Steps On How To Find A DUI Lawyer For Your Drunk Driving Legal Case

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Experience in Drunk Driving Cases

Years ago, back when the yellow pages were the primary form of advertisement, the phone book listed hundreds of lawyers claiming to be “DUI Specialists.” None of these lawyers were members of the National College for DUI Defense, but these same lawyers also practiced personal injury, probate, medical malpractice, divorce, child custody, etc. One might wonder, with all these areas of practice, how these old DUI Specialists had time to learn the science of breath and blood testing and winning strategies for defending a drunk driving case. The bottom-line was that these specialists specialized in pleading people to impaired driving.

In the last few years, there has been explosion of websites with lawyers claiming to be drunk driving experts. It takes very little effort to claim to be an experienced drunk driving lawyer, and a good website designer can make an inexperienced lawyer look remarkable. Many of these websites are run by nonlawyers who offer to sell spots to lawyers, renting out the page on a monthly basis.

The average person facing a drunk driving offense has never been charged with a criminal offense, so they have had little exposure to the criminal justice system. Lawyers tend to specialize in one or two narrow areas of practice, with far less than half practicing criminal defense. Amongst criminal defense lawyers, even fewer focus on drunk driving defense, which has been acknowledged as a specialized area of law by the American Bar Association. That said, however, nearly every general practitioner has handled a drunk driving case, and many lawyers view these cases as an easy source of revenue.

Your prior experience with lawyers is probably very limited, if you have any experience at all. You probably don’t know what attorneys normally charge or how to distinguish a mediocre lawyer from a great lawyer. A lot of people rely upon word of mouth, which isn’t necessarily a bad place to start, but word of mouth assumes that your friends and family know a good drunk driving lawyer. You can turn to a local attorney, but chances are pretty good you’ll end up with a general practitioner or worse. Be forewarned that divorce attorneys and personal injury lawyers are more than happy to take on a drunk driving case as supplemental income, and there are no prerequisites that prevent a lawyer–regardless of the lawyer’s level of skill, knowledge, or normal area of practice–from advertising as a DUI defense lawyer.

Based upon my own experience, I have found that the typical lawyer charges anywhere from $500 to $10,000 on a drunk driving case, with an average in Wayne and Oakland County around $2,000. It is not unusual for a really good DUI defense lawyer to charge $15,000 or more on a case. With the tremendous difference in price, and little exposure to the lawyers out on the market, it can be difficult to find the right lawyer for your case

Choosing a DUI Defense Attorney

Is the Attorney’s Primary Focus DUI and Criminal Defense?

One of the most complicated and complex areas of criminal law is DUI and Drunk Driving Defense. A skilled DUI Defense Attorney must  have a working knowledge and understanding of all of the chemical testing devices used in the case, principles of toxicology, and well as an understanding of what constitutes as “probable cause” for stopping a motorist by law enforcement.

Is the lawyer a member of the National College for DUI Defense?

The National College for DUI Defense is a college that is held each year on the campus of Harvard law School and is made up of some of the best and most dedicated lawyers in the United States. Anyone who is a member certainly is serious about DUI defense. The College also is the only body authorized by the American Bar Association to issue certification in the recognized legal specialty of  DUI defense

Is the lawyer well known in the field of DUI defense?

As is any profession, some individuals always standout, and are highly regarded and well respected.  Hanna & Ruud, LLC, is recognized as an industry leader in DUI and Criminal Defense. Our Attorneys have been featured in national magazines and publications.

Tips For Choosing The Right DUI Lawyer

Not all that long ago, an arrest – or even a conviction – for driving under the influence was really not that big of a deal in the United States. Most people received nothing more than the proverbial “slap on the wrist” for a first time DUI. Today, however, an arrest for DUI is taken seriously as a result of a concerted effort by advocacy groups and government agencies to bring awareness to the public regarding the dangers of drinking and driving. If you were recently arrested in Omaha, Nebraska for DUI, the most important thing you can do at this point is to retain the services of an experienced Nebraska DUI attorney. If you have never had the need to hire a criminal defense attorney before, the following tips may help you choose the right DUI lawyer for you and your case.

Consider your situation. Before you start looking for an attorney, make sure you understand the charges against you, consider your game plan, and set a budget. Each of these will be important when choosing an attorney. Choosing an attorney whose practice is devoted entirely, or at least primarily, to criminal defense is essential because you don’t want an attorney who spends the majority of his/her time reviewing contracts to represent you in a criminal prosecution. Even better, look for an attorney who has a practice that is focused even more narrowly on DUI cases. Also, consider how you wish to resolve your case – plea agreement or trial because some defense attorneys have a reputation for negotiating great plea agreements while others almost always go to trial so it is important to consider which direction you are inclined to go with your case. Finally, there can be a fairly wide range of fees charged by attorneys. Usually, although not always, the disparity in fees reflects the disparity in experience. While this is not the time to shop for bargains, you do need to know how much you can afford to pay an attorney before you set out to hire one.

Ask friends, family members, and co-workers for a referral. Understandably, you may be reluctant to discuss your situation with people you know. Being arrested and charged with a crime is usually not something people are excited about sharing with others. You might be surprised, however, at how many people you know have either been arrested for driving under the influence themselves or had a close loved one who was. The reality is that being arrested for a DUI is just not that shocking, or uncommon, in the United States. A referral offers you first-hand information about an attorney. It isn’t just the positive feedback that can be helpful either. Sometimes, the negative experiences people you know had with the attorney can be just as helpful as the positive feedback.

Search the internet. Choosing an attorney based solely on the attorney’s website is never a good idea; however, you can obtain a wealth of information by searching the internet for a Nebraska criminal defense attorney. You will likely find an attorney’s biography, the areas of the law the attorney practices, and how long the lawyer has been in practice, among other helpful information. Sometimes an attorney’s bio instantly resonates with a client, ultimately resulting in a successful attorney-client relationship.

Schedule consultations. Most Nebraska criminal defense attorneys will offer a free, or low cost, initial consultation. Once you have a short list of potential attorneys, schedule initial consultations with them to discuss your case. Be sure to prepare for the meetings by gathering documents and making copies for the attorney, preparing questions you have for the attorneys, and preparing yourself to answer some tough questions the attorney may have for you. By the time you are done with your consultations you should be ready to choose an attorney for your case.

CHOOSING THE BEST DUI ATTORNEY

HOW TO OBTAIN A SKILLED DRUNK DRIVING DEFENSE LAWYER

Like most individuals arrested and accused of driving under the influence, you probably have little or no experience with the legal system and the proper way to find a criminal defense lawyer for DUI charges. If you had a heart problem, you would want a heart specialist as opposed to an eye doctor, and the same thinking should apply to the lawyer you choose. Retain legal counsel that is experienced and knowledgeable in this area of the law.

Unfortunately, finding the right Marin County DUI attorney can be a confusing process, as there is a lot of misinformation on websites and mailers. Here some of the things to watch out for:

False and misleading claims regarding DUI success rates. One of the most common is the claim that they get the DUI charges against their clients dismissed in a high percentage of their cases. The truth is that defendants are most often charged with two DUI offenses: driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above. When a guilty plea is entered for one of the two charges, the other is almost always dismissed.

Claims of being recognized as a Top 10% Trial Lawyer or similar boast. They pay for the plaque and badge to put on their website and there is no substance to it at all.

Numerous online reviews that appear to be written in the same style and with shallow content.

Solicitations mailed to your home. There are two types of lawyers doing it. One is the marketing pro who never goes to court and has inexperienced lawyers handling everything. The other is the lawyer desperate for business.

What to Look For:

A good place to start when choosing the best DUI lawyer for your case is to ask people in and around Marin County who are in a position to know. Visit the local courthouse and ask bailiffs, clerks, public defenders, and other attorneys the same question, “which DUI lawyer would you recommend?”

Here are some other important questions to ask when you are looking for the right DUI attorney to represent you:

Is the lawyer Board-Certified by the National College for DUI Defense, as approved by the American Bar Association?

Does the lawyer hold an A-V rating by Martindale-Hubbell™? (This is the highest ranking an attorney can obtain from other lawyers).

Has the lawyer received special training in chemical testing and field sobriety tests?

Will the lawyer personally handle your case, or are they just a slick marketer who will farm your case out to an inexperienced associate?

Does the lawyer ever take DUI cases to trial?

