The Top 5 Frequently Asked Questions on Finances for Medical Tourism!

1. Why are prices for medical tourism so much less than at home? The cost advantage evolves from the lower cost of living and wages paid in most destination countries as compared to North America.

2. How is payment handled for the trip and the surgery? Your air tickets, hotels and deposit for surgery must be paid in advance through Global Healthcare Connections Inc. We will be pleased to provide you with specific payment information once you have decided on the service provider, facility, and choice of travel date. Full financing for Canadian citizens is available for your medical trip; please let us know if you would like us to help with financing options.

3. Can I seek reimbursement through the government or my private medical insurance for medical travel? Not generally and especially if it is an elective surgery. There may be special circumstances; you will have to check directly with your private medical plan administrator for private insurance, and if you are looking for support from the Canadian Government, all requests for support are reviewed on an individual basis and expenses for healthcare outside of Canada must be pre-approved prior to travel.

4. Are the costs of medical services outside of Canada tax deductible? If you are incorporated there is a legal way to deduct up to 100% of your out of country medical costs. For individuals, your tax relief is limited to the amount by which your expenses exceed 3% of your income. Always seek the guidance from a chartered accountant for allowable income expenses.

5. Do I have to pay Global Healthcare Connections any fee for their services? Generally, no. We receive a contracted service fee from the medical providers in our network.

Check out  listings here in the Saskatoon Health & Wellness Category on THE SASKATOON DIRECTORYof excellence.

STAY TRUSTED MY FRIENDS ..SAFE and TRUSTED SASKATOON!

Bateman Jewellers are Saskatoon Jewellery Experts...did you know that they are the oldest independent jewellery store in Saskatoon! Bateman Jewellers maintain that the relationship with their clients is very important to them, and Trusted is sure you have heard Cam say in his well known radio ads " Your jewellery is a lifetime investment; Buy it from a lifetime friend. " ..Trusted can attest to the fact that they really DO mean it, and we are proud to have them on board as our Trusted Saskatoon Jeweller!

Here Cam shares his First Trusted Tip:

Cleaning Jewellry

There are a couple of "urban legends" about how and what to clean your jewellery with?

1 - Comet - a wonderful cleaning agent but terribly hard on your jewellery even when cut with water and mixed to a paste. Comet has chlorine bleach which is a mild acid that actually eats away minute amounts of gold. It is especially hard in the places we solder things back together like chains when they break or rings when they breaks in the same place it was just sized. It also says No Harsh Abrasives except it has Quartz in it which is harder than glass so you decide on how abrasive. For the same reason we DON"T recommend you to wear your gold or sliver jewellery in pools and hot tubs. Again cause of the chlorine. This is why your chain becomes brittle after a few years of wear.

2. - Toothpaste again abrasive and the new whitener types have bleaching agents so same problem as comet.

3. - Bleach has Chlorine again no good it is an acid eats the gold.

4. - Pools and Hot tubs use chlorine products to disinfect explained in comet section.

Keep it simple for years to get your dishes clean we used Palmolive soap. Palmolive is a grease fighter... whats on your ring is the day to day oils from your skin ie grease and also from lotions etc. It is wonderful on your jewellery washes off with water!For stubborn dirt add the use of a soft tooth brush and wa la squeaky clean every time. You can use other brands like sunlite etc. But in 67 years we have found Palmolive to be the best and still use it today...for our dishes too.

Thanks Cam from Bateman Jewellers Or just bring them in for a FREE cleaning and inspection even if they weren't bought at our store!!!

