No matter how hard you try to keep your carpets clean, they will eventually need to be professionally cleaned or at least cleaned with more "industrial strength" cleaners. Taking care and cleaning your carpets on a regular basis will greatly extend the life of your carpet. Even if your carpets do not appear to be dirty, a regular carpet cleaning is required.
It is recommended that you clean your carpets once every six to twelve months. This will help to remove dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and even mold. No matter whether you are cleaning one area of carpet or several, following some simple guidelines will keep your carpet looking great.
Begin by deciding what type of carpet cleaning method you want to use. Although there are many methods of cleaning carpets, they fall into three main categories. Whenever possible, refer to your carpet warranty or ask a carpet professional which method is best for your type of carpet.
The first method is hot water extraction or steam cleaning. Extremely hot water, along with a carpet cleaning solution, is distributed over the carpet. Then, the carpet cleaner quickly sucks the water back up, along with the dirt and grime.
The next category of cleaning carpets is cold-water extraction. Cold-water extraction works along the same lines at hot water extraction, with the exception of using cold water.
The last category is dry extraction. A foam or powder is applied to the carpet. The cleaner works the dirt into a pile, where it can then be swept up by the carpet cleaner or regular vacuum sweeper.
After determining what method will work best with your carpet, either purchase a carpet cleaner or you can rent one from your local home improvement store. Whenever you rent a steam cleaner, the carpet cleaning supplies will be provided. However, if they are not, you can purchase them at most retail stores. Be sure to explain what type of carpet you have so that the right cleaning solutions can be recommended. Using the wrong solutions on the wrong carpet can produce disastrous results which may be expensive to repair.
Be sure to remove any large stains and/or odors before beginning the cleaning. When blotting up a stain use a white towel. Otherwise, a colored towel could possibly bleed through to your carpet. Apply stain remover to the cloth, rather than directly on the stain. Then, blot up the stain.
After you have the majority of the stains removed, you can begin shampooing the carpet. It is very important to follow the carpet cleaner instructions in order to avoid damage to your carpet.
Minimize the amount of water that is sprayed onto the carpet. Saturating the carpet can cause deterioration of the carpet and padding, which can create molds later on. Therefore, it is very important to quickly extract any water that is sprayed over the carpet.
After you had made several passes over the carpet with the carpet cleaner, let the carpet dry. It is recommended that you let the carpet dry overnight before walking on it. Whenever possible, place a fan on the carpet and open any windows.
Sometimes your carpet will need to be cleaned by a professional. So be sure to keep in mind, that if your carpet is too bad, call in professional help. While you may save money by doing it yourself, you could also do more damage than a professional would cost if your carpet is in extremely poor shape.
Taking care of your carpet can extend the life of your carpet. By quickly removing stains and cleaning your carpet every six to twelve months, you are ensuring that you carpet will be around for you to enjoy for many years.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Use A Contractor For Intricate Kitchen Remodeling
ALmost everyone who undertakes some sort of improvement project on their home will end up using a contractor at some point. Although most of the jobs may be manageable by a handy individual, at some point expertise is going to be called for. Take, for example, kitchen remodeling. Although some jobs such as installing new sinks and new tile can be handled quite easily by the average handyman, installing cabinets is something that requires the sure hand and experience of a pro. The rigth contractor is worth every single penny she charges, but the wrong one can turn your project into a money draining nightmare. Here are some ideas when it comes to selecting a good contractor.
Most really good contractors also obtain a lot of business skill. They may not handle the financial and accounting aspects of their business, but they do have very good managemenn skills and are able to find the right people to assist them with big jobs. They will also be able to provide fair and reasonable estimates for the job that you are looking to have done. The first place to look for a reliable contractor is through your friends and family. Ask them if they have had any work done recently, and who they used to do it. Find out if they were happy with the job.
There are many people who will not be able to ask friends or family about recent contracting work, since they haven't had any done. In this case, you will have to start from ground zero. Before you hire the contractor you find in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet, make sure to ask them for a list of references. Don't worry about seeming suspicious; this is an expensive thing that you need to get done and you don't want to waste your money on subpar work. Good contractors are never shy about their past clients either; they will have a solid customer base that offers positive reviews. Referrals are the way they grow their businesses, and that is always in the back of the mind of every contractor.
