Livingston Reporting - page 277

Entering Into A Snow Removal Contract

It is true, no matter how hard we try to fight it, winter is on its way.  We all know that with winter come mounds of snow, snow piled here, there and everywhere.  Snow removal is a chore that many people detest.  Knowing the snowy season is fast approaching has left many people considering the option of hiring a snow removal contractor to handle their winter needs.  If you are one of the thousands of households searching for a contractor to handle your snow removal needs this season we offer the following tips on hiring the best company for the job.

  • It is best to call around and have several companies out to estimate your snow removal job.  It is impossible for a contractor to quote you a rate over the phone.  A professional snow removal contractor would never attempt to bid out a seasonal job over the phone.The amount that you are charged will depend on a number of things including the size of the area needing to be cleared, if shoveling or snow blowing is also being requested and if excess snow needs to be removed from walk ways as well.  Also, consider if the company you are considering offers salt services.  It is important to keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be providing the detailed services your area requires.
  • Ask for references from the following season.  Check with the company’s references to see if they were satisfied with the service the company provided.  Check with references to determine if the contractor came out on their own without being called or if the homeowner had to constantly call to ask if they were planning on coming out to plow.  Ask homeowners if there was ever any damage to the landscape or property in general.  If there was and issues find out how the homeowner was compensated.
  • Look into any complaints or praises given to the snow removal contractor through the better business bureau and online.  Online reviews are often the best place to find out about how satisfied or not people have been with a company’s service.
  • When you have decided upon a company for your snow removal needs the contractor will prepare a written agreement in which you will both be required to sign.  It will lay out the exact services you will be paying for and any additional costs that could ensue.  The contractors will layout whose responsibility it is if any damage is done to the property or the surrounding area.  Make sure the contractor is licensed and insured.  Do not hire someone that is not.  You will be liable for any injury or damage that takes place on the property no matter whose fault it is.

Be realistic when hiring any service company.  It is impossible for snow removal firms to predict the amount of snow fall that will occur in the coming season or during any one instance throughout the season.  Some major snowfalls will require your patience and understanding as commercial areas are always plowed before residential clients.  It may take longer than normal for your contractor to reach you during larger snow falls or if ice is present and salt needs to be applied.

CBA Outdoor Services is a local landscape design firm offering services, including snow removal, throughout Livingston and Wayne Counties. For more information on the services they offer to both commercial and residential clients look online at http://cbaoutdoors.com/.

Tips For Choosing an I.T. Firm To Handle Your Computer Repair Needs

The world today relies on technology.  Without our computers working properly everyday life and business slows down to almost a halt.  This is why it is so important that you are familiar with a local computer repair shop that works to provide services not only to personal computers but also large corporate I.T. networks.  It is important that you find a company that can meet all of your needs no matter the size of your company or personally as a residential client.  It is crucial that the computer repair, I.T. specialists you choose are familiar with all of the following repairs that your network or personal computers may need.

Crucial Computer Repair Services

  • The most common issue with computers today is viruses and malware.  No matter how careful you are no matter what anti-virus protection you have installed your computers and networks are all exposed to hackers that wish to infect not only your computer but also your network.  It is important that you find a company that offers complete computer virus removal services.  Many local companies can remote into your computer and offer this service if you are in a pinch but be sure that you bring your computer in to their service center for a thorough cleaning and tune up.
  • Hardware repairs are the next service that needs to be offered by the I.T. Company you hire.  All repairs including hardware, physical damage and accessory replacements should be provided.  It is possible that your computer may only have some physical damage to face your computer; it is important that they can address this need as well.
  • It is not all about the main computer unit when it comes to I.T. networking.  Computer technicians working on your system also need to know how to work with computer accessories including scanners, printers and other essential parts that need to work with your system.
  • Find a company that offers data recovery and back up as well.  It is so important that all of your data be backed up.  Often times we see that this is not the case where in lies the need for data recovery.  If you have lost data that is irreplaceable you will want to have a professional who is aware of the time sensitivity of your issue and that will begin recovering what they can of your data as soon as possible.
  • Your I.T. professionals should be able to assess all situations including troubleshooting and network errors.  These issues are more complex than most computer repair issues and will need an expert to address them.
  • Maintenance is important when making sure your computer systems and networks are running in top condition.  Find a professional that values computer maintenance more than computer repair.  This will help to save you thousands of I.T. repair dollars in the long run.  Maintaining your computer is as important as maintenance on your car or your health.  Maintenance keeps issues from occurring which is important to avoid any disruptions in service.