Find Bateman Jewellers on 2nd Ave South or online at http://www.batemanjewellers.com they are your Trusted SASKATOON JEWELLERS

 Carpet Cleaning Guys are a locally owned and operated business with over 30 years of experience in the industry. You can rest assured that you are hiring quality and expertise when you give “the Guys” a call! As they always say .."Professional Carpet Cleaning for Particular People" and the only Saskatoon Carpet Cleaners ' Given the Thumbs up' by Trusted Saskatoon! Here Hal McGinnis the owner shares his first Trusted Tip

Carpet Cleaning scams and how to avoid them

This article from Nanaimo Newspaper just last year highlights the kind of issues you can run into when you don’t choose a reputable Carpet Cleaner http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/128034368.html  Also Carpet Cleaning is renowned For ‘ Bait and Switch’ scams…

Bait and switch scams work like this:

• A company advertises cleaning a roomful of carpets for a ridiculously low price ( you must have seen the small signs around the city on posts and walls?) . When they arrive, they inform you the price they quoted is only for the traffic lanes and doesn’t include any cleaning chemicals." That’s like taking a bath with no soap,". So you agree to pay extra for the chemicals because you are thankful someone showed up. In the end, the final bill ends up costing you hundreds of dollars.
• Another typical scam is hearing that a company will clean a set amount of rooms for a very low price (like 5 rooms for $49.00). After they begin, you discover a linen closet, hallway, foyer, or regular closet counts as a room, and you wind up paying a lot more than you thought you would. Bait-and-switch scams are especially targeted at the elderly. Seniors are more likely to be intimidated by high pressure tactics and by someone who "promises" to give them a good deal.

So how can you avoid a bait-and-switch scam?

The best protection against bait-and-switch is to ask some pointed questions before the cleaner arrives at your home.If the company cannot answer simple questions, move on to another company. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are 10 questions you should ask:

1.  Are you certified in carpet cleaning? If not, what type of formal training do you have?

2. How many years has your company been in business?" ( the longer, the better)

3. Can you provide a list of 10 references I can call?

4. Is your company drug, alcohol and criminal free? ( they may be in your home alone for some time...don't risk it!)

5. Can you provide proof of insurance and a business license?

6. What steps will be included in your cleaning process? Does your company use Green products? (Using cheap cleaning solutions that cause rapid re-soling, many chain, franchise and bait and switch cleaners use detergents that may be harmful to you, your family and your pets. Make sure the firm you choose can prove that they use cleaning solutions that are safe for you and the environment.)

7. How long will it take for the carpet to dry?

8. Do you offer free, no-obligation, on-site written quotations?

9. Do you offer a written, satisfaction or money back guarantee?

10. Are they a member of an agency or directory with standards that hokd them to account? (www.trustedsaskatoon.com for example- I would also check to see if they have any negative online reviews)

With these 10 steps you should save yourself alot of heartache!

Check out their Online reviews here or look over their very comprehensive listing under SASKATOON CLEANING SERVICES on the Saskatoon directory, they are your SASKATOON CARPET CLEANING experts! 

www.trustedsaskatoon.com  is thrilled to welcome  CARPET CLEANING GUYS as the latest locally owned, operated and accountable business to our SASKATOON CLEANING SERVICES category on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence. Hal McGinnis and his team join an impressive list of Trusted businesses.

The Trusted Partners on board are forward thinkers, innovators and experts in the city and they understand that to make a difference in your business that offering ' just good service' doesn't cut it anymore..they offer remarkable service and they do that as standard. The Trusted partners have made a commitment to share their expertise with the public , and that makes Trusted Saskatoon not just the best place to source local businesses when you have a need...but also a place that is becoming a growing libary of tips and resources over more than just the 40 categories we reach....Type ' Trusted Tips Saskatoon' into Google and you will see what we mean...or go to our Trusted Tips Library on the Saskatoon directory to read the well written, interesting and helpful tips our Trusted Partners have provided....or simply ' Choose a category ' from the list on the left of this Blog page....we are more than just another Saskatoon Directory..we are THE Smart & Simple Choice ....and we work for YOU!

Trusted SASKATOON CARPET CLEANING GUYS

Hal Mcginnis is the owner , and him and the team from  CARPET CLEANING GUYS are everything that other ‘coupon carpet cleaners’ are not...they have a level of integrity and a work ethic that really amazed us at Trusted, and we are proud to promote them and endorse them as Saskatoon’s Trusted Carpet Cleaners.

Saskatoon Carpet Cleaners are everywhere these days it seems….advertising ridiculous offers of $10-$20/ a room, or having carpet cleaning as ‘ one of the services offered’ ..when you get something done it is always a good idea, and good advice to go to the people and businesses that specialize in what you want doing!

