diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Components/Alert.cs b/UptimeSharp/Components/Alert.cs
index 47cf705..1e09e3c 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/Components/Alert.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/Components/Alert.cs
@@ -14,9 +14,11 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     /// </summary>
     /// <param name="IDs">Retrieve specified alert contacts by supplying IDs for them.</param>
     /// <returns></returns>
-    public List<Alert> RetrieveAlerts(int[] alertIDs = null)
+    public List<Alert> RetrieveAlerts(params int[] alertIDs)
     {
-      return Get<AlertResponse>("getAlertContacts").Items;
+      Parameter alerts = Parameter("alertcontacts", alertIDs.Length > 0 ? string.Join("-", alertIDs) : null);
+
+      return Get<AlertResponse>("getAlertContacts", alerts).Items;
     }
 
 
@@ -29,13 +31,15 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     /// <returns></returns>
     public bool AddAlert(AlertType type, string value)
     {
-      List<Parameter> parameters = new List<Parameter>()
+      if (type == AlertType.SMS)
       {
-        Utilities.CreateParam("alertContactType", (int)type),
-        Utilities.CreateParam("alertContactValue", value)
-      };
+        throw new APIException("AlertType.SMS is not supported by the UptimeRobot API");
+      }
 
-      return Get<DefaultResponse>("newAlertContact", parameters).Status;
+      return Get<DefaultResponse>("newAlertContact", 
+        Parameter("alertContactType", (int)type), 
+        Parameter("alertContactValue", value)
+      ).Status;
     }
 
 
@@ -47,13 +51,7 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     /// <returns></returns>
     public bool AddAlert(Alert alert)
     {
-      List<Parameter> parameters = new List<Parameter>()
-      {
-        Utilities.CreateParam("alertContactType", (int)alert.Type),
-        Utilities.CreateParam("alertContactValue", alert.Value)
-      };
-
-      return Get<DefaultResponse>("newAlertContact", parameters).Status;
+      return AddAlert(alert.Type, alert.Value);
     }
 
 
@@ -65,12 +63,7 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     /// <returns></returns>
     public bool DeleteAlert(int alertID)
     {
-      List<Parameter> parameters = new List<Parameter>()
-      {
-        Utilities.CreateParam("alertContactID", alertID)
-      };
-
-      return Get<DefaultResponse>("deleteAlertContact", parameters).Status;
+      return Get<DefaultResponse>("deleteAlertContact", Parameter("alertContactID", alertID)).Status;
     }
 
 
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Components/Monitor.cs b/UptimeSharp/Components/Monitor.cs
index ee1c486..75fb432 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/Components/Monitor.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/Components/Monitor.cs
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     public bool Modify(int monitorID, MonitorParameters parameters)
     {
       List<Parameter> paramList = parameters.Convert();
-      paramList.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorID", monitorID));
+      paramList.Add(Parameter("monitorID", monitorID));
 
       return Get<DefaultResponse>("editorMonitor", paramList).Status;
     }
@@ -227,10 +227,10 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
       // fix bad behaviour in API if no subtype is submitted
       if(parameters.Subtype == Subtype.Unknown)
       {
-        paramList.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorSubType", 0));
+        paramList.Add(Parameter("monitorSubType", 0));
       }
 
-      paramList.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorID", monitor.ID));
+      paramList.Add(Parameter("monitorID", monitor.ID));
 
       return Get<DefaultResponse>("editMonitor", paramList).Status;
     }
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/MonitorParameters.cs b/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/MonitorParameters.cs
index 6287929..6a7e766 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/MonitorParameters.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/MonitorParameters.cs
@@ -99,53 +99,40 @@ namespace UptimeSharp.Models
     {
       List<Parameter> parameters = new List<Parameter>();
 
-      if(!string.IsNullOrEmpty(Name))
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorFriendlyName", Name)); 
-      }
-
-      if(!string.IsNullOrEmpty(Uri))
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorURL", Uri)); 
-      }
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorFriendlyName", Name)); 
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorURL", Uri));
 
       if(Type != null && (int)Type != 0)
       {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorType", (int)Type)); 
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorType", (int)Type)); 
       }
 
