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
Be Savvy: How to Avoid Bad Contractors
Posted on May 26, 2022 by Chris Bjorklund
Posted in: Home Safety, Home Remodeling, Home Maintenance, Consumers, Home Tips, Savvy Tips
Tags: consumer advice, CSLB, contractors, consumer tips, home improvement
5 Considerations For Remodeling Your Kitchen
Posted on May 03, 2022 by James Florence
Are you getting ready to remodel your kitchen? Here are some important things to consider when making choices on design and features: Read more
Posted in: Home Remodeling, Kitchen & Bath
Tags: kitchen remodeling
Patio Potential: A Guide to Revamping Your Outdoor Living Space
Posted on April 21, 2022 by James Florence
Like most Bay Area residents, you’re probably looking forward to spending lots of time outside this summer. If that’s the case, you’ll want your outdoor living space to be ready—particularly your backyard patio. While most homes have patios, few are as comfortable or attractive as they could be. If you’re feeling underwhelmed by your patio’s current state, consider investing some time and money into helping it reach its full potential. 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
Residential Insulation FAQs
Posted on December 14, 2021 by James Florence
Do you have questions about an upcoming insulation project or insulation in general? Below, we answer some commonly asked questions about residential insulation. Read more
Posted in: Home Maintenance, Energy Efficiency, Home Remodeling, Home Improvement
Tags: insulation
10 Countertop Materials to Consider for Your Kitchen Remodel
Posted on October 07, 2021 by James Florence
Are you planning to remodel your kitchen? One of the most important choices you’ll need to make is which type of material to use for your countertops. To help you decide, we’ve created a basic overview of 10 popular countertop materials and their key attributes. In this article, we’ll cover the following materials: Read more
Posted in: Home Remodeling, Kitchen & Bath
Tags: countertops
Getting the Details on Home Improvement Products
Posted on September 02, 2021 by James Florence
When buying home improvement products, many people overlook small details that can have a big impact in the future. That’s why it’s important to ask lots of questions and make sure you’re getting the best possible products. Here are some examples of what to ask: Read more
Posted in: Home Remodeling
Tags: windows, cabinetry, tile