Why?

Type ‘Carpet Cleaning Scams’ into Google and see the horror stories that come up ….we have posted a YOU TUBE video below which showcases the scams that are out there, and besides, when you leave someone in your home it is important that you can TRUST them to do the job, and take care of your property..we can guarantee that Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning guys...are THE GUYS you can trust!

Well maintained carpets and upholstery help ensure a healthy home by reducing the amount of dust and allergens that are present. Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning guys service is designed to ensure that your carpets are as clean, healthy, and as beautiful as possible. You'll be amazed when Hal brings back the color and life to your carpets…one of the clients we spoke to when we did the client survey portion of the Trusted Verification process told us a story that really explains Hals way of doing things.

“ A previous tenant of mine loved to make fried foods and eat them in front of the TV …he lived in my property for 4 years and over that time a ‘ trail of grease’ was obvious between the kitchen and the chair in front of the TV ..I called Hal in to look at it, expecting him to write off the carpet as a lost cause and was ready to buy a new carpet for the entire apartment.....Hal spent 5 hours and put in so much physical labor into those hours and to our amazement the carpets looked brand new again… he saved me the expense of buying a new carpet and the respect I already had for him doubled, he is the best Carpet Cleaner in Saskatoon, hands down…I wouldn’t call anyone else!”

When you see the difference for yourself, you will see why they get so much word of mouth recommendations. You’ll notice a huge difference in how your carpets feel after a residue-free rinse! There will be no stickiness and crusty feeling that you may have experienced in the past…and as Hal McGinnis is the Saskatoon Expert he will advise you on taking best care of your carpet, rugs, and fine fabrics in the future. In addition, Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning Guys always invest in new and up to date equipment. This means cleaner carpets and a quicker drying time!

So if your Carpets need cleaning contact Hal and The Saskatoon Carpet Cleaning Guys ...checkout their listing for more information here in SASKATOON CLEANING SERVICES or give Hal a call to book your carpet cleaning today at your convienience! Their website is currently getting revamped but will be done soon here is the link!  AND we have  trusted tip ready to share with you from Hal...so check back to read it soon!

You can be assured that they won't cut any corners ..they will just clean them..beautifully!

www.trustedsaskatoon.com is thrilled to welcome EARTHBOUND BAKERY as the latest locally owned, operated and accountable business to our SASKATOON CATERERS & BAKERIES category on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence. Trent and the Earthbound Bakery Team join an impressive list of Trusted businesses.The Trusted Partners on board are forward thinkers, innovators and experts in the city and they understand that to make a difference in your business that offering ' just good service' doesn't cut it anymore..they offer remarkable service and they do that as standard.

The Trusted partners have made a commitment to share their expertise with the public , and that makes Trusted Saskatoon not just the best place to source local businesses when you have a need...but also a place that is becoming a growing libary of tips and resources over more than just the 40 categories we reach....Type ' Trusted Tips Saskatoon' into Google and you will see what we mean...or go to our Trusted Tips Library on the Saskatoon directory to read the well written, interesting and helpful tips our Trusted Partners have provided....or simply ' Choose a category ' from the list on the left of this Blog page....we are more than just another Saskatoon Directory..we are THE Smart & Simple Choice ....and we work for YOU!

EARTHBOUND BAKERY

If you haven't yet been into ( or heard of) Earthbound Bakery..well, you are missing out ..and so are your taste buds....just pull into the Strip Mall on 8th next to Manos and literally follow your nose to Earthbound..right up next to REMAX.

Depending on the time of day you go, it will be either busy with the breakfast or lunch crowd (the coffees, soups, pastries and sandwiches are delicious) and you may find it tricky to get a seat, seating is limited as the bakery itself is so large...or at other times you will see the shoppers coming and going with brown paper bags bursting with some of THE most delicious breads you have EVER tasted.The waft of warm bakery air hits you as you enter the place....and seriously every time the Trusted team is there we see people buying 3,4,5 loaves at a time ..unable to choose which one bread they want ..instead they choose ALL of the ones that they like the sound of....and if you could smell the bakery you would understand why...I challenge even the most ' anti-carb' protein only eater to go in Earthbound and not drool!!

