Bookkeeping Fees Can Save You Money

Online Bookkeeping Jobs: Turn Your Love For Money Into Money

Are you good with numbers? Do you like getting immersed in all kinds of details? Are you into things like solving puzzles and untangling knots? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might be interested in being an at-home bookkeeper.

I’ve already shared that bookkeeping is a great career to have because the skills are considered entry-level and it’s the kind of work that easily adapts to working from home. These days, more and more businesses are hiring at-home bookkeepers. And while there’s definitely a solid niche for starting your own bookkeeping business, freelancing is certainly not the only way to do it. You can also find remote work as a bookkeeper for a company in a more traditional employment model.

What do Bookkeepers Do?

While bookkeeping is part of the accounting process, it’s much more about staying on top of the clerical tasks as opposed to analyzing reports, preparing taxes and setting budgets. A bookkeeper is often the person inputting the receipts and invoices, counting inventory, classifying expenses and income.

Because your scope is somewhat limited as a bookkeeper, you often don’t need an accounting degree. That being said, there are a few skills and personality traits that are absolutely imperative:

  • You need to be organized
  • You must have strong attention to detail. If you don’t like double-checking, or triple-checking, your work, this might not be the job for you.
  • You need to be a hard worker.
  • You need to be able to handle multiple projects at once. You will probably have more than one client.
  • You must be compassionate and personable. To be a successful online bookkeeper, you need to be able to make a connection with your clients. They need to be able to trust you with their finances.

How Much do Online Bookkeepers Make?

As with most freelance opportunities, it depends. If you are working for a large company or accounting firm, they will likely dictate your earnings.

If you decide to start your own bookkeeping business, you can probably earn a lot more as you are taking on more of the responsibilities. According to Bookkeeper Launch, many of their graduates are earning upwards of $60 per hour working from home.

What Types of Work Do Bookkeepers Do?

Bookkeeping is a back-office position required in almost every industry, so there’s the built-in advantage of being able to work in virtually any field. Once you’re trained in bookkeeping, you can work within many different industries and find work that interests you, whether it’s working with small business owners, bloggers, or even non-profits — every industry needs bookkeepers.

Common tasks often include:

  • Entering and managing accounts payable
  • Entering and managing accounts receivable
  • Maintaining the general ledger
  • Managing inventory counts
  • Overseeing payroll
  • Monitoring project budgets
  • Filing accounting reports
  • Paying suppliers and following up on purchase orders
  • Monitoring petty cash

STARTING A BOOKKEEPING BUSINESS FROM HOME

If you love work from home or working remotely, then work from home bookkeeping will help you to earn money online and compete with the highest paying work from home jobs and home businesses.

To give you more precise guidelines on bookkeeping as a work from home job, here are the effective points you can follow step-by-step:

1. Get Certified

The fastest and easiest way to get clients is to become certified. A certified bookkeeper is always preferred by the clients. Therefore, before expecting clients, get the certification to impress your potential customers and then catch the project by convincing them with your conversational skills.

2. Make a Business Plan

When I Googled ‘how to make a business plan’ a few years ago I was totally overwhelmed by the amount of information they convinced me to put into it. To start with, create a basic business plan, but be sure to re-visit it every quarter and flesh it out as your self-employed bookkeeping business scales and grows. It will invariably be of benefit to strategize your business.

3. Select a Business Name and Structure

Just as you cannot imagine your identity without your name, your business also requires a name to be identified as a brand. Choose an appropriate name related to your job – you can create something with your city name to help target your local area, or if you’re more of a freelancer a name that’s more objective related. It’s totally up to you.

In terms of business structure, there are various types of business structure including Personal or Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, Limited Liability Company and Corporation.

All these types have different requirement and terms. Make sure that you are choosing the right option according to your business.

In addition, to assist you further in this matter, we suggest you consult with a lawyer and/or an accountant, who will guide you on the right track.

4. Set up a Business Bank Account

Keep business and personal separate! Until that joyful time comes when you pay yourself. I love payday.

Before taking projects from clients, open a business account. Don’t be like the divorced relationship councillor or the overweight personal trainer. As a bookkeeper set a good example and sort this stuff out from day dot.

5. Bookkeeping Software

In starting your work from home bookkeeping online business no doubt you will have decided to invest in some bookkeeping software. There are stacks of options to choose from; however, opting for a top-class one will be the best investment for your job. Start your research by asking Google and filter the search results wisely to get the appropriate one.

6. Get Your Business E-mail ID

A business email address is essential in order to be seen as professional to prospective clients, so it’s important to get your domain name from the beginning. And for postal inquiry (if that still exists), you have to put the address of your office. It might be your home or be any rented place. The above is a list of some of the technical requirements needed to get things up and running. From there it’s time to start thinking about marketing and listing your services, attracting clients and delivering your world class bookkeeping service so you can enjoy bookkeeping from the comfort of your home!

Benefits of a Virtual Bookkeeping Job

PRO TIP

A good computer and high-speed internet should be your first investments. Also crucial to a being a virtual bookkeeper is accounting software, such as Quickbooks Online, which keeps startup costs low.

And then there’s that $60-per-hour pay rate.

The average full-time bookkeeper earns nearly $40,000 per year (almost $19/hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports. But pointed out that as a freelancer or contractor, you can actually earn a higher hourly rate while working fewer hours.You must know how to provide true value to clients — that real-world problem-solving we talked about — to command this kind of income.

Can anyone who knows how to use a calculator make money as a work-from-home bookkeeper?

Using a calculator is such a small part of bookkeeping. It’s more like a giant puzzle and figuring out where each piece goes. The catch is that you have to know where to put each piece; it isn’t as simple as some would have you believe. There are nuances that you don’t know you don’t know… does that make sense? Basically, you need help along the way to ensure you are ready to take on a client and not mess up their books!

Love that concept! When you decided to start learning to become a bookkeeper, what was going through your mind?

Well try to learn it on my own and failed miserably. I should mention here that I am usually the type of person that can teach myself anything… guitar, violin, bass, piano, crochet, knitting, oil painting, languages, etc. But for some reason, this just wasn’t clicking.

Did you know everything going in? If not, were you able to grow and add skills you didn’t know?

Haha, I knew NOTHING going in. I had tried to do my own bookkeeping as a VA, but it was just a mess because I had no idea what I was doing. On the business side of things, I knew the basics of having a business, but not a successful one. I had no clue how to find clients or market at all.

The course taught me everything I needed to know. From Day 1 I was learning new skills all the way through the end of the course. And to be honest, the learning hasn’t stopped!

How To Texture Stucco Repairs

STUCCO STIGMA

We are sure by now you have heard about some of the negative reputations that stucco has developed over the last decade or so.  But is this reputation deserved? The simple answer is no, but let us delve a little deeper into the subject and you will see for yourself…

We remember all too well the unfortunate and horrific events of September 11th, 2001. A day that will live in infamy for eons to come. But hearing about some of the good things that happened during the days and weeks that followed can help to realize that there is a.

STUCCO RESURFACING

Thinking about resurfacing your stucco home? This could be a great way to revitalize the look of your house, or it could be covering over way bigger problems. Things to know before you get your stucco resurfaced. What is the stucco applied to? If you have stucco over

3 STAGES OF STUCCO FAILURE

Stucco problems can come in many forms, from unsightly cracks and bulges, to internal water damage to hardwood floors and moldy and decaying floor joists.  But not all stucco problems necessarily mean costly repairs. Some stucco issues can be minor and require minimal

STUCCO EXPANSION JOINTS

Why are Stucco Expansion Joints Important? The stucco facade on any building will expand and contract with temperature changes.  This alone would not cause any problems if the temperature changes were uniform across the entire facade, and the building structure that

Professional Painting Knowledge Base

How Serious is a Stucco Crack?

Though cracks in stucco can occur due to different factors, including wrong mix proportions, insufficient mixing, poor workmanship, seismic movement and seasonal changes, two leading causes of cracks in stucco are the house settling process and shrinkage-induced stresses, which typically occur during the drying period. Now that you know why stucco cracks, let’s find out how serious a stucco crack can be.

The Problems behind Stucco Cracking

Hairline cracks aren’t as serious as deep cracks. However, they can provide a pathway for moisture and water to enter into a wall system. Once moisture or water gets inside a wall, it will inevitably cause further damage. As an example, water that gets behind stucco will soften the material it comes in contact with, eventually causing stucco to break away and fall off in sheets. Moisture and water trapped inside walls can lead to additional problems, such as paint failure, wood rot, mold growth, musty smell, swollen drywall and irreparable damage.

Although cracks smaller than 1/16 inches usually don’t undermine the integrity of exterior stucco, repairing them immediately will prevent them from escalating into something worse. To repair a minor stucco crack, apply a high-quality caulk, use a brush to stipple the caulk while wet (this will create texture to better blend) let it cure, dry properly then paint the entire area.

Unlike hairline cracks, a large stucco crack may indicate a structural problem. Often, large cracks develop at the intersection of vertical walls, at the upper corners of window and door frames, or at joints between wood framing and concrete/brick masonry. Since most large cracks aren’t only wide but also deep, they allow moisture and water to penetrate the building envelope and pass freely through walls.

The most “dangerous” cracks are typically wider than 1/16 inches, with edges that are no longer aligned parallel to each other. If the edge of a crack has moved in relation to the other edge, it may indicate unusual structural changes in your home. As an example, when the foundation settles more on one side of a house than on the other, it may create enough stress for stucco to crack. To correctly address and fix potential structural problems, it’s very important to investigate large cracks before any attempt is made to repair them.

Reasons Why Painting Stucco is a Good Idea

If your home exterior has been finished with stucco coating, you’re in luck! Not only is this long-lasting, durable material attractive, it can also effectively protect your home against the elements. But, just like other types of house siding, the color of your stucco can fade over time. When this happens, you may wonder if you can paint the stucco on your home. With proper preparation, the right paint, and correct painting materials, exterior stucco painting can offer many benefits.

Advantages of Painting Stucco on Your Home

Stucco is one of the most popular exterior finishes for homes as it is low-maintenance and can look beautiful for years when taken care of. Hiring professional painters to paint your stucco can ensure the following unique advantages.

Seals Out Moisture

After it rains, you may notice that your stucco absorbs water and becomes darker until dry. When you paint stucco, the paint completely seals the material, so moisture won’t penetrate it. This allows your color to remain consistent even during a very rainy day.

Covers Stains

You probably see water and rusting stains running in vertical lines on your stucco (usually beneath window frames). Painting stucco can block and cover these stains. When painted by professionals, stains won’t reappear for years on the new paint surface!

Fills Hairline Cracks

Do you have a lot of cracks in your stucco? This damage will only become a bigger problem with time. When left unpainted, chunks of stucco will pop out and costly repairs will be needed. Painting your home with high-quality thick paint can fill these hairline cracks naturally with the paint film.

BEHIND THE WARRANTY

With so many stucco companies to choose from, all offering you different products and services, how can you know if you’re getting your money’s worth before it is too late? Check the Warranty.

HOW MANY YEARS IS THE WARRANTY GOOD FOR?

This should be the first thing that you look at.  Stucco manufacturers generally offer factory material and labor warranties to just a few selected contractors.  These warranties range greatly in terms depending on the products used or not used during the stucco restoration process.

These stucco manufacturers have varying levels of stucco products that perform very differently. Some products are below average basically just cheap acrylics. They will not hold up very well over time and will generally fail rather quickly. Like I said, they’re cheap

While other products are high performance, elastomeric stucco finishes created to withstand intense UV rays, resist water intrusion and promote elasticity in the finish.

It’s very important to note that no warranty protects against cracking.  Stucco cracks, no matter what. The higher the grade of product and techniques used can however reduce cracks and greatly extend the life and performance of your stucco. 

Does Your Stucco Need Repairs?

We love the classic look and feel of stucco, but more so than most home exterior materials, stucco can be a tricky keeper. Although stucco as material might not be as prone to major issues in certain states, it can sometimes feel difficult to take care

Visual Inspect the Stucco for Cracks & Mold

Take a quick walk around the outside of your home to look for signs of stucco disrepair. Although cracks in stucco are the easiest thing to visually spot, make sure you pay close attention to any discoloration or signs of mold. Many of these signs come with general weathering and age, but if your stucco exterior is fairly new, this can also be a sign of improper installation. Depending on the climate of your state, cracking and discoloration could be a sign of expansion or shrinkage of the stucco material.

Be on the lookout for hairline cracks, spider cracks, and cracks on any foam trim. Hairline cracks may be a sign of intense stress on the exterior of your home, whereas a spider crack more often occurs due to a stucco mixture that was improperly mixed or a base coat that wasn’t properly cured. If you see signs of mold, it could be a sure sign that moisture has been trapped behind the surface of your stucco. If cracks, discoloration, or mold is visible, contact an experienced company to come and fix cracks with proper compounding or to help you find ways to irradicate mold.

Touch and Smell the Stucco Exterior

Don’t be afraid to get up close and personal with the stucco around your home. This includes paying close attention to the smell and feel of stucco areas. Walk around your home and make sure that everything smells “normal”. Of course, it may be difficult to discern what you should be smelling, but just as it’s simple to tell the difference between a clean room and a moldy one, it’s easy to smell mold around your home’s exterior. If you catch a scent that seems off make sure to check the area closer and touch the surface. If there’s moisture in the area on a rather dry day, this is likely due to a moisture issue and should be taken care of immediately.

Stucco Inspection

Of course, every homeowner should learn how to do a general inspection of their home’s exterior, but knowing how seriously to take cracks and stains can be overwhelming. If you’re worried about missing areas that need maintenance or major repairs, don’t hesitate

Something To Know About Tile Roof

THINGS YOU DON’T REALIZE UNTIL YOU OWN ONE FOR A YEAR

considers part of a fully sustainable future where homes and electric cars run on zero-emission sunlight. Musk claimed at this year’s shareholder meeting on June 11 that the company is hopeful it can bring the roof’s price down to reach the equivalent of a standard shingle roof plus utility bills

installing the roof came down to a perfect storm of factors. The family has lived in the state for over 15 years, and Tobler always wanted to go solar. The house, built in 1965, came with a metal roof that made installing panels impossible. When Tesla’s preorder page went live in May 2017, the family opted to replace the aging roof

roof has become an increasingly important product for Tesla. Musk said at the shareholder event that the company is now installing the roof in eight states, and work is almost complete on version three. He added that the design is “actually quite a hard technology problem,” and tests need to simulate 30 years of wear and tear in the space of a few months. Musk added that “we have a shot at being equal to a comp shingle roof plus someone’s utility costs, or maybe lower than that.”

roof efforts have gradually ramped up since the spring 2018 rollout. In October 2019, Musk unveiled a third-generation tile. The new tile is bigger, redesigned on the inside, likely to hide the solar cells better, and is designed for speedy installation

The new tiles are launching in a textured style, with new designs expected every six months through the accelerated testing process. They measure 15 inches by 45 inches, where the old ones measured 8.65 inches by 14 inches. They also reduce the number of parts by over half

TILE ROOFING

Roofing That Looks Good and Does Good

For anyone considering a tile roof for their home, there are several things to think about. You need to be sure the tiles being installed are of the highest quality and you need to be sure you are working with a reliable roofing team.

Tile Roof Installation and Other Services

When it comes to residential roofing, there are several roofing material options on the market, though none are as incredible as the tile roof. This option provides an unrivaled beauty that simply cannot be matched by any asphalt shingle

Types of Tile Roofing

We work with and offer a variety of tile roofing options for our homeowners. We’ll work with you to determine what would be the best for your needs and budget. If you have any questions

TILE ROOFING

Are tile roofs difficult to get installed?

When using trained professionals like those at Tile Roofing LLC, installing tile roofs are one of the simplest systems to install. Installation and maintenance costs in the long run are much lower than other roofing materials.

Are tile roofs fire safe?

Tile that are made from concrete and class have a Class A fire rating and will not catch fire or burn. They are non-combustible and maintain this rating throughout their entire lifetime without any required additional treatments.

If my tile roof is old, damaged, or starts leaking is it necessary for me to get brand new tile?

It is not necessarily required that you replace your tile roof if it is damaged, starts leaking, or is old; most tile roofs can be restored or repaired. If these are options, you are interested in exploring repairing or restoring your tile roof you must locate a matching replacement and contract a qualified roofing contractor like Tile Roofing to replace your tile.

Is tile roofing more susceptible to damage by hail?

In some cases, the most violent of storms all types of roofing materials are destroyed. However, in most cases with typical hail storms averaging 2” diameter hail or less other roofing materials have had to be completely replaced where only 10% of the tiles on a tile roof were damaged and needed replacement.

What is a “lift-and-relay”?

One pro of using tile roofing is its ability to be reused. The term most often used in terms of re-usability is “lift-and-relay”; this is where the tile is evaluated and inspected, and upon the tile being in good condition the roofer may take the original tile off the roof, simply put down new felts, and then places that same tile back on the roof. This method can effectively help save customers money.

tips for mounting solar on tile roofs

Evaluate the tiles. It’s common to find hairline cracks on tile roofs, the product of a dropped tool or a heavy foot long ago. Often cracks are sealed together with silicone or another adhesive. But just because you didn’t cause the blemish, doesn’t mean it’s not your responsibility. “What I’m finding in talking with integrators, regardless of who caused the damage, is the last person on the roof will be blamed for it,” Stearns said

Watch the underlayment. In 1986, the building code was updated to require underlayment on tile roofs, protecting homes from snow, sleet and wind-driven rain. “I used to say that the tile was really a facade to protect the underlayment, which was your primary waterproofing,” Stearns said. “That’s probably a little bit of a stretch, but the underlayment is critical.” A well-done inspection of the underlayment before taking ownership of the roof is important. If the material is deteriorated, rotted or cracked, it could leak regardless of what you happen to do as an integrator on the roof.

Check for pests. Tile roofs are ideal homes for bats, packrats and squirrels. Damage from gnawing pests can lead to moisture intrusion, rapidly degrading waterproofing and the structure underneath. Pay special attention to holes and cracks in the roof. “If you have the ability to get inside the house and do a survey in the attic and get a sense for whether or not this roof has leaked in the past or is currently leaking, that’s a pretty critical point to acknowledge during your survey,” Stearns said.

You will break tile. Everybody does. “It happens on every project that I’m aware of and it’s important that you fix that material as you go, or certainly before you finish,” Stearns said. “Damaged tiles should be replaced before installing a PV system and during the installation.” Solar mounting solutions that replace a tile with a flashing are a great way to move forward.

Consider installation longevity. One way to install solar involves boring a hole for mounting posts through tiles. The tile is placed over the flashing and post, leaving a gap between post and tile. Somehow an installer has to make sure the area around the post remains watertight. In the Southwest, caulking and adhesives won’t last the life of an array. “Any time your solution is ‘somehow or another,’ it should really lead to the question: Is this a 25-year application?” Stearns said. Tile hooks should be evaluated for strength.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REROOFING

When you want to replace your old roof you want to do it with a reliable and durable roofing system for a long term solution. Furthermore, you want to choose from different designs and styles which will fit to your house. Regarding the installation the aim of every homeowner is to have the roof replaced quickly, inexpensively and with as little fuss as possible

WHAT IS THE NORMAL PROCEDURE OF A REROOFING PROJECT?

Erect scaffolding and roof-edge safety measures

Remove old roofing material and dispose of off-site

Check the roof sub-structure, prepare surface and install new roofing battens if necessary

Install new roof complete with all hips, ridges, flashings etc (usually about a day)

Clean up around your garden and perform final inspection of new roof

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A NEW ROOF?

As the saying goes a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. Neither is a roof. Choosing a roof is a long term decision. Think about what will be in keeping with the architecture of the whole house. Fashions come and go; your roof will probably be around for decades.

The location of your home is an important factor. If you are near the coast or in an area known for high wind or extreme weather with a lot of snow, you should look for a roofing system that will help minimize potential problems with corrosion, leaks or system failure. We happen to know one extreme weather resistant roofing system;)

More seriously, roofing is a specialist, stand-alone trade. It’s not a job for a general builder or a DIY guru. Make sure you don’t give this job to a friend who claims to be a jack of all trades.

Roof quotations can be complex and deceptive. Make sure yours include all costs – such as building paper, roof battens, labor cost and other roof-related materials – so you can compare ‘like with like’.

Investigate your options before you decide. The first step is research – on the web, on foot, over the phone and in conversations with other homeowners. This section – Learn About Roofs – is designed to help with your roofing system research, so that you can make a decision you’ll be happy to live with for decades to come.

HOW CAN I FIND A QUALIFIED ROOFING INSTALLER FOR ASSESSING MY ROOF?

THINGS YOU DON’T REALIZE UNTIL YOU OWN ONE FOR A YEAR

considers part of a fully sustainable future where homes and electric cars run on zero-emission sunlight. Musk claimed at this year’s shareholder meeting on June 11 that the company is hopeful it can bring the roof’s price down to reach the equivalent of a standard shingle roof plus utility bills

installing the roof came down to a perfect storm of factors. The family has lived in the state for over 15 years, and Tobler always wanted to go solar. The house, built in 1965, came with a metal roof that made installing panels impossible. When Tesla’s preorder page went live in May 2017, the family opted to replace the aging roof

roof has become an increasingly important product for Tesla. Musk said at the shareholder event that the company is now installing the roof in eight states, and work is almost complete on version three. He added that the design is “actually quite a hard technology problem,” and tests need to simulate 30 years of wear and tear in the space of a few months. Musk added that “we have a shot at being equal to a comp shingle roof plus someone’s utility costs, or maybe lower than that.”

roof efforts have gradually ramped up since the spring 2018 rollout. In October 2019, Musk unveiled a third-generation tile. The new tile is bigger, redesigned on the inside, likely to hide the solar cells better, and is designed for speedy installation

The new tiles are launching in a textured style, with new designs expected every six months through the accelerated testing process. They measure 15 inches by 45 inches, where the old ones measured 8.65 inches by 14 inches. They also reduce the number of parts by over half

TILE ROOFING

Roofing That Looks Good and Does Good

For anyone considering a tile roof for their home, there are several things to think about. You need to be sure the tiles being installed are of the highest quality and you need to be sure you are working with a reliable roofing team.

Tile Roof Installation and Other Services

When it comes to residential roofing, there are several roofing material options on the market, though none are as incredible as the tile roof. This option provides an unrivaled beauty that simply cannot be matched by any asphalt shingle

Types of Tile Roofing

We work with and offer a variety of tile roofing options for our homeowners. We’ll work with you to determine what would be the best for your needs and budget. If you have any questions

TILE ROOFING

Are tile roofs difficult to get installed?

When using trained professionals like those at Tile Roofing LLC, installing tile roofs are one of the simplest systems to install. Installation and maintenance costs in the long run are much lower than other roofing materials.

Are tile roofs fire safe?

Tile that are made from concrete and class have a Class A fire rating and will not catch fire or burn. They are non-combustible and maintain this rating throughout their entire lifetime without any required additional treatments.

If my tile roof is old, damaged, or starts leaking is it necessary for me to get brand new tile?

It is not necessarily required that you replace your tile roof if it is damaged, starts leaking, or is old; most tile roofs can be restored or repaired. If these are options, you are interested in exploring repairing or restoring your tile roof you must locate a matching replacement and contract a qualified roofing contractor like Tile Roofing to replace your tile.

Is tile roofing more susceptible to damage by hail?

In some cases, the most violent of storms all types of roofing materials are destroyed. However, in most cases with typical hail storms averaging 2” diameter hail or less other roofing materials have had to be completely replaced where only 10% of the tiles on a tile roof were damaged and needed replacement.

What is a “lift-and-relay”?

One pro of using tile roofing is its ability to be reused. The term most often used in terms of re-usability is “lift-and-relay”; this is where the tile is evaluated and inspected, and upon the tile being in good condition the roofer may take the original tile off the roof, simply put down new felts, and then places that same tile back on the roof. This method can effectively help save customers money.

tips for mounting solar on tile roofs

Evaluate the tiles. It’s common to find hairline cracks on tile roofs, the product of a dropped tool or a heavy foot long ago. Often cracks are sealed together with silicone or another adhesive. But just because you didn’t cause the blemish, doesn’t mean it’s not your responsibility. “What I’m finding in talking with integrators, regardless of who caused the damage, is the last person on the roof will be blamed for it,” Stearns said

Watch the underlayment. In 1986, the building code was updated to require underlayment on tile roofs, protecting homes from snow, sleet and wind-driven rain. “I used to say that the tile was really a facade to protect the underlayment, which was your primary waterproofing,” Stearns said. “That’s probably a little bit of a stretch, but the underlayment is critical.” A well-done inspection of the underlayment before taking ownership of the roof is important. If the material is deteriorated, rotted or cracked, it could leak regardless of what you happen to do as an integrator on the roof.

Check for pests. Tile roofs are ideal homes for bats, packrats and squirrels. Damage from gnawing pests can lead to moisture intrusion, rapidly degrading waterproofing and the structure underneath. Pay special attention to holes and cracks in the roof. “If you have the ability to get inside the house and do a survey in the attic and get a sense for whether or not this roof has leaked in the past or is currently leaking, that’s a pretty critical point to acknowledge during your survey,” Stearns said.

You will break tile. Everybody does. “It happens on every project that I’m aware of and it’s important that you fix that material as you go, or certainly before you finish,” Stearns said. “Damaged tiles should be replaced before installing a PV system and during the installation.” Solar mounting solutions that replace a tile with a flashing are a great way to move forward.

Consider installation longevity. One way to install solar involves boring a hole for mounting posts through tiles. The tile is placed over the flashing and post, leaving a gap between post and tile. Somehow an installer has to make sure the area around the post remains watertight. In the Southwest, caulking and adhesives won’t last the life of an array. “Any time your solution is ‘somehow or another,’ it should really lead to the question: Is this a 25-year application?” Stearns said. Tile hooks should be evaluated for strength.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REROOFING

When you want to replace your old roof you want to do it with a reliable and durable roofing system for a long term solution. Furthermore, you want to choose from different designs and styles which will fit to your house. Regarding the installation the aim of every homeowner is to have the roof replaced quickly, inexpensively and with as little fuss as possible

WHAT IS THE NORMAL PROCEDURE OF A REROOFING PROJECT?

Erect scaffolding and roof-edge safety measures

Remove old roofing material and dispose of off-site

Check the roof sub-structure, prepare surface and install new roofing battens if necessary

Install new roof complete with all hips, ridges, flashings etc (usually about a day)

Clean up around your garden and perform final inspection of new roof

WHAT SHOULD I KNOW BEFORE CHOOSING A NEW ROOF?

As the saying goes a dog is for life, not just for Christmas. Neither is a roof. Choosing a roof is a long term decision. Think about what will be in keeping with the architecture of the whole house. Fashions come and go; your roof will probably be around for decades.

The location of your home is an important factor. If you are near the coast or in an area known for high wind or extreme weather with a lot of snow, you should look for a roofing system that will help minimize potential problems with corrosion, leaks or system failure. We happen to know one extreme weather resistant roofing system;)

More seriously, roofing is a specialist, stand-alone trade. It’s not a job for a general builder or a DIY guru. Make sure you don’t give this job to a friend who claims to be a jack of all trades.

Roof quotations can be complex and deceptive. Make sure yours include all costs – such as building paper, roof battens, labor cost and other roof-related materials – so you can compare ‘like with like’.

Investigate your options before you decide. The first step is research – on the web, on foot, over the phone and in conversations with other homeowners. This section – Learn About Roofs – is designed to help with your roofing system research, so that you can make a decision you’ll be happy to live with for decades to come.

HOW CAN I FIND A QUALIFIED ROOFING INSTALLER FOR ASSESSING MY ROOF?

Let’s face it, a reroofing project is a ‘grudge purchase’. When you do decide you have to replace yours, you want to do it quickly, inexpensively and with as little fuss as possible

Let’s face it, a reroofing project is a ‘grudge purchase’. When you do decide you have to replace yours, you want to do it quickly, inexpensively and with as little fuss as possible

Water Testing And Ammonia Levels

Why should my well water get tested and for what contaminants?

There are many different reasons to get your well water tested at a laboratory. People get their

wells tested when they are having water quality problems (unusual color or odor), when they

are selling or buying a home, and when a new well is installed or an old well or well pump is

maintained. In addition, it is good practice to have your well water checked at least once a

year and even to reevaluate your drinking water source if posed with health-related problems.

Local health departments are the main regulatory agency with respect to residential wells. They

are required to maintain a list of environmental contaminants within their jurisdiction, and they

consider this information when they issue permits for new wells. Your local health department is

usually at the district or county level, and their phone number can be found in a local telephone

book or online at www.malph.org. Since the local health department tracks this contaminant

information, and contaminants are site-specifi c depending on the contaminant source, it is

worthwhile to contact the local health department to determine what contaminants may be

in your area. If a contaminant such as a petroleum product, industrial solvent, heavy metal,

herbicide, or pesticide is in the area, the health department may recommend a test for the

contaminant. When calling a local health department or health district to discuss well water

quality, ask to speak with a water sanitarian.

When buying or selling a home, some testing may be required. Some counties require that

wells be tested for certain contaminants upon the sale of a home (called “point of sale”

testing). A test for bacteria or even an “automated partial chemistry” test may be required. The

automated partial chemistry test is for the following contaminants: chloride, fl uoride, hardness,

iron, nitrate, nitrite, sodium, and sulfate. In addition to this point of sale testing, various lending

institutions require drinking water testing before mortgage approval (e.g., the Federal Housing

Administration requires testing for lead in drinking water sources before they will approve the

lending transaction), so contact both the lending institution and the local health department to

make an informed contaminant test selection decision.

Water Sample Analysis

Water sample testing detects bacterial indicators of contamination:

in drinking water and non-potable sources (i.e., sewage, pools, spa, and recreational beaches)

for investigations linked to clinical illness

Public Health Inspectors can review requirements for testing before submitting samples to PHO.

PHO Laboratory performs microbiological testing of water samples for the detection of bacterial indicators of contamination and specific pathogens in water. Each water sample is tested for specific indicators according to the water source.

If testing is required on a water source that is not listed in the PHO Laboratory water testing menu below, or testing is needed to identify specific etiological agents in water related to a laboratory confirmed clinical case or outbreak investigation, boards of health are asked to consult with the microbiologist, or designate, overseeing the water testing program prior to sample submission.

Sample collection requirements, sample handling, shipping conditions, test information including testing frequency, turnaround times and reporting limits are dependent on the specific water source. Samples will not be processed if the requisition is not completely and accurately filled in when received at the laboratory; and a new sample and completed form will be required to be submitted.

  • Drinking water (including bottled water)
  • Drinking water – Private citizen
  • Ice – Treated
  • Public Beach Water
  • Recreational Water Facilities, Public pools/Spas
  • Suspected Sewage Contamination – Water

Health and Drinking Water

Is my tap water safe to drink?

Most community water systems get a passing grade from the federal government, because drinking water regulations allow contaminants in tap water at levels greater than what scientists deem to be safe. In addition, there are many unregulated contaminants that end up in drinking water.

If you want or need better drinking water than what comes from the tap, EWG suggests buying a home water filter certified to remove or reduce the contaminants found in your tap water. EWG has developed an extensive online guide to choosing a water filter, which will help you decide which one is right for you.

Is bottled water safer than tap water?

In most situations, bottled water is not the answer. The problem with bottled water is that you cannot be sure what you are getting. Reports show that some bottled water is just tap water, filtered in some cases and untreated in others. Unlike public water suppliers, bottled water manufacturers are not required by law to disclose the levels of any contaminants in their products.

In addition to water contaminants that could come from the source water, bottled water may also be contaminated with plastic additives that can migrate from plastic packaging. Many of these additives have not been fully assessed for safety by the Food and Drug Administration, the agency with oversight over food and beverage packaging.

Bottled water may be the appropriate choice in an emergency – after major storms or earthquakes, or a large-scale infrastructure failure. In cases such as these, choose bottled water that carries a disclosure about its source and treatment, and the results of water quality testing.

How can I be clear to a laboratory that I want them to use only USEPA-approved methods?

Laboratories may be certified by MassDEP in any one or more of 132 parameters, analytes or categories. Since a laboratory might not be certified in the tests required or recommended by your local Board of Health, you should put in writing in your contract with the laboratory that it must comply with the requirements of your town’s Board of Health. Check the information on the second page of the list of certified laboratories to see if MassDEP offers certification for the analytes you are concerned about.

If you want your water tested by a certified laboratory even though you are not required to use a certified laboratory, make it clear to the laboratory that you want the test done using USEPA approved methods and according to MassDEP’s requirements for certified laboratories which are found in Massachusetts regulations at 310 CMR 42.00.

Facts about your water

General water facts

  • Canada’s water resources account for approximately 7 per cent of the world’s renewable fresh water
  • An estimated 884 million people around the world live without access to safe water
  • The human body is approximately 70 per cent water and every system in our body uses water
  • A human being can live only four to seven days without water

Local water facts

  • In the Region of Peel, tap water arrives at your home, school or business within 3 to 6 days of being taken from Lake Ontario
  • There are more than 4,000 kilometres of water mains running beneath the ground in Peel
  • There are more than 25,000 water hydrants in the Region of Peel
  • More than 300,000 homes and businesses receive safe, clean drinking water from the Region of Peel

How To Find Engine Rebuilding Jobs

Why Do Rotary Engines Offer Bad Mileage?

The rotary engine has a constant crankshaft, and the corresponding cylinder block revolves around it. The engine has its plus points and some drawbacks, but the low mileage offered by the rotary engine is the matter of concern.

1. The Inefficient Engines

The thing is; the rotary engines end up producing excessive power. The engines, in turn, are not built to handle the excessive power. As a matter of fact, the more power the more fuel is burnt as the revs of the vehicle get higher. This is the simplest reasons that explain why rotary engines offer a bad mileage.

2. Seal Leakages

The temperatures of each chamber of the engine house differ. This tends to be problematic when the diverse expansion coefficients of the materials lead to faulty sealing. Furthermore, a case of seal leakages occurs that results in leakages of combustion gas into the other chambers. Such wastage of gas directly means low fuel economy.

3. Low Compression Ratio

Compression ratio is the overall ratio of the maximum and the smallest volume of the cylinder at any given point within the internal combustion engine. The best compression ratio that has been recorded on a rotary engine is 11:1, which is not okay in terms of what modern engines can offer. The best compression ratio for a petrol engine is 10:1.

4. Long Combustion Chamber

The combustion chamber of a rotary engine is designed to be very long. This may work well to some extent, but the high surface area to volume ratio makes things tricky. You may ask, ”How may it affect the fuel consumption,” to which the answer lies in the extended cooling time of the fluids. If the cooling is suffered, so is the overall fuel economy.

5. The Case Of Fixed Ports

The valves or camshafts are missing in a rotary engine. This problem with the rotary engines leads to the inability of meddling with the valve timings, i.e., the case of “no valve timing.” The port time can only be changed by machining the ports of altering the piston skirt. So, when the valves do not open and close at a synchronized timing, the engine performance deteriorates. In simple words, the rotary engine fuel economy turns out to be bad.

The most common mistake made by rotary enthusiasts intent on supercharging their engines is to supercharge a stock, unmodified non-turbo engine. 

Unless you are content to use the power gain only occasionally, and even then only briefly, you run the very serious risk of catastrophic engine failure. Sustained use generally brings failure, and the more common failures include broken apex seals and flattened apex seal springs. On occasion a stationary gear breaks, or a rotor gear moves away from the rotor and jams against a side housing, or a bearing fails due to overheating. With any of these failures, a complete engine rebuild is required.

The causes of these problems, and others, are many. Superchargers generate heat loads well in excess of what a stock engine can handle: the stock water and oil cooling systems are overwhelmed and simply cannot carry away the excess heat fast enough.

Additionally, the compression ratio commonly found in non-turbo engines is not low enough for supercharger applications. Depending on horsepower requirements, a compression ratio as low as 7.5:1 may be in order for reliable operation. The higher the boost level you desire to run, the greater the likelihood you will need to address the issue of a lowered compression ratio. In our experience, we have found that 5 psi., approximately, is the threshold above which the stock, non-turbo compression ratio is no longer appropriate.

As the above comments would suggest, we do not recommend supercharging an otherwise stock, “non-turbo-based” unmodified engine. When you weigh the anticipated power gains against the very real likelihood of a premature, and costly, engine failure it’s likely not worth the headaches.

If you are willing to build an engine that is capable of handling the increased heat loads that superchargers develop, the following tips will prove beneficial, increasing the likelihood of a long-life engine.

How It Works

A rotary engine is a barrel-shaped internal combustion engine that lacks many of the major parts you’d find in a conventional piston engine. For one thing, there are no pistons chugging up and down. Rather, rounded triangular rotors—most often two, but sometimes one or three—spin around a shaft through the hollow barrel.

Fuel and air are pumped into the spaces between the rotors’ sides and interior walls of the barrel, where they ignite. The rapid expansion of exploding gases turns the rotors, thus generating power. The rotors fulfill the same task as pistons in a piston engine, but with far fewer moving parts, making a rotary engine lighter and smaller than a piston engine of equivalent displacement.

The basic design is a century-old one. Felix Wankel himself was a German engineer who came up with his version of a rotary engine in the 1920s. Being busy with warmongering on behalf of the Nazi party, however, he didn’t get the chance to develop his vision too far until 1951, when German automaker NSU invited him to design a prototype.

Wankel Engines

Try not to get caught up in the semantics of what to call this engine. Commonly referred to as a rotary engine (even by Mazda, though often this refers to a rotating piston-cylinder-based layout), the Wankel engine was last used in production in the Mazda RX-8. There are no pistons, camshafts, or connecting rods.

Advantages

  • Simplicity: rotary engines can have as few as three main moving parts, versus more than 40+ for piston-cylinder based engines. Fewer moving parts typically leads to better reliability.
  • No reciprocating mass: this allows rotary engines to rev high, and also run very smoothly.
  • Weight: rotary engines are compact and offer great power-to-weight ratios.
  • Power delivery: because of the way a rotor rotates, power delivery lasts for more of the rotation of the crankshaft versus a piston-cylinder engine, resulting in super smooth power delivery.
  • Size: rotary engines are compact, allowing for easy packaging.

Disadvantages

  • Fuel economy: the exhaust often includes unburned fuel, on top of which Wankel engines typically have low compression ratios, resulting in poor fuel efficiency.
  • Emissions: unburned hydrocarbons leaving the exhaust makes it difficult to pass emissions regulations.
  • Rotor sealing: due to the varying temperatures throughout the combustion chamber, the apex seals expand and contract making it difficult to create a good seal, leading to inefficient power production.
  • Oil burning: by design, Mazda Wankel engines burn oil to help maintain the longevity of the apex seals. Not only does this further increase exhaust emissions, but it requires the owner to add oil periodically.

Mechanical Operation

A rotary engine uses a triangular-shaped rotor to divide the space inside the engine, enabling a standard four-stroke cycle of intake, compression, ignition and exhaust. The moving rotor transports fuel to the various engine compartments for each leg of the cycle. In this way, it resembles a reciprocating piston engine. Rotary engines can be built with any number of rotors, much like the multiple number of cylinders offered in piston engines. The rotors engage a drive shaft, which then powers the vehicle’s drive mechanism (the propeller of a plane, or wheels of a car).

Simplicity

One of the major advantages of a rotary engine is its mechanical simplicity. A rotary engine contains far fewer parts than a comparable piston engine. This may decrease the cost of design and manufacture. This also leads to decreased weight. Compared to standard reciprocating piston engines, rotary engines contain no valves, camshaft, rocker arms, timing belts or flywheel. All this means decreased weight, fewer opportunities for malfunction and easier repair. When rotary engines were first developed, they were used to power aircraft, taking advantage of the rotary engine’s high power-to-weight ratio.

Basic Tools Used By Level 2 Electrician

Tips On Finding A Reliable Journeyman Electrician

Journeyman ElectricianHow should one go about finding a good reliable journeyman electrician? When choosing an electrician there are a number of factors to consider. Before you begin to worry about cost and price and essential materials that will be required for your construction project. You should consider this, what kind of reputation does your electrician have? How satisfied are his customers? How good was the quality of the work done? Reputation is chief among other things when looking for a journeyman electrician. Having thorough knowledge of whether he is a properly licensed electrician, a member or a recognized union and whether he or she is willing to stand behind the work they will complete for you.

If you are looking to find a journeyman electrician, here are some tips to consider:

Save money getting several quotes from different electricians, then go with the one you liked best.

Talk with electrical contractors and make a decision ( their professional advice can be very useful).

Get atleast 4 quotes from local electricians.

Save time by not calling electricians at random from your phone book.

When you’re selecting the right journeyman electrician for your home here are some things to consider: Electricians tend to specialize. Some focus on construction, others on commercial work and some only attend to service calls to fix dead outlets or faulty fixtures. Those that specialize in remodeling have mastered the techniques for wiring existing homes and additions. Such as: snaking wires through finished walls, assessing the capacity of existing circuits and evaluating whether to install an additional service panel ( where the circuit breaks are) to handle increased power demands. Hoover has been the leading provider of industrial electrical services for more than thirty three years now. Their proficient service team can work with any kind of industrial electric system.

When hiring you electrician keep in mind that you are hiring him for his professional skills and you are putting the safety of your home and your family in his hands. Commercial electricians can be found anywhere online, online directories, on yellow pages, and many of them still leave contact cards in regular businesses. It is a good idea to have a professional come into your home and inspect the work you have done ( if any ). Something else to keep in mind is that even if you are handy with electricity you may still not be aware that you may be overloading a circuit by adding new fixtures or outlets. During construction when electrical components are initially installed, there could arise a problem by overloading a circuit and it could damage all of your electrical wiring. Several hazards can occur, it could dim your lights when you turn on appliances, damage an expensive fixture or appliance, and in worse cases start a fire. It is advised that you contact a journeyman electrician for any electrical problem in your home.

Old Wiring Tricks Electricians Still Use Today

Some of the best electricians are the ones that think outside of the wire to make magic happen. Much trial and error over generations has gone into these tricks, so we are sharing the knowledge gathered straight from the source

“Still measuring from the foundations to find the location to drill up a wall? Try this. Take an insulation hanger or a coat hanger. Snip off the end at a 45 degree angle. Insert it into your drill and make a small hole at a 45 degree angle on the floor next to the molding. Homeowners never notice the hole because it is so small.”

“Use a tennis ball to pull cable”

“When pulling communications wire, tie jet-line to a tennis ball. Throw the ball to the wire’s destination. Hook your wire to the string and pull.”

“Use a hot air gun to aid in bending PVC conduit”

“A hot air gun comes in handy when you need quick bend for PVC conduit. Just heat the area until pliable and then make your bend. Larger conduits can bend by inserting the area of the conduit through a 3 or 4 inch PVC tee and the hot air gun in the remaining opening in the tee. Leave the conduit in the tee until it’s bendable.”

“Making large holes without proper drill bits”

“When you need to make large holes for conduit and you don’t have a large drill bit try this. Make your template where you want to drill and drill a series of holes around the exterior. Follow up with one center hole and be sure you’re level. Finish with a piece of 1/2″ rigid and a hammer to bang out the hole clean. Works every time!”

Electrical Tips & Safety Advice

The electrical safety of your home or business is paramount. Below are some fact sheets with important information that will help you to maintain the safety of your family and employees.

What should I do if I have these products installed?

If you have these isolators installed you should shut down your system immediately. Most solar systems have the shut down procedure listed near the inverter or main switchboard.

Do I need an electrician to shut my system down?

Your personal safety must be your highest priority.  Please take care not to place yourself in danger while attempting to shut down the system, particularly if your switch is on the roof of your home.

What do I do once the system has been shut down?

You should arrange for the faulty product to be replaced urgently.

There is never any hesitation when it comes to getting the car or the boat serviced or repaired, but all too often, servicing the pool gets overlooked. Pools are rated as number three on the list of the largest capital purchases we make in our lifetime, with a house in first position, and a car in close second. Out of these three, the car is the only one that tends to receive regular maintenance and servicing.

Test-Taking Tips For Your Electrician Exam

Start Early

Register for the electrician license exam and start studying. The sooner you begin studying, the greater your chances to pass. You should plan on spending a total of 60 hours studying time for the electrician exam. If your exam is scheduled for a month from now, that means you need to take about 15 hours each week to study. Studying works best when it is spaced, so try to spend at least 2 hours each day preparing. Do not procrastinate and wait until the last minute to cram.

Learn The Code

The National Electrical Code is not always easy to understand. You have to know how the Code is organized (Chapters, Articles, Parts, sections.) If you do not know how to use the Code, you will not pass your electrical exam. Use the index in the back of the NEC to look up sections. Don’t flip through the book randomly looking for answers during the exam. Find the Code section before answering a question. Match the wording of the question to the Code section.

Save Time

Don’t waste time studying material that is not on the electrician exam; only study materials that will be on the exam! Online Electrical Exam Prep gives you questions that are likely to be covered on the exam. Focus on Code Calculations. Saving time also means focusing on your weaker areas first. If you have a lot of experience with motors and are confident about answering questions based on motors, then you can study other areas first. You can save time during the exam by answering questions that you know first, and then coming back to the difficult ones later. As soon as you read a question, eliminate the answers that you know are not right. This will increase your chances of choosing the correct answer.

Learn The Technology

If you do not have a lot of experience with computers, then you will find the actual online electrical exam to be very stressful. Practicing on a computer is essential to your studying routine. Since the exam is timed, you will need to practice on the computer to make sure you are answering the questions at the right pace. Taking a timed, computer-based practice test will help you tremendously; you will be able to monitor your pace and know how the real electrical exam will feel. JADE Learning’s electrical exam prep offers timed electrical practice exams, so you can get realistic practice.

Keep Your Cool

Get a good night’s rest before the electrician exam. This will help you keep your cool and relax during the exam. Make a list of the materials you will need to bring to the testing center, and do not forget your ID. Arrive early for the electrician test so that you can choose a comfortable seat in a good location. DO NOT panic – this will only make things worse. Remain confident and remind yourself that you are doing a great job!

Safety Around The Home

Electricity is part of our lives. We use it from the moment we wake up and throughout the day. As a result, we sometimes forget how powerful and dangerous it can be.

The following list outlines the steps you should take to reduce electrical accidents around the home to help you navigate to these guides. Each tip contains a link our in-depth on the subject.

Tips on how to improve electrical safety at home:

Make visual checks to your electrics with professional help. Learn more about what to look for here.

Take great care with your DIY. DIY attempts result in nearly half of all severe electric shocks in the home. This DIY electrical safety guide explains how to avoid electric shocks in the process.

Remain vigilant in the kitchen. Misuse of kitchen appliances is just one of the many electrical safety no-nos in the home. Learn more here.

Remember that water and electricity are a deadly mix. The bathroom can be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house when it comes to electrical safety. Read our top bathroom safety tips here.

Don’t use electrical gardening equipment outdoors until it is dry. More advice for electrical safety in the garden is available here.

Take the necessary precautions after a flood. If your home has been flooded, there is a high chance the electrics could be damaged. Read more about what to do in this situation here.

Exercise caution to prevent electrical fires. This guide outlines common ways electrical fires occur in the home and how to avoid them.

Millions of people commit basic electric safety ‘blunders’ in the home without realising that they are exposing themselves to the risk of fire or electric shock.

Modern living means we are using more and more electrical appliances in the home. Just twenty years ago, the average UK home would have had a hi-fi system and one TV or video. Today, it is more likely that there are at least two TVs, a DVD player, a satellite receiver, games console, microwave, computer and more. So, the risk of electrical accidents in the home is much higher than before.

Mold Inspection And Prevention Tips

How To Choose A Good Mold Inspector

Mold inspectors are easy to find as he/she may be found anywhere. However, finding a certified mold inspector, especially certified mold inspector is a real task. First you need to determine whether you need a mold inspector at all. There is a cheat sheet for that. But if you are very concerned about your health and feel that your house contains molds, you can hire the services of a mold inspector. The inspector should be a certified one, whatsoever.

Prior Experience

You should consider the experience even if the mold inspector is certified mold inspector. You should check the number of mold inspections the inspector has performed as you must have heard of, ‘practice makes a man perfect.’ All you need for your house molds is a perfect mold inspector. Furthermore, your good mold inspector would have performed over hundred inspections a year. In this way, you would be sure that the inspector has seen a wide range of scenarios. Also, ask your mold inspector how many verifiable mold inspections have been conducted.

Certifications

It is pertinent to mention here that some states allowed a person to obtain the license of mold inspector without requiring him/her to pass any exam or any proof that he is competent to be a professional mold inspector. Also, there are many certifications and as many certificates. Your mold inspector should have membership with any nationally recognized trade association for mold professionals. The organization certifying his/her credentials should also be nationally recognized. Also, ensure that the inspector’s certification has been given on verifiable work experience and has been issued by a reputed educational institution.

Equipment

Every professional is well equipped and same goes for a good mold inspector. A certified mold inspector will have the basic equipment like an air sampling pump, a respirator and a moisture meter. He/she should also have the sampling media, gloves, flash light, a mirror, and knee pads. Also, an adept mold inspector shall have the latest technology as being low tech does not go well with the profile of a mold inspector. Look out for the thermal imaging camera in his/her equipment which detects the moisture-linked temperature fluctuations.

Inspection Report

A certified mold inspector will be able to give you a detailed inspection report mentioning environmental monitoring results, visual findings, his/her conclusions, interpretation of lab results, and his/her recommendations as to how to get rid of the mold problem. A mere lab report will only make you go to another mold inspector to interpret the results. Beware of the inspectors who charge low price per sample because many of those do not deem it necessary to provide you these details

Things To Look For (And Look Out For) When Choosing A Mold Remediation Specialist.

So They Can Suck More Money Out Of Your Wallet. A lot of remediators take advantage of their customers’ lack of knowledge about mold remediation.They claim there is mold where there is none. They sell extra services that aren’t needed. They quotetheir prices twice as high as it should be, and their innocent customers (more like victims) don’t knowthe difference.

Be Wary Of Mold Remediators That Also Offer Testing Services.

After a mold remediator does his job, you want to get your home tested to make sure it’s at proper mold levels.

No Matter What Most Remediators Say, We

Rarely Need To Treat Mold With Chemicals. Most mold remediators will tell you that you need to treat the problem area with antimicrobial chemicals, special mold paint and a host of other chemicals during remediation.

Certain Mold Remediators Use Cheap,

Imitation Materials That They Pass Off As The Real Thing. I know a guy in the mold remediation business that passes off regular primer as mold encapsulant. If you aren’t familiar with the difference, it’s pretty simple. Mold encapsulant delays mold growth; primer does not.

Some Mold Remediators Don’t Think The Problem Through, And Can Cost You Thousands Of Dollars You Didn’t Need To Spend.

This one relates to problem 4. Most remediators are more in interested in lining their own pockets than providing you with the best solution to your mold problem. They have a “cookie cutter” approach to every situation. As a result, you may spend thousands of dollars you didn’t have to in mold-remediation services, chemical treatments, and home repair costs.

Reasons For Using a Professional Mold Remediation Service

It’s no secret that mold damage inside one’s home can cause serious health issues for those who inhabit the space. Anyone that has mold growth inside their home or business—but also uses air conditioning—is at risk of those mold spores shifting around the air ducts and spreading throughout the home’s entire circulation of air. This is how your system will typically get infected with mold.

You Will Receive a Proper Mold Assessment

One common root cause of mold and its resulting sickness is from a combination of air conditioning and humidity. When systems rapidly try to cool down a home or business amidst the humidity, air condenses inside the vents. If this is the case in your home, you need to discover the source, find the problem areas you don’t see, and enlist quality house cleaning that removes mold for good.

The Mold Problem Will Be Properly Treated

When you’ve found a professional house cleaning company you can place absolute confidence in, the level of experience will be apparent immediately. Step one involves completely assessing the moisture problem. Step two is to properly treat and clean all affected areas. The process for mold remediation involves sealing off the mold, controlling all humidity, physically removing the mold, and cleaning up afterwards

Proper Mold Remediation Prevents Future Problems

Proper mold remediation reduces spreading to prevent future problems. This way you won’t have to pay more for expensive products, on top of having to call a repairman to come back for additional work. A seasoned professional will be able to accurately identify the problem areas and properly educate you as to how you’ll stop the problems from occurring again.

You’ll Receive Multiple Tips to Prevent Future Mold Problems

When hiring a mold removal specialist, you’ll receive multiple tips to prevent future mold problems and secure safe and proper ventilation. Since mold problems require specialized expertise, you’ll want a good communicator in the field who is both dependable and honest. Meet the professionals, who have serviced thousands of satisfied homeowners. Your own home’s perfect solution will vary, but you’ll likely need leaky pipes, roofs, and more fixed in order to guarantee mold won’t continue building up

Here’s What You Need to Do After Your Mold Remediation

No property owner wants to hear that one of their buildings has a mold problem. Unfortunately, any building can be susceptible under the right conditions. All a mold outbreak needs is moisture, warmth, and organic matter to grow on. Moisture can be caused by a natural disaster, a leaky pipe, or even simply excess humidity that is not vented adequately from the area. Warmth and organic matter are provided by the building itself

If you’ve ever dealt with mold in one of your buildings, you understand both how dangerous it can be and also how potentially costly remediation can be. What you may not know is that hiring a remediation contractor may not be the end of the ordeal for you.

Moisture and mold growth are both tricky problems to solve. Both can go undetected behind walls and in hidden areas, like ducts, crawl spaces, or behind vinyl wall coverings. Even an experienced remediation design firm can make mistakes or miss something that is well hidden. A less experienced remediation contractor may even miss obvious problems.

Furthermore, if the leak or other cause of moisture is not properly diagnosed, or if there are multiple causes and only one of them is corrected, you can continue to have a problem after remediation. Likewise, if the affected area was quite large, the initial mold assessment may not have been able to identify all sources of moisture, or the contractor may not have addressed everything.

For this reason, many commercial property owners choose to have a post-mold remediation inspection and testing service conducted after mold remediation. A post-mold remediation inspection report will tell you definitively whether the problem has been solved and the building is ready for tenants to occupy safely. It will also identify any areas that need additional attention, so you can have the remediation firm address it immediately, before it gets worse again.

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A PAID OR FREE MOLD INSPECTION

OUR INSPECTION PROCESS

The primary reason that we charge for our mold inspections is the time and resources that go into each one. Some of our competitors offer “free” inspections, which basically means that the inspector shows up and hands over a price to fix a symptom, without truly knowing the nature of the problem.

Answers to these types of questions get us closer to solving the problem at hand, and help us to know where to look.

Next, the real investigation begins. We’ll then crawl under the house, poke around, and take moisture and relative humidity readings in affected areas, unaffected areas, and outdoors for the best possible points of reference.

Sometimes the mold problem can be easily diagnosed and repaired, like a pipe leaking under the house, but other times we don’t see mold at all. Because the root of the problem is beyond the obvious, we need to think outside the box. No company that offers a free mold inspection will be going to great lengths to determine the true causes of your problem.

We were called to an Athens residence because the tenants reported a musty/moldy smell in the home. Although we found some mold, and a slight musty odor after crawling down into the dirt cellar, the tenants said that was not what they were smelling. We also noticed that the sun was breaking down an old window lining in the basement, creating an odorous gas, but that wasn’t the source either

Deep Cleaning Kitchen Knobs

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for a Sparkling Home

Nothing feels quite as satisfying as coming home to a clean house. Since cleaning your house from top to bottom can be overwhelming — not to mention, time-consuming — take it room by room (or appliance by appliance) with these tried-and-tested spring cleaning tips. No matter if you have five minutes to freshen up or an entire weekend to spare, give all your home’s trouble spots a refresh with these cleaning how-tos. And while you might not think about cleaning your reusable shopping bags or vacuum on a regular basis, spring cleaning season is the perfect time to spruce up your daily go-tos, especially since they collect dirt and grime just like everything else.

It’s up to you: Go slide-by-slide for a whole home makeover or tackle your home’s dirtiest spots (the microwave, junk drawer, you name) when you have some extra time on your hands. Either way, you’ll have a cleaner, more livable space in no time.

Your Doormats

Trap more dirt by using two mats, one outside the door and one inside. To refresh, hose off and air-dry mats. Vacuum indoor ones on both sides — going over the back will push trapped dirt out onto the floor where it will be easier to pick up.

Your Windows

Wait for an overcast day and start on the shady side of the house, as direct sun can lead to streaks. “Raise blinds or shades and wash windows with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth,”. “Then lower the blinds and vinyl shades and dust with a duster like Swiffer and finish by vacuuming fabric shades and drapes.”

Your Kitchen Sink

Got kitchen stink you just can’t kick? Try running a couple of lemon rind slivers through your garbage disposal and follow with cold water to dispel the smell.

Steps to Cleaning Business Success!

If you’ve already opened your cleaning business and bought your house cleaning insurance, you’ve taken a huge step forward and that deserves a big thumbs up. But now, you might be wondering how to make your business grow to become a success in the industry. Your potential clients have plenty of house cleaners to choose from, so you want to make your business stand out from the rest! Here we’ll look at a few tips to help your house cleaning business flourish.

Offer Personalized Service and Fair Prices

Spend some time giving free estimates. This will help you see a potential client’s home to work out how much time it will take to clean. Don’t charge the same price for a large house and for a small apartment. Clients will go running to a cleaner they believe is giving them a fair deal. Sit with the client to find out what they want. According to surveys, customer experience with a company has a huge impact on how likely they are to be repeat customers, and that holds true for you, too. Sitting with your clients to understand what is important to them gives them this personalized service and shows that you care about them and their needs, allowing you to develop a pricing plan that is fair to them and worthwhile for you. And when you need to raise your prices? They’re more likely to understand.

Manage Your Time Carefully

To be a success, you need to fill up your schedule. Working on your time management will benefit both you and the customer, as expectations are clear and match reality. Schedule your jobs in a way that allows you to fit more than one job in each day. Slots starting around 10am won’t leave you enough time for an afternoon customer as well. On the other hand, starting at 8am will allow you to finish by lunchtime and go to another customer afterwards–or even take some much needed time off. It also means that your customer won’t have to have their entire day blocked off. Always be on time and efficient to keep to your schedule and keep your customers satisfied.

Find Your Niche

In a crowded market, it can be difficult to make a place for yourself. Spend some time looking online at reviews and social media to see what clients wants and what competitors are offering. Then, create a niche for yourself. Perhaps you guarantee all of your products will be environmentally friendly. You might be able to offer flexible scheduling, such as evening or weekend time slots. Perhaps you work more on marketing with a weekly newsletter or blog posts with free cleaning tips, introductions to your cleaning staff, and product reviews. Having a niche will give you a unique place in the market.

Use Quality Products

Cheap products may save you money to begin with, but using more expensive quality products will help you attract a unique clientele that will benefit your business in the long-run. Using non-toxic and ecologically friendly products is better for the furniture and doesn’t leave any irritating fumes or smells around the home. These safe and healthy alternatives are better for both your cleaner and the client. Keep learning about new products through suppliers, from industry publications or from trade organizations to stay on top of your game.

Deep Cleaning Service

A lot of times we don’t realize we haven’t cleaned the house until it is a total disaster (at least to us). At this point, it is almost impossible to get everything back to 100%, and if you start cleaning a few things at a time – it can begin that “never-ending cycle” of cleaning (especially if you have kids… or a husband! haha). Anyways, we all know it’s a lot easier to maintain a clean home, but let’s face it… getting it up to “mom standards” can take some serious time and it never seems like there is enough! Don’t worry though because you are not alone! This is quite common and luckily for you, Maids 2 Match is here to help with that burden!

For those of you who prefer to book your cleaning online, you can just select the “deep cleaning” add-on after you select the number of rooms in your home. The deep cleaning is a little bit more expensive, but that is due to the fact that it does take a little bit of extra time to clean those neglected areas and we just want to make sure we get your home back to 100%! After your initial deep cleaning, you can always take advantage of our recurring discounts if you would like us to maintain your home on a regular basis! We do have a few other extra services as well, such as: inside the oven, inside the fridge, garage cleaning, and window cleaning. You can always add these services to your deep cleaning service, so we can bang everything out for you at one time!

What if My Home is Extra Dirty?

If your home is extra dirty, just give us a call and let us know the situation. We have no problem with doing a little bit of extra work, but we would appreciate it if you let us know prior to the day of the cleaning to ensure we come prepared with the proper equipment and plan enough time to get the job done 100%.

What Are the Additional Charges if My Home Needs Extra Time?

First off, we don’t make any adjustments to your cleaning without your consent, but we do give you the option to add additional time if you want us to get your entire home back to 100%. Hey, we are already there, if we think it can be cleaned, we are willing to clean it if you let us know of any areas that need extra attention in advance. If for some reason you don’t want us to spend the extra time, no problem! We will prioritize your cleaning and do the absolute best job we can in the time we have.

MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR CLEANING YOUR WOOD FLOOR

Everyone who loves their wood floor wants a clean wood floor.

A GOOD MOP HANDLE

First, you’ll need a sturdy, aluminum microfiber mop handle.  Don’t cheap out on the mop handle because you’ll need to use some elbow grease when cleaning a dirty wood floor, especially in the kitchen.  We sells and excellent telescoping mop handle here.  Here are some mop handle bullet-points to remember.

There must be at least two rows of velcro loop material on the underside of the mop and the Velcro must be riveted to the base of the mop. Don’t buy a mop handle where is attached only by adhesive as it will quickly detach from the mop with repeated use.

MOP PADS THAT PICK UP DIRT AND ABSORB WATER

Second, you’ll need at least three and preferably more machine-washable microfiber mop pads sized to fit your mop. We sells excellent microfiber mop pads here.  There are other good pads on the market, but most are not.

When you’re purchasing microfiber mop pads, don’t cheap out.  Good mop pads, like ours, don’t bleed their color when machine washed. More importantly the pads are good both at picking up dirt and absorbing water.  The reason high-performance mop pads can do both is that they are made from a balanced blend of polyester and polyamide nylon.

How to Choose Reliable Cleaners When Moving Out of Your Rental?

Moving out is a stressful experience – all the organising and packing, all the documents and the stress from the final inspection with the landlords. Because – let’s face it – nobody wants to lose their deposit. One of the main reasons for deposit deductions is the state of the rental, and particularly – the cleanliness of the property. Many people hire professional cleaners in order to make sure they will leave the place in an impeccable condition. However, not all the companies can meet the expectations.

Do the Cleaners Have a Detailed Checklist?

End of tenancy cleaning is a deep, thorough cleaning; a service oriented particularly to bringing rental homes in a pristine condition when tenants relocate. Many businesses claim that they provide this but fail to meet some essential criteria and to provide the expected results. This is why before you hire the end of tenancy service check if they offer a detailed cleaning checklist of their procedures. Normally, reliable professionals would provide you with a very thorough cleaning checklist, describing items and areas of the property that you haven’t even thought of. The more things are listed in their offer, the more certain you will pass the landlord’s inspection and get your deposit money back.

Do the Cleaners Offer Guarantee for the End of Tenancy Cleaning?

Getting a guarantee for the service from the cleaners is very import so you can be sure you will get your deposit back. True professionals are not afraid to provide compensation or re-cleaning of the property if the customer finds the results insufficient. Cleaners should offer at least a 24-hour guarantee for their. Clients can take advantage of this timeframe and pass their final inspection from the landlord before the property starts accumulating dust and dirt.

What Are the Criteria For The Company’s Pricing?

The quality of the cleaning is of great importance when you want to hire a professional company. The best cleaners offer service prices based on the contents or the size of the property, not on time spent cleaning. The results of the cleaning must help the customer to pass the final inspection with their landlord, so the cleaners must leave the property in a pristine condition. Hiring cleaning team for a certain amount of time doesn’t give you a guarantee that all areas in your rental property will be in impeccably cleaned.

Does the Cleaning Price Include the Tools and Supplies?

When looking for a professional company for your end of tenancy cleaning, ask if the products and tools are included in the price. The team must bring all the necessary supplies to do their job. You shouldn’t pay extra for common consumables or for machines, essential for the job. You should also ask if taxes are included in the final bill. Most services can give you an estimate in advance and you don’t have to pay more than this pre-arranged price.

Laminate Flooring And What You Need to Know

The secret on how to lay laminate floors quick and easy

we need to share this progressive item gliding laminate wood floors. Laying laminate floors would be an awesome choice for you to run with, in the event that you need to spare a buck like we as a whole do in this season of retreat. Day! It’s extremely straightforward from the principal board you cut together. Not to stress, We here to enable you in adapting all you to need to know.

With regards to looking incredible, straightforward establishment, on a financial plan yet at the same time solid. Nothing approaches laminate flooring. All that you requirement for introducing your laminate flooring dependably accompanies simple to take after directions on the container it will make your work a breeze. Gliding laminate floors are not appended to your current floor with the goal that why I mean by is fast and simple.   It’s straightforward laminate floors clasp and bolts together upon connection. How simple is that. Envision no paste or nails, to introduce this kind of floor. Amazing, you can really confine it for any reason, so in the event that you move your floors can accompany you. How cool is that. Let’s say you need to offer you laminate floor. You could do as such and profit back in addition to an introducing charge, on the grounds that after you take in the data you assemble from this site, you will be a pro.

The mystery behind glue less laminate flooring is each board cutting Bodenlegen Laminat Duisburg. It’s a basic locking framework that can enable you to fit each piece effortlessly. No all the more reasoning like the past. This is what is to come! Consider it along these lines. Presently a day you can have it done in the event that you can take in specific tips and traps. Time to prepare began!

Before you lay anything down on your solid floor. Make a point to clear the floor for rocks or whatever else from the floor. There are a few assortments of these liners you can browse to pick the best that suits your sub-floor. Laminate floors have a substantial determination of that may have worked in under liner. It’s still best prescribed to apply this clammy confirmation laminate underlayment to your solid floors. Protection is another idea you should put into thought. For engrossing commotion and keeping dampness out is a piece of these laminate underlayment’s obligations. There are distinctive kinds of commotion diminishment cover as well.

Mind the Gap

Prior to installation, it is important to remove the baseboards on the walls of the room where you are installing your laminate floor.  Laminate installation instructions always include “Be sure there is a 1/4″ gap between the laminate planks, the walls and any transitions.”  This space will easily be covered by the room’s baseboards once you re-install them.  This simple process is vital to the health and longevity of your laminate floors.  Like all wood products, laminate expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity.  When the laminate expands, this small space allows it to do so without buckling.  Using a 1/4 inch wide shim to verify your spacing around walls and between transitions will keep your floors looking great for years to come.

