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Covid-19 has changed how we operate our businesses. With physical distancing and other health and safety measures, home services and renovation companies have had to adjust. Reinventing how we do things to serve customers is essential for public health, but it is important to remember that how we market our businesses needs to adjust too.

The digital landscape is different than it was pre-pandemic. In case you didn’t know, online traffic has surged since the start of the pandemic, In fact, web traffic to RenovationFind.com has doubled since Covid-19 arrived and it continues to go up daily. We are seeing record numbers in web users. Consumers have changed how they interact with businesses and it is predicted that these behaviours and online patterns could be permanent.

Having a digital marketing strategy is no longer a take-it-or-leave-it option. To survive in the ‘new normal’ it is a must-have. You may have developed a marketing plan for 2020, but if it was done prior to Covid-19 it will need major adjusting.

Even with restrictions lifting across the country, no one can predict when or if things will ever be back to business as usual. ‘Business as usual’ will be very different than what it was pre-Covid. It’s vital for your business to plan and execute digital marketing strategies and campaigns that will set you up for success in this ‘new normal’. We are still operating with uncertainty, but digital marketing efforts will help you survive and thrive as we learn this new way of doing things.

Here is some advice for developing a post-COVID-19 digital marketing strategy:

Stay the course and don’t freeze digital marketing spending

Business is struggling in all industries, including the home services industry. Things will not be so bleak forever and business leaders and consumers will all learn how to adjust. Now is not the time to cut back your digital marketing efforts. Because of stay-at-home recommendations and social distancing, your customers are online now more than ever. They use the internet for all their shopping, entertainment, news, and social interaction. You want your business to be a part of that too.

Plus, it’s likely that some of your competitors have frozen marketing spending to make up for lost revenue. This gives you a competitive edge for your demographic’s attention online. It will also mean that you can end up spending less on digital advertising since fewer competitors are after your target audience.

Instead of cutting out digital marketing, think about how you can become memorable to your current and potential customers online. If you have the financial resources, invest it in expanding your online brand image. You can grow, extend your reach, expand your social media followers, and gain new customers. Keep in mind that your marketing campaigns need to have a purpose and enhance customer experience while delivering your brand image.

Be current and appropriate with your messaging

If you have been scheduling your social media posts far into the future, its time to stop doing that. Things are constantly changing, including restrictions on how you are able to run your business. Something you’ve scheduled two weeks from today can be totally inappropriate by the time it is published.

You can do a little pre-planning, but only a few days at a time. You don’t want to be posting content if it’s irrelevant. Changes to restrictions, public health recommendations, a potential second wave of coronavirus outbreaks, and other factors can change in a day. Be prepared to align your social media activity with the most current events.

Instead, learn how to publish content on the fly. That might mean checking newsfeeds on a daily basis and creating content that is relevant to that day. We can’t guess what will happen and we can’t assume what content our audience will want from one week to the next. Your digital content needs to be as current as possible, showing empathy to the most current updates in the pandemic and afterward.

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Have a plan for the stages of economic re-launch

Remember that things are constantly evolving as businesses adjust to the various levels of government re-launch plans. The federal and provincial governments have laid out their plans for re-opening the economy, although some dates have not been set. That means you have an idea of what they have planned (keeping in mind it could change or be disrupted in a moment’s notice) and can create a campaign calendar accordingly. As restrictions are removed, your marketing strategy can change to accommodate the new recommendations.

Create and share compelling content

With everyone spending more time online, they are also spending more time-consuming content. While it is likely that many of your competitors have cut spending on digital marketing due to financial constraints, your content will still have to compete.

We have seen a lot of organizations do a great job of adjusting their content to meet people where they are at in this unprecedented situation. For example, restaurants promoted gift cards for take-out and delivery. Fitness studios offered online classes and brick-and-mortar stores have started selling online. When things do return to normal, their customers will remember them. These strategies change as businesses start to open to the public again, little by little. What can you promote online that is relevant to your business during and post-COVID-19?

Make known your commitment to public health and safety

Everyone has a different stance regarding restrictions on business and different tolerance to risk. Some customers might be okay with you entering their home to offer a service, while others will feel very vulnerable and stressed about it regardless of meeting the current health guidelines. Either way, it’s important to make clear your commitment to health and safety in all your communication. That includes the health and safety of your customers and your employees. You should have this message on your website and periodically through content posted on social media and sent in email campaigns.

