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Ask The Pro Newsletter
-How to find a good contractor
Volume I, Edition 3
Hello Ask The Pro Listener,
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today. To view more information about
a company click on their logo!
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show every Saturday 11am-
12pm central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
Entrances Home Staging
Nancy Albea
LOCATION and PRICE and CONDITION….OH MY!
Responding to what buyers are looking for can help you maximize your return!
In today’s competitive market, you really have to stand out to capture a buyer. It is commonly known
that there are three vital factors that determine salability of a home; location, price and condition.
Taking an in-depth look at each factor as it relates to selling your home can help you easily determine
if your strategy will produce a sought after stand-out.
Location, Location, Location!
This is such a popular expression in the real estate industry. It’s almost as if nothing else matters. In
fact, this is very nearly the reality of it. The prettiest home in town with all the bells and whistles can’t
draw buyer attention if it is surrounded by alligators. With so many fluctuating dynamics affecting
location such as new road construction, neighborhood maintenance, and traffic flow changes, it can be
difficult to predetermine a good one. A stunning home in a posh, gated community would lose
tremendous value if, after years of gaining equity, a major thoroughfare were built behind it. The key
items that buyers consider when evaluating a home’s location are accessibility, topographical factors
such as highways, utility lines and railroad tracks, neighborhood amenities and overall desirability.
Location is the one element in the equation that cannot change, so if it is less than prime, the other 2
factors have to take up the slack.
Price
Often the bone of much contention, pricing your home right can make the difference between a swift
sale and a languishing listing. A home with an inflated price tag will not even make the showing list of
most agents. Setting the price on a piece of real estate is much more involved than coming up with a
figure you would like to get. Several factors must be considered, including recent home sales, market
conditions and the condition of the home. Among common methods of calculating listing price is to
use a price per square foot calculation. This is done by analyzing comparable homes recently sold in
the area, making adjustments for upgrades and amenities, and working some mathematical magic to
determine the price your home should fetch. Thankfully, real estate agents are experts in assessing
the value of a home. Generally, active agents who specialize in certain areas are aware of everything
going on in that segment, and are the best resource in accurately pricing your home.
Condition
This is the factor that most homeowners consistently lose money on. Often overlooked, it is the one
factor that sellers have the most control over. When the For Sale sign goes up on the lawn, your home
needs to be dressed in its Sunday best. Potential buyers walking through the door determine within 10
seconds if the home is going to be a contender. They need to visualize themselves living in the home,
and the more universally attractive it is, the easier it will be for them to create that bond. Home to most
people is not only where they live, but how they live. All repairs and updates should be made before
opening the door to buyers. That leaky faucet that you’ve gotten used to after all these years won't go
over well with buyers, who naturally gravitate to the biggest and best value for their dollar. Small tasks
such as removing dated wallpaper (authors note: ALL wallpaper is dated!) and painting a neutral color
yield a 796% return on the cost. Cleaning and de-cluttering, with a whopping 594% return on
investment, are by far the most important tasks on the home seller’s agenda list, yet frequently this is
the task that gets the least attention. Condition will directly impact price, so it makes sense to put as
much of your home's equity in your pocket as possible. Be careful how you spend your preparation
dollars, though. Over-improvement is just as bad, if not worse, than not making any. Investing $50,000
on a new kitchen may not "pay you back" when it's time to sell unless it compares to what purchasers
expect to find in your market range. With the other 2 factors under consideration, there is only so much
you can invest before you hit the point of no return…on investment!
_________________________________________________________________
Katy memorial Power Washing
Marcus Raif
Finding a Professional Power Washing Company Isn't Easy.
During our 13 years in business our technicians have found severe damages caused to siding, wood
decks, brick, and other surfaces from inexperienced pressure washers.
Finding a truly educated contractor to provide your exterior cleaning services can take years and if
chosen incorrectly, it can cost you thousands of dollars in damages. Before hiring a pressure washing
company, ask these 5 questions!
