters. Master
bedroom has fireplace, tray ceiling, double
closets & private bath. First floor laundry, private
patio, custom landscaping. $525,000

BLOOMFIELD 1.67 acres with 325' of
frontage paradise! Spectacular Wing Lake
front 7,600 square foot country French
dream house. Grand foyer with limestone
flooring and barrel ceiling opens to spacious
living room with stone fireplace. Gourmet
island kitchen with breakfast room boasts
curved wall of glass. Main floor master
with marble bath and home office space.
Glass solarium, walk-out lower level with
2nd kitchen. Every room enjoys lake views.
$2,295,000

F‘CILSItt XF

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INTERN.ATIONAI REAL ESTATE

Halianahintcncom

98

April 14 • 2011

o

Homeowners Urged To Use
Licensed Contractors

T

here are a few things you can
count on when spring arrives:
daylight savings time, warmer
temperatures, rain and the urge to
spruce up your home or begin looking
for a new home.
Building Industry Association of
Southeastern Michigan (BIA) reminds
the public that under Michigan law,
all contractors offering to do work
which totals $600 or more in labor
and materials must be licensed by the
state's Department of Energy, Labor &
Economic Growth.
A residential builders license allows
a contractor to build a complete struc-
ture and do maintenance or alteration
(remodeling) work. A maintenance
and alteration license indicates that the
holder has met requirements for one or
more of 14 different trades. The trades in
which a contractor is qualified to prac-
tice are listed on the license.

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Filing Complaints
All licensed contractors carry a pocket
license card, which consumers should
ask to see. If they cannot show their
license, consumers should call the
Michigan Department of Labor and
Economic Growth's Builder's Unit at
(517) 241- 9254 or visit the DELEG Web
site at www.michigan.gov/builders to
Fraudulent Claims
confirm that an individual or company
"Consumers should be wary of builders
has a license.
or remodelers who offer an unreasonably
Consumers are encouraged to file
low price or claim they have materials
complaints against unlicensed contrac-
left over from another job they can use
tors. By doing so, consumers not only
on their project," said Michael Stoskopf,
assist in legal crackdowns, but also
CEO of the West Bloomfield-based BIA.
will help friends and neighbors from
"Legitimate builders and remodelers
being ripped off. Complaints against
do not over-buy materials for a job.
unlicensed contractors must be in writ-
Consumers are also warned to be cau-
ing and signed. Necessary forms may
tious about any builder who asks to be
be obtained at www.michigan.gov/
paid in cash or requires total payment
documents/dleg/builders_complaint_
up front."
forms_320691_7.pdf, or a consumer
Hiring unlicensed contractors exposes may request a form and information by
the consumer to potential liability issues
telephone at (517) 241-9202. Consumers
that could be very costly. Consumers that filing complaints are urged not include
use an unlicensed contractor can be held any information, such as your Social
liable for on-the-job injuries sustained
Security number, that you do not want to
by that unlicensed person and their
be released to the respondent.
employees. This exposes the consumer to
For a list of licensed builders and
liability, including having to pay medical
remodelers in Southeastern Michigan,
bills and lost wages.
visit www.builders.org/pdgmember-
Licensed contractors must carry work- ship_directory_and_buyers_guide.pdf.
ers compensation insurance to cover
injuries to their employees and generally The BIA
carry an appropriate amount of liability
Headquartered in West Bloomfield,
insurance as well. Unlicensed contractors Building Industry Association of
do not.
Southeastern Michigan (BIA) and
Licensed contractors offer consumers
Apartment Association of Michigan are
several benefits, including:
trade associations representing nearly
• The contractor knows his/her trade
600 builders, remodelers, multi-family
and has been tested and approved,
property owners, developers and suppli-
including a credit check by State of
ers to the single family and multi-family
Michigan;
residential construction industry.
• They are required to show continuing
BIA is affiliated with the Michigan
competency in their profession to keep
Association of Home Builders in Lansing
their license. They know and build to the and the National Association of Home
Michigan Residential Code;
Builders in Washington, D.C.
• Liability for on-the-job injuries will
Membership nationwide includes
rest with the licensed contractor, not
more than 175,000 individuals and com-
with the consumer.
panies. I