Month: April 2020

6 Things You Forgot to Check Off Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

In most places, spring is just about in full swing, which means many of us are taking a little extra time to sweep away the dust and grime of winter.

When it comes to spring cleaning checklist, many to-dos are no-brainers: dust the shelves, mop the floors, clean out the cabinets, etc. But there are a few very important spring cleaning tasks that are easy to forget about during our annual deep-cleaning sessions. Here are the top 6 home cleaning and maintenance tasks you probably forgot to check off your spring cleaning checklist this year:

Add These 6 Tasks to Your Spring Cleaning Checklist:

1. Check Your HVAC System

Before you switch off the heat and turn on the air, you may want to give your HVAC system a once-over to make sure it’s running properly before the temperatures start rising. After all, there’s nothing worse than realizing your AC is busted on a hot summer day!

2. Drain Your Boiler

If your home uses a boiler for heat, draining your boiler in the springtime is a great way to keep your boiler in tip-top shape. It’s recommended that you drain your boiler at least once a year to prevent mineral buildup and corrosion. 

3. Examine Your Plumbing

Not-so-fun-fact: 10% of American homes have small plumbing leaks that can waste up to 90 gallons of water a day.

Spring is an important time to check on your plumbing system, as cooler winter temperatures may have taken their toll on your home’s plumbing, especially if you live in a northern climate. Call a home plumbing expert to make sure that the winter’s frigid temperatures haven’t caused any leaks or drips since the fall.

4. Check Your Sump Pump

If your home has a sump pump, remember to ask your plumber to give it a thorough once-over during your plumbing inspection. 

5. Clean Your Chimney

Fireplaces get a lot of use over the winter, which means their attached chimneys do as well. Over the years, chimneys can develop a dangerous buildup of creosote, a byproduct of burning wood. This buildup can cause your chimney to ventilate less efficiently, which can pose a fire hazard in your home. Inspect and clean your chimney at least once a year to keep your house and family safe. 

6. Inspect Your Detectors

Finally, every homeowner should be testing and inspecting their smoke detectors at least twice a year. Also, keep in mind that almost all smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years – this includes wired detectors. You can tell if it’s time to change your detectors by checking the manufacturing date on the side of the detector. 

Need help reaching your smoke detectors? Let the home maintenance experts at Handyman Connection handle all your smoke alarm installation and maintenance needs. 

Call Handyman Connection to Help With Your Spring Home Maintenance

If you need help keeping your home safe, comfortable and well-maintained this spring, give us a call. We offer a wide variety of handyman services across the United States and Canada, including electrical work, plumbing, general home maintenance, fence repair, deck repair and more.

Reach out today to get a FREE estimate from a Handyman Connection location near you!

Download our free spring cleaning infographic below!

The post 6 Things You Forgot to Check Off Your Spring Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Top 5 ways to grow your home improvement business online

Homeowners are constantly needing home improvements, repairs, and upgrades to their properties. While some homeowners are taking the DIY approach to home improvements, many of them would rather hire a professional to do the job for them. Plus, some home improvement jobs, like electrical and plumbing projects, require specific skills and expertise to do correctly and safely. There are some large-scale renovations that would be nearly impossible to tackle, or incredibly time-consuming, even for avid DIYers.

That’s where you come in. As a home improvement professional, you know that there is work out there, but a lot of competition. This is especially true for trades, repair and renovation service providers like your company. You want to make sure that homeowners that need your service can find you, and that they find you before they find your competitors.

The first place they’re going to look at is the internet. Nearly every single consumer does research online before calling a business. Phone books and newspaper directories are nearly obsolete. You must have an online presence. How are you competing with other companies when potential customers turn to the web for home improvement services?

Online marketing is essential to your company’s success. If customers can’t find you, you’ll never get the business. That’s why you must put some effort and investment in making sure they do. You can spend as little or as much money as you want on your online marketing, but it will be money well spent either way. Gone are the days of expensive newspaper and television advertising. If you want to be seen, you must make sure you’re seen online.

We’ve put together 5 tips to help you grow your business online.

1. Build a user-friendly website

It’s surprising how many trades and home improvement companies still don’t have a website at all, let alone a well-designed one. You must have a website, even if it is a simple one. If a customer can’t find your website, because you don’t have one or because it’s not coming up in search engine results, they’ll move on to a business they can find.

