Home Remodeling Project Design Strategy

How to Find Your Renovation Team

Who Will Help You Build Your Vision?

Before you meet with a professional, know what you want to accomplish. Is your goal to tear out your entire kitchen and start fresh? Are you looking for less costly upgrades, perhaps replacing cabinet fronts and a tired backsplash? Do you want to remodel your whole house?

Some homeowners know only that their current home isn’t working for them but they aren’t sure how to fix it. If you are in this group, you will probably want to work with a design or building professional. This pro will help you develop a construction plan that fits your budget, meets local building safety codes and reflects your personal style.

How to Select Your First Team Member

When hiring your first design team member, you can start with a builder, architect, designer, design-build firm or remodeler. Each profession has its special emphasis, but there can be some overlap in services too

In very general terms:

Architects and interior designers create concepts and draw plans. They also may offer construction management services, involving consulting and coordinating with the various agencies overseeing your project, and manage the bidding process when you search for the right contractor.

Design-build firms offer both design and building services, some with in-house architects, others by contracting out the design work.

General contractors build the plans.

Landscape architects create designs and plans for outdoor spaces.

Rules for which pros can draft plans vary by state (and in some states by county or municipality) and with the size and type of project. The professionals you contact can explain the rules in your area.

The survey also showed that architects and designers were valued for helping clients integrate their personal style into the design. Homeowners appreciated architects for understanding and complying with local building codes, and interior designers for finding the right products or materials.

Have a Design Dilemma? Talk Amongst Yourselves

The structural bearing for the house was collapsing, and if she didn’t find someone to address the problem immediately, she would be in trouble. Stuck on the problem, Marusa began browsing the Discussions forum, where she frequently posts and comments in the Design Dilemmas section

He found that the structural bearing was, indeed, collapsing. So he jacked up the corner and installed new framing, fixing the problem. Marusa then asked if he could look at some other problems. He’s now going down there two to three days a month to rebuild a section of her house.

The Discussions page is a place where homeowners share their remodeling experience, find professionals to hire, help other homeowners solve problems and brainstorm design ideas. It’s also where pros find clients, network, offer advice and hone their problem-solving skills. And the feedback can be generous and ongoing

Personalize your Discussions Page

Each topic on has a Follow button; click it to add the topic to your Discussions home page. By selecting the topics you find most interesting, you can customize your experience to better suit your needs and interests. The latest posts in the topics you are following will appear on your Discussions page.

You can also filter posts by activity level. For example, highlight one of your topics and then play with the Activity choices. You can see the most popular discussions or you can switch to see what’s new, which posts haven’t been commented on yet or which posts have been featured.

What to Know Before Beginning a Bathroom Project

Design professionals, who field the same questions from clients day after day, know that a little upfront knowledge on the part of homeowners goes a long way in smoothing the construction process.

Minimalism (Almost) Never Comes Cheap

“Clean, sleek lines” is what my clients ask for. Think single sheets of material, no seams, no handles and no grout lines. The most common misconception I come across is that this is a cheap look to achieve. People are fooled by the apparent simplicity of the aesthetic. But to achieve a truly beautiful minimalist look, the detail in the build needs to be precise.

Specifying no cabinetry handles often means pricey opening mechanisms or hand-cut cabinetry. No seams in stone means buying oversized slabs and having an expert stonemason on hand to book-match the ends perfectly. And no grout lines means either huge tiles that take two tilers to lay (doubling the labor cost), or porcelain sheets that can be cut and installed only by a stonemason — onto a wall that most likely has to be straightened instead of just packed.

You Will Need a Good Tiler

Unless you’ve done tiling before, and done it well, don’t try to do it yourself. Planning the tiling and tiling itself are both art forms. I have seen far too many new bathrooms that look good only when you’re not wearing your glasses. Once you see a crooked tile or uneven grouting, it cannot be unseen.

A tiler who plans the space, tile by tile, to ensure the placement of cuts and grout lines will be perfect is worth their weight in gold. You may be tempted to tackle a job that seems straightforward, but don’t do it. Especially if you have contrasting grout.

Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less

Although we all love to drool over images of gorgeous designer bathrooms, we may not have the budget to go all-out when the time comes to spruce up our own washrooms. But that doesn’t mean your remodel has to be generic and uninspired.

Grout Color

Tiling all or most of your wall surface gives it a nice polished look, but the costs can really add up. White ceramic subway tiles are the most affordable option at most big-box stores, but the finished look can sometimes seem a little flat. Make your installation stand out by using a dark or colored grout, like in the bathroom shown here. Because guess what? Gray grout costs the same as white.

Larger-Format Tiles

Another idea is to search for an out-of-the-box dimension rather than the typical 3-by-6-inch format. Tile sizes like 2 by 9 inches or 4 by 8 inches will make your bathroom stand out from the rest.

Trim Accents

Or consider giving your standard tile a punch by splurging a bit on trim pieces as accents. These will give your room an interesting, graphic element, but the small quantity needed won’t break the bank.

Tile Rug

Most bathroom designers will tell you that if you want to splurge on any one part of the renovation, it should be the floor, because it has the biggest impact. Instead of laying a pricey stone mosaic everywhere, you can save by designing a “rug” with just a few square feet of something eye catching, and using large-format field tiles in a coordinating stone around it.

A Pro Organizer on What to Consider Before You Remodel

Remodeling is an opportunity to create a space that reflects your personal style — but just as important, it’s an opportunity to incorporate better functionality for your everyday living. As a professional organizer, I’ve seen homes that were aesthetically gorgeous but just didn’t flow well for my clients’ needs. This can happen when family needs change or when a home’s layout simply isn’t maximized for productivity and efficiency.

For the most successful remodel, you’ll want to consider how you live now and how you’d like to live ideally. After all, remodeling is a chance to set new, more organized habits. Why not create a home that will make implementing your new habits easier?

How Do You Use Your Spaces?

Consider the routines of your household members. How do you currently use your spaces? What isn’t working? For example, if you are a no-shoes-indoors household and shoes tend to pile up near your home’s entrance, consider having an attractive built-in added to the front entry or the garage (or wherever you enter the house) to store shoes

Similarly, if you have children, consider where they do their homework. If you want them to be in common areas near you as they work, you may want to plan for work surfaces with storage nearby for their supplies. That way, you can prevent the “I’m still using it” clutter that can linger for days.

Also consider where you will work. Dedicating a space for important papers, basic office supplies, electronics chargers and equipment, checkbooks, and thank-you cards will help keep you organized. How frequently do you lay out paperwork and work on your laptop? If you often work from home — even if that work consists of managing other family members’ schedules and papers — an ergonomically designed workspace could boost your productivity and be better for your body than working from the couch. If your work at home is limited to paying a few bills online, perhaps you don’t need a dedicated work surface. However, I still recommend planning space for keeping your office supplies and files organized in one location

Gas Instantaneous Water Heaters

TEST YOUR WATER HEATER’S TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

The thermostat and pressure release valve on a water heater was designed to help keep your family safe. Watch as one of Master Plumbers shows you how to test your water heater’s pressure valve and keep your home’s hot water system functioning properly. In addition to testing the pressure release valve on your water heater, keep your thermostat set at a safe temperature, and flush your water heater annually. This will allow you to keep your system in good working condition and spot any minor problems before they become major issues.

I’m gonna discuss problems that sometimes occur with the temperature and pressure relief valves on the water heaters. Relief valves discharge for usually two reasons

1, there’s excessive pressure building up inside the system that is exceeding 150 pounds of pressure.

2, the temperature inside the tank is exceeding 210 degrees Fahrenheit. Both of these situations can be very dangerous and the temperature and pressure relief valve will open to prevent an explosion

If you notice water on the floor around the water heater and there’s no evidence of a tank or plumbing leak, it is probably a sign that the water heater’s temperature and pressure relief valve has recently opened and relieved itself. First you should test the water pressure in the house by using a pressure gauge that you will screw right onto a hose bib or a faucet.

You could pick up one of these gauges at any home center. Most plumbing codes state that the maximum water pressure coming in the house should be 80 PSI or less. If the water pressure exceeds this amount, a pressure reducing valve will need to be installed on the water main. Note that the ideal water pressure is between 50 and 60 PSI

You want to make sure that the thermostat is not set too high. If the thermostat is set to high or if it’s faulty, the T&P valve will discharge to relieve the pressure inside the tank. Remember for a standard water heater the temperature should be set at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. You could try flushing the T&P valve to make sure it didn’t become filled by sediment.

Ways to Save on Your Water Heating Bill

Heating a home is expensive, but so is heating water. If you’ve already made a big effort to reduce your home’s heating costs and your utility bills are still higher than you’d like them to be, your hot water heater could be the culprit. According to Energy.gov, heating water accounts for around 18 percent of your utility bill. That makes it the second-biggest energy expense in the home (behind heating and cooling), so tweaking your hot water heater set up and usage habits could lead to some pretty substantial savings.

