Resources & Links

Home Improvement Links

American Society of Home Inspectors

The American Society of Home Inspectors is the national professional organization of home inspectors with members throughout the United States and Canada. If you are buying or selling a home, you can find a qualified home inspector in your area who is ASHI certified. Only an ASHI inspector can provide customers with a professional, personalized inspection that combines 28 years of the highest technical standards, adherence to a strict code of ethics and the very best in customer service and education. ASHI inspectors have passed the most rigorous technical examinations in effect today, and are required to perform more than 250 professional inspections before they're even allowed to become members. www.ASHI.org

Angie's List

Sometimes the hardest part about taking on a major home improvement is finding a contractor you can trust. You like to go with pros that friends, family or neighbors have used with success. Now there is website devoted to helping you find those neighborhood referrals easily. Visit Angie's List to get the real scoop on local companies. The site collects ratings from thousands of your neighbors on service companies in more than 280 different categories – anything from handymen and landscapers to auto mechanics and dog walkers. All the information on Angie's List comes from consumers in your area who have used the company and rated their experience. You can join Angie's List for a small fee and have unlimited access to the List. Each company is graded by other consumers just like a school report card on six different criteria including price, professionalism, and quality. You can read the actual comments from other members and find out all sorts of other information about the company. The site gets more than 15,000 new reports each month, so it's always updated with new information. When you join Angie's List you get unlimited access to the website and a call-in service that operates 6 days a week – so, if you can't decide exactly what you need, you can speak to a real, live person who will help you figure it out. There's also have a monthly magazine full of important information for homeowners and a complaint resolution service. So, if you ever have a problem with a company, Angie's List will go to bat for you! It's easy to sign up, just log on to www.angieslist.com or call 1-888-944-5478 to join.

Call2Recycle

If you're like most DIYers, you are always upgrading your power tool arsenal. So what do you do with all those rechargeable batteries? Recycle them! Visit www.rbrc.org and learn where you can recycle rechargeable batteries in your area, including from power tools, cell phones, digital cameras and computers.

Energy Star

Here is your chance to help save energy. On this site, you'll find tips on saving energy and money. You will also be able to locate contractors who are eligible to upgrade your home to an energy efficient one. Find out which appliances make the Energy Star qualification and learn if you are using as much, more or less energy than the average homeowner. www.EnergyStar.gov

Fine Homebuilding

Whatever your home-building problem or question, Fine Homebuilding, the premier home-building magazine, can help. Browse the current issue, see special web-only video clips or search the archives for articles you need that will help you get the results you want.FineHomebuilding.com

National Landlord Tenant Guidelines

Whether you are the tenant or landlord this site will be helpful to you. The National Landlord Tenant Guidelines are outlined here. You will also be able to access information on all related rights pertaining to tenants and landlords. This is a helpful site to those interested in becoming landlords and for those that are already. www.Rentlaw.com

National Trust

If you are wondering if your home, community or organization is qualified for federal funding this is the site for you. After answering a few questions, you will be able to determine what is available to you or your organization. You will also be able to apply for funding online if you qualify. www.NationalTrust.org

Portland Cement Association

Whether you are looking for your dream home, designing someone's dream or constructing that dream, the Portland Cement Association has the information you need to make that dream become a reality. Buying a home is probably the single largest investment you'll ever make. Invest wisely. A beautiful concrete home will pay you back in terms of operating cost, resale value, and quality of living. Over the long run, benefits like energy efficiency, disaster and fire resistance, and durability reduce the cost of owning a home. Reduced noise and more even temperatures mean quiet comfort that you can enjoy year round. Beautiful homes built to last. That's the beauty of today's concrete. www.cement.org

Consumer Protection Links

Alliance to Save Energy

The Alliance to Save Energy promotes energy efficiency worldwide to achieve a healthier economy, a cleaner environment and energy security. On the site you'll find information on how to winterize your home, cut your utility bills and reduce pollution. Also featured are low-cost and no-cost tips, things you can do around your home that will cost pennies but save big bucks. www.ASE.org

America Supports You

America Supports You is a nationwide program launched by the Department of Defense to recognize citizens' support for our military men and women and communicate that support to members of our Armed Forces at home and abroad. All across America, thousands of individual citizens, businesses, and groups - from local schools and establishments to nationally-known corporations and organizations - are hosting events and undertaking projects to support America's Armed Forces, especially in forward-deployed areas of the Global War on Terrorism. America Supports You will spotlight what Americans are doing all across the land, encourage others to join the team, and allow all to tell their stories by giving voice and visibility to their efforts. www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil

Consumer Product Safety Commission

Here's a government agency that really works. The Consumer Product Safety Commission's web site keeps families safe and, in all likelihood, saves lives every year. This is an easy to navigate site that notes recalls on products by category. There is a special section for families so consumes can sign up to be notified for news and additional recalls that affect children and children's products. www.cpsc.gov

Federal Trade Commission

It's a scenario that's not all that uncommon. A contractor offers to do some work on your house that you tell him you can't afford. He arranges financing through a lender he knows. You sign a lot of papers that you aren't given a chance to read or that are blank. Later, you realize that the papers you signed are a home equity loan. The interest rate, points and fees seem very high. Meanwhile, the work isn't done right and the contractor has little interest in completing the work to your satisfaction. Many Americans fall victim to this scam. But there are ways you can protect yourself. Never agree to a home equity loan if you can't cover the monthly payments. Don't sign anything you haven't read, or allow yourself to be pressured to sign a blank document. Never deed your property to anyone. Always shop around and compare loan terms BEFORE hiring a contractor. For more information on lending scams, visit the consumer protection section on the site of Federal Trade Commission at www.FTC.gov.

FreeFromMold.org

Find out what you need to know to look for places around your home that may be prone to mold growth. APA - The Engineered Wood Association recently launched this site to provide an annual inspection and moisture prevention regimen for homeowners. The site gives you the tools you need to determine places around your house in need of inspection for typical moisture intrusion problems. The site also offers simple steps to fix these problems. www.FreeFromMold.org

Mold Update

Mold Update is a site maintained by the National Associations of Mutual Insurance Companies. It's an excellent resource for consumers. Provides updates of news stories about mold from around the nation. There's a great section on the science of mold as well as a remediation contractor directory. www.MoldUpdate.com

National Do Not Call Registry

www.DoNotCall.gov - The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency and gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. After, October 1, 2003 when the National Do Not Call Registry will be enforced, most telemarketers will be required to remove the numbers on the registry from their call lists. Use this link to add your telephone numbers to the registry and don't forget to add those of elderly parents or relatives who may not have Internet access and are often the target of aggressive telemarketers, as well as telemarketing scams.

National Pest Management Association

Find out everything you ever wanted to know (or didn't want to know) about BUGS! www.pestworld.org, the official site of the National Pest Management Association has great information about pests and how to get rid of them, including resources to find a qualified pest control professional in your area. You can ask the experts about your peskiest problems and check out the most frequently asked questions about what's bugging America's homeowners. Also look for news about problem insects making a comeback, like bedbugs. And to help kids have fun learning about the pests we love to hate, check out www.pestworldforkids.org.

New York State Health Department Mold Study

Not all molds are deadly. However, if you suspect a connection between mold in your home and a family members illness visit this website and you will gain a clear understanding of all types of mold and bacteria's that may be growing in your home.

Ready.gov

This site is your guide to preparedness for any of the challenges facing our country today, developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. From how to make emergency kits to understanding the threats we face as a nation, this site provides clear, common sense advice in an easily understandable format. www.ready.gov

Recalls.gov

Six different federal agencies have gotten together to better protect you, the consumer. Now you can find recall information on everything from cosmetics to boats on one website: www.Recalls.com. The site was recently launched by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The homepage links visitors to the websites of government regulatory agencies responsible for product recalls. In addition to finding details about recalled products, you can get other safety information and sign up for e-mail alerts on recalled products. The site includes consumer safety and recall information in seven major categories and is easy to navigate in both Spanish and English.

Red Cross

A little preparation can go a long way. Check out these concise, easy to read plans and checklists from the Red Cross to help prepare you in case of an emergency, including everything from terrorism to tornadoes. www.RedCross.org