Livingston Reporting - page 214

When Your Personnel Situation Changes Make Sure To Update Your Estate Plan

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Everyone knows that it is important to have a solid estate plan in place. What many people forget it that this process doesn’t end just because an attorney designs an estate plan for you. That is just the beginning.  An estate plan must be updated regularly to reflect your current lifestyle.  Anytime there is a change in your financial or personnel situation you should work with your attorney to update your estate plan.

  • Divorce/Separation: Once you become legally separated or divorced it is crucial to update your estate plan to reflect your new goals and ideals.  It is also a time to reflect on the future.  Take into account that an influx of relationships end in divorce.  This is a great time to input provisions in your estate plan to protect your heirs against potential changes in their own marriages.
  • Re-Marriage: There are many complex situations involved when couples remarry.  This is especially true when both partners have children from previous relationships.  An estate planning attorney can help navigate the complexities of providing for a blended family.
  • Birth/Adoption of Children: Your estate plan should have in place provisions for your children’s future financially.  An estate plan should also provide a detailed plan for the children’s care should you and your spouse die or become incapacitated.  A guardian should be appointed to support your children into adulthood.
  • Illness/Injury: Your estate plan needs to be kept updated for when you or a family member becomes seriously ill.  The needs for your care or their care have changed and this change should be reflected in an updated estate plan.  It is also important to include a plan and appoint a power or attorney of health care for your own needs.  You will want someone to be in charge of your decisions if you become unable to do so yourself.
  • Tax Law Changes:  With constant changes to the economy that affect certain tax laws it is crucial that your estate plan reflects these changes appropriately. The updates to tax laws can dramatically affect your estate.  An attorney specializing in estate planning will help you make changes in your plan that coincides with the new legislation that is in place.
  • Inheritance: With an increase to the value of your estate comes a need to change how your assets are passed to those you love when are deceased.

It is important to keep your estate plan up to date on a regular basis.  Review your plan with your estate attorney to ensure it is always up to date and in line with the manner in which you intend to distribute your assets when your death occurs.

The Law Office of Sean J. Nichols is dedicated to assisting clients throughout legal issues that come with aging including: elder law, estate planning, probate law and more.  Check out the Law Office of Sean J. Nichols at http://www.seanjnichols.com to contact an estate attorney today.

Sean J. Nichols

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Outsourcing Medical Equipment Maintenance

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medical facilities need to depend on outside medical equipment service providers when in-house service specialists are not on staff.  Regular maintenance, including preventative and corrective measures, needs to be done to keep medical equipment safe and running smoothly.  Updating software and worn parts adds to the longevity of medical equipment thus resulting in savings for your facility.

Many facilities try to cut corners by having personnel perform regular maintenance and minor repairs.  While this may occasionally work it is always better to enter into a service contract with a third party service company or equipment vendor to perform corrective and preventative maintenance.  A service contract will ensure that your equipment is maintained at regular intervals.  This will help to combat against unexpected machine failures.  There are several options when choosing a service contract.  We will look into the options below.

Third Party Equipment Service Contracts Available To Medical Facilities

  • 24/7 Full Coverage: A medical facility can request services anytime, day or night.
  • Business Hour Coverage: With this type of service contract a medical center will receive service during normal business hours, five days a week for eight hours a day.
  • Extended Business Hour Coverage: This service contract offers the same coverage as business hour coverage except that it covers more than eight hours.  If your facility is open from nine in the morning until nine at night this would be one of the contract options to consider.
  • Extended Business Hour and Weekend Coverage: Similar to the above except it adds hours to cover facilities on the weekend.
  • Preventative Maintenance Coverage: This type of service contract only covers planned maintenance and does not cover unplanned corrective services.
  • Time and Material Coverage: A time and material coverage contract is where a service provider is paid based on the actual cost of parts and labor used. This contract is usually based on a specific cost per hour of labor.
  • Loaner Service Contract Coverage: This type of contract allows medical facilities to return the unit to the vendor and the vendor provides a loaner unit until the equipment is returned to its original state. This is a difficult service contract to have in place with large scaled equipment such as linear accelerators and ct scanners.

In our next installment on medical equipment service contracts we will discuss tips on negotiating a contract that best meets your facilities needs while maintaining a reasonable budget.

RadParts

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Medical Equipment Service Contract Negotiating Tips

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

We talk a lot about cutting costs when it comes to medical equipment service contracts from service contracts to onsite personnel in charge of regular maintenance.   When medical facilities rely on outsourcing medical equipment maintenance and repair it is important that you enter into a contract that makes sense for you.  It is important not to pay for contract features that you will not use.  These features add to an already tight budget that most facilities are already trying to maneuver.  In this installment we will discuss negotiating tips between medical facilities and medical equipment maintenance and repair companies.

  • Take note of the options available in service contracts from the vendor. Consider the details that layout time, materials and labor charges of the different companies you are looking into before making a contract purchase.
  • New medical equipment is less likely to break down than older equipment therefore requiring a less detailed service contract. New equipment does not usually require the twenty four hour, seven day a week contract that older, essential equipment may.  New equipment can most likely exist on a regular maintenance contract for the first three years. Not to mention that most new medical equipment repairs are covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
  • Certain medical devices, such as slit lamps, don’t require service contracts from out sourced entities. Some equipment can be maintained with regular inspections and maintenance that can easily be provided by in-house equipment specialists and sometimes even the personnel in charge of running it.
  • Some large scaled medical equipment will require only a limited out sourced service contract. Equipment such as ultrasounds, scanners and lasers are all fairly reliable and in house personnel can perform initial inspections and can be the first responders to issues when they arise.  These pieces can often benefit from remote support which can be provided at a lesser cost basis than on service support.
  • Backup equipment is another area where facilities can lessen the service contract associated with each machine. Most back up equipment does not need to be services at all hours of the day and can utilize a less stringent service contract such as a business hours only contract.
  • When entering into a service contract it is crucial that you have everything in writing. Verbal commitments are often hard to uphold.  When you are contracting outside medical equipment service specialist it is crucial to document everything within the contract.  This protects both parties later on from miscommunication.

Radparts is the world’s largest independent distributor of OEM replacement parts for Linear Accelerators and Radiation Oncology equipment.  We provide high quality, user friendly, low cost parts support for linear accelerators and radiation equipment.  For more information on low cost parts for repairing Linac equipment find us at http://www.radparts.com.

RadParts

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Technology In New Construction

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

One of the newest home improvement trends has a lot to do with new technology.  As we move into an age where technology affects everything around us we realize we need to embrace it in our homes.  Technology used in home renovations increases energy efficiency and usability which increase the functionality and value of the home.  Enhanced home technology and automation is almost expected in new construction.  So the question is can we expect to see moving forward in 2017?

One thing that consumers can expect out of kitchens within new construction or kitchen renovations is to install new appliances with connectivity.  Smart appliances with energy saving options can notify you when your refrigerator is empty or your laundry is done; all of this can be done with your phone.  These sophisticated appliances were once just a futuristic dream that are now the reality and will soon be the norm.

Not only is there an increase in technology within home design it is also infiltrating the exterior as well.  Technology used to automate gardens is becoming taking over to allow homeowners to wreak the benefits of beautiful gardens without extra work.  Greater control over sprinkler systems includes benefits such as allowing for adjustments in humidity, rain level, soil types and more.  This allows plant growth to be efficient and economical while being convenient.  Remote monitoring and the ability to control settings while away from home ensure that this technology will be something integrated into new landscape designs.

Another technological advance that contractors are seeing requests for are home theatres and entertainment caves.  Spaces are being converted to include advance sound and visual technology.  The craze for updated spaces to entertain will be huge in 2017.

Making the most of each and every space within the home is a trend that is currently popular amongst homeowners.  Creative ways to take space that was previously unused and turn it into something functional is something many homeowners are looking into.  The room under the stairs is turned into a reading nook or a space filled with drawers that can be used for storage.  Empty corners in large living rooms are being redone to be functional home offices or craft areas.  Using space that was currently seen as unusable is a trend that is sure to take hold for years to come.

There are so many new and exciting trends happening in new construction and home remodeling this year.  The real estate market is sure to see an increase in property values as technology continues to integrate into all aspects of life.

Aspen Construction is an innovative building leader specializing in home additions, new construction, bathroom and kitchen remodeling.  For all of your home improvement needs including electrical services contact us today at http://www.aspencoinc.com/.

Aspen Construction

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Where Does New Construction Stand In 2017

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

New construction is making a comeback in the real estate market.  With the changing climate of the economy we can continue to expect growth in new construction in 2017 but at a slower pace than we have seen in previous years.  There are some big trends that are building momentum in the new construction industry.  When you are looking to renovate a home, buy a new construction home or looking to update your own home consider the trends mentioned in this installment on home improvement trends.

Solar Roofing

Solar roofing has recently moved from an extravagant niche market in technology to an affordable reality in home improvements.  There are many reasons for this including improved efficiency and support from local and state governments, eco conscience consumers and power companies.  With the support options become wide open to the solar roofing community.  From leasing options to tax breaks for consumers support equals industry growth.

Smart Homes

Technology and automation is not just growing it is taking over in the new construction industry.  One of the highest growing industries is smart thermostats.  It is becoming a trend to be able to control your home from your phone from wherever you are from the heat to the lighting and beyond.  Sensors are being installed that allow cameras and speakers to be controlled via Wi-Fi.  The home renovation and new construction industries are making technology a standard for the future and beyond.

Energy-Efficient Windows

It is amazing on how far energy efficiency goes.  There are a number of upgrades that are coming to your homes windows.  Glass films and coatings are being installed that allow better insulation from both the heat of the summer and cold of the winter.  Glazing is a new technology that is being experimented with.  Glazing is a technology that would frost or glaze windows over at the flick of a switch.

Rustic Features:

From the installation of bran doors to creating shelving out of old pipes the concept of bringing rustic features into new construction and home renovations is trending in 2017.  Sliding barn doors are mounted on a frame above the frame that allows for a smaller threshold for interior doors.  Rustic features are used as room dividers, closets and more.  Rustic features are becoming the solution to many home renovation and new construction needs.

Car Charging Stations:

Technology it is everywhere when it comes to new home construction and home renovations.  Garages are being built around charging stations that allow a car to charge at the flick of a switch.  Charging stations can cost upwards of three thousand dollars to install.  With a focus on green homes it is important to note that this is a feature that will only continue to grow in popularity.

Aspen Construction is an innovative building leader specializing in home additions, new construction, bathroom and kitchen remodeling.  For all of your home improvement needs including electrical services contact us today at http://www.aspencoinc.com/.

Aspen Construction

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2017 Predictions In Real Estate

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Like it or not the environment that we currently live in is one that thrives around the infusion of technology including the real estate market.  2017 is predicted to be a dominating year for real estate.  It is expected that homes will spend less time on the market now into the future than any other time in history.  With advancements in technology surrounding the real estate market all aspects, from finding a home to applying for a mortgage are sure to take less time than ever before.

2017 Real Estate Predictions

  • The speed at which houses sell will increase, the housing market itself will continue to grow but the rate at which this occurs may slow a bit. The reason for this is due to the decline in affordable houses available to those families living within the median income level.  It is forecasted that the availability of affordable homes will continue to decline.
  • Real estate professionals and contractors alike believe that the growth of new construction homes will begin to slow into 2017. There are a number of reasons for this including a shortage of skilled construction workers.  This will ultimately affect the number of affordable starter homes thus leading to an increase in the price first-time home buyers can expect to pay for a new home.
  • With a new president elect set to take over, the economic climate is set to change. Mortgage rates will see a slight hike but should not climb much over four percent.  We should see economic growth and continued inflation which will help to keep rates low throughout 2017.
  • Home loans will become more accessible. Mortgages requiring as little as one to three percent down will be introduced within a variety of financial institutions and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will increase the size of the loans that they will back.
  • Growth in real estate in larger cities will take a back seat to the growth seen in second-tier cities. Commuting into larger metropolises while living in outlying locations will lead a trend in new construction in suburbs.

The concept of moving now-a-days is much different from the past.  It used to be that homeowners would own one or two homes in their lifetimes.  It was important to stay put, build roots and create memories.  Today, with real estate technology easing the transaction more and more people are moving to upgraded homes instead of upgrading the home they live in.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Prepare Now For The Spring Real Estate Rush

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

2017 is the year many people have decided to become homeowners.  Right now is the perfect time to start preparing for your real estate endeavor.  Before the spring real estate season gets on its way it is time to take the necessary steps to make your house hunt successful.

Credit Report:  In order to purchase a house most first time home buyers will need to take out a mortgage.  In order to qualify for a mortgage you will need a decent credit score.  Now is the time to check out your credit report.  Home loan lenders use your credit score to set mortgage terms and interest rates.  It is crucial that an accurate report of your financial history is received when lenders are looking at your most recent credit report.  If there are errors this gives you time to fix the issues before you need to apply for your first home loan.

Budget:  This is a crucial step in buying your first home.  Many times lenders will pre-approve you for a home loan that is way over what you will feel comfortable spending each month.  Create a budget that accurately represents the amount of money you have coming in and going out each month.  The rule of thumb is to not spend more than thirty percent of your take home income on a mortgage payment.  This monthly payment should include both taxes and insurance.  An online calculator can help while you are going over your budget.  Online mortgage calculators can help you to determine how much house you can actually afford.

Down payment: Having a down payment is important.  Hopefully you have been stocking money aside to put towards the purchase of your first home for a while now.  If you have been saving for a down payment in a number of places now is the time to consolidate those funds.  Put these funds into one savings account at least three months prior to buying your first home.  This is beneficial as your mortgage lender will not need to track down where all of the money originated from.

Needs/Wants:  Once you have determined how much you have to put down as a down payment and know how much you can afford in a home it is important to create a master list of needs and wants out of a home.  Some features in a home are negotiable while others aren’t.  It is important to lay out what you need out of a home.  Consider the following things: location, schools, commute time, nearby amenities and housing features such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and more.  Would you rather have a home that is in need of some work or one that is move in ready?  Having a list in place will make it much easier for both you and your real estate agent narrow down the selection of homes to view as you begin your search.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Key Elements To Look For When Buying Refurbished Equipment and Components

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to buying equipment to use in manufacturing there are many advantages that come from purchasing used or refurbished pieces.  It is cost effective for companies, both big and small, to buy quality used and refurbished industrial assets for their facilities.  It is also beneficial for a company’s budget to repair large, heavy industrial equipment with less expensive refurbished components verse OEM parts.  Before jumping into purchasing refurbished equipment and components it’s important to take into consideration a variety of factors.

It is always important to choose the right equipment for your facility.  Without the proper equipment your facility won’t run effectively.  Key elements you should look at before purchasing new or refurbished industrial equipment includes:

Is the equipment refurbished or used?

If it is used you will want to ask specific questions that have to do with the number of hours the equipment has been used as well the usage history.  Most equipment has a specific lifespan; certain repairs are known to be expected at certain points throughout its lifecycle.

If it is refurbished you will want to determine the process the company used to refurbish the equipment.  It is important to choose a company that offers quality refurbishing.  Refurbishing is not about cosmetics; it is about bringing a piece of equipment back to life.

What is the manufacturer’s reputation?

The manufacturer’s history and reputation play a role when choosing industrial equipment.  It is important that the equipment is coming from a reputable manufacturer.  Always choose quality and reputation over cost.  It is worth paying a bit more to buy a product from a reputable manufacturer.  Buying a used or refurbished component from a quality manufacturer is better than buying a new off brand with a sketchy reputation.

What maintenance records are available?

All equipment runs better and lasts longer with proper maintenance.  Before buying used equipment as to see the available maintenance records.  Think about it like a car, regular tune ups and oil changes allow the car to run more efficiently and longer.  Well maintained industrial and manufacturing equipment will last longer than one that has not.

Is there physical wear and tear?

Be sure to do a visual inspection on used and refurbished equipment before finalizing the purchase of any large scaled equipment for your facility.  Normal wear and tear is to be excepted even if the equipment has been refurbished.  Visible cracks, corrosion, wear and fatigue on components, especially mechanical ones, indicate issues with the machinery.  These should be big red flags to look for a different piece of equipment to purchase that will better meet your facilities need.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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Choosing To Use Refurbished Electrical Components

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There is a myth circulating around about using reconditioned breakers.  Let’s put it to rest right here and right now.  You are not risking anything to save a few bucks when you are purchasing reconditioned electrical breakers – especially when you find a reputable company to purchase from.

