Be Green: 9 Ways to Recycle Your Christmas Tree

Now that the holiday season is coming to an end, what will you do with your Christmas tree? For those who have a fresh tree, here are some ways from www.care2.com to recycle your tree.

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1. Living trees, with the roots still intact, can be planted in your backyard after Christmas. (A Christmas tree for next year!)
2. Use the tree as a bird feeder in your backyard.
3. Cut off the branches and use the trunk as an edge for your garden.
4. Use the evergreen boughs as post-Christmas home decor.
5. Check if your community has a Christmas tree recycling program. See the National Christmas Tree Association for more information.
6. The trunk of the tree can be used as firewood for your fireplace.
7. Use the needles to make potpourri.
8. The trunk and branches can be used by woodworking hobbyists.
9. If allowed, burn the branches and spread the ashes in your garden. This will help yield better flowers and veggies as the branches have lots of nutrients your garden can benefit from.

For more information on the different ways of recycling your Christmas tree, click here. 

Merry Christmas from Kaplan Construction!

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"Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting. It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others. It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values." - Thomas S. Monson

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Kaplan Construction!

What to Look for When Hiring a Contractor

There are many important things to consider when hiring a contractor. Here at Kaplan Construction, we want you to be aware of the things to consider when choosing a contractor. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides some useful tips while searching for the right contractor.

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• Get estimates from different firms. Do not automatically choose the lowest bidder. Estimates will allow you to narrow down your choice.
• Ask questions. Questions such as “How many projects like mine have you done in the past year?”, “Will my project require permits?”, and “May I have a list of references?” will help you in the decision making process.
• Understand your payment options.  Do not pay cash! Pay with card or check; you have proof of your payment. Try to make payments during the project contingent of defined amounts of work.
• Get a written contract. It should be clear and concise and include the who, what, where, when, and cost of your project.

You can find the complete and thorough list from the FTC here.

Contact Kaplan Construction at 562-495-0483 or via email  for any home renovations or additions.

Holiday Safety Tips

With the holiday season just a few weeks away, many people will be (if they haven't done so already) putting up Christmas lights and decorations on their home. While lights and decorations bring Christmas joy and the holiday spirit, there are many safety hazards that can occur.

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Here are some safety tips to keep in mind to have a fun and safe Christmas:

• Turn off all indoor and outdoor holiday lighting before going to bed.
• Never drape anything over a light bulb.
• Try to avoid using candles. If you do use candles, keep them away from your Christmas tree, wrapping paper, and anything flammable.
• Never leave an open flame unattended.
• Make sure all electrical items are certified by a recognized independent testing lab.
• Never nail or staple cords to the wall or baseboard. This can cause damage to the wire insulation.
• For outdoor lighting, make sure you seal connections with electrical tape. This will protect the lights from outdoor elements.
• Do not overload extension cords.

For more tips for your home's safety this holiday season, visit EFSi.

Happy decorating!