Month: March 2021

Renovating Your Home? Update Your Insurance Policy

BLM Logo in White and Red 9-29-2021

Renovating Your Home? Update Your Insurance Policy

March 25, 2021

home insurance

As the warmer seasons approach, homeowners tend to add home renovations and repairs to their to-do lists. People want to upgrade their kitchens and bathrooms, build decks and sunrooms, and give their home an overall fresh and updated look. 

The fun aspects of a renovation, like scrolling through Pinterest for ideas and reading interior design blogs, are underway, but what might not be at the forefront of their minds are their home insurance carriers. 

Before starting any home improvement project, you should review your home insurance coverage. Premiums are based on the value of your home and its contents at the time you purchased your policy. Many home improvements boost your home’s value, which means your coverage is no longer adequate and could leave you vulnerable to losses. You could even save money by upgrading your policy as there may be home improvements that can lower the cost.

Some renovation projects may have more of an effect on your insurance coverage while others may not. Here are a few home improvement projects to talk to your agent about:

  • Adding a pool
  • Expanding your home with an addition
  • Upgrading your kitchen or bathroom
  • Replacing the roof
  • Installing new windows and doors

Check Out Some More Posts Here!

Facebook Linkedin-in Google Instagram

March Employee Spotlight: Heidi Mease

BLM Logo in White and Red 9-29-2021

March Employee Spotlight: Heidi Mease

March 15, 2021

BLM Employee Heidi Mease

This month, we are spotlighting our office manager, Heidi Mease! We asked Heidi a few questions about what she enjoys doing both at home and at the office. Here’s what she had to say:

What do you like most about your job?

I like that every day presents something different in the way of rewards and challenges. I work with a great group of people that are ready and willing to help with any obstacle.  I also like that I get to bring my dogs to the office.

What is one quality that sets BLM Construction apart from competitors?

We don’t ding our customers for every little extra expense that comes up.  Too many contractors under bid a job and then present the customer with multiple change orders. Our core values are centered around integrity which means we are upfront, honest, patient, and understanding from the beginning to the end of a job, no exceptions.

What have you gained from working at BLM?

I’ve learned to be more patient and understanding. The construction industry can be very stressful. Changing commodity prices, weather conditions, and regulations all pose a substantial risk to our customer service and bottom line. Additionally, we are trusted with peoples’ homes and businesses and oftentimes, their life savings. To run a successful project and construction business, our team needs to always practice patience and understanding, which is a difficult thing to do in a stressful environment.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy watching Yankee games with my husband, Barry, and cooking with my youngest son, Jackson. I also enjoy visiting my oldest son, Jacob (who’s in college), and my daughter Jessica, (who’s in the Navy).

What is at the top of your bucket list?

I would like to take a couple of trips: one to Jerusalem and another to India.

Where is your favorite place to go in York, PA?

My favorite place to go is the BLM Construction office! I always have a lot to get done, and I enjoy creating and implementing processes to better serve our employees and customers.

Check Out Some More Posts Here!

Facebook Linkedin-in Google Instagram

Tips for New Homeowners

BLM Logo in White and Red 9-29-2021

Tips for New Homeowners

March 5, 2021

house key

You’ve been weighing your options as a prospective homeowner, and you’ve decided to buy a home over building from scratch. You’ve been looking around, going to open houses, and you’ve stumbled upon the perfect home. Here are a few new homeowner tips to consider before and after purchasing a home:

Have The Home Inspected.

Before you make your home purchase official, you will want to know if the house is in good standing condition. An inspector will search for any issues related to the house’s structure and systems, including plumbing, electric, foundation, roofing, grading, HVAC, and similar aspects of the home to ensure it’s safe, defect free, and in no need of repairs or replacements. 

Hire Qualified Contractors.

If you’re having work done on your new home and you’re not sure how to pick a contractor, we have a few tips for you. First, you want to find a contractor who specializes in the type of work you want done and is licensed to work in your area. Think local. A well-established local contractor will have plenty of positive word-of-mouth reviews and will eliminate the possibility of needing to find out-of-town crews and materials.

You also want to work with a contractor that’s professional, timely, and reliable. The best way to determine if a contractor has those qualities is to look at their Google and Facebook reviews. Sometimes, they will display testimonials directly on their website. 

Check Off Your “Before You Move In” List

If you’ve purchased your home already, then you want to move in with a clean slate. Before bringing in any furniture, take the time to have your locks changed, replace the air filters, deep clean the whole house, paint the walls, and replace the flooring. The last thing you want to have to do is cover up and move around furniture to paint walls, replace flooring, and clean.

Prioritize Your Renovations

When moving into a new home, you may have a list of changes you want to make to customize the home to fit your taste. You will want to think about function before thinking of aesthetics and appeal. Ensuring your kitchen, bath, and floor plan make sense is important to your everyday routine. After you’ve addressed functionality, start thinking about impressions and renovations. Work in phases and chip items off of your list as you go. 

Check Out Some More Posts Here!

Facebook Linkedin-in Google Instagram