Hiring a Contractor or Other Labor Off of Craigslist?

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Avoid an Insurance Nightmare – Do Your Homework Before Hiring a Contractor from Craigslist

Hiring a Contractor from Craigslist in Woodinville, WASo, you’re planning a home remodel or some landscape work – great! Most people start this process by laying out exactly what they’d like, then calling out to multiple companies to get the best quotes to have the job completed. After all, this is your palace and it should be exactly as you’d like it!

So, you browse the internet and find a contractor on the popular site, Craigslist or other internet directory who will perform your job for ½ of what your other quotes are. Can this be too good to be true? Maybe… Craigslist and other free classified ads are terrific resources for all sorts of goods and services. However, when you’re inviting in a contractor to your home, be sure to ask them for credentials before they come over to give you a bid. Following these steps can save you from theft, liability and even money.

  1. Research and ask questions: If you found a great contractor and you like him/her, ask them if they have a website or if there is someone who has had work done by them recently that you can talk to. If a contractor is proud of the work they do, they should have several resources for you to call. It is okay to ask for reference and most people expect it. Most small businesses survive off of word-of-mouth advertising, so don’t be shy.
  2. Utilize the internet to look up their license: Contractors are required to have a license to perform work. You can utilize your states resources to find these contractors. An internet search will provide you with some quick references. You can even make your job quicker by asking them to provide you with a copy of their license or number.
  3. Documentation: Ask the contractor for a copy of their license as well as documentation of their insurance and bond. Note: Check the dates on the license as well as the insurance to ensure they’re currently in force or active.
  4. Get specific: Not only is it important to protect your insurance from a scam, but ensure your pocketbook doesn’t get taken for a ride too. Ask questions like, “Is this an estimate or a final bid?” “Does this estimate include parts and labor?” “Can I see where you’re buying the products beforehand?” The more questions you ask, the better you will feel and the more the contractor will understand that you’re educated on this process.

Hiring a contractor this way can be a great option! It is possible to really save money on these services, but just using some simple, quick research and asking the right questions can save you a bundle as well as a headache! As far as saving money on your home goes, contact the insurance agents at ISU Insurance Solutions Group. Their office in Woodinville, WA is here to serve you. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

4 Common Places to Check for Water Damage BEFORE it Happens

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4 Common Places to Check for Water Damage BEFORE it Happens

Water Damage in Woodinville, WASooner or later, a water source in your home will fail. Water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims and the average cost of these claims in 2014 was over $9,000.  Water damage can be avoided but knowing what signs to look for is important. Common places to check are:

  1. Water Valves: Look for leaks or areas where it appears a leak has occurred in the past on your valves. Valves come out of the wall and connect your faucets, toilets and washing machines. Common signs of failure of these valves could be efflorescence on the pipe or fitting. It may appear white, green or yellow. This is a mineral buildup from water that is deposited when the water dries. If you suspect a valve is failing or connection is becoming corroded, have a plumber change these out. This can also be an easy do-it-yourself project if the valve is the screw on type, not connected to the pipe with solder. Additionally, the cost of this repair is under $5.00.
  2. Drain Failure: From time to time, it would be recommended to stick your head in your crawl space. Crawl spaces will show exposed drain pipes as well as your other ducting and water pipes. Drain pipes are typically large black pipes up to 4” in diameter and will have no insulation on them. An easy way to scan for leaks is to look at your vapor barrier. Vapor barriers stop moisture from coming up into your home, so if your drain pipes are leaking, the water would be deposited on top of the vapor barrier and leave a stain as it dries. Correcting a failed drain could be a simple as resealing.
  3. Broken Pipe: Broken pipes are most commonly caused from pipes being exposed to freezing temperatures. Pipes inside of walls can freeze if a home’s heat source fails in cold weather, a house is left vacant or if unusually cold weather gets to an under insulated home. Protecting your home from frozen pipes usually means keeping the heat on and insulating exposed water pipes. If you plan to leave your home vacant for some time, it would be wise to turn off your water in case a pipe does burst, water will not fill your home while you’re away.
  4. Washing Machine Hoses: Washing machines require a large hose to fill them. These hoses hold an incredible amount of pressure so regularly checking them is important. You’ll want to check for bulges, cracks or other signs of wear. One of the best ways to help avoid a claim is to purchase the braided stainless steel water supply hoses. While more expensive, they have a longer life and can save you from a costly claim. Your dishwasher uses a similar hose, so consider replacing that one as well. Most dishwashers are held into place with just 2 screws and can be easily removed.

Following these safety tips can help you avoid a very costly water claim in your home not to mention, the loss of personal property and the loss of being able to stay in your home! Many homeowners are forced out while the repairs in the home can take place.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at ISU Insurance Solutions Group. Their office in Woodinville, WA is here to serve you. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.

What To Do If Your Vehicle is Recalled in Woodinville, WA

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What do I do when my vehicle is recalled?

Vehicle Recalls in Woodinville, WAVehicles being recalled in the United States is a common problem; in fact, one that happens around the globe, not just here at home. But, what do you do when your vehicle is recalled? Where do you start? How do you know what to do? These are common questions, one that we’ll address today in this post.

Start by Seeing if your Car was Impacted by the Recall

Just because your model year and make was recalled, doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be impacted by the recall. Manufacturers change distributors and parts throughout the year, so the best way to check is to input your VIN. You can check to see if your car was recalled by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations website. Click on the yellow button that reads “Search for recall by VIN.”

If you’re purchasing a used car, this is also a great place to start to ensure the vehicle you purchased doesn’t have an outstanding recall that you should address before purchasing the vehicle.

You Should Get some Mail

Because you have to register your vehicles, you should receive a notice via mail that your vehicle is likely impacted by a recall. This letter will typically inform you to contact your dealer to schedule a service. In the event the recall is considered very dangerous, the letter may go as far as to tell you to not drive the vehicle any longer.

How Much is a Recall Going to Cost Me?

The great news for consumers is that a safety recall will be fixed free of charge. If you happen to have repaired the affected part prior to the recall occurring, you can ask the manufacturer for reimbursement. Keep in mind though, you will not likely be given a loaner vehicle while the vehicle is being repaired, so plan on being out of the vehicle for a day or so unless the recall is something simple. EX: like a new sticker that replaces one with wrong information. One last thing to note here is that if your vehicle is recalled and you do nothing for 10+ years, the manufacturer will be off the hook to repair after this time.

Is this a Common Problem?

Most all manufacturers experience recalls. In fact, http://edmonds.com reported that over 61 million vehicles were recalled in 2014! While this is a staggering number, this is from all vehicles, not just model year vehicles. So, when GM recalled 7 million vehicles in 2014 for the ignition problem, this was for vehicles manufactured in 1997-2014. So, just because you have an older vehicle, doesn’t mean you won’t be affected by a vehicle recall.

Do All These Recalls mean Vehicles Are Becoming Less Safe?

Quite the contrary! According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety improved vehicle design and safety technology have resulted in a steady decline of fatal accidents. In fact, 9 vehicles reported zero fatal accidents in the 2011 calendar year. They also reported that the smaller the vehicle, the higher the risk of fatal accidents. The bigger, typically the less risk.

If you have questions about your home, auto or commercial insurance, call the insurance agents at ISU Insurance Solutions Group. Their office in Woodinville, WA is here to serve you. They have years of insurance experience and can help you insure everything from your home to your auto or business insurance. They live where you do and are an independent insurance agent, so they can help you find the right company to fit your needs. You can also check out their website, 24/7.