There might come a day when you stop by Lowe's looking for a wrench and ask a robot where to find it.

The home improvement retailer is rolling out the LoweBot to 11 stores in the San Francisco Bay Area, starting with San Jose in September. The LoweBot is an autonomous NAVii retail services robot capable of moving around the store, scanning inventory and guiding customers to the screw, hammer or toilet seat they are looking for. Customers can either ask the robot or enter their request on a touchscreen.

That doesn't mean Lowe's will become a robot-run, human-less retailer.

“By leaving the data and simple recommendations to NAVii, Lowe’s employees can focus on Lowe’s customers,” Marco Mascorro, CEO of Fellow Robots, said in a statement. Fellow Robots specializes in the design and development of autonomous service robots and worked with Lowe's on the project.

The robot initially made it to one of the company's Orchard Supply Hardware stores for a pilot run. “Lowe's wanted to see if the technology worked and if people actually liked it,” Kyle Nel, managing director of Lowe's Innovation Labs, told CNET.

This new phase is about seeing how the robots perform in larger stores and of course in more than one store.

“We hope to better understand what scale might look like across multiple stores so we can determine what happens next,” Nel said.

Lowe's isn't the first retailer to take an interest in how robots can help employees and customers. In April, Target conducted a week-long test trial of a robot that could track inventory at one of its stores in downtown San Francisco. Last year, Best Buy in New York tested a customer service robot named Chloe. Robots have been used behind the scenes for years, for example in Amazon's logistics centers.

And beyond robots, Lowe's has also tried other types of technology, such as using virtual reality and Microsoft's HoloLens augmented reality headset to help customers redesign spaces.

So the LoweBot could just be a hint of what's to come in customer service.

Just don't ask what color would look best in your kitchen.

The post Lowe’s robotic desires that will help you discover the plumbing aisle appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

BERKELEY — Blame it on the pandemic or rising inflation costs, but whatever the cause, Bay Area animal shelters are in crisis.

And all across the region, people like the workers at LJ Kruse Plumbing in Berkeley are helping.

Every Thursday morning, Marie McLean, who works at the century-old plumbing company, walks a few blocks to the Berkeley Humane Society animal shelter.

“It’s a joy for everyone in the office,” said McLean, who has worked at the plumbing company for 15 years. “We love the dogs. You feed a dog, you take him for a walk, you play with him for a bit and then you take a break and he is standing at the gate crying for you. That is amazing.”

Berkeley Humane has been working with Kruse for some time. That day, McLean picked up a year-old terroir mix named Hugo who was found abandoned in Oakland.

The good-natured puppy spends a few hours in the plumbing company's offices and wins the hearts of everyone who works there.

“The hope is that this dog finds a loving home,” McLean told KPIX.

Will Kruse is vice president and service manager. He loves having dogs like Hugo in the office.

“We care about animals and animal reuse here,” Kruse said. “Berkeley Humane is just a few blocks away, so it’s a natural partnership.”

In the last decade. Kruse says some of his employees and even customers have adopted dogs that they brought into the office.

This is special because Will grew up on the streets and actually volunteered at Berkeley Humane as a child.

“It means a lot to me as an adult and business owner to give back to the community I grew up in,” Kruse said.

Kruse Plumbing is currently running a donation program. Every $3 of every service call is donated to Berkeley Humane.

More from CBS News

Justin Andrews

Justin Andrews joined the KPIX 5 news team in May 2021. You can follow his reports on the morning and midday newscasts.

Read more

The post Century-old Berkeley plumbing firm helps discover pets a eternally residence appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

Unless you are an experienced DIYer, it is best to leave roof repair or replacement to the professionals.

The lifespan of your roof depends on the roofing material and local climate. All of these factors also affect when and how often your roof needs to be repaired or replaced.

Roofing Services in San Francisco

No matter which San Francisco roofing company you choose, most offer many of the same services, including:

• Roof inspections that identify:
• Repairs and maintenance
• Repair of shingles and tiles
• Installation or replacement
• Insulating
• Weatherproof
• Flashing repair
• Ventilate
• Repair of soffits and fascias
• Removal of dirt
• Roof cleaning (pressure flushing of moss, mold and deposits)
• Sealing, treating or painting (especially for wooden or metal roofs)
• Repair or replacement of skylights
• Installation of solar panels

Although these are the typical services offered, you should speak directly to any company you are considering to get a complete list of the exact services they offer. On average, for most roofing projects, you can expect to pay between $78 and $116 for the labor alone.

