Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

Two years after a Kennewick Taco Bell was torn down and rebuilt, a north Richland Taco Bellis gettinga makeover of its own.

Taco Bell,at1825 George Washington Way, istemporarily closed for an $800,000 makeover to bring it to the modern brand standards spelled out by Taco Bell owner Yum! Brands.

The updates include a down-to-the-studs interior remodel, electronic menu boards, more space in the kitchen and a new drive-thru, said John Arthur, president of Yakima Restaurants Inc., an Ohio-based company that owns and operates 32 Taco Bell franchises in Ohio andWashington.

Arthur manages the10 in Washington.

His identical twin brothermanagesthe Ohio ones.

The city of Richland issued permits on Aug. 21.

Taco Bell is one of two restaurants thatoperateinpadsat WashingtonPlaza,a Safeway-anchored strip mall at McMurray Street and George Washington Way. Sharis is the other. The complex was firstdeveloped in 1981.

Arthur said the exterior hasnt been significantly updated in the 30 years since itwasbuilt.Yum! Brandsnew standards for Taco Bell supplied the impetus to remodel, but he said Yakima Restaurants is going well beyond the minimum expected.

A bump out will add more space in the kitchen as well as storage space to better accommodate employees.

The restaurant is in the top 3 of the 10 Northwest locations for sales, he said.

It is also the mostaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Arthur attributes that to the loss of drive-by traffic since many Hanford site workers began working from home.

The restaurant will reopen in earlytomid-November as adrive-thru. Although restaurants can open at 25% capacity, Arthur wont reopen the dining room until it feels it is safe for employees.

About a third of the Richland employees are posted to the companys Road 68 location in Pasco. The remaining workers were laid off.

Arthur plans to remodel four Yakima-area Taco Bell locations in the nextone to twoyears.

Baxter Construction is the general contractor.

Read more:
Richland Taco Bell gets makeover, more square feet - tricitiesbusinessnews.com

Don Magruder| For the Daily Commercial

Recently, there was a controversial shooting in Georgia. One of the justifications pushed for this attack was that the victim was caught on video snooping around a construction job site in a neighborhood. This justification holds no merit because an unwanted visitor snooping around a construction job site is commonplace and a daily occurrence.

For that reason, builders and homeowners should take tangible and passive measures to guard and protect their construction job site to prevent theft and vandals without shooting people.

The other aspect motivating unwanted job site visits is the current price of building materials. With lumber, plywood, and other construction materials at record-high prices, people who have projects of their own would love to stop at your project to find building materials.

I thought it was trash, is the excuse most thieves use when caught stealing things from a job site. Have a firm policy for all contractors and subcontractors working on your job site nothing leaves, including the trash, without your permission.

The first thing a builder or homeowner should do after putting up the permit box is post No Trespassing signs throughout the job site. Prominently posted signs with strong language about pressing charges for trespassing will discourage honest, nosy people from walking onto your job site. Do not be stingy with posting them make the signs prominent and plentiful.

When the construction process starts, guard and protect all building materials. Thieves understand pricing better than you, and currently the prices of many building material items are at record levels. During the foundation and framing stages of your construction project, do not ship out more material in a day that can be nailed down or locked up.

Unemployment is high, building material prices are at record levels, and many items are hard to get with extended lead times. This is not the time to have building materials stolen only have on the job site what can be installed or used that day.

Prioritize the completion of the outside shell of your new home or remodel project quickly so that windows and doors can be locked. While this will not keep a hardened criminal out, it will generally keep most teenagers, vandals, and wild critters out of your project. Do not make it easy for just anyone to walk onto your project.

Modern motion sensor lights and cameras are very affordable and provide a real deterrent if the homeowner or builder advises would be trespassers that the premises are under surveillance. Some people have a misconception when it comes to using a surveillance system.

Security cameras and surveillance systems are not designed to simply catch people doing bad things on your property they are also installed to deter them from making the attempt. In my view, installing a security camera and surveillance system without prominently posting a warning sign is a waste.

Do not store expensive tools or materials inside your project. Also, if you are doing a remodeling project while you are living in the home, lock up and secure all your valuables. Labor is very tight in the construction industry and many companies have been forced to hire employees and subcontractors with blemished backgrounds. While most contractors or subcontractors are extremely honest, it only takes one dishonest person. Until work is completed on the project, secure all your valuable items.

With the price of plywood currently over $20 per sheet and 2 x 4 studs nearing $6 per piece, it only takes a few pieces of each to lose $100. Guarding and protecting your construction job site can save real money. However, please do so peacefully do not be alarmed when you find out that your neighbor wandered onto your job site simply being nosy while it is under construction.

Don Magruder is the CEO of RoMac Building Supply and host of Around the House, which can be seen at AroundtheHouse.TV.

See the original post:
Guard and protect your job site - Daily Commercial

Dear Liz: Because of COVID, my 27-year-old son lost his job and health insurance. He was unable to afford continued health insurance and did not qualify for Medicaid. He contracted spinal meningitis and was hospitalized 12 days. The hospital reduced his bill to $28,000 from the original $80,000, but he is still unable to pay. He remains unemployed and without any savings. What would you suggest he do?

Answer: Your son should first call the hospital and ask about applying for financial assistance. Federal law requires nonprofit hospitals to offer this help to low-income patients, and many for-profit hospitals also offer programs that can reduce or even eliminate the charges.

He also should ask about a payment plan geared to whats left of his income. He should resist any hospital pressure to put the bill on a credit card, because hospital payment plans typically dont charge interest while credit cards do.

If hes still left with a bill he cant pay, he should consult a bankruptcy attorney, and do so as soon as possible. Bankruptcy experts are predicting a big uptick in filings as people and businesses struggle with fallout from the pandemic.

Dear Liz: Should we take out a home equity loan so we can do some improvements on our house and make it work better for us, or should we sell it and upgrade to a bigger house? We are not in a rush to move, so we are content to take our time to find the right new home at the right price. We are also considering staying and doing work on our current home. But we have a lot of equity and are wondering: Would it be smarter to cash that in? We both remember the housing crash and are very nervous about getting in over our heads.

Answer: People are spending a lot of time at home these days, and many are longing for a little extra space. Interest rates are low, which makes borrowing for improvements or a bigger home more affordable for many.

Youre smart to be cautious about taking on too much debt, though. Lenders are much more cautious than they were before the Great Recession of 2007 to 2009, but its still possible to borrow more than you can comfortably repay. Big mortgage payments could prevent you from saving for important goals such as retirement or your childrens college education.

If you like your current neighborhood, remodeling is often the more economical route. You spend roughly 10% of your homes value when you sell it and buy another. Real estate commissions take a big chunk, as do moving costs. Bigger houses whether through remodeling or moving also can mean higher tax, insurance and utility bills. Thats not to say you should never upgrade, but youre smart to consider all your options because the cost of exchanging homes is pretty high.

By the way, you arent really cashing in equity when you use it to buy another home or borrow against it to make improvements. Some people would say thats putting your equity to work, but the idea that equity needs employment is what led many people to borrow excessively against their homes before the last recession. Its perfectly fine, and often desirable, to have lots of equity just sitting around. That way, its there for you when you really need it. You can tap it in an emergency, for example, or to help fund your retirement.

Dear Liz: Im considering converting an old 401(k) to a Roth IRA. Will the gains from the 401(k) account be treated as capital gains? And can you only convert 401(k) plans you no longer participate in, or can you convert both current and former 401(k) plans?

Answer: Youll pay income taxes on the conversion. Retirement plans, including 401(k)s and IRAs, dont qualify for capital gains tax rates. You may be able to convert your current 401(k) as well. Ask your plan administrator if in plan Roth conversions are allowed.

Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner, is a personal finance columnist for NerdWallet. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the Contact form at asklizweston.com.

See more here:
How to deal with a big hospital bill when jobless, uninsured - Los Angeles Times

New Incorporation and LLC filings

The Moxie Mutt LLC, 143 Haynes Road in Bald Knob, filed Sept. 7, 2020.

Spero Vending LLC, Kevin Chism, 2300 E. Country Club Road in Searcy, filed Sept. 8, 2020.

Addison B. Properties LLC, Timothy A. Bennett, 5 River Ridge Road in Searcy, filed Sept. 8, 2020.

SB Beautique Limited Liability Company, 900 Richsmith Lane No. 1202 in Searcy, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Broken A Farm Corp, Steven Anderson, 3020 Arkansas Highway 5 in El Paso, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

5 Oclock RV Park LLC, 100 Lake Court in Beebe, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Sulfur Springs Curated Style LLC, Benjamin Dubose, 113 E. Center Ave. in Searcy, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Venture Wildlife & Habitat LLC, Kevin Ledford, 702 E. 5th St. in Bald Knob, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Gray Property Management LLC, Angela H. Gray, 102 Emerald Lake Dr. in Searcy, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Third Generation Barber Inc., Wesley Rains, 113 E. Center Ave. in Searcy, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Vantage Point Counseling LLC, Jeremiah Taylor, 44 Sherwood Loop in Searcy, filed Sept. 9, 2020.

Innovative Home Services LLC, Ryan Waller, 187 Ray Morrison Road in El Paso, filed Sept. 10, 2020.

Steves Tractor Repair LLC, Stephen Pratt, 126 Carson Road in Judsonia, filed Sept. 10, 2020.

Sharp Counseling PLLC, Nathan Lawrence Sharp, 2205 Jonathan Lane in Searcy, filed Sept. 10, 2020.

Lindsey Pawn & Storage, LLC, Kevin Lindsey, 113 Brier Creek Drive in Pangburn, filed Sept. 11, 2020.

Rock CL LLC, John Max Bolling, 254 Mulberry Ave. Suite 2 in Searcy, filed Sept. 11, 2020.

Michael Duane and Susan Cate Marling, P.O. Box 26 in Griffithville, document number 202013539, filed Sept. 10, 2020, Chapter 7, attorney: Lonnie Grimes.

Julie Marie Zachary, 603 S. Main St. in Beebe, document number 202013540, filed Sept. 10, 2020, Chapter 7, attorney: Lonnie Grimes.

Joshua V. Bowman, 103 N. Collison Ave. in Bald Knob, document number 202013544, filed Sept. 10, 2020, Chapter 13, attorney: Gregory Niblock.

John Jay Jordan Jr., 327 Smith Road in Searcy, document number 202013563, filed Sept. 11, 2020, Chapter 7, attorney: Lonnie Grimes.

John P. and Carolyn G. Reed, 935 Jackson 2 in Bradford, document number 202013566, filed Sept. 14, 2020, Chapter 7, attorney: Gregory Niblock.

Marriage licenses applied for through White County:

Friday, Sept. 11

Robert Eugene Sinclair, 28, of Beebe and Brook Ashley Richardson, 29, of Beebe

Ethan Nicholas Wagnon, 28, of Judsonia and Christian Degraftenreed, 27, of Judsonia

Joseph Walter Lutker III, 40, of Beebe and Carla Sue Metts, 49, of Beebe

Dustin Von Bell, 39, of Judsonia and Tracy Lynn Willard, 42, of Judsonia

Phillip Andrew Jenkins, 22, of Judsonia and Trinity Faith Blake, 21, of Judsonia

Monday, Sept. 14

Christopher Parker Chamber, 25, of Bradford and Desiray Alexandra Brady, 29, of Bradford

Colin James Shearer, 24, of Little Rock and Addison Anne Honey, 24, of Little Rock

Johnathan Hayward Morris, 21, of Bradford and Alyssa Caitlin Aasen, 29, of Bradford

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Steven Joe Everidge, 37, of Beebe and Lindsay Dianne Boatman, 33, of Beebe

Debra Dianne Carter, 50, of Pangburn and Del Jeanne Tavares-Proctor, 64, of Pangburn

Zachary Thomas Simmons, 24, of Beebe and Makayla Michelle Wyllia, 23, of Beebe

Robert Hayden Haynes, 18, of Bald Knob and Emmah Marie Grace Hale, 18, of Bald Knob

Wednesday, Sept. 16

Justin Clay Corbitt, 33, of Judsonia and Maylie Genalyn Bain, 25, of Judsonia

Thursday, Sept. 17

Benjamin Brent Foster, 45, of Bald Knob and Amy L. Barnes, 43, of Bald Knob

David James Tomsic, 32, of Grand Junction, Mich., and Doris Misshelle Baswell, 27, of Grand Junction, Mich.

Certificates of absolute divorce or annulment issued through White County:

Thursday, Aug. 20

Plaintiff Elisabeth Coleman and defendant Monty Coleman; married June 22, 2002; filed March 11, 2020; one child affected; alleged cause: general indignities.

Plaintiff Mykayla Defoure and defendant Brandon Defoure of White County; married Sept. 24, 2016; filed May 12, 2020; two children affected; alleged cause: general indignities.

Plaintiff Roy Carthorne and defendant Elizabeth Carthorne of White County; married March 26, 2010; filed May 21, 2020; two children affected; alleged cause: general indignities.

