Top 5 - Best Cell Phone Companies Review

Our Top 5 list of Best Cell Phone Service Providers come from user feedback spreading multiple forums and websites and from personal experience. Nick has been a customer of 4 of the 5 major cell phone service providers (exception being US Cellular) pre- and post-merger of these companies (exception being the Verizon/Alltel merger). Nick is currently a satisfied customer with AT&T Wireless. Why so many? No, it wasn't to eventually create a review, but various reasons came into play - moving to college and service had no reception in that area, service reception just sucked, bad customer service, among many other reasons. Nick has used all 4 of the companies as both his cell and home phone. The areas that Nick has tried these cell phone companies are: California (mainly around San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange counties), Oregon, Illinois (including Chicago and suburbs), Indiana (in and around Indianapolis, West Lafayette, Bloomington, and South Bend), Minnesota, Georgia (only around Atlanta), and Rhode Island. Nick certainly understands the common complaints and praises. These are our Top 5 - Best Cell Phone Service Companies. Ridicule us, praise us, hate us, love us for our list.

Please note that there will always be exceptions to individual experiences.

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We understand the needs of any one individual or family will differ. This is a quick summary of the costs of the 5 cell phone providers. In terms of the price of individual plans, the individual plan prices at all levels are exactly the same between Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and US Cellular (nationwide plan) with the exception being T-Mobile. US Cellular is by far the cheapest if choosing their "widearea" plan, which only caters to the 25-26 states that they cover. In terms of the price of basic family plans, the basic family plan prices at all levels are exactly the same between Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and US Cellular (again nationwide plan only) with the exception being T-Mobile. T-Mobile sells their family minute plans on different "minute" levels than the other 4, but on a per-minute cost, T-Mobile is the cheapest of all nationwide individual and family plans. All other companies are exactly the same in regards to the basic plan, not the plans with added features. The reason why some cell phone service providers are more "expensive" is because of the cost of adding these additional options/features.

5 (4b). Sprint Nextel

Pros:

* Night and weekends start at 7:00 PM, which is 2 hours earlier than the other cell phone service companies

* Free minutes on incoming calls

* 1-year contract as opposed to the standard 2-year contract (you decide if requiring any contract is a pro)

* Strong business-friendly features - 1st mover in walkie-talkie technology - a surprisingly useful function

* Fast internet

Cons:

* No international plans

* Coverage is not as expansive as Verizon Wireless or AT&T, which inevitably means weaker signals, more dropped calls, echoing, etc.

* Limited/outdated phone selection

* Since merger in 2005, plans are not as good a deal as pre-merger

* Post merger, customer service has dropped off as they try to be helpful - the end result should be good news for the customer, not a moot point for customer service

Personal experience: Sprint has always had a limited selection of phones, which to me, really didn't matter. However, as I started relying on my cell phone more and more, I started to care about the looks of my phone (the needs for certain functions remained the same). The phone selection is limited and in many cases seem outdated. From my experience with customer service, Sprint (Nextel) was actually #1 on my list pre-merger in 2005, but it has dropped since then. The customer service pre-merger was excellent - consistent bills from month to month, credits on bogus charges I disputed, and free "loyalty program offers" such as free internet for 6 months. Since the merger in 2005, the customer service still tries to be very helpful, but it gets to the point where you want to start yelling through your phone because of the frustration. Sprint's coverage will be hit or miss if you travel, however, if you're just going to the city for work and going back home to the suburbs, the service will stay consistent for the most part. There is nothing about the cost or the types of plans of Sprint Nextel that really stands out with the exception being international plans. Besides that, the plans offer the usual variety and benefits to meet your need.

4 (4a). US Cellular

Pros:

* Good customer service

* Excellent coverage in the midwest as they should since they are a regional carrier

* Free incoming calls/text messages

* No activation fees on many plans

Cons:

* Poor coverage outside of the 25-26 states that US Cellular covers

* Very limited phone selection; durability of phones offered a concern

* Beware of hidden costs

* Add-ons such as unlimited texting, downloading, etc can add up quickly

* Limited/outdated phone selection

* If downgrading plan, be absolutely sure of your minute usage; they are not helpful in providing advice, but quick to provide recommendations

* If you go over your minutes, get ready to pay big time

The majority of US Cellular's customer base is satisfied by its customer service. The biggest complaint is in the limited selection and durability of the phones. The individual and family nationwide service plans are exactly the same as the others with the exception being T-Mobile. If you live outside of the 25-26 states that US Cellular covers or travel frequently, then choose another cell phone service provider. However, if you live within those states that are covered, US Cellular should be considered as long as you don't mind the phones and/or seemingly unknown brand (outside of the midwest and sports world - White Sox).

3. T-Mobile

Pros:

* Cheapest basic individual and basic family plans out of the 5 cell phone service providers

* myFaves add-on is popular and useful

* 1-year contract as opposed to the standard 2-year contract (you decide if requiring any contract is a pro)

* Lots of different plans and options - most flexible of the 5 cell phone providers and 2nd best offering of plans and options (Verizon is #1 in our opinion)

* Excellent reception in certain populated cities

* Ease of upgrading/downgrading plans - a breeze with great advice and recommendations from customer service, but...

Cons:

* Poor customer service (especially disputes) - worst of the 5 cell phone service providers

* Limited phone selection, tends to sell outdated and even worse, phones that are no longer in production/discontinued

* Inconsistent signal reception/spotty coverage

* Poor insurance policy

* Slow internet

* Pesky about "too much roaming"

Personal experience: I've had a unique love-hate relationship with T-Mobile. The love comes in with the "contract" and the hate comes in with the customer service. I have to start with the "hate" before I go into the "love". After a year and a few months into the service with T-Mobile, like all cell phone providers, I eventually had to call customer service to dispute charges. To put it simply, a complete nightmare. I won't go into the specifics of the dispute, but the way T-Mobile handled the situation from several customer service reps to a couple supervisors was the worst 5-hour nightmare. Yes, I was on the phone for 5 hours getting bounced from department to department, having to explain the dispute over and over again, and had to to take a 1/2 day from work. I started the call at 7:30AM, you do the math. Conclusion of the 5 hour nightmare? I ended up paying the full amount with no leeway given. Even with the energy drinks, steroid shots, power bars, and the like, I couldn't hold up any longer and they would not budge or give anything back that was rightfully owed to me. T-Mobile is great at handling simple customer service requests like upgrading/downgrading a plan or asking simple questions like, do you think I should add the fave-5 plan? They'll actually go through your bills and review your usage and give you great advice and recommendations, but other than that, they have the worst overall customer service of the 5 cell phone service companies when it comes to disputes or anything to do with questioning T-Mobile and their bills. In another instance of "hate", I was experiencing several dropped calls per day and spotty coverage throughout Illinois (specifically Northern suburbs and Chicago). It was extremely frustrating and it got to the point where I called customer service and canceled without hesitation. But Nick, you say, what about the cancellation fee? That's where the "love" comes in, apparently when I signed up for the family plan, we were never obligated to a contract. So all this time, I thought I was under contract and I could've switched at anytime. The reason why T-Mobile barely outranks Sprint Nextel and US Cellular is because of their flexibility and options in their plans, cheapest plan options, better phone selection, although still limited, and more consistent coverage than the last two companies with very good signals in populated areas compared to the two.

2. AT&T

Pros:

* Consistent coverage and reception - closing the gap with Verizon Wireless

* Wide selection of phones - arguably the best selection thanks to the Apple iPhone

* Overall good customer service that helps you and/or resolves issues

* Internet is fast and reliable

* Out of all the phone company mergers, AT&T/Cingular was the biggest improvement

* Rollover minutes is an extremely useful feature/benefit that no other company offers - this is standard on all plans

Cons:

* Dropped calls is hit or miss

* Customer service is absolutely a joy when you are a customer or activating lines/transferring numbers, etc, etc, however, once you become a customer, they are helpful, but they get impatient

* Ever since the merger, extra services/add-ons have increased (compared to just Cingular), which leads to costs piling up quickly

Personal experience: As a current customer of AT&T Wireless, I am satisfied. AT&T Wireless has had the biggest improvements of all the mergers. Their customer service is still lacking compared to Verizon especially once you become a customer, but I have noticed improvements since the merger. Their phone selection is arguably the best. The coverage and reception has been consistent in all the areas I've been to. Although I rarely experience dropped calls, this seems to be a hit or miss issue with others. The one thing that really stands out from the rest of the companies is the rollover minutes. This has saved me lots of money in the long run because a plan I used to have with the other carriers allows me to downgrade due to the extra minutes thus saving me money.

1. Verizon Wireless

Pros:

* Widest variety of plans and options available than any other cell phone company

* Consistent coverage and reception - considered the best, but AT&T is closing the gap

* Wide selection of phones

* Customer service is the most consistent of all the cell phone companies although there are inevitable hit or miss days

Cons:

* Need to keep an eye on your monthly bills - mysterious charges showing up on bills

* Customer service is hit or miss, some days you get great, no, extremely great service, other days you want to reach into your phone and do bad things

* Add-ons can pile up quickly especially the data plans for smartphones

* Most expensive of the 5 cell phone companies (factoring in phones, plans, add-ons, deposit, etc)

* Blocks certain features on your phone, ex: transferring photos to/from your phone requires purchase of software and certain bluetooth features

* If upgrading/downgrading plan, they will extend contract for another 2 years

Personal experience: I have not experienced the "new Verzion" with Alltel, but as much as I hate to admit (being a current and satisfied AT&T customer), Verizon Wireless is the most consistent from customer service to coverage and reception and down to phone selection. One shining customer service moment was when I accidentally dropped my phone in a puddle of water completely ruining my phone. I did not have insurance, as a matter of fact, I never purchase insurance on phones, but after an hour or two of sweet talking, they not only replaced the phone, but rushed the order to me free of charge with next day delivery. An example of a bad customer service is refusing to budge on mysterious charges (over .00) worth that they said would be removed, but never did. I ended up changing services because of this dispute. It took over one year until a collection agency contacted me out-of-the-blue saying I still owed .00 and as one can imagine, my credit score dropped like a ton of bricks.