       // special params for port listener
       if (Type == Type.Port && Subtype != Subtype.Unknown && Port.HasValue)
       {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorSubType", (int)Subtype));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorSubType", (int)Subtype));
 
         if (Subtype == Subtype.Custom)
         {
-          parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorPort", Port));
+          parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorPort", Port));
         }
       }
 
       // keyword listener
       if (Type == Type.Keyword && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(KeywordValue))
       {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorKeywordType", (int)KeywordType));
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorKeywordValue", KeywordValue));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorKeywordType", (int)KeywordType));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorKeywordValue", KeywordValue));
       }
 
       // HTTP basic auth credentials
-      if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(HTTPUsername))
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorHTTPUsername", HTTPUsername));
-      }
-      if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(HTTPPassword))
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorHTTPPassword", HTTPPassword));
-      }
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorHTTPUsername", HTTPUsername));
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorHTTPPassword", HTTPPassword));
 
       // alert notifications
       if (Alerts != null && Alerts.Length > 0)
       {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitorAlertContacts", string.Join("-", Alerts)));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitorAlertContacts", string.Join("-", Alerts)));
       }
 
       return parameters;
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/RetrieveParameters.cs b/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/RetrieveParameters.cs
index 2cc7b5f..e29c0a5 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/RetrieveParameters.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/Models/Parameters/RetrieveParameters.cs
@@ -50,24 +50,16 @@ namespace UptimeSharp.Models
     {
       List<Parameter> parameters = new List<Parameter>();
 
-      if (Monitors != null)
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("monitors", String.Join("-", Monitors)));
-      }
-      if (CustomUptimeRatio != null)
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("customUptimeRatio", String.Join("-", CustomUptimeRatio)));
-      }
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("monitors", String.Join("-", Monitors)));
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("customUptimeRatio", String.Join("-", CustomUptimeRatio)));
+      parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("showMonitorAlertContacts", (bool)ShowAlerts ? "1" : "0"));
+
       if (ShowLog.HasValue)
       {
         string showLog = (bool)ShowLog ? "1" : "0";
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("logs", showLog));
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("alertContacts", showLog));
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("showTimezone", showLog));
-      }
-      if (ShowAlerts.HasValue)
-      {
-        parameters.Add(Utilities.CreateParam("showMonitorAlertContacts", (bool)ShowAlerts ? "1" : "0"));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("logs", showLog));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("alertContacts", showLog));
+        parameters.Add(UptimeClient.Parameter("showTimezone", showLog));
       }
 
       return parameters;
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Models/Response/DefaultResponse.cs b/UptimeSharp/Models/Response/DefaultResponse.cs
index 3ade291..9c4d9aa 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/Models/Response/DefaultResponse.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/Models/Response/DefaultResponse.cs
@@ -7,8 +7,5 @@ namespace UptimeSharp.Models
   /// Default Response
   /// </summary>
   [DataContract]
-  internal class DefaultResponse : ResponseBase
-  {
-
-  }
+  internal class DefaultResponse : ResponseBase {}
 }
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/UptimeClient.cs b/UptimeSharp/UptimeClient.cs
index 506acaa..1e0323f 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/UptimeClient.cs
+++ b/UptimeSharp/UptimeClient.cs
@@ -117,7 +117,12 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
       if (parameters != null)
       {
         parameters.ForEach(
-          param => request.AddParameter(param)
+          param => {
+            if(param.Value != null)
+            {
+              request.AddParameter(param);
+            }
+          }
         );
       }
 
@@ -126,37 +131,31 @@ namespace UptimeSharp
     }
 
 
-    protected string Get(string resource, List<Parameter> parameters = null)
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Fetches a typed resource
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
+    /// <param name="resource">Requested resource</param>
+    /// <param name="parameter">The parameters.</param>
+    /// <returns></returns>
+    protected T Get<T>(string resource, params Parameter[] parameters) where T : class, new()
     {
-      var request = new RestRequest(resource, Method.GET);
+      List<Parameter> parameterList = new List<Parameter>();
+      parameterList.AddRange(parameters);
 
