Thinking about selling your home this spring or summer? You probably already have a pretty long prep list to make sure your home looks its very best before it goes on the market.  Common home prep steps could include touching up paint, having the carpets steam vacuumed, and thoroughly cleaning the grout between floor tiles.

Even with everything you’re already planning to do, your prep list may still not be complete. Below are four of the most overlooked home prep items. Addressing each area on the list will make your home more attractive and inviting for prospective buyers and may even be the tipping point for a sale.

• Decks

Even the most well-constructed deck will need to be reviewed for loose nails and screws, as well as warping or rotting wood. Replace any damaged wood that poses a safety risk and tighten any loose screws or nails. For easy cleaning, consider using a power washer. This will get rid of the dirt and grime that naturally collects throughout the year on decks. If it’s been a while since you’ve sealed and waterproofed your deck, you may also want to consider doing this or having a professional deck staining and sealing company like Best Rate Repair do it for you.

• Roof and rain gutter annual inspections

Clogged or dirty gutters will make a poor impression on homebuyers. They may assume the way you treat your gutters is how you maintained the rest of the house. Use a power hose to clear debris out of your rain gutters. Also consider trimming back branches that overhang the roof. Not only will this make the house safer (less chance of a branch breaking off and landing on the roof), but it will also give your home more visibility to buyers.

• Window screens

Are your window screens secure? Are they clean and tear-free?  Window screens are very often overlooked as homeowners race to clean their house before it goes on the market. However, if a buyer is trying to decide between two houses, sometimes the smallest thing makes the difference. A dirty or torn window screen may make a buyer think your home isn’t well cared for. Replacing a window screen is an easy chore and could make a big difference in the eyes of a buyer.

• Air Filters

Air filters are part of what keeps your home protected from pollutants and allergens. They need to be replaced on a regular basis to make sure the air in your home is clean. Since air filters are inexpensive and easy to change, there is no reason not to add this task to your home prep list.

Prepping your home for sale is a big task, but if you want to sell your home faster and get what it’s worth, then you need to make the effort to show your home’s best face. Don’t forget to add these often overlooked items to your prep list, and happy selling!

Alright, so maybe Deck Safety Month isn’t exactly exciting, but deck safety is an important topic. Every year hundreds of decks across the United States collapse, causing injury and death. Just a few preventative checkups could prevent such a disaster. As you prepare to enjoy your deck during the long spring and summer days, give your deck a thorough once over:

Wood

Test the wood of your deck. Check for any splitting or decay, including on the deck itself, the rails, stairs and support posts. If the wood seems soft or spongy, this could indicate wood rot. Also, if you notice small holes, your deck may be an unwitting meal for termites or other wood chomping insects.

Flashing

Flashing is the metal or plastic guard that products your deck from water and debris, helping to prevent wood rot and mold. It’s most often attached where the deck meets the house. Double check the flashing. Make sure it’s still secure and solid and that the areas around it aren’t damp or spongy. If you notice water collecting anywhere, consider replacing your flashing.

Fasteners

A deck is only as strong as the fasteners that keep everything together, including nails, screws and the ledger board. Over time, these pieces can become loose or even rust. Double check each fastener and tighten any loose screws that you find. Replace any rusted or corroded fasteners.

Stairs

Each stair on the deck should feel solid under your weight. If you notice any bending or swaying as you go up or down, that is a safety issue that you should get checked out right away.

Railings and Bannisters

A collapsing bannister or railing could result in a very dangerous fall. Make sure that all bannisters and railings on the deck are 100% secure. Test them by putting your weight against them. If you notice any swaying or sagging, don’t allow anyone on the deck until the problem is checked out and fixed. Also, make sure your railings meet legal standards. Railings should be at least 42” high and no more than 4” apart so that small children can’t squeeze through.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Since you’re already spending some time checking out your deck, you might as well take this opportunity to give it a good clean. Clear out any debris that might have gathered over the winter, especially slippery areas where wet leaves or mildew might be present. If you do notice mildew, or if the coating has worn away, it might be time to recoat and waterproof your deck.

If you notice any safety concerns with your deck, it’s best to call in a wood repair expert like Best Rate Repair. We’d be happy to send out one of our knowledgeable wood repair specialists to take a look at your deck and provide you with an honest assessment. If a repair is in order, our quotes are very competitive, and we offer swift turnaround. We also provide top-notch deck coating and waterproofing services if you don’t have the time or expertise.

