| Ben Thompson (41)

I'm sitting in our living room at home and it's dark in here. It's dark because the $125 low-voltage light fixture we had in here burned out 12 months ago. 10 months ago we replaced it with another $125 low-voltage light fixture and wouldn't you know it...2 weeks ago it stopped working. In hindsight, I should've just bought the $250 fixture from a specialty lighting store versus the "cheapy" fixtures I bought at a big box store.

Last week I was in a safety seminar that our staff attends annually and as we were moving through slides I grabbed my smartphone and posted these 10 Safety Tips on the ThompsonTrio FaceBook page. I have not posted the catastrophic photos that illustrate the importance of these tips as a courtesy. Here they for the benefit that heightened awareness will bring you. Safety Tip #1 - Ladder 4:1 Rule - means don't make your ladder angle more than 75 degrees. If your ladder is 10ft tall, make sure the base of the ladder is at least 2.5 ft from the house. Safety Tip #2 - Cut away from your body and hands so you don't stab yourself with a utility knife. Safety Tip #3 - Don't use a flat head screwdriver to pry stuff. Use a flatbar or prybar. Screwdrivers break. Safety Tip # 4 - Duct tape is not a suitable fix for cracked handles on a hammer or sledgehammer handle. Safety Tip # 5 - Spend $10 on safety glasses that are comfortable and may even look semi-cool. If they aren't comfortable...you won't wear them. Safety Tip #6 - Don't ever let your skin (fingers/body) come within 3" of a saw/power cutting blade. Use a push stick when using a table saw. Safety Tip #7 - Take off your rings and watches before doing ANY carpentry or home repair projects. Pay $30 to have your rings re-sized so you can easily remove them. Safety Tip #8 - Remove strings from your hooded sweatshirts that you work in. Make sure your work clothes are not loose or "holy." :-) Safety Tip #9 - Your children, grandkids, spouse, and friends want to be able to talk to you when you're 60 yrs old so wear good ear protection when u work or even mow the lawn (only $10). Safety Tip #10 - When you rent equipment please pay attention to the operation & safety instructions. It will speed up your learning curve, you'll get more work done, it will keep you safe! There you have it. Safety tips that are commonly avoided and very cheap personal insurance.

Here is a recent Q & A conversation.

Ben will be a part of the Mecosta Chapter of Green Built Michigan's "How to Integrate GREEN into Remodeling" event on November 6, 2009 from 8am - noon.

I want to credit Builder Track with some amazing information. Even with all the horrible economic news out there I heard an astounding figure this past week. There was $17.5M of project in excess of $50k+ in our target area (Kent County) YTD 2009. If you are a tradesperson or builder who just happens to read www.bensbetter.biz then I'd like to send you to this resource that you need yourself. http://www.buildertrackreports.com/Home_Page.php

This weekend I was with a friend whose husband may take a job as a collegiate sports statistician. It got me thinking about a few relevant statistics. I have between 250-350 unique conversations with people like you about homes like yours on an annual basis. About 100-150 of those conversations are 20 minutes or less via phone, 75-100 are 90 minute consulations and the balance are somewhere inbetween. Add to that the 250+ annual calls Pat, Sandie & I field on the Newsradio WOOD 1300Home Improvement Show and that's about 170 hrs each year talking about homes like yours. Our mission: To help you Love Where You Live with information & advice or by directly helping the design-build remodeling clients of Thompson Remodeling. I make the time in my schedule to talk to people like you everyday so why not make it a conversation with YOU. 616-942-1866 is the office line.

I am a man of many particularities. I hate stinky towels! If I were to finish my shower and grab a towel, I would immediately hold it up to my nose and give it a sniff. If it does not smell fresh and wonderful my body reacts with an uncontrollable shudder and on my worst days a girlish scream.

Saturday morning is a time of hope and powerful aspirations - connect as a family, enjoy time outdoors, or insert hobby here. And then, as you perk up during your first cup of coffee, you realize it's not just raining, it's pouring outside. Here are 5 projects you can do without leaving the house.

Last week on the Home Improvement Show Pat, Sandie, and I did a segment on 10 Common Plumbing Tips and we rated them based on how practical, beneficial, and probable people are to actually benefit from these tips. Here is my list of the 5 essential tips, nothing more:

If you'd like to know more about new lead abatement requirements start at the source.

In the 90s there was about an 18 month period whenI kept a long hair style. I started off going for a Patrick Swayze look and just kept going. This hairstyle needed a $32 haircut to support it...plus tip.

You've heard me say it before but here are 5 steps that will take you 5 minutes to complete. Give yourself increased A/C efficiency: