Tips for Finding Quality Trades, Minus the Price-tag'

 So, you’ve decided that your home needs a facelift. Or perhaps there is a growing list of maintenance and repair items that just can’t wait any longer. Whilst it may seem easy (and cheap!) to simply pick the most affordable option from a list, this might not be the best plan in the long run. Taking the time to find a tradesperson who can offer quality workmanship, as well as competitive prices is worth it and may end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.

Luckily, there are several steps you can take to maximise your budget, without compromising on quality.

Ask Around

If you have a friend or family member that has recently had work done at their property, find out who they used, and if they were happy with the final product. It is also worth exploring what their experience was like as a whole – an end result is one thing, but knowing how your chosen labourer handles problems and challenges is also important. One of the best parts about using word-of-mouth recommendations is that you can often view the completed work yourself, and inspect the quality first-hand.

It’s also worth asking if any incentives for referrals are offered. Sometimes tradespeople will give a discount or include some extras as thanks for the recommendation.

Do Your Research

Finding reviews and information on fees and charges is a great place to start when researching your potential trades. Even checking out their website, and reading about the company’s history and experience, such as this roofing company’s site - https://avidusroofing.com/roofing/, can help you make an informed decision. Finding a good fit for your project and budget will be much easier when you have detailed information about the business and how they operate. Making sure they have relevant insurances etc. is also important, as this could save you from accidentally employing a rogue tradesperson who will disappear when things go wrong.

Getting quotes from a variety of services is a must. To do this, you can use sites such as MyJobQuote to compare different tradespeople in your local area. Looking for services that offer free quotes can also save you money up- front, and asking for itemised quotations will ensure you are able to compare value for money in the options presented to you.

Source Your Own Materials

One way to save big when it comes to renovations is to source your own materials. Leaving services to both supply and install will result in your paying a marked-up price for goods. Additionally, your service provider may only offer a specific range, limiting your choices when it comes to available materials.

Asking for a quote to install only, as well as one to supply and install, will enable you to weigh up your options, and consider whether sourcing supplies yourself will be worth it.

Do It Yourself

There may be parts of the project that you are able to do yourself. With a little research online, you may find that things like painting and hanging shelves are well within your capabilities, and can shave off some of the costs associated with your trades. Most services won’t have an issue with you expressing a desire to complete parts of the project yourself, and are more than happy to offer advice and information to help you out.

Saving money when renovating or maintaining your property doesn’t have to mean opting for the cheapest quotes. By doing some research, sourcing your own supplies, and getting your hands dirty where you can, you can minimise costs whilst still getting quality work done.

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How To Make Moving Day Easier'

 

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Moving is a fun and exciting time but it can also be a stressful event. There’s a lot to think about and do before the big day arrives. Therefore, it’s in your best interest to find ways to make moving day easier and less overwhelming for you and your family.

The following tips will allow you to ensure your move is seamless and as carefree as possible. Stay positive and have the right attitude, so you don’t let the stress of it all get to you. Picture yourself getting settled into your new home, and look forward to all the future memories you’ll be creating whenever you feel frustrated and strained.

Start Early

Make moving day easier on you by starting the process as soon as possible. Once you know you’re moving, begin creating a schedule and timetable of what needs to get done and by when. The earlier you begin the process of getting prepared for moving day, the less anxious you’ll feel as it approaches because you’ll be ready. You want to avoid rushing around at the last minute and trying to make lists when you’re feeling frazzled.

Get Organized

Only pack what you need and want in your new home. Make moving day easier by getting organized at your current location. Go through your belongings and get rid of or donate what you no longer need or want. Be discerning so that you have fewer boxes to move on moving day. Be sure to clearly label each box, so you know where it’ll go in your new home. Use colored packing tape to help you tell your boxes apart too. Keep items you need right away off the truck and in your car, so they’re easy to find and don’t get misplaced.

Hire Professional Help

Make moving day easier on you and your family by hiring professional help. Seek out the best movers that you can trust and depend on to get your belongings from one place to the other intact and without any delays or issues. You can focus on packing your car and getting your family over to your new home to start getting organized while the movers take care of the big-ticket items and stack of boxes. It’ll take a lot of stress and burden off of you, and you can concentrate on other last-minute tasks like getting your old place cleaned up.

Get Rest & Sleep

You want to feel your best on moving day and have a lot of energy. Therefore, get plenty of rest and sleep ahead of time. It’s another reason you want to start early and get organized so you have time to relax and aren’t stressing out at the last minute. Plan to have something to sleep on the last night in your old home or rent a hotel room so that you can get a good night’s rest. You’ll want to be well-rested and ready to work on moving day and in a good mood so you can avoid any arguing with your family members.

