Dreaming of warmer days to play in the garden? Start saving wine bottles now to make colorful and useful borders for your garden beds or walkways. Plan now to make your wine bottle garden border this spring.
Author Archives: Cari
Are you in compliance with Washington’s new carbon monoxide detector law?
Are you or your landlord in compliance with Washington’s new carbon monoxide detector law, effective Jan 1, 2013? Carbon monoxide detectors are inexpensive, easy to install, and most importantly, save lives. The Seattle Fire Department has prepared an informative memo regarding the new law’s specific requirements. Even if you are currently exempt from this law, there is no good reason not to have a detector in your home. Please add it to your list of resolutions and make your home a safer place for you and your family (including your four-legged friends).
Home Energy Audit – Should You Get One?
Home Energy Audit – Should You Get One?
Home energy audits help you understand how much energy your home uses and identify ways to improve its efficiency. There are many things you can do on your own such as caulk and weather strip around doors and windows or wrap exposed water pipes. But many homes are so inefficient that even after completing the more obvious improvements, there are still many ways to further reduce your home’s energy consumption and increase comfort.
A professional audit can cost upwards of $400 or more but when used wisely can pay for itself in a short amount of time. If this is out of your budget, there are do-it-yourself alternatives. For starters, there are easy online surveys such as Energy Star’s Home Energy Yardstick. The survey compares your home’s efficiency to similar homes in your area. Another, more comprehensive self-study is the Home Energy Saver. Snohomish County PUD also offers a free online energy audit called the Home EnergyAdvisor.
While an online audit can be a good starting point, it is no substitute for a home inspection by a professional energy auditor. A Home Energy Audit is an investment to help you determine the best steps to increase your homes efficiency.
The many benefits to a Home Energy Audit and related improvements include:
- Improved comfort & safety
- Enhanced appearance
- Increased salability
- Reduced environmental impact
- Assists in tenant retention of investment properties
Many home improvements such as adding insulation or replacing the furnace are not inexpensive. Having an audit conducted before making these improvements will help prioritize the best approach for long term value. It doesn’t do much good to install a new heating system if the air leaks have not been addressed. Planning a remodel? Having an audit completed before starting a remodel will help you plan and incorporate energy saving upgrades into your project.The following are questions to consider when determining if your home is operating as efficiently as it could.
- Is your home comfortable during hot and cold seasons?
- Are your energy bills excessive?
- Does your heating/cooling system run constantly to maintain a comfortable temperature?
- Are there drafty rooms or variable temperatures throughout the house?
- Do you have cold floors in the winter?
- Is moisture on the windows?
- Do you have excessive dust?
A thorough inspection will determine what components are negatively affecting the comfort and efficiency of your home. Based on the inspection results, you should have a good understanding of recommended repairs and improvements, along with an idea of estimated costs and potential annual savings in energy bills.
A professional auditor uses a variety of techniques and equipment to determine the energy efficiency of your home. A thorough audit will include:
- Blower Door Test (used to de-pressurize the home and expose air leaks)
- Infrared Camera Scan (used to reveal hard-to-detect areas of air infiltration and missing insulation)
- Combustion Safety Testing (detects carbon monoxide leaks)
- Complete Basement to Attic Inspection
- Survey of Appliances & Lighting Systems
The following video provided by the Department of Energy explains each of these steps in detail.
| Energy 101: Home Energy Assessment |
Home Energy Audits alone won’t save energy. You need to implement the recommended improvements. The results of the audit will help prioritize repairs and put a short or long term plan in place, depending on the extent of improvements needed and your budget.
A Home Energy Auditor should be certified through either BPI (Building Performance Institute) or RESNET (Residential Energy Services Network). Both BPI and RESNET have set standards for home energy professionals and are recognized by the DOE (Department of Energy) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). View a list of certified BPI accredited contractors near you.
Currently Seattle City Light customers can obtain a Home Energy Audit for $95. Rebate programs are available and in some cases, free weatherization services for those who meet income qualifications. For more information visit the Energy Conservation page of their website or call an Energy Advisor at 206-684-3800.