Is the lawyer based in San Rafael, or are they just paying for a mail drop address at 4040 Civic Center Dr.?

How long has the lawyer been in practice?

HOW DO I FIND THE BEST DUI DEFENSE LAWYERS?

SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE

Frederick Slone has successfully defended DUI cases in the state of Alaska for over 30 years. At Kasmar & Slone, you’re assured of being represented by a lawyer who understands drunk driving laws, what it takes to build a solid successful defense, and one who will guide you through this ordeal.

ATTORNEY REFERRALS

The best way to find an experienced drunk driving defense lawyer is by reputation. Ask other lawyers in the area for recommendations as to the best DUI attorneys. Ask them who THEY would hire if arrested for a drunk driving offense.

NATIONAL COLLEGE FOR DUI DEFENSE

Another excellent source for finding an experienced and competent drunk driving defense attorney is the National College For DUI Defense, a non-profit legal organization committed to the education and training of DUI defense lawyers. The College admits DUI attorneys selectively.

ATTORNEYS COMMITTED TO DUI DEFENSE -VS- DABBLERS

As drunk driving cases can be very complex, you should look for an attorney who devotes the majority of his or her practice to the defense of DUI cases

TRUST IS PARAMOUNT

Above all, you must have a sense of comfort and confidence about your case after meeting with an attorney. If you don’t trust the attorney, you should look further.

The Most Efficient Solution For A Hydro Jetting Service

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Everything You Need to Know About Hydrojetting

Hydrojetting is a new plumbing strategy that plumbers all over the country are beginning to adopt to tackle more severe clogs that cannot be easily remedied with plungers. This technology is a significant addition to the plumbing industry and it is important to understand exactly how it works.

What is Hydrojetting and How Does it Work?

Hydrojetting is a process that uses pressurized water to clear pipes. Professionals pump the high-pressure water through your pipes and it clears the interior of any debris that has built up and caused a clogged or slower flow.

Previously, most plumbers would use a technique called rodding. Rodding is when you use a tool to create a hole through the debris in an effort to open up the flow more. Hydrojetting is significantly more thorough and effective in clearing build-up.

A plumber will identify the ideal area to pump the water and insert a hose that is connected to a large tank of water. Depending on the severity and nature of your clog, the plumber will choose a pressure level to use. Hydrojetting can shoot up to 20 gallons of water through your pipes each minute. Because most pipes angle downward from your home into the sewer system, the dislodged material that was blocking your pipe will flow down into the sewer system.

Hydrojetting can take care of a wide variety of different materials. It will clear grease, hair, food or soap residue, and even tree roots and mineral build-up.

Steps in the Hydro Jetting Process

Here’s what occurs when you schedule this service:

1. Your licensed plumber locates the plumbing system cleanout, which gives an easy access point to the piping throughout your home.

2. He or she uses a  camera to inspect your plumbing pipes and drain prior to jetting. This step searches for damage within the system, such as cracked or crumbling pipes, which could be worsened by the process.

3. Your plumber inserts the jetting hose downstream into the plumbing lines. This durable hose attaches to a water tank that pressurizes water.

4. Your plumber adjusts the water pressure to appropriate levels for pipe conditions. Hydro jetting typically involves water pressure up to 35,000 psi.

5. Once the high-pressured water begins, the tool moves upstream through the plumbing lines as it scours the interior pipe walls.

6. The tool removes built-up debris from the inside of the pipe walls. Gravity pulls the debris down through the home plumbing system and safely flushes it out of the home.

What is Hydro Jetting Used For?

Hydro jetting is used to completely eliminate scale buildup and heavy root intrusion in main sewer lines, and heavy grease and scale buildup in kitchen lines. It is especially useful in commercial applications for restaurant lines due to excessive grease. When kitchen drain pipes get frequent use and have even minimal amounts of grease poured into them on a regular basis, they can quickly become full and close off the flow of water. Additionally, the unique plumbing method of hydro jetting will rotate the high-pressure water in the drain lines, scouring the inside of the pipe and restoring it to optimal condition.

Is Hydro Jetting Safe?

Hydro jetting, even at the highest PSI is safe for most kitchen and sewer drain lines. It is especially important that the licensed contractor performs a camera inspection prior to hydro jetting to determine the pipeline condition. If the pipe is deteriorating, has cracks or holes, or looks frail in places, hydro jetting may not be the best immediate option. Even regular snaking can break a drain line that is in poor condition. When hiring a drain specialist, make sure to choose a licensed, insured and bonded contractor to keep your property safe and protect the integrity of the lines as much as possible.

Hydro Jetting Procedure

Hydro jetting is done by inserting the specialized hose inside a cleanout. A cleanout is an opening in the plumbing system that gives plumbers access to the sewer pipes for cleaning and repairs. The hose is then activated to allow highly-pressurized water to wash away any dirt and debris found in the sewer pipes. The pressure of the water coming out from a hydro jet can reach up to 3,500 psi which makes it an ideal method in removing even the most stubborn dirt such as tree roots. Hydro jetters can clean several hundred feet of sewer pipe.

Hydro Jetting Vs. Snaking

Cleaning the main drain of your sewer line is something that many homeowners need to do on a regular basis. This type of maintenance prevents sewer backups, removes tree roots from the pipe and is a good way to keep tabs on the state of the sewer line.

There are two standard methods for cleaning the sewage line: hydro jetting and snaking. Both methods are a common service offered by plumbing and drain cleaning companies. Understanding the differences between hydro jetting and snaking can help homeowners pick the right method for their sewer.

The Hydro Jetting Method

Hydro jetting is achieved when a very forceful stream of water between 3,000 and 8,000 PSI is forced into the sewer line. This stream of water is strong enough to clear out any debris or clogs in its way, including tree roots, grease and hair.

Advantages of Hydro jetting:

Hydro jetting is extremely effective: High water pressure is highly effective for cleaning out clogged sewers and maintaining a clean sewer line. A strong enough jet of water can even remove tree roots.

Hydro jetting services are versatile: With a high enough PSI, water pressure is strong enough to clear commercial sewer lines as well as domestic lines.

Disadvantages of Hydro jetting:

Too much water pressure can damage some pipes: Sometimes hydro jetting works a little too well. Older, fragile pipes and damaged pipes may not be able to withstand the force from such a powerful stream of water. Luckily, hydro jetting is not a do-it-yourself activity. Plumbing companies that offer hydro jetting services know to inspect pipes and determine the strength of pipes before using hydro jetting equipment.

The Snaking Method

Snaking is done with an auger. An auger looks like a long steel cable with a cork-screw like coil at one end. When the auger is inserted into the sewer line, the coil at the end pierces obstructions it encounters and clears a path through the pipe.

Advantages of Snaking:

Snaking is historically effective: It is a time-tested, proven method for clearing basic clogs in sewer drains.

It won’t damage fragile pipes: Snaking is relatively gentle and poses no threat to older pipes.

Disadvantages of Snaking:

Snaking only clears a path as wide as the tip of the auger: While snaking is an effective method for clearing basic clogs and increasing drainage speeds in slow sewer drains, snaking is only a temporary fix for many problems that homeowners experience with their sewer lines.

Why Use A Wedding Dj

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WEDDING DJ – TIPS ON CHOOSING + TOP DJ’S

Choosing the right DJ for your wedding can make or break your special day as the music creates the whole vibe of your event. The soundtrack for your wedding reception will be created by the DJ that you choose. This is why it is important to find the right one

There are certain pointers for finding that extra special disc jockey. Who will transform your reception venue into an enjoyable location for all your guests? These are some of the factors we will be highlighting in this article on how to choose a wedding DJ. Things like wedding DJ songs or how much DJ’s for weddings might cost are all addressed below.

The Average Price For Wedding DJ

Music is the soul of a wedding, and only the best service can make your wedding unforgettable. Knowing the average wedding price for DJ helps you work better around your wedding budget.

The average wedding cost of a DJ is between $610 to $960. The minimum DJ’s price is $400 while the maximum is $2,200. This is for DJ costs only, as other side toppings attract extra pay. The average wedding DJ price for a 4 or 5hr long wedding is between $600 to $1500. A professional DJ’s costs for a wedding is between $1000 to $2500. This applies to DJ’s who are skilled and with years of experience on the job. They do it full time and charge quite a bit high.

