Livingston Reporting - page 326

Affordable Handyman Help For Homeowners

Many people think the services of a handyman, for the small repairs around the house, are going to be too expensive.  Instead of calling and checking homeowners just let the jobs go and allow them to continue to pile up causing bigger more expensive issues to be dealt with later on.  Hiring a handyman is a simple, cost effective way to manage issues that arise around your house that can easily be handled for you.

Think about the repairs needed around your home right now.  I bet somewhere there is a hole in the drywall that needs to be patched or perhaps a corner that has been abused and needs repair.  This job is pretty straightforward for a handyman.  Most are able to even tackle larger drywall issues.  Drywall is a tricky issue for homeowners to handle alone.  The average cost of handyman drywall repairs is around a few hundred dollars.  The costs will incorporate the repair of the drywall, the sanding, patching and painting.

Carpet repairs need to be done frequently.  Many homeowners don’t think to call a handyman when these issues arise.  You will find that the costs are much lower to have a handyman out to repair or stretch carpet that is in need over having carpet companies come in.  Many jobs people don’t associate with typical handyman jobs are.  They are more cost effective and can handle a variety of situations within the home.

Appliance repair, painting, staining, repair of windows, screens, stair railings, tile repairs, faucets, garage door issues, elderly and handicap safety aide installation are able to be handled by hiring a handyman instead of a specialty company.  The day of same day repairs are not gone and can still be taken care of by hiring a handyman to fix the issues.

Of course, if the issues are small and can wait it will be more cost effective when hiring a handyman to come and fix the issues.  When grouping jobs together most handymen will work out a deal for the homeowners.  The typical handyman that comes out to your home and provides services for the day will run you around four to five hundred dollars.  Having a specialty contractor out will run you well over a hundred dollars an hour when a handyman can do the exact same job for less.

There are some jobs it is better to inquire labor by a licensed contractor.  Things such as electrical and plumbing issues are best resolved by someone trained in the field.  Understand when hiring a handyman that they are not all created equally.  It is up to the homeowner to find an individual that is trustworthy and that has several references to back the work up that they have done in the past.  Once you find this individual it is best to keep their number close.  A referral from someone you trust is a great place to find a handyman you are comfortable letting in your home. When interviewing a handyman don’t base your decision solely on price alone.  Make sure it is someone you can work with and that understands your wants and needs.  Also, find someone who will help small issues as well as the big catastrophes that happen as homeowners.

Choosing Appropriate Window Shades For Your Home

Home décor of all kinds can be tricky.  Window treatments are not exempt from this.  Window coverings are one thing that can tie a home together or completely separate it. This is not to say that every room has to have the same type of window treatment however, they must create harmony with color, texture, style or type.  In order to develop a window treatment scheme for the home it is important to look into the pros and cons of each style of blinds and shades.  This is to ensure the function of the shades and blinds you choose meet your needs.

Shades:

Traditional Roller Shades: Roller shades offer a fair amount of privacy, light control and are priced well within most budgets.  They also offer a variety of color options including now a collegiate logo shade option. What a perfect option to add to any sports fanatics’ room. However, they do not insulate for temperature control or sound and can often be perceived as boring.

Cellular Shades: This option is both functional and attractive.  Cellular shades are minimalistic and offer insulation protection for both heat and air.  The one major drawback is that they are hard to clean.  If you live on a road that traffic travels down and creates dust this option is most likely not for your home.  The dust will all settle on the shade and at they cost more than what most people want to pay for a dust collector.

Pleated Shades: Pleated shades are an alternative to cellular shades that are a bit less expensive.  They also offer a great range of light control.  The con is that they tend to be a bit less efficient as far as a n insulator and can flatten out quicker than cellular shades.

Roman Shades:  These are a very popular option.  When roman shades are down they create a cascading feature using folding fabric.  Roman shades can be made out of any fabric available. They are incredible versatile.  The down side of roman shades is that they are costly, and often require a bit of fussing ensuring the folds are perfect.

Solar Shades: These are a great option for homes in warm climates that need heat and light diffused.  They also help to keep the glare off of televisions and computers while working to help keep rooms cool.  The downside is that there are relatively limited color options to choose from and offer little privacy.

Woven Shades: Woven shades are really nice for homes keeping with the natural elements.  They often come with a liner for added privacy and light control.  The disadvantages are that often they are seen as informal, which is actually fine if that is not the look you are going for.  They are also incredibly delicate as far as window shades go.

Window Shades: This type of shade is incredibly versatile and can be purchased in both horizontal and vertical styles.  They can be purchased to coordinate with any homes furniture and are extra forgiving causing them to be a good choice with parents.  They are considered to be one of the most expensive options in shades, are quite trendy and are difficult to clean.

Options in window blinds are as detailed as shades.  When considering new window coverings it is advisable to look into each option with an eye for the details of your home environment, the style and need you are looking for to match a budget that is reasonable for your expectations.  Window treatments can really make or break the style of a room.

 

Five Steps To Make Home Improvement Projects Simpler

Home renovations can be very scary to undertake without professional advice.  Often we hear about people starting a kitchen remodel and five months later the family is still eating off of paper plates and gourmet food from a microwave.  Many people don’t attempt remodeling a space within the home in the same manner as a professional would.  This is what can lead to many different problem areas.

There are five crucial steps involved in a home remodeling project.  The best way to begin a remodeling effort is to look at each step individually and come up with a master plan.  The five steps include; the design phase, basic pencil drawing, viewing samples and planning materials, detailed plan of attack including materials, time to be spent and a budget, the final step finding a contractor to bring it all together unless of course you are an adventurous homeowner tackling it on your own.

Let’s look at each step individually.  The design phase is the point at which you decide what you are looking to do.  Are you interested in more space?  If so maybe an addition is the answer.  Are you looking for a cozy space to entertain?  Perhaps a kitchen remodel is in store.  Perhaps you are a homeowner looking for a retreat, a special place all your own to go unwind after a busy day.  Maybe a spa bathroom is what you are leaning towards.  Whatever you look to achieve it is clear a detailed picture of your goal needs to be the first thing decided upon.

Step two, visualization, is often hard for many homeowners.  They can tell a contractor what they want but can’t see it themselves.  This is often a huge problem in construction and leads to large projects becoming bigger than originally estimated. It is crucial that the homeowner have a detailed picture of what they are trying to accomplish with in the space of the remodel. A basic pencil drawing that includes the layout and space functionality is a great place to begin.

The third step is where the decisions start to be made.    In order to move forward with a project it is important to know what colors you will be using, what materials will be in the room and the style and overall feeling to be projected in the space.  This is where you can see how things will start blending and coming together to create harmony.

The fourth step is often the one that people begin to look back and change the plan.  When a budget is created and a timeline is put in place many homeowners begin to look at their previous choices.  Often the gold faucets seem less important when you will be forgoing the designer tiles to stick within the budget.

Lastly phase five is figuring out if you are hiring a contractor or doing the work yourself.  This is a critical decision and will play with both your budget and time line.  If you decide to do the work yourself consider taking time off of work to initially get going on the labor.  This is especially true in a bathroom remodel or kitchen renovation.  These two home remodeling jobs are often the biggest culprits of renovation delays.

Landscaping Tips For The Frugal Landscaper

I am so frugal.  When we started to think about landscaping our newly purchased home I started to panic a bit. We had just dropped our life savings into a deposit on a beautiful home situated on the Huron River.  The last thing I was thinking about was spending more money on professional landscaping. However, to my husband this was an important piece of the puzzle.  A new house needed a unique landscaping design and that was all he could think about.  With that driving me I decided I would meet him half way.  I would look into hiring a landscaper as long as I could pay him for his overall design and plant layout as long as we would proceed with the labor aspect on our own.  This would save us a great deal of money but not sacrifice the look my husband sought in hiring a professional.

We hired a local company that was accustomed to working with plants native to the area.  They had landscaped Michigan lawns for quite some time.  I knew if anyone would lead us into a design we would love with minimal maintenance it would be an expert that was familiar with the plants that grew in our area.  The company we used understood our goal from the start.  They offered many professional ideas and money saving tips.  After everything was said and done the landscaping on our home cost around six thousand dollars, not bad I didn’t think for the results we received.  Below are some tips provided to us by our professional landscaper.  It helps to remember that a bit of sweaty equity will help to save on labor costs which can truly be the expensive part of landscaping.

