The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois unveiled a new outdoor playground set Thursday that is sure to get a lot of use this summer.

“Our summer program starts June 18 and runs through Aug. 12,” said Tiffany Mathis, director of development and community relations for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois. “We will have students here Monday through Friday. The new playground set will get an immense amount of use over the summer and during the school year. It was definitely much-needed.”

The new playground was made possible by a $50,000 grant from Lowe’s. The project also involved repairing a parking lot, renovating a women’s bathroom and installing new thermostats throughout the Boys & Girls Clubs’ building at 300 S. 15th St.

William Legge, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois, said Lowe’s and other Springfield businesses helped it stretch the $50,000 grant. Lowe’s was able to provide building materials at cost and also supplied volunteers who helped with the projects. Other businesses such as Siciliano Construction, Bunn-O-Matic Corp., Equipment Operator’s Local 965, Prather-Tucker Architects and Carpenters Local 270 pitched in on the project.

“This was easily a $200,000 project that we got for $50,000 in hard costs and ton of community labor,” Legge said. “The guys at Bunn, their maintenance crew is almost our defactor maintenance crew.”

While the playground was the most visible part of the project, Legge said the bathroom renovation and new thermostats were also important.

“The women’s bathroom was falling apart,” Legge said. “We were able to completely redo that. We got new dividers, sinks, faucets, ceiling tile, floor tile … It’s a brand new room. It looks amazing.”

Lowe’s Renovation Across the Nation is a $2.5 million initiative to strengthen and revitalize one club in each of the 50 states.

Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said the Boys & Girls Clubs helps stabilize the area.

“The Boys and Girls Clubs helps shape lives. That’s what it’s all about. How do we improve the lives of others and work together to get it done,” Langfelder said.

After a short dedication ceremony, the kids at the club were allowed to play on the new equipment.

“It’s been a lot of work,” Legge said. “We started last fall. We had to pretty much stop as winter set in, and then we had the winter that just wouldn’t end. It took longer than I would have liked to get it done, but seeing the smiles on the faces makes it all worth it.”

–Contact John Reynolds: john.reynolds@sj-r.com, 788-1524, twitter.com/JohnReynoldsSJR.

Source

http://www.sj-r.com/news/20180518/grant-helps-boys-amp-girls-clubs-with-playground-equipment-bathroom-renovation

DENVER, /PRNewswire/ — PaySimple, a leading Service Commerce platform for businesses, today announced the integration of its embedded payment processing technology, PaySimple AppConnect™, with improveit 360, a leading CRM and business management software purpose-built for residential remodelers, contractors, and home improvement professionals.

PaySimple AppConnect™ enables improveit 360 customers to accept payments directly from their improveit 360 desktop or mobile application, making it simpler than ever to collect payments on-time for major home remodeling projects in the field, in the office or on the go.

The integration makes it easier for home improvement professionals to run their businesses, allowing them to securely accept large sums, down payments, multi-step payments or recurring payments without disrupting core services. By combining the power of improveit 360’s all-in-one business management platform & mobile app, with PaySimple’s secure payment acceptance capabilities, home improvement professionals can focus on projects, not toggling between software systems.

“Allowing businesses to accept payment directly from their improveit 360 application furthers our mission of being a true all-in-one business management solution,” says Mark Quinlan, CEO of improveit 360. “Every minute of time improveit 360 customers save collecting payments is another minute they can invest in marketing, selling, open projects and client relationships.”

PaySimple AppConnect integrates with service business platforms to facilitate down payments, recurring payments, web forms, payment plans, credit card & ACH processing, virtual point-of-sale, “card on file” PCI Compliant Vault, and cash flow reporting.

“We’re excited to help improveit 360 customers simplify the way they accept payments and ultimately, provide better service to their clients,” says David Sharp, President of PaySimple.

The integration is available to all improveit 360 customers. To learn more, visit: https://paysimple.com/paysimple-i360-prospects.html

About PaySimple
PaySimple is the leading Service Commerce platform for businesses, supporting the success of over 17,000 companies in the United States. PaySimple enables businesses to market services, accept payments, and retain customers using one end-to-end solution that covers everything from payments and appointments, to online sales and customer management. Products include: Service Point of Sale, Payment Forms & Online Store, Appointment Scheduling, credit card and e-check processing, Recurring Billing, Mobile Payments, Secure Customer Management, e-Invoicing, cash flow reporting, and more.

About improveit 360
improveit 360 is the leading CRM and business management software purpose-built for residential remodelers, contractors, and home pros. We also build custom solutions for home improvement franchisors and manufacturers. Our system and associated mobile apps help you manage leads, marketing, sales, quoting, projects, appointments, call centers, and real-time reporting from one centralized location. improveit 360 improves efficiency, reduces the day-to-day chaos, and helps grow businesses.

