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Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-04-14, Page 35you. By cut- ting and then recut - ting grass, a mulching blade pro- duces fine particles that can barely be seen. These small parti- cles decompose quickly, returning nutrients to your lawn. So as you can see, any type of mower can help you to recycle grass clip- pings. And remember, a well - landscaped lawn shows that you take pride in your home, while enhanc- ing its value. And it shows you are "earth wise." E � I a- t..I I t t t 1 I • t. .4 I t t • i IT'S STONE COATED STEEL ' 3 hellos ILI 11esishM ' 12 NNW Non 56 Tim 1.11 anal* • 1111 mok WIN Wed Et UM) -"... TN! 110of1N0 SYSTEM JIM DOCKED DASHWOOO, ONT. Pit: 237-3526 FAX: 237-3287 NOM IN0 frSir Bicker CONSIHUCIION DAN DIMON P14: 237-3033. L- YOU AT THE NOME & GARDEN SHOW 34 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday. April 14, 1999 VISIT "1 111.. \I4"I' LI* :1'1 1� S11U)t\ A1'RI1. 17 NI in "Golden Rules" of renovation for ac (CHBA)-flenovating is an excithtgexperience as you set out to realize your ,ideas and plans for your home. The Canadian Rei v' ': Council of the Canadian Home Builders' ,.cin offers a number of golden rules 40 hep homeowners achieve their goals. Know what you want. Taking lke necessary time to explore the possibilities for your home and developing a firm plan paves the road for a smooth process from beginning to end, Professional renovation specialists will assist you in working out a solid approach to your pro- ject. The process begins with the fundamentals - discuss your needs and desires with your renova- tor and how you want your "new" home to look, feel and work for you and your family. Once you have a clear idea of the "big picture," your reno- vator will help you work out all the details. Establish a realistic bud- get. Knowing early on how much money you have to spend allows you to focus on the work that is possible. Experienced renovators will pro- vide sound cost advice and recom- mendations. Sit down with your lender and discuss amount you can reasonably afford and the most suitable financing options. Remember that your budget should • cover everything that may arise from the renova- tion, including such items as new drapery, blinds, furniture and appliances. Plan for the long term. Thinking ahead avoids short-term renovations that may need to .be redone in the future. Discuss your short- and long-term goals openly with your renovator. Professional renovators will conduct a thorough inspection of your home and offer suggestions for the most effective use of your budget. Make sure references are for work similar to yours. Most homeowners check with a renova- tor's past clients to find out if they were satisfied with the process and the results. But there is more to a reference check than that, according to experienced renoxators. You want to assure yourself that the renovator is the right person for your job. For instance; if you are upgrading your kitchen, make sure that the reno- vator has relevant experience and satisfied clients for that type of work. • Likewise, if you are plan- ning a major overhaul of your home, you will want to know that the renovator has the required managerial experi- ence along with thetechnical expertise. Don't choose on price alone. While it is always tempting to go for the lowest price, you need to consider the implica- tions of doing so. Will the. low -bid renovator agree to a binding contract? Carry insurance to pro- tect workers on your job? Complete the job to your satisfac- tion? Warranty the work? Or still be in business if you need to call back? Likewise, don't jeopardize the quality_ of the overall renovation by com- promising on the quality of products or materials. Protect yourself. Dealing with a professional renovator is your greatest protection against an incompetent or unfinished job. A written contract spells out the arrangements between you and your renovator and describes your renovation in detail. Professional renovators also carry Workers' Compensation, insurance and any licenses required by your province. And don't buy from a door-to-door salesperson without carefully checking out the company. The earth -friendly way to mow If you still mow your to work for lawn in the traditional way, you probably face the same prob- lem over and over again: grass clip- pings - Disposing of clippings through curb- side pickup burdens our landfills. In fact, many communities now refuse to collect yard wastes. You may not know it, but keeping grass clip- pings .on the lawn can actually make a lawn healthier by returning vital nitrogen to the soil, effectively enriching your lawn every time you mow. So what do you do? First, mow more often. A side -discharge mower keeps clippings to a mini- mum and spreads them evenly over your lawn, so you won't need to rake. If you use. a bagging attachment, you can transfer clippings to a compost pilo that will pro- vide you with natural, organically enriched earth for feeding vegeta- bles. and plants later on. Besides mowing, you could try mulching. Mulching mowers and mulching blade attach- ments put grass clippings And remember, a well -landscaped lawn shows that you take pride in your home, while enhancing its value. And it shows you are "earth wise." ving your goals s•i; the company with friends and family. Cont.t your local Home Builders' Association to see if the company is a member, and check with the Better Business Bureau. Information courtesy of Canadian Home Builders Association. For further information on new and remodeling homes, contact them on their Web site at www.chba.ca. • Canadian Home Builders Association Show Your Kids What Adults Do At Recess Boca ise we want to make your weekends worth living for, we've introduced the XL700 — a watercraft that femmes spotty new styling combined with affordable pertormance. Featuring an 80-bonepo' r engine, three .7r ram .... r tr.rift comfy places to sit, a glove box, cooler and lots of storage space, it's the ideal watercraft for a fun -filled day off shore. Thanks to the long fuel range of the XL700, you can go for hours without stopping. wise YAC mom ®YAMAHA S6UTHWEST MARINE SERVICES Dave GUI Dan Shaw Grand Bend, Ont. 238-2887 e-mail swmarine@hay.net ACUTABE THERBT, F $21995.00 oR$ 59.00 A MONTH' aleS A Premium Tractor Without The Premium Price! ■ Hydrostatic transmission (no clutch or gears to shift) • Powerful 12.5 HP overhead-valve engine • 40"wide, high volume mowing deck with anti -scalp rollers, and gas/spring lifting assist • Easy steering and flat operator's platform ■ Excellent 2 year tractor and 3 year powertrain warranty • Many available options: Grass Catcher, Front Blade, Snow Thrower, Mulching Kit, !bine Cart, etc. K�Jhofea SWff At participating Kubota dealers only. Cash price of $2,995 for T1460 includes the $100 cash in lieu of financing. Financing of $59/month is based on selling price of $3,095. Tess 3577.84 down payment. Balance of $2517.16 to be financed with 48 monthly payments of $59, totalling $2,832. Based on 5.9%APR. the full cost of borrowing willbe $314.84. All transactions subject to Kubota Canada Credit approval. Some restnctions may apply. Prices shown do not include any taxes, set-up and delivery charges. HYDE BROTH i »FARM EQUIPMENT W4'971 LIMITED 60 rears q• service 19)9 Hensall 262-2605 See you at the Exeter Home and Garden Show April 17 & 18