Provided by Networx.com

Are you remodeling all or part of your house this year? Whether you're preparing to move into a home and you want it to be just perfect, or you're working on the home you live in now, you might want to consider entering This Old House's search for the best remodel in the country. You could win critical acclaim for your hard work, and you could take home some case, too! The grand prize winner gets $5,000, while runners-up get $1,000.

Even if you're not brave enough to pit your home against the other entries (or you won't be done in time to meet the 27 May deadline), you should definitely take a look at the ongoing gallery of new entries in the competition being hosted on their website. With ten categories, including whole house, kitchen, attic, yard, and more, there's tons of inspiration for remodeling projects that may give you ideas for tweaking your project to make it just a little more perfect.

We at Networx know that planning a remodel can be fun, but also stressful, especially if it's your first time. Even when you're working with an experienced contractor, you'll be making lots of tough choices about materials, interior design, and little details that might matter a lot in the future, even if they don't seem like a big deal now. Like, say, the placement of cabinets, or your San Francisco plumbing layout.

Use these remodels as learning experiences and visual lessons; think about what works and what doesn't for you, and take note of the writeups to find out what people learned from their remodeling projects. You might just find the project of your dreams to show a contractor and use as a basis for your planning...or you might be warned off something that you were thinking about doing; let someone else's costly mistake work to your benefit!

There's another great benefit to this contest: the staff at This Old House kindly posted some tips on taking high-quality photographs of home improvement projects. All too often, inexperienced photographers don't capture a home at its best, making it hard to see the improvements they made. It's always disappointing to read about an interesting project and not be able to see it brought out in the images -- these tips can help people with issues like lighting, composition, and presentation.

Taking great photos isn't just about having something nice to pass around to people interested in how your remodel is going. It can also be useful for detailed documentation of a job in the event something goes wrong, or in case you need to file an insurance claim. Furthermore, good pictures are the cornerstone of a great home sale, as we know, because they're what lures potential buyers in to look at a home on the market, so if you're thinking about listing, get a jump on things with a stellar set of photographs.

Remember: pros sometimes take hundreds of shots to get the right one, and thanks to digital cameras, it's not like you're going to run out of film. So don't be afraid to spend some serious time shooting at different angles and different times of the day to get that perfect capture of your beautiful home...and then why not upload it to This Old House and put yourself in the running for $5,000 clams?!

Katie Marks writes for Networx.com.

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Finding energy-efficient windows has become easier, as insulating features such as heat-reflecting low-E coatings and argon gas between panes have become more standard. You'll also find new options and extras, including fiberglass window frames. Use this buying guide to make your selection.

"Stop throwing money out your old windows," some commercials say. With heating costs on the rise, many homeowners may wonder whether it's time to replace aging, drafty windows with efficient, tight-fitting ones.

In addition to reducing your energy bill, new windows can make your home more comfortable, quiet, and attractive. But don't expect to recoup your investment right away. If you now have old-fashioned single-glazed windows, replacement windows might save you from 10 percent to 25 percent a year for heating and cooling. But new windows cost from $7,000 to $20,000 for an average house, and custom sizes can add another 15 percent. So it might take 20 years or more before you break even. That's why you might want to wait until your old windows have deteriorated, when you're remodeling, or when you want windows that are easier to wash and maintain.

Replacement windows have become more energy efficient since insulating features such as multiple glazing, Low-E coatings, and inert-gas insulation have proliferated in many manufacturers' lines. We tested replacement windows for air and water leakage, durability, and convenience. Here's what we found.

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Consumer Reports - Replacement Windows

See our Save On Siding program details page to learn more about our Save On Siding system.

The Purpose of this Siding Calculator is to lift the veil on siding prices and empower you with average siding price information. So, when you receive your estimate requests (specifically for your home) you will know whether that contractor is in the ballpark or not. If that contractor isn't, it's time to start asking some serious questions as to why that is. An ethical contractor will easily be able to justify their price.

READ ME: Most siding remodels are completed without a problem! We just don't want you to fall in the category of the ones that are filled with problems or break the bank! So PLEASE, keep this in mind. A siding remodel is not a scary endeavor to undertake, just PLEASE do your research Up Front! Then you will come away from the experience wondering what all the fuss was about - and that's just what we want to see! We've outlined this procees in our Save On Siding System.

We suggest that you get At Least 3 to 4 Estimates for your siding... and here's why. We can't stress this enough. Estimates! Estimates! Estimates! Honestly, do your research up front, before you sign anything. There is the perfect contractor just waiting for you - but you've got to find him or her. Often it takes several bids to find the right contractor at the right price... don't give up, it's worth it! We have a contractor referral site called The Contractors With Integrity Network in which we invite you to request your Free Siding Estimates through. For now, here is more of why you should get at least 3 to 4 estimates...

