Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

THE ST. JOSEPH AREA

Home Resource Guide SPRING 2011

ACCESSIBILITY • AIR DUCT CLEANING CARPET CLEANING • FLOORING HOME ELECTRONICS AND SATELLITE

THE COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO EVERYTHING FOR YOUR HOME. HOME FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES INSURANCE • KITCHENS • LANDSCAPING LUMBERYARD/HARDWARE • MATTRESSES

A SPECIAL SECTION OF THE

Home Resource Guide Index

Under foot

Flooring industry rolls out new products ...

12

Accessibility ... 4 Air duct cleaning ... 6 Carpet cleaning ... 8 Electronics ... 10 Flooring ... 12 Furnishing and accessories ... 16 Insurance ... 18 Kitchens ... 20

Your own makeover

Find the right contractor ...

Landscaping ... 22

20

Lumberyard/hardware ... 24 Mattresses ... 26 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

accessibility

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

accessibility

Stay home Sweet home Products can make houses more accessible

L

iving out your golden years in the comfort of your own home is everyone’s hope.

If you develop an illness or suffer an accident, chances are you would like to recuperate at home.

A business aiming to assist you in that goal is Randolph Medical Plus of St. Joseph, which specializes in medical accessibility services and supplies.

Owner Kenton Randolph opened the business in 1999 to provide topquality medical products, exceptional customer service and the largest selection of mobility solutions in this region.

To accomplish the home accessibility goal, Randolph Medical offers a varied selection of affordable mobility products to help patients move around and gain access to areas that would otherwise be limited by their medical condition. These include powered wheelchairs, manual wheelchairs, scooters, complex motorized wheelchairs and custom seating and positioning. Ambulatory products include canes, crutches, walkers, rollators and ramps.

Daily tasks that otherwise could be challenging can be made easier with such home items as bathtub safety aids, commodes, portable lifting cushions, lift chairs, environmental control units, hospital beds and bariatric products. And if you have breathing problems, the business can

provide respiratory equipment.

This year Randolph says he has started carrying overhead patient lifting systems and platform lifts to further aid people to “age in their own homes.�

One accessibility item that he has a lot of call for is the stair glide, which assists people in getting from one level of their home to another.

It can even be installed on basement stairs. The different levels of a house may also be reached by the use of an elevator or dumbwaiter.

Besides just being in the business of selling medical equipment, Randolph emphasizes that his trained technicians analyze the needs of the individuals with medical problems, assist in the selection of the appropriate equipment, set it up in the home and train the customers on how to properly use the equipment.

And any equipment sold can be serviced and repaired through the store. “We try to tailor the equipment to the people’s needs,� Randolph points out. “And safety is a big thing and we go the whole nine yards with that.�

He adds, “The focus of my business is to help people.�

Keeping abreast of medical equipment and supplies is just part of his complex business. Training is a must in this field. Randolph has earned the Assistive Technology Professional certification by the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America and a

Certified Rehabilitation Technology Supplier association status through the National Registry of Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers. These duel certifications make Randolph the only local ATP and CRTS in St. Joseph and the surrounding area.

Randolph says that advances in medical accessibility equipment has made it easier for people to live out their lives in their own homes. “I’ve dealt with older and newer homes,� he concludes, “and there’s not much that can’t be converted to accessibility.�

'( ! ( .

Randolph Medical

Randolph Medical is committed to improving lives as well as supporting families in keeping their loved one at home with a complete offering of mobility products and services. Our certified professionals conduct a personal evaluation and assess your home for accessibility to help provide a safer, comfortable, more dignified method of care for patients. At Randolph, we are committed to the quality of our product, expedition of our delivery and diligence in our caregiver training.

139 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 364-4357, www.RandolphMedical.com.

" .& $ '/'

,* !#

--- %' ,*! )' ) + Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

air duct cleaning

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

air duct cleaning

Breathe easy Getting your air ducts cleaned can improve your environment

W

hen you think of spring cleaning, you probably don’t immediately think of your air or the path it travels in your home. Most of us leave that up to the professionals.

Knowledge about the potential benefits of air duct cleaning is limited. Since conditions in every home are different, it’s impossible to generalize about whether or not air duct cleaning would be beneficial.

You may consider having your air ducts cleaned simply because it seems logical that they will get dirty over time. Provided that the cleaning is done properly, no evidence suggests that such cleaning would be detrimental.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends air ducts be cleaned as needed. If you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, however, your air ducts should be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to

protect against carbon monoxide poisoning, the EPA says.

Other tips from the EPA about air ducts include:

O You should definitely have air ducts cleaned if there is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system, if ducts are infested with vermin, if ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris, or if particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

Standing strong as St. Joseph’s favorite carpet-cleaning service, we provide carpet cleaning, soda and ice blasting and water damage restoration.

3605 S. 40th Terrace, St. Joseph, (816) 233-2392

O If you do decide to have your air ducts cleaned, take the same consumer precautions you normally would in assessing the service provider’s competence and reliability.

O If you think air duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, talk to a professional.

The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of advice.

816-233-2392

Improve Your Families Air Quality

• Air Duct Cleaning • Dryer Vent Cleaning • Insulation Removal

Musser’s Cleaning and restoration serviCe

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Carpet cleaning

Beyond vacuuming To get carpets truly clean, you need to go deeper Musser’s Cleaning and restoration serviCe Standing strong as St. Joseph’s favorite carpetcleaning service, we provide carpet cleaning, soda and ice blasting and water damage restoration.

3605 S. 40th Terrace, St. Joseph, (816) 233-2392

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Unless something is spilled on the floor, you may not pay any attention to the state of your carpets. A quality carpet can last 10 to 15 years with regular maintenance, so don’t wait for the blue Kool-Aid catastrophe to open your eyes to what you and your vacuum have been missing.

Dirt is abrasive and cuts the fibers as you walk on your carpet, causing it to wear out more quickly. Not only that, but carpet acts as a reservoir for dust, dirt, pollen, mold spores, pesticides and other materials.

“If kept very clean from the time it is installed, carpet can trap a significant amount of particles, which can be removed through regular and effective vacuuming,” the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency states on its website.

“However, inadequate maintenance can allow large quantities of dust and debris to build up in carpet. Some studies indicate that poorly maintained carpet can release significant quantities of particles into the air during the course of daily activity. In addition, young children may play on carpet where they may be more likely to come into contact with contaminants that have not been properly removed through regular and effective vacuuming.”

Knowing that a vacuum can’t completely remove everything, some people opt to have their carpets cleaned. Some prefer to do it themselves, but most manufacturers recommend a professional cleaning on a semi-regular basis. Carpetcleaning. org states that most carpet manufacturers will recommend a cleaning schedule

of once a year or once every six months.

Your lifestyle and carpet usage will determine how often carpet cleaning needs to be done in your home. Many homeowners will have high-traffic areas cleaned every six months and the entire house done yearly.

Cleaning your own carpets can be less expensive, but it’s a lot of work and can be a time-consuming project. Here are several reasons why professional carpet cleaning is preferred for keeping your carpets clean.

O Home cleaning machines simply do not have the power of professional carpet cleaning machines.

O Getting your carpet too wet during the cleaning process can damage the carpet backing and the pad underneath. A professional carpet cleaning team will ensure that your carpets are not damaged during the cleaning process.

O A professional carpet cleaning company will have extensive knowledge and experience in stain removal.

O DIY carpet cleaning machines may leave residue in the carpet which will act as a magnet for dirt. Your hard work and time will be quickly negated if detergent residue is not adequately lifted with a powerful cleaning machine.

O A quality professional carpet cleaning company will be able to answer all of your questions, provide you with a pre-cleaning inspection and the assurance of a quality job.

Carpet cleaning

Standing Strong As St. Joe’s Favorite Carpet Cleaning Service • Carpet Cleaning • Air Duct Cleaning • Dryer Vent Cleaning • Soda & Ice Blasting

816-233-2392 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

electronics

10 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

The cuTTing edge

electronics

home computers are taking over home entertainment If you’re waiting for the day when your home entertainment system can read your mind, you may not have much longer to wait.

Chuck Nill, general manager of St. Joseph Electronics, says home theater systems are not only getting more intuitive, they’re becoming simpler to manage. The days of blinking clocks on VCRs are over. Now you can program your system to not only record your favorite show, you can do it from your office or around the world.

TELEVISIONS

When it comes to TVs, thin is still in. In fact, Nill says the thinner, the better. Manufacturers already are making monitors the thickness of a pencil — about 1/4 to 3/8 inches thick. But in the not-too-distant future, they’ll be thinner than that.

“You’re going to see a flexible LCD panel where you’ll be able to pull a TV down from a shade or something like that,” he says.

“They’re already working on developing it.”

Another big change in how you view TV is ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS already here. Manufacturers are pumping out The new big thing with satellite services is 3D sets. Nill says if you have a small screen wireless. Gone are the days of tangled cords behind your home entertainment system. Nill you may not think it’s any big deal, but for the large screens it definitely has the wow factor. says the future is wireless.

And the future is looking even brighter. If “You’re not going to have wires connecting your satellite boxes together,” he says. “It manufacturers have their say, we’ll be dumping those 3D shades in the next few years afwill all be done through wireless Internet, on a server, just like a home computer would be.” ter they release the 3D TVs that don’t require viewers to wear those nerdy-looking glasses.

Your movies will be on that server as well as your DirecTV or Dish Network service, SURROUND SOUND which means you’ll be able to pull it up on Speaking of 3D, if you’re looking to get any TV in your home at any given time. more out of your home theater experience Oh, and you won’t have to worry about losyou may want to check out the latest technoling the remote in the couch cushions, either. ogy in surround sound.

You can control the whole system from your Nill says they’ve just installed an amazing cell phone, portable device or computer. system in their store that produces 3D audio.