Here is an excerpt from a fine local blogger Penny Mckinnley who shares her experience:        

"It has become a Saturday morning ritual FOR MANY TO to visit the Earth Bound Bakery at 1820 8th Street East (next door to Mano’s restaurant). What better way to start your weekend than with a chewy, crusty loaf still warm from the oven and maybe a croissant for lunch? When I learned that the owner, Trent Loewen, had started serving fresh sandwiches at lunchtime, I had to visit. Trent says that he designed his store to be really open so he could visit with customers. Even better was to offer soup and sandwiches for lunch – “I like conversation and seeing people enjoy food,” Trent explains. I’m all in favour – lunch was great. Andrew and I both had housemade hummus with sprouts and cucumber on hemp and sesame bread. I had a bowl of roasted beet and potato and green lentil and fresh dill soup, while Andrew had curry chickpea, cauliflower and summer squash. I had a mini chocolate cupcake for dessert, while Andrew had a pain au chocolat. Every bite was delicious. Certified Organic and Local Almost all the ingredients Trent uses are certified organic and grown in Saskatchewan. And he buys all his ingredients from just two suppliers. The L’Oiselle family farm near Vonda and Bob Balfour of R & J Milling near Riceton grow, mill and deliver the grains, seeds and lentils. “There is nobody in between,” says Trent. “I like to maintain that conversation with the local producer and support them.” Variety is the Spice of Life There is always something new on offer at Earth Bound. Trent bakes new varieties of bread most Wednesdays and Saturdays. There’s a new variety of bread today as well – oatmeal flax-bran sourdough with prunes. “That’s for my regulars,” jokes Trent. (I bought a loaf, and it was deliciously moist with a crunchy crust and big chunks of fruit.) “I make new products as often as I feel inspired,” says Trent. “That’s why I’m in business for myself – so I can do what I want, what my customers want, and set my own standards.” Trent woke up from a dream about making croissants with reduced red wine butter. So he set about blending the wine and the butter ready for the next day’s croissants – some with blue cheese, some with walnuts, maybe some with both. They’ve come a long way from the early days at an outdoor stall at the Farmers’ Market.  Trent was a chef before he became a baker, and he hopes to open a restaurant someday. I’ve promised I’ll be one of his first customers. Won’t you join me? And, in the meantime, please go buy me a croissant with reduced red wine butter and blue cheese and walnuts. Or a fresh sandwich. Or a mushroom and sharp cheese croissant. Or . . . ."

EARTHBOUND BAKERY is loved by their regular clients, and when we surveyed many of them as part of the Trusted Verification process they had some wonderful things to say about Trent, the Team and oh yes..that bread ( which by the way you can always try before you buy...) !

Check out their listing here in our SASKATOON CATERERS and BAKERIES category to read those testimonials for yourself and if you have yet to visit you should really go in personally  to see what all the fuss is about ......and our suggestion is that you buy a Croissant and a loaf of Apple beer bread ...then post on our Trusted Facebook page what you thought! You see we promote the BEST other directories just list the rest!  

Stay Trusted my friends ..SAFE AND TRUSTED of course

See the blog quoted here  

www.trustedsaskatoon.com  is growing week by week, as the word reaches the ears of the ' right' business owners in the city....our growing list of Trusted Saskatoon businesses ( Currently 94 Saskatoon businesses are Trusted) on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY is an impressive list.

The Trusted Partners on board are forward thinkers, innovators and experts in the city and they understand that to make a difference in your business that offering ' just good service' doesn't cut it anymore..they offer remarkable service and they do that as standard. The Trusted partners have made a commitment to share their expertise with the public , and that makes Trusted Saskatoon not just the best place to source local businesses when you have a need...but also a place that is becoming a growing libary of tips and resources over more than just the 40 categories we reach....Type ' Trusted Tips Saskatoon' into Google and you will see what we mean...or go to our Trusted Tips Library on the Saskatoon directory to read the well written, interesting and helpful tips our Trusted Partners have provided....or simply ' Choose a category ' from the list on the left of the the Blog page....we are more than just another Saskatoon Directory..we are THE Smart & Simple Choice ....and we work for YOU!

www.trustedsaskatoon.com is thrilled to welcome JUST FOR YOU DAY SPA SASKATOON, a luxurious spa situated on 8th street behind Baileys. JUST FOR YOU DAY SPA is our latest TRUSTED SASKATON SPA ( we only have a maximum of 3 listings/category)on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and the only SPA to get 'the Thumbs up' in both Saskatoon and Regina! What could possibly be better than an indulgence in relaxation and tranquility - especially when it makes you look and feel absolutely incredible! Just For You Day Spa bends over backwards to offer truly outstanding levels of service for their clients, nothing is too much trouble....they work hard to make every clients experience the BEST Saskatoon Spa experience possible...and they are very excited to announce that they will be opening their 2nd Saskatchewan location in Regina very soon...the Regina Spa will be THE BIGGEST SPA IN SASKATCHEWAN ..at 15,000sq ft!

Just For You Day Spa and Gift studio opened in 1993, as a one room aesthetic studio and has grown over the years to feature over 2700 square feet of tranquil space, on 2 floors. In June of 2007, Jessica Tetu took over as owner and director of the Saskatoon spa & studio after approximately 7 years as spa manager, and with her team of dedicated professionals, has revitalized the facilities as well as all of the treatments to provide a more tranquil spa experience. Just for You Day Spa has a loyal and ever growing following in Saskatoon....with clients coming from all across the province ( the ones travelling for Mooose jaw and Regina are THRILLED that Jessica is opening up her 2nd location closer to home for them..as they have been asking her to expand to the Queen city for a long time!)

Jessica knows that it is the big and little things that make the difference between good and GREAT, and Trusted had no hesitation in giving Just For You Day Spa  'the Thumbs up' , as we know that she lives and does business by the principles that Trusted demands to be part of our Trusted network. The Just for You day Spa Saskatoon clients that we spoke to are absolutely thrilled with the wonderful treatments, high level of professionalism, zen like ambience and decadent surroundings ..but most of all...the raved about the service that they get from the Just for you Day Spa team.......nothing is too much trouble, and everything is handled with their comfort in mind. Jessica believes absolutely in the old saying ' the customer is always right' ...even occasionally,when they are clearly not ..and we were amazed at how far she goes to please even the squeakiest wheel! Trusted can say with absolute sincerity that you will be treat like Royalty and listened to by the Just for You Team..they want to provide THE most amazing mind, body and soul experience they can for every client that walks through their door.....fan their awesome Facebook page for details and exciting updates, as well as give aways and incentives ...

 Here are just SOME of the great things Just for you Day Spa Clients had to say: 

"Best Spa in Saskatoon ! very professional, relaxing and fantastic customer service. always leave happy." Lisa Meyers

"Great customer service and a relaxing atmosphere!!" Neils Thors

"Just For You Day Spa & Gift Studio is the best place to go with friends" Lynda Down

"I love "Just For You" - great staff and always add a little extra to the service!" Sara

Read more of the fabulous testimonails on their listing here in SPAS SASKATOON  

The Services they offer are many and varied ..you can check them out on the Just For You Day Spa listing under SASKATOON SPAS or go directly to their website for full list of Spa service and details here

Here is a beautiful picture of Jessica Tetu the owner...of ' Just for you Day Spa' ..the name really DOES SAY IT ALL!

We are thrilled to have JUST FOR YOU DAY SPA SASKATOON as a Trusted Partner and we look forward to promoting them..and sharing their expert tips with you the public!!! Trusted Saskatoon is the ONLY SASKATOON DIRECTORY that works for you ..we find these great businesses ..so you don't have to!

Stay Trusted my friends ..SAFE and TRUSTED of course!

Marla Janzen is an award winning SASKATOON REALTOR she takes action to sell her client's homes and find them the perfect new place to live while negotiating the best terms and price possible. She loves what she does and takes great pride in providing excellence in customer service to all of her clients. Sheis one of our 3 Real Estate listings on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY and loves to provide Trusted Tips that help the public! 

Here Marla share a useful tip that everyone can take notes on:

Keeping your home safe when you are on vacation!

Murphy's Law for travelers: If anything can go wrong, it will go wrong while you're on vacation -- which is arguably the worst time a household calamity can strike. Coming home from your honeymoon, African safari or Mediterranean cruise can be gloomy. But returning from a memorable journey and learning something has gone seriously wrong at home can be downright devastating. To make matters worse, a house or apartment left empty while its owners are traveling is a tempting target for criminals. I don't want to scare you -- or leave you fearing for your treasured belongings while basking on a Caribbean beach. But it's imperative that every traveler take certain key steps to keep his or her home safe and sound while seeing the world.

Basic preventative measures (which take only minutes to complete) can work wonders to help you avoid power surges, broken pipes, home invasions and more.

1. Ask a Friend to Help A simple, albeit crucial, way to gain peace of mind while traveling is to ask a friend or neighbor to keep an eye on your house while you're away. First, bribe your friend with some freshly baked cookies or cupcakes. Next, ask him or her to drive by your home once every day or so and check on the place. Give this person a key so that he or she can bring your mail in, feed your cat, water your plants, rake your leaves, etc. If you don't use a garage, you may also want to give this person a key to your car -- you never know when your vehicle may need to be moved. He or she should also have your contact information and a copy of your itinerary in case of emergencies. Do you have more than one person visiting your house while you're away? If so, tell them about each other! If the watchful neighbor you asked to keep an eye on your abode calls the police on your elderly cat sitter, don't say we didn't warn you.

2. Don't Tip Off Criminals on the Web In a world where it seems everyone is blabbing about their business on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, it's important to stop and think: who exactly is reading this stuff? The anonymity of the Internet can encourage us to share personal information without fully realizing that there may be hundreds of complete strangers receiving our daily musings. Would you announce to a crowd that you will be leaving your house unattended for two weeks this December? If not, then you should think twice about posting your detailed vacation plans on Twitter or Facebook -- especially if that information is visible to Internet users other than your friends and family (and it probably is). Be careful what you say on your answering machine or voice mail too. Callers don't need to know that you're not home -- they just need to know that you can't come to the phone right now.

3. Do Tip Off the Police Always notify the police if you're going on vacation. No need to let the cops know about a weekend getaway, but do call them if you're leaving town for longer than a week. It's possible the police may go out of their way to drive by your house while on patrol, especially if you live in a small town. You may also want to contact your local neighborhood watch program if there's one in your area.

4. Curtains Closed -- or Open? Before you leave for vacation, you may decide to close your curtains to prevent people from peering inside your home to see whether you're there. However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help -- the police, your neighbors or friends -- from seeing inside your house. So what's your best bet? Leave your curtains exactly as you usually keep them when you're home, since noticeable changes could hint that you're not around anymore -- especially if your curtains are uncharacteristically left closed for two weeks. Move expensive items, like jewelry or cash, out of plain sight if they're visible from the window.

5. The Lights Are On But No One's Home Don't leave your lights on at home throughout your entire vacation in an effort to make it look like someone is in the house. Your electric bill will end up more costly than your mortgage, and, of course, leaving the lights on is not exactly "green" behavior. Plus, house lights blazing throughout the night might look a bit odd, no? Instead, purchase a light switch timer that can turn your lights on and off automatically according to a programmed schedule. Criminals keeping an eye on your house will notice lights flipping on and off, and will probably assume someone is doing the flipping.Nextag.com offers a comprehensive list of light switch timers available for sale online at a variety of price points.

6. Stop Your Mail Either place a "stop" order on mail and newspapers or arrange to have a friend or neighbor pick up your mail while you're away. Otherwise, a week's worth of letters piled on your front step could signal to criminals that this particular homeowner is out of town. It's easy to put your mail on hold; that's why there's no excuse not to do this. Just go to the United States Postal Service Web site and you can place a "stop" order in a matter of minutes.

