Resources For Professional Contractors

It is often said in the marketing world that it costs far less to retain an existing client than to acquire a new one. Past clients not only provide the opportunity for repeat business, they can also be excellent sources of referrals for future contracts. Even if you rely mainly on word-of-mouth to acquire new clients, you do not have to leave it up to chance and hope that clients will recommend your services. There are a few ways to keep your name at the forefront of clients' minds so that you get a call when they are ready to embark on a new construction or remodeling project. Here are a few ideas to help you do just that:

Make a positive impression that lasts. Clients must have confidence in you before they will recommend your services to friends and family, so building repeat and referral business starts at your first conversation. Whether you are on the phone with a client, at a meeting or on the job site, professionalism should be displayed in your demeanor, quality of work and in the way you interact with other people. Whether dealing with the client, a subcontractor or the neighbor from next door, always be conscious of how your words and behavior could be perceived.

Use follow-up to keep your name on clients' minds. Even satisfied clients can lose your contact information, particularly when their projects are spaced out over time. Since repeat business hinges on positive relationships, staying in touch can mean the difference between loyal clients and clients who forget your name. One way to stay in touch is sending periodic cards to your client list for major holidays or their birthdays. A regular e-mail newsletter is another way to maintain contact unobtrusively. Be sure to maintain a friendly, professional tone and practice moderation in the frequency of such communication, staying in touch without bombarding clients with too much information.

Give the kind of business cards that stick around. Consider stocking up on magnetic business cards or promotional items such as magnetic mini-calendars showing your business name and contact information. Such items provide another means of keeping your name in front of clients, helping them remember your name, what you do and how to contact you. Whereas a paper business card will most likely go into a client's wallet or the trash, a magnetic calendar may stay on the refrigerator all year long. You may consider sending promotional items to your client list as freebies together with holiday or birthday cards as suggested above.

Make it personal. Clients will be more inclined to call you again if they feel you truly care about their needs. When you send a card, letter or e-mail to a client, try to include a note that makes the message personal. Personalizing a message may involve taking more detailed notes about clients from your first meeting. Perhaps in conversation with a client, he or she mentioned an interest in remodeling a bathroom in the coming year. A well-timed follow up stating that you would love to provide a quote for the bathroom project will show the client that you are attentive to his or her needs, and your meticulous follow-up could give you just the edge needed to win the job.

Relationship marketing is a field in and of itself, and there are plenty of companies that would be happy to implement some of these ideas for you if you do not wish to do so yourself. Making a positive impression and staying in touch with your client base can help you acquire repeat business and new clients on an ongoing basis.

Maria Polidoro is the CEO of Ace Tool Online, a New York based authorized dealer for virtually all major hand and power tool manufacturers. Ace Tool offers a comprehensive electric power tool selection including Milwaukee tools, Festool power tools, Amana tools and Champion Tool. Please visit Ace Tool Online for more information and great prices on power tools.

30 Days To Creating Super Habits

Difficulties with Building Contractors - Building Contractors

Sometimes as contractors we get in a hurry and we just want to finish the job. We told the homeowner we would be done in three months, at the same time the homeowner keeps adding new work to the list.

I ran into a problem like this on one job where the contractor was in a hurry to finish the flooring and chose to go right over the existing floor that was out of level. He told the homeowner he didn't have time to repair that section of the floor. He was installing half-inch plywood over 1 x 6 diagonal floor sheeting to strengthen up the floor.

This floor was going to require quite a bit of attention from the contractor and his crew. The homeowner should have hired another contractor to repair the floor while the original contractor finished the house remodel. When your contractor gives you that much grief about any work, you need to start thinking about hiring another contractor or at least finding one to complete the task your original contractor has no interest in.

I felt sorry for the homeowner because this was not what he wanted and he was upset with the contractor but the job was done. This is my warning to any contractor, handyman or home repair specialists. When installing a new plywood floor over an existing floor to strengthen it up, use some common sense and repair the floor correctly or don't do the job at all.