Computers also are finding their way into “Everyone is used to the surround sound your home movie collection. Manufacturers as far as having the sound in front and back,” are making it possible for you to pull your he says. “But now it’s front and back and up. movies or Blu-rays from a computer on to So if you have a helicopter flying over, you’ll your home theater system. Netflix, Nill says, really get the effect of it.” is just the beginning.

St. JoSeph electronicS St. Joseph Electronics has been providing great customer service for 36 years. We offer competitive pricing on home entertainment products as well as satellite TV and Internet services.

Our service department repairs a wide range of electronics both in store and in home, plus delivery and installation is available by our expert technicians.

516 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 364-1184

EST. 1975

516 N. Belt Hwy • St. Joseph, MO 64506 • 816-364-1184 Mon. - Fri. 8 AM - 5 PM & Sat. 10 AM - 2 PM www.stjoeelectronics.com

Television Sales & Service Home Theaters Home Audio & Video Security for Home and Business Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 11

Flooring

12 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Under foot

Flooring

flooring industry rolls out new products

F

looring may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about innovative home products, but Josh Nauman says that’s all about to change.

The residential salesperson for Eckard’s Home Improvement has seen a ton of big changes in flooring in the last couple of years — especially when it comes to stain resistance and durability.

Those changes are giving homeowners more options and flexibility when finishing their homes.

VINYL Nauman says vinyl is one area that has seen a dramatic change in the last few years. Gone are the days of one-size-and-style-fits-all products.

Today’s styles are full of unique, customizable products that allow consumers to put their personal stamp on their home.

One of them is Karndean — a solid vinyl product that is commercially rated but Nauman says is perfect for the home. It comes in wood grain planks or tiles, but that’s not where it ends. Not only can you put in any type of medallion or Listello imagin-

able, you can mix and match wood and tile without having to worry about height differences. And the best part — it is virtually waterproof.

“You can put in borders. You can change directions. You can mix and match wood and tile looks,” he says.

“You’re only limited by your imagination.”

Loc Solid is another product Nauman says is on the cutting edge. It is a true vinyl and rubber free-floating hybrid. He says it looks and acts just like a wood plank, but it floats over any existing smooth flooring — which is great if you don’t want to tear up an existing vinyl floor. He says you can just lay the wood plank right over the existing floor and again, it is virtually waterproof.

WOOD The innovations aren’t just limited to laminate products. Wood has seen its own share of changes.

Scotch Guard and Teflon have reformulated their products and have started applying it to wood flooring.

The result is a chemically treated wood that resists residue build-up.

Manufacturers are also using more durable finishes including aluminum

MEYER Floors

oxide and ceramic bead finishes to protect the wood and make it scratch resistant.

There is also a new engineered wood that is less susceptible to moisture and harder to scratch. The best part is it is refinishable.

“It has all the benefits of a wood product without the negatives,” Nauman says.

SHEET VINYL Sheet vinyl has come a long way as well. While it still comes in 12-footwide rolls, that’s where the similarity ends. This new generation of flooring is digitally embossed, which means instead of using an artist depiction, they’ve taken a picture of an existing floor and reproduced it.

“In essence you have a real hardwood floor somewhere reproduced on your floor,” he says.

The floor is also versatile enough that you can loose lay it on the floor, completely glue it down or just glue around the perimeter — it’s all up to you. It also has a silver oxide coating, which actively repels buildup and fights bacteria.

Please see Page 14

CARPET • TILE • HARDWOOD • LAMINATE • VINYL

Sales/Installation Residential/Commercial 816.364.5686 • 2915 South Belt Highway, Saint Joseph, Missouri • www.meyerfloors.com Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 13

CONTINUED FROM Page 13

CARPETING The big knock against carpet has always been maintenance. When you buy high-end carpeting, the last thing you want to do is spend every waking minute cleaning it. Nauman says the new products have much better stain resistance without having to reapply protection every few years.

One product, called Smart Strand, is guaranteed against bleach, Kool-Aid, mustard, shoe polish and any other crazy household product that could get spilled on it. It has a lifetime stain resistance guarantee, which means you never have to reapply the coating — ever. It is also made from corn oil and uses recycled products, which makes it environmentally friendly.

Another carpet, Bliss, uses an environmentally friendly salt and silver oxide-based compound that absorbs household odors like pet smells and cigarette smoke and within 30 minutes turns them into a compound that you can vacuum up.

“It’s a lot like neutral-air,” Nauman says. “It’s even guaranteed against the ammonia in pet urine.”

PADDING Even the stuff that goes under flooring is changing.

For carpets, there are new urethane-based pads that are guaranteed to last 20 years. They are considered allergy-free since they don’t promote dust mite growth, and Nauman says if you spill liquid on it, it will just sit on the pad so it can be wiped up.

The padding that goes under laminate also is changing. Manufacturers are now making sound deadening rubber-hybrid pads to go under laminate that are more vapor resistant. Nauman says they also make the laminate sound a lot more realistic.

