Frank Cheshire

Part One – How to choose a water damage restoration contractor in Atlanta

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4 things you need to know before selecting an Atlanta water damage repair professional

Just suppose you got back from vacation and found three inches of water in your home. What would you do first? Hopefully, you’d call your trusted home insurance agent! But what would you do next? Would you use a Yellow Pages to find an Atlanta water damage restoration contractor? Or maybe jump on Google or ask for suggestions on Facebook? For today’s article, we interviewed Ron Vodjani of One Call Home Preservation, Inc. of Woodstock Georgia. He’s got some great tips to help you to protect your rights as a homeowner.

We caught up with Ron and talked about a few things…

  1. What is the IICRC?
  2. What’s one dangerous mistake contractors that are not IICRC certified might make?
  3. How can a homeowner turn off their water immediately?
  4. What is the most important call a homeowner needs to make when they have water damage?

Ron has been in the home improvement industry for many years. But back in 2007 something happened to him as a consumer that would change his entire business focus. Ron had a flood in his home. He called a water damage contractor and had a pretty bad experience. Ron decided to learn this business from the ground up. Then he built a water damage remediation company so that his clients would never have to go through what he experienced.

We started this interview by giving Ron a hypothetical – he’s got a family member who lives out of state. They call him in a panic because they’ve got a flood from a broken water pipe. There’s no way that he can go to help them in person. What’s the best advice he could give them as a homeowner to help them protect their interests?

What’s the IICRC?

“The first thing I would encourage them to do is to pick a water restoration pro that has been certified by the IICRC,” he said.

What does the fancy acronym stand for? “It stands for The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification,” Ron told us. The official website tells us that the purpose of the IICRC is to set and promote high standards, ethics, and practices for the inspection, cleaning, and restoration service industries. According to the website, “As an ANSI-accredited Standards Developing Organization (SDO), the IICRC has led the way in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet, upholstery, and fabric cleaning, water damage restoration, and mold remediation.”

Ron noted that this means that the consumer wins because the correct kind of work will be done based on the type of water damage there was. We asked Ron to explain that a little bit.

“First of all, I want to tell you up front that the majority of water and mold remediation companies are real professionals. However, here’s something to think about. All it takes is having a truck and a few dehumidifiers for a person to call themselves a water restoration company. That’s scary.

“For example, when I had my flood back in 2007, the contractor showed up with 13 humidifiers because they knew that the insurance company pays a set price per dehumidifier required. They put 3 of them in my closet alone! I felt ripped off because all of my circuit breakers were tripping. They also tore up my wood floors because they understood that the more they tear up, the more they get paid. After I went through the IICRC certification program, I learned that they handled it the wrong way. I was determined to build my company based on the IICRC principles.”

Can you give us an example of dangerous mistakes contractors that aren’t IICRC certified might make?

“Sure,” Ron answered. “There are different categories of water damage. There’s Category 1, 2, and 3. They’re not all treated the same. For example, Category 2 water is considered “gray” water, perhaps from a leaky washing machine hose. On the other hand, Category 3 water is sewage water. So, if a toilet backed up, you couldn’t simply disinfect, mop up, and install a dehumidifier! Instead, there would be special restoration steps that are required so that the consumer is protected from health risks. Someone who’s not certified may not know that and could unintentionally threaten the homeowner’s health.”

“Another mistake had to do with my hardwood floors,” Ron continued. “The IICRC calls for dehumidifiers being used for 2 days before making the decision to see if the floors need to be replaced. The bad contractors I used returned the next morning and tore up my floors before giving them a chance to dry out. This meant my insurance agency had to pay the bill for all new hardwood floors. This is bad for everyone because it makes your homeowner’s premiums go up unnecessarily.”

The lesson for you? Make sure that the professionals you choose are IICRC members. Look for the logo on their website. The official website tells us that IICRC Certified Firms have earned the right to display the IICRC logo as a symbol of quality. To achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and professionalise. According to the “Benefits for Consumers” page on the website, all IICRC certified firms must:

  • Give accurate information to the customer and act with honesty and trustworthiness.
  • Require a formally trained technician that has passed all necessary tests for all jobs.
  • Have a continuing education program so that technicians keep up with the latest changes in the industry
  • Have liability insurance to protect all parties in case there’s an accident.
  • Have a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar judgment to resolve conflicts, and accept the conclusions or recommendations that are reached.

Can you see why Ron recommends that you only work with an IICRC-certified company?

Do you know how to turn the water off?

If you discover a water leak, the first thing you need do is turn it off. The longer the water flows, the more damage you’ll sustain. The odds are greater that you’ll have mold problems later on.

So here are a few million dollar questions for you:

  • Do you know where your whole-house water valve cutoff is?
  • Do you know how to turn the water to your washing machine off?
  • Do you know where the shut-off valves for your toilets are located?
  • Can you turn off the water to your water heater tank?
  • Can you turn off the water to your dishwasher?

There’s an old Ben Franklin quote that says, “An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.” This really applies to the water shut-off valves in your home. To figure out how to turn things off, first visually inspect each of the appliances mentioned above. Usually, you can spot the shut-off valve when you look for it. Still not sure? Check on Youtube for video instructions or ask a friend who’s a plumber or handyman to point them out. Worst comes to worst, you can call a water damage pro. Ron says he gets calls all the time and is glad to walk people through the steps. He offers it as a professional courtesy whether he gets the job or not.

Don’t wait for an emergency to figure this out. Take 20 minutes and walk through your home and figure out how to turn off all water-based appliances right now. In an emergency situation, your head will probably not be screwed on tight. Learn where the shut-off valves are now and teach your family how to turn off the appliances, too.

Call your insurance agent first.

Ron told us that your first call should always be to your insurance agent. “They’ll schedule a time for an adjuster to come look at your home’s damage. They also have a vendor list available with approved water and fire remediation companies listed for you to call. This saves you work. Now, you don’t have to use their vendor list. You can use your own contractor if you’d like. However, their companies have been checked out already. They have proper proof of insurance, they use the insurance pricing guidelines, and they’re most likely IICRC companies.” If you want to search for your own contractor, then be sure to check out their reviews carefully.

The lesson? Your agent is an ally. Call them and they’ll walk you through the steps to help the claims process go quickly and smoothly.

We hope you found Part 1 of this series helpful. In Part 2 we’ll discuss how to protect your personal belongings as well as how to avoid being the victim of insurance fraud.

Part Two – How to choose an irrigation company to install a sprinkler system

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Imagine if you spent a good amount of your hard-earned money on a sprinkler system…only to find out that it doesn’t work. It doesn’t water your lawn the way it’s supposed to. In Part One of this article, we talked about why it’s important to find a company that communicates well with their clients. We also talked about why it’s so important to make sure that the company does a water pressure pre-test before designing the system. If you missed Part One, no worries – you can read it here.

In this article, Phil Sarros of Sarros Landscaping is back with more helpful sprinkler tips. We picked his brain about the following questions:

  • What can be done if my pressure pre-test shows I have high water pressure?
  • What can be done if my pressure pre-test shows I have low water pressure?
  • Why can’t I save money by buying cheap components?
  • What’s the right size for sprinkler pipes installed underground?
  • What are some common flexible line and irrigation head mistakes to avoid?
  • Should I install a rain sensor?
  • What are some common service issues?
  • What is not covered by a warranty?

Let’s dive in!

What can be done if my pressure pre-test shows I have high water pressure?

Phil told us the answer may be a reducing valve. This limits the flow of water so that your equipment isn’t harmed.

What can be done if my pressure pre-test shows that I have low water pressure?

“Your system would be designed very differently,” Phil said. “Instead of a standard front-and-back zone that most sprinkler salespeople sell, we may need to add more zones for you. We also would need to limit the number of heads on each zone to maybe only four per zone.”

Won’t this cost more money? “Yes, it will at first because it’s designed for the low water pressure problem you might have,” Phil said. “This way you will have enough pressure for optimal water coverage.”

What if someone is willing to take the risk to save the money? “You pay to have it done right or you pay every month in a higher water bill,” Phil explained. “For example, a two-zone low-pressure system may cost you $400 a month to water your lawn for an hour. On the other hand, by installing four zones you only need 20 minutes to water daily. Your water bill will be closer to $175 a month. That’s savings of $225 every month.”

Take the time and do the math. If you have low water pressure, you might spend an extra $300-$400 for extra zones and heads. However, you’ll be saving $225 a month on your water bill. It’ll pay for itself after two months. Now that makes good business sense, doesn’t it?

Why shouldn’t I save money by buying cheap components?

Remember, you always get what you pay for. “There’s a huge variety of both cheap and expensive components that you can buy,” Phil said. “If you’re just looking at the bottom line, you’ll choose parts that are cheap to save money. You will also be unhappy with the performance as well as the lifespan of the parts later. Reputable sprinkler companies don’t buy their parts at Home Depot or Lowes. Instead, they invest in components made by professional companies like Hunter or Rainbird, for example. Yes, they cost more upfront. However, they’re also more durable and will last longer, too.”

So, it’s a good idea to make sure the contract specifies the name brand of the heads, timer, and components that will be installed.

What’s the right size for pipes installed underground?

Why is the size of the pipes so important? “Your contractor will install a thin-walled irrigation pipe that distributes the water underground to your sprinkler head zones,” Phil explained. “Some contractors will try to cut corners and install a three-quarter-inch PVC pipe to save money. You do not want three-quarter-inch pipes! You’ll never get the water flow that you need. Instead, you want one-inch pipes for all of your underground distribution to ensure you get sufficient water.”

Make sure that the contractor will use one-inch thin-walled pipes for your underground plumbing. Make sure this is included in your contract’s scope of work.

What are some common flexible line and irrigation head mistakes?

“Each irrigation head, whether it’s a spray head or a rotating arc head receives water through a flexible tube. The flexible tube will then tie into the main one-inch waterline pipe,” Phil explained. “The rule is only one head per flexible line. Some sprinkler guys will put several sprinkler heads on one flexible line to save money and labor. You do not want this to happen. It will cost you a lot of water pressure.”

Phil had another tip about flexible lines. “Another rule is never run more than 5 feet of flexible line to an irrigation head,” he said. “Some irrigation guys will run 20 -25 feet of flexible lines to the heads. This saves them time, labor, and money on materials. It’s easier to run a thin flexible line than a one-inch-thick rigid sprinkler pipe. You don’t want this because it will severely reduce the water pressure to your heads. They won’t be able to water your yard as designed.”

To add to your list of things to include in your contract: there should only be one head per flexible line and no flexible line runs exceeding five feet.

Should I install a rain sensor?

A rain sensor is usually not included in a basic irrigation system installation. What does the rain sensor do? Imagine a full-time gardener whose job is to water your lawn. You instruct them to never water the grass while it’s raining, or right after it has rained. You get a full-time gardener for $150 when you invest in a rain sensor. Think of all the water it will conserve! It will more than pay for itself within the first season of use.

This is a $150 upsell that is worth every penny because it will lower your monthly water bill. So be sure to ask for one.

Inspect the trench before they fill it up with dirt.

This seemed odd at first. We asked Phil to explain his reasoning on this. Phil said, “Remember, after all of the irrigation pipes are installed the trenches are backfilled with soil. What does that mean? It means that all the evidence of the work done is now buried underground.”

Make sure that the contract gives you the right to see the work installed before the trenches are covered up with dirt.

Here’s what you should look for:

  • Check to make sure that one-inch PVC was installed.
  • Make sure that there are no runs of flexible line longer than five feet.
  • Ensure that there is only one head installed per piece of flexible line.
  • Make sure that the sprinkler line is buried 6-12 inches below ground so that it doesn’t get damaged during gardening work.

What are some common service issues with sprinkler systems?

The standard warranty for a new sprinkler system is one year for parts and labor. Phil recommends getting this in writing. Implied warranties are worthless because everyone seems to, ah, forget things later on.

This is another reason to talk to the homeowner references on the phone like we discussed earlier. It’s important for you to know how the company responded to warranty issues. How long did it take for the company to show up? Were they on time? Was the problem addressed to the homeowner’s satisfaction? This also reinforces the benefits of hiring a local installation and maintenance company to install your sprinkler system. This way they can drop by on the way home from the shop.

What’s not covered by a warranty?

Phil told us that one of the biggest problems people have is broken sprinkler heads. The culprit? A renegade lawn mower. “Please understand that your warranty doesn’t cover damage by third parties,” he said. “Instead, your sprinkler contractor will be happy to repair this on a time and material basis. You might want to ask for what that hourly charge is before they do the work so that you’re not surprised later.”

 

That concludes Part Two of our article on how to choose a company to install your sprinkler system in Atlanta. We hope that you find this information useful in your quest for a green lawn. We also want to thank Phil Sarros of Sarros Landscaping for this interview. You can visit the company’s website here.

How to choose a contractor to pressure wash your driveway

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If you’re tired of the dirty mold, mildew, and oil stains on your driveway, then listen closely…

For this article, we interviewed Jared Harris of Blue Monkey Pressure Washing to get his tips for how to choose someone to pressure wash your driveway. We talked about:

  • How dangerous a pressure washer can be in the wrong hands.
  • Why your driveway will look AWFUL in only 3-4 months if the contractor you hire to pressure wash it skips any of these four steps.
  • The minimum amount of liability insurance you should require from your driveway washing company.
  • What important department do 99% of pressure washers not have for their business?

Jared begin pressure washing back in 1995 and selected the name “Blue Monkey” because he says it’s easy for people to remember! We asked Jared to tell us what our readers should look for in a service that will clean their concrete driveways.

He listed a few tips:

  • Check that they have proper insurance
  • Look into their customer service record
  • Ask them about their process – insist on an experienced technician
  • Research the company

1. Let’s talk about the importance of proper insurance.

Jared advises that pressure washers should have a $1 million liability policy for their business. In fact, he said it’s the standard for the pressure washing industry. He also suggested looking at a copy of the insurance policy to make sure it’s valid and up-to-date.

Why is insurance so important? Here’s a list of possibilities that could happen to your house when you hire the wrong driveway pressure washing company. A pressure washer in the wrong hands can:

  • Blast paint off your siding and trim.
  • Blow stucco off your exterior.
  • Blow your brick mortar joints out.
  • Kill the plants in your garden.
  • Cause streaks on your finish.
  • Remove the sand face from your bricks.
  • Remove the finish from fancy doorknobs.
  • Wreak havoc inside your house if there is an open window.
  • Hurt your pets or children.

What about accidents with ladders? “Thankfully you don’t need a ladder to power wash a driveway,” Jared said. “However, sometimes a homeowner will ask you to wash their roof while you’re there already. The good news is that 95% of the time no ladders are required to wash a roof. This limits the danger of someone falling off a ladder, or a ladder falling on a car or your house. But an inexperienced power washer may not understand this. Take the time to hire an experienced contractor.”

“The chemicals used to clean your driveway and decks are very slippery,” Jared said. “That’s why we always place caution signs when working at the customer’s home. All it takes is a visitor slipping or one of your children slipping and [they could] fall down the stairs.”