You might have created and released an official pandemic response when the crisis first emerged. With restrictions lifting and people heading back to work, it’s time to adjust that response. Share on your website, social media, and other digital streams what your company is doing to meet or even exceed public health requirements. Put your customer’s minds at ease, so they can be certain that you’re considering their health and safety as well as your own, as we enter a post-COVID world.

Ensure your website design is updated

Your digital marketing strategy’s aim is to increase traffic to your website and improve search engine optimization for your website. Is your website up to date? Now is the time to ensure your website is modern and that users can easily find the information they’re looking for. What is the point in investing time and money in social advertising, content, and digital marketing if leads are dropped as soon as they reach a bad website?

If you’re savvy on the computer, use a DIY website builder like WordPress. If you are not confident in your skills, hire a web development company to create an eye-catching, easy-to-use, website for your company. Recommended companies include Funnel Edge Marketing.

Keep your web content current

If your website design is professional and attractive, but the content itself is dated, you will lose converting those hard-earned visits into customers. You need to have a response to the Covid-19 pandemic visible on your website, so customers know what you are doing to ensure public health. It will also inform them of how you’ve adjusted the way of doing business because of the pandemic. As the economy relaunches phases by phase, you should update your web content to inform customers how this will impact the way you do business and offer your products and services.

Even if you weren’t trying to run a business during and after a global health emergency, you should still commit to updating your web content periodically. Go through every page and make sure information on your company, team, services, and contact pages are current. Investing money in a digital marketing strategy will have a higher return on investment if people are getting the correct information after reaching your website.

Review all your online profiles and listings

When you Google your company name, what is coming up? All online profiles, including the Google business listing, social media profiles, review site profiles, and other listings should be updated. Review each one and make sure the right contact information and your web address are on there. Remember, the more links you have back to your website the better. While you’re at it, read your company descriptions and make sure they’re still accurate and search engine friendly. For those listings that allow photo uploads, be sure to upload a recent logo and a few photos relevant to your business.

Having complete profiles and listings online can help with search engine optimization. They can also give potential customers a good first impression if they stumble upon your business online.

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Today’s Consumers are Digital.

Did you know Google released a stat indicating users check out 10.4 sources before purchase.

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Use Pay-Per-Click advertising  

As mentioned before, Pay Per Click (PPC) online advertising is most affordable than it was before Covid-19.  Because online ads function as auctions, and many businesses have pulled away from marketing spending during the pandemic, winning those bids is less expensive. Not only are ads cheaper to run, converting those online users into leads and eventually customers are cheaper too.

While advertising on platforms like Facebook and Google is less expensive and less competitive, that could change. Keep in mind that the entire landscape is unpredictable because of the pandemic. Thankfully, digital advertising comes with a huge amount of data in real-time, so you can make adjustments as things change. This makes online advertising flexible, affordable, and the results are easy to track. PPC ads are easy to keep on top of. You can adjust your ads and their targets for the best ROI.

Find a Customer Relationship Management System that offers marketing automation

There are many tools available that can help you plan, execute, and better manage your customer relations and digital marketing strategy. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) can help you organize leads, conversions, and other essential customer relationship activities. Having a good CRM in place will make sure a lead or customer request never gets lost. You can track everything from one dashboard.

Plus, most CRMs come with marketing automation features. If you’re looking for a CRM for the first time, do some research on what marketing features would work best for your company. You can use their content management systems to create, plan, and schedule your digital content. There is good feedback from companies that have used CRM software like Pipedrive and Hubspot.

Start using your email list

If you already have a CRM in place or have a contact list that is compliant with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), start utilizing it! Email marketing is a great way to connect with your customer base and it can cost nothing. It is an effective way to keep communication open with your contact list. With email marketing, you can send campaigns to your valuable customers and reach existing leads that are not customers quite yet. Send that compelling content you’ve created, share special offers, information on your response to Covid-19, and show empathy to your leads and customers.

There is online email automation software that can help with this. Most will offer free accounts if your contact list is under their minimum amount. Some email marketing software companies are even offering price relief to help businesses navigate these challenging times. Most email tools are user-friendly and provide templates and visual email builders to help you create professional, visually appealing email campaigns. Recommendations include MailChimp and Constant Contact.

Utilize web analytic tools and search engine optimization

If you are serious about a successful digital marketing strategy, you need to invest in web analytics and search engine optimization (SEO) tools. These tools show you how your marketing efforts are performing, so you can understand how users are consuming your content, how leads are coming in, and adjust for the best return on investment possible. SEO can be a time-consuming task for a business owner. If you have the resources, hiring a third-party company to help you attract the right audience using SEO and web analytics is worth the cost.

