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When you hire a home improvement or maintenance contractor, you want to know that they are trustworthy and honest. They should take steps to help you understand why– not just how much it costs. Your contractors should never take advantage or try to charge you extra. Transparent companies value being forthcoming with their clients by explaining their prices and projected timelines. They help you make informed decisions and build a trusting customer relationship.

DirectBuy Furnace Ltd. in Maple Ridge is an honest, trustworthy, transparent HVAC company. They take pride in building solid relationships with their customers.

Transparency around quoting

You expect to pay the amount you were quoted for. However, you also want to understand why you were quoted that amount. You should receive transparent, clear, and detailed quotes every time you work with a professional HVAC company. This estimate should include an accurate expected cost and outline how your HVAC contractor arrived at that number.

While it’s always possible to encounter unforeseen and unexpected surprise expenses, these should not be the norm. Your HVAC contractor should have enough experience and knowledge to anticipate most costs. Furthermore, you can understand exactly what they’re doing, why, and how much it costs when receiving a detailed quote.

Transparency around timelines

Accurate timelines are another essential part of delivering great customer service. Experienced HVAC contractors know precisely how long it takes to complete your HVAC unit’s installation, maintenance, or repairs. However, supply chains have been strained over the last few years. This has made it harder to get the necessary parts on time (or know when they will arrive). This unpredictability is unavoidable. Your HVAC contractor should explain any chain supply difficulties and be transparent about possible delays to your service. The strained global supply chain system affects everyone. Therefore, transparent and upfront communication is more critical than ever.

Transparency around repairs 

HVAC units last for 15 -20 years with proper maintenance. Your unit will likely need to be repaired by a professional during that time. You may even choose to retrofit your HVAC unit to add a few more years of life and improve its performance. However, all HVAC units need to be replaced eventually. Your HVAC contractor should be transparent and honest about when your unit has become an endless money pit. There will come a time when it is more economical to replace the unit instead of continuing to repair or retrofit it.

HVAC Companies in Maple Ridge

DirectBuy Furnace Ltd. has been providing the best in home comfort for over 10 years. They offer furnace, air conditioning, boiler, and heat pump installation and maintenance services. Their extensive residential and commercial HVAC experience allows them to implement the best solutions for their customers.

Contact DirectBuy Furnace Ltd. today!

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

It’s essential to make an informed decision when selecting a siding material for your home. Siding protects your building’s structure from the elements and contributes to curb appeal. In addition, affordability, durability, maintenance, and overall appearance should all be considered. Vinyl and fibre cement are two popular siding options today.

Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. in Edmonton specializes in vinyl and fibre cement siding. They offer information on these two materials to help you choose the best option for your home.

What is vinyl siding?

Vinyl siding is made from a rigid form of plastic called PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It’s affixed to the exterior of buildings. However, it is not nailed down. This allows the vinyl to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations.

What is fibre cement siding?

Combining wood pulp and Portland cement creates fibre cement siding. It is then formed into long planks or shingles resembling wood or stone. These are attached directly to the exterior of the building.

Cost

There isn’t a huge price difference between vinyl and fibre cement siding. However, vinyl does cost less both in materials and labour for installation. Insulated vinyl siding also saves you money on heating and cooling costs, making it an economical option.

Appearance

Both vinyl and fibre cement come in a range of attractive colours and styles. This makes either an excellent choice for boosting your home’s curb appeal. Vinyl siding does offer more colour and decorative options than fibre cement. However, you can paint or stain fibre cement to be any colour (unlike vinyl). Fibre cement can also mimick the look of genuine wood, complete with wood grain texture on the planks. In addition, fibre cement maintains its appearance longer, whereas vinyl wears down and fades more quickly.

Durability

Vinyl and fibre cement are more durable materials than traditional wood siding. If you install vinyl siding on your building, it should last 20 to 40 years. On the other hand, fibre cement can last for 50 years or more when properly installed and maintained. In general, vinyl is more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and warping. Learn about repairing vinyl siding.