There you have it, our list of the Top 5 Best Cell Phone Service Companies. We would love to hear your thoughts so feel free to comment on this list. Ridicule us, praise us, hate us, love us for our list. Got topics/categories you'd like topped? Give us a shout through the comments or contact us.

Top 5 - Best Cell Phone Companies Review

You may use parts of this review for your own site or blog as long as you link back to http://www.everythingtopped.com

Nicholas Shin is a Marketing Manager by day, and a review/list creator by night. He focuses on reviews and creating lists by doing research and testing products. He also likes to create lists that are purely for entertainment purposes. As he continues to do hours and hours of research random products and services, he decided to start a website based on his own personal research. The purpose is for the site to become a resourceful solution by providing reliable reviews with the utmost integrity. He finds pleasure in researching and sharing his knowledge with others in hopes that you won't have to spend as much time as he has researching. With that, the site was launched in January of 2009. You can visit the site at http://www.everythingtopped.com

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8 Tips to Make Finishing Your Attic a Breeze

If you are planning to remodel your attic into living space, you probably know already that you are making a financially smart decision. Remodeling or finishing your attic may be the least expensive way to add living space to your home. Remodeling an attic, however, is often not an easy task. Attic spaces present unique remodeling concerns. These eight tips will help you plan for and overcome many of the challenges of remodeling an attic into living space.

1. Plan carefully. Remember that the order in which inspections must be obtained will dictate your schedule. Think through every aspect of both the design and the project, consider possible challenges, and devise plans to overcome each challenge.

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2. Design the space for the type of room. The way you design and remodel the space will vary with the uses you plan for the finished room. For example, a bedroom may have different requirements than a playroom. It is also important to think ahead and consider other uses for the space in the future.

3. Plan access to the new room(s) carefully. Creating access to the new space is challenging in some homes. If you are trying to reduce costs for your project, you will want to find and construct the stairs in the best point of access and in a way that involves the least modification of the existing structure. You will also need to check local building codes with reference to exit points. For an instant estimate of the cost to finish your attic try this online calculator.

4. Decide how you will work with the slope of the roof. This is an important aspect of planning, and it will affect your cost and the appearance and functionality of the new room. Do you want a pitched or a cathedral ceiling? How will you construct it? How will you install adequate insulation?

5. Design the room in a way that allows you to use the "dead space" near the lowest point of the pitch of the roof. Consider that these areas can be made into outstanding storage areas with a little advance planning.

6. Remember that ventilation and insulation are critical in an attic. Remember that heat rises. Attics can become very warm. You will need to plan for adequate ventilation and insulation to keep the room comfortable without drastically increasing your heating and cooling costs.

7. Plan for wiring and plumbing needs well in advance of beginning work. Electrical wiring and plumbing can present unique challenges in attics. You will need to ensure that the flooring does not rest on any wires. A bathroom will cost least if placed in close proximity to another existing supply and drain line.

8. Consider how and when you will get materials into the space. Consider carefully the size and weight of materials needed for your remodeling project. Plan for how and when you will get large items, like drywall or a toilet, up the stairs and into their permanent position. If you close in the stairs too soon, you could have a problem.

If you are planning to finish or remodel your attic into living space, careful planning and attention to the unique challenges presented by the space will be essential. You can expect to gain valuable living space as well as some increase in the value of your home.

The unique challenges and concerns of attic Remodeling are not to be taken lightly. If you plan to do the project yourself, I suggest the use of an Attic Remodeling Workbook available at http://www.amazon.com. It will help you plan the project in a way that will make the work go smoother and faster.

Copyright 2008 by ABCD Publishing

8 Tips to Make Finishing Your Attic a Breeze

Dan Fritschen, the remodel-or-move guru is President and Publisher at ABCD Publishing and operates three very popular websites -- http://www.remodelormove.com, which helps homeowners make this important decision on the basis of knowledge and reliable cost estimates, and http://www.remodelestimates.com, which offers a variety of articles on various aspects of remodeling and remodeling cost estimate calculators, as well as referrals to great contractors throughout the nation, and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

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How to Create a Built-In Shoe Closet

If you are leaving your shoes in the bottom of your shoe closet, or often missing half of your shoe pair, it might be time to create a built-in shoe closet. Make any size you desire, and place it wherever you like in of your closet.

Step #1

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Think about the storage cubbies and Kindergarten classrooms that were accessible for children to place their things in. These storages are ideal for keeping shoes separately, and you could make them easily.

Step #2

Count the shoes you want to store in the shoe closet. You could make every rack hold two to six pairs of shoes, and create as many racks as you want. If you own more shoes, you could make another shoe rack and put it to your closet with the other shoes.

Step #3

Begin with the pairs of shoes that you like to store in every rack and multiply by nine inches, because every cubby should be nine inches wide. Add 3/4 inch for the end wood boards and for every partition board between shoes. For example, if you wish to put five pairs of shoes, multiply 9x5 is equals to 45 inches. You'd have 2 ends and 4 partitions, so multiply 3/4 by six is equals to 4.5 inches. Add the 2 totals together is 49 1/2 inches.

Step #4

Gather all the materials you need. For instance, you need 2 wooden boards 12 in wide and 49½ in long for the bottom and top of the rack. You'll also need six boards that are 12x6 inches for the partitions and sides. All of these wooden boards must be 3/4 inches thick.

Step #5

Bring your shoe rack together to form a rectangular shape that is 49½ x 10½ in and it'll contain five shoe cubbies. Place the pieces by putting 11/2 in wood screws down to the top wood board and up to the bottom wood board to attach the partitions and sides.

Step #6

Put the shoe rack on a piece of plywood, and draw it. Reduce the plywood that you want to make the back part of the shoe rack. Put this with 11/2 inch screws to the partitions and edges of the shoe rack. Paint the shoe rack if you want and let it dry.

Step #7

Put your shoe rack to your closet. You could just put it on the floor, if you want. On the other hand, you could place it to the wall by attaching through the plywood back to studs with 2 inches drywall screws. If you want more space for some more pairs of your shoes, make another shoe rack and put below or on top, placing it to the wall.

How to Create a Built-In Shoe Closet

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How The High Gas Prices Affect Tourism

With gas hovering around .25 a gallon. With prices going up this early in the year, some are concerned those prices could affect summer tourism. Tourism Centers hasn't seen a drop in tourism or conventions because of high fuel prices yet. Tourism affects quality of life and affects the amount of property taxes the local residents end up paying. Business in tourist area feel the pinch when people reduce their travel budget because of high gas prices.

The gas prices continue to sufficiently increase, people will change their behavior. These increases in expenditures mean people spend less on other goods and services, it's not likely they'll be buying big screen TV or going out to a fancy dinner.

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Traveler say that they will stay closer to home and do less sight seeing while in the vacation area to cut expenses. some say they are planning on staying shorter period because hotel expenses are also up.

Gas prices are definitely a big concern, tourism is not showing any sign of growth over the past couple months, before the gas prices started to go up, it had not been any steady growth. From the report I've read some of the statistics showing some decreases in their hospitality industry business, summer is the season. When the increases in the number of visitors entering, at this point normally rate would be up. Local Hospitality are hopeful, that tourist taking shorter trips will soften the impacted on there economy.

Gas prices are creeping up to the mark, which will probably affect the summer tourism season, hotel depend on business from business and tourist travelers, That might be a problem as gas prices continue to climb and cause people to change there travel plans.

There's a point where gas prices reach and increase to where families can not cope with it any longer, where recreational traveling starts to be affected, you just don't have away to gauge when that point will be reached. As a tourist seeing that the gas prices increased $.66 in one week. It may be a good time to start planning your trip. According to the latest report that President Bush release he does not see that the oil that OPEC has agreed to release will have any effect on price reduction to help relieve any of the pain at the pump.

How The High Gas Prices Affect Tourism

Gas prices may be high, but road travel remains the most popular mode of Leisure travel. Hospitality businesses in all area say there are a large numbers of vacationers are on the move, despite fuel prices that top a gallon. While vacationers aren't pinching pennies, they do care some about their expenses. The cost of gas doesn't stop tourists, It's just something that you have to pay for, like groceries or whatever. So let Rendezvous, on Route 66. See you on the road.

You enjoyed the article drop by the blog we have great travel tips to make the most out of this:[http://2brio-wolfen.blogspot.com]

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Full Half and Quarter Sleeve Tattoo Designs A Complete Guide

Wondering what the heck a sleeve tattoo is? Well they are one of the most popular of all tattoos and they look great. Very basically a sleeve tattoo is any tattoo design that covers up the majority of the skin in a certain area. For example a full arm would be a full sleeve tattoo. These are becoming increasingly popular as the overall trend for tattoos rises and people discover more and more about body art. They can be a wonderful tattoo design if you have carefully thought about what you want to get and the artist you are going to work with. Here is some more advice about getting sleeved.