If you haven’t done so already, set up your website with Google Analytics. This will allow you to see and track web visits, traffic sources, user behaviour, conversions, and provide more useful data. Knowing how your digital marketing efforts are performing can help you evaluate and adjust, as necessary. Learn how to set up Google Analytics.

In conclusion

Businesses have been through a very challenging time, and challenges will remain post-COVID-19. Your first priority should be the health and safety of yourself, employees, and customers. When that’s taken care of, utilize some of these ideas to effectively market your business through these uncertain times.

RenovationFind is an established digital marketing company that specializes in marketing trades, home services, and home renovation companies. Companies that are on our website benefit from our professional and original content, brand awareness, lead generation, and search engine optimization efforts.  If you haven’t already started executing or boosting your digital marketing efforts, we can help you adapt and navigate in the new way of doing things. Please connect with us.

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 >>> 3 WAYS CUSTOMER REFERRALS WILL CHANGE POST-COVID (FOR HOME SERVICE BUSINESSES)

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

When you hire a general contractor for your renovation, it saves a lot of time and stress. But what about before the work begins, when you’re still planning everything? With all the details, it can be a little overwhelming, but a general contractor can help with more than just construction.

Home Revival by JC Inc. in Calgary is professional home renovations experts. They share the benefits of hiring their general contractors to help with the design phase of renovations:

They’ll help narrow down to the essentials

It’s all too easy to place everything on your list as top priority additions, even when they may not be. When you hire a general contractor right from the start, they’ll help with that elimination process. They also help with finding alternatives to certain materials or ideas that are more budget-friendly or practical for your lifestyle. Instead of real hardwood floors, for example, luxury vinyl plank is just as beautiful, but at much less cost. Or, if you plan to replace your countertops, quartz is the perfect alternative to a marble countertop.

By relying on your general contractor’s years of experience and skill, you will ensure your renovation is an investment. If you plan to sell, your home will be a top market contender. Plus, contractors will know and suggest details that buyers do or don’t want to have.

They will notice things you may miss

It may be a matter of the design of the room not working, or that another material is a better choice. Whatever the case, there are some things that a general contractor will notice, thanks to many years of design experience. The right lighting layout, for example, is crucial in any room, but it will also vary by room. The kitchen may benefit from bright white lighting, but you don’t want the same in your bedroom. Overall room layout is another factor where having a second, and professional opinion will help. If you want to change the layout of your bathroom, that doesn’t have to mean knocking down walls or moving the plumbing. Your general contractor can help with planning a new design that works within the space, while still transforming it. Ultimately, a general contractor will help you avoid becoming trapped in a tunnel vision scenario.

You’ll save time by jumpstarting the process

When you hire a general contractor, they handle all the building permits and requirements. If you plan to build an addition or turn your basement into a suite, they will already know the various building codes. So, having a general contractor present during the design phase means a jumpstart to that process. Any permits that need to be applied for, such as electrical, plumbing, or development, will be done before you even reach the construction phase. Likewise, any materials that need to be ordered will be done so ahead of time.

That way, once it’s time to plan a schedule and start renovating, there won’t be any unexpected delays. Your general contractor will readily have a quality team of trade workers, and the work will begin. Not only will you save time, but it’ll save some major headaches trying to handle this all yourself!

General Contractors in Calgary

Home Revival by JC Inc. prides itself on transforming homes into truly unique, beautiful new spaces. Their general contractors ensure only the highest quality of service and care when you work with them. They offer home renovations, siding repairs, and kitchen remodels.

Contact Home Revival by JC for quality work!

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

Moving homes can be excited, but it comes with a lot of hard work! With packing, loading, and unpacking, things can start to feel stressful. Give yourself a break and leave the move in move out cleaning to professional house cleaners like Calgary Trusted Cleaners.

Here are some reasons why getting professional cleaning services when moving can help:

Take one time-consuming job off your plate

When you leave the cleaning to a professional house cleaner, it means one less thing you must worry about. Things are stressful enough dealing with your real estate agent or landlords, not to mention packing and organizing. Adjusting to a major change like moving homes can add to that stress. Let Calgary Trusted Cleaners take care of the cleaning for you, so you can handle the rest.

Ensure you get that damage deposit back

If you’re a tenant, you want to make sure you leave your unit spotless so you can get that damage deposit back. Things like dirty walls or an unclean oven can cost you portions of your deposit. With professional move out cleaning, you can trust that the suite will be spotless and sparkling for inspection. Your landlord will appreciate it and so will future tenants. Calgary Trusted Cleaners has a 5-page cleaning checklist, making sure all the things a landlord or property manager are looking for are cleaned properly. Hiring cleaners will help you get as much money back as possible when you move out.

Move into a sparkling clean home

If you are moving into a new home, the last thing you want to do is worry about cleaning the previous owner’s dirt and grime before unpacking your things. They may have cleaned the house, but you cannot beat a professional move in cleaning. Professional cleaners are thorough and have the right tools and supplies to ensure your new house is move-in ready. Hire your cleaning services prior to moving your things in. This will help the cleaners scrub the house from top to bottom, without having to move things to do so. Move in cleaning will relieve stress for you and your family, it ensures the home is healthy and clean – ready for you to enjoy.

Professional house cleaning protects your investment

Investing in cleaning services will protect your investment. This is especially true if you own a rental property. As renters move in and out, things can deteriorate if you don’t keep up on the cleaning. Plus, how clean the property looks when showing it to potential tenants makes a big difference. An unclean property shows lack of care from the landlord, which is not attractive to quality renters. Plus, no one wants to move into a dirty home. Hire Calgary Trusted Cleaners for your move in move out cleaning, and help your rental suite compete on the market.

Contact Calgary Trusted Cleaners today!

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

When it comes to choosing siding for your home, you won’t go wrong choosing stucco. It’s a long-lasting and beautiful choice, with high energy-efficiency. The only real choice you have to make is whether to choose traditional or acrylic stucco. Both are just as beneficial, but the added perks of acrylic are quickly making it a popular choice.

Moreno Stucco and Wire Ltd. in Edmonton specialize in all styles and types of stucco. They share the benefits that choosing acrylic stucco will provide for your home:

What is acrylic stucco?

Stucco is a combination of cement, sand, lime, and water. It’s a popular choice among homeowners for being both fire resistant and providing high energy-efficiency. Acrylic stucco, however, is an alternative to traditional stucco. It is made up of acrylic resin, polymers, and sand, meaning it is made synthetically as opposed to a natural mix. Still, acrylic is just as durable, long-lasting and low maintenance as traditional stucco. Plus, it offers some natural benefits thanks to its synthetic nature.

Acrylic is water-resistant and elastic

Traditional stucco tends to absorb water, though its porous nature also allows it to dry out slowly. The risk, however, is if the stucco becomes too saturated and cannot repel the water. If enough water seeps into the home, it can cause costly damage. Acrylic stucco, however, naturally repels water. It also retains its colour even when wet so that it won’t darken like traditional stucco.

As stucco expands or contracts with the weather, it risks developing hairline cracks on its surface. These cracks are easy to fix, but they also invite the risk of water seeping in and causing damage. Since acrylic stucco is naturally elastic and flexible, it isn’t likely to develop any hairline cracks. Most homeowners apply an acrylic finisher to their traditional stucco to add that same flexibility. With acrylic stucco, you naturally get that flexibility. You’ll never have to worry about cracks developing or reapplying a finisher and can instead enjoy your low-maintenance stucco for many years.

Customizable choice of colours

Texture-wise, acrylic is typically applied in a sand float finish, which adds an aesthetically delicate appearance. While acrylic is limited in available textures, it makes up for this with a much wider range of colour choices. Any shade or colour you want for your home will be compatible with acrylic stucco, including dark shades. Once applied, the colour will remain even and won’t darken when wet. Thanks to the wide range of colours, acrylic is a perfect siding to combine with other exterior finishes. Stone veneer, for example, works as a beautiful and complementary addition with a new acrylic stucco finish.

Hire the professionals to help

Since acrylic will “dry” as opposed to “cure” like stucco, it’s important to hire someone with the right skills. Acrylic also has to have the right temperature when applied, as it dries from the outside. A professional will know the right temperature and application method to ensure your acrylic stucco is applied right the first time. Despite acrylic stucco being a more expensive choice, it is a well worthwhile investment that guarantees a value boost for your home.

Stucco Contractors in Edmonton and Exterior Renovations in Edmonton

Moreno Stucco & Wire have more than 15 years of experience with stucco repairs and applications. They guarantee your home will receive quality work and that you’ll get quality peace of mind. They offer stucco application, repairs, stone masonry, and more, to help with all your needs.

Contact Moreno Stucco & Wire today!

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

Eavestroughs play a major role in your home’s drainage system. If they are in disrepair, they will fail to move water off the roof and away from the home. Damaged eavestroughs can result in water pooling around the house, which can lead to flooding and water damage. More than that, eavestroughs can play a significant role in how your home looks from the exterior. Choosing eavestroughs that will be the most aesthetically pleasing can boost curb appeal and resale value.

Chinook Exteriors in Calgary specialize in exterior renovations for eavestroughs, siding, soffit, and fascia. They share some tips for a new curb-appealing colour for your eavestroughs:

Don’t mix too many colours

If your siding, roof, and trim are all different colours, don’t choose a whole new colour for your eavestroughs. Too many different tones and shades, will turn your house into a mess of colours and not a feature blend. Instead, try to pick a colour that matches an existing one, and stick to the rule of three. If you do have room for a new colour, make sure it complements the other tones. Earthy homes work well with warm browns, creams, or whites. A grey or white house, though, will pair well with pale pastels such as blues or greens that will add a colourful trim.

Don’t be shy with a bold colour

You aren’t just limited to choosing a simple white or off-cream for your eavestroughs. Instead, use a bolder colour such as vibrant forest greens or dark nutmeg. Just make sure that the same colour appears somewhere else on your house, such as window trim or on the front door. Even pairing a bold colour with your yard, for example, from flower colours, is a great way to complement your landscape design. Not only will it boost curb appeal, but your home will definitely stand-out in your neighbourhood!

Match the siding

The safest way to choose an eavestrough colour is to match the colour to your siding. That is also a great way to make your eavestroughs less noticeable, as it will blend in with your siding. Either choose an exact colour match with your siding, or choose a shade slightly lighter. Matching colours is ideal if your siding is already a feature shade or focus for your home. You don’t want to have too many focal features, so stick with a simple eavestrough colour. As for a lighter shade, it’ll help draw out your siding a bit more by further complementing it.

Complement the roof

Your roof takes up a sizable portion of your home’s appearance, so use your eavestroughs to outline that feature. To pair the right colour, pick a shade from your roof and either darken or lighten it. For a grey roof, choose a slate or metallic grey to match. If your roof is brown, then either choose a richer brown or a lighter shade such as tan or clay. By working with your roof, your eavestroughs work as a complementary trim that keeps the focus on your roof.

Eavestroughs in Calgary

At Chinook Exteriors, they specialize in providing quality services for your exterior needs. From eavestroughs, siding, soffit, and fascia, Chinook Exteriors has a full range of services to suit your needs. Need installation or repair? They have the skills and experience to help handle the job.

Contact Chinook Exteriors today!

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

DIY electrical work is typically not recommended, especially over the skill and experience of a professional. Still, hiring a professional is more than just a matter of picking anyone, as you want the right electrical contractor.

Precision Electrical Services Ltd. in Edmonton provides over 20 years of electrical experience and skill from its team. They share what to look out for when you hire the best electrician:

Right insurance and licensing

First things first, you want to hire an electrician who is insured and properly licensed for the job. This will give you not only peace of mind, but it ensures they have the right skills and training for the work. It also means that the electrician will know any safety or building codes when they come in. Code violations often lead to dangerous electrical situations or the costly need for a full repair job. An electrician who knows the codes will ensure that your home is safe and that the investment you make in them is well worthwhile.

Years of experience and skill

 

You want an electrician who knows their trade inside and out and has a proven track record. Look up online reviews, photographs of past jobs, and testimonials from past clients. In addition to finding the specific service you need, see what else they offer. Often, an electrician with years of experience will also know about other aspects, such as design tips. An electrician can help with lighting layout, for example, choosing efficient bulbs or properly designing your home theatre. They’ll provide the quality work you need specifically, but with some added suggestions to help with the perfect look.

 

Communicates clearly and listens

 

A professional must have good communication not only between the two of you, but with their team as well. If you’re hiring for a large project or renovation, everyone must be on the same page. Not only does this help keep the project timeline on track, but it also keeps everyone on the job safe. Likewise, you want an electrician who will listen just as well. A good electrician will listen to your wants and ideas and either work them into the design or provide professional guidance.

 

Time-efficient and detailed

 

When you hire a professional, it’s an investment that you want to be worthwhile and not cost you more. Excellent time management and efficiency is an essential skill that you want to have in an electrician. At the same time, though, you don’t want someone that will finish quickly but at the expense of quality. Time-efficient and detail-oriented electricians will work quickly and efficiently and still deliver top quality work. At Precision Electrical Services, for example, they have a 20-year proven track record for delivering quality work and leaving their customers satisfied.