How your website looks matters too. Simply having a list of services you provide won’t cut it in today’s digital age. Customers need to see a professional, well-build web design that provides them with the accurate information they need. If your website is dated, poorly designed and/or amateur looking, a consumer will move on. A bad website will deter customers, just like a deteriorated or disorganized storefront would.

Users want to feel informed after looking at your website and ready to make a purchasing decision. That means you need to provide them with clear and concise information that is easy for them to access. A list of services and poorly formatted cell-phone images will not help them do that. Invest in a simple web design, use some bright professional images (even stock images are better than unprofessional photos), and make sure you includes easy-to-find pages that best highlight what you do.

It must be visually appealing and have clear navigation so web visitors can easily find the information they’re looking for. You should have clear and concise copy, written with search engine optimization in mind and plenty of CTAs (call to action) throughout the site. Then make it simple and obvious how they can contact you to get started. The easier it is for them to contact you, the more informed leads you’ll get just from the website alone.

2. Invest in search engine optimization so people can find your website

Good search engine optimization (SEO) makes your website and other online listings easy to find using simple search terms. For example, if someone is searching for the ‘best plumbers in Winnipeg’ you want your company to appear in the first few search results. So how do you do that?

You can spend a lot of money with an SEO company, and while that can be effective, there are some cost-friendly things you can do to help your company boost its rankings. All SEO is helping Google find your website when those terms are searched, so you can be ranked above your competitors. Here’s how you can help make that happen organically:

Simple SEO Tips:

Google My Business: Sign up for a free Google My Business listing. When people search for your business name, your listing will appear on the right sidebar of their search results screen. Other search engines like Bing offer a similar free listing.

Use keywords: Do a simple keyword analysis and research using Google’s free keyword planner tool. This will give an idea of how people are searching for businesses like yours online. This is something that will help with future pay-per-click advertising as well, which will be discussed further in this article.

SEO-rich content: Rewrite your web content to include some keywords and phrases. Make sure it still flows well and is easy to read. If you’re doing this yourself, invest in a tool like Grammarly to check your spelling, punctuation and grammar. If you’re not confident in your own ability, pay for a copywriter to develop professional content for your site. Poorly written web copy will certainly turn away interested web users.

Use proper titles and headings: Make sure your content has proper page titles, headings, and sub-headings to make the content easier to digest for both the reader and search engines. This contributes to how your pages will appear on search results. The clearer they are, the better.

Have a clear navigation menu: Adjust your navigation so you have internal links throughout your website. Make sure the important pages you want to highlight are easy to find.

Use social media: Be active on social media and post content frequently. Sometimes a search engine will bring up your social media posts in their search results. You can also run social media ads to assist with this.

Create online listings: Create some listings for your business on other sites. Examples would be your social media sites, Yelp and RenovationFind.

Invest in SEO services: If it’s in the budget, paying for professional SEO services could be worth the investment. They can provide more tips on how to make your well-designed website more searchable online.

3. Invest in Pay-Per-Click Advertising

Sites like Google, Bing and social media channels offer pay-per-click (PPC) advertising to help businesses grow their presence and get more leads online. While you may use some strong keywords and phrases, paying for those keywords through a company like Google will ensure your company ranks first every time. This is especially true for highly competitive keywords, especially if your competitors are using PPC.

Platforms like Google Ads can be used by anyone familiar with a computer and the internet. You can search for keywords and phrases, then start paid advertising campaigns that link to a relevant page on your site. You’ve seen those paid ads come up on search results before, right there on the top of the results. Then when someone clicks on them, you get billed for it. You can spend as little or as much as you want by capping your ad budget, but it’s an effective way to get people to your website.

If you’re not sure how to get started, consider hiring a professional Google Ads consultant. Many marketing agencies and freelancers offer this service. It can help you set up Google Ads that will bring the most results for your unique business and specific keywords. All the data and analytics can be confusing for some, so if you want to do this properly and you’re not sure how enlisting the help of a professional will help you achieve better results.

4. Consider using content marketing to build your brand

Blog content marketing

Websites that are constantly producing new content typically do better with SEO. You can add a blog to your website and publish articles related to your business. For example, handyman services can provide how-to articles, maintenance tips and before and after articles of jobs they’ve completed. You can provide helpful advice and inspiration for future projects.

This gives web users more reason to visit your website. They come for the helpful information you provide and then they might decide to browse your website while they’re there. Better yet, they might contact you to provide the service they’re researching. If they’re not ready to call you, they will remember your company when they are. While you’re developing and publishing content, you are constantly giving search engines more content to provide in search results. Plus, you’re creating an online brand while you’re at it.

