As appeared in Sunriver Scene by Shannon Bassett, Caretaking Commander

With times continuing to be tough, everyone is looking for a good deal. One place you don’t want take shortcuts is with an unlicensed contractor or service provider. I manage three or four big construction jobs every year for my clients and loads of smaller projects, from remodels, electrical repairs to plumbing and even landscaping. There are plenty of unlicensed contractors out there these days, often with lower bids. However, what can seem like a good deal can wind up costing you in the end. As a result, I always use a licensed contractor.

A contractor’s license offers the homeowner some degree of protection during and after the project. An active license with the Oregon Contractors Board (CCB) indicates that someone in the company attended classes for their trade, passed a state exam and can legally work in the State of Oregon. Equally important is the insurance and bonding required by the CCB that protects the homeowner. Liability insurance covers property and bodily injury losses caused by the contractor. Surety bonds pay damages to the homeowner if the contractor fails in his or her duties. Finally, workers’ compensation covers employees who are injured on the job and ensures that those injury claims don’t come back to you, which they could if your contractor doesn’t have workers’ compensation insurance. In addition through the CCB, you as the homeowner have protections, including an avenue to complain and/or recover and receive monetary compensation if problems occur.

How do I make sure that I am getting a licensed contractor? Or more importantly, how can you?

• *First and foremost, check the CCB website for the status of the contractor. Search by name or number on the website www.hirealicensedcontractor.com. CCB provides information on the status, bankruptcy, number of years in business, fines and disciplinary actions. Confirm that the names and addresses agree to who you have met with.
• *On the CCB website you can also make sure the contractor is not involved in any disputes. Past disciplinary actions indicate problems with past clients.
• *Call the contractors insurance company and confirm insurance is current and will cover your type of project.
• *Get a list of references and call to find out about the quality of the work and timeliness. Did the contractor stick to the original budget numbers?  Ask if the client was happy with the contractors work. Did the homeowner have any issues with problems after the project was over? Did the contractor come back and take care of everything? Mistakes do happen and sometimes mid-project we homeowners change our minds. In my experience the best contractors have been those who stand behind their work.

If your unlicensed contractor is missing in action and phone calls aren’t returned after the job completion, be prepared to pay for someone else to do the repairs. If disputes do arise with your licensed contractor, the CCB has a dispute resolution process including mediation. You can make a claim against the contractor and get the work completed or obtain a judgment for the contractor’s surety payment. The website www.oregon.gov/ccb outlines the process for filing complaints.

The name of the game is finding a contractor who will get the job done on time and on budget without putting you at risk. In a multiple bid situation, I rarely go with the lowest bid. Rather I look at the entire project and select the contractor who will meet the budget and be there for the long term to fix any issues. I’d much rather work with a licensed I know I can rely on. Not only do I run into fewer problems on the job, but the peace of mind provided by the additional protection should any problems arise is worth every penny of the extra expense.

To get help with your home call me, the Caretaking Commander, at Home Fridays. I have been buying, renovating and managing residential and commercial properties for over 20 years. My locally-based company, Home Fridays (homefridays. com), offers professional home management and concierge services to vacation home owners. You can reach me at 541/317-3088 or shannon@homefridays. com.

It is hard to believe the audacity of some thieves.   Having Champagne and taking a shower while burglarizing a home?   Check out this link; http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/the-other-side/california-burglar-caught-naked-in-shower-after-helping-himself-to-champagne/story-e6frfhk6-1226329753900

Meanwhile in a Central Oregon gated community we had a rash of thefts ust last week.   A screwdriver to the back door lock was all it took to break open the man doors into the garages and gain access to the homes.  Notices went out to the neighborhood and everyone was on high alert.  After several nights of the same activity, he was caught.  The burglar didn’t even change neighborhoods…

At Home Fridays we have several precautions to prevent and minimize damage.

1. 1. Always lock the door between the house and the garage with a deadbolt.
2. 2. Set the alarm when no one is there, even if only out for a short time.
3. 3. Unplug or lock the garage door so automatic openers cannot be used.
4. 4. Have someone check the house on a regular basis.