A deck is a great place to host a barbeque or just hang out and enjoy the beautiful San Diego weather. Just make sure it’s safe for you, your family and your guests.

Call Best Rate Repair at (619) 229-0166

What you need is a patio cover.

When considering a cover for your patio, the first major decision you’ll need to make is the patio cover material. The vast majority of patio covers are made out of either aluminum or wood. Not sure which material is right for you. Not to worry! Take a look below at a detailed list of pros and cons for each material.

Wood Patio Cover

Pros

• Wood is a beautiful and strong material that will give your patio a more naturalistic feel.
• If your patio is made of wood, a wooden cover could provide a more pleasing ascetic.
• Wood is stronger than aluminum and will allow you to hang potted plants, fans, lightening, bird feeders and other medium-weight items.
• The material cost of wood is usually significantly cheaper than aluminum.

Cons

• Wood requires yearly care and maintenance that can be time-consuming. It will need to be regularly stained and sealed, which can be difficult in hard-to-reach areas of the cover.
• Wood is much more vulnerable to the elements than aluminum. It can become bleached and cracked in the sun or develop mold or wood rot if the environment is too wet. A wood patio cover is not recommended for overly wet or humid environments, such as near the ocean.
• Wood is susceptible to termite damage.

Aluminum Patio Cover

Pros

• Aluminum patio covers require little maintenance and are very easy to take care of. Just some water and a sponge are all this is needed to keep them clean.
• Aluminum is not susceptible to the environment. It can handle lots of sun, rain and almost anything else nature can throw at it. This also means that there aren’t many location restrictions.
• Aluminum patio covers ten to outlast wooden patio covers.
• Aluminum is not vulnerable to termites, mold, wood rot or rust.

Cons

• Aluminum patio covers tend to be less ascetically pleasing than wooden patio covers.
• The material cost of aluminum is usually significantly higher than wood.
• Aluminum patio covers are not as strong as wood patio covers and cannot support things like potted plants, fans or bird feeders unless special support structures are added.
• An aluminum patio cover also requires more expertise to install than a wood patio cover and may require a specialized company rather than a local handyman.

Hopefully, this information has given you some insight into the differences between wooden patio covers and aluminum patio covers and will help you make a more informed decision.  For more information or to sit down with a patio construction specialist, give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116. We offer expert construction services, fair prices, excellent customer service and a fast turnaround.

Exactly two weeks and four days.

Just kidding. You didn’t think the answer was going to be that simple did you?

The time it takes a professional wood repair and building company like Best Rate Repair to build a deck or patio for a client varies depending of a variety of factors including:

Decision Process

The clock starts ticking the moment you decide that you want to hire a company to build your deck or patio. We recommend that you take plenty of time researching local companies, looking for customer reviews and third party ratings (Check out some of our customer testimonials and a list of rating sites). Then you’ll want to call each company and schedule an initial consultation. After the initial consultation, you can ask your top picks for a price quote and then use all the information you’ve gathered to make a decision.

The amount of time the research and decision process takes depends on how many companies you reach out to, how quickly you schedule the initial consultation and how long it takes you to review the quotes and come to a decision.

Builder’s Schedule

When you choose your deck or patio building vendor, they’ll need to schedule your build. Some companies may have other projects that they are currently working on or that are scheduled over the next few weeks. During the real estate boom a couple years ago, builders could be booked for months. Today, the story is a little different. A builder might be able to start on your project right away, or you may have to wait a few days for their schedule to free up.

Materials

The materials you choose for your deck or patio project may also affect the timing. If you want a unique or rare type of wood, this may require some extra time (not to mention cost) to purchase and ship to your site. More common building woods or composite decking can usually be shipped rather swiftly to your site.

Deck/Patio Design

Before your deck or patio can be built, it must first be designed. Many builders, including Best Rate Repair, also provide deck and patio design services. Our expert designers will work with you to determine your needs (ex. Do you want to host large parties on your patio?  Do you want a multi-level deck?). The more complicated or larger your deck or patio, the more materials it’s going to require and the longer it’s going to take to build.

Weather

Decks and patios are obviously built outdoors, which means that the materials and craftsmen are at the mercy of the weather. If conditions become too harsh or unsafe, building might be slowed or even suspended for some time.

Luckily, bad weather conditions are rare in Southern California, but we do get heavy winds and rain out here, which can negatively impact a building schedule.

Build Site

Every location has its own character and its own building challenges. If the land is not level, this will require more care and time setting the posts for the deck. If the soil is not deep and sturdy, the builder will be required to reinforce the posts so that the deck doesn’t become unstable. Rocky soil, large trees in the way or existing landscaping will also slow down deck or patio projects.

These are just a few the main factors that affect the timing of a deck or patio building project. There are plenty more (like requesting and receiving the necessary building permits). What this long blog post is trying to say is that every deck or patio building project is different and so is every timeline. A good rule of thumb however, assuming no large issues or extensive delays, is one to three weeks after the builder gets started on the project.

A: This is a question we get a lot in the wood repair business. Homeowners are understandably nervous about agreeing to purchase a home only to get back a termite inspection report that shows massive termite damage. So, is it better to demand that the inspection be done prior to escrow?

The answer depends on the individual circumstances of the seller and the home being sold. Here’s our advice:

It may be better to perform the termite inspection before escrow when…

The home is older, has not been sold within the last five years, shows signs of general neglect or is located in coastal areas where termite pressure is highest.

Basically, if the home is at a moderate to high risk of having termite damage, it is in the buyer’s best interest to request a termite inspection before even discussing pricing. The inspection may disclose findings that will require additional expense on behalf of the seller and affect attractiveness of the house.

Sellers should be aware that if they do agree to have their home inspected prior to escrow, they may need to pay for the inspection out of pocket, as opposed to billing it to escrow. Also, if the home is not sold within four to six months, a new inspection report and fee may be required once the property does go into escrow.

Some termite inspection companies will offer a discounted rate for inspections in these situations. It never hurts to ask, and sellers could end up saving a little bit of green.

Regardless of the downside, getting a termite inspection before negotiations start is usually prudent in most situations.

However….

It may be better to perform the termite inspection after escrow when…

The home is relatively new, has been sold within the last two years, and seems as if it has been properly maintained by the current owner.

If the home is at a low risk of termite trouble, then the buyers are likely safe to start up negotiating without getting a termite inspection first.

However, getting the inspection early can’t hurt, even when the indicators of termite trouble are low. Being armed with information is a good thing, especially before agreeing to a price for the home.

Select a reputable termite company that specializes in escrow transactions and charges a nominal fee for inspections. Be very careful of “FREE” inspection offers. Nothing is “FREE.” Also make sure to have the termite inspector go over the report with you and your realtor so that everyone is clear on what needs to be done to get the termite clearance and your escrow closed.

If you are a home seller, and a termite inspector finds termite damage to the wooden structures in your home, call Best Rate Repair. We offer fast, friendly and affordable wood repair service. Our expert craftsmen can repair the wood damage to your home so that you can put your property back on the market and get it sold quickly.

• Is Termite Damage Covered by your Home Owners Policy?
• Are Termite Warranties Worth the Price?
• Get the Most Out of your Termite Inspection
• Get to Know your Local Termites
• How to Find Termite Damage

What we haven’t written about is how to fix termite damage, specifically, how we at Best Rate Repair fix termite damage.

The latest termite data estimates that over 600,000 homes report some amount of termite damage every year *.  This adds up to billions of dollars in damage that can be directly attributed to termites. No home is safe, especially out here in Southern California where our balmy weather means longer termite seasons.

Termite damage can vary greatly depending on the size of the termite colony, the species of termite and how swiftly the damage is discovered and the termites eradicated.

Once the little chompers are gone, it’s time for Best Rate Repair or another wood repair specialist to come out and assess the damage. The repair that we recommend is based on the extent of the destruction. If the damage is relatively mild or cosmetic, we’ll likely suggest patching the wood.

In most cases, patching cosmetic wood damage is a simple affair, and our expert wood repair specialists can match the paint color of the wood exactly so that patch is almost invisible.

If the wood damage is extensive, or if there are any concerns regarding structural integrity and/or safety, we’ll strongly recommend replacing part or all of the wood member.  This is especially true on structures where safety is absolutely paramount like a staircase, overhead wooden beams or a deck.

In all cases, we at Best Rate provide our clients with a clear assessment of the damage and try to offer multiple repair options at varying price points if possible. We will never, however, sacrifice your safety to try to save a few dollars or get your business. If we recommend complete replacement of a structure, it’s because the replacement is necessary.

For extensive repair or replacement projects, the time and effort involved will vary.

To learn more about our wood repair process, give us a call at (619) 229.0116 or contact us through our website.

Stay tuned for our video series on wood repairs, coming soon.

*http://www.termites.com/information/statistics/

Now that you’ve got that figured out, a new question looms. What materials will you use to build your deck? Your two main options are wood or composite.

Don’t know what composite is? Composite decking is made from a blend of woods and recycled plastic, vinyl or acrylic materials. When it comes to composite decking, the manufacturers try to emulate the look and feel of wood while claiming that the composite lasts longer and requires less maintenance. Is it true? Keep reading to find out.

Wood Decking

The Positives

Wood is the classic deck material, and there’s a reason. It’s stood the test of time. Wood has a certain look and feel that homeowners really enjoy and which cannot truly be replicated by composite decking. Wood decks, when treated properly, can also last between 20 – 40 years, which is a pretty good lifespan for any wooden structure. Also, when wood becomes a little bit weathered, a deep refinishing can bring back its original color and luster.

The Negatives

Wooden decks aren’t perfect. If the wood is not treated properly, it can be at the mercy of the weather. Moisture will warp and weaken untreated wooden decks and also wash out its original color. Mold could also become an issue. Wooden decks need to be treated on a regular basis. This includes applying sealant and refinishing to maintain color, texture and water proofing.

Overall Assessment

After years of losing out to composite, wood is making a comeback. As word gets out that not all composite customers have been happy with their purchase (more on that below), homeowners are turning back to the original.

Composite Decking

The Positives

The makers of composite decking claim that composite lasts longer than wood and requires much less upkeep. They’ve also created a wide variety of composite options that mimic the look and feel of wood. They also claim that composite is more environmentally friendly than wood, as it is made from recycled materials.

The Negatives

There has been a lot of grumbling coming from composite deck owners. Some claim that the coloring of the deck washes away in a couple of years, leaving the material looking washed out as well as chalky and porous. Unlike wood, you cannot refinish composite decking. It doesn’t really matter if the material itself lasts a long time if it all ends up in the garbage because it didn’t look good.

There have also been widespread complaints of composite decking failures and mold issues.

As the technology improves, the composite industry has made many improvements to mold, color fading quality.

Overall Assessment

In the face of so much negative backlash against the composite decking companies, it’s easy to give up on composite altogether. Certainly, trust is a big issue. However, I believe that composite decking companies will respond to complaints by making a better product. Who knows, in the future, composite decking may come back better than ever.

Hopefully this blog post will allow homeowners to make an educated decision when deciding between a wooden and composite deck. If you still have questions, feel free to give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or leave a comment below

Best Rate Repair Celebrates 10 Years

This month Best Rate Repair celebrates ten amazing years in business. Yes, this is going to be one of those feel-good look backs. Get ready for it….

When we first started in March of 2002, the jobs were small but our dreams were big. We worked out of our house, made do, hustled, invested all our time and money trying to sound bigger than we were. We wore every hat: salesperson, office personnel, builder, customer service rep, etc…

Slowly, we began to grow. The hats came off as we hired a salesperson, put together a talented crew, promoted a salesperson and brought on office staff. Our home office was a thing of the past as we moved into a legitimate shop, began to define this blossoming company and finally formulated a mission statement.

We kept growing. Our single truck multiplied into a fleet of vehicles. We had to move again, this time into a HUGE warehouse that we couldn’t possibly imagine outgrowing…until we did. Now we’ve added a second office in San Diego’s North County.

Over this time, we’ve met so many great clients and been happy to provide the very best wood repair and building services to the San Diego community.

It wasn’t always easy. Many important lessons we learned from mistakes. We also quickly developed an appreciation for Murphy’s Law.

We rode high on the tides of the building boom in the early part of this decade and then struggled with the rest in our field as the housing bubble brought the construction industry to its knees. One of the hardest lessons learned was the real meaning of overhead.

The difficult circumstances only pushed us to work harder and to focus on maintaining our high standards of customer service and quality work. We cut back, learned where to be frugal, asked for help…and we survived.

Seeing our business progress over the last decade has been incredibly rewarding, but the greatest joy has been watching our team grow and change. Our employees are family, and it’s been gratifying to see children growing up, families becoming closer. We’ve also felt the pain of seeing a valued employee leave and start their own business as well as the pride in knowing that we helped them to succeed.

So, there you have it, ten years, and we’re still going strong. Very few companies ever make it past their first decade, but I can’t wait to see our second decade come and go. I attribute our success to the great crew we’ve developed and the fact that Best Rate Repair has always stayed true to its core principles of quality craftsmanship and excellent service.

We also couldn’t have gotten here without the support and well-wishes of our family members, friends, vendors and all of our great clients who continue to refer us.

Thank you to everyone for helping us get this far and for pushing us to keep going and keep growing!

You’ll be able to tell a hand-split shake if you look closely enough. You’ll see that they have a rough, textured look on the front and are usually smooth on the back. Wood shingles, on the other hand, are smooth on both sides because they are sawed by a machine.

Interested in making your own wooden shakes? Go find yourself some cedar. It’s generally the highest performing wood for making shakes. Treated pine shakes also perform well. Like most untreated wood, shakes will expand over time. To allow for this expansion, space the wooden shakes up to 1/4" apart from each other.

You might be wondering why people use shakes. Sure, they aren’t the most elegant or classiest type of roofing, but they are durable, cost-effective, and they normally last about 30 years without needing to be replaced. Just make sure you inspect the shakes every now and again. Individual shakes may shrink, warp or splinter.
If you need to remove or repair a wooden shake, make sure you’ve got a nail ripper handy. Using the nail ripper, remove the nails holding the damaged shake. Clear out any remaining scrap pieces, splitting them free with a pry bar and hammer if necessary. Fit the new shake and nail it in place at the gap created by the upper shakes. Dab some roofing cement on the exposed nail heads to prevent water penetration.

When making any roof repairs, be very careful and look out for moisture. Shingle and shake roofs can get very slippery when wet. A fall off a roof is a really easy way to permanently injure or even kill yourself. Safety always comes first!

For any questions about installing or tearing out shakes, give Best Rate Repair a call at (619) 229-0116 or leave a comment below.

It’s bad, but all is not lost. You’ve got some bleach, which is sure to zap that mold out of your house and out of your life…or is it?

Bleach is commonly believed to be a mold gladiator, capable of easily and quickly dispatching all types of mold without breaking a sweat. Recent doubts have surfaced, however, and bleach’s mold-killing reputation has taken a beating of its own.

Here is the truth.

In the past, certain government agencies regularly suggested using chlorine-based bleach to kill mold.  Recently, however, these same agencies have started pulling their endorsements of beach as the be all and end all of…well, ending mold.

What are the bleach companies saying? They’re still standing behind bleach, but very carefully. Clorox, for instance, claims that studies supported by independent laboratories have found that their bleach product was able to kill two specific kinds of mold on hard, non-porous surfaces. No mention was made of the additional kinds of molds and if bleach had any effect on them.

What does non-porous surface mean? For one thing, that doesn’t cover wood, which is a porous material. Consumers might be surprised to learn that mold has roots (mycelia). On certain porous surfaces, such as wood, these roots dig down where bleach cannot reach it.

Bleach, therefore, might be useful in killing certain types of mold on kitchen and bathroom countertops, tubs, glass and other hard surfaces, but it won’t do anything for wood.

If you find that any of your wooden structures have been infected with mold, it’s best to call a mold removal specialist or a wood repair company, like Best Rate Repair. An expert will be able to use special chemical products to kill and remove the mold and to prevent it from returning.

There are also many mold and mildew products turning up on store shelves. Be very careful when purchasing these products. Many of them are diluted versions of regular laundry bleach. Read their labels carefully to see what they claim to do. Almost all of them will state that they can only be used on hard, non-porous surfaces. Some even only advertise themselves as mildew stain removers.

Hopefully, this blog post puts the myth of mold-killing bleach into perspective. While bleach can be an acceptable solution in some cases, if you’ve got mold in any wooden structures, it’s time to call in the experts.

We’d be glad to send a wood repair specialist to your home to provide a free mold inspection and repair analysis. Give us a call at (619) 229-0116.