If you are already planning on roof repair or replacement, you should have your gutters checked at the same time. While there are professionals who handle gutter projects, most roofers can handle this job in addition to some siding and window projects. Before deciding which professional to hire, ask any potential roofing contractors if they offer additional services beyond just roofing work, and consider bundling roofing projects with your professional's other offerings to save time and money.

Signs that roof repair is needed

If your roof needs repairs, a few things – such as pest damage – can alert you. According to a recent Forbes Home survey, 50% of homeowners experienced home damage caused by pests. Additionally, if you notice any internal or external damage, or notice that sunlight is leaking through unintentional holes in the roof, you may need to schedule a repair.

You should also pay attention to the following types of roof damage as they may indicate the need for repairs.

Natural damage

Nature can often cause all kinds of damage to your roof. However, broken branches, moderate winds, and regular rainfall are common occurrences, so most roofing materials should be able to withstand them. However, when more extreme weather conditions occur, it is best to have a professional inspect your roof for damage.

Installation problems

If you see large amounts of tar on the roof flashings immediately after roof installation or repair, it is very likely that the job was poorly done. You may also need to check for missing flashing at the intersections of the floor or dormer walls. The good news is that most experienced roofers can add the missing components so you don't have to buy a new roof.

Leaks

While roof leaks are bad, finding the leak in question can be even more difficult. And homes with flat or sloping roofs are more prone to leaks than others because the material from which they are made (typically tar, rubber or plastic) degrades more quickly than other surfaces such as stone or clay.

Improper ventilation

Roof problems may be more common in homes with poor ventilation. And you know you have a ventilation problem when condensation forms somewhere in your attic, under your roof, or elsewhere. It's helpful to also monitor your attic for delamination (separation of layers) of plywood. As temperatures rise in the spring and summer, you may notice that the upper floors of your home don't stay cool. If this is the case, your attic could benefit from additional ventilation. A professional can help you troubleshoot the problem and determine whether you need a repair or an entirely new vent system.

Trust the experienced roofers for your home and business

If you need to re-roof your home or office or need a new roof yourself, choose the top roofing services for reliable work and optimal results.

The post Discover The Greatest Roofing Contractors In San Francisco, CA Of 2024 – Forbes Residence appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

With the closure of Universal Studios’ Classic Monsters Café in Universal Studios Florida, dining options decreased. With pavement work going on all over the park, other food, and beverage locations temporarily close periodically. Yet, the often-overlooked San Francisco Pastry Company continues to serve above-average theme park food. More importantly, this place serves something besides pizza and burgers. In fact, the bakery here offers exclusive treats for the Universal Orlando holiday festivities. During my most recent trip to Orlando, I selected the “Gingerbread Whoopie Pie” here for an afternoon snack.

In addition to this gingerbread treat, the San Francisco Pastry Company offers three other holiday-specific treats in addition to this gingerbread treat. Coconut lovers will find a “Coconut Matcha Tree” for $6.99. Universal Orlando continues to create a variety of holiday cookies with a “Mitten Sugar Cookie” here for $3.79. Also, a “Chocolate Cherry Yule Log” calls to people who walk near the bakery case for $5.99.

The Gingerbread Whoopie pie costs $5.49 before applicable discounts. This holiday design comes with an adorable gingerbread man chocolate piece on top. I felt bad having to eat the little guy. Yet, decisions were made. Still, the chocolate piece tasted okay. The quality rates as slightly better than most chocolate pieces served at Orlando area theme park resorts. This gingerbread whoopie pie looks great so the presentation earns high marks.

My only legitimate criticism of this gingerbread bread treat involves powdered sugar. I respect that the powdered sugar adds to the holiday imagery, but it adds to the unneeded mess factor.

