HOW-TO... Choose a Restoration Company

Returning a home to its pre-disaster condition after an unexpected catastrophe strikes can be an expensive endeavor. Restoration services are often a necessity after water damage or fire and smoke damage occurs. The average cost of removing standing water, repairing water damage, and renovating after fire and smoke damage can inflict a heavy financial toll on a homeowner.

Because of the costs of restoration services, homeowners will want to utilize the services of a professional and reputable restoration company. A quality restoration service will be methodical in rebuilding the damaged parts of your home. Pipes that have burst and the resulting flooding are addressed by water damage restoration professionals who dry out the property. Restoration services also clean up the heavy soot and smoke that can result from fires, leaving your home habitable and safe.

When looking for a credible restoration company, several key indicators can lead a homeowner to the right restoration service.

Hire Local Local restoration companies can arrive onsite quicky to assess the damage to the home.

Organizations like the Institute of Inspection

Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and services like the Restoration Certification’s Locator can connect a homeowner to local restoration services.

Hire an Insured Restoration Professional

Make sure you choose a contractor who is licensed and insured. A licensed restoration company has to meet a set of required credentials in order to perform the specified service. The Better Business Bureau helps consumers find businesses that they can trust.

Insurance protects both the property owner as well as the technicians working onsite. Any injuries to the homeowner or workers that might result from the restoration process are covered by general liability insurance. If damage to the property itself occurs, as a consequence to the restoration work performed, it will also be covered under the company’s insurance.

Check Credentials

A certified restoration professional can provide the homeowner with proof that the companies’ employees have received extensive training. Certifications from renowned industry associations, like the IICRC and the Restoration Industry Association (RIA), are a true indication of commitment to quality.

Know Availability

Restoration services can also be known as emergency response teams. If water suddenly infiltrates a home and leads to flooding, you will want the services of a water damage restoration company who can arrive at the property as quickly as possible.

A reliable restoration company should have 24hour service, every day of the year. Water damage and fire damage are unpredictable and can cause destruction to a property within minutes. Keep the contact information of a restoration service on hand with 24hour availability.

Begin Buying and Selling Coins

Coin collecting has a long history as both a fun and interesting hobby and often a pursuit that develops into a business. But coin collectors all point to the joy of discovery and then holding something historic, rare and beautiful in their own hands as the main reason they are drawn to coins.

Coin collectors come by their hobby through different routes. Some inherit collections, allowing them a head-start on their new pursuit. Others become fascinated when they find a rare coin mixed in with their normal currency.

But no matter how they came by their collections, the hobby can prove addicting. Adding to the collection involves some investment, tenacity and research.

Buying and selling coins is great fun but not simple or easy. There are several factors that affect a coin’s ability to go up in value, including its history, quality and scarcity. You’ll also encounter many obstacles with dealers and other sellers. If you are considering starting a coin collection, here are some things to keep in mind:

Know What You Have

Research is key. There are a lot of resources that can help you understand what you are buying or selling.

It is important to discover everything you can about a coin before purchasing it. If you have inherited coins, or have received them as gifts, educate yourself on their background and value.

Coin shops likely have books that can help you get started. You can also find information at the local library and on the internet.

Once you have completed your research, you can start buying and selling with confidence.

Understand Coin Grades

Knowing coin grades is essential if you collect coins. This system assigns a value based on the coin’s condition.

The grading process is pivotal. You could have the same two coins — same year, same mint, same design — and they could be worth drastically different prices based on the score they received when being graded.

Coins in near-perfect condition are very rare and are more valuable than modified or damaged coins.

Don’t Clean Coins

Never clean your coin collection. Novices are often tempted to give their coins a polish. Shinier coins must be worth more, right?

Cleaning or polishing a coin can destroy its worth. It removes some of the original finish, rendering the coin far less valuable as a result. Real collectors prize coins that are in their original condition.

Ask Questions

Ask questions, no matter how trivial you think they might be. It is the only way you will learn and grow as a collector.

Look for more experienced collectors in your area. You can find them at coin shows and shops. There may even be clubs in your community. Ask them about the best coins to buy. Find out about their successes and failures. It will help you avoid pitfalls.

It is hard to know what is reputable online. That’s why networking in your area and finding people with great reputations is a better way to get your questions answered.

Spend Time at a Coin Shop

Develop a relationship with your favorite coin shop.

Once a dealer knows your interests, he can alert you with information about the coins you are seeking.

Networking with employees may also help you develop new friendships that come out of common interests.

Doing these things will help you avoid wasting time and money on bad purchases. It will also pass the time, as you accumulate more knowledge. Soon you will be on your way toward becoming a seasoned collector.

But once you become familiar with collecting, don’t keep the knowledge to yourself. Give back to the coin collecting community. Help others develop in interest in the hobby as well.