Computers Plus Service, in Brighton Michigan, provides a wide range of valuable services for residential computer repair as well as a variety of commercial computer services to the entire Livingston County area including Howell, Brighton and the surrounding areas.  You can find out more about the services offered by CPS at http://www.cpsmi.com.

Saving Money On Shipping Services For Your Business

Every business owner you meet will tell you that they are always concerned with ways to lessen expenses while achieving the same if not higher customer service levels.  This is something that is true of all businesses from all areas of the globe.  Even with economies picking up cost savings is something all businesses search for, every dollar counts.  There is no exception to this concept especially when shipping freight.

Freight companies can never put shipments on hold because of increase costs to gas or oil supplies.  They can never defer business in hope to achieve cheaper rates later on.   The same is true of companies shipping their products.  Your company may downsize their logistics division and restructure the transportation management division but shipment still need to be received and sent out.  Your company may need to look into outside carriers to ship goods.  There are several ways this can be achieved including couriers, parcel post, LTL shipping, full truckload shippers, air, rail or water shipping.

For freight shipping services to continue they must prove to be the best of the best.  The rates must be kept within reasonable industry standards, customer service must be better than the competitors and shipping times must continue to prevail.  When shipping costs increase it can really add a deep hole in your company’s budget.  Here are some tips to help achieve lower shipping rates while maintaining customer services and shipping times.

  • Choose to ship smaller amounts of product more frequently.  If your shipments are stored to achieve enough for a full truckload you are spending unnecessary funds for storage of the product.  Have your shipments sent out more often in smaller qualities.  Freight is charged not only on weight but the amount of space that is taken up with in the truck.  With this in mind you may see increased benefits in sending smaller loads out more frequently than allowing shipments to pile up.
  • It is less expensive to ship from company to company rather than company to residential.  Keep this in mind when shipping your company’s product out to residential customers.  If having them pick the product up at a local store will offer cost savings for your company consider this as a viable option.  Many people will drive to pick up their deliveries if it means that they would have to pick up the additional cost of shipping.
  • Stop spending money on unnecessary additional shipping services.  If you have a larger, heavy product come prepared to pick up the product on your own with the help of a friend or dolly system.  This is true even when receiving products.  Consider unloading the shipments on your own using your own equipment to save money.
  • Carting your product is often a better option over using a pallet.  Crates protect goods, save money; this is especially true in LTL shipping.  The lower ranking your product has the cheaper it will be to ship.  Crated products have less ranking than their pallet equivalents.

All of these tips are meant to be helpful in lowering your freight shipping costs.  You can find additional information online by searching for LTL shippers in your area.

Jefferson Diversified Group, LLC is a Global Logistics expert offering LTL shipping and more. Check out available rates today at http://www.detroitltl.com.

The Art Of Age In Place Remodeling

Aging in place is a concept that is easy to get on board with.  The concept of universal design and age in place remodeling are both widely accepted concepts within the home improvement arena.  This may possibly come from the idea that many of us are staying healthier longer and are able to care for ourselves within our home environment.  The idea of having the freedom of living alone taken away from us is frightening and for the most part something many of us want to avoid. This is completely possible with smart remodeling.

