Suburban Family Still In Shock After They Hired Home Improvement Contractor Via HomeAdvisor, Only For The Contractor To Smash Up Their Property

Suburban Family Still In Shock After They Hired Home Improvement Contractor Via HomeAdvisor, Only For The Contractor To Smash Up Their Property

by Home Improvement

FOREST PARK, Ill. (CBS) — A suburban backyard was left in tatters with the garage and furniture hacked apart – and you won’t believe who was responsible.

As CBS 2’s Tim McNicholas reported, Jonathan Moody does not need video to remind him of May 15 – but there is video of what happened.

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“What are you doing?” his wife is heard yelling in horror as a man smashes the windows and siding on their garage – with their patio furniture already lying wrecked behind the man.

“It brings up just a lot of the trauma of that day,” Moody said.

He can’t forget that day, thanks to the missing window and cracked siding that greet him in his backyard each morning now.

“Especially for my wife, she’s had a really hard time with it,” Moody said. “She’s having trouble sleeping, she’s barricading the doors at night sometimes. We ended up going to therapy for trauma, and it’s just been really rough on her.”

The story starts in April, when the Moodys were looking for a contractor for improvements to their home in Forest Park. The search took them to HomeAdvisor.com, a website that claims to match homeowners with trusted local pros for any home project.

HomeAdvisor even boasts of an “extensive screening process to ensure every business in our network is reputable.”

“I felt like this was a great way to get a quality contractor to do this work,” Moody said.

But quality is far from what Moody got.

“While he was packing up his tools, he just started screaming and yelling – and broke all the patio furniture and threw it through the windows of the garage,” Moody said.

Moody said he was not satisfied with the work the contractor did before the rampage. Nonetheless, Moody had already paid the contractor in full, and has no idea why he did such a thing.

The couple asked us to hide the contractor’s identity, because they don’t want to anger him any further.

In a police report, an officer described the contractor as “physically violent,” “sweating profusely,” “frothing at the mouth,” and possibly “in a state of delirium” – so paramedics took him to a hospital.

“We really don’t want to give him any more reason to come back,” Moody said.

After the incident, Moody started to wonder about HomeAdvisor’s “extensive screening process.”

We did our own background check and found the contractor’s criminal history. He was found guilty of felony burglary in 2008.

Moody did some digging as well, and discovered another customer complained to HomeAdvisor about poor workmanship from the same contractor in April – before HomeAdvisor matched him within the Moodys.

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That other customer is now suing the contractor.

“This all could have been avoided if they just did what they advertise that they do,” Moody said. “These contractors are coming into your home. This is a safety issue for each of the users of this platform, and I think they really need to take that seriously.”

HomeAdvisor and its parent company Angi would not agree to an interview.

A spokesperson told us in an email their screening process allows for certain felony convictions if they’re at least seven years old — including that 2008 burglary conviction.

As for the prior complaint? The company said they started to investigate it on April 29, and they suspended the contractor on May 3 – a day before Moody would pay for the project through the Angi app.

A suspension means no new work can begin, but already-scheduled projects like Moody’s are allowed to proceed.

And no one told the Moodys about that first complaint.

The Moodys kept their appointment, and on May 15, the “trusted local pro” wrapped up his work, grabbed his tools, and then went on that backyard rampage.

“It seems like they should have removed him, or at least suspended him from the service immediately when that happened,” Moody said, “and I think they should contact the other clients that he has – the other referrals that have been made – so that they know what to expect.”

HomeAdvisor says they finally booted the contractor from their platform for good after they saw the Moodys’ video. But by then, the Moodys’ backyard was already trashed.

“There like was a metal pole at one point that he started using to hack at the garage,” Moody said.

Now, Moody is in a months-long back and forth with HomeAdvisor.

The company offered to pay for the damage to the garage and for the shoddy work that needs to be redone, but they and Moody are thousands of dollars apart on what the dollar amount should be.

