For many folks in the Bay Area, the busiest room in the house is…the backyard. Grilling, playing and socializing outdoors puts neighbors in closer contact with each other, and while that can certainly lead to friendships, it can also cause friction. But you know what they say, good fences make good neighbors. This article covers why you might choose to invest in a high-quality fence and what options are best for your type of yard. Read more
Do Fence Me In: Why Every Home Needs a Good Fence
Posted on March 08, 2018 by Suzanne Carroll
Posted in: Hardscaping, Home Improvement
Tags: pet care, home security, home
Seven Summer Scams
Posted on July 25, 2017 by Chris Bjorklund
Along with rising temperatures this summer, we’re going to see a rise in seasonal scams. I’ve been getting warnings from consumer protection agencies about what to watch out for, and I want to pass them on to you. You may have heard of some of these rip-offs before, but be aware that new variations always pop up and can catch even the savviest consumers off guard.
1. Magazine scams
This scam ramps up in the summer with young people going door-to-door selling magazine subscriptions. They claim they’re working their way through college and need to make a certain number of sales to earn points for scholarships. That’s not true. Most of the time, Read more
Posted in: Consumers, Savvy Tips
Tags: consumer tips, avoiding scams, summer-related, home security
Video: Door Hardening 101
Posted on July 13, 2017 by James Florence
Earlier this week, we posted an article featuring expert tips on home security. One of the aspects mentioned was reinforcing or “hardening” exterior doors to improve protection against break-ins. To get a comprehensive look at what this involves, watch this informative video by Diamond Certified Expert Contributor Randy Reed of Reed Brothers Security.
Posted in: Diamond Certified Experts
Tags: vacation, home security, home
Diamond Certified Experts: Helpful Hints for Home Security
Posted on July 11, 2017 by James Florence
If you’re a homeowner, you know there’s no greater priority than security—after all, it’s not only your valuables that are at stake, it’s the safety of yourself and your family. However, like many Bay Area homes, yours may contain unknown deficiencies that pose an increased vulnerability to break-ins. To help you avoid this, we’ve asked four Diamond Certified Expert Contributors to provide some helpful hints for home security.
Posted in: Home Security, Diamond Certified Experts
Tags: avoiding scams, vacation, home security, home
Industry Overview: Moving
Posted on April 25, 2017 by James Florence
In terms of sheer scope, few enterprises are as exhaustive (or exhausting, for that matter) as moving. From the basic tasks of packing and transporting your belongings to more technical aspects like hiring a moving company and getting insurance, there are a lot of bases to cover. To “unpack” some of the complexities involved, we’ve curated the following collection of information, including key terms, helpful tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
Key Moving Terms
Bill of lading: The standard form used by the United States shipping industry to acknowledge that a carrier has received a shipment. The bill supplies a list of goods included in the shipment and specifies the terms of the shipping agreement, Read more
Posted in: Moving, Consumers
Tags: moving, home security, home
How to Harden Your Door Against Break-ins
Posted on November 17, 2016 by James Florence
Your home may have a high-end alarm system, but if your doors are second-rate, you’re running an unnecessary security risk. Exteriors doors are a home’s first line of defense, which is why a weak one represents a major point of vulnerability. Use the following checklist to make sure your doors have what it takes.
Door
Door hardening starts with the door itself. While interior doors are typically 1 3/8-inch thick, exterior doors should be 1 3/4 inches of solid wood. Read more
Posted in: Home Security
Tags: vacation, home security, home
Man the Battlements: How to Secure Your “Castle” in Not-So-Medieval Times
Posted on August 04, 2015 by James Florence
It’s often said that a person’s home is their castle, but try telling that to a burglar—not to mention the fact that our modern edifices lack the thick stone walls, turrets and drawbridges that secured those specimens of medieval architecture from intrusion. That’s why ensuring security in modern homes takes a lot more than a pot of boiling oil…or, more pertinent, a standard front door deadbolt. Read on to learn a few essential aspects of home protection.
Get a lock on things. While any exterior door should have a lock, simply having one isn’t enough. The reality is that most standard locks do little to deter burglars, who are able to circumvent subpar hardware by lock-picking or simply kicking in the door. Read more
Posted in: Home Security, Consumers, Home Tips
Tags: vacation, home security