Media Contact:

Nell Gable
303-800-0585
194738@email4pr.com

View original content with multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paysimple-announces-latest-payment-integration-with-improveit-360s-crm-software-for-contractors-remodelers-and-home-improvement-professionals-300647952.html

SOURCE PaySimple

Source

http://benzinga.com/pressreleases/18/05/r11713149/paysimple-announces-latest-payment-integration-with-improveit-360s-crm

Ringleader in theft targeting home improvement stores pleads guilty

DENVER — The ringleader of a plan that resulted in the theft of over $35,000 of merchandise from Denver metro area and Front Range home improvement stores pleaded guilty last Friday, according to the Denver District Attorney.

Christopher Rodriguez, 31, pleaded guilty to the main charge of violation of the Colorado Organized Crime Control Act. As part of the terms of his plea, Rodriguez is expected to be sentenced to 16 years in prison.

A Denver Grand Jury last October indicted Rodriguez and 24 co-defendants on various additional charges, including money laundering, theft, and violation of bail bond conditions.

The DA said the indictment was the result of a months-long investigation and collaboration by the local Economic Crime Unit, Denver Metro Gang Task Force, Denver Police Department, Aurora Police Department, and the Lakewood Police Department.

The indictment alleges that between December 2015 and December 2016, Rodriguez participated in and directed fellow members to steal merchandise from Home Depot and Lowe’s stores, then return the stolen items back to the stores for merchandise credit cards, which were in turn sold for cash to pay conspirators in the crime in cash or drugs.

Rodriguez allegedly provided room and board in Denver for some members of the enterprise and bonded associates out of jail and compelled them to work for him until they could repay the bond fee.

The merchandise cards were sold at stores specializing in gift cards for about 70 percent of the merchandise credit card value.

At the time of many of the alleged incidents, Rodriguez was on bond under intensive supervision with electronic monitoring in connection with pending criminal cases against him.

His electronic monitoring devices placed him at the scene of one or more store thefts for which he was charged. Rodriguez is scheduled to be sentenced on June 8.

Source

http://kdvr.com/2018/05/15/ringleader-in-theft-targeting-home-improvement-stores-pleads-guilty/

Source

http://www.daily-journal.com/business/money-talk-tips-for-financing-your-next-home-improvement-project/article_729ddc3c-5790-11e8-865b-0b53bfac949a.html

Home Depot Inc. (NYSE: HD) reports first-quarter earnings before market open on Tuesday, May 15. A strong U.S. economy, tight labor market and recent tax reform have been some of the tailwinds the company has highlighted in recent quarters.

Mortgage rates have continued to climb higher in recent months, but management didn’t seem particularly concerned about the impact they would have on the housing market. On last quarter’s earnings call, HD CFO Carol Tomé said: “We expect higher job growth, higher income growth and, yes, higher mortgage rates, but with that comes higher home price appreciation and rising housing demand, which should drive home improvement spending.”

When the company last reported, revenue increased 7.5 percent year over year to $23.9 billion and adjusted EPS came in at $1.69. Comparable-store sales were up 7.5 percent, driven by a 5.5 percent increase in transaction size and a 1.9 percent increase in the number of transactions compared to last year. Online sales grew 21 percent year over year in Q4, slightly below the 21.5 percent growth rate the company reported for all of 2017.

Commodity price inflation in copper, building materials and lumber helped boost average transaction growth by 105 basis points, according to management. HD also said it benefited somewhat from a weaker U.S. dollar, which tacked on 42 basis points to transaction growth. 

Effects from the string of hurricanes that hit the southeastern U.S. in late 2017 continued to trickle through, adding approximately $380 million in sales last quarter, although management highlighted the fact that many of these sales are at lower gross margins than the company average. Management previously said it expects hurricane-related sales to remain elevated through the end of Q1. 

For Q1, HD is expected to report adjusted EPS of $2.07 on revenue of $25.23 billion, according to third-party consensus estimates. In the same quarter last year, HD earned $1.67 on revenue of $23.9 billion.

For all of fiscal 2018, management has issued guidance for adjusted EPS to be approximately $9.31. Overall, sales are projected to climb 6.5 percent and comparable-store sales are expected to increase 5 percent. HD’s pace of store openings has slowed significantly over the years and the company said it plans to open three new locations this year, compared to six new store openings in 2017.

HOME DEPOT IN 2018. Shares of HD hit an all-time high of $207.61 in late January. After a sharp decline in early February amid the broader market selloff, the stock continued to decline and hit a recent low of $170.42 in early April. HD has climbed higher since then and closed just above $190 on Friday, May 11. Chart source:  by TD Ameritrade.  Not a recommendation. For illustrative purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Options Trading Activity

Around the upcoming earnings release, the options market has priced in about a 2.9 percent stock price move in either direction according to the Market Maker Move indicator on the thinkorswim® platform. Implied volatility was on the low end at the 35^th percentile as of this morning.

In short-term trading at the May 18 monthly expiration, calls have been active at the 185 and 190 strike prices, while activity on the put side has been concentrated at the 182.5 strike. Further out at the June 15 monthly expiration, recent call trading has also been concentrated at the 185 and 190 strikes, whereas the 185-strike put has been more heavily traded.

Note: Call options represent the right, but not the obligation, to buy the underlying security at a predetermined price over a set period of time. Put options represent the right, but not the obligation to sell the underlying security at a predetermined price over a set period of time.