Landscaping Tips For the Frugal Do It Yourself Landscaper Like Me:

  • The first tip is to reuse freebies from around the area.  An example of this is asking a farmer if after he tills the field you can come in and collect the rocks.  This relieves the burden from the farmer and you are able to use the rocks to create natural landscaping.  Another tip is to talk with friends and neighbors who find themselves thinning their gardens.  They are happy to pass of the extra seedlings and over grown plants.  We were able to score five large Hostas from our neighbor.
  • Buying plants and shrubs that have not yet reached maturity is a terrific way to save money on landscaping.  Purchasing plants that are small, one gallon plants for instance, rather than three gallon plants you can save yourself upwards of twenty dollars depending on the species.
  • Be smart about using the natural resources.  As I mentioned we have a river running through our back yard.  The landscaper recommended using water pulled from the river using a beautiful pump and water plants and shrubs using this method instead of pulling water from our home faucets.  This saves in several ways.  One is the water has not gone through the softening process so there is no salt being added to the landscaping possibly causing issues and it is cheaper to not have the softener running continually.
  • Another area we saved on is fertilizer.  The landscaper recommended we begin composting and using the leftover materials to fertilize and mulch around the root systems of our new landscaping.  Another thing he explained is the ways in which our waste could help rid the area of nuisances such as ants.  By using the grinds from coffee in the landscaping ants were naturally detoured.
  • He also offered a tip on using different plants to ward off bugs.  Mosquitoes, which we have plenty of throughout the summer, are detoured by marigolds, catnip, horsemint, ageratum and lavender.  Many of these plants are native to our area and grow easily in the soil provided by our natural landscape.  That is a bonus for this cheap chick; I did not have to purchase soli for the landscape design!

Closing The Knowledge Gap With Information About Medicare Supplements

Information regarding Medicare and the available supplemental plans can often be confusing.  Receiving Medicare Part A and Part B as a “gift” from the government upon turning sixty-five is a blessing and a bit scary all at once.  When entering into Medicare health coverage it is important to gain as much information as possible.  It does not need to be a guessing game.

The main thing for people turning sixty five is for them to realize that Medicare Part A and Part B are not going to cover all of the medical expenses they will incur.  The purchase of Medigap insurance to fill in the hole left by Medicare is necessary.  In fact without Medigap Supplemental Insurance you could end up in financial ruin covering the costs left by the holes in Medicare.

Basic Medicare coverage is given to qualifying individuals upon turning sixty-five.  The basic coverage consists of two basic parts, Plan A and Plan B.

Plan A is known as hospital coverage.  It will cover room, board, impatient care within a skilled nursing facility, hospice care and home health care.  That sounds like a fair amount of insurance but in actuality is leaves many holes.

Plan B, which is also part of the Medicare coverage you receive upon turning sixty-five when paying the monthly deductible, covers physicians services.  The plan covers Medicare-eligible Doctors services, outpatient hospital services and durable medical equipment.

This may seem to be enough coverage to handle all of the medical costs that come to those over sixty-five but in reality it is not.  However without Medigap coverage the gaps left are shocking.  With Part A the deductible is paid out of pocket and will need to be covered again after sixty days if you should be admitted into the hospital again within that time.  Medigap Supplemental plans can be purchased to cover that expense as well as the co-insurance of the hospital and skilled nursing facility which is also not covered by traditional Medicare.  With Part B an annual deductible is applied and payment of twenty percent of all doctors bills if a Medicare Supplemental Plan is not purchased.

Many popular Medigap plans will cover all of the holes left present in traditional Medicare coverage.  When searching for a plan to fit your medical needs and history it is advisable to do research to determine the right plan at the right price for you.  It is important to note that all Medicare coverage is federally regulated.  Plan F from company A will be the same exact coverage as Plan F from company B.  The difference only lies within where it is purchased.  This difference can be significant; some companies can cost individuals thirty to forty percent more just because of who is selling it to you.

Before making any decisions it is best to look into several options that are available to you. Comparing Medicare Supplemental Insurance rates and benefits online is a popular option for those about to turn sixty-five.  Not only can you get a lot of information regarding available plans you can do it in the convenience of your own home without giving out personal information.

