Events

How Much Should I Pay For Wedding Party Bus

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Benefits of renting a Party Bus

A party bus is a fun and stylish way to go out with friends. They are equipped with various functions that can make a trip exciting and worthwhile. Apart from having fun, there are many other benefits of hiring a party bus, some of them are

You do not have to drive: Party busses usually come with their own drivers, this means you do not have to be saddled with the responsibility of driving while your friends are having fun. Alcohol is allowed on most party busses and drinking while driving is a crime. You do not have to be bothered about any of these as the bus comes with a designated driver

Everybody arrives at the same time: you no longer have to arrive first and wait for your companions to arrive later. Party bus rentals have busses that can fit up to 50 people at once. You can agree that travelling is more fun when everyone is together.

It is cost effective: if you begin to calculate how much you would spend on multiple cabs or fueling multiple cars, you will discover that hiring a party bus is a better deal than going in separate cars. With Austin party bus you can find the right bus for your party that also fits your budget.

The party doesn’t have to stop: you and your friends can enjoy a night out and visit multiple destinations without the party having to stop. the ride from one spot to the other can be boring and make partying less fun. But with the party bus the party continues in the bus until you get to your next destination.

 

Things to Know Before Renting a Party Bus

When it comes to travel-oriented special events, sometimes a standard limousine is not enough to accommodate all of the participants. This is one reason why party buses are gaining popularity as go-to rental vehicles. The following information will help people who have thought about renting a party bus learn what to look for and what to ask for before they make a final decision.

Quality vs. Quantity

Party buses, also referred to as “limo buses,” come in various sizes and rental fees can exceed one thousand dollars. As such, it can be very easy for a budget-conscious person to be enticed by what appears to be a good deal on a party bus that will accommodate the size of his or her party and not realize that the company he or she is considering is not in compliance with city or state regulations. For example, the party bus rental business may be employing drivers who are not properly trained or using buses that are in need of repair.

This is why it is imperative that prospective customers ask party bus rental representatives for proof of inspections, insurance and qualified drivers. Companies that fail to produce this information should be avoided. An example of a party bus rental company that values quantity over quality would be one that tries to accommodate more than 30 people on a party bus that was designed to seat no more than 30 people. In an attempt to “gloss over” the facts, the company may offer customers discounts and other extras.

While representatives of reputable party bus companies will let patrons know exactly how many passengers can be comfortably seated on a specific party bus, prospective customers should still take it upon themselves to inspect the seats prior to renting the bus to ensure that there is enough room to accommodate older adults and overweight or otherwise disabled individuals who will be in attendance.

Details

Once a person has selected a party bus rental company, he or she needs to obtain written verification of the services to be rendered by the business. For example, the booking should confirm the type of bus that is to be rented, the exact cost of the rental and any other applicable fees such as gratuities and a cancellation fee. A schedule that outlines exactly when and where the patron’s party will be picked up and dropped off should also be included.

Amenities

  • Customers need to discuss amenities with party bus rental company personnel and inspect the items before any financial transactions take place. For example, televisions and sound systems, if available, should produce crisp images and clear audio. Special effects lighting and other equipment should work properly as well.
  • Some party bus rental companies provide food, drink and music in addition to transportation while others may not. Prospective clients need to ask if these services are part of the rental agreement. If not, they may need to find another party bus rental company.

 

Tips for Renting a Party Bus

  • Selection of Vehicle

The selection of a vehicle depends on the number of passengers. Party Buses comes in different sizes. Starting from 13 Passenger Sprinter Van to 56 Passenger Coach Buses, you have an array of choices. You should always know the headcount before you hire a party bus. It is important because you will never want to rent a 30 Passenger Party Bus with 20 people onboard. Similarly, you will also not like to crowd the 18 passenger party bus with 25 people.

  • Set your Destination

Before renting a party bus, you should decide the destination or the route of the bus you would like to go from. Your driver needs to know this so that he can plan the route while ensuring safety and timely arrival. You can have multiple stops in your journey but that needs to be informed in advance. Like, going to a concert and having a dinner break at any restaurant on the route.

  • Consider the Cost

Cost is the most important thing to be considered before renting a party bus. While most of the party bus rentals work on an hourly basis while a few have a fixed price for a fixed destination. The pricing of the bus also depends on the capacity of the bus and the amenities it offers.

  • Decide on Refreshments

While renting a party bus for a bachelor party or reunion, it is fair likely to consume alcoholic beverages. Check with the company about their policies for food and beverages.

 

Background Check

It’s important to know the authenticity of the company you are planning to get a party bus from. Don’t forget to check their reviews, testimonials, from how many years they have been in this business, etc. Apart from this, you should also check whether the drivers who are hired by the company hold the legitimate commercial driving license and insurance. It’s always advised to check the office area and the bus-style and interior in real life, before making the final deal as to avoid any future issues. The whole point of the background check is to see whether the service providers are reliable or not.

Snacks are a must

Usually, a party bus rental is more than 6 hours. You might get hungry! Even though your night out includes dinner but still a few will call for some light snacks. Usually, transportation companies can make arrangements for snacks when told in advance but you can also purchase them as per your requirements before the trip begins.

 

Do’s and Don’ts of a party Bus?

A party bus is a great idea for a fun event. They are the perfect venue for bachelor parties, birthdays, office parties and so much more.

To ensure that you have fun and stay safe while you rent a party bus, here are a few Do’s and Don’ts for your next bus rental.

Do’s

  • Make sure you rent a bus from a legal rental companyAll safety rules should be strictly adhered to. Listen to the driver’s instructions while on the bus. Avoid any behavior that could cause harm to a fellow passenger or any form of damage to the bus.
  • Clean up after yourself while on the trip. You can pass bin bags around to avoid having to do a big clean-up at the end of the trip.
  • Ensure you do a headcount before the trip and after the trip. This is very important as you don’t want to leave anyone behind.

Don’ts

  • Do not bring any illegal or harmful substances with you on the bus. Weapons are also prohibited on a party bus.
  • It is important that you do not distract the driver when embarking on a journey. Do not forget your belongings on the bus. At the end of your trip check for personal effects such as your wallet, keys, phone, etc.
  • Every party bus has a passenger limit. Make sure you confirm the maximum passenger capacity of the bus beforehand to avoid bringing additional people on the ride
  • Underage drinking is strictly prohibited while on the bus. Make sure you drink responsibly and keep things under control.
Movers

Practical Tips To Help Organize Your Unloading Services

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Moving Guide

HIRING A MOVING COMPANY

If you plan on hiring a moving company, you might want to do some research first. Please review the sites below for more great information about moving and to find a company whose services fit you best.

WHAT DO I LOOK FOR WHEN HIRING A MOVING COMPANY?

The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) offers a Certified Mover Program for moving companies throughout the United States. This program consists of professional movers that have agreed to follow “Code of Conduct,” by responding to customers both ethically and in a timely manner.

MOVING YOURSELF

Some homebuyers choose to move themselves and their belongings. It you want to save time and money by taking on this endeavor yourself, be sure that you have ample packing supplies. Please review the sites below for some informative resources about purchasing boxes, bubble wrap, labels and tape.

THE DAY OF THE MOVE

The day has finally arrived! As excited as you and your family maybe about your new home and its surroundings, moving can make everything seem uncertain. It is important to take a deep breath and try not to be stressed.

Here is a list of important things you should remember when your moving day arrives:

Designate specific items that you need, that should not be packed with the rest on your belongings.

If you have children, make sure that they have at least two special items to take with them for the trip.

Make sure you remove all trash from your current residence.

If you are using a moving company or friends and family, specify certain unloading areas.

Make sure there are ample walkways for moving large pieces as well as boxes of your belongings.

If you are using a moving company, reiterate those specific items that need special attention and handled-with-care.

Remember to meet the needs of those helping in your move by supplying them with food, beverages and restroom facilities.

Lastly, if you are using a moving company, please remember to read and sign all paperwork, documenting anything that transpired during the moving process.

 

Storage Guide for Movers

Moving can be hectic. There is a lot to do to successfully relocate your life and one misstep could cause serious problems, costing you time and sanity. American Self Storage wants to help so we have compiled a moving checklist that you can follow to make your move an easy one.

Utilities

Call your gas, water, electricity, trash, and/or cable company and schedule a time a date to switch services to your new address. You can do this around a month in advance in most cases so get this done early.

Change your address

You can schedule a change of address with the post office which will reroute your mail to your new address for about a month. You should also call, email, or mail address change notifications to interested parties.

Sell and/or toss unwanted items

Consider getting rid of a few things. You can easily sell unwanted items of value on Facebook. Be safe and smart when selling items to strangers. Go through toys, papers, dishes, etc. and toss broken or unwanted items.