So for now, Moody said, “We really feel like we’ve lost a lot of our security living in this neighborhood – it doesn’t feel, like, safe anymore.”

And he is stuck with those daily reminders of a day he’d rather forget.

HomeAdvisor says they are disheartened by this incident, which they call rare. The company says their offer to the family went above and beyond the scope of the original project, but again, the Moodys disagree.

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HomeAdvisor’s full statement is as follows:

“HomeAdvisor has a thorough screening process, including a criminal background check on the owner or principal of the business, which this particular pro passed due to his conviction falling outside of our 7-year lookback period. We provide our customers with options of vetted, qualified pros to complete the specific projects they need done in their homes. We also provide coverage for projects booked and paid through our platform. Ultimately, you’re hiring the pro for work you need done, and we provide an easier, better way to do so.

“We were as disheartened as you to hear about this incident and have worked hard to try to make it right over the past few months, but unfortunately the customer has declined our offers, which covered above and beyond the scope of original project. We take customer complaints very seriously and this situation was no different. This contractor has been removed from our network to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else.

“This was a rare instance, but we assure you that we did and will always do our part by screening the pros on our network, holding them and their work to high standards, and backing your projects when they’re booked and paid through our platform.”

Vertical Focus | Home Improvement

Vertical Focus | Home Improvement

by Home Improvement

November 15, 2021 | By Jaclyn Ix

Tags: Retail, Materials Handling, Demand Planning

Vertical Focus | Home Improvement

Pre-Orders Build Up Home Improvement Inventory

Many manufacturers have discontinued their less-popular products or increased prices across product categories as ships wait off the California coast, truck drivers face long wait times, and rail yards remain backed up.

AAA Distributor, however, has all its kitchen cabinetry, shower doors, vanities, and flooring products ready to ship from its 120,000-square-foot warehouse in Philadelphia.

The home improvement store placed pre-orders to avoid running out of goods during the pandemic, and the strategy paid off. It started to receive containers in early 2021 and accumulated more than twice its 2020 inventory. The inventory arrived just in time to meet increased demand for summer home improvements.

AAA Distributor is now able to ship all kitchen and bath products within 48 hours. It also launched a new website, where all the products can be purchased and shipped directly to customers’ job sites.

The Home Depot Nails Down Same-Day Delivery

Do-it-yourself retailer The Home Depot’s online sales almost doubled in 2020, and it is investing $1.2 billion in its supply chain. As part of that investment, the company will expand its e-commerce delivery services and offer same-day or next-day delivery to 90{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} of the U.S. population by using Walmart’s GoLocal delivery service.

The Home Depot will launch the service at select stores in New Mexico, Texas, and Arkansas, before expanding to other markets by the end of 2021. Walmart will deliver smaller items that can fit into a car, such as tools, paint, and other supplies, for The Home Depot.

Walmart launched GoLocal in August 2021 as a byproduct of its e-commerce infrastructure and network of stores across the United States.

Patio Contractors Play Catch Up

Installing new patios was a big trend during the pandemic, as consumers built out their yards for at-home activities such as gardening, cooking, entertaining, and swimming. At the same time, restaurants and bars installed outdoor seating areas to allow for social distancing and keep their businesses open.

As a result, the demand for pavers—a popular hardscaping product used in outdoor installations—jumped nearly 7{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in 2020, and many projects were delayed due to labor shortages, long wait times, and supply chain slowdowns, says a Freedonia Group analysis.

While supply chain challenges have persisted through 2021, they continue to become less of a factor, allowing more delayed projects to be completed. Near-term sales of pavers will remain elevated as pent-up demand for large-scale hardscaping installations is fulfilled, the report says. However, growth will moderate through 2025, with most of the gains stemming from price increases.

Construction Will Cost You

The cost of raw materials for U.S. firms is rising at its fastest rate in 40 years, with some of the higher costs making their way to consumers, says a Fitch Ratings analysis. Costs of construction materials and components have increased at a double-digit year-over-year rate since March 2020 (see chart).

