Livingston Reporting - page 214

Avoidable Mistakes When Installing Aluminum Fencing

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Spring is right around the corner and the warm weather brings out an abundance of homeowners looking to rejuvenate the interior and exterior of their homes.   The installation of a decorative aluminum fence may sound like a great spring project to consider.  Installing your own fence saves you money, gives you experience with a project, allows you to do it your own way and offers a large sense of accomplishment when all said and done.  In any home improvement project there are mishaps that can happen.  Thankfully many people before you have installed aluminum fencing and can help you avoid making the same mistakes they did.

Top Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Aluminum Fencing

Underground Utilities:  One of the biggest mishaps that occur is when homeowners accidentally cut underground wiring, cables or pipelines as they prepare to install fence posts.  This is important so you might want to read it twice; when you begin planning for your new fence call the utility company to mark the ground for underground utilities.  This task should be done before placing an order for fencing so that if adjustments for underground utilities need to be made they are easily adjusted for.

Issues Surrounding Posts:  One of the trickiest issues when installing aluminum fencing is where to and how to dig out the holes for the posts to go into.  When an original plan is made the number of posts needed will be predetermined.  The aluminum fence company will help you plan the number of panels and posts required.  When installing end posts it is important to get them as close to the house as possible without actually touching the house.  The gate posts also need special consideration when being installed to account for the size of the gate and the hinges.

Also consider the number of posts and the depth required to set each post to determine if you can manually dig the holes or if you should rent an auger.  An auger runs about one hundred dollars a day to rent.  If you are digging more than a couple of holes it makes sense to save your back and rent an auger.  This will make digging the holes needed for the posts much simpler, especially on hard soil.

Concrete:  There are two different types of concrete that can be used when setting aluminum fence posts: dry and wet set.  Most often, wet set concrete should be used because it will dry evenly which provides a more solid anchor.  Dry concrete is easier to use for alignment but tends to dry irregularly and offer a less solid foundation then wet set.  One bag of concrete is usually sufficient for each post hole that was dug.

When buying aluminum fencing online it is important to work with a company that offers sufficient support to consumers throughout the entire process from planning to installation.  The installation process of aluminum fencing is pretty straightforward and painless when homeowners follow the directions provided.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

iFenceUSA

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Installing An Aluminum Fence On Your Own

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Aluminum fencing is one of the best ways that homeowners can signify their property from the neighbors.   By installing a fence homeowners are providing a natural extension of their home.  Fencing not only adds separation but also privacy, security and stringent limitations for children and pets.  All while providing a decorative manner to showcase your landscaping.

Many homeowners prefer to install fencing on their own.  It is a fairly simple DIY project that produces such extraordinary results.  Whether installing an aluminum fence is the first or thirty first DIY project you are doing it is important to prepare ahead of time.  In this installment on aluminum fence installation we will share some important tips on preparing your yard.

Before you even place an order for aluminum fencing it is important to have your property lines clearly marked by a professional land surveyor.  Educated guesses land you in scalding hot water with you neighbors, HOA and local county officials.  If the fence is installed on property that is not yours be prepared to be asked to rip it out.  Even the smallest infraction can cause you to have to rip of the fence you just worked so tirelessly to install.

After you have established a property line it is important to have a conversation with your neighbors.  You don’t need their approval to install the fence but it is courteous to talk with them about the installation before you begin construction.   This allows you to come to an agreement with them regarding construction, along with the look and size of the fence.  Open communication with neighbors throughout the process helps for a smoother installation.

Another critical issue that homeowners need to address is underground utilities.  It is important that you avoid underground utilities, lines and pipes when digging holes for the post supports.  Hitting a utility line or breaking a pipe not only causes headaches for the county but also neighbors while adding to your expenses.

It is also important to remove all obstacles within the path of which you are installing the fence.  Remove rocks, stumps and other obstructions that will make it difficult to dig post holes or install fence panels.  It is also important to account for obstacles within the landscape itself that cannot be removed such as inclines.  You will need to account for these changes in incline when ordering your aluminum fencing.

Next you will want to stake out the fence line so that you can visualize everything about the fence from where the gate is to where each post will be placed. Run a string between the stakes in the ground this will allow you to accurately measure the yard as well.

