Archive for June, 2009

If it Quacks like an Air Duct…

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

QwikBids Investigates

We don’t think of our air ducts often, and it’s probably because they are one of the unseen parts of the home. Similarly, we don’t think of regular cleaning of them, either. It doesn’t cross our minds often, or not at all. But if you have allergies like I do, have pets in the home, or smoke in the house, it’s probably a great idea to consider it (no, I don’t smoke in the house!).

Checking out the industry of air duct cleaning through a provider registered with Qwikbids shed more light on the importance. Once again, I found myself learning what most of us have never given much thought about. The first thing I wanted to know was how much and what type of stuff was really in the ducts. I also wanted to know how often it should be done and how much I would be spending.

Pre-inspection is where it all starts. The items needing attention as well as cost is provided before the work is agreed to (there may be a small consultation fee that is sometimes credited toward the overall cost should you decide to have the work completed). If the service is necessary and you agree to have it done, in comes the equipment. A powerful vacuum with industry tools are brought in to remove the build-up on the inside surfaces of the ducts. The return air grills and registers are thoroughly cleaned then put back together. I was told there are usually dust, pet dander, pollen and dirt that need to be removed, and the amount of such depended upon how long it had been between cleanings. I was ready to place a bid request on QwikBids for the best price.

As usual, there are the businesses out there to beware of. According to the EPA, there is no substantial evidence to suggest cleaning your air ducts will make you healthier or prevent health issues. So if a duct cleaner claims this, move on (it’s yet another reason to get a provider through QwikBids; they come recommended already!). Standards in the industry say the ducts should be inspected about every 2 years and cleaned every 5-7 years. The cost (usually) is between $450.00 and $1,000.00 and is generally based upon size of the home and/or difficulty of hard to reach areas to be cleaned.

Going by the rules is not difficult. To assure you’re getting an honest, quality duct cleaning service, avoid the hassles of finding one alone and place a request for bid, free. You can remain anonymous until you choose who to go with at QwikBids!

Flooring Project? What You Should Know

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

I was asked recently what steps are necessary for upgrading or modernizing a floor in a customer’s home. I hung my head. There is nothing more frustrating than not knowing something that one would think is simple, so I went to the providers registered with QwikBids for some rather great advice.

Before interviewing these providers, I did a little research and found so much information on flooring that I’d have to write several pages on the subject. So to keep this a bit shorter and informative, I’m asking only the questions most important to the customer.

New flooring can enhance the look of any room when combined with an effective color scheme. There are typical types of flooring categories: Hard, wood, fiber and sheet. Choosing the correct flooring type is vital for not only the overall look of the room, but for the use it will see.

Jonathan Kueker, who handles the bid requests for Professional Maintenance Group in Scottsdale, Arizona, says consumers most often don’t understand what the project fully entails. Jonathan warns, “Issues such as the surface where let’s say, tile will be laid, have to be prepped carefully. If one little crack on the surface exists, the tile will eventually crack as well.” When asked which flooring is most popular Jonathan didn’t hesitate. “Tile is the most requested. We highly recommend it because of its durability. Many homeowners are leaning that way because carpet seems to collect too much dust and sand. Properly sealed once a year and maintained, it will last forever. But it seems the biggest issue we have seen is when the color is picked by the customer, just to realize it didn’t fit in with their future décor. Once tile is laid, it’s much easier to change the color of the room.” Jonathan says to be sure of the color!

Other QwikBids providers have agreed, and also give that familiar advice to those looking to spruce up their flooring: Make certain the provider you choose is insured and be fully aware of warranties. There are many choices out there in the flooring market, so don’t be floored when you discover the endless possibilities!

A Must: Inspecting Your Attic

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

QwikBids Investigates    

 

Many in the Valley do not have an attic, but if you do, regular inspection is of great importance for many unseen reasons. For starters, the sake of energy efficiency rests upon it. Then, of course, it protects your investment. Let’s briefly explore what this inspection should include, and what to look out for. But before I go on, QwikBids always wants you to keep in mind: Safety first! When in contact with insulation, wear the proper attire and gloves. You also may want to wear a mask to prevent breathing in particles and should plan the inspection during the cool season. Oh, grab a good flashlight!