Organize

Whether you hire packers or pack yourself, consider which items in your house should go together, both for item safety and ease of unpacking. The easier it is to unpack, the better.

 

Step-by-step commercial relocation

Moving an office space is very different than moving a household. That’s why both small and large companies, when they move, need to hire a relocation company. But choosing among many moving companies County offers isn’t easy. This is because moving business premises is a job for trained professionals. And before you even start thinking about how to do it right, here is our step-by-step commercial relocation checklist to help you out.

How to make a commercial relocation checklist?

As we said, before you move your office you need a proper commercial relocation checklist. You can easily get an online template or create one on your own. The thing is, moving an office or business premises isn’t easy. You have to think about the furniture and equipment that is certainly not cheap and thus take extra care in all phases of relocation. That’s why you need to instruct your staff or loading workers to properly prepare things for loading and transport or to instruct them on how to do it properly.

Packing your office items can be challenging

Many businesses also often have a lot of documents stacked in folders. Before transport, they need to be properly packed in larger boxes and covered with tapes or stretch foils. Sometimes you may need special boxes or even crates, but often this can be done with standard packaging. Of course, every business is different. That’s why there are not the same techniques for packing, loading, and unloading for all business niches. The same goes for equipment. You need different packaging for computer equipment, copiers, and other machines whose size can vary. Of course, your equipment may be specific and may require special procedures when moving.

Plan in advance and save money

Sometimes you have to move your office at the last minute. But, if you have time, plan in advance. Like any move, the relocation of the company should be carefully planned. Packing is one of the very sensitive phases. Do you ask your workers for help? Besides, count on the fact that you will need moving material, in order to avoid the risks of damaging things… But how much will your employees use? If you have a lot of computers, it would be best to hire an expert to turn them off and pack them nicely, without damage and the risk of damage to wires, hardware, and other important parts of the computer

Your business should be up and running as soon as possible

In order for everything to be on time and not to waste too much time, you have to plan all actions but also harmonize them with your business obligations, working hours, and other factors. When you make a plan and arrange a relocation date, movers should come and pick up your things and move them to another address as soon as possible.

 

Loading and unloading equipment

Loading and unloading equipment should only be done by people with the relevant knowledge and experience. Heavy loads can be extremely dangerous if not handled correctly.

Loading and unloading equipment: our approach

To ensure equipment is loaded and unloaded safely, our team members must have the appropriate training and experience. This includes being inducted into our internal policies, procedures, and processes

These internal guidelines are also used in conjunction with site specific rules and traffic management plans, site induction training and regulations relevant to each individual equipment and vehicle specifications.

Risk assessments

Before loading and unloading equipment, a thorough risk assessment should be carried out which considers every step of the job, including site risks and hazards, loading, transport, and unloading. This is particularly necessary in the case of an unfamiliar commodity or location and/or where there are unfavourable weather conditions.

Safe loading/unloading areas

Before any load or unload commences, we require all drivers to complete a situational risk assessment and implement the necessary controls. Designated loading/unloading areas should be sectioned off where required, a check should be done for overhead electric cables, the area should be cleared of debris, and any uneven surfaces should be identified.

 

PROFESSIONAL PACKING SERVICES

best professional packing service in the area. You can now say goodbye to the fear of damage, manhandled goods, or any other packing unforeseen. Customers also enjoy a seamless packing service without sacrificing time and money.

PACKING SERVICE OFFERS:

100% satisfaction.

On-time pickup and delivery.

Durable packing materials.

Skilled and professional packers and movers.

GETTING STARTED: PACKING SUPPLIES AND BOXES

Most individuals and customers pay less concern to their moving supplies when planning a move. If you are self-packing, ensure you have all the packing durables such as paddings, wraps, moving boxes, tapes, and others

Here is a list of some items you will need if you are self-packing.

Small moving boxes;

Medium moving boxes;

Large moving boxes;

Extra-large moving boxes;

Heavy-duty boxes;

Furniture pad;

Glass dish protection packs;

Tv boxes;

Mirror boxes;

Moving blankets;

Mattress and furniture covers;

Protective foams;

Packing tapes and dispensers.

Customized carton to fit your furniture

If your office has special equipment, we can always prepare on-request custom cartons just for them to ensure the safe delivery of your equipment.

Wardrobe boxes

Electronic boxes

White cuter mailers

Tote boxes

Envelope boxes

Two pieces file box

One-piece file box

Packing Services takes care of all your packing duties to your satisfaction regardless of the option you choose.

Full Packing — our full packing service option gets the job done fast and saves time. No need to get stressed as our professional packing team will ensure you get up and running in your new destination in no time.

Partial Packing — our team will have a deeper understanding of the items you want to move as you enter the details on custom quotes. Our team will ensure to identify the goods you love to pack yourself and how we may assist you.

Unpacking — our unpacking service option gives you more room for other pressing needs while our team unpacks your goods to help you prep your new abode beautifully.

Office Packing — the office packing service team ensures your relocation is successful and ready before the next working hour. Our professional crew ensures that all appliances arrive safely and on time.

House Packing — our house packing service has every material and moving boxes needed to ensure all your home appliances arrive at your new location safely. We even have custom boxes for very fragile goods.

Other Services — office mover provides other handy services like cleaning, prepping, and storage of goods to ensure your relocation gets much easier.

Electricians

Get The Right Quality Original Electrical Upgrades

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ELECTRICAL UPGRADES & REMODELS

Planning on remodeling your home? Having constant, daily troubles with your electrical that need to be resolved. is ready to provide you with a complete range of electrical services to support your home upgrade, remodel or retrofit. We’ll make sure your electrical is modern and supportive to your home or business’ needs.

focus on identifying areas of your electrical system that need to be improved or modernized, including integral areas like the central panel, the installation of high-amp breakers, LED lighting retrofits and more.

PANEL UPGRADES

One of the cornerstones of electrical remodeling is upgrading your panels and breaker boxes. As we add more modern appliances and electrical gadgets to our homes, the power draw requirements go up. Updating your panel to accommodate these increased energy needs is important and can keep you from tripping breakers or blowing fuses. We perform panel upgrades to make sure your panels are up to the task of supporting your energy needs.

Electrical panel, subpanel and circuit breaker retrofitting

Re-wiring—complete or partial

Adherence to building and safety codes

REMODELING AND RETROFITTING

Paneling isn’t the only place to consider electrical upgrades in your home or business. There’s a whole host of electrical updates that can be made, to improve your quality of life and the convenience of your electrical system. Some of the chief remodeling and retrofitting services we offer include:

Electrical lighting retrofitting, dimmer switches and control panels

Adding wiring systems for new installations

Low voltage lighting and LED conversions

Swimming pool electrical updates and retrofitting

Modern hot water boiler installation, wiring retrofits

UPDATE YOUR ELECTRICAL

If your home or business’ electrical systems aren’t supporting your day-to-day demands, it’s time to think about updating.

 

Your Home Needs a Change: Electrical Upgrades to Consider This Fall

If you are beginning to feel your home’s electrical system is not working up to par, it is time to consider electrical upgrades Not upgrading your home’s electrical system may result in problems with safety hazards, carbon monoxide emissions, or simply not enough electrical power. Fall can be a wonderful time of the year, but it may not be so great when you are constantly dealing with problems stemming from outdated electrical features. Plus, when you factor in the risk of electrocution and residential fires, it will be hard relaxing in your home at all this season knowing your family is not fully protected.

here to provide you with electrical upgrades this season that will be perfect, no matter your living situation this fall. Upgrading your electrical system is essential if you recently moved into a home where you are unsure of its electrical safety. However, it will also prove useful in older homes, especially when keeping outdated electrical features will prove hazardous. It may even come down to you just wanting to make improvements in your home’s aesthetic. Regardless, you can count on our team of licensed electricians to be there for you at any time. We can provide you with upgrades that will make your home look and feel brand new

Electrical Upgrades to Improve Your Home

Making changes to your home’s electrical system can bring so many benefits including improved property resale value and lower costs on energy bills. However, what do you upgrade? While there are many different changes you can make, our team of electricians would highly recommend you consider any of these upgrades

Smoke Detection: Getting woken up in the middle of the night by the loud screech of a smoke detector may disrupt your sleep, but you cannot deny it is important in keeping you safe. You need detection that will alarm you of even the slightest traces of smoke so your family remains safe and sound at any time of day. A working smoke detector is especially needed if you plan on turning on the furnace or light up the fireplace later in the season, which will see a higher risk of smoke

Exterior Lighting: Did you know the FBI reports a home in the United States is broken into every 15 seconds? It is an alarming statistic, but it can be avoided thanks to exterior lighting upgrades that you’re your home protected. Motion sensor lighting in particular do an effective job in ensuring intruders will not have many places to hide on your property. Outdoor safety lighting will also provide you with a clear pathway for escape in the event you need to evacuate your home.

Interior Lighting: Lighting in the interior of your home needs to strike the right balance between comfort and efficiency, especially when you consider how much you use rooms like kitchens and bathrooms on a daily basis. Lighting upgrades here may include new lights for bathroom mirrors, showers, cabinets, and even chandeliers for your home’s welcoming area. If you notice lighting in your home is flickering or costing you too much on bills, this fall will be the perfect time to upgrade with lighting that will provide high-quality performance without any additional energy costs.

Outlet & Switch Replacement: If you are still living 40 or 50 years in the past, your home may be equipped with two-prong outlets that are now unsafe and outdated to handle any of your modern electrical needs in 2016. This will result in power loss and several calls to your local electrician. They will need to be replaced with reliable, three-prong outlets instead. Similarly, if you have outlets & switches that appear significantly damaged, they need to be replace immediately to avoid any further hazards.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters: A ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) can provide you with unprecedented life-saving benefits. It is equipped with a built-in circuit breaker that will quickly cut off power when it senses a stark contrast between input and output current. If not stopped in time, this can result in you experiencing electrocution once you come into contact with an outlet, potentially resulting in tissue damage. A GFCI outlet should be installed in places like bathrooms and garages where water can mix with electricity, thus creating a space riddled with safety hazards.

Electrical Service Panel Upgrade: Though an electrical service panel can last a long time and provide high-quality electricity for lights and appliances, it may be outdated and in need of upgrading. It is responsible for distributing energy to each of your most essential appliances. But once it stops operating you will experience a wide range of issues ranging from flickering lights to serious fire hazards. Though you may not need panel upgrades too often, it is something to consider this season if you sense your own panel is outdated.

Home Surge Protection: With electrical power running through your walls, a home surge protector allows only for a safe amount of energy to go to your appliances, lights, and electrical devices. Otherwise, it may result in power surges that will cut off energy flow altogether. Surge protection will keep the risk of this possibility to a low, so you can spend less money on appliance replacement and enjoy high-quality electrical power without worrying when it will unexpectedly shut off.

many of these upgrades improve two major areas of home life—safety and convenience. No matter if it is panel upgrades or improvements made to exterior lighting, our services will help make life in your home easier. You can spend the fall with a better peace of mind, knowing your family is being kept safe and comfortable throughout the season.

 

Mechanical & Electrical Upgrades

Mechanical and electrical upgrades are needed when plant equipment comes to the end of its life or to ensure best use is made of new technologies. If new technology becomes available and has an attractive payback period, this should be considered as a way of reducing future expenditure and improve efficiency.

Plant equipment is likely to be coming near to end of life if it drops in efficiency, there are increased running costs or the data centre is going out of thermal limits.

offer

Upgrade programmes by running workshops and holding consultations

Appointment of a principal designer and contractor roles

Future-proofed designs

Upgrades with no disruption

Best designers and implementation teams

Experience in working within live facilities

Levels of care are as high as if the facility were our own

Upgrades fully tailored to the client’s requirements

Outside of the box thinking to provide alternative solutions

Every solution designed around budgets available, IT road maps and piece-by-piece improvements

Fully IST tested work

Interlinked monitoring and alerting systems to cover all equipment installed

Support and aftercare packages

Reduced energy consumption and power bills

Credible return on investment

 

RE-WIRING AND ELECTRICAL UPGRADES

Since your property was built your electrics may have deteriorated and building regulations have changed so your electrical wiring may not meet current requirements.

Will I be notified when the work will be carried out to my property?

You will receive a letter from the Group to notify you that you are in this years’ programme and what work is required. The contractor carrying out the work will then contact you before work is due to start.

What happens next?

Our contractor will contact you to arrange a survey of your home and the work to be done, discuss the choices you have and answer your questions.

Important information:

If you have any special requirements or disabilities that you think need to be considered during the work, please tell the contractors. Please also tell them about any electrical items you have in any out-buildings, such as a freezer in your garage.

Who will be doing the work?

The Group employs specialist contractors to carry out its re-wiring programmes. The contracts usually span several years and all of the Group’s appointed contractors have many years experience working in the social sector.

How do I know that I’m giving access to the right people?

Whenever a contractor comes to your home, please ask them to produce their identity card.

 

Manual to Electrical upgrade

The process is quick and simple and takes almost no time at all to complete. And you’ll always receive expert advice every step of the way, so you can be assured that you’re in safe and capable hands.

If your commercial property is equipped with manual doors, gates, or shutters, you may not consider an upgrade to be necessary. However, upgrading your manual entrances provides you with a faster, more energy-efficient and safer entrance.

First, this is great news if you’re trying to keep your bills down, as these entrances open and close quicker. Second, many come with in-built safety features that prevent them from closing if an obstruction is detected.

Third, automatic entrances also help those who are less able and may otherwise struggle with a manual entrance. We can adapt any existing manual entrance, and because our upgrades our designed for ease-of-use and safety, the possibility of impact damage is greatly reduced. Automatic entrances can be set up to always be at a safe height for entry and exit, thereby offsetting costly repairs.

Finally, by opting for an upgrade, you’ll be lowering your carbon footprint and doing your part to protect the environment. As mentioned, your bills will also be lower as automatic entrances can help to reduce heat loss.

Legal

How A Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

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Best Tips On How To Find A Good Car Accident Attorney

According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, 20-50 million people suffer non-fatal injuries from road accidents each year. Being in a car crash is a very stressful experience and maybe even more stressful if you have to deal with legal processes after the accident.

In some cases, especially if you’re not at fault, it is a good idea to hire a lawyer. Finding a competent, experienced car accident attorney may be the only thing you need to get a fair settlement.

It might be quite challenging to get a good attorney if you do not know what to look for. Here are some tips that will help you hire a lawyer that you can trust.

  1. LOOK AT THEIR EXPERIENCE

Lawyers have different areas of specialization. No matter how good they are, a criminal lawyer may not be good at handling car accident-related cases, and vice versa. It would help if you found a lawyer who is experienced and successful in dealing with accident-related cases.

If you are dealing with a serious case, such as death or disability, hiring an experienced lawyer increases your chances of getting proper compensation for your injuries or the loss of your loved one.

When it comes to experience, you don’t have to go to big firms with splashy ads. You should focus on firms with lawyers who have excellent reputations and who specialize in car accidents.

  1. REPUTATION

Good lawyers work under reputable firms. Avoid hiring a lawyer that you saw on Craigslist. Law firms hold their attorneys accountable and provide them with all the resources they need to succeed in their cases.

Hire a car accident lawyer from a reputable firm with a history of success. Such lawyers work hard to ensure that they maintain the excellent reputation of their firms.

In today’s digital age, it is easier to identify a good firm because of online reviews. Take some time and check out what other people are saying about the lawyer or law firm that you are considering to hire.

The more positive reviews, the better. Remember, you want a lawyer who has a positive reputation and is known to diligently handle car accident cases. Such lawyers or firms put their clients first and do their best to ensure that you have good compensation.

You can also ask your friend, family, coworkers, or even your family lawyer to refer you to a reputable accident injury attorney that they know.

  1. LOOK FOR A LAWYER WHO COMMUNICATES

It is very frustrating to have a relationship with someone who does not call or answer your messages. You do not want this type of relationship with your lawyer.

If, for example, the accident has left you confined to the hospital bed, it will be impossible for you to accompany your lawyer to settlement meetings with the other party or visit their offices.

A good lawyer will ensure that you understand what they can do to help your case and provide you with all the information you need. If your lawyer cannot answer all your questions during your first meeting, hides information about fees, or takes a lot of time to respond to your emails or return calls, they may not be the best to handle your case.

Check out how they handle you when you first meet them and if they take time to ensure that you understand their process and what is required of you. If the lawyer is unable to communicate clearly with you at first, do not expect the trend to change.

  1. HIRE A LAWYER WHO IS COURT READY

Some personal injury lawyers have never seen the inside of a courtroom, no matter how experienced they are. This is because 95 percent of personal injury cases settle before trial. With such a high settlement rate, do not be surprised if a personal injury lawyer with around ten years of experience has never gone to trial.

Insurance companies are quite aggressive. They will want to settle the case quickly if they know they have a lot to lose should the case go to trial.

If they know that your lawyer does not go to trial or is afraid of the courtroom, they will easily take advantage of that and make a very cheap deal.

Look for a lawyer ready to go all-in and face the judge and the jury to ensure that you get your rightful compensation.

 

Do background checks online

The first thing to do when you come across a potential car accident lawyer that you might here is looking them up on local state bar associations. If he or she doesn’t appear on the website, then it’s a high indicator that they haven’t attained the required academic qualifications.