This is another reason to make sure that the service you use to pressure wash your driveway has liability insurance.

2. Ask them about their method for cleaning your driveway.

What chemical will they use? “If they are not excited about telling you, then be wary about hiring them,” Jared said. Being an educated consumer is your best defense when working with contractors.

Jared continued, “Did you know that concrete can be damaged with a high-pressure water stream? Some concrete is softer than others depending on the concrete, sand, and water combination. The problem with do-it-yourselfers that use a Home Depot pressure washer is that a 3000 psi,  three gallons of water per minute machine does the exact opposite of what you want your machine to do. For example, let’s talk about mold. Inexperienced concrete washers will try to blast with a high-pressure stream of water. Mold is not killed with power but by bleach chemicals. You want to provide a high volume of water with low pressure to get your driveway clean. You want to kill the mold… not blast it.”

Another question you should consider is the temperature of the water they’ll be using. “While hot water is usually not necessary to wash your house when the temperature is 60° to 70°F, hot water does come in handy when cleaning concrete,” Jared said. “Your concrete is full of mold, mildew, and dark oil stains. Hot water allows us to use less chemicals.”

Jared explained, “Most people think of concrete as being hard. Did you know that concrete actually acts like a big sponge? Mold spores collectively darken your concrete, turning it gray, black, and green. It’s embedded in your concrete so it cannot be blasted out by water. If you try to do so, it’ll damage the surface of your driveway.”

Jared shared four key pressure wash steps to clean a concrete driveway properly:

  1. Pre-treat the driveway with hot water, then apply chemicals and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
  2. Surface clean the driveway and check for mold spores.
  3. Rinse with water.
  4. Post-treat any mold spots that are giving you trouble.

Why is it important to do all the steps? “Either take your time now or your driveway will look bad again within three or four months from now,” Jared said.

That leads us to the next question.

3. What kind of customer service do they offer?

“Most power washers are a one-man show,” Jared said. He explained that many people just pressure wash for some extra cash. What are the odds you’re going to be able to get someone to talk to you when you have a problem then? What are the odds of getting them to come back to fix something that was not done correctly?

“That’s why we have a real customer service department. They address all customer problems and concerns. You get to talk to a real live person that will return your phone call. So, you should hire a driveway pressure washing company that has a customer service department.”

4. Take the time to research the company.

Look for their online reviews. Check Google, Yelp, or Angie’s List. What you want to look for is how attentive they were to detail. Did they follow through on what they said?

5. Any tips for those that might be inclined to do it themselves?

Jared warned, “Remember to use eye protection since you’re working with caustic chemicals. Wear safety boots so that the chemicals don’t leach through your sneakers and burn your feet. Never point the pressure washer at someone else. Water at high pressure speed can act like a knife and cut through your skin.”

It’ll cost you $85 to rent a pressure washer from Home Depot. Then you’ll have to buy the right chemicals. After learning the facts and dangers associated with it, many see the value in hiring a professional driveway cleaner to pressure wash their driveway. If you would like a free quote to power wash your concrete driveway in Atlanta, please feel free to contact Jared through his website.

We hope you have found these tips helpful! Look out for more articles in our pressure washing series on our blog.

Need insurance? Great! We’ve got a lot of it. Home, auto, renters, business, life – take your pick! Just fill out our quick quote form or give us a call today and we’ll help you get the coverage that you need at the best possible rate. We’re here to help!

Part One – How to choose an irrigation company to install a sprinkler system

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If you’re looking for the right irrigation company to install a sprinkler system so that your lawn is the object of your neighbors’ envy, read on! In this interview, we caught up with Phil Sarros of Sarros Landscaping in Cumming, Georgia. He shared some of the common mistakes homeowners make when choosing a company to install a sprinkler system. He also revealed some of the typical ways contractors cut corners.

Phil did landscaping work as a kid and got an engineering degree in college in Ohio. When his wife’s job transferred their family to Georgia, Phil spotted an opportunity to start a landscaping and irrigation company. Today, his engineering background helps him design sprinkler systems that work.

In Part 1 of this series we’ll chat with Phil about the following:

  • Checking the references of the sprinkler contractor
  • Looking for someone is ideally within 5 -10 miles of your home
  • Doing some homework
  • Considering the importance of water pre-tests.

Check the references of the sprinkler contractor.

Online reviews are a good place to start, but Phil cautions against ending your search there. In his opinion, “An online review can never take the place of a real, live person or client.”

Is there anything in particular that you should ask? “First, you want to gauge the communication level of the contractor,” Phil said. “The way a company responds before a sale is indicative of how they’ll respond after the sale. Find out if they’re good communicators.”

Some ways that you can find this out for yourself are seeing if they…

  • Answer the phones.
  • Return calls on the same day.
  • Show up on time.
  • Get the information you requested back to you within a reasonable timeframe.

Remember what Phil said. If a contractor acts this way before they have your money, it’s probably a safe bet that they’ll be even worse at communicating after they have it. Anything else you should ask the company’s clients? Phil advised that you ask if they mind if you drive by to see the job with your own eyes. “Ask if they would they mind sending you pictures.”

He continued, “You also want a client phone number from a job that didn’t go perfectly.” We asked why this way so important. “What you want to see is their level of customer service,” Phil answered. “What did they do to make the client happy? How did they fix the problem? Problems and challenges happen sometimes. It’s part of life. You want an irrigation company that is willing to jump through hoops for you to make things right.”

 

Look for a company that’s within 5-10 miles from your house.

We asked Phil why a client should be picky about this. His answer made sense. “It’s worth waiting for a sprinkler company that’s located nearby. First, irrigation guys love jobs close to their office location. It allows them to be more efficient with their time. Less windshield time for their employees.” We asked Phil how this benefits the homeowner. “This means that the contractor can get to your home quickly,” he said, “especially in case you have a problem. Do you want to wait a few days for someone to come fix a broken head? Or would rather they be able to send a tech over right away? It’s a win-win for the contractor and the client.”

Learn about irrigation so you know what they’re selling you.

If you’re looking to get a sprinkler system for your yard or business, Phil suggested that you first do your homework. “Take the time to learn the industry phrases and jargon,” he said. “Learn the pieces. Learn the common problems associated with sprinkler heads and timers.”

That sounds like a lot of work. Why should you do that? “An educated consumer is a prepared consumer,” Phil said. “This way, [the client] will understand what the contractor is talking about. They will understand the contract’s scope of work. They will also be better able to tell if someone is trying to take advantage of them.”

A great way to do this is to spend some time on Youtube. There are lots of informative videos on sprinkler systems out there. Taking the twenty minutes to watch a few videos might be the difference between getting a system that works properly or not.

Which brings up a good point. What are some of the mistakes and shortcuts irrigation companies will make to sell the job cheap?

Find out if they’ll do a water pressure pre-test.

Every home has a different water pressure reading. It might be:

  • Too low – There’s not enough water flow for the system to work efficiently as designed.
  • Too high – This causes premature wear and stress on pipe, fittings, heads and valves.
  • Or “just right.”

It’s kind of like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”

Of course, everyone wants perfect water pressure. Alas, that doesn’t happen for everyone. Why is it important to know what kind of water pressure you have? “Your water pressure will decide the number of zones that you will require,” Paul said. “It also decides how many heads per zone you can safely install.”

“Now, here’s where some sprinkler installers make a mistake,” he said. “They assume that your water pressure is just like the house they did down the block. Next, they design an irrigation system with two zones (a front and a back) based on the wrong pressure. Can you see how this can cause a problem for your system?”

So, you might want to ask for a pre-test BEFORE they design your system to make sure that you get the right system for your home.

