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 r TE S 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. lommuoatiiiimmll Mill i 1111111111 iffillffillIMLAMMIll I 1 111111111111111111M11M 11 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