NEVER Hire a Contractor Without Asking These Questions

Spring Planting Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Yard

Spring is when homeowners start thinking about curb appeal, fresh mulch, flowers, trees, and getting the yard ready for summer. But before you start planting, there are a few mistakes that can cost you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. In this episode of Hire It Done, I'm joined by Ashley Thomas from Sherwood Forest Garden Center in Rochester, Michigan. Ashley and her family have been helping homeowners choose the right plants, prep their yards, and build better outdoor spaces for decades. We talk about the spring planting mistakes homeowners make, why you should check your soil before buying plants, how to know whether your yard needs sun or shade plants, what to do about deer, how to avoid overwatering, and why Michigan-grown plants matter. If you are getting your yard ready for summer, this episode will help you make smarter decisions before you spend money on landscaping. In This Episode * Why homeowners should clean and prep beds before planting * How to check soil before buying plants * Why mulch does not fix grass growing into your beds * Best low-cost curb appeal plants for spring * How to tell if your yard has full sun, shade, or filtered sun * Annuals vs. perennials, and when each one makes sense * How to protect landscaping from deer * Why overwatering and planting too deep can kill trees and bushes * Why local Michigan-grown plants can be a better fit for Michigan yards * How Sherwood Forest Garden Center helps homeowners with design, delivery, and installation Q&A-Style Takeaways Question: What should homeowners do before planting in spring? Answer: Clean up the yard and planting beds first. Check the soil, remove old clutter, look for insects or roots, edge the beds, and then add mulch or new plants. Question: Can mulch fix grass growing into garden beds? Answer: No. Ashley explains that homeowners should edge the beds first. Mulch can make the bed look clean, but it will not solve the problem if grass is already growing into the bed. Question: How do I know if my yard needs sun or shade plants? Answer: Observe the area where you want to plant. A space may look sunny early in the season, but once trees leaf out, it may become filtered sun instead of full sun. Question: What are good low-cost plants for curb appeal? Answer: Ashley recommends grasses for height and structure, salvia for long-blooming perennial color, and annuals for strong seasonal color. Question: How can homeowners protect plants from deer? Answer: Choose deer-resistant plants where possible and consider perimeter-based deer repellent strategies before deer establish their seasonal path through the yard. Question: Can overwatering kill plants? Answer: Yes. Ashley explains that plants can drown, especially when soil conditions are heavy or clay-based. New trees and annuals may need more water, but homeowners still need to monitor soil and watering frequency. Question: Why do local plants matter for Michigan homeowners? Answer: Plants grown for the local environment are more likely to match the climate and conditions. Ashley recommends choosing plants that work for Michigan sun, soil, and seasonal changes instead of relying only on online inspiration. Connect With Sherwood Forest Garden Center Website: https://www.sherwoodforestgardencenter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-thomas-2636bb62/ X: https://x.com/sherwoodForest4 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_thomas1217/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.l.thomas.77/ Phone mentioned in episode: (248) 652-4920 Location mentioned in episode: 4981 Adams Road, Rochester / Oakland Township, Michigan, corner of Adams and Silver Bell Connect With Adam Website: https://hireitdone.com/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HireItDone #SpringLandscaping #HomeImprovement

How Contractors Can Use AI Without Getting Left Behind | George Byers of CodeHosted

AI is moving fast, and contractors can no longer afford to ignore it. In this episode, I sit down with George Byers, founder of CodeHosted.com and the developer behind the Hire It Done website, to talk about how artificial intelligence, websites, SEO, online ordering, and AI agents are changing the home services industry. George breaks down AI in plain English, explains why contractors should start with practical business problems, and shows how tools like Trashed.app can help modernize old-school industries like dumpster rental and junk removal. We also talk about how contractors can upgrade outdated websites, improve their online presence, and use automation without making their business more complicated. If you are a contractor, home service business owner, dumpster rental company, or homeowner trying to understand where AI is going, this conversation is a practical starting point. What We Cover in This Episode * What AI actually is in plain English * Why AI is a "guessing machine" that uses data and patterns * How Trashed.app helps homeowners and contractors find dumpster rentals faster * Why outdated contractor websites are costing businesses opportunities * How instant storefronts can help dumpster companies take orders online * Why contractors should use the AI tools connected to their existing data * What AI agents are and why they matter for business automation * How CodeHosted helps contractors and service businesses modernize their digital presence Q&A From This Episode Question: What is AI in simple terms? Answer: George explains that AI, at its core, is a guessing machine. It looks at patterns, uses training data, and predicts the next sequence or likely response. Question: How can contractors start using AI? Answer: Start with the tools and data already in front of you. If your business is built around Google, look at Gemini. If your business is built around Microsoft, look at Copilot. The easier it is for AI to access useful data, the more helpful it becomes. Question: What is Trashed.app? Answer: Trashed.app is a platform built to make dumpster rentals and junk removal easier by helping customers find providers, compare availability, and place orders online faster. Question: How does Trashed help dumpster companies? Answer: George explains that Trashed can provide instant storefronts so dumpster rental and junk removal companies can start accepting online orders without needing a full website first. Question: What is an AI agent? Answer: An AI agent is a large language model equipped with tools. It can send emails, send texts, scan the web, collect data, and move information in and out of systems automatically. Question: Why should contractors care about websites and online presence? Answer: Even great contractors can lose opportunities if customers cannot find them, trust them, or take action online. A modern digital presence helps remove friction before the customer ever calls. Connect With George Byers and CodeHosted * Website: https://codehosted.com/ * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-byers-ii/ * Trashed App LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trash-app/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle

NEVER Hire a Contractor Without Asking These Questions

Hiring the wrong contractor can turn a simple home improvement project into a stressful, expensive mess. In this Hire It Done episode, I break down the questions every homeowner should ask before hiring a contractor, how to vet referrals the right way, what to ask about payment schedules, and how to handle a dispute without making the problem worse. If you are planning a home renovation, remodel, repair, or maintenance project, this episode will help you think like a smarter homeowner. I explain why the lowest price is rarely the safest choice, why contractor communication matters so much, why permits and change orders should be in writing, and why the phrase "what's not included" can protect you from surprises later. Q&A-Style Takeaways Question: What questions should I ask before hiring a contractor? Answer: Ask about licensing, insurance, project management, payment schedule, permits, change orders, warranties, what is not included, and how disputes are handled. Question: How do I vet a contractor referral? Answer: Do not just take the name and run with it. Ask the previous homeowner when the work was done, whether the quoted price matched the final price, how the crew treated the home, and whether they would hire the contractor again. Question: Why is communication so important in home improvement? Answer: Communication is what keeps a project moving and prevents small concerns from turning into fights. A good contractor should clearly explain scope, timing, changes, cleanup, and next steps. Question: What should a contractor proposal include? Answer: A strong proposal should read like a story with a beginning, middle, and end. It should also clearly explain what is included and what is not included. Question: Should homeowners always pull permits? Answer: In my experience, permits are usually worth it because they add another set of eyes and can protect you when you sell your home later. Question: What should I do if a contractor job goes wrong? Answer: Stay calm, document everything, and put the issue in writing. Give a good contractor the opportunity to make it right before escalating. The best way to handle a contractor dispute is to avoid one in the first place. Do your homework on the front end, ask better questions, and protect yourself before the job starts. CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle #HomeImprovement #TrustedContractors #HireItDone

Is Your Home's Water Actually Clean? Water Testing, Filters & Softeners Explained

