Archive for the ‘Monthly Tips’ Category

Mold – The Grinch in the Attic

In over 20% of the new or newly remodeled attic spaces we inspect, we find mold. The vast majority of these homeowners didn’t realize they had a mold issue. Mold in attics is usually the result of moisture-filled warm air finding a way into the attic space before it can be effectively ventilated out. If you suspect that this may be the case in your attic, call a professional. Get Dwell would be happy to give you a free consultation.

Spigot Vigilance!

“Frost-free” hose bibs (spigots) do not require an interior shut-off valve to be turned off in the cold weather; but please beware that if you have not removed the hoses, sprinklers or irrigation devices that are hooked up to them, you may be courting trouble. Every year, clients wonder why their maintenance free or “frost-free” hose bib has sprung a leak; typically, it’s because the hose is still hooked up allowing the water to be trapped. Once that trapped water freezes it needs to expand somewhere and unfortunately for many homeowners that expansion may mean a leak. So if you haven’t done so already, be sure to take care of this as soon as possible. If you have a leak already, it’s typically the O-rings that have failed. Replacement O-rings and complete “frost-free” hose bibs can be found at your local hardware store. On the North Shore we recommend Millen’s, where you’ll always find someone knowledgeable to help you.

Avoid Ice Damming

Ice dams can be nightmares, potentially causing extensive water damage. An ice dam is caused by the freezing and thawing process of snow and ice. Ice forms, causing the melting water behind it to build up, backing up under roof materials and leaking into the house below. Causes range from the unplanned consequences of complex roof designs to inadequate insulation; from incomplete air sealing to lack of proper ventilation. Sometimes it can come from an incorrectly installed recessed light or bathroom fan. So examine your roof and gutters when it snows. Is there excessive ice at the gutter line, are there large and numerous icicles or build up in the valleys? Is the snow melted from the peak of your roof but not from the lower portions? All these can be signs of a potential ice dam and may deserve a closer look.

Look for Weatherization Opportunities

Are there areas of your home that are uncomfortable because of cold or drafts? Can you feel a breeze around doors or windows or other problem areas like outlet/light fixtures? Is your heat source generating heat properly? The cold temperatures make it a great time to assess your home’s uncomfortable and energy loss areas. If you need help winterizing problem areas of your house, call Get Dwell. We can make your home more comfortable while saving you money. If you want a complete and accurate assessment of your entire home consider a home energy audit from the Green Dream Group. Their professional assessment is invaluable in ensuring that you are doing everything you can to be as comfortable and as energy efficient as possible.

Holiday Lighting

LED vs. regular incandescent bulbs? One of our clients used an energy meter to measure the 150 bulb colored light strand that they normally used in their home. The verdict?  A staggering 1050 watts! With the new LED bulbs, a 150 bulb colored light strand measured only 15 watts.

Today’s LED bulbs come in “warm white” if you prefer the more traditional look. The colored and cool white bulbs are vibrant, and the shapes and sizes are much more varied than regular incandescent lights. Plus, you can string many more strands together since the wattage is less. Please note: be aware that Lights made in China and other foreign countries should be avoided because there are no restrictions against the use of lead in consumer products. Lights that are manufactured in the United States are likely to contain smaller amounts of lead.

If you have any concerns about how the various lights will look, stop by your local retailer.  On the North Shore, Millen Hardware has all the lights displayed so you can look before you buy. Or, give Get Dwell a call and we would be happy to help you with your lighting design.

A Note on Recycling: Be kind to the environment!  Recycle your unwanted holiday light strands rather than discarding them in a trash bin destined for landfill.  More and more municipalities are doing their part. Beginning the first week in December, there will be a holiday light recycling bin at the Wilmette Public Works Dept site, and another one at the Wilmette Village Hall.

$1,500 Tax Credit ends on December 31st!

There is still time to add insulation to your home and receive 1/3 back in a federal tax credit. However, the window to purchase and install qualifying doors, windows and skylights is closing fast.  Take note: if you are interested in having 1/3 of your purchase price of these items given back to you — you will need to act now. It looks like there will not be a better time to add insulation.

Gutters, Gutters, Gutters

Keep in mind that if your gutters are not clean before the leaves fall, you may be headed for some water trouble as fall storms roll in. Now is the time to get your gutters, downspouts and external watershed system analyzed before fall thunderstorms lead to sudden water events that can cause serious problems.

In the past, Get Dwell was hesitant to recommend any gutter guards, which are designed to keep leaves and other natural debris out of gutters, primarily because our clients have had mixed results. The most significant drawback is that during a large rain, water can glide or shed over some guards. This can lead to flooded window wells, basement flooding and water against the foundation, among other things. But for the last three years we have been analyzing a product called Gutter Stuff, which has been installed in some of our clients’ gutters. During this time we have received no client complaints and a few accolades from folks who have used other products in the past. Gutter Stuff is easy and quick to install and comes with a five-year warranty.  It is available locally at Millen Hardware in Wilmette.

Ladder Safety

Some 222,000 people end up in the emergency room every year due to ladder-related injuries.

“The number of emergency room visits from ladder-related injuries totals more than those for lawn mowers and home workshop saws combined,” warns John Drengenberg, Manager of Consumer Affairs at Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Northbrook, IL, a not-for-profit product safety testing organization.

At Get Dwell, we see this kind of injury firsthand every year. The fact is, once you reach the age of 35 to 40 you increase your chances of a ladder injury or fatality. As we age, our core strength diminishes, our sense of balance is not what it used to be, our reaction times slow and a sense of vertigo is more likely. It can be a deadly combination. Please be careful out there and if you have any doubts about your capabilities, please leave the gutter cleaning or other outside ladder work to professionals.

Storm Windows – a Realization!

Finally — you don’t have to take storm windows on and off every year, thanks to an ingenious product from SpencerWorks. It provides the look of traditional storms but has a hidden screen, which is opened in the warmer weather. This product is perfect for homeowners who don’t like the look of triple-track windows on their exterior. Call us or contact SpencerWorks for more information on this beautiful, functional and money-saving storm window.

Keep Your Basement Dry

Some basements need a professional waterproofing company, like Permaseal, to stay dry. Their patented technologies, specialized tools and professionalism make them a great choice for our clients with basements that need that kind of protection.

For others, you need to understand the basics of how and why a basement floods and what you can do about it. In order to keep your basement dry, it’s important to do the following:

• Check all areas where the foundation wall has been compromised — window well, stairs below grade are excellent areas to start. Make sure those areas and drains are clear and protected. We recommend specialized domed drain covers on these drains because we have been called to more than one flooded basement where an errant grocery bag has covered the drain, only to cause catastrophic flooding.
• Make sure there is an adequate back-up system for your home. That may involve a back-up sump pump or in-home generator.
• Make sure the grading is appropriate and water will not flow over the foundation wall or window well.
• Check that gutters are pitched correctly, that gutter seams have not failed and that downspouts are not clogged.

If your watershed system drains run underground, they will need to be maintained periodically. It’s not a question of IF they will fail … it’s a question of WHEN.

November Specials:

$25 off weatherization projects

$30 off gutter cleaning

$25 off Gutter Stuff installation

$100 off storm window replacement projects

$50 off holiday lighting design and installation

This month recommend a friend and we will donate $50 to Habitat For Humanity (on projects over $200)

As nighttime temperatures dip and furnaces are fired up, it’s time to face facts: winter will soon be upon us. Now is the time it’s essential to prepare your home for coming cold. Ice, snow, wind and freezing temperatures can cause a host of problems in homes that are ill-prepared for them.

So here are some ideas for getting your home in it’s best possible shape for what’s certain to be another unpredictable Chicago winter.

Gutters, Gutters, Gutters

Remember, if your gutters are not clean before the leaves fall, you may be headed for some water trouble as fall storms roll in. Now is the time to get your gutters, downspouts and external watershed system analyzed before fall thunderstorms lead to sudden water events that can cause serious problems.

In the past, Get Dwell was hesitant to recommend any gutter guards, which are designed to keep leaves and other natural debris out of gutters, primarily because our clients have had mixed results. The most significant drawback is that during a large rain, water can glide or shed over some guards. This can lead to flooded window wells, basement flooding and water against the foundation, among other things. But for the last three years we have been analyzing  a product called Gutter Stuff, which has been installed in some of our clients gutters. During this time we have received no client complaints and a few accolades from folks who have used other products in the past. Gutter Stuff is easy and quick to install and comes with a five-year warranty.  It is available locally at Millens Hardware in Wilmette.

