Tips

There’s that tree in your yard that just needs to go. You’ve thought about getting rid of it yourself, but now you’ve decided to go with a tree removal contractor. But just what is the cost of tree removal?

With so many variables, and different contractors, it’s easy to get confused. Fortunately, we’re here to help. Keep reading this guide and you’ll find out.

Cost of Tree Removal

How much does it cost to cut down a tree? Well, there’s no simple answer. The average price is around $700, but it could be well under half of that if it’s a small tree that’s easy to tet to, or over half if it’s a larger tree with more obstacles in its way.

Why You Should Hire Someone To Remove

Even if it looks like a simple task, it almost definitely won’t be. Removing a tree isn’t easy, and it’s a lot safer to hire someone who knows what they’re doing.

Factors Of Cost

When it comes to tree removal, there’s no set price. It depends on a number of variables, from the size of the tree to your location.

Size and Height Of The Tree

An obvious one, perhaps, but it’s worth bearing in mind that a taller tree will cost more to remove. By the same token, so will a tree that’s bigger and spreads further.

Location

Where is the tree that you want to remove? A tree in your front yard is likely to be cheaper to remove than a tree in your back yard, and if you’re in a rural or suburban area it might be cheaper than if you live somewhere that’s heavily built-up.

Obstacles

If there’s a fence or a sizable rock or even power lines in the way of the tree, it will make it more difficult to remove. Remove what you’re able to safely before the tree is set to be removed for a cheaper transaction, but if there’s an obstacle you can’t avoid, you’ll be looking at greater expense.

Type Of Tree

The cost of tree removal also depends on the sort of tree you’re looking to remove. Removing a palm tree is likely to set you back around $650 but could be as low as $400, while a pine tree may cost around $1,100 to remove.

Maple trees can grow to over 100 feet, and as a result, may cost up to $1,800 – the higher end of the price range. The American ash tree is also likely to be more expensive, while in contrast, dogwood trees could cost as little as $125 to remove.

Save Money

If you’re looking at some of these figures a little anxiously, there are some things you can do to reduce the cost. You’ll still be paying, but the fee might be slightly lower.

Prepare First

If there’s anything you can safely do yourself beforehand, do it. Clear the area and remove any obstacles you’re able to.

Wait Until Winter

As winter is the off-season for tree removal contractors, the dead tree removal cost is likely to be lower. It’s a lot quieter, so you may be able to agree on a lower price.

Use The Wood

There’s a couple of options here. Some companies might agree to remove your tree for free and in return sell on the wood themselves. Alternatively, you could make use of the wood or sell it on to recoup some of the cost.

Removing the Tree

Now you know the average dead tree removal cost and the cost to trim a tree, what are you waiting for? Shop around for tree removal contractors today, and check out some of our other posts too!

 

8 Ways To Build Team Spirit

Ironically, one of the best ways to build morale in the workplace is to leave it. From San Diego whale watching tours to scavenger hunts through historic Coronado, there are myriad ways to boost your organization’s team spirit. Here are eight of the best:

1. Volunteer

Time is arguably your most valuable resource. Donating it to others in need is an excellent way to not only forge team bonds but also give back to the community. Volunteer work can reinvigorate your employees’ bodies, minds and maybe even their souls, and there’s no shortage of San Diego nonprofits that could benefit from your manpower:

• Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego
• Father Joe’s Villages
• Outdoor Outreach
• San Diego Habitat for Humanity
• Serving Seniors
• Just in Time for Foster Youth
• San Diego Food Bank

2. Visit the U.S.S. Midway Museum

The U.S.S. Midway is one of San Diego’s most iconic attractions. Taking an afternoon to tour this naval workhorse, which served longer than any other aircraft carrier in the modern era, can provide a much-needed break from the regular routine and let your staff take a deep dive into American history, too.

3. Take an Art Class

It doesn’t matter if your staff is stuffed with budding Picassos or if stick men and women are more your company’s oeuvre. Taking an art class together is a magnificent way to make a little mess and elevate employee morale.

4. Go Whale Watching

One of the most unique locales for team-building is at sea. Private whale watching tours San Diego are an increasingly popular way to break out of the office, get some fresh air and — hopefully — spot some incredible animals.

5. Spend the Day at Safari Park

If the heart of your organization is more landlubber than pirate, that doesn’t mean you can’t get outside and learn a thing or two about teamwork from the animal kingdom. San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park offers a variety of wildly entertaining exhibits and tours, in addition to professional coordinators that can help you organize a more structured event.

6. Share a Meal

Simply put, San Diego’s food scene is on fire. From One Door North and The Florence to Punch Bowl Social and Trailer Park After Dark, there’s no shortage of local eateries ready to delight the senses of groups large and small.

7. Play Team Sports

Lift your employees’ spirits — and their heart rates — by entering a company team in a citywide soccer, softball or beach volleyball league. Or, depending on the size of your organization, you may even consider starting your own private league. Breaking a sweat is an easy way to break down barriers and create connections.

8. Go on a Scavenger Hunt

Another one of the most popular corporate event ideas San Diego is the classic scavenger hunt. Groups from La Jolla to the Gaslamp Quarter offer guided competitions where your crew can unleash both its creative and competitive sides as it races from clue to clue.

San Diego is a vibrant city with no shortage of ways to rejuvenate your team’s spirit or simply cut loose for a day while enjoying the Pacific Coast. Choose an activity that fits your organization’s character for an experience that you’ll be talking about for years to come.

When you’re mapping out your plans for a home, you probably aren’t too worried about the state of your foundation. If you want your plans to stay on track, however, you should be. If your foundation falls by the wayside and starts to crack, then you may have to allocate some of your design budget for necessary repairs.

How, though, can you go about anticipating a leak? If one does form, what kind of repair options do you have on the table?

No need to panic. The local foundation repair professionals working in your area will be able to answer your questions and get your home maintenance plan back on track in little to no time at all.

What Causes a Foundation Leak?

Foundation leaks rarely form out of the blue. While it may seem as though these leaks appear after one significant storm, they’re more often caused by weeks or months of exposure to hydrostatic pressure. This pressure, which is generated by rainwater and groundwater pressing against your home, both erodes your foundation materials and causes your foundation to rapidly change temperature. As the temperature rises and falls, your foundation materials will try to expand and contract accordingly. If this process goes on for too long, your foundation will crack from the stress.

That said, it’s not just hydrostatic pressure that can cause your foundation to crack. If you have large trees in your lawn, their invasive root systems may try to breach the hull of your home.

Signs to Look Out For

More often than not, you’ll be able to first identify a foundation leak by looking to your structural supports. These types of leaks have the biggest impact on your support beams and the piering installed around your foundation at the time of your home’s construction.

The most common signs of a foundation leak that you’ll find inside of your home include:

• Bowing walls
• Shifting floors
• Gaps at the joints of your foundation
• Sticking doors
• Foggy windows
• Water-damaged belongings or furniture
• Mold

Unfortunately, the myths surrounding foundation repair practices prevent many homeowners from seeking out viable waterproofing or repair solutions before a leak can worsen. If you let a foundation leak go for too long, you’ll end up finding its symptoms outside of your home.

A foundation leak that you’ve let fall by the wayside can cause:

• Vertical cracks in your walls
• A cracked chimney
• Cracks running horizontally across your foundation
• Home sinking

Fixing a Foundation Leak

Once you’ve identified a foundation leak, you’re going to want to talk with a local contractor about the repair options you have on the table. Your options are going to vary based on the size of your home, the severity of the damage, and your available budget.

That said, some of the most common foundation repair solutions include:

• Piering
• Underpinning
• Leveling and slabjacking
• Sealing
• Subfloor drainage

Who You Gonna Call?

In this day of do-it-yourself, you may want to try and save a bit of money by fixing your foundation yourself. Unfortunately, the process isn’t as easy as it sounds. Unless you have the certifications stating that you have the education and experience to fix someone’s foundation, it’s often best to leave this work to the professionals.

If you’re concerned about saving money, though, there’s some good news for you. Most foundation repair professionals offer a free foundation inspection and repairs quote. This way, you can better understand what’s going on below your home without having to break into your repair fund.

Don’t let your home design dreams fall by the wayside the next time it rains. Reach out to a local foundation repair professional and get your plans back on track.