And that concludes Part One of this series on how to choose the best sprinkler contractor to work with. We want to thank Phil of Sarros Landscaping again for the golden nuggets of wisdom that he shared. But fear not – Phil isn’t done yet! In Part Two, we will explain how you can protect yourself from some of the common sprinkler problems homeowners face. Some of these are caused by inexperienced installers. Unfortunately, others are caused by people that are trying to cut corners to save a buck. Be sure to catch Part Two so that you can get the best sprinkler contractor to design, install, and maintain your irrigation system.

How to choose a company to install a water filtration system for your business

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If your business needs quality water, you might be thinking about getting a water filtration system installed at your business. Today, we interview Scott Stirrup of EcoWater of Atlanta, who has been providing water filtration units for Atlanta businesses for the last 8 years. We asked Scott for some tips for our readers for choosing a company to install a water filtration system at their business.

Let’s dive in and get started.

Why did you select EcoWater of all of the water treatment manufacturers to represent?

There are many brands of water filtration system to represent. We were curious about why Scott chose EcoWater. “There are many different water filter manufacturers out there,” Scott said. “[But] the majority of them are made in China. EcoWater products are made right here in America. I liked the idea of creating my business around American-made products. Plus, I believe it is a better product. They have been in business since 1925. That shows reliability and that they stand behind their product. They’re also owned by Berkshire Hathaway. With Warren Buffet and all of those smart people perfecting the water filter technology, I figured how can you go wrong?”

What are some of the biggest water concerns Atlanta business owners face?

 What’s the deal with the water in Atlanta? Scott told us that, overall, we have good water here in Atlanta. “Our local water sources here in the greater Atlanta area include Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona, and the Chattahoochee River,” he said. “Water is a universal solvent. This means that everything it touches will carry away with it.” That means that pollution, prescription drugs, and commercial run-off all affect the water that we drink, bathe in, and cook with.

“We have a moderately hard water issue here in this area,” Scott said. We asked Scott why business owners should be concerned about their water. He answered, “Two reasons: chlorine and moderately hard water issues.”

Let’s take these one at a time.

First, let’s chat about chlorine. Thankfully, we have chlorine added to our water here in the United States. This provides us with some of the safest drinking water in the world. Chlorine kills all the dangerous bacteria that can make us really sick. However, many people are concerned with the health risks of drinking chlorinated water. Scott made it a point to say that he never stoops to scare tactics to get a new customer.

The truth is that most people don’t like the taste of chlorine in their water, juice, coffee, or tea. That’s why many businesses opt to invest in a commercial water filtration system that removes chlorine from the water. For example, restaurants, taverns, sports bars, and coffee shops want their customers to come back because of how good the drinks taste. To remain competitive, the hospitality industry uses filtered water every day. You might immediately notice the difference when you order a glass of water that wasn’t filtered at a restaurant.

Now let’s talk about the level of water hardness here in the greater Atlanta area. Scott told us that moderately hard water causes spotting on glasses, dishes, forks, spoons and knives. This affects all of the great restaurants, cafes, pubs, and sports bars in Atlanta. After all, we want to eat off of clean dishes and drink out of clean glasses, right? Spots like these are bad for business in the hospitality industry. Finding a dirty fork or glass might be a complete turn-off.

Speaking of the hospitality industry, did you know that filtered water causes hotel linens, sheets, and towels to last longer? Plus, your guests will enjoy softer towels and cleaner hair. Many places report that they also save on chemicals, detergents, and coffee and other beverages made from concentrate.

But the hospitality industry isn’t the only one concerned about hard water.

What industries use water filtration systems and why?

Scott told us that car washes are also prime candidates for using water filtration systems. “Imagine spending $12 on a car wash only to see water spots or a white film on your car’s paint,” he said. You’d never go back again, would you?

Car washes depend on repeat customers that come back each week. That means that auto detailers, car dealerships, and car washes that want to impress their clients should be concerned about moderately hard water spots too. Another benefit to car wash owners is that when the water is filtered, it means they won’t need to use as much soap and cleaning chemicals to wash their customers’ vehicles.

Other industries that use water filtration systems:

  • The printing industry
  • The paper manufacturing industry
  • Beer and soda manufacturers
  • Hospitals
  • Health clubs
  • Office buildings
  • Car washes
  • Restaurants

How to get your water tested

If you are concerned about your water quality, here are two options for you. Scott said, “First, you can go to your local Georgia Cooperative Extension. They’ll be happy to test your water for you. Expect to pay around $22 to have them test it. Your second choice is to go to our website and contact us for a free water test.”

What are some things to look for in a commercial water filtration company in Atlanta?

Look at the reputation of the company. You want someone that installs proven products and that will be in business tomorrow to service it. Take the time to read on-line reviews and talk to your industry peers.

Should I buy my water filtration equipment on-line?

 It may be very tempting to buy your commercial unit online. After all, every small business owner wants a good deal, right? But before you click Add to Cart, here are some hidden costs and risks to think about:

Who will install it for you?

“So let’s say you buy your filtration unit from the Internet. Who will install your business water filtration system?” Scott asked. “If you find a plumber, make sure they’re licensed and have experience installing business water filter units.” Scott informed us that all of his installers work under a Georgia-licensed plumber. This means you can have peace of mind knowing that your equipment is installed per the national plumbing code and the Georgia code. Otherwise, you could risk leaky pipes, flooding, and an increase in your premiums.

Who will warranty the product for you?

Next, you need to figure out who is going to warranty the unit for you. Most Internet deals come with a 30-day warranty. But you want a unit that is protected for longer than that, don’t you? For example, depending on the commercial unit a business owner chooses, some of Scott’s products are warrantied for up to five years. That means you know that your investment is safe and protected.

Who is going to fix it or maintain it for you?

We asked Scott what kind of maintenance is required on a good commercial unit. “Many of the commercial units we install clean themselves with a brine solution,” he explained. “This means that you will not have to replace your filters as often. However, the process discs have to turn freely to clean the system. Eventually, the O-rings have to be replaced. These need to be maintained just like your car’s engine needs regular oil changes and tune-ups to keep it working in tip-top shape.” So it’s good to work with an installer that will provide annual maintenance on your system. That way your system will always be up and running for your customers’ enjoyment.

We asked Scott if he ever gets phone calls to repair or maintain water filtration systems that he did not install. “Yes, all the time,” Scott said. “When a restaurant or car wash filtration system goes down, they want it fixed immediately. So sometimes we get emergency calls from frustrated business owners that can’t get their filtration company to help them right away. We try to drop what we’re doing and reschedule things as much as possible to accommodate new customers in a jam.”

So, even if you have an existing water filtration company that you like working with, it’s a good idea to have a trusted back-up service company to maintain your equipment in an emergency.

What’s the company’s customer service mindset?

Scott quickly added, “Not all plumbers like being in the customer service business. Sure, they’ll install your unit, but will you be able to get them to come back to service it for you? On the other hand, we recognize that the installation is not the END of our customer service, but is instead merely the beginning.”

 

We hope this article will give you a few things to think about before buying a commercial water filter system and choosing someone to install it for you. We want to thank Scott of EcoWater of Atlanta for answering our questions. If you would like to ask him a question you can check out his company’s website here.

Need insurance for your business? Great! Give us a call or fill out our quote form today and we’ll get you a free business insurance quote. We’ll make sure that your business is protected from whatever life might throw at you.

How to choose a business to pressure wash your wood deck or fence

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If you’re looking to pressure wash your grungy deck or fence then you will enjoy this article.

Today we talk with Dustin of Dustin’s Pressure Washing in Gwinnett County, Ga.

In this article, you will learn:

  • The common mistake made that can splinter your deck’s boards
  • Why it’s important to communicate your expectations with your deck cleaner before they start
  • How to prevent streaking on the boards of your wooden deck
  • The benefits of NOT using chemicals to clean your deck
  • Where to go to do your research before selecting someone to work with

Dustin has been pressure washing homes for 15 years. He started as a young man wanting to have a small after school job. He pressure washed a house for a lady in his neighborhood and he was hooked for life. Dustin revealed the importance of understanding these things before choosing a deck power washing contractor:

  • Setting expectations before the deck cleaner begins
  • Hiring an experienced deck cleaning service to pressure wash the wood
  • Finding someone you can trust
  • Considering whether or not you want to use chemicals

Let’s talk about power washing your deck or wood fencing.

Dustin says that it takes experience to understand the structure of wood and to know the spray tip size and water pressure required to clean it right. Why is this important? If you don’t select them right it can cause many problems. For example, inexperienced washers can blast your deck and cause lots of damage to it. We will talk more about that in a moment.

The importance of setting expectations.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

  • What are my expectations about having my deck pressure washed?
  • Am I expecting it to look brand new after it’s washed?
  • If my deck is in poor shape, am I willing to repair the bad boards so that my deck looks good again?
  • Am I planning on painting or staining my deck to cover over the imperfections later?

Dustin says that some people expect miracles from power washing a poorly maintained wooden deck. Unfortunately, if you have a five-year-old deck that has not been sealed and protected it’s going to have issues. A professional deck washer will set the expectations for the final results ahead of time so that the homeowner understands what they’re going to get from the pressure wash. If they don’t do this, you might not be happy with the results. In fact, if they don’t bring it up, you should before they ever begin.

What happens when an inexperienced pressure washer works on a poorly maintained deck?

It’s not pretty.

A high-pressure blast from a pressure washing machine can cause your deck to splinter and crack. We challenged Dustin on “cracking” a board with water and he informed us that an industrial tool called a water jet cutter can actually cut through STEEL. A high PSI pressure washer in the wrong hands can easily break a window, damage your deck, or hurt someone.

We Googled “pressure washer dangers” and found this scary statistic: A Consumer Reports article stated that, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 6,047 people went to the emergency room for pressure-washing-related injuries in 2014. 14% of those patients needed to be hospitalized.

The lesson? Never point a pressure washer at someone or yourself. Have a professional pressure wash your deck.

Tips for cleaning your wood deck and wooden fence

Dustin shared the following tips with us:

  • For the best results, start with a deck with good, solid boards. You can only do so much with rotting or splintering wood.
  • Use a low-pressure stream of water.
  • Set your tip to a wide spray stream of water.
  • Wash one board at a time from top to bottom to ensure no lines or stops or starts in the finish. In fact, he compared it to what you would do it if you were staining your deck. One smooth clean motion creates the best effect.
  • Know that some dirt is so entrenched into the boards that it almost acts as a stain to the wood. Dustin said you have to take your time and keep your eye on it. He describes this method as going by “inch by inch.”
  • Be prepared to replace worn or damaged boards so the whole deck looks like new again.
  • Seal your deck annually to protect it.

How to find a good contractor to pressure wash your deck

There’s a lot of competition out there. In fact, Dustin told us that there are over 450 pressure washers in his zip code alone! Anyone with a pressure washer and a pick-up truck is out there cleaning decks. So, take your time to do your research before hiring one. Dustin recommends using websites like Angie’s List or Home Advisor that prescreen contractors and do background checks for you. He also recommended looking at Google reviews.

Ask your deck washing service if they are environmentally friendly

Dustin is an animal lover and chooses to not use harsh chemicals when cleaning decks and fences. In fact, he said that the one time he did use one of these chemicals, it ruined a new shirt! If it ruins your shirt, what does it do to your lungs, your cat or dog’s paws, and the environment?

We hope these tips will be helpful when you’re choosing a deck washing company in Atlanta. Take your time and do your research. Dustin is willing to answer any question you have and can be reached at his website.

Maintaining your home is one way to protect your investment. Affordable home insurance from Atlanta Insurance is another. Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you! We’re here to help you get the coverage you need at the best possible rate – if you fill out our quote form or give us a call, we’ll get you a free quote!

Source:

http://www.consumerreports.org/pressure-washers/safety-alert-under-pressure/

Part Two: How to choose a contractor to remodel your bathroom

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As promised, here is Part Two of our article about choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom! If you missed Part One, you can go back and read it here.

We’re going to continue our interview with Arthur Short of Nothing Short of a Handyman2. We’re going to talk about pushy salesmen, common contractor scams, why buying a foreclosed property might not be a great idea, and the importance of licensing.

Is the contracting company hounding you?

No one likes being harassed by pushy salespeople, right? Arthur said, “Whenever a salesman hounds me to see if I’m ready to sign the agreement, it’s a warning to me.”

We asked him why this was such a red flag. He added, “A contractor should have better things to do than to keep calling customers to see if they have questions about the proposal. If they keep calling me, that tells me they aren’t busy. I only want people that are in demand to do work for me.”

That’s why Arthur has the philosophy of giving a customer a quote that’s good for 30 days. “If they have questions, they have my phone number on the contract,” he said. “I won’t chase them. I understand that sometimes people are just not ready to commit or get started. They’ll contact me when they’re ready. In the meanwhile, I have plenty to do to keep us busy.”

You don’t have to put up with pushy salespeople who want you to sign today. You have the right to sleep on any home improvement contract before signing it when you’re choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom.

You also might want to keep looking if the contractor that you found:

  • Seems a bit too hungry for your business.
  • Can’t give you a specific start date.
  • Seems anxious or nervous.
  • Changes anything on the contract without discussing it with you first.

Beware of these common contracting scams and homeowner pitfalls

There are plenty of contractors out there that are perfectly willing to take your money and never come back. It’s people like them who give home improvement contractors a bad name. A con artist can quickly talk you out of your money, and even street smart people get hustled every day. That’s why it’s important to only work with contractors that you heard about from family and friends who have had good experiences with them. As a rule, don’t do business with a doorbell ringer. Reputable contractors don’t go knocking on doors looking for business.

Another good tip is to never pay the bill in full until the job is 100% done to your satisfaction. “I’ve had to stop people from writing me a check in full at the beginning of the job,” Arthur said. “I tell them to never pay the job in full upfront. You should hold back some of the money to make sure the job is done to your satisfaction.” Arthur only asks for 50% up front. “I don’t want anything else from them until the job is done and they’re a happy customer.”

Is there a written contract?

Make sure they provide you with a detailed contract that specifies what they’ll be doing and what materials they will be using. The contract should detail what’s included and what’s excluded, and it should also outline your warranty for the work. Never give money to anyone before having a written contract that both of you sign.

If a contractor doesn’t have a professional contract, that should be a warning red flag to you that they are not a serious businessman.

Beware of mysterious change orders.

A change order gives the contractor permission to do something above and beyond what the contract calls for. Remember, you must authorize all change orders in writing before any changes are started. Verbal agreements are not sufficient. Any change must be in the form of a signed addendum to the contract. Some scam artists will give you a cheap price up front and then try to charge you for extras that you didn’t authorize. Never pay for a change order that you didn’t authorize. This way both the homeowner and the contractor are protected.

Sometimes Arthur gets called in to fix bad workmanship from other contractors.

We asked Arthur if he ever has to fix poor workmanship from other companies. He answered, “Yes all the time. Many big box retailers sell hardwood flooring and offer installation. Unfortunately, they don’t stand behind their work. We’ve had to go back and rip out flooring and reinstall it again properly for our clients.”

