What Separates Great Electricians From Good Electricians?

Guest Post by Pratik Dalshi

Generally, every electrician knows how to install, diagnose, and repair electrical systems, switchboards, cables, wirings, and anything that runs on electricity.

Each technician has also completed their Australian apprenticeship, gained their qualification, and holds a license to operate. 

All these factors certainly make a good electrician.

But do you want to hire a GOOD electrician to handle one of the most important systems in your home or business? . . . . Or do you want to hire a GREAT one?

Of course, to get the best results you need the best people for the job. . . .but how will you know?

Well, here’s a guide on how to determine which electricians are good and which ones are great. 

Top 4 Differences Between a Good Electrician and a Great Electrician

1. Safety

Being an electrician is a high-risk occupation.

Any error in the installation or maintenance of power systems may result in damages in your property

More importantly it could result in injury or death which is why safety is their highest concern.

Good electricians can guarantee you a properly functioning system that follows safety codes as they have the necessary knowledge about safety protocols and procedures before conducting any job.

But for great electricians, safety is not only a rule they follow but it’s part of their culture.

They make sure that they go through regular training to ensure they are up-to-date with the latest health and safety practices and standards.

They also take it up a notch and work with other organizations that can help them achieve their safety goals. 

So if you want to make sure that your property is fully protected, choose a great electrician. 

2. Experience

Since working with electricity is dangerous, you should choose someone who has practical experience in your type of work. 

This way, you can be at ease knowing that your electrician knows what he is doing

This doesn’t mean that fresh graduates can’t handle simple jobs, but choosing an experienced electrician does eliminate the risks of faulty work. 

There are many good technicians with a lot of experience.

But if you want the best, look for those with decades of experience.

This means that they have pretty much seen, repaired, and attended to every problem there is with electrical systems, so you can trust them to fix and accomplish any job that involves electricity. 

3. Scope of Skills

Good electricians are knowledgeable and skilled in the most common electrical projects.

This includes light fixtures and chandeliers, outlet, ceiling fans, electrical panels, circuit breakers, outdoor lighting, wiring, and other electrical fixtures. 

On the other hand, great electricians are experts in every field.

They can work on everything mentioned above plus more such as smart homes.  

4. Guarantee

If you’re hiring an electrician for a job, you’d want it done right and fast.

After the job, you expect everything to run smoothly with no problem.

Of course, you don’t want to pay more for issues that were not addressed.

A good electrician will provide you with a guarantee that spans for at least a year for his work so  if anything goes wrong with the electrical problem he attended to, you have this specific period to call him again to resolve issues. 

While that’s already good, this doesn’t stand a chance with what a great electrician can offer.

Usually, the best electricians, like Electrician To The Rescue, trust their workmanship so much that they give their clients a lifetime guarantee.

That’s right. If you hire a great electrician to fix any of your electrical problems, expect it to get fixed for life!

Additionally, great electricians are backed with insurance. This is important when choosing who to hire for liability reasons. So if you want to have peace of mind, make sure that you’re dealing with great professionals

Electrician To The Rescue is Sydney’s first choice when it comes to electrical services. They have over 35 years of experience and offer a 100% lifetime guarantee for our workmanship.

You can enjoy reliable and prompt services that are available  24/7. 

Soil Classification

Before you can build your new house you need to know what sort of foundation is needed, which is based on the ‘Soil classification’

Geotechnical Investigation

A Geotechnical investigations is required to provide a report stating the soil classification.

The Investigation,and the Report should be in accordance with the following Australian Standards;

  • AS2870-1996: “Residential Slabs and Footings – Construction”
  • AS1726-1993: “Geotechnical site investigations”

Standard Classifications

The classification of the site is based on the expected movement of the foundation soils – generally related to the capacity of the soil to shrink or swell.

Your site should be in one of the following classifications:

Class A
Mostly sand and rock sites, with little or no ground movement expected.(see these links: Sand & Rock)

Class S
Slightly reactive clay sites. Only slight ground movement from moisture changes expected.

Class M
Moderately reactive Clay or Silt sites which can experience moderate ground movement from moisture changes (See this link: Building on Clay).

Class H
Highly reactive clay sites. Can experience high ground movement from moisture changes.

Class E
Extremely reactive sites. Can experience extreme ground movement from moisture changes.

Class P
A problem site. This can includes soft soils, such as soft clay or silt, varying depths of Fill (see this link: Fill), loose sands, landslips, mine subsistance, collapsing soils, soils subject to erosion, reactive sites subject to abnormal moisture conditions, or sites which cannot be classified otherwise.

Added category ‘D’

Soil types M, H, and E may also have an added classification of ‘D’. This indicates deep seasonal moisture variation which can mean significant expansion and contraction.
For example, from a dry to a saturated state

  • Class M-D may move up to 40mm,
  • Class H-D 40mm to 70mm
  • Class E-D can move more than 70mm, (up to 250mm has been found in some cases)

Why the report may increase the cost

If you are looking at a Project Builders its worth being aware that their standard price will be based on either an S or M class foundation.

Usually you will be lucky if the foundation is in this range………so you could be up for additional costs.

See the following link to understand why a classification from the developer may be better than the one from the builder: Different Soil Classification Results

 

 Lots more information in the anewhouse Guide to Buying a Block for only $4

For more posts related to land see Blocks

 

A beginner’s guide to financial fitness

Guest Post by Emily Taylor 

If you are going to be looking for a mortgage for your new house you will need to be financially fit

Becoming financially fit is a marathon, not a sprint.

You need to train yourself to know what is wise to spend money on and what isn’t.

If you start too quickly you’ll burn out. Being financially fit means feeling confident with your finances and managing your money for the long term.

It means knowing when to say yes and when to say no.

While starting to train for a marathon requires a basic level of fitness, anyone can become financially fit if you’re willing to learn, act and restrain from old habits, financial fitness is totally attainable.

Here’s the beginner’s guide to financial fitness.

Set goals

The first step in becoming financially fit is to set goals for saving.

How can you save if you don’t know what you’re saving for?

So, determine how much you need and work out how long it will take to get there.

You’ll be more determined if you have a rough idea of how long it will take.

Be thrifty 

Being financially fit means finding out how to get the most from your money.

This might not necessarily mean buying what’s cheapest if it’s not the best quality.

So, do your research and consider what you’re spending your money on.

Some of the places to save money might surprise you. For example, you can save money if you find the best providers for international money transfers

Budget

Budgeting means understanding where your money is going and keeping track of everything you spend.

It’s best to do so on a month-on-month basis.

So, establish your income, your necessary spending and any luxuries.

Keep an eye on your spending and make sure it stays on track with the budget or, you’ll need to make some changes.

Invest

Being financially fit means thinking about the future. It’s no good being great with money now and not thinking ahead.

Investing means that your money is in something concrete and won’t be affected by inflation.

Plus, it can significantly reduce tax.

So, consider investing in a property to prepare for the future.

Whether it’s somewhere you’ll be living or you’re renting it to tenants, it will massively improve your financial fitness.

Be automatic

You probably already know that online banking is the way forward.

Having access to a banking app helps to keep track of your finances and move money quickly.

However, go one step further by being automatic, and set up payments that go out without you physically having to move them each month.

This means that you can’t forget to make the relevant payments or accidentally spend the money elsewhere.

Maintain

Being financially fit means applying new practices and maintaining them.

Anyone can be good with money for a month or two.

But being financially fit means continuing good practices and sticking to them in the long run.

So, once you’ve established a good routine, make sure you don’t lapse.

Like training for a marathon, taking a couple of months off could do a lot of damage.

Six Bathroom Renovation Rip-Offs and How to Avoid Them

  Guest Post by Asad Shoaib

A bathroom renovation can add more value to your home if you carry out the entire process successfully.

However, it can also turn into a nightmare if you don’t pay heed to little details.

The more aspects you take into account, the more easily you can avoid mistakes and disasters at the end of the day.

Here are six bathroom renovation rip-offs mentioned which you should learn to avoid.

Budget 

The amount of money you spend on your bathroom renovation project must neither be too large nor too small.

A lot of people don’t take their budget requirements seriously so they end up facing financial crises or significant losses.

So, you must have a clear idea about the exact amount of money that your bathroom renovation requires.

To be more precise, you must plan everything from the designing of the bathroom to the layout. You can also get multiple quotes to have a better cost estimate.

DIY

Some homeowners prefer to try their skills to be able to save a few dollars when it comes to renovating the bathroom.

