House Doctors

We're on Pinterest!

2012-02-24T14:36:00.000-08:00

We are happy to announce we have joined the wonderful world of Pinterest! The idea of being able to connect with our fans in such a fun way was to intriguing. We have found it is such an easy and fun way to find new DIY projects that will be extremely useful for our fans in their homes. It's also a great way to find ways to freshen up every room in your house in creative and easy ways.

It should definitely help make that To-Do List shorter!

You can follow us here or visit our Facebook page Pinterest tab.

Happy pinning DIYers!

Protect Your Throne! National Bath Safety Month Tips

2012-01-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Many people consider their bathroom to be one of the mostimportant and relaxing rooms in their house. However, it can also be the most dangerous. The Consumer Product Safety Commissionreports that around 370 Americans are injured each day from bathroom-relatedinjuries. These injuries affect peopleof all ages and are primarily related to incidents involving the bathtub andshower. For example, drowning is theleading cause of accidental injury deaths of children under 4 and the secondleading cause of death for those 14 and under. On the opposite end of the age spectrum, older adults fall once every 18seconds, and every 35 minutes someone in the US dies from these injuries.

As such, January is National Bath Safety Month. During this month, consumers are reminded totake extra precautions to make sure their bathroom is properly equipped for theyoung and old.

Follow these tips to make sure your bathroom is as safe aspossible:

Make sure your bathtub or shower has nonskidmats or strips on the standing area
For seniors, consider replacing a bathtub with acomfortable shower that is easily accessible
Safety glass or plastic should be installed onbathtub or shower doors
Install safety grip handles in the shower orsloping safety bar brackets on the tub
Keep electrical appliances away from water, suchas the bathtub/shower or sink
Consider installing toilet seat locks sochildren don’t fall into water or throw in your valuables (or other objects causingplumbing issues)
Consider elevated toilet seats with armrests soseniors can get up from the toilet if they have problem with knees/legs
In case of emergency such as sickness or a hardfall, consider installing a phone line in the bathroom that is easilyaccessible
If your bathroom has carpet – get rid of it. Thebathroom is the room with the most bacteria, and this one step will help youcut down significantly
Make sure your bathroom cabinets are childproof– they could contain poisonous substances
Keep Poison Control stickers in each bathroom inthe event of accidental poisoning
Never leave a baby unattended in the tub, evenjust for a minute
Prevent water burns by turning the default maxon the hot water heater to 120 degrees
Space heaters in the bathroom could causeelectrical shocks – avoid using them here
Secure all sharp-edged objects. Razors in the wrong hands could hurt someone
If you have a lock, remove it from the inside ofthe bathroom door for living situations with children or the elderly; you maybe unable to assist in the event of an emergency

Keep your ability to live independently and care for thoseyou love in check by abiding by these safety precautions!

Time to ready your home for Old Man Winter

2011-12-13T12:03:00.000-08:00

Tis already the season to be freezing, but that doesn’t meanit’s too late to winterize your home if you haven’t already. Not only doesbattening down the homestead’s hatches mean toasty comfort for you, it alsoyields increased energy efficiency and protects against wear and tear deliveredby the elements.

If you haven’t started winterizing already, follow thesetips for some quick catch-up that will save you money and protect your home foryears to come.

Heat’s a treat:Nothing’s more important to home warmth and energy savings than an efficient furnace.If you haven’t had an HVAC inspection in two years, call a professional toinspect your furnace. Ensure the technician changes your air filter and, ifapplicable, your humidifier filter. Also ask if it’s time to have your airducts cleaned.

Fireplaces aren’tjust romantic: Experts say fireplaces account for some of the greatest lossof a home’s heat when not properly used. When not used, chimneys can becomenesting sites for rodents and birds—a potentially hazardous situation if ahomeowner decides to light a fire. Consider hiring a chimney sweep to inspectthe safety and cleanliness of your chimney. And if you’re not using it, ensureit’s thoroughly insulated against heat loss.

If you burn firewood in your chimney, bring inside only thewood you plan to burn so dormant insects, such as termites and ants, aren’tunnaturally awakened in the warmth of your home.

Seal the deal:Energy-efficient vinyl windows are some of the best investments homeowners canmake to improve the look and feel of their properties. But if such an expenseisn’t in your budget, a similarly effective and less costly tactic is to sealall windows and exterior doors.

Placing weather stripping around doors to prevent cold air entryis simple, as is caulking any gaps around windows. Don’t have the time for thechore? Most handyman services for this are affordable.

Clear the way: Besure all roof galleys, gutters and downspouts are completely free of debrissuch as leaves and sticks. Not only does this allow water to flow off your homeeasily, the release of any water buildup avoids ice accumulation that candamage shingles, gutters and structural components.

A blanket statement:Given that your attic is much cooler in the winter, this season often is thebest time to add a layer of insulation up top. Experts say increasing the thickness of attic insulation leads to better heat retention and reduced energycosts. Checkwith experts in your area of the country for recommended amounts and types ofinsulation.

Follow the program: Thecost of programmable thermostats continues to fall, making their energy-savingvalue rise rapidly. With a “mind of its own,” the thermostat can be set toreduce your home’s temperature while you’re away at work and the kids are atschool, and then increase the heat automatically in anticipation of everyone’sreturn.

No water outside:To prevent the formation of ice in pipes leading to outside spigots, shut offyour outside water from the inside, then open outside spigots to let them draincompletely. Also, ensure your hoses are completely drained before storing theminside.

No freezing inside: Ifyou have an older home whose pipes might not be well insulated, it never hurtsto add a layer of insulation (pipe-specific wraps are available at mosthardware stores). Anywhere where hot water pipes are exposed, insulate them.The less your water heater has to work to keep the temperature correct, themore money you’ll save on running it.

A shift in the wind:Reverse the direction of your ceiling fans in the winter time in order to blowwarm air—trapped against each room’s ceiling—downward gently to circulate heat effectively.

Methods of detection:With the use of fossil-fuel burning furnaces, there is always the risk ofcarbon monoxide poisoning. Good furnace maintenance should ensure safeoperation, but since your doors and windows will be closed for a few months andthe house will not benefit from natural air circulation, it’s wise to considerinstalling carbon monoxide detectors outside each bedroom. And of course, itnever hurts to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors during thisprocess.

If you need any help with any of these suggestions, give your local House Doctor a call!

Mold in your home, how serious is it?

2011-12-08T14:06:00.001-08:00

Learning that mold is present in your home can be scary, butbefore you panic there are some things that you shouldknow.

Mold (fungi) is present everywhere - indoors and outdoors. Thereare more than 100,000 species of mold. At least 1,000 species of mold arecommon in the U.S. and are found in moist or damp areas, as all molds needwater to grow.

