2013 Spring Spruce-Up

HOME IMPROVEMENT

A SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

SpringSpruce Up Guide

2 H Spring Spruce Up - Home Improvement H March 6, 2013 H www.FortBendStar.com

One year parts and labor warranty on work performed.

FREE Estimates and Custom Installation of new equipment.

Martin BeresOwner, Technician & Sugar Land Resident

www.criticalairac.comTACLA021957E (Licensed and Insured) MNB ENTERPRISES LLC • DBA CRITICAL AIR

Discounted prices for

Fort Bend County residents

Financing (w/ approved credit)

Servicing All Brands

Critical Air is a residential ‘only’ air conditioning and heating company servicing Fort Bend and Southwest Houston. Martin Beres

is the owner and also a resident of Sugar Land. With many years of experience under his belt, Beres decided to open his own air conditioning business in 2002. As with all industries, he has seen many changes over the years. Some of these include higher efficiency standards, the use of new refrigerants and of course price increases on equipment.

A home comfort system is the third largest investment a consumer will make next to a home and a vehicle. Just like maintaining your home or vehicle, you need to keep your comfort system in tip top shape. Routine maintenance is second nature to Beres. He will give your unit a ‘spring cleaning’ and while he is at it, he can diagnose any irregularities in the performance. He is an expert on all problems, no matter how small or large, along with just servicing your unit to keep it running at maximum efficiency. No need to worry about paying for unneeded

repairs, he is an honest and truthful businessman with your best interest at heart. He will never sell you something you do not need and will always repair before suggesting a replacement unless replacement is the only answer.

If you should need to replace your system, Critical Air wants to make your investment a quality one - easy to purchase and very affordable, by offering a full line of home comfort systems to suit everyone’s needs and budget. Beres offers FREE estimates on new equipment and every installation is a custom install! Critical

Air services all brands of AC and heating systems and also offers maintenance plans. Long or short term financing is available for those whose credit is approved.

To discuss your options just give Critical Air a call. Martin Beres will answer the phone personally and is willing to sit down with you to crunch the numbers if need be! He promises prompt, friendly service ALWAYS! He will never charge you a service call with any repair and estimates on equipment replacement are always FREE!

Give your comfort system a Spring Spruce Up! Call Critical Air today at 281-468-4250.

When Air Conditioning is ‘critical’... he’s the man to call!

Spring Spruce Up - Home Improvement H March 6, 2013 H www.FortBendStar.com H 3

J erry Gerald has been working hard at the Siding and Window business for over 36 years!

There is no denying that Jerry is the BEST in the business

when you consider the 38 different and distinct awards he has won doing what he does BEST! Why would all these awards be so important to Jerry’s customers? They’re like statistics to a baseball player: they show measurements of success.

Best Investments Siding and Windows provides insulated, double-pane windows with Low-E argon gas, that fills the dead

The Best Investment you can make for your home!

airspace in between the two panes of glass. “What we’re trying to do is help people get their home fixed up and help them lower their energy bill,” Jerry states.

Best Investments Siding and Windows does predominantly residential work, but can provide commercial services as well. In fact, Jerry offers what could be described as a ‘yearly special’: 10 windows for $2996. Of course, there’s a size limit of 96 U.I.

All of the windows have a lifetime warranty. “We offer a good, better and a BEST,” Jerry explains. This is our good product, the 10 windows for $2996

installed. These are insulated windows, that is taking out the old windows and putting the new windows in, including sales taxes, that’s everything, that’s a very fair price.”

Best Investments Siding and Windows covers almost everything around the exterior. “We do doors, insulated patio doors, we even do hurricane impact windows, we do roofing, siding, patio covers, little room enclosures and we do stone work,” Jerry says. “We’re a name you can trust and a company that backs it’s warranty.”

To contact Jerry at Best Investments

Siding and Windows please call, 888-852-BEST or 281-852-1866, or check out his web site at bestinvestmentssidingandwindows.com. Jerry will always give you his very BEST!

Jerry Gerard among the awards that his company, Best Investments Siding and Windows, has received.


Fort Bend Habitat Restore turns donated materials into affordable housing

Spring is upon us and with that comes the age old pastime of spring cleaning. So, what do you do with all the items that are to good to throw in your local landfill? Why

not help a family in need by donating your unwanted, useable, home improvement items to the Fort Bend Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore?

The ReStore is a non-profit, discount, home improvement store that takes in gently used building materials, appliances, furniture, light fixtures and more and resells them to the public and contractors at deep discounts. It is not just a donation site, it should also be your first stop for any and all home repairs and improvements you want to make on your home. You can virtually rebuild, redesign and/or remodel your home with the offerings at ReStore!

