| ARCH
Database Spotlights Contractors |
By Leslie Perales
Observer Staff Writer |
| The Alliance of Reston Clusters and Homeowners has developed
a resource for its members that will assist them in finding
reliable contractors. The ARCH database of contractors will
list contractors that members of ARCH have used and would
like to recommend to other members. |
| "It's very difficult for people to find reputable contractors
that have a reputation for outstanding service to their customers,"
said ARCH President Jerry Volloy. The database also will include
contact information for those ARCH members who have recommended
a contractor. |
| ARCH hired a contractor to build the database, and ARCH
Vice President Brian Olivia and Diane Royal, an ARCH board
member and Web site developer, guided the contractors through
the development. Volloy said the contractors did an outstanding
job and the beauty of the database is the simplicity of its
design. |
| The database uses familiar drop-down menus that display
categories such as painting, roofing, paving, landscaping
and fencing. Having this information readily available in
the database will help homeowners and cluster members maintain
their houses and other common areas, Volloy said. |
| "It's an opportunity for ARCH members to share with each
other the experiences that they've had," Volloy said. |
| Members of ARCH will be able to add to the database as well.
For example, if ARCH members have a positive experience with
a contractor, they can use the system to add the contractor
to the list. Volloy said the system will help those who want
to know what kind of work a contractor has done in the past
and why a previous member liked their work. |
| Volloy said one of the main reasons they developed the database
was to give members of ARCH an easy way to find help taking
care of their homes and common areas. "We have a member support
function in ARCH and part of that function was to allow members
to share information with other members about problems that
they face in the everyday maintenance of their individual
homes or in their cluster common areas," Volloy said. |
| Additionally, some local contractors have already heard
about the database and they are interested in offering special
deals to members in the future, according to Volloy. "We think
it will be a great service to our members," he said. |
| Access to the database will be restricted to ARCH members,
who will be provided with a username and password to log in
to the system. ARCH will hold an information meeting at 7
p.m. Wednesday at Hidden Creek Country Club to unveil the
database to members and show them how to use it. |