For our owners in the affected neighborhood, they had great relief knowing that we had been to their homes and they were not victims.  Do you know the status of your home?   If not, give us a call…

Found in the April Issue of the Sunriver Scene

By Shannon Bassett – Caretaking Commander, Home Fridays

          As winter comes to a close and I see the light at the end of the tunnel, spring is on my mind.  Around Central Oregon I call this Home Maintenance Season.  No such thing as Maintenance Free exists in our harsh climate.  All building materials deteriorate over time and require repair or replacement. Here is a simple list of items to inspect and repair during this busy season to protect your investment:

Exterior:

Rake debris away from home and foundation. Clean the pine needles off the roof, gutters, decks and lawn. Excessive needles are a fire hazard and will also encourage lawn damage if left unattended. Inspect the foundation for cracks, water damage and or drainage issues.

Tree and branch trimming.  We have had a really windy winter with lots of trees and branches coming down. It is important to make sure that any debris (including leaves) are safely off your house. For the health of your trees, bring in a certified arborist to cut down any damaged limbs.

Clean exterior gutters and downspouts, and repair where necessary. Clean gutters will allow for smooth water flow as the rain storms begin. Repair holes, gutters that have pulled away from your house and missing or damaged downspouts.  

Clear away plants and bushes from dryer spout. Slow drying time is often the result of a blocked vent. Make sure the vents are unobstructed and the air can flow freely out of your house.

Install the window and door screens.  Check for holes or rips and get those repaired. We have some great local companies that will come to your house and repair screens on-site.

Inspect the roof for damage. The weight of the winter snow and all the wind storms can break loose tiles and cause cracks.  Look for missing tiles or noticeable signs of wear and tear.  When in doubt have a trusted roofing company inspect your roof.

Inspect decks and perform annual maintenance. Examine the deck support beams to identify any weakness or ‘spongy’ boards that indicate rot. Weather, birds and old age can destroy your deck. Not ready for replacement?  Prolong the life of your deck with an annual application of sealant. I use local contractors who specialize in decks to keep my deck looking good and lasting as long as possible.

Inspect for woodpecker, bird or critter damage.  Woodpeckers eating you out of house and home?  Squirrels in the attic?  Bats taken up residence over your front door? Bird and critter damage can be a big issue in Central Oregon. Inspect for damage around the house and the deck supports. Elimination can mean putting up netting, changing out boards on your house or caulking perch spots.  Our local pest control companies are educated in the best methods to keep the critters at bay.

Exam exterior paint and caulking. Exterior paint is an expensive endeavor and one many homeowners postpone as long as possible. Don’t let your home get damaged by waiting too long for paint.  It will end up costing you more in the long run to replace trim boards and repair the rotted areas.  Every two years I paint the South side of the house and touch up the shrinking caulking.  This allows me to wait a few extra years for the full paint job. Early spring is a great time to start scheduling a paint job with a local painting contractor.

Inspect the driveway for damage. Replace just a few pavers or get them reset rather than waiting for the entire driveway to start failing. Sealing the driveway every few years will prolong its life and save money.

Start up the sprinklers. Dry days are coming and a working sprinkler system will save your yard.  Commence the watering program after the system has been checked for leaks, heads repaired and timers properly set.  The same contractor who does your spring yard cleanup and regular maintenance should be able to get the sprinklers going again.  

Interior

Inspect foundation and crawl space for signs of water damage. Look for signs of water intrusion (dampness, puddles or water stains) and get them repaired now. A good contractor can help identify the source of the water and eliminate the problem.  Keep an eye out for any mold that may be growing as a result of water damage. Remove foundation vent and faucet covers, time for the house to breathe again. Wait until the overnight freezes are done (that could be late June this year).

Attic Inspection. Looking for a small leak now, can prevent a waterfall down the line. Scrutinize the attic for any signs of moisture and inspect the inside of the roof for any new holes or drip marks. Contact your trusted local roofing contractor for resolution if needed.

Annual air conditioner maintenance. Nothing is worse than no air on the hottest day of the year. Schedule your annual maintenance and change those filters regularly.  Change furnace filters and turn the furnace down to 50 (but not off yet). In Central Oregon you never know if we will see snow in July.

Change smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries.  The 3 a.m. chirping noise wakeup from a dying battery is annoying and unsafe.  Every spring, make it a ritual to change the batteries in all your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.  Your safety is worth it!

Windows, carpets and deep cleaning.  Extend the life of your carpets and area rugs with annual cleaning.  Allow the sunshine in with clean windows inside and out.  

Fireplace and chimney cleaning and inspection. Do your dampers fit tightly?  When was the last time you had the fireplace cleaned and inspected?  The more heavily it is used, the more often you should schedule both.  

Seal drafty windows and doors. Weather stripping falling off or a gap under the door?  Time to replace the weather stripping and get the riser adjusted.  Eliminate the gaps and your heating and cooling bills will go down.

A proactive approach to home maintenance will put you in the driver’s seat, instead of forcing you to react to a host of emergencies.  The upkeep listed above is also the most cost-effective way to take care of your home and help it appreciate instead of the reverse. 

          To get help with your home call me, the Caretaking Commander, at Home Fridays. I have been buying, renovating and managing residential and commercial properties for over 20 years. My locally-based company, Home Fridays (homefridays. com), offers professional home management and concierge services to vacation home owners. You can reach me at 541/317-3088 or shannon@homefridays. com.    

    Not much fun to come home to this in your private driveway.   A windy couple of weeks here in Central Oregon and not all the trees survived.  Home Fridays to the rescue!  We do extra house checks during this crazy weather – finding all the issues and getting them corrected.  This tree will be chopped up, cleaned up and out of the way by the weekend.   And so begins some of the post storm cleanup….

Concerned about your house?  Give us a call and we can check on your home as well.

As published in the Sunriver Scene By Shannon Bassett – Caretaking Commander, Home Fridays

No one wants to think about water emergencies. Imagine a call from a neighbor alerting you to water running down your driveway and icicles on the inside of the window. One faulty furnace caused an interior drop in temperature to a vacant home. Several months passed before the problem was discovered. Water saturated the upstairs, dripped downstairs and flowed under the front door. The house was in ‘repair’ status and unusable for over a year.
If your furnace fails you might face a similar experience. A cold house leads to broken pipes when the weather gets cold. Broken pipes thaw out and the water runs freely through the house.
While more common in the winter, water emergencies also happen in the summer. Washing machines and toilet supply lines are common sites for breaks and leaks. The most common cause of interior water damage, according to many plumbers, is the ice maker. A broken ice maker will pump hundreds of gallons of water into your kitchen, causing thousands of dollars of damage. A plastic supply line is an easy target for mice looking for a water source—just a couple nibbles and you have water running everywhere. Water heaters have a predetermined life expectancy which they rarely exceed. The bottoms rust out or the fixtures start leaking. Cracked hose bibs are another common winter water issue. The pipe breaks inside the wall due to a garden hose left attached to the bib or due to a lack of insulation. The water saturates the wall and runs inside the house continuously.
With all this doom and gloom, is there a silver lining? Prevention is the key to limiting your damage. Proactive maintenance and vigilant attention to the house will help catch the water before it becomes a big problem. Most leaks start out small, so if someone is watching your house you can prevent the big price tag that comes with a major water problem.
Regular annual maintenance to your furnace is also highly recommended. Not only will your furnace last longer and run more efficiently, you may avoid a winter breakdown. Three days without heat when the temperatures are below freezing and you will have frozen pipes, guaranteed. Every winter I have a few owners who don’t want to pay for annual furnace maintenance. Without fail at least two of three who decline the service have major furnace failures during the winter and wind up spending significantly more money than a maintenance visit would have cost.
Clearing the ice dams and making sure the snow is running off the house (instead of inside) is critical during the difficult weather. You also want to regularly check toilets, washers and ice makers to make sure the supply lines are dry and there is no water leaking in or around the area. A damp line is an indication that the part is starting to fail. Changing out supply lines to a braided type will minimize chances of toilet and washing machine leaks. Scrutinize areas that have had problems in the past such as leaky skylights and ill-fitting doors. A quick fix now will protect your home from extensive water damage in the future.
Alarm systems now exist to alert you when water is detected in the home. ‘Water Bugs’ are placed around the sensitive areas such as the water heater, and under the refrigerator or sink. When moisture is detected the alarm calls to let you know. Another type of alarm monitors water usage in the house and shuts off the water valve when too much water is flowing through the house. Easy-to-reach water controls installed by a licensed plumber make it easy to turn off all the water when you leave the house for an extended period of time.
Taking care of the small things can add up. But when compared to the significant cost and inconvenience of a major water restoration job, these prevention-related costs are minimal. Remember if damage occurs over time and the house has been vacant, it might not even be covered by insurance. Insurance companies often classify a house as vacant if no one has been there for 30 days. So be vigilant, proactive and get a second set of eyes on the place if you can’t be there yourself.
To get help with your home call me, the Caretaking Commander, at Home Fridays. I have been buying, renovating and managing residential and commercial properties for over 20 years. My locally-based company, Home Fridays (homefridays.com), offers professional home management and concierge services to vacation home owners. You can reach me at 541/317-3088 or shannon@homefridays.com.

