Q. I got a quote from Renewable By Andersen Windows for nearly $10,000 to replace 8 windows in my home. This seems like a really high price but I have no experience with buying new windows (I live in New York City). The RBA windows are guaranteed for 20 years. They do their own installation so that's not contracted out and the windows are double pane, energy efficient windows in a really durable incasement. What do you think?

A. $10K? That's really high. But perhaps that's the price of NYC vs STL, or perhaps that's representative of the size and type of the windows you're replacing. A single sliding glass door could eat up a third of that $10K price tag. I looked at replacement windows a few years ago. I didn't buy because the price was more than I wanted to spend at that time, but here's the thing. The term "Replacement Windows" was coined as a way to sell cheaper, often smaller windows to consumers than a home's original windows. It probably involves less modification to the existing structure around the windows so they're cheaper to install. I would suggest that you steer clear of any windows labelled "Replacement" windows. They may be cheaper and easiler to install, but they won't help your home's value as much as buying new windows that are not labelled as "Replacement" windows.

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Q. I have a 87 year old house that has the original windows (not very efficient in PA) and the bathroom was redone about 30 years ago (it's pretty tacky but not horrible). The new windows would be energystar efficient. There are 22 windows in my house. For the bathroom, I would be replacing the tub, all tile work, put in a new counter, new sink, and of course, new paint on the walls. The new windows will cost around 7g, the bathroom about 10g. What do you think???

A. Definately the windows. However, you may need to have someone come and examine your frames before purchasing windows. Since the windows are 87 years old, and have never been replaced, there may be some unforseen issues that you're not aware of. Best of luck to you!

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Q. I recently installed Comodo Internet Security, I did so because Zone Alarm was conflicting with utorrent and this program came highly recommended. During installation of the firewall kernel driver the installation process appeared to freeze, it got stuck with the progress bar at some 1/4 of the way there. At this point my internet cut out, I am connecting to the net wirelessly via a netgear router located the floor below me in the house. I eventually found I had no choice but to reboot, upon which the problems persisted. I tried the installatio process again, this time completely uninstalling and removing zone alarm before proceeding with the installation (I thought Comodo had done this automatically as the wizard prompts kind of suggested it was going to). This time the program installed fine and comodo is running apparently fine except that it is completely useless to anyone as I cannot connect to the internet, I can see the name of my network in the wireless connections network manager but when I try to connect to it, it says connection unsuccessful. Oddly enough every time I've tried connecting since it's been necessary to disconnect from the wireless network that vista would have me believe I was never able to connect to in the first place. The little red cross remains on the double computer icon in the system tray regardless of this, even when the network manager says "connected with limited access". Seeings how I'm on the internet now on my eeepc on that very network I can't figure out why this is happening and as Comodo is freshly installed, there are no settings or preferences for any programs or services or anything and it would seem odd to me if the firewall by default blocked the routine which allowed windows to connect in any case. Anyone think they can shed any light?

A. First uninstall Comodo Completely. (make sure zonealarm is uninstalled too) Then delete the left over Comodo folder in programs files folder. (also delete the left over zonealarm folder in your program files folder. Then reboot. Then test your wireless. If its working, reinstall comodo. If its not, figure out the problem then reinstall comodo. For the wireless issue, I would start out reinstalling your wireless drivers after completing the other steps above.

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Q. I Recently Lent My Laptop Out To A Friend. He Called Me And Told Me He Dropped It On His Wood Floor And It Wouldn't Start Up Anymore. So I Looked At It And It Never Restarted. So I Reinstalled Windows And Now After The Disc Installation And The Reboot, It Stalls At A Black Screen With The Words " Setup Is Installing Services". When It Does Go Away, It Reboots The Laptop And Goes Back To The Same Screen. This Laptop Is Important And I Need To Know What Could It Be, I Have Took The Hard-Drive And Ran The Checkdsk Utility Twice And Still The Same-thing Happens.. Any Suggestions Would He Nice And Grateful. Thanks For Any Help.

A.

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Q. I have a enquiry to clean a council house when they become empty for a local council includes windows, all woodwork, bathroom, and all kitchen cuboards, dust walls and ceilings, mop floors, no carpets just bare wood, in general a good clean based on a three bed semi detatched house

A. I used to run a cleaning company. And for an empty, I would charge 40-50 per hour. If you do the work well, they will pay just about anything. In a 3 bedroom home, I would take home 120-200. Depending on how much I did. Honestly, they didnt mind paying it. Always keep in mind, you have to look at the home before you give them a bid. If its generally clean, maybe you dont want to charge so much, take it down to 30-35. But if its hit, get all you can.

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Q. I am not considered a non-profit because my company is not tax exempt. I own a very small contracting company and recently started accepting applications to do work for free on homes that are occupied by low income families. Some of these homes have lead paint, no windows, holes in the floor big enough for a person etc. We started with just a few applications and now they are non stop. Legally I was advised to wait to file for tax exempt status because it is very expensive and not neccessary if we can't get sponsors BUT I am having a hard time getting donations from major corporations because of it, kind of a catch 22. They can still write it off on their taxes but they have strict rules about having to give to only non profits. We have small donations from private companies but with all the applications we need major money now. Does anyone know where we can get private or local grants (I live in PA), or where to start looking? I tried looking it up online but there is too much junk.