You will find a myriad of tools available online to help with the planning, ordering and installation of your new aluminum fencing.  Thorough preparation makes the installation of aluminum fencing a whole lot smoother.

iFenceUSA offers the widest variety of maintenance-free, no-rust aluminum fences and gates in the industry! Whether you are a pool contractor, a building contractor, an architect, a landscaping professional, or a “do-it-yourself” homeowner looking for exceptional value and installation advice, you’ll benefit by buying wholesale aluminum fences shipped factory-direct to your home or business anywhere in America from www.iFenceUSA.com!

iFenceUSA

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The Importance Of Estate Planning

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Everyone knows estate planning is important.  Not only are their advantages you will benefit from personally but making necessary plans for your estate eliminates the guess work for your family.  Take the time and effort now to remove the burden from loved ones during the period they will be grieving the loss of a loved one.

With an estate plan in place you can make necessary arrangements to provide for your family.  This will allow one spouse to set aside the proper amount of funds to continue living the lifestyle you have planned for your future.  If you have children it is crucial that your estate plan has provisions to provide for them as you see fit.  A guardian should be appointed in your estate plan as well just in case you both should pass away before the children have left the nest.  Without a plan in place the court is left to make those important decisions for you.

Another benefit of estate planning is the ability to quickly distributing your property to beneficiaries.  A number of estate planning methods can help with this process including: insurance with benefits paid directly to beneficiaries and a number of trust options.  Talk to an estate planning attorney to see what option works best for your situation.

Estate planning allows you to plan for a time when you may become incapacitated and unable to make decisions.  It allows you to create a plan of action should you become mentally or physically incapacitated.  Having a living will or durable heath care power of attorney in place allows you to choose an individual to help make medical decisions on your behalf.

Estate planning allows you to minimize the costs involved in transferring property to beneficiaries.  It avoids the unnecessary expenses that come along with probate.  It allows you to choose an executor to distribute your estate.  This not only saves you money it reduces the burden that the death of a loved one places on the living and makes administration of the estate simpler.

There are a number of aspects in life that require a detail estate plan be in place.  If you are the sole provider for an elderly parent, dependent child or want to provide the payment necessary for your grandchildren to attend college you can put a plan in place with an estate planning attorney.  If you are a business owner it is also important to create a detailed estate plan with an attorney to allow for an orderly continuation or curtailment of the business.

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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Cutting Costs Without A Decrease In Quality

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Medical centers are always looking for ways to cut costs when it comes to maintaining, repairing and purchasing new equipment.  This article includes the top ways that hospitals and medical facilities can cut costs while continuing to improve quality care and patient outcomes.

The best way to save money in any industry is to continuing using the equipment that is already owned.  It is common for medical facilities to outsource medical equipment support services.  Using external service providers while having reliable support in house, otherwise known as clinical engineers, keeps equipment running at peak performance.  Simple in house adjustments and simple repairs can save a tremendous amount of money.  Not only are you saving on the cost of outsourced vendor services but also on the costs associated with any downtime experienced with medical equipment failure.

Support can be provided in a number of ways including in person and remote services.  Instead of assuming your issue can only be resolved by having a technician come out to your facility ask about less expensive remote services.  Many repairs can be accomplished through a remote technician.  Through the remote session the technician can diagnosis if the equipment can be resolved with simple tweaks or if service personnel are needed on site.  Most medical equipment vendors can offer support remotely twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.  Many times on staff clinical engineers can even repair equipment with the support of the remote operator.  The nature of remote services allows the vendor to support more than one client at a time thus costing less for remote services.

Instead of working directly with the original equipment manufacturer, OEM, consider getting support from trusted third party medical equipment repair support service specialists.  Working with OEMs tends to be more costly and take significantly more time then services using a third party vendor.  This is a simple way to have necessary services performed on equipment while maintaining patient care.

One of the most effective ways that medical facilities can save money when it comes to large, specialized medical equipment is to make sure that regular maintenance is performed.  Imaging equipment including linear accelerators and ct scanners are known for having particularly long life cycles.  It is in the best interest of facilities to take advantage of this benefit.  Scheduling proper maintenance and timely repairs allows facilities to get the most out of expensive medical equipment.

