By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) When it comes to home improvement, painting is one of easiest and least expensive ways to spruce up a room. However, there are many factors that can influence how your project will turn out. In this weeks Angies list report, Jim Donovan has a look at some things you should know before starting your next paint project.

Brad Stutler recently had his kitchen painted and plans to have several other rooms painted too.

Like many people, Ive got three little kids, so there are many stains and scratches and nicks on the wall, said Stutler.

A fresh coat of paint is a great way to fix those flaws. It can also boost your homes value. Plus, a change in color can give any room an entirely different look. Paint experts say blues and grays are the latest color trend.

But the grays arent traditional grays, they are more earth-toned grays, a little softer than just a steel gray, so its a little warmer finish, said painting contractor Sean Eichenberg.

Once youve picked the perfect color, youll have to decide on what type of finish is best for the area youre painting.

If you have a bathroom thats a high humidity area, youd want a higher sheen paint, an eggshell or a satin. That way it would be moisture-resistant and clean up a little bit better, said Eichenberg.

If youre thinking of doing the painting yourself, its important to recognize the importance of prepping the area so it holds up well.

A lot of times people tackle this project themselves, but you need to understand when youre over your head because a good paint job is dependent on the prep work. If you have walls that need a lot of repair or resurfacing hiring a professional may be well worth the money. If you have tricky have trim work, that might not be the room you want to test on, said Angies List founder Angie Hicks.

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Angies List: Painting Your Home

BISMARCK - Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem issued cease and desist orders Tuesday against seven unlicensed contractors for allegedly violating North Dakota's consumer fraud laws.

The attorney general's Consumer Protection Division initiated investigations after receiving complaints from consumers about the contractors failing to start or properly complete projects for which the consumers had made advance payments, a news release stated.

The contractors lacked the required licenses and didn't cooperate with investigators, the release stated.

The following contractors were banned from doing business in North Dakota: Michael Knudson of Minot, doing business as MLK Construction; Ed McDonald, doing business as Asphalt Seal Coating and E. McDonald Seal Coating, with addresses in Texas, Iowa and North Dakota; Thomas J. Zimmerle of Mandan, doing business as From Old To New Construction LLP; Jaymason W. Bottin of Bigfork, Mont., doing business as J2 Roofing & General Contracting; Ryan Dalbec of Big Lake, Minn., doing business as Dalbec Property Management, Inc.; Thomas Dohleman of Dilworth, Minn., doing business as Tom's Painting; and Kenny and Jessica Huffstutler of Dickinson, doing business as BCS Fence & Services LLC.

Criminal charges are pending against Dohleman in Cass County and against Zimmerle in Morton County.

Stenehjem advised consumers never to put money down until they make sure the contractor is properly licensed.

Tags: news,business,crime,updates

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Grammy Award winning singer, Anita Baker, is facing an arrest warrant after failing to appear in a Detroit court. Baker is facing legal charges after a painting and decorating company filed a suit alleging the singer failed to pay them after they made repairs to her home in 2009.

Anita Baker, the Grammy Award winning singer, is facing an arrest warrant after she allegedly failed to appear in court. The 56-year-old R&B singer was popular throughout the 1980s and early nineties for such songs as 'Sweet Love' and 'Giving You the Best That I Got'. Unfortunately, more recently she's made headlines after a painting and decorating company filed suit against her claiming she failed to pay them in 2009.

Apparently a warrant was issued on Thursday (20th March) when Baker, according to reports in TMZ, failed to appear in court. Baker was required to appear in the Detroit court over a dispute with a painting and decorating company. The company in question, Ray Smith Painting and Decorating, filed suit after Baker allegedly failed to pay $15 000 of the $75 000 bill. Baker had employed the company in 2009 after her Grosse Pointe house sustained storm damage. The plaintiff claims the 'Sweet Love' singer paid $60 000 up front for the work but has since failed to pay the additional sum.

56-year-old Baker claims the contractors in question failed to complete the work and this work was of such poor quality, she was forced to make her own repairs. She further claims to have never received any legal papers concerning this suit and is deeply unsettled by her arrest warrant. Speaking on the subject of the warrant to TMZ, Baker said "I've never been in trouble with the law. I'm terrified". She claimed "there's no justice in the justice system," a statement which she supports with anecdotes concerning how, in previous suits, the plaintiff never served her with legal documentation.

See more Anita Baker pictures on Contactmusic.

However, the contractor claims the legal papers were appropriately filed and that he even posted a notice on Baker's front door. This allegedly occurred in July 2013 when he attempted to pursue the issue in court. Baker claims to have never seen this notice as she was on tour and highly doubts the notice was ever posted.

Although Baker's lawyer intends to challenge the warrant and have the default judgement lifted, the plaintiff's attorney is simply hoping to resolve the issue. Speaking to a local Detroit news station WDIV 4, the plaintiff's attorney Daniel Gerow said: "We certainly would have liked to resolve it before now. We just want to try to get my client his money. We're not trying to give her any hard time or anything unnecessary. We just would like to collect the money for my client. He's owed the money, and that could end it all right then."

Keep up to date with Anita Baker's legal troubles on Contactmusic.

Anita Baker at the 2011 BET Awards.

Anita Baker at the Soul Train Awards in 2010.

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Arrest Warrant Issued After Anita Baker Fails To Appear In Court

Article updated: 3/21/2014 5:53 PM

The Vernon Hills Police Department cautions residents to be wary when hiring help for painting, roofing and driveway sealing. Although there are many variations and methods used by scam artists, there are ways to keep from becoming a victim: get several estimates and compare; ask if there is a charge for an estimate; check contractors with the Better Business Bureau and state or local licensing agencies; ask for references and call them or ask friends for recommendations; be wary of high-pressure sales tactics or someone who happens to be in the area; pay by check so you can stop payment if dissatisfied; get a guarantee on the work; never sign a work of completion unless all work is done to your satisfaction; and, dont allow strangers into your home or to distract you away from your unlocked front door. Call the crime prevention unit at (847) 247-4889.

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The elderly woman spat at her regularly and in a fit of anger, the Myanmar maid retaliated and hit her.

The family found out about the assault on the elderly woman and reported it to the police.

The maid was jailed for four weeks as a result, said Ms Valli Pillai, a representative from foreign worker help group Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (Home).

Ms Valli, who has been a Home case management worker for five years, related the case which happened last year.

While such incidents are regrettable, observers said the case underscores the need for domestic maids to have more avenues to air their grievances.

Home's executive director Jolovan Wham told The New Paper: "Domestic workers get stressed out living and working together with Singaporean families 24 hours a day. Some also don't get salaries until they have finished paying back the loans to their agents back home.

"Others are also stressed because they are not getting enough days off," he added.

Psychologist Daniel Koh of Insights Mind Centre said a "combination of factors like different environment and cultures, and the stress from change" could trigger a breakdown.

He added: "We don't know if these maids already have any underlying issues. They usually don't have anybody to talk to at work and as with all things, there is only so much one person can take."

Ms Joanne Lee, director of maid agency JL Employment Services, said maid agencies here do their best to work with their foreign counterparts to screen the best available maids for work here.

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