All the flavors you would expect from this type of holiday treat exist on the plate. Overall, this makes a solid holiday option for a sweet snack. This location, which I continue to refer to as often overlooked, provides a “safe” option for bakery case items. Nothing here will dazzle you, but rarely will it disappoint you (except maybe breakfast).

As always, eat like you mean it!

Pirates & Princesses (PNP) is an independent, opinionated, fan-powered news blog that covers Disney and Universal Theme Parks, Themed Entertainment and related Pop Culture from a consumer’s point of view. Opinions expressed by our contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of PNP, its editors, affiliates, sponsors or advertisers. PNP is an unofficial news source and has no connection to The Walt Disney Company, NBCUniversal or any other company that we may cover.

The post What Vacation Treats Can One Discover on the San Francisco Pastry Firm? appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

FILE ART- A man who works with the San Francisco Day Labor program hauls a cabinet.

SAN FRANCISCO – For the last week or more, Marcos Saul Aurora Gonzalez has been sleeping on a street corner in San Francisco.

He wasn’t always homeless. But since the Bay Area stay-at-home order shut down non-essential business, the 37-year-old from El Salvador has not been able to find steady work as a handyman or in construction. He had been staying with his girlfriend but was told to leave her place recently because she lives in a city-owned apartment, which allows only one person to live there.

“There are a lot of people like me,” Gonzalez said in Spanish through a translator.

On a recent night, he slept near six other men like himself, he said. These are men who have no jobs, no chance at a federal stimulus boost because of their immigration status, no right to collect unemployment, and now, nowhere to go.

Some of the men have found places for their wives and children to sleep, but they have taken to the streets as there isn’t enough room at their friends’ and relatives’ homes, Gonzalez said. Other families he knows are sleeping in cars. “It’s super, super cold in the morning,” he said.

The other morning, he was the only one with tortillas and one of the men asked quietly, “Can you share?” The six men sat, six feet apart, on the corner, all taking bites of his meaner breakfast. “We gathered there,” he said, “sharing our stories. Nobody has enough for rent. None of us had eaten. Everyone is worried about how they will provide for their families.”

Coronavirus quarantine is becoming catastrophic for undocumented immigrants

There are an estimated 3 million undocumented immigrants in California and last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom expressed support for them, saying they account for 10% of California’s labor force and provide essential services in the state. He also announced a $125 million fund for undocumented immigrants, although none of the money has been distributed.

There are plenty of critics who say people like Gonzalez should not be helped because they came to the country illegally. Two conservative groups south of Newsom over giving taxpayer money to undocumented immigrants.

However, each person who has come to the United States has a personal story about immigrating and the challenge of settling here.

In Gonzalez’s case, he fled here about two years ago, escaping MS-13 gangs who had already shot him and vowed to kill him, he said. He has an attorney who is helping him stay in this country permanently. But still, his status is undocumented.

Gonzalez is one of about 250 members of the 30-year-old San Francisco Day Labor Program and Women’s Collective, both of which fall under Dolores Street Community Services. Francisco Herrera helped found the program and is now co-director with Guillermina Castalenos. Their operating budget is roughly $800,000 a year.

One of the services the program provides is connecting undocumented workers with people who need help cleaning homes, gardening, landscaping and construction work.

Dispatchers hope that they soon get an influx of calls matching neighbors’ needs to laborers and domestic workers who are desperate to provide services and earn a paycheck as the relaxed stay-at-home order for the Bay Area now allows certain outdoor professions.

On Monday, some stay-at-home orders eased, allowing for all construction jobs and landscaping. Cleaning homes and yard work are also allowed.

Q&A: The status of California’s $125M undocumented immigrant fund

Gonzalez has not applied for any of the free hotel rooms in the city, nor has he applied for any grant money.

“I am just focused on getting a job,” he said, adding that he typically stands at 26th and Harrison streets in San Francisco, hoping to get hired for the day.

FILE ART – A member of the San Francisco Day Labor program paints a wall.

Gonzalez and his girlfriend, who is a domestic worker, would love to be hired. But they say that so far, they and their friends have been turned down because people are worried about bringing them into their homes, worried they might have coronavirus, especially since he has been sleeping on the streets.

While he is not experiencing any symptoms now, Gonzalez said he, too, is “very afraid of getting sick. I am very, very vulnerable.”

Herrera said that’s why his program has been pushing to get Gonzalez and San Francisco’s other 8,200 homeless people into hotel rooms in the city, and he’s frustrated with why it’s been taking so long. Herrera also said that per Cal-OSHA guidelines, employers must provide the proper personal protective equipment and sanitizers to workers to keep everyone safe. Laborers in the program are also trained in proper COVID-19 social distancing and procedure, Herrera said.

Newsom: California unemployment hours extended; $125M fund for undocumented immigrants

Gonzalez described his situation as pretty dire.

“I’m at the edge,” he said. “If I don’t get a job soon, I don’t even want to think about the situation I will be in.”

Still, despite his life now on the streets, Gonzalez said it’s still better here than in El Salvador.

“I’m hungry. I have no place to sleep. But it’s still better here,” he said. “At least I’m not afraid I’ll be killed or tortured. The level of violence there is not to be believed.”

IF YOU’RE INTERESTED: In hiring a worker from the San Francisco Day Labor Program and Women’s Collective call 415-252-5375. More information about the programs can be found here. You can also donate to Fighting for our Workers (or any of the groups listed below.) You can also email Louis Legowsky at the program at sfdlp@3358@gmail.com.

FILE ART – Domestic workers clean homes as part of San Francisco’s Women’s Collective.

BAY AREA FUNDS TO HELP THE UNDOCUMENTED

Fighting for our Workers (This is the fund that would go directly to Marcos Saul Aurora Gonzalez. You can specify which worker you’d like to honor.)

East Oakland DREAMers

StimulusPledge.org

OURFund Oakland

Undocufund-sf.org

Mission Families Relief Fund

Dolores Street Community Services

Lisa Fernandez is a reporter for KTVU. Email Lisa at lisa.fernandez@foxtv.com or call her at 510-874-0139. Or follow her on Twitter @ljfernandez

The post Immigrants with out work discover themselves sleeping on San Francisco streets appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

BERKELEY — Blame it on the pandemic or the rising cost of inflation, but whatever the cause Bay Area animal shelters are in crisis.

And across the region, people are stepping up to help like the workers at LJ Kruse Plumbing in Berkeley.

Every Thursday morning, Marie McLean, who works at the century old-plumbing company, walks a few blocks to the Berkeley Humane Society shelter.

It’s a joy to everyone in the office,” said McLean, who has worked at the plumbing company for 15 years. “We love the dogs. You feed a dog, you walk a dog, you play with it a little bit and then you go on a break and it’s at the gate crying for you. That’s amazing.”

Berkeley Humane has been in partnership with Kruse for a while. On this day, McLean picked up a 1-year-old terroir mix named Hugo, who was found abandoned in Oakland.

The sweet-natured pup spends a few hours in the plumbing company offices, winning over the hearts of all who work there.

“The hope is that this dog will find a loving home,” McLean told KPIX.

Will Kruse is the vice president and service manager. He loves having dogs like Hugo in the office.

“We care about animals and recusing animals here,” said Kruse. “Berkeley Humane is just a couple blocks away so it’s a natural partnership”

Over the last decade. Kruse says some of his workers and even customers have adopted dogs that they’ve brought into the office.

This is special because Will grew up down the street and actually volunteered at Berkeley Humane when he was a kid.

“Means a lot for me as an adult and business owner to give back to the community that I grew up in,” said Kruse.

Kruse Plumbing has a donation program going right now. Every $3 of every service call will be donated to Berkeley Humane.

Justin Andrews

Justin Andrews joined the KPIX 5 news team in May 2021. You can catch his reports on the morning and noon newscasts.

The post Century-old Berkeley plumbing firm helps discover pets a ceaselessly house appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

BERKELEY — Blame it on the pandemic or the rising cost of inflation, but whatever the cause Bay Area animal shelters are in crisis.

And across the region, people are stepping up to help like the workers at LJ Kruse Plumbing in Berkeley.

Every Thursday morning, Marie McLean, who works at the century old-plumbing company, walks a few blocks to the Berkeley Humane Society shelter.