Maintenance

Fibre cement requires more maintenance than vinyl. While you can basically forget about vinyl once professionally installed, fibre cement needs more attention. For example, you must caulk fibre cement upon installation. If you choose to paint it a different colour, you must repaint it periodically, at least every 10 to 15 years. When they get dirty, you can clean both types with a garden hose and scrub brush.

Siding Contractors in Edmonton

Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. offers roofing and exterior services for homeowners and businesses in the Edmonton area. They supply exterior products such as Alu-Rex gutter guard, insulation, window and door capping, and soffit & fascia. Additionally, they also specialize in vinyl and fibre cement siding. They strive to provide excellent customer service through transparent communication, expert knowledge, and quality workmanship.

Contact Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. for your consultation!

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

Exterior lighting is important because it helps to illuminate your home. The right lighting can also improve curb appeal and increase property value.

When purchasing exterior lighting, you want to consider the following factors:

• Cost of installation
• Size of fixture
• Type of bulb (incandescent vs. LED)
• Color temperature of bulbs
• Number of fixtures required
• Location of fixtures
• Fixture mounting method (poles vs. brackets)
• Light output
• Power consumption
• Maintenance requirements

The first step in selecting exterior lighting is determining what type of lighting you need. There are several options available, including incandescent, halogen, high-intensity discharge (HID), fluorescent, and LED. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks.

Types of Outdoor Lighting

There are many types of outdoor lighting. Here are just a few:

Post lights

These lights are attached to posts that stand up vertically. Post lights are typically used for pathway lighting.

Flush mount lights

These lights are flush with the surface they’re installed on. Flush mount lights are commonly found on decks, porches, and balconies.

Spotlights

Spotlights shine their beams directly down onto a specific spot. Spotlights are great for highlighting plants, statues, fountains, and pools.

Motion Sensor Lights

Motion sensor lights use sensors to detect movement within a certain distance. When someone walks into the zone, the lights turn on automatically. Motion sensor lights are great for decorating gardens and backyards.

Solar Lights

Solar lights are energy efficient. They use sunlight to power themselves. Solar lights do not require batteries. This makes them very convenient.

String Lights

String lights are perfect for adding ambient lighting to your home. String lights look nice when strung together and can be placed anywhere.

Contact Handyman Connection

Contact Handyman Connection to schedule a free home improvement estimate. Call or text your local office if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services.

The post 6 Stunning Exterior Lighting Options for Your Home appeared first on Handyman Corporate.

There are a few ways to give your kitchen a brand-new look without committing to a complete renovation. By addressing the two most prominent focal points in the room, cabinets and countertops, you can refresh and update the whole space at a fraction of the cost of replacing your kitchen.

Cabinet Transformations in Vancouver are a professional cabinet restoration and refinishing company. They know to refresh your cabinets and countertops for a new overall look and feel.

Cabinet Refacing

Refacing is replacing the doors and drawer fronts of the cabinet along with the hinges, handles, and drawer pulls. A durable paint is applied to the exposed panels to complete the look. The box and location of the cabinets stay in place, so this is best done if you are happy with their location.

The great benefit of re-facing is that you can change the colour and door style and add eye-catching handles. Your cabinets will look completely brand new and different by the end of the re-facing. Re-facing is also a great way to bring new colours and feeling to your kitchen. Bright shades can bring a modern, welcoming feel, while darker colours can create a dramatic, elegant look.

Cabinet Refinishing

If your cabinets are still in excellent condition, but it’s the colours you want to change, refinish them instead. Refinishing is where you keep all the parts of your cabinet but just change the finish or colour. This gives you the option to either add a new stain to the cabinets or go for painted cabinets. The one thing to keep in mind with re-facing or refinishing is to leave the work to a professional. They will guarantee the quality and long-lasting results you want for your new cabinets.

