Preparing Your Home for Spring: Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Rental or Home

Herndon, Virginia - March has come in as a lamb and is leaving like a lamb this 2012 Spring, with temperatures already hitting the 80’s. If you are a Homeowner or a Renter in the Northern Virginia area, McGrath Real Estate recommends completing certain tasks to ensure that your spring and summer is more enjoyable.

The exterior of the rental has obviously had the most exposure to the winter weather. It is recommended that you check your gutters to make sure they are still clean and if not, have them cleaned. Hose bibs should be opened and if necessary, McGrath Real Estate suggests having the exterior siding power washed to remove any dirt and algae. For homeowners interested in starting their landscaping, you can get a start on your gardening by cleaning away fallen sticks and rake away any dead leaves. Even if your grass is still in good shape, bald spots in high traffic areas may need more grass seed be put down to keep your lawn beautiful and green all summer long.

Dave Buckingham, the Head of the Repairs Department at McGrath Real Estate says the most important thing a homeowner or renter can do in the spring is to check their air conditioning system. “The first thing anyone living in a single family home or townhome should do is to turn on their Air Conditioning unit and make sure it’s working. The last thing you want is to really need your A/C in July and it won’t turn on. Save yourself the headache and check it now. Contractors are very backed up in the summer months, and it can be several days til a repairman can come out.” Also imperative is to change or clean the air filters in the home. This increases the efficiency of all home HVAC systems.

It may be cliché but doing some ‘spring cleaning’ improves the functionality of your home and creates a happier living environment. If you are a renter and have questions about what home maintenance tasks should be complete, McGrath Real Estate recommends talking to your property manager or landlord.

About:
McGrath Real Estate Services has served the Northern Virginia region since 1976 as an expert in property management and real estate sales. Founded by a Foreign Service family they understand and appreciate the unique needs of homeowners serving our country abroad. For more information please visit McGrathRealEstate.com. (PRWEB)

5 Smart Ways in Choosing a Reputable Roofing Contractor for All Your Roofing Needs

In choosing a reputable roofing contractor, you just have to research on several contractors, ask for the company’s physical address, hire a licensed contractor and look for credentials, inquire if the company has insurance and a safety plan, and ask for references and a list of completed projects.

Looking for a roofing contractor is a very critical part for every homeowner. Whether you’re stuck on a leaking roof that needs some repair or you need to install a new roof, you’ll always want to get the best service there is from a reputable roofing company. Now that there are dozens of contractors out there, you’ll probably find yourself confused on which company is the best. But it’s never hard to look and choose for the most reliable roofing company as long as you keep in mind the following:

Research on several contractors

This is the first step you will take in choosing a reputable roofing contractor. You can a get a list of these companies by talking to neighbors or close friends or even scanning through the yellow pages. A thorough research on different companies will help you compare and evaluate on their different price range and honest services. In this phase you will also be able to know how long they’ve been on the business and their background. If you need to go through them yourself, call them on the phone or visit them on their address and ask for some questions.

Ask for the company’s physical address

If the contractor has a permanent address, it only means that the business is permanent. With a permanent address, you can visit and check if they have the proper equipment and enough manpower to complete the job.

Hire a licensed contractor and look for credentials

Roofing repairs and installment are only done by professionals. One way to check it is by looking for their license or other credentials such as business permit, policies, National Association of Roofing Contractors membership, and so on. They must also be knowledgeable on roofs as to alternative roof covering products to new styles or roofing procedures.

Inquire if the company has insurance and a safety plan

Even though you’ll pay more when hiring an insured company, but this is the best way to save you from future liabilities such as accidents. Look for a certificate of their insurance and check the coverage and limits that it carries. A reputable roofing company should also have a safety plan. This only means that the company values their workers and that they are genuinely dedicated to completing the project without any emergency delays.

Ask for references and a list of completed projects

A reputable company is never afraid to give out references from satisfied or even unsatisfied customers. This probably is the finest way to know if the contractor is indeed very good in their line of business and most probably will be able to meet your expectations. If you find that the company has several complaints filed from their clients, looking for another contractor would be a smarter idea.

With the following points, you will now learn to choose which company deserves your trust and confidence in taking care of your roof. With a reputable contractor to do the work, rest assured you’ll have the best for your family and home.