With wildfires threatening residential areas in multiple parts of California, Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a State of Emergency. Once again, Sonoma County residents must grapple with fire, heat, and smoke affecting their homes and communities.

As previous wildfire events have taught us, recovery is a slow and often confusing process. That’s why we’ve provided a recovery resource page to help you get started and make sense of your options. Visit our California Wildfire Recovery Resource Page

You can also visit our wildfire preparedness page for information on preventing future wildfires. Read more

Modern society relies on computers more than ever, which means when something goes wrong, everything in your life can come to a halt. However, if you run into computer trouble, you don’t have to rely on a big-box electronics store for service—there are many independent companies that provide a full range of repair options for computers, tablets and cellphones. In this article, we’ll go over what these companies offer and learn some of their tips for keeping your electronics running at their best. Read more

(L to R): Maria Onrubia, Mari K. Patrick, Suzanne Carroll (as Santa), James Florence, Char Leary, and everyone else at American Ratings Corporation wishes you and yours the happiest of holidays! See you next year!

  Read more

Today we’re republishing one of our most popular (and useful) posts from Joy Lanzaro, Director of Mediation & Compliance.

Here are eight steps you can take to hire a reputable remodeling contractor:

1.  Obtain multiple bids (if possible). Getting multiple bids is a great way to ensure you’re making an informed choice. If you sign a contract, you have exactly three days to rescind in writing. Upon rescission, the contractor must return your deposit. If your area has been declared a disaster area, the three-day Right of Rescission extends to seven days.
2. Check license information. By law, anyone who undertakes to improve your home or property must have a contractor’s license if the cost from start to completion will exceed $500.

Read more

Computers and laptops may seem low-maintenance, but in reality, they have needs and vulnerabilities that require proactive care. To maintain optimal computer performance and avoid common pitfalls like viruses and data loss, consider the following computer care tips: Read more

Delivering feedback to a company is like landing an airplane on an old runway—it can be bumpy or smooth depending on how much work has been put into maintaining the area. Without the proper approach, asking a company if you can give some feedback can prompt a defensiveness that redirects your desired change into the weeds.

Unfortunately, some people’s definition of “feedback” is simply venting without consideration of the receiver’s good intentions. On the other hand, accurate and timely consumer feedback can be a company’s free ticket to a competitive advantage in the market. Read more

We break down the steps for hiring a kitchen and bath contractor with this handy infographic. We hope you find it helpful, and let us know how your kitchen or bathroom remodel goes! Read more