It’s a joy to everyone in the office,” said McLean, who has worked at the plumbing company for 15 years. “We love the dogs. You feed a dog, you walk a dog, you play with it a little bit and then you go on a break and it’s at the gate crying for you. That’s amazing.”

Berkeley Humane has been in partnership with Kruse for a while. On this day, McLean picked up a 1-year-old terroir mix named Hugo, who was found abandoned in Oakland.

The sweet-natured pup spends a few hours in the plumbing company offices, winning over the hearts of all who work there.

“The hope is that this dog will find a loving home,” McLean told KPIX.

Will Kruse is the vice president and service manager. He loves having dogs like Hugo in the office.

“We care about animals and recusing animals here,” said Kruse. “Berkeley Humane is just a couple blocks away so it’s a natural partnership”

Over the last decade. Kruse says some of his workers and even customers have adopted dogs that they’ve brought into the office.

This is special because Will grew up down the street and actually volunteered at Berkeley Humane when he was a kid.

“Means a lot for me as an adult and business owner to give back to the community that I grew up in,” said Kruse.

Kruse Plumbing has a donation program going right now. Every $3 of every service call will be donated to Berkeley Humane.

Justin Andrews

Justin Andrews joined the KPIX 5 news team in May 2021. You can catch his reports on the morning and noon newscasts.

The post Century-old Berkeley plumbing firm helps discover pets a ceaselessly residence appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

5 Star Businesses for 5 Star People

Near Me Business Directory – Helping Local Business Get More Customers

Near Me Business Directory

Near Me is an online business directory providing detailed information on local businesses. Its San Francisco roofing company listing helps residents.

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES, July 4, 2022 /EINPresswire.com/ — Thanks to evolving roofing technologies like Tesla photovoltaic roof shingles, energy-efficient asphalt, impact-resistant polymer shingles, and reflective roofing products, San Francisco homeowners and businesses now have access to innovative and durable roofing. As a result, several roofing product lines have been updated and modified to satisfy new solar reflectivity standards for California’s Title 24 energy codes and Energy Star’s more demanding criterion for energy efficiency. The good news is that many local roofing companies San Francisco are capable of providing innovative roofing companies San Francisco roofing solutions for commercial and residential property owners.

Reputable roofing San Francisco contractors can help homeowners get the most out of their home investment by repairing, replacing, and maintaining the roof as part of their regular service. Here are the firms to consider for those looking for a roofing company that promises stress-free, cost-effective, energy-efficient roofing products and guaranteed services.

Lee Family Corporation has served the San Francisco roofing industry since 1985 and is considered an expert in bitumen, asphalt, and tile complete tear-offs, overlays, and patching. Additional services include skylight re-framing and gutter installation and repair.

Ace Roofing SF Inc. has been a local roofing firm since 1996, known for quality roofing and affordable pricing. It is a full-service contractor specializing in commercial and industrial roofing and offers a 10-year warranty on new installations.

Many realtors and homeowners hire Stop Roofing Co when needing customized roofing solutions, roof construction, and replacement. He has over 30 years of experience in roof repair and installation and provides services in San Francisco, San Mateo, and Alameda.

When it comes to new construction and home remodeling, many San Francisco homeowners recommend 7×7 Roofing Ecosmart, a modern and customer-centric roofing company. The main differentiating factor about this company is it uses up to 90% eco-friendly products when building new homes. A full-service home remodeling company in the Bay Area since 1998, EcoSmart specializes in everything from concrete and roofing to kitchens, bathrooms, and plumbing.

Apollo Roofing Company is one of the highly-rated home service providers in Walnut Creek, CA. Through and trustworthy roofing services have been the highlights of Apollo, providing cost-effective roofing, coating, and quick price estimates for Bay Area homeowners and commercial establishments.

Excelsior Roofing Co. is one of the oldest roofing companies in San Francisco and has been a family-owned and operated business since 1906. With over 100+ years of experience and certified technicians, Excelsior is well-suited for larger roofing projects. It has an A+ rating with Better Business Bureau and is considered an expert in flat and sloped roofing repair and installation.