Before you contact the former clients, make sure to prepare a list of questions you would like to ask. Find out about the size of the project that was done, and what the budget was like. Ask if the person who did the work stayed within this budget or went over; if they went over, by how much? Also, be sure to inquire as to whether the schedule was met on time in a satisfactory manner.
Remember that this is your project, and in most cases there will be no obligation to hire a licensed contractor. In fact, some of the best contractors out there do not have a license. If you do hire a licensed contractor, though, get the license number from them and do a background check. Contact business groups such as your local Better Business Bureau and see what they have to say. Check with city and state agencies and see if there are any outstanding complaints or impending actions against the company. Remember that it is not only contractors who are dishonest if you find some complaints, though; many clients are trying to get away with paying as little as possible and so will go to great lengths to get a deal.
When interviewing the contractor, trust to your instincts. Remember to treat the individual as a professional, but watch for warning signs. Evasive answers to questions or a lot of excuses and explanations should set off warning bells in your head.
Despite the bad press that is given broadly to a few individuals, the fact is that most contractors are upstanding and want to do the best job possible. Taking care in how you hire them will ensure that you have a good experience.
Most really good contractors also obtain a lot of business skill. They may not handle the financial and accounting aspects of their business, but they do have very good managemenn skills and are able to find the right people to assist them with big jobs. They will also be able to provide fair and reasonable estimates for the job that you are looking to have done. The first place to look for a reliable contractor is through your friends and family. Ask them if they have had any work done recently, and who they used to do it. Find out if they were happy with the job.
There are many people who will not be able to ask friends or family about recent contracting work, since they haven't had any done. In this case, you will have to start from ground zero. Before you hire the contractor you find in the Yellow Pages or on the Internet, make sure to ask them for a list of references. Don't worry about seeming suspicious; this is an expensive thing that you need to get done and you don't want to waste your money on subpar work. Good contractors are never shy about their past clients either; they will have a solid customer base that offers positive reviews. Referrals are the way they grow their businesses, and that is always in the back of the mind of every contractor.
Before you contact the former clients, make sure to prepare a list of questions you would like to ask. Find out about the size of the project that was done, and what the budget was like. Ask if the person who did the work stayed within this budget or went over; if they went over, by how much? Also, be sure to inquire as to whether the schedule was met on time in a satisfactory manner.
Remember that this is your project, and in most cases there will be no obligation to hire a licensed contractor. In fact, some of the best contractors out there do not have a license. If you do hire a licensed contractor, though, get the license number from them and do a background check. Contact business groups such as your local Better Business Bureau and see what they have to say. Check with city and state agencies and see if there are any outstanding complaints or impending actions against the company. Remember that it is not only contractors who are dishonest if you find some complaints, though; many clients are trying to get away with paying as little as possible and so will go to great lengths to get a deal.
When interviewing the contractor, trust to your instincts. Remember to treat the individual as a professional, but watch for warning signs. Evasive answers to questions or a lot of excuses and explanations should set off warning bells in your head.
Despite the bad press that is given broadly to a few individuals, the fact is that most contractors are upstanding and want to do the best job possible. Taking care in how you hire them will ensure that you have a good experience.
Protect Yourself with a Home Inspection
Home inspection plays a very important role in the real estate process. When you are buying or selling a home, you rely on a home inspector to provide an accurate and reliable inspection of a property. A home inspector will tell you about the condition of the home and help you avoid buying a home that needs major repairs. It is the perfect way to get an in-depth and impartial opinion of your next home before you buy it.
What to Expect
Typically, you will hire a home inspector either immediately before an offer is made on a home or as a contingency to a sale. Additionally, home inspections are ideal if you want to evaluate your home's condition or diagnose potential problems before they become serious issues.
Home inspectors perform the following duties:
-Evaluate the physical condition of a property, including the structure, construction and mechanical systems.
-Identify the items that should be repaired or replaced.
-Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes.