1. Are you certified and insured?
Unfortunately power washers are not required to be licensed nor certified in the state of Texas for the
cleaning process which is where most damage occurs. Therefore anyone with a pressure washer can
go into business and your home is their experiment. Insurance is your only protection so make sure
they have it! Katy-Memorial Power Washers are certified by the PWNA (www.thepwna.org) which is the
national organization of power washers.
2. How long have you been power washing?
80% of power washing companies fail within their first five years of business due to bad planning,
lawsuits or bad service.
3. Do you have proper training for power washing?
Power washing isn't as simple as most people think. Too much pressure can force water behind
siding or damage wood, brick, and even concrete!
4. Do you use professional grade cleaners that are designed for what you are cleaning?
Many contractors use home made recipes or products from big box stores for cleaning. Professional
grade products are designed to give better results and outperform products from local hardware
stores. If you are paying for quality you deserve to get the best products available!
5. What type of sealers does your power washer use on wood surfaces?
Manufacturers spend millions of dollars a year to promote their products but they don't tell you that
linseed oil (one of the most popular oils in deck sealers) is actually food for mildew!
____________________________________________________________________
RAM JACK Foundations
Ron Baker
Foundation Problems? Hire an Engineer
As a foundation contractor the most profound words I’ve ever heard were from a female engineer when
she said “The foundation is the heart of every home”. And when your home or commercial building
show signs of foundation failure it really tugs at your heart strings and is the beginning of a very
expensive and painful experience that you had never budgeted for nor planned on.
It has been my experience that when someone realizes they have a foundation problem they start by
calling several foundation repair contractors to get an estimate. Then the nightmare starts to set in.
They’ve got several estimates and several different opinions as to how to fix the problem. Left some
what confused and overwhelmed they end up procrastinating about fixing their problem.
So what is the straight answer for fixing the problem?. I can only recommend that you hire a Structural
Engineer. It will cost about $500 to have a engineer come out and do a thorough foundation inspection
report. The report will typically show the follow:
1. An inspection of the inside and outside of the property for foundation and drainage issues
2. A foundation elevation profile is created showing measurements
3. A foundation plan drawing showing exactly where and how many piers or pilings are to be
installed
4. The report will have his/her signature and a State of Texas Professional Engineers seal affixed to
the report. It’s like seeing a doctor and the report is your prescription.
The engineer’s inspection report makes you a better informed consumer and it’s time to start calling
foundation repair contractors for estimates. Most if not all contractors will cover the cost of the structural
engineer’s report, or discount it from their service price. In reviewing the bids submitted by the various
contractors, ask for the reasons behind any price differences. All foundation repair systems are not the
same. Research the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches, materials, and
technologies offered by each provider. Basically in the end your have two (2) choices to consider and
those will be either concrete push piers or helical steel pilings. Most engineers today will recommend
the installation of helical steel pilings over concrete push piers.
Ask about warranties, but make sure the company has a solid track record, is sufficiently insured, and
is not prone to going out of business soon, thereby invalidating any guarantees. Check with the Better
Business Bureau to ensure that the company is reputable and is not tarnished by major complaints.
Finding the right foundation repair specialist is of the utmost importance. But the only thing worse than
shelling out funds for unexpected issues, is paying again if it is not done right the first time.
To find a structural engineer, visit the Structural Engineers Association of Texas web site at www.
SEAoT.org, which includes a database of licensed engineers in the state. There is also the Foundation
Repair Association and you can visit them at www.foundationrepair.org. You can also go to yellowbook.
com or yellowpages.com.
______________________________________________________________________
West Houston Document Destruction
Joe Siminic
850 Trees Save in 4 Months Time!!!
West Houston Document Destruction began serving the Katy area in March of
this year. We are pleased to announce that we recently passed the 100,000
pound mark in paper delivered to the recycling facility.
A breakdown of the resources saved by recycling, which allows manufactures
to use recycled fiber instead of virgin materials is as follows.
