Home-Work Contractor Referral - November 2000 Newsletter



	*November 2001 Newsletter* About Us Our Fall Promotion Winter Tasks - To Prepare for Cold Weather Window Solutions This Month's Dollar-Wise Tip Affiliate Program & Our Sponsors The monthly funny! :) *1. About Us* Home-Work Contractor Referral offers a Valuable Service to help home and business owners find screened, reliable contractors for any type of renovation or construction project. Contact Home-Work for your next project and we will handle all the legwork for you. You describe your project to us and we will find you a suitable and available, reliable company. You will also receive a complete, detailed profile on each company. We save you time, hassle, and stress. 2. Our Fall Promotion $25 Gift Certificate. Our Fall Promotion was such a success at the Calgary Home and Interior Design Show that we have decided to extend the offer to all our newsletter recipients. From October 1, 2001 until Christmas, any projects completed will earn you a $25 Revy gift certificate. You must mention this newsletter promotion when you book the project. Following the busy summer months, Fall is the perfect time to complete those renovations or repairs before the Christmas season arrives. 3. Winter Tasks - To Prepare For Cold Weather Finish preparations for winter's extreme temperatures in cold- weather parts of the country, and tackle some indoor maintenance. INSTALL EXTRA INSULATION. Install plastic sheets on windows requiring extra protection from the wind (kits are widely available at hardware stores or home centers). Add weather stripping around doors if necessary. PREPARE FOR SNOW. In snowy areas of the country, make sure your shovel or snowblower is in good condition. If necessary, use a rock salt-sand mixture to de-ice the driveway. PATCH AND PAINT. Inspect interior walls and ceilings for holes or cracks. Patch and paint as necessary. Watch for bubbling or cracking, which could indicate water damage. CHECK SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS. Test each unit, and replace batteries if needed. REPAIR INDOOR WOODWORK. Fill any holes or damaged areas with wood putty, then sand and refinish the surface. MAINTAIN APPLIANCES. Unplug the refrigerator and clean it thoroughly with soap and hot water. Vacuum the condenser coil in the back or bottom of the refrigerator for better energy efficiency. If the drain pan is removable, clean it in soapy water. Clean the inside of the dishwasher, the stove exhaust fan, the inside of the oven, and the microwave. INSPECT BATHROOM CAULKING. Remove and replace crumbling caulk around the bathtub, sink, or toilet. Make sure no moisture is leaking under the bathtub or shower stall. PROTECT PIPES FROM FREEZING. Insulate any water pipes that are exposed to extreme cold (check pipes on the north side of house particularly). Cover outdoor water faucets. PLAN HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS. Plan and budget major home improvement projects, such as painting the exterior of the house, building a patio, or making landscape changes. Check with your local building department to see if your projects require permits. In late winter, call contractors to submit bids. CLEAN AND ORGANIZE THE BASEMENT. Sweep the floor and clear out cobwebs. Check stored items for moisture damage. Build or purchase storage shelves. Tidy up work areas. Start flower and vegetable seeds in seed trays under lights. *4. Window Solutions* Thinking of replacing your existing windows because they're old, you need solar control and UV protection, more privacy, or simply for increased security? There is an alternative to buying, and replacing your old windows. Don't like the idea of not having to have a huge gaping hole in the side of your house, the mess of replacement or shopping around when you're old windows just might be good enough? We can help. Give us a call and ask us how... *5. This Month's Dollar-Wise Tip* Spending hundreds to save pennies makes little sense, but if you're already in the market for a new appliance -- or even light bulbs -- Below you'll find a list of some of the best solutions we could find, presented in order of greatest potential impact on your electricity bill. Climate control A typical household uses the bulk of its energy for heating and cooling -- up to 44% of the utility bill, according to the DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network (EREN). Programmable thermostats can reduce energy wasted on heating or cooling a house when no one is home or everyone's asleep. Ceiling fans: Moving air tends to feel cooler, allowing for higher summertime thermostat settings. According to EREN, the effect is equivalent to lowering the air temperature by about (2° C), and using less energy than air conditioners in doing so. Lighting, cooking, and other appliances The next-biggest household energy use after climate control is for lighting and appliances. Not counting the fridge, these comprise about 33% of a typical utility bill. Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's): CFL's use up to 75% less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, according to Home Energy Saver. This is good, because they're also much more expensive initially. Energy-efficient appliances: (Among household appliances, the refrigerator is likely your biggest energy consumer, especially if it's more than 15 years old. It can account for up to 9% of your energy costs alone. Water heating Heating water is the third-biggest home-energy cost and typically accounts for 14%-20% of your energy bill. For better efficiency shop for a good deal on Hot Water Jackets. By Jennifer Mulrean 6. Affiliate Program & Our Sponsors We currently also have quality, reliable companies that help promote our service. Please find out more about them at: http://www.homeworkcanada.com/sponsors.htm Pillar to Post Home Inspection,Re/Max First, Remax House of Real Estate, AmeriSpec Home Inspection Services, Informative Home Inspections, Keaco Services, Chesney's Home Hardware, Gunther's Building Supply, Verda Tech Inc.,High Security Lock Co., Home Alyze, Chesney's Home Hardware, Revy Home & Garden, Homelife Realty, Banbury Lane, Calgary Seniors Society, Coldwell Banker, Gunthers Building Supply, Royal LePage, BenchMark Real Estate, Diamond Fireplaces, Sure Look Home Inspection,Maxwell South Star Realty, Century 21, Bell Davidson Insurance, Century 21 The Professionals. 7. The Monthly Funny :) The carpet guy had just laid down a new carpet for a family of four. He had just put the final tacks in when he looked back and saw a bulge under the carpet. "Dang", he thought, "I've left my cigarettes under there." It was too difficult to take up the carpet, so he decided to squish the bulge and flatten it with his hammer. After he had finished, you could only slightly tell that there had ever been a bulge there. "Thank goodness for that" he thought. The lady of the house, came in. " You've done a great job", she said approvingly. "By the way, don't forget your cigarettes. Actually, I could really use a smoke as my son is really upset - we can't find his hamster." * If you enjoy this newsletter please forward it to friends! They can then e-mail us to receive it each month and be entered for the draw. Thank You! Home · About Us · Find a Contractor · Tips & Links Contractors · What's New · Testimonials · Articles Newsletters · Sponsors · Contact Us