The high demand for building materials persists due to new home construction and remodeling combined with government infrastructure and commercial construction spending, the report says. However, supply chain challenges in the building materials sector are taking longer than expected to normalize, hampering companies’ ability to benefit from that demand.

Production capacity was constrained early on in the pandemic due to labor shortages, facility closures, and social distancing protocols. Port congestion and adverse weather events have exacerbated these challenges. As a result, building materials companies look to price increases, surcharges, and capacity expansion to compensate. Still, 2021 revenue growth remains within expectations, due largely to higher pricing, the report says.

Ikea Constructs a Plan

Swedish home furnishings retailer Ikea expects container shortages and port congestion to remain an issue through mid-2022, as consumers working from home continue to renovate. Here are four ways Ikea plans to pick up the pieces:

1. Focus its product offering on its most popular products.

2. Take other measures to get products shipped to its stores, such as renting its own containers and finding alternative routes on trains.

3. Absorb costs to accommodate price spikes for transportation and raw materials rather than passing them on to consumers.

4. Make products even more affordable and get a bigger share of revenue from its lower-price products.

Paint Demand Spills Over

Producer prices for paint and coating rose 10.6{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} in August 2021 from the previous year—the biggest annual jump since January 2009—as consumers change up their wall colors.

The deep freeze in the South has slowed production of petroleum, a critical ingredient for paint, and store owners have struggled to keep product on the shelves. Demand, however, isn’t slowing down. The following home projects have been the most popular during the pandemic, adding to the supply chain strain, a HomeAdvisor report says:

1. Interior painting

2. Bathroom renovations

3. Flooring

4. Landscaping

5. Kitchen renovations

6. Exterior painting (tie)

7. Smart home devices (tie)

8. Roofing

9. Fencing

10. Deck or porch

Home Improvement Stocks for The Do-It-Yourselfers

Home Improvement Stocks for The Do-It-Yourselfers

by Home Improvement

They say that home improvement is a job that’s never truly done. This is especially true now that remote work has quickly become the norm, with this in mind, home improvement stocks are set to soar. People are spending more time at home than ever before. More time around the house means more time spent hanging those shutters, fixing the disposal, or repainting the bathroom. Most of us are constantly spending money on home improvement.

2021 has also been a great year for buying homes. By the time the year ends, Statista expects that 7.1 million homes will be sold. This is one of the highest years ever. Buying a home is also not a one-off purchase. It’s a little bit like buying a dog. Once you welcome the dog to your family, you’ll need to feed it every single day. On the same note, once you have moved into your home, you’ll constantly be spending money on general home maintenance.

With all this money pouring into home improvement, many investors are considering adding a few home improvement stocks to their portfolios.

With that said, let’s take a look at a few of the best home improvement stocks to buy.

NOTE: I’m not a financial advisor and am just offering my own research and commentary. Please do your own due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Home Improvement Stocks for The Do-It-Yourselfers

Home Improvement Stocks to Buy

Home Depot (NYSE: HD)

The Home Depot is the nation’s largest home improvement retailer. It stocks just about any product that a needy homeowner could want. This means everything from tools, to construction products, to professional services. If you are looking for one of the top home improvement stocks then Home Depot is a great choice.

In FY 2021, Home Depot posted all-time-highs for annual revenue and income. It posted annual revenue of $132.11 billion. This was a 19.85{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} year-over-year increase from $110.23 billion. It also posted a net income of $12.87 billion. This was a 14.45{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} year-over-year (YOY) increase from $11.24 billion. On top of that, Home Depot announced a dividend of $1.65 per share.

What makes Home Depot so successful is its focus on improving the customer experience. In Q3 of this year, it experimented with the floor plans in its highest traffic stores. Management wanted to boost the store space productivity while also improving the customer experience. It ended up letting 400 stores experiment with different strategies. The results were well beyond management’s expectations. In general, sales per square foot improved and customers reported a better shopping experience.