Mold is often confusedwith another fungus, mildew. Mildew isthe black residue on your shower curtains and the funny smell coming fromclothes that sat too long in the washer. Mold is the fuzzy or slimy stuff that sometimes grows on your counterfruit. It also appears as irregularlyshaped spots of black or gray on a wall or ceiling, which is much harder to throwaway than a rotting orange!

Just like mold on fruit, mold growing in a house gets itsenergy from organic matter. Like mildew,it is attracted to moisture and breeds in damp environments. Therefore, if a home has been exposed to anysort of water damage, it may have hidden mold. Common areas where mold hides include:

Backsides of dry wall
Wallpaper or paneling
Top side of ceiling tiles
Underside of carpets and carpet pads
Inside walls around pipes
Surface of walls behind furniture
Inside ductwork
Roof materials above ceiling tiles

Most types of mold that are routinely encountered are nothazardous to healthy individuals, however there are household molds thatare toxic and can cause neurological problems. Common symptoms in individuals living in a house with mold are:

Itchy and watering eyes
Chronic coughing
Headaches or migraines
Difficulty breathing
Rashes
Fatigue
Sinus problems
Nasal blockage
Frequent sneezing
Depending on the amount of exposure and aperson's individual vulnerability, more serious health effects - such as feversand breathing problems - can occur but are unusual.

Mold should be cleaned as soon as it appears. Persons cleaningmold should be free of symptoms and allergies and need to wear gloves duringcleaning. Small areas of mold can be cleaned using a detergent/soapy solutionor an appropriate household cleaner. Once the area is cleaned, it then needs tobe thoroughly dried and any sponges or rags used need to be disposed.

If a house has a severe mold problem, more likely than not that there will be amusty scent in the affected area. Somesurfaces may look smudged or blotched and should not be touched.

If you suspect that your home or potential home iscontaminated with mold call a professional in to inspect and testthe house for mold. If the home testspositive for mold, caution should be taken. Even in the event that mold can be cleaned up, purchasing mold insurancewould be a wise investment to minimize financial and personal harm that couldoccur if mold does not get properly cleaned up.

Weatherize Your Home for Winter

2011-11-11T14:04:00.000-08:00

Last winter, we got some of the worst winter weather the country had seen in a while. The snow and cold were almost unbearable and another cold and snowy winter is sure to come again this year. Advance preparations can save money, energy, increase safety and allow for an easy transition into the winter months. Here are some great tips to check into before winter hits.

Winterize to Keep Your Home Energy-Tight

Use caulk on your home's exterior to seal out moisture and outside air; at the same time, it helps keep heat indoors. Caulk creates a tight moisture barrier which prevents rain and snow from seeping into gaps and joints, causing wood to rot and paint to blister.
Place a dollar bill between the door and the jamb or the window sash and sill. With the door or window closed, attempt to remove the bill. If it slides out easily, you're losing energy.

Clear Downspouts and Gutters

Avoid basement flooding and deterioration of the foundation by cleaning the gutter channels and clearing downspouts of debris. Replace deteriorating or broken gutters and downspouts.

Crank the Heat!

Turn on your furnace and give it a test-run
Change the air filter. This will enable your heating system to run at maximum efficiency which can even help save money on heating costs.
If your home has gas heat, check the pilot light, burner and chimney flue. If not vented properly, you could have carbon monoxide building up in the house.

Prevent Trouble Down Below

There may also be things that need attending to beneath your property. For example, flush underground sprinkler systems before the cold sets in by blowing air into pipes to displace leftover water. This is important because water lines are typically only 6 to 8 inches below ground -- and prone to freezing. If they freeze and then burst, you could have a costly repair situation on your hands.

Check the Septic

Homeowners with septic tanks should also think about pumping them now -- before the ground freezes and snow buries your yard. Septic tanks should be checked once every year and cleaned no less than every three years.

Protect Your Pipes

Frozen or burst pipes are among a homeowner's worst nightmares. For a preventative measure, add insulation to pipes in unheated areas, which reduces heat loss from hot-water pipes and condensation on cold water pipes.
Install a freeze-proof outdoor faucet which will eliminate the problem of a frozen or broken spigot. These faucets employ a long stem that shuts the water off about a foot back in the house preventing the pipe from freezing.

Conduct a Water Heater Check-Up

There may also be things that need attending to beneath your property. For example, flush underground sprinkler systems before the cold sets in by blowing air into pipes to displace leftover water. This is important because water lines are typically only 6 to 8 inches below ground -- and prone to freezing. If they freeze and then burst, you could have a costly repair situation on your hands.

Prepare your House and Your Family for Hurricane Season

2011-08-09T13:41:00.000-07:00

Storm season is certainly upon usand hurricane season is about to come into full swing. Over the pastseveral years, hurricane damage has made the news again and again, devastatinglives, people, cities and nations. Every year it’s a good idea to remind yourselfof how to prepare for a hurricane should you encounter this terrorizingstorm. Fortunately, meteorologists are able to track hurricanes beforethey hit home; however, it’s always a good idea to have a plan in place toquickly put into action.

With over 15 years of experience inrepairing storm damage, House Doctors Professional Handyman Service isknowledgeable in key ways to prepare your home for storms. Here are a fewtop tips:

Protect windows and sliding doors with plywoodthat fits the area of the window or door. Taping a window or a door is anineffective method to protect windows or doors. With high speed winds,tape is not going to hold the most damaging materials out. The best caseis to have impact-resistant glass installed, but if that isn’t an option,drilling in plywood is the second best solution. To be prepared for the storm,have the plywood already made to fit the windows and sliding doors because youaren’t going to be able to run to The Home Depot during a hurricane.
Remove weak or dead trees from youryard. Dead foliage cannot withstand 100 MPH wind and can easily comethrough a window during a hurricane. Be sure to remove any dead or weakshrubbery from your yard each year.
Have a generator in case your home losespower.
Determine a “safe” room. This should bean interior room or closet in the middle of the first floor without windows.

In the event your home is affectedby a hurricane, be sure to get a storm assessment. This will tell youwhat areas of your home need repair. A storm assessment should be acomprehensive verbal and written report detailing the storm damage. HouseDoctors recommends having a storm assessment performed by an independent thirdparty to receive the most accurate information on the damage to your home.

