How to Start a Profitable Home Improvement Referral Service

[ad_1] Home improvement referral services are cropping up from New York to California. They are taking the time to do the legwork to find reputable and reliable contractors and these businesses are reaping profits from good work. It really doesn't take much to start. A home improvement referral service business takes only a little money and not more time than a regular 40 hour a week job. They can actually start making money within the first year of business. The first thing to consider is what types of home improvement businesses your will refer. This can include gutter cleaning and replacement, remodeling, building additions, fencing, lawn maintenance, and many others. Remember, all though you may like to paint a client may not like it or have the time. Therefore, no business should be overlooked. Once you have an idea of the types of contractors for your referral service business, you will need to call the local, county, and state government offices. Get the regulations and requirements regarding licensing, bonding, business registry, and insurance for each type of contractor. This is the first step to building your list. Any contractor that does not meet government regulations should not be on your referral list. By knowing these requirements and using them, your home improvement referral business will gain credibility with your clients. They will know that if the contractor doesn't meet these requirements, they will not be on your list. It makes the client feel more sure the job will be completed professionally and correctly. Another way to ensure creditability of your referral service business is to only look at contractors that are recommended by their past happy customers. But this is not the end of the screening process. Recommendations are not enough. Once a contractor is recommended to your home improvement referral business, you need to check out his or her service. Talk to them, explaining your referral service business. Many contractors will give you the needed information happily. Ask to see their licenses, bonding information, and insurance to ensure they are current and up to date. Ask for a list of services they provide and the cost for these services. Finally ask for references you may speak to. Now you have gotten your contractor referral list started. While working on creating this list, you should have started thinking about a name for your referral service business, advertising, office area, office equipment, and ordered a phone line for the business. You may want to use a computer right away, but an index card or file system could work just as well and for a fraction of the cost, until your company grows. Keep in mind that as your company grows, the office space, office equipment, and referral list system will probably need to become computerized to save time and money. Since your referral business is going to begin locally, check with local newspapers and periodicals to see if they would be interested in doing an article about your business. Make some flyers and ask local hardware stores if you could leave some there to advertise your service. You may also want to send letters to realtors announcing your business, they can be great advertisers for you. Make your services free to the people calling into your business looking for referrals. Many home improvement referral businesses charge the contractor anywhere from 6% to 15% depending on the size of the project. You put the customers in touch with the contractor, and upon completion of the project, the contractor pays you a fee. Advertise that no contractors pay you to get onto your referral list. If clients or contractors ask how they get on the list, explain to them the only way for a contractor to get on the list is for a customer to recommend them. You may want to explain the whole screening process to let the person know the exact qualifications the contractors need to have before being accepted. A referral service business can expand easily and rapidly. Once your business starts to grow, create a business plan to set goals. Decide how much you want to expand and consider starting franchises in other locations or expanding the list to include contractors that were not included originally. This is your home improvement referral service business and you can take it wherever you want. [ad_2] Source by Randy Wilson https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/how-to-start-a-profitable-home-improvement-referral-service/?feed_id=37065&_unique_id=646e5ffa9c266

US Transportation Dept. investigating Southwest holiday travel meltdown - CNN

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Benefits of Working in the Skilled Trades