Tips To Consider For Age In Place Remodeling

  • First consider the space you live in.  Is the home all on one floor or are there levels of the home that you will need access too?  This is the first concern to address within every space.  If the home is a ranch are the hallways too long?  Do you easily lose stamina walking from one end of the house to the other?  If the home is on more than one floor will you consider the addition of an elevator or chair lift?  These are all pricey renovations that really need some forethought.
  • Install at least one entry way into the home that includes a no-step entry. With this comes some special considerations including making sure the space has a covered entry. Additional drainage and a level space to maneuver on outside of the entryway.
  • The doors within the home may need to be widened to accommodate the use of a wheelchair or walker.  Altering doorways can be difficult in that you have to be aware of wiring as well as the structural load of the home.  This is one alteration that may not be easy but is essential in easing access into and out of rooms within the home.
  • Another renovation that is often done with aging in place is the addition of pocket doors.  This allows the homeowner to have additional space to maneuver without the hassle of a door in the way.  Pocket doors have one drawback that is easily modified, the handles.  In order to accommodate aging hands and lessened dexterity add a pull to both sides of the pocket that fits just outside the pocket.
  • Bathroom spaces are always the most renovated rooms within homes that are undergoing basic changes to allow for aging in place.  The addition of a walk in tub is not necessary.  They are expensive and offer only a very narrow door in which to enter.   All of which I see to be a hazard.  Instead consider ripping out the tub and in its place adding a walk-in, no-step entry shower.  Include in the space easy to maneuver temperature controlled faucets, a built in bench seat with plenty of grab bars to help sturdy aging bodies as well as an adjustable, removable shower head.

When it comes to any age in place remodeling project consider how it will ease your lifestyle.  The list above includes the most common issues seen in homes that are renovating to allow for aging in place.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

Choosing The Perfect Pair Of Diamond Studs

There are a few essential pieces that stand the test of time; think about your favorite blue jeans, that purse that goes with everything, the perfect boots and your go to sweater.  The only thing missing from this list is a pair of diamond studs.  Take any outfit or mood swing, add a bit of sparkle in the form of diamond studs and you can literally go anywhere from the opera to the grocery store.  Diamond earrings literally make everything around them sparkle.  The only question now is how do you go about picking the perfect pair?

First let’s consider what makes diamond studs so appealing.  Legend has it that people once thought diamonds were actually fallen stars because of their brilliance. The manner in which a diamond takes in light and bounces it off of itself is unlike any other gemstone. Diamonds are the most universally sought after stone in the world.

Here are some tips on choosing the right pair of diamond studs.

  • Purchase Real Diamonds:  If you are going to have one pair of earrings that are your go to, perfect earrings to wear on any occasion you want them to be the real deal.  Think about the number of years you will have this one pair of earrings.  If you can’t afford a pair of real diamonds hold off for now.  Find a nice pair of pearls for the time being as they are a budget friendly alternative but start saving.  Skip that latte every day for the next year and before you know it you will have saved enough money to buy real diamond stud earrings.
  • It is so important that the pair of diamonds you choose match one another.  Finding a perfectly matched set of earrings is not going to be a simple task.  You will need to find a jeweler who is skilled in the art of matching diamonds.  You may find it easier to purchase loose diamonds that match and have them set into posts than to find a matching pair at a big box jewelry retailer.  Find a custom jewelry expert and they will understand the importance of a matching set of diamonds for your go to perfect diamond studs.
  • Don’t settle on any of the C’s of diamond buying only buy the best.  The cut, color, clarity and carat are all just as important on a pair of diamond studs as they are on an engagement ring.  Don’t listen to anyone who tells you different.  The sparkle and shine is more brilliant and fiery with top quality diamonds.  A smaller, higher quality diamond will look richer to the naked eye than a larger, lower quality diamond.
  • Size is important with everything including diamonds!  When buying earrings it is important to note that one carat diamond earrings actually means that each earring is a half carat.  They are one carat diamond weight when weighed together.  Make sure you buy the correct sized earrings for your ears.   Larger isn’t always better what does matter is that they sit on your ear the way you envision.  Larger diamond studs have a way of protruding which on smaller ears make look strange.  Choose the carat weight based on what looks good with your earlobes.
  • Show your personal style when choose the cut of your diamond stud earrings.  Round solitaire diamonds don’t fit every girl’s personality.  There are a variety of cuts to choose from.  Make sure you base your selection off your personal look.  Consider the cut of your engagement ring also.  Many women find it is ideal for the two to match.