For every 2,000 pounds of paper:
17 small trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space and 7,000 gallons of
water, saved.
At 100,000 pound of paper recycled, West Houston Document Destruction and
it's customers have saved:
850 trees!
150 cubic yards of landfill space!!
350,000 gallons of water!!!
Thanks to our customers, you are doing your part to help this globe we
call home!
We are locally owned and operated and provide customized service to fit
the needs of offices, retail and residential. Pick-up and drop service is
available.
_____________________________________________________________________
Tips From Ace Hardware
The Helpful Hardware Man's Corner - Answers by Lou Manfredini
Q: I volunteer at a local non-profit children's center that provides free or low cost child care for low
income families while they are at work or school. They have two portable buildings with galvanized
steel roofs. For several years the roofs had piles of redwood tree leaves on parts of the roof and
several large spots have started to rust. The trees and leaves are gone, but I don't know what to do
about the rust spots. They're not leaking now, but it's only a matter of time.
A: I would sand them down, clean the roof off with a mild cleaner and then consider using a product
called roof coat to put a white coating that helps keep the roof tight and dry.
______________________________________________________________________
Finding A Good Contractor
Sponsored By Check A Pro
When considering a contractor always be sure to 'Check' them out! You should:
-Research license information with the State of Texas
-Ask them for references
-Ask them if they are insured
-Contact the local business bureau
For a list of pre-qualified service providers visit www.checkapro.com. All Check A Pro members have
been pre-qualified through the following:
-Reference Check
-Local Business Bureau Review
-License Check w/ the Sate of Texas
Volume I, Edition 3
Hello Ask The Pro Listener,
The Ask The Pro Newsletter is your outlet for pre-qualified contractors, tips from professionals, and
instruction on how to find safe contractors. The Ask The Pro Newsletter is loaded with information to
keep you up to date in what to look for when hiring professionals today. To view more information about
a company click on their logo!
For more information on how to find qualified contractors, weekly tips from Ace Hardware, and weekly
information from qualified professionals listen to the Ask The Pro Radio Show every Saturday 11am-
12pm central on CNN 650. For more information about the Ask The Pro Radio Show click here to visit
our website!
If you are not currently a subscriber to The Ask The Pro Newsletter but would like to receive the email
on a monthly basis, you can subscribe here.
Jim Klauck
Host, Ask The Pro Radio Show
______________________________________________________________________
Entrances Home Staging
Nancy Albea
LOCATION and PRICE and CONDITION….OH MY!
Responding to what buyers are looking for can help you maximize your return!
In today’s competitive market, you really have to stand out to capture a buyer. It is commonly known
that there are three vital factors that determine salability of a home; location, price and condition.
Taking an in-depth look at each factor as it relates to selling your home can help you easily determine
if your strategy will produce a sought after stand-out.
Location, Location, Location!
This is such a popular expression in the real estate industry. It’s almost as if nothing else matters. In
fact, this is very nearly the reality of it. The prettiest home in town with all the bells and whistles can’t
draw buyer attention if it is surrounded by alligators. With so many fluctuating dynamics affecting
location such as new road construction, neighborhood maintenance, and traffic flow changes, it can be
difficult to predetermine a good one. A stunning home in a posh, gated community would lose
tremendous value if, after years of gaining equity, a major thoroughfare were built behind it. The key
items that buyers consider when evaluating a home’s location are accessibility, topographical factors
such as highways, utility lines and railroad tracks, neighborhood amenities and overall desirability.
Location is the one element in the equation that cannot change, so if it is less than prime, the other 2
factors have to take up the slack.
