Greenville has been made just a little more GREEN recently with newcomer Preferred Home Services! But, that happy green and blue truck fleet with its big thumbs up is anything but new! They are the highest-rated home services company serving the Lowcountry for 7 years that has expanded into the Upstate offering plumbing and HVAC services. The family-owned and operated Preferred Home Services was founded in 2014 by Dave Geiger, Kyle Geiger, and Chris DiCampli. Dave is a third-generation plumber and Kyle is a fourth-generation plumber reflecting a strong lineage of trades being passed down over hundreds of years.

Thank you to Preferred Home Services for sponsoring this article.

Customer-centric Model

“How can we make you smile today?” It isn’t just a slogan, it’s a way of being with Preferred Home Services. And, what a welcome sentiment when so often the interaction as a homeowner about plumbing and air conditioning needs begins with the stress and worry of something breaking! The team at PHS cares about their customers and is committed to excellence within their trades. Each technician is background-checked and NATE certified. What does that mean? NATE Certification reflects superior knowledge of residential, light commercial HVAC systems and refrigeration systems.

A lot of companies claim to be expertly trained, but Preferred Home Services adds another layer of confidence to the wary homeowner deciding who to hire with the PHS 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If a customer is not 100% satisfied, for any reason, they will do what it takes to make it right. That type of confidence reflects a commitment to their trade that is likely the reason behind their many company awards and rankings.

Preferred Home Services has been named to the elite Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies two years in a row, recognized as one of South Carolina’s top workplaces two years in a row and profiled as South Carolina’s Fastest Growing Companies.

Maintaining Your Home

Our readers know the scene: a disturbingly quiet moment followed by the sound of water and a child’s running feet to get help. Or, the final preparation to get ready to host Friendsgiving as you notice the heat from the kitchen is more than just your cooking. And, my personal favorite: ignoring that slow draining shower to deal with “on the weekend” for the weekend that just never comes (and now you’re up to your ankles in water).

The savvy homeowner doesn’t wait for crisis to hit before calling a home services company. The PHS team’s approach to maintaining plumbing and HVAC often leads to the identification of a problem before the problem becomes more costly, more inconvenient, and more time-involved.

That’s why Preferred Home Services offers the Preferred Partner Plan. Included in the plan is:

• regular maintenance: a 21-point tune-up that’s specifically designed to help you enjoy lowered energy bills by up to 30% and reduce system breakdowns by up to 95%.
• ongoing safety inspections: after a safety inspection of a home or business’ heating, A/C and plumbing systems, a detailed report is provided with any alerts and concerns
• priority scheduling: jump the line when you call regardless of whether it’s a routine service or an emergency
• greater convenience: never worry about forgetting to schedule a tune-up with proactive PHS team calls scheduling your maintenance needs
• discounted service: exclusive 15% discount on all plumbing, heating and air conditioning repair services during membership period
• waived emergency fees: no overtime regardless of it you call day or night!
• transferrable membership; moving? Take your Preferred Partner Plan membership with you, or transfer it to the new owner of your home—the choice is up to you!
• lifetime warranties: extensive, lifetime warranties on most plumbing, heating, and air conditioning repairs – you’ll never have to pay twice for the same repair.

But wait, there’s more! Learn about the Preferred Partner Plan by calling  864.568.3583 or contact PHS online to learn more!

For every season & reason

Preferred Home Services has two locations, but one heart! Whether it’s preventative maintenance, a repair, or installation, think of them for your:

• air conditioning and heating maintenance, repair and installation of new systems
• heat pumps
• ductless mini splits (selective area heating and cooling, such as one floor or wing of a home, for area without duct work that would benefit from temperature control)
• indoor air quality (air purification, whole home humidifiers, UV light cleansing, and more)
• water heaters, including tankless options and installation of new systems
• drain cleaning
• garbage disposals
• gas piping repairs
• toilet repairs
• sump pumps
• septic repairs and replacements
• sewer line replacements and sewer camera inspections
• and, whole home water filtration (mmm, delicious!)

Local Experiences

Call Preferred Home Services at 864.568.3583 or visit their website to learn more!

Giveaway

Two lucky Kidding Around fans will receive a $250 gift certificate to use at Preferred Home Services.

This giveaway ends at midnight on August 12, 2021. Good luck!

• You must be 18 or older and live in the USA to enter this giveaway.
• You must use a valid email address to enter this giveaway.
• One entry per person per day.
• We will contact the winner via the email address provided within 24 hours of the giveaway ending. The winner will have 24 hours to respond via email. If the winner does not respond within the 24 hours, the prize will be forfeited and another winner chosen. Directions for claiming the prize will be given via email. A valid photo ID and/or mailing address may be required.
• For a complete list of Kidding Around Greenville SC’s giveaway policies and terms and conditions, see the Kidding Around Greenville SC policy page. By entering this giveaway, you agree to comply with Kidding Around Greenville SC’s terms and conditions.