Tom Lee Roofing Inc. is a professional roofing contractor, serving San Francisco since 1990. It has over 12000+ satisfied customers and a team of licensed and experienced technicians ready to tackle any emergency repair, new construction, and roof replacement.

UL Roofing is best known for its customer-centric approach and emergency roofing repair. Its commitment to high-quality workmanship and competitive pricing have made this company a preferred roof maintenance and repair service provider in San Francisco.

Sure Roofing & Waterproofing is an innovative company providing excellent torch-down modified bitumen roofing and liquid-applied elastomeric membrane roofing throughout the Bay Area. Since its inception in 1982, it has served tens of thousands of San Francisco residents and businesses, always putting quality and value first while keeping costs down where they can be.

Roofing contractor Eco Smart Roofer specializes in preserving San Francisco’s ancient structures. For example, it has re-roofed Victorian, Edwardian, and Modern homes to make them more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. In addition, homeowners can save money over time thanks to the company’s accredited construction procedures, which allow them to build homes with 90 percent more environmentally friendly materials.

The Near Me Business Directory makes it straightforward for businesses and homeowners to locate innovative roofing companies in San Francisco, California. It provides complete information on every listed roofers San Francisco, so customers can choose a roofing firm that fits their selection criteria.

About Near Me

The Near Me Business Directory distinguishes itself from other online business directories by focusing on connecting top-rated local & nearby businesses with high-intent purchase clients. Near Me continues to add new local company listings to its growing database, guaranteeing that it draws more online buyers, both mobile and desktop. This online directory provides an effective marketing and outreach platform for businesses ranging from dentists, roofers, restaurants, and hotels to manufacturers with a stellar reputation. Near Me allows for the perfect blend of Promoted, Paid, and Free listings and will enable businesses to boost their online visibility without spending big on online ad campaigns. While people can easily search for and identify a relevant service provider, companies benefit from being discovered by a high-conversion customer demographic. Premium listing owners on Near Me get a dedicated business page that publishes detailed services, provides updated business info, and offers the space to showcase product/service/on-site images and grab the top spot on Near Me’s search result pages. Claiming a spot on the Near Me business page is very easy!

Tony Peacock
Near Me Business Directory
+1 305-399-9423
email us here
Visit us on social media:
Facebook
Other

San Francisco Residents Find Innovative Roofing Companies on Near Me

You just read:

News Provided By

July 04, 2022, 16:13 GMT

A Presswire’s priority is source transparency. We do not allow opaque clients, and our editors try to be careful about weeding out false and misleading content. As a user, if you see something we have missed, please do bring it to our attention. Your help is welcome. A Presswire, Everyone’s Internet News Presswire, tries to define some of the boundaries that are reasonable in today’s world. Please see our Editorial Guidelines for more information.

Submit your press release

The post San Francisco Residents Discover Modern Roofing Firms on Close to Me appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

That ominous Kentucky-shaped water stain on your ceiling. The single tile that came untethered from your kitchen backsplash. A backdoor hinge with a maddening squeak. There are likely several things around your place that need to be repaired, but often you lack the skills, the tools, or the time to keep your home from falling apart.

Enter the handyman service. Hire one and you can turn over your home’s to-do list to an expert. The best services have workers who can fix just about anything, have the tools for an infinite number of tasks, and provide prompt, courteous service.

But nonprofit Delaware Valley Consumers’ Checkbook receives a lot of complaints about handyman services, most of them related to shoddy or incompetent work. A lot of consumers also believe that they paid too much for the work.

Looking for help? Through special arrangement with The Inquirer, you can access Checkbook’s ratings of local handyman services for high-quality and price free of charge until March 10 at Checkbook.org/Inquirer/Handyman.

When you contact a handyman service, the more details you provide the better. Some companies won’t perform some tasks, such as painting, while others avoid such specialized work as electrical, plumbing, or masonry. Some services accept only small projects; others work only on multiday remodeling jobs.

» READ MORE: DIY or hire a pro? What to consider before tackling a home improvement project

Keep in mind that workers often have strong backgrounds in some areas — say, carpentry — and know enough to do small jobs related to other trades. If your list consists primarily of projects related to one type of work, ask prospective companies whether they have workers with expertise in that area. Other than for simple jobs, there’s little reason to hire a handyman service to perform specialized work. If you need plumbing work, hire a plumber — or an electrician for electrical work.