7. Put That in Your Pipe If you live in a cold region of the world and your pipes are in danger of freezing during winter, you have another compelling reason to leave a house key with a friend while you're traveling. Ask your friend to stop by and check your faucets. If he or she turns on a faucet and only a few drops of water come out, your pipes may be frozen. Take other precautions like making sure your pipes are properly insulated or keeping your heat on while you're away. Show your key-bearing companion the location of the water main shut-off in case a pipe breaks.

8. Pull the Plug Unplug your television, computer, toaster oven and other appliances to protect them from power surges. Do this to save power as well. According to theConsumer Energy Center, many appliances use power even when they're turned off.

9. Remove Your Spare Key That plastic rock isn't fooling anyone. If a criminal figures out you're away on vacation, it's likely that he or she will check your porch for a spare key. So reach under the mat, into the mailbox, above the door frame or into the flower pot and remove your spare key before you leave on your vacation.

Find Marla Online at http://www.century21.ca/marla.janzen  she is a Century 21 Fusion Realtor Sakatoon based at 703 Circle Drive, Saskatoon..or checkout her listing in REAL ESTATE SASKATOON here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com  , Marla Janzen is your SASKATOON REAL ESTATE EXPERT.

Stay Trusted my friends SAFE and TRUSTED of course!

www.trustedsaskatoon.com  the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of expert's  FaceBook fan Cathie Calarco-Watson asked a great question..

“ What is the checklist to follow when seeking a new home builder or renovation company? (credentials, references, association memberships etc). As it is the largest investment one typically makes, it is critical to know you can trust your contractor, particularly in a time of economic growth where "everyone" is a builder/contractor. A friend of mine just lost over $20,000 to a contractor who never completed the job and is nowhere to be found. Do your "homework"”

We have already heard from one of our Trusted SASKATOON CONTRACTOR and RENOVATION experts J.A.B.A. Construction in a previous tip ..now here is a response from Heather Kehoe from Decora Homes, a Trusted SASKATOON HOME BUILDER expert!

"Hi Cathie, Thanks so much for your question, and I am sorry to hear about your friend's unpleasant experience. I agree with all of the points and the checklist that Dave from J.A.B.A Construction has given you. In the home building and renovation market it can be confusing and overwhelming trying to find someone who is reputable,reliable and trustworthy,especially when you have so many options. My advice would be to follow Dave's checklist, whether you are building a new home or getting renovations done.

A few other key points:

• Go and see the homes/and or renovations that have been done by the builder/contracter, check the quality and speak to the clients who purchased the home or had the renos done. Find out what they have to say about the builder and how their experience was. References and referrals are how a business grows.
• What associations are they a part of and what is their warranty?
• Does the builder/contractor have a service manager and project manager? These are key components to a successful build or renovation. This assures that the project timelines and possession dates are followed, product arrives, is inspected and is accounted for, the tradespeople are arriving to their jobsites on their scheduled dates, trades and suppliers are following quality and safety standards and install of product is completed as per blueprints and plans. The service manager also communicates with the clients to provide service during and after the build to followup on any warranty or touch ups that need to be looked after. Service and followup are key!
• How long has the builder/contractor been in business? Is it their fulltime job, or is it part-time or a hobby?
• Who are the sub-trades and suppliers that they use and how long have they been working with them? This is very important. Having established a committed working relationship with your trades and suppliers shows trust, loyality,consistency and reputablity.
• What locations do they build in and how many homes do they build a year?
• Awards and recognition.- Has the builder/contractor had special recognition for quality, customer service, uniqueness,etc? DECORA HOMES Ltd was recently awarded a 2011 Bridges Award and is nominated in 3 categories for the 2012 SABEX Awards in May.

From a reputable home builders percpective they key is to know and understand the clients budget and expectations. Communicate constantly, be honest and have the customer be involved. Does the business owner come on site? What is his/her involvement in the company? At DECORA HOMES, Ricky and Rhonda Iula make it a priority to meet each and every client, and are in the office and on the job site on a daily basis . They ask clients about past experiences they have had with builders/contractors. What did they like/dislike? Contractors and Home builders should ask cliemts what their main concerns are, do not assume that you know the answer to this question! Does the builder/contractor use any online tools? At DECORA HOMES we use an online tool marketed towards builders, trades, suppliers and clients. Clients can log into their buildertrend account and have access to their account 24/7. Each client can view a calendar of what is scheduled to be done at their home daily, which trades are at their home that day and changes to schedule. They can also send messages to us, or suppliers, view what products they have picked, access and approve change orders, view and add pictures, and see documents such as plans, quotes,etc. It is also a easy and reliable way for trades,suppliers,project and service managers to communicate. It is a fantastic tool!

