Did you ever hear the saying, “buy cheap, buy twice?” That saying is very important when considering purchasing a door. I get calls all the time from customers who thought they were saving money by buying from a big home improvement store only to be frustrated when it comes time to get their doors or…
Read MoreDeciding to get your roof replaced is no small decision these days. With the cost of shingles more than doubling in the last several years, replacing your roof can be a major commitment to your home. So what do you need to do? What should you expect from your contractor and what are realistic expectations?…
Read MoreIt’s that time of year – the time when people start to think about replacing their windows. There are many manufacturers out there and even more installation companies. A savvy homeowner will make an informed choice. Needs Analysis: The first step in choosing to buy new windows is to identify what your needs are. Yes,…
Read MoreThere are many different exterior entry doors on the market today. For the average homeowner it is difficult to try to find out what is a quality door and what will break down over a short time. You should first decide whether you are looking for a wood, steel or fiberglass door and you should…
Read MoreIce damming is becoming an increasing problem as freeze/thaw cycles have become more common throughout the winter. As a child I remember it getting cold in the fall and thawing in the spring. Now it is common to see several freezes and thaws in just one month. This can cause major problems. To understand the…
Read MoreThere are plenty of contractors out there that will tell you what you want to hear — they have an unbelievably low price, they’ll do a great job for you and you’ll be a happy customer. Wouldn’t it be awesome if that was always true? It’s not. I often hear customers tell me that they…
Read MoreIt seems that every salesman in their respective industry is willing to tell a homeowner what they want to hear — there is a tax credit that will pay for your new home improvement. Unfortunately it’s not always true. Tax credits and tax deductions vary from year to year (if they exist at all for…
Read More“Yeah, I can do that” has become a commonplace phrase as unemployment has soared and the market has generated a surplus of unlicensed handymen. One day they are installing carpeting and the next day they tell you they’re an expert installing soffit. So how do you know what is the right way to do things…
Read MoreOne of the most common questions I get from customers is whether or not it is worth it to upgrade their order from double pane to triple pane. The honest answer if you live in cold weather climates like Wisconsin is almost always yes. Energy bills continue to rise and far outpace the rate of…
Read MoreYou’ve heard the stories. A Contractor wins the job, takes a down payment, and disappears. How do you know how to find a great contractor? Unfortunately, there are no guarantees. What’s worse, some of the rating organizations and agencies sell high ratings to contractors. Smart consumers approach their home improvement projects with knowledge of what the…
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