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  • Suggest You - Finding a Contractor - Five Foolproof Tips

    High Cost of 'Not Doing!'
    9/11, 2001 has hit a whole lot of business. But the most badly hit was air industry. US airlines were virtually on the ground for most of time rather than in the sky. As old adage says. Planes are safer at the ground. But they are built to fly and that where they should be all the time. Almost whole aircraft industry was badly hit by being grounded. Million of jobs evaporated and billion of dollar went under drain. All these were due to not doing anything.Peter Drucker, in his book ‘Managing for result’ defines the cost point in the whole supply c
    r best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would lik

    Al Qaeda and Hezbollah Say America is Finished
    Al Qaeda and Hezbollah have declared that the United States is finished. The President of Iran has stated that the Jewish State of Israel will be blown off the map and that the United States domination is over. Is it rhetoric or is it true? The Online Think Tank took up this question recently and one member stated;"America is not gone yet, it is only a mass media perception that it is. In fact, if we do nothing, we will be re-awoken later and be doomed to repeat. All of mankind will exhaust all the weapons they have built in a massive World War. I
    "A good contractor is hard to find." This phrase can be heard in homes across the country and today more than ever this statement rings true. I've operated a contractor referral service for four years now, and that is the number one complaint I hear from home owners across the country. Believe it or not, there is hope. Reliable contractors do exist; if that wasn't the case I wouldn't be in business. It is simply a matter of knowing where to find them and more importantly, how to screen them.

    Whether you are taking on a large home-improvement project or small repairs around your home, these five tips will help you find a contractor you can trust.

    1. Finding the Right Referrals

    For years, word of mouth has been the method of choice when looking for a contractor;many home-owners ask their friends and family for recommendations. But no two home-improvement projects are alike, and your friend's contractor may not have the skills necessary to tackle your job. Trades people (painters, plumbers, carpenters) deal with contractors repeatedly, over a long period of time and on a variety of projects. They are, therefore, in a better position to offer a contractor referral. If a recommended contractor tells you that they’re too busy to take on your job, ask them to refer you to a colleague who may be suitable.

    2. Previous Customer Testimonials

    Taking a contractor’s word about previous work is a recipe for trouble. When purchasing a car you test drive it & the same principal applies in this instance.Ask for the names & phone numbers of three to five customers who've had similar work completed by them in the past two years. Asking for specific references makes it more difficult for a contractor to handpick only their best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would like

    Diagnosis of Mental Disorders by Clinical Psychologists - Is it Unethical?
    According to their ethical code...which usually becomes part of a state's licensing statutes...the unethics of diagnosing mental disorders by clinical psychologists is a problem.Clinical psychology has its roots in psychometrics...the scientific measurement of mental functions. The earliest and most commonly known example of this is IQ testing.For a Ph.D. in clinical psychology...students had to know and use the scientific literature...then to design and carry out publishable scientific research.If they couldn't...it didn't matter ho
    to find them and more importantly, how to screen them.

    Whether you are taking on a large home-improvement project or small repairs around your home, these five tips will help you find a contractor you can trust.

    1. Finding the Right Referrals

    For years, word of mouth has been the method of choice when looking for a contractor;many home-owners ask their friends and family for recommendations. But no two home-improvement projects are alike, and your friend's contractor may not have the skills necessary to tackle your job. Trades people (painters, plumbers, carpenters) deal with contractors repeatedly, over a long period of time and on a variety of projects. They are, therefore, in a better position to offer a contractor referral. If a recommended contractor tells you that they’re too busy to take on your job, ask them to refer you to a colleague who may be suitable.