A. I work with NPO's to raise money and you can do it the same way. Please e-mail me for info and I will help you get things rolling. Jacki

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Q. I am not considered a non-profit because my company is not tax exempt. I own a very small contracting company and recently started accepting applications to do work for free on homes that are occupied by low income families. Some of these homes have lead paint, no windows, holes in the floor big enough for a person etc. We started with just a few applications and now they are non stop. Legally I was advised to wait to file for tax exempt status because it is very expensive and not neccessary if we can't get sponsors BUT I am having a hard time getting donations from major corporations because of it, kind of a catch 22. They can still write it off on their taxes but they have strict rules about having to give to only non profits. We have small donations from private companies but with all the applications we need major money now. Does anyone know where we can get private or local grants (I live in PA), or where to start looking? I tried looking it up online but there is too much junk.

A. Try http://www.grants.gov/

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Q. First read this question, it has something to do with this:: http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=ArbuxwCbyRg3ZS0iTpJSBF7BFQx.;_ylv=3?qid=20080822071247AAeNXyg THEN read this. Our mortgage company majorly screwed up. In August, we switched banks (our mortgage is not with our banks). We usually have direct withdrawl for our mortgage payments. We told them we would be afew days late with out payment while we switched banks. After we were 3 days late, they demanded we pay them immediately. They would not accept registered mail (to send a cheque or cash for it), but only Western Union or a bank payment. We opted to send a Western Union payment, so we would have a receipt of the payment. We sent the payment, and called the mort. company with a reference #. They accepted it no issues, and we thought the matter was closed. 2 weeks later (and 2 days before our wedding) a court officer showed up at our door with paperwork that the mortgage company was commencing legal action over non-payment of our mortgage (our payment is $418 bi weekly, we had been late with ONE payment). We called our lawyer and the mortgage company, and they said to dis-regard the notice, it had all been worked out- the Western Union payment hadn't been submitted by their internal billing dept. in time for them to cancel court proceedings. We got a letter from the mortgage company stating to disregard the repossession proceeding papers we had gotten. We considered the matter closed. Last Friday, a Sheriff of the court showed up at our door, served me papers that we had 7 days to leave the house and have all our stuff gone- they were repossessing our house. I freaked out, called hubby @ work and he came home. We again called the lawyer then the mortgage comp. We had to fax them the Western Union receipt for proof we paid. We did so, and the next day we had a notice from the Canadian Superior Court of Justice saying to disregard the notice of Intent to Repossess, and that the suit was closed, our mortgage was paid up and in good standing. So, again, we considered it over with. The lawyer for the mortgage company told us they were faxing the dismissal papers over to the local court (and sheriff and court officer who was supposed to evict us). We had to go to a funeral yesterday for my hubbys uncle. We were gone overnight about 3 hours from home. We got home @ 12 noon today, and notices were taped to our windows, all our door locks had been changed, and bars put over our windows so we couldn't get into our house (keep in mind it is COLD here in Northern Canada, in November- and we have 2 children under age 3). So esentially we were locked out of our home. We both FREAKED out, smashed a garage window and broke into our house. The sherriff and whoever changed the locks damaged some of our property- we need a new rear entry door, our front door is damaged and the door jamb needs replacing, they left the old knobs on the floor, our hardwood floor by the door is damaged, and our elderly INDOOR cat was sitting out in the cold by the front door when we arrived at home. Our dog had been taken by Animal Control to the pound where we had to pay to get her out. We still have ALL the paperwork pertaining to this issue, I took photos of the damages, and filed a report with the police about unlawful entry. We want to sue, but the mortgage company lawyer just laughed at us and said "Good luck, we have every right to protect our investments". The thing is, this is NOT our fault! It seems like every time we turn around, this company is screwing up something major. I'm worried to leave the house now in case we can't get back in and are stuck in the cold with the kids. What can we do about this?! I am so p-i-ssed off, I'm shaking still. We are in our home right now but I'm worried someone will show up to evict us or charge us for being in here. My hubby had to go to work or he would probably lose his job, so I'm here alone with the kids and freaking out. I'm also really concerned about the ownership of our home- and about our credit rating and all the legal aspects of this.... HELP! WHAT SHOULD WE DO?! We go to talk to a lawyer Monday about filing a lawsuit and suing the company for harassment, emotional and financial distress, unlawful entry, damage to property and whatever else we can sue for. This is insane and we have to do something... We cannot afford to pay for penalties to switch our mortgage, we would be content with suing them for the balance of our mortgage ($124 thousand) and legal fees- and for the money to fix the damages and for the $110 we had to pay to get the flippin' dog out of the slammer. I'm just so MAD. I told hubby I was going to call the most major newspapers and tv shows in the province and tell them about this, and see how the company likes it. Also going to file a disupte and complaint against them with the Better Business Bureau, which will basically put a mark against them if any potential clients check their BBB rating...

A. It sounds like you are on the right track - legal action at this point is your only recourse. Also, as soon as your mortgage term expires, I would be looking for a new lender. Depending on how old your mortgage is and what you still owe, you may even decide that it would be worth paying penalties to refinance with a different company.

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