www.modaainc.com

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-22T09:27:00.000-08:00

South of the Boulevard Luxury Bathroom

2011-09-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Featured Bathroom

of The Month

South of the Boulevard Luxury Master Bathroom

- Demo

- Disposal

- Electrical & Cable

- Plumbing

- New Valves

- Trim

- His & Her Sinks

- Recessed Lighting

- Caesar Stone Countertops

- Re-Finished Cabinetry

- Stand Up Shower

- Tile Flooring

- Jacuzzi Tub

- Frame-less Shower Door

- Finish Fixtures

- Patching & Priming

- Painting Two Coat Finish

- Baseboards

- (1) Panasonic Exhaust Fan

- Plasma TV Installation

Earth Day "Green It, Mean It"

2011-04-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

Modaa Inc. took part in this years Fox, Green It Mean It Earth day event.

We commend Fox for such a great Earth Day Event. Here are some highlights...

Definitely big fans of the "Green It Mean It" Campaign.

Big Thanks to our long time personal, Modaa and Fix It Dude friend Arin for stopping by!

Even bigger thanks to Wil for getting us involved in the Fox Earth Day event. We were so happy to have patrons of the event join our raffle for one hour of free Handyman service. Our lucky Winner Gina Perreti will be getting a visit from us next week!

Cool Green Finds

Our new favorite connection, Naturally Savvy. These guys will guide you to a more natural and sustainably lifestyle. And sweet Yrneh kept spoiling us with goodies. Let them help you make the simple transition to a greener lifestyle.

Spud, loved their catch phrases and I am sure you will love their service. Get food from close to home at it's freshest and tastiest!

For my forward thinking friends check out the latest Eaton Electric Vehicle charger. These guys will get your car charged in 20-30 minutes, that's FAST!

Aliso Electric, our favorite Solar Experts! If you want to go Solar then these are the guys you need to call. Go Karla, Go Aliso!

Whether you want to exercise or just want to get around town check out Southbay Trikke. These guys will show you the way.

Saved the best for last! Bites of Bliss had the BEST Carob nibbles, they rocked!

That's it for now. Stay cool and remember us when you think fun and eco-friendly fix it dudes!

2011-04-20T13:30:00.001-07:00

Coming Soon!!! Fox' Earth Day event details, fun finds, cool photos and our RAFFLE WINNER

Our First Ever "I need a Fix IT Dude" Contest!

2011-01-28T16:07:00.000-08:00

This year Modaa Inc. and Fix IT Dudes are having their very first "I need a Fix IT Dude" contest on YouTube.

Our proud viewers know we have a series of Do It Yourself (DIY) videos on YouTube that have been quite helpful to a lot of our viewers. If you have not had the chance to watch our videos please visit our YouTube page for a sneak peek.

The winning video will get 2 hours of Handyman repair done and a DIY shoot of the entire thing. Viewers and clients can now shine in the spotlight as they tell us why they need a Fix IT Dude in there life.

To participate in this contest please create a video letting us know why we should send a Dude to your rescue. Please be clear on which "Fix IT Dude" you need. (Hint: www.fixitdudes.com )

So get your cameras ready and let the contest begin!

Don't forget to upload your video to Youtube!

Send the link to info@fixitdudes.com when you're done!

*Please note: Any material needed must be provided by the winner. This is for handyman labor for TWO hours with the agreement that the winner will allow Modaa Inc. to film the work being done to their home.

Let's have a GREENER holiday!

2010-12-16T10:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some tips that can help make this holiday the greenest one ever!

Gift Cards are one of the greenest presents you can give. There’s no wrapping paper, no shipping costs, and no gas wasted driving all over town for the gift. It’s a quick, easy and convenient way to do your holiday shopping.
‘Tis the season to take out those reusable bags. If you’re headed out to the mall for some holiday shopping don’t forget to take along a reusable shopping bag and you’ll help reduce the number of single-use, disposable bags distributed by retailers.
Put old holiday cards to use. Used cards, especially those with large pictures to cut out, can also be used as decorations. Just put a hole at the top of the card and knot a piece of string or lace through the hole to hang on next year’s Christmas tree, or door handles another example would be making a holiday wreath out of old greetings cards.
For those of you getting a tree this year- Remember to recycle trees locally or reuse branches to make colorful holiday wreaths and separate the pine needles from tree branches to create tree-scented sachet bags.
Want a more festive looking tree? Did you know that the sprayed-on artificial snow (also known as flocking) can be made from environmentally harmful components and take away the ability to recycle a Christmas tree. For more Earth-friendly artificial snow, sprinkle on some baking powder.
The end of the year is the perfect time to get rid of unwanted cell phones, outgrown toys, clothes and furniture. Try to donate to charitable groups like Goodwill Industries and The Salvation Army. A lot of local charities have there own thrift stores and are always looking for donated items. Why throw away something useful when you can give it to someone who needs it?
Recycle old holiday lights, broken or burned-out holiday lights by mailing them to Christmas Light Source Recycling Program. The bulbs will be recycled, and proceeds will be used to purchase books for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. You’ll also get a coupon to save 10 percent on a future order of replacement bulbs.
Buy Reusable Batteries. About 40 percent of all battery sales occur during the holiday season. In 2006 alone, more than 40 billion single-use batteries were sold worldwide. Consider purchasing rechargeable batteries instead; they can be used again and again.
Recycle Packing Peanuts. Check with local postal shipping stores to see if they will accept foam peanuts for recycling. Call “The Peanut Hot-line” at 800-828-2214 to find the nearest location.

I hope these tips come in handy this holiday season. If everyone continues to do their part this year we can truly make a difference.

Modaa Inc

Don't forget to vote tomorrow! - November 2nd

2010-11-01T12:41:00.000-07:00

I want to encourage EVERYONE to Vote tomorrow in the 2010 November Election. There are some pretty important propositions on this ballot and every vote counts! See you all at the polls!

Please remember to Vote no on Proposition 23!!

Modaa Inc.

Hello...Arclight Hollywood

2010-10-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from a past project

Building Sq Ft.: 40,000

Project Scope: Interior Painting

Art Walls

Departure Wall
Restrooms

Here is a mix of Art wall, restroom interior and the Departure room photos.

www.modaainc.com

Composting Part 4

2010-10-15T10:15:00.000-07:00

Be Careful When Adding These Ingredients!

Sawdust – Because of it's very high carbon content, and its very small particle size, sawdust can overwhelm a compost pile. But, it can also be quite useful if you have an overload of green material. I add some from my woodworking shop when I have a lot of extra fruit in my pile at the end of the season. Avoid using sawdust that came from Black Walnut wood, as it contains a chemical that will stunt or prevent the growth of some plants, tomatoes in particular.

Wood Shavings, Chips, and Bark – Like sawdust, the carbon content can overwhelm, and shut down, an otherwise good compost mix. Set them aside, if possible, and let them decompose the old fashioned way, over time ("cold" decomposition).

What NOT to do ( Don’t add these ingredients to your compost)

Meat, Fish, animal fats – Unless you can completely bury them, you run the risk of attracting unwanted visitors to your compost. You might be able to add very small portions, but they must be completely buried, and adding them makes turning or mixing the working compost very problematic.

Shredded Newspapers or Office Paper – Recycle them instead. The paper very likely contains chemicals that are not good for your compost. Newspaper shredders were very popular years ago, but the risk of adding ink chemicals isn’t worth it. By all means, recycle your paper and save trees, but don’t put them in your compost pile.

Ashes from Your BBQ Grill – Another no-no. Wood ashes can be very useful in small quantities. And, wood ashes can be helpful for certain lawn applications. But, never put BBQ grill ashes into your compost pile.

Dog and Cat Feces – Are never good for your compost. There’s simply too much risk of adding nasty diseases, not to mention the unpleasant odor! Chicken, horse, cow, and rabbit manure is fine

These are my final tips on composting. I hope it was helpful and informative Tomorrow is the Mar Vista Fall Festival so be sure to check it out! I will be blogging about the event next week.

www.modaainc.com

Composting- Part 3

2010-10-08T14:39:00.000-07:00

Smaller is BETTER

Smaller particles are simply easier to mix and easier for the little microbes to digest. Of course, the micro bugs don’t eat the whole particle, but smaller particles of raw materials means that you’ll have more surface area for the millions of microbes to do their work.

Turn, TURN, turn!

You’ll maximize your composting efforts if you continuously turn, or mix, the heap. Mixing your heap will help to keep the browns and greens in balance, will distribute moisture, and add essential air (oxygen) to the mixture. The core (the inside) of the compost heap is always hotter and is the center of activity. The outside is generally less active and much cooler. To increase the efficiency of the composting process, mix the heap to bring more of the raw materials from the outside to the core. Bring more food and water to the busy little micro bugs on the inside.

While the compost is working, or “cooking,” the best tool for turning is a pitch fork or garden fork.

When and How to Use Compost

Soil Building – Compost is the single best additive for good, even great, garden soil. It improves tilth, fertility, water retention for sandy soils, water drainage for clay soils, and improves your soil’s disease fighting characteristics. Add compost in spring and fall, and till it in.

Garden Fertilizer – Compost can be used throughout the season as a garden fertilizer. Simply side dress vegetables and flowers for a slow-release food source and improved disease prevention.

Lawn Feeding – Screened compost (compost that has been sifted to collect the smaller particles) can be applied as a lawn fertilizer throughout the season. It will provide a wonderful slow-release food as well as assist in lawn disease prevention. And, given that the nutrients aren’t as concentrated as in chemical lawn foods, you’ll avoid the stripes that can easily occur when incorrectly applying chemicals. You’ll avoid chemical run-off, and you’ll save money. Your lawn will be alive, with earthworms (natures aerators) and beneficial microbes.

Compost vs. Mulch – Mulch is any material that is applied to the garden’s surface to prevent weed germination and to reduce water evaporation. Compost will help build the soil, and it will help retain moisture; but, it won’t do a lot to prevent weeds. It’s an ideal growing medium; so, weeds are likely to be very comfortable in it. Use shredded leaves for mulch, or a combination of shredded leaves and lawn clippings. The combination of lawn clipping and shredded leaves creates an attractive mulch that won’t blow away (as leaves alone tend to do) and allows water penetration (as grass clippings alone tend to matt and repel water).

www.modaainc.com

Composting- A new trend in the Green movement Part 2

2010-09-29T12:33:00.000-07:00

Using two Containers is recommended when composting.
(The process can take several weeks)

Materials needed:

Pitch fork

Shovel

Garden cart

Key ingredients needed:

Food, water and air

“Greens” ( grass clippings, fresh manure, fruit, vegetables, coffee grounds , tea bags, weeds, leftover fruit from garden)

“Browns” (dry leaves, dry grass, shredded cornstalks, sawdust, straw)

The best combination of browns and greens is about 4 parts of “browns” to one part “greens” by volume.

Hot & Cold Composting

Hot composting is fast, and a well maintained compost heap can fully decompose in several weeks.

Cold composting is slower, primarily because the environment is hospitable to some of the micro bugs, but it’s hardly ideal.

Getting Started – Activators, Worms, Microorganisms

After you’ve built or bought a composter. You have some dry leaves and you’ll be adding green materials (lawn clippings, kitchen waste, plant scraps) all summer. To some extent, you’ll be layering these materials to provide both a balanced diet and the best mix for air and water penetration. Also if you want to try compost activators go ahead they won't hurt.

Worms can significantly improve your composting effectiveness, just as worms in the garden can improve soil tilth. My open bin compost piles have a healthy supply of worms, probably because I occasionally add a shovel full of good garden soil to my bins.

More to come next week!

www.modaainc.com

Composting- A new trend in the Green movement Part 1

2010-09-22T17:05:00.000-07:00

Basics of Composting

Composting is simply decomposing organic material.
The organic material can be plant material or animal matter
Composting is great for your garden and environmentally responsible.
Improves soil
Improves soil structure/texture
Provides all essential nutrients for healthy plant growth
Environmentally beneficial by reducing the amount of solid waste and contribution to landfills
Reduces dependency of chemical fertilizers
Save money on expensive fertilizers

To make compost you will need space. In or near your garden and close enough to where you can get to your waste.

You Can Do Your Composting In Two Ways:

1. An open bin (constructed from wood, chicken wire, or recycled plastic.

Advantages of Open Bin Composting

Open bins easily collect rain water

Open bins are very convenient for adding materials

Disadvantages of Open Bin Composting

Open bins can attract pest and can be an eyesore

Open bins can become too wet, if not covered

Open bins may be more difficult to mix (more on that later)

2. Enclosed container (upright box or rotating drum)

Advantages of Compost Containers

Rarely attract pest, easy on the eyes

Rotating drums are usually easier to mix or turn

Rotating drums are easy to unload

Disadvantages of Compost Containers

Enclosed containers usually require you to add water

Upright containers may be very difficult to mix or turn

This is part 1 of 4. Keep an eye out for for more to come.

www.modaainc.com

Painting & Decorating Specialty License

2010-09-15T15:59:00.000-07:00

As many of you now know, I recently passed my C-33 (painting and decorating) license test with the C.S.L.B. It is a great addition to my current B-General Building Contracting license. We're always doing our best here at Modaa to further our education and training.

Its always good to work with licensed professionals. Keep that in mind when hiring people to work on/in your home. Here are some helpful tips when hiring any type of Contractor:

Hire only licensed Contractors
Check a contractor's license number at www.cslb.ca.gov or at (800) 321-CSLB (2752)
Get references and review past work
Get at least three bids
Get a written contract and don't sign anything until you completely understand the terms
Pay 10% down or $1,000, whichever is less
Don't let payments get ahead of the work and keep records of payments
Don't make final payment until you're satisfied with the job
Don't pay cash
Keep a job file of all papers related to your project
Don't be talked into more work than you need done

Modaa Inc.

How Much Energy Are You Consuming?

2010-09-03T09:29:00.000-07:00

You could be paying higher utility bills than your neighbors.

Find out how to improve your home's efficiency and comfort without spending tons of money. Visit Energy Savvy and take there easy survey to get your home energy report. You can also find out about federal tax credits and rebates that are available to you by zip code. Every little bit counts. If we ALL start being a little more efficient in our day to day lives we can make a difference.

Modaa Inc.

Go Green! - Stay Cool Summer Tips!

2010-08-30T14:23:00.000-07:00

Looks like summer finally decided to show its face out here in the San Fernando Valley. Last week was pretty rough with numbers up in the 100's, Living in the Valley is really no joke. Here are a few ideas on how to stay cool this week while the sun is blazing.

1. Go to your favorite ice cream parlor or yogurt station. Everyone knows that eating ice cream takes your mind of the heat, at least momentarily.

2. Go to the pool! During the summer the pool is open. Hurry before its too late, public pools usually close by Labor Day weekend. (first Monday of September)

3. Hang out in places where there is AC i.e.; the library, mall, markets, and bookstores.

4. Go to the park. Go to a local park where there is lots of shade take a cool blanket and some cold water. The key thing to do during hot weather is to stay hydrated.

5. Make it a beach day! Granted it’s going to be sunny at the beach but with the cool water and all the activity that happens at the beach you won’t mind it. Don’t forget the sun block!

6. Go to the Movies. Most theaters have a special price before 6pm. Watch a good flick and stay out of the heat for a few hours.

7.Take a nap, sometimes it’s better to just sleep away the heat and start your day later when it starts to cool down.

8. Repaint your walls a lighter shade. Light colored paint does not absorb as much solar energy and your home will stay much cooler. If you don't believe me, use a spot thermometer and shoot it at a dark colored part of the same wall vs. a part painted bright white. The difference in temperature will amaze you. Refer to FIXiTDUDES for more info and help.

9. If you are building a new home splurge on insulation, radiant barrier attic insulation, solar attic fans, low E windows, planting trees, a whole house fan and a high efficiency air conditioner with a SEER rating over 15 for when you absolutely need it.

10. There are alternative construction methods such as Insulated Concrete Form or ICF, cement coated straw bale construction, adobe and others that will make your home much more energy efficient. Thermal mass walls help regulate the inside temperature of the home. With such a home you may find ceiling fans enough to keep it cool, even in summer.

Have a great week everyone and try to stay cool!