Lower the Thermostat

Take a trip out to the garage or down to the basement to see what temperature your hot water heater is currently set at. If the thermostat is set above 120 degrees Fahrenheit, bump it back. You’ll save 3 to 5 percent for every ​10-degree reduction, and you’ll reduce your family’s risk of burns.​

Fix Leaky Faucets

Do you have a leaky faucet that you’ve been putting off fixing? Then consider this: a faucet with a slow leak (that’s 60 drips per minute) wastes 3,153 gallons of water per year. If that leak happens to be coming from the hot water tap, you’re not only paying for that wasted water but also the energy it took to heat it. Do you want to see how much your leaky faucet is costing you? The American Water Works Association has a drip calculator you can use to find out.

Go Low-Flow

Putting off a bathroom update is one thing, but don’t put off replacing old plumbing fixtures. If your showerheads and faucets were manufactured before 1992, replace them with low-flow models. Modern showerheads use half as much water as older showerheads.

Find Ways to Use Less Hot Water

Try to be more mindful of your hot water use. Take shorter showers, wash laundry in cold water, and only run the dishwasher when it’s full. Examine your daily routine, and look for opportunities to scale back on your hot water usage.

Domestic water heating

Domestic water heating is the process of warming water for personal use, and it can consume a large amount of energy. In homes, water heating can consume 15-25 percent of energy used in a home depending on the house type, number of inhabitants, and the lifestyle of those who live there. It’s important to note that water heating is often more than all of the electrical needs of the household, see graph below.

use – on average – 75 liters of hot water each day for dish washing, clothes washing, cleaning, and personal hygiene. This water volume is fairly high, and heating it can result in high energy bills

The energy source for water heaters tends to be the same as what people use for space heating, although this is not always true. Possible energy sources include electricity, natural gas, propane, and oil

Each source has its own benefits and drawbacks. For example, electric heaters require no venting but cannot operate during a power failure and use a lot more primary energy than natural gas. Natural gas fueled heaters require adequate airflow and ventilation but heat up more quickly and use less primary energy. Propane has similar benefits to natural gas, but the fuel is more expensive and requires scheduled delivery.

Costs can be reduced by choosing a more energy efficient water heater, reducing the amount of hot water used, or installing a drain water heat recovery device to reduce the heating load. These devices are simply pipes that take the heat from the used warm water flowing down the drains and transfers it to preheat water entering the hot water tank

Some Useful Tips For Hiding Water Heater In your Home

Water heaters without any doubt are a must as far as our homes are concerned. They provide hot and pure water for various uses during the cruel winter months. However, there are a few things which must be kept in mind when installing a hide water heater. They could become a big eye sore and could spoil the overall aesthetics of your home. There is no point spending hundreds or even a few thousand dollars on your best tankless water heater if they become an eyesore for the home.

However, it is possible to find out ways and means by which you can conceal water heater and prevent it from being seen by the naked eye. But this has to be done carefully and without the disturbing the efficiency and functionality of these water heaters. Here are a few important points which if kept in mind could help in more ways than one.

Getting The Basics Right

It is important for you to get the basics right when it comes to hiding your water heater. You must have a permanent place for the same so that you can plan ahead and come out with the right plan for hiding it or concealing it. Before buying a water heater, you must ask some basic questions.

This could include the size of the water heater, the capacity it is supposed to hold, the power connections which are required for it and much more. This will help you to come out with the right plan for keeping the water heater hidden from the naked eye without disturbing the efficiency or defeating the purpose for which it is being used. You can consider using a hybrid water heater.

Using A Cloth Or A Pegboard Screen

If you look around you could come out with a number of options for hiding the water heater. In many cases you also could have a water softener which also could become unseemly and ugly. Hence your plan for concealing the water heater should be foolproof, practical and workable from the long term perspective.

CORRECT COMMERCIAL WATER HEATER SIZING: IT’S NO GUESSING GAME

When you’re in the market for a new or replacement water heater for your restaurant, hotel or apartment property, correct sizing is crucial to the success of your business. With so many commercial water heater options out there, here’s what you need to know to get it right.

Depending on how much hot water you need to run your business, there may be multiple commercial water heater tank sizes to meet your needs. With so many options available, how do you know what type and size water heater to choose? We can help point you in the right direction.

What You Need: A steady supply of hot water, when and where you need it–so your restaurant, hotel, apartment or craft brewery business keeps running smoothly.

The Bottom Line: Size too small and you won’t have enough hot water to run your business, especially during peak operating times. But size too large and you’ll end up spending excess money in both upfront capital and long-term operating costs. Whether you run a restaurant, hotel, apartment complex, senior living facility, salon or fitness center—any business that depends on hot water needs the right water heater sizing and setup.

Our Best Advice: Only work with experienced and knowledgeable commercial water heater professionals: you’ll not only keep your customers, you’ll also save money across the board.

What Tips Should You Keep In Mind When Hiring A Carpet Flooring Cleaner

Does carpet suit your room and lifestyle?

Carpet acts as a trap for allergens and is capable of holding significant quantities of soil, dust and other substances. The carpet holds on to the particles until you are ready to remove them.

Carpet is ideal for cushioning our footsteps. Carpet provides safety protection for the whole family, but especially for toddlers and older individuals. It is also warm under foot.

Carpet will reduce noise generation in two ways – at floor level by cushioning objects hitting the floor, for example footsteps or dropped items, and by absorbing other sounds around your home creating a more peaceful indoor environment.

Easy to maintain. A good vacuum cleaner, a periodic wet clean and prompt attention to spills is all you need to keep your carpet looking good. Professional carpet cleaning is recommended every 12-18 months to keep your carpet looking new and to satisfy supplier warranties.

Which carpet fiber will work best for you?

It is important to choose a carpet fiber that will work best for the space in your home. There are four synthetic types of fiber. Each fiber type offers somewhat different attributes of style options, colour options, soil resistance, stain resistance and texture retention

Nylon – The most popular carpet fiber as it performs extremely well. It is one of the more expensive fibers available. Nylon 6.6 Fiber is a more premium type of nylon fiber than “Type 6” nylon that’s also used in a lot of rugs. It has greater strength and resiliency which adds to the product’s overall durability. Though not inherently stain resistant, most nylon carpets feature a stain-resist carpet treatment for protection against household spills and stains.

Polyester (PET) –  is naturally stain and fade resistant. Is best at retaining colour and won’t fade over time. It’s also capable of providing a very soft feel though it’s not as resilient as nylon and is more prone to compaction. Best uses for Polyester styles are low to medium traffic rooms such as bedrooms.

Polypropylene (also called Olefin) – is a relatively inexpensive fiber. Its strengths include superior stain resistance, with the exception of oil-based stains, and low cost. It is a solution-dyed product, which means colour is added during extrusion in its molten state rather than topically applied. (Imagine a carrot vs. a radish). Because of this dye method it has superior resistance to bleaches and sunlight fading. However it has poor resiliency, which can lead to crushing. Polypropylene’s provide an excellent value and good performance.

Wool – remains the premier fiber in carpet construction and it can be expensive. It has excellent resilience and durability. Wool cleans especially well. Unfortunately, wool tends to “wear down” or the pile tends to wear away. In some cases bald spots may occur as a result heavy traffic loads. Wool is a natural fiber with a natural protective membrane which acts to repel moisture and is a natural stain resister. Because it can absorb a large quantity of moisture without feeling wet, wool carpet doesn’t conduct static electricity in the way synthetic carpets do. Less static means less dirt.

A word about soft carpets.

Demand continues to grow for carpets with a very soft feel, often referred to as “soft carpets”. All major carpet brands provide a good selection of soft carpet styles.

Note that as some soft carpets are so soft, that the total surface density is much higher which in turn increases the suction between vacuum cleaner head and the carpet surface, thereby making it more difficult to maneuver the machine. Some soft carpets require a gentler cleaning action so as to avoid unnecessary wear and will require a special vacuum cleaner.

Which Types Of Flooring Are Best For Cold Weather Climates?

In colder climates, many types of flooring will always give you cold feet. For cold climate homes or winter homes, you’ll want to choose flooring materials that will keep you and your guests cozy.

Carpet

This flooring type is the most obvious choice for cold homes. It’s also the cheapest. As you know, carpet is like a warm, cozy blanket between your delicate tootsies and your unforgiving cold floors. It’s a no-brainer for cold homes.

However, there are some drawbacks you may not have considered. For one thing, carpets are the most difficult flooring type to clean when it comes to tracked-in snow and muddy messes. For two, fluffy carpets + cold, dry weather = electric charges. In other words, carpeted flooring is notorious for causing wintertime static shock. This may be fun for your kids, but not so much for your grown-up party guests.

Tile

Now, this flooring choice is the opposite of carpet. That is, it’s the least obvious choice, and more expensive. Because tile is an excellent conductor of heat (and therefore, cold), it can easily get as cold as the snow on your porch. But, for this same reason, you can optimize it for cold climate. Tile is the best choice as a covering for artificially heated floors.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Now here’s a healthy compromise between the two options above. Vinyl plank flooring gives you the best benefits of almost every flooring type. It looks like a hardwood floor, insulates almost as well as carpet, and is as water-resistant and easy to clean as tile. And it’s one of the cheapest flooring options available.