So, the lesson is to choose a local small business to work with rather than a big chain store when you’re selecting a contractor to remodel your bathroom. This way you’re most likely in contact with the owner, who can address any concerns you might have.

“Sometimes the contractor will leave unfinished work,” Arthur added. “This drives my clients crazy. For example, an electrician may cut holes to run wires to add a light or an outlet. Then they leave without repairing the drywall. Now the customer has holes in their bathroom walls and ceilings. This means they now have to hire a drywall repair guy and a painter to finish the job. It winds up costing them a lot more because they have to pay three different contractors to get the job done.”

You’ll save money if you hire a remodeling company that can do all the work in-house. Ask them if they can take care of everything you need, not just part of the job. And remember to check your proposal for exclusions like drywall repair, painting, and cleanup.”

What could happen if you buy a house without checking it out beforehand?

“One of our clients bought a house without ever having a builder look at it for them, and this caused some major problems later on,” Arthur said. We asked Arthur to elaborate a bit more about home inspectors. He answered, “Sadly, some hired home inspectors don’t point out serious structural issues. In the example I’m thinking of, the home inspector was recommended by the realtor. Apparently, the realtor didn’t want the home inspector to point anything out that would jeopardize closing on the sale. As a result, the inspector pointed out a few cosmetic things that were easily seen. However, the big structural problem due to rain getting behind the siding and rotting out the whole door frame was not brought to the purchaser’s attention. Apparently, the original homeowner also knew about the problem and concealed it.” How did Arthur know the original homeowner must have been aware? “When we pulled the molding off the door that needed replacing we could see there was no header or frame. It had all rotted out. Cosmetic repairs had been made to hide the problem. In the end, it cost the new homeowner almost $6,000 to fix the water damage.”

We asked Arthur if a good contractor could have pointed this out before the family bought the home. Arthur answered, “Yes, all they had to do was check the crawl space to see the rotting floor near the door frame beneath the home.”

There are many foreclosures for sale in the greater Atlanta area. Sometimes a deal that is too good to be true is too good for a reason. There are reports of foreclosures where the contractors were never paid by the builder. When the builder went bankrupt, angry subcontractors cut electrical wires and plumbing pipes to get revenge. That’s why the unwary home buyer looking to get a deal on a house can get stuck with a lemon instead.

Arthur suggested, “Add a good home improvement contractor onto your Rolodex of go-to people if you are looking to buy a home.” If you also want to hire a home inspector, be sure to hire a trustworthy one that doesn’t have a business relationship with the realtor. You want both the home improvement contractor and the home inspector to be looking out for your interests, not the realtor’s or the home seller’s. However, remember that a home inspector doesn’t take the place of a trusted contractor.

Potential problems for bathroom remodels in older homes:

We asked Arthur about any problems that could arise when remodeling a bathroom. “This has become a specialty of ours: we’ll remove the existing bathtub and build a custom 4’x6’ walk-in shower for them. Sometimes there are old galvanized pipes that pose a problem. They need to be replaced with a better product that will last longer.”

Arthur went on to explain, “Other times there are structural issues with rotten floors or walls hidden by tile. The point is that a contractor can only bid your job by what they see. A contractor sometimes can’t get a true sense of what needs to be done until the original things are removed. To repair any hidden problems above and beyond the contract will require a change order signed by the homeowner.”

A wise homeowner will budget a little extra for unforeseen problems. If you don’t, your project may go over budget later on and put you in debt that you weren’t expecting.

Are they licensed to do the work?

Many times, a handyman or contractor will want to do the work for you, but they won’t have the proper licensing. If you don’t check first, how can you be sure that they know the correct way to do it? How do you know if they’ll meet the local laws and codes? If you’re spending thousands of dollars to remodel your bathroom, then you deserve to have a company that is licensed properly. Arthur added, “We carry certifications and licensing for HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. This saves you money in two ways. First, you don’t have to pay twice—in other words, you don’t have to pay someone to come back and fix the mistakes. Second, you don’t have to pay for a plumber, an electrician, and an HVAC contractor separately. One phone call does it all.”

We hope that this two-part article on what you need to know before hiring a contractor to remodel your bathroom has been helpful to you. Here at Atlantainsurance.com we’re focused on providing consumer-based information to help you make good decisions. After all, an incorrectly installed shower head or drain could cause water damage to your home. An incorrectly installed recessed can light or wall mount fixture could cause a house fire. Sure, you have home insurance to help protect you from these things, but the point is hiring a trustworthy company is the first step in protecting your home.

We want to thank Arthur Short of Nothing Short of a Handyman2 for answering our questions so generously. He is available to answer any questions you may have at his website. If you’d like to read Part One of this article, click here.

Need quotes for your home, renters, life, or car insurance? We can help you out! We’ll get you a free quote and help you find the best coverage at the lowest possible rate.

Part One: How to choose a contractor to remodel your bathroom

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If you’re looking to remodel your bathroom, read on!

You deserve an awesome bathroom, so we caught up with Arthur Short, whose company, Nothing Short of a Handyman2, has been remodeling Atlanta bathrooms with custom showers and gorgeous vanities since 2000. He’s got some great advice for choosing a contractor to remodel your bathroom!

Arthur told us that he’s always liked to work with his hands. We asked Arthur what’s been the key to his success, and he replied, “We’ve made a success of our business because we know it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. Instead, we work hard to make our clients happy. Many times, they become closer than family. They come back to us or refer friends to us year after year. This is the only way to build a contracting business.”

There are many home improvement contractors in Atlanta that could redo your bathroom. We asked Arthur to share a few pointers on how to select the right remodeling contractor to work with.

He quickly rattled off a few helpful questions to ask:

  • How long have they been in business?
  • Do they have references?
  • What kind of customer service do they provide?
  • What are they going to do and why are they going to do it? Can they explain their plan?
  • How do they handle themselves?
  • Will they use subcontractors or will they do the work themselves?
  • Do they have insurance?

Let’s take these one at a time.

How long have they been in business?

You want to make sure that the contractor you choose not only has the`experience to do the job but will be here to warranty the work later. You don’t want someone practicing on your bathroom plumbing, tile, and electrical wiring, do you?

Here are some things to look for…

  • Good online reviews.
  • A professional-looking, quality website.
  • If they have the same name and business phone number that they started with.

We asked Arthur why it’s so important that the company has had the same phone number since they opened their business. He said, “The only reason someone changes phone numbers is to duck angry customers and bill collectors. We’ve had the same business number since we started in 2000. I have people tell me all the time, ‘You did work for us years ago. I can’t believe you have the same phone number! Can you help our friends out?’”

Do they have good references?

Arthur said, “Look at their website again — it can serve as one of the best references for the contractor. What does it say about them? Is it professional? Their website reflects the kind of work they’ll do for you. Are there pictures on their website of the work they’ve done in the past? I have all kinds of pictures of work we’ve done on my website, and I tell customers that I’ll gladly give them the name and phone number of the homeowner that corresponds to the picture they want to know more about.”

He continued, “Are they confident in their work? Are they proud of past jobs they have done? I treat my customer’s home just like it was mine. I build a really good relationship with them so they are only happy to tell new customers about the work I have done for them.”

So before you hire a contractor, talk to their references and check out any pictures of work they’ve done. You can even use websites like Angieslist.com or homeadvisor.com.

What kind of customer service do they provide?

“Customer service is important to me personally,” Arthur said. “I’ve paid money out of my own pocket to get out of contracts with companies that gave me bad customer service. That’s why I treat my customers like family. I’m a hands-on business owner. I do the sales, proposals, management, and the physical work on the job site. My name is attached to it and so I want it done right.”

Arthur told us that he treats his employees like family too. He added, “When I go on vacation I don’t have to worry because I trust them. They know how I want it done and they have been trained to do it that way.”

Notice how the contractor talks to his helpers and about his employees. Customer service starts within the company itself. A wise business owner understands that his employees are his first customers. They know that if they take care of the employees first, the customer will always be taken care of too.

Returning phone calls.

Another point that Arthur brought up is how the contractor handles phone calls—specifically, whether or not they actually return them. He said, “Think about it. Why would a contractor refuse to return phone calls? The answer is that they are usually ducking and dodging unhappy customers. On the other hand, my business line is forwarded to my cell phone after hours so that I’m always available to my customers. After all, that’s what customer service should be about, right?”

Use how/if they answer the phone as a gauge of how they will do the work in your home. Are they professional? Do they answer the phone? How long does it take them to return your call? If they act unprofessionally when you want to give them money, how will they act when they have your money and you want customer service later on?

Ask them to explain what they’re going to do and why.

If they hem and haw about their plan, that should be a red flag. If they can’t explain it, they might not know what they’re doing, or they could be planning on taking your money and running. Look for a contractor that takes the time to educate you. If they can’t explain your “what” or “why” questions, it’s best to find someone that can. You deserve to feel comfortable with the entire remodeling process.

How do they handle themselves?

Arthur told us that his prospects start examining him from the moment that he pulls up to the house and walks up the driveway for an estimate. He recommends that you do the same. “What’s their appearance? What does their vehicle look like? Is it maintained? Is it clean? Does it look professional?”

He continued, “How do they handle themselves while in your home? If they don’t believe in themselves, then why should you? Trust your gut instincts. Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable about them personally then step away.”

It comes down to this: what does your gut tell you? Listen to your instincts. If your “Spidey senses” are tingling, there’s usually a good reason not to work with that remodeling company.

Will they use subcontractors or will they do the work themselves?

This is something to think about. Who will physically be doing the work at your home? Are they an employee or a subcontractor? Does it even matter? The answer is yes, it does. “The problem comes up if you have to sue the signer of the contract,” Arthur said. “Let’s say the contractor doesn’t finish the work according to the contract. It may be faulty or perhaps the GC takes your money and skips town. If a subcontractor did the work, then you have no recourse to protect yourself.”

Do they have insurance?

We asked Arthur why a homeowner has no protection with a subcontractor. He shared, “The sub did not sign your contract, so he doesn’t work for you. Instead, his contract was with the General Contractor that skipped town. Plus, many time subs do not carry insurance. You want to make sure that everyone working on your home remodel has proper insurance.”

Ask the contractor to see proof of insurance before you hire them. Then ask if all workers on your project will be covered. One of our foremost rules is to only work with contractors who have at the very least general liability insurance.

Do they offer suggestions, ideas, and advice to save you money?

Arthur has asked his clients why they like working with him. These are some of the answers he gets:

  • The other contractors talked down to me.
  • Other contractors spoke over my head, so I didn’t understand what they were saying.
  • Other contractors never offered any ideas. They didn’t have anything to offer even though I like getting new ideas.
  • Other contractors didn’t show me ways that I could save money.

Arthur said, “It comes down to this. You as the homeowner know what you want, but you might not be sure how to get there.”

If the contractor you’re considering fails these tests, you might want to keep looking to find the right company to work with. Look for a contractor that takes a consultative approach to helping you get what you want. Ask them for suggestions to see what they have to offer. A bathroom remodeler who’s done many jobs should have plenty of pictures of showers, vanities, lighting fixtures, and cabinet ideas for you to look at.

This concludes Part One of How to Choose a Contractor to Remodel Your Bathroom. In Part Two, we’ll talk about salesmen, licensing, common contractor scams, and why buying a foreclose might not be a great idea. Special thanks to Arthur Short! You can check out his company, Nothing Short of a Handyman2, on their website.  

Four tips to choose the best tow truck company

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In an emergency, how would you pick the best tow truck to help you?

Nobody ever plans on breaking down on the side of the road, do they? After all, who wants to get a flat tire? Run out of gas? Have a broken ball joint? Get into an accident? Nope, no one looks forward to having to call a tow truck. It might seem like they’ll never get there to rescue you. But when they do, there’s no sweeter sight in the world!

So, how do you go about choosing the best tow truck company? Well, first of all, it depends on why you need a tow truck in the first place.

1. Why do you want a vehicle towed?

Being stranded on the side of the road is only one reason to call a wrecker. There are a bunch of other situations in which a tow truck could come in handy.

For instance…

  • Jump starts
  • Running out of oil and needing an oil delivery
  • Getting locked out of your car – oops
  • Battery installation
  • Flat tire
  • Transporting a vehicle to another state
  • Flatbed towing
  • Equipment towing
  • Off-road recovery
  • Private property impounds
  • Boat towing
  • Motorcycle towing
  • Heavy truck towing

Did you know that some tow truck and wrecker services specialize in a certain area? That’s why it’s important to choose the right company for the job. They’ll have the proper equipment and experience to help you out with your specific need.

For example…

  • It’s 2 am and you run out of gas. You’ll need a 24-hr roadside assistance service.
  • If you’re moving out of state but have more than one car to move, you’ll run into a bit of a problem because you can only drive one car at a time. But an interstate long-distance car carrier will be able to help you out!
  • If you drive a semi-tractor trailer, you’ll need a company that moves heavy equipment.
  • Someone has illegally parked their car or abandoned their car in your restaurant’s parking lot. You need to call an impound service.

How can you tell who specializes in what areas? You can look up the company’s website and check out their About or Services page for details. You can also call and speak to the dispatcher and they will let you know if they are equipped to assist you.

2. Choose your towing service wisely.

There are good guys and bad guys in every industry, and tow trucks are no exception. Thankfully, there are plenty of tow truck heroes out there to help us when we get stranded.

Our suggestion is to choose wisely. There are a few things you can do to help you narrow your search.

  • Talk to family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors. They might have a suggestion for you if they’ve ever had a tow-truck-worthy mishap on the road.
  • If you’re out of town, the local police department might be able to give you some recommendations.
  • Look for reviews on sites like Yellowpages, Angieslist, Yelp, Google, and Yahoo. People just like you have used the towing service and left honest reviews of them on these websites. Take your time and read some reviews. You might want to focus only on 4 or 5-star customer service ratings.
  • Pick an annual service so that you’re already set.

The last time you thought about hiring a tow truck was probably during an emergency or another mishap. If you wait until you face your next disaster to do some tow truck research, you’ll wind up having to decide under duress. So do the research and find a reliable tow truck operation now. Yes, it might take some time, but it’ll pay off the next time you’re faced with car troubles.

3. Consider the true cost of towing your vehicle.

Beware of choosing solely on price. We say this because while the majority of tow truck operators are reputable, nobody likes to overpay, do they?

No one wants to feel like they’ve been taken advantage of. Here’s something to be aware of – you have to consider both the hook-up fee and the price per mile. 

Hook-up fees: The hook-up fee covers the cost of attaching your vehicle to the tow truck. Here’s the thing to watch for – some tow truck companies will offer a really cheap hook-up fee in order to get your business. Many people mistakenly assume this is the only fee they have to pay. But you also have to pay the…

Price per mile: Do you want your car towed around down the street to the nearest station or do you want it taken to your favorite mechanic many miles away? Or maybe you want the car brought all the way home. The point is that miles add up quickly when your car is being towed.

While some operators offer a cheaper hook-up fee, they often charge a higher price per mile to make up the difference. Take the time to find out the hook-up fee and the price per mile fee beforehand. Also, ask if there are any hidden or additional charges.