However, the bathroom is one of the most important parts of your home so you would never want to regret later if anything goes wrong.

Basic DIY such as replacing tap washers is one thing.

For a complete bathroom renovation, it is better to call a professional whenever you feel the need.

It might require investing more money but it can save you from facing critical damages.

Big Changes

Sometimes your bathroom needs to undergo a little change to look fresh as a new one.

So, you can avoid big changes by replacing the vanity, replacing old tapware, and installing new wall tiles to make your bathroom modern and updated.

It would help save a significant amount of time and money that you can spend on any other area of your home that is not structurally sound.

However, if you still intend a proper renovation, you must take help from a professional.

Trends

Trends come and go so you must not let yourself get obsessed with them.

Instead, you should prefer functionality over trends to make your renovation last longer.

It is also advised to choose simple and classical designs that never get outdated.

The style of your bathroom must match with the rest of your home.

It must look like a part of your home if you don’t want to kill the vibe.

Spacing

You must pay attention to proper spacing to make your bathroom comfortable for everyday use.

It is better to leave the decorating and looks for later.

However, if you don’t care about the placement of plumbing fixtures beforehand, you might get into huge trouble.

Material

The material you choose for your bathroom renovation can make or break your experience.

If you don’t want to get stressed out, you must consider the quality of the material you buy for floors, walls, top, vanity, and other major parts.

Since you invest a huge amount of money in bathroom renovation, you must make sure that the material can stand the test of time.

Restrictive Covenants

Don’t think because you buy a block you can do what you like on it!

There are often restrictive covenants on land. . . . .That is “an agreement between land owners which may restrict how land may be used and developed“.

Who Is Involved?

The two parties to a covenant are:

  • The party that owns the land burdened
  • The party, or parties, that owns the land benefited by the covenant, which is likely to be either initially the developer, or the original landowner.

On a long established estate the party benefited will typically become your neighbours.

For example if there is a restriction on height of buildings your neighbour benefits from not being overlooked.

In this case if you want to extend upwards you will need your neighbour’s approval as well as planning permits.

Reasons for Covenants

There are many reasons Covenants are used, including to:

  • Protect views from being built up – most likely to be the original landowner if they still live adjacent to the site.
  • Protect the level and type of finish of all dwellings and boundaries within an estate – most likely to be the developer who wants the estate to look attractive to future land purchasers.
  • Protect the type of use that takes place on a site. No car repair and animal breeding are common.
  • Protect the level of development – single dwelling covenants are common, avoid if you may want to build a granny flat in the future.

The presence of a Covenant may only be indicated in ‘The Copy of Title’, or it may be included with your Section 32 or Vendor’s Statement. You need to be sure what restrictions are imposed before you buy.

What can you do about a Restrictive Covenant?

If you find a Restrictive Covenant on title, there are few courses of action you can take.

  1. Decide if the clauses are of benefit to you as they are likely to place similar restrictions on your neighbours.
  2. Pursue the removal of the covenant through legal channels which could be costly and difficult.
  3. Read carefully for possible ’sunset/expiry’ clauses on your covenant.
  4. Don’t buy if you don’t like the covenant, Just look elsewhere!

 

Also see Covenant Removal.

DIY Blinds And Window Decorations You Can Do At Home

Guest Post

Windows provides an overall vibe within a home.

Putting some decoration like blinds or shade can change your home ambience extensively.

Manufactured blinds and other window decors may cost you a heavy amount of money.

But do not fret, because there are many DIY window décor projects you can easily do at home.

So to help you decide which one of these projects will suit your taste, below are some ideas and materials you may be needing for your DIY project.

Types of Window Shades and Blinds

The window shade and blinds are the most common decorations to dress up your naked window.

The main difference between these two is how to control the light from outside.

Made up with a solid piece of fabric, window shades have open and close function while blinds have adjusted light control because they can be tilted as they are made with multiple slats.