Mar Vista Farmers Market

2010-08-09T17:36:00.001-07:00

It was such a beautiful and sunny day yesterday in Mar Vista Calif. My team and I joined the MVCC Green Committee at the Green Booth. There we educated market goers on the benefits of using Eco-friendly paint and how much safer it is for your health and the environment. It's so safe that we were painting children's hands with some of the zero VOC Eco-friendly paint we use. The kids loved it and were able to take home their hand-prints to display in their homes.

Hope you enjoy the pictures!

Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase: Learn About Zero and Low VOC Paint!

2010-08-04T12:01:00.000-07:00

Mar Vista Green Garden Showcase: Learn About Zero and Low VOC Paint!: "Modaa Inc will be our guest at the booth on Sunday August 8th to share how zero and low VOC paint makes a difference in our health. To make..." We will be painting Children hands with Zero/Lo VOC paint. We did this at the OC Green Expo in San Clemente California and it was a huge success.

New Bill Passed-Cash for Caulkers

2010-07-15T17:10:00.000-07:00

The Home Star bill, passed 246-161, would authorize $5.7 billion over two years for a program that supporters - mostly Democrats - said would have the added benefits of invigorating the slumping construction industry and making the earth a little cleaner. Republicans overwhelmingly opposed the bill, and they were able to attach a condition that it would be terminated if Democrats do not come up with a way to pay for it.

The measure has come to be dubbed Cash for Caulkers , a takeoff on the popular 2009 Cash for Clunkers initiative that rewarded people for replacing gas-guzzling vehicles with more fuel-efficient models. President Barack Obama has promoted the bill, which also needs Senate approval.
The initiative is separate from an energy tax credit of up to $1,500 (which Ive mentioned in a past blog) that was included in last year's economic stimulus act. That credit for energy efficiency improvements runs through the end of this year.

Supporters estimate that 3 million households would make use of the new program, saving $9.2 billion in energy costs over a 10-year period. They said it would create 168,000 jobs, mainly in the recession-hit construction industry.

Under Home Star, rebates or discounts would be provided to homeowners at the time of sale. The retailer or contractor then would submit documentation to a processing office which would verify the information and forward the request to the Energy Department for payment.
To prevent fraud, the program would require licensing for all participating contractors and a certain percentage of projects would be inspected.

The bill has two parts:

The Silver Star program provides upfront rebates of up to $3,000 for specific energy-efficient improvements in homes, such as installing energy-efficient appliances or duct sealing, insulation or new windows or doors.

A Gold Star program would entitle people to up to $8,000 when they conduct comprehensive energy audits and implement measures that reduce energy use throughout their homes by more than 20 percent. With House passage, the bill moves to the Senate, where it most likely will be attached to the next jobs bill.

This is such fantastic news for Homeowners and Contractors like myself. I hope this blog helps some people to take advantage of a golden opportunity.

Did You Feel That Earthquake?

2010-07-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

Did any of you feel the earthquake the other afternoon? The earthquake occurred at 4:53 PM on July 7th, 2010. It was a 5.9 magnitude quake, approximately 28 miles from Palm Springs and 58 miles from San Diego, CA. Here are some Earthquake tips to keep in mind during and after an earthquake:

Safety Measures

Take the following safety measures to try to minimize the damage caused by quakes. Keep enough food and drinking water in storage. Safety blankets are also a must. You can also take simple steps to earthquake proof your home on a pretty small budget, for example: secure your cabinets with child proof latches affix your furniture to your walls with velcro straps, keep your bed away from windows and exterior walls, get your foundation inspected to make sure your structure doesn’t have a shift.

During

If Inside - The most dangerous thing to do during the shaking of a quake is to try to leave the building because of the falling objects. Find a heavy object inside, and stay under it until it’s over.

In a Car-If you’re in your car during a quake, stop in the first available open area and stay inside until the quake is over. Most quakes only last a few seconds - the longest seconds of one’s life. Once the shaking stops, move with caution and avoid any bridges or overpasses and ramps that may have unseen damage.

If Outdoors - If you’re outside when an earthquake starts, move into the most open area available, away from buildings, street lights, and utility wires. Once in the open, just stay there until the shaking stops.

Home/Office- While earthquake only last a few seconds, it can seem like forever. If you live with others, or are at work its best to round everyone up into a central location. It’s easier if you have a prearranged meeting spot ahead of time, and you might consider conducting a periodic "drill" -- just like a fire drill. Aftershocks normally follow within minutes, although it could be longer. You might keep housemates/co-workers together for 15 minutes in preparation before dispersing.

After

Aftershocks - Be prepared for aftershocks which normally occur within seconds or minutes of the first quake. Although they are not generally as powerful as the original quake, they can still cause more damage. If you have already found a fairly safe place to be, it’s best to remain there.

Pets - The behavior of pets often changes dramatically after a quake. Normally quiet and friendly pets may become aggressive or defensive, so watch them closely and leash and/or pen them in a fenced yard if possible.

Electricity - After an earthquake, you should check for electrical damage. If you see sparks or broken, frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker ASAP. If the area around the fuse box or circuit breaker is wet, you may want to get advice from an electrician first before going near it.

Clean Ups - If you’re allowed back into your home, clean up any spilled liquids: medicines, bleaches, gasolines or other possibly flammable substances as quickly as possible. But, if you should smell any gas or fumes of a chemical nature, GET OUT of there ASAP.

Gas - In the aftermath of an earthquake, check your home for gas leaks by using your sense of smell. If you hear a blowing or hissing noise, or smell gas, ventilate the area if possible and get out of the house. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from an outside phone. It’s currently recommended to only turn the gas off if you hear or smell gas. Otherwise, leave it be. Many explosions have resulted from turning gas off unnecessarily.

It’s a smart idea to always have Survival Kit Container In most cases you can build a better quake survival kit, for less money, than you could purchase one. Ideally, you would like enough supplies to last at least 3 days. So you need a large sturdy container, such as a rubber trash can. For more questions on earthquake safety or how to earthquake proof your home send me a message and I will be more than happy to help you out.

Success!!

2010-07-02T10:16:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we had a very successful marketing meeting at the Modaa Inc. Headquarters in Sherman Oaks, CA. We are ready to launch a pretty cool campaign with four different ads. Its a sequence of "Let Us Be A Family" Our new service line Fix It Dudes will come to the rescue of the overwhelmed families with a never ending to do list. Here's a sneak peek at the new ads:

Let us know what you think!

Fun @ the office

2010-07-01T10:06:00.000-07:00

Here’s how I put Modaa Inc. employees to the test… We turned our headquarters into a painting field when our marketing dept was asked to take a shot at painting. We are keen on educating our team to better prepare them and keep them up to date with the industry trends. Take a look at the chaos caused by our marketing staff…. Anger management much?

These pics show the outcome of the marketing team making holes in my office wall and comparing it to the expert work by my awesome crew on the bottom left.
Just because the marketing team works in the office doesn’t mean they shouldn’t know how to get their hands dirty ;0)
To my dismay none of my marketing group will be joining me out in the field for a paint job anytime soon. …..

Patching work to follow, now that outcome is absolutely classic!

Green Tips from Modaa Inc.

2010-06-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

1. Turn off electronics that aren’t being used. We all do it, but taking the two seconds to unplug your cell phone charger or your laptop can really make a difference.

2. Use a cup when you brush your teeth. Leaving the water running or using disposable cups isn’t good for the environment. Save money and water by using a cup.

3. Take your own bags to the market. They’re reusable and a lot stronger then the plastic bags you get at the market. Reusable market bags come in so many different styles, you can make a fashion statement while going green at the same time.

4. Carpool when you can. If you can’t carpool or don’t want to, use the metro. You can have all sorts of adventures by using public transit.

5. Keep your tires at there proper pressure, you’ll save dollars at the pump.

6. Use appliances/products that have an Energy Star, Water Sense or a Green Seal.

7. Shop at your local farmers market. Buying locally helps cut down carbon emissions and helps support your local economy.

8. Support companies (like Modaa Inc.) that are trying to make a difference environmentally.

9. If everyone just took a moment to ask themselves "Is this the best choice for me, my environment, my family?" a huge shift would take place and everyone will eventually benefit by a greater quality in goods and services. And… benefit from a healthier, happier economy, environment and eco system.