If they have a Facebook page, find out what current or previous clients have posted. Doing this enables you to learn more about the attorney’s personal and professional traits.

Visit their website

You can tell whether a business is legit or a scam by spending a few seconds on their website. The text and articles posted on genuine websites are presented in polished grammar and formatted professionally. Every link appearing on the page is active and directs you to the correct landing page.

On the other hand, dubious websites have unusually bright colors. You’ll also notice a lot of pop-up advertisements that are irrelevant to the legal services you’re looking for. When you read the articles, you’ll notice glaring grammatical errors that make you question the firm’s seriousness.

 

Comfort with the lawyer

This is an important factor that you must consider when searching for the best car accident attorney for you. As to win the case you will have to share sensitive information with the lawyer you are thinking to hire. This information can be really sensitive and if you are not able to have a comfortable relationship with the lawyer or you don’t trust them then you will not be able to explain and tell those to the layer. Thus the best car accident attorney you are thinking to hire must be trustworthy too, as it enables good communication between you and the lawyer. This is very important.

Nice Track Record

It is important to select an attorney who has a successful record of resolving the type of case you have. .If you are in a truck accident, you should consider selecting an attorney who has settled or won verdicts in accidents involving tractor-trailers in the past. However, please know that no attorney should promise you a result.  Past successes are no guarantees of future results. Be wary of anyone making guarantees or promises of specific amounts.

 

Look for Specialties in Car Accidents

You wouldn’t go to an ear, nose and throat doctor if you have a broken leg. That would be absurd. So, why would you use a divorce or estate lawyer when you have suffered a car accident injury? Specialty does matter. Experienced auto accident lawyers spend much of their time learning the ropes of the industry and are therefore better equipped to handle a case involving injury due to motor vehicle crashes. By narrowing down your choices to a specialized car accident attorney, you will be better able to focus on competent lawyers.

Trust Your Gut

Pay attention to that feeling you get when meeting for your initial consultation. Reading about impressive credentials is certainly what you want to see; however, all the credentials in the world mean nothing if you don’t feel a connection between yourself and the lawyer. A skilled and aggressive car accident attorney is of vital importance, but on the other side of the coin, remember you will have to work with them for months or even years. That’s why you need to feel an easy rapport with them. So, during your initial meeting, if anything feels off, such as an arrogant personality or the feeling of being talked down to, you may want to go elsewhere. Make sure the lawyer you go with returns calls quickly and is attentive to your needs. In the end, you want to select someone who is professional yet personable, and compassionate yet aggressive.

 

Not everyone has a claim.

If you think you have a valid reason for filing a personal injury claim, you should talk to an auto accident attorney. Not every car accident that results in an injury can be the basis for a successful lawsuit. Even if no one has been hurt, there may be a case for a lawsuit if blame and negligence can be determined and proved. The best way to tell if your case rises to the standard is to talk to a personal injury lawyer. They can evaluate the facts of your case and determine if you should file a lawsuit. If you are on the fence, just call a lawyer and get their opinion. Most law firms will provide free consultations, so you can see what your chances in court will be.

Talk to several law firms.

This is a very personal decision you are making. You have to be able to really communicate with the person who will argue your case on your behalf. That means that you need to be completely open and honest with this person, and that may be very uncomfortable. Make sure you can be as open as possible about the pain and suffering caused by your accident. This is not the time to put on a brave face or deny how badly you may feel.

Home Inspection

Mold Remediation Expert Offers Tips For Avoiding Commercial Property Mold Problems And Lawsuits

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Mold Remediation and Restoration

Mold infestation slowing down your home selling process?

Imagine you have your dream home picked out and ready to purchase. Everything is going along swimmingly. You have a buyer lined-up to purchase your current home. Then comes inspection time and mold is found in your attic, throwing a wrench in to the process.

Understanding Mold

Confusion and misunderstanding surround the topic of mold and mold remediation. Some restoration businesses even make claims to remove all mold from a building. This is a fallacy. Mold spores occur naturally almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. These microscopic spores float along in the air and can enter a home or business through windows and HVAC systems

Consider these facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

Highly Trained Mold Remediation Specialists

are trained mold damage specialists who get started quickly to get your home or business back to normal, with specific training and certifications to handle your restoration needs.

Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist

Water Damage Restoration Technician

Applied Structural Drying Technician

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our “typical” process:

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Mold Containment

Air Filtration

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Restoration

 

Mold Remediation

Tiny mold spores can live naturally in both indoor and outdoor areas. They’re just a part of the overall environment. When you read that certain restoration companies are offering a guarantee that they can remove ALL of the mold from your home or business, don’t believe it. It’s virtually impossible to remove all the mold spores present

Each time you walk into your home or office after being outside, you’re most likely carrying naturally occurring mold spores on your clothing. This is completely normal. They also easily break off and fly around in the air before landing on another surface. Again, this is normal. So, it’s not practical to say all mold can be removed when people are constantly bringing spores into their homes and businesses from the outside.

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Mold Containment

Air Filtration

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

 

Mold Removal Service

Mold can creep into your home or business without being noticed. It can hide behind walls and woodwork, under carpeting, in your ductwork, and even float unsuspectingly in the air — the same air you and your family breathe every single day. However, finding mold in your home isn’t the end of the world – that’s why we provide in home mold removal services – and will get your home back to normal levels in no time.

What To Do When You Find Mold In Your House

Here’s the thing – mold is common in everyone’s home. But too much mold can become a big problem and cause health risks in the long run. Calling in a professional mold remediation team is the best course of action when you spot patches of mold in your home. Why? Because we know what it takes to not only remove the mold, but tackle the source of the problem to make sure the mold doesn’t come back.

Once we know the cause of the problem, we help you fix the issue, or recommend someone that can do the job for you. From there, we work on the remediation process. This means we prevent the spread of mold from the source to other areas of your home, clean up the mold and scrub the air with HEPA air scrubbers, HEPA vacuuming, drying, and treating the area.

Remediation Services Include:

Certified Mold Remediation Technicians

Licensed, Insured, and Bonded

Experienced Troubleshooting to Determine the Moisture Source

Structure & Contents Cleaning

Air Duct Cleaning

State of the Art Equipment for Mold Abatement

References from Satisfied Customers Upon Request

Large Loss Capabilities & Equipment

State of the Art Air Scrubbing Technology

 

Mold Remediation

When a home suffers a water damage event, a mold infestation can quickly arise and spread throughout a home in 48-72 hours. Because mold can produce allergens and irritants, you will want a professional that has training and experience to properly resolve the mold infestation

Some restoration companies advertise “mold removal” and may even guarantee to remove all mold. This is a fallacy because removing all mold from a house or business is impossible; microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, both indoors and outdoors

Here are the facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

A minor mold problem can quickly become a major infestation if left untreated. We can start the remediation process immediately after you contact us. A faster response lessens the mold damage, limits additional damage, and reduces the remediation cost.

Highly Trained Mold Remediation Specialists

We specialize in water and mold damage restoration, the cornerstone of our business. We have the training and expertise to safely handle any mold situation.

Applied Microbial Remediation Specialist

Water Damage Restoration Technician

Applied Structural Drying Technician

 

Mold Remediation and Restoration

As a licensed mold remediation contractor firm through the Department of Health Services, our IICRC-certified Applied Microbial Remediation Technicians have experience and skills to help your home or business affected by fungal growth. With the severity of this situation both for the structural integrity of your property and for potential health risks that could result from exposure to active colonization, we understand the importance of arriving quickly to these mold situations.

technicians know how quickly mold colonization can get out of control, so we work immediately to set up containment barriers both with physical blockades of plastic sheeting and through the application of our industry-leading equipment like hydroxyl generators and air scrubbers. With effective strategies for colony removal, we work to protect and preserve hosting materials and only remove and reconstruct these areas when the damage has become too severe.

Microscopic mold spores exist almost everywhere, outdoors and indoors, making it impossible to remove all mold from a home or business. Some restoration businesses advertise “mold removal” and even guarantee to remove all mold, which is a fallacy

Consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic and float along in the air and

may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor and can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different, and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.

Accounting

Practical Tax Planning Tips For Parents

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Tax Planning Vs. Tax Optimization

What Is Tax Planning?

If you’re like many people who wait until tax season to focus on taxes, it’s too late for planning. Tax planning designs a customized game plan based off your previous, current, and projected future spending. The right tax professionals know, understand, and stay informed with changes on the IRS Tax Code so they can ensure you’re compliant with the law while reducing your tax liability. They advise you how to spend and report before you do anything. These plans can go as far as 20 years into the future, though it might need a revamp with any tax law changes. This strategy also requires a meeting with a CPA several times a year to ensure you’re making the most of your expenses.

