5 Things to Know Before You Begin a Property Renovation Project

by Posted in Home Improvement

Change is an inevitable part of all aspects of life- and our home lives are no exception. As we spend so much of our time in our homes (even more so due to the ongoing pandemic), it’s no wonder we look for change in terms of interior design and in the structure of our properties. From lifestyle changes- such as starting a family which requires interior change and perhaps change to the exterior, to modernising a home, a new theme or style- home renovations are something all homeowners will do at least once in their life. Renovating your property can be a challenging experience, however the transformational change to your home can be rewarding. Each property renovation task you undertake will bring new challenges and unexpected twists, and there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help if you find yourself in a sticky home renovation situation. Additionally, home renovations are a great way to add value to the cost of your property, as it enables you to adjust your home to the property market, therefore making it more desirable while adding value onto the property. If you’re wondering “how can I sell my house fast?”, then home renovations are a perfect place to start. But before you begin, here at We Buy Any House have compiled a list of things you should know before you begin a property renovation project.

Start With a Building Survey:

Before renovating any part of your property- you should commission a chartered building surveyor. This is especially important if you are planning on doing any structural renovations, such as building an extension or doing a loft conversion. The price of a surveyor typically ranges from £500 to over £1,000, depending on the age, size and location of the house. However, they will highlight important issues such as problems with the roofing, damp or any structural movement- which can cause major damage if not assessed properly. 

Budgets and Quotes:

We all love to indulge in home-makeover TV shows- however they aren’t the greatest advisor when it comes to renovating your own home in terms of budget and expenses. It’s important that you don’t underestimate the cost of your renovation project, as this may result in you taking loans from the bank and ending up in financial hardship. Instead, before your project commences, sit down with your family/partner and work out how much things will cost- down to the last little details. Then, put some extra money aside in case anything goes wrong as an emergency fund.

Another thing to do is ask for an accurate estimate. Don’t trust the valuation of one person, seek several experts in that field and get an average estimate of the cost for specific jobs. Additionally, don’t rely on a ‘textimate’ (over the phone estimate). Encourage the person to come and view your property in person, so they can see what they’re dealing with firsthand.

Create a Realistic Timeline:

In an ideal world, all renovation projects would be done at the click of a finger. However, unfortunately, in reality this isn’t always the case. It’s important to have a sense of realism about home renovation projects and understand that even though you have probably been given a rough estimate by contractors, there may be factors which implicate this. Prepare for things to take longer than assumed and try to avoid feelings of frustration by envisioning the finalised result. A tip to get around this is to order your new updates before you have the existing materials removed, so that there’s no waiting time.

Expect the Unexpected:

Midway through your home renovation, there may be an unexpected occurrence. Whether it’s regarding uneven floors due to a shifted center joist, a roofing problem or problem with your water system, this can have a huge impact on the time scale of the project. The renovations will stop, and you will have to source a specialist who can repair that specific issue- and then renovations will resume when the site is safe and legally sound. This is just one reason why it’s better to allocate extra time and money into your renovation project- so you are protected from unanticipated mishaps along the way.

Be Specific:

Time is money and money is time. Your home renovation will probably not be cheap, so its best to have a clear plan before you give the green light. Although things may crop up along the way, there are certain things that should be concrete throughout the process (no pun intended!). Where you plan for things such as your radiators to be positioned, sockets and lighting layout should all be thought of well in advance. After all, it’s you that will be struggling to use your phone whilst its charging. The same goes for interior design. Don’t be swayed by a designer that thinks they know your style and taste and want free reign (unless you’re comfortable and happy with this). Instead, pre plan the interior of your home, and if it can’t be an exact match, get something close.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://distancebetweenplaces.com/?p=227

Find Your Deck’s Flaws and Transform Them: Useful Tips to Beautify Your Outdoor

by Posted in Home Design

The deck is one of the most important parts of your home. It is a place where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors and entertain friends and family. But before it becomes everything that you want it to be, some things need to be done first. This article will give you useful tips on beautifying your deck so that it fits your needs perfectly!

1. Paint your deck a color that will stand out against the scenery

.Your deck should be a stand-out piece of your backyard, but it can’t do that if you paint it the same color as all the other parts. Paint it in an accent color or even just brighten up your old worn-down deck with some fresh coats of white to make sure that people are drawn to this area when they enter your yard.

Don’t forget about painting railings and posts either! If these areas look shabby now, no one is going to want them near their home either!

You might also consider using cedar for any exterior wood on your house because not only does this type of wood come naturally in beautiful shades of browns and reds already, but it’s very durable against rain damage too.

