If you own a swimming pool, chances are you work with a company that helps you maintain it. However, even if you have a reliable pool technician, it’s good to know a few basics about pool maintenance. Additionally, you may have questions about how to improve your swimming experience or lower the associated utility costs. Here are five things to ask your pool technician: Read more

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

Before hiring a company to service the trees on your property, there are several things you’ll need to inquire about, from licensing and insurance to scheduling and payment. However, there are a few questions many homeowners don’t think to ask, but should. Here are five things to ask a tree service company:

1. How experienced is your team?

When it comes to working with trees, the stakes are fairly high. After all, trees are living things, which is why tree service technicians have more in common with physicians than handymen. That’s why it’s important to hire a tree service company that possesses an adequate level of knowledge and experience in its field. Read more

When planning to sell your home, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find a Realtor. However, you don’t want just any Realtor—you want one who’s dependable and proactive. After all, nothing stifles a home’s chances of being sold like an agent who doesn’t put forth the effort. In addition to getting references, a good way to evaluate a Realtor is to ask a lot of questions and gauge their responses. Here are five good questions to ask: Read more

If you’re in the market for a new home, one of the first things you’ll need to do is find a Realtor. However, with an abundance of working professionals in the real estate field, you’ll need to be proactive about finding one who’s qualified and dependable. Besides verifying licensing and getting references, one way to evaluate a Realtor is to ask plenty of questions. Here are five things to ask a Realtor: Read more

Before hiring a moving company, you’ll need to inquire about several things, from licensing and insurance to scheduling and payment. However, there are a few questions many homeowners don’t think to ask, but should. Here are five things to ask a mover: Read more

Before hiring a company to install your new furnace or air conditioner, there are several things you’ll need to inquire about, from licensing and insurance to scheduling and payment. However, there are a few questions many homeowners don’t think to ask, but should. Here are five things to ask an HVAC installer:

1. What’s included in your estimate?

When reading an HVAC installer’s estimate, make sure it addresses the big picture. In other words, it should take into account all aspects related to your home HVAC system, not just the unit itself. Since the heating or cooling unit is merely part of the larger whole, failure to address other important system aspects (such as ductwork) can result in subpar performance following installation. Read more