Category: Settling in

Removals -The Easier Way

A guest post from Stephen Hodges of Easier Move

So it’s moving time to your new house.

This phrase can conjure up images of previous terrible moves that took all weekend, caused arguments about how items should be packed or the dreaded plan of ‘doing it ourselves, cause how hard can it be?

In order to make your life a little easier,here are a few simple tips on some ways to reduce the stress and hassle when moving house.

Be Organised

Moving house is not the thing you want to be thinking about after a hard day of work but as soon as you know your moving date, make contact with service providers.

Spring and summer are the busiest months to move and if left to the last minute you may be forced to use a less than professional removalist as the reputable ones are booked up.

Contacts

Don’t forget the utility companies and book in the date for the power to be on the day before you move in.

There is nothing worse than moving all day to find you have no hot water for that well deserved, long, hot shower.

Throw It Out

Avoid moving anything you don’t really need. If you don’t use it now, you most likely won’t use it later.

As a guide if you have not used something in the past 9 months, are you really going to use it again? If you have trouble throwing things out, get a friend in to do it for you.

Trust me, you will thank yourself later. If you can’t throw it out, pack it in a box and donate it to a charity shop. That may make you feel better about where the items are going. The more you throw out the less you have to move or pay someone to move for you.

Assign A Budget

You will have to pay something to move house, whether in your time – such as most of your weekend – or money.

Let’s face it no one wants to pay a lot to move house but remember, these are your treasured possessions that are being moved.

It is not until they are broken, scratched or torn by friend or a ‘no frills’ removalists that was charging half the price of the professionals you will start to see the value in using a reliable company.

Make sure any company you use is insured for the work they do.

For more advice see Moving House

Fire Risk

Understandably there is a lot of talk about Bush Fires at this time of the year…….. but did you know that in a typical year there are around 13,000 domestic fires in Australia.

There are also around 80 deaths a year which fire brigades describe as preventable!

Causes

The top causes according to the NSW Fire Brigade are:

  • Cooking Equipment – Why not invest in a fire extinguisher and fire blanket for your new house?
  • Appliances – There appears to be a rise in tumble dryers fires so make sure you keep that lint filter clean.
  • Heating Systems – If you are going for  a fire or wood heater a bigger hearth is safer. For things like fan heaters make sure you keep them free from dust. 
  • Faulty wiring – Hopefully this shouldnt be too big a risk for your new house with modern Earth Leakage Circuit Breakers (ELCB’s).
  • Air conditioning/ Refrigeration – Don’t forget to clean any filters and occasionally vacuum the back of the fridge and freezer. 

 

Also see Your Garage – A Fire Risk?

 

Tree Roots in Sewers and Drains

If  you are wondering what this photo is about, its been taken from the inside of a 100mm sewer pipe with a CCTV camera.

What it shows is the pipe is almost completely blocked with roots that have penetrated the pipe joints.

If you think all these roots are quite thin then have a look at this Root that has been cut out of a sewer, compared with a 50c coin.

Just remember these photos before you plant a big tree in that Easement in your property.

Most water authorities produce guides of suitable things to plant near sewers and drains, Thia is a link to: Melbourne Water’s Guide.

 

Leftover Bricks

Usually builders over order bricks. This is to ensure that all the bricks come from the same batch and there is no problem colour matching. (Each batch of bricks manufactured should be consistent within the batch, but will vary from batch to batch).

Some of the extra bricks may be used by the brickies cutting bricks, but there is usually lots of intact bricks left over that you could use for:

  • Path edging;
  • Brick planter boxes; or
  • Building a barby.

So whats the situation when it comes to getting those bricks?……………

Well for most house contracts you are paying for the completed walls not the actual bricks so the bricks are really owned by the builder.

In practice if there are complete packs/pallets of bricks the builder will probably want to take them off site for reuse. The reuse is typically for houses or fences that are going to be rendered.

For packs that have been opened its normally ‘too hard’ for the builder to load the bricks by hand so they go off to the tip during the clearance.