Ladder Safety

222,000 people end up in the emergency room every year due to ladder-related injuries.

“The number of emergency room visits from ladder-related injuries totals more than those for lawn mowers and home workshop saws combined,” warns John Drengenberg, Manager of Consumer Affairs at Underwriters Laboratories Inc., Northbrook, Ill., a not-for-profit product safety testing organization.

At Get Dwell, we see this kind of injury firsthand every year. The fact is, once you reach the age of 35-40 you increase your chances of a ladder injury or fatality. As we age, our core strength diminishes, our sense of balance is not what it used to be, our reaction times slow and a sense of vertigo is more likely. It can be a deadly combination. Please be careful out there and if you have any doubts of your capabilities, please leave the gutter cleaning or other outside ladder work to professionals.

Storm Windows – a Realization!

Finally — you don’t have to take storm windows on and off every year — thanks to an ingenious product from Spencerworks. It provides the look of traditional storms but has a hidden screen, which is opened in the warmer weather. This product is perfect for homeowners who don’t like the look of triple-track windows on their exterior. Call us or contact Spencerworks for more information on this beautiful, functional and money-saving storm window.

Keep Your Basement Dry

Some basements need a professional waterproofing company, like Permaseal, to stay dry. Their patented technologies, specialized tools and professionalism make them a great choice for our clients with basements that need that kind of protection.

For others, you need to understand the basics of how and why a basement floods and what you can do about it. In order to keep your basement dry this fall it’s important to do the following:

• Check all areas where the foundation wall has been compromised — window well, stairs below grade are excellent areas to start. Make sure those areas and drains are clear and protected. We recommend specialized domed drain covers on these drains because we have been called to more than one flooded basement where an errant grocery bag has covered the drain, only to cause catastrophic flooding.
• Make sure there is an adequate back-up system for your home. That may involve a back-up sump pump or in-home generator.
• Make sure the grading is appropriate and water will not flow over the foundation wall or window well.
• Check that gutters are pitched correctly, that gutter seams have not failed and that downspouts are not clogged.
• If your watershed system drains run underground, they will need to be maintained periodically. It’s not a question of if they will fail, it’s a question of when.

October/ November Specials:

$30 off gutter cleaning

$75 basement flooding assessment

$25 off Gutter Stuff installation

$100 off design projects

$100 off storm window replacement projects

Recommend a friend and Get Dwell will donate $50 to Habitat for Humanity (on projects of over $200).

With spring’s post-winter must-do cleanup behind us, July is great time to take stock of things around your home that may not have received the attention they deserved in the months before and add to the special feeling of summer.

With that in mind, here are some tips and to-dos for July:

Get Decked Out

Summer evenings on the deck are some of our best summer memories. Does your deck need a little help to restore its luster — or are you ready for that custom dream deck?  Get Dwell is offering  10% off all deck-related work this summer.

Park the Clutter

Are bikes overflowing your garage? Has the summer brought a change in your storage needs? The garage is an ideal storage space, but that also makes it a prime candidate for clutter. Get Dwell has helped our clients with smart, inexpensive garage storage solutions that let them make the most of their space and get their garages looking great.

Go Green

If you read May’s Healthy Home News, you might have noticed we suggested two additions that can make your  home more environmentally sustainable: rain barrels and a compost bin. Rain barrels aren’t just a great source of water for your garden and chores like car washing, they can help bolster your home’s watersheds in a heavy rain and help keep water from getting your home. A compost bin lets you take organic refuse and turn it in to a food source that will have your garden growing green without environmentally damaging fertilizers.

Mend Your Fences

Lots of homeowners have fences that include gates. When those gates aren’t working properly they can cause a whole host of headaches and inconveniences. Since fence gates get a lot of use in the summer, it’s an ideal time to get any malfunctioning equipment repaired so it opens and closes smoothly and locks easily. If you have kids or a dog, Get Dwell recommends installing an automatic gate closer. It’s inexpensive, and it pays off in peace of mind. Get Dwell is offering  10% off gate work.

If you’d like to know more about any of these tips or want to schedule a consultation about a summertime home improvement or repair project, call Get Dwell today.

Lead represents one of the most insidious dangers we face from our homes, mainly because it’s unseen and its effects aren’t always immediately apparent. But a majority of structures built before 1978 have at least some lead in the paint, dust or soil, and it represents a threat to every member of the family, especially children and pets.

