House Doctors featured on U.S. Bank Business Watch

Jim Hunter CEO of House Doctors was recently featured in a piece on U. S. Bank Business Watch discussing the company. The piece talks about why Jim decided to take over the company and the home repair industry in general. It goes into detail about why Jim has such great faith in the company and why the Home Repair Industry is a great business option right now. Click below to view the segment.

 

It's a Colorful Life Inside Your Home

How to liven up your home with color

The summer months are all about color. From flowers in bloom to vibrant beach towels and colorful dresses, summer brings with it a multitude of hues. As you look around, you might start to feel like your home is a little, well, blah. If so, just adding a little pop of color into your home can help.

Once you have an idea of the color direction you are heading for your home, the fun begins. Start by thinking about the colors you want to add, where color can make the most impact, and just how much you need to give your home a fresh look.

Here are a few tips to get you started on your adventure in color.

Explore color
More than likely, you already have a favorite color in mind and would be OK seeing more of it in your home. Or, maybe a little inspiration from the season's hottest hues would help. Either way, the first step is to explore color. Take a visit to your favorite clothing boutique, stop in at a paint store or flip through home design magazines. Choose the looks you are most drawn to or the colors that evoke a feeling of happiness or calm. These colors reflect your personal style and will make you feel most comfortable in your home.

Start small
After picking a color palette, don't go out and paint your whole house with it, start small. Just changing your accent pillows, throws, lampshades or accessories can make a big impact when you are first incorporating a new color. Remember to make sure the color flows well throughout the entire space, especially if your home has an open floor plan with rooms easily visible from one to another.

Accent with artwork
Another easy way to bring color to your home is by updating artwork and wall decor. Simply moving artwork from one room to another can give your home a refreshing look, and adding some newly purchased pieces to other spaces can breathe new life into your home.

Be brave
If you're ready to go all out with color, it's OK to make a dramatic change. The kitchen is a great place to go big with color and is usually the gathering place in the home. One of the best ways to bring bold color in the kitchen and set a tone for your entire home is to change your cabinetry. In addition to traditional wood-toned cabinetry styles, there is also a growing selection of on-trend paint and stain colors like KraftMaid's new Slate and Midnight finishes. Take it a step further by choosing glass front doors and adding a contrasting back panel inside the cabinet in colors like KraftMaid's serene Aegean or energetic Envy. Cabinetry colors can bring whimsy and personality to the kitchen.

"Colorful cabinetry can be a big commitment, but it also can set your kitchen apart in a sea of design sameness," says Sarah Reep, director of designer relations and education at KraftMaid Cabinetry. "This year's cabinetry trends are colorful yet timeless and work with just about any design style. The KraftMaid Style Finder on KraftMaid.com is a great way to see what cabinetry colors might work best for you."

The beauty of adding hints of color into your home is that with just a few thoughtful touches, it can feel as though your home has been completely made over. Be sure to carry elements of the color from room to room for maximum effect.

The Heat Is On Outside, Keep Cool Inside

As summer heats up, air conditioning bills can rapidly rise. As homeowners feel the heat, many are looking for ways to save and stay cool.

Many U.S. consumers strive to conserve energy at home. Forty-seven percent of Americans say they try to conserve energy all or most of the time, according to researchers at Iconoculture.

One way to help lower utility bills in the summer and year-round is to replace drafty or leaky old windows with new, energy-efficient products.

According to ENERGY STAR, replacing single-pane windows with ENERGY STAR qualified windows can save up to $126 to $501 a year on utility bills depending on your location.

For example, the Pella 350 Series vinyl windows provide durable, triple-pane insulating glass window options. These highly energy-efficient windows help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Vince Iturbe from Salt Lake City replaced a westward-facing kitchen window and immediately noticed a difference in the temperature inside his home.

"The window faces the sun the better part of the day, and it was just plain miserable during the summer," he says. "I'm so glad to be done with the heat."

Cool tips
Once energy-efficient windows are properly installed in your home, try these inexpensive, easy ways to help keep your house cool.

