In the course of planning a home remodeling project, it’s beneficial to gain insight from informative resources. Along with the Diamond Certified Resource, a great place to look for information is remodeling industry organizations. In addition to advocating high standards of workmanship and professionalism in the remodeling industry, these associations are dedicated to educating and empowering professionals and consumers alike. Here are three of the premier organizations in the remodeling industry:

National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)

Overview

NARI is the only independent national association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. By providing helpful resources for remodeling professionals and consumers, it seeks to fulfill its stated core purpose: “To advance and promote the remodeling industry’s professionalism, Read more

When planning to remodel their kitchens, many homeowners focus on improving aspects such as visual aesthetics and functional utility. However, a kitchen remodel also provides a great opportunity to improve energy efficiency, primarily through updating appliances like refrigerators and ovens with new, environmentally-friendly models. By minimizing energy consumption, updating your kitchen appliances will reduce both your carbon footprint and monthly power bills, which is a true win-win situation. Here are some things to look for when selecting new appliances: Read more

Today, many homeowners are considering the benefits of going solar because of energy savings and tax credits. Systems are also getting more affordable. I asked Sungevity’s Sloane Morgan to answer some of the most common questions.

Is it expensive to install solar?
When residential solar systems were first introduced, they were expensive for the average homeowner, but solar panel prices have dropped radically since then Read more

While many Bay Area residents are preparing to tackle their long-deferred project ideas, for some, the urge to remodel is constrained by the significant expenses involved. However, even if you’re working with a limited budget, there are numerous ways you can cut costs without compromising quality. Here are seven money-saving strategies to consider:

1. Design your project to accommodate existing systems. If your plumbing and electrical systems are in good condition, you can avoid the cost of rerouting pipes or wiring by designing your remodeling project to accommodate them. In addition to saving a substantial amount of money, this strategy aligns with a sustainable approach to remodeling. Read more

When I managed a consumer complaint line for KGO Radio and TV, we always had calls after Christmas about stores’ unreasonable return policies. Consumers were frustrated that they couldn’t get their money back, receive a store credit or exchange a gift. In some cases, receipts had been misplaced or thrown away, and some were simply unavailable because the item was a gift. In other cases, stores had failed to clearly post their refund policies as required by state law. People were unhappy about restocking fees, too. Read more

Learn more on our Storm Damage Resource Page for Bay Area Residents.

We’re grateful that El Niño conditions are finally beginning to arrive in the Bay Area. However, you should be aware that when rain meets drought-hardened earth, the likelihood of flash flooding increases exponentially. Being informed is the best way to stay safe this rainy season. With that in mind, here’s what you need to know.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), most flash floods happen as a result of heavy localized rainfall. These floods can become raging torrents of fast-moving water that rip through river beds, city streets and valleys, sweeping everything with them. Read more

What are you thankful for? We put this question to some Diamond Certified company owners and a handful of American Ratings Corporation (ARC) employees. Here’s what they said:

“I’m thankful that every day, my two children and I get to wake up to a beautiful sunrise and deer and rabbits playing in our yard. It’s a very sweet life we have.” —Leila Jacobsen, Owner, Awnco Retractables Read more