Qualities To Look For In A Bankruptcy Attorney

Why have I accumulated this much debt?  This is a question many people find themselves asking before the bottom falls out on their financial lives.  Most of the time the answer to why debt has been accumulated is I don’t know why.  It may have taken a bit of time before things began to become overwhelming and bills started to pile up without an end in sight.  Although maybe it is because a lay off recently took away your income.  The reason does not really matter at the point when you can’t make the payments and start to think about options for you financial future.

This is when many people start to explore debt relief options.  Options such as bankruptcy, debit consolidation, cleaning out 401ks and other financial investments are all valid however should be talked over with someone who can be trusted to give you wise financial advice and solutions.  The person you will most likely find yourself turning to is a bankruptcy attorney. The last thing you need at a time such as this is the stress of weeding attorneys out.  There are a few qualities to look for to find a trusted attorney to help you with your financial crisis.

Good bankruptcy attorneys should offer a free consultation to individuals seeking help especially with financial matters.  The last thing many people need to worry about at a time like this is the payment for meeting with an attorney.  When you are struggling with personal finances it is understandable that there is not room for extras before you meet with someone to consider options.

Another trait that is important when seeking out a law firm to help you through your financial struggle is finding an attorney who has experience and has been able to help previous clients.  Although a high success rate is not everything it does ease a bit of the stress to know you aren’t the first one and you won’t be the last.  As far as the length of time the attorney has been practicing look for over five years of experience in bankruptcy and financial cases.

Details are incredibly important when filing for bankruptcy.  An attorney specializing in bankruptcy should be known for meticulousness.  An attorney with a knack for details is well suited for bankruptcy cases.  There are many little details that need to be covered when calculating debt, income and determining means to pay or not pay.

It is important when dealing with a bankruptcy attorney that they are very empathetic and their demeanor is one that is helpful.  Even though they may have filed five thousand bankruptcies this is a first for the client.  They should be able to create a level of professionalism that lends to both their ability to be a hard-nosed attorney, looking out for the interests of his clients while representing them and a sympathetic ear for the stress level their clients are experiencing.

Financial issues are stressful on many levels.  Bankruptcy can take a toll on not only your finances but also your emotions. Once the bankruptcy process is free there is a good chance your debit will be wiped clean leaving you with few liabilities and limited assets.  It is a fresh start to begin controlling your financial life.  It will take effort and patience to determine a set financial plan.  Often times hiring a consultant is helpful to really create a meaningful budget and sticking to it to avoid debt issues in the future.

Revealing Secrets Behind Proper Search Engine Placement

If you are a company with an online presence in the shape of a website you should be aware of search engine optimization.  As important as the website itself is without traffic to it the website is worth nothing of value to your business.  For people new to internet marketing, search engine marketing is the process of getting your website ranked within the top ten websites for your business keywords.  The website will have the best possibilities for traffic with rankings on the first page of major search engines such as Google and Yahoo.

Many professional companies are available to develop an online presence for your website.  Depending on how many keywords you would like to emphasize in your SEO will depend on the focus and what route is taken for you website.  There are a lot of different options available to help rank your website.  The goal is to move through the process naturally to circumvent any red flags thrown by the search engines themselves.  It is possible to be over aggressive and your site to become black listed within search engines and that would be the downfall to any website.

One issue is whether natural listings or paid listings are better at score better for your websites ranking.  Natural listings are the searches that come up on the left of the search engine.  These will include a title and brief description. Seventy percent of consumers will click on one of the top ten sites listed to find the service they need.  These listings come from the sites that contain the most relevant information to the search term you have put in.  Natural listings are crucial to improve business and are a combination of all websites available on the web.

Another option is paid listings.  These are found at the top and on the right hand side of the search results.  These paid advertisements are target specific and often location specific as well increasing the chances someone from your area is seeing your advertisement. The one bonus of these advertising pay per click buttons is that you only pay when individuals click and continue to your site.  There are many statistics showing the benefits of pay per click.

  • The yellow pages were the internet when I was a child.  Today however, the internet search engines are where over seventy-five percent of people go looking in search of goods and services.
  • As far as methods of direct target marketing pay per click has the lowest fees associated with it.
  • If you are looking for advertising specifically targeted and reaching customers when they have a need, pay per click is a tool that gives them relevant information at the point of interest.

