By MARLA K. KUHLMAN

ThisWeek Community News Wednesday October 30, 2013 7:25 PM

Central Ohio homeowners should beware of a Gahanna roofing contractor who allegedly took insurance money for jobs that werent finished.

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) issued a warning Oct. 30 for homeowners to avoid doing business with Peak Restoration and owner Adam Drzewieski after consumers complained he had received insurance payments for jobs that were never completed.

Peak Restoration has received consumer complaints totaling $40,000 in losses, according to the BBB. Drzewieski and his employees were reported going door to door in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, offering free roof inspections and working with the residents insurance company to approve roofing jobs.

In each complaint case, the homeowner who had roof damage had been asked to provide part or all of their insurance money to the company before the roof replacement job would be scheduled.

After payment was made, the consumers were informed the new roof would be installed within four to six weeks and would receive a follow-up notice, stating the company needed to delay the job an additional four to six weeks. Consumers began to question whether the company intended to repair or replace the roof, or just keep the insurance money.

The company may be out of business, according to the BBB. Rent has not been paid for the location in Gahanna, and the location at Easton in Columbus was vacated months ago.

The BBB encourages residents who entered into an agreement with Peak Restoration and provided insurance money but havent had their roof repaired or replaced to file a complaint. They may do so by going online at bbb.org or by sending a complaint to the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio at 1169 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215-1005.

In addition, a complaint should be filed with the Ohio Attorney General's Office by calling 800-282-0515 or by filing online at ohioattorneygeneral.gov.

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Better Business Bureau issues warning against Gahanna roofer

Winston-Salem Tree Removal
Winston-Salem Tree Removal | (336) 638-1837.

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Winston-Salem Tree Removal - Video

Study sheds light on adoption trends

Thursday, October 31, 2013

International adoption is moving from a robust but largely unmonitored process towards a smaller but better regulated system.

The study included surveys of 1,500 adoptive parents and adoption professionals in sending and receiving countries, as well as interviews with senior policymakers in 19 nations including Ireland. It found that the international implementation of the Hague Convention has resulted in an increase in legal, safe, and appropriate adoptions for children for whom no permanent options exist to be raised in families.

The study found:

* More children are remaining institutionalised for longer periods, increasing the effects of institutionalisation;

* An increasing awareness and engagement in international open adoption where some form of contact remains between the natural and adoptive families:

* Many countries of origin, including the largest ones such as China, are increasingly allowing the inter-country adoption primarily or exclusively of children with special needs.

Adam Pertman, the president of the Donaldson Adoption Institute, said the policies of countries involved in adoption need to reflect current rather than past trends.

The unfortunate reality is that too many current policies and practices do not adequately address the fast-changing realities of international adoption.

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Study sheds light on adoption trends

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Bolster (www.getbolster.com) announces today the launch of the company, which simplifies the chaos of the home remodeling process by providing home remodeling insurance that guarantees the outcome of every project. For the first time, homeowners are protected against common nightmare scenarios such as unjustified price increases, shoddy workmanship, and project delays. Bolster is a software application available on the web and any mobile device. The service is now available in the State of New York and will continue to roll out in cities across the US in the coming months.

Bolster helps homeowners learn the true cost of their project in advance, vets and underwrites their contractor of choice, and provides expert project-management advice. By offering insurance coupled with robust content, homeowners can feel empowered to eliminate the financial risks associated with remodeling.

Bolster also announces a first-of-its-kind discovery partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA). As discovery partners, the AIA and Bolster combine their strengths and expertise to the benefit of homeowners, contractors and architects operating in the remodeling industry.

Remodeling is like marriage; finding a great contractor is just the beginning, said Fraser Patterson, founder and CEO of Bolster. The real challenge begins once the project actually starts. Homeowners have a huge learning curve when it comes to home remodeling, and find it hard to compare bids, access contracts, or even know the right questions to ask. Remodeling is also stressful because it is likely to be a persons second largest investment next to buying a home and without remodeling insurance, this large amount of money is unnecessarily at risk. Bolster provides peace of mind for homeowners.

At the core of Bolsters remodeling insurance is a custom bid, performance, payment and warranty bond, which is brokered and underwritten by independent insurance partners including National Financial Partners (broker) and Capitol Insurance Companies (underwriter).

Bolster provides a real solution to a real problem that has been sorely needed by consumers, said Timothy Gardner, Global Leader of Risk Management, Marsh. Bolster built a new insurance product thats never existed for a market that really needed it. Their insurance, platform and expertise enable homeowners to feel like an expert is on their side and looking out for them during one of the largest financial commitments theyll make in their lives.

The collaboration with the AIA covers a wide range of educational, research, and promotional activities; principle among them, the AIA will be promoting Bolster through various channels to their member base of 80,000 architects.

Our calling as architects is to help design a better world starting with well-designed homes that contribute to a familys well-being, said AIA CEO Robert Ivy, FAIA. Bolsters home remodeling insurance program is a significant innovation that helps more homeowners benefit from the expertise AIA member architects can bring to their remodeling project.

Bolster helps homeowners avoid many common home remodeling pitfalls through a simple process that follows:

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Bolster Launches to Solve Home Remodeling’s Biggest Problems: Financial Risk, Shoddy Workmanship and Project Delays

Phoenix, AZ (PRWEB) October 30, 2013

A homeowner is already hurting and apprehensive because of a plumbing surprise that requires immediate attention, dont they all. From a homeowner's own experience and those of friends, many have; Paid high dollars for "Free estimates", because they refused to "cave in" to the $2,000+ work order; Many have been "hustled" into paying $1,500+ for a water heater that others paid $500 for. Some have been ripped off by "plumbers" who were really "con men and salesmen" in disguise.

Now, the homeowner may be really concerned and a little afraid that history is going to repeat itself. Well, we have good news and a great announcement:

A Plumbing Firm in Phoenix Offers "Old School" Honesty and Quality without the Hustle.

When a firm seeks to apply the "Golden Rule" to their clients, they find they too are winners because they gain clients and friends for the long run. Yes, they kiss goodbye any short-run big profits, but greedy guys always fail in the long-run. Many of the Phoenix Plumbers have changed their company names several times to escape their own failures and bad press.

Phoenix area folks may have found their permanent friend in the plumbing business when they call Don Paz at Simply Better Plumbing and Drain. Don shared with me many "horror stories" of area people that fell prey to these shady schemes. Don does his best to "mop up" after the con artists have left the scene. Don states "It is easy to fix their plumbing to top condition, but its a tough job to heal lost confidence in plumbing service people.

One suggestion after interviewing Don is this; "Why not talk Don Paz for your plumbing needs?" There is no need to go down that sad road broken plumbing broken promises. See more at http://www.simplybetterplumbinganddrain.com/

Don further states "There will not be a charge for an estimate, they are free if the homeowner decides to hire us or not. Experience tells us all that this is outside the norm in the Greater Phoenix Area. So lets apply the Golden Rule here and treat our clients the same way we want to be treated. Full honesty about your plumbing needs and our abilities to fix them. Complete reliability in our work and appointments with you. And finally, offering you a reasonable rate for all of this."

Client's are amazed with Don Paz.

Author Greg Schipper

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Simply Better Plumbing and Drain, Plumber Phoenix, Offers "No Charge" Estimates

Indianapolis, Indiana (PRWEB) October 30, 2013

Carters My Plumber has taken the necessary steps to provide their customers with a certified backflow prevention expert on their team. Kelson Carter is training this week to receive his certification in backflow prevention. This certification requires 40 hours of classroom training and testing in order to be certified.

Backflow Prevention:

In water supply systems, water is normally maintained at a significant pressure to enable water to flow from the faucet tap, shower and tub. In the event pressure fails or is reduced, as may happen if a water main bursts, pipes freeze or there is unexpectedly high demand on the water system, its this reduced pressure in the pipe that allows contaminated water from the ground, from storage or from other sources to be drawn up into the system. Backflow is an undesirable reversal of the flow of water or mixtures of water and other undesirable substances from any source (such as stagnant water, industrial fluids, gasses, or any toxic substance other than the intended potable water) into the pipes of the potable water system.

The need for cross-connection control exists in both industrial and residential premises. Backflow prevention devices provide public safety by preventing potable water contamination in such critical areas as municipal water systems, food processing plants, medical and dental water supplies, and other industrial applications. The Safe Drinking Water Act was signed into law in 1974 and placed the responsibility of local governments and water authorities for drinking water protection.

Why Would a Homeowner want a Backflow Preventer Device?

There are many instances of cross-connection hazard. To explain the risk involved, imagine that one end of a garden hose is attached to a homes water system and the other end is placed down into a bucket of herbicide (toxic). At the same time an abrupt loss of water occurs in the main water line serving a home (such as a water main break or large volumes of water released from a local fire hydrant). The pressure drop causes a reverse flow in the water line and in a system with no backflow prevention; insecticide from the bucket is sucked into a homes drinking water and potentially into the main water line serving an entire community.

However, if the spigot a garden hose is connected by is equipped with a hose bib device, the reverse flow would cause the valve in the hose bib to engage and stop the backflow at the spigot. If there isn't a hose bib or if it is not operating properly, the backflow prevention assembly installed between a home and the main water line would engage and prevent the herbicide from contaminating the main water line.

What is required to become certified in Backflow Prevention?

To become a Certified Backflow Tester, an individual must take and pass a practical examination every two years. They are required to demonstrate their ability to test double check valve assemblies, test reduced pressure principle backflow prevention devices, inspect pressure type vacuum breakers, and evaluate spill resistant pressure vacuum breakers. Upon successful completion of the examination, the certification is valid for a two year period. To qualify for the examination, an applicant must have the necessary knowledge to test backflow prevention devices and either be employed by a Licensed Plumbing Contractor in the state of Indiana, or possess a State Contractors License.

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Carter’s My Plumber of Indianapolis, IN, Announces Kelson Carter Receives Training for the State Regulatory ...

ATLANTA, GEORGIA--(Marketwired - Oct 30, 2013) - Atlanta Plumber Service continues to make life easier for Atlanta residents looking for the highest level of plumbing service within their budget. The highly reputed Atlanta plumbers have been this region's top choice for all types of plumbing related service since the last twenty five years. The customers of Atlanta Plumber Service receive top notch service because the company employs some of the most skilled and highest paid plumbing technicians in the local market. With state of the art plumbing equipment, the team is always focused to finish all their projects within the least possible time. Atlanta Plumber Service also offers round the clock, emergency plumbing service for their customers.

Atlanta sewer lines, water lines, and drains have always been the area of specialization for Atlanta Plumber Service. In their 25 year long tenure in Atlanta, the company has already repaired or replaced almost 25,000 sewer and water lines. The drain service team from Atlanta Plumber Service is highly experienced in solving common drainage system issues such as plugged drain pipes, grease and sludge build up, dirt and mineral deposits, catch basin maintenance, disruption caused by tree roots, and much more. They are also the most effective and inexpensive alternative in the market for blocked sewer lines. Atlanta Plumber Service is an exponent of all advanced plumbing techniques such as trenchless plumbing, hydro jetting, etc.

Providing outstanding service and support to all customers are the top priority at Atlanta Plumber Service. In spite of maintaining a high quality of service, their pricing is second to none in Atlanta. This is possible because the highly efficient technicians at Atlanta Plumber Service are capable of offering quicker completion time comparing to any other Atlanta plumbing company.

Daniel, one out of the company's many delighted customers, strongly recommends Atlanta Plumber Service. "I have used their service many times in last ten years and each time they have exceeded my expectation. Can't ask for anything better than this."

About Atlanta Plumber Service: Atlanta Plumber Service is a reputed plumbing service provider operating with an inimitable track record in Atlanta since last 25 years. The company specializes in water lines, sewers and drain service.

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Unbeatable Track Record in the Local Market Makes Atlanta Plumber Service the Most Trusted in Atlanta

DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/35l5vj/global_pest) has announced the addition of the "Global Pest Control Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2013-2018)" report to their offering.

The pest control industry has seen unprecedented growth in recent years, on the back of an increasing number of pests and growing consciousness around health issues. Due to increasing health issues, people are becoming more cautious about the environment around them. One of the major reasons for the rising demand of the pest control measures, especially in the United States, could be attributed to the increasing federal and state regulations imposed on the commercial segment. Due to these restrictions, the segment has become more aware and is maintaining high safety standards.

With the increasing need to maintain a pest free environment, the sales of the pest control service providers has increased significantly, which in turn provides incentive for more players to enter into the market and establish themselves in the industry. The pest control services market is characterized by stiff competition within the industry, launch of eco-friendly products, offering of customized services and a number of mergers and acquisitions.

This report analyzes the potential opportunities and significant trends in the pest control industry. The report provides detailed analysis of the global pest control market including the regional markets of North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The report also focuses on the pest control services markets of the US, the UK, India and Australia. Key market challenges recognized by the analysts and the major observable trends in the global pest control market are presented in the report. Further, key players of the market have been profiled with their respective business strategies. The growth of the market has been projected taking into consideration various aspects such as previous growth patterns, the current trends, the growth drivers and challenges.

Key Topics Covered

1. Executive Summary

2. Pest Control: An Overview

2.1 Pest Control Methods

2.2 Pest Control Techniques

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Research and Markets: Global Pest Control Services Market: Trends and Opportunities (2013-2018)

Tobi Fairley: Think Like a Professional Interior Designer — and Trust Your Gut
Watch more! http://cr8.lv/tfuchdyt Tobi Fairley explains how professional interior designers think about a space, from using bold paint colors to mapping out where the couch is going to go....

By: creativeLIVE

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Tobi Fairley: Think Like a Professional Interior Designer — and Trust Your Gut - Video

An Old Basement Goes Feng Shui
Rob Van Winkle gives a tired family basement a modern feng-shui feel.

By: DIYNetworkShows

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An Old Basement Goes Feng Shui - Video