Home Insurance

Whether you live in your own home, a condo or are renting, you need to know you’re covered in case the unexpected happens. Conexus Insurance representatives can help secure your peace of mind. Our insurance professionals will meet with you to discuss your needs, to ensure you have an insurance package that works for you.

Home Insurance - If you own your home, you not only need to protect the building, but also your valuables inside. Although you may not want to think about it, the unexpected such as fires, vandalism or theft can happen.

A home insurance policy will ensure your property and all your belongings are covered. Coverage also includes protection from liability for accidents to people who may be on your property. A home, condo or tenant policy will make sure you’re covered.

Not all home policies are created equally, or priced the same. They are designed to meet each individual’s needs. Make sure you’re covered! Contact an Insurance Representative today for your free quote!  

 Trusted Regina’s Financial experts share a tip on client defections: 

Client defections to speed up!

“There are a lot of advisors who don’t keep up with their clients and wait for them to call instead of being proactive and keeping up regularly,” she said. “If my client mentions something about taking a trip at a specific time, I’ll often call them just to find out how it went. It lets them know I care, that I’m thinking about them and it’s led to more referrals while keeping my attrition rates low.”

A survey of client attrition rates for 2014 may, in fact, represent a turning point for the industry as it prepares for fallout from regulatory change.

Currently, Canada’s top financial advisors have a one per cent attrition rate while the average for Canadian advisors as a whole is closer to 10 per cent, according to Maximizer Services Inc., based in Vancouver B.C.

But CRM2 is expected to change that, with many transactional advisors anticipating client defections will double post CRM2’s full implementation.

“There will be a lot of unhappy clients out there once they realized the truth about their accounts and how much fees they’re paying to some of these advisors,”  “I think that we’ll see the attrition rate get much higher when CRM2 finally kicks in.”

Top advisors and their commitment to using advanced technology as well as those who previously anticipated CRM changes and engaged clients in difficult conversations are most likely to maintain low attrition rates.

The study also found that 69 per cent of advisors had an attrition rate of five per cent or less if they were previously using a strong customer relations management system.

Using DayLite or Symantec has helped to build her business because she is able to keep up with clients regularly. The Important thing, she says, is to be proactive for their needs, and not reactive to their demands.

 Trusted Regina’s Finance Experts -  give them a call to see how they can work for you!

Invisible Fence® Brand systems Saskatchewan are invisible boundary systems for your yard and home! It keeps your pet out of harm's way and prevents unwanted behaviors throughout your home and yard. The systems are safe, humane, and highly recommended by Veterinarians, Behaviorists, and pet experts.

Over the last 40 years, they have helped more than two million pets and their owners lead safe and harmonious lives together, and their exclusive training program allows dogs and cats to learn their boundaries without fear, distress, or behavioral harm. Their proven P.E.T. Approach™ training method ensures the success of their products every time, with any pet, and in every household. The result? An unparalleled success rating (over 99%) and the most effective solutions in the industry! Freedom and convenience for you & your pet...and the system has a lifetime warranty. That’s an OWNERS lifetime warranty!

Invisible Fence Saskatchewan are Trusted Regina Pet fencing solution experts!

Here they share a tip on their Invisible Fences:

Recommended by vets and installed by professionals, our customizable solutions will keep your pet happy and out of harm’s way in your home and yard.

Your pets are family to us too. That's why our pet specialists are certified in our renowned Perfect Start™ Plus Pet Training methods.

• Proven, trusted experience
• 99.5% success rate
• Professional installation
• Certified training programs
• In-home® & outdoor solutions
• Create safe areas & protect furniture, landscaping
• Works with all breeds, sizes, ages, temperaments

Find Invisible Fence online at http://saskatchewan.invisiblefence.com/your-local-dealer/home and in the Regina Vets and Pets Catagory on the Saskatoon DIRECTORY of Excellence...they are your Saskatoon Pet Fencing Solution Experts!

If its time to finally finish that basement or the year you refresh that tired old bathroom, maybe your office could use a redesign and some upgrades.... Whether you are planning a renovation to your home or office space, AL SCHICK CONSTRUCTION can help!

They specialize in residential and commercial projects including interior and exterior renovations....from offices to old character and newly built homes. If you are planning a project or a renovation on a specific area of your home or business, look to the experts at AL SCHICK Construction to get the job done right!

AL SCHICK CONSTRUCTION are a TRUSTED REGINA CONTRACTOR and Renovation Experts

Here Al shares a tip on hiring a Contractor:

PART 2 

After You Hire a Contractor

Keep Records

Keep all paperwork related to your project in one place. This includes:

• copies of the contract
• change orders
• any correspondence with your home improvement professionals
• a record of all payments. You may need receipts for tax purposes.

