

The Other Contractor Said I Don't Have to Pay My Deductible
Last night, a huge storm dumped buckets of rain and hail on your roof, and now you are looking at the swiss cheese that remains. How very convenient that you've seen several roofing company trucks riding through your neighborhood talking to your neighbors, right? Here comes one pulling into your yard right now. The gentleman (well, it IS a guy, and he looks like he's been on a roof or two already, so he MUST be a good roofer, right?) tells you that it looks like you have stor


Soot - Something Ajax Won't Take Off
A house fire is a terrible tragedy to endure. It is the beginning of a series of events you hoped to never have to experience, and there are many decisions that need to be made as a result. If it has been determined that your home can be repaired, you are faced with a very messy, sooty environment. You have to decide what items can be recovered, and what needs to go in the dumpster. Perhaps the first thing that comes to your mind is cleaning up all the soot that is absolutely

Are You Taking Quotes?
Often when your home experiences a damaging event, your insurance agent will encourage you to get quotes from different restoration companies. We have discussed before how you do not have to get three estimates in order for the insurance company to pay your claim. But if you have different estimates sitting in front of you, how do you decide which company to repair your home? Most people would say use the company that gives the lowest price. However, even if you've compared t


Why Water Damage Can't Wait
It's 2am, and you wake up to the sound of water splashing. Uh-oh. A collection of scenarios runs through your mind and you rank each silently from awful to more awful. Well, it could be your 3 year-old woke up and decided to brush his teeth. That's not great, but it's probably a much more desireable scenario than a busted water heater or an overflowing toilet. Oh no. It's overflowing toilet. And you're barefoot. After you stop the water running and mop up the six or so inches

Introducing HOMEMASTER Handyman Services!
We've helped you with your BIG projects for over 30 years, now let us help you with your small projects! It happens to all of us at one time or another -- the kids open the door a little too enthusiastically and punch a hole in the wall, the kitchen faucet starts wobbling, or you can't get your husband to install those shelves in your closet. How many times have you walked into your home after a long day at work and seen DOZENS of potential home improvement projects, the thou


Score One for the Good Guys!
Nice guys may finish last, but thieves embarrass themselves on the evening news. You may have seen the report on the news recently about the gentleman who drove up the wrong way on the exit ramp onto JR Allen Parkway and found himself stranded in the median with three bare rims and flames coming from the engine of his car. Well "his" car was actually a stolen vehicle, and when he realized it was no longer operational, he then tried to carjack someone else to get away from the


Where Will I Sleep Tonight?
My home is not safe to sleep in tonight. What now? There aren't many things more terrifying than losing your home in a fire. A large portion of your belongings are kept in your home, and now you are without them. You may have lost all of your clothing, toiletries, keepsakes, and important papers. What do you do now? The first thing you have to think about is where you are going to sleep. If your home was partially or fully damaged in a fire, it is probably not safe to stay in


What You Need to Know BEFORE Your Pipes Freeze
Cold Weather Ahead! You wake up one frosty January morning, regretting installing that cold tile in your bathroom, but also looking forward to a hot steamy shower. You turn the knob, and nothing happens. Oops. Now you remember the weatherman saying on the news last night that the temperature was going to drop dramatically overnight, and to take precautions against frozen pipes. Oops again. If You Could Time-Travel What could you have done to prevent this terrible predicament?

Do I Have to Get Three Estimates?
Have you had damage to your home recently due to storms or other events, such as a falling tree? Your insurance company may suggest getting multiple estimates to find the best price for repairs. Their reasoning is simple: they want to pay the lowest price for the same job — it’s how they stay in business. As far as your checkbook is concerned, you’re only paying the deductible, so it doesn’t matter what it costs, right? Not exactly — you do still have to pay your premium to t