If you start a blog, share your content online by posting it on your social media pages. Tagging organizations and other companies in your blog posts on social media channels can help you drum up more interest and engagement.

Email marketing

Email marketing can be part of your content marketing strategy. If you have an email contact list that is compliant with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), you can send email marketing campaigns using the content you’ve created. CASL requires every contact on your list to express consent to receive marketing messages through digital means. You can collect contacts through an email signup form to your website. This allows users to opt-in to receive your company news and other home renovation or trades related information on a regular basis.

Email campaigns can provide users with links back to your website to read more content. That will create more informed leads, which is what you need to grow your business. That, combined with your social media and PPC efforts, will give your business a well-rounded and engaging presence online.

Plus, email marketing is effective in keeping prior customers engaged with your business. They might not need your services now, but if they’re getting news from you every few months, you’ll remain on the top of their minds. Over time, it will show them that you’re an expert in your field and help strengthen your brand. Then when they need your service, you’ll be the first company they call.

5. Develop an online reputation that people trust

It doesn’t matter how well you do the four things listed above. If you have rotten reviews and are not a company that people can trust, they won’t connect with your business. The most important thing you can do is make sure your home improvement company is a company that people can trust. A bad reputation will lose deals and lose online interest very quickly.

Did you know that consumers will often look at 10 sources of information before they hire a home renovation or home improvement company? What are they looking for? They’re looking for certifications and proof of trustworthiness and quality work. This is more important to them than the bottom of the barrel pricing. What kind of certification does your company have?

Build trust with certifications. RenovationFind can help.

RenovationFind offers a certification process that reviews 7 criteria that are important to homeowners when searching for a home improvement company to hire. These criteria include thorough legal background checks, credit background checks, looking for a proper business license and insurance, WCB coverage and monitoring customer complaints and Better Business Bureau memberships. Using a third-party organization, companies are vetted based on these criteria, and then continually monitored to ensure they’re keeping up to standard. Learn how it works.

Using this screening process, RenovationFind creates ratings for every company listed on the site. For example, a company that has a BBB membership will receive a higher rating than a company that doesn’t. However, every company listed on the site has passed the screening process and is RenovationFind Certified. That tells homeowners that they are vetted and trustworthy, which for most consumers, is the most important thing. Especially since renovations can be a substantial financial investment. No one wants to get ripped off, and unfortunately in the home renovation industry, people are getting ripped off by bad contractors all the time.

When homeowners see this kind of certification, they know that they are researching a company that they can trust. They won’t have to worry about shoddy workmanship, unfair billing or being left with work unfinished by a fly-by-night contractor. They know the company has been tried and tested by other consumers, that the experience was positive, and that they can be trusted with their hard-earn renovation dollars.

Spending time and money on a well-designed website, search engine optimization, content marketing and pay-per-click advertising will help you grow your business online. Building a brand and reputation your current and potential customers can trust will turn that online presence into lucrative leads for your company.

Trustworthy home improvement companies on RenovationFind.com

When a homeowner finds a company on RenovationFind.com they can consider it a personal, unbiased and truthful personal recommendation from us to them. This is good for business.

Another Helpful Article is >>> WHY CONSUMER REVIEWS CAN’T BE TRUSTED

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

Is Lockdown the Best Time to Remodel Your House or Apply for an Extension?

The lockdown measures implemented to help combat the spread of Covid-19 have led to sizeable changes within planning departments. Case officers are working from home and site visits have been suspended, factors which could understandably deter homeowners from submitting new applications for projects.

But could this actually be the best time to apply for planning permission to build an extension, or remodel a home? 

Delays responding to major project applications have been observed, and some applications have reportedly become harder to process due to planning committees being unable to meet in person and determine applications in the normal way (although virtual committees have taken place in recent weeks). This means that planning officers, in some instances, have more time to focus on smaller applications. 

Aspiring extenders and remodelers across the UK could yet make the most of this situation, so we asked homebuilding experts if now is in fact the optimal time to apply to remodel or build an extension.

Do Planning Officers Have More Time Available?

Planning committees normally have to meet in person to discuss major projects, reviewing any objections or problems with an application. Despite the launch of virtual committees, experts agree that there is likely to be delays in some decisions. 

“These delays could leave planners with more time to determine minor applications, including most homeowner applications,” says Michael Holmes, director of content at Homebuilding & Renovating. “Most minor applications are dealt with under delegated powers and so do not go to planning committees.” 