Plaintiff Susan Emerson and defendant Jimmy Robbins; married August 2018; filed May 22, 2020; alleged cause: general indignities.

Plaintiff Aleasha Gevedon and defendant William Gevedon of White County; married Feb. 13, 2005; filed May 25, 2020; alleged cause: general indignities.

Code EnforcementThe following are the monthly permit reports for the Searcy Inspection Department for August 2020. Each permit is followed by the address, value and fees.

New single family

Property owner, 5 C Valley Dr., $150,000, $310, Chad Bonner

Construction, 2003 Rehoboth Circle, $90,000, $310, Chad Bonner

Construction, 2005 Rehoboth Circle, $90,000, $310, Steve Ghent

Construction, 1205 N. Laurel Lane, $110,000, $302.50, Steve Ghent

Construction, 1206 N. Laurel Lane, $110,000, $302.50

Total value: $550,000

Total fees: $1,535

Remodel/addition single family

Property owner, 2209 E. Country Club Road, $12,500, $50

Daughety Bulders, 209 Live Oak, $4,000, $50

Connell Construction, 2413 Normandy, $37,000, $107.50

Esr Residential Properties, 10 Meadowlake Dr., $25,000, $77.50

Property owner, 112 Bristlecone, $10,000, $50

Property owner, 8 Hillcreek Circle, $15,000, $50

Hays Investment Properties, 119 Bristlecone, $100,000, $265

Stokes Construction, 2509 E. Country Club, $16,000, $55

Property owner, 804 Golfview Dr., $20,000, $65

Total value: $239,500

Total fees: $770

Remodel/add to commercial

Delk Construction, 200 Queensway, $30,000, $90

T & M Builders, 3009 E. Race Ave., $25,000, $77.50

Barr Commercial Construction, 3301 E. Park Ave., $189,735.74, $489.34

Roetzel RV, 550 Truman Baker Dr., $75,000, $202.50

VSC LLC, 413 S. Main St., $13,400, $50

Total value: $333,135.74

Total fees: $909.34

Demolition permits

Hart Construction, 500 N. Main St., $50

Total fees: $50

Electrical permits

SRS Electric, 302 Crain, remodel, $50

RRR Electric, 1611 W. Pleasure Ave., new construction, $50

Clairday Electric, 1404 Hillcrest, remodel, $50

Connell Construction/Elect, 2413 Normandy, addition, $50

Stokes Electric, 201 W. Woodruff Ave., new construction, $50

Justice Electric, 1800 W. Arch Ave., remodel, $50

Cincon Electric, 803 N. Main St., remodel, $50

Roberson Heat & Air/Electric, 2102 Rehoboth Circle, new construction, $50

Property owner, 7 Baker, remodel, $50

Seark Services, 2013 W. Beebe-Capps Expressway, meter, $50

Roberson Heat & Air/Electric, 1904 Rehoboth, new construction, $50

RRR Electric, 610 E. Market Ave., meter, $50

Hale Electric, 414 Virgil, meter, $50

SKS Electric, 209 Live Oak, remodel, $50

Reed Electric, 112 Bristlecone, remodel, $50

Cincon Electric, 2209 E. Country Club, remodel, $50

SKS Electric, 10 Meadowlane, remodel, $50

Read the original post:
For the record - Sept. 19, 2020 | Community | thedailycitizen.com - Searcy Daily Citizen

HELENA The Lewis and Clark Library has reopened the lobby of their Main Branch, but only for pick at this time.

The Library has seen a large demand from the community for pick up and holds, with more than 300 items requested for Monday.

Library Director John Finn says the remodel of the library is coming along well, but there is still a lot left to be done before the library can be fully opened again.

One of the current hurdles is the monumental feat of moving and organizing an entire library.

There are 90,000 items in the collection at the Main Branch of the Lewis and Clark Library. The total collection weighs well over 40 tons, comparable to an adult sperm whale.

Moving and organizing such a large collection may seem like a white whale, but Finn says the collection management team has the situation well in hand.

I jokingly say it is General Patton level organization, said Finn. Our collection management librarian James Parrott did an amazing job of making that plan and then it took the whole staff to execute it.

Most of the shelving for the library remodel has arrived, and the current marching orders are to get the remaining items unpacked and to their designated area.

While it has taken a small army to pull a move like this off, its not like picking up and moving bricks. Books are fragile and need to be handled with care.

It took Library staff five full days just to move the 26,000 items that were at their temporary Capitol Branch.