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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Differences Between Buying New Construction and Previously Owned Homes

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

There is a big difference between buying a new construction home and one that was previously owned.  When you are buying a home that has already been lived in you are purchasing someone’s memories.  One of the advantages of buying new construction is that you do not have to deal with the emotions of the buyer therefore the emotions are left out of the sales process.  When buying new construction, as with a home that was previously owned you will need to secure financing, budget for the unexpected and get pre-approval on a home loan.

If you are contemplating the purchase of a newly constructed home below are some steps to help guide you along the process.

Evaluate the Pros and Cons

One of the benefits of owning a newly-constructed home is that no one else has lived in it.  Everything is bright, shiny and new for you to use before anyone else.  There are three different options in buying new construction including:

  • Buying a new house on spec
  • Purchasing a semicustom home from preselected styles
  • Buying a fully custom designed home

There are many reasons to purchase new construction and a few cons as well.  Previously built homes have mature landscapes where new construction you are cultivating something from nothing.  It could take quiet sometime for the landscape to mature.  Many times new construction is a bit cookie cutter.  Will having homes in the neighborhood that look similar to yours bother you?  New construction also tends to be built super close together; is the lack of privacy worth living in a new construction home?

Investigate Neighborhoods and Area Home Builders

When buying a new construction home you will want to work with a buyer’s agent that not only specializes in new construction but also is familiar with the area, can set up home tours and help throughout the closing process.  The listing agent will be working in conjunction with the builder therefore their agenda will be for the seller not you the buyer.  A listing agent won’t necessarily be looking out for the buyer’s best interest in the sale.  It is crucial that you tour new construction only when doing so with your agent.

Go to the open models within new construction neighborhoods you are interested in.  Make sure to take notes and pictures to keep track of the different options offered and the neighborhoods.  Talk with other homeowners within the neighborhood.  Ask about their experience with the builder and talk to them about the neighborhood.

Make sure to look into the development builder as well.  Talk to local agents that have worked with the builder before.  Talk with the better business bureau about any complaints against them.  Talk with the occupants of homes that the builder has recently finished.  All of these people will offer you a different perspective into working with the buyer.

In our next installment in buying new construction we will talk in depth about what is standard verse what upgrades are extra, home inspections and warranties, and the closing process.

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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Insight Into The 2017 Real Estate Market

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Will you be shopping for a new home in 2017?  Below is some insight into the real estate market and what home buyers can expect as they begin their hunt for either a new home or their first home.

The real estate market has been affected due to the election that recently occurred.  Interest rates on home loans and refinancing have risen point fifty percent over the past two months.  Even with this increase the housing market on a whole remains strong.  It is important to consider that the market could see a rise in real estate markets under this new leadership.  The prospect of higher interest rates and increased real estate costs may create a sense of urgency amongst buyers going into the spring season.

The traditional timing of first time buyers is changing.  People are no longer waiting until they are married to look into homeownership.  More single people are choosing to purchase homes than ever before.  The 2017 real estate market will see more and more home buyers that are single verse real estate trends of the past in which typically home buyers were married couples.

Those seeking investment properties most often have the same goal, price appreciation.  If the goal for 2017 is to acquire additional properties as investments look where home values are set to increase the most.  For almost all areas larger price increases can be seen on property within larger metropolitan areas.  Not only property values increase either.  The amount of rent that can be charged is significantly higher than the rural area surrounding the metropolis.

It is critical that first time home buyers concern themselves with more than just the initial down payment.  The costs of obtaining a mortgage are additional to the actual down payment on a home.  A home costing $150,000 could require a twenty percent down payment and two percent closing costs.  Thus the amount due at closing would be $30,000 for the down payment and upwards of $3000 for the closing fees.

It is also important for first time home buyers to have a nest egg of funds put aside for unexpected emergencies that can arise with homeownership.  Inspections are not a hundred percent failure proof.  Sometimes there are things that aren’t noticed until you are living in the home.   Maybe the water backs up when you are running the dishwasher and washing machine.   This may not be something caught during the inspection process. The nature of the issue is not something that is common for home inspectors to look into during the home inspection process.  These small issues can add to the financial pinch of a new mortgage and should be planned for ahead of time.  The last thing new homeowners want to do is to put debt on to credit cards.  A cash emergency fund is the best way to handle the unforeseen.

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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Save Money With Refurbished Electrical Components

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

A great way for businesses to save money is to look into purchasing used or refurbished electrical components to replace components that have failed.  It is important when buying used or refurbished circuit breakers, transformers, bus ducts and plugs to make purchases from a reputable, trusted source.

