Diamond Certified Blog

Whether you need your sink drain cleared, your water heater repaired or your sewer line replaced, chances are you’ll be calling the same type of service provider: a plumbing contractor. To ensure a quality job, it’s wise to ask a plumber plenty of questions before hiring. Besides verifying proper licensing and insurance, here are a few things you should consider asking. Read more

With wet weather around the corner, now is the time for homeowners to do a thorough inspection of their homes and yards. After months of dry weather, sudden rains can lead to unexpected damage. Use this checklist to address the areas of your property that tend to be vulnerable during rain events. Read more

Finding a quality contractor to work on your home can be challenging, but after a natural disaster, it’s even more complicated. With more homeowners needing urgent repair work, contractors are quickly overloaded with requests and opportunities for less-than-honest dealings abound. Read more

Interior lighting design isn’t as simple as it might seem. It’s not just about maximizing visibility—it’s also about creating the right ambience, optimizing functionality and lowering energy costs. Whether you’re remodeling your home or you just want to make a few upgrades, a carefully considered design can help you make the most of your interior lighting. Here are a few tips: Read more

Everyone knows the best part of Halloween (other than the candy) is dressing up in costume. Most of us have at least one Halloween costume that stands out in our memory, whether it made us feel proud, slightly awkward or downright embarrassed. Whatever the case, these memories can make for amusing and even heartfelt stories later in life. Below, we’ll hear from members of the Diamond Certified Resource team as they reminisce about their most memorable Halloween costumes. Read more

With wildfires threatening residential areas in multiple parts of California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency. Once again, Sonoma County residents must grapple with fire, heat, and smoke affecting their homes and communities.

As previous wildfire events have taught us, recovery is a slow and often confusing process. That’s why we’ve provided a recovery resource page to help you get started and make sense of your options. Visit our California Wildfire Recovery Resource Page

You can also visit our wildfire preparedness page for information on preventing future wildfires. 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

Have you ever lost your luggage at an airport? I’m not talking about leaving it on the plane or not finding it on the baggage claim carousel. Have you ever left a bag in the airport’s economy parking lot? If so, there’s a good chance you’ll see it again, but it won’t be easy. So, how do you start tracking it down?

Fortunately, this happens to jet-lagged travelers pretty frequently, so airports have a process for bags that are accidentally left behind. (I speak from very recent experience!) The best thing you can do is go back to the airport parking lot or the terminal (if you can) and start talking to people who work there. Read more

Steph Curry and Lebron James use them, but does that mean you and your child need them as well? Many people who participate in athletics wear mouthguards to prevent oral injuries, and not just those who play at the highest levels of competition. It’s estimated that 10 to 20 percent of all sports injuries affect the face, mouth or jaw, making it prudent for those who play contact sports to protect their teeth and gums. However, not all mouthguards offer the same level of protection. Read more

Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips for selecting and maintaining home appliances. One tip recommended assessing an appliance’s size dimensions (among other specifications) to verify compatibility with your home’s layout. To gain further insight, watch this video on measuring for a new refrigerator by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Mike Patterson, sales associate at Martin & Harris Appliances in San Rafael.

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