Tips

More than 90 percent of homeowners plan to renovate their homes at some point. However, figuring out which projects to tackle first can be tough.

You want to choose a home improvement project that adds value to your property while also making the property more usable for your family. Though there are many options to choose from, some projects add more value than others.

Believe it or not, installing privacy fences is a simple yet effective way to boost your property value. Here’s what you need to do to get the most out of your project.

Choose the Right Materials

The materials you choose for your privacy fence can make all the difference in the amount of value your new fence adds to your property. You’ll want to take the time to choose materials that will last for years, but also enhance the look of your home’s exterior.

Look for materials that truly block your yard from view. Solid wood planks or vinyl fences from Butte Fence are great options.

They keep your yard secure, require minimal maintenance, and blend in with your home’s existing exterior décor. Just make sure the type of fence you’re installing is acceptable for your homeowners’ association.

If it’s not, you’ll need to choose from the types of materials they deem appropriate.

Get It Installed by a Pro

Installing a fence the right way takes a lot of training and time. If you try to do the job on your own, you may end up saving money on the installation costs, but you’ll end up spending more on future repairs.

The longer your fence lasts, the more it will increase your home resale value.

Instead of installing your privacy fence on your own, hire an experienced professional. They’ll make sure all the necessary permits are in place and can guarantee that your fence will stand up to the elements.

Implement a Maintenance Plan

A privacy fence will only increase your home value if you keep it in good condition once it’s installed. This means you’ll want to implement a maintenance plan as soon as the fence goes up.

Work with your installation expert to figure out the types of care and maintenance that your fence will need. They’ll be able to recommend a maintenance schedule based on the types of materials used.

Stick to that schedule as closely as possible. When you do, you’ll keep your fence in good shape for years to come. The better maintained your fence is, the more it will help increase your home’s resale value.

Installing Privacy Fences Is a Great Choice

Privacy fences are a wonderful way to make your home more usable while also boosting your resale value. Just remember to get the fence installed by a professional so you won’t have to worry about losing money on your investment.

Looking for more tips and tricks to help you boost your home’s resale value without breaking the bank? Check out our latest posts for more inspiration.

But before you decide to hire house painting services, take some time to get all the information needed for your interior or exterior painting job. This means knowing the right questions to ask a prospective company and comparing options.

Use these six questions as a guide for hiring home painting services.

1. Does Your Company Have the Right Credentials?

When considering a house painting company, make sure they have both the expertise and legal ability to safely work for you.

This means asking whether the company insures its contractors and does background checks on their skills and experience. It also involves checking if the company has a valid license and permit.

2. Do You Have References?

You shouldn’t just trust a house painter based on their word or pictures of their work.

Ask to speak to satisfied customers and learn about their experiences. Also, check reviews online to learn about the good and bad aspects of the house painting services provider.

3. What Will the Painting Process Look Like?

Before moving forward, learn what you can expect from your interior or exterior painting services.

This includes everything from learning about the appointments needed and time to finish the project to the specific steps the company will take. You can also ask how they prepare your property for the job and clean up afterward.

4. What Kind of Paint Do You Use?

You may have a specific brand of paint you like or a type such as low-odor that you need for your family’s health.

Find out which products the company uses for home painting services. Make sure they can accommodate any preferences you have.

5. How Much Will Painting Services Cost?

While you want high-quality work, you also probably prefer to hire affordable painting services.

Ask for an estimate of the job and inquire about any hidden charges that may apply. For example, you may find the company charges extra for wall preparation, so prepare accordingly.

6. Do You Include a Warranty?

Since house painting services can come with a big price tag, you want that work guaranteed for a long time.

So, ask the company if they guarantee the painting work performed and how long they do so. Also, find out exactly what that warranty would cover so you don’t end up still needing to put out money for labor or materials costs again.

Start Researching House Painting Services Today

Although doing the painting job yourself might seem appealing financially, hiring professional house painting services saves a lot of time and hassle. Asking these questions will help you understand each company and choose the best for your painting job.

Whether you’re seeking exterior or interior painting services, try to ask the prospective company for a consultation. That provides a great chance to ask these questions and get opinions.

Be sure to check out our other posts for more home design and improvement information.

Did you know that there were over 375,000 house painters in the USA in 2018?

Wherever you live, hiring a house painter can bring vibrancy and new life to your house. It can also be a wise investment as quality painting can increase the value of your house.

If you are considering having your house painted, what do you need to know? How much does a painter cost?

Why not check out our in-depth article to find out.

House Painters Hourly Fee

When deciding whether to hire a painter, it is often good to learn whether they charge by project or by the hour.

Often house painters can command up to $50 per hour. However, depending on the time of the year and the location and condition of the house, this may be open to negotiation.

If you are interested in something a little more adventurous, such as a wall mural, you may need to add 50% on top of the hourly fee for this specialist skill.

What Factors Affect the Cost?

There are generally 3 factors that affect the cost of the painting work.

The Size of the Project

Of course the larger the surface, the more paint that will be required. However, this is not the end of the story. If you have multiple types of surfaces, such as woodwork, more paint and paint types will be needed. This will affect the price.

The Texture and Conditions of Your Walls

If the wall needs extensive repair work before the paint can be applied, this will add to the cost. Even walls that are in good condition, but have a coarse texture, will require more paint than smooth walls.

Drying Time

Multiple coats will be needed in most cases. If there is not good ventilation in the painted area, it can take some time for the paint to dry. If this delays the project it could add to the overall cost. Factor in the time taken for the paint to dry when budgeting for this project.

What Can You do to Lower Costs?

If you would like to reduce the cost of the painting project overall, there are some small steps that you can take.

You could repair any damage to the wall yourself before the painters arrive. This would involve using acrylic caulking to fill in holes and cracks.

Before the painters start, you should move all furniture out of the way. This will means that the painter can start work sooner and you will reduce his overall charge.

How Much Does a Painter Cost? and Much More

Painting your house is much more than simply changing its color. It can add sparkle and vibrance to your home and potentially add to its value. Of course, you will need to plan this investment carefully and factor in paint and painter cost.

If you want to learn more about house and real estate developments, then we are here to help. We gather the latest information on these subjects and bring them to you in our feed. Why not take a minute to check out our other blog articles?

After you have a family, it’s only natural to start considering buying a home. However, a house is no small purchase. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial commitments that you’ll make in your lifetime, so it’s important that you know what you’re doing.

Knowing what to look for is critical when on your home search. Fortunately, you’ve come across a useful list of some of the most important things to look for in your first family home.

Location

You’ve probably heard the saying before, “location location location,” and the truth is it couldn’t be more correct. One of the most important things that you should consider is where the property is that you’re considering purchasing. If you hope to sell your home again one day for a handsome price, your best chance of doing so will be if you purchase in an ideal location.

The truth is that most of the time, you can fix imperfections in a home that you buy. However, you can’t fix the location that you buy in. It’s important that you consider the neighborhood, the proximity to where you work, and of course, how close it is to things like school and friends. A house can be perfect on the inside, but if it’s in the middle of nowhere far from everything that you need access to, it won’t be long before you want to move.

Bedrooms

It’s easy to look at a home that you’re considering and consider the number of rooms for the number of people that are in your family currently. However, it’s important to look into the future when considering the number of bedrooms for your home.

Consider whether your family might want to expand one day and whether you might need more rooms. By looking into the future, you’ll determine the best amount of bedrooms that you’ll need realistically.

Backyard

It’s no secret that children have a lot of energy. Make sure that you choose a home that has a large backyard or plenty of room to run around in. You may want to consider adding things like play equipment or even a pool. So take the size of the yard into consideration when looking at properties.

The Neighborhood

It’s important that you live in a safe place when you live with children. Take a look at what the crime rate is in the neighborhood you’re considering, and whether it’s known for being family-friendly.

Do the neighbors seem friendly, and do they have children of their own? Looking into things like this will ensure that you are happy in the neighborhood where you’ll be living. Not all neighborhoods are ideal for family homes.

Oak has always been popular for use in different structures, and its properties make it a particularly valuable element that can increase the value of any property. Did you know that there are more than 600 kinds of oak trees found in the northern hemisphere, and most of these are suitable for use as timber? Two particular species are often found in the European continent as well – Q. petraea and Q. robur. These species of oak have been widely used for centuries, especially for the making of furniture, decorative elements, and architectural or structural supports (such as oak beams). If you have oak wood in your home – whether in the form of beams, furniture and more – it pays to preserve it so you can enjoy it for years to come. Here’s more on what you should know about oak wood properties and benefits – and why restoring oak is always an excellent decision.

Oak properties and characteristics that make it incredibly valuable

• Flexibility – oak has an innate strength and obvious physical appeal, which makes it ideal for various purposes. A typical oak tree can grow to a great height, and this means that it can produce a lot of timber indeed. The timber’s length makes it even more suitable for exterior cladding and flooring and beams. If you use oak for your property, the work can be more quickly and effectively finished simply because you need fewer pieces. And since oak is relatively uniform in grain and colour, it gives you a highly-consistent finish.
• Durability – as you may already know, oak is immensely hardy and durable – if you have oak beams, then you can definitely see for yourself how durable those oak beams are, even if they are already decades old. Numerous buildings framed in oak and built centuries ago are still standing today, and this certainly proves how long oak can last. Oak inherently contains a high percentage of tannin, making it amazingly resistant to fungi or insects. Unlike other kinds of wood, oak is not as likely to rot or decay. When you use particular drying methods that remove moisture within the wood, the timber produced is more weather-proof than most and doesn’t require extensive chemical treatment, if at all. Oak is also less likely to shrink or warp compared to other kinds of wood.
• Aesthetic appeal – without a doubt, oak is aesthetically pleasing to the eye. This is one of the vital reasons why it remains a desirable timber; it has a naturally pleasant goldish color that dries to a silvery hue and tone eventually. It also has visible graining, which doesn’t require waxing or staining to emphasise it. The texture of oak also makes it attractive, especially to home and property owners who are looking for a natural wooden sheen.

If you have old oak beams, old oak furniture, and the like, you should take extra care to preserve it. Old oak beams, in particular, are very attractive and can lend a uniquely appealing look to the interior of a building. If your old oak beams need to be renovated or restored, there are beam renovation specialists who can provide you with their expertise and can bring back the beauty and appeal of the wood – and it’s definitely worth it.

 

Do you want to know how to clean ceiling fans? During this lockdown period, it can be vitally important to keep your home as clean as possible. If you don’t then you could end up getting ill from the dust circulating in your room.

How should approach how to clean ceiling fans so that your cleaning is effective? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Clean?

You might ask what’s the point in cleaning your ceiling fan? Indeed what’s the point in cleaning anything? If fans gather dust – and let’s face it they usually gather more dust than most appliances by being out of reach – then they start to infect the air that you breathe.

If the air is full of dust particles it can start to affect your breathing and can even lead to increased allergies. During these difficult COVID times it’s more important than ever that we keep our respiratory health in top shape.

With lockdowns meaning, we are spending more time inside than ever before there’s never been a more important time to ensure our homes are clean.

Safety First

The most important thing you need to consider when cleaning a fan is safety. First of all, ensure the power is turned off. You don’t want to risk electrocuting yourself. Double-check that your fan is off before you begin work on it.

You might also need to get a ladder to clean your fan. If this is the case take proper safety precautions first. Only use a small step ladder. Ensure that it is secure before you climb it. You might also want to consider taking a course on how to use a ladder safely.

If you have another person in the house then consider getting them to stand by it to hold it in place. It’s also worth having another person nearby in case you were to slip and fall. They can ensure you receive medical attention straight away.

Consider Using an Extendable Duster

If you don’t want to use a ladder then consider getting an extendable duster. You can only use one of these if your ceiling is low enough or your fan is not too difficult to clean from a distance.

You might want to use an extendable duster for a quick more regular clean but every now and then it’s important to climb up high and check over your fan to give it a deep clean. This is ceiling fan maintenance.

Get Spraying

Another technique you can use to make sure your fans are clean is a dusting spray. This spray can help you clean up the dust with no problem.

These sprays are usually full of pressurized air and can be useful for getting rid of thick dust that might stay on the surface even after you have given it a clean with an extendable duster or cloth.

Hire a Cleaner

Of course, if you don’t like cleaning your fan or you’re no good at it then you can hire a cleaner. The question of how often you clean your fan or hire a cleaner to do it for you can be tricky but a cleaner might have the answer.

They might charge more during the current pandemic and you may need to practice social distancing but they can be a great investment and you can ensure they do the job properly.

Always wear a mask and make sure your cleaner wears a mask. This is not just about the current pandemic, you should wear one even when the coronavirus has completely disappeared so that you don’t inhale the dust particles.

Look online on professional cleaning sites to make sure you hire a cleaner who will do a good job rather than just hiring a friend or someone who posted on Facebook.

Be sure to ask them what their hourly rate is and whether they can spend some specific time on cleaning your fan.

Clean that Motor

The most important part of the fan that you need to clean is the motor. This is the part that can stop the entire fan from working if it gets clogged up with dust. Do not attempt to clean this on your own. You should also stop your cleaner from touching it either.

Instead, you need to call on a special expert to help you clean the motor. They can dismantle the entire fan and clean the motor and all the rotor blades as well. You can be on standby to assist them if necessary but it is the expert themselves who should be doing the cleaning itself.

Start by looking for the manufacturer of the ceiling fan itself. Perhaps they can send someone over to help you or recommend a licensed engineer to help you. Failing this you can begin searching on Google or asking friends for recommendations as to who to call to come and clean your ceiling motor.

If you have a noisy ceiling fan they might also be able to fix it to enable it to run more smoothly.

How to Clean Ceiling Fans? Clean Regularly

If you’re thinking about the best way of how to clean a ceiling fans then the answer is to do it regularly so that the dust doesn’t build up. You should also consider hiring an expert every few months to come and clean the motor and check it over.

If you are interested in reading more great content be sure to check out the rest of our site.

Over 37% of homeowners have experienced damage caused by flooding. This flooding can be caused by things like leaking plumbing pipes or forces of nature. When faced with flooding issues, your main concern needs to be getting them fixed in a timely manner.

Removing water from your home and fixing any damage it has caused is a job best left to water damage restoration professionals. With all of the different water damage restoration companies operating on the modern market, finding the right one to hire will be difficult.

Are you trying to hire professionals to remove water from your home? If so, consider the helpful tips below.

1. Assess the Services Offered by a Water Damage Restoration Company

Some homeowners think that simply removing water from their flooded residence is all it takes to fix this problem. In reality, standing water in a home can cause lots of damage, which is why working with professionals is so important. As you start to research the various water damage restoration services in your area, be sure to assess the types of services each one offers.

Ideally, you want to find a company that offers mold remediations, carpet cleaning, and water extraction services. Finding a company that offers all of these services will remove some of the stress and frustration associated with cleaning up a flooded home.

If you do choose a company that has to subcontract out parts of this job, be sure to find out more about the individuals they are hiring. The more you know about the process a company uses to address water damage, the easier it will be to avoid problems.

2. Choose a Company With Extensive Experience

Removing water from a flooded home and mitigating the risks this moisture can cause is difficult. Without the right amount of experience and professional-grade equipment, getting the water out of your residence will be impossible. Making sure the company you are thinking of hiring has extensive experience with water damage restoration is a wise move.

Choosing a company that is relatively new and unproven can come back to haunt you in the future. The money paid to a water removal expert will be worth it considering the problems they can help you prevent.

Taking the time to go online and look at the reviews for a water damage restoration company is crucial. With this information, you can figure out whether or not a particular business is the right fit for your needs.

3. Schedule Multiple Consultations

Most water damage restoration companies offer consultations to potential customers. During these consultations, you will be able to find out more about a company and what they will charge for the job at hand.

While participating in multiple consultations will be time-consuming, it is worth the effort. The information from these consultations allows you to make an informed decision regarding which company to hire.

It’s Time to Find a Water Damage Restoration Company

As you can see, finding the right water damage restoration company is not easy. Researching all of the companies in your area is essential when trying to make the right hire.

Are you looking for more information on handling common home repairs? If so, check out the rest of our blogs.

If you’re just starting with a new small business, one of the first things you’re going to want to take care of is setting yourself up a new website. Not only will your website we used to get in touch with current and prospective customers and clients, but you can and should also conduct your business through your website. And for those who aren’t yet working with you, a strong website can help them make the decision to use your products or services in the first place.

To help you set something up that’s going to be a true benefit for your new organization, here are three tips for creating a website for your small business.

Find The Right Web Hosting Service

Before you really start working on your website, you’re going to need to find the right web hosting service to host your website and act as your go-to if you have questions or problems with the functionality of your website and how it interacts with the Internet.

According to Allison Bowlus, a contributor to AllBusiness and Forbes.com, one of the best options for a young business that’s looking to grow is to use a virtual private server. This hosting service will give you the hosting services and security you’ll want for your website without having to pay a huge monthly fee that many startups can’t really afford.

Design For Easy Use

Now that you have your web hosting figured out, you’ll want to focus your attention on designing a great website that’s going to be easy and intuitive for your visitors.

When aiming for easy use and navigation, Kelly Main, a contributor to Fit Small Business, recommends that you start by setting up a sitemap so you can see how you want your navigation to be laid out and what pages you’ll have connected to each other in a hierarchy. This can make it much easier for you to plan how visitors will move through your website and eventually convert.

Make Contacting You Effortless

Despite all your efforts to get everything taken care of with your new website, there’s a great possibility that you’ll forget some information or not have all the details that some visitors will be looking for. In these situations, you’ll want to make it easy for your visitors to contact you.

While you can include your phone number or email address, Syed Balkhi, a contributor to Entrepreneur.com, recommends that you make this even more effortless by using a contact form or a chat service. Taking these measures can make your visitors more likely to get in contact with you when they need something, which can quickly turn them from visitors to customers.

If you’re about to start a new website for your new business, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you get everything set up correctly.

Talk about the transportation of the future has usually concentrated on such things as flying cars, sophisticated rail systems and autonomous vehicles. However, a good case can be made for the electric bicycle as the ideal mode of transportation for the present and the future. There is an electric bicycle for men and for women. Sales are skyrocketing, and for good reason. The electric bicycle is affordably priced, environmentally friendly and convenient for both the city and the suburbs. In many cases, it offers a little more flexibility and freedom than a bus or subway system. In fact, the electric bike is a great way to get around cities of all sizes, from those as large as New York City to smaller towns such as Savannah, Georgia, and Ashland, Oregon. Here are some great American cities to commute in or explore on two wheels by way of electrical power:

• Portland, OR, is the place to ride to famous Powell’s Books or relax at a trendy brewpub
• Tuscon, AZ, offers nice weather year-round and open spaces just outside of the city
• San Diego, CA, has the Mission Bay Park with its abundant bike paths and water views
• Chicago, IL, has the Lake Michigan bike path that can be used for sightseeing and commuting
• Boulder, CO, provides access to bustling Pearl Street and a lively restaurant scene

With its pedal-assist technology, the flexible electric bicycle is suitable for all ages. The bike frames are robust enough to allow commuters and others to carry some extra gear.

A Solid Choice of Styles and Features

The consumer is king when it comes to finding the right bike for each individual. A ladies electric bike comes in many shapes, styles and colors. All of the conveniences of comfort and speed make the journey in the city or suburbs more rewarding and more enjoyable. Upright handlebars, comfortable seats, strong brakes and sturdy tires combine to make a better ride. The customer can also choose between a 250 watt or a 500 watt motor. The larger motor offers a little more speed and power, but both will work on climbing the biggest urban hills. Speeds of 30 mph can be reached with the larger motor. Riders can also choose from three modes: all electric, pedal assist and all manual. Once the rider has found a suitable bike and chosen the perfect fit, the e-bike is ready to be shipped and power the person to work or play.

A New World of Biking

The days of suffering on a bike are over. There is no need to feel cramped and sore or struggle up that final hill on the way home or to work. Best of all, the rider gets to feel the weather of the day and hear the sounds of the city. The electric motor runs quiet and smooth. It’s easy to buy electric bike online with a convenient website that includes valuable information such as styles, models, colors and pricing. Consumers, whether male or female, young or old, large or small, can find the perfect fit with the Fit Tool application.