If you want the bricks the best thing to do is speak to the Site Supervisor. If you have a good relationship the SS may allow you to collect and stack the bricks somewhere on the site and make sure they are left there for you to use once you have moved in.

What did you use any leftover bricks for?

 

For similar posts see Garden

 

Tips for Building an Outdoor Kitchen

Post sponsored by homesales.com.au

There’s nothing like cooking in the great outdoors, whether you are camping in the woods or sitting on your own patio at home.

Two of the hottest trends in new home construction today are island kitchens and backyard patios, so it stands to reason that homeowners are combining the two to create customizable outdoor kitchens.

Rather than messing about with fiddly propane or charcoal grills, you can install all the features of today’s modern kitchens into a cosy deck setting.

Keep it simple with grills built in to your patio, or go high tech with your favourite kitchen gadgets. Either way, you’ll benefit from being able to spend time cooking outdoors with your friends and family, while at the same time adding value to your new home.

Space and Location

As you look at plots of land for sale and start planning the construction of your dream home, think carefully about how much space you will have available for an outdoor kitchen.

In most cases, you’ll need to place your kitchen area close enough to the home to be convenient. Water and electricity supplies must be readily available to install a working outdoor kitchen.

Think about whether you want a concrete base or something more organic, and whether you want your dining area incorporated into the kitchen plans. Your outdoor kitchen may take up the same amount of space as an interior room, depending on your vision.

Style and Design

An island design is the most popular for outdoor kitchens; perhaps because it gives you room to move around a stand-up grill. You can choose a simple rectangular shape with a grill, countertop, bar, and sink.

Kitchen islands, however, could also be L-shaped or even curved to accommodate dining areas and give you added workspace. Another decision to make is whether you prefer to have an open or enclosed outdoor kitchen.

Partially enclosing your kitchen can protect you from foul weather, but it may also lead to the need for added ventilation to prevent smoke from the grill from accumulating in the dining area.

Equipment and Amenities

The primary piece of equipment that you will need for a working outdoor kitchen is a grill, which can be installed in the main kitchen island. These can be outfitted with burners, griddles, and other features.

Sinks can make it easier to prepare food outdoors, while refrigerators keep drinks and perishable items cold without the need to keep walking back into the house. These are the most basic items to install in your outdoor kitchen, but the sky is the limit when it comes to possibilities.

If you enjoy baking, you could install a stand-up mixer and cooling racks. Those who want to use their outdoor kitchen for parties may want to have a full bar installed.

As you draw up plans for your piece of real estate, think about the types of food you will be most likely to prepare in your outdoor kitchen, and how often you plan on entertaining. By customizing this space, you’ll be able to have everything you need for idyllic outdoor entertainment.

 

Also see: Outside Electrical Planning

and External Plumbing.

 

Modern Bird House

Just moved into your new modern house and would like to encourage birds in your garden?

Think all the bird houses look old fashioned?

How about this?

 

It’s called Camera Shutter.


Or this?

It’s called Right Angle.

These bird houses and several more interesting designs can be bought online from Twig and Timber

 

For more Unusual ‘Houses’ go to What the………………….?

 

Pebble Gardens

Stone Mulches, Dry River Bed, Desert Gardens, they are all variations in having a garden covered with stones rather than having soil or an organic mulch.

It’s popular as a low maintenance finish to your new house garden.

I have used the technique a few times including back in 2006 when I went the Dry River Bed look.

Here is what you should know:

  • Give the whole area a good dose of weed killer first.
  • Put weed mat on the soil first, not plastic sheet. You want the soil to ‘breath’ and have water seep through to get to the roots of any plants you put in.
  • Don’t skimp on the stone, you need a thick layer to make sure you cover all the soil.
  • Don’t think its ‘No Maintenance’ It will probably be relatively weed free for the first couple of years than dirt and seeds will get blown into the gaps. If you don’t then keep on top of the weeds the whole area can start to look scruffy, like this photo below!

 

For similar posts see Garden

 

Letter Box Fail

Can you see the mail box?