Wedding DJ cost per hour

The hourly average cost of the DJ for a wedding is between $150 to $300. Most DJ’s charge an hourly rate. But others insist on a minimum number of hours one must book with them. You should also check how much they charge for overtime, and other add-on offers.

Deciding Between a Band and a DJ

Perhaps one of the hardest decisions you’ll make when planning your wedding reception is choosing between a band and DJ. Many aspects go into your decision, atmosphere, cost, and range of services. So, let’s dive in

Atmosphere.

The entertainment you select for your reception will set the mood for the entire evening (or afternoon if you’re doing a brunch wedding!). One thing to think about is the fact that not all bands are the same, just as not all DJs are the same. Folks who lean towards bands typically think DJs are either boring or obnoxious, which isn’t always true. And folks who lean towards DJs think bands are limited in genre, which also isn’t always true. A party band can play a wide range of music and provide an exciting atmosphere. A fun DJ can also keep the party going without being obnoxious by talking too much but instead being interactive with leading the crowd. In both cases, you should expect a fun evening for your guests with either.

Cost.

The difference between good and great is almost always cost. A great wedding band typically charges between $7,500 and $10,000. Keep in mind, they have to divide that among the band members, the booking agent, etc. A great wedding DJ will charge between $1,500 and $3,000. Factored into the DJ’s costs are equipment, insurance, advertising, and value of services. There are cheaper bands and DJs, but if you’re looking for the best and most exciting environment, these are good ballpark figures to consider.

Range of services.

This is where you need to ask questions to your band or DJ. Do they offer multiple setups outside of reception for cocktail hour and ceremony? Do they provide MC services on your wedding day and help direct the timeline of events? Do they take breaks? If yes, for how long? Do they take requests from guests or have a pre-crafted playlist? The answers to these questions should factor into your decision as well.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR WEDDING DJ

There are two vital things that make or break your wedding – food and music. While the former is easier to control, choosing the right wedding DJ is a trickier task. Your DJ is the one who sets the mood for the event and ultimately ensures that everyone has a great time. If you get a bad one, well… let’s just hope no one snores too loudly! Here’s a checklist of things to note when hiring a DJ for your celebrations.

You get what you pay for

DJs are a cheaper alternative to “live” bands and prices do vary from as little as $250 to $3,000. Try to stick to your budget as there are many options out there. That being said, considering how much you’re spending on the rest of the day (flowers, venue etc.), don’t cut back on this and have your reception ruined by dull, snoozy entertainment

Word of mouth recommendations

When seeking out DJs, ask people you trust for recommendations, like friends and family or your venue operator. Don’t just take the word of a friend of a friend who’s knows of somebody who dabbles… Your DJ should be fun, reliable and flexible to changes. Do check out their equipment too. You wouldn’t want someone who uses tacky effects as part of the package, or has poor quality speakers (yikes!)

Ask the right questions

What if you’re sick or unable to make it to the event? What happens if your computer breaks down in the middle of the reception? Do you play songs with explicit lyrics? How will you encourage guests to dance? These are some questions you should be clearing out of the way before hiring your DJ. You wouldn’t want someone who doesn’t know how to work the crowd or doesn’t have a Plan B

Handling the playlist

A good, professional DJ always caters to the clients and guests. While your DJ will add their own style and flair to put the night together musically, he or she must honour your must-play and do-not-play lists. But the bigger question is – do you want to approve every song or give him the freedom of creative expression? Songs for specific aspects, like your first dance, should definitely be picked out beforehand. But for the rest of the day, give your DJ the freedom to mix it up.

How to Choose a Wedding DJ

Choosing a Wedding DJ

As a wedding DJ myself, I’ve followed this industry for the last ten years and have met many other DJs along the way.  With so many other to-dos when you’re planning a wedding, hiring a DJ can sometimes get pushed to the bottom of the list.  If you are struggling with how to make such a large decision, I’ve put together a quick guide to helping you pick the right wedding DJ.  I’ll refrain from talking about my company in this blog post, but if you have questions about Bow Ty Audio

Price

How much it costs to book a DJ usually indicates quality.  If quality is a concern of yours, you should expect to pay more than $1,000.  The best wedding DJs do this as their full-time gig and the professional ones truly care about their clientele and production quality.  These DJ’s want to give their clients the best experience possible – not only because they care but because if they don’t they will be out of business!

Experience

Experience is the most important aspect when choosing a wedding DJ.  If you think back, I imagine you can remember a wedding you attended where the DJ made or broke the evening…  With that being said, you can’t go wrong with an experienced wedding DJ with the right equipment.  As we discussed before, price is a good indicator of quality but you may have to look deeper to prove it

Before reaching out to any DJ make sure to read the reviews on the ones you are considering.  Reviews from The Knot, Wedding Wire or Google can be very helpful.  You can gain a lot of information about the type of work the DJ does, how he or she interacts with clients, and the type of experience he offers through previous client’s feedback.  Once you’ve narrowed down your list, make sure to ask your DJ how long they’ve been DJing or how many weddings they’ve done.  They have to be doing something right if they’re still going after many years!

Style

My last point is on the DJ’s style.  You want to find a DJ that is professional & resonates with your tastes.  Let your DJ know what genres or songs you’d like played and what type of music they should skip.  You should definitely ask if they’ve DJed weddings in the past that align with your preferences.  Some DJs are skilled at mixing music, some know all the best two-step songs, etc.

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding DJ

Everyone knows that getting married is so much more than just the ceremony itself and it is immensely important to get the evening entertainment spot on. The route most people to go down is the wedding DJ, and when done correctly this can be a big hit.

What Should A Wedding DJ Provide?

First and foremost a wedding DJ is there to make sure you and all your guests have a good time, therefore, choosing the right one is absolutely crucial. As well as bringing their own equipment including mixers, lights and speakers a sense of fun and enthusiasm are even more important.

When to Book A Wedding DJ and How?

It is never too soon to put plans in place for your special day, so as soon as you know your date then get in touch with Champions Music & Entertainment and we can get the wheels in motion to make sure everything is done with minimal hassle.

How Much Does A Wedding DJ Cost?

Again, this really depends on what you want. Evidently, a celebrity DJ will bring a higher charge due to their celebrity status but this does not necessarily mean that the quality suffers by opting for the non-celeb alternative.

For example, DJ Ross Maslin might not be a household name but he has won awards for his DJ skills in the UK. Having appeared at over 100 venues across the country he is extremely versatile and as there is likely to be a wide range of ages at your wedding, is able to leave all of them thoroughly entertained. Champions Music & Entertainment are able to listen to your exact needs and then match you to a wedding DJ who suits you best.

Best Hardwood Flooring Tips To Save You Money

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TO MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORING

WHAT TYPE OF HOME DO YOU LIVE IN?

The type of residence will significantly influence the flooring type and installation method you need. In a single-family home, the subfloor will dictate the type of floor you can install. In a condominium, your condo owner’s agreement usually has rules regarding soundproofing which have to be considered. In a basement, an engineered floor will be your preferred option.

HOW MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN YOUR HOME?

The more people there are, the greater the traffic and the more durable your finish needs to be. If you have young children or pets, choose a textured hardwood floor or one with character and color variation. Matte finishes also tend to minimize the appearance of dents and scratches.

WHAT KIND OF FURNITURE IS IN THE ROOM, AND WHAT STYLE OF DÉCOR?

Is there already wood in the room? Are there a lot of furnishings, or just a few? What shades are they? In a new home, the ambiance you’re looking for will largely influence your choice of color, wood species, grade, finish, board width, and direction.

WHAT TYPE OF FLOORING IS RIGHT FOR YOUR ROOM?

The right type of flooring for you depends on the room where it will be installed. Various floor types are available according to your needs: Engineered wood, Lock engineered wood, engineered wood Trubalance and solid wood. See a dealer for advice on choosing a floor.

WHAT ROOMS ARE YOU PLANNING TO FLOOR?

Sketch out the rooms where you want to install your hardwood floor.  Indicate the areas of the rooms and make note of stairways, closets, and any obstacles that will require special fitting. Find out what kind of subfloor you have and in what direction the joists run. Remember that engineered flooring is the best choice for basements.

What is the best hardwood floor for my room?

To ensure you select the best hardwood flooring that matches your lifestyle, budget and home design, take time to compare different hardwood floor types. Talk with an expert at your local Carpet One Floor & Home store to learn more about which type of hardwood flooring would best work in your space.