Price
Often the bone of much contention, pricing your home right can make the difference between a swift
sale and a languishing listing. A home with an inflated price tag will not even make the showing list of
most agents. Setting the price on a piece of real estate is much more involved than coming up with a
figure you would like to get. Several factors must be considered, including recent home sales, market
conditions and the condition of the home. Among common methods of calculating listing price is to
use a price per square foot calculation. This is done by analyzing comparable homes recently sold in
the area, making adjustments for upgrades and amenities, and working some mathematical magic to
determine the price your home should fetch. Thankfully, real estate agents are experts in assessing
the value of a home. Generally, active agents who specialize in certain areas are aware of everything
going on in that segment, and are the best resource in accurately pricing your home.
Condition
This is the factor that most homeowners consistently lose money on. Often overlooked, it is the one
factor that sellers have the most control over. When the For Sale sign goes up on the lawn, your home
needs to be dressed in its Sunday best. Potential buyers walking through the door determine within 10
seconds if the home is going to be a contender. They need to visualize themselves living in the home,
and the more universally attractive it is, the easier it will be for them to create that bond. Home to most
people is not only where they live, but how they live. All repairs and updates should be made before
opening the door to buyers. That leaky faucet that you’ve gotten used to after all these years won't go
over well with buyers, who naturally gravitate to the biggest and best value for their dollar. Small tasks
such as removing dated wallpaper (authors note: ALL wallpaper is dated!) and painting a neutral color
yield a 796% return on the cost. Cleaning and de-cluttering, with a whopping 594% return on
investment, are by far the most important tasks on the home seller’s agenda list, yet frequently this is
the task that gets the least attention. Condition will directly impact price, so it makes sense to put as
much of your home's equity in your pocket as possible. Be careful how you spend your preparation
dollars, though. Over-improvement is just as bad, if not worse, than not making any. Investing $50,000
on a new kitchen may not "pay you back" when it's time to sell unless it compares to what purchasers
expect to find in your market range. With the other 2 factors under consideration, there is only so much
you can invest before you hit the point of no return…on investment!
_________________________________________________________________
Katy memorial Power Washing
Marcus Raif
Finding a Professional Power Washing Company Isn't Easy.
During our 13 years in business our technicians have found severe damages caused to siding, wood
decks, brick, and other surfaces from inexperienced pressure washers.
Finding a truly educated contractor to provide your exterior cleaning services can take years and if
chosen incorrectly, it can cost you thousands of dollars in damages. Before hiring a pressure washing
company, ask these 5 questions!
1. Are you certified and insured?
Unfortunately power washers are not required to be licensed nor certified in the state of Texas for the
cleaning process which is where most damage occurs. Therefore anyone with a pressure washer can
go into business and your home is their experiment. Insurance is your only protection so make sure
they have it! Katy-Memorial Power Washers are certified by the PWNA (www.thepwna.org) which is the
national organization of power washers.
2. How long have you been power washing?
80% of power washing companies fail within their first five years of business due to bad planning,
lawsuits or bad service.
3. Do you have proper training for power washing?
Power washing isn't as simple as most people think. Too much pressure can force water behind
siding or damage wood, brick, and even concrete!
4. Do you use professional grade cleaners that are designed for what you are cleaning?
Many contractors use home made recipes or products from big box stores for cleaning. Professional
grade products are designed to give better results and outperform products from local hardware
stores. If you are paying for quality you deserve to get the best products available!
5. What type of sealers does your power washer use on wood surfaces?
Manufacturers spend millions of dollars a year to promote their products but they don't tell you that
linseed oil (one of the most popular oils in deck sealers) is actually food for mildew!
____________________________________________________________________
RAM JACK Foundations
Ron Baker
Foundation Problems? Hire an Engineer
As a foundation contractor the most profound words I’ve ever heard were from a female engineer when
she said “The foundation is the heart of every home”. And when your home or commercial building
show signs of foundation failure it really tugs at your heart strings and is the beginning of a very
expensive and painful experience that you had never budgeted for nor planned on.
It has been my experience that when someone realizes they have a foundation problem they start by
calling several foundation repair contractors to get an estimate. Then the nightmare starts to set in.
They’ve got several estimates and several different opinions as to how to fix the problem. Left some
what confused and overwhelmed they end up procrastinating about fixing their problem.