Ways to Keep Your House Cool This Summer

2011-07-06T13:45:00.000-07:00

As a leading property repair andmaintenance company, House Doctors has delivered high standards of customerservice, reliability and customer workmanship to home owners and commercialproperty owners for over 12 years. In attempt to help home owners battleincreasing temperatures and electricity bills, House Doctors suggestsimplementing the following environmentally-friendly tips to keep their homescool – and electricity bill cooler:

Invest in fans and ceiling fans. Fans give you the opportunity to raise your thermostat setting while allowing you to save on air-conditioning costs.
Install white window shades, blinds and drapes. White blinds reflect heat away from your home, rather than attracting heat and trapping it inside.
Close shades, blinds and drapes facing the sun. By closing your blinds (east-facing windows in the morning and west-facing windows in the afternoon), you’ll be able to keep heat out and cool air in.
Close unused vents. There’s no need in cooling dead space, so close vents that aren’t being used. This will allow more air to flow from opened vents.
Be aware of internal heat. Lighting, appliances and electronic devices are some of the most common sources of internal heat within your home. Make sure to turn them off when not in use and keep them away from your thermostat, as heat will cause the air conditioner to run for longer periods of time.
Plant trees or shrubs to shade air conditioning units. A unit operating in the shade uses less power.

There’s no reason to make yoursummer even hotter, so use these environmentally-friendly alternatives to coolyour home more efficiently. For more tips or to find out what House Doctors can do for you, visit www.housedoctors.com.

How To Green Your Home

2011-06-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

Now more than ever consumers are looking for ways to save energy in their homes. Greener homes are not only more environmentally friendly but can also greatly reduce utility bills. The average household spends about $2,200 on energy bills, but with a few simple adjustments, consumers can lessen their impact on the environment and save themselves some green as well!

Seal your home! Use caulk and weather stripping to seal in air so that cool air cannot escape and heat stays inside.
Install a programmable thermostat. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.
Take steps to save water. By installing aerators on your faucets, you can cut your annual water consumption in half.
Use energy efficient lighting. LED light bulbs use up to 85 percent less energy than incandescent light bulbs and can last up to 10 times longer.
Solar, wind or even hydroelectric power can reduce greenhouse emissions and harness the capabilities of renewable fuels.
Completely unplug off your appliances! 75 percent of energy used to power an appliance is consumed while the appliance is turned off. Use a power strip to make unplugging easier.
Spray-foam insulation can benefit older homes by cutting heating bills in half. Spraying open areas like attics or crawlspaces can also reduce mold growth and even prevent some pests from entering your home.

For more tips on how to make your home green or what House Doctors can do for you, visit www.housedoctors.com

Gearing Up for Outdoor Gatherings

2011-05-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

With Memorial Day, Independence Day,and the summer season quickly approaching, homeowners are beginning to spendless time indoors and more time outdoors. Whether it’s a family gathering orholiday celebration, your home’s outdoor space is sure to be the star of everysummer show. By following a few helpful hints, you can create an outdoor livingarea perfect for every party.

Although you can’t judge a book by its cover, the exterior of your home can say a lot about your home’s interior. Transform the exterior of your party pad by pressure washing your home and sidewalk areas. Unwanted paint, dirt, and grime will easily vanish under the force of a pressurized water system.
Next, once you’ve removed any excess or unwanted paint, brighten up your home by touching up your paint. After all, we could all use a little boost from time to time, so show your trim a little TLC.
Also, don’t forget to protect the top layer of your driveway from harmful environment elements by applying a seal coat. The application of hot liquid asphalt covered by a graded aggregate creates a waterproof membrane which prevents water from penetrating the surface of your property’s driveway.
Similarly, prevent wood deterioration by resealing your property’s deck, porch, and wood areas. Elements such as sunlight, water, contamination, and mildew can weaken the preservation of your wood, ultimately reducing the appearance and value of your home.
To add more space to your outdoor living area, simply expand your deck’s dimensions. With a little bit of deck expansion, you’ll have plenty of space for your next summer social gathering.
Also, protect your guests from summer rain and heat by installing an awning to cover your outdoor reception space.
Lastly, get down and dirty with a little landscape maintenance. Touch up your turf by pulling weeds, mowing your lawn, and mulching your shrub and garden areas. Also, don’t forget porch upkeep by sweeping and dusting regularly.

With a little spring cleaning and homeimprovement, your curb appeal is sure to add value to your home. For more tipsor to find out what House Doctors can do for you, visit www.housedoctors.com.

House Doctors Focus on Importance of Spring Cleaning Your Gutters

2011-04-14T13:51:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again.Finally the snow is melting and homeowners are looking forward to risingtemperatures coupled with spring showers. As many parts of the country haveendured a long, harsh winter, storms have most likely contributed to gutter’sfull of gunk. Part of your spring cleaning routine should includecleaning your gutters before the spring weather takes hold bringing us moreshowers.

House Doctors Professional Handymanis sharing some tips and ideas with consumers about the importance of springgutter cleaning to avoid any costly damages to your roof or gutter system.Spring is one of the two times of the year that you should check the guttersystem, removing debris that could be clogging the flow of the gutters. Some ofthe things you should look to remove are:

Sticks
Leaves
Mud
Pine needles
Any other loose debris

In addition, a crucial part toensuring that your gutters are completely cleared is to use a pressure washerto ensure all of the sludge that has built up over the winter is removed andnot blocking the water flow. It is important to use strong water pressure downthe drainpipes to remove all of the loose debris to guarantee the gutters arein the best possible shape for the wet spring ahead.

During the gutter cleaning process,safety is always the number one concern. Making sure that you have a ladderthat reaches gutters is important to ensure you have proper balance andfooting. House Doctors Professional Handymen are always prepared with varioustypes of ladders to work on single and multi-level homes.

Prepared with the proper equipment,House Doctors Professional Handymen can effectively clear the gutters of yourhome as well as install gutter protectors like GutterFill®, GutterFill® Extremeand Safe-T-Flow®, all provided by American Gutter Filter®, Inc. to helpincrease the longevity of the home’s gutters. These foam protector insertsabsorb precipitation and ensure that the gutter canal stays unblocked by sticksand leaves, so that when you go to clean the gutters in the spring, you areonly removing debris from on top of the foam rather than sticking your handinto the gunk filled gutter.

Here are some problems and solutiontips from our House Doctors business owner, Bill Shoener:

Problem: Water not coming out of downspout on gutter?

Solution: Make sure your gutters are clear of debris, example clearof leaves, dirt etc. and get gutter covers, metal shields that can easily bebut put over top of the gutter to keep debris out, but still allows water torun through.

Problem: Looks like gutters are coming loose, or nails holdinggutters onto fascia are coming out?

Solution: Replace gutter nails with screws or hidden gutter hangers.The reason why this happens is because with hot and cold weather, guttersexpand and contract causing the nails to come loose. The nails can then bereplaced with screws which are harder to come loose, or a different type ofgutter hanger can be installed that allows for expansion and contraction.

Problem: Water is overflowing on wrong side of the gutter?

Solution: Re-Tip the gutters in the right direction and you maypossibly need a new faceplate.

Problem: Every fall your gutters get clogged with leaves?

Solution: House Doctors can come and install gutter guards/covers. Inthe long run this will save you money from having to have them cleaned everyfall and spring.