Yesterday was a cold winter day in Bend.  A clients guests called and asked me to get their hot tub repaired.  As she explained the problem to me – I almost dropped the phone.
Here is the conversation.

Guest – “When I used the hot tub last week it was fine.  But when I went to turn it on last night half
the water was gone.  I think it has a leak.”

Me – “What do you mean when you say you turn it on?”

Guest – “It has been working just fine and we did notice the water getting a little lower.  But now it is draining really fast and is half empty.”

Me – “Is the heater still going?  Did you add water?”

Guest – “Oh, no it was off and we didn’t turn it on when we saw the water was out.”

Me – “What does off mean? Are you just lowering the temperature when not using it?”

Guest – “Oh no we just pull the outside breaker when we are not using it.”

Me – “So the motor is off and you heat it up when you want
to use it?   You do know that
temperatures outside freeze overnight.
You have probably frozen all the parts of the hot tub and they have cracked
and are now leaking.  You never turn off
hot tubs, you just leave them alone.”

Guest – “Oh, we didn’t know, we never had a hot tub before.”

So when people ask me why they should have someone take care
of their home when they are away…. SO many reasons come to mind.  Here is a house that is occupied while the
owners are gone.  However, the guests
haven’t a clue of how to survive in this climate.

If you need help – give us a call, nothing surprises me
anymore.

As published in the Sunriver Scene

Every year homeowners ask about snow removal.  Many people only want to remove snow when they are going to be using their house.  While a nice idea, it just doesn’t work that way.  For starters, a snow-filled driveway indicates an empty house which can be a target for crime. That’s the least of your worries.  With the temperature swings we have in Central Oregon, the snow constantly warms up during the day and refreezes in the evenings.  This creates serious challenges:

Ice barricades:

Roads are typically plowed with every four inches of snowfall.   When they clear the roads, little consideration is given for your driveway.  The result is a snow berm at the entrance of your driveway.  Snow here in Sunriver has been known to create berms over four feet high.  Because of our warm days and cold nights, that berm turns to ice. Not only will even a small pile of ice stop all access to the home, without assistance from Mother Nature you will need an ice axe to get into the driveway.  Don’t forget that parking on the street will result in a ticket, starting at $50 and going all the way up to $250.

Skating rinks where walkways should be:

Of course the same freeze/melt cycle that turns berms into ice sculptures also occurs on your driveway and walkways creating an icy entrance.  Ice melt is sometimes recommended for taking care of the slick walkways. However, ice melt can speed up the breakdown of the driveway and damage the house when it gets tracked in on the wood floors.  I like to use sand or kitty litter in the slick spots, which adds traction without damaging asphalt, floors or your shoes.

Roof and Deck Overload:

The volume of snow in Sunriver can outweigh your roof and deck, putting your house in serious jeopardy if all that white weight is not removed. Roofs and decks are required by code to withstand 25 pounds per square foot of snow. Weight of snow varies greatly based on the temperature. Warmer, wetter snow is much heavier than fluffy, dry snow.