Anso® nylon resists stains and soil and we back it up with

*.

Visit our showroom today to learn more about products made with Anso® nylon.

Green by nature, fashionable by design. *Lifetime stain and soil warranties are limited and based on the life of the product. For more details, please see warranty brochure available where products are sold.

FLOORS

A Trusted Name For Over 50 Years!

Eckard’s

SINCE 1960

HOME DESIGN CENTER

816-279-4522 • 800-264-2794 • 2402 N. Belt, St. Joseph www.stjoefloors.com M-F 8-6 ~ Sat. 9-5 14 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Eckard’s HomE ImprovEmEnt

Eckard’s carries the brand names that consumers can trust for carpet, vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring, ceramic tile and laminate floors. They have flooring to meet every budget and lifestyle, for residential or commercial flooring requirements. They carry top brands like Armstrong Flooring, Mohawk Carpet, Shaw Carpet, Bruce Hardwood Flooring, Marazzi Vinyl Tile and others. Choose from hundreds of styles, colors and types of carpet and flooring. Eckard’s has been a trusted name for more than 50 years and offers four locations throughout Northwest Missouri to serve its customers.

2402 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 279-4522 or (800) 264-2794, www.stjoefloors.com

mEyEr Floors

Meyer Floors is proud to showcase a great selection of carpeting, tile, vinyl, laminate and hardwood flooring options. Customers have come to trust Meyer’s knowledgeable sales and quality installation.

2915 S. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 364-5686

Your weather. Your news.

r r FRIDAY r r 75¢

NUMBERS ARE UP

#

# "

$

'$ (,"/$ 0$ (, ,2+!$/ -% /$0(#$,10 (, 1 -0$.'

'$ .-.2* 1(-, -% 1 -0$.'

'$ .-.2* 1(-, (, 2"' , , -2,14

'$ .$/"$,1 -% .-.2* 1(-, &/-31' (, 2"' , , -2,14 0(,"$ $,020

2"' , , -2,14 0 / ,) (, .-.2* 1(-, +-,&

St. Joseph News-Press

4"' - - .4-37 -# 3 .2$/' ".-3(-4$# 3. 2'.6 23$ #7 &1.63' (- /./4+ 3(.- #41(-& 3'$ 9123 #$" #$ .% 3'$ ,(++$--(4, 3'$(1 "$-242 -4, !$12 -.3 .5$16'$+,(-& +(*$ 2.,$ (22.41( "(3($2 !43 .%9"( +2 2 (# ,.5(-& (- 3'$ 1(&'3 #(1$"3(.- '$ $-242 41$ 4 1$+$ 2(-& /./ 4+ 3(.- ".4-32 %.1 (22.41( +." +$2 .- '412# 7 2'.6$# 4"' - - .4-37 6(3' < 1$2(#$-32 .- /1(+

< + 23 7$ 1 ' 3 /1.5$# 1(2$ .% = = 1$2(#$-32 %1., 3'$ "$-242 = > /$1"$-3 (-"1$ 2$ '$ ".4-37 ' # = /$1"$-3 (- "1$ 2$ (- /./4+ 3(.- (- 3'$ < 7$ 12 !$%.1$ 3'$ "$-242 - 3 .2$/' 3'$ /./4+ 3(.- 1.2$ = /$1"$-3 %.1 3'$ < "$-242 (- "1$ 2(-& 3'$ -4,!$1 .% (-' !(3 -32 !7 > .5$1 #$" #$ "".1#(-& 3. "$-242 !1$ *#.6-2 ,4"' .% 3'$ "(37 -# ".4-37 (-"1$ 2$ "

Rural counties maintain numbers

St. Joseph News-Press

$$ -&$1."* !$+($5$2 141 + .13'6$23 (22.41( ' 2 #.-$ &..# ).! , (-3 (-(-& 5(!1 -3 04 +(37 .% +(%$ .6 2'$ 2$$2 -4,!$12 3' 3 $- ".41 &$ '$1 !$+($% +$5$- .% < ".4-3($2 (- 3'$ -.13' 6$23$1- / 13 .% 3'$ 23 3$ 2'.6$# /./4+ 3(.- &1.63' (- (22.41( 9& 41$2 1$+$ 2$# !7 3'$ $-242 41$ 4

'$ $".-.,(" #$5$+./,$-3 #(1$" 3.1 .% .# 6 7 .4-37 3'(-*2 3'$ 141 + 1$2(#$-32 ' 5$ /1.5(#$# 3'$(1 .6- (-"$-3(5$2 %.1 5( !(+(37 8 '$ ".,,4-(3($2 3' 3 (-5$23 (- 3'$,2$+5$2 1$ 3'$ .-$2 ,.23 +(*$+7 3. 2$$ 3' 3 /.2(3(5$ &1.63' : 2'$ 2 (# 8 5$- (- 3'.2$ ".,,4-(3($2 6'$1$ 6$ 5$ 2$$- #$"1$ 2(-& /./4+ 3(.- 3'$ 1 3$ .% +.22 ' 2 !$$- 23$,,$# 3. &1$ 3 #$&1$$ :

Snow socks city again

St. Joseph News-Press

% "! "

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

$!$ " % !