Puget Sound Energy (PSE) offers their natural gas customers a free HomePrint Assessment of their home’s energy use. The review is determined by a visual walk-through but does not include any diagnostic testing such as blower tests and infrared camera scans. You will receive a summary that includes energy saving recommendations and free compact fluorescent light bulbs. For more details, contact a PSE Energy Advisor at 1-800-562-5482.
Snohomish County PUD customers whose homes are electrically heated may qualify for incentive payments toward energy-saving home improvements. The weatherization program includes eligible upgrades on windows, heat pumps, duct sealing & insulation, and electronic thermostats. Contact the Energy Hotline with questions at 425-783-1700.
Beware – Energy Saving Scams! Snohomish County PUD warns of a postcard scam targeting home and business owners. If you received a notice in the mail, someone visited your home or business, or you received a phone call claiming they can help slash your utility bills, please beware. Visit Snohomish County PUD’s website for more details to avoid becoming a victim of an energy saving scam.
How To Get The Most Value From Your Home Improvement Project
No matter how large or small your next project, there are simple ways to lower costs and increase value. You get what you pay for – can be especially true when hiring a contractor. While it might be tempting to hire the cheapest contractor you can find, that can and often does backfire. There are many other ways to save money while maintaining quality. Following are some useful tips that can help cut costs and add value to your home without sacrificing reliability and quality of workmanship.
Shop carefully for materials
You can save a lot of money shopping sales and comparing materials at different suppliers. For example, if you are installing hardwood floors, you may be able to save several thousand dollars on materials by choosing flooring that runs $10/square foot vs. $14 that is just as good. Habitat for Humanity’s Home Improvement Outlet Stores in Seattle and Everett (newly opened!) can be valuable resources. They are open to the public and offer deep discounts on a wide variety of home furnishings including appliances, doors, windows, flooring, countertops, plumbing fixtures, and much more.
Additional resources are Second Use and The RE Store in Seattle. These stores not only save you money, they help prevent perfectly good building materials from ending up in a landfill.
Consider doing projects in the off season
Most contractors start getting busy in the spring and slow down late fall and winter. If you plan your project when their schedules are open you won’t be competing with other homeowners who may have bigger budgets or bigger jobs. A perfect example is of a time when one of our customers was planning a kitchen remodel. They chose to have it done in November, during Thanksgiving of all times! The contractor was thrilled to have work at that time of year, negotiated a good price for them, and was able to give them his undivided attention until it was completed well before Christmas.
Consider doing your project in stages
If you have found a reliable contractor but his bid is too high and there is no room for negotiation, consider doing the project in stages. A good contractor will recognize that gaining a customer for a smaller job with prospects for future work is worthwhile.
Talk to References
Before hiring any contractor, ask to speak with other homeowners who hired the contractor for a similar project. Ask them about their experience and where they felt they could have saved a few dollars.
Consider doing prep work yourself where you can
For example, if you plan to have the exterior of your house painted, you can save money by clearing the area around the house yourself and power washing just prior to when painting is scheduled to begin.
Reconsider your plans
Review the details of your project with your contractor and ask if there are any design elements in your home that can stay and be incorporated into the job rather than replaced. For example, perhaps you can save money (and not compromise too much on design) if you paint and reuse doors rather than purchase new ones.
Top 5 Projects To Complete Before You Go On Vacation
Avoid Water Damage From Failed Hoses & Fittings
Short of fire, nothing causes more damage to the inside of your home than leaking water from failing pipes, hoses, plumbing fixtures, and appliances. A failed hose connection on an unattended washing machine can cause devastating damage in a short amount of time.
- Turn off the water supply to the washing machine, sinks, and toilets when going on vacation. If you do not have someone watering outside plants or pet sitting, turn the main water supply off completely.
Did you know most hoses and fittings that come with new washing machines are low quality, usually lasting no more than four or five years? A high-quality pair of washing machine hoses can be purchased for about $40 and is a low-cost investment compared to the thousands of dollars of damage that can be incurred by a failed hose fitting.
- Replace all rubber hoses with high-quality ‘burst proof’ hoses, such as those made by FloodChek, which guarantees its hoses against leaking or bursting for up to 20 years.
