Diamond Certified Blog

My latest obsession is listening to podcasts about criminals who have defrauded, scammed and deceived others. Consumer investigative journalism is now more accessible than ever in this medium. All the shows I’m digging into are free through podcasting apps and streaming services like Spotify.

“Swindled” is my current favorite. It’s an independently produced true crime podcast about all sorts of money-making schemes, white collar crime and corporate greed. The anonymous host calls himself “A Concerned Citizen.” His goal is to shine a light on stories that you may have heard about in the news but didn’t really know all the sordid details. In an interview, Read more

Are you familiar with the many fluids found under the hood of your car? If not, the following article is for you.

Fluids are the lifeblood of your vehicle. Some serve to cool and lubricate the engine and transmission, while others help facilitate the operation of the steering and braking systems. All of them are important and should be regularly inspected. Let’s look at each of these fluids in more detail: Read more

In the market for new window coverings? You might be surprised (and a little overwhelmed) by the sheer variety of options there are to choose from. To help you navigate this intimidating terrain, we’ve provided the following overview of window covering basics. Read more

The California State Licensing Board (CSLB) wants consumers to know that all home improvement contracts are required to contain certain language. If you aren’t aware of this prerequisite, the CSLB’s website has plenty of information that will get you acquainted with the elements of a proper contract. In addition, you can prevent stress and conflict during a construction project by tactfully requesting that your contract contain the following three elements:

A payment schedule with a task-by-task breakdown. The easier it is for you to read and understand your contract, the better. If the payment schedule is broken down by “percentage of job completed,” ask for a task-by-task breakdown instead so you can verify the work that has actually been done. Read more

By default, most remodeling projects performed in California end up being fairly Green due to the state’s strict requirements regarding energy efficiency and environmental impact. However, few homeowners realize the extent to which they can exceed these minimum standards and really “Green up” their projects. Follow these tips for a Greener remodeling project: Read more

Welcome Aboard!

We’re pleased to announce that the following companies have recently been awarded Diamond Certified. That means they’ve passed our rigorous 12-step rating process and scored Highest in Quality and Helpful Expertise®. Read more

I was sitting around with a group of girlfriends at the end of last year and the conversation got around to all the things we meant to do in 2019 but didn’t. It was interesting to hear how differently we all prioritize tasks and projects and keep putting some things off for months and even years. The discussion got me thinking about how I could be more productive in the coming year. So, I made a list of random things I’m working on in 2020 or that I recently completed. My list might get you thinking about yours. Read more

Have you noticed unusual developments in your home’s water pressure or quality? It’s possible that you need a water line replacement. But how can you know for sure if this is necessary? And if it is, what options do you have? What if you can’t afford to replace your water lines?

In the following article, we’ll answer these questions and more with the help of Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Bill Shepherd, owner of Shepherd’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. in Mountain View. Read more

Have you received your free copy of the 2020 Winter Diamond Certified Directory Update in the mail? It provides instant access to hundreds of local, top rated Diamond Certified companies across a wide range of service industries, from auto repair and home remodeling to optometry and dentistry.

Every Diamond Certified company must continue to deliver on its promises to you, the consumer. That’s why we conduct ongoing customer satisfaction research, perform credential-based ratings, monitor each company’s performance, and back you up with mediation and the Diamond Certified Performance Guarantee. Read more

Since your roof is above your sightline, it’s easy to ignore…that is, until it starts leaking. To avoid this situation, you’ll need to be diligent about maintaining your roof. Of course, like many homeowners, you may not know the first thing about roof maintenance. Not to worry—we’ve invited nine Diamond Certified Expert Contributors in the roofing industry to share their expertise on this topic. Read on to learn more! Read more