At the Capitol Branch we actually had a lot of AV material. So we had lots of Blu-ray, DVDs and CDs which are even more fragile than books. But we took great care of them in that transition from the branch back here and everything so far looks good, said Finn.

Finn says his staff have been meticulously keeping track of items so they dont get lost. The Library also performed an inventory before the move and will conduct another once everything is in place.

Modern technology has made the sorting process of 90,000 items far easier than it would have been just a few decades ago.

Each book has a RFID tag that lets staff know exactly where the item belongs.

We have a device that we can walk around the library with and it tells us whats out of place and whats missing, said Finn.

It will still be several weeks before the library is fully open for browsing and staff are currently working with public health to develop a COVID plan for the remodeled library.

Were probably six weeks away from opening the library to the public, but we do have the holds pick up and the book drop is now open here. Those are the services were able to provide at the moment because right now theres really no library to take part in, said Finn.

Finn added the entire staff cant wait to show the community the remodeled building in the coming weeks.

Go here to see the original:
Small army needed to move L&C Library collection - KTVH

Oregon says people who lost homes or suffered other damage from the wildfires that erupted across the state this month should contact their insurance companies immediately to begin their claims.

But they should be prepared for a long process as they work to get their payouts and start to rebuild.

Authorities say the fires that erupted earlier this month burned more than 1 million acres in Oregon in just one week, and theyre still burning. Homeowners and firefighters are just starting to tally the damage. At least nine people died and hundreds of homes burned.

As evacuation zones open up, people are beginning to return to their properties to discover homes, barns and vehicles destroyed. Brad Hilliard, spokesman for Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services, said it will take them time to tally just what theyve lost and more time to recoup that loss as insurers work to cope with the blazes' unprecedented toll.

We encourage people to take their time with the process and also understand that your insurance company is going to need time to handle things, Hilliard said. Because theyre handling a large number of claims across a number of states.

Fires this month have spanned Washington, Oregon and California. The total financial losses figure to be staggering, after fires devastated the southern Oregon communities of Phoenix and Talent. The Beachie Creek fire east of Salem destroyed at least 470 homes. Dozens more homes were lost to fires in Clackamas County.

California wildfires in November 2018 destroyed 14,000 homes and generated $11.4 billion in insurance claims within two months.

This years blazes on the West Coast appear to have done far less damage, but the total devastation is plainly severe.

In Oregon, homeowner insurance policies typically cover wildfires in the same way they would cover a typical house fire, but Hilliard said autos even if they were in a homes garage require separate coverage.

The state offers several pieces of advice on how to begin the claims process:

Notify insurance companies immediately about evacuation and damage. Policies will often cover short-term housing for people in evacuation zones, and will typically provide long-term housing while homeowners rebuild.

Ask about advances on your claim to pay for supplies and equipment to get by. Even if it takes a long time to settle a claim, advance payments may be available quickly.

Save receipts and keep a running list of whats been lost. Keep a paper and pen handy to make notes when things spring to mind, and look through old photos and videos that might help jog your memory. Figure out how long your insurance company will give you to provide a complete list.

Photograph damaged items but dont throw them out until a claims adjuster has seen them. People living in manufactured homes can visit a state website for ownership documentation that may have been destroyed in the fire.

Contact your mortgage company to learn how it manages insurance payments.

Its too soon to know how this months' blazes will affect insurance rates in places where wildfires burned, or elsewhere in Oregons wildland areas, Hilliard said. But the NW Insurance Council said Friday that the state is preparing to issue an emergency order to prohibit insurers from canceling insurance policies in fire affected areas, or because of a wildfire claim.

The state will also require insurers allow a grace period of premium payments on policies in areas affected by the wildfire.

Oregon fields 1,400 insurance and financial complaints a year, according to Hilliard, who said the state can help mediate when disputes arise between policyholders and their insurance carrier.

On Friday, Hilliard said people who suffered wildfire losses should resist any pressure to settle their claims before theyre ready, and to carefully catalog what theyve lost and what it was worth as they prepare to rebuild.

It takes time to work through that, Hilliard said, to rebuild and replace what was lost.

-- Mike Rogoway |mrogoway@oregonian.com| twitter:@rogoway|

Go here to see the original:
Oregon wildfire insurance payouts will be a long process, state warns, so get started now - OregonLive

Our office burned down last Tuesday. The little green and white rented bungalow along Route 99 was filled with art, houseplants, laughter, and sometimes tears. It was a meeting place for Latinx youth to have coffee and organize climate justice events in their community. We built folding desks so we could fill the space with volunteers while campaigning against the fracked gas pipeline a Canadian company is trying to ram through Oregons forests. Now those walls and desks are all rubble, still hot to the touch.