Cabinet Refacing in Vancouver and Cabinet Refinishing in Vancouver

Cabinet Transformations knows that kitchens play a crucial role in resale and home value as the heart of the home. Their goal is to help turn your kitchen into a dream space that you will love for years. Cabinet Transformations has the experience, reputation, and quality approach to handle your kitchen renovation that produces stunning results.

Contact Cabinet Transformations today!

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

Professional painting companies have an essential job to do. They paint the walls that become the background for your life, boost your home’s curb appeal, and get it ready for sale when it’s time. Their knowledge and experience in exterior and interior painting are invaluable! However, the best painting companies also provide various other great services.

Finishing Touches Painters in Toronto specialize in residential, commercial, and condo painting.

Initial consultation

Before any project begins, you want to know how much it will cost. Some painting companies will visit your home for free to provide the most accurate estimate possible. During this initial consultation, they assess the space and get to know your needs. Some painting contractors try to give quotes online or over the phone without seeing your space. However, Finishing Touches Painters understand that the best estimates come after meeting you in person and mapping out the project with you. The quote should be tailored to you and your home.

In-home colour consultation

Choosing the right colour is hard- and the stakes are high! After all, you’ll be looking at this colour every day for many years to come. Finishing Touches Painters offer an in-home colour consultation for their clients. During the consultation, you meet with their colour specialist from Benjamin Moore. They’ll help you pick the perfect colour for your personality and home.

Drywall repair

A perfect painting application is impossible without the proper preparation. For example, if your drywall is damaged, it must be repaired before painting can begin. Otherwise, the paint won’t look as good or last as long. In fact, the new topcoat is likely to flake off. You’ll also notice aesthetic flaws and still see the initial damage. At Finishing Touches Painters, they repair all drywall and plaster and prepare all surfaces before painting. This guarantees a flawless painting application that will last for many years.

Cabinet repainting

A fresh coat of paint might be just what your cabinets need. Unfortunately, replacing cabinets is an expensive and labour-intensive process. Repainting, on the other hand, is much more affordable. Plus, it achieves the same goal: it makes your kitchen look great again! You can easily update, modernize, and brighten your kitchen with cabinet repainting.

Exterior and interior painting

Every painting company should offer exterior and interior painting. You should have your home’s exterior repainted every 5-10 years, and the interior repainted every 2-5 years. All paint fades- but not all at the same rate. For example, UV rays cause paint colours to fade faster and dark colours fade faster than lighter colours. Furthermore, cracks and flaking paint are other typical signs of wear. Once these develop, it’s definitely time to paint!

Painters in Toronto

Finishing Touches Painters provide beautiful painting services for residential and commercial properties in the Toronto area. They also offer additional services such as cabinet repainting, condo painting, drywall repair, and colour consultations. Furthermore, they utilize the highest quality paints and equipment to produce incredible results.

Contact Finishing Touches Painters for your free in-house consultation!

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

It’s never too early to start thinking ahead on some aging-in-place upgrades or home changes. However, beyond focusing solely on renovations to change your home, don’t forget to include your electrical system. Your electrical needs or access will likely change, making a few upgrades a worthwhile investment. 

4-Star Electric Ltd. in Calgary offers a full suite of electrical services for your home and business. Here they share some beneficial electrical upgrades their team can provide for aging-in-place: 

Relocate or add more outlets

Look around your home and notice where your electrical outlets are located. Are they in convenient places? Does each room have enough spread around to be easily accessed? How high or low are the outlets, and do they need to be moved? 

Raising outlets, for example, makes it easier to reach an outlet without bending or crouching and helps keep cables and wires off the floors. If a room lacks outlets, consider installing more so you don’t have to move around as much to access power when needed. 

Lighting system upgrade 

As we age, our vision isn’t what it once was, making proper lighting much more important. While stylish lamps add nice visual appeal, you also need a functional lighting layout. The best layout includes overhead lighting that provides general ambient light to brighten a room as a whole. Task lighting like lamps or cabinet lights is there for more specific tasks like food prep. Accents lights, like spotlights on paintings for example, help add depth and dimension to a room.

This spread of lighting ensures you always have the proper access to light as needed. Don’t forget to upgrade the switches to add more safety and access. Dimmer switches or smart switches give better access for safety and power savings either with a voice command or easy to control dimmers. Read more about how to improve lighting. 

Smart technology and systems

Installing innovative technology in your home is an investment you can enjoy now and years down the road. As you age in place, having a smart system in place adds to the safety and convenience of your home. For example, protective alarm systems can provide alerts at a touch of a button. Reminders can be set through a virtual system, or installing home cameras offers more security. Loved ones can check in now and again, so you don’t have to worry about falling and not getting help right away.

A smart system can also be linked to your electrical system to control the lights or HVAC temperature. Your electrical contractor can help set up and install your new system and ensure your electrical needs are accommodated now and in the future. 

Electricians in Calgary

If you need an electrical contractor in Calgary, 4-Star Electric can help! They offer a full range of electrical upgrades, repairs, and installations for commercial and residential clients. They’re committed to your complete satisfaction and won’t accept payment until you’re 100% satisfied. In addition, they stand behind all their work with a minimum 3-year guarantee. Straight forward pricing, open communication, courteous service, and high-quality, safe electrical work can be expected with 4-Star Electric.

No matter what your electrical needs, contact them for an estimate!

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

Sitting down and planning a renovation is exciting, but there’s always room for mistakes if you are new to the work. Unfortunately, little mistakes can take away from your home’s value, affect the project’s cost, or delay the timeline. Working with a professional general contractor is the best way to avoid making mistakes and ensure a smoother process. 

Paladin Homes in Edmonton is a professional general contractor’s company. They share how their team can help you avoid making mistakes during your renovations:

Wrong measurements

One of the most common––and costly––mistakes made during a renovation is miscalculating spaces. Calculations are crucial, whether for cabinet sizes, how much paint is needed or measuring an area for new flooring. If you’re DIYing a small project, always take measurements more than once and then again before starting anything. For larger or more involved projects, leave it to a general contractor. They have the experience and skill to handle the correct calculations and guarantee that everything fits together perfectly. 

Going for the cheapest option

During a major renovation, it may feel tempting to choose cheaper materials here and there to help cut costs. Additionally, hiring the contractor with the lowest quote can be tempting. However, that isn’t always the best. Quality materials will last longer and add greater value and ROI to your home and project. While looking for a general contractor, always get estimates from more than one company. Then, ensure any estimates include waste removal, permit costs, contractor fees, and warranties. That way, your estimate will be both accurate and fully detailed, so you know what to expect. 

Choosing materials that aren’t right for you

Don’t make material choices based only on what’s trendy before researching it to ensure it’s the right choice for you. While things like granite and hardwood are timeless options, make sure it’s right for you first. Granite, for example, is an excellent countertop material for kitchens and bathrooms and is very durable. Still, it is more expensive and may not be within your budget. In that case, consider quartz instead, which can mimic the look and is more affordable.

A hardwood floor adds that natural beauty and warmth of wood to your home. However, it needs more maintenance and isn’t great for bathrooms or kitchens where water is nearby. Instead, luxury vinyl planks are a great alternative that mimics real wood and is water-resistant. Again, there’s typically a cost-effective alternative, so consider what is best for you and your budget.

Set a contingency budget

Your renovations would be completed without any hitches or unexpected issues in an ideal world. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case, so having a contingency budget is always necessary. On top of your regular, detailed renovation budget, add an additional 10-15%. That extra money will cover any issues, extra costs, or changes to your plans. Even if you don’t need the extra savings, it’s better to have more saved than less and run into trouble with an incomplete project.

General Contractors in Edmonton

Paladin Homes provide professional and high-quality general contracting services to your home. Their team can handle any project, big or small, and will guide you through every step of the way. You know who to call for open communication, quality work, and excellent customer service. 

Contact Paladin Homes today!