When fearing that your roof or deck might collapse it is easy to overreact.  I heard about one Sunriver homeowner who paid tons of money to have every inch of snow removed from her roof. She was called by a neighbor who told her she needed to have the roof cleared and they had seven guys in her driveway that could do it.  Were they roofers? Were they licensed? Did they even have references?

Removing the Snow:

How often do you clear snow? I clear driveways at four inches or greater to prevent ice berms and allow easy access to the house. Decks and roofs are cleared around two feet of snow accumulation. While decks in the sun often clear on their own, the shady decks pile up as the snow falls. Mounds of snow against windows or doors signal removal time has arrived.

Mother Nature sometimes helps with warm weather or rain melting away the white weight.  When that doesn’t work, a reliable local professional monitoring the snow situation and clearing it away provides peace of mind. Landscapers equipped with snow blowers, plows and shovels do a great job for the driveway and walkways.  Shovel smaller walkways, stairs and decks by hand to avoid damage. For the roof, I always use licensed roofers. They know what they are doing up there and won’t damage the area. On the roof I concentrate on clearing the eaves and the critical melt paths so water can run off the house.

The bottom line: Shoveling will have to be done by you or someone you hire to protect your home. After the driveways, roofs and decks are cleared you can enjoy winter from the comfort of your home.

To get help with your home call me, the Caretaking Commander, at Home Fridays. I have been buying, renovating and managing residential and commercial properties for over 20 years. My locally-based company, Home Fridays (homefridays.com), offers professional home management and concierge services to vacation home owners.  You can reach me at 541/317-3088 or shannon@homefridays.com.

Be sure to check out our new column in the Sunriver Scene.  Here is a preview of the January article.

Owners in Sunriver had icicles hanging down from their roof all the way to the ground. At first, it looked like a pretty sculpture. Over time, however, the icicles grew and grew until you couldn’t wrap your arms around them. The neighbors became concerned and called to alert the owners. Too busy with their day-to-day lives in the city, however, the owners didn’t have time to deal with the ice  sculptures on the house. Over time the water worked its way in through the roof, the walls, and under the doors ruining the wood floors, carpets, interior walls and exterior paint. Mold even started to grow under the floors. When the owners finally dealt with the issue it required a six month ordeal to get the house repaired.

Ice dams cause thousands of dollars of damage annually throughout the U.S. An ice dam is a ridge of ice that usually forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining. As the snow
melts, water backs up behind the dam, eventually leaking through the roof and causing the kind of damage we saw in Sunriver.

Ice dams are caused by a variety of factors including poor insulation, house design and the warming/cooling environment. Contrary to popular belief, gutters do not cause ice dams to form. Gutters do, however, help concentrate ice from the dam in a vulnerable area where parts of the house can peel away under the weight of the ice and come crashing to the ground.

In the case of the poor homeowners above, poor design coupled with ignoring the warning signs led to $200,000 worth of damage. Yes, they had homeowners insurance but they were still liable for the deductible not to mention the increases in insurance premiums. They also lost the use of their home for the entire spring and summer.

The good news is you don’t have to redesign your house. Prevention can be as easy as making sure the gutters are clean and clear prior to snow fall. Installing electrical heat tape in areas of the roof and gutters you are worried about is another way to eliminate recurring ice dams. Provide just enough heat to prevent the freezing on the roof or in the gutters.

Once the snow arrives, use a roof rake to remove excess snow from the eaves and create a path off the roof for the water. In extreme cases I have seen people on the roof with ice picks–but this is not a recommended method (the roof usually ends up damaged).

The most important part of addressing the ice dams entails keeping an eye on the home through the heavy snow season. If you find yourself with a recurring problem, talk with a qualified roofer or contractor and look into how to prevent ice dams in the future. Those measures might include changing the ventilation and/or eliminating valleys.