Although inspections are primarily visual, inspectors may use tape measures, survey instruments, metering devices, and other equipment, such as concrete strength measurers, to aid in their inspection. They keep a log of their work, take photographs, and file a formal report.
The inspection usually takes two or three hours (depending on the age and size of the home). You should be present so you can ask questions and learn about areas that need additional work. All of the findings will be presented in a formal report that details the condition of the home.
A Close Look
The main purpose of the home inspector is to provide an objective viewpoint on the condition of a specific home at the time of inspection. The inspector does not evaluate the cost or value of the property, but provides a close examination of the following:
Structural Components: Foundations, floors and walls.
Exterior Components: Siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.
Roofing: Coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.
Plumbing: Piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.
Electrical: Wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.
Heating: Equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.
Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: Cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.
Interior: Partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.
Insulation and Ventilation: Attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.
They will additionally perform the following services (sometimes for an extra fee): mold sampling, radon testing, asbestos evaluation, pests/wood destroying organisms, carbon monoxide testing, lead testing, and more. These services are not always available.
What to Expect
Typically, you will hire a home inspector either immediately before an offer is made on a home or as a contingency to a sale. Additionally, home inspections are ideal if you want to evaluate your home's condition or diagnose potential problems before they become serious issues.
Home inspectors perform the following duties:
-Evaluate the physical condition of a property, including the structure, construction and mechanical systems.
-Identify the items that should be repaired or replaced.
-Estimate the remaining useful life of the major systems (such as electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning), equipment, structure, and finishes.
Although inspections are primarily visual, inspectors may use tape measures, survey instruments, metering devices, and other equipment, such as concrete strength measurers, to aid in their inspection. They keep a log of their work, take photographs, and file a formal report.
The inspection usually takes two or three hours (depending on the age and size of the home). You should be present so you can ask questions and learn about areas that need additional work. All of the findings will be presented in a formal report that details the condition of the home.
A Close Look
The main purpose of the home inspector is to provide an objective viewpoint on the condition of a specific home at the time of inspection. The inspector does not evaluate the cost or value of the property, but provides a close examination of the following:
Structural Components: Foundations, floors and walls.
Exterior Components: Siding paint, windows, decks, garage doors, etc.
Roofing: Coverings, flashings, chimneys, etc.
Plumbing: Piping, fixtures, faucets, water heating and fuel storage systems, etc.
Electrical: Wiring, main service panels, conductors, switches, receptacles, etc.
Heating: Equipment, safety controls, distribution systems, chimneys, etc.
Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps: Cooling and air-handling equipment, controls and ducting, etc.
Interior: Partitions, ceilings, floors, railings, doors and windows, etc.
Insulation and Ventilation: Attics, walls, floors, foundations, kitchen and bathrooms, etc.
They will additionally perform the following services (sometimes for an extra fee): mold sampling, radon testing, asbestos evaluation, pests/wood destroying organisms, carbon monoxide testing, lead testing, and more. These services are not always available.
Double Sink Vanity Designs for Men and Women
If you are married or live with your significant other and even remotely considering a bathroom redesign or overhaul, do your partner a favor and opt for a double sink vanity in your bathroom. You have no idea how big of a deal this is until you have one. While there are many choices in vanities and designs, if you have the space, this is by far the best thing you can do in a shared bathroom.
Having the double sink options allows both of you to use the space at the same time when in a hurry or simply gives you an opportunity to discuss your plans for the day as you are preparing for the day ahead. You also have added storage for those items that tend to clutter up valuable counter space below as well as more space to spread these items out along the vanity as well. I highly recommend keeping as much as possible out of sight however as this is not visually distracting.
As the double sink design for vanities becomes more common, there are more and more suppliers of these special vanity tops cropping up all around. Finding them is the easy part, deciding which one is the best for you might be a little more difficult. Decide on the overall look you want for your vanity then choose the one that fits best with the overall design. Don’t rush your decision because once you’ve decided what you want, things will move rather quickly.