Take your time when purchasing a piece of jewelry that will be your signature piece.  It make take some time but save for when you find the ideal pair.  It will show in the way you look and feel each and every time you wear them, even if it is only for a trip to the local laundry mat!

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel. You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

How To Take Proper Care Of Your Jewelry

People wear jewelry on a daily basis.  Very few people realize that they can preserve their jewelry using some forethought.  Follow the steps below in taking care of everything from your finest jewelry to costume pieces.

The first tip in caring for your jewelry is to remove pieces when you are performing tasks that expose the pieces to physical damage or chemicals.  For instance, when you are washing dishes it is best to remove all rings, bracelets and watches.  This helps to prevent soap residue from building up or accidently drowning a watch that is not waterproof.  Other tasks to consider removing jewelry for are gardening, household cleaning, car repairs and other common tasks that are taken on in our daily lives.

Apply makeup, perfume, lotion and hairspray before you put on your jewelry for the day.  All of these products contain chemicals that can cause damage to the gemstones as well as the metal on pieces of jewelry.  Putting jewelry on after you have made yourself up for the day will limit the exposure your jewelry has to these harmful materials and will in turn increase the longevity of your pieces.

When you are planning on going into a swimming pool or spa it is best to take of all of your jewelry and store it in a safe environment.  The chlorine in the water can cause a reaction with certain metals causing a change in color and possible damage to the structure of the piece.  To keep your pieces in top shape it is best to take them off before entering a spa or pool.

During sports is another time it is best to store jewelry.  A hard blow during practice or a game can damage a piece beyond repair not to mention the damage it could cause to someone’s person.  Jewelry of all kinds should be removed before you play any type of sport non-contact or contact.

It is important to remember that your jewelry only gets dirty when worn in the shower.  Many people think that the shower or bath is the ideal environment to clean jewelry.  What people need to remember is that anytime you are using soap of any kind to clean a film can form.  This film is what will make metal less shiny and gemstones dull.  Taking care of jewelry and removing it before you bathe or do any other task involving soap or chemicals will prevent the occasions in which your jewelry needs to be taken in for professional servicing.

DaRoche Jewelers is on online jewelry company with a local feel.  You will find a variety of options in jewelry, including custom diamond solitaire engagement rings, online at http://www.darochejewelers.com/.

Maintaining the Integrity Of Your Homes Roof

Many homeowners don’t understand how important their homes roof is to the structure of their home.  Not many of us take time to climb a ladder to inspect the roof.  That is our nature.  We have an out of sight, out of mind mentality.  If the problem is not obvious and we don’t see it from where we stand on the ground we don’t further inspect.  However, this is the wrong approach to have when it comes to your homes roof maintenance.  If homeowners took the time to evaluate their roofs or to hire a roofing contractor to come out and inspect the roof they would save thousands of dollars.  Roof maintenance verses a new roof equals a ton of cost savings and money in their pockets.  Here are some tips to prepare your homes roof for the long, cold winter that is right around the corner.

As with anything it is always recommended that you call in the professionals before you attempt any home repairs or maintenance on you own.  This is important when it comes to your roofs maintenance.  A roofing contractor is a professional and will know what to look for in regards to damage to your roof.  What looks like something major to us might be something very minor and easily fixed with help from a roofing contractor.  Also there is the safety factor to consider as well.

To begin maintaining your roof it is important to start at the outer most part and work upwards.   Roof maintenance starts with gutter maintenance.  Gutters should be cleaned twice a year at the end of fall and the end of spring.  This allows the water to remain free to flow through the gutters and into the downspouts without clogging.  If gutters are left filled with debris the water run-off has nowhere to go and can freeze causing damage to the gutter as well as to the shingles, overtime causing damage to the structure of your home as well.

As mentioned earlier most damage that occurs on your roof will go unseen from ground level.  You may never notice that you are having issues with your shingles or roof structure without climbing on a ladder to check it out up close.  Some common issues with shingle roofs are curling, buckling or blistering.  If any of these are seen it is time to begin considering a new roof.  These are all signs that your shingle roofing’s life expectancy is coming to an end.