This money-saving tax style isn’t for everyone. Usually, business owners or those with several or complicated income paths utilize this strategy. Most professionals will provide you with a blueprint with their suggestions and how to spend wisely.

While tax planning may cost more upfront, it can also save you much more than traditional tax preparation. Tax professionals spend more time researching and analyzing because it is unique to your situation. This can also ensure you’re staying on the good side of the IRS through the extensive knowledge and research of the professionals while keeping more in your wallet.

 

Key steps to the tax planning process include:

  1. Evaluating Your Tax Liability

You need to have a firm understanding of your current and short-term tax liability before you can make long-term tax planning decisions. The United States has a progressive income tax system with seven different tax brackets. You likely already know that the higher the bracket you are in, the greater your tax liability.

  1. Know Common Tax Deductions and Tax Credits

Thorough tax planning requires knowing which tax deductions and credits you can take. It’s impossible for you to know each one and when they apply, which is why tax planning is best done with a trusted financial advisor. Yet, you should be familiar with common situations that will impact your tax liability. Some examples include:

  • Capital loss deduction
  • Charitable contributions
  • Home office expenses
  • Medical expenses over a certain threshold
  • Deductions related to IRAs, 401(k)s, and other investments
  • Tax breaks for real estate investments
  1. Understanding Your Investment Choices

Tax planning includes making choices about where you want to save and invest your money for short-term goals and for long-term retirement planning. Once again, your financial advisor will walk you through your options and discuss which types of investments are the best fit for your financial circumstances, but you should have a broad understanding of different types of investments and accounts and the way your contributions impact your tax liability. Some examples include:

  • Traditional and Roth Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA)
  • 401(k)s
  • Employer-sponsored pension and retirement plans
  • Brokerage accounts
  • 529 plans, Coverdell Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs), and other ways to save for college tuition costs
  • Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
  • Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

 

What Is Tax Optimization?

When you have a broad understanding of the elements of tax planning such as your tax liability, deductions, and investment options, you can make informed decisions. Part of making tax planning decisions is optimization, which is the process of reducing or eliminating your tax liability through tax-efficient choices. Financial planners engage in tax optimization for their clients in many ways. You can think of tax optimization as one of those choose-your-own-adventure books. You have many choices to make about your financial future. Each choice has a different outcome, some better than others. Tax optimization is the process of making choices that lead to the best outcome for your current and future tax liability.

 

Some common tax optimization strategies include:

  1. Retirement Income Planning

Making the best investment and tax planning decisions now require thinking about the amount of income you want when you retire​, what age you want to retire, and what

required minimum distribution rules apply to your situation. Tax optimization when planning for retirement income means making the strategic choice to withdraw the most income when they have the lowest tax liability instead of taking money out of tax-deferred retirement accounts when their tax liability is high.

  1. Traditional IRAs vs. Roth IRAs

Another decision that typically falls under the umbrella of tax optimization is whether to invest in a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. This also includes converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA. When you contribute to a traditional IRA, you receive a tax deduction and taxes are deferred on your account until you take distributions. Conversely, you do not get a tax deduction when you make a contribution to a Roth IRA, but your account grows tax-free until distribution.

  1. Choosing the Right Investments

Tax planning means you have to understand and make choices about investments, but optimization means choosing the investment vehicles that grow or maintain wealth while reducing your tax liability. Making tax-efficient choices helps plan for the future, but you must also factor in any gains, losses, and fees associated with your investments. Fees and expenses associated with some expenses can cancel out any tax benefits. Unfortunately, many insurance and investment products have high fees that eat up 50 percent or more of expected returns, and they often get taxed at the highest rate as ordinary income.

 

What is Tax Preparation?

Tax preparation is the process of preparing and filing a tax return. Generally, it is a one-time event that culminates in signing your return and finding out whether you owe the IRS money or will be receiving a refund.

For most people, tax preparation involves one or two trips to your accountant (CPA), generally around tax time (i.e., between January and April), to hand over any financial documents necessary to prepare your return and then to sign your return. They will also make sure any tax reporting on your return complies with federal and state tax law.

Alternately, Individual taxpayers might use an enrolled agent, attorney, or a tax preparer who doesn’t necessarily have a professional credential. For simple returns, some individuals prepare and file their own tax forms with the IRS. No matter who prepares your tax return, however, you expect them to be trustworthy (you will be entrusting them with your personal financial details), skilled in tax preparation and to accurately file your income tax return in a timely manner.

Cleaning

Hiring A Residential Cleaning Service

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HOUSE CLEANING CHECKLIST

Use our house cleaning checklist to clean your home efficiently and thoroughly:

Before you start going room to room, pause first to put on some great, lively music. That’s better. Now pick up clutter, and as you go, feel free to second-guess your belongings. The less you have, the less you have to put away, clean, and dust: scrutinize books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, furniture, toys the kids have outgrown, old computers you’ve outgrown, old clothes and shoes in the closets…is it time to donate and recycle? Turn off light bulbs and ceiling fans as you go for the upcoming dusting work.

Speaking of closets, if you have any that you’re afraid to open, face your fears it’s time to minimize and organize.

Dust (go left to right, top to bottom) with microfiber cloths. This will lower allergens and improve the air quality in your house. Dampened cloths tied to the ends of mops and brooms work great for removing cobwebs. For slatted blinds, use the string to close them one way and dust, then close them the other way and repeat…it’s effective and a lot more efficient than trying to do one slat at a time. Don’t forget to hit the tops of doors, fans, light fixtures, picture frames and yes, each of your knick-knacks (keep them in display cases to reduce dusting work). For the face of framed photos, TV screens, and computer monitors, use glass cleaner on your cotton cloth or microfiber to avoid streaking.

Vacuum. Make sure your bag/compartment isn’t already full, and use the right settings and attachments. Hit the floors in the whole house, and upholstered furniture. Be amazed at all those missing items (socks, your favorite pen) that you find under your couch cushions.

Sweep/mop/treat floors (except kitchen). For mopping, start at the farthest corner of the room and move back toward the entrance. Rinse mop after completing each 4 x 4 foot area.

Furniture freshening. Every now and then, some wooden furniture needs a good waxing.

KITCHEN CLEANING CHECKLIST

Wipe down countertops and cabinets (start at immediate right of the stove).

Clean face of appliances (refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher).

Wipe down stovetop.

Clean inside of microwave.

Soak stove drip pans and knobs in sink.

Clean inside and around sink.

Sweep and mop floor (go light on cleaning product in the water to avoid build-up).

More kitchen cleaning tips.

BATHROOM CLEANING CHECKLIST

Remove rugs/wastebaskets (if you haven’t already when vacuuming earlier).

Remove everything from tub/shower.

Place bath mat in tub/shower.

Wet tub/shower walls with warm water.

Apply tile and grout cleaner, allow to sit.

Spray/clean everything with all-purpose cleaner except toilet, vanity, shower/tub, mirror.

Fill bucket with ¼ cup all-purpose cleaner and water to prep for floor cleaning.

Stand on bath mat and scrub tub/shower walls and door (use grout brush in-between tiles as needed).

Apply tile and grout cleaner to tub/shower floor and scrub.

Clean shower rack/soap dishes.

Clean shower track.

Rinse off walls of tub/shower and dry with cloth.

Vanity: spray tile and grout cleaner in sink, soap dish.

Spray countertop with all-purpose cleaner.

Scrub sink.

Use grout brush along faucet and drain.

Rinse the sink and your rag.

Wipe the vanity countertop.

Wipe down cabinet fronts.

Clean mirror: spray glass cleaner on soft cloth and buff.

Shine the faucets.

Wash the floor with solution in the bucket and allow to dry.

Replace rugs, bath mat and wastebaskets.

More bathroom cleaning tips.

 

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO WEEKLY HOUSE CLEANING

It never fails. When I get a call for a quote, and I head over to the house, I always get asked the same question, “How long will it take to clean my house?” When we get hired to clean, what folks often don’t understand or realize is we have a game plan as soon as we walk into your home.

It takes a professional far less time to clean your home than it will you because we have one goal in mind:  to clean your home in the most efficient way possible. We have a strategy that takes on cleaning in a systematic, organized way.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Professionals clean all day long. You don’t. But if you want to clean like a professional in the shortest amount of time, this cleaning strategy will help you accomplish that goal.

Get In the Mood

Before you start going room to room, pause first to put on some great, lively music. Most of my staff work with a headset on because music makes everything better.

Pick Up Clutter

Now pick up clutter, and as you go, feel free to second-guess your belongings. The less you have, the less you have to put away, clean, and dust: scrutinize books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, furniture, toys the kids have outgrown, old computers you’ve outgrown, old clothes and shoes in the closets…is it time to donate and recycle? We’ll tackle the art of de-cluttering next week.

 

Household Disinfection: How Much Disinfecting Is Too Much?

Making sure your home is safe and healthy—and keeping it that way—is on everyone’s mind these days. To achieve and maintain a healthy home, both cleaning and disinfecting are necessary and important. Cleaning and disinfecting are often used interchangeably, but these two words actually have different and distinct meanings and functions.

Cleaning physically removes dust, dirt, and soil from surfaces, often taking away some germs in the process and reducing the amount of pathogens present. However, cleaning does not fully disinfect the surface—that is, germs are still present and viable. When it comes to disinfecting, it’s important to consider how frequently it should be done and how much disinfectant should be used to effectively kill germs.

Regularly Disinfect High-Touch Surfaces

How often should you disinfect your home? First you need to determine which surfaces require disinfecting. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends disinfecting surfaces considered “high-touch” on a regular basis. High-touch surfaces are those with which you and your family make frequent contact, like light switches, door knobs, counter tops, faucets, remote controls, and other things of that nature. Once you know your high-touch surfaces, you can decide what a “regular basis” means in your home. This can depend on your environment, how often you and your family come into contact with people or places outside your home, and how often your family touches those high-touch surfaces.

Proper, Effective Use of Disinfectants

Since pathogens can reside on surfaces and multiply, you might think using even more disinfectant across the entire home should reduce the risk of infection even further, right? False! Though it is true that cleaning and disinfecting can drastically reduce the amount of pathogens on surfaces, you should consider the following questions before embracing a more-is-better approach.

How frequently is the surface touched by someone’s hands?

We’ve already discussed the CDC’s recommendations for thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces. However, for areas that are not frequently touched, the CDC recommends regular cleaning with soap and water. It’s not usually efficient or economical to disinfect areas like walls, ceilings, the top of the refrigerator, baseboards, etc. The International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene (IFH) lists those “low-touch” areas as having the lowest risk of infection. By limiting disinfection to only the surfaces most likely to contribute to disease transmission, you reduce the risk of misusing the disinfectant, as well as reducing the cost of maintaining a safe and healthy home.

 

Expert Cleaning Tips

Have you ever wondered how professional cleaning companies turn even the dirtiest homes into beautiful masterpieces that sparkle? Some of the distinct advantages are teams of trained cleaning experts, state-of-the-art equipment, and commercial grade green cleaning solutions.

Your House Cleaning Guide by Room

Whether you are looking to clean your entire house or a particular room, we have guides to help you out.

Kitchen: From countertops to cabinets to floors, here are our best kitchen tips

Floors: Whether you’ve got hardwoods, laminate, carpeted or linoleum floors, here are some tested methods for getting your floors to sparkle.

Bedroom: Keeping a tidy bedroom can be a challenge, so these tips will help you tame the beast that is the bedroom, including how to fight allergens.

Bathroom: From beating grime and mold to getting the grout clean and the porcelain shining, bathrooms present a unique challenge. Here are some of our best bathroom cleaning tips.

Living Room Solutions: Eliminate dust and clutter with Maid Brigade’s living room solutions.

Spring Cleaning: When it’s time to clear your space with

a deep clean, Maid Brigade’s spring cleaning guide comes to the rescue.

For The Do-It-Yourself Homeowner

Whether it’s an unexpected visit from friends or relatives, untimely spills on the carpet, or simply in case “life happens”, we’re here to help, even if we aren’t the ones doing the cleaning. Because you need to know right now, we’ve compiled a list with some of our most popular house cleaning tips.

these household cleaning tips have your health, that of your family, your pets and our maids in mind. Our goal is to help rid your home of the dangerous toxins used in many everyday household products. Some of those include, but are not limited to:

Furniture Polish

Air Freshener

Dishwashing Detergent

Oven Cleaner

Floor Cleaner

Disinfectants

Glass Cleaners

Bug Repellents

Fabric Softener

to Keep Your Home Clean and Green

Practical green cleaning tips can help every homeowner keep their home organized, clean, and safe from toxins to ensure a clean and safe living environment. From using microfiber to making your cleaning products, these tips can contribute to making your home and the environment safer.

 

Free House Cleaning Guide: Insider Secrets For A Clean And Beautiful Home That Shines

Having a clean home is one of the easiest ways to immediately improve your day-to-day quality of life. And it makes having company over fun and stress free.

Your home, condo, or chalet is probably the biggest financial investment you’ll ever make so why not maximize the enjoyment you get out of it?

In it you’ll discover:

Where to start

How to avoid “multi-tasking paralysis”

The relationship between a clean home, organization, productivity and stress

How to create a healthy environment for your family

The cleaning products I recommend for the best possible results

The “little things” that set your home apart

How to clean your oven without creating even more mess

How to clean stainless steel without ruining it

If you follow every step in this guide, I guarantee you’ll have your house looking so good your guests will compliment you every time they come over. I put this guide together for those times when you’re feeling motivated to clean your home and want to capitalize on your will power but aren’t sure where to start.

Not only will I show you how to clean your house properly, I’ll also show you some important things to avoid so you don’t ruin any of your furniture or appliances. When I originally designed this guide, it was created as a training manual for my crew. As I was putting it together I had the goal in mind that “if we clean a house on a regular basis, the client should never have to clean anything.”

Health

Find Pain Management For Your Multiple Sclerosis

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Pain Medicine Doctor: Your Pain Relief & Pain Management Specialist

What is a pain medicine doctor?

A pain medicine doctor specializes in diagnosing, treating and managing pain and a range of painful disorders. A pain medicine doctor cares for the health needs of people with acute pain, chronic pain, and cancer pain. Because pain is complex and covers a wide spectrum of conditions, pain medicine doctors specialize in both the physical and mental aspects of pain management.

A pain medicine doctor typically:

  • Evaluates your medical history and any test results you have
  • Performs a physical exam
  • Evaluates your answers to pain questionnaires
  • Orders and interprets laboratory tests, imaging exams, neurologic exams, and muscle and nerve studies
  • Diagnoses and treats herniated discs, spinal stenosis, fibromyalgia, cancer pain, migraine headaches, diabetic neuropathy, sports injuries, and burn pain
  • Prescribes medications
  • Orders physical therapy, electrical stimulation therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and counseling
  • Performs therapeutic injections and nerve blocks
  • Refers you to an appropriate surgeon if necessary

A pain medicine doctor may also be known as a pain medicine specialist, pain management doctor, or pain medicine physician.

 

How is chronic pain diagnosed?

The pain medicine specialist will work with you and any other physicians, such as your primary care physician, surgeon or oncologist, depending on the source of your pain. While other physicians manage and treat your medical conditions such as arthritis or cancer, the pain medicine specialist is in charge of diagnosing and treating your pain.

Here are some things a pain medicine specialist may do:

  • Review your medical records, X-rays and other images.
  • Perform a complete physical examination.
  • Ask you to describe your pain, explain where it hurts, how long it has hurt and what makes the pain feel better or worse.
  • Request the completion of a detailed questionnaire about the impact your pain is having on your life, how it interferes with your daily activities and what your treatment goals are.
  • Order tests for diagnosis and treatment.

 

What are the options for treating chronic pain?

If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from chronic pain, talk to your pain medicine specialist about treatment options, including:

  • Medication – Over-the-counter remedies, such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and more powerful drugs, such as opioids, may help ease your pain. Other medications can help too, including antidepressants, anti-seizure medications and steroids. Your physician may suggest a combination of medications to address different aspects of your pain. Because some of these medications, such as opioids, can be addictive, and other medications can cause side effects or interact with each other, it’s important that a qualified pain medicine specialist manages your medication plan.
  • Physical therapy – Some types of pain respond well to physical therapy, specific exercises that help build up or stretch muscles and ease pain. Your pain medicine specialist can work with a physical therapist, orthopedic surgeon or physical medicine specialist to prescribe a physical therapy program.
  • Medical procedures – A number of procedures can help with pain control, including nerve blocks, surgery and snipping overactive nerves. Extensive research is being done to develop high-tech techniques to block or minimize pain using radio waves, electrical currents or medication pumps.
  • Complementary therapies – Some people find relief using biofeedback, relaxation, meditation, acupuncture, visualization or other alternative therapies.
  • Lifestyle changes – You can help manage your pain by being as healthy as possible. If you smoke, get help so you can quit. Try to maintain a healthy weight to avoid the stress excess weight puts on painful hips and knees. Good nutrition is important, and exercising can often relieve or prevent pain.

