The key to getting a great haircut is good communication between you and your stylist. No stylist or barber wants to have an unhappy customer, but it’s up to you to help make your time in the chair a success.

•  A picture is worth a million words: Hairstylists recommend bringing a picture to help the client get his/her idea across when it comes to a new hairstyle. This way the client and the stylist will be on the same page with a visual goal of what the outcome should look like. 

• Realistic expectations: They are stylists not magicians. There are just some things your hair can and cannot do. If you have dark curly hair you probably won’t be leaving the salon looking like Paris Hilton with blond straight hair. 

• Don’t hold back: Whether it’s about how much time you spend on your hair on a daily basis or how much money you’re willing to spend on hair products. Be honest about all your hair issues. The $75 highlight & color treatment isn’t worth it if you can’t maintain it. 

• Returning for a “fix-up”: If in the end you leave the salon not satisfied with your haircut, don’t be shy. Go back immediately, or as soon as you can, and get it fixed. Most salons give their clients a week or two to return free of charge. If you wait too long you might as well get another haircut.

• Be open-minded: Listen and take into consideration any suggestions your stylist might have for you. This might save you the agony of being stuck with a bad hairstyle. Purple highlights just aren’t for everyone.

Still not satisfied, get Angie's List tips onbreaking up with your stylist.

Today's garage doors come in a variety of styles and features – included added security – on the market these days, finding the right garage door for your home, or even maintaining the one you have, can be challenging.

Types and styles of doors:

• Types. Rolling, sectional garage doors are the most common found on the market. There is also a single section door. However, some things to consider with these is that they require that the space in front of the door be clear for opening and closing – not practical in areas that get a lot of ice and snow.

• Styles. The range of styles is broad. Wood, steel, aluminum, and fiberglass doors are available and can be customized to coordinate with the style of your home. As well, you can choose different window sizes and shapes, different wood stains, grains, etc. Keep in mind, that with each additional feature, the price of the door will go up.

Insulation is available for most all styles of garage doors. You options are single panel doors with the insulation applied to the inside face. Having a second face to the door provides a maximum R-value because the insulation can be sandwiched between the panels. If you have an attached garage, or a garage in which you spend a lot of time – a workshop area, etc. – insulation can be an essential and important feature.

Types of openers:

• Chain-drive. The most popular and most affordable. Uses a chain to pull the door open or closed. Price ranges from $100 to $170. 

• Screw-drive. Slow moving design. Uses a long threaded bar to open the door. Price ranges from $150 to $200.

• Belt-drive. Considered the quietest. Uses rubber belts to open and close the door. Most expensive at $200 and up.

Latest features:

• Sensors for automatic reversing.

• Infrared sensors to stop the door if something gets in the way.

• Latest security features include remotes that transmit a different signal each time you use the opener.

Do-it-yourself or pay to have it done?

• Garage doors can be an easy challenge for experienced do-it-yourselfers. Internet resources, as well as instructions from the manufacture, make installation an easy, step-by-step process. However, doors and openers with more advanced features can make installation more complicated.

Maintenance:

• Metal doors are far more resistant to dings and the elements than wood doors, but any door will deteriorate if not properly cared for.

• Inspect your garage door at least once a year for damage that might affect the finish or lead to rust.

• Wood doors should be refinished/resealed at least every two years.

• Protect any type of garage door from water – especially runoff and splash back from the roof eaves. Direct water away from the door, including proper drainage in front of the lower section of the door.

• Keep kids from using the door as a backstop.

• Wash your garage door regularly, with water and a mild detergent. Use car wax on metal doors to protect the finish.

• Check that the weather stripping along the bottom is in good condition. If it is cracked, it can easily be slid off and replaced.

• Lubricate tracks, hinges, rollers and springs with a light household oil – don’t use petroleum-based lubricants. Apply and wipe away the extra. Openers do not require extra lubricant.

• Test the safety-reversing sensor once a month.

•  Always refer to the owner’s manual for your door and opener.

• Garage door companies do offer annual maintenance plans, and will come out, check your door, make sure it is lubricated and in good working order.

An investment in a garage door can range from a few hundred dollars for a new opener, to a few thousand dollars for a custom-designed door. While it’s not a feature of your home you think much about, it is an important part of your home. And, if it’s not well maintained, it can lead to unexpected and expensive repairs that have to be dealt with right away.