Does the builder have an dedicated Sales Representative/Interior Coordinator to assist clients from beginning to end through their build or renovation? At DECORA HOMES my job is to assist clients in creating and designing the home of their dreams. For most people this is the largest investment that they will make in their life, and it is extremely important that there is constant communication between myself and the client and that they are informed and involved in all decisions regarding their home. Every client is different therefore everyone's ideas and home will be unique. I work directly with the client to establish rapport and a relationship built on trust and honesty. I take the time to get to know my client, what is important to them in a home, what type of floorplan would idealliy fit their lifestyle/household , what are their likes/dislikes. Together we design or make alterations to a floorplan. We work together to create the home or renovation they have envisioned within their budget. One of the benefits of my job is I get to spend time with the clients and suppliers, assisting the client in picking out all their product, getting quotes, coordinating samples,etc. For some clients this can be the most daunting part of a build /renovation. I schedule adequate time with the clients and suppliers to go over the plans in detail, and make sure timelines are followed. I confirm all product from shingles to flooring, stucco to plumbing fixtures. I love this part!! Assisting a client with kitchen cabinets, granite, flooring,plumbing,etc and watching everything come together is amazing! Thank you again for your question! Feel free to contact me with any other questions or concerns!"

Sincerely, Heather Kehoe Sales Representative

Decora Homes and Renovations

tel:306-260-1711

email: heather.kehoe@decora-homes.com

What GREAT advice from Heather at Decora Homes for anyone building a home or thinking about major Renovations!  

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At GPS Financial, their name says it all. They help their clients with their Goals, Plans and Solutions. They implement the values of integrity, expertise, respect and commitment when working with you to establish a long term trustworthy relationship.

Here Tammy & Wendy share a very quick Trusted Tip ..... Before you say yes to the insurance offered when getting your mortgage or any other types of credit have a look at this clip from CBC’s Marketplace and make an informed decision. Read the fine print, ask questions and source out other options to ensure yourself and your family are protected. Buyer Beware!

GPS Financial can provide more details on this if you want to know more

Find them online here or make an appointment at their convienient downtown location on Spadina Crescent...check out their listing in FINANCIAL SERVICES on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY ..they are your Trusted SASKATOON FINANCIAL ADVISORS!

Bridge City Computers is a locally owned and operated business, offering top end services at competitive prices. They have some of the best techs around

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Elden Dutton asked us " What do all the specifications really mean when buying a computer/laptop?"  

Pardeep the friendly and not so nerdy guy from Bridge City replied in REAL SPEAK..how refreshing to us ' Tech -less' heads!  

" Hi Elden..we get these kind of questions EVERY DAY....and hope our explanation are simple and help you out!" 

Installed memory. The more installed memory your laptop has, the more applications (stuff) you can run at once, and the better your machine will perform.

Processor. The CPU determines how quickly a notebook runs applications and performs on-screen tasks. Intel i3 and i5 are good choices, things to consider here are cache size speed (Ghz) and how many cores. Generally a Multi core Processor will translate to more speed ..more speed is good for movies and downloading!

Screen size. The specified size of a laptop's LCD screen represents a diagonal measurement...like to watch movies/play games..get a bigger screen!

Hard drive. The larger the hard drive, the more data you can keep on your laptop. There generally is 2 speed of hdd available 7200 rpm or 5400 rpm.  7200 rpm spin faster and would offer faster access times

Optical drives. Most manufacturers offer laptops with rewritable DVD drives, or drives with Blu Ray capability These are the Primary components to consider when making a laptop purchase....

Best advice is come in to see us here at Bridge City on Braodway with a good idea of what you NEED and what you WANT..we can than evaluate the options for you , based on your individual requirements....and of course figure in that all important budget!  

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