Everything you need to repair and remodel your home, from floor to ceiling is available. Those blinds need replaced? You can find new ones. Floors looking worn and need refreshed? Restore carries new laminate, hardwoods, tile and more. Just looking to repaint and refresh a room or two? Check out the wide variety of paints and painting accessories available. How about that back door - has it seen better days? Yep, they have those and everything else -- including the Kitchen Sink!! There is no limit to the treasures you will find here! Just be sure that when you are shopping you have your ‘honey do’ list ready to go, if you don’t it will surely have grown much longer by the time you leave the store!! There are just too many great deals to pass up!

The monies generated at the ReStore

are used to purchase land and materials to construct decent, affordable housing for families in need within Fort Bend County. The good that is done with unwanted home improvement items is unbelievable! Who would have thought that donating that left over lumber, paint and home improvement items, that you purchased but never got around to fixing, could actually provide a home for a needy family! It’s true! This is one way to help. Many have always wanted to be part of the wonderful Habitat for Humanity world but have not had the opportunity to actually work on a home -- well here is your opportunity without even pounding a nail!

Don’t worry about having items you want to donate but are unable to get them to the ReStore? Just call Restore’s donation hotline

at 281-403-0700 and they will arrange for your donated goods to be picked up. You can also drop them off at 13570 Murphy Road in Stafford. Either way, not only will you get a tax receipt for your goods, you will help make a difference by helping the ReStore turn your donated goods into a home for a family in need.

For more information about donations, or to help on the actual home construction, you can call your local Restore in Stafford at 281-403-0700. Happy Spring!

13570 Murphy RoadStafford, TX 77477

SHOP. DONATE. VOLUNTEER.

281-403-0700 www.fortbendhabitat.org

Wed-Thur-Friday 10am–6:00pm • Saturday 8:00am–4:00pm

Appliances • Furniture • Cabinets • Blinds • Paints • Doors • More!

Home Improvement Discount Store

COME IN ON THURSDAY AND GET AN ADDITIONAL

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20%Discount

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I n the Spirit of ‘Spring Spruce Up’, Mike Tidwell Plumbing is available to help with all of your home repairs and remodeling! Specializing in residential

plumbing, no job is too big or too small!Bathroom or Kitchen remodels? Go

ahead, don’t be afraid, these guys can assist with everything you can possibly need. They install sinks, faucets, commodes, and can relocate your plumbing connections to build your dream baths and kitchens. Do you have a leaking faucet that drives you crazy? How about a commode that never shuts off? Garbage disposal that does not quite do its job? These plumbers know how to correct even the messiest situation!

Mike Tidwell Plumbers are experts on water heaters. If it is repairable, consider it fixed! If it is not repairable, they will let you know and give you options for a new one. They will take care of the replacement and offer your an outstanding warranty that they stand behind 100 percent.

How about sewer issues? Mike Tidwell plumbers will do quality repairs quickly and leave your home in excellent condition. Nothing for the client to clean up after this team is done. They leave everything better than new!

Mike Tidwell Plumbing is licensed and insured and always strives for an excellent customer service experience for their clients. You will never have to

Residential Repairs and Remodels - all in a day’s work at Mike Tidwell Plumbing!

worry about the Tidwell Plumbing team trying to sell you an item or service you do not need. But don’t take their word for it! Please feel free to read the satisfaction reviews at the Better Business Bureau

website, on Angie’s List, on Sugar Land’s referral website along with the Greatwood and Sienna Plantation’s referral sites. Mike Tidwell plumbers are straight up, honest and dependable all the time. This company offers a 10 % discount to Senior Citizens as well as Service Personnel, U.S. Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Fighters. If you mention you read their story and saw their ad in the Star you will receive a 10% discount as well!! For your convenience they accept all major credit cards. Please call today, 281-980-6265 to get the residential plumbing help you need!

Wishing you the happiest Spring from everyone at Mike Tidwell Plumbing!

For all of your residential plumbing needs.Quality repairs & service.

10% off your next service whenyou mention you saw us in the Star!

• RESIDENTIAL • REPAIRS • SERVICE

Mike Tidwell MASTER PLUMBER #M37825LICENSED • INSURED

Honoring our First Responders, Educators and Senior Citizens at all times with a 10% discount: Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, U.S. Military.


I f you have lived in Houston for any length of time you understand what is meant when you hear: “If you don’t like the weather in Houston, wait 10 minutes - it will change!”