The Most Important Home Renovations When Selling Up'

 

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Your home is a prime investment. And when you are looking to sell it on, it is crucial that you protect your investment as best as possible. But sometimes we may find that we haven't renovated the property in order to capture the attention of the current buyer market. You may have a home with bags of character, but if you really want to capture the imagination of somebody looking to purchase, you've got to make some crucial renovations.

Making Your Property Safer

Safety is of course imperative. But if you skip key components that should communicate that this home is a safe one, you may be missing out. It can be to do with complying with rules and regulations, but also about making sure that the key features are screaming “safe and sound” to any potential passerby. The roof is a perfect example. Choosing the right materials for a safe roof is not just about the aesthetics, but it's about making sure that it is long-lasting and durable. You can see the benefits of metal roof vs shingles and what fixes are important for a safe and secure roof, but you need to make sure that you get the balance right. You don't want to be investing so much into the property that you end up losing money.

A New Paint Job

An incredibly simple renovation, but one that really works wonders. Getting new paint, especially contemporary colors, can immediately transform a property. Choosing the right colors to communicate the aesthetics of your property is important on the outside, but also making sure that using the right tones inside to reflect more light should be a priority. A lick of paint always works to reinvigorate your home, just as long as you are careful of shades that darken the property.

The Kitchen and Bathroom

Consult any real estate expert and they will tell you that the bathroom and the kitchen are the most important parts of the home. But if you are planning on selling up soon, you've got to make sure that you don't overspend. It's not necessary to overhaul these rooms completely before you sell up. But while the kitchen is the hub of the home, you can make small tweaks to the space to make it more appealing. The same applies to the bathroom. If it is outdated, they may add the cost of renovating it to the asking price of the property. And this could mean that if it's not within their budget, they will walk away from the deal.

Fixtures and Hardware

If you want to change the aesthetics of a space, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, this is a simpler option. It isn't always cheap, but if you are looking to renovate your property quickly by replacing your bathroom and kitchen hardware, you will have made a massive difference to the feel of the property in a matter of hours. 

Selling your home is not always a straightforward process, but if you want to smooth out some of the sticking points, you've got to make sure your property is renovated properly.

Fast and Practical Ways To Get Rid of Rodents in Your Garden

 If you’ve spent a considerable amount of time on your garden then you’re probably interested in protecting it. Whether you’re growing pretty flowers or lots of vegetables, there’s a good chance that your garden is constantly under attack by a variety of different pests and rodents. However, arguably the most difficult enemy to deal with when you’re nurturing a beautiful garden is rodents.

Rodents are much larger than regular pests and it’s not always easy to get rid of them. Mice and rats are two common rodents that can cause a lot of damage to your garden, but they’re also capable of spreading diseases. They’re incredibly dangerous and you should do everything in your power to take care of them. This usually involves calling a Wildlife Removal expert to help you handle it, but there are a number of fast and practical ways that you can use to start getting rid of them as soon as possible.

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Preventing them from coming in the first place

One of the safest pest control options is to prevent them from coming in the first place. The two most common things that attract rodents to your garden is your compost and your birdseed. If you’re composting, it’s vital that you contain the material in a large metal or plastic compost bin that is difficult for rodents to get into. If you’re using an open-air compost pit then it’ll attract rodents incredibly easily. You should also put away any birdseed that you’ve left out since you’ll find that rodents love chewing it.

Consider using traps if you’re not dealing with an infestation

One of the quickest ways to deal with a handful of rodents is to use a bait and trap. This isn’t the most humane way to deal with them, especially if they manage to get away from a snap trap, but they are efficient at dealing with small numbers of them. Just make sure that the trap is efficient and safe to use so that your pets or children don’t encounter them. You could consider getting a chipmunk trap if you’re facing that specific rodent, or you could consider getting universal traps that can attract and deal with a large variety of different pests. There are lots of different options to consider, so make sure you pick one that ticks all of the right boxes for you.

Seal off all the entrances to your garden

While small rodents like mice can fit through very small holes, you can use a number of different products to help seal off the entrances to your garden. For example, some gardeners find that using fencing and netting is an effective way to stop even the smallest of mice from getting into your garden. However, there is a chance that the mice may start burrowing into the ground and getting through to your garden that way. Look for evidence of this and consider sealing the burrows with steel wool or copper mesh wire.