Problem: Gutter falling off due to wind storm or bad weather?

Solution: Have gutter re-installed and fastened properly. Make suregutters are fastened a minimum of every two feet. Make sure gutter is stillusable and was not damaged from falling, meaning there are no dents or piecesmissing that could cause water damage or the gutters to not work properly.Often gutters need to be replaced if this happens.

Having properly cleaned gutters it akey component to the overall structural integrity of your because the guttersprotect the housing foundation, sidewalks and siding, which are all much moreexpensive to repair once they become damaged. House Doctors Professional Handymen are always prepared to come in and help with these types of springcleaning needs. They are experienced and provide a professional approach togetting the job done.

House Doctors can help you witheverything on your Spring To-Do List. To schedule an appointment with your localHouse Doctors Professional Handyman, please call 1-888-HOUSEDOC or visit http://housedoctors.com.

Let Our To Do List Help You with Spring Cleaning

2011-03-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

Every season of the year bringsneeded home improvements; decks should be properly sealed before the harshwinter months; gutters should be properly cleaned before and after the leavesfall; patios and gazebos are perfect spring home improvements that can beenjoyed all summer long.

We’ve come up with a spring checklist to help you cover all the basics for necessary checkups this springseason.

• Pressure Washing

• Basketball goals

• Child play sets

• Decks

• Dog Houses

• Driveways

• Fences

• Garages

• Gutters

• Mailboxes

• Painting

• Patios

• Porches

• Roofing

• Shutters

• Sidewalks

• Stairs

• Windows

If you don’t know where to start letHouse Doctors in your area do a quick check to make sure that your home is intip top shape this spring season. Each season you can expect House Doctors to give you the information you need to find the improvements necessaryfor your home.

Happy Spring Cleaning!

April Showers Bring May Flowers – and Mold

2011-03-23T14:38:00.000-07:00

As temperatures begin to warm andsigns of spring start to bloom, the rainy season isn’t too far behind. Causedby warm spring air mixing with lingering cooler temperatures, this period ofheavy rainfall can lead to massive flooding. Flooding is one of the deadliesttypes of weather, claiming over 100 lives yearly. Not only is flooding a safetyconcern, but it can also wreak havoc on your home.

Prolonged exposure to moisture cancause toxic mold to begin to form. Mold is found in wet or damp areas,including the kitchen, bathroom or basement. As the rainy spring season setsin, mold spores can grow in unventilated areas of the home, which can causehealth concerns including allergies and asthma.

Here are some important things to remember this spring when combating mold:

Contain the mold as soon as you spot it, making sure that it is unable to spread to other uncontaminated areas of your home.
After the mold has been contained, kill it! You can kill many molds by simply using detergent and soapy water.
Consider having a professional mold sample taken to determine what type of mold is growing and if poses any health concerns.
Next, you must remove the mold. Although the mold is no longer living, it still has harmful properties that can affect your health. Once the mold is removed, do not paint over the affected area or mold is likely to reoccur.
Protect the area of your home from future mold growth by properly cleaning and removing remaining mold. Please remember that when working around any mold, wearing protective clothing is a good idea.
Lastly, ensure that the moisture that caused the initial mold growth is no longer an issue by repairing or taking other steps.

House Doctors Helps Consumers Transform Bathrooms in One Day

2011-03-02T15:09:00.000-08:00

Today’s economic challenges haveforced consumers to hold back on those much-needed maintenance repairs, fixing only therepairs that require the most immediate attention. With that in mind, House Doctorshas come up with a new service called Bathroom in a Day to provide value tocustomers while still giving their bathroom a completely new look and feel.

Bathroom in a Day lets homeownerstransform their old bathroom to something new and exciting in as little as oneday and at a fraction of the cost. By using bath-liner and wall systemsthat are custom-molded to fit over your existing bathtub, shower base or wallsurround, House Doctors will give your bathroom that much-needed facelift.

On our website, you can completelycustomize your new bathroom with a couple quick clicks. You can choosefrom different styles of bath and shower options as well as wall systems rightfrom the website or invite a House Doctors professional to help make theselections with you.

In today’s economic environment,Bathroom in a Day gives customers the ability to transform their bathroom fromoutdated to newly renovated for much less than a total bathroom remodel and inno time at all. To learn more about Bathroom in a Day, visit the House Doctors website.

House Doctors Goes to Clearwater Beach

2011-02-15T15:10:00.000-08:00

Annual Convention Hosts TopFranchisees; Introduces New Strategies and Tactics

By Greg Haskett, VP of Shared Services

Every year, our House Doctors franchisees get together to celebrate another great year ofbusiness and discuss hot topics and what's new for the year ahead. Thisyear we met in Clearwater Beach, FL. Themed Chart Your Course, we hadseveral sessions, large and small, where franchisees gathered together todiscuss all aspects of their businesses. As an industry leader in thehome improvement segment, this convention in particular was special as weintroduced several new items that our franchisees can use moving forward,including:

1.       A new and improved online software thatwill put us ahead of the competition. Cloud computing is the way of the futureand our franchise owners can now respond quicker than their competition withbetter data.

2.       New financial benchmarks and toolsspecifically designed to maximize the profit of each franchise owner whichgives them a unique tool to hit their personal income goals.

3.       A strategic rollout of social media effortsthat will broaden the reach of the HouseDoctors brand and meet our current &future customers where they are.

4.       Lastly, and the best part of anygathering like this, is when the attendees can spend time together. Weincluded extended breaks, franchisee-only meetings, and very successfulrole-playing sessions where franchise owners from across North Americainteracted with each and discussed their shared interests in building the House Doctorsname.

Overall this year's convention was the best one yet. We received somevery positive feedback from our franchisees.

"As a new franchisee, I was very impressed that House Doctors is spending incredible amounts of effort to see us succeed on the bottom-line profits. The tools they are developing, such as ServiceCeo, are going to increase our efficiency, provide better monitoring of our business practices and trends, and improve our quality of life." Jim Kraeling, Savannah, GA
"I thought it was a great convention. Learned lots by talking to other franchisees, both old and new." Steve Boriss, Chesterfield, MO
"I thought Jim's presentations were spot on! I especially like when he laid down the 'model' speech, informing us how we should conform to the proven procedures. Heck, I'm new, I'm going to try it that way, for sure." Dave Mauldin, Austin, TX
"What a great convention! The House Doctors staff did a great job mixing some fun with the work. I always come away recognizing some areas that I need to focus on and make changes in to the way I do business." Steve Cranford, High Point, NC

Tips to Increase Your Resale

2011-02-04T15:13:00.000-08:00

HouseDoctors Weighs In

Simple home improvements now can prevent major renovations in the future andadd to your home’s resale value. House Doctors, a 90-plus-unitprofessional handyman service, can provide some tips on simple and inexpensivefixes for your home that will aid in selling. Check out these pointers on howto spruce up your home:

Tidy up your lawn – Sometimes all your yard needs is a good cut andweeding to make a world of difference. Make sure hedges are shaped up andtrimmed.
Paint the front door – A new coat of paint on the front door gives thefront of your home a rejuvenated, fresh look. This is an easy way to give yourhome an instantly welcoming appearance.
Make sure your doorbell works – If your doorbell isn’t working properly,it could cause you to miss packages and deliveries, or worse, leave friendsstranded at your doorstep!
Clean or replace hardwood and tile flooring – Checking for cracks in tileand chips in wood flooring is extremely important. When flooring begins to lookdull and old, a new stain or finish is an easy way to revamp.
Repair leaky faucets – In addition to wasting water, leaky faucets can becostly. Get them fixed so you don’t pour money down the drain!

