22News inFocus: Preparing for Winter: wwlp.com

Winter is here again, and if it’s anything like last year, we’re in for a couple of months of freezing temperatures and heavy snow. If you’re caught off guard, winter weather can do some serious damage to your home, your car, and even your body.

So this week on 22News inFocus, we’re working for you with ways you can prepare yourself and your belongings so you can better cope with the cold.

Joining us we’ll have a doctor to talk about the cold’s impact on your health. We’ll also have an auto mechanic here with tips that will help you keep your car in good shape no matter what’s in store for us this winter.

A weatherization expert will show you how to keep the heat in your home, and an insurance specialist will have information you need to hear so you can be prepared for the worst. We’ll also have advice from a home improvement expert on preparing your home so it can withstand whatever winter brings.

Originally posted on WWLP

How FEMA assistance has helped: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – It’s been a month since the President declared a major disaster for Hampden and Worcester counties. So far, FEMA has declared $5 million for disaster assistance for individuals and business owners.

Since the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been called in more than 3,000 applications have been filed for assistance and FEMA wants people to continue, even if they are unsure if they are eligible.

Daniel Llargues, a Public Information Officer for FEMA said “We cover the unmet needs, whatever the insurance company’s not going to cover, won’t cover, we might be able to cover it with a grant.”

So far, people in neighborhood hit by the tornado have seen some immediate assistance. Ana Gelinas of Springfield said, “The one very helpful thing was the disaster cards that they handed out for replacing all the food items that were lost.”

For those who haven’t filed, there still is time. “If you register today we will be able to send an inspector out to your property as soon as possible, 24 hours that’s how long it’s taking for us to get an inspector out to your property,” said Llargues.

But if the government shuts down on August 2nd because of the Federal Debt ceiling, there could be problems in the long run. As with all federal agencies, FEMA receives a budget appropriated by Congress but they also are given an amount of money in a Disaster Relief Fund. There is still more than 1.3 billion dollars available in that fund.

That’s good news for now for those still cleaning up and trying to move on like John Malmborg of Springfield, “Just trying to get back to some sense of normalcy, it’s not going to look like that, not in my lifetime with the trees down, just trying to get some sense of normalcy back would be great.”

The deadline to apply for federal assistance is August 15th.

As our community faces the cleanup after the devastation of the recent tornados it is important to work with a contractor which is LOCAL, LICENSED and REPUTABLE. The Better Business Bureau lists roofing “as one of the highest inquiry categories nationwide”. As a homeowner you need to do your research.

Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding and Windows is hoping to help ease concerns with the announcement of the recent acceptance of awards from two national organizations.

GAF, North America’s largest roofing manufacturer, announced Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows one of only fifty-six contractors in the country to receive all three of the prestigious GAF Master Elite Excellence Awards:

• Consumer Protection Excellence
• Training Excellence
• Installation Excellence

These coveted industry awards recognize the company’s dedication to quality roof system installations and a commitment to continuous improvement and superior customer service. Only 2% off all the roofing contractors in the country have earned GAF’s Master Elite status.

In addition, Adam A. Quenneville, owner of Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows, has also been included in the “Presidential Who’s Who Among Business and Professional Achievers” – 2011 Edition.

Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows, is dedicated to providing the best possible quality, superior customer service, and workmanship that you can trust. The commitment to excellence has made Adam Quenneville Roofing, Siding & Windows the most trusted name in Western Massachusetts. Recently winning the BBB Torch Award for Trust, Performance and Integrity. From their installation crews, to their office staff, they take care to provide you with the best possible service for your home. You can rest assured that you have chosen the right professionals for your next home project.

Download PDF version of the Press Release

I-Team: “Superb” business causes a mess: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Lots of people are hiring contractors after the tornado but a warning tonight to do your homework before cutting a check.

A woman e-mailed the 22News I-team asking for help after she was really disappointed with the work of someone who’s business name implies superb work.