In order to get your website listed naturally there are many factors to consider.  In general there are on page factors and off page factors to consider optimizing your site to reach targeted keywords. With so much going into each factor it is important to seek professional search engine placement advice in order to maximize results for your website.

Safety At Home Is The Number One Priority For Aging Adults

Safety is the number one factor seniors and their caregivers face when hoping to live within their homes instead of moving into nursing homes or assisted living facilities.  There are a number of safety items that can help to ensure a seniors safety as the age in place.  Handicap construction contractors can be hired to come into a home and revamp obstacles known to cause injury or harm to older adults.  Simple bathroom safety aides, handicap wheel chair ramps and room renovations can ensure the safest possible environment, within their homes, for seniors to age in place.

As adults age little accommodations should be done to keep up with their changing needs.  This preemptive effort will alleviate a complete over haul and will allow the senior to feel more at ease with the changes occurring to them.  If caregivers come in and completely over take a home it is liable to cause a sense of uneasiness that can be avoided.  Below is a list of things to begin looking at as a caregiver of seniors approaching their golden years.

Flooring:

The most common injury reported with senior citizens is from falls.  In order to prevent the most common falls it is important to address issues that arise due to flooring.  It is important that all rugs, runners and mats are removed from the home.  Some people recommend using sticky tape and slip-resistant backings however the safest home improvement for seniors is to remove them all together.

Bathroom:

It is important that caregivers take a detailed look at the bathroom when thinking about the safety of loved ones.  Seniors living on their own will need to take care of all of their hygiene needs.  With this in mind it is important that the space is user friendly.  First check that bathtubs and showers are equipped with bath seats and non-skid bath mats.  The tub surface becomes slick when wet and soapy which could easily result in a fall.

Bathroom safety aides can be purchased for all areas within the space.  Grab bars should be in place within the shower and around the toilet area.  Another suggestion that helps many seniors is the addition of a high rise toilet seat.  This makes getting up from a seated position more comfortable on the knees and other joints.  Also, turn the water temperature down to around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Kitchen:

The kitchen is an area that concerns many caregivers.  There are many obstacles within the space.  It is important to prevent fires.  Ensure towels and combustibles are kept a distance away from stoves.  Place a sign with big bold letters exiting the kitchen to remind seniors to double check the stove to make sure it is off and that everything within the kitchen is back into the proper space.

It is important to start the shift of everyday items into the lower shelves.  This eliminates the risk seniors take on when using a stool to grab something overhead.  Utensils and cooking aides should be kept within reach. The kitchen is a scary place for seniors.  It may be that eventually the caregiver sees fit to provide prepackaged food to be warmed in a microwave in disposable containers.  This alleviates the preparation of meals, use of the stove and utensils.

Living Rooms:

Chances are that most of your loved ones time will be spent in the family room.  Create an open environment that wheelchairs and walkers can navigate with ease. Check cords to make sure they are tucked in against walls and away from areas that they could become tangled within senior’s feet, wheelchairs and walkers.

General:

  • Check to make sure lighting is adequate throughout the home and that light switches are easily accessible.
  •  Telephones should be in every room of the house.  Another aspect to think about is a cell phone small enough that can be placed in a pocket to be carried with them.
  • Medication should be clearly labeled and accessible.  Label containers with clear instruction.

Aging is the one thing all people have in common.  Clearly we will get older.  It is important to remember that as we age we will want to be treated with respect as our caregivers prepare us for our aging needs.  Not all seniors we go smoothly, renovating their homes.  Many feel they are just fine and totally capable of living as they have been.  As caregivers we understand as they age their needs will change.  Age in place remodeling should be done in a very caring, supportive and non invasive manner.  This will help keep a healthy balance to the wants and needs of aging adults.

Success In Business Linked To Mode Optimization

What does it take to be successful in business?  Everyone’s answer to that question will vary a great deal.  In my opinion it requires tremendous aptitude and intellectual tools to help increase competency and execution. An increase in proficiency will help to ensure customer satisfaction by a systems that guarantees on time delivery of the products and services they need most.  Businesses can only create a working environment that succeeds in doing this by implementing a solid logistic system creating fluid supply chain management.