 

Electricians in Edmonton

 

Precision Electrical Services Ltd. prides themselves on consistent quality, care, and professionalism in all their work. They are wholly certified and always provide the right cost for their work, so you get the services you need. Precision Electrical Services specializes in both residential and commercial installations, meaning they can help with any job.

 

Contact Precision Electrical Services today!

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

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

As the heart of any home, your kitchen must not only to be functional; it must also match your lifestyle. Whether you love to entertain, spend time with family, or are an avid home cook, there’s a perfect layout for you. It’s just a matter of finding the right arrangement to fit those needs.

Cowie Construction in Vancouver are a full-service construction and design company. They share some kitchen layout suggestions that will perfectly match different lifestyles:

Galley kitchen: the minimalist 

With a simple design and minimal space, galley kitchens are perfect for smaller homes. It’s also the ideal layout if you’re a home cook who likes an area that is efficient and easy to navigate. Galley kitchens provide two parallel countertops with a single aisle in between. Storage-wise, this design makes the most of wall-mounted cabinets and under-counter storage. You can easily enhance this further by investing in custom cabinets and storage solutions. It will make the space even more efficient and be perfectly suited to your exact needs.

L-shaped kitchen: multiple chefs or entertainers

These are one of the more popular kitchen layouts and often include an island in the design. Countertops installed against two perpendicular walls form the “L” layout, with a kitchen island added in the center. If you love to entertain or have a household where more than one person likes to prepare food at a time, this is an ideal layout. The open concept means there’s plenty of space for multiple people to use the kitchen at once. The additional island is the perfect spot for entertaining or having friends or family sit while you cook. Because L-shaped kitchens are so diverse, they’re also ideal for both small and medium-sized kitchens.

U-shape kitchen: the home cook

Another highly popular layout is the U-shape or horseshoe and is particularly ideal for any avid home cooks. A peninsula connected island is what changes the layout from an “L” into the U-shape instead. By doing so, it offers a ton of new storage spaces and lots of counter space to prep food. The design also makes it very easy to move between the sink, stove and countertops, so it is very efficient. If your family has more than one cook, the layout will accommodate them without bumping elbows!

Open concept kitchen: social families or entertainers

The open concept kitchen eliminates any walls or barriers between the kitchen and the rest of the home. By doing so, it blends an entire room into one seamless flow. This layout is popular for large families who love to socialize together, either in the kitchen or living room. It’s also perfect for homeowners who love to entertain their guests even while they cook. Small or large homes can also benefit from this layout, as it creates an open, welcoming feel. Draw some creative ideas for this style of kitchen with these beautiful open kitchen ideas.

Kitchen Renovations in Vancouver

At Cowie Construction, your vision and satisfaction are the goals they always strive to provide and ensure. By providing quality services and work, they guarantee to bring you peace of mind for every renovation. From home renovations to bathrooms, kitchens or full suites, they can help with any project.

Don’t hesitate to contact Cowie Construction today!

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

Landscaping can turn a regular yard into a beautiful, functional outdoor living space. Not only will it make your property more enjoyable, it can boost curb appeal and increase resale value.

When it comes to landscape design, you have plenty of options. You can install retaining walls, planters and garden beds. Create and divide spaces with paverstone patios and walkways. Homeowners will enjoy spending time in their new landscape and the way their property looks each time they return home.

Always start with a landscape design plan.

Like any large-scale project, you’ll have better results with a carefully plotted design plan. Enlisting the help of a professional landscape designer is critical if you’re planning a backyard overhaul. Without a grand design for the entire property, your landscape can end up looking disjointed, lacking flow and function.

A landscape designer will meet with you to review your space and listen to your dreams for the yard. They’ll consider all the things you need for your customized landscape. You might want a fireplace area for weekend evenings around the campfire. Or perhaps you’re a gardener and you want to fill your space with raised flower beds. They’ll take your must-haves and add other features, so it all comes together.

DIY landscaping or hire a pro?

DIY landscaping can be done but you shouldn’t start any project without a well-laid plan. The most common mistake homeowners make is taking the piece-meal approach to landscaping. They’ll work on one area of the yard at a time, without knowing how it will all flow together when it’s done. Bad DIY landscaping projects can have a negative affect on your home’s resale. Make sure you’re confident in your skills and time commitment before attempting to DIY.