It’s a story people need to hear as Western Mass. is crawling with contractors looking for work after the tornado.

Pernese Smith had some extra money after refinancing her home on Wilbraham Avenue home in Springfield.

“I’ve been here for 11 years so I was saying, something has to be done over,” Smith said.

Her sights were set on a new front porch.

She found an ad for a contractor claiming 30 years experience whose business name implied superb business, specifically “Superb Carpentry and Painting.” She made a call and was sold.

“He was very professional, very professional.”

Things took a turn when the work began, she says the new porch was shaping up to be anything but superb.

According to the contract, Smith agreed to pay her contractor about 7 and a half thousand dollars. He’d repair her porch under the terms they’d agreed upon as well as a few other things, some new doors, and some new gutters. So, you can imagine her disappointment when she says she thought she was getting new and the only new she was getting was a new coat of paint on part of the porch.

“I’m paying him all this money that includes the materials and the labor, so where are the materials?

I said ask him for the receipts, so that’s when things really blew up,” Smith said.

A week and a few thousand dollars into the job, Pernese called a building inspector and the 22News I-team for help.

We did a search on the Better Business Bureau and found less than superb results, it slapped Superb Carpentry with an F.

We also found the contractor, named Mark LaRace, doesn’t have a Contractor’s license with the state.

On top of it all, a Springfield building inspector put a “Stop Work Order” on the project when he realized the contractor also didn’t have a building permit on the project, which is illegal.

A homeowners nightmare that’s not uncommon these days.

“It’s just been amplified 50 times over with the tornado because everybody is running into the devastation scene trying to sell themselves and trying to make their quick buck,” said Steve Desilets, Code Enforcement Commissioner.

LaRace, told the 22News I-team over the phone that he never said or implied he was licensed and he’s working with the city to resolve this situation.

As for Smith, she’s out a few thousand dollars unless she files a lawsuit. As for her porch, the top porch has been deemed unsafe to walk on until support beams are replaced.

Business inspectors will warn you to ask for permits and license information up front because if it gets as far as it did in this case, the burden falls on the homeowner to take it to court and try to get it resolved.

Tree removal prices, red flags: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – In the rush to remove fallen trees that have damaged properties across Western Massachusetts, several contractors are coming to town looking for work. For an East Forest Park family, they hired tree removal contractors who came knocking on their door from Connecticut.

“I’d be very concerned the fact that they’re not licensed here,” said Joe Leahy of Leahy and Brown Insurance and Realty. “Especially tree removal, if one of those employees falls off the roof of your house and is injured and there is no worker’s comp coverage, they’re more than likely going to go after the homeowner, who’s the innocent party in the whole thing.”

The Connecticut tree removers charged $6,000 dollars to remove four tall trees. Leahy said their charges were on the high end, but “borderline reasonable.”

Insurers have been seeing receipts that range from all over the place for tree removal, everything from as low as $500 dollars for one tree to as high as $10,000 dollars and that’s where things get questionable.

Insurers say homeowners will have a better chance to shop for the right contractor now that a week has passed since the tornado hit. Insurance agents advise hiring from Massachusetts licensed contractors, but also make sure that they don’t pressure you into signing a contract right away, even if they are local, because that is also a red flag for something illegitimate.

“Work with a member of the home builder’s association, ask your friends about qualified contractors, try to work with someone you know or someone you’ve worked with in the past,” said William Trudeau, a licensed insurance advisor at the Insurance Center of New England. “It’s not a bad idea to ask for a certificate of insurance to see that the person has worker’s compensation coverage and general liability coverage to show that they are a legitimate operation.”

Scam warning for tornado victims: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD. Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield is warning victims of tornado damage to be wary of scam artists, with promises of repair work.

The city’s office of consumer protection warns to check any contractor’s license.

You can do that on Mass.gov/consumer , or call the city.

They say never to pay up front, pay in thirds, at the beginning middle, and after the work is done.

They also say never to pull your own permit, and city officials are affecting scammers to hit now, that clean-up is well underway.

Milagros Johnson, of Springfield Consumer Protection, said “There are going to be some scam artists out there, they’re going to be trying to take consumers money without performing any work, they’re going to be pretending and portraying licensed contractors when in fact their not even a handyman.”

Again the city says you can call their consumer hotline, (888) 283-3757 or check state information at Mass.gov/consumer .

Re-posted from WWLP, view original article here.

Avoiding scams in the wake of the storm: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Many people are coming together to help each other following the devastating tornadoes but, unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of the storm damage to scam the victims.

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley has some important advice for storm victims who will be looking for contractors to help repair their damaged homes.

First, make sure that the person you are dealing with is a licensed contractor.

Obtain a written contract or estimate describing the work to be done.

And check for a history of complaints with the Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau.

Milagros Johnson from the Springfield Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information spoke with 22News about what else you need to know to avoid scams.

Re-posted from WWLP, view original article here.

According to a news release from the Office of Consumer and Business Regulation, out-of-state crews will often canvass damaged areas and offer repairs. Too often, they say, the work that these contractors do does not follow local building codes.

“Unfortunately, weather disasters such as this week’s tornadoes are often followed by unscrupulous individuals looking to take advantage of consumers who are stressed, anxious, and vulnerable,” said Barbara Anthony, the Undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. “These crews offer seemingly good deals, done fast, but in the long run may cause significant problems for homeowners.

To find out the status of a home improvement contractor you are about to hire, visit the website for the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation. There is also a separate page to check the license status of a plumber, electrician, or sheet metal worker.

To file a complaint or to find out about a contractor’s complaint history, you can visit the website of the Attorney General’s Office.

In Springfield, you can call the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Information at (413) 787-6437, or visit www.springfieldcityhall.com .

If you are approached by a person or a work crew without a license, you are asked to call the Consumer Hotline at (888) 283-3757.

Re-posted from WWLP, view original article here.

Problems with melting: wwlp.com

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – While there are some that were out in t-shirts Monday, this warmth brings new concerns. February sunshine brought temperatures into the lower 50s in Western Massachusetts on Monday.

Wherever you look, puddles and areas of slush are everywhere. But puddles aren’t the only downside to this mild weather.

One of the problems you’re more likely to notice is that snow mounds along the sides of the roads will melt during the day creating puddles and those puddles will refreeze at night creating a sheet of ice.

The ice on the ground isn’t the only worry, when there is also ice overhead.

Snow that melts on your roof during the day and freezes at night can lead to more leaks in your roof when ice dams form. The melting snow up above also causes other worries.

“With all the melting I’m worried about when I go in and out of my house, if the icicles are going to fall on me or my son, or if I go anywhere over here if they’re going to fall on any of us,” said Charelle Arrington of Springfield.

While the ice above and below is something to watch out for, the melting snow up against your home could lead to some water runoff into your home.

“One of our inconveniences is the way our property runs we end up having water in our cellar and the sub pump pumps it out, it’s happened for years, not lately, but when we first lived there,” said Deborah Dunn.

So while you are out basking in this week’s sunshine, watch out for the problems it could bring.

Now in its 21st year, the Super 60 program recognizes 30 businesses as top revenue earners and 30 businesses by revenue growth. The top three by growth were Convergent Solutions Inc. of Wilbraham, which provides technology to medical offices, FIT Solutions and Universal Mind Inc., a tech-heavy marketing company with offices in Westfield.

The top three companies in terms of revenue where Whalley Computer Associates Inc. of Southwick, Springfield College and Sarat Ford-Lincoln-Mercury of Agawam.

The program is open to any privately owned company in Hampden or Hampshire counties or a member of the chamber, said Russell F. Denver, president of the Affiliated Chambers. Companies must have been in business for at least three years and must have had revenues of at least $1 million in the last fiscal year. Chamber officials review financial information submitted by nominees, but keep the actual figures in confidence.

2010 Super 60 Award winners