Category: Guest post

Guest Post by Dean Cox

Before buying a house, it’s essential to know how important it is to have a reliable and efficient plumbing system.

Having a leaky plumbing system can lead to many different complications, especially if the water that runs through the pipes is dirty.

A plumber’s inspection can tell you whether or not you’re dealing with a leaky pipe.

Knowing how to check on your own may be financially convenient, but entrusting this task to a professional will guarantee better results and will give you the assurance that you’re not going to put your investment down the drain.

Before buying a house, check the plumbing system first by doing the following:

Entrust Plumbing Inspection To A Professional

Make sure that you have the pipes checked by calling the local plumber or the building department in your area.

It’s always a good idea to call the local plumber because they know the issues the pipes may have and can help you determine the best route to fix the problem.

A plumber Castle Hill will also be able to let you know if you have any problems that need repair or work done on the plumbing system.

They can do this by inspecting the pipes and make sure that they’re up to code.

Check If The Water System Is Running Slow

If there’s a lot of dirt inside the pipes, it’s likely that there’s a problem with the pipes as well as the drainage system. A clogged drain can lead to a slow running water system.

If the water is clogged and doesn’t run properly, you may want to call a plumber to see what can be done.

Visually Inspect For Wear And Tear

As a future new homeowner, to ensure you’re getting a good buy, it’s crucial to know how to visually inspect a plumbing system for wear and tear.

If a block is too stubborn to remove by hand, a plumber can come and inspect the drain for signs of wear and tear.

If the drain has been working well, the only thing that’ll be needed is some cleaning.

If the drain has worn out, it can cause problems down the road.

If the drain becomes clogged with debris, the drain can block the flow of water from the pipe.

If the drainage system is clogged and there’s no way to clean it, then you may want to consider buying a home with a better drainage system.

There are actually several ways that you can tell if your plumbing system is about to break down, such as:

• Check the basement: You might find signs of rot or mold in the basement, which indicates a history of water leakage.

• Check for rust: Another sign of wear and tear is when your pipes become backed up. Sometimes, this happens because of clogs, but, sometimes, it can be from a buildup of rust. The problem with rust is that it can grow in a very short amount of time. If you see anything that’s growing on your pipes, there’s a chance that it’ll eventually cause a clog and your system will have to be replaced.

• Check the plumbing fixtures: Inspect the shower, faucet, sink, and other plumbing fixtures for rust, corrosion, algae, and other alterations. The presence of these problems would reflect poor plumbing maintenance of the old homeowners.

Watch Out For Signs Of Water Damage

Water damage can happen from many obvious sources, including a leaky pipe, heavy rain, or severe weather events.

But the most common cause is hidden leaks from damaged plumbing pipes.

When a leaky roof or ceiling causes condensation to form on the surface of your ceiling or windows, causing the wood to rood and then emit a foul decay-like odor.

Loose ceiling tiles, for example, can become very problematic when there’s a significant amount of moisture accumulating around them.

If you’ve noticed a crack or other visible sign of water damage in the prospective house you’re planning to purchase, you might want to reconsider it.

This is because these problems would require contacting a mold remediation company.

Conclusion 
Clogging in the pipes can cause major headaches.

For one, a broken water pipe can prevent people from using their homes. Most of the time, this is due to the clog in the pipe.

If you want to know how to check the condition of the plumbing system before buying a house, you need to make sure that the main and all the drains have been inspected.

By doing so, you’ll be able to purchase a home that won’t give you plumbing problems for a long time, saving you a lot of money for repairs and replacement.

 

Dean Cox
Dean Cox is a full-time blogger who publishes articles about real estate, business, and investment on his blog.
Dean wants to help his readers get the most out of their lives by helping them make the right investments, and providing tips on business startups.
Aside from making sure that his blog is updated with informative content,
Dean also submits guest posts to several other websites.

 

 

Guest Post by Albin Davis

‘Land surveying’ has been a critical activity for centuries all over the world, owing to its multiple benefits.

Whether it’s a small piece of land that needs to be resold or a large parcel of land that has title issues, a land survey can help to meet various requirements and resolve various problems regarding the land.

Professionals carrying out this activity independently or as a part of a firm are called ‘land surveyors’.

They have knowledge and experience in different kinds of land surveys. They can guide you in understanding which survey can suit your goals. 

A construction surveyor is the one who conducts a construction survey which is a type of survey that becomes essential when construction work is going on.

Whenever a property or any structure gets built, the construction company and the engineer involved in the project commission the construction survey.

A land survey firm, a specialised construction survey firm, an independent land surveyor, or an independent construction surveyor can be approached for this survey.

What Exactly is a Construction Survey?

Construction projects involve a great deal of investment and time, and so, every step should be taken diligently.

A survey can help the team working on the project to acquire the relevant information, such as measurements, location, topography, and condition of the land. 

The surveyor marks reference points on the land by using the necessary equipment, for example, compass, GPS, tripod camera, and drone.

These points prove to be very useful to the civil engineer, site supervisor, construction workers, and other parties.

The construction company and civil engineer can clear all their doubts about legal boundaries, encroachments, and easements through the results of the survey. 

A construction survey is carried out for all scales and types of projects, including but not limited to, buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and parks.

This survey is a vital part of town planning and rebuilding the city infrastructure.

The construction survey is conducted at the beginning of a project.

Why is Construction Surveying Important?

Real estate sector is one of the important and growing sectors of any economy as it leads to not only the construction of various structures but also a rise in the employment rate.

With an increase in business activities, affordable housing options, and recreational activities, the number of properties built have also increased. 

So, ensuring the quality of the construction is essential for making the properties safe and comfortable for occupants.

The accuracy of measurements can be achieved with the help of a construction survey.

Inaccurate measurements can lead to the possibility of encroachments arising in the future. 

As the surveyor marks the points with the help of markers and places boards on them, tasks of the engineer, site supervisor, and construction workers become easy.

Construction surveyors even check numerous elements, such as surrounding area neighbouring structures, and underground infrastructure.

How does a Construction Surveyor Work?

As indicated earlier in this article, construction surveyors can work either independently or in a survey firm.

They can opt to perform only a construction survey or multiple types of land surveys depending on their qualifications, skill set, and areas of interest.

A construction surveyor obtains the required knowledge and license by completing their studies, assisting an experienced surveyor, and proving their abilities.

Construction surveyors carry the necessary equipment, which is popularly known as total stations, with them for performing the survey.

They:

• • • Measure angles and distances by using the concepts of geometry and trigonometry.
    • Stay abreast of the laws and regulations regarding the land, construction, and more.
    • Know how to interpret constructions plans, architectural designs, and maps.
    • Coordinate with the builder, civil engineer, and site inspector during the whole project. 

Construction surveyors enable engineers and construction workers to make water and drainage systems as well as create the utility lines for electricity, gas, and telephone properly.

Once the structure is built, they examine it thoroughly to ascertain that their inputs have been considered.

Wrapping Up

Construction surveys are crucial to make sure that the new structures are built in accordance with the local and national rules. Individuals, real estate developers, government departments, and other parties appoint construction surveyors.

You should hire reputable construction surveyors or land surveyors for your project.

Guest Post by Albin Davis

Whether you are in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, or any other region, you can feel the unique vibe and atmosphere of Australia.

This country is known for its marvellous architectural structures, beautiful tourist attractions, and peculiar climatic conditions.

But along with all this, Australia is also known for being home to a large variety of pests.

Therefore, conducting the pest inspection, getting the pest treatment services, and preventing the pest infestation have become one of the important responsibilities of the people in this country.

German cockroach treatment is also a part of these responsibilities in case of all kinds of entities that own or rent a building, for example, individuals, families, businesses, government departments, volunteer groups, and charity organisations.

Sometimes, property managers and real estate agents face the burden of pest removal too.

The reason attributing to this fact is that almost every building gets infested with German cockroaches.

The German cockroach, which is notorious for being extremely annoying and dangerous, is a pest that attacks all sizes and types of properties.

You need to ensure that your premises, whether owned or rented, are free from this species of cockroaches.

How to Identify German Cockroaches

The biggest problem that the occupants of a building encounter, when it comes to German cockroaches, is that they fail to detect the presence of this pest.

They might see German cockroaches wandering in their kitchen or bathroom, but confuse them with other types of cockroaches.

Another mistake that people do is that they ignore the signs of the cockroach infestation.

Even if you think that the cockroaches roaming in your house or workplace are not German cockroaches, you should make the necessary arrangements for removing them.

They might be belonging to another cockroach species, thereby becoming less harmful than German cockroaches.

But you still need to get rid of them.

Now, in order to confirm that the cockroach species that has invaded your property is the German cockroach, you should have the knowledge of how to identify them.

German cockroaches have two dark-coloured parallel strips on the back of their bodies.

The adult cockroaches are light brown to dark brown in colour, and the nymphs are dark brown to black in colour.

What Harm can German Cockroaches Cause

German cockroaches are harmful than not just many other types of cockroaches but also many other types of pests.

Despite having wings, they cannot fly but don’t get happy yet, as they can run quite fast.

Leveraging their speed, they move around in a building, thereby contaminating every possible object and surface.

As they feed on a wide range of items, including but not limited to bread, meat, sweets, pet food, book bindings, glue, toothpaste, and soap,

German cockroaches can cause a lot of damage to your belongings.

In search of items to eat, these roaches can infest your pantry, study room, bathroom, basement, and other areas of your property.

However, young German cockroaches feed on waste material generated by the adult roaches.

Just like several other types of pests, these roaches need warm, moist, and humid spaces for thrivingand the availability of water and food.

Therefore, places like the garage, poolside deck, bathroom, and pantry are exposed to the risk of the German cockroach infestation.

Once they enter your premises, irrespective of the space they first appeared, they can take over your entire property owing to rapid reproduction.

German roaches carry pathogens like salmonella and shigella that are responsible for causing diseases, such as food poisoning, diarrhoea, and dysentery.

So, the objects and surfaces contaminated by them can prove to be dangerous for people.

If you consume the food or come into contact with books and other items that have been contaminated by German cockroaches, you can fall sick.

Many people have allergic reactions to German roaches.

How to Get Rid of German Cockroaches

Though you might have heard it before, we cannot emphasise enough the significance of professional pest control services for showing German cockroaches the way out of your building.

Baits, sprays, and other methods of removing these roaches are not completely effective.

Such methods consume time and create troubles, but don’t derive the ideal results.

Even if you have purchased a brand-new house, shop, office, or any other place, you should not relax thinking that your property is immune from German cockroach infestation.

Therefore, you should check the signs of infestation regularly and fix the caulking, leakage, and other problems.

On noticing the infestation signs or roaches inside your premises, approach the pest exterminators quickly.

Guest Post 

The roof is your protection from rain, snow, tree branches, and other debris.

If it’s in poor shape, your home can get leaks, develop molds, and undergo other problems.

Inspecting the roof for wear and tear is something you need to consider either periodically or after a major storm.

Not only does it ensure that everything is still intact, but it also guarantees the safety of your family.

You can also reduce the cost of having your roof replaced in the future by knowing that you will always have a roof that’s in good shape.

Check If The Roof Needs To Be Replaced

Inspect if your roof needs some repairs.

One visible area is the shingle as it often becomes worn away by time and moisture.

This should be looked at as soon as possible as the moisture may cause cracks and leaks.

Repairs can then be made to any holes that may appear from the water leaking out.

Tell-tale signs that you have a damaged roof would be a leak inside the house coming from the ceiling, or visibly damaged shingles on your roof.

Sometimes the damage is not easy to see, and requires you to inspect your roof via the attic, getting a look underneath, which can help you identify growing cracks or even rot.

You may also want to replace your roof with something that’s better suited to your climate.

For example, if your roof is worn out, you may want to look into using slate or other materials that will be less expensive to have installed.

It is also a good idea to contact a roofing contractor like jacksoncontractingsite.com. 

They can help you figure out what repairs you need to do and how to do them. However, if you find your roof too damaged, you should install a new one.

Use Specialized Tools

While the roof is not actually being replaced, it’s still important to examine it thoroughly and ensure that there are no hidden problems that may arise.

This can be done by either making use of a specialized tool known as a roofing inspection camera or by simply having someone else inspect the roof for you.

Either way, there are a number of areas that need to be checked.

Some tools that are essential for a roof inspection are:

• • Shingle remover
  • Toolbelt
  • Retractable utility knife
  • Hammer tacker
  • Measuring tape
  • Roofing ladder
  • Roofing snake
  • Moisture meter
  • Magnetic pickup tool

If you have these items, then you should be able to complete a roof inspection with ease, and if you don’t, then they’re not difficult to acquire as you can purchase them at any hardware store near where you live.

You also have to use certain types of personal protective equipment to reduce the chances of injury.

Identify Roof Rot

Roof rot occurs when there’s moisture buildup in your roof.

The water could have been coming from rain or snowfall over several days.

Once it has soaked in the area, it starts to harden on the materials as it warms up.

As this hardening process begins to take place, the materials will start to decay.

You can find rot in many different areas of your roof, including around eaves and around vents that are not properly ventilated.

If the damage or rot is only visible on the inside, you need to inspect the underside of the roof to see if you have any pockets where water is leaking.

If this is the case, you may need to repair the leak on the roof.

Remember that a roof can last several years, but if you have a roof that becomes worn and damaged, you can expect to spend a lot of money for repairs down the road.

Conclusion

Roofs wear out over time because they get weathered down by the elements and don’t hold up as well as they once did.

The leading cause for this is that their water and moisture protection become compromised as the seasons change.

