Links from OCP's "Spring Fix it Up" Seminar

The Office of Consumer Protection recently held a "Spring Fix It Up" Seminar which included sessions on lawn care and pest management, mechanical systems, and home improvement (windows, siding, etc...). Here are links to many of the websites mentioned during the seminar or related to the topics that were covered:

General Information on Home Improvements (choosing a home improvement contractor, home inspectors, check on products or services)

• Guide to Home Improvements (Office of Consumer Protection)
• Maryland Home Improvement Commission (Maryland Dept. of Labor, Licensing & Regulation)
• Better Business Bureau
• Consumers' CHECKBOOK/The Center for the Study of Services (information on area services - can download articles for a fee or can subscribe to publication/site)
• Consumer Reports (information on products - some free articles, or can subscribe to publication/site)
• American Society of Home Inspectors
• National Fenestration Rating Council (shopping for windows, doors & skylights)

Lawn Care - integrated pest management, grass care, lawn care companies

• Home and Garden Information Center (Maryland Cooperative Extension)
• Grasscycling (Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection)
• Hiring a Lawn Care Service Company (Office of Consumer Protection)
• Selecting Pest Control Services (Office of Consumer Protection)
• Tree Experts List - Licensing (Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources)

Mechanical Systems - heat pump, air conditioning, plumbing and Montgomery County Dept. of Permitting Services

• Montgomery County Dept. of Permitting Services
• Plumbing/Gasfitting Licensing & Inspections (Office of Consumer Protection)
• Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC)
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America - National Capital Chapter
• U.S. Dept. of Energy - Your House/Consumers Page
• Energy Star Program (U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency)