My wife
She is the driving force behind our family. She keeps us going forward. Just for a second though lets forget about the laundry she does, the meals she cooks, the house she cleans and the floors she sweeps. Just for a second forget the taxi services she provides, the friend pickups she is forced to do, the money she loans, the wake up service, the turn down service, the mid day snack, the you can have my leftovers from last night, the Ill warm that up for you's, the proof reader, the math homework reviews, the idea creator, the school project designer, the parent teacher conference attendee. Lets not talk about the sock finder, the drivers ed teacher, the gross underwear washer, the cat pee cleaner, the dog food supplier, the grocery provider, the electric bill payer, the budget planner, the window washer, the home decor designer. I don't want to talk about the damn that smells good maker, the here's your favorite socks provider, the I got you your favorite sandwich fixings grocer, the what would you like for desert maker, vegetable enforcer, the sunscreen police, the neosporen and band aid provider. I'm not mentioning the Ill iron that for you's, the sure Ill switch the laundry for you, the no i don't mind talking to you while I'm in the bathroom time, the Need anything while I'm in the kitchen's, the sure your friends can come over tonight's, the Ill even pick them up's, the I don't wanna be at a football game in 50 degree weather, the damn its hot but I'm here's, the I can provide snacks, the Sure I will attend the field trips, the OK Ill be at the school fund raiser, the damn right Im attending the college recruiting seminar.
I don't want to talk about any of that. I'm talking about the. OK I know its 11 PM on a Monday but Ill stay up until midnight to listen, the that's a great idea how can I help moments, the little notes you leave in our lunchboxes and notes on the wall. I want to talk about the friend trouble conversations, I know you could care less but lets talk about long boards or this new idea or video game moments, the loving hugs and love you give out so freely, the support you give us all no matter what, your honest opinions and ideas. I want to mention your sweet smile and laugh, your caring eyes, your loving touch, your willingness to let us all be who we are going to be (myself included), your caring nature, the giving of yourself, putting you aside to help the kids, the family above all mentality, the long conversations you have at night when putting down the kids, the acceptance and support of ideas.
My wife makes our family go. She is in the background helping us along. All of our success's are because of the support, nurturing and help we have from her. She is the force behind us. She is often in the shadows, unseen and unheard poking prodding, helping, encouraging. She has a tough job raising 3 boys and a crazy daughter. My daughter, two sons and I. She has to deal with some pretty gross, disgusting things. She has to listen to some pretty raunchy, guy funny stuff that most women would cringe at. She puts up with it and loves us no matter what. That is what makes her great. I love my wife and I probablly left out a ton of stuff that she does that I dont even know about. We dont recognize these things. So for all the things I miss for all the things WE dont thank you for. THNK YOU. Your the best wife and mother I could ever have hoped to be fortunate enough to have. I hope you have a great mothers day.

Home Trends

It has become very evident that folks around the Austin area have decided to stay in their homes instead of selling them. Over the past 2 years we have had more and more people talk to us about making their existing home look better, repair squeaky doors, mend fences and do those little things around the house that normally get overlooked. While we have always done the large remodel projects we left the little ones alone. Due to the high demand for handyman services, and thousands of our customers requesting it, we have decided to open up a Handy Man Division that will services those needs. So if you need a sheet rock patch, fence picket replaced, tub caulked or just help cleaning out the gutters. Give us a call. We will be glad to help you out.

Insurance claims

Several insurance companies have adopted a new policy for hail claims in Texas. Some have had this in place for a while now but several others have adopted it. Basically the insurance companies are giving homeowners 1 year to file a claim for roof hail damage from a particular storm event. So if you have not filed a claim for hail damage from the April 2009 hail storm then you may not be able to. That all depends on your insurance company of course but most have adopted this policy. Nationwide insurance is giving customer 6 months from a particular event. CRAZY! As a homeowner how the heck would you know if you have hail damage??? If you would like to have your roof checked out we can evaluate for free and see if there is a recent event that we can file the claim under. please visit our website for more details.
http://www.heritage-homeservices.com

So its almost winter!

I love winter. Its not real cold and the days are short. Not good for business but at least I get to recharge my batteries. One great thing for homeowners is that our suppliers are offering some pretty good prices on windows and shingles right now so it will probablly pick up. I have not seen shingle prices this low since 2008. Better buy now!

10 reasons to install new windows

1. Energy Savings
Energy Efficient windows are designed to keep heat inside your home in the winter while keeping the heat out in the summer. This reduces heating and cooling costs and minimizes energy consumption

2. Cooling Season Savings
Installing new Double pane Vinyl Framed windows in an average 2000 sq ft home reduces energy usage by 32%. What if you could take 32% off your electric bill this summer?

3. Heating Season Savings
In Texas we don't worry about this too much but we have a few months out of the year that get pretty cold. By installing new windows you could reduce the draft and energy usage by up to 39%

4. Improved winter comfort
During the winter living space near windows can get uncomfortably cold. By installing energy efficient windows you create a warmer interior surface preventing these cold drafts.

5. Improved summer comfort
Ever sat next to your window in August? Gets hot huh? That heat comes not only from the poor single pane glass package but also the frame itself. Next time its 100 degrees outside just touch your existing aluminum frame. OUCH! Now multiply that by the size of your window and then add the balance of the windows in your home. Pretty shocking how much heat gets into your home just from the frame

6.Less Condensation
By installing energy efficient windows you create a warmer interior glass surface. This reduces condensation under all conditions

7.Increased Light and View
To battle heat gain most people slap on solar screens or tint the windows. Why live in a cave. You can get better results by installing new windows. With the right glass package and frame you can actually use those windows. New windows allow the light to come in while keeping the heat and cold out.

8.Protection from Ultra Violet Rays
UV rays can fade carpet, furniture and drapes. A good window can reduce UV rays by up to 75%

9. Cleaning is a breeze
Double Hung windows are easy to clean. They tilt in for cleaning. Both frames move up and down so you can have either the top open or the bottom. There are also safety latches that prevent windows from going all the way up.

10 Safety
By having a double strength double pane glass package you decrease the chances of a criminal being able to break the glass. It will at least take more time. You can also purchase a laminate glass package that keeps the glass together. Laminate glass can be struck by a baseball bat and only shatter.

Thats my 2 cents.
Mike Hall

Insurance Claims

The hail storm that rocked the Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Leander areas last March 09 was a very severe storm. Hail stones struck cars, homes, windows and siding. Leaving homeowners with a big mess to clean up. Hail stones smashing into roofs leaves bruising and small holes throughout the roof top and damage to pipes, vents and skylights can allow water to seep into the deck and attic. Please get your roofs repaired this year. For two reasons:


#1 If you filed an insurance claim last year, and have not installed your new roof, you may loose the depreciation that the insurance company is holding. Most insurance companies close the claim after a year and if you have not filed for your depreciation return you will loose it.


#2 During summer months extreme heat, rain and Sun will take those small bruises and impact marks and make them larger and larger. Leaving open holes where moisture can seep in and cause larger, unseen, problems.

Please get your roof inspected by a LOCAL professional roofing contractor so these problems do not turn into a much larger issue.

Mike Hall
owner
Heritage Home Services
www.heritage-homeservices.com

Free attic Heat Barrier with any new roof purchase 20 squares or more. $500 value. www.heritage-homeservices.com