Paul Testa from Paul Testa Architecture agrees that the possible delays favourably impact those applying for smaller projects. Testa told Homebuilding & Renovating: “What we are hearing is that generally for big schemes getting planning permission is less clear-cut, but for smaller schemes like extensions and remodels, case officers don’t have many consultees to deal with. 

“Planning officers aren’t able to deal with their normal consultees in the same way, so they’ve actually got a bit more time to be empowered to make decisions quickly, to clear the smaller jobs off their desk.

“Providing highways issues aren’t a factor, then now is the best time to submit a planning application in most locations.”

Merry Albright, Creative Director at Border Oak Design & Construction, adds that planning officers could be incentivised to approve smaller schemes.

“Extensions and remodelling applications should be taking less time to review because the government has issued advice saying that these are the applications that should be going through,” she told Homebuilding & Renovating. “Unless there is a specific reason for an applicant being rejected, right now there’s no reason for an officer to delay these applications.”

Holmes urges caution, however. “For homeowners, this could be a double-edged sword, as case officers with a reduced workload could pay greater scrutiny to even minor applications. 

“Moreover, the reality for most planners is that they have been hugely understaffed and overstretched in recent years, so a reduced workload would just mean a more manageable workload.”

What Should Extenders and Remodelers Do?

The first thing you should do, Albright says, is look at whether you definitely need formal planning approval. There are many changes you can make using Permitted Development, which grants rights to enable homeowners to undertake certain types of work without the need to apply for planning permission.

“You don’t always need planning permission to extend. If you’re right at the beginning of the process, investigate whether you need formal approval. There are lots of things you can do without need to file an application,” she says.

(MORE: 20 Things You Can Do Without Planning Permission)

If you require planning permission, Albright urges all applicants to be helpful and proactive with your planning officer.

“Be as helpful as you can. One would imagine on smaller applications that case officers would be less likely to scrutinise, but if it’s all they’re working on then they have more time to review it. We’ve had a lot more phone calls from planning officers asking us for more information, such as ‘can you send us this photograph?’, which normally they don’t have time to do. 

“You might need to email and phone your case officer and enquire about any problems and how you can help. Keep applying pressure if you haven’t heard anything back.”

What Problems Could You Face?

With site visits suspended and case officers working from home, local authorities’ planning departments have been appreciably affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

Holmes says that, on a general basis, “I am finding, and hearing, that it is taking longer than usual to get certain applications registered, probably due to staff being quarantined and not immediately set up for home working.

“I have also heard of some authorities not accepting any new applications whilst they clear the backlog.”

Albright states that, for new applicants, filing a new application ultimately depends on your planning department and the case officers involved. 

“The government has been clear though that planning departments should find innovative ways to review applications, even if it’s done a slightly different way,” she said.

These alternative ways of working are wide-ranging. For example, a site visit is usually made by a case officer to review the application after the consultation period of 21 days, but under lockdown these visits are not happening and applicants are being advised to submit photographs to provide officers with as much information as possible. 

(MORE: Securing Planning Permission During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know)

Testa added that good quality photos were vital in his firm securing a recent approval. “We had one approved last week that was two weeks early, which seemed a bit tricky at first because the council couldn’t do a site visit, but because of the photos that we sent, suddenly it was done.”

Holmes added: “I expect Google Earth and Street View are playing a more important role in development control than ever.”

Meanwhile, planning notices (which are undertaken by local planning authorities to ensure a formal period of public consultation prior to a decision being made on an application), are usually updated by council employees or contractors, but some councils are not putting up site notices about the status of applications during lockdown. 

Holmes and Albright both suggest that the method of publicising planning applications during lockdown could be changing, and these new routes could subsequently speed up applications.

“Under lockdown I have heard of notices being mailed out to applicants and owners to put out to display, and parish councils can too play a role in this,” said Holmes. 

Albright added: “There are other ways of publicising planning applications. It could be through community websites or through planning officers approaching parish councils or their clerks who often have more knowledge about the area. If you can get notices up, people will see them.”

Holmes concludes that local authorities will generally want to approve small applications to help stimulate the economy, and this is a primary benefit of applying for permission now if you want to remodel or build an extension.

“What is for certain is that the whole of the UK will need to do all it can to generate economic activity to rebuild the economy. Home improvement projects could play a big part in this.” 

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

How to Dispose of Building Waste During Lockdown

Disposing of household waste has been a notable problem facing homeowners since Covid-19 lockdown measures were introduced in March. Tips and recycling centres were among the businesses to close their doors, leaving households without a valuable resource.

Waste and rubbish collection facilities are still operating across the UK, but several councils have reported sharp rises in illegal fly-tipping. MPs and councillors have since pleaded for tips to reopen, providing measures are introduced to allow for social distancing.

And the plea has worked, to an extent. Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council announced last week that all its recycling centres will reopen, albeit with temporary restrictions in place to allow for social distancing. And some centres will reopen in Manchester during the next two weeks, Greater Manchester’s Mayor Andy Burnham revealed on Wednesday.

However, depending on where you live, your local recycling centres may remain closed for the foreseeable future. And if you’ve been using lockdown to make home improvements, or were in the middle of a building project, you will likely be left with building waste on top of your everyday household waste, so here are some tips to make the most of a rubbish situation.

Can You Hire a Skip During Lockdown?

Yes. Many skip hire companies and comparison sites remain operational, including SkipHire, Biffa and Skip Hire Comparison. However, the template message to expect is that delays are likely, due to demand problems and delays in fulfilling orders. 

Alternatively, those with smaller amounts of waste could consider hiring a skip bag. Skip bag services are ideal if you’ve been performing DIY tasks and you’re looking to remove anything from old bathrooms and kitchens, garden waste, as well as soil and rubble.

Contact-free delivery and collection companies such as Hippo Waste, Clearabee Skip Bag or Skipbag will deliver a strong bag to your house and collect it from your driveway once it’s full. On average, you can expect to purchase a 90cm x 90cm x 90cm bag for £110-£135, which is delivered and collected from your home. 

Harry Lloyd, head of marketing at Hippobag, said: “We are open for business as normal and aiming for all collections to be made in five working days.

“With a range of Hippobag sizes to suit every need we can support all requirements, removing waste from all manner of home or garden projects. Our unique craned fleet allows for a contactless pick up to ensure we adhere by the social distancing guidelines.”

Hippobag also recommends making the most of your space. “Fill up items that can’t be broken down to ensure there is no wasted space in your bins. And aim to use every square centimeter of space you have.”

Be Creative With Building Waste

In addition to using a skip or skip bag, you may want to consider ways to minimise waste by being creative with surplus building materials.

For example, you could:

  • Use whole bricks and blocks elsewhere – they could potentially be used in landscaping projects
  • Compact clean rubble and reuse it as hardcore for landscaping purposes (hardcore essentially refers to a gravelly mix that can be used to create a level base for heavy load-bearing surfaces)
  • Keep clean hardcore for use beneath patios
  • Use any clean wood in a woodburner, and use offcuts or shavings to make a bird table or another garden ornament.

Not only does recycling, reusing and repurposing old items have environmental benefits, but it can help you save money by maximising the life of materials. 

(MORE: How to Get Rid of Rubble)

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Why April is the Best Month to Tackle Home Maintenance Projects

April is a great month to tackle home maintenance projects. It’s the perfect time of year to take on the many home projects you may have been putting off all winter. Get started with these April home improvement projects this spring!

April is the perfect month to repair peeling paint. Walk around both the exterior and interior of your home. Consider retouching any cracking and peeling paint. Painting your home will give your home a new and tidy feel, perfect for the spring!

April is the month when people start getting outdoors more often. Want to install a deck this spring? Or is your current deck ready to be re-stained or cleaned? How about your patio? Does it need an upgrade? Maintaining your deck and patio is the perfect home maintenance project for April because in most places temperatures in most places are finally perfect for having dinner outside with friends and family.

April is a great month to clean and repair windows and gutters. Make sure all your windows are clean and usable this April. Also, consider cleaning and repairing any damaged gutters. You will want to make sure your gutters are clean and ready for any spring showers!

April is a great time of year to get organized. Ready to organize your home this spring? Consider adding home shelving and storage to your closets, garage or other areas of your home. Don’t let clutter keep you down, the spring is the best time to start getting your home organized and clutter-free!

Ready to Tackle Home Maintenance Projects this April?

When you are ready to tackle either, small or large maintenance projects, call Handyman Connection. We specialize in painting, deck repairing, window, and gutter cleaning and other general home maintenance services. We are prepared to help you while you are staying home and are continuing to take safety precautions. Call us to get started!  

The post Why April is the Best Month to Tackle Home Maintenance Projects appeared first on Handyman Connection.

Application for Self Build Homes in Cambridgeshire Faces Planning Uncertainty

A self build and custom homes specialist has submitted plans to construct 12 homes in a Cambridgeshire village, but is facing uncertainty due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. 

Pelham Structures plans to transform a four-acre plot on Hardwick Road in Toft, Cambridgeshire, into a residential development. Should the application be approved, aspiring homeowners will be able to build their home themselves or have a bespoke house designed for them.

The plots will be provided for “self-builders who are generally looking for detached houses and more space than is normal of estate housing”, according to a planning statement. 

The 12 homes would all include garages and large gardens. To ensure each self build and custom build property is appropriate to the village setting, each plot would be developed in line with a design code, but self builders could customise the home within certain parameters. 

(MORE: What is custom build?)

Pelham Structures, which operates within Saffron Walden, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire and Essex, owns a factory where it manufactures timber frames. Upon selling the plot to the homeowners, Pelham will tailor its level of support according to each self builder’s requirements.

A spokesperson for Pelham Structures told Homebuilding & Renovating: “We generally find that most people effectively have a desire to build their own home but not really to get stuck in, so they’re very grateful to have the support to build.” 

There are roughly 600 people on the Right to Build register in South Cambridgeshire, Pelham Structures says, and it hopes that approval of the planning application could make a notable difference to those waiting to build their own home.

Backlog of Applications

The coronavirus outbreak could yet prove problematic, however. Pelham Structures filed the application with South Cambridgeshire District Council eight weeks ago, but is yet to hear back from the council.

“There’s a backlog of applications which has been exacerbated by coronavirus,” the spokesperson said. “We have a planning reference number, but I don’t think the council has put notifications up.

“We submitted around eight or nine weeks ago, so we’re almost approaching termination of the deadline.” 

Most planning applications are decided within eight weeks, unless they are unusually large or complex, in which case the time limit is extended to 13 weeks. If South Cambridgeshire District Council cannot decide on the application by this time it will need to obtain written consult from Pelham Structures to extend the period. 

(MORE: Securing Planning Permission During the Coronavirus Outbreak: What You Need to Know)

While planning applications are still receiving approval during the Covid-19 pandemic, applications which have been submitted could take longer to go through the consultation process.

The land in Toft, which is currently used for sheep grazing, has previously been the subject of plans for 30 dwellings, and a subsequent proposal was refused in 2018. But Pelham Structures is confident its application meets the needs of the area. 

“We think that the benefits considerably outweigh the harm, and we obviously want to protect the landscape so there will be a planning balance to strike.”

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Four Reasons why Luxury Vinyl Tile is the Perfect Flooring Choice for a Project

Content supplied by Amtico

Gone are the days of thin sheets of a wood-effect or stone pattern, modern Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) is a versatile and customisable flooring material

LVT is a stunning flooring alternative with new designs in colours, patterns and textures which give engineered wood, stone and porcelain a run for their money. Practical and warm-to-touch, finishing a project with LVT is certainly worth the time exploring. 

Low Maintenance in High-traffic Areas

For modern families when it comes to choosing flooring it isn’t all down to design. There is a lot to consider, including for those with children or pets, and that’s where LVT comes into its own. Ticking all the boxes, LVT is water-resistant, hardwearing and durable, and therefore perfect for high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms and hallways and usually comes with guarantees for at least one decade. 

Requiring little maintenance, LVT can be cleaned simply and easily with some warm water and doesn’t require any silicon sealant if fitted correctly. 

LVT is Heating up the Competition

Many families are renovating and extending existing homes to bring them up to date with the latest mod cons. Underfloor heating (UFH) is one such luxury which is a staple in projects big and small, but the flooring you choose will massively impact how efficient and successful this installation will be.

Most LVT works incredibly well with UFH up to a temperature of 27ºc (most UFH is set at around 21ºc) but also offers a naturally warm feeling which is comfortable underfoot — anyone who has lived with natural stone or porcelain floors will certainly understand how important this can be! 

Get the Style you Want

Huge leaps forward in LVT technology means realistic stone and wood effects can be created. More cost-effective than the real thing, the latest LVT collections are tactile and characterful, replicating the unique patina or grain of natural products. Some suppliers also offer room visualisers which means different styles can be tried and tested before any decisions are made. 

Express Yourself

We spend more time in our homes than ever before and expressing your individual style is an essential aspect of any renovation, extension or self-build project. Cast aside thoughts of tacky linoleum rolls as modern LVT is fit as individual pieces, meaning a unique aesthetic can be customised in the rooms we use the most.

Create herringbone, linear block and even art-deco inspired geometric patterns by exploring different ways to lay LVT and really let your personality shine. 

95% of Amtico’s products are designed and made in Britain, making them a sustainable choice of suppliers as the flooring carries less embodied carbon before it even reaches your home. For more information go to www.amtico.com. 

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

How to Maximise the Efficiency of Your Project During Lockdown

The Covid-19 lockdown will continue at least until mid-May, and self builders and renovators continue to face difficult decisions about what to do with their projects. 

The big question for self builders and renovators in the midst of projects is: should I continue to keep the site operational where possible, or take some downtime and prepare for when work can begin again?

Around three quarters of on-site residential projects have reportedly halted because of the coronavirus pandemic, but self build and renovation sites can remain operational providing social distancing is maintained. 

The government has regularly stated its aim to keep Britain building during this crisis to help stimulate the economy, and earlier this month it issued guidance for tradespeople working in people’s homes. In Scotland, however, all non-essential construction work has halted.

If you’re debating the best next step for your project, here’s a rundown of the challenges you could yet face as well as some tips to make the most of your current situation.

The Challenges Facing Projects

Self builders and renovators have already had to contend with a myriad of challenges since lockdown was introduced. These include:

  • Some builders merchants closing and supplies being unavailable 
  • Tradespeople being unable to complete certain tasks because of social distancing requirements
  • Self build project timelines and costs being affected if builders are unable to work, or unable to transport required materials.

Jason Orme, Content Director of Homebuilding & Renovating, says that in many instances these challenges have proved too much to overcome. “For most people in the middle of projects, active work has at least slowed down and in most cases stopped completely,” he said. 

However, Orme believes there is scope for optimism among those in the midst of projects. “A couple more weeks of lockdown at least provides some certainty for the nation’s army of self builders and renovators. Furthermore, the materials supply market has at least settled down with some suppliers beginning to ease restrictions.”

(MORE: These Merchants Are Still Providing Essential DIY Products)

Keep Your Project Running

If your project remains operational, there are several things you can do to increase its efficiency.

Paul Testa, from Paul Testa Architecture, recommends making use of the resource of companies which can offer you detailed advice on every aspect of your build. 

“These companies might have only had five minutes to spare you before the lockdown, but they can now spend an hour with you. So make use of that and build those relationships.”

Testa adds that ultimately the pressure is off self builders and renovators, and you can use the slower pace to your long-term advantage. 

“Quite often people are frantically making decisions during build work whereas now they might have two months before they need to make a decision.”

Because active work on sites will have slowed down, and fewer tradespeople will likely be working on your project, you can use this time to make better-informed decisions.

Additional tips to maximise your project’s efficiency include:

  • Keep constant communication with construction workers and managers about which areas of the project can be focused on
  • Use video chats when face-to-face meetings are not essential
  • Follow our live blog for the latest construction updates and information on which builders merchants are operational

Use the Downtime Effectively

If it’s problematic to keep your build site operational then don’t worry, you can make significant progress by stepping away and planning ahead for when lockdown ends. 

Some tips to make the most of the downtime include:

  • Cross off as much from your to-do list as possible that doesn’t require you travelling to the build site
  • Book in works for later in the year as soon as you can – this will help you avoid the rush when things get back to normal 
  • Spend time giving the interiors some considered thought: from refining furniture layouts to details such as light fittings (if you have not already done so), or hire an interior designer to help you do so.

“Self builders and renovators can use this time to their advantage – you really can never do too much planning and so use this quiet time to plan the project, research materials and second check designs,” says Orme.

“This all pays off in the long term and in the majority of cases self builders don’t give this nearly enough time before rushing into the build itself.”

Testa echoed this advice. “If you’re on site and work has slowed, take advantage to make sure you’re not rushing things when work speeds up again.”

This post first appeared on https://www.homebuilding.co.uk

Why outdoor living spaces are so important

Spending time outdoors is enjoyable, and something most Canadians look forward to as spring and summer approach. By adding a functional, beautiful outdoor living space to your yard, you can take advantage of those outdoor benefits whenever you feel like it. A firepit area, dining space, patio set up for lounging, and even an outdoor kitchen can all add to your quality of life at home.

Prelude Landscaping in Winnipeg shares some reasons why outdoor living spaces are so important:

You can extend your home’s living space.

Investing in professional landscaping can help you greatly extend your home’s living space. You can create a space for dining and cooking on the deck, a space for relaxing on a patio, and/or a hub for socializing around a fireplace. Your family will love having that extension of the home, and you can have it without an expensive home addition.

