Your air conditioner is designed to keep your home cool during the summer, but like any system, it requires ongoing maintenance to sustain peak operating efficiency. While some maintenance steps are best left to an HVAC professional (such as handling refrigerant), there are others you can perform yourself. Here are four DIY air conditioning maintenance steps: Read more
Keeping Your Cool: 4 DIY Air Conditioning Maintenance Steps
Posted on June 16, 2022 by James Florence
Posted in: Consumers, Home Tips
Tags: hvac, home maintenance, summer-related, home, air conditioning
Put Your (Square) Feet to Work: How to Turn Your Space Into a Short-Term Rental
Posted on June 09, 2022 by Matt Solis
De-cluttering your home and giving it a fresh coat of paint will make your short-term rental more inviting.
Ever since the introduction of Airbnb in 2008, homeowners don’t have to be serial landlords or own second homes to earn rental income. If you have an in-law apartment or a spare bedroom, you can put those extra square feet to work. Preparing your home to rent will require effort on your part, but the extra income may well be worth it. Read more
Posted in: Painting, House Cleaning, Home Security, Home Maintenance, Uncategorized, Home Tips
Tags: Rental, consumer tips, vacation
Be Savvy: How to Avoid Bad Contractors
Posted on May 26, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund
It’s tempting to hire a contractor that you see working in your neighborhood. I recently noticed a company’s truck at three different houses near me and casually asked the supervisor if they trim trees or do concrete work. Right away, the “tree guy” gave me a bid of $800 to prune a large Japanese maple, and within minutes he offered a $100 discount because I was in their service area. The next day, their “concrete guy” made an estimate for $12,000 with no mention of permits or a written contract. Read more
Posted in: Home Maintenance, Home Safety, Home Remodeling, Consumers, Home Tips, Savvy Tips
Tags: consumer advice, CSLB, contractors, consumer tips, home improvement
Plumbing FAQs
Posted on May 10, 2022 by Matt Solis
Do you have questions about your upcoming plumbing job or plumbing work in general? You’re not alone. Below, we answer some commonly asked questions about plumbing, as well as hiring and working with a plumbing contractor. Read more
Posted in: Plumbing, Consumers, Home Tips, Savvy Tips
Tags: plumbing tips, plumbing questions, plumbing repairs, plumbing maintenance, plumbing
Spring Cleaning Quiz!
Posted on April 26, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund
I was looking up at some cobwebs in the ceiling corners of my living room and they’re always a good reminder that it’s time for a deep clean. Many of us get motivated to do spring cleaning when the flowers start blooming, the days warm up and the sunlight lasts longer. In fact, one survey found that more than 70% of us do some form of spring cleaning every year. So, take our quiz to see how prepared you are for the job at hand. Good luck! Read more
Mold Removal & Repair FAQs
Posted on April 12, 2022 by Matt Solis
Do you have questions about an upcoming mold removal/repair project or mold removal in general? Below, we answer some commonly asked questions about mold abatement. Read more
4 Tips for a Successful Move
Posted on March 01, 2022 by Matt Solis
When it comes to ensuring a successful move, preparation is absolutely crucial. Consider the following preparation tips:
1. Go easy on the cushion wrap. When packing boxes, you can speed up the process by using newspaper instead of cushion wrap or packing peanuts. Read more
Posted in: Bay Area, Moving, Consumers, Home Tips
Tags: consumer advice, packing, moving tips, moving advice, consumer tips, moving