[ad_1] How useful is university education? The answer is simple, it is highly subjective. For most people it is just a degree that adorns their ego. For others it's a necessity. For another segment of people, it unnecessary and does not yield any positive results. With the population on a rise, getting a job becomes difficult for everyone, no matter what your education happens to be, jobs are scarce all across the world and field of interest. This is when a job in trades can save your day. The various advantages of being a skilled tradesman are: 1. Appreciation of skills: No matter how advanced the world gets, there always an appreciation for skilled labour. With increasing demand for skilled workers, the wage paid is also rising steadily. Skills are of interest in various industries like carpentry, plumbing etc. So, the very first advantage is that your skills are valued and you get paid for that. You might want to know what the best tradesman jobs are; the options are wide ranged starting with carpenters, tillers, to medical assistants and aviation technicians. 2. Early earning: You start earning early. It is often difficult for parents to bear your expenses after a certain period of time. Also, these days it is a trend to spend on luxury items. Neither can parents afford it, nor do they want to. Working as a skilled tradesman will help you earn your own money for a living or for that expensive video game, at an early age. You do not to plead for money, you can work, gain experience and earn. Isn't that wonderful? 3. Career first: Bearing expenses for further education is not a convenient option for many. Whether you to study or not, a job in skilled trades is going to help you both way. If you work as an apprentice, part-time, you can earn money and save it up for further education. If not, you can start a career in trades by ditching the unnecessary waste of both time and money behind further education and earn a living. 4. Job satisfaction - If creativity is your passion, working on trades can certainly give you peace of mind and money both. In this field you will find the best use for your skills. You will be respected for your skills and at the same time, you'll earn money. Indulging in your skills can make you more passionate and help you feel better. This is the key to job satisfaction. 5. No boredom: Another benefit is that, you'll never get bored. There's always a different option if one doesn't fit you. The world changing its necessities every day, a new trade is being planted on a regular basis. So for all those fickle minded people, trades are where you can belong. It'll never bore you. If you want to know about the best tradesman jobs, you'll be happy to hear these options -tilers, boiler makers, construction equipment operators, marine mechanics and lots more. To conclude with, a skilled tradesman is of great value to the society and country in general. There might not be the so-called 'job security ', but job satisfaction is guaranteed. In addition to money, it provides you with experience and exposure that will help you propel yourself towards your goals and dreams. [ad_2] Source by Mark Trescothic https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/benefits-of-working-in-the-skilled-trades/?feed_id=37026&_unique_id=646cc3890693e

Six original oil paintings by Canadian folk artist Maud Lewis (1903-1970) will headline Miller & Miller - EIN News

There were 1,707 press releases posted in the last 24 hours and 340,954 in the last 365 days. Oil on board painting by Maud Lewis (Canadian, 1903-1970) titled The Three Black Cats, a serial image only found in the mid-to-late 1960s, artist signed (est. CA$25,000-$30,000). 11 ¼ inch by 15 inch Sandy Cove harbor scene by Maud Lewis (Canadian, 1903-1970), a serial image showing Sandy Cove along Digby Neck, Canada in full season (est. CA$12,000-$15,000). Four-gallon stoneware crock, circa 1870, by G. I. Lazier (Picton, Ontario), desirable because few examples of decorated stoneware featuring animals exist (est. CA$12,000-$15,000). Exceptional Waterloo County (Ontario) two-piece corner cupboard with original muted red and amber paint, 84 ½ inches tall by 65 ¾ inches wide (est. CA$6,000-$9,000). Two paintings by Joe Norris of Lower Prospect, Nova Scotia are expected to do well, including this very large work, titled The Lighthouse and Three Schooners (est. CA$8,000-$12,000). Also up for bid will be advertising signs, art, art pottery, Canadiana, clocks, decoys, folk art, lamps and lighting, pottery and stoneware, rugs and more. Ethan Miller
Miller & Miller Auctions, Ltd.
+1 519-573-3710
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Recommendations for Routine Wood Deck Maintenance

[ad_1] Wooden patios and deck are a wonderful addition to any home or property that can be enjoyed throughout most of the year. But if you do not maintain your wood deck properly, it will begin to deteriorate quicker, leading to things like warped boards, wood rot, and moss infestations. Not only can these damages render a deck unattractive, it can make it unsafe to use too. Continue reading to learn how to properly maintenance and repair a wooded deck so that you may enjoy your wooden deck or patio all year long and for many more years to come! Common Problems With Wooden Decks It is important to regularly inspect your deck for problems so that you may solve them before they get out of control, become a hazard, or wind up being very costly to repair. A small problem can evolve into a major one over a short amount of time, which is why you must stay vigilant when it comes to routine deck maintenance and repair. Here are a few common issues to look for: Loose Nails - Replace damaged or corroded nails on floorboards, posts, sills, joists, railing, stairs, and more. Hammer down any protruding nails until they are even (or below) the wood surface. You may also replace protruding or loose nails with deck screws. Warped Floorboards - Cracked, warped, splintered, or protruding floorboards are hazards. Replace them as needed. Dry Rot - This type of fungal growth digests wood, rotting it from all over. Signs include soft or moist floorboards, musty odors, discoloration, or shrunken floorboards. Replace immediately upon discovery. Mold and Mildew - Additional types of fungal growth, like mold and mildew, are hazardous for wood decks and patios. Also, mushroom growth, moss growth, green or black algae, lichen, and more make for dangerous patio conditions. Debris - Leaves, twigs, branches, grass clippings, and more are examples of debris that needs cleared regularly from decks and patios. Accumulation can provide the perfect environment for mold and mildew growth, and more. Wood Deck and Patio Care All of the above problems, and more, should be addressed right away in order to maintain a safe and enjoyable deck or patio this summer. Nails should be hammered in or replaced with deck screws, organic growths should be sprayed with an eliminating solution, rotted or damaged floorboards should be replaced or patched, and debris should be swept away on a daily basis. All of this should prevent costly and hazardous wood deck problems. In order to preserve your wooden deck or patio, it is important to implement certain strategies and chores that will safeguard it all year long. For example, dry rot can be prevented by painting a layer or two of wood preservative underneath the bottom of the wood deck. Also, applying a quality sealcoat and deck protectant is vital for safeguarding against natural wear and tear. It is helpful to know that replacing boards with dry rot right away will evade the potential for it to spread to other boards. And last, continue to retreat your wood deck with fungal protection to keep it mold and mildew free all year. Consult a professional general contractor for advice, information, and assistance with deck maintenance and renovation. They retain the experience, knowledge, and tools to get you and your patio ready for an early spring! [ad_2] Source by Sarahbeth Kluzinski https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/recommendations-for-routine-wood-deck-maintenance/?feed_id=37012&_unique_id=646a8a9d9b3ec

How Car Mechanics Use Technology

[ad_1] Do you know why it's important to find a good mechanic or a good repair shop to repair your car? The reason: it could save you hundreds of dollars in parts and labor! When we say a "good mechanic" or a "good repair shop", we're referring to mechanics who are equipped with the latest technology. You don't want to entrust your car to a shop with outdated machinery and equipment because it will take longer to arrive at a diagnosis. And the longer a mechanic takes to make a diagnosis, the larger your bill for labor! Remember that car mechanics charge by the hour. Car repairs can cover any one or a combination of the following (note that this is not a complete repair list). • Air conditioning checks • Air bag checks • Electrical wiring • Cables • Clutch service and repair • Transmission repair • Wheel Alignment • Suspension • Brakes • Heating system • Oil and lubrication • Battery • Power windows Much of the troubleshooting that mechanics use to diagnose a problem is facilitated by car repair technology. Ever noticed how some lights on your panel come on when something's wrong? In most cases, an experienced mechanic will know immediately what the problem is, but there are instances where it will take sophisticated technology to lead to an accurate diagnosis. Sophisticated technology comes in many forms and one popular one is troubleshooting software. Companies like Auto Tech have a software program that car owners can use to find out what is ailing their vehicle. Most car owners who were cynical about software programs before should seriously consider purchasing a reliable car troubleshooting software program. For instance, some programs start out by asking you to input your car make and model number, the year of the car and what kinds of equipment it has. The software features a large database of information about all cars in the market and a car owner simply follows the steps when prompted. It employs what the industry calls a "tree diagnosis" where logical steps take you through the entire diagnosis process. After you've keyed in your car's profile, you use the drop down menu to choose the symptoms that your car is exhibiting. For instance, if you choose "squealing brakes", the program mimics the squealing of brakes and if that's the sound you hear, you confirm it and the program recommends a series of steps. You may not really want to use a troubleshooting software, but imagine how much time and money you could save if you spoke to the mechanic intelligently, letting him know that you're in the know. Students who are studying towards certification buy certain tools of the trade. A couple of examples are Snap On and Mac Tools. These two are the most popular in the United States and Canada. Mechanics now have a wide range of technology tools to help them understand car problems better: digital multimeters (electronic measuring), boroscopes (testing heat exchangers), fuel diagnostic testers (testing and balancing fuel injectors) and other such new technologies. New car mechanic technologies help shorten the learning curve and speed up diagnosis so that the car owner isn't saddled with too many labor hours. [ad_2] Source by Max Kalles https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/how-car-mechanics-use-technology/?feed_id=37004&_unique_id=646a2e26c87db