There are risks involved in purchasing refurbished electrical components from unknown sources.    Components with visible damage, rust, missing pieces or illegible labeling there is an added risk.  It is important that the part that is purchased and received is in good shape and labeled appropriately.    Without much needed information on amps or wattage, especially when working with electricity, there is a greater risk of danger.  Precautions should always be taken when working with electricity.

Avoid the following when looking into buying used or refurbished electrical components:

Before you make a purchase be sure you fully understand what you need. Don’t assume the seller is educated on what you need.  As a buyer the more information you have the better off you are in getting exactly what is needed.  The brand name and catalog number are always good to have on hand when searching for a necessary component.  All of this knowledge helps to protect you, the buyer, from dodgy sellers.

It is best never to buy used or refurbished electrical components off of an ad where specific details about the product are not given.  As a buyer it is your right to know all of the details about a specific product including exactly what condition it is in upon purchase. If the information that you need is not clearly listed ask for the information in writing.

Another thing to look into when purchasing refurbished components online is to look to see if the online store also has a brick and mortar shop.  Many times companies operate both online and at a store front.  If this is the case be sure to research both aspects of their business to get a clear picture of who you are dealing with.  Companies that operate both online and in person often have a deadline on when you can return products as well as a fee for restocking the item.

Here is a list of questions to assist you when talking with sellers of used or refurbished electrical components.

  • It is important to first distinguish if the product you are purchasing is new, used or refurbished. This should be the first question you ask.  The price of the component should also reflect the difference.
  • If the component has been refurbished ask about the process the company uses to refurbish their components prior to sale.
  • Ask if there is a warranty or guarantee on the product.
  • If it is a used product is sure to clarify if the equipment is in working condition or if it is only good for parts.
  • Check to see if used or refurbished components have been tested.

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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Protect Your Home For Winter Damage

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Winter is here; fortunately for homeowners here in the north it isn’t too late to protect their roofs against the damage the season can bring.  Below is a simple guide for homeowners to follow in order to protect their roofs from damage while helping to lower overall energy bills.

One of the most important things that you can do for your home during the spring and fall seasons is to clean out the gutters around the home.  The gutters will take a thorough beating throughout the winter if accumulated debris builds up.   Not only will the gutters crack, split and start to peel away from the roof the winter weather can wreak havoc on the trim and siding because of damage being done to the homes gutters.

Gutters that become clogged are not effective in letting water runoff drain from the roof.  The most often resulting in ice dams which if left untreated can turn into leaks within the interior of the home.  It is crucial during the winter season that the gutters stay free of debris to allow the water to flow and divert the water away from the home protecting the home inside and out.

Debris doesn’t only wreak havoc with the homes gutter it also can cause damage to shingling.  Extra fall leaves left building up on the roof retain moisture and then will freeze and thaw throughout the season.  This process will eventually lead to cracking and a reduced life expectancy to the asphalt shingling on the roof.  It is important to trim trees that hang over the homes roof. The constant back and forth of branches scraping on the homes roof can lead to wear thus wearing away the materials that the roof is composed of.  This can lead to roof damage and leaks.

It is important that homeowners take time to repair damage to a home’s roof before the winter weather strikes.  Small cracks in shingling will only become extreme issues if left to go through the freeze, thaw, and melt cycle that occurs throughout the winter.  These issues turn from small, minor repair issues into expensive full roof replacements depending on the strength of the winter storms that occur throughout the season.

Another aspect of maintenance to perform on roofing before the winter season is in full swing is to re-caulk joints and flashing that is showing signs of wear.  These areas on a roof are already highly susceptible to leaking.  The winter weather adds another element of wear to an already fragile point on the roof.

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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Avoiding Damage To Your Roof This Winter

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

It is important that homeowners don’t neglect the exterior of their homes during the winter season, especially the homes roof.  Winter weather is particularly hard on a home’s roof.  From heavy snow to ice dams there are many warning signs for homeowners to look for to prevent damage to the homes roof.  Small roofing problems can easily be repaired before they turn into an expensive new roof needing to be installed.  Continue reading for information on what you should be looking for to avoid winter roofing hassles.

