New Bill Passed-Cash for Caulkers

The Home Star bill, passed 246-161, would authorize $5.7 billion over two years for a program that supporters - mostly Democrats - said would have the added benefits of invigorating the slumping construction industry and making the earth a little cleaner. Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the bill, and they were able to attach a condition that it would be terminated if Democrats do not come up with a way to pay for it.

The measure has come to be dubbed Cash for Caulkers , a takeoff on the popular 2009 Cash for Clunkers initiative that rewarded people for replacing gas-guzzling vehicles with more fuel-efficient models. President Barack Obama has promoted the bill, which also needs Senate approval.
The initiative is separate from an energy tax credit of up to $1,500 (which Ive mentioned in a past blog) that was included in last year's economic stimulus act. That credit for energy efficiency improvements runs through the end of this year.

Supporters estimate that 3 million households would make use of the new program, saving $9.2 billion in energy costs over a 10-year period. They said it would create 168,000 jobs, mainly in the recession-hit construction industry.

Under Home Star, rebates or discounts would be provided to homeowners at the time of sale. The retailer or contractor then would submit documentation to a processing office which would verify the information and forward the request to the Energy Department for payment.
To prevent fraud, the program would require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects would be inspected.

The bill has two parts:

The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates of up to $3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors.

A Gold Star program would entitle people to up to $8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce energy use throughout their homes by more than 20 percent. With House passage, the bill moves to the Senate, where it most likely will be attached to the next jobs bill.

This is such fantastic news for Homeowners and Contractors like myself.  I hope this blog helps some people to take advantage of a golden opportunity.

Did You Feel That Earthquake?

Did any of you feel the earthquake the other afternoon? The earthquake occurred at 4:53 PM on July 7th, 2010. It was a 5.9 magnitude quake, approximately 28 miles from Palm Springs and 58 miles from San Diego, CA. Here are some Earthquake tips to keep in mind during and after an earthquake:

Safety Measures

Take the following safety measures to try to minimize the damage caused by quakes. Keep enough food and drinking water in storage. Safety blankets are also a must. You can also take simple steps to earthquake proof your home on a pretty small budget, for example:  secure your cabinets with child proof latches affix your furniture to your walls with velcro straps, keep your bed away from windows and exterior walls, get your foundation inspected to make sure your structure doesn’t have a shift.

During

If Inside - The most dangerous thing to do during the shaking of a quake is to try to leave the building because of the falling objects. Find a heavy object inside, and stay under it until it’s over.

In a Car-If you’re in your car during a quake, stop in the first available open area and stay inside until the quake is over. Most quakes only last a few seconds - the longest seconds of one’s life. Once the shaking stops, move with caution and avoid any bridges or overpasses and ramps that may have unseen damage.

If Outdoors - If you’re outside when an earthquake starts, move into the most open area available, away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires. Once in the open, just stay there until the shaking stops.

Home/Office- While earthquake only last a few seconds, it can seem like forever. If you live with others, or are at work its best to round everyone up into a central location. It’s easier if you have a prearranged meeting spot ahead of time, and you might consider conducting a periodic "drill" -- just like a fire drill. Aftershocks normally follow within minutes, although it could be longer. You might keep housemates/co-workers together for 15 minutes in preparation before dispersing.

After

Aftershocks - Be prepared for aftershocks which normally occur within seconds or minutes of the first quake. Although they are not generally as powerful as the original quake, they can still cause more damage. If you have already found a fairly safe place to be, it’s best to remain there.

Pets - The behavior of pets often changes dramatically after a quake. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive, so watch them closely and leash and/or pen them in a fenced yard if possible.

Electricity - After an earthquake, you should check for electrical damage. If you see sparks or broken, frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker ASAP. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, you may want to get advice from an electrician first before going near it.

Clean Ups - If you’re allowed back into your home, clean up any spilled liquids: medicines, bleaches, gasolines or other possibly flammable substances as quickly as possible. But, if you should smell any gas or fumes of a chemical nature, GET OUT of there ASAP.

Gas - In the aftermath of an earthquake, check your home for gas leaks by using your sense of smell. If you hear a blowing or hissing noise, or smell gas, ventilate the area if possible and get out of the house. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from an outside phone. It’s currently recommended to only turn the gas off if you hear or smell gas. Otherwise, leave it be. Many explosions have resulted from turning gas off unnecessarily.

It’s a smart idea to always have Survival Kit Container In most cases you can build a better quake survival kit, for less money, than you could purchase one. Ideally, you would like enough supplies to last at least 3 days. So you need a large sturdy container, such as a rubber trash can.  For more questions on earthquake safety or how to earthquake proof your home send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you out.

Success!!

Yesterday we had a very successful marketing meeting at the Modaa Inc. Headquarters in Sherman Oaks, CA. We are ready to launch a pretty cool  campaign with four different ads. Its a sequence of "Let Us Be A Family" Our new service line Fix It Dudes will come to the rescue of the overwhelmed families with a never ending to do list. Here's a sneak peek at the new ads:

Let us know what you think!

Fun @ the office

Here’s how I put Modaa Inc. employees to the test… We turned our headquarters into a painting field when our marketing dept was asked to take a shot at painting. We are keen on educating our team to better prepare them and keep them up to date with the industry trends. Take a look at the chaos caused by our marketing staff…. Anger management much?

These pics show the outcome of the marketing team making holes in my office wall and comparing it to the expert work by my awesome crew on the bottom left.  
Just because the marketing team works in the office doesn’t mean they shouldn’t know how to get their hands dirty ;0) 
To my dismay none of my marketing group will be joining me out in the field for a paint job anytime soon. …..

Patching work to follow, now that outcome is absolutely classic!