 

Home improvement is a never-ending process. After all, it’s fun to invest money and sweat equity into making your house look as amazing as possible.

When it comes to renovations projects, there are plenty of options to choose from. One of the best places to start is the kitchen. After all, this is the room in the house where families spend most of their time together, enjoying meals and making memories.

This article takes a look at kitchen cabinet replacement and when to know when it’s time for an upgrade. Keep reading to discover insight into making your home look great by taking the kitchen’s style to the next level.

1. You’re Wanting a Fresh New Look

There are plenty of reasons for wanting to invest in new cabinets. But the desire for a fresh new look would probably be at the top of the list.

After all, your cabinets are a primary aspect of the overall design aesthetic of your kitchen. Thus the better your cabinets look, the more impressive and inviting your entire kitchen will feel to you and your family.

New cabinets are the ideal way to add a major splash of color and life to the most important room in your home.

2. Your Cabinets are Damaged

It’s no secret that cabinets can easily become damaged over the years. After all, they take a look of abuse through the wear and tear of normal family life.

Cabinets that are damaged can quickly become visually unappealing, thus lowering the aesthetic look of the kitchen. Sure, you can make repairs and even repaint your cabinets, but this is like using a band-aid to temporarily reduce bleeding.

You should also keep in mind that repairs to damaged cabinets might save you money in the short-term, but you’ll still need to replace your cabinets at some point in the future. So all you’re really doing is putting off the inevitable.

3. The Kitchen has a Bad Odor

Does your kitchen smell? Sometimes kitchen odors develop that are hard to get rid of. This could be due to food items that fall behind cabinets, or liquid spills inside cabinets that never get adequately cleaned up, causing the stench of rot. Replacing old cabinets is the ideal way to eliminate these unpleasant odors.

House washing is another way to improve the look of your home.

4. Your Cabinets Are Made of Cheap Materials

Older homes often feature kitchen cabinets made of cheap materials, causing them to sag, warp, or begin falling apart as they age. That’s why you need to upgrade to cabinets made of high-quality wood that will look great for decades to come with proper care.

5. You Want a New Layout

Or perhaps you’re doing a major renovating that includes changing the layout of your kitchen. After all, your old cabinets likely won’t work with the new layout, so this is the perfect time to make a change in order to maximize your new kitchen design.

Signs that It’s Time For Cabinet Replacement in Your Kitchen

Have you been considering a cabinet replacement for your kitchen? If so, it’s the perfect way to make your home look amazing and increase the resale value.

Keep scrolling to discover more great home improvement tips and advice.

If you have expensive or sentimental jewelry, whether it’s a vintage engagement ring that once belonged to your grandmother or a diamond necklace you were given as a gift, it’s important that you know how to keep these items safe and secure in your home. The failure to do so could result in the jewelry losing its value or integrity or even becoming misplaced or stolen.

To show you how you can best protect any and all of these expensive items that you own, here are three tips for safely storing your jewelry at home.

Be Careful With The Environment

To make sure your jewelry stays in pristine condition while it’s stored, you must be careful about the environment in which you keep it.

According to Lauren Thomann, a contributor to The Spruce, you’ll want to store your jewelry in a place where it won’t be subjected to extreme temperatures or humidity. If you were to leave your jewelry in a place that’s too warm, too cold, has too much direct sunlight, or is too humid, it can easily become tarnished or discolored. For this reason, you should seek to store your jewelry at room temperature and in an area where it can stay out of direct sunlight.

Keep Most Things Out Of Sight

Because your jewelry is going to be most protected when it’s not in the sunlight, Lindsey Mather, a contributor to Architectural Digest, recommends that you should try to keep it out of sight when you store it. This can easily be done by putting it in a well-organized drawer or keeping it in your closet.

While the options mentioned above will work for jewelry that isn’t too expensive or sentimental, anything that you’re worried about being stolen should probably be stored in a more secure way, like in a safe.

Get A Safe

If you do choose to get a safe in which to keep your jewelry, there are actually multiple reasons why this could be a good idea for you.

According to Steven John, a contributor to Business Insider, keeping your jewelry in a safe will help ensure that your expensive or sentimental jewelry won’t be easily stolen if someone were to gain access to your bedroom. As long as the safe you choose is secure enough not to get broken into and is large enough that it can’t be easily carried off, your jewelry should be secure in a safe.