    2. Previous Customer Testimonials

    Taking a contractor’s word about previous work is a recipe for trouble. When purchasing a car you test drive it & the same principal applies in this instance.Ask for the names & phone numbers of three to five customers who've had similar work completed by them in the past two years. Asking for specific references makes it more difficult for a contractor to handpick only their best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would lik

    Spinning Dreams
    Spinning Dreams exposes a common pattern in dreams. After numerous spinning episodes, I have hypothesized a theory. I am obliged to pass it along. I realize that dreaming sequences are improvable by any accepted standards and must stand according to testimony.Spirit and soul meanings are interchangeable in most spirituality discussion. In this work, I attempt to define them as two different elements of the human psychic. Reminiscent of Maslow’s pyramidal id, ego and superego, the spirit and soul are intangibles that identify in the same arena
    ment projects are alike, and your friend's contractor may not have the skills necessary to tackle your job. Trades people (painters, plumbers, carpenters) deal with contractors repeatedly, over a long period of time and on a variety of projects. They are, therefore, in a better position to offer a contractor referral. If a recommended contractor tells you that they’re too busy to take on your job, ask them to refer you to a colleague who may be suitable.

    2. Previous Customer Testimonials

    Taking a contractor’s word about previous work is a recipe for trouble. When purchasing a car you test drive it & the same principal applies in this instance.Ask for the names & phone numbers of three to five customers who've had similar work completed by them in the past two years. Asking for specific references makes it more difficult for a contractor to handpick only their best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would lik

    Business Card Marketing Game
    This is a variation of my "Last man standing" game I play on my workshops, seminars, teleconferences and speaking engagements...This is an interesting game and will take only 3 minutes to play.Required: Pen, paper, your business card and an open mindPreparationTry and recall how many business cards you have distributed in the last 4 weeks. Go on, no clicking on emails, or databases, mentally try and recall who you gave your card to in the last 4 weeks….and write down their name, and whether you followed them up or notTr
    be suitable.

    2. Previous Customer Testimonials

    Taking a contractor’s word about previous work is a recipe for trouble. When purchasing a car you test drive it & the same principal applies in this instance.Ask for the names & phone numbers of three to five customers who've had similar work completed by them in the past two years. Asking for specific references makes it more difficult for a contractor to handpick only their best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would lik

    Keeping A Sense Of Perspective When Evaluating The Effects Of Stress
    It is generally agreed within the medical community that such things as raised blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, a rise in blood sugar level and a lower digestive rate can all result from stress. There is also general agreement that, if stress lasts for any period of time, it can lead to irritability and individuals will generally become more impatient and more quick-tempered. It is also likely that an individual will experience increasing difficulty in coping with the present and develop a fear of the future, as well as finding it harder to concentrate a
    r best clients. Call each reference and ask the following questions:

    • What did you like & dislike about the contractor?

    • Did the final cost of the job exceed the estimate?

    • Did the contractor complete the work in a neat and timely fashion?

    • Would you hire them again for another home-improvement project?

    3. Check Your Contractor's Credentials

    Before checking to see if the contractor you would like to hire is adequately insured and licensed, you'll need to contact your local city office to research what credentials are required for home-improvement contractors in your province. I also recommend that the contractor you hire have a minimum of $1 million in general liability insurance. Be sure to get a copy of their license and insurance/WSIB for your records.

    4. Playing Match Maker

    The success of a home renovation project, much like success in the world of dating, hinges on chemistry. Are you the type of person who likes to be involved in every decision, or do you prefer to leave your job "to the experts?” Believe it or not, your contractor's personality can make or break the success of your project. Some contractors prefer not to be micro-managed, & others want the homeowner's input on every aspect of the job. Be up front about how involved you'd like to be in the renovation process. And ask your contractor to tell you how comfortable they are with customer involvement. If your approaches aren't compatible, it's a good sign that they might not be the right person for the job.

    5. Get It In Writing FIRST!

    In addition to getting a written estimate for the project, ensure the contractor documents all details about the type of materials they plan to use as well as their anticipated start date, project schedule and completion date. Upon signing the contract, most contractors will request a 10 to 30 percent down payment. The remaining balance most often is paid in increments throughout the course of the project. A rule of thumb is to hold onto the remaining 10 percent balance until the final details of the project are completed to your satisfaction. Two of the most common reasons to cancel work with a contractor a

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