RISMEDIA, March 13, 2010—I recently joined many other individuals and agencies across the country celebrating National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW). Among the many informative programs and issues that were highlighted was an effort that focused on the many resources the Better Business Bureau (BBB) makes available to educate consumers about spending money wisely and avoiding being scammed by con artists.

Keeping with the theme of this year’s NCPW – Dollars and Sense, which emphasizes consumer education for every stage of life – from grade school to retirement, the BBB offered the following every day tips on how to manage money and be a savvy consumer.

If you need help finding a business you can trust, the BBB Accredited Business Locator can help you find businesses in your area that uphold BBB’s rigorous standards and have made a commitment to support the work of BBB (http://www.bbb.org/us/bbb-accredited-businesses). There are nearly 400,000 BBB accredited businesses across North America including retailers, contractors and online businesses.

If you want to research a business before you buy, the BBB maintains reports on nearly 4 million businesses across North America (www.bbb.org/us/Find-Business-Reviews). A business’s Reliability Report will tell you how many complaints the business has received, how they responded to complaints and their letter-grade rating reflecting BBB’s experience with the business.

If you have a dispute with a business, not only is BBB there to help educate consumers before they buy, it can also lend a hand if you have a dispute with a business. Every year BBB receives hundreds of thousands of complaints from disgruntled consumers and is usually able to help resolve issues quickly and easily.

If you have been cheated by a scammer, your complaint enables BBB to identify trends and warn other consumers and hopefully prevent them from being taken advantage of as well.

Check out all the online resources and tools BBB provides at www.bbb.org. More information and advice also is available on the National Consumer Protection Week website, year-round at www.consumer.gov/ncpw.

RISMEDIA, March 11, 2010—As American homeowners are finding that selling their home is many times not a viable option in this down economy, they are carefully considering their investments today more than ever. In finance, the conventional definition of investment is using money with the hope of making more money. The dictionary defines investment as “the investing of money or capital in order to gain profitable returns, as interest, income, or appreciation in value.” For most people, their largest investment is their home, and when upkeep, regular maintenance, or improvements need to be made, most consumers carefully study their options. For example, energy efficient appliances will likely save the homeowner money in monthly cost as well as tax credit, while increasing the value of the home. This is why energy-efficient appliances have gained in popularity over the past 10 years.

Upkeep and regular maintenance of a home, such as replacing a water heater or repairing a leaky roof, are routine costs and are generally small jobs. These kinds of jobs are required for the preservation of a home. On the other hand, cosmetic improvements such as kitchen and bath renovations are usually larger jobs that tend to reflect the personality and/or lifestyle of the homeowner. With more people entertaining at home these days, consumers are considering decorative changes as a major investment in their lives. This type of remodeling or renovating adds value to a home. One way consumers can find a trusted home improvement business is by way of referrals from family, friends or neighbors.

Janice Anne Costa, editor of Kitchen and Bath Design News, reminds homeowners of a few key things to remember as they begin a home remodeling project:

-Home improvement experts recommend getting at least three bids.

-Consumers should take the time to check into a company’s references and licensing.

-Consumers should make sure the company they are reviewing is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau.

More than just settling for a new room or renovation, consumers are looking for a company that builds a personal relationship. Consumers no longer want to be another number. The industry is slowly moving back to a personal touch with greater attention and focus being placed on the design and individual service. Phil Hurst and Gary Elmes, owners of ElmHurst Cabinet Company in Mesa, AZ, agree that “adding a personal touch to each job and ensuring that the customer is happy is a key focus.”

A recent study by J.D. Power and Associates reports “that the importance of ordering and delivery to customer satisfaction with cabinets has decreased while the importance of price and design has increased.” With many possible suppliers on the market, it is best to not only look for one with a strong focus on design and consumer preferences, but one that is also concerned with the functionality of the remodel.

Another fact that consumers should note is that cabinets are not just cabinets and wood is not just wood. Different woods react differently to various climates, and this should be a consideration before choosing the cabinet and manufacturer. Also, when deciding between manufacturers of cabinets, consumers should consider the terms of the warranty. While price and design are important, functionality and quality are also key to a successful remodel.

With the economy down, home restorations are on the rise, and kitchen and bath remodels are two of the most popular categories. It is important to choose a company that cares about customer satisfaction, design, functionality, price and quality to ensure the renovation is successful. There are many horror stories about home improvements gone wrong or getting half way into a project only to be told the project is now going to cost twice the original bid. Avoid this by having a contract up front and working with reputable companies that care about the outcome of the project.

For more information, visit www.ElmHurstCabinets.com.