So what is the straight answer for fixing the problem?. I can only recommend that you hire a Structural
Engineer. It will cost about $500 to have a engineer come out and do a thorough foundation inspection
report. The report will typically show the follow:
1. An inspection of the inside and outside of the property for foundation and drainage issues
2. A foundation elevation profile is created showing measurements
3. A foundation plan drawing showing exactly where and how many piers or pilings are to be
installed
4. The report will have his/her signature and a State of Texas Professional Engineers seal affixed to
the report. It’s like seeing a doctor and the report is your prescription.
The engineer’s inspection report makes you a better informed consumer and it’s time to start calling
foundation repair contractors for estimates. Most if not all contractors will cover the cost of the structural
engineer’s report, or discount it from their service price. In reviewing the bids submitted by the various
contractors, ask for the reasons behind any price differences. All foundation repair systems are not the
same. Research the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches, materials, and
technologies offered by each provider. Basically in the end your have two (2) choices to consider and
those will be either concrete push piers or helical steel pilings. Most engineers today will recommend
the installation of helical steel pilings over concrete push piers.
Ask about warranties, but make sure the company has a solid track record, is sufficiently insured, and
is not prone to going out of business soon, thereby invalidating any guarantees. Check with the Better
Business Bureau to ensure that the company is reputable and is not tarnished by major complaints.
Finding the right foundation repair specialist is of the utmost importance. But the only thing worse than
shelling out funds for unexpected issues, is paying again if it is not done right the first time.
To find a structural engineer, visit the Structural Engineers Association of Texas web site at www.
SEAoT.org, which includes a database of licensed engineers in the state. There is also the Foundation
Repair Association and you can visit them at www.foundationrepair.org. You can also go to yellowbook.
com or yellowpages.com.
______________________________________________________________________
West Houston Document Destruction
Joe Siminic
850 Trees Save in 4 Months Time!!!
West Houston Document Destruction began serving the Katy area in March of
this year. We are pleased to announce that we recently passed the 100,000
pound mark in paper delivered to the recycling facility.
A breakdown of the resources saved by recycling, which allows manufactures
to use recycled fiber instead of virgin materials is as follows.
For every 2,000 pounds of paper:
17 small trees, 3 cubic yards of landfill space and 7,000 gallons of
water, saved.
At 100,000 pound of paper recycled, West Houston Document Destruction and
it's customers have saved:
850 trees!
150 cubic yards of landfill space!!
350,000 gallons of water!!!
Thanks to our customers, you are doing your part to help this globe we
call home!
We are locally owned and operated and provide customized service to fit
the needs of offices, retail and residential. Pick-up and drop service is
available.
_____________________________________________________________________
Tips From Ace Hardware
The Helpful Hardware Man's Corner - Answers by Lou Manfredini
Q: I volunteer at a local non-profit children's center that provides free or low cost child care for low
income families while they are at work or school. They have two portable buildings with galvanized
steel roofs. For several years the roofs had piles of redwood tree leaves on parts of the roof and
several large spots have started to rust. The trees and leaves are gone, but I don't know what to do
about the rust spots. They're not leaking now, but it's only a matter of time.
A: I would sand them down, clean the roof off with a mild cleaner and then consider using a product
called roof coat to put a white coating that helps keep the roof tight and dry.
______________________________________________________________________
Finding A Good Contractor
Sponsored By Check A Pro
When considering a contractor always be sure to 'Check' them out! You should:
-Research license information with the State of Texas
-Ask them for references
-Ask them if they are insured
-Contact the local business bureau
For a list of pre-qualified service providers visit www.checkapro.com. All Check A Pro members have
been pre-qualified through the following:
-Reference Check
-Local Business Bureau Review
-License Check w/ the Sate of Texas
| Ask The Pro Radio Show Saturdays 11am - 12pm on CNN 650 CALL IN LINE (713) 965-0650 |