It can be because of a broken shingle, a leaking ceiling fan, or just because there’s no way for your roof to effectively dissipate the heat or cold.

Regardless of the reason that your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, you need to know what the repairs will cost and make sure that the roofing contractor that you hire can do a good job.

The last thing you’d want is to end up with shoddy work on your roof and find that it needs to be replaced entirely.

Guest Post By Andrea Estrada

The good news is that you can still make your home fit your lifestyle, whether it’s big or small.

In this guide, we’ll share a few tips that can help you achieve that without having to break the bank.

Keep reading to learn how you can do that successfully.

We always want to own a home that can fit our lifestyle, but our financial situations can sometimes limit our choices.

So, you end up buying a house within your budget but not to fulfill your lifestyle.

However, that shouldn’t be the case as your lifestyle also matters.

How to Make Your Home Fit Your Lifestyle

If your home no longer fits your lifestyle, you can either customize it to fill your needs or buy a new house.

If you opt for the latter, home builders in Innisfil can help find a home that matches your needs, interests, and lifestyle.

Today, we look at the tips for making your home fit your lifestyle. Let’s get started!

Get Rid of Unused Items

The first thing to always do when transforming your home is to get rid of all the things you no longer need.

You can donate, recycle, or throw them away. If you always stack read magazines on the coffee table, start with them when decluttering your house.

You might keep the magazines you’ve read, hoping that you’ll reread them in the future, but that never happens.

So, consider getting rid of the magazines to create more space for your eyes to rest. and store away all the sentimental items you no longer use.

Change Your Wall Photos

One of the best ways to make your home feel like home is by designating a gallery wall to hang your favorite photos.

This can be the best bet if you love spending most of your time at home.

You can swap or mix up the pictures when you get used to them.

Here are some of the tips to make your gallery wall more attractive.

• • Swap the photo frames whenever you are dusting the window sills
  • Swap the photos in the frames with new ones whenever you get bored
  • Add photo ledges on your wall and place the picture frames close to each other

Colour Your Rooms

Having the same colors in your room for many years can sometimes be boring.

If you feel that one of your rooms need an upgrade, add a strong color that matches your taste and lifestyle.

However, you need to have a neutral base for a perfect match-up. 

For instance, if you have gray furniture, you can add a few bold-colored cushions and a brightly-colored cushion for a matching throw.

The good news is, this instant makeover can help you save time and money you’d have spent on decorating the entire house.

Add a Few Memory Keepers

Are you holding onto any sentimental item that reminds you a lot about the past?

If so, you need to add it to your house décor to fulfill your lifestyle needs.

Thankfully, some items are conversational. Any visitor in your home may inquire where you got them.

Generally, you need to add something that will psych you up, whether it’s a picture or a mug.

If it’s not interesting, don’t incorporate it in your house design as it will yield no fulfillment. Instead, keep the item and include something else.

Include a Few Houseplants

If you are looking for an excellent way to freshen up your living space, consider adding a few houseplants.

It can either be a young tree, large potted plant, cactus, or any other plant you feel will spruce up your space.

The plant options are endless.

Besides making your home look beautiful, the green houseplants play a significant role in improving your room’s air quality.

They do that by emitting oxygen, which is essential for our survival.

Some of the popular houseplants include the spider plant, dragon tree, and peace lily.

However, you must ensure there’s enough natural light in your rooms.

Install an Entertainment Center in Your House

An entertainment center is usually the focal point of any living room and can help define your space’s appearance.

Notably, larger units will take up big wall space but might include more storage options for your A/V collectibles and components.

However, a larger entertainment unit is bulky and can be costly.

It may not be your best option if you like rearranging furniture more often.

You can consider other entertainment furniture, such as the TV stands, TV wall mounts, media storage, and media fireplaces.

Final Words

With these tips and ideas, you’ll quickly make your home fit your lifestyle.

All you have to do is evaluate your needs to find out what makes you happy and comfortable.

 

Guest Post by Atanas Gjorgiev

Lowering the carbon footprint is now more important than ever because of the increasing concern about global climate change.

While going vegan, recycling and ditching single-use plastics are all ways to reduce your carbon footprint, you can make an even greater impact by building a zero-carbon home. 

The term zero-carbon (or carbon-neutral) housing refers to highly energy-efficient homes that creates the same amount of renewable energy that it uses. 

It meets the energy needs of the homeowner precisely without creating any carbon emissions.

The housing sector plays a huge role in generating greenhouse gasses.

Emissions from the energy used in households accounts for 28% of global carbon emissions. According to the Paris Agreement of 2016 so reducing operational emissions would significantly decrease the risks of global climate change.

This is why building a carbon neutral home or renovating your existing one to meet carbon neutral standards is a good way to mitigate global warming.

But like all other housing options, zero emission homes have their advantages and downsides. It’s a good idea to be aware of both in order to determine whether this kind of housing is the right solution for you. 

Eco-Friendly Housing

By producing the same amount of energy that is expended, carbon neutral homes have a positive impact on the environment.

For instance, these homes generate their own clean power with solar panels instead of fossil fuels.

Because solar energy doesn’t produce greenhouse gasses and it doesn’t pollute the water, these homes do not contribute to wildlife destruction and global warming. 

Additionally, elements such as high-quality insulation, double-glazed and shaded windows, roof vents that allow hot air to escape and a hot water system located as close as possible to areas that need hot water can all contribute to a highly energy-efficient home.

By building a carbon neutral home with energy-efficient design elements your air-conditioning and heating systems won’t need to work as hard to meet your needs.

To further improve your home’s energy-efficiency, choose energy-efficient appliances and light bulbs, turn off and unplug electronics when you are not using them and recycle and buy recycled products.

Fresh Air

Many carbon neutral homes incorporate advanced energy-efficient ventilation systems that filter the outside air from pollutants and allergens.

The long term health effects from polluted air are quite serious and include heart disease, respiratory problems and cancer. By investing in an energy-efficient ventilation system, you’re not only reducing your carbon footprint but also doing something good for your health.

More Natural Light

A zero carbon house is also designed to allow as much natural daylight in as possible.

This way, you won’t depend as much on electrical lighting sources for your needs.

Additionally, the benefits of letting more natural sunlight in your home are numerous, including, but not limited to reduction of harmful bacteria, increase in vitamin D and improvement in the overall wellbeing.

Whenever natural light isn’t available, these homes rely on energy efficient LED lights that can create an open and welcoming home.  

The Power of Silence

Noise pollution is linked with increased risk of hearing loss, stress and higher blood pressure.

Even ten minutes of silence a day can be beneficial for your health.

Unfortunately, when you live in the city you can’t stay away from noise not even for five minutes.

The good news is that a carbon neutral home can protect you from external sounds, while also producing a minimum amount of environmental noise inside.

High-quality and well-built insulation will not only significantly reduce energy loss, but it can also provide you with peace and quiet as it prevents noise from the outside from getting in.

In addition, the systems used for heating and cooling in zero carbon housing operate almost completely silent.

Durability and Low Maintenance

The design of carbon neutral homes is optimised to suit the weather conditions of the location.

Therefore, these homes are less susceptible to damage from the outside elements.

What’s more, with the advancement of construction technologies and materials used in low carbon homes, these structures are becoming more durable than standard homes. 

In addition, carbon neutral homes are low maintenance.

For example, because they often come with an air system that filters the air from external pollutants, there’s less dust inside the house.

They also tend to have an integrated moisture barrier that prevents mould and damage from water.

All of this means less time spent on cleaning and maintenance.

Lower Bills

The cost of building a carbon neutral house can be jarring but considering these homes are energy-efficient and have a reduced risk of structural damage, in the long run, it will significantly decrease future expenses.

By producing your own energy, you won’t be strongly affected by the fluctuating prices of electricity and gas even if you have to purchase power from the grid occasionally.

Also, you can save on water bills by implementing machines, faucets and showers with water sense controls.

Smart Investment

Carbon neutral houses are a smart investment because they are the homes of the future.

They have a higher resale value than standard homes which means your investment will most definitely pay off in the future.

While all these benefits sound enticing, building a home is not something that should be taken lightly.

This is why it is important to be aware of the disadvantages of the zero carbon housing as well. Although there are few of them, they are worth mentioning.  

A Relatively New Concept

Zero carbon housing, including apartments, is a relatively new concept compared to traditional housing.

This means that there are fewer experienced designers to successfully build a carbon neutral home and professionals are hard to find.

Higher Initial Cost

Although your investment will pay off eventually, the initial cost of a carbon neutral home is higher compared to the traditional houses.

For instance, the initial cost for an average conventional house is around $1393.55 per sqm according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, but this figure doesn’t include design, permits, or features of a carbon neutral home.

Roughly put, you are looking at costs which are around 10% higher than the price of conventional homes.

However, it is likely that the cost will reduce over time thanks to the technological advancements.

Weather Dependence

For the solar panels to generate enough power for your home, they need direct sunlight.

A solar panel battery will help store extra energy overnight and for a cloudy or rainy day. if this goes on for longer, you will eventually experience loss of power.