Home Depot could also be a big beneficiary of President Biden’s Infrastructure Bill.

Biden Infrastructure Bill

President Biden recently passed his $1 trillion infrastructure bill. This money will go towards upgrading outdated roads, bridges, transit systems and more. Most of the money will initially go to major construction companies. However, Home Depot could potentially experience trickle-down effects. This is mainly because Home Depot is quickly becoming a store for professionals.

In Q3 of 2021, Hope Depot experienced rapid growth from its Pro customers. Compared to Q3 2020, large ticket purchases ($1,000+) increased by 18{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9}. In the coming years, contractors will have lots of money to spend thanks to the infrastructure bill. It’s likely that plenty of this money will end up being spent at Home Depot.

Home Depot’s stock is up 56{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} so far in 2021. It’s also up 213{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} over the past 5 years, making it a great stock to add to your list of home improvement stocks to buy.

Lowe’s Companies (NYSE: LOW)

Lowe’s and Home Depot are the Target and Walmart of home improvement stocks. If you don’t shop at one then you probably shop at the other. The same is true when it comes to buying their stock. Many of the reasons to buy Home Depot stock also apply for buying Lowe’s.

In FY 2021, Lowe’s posted annual revenue of $89.6 billion. This was a 24.18{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} increase year over year from $72.15 billion. Lowe’s also posted a net income of $5.84 billion. This was a 36.3{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} increase YOY from $4.28 billion.

Right now, Lowe’s is using what it calls a “Total Home Solution.” Basically, it wants to provide a complete solution for every need in the home. Just like Home Depot, it focuses on consumers as well as professionals.

Lowe’s stock is up 57{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} so far in 2021. It’s also up 250{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} over the past 5 years.

Trex Company (NYSE: TREX)

Traditional wooden decks are incredibly expensive. You also usually need to get the wood treated every couple of years. On top of that, they are also in constant danger of splintering or cracking. Trex Company provides an alternative.

Trex is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing. It uses 95{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} recycled materials to build its products. Each year, it redirects 400 million pounds of plastic from trash dumps in order to create plastic wood. Trex is one of the largest plastic recyclers in the United States.

When doing a side-by-side comparison of Trex and wood, it’s hard to not pick Trex. Trex’s decks generally do not require annual maintenance. They are sturdier and generally do not splinter. When you factor in the lifetime cost of staining and resealing a wooden deck, Trex is usually the cheaper option.

Consumers are starting to catch on. In 2020, Trex post $880.83 million in annual income. This was an 18.18{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} year-over-year increase from $745.35 million. It also posted a net income of $175.63 million. This was a 21.34{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} YOY increase from $144.74 million. Over the past 5 years, Trex’s profit has grown by about 30{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} annually, making it a great add to your list of home improvement stocks to invest in.

Trex stock is up 60{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} so far in 2021. It’s also up 644{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} over the past 5 years.

Home Improvement Stocks: Pool Corporation (Nasdaq: POOL)

Last but not least on this list of home improvement stocks to buy is Pool Corporation.

Pool Corporation is the nation’s largest manufacturer of two-car garages in the United States. Just kidding. As the name implies, it is the world’s leading distributor of swimming pool supplies and related products. In particular, it helps distribute over 200,000 products from vendors to wholesale customers. According to its website, Pool Corp. works with 2,200 vendors and about 120,000 wholesale customers. It offers products for pool maintenance, construction, and renovation. It also has solutions for irrigation and landscaping.

In 2020, Pool corporation posted an annual revenue of $3.94 billion. This was a 23{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} year-over-year increase from $3.2 billion. It also posted a net income of $366.74 million. This was a 40.2{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} YOY increase from $261.58. Over the past 5 years, Pool Corporation’s profits have been increasing by 23.8{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} annually.

One thing to consider is that most homeowners don’t put in a pool right away. This decision usually comes a few years after they buy the house. In 2021, there was definitely a surge of home-buying. Due to this, it’s easy to assume that 2022 and beyond might experience a surge in pool buying.