Here are some types of window shades and blinds where you can get an idea for your DIY project:

  1. Roman shades have a unique horizontal fold that shows its style when raised up. It is one of the most popular shades.
  2. Solar shades act like sunglasses as this shade provides light control while you still have an outside view of your home.
  3. Woven wood shades are commonly made with bamboo, reeds and grass. The natural vibe it brings suits almost any house design.
  4. Cellular shades are sometimes called smart windows. Although there are no electronics or electrical tinkering involved, the unique honeycomb cell design provides decent temperature control both in winter and summer.
  5. Roller shades are equipped with blackout and filter light features that come at an affordable price.
  6. Pleated shades have a slat-like design that made it look neater when raised up. The design will stack up nicely when folded.
  7. Wood blinds provide a warm and cozy vibe for your home. The natural style also fits in almost every household because it is made from real wood.
  8. Faux wood blinds have lower price than wood blinds since they are made of polymers or wood composite. They are moisture resistant making them more tough from wear and tear factors.
  9. Panel track blinds have vertical design suitable for extended glass windows and doors. They are made of slats of fabric that can slide freely in a curtain bar.

Other Materials for Window Decors

While the staple of window decors are polymers, fabric and wood, there are alternative materials that you can work with.

Here are some materials you can use for your do-it-yourself blinds and shades project:

  • Faux Wood If you want to maintain the natural style with polymer-like features, faux wood may be the best choice. It is moisture resistant, making it suitable for your kitchen and bathroom. Unlike wood, it will not warp or break in high moisture areas around your home.
  • Aluminum With its rust resistant feature, aluminum may sit around in any part of your house. It is also sturdy, cheap and low maintenance which is perfect when you have a limited budget. The design process is also pretty easy since you can finish it off with any color you like.
  • Bamboo A cheap and renewable source. Bamboo provides a vibe from the tropics.It is durable and nature-friendly making it suitable for diy projects.

Creative Ways to Hype Up Your Windows

    1. Mix some colors or fabric: Adding additional color or fabric to your existing curtains will provide a refreshing vibe. Start with mixing and matching your favorite colors and patterns. Eventually, you will have unlimited options.
    2.  Indoor shutters: Shutters are commonly found outside the windows. Putting them inside will give you a different experience when opening them to get a view of the outside surroundings. It will also provide a classic and elegant look.
    3.   Bamboo shades: Tired of fabrics? Add a little twist to the usual material used to make window shade. Bamboo is  available almost everywhere and is much more affordable than other alternative materials. You can mix different styles like roman and woven wood shade to add more style.
    4. Ruffles and more ruffles: Ruffles fit almost any fabric you can imagine. The style and elegance will hype up by adding these on the edges, sides or body of your current curtains.
    5.  Contrast of colors: If you want to emphasize your windows, painting the window frames with contrasting colors to your wall paint may be the greatest way. Naked windows will be much better to look at for an affordable price and less labor.
    6. Add cornices: Another great element to add on your windows are cornices. Located above the frame of your window, you can go plain or design it with your most favorite pattern. All you will be needing is paint, wood and creativity.

Takeaways

Taking your window decors to the next level does not need to be expensive.

Now that you are knowledgeable of the types, materials and ideas, you can easily make your dream window décor.

When you are going to do unusual designs, keep in mind the safety of children.

It’s time to make the dream window décor of yours!

 

Downlights – 5 Reasons to Think Again

Downlights are very popular and can give dramatic light effects so you seem them a lot in show houses, and shops ……but I won’t  have them again.

A but harsh? . . . . here are my reasons why.

  1. The dramatic effect means that the light from each fitting is fairly limited in area so you need lots of them.
  2. The cost of each individual unit, including installation is high. With four – six in small rooms and ten or more in large rooms the cost really starts to add up.
  3. Because the light is directed down you don’t get much reflected light of the walls and none on the ceiling resulting in a very uneven light, not what you need for reading or general household tasks.
  4. Because the down lights run hot its dangerous to cover them in insulation which means that the effectiveness of your insulation is reduced. .
  5. Changing bulbs can be really fiddly and exasperating, especially with some of the cheaper fittings. Not good when you are working off a ladder.

Now LED downlights are common these are better than the old incandescent so if you love your existing downlights It could be worth upgrading to LEDs.

Here is a comparison of costs; A typical room will need at least 6 down lights at $100 each including installation, Total $600 and using around 50W. Compare this against a single $50 LED bulb on an oyster fitting costing $50 and using 15W.

 

For similar posts see Electrical

How to Choose the Best Flooring for your Home 

Guest Post by Maria Dalit

Are you building or renovating your home? . . . If you are, one of the major things to think about would be the flooring.

The floor makes a major impact on your home.

There are many things to consider in choosing the best flooring for your home., including; costs or budget, theme, design, and maintenance.