To get help with your home call me, the Caretaking Commander, at Home Fridays. I have been buying, renovating and managing residential and commercial properties for over 20 years. My locally-based company, Home Fridays (homefridays.com), offers professional home management and concierge services to vacation home owners.  You can reach me at 541/317-3088 or shannon@homefridays.com.

We have had beautiful fall and weather this past 2 weeks was temperatures in the mid to high 60’s and warmer!

Tonight our temperatures will begin to drop into the low 20’s and the daily highs in low 40’s & 50’s.

At Home Fridays we are ready for it!! 

The vent covers, hose bibs are on the exterior of our homes. Our annual furnace checks are in progress and pilot’s lit in fireplaces. All exposed pipes are checked on each home inspection and we have moved patio furniture under cover or in the garage.

Sprinkler systems have been turned off and gutters cleaned.  Come on Mr. Winter – we are ready for you.

Once the snow begins to fall this is just a short list of extra inspection items:

• If snow – inspect all around house to see if we have any areas of concentration for icecycles, ice damns (typically in roof valleys or above skylights). 

• Snow should not be up against wood or glass doors.  If we find this, we make sure it gets removed.  

• Heat should be set to at least 55 on all homes.  

• Open cupboards under each sink and leave open – helps keep the ambient temperature consistent throughout the house.

• All bedroom doors should be open – helps keep the ambient temperature consistent throughout the house.   We want to avoid cold spots in the house.

• Keep a close eye on the ceiling and the skylights – winter weather will bring more leaks!

• Check windows for weeping or leaking.   We like to keep the blinds up about 1” so we can quickly look at the window sills for any potential problems.

At Home Fridays we care for your 2^nd home inside and out!  If you are having concerns about your home, give us a call at (541)317-3088 and we can get you ready for winter.

A few simple questions to help decide if Home Fridays can help make managing your vacation home a breeze.

1. How far do you live from your property and how frequently can you visit the property?

If you are close you may be able to make the regular visits required for maintenance, inspections, etc., otherwise the further you live the higher your travel time and expenses will be. The larger the distance the, the harder it is to keep a close eye on things.  Disasters happen when a small thing is allowed to develop into something larger.  You should plan making bi-monthly scheduled visits and there is always the potential for a middle of the night emergency call that requires your immediate attention. In the long run, is this feasible for you?  Home Fridays is at your home weekly allowing you to relax when you are away and not worry about the property.

2. Are you willing and able to be on-call 24/7/365?

It is important to answer this question honestly, because when an emergency happens at your property you can’t ignore it. Your special event, important meeting, vacation, or personal crisis doesn’t relieve you of an emergency. These emergencies don’t happen all the time, but when they do you have to be willing to handle them immediately. Can you handle being called at 2am in the morning to respond to a security alarm, fallen tree, electrical outage, broken window, flooding?  Home Fridays is on call 24/7 and staffed to handle all your problems.

3. Are you currently overwhelmed with your property(s)?

Managing a vacation home can become quickly overwhelming, even for experienced 2^nd homeowners. There is always something going on that requires attention.  Are you missing out on vacation time because the ‘honey do’ list is too long?  Home Fridays completes all the honey do lists and lets you focus on your vacation.

4. How much experience do you have with maintenance and repairs?

If you can’t do it yourself, do you know who to call? Finding reliable handymen and contractors can take a while and in the mean time you may unknowingly hire people that are unethical, uninsured, do poor quality work, or over charge.  Home Fridays contractors are all certified, licensed, insured and bonded. 

5. How well do you understand the insurance risks in Oregon with a vacant house?

Many vacation home insurance policies are null and void if the home is vacant for more than 30 days.   That means the small toilet leak that ended up flooding the first floor of the house when the water ran for 45 days won’t be covered.  Home Fridays is at the house weekly, catching the small mishaps before they become a big problem.   With a regular presence in the house you can avoid the vacant house issue.

6. From a financial standpoint, is managing your property the best use of your time?

Ultimately, your decision to hire or not hire a home management company should hinge on whether or not it is a good fit with your lifestyle and makes sense financially.  Is your peace of mind worth the small investment?  Hiring Home Fridays home management  can ensure you peace of mind and  protect your investment!