Pool Corporation’s stock is up about 60{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} so far in 2021. It’s also up about 460{d4d1dfc03659490934346f23c59135b993ced5bc8cc26281e129c43fe68630c9} over the past 5 years.

For more investment opportunities, sign up for the FREE Trade of the Day e-letter below. Trading experts Bryan Bottarelli and Karim Rahemtulla provide tips and tricks on how to navigate the stock market… and more! Join today.

I hope that you’ve found this article valuable when it comes to learning a few of the best home improvement stocks to buy. As usual, all investment decisions should be based on your own due diligence and risk tolerance.

About Teddy Stavetski

A University of Miami grad, Teddy studied marketing and finance while also playing four years on the football team. He’s always had a passion for business and used his experience from a few personal projects to become one of the top-rated business writers on Fiverr.com. When he’s not hammering words onto paper, you can find him hammering notes on the piano or traveling to some place random.

Is Your Home Improvement Contract Legal? – Real Estate and Construction

Is Your Home Improvement Contract Legal? – Real Estate and Construction

by Home Improvement

In an effort to protect homeowners, California has set out
extensive requirements for the form and content of home improvement
contracts. California Business and Professions Code Section 7159 sets out these requirements in
painstaking, and sometimes pain-inducing, levels of detail. The
unfortunate result for contractors tends to be confusion and
avoidance.

Many contractors operate with noncompliant contracts, or have no
formal contract and simply operate on the basis of a bid
submission. The consequences of doing so can include disciplinary
action by the Contractors State License Board (CSLB), fines,
and an unenforceable agreement. It is worth the time and effort for
a contractor to bring his or her contracts into compliance. To that
end, the following is an attempt to cover many of the requirements
of Section 7159, although this list is by no means exhaustive.

When is a Contract Necessary?

In general, a home improvement contract is needed for repairs or
alterations to residential property. According to California
Business and Professions Code Section 7151, this includes “the
construction, erection, replacement, or improvement of driveways,
swimming pools, including spas and hot tubs, terraces, patios,
awnings, storm windows, landscaping, fences, porches, garages,
fallout shelters, basements, and other improvements of the
structures or land which is adjacent to a dwelling house.” A
very broad range of construction activity is thus covered. Section
7159 does not apply to new construction or projects under $500,
however.

Basic Contract Requirements

As to basic format, any writing in the contract must be legible.
Type must be no less than 10-point anywhere, with 12-point type
being required in certain places. The contract must say “Home
Improvement” in 10-point type. The first page of the contract
must indicate the date the buyer signed the contract. The first
page must also indicate the name and address of the contractor,
following a statement indicating that this is the address to which
a notice of cancellation should be sent.

The contractor must give a copy of the agreement, signed and
dated by both parties, to the homeowner before work begins.
Accordingly, the contract must contain the following statement in
12-point type: “You are entitled to a completely filled in
copy of this agreement, signed by both you and the contractor
before work is started.” Similarly, change orders can only be
incorporated into the contract if in writing and signed prior to
work beginning. The contract must include the overall price,
finance charges if any, and a description of the project and
materials to be used, with separate headings for all three. As with
all construction contracts, the contractor must include their
license number.

A heading must be included for the approximate date of
commencement, followed by the approximate date of commencement,
with a statement explaining what constitutes substantial
commencement. A separate heading for completion is required,
followed by an approximate date of completion.

What Must Be Said About Payments

If a down payment will be charged, there must be a down payment
heading followed by space to indicate the amount of the down
payment. This must be followed in 12-point, boldface type with:
“THE DOWN PAYMENT MAY NOT EXCEED $1,000 OR 10 PERCENT OF THE
CONTRACT PRICE, WHICHEVER IS LESS.”