What Is A Sleeve Tattoo?

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Some of you might be wondering where did they get their name and how it is different from regular tattoos? Typically sleeve tattoos are done on arms can also be done on the legs. They are any type of tattoo that fully covers this can so that little to no skin is showing through the tattoo. They're often called sleeve tattoos because they look very some similar to wearing a long sleeved shirt. Fact, you have probably seen fake or sleeves being sold on eBay and these are just the sleeves of a shirt with an intricate tattoo design.

Popular Designs And Ideas

Of course if you're getting a sleeve that to an article at the time that you want it by all means go with that design. However, if you are still contemplating what you want to include in your design are the exact details of your design are some of the more popular ideas that people use with getting sleeve tattoos.

1. Traditional Japanese Designs - another very popular theme for sleeve tattoos are traditional Japanese designs. The Japanese have a long history of tattooing and theme of the designs of koi fish, samurai, and cherry blossoms can often be interwoven beautifuly.

2. Floral Patterns - there are many different floral patterns and can easily be adapted or tweaked into a tattoo. These are typically more delicate feminine nature but don't necessarily have to be.

3. Celtic Designs - Celtic knotwork often lends itself to tattoo designs. The intricate nature of the interwoven knotwork could make a beautiful design. Since there is so much space or canvas available on your arms often one can include knotwork animals and even calligraphy into an overall Celtic design.

4. Tribal - These take large tribal tattoo designs and spread them out over the large canvas. These are often very popular ideas for guys as the bold strong black lines of a tribal design can look pretty cool. You are thinking about getting tribal design then you want to carefully consider the culture and the style you want. Many of the native cultures have very developed tattoo designs that have been carried over into modern tattoo art. For example, you can get a Maroi Tattoo or possibly a Hawaiian tattoo.

Time, Cost and Commitment

sleeve tattoos are typically very large and intricate designs which can take a long time to complete. Therefore they compete more expensive and require a great deal of commitment. So you might be wondering how much will sleeve tattoo design costs? This could depend on a variety of different factors such as the popularity of the tattoo designer, the type of design that you want, and if you decide to get a custom tattoo versus standard flash. All prices can range greatly and there is no set amount typically full sleeve tattoos can run between 0-00.

Typically ssleeves are done over multiple sessions lasting about an hour each. Most full sleeve to designs can be done with about 20 sessions over 20 hours of total work. Depending on the availability of your tattoo artist as might be scheduled at one session per week so a full sleeve tattoo could take easily over 20 weeks.

You are considering getting a full sleeve tattoo you want to carefully consider the design in the tattoo artist. Spent some time before hand considered both these factors could play major role in your overall experience of getting a full sleeve tattoo. Try to find an artist does want to work with you and listen to your ideas and a design that you are happy with.

Full Half and Quarter Sleeve Tattoo Designs A Complete Guide

Interested in finding more great free information on Sleeve Tattoo Designs and Ideas,? You might also be interested in other Tattoo Design ideas, galleries and more check out My Custom Tattoos: Tattoo Designs, Ideas and Galleries [http://www.mycustomtattoo.com/blog/].

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Pros and Cons of Purchasing Short Sales and Bank Owned Property in Metro Phoenix

Should I Consider Buying a Short Sale or Bank-Owned Property?!?

By now you have probably heard and read about the distressed real estate market down here in Arizona. As a result of the mortgage meltdown of 2005-06 and rampant speculation that caused the meteoric rise in housing values, it was only a matter of when would the housing market correct and return to some semblance of normality.

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It happened rather suddenly during 2006 and had been in a downward spiral ever since. As a result of this housing value correction, there is presently an abundance of opportunities to purchase distressed and devalued real estate assets near the bottom of the market in Metropolitan Phoenix.

BUT BEWARE! All is not as it appears...

Before we get into it, let's discuss what is a short-sale vs. bank-owned property.

SHORT SALE - A short sale is a property in which the owner is delinquent in paying their mortgage payments. It has not yet been foreclosed on by the bank, but it may be IN THE PROCESS of being foreclosed on. In this situation, the owner, many times through an agent (their real estate agent) will negotiate a stay of execution on the foreclosure and allow the owner to attempt to sell the property for a price that is typically BELOW the total mortgage amount on the property. The bank is basically agreeing to take a loss on their loan amount in the hopes of avoiding a foreclosure proceeding and having to take physical ownership of the property.

BANK-OWNED OR REO (real estate owned) - In this case, the bank has gone through the complete foreclosure process and actually taken title to the property and evicted the previous owner in order to sell the property.

So now that you have a clearer understanding on what these are,

Here are the pros and cons to purchasing short sales and bank-owned (REO) properties in Phoenix. This is what you need to know to decide whether this type of property purchase is for you.

PROS

There is one big pro - you are typically going to get a property below even current market value. Could be up to 10+% below current market value so there is the potential to get a great deal. Unfortunately, in this world you never get something for nothing. There are drawbacks for this 'smoking' deal

CONS

Short Sale (1) While you are still dealing with the delinquent property owner, the contract will have to be approved and signed off on by the bank taking the loss. In some cases, the bank does not even know that a short sale is being attempted until they receive an offer. This means that the wait time when submitting an offer on a short sale could stretch from days to weeks to even MONTHS to get a reply. Not only that, but until the bank has accepted/counter the offer, the listing agent will leave the home showing as ACTIVE on the market and in the MLS soliciting other offers and will submit all received offers to the bank for approval. The bank can only pick one, of course. So you could be waiting for months and then get turned down and hear that the bank accepted an offer submitted weeks or months after your offer. This can be very frustrating, to say the least! (2) Because of how the bank processes offers and the aggressive pricing of these properties, it is not uncommon for well-priced short sales to sell for the full list price OR MORE due to a bidding war between suitors. (3) Banks want to avoid liability and will demand that the buyer submit offers with an AS-IS addendum basically stating that the buyer assumes all risk associated with the condition of the property from the time of the offer acceptance. Buyers will have the right to inspect the property, but if you miss something, the buyer - not seller - is responsible. This is one of the reasons these properties are discounted - to factor in the buyer's risk.

REOs (1) AS-IS addendum. Same as above but even scarier. Once the bank has taken over, many times they shut off the utilities to reduce their costs. This makes it much harder to inspect the property properly - HVAC, electrical, plumbing systems. (2) Remember, in this scenario, the bank has forcefully taken ownership and possession of the home before attempting to sell it. This means that the defaulting party was probably very upset prior to leaving the home. It is becoming more common to hear stories of how angry homeowners damaged/destroyed property in the home, removed appliances, plumbing fixtures, cabinets, light fixtures/ceiling fans and/or other home fixtures. I have even seen property with significant water damage, drywall damage and heard of stories of people throwing cement into the drains to cause future owners headaches. It is VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THROUGH INSPECTIONS OF THESE TYPES OF HOMES. (3) Banks can take long periods of time to respond to offers, although response times are typically quicker than on short sales because the bank has already done the legwork up front to determine value and what they would be willing to accept.

As a result of these issues, Bank Owned and short sales should only be considered by buyers that:

(1) Aren't as concerned about finding the 'one' perfect home and are not the type of people to get attached to a home they absolutely have to have. (2) Prepared to take on the risks associated with buying distressed properties for the reward of getting a below-market-value property (3) prepared to get their hands dirty in making repairs and organizing the cleaning and trades to come in and refurbish damaged properties (4) Are not concerned with long waits in getting replies from banks on properties they have submitted offers on.

THESE TYPES OF PROPERTIES ARE BEST SUITED FOR INVESTORS BUYING FOR VALUE RATHER THAN HOMEOWNERS BUYING FOR THEIR OWN USE.

An investor can form the strategy of putting in multiple offers on properties, not really caring which one(s) are accepted so long as they are getting that property for a great value in line with their investment objectives. Once they have an accepted contract, they can rescind their other open offers.

SO HOW DO I DETERMINE WHETHER A LISTING I AM LOOKING AT IS A SHORT SALE OR BANK OWNED?!?

Good Question.

Here's the short answer. Work with a professional and knowledgeable local-area Realtor.

Why? In most cases, Listings do not openly disclose to the general public whether a property is distressed or not. A Listing agent must make this disclosure to other agents and specifically, Buyer's Agents as it materially affects the buyer's decision to purchase the property and for how much. Your representative can very quickly inform you whether a property you are interested in is distressed or not and through a couple of phone calls can find out the status of the home (whether there are already submitted offers on the property awaiting acceptance).

ARE DISTRESSED PROPERTIES COMMON IN SOME AREAS OF METRO PHOENIX MORE THAN OTHERS?!?

Absolutely. Some areas have been harder hit in this latest housing crisis. The hardest hit areas, in general, tend to lie farther away from the Metro Phoenix core where many new homes were purchased by speculators. With the speculators now in hot water and the cost of gas going through the roof, the outer rim areas are not as attractive as they used to be. Some areas like Surprise, Queen Creek, Anthem, Maricopa and Buckeye have a disproportionately high number of distressed properties to total listings. That is why some areas are seeing sharper drops in values than others. Keep this in mind when considering outer, fringe parts of the Valley.

The information contained herein represent the OPINIONS of the author and should not be relied upon in the purchase of real estate. Buyer should conduct their own investigations and satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of this information prior to making any decisions to purchase real estate.