If you want to tackle this job yourself, still have a design drafted by a professional landscape designer. They can help you create the plan for the yard and even break down all the details for you. You’ll know exactly what materials you need, what features you need to install and how everything will look at the end. You might decide to do some of the work yourself and hire a landscaper to take care of the more complex installations. This plan will help you stay organized, stay on budget and have a realistic idea about the project before you start.

Still can’t decide? Read this article: “Should I hire a pro or do my own landscape work?”

You know you want to overhaul your yard, but you’re not sure where to start. We’ve provided some ideas and inspiration to help you make the most of your property this summer. The most popular landscape installations are intended to create functional outdoor living spaces you and your loved ones will enjoy together.

1. Multiple outdoor living areas.

Creating an outdoor living area will improve the function of your property and give you a space to enjoy. Outdoor living spaces are also very popular with buyers and are a great selling feature if you decide to list your home for sale.

Homeowners that have the space are choosing to install more than one outdoor living space. This might mean building a higher deck addition off the house for dining, with a lower paverstone patio meant for lounging or conversing. Sometimes an additional seating area will be on the other end of the yard, beside a flower garden or water feature. Landscapers can define these areas with retaining walls, walkways, plant beds and even structures like gazebos or pergolas.

2. A campfire area.

Campfires have been trending for as long as we’ve known how to make fire! Still, building an outdoor fire pit area continues to be a major trend in landscape design. This feature provides a comfortable space for relaxing outdoors earlier in the spring or later in the fall than other outdoor living spaces. Many firepits are installed on a patio, or in a space that has been defined by retaining walls or other hardscape features. You can choose a classic fire pit, or a gas burning outdoor fireplace.

3. Waterfalls, streams and ponds.

Water features are a popular landscape installation this year. If you are spending time outdoors, you’ll feel relaxed and rejuvenated listening to the gentle trickling of water. When it comes to water features, you have a wide range of options and price points. For smaller yards, a pond-less waterfall or simple fountain will work. For larger properties, homeowners are installing full ponds complete with koi fish and small waterfalls or streams. If you want a water feature, get it installed by a professional. Improper installation can give you issues down the road.

4. Creating ambiance with landscape lighting.

Homeowners want to enhance their landscape design in the evening with thoughtful lighting. Main living spaces, like the patio or deck, might have soft ambient lighting so they can be used at night. Landscapers are also installing landscape lighting to highlight certain features of a landscape design, like along a path, near a water feature or certain plant beds.

Landscape lighting can also provide security for your property. Having motion sensor lights near your home, or at the entrance of your yard can help deter intruders. It can also improve safe illumination for you and your family as you approach your home or navigate your yard at night.

Solar powered lights are a popular choice. Small solar panels absorb the sun’s energy during the day, and the lights come on automatically when it gets dark. These lights are usually not bright enough to serve as task lighting, but can create whimsical ambiance for your walkways, fences and other landscape features when the sun goes down.

5. Xeriscaping for a low-maintenance yard.

Xeriscaping is landscaping that reduces or eliminates the need of supplemental watering from sprinklers or an irrigation system. For this type of landscape, homeowners choose drought-resistant plants and shrubs that require very little water.

Instead of grass, xeriscapes would have more areas filled with mulch or sometimes gravel. You can use organic mulch to cover the surface of the soil around plants and to create pathways throughout your yard. Mulch allows both oxygen and water to pass through to the plant roots, while providing a layer of insulation. That layer reduces the evaporation of water, so more water gets absorbed by the plants. It also reduces weed growth, reduces erosion and moderates the temperature of the soil.

More homeowners are interested in energy efficiency and consuming less. Xeriscapes can reduce water use by 60% or more compared to conventional landscapes. They are also very low maintenance, since you won’t have to worry about watering or maintaining that much lawn, if any. For the same reason, you’ll save money on lawn maintenance. Xeriscapes use less fertilizer and equipment to maintain, saving you both time and money.

6. Installing a rain collection system.

Following the same lines as xeriscaping, a popular sustainable landscaping trend is rainwater collection. The simplest way to harvest rainwater is with a rain barrel, but there are more advanced collection systems that can be integrated into an irrigation system. Some can even harvest water and feed it into your household plumbing system.

Because the rain barrel method is the easiest and the cheapest, it’s also the most popular. Installing a rain barrel will catch rainwater so it can be used for watering your lawn, trees and other plants in your landscape.

7. Switching to artificial grass.

Want a green lawn all year long without any maintenance? So do many homeowners! Artificial turf is becoming increasingly popular in landscape design. Manufacturing and installing of artificial turf have come a long way over the years. It has texture, multiple shades, blade lengths and thicknesses and looks and feels just like the real thing.