Many manufacturing companies choose to use reconditioned electrical components.  Not only do they cost less over OEM parts, they are also readily available.  For older equipment finding replacement parts may not always be so simple.  Product reconditioning is one way in which manufacturers eliminate unplanned downtime.  Replacing worn or damaged components with newly refurbished components increase safety while decreasing unexpected machine breakdowns.

The process of reconditioning electrical components can vary from company to company.  The basic process of reconditioning electrical components is to bring the component back to its original state.  With quality refurbishment the product is completely disassembled, the components are cleaned, analyzed, reassembled and then a final inspection along with testing is done to ensure the component meets the manufacturers standards.

Depending on the company many times electrical component companies may be willing to lend you a component to use while they refurbish yours.  Refurbishing electrical components can take between three days to three weeks depending on the component and company providing the reconditioning.

Reconditioning isn’t only about cleaning the components but more about upgrading components to include the latest technology available.  Installing upgrades to the system communication center can allow facilities to gather trends and usage information on the system.  Another reason communication center upgrades are important when refurbishing electrical components is the ability to ensure that equipment is running properly and that power usage is similar between machinery.

Refurbishing is economical for numerous reasons.  It isn’t always affordable for manufacturers to completely replace equipment.  Maintaining machinery through refurbishing components allows companies an economical approach at replacing parts and equipment experiencing normal wear and tear through use.

When equipment breaks down because of faulty components it can often cost companies a great deal of money.  Not only do emergency repair services need to be performed, replacement parts need to be found and equipment downtime needs to be accounted for.  Simple updates through refurbishment allow components to be replaced and equipment to be maintained to increase longevity.

Seek out a company that follows stringent electrical component refurbishing guidelines.  Refurbishing requires a lot more than a new coat of paint, cleaning and lubrication.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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Spring Renovations: Metal Roofing

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Spring is the time many homeowners begin to consider all of the renovations that they hope to accomplish during the warm summer months.  If you are thinking about a new roof consider metal roofing.  In this installment on roofing for your home we will look into the advantages and disadvantages of metal roofing.

There are so many ways that metal roofing outweighs other conventional roofing materials from the expected life expectancy to fire resistance.

  • Life Expectancy: When metal roofing is installed correctly by a professional roofing contractor should last as long as the house does.  Metal roofing installed properly seals out the water and endures high winds that other conventional roofing fails to do.  Metal roofing is also resistant to mildew, mold, fire, rot and insect infestation.  Most metal roofing suppliers will warranty their product for anywhere between twenty to fifty years.  The paint finish on a metal roof is most often under warranty for upwards of thirty years.
  • Weight: The weight of a metal roof ranges between fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds per square foot. It is possible that your metal roof can be installed right over your old shingle roof without the roofing material being taken off or additional support being added.
  • Installation: Metal roofing comes in multiple shingle sections or as large wide panels which make for easy installation by professional roofing contractors.  The process of installing a metal roof usually takes about two days less than it takes to install other conventional roofing materials.
  • Fire Resistance: Metal roofing has a class A fire resistance rating because metal is a non-combustible material.
  • Conduction: Metal reflects heat from the sun minimizing the amount of heat that enters or exits the house. Metal roofing is perfect for cooling the house in the summer while keeping heat in during the winter.
  • Roof Pitch: Even roofs with the slightest roof pitch can be installed with metal roofing and still not present a potential for leaking.  The minimum pitch should be three inches of rise per twelve horizontal inches.
  • Maximum Shedding: Metal roofing is designed to interlock which makes it resistant to rain and snow accumulation.  The hard, slippery surface allows the snow and rain to gently flow off the surface.

The drawbacks of metal roofing hardly outweigh the benefits but should be considered before investing in a new roof.  It is important to look into drawbacks such as cost, noise, denting and care.

Home Pro Roofing contractors offer a variety of roofing services throughout Brighton, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Fenton and Commerce Township, including installation of shingle roofs, metal roofing and roof repairs.  You will find them at http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Home Pro Roofing MI

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