When choosing the best hardwood flooring for your room, you have the option to choose between standard hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood.

Traditional or solid hardwood flooring consists of single strips of wood. The biggest benefit to solid hardwood is that it can easily be customized, sanded, and re-stained to change finishes as your styles change.

Engineered hardwood planks come in many colors and wood types, just like solid wood. However, engineered hardwood is made by laminating 3-5 strips together, with grains running at different angles. Engineered Hardwood is more structurally sound so it can be installed in areas where solid wood flooring might not be an option, for example, moist basements. Engineered Hardwood is also typically less expensive and tends to be more water-resistant compared to traditional solid wood floors.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Hardwood Flooring for Your Home

There are different types of flooring from hardwood, stone, vinyl to carpet and terrazzo. Hardwood is considered a high-quality option for its characteristics. It is durable and resistant to dust and debris. It can also last a lifetime if properly maintained. All hardwood is not created equal and choosing the best flooring is not a matter of colour preferences or aesthetics alone. Hardwood allows plenty of scope for creativity with different finishes, textures, and hardness ratings for the chosen flooring. Natural wood is versatile and perfect for every room in your home, except for basement and bathroom.

Origin of hardwood flooring

Way before the discovery of the New World, the Royals were the first to enjoy wooden flooring. Back then, the procedure of acquiring hardwood was time-consuming and laborious. They were hand-scraped and sanded. Wooden flooring became increasingly common during the Colonial Era. During 1800-1945, wood flooring was widely used and came from local species of trees. They were assembled in the simplest manner. However, after World War II, hardwood flooring experienced a decline in demand as cheaper flooring alternatives were introduced. The demand for hardwood flooring has revived in recent times for its sophistication and timeless appeal.

Making of solid hardwood floorboards

The trees are cut into logs and depending on the quality, their usage is determined. The planks are made from single wood piece and levelled first. Tongue and groove edges are cut using respective machines. Logs with tight grain and fewer knots are used for cutting out planks for flooring. There are different varieties of cutting methods that create different grain patterns. The logs are cut into three main patterns- rift sawn, quarterly sawn, and plain sawn. The final product can have different types of finish or can be left unfinished as well which has a different appeal.

Types of finishes

Hardwood flooring can be pre-finished, or site finished. There are different types of finish for hardwood and each finish has certain benefits and characteristics. From oil penetrates, oil-like hybrids, to site finished polyurethane and prefinished UV cured urethane finish, the choices are varied.

Oil penetrates imparts a soft, matte and natural look to the wood planks. While it is comparatively more prone to scratches, the scratches on such floorboards are less noticeable. Soft oil finish is easier to maintain, and you can touch up the problematic areas on a spot-by-spot.

Flooring Buying Guide

Installing a new floor is one of the more expensive home improvement projects you’ll undertake. With so many choices—hardwood, laminate, engineered wood, vinyl, tile—where do you begin?

Budget is certain to factor into your decision. But you should also consider how much foot traffic, sunlight, and wear and tear your flooring will endure

For example, some engineered woods, along with a few solid wood types of flooring, aren’t as resistant to moisture as vinyl or laminate flooring—a serious drawback in a bathroom or busy kitchen. Porcelain tile would be a better choice for durability, but it can be expensive and requires labor-intensive installation

How We Test Flooring

We test wear resistance by subjecting a 6×6-inch sample of each flooring material to an abrasion machine fitted with a fine sandpaper disc, and assessing each sample for signs of visible wear after each cycle of sanding.

Types of Flooring

Most flooring falls into one of the following six types. The type you choose will depend on your needs and budget—not to mention your personal style and aesthetic.

Buyer’s Guide to Hardwood Floors

Hardwood floors are beautiful, durable, and easy to clean. These benefits come at a higher price than other hard-surface flooring options, but the longevity and style of wood flooring can be worth it.

Hardwood floors come in a range of styles and species. There are strips, planks, and parquet styles, and colors ranging from gray to deep red, depending on the species and stain you choose. Since there are so many options, there’s something out there to suit almost any space and taste.

Solid hardwood vs. engineered hardwood

When you’re shopping, you’ll need to choose between solid and engineered hardwood.

Traditional hardwood flooring, or solid hardwood, comes in planks of solid wood. Solid hardwood floors can be refinished multiple times. While more costly than engineered hardwood, being able to refinish the floor will make it last longer

Engineered hardwood has a layer of hardwood on top of other materials that are designed to restrict the natural expansion and contraction of the wood. Engineered hardwood looks great and has a lower price than solid hardwood, but it can’t always be refinished like solid hardwood can, depending on the thickness of the top hardwood layer.

Common Myths About Wild Bat

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Bat Removal and Control

Bats are usually classified as a pest species due to their habits of living in houses. The most common complaints include the following:

  • Bats living in the attic
  • Bats living in the chimney
  • Odor due to bat droppings
  • Bats swarming around building
  • Loose bat stuck inside home

For these reasons, many people wish to have colonies of bats removed from the building. Please be aware that this is a specialty service.

Bat Removal – How To Get Bats Out of Buildings

Step 1

Perform a full inspection of the building. This is to determine exactly how the bats are getting in and out.
Step 2

Perform an attic inspection, and learn to identify the species of bat. This is important because different bats have different birthing and hibernating seasons.
Step 3

Exclude the bats – DO NOT ATTEMPT TO TRAP THEM. Read here why you should not try to do bat trapping, but rather bat exclusion, which is the process of letting them fly out, but not back in, to the building.
Step 4

 Seal up the house to keep bats out permanently. In fact, much of this is done prior to the exclusion – just be sure not to seal up the primary exit points while any bats are inside!!
Step 5

Clean the attic or walls, or space where the bats lived and defecated

Inspect the buildings for entry points and roosting areas.

Identify areas in and around buildings where bats can enter. This step is vital for effective placement of bat-eviction tubes and nets.

To witness bats entering or exiting the building, monitor it during early evening (dusk) and just before dawn. Note all the locations where the bats leave the building. During cooler months, you may need to inspect several nights in a row to establish exit/entry points, because bats do not leave the roost at night in cold weather.

When inspecting the exterior of the building, look along roof lines and behind gutter placement for rub marks, which are stains left by the oils and dirt rubbing off the bats’ hair. Like rodents, bats will leave some evidence of staining; however, bat stains are harder to see. Also look at ground level for guano—in most cases, the bat-entry points will have some guano buildup if the colony is large enough.

Inside, identify all parts of the building where they may have established roosts. These areas can include chimneys, attic spaces, wall spaces, ceiling spaces, expansion joints, and roof overhangs. Bats also roost behind gutters, in sports stadiums, and beneath or behind signs and fixtures.

Exclusion 

The process of exclusion involves using netting or tubes at entry points, which allow the bats to drop down and take flight but which confound re-entry. The excluders are left in place for a week, so that the bats give up. After they’re gone, the plugging and sealing and caulking can take place.

In parts of the country, bats migrate in fall to hibernate for the winter; if yours have left for the season, and you know where they’re coming in, late fall is the time to plug up all holes and cracks around windows, fascia and soffits, cornices, chimney flashing, etc. If the bats were living in the chimney, cover the top with a “box” made of fine-mesh screening.

If the bats have taken up residence, plan to evict them in late summer or early spring, not after birthing season, when pups (who can’t fly) would be orphaned and die. Don’t evict them in winter, when they’re hibernating and can’t fly out. 

Consider Offering Alternatives

Bats found roosting in your home aren’t malicious, and they certainly don’t mean you any harm – in fact, because of their role as insect-eaters and mosquito snatchers, bats are actually highly beneficial to the local ecosystem. That’s why it may be a good idea to offer bats an alternative roosting spot nearby – that way, they won’t be as tempted by the security of your attic.

Bat boxes and bat houses are as easy to set up as a birdhouse, but are designed to offer ideal roosting space for bats and their pups. Consider installing a bat house on a tree or a flat surface facing south or southeast (with around 6 to 8 hours of sun) at least 10 feet off the ground. By giving bats a better alternative nearby, you make your home less tempting and allow bats to live in peace – a helpful neighbor for those buggy summer nights.

Evicting bats

The best way to get bats to leave is to eliminate roost-friendly sites. To do that, bat experts recommend:

• Shining a bright light on the spot 24 hours a day for a week.

• Using nontoxic aerosol dog or cat repellents available at hardware and garden stores. Apply the spray during the daytime and only when bats are not present.

• Hanging Mylar balloons or strips of aluminum foil from the porch ceiling.

Don’t use sticky bird repellents. Some of them are marketed as a deterrent for bats, but they are inhumane. Bats can become trapped and die.

Effectiveness Of The Electrical Panel Upgrades

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Symptoms of Sick Electrical Panels

Old electrical panels can malfunction, but most of the time the problem stems from overloaded circuits. At first you might notice flickering lights or you might have to turn off an appliance in order to use another plugged into the same circuit. But if the panel is malfunctioning or defective, the breakers will trip often, or they will fail to trip and someone might be shocked. In the worst case, a breaker that fails to trip may cause fire, smoke and melted wires from overheating.

Checking Your Electrical Panel

Your electrical panel needs a checkup, especially if it’s more than 25 years old. Here are the signs to look for to see if you might need a new electrical panel:

  • You hear crackling sounds from the electrical panel.
  • You see corrosion and rust on the circuit breakers.
  • The interior of the electrical panel feels warm.
  • Appliances are running at less than full power.
  • Outlets near water sources – such as sinks, tubs, dishwashers and clothes washers – are not GFCIs (ground fault circuit interrupters). These outlets stop the electricity if an appliance comes into contact with water, preventing electrocution.
  • You’re always using extension cords.
  • Your home has a 60-amp electrical service.
  • Your home has 100-amp electrical service, but it still can’t operate some appliances.
  • Your older home has a fuse block panel or split-bus panel, which do not have a main breaker.

Signs You Should Replace or Upgrade the Electrical Panel

There are a few instances where you’ll want to replace your electrical panel as soon as possible. Learn how to locate your electrical panel.

If you have any of the following electrical panels, contact an electrician right away to diagnose the situation:

Outdated Electrical Panels

Federal Pacific Electric (FPE) and Zinsco electrical panels were a very common choice from the 1950s to the 1980s. Unfortunately, as years passed, people started realizing that they weren’t functioning properly. Too often, the panels would fail to cut off power when there is a short circuit or too much current.

If your electrical panel does not properly trip when an electrical hazard is detected, a fire could start.

Outdated panels are any panels that are more than 30 years old. If you have an older panel, you may only have 60-amp electrical service as opposed to the 150 or 200-amp service of modern homes. Contact an electrician if your panel is over 20 years old.

Water Leak

If you experience a water leak near your electrical panel, keep away from the area and call an electrician immediately. If there is any evidence that the panel has been exposed to water (including rust stains or corrosion on the wiring), it will probably need to be replaced.

Underpowered Panel

Every electrical panel has a maximum power rating – which dictates the amount of space for breakers. The original fuse panels offered 60 amps of power which were followed by the standard breaker panels at 100 amps. The recommended amount for modern builds and upgrades is 200 amps. If you are planning on a remodeling project or adding on to your home, you may need to replace your panel entirely.

Faulty Wiring

Poor installation can contribute to a number of problems that should be addressed in an electrical panel. Oversized breakers, circuits doubled-up on a single-pole breaker and wires crossing over the panel’s center are just a few problems that would require an update from an electrician.

Are Your Breakers Tripping Too Often?

One of the vital roles of your electrical panel is to prevent short circuits and circuit overloads. A short or overloaded circuit could be dangerous, causing fires or electrocution. To prevent that, a breaker that notices a short or overload with switch off, shutting down power to the affected circuit. It is a crucial failsafe that prevents damage to your home or even a risk of injury to you and your family.

But if your circuit breaker is switching off more than once in a while, it may be a sign that something is wrong. One possibility is that the wiring has become loose or exposed. The heat of transferring electricity can cause wires to expand and contract. Over time, expansion and contraction can cause connections to loosen. If a small gap opens up between a wire and an outlet, the electricity can try to jump the gap in the form of a spark. Such sparking is a serious fire hazard and needs immediate attention.

Regularly tripping circuit breakers could also be a sign of overload. If you are trying to use too many electrical devices at once, you may be overloading your electrical panel. It’s time for an upgrade.

What Should I Expect from a Service Upgrade or Panel Change?

Bear the following in mind before you hire an Electrical Contractor for this project:

  • The power will be out for a minimum of four hours. Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed.
  • Unplug all electronics. The power will be turned on and off repetitively and may cause problems.
  • The workers will stay working on the panel (and surrounding area), which could be outside. But, they may need to get to the water meter and water tank to do other work.
  • Since the power will be off, the worksite will be dark. Please keep the areas clear for them.
  • The EC will need power. Please try to arrange a power source that the EC can plug an extension cord into that is always helpful. Asking your neighbour is a great option.
  • The EC may have to go to other rooms in the home to test and identify receptacles, or lights etc. They will use generic terms like “master bathroom”, “SE bedroom”, etc. Use the same lingo you are talking to your EC about your home (they don’t know where “Bob’s Room” is, for example).

Panel Produces Heat or Burning Smell

When the electrical panel box feels warm or produces a burning smell, it could signify faulty wiring or an overloaded, defective panel. We highly recommend scheduling a service appointment and potential electrical panel upgrade because heat can mean a high chance of electrical fire.

You Have a Fuse-Based System

Many electrical panels in older homes built before the 1970s still operate on fuses. Unlike circuit breakers which you can reset, fuses either melt, burn out or blow completely when they’re tripped. This is a fire hazard, and for an older home that needs to meet modern power demands, it’s definitely unsafe.

Complete Freshwater Aquarium Water Testing

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How to test the quality of Open Water for bathing or swimming

There is always a greater risk of infection or illness caused by microorganisms when swimming in open water (lakes, rivers etc) compared to a chemically treated swimming pool. This guide aims to help identify most appropriate water quality monitoring and testing (

Below you find a general summary of the guidelines in the United Kingdom (UK), which follows similar guidelines to the EU. In addition to this, please make sure that you always check your local guidelines to make sure that everyone is safe. If you plan to open your water to the general public you must strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the EU and UK, therefore please refer to the official guidelines.

How often should I check the water: It is recommended to check the quality of the water regularly, ideally at the start of the bathing season, every 4 weeks, before any event, when there are visible changes to the water, after heavy rainfall as well as at the end of the bathing season. The pH should be monitored more often as it can be an early indicator of changes, because it is affected by algal and weed growth, agricultural run-off as well as waste water from industry

How to take a water sample: With the exception of algal blooms, samples should be taken 30cm below the water surface. Samples should be transported as soon as possible after collection in a cool box (we provide a cool box as well as ice packs) so that they arrive at the laboratory on the same day

Swimming Pools & Spas: These guidelines are designed to give general information about regulations for open water swimming. This includes lakes, rivers etc. Different recommendations exist for swimming pools & spas – please refer to separate guidelines for these. Click here for our wide range of test strips for Pools & Spas. The iDip photometer Pool & Spa is ideal for regular testing of public pools and commcercial use.

How to Choose the Right Test Kit For Your Well Water

Your decision on what to test your water for should be based on the types of land use near your well and what your goals are for using your water such as domestic use, irrigation, agricultural or commercial uses.

Why Should I Test My Well Water?

Municipal city water systems test their water supplies regularly to ensure that the water is safe to drink.  As a well owner, you are responsible for making sure your well water is safe.

Events such as floods, earthquakes or close proximity to agriculture, drilling or oil field activities are top reasons to test your well water regularly.

Most private wells provide a clean, safe supply of water.  Contaminants can, however, pollute private wells.  Unfortunately, you cannot see, smell, nor taste most of them. Consequently, you should test your well water on a regular basis.

Most Common Reasons for Testing

A common reason many folks want to test their water is to improve the aesthetic quality of the water and eliminate iron staining, white scale build-up, corrosion, and/or odors.

How to Test Your Tap Water

It’s important to know your local results to decide whether you need to filter your water

How safe is your tap water? Finding out can take some time, effort, and money, but it’s worth doing.

Most people on municipal water who pay their own bill should receive an annual water quality report called a CCR, or Consumer Confidence Report. If you don’t receive yours, call your local water supplier. And if you rent, contact your landlord.