There are other repairs to consider when you are examining your roof and shingles.  Take for instance the materials around your chimney.  If they are coming loose or show extensive wear it is time to replace them.  All the materials around your chimney, pipes and other vents into the home through the roof must be kept in place and free of wear.  Additional roofing tar or caulk can be applied, when needed.  This will help with water leaks and prevent water from freezing underneath the area and causing extensive damage to the roofs structure.

Check the shingles to ensure that they are not losing an excessive amount of granules.  The granules on the shingles protect the roof’s structure from ultraviolet rays as well as adding weight to the shingles.  If you notice an abundance of granule loss consider looking into replacing your roof soon.

A new roof can be installed on your home during any season.  Obviously the winter element of snow slows roofers down a bit but it can be done.  The best time to look into having your roof replaces is during the spring and fall seasons when the weather is favorable.  There is less delay in scheduling during these nonpeak times as well.

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.

Fall Roofing Maintenance

Roofing inspections done twice a year can save homeowners a ton of money in the long run.  Preventative roofing maintenance can prevent homeowners from having to make costly repairs down the road.  Not only are exterior roof inspections important to maintain your roof it is important to safeguard against all leaks throughout the winter season.

When your roof leaks damage to the interior and exterior of your home can be quite extensive. Water that puddles up underneath your homes shingles can cause the underlayment to fail or warp.  Also, water and moisture that leaks into the home can cause issues with mold and alga growth in the attic and behind drywall.  When a leak occurs and damage is done to the interior of the home it is possible that everything down to the floor could need to be replaced.

In order to prevent this from occurring it is crucial that you maintain your roof.  Keep the following tips in mind when preparing your home for the winter.

Inspect your homes interior and exterior roof area.  It is important to do this twice a year during the fall and spring seasons.  Inspecting the roof on a rainy day can be helpful especially when you are doing it yourself.  This will enable you to see leaks as they are occurring.  If it is possible hire a roofing contractor to conduct the roof inspection.  They will know exactly what they are looking for.  If you choose to take this task on yourself here are some tell-tale signs that you are experiencing a leak in your roof.

Check the joints, seams and vents for mold or mildew.  It is also important to look at the wooden beams within the attic to see if any warped wood is present.  The last thing to look for in the attic is any presence of stained insulation.  If moisture has been prevalent in your attic it may not appear to the naked eye, you will need to know what you are looking for.  An obvious sign is water dripping in from the insulation, wood or vent areas after a rain has occurred.

If you find a potential leak, it is time to call in the roofing professionals.  They will advise on a plan of action to prevent any further leaks and to clean up the damage that has occurred from the original leak.  It is so important to find and stop leaks from occurring.  Leaks left untouched can cause bigger issues throughout the winter.

Ice dams are another issue that can occur during the winter season that are easy to prevent.  In order to keep ice dams from occurring it is important that your roof has adequate ventilation.  This allows the attic temperature to remain the same temperature as the exterior temperature.  Maintaining a constant temperature keeps the gables, soffits & roof ridges the same temperature as both the attic and outside temperature.

Proper care of your roof with help to increase its longevity.  With the cost of a new roof being well over a few thousand dollars it is crucial to expand the life expectancy of your roof with proper seasonal 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.

Updates To Consider In Your Bathroom Renovations

When it comes to bathroom renovations there are a number of trends that have come and went.  How do you make sure that when you are updating your bathroom that you don’t fall victim to the latest fad?  While it basically comes down to installing updates that you desire there are some renovations that will fare better than others when it comes to the resale value of your home.  Below you will find some tips on where it makes sense to spend your bathroom renovation dollars.

One of the most overlooked part of the bathroom space is the medicine cabinet.  To me this is a travesty.  A major focal point in your bathroom should not have to vie for attention over fancy imported tile.  The medicine cabinet should be one item that is picked out at the beginning of the renovation and used to create and design your dream space.  When it comes to sacrifices in your bathroom renovation the cabinetry should not be where the sacrifice is.

