Are they properly licensed and insured? Does your contractor know and comply with all the laws and regulations governing his business? Do they know which wall bears the weight and which wire goes where?

How long have they been in business? Has the contractor you hired for your new roof been a "professional" since 1946 - or since last Saturday?

How does your contractor respond to the inevitable customer complaint?

Truth in advertising

Do they deliver on their advertising claims? Does he really "throw in a free driveway"?

Commitment

Do they stand behind their work? Many of our members have made a special commitment to settle any disputes through BBB mediation, and if necessary, binding arbitration. It's called the BBB CARE program. Is the contractor you are about to hire one of those who have made that "special commitment"?

We recommend that consumers shop not just for "professionals" but rather for "professional conduct" in the marketplace.

Choose someone who has years of expertise, not someone trying a new profession. We at Cortese are celebrating our 56th year in servicing the area. So go with a Professional for your needs!

...To keep tools free of rust, clean metal parts with an oil-soaked rag. Most oils work, including vegetable oil and used motor oil. Remove encrusted dirt by plunging tools into a box filled with a mixture of sand and spent motor oil.

...Sharp tools make gardening faster and easier; and well-honed pruners are better for plants, too. To get a good edge on pruning shears, trowel and hoe, first use a wire brush to remove dirt and rust. Then, clamp small tools in a vice, with the tool head facing up. Sharpen by using a 10-to-12 in. all-purpose mill bastard file. Align the file with the existing bevel, and push it away from you.

...Avoid spreading plant diseases and pests by thoroughly cleaning used terra cotta containers before replanting in them. Usea stiff wire brush to scrape off soil and fertilizer residue on both the inside and outside of the pots. Then, scrub the pots with diluted bleach, rinsing well. Freshen up discolored terra cotta after cleaning by applying linseed oil with a rag.

...Clean sticky sap off hand held pruning shears by using an old toothbrush that's dipped in distilled vinegar.

When it comes to home projects, luxury and efficiency are in high demand, with the customer requesting kitchens and baths that have it all. The floor plan that maximizes efficiency, new and exciting designs, products and applications that look and work together for that "million dollar" image.

The National Association of Home Builders recently surveyed 4,000 home buyers to determine what they most wanted in a new kitchen. Here are the top five answers and products they chose:

Everyone seemed to complain about lack of sufficient counter space. More than 95% rated this feature as Number 1.

It was a little surprising how strongly people felt about having a double-bowl sink. 89% surveyed mentioned it.

The desire for a casual, convenient place to eat was a strong desire by 85% of those surveyed.

Nearly 84% wanted a walk-in pantry adjacent to the kitchen. They felt this would save grocery time as well as easier access.

When given a choice of six different countertop materials, most people (61%) chose a solid-surface material such as Corian. This was chosen for looks as well as function.

So there you have it! How does your kitchen measure up? Is it time to do some minor improvements to make your life more, or a complete kitchen remodeling project?

Remember to choose a professional who will help you make those ideas a dream come true. Cortese Brothers, Inc. will be glad to serve you in any of your projects. Call for a free estimate today!

Finding just the right building products for your new home or remodeling project may take some sleuthing. Here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction.