More and more, home owners are choosing higher quality materials for their kitchen countertops. These high end materials come in a wide variety of choices, styles, and colors to choose from and are popular among designers because they are extremely attractive and offer durability. Counter surfaces such as granite, marble, concrete, and natural quartz are materials that can be found in old and contemporary kitchens alike.  Granite is the most durable of all, and is impervious to scratches, staining and heat blistering or cracking. Marble is the traditional favorite for rolling dough and making pastries, and is smooth and cool to the touch. Concrete is another extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. Quartz surfacing provides a nearly indestructible material that is ideal for homeowners who want a beautiful surface. And finally, glass is showing up in ultra modern kitchen designs. The highly polished surface is available in almost limitless colors, shapes, thicknesses and textures. In addition, it can handle hot pots without cracking.

Undetected problems such as moisture can originate from several sources (roof leaks, damp basements and exterior cracks), potentially weakening your home and causing the growth of mold. Mold has been linked to a variety of serious health issues and can also trigger allergies and asthma attacks.

Case Executive Vice President Bill Millholland believes that without an annual home inspection, your home is susceptible to a myriad of problems. "Every homeowner should know the health status of their home," says Millholland. "Homeowners need to be in the mindset that the health of their home is comparable to their own individual health. Just as preventive maintenance does wonders for the human body, it also has a positive affect on the health and wellness of your most prized asset. A home inspection identifies potential problem areas and offers immediate solutions to prevent further damage."

Case has provided a ten point check-list to ensure that your home has a clean bill of health:
1. Inspection of your attic for proper insulation and adequate ventilation
2. Ensuring that crawlspaces are well ventilated and protected with plastic sheeting
3. Installation of kitchen and bathroom exhaust systems
4. Inspection of windows and doors for signs of cracks
5. Surveying the exterior for damaged siding, brick, stucco, paint, trim and wood
6. Inspection of your home's perimeter, looking for signs of water settling or voids
7. Proper ventilation of exhaust fans, clothes dryers and combustion appliances
8. Inspection of your home's gutter system
9. Inspection of your roof for missing or broken shingles
10. Inspection of your home's heating and HVAC system

Year after year, data from the U.S. Department of Energy suggests that heating and cooling is the largest energy expense in most homes across the U.S. Case Handyman and Remodeling Services announces nine helpful tips to make your home more energy efficient for 2009.

1. Energy Saving Appliances - In the kitchen, energy and water usage can be greatly reduced by up to fifty percent with energy efficient appliances.
2. Lighting - Replace standard light bulbs with CFL's. They last up to ten times as long and use one-fourth of the energy.  Skylights are also a great way to brighten up dimly lit areas and save on electricity.
3. Walls - When remodeling, make sure that any exterior wall penetrations into the house (including dryer vents, cable television lines, power lines, gas lines, or hose bibs) are properly sealed from both the outside and inside. Make sure all interior access points into unconditioned spaces (includes attic or basement/crawlspace access) are tightly closed and well insulated.
4. Windows - Window replacement will dramatically reduce your energy usage. New energy efficient windows are twice as efficient as the average window produced ten years ago. They are available in a variety of options and designs. If new windows are not in your budget, you can boost your home's energy efficiency by repairing older windows that are rotted, damaged with cracked glass or missing putty. Also replace loose caulk and poor weather-stripping between doors.
5. Basements - Seal basements and crawlspaces with caulk, spray foam, or weather-stripping. This will have a great impact on improving your comfort and reducing utility bills.
6. Attics- Adding extra insulation to your attic can make your home more comfortable in the winter months, in addition to lowering your energy bills. A foot of fiberglass or cellulose insulation in the attic floor is recommended as a cost-effective measure.
7. Plumbing - Insulate hot water pipes and add a re-circulating valve at the far end of a water supply stack. Put in low flow shower heads to regulate the times when you need hot water.
8. Hot Water Heater - Make sure to replace your hot water heater with an energy efficient model. Also, invest in a hot water heater jacket. The jackets cost around twenty-five dollars and can potentially save ten to twenty dollars a month on your bill.
9. Inspection - Have a specialist look over your heating system at least once a year to inspect the filters and to eliminate filthy air from circulating around your home.

If you’re planning to remodel, perhaps one of the most important aspects of your home improvement project will be the decisions you make about lighting. Lighting can dramatically enhance the feel of a room, making it warm and inviting, cozy and comfortable, or even cold and distant at the flip of a switch. Not to long ago, lighting for the home used to be about lamps, bulbs and dimmer switches. If you were able to match your lamp shades with your furniture and carpet then you were on the cutting edge of design. Today, lighting is revolutionizing spaces in the home. From subtle treatments that spotlight key elements in a room to fabulous fixtures that are beautifully designed works of art, lighting ties each room together by showcasing a room’s visual size, height, depth and color.

When choosing lighting for your home, there are many choices available, such as recessed cans, lamps, chandeliers, or pendants. Your selections will be based upon functional needs in each room. Functional or task lighting is essential in places like kitchens, master bathrooms, entryways and laundry rooms. With a little skillful orchestration and the right lighting elements, you can add the perfect blend of decoration and functionality, dramatically altering the appearance of any space, creating a warm, welcoming environment for your family and guests.

In the fall and winter seasons, your home is more susceptible to the effects from dampness and moisture that come with in climate weather. Moisture in your home can come from several sources such as ice dams, roof leaks, damp basements, plumbing, and flooding. A typical family of four going about their daily routine can contribute up to ten gallons of water a day throughout the home. Too much moisture can cause wood to rot, which will eventually weaken the structure of your home. Moisture can also cause the growth of mold, which can live and thrive on almost any surface, including paper, carpet, wood, dry wall, insulation and tile. Mold can also grow on improperly maintained air conditioners and ventilation ducts. Exposure to mold and bacteria have been linked to a variety of serious health issues, producing allergens, irritants, and in some cases, potentially toxic substances.

Case wants to remind consumers to be wary of home repair scams and solicitations that typically follow major storms and floods. Scam artist and illegal contractors view homeowners in these situations as easy targets because they are in a hurry to fix their water problems and sometimes don’t do their homework before hiring someone. They will typically solicit door-to-door in damaged areas and will ask for full payment up-front or pressure the homeowners to make an immediate decision.

The summer months are usually busy for homeowners looking to tackle that much needed home improvement project. If you are looking to update a room or build a new addition, how do you know if the contractor you’re choosing is the best person for the job? The decision to select the right contractor can be a daunting task. The person or company you hire will be a part of your home life for several weeks or months, so it's very important for you to make sure that you know what you’re getting upfront without any surprises which can cause many restless nights.

Start by doing some homework! Gather a short list of contractors and find out about their reputations and the quality of their work. Call the local Better Business Bureau and inquire about complaints they’ve received. When you finally select someone, be sure to ask questions. Get as specific as possible. If you receive the answers verbally, make sure you can get everything in writing. Never hesitate to ask a question. What seems like an insignificant question might yield an important answer.

Some other questions to consider:

How long has the company been in business?

Whom do you contact for customer service after the sale? Should requests be in writing?

Who will be responsible for correcting problems if they arise?

Does the contractor belong to any industry associations (affiliated with the National Association of Home Builders or National Association of Remodeling Industry?)