Carpet – Before Installation

What to know and do before your carpet is installed.

You’ve learned all there is to know about carpet, shopped smart, made your best choice, and now it’s just a matter of waiting for the installers, right? You know better, of course. The next step is to be knowledgeable and prepared for the big day when the new carpeting will transform your home.

OUR BEST ADVICE IS TO GO WITH THE PROS.

Carpet installation is a skill that is developed through years of experience, so using professional installers is just plain smart. Also, understanding the basics of carpet installation will increase your knowledge of the process and enhance your confidence in the professionals working in your home. Some of these basics follow.

THE SEAMING DIAGRAM IS THE INSTALLERS’ “BLUEPRINT”.

This shows the overall layout of the carpet, the correct placement of seams and transitions, and assists them in the preparation and cutting of the carpet.

NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO DEAL WITH SEAMS BETTER THAN THE PROFESSIONALS.

While seams are inevitable, it’s the professionals who excel at minimizing and hiding seams. They call on years of experience and tried and true methods. Case in point: they’ll insure seams are placed away from areas subjected to pivoting traffic, and not run seams perpendicular to doorway openings.

The pros know what to do about transitions. When two different flooring products meet – say, carpeting and a hardwood floor – it’s called a transition. Your professional installers will try to match the surface heights of various flooring products to minimize transitions.

Flooring specialists

Versatililty

We have the perfect floor for you. Whether you desire hardwood, vinyl, laminate, ceramic, or carpet we have the floor for you.

Affordable

We will always be competitive in pricing with our competitors. We believe in taking care of our customers. Product for product we usually win in pricing.

Selection

We do a lot of business with all the major manufacturers and many of the smaller ones as well. Whatever you’re looking for we probably have it.

Guarantee

All of our installs are guaranteed for 12 months. We always takes extreme care so you can rest assured when we install your new floors.

When it comes to flooring, we know our stuff. We are one of the highest rated flooring installers and for good reason.

Vacuum Cleaning Tips for Your Floors

There are several helpful and easy cleaning solutions to keep your house free of dust, germs and microscopic mites. While disinfecting the counter-tops and picking up the clutter helps, today we are going to focus on how to keep your floors clean with a vacuum cleaner.

The vacuum is one of the most valuable tools a homeowner can own to help keep their floors clean. There are many different types of vacuum cleaners available on the market, all with their own set of pros and cons. So if you need a vacuum cleaner, then it would behoove you to do the proper research and start cleaning.

Don’t Make It Harder

The first vacuum cleaning tips is probably the most obvious — don’t make it harder than it should be. You’d be surprised at how many people inadvertently create additional messes that make vacuuming more difficult than it should be.

Once is Not Enough

To truly pull up the dust and hair on your floor, it is usually better to vacuum multiple times in the same area. On top of this, it would also be wise to go over the areas from multiple directions, as this will help pull up dirt and debris more effectively.

Create a Schedule

Another important cleaning tip when vacuuming your home is to create a schedule. Whether you pick a certain day of the week or month, following a regular schedule and sticking to that routine will help ensure that your floors are clean at all time.

How To Become A Professional Wedding Photographer

Secrets of Wedding Photographers

Wedding photographers are by your side nearly every moment of your wedding day. They’re snapping away at your most intimate moments: your first glance at the person you plan to be with forever, your smile as you’re finally wed, and your initial step onto that dance floor. But how much do you really know about how they work—and why they’re so expensive?

THEY WISH YOU’D ASK FOR THEIR HELP.

Many times, the bride and groom assume the photographers just need 15 minutes for family photos, she says. But those family photos could easily take 30 minutes, because a family member is always missing. “We need to make sure we have enough time, and that we’re not rushed and hectic,”

THEY ALSO WISH YOU ACTUALLY ASKED ABOUT EXPERIENCE

Her perfect question: “How do you deal with XX situation?” Ho explains that since every wedding is unique, you need to find a photographer that’s perfect for you—and asking about experience will help you make that decision. It will also help you understand the reason you’re hiring a professional wedding photographer, rather than someone who just dabbles in photography, for your big day.

AND ABOUT THEIR STYLE.

says couples always ask about his price and his availability. But he loves it when the conversation turns to his overall style and approach, and they get to know him as an artist. “Then we can understand if we’re a good match,” says. “Not a lot of clients go there, and I wish more clients would ask me about my approach.”

FEEL FREE TO ASK WHY THEY CHARGE AS MUCH AS THEY DO

Sure, wedding photographers may charge a few thousand dollars for what seems like eight hours of work. But they also met with you countless times before the wedding. And do you realize how many times you emailed? Then there’s the editing process. Those photographers put many more hours of work into those pictures than you ever imagined. Also, that camera equipment wasn’t free (and it needs to be upgraded every couple of years)

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING YOUR WEDDING VENUE | FROM A PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSPECTIVE

For most couples, choosing their wedding venue is the FIRST thing they do after deciding on a date for their wedding. This makes total sense! Before you can begin envisioning your wedding day, you have to know where it’s going to take place! While there are tons of factors that affect what kind of venue you choose – guest count, accessibility, local things to do nearby, budget, if you can bring in outside caterers, the getting ready space or indoor & outdoor options, not to mention your vision and the desired vibe for your wedding day – and so much more! The purpose of today’s blog post is to share a few additional things to consider when choosing your wedding venue – from a photographer’s perspective! I’m going to walk you through each portion of a wedding day and discuss how the venue affects lighting and space, and ultimately, your photos of the day!

What to Consider with the Getting Ready Space

If you are hoping to get ready at your wedding venue (instead of at an outside location like your home or a hotel room), then you’ll need to make sure the venue has a getting ready space you can envision yourself and your bridal party in. Take into account the size of your bridal party vs the size of the room. You definitely don’t want a cramped space with hair and make up artists trying to get around, too. If the bride and groom’s rooms are in the same building, you’ll need to exercise a LOT more caution when moving around to make sure you don’t see each other. It’s much easier when the bride and groom have their own separate buildings to get ready in!

offers completely separate buildings for the bride, the groom, the ceremony site, cocktail hour, and the reception! This is ideal! They are spread out throughout their property – so much so that they have golf carts on site to carry people up and down the hill. So there is no need to worry about your groom accidentally seeing you too soon. It also means that the stress of setting up the ceremony space or reception room will be so far away, you won’t hear about any of it and you can relax!

Next, in order to create the well-lit, natural-looking photos you dream of, then I highly recommend getting ready in a room with a lot of WINDOW light. If the venue’s getting ready space is small and without any windows or access to natural light, then you might want to consider getting ready at a different location.

A photographer’s hack: What I have also done before when the getting ready space is a little less than ideal is stage the dress zip-up in a better location! We can move you to another area at the venue with better lighting and/or space and re-enact the “zipping up” and bridal portraits. This is what we did for my bride Jacqueline and her bridal party!

Things Your Wedding Photographer Wants You to Know

Know your own taste.

I’ll be the first to tell you I’m not the photographer for everyone. Shocker, I know. Every photographer has their style, I included, and I don’t alter it from client to client. I know what I like, I know where my gifts lie, and I take care to ensure my portfolio shows you the best of the best of my work. Do you like light and airy? Black and white? Dark and moody? Somewhere in between? Do you prefer candid or posed images? These things matter. Be sure you are a huge fan of the work of the photographer you choose because it’s too late to decide you don’t like the images they create on your wedding day, and especially once they’ve delivered your gallery. Remember, it doesn’t mean you dislike them as a person. It just means their work might not be a great fit for you, and that’s okay.

Your photographer should be one of the first vendors you book.

I’m sure you’ve had hundreds of people tell you your day is going to be over in the blink of an eye – they aren’t wrong – but what many of them don’t know is that photography is a big factor into your wedding day timeline. It affects everything from makeup to cocktail hour to getting ready to family portraits. Why? Well, if you want all of those things documented, I need to know exactly when and where they’re happening and ensure I have plenty of time to photograph them all. Operating without a wedding day timeline, or even worse, not working with your photographer at all, causes unnecessary stress for everyone, especially you. It’s important that we go over your photography hopes and dreams, and any extra special wedding day plans you have, so I can help you create your perfect wedding day timeline. And, I’ll help you stick to it.

Unplug your wedding.

Trying to create the best images from your wedding day becomes more difficult when I have five guests either shooting over my shoulder or edging into the frame just to get their very own image of your wedding day. It’s even more complicated when you begin your walk down the aisle to the view of iPhones and iPads in your face. When you’ve dreamed of your wedding day, what do you want to remember most – the people at your wedding, or images of their phones in front of their faces? (Read more about why to unplug your wedding here.)

Give me the family photo list, but remember – I got this.

I know you are dying to send me every incredible Pinterest image and shot list you’ve found, but I don’t need it. Your wedding, your day is unique to you, and you hired me for my style and experience – not to see how well I can re-create another photographer’s vision. I promise we will create images you will cherish for years to come.

Food is Good.

