General Article

4 Consumer Tips When Replacing Windows in Your Home

4 Consumer Tips When Replacing Windows in Your Home

There are a number of reasons to replace the windows in your home, including home security, establishing a more energy-efficient home, to repair broken windows, or to enhance the look and feel of your home while improving property value. When doing your due diligence in reviewing replacement options and specialty companies in your area, there are industry tips and tricks that will help you get the best quality product and installation at the best price for your replacement windows.

Cost Includes Both Product and Installation – When meeting with different companies for your in-home estimate, know that pricing is broken out for both the products themselves as well as installation. When reviewing estimates, look at both breakdowns of the bids and ask questions if needed for clarification.

Comparing and Choosing a Company – When evaluating companies, it is generally best to find those accredited with the local Better Business Bureau and that has an A or A+ rating. You will likely also get the best price when working with a company that manufacturer their own windows and completes the installation, effectively removing the middleman and any associated price increase. Ensure that each company offers a free or complimentary in-home consultation, as there is no need to pay even a modest fee for this initial fact-finding service. Reviewing and checking previously satisfied customers and their testimonials is an important step in the selection process too.

Review Rebates and Incentives – Replacement windows is one of only a few upgrades you can make to your home that qualifies in many circumstances with either local, state or federal rebates and incentives. Select window products that are Energy Star partners will also offer rebates, as will your local gas and electric company. Do some initial fact finding and research to identify what kinds of extra rebates you would be entitled to so that you can properly budget your replacement window project.

Identify Installation Turnaround – Oftentimes vendors will tell you it will take three weeks to replace your windows, and sometimes longer if they do not have the product in stock and need to order from their manufacturer. This is another reason to seek out a company that both manufacturers here in the United States and installs their windows, to help shorten wait time and get the best price possible.

Replacement the majority of your home windows can be a large project, but by doing your homework on different products, companies, and rebates or incentives available, you will be able to make an educated decision resulting in the best price, installation and product possible.…

Basement Renovations

Advice On How To Repair Your Roof

When your roof is doing its job, your home is kept safe from the intrusion of wind and water. When the roof has issues, Mother Nature can create serious problems with your home. Learning how to care for your roof will save you lots of grief. The information below will set you up for success.

Your roof needs to be inspected by you on a yearly basis at the least. Roofs normally suffer from significant damage during the months in winter and spring. Because of this, you must pay special attention during these months.

Safety should be your number one priority when working on your roof. You can be seriously injured by attempting to fix your roof under severe weather conditions. Put a bucket beneath the leak until it stops raining, and work on the problem after the roof has dried out.

Do not try to do work on a roof in wet conditions. If your roof is slippery and wet, you may fall, causing bad injuries or perhaps death. Wait for sunny weather before you work on your roof.

If you’re feeling pressured by a contractor, show him the door. Some of them will do whatever it takes to get your signature on a contract. This is never a good sign for the consumer, so stop them long before you get to that point.

Avoid paying the entire cost of the job in advance. Once the supplies are delivered, paying 25% is fair. It would be horrible if they did bad work or didn’t do everything you thought they would.

You never want to climb atop your own roof to inspect for damage. Get an inspector out to do the job right. You certainly shouldn’t walk around on a roof that could collapse.

Insurance is a must when it comes to roofing. In the event that a roofer damages anything on your property and is not insured, it’s up to you to pay for it. Do not just ask if a prospective roofer has insurance, ask them to provide you with the documentation that their insurance is current and comprehensive as well.

Make sure your roofer has credentials, and make sure thy are current. Roofers should be licensed. They need full liability insurance, along with a current worker’s compensation certificate.

A contractor who hires employees is usually cheaper and more efficient than a contractor who works alone. A team can work quicker and the price may be more affordable, too. Be sure that if you have someone do it alone, they are not charging you too much for labor.

Check roofing materials before putting new shingles up. Using damaged materials, such as cracked shingles, can be a primary cause of a leak right from the start. Make sure the shingles are strong and free from cracks and that the nails you use will penetrate the shingles and secure them onto the structure.

Anyone who has a roof over their head would agree that roof repairs are an extremely difficult …

General Article

5 Questions You Must Ask Before Hiring an Air Duct Cleaning Company

Before hiring a company to clean your air ducts, you need to know if they’re the right fit. Although connecting your hood to your air ducts may not appear to be a difficult task, few homeowners are aware of how to do so. The right company will have the necessary equipment and expertise to complete the job correctly. Not only does it improve the air quality in your home, but it also helps prevent potential health risks. Before you hire an air duct cleaning company, ask these five questions:

What kind of equipment will you use?

You might not know what to expect if you’ve never cleaned your air ducts before, click here. To get the job done right, an air duct cleaning company should use specialized equipment that includes a powerful vacuum, a blower, and a brush attachment. Plus, some companies may also use specialized chemicals to treat the inside of your ducts.

What is the cost?

The cost of the service would be the first question to ask. What is the company’s pricing, and how does it compare with other companies? You might need to contact a few different cleaning companies before you find the right one, but it’s worth getting the best deal.

What guarantees do you provide?

If you’re looking for the best air duct cleaning service in town, it’s important to find out what guarantees they offer. What if something will go wrong with the air ducts after they have been cleaned by the air duct cleaning company? Do they have a warranty in place so you can get the problem fixed or do they just disappear? Ask these specific questions before agreeing to any contract.

How long is the cleaning time?

You should ask the company how long they think it will take to clean your air ducts. The length of time will depend on the size of your duct system and the extent of any damage. On average, a good company should be able to finish in about two hours.

Are there any restrictions?

It is a good idea to find out if there are any restrictions for the company you’re considering hiring. Some companies, for example, only provide service on certain days of the week or require a minimum amount of time for the cleaner to be in your home.

Is this a one-time only cleaning or do you do it on a regular basis?

The first thing you need to know is if the company that’s coming to clean your ducts will do it on a regular basis or just once. It can be a one-time thing or something they do every few months, like when the seasons change. What type of equipment are you going to use? You want to make sure that the equipment they’re using is EPA approved so that there’s no risk of damaging your air ducts in any way. Air duct cleaning can often take hours and hours for big jobs, so you want …