Pull The Plug
Many household appliances draw power even when they are not on. Power surges can damage them and they use unnecessary electricity in your absence. Defective appliances and wiring can also pose a fire hazard.
- Unplug household appliances like the TV, DVD player, computer, and kitchen appliances.
- Ensure outlets are not overloaded.
- Examine electrical cords and plugs for damage. Avoid leaving anything plugged in that is frayed or damaged.
- Lower the heating/air-conditioning unit to energy conserving levels or turn it off entirely if reasonable.
Home Security
Take some simple steps to make your home look lived in while you are away on vacation. These preventative measures will go far in deterring potential intruders.
- Have your mail and newspaper delivery put on hold. Visit the United States Postal Service website to easily stop mail delivery for the period of time you specify.
- Ask a nearby friend or neighbor to keep an eye on things and to collect packages and door flyers regularly.
- If you left garbage bins out for collection ask a neighbor to take them away from the curb after they are emptied.
- Arrange to have the lawn mowed in your absence.
- Remove outdoor spare keys.
- Ask a neighbor to park their car in your driveway.
- If you have a security system, be sure you alert your house sitter how to operate the system in the event they need to enter the home. Notify the home security company of the dates you will be gone and who they should contact in your absence.
- Purchase timers for interior and exterior lights and set them so they are on during similar hours you are normally home. Leaving lights on 24 hours a day that would normally be off at night is a good way to alert an intruder you are not home.
- As much as possible, leave window coverings in the same position as you normally would. Seasoned intruders watch for uncharacteristic signs.
- Move expensive electronics, jewelry, cash, etc. visible from windows and doors. Secure valuables in a home safe or safe deposit box.
- Ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, including basement windows, outdoor sheds, and the door leading into your home from the garage.
- Eliminate hiding spots for burglars by trimming back trees and bushes from windows and entry areas.
- Put away all lawn equipment and tools such as ladders.
- Leave your house key, contact information, and travel itinerary with a friend or neighbor in case of emergency.
- Notify the local police department of your plans so they can add your home to their neighborhood watch list.
Do Not Alert The World You Are On Vacation
It has become increasingly popular to broadcast what we are doing, where we are, and who we are with on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. Think about who has access to this information. Most likely there are hundreds of strangers with access to your postings who you would not likely choose to announce you are leaving your home unattended for two weeks.
- Play it safe and share your vacation pictures and trip highlights on your favorite social networking sites, after you return home.
- An intruder can easily be tipped off about an empty home by an unanswered phone. Turn off the ringer and leave your everyday greeting. Just because you are unavailable at that moment, callers do not need to know you have left town for two weeks.
Last Minute Items
- Throw out all perishable items in the refrigerator.
- Take out the trash.
- Water plants (indoor and outdoor).
Have A Fabulous and Carefree Vacation!
Edmonds Business Expo
The first-ever Edmonds Business Expo is right around the corner. Stop by to learn about the many service businesses in the community and to hear about the latest services we have added to our Contractor Hotline network. Interesting seminars will be conducted throughout the day. Date: March 24, 2012. Time: 9 am – 4 pm. Location: Edmonds Conference Center 201 4th Ave N, Edmonds. Free to attend! Visit http://edmondswa.chambermaster.com/Events/details/edmonds-business-expo for more details.
Home Maintenance Plan
Greetings!
Spring is just a few short weeks away. With longer days and warmer temps around the corner, it’s naturally a time to start thinking about household projects we’d like to complete this summer.
Just like a car, a home requires regular care and maintenance to ensure its functionality and to maintain or increase its value. Regular maintenance is not only critical to the well-being of your home, but more importantly the people and animals that live in the home. Please continue reading to learn how a home maintenance plan can save you time and money and help prevent many avoidable and oftentimes costly home ’emergencies’.
Home Maintenance Plan
If you own a car, you know the importance of keeping it properly maintained to ensure it is safe to drive and will perform optimally. If you neglect to maintain the vehicle it can become unsafe to operate and ultimately costly and avoidable repairs will result. Unless you are handy at working on cars, you most likely take it to your favorite mechanic as needed for routine maintenance procedures.