In addition to this type of protection, a safe can also help to keep your jewelry safe from fire or water damage. So if you’re concerned about these things, a safe can give you some added protection as well.

If you have jewelry that you’re wanting to keep safe while you store it in your home, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you accomplish this.

 

 

Although summer break isn’t for a few more months, it’s never too early to start planning and preparing for this time that your kids will be spending at home. Whether you’re able to stay home with your kids or you’ll have to be at work during their summer break, there are things you can do to make their time at home easier and more enjoyable for everyone in your family.

To show you how this can be done, here are three tips for preparing your home for your kids’ summer break.

Maintain Your Yard

To encourage your kids to get outside and spend less time sitting on your couch in the air conditioning, you should spend the weeks or months leading up to summer weather preparing your yard for your kids to play there.

If you’re lucky enough to have a safe outdoor space that your kids can enjoy while at home, you should do everything you can to make this space inviting for them. Not only will this help your kids get some sun and fresh air that they likely aren’t as exposed to during the school year, but Beth Arky, a contributor to ChildMind.org, shares that having your kids burn off their energy outside is also good for their mental and emotional health as well.

Set Up Some Fun At-Home Activities

For many families, finding ways for your kids to spend time with other children or in day camps takes up the majority of the summer schedule. However, for the times that your kids will be at home, it’s wise to have some fun activities on-hand that will keep your kids busy.

According to Catherine Holecko, a contributor to Very Well Family, you might want to consider getting supplies for various art projects, sidewalk chalk for doodling outdoors, child-friendly exercise equipment, and odds and ends for crafting. Additionally, if your kids have expressed interest in learning anything new recently, you could get what they need to learn these things as well.

Make Summer Routines Easy

Even though your summer routine is likely going to be different than your family’s routine during the school year, it’s important that you don’t let your determination to stick to a routine falter simply because your kids don’t have school each weekday.

GreatSchools.org shares that having a daily schedule for your kids, even if it’s relatively flexible, will help your kids feel the structure and security that they need in their young lives.

If you’re wanting to make this an enjoyable summer vacation for every member of your family, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you prepare your home and family for the upcoming summer months.

 

In 2019, about 16 million homes in the United States were using digital antennas to receive broadcast stations. Indeed, the number of households around the country that have been opting for antennas instead of cable or satellite TV subscription has steeply increased in the past decade.

For those looking to enjoy top-quality, uncompressed signals by tuning in to over-the-air television broadcasts, a professional TV antenna installation may be necessary. That’s because while HDTV antenna installation may seem like an easy process, it usually isn’t. The project often involves handling electrical equipment high up on the roof of a house.

In this definitive guide, we’ll tell you all you need to know about professional TV antenna installation, including its average cost. Read on to learn more.

What Factors Determine the Cost of Professional TV Antenna Installation?

The overall cost of professional antenna installation depends on a variety of factors. Below are some of them.

The Type of Antenna You’re Installing

One of the main determinants of the total cost of TV antenna installation is the type of antenna you intend to install. Generally, indoor antennas are easier to install. Many homeowners are usually able to install these antennas on their own, thus saving on labor costs.

In most cases, however, indoor antennas aren’t suitable. Installing an outdoor antenna typically yields better results. As you’d probably expect, outdoor antenna installation costs are usually higher than those of indoor antenna installation. Talk to a seasoned TV installer to find out more.

The Cost of the Antenna

Where you’re installing a new antenna, the overall cost of antenna installation may include the cost of the unit itself. Many professional TV antenna installers also sell top-quality TV antennas.

TV antennas can range dramatically when it comes to cost. Some of the factors that determine the price of an antenna include:

• Antenna type
• Materials used
• Size of the antenna
• Manufacturing quality

The signal type in your area will determine which type of antenna to go for. If the signal in your area isn’t strong, you may need a larger outdoor antenna. Top-quality materials boost the durability of the antenna.

The Location of Your Home

Antenna installation costs vary depending on where your home is located. Homes in hilly areas, black spots, and places with low signal strength will typically need larger, more powerful outdoor antennas. That increases the overall installation cost.