• Provide shade for east and west windows.
• When possible, delay heat-generating activities like baking or dishwashing until the evening on hot days.
• Use ceiling fans to circulate air to help make the house more comfortable without over-using the air conditioning. Seal air conditioning ducts and insulate ducts that run through unheated basements, crawl spaces and attics.
• Install white window shades or mini-blinds. Mini-blinds can reduce solar heat gain by 40 to 50 percent, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
• If you like energy savings, but dread cleaning blinds, consider windows and doors with optional between-the-glass blinds or shades. Since they're between glass, they accumulate less dust and dirt than traditional roomside window treatments. Plus, they can be closed when you are away to keep the heat out and opened when you are home to let the light in. With their outstanding energy-efficiency and built-in window treatments, it's a winning combination.

Pointers for prepping your deck and backyard for summer fun

Pointers for prepping your deck and backyard for summer fun

Warm weather is here to stay, which means people everywhere are spending more time outdoors. If the sunshine, gentle breeze and chirping birds are calling your family outside to enjoy some fresh air, it's time to get your outdoor space ready for fun activities. With some smart home improvements, you can easily prep your patio and deck for a full season of enjoyment.

1: Tricks for properly cleaning patio furniture

Today's patio furniture can be as comfortable and stylish as indoor options, and similarly, it needs to be periodically cleaned. Resin, resin wicker or metal furniture can typically be cleaned with mild soap, water and a sponge or nonabrasive brush. Metal pieces can be polished with a light coat of car wax to bring back shine and protect it from rusting. Insider tip: If you live in an area with a lot of pollen, you may want to wait to clean outdoor furniture until it is done dropping.

Wood pieces can benefit from a quick cleaning also. For finished wood, use an oil-based soap and a soft brush or cloth. If you have a treated wood deck, picnic table or Adirondack chairs, use a pressure washer and deck cleaner to remove dirt. Remember to use the low-pressure tip so you don't damage the wood. If you have questions, visit www.lowescreativeideas.com for educational articles, videos and additional tips.

2: Get the grill ready for a season of tasty treats

Every warm day is better when you enjoy the succulent flavors of food cooked on the grill, but to keep the food tasting its best, the grill needs to be kept clean. At the start of the season, it's wise to do a thorough, deep cleaning on your grill. If you have a gas grill, remove the propane tank, flame guards and disconnect the igniter wires, removing the igniters. Move the grill over a drop cloth and clean the inside with dish soap, water and a scrub brush. Grates may need to soak in a bucket before getting scrubbed. Once dry, reassemble and get cooking.

In addition to the deep cleaning, remember each time you cook to scrape the grates to get rid of any food residue from previous uses. Simply light the grill and after a few minutes, the heat will have loosened the residue and you can do a quick scraping with a wire brush before putting on your tasty meats and vegetables.

3. Prep the deck in half the time

Staining and sealing your deck is an important maintenance step so its beauty and integrity last for many years, but it's also something most homeowners dread because it can be a lot of work. The good news is there are some new innovations that are making the process much easier. Before you start this project, look for new products that both stain and seal at the same time, simplifying the project and saving you a lot of time. Staining and sealing simultaneously waterproofs, protects and beautifies your wood. Plus, if you do encounter unplanned precipitation in the middle of the project, your deck is still protected. 4. How to grow beautiful plants to enhance your space

With your deck prepped and your patio furniture and grill clean, now it's time to dress the area up with some plants. You can easily incorporate splashes of color by adding containers full of your favorite varieties. Why not make it a family activity and visit your local Lowe's nursery to pick out plants and supplies together? When shopping, keep in mind the color of your deck and furniture and pick plants in a complementary color scheme. You might also want to plant some fruits, vegetables or herbs for your own family garden. Ask a Lowe's garden specialist for advice on what varieties thrive in a container environment.

Once home, spread out your supplies and let your entire family's green thumb come alive. After your plants are nestled into pots and containers, place around your outdoor living space in clusters which provide a better visual look than a single plant standing alone. Remember to water regularly and monitor sun exposure so the plants aren't getting too much or too little.

These few steps can help get your deck or patio ready and beautiful for months of enjoyment. From playing outdoor games to grilling traditional summer fare to relaxing as the sun sets, you'll get a lot of use out of your outdoor space.

Courtesy of ARA Content