Wanted: A Good Contractor

Your home is one of your biggest investments. So it’s no wonder that when it comes time to make repairs or renovations to your home, you want to be sure that you’ve chosen a dependable contractor. It may take a little leg work to find the right contractor for your home, but the time invested will be well worth it.

A good contactor should have five or more years of experience. Most contracting industries offer professional designations that indicate a higher level of education and professionalism. You should plan to solicit at least two to three bids from prospective contractors, but the first thing to do is to ask friends and neighbors if they can recommend anyone. If they had work done in their own home, inspect the finished product. If you like what you see, you may have just found yourself a contractor.

Another option is to sign up with Angie’s List (www.angieslist.com), a community Web site that pools customer reviews of contractors in various areas. It costs four to five dollars a month, plus a $10 sign-up fee. Membership gives you access to hundreds of detailed reports of contractors written by those who have hired them.

No matter how you find a contractor, it’s important to check their references. After talking with past clients, you should check county records to find out if your contractor has been named in any lawsuits. The Better Business Bureau is also a good resource to see if any complaints have been made against your contractor. Finally, make certain that your contractor is properly licensed by finding out what licensing or bonding requirements exist in your state.

This months joke:

Question:What did the caveman give his wife on Valentine's Day?

Valentine FACTS

* Every year around 1 billion Valentine cards are sent across. After Christmas it’s a single largest seasonal card-sending occasion.

* Teachers receive the most Valentine's Day cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts. Children between ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine's cards with teachers, classmates, and fagmily members.

FAST FACTS

Nearly 30 percent of home electrical-wiring fires can be traced to the misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance and running the cords under rugs or through high traffic areas.
Source: InsWeb.com

Another Fast Fact

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Energy Efficient Mortgages Program helps homebuyers and homeowners save money on utility bills by enabling them to finance the cost of adding energy-efficient features to new or existing homes as part of their FHA-insured home purchase or refinancing mortgage.
Source: hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/eem/energy-r.cfm

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New Holiday/Vacation Homes For Sale

FREE programs from me to you, including "How To Buy A Home In Orlando" booklet

Question: How Can Service Technician Visits Made Easy?

Answer: If your air conditioner or freezer dies, you’ll need to call a service technician to repair your system or appliance before you lose your cool. To ensure fast, efficient service from any type of service technician, (plumber, electrician, etc.) provide the company with the following information prior to their arrival at your home:
* Your home address with clear driving directions.
* Make and model number of item needing repair - this will allow the technician to be prepared with replacement parts.
* Location of item needing repair.
* Your phone number(s) and the best time to reach you.

Service companies charge by the hour and interruptions to the technician can cost you money. Curious children and pets cause most job interruptions so before the technician arrives, follow these suggestions:
* Children – Arrange for a sitter to take them to the park, if possible, or limit children to places away from the work area such as a bedroom, yard, or playroom.
* Pets – Keep pets fenced or secured away from the work area. Technicians frequently travel in and out of the house giving Fido or Felix a way to escape.

Have questions? email Risa at questions@risa.net or call her at 407-699-4901

February favorite links:

Valentine's Day on the net 2009

Use This Moving Truck for FREE      

RE/MAX Town & Country Realty has a moving truck (pictured above) that our clients can use FREE for their local (inside the Metro-Orlando area) moves. When Risa helps you buy or sell a home, just let her know that you would like to use the RE/MAX Moving Truck. Then Ray, the Moving Truck Coordinator, will coordinate your reservation to use the truck for a 24 hour period and outline all of the details for the truck’s use. Tell Risa early on in your transaction that you’d like to use the truck to make sure that you can reserve the best time for your move! We’re glad to be able to offer this additional service to our clients. Risa Saltman wants to help make your moving process as smooth, enjoyable and efficient as possible.

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