Make Smart Transition Choices

It doesn’t matter how thick your laminate is, even the thickest laminate has limits to how much square footage it can cover before its structural integrity is compromised. In order to ensure the strength of your laminate floor, it is best to install a transition at the threshold of every room.  Transitions are spaces where molding is installed to break up the laminate flow.  With a 1/4 inch space on either side of the transition space, your floor is able to expand at a variety of conditions.  This is especially important in multi-room installations as the varying environmental conditions between rooms can wreak havoc on the flooring.  For instance, for laminate installed in a dining room and kitchen, a transition piece in the doorway between the two rooms will allow the flooring in the kitchen, where temperature varies wildly, to expand at a different time and different rate than the flooring in the dining room, where the temperature remains more constant.  Transitions from laminate to tile, from laminate to carpet, and from laminate to laminate are available to ensure your floor looks finished and beautiful.

Installing your laminate floor is a fast, easy process provided you remember these two simple tips.  By minding the gap around walls and transitions and ensuring your transitions are appropriately placed, your laminate will give your home a modern flair and will last for years to come.

Install the First Row of Flooring

Before installing the floor, it’s important first to calculate the width of the flooring planks in the very first row and in the very last row. That’s necessary for a couple of reasons: First, the floor will look much better—and more balanced—when the first and last rows are approximately the same width. And more importantly, it’s critical that neither row be less than half the width of one full plank. Here’s how to do the necessary calculations:

Measure the width of the room and subtract 3/4 inch for the expansion space (3/8-inch gap along each wall). Then divide by the room width by the width of one plank. That’ll give you the number of full-width planks needed to cover the floor, plus the fractional width of any remaining plank. If the remaining width is less than half a plank, you must use a table saw or circular saw to rip down the flooring in the first row so that the last row will be at least half a plank wide. Sound confusing? It isn’t really. Here’s an example:

Let’s say the room is 123 inches wide, and the plastic-laminate planks are 7½ inches wide. Subtract 3/4 inch from 123, then divide by 7½ to get 16.3. That reveals that you’ll need 16 full planks to cover the room, plus 3/10ths of a plank. So, if you start the first row with full planks, the last row would be only 2-1/4 inches wide, which is 3/10ths of a plank. In this case, it would be necessary to rip 2 5/8 inches off the first row so that the first and last rows would each be 4 7/8 inches wide. Get it?

When setting down the first row of planks, be sure the edge with the tongue faces the wall, and the grooved edge faces out into the room.

How to end flooring at a doorway

Often, there’s no avoiding ending up at a doorway. When that happens, it’s a bit tricky because you have to slide the flooring under both jambs. Here’s how to handle it with just a little bit of trim carpentry.

1. Lift to fit:

Plan on a seam in the middle of the doorway. Notch and cut the first piece to fit and then slide it completely under the jamb. Notch the second piece so it’ll be just short of the door stop when it’s in place. Lift the flooring to get it around the corner and under the casing, then snap it in.

2. Slide both pieces over:

Once the two pieces are connected, slide them both over just far enough so that both jambs cover the flooring ends.

In your home

When you lay laminate flooring in your home, it’s important to consider whether your flooring is suitable for that particular room. As you can see from the room suitability chart above, laminate flooring can be installed in most areas within your home. However, rooms with high levels of moisture require extra caution and thought. While laminate is water resistant, it isn’t waterproof. In areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, large spillages and prolonged exposure to moisture causes lasting damage to your flooring.

Although it’s not advised, if you are fitting laminate flooring in either of these two areas, ensure you clean up any spills as quickly as possible. Laminate is also compatible with underfloor heating. As long as the temperature doesn’t exceed 27°C, it’s able to handle the heat without damage. For high-traffic rooms that may see a lot of people coming and going, such as hallways and living areas, laminate’s durability makes it the perfect choice. Its HDF (high-density fibreboard) core, as well as a scratch-proof protective wear layer, gives it added strength.

How To Manage Home Renovation Costs

Choosing A Builder

Do you plan to build your own home? Perhaps you’re looking to renovate or extend your existing home. Either way, there are many ways to make the right and wrong decisions when choosing a builder.

Get some advice

When choosing a builder, a good place to start is by asking any family and friends that have hired a builder to construct their home or renovate.

Licences and insurance

Whether you’re going through a home builder or you’re designing your own home or renovation works with help from an architect, it’s important that you choose a builder that is licenced, registered and insured.

You should be wary of builders that either refuse or don’t make it clear upfront that they are legally permitted to be involved in building and construction. Some builders’ licences or registrations may have simply expired or some may have had their licences revoked but are still involved in the building industry.

Experience and skills

Really question whether they have the skills you need. If they only have experience in renovations and extensions, they’re not the right choice for your home.

How To Choose The Best Home Renovation Loan?

Setting up your new home or redecorating an old one can be as daunting a task as it is exciting. Especially when it comes to managing finances. Bigger tasks such as renovation, remodelling, complete furnishing, require higher funds. Also, you can use it to enhance your home in many ways such as tiling and flooring, internal & external plaster and painting, etc. However, this should not cause any hindrance when setting up your dream house.

However, before taking a decision, make sure you consider some essential factors:

Need – First and foremost is deciding what you will use the loan amount for. List down all the activities and purchases you wish you carry out for your house. This will help you set a fixed budget.

Eligibility – Once you have decided on a budget, you should check the loan amount you are eligible for. Depending on your credit score, you can also get suitable interest rates.

Interest rates – Apart from your credit score, the loan amount as well as loan tenure also makes a difference to your interest rate. You can also opt for a fixed or floating interest rate, depending on your capability of repayment.

Fee – Along with the interest rates, also compare the fee being charged. Different repayment plans have different fee. A high fee can significantly increase the repayment amount.

Repayment option – Choose a repayment option and amount most suitable to your needs and abilities. You would want to go for an option that doesn’t create a hole in your pocket in the longer run.

expert renovating tips to remember

From choosing tradies to setting a budget and nailing your floorplan, our tips from those in the know will set you on the path to a successful renovation

KNOW WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR

“When shopping for a property to renovate, look for large spaces, lots of natural light and a back garden that faces north. Always have a building inspection done to confirm that the existing house is in good condition, and check that access for tradespeople is not too difficult.”

BEFORE YOU START

“Before starting a renovation, always check that the plumbing and electricals are up to scratch, and if there are any structural remedial works that need to be done, such as rectifying water damage or rising damp. They’re not the most exciting things to invest in, but it will help avoid costly repairs down the track.”

GETTING PLANS APPROVED

“To get plans approved quickly by council, make sure you know the rules and rationale for their existence. Design to meet that rationale and, if necessary, work the rules in favour of the right design.”

DIY DEMOLITION

“If this is a home you plan on selling in the future, look at recent sales and comparable renovations in the area to ensure you’re not overcapitalising.”

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST RENOVATION SPECIALIST FOR YOUR HOME RENOVATION

Your home renovation will be the biggest project that you are likely to undertake in your life.  Choosing the best renovation specialist for your home renovation is a crucial decision. In this article we will take a quick look at the criteria you should consider when picking a renovation specialist for your home renovation.

Extensive Experience.

Browse through a renovation specialists website, have a look at the projects that they have previously completed. Are there a reasonable amount of completed projects or only a few that have many highlighted pictures?  Make sure that the renovation specialist has successfully completed a variety of projects in the past. How long has the company been in business for? Do they have a long and proven track record of completing projects on time and on budget? Are they a reputable renovation specialist? Have a look at the reviews that mention their name. Are the reviewers happy about every aspect of the renovation? An established company with extensive positive reviews will be able to deliver the home renovation that you will love.

Compare Pricing.

Once you have a short list of home renovation specialist builders you will want to compare the prices that they quote. The temptation may be to go for the cheapest quote. However this is rarely the best thing to do. Calculator: The home renovation specialist that works with you on your budget is an ideal choice. The best renovation experts will be able to suggest cost saving measures and give advice as to where spending some extra cash for those special features will get you the desired outcome. An expert renovation builder will know how best to plan your home renovation to fit with your budget. If you want a champagne build, don’t go to a builder with a beer budget. Be realistic with your budgeting. Know what features are not negotiable and which ones you could do without.

Planning Time Frames

Having a clear plan of how your renovation will proceed is essential to remaining sane during a renovation. You will have a good idea when the kitchen or bathroom will be occupied and be able to plan around these eventualities. Have your renovator work on a plan with you. The best renovation specialists will have other jobs on too so you will have to negotiate a schedule that works for you both. Also remember that the weather may (will) affect your plans, so be prepared to be flexible.

Personality Match.

The last and possibly most important aspect of choosing a home renovations builder Brisbane is whether you can relate to one another. It is a little like choosing a partner.  This person is going to be in your life for an extended period of time and you will have to communicate about a wide variety of topics. Some of those discussions may be difficult. You should choose someone that you feel that you can trust on top of meeting all the other criteria. If you have a good clear relationship and you have been upfront about all of your expectations then you should expect the same from your renovations specialist

How to choose the right builder

When building a new home or undertaking a renovation, the most important decision you’ll make is picking the right builder. Choose well and the builder will bring your dream home to life, settle for less and you may regret it for years to come

Where to start

Brian Seidler, Master Builders Association NSW executive director, stresses how important it is to spend time doing research when selecting the right builder for a home building or renovation project.

“What builders want is detailed information about what has to be done. This is the most important thing for them to be able to accurately quote work and price. For example, engineering details and specifications for the concrete slab or footings are needed. An extra centimetre or two in thickness, or a different type of waterproofing product and process can add a significant chunk to the bottom line.”

Seidler also suggests going to the NSW Fair Trading website to see what information it has about your preferred builder. “See whether your builder has a licence to do home warranty work, that’s anything over $20,000. And whether they have any black marks, or a pattern of disputes with clients.”

What to look for

“Experience makes all the difference. Renovators should find out how and when the contractor got into business and how long the company has been around.”