When embarking on home improvement projects, one of the first decisions is whether to do it yourself or to hire a professional. If you feel you have the skillset to undertake a particular project, then it might make sense to proceed with it. If you are not sure, remember that time is valuable – and if you make a mistake, you may likely have to do all the work over again or possibly end up calling a professional anyway. Make sure you consider your ‘worst case scenario’ and let that help guide you in your decision.
One of the most popular DIY projects is painting. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to perk up your living spaces and it doesn’t have to be a complicated project. If you are removing wallpaper and repairing walls, however, that might be a different story. If you are doing it yourself, don’t skimp on materials. The money you save on hiring someone will more that cover the increase in cost for quality paint and materials.
Another popular DIY project is switching out your plumbing fixtures. Replacing your old faucets and showerheads can bring a whole level of improvement to your living space – both aesthetically and practically. If you have a leak that can’t be corrected due to a worn out fixture, it can also save water and expense down the road as well. At the same time, plumbing repairs can be tricky for DIY since many homeowners don’t have access to the same tools or expertise as a professional. One wrong move can result in a bad outcome if something breaks – so be prepared for contingencies and have your plumber’s phone number on hand in case something goes wrong.
DIY tiling is another popular home improvement project. A good place to begin might be something small like a backsplash area around your sink or your stove. These types of projects can have a beautiful, personal flair – and will last for a very long time – so make sure you love it or find colors that will blend in well if you change your color schemes in the future. If you are working in areas where there is water, be sure to seal everything appropriately to avoid damage.
If you happen to have skill with wood and woodworking tools, there are a lot of things you can work on – from shelving, to seating, tables, racks and more. If you have an interest in these types of projects, consider taking a local course to better understand the craft and begin practicing with some simple projects.
Finally, if you do decide to take on some of your own home improvement projects, be sure to check with your local codes departments to see if there is any permitting that is required. Find out if there are any permits or inspections that need to happen as you progress through your project and what the procedures and timelines are. This will go a long way towards having a great experience and will save a lot of time and headache down the road.
Remember, if you are making improvements for your home, contact our team at Bieritz Insurance Agency to see if any updates to your homeowner’s policy are needed. We are happy to provide you with information and guidance!
The summer months are ones we look forward to all year long, but they bring certain risks along with the great summer weather. After our long, cold, winter months, we are all more than ready to be outdoors and enjoying fun times with family and friends. To minimize your risks, you can do a quick insurance protection check to make sure you are ready for the summer months.
Outdoor recreation activities over the past few years (since the onset of COVID-19) has boomed with people throughout the U.S. looking for safe spaces with fresh air and good opportunities for socially distanced recreation. Here in New York, there are parts of the Catskills that were inundated with so many people, trails were closed in order to protect them from foot traffic. This surge in interest in outdoor activities has also spurred increased visitation at National Parks throughout the country. Those numbers continued to increase in 2021 – with close to 300 million visits and record high numbers in forty-four parks.
Living in a classic old house is a privilege. Older homes can evoke a sense of beauty, love, charisma. They have a level of character and craftsmanship that are no longer seen in todays modern houses. However, during the cold winters, an older home can be quite uncomfortable. If you are looking into insulation, you may find the information here to be helpful. 
Most people know that there are some logical ways to save money on their insurance. Bundling your auto and homeowners insurance with one carrier and agency can qualify you for a discount. You can use higher deductibles or drop some of your coverage levels. You can take driving safety courses or install security systems. These are all things that you can control and adjust as you need to. What you might not realize is that insurance pricing changes on a regular basis and is driven by many different factors. The general recommendation is to re-quote on your policies every 6-12 months.
New York State is making a huge push to help homeowners and businesses transition out of fossil fuel dependence. Through 
It’s the time of year when our snow-loving neighbors venture forth on wintery trails throughout our region. According to the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association, in 2021, there were over 1.3 billion snowmobiles registered in the U.S. – over 100,000 of these are in New York State. New York offers thousands of miles of snowmobile trails that wind their way through some of the most beautiful and scenic parts of the state including the Catskill Mountains and the Adirondacks.
The transition from one year to the next is often a time of reflection about our lives. We assess the things that we might like to change to make our lives a bit better, feel happier, healthier and more productive. Just as we make assessment of our personal habits, we can assess our surroundings as well. The new year allows us the opportunity to step back and reflect on ways we can make our households run more efficiently – maybe with some re-organization, or updates, repairs and improvements to our home in ways that make sense for our budgets and our future.
There is nothing more important than the safety of our children in getting back and forth to school. Whether they are walking, riding a bike or traveling in a school bus, it is imperative for drivers to be constantly aware, patient and exercise caution. Take a look through the following information for a refresher on School Bus Rules of the Road.
One of the most important things we can tell our clients is to think about insurance before you actually have a need for it. If there is one thing we have all learned over this past year, it is that life can be unpredictable. While it may be hard to imagine the kinds of things that can happen that upend our lives, there are some systematic ways to assess some of the basics.
One of the best things about summer is the ability to cook outdoors. We hold family barbecues, attend outdoor picnics, and just generally cook outside whenever we can while the season is here. 70% of our households in the U.S. own an outdoor grill or smoker. While a big part of our summer fare, outdoor cooking does not come without risks. An average of 10,600 home fires are caused each year and almost 20,000 emergency room visits are directly related to home grilling and about half of those injuries involve thermal burns. Take a look through these Summer Grilling Safety Tips – recommended by 
Last week, we celebrated the 51st anniversary of the first Earth Day. The first event in 1970 looked a lot different than it does today. It was the largest single-day protest in human history when more than 20 million people poured out onto the streets throughout the US. Shortly after that, in 1972 landmark conservation laws and regulations were passed that included the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, to name a few. While there is a lot that has changed over the last 50 years, a good deal of our original challenges that remain today. For example, Recycling remains a challenge. In Otsego County, only about 12% of recyclable materials are recovered with close to 80% continuing to go to landfills.
While buying a new house is certainly one of the most exciting things anyone can do, the actual process of getting into that house is often full of stress and hard work. Even when the sale has finally closed, you still have an incredibly daunting task ahead of you: moving. Some people choose to do it themselves; others hire professional help. Either way, it’s important to consider your valuable possessions, and what might happen to them during the move. No matter how careful you are, there’s always the risk that something bad can happen to these irreplaceable keepsakes. This is why it’s important to consider moving insurance.
Parking lots contain a lot of potential safety hazards for both pedestrians and drivers. The National Safety Council (NHS) states that 