In order to have a solid logistic management approach many businesses must start by completing a supply chain audit.  When a consultant comes in to any business they are looking at the procedures in place with fresh eyes and are able to view things differently than employees close to the situation.  This is helpful to businesses that are stuck in the rut of doing things they way they have always done them.  In a supply chain audit solutions are given that accommodate the changes in technology, business environment, and the routes in which goods travel.  Without the ability to change and coordinate in line with the most efficient combination of distribution methods it is impossible to compete in business.

Not every consultant that claims to be proficient in logistic and supply chain management is an expert.  In order to be a complete success the consultant and firm your business chooses needs to have expertise to see through a plan without negatively affecting business.  The suggestions and solutions they offer must integrate new technology without completely forgoing elements that are currently working well.  They must offer solutions that are cost effective and increase distribution speeds to the outlying markets.

Many pieces to the logistic puzzle must work together to achieve harmony in mode optimization for your companies logistic team.  Deciding on vendors to use will determine who is in line with the company’s main goal of saving money and decreasing lag time between shipping and receiving.  Contractual documents need to be managed, rates and pricing changes need to be constantly evaluated and kept up, payments, and any discrepancies must be tracked to ensure no key piece is left without management.

A reliable consultant will help put in place, or over see, the running of the entire supply chain system.  A structure that will allow for long term success will have several key components.  A reliable solution will offer service that is secure, easily tracked and able to be maneuvered to make room for faster distribution options.

Taking steps towards a more efficient running supply chain is a step in the right direction for success in business.  This will allow your company to make profitable gains in service as well as improving the entire distribution process.  Making changes and regular auditing to the supply chain will ensure long term growth and profitability to your company.  It will be amazing to see the differences in the way a firm competes in the market place with a few well placed tweaks to systems in place.  Often times the only way to see these issues is to hire a consultant or a firm to evaluate the current runnings of systems in place.   The money spent on the consultant will be well spent in profits returned.

Professional Restoration Companies Service Water Damaged Homes

Water damage specialists should be called in anytime you find yourself with a water situation.  Whether you have water in the basement, the hot water tank has sprang a leak or a pipe has burst it is best not to attempt the cleanup effort on your own.  Calling in a water damage expert will ensure that the house is cleaned and dried to industry standards to prevent any more issues from arising down the road.

Hiring a professional to handle issues will help with the following:

  • Mold Problems:  When your home has issues with mold it is in your best interest to call in water and mold damage experts.  Leaving mold untreated will only allow it to multiply.  Treating it incorrectly will also lead to more issues.  Structural damage to your home is common when mold issues appear.
  • Mold Detection:  A water damage specialist can help detect if the home has a mold issue.  After a long winter or an incredibly rainy season it is important to hire a water damage specialist to inspect your home.  Things a professional will look for are leaks, water damage and potential damp areas which could harbor wetness that would allow mold growth.
  • Water Removal: If water has leaked into your home via a flood, leak, or broken pipe water specialist will have the equipment necessary for water removal.  Many homeowners think they can take care of the water damage themselves however a specialist will be sure to check for any structural damage that could wreak havoc with a home.
  • Drying: Drying and dehumidifying the areas within the home affected by water damage is a key element in making sure mold damage does not occur after the initial damage that has been done by the water. Specialists bring in high powered fans to thoroughly dry out carpets, rugs, flooring and affected areas within the home. Exposing the home to fresh, circulating air will help with the drying process.
  • Deodorizing:  Water damage leaves a strange odor within the home.  A water damage specialist will go through and deodorize the areas.  Ionizing the area will not cover the scent however will actually completely remove the odor.
  • Restoration: Water damage restoration specialists are the experts in home restoration.  When water has affected the home more likely than not some sort of restoration will need to take place to make the home as good as new.
  • Sanitation Work: Water damage can come from any area in the home with water.  This can mean the toilet, the dishwasher or other plumbing devices.  On most occasions a water damage expert can provide the same services as a plumber with additional cleanup done for the same price if not cheaper.
  • Assessing Damage: It is a safe bet to have all water damage woes assessed by a specialist before any work is done.  A professional can tell you exactly what needs to be done so that you, as a homeowner, get a clear picture of what needs in the home are.