For help with these repairs, contact your local HouseDoctors handyman to assist you in making these tedious repairs to yourhome. By nipping these problems in the bud early on, you can save yourself the headacheof a bigger issue down the road and save major time when you’re looking to sellyour home.

2011 Top Trends in Home Improvement

2011-01-25T10:51:00.000-08:00

HouseDoctors has uncovered some trends we think are really going to stick in2011. Home buyers really pay attention to what’s hot, fresh and new whenthey consider buying a home. It’s important for a great return oninvestment to keep your home up to speed on all the latest trends.

Go Green. This is a trend that is here to staybecause people are realizing that the highest return on their investment in anyrenovation they make are those improvements that are “going green”. As webecome more conscious about becoming eco-friendly, as well as looking into waysto save more money, people will continue to make green updates to their homes,ranging from those simple improvements like changing a light bulb andinstalling water collectors for collecting rainwater that is used for gardeningto more advanced eco-friendly methods like installing energy efficientappliances or putting in energy star quality windows.

Bathrooms. Bathroom renovations can be simple and canreally boost value in a resale. You can re-tile your floor or upgradethose old facets for a nice return on your investment. Buyers want to seebathrooms that look brand new which means an easy fix for a great return oninvestment for the home owner.

Immediate Repairs. Has that faucet been leaking for thepast two months? How about that crack in the driveway? These simpleissues should be taken care of right away. What is a tiny inconveniencenow can turn into a major issue down the road. Most home buyers arelooking for move in ready houses, not fixer uppers. It’s imperative toget those nuisances out of the way…and fast.

Home repairs are on the rise in 2011. Take note of the top trends and getstarted on those improvements that are going to make your home more livable foryou and easier to sell for your next potential home buyer.

New Year’s Resolution Ideas for your Home

2010-12-23T11:09:00.000-08:00

As we list out our own personal New Year’s resolutions, there may be someother areas that are in dire need for some attention in 2011 too. Likeyour home. Whether you haven’t had the time or the energy, 2011 is a great yearto get some of those home projects in motion. HouseDoctors Professional Handyman Service business owner Harry Rimmer offerssome expert tips on simple projects to make your home a priority this year.

New Year’s Resolution Ideas for your Home
By Steve Coomes

"He who owns a home deserves it!!

Author unknown

While most homeowners regard their domiciles with pride and joy, there iswisdom to be inferred from the wizened wisecrack above: homeownership impliesregular work.

Be it patching cracked plaster, attacking a weedy lawn or something major,such as replacing the HVAC system, the need to invest in a home—be it withmoney or mere sweat—never ceases.

But experts insist that homeowners who stay ahead of the game with regularpreventative maintenance not only work less on their properties, but can avoidcostly expenses that zap the already burdened budgets of many.

"There's a lot of truth to the old saying that a stitch in time savesnine," said Harry Rimmer, a Wayne, Pa., franchisee of HouseDoctors, a 90-unit professional handyman service. In other words,"there are so many minor things a homeowner can do on his own to keep himfrom facing major repairs."

But while Rimmer believes many homeowners are capable of performing smallmaintenance tasks, many become overwhelmed by what appears to be a lengthy andalmost insurmountable to-do list. His advice: Start somewhere and scratch itemsoff the list.

Ed Miehlke, a franchisee of 175-unit HomeTeam Inspection Service, agreed andadvises homeowners to triage that task list according to the season.

"Right now we're in the fall, so you need to be sure your gutters arereally clean," Miehlke began. "That ensures you don't have waterbacking up and ice forming inside them when winter comes."

Planning on selling your home? As an inspector, Miehlke said neglected basichome maintenance leads to sellers having to spend major dollars fixing in orderto make their properties sellable. On the other hand, performing these dutiesregularly and keeping a journal of when you did the work can assist in thespeedy sale of any property.

Miehlke and Rimmer teamed up on a "12 Months of Maintenance"checklist homeowners can address seasonally and a little at a time. Several ofthe items can be addressed outside of months they suggested, but both stressedeach point should be addressed well ahead of the applicable season.

January:Clean and/or replace clothes dryer vents. Not only will it reduce fire hazards,it will boost the performance of your dryer which saves money on energy use.Remove all holiday lights and decorations, both because your neighbors want youto, it makes the yard safer for playing in the snow.

Beauty tip: Frame and hang some of those photos you shotlast year.

February: Inspect the outside of your house prior to asnowfall. Why? "Because you'd be surprised at what can get caught in asnow blower and damage it," said Rimmer. Once you retreat from the cold,it's a good time to inspect drywall for cracks that need patching. The arid airfrom your furnace will help the mud dry quicker and allow for painting sooner.

Beauty tip: Since the weather outside is frightful, choosejust one room to paint so you don't become overwhelmed by the thought of it.

March: Check to be sure your sump pump is working properlybefore spring rains arrive. If you live in a storm-prone area, expertsrecommend a battery backup system to cover you if you lose power. Now is alsothe time to apply lawn fertilizer to get a jump on weed control.

Beauty tip: Spruce up your landscaping. Wet soil makes foreasy planting of bushes, shrubs and trees.

April: Now that the rainy season has arrived, checkdownspouts around the outside the house to be sure water is flowing freely andaway from the foundation. Water gathering at edges of the house can damage thefoundation.

Beauty tip: Check for winter-damaged surfaces, such asshutters, gutters and landscape lighting. Some touch ups here and there willinvigorate the exterior look again.

May: Service air conditioning compressor and blower unitwhen temperatures are at least 70 F to ensure normal Freon performance.Schedule biannual visits with HVAC provider "so they call you, and youdon't have to remember to call them," Miehlke said.

Beauty tip: Mild weather is perfect for more significantjobs such as laying a brick paver path or building a gazebo. It's also a goodtime to plant perennials.