 

Physical and occupational therapies

Physical and occupational therapies: Certified physical therapists and occupational therapists can play an important role in pain management through the various types of therapies and techniques they use with patients. Many occupational and physical therapists will use various forms of exercise to not only promote and restores normal function, but as a primary pain management tool as well. Physical therapy encompasses a wide range of treatments, such as massage, joint manipulation and dry needling. This means patients who do not respond to one method may find relief in another. Unlike some other methods of reducing pain, physical therapy aims not to stop pain quickly and temporarily, but over time and for the long term. This is why it is a good option for patients who want to avoid taking opioid medications.

 

Things Never to Say to Your Doctor About Chronic Pain.

So how to talk with your doctor seemed like a pretty good start to a blog series. Let’s start by talking about ways to improve your interactions with your physicians.

Here are 5 things never to say to your doctor about your chronic pain.

  • Don’t tell your doc “I hurt all over”. If you tell me this my next questions are likely to be “do your teeth hurt? Or do you toe nails hurt? Or do your eyeballs hurt? When your doctor asks you “where does it hurt” try to be specific; pick the 1 or 2 most affected areas or the areas where the pain started.
  • Don’t overstate you pain or overly embellish the description. Years ago, while working in an ER in St. Lucia, a farmer came in complaining of pain in his rectum “like a chicken bone stuck sideways up there”. Well, as it turned out he did. But most of the time try to use simple descriptors like ‘sharp’, stabbing’, ‘dull’, or ‘achy’.
  • Don’t suggest the pain is the result of long ago events, such as “I was in an auto accident 30 years ago” or “I fell of the swings”. Right. And who did not fall off the swings when they were kids? There are some health professionals that reach back and attempt find a ‘reason’ for the pain. In my experience, these usually mislead from the true cause of pain and result in ineffective, unnecessary treatment. A previous event or injury can be significant if you had specific, continuous pain in a specific spot since the event. Other than that, these types of explanations tend to be counterproductive.
  • Don’t say anything related to a work injury or auto accident, even if that is truly how the pain started. Sad but true, saying that your pain is from an auto accident or work injury will likely result in the doctor thinking that you are exaggerating your problems for “secondary gain”, like trying to get a big cash settlement.
  • Don’t ask for a specific pain drug. Nothing says ‘drug seeker and abuser’ to your doctor faster than saying the only thing that works is Percocet. You are establishing a relationship and asking the doctor for help; not asking for a specific treatment plan. It is counterproductive to pronounce what she should give to you. Especially if that is opioids. Let the doctor come up with her own treatment plan. Yes, it is frustrating and may take longer, but in the end you will establish a good relationship and may get a better care.
Pest Control

Myths About Cockroaches

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Cockroaches

How to spot cockroaches

There are two main types of cockroach in Britain, Oriental Cockroaches and German Cockroaches. Cockroaches do not normally survive outdoors in our cool climate, but thrive around the heating and boiler rooms of buildings. They group around pipes, stoves, and sinks and will often stay hidden during the day.

Treat cockroaches yourself

It can be very difficult to get rid of cockroaches yourself, so it’s wise to get professional help.

To treat cockroaches yourself, you could:

buy insecticide spray from your local hardware store

clean the area you’re treating and remove any food or water nearby

following the instructions on the label

pay attention to cracks where eggs may be found

avoid sticky traps as they should only be used for monitoring

Prevention tips

To help prevent cockroaches, you should:

clean all surfaces thoroughly to remove any food residue

avoid leaving dirty dishes and utensils in the sink

keep bins covered, clean and emptied regularly

clean beneath your refrigerator regularly as warm areas attract cockroaches

seal gaps around doors, windows and wires to prevent entry

repair any leaks beneath the sink and on the sink top to remove a potential water source

 

Ultimate Guide To Cockroach Prevention

Most people see cockroaches and while they get grossed out, they don’t think much of it five minutes later after they’ve killed it. This is an issue, as cockroaches can be harmful to humans. If left unchecked, a cockroach infestation can ruin not only your home’s health but your own physical health as well. Knowing how to get rid of cockroaches is an important step in keeping your home safe.

Preventing Roaches – Eliminate Food Sources

The best thing you can do to prevent cockroaches from invading your home is by making it less attractive to them. Fortunately, the measures you take to deter cockroaches will also eliminate other pests such as ants and rodents.

The first defensive measure against these pests is to keep your home as clean as possible:

Clean up leftover or unfinished food messes.

Store you trash in a sealed container and empty it from your living space regularly.

Keep food in your pantry in sealed containers.

Vacuum your home regularly to reduce their food supply.

Eliminate possible entry points from the outdoors such as cracks around window casings, spaces around pipes, and gaps under doors.

Preventing Roaches – Eliminate Water Sources

In spite of your best efforts to keep your home clean, cockroaches still may become a problem. Cockroaches can survive for about a month without food and thus will wait it out until a food source becomes available. However, they can only survive for about a week without water.

It’s important to eliminate cockroach water sources by:

Cleaning up pet water regularly. If you have a problem with cockroaches, consider removing water overnight as this is when roaches are most active.

Checking for leaky pipes under the sink, around your washing machine, and in your utility room.

Cockroaches like damp, dark areas. Check crawlspaces and basements for potential leaks.

 

How to get rid of cockroaches

Cockroaches are an unfortunate reality of urban life, scurrying out when you least expect it. If their dull, brown bodies have you running for cover and gross you out, you’re not alone. Want to have a cockroach-free home? Read on for some practical tips that really work to get rid of roaches for good.

Sweeten the deal

Boric acid and diatomaceous earth are the unsung heroes to killing cockroaches at home. Boric acid acts like a stomach poison while diatomaceous earth pierces the cockroach’s outer skeleton. To make the cockroach poison, take three parts boric acid powder with one part sugar and mix thoroughly. Sprinkle this concoction in the areas roaches live, like under the sink and in the pantry – use a thin layer to avoid them walking around it.

Clean and then clean some more

Household pests – and roaches in particular – love greasy, grimy areas like kids love lollies. Survey your kitchen and if you find the following, you need to take immediate action

Stove or cooker spills

Greasy kettles or other kitchen appliances

Crumbs around the toaster

Open boxes of snacks and cereals

Dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher

Pet food left opened and uncovered

Open garbage bags

Food scraps on the kitchen floor and benchtops

Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink and plug in drains when you’re not using them to avoid roaches crawling up through the pipes. Encourage your family to eat their meals and snacks in the kitchen and dining room instead of curling up on the couch to limit where roaches can crawl to in search of food

 

Cockroaches

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are scavenger insects that resemble beetles. There are many species of cockroaches, but one of the most common in our area is the German cockroach. German cockroaches are about 1/2 an inch long, oval-shaped, and have six legs. They are light brown in color and have two parallel stripes on their back near their head. Although they have wings, German cockroaches rarely fly, preferring instead to run. Cockroaches are scavengers, which means they feed on dead organisms. They’ll eat almost anything, such as animal carcasses, feces, garbage, book bindings, and toothpaste.

Are cockroaches dangerous?

Cockroaches are dangerous for a couple of reasons. First, their traveling and eating habits take them to many unsanitary places where they pick up bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. If they then enter your home and walk around on your countertops, bathroom fixtures, and food, they will contaminate them with these germs, leaving you susceptible to serious illness. Cockroaches have been linked to the spread of thirty-three types of bacteria, six different parasitic worms, and at least seven other pathogens. Another reason to be concerned about a cockroach infestation is that they can trigger asthma symptoms, and even asthma attacks, in certain individuals.

Why do I have a cockroach problem?

Cockroaches sometimes enter homes when carried inside in boxes or bags, or by crawling in through any small opening they can find. If your home is humid or you have a moisture problem somewhere, and if you have a readily available food supply, roaches will be interested in staying in your home. They will also begin to reproduce, making your initially small problem quickly grow larger.

Where will I find cockroaches?

Cockroaches prefer warm, humid areas, and are most often found in kitchens, often hidden under sinks. However, they can also be found in bathrooms since moisture levels tend to be high in those rooms. Even a room with lower humidity may be at risk if it offers a food supply. Pantries, dining rooms, living rooms, or any room where you eat or leave food is at risk.

How do I get rid of cockroaches?

Cockroaches are some of the most difficult pests to get rid of. They have many defenses to protect themselves, including the ability to hold their breath for up to forty minutes. They can even live without a head for a week! Even if you figure out a way to kill them, cockroaches are excellent at hiding, so it’s unlikely that you’ll eliminate the entire problem through a DIY approach.

 

Turkestan cockroaches

What do Turkestan cockroaches look like?

Turkestan cockroaches are often called “rusty red cockroaches” or “red runner cockroaches.” They are closely related to the Oriental cockroach. What a Turkestan cockroach looks like greatly depends on whether it is a female or male. Females grow to about 1 inch in length and are dark brown to black in color. They have cream-colored markings along the edges of their body and behind their head. Females have short round wings with light-colored stripes along the wing edges. The males of this species are smaller than the females. They are brownish-orange in color and have yellowish-colored wings that extend past their slim abdomen. Males have the same cream-colored markings along the edges of their body as the females.