As part of Rogue Climate, a local climate justice organization with an office in Phoenix, Oregon, weve fought for years not just against fossil fuel projects changing our climate but also to demand justice for those in our community most affected by that warming: Latinx essential workers and their families facing hazardous working conditions and Covid-19, low-income rural residents plagued by rolling blackouts, and tribal members watching the salmon runs vital to their diet and culture dwindle in warming rivers.

On Tuesday, the Almeda fire raging through Southern Oregon took out the very base weve used for those fights. Many of our staff and volunteers have been evacuated; some have lost their homes. In the past few days, weve been out on the streets in the thick, gray smoke, getting food, water, cell phone chargers, hand sanitizer, tents, and blankets to people who have lost everything they owned.

Climate change has doubled the number of fires in the West in one generation: Even if the Almeda fire was started by a human, it was fanned by the exceptionally hot, dry, and windy conditions that climate change is producing. Scientists have known about the link for decades. The Environmental Protection Agency warned Congress in 1989 that the incidence of catastrophic wildfires will increase in U.S. forests with higher temperatures.

1989 was 31 years ago, before either of us was born. And yet our government has done almost nothing to stop the pollution warming the world and fueling the fires. The fracking and drilling has continued. The CEO of Pembina, the company that wants to run an explosive fracked gas pipeline through our home to the Jordan Cove LNG export terminal, emitting nearly 40 million tons of carbon dioxide a year, took home $7 million in 2018. In contrast, the median household income in Phoenix is $41,753 a year. In nearby Talent, it is $33,244. The fire ran through both towns along Route 99, torching apartment buildings, mobile and manufactured homes. Thousands are unhoused. Two are dead.

See more here:
We Work in Climate Justice. Our Office Burned Down, Thanks to Climate Change. - The New Republic

Amid a series of established Democratic endorsements, Drake Buckmans voice lifts as he talks about a lesser known group. He landed the support of the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida.

Its an organization that represents people who live in manufactured homes in the parks , and we have hundreds of them here, he said. They are an integral part of the community.

The Sarasota Democrat hopes that type of endorsement makes a difference as he runs against Republican Fiona McFarland in House District 72.

Hes unrolling endorsements as he fights for attention on what could be one of Floridas tightest House races. Hes lined up many of the usual suspects in Democratic politics: Planned Parenthood, the Sierra Club and the Sarasota County Jewish Caucus. But he still faces a level of skepticism among forecasters and pundits on whether he has the raw resources to defend the seat.

The jurisdiction is one of the places where Democrats find themselves on defense this cycle, though thats not a complete surprise.

Democrat Margaret Good represents the district now, having flipped the seat in a 2018 Special Election and defended it in the last General Election. But that last race came down to fewer than 1,200 votes between her and Republican Ray Pilon. Both her House campaigns cost more than half a million dollars, reportedly one of the reasons she decided this year to run for Congress.

But Buckman believes he can compete for far less.

I dont know why you need a quarter of a million to win this race, he said. I say this as someone who has been in business here. I have met payroll. I have met budgets. I understand this district. I dont know why you need more than $100,000 to win this election.

McFarland, meanwhile, spent more than $200,000 during the Republican primary, and eked a win by just 266 votes out of 17,779 cast. For the moment, she lags Buckman in cash on hand, but shes raised $254,713 in total to Buckmans $82,295.

A strong fundraising period for McFarland post-primary prompted national forecaster CNalysis this weekend to shift the race to tilt Republican instead of tossup when it put the entire state House in the Safe Republican column. Indeed, the district is the only House jurisdiction in the state in which that forecaster predicts a change in party control; several other districts are still marked tossup.

But Buckman still feels confident. Hes been in regular communication with Florida House Victory, he said, and would welcome greater state investment. But mostly he feels confident he has more individual contributors from within the district.

Hes had 728 donors to McFarlands 543, with his average donation at $121 to her $518. Three of the Democrats donations come through political committees while 18 of the Republicans checks are listed from PACs. And 621 of Buckmans donations originate from Florida addresses while just 270 of McFarlands do the same.

He dismisses institutional support shes receiving, including a recent shout out by the Presidents son.