Pros and Cons of Purchasing Short Sales and Bank Owned Property in Metro Phoenix

Ron Cuttler is a real estate Buyer's Agent in the greater Phoenix Metro area specializing in relocation, investment & developer services. Mr. Cuttler has been selling real estate for over 18 years, 13 of which have been in the Phoenix Metro area. You may contact Mr. Cuttler via phone at 602-418-8800 or through his website: http://www.CanadiansBuyArizona.com

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Simple Steps to Drywall Texturing Made Easy

In today's tight real estate market, those who do choose to put their houses on the market are certainly looking for any available advantage in the tight competition they are sure to face. Finding low-cost techniques that add charm and character is one great way to accomplish this goal. The good news is that you don't have to invest a lot into a simple fix to make your home stand out. One technique you can do yourself is drywall texturing. You can follow some simple steps and find Drywall Texturing Made Easy.

First, be sure to allot a good amount of time for the project. You don't want to rush through this artistic process. Also remember that the room will need to be painted when you are finished. To get started, the first step is to remove outlet and light fixture plates from the walls. Cover the floor, since even Drywall Texturing Made Easy can get messy. (Also, at this point, be sure to remove any wallpaper. It will not provide an adequate base for the joint compound that you will use, and will end up becoming a time-consuming mess to fix. This is not what you want a potential buyer to see in your home!)

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The first step in Drywall Texturing Made Easy is to spread a thin coat of drywall compound around the walls where you want to start with an 8-12 inch straight trowel. A thickness of about 1/8 of an inch is ideal, but for a more varied texture, spread thicker. Start with just a small area; you don't want to compound to dry before you complete the texturing portion of the application. It's better to under estimate the time involved than to over estimate at this step.

After you've spread the compound, you can make any kind of texture you want. Experiment a little bit until you find something you like. Ideas include using old paintbrushes, wallpaper brushes, sponges, or even your fingers and hands. Go ahead and have some fun at this point, but remember that less is usually more when the texture is covering an entire room. Be sure to wear latex gloves if you are using your fingers or hands. It might not be a bad idea to wear them anyway. After you've finished a small portion, simply continue to work your way around the room, alternating between applying the compound and texturing it.

Simple Steps to Drywall Texturing Made Easy

Jason Whitney writes about drywall texturing at http://www.drywalltexturepro.com/

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UHF Versus VHF - Which Two-Way Radio Frequency is Better?

There are two major formats for two-way radios. They are Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio. Neither frequency band is inherently better than the other. They each have their pluses and minuses. Both formats are effective ways to communicate with another person. But how do you decide which one will fit your needs? Let's go over the key components of both frequencies to help you decide.

Two-way radios communicate with each other through use of radio waves. Radio waves have different frequencies, and by tuning a radio receiver to a specific frequency you can pick up a specific signal.

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Radio waves are transmitted as a series of cycles, one after the other. You will always see the "Hz" abbreviation used to indicate the frequency of a radio. Hertz is equal to one cycle per second.

Radio waves are measured by kilohertz (kHz), which is equal to 1000 cycles per second, or megahertz (MHz), which is equal to 1,000,000 cycles per second--or 1000 kHz. The relationship between these units is like this: 1,000,000 Hertz = 1000 kilohertz = 1 megahertz.

You may also hear the term "wavelength" when you hear about radio waves. This term is from the early days of radio when frequencies were measured in terms of the distance between the peaks of two consecutive cycles of a radio wave instead of the number of cycles per second. Lower frequencies produce a longer wavelength.

While wavelength measures distance between the peaks of cycles, frequency refers to how long the measured time is between the "crest" and "trough" of a wave arriving at the source. So frequency measures time instead of distance, but they are essentially both saying the same thing.

What is significant about wavelength for two-way radios is that it affects transmission range under certain conditions. A longer wavelength as a general rule lets a radio signal travel a greater distance.

Lower frequencies or wavelengths have greater penetrating power. That's one of the reasons they are used for communicating with submarines. VLF radio waves (3-30 kHz) can penetrate sea water to a depth of approximately 20 meters. So a submarine at shallow depth can use these frequencies.

So from what you read above you may think VHF is always the better choice for a two-way radio no matter where you are using it. That's not necessarily true. Even though VHF has better penetrating capabilities, that doesn't necessarily make it the better choice for buildings. Remember the conversation about wavelength above? Wavelength has a big impact on transmission.

To explain this let's assume we are communicating from one side of a commercial building to the other. In between these two points is a metal wall with a three foot door in it. Metal is an enemy to radio waves and they typically don't pass through it.

For our example let's assume that the UHF wavelength the radio uses is about a foot and a half long and a similar VHF radio is around five feet long. These are in the ballpark of their normal wavelengths.

When the UHF transmits its signal the foot and a half long wave will pass through the door since the door is wider than the wavelength. The VHF signal will be totally reflected since it is wider than the opening to the door.

Your microwave oven is an example of this. The glass front door has a metal mesh with very small holes. Microwaves being a very high frequency have wavelengths that are only several inches long. The mesh keeps the microwaves trapped in the oven but it allows you to see inside because light waves have a microscopic wavelength.

Just imagine walking through the building carrying a five foot wide pole. You will encounter the same challenges a VHF signal encounters. Now imagine walking through the building with a pole that's only a foot and a half wide like a UHF wave. There are lots fewer doorways you couldn't get through.

The one difference is that wireless signals will penetrate through drywall, masonry, human bodies, furniture, wall paneling, and other solid objects. All these objects will reduce the signal strength though. The more dense the object, the more it reduces the signal. VHF will penetrate these obstacles better than UHF, but that doesn't necessarily mean that VHF is better for indoor applications as we will talk about in the UHF section below.

In our example above we assumed you had a metal wall with an opening. If you reverse this and you have a three foot metal object in front of the transmitting radio, then VHF would win. Since the object is three foot wide it will totally block the UHF signal whereas the VHF signal will get around it. Lower frequencies such as VHF diffract around large smooth obstacles more easily, and they also travel more easily through brick and stone.

For most applications, lower radio frequencies are better for longer range. A broadcasting TV station illustrates this. A typical VHF station operates at about 100,000 watts and has a coverage radius range of about 60 miles. A UHF station with a 60-mile coverage radius requires transmitting at 3,000,000 watts.

So there is no clear choice for which is better, VHF or UHF. There is a lot of "black magic" to radio technology so it's not always easy to tell which will work better for your application. To help you decide on the best technology for you, more detail about each one is included below.

UHF Radio

UHF equipment operates between the frequencies of 300 MHz and 3000 MHz. Until recently, it wasn't widely used. Now, the UHF radio frequency is used for GPS, Bluetooth, cordless phones, and WiFi.

There are more available channels with UHF so in more populated areas UHF may be less likely to have interference from other systems. If you are in an area where population is thin, VHF should work fine for you. Not too long ago the FCC also opened up a new VHF frequency called MURS that is so far not heavily used in most areas. There's more about MURS below in the VHF section. If you are in an area where interference from other radios may be an issue, UHF transmitters and receivers could be your best choice unless you use a MURS VHF radio. UHF is better at squeezing through physical barriers like walls, buildings, and rugged landscape. Anything that obstructs a radio wave, will weaken a radio signal. UHF lessens that effect. Though it may not travel as far, UHF radio waves will traverse around obstacles better than VHF.

To highlight the differences in indoor range, below is an excerpt from a brochure of a leading two-way radio maker on the predicted range of one of their lines of handheld VHF and UHF two-way radios:

"Coverage estimates: At full power, line-of-sight, no obstructions the range is approximately 4+ miles. Indoor coverage at VHF is approximately 270,000 sq ft and 300,000 sq ft at UHF. Expect about 20 floors vertical coverage at VHF and up to 30 floors at UHF. Note: Range and coverage are estimates and are not guaranteed."

VHF waves are not very good at finding their way around walls, buildings and rugged landscape. Therefore range will be significantly reduced for VHF radios in these environments. That may not necessarily be a problem if the range needed is only a few hundred feet. You can also add an external antenna to an indoor VHF base station that will reduce or eliminate this problem.

One of the downsides to UHF is that the FCC requires you to get a license to operate in these frequencies. Although many frequencies in the VHF business band also require a license. If you choose a radio in the VHF MURS frequencies you can operate it without a license. UHF equipment is usually more expensive. The components need to be finely tuned and are more expensive to construct. This does not mean it's necessarily better, just more expensive.

One advantage of UHF transmission is the physically short wave that is produced by the high frequency. That means the antenna on the radio can be shorter than an equivalent VHF radio.

VHF Radio

VHF equipment operates between the frequencies of 30 MHz and 300 MHz. FM radio, two-way radios, and television broadcasts operate in this range.

Both UHF and VHF radios are prone to line of sight factors, but VHF a little more so. The waves make it through trees and rugged landscapes, but not as well as UHF frequencies do. However, if a VHF wave and a UHF wave were transmitted over an area without barriers, the VHF wave would travel almost twice as far. This makes VHF easier to broadcast over a long range. If you are working mostly outdoors, a VHF radio is probably the best choice, especially if you are using a base station radio indoors and you add the external antenna.

Since VHF has been around longer and isn't as complicated to make, equipment is usually cheaper when compared to similar UHF equipment. One disadvantage to this equipment can be its size. Since the frequency waves are bigger, an antenna must be bigger.

VHF radios also have a smaller number of available frequencies. Interference with other radios could be more likely to be a problem. However, the FCC recently made this less of a problem when they opened up the MURS frequencies. The 150 MHz frequency is a Citizens Band radio spectrum that is called the MURS service. MURS stands for Multi-Use Radio Service. This service is for use in the United States and Canada. It is a low power, short range service in the VHF 150 MHz Citizens Band radio spectrum. There are 5 channels in the MURS frequencies with 38 privacy codes under each one that enable you to only pick up conversations on your code. The FCC does not require users of products for MURS to be licensed.