In the report, look for a summary that shows whether any contaminants were found above government cutoffs and, if so, what the potential health risks are, what is being done to fix the problem, and what you should do in the meantime

If you’re on well water, you won’t get a CCR, so you should get your water tested. That’s also a good idea if your home was built before lead-free pipes were mandated in 1986: Even if your CCR says that the municipality’s water is free of lead, it can leach into your water from the pipes in or leading to your house.

The Best Water Quality Test Kit for Your Home

If you’re worried about your home’s water quality—as many Americans justifiably are, in the wake of water scares in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey—a home water quality test can ease your fears. After 50 hours of reporting, and after testing 11 different home water quality test kits, we’ve found that the SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test is the best water quality test kit for your home. It measures a wide range of more than 100 potential contaminants and delivers the results in an easy-to-read, richly detailed report. If you’re worried only about lead, we recommend the much cheaper Safe Home Do-It-Yourself Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit.

The SimpleWater Tap Score Advanced City Water Test is a send-away kit: You take samples of your water, put them into a handful of bottles, and ship them off (using an included mailing label) to a certified laboratory. There, your water is tested for more than 100 compounds, including metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic; volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like chloroform; bacteria; and industrial and agricultural compounds like pesticides and nitrates. Tap Score is not the only highly accurate send-away kit, but no other kit we tested delivered nearly as useful a report. Tap Score not only tells you, in plain language, exactly which compounds are in your water (and the amount) but also explains their potential health risks and suggests ways of addressing any concerns. Tap Score also offers unmatched online support. You can chat with a representative, and if your questions go beyond their knowledge, the questions are passed on to experts, who follow up with a detailed email. All of this makes Tap Score by far the most user-friendly and informative home water quality test kit we found.

If for some reason you are unable to use Tap Score, we recommend two runners-up: the WaterCheck CityCheck Deluxe and the Safe Home Ultimate Drinking Water Test Kit. Like Tap Score, these are send-away kits; you put samples into bottles and ship them to a certified lab. We found that the testing was just as accurate as Tap Score’s (and, in fact, National Testing Laboratories, which makes the CityCheck Deluxe kit, is among the more than 60 labs Tap Score partners with). But both of these kits are more expensive than Tap Score, and their reports aren’t as easy to understand. The reports are still much more readable than those of some other send-away kits: They’re color-coded, so you can quickly see contaminant levels of concern. But they lack Tap Score’s clear explanations, actionable advice, and robust online support. The CityCheck kit also lacks an included mailing label, so you’ll have to take a trip to the post office or another shipper.

the Safe Home Do-It-Yourself Lead in Drinking Water Test Kit, doesn’t have to be sent away—you can get the results at home yourself. It tests only for lead, but if that’s your sole concern, this DIY test is a great option. The Safe Home Do-It-Yourself kit is widely available, inexpensive, and fast (the test takes a total of 10 minutes and less than 30 seconds of active work). And it delivers a clear positive or negative result: Your lead levels are either below the EPA standard or above it. You simply dip a strip of test paper into a sample of your water, and the presence or absence of a blue line tells you whether you have a lead problem. If you don’t, you’ll have peace of mind. If you do, you’ll know it’s time to enlist a professional plumber or an environmental service to help you find and address the source of the problem.

We do not recommend any of the more-comprehensive DIY test kits that are available. We tested six of them and found that the tests were so rushed and the results so subjective (you’re asked to match the color of your test sample to a chart by eye, with only seconds to do so) that we didn’t trust our ability to interpret them. If you want a complete picture of what’s in your water, we strongly recommend that you go with one of the send-away kits and let a professional lab do the testing.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT WATER FILTER FOR YOUR HOME

You have made the wise decision to install a water filter system into your home. Water is what you drink, cook with, and bathe in, so having poor water can easily make you and your family sick. The more proactive you are about your home’s water quality, the more proactive you are about your health.

Water filter systems change many noticeable properties in water, including turbidity, taste, color, iron content, and odor. Dirty or chemical-filled water is easy to change with a simple water filter, but finding the right home water filter to fit your needs best can be tricky. At Clearwater Systems, we believe that each customer has a unique situation, so the “one size fits all” concept does not apply to water systems.

Find Your water’s problem before purchasing a filter

A free water test can easily determine what, and how severe issues are with your water filter. A free water test can detect iron, hydrogen sulfide gas, acidity, chlorine, and many other issues. After receiving the results from the water test, determine what factors are important to you. Is a pH balanced water supply important when deciding the type of filter to purchase? If so, consider a water filter that concentrates on that issue. If reducing chlorine is your biggest concern, then finding a water filter that can remove chlorine is a smart investment. Many filters can remove a combination of problems, and your water filtration company can help you find a system that fits your unique needs

Typically, after a home has been built, it is difficult and more expensive to install a water filter for both your indoor and outdoor water supply. Usually installing only an indoor filter is more cost effective and simple. If your primary concern is to only filter water indoors, let your water filtration company know to concentrate on systems meant for indoor use only. If you are hoping to filter outdoor water as well to improve landscaping or ensure your children’s water toys are not spreading germs and hoarding unwanted chemicals, your water filtration company can find a system desired for both indoor and outdoor use.

Know Your Flow Rate

Similar to water softeners and water heaters, it is important to understand how much water your household uses on a daily basis. As with all home water filter systems, a single person living alone will most likely use less water than a family of four. Considering the technology and the size of each system helps save money and conserve water in the long-run.

Why Car Dealer Are The Best Choice

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How to Choose the Best Car Dealership to Purchase From: Your Complete Guide

Furthermore, that figure doesn’t include the plethora of used-car dealerships that are in operation too. Hoping to a buy car? Added together, you clearly have an enormous amount of choice!

Even worse, going to the wrong place can lead to all sorts of issues down the road. We want to help! There are certain things to look for when deciding where to buy from. Interested in learning more?

The Right Price

Let’s face it, everybody loves a bargain. Chances are fairly high that price is going to be a factor when picking a dealer. There’s no point going somewhere with a selection of cars out of your price range. Likewise, a used-car lot with budget vehicles may not be ideal either.

The Availability

There’s no point traveling to a dealership that’s low on stock. It’d be like doing the weekly grocery shop with nothing left on the shelves. Instead, you want to find a dealership with abundant options in their lot. It should be a thriving and bustling marketplace with cars and customers aplenty.

The Reputation

These days, thanks to the internet, you can learn a lot about almost any service in advance. Think about picking a restaurant. TripAdvisor is the first port of call for almost anyone looking for somewhere great to eat. The reviews and ratings from previous patrons make it possible to decide the best place to go

Secrets to Choosing The Right Car Dealership

This report was created as a public service for men and women of all ages who are thinking about buying a new or used car. As a dealer For The People®, I want to put fun back in buying a car, so I’m making it my responsibility that local residents are educated about how to choose the right dealership that can both get you a great deal and make car buying fun again.

It is important that you read this entire report before visiting any used or new car dealership. The information contained in this report will help you be treated well and allow you to actually enjoy the process of buying a car. If you know someone who is thinking about buying a new or pre-owned vehicle, please share this report with them too.

Every Good Conversation Starts With Good Listening.

The right car dealer will be interested in you as a person and in your unique situation. They will ask you questions about what you are looking for and how they can help you. Then, they will tailor the entire experience of buying a car to who you are and what you need.

Ask Yourself, “Is This Person Excited For Me?”

A great car dealer is enthusiastic and excited to help you solve the problems that are keeping you stuck in a car you hate. You are more than just a number to them. These are people just like you—they are regular folks, considerate, fun and full of surprises. So no matter what’s keeping you from driving the car you want—regardless of whether it’s credit concerns, trade-in value, down payment amounts, they’re excited to help you and it shows

Questions Asked And Questions Answered

While a good car dealer will ask you lots of questions about how they can help you find the perfect ride, they are also a great resource for you. The right car dealer should be sharp as a tack and able to answer any of your questions.

Important Things To Consider When Choosing A Car Dealer

Owning a car is something you have always wanted; after months and months of saving, you are now ready to hit one of the car dealers in town for your dream car. However, the whole process being something you have never done before, just like any other first-time buyer, you are excited and confused all at the same time. You practically don’t know where to start. To help you find the best deal in town, here are top tips to consider when choosing a car dealer.

What is that you want?

