Category: property

Planning an extension: things to consider

Planning an extension: things to consider

Have you found that you’re running out of space in your home? A lack of space is a common problem many people face, and sometimes no amount of decluttering can resolve the issue. There are usually two ways to remedy the situation; you can either move to a larger property or create extra space in your current home. Adding an extension to your property is often the more cost-effective of these two options. However, extending your home can be a complicated process, so it’s best to be as prepared as possible. Here are some factors to consider when planning an extension to your home.

Woman looking at a building plan on a computer

Plan your budget

Deciding on how much you’re happy to spend is a significant decision to make, and you may need to alter your renovation plans to fit your budget. It’s crucial to remember that building an extension requires many different materials. The costings for your renovation will need to cover everything from the Visqueen gas barrier through to tiles for the roof and the outlay of paying the building company’s fees.

You might want to explore different options to create more space in your home, such as a garage or loft conversion, as well as a traditional extension. Your budget may stretch further when used differently while still enabling you to gain additional space. Playing around with different ideas can be a great way to save yourself money while maximising the space in your home.

Builder in blue overalls looking a blueprints

Finding a contractor

When you invest your money into improving your biggest asset, you need to be sure the work is done to the highest standard. To get the best quality renovation, you need to have the right builders to complete the job. When searching for a contractor, it’s helpful to start by looking for recommendations from people you know. Once you have recommendations, it’s beneficial to check testimonials and look at examples of the builder’s previous work to gain an idea of the types of projects they’ve worked on and how satisfied their customers are with their service. The next step is to start requesting quotes for the job and to ask about their availability.

House undergoing renovations

Preparing the space

Once you’ve found the perfect builder for the job, it’s helpful to make some preparations in your home ready for the project to begin. Creating extra space around the area that will be extended is an excellent way to start your preparations and should save the builders a task. With the area already clear, they should be able to get to work faster on the construction. As the builders are likely to need clear access through your home to work on the extension, it’s a good idea to ensure that there’s plenty of room for them to walk through with tools and materials. Moving any valuables, rugs and furniture out of the way is a great idea to prevent them from being damaged or broken. Once you’ve freed up the area, you should be all ready for the extension works to begin.

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Simple ways to boost your home’s curb appeal

Simple ways to boost your home's curb appealcredit

Whether you’re looking to sell your property or simply feel that you need to refresh and upgrade your home’s aesthetic, boosting the curb appeal is likely one project that you’ve decided you’d like to take on. The way that your house looks outside is what provides guests or potential buyers with an immediate first impression, so if you’re boasting chipped paintwork, crumbling wood and unruly plant life then your lack of curb appeal could set off alarm bells. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you might expect to upgrade your home’s curb appeal, as there are, in fact, just a few key tips and tricks that you can make the most of in order to totally transform your property in no time at all! So, if you’d like to find out a bit more, simply read on.

Derelict and overgrown VW beetle in a front garden affecting the house's curb appeal

Get your garden under control

Your front garden can either make or break your property’s façade, as allowing grass to grow wild whilst bushes, trees and weeds take over is going to make it seem as though you do not take care of your home. It doesn’t need to be hard to maintain a neat and tidy front garden space no matter what size it may be, as long as you have the right equipment! A lawn mower is absolutely essential, as this piece of kit makes it easier than ever to keep grass under control. A pair of garden scissors (or shears) is also beneficial, as you can trim all kinds of plants to create a clear, open space that you can utilise for a variety of different functions. You can set aside an area to be used for beds of flowers or potted plants that are low maintenance, and even invest in an outdoor bench swing or rocking chair that you can sit on to watch the world go by.

White painted integralgarage

Upgrade your garage

A tired, lifeless garage that’s well past its expiry date can drag your home’s exterior aesthetic value down, as it shows that you don’t particularly care about where you store your vehicle or how your property looks as a complete package. First and foremost a garage should always be safe and secure, so changing any old and worn out doors for sturdier, more robust alternatives should be your first port of call. Secondly, a good garage should be weatherproof and watertight, so it’s always best to seek out the best possible colorbond steel roofing to make sure no rain can make its way inside.

Green windows and shutters

Invest in new stylish windows

Gone are the days of having to use one set kind of bog standard white plastic window frames, as there are hundreds (if not thousands) of different styles, colours and materials from which to choose. Investing in the perfect match for your unique property and personal preferences will upgrade your property like you wouldn’t believe! Stained glass windows for period properties can bring about a more vintage and traditional feel, whilst sleek and modern sliding metal windows are perfect for sophisticated new-build homes.

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Tips for staying safe and healthy when moving

Tips for staying safe and healthy when moving

Moving can put your body under a lot of stress. With tasks like packing, lifting and unpacking, the entire process can be pretty exhausting. If not done in moderation and under the right conditions, these tasks could result in health issues. Besides that, there is still the risk of being exposed to the Coronavirus. Although the virus has been managed since its outbreak, it’s essential to take extra precautions to ensure a safe and healthy move. So, how can you ensure you stay safe and healthy while you move to a new place? Here are some helpful tips.