With MURS you can add a larger or external antenna to improve range. If you want to put an antenna on top of your house or business, you can do it with MURS. Some antenna manufacturers claim an external antenna can increase the effective radiated power of a transmitter by a factor of 4. These MURS intercoms can transmit up to four miles, and perhaps more with an external antenna depending on the terrain.

One benefit of VHF wireless radios is that battery life is almost always better than for similar UHF units. For handheld radios this is a plus.

VHF equipment is usually lower cost for those on a budget. Equipment can be more economical than similar UHF products.

In summary, if you are planning on using your two-way radios mainly inside buildings, then UHF is likely the best solution for you. If you are mainly using your two-way radios for communication outside, then VHF would be a good choice. Either radio technology can work for you if you don't really have a long range to cover. In that case you may want to choose VHF for it's lower cost.

UHF Versus VHF - Which Two-Way Radio Frequency is Better?

David Onslow is the marketing director at IntercomsOnline.com, which specializes in selling two-way radio and intercom systems for business use. Go to http://www.IntercomsOnline.com to see VHF and UHF two-way radios and intercoms.

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How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Here in the UK, we texture a variety of stunning patterns & designs straight onto the ceiling & walls using tools such as fingers, rollers, sponges, rags, brushes, trowels, etc: your only limit is your imagination; but in this article I want to talk about using 'texturing' combs, to create some amazing affects onto your interior surfaces; these are very reasonably priced & now widely available to you thanks to the internet: plus, the methods for applying the texture coating to the desired surface is usually 'rolled on, sometimes brushed on, or even "troweled on' instead of 'sprayed on.'

As you can imagine, the cost for applying texture coating to your ceiling & walls this way makes it possible for the home 'DIY' enthusiast to 'have a go yourself' because all you will need is a bucket to mix the texture powder in, the tool for mixing, (either an attachment to the power drill, or a plastic texture mixing tool that you attach to a wooden handle,) the texture powder, a roller & tray to hold the mixture & of course, the texture comb;

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Some texturing combs consist of a moulded 'all in one' design, (almost resembling that of a plastic tile adhesive spreader, but the serrated 'comb' edge is slightly tighter together/not spaced as wide apart from each other) whereas, the handle, and the serrated (patterning) edge are made from a moulded, plastic material, the usual length of the comb is around 10 inches long (this is ideal for creating designs onto your larger, as well as smaller ceilings & walls;) whilst other texturing combs consist of a wooden handle, with a slit cut through it, whereas a piece, or two, of flexible plastic (containing the serrated patterning edge,) is inserted; Texturing combs, if looked after correctly could serve you a long time, but please be aware, do not wash out the combs in boiling water as this could shrivel up the serrated edges, plus also remember that, after texturing many surfaces, the serrated edge could become quite worn down, thus giving you a thinner, and more undesirable pattern depth;

To pattern the ceiling, first of all, make sure that the surface is correctly sealed and that the room is cool (no central heating on), you must mix enough texture to cover the whole surface area to be textured; secondly, after you decided which pattern/design your going to attempt, stand at the entrance to your desired room and look up to the ceiling, it is quite normal to actually start patterning alongside the wall, running across the narrow width of the ceiling, viewing from the door entrance, (but this depends entirely upon yours, or your customers personal preference.)
So, for instance, let us say that we are going to start our pattern from the door entrance wall, whereas, the pattern (once completed) will run down the (longer & narrower) length of the ceiling.
Stand with your back against the wall (in which you intend to start the pattern) & look up; this is how your going to work the pattern; as you pattern, the pattern is always behind you, and your working away from it/across the narrow width, & down the length of the ceiling; now with your back against the wall, hold your comb in the hand that feels the most comfortable for you to texture with; if you hold the comb in your left hand, slide across the wall, to the far corner of the right side of the room, this is the corner that, once you apply your band of texture, your going to start your comb pattern, & run it the width of that wall/edge, if you use your right hand, you start at the far left corner of the ceiling.

In summary, using your paint roller, roll on a band of texture, around half/three quarter inch thick depth, across the narrowest width of your ceiling, right across, from one wall edge to the other, the band of texture should be around two roller widths wide, pattern this with your comb, then continue this method throughout the whole ceiling, continuing right down the length of the area.
Everything here is fully covered in 'Texture Revival;' to help you more, look out for my articles concerning mixing texture & also surface preparation.

When you attempt any texturing tasks, always practice on a small area first for best results.
Thank you for reading, I hope that this article will help you further with your quest in learning to use combs to texture with.

Dale Ovenstone.

How To Use A Comb To Texture Your Ceiling and Walls

Dale Ovenstone: Creator of 'TEXTURE REVIVAL' unique & amazing, downloadable books & guides for the home 'DIY' enthusiast; so that you can 'have a go yourself'

http://www.lookreadlearn.com

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Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

Obviously, the main difference between semigloss versus flat paint is the level of reflectiveness. Semigloss paint gives a shiny finish that reflects any available light. This often makes it a better choice for interior paint than exterior. Depending on your area and the amount of shade around the house, direct sunlight may reflect too much for semigloss paint to be appropriate outside.

The reflective nature of semigloss paint will emphasize any scratches or dings in the walls, making flat paint a better choice in older homes with some damage and wear. Flat paints can be very useful in painting over areas in new drywall construction where the taping is not sanded as smoothly as it should be. Joints where a porous compound was used for bonding may also be a good candidate for flat paint versus semiglossy. These areas of new construction can be primed later on and a new coat of glossy paint can be applied once all of the imperfections have been smoothed out.

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Semigloss paint is also less durable than flat because minor scratches can be enough to mar the entire wall's appearance. This may be something to consider if you have pets or small children that will be bumping into the walls. Unfortunately, flat paint is harder to clean, which may make the tradeoff about even. Flat paint is more porous, which allows dirt to stick far better than it would on a glossy surface.

The answer to this may be a compromise somewhere in the middle. Eggshell paints are now available that give you a little bit of a glossy finish without becoming as bright as a semigloss paint. This offers more stain protection than a flat paint while still being forgiving enough to use in damaged or high-traffic areas of your home. Eggshell paint is often a good choice for exterior uses where you want a touch of shine without it becoming blinding in the midday sun.

Glossy and semigloss paint is generally not a good idea for ceilings as they will reflect the room's light back down toward the occupants. If you

Semigloss Versus Flat Paint

To learn more about New Jersey Painting and what is the best paint choices for your home come visit us at http://www.njpaint.com

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Infection Control Measures to Take During Hospital Construction and Renovation Projects

Hospital renovations can be one of the most challenging areas of construction and should only be done by experienced professionals. Owners should always request the contractor's health and safety plan and have an (ICRA) Infection Control Risk Assessment created prior to work commencing. It is as important for the owner's representative as well as the contractor to be aware and implement these Infection Control Measures to reduce the facilities risk of spreading or creating infections from construction activities. People are in the hospital to get better not be exposed to situations in which they could get worse.

1. Containment Areas. Properly blocking off and barricading work spaces is one of the most important measures taken during a hospital renovation. The contractor should utilize floor to deck temporary wall partitions to fully seal off an area that will be undergoing construction activities. Typically, thick plastic barriers with zippered doors can be utilized on small projects / short duration projects. While on larger areas, temporary walls constructed of metal framing and gypsum drywall are more practical. In long term projects the metal frame and drywall option will be more durable. Typically the contractor will place 2 doors in these temporary wall partitions for compliance with 2 means of egress. Utilizing barriers constructed of gypsum wallboard, metal studs, and standard interior doors will provide the contractor a space that can be secured when the jobsite is down which will limit risks of theft and injuries. Containing the construction is important for safety of workers / patients wandering into construction areas as well as to prevent dust from spreading into the hospital.

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2. Negative Air Pressure. In most cases, when performing construction activities the contractor will be generating dust. For the safety of the hospital and patients the contractor wants to create negative pressure air so that the space under construction is actually pulling air from the hospital instead of pushing air into the hospital. These negative air machines contain HEPA filters and will actually filter the air and are routed to the outside of the hospital through an exhaust duct via a window. The size of the machine to be selected and used will be based on the size of the space and CFM required. Many brands exist and a local abatement supply store is often a good place to find these. Rental stores may carry these as well. The best advice is to compare the HEPA replacement filter pricing as these can be expensive and required frequent changing depending on the size of the space to be renovated and types of dust generating activities to be performed. The one caveat to this is certain areas of the hospital are sterile processing areas and are required to be under Positive are pressure. These areas are the exception to the rule and should not be placed under negative air pressure. 3. Closing off Return and Supply Air Vents. Another important measure in control infections in hospital construction is to isolate the renovation space from the main building's HVAC system. All return air vents should be closed, taped, or blocked off as to keep any dust generated in the construction zone from being circulated and entering the rest of the hospital. All supply vents should be disconnected as well, if possible. This will help with the negative air pressure of the space and keep the dust contained to the area of construction. This is a measure that requires a common sense approach. In some regions, extreme cold and hot weather may not allow for disconnecting of the supply vents because of freezing / overheating risks. These risks are understandable and can be overcome with a larger negative air machine to offset the supply CFM entering the space.

