Remember, in our work at Aberdeen Neighborhood Housing Services we strive to create safe and affordable housing opportunities for all residents of Grays Harbor.

To do this, we rely on local general contractors, electricians, plumbers, painters and roofers to perform quality repairs and remodels of the housing we own as well as those projects we oversee for folks like you.

So today we are offering an opportunity for contractors as well as a little guidance for those of you planning to work with contractors in the coming building season.

For contractors: If you’ve ever wondered if you would like to work for ANHS, keep reading.

First of all, we always welcome quality, licensed, bonded and insured contractors to our approved bidder pool.

We carefully research every construction company’s application.

We check out every work-related reference you provide and your financial status with your material suppliers. We also investigate your contractor status through the Labor and Industries web-site, (www.lni.wa.gov/contractors/contractor.asp), for license and bonding compliance as well as for any legal or financial issues. When possible, we visit any job sites made available on the application.

Your compiled information is then submitted to our Contractor Review committee, currently comprised of certified building officials, an architect and a bank loan officer.

The time frame, from application to being ready to bid a project, can be as little as two days.

The bidding and contracting steps in our process contain good news and even better news.

The good news is that we thoroughly document each job from start to finish. We do this in writing and on film. This helps guarantee protection for both sides in the event of a dispute.

The better news is that our contractors and homeowners, entering the sometimes difficult and lawsuit-prone construction arena, will be equipped with some of the best legal protection possible, our written contract and procedures.

Our process also helps guarantee quality work for the homeowner and prompt payment for the contractor.

But we think the best news about our process is the clear, written job descriptions and computer generated design prints.

First, we inspect our projects thoroughly. Then, we develop a detailed "Scope of Work" and easy-to-understand prints from which to bid. All potential bidders are invited to the job site for a "Walk-through" and discussion of the work.

Next, we assimilate the returned bids and present them to the homeowner so they can choose a contractor. We then generate a very comprehensive contract for all to sign.

As the work progresses, we make interim inspections and attend those required by the City Building Dept. We gather material suppliers’ lien waivers and produce any progress payments submitted by the contractor.

We also help to negotiate change orders for hidden work as well as help to keep relations between owners and contractors on an even keel.

In addition, for those folks looking for someone to do their work, we gladly give out our list of qualified contractors. After all, we want all the homeowners and contractors in our Grays Harbor neighborhoods to share in the pride of quality work.

So, if you’re a contractor who doesn’t mind writing a few signatures, jump through the application hoop and join us.

Now, for you homeowners:

Have you been planning to fix that foundation, paint your house, take care of those leaks or add on a room?

Maybe you know you can’t tackle your project until late spring or summer, but now’s the time to firm up your plans and find the contractor you want to work with.

Because of our long history with building projects, we’re very aware of how contractors work. By the end of March, many contractors will have already begun to schedule their jobs for the potentially drier spring and summer. Big jobs are usually first, especially if they are weather related.

Small painting, carpentry and plumbing jobs may not seem as critical to plan ahead for, but this isn’t always so. If your contractor is aware of your needs, they may gladly insert your shorter projects into their longer job schedules, which can have openings created by drying and curing days or other delays.

So, no matter the size of your project, now’s the time finalize your plan and begin the process of who you will contract to make your dream come true.

We are here as an objective, construction-related resource and may be able to help you with your project.

Perhaps you need some help firming up your plans, need design work or don’t know where to begin in drawing up a contract. We may be able to help you in all of these areas and even more.

We can walk you through the whole process of having work done on your house and even provide you with a sample or customized contract.

Anything we can do to help avoid construction-related pitfalls and further another successful project in Grays Harbor, is our part of our mission and our hallmark.