Do you think the people in this house don’t like to get post?………or do they like to give their postie a challenge?

The only way to deliver a letter is to push the bush aside.

The Your letter box post explains what you should provide.

Have you seen any unusual letter boxes?…..why not send me a photo?
 

For more Fails and Unusual houses go to What the………………….?

 

Brickwork – 45 Degree Corners

One of the things that really annoys me as I walk around is 45 degree bends in brick fences like this photo.

Bricks are meant to be laid so that they fully interlocked and this is a long way short of that.

I have even seen this type of corner on a house, where the joint will lead to penetration of water into the wall.

What this tells me is that someone:

  • Didn’t understand what can be done.
  • Planned the work poorly.
  • Tried to save money.
  • Employed dodgy bricklayers.

The photo on the left is what a proper 45 degree brick corner should look like.

It uses a special brick which is called a squint.

These brick are a special order, so they take time to be delivered, and they are more expensive……………….but they do make a much better job!

See Bricks for more posts on understanding brick work

 Planning some building work in the garden? see Brick Fences

 

Five Interior Design Improvements You Can Make

Post contributed by Emma Lamb, on behalf of Steel-line

Improving the interior of a home can enhance your enjoyment of your surroundings as well as add value to the house. Whether making a small change or planning a substantial renovation, you can dramatically alter the way you live for the better.

The following alterations are just a few ways to upgrade the look of your home:

Bamboo Flooring

You may have been longing for a new hard wood floor in the kitchen or dining room, but the high cost of materials has kept the project on hold.

Consider a greener alternative and opt for a bamboo floor. You can achieve the gorgeous look of a hard wood floor at a significantly decreased price tag—sometimes half the cost of hard wood! Moreover, a bamboo floor is also durable and long-lasting.

Many homeowners install bamboo flooring as a healthy alternative to other types of flooring since bamboo does not harbor dust mites and is easy to keep clean. In any case, installing green flooring (bamboo is an easily-renewable resource) will remain a popular design trend in 2012.

Brighten Up Your Space

Brighter colors, in general,  can update the look of any room. If four walls of neon green are too much for you, consider a few painted accents such as cornices, shelves, or closet doors.

Even painting a single wall a brighter color can improve the look of a room. You might add some bright paint to a fireplace screen, picture frames, wooden rocking chairs, or side tables to add color pizzazz to your décor.

Knock Down Walls

With the trend for a cheaply constructed mansions waning fast, many homeowners are opting to make the most from smaller spaces. Taking down a wall in the home is never a light consideration, but doing just that can dramatically change the way you live.

Consider expanding your small bathroom into a bathroom suite. If you’ve got a spare room near a bathroom, you can combine the two spaces to create a luxurious suite.

You might also simply want to take a portion of the spare room for the bathroom suite and use the rest of the space to create a large walk-in closet or a small office nook.

Energy-Friendly Window Treatments

Once upon a time, medieval people hung tapestries on walls to keep draughts out of the castle; interestingly enough, the same practice still applies for today’s homes.

Many people are choosing draperies billed to cut down on energy costs; these fabrics help keep out winter draughts that creep in through the windows and to keep cool air inside during summer months. Not only will new draperies add visual appeal to any room, but they can also save you money on gas and electric bills in the long run.

Reupholster It

Design trends change year by year; one way to keep up with changing decorative styles is to simply change fabric around the house. In many cases, reupholstering large pieces of furniture can be as costly as buying new furniture; however, many projects can be tackled at home with even the most modest know-how.

Reupholstering the seats of dining room chairs, for instance, is a simple project that can add new life to the look of the room and remain a cost-effective upgrade. You can also rescue a great vintage piece of furniture by making over its upholstery to suit your decorative style.

Making design improvements to your living space can be cost-effective, simple, and even fun. With careful planning, major renovations can be tackled smoothly and have considerable impact on the way you live at home and even small projects can have a large impact on your home’s design plan.

 

The Settling In Section contains lots more advice on what

to do after you have moved in your new house.

 

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