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

Since the covid-19 pandemic, many people had to adapt to the working from home lifestyle. One element that is essential to creating a good working environment at home is having a productive space to work from. At The Handy Squad, we have put together some of our best home office ideas and services to create your ideal working hub.

Simple ideas to get you started

Obviously, an office wouldn’t be an office without some furniture, especially a desk and chair! So, one of our small home office ideas is to get some help assembling flatpack furniture to prevent wasting precious time scouring through instructions and tools. Our Handy Squad is here to help a lending hand for jobs like these, saving you time, hassle and stress that these flat packs usually bring! We recommend investing in a high-quality, comfortable office chair since you will be spending most of your time here, and try implementing light-coloured furniture to create the illusion of a bigger space.

Related: How to make a small room look bigger.

Be more productive with the right colour.

Many people are using their spare bedrooms as a space for home office design and it’s quite likely that these rooms could do with a lick of paint to create the perfect, tranquil working environment. Colours like light blues and sage green help to formulate a calm working atmosphere, increasing productivity.

Haven’t got the time to paint your office yourself? Not a problem, at The Handy Squad we have a range of London decorators available to help with the job. They can paint walls and furniture to the colour and design you have envisioned, making that dream home office, a step closer. If it’s wallpaper you had in mind, we can help with that too! Our highly skilled team know how to efficiently hang wallpaper without any bumps or damage, so you can rely on us.

Good lighting is vital.

Of course, lighting is vital for any space but did you know that the type and intensity of lighting can incredibly impact your productivity and health? As the Health and Safety Executive explains, “Poor lighting can not only affect the health of people at work causing symptoms like eyestrain, migraine and headaches, but it is also linked to Sick Building Syndrome in new and refurbished buildings. Symptoms of this include headaches, lethargy, irritability and poor concentration.”

If you need help with anything lighting related, do not hesitate to contact us. We have a team of experienced London electricians who can easily complete various electrician jobs. They are able to replace light switches, finding a light source that is perfect for your office space, such as a dimmer switch to enhance brightness for productivity. As well as this, they can also install and replace light fixtures, so that you can find the ideal fitting to match your home office design.

Give it some personality.

Creating a professional environment does not mean you have to completely strip that space from everything. A work environment where you feel comfortable and relaxed will help you be more engaged, productive and creative. So, be sure to make it a professional space but with a touch of your personality! If you need help hanging things up, our team can give a helping hand hanging picture frames and hanging shelves so you can display your favourite works of art, plants and anything else that makes you feel comfortable.

A clean and clutter-free space.

You might be stuck in long meetings all day or busy answering emails right and left with no time for a cuppa. Do you know what would make your workday even less enjoyable? A messy and cluttered space covered in tangled cables from top to bottom. You might have noticed that cluttered spaces reduce your ability to focus and might make you more stressed or anxious. Make this a thing of the past by having a tidy work environment. If you need some help, we can tidy loose cables and complete a variety of other tasks.

Related: Importance of cable management in the workplace.

Get in contact

There are certainly various jobs that we can help with, big or small, to create the optimal home office environment. If you think you need a helping hand with any of these jobs or other related handyman work, then give us a call today at 0800-0-12-12-12 or fill in our online form, and we’ll provide the rest!

The post How to create a home office appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.

How to Get Your Deck in Prime Shape for Entertaining

Deck maintenance can be a daunting task with all the different surfaces and difficult corners to maintain. Here are some tips to keep your deck in pristine condition without spending too much time or effort.

If you have a wooden deck, make sure you check for missing, loose, or broken boards before anything else. Repairing these is an essential part of deck maintenance – any more damage will only lead to further deterioration that will eventually need more extensive work down the line. Once that’s locked down, if it’s not too hot outside (cool enough for bare feet but warm enough not to dry up the wood), take a broom out and sweep up any stray dirt or leaves from your deck before they can cause significant harm.

If you have a composite deck you’re probably pretty familiar with how it should be maintained. Make sure you check for splinters, loose boards, and fading of the color. The best way to do this is to get down on your hands and knees and really get a good look at it.

Now that everything is inspected and no major problems are visible, you can set down to clean your deck. If your deck has a lot of wooden furniture like chairs, tables, and benches then there are a few different ways to begin cleaning them all (for example if there is one table that has had an umbrella over it for the past several months then don’t clean anything underneath it. Just get the table and clean it. The boards underneath won’t be affected). If you’re just getting one piece to start with, try grabbing a bucket of warm water and some soap that is formulated for decks – you can usually buy a small 3-4 ounce bottle for about 5 dollars.

Rinse down the furniture to get any loose debris or dirt out of the way, and then sponge up the surface with your cleaning solution. Rinse with the hose after you are done washing each piece (assuming it has no wooden parts). This method should be used to clean every walkway and any concrete patio furniture as well.

If you’re really set on making your deck look new again, you can apply a new sealer to the wood. This will help it resist water stains, protect it from pests if you have any, and ensure that the natural color doesn’t fade away. This is a little more time-consuming, but it can be well worth the effort if you really want your deck to look its best.

Before applying any sealer make sure that your deck’s surface is completely clean first. You should use a mild soap and water solution to clean away any dirt or grime that may still be clinging to the wood discolorations or areas where mildew will begin to grow in future seasons. Next, make sure that you finish off the washing process with a thorough scrubbing. Finally, you can use a sander to knock down any rough spots before applying layers of sealer to the surface.

Contact Handyman Connection

Contact Handyman Connection to schedule a free home improvement estimate for deck maintenance or installation. Call or text your local office if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our services.

The post Deck Maintenance and Safety Tips appeared first on Handyman Corporate.

Are you looking to sell your property? Have you considered home staging to help with the stressful and time-consuming process of moving and selling? Home staging is essentially the technique of property styling and neatening up your home to make it more enticing for potential buyers. There are many benefits to be had from home staging, including giving you the best potential outcome when putting your property on the market.

Growth in popularity and interest

One of the biggest advantages of styling your property is that it encourages more viewings. When looking at a house online, things that may seem minor like clutter or brightly coloured walls can have a huge impact on deterring a viewer away. Therefore, painting your walls with a neutral palette or tidying up loose cables could be the major deciding factor in whether or not someone will come to view the property in person. In fact, The Home Staging Association UK & Ireland, conducted a survey on home staging, finding that 94% of people said home staging increased the number of viewings at their property, showing that it is definitely worthwhile!

Quicker sale

It may seem obvious to mention but more viewings = a higher likelihood of selling. Clearly, the more people looking at your property enables more opportunities for a sale, so the long-waiting game is no more! Not only this, but home staging creates a competitive atmosphere for potential buyers. This means, they are more likely to make an offer above the asking price, which is a huge win! Consider using our professional home styling services such as jet washing your patio so that viewers are instantly greeted with an attractive exterior, or re-arranging furniture to optimise space.

A blank canvas

Another huge benefit to home staging your property is that it allows viewers to envision the space as their own, rather than simply looking at a lived-in property. Create this blank canvas by fixing holes in the walls which may be left from hanging pictures, or repairing ceiling cracks, so that the space appears brand-new. As previously mentioned, we also recommend our team of London decorators who can paint your walls with a light tone such as cream or white to provide a fresh, clean slate for new homeowners.

So, is it worth it?

We believe it is fair to say that there are significant advantages when using home styling techniques to sell your property. It not only creates a welcoming environment for viewers to explore and envision their daily life in but it also increases the likelihood of selling your property and selling it at a great price too! When comparing the benefits of home staging with properties that didn’t use these presentation methods, 86% of people reported a staged home selling up to 3 times faster than an unstaged one. So, it’s a no-brainer!

By implementing a few of our services at The Handy Squad, you could make a huge difference to the overall value of your property. Contact us today at 0800-0-12-12-12 or fill in our online form if home staging is something you would like us to help with.

The post What are the benefits of home staging? appeared first on Handy Squad Handyman London | Fast & Reliable London Handyman.