You will want to consider your budget for the project before making any major decisions about specific vanity tops, cabinets, or other hardware. A bathroom design can be second in expense to a kitchen design, but it will also have a significant impact on the overall value of your home so it is a worthy investment, particularly if you are going to enjoy your time in your home even more as a result of the remodel. In order to make sure you have enough money to complete your project, establish a realistic budget (by this I mean compare prices and know what’s available) with a little wiggle room for unexpected emergencies that may crop up and stick with it.
When you’ve gotten to the part of actually selecting the bits and pieces of your vanity keep in mind that you will need the cabinet, the countertop, the basins, the fixtures, and hardware (drawer pulls and knobs). I always recommend mixing and matching according to your taste, especially if you can afford to do so rather than sticking with the pre made sets that many stores offer.
Once you’ve put all the pieces together, you need to decide how they are going to be installed. Do you have the knowledge and confidence to do the installation yourself or do you need to pay someone to do it for you. I always recommend if you can afford someone else to do it, go that route. This way if something gets broken or damaged during the installation process it should be taken care of and repaired by them. If you break it yourself, it’s your own tough luck. Of course this adds a significant expense to the overall cost of your project and if you have some knowledge of basic plumbing, cabinetry, and the other steps involved, you should be just fine. The end goal of course is the beautiful double vanity that you will have when the project is complete.
Having the double sink options allows both of you to use the space at the same time when in a hurry or simply gives you an opportunity to discuss your plans for the day as you are preparing for the day ahead. You also have added storage for those items that tend to clutter up valuable counter space below as well as more space to spread these items out along the vanity as well. I highly recommend keeping as much as possible out of sight however as this is not visually distracting.
As the double sink design for vanities becomes more common, there are more and more suppliers of these special vanity tops cropping up all around. Finding them is the easy part, deciding which one is the best for you might be a little more difficult. Decide on the overall look you want for your vanity then choose the one that fits best with the overall design. Don’t rush your decision because once you’ve decided what you want, things will move rather quickly.
You will want to consider your budget for the project before making any major decisions about specific vanity tops, cabinets, or other hardware. A bathroom design can be second in expense to a kitchen design, but it will also have a significant impact on the overall value of your home so it is a worthy investment, particularly if you are going to enjoy your time in your home even more as a result of the remodel. In order to make sure you have enough money to complete your project, establish a realistic budget (by this I mean compare prices and know what’s available) with a little wiggle room for unexpected emergencies that may crop up and stick with it.
When you’ve gotten to the part of actually selecting the bits and pieces of your vanity keep in mind that you will need the cabinet, the countertop, the basins, the fixtures, and hardware (drawer pulls and knobs). I always recommend mixing and matching according to your taste, especially if you can afford to do so rather than sticking with the pre made sets that many stores offer.
Once you’ve put all the pieces together, you need to decide how they are going to be installed. Do you have the knowledge and confidence to do the installation yourself or do you need to pay someone to do it for you. I always recommend if you can afford someone else to do it, go that route. This way if something gets broken or damaged during the installation process it should be taken care of and repaired by them. If you break it yourself, it’s your own tough luck. Of course this adds a significant expense to the overall cost of your project and if you have some knowledge of basic plumbing, cabinetry, and the other steps involved, you should be just fine. The end goal of course is the beautiful double vanity that you will have when the project is complete.
Personal Air Coolers For Everybody
Learn about the variety of air coolers that are a welcome device on a hot day! In fact, when you get a personal air cooler, you won’t have to share your cool air with anyone.
Learn about the variety of air coolers that are a welcome device on a hot day! In fact, when you get a personal air cooler, you won’t have to share your cool air with anyone.
Life can be very stressful at times especially when you are working under pressure in sweltering heat! The good news is that you really don’t need to make a compromise on your comfort if you get yourself a personal air cooler. Efficient and best of all affordable, personal air coolers are now made for everybody, a strong reason why you should get one too!
Sweat no more when you have a single-person air cooler
The structure of a personal air cooler is rather simple. Each personal air cooler has an internal fan that blows air over a frozen water bottle. Although the personal air cooler may be smaller in size, it has the ability to cool areas as large as 7 square foot and lower temperatures by 12° C.