I need a meal. A hot meal. Not a stuck-in-the-kitchen-handed-a-bag-of-chips-and-a-cold-sandwich meal. I eat what your guests eat, and I eat when your guests eat. I know what you’re thinking, “But, you could be taking pictures during that time!” Well, I could, but I shouldn’t be. Your guests don’t want pictures of them eating any more than you do, so by using the time when you’re guests are enjoying the delicious meal you suggested to enjoy said meal myself, I am better able to jump back into documenting your day when I’ve finished! (Trust me, you don’t want a hangry photographer.)

Ask The Photographers: Do You Need To Visit My Wedding Venue Beforehand?

We know that when it comes to booking your wedding photographer you’ll often have lots of questions, and one of the most frequent ones that we hear is “Do you need to visit my wedding venue beforehand?”. Well, we asked that exact question to our members, and what follows is 35 different photographers’ viewpoints and opinions on whether it’s necessary or not, from all over the world – a really interesting and informative read:

“I can understand that a couple might get some comfort from their photographer either having shot at their venue before, or (if they haven’t shot there before) from their photographer visiting it before the wedding. Like many photographers, though, while I once also liked that comfort of knowing what was ahead of me, now I actually love getting to new venues for the first time, and almost never do a pre-wedding scout. The reasons are twofold

Firstly the practical reason. I can quite easily now do a “virtual scout” – venue websites are usually good for showcasing their best bits, google “<venue> wedding photo” will spit out more photos of weddings from a venue than I’ll want to look at, and even Google Maps on satellite view allows me to get the lay of the land if there are grounds that I might hope to use. That’s all useful where I may have a logistical concern about the venue – will there be a good location for family photos; what is the light like in the ceremony room; is it practical for the couple to get from the ceremony space to the gardens without needing to go via the drinks reception (and if not, how will that impact the timings). Much of that is also addressed by a quick phone call to the wedding coordinator at the venue too, of course. So for the practical stuff (which usually drives the concerns the couple may have if a venue is new to their photographer) you can figure out most things without a visit.

All of that, though, is secondary to the far more important reason – the creative one. I relish photographing a new venue because it’s a new creative experience for me. The novelty of a new venue ALWAYS trumps the familiarity of one I’ve shot at many times. It helps me see the wedding day differently to how I’ve seen other days, but also to how other photographers have seen weddings at that venue before me. I have a thought I express to couples when I might get asked to take a photo like one they’ve seen at their venue, for instance. “We can get that photo, but rather than get you other people’s wedding photos, wouldn’t it be better to get you your own wedding photos?”. And no better way for me to do that than to be seeing a new venue with fresh eyes and finding light and compositions that fit my style.

Finally of course – in the context of documentary photography in particular – the venue is what it is. Similar to the ceremony space, the bride’s family home, or any other location that might be in play on the day. A good photographer will get you good photographs in any location. And if you truly want documentary photographs of your day you really don’t want your photographer arriving with a preconceived set of shots in his or her head based on a previous wedding or a scouting visit where the light was different and the space wasn’t filled with you and your guests.”

Things Photographers Wished All Clients Knew

This post was inspired by one of my favorite Podcasts, Young House Love, a show all about home renovation, on which they did an episode called “This is How You’re Annoying Your Contractor”, interviewing general contractors who gave funny, enlightening, and – despite the somewhat negative connotation of the episode title – actually really helpful insight to make projects go more smoothly. 

I asked real photographers in multiple professional circles for their input, and added my own thoughts and feelings on the topics as well.  In this article, you’re going to hear me speak very candidly about things that can help your relationship with your photographer go more smoothly (if that’s with me, then Yay! Win for both of us!…but if it’s with someone else, I hope I make a positive impact no matter where you go!).

I hesitated even writing this post, because, well, frankly, who wants to admit to their potential clients that sometimes things aren’t just sunshine and rainbows all the time?

It’s tempting to keep this kind of “behind the scenes” information as our own photographer-water-cooler talk. But then I checked myself and realized that if you’re my type of couple, then you don’t need a bull-honky fantasy story that pretends that everything is always perfect.

Once you find a photographer you trust, trust them.  They want you to be happy.

This came from several photographers who iterated some version of

Choosing The Right Home Renovation

Renovation Vs. Building New

When it comes to choosing between renovating your current home or building a new one, there are many things to consider. If you’re looking to downsize and your current home is too big, chances are that renovating won’t solve your problem and you’ll have to look at other options.

If you have a growing family and need more space, you might be able to renovate your current home to make better use of the space you have, or to add an addition. Of course, you also might just want to move on and build something new that’s perfect for you and your family.

One trend we are seeing regularly is that big houses are increasingly becoming a thing of the past. More and more people are instead looking for smaller houses that are easy to look after and don’t cost an arm and a leg to run. Even people with growing families are looking for spaces that use space efficiently, so they don’t have to build the gigantic houses of the past.

However, the choice isn’t always so simple. Maybe you don’t want to move, or perhaps you’re in love with your current neighbourhood. These things and many more are what you should be considering before making any decisions.

When you should consider renovating:

Location, Location, Location- You love your current neighbourhood and would hate to leave. Popular neighbourhoods can be hard to get into. If you don’t want to think about leaving, then renovating might be more suited for you. However, check to make sure there are no available lots in your preferred area for sale first.

Emotionally Attached-You have an emotional attachment to your current home and the thought of moving makes you cringe. If you don’t want to move from your current home and have the money to make changes then renovating is a good option. Just be sure to check with your local municipality to approve your blueprints as you may not be able to change as much as you would’ve hoped for.

Property Value is Rising- The property value in your neighbourhood is rising and depending on how much money you spent initially you could make a bigger return on your investment. Check with a realtor and ask them what the market is like in your area and whether it’s wise for you to sell now or hold on to it a bit longer.

Poor Home Value- Your home is in a prime location but it needs a lot of work compared to the other homes in the area. Building a new home can be expensive so selling your current home for top dollar is important. Renovating your current home can increase its value and will make it easier for you to sell when/if you decide to.

In Love with Character- Most new homes don’t come with all the character that old homes do. If you’re in love with the old charm of your home and can’t imagine yourself living in a modern home, renovating may be a good choice. You can always add charm to any new build, however it can be costly depending on the amount of work.

Short Timeline- Building a new house can take time, especially depending on the time of year and the weather’s cooperation. If you have a short timeline then renovating is probably the best idea. Depending on the amount of work that needs to be done, renovating typically takes less time than building a new home.

Tips on surviving a kitchen renovation project

kitchen remodel can be one of the most rewarding home improvement projects and also the most frustrating to endure. Family life tends to center on the kitchen, and functioning without one disrupts all aspects of life. Tearing out the heart of your home requires a plan of how to survive the weeks to months of construction ahead.

The duration for a kitchen renovation depends on the scope of the project. Is it a simple tear out with the same basic footprint or a major redesign? If it is a basic tear-out, plan on four to six weeks without much access to the kitchen. If it’s a significant renovation, expect at least three months of disorder.

Set up a separate, temporary kitchen.

If at all possible, move your current refrigerator to another room in the house, where you can still access it. Otherwise, get a small college fridge to keep the essentials. A spare microwave is also a critical appliance.

Find a place in your home to eat.

Many families eat meals in the kitchen, so think about how alternate living spaces will serve at mealtimes. We ended up eating most of our meals in the family room, where our temporary kitchen (a fridge and microwave) was set up, but I wish we had better utilized the dining room.

Invest in paper plates and disposable utensils.

You will end up having to wash dishes in a bathroom sink, so it’s best to keep a stockpile of disposable plates and utensil handy. If at all possible, keep a sink hooked up on main level during the construction.

How to assemble the perfect ‘team’ for home renovation

Like most things in life, sometimes “it takes a village” to do a remodeling project right. So the critical first step on your home improvement journey is to assemble just the right team of partners.

For simple repairs or small projects that are just a bit too much for you to do yourself, a good handyman is an invaluable ally. Some homeowners I know have theirs on speed dial.

A well-rounded handyman can do everything from simple repairs, like fixing a leaky faucet, to those projects you’ve been putting off, like building a no-frills deck out back. Smart ones can help solve just about any routine problem around the house. They’ll hang your flat screen, pictures and shelves; replace your shower door, change your air conditioning filter, clean your gutters and power-wash your porch.

Specialty tradesman. Painters, plumbers and electricians are trained and experienced in a single specialty. When you’ve got a job that requires expertise, hire an expert.

Anyone can slap paint on a wall, but a professional painter knows that for those walls to look nice and for the color to last, painting is only half of the job. Pros will prep your walls by patching cracks, caulking holes, sanding and covering imperfections. A painter will know how many coats your walls need and can advise you on colors and paint brands. He’ll do the job quickly, and he won’t make a mess

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN DOING A FULL HOME RENOVATION

Renovating may sound so good and exciting but reviving a home is a process that requires a lot of time and money. Realistically, a full home renovation can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. To experience a stress-free home renovation

Plan your renovation.

You can’t start a renovation without a plan. It can be a formal architectural plan or just a set of ideas. The important thing is you have a concrete process for the whole-house renovation.

You can do it by researching or looking for contractors and subcontractors if you do not want to do it yourself.

To help you form out a rough outline, here’s a checklist of some things you should check out.

Roof

Foundation

Windows

Wallpaper

Ceiling

Flooring

Siding

Gutters

Door

Paint

Rooms

Kitchens

Storage

Bathroom

Work out the costs.

Now that you have a plan, it’s time to do your homework. Budgeting the whole cost will help you in maximizing the renovation. Remember to work out the total expenditure requirements/limit. Make sure to check your budget with your contractor regularly

Assess the condition.

Knowing what you need to fix is crucial before starting a home renovation. Invest in a detailed survey from a reputable building surveyor before buying. Discover the true condition of the building to help you in forming an accurate plan in fixing the damages.

Things to consider when renovating your home for a higher resale value

Get an inspector

You want to get an inspector before anything else. You don’t want your basement to be leaking or your home to have structural, heating, electrical or plumbing issues. It’ll all be taken in by the buyer, so when you do market your home, you’ll be able to advertise the fact that it has been inspected. If you don’t make the changes necessary to pass an inspection, a buyer will usually hold it against the seller to negotiate for a lower price.

When to just sell

It’s important to speak with both your real estate agent and contractor to find out the value of your home and which improvements are financially feasible. But you need to be aware of your home’s circumstances. If you’re selling a bungalow near Avenue Road and Wilson Avenue, it’s likely it will ripped down regardless, making any renovations irrelevant.

Home automation

From voice activated smart lighting to a keypad on your door that can be controlled from your phone, there are simple additions that will add value to your home; spending $2,000 on smart home technology can conceivably add $20,000 in perceived value. Because the technology is new, people may view it as expensive and complicated. But once explained, it’s quite easy to use and understand its value in your day-to-day routine.

What’s worth renovating most

Kitchens and bathrooms will allow you to get the most money back in terms of resale value, but they need to be done right. These are areas of the home that feature appliances that are used everyday. A bathroom renovation in Toronto (with its old plumbing), can cost in the mid- $20,000 range, while in York Region you’ll be spending around $15,000 to $20,000. Kitchen renovations start at around $40,000, but could be a bit less expensive if you’re looking to simply change your cabinets. These changes have seen an added resale value of 75 to 100 per cent.

What should you stay away from?

There’s little reason to renovate your basement and living space, or to change the flooring if you’re simply looking to sell your home. These areas usually involve someone’s personal taste. So, they shouldn’t be cheap and cheerful just to sell the home because the buyer will notice.

Things You Should Know When Choosing A Chiropractor

What conditions can chiropractors treat?

Sure chiropractors are well known for effectively treating patients with neck and back pain, headaches, joint pain, but what about other condions like allergies, asthma, menstrual pain, etc. Chiropractors do not treat patients for any condition, but they care for people who have those condions. The primary goal of chiropractic is to permit the patient’s body to function better therefore decreasing their symptoms naturally. It all has to do with subluxation.

Chiropractors have the ability to do something no other primary health care provider does. They locate distortions in the body that can affect your health. These distortions are commonly caused by misplaces spinal vertebrae (spinal bones) and are called subluxations. Subluxations happen from many types of injuries and traumas, poor posture, stress, etc. Subluxations are commonly referred to as a pinch nerve. To make it simple, subluxation is caused when a spinal vertebrae comes out of place putting pressure on a nerve. Most people think that a subluxation (pinched nerve) causes pain, however, most subluxations do not. Subluxations are dangerous because they impinge and interfere with your nerves that connect your brain and spinal cord to your muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, discs, glands, and other internal organs. This can effect how your body functions. If your body has subluxations and is not able to function optimally, you are more likely to become ill or have symptoms. For example, you may have a vertebrae out of position causing nerve pressure that affects nerves going to your stomach. Your digestion may be impaired, your stomach may be “nervous,” you may have ulcers or other conditions, but feel no back or spinal pain even though there nerve pressure from a displaced spinal vertebrae.

Conditions Chiropractors Typically Treat

Chiropractors treat conditions related to your body’s structure. Their goal is to relieve pain and improve function. They don’t prescribe drugs or do surgery. Rather, they adjust or manipulate your spine and other body parts to get them in the right position, or proper alignment. Chiropractic care is based on the idea that when your body is in proper alignment, you have a better chance of healing yourself. Get an overview of some of the more common ailments—not all of which are related to the spine.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek treatment from a chiropractor. Research on spinal manipulation often focuses on low back pain. Some people with low back pain benefit from going to a chiropractor, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Some research suggested people with low back pain got better relief from going to a chiropractor than from going to their family doctor.

Neck Pain

Chiropractors often treat neck pain with neck manipulations. These are also called adjustments. In some cases, these neck adjustments—along with exercises—may work better for neck pain than pain medications. You may want to try a chiropractor if you have had neck pain for a long time that is not due to an injury. This type of neck pain may respond to chiropractic care.

Tension Headaches

Chiropractic adjustment for your neck may help if you have tension headaches. These are a common type of headache that causes pain in the back of your head and neck. Stress and bad posture can cause tension headaches. A chiropractor might adjust your neck and give you some stretching exercises. The chiropractor might also suggest healthy ways to reduce stress and relieve your headaches, including proper posture and body mechanics.

Migraine Headaches

Research has shown that chiropractic spinal manipulations can decrease migraine frequency, decrease pain, and reduce the need for migraine medication. How this occurs is not known. The authors of the study suggest that chiropractic care reduces overall stress, which may, in turn reduce the effect of migraines. Triggers for migraine headaches may include certain foods. Your chiropractor can also give you advice on nutrition and some changes in your diet to help treat migraines and other types of headaches.

Whiplash

Whiplash is a type of neck sprain that often results from a car accident. Whiplash causes pain and stiffness in your neck. Pain may be worse when you try to turn your head. You may even feel dizzy or sick to your stomach. Chiropractic adjustment may help. A chiropractor may have you do exercising and stretching at home, too, and show you how to use heat or ice to reduce muscle spasms and swelling.

Sacroiliac Pain

Your sacroiliac (SI) joint is a big joint at the bottom of your spine. SI joint problems cause a different type of low back pain. You may feel this pain in your buttock or the back of your thigh. Chiropractors treat this type of pain with chiropractic adjustment. The chiropractor might also teach you how to avoid straining your SI joint. And, he or she might give you some exercises to strengthen your core muscles, which are the muscles that support this joint.

Shoulder Pain

You probably think about back and neck pain when you think about chiropractic care. However, a chiropractor might also be able to help you if you have a stiff and painful shoulder. This condition is called frozen shoulder syndrome. People with frozen shoulder may have less pain and more movement after chiropractic care. Your chiropractor will stretch the muscles surrounding your shoulder and show you how to perform more stretches at home.

Knee Pain

Most often, wear and tear on the knee joint causes knee osteoarthritis. This is a very common condition. Chiropractic care might help. Chiropractors sometimes do back adjustments along with knee adjustments. This type of treatment may work better than knee exercises alone. Some people treated with chiropractic adjustment have less pain and better movement after a few weeks of treatment.

Stress and anxiety

Environmental stress includes noise, weather, physical threats, time pressures and performance standards. Body stress includes disease processes, organ malfunction, poor nutrition, poor sleep and physical injury. And emotional stress is more difficult to define, but it encompasses our reactions, in both thought and emotion, to environmental and physical stressors.

Jobs today are increasingly complex as the business world becomes more and more competitive. Physical stresses such as sound, air and water pollution have also grown worse over the last century – especially in the United States – and so have emotional and psychological stresses caused by an increasing awareness of troubles and tragedies around the globe, brought to our attention every hour by the Internet and its 24/7 news cycle.

Many illnesses are caused or worsened by stress, which activates our “fight or flight” reaction. This systemic reaction affects almost every part of the body, as the hypothalamus in the brain stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which causes an increase in heart rate, blood volume and blood pressure, redirecting blood away from our digestive system and extremities.

When prolonged, the long-term effects of this state can be disastrous to good health and cause high blood pressure, muscle tissue damage, diabetes, infertility, damage to the immune system and slowed healing from disease and injury.

Chiropractors work primarily with the spine – the root of the nervous system through which nerve impulses travel between the brain and the rest of the body – and can help the body manage and process this stress in a healthier way.

What Can a Doctor of Chiropractic Do?

  • Chiropractors can release muscle tension, one effect of chronic stress that leads to nerve irritation and creates uneven pressures on the body’s bony structures, which can cause the spinal column to become misaligned. This, in turn, helps the body return to a more balanced, relaxed state.
  • Chiropractic adjustments can reduce spinal nerve irritation and improve blood circulation, which can help signal the brain to turn off the “fight or flight” response and begin the healing process.
  • A doctor of chiropractic can suggest nutritional supplements, like B complex vitamins, to help the body cope with stress.
  • A chiropractor can also recommend relaxation techniques and discuss posture and environmental changes to help you recover from chronic stress.

New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

What Can You Do to Make an Attorney More Likely to Take Your Case?

While you can’t change the underlying facts of your case, you can sometimes take certain steps to make representation more desirable from the attorney’s perspective.

Build Your Case

You can position your case for success by having a complete picture of the nature and extent of your injuries—an official diagnosis from your doctor, for example. In a car accident case, getting a copy of the police report can be a big help. It also helps to organize and gather any potential evidence, like your medical records, contact information of potential witnesses, and a timeline of notable events.

Manage Your Expectations

One of the biggest red flags for an attorney is a client who expects too much. This can make settling a case more difficult or lead to disappointment even after a successful win at trial.

Be reasonable in what you expect from your attorney too. Don’t expect a daily call with a status report, and try not to lose your cool if the lawyer doesn’t return your calls immediately. When something significant happens, the lawyer will let you know.

Be Honest

Litigation attorneys are master lie detectors. So if you’re not telling them everything, or if you’re lying about something, there’s a good chance they’ll know. Why does this matter? Because if they don’t see you as credible, a judge or jury probably won’t either. Your attorney also needs to trust you, as they will be making sworn statements to the court based on what you say. If they’re constantly wondering if you’re lying, they won’t be able to represent you effectively.

See an Attorney ASAP

Generally speaking, it doesn’t help to wait to see an attorney. It’s one thing if you’re waiting to receive a copy of some documents before you have a consultation. It’s different if you’re just procrastinating. If you wait, your attorney will wonder how serious your injuries really are, or how important this case is for you.

Let the Attorney Handle Your Case

This sounds obvious, but there are clients who think they know the law as well as their attorneys do, and they act accordingly. This is one of the biggest pet peeves for attorneys. Think of a driver relying on a vehicle navigation system in an unfamiliar area. You’re like the driver, while your attorney is the navigation system. You’re ultimately in control of the vehicle, but it’s the navigation system that decides the best way to get there. You decided to bring a lawsuit and recover for your injuries, but it’s time to let your attorney decide what court documents to file, what evidence to gather, and how to deal with the other side. That’s what you hired them for, after all.

Why Do Lawyers Turn Down Cases? Hint: It’s Not Personal!

 A great deal of lawyers will offer potential clients a free case evaluation or free consultation to get a better picture of the legal issue at hand. An initial consultation, it should be noted, doesn’t qualify an attorney-client relationship. In fact, there are instances where a lawyer will offer his or her time free of charge for a case evaluation and then decide not to take on the case after all. This line of decision-making has nothing to do with “liking” the potential client, even if the client feels they’re being “turned away”; that’s simply not the case (every attorney wants to be able to help as many clients as possible seek justice).

The potential client should understand that their attorney (or potential attorney in the case of a consultation) is not their friend. An attorney is there to provide expert advice and protect the rights of someone who has come to harm at the fault of another. If the lawyer decides not to take on a case, they’ll have credible reasons why they came to that decision. After all, letting a potential client walk out the door means, quite frankly, the attorney stands to lose quite a lot of money. However, it should be made clear that an experienced attorney doesn’t see dollar signs when he or she evaluates a case–they see the victim of a crime and first and foremost, a human being. An experienced attorney will see the justice they can provide a client and their first instinct will always be to fight for those who have come to harm or who have become the victim of someone else’s bad judgement.

Client comes first, compensation comes later

The lawyer who turns down a case because they don’t feel it’s the right fit (or it’s not a case they feel can hold up in court), wouldn’t feel they’ve wasted their time after an evaluation that doesn’t bring in a client–and it would be wrong to consider that they have–because they offered legal advice to someone who may have come to harm or made a potentially bad decision without their expert opinion on the matter. An experienced lawyer is in the business of practicing law for the people, not the profit. While having an established law firm with many successful cases won and millions in compensation awarded is what every lawyer strives for over the course of their career, cash should never come before client.

An attorney who sees profits before people suffering from serious and life-threatening injuries should not be practicing Personal Injury law. Personal Injury law requires a high level of moral ethics and humanity instilled in the attorney. They must remain unbiased and level headed while holding onto their ability empathize with clients over the course of years. Clients who find themselves in the office of an attorney who treats them as a number or who is only interested in getting them out the door with compensation (even though it may not be the maximum amount) should quickly pursue another firm where they are valued.

Credibility, credibility, credibility

There are dozens of reasons why an attorney with a lot of experience will turn down a case, and most of those reasons have nothing to do with dollar signs. After years of practicing law, attorneys become familiar with exactly what will and won’t win a case. That includes client credibility. Let’s break down exactly what “client credibility” is and how it can affect the outcome of a case for the good and the bad.

  • Lying to your attorney WILL break your case! Don’t kill your case by telling your attorney a story you think he or she wants to hear. Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Whether or not you have a case after the initial consultation should come second to the fact you told the truth and maintained your composure, rather than create an embellished account of what occurred during and after the accident in the heat of the moment. It’s natural to feel angry, upset, depressed, and emotional after being wrongfully injured by another. However, it’s important to retain a level head and trust that the attorney knows what he or she is doing when it comes to resolving your case as quickly as the legal system allows.
  • Credibility! When you lie or change your story about what happened during the accident, this puts you and your attorney in a very difficult position. Attorneys must negotiate expertly on behalf of the client when it comes to recovering damages for them. If the story changes, this makes the attorney look like they lack experience even though this is certainly not the case. Plus, lying in court is 100% illegal. Once a client is under oath they are required to tell the entire truth to the judge and jury. Even the plaintiff themselves can face legal consequences if they choose to lie on the stand.
  • Live like someone is always watching! Social media, the occasional private investigator, the defense hired doctor, even your own attorney are all looking at what you’re doing throughout the course of the case. If you’re using Facebook and Instagram to post videos of yourself dancing, drinking, and partying but claim you’re unable to work due to injuries sustained in an accident, this doesn’t look credible to those involved in the case! In fact, it can destroy the entire case and leave the client with no compensation at all.

Why a Personal Injury Lawyer Might Refuse to Take Your Case

It’s Too Late to Sue

All personal injury cases are subject to lawsuit-filing deadlines set by the statute of limitations. Subject to a few exceptions, if you try to sue after the statutory deadline has passed, your case will get thrown out, and the attorney might face sanctions from the court.

The Lawyer Is Looking for a Particular Type of Case

Personal injury is just one area of practice in the legal profession, and there are subsets, including:

  • medical malpractice
  • product liability
  • industrial accidents, and
  • toxic torts.

If your case is outside the attorney’s area of expertise, they may pass on representing you. And even if your case falls under the lawyer’s expertise, the lawyer might represent only plaintiffs with a specific type of injury. For example, in a toxic tort case, there could be a long list of potential injuries that could result from exposure to a particular chemical, but the attorney might only take on cases where the plaintiff has suffered a specific type of cancer.

Your Case Will Be Hard to Win

Even if you have significant injuries and liability seems clear, a number of factors could derail your case, including:

  • your shared fault for the underlying accident
  • your delay in getting medical treatment for your injuries, and
  • your (perceived) credibility.

How should I prepare for my first meeting or telephone conversation with a lawyer?

The attorney will ask you questions designed to get the relevant information quickly and to determine if your situation is something the attorney is capable of and interested in handling. The attorney must also first check for conflicts of interest (where the attorney formerly or currently represents interests or individuals potentially involved in your case and therefore might appear biased or unable to fully represent your interests). In addition to the employer’s name, you will also be asked for the names of people involved in your case.

The attorney will want to know what acts you believe harmed you and what reasons were given by the employer to justify the employer’s decisions. The attorney will ask questions to determine whether you can prove that the reasons given are not true. Finally, the attorney needs to know how you were damaged and what you expect to recover. Many clients have unrealistic expectations about their case because of things they read in the papers or were told by others. Each case is different. Proof of events, credibility of witnesses and many other circumstances and variables make each case unique. You and your attorney must focus on your specific case.

While you talk, in addition to getting information, the attorney will evaluate you as a witness and client, in areas such as memory, honesty, appearance, attitude, cooperation, communication skills and many other characteristics. Do not lie or mislead your attorney. Understandably, clients may try to make their case look better than it is by saying that the company always settles its claims or that witnesses will come forward. Attorneys are not impressed with these representations. Please be honest and direct. You and your attorney must have trust and confidence in each other to give you the best chance to resolve your claim.

Go to the initial meeting prepared to show your lawyer not only the injustice of your dismissal but how you think the law was violated. Take supporting documents such as evaluations, witness statements, evidence concerning treatment of others, and medical records. Explain what you think your employer is likely to say in its defense. Prepare a summary of your economic (financial) damages.

Deep Cleaning Before The Holidays

What’s The Difference Between A Deep Clean And A Regular Clean?

Are you ready to hire a professional deep cleaning service? If so, you aren’t alone. The fact is, professional house cleaners bring quite a few benefits to the table.

However, as you hire these services, there are a few things you need to know. One of these things is what the difference is between a deep clean and regular clean. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about these two types of cleaning services.

Regular Cleaning Explained

When you hire professional house cleaners for a “regular cleaning,” this is going to include the things you would do on a weekly basis. A regular clean is designed to help maintain a certain level of cleanliness around your house.

When you invest in a regular clean (which will be what you typically receive) the home cleaner will do some of the following things:

  • Vacuuming and mopping your floors
  • Tidying up the house
  • Cleaning the bathrooms – toilet, bath, mirror, sink, etc.
  • Cleaning the kitchen – wiping surfaces, outside of appliances, taking out trash, etc.

These cleaning tasks typically don’t take that long to complete; however, they are essential to help keep your home free from dust, dirt and other debris.

Deep Cleaning Explained

Now that you know what a regular cleaning entails, it’s time to discuss a deep clean. Deep cleaning is something you are likely going to need to invest in when you first hire a cleaning service. While deep cleaning is more expensive than regular cleaning, it also only needs to be done every six months, or so.

A deep cleaning service will remove the deep dirt and grime in your home. It will cover the areas that aren’t typically covered in a regular cleaning service.

Some of the services provided when you hire a home cleaning service for a deep clean include:

  • Remove scale and soap scum from shower heads, taps, kitchen tiles, bathroom tiles, etc.
  • Clean behind appliances such as the oven, washing machine and cut through the grime that often builds up
  • Deep and complete dusting including the baseboards and doors in all rooms
  • Washing the home’s interior windows
  • Cleaning patio doors and window frames
  • Cleaning the interior of the oven and glass door

As you can see, a deep cleaning is much more thorough than a regular cleaning service. This is the main reason that you pay more when you hire the professionals. It also takes longer to complete.

How to Clean Your Oven With Lemons

  • Fill a medium-sized, oven-proof mixing bowl with water. Cut two lemons in half and place them in the bowl.
  • Heat your oven to 250 degrees.
  • Once heated, place the mixing bowl inside on one of the racks. Leave for one hour.
  • After an hour, turn off the oven, open the door and let it cool slightly.
  • While the oven is still warm (but cool enough that you could safely touch the inside without getting burned), put on gloves, take a damp cloth and wipe down all surfaces, including the back, sides, bottom, top, door, corners and crevices. If needed, use a wet scouring pumice, microfiber sponge or other abrasive tool to target any extra sticky spots. Be sure to wipe thoroughly so that you remove all grease and grime.
  • You’re done!

How to Clean Walls with Different Paint Finishes

The first thing you should consider when washing painted walls is the finish. (If needed, reference our handy guide to paint finishes.) Whether the finish is glossy or flat will determine how scrubbing will affect the look of the wall.

Flat, Satin, and Eggshell Finishes

Duller paint finishes are less durable when it comes to cleaning. Do not use harsh chemicals or degreasers when cleaning flat paint walls. When washing with a sponge, be sure not to scrub too hard. The sponge should be wrung out almost completely before putting it to the walls.

Glossy or Semigloss Finishes

Because these paints are highly durable, they’re most commonly used in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and bathroom. It’s OK to use a mild degreaser on glossy kitchen backsplashes or vanity doors. Although glossy and semigloss paint is durable, it will still scratch, so always use a soft sponge when cleaning walls.

How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Home?

If it wasn’t hard enough keeping on top of the general housekeeping chores, then you may not want to know how often you should be deep cleaning the rest of your home.

As households become busier year-on-year, experts believe we’re rapidly losing the fight against allergens and grime.

Kitchen

  • Microwave: every week. Food splatters and left over moisture can become a breeding ground for germs. Giving your microwave and the turntable a thorough clean every week should remove those otherwise missed splashes.
  • Refrigerator: every month. Food spills, leaky meat wrappers and rotting vegetables (hello salad drawer!) can lead to serious bacterial contamination. Removing all your food and wiping down all the shelves and drawers with an antibacterial wash shall not only prevent bacteria spreading, but also help you keep on top of expired foods.
  • Oven: If your oven starts to smell of previously cooked food or smoke, it’s time to deep clean the oven. In-between cleans you can use a damp rag to remove spills and splashes.

Bathroom

  • Bathtubs and showers: every week. Offering a warm and moist environment, bathtubs and showers are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungus that cause skin infections.
  • Toilet: every week. Most households can manage by wiping over the cistern, buttons and toilet seat with an antibacterial agent; deep clean the toilet weekly with a cleaner and toilet brush to remove stains and mineral deposits.
  • Showerheads: once a year. Removing the showerhead and soaking it in a descaling product will help remove internal mineral build-up and return the showerhead to its former glory.
  • Bathmats: every week. Like the tub, a fabric bathmat can act like a juicy spongy breeding ground for bacteria and fungus. Use a sanitising wash to remove any harmful bugs and try to hang the mat in full-sun to dry.

Bedrooms

  • Pillows: every quarter. You spend about a third of your life in bed, so it makes sense to regularly cleanse your pillows from trapped dead skin, oil, sweat, allergens, dust mites and their eggs.
  • Mattresses: every six months. Like pillows, the mattress can soak up and trap body fluids, dead skin, allergens, dust mites and even bed bugs in its fibres. To keep your bed smelling sweet, get the mattress professionally steam cleaned every six months.
  • Duvets and blankets: every six months. Check if your local launderette offers extra large washing machines that are perfectly sized for large duvets and blankets.

How to Clean Walls with Latex Paint

The best way to wash walls painted with latex paint is to use warm water and a nonabrasive all-purpose cleaner. Dip a clean sponge in the water, then wring it dry. Gently rub the wall. Pay special attention to areas that get touched often, such as around doorknobs and light switches. Rinse with a second sponge and clear water. Take care not to wet areas around outlets, light switches, telephone jacks, and other electrical connections. If scrubbing those spots is necessary, turn off electricity at the circuit breaker box.

For stubborn spots, such as fingerprints, newspaper smudges, or scuffs, make a paste of baking soda and water and rub the area with a nonabrasive pad. If cleaner (or white vinegar and water) doesn’t remove the grime or stain on painted woodwork, wipe the woodwork with a rag dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Pest Exterminator

Silverfish Life Cycle

Life Cycle Stages

The silverfish process from egg to adult usually takes about four months. They are hemimetabolis insects, which means they develop through three stages:

  • Egg
  • Nymph
  • Adult

Reproduction

While silverfish do not reproduce through direct fertilization of the eggs, they do perform a mating dance.

  • The insects touch their antennae together.
  • The female flees.
  • The male and female reunite. They stand side by side while the male vibrates his tail.
  • Males then deposit small packets of sperm into the female ovipositors.

Eggs

Depending upon climate conditions and species, eggs may take between 19 to 60 days to hatch. Humid conditions are preferable, though silverfish can thrive in almost any environment.

Female silverfish produce one to three eggs per day, or clusters of two to twenty. The pests deposit eggs in cracks around the inside of a home or attic, making them difficult to find. Unlike some other insects, silverfish can produce eggs all year.

Nymph

When they emerge from the egg, silverfish nymphs are miniature versions of the adults. They go through a number of molts during development, and continue to molt throughout their lives. Some species may undergo more than 50 molts.

Adults

Typically, silverfish become adults in about three or four months. In cool climates, it may take up to two years to develop into a mature adult.

Encounters & Concerns

The surrounding environment has a major influence on silverfish development and how long silverfish live. In ideal environments of high temperatures and humidly, these insects can live for about three years.

What do silverfish look like?

Silverfish range from 1/4” to 1” in length. Their bodies consist of a head, abdomen, six legs, two compound eyes, two long antennae, and three appendages that resemble tails. The body of the silverfish is flat and narrow and tapers down from the head in the shape of a carrot. It is covered in shiny, silver-grey scales. Two of the tail-like appendages, called cerci, point to the sides of the body, with the filament (or middle appendage) between them pointing backward. Silverfish do not have wings; they move by using their legs in a wiggling motion that resembles a swimming fish. Silverfish can run quickly on horizontal surfaces but are not as fast when moving vertically. However, they are able to jump up to a foot in the air.

Silverfish grow from egg to nymph to adult. The female lays up to three white, oval-shaped eggs in a crack or crevice. When the eggs hatch — which can vary from a period of three to six weeks depending on temperature — pale nymphs emerge. These nymphs continue to grow into adulthood, molting as they do and developing scales that are dark, shiny, and silver-colored.  The normal lifespan of a silverfish is between two and eight years. Silverfish reproduce at all times of the year, with the female laying about 100 eggs over the course of her lifetime.

What are the risks of a silverfish infestation?

Because they are adept at hiding, silverfish can grow in numbers before being discovered, resulting in a significant infestation. These pests do not bite or directly cause harm to humans or pets, but they are destructive to your home. Silverfish can contaminate foods and eat through fabrics, paper, or other items.

Silverfish eat mold, so their presence may also indicate a mold issue in your home. They are also a preferred food of spiders, centipedes, and other insects, so silverfish in your home may attract these pests.

When are They Active?

You and the silverfish likely have very different schedules, so you may not run into them too frequently unless you wake up in the middle of the night.

A common silverfish encounter usually occurs when someone walks into their bathroom at night and turns on their light to find a silverfish in their bathtub. This is somewhat of a prison for silverfish because they struggle to climb out of bathtubs due to their lack of extra appendages. They are poor climbers, but exceptional runners.