Keep a log or journal of all phone calls, conversations, and activities. You also might want to take photographs as the job progresses. These records are especially important if you have problems with your project — during or after construction.

Pay Wisely

Don’t make the final payment or sign an affidavit of final release until you’re satisfied

Besides being satisfied with the work, you also need to know that subcontractors and suppliers have been paid. Laws in your state might allow them to file a mechanic’s lien against your home to satisfy their unpaid bills, forcing you to sell your home to pay them. Protect yourself by asking the contractor, and every subcontractor and supplier, for a lien release or lien waiver.

Know the limit for the final bill

Some state or local laws limit the amount by which the final bill can exceed the estimate, unless you have approved the increase.

Know when you can withhold payment

If you have a problem with merchandise or services charged to a credit card, and you’ve made a good faith effort to work out the problem with the seller, you have the right to contact your credit card company and withhold payment from the card issuer for the merchandise or services. You can withhold payment up to the amount of credit outstanding for the purchase, plus any finance or related charges.

Use a Sign-Off Checklist

Before you sign off and make the final payment, check that:

• all work meets the standards spelled out in the contract
• you have written warranties for materials and workmanship
• you have proof that all subcontractors and suppliers have been paid
• the job site has been cleaned up and cleared of excess materials, tools, and equipment
• you have inspected and approved the completed work

Signs of a Home Improvement Scam

How can you tell if a contractor might not be reputable? You may not want to do business with someone who:

• knocks on your door for business or offers you discounts for finding other customers
• just happens to have materials left over from a previous job
• pressures you for an immediate decision
• only accepts cash, asks you to pay everything up-front, or suggests you borrow money from a lender the contractor knows
• asks you to get the required building permits
• tells you your job will be a "demonstration” or offers a lifetime warranty or long-term guarantee
• doesn’t list a business number in the local telephone directory

The Home Improvement Loan Scam

Here’s how it works: a contractor calls or comes to your door and offers a deal to install a new roof or remodel your kitchen. He says he can arrange financing through a lender he knows. After he starts, he asks you to sign papers; they may be blank — or he might hustle you along and not give you time to read through them. Later you find out you’ve agreed to a home equity loan with a high interest rate, points, and fees. What’s worse, the work on your home isn’t done right or isn’t completed, and the contractor — who may already have been paid by the lender — has lost interest.

To avoid a loan scam, don’t:

• agree to a home equity loan if you don’t have the money to make the payments
• sign a document you haven’t read or that has blank spaces to be filled in after you sign
• let anyone pressure you into signing any document
• deed your property to anyone. Consult an attorney, a knowledgeable family member, or someone else you trust if you’re asked to.
• agree to financing through your contractor without shopping around and comparing loan terms

Report a Problem

If you have a problem with a home improvement project, first try to resolve it with the contractor. Many disputes can be resolved at this level. Follow any phone conversations with a letter you send by certified mail. Request a return receipt. That’s your proof that the company received your letter. Keep a copy for your files.

If that fails, consider getting outside help like:

• your state attorney general or local consumer protection office
• your local home builders association
• your local media’s call for action lines
• dispute resolution programs

For More Information

National Association of Home Builders

National Association of the Remodeling Industry

The American Institute of Architects

ENERGY STAR

Check out his listing to read the great things his clients has to say about Al Schick Construction in the Regina Contrators category on the Regina Directory 

 How to Purchase Commercial Real Estate: PART 3

Purchasing Commercial Real Estate: Identify the Right Property

There are a number of factors to consider when looking for suitable commercial real estate to purchase. The old adage "location, location, location" is true for commercial properties just as much as it is for residential. But there are other issues at play, as well. Here are some things to consider:

Location: This is still the No. 1 issue. You want to be close to your customers, your workers, and your vendors or suppliers. "You want to be convenient to customers to the extent that you have a business where the customer comes to you," Martin says. "But depending on the type of business, access to rail and highway and shipping lanes may be important, too."

Physical condition: After identifying the general location, consider how the property was used, the wear-and-tear, whether there are any environmental issues or potential liability issues, such as asbestos or lead paint.

Allowable uses: If your business is an accounting firm, you likely need commercial office space. If you are a manufacturer, you need an industrial space. Either way, you need to make sure the zoning allows you to do what you need to do on the property.

Limitations on exterior or interior: Whether due to zoning laws or building codes or covenants, there may be limits to changes or alterations you can make to the property. A good example is a building that is in an historic area and subject to restrictions on changes that can be made to the façade.

Adequacy of access and parking: You need to make sure your customers can park and take into consideration whether access is compliant with laws such as the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Opportunity for expansion or leasing: Entrepreneurs often have a rosy outlook about growth and so the potential to expand is a consideration as is the flipside – if you don't grow as much as planned, can you lease out extra space?

Part 4 coming soon!!