June: Now that somewhat drier weather is here, it's a goodtime to clean and seal your wooden deck. Our experts recommended pressurewashing the entire surface, allowing it to dry for two days and then coating itwith a high quality water-resistant stain or seal. Well kept decks addtremendous value to homes, but poorly maintained ones can wipe out that samevalue.

Beauty tip: Make your home inviting to guests byconsidering new deck furniture or chairs for your porch.

July: In the heat of the summer, it might be wise to findinside chores such as simple appliance maintenance. Dusting the refrigeratorcondenser and cleansing its fan of debris increases its efficiency and lowersenergy consumption. Same for washing or replacing the filters in your rangehood. If you have a down-draft exhaust system, request a professional servicevisit to check the vent pipe.

Beauty tip: Sometimes deconstruction, such as removing anold swing set, will serve as a facelift for the property. If you have fences,it's a great time to paint them.

August: Traditionally this is the hottest and driest monthof the summer, which means it's a good time to seal asphalt driveways. Sealingreduces the chance of water seepage into cracks, which can feed roots under thedrive and, just as damaging, allow ice to form and expand.

Beauty tip: Your lawn is growing again, which means it's agreat time to aerate and fertilize. You'll love the boost of green the lawnwill get.

September: Take a good look at your roof to ensure allshingles or tiles are in place. According to Rimmer, a small number of looseshingles can be repaired easily by a pro, but if left unfixed, the result couldbe water damage and further loss of shingles. The milder weather provides agood chance to restore door gaskets to before the cold sets in—and don't forgetthe bottom of the garage door! And speaking of those, take the time to greaseits bearings and adjust chains that do loosen over time.

Beauty tip: Plant fall flowers, such as mums, to brightenyour landscaping.

October: Have your furnace and humidifier serviced by aprofessional to ensure optimal combustion and air flow. Ask the service tech ifit might be time to get your vents cleaned as well. Now that the air in theattic is cooler, visit the space to see if it could use some more insulation.Examine your windows closely to see if they need recaulking.
Beauty tip: Now that the sun is setting earlier, considerlandscape lighting to add a dramatic appearance to your home.

November: Remove all leaves from lawn to reduce grass kill,and to avoid ice buildup, remove all hoses from outside faucets and shut offtheir valves inside. Rimmer said frost-free "bibs" placed on outsidefaucets can help as well, but that hose removal and water shut-off are best.

December: Guests are coming for the holidays, so make sureyour toilets, showers and sinks and garbage disposals are all functioningproperly. Clean lime from clogged shower heads, and replace toilet flappers ifleaking.

Beauty tip: Take the plunge and join your neighborhooddecorating contest. But no need to be this year's Clark Griswald. Sometimesless is more when lights are smartly strung to accent the house's featuresrather than wash them out.

Home Improvements to Make During Any Economic Climate

2010-12-08T11:15:00.000-08:00

During such a tough economic climate, homeowners are often faced withdifficult decisions on which home improvements are most necessary for theirhomes. As a locally-based small business owner with House Doctors, aprofessional handyman company focused on repairs, remodel and maintenance, Iwould like to recommend a few key areas that should always be a key focus, nomatter what the economic climate, to help ensure the structural safety of thehome as well as the resale value.

Starting with the exterior, you should:

Check all windows and doors to make sure caulk is not cracking and separating. If it is, remove the old caulk and re-caulk with a good quality exterior caulk to ensure your home remains insulated from the outside elements.
Have a professional check your roof, including chimney flashing, skylights, plumbing vent pipes and attached antennas, every two to three years to check for cracks and breaks in sealants to avoid water entering the home and causing interior damage.
Replace old or damaged weather stripping as soon as possible.
Check exterior water supplies and make sure they are shut off during winter months to avoid cracks or breaks in pipes.
Close any holes, openings or other points of entry where mice or other rodents can enter the home.

In the interior, homeowners should pay close attention to:

Repair leaky faucets to avoid running up your water bill. It’s important to make sure that all faucets from all water sources in the house are in sound working order.
Repair running toilets, which will have the same effect as leaky faucets, so if you have a toilet in question, upgrade to a new, low-flush option that will minimize water usage and save you money.
Check caulking around tubs, vanity sinks, kitchen sinks, and replace as needed. Keeping up with caulking will keep water from leaking into unwanted areas.
Check doors and windows for air leaks. Replace weather stripping as needed to heating and cooling systems working to their maximum efficiency.
During the winter, rid of moisture on windows. The change in temperature outside to in creates condensation on the windows, so wipe off the moisture consistently to ensure the water doesn’t start rotting any wood around the windows.

Making home improvements is one of the many responsibilities of being ahomeowner. It’s important to pay attention to the repairs that need to bedone in your home to ensure that any small repair doesn’t turn into a majorproblem. When you notice that a repair that needs to be made, obtain theadvice of a professional who can discuss with you exact requirements for thejob.

Storm Safety for Your Home and Its Inhabitants

2010-11-10T11:27:00.000-08:00

One thing that House Doctors handymen often find in the homes they areworking on is damage caused by storms. In fact, contrary to popularbelief, no part of this country is impervious to storm damage. Damage from apast hurricane, tornado, or flood can plague a home for years.

This is why it’s important to inspect the roofing, siding, and exteriorrailings for wind and water damage as well as defective repairs that homeownersmay hastily make in their misinformed efforts to fix up the house. Also,be sure to inspect the drywall for water intrusion—otherwise you could faceserious mold problems in the future. It’s always a good idea to call in aprofessional House Doctors handyman to swing by your house afterany major storm, to take a look and let you know if anything’s been damaged ina way that could lead to bigger, more expensive problems later on.

Your local House Doctors ProfessionalHandyman Service can help you either prepare your home for a storm or makethe necessary repairs once damage is already done.

However, as we prepare to enter hurricane season, let’s consider someimportant safety precautions that can be taken ahead of time, in order toensure the safety of both your home and the loved ones living inside.

Learn about your local community’semergency warning system. A simple Google Search of your city’s name +“Emergency Warning System” should keep you informed.
Discuss thunderstorm safety with allmembers of your household. You can find all the information you needhere: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/index.shtm
Pick a safe place in your home forhousehold members to gather during a thunderstorm. This should be away fromwindows, skylights and glass doors that could be broken by strong winds orhail. You might try a basement, a storm cellar, a bathroom, a pantry, oreven a large closet.
Make a list of items to bring inside in theevent of a severe storm, or make sure that expensive or priceless items arestored safely in your garage or cellar during storm season.
Make trees and shrubbery morewind-resistant by keeping them trimmed and removing damaged branches,otherwise, heavy wind and rain could hurl these branches right into your house!
Protect your animals by ensuring that anyoutside buildings that house them are protected in the same way as yourhome. Your local House Doctors can build storm-resistant dog housestoo!
Get trained in first aid and learn how torespond to emergencies. You can find your local Red Cross and sign up forclasses here:http://www.redcross.org
Put together an emergencypreparedness kit including:

Water - one gallon per person, per day
Food - non-perishable, easy-to-prepare
Flashlight - battery powered or handcrank
Radio
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
Multi-purpose tool
Sanitation & personal hygiene items
Copies of personal documents
Cell phone with chargers
Family & emergency contact information
Extra cash

When in doubt, remember the words of Ben Franklin: “By failing to prepare,you are preparing to fail.” But let’s leave the thunderstorm kite-flyingto him!