In addition to checking Checkbook’s ratings, ask friends, neighbors, and colleagues for recommendations. Also ask companies for references. And be sure the per you choose is insured. Anyone you hire to work in or around your home should carry two types of insurance: general liability and workers’ compensation.

A fixed price is preferable for handyman work. Knowing in advance exactly what you’ll pay eliminates the possibility of future disputes — and is a key to letting you shop around to make sure you pay a fair price. If you can’t get fixed-price quotes, at least nail down hourly rates and minimum charges.

Checkbook’s undercover shoppers collected labor charges for several increments of work (per worker) for a sample of area handyman services and found big differences: for one hour of work, you can pay between $35 and $300; for six hours between $210 and $720. The problem with working with a company that charges on a time-and-materials basis, of course, is that some workers get jobs done much faster than others.

If you agree to pay on a time-and-materials basis, review your tasks with your workers as soon as they arrive, and ask them to commit to a final price. Determine in advance who is responsible for providing materials; many handyman services charge for the time workers take to go out and shop for needed items, so if you have the time, you could save some money by shopping yourself.

Don’t assume that paying a higher price buys better work; it doesn’t. When it comes to home repairs, you don’t have to pay more to get more: Checkbook regularly finds that low-priced companies are just as likely to do good work as high-priced ones.

Once you’ve chosen a handyman for your projects, get all the details of the job in writing. A detailed written agreement benefits both parties: The company gets to know the limits of the project, and you get to know what to expect.

Avoid companies that require large deposits or payment in advance. If your job requires a lot of materials, and the company is responsible for buying them, it’s reasonable to put up a deposit against these expenses. Otherwise, arrange to pay for all work only when the job is done. This arrangement gives you leverage to make sure the work is done properly, and it’s another reason why a fixed-price arrangement works in your favor: A set fee means a company can’t charge for additional hours if it must take extra time to correct errors.

____________________

Delaware Valley Consumers’ Checkbook magazine and Checkbook.org is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help consumers get the best service and lowest prices. It is supported by consumers and takes no money from the service providers it evaluates.

The post Methods to discover high-quality handyman providers with out paying an excessive amount of appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.

SANTA ROSA (CBS SF/BCN) – Sonoma County officials announced this week they are ramping up efforts to recruit foster parents and adoptive families to address a shortage of foster homes in the county.

County officials announced an expansion of a partnership with the national group RaiseAChild to recruit families willing to take in foster children, according to a news release issued Friday.

READ MORE: UPDATE: Kidnapped San Jose Infant Brandon Alexis Cuellar Found; 3 Suspects In Custody

The county has entered into a $25,000 contract with RaiseACild for a year-long campaign of community events and multimedia promotions to raise awareness of the needs of local children in foster care.

Fifty to 75 local children are in temporary housing in the county, most at Valley of the Moon Children’s Center — the county’s emergency shelter for youth — according to Meg Easter-Dawson, program development manager for the county’s Department of Human Services’ Family, Youth and Children’s Division.

READ MORE: San Francisco officials announce $11.4 million in grants for small businesses, non-profits

“We are experiencing a shortage of foster homes for the children and teens in need,” Easter-Dawson said in the statement. “Valley of the Moon Children’s Center is meant to only provide temporary housing for up to 10 days. But we have children, especially teens, who must stay much longer because we don’t have a foster home for them to go to. Not having a stable foster home just furthers their trauma and makes it harder for them to heal.”

Learn more about the benefits of becoming a foster or foster-to-adopt parent by attending a free informational meeting on Zoom. The next webinar in English will be held on Thursday, May 12 at 6 pm and the next webinar in Spanish will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at 6 pm

MORE NEWS: Man Arrested For Robbery, Carjacking of Elderly Victims In San Francisco

For more information, see Advocate@RaiseAChild.org or call (877) 417-1440. More events and information are on the nonprofit’s website.

© Copyright 2022 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

The post Sonoma County Rising Efforts To Discover Foster Dad and mom, Adoptive Households – CBS San Francisco appeared first on Los Gatos News And Events.