As many of you now know, I recently passed my C-33 (painting and decorating) license test with the C.S.L.B. It is a great addition to my current B-General Building Contracting license. We're always doing our best here at Modaa to further our education and training.
Its always good to work with licensed professionals. Keep that in mind when hiring people to work on/in your home. Here are some helpful tips when hiring any type of Contractor:
Hire only licensed Contractors
Check a contractor's license number at www.cslb.ca.gov or at (800) 321-CSLB (2752)
Get references and review past work
Get at least three bids
Get a written contract and don't sign anything until you completely understand the terms
Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less
Don't let payments get ahead of the work and keep records of payments
Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the job
Don't pay cash
Keep a job file of all papers related to your project
You could be paying higher utility bills than your neighbors.
Find out how to improve your home's efficiency and comfort without spending tons of money. Visit Energy Savvyand take there easy survey to get your home energy report. You can also find out about federal tax credits and rebates that are available to you by zip code. Every little bit counts. If we ALL start being a little more efficient in our day to day lives we can make a difference.
Looks like summer finally decided to show its face out here in the San Fernando Valley. Last week was pretty rough with numbers up in the 100's, Living in the Valley is really no joke. Here are a few ideas on how to stay cool this week while the sun is blazing.
1. Go to your favorite ice cream parlor or yogurt station. Everyone knows that eating ice cream takes your mind of the heat, at least momentarily.
2. Go to the pool! During the summer the pool is open. Hurry before its too late, public pools usually close by Labor Day weekend. (first Monday of September)
3. Hang out in places where there is AC i.e.; the library, mall, markets, and bookstores.
4. Go to the park. Go to a local park where there is lots of shade take a cool blanket and some cold water. The key thing to do during hot weather is to stay hydrated.
5. Make it a beach day! Granted it’s going to be sunny at the beach but with the cool water and all the activity that happens at the beach you won’t mind it. Don’t forget the sun block!
6. Go to the Movies. Most theaters have a special price before 6pm. Watch a good flick and stay out of the heat for a few hours.
7.Take a nap, sometimes it’s better to just sleep away the heat and start your day later when it starts to cool down.
8. Repaint your walls a lighter shade. Light colored paint does not absorb as much solar energy and your home will stay much cooler. If you don't believe me, use a spot thermometer and shoot it at a dark colored part of the same wall vs. a part painted bright white. The difference in temperature will amaze you. Refer to FIXiTDUDES for more info and help.
9. If you are building a new home splurge on insulation, radiant barrier attic insulation, solar attic fans, low E windows, planting trees, a whole house fan and a high efficiency air conditioner with a SEER rating over 15 for when you absolutely need it.
10. There are alternative construction methods such as Insulated Concrete Form or ICF, cement coated straw bale construction, adobe and others that will make your home much more energy efficient. Thermal mass walls help regulate the inside temperature of the home. With such a home you may find ceiling fans enough to keep it cool, even in summer.
It was such a beautiful and sunny day yesterday in Mar Vista Calif. My team and I joined the MVCC Green Committee at the Green Booth. There we educated market goers on the benefits of using Eco-friendly paint and how much safer it is for your health and the environment. It's so safe that we were painting children's hands with some of the zero VOC Eco-friendly paint we use. The kids loved it and were able to take home their hand-prints to display in their homes.
Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase: Learn About Zero and Low VOC Paint!: "Modaa Inc will be our guest at the booth on Sunday August 8th to share how zero and low VOC paint makes a difference in our health. To make..." We will be painting Children hands with Zero/Lo VOC paint. We did this at the OC Green Expo in San Clemente California and it was a huge success.
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 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.