As when you are making any other big purchase, it will make a lot of sense if you know what you want before you see a car dealer. Do a little bit of research on the model of cars you have in mind and get a clear picture of what the cars currently cost. Thankfully, there are some ways you can pull this off. Other than talking to friends who already own cars, there are tons of websites that you can get useful information about cars. Take you PC and take a quick look at these sites for the amount of information you can net will simply blow off your mind. In other cases, knowing the type of car you want to buy can also determine the type of dealer to go for; For example, there are dealers that specialize only on top of the range cars, and they are those that deal with smaller and cheaper cars. So the amount of money you are willing to spend on your car will dictate where to go to

Experience and reputation of the car dealer

How long has the dealer been in operation? The longer the time the dealer has been in business, the better. An experienced car dealer knows so much about cars, and you can be sure you will get the best. An experienced dealer will be able to advise on which options are best for you. It does not even stop there; buying a car is huge, and a small mishap could cost you a lot of money. For this reason, it will make sense if you know the type of dealer you are doing business with. Reputation is king, and you may want to check their track record before you buy the car. What are some of their previous customers saying? In the end, make sure you go to a reputable car dealer in town if you don’t want to get into problems later on. It is as simple as that

BUYER’S GUIDE: CHOOSING A CAR DEALERSHIP

There are many decisions to be made when the time rolls around to buy your next car or truck. You’ll need to determine kind you want, which options you need, and how much you can afford. You also have to figure out where you’re going to buy that car, and this means choosing a dealership

Read dealer reviews

Online reviews are a critical part of a dealership’s marketing today. According to one study at Search Engine Land, 88 percent of consumers trust online reviews as much as they do personal recommendations. The internet makes it possible to do in-depth research on a dealership before you decide to walk through the showroom doors.

Be careful, however, of crossing a dealership off your list because of one or two bad reviews. Most of us have favorite businesses, whether they’re plumbers, clothing stores, or restaurants. Most of us have also had the experience of recommending a business only to have someone else say they had a terrible experience there and would never give them any business.

What you’re looking for is the overall tone of the reviews. If most of them are positive, then that’s a good sign. The reverse means you should probably think twice. Also, look for trends. If everyone seems to complain about the same thing, then it’s probably an issue.

Ask your friends

Word of mouth is a powerful sales tool, which is why dealers work hard to create a positive experience for every customer. Ask around for the experiences of others.

How to Choose the Best Car Dealer?

When shopping for a used car, you as a consumer will probably encounter many car dealers, financing companies, and insurance agents. The simple part is choosing the financing company (if finding it yourself), and the insurance agency. But, the big question is, how do you choose the best dealer, or at least one that will make you feel comfortable on the long run. To chose such a dealer, this article will have you equipped with the knowledge, that will help you make this decision yourself.

It is very important that you deal with a dealership that has salespeople you feel comfortable dealing with. Whether you already did, or are soon to be telephonicly speaking, and electronically mailing sales people, going for test drives, requesting on line quotes. How do you chose between all of them.

You will need to analyze their dependability by evaluating the speed your phone calls and e-mails were returned. Furthermore, once they did replay, how clear of an answer did you get, and did he or she try to steer you from the main subject. I never suggest dealing with salespeople that are not straight forward, it is just not right. Please don’t be deceived by the pushy salespeople, drive what you want, not what they make more money of. Furthermore, how interested were they in helping you, in other words, how specific were the questions they asked you, and were they really trying to understand what you are looking for, or did they just want to get you into the dealership.

What Is The Difference Between Eco Friendly And Regular Home Remodeling

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How to Choose the Best Home Remodeling Contractor

Whether you want to resale your home or to give it a new look, you will always want to make sure that the right contractor handles the task. Only a well-experienced contractor is capable of giving your home that wonderful look that will make everybody passing by want to stop and have a look at it.

The fact that there are many home remodeling contractors will always make it hard for you to choose the right person for your project. However, if you use the internet, the process will always be easy because you will have all the necessary information that will make it possible for you to find the right person.

Online Reviews

The reason why you need to spend quality time looking at the online reviews is that this is the place where you will find important insight about the contractor. When people use services from a particular contractor, they will always want to go back and comment about the quality of the services that they got. If the services were not satisfactory, you will find this mentioned and it will give you a hint on what to do next.

Certifications

Before you decide that you are going to work with a particular company, it is wise to ensure that they have the necessary certifications with them. A license and insurance is a must. A good home remodeling contractor should have a license to show that they are qualified to offer the task that they claim to offer. An insurance cover, on the other hand, is supposed to take care of the unexpected if they happen.

The Reputation

A home remodeling contractor can only have a good reputation if they have been offering quality services to their clients. You can only know if a contractor has a good reputation by reading online reviews. It is here where you will find all the comments about the contractor. Best home remodelers will always have many positive reviews.

HOW TO SYSTEMATICALLY CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR

When planning a home remodeling project, homeowners face a long list of worries and concerns. How much will it cost? Will it take too long? Is this really the right move? But there is one question that homeowners could benefit from asking more often: how do I hire the right contractor?

According to the CFA (Consumer Federation of America) and NACAA (National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators), contracting is the top complaint among homeowners doing home improvement. Another survey found that almost half (48%) of all respondents would not hire their contractor for a future project

Being homeowners ourselves, we understand the pain of spending hard earned money on substandard work. That’s why we created a highly effective method for weeding out the bad contractors until you find the right one.

This method consists of 5 essential P’s: People, Process, Portfolio, Price and Past Clients. Based on these, you can create a 0–50 ranking system that drastically reduces the risk of ending up with the wrong contractor and throwing your money down the drain. The first step is to narrow down your choices of contractors to a manageable number. 3-5 is ideal. These final contenders can be found by asking friends and family for referrals and selecting those in your local area.

It is important to remember that you are hiring people with whom you are going to spend quite a lot of time with. You will frequently talk to them, discussing various options. You will work together trying to make decisions on various issues. The project period is sort of a marriage. If you do not connect with your contractor, the whole thing may end up in shambles with you suffering the most.

How To Choose A Home Remodeling Contractor

It is a sad truth that contractors have a reputation for being untrustworthy. A couple of bad apples have given contractors a rotten reputation. But many contractors a good, honest workers that are dedicated to making remodeling projects easy for their clients

Know What Kind of Remodeler You Need

Many people might not know this, but not every contractor is the same. Depending on the project you envision you should select the type of contractor that will most likely be able to make that vision a reality.

For example, designers are good for projects that entail colors, shapes, light, and design elements, whereas an architect can better handle construction and structurally changing the layout of a home. Companies that are design/ build contractors, like Post & Beam Design/Build, can handle both elements of a remodel. We can build an addition to your home while give you suggestions on what design works well.

Read the Reviews

A good way to determine what kind of service a company delivers is by reading the reviews, both on and off their site. Can’t find any? That is never a good sign when a company hides them.

Make Sure They Are Licensed or Certified

Anyone can claim to be a contractor, put up a website, and take your money. Researching more about a contractor and their qualifications can save to the frustration and heartache of dealing with a fraud

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A REMODELING CONTRACTOR

Get Recommendations

Word of mouth is the best way to find a trustworthy contractor. If you know someone who has had a good experience with one, start there.

Look at Credentials

Once you have your recommendations, start checking them out. Visit their website or make a phone call. Make sure they have all appropriate licenses and insurance certificates as well as any designations from professional associations like the National Kitchen and Bath Association

Check References

Contact former clients to find how their project went and ask to see the finished product. Better yet, visit a current job site and see for yourself how the contractor works. Is the job site neat and safe? Are workers courteous and careful with the homeowner’s property? Remember that when you’re hiring a remodeler, you’re buying a service and not a product. Quality of service will determine the quality of the finished project. It’s a good idea to even check with your local Better Business Bureau. If you can’t find any information on them with the BBB then they are most likely complaint free.

Interview Candidates

Once you have your list of candidates narrowed down, you can and should start the interview process. Start by calling them and asking questions like:

• How many projects do they work on simultaneously (leading to how much time they will spend on your project and how long it will take to complete)

• Do they have employees or sub-contractors? If subs, how long have they been working with them?

• Do they pull permits and handle all the required inspections?

• How many projects have they done that are like yours?

• Do they produce a schedule for your jobs, and if so will you have access to the schedule?

• How are change orders handled?

• How are selections made?