If progress payments are to be charged, there must be a heading
for them, and a list of payments to be made in dollars and cents
with reference to corresponding work and materials. The section
must contain the following notice: “The schedule of progress
payments must specifically describe each phase of work, including
the type and amount of work or services scheduled to be supplied in
each phase, along with the amount of each proposed progress
payment. IT IS AGAINST THE LAW FOR A CONTRACTOR TO COLLECT PAYMENT
FOR WORK NOT YET COMPLETED, OR FOR MATERIALS NOT YET DELIVERED.
HOWEVER, A CONTRACTOR MAY REQUIRE A DOWNPAYMENT.” The contract
must also explain that a lien release must be made for progress
payments before any additional payments can be required.

Other Notice Requirements

Section 7159 also spells out various notice requirements.
Contractors must indicate whether they carry liability insurance
and workers’ compensation insurance. A CSLB notice including
contact information and available services is also required. The
HIC must also make clear the homeowner’s right to cancel within
a certain number of days. For contracts negotiated at the home,
there is a 3 day right to cancel, or (new in 2021) a five day right
to cancel for senior citizens. For property destroyed in a sudden
or catastrophic emergency for which a state of emergency is
declared, the window to cancel is 7 days. The possibility of a
mechanics lien being placed on the property must also be spelled
out, and with specific language provided in Section 7159.

Originally published February 3, 2021

The content of this article is intended to provide a general
guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought
about your specific circumstances.

You Could Save Over ,500 This Winter With This Home Improvement

You Could Save Over $3,500 This Winter With This Home Improvement

by Home Improvement

For many people, winter evokes images of evenings spent in front of a toasty fireplace with a hot beverage, an afghan, a good book, and a pet. It’s a time of holiday gatherings with family and friends amid decorations, movies, music, and tons of amazing food. You might even build a snowman, make an ice tree, or go skiing or sledding.

If you’re a homeowner or real estate investor, you can of course enjoy all those things too. But you might want to think about getting a little work done first. That’s because winterizing your home could save you thousands of dollars.

Snowy decorated home exterior at night.

Image source: Getty Images

Let’s look at what exactly you might need to do, how much it’s all likely to cost, and how much money you stand to save.

Getting your home winter ready

There’s no scene quite like a beautiful snow-covered landscape. Seeing the yard you’ve been looking at all year transformed into a winter wonderland overnight can be spectacular. But severe winter weather can bring more than beauty to your property. Icy temps, powerful gusts, and heavy snow can all threaten your home.

Fortunately, careful preparation can help ensure your home stays safe this winter and that your utility costs don’t get too outrageous. It can also reduce your odds of losing a blizzard of cash to a painful repair bill.

Home services company Angi surveyed over 2,000 homeowners to find out how they handle winterization. Results revealed that the average homeowner spends $1,316 per year to get their home winter ready. That result lumps together those who hire out each task with DIYers, so you could spend considerably less if you’re willing and able to tackle some of these chores yourself. 

Here are some tasks homeowners can undertake before Old Man Winter comes to town.

Cover it up

According to Angi, insulating your pipes with plastic foam pipe wrap is one step that can save big bucks. How big? Well, a burst pipe could leave you with $3,500 in damage. That price tag — not to mention that mess — could put a pretty big damper on your holiday festivities. Plumbing insulation costs vary widely but start as low as $110, according to HomeAdvisor.  

Seal it up

Cracks around doors and windows can let in that frosty air and drive heating costs up. Caulking them, using foam or rubber weather stripping, or installing door sweeps beneath exterior doors is a low-cost fix that can help you hold on to more of that money or spend it on better things — like your holiday party and gifts.

Clean it up

When all that lovely snow melts, you don’t want to end up with clogged gutters full of water. The result could be water damage or broken gutters, leaving no way to divert all that water away from your foundation. That’s why you’ll want to be sure your gutters are clear before winter.