4. Dust Control. Another good practice for preventing dust from spreading into the floor areas of the hospital is to keep a clean jobsite. Utilize HEPA Filtered Shop Vacuums; they filter most of the air particulates to keep down the dust. Also, Dry Mop the area at mid day and end of business and follow that with a wet mop depending on the construction activities ongoing. This will keep the floors clean and minimize dust / debris on workers shoes and the chance of tracking that through the hospital. At the construction entrances utilize a dry mop, wet mop, and walk off mats. Require workers to wipe their feet on a dry mop then a wet mop, and then a sticky mat prior to exiting the space. These mats have a sticky side that the workers and roll carts pass over on the way in and out of the space and it pulls dirt and debris into the mat. Depending on construction activities going on in the space these mops and mats require more or less frequent changing and attention. The best entrance / exit of a space would be through stair wells in most cases. This helps to minimize tracking dirt throughout the entire hospital and also to limit the steady stream of workers from going in and out all day possibly disrupting day to day hospital activities.

5. Trash / Debris Removal. The best practice for removing debris from a workspace is to utilize a trash chute from a window for example that leads directly to a dumpster. Any debris going down the chute should be kept wet in order to minimize dust. Minimizing dust from the debris will keep the outside air vents of the buildings taking the air back in the hospital. If this option is not available covered rolling dumpsters should be utilized. By utilizing these covered dumpsters it will help to prevent any dust coming off the debris as it is wheeled through the hospital on its way to the outside disposal location. If you are a Hospital Representative in need of a contractor for a hospital construction project...

Give us a call. We'll be glad to give you an estimate on your project, produce a construction schedule, and layout an Infection Control Plan to minimize risk to your site.

Infection Control Measures to Take During Hospital Construction and Renovation Projects

At Colossal Construction Company LLC we pride ourselves on helping our customers find cost effective solutions to these type of needs.

Colossal Construction Company LLC
590 Means Street NW
Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30318
Phone 404.828.0214
A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business SDVOSB
Full Service Construction Company providing Residential and Commercial renovation, new construction and maintenance services.
http://www.colossalconstructioncompanyllc.com

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How to Install Natural Stone Veneer

Natural stone veneer can be applied to retaining walls, indoor or outdoor fireplaces, wall facades, and pillars. Thin stone veneers are made from real stone so they resist warping, cracking, fading, and chipping. Additionally, if they do become chipped or cracked nobody will notice since, unlike fabricated fake stone veneers, the color and texture of the stone goes all the way through the stone. Stone veneer is also faster and easier to apply since it is lighter and easier to handle.

Natural thin stone veneers come in a wide variety of styles and colors to choose from. They are quarried in Arizona, Lannon, Fond Du Lac, Chilton, and Michigan. Thin stone veneer is the ideal stone application since it is superior in terms of being very durable and flexible in matching nearly every style, color, and design. Stone veneers are thinner and lighter than manufactured fake stone veneer and fiberglass stones.

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The Basics

Stone veneer installation on any surface needs the same basic methods of application. First there needs to be a moisture barrier, a frame or structure for the mortar to grip, mortar, and then the stone of your choice. The moisture barrier and backbone frame are necessary components to ensure that your thin stone veneer will last a lifetime.

When installing stone Veneer to plywood, paneling, wall sheeting, wall board, or other non stone surface:

1. Cover the wall with a moisture barrier that is weather resistant and protects the underlying wood and the back of the stone veneer from moisture damage.

2. Apply a metal lath, mesh, or sheeting with galvanized nails or staples according to your local building code. This supplies rigid support for the mortar to stick to which provides a firm backbone for your stones to grip.

3. Apply your mortar, and on top of that apply your choice of stone veneer with mortar in between the "joints."

4. After your mortar has hardened, simply use a stiff brush and some water to scrape away any mortar that has found its way onto the face of your stones.

Concrete Masonry Stucco

1. As long as the masonry contains no oils, surfactants, or other chemicals on its surface and is clean and dry then you can feel free to apply the stone veneers without any prep. Just make sure that the backside of the masonry will not be exposed to a water source such has those used for retaining walls, ponds, or garden beds.

2. If it does contain chemicals or oils simply etch the surface with muriatic acid and score with a stiff wire brush.

3. Apply your mortar and your stone as usual.

4. If your surface has been treated with paint or other chemicals, simply sand blast this surface away or follow directions above and apply a barrier material, metal lath, mesh, or sheeting and install stone as you would for a plywood wall.

Metal Buildings

1. Install paperbacked 3/8 inch expanded metal lath to metal cladding supports. Use metal cladding supports of at least 12 to 20 gage and using 1 ¼ inches -12 pancake head super tight screws. Make sure that the screws penetrate at least 3.8 inch beyond the inside of the metal surface and at least every 12 inches.

2. Apply a 1/2 inch to a 3/4 scratch coat of mortar and allow it to dry at least 48 hours.

3. Apply the mortar and install the stones.

4. After the mortar had been allowed to dry at least 24 hours simply clean any mortar stains form the face of the stones with a stiff brush and water.

Natural Thin Stone veneers

Natural stone veneers are durable and long lasting. In the long run, real stone is more economical since it requires nearly zero maintenance, should never need to be replaced under normal conditions, and resists cracking, fading, chipping, erosion, and weather conditions.

Thin stone is available in a wide variety of colors and styles because it is made from natural stone. Therefore you can choose from more colors and cuts than fabricated stone.

Halquist Stone, Wisconsin's premier supplier of thin stone veneer, offers thin stone veneer that is cut from quarries in Arizona, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

How to Install Natural Stone Veneer

Looking for a supplier of Natural Stone Veneer? View the many different styles of Stone Veneer and granite countertops in Wisconsin that Halquist Stone has to offer. For more information, call (262) 246-9000 or visit HalquistStone.com to request a free brochure.

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Stair Lifts Price - Compare Stair Lift Prices Before Buying Or Renting

Stair lifts are useful devices for elderly and disabled people. Because of these devices, such people are able to live their lives in an easier and more normal way. Stair lifts are relatively new technology in disabled person's lives. They serve with the purpose of helping aged and disabled people to move around from one place to another or to go and up down stairs.

They come in numerous designs and applications. Some are designed with electric rails that can be installed along the sides of stairs-this is a traditional installation type. However, they are usually very expensive since they consist of a lot of hardware and labor to install.

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So you decide to buy or rent one, it would be best to take some pointers on different stair lifts prices in the market.

In considering the price, you need to know the type of stair lifts you are going to purchase or rent. Basically, you also need to consider the type of stairs built inside your house. Compared to straight stair lifts, the curved stair lifts are more expensive since it is specially designed for curved angles. However, you can select other types of stair lifts such as outdoor stair lifts and the wheelchair platform stair lifts. All of these are available in the market today.

There's nothing wrong in doing price comparisons from various suppliers or retailers. As a consumer this is your right, so take full advantage of it. It is essential to do some consultations first with your target vendor.

In this way you can easily identify what would be the best recommended stair lifts for your house. Aside from the stair lifts price, other important factors are the costs of installation and the warranty period of the stair lifts.

Nowadays, an average stair lift price is often increasing due to rising demand as many new people are now discovering its benefits and new, higher quality models are being made available.

If buying a new one is out of your budget you can look into rentals from any lift rental service centers as a last resort.

Stair Lifts Price - Compare Stair Lift Prices Before Buying Or Renting

Discover the best stair chair lift at my site. Learn more about stair lift prices and compare the best stair lift manufacturers.

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How To Finish a Basement The Easy Way

Getting your basement finished is not as complicated as you might think. There are a few easy steps to go through, and then you have the basement of your dreams.

You're already imagining that new home theater down there right? Well, stay focused a bit and learn how to finish a basement before you get to the fun stuff you will do with once completed. Here are the simple 5 steps that will guide you through the process on how to finish a basement.

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1. Waterproofing - You will need to create a waterproof basement first. Do not skip this step. The concrete in your basement is porous.

Untreated concrete soaks up water and dampness through a process known as 'wicking'. The water and dampness damages the integrity of the cement. When you seal your cement, water and dampness are no longer able to soak into the cement and damage it.

This is a major step in learning how to finish a basement. It is crucial if you want to protect your basement and everything in it.

2. Choose your lighting. Most of the time there is poor lighting in basements. Depending upon what you want to do with your basement, there may be a need to enhance the lighting of your basement.

For example, if you were a photographer, the dungeon-style room would be great for developing pictures; otherwise, you might need to add new fixtures and wires.

When adding new wires, you should consult a certified electrician. Even if you already know how to finish a basement, you should seek help with the wiring. You want your new basement to be shocking, but not literally!

If you want more natural light, consider adding or expanding your basement windows.

3. Get your basement insulated. If your basement is not already insulated, this is vital. A lot of insulation is important for keeping the weather temperatures out. It's also beneficial for a few other things. For example, your heating and cooling bills.

If you don't have proper insulation, you will lose a lot of money through cool air and warm air loss. Your air systems will work double time to heat and cool your basement. Make sure that you have an adequate amount of insulation.

4. Think about your floors. When you are learning how to finish your basement, an important thing to think about is your floor. You may want different types of flooring depending upon what your awesome plan is for your finished basement. Indoor/Outdoor carpet is a great selection for a basement. It goes the extra step to keep the dampness out, and it's really easy to clean and take care of.

5. Finish your walls. You will need to cover your insulation or OSB board with something to protect it, and to look great. Sheetrock is okay, but an even better idea is some kind of paneling. If there is any dampness left, sheetrock will soak it up. You could go ahead with the sheetrock and coat it with some kind of sealer if you prefer.