Place your personal air cooler on your desk and your colleagues will not even know you are using one with the low noise levels. Personal air cooler operates on batteries so you can use the air cooler anywhere at anytime. Operating on just batteries, most personal air coolers are able to work at optimal levels of up to 5 hours with every water refill. Personal air coolers can also be powered by car adapters. Therefore, if your car air conditioner decides to let you down on a stifling hot day, just plug your personal air cooler into your car adapter to enjoy the comfort of cool breeze. With it’s small size, your cooler is also highly portable too!
Sleep With a cool breeze with an air cooler just for yourself
There are also some larger personal air coolers, known as portable air coolers. These coolers have the ability to cool the whole room. Personal Evaporative Air coolers work more effectively than fans as they are able to lower temperatures by 15°C.
In comparison with air conditioners, personal air coolers possess lower energy capacities with no installation costs required. The 2-speed fan which pushes hot air into the cooler is also silent, promising minimal disturbance to anyone in close proximity.
Just purchase one and you are ready to use it anywhere you wish too. As you will be provided with remote controls, you have the luxury to adjust the fan speed from high to low and if you desire you can set the timer so the cooler will automatically switched off within a selected period. With the advancement in technology, some personal air coolers are installed with activated carbon filters and germ-free water curtains to ensure that you are getting fresh air and breathe in germ-free air.
The antibacterial water tank is another additional hygiene feature to help maintain clean water and to release cleaner air into the room. Finally, the casters beneath each personal air cooler provide easy mobility so you’ll enjoy the freedom of placing the cooler in any corner you wish.
Learn about the variety of air coolers that are a welcome device on a hot day! In fact, when you get a personal air cooler, you won’t have to share your cool air with anyone.
Life can be very stressful at times especially when you are working under pressure in sweltering heat! The good news is that you really don’t need to make a compromise on your comfort if you get yourself a personal air cooler. Efficient and best of all affordable, personal air coolers are now made for everybody, a strong reason why you should get one too!
Sweat no more when you have a single-person air cooler
The structure of a personal air cooler is rather simple. Each personal air cooler has an internal fan that blows air over a frozen water bottle. Although the personal air cooler may be smaller in size, it has the ability to cool areas as large as 7 square foot and lower temperatures by 12° C.
Place your personal air cooler on your desk and your colleagues will not even know you are using one with the low noise levels. Personal air cooler operates on batteries so you can use the air cooler anywhere at anytime. Operating on just batteries, most personal air coolers are able to work at optimal levels of up to 5 hours with every water refill. Personal air coolers can also be powered by car adapters. Therefore, if your car air conditioner decides to let you down on a stifling hot day, just plug your personal air cooler into your car adapter to enjoy the comfort of cool breeze. With it’s small size, your cooler is also highly portable too!
Sleep With a cool breeze with an air cooler just for yourself
There are also some larger personal air coolers, known as portable air coolers. These coolers have the ability to cool the whole room. Personal Evaporative Air coolers work more effectively than fans as they are able to lower temperatures by 15°C.
In comparison with air conditioners, personal air coolers possess lower energy capacities with no installation costs required. The 2-speed fan which pushes hot air into the cooler is also silent, promising minimal disturbance to anyone in close proximity.
Just purchase one and you are ready to use it anywhere you wish too. As you will be provided with remote controls, you have the luxury to adjust the fan speed from high to low and if you desire you can set the timer so the cooler will automatically switched off within a selected period. With the advancement in technology, some personal air coolers are installed with activated carbon filters and germ-free water curtains to ensure that you are getting fresh air and breathe in germ-free air.
The antibacterial water tank is another additional hygiene feature to help maintain clean water and to release cleaner air into the room. Finally, the casters beneath each personal air cooler provide easy mobility so you’ll enjoy the freedom of placing the cooler in any corner you wish.
Not All Hardwood Lumber Is Equally Good
So you want to build a hutch or put down wood flooring in the living room. The question is which hardwood lumber is the best for the job. The answer is not difficult if you learn a little about the characteristics of hardwoods and what gives them their unique qualities.
What is Hardwood Lumber?
Hardwood is defined as wood coming from broad leaf trees or those that produce nuts. It is the hickory, oak, Walnut, Maple, and cherry trees that are most popular in North America. This is because the climate is just right for large production of such species of trees. The lumber that is created from these strong trees is given the generic name of “hardwood.”