Another area that should be invested in is bathroom storage.  Utilize the space you have by adding storage that fades into the space.  This can be done in a variety of ways.  One way is to take space that is normally wasted such as the area above the toilet or under the sink and installing additional storage.  It is possible to add attraction with function.  Instead of shelving for knick-knacks above the toilet or a picture add cabinets or shelving that include storage baskets.  Baskets add to the look of the room while adding additional space to hide the things you need and use within the space.

Bathroom renovations most often include a new toilet.  Adding a dual-flush toilet is the most economical and practical addition to the bathroom.  If you have never seen a dual flush toilet it is important to understand the benefits of how they work.  There are two buttons on the toilet tank.  One button will allow only a small amount of water to be used, for instance when only urine is present.  The other button is for solid waste and allows you to shoot a larger amount of water in the toilet.  This is the perfect addition to any bathroom renovation.

Another addition that is ideal in bathroom renovations is touchless systems including lighting, faucets and soap dispensers.  The benefits are obvious in that without having to touch anything you keep the spread of germs to a minimum.  The use of automatic fixtures promote safety, environmental friendliness and are economical.  The extra cost upfront for automatic, or touchless features will come back to tenfold in other savings.

As with any space in your home you have to live in it and it has to function for your family.  When considering any renovation list the goals you have with the space.  What do you want the renovation to accomplish?  Some spaces are renovated only to improve upon the aesthetics of the space while others are based on improve the functionality of the space.  Think about what you want out of the end result and work from there to design a space that is perfect for your home and family.

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.

Perfect Home Renovations To Do During Fall

Fall is the perfect time of year to complete home improvement projects.  It is not too hot or too cold to be working either on the interior or exterior of your home.  If you are looking to improve your home or to make the home more energy efficient for the winter; fall is the perfect season to work around your home.

Fall home improvements are popular not only because of the perfect weather to complete tem in but also the timing is ideal with the holiday’s right around the corner.  Consider improvements to your kitchen.  This is the gathering spot for many occasions from Thanksgiving dinner to Christmas brunch.  With all the cooking and entertaining that will take place kitchen renovations including a double oven and additional seating will sure to be crowd pleasers.  Minor kitchen updates like new cabinet hardware are also a great way to update the space.

Another home update that is ideal to accomplish in the fall is replacing older windows with new energy efficient ones.  Old windows tend to be the biggest source of lost heat within the home.  Cold air easily enters and hot air escapes through the cracks in the window frames.  If new windows are outside your budget consider caulking window sill and adding plastic overlay to window in the areas with the greatest heat loss present.  This simple renovation to your home can save you hundreds of dollars in utility costs.

Fall is the perfect time to evaluate the insulation and ventilation in your attic.  Too little or too much ventilation can be problematic when it comes your homes attic.  The addition of insulation to your home can be done in a variety of ways.  The two most common are for insulation to be blown in or to use rolled insulation.  This is a simple home renovation that can really make a different during the cold winter months.

Another repair or renovation that is wise in the fall is roof repairs or the installation of a new roof.  Roofers are often less busy then they are in the summer months during the fall season.  Now is the perfect time to have a new roof installed.  You can negotiated a better price on labor as well as roofing materials.  Fall is when they start to move last year’s stock so many contractors will offer specials on fall roofing projects.  Just remember that you have to live with your roofing choice for the next fifteen to twenty years.

Fall is also the best time of year for exterior painting.  Summer weather has a negative effect on the paint.  The hot temperatures and direct sunlight all expose the paint to elements that don’t allow for it to properly adhere.  The fall temperatures make is ideal to add a fresh coat of paint on to the exterior of your home.

Home improvements can be done throughout the year.  The fall weather is ideal for many different renovations that are difficult to do in summer temperatures. Space out renovations in a manner that allows you to take advantage of the seasonal temperature benefits.

Jason Foldenauer Construction, out of Howell and Brighton Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from kitchen and bathroom remodeling to home additions and storage sheds.  Contact http://www.jfcremodeling.com today for your entire home renovating needs.