With the warmer months here to stay, many people are fixing up their homes, either themselves or using a contractor. That process can expose old lead paint and disturb dust and soil that has been contaminated with lead.

For that reason, this month our to-do list features recommendations from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for keeping your family safe when you’re doing work around the house.

June To-Dos:

According to HUD, there are six principles everyone who lives in or works on a pre-1978 structure should remember:

1. ASSUME: Paint in homes built before 1978 contains lead (unless a lead-based paint inspection shows it doesn’t)

2. CHECK: Federal, state, and local regulations before doing any work

3. AVOID: Creating dust. Keep dust contained to immediate work area

4. PROTECT: Occupants, particularly children

5. CLEAN UP: After all work, which is particularly important if painted surfaces were broken or wall cavities were opened

6. MAINTAIN: A dry building. Moisture problems can cause paint peeling and chipping, building deterioration and encourage pests

Download a PDF copy of HUD’s brochure, “Lead Paint Safety,” here.

We’ve talked in previous issues about energy-saving improvements that can cut your costs and lessen your home’s impact on the environment. In this issue, in honor of Green Lawn Care Awareness Month, we’ll look at ways to make your home’s outside environment greener and healthier. Thanks to Beth Drucker and Go Green Wilmette for many of these tips.

May To-Dos:

Plant Native Species
Not only are plant species native to our area attractive and hardier than many non-native options, they require less water and fertilization because they’re adapted to Midwestern summers.

Install a Compost Bin
Composting isn’t just a great, green way to reduce organic waste, it makes a big difference in the quality of your soil, lessening the need for fertilizer and other chemicals. Read about the compost bin Get Dwell built and donated to a local middle school.

Install a Rain Collection System
Rain water is great for gardens and lessens usage of tap water, which requires considerably energy to treat and deliver to our homes. A rain barrel can also help alleviate basement leaking by keeping roof runoff out of the yard or the sewer system. Find out more about the benefits and uses of a home rain-collection system.

Collect and Mulch Your Leaves
According to Go Green Wilmette, the village budgets more than $200,000 annually to collect, transport, and dispose of leaves, when they can instead be used to recycle nutrients back into your yard. You can cut down on leaf volume by using a mulching mower.

Ask Your Lawn Care Provider About Going Green
Many yard maintenance professionals offer a natural yard program that avoids or limits the use of chemicals on lawns and gardens, bans the use of leaf blowers in favor of rakes and brooms, uses electric or alternative fuel mowers and other equipment, and reduces water use. Ask your provider about their green practices.

For more information on making and keeping your property green and sustainable, visit Go Green Wilmette. If your interested in building a compost bin or installing a rain water collection system, give us a call at Get Dwell.

At last! Spring is here and Chicagoland is slowly but surely prying itself loose from winter’s icy grip. Winter’s legacy endures, however – in the home damage caused by snow, extreme cold and freeze/thaw cycles. Checking for and fixing the myriad little problems cold weather leaves in its wake can ensure your home heads into the warm months ready for whatever spring, summer and fall throw its way. Here is this month’s to-do list.

April To-Dos:

Check Sliding Doors and Windows
Winter can be tough on sliding doors. If yours isn’t operating smoothly, check the track for buildup of dirt and other debris. Sliding doors and windows have drain holes to allow the release of rainwater and condensation. Like the tracks themselves, those holes can get filled with detritus, letting dirt and water accumulate, damaging the track system and allowing water to get inside your house and damage adjacent floors and walls. Sliding doors also have an adjustment mechanism that allows for the balancing of the heavy glass. If it’s not calibrated it will not function properly. Another reason sliding doors or windows may not be operating properly is because track rollers are worn out and need to be replaced.

Turn on Your Water
It’s almost time to start watering the lawn, washing down the driveway and cleaning the dirt from your siding. So with the danger of another deep freeze largely behind us, mid-April is a good time to turn on your outside water source.

Check and Seal Exterior Penetrations
Every house has several “penetration points,” from A/C hoses to HVAC exhaust vents, dryer vents and more. The freeze/thaw cycle can cause the seals around these points to crack and allow bugs, rodents and other creepy crawlies an entryway into your home.

