Author: ric

Avoiding slips and falls on stairways is an aging in place imperative and one that we take very seriously.  Among the many hats we wear as aging in place designers and contractors, our fall prevention planning cap is a big one. As we age, stairs become a growing obstacle for many of us and a centerpiece of concern for safety experts.  But don’t despair. We have a stairway safety protocol that’s simple, inexpensive, and effective in minimizing the likelihood of mishaps. Don’t stop using your stairs….just do so safely.   HANDRAILS TIMES 2. Most homes come equipped with one handrail per stairway.  Want to be safe? We strongly urge you… Read More

Continue Reading

With Fall and then Winter rapidly approaching, now is the time to consider making some small exterior upgrades to both protect and enhance the look of your home. As shown, replacing or covering older wood trim with aluminum helps seal areas that allow cold moist air to enter your home, plus it adds a new finish touch to the trim of your home. Additionally, adding landscape lighting or upgrading your exterior lights on your garage or front porch helps protect from falls and helps to illuminate pathways and entrances to your home. Call us today for a free exterior evaluation!

Continue Reading

According to a recent study completed by Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice, home without a security system are three (3) times more likely to be burglarized than a home with a security system. This study ruled out location, lack of lighting, etc. and noted that residences that did not have a security system, either wired or wireless were three times as likely to be robbed, vandalized or broken into. With the current economic climate, it really makes sense to think about purchasing a security system. While I am loath to recommend the $99.00 ADT install, which is just one keypad, front and rear door sensors, a motion detector and… Read More

Continue Reading

With the nearly ubiquitous connectivity options available today, nearly every age group is on line, connected and seeking conveniences that the connected home offers.  In fact, I would wager that most of you reading this post use on line services to bank, purchase airline tickets, make hotel reservations, and even shop on Amazon.  As connectivity becomes the norm, these types of services will transform how we view our lifestyle as we age and what services our future clients will need to meet that perception. Today’s Baby Boomers and Generation X are more tech savvy than ever before.  GenXer’s begin to turn 50 in 2015 and are looking to bring their… Read More

Continue Reading

Since last fall, we have been contacted numerous times to repair existing Central Vac systems. What really happens is that most people that have a system, don’t treat it like a regular vac, you know out of sight, out of mind. I have found systems so clogged that the motor has been burned out, just trying to develop a vacuum. Lets face it, this type of system get really rough treatment! Normal weekly use of a standard upright or canister vac would require a bag change or emptying the “bin”, thus allowing the user to see the complete system.  With a central vac, the power unit and canister are in… Read More

Continue Reading

Wiring Woes: Older Homes not wired for today’s technology! Volume 1, Issue 1 – Summer 2009   I recently was working with a well-known Residential Audio Manufacturer to test a new product that they are developing.  This product test brought up some interesting problems with the wiring in our 125 year old farmhouse.  As with most contractors, we have yet to do a major upgrade of our electrical system, preferring to test new electronic devices and products in what we believe is a real world, that is, what we will find in our marketplace.   Here in the Midwest, we have many older homes, both in the city as well… Read More

Continue Reading