Great job! I told you it wasn't hard to learn how to finish a basement. Now you are ready to make your basement the coolest thing on the block. Good luck with your project.

How To Finish a Basement The Easy Way

Visit Basement Idea to discover more fantastic basement ideas and simple ways to finish your basement.

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Hearing Aids Review: The 4 Leading Brands

Are you looking for a hearing aid but don't know where to start? Here is the definitive guide to the leading brands of hearing aids. I will review some of the top names in hearing aids including Siemens hearing aids, Beltone hearing aids, Starkey hearing aids and Phonak hearing aids.

Hearing aids are available in analog or digital models. Analog hearing aids have been on the market for years. These are less expensive than digital hearing aids but do not provide the sound quality and features that digital hearing aids do. Digital hearing aids offer a cleaner sound quality than analog models and can be programmed by computer to achieve a high level of adjustment. Digital hearing prices have fallen, hence, more people can afford them.

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There are several types of hearing aids on the market. A hearing aid specialist can help you choose the type that suits you best. The closer the hearing aid sits to the eardrum the better the sound will be.

Here are 4 types of hearing aids:

BTE: Behind the Ear

This type fits over the ear and rests behind it. It is typically the least expensive.

ITE: In the Ear

This is the most common type that sits in the ear

ITC: In the Ear Canal

This type fits slightly lower into the ear and is not very noticeable.

CIC: Completely In the Ear Canal

This fits down into the ear canal, requires the most fitting and is the least visible to others.

There are 4 leading manufacturers of hearing aids that have proven to provide superior products. They provide the ultimate in customer service to ensure improved hearing and customer satisfaction.

Siemens hearing aids

Siemens is a name you can trust for hearing aids. Siemens has been in business for over 125 years and is the largest manufacturer of hearing aids in the United States. Siemens has hearing aids to meet every budget yet all are made with the same expertise and precision. There are basic styles, value and ultimate. All Siemens hearing aids come with a two-year warranty. The higher priced Siemens hearing aids have more channels and offer more features than the lower priced versions. If cost is a concern try the Phoenix or Cielo models. The top of the line Artis e2e has wireless ear-to-ear technology.

Beltone hearing aids

Beltone is a leading brand of hearing aids. It has an outstanding reputation and boasts over 1300 locations in the United States. They offer an aftercare program called Belcare to help with your ongoing needs. The professionals at Beltone will help you complete a lifestyle assessment called the Personalized Hearing Health Assessment (PHHA) to determine which type of Beltone hearing aid is best for you. Beltone offers a wide variety of hearing aids including basic, quality, advantage and premier styles. Each group has products to suit your needs. The Edge model is affordable and has 3 channels. The Mira model is a mid-range model with 6 channels. The top of the line Oria has 12 channels and offers many additional features.

Starkey hearing aids

Starkey Laboratories is the world's largest manufacturer of hearing instruments. They offer many hearing aids to provide you with the best solution for your hearing loss and lifestyle. They were the first to provide a warranty as well as a free trial period. They have many hearing aid models available starting with the 3-channel Aspect. The mid-level Destiny comes in several models to accommodate your needs. The top of the line Eli provides a wireless solution that is compatible with Bluetooth enabled phones.

Phonak hearing aids

Phonak is a worldwide company with headquarters in Switzerland. They offer specialized hearing instruments, which are available in a wide array of products to suit your hearing loss and budget. The 6 channel eXtra model provides a basic entry-level hearing aid. The mid-range Valeo and Elva models have 16 channels. The top of the line Savia has 20 channels and numerous features to provide the best hearing assistance available. Phonak also has wireless hearing aid solutions.

Hearing Aids Review: The 4 Leading Brands

Only one out of five people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. There are many types of hearing aids to suit almost every type and degree of hearing loss, and budget. Check out our daily updated top resources on hearing aids at http://www.abouthearingaid.com/home

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The Relationship of Inflation to Interest Rates

Why ever do interest rates exist? Who in the world invented such a torturous tool that makes your initial loan more expensive than it really was? After all, aren't we borrowing money for the simple fact that we are short of it? Heck, such opportunism really can buy you an express ticket to the netherworld.

But are interest rates really the work of the devil as some people say? Before we come to understand interest rates, we must first understand the factors that affect it. One of these factors is "inflation".

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Inflation can be described as the power of your one dollar to purchase items. It is related to the Consumer Price Index or CPI. Now the CPI measures the percentage increase of basic commodities through a pegged year. The pegged year is normally a year in which the economy for that country performed exceptionally well. Now the list of these commodities is entirely at the discretion of the nation's economic managers. Why? Because the world is full of different cultures. Some cultures are heavy rice eaters, while others prefer corn. Some are heavy wheat consumers, while others aren't. What is a basic commodity in your country may not necessarily mean that it applies to another.

Anyway, back to inflation. When prices increase, your dollar gets to buy less. Over time, prices tend to steadily increase. Hence, your one dollar today is not necessarily equivalent in value to your one dollar tomorrow. A case in point: if you could buy four comic books with your one dollar when you were younger, guess what, Batman? You can't even buy one these days at that price. That is inflation.

So how is this related to interest rates? Investors, try to preserve the value of their money by investing in activities that have yields that are either equivalent or higher than the inflation rate. Let's say that the local interest rate is pegged at 6.5%; the money that you earn, save and invest, should be able to at the very least, match that rate. Why, because at the end of the year, if your money stayed inside the piggy bank, its value would've been eroded by that rate. So if you save 100 dollars at the start of the year, at the end of the year its worth would've been shaved by .50 leaving your 0 worth only .5.

In developed economies, bank savings interest rates normally equal that of the inflation rate. If competition is fierce between banking institutions then you will get higher interest rates thus more yield for your money.

So who decides on the interest rate to be used? Normally, it is the central bank of the country. Bear in mind that the rate they will declare is not something that needs to be followed. It is a benchmark, thus anything below that level automatically is a loosing proposition for your investment.

So to wrap up, inflation is one of the factors that affect interest rates. When inflation moves up or down, the tendency is to increase or decrease the benchmark interest rate as well.

The Relationship of Inflation to Interest Rates

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Interest Rates

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Remodeling A Garage To A Room

Remodeling a garage to a room is often a cost-effective way to add living space to your home.

1. Because the foundation, roof and exterior walls are already built, you will not incur these costs.

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2. You will be able to remodel the area with little disruption to the rest of your home.

3. You may already have the electrical wiring in place (most garages have lights and at least one electrical outlet) as well as plumbing.

4. Depending upon local building codes, you may not need a building permit for your project.

Why would you need a building permit? This can vary from one location to another, but the primary issues are:

* Structural soundness

* Exits

* Heating and cooling

* Windows

* Ventilation

* Insulation

* Plumbing

* Electrical

In some areas, failure to build to local code can require that you restore the space to its original condition before you sell the house.

The best place to start remodeling a garage to a room is to determine what you have to work with in terms of floor, walls, access, etc. You will likely have a cement slab floor and an adequate roof. If there are no windows, you will need to decide whether to install them, how many to install, and where you will place them. If your garage has finished walls you will need to determine whether the walls are insulated. If they are not insulated, you will need to make decisions about how you will insulate. You will need to plan for heating and cooling and adequate lighting and electrical outlets. Do you need plumbing in the room? If so, you will need to determine whether there is or is not plumbing in the area and what changes are required.

Your next decision will be whether to use the entire garage for your new room or only part of it. If you have a two-car garage, you might decide to finish only half of it into living space. In this case, you might want to pay extra attention to soundproofing.

Converted garages can serve a variety of functions. Garages can be converted into everything from a kitchen to a living room or a family room, den, home theater, home office or an extra bedroom. You might discover enough "attic" space to finish two rooms (one above the other) or to open the ceiling and design your new room with a vaulted ceiling.

The next decisions will determine the appearance of the finished room.

1. What kind of flooring will you use? You will find that a slab is conducive to almost any kind of flooring you choose to install. Be sure to seal the slab before you begin installation of any flooring materials. And, if you install carpet, you might want to invest in double padding to make the room more comfortable. You can also build a traditional joist floor over the garage slab to match the floor level in the rest of your home.

2. What kind of ceiling do you want? Depending upon the planned use of the space, you might choose a vaulted, exposed beam ceiling, a pitched ceiling, a tray ceiling, a drywall ceiling, or a drop ceiling.

3. Finally, you will need to decide on the walls. You can choose paneling or sheetrock, or you might want to consider constructing the walls of insulated board. If the room will be used as a playroom or a home office, this might be just the solution you need.

Finally, you will need to decide whether to do the work yourself or hire a contractor. You might decide to hire a contractor for some of the work, like electrical, plumbing, etc. and do the rest yourself. Either way, you'll find that the cost of converting your garage to living space is far less than adding a room to your home.

To get a quick estimate of the cost for this project check out http://www.remodelestimates.com, and to help you organize your project invest in an organizer like the one at http://www.remodelingorganizer.com.

A garage conversion is a great remodeling project. It's the perfect way to get the space you need at the lowest possible cost. Enjoy!

Remodeling A Garage To A Room

Dan Fritschen, the author of this article, is the founder of the websites http://www.remodelormove.com http://www.remodelestimates.com and http://www.remodelingorganizer.com He is the author of three books on home remodeling.