Attic inspection is generally broken up into 3 parts. We’ll begin with inspecting the fans and vents. If you have a fan, clean the blades and make sure it moves freely. Should there be leaves, a birds nest, etc. in the fan, you may have to get on the roof to remove it. Be sure to oil the fan if there are ports to do so. As for the vents, make certain they are clean with no obstructions.

The second step involves your insulation. The focus should be areas that may have moved for whatever reason. If moved, it could let heat pass through. Although this step may be time consuming, it is rather easy and self explanatory.

In the final step, you want to check for leaks and openings in which pests can enter. When defining leaks, you are probing for both water presence and air escaping or entering. Of course, searching for water leaks is to prevent water damage, a costly item if left unchecked. To keep the pests out and to ensure air is neither escaping nor entering, look for cracks and seal properly if you find them.

The experts recommend an attic inspection annually. If you find this area to be either too spooky or difficult to deal with, log on to QwikBids.com to get a qualified professional for not only your attic, but any project, big or small. In this case, it’s well worth the money you will save avoiding energy waste!

I can’t leave my Pets alone!

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

QwikBids Investigates

 

I need to leave town on business in a week, and taking the pets with me is impossible. I called a few friends that I trusted but they were all busy for those dates. Finally, I knew I had to get a pet sitter. With only a week until my trip, I had to get started, and I have never had to use such a service.

After placing a request for bid on the QwikBids website, I chose a provider accordingly. Bella’s House & Pet Sitting seemed to be the perfect fit for me, and after taking a look at their website, gave Danielle, the owner, a call. She said it is a standard in the industry to meet before the service (commonly called the consultation visit). She wanted to mutually get acquainted in order to not only know my pets’ needs, but also any preferences I may have. Danielle said, “There are things to seriously discuss, such as the need to administer medication, feeding preferences and schedule, as well as do a walk through and meet the pet(s). Building a relationship with someone you are entrusting with your home and pets is of utmost importance.”

She was right. Choosing the right person to care for my beloved pets and my property was crucial. I want someone that not only cared, but is also trustworthy and prompt. My animals were depending on me to make the best decisions for them. So I asked Danielle what things customers should look for in a pet sitter. She said, “References are very important. What others have had to say about their services says a lot about how dedicated they are. Also look for the sitter’s ability to act in case of emergencies. For instance, we have a licensed veterinarian on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.” Danielle adds that coordinating this service should be done as early as possible.

Danielle seemed to know her stuff, and I was surprised to find how meticulous she was about her job. I guess when it comes to taking great care of our furry friends, nothing less will do!

Lighting up your Indoor Life!

Monday, June 22nd, 2009

So, I had the exterior lighting done and my property doesn’t look like the Bat Cave any longer. But then I got to thinking about what it would take to get the indoor lighting scheme right. I wanted to have different layers of lighting in my home, and each room presented its own challenges. The brightness was about the same in each room, and naturally I wanted different lighting in my master bedroom than in my living room.

It was time to call in the indoor lighting cavalry. The choices of lighting were almost overwhelming so if it’s within your budget, QwikBids suggests hiring a home decorator for a consultation, or handle the entire project. When I discovered the many choices available, I went with a decorator registered with QwikBids. It was as simple as placing a bid request.

I was told right away that if I wanted simple and basic, there were a few things I could get done rather quickly, and easily. If you embrace quick fixes, start with different lampshades. If it is the brightness of the lighting you want to adjust, get a dimmer switch installed. But if you want new light fixtures strategically placed and wiring must be done, get some help. I have heard stories of indoor lighting projects going badly, and costing the customer more in the end.

The winning company I chose had some really great ideas. The wall in my living room with a large picture was dark. The decorator asked me if I liked the picture and if I wanted it to stay where it was. Since it was in the family for 2 generations, I wanted it to stay. It was therefore suggested that I have halogen track lighting or a picture light attached to highlight it. The decisions I ended up making were based upon usage of each room from the entire family.

We went through the entire house. Even when I explained my budget to the decorator, the ideas presented to me were not only affordable, but innovative too. I ended up with the lighting in my home I had always wanted, and had enough money for my next project. Stay tuned for that!