A CREATIVE IDEA....LABELING YOUR POWER CABLES

Instead of throwing away your old bread clips...why not recycle them and use them to label things such as your power/computer cables and such.  Let me know what else you might use these for!  You can contact me here!

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN HIRING A HANDYMAN

     
Not all homeowners are good at fixing things around the house. Some work all day and don't want to deal with doing repairs and maintenance tasks in the evening or on weekends.  The best solution for this problem is the hiring of a  local handyman or home improvement specialist.

      Here are a few things to consider when you finally make the decision to hire someone to help you around the house.

       DEFINE THE PROJECT:  Compile a list of repairs that you’re looking to have completed.   Walk through your home and write down some of the things you would like crossed off your “honey-do” list….i.e., dripping faucets, painting, dry wall repairs, ceiling fans, trim installation, etc...

Decide if you will be able to afford all the repairs at once or if you want them done in phases. If you want them in phases, prioritize what you want done first. 

      MAKE A LIST OF POTENTIAL HANDYMEN:  One of the best ways to find a handyman is to receive a trusted referral from a friend, relative or business associate.  A referral from someone you trust is always the best.  

       ASK QUESTIONS:   Three very important questions that must be asked are: 

A.   References – ask for at least three references and check them out.  Remember, you are inviting this person into your home…find out as much information as you can.

B.   Experience – ask direct questions about the handyman’s experience and ability when performing the tasks that are on your list.

C.   Insurance – Make sure the person you hire has General Liability Insurance.  If someone working on your property should become injured, unless they have their own liability insurance you will be fully liable. Reputable handymen carry insurance for this purpose.  It’s OK to ask for a copy of their insurance policy.

PRICING, FREE ESTIMATES, MINIMUM CHARGES:  Some things to consider when hiring a handyman are:) hourly rates…remember that the lowest price is not always the best.  b) Do they have a minimum charge? c) Do they offer free estimates? d) Do they up charge for materials? 

 Remember A good handyman is:

• Reliable - They show up when they say they will.
• Safe - They pay attention to the details of the project from the very beginning, asking questions and examining all of the aspects of your project, no matter the size.
• Skilled – They know what they are doing and can prove it by example as well as their references.
• Equipped – They will have quality tools and a solid vehicle.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and research your local professional handyman.   Remember, there is nothing wrong with playing it safe!

If you find that you are in need of a handyman.....I would love to help out.  Check out my testimonial page on my website.  You won't be disappointed!!!

GREEN LIVING TIP - HIGH EFFICIENCY, LOW FLOW TOILETS

Are you looking for a way that can help save the environment as well as save you money?

Another tip you can add to your list of "Going Green" besides Water Barrels is having a high efficiency, low flow toilet installed in your home or business.

Low Flow Toilets can significantly reduce the water wasted every time you visit the loo.

According to statistics, on average, you might flush 140,000 times throughout your life.  If your toilet was made before 1995, it can use as much as 5 gallons of water every time you flush.  Toilets made after 1996 use much less water at no more than 1.6 gallons per flush.  Just think about the amount of water that is saved by having a newer commode installed.

If you were to install a high-efficiency, low flow toilet, less than 1.3 gallons of water is used per flush.  Also available is the dual-flush toilet, which has two buttons instead of one handle,  One button lets you flush liquid waste using less than 1 gallon of water and the other button uses a full 1.6 gallons of water to flush solid waste.

If you are interested in switching out your old toilet for a newer, efficient model, please give me a call or email me.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Check back soon for other Green Living Tips!