To celebrate our 10 year anniversary, we thought Double J could use a new look.  Our goal was to combine the excavation and remodeling services we offer in our logo, while still keeping it simple and attractive to the consumer.  We still provide  the same great options to homeowners and small business owners, but hopefully fewer people will ask us "now what do you do" or you work for the Daily Journal of Commerce, right?  Although we love to tell people what we do, and we think the Daily Journal of Commerce is a great business publication, we would prefer that our marketing message was more precise and clear. 

 

In addition to the new logo, Double J has registered the new Assumed Business Name in Oregon, "Double J Renovations", with our license for ease of marketing.  You can expect to see this new name on our remodeling van and print materials in the near future.

 

Please let us know what you think of our new logo and ABN by emailing us today.  All of you who respond by May 15, 2010 will get entered into a drawing for a $10 Applebees gift card.  The winner will be announced in our next newsletter.

 

 

Lead Certification.  It's official!

On April 22, 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency put into affect a new law requiring contractors who work on homes and buildings built prior to 1978 to be lead certified or face a fine of up to  $32,500 per day or up to six months in jail.  Currently there is an opt-out clause for homeowners without children in the home or who are not pregnant, however this clause will be eliminated very shortly.  These new lead regulations will require extreme care when changing out windows ; cutting, sanding or removing a wall or siding with lead based paint; or pressure washing a home with lead based paint, so consumers can anticipate an increase in the cost of these types of projects.

If your home or business is older than 1978, make sure your contractor is certified with the Oregon CCB or the EPA and that they give you a renovation right brochure to read.  Also, the contractor must take the lead test before and after the work is performed and keep it for three years, so testing on your own will not eliminate the need for the contractor to perform the test as well.  

Double J finally received our certification card and has filed the necessary paperwork with the Oregon CCB and the EPA. 

 

Housing is improving, but will it be sustainable?

According to a recent article published by the National Association of Realtors, housing sales improved in March, primarily believed to be due to the first time home buyer tax credit.  However, the tax credit expired on April 30, so will this increase continue?  On May 24, the April numbers will be released, and we could possibly see an increase again due to the push by buyers to meet the deadline and the continued low interest rates.  Thankfully, Portland is doing very well compared to the rest of the nation with a 45% increase in sales over 2009 as seen in their local market data spreadsheet. 

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Don't forget your mom and dad!

 May 9, 2010 is Mother's Day, soon to be followed by Father's Day on June 21.  Don't forget to call your mom or dad send them a card on these special days.  If your mom or dad has passed away, you can still celebrate with the special men and women in your life and let them know how important they are to you!