(&' -3

(&' -3

In Print | On Air | Online and coming soon Mobile Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 15

Furnishings and accessories

16 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Furnishings and accessories

Out with the Old, in with the new Stylish tips for updating your home this spring

T

here is something so satisfying about spring cleaning. Whether it’s deep cleaning the interior of your house or adding a little flair to your indoor decor, there are many budget-friendly ways to freshen up the look and feel of your home this season.

One way consumers are updating their homes is by turning to simple, stylish accents that won’t break the bank. Shawn Sanders, manager at Sav-On Furniture Mart, says customers are looking for high-quality, affordable furniture this season.

“Current trends in the furniture industry are mostly centered around affordable prices. More than ever, people are looking for the most value they can get for their furniture dollars,” Sanders says.

Sanders also has noticed a demand for furniture that combines fabric

with vinyl or leather, which adds a modern, unique element to classic pieces.

“As far as styles go, the combination of fabric and vinyl or leather in the same piece of upholstery has become really popular, especially with sofas and sectionals,” he says.

In terms of tables, consumers are thinking outside the decorating box when updating their dining areas.

From counter-style dining tables to faux marble counters, customers want a polished look without the high price.

“Faux marble tops and counterheight dining sets with stools as chairs are the most popular items in the dinette department,” Sanders says.

So this season, put a little spring in your step and give your home a sleek, stylish look without spending a fortune.

Sav-On Furniture Mart

Sav-On Furniture Mart is St. Joseph’s largest and best source for namebrand furniture and home furnishing accessories. With the area’s largest furniture showroom and huge on-site warehouse facility, Sav-On is able to provide the residents of St. Joseph and the surrounding areas with the very best selection and prices on namebrand, high-quality home furnishings.

Sav-On also offers a large selection of miscellaneous merchandise, such as collectible items, inexpensive tools and “as seen on TV” items.

2900 N. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 279-4433

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 17

Insurance

Keeping you covered Spring showers make insurance a must-have AmericAn FAmily insurAnce

American Family offers all your protection under one roof — home, auto, life and health.

Visit their website to contact an agent at www.amfam.com.

18 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

W

hen warm weather rolls around, thoughts turn to fun in the great outdoors. But attention should also be paid to Mother Nature’s wrath.

Home insurance coverage for such catastrophes as wind, rain, hail, tornadoes and flood can make it more of a worry-free time.

Rick Hopp, an insurance agent for American Family Insurance in St. Joseph for more than 24 years, feels everyone should carry some type of home insurance just in case the worst should happen.

“A typical homeowner policy is designed to cover the property, including your home and possessions, as well as additional structures on the premises. Generally, a homeowners policy covers damages caused by fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, smoke, vandalism, theft, water damage from plumbing and many other perils,” he says.

“The homeowner policy is not designed to cover everything that could ever happen, although there are many options that should

be considered as needed, such as earthquake, identity theft, backup sewer, scheduled personal property and other options that you should talk to your agent about.

“In addition, flood insurance is generally a separate policy,” he adds, “and should be discussed if needed, as well as mortgage life insurance protection.”

Insurance coverage that is sometimes overlooked is renter’s, which covers your possessions and liability. It’s a small price to pay when you consider how much it would cost to replace all your possessions.

From time to time, it’s a good idea to go over your home insurance coverage to make sure you’re not undercovered or overcovered. For example, you may have recently purchased some expensive possessions and may have forgotten to up your coverage. Or maybe you don’t own those valuable paintings anymore, and that might make you overcovered.

“It is extremely important that the dwelling coverage is adequate to rebuild your

home if a disaster strikes,” Hopp says. “Research shows that a large percentage of homeowners do not have adequate coverage to rebuild their home. This is where a team effort is so important between the homeowner and the agent to help with determining the right coverage.

“In addition, the homeowner policy covers liability protection for you and your family members and can be increased for a small additional premium,” he says.

Since storm season is upon us, he advises now is a great time to review your coverages and deductibles.

“Wind and hail are covered under a standard homeowner policy,” he points out. “Some companies have special deductibles on damage caused by wind and hail and can be as large as 1 to 5 percent of the home’s insured value. This should be discussed with your agent, so you are not surprised after a loss.”

It is advisable to do an inventory of your possessions and their worth, as well as taking photographs. In case of a theft, it is a good idea to have serial numbers of the items.

If you should experience a loss, there are some simple steps to follow, Hopp says.

Take the appropriate steps to protect your property from further damage by making temporary repairs, if necessary. Report your claim by calling your agent or company as soon as you notice damage. Select a reputable repair company after the adjuster has surveyed the damage.

Be sure the contractor has workers’ compensation and liability insurance. It is wise to not make a final payment until you are satisfied with the work.