For example, if you have a carpet, regular maintenance to clean and sanitize is a must. . . but don’t worry, if you are from Perth, carpet cleaning is easy.

Ensure Flooring matches the Theme and Design of Your Home 

What style and theme do you want?

Do you want a modern, classic, zen, rustic, industrial, contemporary, or vintage?

The first step is to decide your theme and design.

If you are hiring an interior designer, discuss with him or her your preferences.

Once you have decided on the theme and design of your home, you then need to also decide on the type of flooring.

The flooring should match the overall theme of your house. Flooring brings out the style and should be complementary to the look of the house.

Hardwood Flooring

A lot of traditional and modern homes opt for hardwood flooring.

This is because of its classic and timeless appeal that can cut across generations.

It can also match a lot of interiors.

While hardwood flooring is more expensive, it can also last longer and can increase resale value of the home.

Dark hardwood floorings match a bright and light colour walling or interiors.

Wooden floors are a better option for those with allergies or dust sensitivities since it does not collect as much dust mites.

Wooden floors are easier to clean just by regularly sweeping and mopping. . . .but it is hard and can also be slippery at times.

Caution is needed for those with elderly or children which is why some opt to add carpets.

However, as it is wood, it can still be naturally susceptible to termite damage, so you need to ensure the wood is also maintained by companies expert in pest control and cleaning.

Tiles 

Tiles are also popular in a lot of modern homes.

This is because of its functionality and versatility and can match a lot of themes.

Tiles have various shape designs like hexagonal or rectangular that can add to the visual appeal of the house.

Tiles are sold in different colours and styles.

Tiles are also very simple to install compared to other flooring.

They are easier to maintain too as dust is not much of an issue.

Stains are also not a problem with tiles unlike some flooring.

Depending on the type of tile, but generally tiles are also durable and can be cost effective especially for bigger areas to cover.

A disadvantage though for tiles is that they can be slippery when wet and can pose real danger if you fall on tiles.

Tiles are good for hot climates but for really colder climates, it can be really cold when you go barefoot.

Carpets

Carpets can be placed on any type of flooring.

You can put carpet on the whole flooring or put a carpet on certain areas.

Carpets can  be great as an accent.

For example, you can try a wool carpet. It can look luxurious in a room! .

An advantage of using a carpet is that it can provide thermal insulation and resistance. In colder climates, carpets retain warm air longer.

Carpet is also a great feel for comfort.

You can relax, sit, or even lie down!

Carpets give that cozy and warm vibe to any home.

There are so many types of carpet to choose from so you can match the style of your home.

The different types of carpet materials are; nylon, olefin, polyester, acrylic, wool, triexta, etc.

Wool is the softest carpet while Nylon is the most popular carpet.

Laminate

There is also laminate, which is an imitation of the real hardwood.

It is made from pressed wood.

It can be durable also and scratch-resistant. It is also easier to clean.

Laminate is not as visually appealing though as the real hardwood. . .but of course, if budget is a consideration, it can also be a good choice.

Vinyl Flooring

Vinyl is synthetic and a popular choice for those who are not so concerned with the look but is more after the cost.

It is normally a choice for kitchen and bathrooms.

Vinyl floors do not stand much to heavy loads.

It can be easily damaged by sharp objects and it can also fade with too much exposure to direct sunlight.

 

Are you now ready to choose which type of flooring best fits your home?

It largely depends on your style, theme, consideration, and budget.

Remember that flooring has a big impact in your home so think carefully about what is best for you.

After choosing the best flooring for your home, maintaining it is the second thing to think about.

Make sure you entrust your new flooring to an expert in commercial and domestic such as Perth carpet cleaning service.

Small Windows – Fail

This ‘renovation’ really upsets me because I think that smaller windows are a good environmental, and, living comfort, choice . . . .but this a demonstration of how not to do it.

  1. Think about the scale. . .  upstairs windows are expected to be smaller than downstairs windows, or at least no larger;
  2. Have a consistent sill treatment;
  3. A more attractive infill treatment would be to have a rendered or weatherboard fill below the windows, and could have  increased  insulation; value;
  4. If you are going to do build in brick try and match the brick colour. . . . . especially if you are going to bond it into existing brickwork.

 

For more unusual and funny construction pictures go to  What the………………….?

 

 

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