Diamond Certified Blog

When you think about valet services, you might imagine a fancy restaurant or a high-end hotel. But valet companies actually offer a wider range of services than many people realize. In this article, we’ll explore more about what these companies offer and discuss what to look for when selecting a valet parking service.  Read more

It’s no surprise that electric vehicles (EVs) are rapidly growing in popularity. Not only are they more environmentally friendly than gas-powered vehicles, they’re far less expensive to fuel. However, there are many things the average person doesn’t know about EVs, including additional benefits and crucial safety information. To shed some light on this topic, we asked Kacey Copeland, owner of autoTech Blackhawk in Danville, to share a few little-known facts about electric vehicles. 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 don’t know about you, but I enjoy long walks and hikes in different parts of the Bay Area. However, there are three things that detract from my enjoyment: poison oak, snakes and ticks. I’ve learned to spot poison oak and can usually avoid it. Snakes have predictable patterns and I’ve only seen a couple of harmless ones in the past few years. Ticks scare me the most because they’re so small and difficult to detect (the bites are painless), and they also may carry Lyme and other diseases. Read more

Every year, there are thousands of ladder-related injuries in the United States, most of which occur in non-occupational settings like residential homes. This isn’t surprising: while workers are typically trained on ladder safety, few homeowners receive such instruction, which increases the chances of improper usage. That’s why, whether you need to clean your windows, clear your gutters or access your roof, it’s important to educate yourself on ladder safety before climbing one. Read more

Since 1993, the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) has served as the leading trade organization of the segmental concrete paving industry in North America. ICPI’s 1,100 members come from across the United States and Canada. They work as paver manufacturers, installation contractors, designers and suppliers.

ICPI positions itself as the industry’s leading authority on best practices and technical expertise for paver installation and maintenance. The organization’s primary goals are to promote greater use of segmental pavers in residential, commercial and public settings, and to improve the skills and standards of those working in the industry. Read more

Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips about residential solar power. One tip explained the importance of choosing the right manufacturer to purchase system components from. To learn more, watch this informative video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Bob Winn of Sky Power Systems.

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Just a few decades ago, solar power was a fringe technology whose viability as a widespread energy source was uncertain. Flash forward to today, where solar panels can be seen speckled over rooftops and hillsides throughout the Bay Area and beyond. However, while most Bay Area residents are acquainted with the concept of solar power, far fewer have taken steps to incorporate this technology into their lives. Some are unsure if a solar power system would benefit them, some don’t know if they can afford the cost of installation and some simply aren’t sure where to start. To address these sources of hesitation, we’ve asked eight Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to go over some residential solar basics. Read more

Owning an aircraft may be a luxury, but it’s also a big responsibility. Not only does an aircraft need to be properly stored, it must also be regularly inspected and maintained to comply with legally mandated safety standards. Furthermore, an aircraft operator must earn their pilot’s license and keep it current. And then there’s fueling, parking, repairs…the list goes on.

In order to meet these various needs, aircraft owners need to find one or more aviation service providers. Read on to learn more about the different types of aviation services and providers. Read more

More and more applications are going digital in the 21st century, and home security locks are no exception. Today’s sophisticated digital lock technology offers several benefits, including the following: Read more