Winging it without home insurance is like trying to outrun a tornado.

“Homeowner insurance is a great value for all the coverage it provides,” Hopp concludes, “but to be sure you have the best value for your premium, schedule a review with your agent. He or she can review all the discounts their company provides and review the appropriate replacement values and deductible options available.”

He adds, “Team up with your insurance professional, and remember homeowner insurance is NOT a one-size-fits-all approach.”

Whether you own or rent, having insurance protection for your home, furniture, clothing and other personal possessions is important. American Family Insurance offers a full line of property and liability coverage for: Homeowners, Renters, Condominium Owners, Mobile/Manufactured Homeowners.

Call your local American Family Agent www.amfam.com ©2010 American Family Mutual Insurance Company and its Subsidiaries Home Office - Madison, WI 53783

003849190 10/10

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 19

Kitchens and bath remodel

20 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

kitchen and bath remodel

Your own makeover Find the right contractor

F

inding a company versatile enough to remodel your kitchen and build the new master bath of your dreams is rare. John Rauth Construction offers that versatility as well as specialized expertise. Since 1953 it has operated to the highest standard of construction in various areas as well as offering high-quality products.

John Rauth Construction, also known as Rauth Kitchen Concepts, is one of the oldest family-owned residential remodeling companies in the St. Joseph area. The company’s reputation and work even stretches into the Kansas City area. Rauth set a high standard, which speaks to its longevity. In the areas of kitchens and bathrooms Rauth specializes in wood cabinetry, countertops and even closet organization.

Rauth Kitchen Concepts is a certified Dupont, Corian fabricator and a dealer of Century Wood Products. Other preferred brands include Thermador.

Rauth offers a spectacular showroom where potential remodelers can view the company’s craftsmanship, countertop work and overall kitchen and

bathroom remodels.

Working with Rauth Kitchen Concepts provides the ultimate care and service when redoing a kitchen or bathroom in your home. The personalized expertise from working with the same contractor on various projects provides an assurance the job will be completed correctly and in a timely manner.

While kitchen and bathroom remodels are the company’s forte, it has experts available to help with many other home projects. Its business expertise continues to expand to better serve the customer as time goes on. Other services include general contracting, subcontracting, residential building, commercial building, estimating, cost consultation, site evaluation and analysis, design-build, blueprints and plans, construction management, remodeling and renovations and home improvements.

Whether your needs are great or small, when renovating a kitchen or bathroom Rauth Kitchen Concepts will meet your expectations with the highest quality of craftsmanship and local personal service.

John Rauth ConstRuCtion Company

John Rauth Construction Company has a proven reputation of fine craftsmanship. We are the oldest residential remodeling contractor in St. Joseph, started in 1953. In these tough economic times, it is important to use a well-established contractor like Rauth that has more than 57 years of local experience.

26th and Patee streets, St. Joseph, Mo., (816) 232-2225, www.rauthconstruction.com

“A proven reputation of fine craftsmanship” • Let us design your new dream kitchen • 58 years of experience • In these economic times Rauth is a name you can trust!

A Division Of John Rauth Construction • Call for an appointment

26th & Patee • (816) 232-2225

Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 21

Landscaping

GoinG Green

Landscapers can help make your lawn and garden a thing of beauty

L

ow maintenance and budget friendly are popular phrases in landscaping but perhaps even more so now as homeowners continue to get by in a slow economy.

“Everyone wants low maintenance,” says Todd Howe with Old Mill Nursery in St. Joseph. “Less water and trimming doesn’t hit the pocketbook as hard.”

The economy also has influenced more of Howe’s customers to incorporate fruit and vegetable plants into their own gardens.

“It’s not just seasoned gardeners trying it,” Howe says. “Price wise, (growing your own) is a better choice.”

Fruit trees and berries also can add color in the fall and fit well into a natural landscape scheme, Howe says. Apple and cherry trees have been especially popular, he says.

Instead of the often-seen annuals filling up planters, gardeners also are including perennials.

“Now we’re starting to see some landscape plants with perennials and sometimes strawberries or sumac in planters, which gives the arrangement kind of a wild look,” Howe says.

The landscaper recommends taking the sumac out of your planter at the

end of the summer and, for continued enjoyment, planting it in the ground in the fall.

Native plants also provide a wilder, more natural look and are great at tolerating the harsh Midwest climate, Howe adds. He recommends plants such as the Missouri primrose, butterfly milkweed, astor and echinacea as being both cost friendly and easy to grow and maintain.

For those who prefer a more manicured lawn, Chris Kowalewycz, owner of Dr. Green Thumb Landscape Services, offers customized lawn care services year round.

“We treat yards differently than everyone else,” Kowalewycz says. “We customize our service to the yard’s needs based on the nutrients it’s lacking, the fertilizer it needs or the weeds that need to be controlled.”

He uses what he calls “athletic turf grass,” a high-quality blend of fescue bluegrass that does well in Missouri.

Through heavy rains and dry spells, the golf-course-quality grass keeps his customers pleased throughout the year. In addition to lawn care, Dr. Green Thumb also provides snow removal, trimming and tree removal and, as Kowalewycz says, just about anything related to your outdoor environment.

Dr. Green Thumb LanDscape services LLc

Dr. Green Thumb believes in quality without compromise. We offer free estimates and services including tree trimming, lawn installation, lawn maintenance, custom flower beds and gardens, French drains, clean up, bush trimming, gutter cleaning, aeration, custom fertilizing and weed control and dirt work.

(816) 617-8484, www.cureyourlawn.com

OLD miLL nursery

Old Mill Nursery is your local resource for lawn and garden products and services. We provide the very best in greenhouse nursery stock along with a variety of grass seeds, fertilizers and bird feed. We also offer landscape design and installation plus turf management and irrigation services. Stop in and see us at the Old Mill — we have been helping area homeowners since 1997.

805 S. 36th St., St Joseph, Mo., (816) 232-7500, www.oldmillnursery.com

Don’t Get Boxed In! Come see your friends at the Old Mill We do Gardening and Landscaping all season long! And that’s all we do! We’re here to inspire the gardener in you.

SO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX (STORE) THIS SPRING!

805 So 36th Street, St. Joseph, MO 816-232-7500 • www.oldmillnursery.com 22 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Cure your lawn with Dr. Green Thumb • Custom Fertilizer/Weed control Program • Mowing Commercial and Residential • Weeding/Edging • Hedge, tree and shrub trimming and removal • Landscape design and construction • Weed and pest control • Mulch and rock beds replacement and installs • Raised custom beds • Yard Aeration • De-thatching • Trees, flowers and shrub planting • Soil softening • Dirt Work • Seeding/Sod install • French Drains • Hardscape • Retaining Walls 816-617-8484 www.cureyourlawn.com Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 23

Lumberyard/hardware

24 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

Lumberyard/hardware

Open the dOOr tO great style

Change the look of your home with items from your hardware store

L

ooking for a house face lift without the hefty cost of a major overhaul? Update instantly with a little TLC to the doors in your house with items you can find at your hardware store.

Front Door Accessories Create a welcoming entrance for your guests by spicing up your front door with new hardware. The front door adds to a guest’s first impression, so why not make it a good one?

There are many options when choosing accessories for your front door, including kick plates, door handles, door knockers and even new, updated house numbers. Changing up these elements of your front door allows you to show off your personality and decorating style before guests even enter your house. So swap out those old, brass details with polished nickel, bronze or pewter doorknobs.

Before you know it, you’ll be the commander in chic.

Ware’s Home Center

cAbinet Door HArDwAre While the front door is the first impression of your house, the kitchen is the heart of the home. Kitchen cabinets may not be the focal point of the room, but they are definitely a prominent feature. Swapping out old cabinet hardware takes little time and money and in most cases requires only a screwdriver and some elbow grease. Don’t forget to update the hinges of the cabinets if they show on the outside, too, as you’ll want these to match your sleek new look.

hardware. But if you’re looking for a bold statement, feel free to change it up with the interior door handles. Be sure to update your sliding doors and closet doors when you are updating your door hardware. A little change in the details contributes to a new overall look for your home.

Ware’s Home Center

insiDe Door HAnDles Interior doors don’t go unnoticed by guests either, especially when giving a house tour. Fresh knobs, handles and pulls on interior doors will give them a nice, chic finish. With so many styles to choose from, you really can’t go wrong when updating the handles. It’s a nice touch to coordinate the look with the kitchen and bathroom cabinets and the front door

Rodney and Suzanne Ware purchased Bowe Hardware in January 2008. Ware’s Home Center offers a small-town atmosphere with a large product offering. Our affiliation with the Do It Best network, which is made up of 4,100 hardware stores, home centers and lumberyards worldwide, means we can provide you with incredible selection and great values. We have access to more than 65,000 products from our warehouse to help you maintain your home.

502 W. Market St., Savannah, Mo., (816) 324-3622, www.wares.doitbest.com

Cabinets Carpets Floor Coverings Rental Center Windows - Doors Paint 816-324-3622 502 W. Market, Savannah, MO

www.wares.doitbest.com 25 Home Resource Guide Spring 2011

M a t tr re es ss se es s

Sleep on it

Don’t just look when buying a new mattress

“T

ry it before you buy it,” is Bruce Fetters’ mantra to anyone shopping for a new bed.

“Mattress shopping is a lot like shoe shopping,” says Fetters, store manager for Heitman’s Lebeda Mattress Factory in St. Joseph.

“Try them on, see how they feel.”

But before you set out to sleep shop, decide on your budget, Fetters says.

Because the dynamic of a bed changes — especially with two people lying on it — Fetters also recommends that your partner is with you when shopping. Be sure to give yourself at least 30 minutes to an hour to take the time to test out each bed that fits you and your budget.