PREVENTIVE MEASURES CRUCIAL DURING WINTER MONTHS

2010-10-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

With the onset of winter, you will start hearing a lot more about fireprevention. This is because with the colder weather, heat systems andauxiliary heating devices are used in the home, adding to the risk offire. Here are some tips to make sure you take precautions to preventfires from occurring in your home:

Have your heating system inspected. With regular servicing of your heating system, you benefit by burning less fuel and a system that gets regular service is less likely to break down.

Gas-fired furnaces should be serviced yearly and inspected. Since gas-fired furnaces burn cleaner than oil-fired furnaces, you need not have the flue cleaned every year, but the flue should be checked to make sure there are no obstructions. Your service tech will:

Check for C.O. leaks
Inspect the blower system
Inspect gas lines
Inspect flue system
Check filter
Check Heat Exchanger

You can save yourself costly repair by just changing your furnace filter on a regular basis. Remember, even in the summer you need to change your filter if you have central air conditioning. The blower on your furnace is the same one that circulates the cold air.

Oil-fired furnaces need to be serviced annually as well. Since oil does not burn as clean as gas, the flue needs to be inspected every year. Depending on the age of the unit and how clean it burns, the flue may have to be cleaned annually as well.

Boilers need to be serviced annually whether they are hot-water systems or steam.

Heat pumps and electric furnaces also need to have annual inspection to prevent untimely breakdowns.

Outside air conditioning units and swamp coolers should be covered

Now is also a good time to:

Check your smoke detectors and change the batteries
Check your C.O. detector (if you do not have one – it is a small investment for your safety)
Plan an escape plan with your family in case of fire (and have a practice drill)
Talk to your children about fire prevention
Check that garage for flammable items – making sure they are stored properly
Check your fire extinguisher (keep one in the kitchen – they are inexpensive)

GREEN SERIES HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME A GREEN FACE LIFT (continued)

2010-09-22T11:34:00.000-07:00

Inour last blog post, we noted some simple energy efficient updates you can make to your home that will result in a noticeable differenceon your annual bottom line. We wanted to take this one step further andsuggest five more advanced updates you can make to your home for thegreen-conscious home owner, which will save you even more! House Doctorssuggests:

Replacing your outdoor lighting with solar lighting outdoors

Energy emits CO2, costs money and requires electrical cords. Use solar yard lighting for free energy and low maintenance lighting.

Installing energy efficient appliances

Energy efficient appliances can save anywhere from 10-50 percent on energy and water than standard models. This not only saves you money but also helps protect the environment.

Installing EZ Breathe® ventilation

Achieve a cleaner, healthier living environment with the E•Z Breathe® Ventilation System. E•Z Breathe® is the ultimate dehumidifier, air purifier, and ventilation system.

Installing low flow facets

A low-flow showerhead uses about 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM) as opposed to 6 GPM from old showerheads. This allows you to save more than 50 gallons of water during a 15 minute shower, which helps you save on your water bill as well as the cost to heat your water.

Installing dual pane windows

By simply installing standard double pane windows, an average home will save $111 per year on energy costs. By replacing standard windows with Energy Star Windows, an average home can save $465 per year.

By making green upgrades to your home, you may be eligible for up to a$1,500 tax credit. Purchase select energy-saving products from 1/1/09 -12/31/10 and become eligible for a federal tax credit. Visit energystar.gov/taxcreditsand consult your Tax Advisor to find out how you may be eligible for a federaltax credit under the "American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of2009".

GREEN SERIES: HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME A GREEN FACE LIFT

2010-09-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Over the past several years, House Doctors has recognized that home owners havebegun to seek out ways to make their homes more energy-efficient. Inresponse, House Doctors has set up a package of energyefficient updates that are both minimize cost and provide a noticeabledifference to home owners’ bottom line. These five simple green updatessave anywhere up to $1,200 for those who use the following tips.

Caulking, Weather Stripping and Insulating around windows and doors

Keep air from escaping through gaps and cracks in your home by applying caulk, insulation and weather stripping. On average, this can saves 20% off home heating and cooling costs.

Installing Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

CFL bulbs can save up to $30 over the course of each bulb’s life.

Installing a programmable thermostat

You can save up to 33% on heating and cooling costs as well as prevent CO2 emissions.

Installing dimmer light switches

You can save more than 15% energy than with standard light switches, while extending the life of the bulb by more than four times.

Installing gaskets around outlets and light switches

Furthermore, you may be eligible for up to a $1,500 tax credit by investingin energy efficient improvements to your home. Purchase selectenergy-saving products from 1/1/09 - 12/31/10 and become eligible for federaltax credit. Visit energystar.gov/taxcreditsand consult your Tax Advisor to find out how you may be eligible for a federaltax credit under the "American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of2009".

Expanding Handyman Services into the "Going Green" Market

2010-06-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

With the rise of the"Going Green" market, or what others refer to as energy efficiency,the demand for making homes more efficient has also risen. There are severalbasic items that can be done to a home to make them more efficient and who betterto perform the work then a handyman service. Some of these smaller itemsinclude caulking around windows, installing programmable thermostats,installing weather stripping around entry doors, and changing filters in HVACunits.

There are also thosespecialized handyman services that are offering full home energy audits that gointo more detail as to where inefficiencies lie within the home and cansometimes lead to larger projects. This typically requires a specialcertification and equipment, and usually is a little lengthier process thanjust doing the basic upgrades/maintenance. However, any measures taken willcertainly help lower heating/cooling bills and also help the environment.

To learn more aboutdifferent Items that can be done please click the link below.

House Doctors has developedstrategic marketing systems as well as packages for consumers to purchase fortheir homes to make them more efficient. As a House Doctors franchisee you willhave access to all of this and more. To learn more please click here.

Finding Good Handymen to Employ, Myth or Fact?

2010-06-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Oneof the many questions that runs through someone’s mind when they think aboutgetting into a handyman business is “What about finding good people?” This questionis actually at the top of the list for those who do not come from a backgroundin the industry, and their question is “How do I find quality handymen?”

About4 years ago it would have been more challenging to find these individuals asmost of them were either working for someone that was very busy or they hadtheir own business, where they did the work, and were extremely busy. Intoday’s market that is not the case. With home builders being slow they havehad to lay off a majority of their workforce and the guy that ran his own smallhandyman business that did no marketing and lived off of referrals is now slowand looking for work.