Are Turkestan cockroaches dangerous?

Like other species of cockroaches, Turkestan cockroaches are found inside homes and businesses and can cause significant health problems for people. Their saliva and excrement can trigger allergies and asthma and they introduce bacteria, parasites, and human pathogens that can make people quite ill. They will also contaminate food sources and food-prep areas. Keeping Turkestan cockroaches out of your home and away from your family is important for everyone’s health and safety.

Where do Turkestan cockroaches nest?

Turkestan cockroaches prefer to live outside in dark moist areas. They are often found nesting in compost piles, potted plants, leaf litter, in the cracks of concrete, in sewers, inside electrical boxes, or in or around the perimeter of homes and other structures.

Why do I have a Turkestan cockroach problem?

Turkestan cockroaches are commonly sold as food for pet reptiles because they are easy to care for and reproduce very quickly. However, regularly transporting these roaches across the country allows them to continually invade and infest new structures. While these roaches do prefer to live outside, when their population reaches its peak in the summer, they are more likely to find their way inside while out and about foraging for food sources. Male Turkestan cockroaches are attracted to light and are active at night. This makes it easy for them to find their way into a home through spaces around windows and doors.

How do I get rid of Turkestan cockroaches?

When dealing with a Turkestan cockroach infestation, the best thing to do is contact your local pest control company as soon as possible. At Pest Control, experts will come to your aid, perform a thorough inspection, and create a pest control program to help eliminate Turkestan cockroaches as well as prevent future invasions.

Automotive

Time For A Transmission Repair

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How to check for transmission problems

Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission in your car, you need it to be in working order if you want to drive anywhere. That’s because the transmission turns the power from the engine into a force that moves the wheels of the car. So if you have transmission problems, your car might not even be drivable. Luckily, there are a few ways to look for issues with this part so you can get a transmission diagnosis and repair as soon as possible. Here are some ways to check transmission problems on your car.

PAY ATTENTION TO WARNING LIGHTS

In most cases, transmissions problems will trigger the Check Engine light to come on in your car. This is especially the case with automatic transmission problems. If you see any warning lights on your dashboard, it may be time to take your car to a mechanic for a transmission diagnosis, or possibly to find out if there’s anything wrong with the rest of the vehicle.

CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID

Checking your car’s transmission fluid is another way to find out if there is a problem with this part. To do this on your own, start your car and put it in park. Open the hood and locate the area where the transmission fluid is stored; then pull out the dipstick that covers it. Make sure the transmission fluid is at the right level, and then check the color.

Clean fluid should be reddish and almost translucent. It can be hard to tell what color it is by just looking in the fluid compartment, so wipe the dipstick on a white rag to check. If it’s pinkish or light red, it’s pretty clean. But if it’s very dark red or brown, it may be old, dirty and even burnt. You may even be able to smell if it’s burnt, in which case it’s time to change the fluid to fix or prevent transmission problems.

USE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO CHECK TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS

Another way to look for transmission problems is to hold down the brake pedal with one foot while stepping on the gas pedal with the other foot so you can rev up the engine. Make sure the parking brake is on during this time, and don’t rev the car for longer than a few seconds. The point of this technique is to ensure the engine revs up and the car tries to move when you press on the gas. If the engine does not rev up or cannot remain revved up for long, there may be transmission problems.

PAY ATTENTION TO THE TRANSMISSION AS YOU DRIVE

Transmission problems should be apparent when you’re on the road. So the next time you drive, pay close attention as you shift gears. The car should be able to shift from one gear to another easily and smoothly. If you notice any sudden jolts, vibrations or very high RPMs when you shift, your car might have transmission problems. And of course, if the car can’t shift from one gear to the next at all, it may be time to get a transmission diagnosis and repair.

If you’re familiar with cars and transmissions in particular, you can try making repairs yourself. Just buy the products you need to fix your transmission problems and you should end up with a car that functions as it should. But if you’re not confident about car repairs, you should take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic for everything from a simple transmission fluid change to a transmission slipping fix.

 

Common transmission problems

LOW OR DIRTY TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSED BY LEAKING, CONTAMINATION, OR AGE

Manual transmission vehicles need transmission fluid to keep gears lubricated and to prevent grinding. Automatic transmission vehicles need transmission fluid to create the hydraulic pressure that actually powers movement within the transmission. Without the right amount of clean and debris-free transmission fluid, transmissions can overheat and essential gears can slip, surge, or become ground down, and – especially in the case of automatic transmissions – total vehicle failure can occur.

WORN GEAR SYNCHRONIZERS (MANUAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ONLY)

In manual transmission systems, gear synchronizers – or synchros as they’re commonly called – are the transmission component that makes the gear you are about to shift into spin at the same speed as the gear you are shifting from. By having the two gears spinning at the same speed during the shift, gear synchronizers create a smooth, seamless shifting experience. Worn gear synchros are a common manual transmission problem, and if untreated, can cause transmission failure.

WORN CLUTCH (MANUAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ONLY)

A worn clutch is another common manual transmission problem. The clutch in a manual transmission system can become worn due to mechanical error if there is a hydraulic fluid leak in the clutch master cylinder, or by human error if the driver is frequently accelerating and shifting through the gears without releasing his or her foot from the clutch. This can burn up a manual transmission clutch quickly and will result in a clutch replacement service.

FAILED NEEDLE ROLLER BEARINGS (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS ONLY)

Needle bearings are small, lightweight roller bearings that help prevent gears in the automatic transmission’s torque converter from grinding. If the transmission’s needle bearings become worn or sluggish you may hear grinding or brushing noises coming from your vehicle while the car is in motion. This sound can mean your transmission gears are moving inefficiently and being prematurely worn down.

 

Lack of Response or Shifting Delay

Ever notice that while driving that the car hesitates or refuses to go into gear? If you have, then there is definitely something wrong. The moment a driver shifts from park to drive the car should immediately go into the proper gear. For automatic transmissions, you might notice that when shifting into drive or park that there is a delay before you feel the gear engage. This is usually a transmission-based concern.

Manual transmissions can have the same lacking response issue, but after shifting into gear the engine’s RPMs will surge, but the car won’t move as fast as the engine sounds like it’s going. This is usually caused by a clutch that needs to be replaced, but may sometimes point to a more severe problem.

Whining, Clunking and Humming

It’s impossible to say exactly what your car will sound like when there is trouble with your transmission, but one thing is for sure, you’ll get a “I haven’t heard that sound before” feeling when you notice it. The sounds that are produced vary widely between different makes and models, but the best way to describe them is that you’ll probably hear a humming, buzzing or whining noise.

Manual transmissions will emit sounds that can be described as being slightly more mechanical, louder and abrupt sounding. A clunking sounds when you shift gears almost always lies within a transmission, while constant velocity joins or the differential may be the source if the clunking is coming from the underside of your car.

As mentioned already, it is always best to get the problem diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible and not wait until later when you “find the time” or “have the money”. If you wait until later what would have been a relatively inexpensive repair can easily become a much more costly one.

 

The Check Engine Light

Check engine light can mean many different issues are happening depending on your vehicles make and model. When you get a check engine light, even though it’s called a check “engine” light, it doesn’t necessarily point directly to your engine. It could be your transmission, brake system, air conditioning, or any system on the vehicle, so it’s important you have the codes retrieved from the vehicle’s computers to allow for a pinpoint diagnostic of the system and problem. If the light is flashing, that could mean a severe problem that is causing other damage to the engine and or transmission so do not delay.

Smells Like Burning

In most cases, a burning smell comes from the very hot or leaking transmission fluid. Preventing this requires checking your fluid levels regularly to look for indications of a leak. Low fluid levels often cause major problems if you don’t catch it quickly.

 

Slipping Gears

You have slipping gears if it seems like the engine is revving higher than it should when driving down the road and you lack power. There are other warning signs worth looking out for as well:

  • The transmission has a hard time shifting into the next gears
  • Weird sliding sounds between gears
  • High RPM
  • A burnt look and smell to the fluid
  • Low fluid levels
  • A Check Engine light

These symptoms sometimes come before or after your transmission starts to slip. These issues can occur when you haven’t replaced your fluid levels at the correct intervals, you have an ill running engine or the clutches are worn.

You can prevent a slipping transmission maintaining your fluid levels regularly and making certain you do not have any leaks. Burnt and low fluid can be easy fixes. Replacing, clutches, bands and other internal parts require a professional Technician.

If you plan on fixing slipping gears yourself, make sure your issues fall in the categories listed above before targeting your transmission – you can create issues on transmission by “fixing” the wrong parts.