Being outside is good for us.

Spending time outdoors and in nature has widespread health benefits. Studies show it can improve memory, reduce stress, battle depression, lower blood pressure, boost your immune system, and even decrease your risk of cancer. Instead of going inside to watch television after a long week of work, spend that time in your own nature oasis, designed perfectly to give you a rejuvenating space close to home. It can include colourful flower beds, shrubs and trees, and even a relaxing water feature. Read more about why spending more time outside is healthy.

Landscaping will improve your home’s resale value.

A professional landscape design and installation can boost your home’s property value. According to HomeGuides, a well-landscaped home will be priced on the market higher compared to a home with no landscaping. The advantage, according to their data, ranges from 5.5 to 12.7% depending on the type of landscaping, the current market, and home’s value. What are buyers looking for? A manicured design with functional living spaces.

You’ll utilize your entire property, more often.

Sadly, most homeowners don’t use their yard as much as they could – or even at all. Adding an outdoor living space will get you outside. This means you’ll reap the health benefits and will spend more quality time with your family as well. For those who like to garden, adding flower beds or garden boxes to your landscape design will give you more opportunities to do what you enjoy during the warmer months. You can even put a putting green in the yard and practice your golf game! As a homeowner, you own more than just what’s inside the four walls of your house. Extend your living space and start making enjoyable use of your entire property.

Landscapers in Winnipeg

If you are ready to start designing your new landscape, connect with Prelude Landscaping. They specialize in landscape design, creating curb appeal, custom patios, walkways, driveways outdoor kitchens and water features. Prelude is one of Winnipeg’s finest professional landscaping companies, offering services to Winnipeg, rural Manitoba and Lake of the Woods. They recently won the 2019 MBNLA Award of Excellence and take pride in every project they work on.

Start planning your outdoor living space!

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RenovationFind Certified is a symbol of integrity held by only the most trustworthy companies in home improvement, service, maintenance.  It increases consumer confidence in your business, giving you an edge over your competition while validating you as the best.
More than an online directory, we are Western Canada’s fastest growing marketing platform for promoting and connecting the best trades, service, and home improvement companies to homeowners.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

3 things to think about when choosing kitchen countertops

Countertops are one of the main components of a kitchen renovation. They are the primary workspace, but also serve as a design focal point as well. If you’re trying to decide what type of countertop to choose for your upcoming kitchen renovation, PF Custom Countertops in Edmonton shares some things to consider:

Are you planning on selling your house any time soon?

This question might surprise you, but it’s important to think about it. If you’re remodeling and think a move is on the horizon, you might make different decisions so you can get the best return on investment. Choose a kitchen countertop that will suit your needs, but also one that is sought after by others too. Great choices would be engineered quartz or granite. They are popular and essentially timeless, meaning they’ll still be in style when you sell. Stone countertops can also increase the value of your property.

How committed are you to maintenance?

All countertop materials require some maintenance and cleaning, but some are more sensitive to wear and tear than others. If you don’t like the idea of having to oil or refinish a butcher block countertop, it might not be the right choice for you. Granite countertops are nearly maintenance-free. They just require sealing every few years to keep them resistant to stains and scratches. Marble, on the other hand, is more susceptible to chipping and cracking as it is not as hard as granite or quartz. Learn how to seal granite countertops.

Choose a countertop colour that can go with changing styles.

Whether you’re selling or not, having a countertop colour that can match a range of home design schemes is beneficial. You might repaint the kitchen or change backsplash but might not like the idea of replacing your countertop. With plenty of natural and neutral shades to choose from with natural stone countertops, you can essentially change the kitchen around it without it clashing with a new style.

Countertops in Edmonton: Get help from the professionals

Serving Edmonton and surrounding areas, PF Custom Countertops are the experts when it comes to countertops. They can help you choose the perfect countertop for your kitchen or bathroom renovation. From granite, quartz, marble, and other natural stone, to laminate, solid surface and butcher block countertops – they have the perfect fit for your lifestyle and design tastes.

Contact PF Custom Countertops today!

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RenovationFind Certified is a symbol of integrity held by only the most trustworthy companies in home improvement, service, maintenance.  It increases consumer confidence in your business, giving you an edge over your competition while validating you as the best.
More than an online directory, we are Western Canada’s fastest growing marketing platform for promoting and connecting the best trades, service, and home improvement companies to homeowners.

This post first appeared on https://blog.renovationfind.com

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