I dont think Donald Trump, Jr. is registered here, he said. To me, thats an endorsement from one New York Republican who doesnt live in the district to another New York Republican who doesnt live in the district.

Notably, McFarland was criticized in the primary for renting an apartment in House District 72 but owning property in neighboring Manatee County, though she stressed at the time shes living in Sarasota.

Regardless, Buckman plans in November to prove any cynics wrong.

We are going to win, he said.

Read the original here:
Can Drake Buckman win HD 72 on the cheap? - Florida Politics

Many of us are spending more time at home in 2020, which could mean having more time to take on home improvement projects. But home renovations arent just a way to fill time; you want the results to be worth the hard work. The key to any successful project lies in careful planning including financial strategizing long before the power tools come out.

Roughly 3 in 5 American homeowners (61 percent) have taken on home improvement projects since March 1, spending $6,438, on average, according to an Aug. 18-20 NerdWallet survey conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,414 homeowners.

Whether youre outfitting your home with a new office or classroom, or taking on long-intended improvements such as painting or installing new flooring, here are six tips to help you make sure youre heading into the right project, the right way.

Any project may be worth your time if doing it makes you happy, but if you plan to sell your home soon, make sure you focus on projects that give a good return on your money. Many renovations cost thousands of dollars but wont increase the value of your home by the same amount.

For example, it costs about $50,000 to add a new bathroom, but homeowners typically recoup only about 54 percent of the cost in increased home value, according to Remodeling Magazines 2020 Cost vs. Value Report. A minor kitchen remodel, on the other hand, returns about 78 percent of its cost, so that type of project might make more sense.

Consider calling local real estate agents to ask them about the return you might receive from a home renovation project. Some local markets or neighborhoods may reward certain upgrades more than others.

You dont want to run out of cash in the middle of a home remodeling project. But unless youre careful, your project may get more expensive while its underway. That nicer tile may add only $7 per square foot, but if your kitchen has 100 square feet of floor space, watch out! To avoid running short on cash, add up your expenses before you start the project. Then add 10 percent or 20 percent to the total to allow for cost overruns.

To get an idea of how much youll have to spend on a specific project, look at what others have spent on comparable projects using a project estimate calculator or perusing sites like HomeAdvisor or Remodeling Magazine.

Since March 1, 34 percent of homeowners who undertook home improvement projects used cash on hand to fund those projects, 25 percent used money they had saved for those projects specifically and 14 percent used money from their economic stimulus check, according to the NerdWallet survey. As long as these projects arent being funded to the detriment of more important expenses, using available cash or savings can be a good way to keep from paying interest on your home improvement project.

If you have to finance your project, explore your funding options carefully. Among them are a home equity line of credit, a personal loan, a cash-out refinance or even credit cards. But they come at varying costs depending on the interest rate and how long it will take you to pay off the loan. A home improvement financing calculator can help you weigh these costs and make a savvy decision.

If youve decided to hire a professional, get written estimates from different contractors. As those estimates roll in, check their references and ask about their credentials. At a minimum, make sure each contractor is properly licensed to do the work on your home. You can also ask about their membership in trade associations. Many reputable contractors belong to professional trade groups such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry or the National Association of Home Builders.

A good contractor will guarantee the work and offer a warranty. You can check Better Business Bureau ratings to see if others have had complaints about companies youre evaluating. If there have been complaints, check to see how they were resolved.

When you select a contractor, make sure you get your agreement in writing.

Permits help protect your home and your safety. Without the necessary approvals to perform work on your property, theres a chance the renovation wont meet local building codes. It could even affect your ability to sell your home in the future. Contact your municipality for details about what permits you must have for your renovation project. And follow up to make sure your contractor has permits in hand before beginning the work.

Youre probably planning to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars on a remodeling project. Its understandable to look for ways to save money, but dont automatically cut corners by using the cheapest materials.

Talk to your contractor about the trade-offs between quality and price for your project. Youll probably be better off selecting the best-quality products that fit your budget. Otherwise, you could be stuck with having to make costly repairs after a few months because you skimped on quality.

A home remodeling project can give a big boost to your homes aesthetics and market value if you avoid costly mistakes. By setting a budget, researching contractors and making sure your improvements use quality materials, you can help avoid expensive pitfalls and enjoy your homes new design.

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NerdWallet from Aug. 18-20 among 1,414 U.S. homeowners ages 18 and older, among whom 883 have done home improvement projects since March 1. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Anna Palagi at apalagi@nerdwallet.com.