Complete Guide To Choosing The Right Home Remodeling Contractor

There are many important decisions to make when it comes to remodeling your home: Which architectural style best fits your personality? Should you go with cool and calm tones, or opt for big, bold colors? What is your timeline? How about your budget? All of these questions are important, but they take a back seat to choosing the best home remodeling contractor for your specific renovation project.

Homeowners who are planning a remodeling project typically take similar steps when searching for a contractor to work with. They ask friends and family for references, use search engines to find local firms, browse profiles and project photos on Houzz, Instagram, and Pinterest, check out customer reviews and testimonials on Yelp, Google, and BBB, and more.

Make no mistake – the distinct between these two is important. Any remodeling contractor worth their salt should have a well-designed website that features high-quality project photos, industry awards and affiliations, client testimonials, and more. They’re also likely to have solid reviews, both online and from in-person references (if this is NOT the case, you can cross them off your list right away). If nearly ever contractor presents themselves as the best, how do you determine which one to ultimately work with?

The Murray Lampert Design, Build, Remodel Team

Use Google and Bing to find out which home remodelers in your area consistently show up in the search engine results, then dig deeper into their Houzz, Yelp, Google+, and BBB profiles. Look for high-quality images, before and after photos, and any industry awards or certifications they may have. Pay close attention to their online reviews, and in particular, how they respond to those reviews. Does the company respond to each and every review that is left for them, both good and bad? If they have any negative reviews, do they handle those promptly and professionally?

Confirm that the 3 or 4 contractors you’ve identified are fully licensed and insured. Licensed remodeling contractors have to adhere to strict industry standards and regulations. The risks of hiring an unlicensed contractor include shoddy work, permitting issues, code violations, and financial liability for injuries or accidents. Once you have the contractor’s license number, you can confirm details such as license status, general business and bonding information, and the companies workers’ compensation policy, among others

Tips To Find Good Colour For Interior Painting

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How to Choose Interior Paint Colors

Choosing the right interior paint colors depends on the kind of room you want. Take some time to think about what kind of ambiance you want. Certain colors add weight to the room while others create a lighter tone. You can also mix colors into different shades and tints to help create more visual unity. Plan out your rooms before painting so that you can make your home’s interior pleasant no matter what colors you use.

Paint with warm colors to create comfortable, energizing rooms. Warm colors include red, orange, and yellow. The brightest tints of these colors are bold and vibrant but can be too strong when used often. More muted shades can make a room feel cozier, similar to a summer or autumn day. Warm colors work well in rooms that feature a lot of activity, such as living rooms

Choose cool colors to make a room relaxing. Blue, green, and purple are all cool colors. Cool colors can freshen up a room or help you calm down after a long day. They make for good choices in bedrooms and sitting rooms. Lighter shades can feel more vibrant, while darker shades can feel more soothing

Select neutral colors to balance out other colors. At first glance, the various shades of white and gray seem boring. In decorating, they are very useful because they fit well in any color palette. They tone down warm or light colors, but they also lighten cool or dark colors. Black, brown, and light blue are a few alternative colors that can serve as a neutral base

Opt for lighter tints in order to open up rooms. Pale yellows, blues, and whites are great choices to lighten up a room. Light colors lack visual weight, which means your eye isn’t drawn to them. When you step into the room, your eye may go to a piece of art or another bright feature. Since you aren’t focused on the exterior surfaces, rooms with light colors often feel larger than they are

How to Choose the Right Paint Color for Every Room

Feeling in the mood for a revamp? Painting a room or a single wall in your home is a simple DIY that promises to have a major impact in any space. When it comes to taking on a home renovation project, doing your due diligence is a must. From sampling chips to evaluating natural light, there are a number of essential dos and don’ts you should consider before you even walk into a paint shop

Take Note of Permanent Features

Before you even lift a paint palette, look around your home and take inventory of the permanent features of your home. Do you have dark stained-wood floors, exposed beams, or a brick fireplace? Are you planning to make any permanent changes in the near future? The hue and tone of all these elements should be strongly considered before you move forward with your design.

Don’t Start With Painting

It’s okay to walk into your design process knowing that you want pops of color, but choosing your paint color should be the last step in your design process. First, find inspiration for your room—be it in a family painting or a textile you love. Select your fabrics, furniture, and major accents first, and then consider how they all come together. Is there a hint of yellow in your botanical-print fabric that you want to pull out? Is your stained-wood table darker than you realise? It’ll be too late to chime in on these details if painting was your first step.

Get to Know the Colour Wheel

To find colors that complement your chosen fabrics, finishes, and furniture, use a colour wheel. The expression “opposites attract” is as true in colour as it is in relationships: Hues opposite each other on the color wheel are complementary. So blue complements orange and red-orange complements blue-green

Test Paints Before Committing

If you’re seeing chartreuse everywhere lately, that’s a good sign it’s a colour that’s on its way out. Though your walls can be repainted, it’s not something you’ll want to do once a year. So if you’re lusting after an on-trend color, use that in your accents and select a wall paint that’s more timeless and/or subtle.

How to Choose a Paint Color

With the vast array of color choices available today, it can be hard to know where to begin. And if you’re like many homeowners, you want to make sure you’re not only choosing the right colors, but also colors that will coordinate from room-to-room, or from interior to exterior. The good news is that there are many easy resources available to help you create your personal palette with confidence.

Consider these ideas to transform your home:

For a smooth transition between spaces, try choosing a color for one room and paint the adjacent space two shades away, lighter or darker, using tones from the same color chip.

It doesn’t take much color to punch up a space. Create a feature wall with a contrasting or complimentary color. A nook, window bay or the wall behind your headboard can be great candidates for feature walls

Wake up beige. Adding shades of the same color creates depth and interest. Paint below the chair rail a deeper shade of the existing wall. Choose textured curtains from the same color family.

HOW TO CHOOSE INTERIOR PAINT COLORS

As any homeowner knows, choosing paint colors can be overwhelming. Use the following guide to help you explore and select interior color schemes you’ll love!

While there is no one-size-fits-all reply to “what’s the best interior paint color,” some thoughtful research goes a long way. Go into this exercise with an open mind and a commitment to exploring your creative side as you search for your perfect paint color.

Analyze the Room for Interior Paint Ideas

Hardwood floors, countertops, a fireplace surround, area rugs, and of course furniture…the colors in these items will help determine which paint color families will work best in your room, and help narrow your options.

Explore the Best Interior Paint Colors–for You

If you want to cut to the chase, check out our tried and true most popular paint colors, where we highlight homeowner favorite colors including Chantilly Lace OC-65, Revere Pewter HC-172, Hale Navy HC-154 and many more.

Get Color Chips, then Test with Paint Samples

Once you’ve selected the colors you’re drawn to, visit your local Benjamin Moore retailer and pick up color chips and inspirational brochures to bring home.

How to choose the perfect interior paint color

Nothing refreshes the interior of your home like a new coat of paint. But painting is a lot of work, and, depending on the size of your home, it can be an expensive project. That’s why you need to carefully consider the paint color you choose before you get started.

The work involved in painting your interior will pay off if you’ve chosen the right colors. It’s tempting to pick your favorite color or a palette you find fashionable, but there’s more to consider than just shades that you like. Your paint should compliment your furniture, look sharp under any lighting and emphasize the parts of your house you want to highlight

Get inspired

Don’t step into a paint store and grab the first color that matches your rug. That comes later. In the beginning, you may not even know where to start. Let’s fix that

Check out blogs and boards: Your first step is to find some inspiration. Pinterest and other online idea boards are great places to see what others have done. This is a great way to see design concepts in practice and identify what you like and what you don’t. You never know what you’ll find.

Follow trends…to a point: Online pinboards and magazines can help you along, but don’t follow trends too strictly. The bolder, more drastic the trend, the less likely it is to stick around. Sure, a black and purple home may be in vogue now, but that could change in a matter of months. Remember, you want to enjoy your interior for a long time; trends don’t last forever.

Consider your focal points: Where do you want people to look when they step into a room? This is a key question you should ask yourself when choosing an interior color. If you have some wall art you are particularly proud of, choose a color that will emphasize that art. Choose wall colors that won’t wash out your fun furniture or pull focus from your fancy television.

Set the right mood

After you’ve seen what others are doing and gathered some ideas, it’s time to think about mood. Every room, whether you notice it or not, gives off a certain mood; colors create energetic or calm atmospheres.