That being said, if you still choose a carbon neutral home, it is smart to be grid-connected in order to have the option to get electricity from both the solar panels and the grid.

 

All things considered, it is safe to say that zero carbon housing is the future of homeownership.

The initial cost will reduce overtime and more benefits are yet to be discovered.

One thing is sure though, carbon neutral houses greatly reduce our carbon footprint and that is a significant step towards a healthier environment. 

Guest Post by Chad Singson

The kitchen is the heart of many a happy home.

Unfortunately, it’s also the most complex room in the house, and can be the most expensive to maintain if problems arise.

Issues in kitchen design are nigh impossible to ignore, but many people are too intimidated to address them with a remodel.

Fortunately, with a few vital considerations, you can undertake kitchen renovation with confidence and get the dream kitchen you’ve always wanted.

Plan A Budget

As with any remodel, you’ll want to lay out a comprehensive plan before you start demolishing any countertops.

This will help you end up with the kitchen you really want and keep you from making costly mistakes down the road.

The biggest part of planning will involve outlining your budget.

You should consider the costs of any changes, supplies, and professionals that you will need to hire, which will help you determine where you can save by taking on certain tasks yourself.

Should You Do It Alone?

There are plenty of renovation tasks, from demolition to painting, that you can potentially handle yourself.

A handy DIY approach can teach you plenty and save you even more.

That being said, some tasks are best left to experts. Electrical and plumbing alterations and the like typically require professional insight, and hiring the right person can help you avoid costly mistakes.

Similarly, trusted contractors or designers are well versed in the dos and don’ts of kitchen renovation of your new kitchen. 

For The Family, Or For A Fix And Flip?

The first question to address is the fate of the house.

Are you fixing it up to resell, or for your family to enjoy?

An updated kitchen can bring up to a 90% return on investment, but if you’re not planning on putting your house up for sale in the next year or two, remodel with your personal preferences in mind.

Rather than worrying about what might attract future owners, pay attention to how you use the kitchen and what your needs are.

If you’re planning to resell shortly, do plenty of research to learn more about current design trends.

Consider preserving what makes your kitchen unique aesthetically, so everything will need to match, and a set of rustic cabinets, for example, may be the key to your kitchen’s charm.

Identify Your Kitchen’s Strengths Or Weaknesses

While there may be plenty you dislike about your kitchen, there are likely a few things you appreciate.

List any important issues your kitchen has, such as;

• Is there enough counter space?
• Is the sink too far from the stove?
• Are the cabinets outdated?
• Perhaps you’ve always wanted to include a table or island in your kitchen.

This helps to prioritize urgent changes and preserve any strengths that your kitchen already has.

Be Prepared

Before you actually start working on the upgrade, make sure you have everything ready to go.

Order supplies ahead of time so that you don’t have to pause work while you wait for a delivery.

Have professionals, such as plumbers or electricians, scheduled to come in on days that work best for you.

You want to limit the length of time you have to live without a kitchen, so efficiency is the name of the game.

In the meantime, move essential appliances into the dining room so you can still cook basic meals.

Grill out if you can—another good reason not to remodel in the dead of winter if you live in cold climates!

To Move Or Not To Move

Most homeowners assume that sinks and appliances have to stay where they are, even during renovations.

Sinks and appliances can be moved, but pipes and wiring have to be moved to accommodate.

If your plans involve relocating your sink, make sure to factor in the extra costs that will entail.

A job best left to the professionals, moving a sink and other plumbing infrastructure is time consuming and costly but possible if you feel it’s worth the investment.

Similarly, make sure that any electrical changes in your kitchen remain up to code.

Get Rid Of Dead Space

In a kitchen, empty space is wasted space.

Maximizing storage space, especially headspace, has a number of benefits.

Not only will this free up space on your countertops,  but it also will eliminate hard-to-reach spots that are impossible to clean.

Similarly, open shelving can save space but makes dusting and preventing clutter more of a chore.

Deep drawers and dividers, on the other hand, can help keep your future kitchen become well-organized.

Plan For Your Needs

You may not need the Ferrari of stoves to be a happy cook in the kitchen.

Functionality, however, can make or break a kitchen.

Buy appliances with your new kitchen design in mind.

Experts recommend paying special attention to the ‘triangle,’ that is, the space between the sink, stove, and refrigerator.

Since this is the busiest part of your kitchen, you will want to make sure you can move efficiently between them.

Having to cross the kitchen every time you need to use the sink can really make cooking an unwelcome workout!

Devil In The Details

It can be easy to get carried away with the heavy lifting of kitchen remodeling.

While elements like countertops and cabinets make up the bulk of your kitchen’s aesthetic, small elements can make a big impact.

Lighting can emphasize design elements, and an eye-catching backsplash makes a wonderful centerpiece for even smaller kitchens.

Making small changes can help you make big alterations in style without having to spend too much.

Have Fun!

Kitchen renovation is a big, intimidating job, but it’s your chance to experiment and personalize a space to completely fit your needs.

Keep in mind the considerations enumerated above before going through with the upgrade, but also remember to get creative—you can even involve the whole family!

It’s your kitchen, after all, and you might as well have a good time designing the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.

Guest Post by Atanas Gjorgiev

Are you planning to build a new bathroom from scratch or remodel your existing one?

If you already visited some bathroom showrooms, I’m sure you’ve noticed how varied bathroom design is nowadays.

It’s 2020 and you could say that anything goes in bathroom design – from colourful bathroom basins to wooden bathtubs.

If a wooden tub is where you want to soak in the morning, I’m not here to judge.

But despite the differing styles of bathroom elements you can use, there are still some design principles that you should adhere to if you want to achieve a functional and beautifully cohesive bathroom.

The following rules are key to creating a terrific bathroom, no matter its style or size.

Always Aim for Functionality

Despite how much Instagram and Pinterest romanticise bathrooms, in its essence, the bathroom is primarily a utilitarian space.

That being said, your main focus when creating your bathroom should be functionality.

A hard-working bathroom should be easy to use for everyone.

Make sure that all the elements in the bathroom are accessible to different users.

Installing sinks, mirrors and tapware that can suit everyone is both smart and thoughtful.

For instance, if there are small children or elderly and frail people in your household, monobloc taps with a single leaver only require applying a small amount of pressure to use.

Additionally, a handheld showerhead will be convenient for users of different heights, as opposed to a wall-mounted showerhead.

Install Water-Saving Fixtures

Considering how the bathroom accounts for more than half of residential water usage, fixtures with a sustainable design can go a long way when it comes to reducing your home’s water bills.

At bathroom showrooms across Australia, you can come across a vast range of WELS regulated products – from taps to toilets, showerheads and washing machines.

For instance, you can purchase a showerhead with a low flow rate, rated 3 or 4 stars. For a family of four, it’s estimated that installing a 3-star showerhead can save around $210 each year, whereas a 4-star showerhead can cut around $315 from your water bills.

Add to this the savings on electricity because less water will need to be heated, and this simple change can be significant for your budget.

Make Sure the Layout Fits the Space

The bathroom is often the smallest room of the house.

So, you need to consider the amount of available space before you can plan out what to include.

For instance, some people love a separate tub and shower, but this isn’t a good idea if you don’t have much room.

Combining the two can allow you to save some space.

Additionally, you also need to go for a smart layout.

Remember, in the bathroom, you need to have enough room to move around.

For instance, a three-wall-layout where fixtures like the toilet, sink and bathtub are all installed on separate walls may not be a good idea for a narrow bathroom.

The three-wall layout generally works best in spacious bathrooms with a round or square shape.

For a small or long and narrow bathroom, a two-wall or single-wall layout may be the most space-efficient choice.

The bathroom should be a place to relax, not a room chock full of elements that make you feel cramped and uncomfortable, so make sure you invest a great deal of effort in planning a suitable layout.

Add Plenty of Storage

The bathroom is the home of an ever-growing collection of shower gels, body scrubs, creams, makeup, grooming tools and all kinds of other personal-care items.

Leaving all of these things sitting on the counter or lining the edges of the bathtub sure makes for visual clutter. And no matter how attractive your

bathroom design is, clutter can undo all your efforts in creating a calm space., but growing your personal-care collection won’t be a problem, as long as you have enough storage to hide it neatly away.

When adding storage, try to think in all directions – a vanity under the sink, a medicine cabinet above it,shelves mounted on the walls and woven baskets on the floor.

If you have the space, you can also add a chest of drawers for storing clean towels and extra toilet paper rolls.

Not only do storage solutions help you keep clutter at bay, but they can also be used to add a decorative touch to the space.

Design a Space That’s Easy to Clean

Bathrooms get wet and dirty quick, but your design choices can have a big impact on how easy to clean your bathroom is.

For instance, grout lines can be some of the most demanding chores when cleaning a bathroom.

That being said, if you want to save yourself from scrubbing grout in the future, you may want to line your walls with some solid surface choices instead of tiles.

For instance, stone slabs tend to have few seam lines which do not attract dirt as much, but if you do love the look of tiles, then at least reduce
the number of grout lines and their thickness by choosing large-format porcelain tiles.

