Be Ready
When you’re native to Northern New York, Jefferson County in particular, you are accustomed to heavy snow falls. Early and mid February snows can be especially hazardous because they can contain higher water content and pile up to some impressive depths. Last Saturday night was no exception.
Heavy and wet, snow stays where it lands.
I unofficially measured 13” of the white stuff on our back deck from the overnight accumulation. Shoveling to clear the deck made it clear that this was a heavy, wet snow. Not the drier lighter variety that the breeze can blow about, this snow pretty much sits where it drops.
And that’s the 1 of the 1, 2, 3. It is the deep accumulation that makes our backs sore and machines groan as we clear the driveways and sidewalks. It takes longer, requires more effort than the previous snows of the year. And once we open the drive, clear the walks and steps yet again we tend to think of the hot cocoa and warm fireplace beckoning. Read More
Leaving the front porch behind, our little band crossed the road. The youngest wasn’t old enough to venture of his own volition, but was granted reprieves when accompanied. The eldest had received the standard reminder that he was in charge because he was the oldest and responsible for the other two. All this was forgotten once we crossed.
More specifically, recently a good friend and neighbor passed away unexpectedly. Events such as this cause us to look back and remember our relationship with a friend. Our first meeting was 22 years earlier. He had been given my number by a colleague at work that we had worked for. When he called we went through usual list of questions and answers that our intended business required. Arriving at directions to his home I then asked if he would mind me stopping in right away. No, not at all, he said.
You can Google search the topic and will find numerous websites offering their twist on the best advice. Remodeling groups will bias the advice towards their own members, listing services will lean towards their contractors and of course contractor sites will give advice that point to them as the best choice. Obviously my advice would be to call Cook Contracting, LLC for a safe reliable renovation.
I’ll take the kitchen remodel with a side of asparagus!
By Owen Sechrist of Ruby Construction LLC
How do you go about selecting a remodeling company that is going to make you happy?
Unfortunately most consumers have no idea, and most remodeling companies can’t tell you either.
It’s a problem that every business wrestles with: “How do we make sure that the people our product or service fits with understand that our product or service is perfect for them?”
Home remodeling adds some unusual complications to the mix. Every job is custom and represents a significant financial investment on the part of the client. You’re not going to have your kitchen remodeled three times and then decide company number 2 was the best and have them back to do it over once more.
In my previous life I was a chef and restaurateur. I often think of how much more wisely people choose a restaurant than a remodeler. They likely get lots of recommendations for restaurants from friends and family; people love to talk about good restaurants and they’re trying different ones all the time! They look at the menu, quickly see the price point and decide if the menu looks interesting. If they’re on a tight budget and looking for maximum calories for their dollar they hit a fast food joint and you know exactly what they’re going to get.
I can tell you how not to do it: let’s imagine we’re going to find a restaurant at which to have dinner the way most people choose a remodeling company.
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