Damage Ice Storms 

After your area has gone through the experience of an ice storm it important to have the homes roof inspected by a professional roofing contractor.  It is hard for the inexperienced eye to spot the damage that occurs from hail and ice but for a roofing contractor it is pretty evident.  Ice damage occurs in many forms including deep dimples in the roof surface, cracked shingles, loose asphalt granules and missing roofing aspects.

Ice Dams and Heavy Snow Buildup

Snow always appears so light and fluffy as it falls from the sky.  The reality however is that after snow has settled on your roof and had time to thaw from any temperature difference the melted snow is incredibly heavy.  This weight puts a great deal of pressure on the roof which can lead to pressure cracks and in turn leaks.  A similar concept occurs when snow melts and refreezes around the edge of the roof creating ice dams.  Water that would normally run off of the roof has nowhere to go and in turn continues to freeze along the edge.  This leads to weight damage on the roof or interior leaks.

Failing Flashing

Harsh winter weather is notorious for the damage that it does to the roofs flashing.  Flashing is the metal that is applied over the roof joints to help direct the flow of water.  It is also used around skylights, dormer windows, vents and such.  Although it is a durable material the winter weather can take a toll on it.  If flashing damage goes untreated homeowners can expect to experience leaks and interior water damage.

Winter weather varies a great deal from location to location.  Winters here in the north alone vary a great deal.  One day we are dealing with temperatures in the upper forties and the next we are experiencing two feet drifts of snow.  With this in mind it is important that homeowners get into a routine.  Roofing contractors can be hired to do bi-yearly screenings of your homes roof, during the spring and fall to pinpoint problem areas before they become bigger issues.  Homeowners should become familiar with their roofs as well in order to perform periodic checks for damage that is above and beyond normal wear and tear.

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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Safely Delivering Radiation Using Linear Accelerator Equipment

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Linac, short for linear accelerator, is a piece of medical equipment used in radiology.  It matches high powered x-ray energy up with the shape of cancerous tumors, destroying the cancerous cells while preserving the healthy tissue surrounding the area.    Using a linear accelerator, oncology radiologists can be sure that a higher does than what has been prescribed is not being delivered to the area.  The machines are frequently checked by medical physicists to ensure proper function.

As a patient needing radiation therapy a treatment plan is developed specifically for you with the support of experts including a radiation oncologist, a radiation dosimetrist and a medical physicist.  Before the treatment begins your oncologist with double a triple check the plan and create a course of action to ensure that the radiation is delivered in the exact same manner each and every time.

LINAC devices are used to provide external beam radiation treatments for cancer patients.  The linear accelerator treats various areas throughout the body.  The concentrated x-ray beams are centered on the tumor in hope that the healthy tissue surrounding the tumor will be spared.  The linear accelerator allows the x-rays to be sent in the shape of the tumor using blocks in the head of the machine or a multi-leaf collimator that is a part of the machine head.

During treatment the patient is positioned on a moveable couch like table.  The patient remains still while the table and linear accelerator is moved into position for optimal treatment of the tumor.  The linear accelerator is operated by a radiation therapist.  This professional is in charge of actually delivering the correct dose of radiation prescribed by the radiation oncologist.

When radiation is delivered the safety of the patient and the therapist is of utmost importance.  In order to ensure that the proper treatment plan is in place it is thoroughly checked by the radiation oncologist, radiation dosimetrist and physicist before the treatments are performed.   Several quality control checks are in place to ensure that the treatment is given as prescribed.

Systems are built directly into the linear accelerator to ensure that a dose higher then what is prescribed is not delivered to the patient.  Checks are preformed daily by the linear accelerator operator, radiation therapist, to make certain the radiation intensity is uniform across the beam and that the machine is in proper working order.  On top of this the radiation physicist performs weekly and monthly checks on the machine.  Modern day LINAC have internal systems that check the machine and do not allow it to be turned on until all of the treatment requirements are met.  Patient and operator safety is of utmost important when radiation distribution is concerned.

Acceletronics delivers the best equipment performance and service reliability from Linear Accelerators and CT Scanners across all major brands and models.  Our qualified oncology equipment specialists provide a quality customer experience across the USA with timely field maintenance.  We sell, repair, refurbish, move and finance oncology medical systems check out more at http://www.acceletronics.com.

Acceletronics, RadParts

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