When we purchase a home we don’t always have the same easy to follow maintenance plan that comes with a new car purchase. Purchasing a home is the biggest financial investment most of us will make in our lifetime. Just like a car, a home requires regular care and maintenance to ensure its functionality and maintain or increase its value. Whether your home is 1 or 100 years old, regular care and maintenance is critical to the well-being of the home and the people and animals that live there.
A customized maintenance plan encompassing the
unique characteristics of your home begins with a thorough inspection of the structural and mechanical systems of the building. This will provide you with a clear understanding of the home’s current condition, life expectancy of replacement items such as roof & gutters, and potential problem areas, including pest control measures. A thorough inspection would include everything from the foundation to the roof, and in between. Outbuildings, surrounding vegetation, driveways, walkways, retaining walls, and drainage should also be considered.
Depending on the square footage of the home, you can expect to pay $500-600 for the average residential, single-family home inspection, inclusive of a comprehensive report. Condominiums generally run slightly less. Considering you will refer to the report for as long as you live in the home (and can pass it on to the next owner) this one-time cost is exceptional value that will pay for itself many times over. Being pro-active and performing regular preventative maintenance procedures will keep your home well-maintained and looking beautiful while keeping your overall maintenance costs to a minimum. And, just like selling a used car, being able to provide a future prospective buyer with comprehensive maintenance records just may tip the scales to your favor.
There’s no wrong time to have a home inspection. However, if you plan to purchase a home, the offer you make will most likely be contingent upon your obtaining an inspection of the property. Now is the perfect time to make sure the money you spend on the inspection will continue to provide good value for years to come. A thorough examination accompanied by a comprehensive report will allow you to make an informed buying decision and the report will be a valuable tool for your future maintenance plan.
Alternatively, if you plan to sell your home you want to be the one most informed of its overall condition. Avoid surprises by knowing in advance what repairs should be made before the home even goes on the market. Eliminate potential objectives that might otherwise dissuade a potential buyer. If you so choose, being able to share the report and disclose the property’s condition could be a significant selling point.
So now you have your inspection report in hand. What do you do from here? If you are handy around the home, you will be able to perform many of the maintenance tasks yourself. Using seasonal checklists for both interior and exterior maintenance will help you plan ahead and not miss important steps along the way. Some items like an annual tune-up of your heating & air-conditioning system are best left to the professionals. Take care of minor maintenance yourself, such as cleaning or replacing filters regularly and making sure registers are free of dust.
If time is short, or for whatever reason you prefer not to handle some or all of these tasks on your own, it is wise to establish a relationship with a home improvement professional. A reputable contractor will work with you to establish a long-range maintenance plan at whatever level of involvement you wish. Finding someone you can build a relationship with and rely upon will ensure your future maintenance and remodeling projects are cost-effective and coordinate well with your existing plan. It’s important to find someone dependable, who communicates well, and who you are comfortable having in and around your home.
Our expertise is matching homeowners with reliable contractors who are not just exceptional at their craft. They are professional, courteous, competitively priced, and of course comply with all state regulations and licensing requirements. We at Contractor Hotline are here for you from start to finish, project after project, year after year. Contact us today with questions, to schedule an inspection, or to be connected with a home improvement professional that best suits your needs.
Clean your Carpets for the Holidays!
I recently had my own carpets cleaned by the carpet cleaning service in our network, and I’m thrilled to say how nice they turned out! I have had them cleaned in the past by the ‘big brand’ services but they have never come this clean. They look new! They showed up right on time, were thorough but fast, and the price was fair and affordable. While we are very thorough in the screening process conducted on each contractor that joins our network, we don’t always have the opportunity to use their services firsthand. But when we do, it’s always a pleasure to share the results with you! If you are interested in learning more about our carpet cleaning service please contact us at 425-775-9085.
Protect your Home for Winter
Fall is right around the corner and if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to prepare your home for winter. Spending some time doing a few simple and inexpensive things will help make your home more comfortable, give you added peace of mind, and save you money on your heating bill.