Keep in mind that your technician will also need more time to access your site, do additional testing, and position your antenna higher. This also contributes to higher costs.

The Type of Building

The type of house you live in can also significantly affect how much you pay for antenna installation. Standard rates are typically based on standalone, single-story houses. These homes are comparatively easier for antenna installers to access as their roofs are lower and walls accessible for cabling.

What if you live in a townhouse or a multiple-story home? Well, installation in such a home will most likely be complex. More equipment and cabling will also be necessary, so you may need to pay more.

Number of TV Points

For first-time TV installation, you’ll most likely need extra TV points to be installed so you can watch TV in different rooms in your home. These additional TV points mean extra labor, cabling, splitters, and other components. This contributes to higher installation costs.

Whether You’re Installing Signal Boosters

If you live in an area that has a weak signal, you’ll most likely need to install a TV antenna booster or amplifier to raise your signal to the right level. A TV amplifier may also be necessary where you intend to split the signal to several wall points. Because TV amplifiers are additional pieces of equipment that add extra steps in the antenna installation process, the cost of installation will go up.

Whether You Want Wall Mounting

Getting your TV wall mounted isn’t a must, but you may want to get it done during the installation of the antenna. There are many reasons you may want to get your TV mounted on the wall, including ensuring that the antenna wall point is spot on. Wall mounting can also enhance your TV viewing experience by making sure that you get the best viewing angles.

Of course, this extra service can push your overall TV installation price slightly higher.

Qualifications and Experience of the Installer

You can, of course, get some cheap TV antenna installation services around if that’s what you want. However, be careful who you entrust the installation project to. Be especially wary of installers that charge suspiciously low prices.

Qualified, seasoned TV antenna installers may not necessarily be expensive, but they hardly ever charge rock-bottom prices. In return, you get the following:

• Antenna installed at the best possible location: Only a professional knows the most appropriate point to install your TV antenna, so you get optimum height and reception
• Correct antenna and mast securing: Outdoor TV antennas are continually battered by the elements. A professional contractor knows the most suitable way to mount the antenna, so it withstands the elements.
• Minimal damage to existing structures: A seasoned contractor knows how to drill into walls, install roof flashing, cut into tiles, and so on without causing much damage to the building. You want to avoid future complications, such as parts of your roof leaking.

What is the Average Cost of Professional TV Antenna Installation?

As you’ve seen, TV installation costs can vary depending on many factors. In 2020, antenna installation costs range from $190 to $368. The national average is thus $279.

Regardless of the reason you’re installing a TV antenna, it’s best to get it done by a professional. Sure, you may have to incur the cost of professional TV antenna installation, but the benefits are well worth it. Not only do you get the project done more quickly and safely, but also enjoy a much better TV viewing experience for a long time.

Would you like to read more great articles just like this one? Please keep visiting our website.

Is there anything more pleasing than looking out at your backyard to see a luscious, vibrant green lawn as a homeowner? Probably not. There’s something to be said about keeping your lawn healthy, thick, and green year-round – it’s no easy feat.

This is where the technique of overseeding comes in handy if your region faces harsh winters and summers. Learn more about this lawn care technique in this blog…

What is Overseeding?

The overall goal of overseeding your lawn is to grow thicker, vibrantly colored, drought and disease-resistant grass. During this process, grass seed is planted on top of existing turf. The beauty of overseeding is that this can be done without having to tear up or remove the turf or soil below.

Generally, overseeding aims to improve the density of turf, improve grass varieties and amp up the color of your lawn. So if your lawn looks a little tired or worn down after winter or summer, overseeding could help. Also, if your grass is disease or insect prone, overseeding could help combat this.

Topdressing

This is sometimes another step that may be needed after overseeding a lawn. A top layer of material is laid down on top of the turf after it has been overseeded or aerated. If your lawn has been overseeded, it will be topped with a mixture of sand, seed, and fertilizer. If it’s been aerated, it will be topped with a mix of soil, sand, and fertilizer. What is lawn aeration? Check out this lawn aeration company for more…

What are the Benefits?

Overseeding is most beneficial to older lawns. This is because they have been grown with the wrong type of turf to start with. Ultimately, this means they’re more likely to become infected with disease, require more water, and fertilizer.