I wrote this article for contractors to have a little more sympathy for the homeowners you are working for because sometimes they can't see the whole picture like you can. I also wrote this article for homeowners to listen to your contractor carefully when he is explaining a potential problem that you can't visualize further down the road. Any contractor with over 15 years experience remodeling homes has a pretty good idea what's going to happen next.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Exterior Stairway Inspection

Kitchen Tables - There Are Environmentally Friendly Options

The trend today is to be as green as possible when decorating your house. A few years ago if you were trying to go that route, you may have found yourself struggling to find enough furniture to do the job. But, not anymore.

Thankfully, the furniture market has caught on to the fact that people are trying to make less of an environmental impact when they are decorating their homes. For this reason, there is a whole new arena of options out there.

Recycled Kitchen Tables

The key to being able to go green with furniture like kitchen tables is to avoid using new wood metal or plastic. Most new items are made from new resources. That means more trees are being chopped down, and other virgin resources expended to make the new piece.

But, what about all those old pieces of furniture? Why are they going to the landfill when they could just as easily be used to create something new. That is exactly what the recycled kitchen tables market has realized.

Wood

There are two possible ways to be green when purchasing wooden kitchen tables. The first is to have tables that are made out of recycled wood. This is wood that is literally taken from something else and turned into a new piece of furniture. This could be from old barn wood or an old piece of furniture that was saved from a landfill. The other type of furniture out there is that made of sustainable woods. These pieces are made from trees that are quickly and easily replenished so there is not a major environmental impact to their being used.

Plastic

There is a lot of plastic in our world. There doesn't seem to be a carton or container that isn't made of this hard to biodegrade material. Thankfully, there are some people who are keeping a lot of that plastic out of the landfill and instead turning it into new furniture like kitchen tables. Think of how great it would be to have fashionable kitchen tables in your home and know that not only are they great looking but they were the reason many pounds of plastic was spared a trip to the landfill.

Metal

Even metal can be recycled and often to make magnificent kitchen tables. Wrought iron that has been used for a gate or other accent in a home or yard may live out its life as that particular item, but may be able to be cut down and used again to create new items, like kitchen tables. These pieces will not only make you feel good for recovering them and keeping them from becoming trash, but also because they will have a unique character that will make your tables one of a kind masterpieces.

While you may not think your choosing to go green with your kitchen tables is a big step in the grand scheme of things, think about what would happen if more and more people were to do the same thing. Each of those purchases compounds to use less new resources and to keep more of the old out of the landfill in the future.

Author Jennifer Akre is a proprietor of a different online specialty shops that provide both items and information on how to effortlessly furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many useful tips you to make those spots functional and beautiful. Today, she offers advice on how to create a indoor area with luxurious kitchen furniture and grand dining tables. Each would be a wonderful purchase.

Foam Insulation Around Door Jamb

Why You Should Go For Punched Tin Light Fixtures

Punched tin light fixtures are associated with early American chandeliers and lamps. Today, original punched tin light fixtures are going for a fortune, unless of course you want to settle for an imitation. Making them the old fashioned way, creates a high quality and beautiful product. Choosing between the finer hand crafted product and the mass produced product in the market is only dependent on the individual preference and the specific application that one needs the it for.

The handcrafted punched tin light fixtures are more expensive. They come in many different types such as Spun Wood Chandeliers, Tin Chandeliers, Exterior Lighting, Hanging Lights, Sconces & Lamps, Ceiling Light Fixtures, wall lamps, and lanterns. They blend in perfectly with a rustic home decor. Internet sites are one of the easiest ways to purchase these customized fixtures. You will be provided with high quality lighting fixtures inspired by American colonial traditions. they could be made of solid copper and brass. The lights are available in different finishes, aged finish, a dark gray color, wood finish and painted finishes.