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6 ways to avoid costly home renovation mistakes - Tampa Bay Times

When we are cooped up at home, the walls begin to close in. Suddenly, that creaky stair becomes really annoying. That window, always cranky, is sticking even more. Blinds close only halfway, and the patio door jumps its track. Outside, the soffit on one side is hanging loose.

Then theres the kitchen -- instead of dealing with a recalcitrant oven, weve been ordering meals to be delivered. And the bath -- the walls are losing tiles, and the hot water comes in a puny dribble. Repairs and renovations in both the bathroom and the kitchen are overdue.

Its time to tackle problems. Before winter sets in, hire some experts. They have the tools and the experience to fix and change all those months of neglect. Procrastination be gone. Get it done.

Since the establishment of the business, the guiding principle has always been complete customer satisfaction, says Gary Shiman. All three generations of owners have lived, worked, and raised families in New Jersey. This is our home too!

Gary is one of the owners of Bellari, one of New Jerseys premier remodelers of homes and other structures. The company is based in Branchburg and it serves communities from the Hudson River to the Delaware River.

Bellari offers a wide variety of design and craftsmanship. This company offers windows, doors, siding, roofing, decking, sunrooms, awnings, basements and additions -- just about anything your home might need. Experts can help you plan and remodel kitchens and baths, including electrical and plumbing needs. And they handle all the permits required.

We specialize in sourcing products that have years of life, adds Gary. Many of their customers are homeowners whose parents contracted with the original company.

Bellari is a third generation business that traces its beginning back to 1950. That was when Max Gropper began selling aluminum storm windows in downtown Somerville. He called the company Somerville Aluminum.

The operation has grown substantially over the intervening years. In 2013, the company moved into a larger 15,000-square-foot showroom and design center in Branchburg.

Branchburg-based Bellari is ranked among the top 100 remodeling firms in the nation by Qualified Remodeler.Courtesy Belari

Our organization is extremely appreciative to all those hometown heroes who have always worked hard to help our community and keep us all safe, especially during the pandemic, explains Gary. People are working on the front lines to take care of us, and we are honored to help with needed repairs at their homes to help take care of them.

The company has pledged to help one deserving local hero every month with a project at home. The initiative kicked off in April when Bellari replaced the back steps for Jennifer and David Smith, a Branchburg couple. The two of them work in healthcare and law enforcement, and both of them experienced increased intensity in their professions during the pandemic, according to Gary.

Bellari also proudly supports Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, in its Healing Homes initiative, explains Gary. The Healing Homes initiative offers housing for up to 24 months for an individual or family in Somerset County who has a chronic or acute health condition that causes financial hardship and leaves them unable to afford housing and/or the basic cost of living.

Windows and doors are our roots and will always be the backbone of our business, Gary continues. And we have grown our breadth of offerings to provide everything a homeowner could possibly need. And we continue to take pride in providing the exceptional service and premium products, across the board, that our customers have come to expect.

Bellari is celebrating 70 years in business. For more information, call 908-300-3670 and visit the website at BellariNJ.com. Also, see Facebook, Instagram and other social media. Company headquarters and showrooms are located at 20 County Line Road, Branchburg. Hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays by appointment.

Before embarking on a major renovation, it can be useful to see how a contractor performs on a smaller job. A worker repairing the soffit hanging loose under the eave can give you the confidence to hire the firm for that larger renovation you have in mind.

Mark Schneider has many years experience helping homeowners with jobs both small and large. He operates Handyman On Call.

I specialize in small jobs, and Ive found that these can lead to larger jobs, Mark says.

He will repair doors, replace moldings, clean gutters, repair decks, touch up painting and repair the treads and risers on those squeaky stairs. If you like, he will even hang pictures and change out light bulbs. How about adding shelving in the basement or garage?

For these smaller jobs, hell travel about 7 miles from his base in Annandale. Estimates are free and flexible--according to materials and scheduling.

Hes been in the business for some 35 years, he explains. So theres not much he hasnt seen, repaired, replaced, or otherwise put back in shape--or renovated. He will also work with homeowners to remodel kitchens, baths, and basements.

Mark posts some free Do-It-Yourself Tips on his website, HandymanOnCallNJ.com. Or, call him at 908-437-8856.

Al Warr may be reached at 610-253-0432 or AlWarr16@gmail.com.

The rest is here:
Procrastination be gone ... its time to tackle home repairs - nj.com