Ifyou were to put an ad out on craigslist for hiring a handyman you wouldprobably receive no less than 30 responses in the first hour. The problem issorting through the good and the bad ones. This is where having a properscreening and interviewing process comes into play, and will save you hours offace to face interviewing time and also ensure that you get the best candidatefor the job. You can look for little things such as having a proper resume, andlong gaps between jobs, and of course phone etiquette. Spending a little extratime up front going through this process will save you way more time in thelong run as you should see a decrease in turnover rate as well as higherproductivity, all by bringing on the right people.

AtHouse Doctors we have developed an entire process for hiring highly qualified,customer service oriented handymen. The process is able to make someone thathas no industry experience an expert at hiring handymen, everything fromposting help wanted ads, to skill and knowledge tests, to interviewing and joboffering. A House Doctors Handyman Franchise takes it even a step further with howto be competitive with compensation while maintaining strong profit margins,ensuring high productivity and of course high quality work.

Tolearn more about what a House Doctors Handyman Franchise can offer you pleaseclick here.

Revenue for vanity, profit for sanity. A profitable handyman business

2010-06-16T11:45:00.000-07:00

Asmany business owners get busier in the handyman industry it is worthwhileremembering that building profits in this business is even more important thanbuilding revenue. When you buy a business you take on the responsibility ofmaking sure that you make profits or you won’t last.

Ina handyman business one of the most crucial aspects to look at is your grossprofit, as this is most commonly the biggest inefficiency in the business.House Doctors has developed benchmarks for where this number should be inrelation to your total revenue, as well as best practices to fix the grossprofit when it is out of line. Knowing where your gross profit is and how tofix it is the difference between running a successful business and failing inthe first few months.

That’swhy almost every enhancement to our House Doctors Handyman Franchise systemover the last 3 years has been designed to improve the profitability over thelong term of those franchise owners that make the necessary changes to the waythey do business. The question of every handyman business owner when estimatingor pricing a job needs to be “am I able to do this work while maintaining mygross profit on all aspects of it, including labor, materials andsub-contractors?” If not, you need to walk away, for continuing with that typeof work could be seriously detrimental to your overall business.

Tolearn more about what a House Doctors Handyman Franchise can offer you pleaseclick here.

Aging America Offers Opportunity for Handyman Business

2010-06-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that by 2050, the population of Americansaged 65 and older will more than double, from 39 million today to 89 million.What this means for a handyman business is that you now have a tremendousincrease in potential clients as they are getting to the age where they can nolonger perform home repairs or maintenance and also do not want to spend thetime doing so.

We refer to this growing market as aging in place. As seniors age, more andmore of them want to stay in their own homes rather than going to retirementhomes or communities. Their homes need to be made more user accessible and safefor seniors which include items such as grab bars, walk in tubs, lowering lightswitches, and the list goes on. This particular demographic is looking for thatprofessional handyman service that they can rely on and trust to do qualitywork.

House Doctors has realized this growing trend and is targeting this demographicas one of its fastest growing areas of business. As a House Doctors franchiseowner you would have access to our very targeted diverse marketing plan whichincludes targeting this large and growing audience. Couple this demographicwith busy dual income families and single professionals and you can soonrealize the potential of owning a House Doctors Handyman Franchise.

To learn more about our aging in place services please click here.

Service Software Makes Handyman Business Easier

2010-06-07T11:53:00.000-07:00

Many smaller service companies struggle with managing data, everything fromcustomers contacts, to scheduling, to invoicing, to following up with customersatisfaction or in some cases dissatisfaction. There are a variety of solutionsavailable today that usually require the use of two or three different types ofsoftware, which in turn requires two to three times the amount of time to use.In the small business world time is a precious resource that cannot be wasted.

One company that is saving business owners time and money is InsightDirectwith their product ServiceCEO. SerivceCEO is a web based application thatallows a business owner to run all aspects of their handyman or servicebusiness within one application, and best of all it is accessible from anywhereas long as you have an internet connection and a web browser. The applicationhandles everything from customer management to scheduling and invoicing, Italso integrates with QuickBooks Accounting Software.

At House Doctors we have teamed with ServiceCEO to offer our franchisees acustomized version specific to their business. It offers House Doctorsfranchisees ease of use and pulling vital information about their business. Italso offers franchisees the ability for House Doctors Home Office to benchmarkall of its franchisees with key performance indicators and business metrics.ServiceCEO has also allowed the atomization of back marketing programs as wellas customer feedback requests to save House Doctors franchisees time and money.

To Learn More about ServiceCEO Click Here.

To Learn More about House Doctors click here.

Handyman Franchise Discovery Day

2010-05-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

One of the key aspects of purchasing any handyman franchise is to make sure that you can work with the staff at the corporate office, as well assee the system that you would be coming a part of. There is no betteropportunity to due this then at a Discovery Day. A Discovery Day isa prospective franchisees chance to meet the team that will be there tosupport them not only through their start up phase but also for years to come.

These days are designed to provide answers to almost all of the questions onemight have when partnering with a handyman franchise system. There is usually atremendous amount of information given from each department within thefranchise organization. This can be overwhelming at times, be sure towrite done any questions and get them addressed at the end of the day. Topicscovered usually include system overview, marketing, operational support,initial training and support, software and technology, and territory/franchiseagreements.

Usually by the end of the one day event you really have a feel for thefranchise opportunity and whether you feel as though it will be the right fitfor you.

House Doctors has upcoming discovery days on June 4th (one spot open) aswell as on June 25th. Please click here find out more information.

Demand For Professional Handyman Services Increases

2010-05-21T12:26:00.000-07:00

With the Housing market down and more homeowners staying in their currenthomes, the demand for professional home improvement and handyman companieshas greatly increased. Most people today are not familiar with what it takes toperform basic repairs and maintenance on a home, and in most instances do notwant to take time out of their busy schedules to learn. So where do they turn?

There are plenty of "handyman" companies out there thatoffer these services for bottom dollar, but with a lot of these bottomdollar prices comes bottom dollar service. Today's homeowner wants a reliableand trustworthy company to provide quality work in a timely manner, that'swhere becoming a House Doctors Franchise owner offers you a great opportunityto tap into this very fragmented market. As a House Doctors Handyman Franchiseowner you will offer your customers not only quality work but also awonderful customer service experience, and best of all you're not going out andswinging the hammer.

The role of the successful handyman franchise owner is not doing thework but managing a team of handymen that go out and perform the work for thecustomer. With the increased demand for the professional handymanservice growing everyday there is a wonderful opportunity for individualsto get started in the growing market place. To find out more about how you canbecome a House Doctors Handyman Franchise Owner click below.