Before buying punched tin light fixtures there are a few details that you need to check and certify; Check to make sure that the wiring is properly put in place, what kind of bulbs they use i.e. do they use fluorescent lights or light emitting diodes? Is it easy to access the bulb during replacement? How practical is the fixture? does it hang too low or too high? There are many small family businesses out there that deal in the production of Punched tin light fixtures as a matter of tradition and you can expect them to give you high quality finishing of these cultural and historic heritage of the American nation.

Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Light Fixtures. For More Information on Punched Tin Light Fixtures, Visit His Site at PUNCHED TIN LIGHT FIXTURES

Dirt Stains On White Stucco

Wind-Powered Turbine - Great Home Tips

If you are planning to build a DIY wind turbine, the first step is to get yourself a good guide with plans from online retailers and start making one. You can go green while saving electricity at the same time without having to buy an expensive wind generator. You will be able to get all the materials needed plus the plans for less than $150.

An average Joe can make his own 1000W wind turbine. Why not make one for yourself, too? You can even get your family in on it and make it a fun family project.

To get you started, you will first need the plans or the blueprint. Find a good place to work in. A regular garage will do. You do not need to get special tools. You can work with the simple tools that you already have. It would be great to have an extra pair of hands.

Look at the plans to find out what you need for the project. It should include a Direct Current (DC) motor. This will serve as your power generator. As the blades of your turbine spin, they turn the DC motor on which would then produce electricity.

Order the motor first for it takes a number of days to get it. This should not cause you much delay because you can use this time to start working on the other sections. You can already fashion the blades of your turbine. Wood is the preferred material for blades especially when making bigger machines. However, should you opt to, you can also use PVC.

If you intend to work with wood, make sure to get strong, good quality lumber. Your blades, especially the tips, should be able to withstand the force of the wind. Constructing the blades should not be complicated. Simply follow what your plans say. It is easy enough for you to make your own set in just one day, using only common tools.

As for the other parts, you will be surprised to know that you can get most of them for free. These include batteries, towers, and others included in your plans. You can piece all the parts together as soon as you get your motor. When that is done, it is now ready to be put up in the wind. Set it up at a place where it can stand at 15 feet above any structure within 300 feet. Your DIY wind turbine will now be able to produce free electricity.

Tired of high electric bills? Discover how thousands of families are using homemade wind power systems to power their homes!

Hiring a Contractor For Your Home Renovation - Vista Contractor

Renovating your home is a large undertaking, and you want it done right. If you have decided to hire a professional contractor for the job, there are a few things to keep in mind in order to protect yourself as well as your most valued investment, your home.

First and foremost, research your state's legal requirements for contractors regarding insurance, licensing and workers compensation, so that you can eliminate any contractor who does not comply. Visiting the Contractor's License Reference Site is one way to learn about licensing requirements in your area and find out whether a particular contractor holds an active license.

Asking friends and family for references is usually a good starting point for finding a contractor who will perform quality work. Many contractors and home renovators agree that the best way to research a prospective contractor is to contact past clients, ask detailed questions and if possible, visit one or more work sites to check out the quality of the work. Tom Silva, general contractor at This Old House, shares a couple of other excellent ideas for finding good contractors in his article How to Hire a Contractor(1). Tim suggests checking with a building inspector to learn whose work is typically up to code or consulting with a local lumberyard about which contractors purchase quality materials and stay current on accounts.

Each contractor who will be quoting your project (typically at least three is advised) should be given the same set of specifications to ensure that your quotes are comparable. Though it may be tempting to automatically hire the contractor with the lowest bid, price is not always the best criteria for deciding which contractor to hire. The contractor you ultimately hire will be spending considerable time in your home, and the work performed will likely impact your home's value. Selecting a contractor with the skills and professionalism to deliver quality work can help ensure that the effect of your renovations on your home value is a positive one.

Once you have selected your contractor, ensure that every detail of the project is outlined in the contract, including projected start and finish dates, procedures for changes, a payment schedule, labor and material charges, a lien waiver and any specific agreements you have made with the contractor. Do not count on verbal promises alone; even if the contractor has a standard contract for most jobs, provisions may be added to the contract upon agreement between both parties.

(1) www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,199776,00.html

Maria Polidoro is the President of Ace Tool Online, a leading distributor of over 70 quality power tool brands. Headquartered in Wantagh, New York, Ace Tool Online also offers over 40,000 genuine power tool parts and is an authorized service center for over 50 manufacturers. Please visit Ace Tool Online for industrial cutting tools and the latest products from Milwaukee Tools, Festool and more

Don't Let Your Roof Repairs Go Sky High!

Before you go to the expense of calling in a roofing contractor, see if you can analyze and repair your roof problem yourself. The best possible time to repair your roof problem - is as soon as you realize that you have one and if the weather is calm enough to climb up onto the roof. In fact, this could be further qualified by saying that the best and most economical way to a trouble-free roof, is to inspect the roof regularly, so that you see the problem developing.

A leak from one dislodged tile is a small and inexpensive matter, but if you do not inspect your roof regularly, this will go unnoticed. By the time that you DO notice it, it may be because water is dripping into your spare room! This means that this whole area of the roof structure is soaked, the ceiling will need to be replaced and hopefully the flooring will recover.

Always check your roof after a wind storm, as most roofing is not designed to withstand fierce winds. Scrutinize the tiles for cracks, splits and torn-off corners; also check for lifting. Lifting is a common cause of roof leaks, and can be easily rectified. Be aware of multiple tiles lifting, as this could be a sign that the roofing material is too old and is warping from all the weathering.

Climb into your attic/loft and ensure that any insulation that you have in your roof is not right up against the roof itself. There has to be a gap for air to circulate; also when a roof heats up and there is insulation directly behind it, this heat is thrown back into the roofing and excessive heating like this can damage and warp the roof.

Another weakness in all roofs is the flashing. Flashing is designed to provide a watertight junction between roof materials and structure, especially if the roof projects out or changes design (as with extension roofs). If you are installing a new roof, it is worthwhile to get the flashing 'inspected' as it is a common failure area.

Often the simple fact that the gutters, leading into down pipes from the roof, are blocked with leaves and twigs can cause a problem. Roofs must have adequate run off, especially in the areas which may have snow. Water trapped in the gutter will mean that it will back up the roof for a few inches and have time to seep into the edges of the roofing tiles. Not all homes have adequate perimeter protection on their roofs, although this is one good feature to ask for on a new roof.

Quite often homes incur roof leaks all at the same time (often after strong gales winds and torrential rain etc). This can mean that all contractors are busy and you have 'stop up the leak' until you can get help.

If you do get a leak, and you have placed buckets under the dripping water, be aware that the leak may be in a completely different place than it would seem. Locating the source is difficult, as water can run along horizontal timbers and appear to be leaking from a place that is sound. Getting up into the attic and actually looking for a wet spot on the roof decking will be an accurate way to tell.

If you can find the spot an emergency patch can be made applying roofing felt and using plastic cement to hold it until you can call in a contractor. You can also attempt to repair it yourself, if it is just a shingle that is damaged. You can carefully prize up the roof shingle by removing the three or four nails that are holding it in place; next, apply a generous coating of tar beneath the tear in question, and also coat the underside of the shingle with a with a coat of tar before putting it back in place. Add a spot of tar to each nail head. Most roofing companies advise against the 'liquid' asphalt repair products.

Roofs can also be temporarily repaired using roof membrane and sealants. Care must be taken to clean the roof surface first to ensure that the sealant will stick and keep the leak protected from rain etc. In fact, as long as the roof is clean and dry, the wonder of the 20th. Century - duct tape - can also be stuck onto the roof!

Virginia Wherland is an experienced Minneapolis real estate agent. Virginia and her team can help you find the property you need in the Eden Prairie real estate market. Get more information at AssociatesRealty.net