Houston has its share of hard weather - wind, rain, storms, hurricanes, you name it, Houston gets it, and it all takes a toll on the roof of your home. Your roof is only as strong as it’s weakest point and literally covers everything you own! You need to know who to call to keep it in good repair. Never fear! Allegiance Roofing, based right here in Fort Bend County, is your roof repair and replacement specialist. Allegiance Roofing is a certified Select Shingle Master with CertainTeed, and is also a certified installer with GAF Shingles, giving their customers a choice of the two leaders in the shingle industry. They take pride in getting the job done efficiently and effectively.

Allegiance’s roofers are experts in all matters regarding your roof including roof

repairs, roof replacements, new roofs, small roof repairs, roof insurance claims and even roof tax credits. How is your roof’s condition? Do you need it inspected? Allegiance Roofing will do a FREE, no obligation inspection and provide you with an onsite estimate for the work to be done, but that’s not all! The entire Allegiance team from management, sales representatives and installers, have passed the CertainTeed Shingle Quality Master Exam and

the Master Shingle Applicator Exam and have earned the elite certification of “Select Shingle Master Company.” Only 1% of roofing contractors in the United States are authorized by CertainTeed to offer 3 star, 4 star and 5 star extended warranties. Joe and his team believe in putting your peace of mind first. That’s why they deal directly with the insurance companies, offer only the best quality products and stand behind their work 100%! Allegiance Roofing is Licensed/Bonded and affiliated with the BBB as A plus accredited.

Joe Rangel has been in the roofing business since 2004 and knows his business! Allegiance Roofing is a division of Joe Rangel Contracting LLC. Joe realized early on that his customers were always asking for advice on related projects and preferred to work with one person coordinating everything. Allegiance Roofing can do it all! Roofing, siding, windows and doors, painting, whatever your house needs Allegiance Roofing can

take care of it. Customers like dealing with one company instead of many to have all of their repairs taken care of.

Joe and his family live in Richmond, Tx. He stays involved in his local community organizations. Joe is a member of the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance and Richmond Rotary. He proudly sponsors Lamar Little League, RoseRich Girls Softball, Lamar Hornets, Little League Football and the Katy Girls Softball Association. He has been recognized by the Latino American Who’s Who and also the Central Fort Bend Chamber Alliance Hispanic Business Division for his sponsorship in the Cinco de Mayo Fundraiser for the Fort Bend Meals on Wheels program. You can deal directly with Joe by calling him at 281-232-9100. You can also find Allegiance Roofing on facebook or at www.allegianceroofing.com. Don’t wait till the rain comes in! Call Joe today!

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Eco-conscious ways to tend to your lawn

The dos and don’ts of basement finishing

Many homeowners are constantly on the lookout for ways to make their homes more environmentally

friendly. Such a pursuit is both noble because it helps the environment and practical because it often saves money.

While there are many eco-friendly improvements homeowners make inside their homes, it’s important to note that there are several ways for men and women to be more environmentally conscious outside of their homes as well. Lawn care can be done in a way that’s conscious of the environment, and the results can be just as appealing as if the lawn were tended to without regard for the planet. The following are just a few of the many ways homeowners can adopt more eco-friendly practices when tending to their lawns.

• Be conscientious when watering. Overwatering a lawn is pretty common, especially during the dog days of summer, when homeowners try to overcompensate for

hot days with excessive watering. The growth of moss on sidewalks or the driveway is a telltale sign that you’re watering too much, as is a standing pool of water on the grass. Homeowners who find it difficult to determine when their lawns have gotten enough water can purchase an intelligent irrigation control system that adapts your watering to a lawn’s needs as well as the weather.

• Turn back the clock on your tools. Before gas mowers became the standard, man-powered push mowers were used to cut the grass. Such mowers still exist, and they require no fuel, making them a more eco-friendly option than their gas-powered counterparts.

Along those same lines, leaf blowers are a far less friendly way to rake leaves in the fall or clean the yard after a long winter. While there’s no denying their effectiveness, leaf blowers need gas to operate, while a rake just requires some elbow grease and a little extra time out in the yard.

• Stay local. If you need to plant new grass or you’re beginning a garden, then

Remodeling a basement is a popular home improvement project. A finished basement makes the space more functional and, when

done correctly, can add a considerable amount of living space to a home.

Finishing a basement pays dividends in additional space in a home that doesn’t require the same level of investment as putting an addition on the house. Also, the groundwork for a finished room is already there, as most basements are already set up with a poured concrete floor and some walls, usually cinder blocks. Some electrical components, plumbing and the creature comforts of drywall and a more inviting floor might be all that’s necessary to finish a basement. The process can be labor-intensive, and many people prefer to leave it to a professional contractor. Whatever finishing method is chosen, homeowners should follow the proper procedures when doing the work.