The following tips will help guide you through the process. We hope you find it useful as you make your way through your fall ‘to do’ list.
Outside Your Home
Tree Trimming: Take special care to have any dead or 
diseased branches removed from trees that may fall and cause injury, damage property, or take down power lines. For large trees this task is best left to the experts. Trim any trees or bushes away from the side of the house or hanging over the roof and gutters.
Chimney: Have the chimney inspected and cleaned, especially if you use a wood stove or fireplace regularly. On average, your chimney should be cleaned after every two cords of seasoned, dry wood is burned. Stock an adequate supply of dry, seasoned firewood and store away from the side of your house in a location where it will stay dry and has good air flow.
Roof and Gutters: Inspect the roof of your home and 
outbuildings for any signs of leaks or damage including buckling, curling, or missing shingles. Shingles and metal flashing around chimneys, vents, and in valleys should be firmly adhered. Gutters and downspouts should be flushed and inspected.
Siding, Doors, and Windows: Take care to remove any soil or organic matter in contact with the siding. Check siding, doors, and windows for any gaps where air and moisture can pass through. Remove any old caulk and thoroughly clean areas that need repair. Allow the areas to dry completely and apply a quality, exterior caulk to seal any gaps. Check and replace worn weather stripping on all doors and windows. Install storm windows if you have them.
Outdoor Faucets: Remove, drain, and store hoses for winter. If you have an inside valve for each outdoor faucet, turn these off and open the outside faucet slightly to drain any water left in the pipes. Attach insulated covers over outside faucets. Blow out sprinkler systems.
Tools: Check that all summer tools have been cleaned and stored away for winter and that winter tools like snow shovels and blowers are accessible and ready to use.
Inside Your Home
Air Leaks: If you don’t have insulated windows you can buy inexpensive and easy to install ‘shrink & seal’ insulation kits to reduce heat loss. Changing light weight curtains with heavier drapes helps reduce heat loss and gives the room a fresh look. Add insulated plates to electrical outlets on exterior walls.
Heating System: Have a professional inspect and service your heating system each year to ensure it is operating efficiently. Replace air filters as recommended by the manufacturer. Buying a season’s worth of filters and marking your calendar in advance will help prevent overlooking this important task. Consider installing a programmable thermostat. This can save a lot of money by eliminating those times you forget to turn the heat down when leaving the house for extended periods. Walk through your home and make sure all vents or baseboard heaters are clear of furniture.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Inspect all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working properly. Replace batteries in each device annually or sooner if needed. Check batteries monthly at the same time you change your air filters.
Insulation: Consider having your home’s insulation inspected to ensure it meets the proper R-value specification and that there isn’t any water or rodent damage. Wrap your water heater with an insulated blanket. Wrapping exposed water pipes in the crawl space or basement and garage will cut your energy bill, as well as help prevent pipes from freezing. Be sure and check for air leaks where pipes enter the house on exterior walls and caulk or add insulation as needed.
Emergencies: Last but not least, prepare an emergency kit for you and your family in the event of a power outage or other emergency. Click here for important tips from the Red Cross and a comprehensive list of essential items to include.
Habitat for Humanity
Dear Friends,
As we approach the end of another year we would like to take a moment to reflect on the past, as well as look forward to an exciting New Year. The past couple of years have been especially challenging for many. Contractor Hotline wanted to do something to help those in need in our communities. After careful consideration we decided Habitat for Humanity was the perfect fit. This nonprofit organization helps qualifying families realize the American dream. Each home is built through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, alongside and with the help of the partner families. Volunteering labor is a really fun way to get involved. Many of our friends joined us and we even found ourselves working side by side with some of the contractors in our network.
To further support this worthwhile cause Contractor Hotline donates a portion of the proceeds from each completed job directly to Habitat for Humanity. This means starting January 2010 every home improvement project you had completed through our service helped benefit families in your community. Our goal in 2011 is to double our proceeds and thus our contributions, and you can help. We and the families who benefit from this humanitarian organization thank you for your continued support. We wish you all the best as we move forward into the New Year.
Warm wishes and Happy Holidays!
Cari Barron