Illustration of a man in face mask & shield

Assess movers’ COVID-19 protocols

Ask your expert moving company what steps they’re taking to ensure a COVID-19-safe when moving during lockdown. The safety of you and your things is paramount throughout any move, and most reliable movers recognise this. When it comes to your safety and health, though, it’s critical that the moving company you use shows they care.

Illustration of a man asleep in bed

Sleep well enough before move day

While sleep deprivation may result from your decision to move, it should not become a habit since it might impair a person’s ability to focus on the duties at hand. So, if you want your relocation duties to be finished on time and without a hitch, schedule time to sleep regularly. This may provide your body with the energy it requires for tomorrow’s physical activities.

Illustration of 2 removal men carrying a large box

Choose a reliable moving service

While it may appear irrelevant to staying safe and healthy during a move in 2021, choosing a reputable moving company can go a long way toward safeguarding your health. Because relocating during a pandemic might be more dangerous, you’ll need professionals to assist you to stay safe and healthy during the shift. As a result, look for a moving company that follows specific safety recommendations during the relocation. With them by your side, you may rest easy knowing that they’ve taken precautions to safeguard you from COVID-19 infection.

Illustration of a hand and pump bottle of sanitiser

Keep clean and sanitise

As moving may expose you to COVID-19 and other viruses, following the general safety precautions is one method to stay safe and healthy. As a result, if you’re moving, the following guidelines should include wearing a face mask and gloves, avoiding physical touch and keeping a safe distance from other individuals, always keeping your hands sanitised. Avoid touching anything, including surfaces, as these may be covered with viruses as well.

Illustration of a hand cleaning a blue vehicle with a yellow sponge

Ensure COVID-19 protocols

Enquire about your moving company’s sanitary policies. Make sure they’re cleaning and disinfecting vehicles, moving supplies and other equipment; and while you’re at it, make sure you’re keeping yourself clean as well. Buying new moving boxes rather than reusing old ones will assist in reducing the spread of the virus.

Illustration of stacks of cardboard boxes

Unpack and sanitise

When it comes time to unpack, use the same caution you used when packing. Before unpacking, thoroughly sanitise your home and disinfect items as you remove them from boxes and put them in place in your new home. As an added precaution, gloves can be worn.

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A guide to keeping pests from destroying your home

A guide to keeping pests from destroying your homecredit

Your house is supposed to be your happy space and, let’s face it, it’s a little bit hard to be happy when pests are invading your home. Aside from the obvious (which is that pests are annoying and, quite frankly, horrific) there are also the issues of hygiene and safety to consider. Pests can carry all sorts of diseases which is something we all want to avoid in our houses. On top of that, pests can cause serious financial ruin because they often destroy homes. They can eat through your high-quality furniture, electrics and even damage the walls and foundations. If you want to know how to keep this from happening, you’ve come to the right place.

Wasps on a nest

Call exterminators

Just because you only recently realised that you have pests, doesn’t mean that they haven’t been around for quite a while. If you want to be safe, it’s always a good idea to call an exterminator out as soon as you notice the first signs of pests, so that you don’t allow the pests to destroy your house even further.

Aside from getting rid of the pests, exterminators may also be able to help you determine what caused it, as well as ways to prevent and deal with any future infestation should it ever happen again. Have a look at this Pest Control Company in Clearwater, FL to see how they can help you get rid of pests before they do severe damage.

Try DIY methods

As we’ve stated, calling out an exterminator is the ideal way to go. Unfortunately, that’s not always an option for everyone. If you’ve established that the pests haven’t done too much damage, you may be able to get rid of them by yourself. Many people choose to get rid of rodents on their own, so that they can release them back into their natural habitat instead of being killed. This is a good idea, but you must be very careful when doing this so that you don’t get bitten or contract a disease. You can learn more about home-made mousetraps here. Some people also attempt to create concoctions that they then spray on their furniture in the hopes that it will repel pests. It’s important to note that these methods aren’t always effective.

Cockroach

Determine the cause

To truly stop pests from destroying your home, you need to determine what caused the infestation in the first place. Having pests doesn’t necessarily mean your house is dirty – many people are incredibly vigilant in their cleanliness, and they still have pests. Sometimes, it’s just bad luck. However, there are times that something specific could be attracting pests to your house.

Once you’ve determined what is causing pests to destroy your home, you can start working on a solution. An example of this is the fact rotting or old food often attracts pests, so it’s a good idea to clean your refrigerator regularly and make sure that there’s nothing beyond its expiration date. Prevention is always better than the cure, as they say, and it’s no different when it comes to pests.

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