Not all hardwood is the same. Industry groups have made great strides in standardizing wood by strength and grade. This helps consumers know which are truly the hardest and which are right for specific woodworking jobs.
For example, the hardest of the hardwoods is hickory and Pecan. It is measured by how many pounds of pressure is needed to mar the wood. In the case of these two woods it is approximately 1,820 pounds of pressure before the wood is marred.
On the other end of the hardwood scale is Aspen. It is classified as a hardwood, but requires only 350 pounds of pressure to mar its surface. In between are hard maple at 1,450 pounds and white oak at 1,360 pounds. This give you a comparison of which woods are best for flooring (the harder woods) and which make better material for building furniture. Cherry is just about in the middle of the hardness scale at 950 pounds of pressure to mar.
How Hardwood Can Change
Hardwood contracts and expands depending on temperature and moisture. This is because it tries to adapt to its environment. It was once a living thing and continues to have a life of its own to some degree. In order to minimize the amount of change to wood it is kiln dried to remove much of the moisture and stabilize it. This helps keep the finished wood product truer to the size and shape of when it was manufactured.
Leading manufacturers of hardwood lumber take into account changes in wood and the purpose for which it will be used in designing the lumber. For example, the Windsor plywood is often used as sub-flooring and for exterior wall bases. Dunn, Carter, Lowes, and Siegel lumber all stock their lumber rack with rough cut lumber for any job. Online retailers such as Lumber Liquidators have a huge supply of hardwood lumber mostly for finished flooring applications.
Careful consideration needs to go into the right type of lumber for your hardwood project, but equally as important is the finished look. Many hardwoods vary only slightly in their strength and durability, but as a consumer, you need to decide to you like the grainy look of white oak or the smooth finish of maple. Any type of hardwood lumber can be stained and finished with several colour variations, so look more at grain than colour when choosing what wood looks best to you.
What is Hardwood Lumber?
Hardwood is defined as wood coming from broad leaf trees or those that produce nuts. It is the hickory, oak, Walnut, Maple, and cherry trees that are most popular in North America. This is because the climate is just right for large production of such species of trees. The lumber that is created from these strong trees is given the generic name of “hardwood.”
Not all hardwood is the same. Industry groups have made great strides in standardizing wood by strength and grade. This helps consumers know which are truly the hardest and which are right for specific woodworking jobs.
For example, the hardest of the hardwoods is hickory and Pecan. It is measured by how many pounds of pressure is needed to mar the wood. In the case of these two woods it is approximately 1,820 pounds of pressure before the wood is marred.
On the other end of the hardwood scale is Aspen. It is classified as a hardwood, but requires only 350 pounds of pressure to mar its surface. In between are hard maple at 1,450 pounds and white oak at 1,360 pounds. This give you a comparison of which woods are best for flooring (the harder woods) and which make better material for building furniture. Cherry is just about in the middle of the hardness scale at 950 pounds of pressure to mar.
How Hardwood Can Change
Hardwood contracts and expands depending on temperature and moisture. This is because it tries to adapt to its environment. It was once a living thing and continues to have a life of its own to some degree. In order to minimize the amount of change to wood it is kiln dried to remove much of the moisture and stabilize it. This helps keep the finished wood product truer to the size and shape of when it was manufactured.
Leading manufacturers of hardwood lumber take into account changes in wood and the purpose for which it will be used in designing the lumber. For example, the Windsor plywood is often used as sub-flooring and for exterior wall bases. Dunn, Carter, Lowes, and Siegel lumber all stock their lumber rack with rough cut lumber for any job. Online retailers such as Lumber Liquidators have a huge supply of hardwood lumber mostly for finished flooring applications.
Careful consideration needs to go into the right type of lumber for your hardwood project, but equally as important is the finished look. Many hardwoods vary only slightly in their strength and durability, but as a consumer, you need to decide to you like the grainy look of white oak or the smooth finish of maple. Any type of hardwood lumber can be stained and finished with several colour variations, so look more at grain than colour when choosing what wood looks best to you.