In case you’re wondering, Angieslist tells us that the average nationwide cost for a tow is $109.

What else could impact the cost, you might ask? There may be additional towing costs during nights, holidays, and weekends. If you’re stuck in a ditch, off road, or perhaps somewhere in the mountains, then be prepared to pay a little extra as these all require a lot more work and time to help you.

Also, don’t forget about tipping! If you’re wondering, do you tip a tow truck driver then refer to our blog.

4. How do they treat you over the phone?

Is the dispatcher knowledgeable and helpful about your problem? Remember that bad customer service on the phone is usually an indication of what’s to come once you hire them. Listen to your gut instinct and look for someone else to help you if you’ve got a bad feeling.

There you have it – four ways to help you choose the right towing company. We hope you’ve found this article on how to get the best tow truck service helpful! Although we hope that you never find yourself stranded on the side of the road, with these tips at least you’ll be prepared to find a reputable towing company. 

Need insurance for your car, home, or life? Let us know – we can help you out! We’ll even get you a free quote if you fill out our quote form or give us a call today.

Part 2: How to choose a concrete contractor to repair your driveway

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In Part One of this series, Matt Cook of Complete Concrete & Masonry shared some great tips on what to look for in a driveway contractor in Atlanta. If you missed Part One, click here to read it.

We left off as we were discussing what you need to be aware of when it comes to signing a contract for your driveway work. We were just digging into why the scope of work section of the contract is so important, and we noted that it’s important for the scope of work to be as detailed as possible.

Make sure your scope of work answers these questions before you sign on the dotted line.

  • What PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) will the concrete be?
  • What kind of mix will it be?
  • How thick will the concrete be?
  • What kind of sub-base will you use?
  • How many contraction joints will be installed?
  • How far apart will the contraction joints be?
  • How will the concrete be reinforced?
  • What kind of finish will be applied to the concrete when it is completed?
  • How high will my retaining wall be?
  • Are permit costs included?
  • Will it have the proper slope away from my house?
  • Does the contract include site prep work?
  • Does the contract include clean up?
  • What are the payment terms?
  • Will they contact the Georgia Utilities Protection Center before starting work?

Whoa, that’s a lot. Let’s talk about these one at a time, so Matt can give suggestions to help you.

Are prep work and clean up included in your Atlanta concrete driveway estimate?

Matt said that he loses some jobs because the other concrete company seems cheaper. The problem is that many times the prep work and clean-up work is excluded from the bid. This means that the homeowner has additional money to pay that they weren’t planning on. Other times the homeowner is stuck cleaning up the mess for themselves. Can you see how frustrating this would be for you? That’s why it’s so important to have this in the scope of work.

What are the payment terms?

Many scammers posing as concrete contractors have take advantage of trusting Atlanta homeowners. They will give a much cheaper price than the competition does. They might ask for a 50% deposit before the work is done…and then you never hear from them again. Of course, anyone can give you a cheap price if they never intend to actually do the work! That’s why it’s crucial that the company has a good reputation.

Other times, people feel pressured to pay in full before the clean-up work is completed to your satisfaction. The lesson? Make sure that the job is done and that you’re happy before making that final payment.

“This is why we rarely require a deposit before starting on a driveway for someone,” Matt said. “We only ask for payment after they are 100% satisfied. On occasion, if we have to lay out money for costly pavers we will ask for the payment of materials before work is done. But we don’t ask for a check until the material has been dropped off on the homeowner’s property.” This is a win-win for both the concrete company and the homeowner because both of your interests are protected.

What PSI (Pounds Per Square Inch) will the concrete be?

It’s tempting for a concrete company to install a lower PSI for your driveway to save money. This is how many can win your business with a lower price. “For example, many builders only use a 2500 PSI to do new sidewalks and driveways,” Matt explained. “On the other hand, we only use 4000 PSI concrete for our customers. This means your driveway will last longer.”

So, you might want to ask for 4000 PSI concrete and make sure it is written in your contract.

How will the concrete be reinforced?

Another way inexperienced concrete installers might look to save money is by ignoring the need to reinforce your concrete. Reinforcing the concrete structurally strengthens it and keeps it together by minimizing cracks when the earth settles.  “This is why we always install steel rebar in all of our concrete pours,” Matt said. “Many of my competitors choose to not use this. I view it as cheap insurance to prevent settling cracks and displacement. After all, I provide a five-year warranty for all of the driveways and sidewalks we install.”

How high will my retaining wall be?

How high does a retaining wall have to be? Matt said that it’s not up to you and me. Instead, an engineer must provide a letter to specify the required height. The contractor must bring this letter to the county for approval. Skipping this step will cost you a lot of headaches and money, as an inspector may require you to rip the wall out and pay to build it again. The moral of the story is to require an engineer’s letter to decide your retaining wall height and make sure this is in your contract.

Are concrete permit costs included?

Some cities require that you have a permit before any concrete work is started. The city of Atlanta and the city of Decatur both require concrete permits. What if your contractor forgot to secure the permit and starts work? Matt explained, “First, your job site will be shut down and no more work will be allowed until this is addressed. Second, there will be substantial fees to pay.” So, make sure your contract covers all permits and fees that are required in your city.

What kind of sub-base will you use on my concrete pour?

Sometimes a low area of your property must be filled before the concrete is poured to prevent an uneven pour or water sloping toward your home. To save money, some concrete companies will use dirt to do this.

But Matt warned, “You don’t want them to use dirt as a sub-base because dirt will settle. This means your concrete will crack later on.” What does Matt suggest instead? He tells us, “We will only use self-leveling gravel as a sub-base. Gravel is the best thing to ensure minimal settling later on.”

How many contraction joints will be installed in my concrete?

Since concrete is a very hard surface, many people are surprised that it expands and contracts with the weather. That can lead to cracking, but there’s a way to prevent that from happening. The answer is installing expansion joints, otherwise known as contraction joints. Matt shared the following advice: “Typically expansion joints are installed every 10-12 feet on center. Years ago, every 15-20 feet was normal, but we find you have more stability placing them every 10-12 feet.”

How deep will my expansion joints be?

“Many of our competitors install expansion joints that are a quarter of an inch deep,” Matt said. “The problem with that is that the crack can actually start out of the expansion joint.” What does Matt suggest? “We always come back the NEXT day to finish our expansion joints. We saw cut them to the proper depth of one inch deep. This minimizes cracks coming out of your contraction joint.”

How thick will my concrete pour be?

This is another trick used by some concrete installers to lower their costs and save money. Many will pour three-inch or three-and-a-half-inch thick driveways to save a few bucks on yards of concrete purchased. We asked Matt how he figured out that people were using this trick. He answered, “It’s simple. I get calls every day to replace driveways. When we break up the old concrete, it’s very clear that the concrete is only three inches deep at times. Yes, it might have saved the homeowner a few dollars up front, but costs double that when they have to pay me to come and fix someone else’s work.”

Therefore, make sure that your concrete slab is at least four inches thick.

A cracked sidewalk or driveway is a huge trip risk. While it’s true that your homeowner’s insurance is there for you, why risk having someone get hurt—not to mention the subsequent lawsuit? Getting those dangerous cracks repaired is part of being a responsible homeowner, and having the concrete installed properly in the first place is the way to go.

We hope you found this article on how to choose a concrete driveway contractor in Atlanta helpful. We believe that you deserve to know the facts before you sign on the dotted line. We’re grateful for Matt Cook of Complete Concrete and Masonry for all the valuable information he shared with us! If you would like to ask Matt a question about your driveway, he can be reached at his website.

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