Diamond Certified Blog

Watch this video to learn how to become your own dry rot detective. Read more

Are you listening to music at a safe volume level? Watch this video to find out. Read more

Are you storing your firewood properly? Watch this video to find out. 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

Did you know that letting your gas tank get too low can damage your car’s fuel pump? Watch this video to learn more. Read more

Watch this video for some helpful tips on keeping your hardwood floors in good condition. Read more

If you have health insurance, you may not pay much attention to how much different medical procedures cost. But if you don’t have insurance or use out-of-network doctors, you have a right to know the cost of certain procedures ahead of time. That way, you can avoid getting stuck with an unexpected bill or even negotiate a better price from the provider.

The nonprofit group Fair Health has a feature on its website that lets you find estimates of the average prices charged for medical and dental procedures in your area. I just looked up the cost of a physical therapy evaluation for my particular zip code. The chart showed the estimated charge, Read more

Do you know what to expect when you hire a limo service? Watch this video for some helpful tips. Read more

Does your home have “knob and tube” wiring? Watch this video for some helpful information and maintenance tips. Read more

Did you know California has a “Lemon Law” that protects new car owners whose vehicles have serious defects? Watch this video to learn more. Read more