Does It Really Matter Whom I Buy My Security System From?
Well, could it really make a difference?
Here are a few things to think about:
* Are they properly licensed as a low voltage company in your state & fully insured with liability & Workman's comp? (Have them send a fax copy of proof of insurance)
* Will all workers (Including subcontractors) that may enter my home or business be covered by this insurance?
* Are there any complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau regarding their work?
* What professional organizations do they belong to?
* Do they only give away “FREE” systems…or can you buy the system outright & have whomever you choose monitor it?
* Most security system companies don't make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; instead it comes from the monitoring contract. That is why they are so willing to give them away for "FREE". (I am not saying there is anything wrong with choosing a "FREE" system. In fact, depending on your circumstances, sometimes it just makes sense. However I just wanted you to be aware of this.) Always ask if they offer the option to buy the system outright and monitor it without a contract.
* Did you know that monitoring contracts can be so profitable that there are business plans written that are entirely based on simply buying and selling monitoring contracts?
* So the question is: You may know who is monitoring your home security system today...but who will be monitoring it tomorrow?
* There is a big difference between an authorized alarm dealer ....and just another marketing company. Marketing companies know just the right words on how to make an unbelievable offer on a home security system simply irresistible. But remember this, their goal is often to "quick flip" or sell your contract at a profit. So what kind of customer service do you think you will get down the road when you have a problem, or worse yet a break in?
* So always ask up front...are you an authorized alarm dealer?
* And , will you be selling my alarm monitoring contract in the future?
* Who will be warranting my home security system?
* How long is the warrantee? (A new security system should be warranted for a minimum of 12 months)
* If there is a problem after the warrantee expires...whom do I call & how much will it cost to have a technician evaluate my problem?
* When I call in for customer service issues...will I get to talk to a live person...or just a machine?
* Can my new equipment be monitored by anybody...or is it "Proprietary equipment" (In other words, will the equipment ONLY work with their monitoring services only?)
* Will my home be monitored by a "local" monitoring company...or a "National " one?
If they even hesitate for a moment...you may want to keep on looking for the right home security system consultant to work with.
Here are a few things to think about:
* Are they properly licensed as a low voltage company in your state & fully insured with liability & Workman's comp? (Have them send a fax copy of proof of insurance)
* Will all workers (Including subcontractors) that may enter my home or business be covered by this insurance?
* Are there any complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau regarding their work?
* What professional organizations do they belong to?
* Do they only give away “FREE” systems…or can you buy the system outright & have whomever you choose monitor it?
* Most security system companies don't make the majority of their profit from selling security systems; instead it comes from the monitoring contract. That is why they are so willing to give them away for "FREE". (I am not saying there is anything wrong with choosing a "FREE" system. In fact, depending on your circumstances, sometimes it just makes sense. However I just wanted you to be aware of this.) Always ask if they offer the option to buy the system outright and monitor it without a contract.
* Did you know that monitoring contracts can be so profitable that there are business plans written that are entirely based on simply buying and selling monitoring contracts?
* So the question is: You may know who is monitoring your home security system today...but who will be monitoring it tomorrow?
* There is a big difference between an authorized alarm dealer ....and just another marketing company. Marketing companies know just the right words on how to make an unbelievable offer on a home security system simply irresistible. But remember this, their goal is often to "quick flip" or sell your contract at a profit. So what kind of customer service do you think you will get down the road when you have a problem, or worse yet a break in?
* So always ask up front...are you an authorized alarm dealer?
* And , will you be selling my alarm monitoring contract in the future?
* Who will be warranting my home security system?
* How long is the warrantee? (A new security system should be warranted for a minimum of 12 months)
* If there is a problem after the warrantee expires...whom do I call & how much will it cost to have a technician evaluate my problem?
* When I call in for customer service issues...will I get to talk to a live person...or just a machine?
* Can my new equipment be monitored by anybody...or is it "Proprietary equipment" (In other words, will the equipment ONLY work with their monitoring services only?)
* Will my home be monitored by a "local" monitoring company...or a "National " one?
If they even hesitate for a moment...you may want to keep on looking for the right home security system consultant to work with.
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