Clean water starts with knowing what is actually coming through your tap. In this episode of Hire It Done, I sit down with Jerrad Beauchamp, President & CEO of Beauchamp Water Treatment Solutions, to talk about water testing, water softeners, whole-house filtration, reverse osmosis, PFAS, lead, city water, well water, fridge filters, hard water, and the everyday signs homeowners should not ignore. Jerrad's family has been in the water treatment industry since 1976, and his approach is simple: test first, understand the problem, then build the right solution for the home. We talk about why water quality has become a bigger health and home-protection conversation, how hard water affects skin and appliances, why a refrigerator filter is not always a purifier, and how homeowners can make smarter decisions before buying equipment. If you are a homeowner in Southeast Michigan, Metro Detroit, or Philadelphia and you have questions about water quality, this conversation is a practical place to start. In This Episode, We Cover: * Why Jerrad recommends testing your water at least once a year * The difference between city water and well water concerns * Signs of water quality issues: spots, scale, smell, taste, dry skin, dingy laundry, and rusty stains * What a water softener actually does * Why water treatment systems are modular and should match your water test results * The difference between water softeners, conditioners, filters, and purifiers * Why refrigerator filters can improve taste but may not fully purify water * Reverse osmosis and purified water options * How hard water can affect appliances, faucets, skin, soap usage, and long-term cost * Why proper installation matters as much as the equipment itself Homeowner Q&A Takeaways Q: How do I know if I have a water problem? A: Look for spots, scale, strange smell or taste, dry skin, dingy laundry, rusty stains, or recurring buildup. The safest first step is to test the water rather than guessing. Q: How often should I test my water? A: Jerrad recommends having your water tested at least once a year, especially if you are on well water, have older plumbing, or notice changes in taste, smell, staining, or buildup. Q: Does a refrigerator filter purify water? A: Not always. Many refrigerator filters are activated carbon filters that can improve taste and reduce certain things like chlorine, but they are not automatically the same as a full purification system. Q: What does a water softener do? A: A water softener removes hardness and low levels of iron. Other problems, such as heavy iron staining, bacteria, odor, chlorine, or drinking-water purification, may need additional treatment. Q: Is it cheaper to keep buying bottled water? A: Jerrad explains that a reverse osmosis system can produce purified water at a much lower cost per gallon than bottled water, while also reducing concerns about microplastics from plastic bottles. 🔗 CONNECT WITH Beauchamp Water Treatment Solutions Website: https://www.beauchampwater.com/ [https://www.beauchampwater.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beauchampwater/ [https://www.facebook.com/beauchampwater/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beauchampwatersolutions/ [https://www.instagram.com/beauchampwatersolutions/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beauchamp-water-treatment-solutions/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/beauchamp-water-treatment-solutions/] YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcdNJfc8P3J6EipXefbGwA [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPcdNJfc8P3J6EipXefbGwA] Phone: 810-476-2907 🔗 CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ [https://hireitdone.com/] 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone [https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone] 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/] 🤝: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone [https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone] 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle [https://x.com/helfystyle]

Interior Spring Home Checklist: What To Check Before Summer

Your home has been closed up all winter. Now it is time to wake up the inside of your house before the busy spring and summer season hits. In this episode, I walk through a practical interior spring home maintenance checklist for homeowners. We cover the simple things that are easy to forget, including furnace filters, ductwork, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, plumbing checks, sump pumps, water heaters, hose bibs, GFCI outlets, power strips, dryer vents, and deep cleaning tasks that can affect comfort and safety. These are not complicated projects. They are the small checks that help you catch problems early, protect your home, and know when it is time to call a trusted professional. In This Episode * Why your furnace filter matters after winter * When to ask about a 4- or 5-inch media filter * Why duct cleaning and dryer vent cleaning should not be ignored * How to test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors * What to check under sinks and around your water heater * How to test your sump pump before heavy rain * Why homeowners should ask about sump pump failure coverage * How GFCI outlets help protect your home * Why overloaded power strips can become a fire hazard Episode Chapters * 00:00 Interior spring checklist overview * 00:20 Furnace filters and air quality * 01:28 Duct cleaning and dust buildup * 01:50 Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors * 03:16 Fresh air inside the house * 03:48 Plumbing checks under sinks * 04:11 Testing your sump pump * 05:03 Inspecting your water heater * 05:47 Checking hose bibs after winter * 06:13 Running rarely used fixtures * 06:37 Electrical safety and GFCI outlets * 07:40 Interior deep cleaning * 08:28 Dryer vent cleaning * 08:58 Final reminders Homeowner Q&A Q: How often should I change a 1-inch furnace filter? A: Adam recommends treating a 1-inch filter as a monthly maintenance item. If you are getting a furnace tuneup, ask whether a 4- or 5-inch media filter is a better fit for your home. Q: Why should I test my sump pump in spring? A: Spring storms can expose sump pump problems fast. Testing it with a bucket of water helps confirm the float triggers and the pump moves water out properly. Q: What should I ask my insurance agent about sump pumps? A: Ask whether you have sump pump failure coverage or sump pump backup coverage. Some homeowners need a separate rider for that type of water damage. Q: What interior electrical checks should homeowners do? A: Test your GFCI outlets and avoid overloading power strips. These small checks can reduce shock and fire risks around the home. 🔗 CONNECT WITH Adam 💻 Website: https://hireitdone.com/ 🎥 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/HireitDone 🤝 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhelfman/] 🤝 https://www.linkedin.com/company/hireitdone/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hireitdone 𝕏 X: https://x.com/helfystyle