Some people follow rock bands from show to show all across the country. Here at, Angie’s List, we follow the home show circuit, and we’ve been doing it now for 15 years.

Whether you’re among the 87 percent of Angie’s List members who told us they’re planning home improvement this year, or you’re just dreaming of a remodeling project, you should be going to the home show, too.

Here’s why:

Home shows are great places to see examples of the latest ideas for kitchen and bathroom remodeling. General contractors, remodelers, plumbers, handymen – pretty much anyone who specializes in home improvement – has a presence at your local home show.

Our poll showed that those planning to remodel plan to spend nearly 5 percent of their home’s value on improvements in 2010. That’s significant money. You want to invest it well.  We’re not advocating that you hire the first contractor you find with an intriguing booth. You still have to do your research. But you can gather a lot of contact information at a home show.

You can stop by to see us, too.  Here’s a listing of where we’ll be. Hope to see you at the show!

Central Ohio Home & Garden Show at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus
We’re in booth 544 now through Sunday, March 7

Chicago Flower & Garden Show on Navy Pier
We’re in booth 411 starting Saturday, March 6 through March 14

Cincinnati Home & Garden Show at Duke Energy Convention Center
We’re in booth 935 starting Saturday, March 6 through March 14

Duquesne Light Home & Garden Show at the Pittsburgh Convention Center
We’re in booth 1834 starting Friday, March 5 through March 14t

Indianapolis Home & Flower Show at Lucas Oil Stadium
We’re in booth 424 starting Friday, March 5 through Sunday

Maryland Home & Garden Show at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Baltimore
We’re in booth 330 starting Saturday, March 6 through March 14

Minneapolis Housing Fair at South High School
We’re in booth 110 Saturday March 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Southern Spring Home & Garden Show at The Park in Charlotte
We’re in booth 638 today through Sunday, March 7

 

A highly popular and respected – and we hope heeded – authority agrees with us that consumers using the Internet to find a doctor is a trend “moving full speed ahead” and that doctors need to get on board.

The blogger says the real issue with online rating sites is what they can do for, or against, you. Angie’s List believes online ratings sites that have a credible accountability component -- and don’t just offer anonymous, Internet graffiti -- are hugely beneficial in helping patients find good doctors and helping physicians understand what their patients appreciate or find lacking in their practice. Active participation in these sites just makes a good thing better.

While a lot of us are still somewhat governed by our health insurance coverage, there’s still plenty of choice whether you need a dentist, dermatologist, psychiatrist or any other type of health professional.

Just as the big thaw follows a big freeze, scam artists follow storms. And once again, we’re hearing from people who’ve fallen victim to that nice guy who just “happened by” their home to offer help with:

• The snow-plowed in or snow-covered driveway
• The ice damming that’s working away at damaging your roof
• The “imminent” roof collapse that’s just a heartbeat away
• The ice-enveloped trees that need to be saved right now or die from exposure

Don’t be among the people who agree to fork over $1500 in cash for quick snow removal from roofs. That could be double what it should cost you – and it won’t take you long to check out any quote you get using Angie’s List or by comparing those three estimates from roofing contractors you should get before you hire anyone anyway.

Snow removal experts abound!  The good ones are probably busy, but many of them will recommend other good contractors if you’re in a pinch and they can’t get to you. One highly rated service pro told us he’s aware of a guy who raked in $28,000 in ONE week using smarmy, high pressure tactics. Did he leave behind damage that the homeowner will have to pay for? Did he do good work? Who knows?! That guy is in the wind because the work was done for cash with no record of who did it. So the homeowners he took can only hope he did good work and that they won’t be calling their homeowners insurance agent for help with the repairs. Trees have been living through harsh winters for longer than humans have been landscaping. Call in tree service experts who can show you they know their stuff. They’ll know what your trees need – if anything.

Red flags:

• Companies/contractors offering steep discounts or insist on cash payment if you let them work right now.
• The pressure pitch:  Yes, you may be in danger of a roof collapse, but you don’t have to decide right now as you stand in your doorway talking to the stranger who says he or she can save you. Take the time to get three estimates and check references. Chances are, your roof won’t collapse in the time it takes to do your homework, and you’ll find a reputable contractor who will be there come spring should that roof repair start leaking.
• Blade? Yes. Insurance? No:  That Good Samaritan who plows your drive and disappears won’t bear the cost if he destroys your or your neighbor’s car or mailbox: you will.

Check out more tips on how to find reliable help for any storm disaster – it’s out there and we have the consumer reviews to prove it. If you’ve already been scammed, let us know. We try to find you help to fix it.

I've blogged about this before, but I said I wouldn't give up until we end this trend of doctors that want to keep their patients from posting reviews about their health care experiences online. Doctors who ask patients to sign these medical gag orders are making consumers choose between free speech and health care, and it’s just plain wrong.

Consumers have been sharing doctor reviews since the beginning of time. The comments have just moved online, and consumers have told us over and over that this form of feedback is helpful when making health care decisions for themselves and their family.

I talked about the gag orders with Gretchen Carlson at FOX & Friends this morning. Watch the clip and let me know what you think about this issue...

Are you aware of new federal lead safety regulations coming down the pike? If you’re a homeowner planning any remodeling, interior painting or exterior painting projects, or if you’re a contractor doing any work in homes built before 1978, you need to be. And too many of us aren’t.

Beginning April 22, the Environmental Protection Agency will require any contractors who might disturb lead paint in homes, schools and child care facilities built before 1978 to be trained and accredited in proper lead safety techniques. Those who continue to work without proper certification can face fines – but more importantly, they will be endangering the well-being of children who live in those homes.

Lead poisoning has already affected more than 250,000 children in the U.S., and housing experts believe 23 million homes still contain significant lead-based paint hazards even though the paint was banned in 1978.

We recently asked service companies on Angie’s List if they knew about the rules. Nearly 20 percent say they don’t. A survey of our members showed us that most of them aren’t aware of the rules either.

We’ll be doing our best to heighten awareness of the new regs, as well as the issue.

• We’ve begun to highlight the information we provide members about contractors so it’s easier to find those who are certified in lead safety.
• For years, we’ve encouraged contractors to get lead safety training, and now we’ll push them to get the certification.
• We’ll update our Lead Safety web page soon to offer information.
• Our magazine will feature the issue in April.
• We’re also working with the March of Dimes, Improving Kids Environment and others to raise awareness by participating in events and outreach.

 
If you live in a pre-1978 home, please educate yourself. And please help us share this information.