Silverfish are very quick, and can outrun the majority of their predators. Seeing a silverfish run in your home is a very unsettling sight that is sure to send shivers up your spine.

They will often scurry off into dark and secluded places. Silverfish are nocturnal, so they prefer to stay hidden during the brighter hours of the day, and will likely only come out when your lights are off.

The perfect conditions for silverfish are dark environments with temperatures around 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit, although they can survive in temperatures above 50 degrees.

Silverfish thrive in moist conditions, so they are often found in parts of your home that may be harboring excess moisture. They are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, cabinets, or near leaks.

Sign of a Silverfish Infestation

Keep an eye out for feeding marks, although they may be irregular whether they are holes, notches along an edge, or surface etchings. Yellow stains, scales and/or feces (tiny black pepper-like pellets) may also be seen on infested materials.

These pests can typically be found in humid, moist areas of the home including basements, attics and bathrooms. People have noticed silverfish when they come down on ceiling soffits and/or drop from skylights and canister light fixtures in the ceiling, likely entering through shake roofs.

What is the Best Way to Kill Silverfish?

There are numerous ways to kill silverfish, including the use of boric acid and diatomaceous earth. Silverfish can be captured and killed using glasses wrapped in masking tape and filled with sugar water as bait. Another way to get rid of silverfish is to spray a mixture of bleach and water in the areas where they live or points where they access a home. The best way to control silverfish is to make one’s home inhospitable to these insects.

Boric acid is an effective means of silverfish extermination, though it’s a low-grade toxin. Children and pets must be kept away from areas in which boric acid is used. The powder should be sprinkled where silverfish have been noticed. Particular attention should be paid to areas where silverfish like to hide, such as under sinks and in cracks and crevices. More boric acid can be sprinkled every two weeks as needed to kill silverfish.

Ways Not To Be Bored During A Long Distance Moving

Long Distance Moving Companies

Moving Long Distance

During your search for long distance moving companies, there are a few things you may want to consider. Look at each company’s reviews, history, the services they offer, and their fees.

meet all of your moving needs. will go above and beyond to meet your expectations. Yelp reviews can be very beneficial when looking for long distance moving companies offers. take pride in the reviews left by customers which include several five star evaluations. reviews include descriptions such as:

Prompt

Efficient

Generous

Fair

Hard working

Exceptional

Senior Long Distance Moving Companies Offers

Just over half of all the people who move in the U.S. are over the age of 50. Of these, approximately 30% are over 60 years old and are relocating into a condominium, apartment, retirement community, or assisted living facility. A senior move often has its own challenges and can be particularly emotional if someone is leaving a family home that has decades of memories contained within. This move can be a major event in the individual’s life and their family members.

Getting Your Move Right

is well versed in helping clients manage the stress of relocation through comprehensive moving services. Whether you’re downsizing into something more comfortable or transitioning into a retirement community, have a team of friendly staff who are ready to make your senior moving experience as positive as possible.

Dealing with the Stress from Moving

There is no way around it – moving is stressful, especially long distance! But the good news is that there are things that you can do to help alleviate that stress as you address all the issues that need to be addressed to make sure you get from point A to point B.

LONG DISTANCE MOVING CHECKLIST

If you are planning a long distance relocation any time soon then you should definitely know more about a long distance moving checklist. This is the checklist that contains all the things you need to do and finish before you relocate to your new home. If you follow this checklist through, then you won’t have any issues at all with your relocation!

LONG DISTANCE MOVING  REQUIRES A PLAN

Before you even begin thinking about long distance moving, you need to have a plan and proper long distance moving checklist. This plan should revolve around major tasks you need to accomplish before the moving day arrives. Within this plan you need to put bigger tasks like finding a place to live, finding movers, organizing paperwork, etc. Within every task on that plan, you have to make a list of smaller tasks that you need to follow in order to have a successful relocation!  Remember to always go step by step and never rush things If you rush things too much you will end up losing control over your relocation and eventually overpay everything!

SET UP A MOVING BUDGET

Like everything we mentioned before, even a plan needs a safety net! In this case, you should have a moving budget that won’t allow you going over the limit of paying your relocation! That being said, you need to have in mind all the factors that can influence the moving cost! Moving budget helps you a lot when it comes to finding movers aswell. You certainly wouldn’t want to get movers that will force you to overpay your relocation! Here is the perfect opportunity for you to spend some time and find yourself reliable and professional relocators. And if you start doing this in time, you might be able to negotiate an even better price.

DO YOU OWN A BUSINESS

When it comes to business owners, time is everything! And careful timing means you won’t lose money when transporting your business elsewhere. Long distance relocations are difficult, not to mention when it comes to commercial moving. This is where your careful planning and detailed long distance moving checklist come in handy! Because you know time is money you will want to have everything under control

START COLLECTING PACKING SUPPLIES

This is a perfect time to start gathering and collecting moving and packing supplies. You will certainly need them for the long distance moving you are about to commit. Because you will travel a great distance you will have to pack your items carefully. Which means you would want to get as many packing materials as possible

LONG DISTANCE MOVING

When moving interstate, allowing a full-service moving company to assist you can save both time and money.

In the current economy, consumers may be tempted to pack and transport their belongings themselves; however, using a full-service moving company to orchestrate and execute a move can be a smart economic decision and provide them with valuable peace of mind.

During the estimate, our Certified Moving Consultant will walk through your home as you point out which items will be moving and which will be staying. The Consultant will compute the total weight of the items you are moving and provide you with a quote. Your quote will be based on the weight of your shipment and the distance you are moving. There are many service options when you move interstate.

After your free estimate, will be in touch to see if any questions have come up since we last visited. Once you decide that you would like to book with us, we’ll schedule your move and discuss any moving day concerns. If you have chosen us to pack your household, we may schedule an extra day to pack if the estimated weight is too high to pack and load in one day. If you are packing yourself, you can also talk to us about buying new and used boxes from our inventory.

Once your household has been packed and organized, a driver will come to your home with a crew ready to load your goods. All items will be inventoried by the driver. You’ll receive a copy and sign off both at the origin and the destination. This way, you’ll know exactly what went on the truck and be confident that it arrives.

Long Distance Made Easy

Planning on moving away from the fair city? Perhaps you’ve gotten a job offer elsewhere, want to move closer to family, or just need a change of scenery. Whatever the case, Moving & Delivery can help make your moving experience hassle-free. but we will consider long distance moves greater than 160km from the city. Don’t worry about choosing a moving company that doesn’t respect you or your possessions; choose one with a reputation for professionalism in all its operations.

Quality Service from Long Distance

If you’ve ever needed to pack up your whole life and move, you know that moving happens in several phases: packing, loading, transport, and delivery. Completing all of these phases by yourself is a significant undertaking that no one should have to attempt alone

Don’t Scramble to Find Supplies for Your Long Distance Move

Often, we don’t realize how many extra supplies moving takes until we’re in the thick of things. Especially if you’re moving a long distance, you’ll need a plethora of boxes in all sizes, packing tape, packing materials like bubble wrap, trash bags, and much, much more. Making sure you have everything and enough of each supply is a hassle that only adds to the stress of a move.

Reasons to Consider a Professional Long Distance Mover

Moving to a new city or province can be exciting, albeit more than a little stressful. While you may be tempted to forego moving on your own, there are many good reasons to consider a professional long distance mover

Less Wear on Your Vehicles

Transporting all of your belongings, often in numerous trips, can wreak havoc on your vehicle. However, the extra wear and tear on your car is unnecessary when you have experienced long distance movers on your side. You won’t need to worry about damaging your interior or nicking your paint job.

PREFERRED MOVING COMPANY

Moving to a new location can get hectic. With help, relocation will be hassle-free. As a reliable moving company, have hundreds of dedicated agents and a wealth of experience in the moving and storage industry. Whether you need assistance with transportation or with packing your personal items, get the job done right. Rest assured that specialists will communicate with you constantly throughout the whole relocation process.

Long Distance Moving Services

You have lots of choices when it comes to moving companies, so why choose? The answer is easy: different than any other company out there. As one of the nation’s top movers, offers professional long distance moving services. With over 50 years of experience in the moving and storage industry, dedicated team of moving professionals are always ready to help.

Packing Services

When move your household items, take great pains to ensure every item arrives unscathed and in good shape. For example, wrap all your furniture in thick, durable moving blankets to ensure secure transport and no damage. This is a tough thing to mimic on your own. No matter if you need partial or full packing services, here to provide you with whatever services you need.

Corporate Relocation Services

can help with your employee’s corporate relocation. Designed to give you the support and assistance you need to get your employee moved as quickly and efficiently as possible. corporate relocation services strive to limit the downtime your employee experiences and get them relocated and to work as quickly as possible. offer professional, efficient, and seamless moving services.

When you hire a long distance moving company, you want to rest assured that the team you’ve chosen has the skills and convictions you need to trust them. After all – these are your household items we’re talking about – you don’t want to trust just anyone with those! Fortunately