With so much to consider, Angie’s List has compiled 10 tips to help streamline your child care decisions, as well as a list of must-ask questions for potential providers:

1. Weigh your options. The type of child care you want should be the first decision you make. Child care centers, in-home providers and family care providers offer a range of services. It's important to determine what will work best for you and your child.
2. Make a wish list. Before you begin your search, list your expectations and preferences. Update or delete from this list as your perceptions change.
3. Know your budget and what value and benefit your child will receive from the care selected. Child care costs can be staggering, so consider your options and your budget carefully.
4. Start early. Some of the best child care providers also have the longest waiting lists. It's best to begin your search well ahead of time. If your first choice isn’t available, get on the waiting list, while you pursue other options.
5. License, please. Know your state's licensing regulations and make sure the provider qualifies with no history of violations. Find out whether the provider has accreditation from a respected authority such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children or the National Association for Family Child Care.
6. Visit the facility. Consider bringing your child with you to observe his or her interaction with the provider.
7. Check references. Get at least three references, and be sure to review them carefully. If you see parents on-site, ask them about their experiences with the provider.
8. Don't settle. Even if your search gets exhausting, don't settle on a provider until you are positively satisfied.
9. Find a backup in case your provider gets ill or for some other reason can't care for your child. This is especially important for family child care and in-home providers such as nannies, au pairs and baby sitters.
10. Relax. Once you've done your research and made your choice, have confidence in your decision and faith in your provider unless you have reason to think otherwise.

Questions to ask child care providers:

1. Are you licensed? Accredited?
2. Do you have any history of violations?
3. What are the experience and qualifications of your staff?
4. What is the ratio of child care workers to kids?
5. What is your staff turnover rate?
6. What is your discipline philosophy?
7. What are your procedures in case of fire or other emergency?
8. What kind of activities will my child be involved in each day?
9. How many and what kinds of meals do you serve?
10. What are your hours and days of operation?
11. Are there holidays or other times when you are closed?
12. Are there restrictions on who may pick up my child?
13. Do you offer full- and part-time care?
14. How much do you charge?
15. Do you impose late fees?
16. Do you offer a discount if I place more than one child in your care?
17. Do you have pets?
18. Does anyone else have access to the children in your home? If so, who are they and what are their child care qualifications?
19. Do you or does anyone else in the house smoke?
20. Do you offer backup care if you are ill?

According to a poll of Angie’s List members, 30 percent said their home inspector’s oversights ended up becoming a major expense down the road. Some of the costly mistakes included mold, asbestos, termites, leaking roofs, even rats on one member’s property!

A good home inspector will be knowledgeable about housing stock; able write well enough for others to easily understand the findings; and willing to explain the process and findings from the report.

While it’s not required that you attend the inspection, you should attend the inspection to discuss expectations and findings. Typically, a home inspection takes about two to four hours.

• Do your homework: Check local home inspector reviews on Angie's List.
• Credentials. Ask to see proof of state certification or proof of membership in the National Associations of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI) www.nachi.org, National Association of Home Inspectors (NAHI) www.nahi.org or the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) www.ashi.org.
• Licensing: Ask to see proof of licensing if your state requires home inspectors to be licensed.
• Insurance: Ask to see proof of general liability insurance as well as and errors and omission (E&O) insurance.
• Experience: Both NAHI and ASHI require a minimum of 250 inspections, however most experienced professionals will say it’s better to find someone who’s performed at least 1,000 inspections and has at least three-to-five years of full-time experience.
• Get involved: While it’s not required that you attend the inspection, you should attend the inspection to discuss expectations and findings. Typically, a home inspection takes about two to four hours.
• Know what to look for. This includes structural problems; roof damage; fire hazards, such as improperly vented chimney flues; electrical safety issues, including old wiring; and problems with plumbing and major appliances, like the HVAC system and hot water heater. Inspectors should physically crawl the attic and crawl space, if possible, rather than just taking a quick look around from the opening or doorway.
• Read the report: Many inspectors provide the report the same day as the inspection. The report should be thorough and easy to understand and should include narrative accounts of the inspector’s findings that are specific to your house, along with pictures and diagrams. Keep in mind that few houses are perfect, so you should expect some issues to be found. Depending on the severity of the findings, ask your seller to either fix the problems or reduce the selling price.
• Home inspections aren’t just necessary for old homes: Newer homes can have just as many problems as an older home. And, if you are building a home, inspections at key points during construction should be a part of the process.