-      // enumeration for params
-      if (parameters != null)
-      {
-        parameters.ForEach(
-          param => request.AddParameter(param)
-        );
-      }
-
-      // do the request
-      return Request(request);
+      return Get<T>(resource, parameterList);
     }
 
 
-    ///// <summary>
-    ///// Puts an action
-    ///// </summary>
-    ///// <param name="actionParameter">The action parameter.</param>
-    ///// <returns></returns>
-    //protected bool PutSendAction(ActionParameter actionParameter)
-    //{
-    //  ModifyParameters parameters = new ModifyParameters()
-    //  {
-    //    Actions = new List<ActionParameter>() { actionParameter }
-    //  };
-
-    //  return Get<Modify>("send", parameters.Convert(), true).Status;
-    //}
+    public static Parameter Parameter(string name, object value)
+    {
+      return new Parameter()
+      {
+        Name = name,
+        Value = value,
+        Type = ParameterType.GetOrPost
+      };
+    }
 
 
     ///// <summary>
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/UptimeSharp.csproj b/UptimeSharp/UptimeSharp.csproj
index b6dd36d..d07498e 100644
--- a/UptimeSharp/UptimeSharp.csproj
+++ b/UptimeSharp/UptimeSharp.csproj
@@ -66,7 +66,6 @@
     <Compile Include="Models\Response\RetrieveResponse.cs" />
     <Compile Include="Properties\AssemblyInfo.cs" />
     <Compile Include="UptimeClient.cs" />
-    <Compile Include="Utilities.cs" />
   </ItemGroup>
   <ItemGroup>
     <None Include="packages.config" />
diff --git a/UptimeSharp/Utilities.cs b/UptimeSharp/Utilities.cs
deleted file mode 100644
index 2451d04..0000000
--- a/UptimeSharp/Utilities.cs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,90 +0,0 @@
-using RestSharp;
-using System;
-using System.Collections.Generic;
-
-namespace UptimeSharp
-{
-  /// <summary>
-  /// General utilities
-  /// </summary>
-  internal class Utilities
-  {
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// converts a bool to a string for GET param
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="value">The value.</param>
-    /// <returns>A string representation of the boolean</returns>
-    public static string Bool(bool? value)
-    {
-      return value != null ? ((bool)value ? "1" : "0") : null;
-    }
-
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// converts DateTime to an UNIX timestamp
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="dateTime">The date.</param>
-    /// <returns>UNIX timestamp</returns>
-    public static int? GetUnixTimestamp(DateTime? dateTime)
-    {
-      if (dateTime == null)
-      {
-        return null;
-      }
-
-      return (int)((DateTime)dateTime - new DateTime(1970, 1, 1)).TotalSeconds;
-    }
-
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Creates a Parameter object.
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="name">The name.</param>
-    /// <param name="value">The value.</param>
-    /// <param name="type">The type.</param>
-    /// <returns></returns>
-    public static Parameter CreateParam(string name, object value, ParameterType type = ParameterType.GetOrPost)
-    {
-      return new Parameter() { Name = name, Value = value, Type = type };
-    }
-
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Creates a Parameter object within a list.
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <param name="name">The name.</param>
-    /// <param name="value">The value.</param>
-    /// <param name="type">The type.</param>
-    /// <returns></returns>
-    public static List<Parameter> CreateParamInList(string name, object value, ParameterType type = ParameterType.GetOrPost)
-    {
-      return new List<Parameter>() { CreateParam(name, value, type) };
-    }
-
-
-    /// <summary>
-    /// Convert a dictionary to a list
-    /// </summary>
-    /// <typeparam name="T"></typeparam>
-    /// <param name="items">The items.</param>
-    /// <returns></returns>
-    public static List<T> DictionaryToList<T>(Dictionary<string, T> items) where T : new()
-    {
-      if (items == null)
-      {
-        return null;
-      }
-
-      var itemEnumerator = items.GetEnumerator();
-      List<T> list = new List<T>();
-
-      while (itemEnumerator.MoveNext())
-      {
-        list.Add(itemEnumerator.Current.Value);
-      }
-
-      return list;
-    }
-  }
-}