With this in mind, the benefits of overseeding a lawn are second-to-none. It can help to fight off disease, insect infestations, drought, and heavy amounts of traffic. It also saves you money in the long run as you don’t have to spend on pesticides, fertilizer and extra water. Finally, your lawn looks healthy, luscious and inviting, year-round.

What to Consider Before Overseeding

The older the turf of your lawn, the more likely it is to deteriorate and die off completely over time. So it’s only natural to consider overseeding with an improved, ”younger” grass seed mixture. Overseeding is also handy for amping up areas of your lawn that look patchy, unhealthy, and threadbare.

However, it’s super important to analyze why your turf has deteriorated- other than just age. There may be a pre-existing condition that leads to the death of a newly overseeded lawn, too. Some top considerations to keep in mind:

• What is the pre-existing soil condition like?
• Does my lawn have proper drainage?
• Does the soil have efficient air circulation – is aeration required?
• Are the soil and turf receiving enough water?
• Does my lawn receive enough sunlight to remain healthy?
• Have I chosen the correct grass variety for my region?
• Are there any issues with soil compaction?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions, it may be worthwhile contacting a professional landscaping company. Essentially, you’ll need to correct any underlying issues before overseeding your lawn.

Find Homeowner Advice Just a Click Away

If you’re looking for a little more than overseeding, such as homeowner advice on home care, home construction, style, decor, and design- you’re in the right place!

Alternatively, explore the rest of this website for all the advice on lifestyle, travel, health, and budgeting tips you need.

If you are thinking of building your own home, then there is a lot you need to know and consider at the design stage.

Thomas Studio, based in Hereford in the UK provide a host of information, their guide being sure to help you on your way to building your own dream home.

The Things You Need To Know

• You’ll need to understand just what building a house entails

• What the major decisions are when choosing to self-build

• How to pick the right house plan layout

• How to work out how much floor space you need

• Just what the cost to build a house per square foot is

• All about the home building process

Hidden Costs

There are lots of hidden costs in the process of buying land and building your dream home, and you need to understand about all of these before you start the process.

For example, when you are purchasing a piece of land, you need to be able to ask the right questions before you start as well as fully understanding your needs and options.

Whether you are experienced at buying plots of land or are a first time self-builder who wants to buy land to build your own home from scratch, you really do need to understand what is involved.

The guide provided by Thomas Studio will provide you with a whole lot of answers to the many questions in understanding what is involved in the self-build process. It is a sad fact that many self-builders fail, simply because they don’t carry out all the necessary research.

There is no doubt that designing and building your dream new home is a complex process and it can be a daunting one too. However, with the right support and guidance, you can be sure to reach your goal, that of a perfect dream house and in just the location too.

One of the biggest issues to consider is what your new home has to provide, how you like to live and how this new home can meet those needs. Only when these needs and the options you have available are known is it possible to move forward.

Many self-builders want to build a ‘green home’, one that is easy on the environment and uses sustainable components. Often, they also desire a better build quality than that provided by traditional volume house builders.

However, constructing a green home will more often than not increase the overall project costs. You therefore need to be fully aware of all of the implications and hidden extra costs when using green technology and green building materials in your home.

The good news is that whilst the construction costs are often higher for green self builds, the running costs tend to be lower. You can also sometimes obtain grant payments which will offset the initial investment.

Designing and building your own home

So, what are the hidden and ‘unknown’ costs in the self build process.

Stamp duty is still payable, not to mention the clearing and excavation of the site.

You also have to be aware that the type of soil will influence such things as the type of septic system, not to mention the depth of the foundations.

One of the biggest issues is working out the actual cost to build a detached home. Once you have a good idea of the overall cost, you will want to hire a contractor that can deliver the project on budget.

That however is not as easy as it sounds as contractors are known to maximise their profit by using cheap materials whenever they can. It is therefore necessary to decide what quality design standards you want adhered too. Once decided, these standards can be written into the building contract, thus ensuring you get the standard of build you require.

There are advantages of building a custom home though.

One of the biggest advantages about building your own home is the fact that, when properly planned, that it can be very enjoyable and rewarding process. What you need is a guide to make sure you ask the right questions at all stages and who will point you in the right direction throughout the entire process.