Another way to make sure the bathroom doesn’t get dirty as often is to prevent the floors from getting wet.

This can be done by enclosing your shower area with a shower curtain or a glass screen.

However, shower curtains are notorious for attracting mould, which means a glass screen will be easier to maintain.

Frameless shower screens are easier to wipe clean, plus there are a variety of coatings that can be applied to glass and help it repel water and soap scum.

Don’t Forget the Power of Good Lighting

Lighting is important in the bathroom.

Not only does good lighting help you apply your makeup better, but it also helps magnify the space as it bounces off tiles, the bathtub, the mirror and the sink.

Unfortunately, bathrooms tend to get the leftover space after all the other rooms take up the best spots and windows.

As a result, bathrooms struggle with a lack of natural light, and then there are bathrooms that have no windows at all.

If this is the case, to bring in some natural light into your bathroom, you can install a skylight if the design of the home permits.

Skylights are a great way to flood the room with sunshine while saving the walls for other bathroom elements.

If you’re really not able to add a window, turn to artificial light that will illuminate the space in a natural way.

To do so, pay attention to the bulbs you use.

Avoid yellow lights and cold or fluorescent hues, and instead, choose daylight toned LED bulbs which are perfect for simulating the effects of soft sunlight.

Additionally, since the bathroom is also a place where you want to relax, installing a dimmer switch can help create a more serene atmosphere.

Guest Post from Marketplace

Home construction involves a lot of processes before you can enjoy a brand-new house.

You have to prepare the construction site, complete the rough framing, and install the drywall and other interior fixtures.

Until you can have the final walk-through, the list goes on as home constructions are time-consuming.

During this time you are expected to keep your site secure fortunately, mesh banners can make the task easier and lighter.

As the name suggests, mesh banners are signs that come with small holes that allow winds to pass through.

Mesh banners are often used by businesses to advertise their products and services.

But if you plan to have your home constructed soon, it’s best if you start looking for banner mesh as this can are very useful in home construction sites because of the following reasons:

Safety 

A lot of things take place during home construction.

Often, you’ll have to hire different contractors who’ll take care of different things on the construction site.

The more complex your house plan is, the more people you’ll have to hire.

Providing safety to the people who’ll spend time in and around the home construction site is one of the biggest reasons why mesh banners are important.

By investing in mesh banners, you, passers-by, and the people working on-site can experience the following:

• • By blocking any loose debris, dirt, and other items from entering, or leaving, the construction site, mesh banners can effectively prevent injuries.
  • With passers-by kept away from the home construction site, it’ll be easier for contractors to focus on their safety while at work. Without distractions, contractors can properly use the necessary tools and pay attention to risks when working.

Cleanliness 

Because of the number of people working for a home construction project, expect that the site will be messy all the time.

More often than not, the home construction site will have several piles of cement, stacks of bricks, and a lot of wood.

The contractors will also use bulky equipment and acquire different vehicles in the construction site.

A mesh banner can hide all of the mess in the home construction site, making the neighborhood look cleaner and more organized.

With a mesh banner, all of the debris produced in the construction site will stay in the same place.

This will surely make your future neighbors very happy as the aesthetics of their properties aren’t ruined by your home construction project.

Versatility 

As mentioned, home constructions will require a lot of time.

Usually, it’ll take about five months to complete a home construction project but can last longer if the homeowner wants to install more fixtures and features.

A mesh banner is a very versatile material that you can use throughout the entire duration of your home construction.

Mesh banners are easy to put up, take down, and add more panels–you can basically adjust the coverage of your mesh banner without any help from professionals.

For instance, if your house plan started small, and you eventually decide to expand once the construction starts, mesh banners can be very useful since you can conveniently adjust it.

Provide A Glimpse Into The Future 

It’s common for passers-by to be curious whenever a construction takes place around their area.

Usually, they’ll wonder what the construction is, who manages the construction, and when the project will be completed.

Nosy individuals will even ask the contractors that are working on-site just to learn more.

For you to easily provide these individuals with a glimpse into the future, and easily answer their questions about the home construction, invest in mesh banners.

You can have your mesh banners customized to provide details about the construction, and give them an idea of what the finished project will look like.

Aside from informing the neighbors about the details of the home construction project, customized and well-designed mesh banners can also make the area more appealing.

With mesh banners, the people around the site won’t have to look at bland or boring fences.

Choose The Best 

Mesh banners are common today, so expect that you can easily find businesses that sell this product.

However, if you want to experience value for your money, make sure to buy mesh banners from trusted brands in the industry.

This will give you peace of mind knowing that you’re using high-quality mesh banners for your home construction.