WHEN AND WHAT TO REMODEL:

When remodeling your home, any major repairs must yield increasing returns.  For example, if you spend $1,000 to enhance part of your home, it must yield more than $1,000 when you are ready to sell your home.  These areas show increasing returns:

·    Bathroom remodeling

·    Master suite addition

·    Bathroom addition

·    Family room addition

·    Roof replacement

·    Window replacement

Hiring A Remodeling Contractor

·    Get written estimates from at least three contractors

·    Check references, including past clients

·    Call local Chamber of Commerce or Better Business Bureau to ensure there are no complaints

·    Make sure your contract is clear and specifies what the job entails, including time, price and changes

·   Do not pay in full.
Make a down payment on
services rendered.

·   Check that all permits, licenses and insurance needs are met by the contractor

·   Many contracts have a 3-Day Rescission
to protect you should you change your mind!

·   Ask who will do the work.  Will it be the contractor or what portion will be sub-contracted?

·   Ensure that all work completed complies with local building codes and/or regulations.

·   Hold contractors responsible for clean up and any damage that occurs during work completed

·   Guarantee that materials used are what
you requested

·   Once you are satisfied, then make the
final payment

Sitter Safety Tips!

In situations where you're in charge, such as baby sitting or caring for someone with a health condition, you need to be prepared in advance for emergencies.  Here are some things you can do so you can respond quickly if something happens:

· Make sure there's a list of emergency numbers near each telephone in the house.  Most areas in the United States are covered by 911 service.  If not, be sure that Police, Fire, Rescue, and Medical and Poison Control numbers are listed.

· Make sure you have the phone number and location where the child's parents will be and, if possible, a cell phone or pager number.  If it's a true emergency - a child you're caring for has stopped breathing, for example -always call 911 first and then call the parent.

· Make sure the home or building you're in has working
smoke alarms.

·   If you're looking after someone with a health condition,
know when the person needs to take any medications - particularly medicines for breathing or heart problems.  Have the person's insurance information on hand in case you need to rush to the hospital.  It's a good idea to keep all this information written down near the phone so that you can find it quickly if you need it.

·   Make sure your family or the family you're caring for has a fire escape plan and that children know their outdoor meeting point in case of an emergency.

·   Take a first-aid class to learn CPR so you'll be prepared to help someone in an emergency.

·   Keep a first-aid kit in the house and know how to use it.