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A Guide to Discontinued Wedgwood China

Everything has its day and its time, and Wedgwood China is no exception to the rule. Because the company is 250 years old there are patterns that were used to create dishware that simply no longer exist, but pieces of the dishware still do. People take such good care of their Wedgwood China and such good care went into their manufacture that many of the original pieces made in the very early days of the company are still in existence. The situation is this - when people die, they pass their Wedgwood China collections down to their heirs. During the course of history, pieces break or go missing. Thus, the value of a complete set dating back a long time is almost impossible to imagine. However, around the world there are organizations who try to match collections of Wedgwood to make complete sets. For later designs, it is easy to get fill-in pieces to restore your set to its original grandeur.

Wedgwood itself guarantees it will do its best to keep an inventory of all of its patterns on hand, to replace broken or lost pieces for customers who request them. But even these are not limitless and there are many of the countless designs that have run out and have become discontinued Wedgwood China. Once Wedgwood has officially discontinued a particular pattern, the prices for any and all existing pieces skyrocket.

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There are numerous places of business all over the world that specialize in handling only discontinued Wedgwood China pieces for that serious collector or highly prized family heirloom collections missing one plate or teacup to make it complete. As you can probably imagine, a full set of a discontinued Wedgwood China pattern can be quite valuable. Check out the auction prices on older pieces and you'll get an idea of what great, great Grandma's China may be worth on today's market.

A Guide to Discontinued Wedgwood China

Wedgewood China provides detailed information about discontinued, antique, and discount fine china, plus fine china outlets, values, and history. Wedgewood China is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

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Asbestos Home Test Kit Review

Home test kits for asbestos testing are sold in several stores and online, and this article reviews these asbestos home test kits to determine whether they are a good deal or not. The asbestos test kits seem like an inexpensive way to assess asbestos exposure, but do they work and are the worth the price? The short answer is that they are a scam, but this is explained further below.

Why Test for Asbestos?

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Asbestos is mineral that can form in such small fibers that it can easily become airborne and inhaled into the lungs. Once this occurs, there is a chance of asbestosis and mesothelioma cancer occurring. The more frequently and longer this occurs, the better chance of these illnesses developing.

Test Kit Issues

The first thing one must do before purchasing a home test kit is to determine if lab fees are covered in the cost. Asbestos presence in materials cannot be determined without analysis by a microscope, so for the most part these test kits are simply 'sampling' kits. The real analysis is performed in the lab. The problem is if the kit does not include lab fees, then you are basically just paying for a few Ziploc plastic bags. That is pretty much all these kits contain - a few Ziploc bags to put your samples into before sending them off to the lab. How much does 2-3 Ziploc bags cost? I would hazard that they are less than an asbestos test kit.

The next issue is if you go ahead and spend the money for the handful of Ziploc bags (a.k.a. 'test kit'), is the lab that is chosen for you going to give you a good deal? The answer is likely 'no'. The lab fees with these kits can run . Many asbestos labs hate dealing with private individuals, but they will still quote a 'high' fee of or so. Their real industry clients often get quoted to per sample, and you can sometimes find labs that will give this price to random Joe's off the street as well. The US government maintains a list of accredited labs at ts.nist.gov/Standards/scopes/plmtm.htm.

Conclusion

So the problem with these home test kits is that first you pay several dollars for several cents worth of the Ziploc bags, then if you follow the instructions you will send these to a lab that will way over-charge you. You can just as easily buy your own Ziploc bags and send the samples to whatever lab gives you the best deal.

Asbestos Home Test Kit Review

Learn more about doing it yourself at http://www.infobarrel.com/Asbestos_Testing_Tips_for_Homeowners

More information on asbestos testing and removal issues can be found at http://www.asbestos-information-law-removal-testing.com

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Foreclosure Cleanup - 5 Things You Must Know When Starting This Business

Foreclosure cleanup is one of the best businesses to start according to the "USA Today" article, 'Trash-out' firms clean up in foreclosure biz. It states: "Entrepreneur Magazine included a foreclosure cleanup business - Cyprexx Services of Brandon, Fla. - in its 2008 "Hot 100 Fastest Growing Businesses" list."

If you want to start a foreclosure cleanup business, following are five things you need to know going in.

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1. Get Licensed, Bonded and Insured: Banks and real estate companies will expect you to be licensed and insured if you own a foreclosure cleanup business. If you're not, you won't get work from them. And, as they hold the bulk of properties that need your services, you will want to make sure that you are.

How much insurance should you get? Most require a million liability policy, along with workmen's compensation. Your insurance agent will be able to advise you on exactly what you need.

2. Consult with Various Contractors: In the foreclosure cleanup business, you will need the services of various contractors, eg, electricians, painters, plumbers, etc. Before you start, line up a few in each niche. Even if you're skilled in these areas, it's easy to get so busy that you will need to outsource work.

Contractor Tip: Subcontract to contractors who are licensed as well. For example, if you have to hire an electrician, the bank may ask for the electrician's certification to ensure that wiring was done correctly.

3. Expect the Unexpected: In the foreclosure cleanup business, you never know what you're going to get when you enter a house. There could be feces on the walls (more common than you may think), animals left behind (eg, an angry Doberman who rushes you as you enter the premises), or angry tenants who haven't left yet.

So, prepare to expect the unexpected with your foreclosure clean out business. For example, never enter a property for the first time alone, knock on doors and rattle fences to see if an animal or person is present, etc.

4. Quick Turnaround: In the foreclosure cleanup business, banks and agents expect quick turnaround. Usually, they want you to start as soon as possible after your bid is accepted. Hence, as you're preparing your estimate, keep this in mind.

Think about the various contractors you may have to hire and what their schedules are like. For example, if you can handle the painting, but you need someone to hang the sheetrock but your contractor can't do it for three days, you will have to build this into your timeline.

Logistics can be a nightmare in this business when dealing with subcontractors. That's why you want to try to work with the same ones all the time. The more work your foreclosure cleanup business throws their way, the more likely they are to give your jobs priority over others.

5. Hire a Reliable Receptionist: Many think of a receptionist as a lowly paid employee and don't give much thought to who they put in this position. But, particularly in the foreclosure cleanup business, the person who answers the phone can mean landing a ,000 job, or not.

Why is this? When banks and real estate agencies are calling companies for foreclosure clean up jobs, they are usually going through the phone book or surfing the internet looking for companies. If someone doesn't pick up the phone, they're off to the next listing - usually they don't leave a message.

So, hire someone who is personable, reliable and professional. And, pay them well. For they are the front line of your foreclosure cleanup business.

To learn everything you need on how to start a foreclosure clean out business, log on to Start-a-Foreclosure-Cleanup-Business dot com.

Foreclosure Cleanup - 5 Things You Must Know When Starting This Business

May be reprinted with the following, in full: To learn everything you need on how to start a foreclosure cleanup business, log on to Start-a-Foreclosure-Cleanup-Business.com for 200 pages of first-hand information from the owner of a leading foreclosure cleanup company in Atlanta, GA. View the news video featuring the company here as well.

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Offshore Drilling Jobs - How To Get Hired Without Drilling Experience

So, you want to work an offshore drilling job. Do you know which companies are involved in offshore oil drilling? Besides the super-big players like Esso, BP, Shell, etc. Did you know that these big boys do not always do their own drilling? Quite often nowadays, they are forced to subcontract some of the work to smaller players.

Have you heard of these companies: Diamond Offshore (Houston, USA), Dolphin Drilling (Tananger, Norway), and Frigstad Offshore (Singapore)? How about Offrig Drilling ASA, Scorpion Offshore, Songa Offshore and Thule Drilling ASA? These are just some of the companies in the modern oil industry. In their own way, you can call them the modern wildcatters. During the last slump in oil prices, the giants like BP and Shell stopped investing in their staff and oil drilling technologies. But some smaller companies correctly predicted that prices would rise again. They invested in R&D to develop new drilling techniques and technologies. They build new oil rigs for deep-ocean drilling. These are the boys that Shell and BP are sub-contracting for oil drilling services.

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If you want to work on an offshore oil drilling rig, you have two main choices. The path most people think of is to go on board as part of the drill crew. If you have prior experience, you will probably be a pumpman or derrickman. If not, you have to get in as a roughneck or roustabout. Drillers are pretty much the 2nd-in-command and assistant of the oil rig manager. Technically, a roughneck/roustabout is a laborer. On the other hand, how many laborers earn ,000 per year for just 6 months of work every year? Unlike a normal laborer, who never gets the chance to work his way up to manager level, a roughneck with the proper attitude has a reasonable chance to become a manager on an oil rig. Of course, first he has to work his way through derrickman and driller.

This is not the only way to get an offshore drilling job. If you have some useful trade, like a cook or medic, this will be a good choice regardless of your offshore oil rig experience. You get the same generous living conditions of the drill crew, and better salary than a comparable job on dry land.

Just because it is an offshore oil rig does not mean it does not need office staff. No matter where you go, you can't escape paperwork. You'll still find your paper pushers. Except that on the oil rig they are called tool pushers. They work in the rig offices and rig floors.

You also have the mechanical department and electrical department. The mechanical department hires motormen, mechanics and maintenance supervisors who are responsible for all mechanical operations. The electrical department includes jobs like electrician, electronics technician and maintenance supervisors who repair and look after of all the electrical equipment.

An offshore drilling job is a very lucrative career. As you can see, you do not need drilling experience to get hired on an offshore oil rig. And now that you know there are companies other than Shell hiring people, you have many ways to get in on the action. You can get in as part of the drill crew, or as a tradesman.

Offshore Drilling Jobs - How To Get Hired Without Drilling Experience

RigWorker.com has been helping people get offshore drilling jobs since 1998.

Click here to to learn how we can help you get your offshore drilling job

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