If the voting ballot does not appear immediately, wait one second to give it time to appear.

First Presbyterian Academy (FPA), with its roots as Greenville’s oldest private, Christian School, is in its Open Enrollment period through Sunday, February 28, 2021. The status of all families, both current and new, is equal as applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Across both their Downtown campus on West Washington (serving K2-K6) and Shannon Forest on Garlington Road (K3-12th Grade) locations, re-enrollment figures are at an all-time high.  Tours and new student applications for coveted classroom seats have reached record numbers with many classes near capacity!  FPA is accredited through AdvancED and South Carolina Independent Schools Association (SCISA) with membership in the National Honor Society (NHS) and Phi Delta Kappa, to name a few. A full list of accreditations and membership is here.

Thank you to First Presbyterian Academy for sponsoring this article.

First Presbyterian Academy Downtown began with just 12 students in 1952 on the historic site of First Presbyterian Church. Now boasting over 100 students, the school serves families within and around the church itself with educational offerings in K2, K3, K4 and K5. Something special is their transition K6 class of learners who need the gift of time before advancing to 1st Grade. Students enjoy small classroom sizes taught by degreed teachers, and experience related arts classes in Music, Physical Education, and Art. At this location, is an Academic Center that assists with language-based difficulties, executive function skills and interdisciplinary issues as either one-on-one or group sessions. While the school day runs from 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., options for early and late stay afford parents needed support.

First Presbyterian Academy at Shannon Forest graces a beautiful 15-acre campus on Garlington Road designed to create a specialized environment for specific ages of students. The Lower School (K5-5th) and Preschool (K3-K4) buildings are separated by a unique garden perfect for reading, sketching, and learning about nature.  Middle and Upper School (6th-12th Grade) buildings are located on the other side of Garlington Road.   The campus includes, among many things, baseball, soccer, and practice fields. The school offers early and late stay options.  Early Stay is available for K3-12th Grade students. Late Stay is available for K3-5th Grade.  By grade level highlights include:

• K3-K4: full and half day programming, instruction from degreed teachers focused on developmental stages, a challenging academic program, and nurturing in social and emotional needs according to a Biblical worldview. Students also receive education in related arts programs. Learn more.
• K5-5th Grade: includes challenging, hands on classroom time with additional instruction in STEM, Art, Physical Education and Music, while celebrating the differences of all God’s children with daily Bible lessons and classroom management through the lens of scripture. High ability learning is fostered through a Gifted Program. And, STEM students develop social skills, learn cooperation, enjoy project-based learning, apply knowledge to real-life situations and use technology to engineer solutions to actual global problems, such as building bridges or supplying water. Learn more.
• Middle School recognizes the growing needs of students in preparing for the transition from Elementary to High School. The course offerings (here) highlight Religion, English, History, Math, and Science with opportunities for electives in Foreign Language, Physical Education, STEM, Choir, Drama, Drumming and Art. Students interested in honors level curriculum may begin in 8th Grade with High School credit-level classes.
• High School students receive high quality, College Preparatory, Honors and AP classes taught with an emphasis on content, engagement, and higher-ordered learning skills combined with a foundation of truth of the Christian worldview.  With a dedicated College Counselor working with students and their families on course scheduling, test preparation, college visits, and job shadowing, the outcome is 100% of students are accepted to college and prepared for life. Average 2020 ACT scores were 25 and SAT scores were 1150. A breakdown of the course offerings is seen here.

First Presbyterian Academy is also home to 21 athletic teams competing in nine sports. All athletic teams compete on the Academy at Shannon Forest campus and are known as the Crusaders. The school views Athletics as a part of the educational process and expectations are held to the same high standards as all other educational pursuits. There are also ample opportunities for growth, leadership, and involvement through student organizations. The school engages parents in volunteering. The Vision and Mission of the school promises to provide students of all ages a nurturing environment with rigorous academics taught through a Christian worldview, preparing every child for a future of academic excellence and Christian service.

VISION: The school IGNITES a passion for excellence in learning and INFUSES God’s Word as a lens for learning, so our students may grow to IMPACT the world for Jesus Christ.

MISSION: We are a Christian community dedicated to providing a premier college preparatory education, grounded in a Biblical world view, which develops character in students from varied backgrounds for a lifetime of learning and service.

Apply now! The process is outlined here.

Find out more about First Presbyterian Academy!

“Take care of your teeth and they’ll take care of you” is an adage we all learn, sometimes the hard way! But, when is it appropriate to begin dental care for a child whose teeth aren’t even permanent? Dr. Rich Constantine of Constantine Dental of Greenville recommends visits when a child begins to show teeth! Starting early establishes dental care as a familiar (dare we say, fun) experience and is a great time for parents to learn the proper care of tiny teeth at home!