Examine Decks and Play Equipment
Both decks and children’s play equipment can suffer over the winter from their constant exposure to extreme weather. Look at both closely for signs of deterioration or damage. Check your deck for loose boards or rotting, and examine the railing system for any loose boards or connections. Tighten screws and railing bolts and hammer down any exposed nails. If needed clean and reseal. Sometimes decks can be refurbished WITH new decking materials – there are many new materials available today that can revive the look and feel of your deck. Children’s outdoor play equipment should be checked for loose connections or rot at soil level. Also, look for splinters and loose and/or exposed metal and hardware.

Water-ize Your Home for Spring and Beyond
In this issue, we feature an interview with plumbing expert Mike Kerrigan, who offers up several easy tips for keeping water from becoming a problem for your home as we move into warmer, and rainier, weather. Check it out.

Have a question about these tips? Need repairs or maintenance to get your home ready for the warmer weather? Talk to Get Dwell and ask about our April specials, which are:

10% off deck repair and new deck projects

The month of March is a time a lot of people in these northern climes start looking forward to fresh spring start after a long, cold and snowy winter. That make it the perfect time to turn your attention to scheduled maintenance chores that should be on every homeowner’s annual to-do list.

March To-Dos:

Change Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Batteries
Daylight savings time, which comes this year on March 14,  is a reminder to change smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries. Remember, even hardwired detectors have batteries.  Remember, too, that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure – even if you’ve been diligent about changing batteries in the past, it’s hard to say when a particular set is going to discharge. Get Dwell recommends making this an annual event you don’t skip.

Change Your Light Bulbs
While you have the ladder out, this spring is a great time to change your old light bulbs to newer, energy-savings ones. If every home in America replaced just one incandescent light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified CFL, it would save enough energy to light more than three million homes for one year. That would prevent the release of greenhouse gas emissions equal to that of about 800,000 cars!

Get Ready for the Rains, Part 1
Spring’s official start is March 20,  and, as they say, it traditionally comes in like a tiger out like a lamb. In Chicago the record high for March is 88 degrees, the record low -8 degrees. While the ground is still frozen we may get heavy rains, which may have nowhere to go but your basement. So be sure to check that your gutters and downspouts are clear, the window well drains are clear and – if you have stairs below grade – make sure those drains are unobstructed, too.

Get Ready for the Rains, Part 2
Every spring homes in our area flood because their sump pumps aren’t working properly, or at all. Many homeowners don’t notice because the sump probably hasn’t had to work since last fall. So make sure you check your sump pump and it’s back-up battery. Performing a test is easy: Add water to the sump pit until the sump float is lifted high enough to engage the pump. Do not operate the pump for more than a few seconds without water in the sump pit. If your sump pump isn’t working contact a professional promptly.

Have a question about these tips? Need repairs or maintenance to get your home ready for the warmer weather? Talk to Get Dwell and ask about our March specials, which are:

• 15% off all restoration work
• 15% off all work that is sympathetic to the historical character of your house
• 15% off all basement flood avoidance work (gutters, downspouts, window wells, stairs below grade)
• Free spring sump pump check with Trustable Home Assessment

It might not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner. That means not just flower and shower but the unofficial start of home sales season. If you’re thinking of putting your home on the market, it’s time to address that list of home fixes you might have let slide. Even if you’re not planning to sell, though, getting your home in sale-quality shape can make it even more livable and enjoyable, and can save money by preventing the need for more expensive work caused by deferred maintenance.

February To-Dos:

Do Your Own Walk Through
Work with your Realtor to do an informal inspection of your home. Approach it by car in both directions and check curb appeal. Then list the top three things you would change to make your home and property fresher, more welcoming and more stable. From there, walk through the front door, stop and make a list of the first five things in your house that someone might feel look tired, worn or in need of repair. Repeat in the bathrooms and kitchen. Finally, make a master list and prioritize based on cost and potential impact on your sale price and sale speed.

Fix the Small Things
Buyers often see small imperfections – the things homeowners learn to live with and overlook – as a sign of bigger potential problems beneath the surface. So work with your Realtor to look at your home with an outsider’s eyes. Some areas to look at include:

• Doors, windows and screens
• Cabinets and drawers
• Walls and trim
• Flooring
• Bathroom grout and caulk
• Landscaping

Of course, a coat of neutral paint, both indoors and outdoors is a great and relatively inexpensive way to give your house a fresh, new look. This month, hire Get Dwell for any paint job, curb appeal upgrade, bathroom grout and caulk work, or small fix-up projects and get 15% off all labor charges.