Heitman’s carries all Lebeda mattresses, with mattresses in the store divided into firm, medium and soft. Queensize beds range from $300 to $2,500. King-size beds are priced anywhere from $600 to $2,500.

“We give you more bed for your money,” Fetters says.

“Our $500 bed is what others are selling for $1,000.”

To ensure you’re buying a quality bed, look closely at

the box spring and mattress. The more wooden slats and springs in a box spring, the longer it will last, Fetters says. The same goes for the mattress itself, he says. More springs (1,000 is a good number) provide more support and a better distribution of a person’s weight.

Foam mattresses also vary in quality, Fetters says. The denser the foam, the longer it will last. Most manufacturers use a two-pound foam, he says. Lebeda, which manufactures its beds in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sells foam mattresses starting at a two-pound density and also at 2.8 pounds.

Many people who sleep on their backs or stomachs prefer a firm mattress, Fetters says, while side sleepers tend to prefer thicker, more cushioned, pillow top or memory foam mattresses.

But just when he thinks he has customers figured out, Fetters says a former waterbed owner will purchase one of Lebeda’s firmest mattresses.

Bottom line? Sleep — or at least lie — on it.

“There are no set rules,” Fetters says. “What people usually choose is what they’re conditioned to, but above all, you just have to try them out.”

Heitman’s Lebeda mattress Factory

Heitman’s Lebeda Mattress Factory is the premiere place to buy your new mattress set — straight from the factory to your home. All the luxurious comfort you deserve without the high prices other stores charge because of middle-man markups. Choose from more than 25 styles of handcrafted mattress sets, plus a wide selection of headboards and footboards, bedroom furniture, futons and electric adjustable beds.

807 S. Belt Highway, St. Joseph, (816) 279-8888. www.lebeda.com Home Resource Guide Spring 2011 26

1740

SERVICES

Resource Resource Resource 1740 1740eds Resource 271.8666 1740 | 1.800.779.6397 Guide Guide www.newspressnow.com/classifi Guide Guide

ACC Complete home remodel-

All Honey Honey Do Lists

ing, kitchen, bath, lead certified, decks, siding, windows, Licensed & insured, Free estimate. Call Cody at 383-3552

All Home repairs, Siding, Roofing, Guttering, Privacy Fence, Lawn service Licensed, Insured.

ADVANCED Turf & Lawn Care LLC Residential & Commercial ■ Lawn program ■ Spring Clean-up ■ seeding ■ aerating, licensed/insured. 816-294-8777

Owens Heavy Equipment for rent with operator; Grader, Backhoes, Dump trucks, Power broom.

Concrete, Asphalt, Dirt, Driveways, Sidewalks, Driveway seals.

T & L Owens 248-4785 or 233-3376 248-0496 Your St.Joe flooring expert for over 24 years. Certified Installation. 390-2394

photo reprints available.

Form available on

ACC Hauling Garage, basement clean-outs, yard waste/trees, dirt/gravel Free estimate.

Call Cody at 383-3552 ✦Complete lawn maintenance ✦ Spring cleanup ✦ Aerating & Seeding ✦ Tree/brush/shrub ✦ Trimming & Removal ✦ Commercial & Residential ✦ Satisfaction Guaranteed ✦ Licensed/Insured ✦ Free Estimates

390-5514

Bailey Trucking & Excavating ✤ Topsoil, Black Dirt & Gravel Delivered. ✤ Building prep ✤ Tree Trimming

Design ■ Build ■ Renovate

261-5011 or 232-6157

3rd Family Generation Building in St. Joseph. Full service contractor. Room additions & Remodel, Residential & Commercial. New Or existing Ken Bressman, Owner www.kenbressman.com 816-294-8673

BIG BEN’S LAWN CARE Free Estimates Licensed/Insured. Avg. yard-$25.

Also yard & gutter cleaning.

(816) 351-1102 bigbenslawns@yahoo.com

Ken Bressman Construction

MC Contractors, Experienced reliable, reasonable.

Remodeling, Room additions, kitchens & baths, siding, decks, concrete work.

Micky Cooper 273-8993 PARMER CONSTRUCTION Residential Roofing Specialists!

Tear Offs & Re-roofs, Since 1973. Licensed/Insured Free Estimates!

816-667-5469 All your electrical Needs Residential, commercial, No job too Large or Small. Licensed & insured.

Free estimates. 22 yr. experience.

Woods & Bruce Electric 816-617-1152

To have your service appear here give Cheryl a call or email at 816-271-8532, cheryl.bougher@newspressnow.com

BREAKING NEWS and SEVERE WEATHER ALERTS delivered to your inbox and mobile phone.

Visit

and look for the envelope to signup NOW.

Quality Name Brand Furniture For Less Largest Showroom with Lowest Prices!

“Bargains Are Our Business”

Interest Free Financing Available.

FREE Layaway 2900 N. Belt Hwy, St. Joseph, MO

(816) 279-4433

Mon. - Sat. 9 am - 9 pm / Sun. 11 am - 6 pm