What’s Coming Up

Earnings season continues to wind down. Some of the major reports this week include Macy’s Inc. (NYSE: M) before the open on Wednesday, Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) before the open on Thursday, and Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) before the open on Friday. Next week, both Lowe’s Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) and Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) report before the open on Wednesday, May 23. If you have time, make sure to check out today’s market update for a look at what else is going on.

Information from TDA is not intended to be investment advice or construed as a recommendation or endorsement of any particular investment or investment strategy, and is for illustrative purposes only. Be sure to understand all risks involved with each strategy, including commission costs, before attempting to place any trade.

Source

http://benzinga.com/news/earnings/18/05/11704985/upcoming-earnings-home-improvement-retailer-home-depot-reports-before-t

Britain is a country obsessed with DIY.  I’m not sure why though, as I even flat pack furniture from IKEA makes me stressed!

The average person spends around £1000 on DIY projects every year, equating to a nationwide economy of around . We just can’t get enough!

There are plenty of great DIY projects to involve yourself in, . However, not every element of home improvement should be considered a task for the homeowner.

Some DIY projects must always be left to professionals, even if it means taking a financial hit you could avoid if you took on the project yourself.

The people we bought our home from are a fine example of why some DIY should not be attempted by amateurs! We had doors that didn’t shut because they were wonky, broken taps, things screwed on backwards and more!

So, what are the DIY projects to avoid? Before you get started on your next big home improvement job, be sure to call up the experts when making these changes:

Anything Electrical

In the UK, thousands of people are killed each year as the result of . There is no avoiding the fact that electricity poses a serious risk to life, which means working with it requires two things: proper equipment and expertise.

DIYers don’t have either of these, which means working with any electricals in the pursuit of home improvement injects the project with serious and unnecessary risk. Potential for disaster varies from electrical fires thanks to mistakes during DIY jobs, to direct electrocution.

On this list of DIY projects to avoid, electricals is number one for a reason. Always steer clear.

If that wasn’t enough, there is also a legal element to electrical work as well. All electrical work must be conducted to safety and . This is to ensure not only your safety, but the safety of those around you, especially if you live in terraces or flats. Most simple electrical work won’t need special permission, but there is a potential for lawbreaking with carrying out DIY electrical work.

Another reason to avoid.

Roofing

A lot of people take it upon themselves to install their own roofing.

It seems simple enough and, despite the obvious dangers, those confident enough to work in high places may considering doing it themselves. There are three main problems with doing your own roofing:

• It’s an Expensive DIY Project— Roofing installation is tough. Houses are made to withstand all kinds of harsh weather, which means you aren’t going to be able to perform the job with your standard toolbox. This requires the purchasing of industry-standard tools, which are expensive. The same goes for materials. Sourcing quality roofing materials isn’t easy; you won’t find everything you need at your local hardware store. Another major cost.
• It’s Easy to Get Wrong — Roofing is incredibly important. Without proper roof installation, you’ll see leaks and other forms of property damage. Therefore, it needs to be done right. The biggest reason roofing is a DIY project to avoid is that if you mess it up, you’ll face major problems — and roofing is easy to mess up. With so many interlinking components, just one small weakness can have disastrous consequences.

Plumbing Work

There are plenty of small that most people can successfully do themselves. Plumbing jobs like changing faucets, replacing loose brackets and bleeding radiators are simple DIY projects anyone can do.

However, once you get into the more serious elements of plumbing, it’s time to step back and call in professional support. Nobody is going to try and replace their internal plumbing, upgrade their own central heating or consider , but you may attempt to replace a basin, shower, bath or toilet, for example.

The problem is that plumbing systems within the home are not only delicate but also completely interconnected. Getting it right is essential to avoiding homewide plumbing issues. Work that is complete improperly can lead to pressure problems, leaks, the accumulation of limescale and debris within systems and more. This is not to mention the perils of improper installation of elements such as showers or toilets.

Advanced plumbing jobs are definitely DIY projects to avoid.

Flooring

So far, all those DIY projects I’ve recommend you avoid some kind of intricate technical knowledge or present a potential danger. Comparatively, flooring seems relatively straightforward and without risk. So why shouldn’t you be throwing down carpet yourself, setting wooden floorboards or adding kitchen/bathroom floor surfaces?

Flooring, while it may seem simple, comes complete with a minefield of problems for untrained and unequipped DIYers.

Wooden flooring, for example, often requires refinishing. This means it will need treatment and sanding. However, to do this properly, you need specialist equipment that is inaccessible to DIYers. Alternatives are available, but they don’t offer the same results. There is also a certain level of knowledge required to finish floors properly, which means in the hands of a DIYer, floors can get damaged.

Carpet installation also presents problems. A labour intensive job that requires exact measurements and careful rollout procedures, even slight mismatches can lead to crinkled carpet, air pockets, loose areas and improperly formed seals.

Flooring requires experience and industry-standard tools to install properly. Don’t do this one yourself.

Follow:

Source

http://skinnedcartree.com/2018/05/diy-to-avoid-dont-do-it-yourself-home-improvement-projects.html