Fix the Big Things
Don’t wait for an inspector to find a problem that might require a sizeable investment. Even if you’re willing to patch a roof, or make repairs to a heating system or fix foundation cracks, they can make a potential buyer wary. Get Dwell can do a thorough walk-through of your home and help identify trouble spots you might not know exist.

If you’re planning to sell your home and you’d like a consultation about potential fixes and upgrade to your home, call Get Dwell today because the spring sales season is coming fast. Even if you’re not selling your home, making improvements mean your home will be ready to put its best face forward when spring arrives. And don’t forget to ask about our February 15% discount on select home improvement projects.

Winter’s bite gets more painful in January, and the combination of bitter cold, snow and ice can be punishing to your home. Just because water spends much of the month in its solid state doesn’t mean you don’t need to protect your home from its effects.

January is also a great time to hunker down and get organized. After all, why spend the months when the weather finally starts to thaw doing spring cleaning?

January To-Dos:

Avoid Ice Damming
Ice dams can be nightmares, potentially causing extensive water damage. An ice dam is caused by the freezing and thawing process of snow and ice. Ice forms, causing the melting water behind it to build up, backing up under roof materials and leaking into the house below. Causes range from the unplanned consequences of complex roof designs to inadequate insulation, from incomplete air sealing to lack of proper ventilation. Sometimes it can be an incorrectly installed recessed light or bathroom fan. So examine your roof and gutters when it snows. Is there excessive ice at the gutter line, large and numerous icicles or build up in the valleys? Is the snow melted from the peak of your roof but not from the lower portions? All these can be signs of a potential ice dam and may deserve a closer look.

Assess Attics to Evaluate Them for Both Mold and Insulation Effectiveness
In our climate, most attics are designed as “cold-air” attics. They require proper insulation, air sealing and ventilation to keep the warm air in the house and out of the attic. An estimated 17-32% of newly remodeled attic spaces and new homes have mold. And a  far greater majority have insufficient levels of insulating effectiveness in their attic space, creating the greatest area of energy loss in the typical home.

Mold in attics can be a result of moisture-filled, warm air finding a way into the attic space before it can be effectively ventilated out. Insulation ineffectiveness can be caused by a lack of proper insulation levels and proper air-sealing. Unfortunately, many homeowners add insulation without properly understanding ventilation requirements and end up causing mold issues in their attics.

For that reason, and the fact that all attics can be very dangerous, attic assessments are best left to a professional. Typically a professional assessment in a “cold attic” climate like ours will include both a mold and insulation effectiveness assessment.

This will include a close examination of the northern-most portion of your attic where it is most likely to find evidence of frozen condensation on surface areas where warm moist air exiting the homes interior is coming into contact with the freezing temperatures outside. Cold conducers like roof sheathing, metal materials and bathroom vents are typical areas where mold gets a foothold.

While there, a professional will also assess the attic’s air sealing and insulation levels and venting methods. If you have any questions about your attic, mold or insulation, call Get Dwell for a consultation.

Look for Weatherization Opportunities
Even if you weatherized in fall, January’s chill will point out spots you might have missed. Are there areas of your home that are uncomfortable because of cold or drafts? Can you feel a breeze around doors or windows or other problem areas like outlet/light fixtures? Is your heat source generating heat properly? The cold temperatures of January make it a great time to get a handle on your home’s uncomfortable and energy loss areas. If you need help winterizing problem areas of your house, call Get Dwell. We can make your home more comfortable and save you money. And remember, 2010 is the last year of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act tax credit, which can amount to up to $1,500 to help offset the costs of making energy efficiency improvements to your home. Ask us what projects qualify.

Get Organized
The weather outside is frightful, so why not spend January making your home delightful? It’s a great month to get organized, whether it’s tidying up a home office or installing a custom shelving system in your basement. Need help? Get Dwell’s home organization experts can help you greet the new year with the neat, tidy home you’ve been wishing for. We offer the services of a professional organizer as well as the know-how to craft custom and off-the-rack solutions that will get you organized and give you peace of mind this new year.