Siding Cost Calculator's Cost Groups Explained

JUST REMEMBER - If you get at least 3 to 4 estimate Requests (more than likely) all of the possible pitfalls will become obvious... yes it's a bit of a hassle to meet with 3 to 4 separate contractors (and maybe more) BUT you don't want to be looking back and saying, "I wish I would have Listened to Siding4u.com and got more estimates - I could have saved Thousands and Countless Headaches." We really are just trying to watch out for your best interests with our experience and inside information. Best Wishes On Your Siding Remodel! We've outlined this procees in our Save On Siding System.

JUST REMEMBER - If you get at least 3 to 4 estimate Requests (more than likely) all of the possible pitfalls will become obvious... yes it's a bit of a hassle to meet with 3 to 4 separate contractors (and maybe more) BUT you don't want to be looking back and saying, "I wish I would have Listened to Siding4u.com and got more estimates - I could have saved Thousands and Countless Headaches." We really are just trying to watch out for your best interests with our experience and inside information. Best Wishes On Your Siding Remodel! We've outlined this procees in our Save On Siding System.

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Siding Cost Calculator: Estimates For Vinyl, Cedar & Fiber ...

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Roommate pricing from $550 each!village park of royal oak apartments in royal oak, mi offers spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for rent with energy-saving windows, updated kitchens and baths and whirlpool appliances including above the range microwaves.royal oak, michigan is a trendy, exciting and fun place to live and so is village park of royal oak apartments, with two convenient locations - one downtown and one near i-696 and i-75. apartment community amenities include a resort-class clubhouse, fitness center and pool with sun deck. our residents tell us they live at village park of royal oak apartments in royal oak, mi because: 1. two unique locations, one less than a mile from downtown royal oak and one less than a mile from i-75 2. resort-class swimming pool and hot tub 3. renovated kitchens including new cabinetry, upgraded whirlpool appliances, new countertops, energy-efficient lighting, above-the-range microwaves and wood vinyl flooring 4. 5,500 square foot multi-million dollar clubhouse with 24-hour fitness center, racquetball court, free wifi, business center and conference room 5. three spacious floor plans, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartment homes 6. walking distance to mark ridley's comedy castle, the royal oak music theater, royal oak farmer's market and much more 7. resident events led by on-site lifestyle director 8. 24-hour maintenance, snow removal and landscape care 9. pet-friendly 10. roommate rewards program which offers 50% off all your fees including security deposit with qualifying credit and roommate forgiveness recipient of the cel and associates a list award for customer service

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Public Lighting Authority accelerates pace of Detroit light installation, sets meetings

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a sample of a typical conversation we would have with our customer Mr. Buffett 😉

By: John Kimmel

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Worlock provides water heater installations for the entire Phoenix area. Our service department is available 24 hours a day to work on the water heater in your area home. We have been providing service in this area since 1987, so we have years of experience and also have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We are locally owned by Bill Worlock, and our goal is to always provide the best in service.

Web Special: $200 Off Any Water Heater Installation. Call For Details!

Worlock can install many types of water heaters in your Phoenix area home. We know a water heater tends to go out at the worst possible time, so we are always ready to get you up and running with hot water for your family. We can install:

Water heaters come in all shapes and sizes, and you can choose the capacity that fits your home and family the best. Most homes have either a 40 gallon or 50 gallon water heater, and those sizes usually can handle most home applications.

We also install tankless water heaters, which heat water on demand. So it will continue to heat water as long as your hot water faucet is on. This is really beneficial for homes with large soaker tubs, or a lot of family members where a lot of hot water is necessary. If you need endless hot water, a tankless water heater installed in your home is your best bet.

Call Worlock today, and well provide a free estimate to install a water heater in your Phoenix area home. We offer good service at a fair price.

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Water Heater Installations in Phoenix | Tankless Water ...

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Climb-ax Tree and Crane Service, removes a large tree top over a house in one cut with crane. 502-807-4004 call us for your tree job any time. john@climb-ax.com.

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Insect Control has a direct impact on your plant health and longevity. Certain types of insects can be fatal to your trees. Four major pests now posing a threat to local tree populations in Massachusetts include the Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Woolley Adelgid and Winter Moth. Our certified arborists will inspect your trees and shrubs, diagnose the problem and recommend the best insect control treatment option to protect your plants, at no charge. Tree Techs on site evaluation and insect control recommendations can include any of the following: altering irrigation, pruning, planting depth, changing or addressing mulch issues, spraying or applying plant treatments. Our goal is to keep your trees and shrubs healthy. Tree Tech even has the necessary equipment to reach the tops of large trees to provide treatment. Tree Techs licensed applicators use sprays, pesticides and organic treatments when applicable to effectively treat a wide variety of pests including mites, gypsy moths, Emerald Ash Borer, deer ticks, winter moth and other types of intrusive insects that can harm your trees and shrubs. We offer Mosquito sprays, poison ivy treatment and soil injections for insect control. Our insect control philosophy is simple - use low impact treatments and natural, organic ingredients whenever possible to minimize the presence of insects while maintaining a sense of environmental responsibility. Contact us for a complimentary site visit.

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Tree and Shrub Insect Control | Insect & Disease Control ...