Share Your Story

Getting testimony from real people about real life scenarios is one of the most compelling ways the Specialized Outsource Solutions team has found to support the act of hiring a qualified contractor. In other words, our clients really enjoy a story about a job gone wrong because, most of the time, they can relate.

SOS is asking our entire online community, from family and friends to past and present clients, to share experiences about encountering less-than-ideal contracting work. Here are some of the types of stories we’re talking about:

• A job where you’ve dealt with a late, unprofessional or shady contractor
• When you’ve had to take appropriate legal action when a job goes south
• How to know if a company is reputable from the get-go
• Indicators that point out when a contractor may not be qualified
• An experience when a bad start to a job turned out great and why
• Your reiteration of a friend or neighbor’s story of a nightmare experience involving a contractor
• Or anything else you can think of! Everyone’s story is unique and can contribute to the conversation.

We all know that history repeats itself. Your contribution may prevent someone else from having a similar bad experience.

HOW CAN YOU SHARE YOUR STORY?

1. In the comment section below
2. On our Facebook page

We really hope to hear from you! Remember, SOS is in business to help provide a solution to these types of problems. Always get a quality contractor. Next time you need referrals, fill out our online Service Request form or call SOS at 1-888-589-1868.

(Please note that mentioning company names or the names of workers is at your own risk, and the claims made are not a representation of SOS.)

Soot & Smoke Fire Damage in Your Home

Mold and Allergies

Seasonal allergies run rampant for some people when the seasons change, and summertime is the peak time of year for those allergic to mold. While there are plenty of mold species that merely trigger allergies, black mold in particular is known for its fatal effects. Here are a few ways you can stay safe and prevent a mold allergy from hindering your summer fun.

Help keep family members free from allergies by cleaning your ventilation system once every few years. Many homeowners don't realize that allergies are often triggered by dirty vents that constantly blow mold spores into every room of your house.

“Forty million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis (aka hay fever), and mold is one of several triggers -- especially in summertime.”
(CBS8. "Fight theMold Allergy". Brooks, Ellen.)

Be aware of areas with potential for long-term moisture such as basements, bathrooms, and underneath sink areas. When moisture sits for too long it becomes a prime risk for mold growth. Some quick tips to prevent this kind of mold growth:

• Wipe puddles after showering and cooking
• Scrub bathroom tiles with household cleaner
• Avoid letting your carpets stay wet for too long
• Immediately address burst/leaky pipes
• Look for signs of a plumbing leaks inside bathroom and kitchen cabinets, at base of toilets, and behind appliances on a monthly basis

Attic spaces can also be a major source of mold allergies, as they can get very warm and humid. It can be a prime spot for mold growth because of moisture caused by humidity or roof leaks. Mold can be prevented here using plastic tubs instead of cardboard boxes for storage. Items such as textiles, stuffed animals, and other fabric keepsakes should be kept in plastic bags to seal out moisture.

If you have concerns of toxic mold, such as black mold, in your house it might be best to have your home tested for this substance. Black toxic mold becomes increasingly dangerous if left untreated, especially since it is usually found in areas of your home that you don't see every day (like under carpets and inside walls). The best way to prevent toxic mold is to control the humidity in your home by investing in a few quality dehumidifiers during the summer months.

Call SOS for referrals to reputable, licensed, bonded and insured companies that can help you with these mold issues (labs to test your home’s mold levels, licensed plumbers to complete needed plumbing repairs, or if you need a reputable water restoration company when water damage is found). Call 1-888-589-1868 to speak with our customer service coordinators or fill out an online service request form.

Answering Your Questions About Certified Contracting

Some of Specialized Outsource Solutions’ clients have been talking to us a lot about one of our recent blog posts from June 2013 titled “Notify a Bad Contractor with a Breach of Contract Letter.” Since most people can relate to stories about hiring bad contractors, either on a personal note or through a neighbor or friend, SOS hopes to shed more insight into this type of scenario.

An esteemed source of information on this topic is California’s Contractors State License Board (CSLB). The team at SOS has put together information from the CSLB website pertaining to questions that often arise from our community. See if you can learn something new today:

• Cool tool: CLICK HERE to easily check a contractor’s license information and their complaint disclosure
• It is illegal for a construction contractor to ask for a down payment of more than 10% of the total contract price or $1,000 – whichever less is
• Take these precautions to avoid mechanics liens: Make payments at the same pace of the project, get joint signatures on payment checks between the prime contractor and their suppliers/subcontractors, sign proper lien release forms, and make the final payment after you’re satisfied and all parties have been compensated
• Never make cash payments
• Leave a paper trail whenever possible (receipts, copies of signed documents, etc)
• Licensed contractors, by law, are required to list their license number on all forms of advertising (e.g. business cards, websites, contracts, etc.)
• Unlicensed contracting, by law, cannot exceed a total contract cost of $500 (including labor and materials)
• CLICK HERE to see how the complaint process works for licensed contractors
• CLICK HERE to see how the complaint process works for unlicensed contractors

We really enjoy answering questions and addressing concerns when it comes to our line of business. What do you need to know? Leave your questions below in the “comments” section, or email us at info@sos-crnnetwork.com. Remember, SOS will refer you to quality contractors for a job done right.

(SOURCE: Department of Consumer Affairs. Contractors State License Board. http://www.cslb.ca.gov/)

Interesting Facts for the Fourth of July

We found this great infographic on FlagandBanner.com and wanted to share it with our loyal audience. SOS wishes everyone a very safe and festive Independence Day! We will be on-call this holiday, so contact us for home-service emergency referrals. Happy 4th of July from the SOS team.