And don’t forget about that cozy fire. The ambiance of a fireplace on a cold winter’s night is hard to beat, but fireplaces do need to be maintained. According to HomeAdvisor, you can expect to pay about $252 each year for a chimney sweep. Lighting a fire when you have built-up soot and ash in the chimney is a house fire risk, so this isn’t much to pay for the peace of mind that comes with a clean chimney.

Another reason not to let it go too long? Hiring a chimney sweep when you have years of buildup could raise the price to as much as $800. 

Winterize your home for peace of mind this season

If you’re unsure where to begin or if you haven’t winterized recently, Angi recommends hiring a local handyperson to do a walk-through. They can point out what needs to be done and what might need updating, as well as provide estimates. You can then look into what each step of winterizing your home will involve in detail to get an idea of which tasks you might be comfortable tackling on your own, if any.

Like so many things in nature, winter can be both awe-inspiring and devastating. Fortunately, a little preparation can go a long way toward protecting your investment. Whether you’re a homeowner or an investor, knowing you’ve prepared your property for whatever winter might bring could keep you feeling warm and cozy all season long.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium advisory service. We’re motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer.

Home Improvement’s Zachery Ty Bryan Is Engaged: See the Ring

Home Improvement’s Zachery Ty Bryan Is Engaged: See the Ring

by Home Improvement
Home Improvement’s Zachery Ty Bryan Is Engaged
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock

Congrats are in order! Zachery Ty Bryan is engaged — and he couldn’t be more thankful for his fiancée.

The Home Improvement alum, 40, made his recent engagement Instagram official on Wednesday, November 17, with a sweet post dedicated to his soon-to-be bride.

“You win some and you lose some,” he wrote alongside a photo of him hugging his lady love as she showed off her diamond ring. “I’m thankful for a win … finally!”

Bryan was previously married to his high school sweetheart, Carly Matros. The estranged pair, who called it quits in September 2020 after 14 years of marriage, share three daughters Taylor Simone, Gemma Rae and Jordana Nicole.

Following his separation, the former child star was arrested in October 2020 for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend. In February, Us Weekly confirmed that Bryan agreed to a plea deal in the domestic violence case in which he pleaded guilty to menacing and fourth-degree assault.

Bryan received three years of probation and prosecutors agreed to drop six other charges against him, including strangulation and coercion. He also agreed to have no further contact with the alleged victim.

In recent months, the Dark Tourist actor has become known for his nostalgic Instagram posts featuring his former Home Improvement costar Jonathan Taylor Thomas. On the ABC sitcom, which ran from 1991 to 1999, Bryan played Brad, the oldest son of Tim Taylor (Tim Allen) and his wife, Jill Taylor (Patricia Richardson). Thomas, 40, starred as middle brother Randy, while Taran Noah Smith played youngest brother Mark.

In September, Bryan posted a throwback pic of him and JTT posing for the teen magazine 16 way back when. “The 2nd best looking guy in a photo of 2,” he jokingly captioned the shot in which the two teens stand side-by-side, their hands in the pockets of their acid-wash jeans.

The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift actor also poked fun at his second-banana status to the ‘90s mega heartthrob. When someone asked whether he and Thomas still kept in touch, he responded in the comments, “Nah, never met him. He’s handsome tho, ya?”

Thomas and his TV older brother reunited back in 2013 at the Los Angeles premiere of Dark Tourist. One year prior, Bryan told Hollywood.com that he still kept in touch with both of his onscreen siblings. “I mainly stay in touch with Jonathan,” the First Kid actor said at the time. “We’ll go out, hang out for an evening, catch up. All good stuff. … I also keep in touch with Taran via Facebook.”

In September, Bryan hinted that he would be interested in reuniting with his Home Improvement family after a fan asked how cool it would be if he made a cameo on Allen’s History Channel show, Assembly Required, which the Toy Story actor, 68, stars on with fellow Home Improvement alum Richard Karn. “Pretty cool. Maybe NFT some of those projects,” Bryan wrote — or, maybe, the Taylor family can just reunite at his wedding.

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