In This IssueFeature Article:Combining StrengthsClient Success!About Progress ContractingTip of The Month:5 Easy Ways to WinterizeReferral RewardsDinner for Two!Three years ago David Supple, founder and CEO of Hill Craftsmen, began designing and building projects with Progress Contracting-a design/build firm servicing Eastern Massachusetts. After several years of collaboration and teamwork, David decided the companies should combine theirProgress Contracting is family owned and operated and has over 10 years of construction and engineering experience. Incorporated in 2003 as a fine carpentry and woodworking firm, Progress has expanded to providing all phases of residential construction, currently specializing in custom homes, additions and major renovations. Timothy Fiorillo, owner of Progress Contracting, earned his Bachelor’s Degree in structural engineering at Northeastern University. He worked as a field engineer for such projects as the Leverett Circle Connector, the six-level parking garage under the Yawkey Building at Mass General, and Logan Airport’s Terminal A. With this background, Tim has built Progress into the most trusted contracting company in the area.“Perhaps the best aspect of your work was your high level of communication, planning and updates. I was very impressed by your level of detail and care. With other contractors we didn`t receive clear outlines of the work and in particular, a clear sense of when things would be accomplished. You explained things very well, stayed on budget, and had a wonderful sense of logistics.” -JM Boston, MAstrengths and become one of the largest residential design/build firms in Massachusetts. (Article Continued in About Progress Contracting)Have a success story?Submit your success story to info@hillcraftsmen.com and be featured in an upcoming newsletter!House designed and built by Hill Craftsmen and Progress Contracting5 Easy Ways to WinterizeThe average cost to heat a home is about $1400 per year. Although we have seen a recent break in oil prices, home heating bills this winter are still likely to burn a hole in your wallet. So what can you do to save on energy costs?1. Inspect insulation and weather stripping: Make sure your attic, basement, and exterior walls are well insulated. To do this simply feel around with your hand checking for cold spots. In your attic, if you can see the floor joists, it is necessary to apply more insulation. Replace weather stripping which is brittle or broken.2. Insulate cold air entry ports: Inspect external wall electrical outlets, switch-plates, and gaps around windows and doors. There is a product which your local home improvement store sells which is perfect for insulating outlets and switchplates.3. Change Your Furnace Filter: Replacing the furnace filter every 4 to 6 weeks will help your furnace run more efficiently and cut down on heating costs. If you suspect your furnace isn’t running at top performance, have a heating repair contractor inspect it.4. Clean Your Chimney: Though this may not cut down your heating bill, it is necessary to your home’s overall safety. Have chimneys, fireplaces, and woodstoves cleaned before winter sets in to avoid fire hazards caused by accumulated soot and other debris.5. Prepare Outdoor Faucets: Regardless of whether your outdoor water faucets are frost-free or the hose bib type found on older homes, external faucets should be bled before freezing temperatures cause problems.How it works: Refer someone to Hill Craftsmen by November 30th. If your referral signs a contract for services with Hill Craftsmen, you will receive agift certificate toLegal Sea Foods!Here’s to you for helping us make this Hill Craftsmen’s best fall ever!As a token of our appreciation for telling people about Hill Craftsmen, we are starting a new REFERRAL REWARDS PROGRAM. Keep telling people about how much you loved working with Hill Craftsmen and enjoy DINNER ON USat Legal Sea Foods. REFERRALREWARDSIn The Next Issue. . .•A History of Design/Build•What sells? Cost vs. Value Report•Inside the Needham Addition•And more. . .