You won’t have to worry about watering, cutting, fertilizing or weed control. To maintain an artificial lawn, simply blow out debris with a leave blower periodically. It’s the easiest way to get a beautiful, lush, green lawn but it’s certainly not the cheapest. Artificial turf is pricey, but a good option if you need a low maintenance landscape.

8. Plant native plants.

Plants that are native to your climate zone will thrive. Plus, restoring a native plant habitat in urban spaces can help preserve local biodiversity. This is something that is becoming more important to many people. Your own landscape can contribute to a healthy, living ecosystem for birds, bees and other critters that are critical to healthy biodiversity.

Homeowners and landscapers will benefit birds and bugs by choosing native plants for their landscaping project. If you want plants that do well, instead of exotic plants that struggle to stay alive, and you like the idea of more birds in the yard – choose native plants. Search for native plants for your region.

9. Arbors and pergolas.

People often get arbors and pergolas confused, but both are popular design trends. These structures can help define entrances, walkways or living spaces and create dramatic focal points in landscape design.

An arbor is a structure in a landscape that signifies and entrance to a separate area or a pathway. Arbors are usually free-standing, arch-like and designed to support climbing vines and other plants.

Pergolas are often built over a deck or patio to create shade over a sitting area. They are built like arbors, using a simple post and beam design. Sometimes pergolas are attached to the house but can be a separate structure in any part of the yard. The top of the pergola can be open beams, covered with shade lattice or have a full roof covering it. Many pergolas are built to support climbing vines and plants.

10. Outdoor kitchens.

The backyard chef has taken things to a whole new level. Outdoor kitchens are popular but are much more than just a backyard barbeque. Imagine an attractive and fully functional kitchen, built seamlessly in a beautifully landscaped yard. At home chefs are personalizing these spaces, installing things like pizza ovens, multiple grills and smokers to make a space perfect for culinary creations in the great outdoors.

Just like indoor kitchens, outdoor kitchens can be a hub for entertaining and socializing. Serve guests cocktails at an outdoor bar while preparing dinner on a custom grilling system. The space can be shaded by a pergola, completely covered or not, whatever you choose.

11. Planting a kitchen garden.

While sustainability becomes more important to society, it also becomes more important in landscape design. Homeowners want to do more than just compost kitchen scraps and so, they’re planting vegetable gardens to supplement their grocery list.

Outdoor kitchen gardens can provide you and your family with fresh vegetables, herbs and berries all summer long. You’ll love the fresh food coming out of the yard, but you’ll also enjoy the act of growing it. Gardening is a great way to connect with nature. It helps us to relax, reduces stress and is good for kids too. If you’re not sure about what vegetables to grow, as your landscape company what grows best for your climate zone.

12. Enhancing with potted plants.

When you walk through a garden centre, a huge part of the display is made up of beautiful garden pots. Potted plants have always been popular in landscape design and nothing has changed.

Potted plants can be a life saver for homeowners with limited space. Putting a few beautiful flowerpots on your condo porch or apartment balcony can add a splash of colour to even the smallest outdoor space. Regardless of the property, potted plants are also used to decorate sitting areas, line pathways and improve curb appeal. They’re also portable, so you can change up plants in certain areas of your landscape without having to replant something new.

What’s the value of landscaping?

Landscaping can increase the value of your home. While you won’t recoup 100% of the cost, certain landscape installations can yield higher resale value if you want to sell your home. Real estate trends show that home buyers are most interested in landscape features that can add to lifestyle, more than just aesthetics. They want to purchase a home that have functional, comfortable and convenient features. Buyers are also looking for landscapes that don’t require expensive upkeep.

If you’re selling your home, curb appeal matters. Beautiful landscaping can help you achieve good curb appeal. That will attract buyers and command a higher price for your property. One of the most cost-effective ways you can improve curb appeal is with lawn care. Maintaining your lawn, weeding your garden and trimming your trees and shrubs will give your home the polished look that buyers are most attracted to. You can see well over 100% of your investment paid back at resale by investing in regular lawn care.

Creating outdoor living spaces can also increase resale value. Patios and deck additions have a good return on investment. A simple wood deck addition can recover almost 76% of it’s cost at resale, according to this cost vs. value report.

You should also consider the value of your improved lifestyle and personal enjoyment of your new landscape. Spend money on landscaping and enjoy using it. If you decide to sell in the future, you’ll make a little extra money as an added bonus.

Find a RenovationFind Certified landscaping company in your city!

 

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

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