DO start with a detailed plan. Measure out the basement and mark any items that cannot be moved, such as a furnace, water heater or pipes. Create a design board that showcases the materials you plan to use on the project. Think about ways you plan to arrange furniture and consider all of the possible uses for the room. Will it be a home theater? Will someone be

sleeping down there? Each scenario will require certain amenities and safety requirements.

DON’T plan to finish the entire basement. Doing so will leave you without a storage or utility area where you house holiday decorations, tools, luggage and similar items.

DO get the scoop on building codes. Knowing what the municipality allows in basement remodeling will help you to customize a plan that is functional, safe and legal. No one wants to be slapped with fines for failing to follow the rules. Plus, failure to meet building codes could mean the work that has been done must be torn out and redone. It pays to follow the chain of command and secure permits while having all work inspected.

DON’T overlook adequate lighting in your refinishing plan. A basement is likely one area of the house that has limited natural light pouring in. With traditionally small windows, or no windows at all, a basement needs ample lighting in its design scheme. This may include a combination of overhead and task lighting. Ample lighting will help the room feel like part of the house and not just a forgotten storage area.

DO take into consideration moisture issues in the basement. Many basements are plagued by moisture issues ranging from water seepage to condensation forming on walls. These

stick with local plants, flowers and grasses rather than more exotic options that are not native to your area. Plants, flowers and grasses that aren’t native to your region will require more maintenance and often more watering. That added maintenance might prove to be a headache, and that excessive watering will not be beneficial to the environment. Native plants, flowers and grasses have already adapted to your

situations may vary depending on the weather throughout the year. Certain materials may need to be used to mitigate water issues before finishing can take place. The installation of water-barrier systems, drainage, sump pumps, or encapsulation products could drive up the cost of a basement renovation. It is essential to have a professional assess the basement water issues prior to starting any finishing work.

DON’T simply cover up potential hazards, such as mold or mildew. Have them treated instead. Otherwise, you could have a breeding ground behind drywall that could lead to unsafe conditions in the home.

DO have a radon test. Radon is a hidden killer that can cause lung cancer. Because

A push mower that does not rely on gas to work is one way homeowners can take a more eco-friendly approach to lawn care.

An unfinished basement allows homeowners to transform the room into anything they desire. But there are some dos and don’ts to finishing a basement, including ensuring the project adheres to local building codes.

climate, and they can be provide just as much aesthetic appeal as more exotic alternatives.

• Avoid pesticides whenever possible. Many homeowners treat their lawns with pesticides, which can make a lawn look beautiful. But that beauty typically comes at a steep price, impacting local wildlife and perhaps even the local water supply. When pesticides are applied to a lawn, the chemicals within may run off into your local water supply. If you can’t avoid pesticides entirely, then do your best to minimize how often you use them.

• Don’t let rain water go to waste. Rain barrels are a great way to make good use of rain. Rain barrels can be placed beneath a gutter’s downspout, where they will collect water that can be reused throughout your property to water the lawn and garden. Rain barrels can be relatively expensive, but over time they will pay for themselves as you save money on your water bill.

Lawn care can be conducted in a way that benefits the environment as well as your bottom line.

it occurs naturally in the soil and water surrounding a home and is impossible to detect without a specialized test, many people are unaware of the presence of radon until it is too late. Radon may be more concentrated in the basement, where the foundation is touching the soil. Therefore, rule out radon before considering renovation of a basement area.

DON’T limit furniture choices to one type. You may need to be flexible in your furniture choices, even selecting modular pieces, like sectionals, because entryways to basements may have small doorways or obstructions that make adding furniture more challenging.

DO keep the possibility of flooding in the back of your head. Homes that are near waterways or at low elevation may be at risk of flooding. Basements are especially susceptible to flood damage. Therefore, think about the practicality of finishing a basement if you are prone to flooding. If you decide to move ahead, take certain precautionary measures, such as keeping electrical wiring up higher and using a more water-resistant flooring material, like tile or vinyl. House important electronics and items on shelves so they are not at ground-level.

Finishing a basement is a job that can add a lot of usable space to a home. Go about the project in the right way to keep within budget and have a room that is safe and functional.

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A complete stand alone guide to Summer Activities for your family!

School kids have 55 Summer weekdays that need to be fi lled with activity!

If your business caters to the needs of children during the Summer Break,

you need to be part of this concise listing of “things to do all summer long”!

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2013 Spring Spruce-Up