2. Add a bench or two to make it more comfortable for sitting and relaxing

A deck is typically a place where you can relax and enjoy the great outdoors, but if there isn’t any seating on your deck, then how are people supposed to do that? A bench or two will go a long way in making this area more comfortable.

You could also add some other little touches, such as potted plants for color and hanging flowers from railings so that it feels like part of the yard rather than just another room inside of your house.

3. Install a new railing system so you can enjoy the view from higher up

It is especially useful if you have a higher deck because it gives people the opportunity to see everything that your backyard has to offer. A railing with glass panels will also make this area seem more spacious, which can be perfect for entertaining guests or just enjoying some peace at home by yourself.

You could always go ahead and invest in an outdoor TV as well so that everyone who comes over has something fun they can do while hanging out on your deck!

4. Get rid of any clutter on your deck, including old clothes, shoes, and books 

It doesn’t matter how beautiful your deck is if there are clothes, shoes, and books scattered all over it because then no one will want to enjoy that space. If you don’t have the time or energy to make sure everything looks perfect on a day-to-day basis, just get rid of these items altogether, so they aren’t an eyesore anymore!

5. Keep your grill clean by using an outdoor cleaner every once in a while 

It is one of the most used pieces on your deck, so it deserves to be kept in tip-top shape. Using an outdoor cleaner will remove all residue that can build up over time and make sure that you enjoy cooking out every single time!

6. Place potted plants around to add some greenery to the space

A deck is a great place to enjoy the outdoors, but what if it has no greenery around? There isn’t any need to worry because there are so many different potted plants available that you can choose from. Choose one or two small ones and put them on your outside table!

When looking for flowers to plant in your garden, try taking some time out this year just for yourself by purchasing an herb planter! They look beautiful too, with little tags next to each herb, so people know what they’re called.

These were some useful tips for how to beautify your deck! If you follow these steps, people won’t even recognize this area as it once was before making any changes. The color options alone should be enough inspiration because there aren’t too many other colors besides neutral shades like browns or grays that would work well with a backyard’s natural scenery. Learn more from the experts of dock construction here

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What Are The 3 Different Types Of Generators?

by Posted in Home Renovation

Electric generators are considered to be lifesavers. They are backup power sources that convert fuel supply—usually propane, diesel, or gasoline, into electrical energy. They are the primary sources of electrical supply during power outages. This energy is used in an external circuit. Unlike standby generators, the following are not permanently installed in one place, so they’re easy to start.

There are three main types of generators: portable, inverter, and standby. Despite their differences, all these generators should undergo similar generator maintenance to ensure long-term usability, and similar safety precautions should be taken to reduce the hazards posed by their operation. You can find a good inverter generator at Sydney Tools. Let’s now see, what are the 3 different types of generators. 

Portable Generator:

A portable generator is powered by gas or diesel fuel and is used to provide temporary electrical power. One of the characteristics of the portable generator is that it can use a combustion engine to conduct electricity. Also, It can be easily plugged into electrical appliances or tools via its sockets. It can be wired into a facility’s subpanels. It can be used on remote sites. It has enough power to run a television, freezer, and refrigerator. The engine should run at 3600 rpm to render the standard 60hz of current. Use a governor to control the engine’s speed. It can also power tools and lights.

Inverter Generator:

An inverter generator uses an engine connected to an alternator to produce AC power. It also uses a rectifier unlike other generators to convert the AC power into DC power. Some of the characteristics of Inverter generator are:- It relies on high-tech magnets. Uses advanced electronic circuitry. Undergoes three phases to produce electricity. Outputs AC current converts it to DC current and finally inverts it to AC. Maintains a constant flowing of current to an appliance. Is more energy-efficient, as the engine speed adjusts itself according to how much power is needed. Its AC can be set to any voltage and frequency when used with proper equipment. Tends to be belittled and is lightweight. Can fit into a car, RV, or boat.

Standby Generator:

A standby generator is an electrical system that operates with an automatic transfer switch that commands it to power a device up during power loss. Here are some characteristics to note about these types of generators: Operates automatically. Delivers permanent power protection. Has two components: a standby generator and an automatic transfer switch.Can operate on liquid propane or natural gas.Will run on the fuel type already in use in the facility or home. Uses an internal combustion engine. Senses the power loss within seconds and boots up electricity so that power loss is felt very briefly. Executes automatic weekly self-tests to see that it is properly reacting to a power loss. Is constantly monitoring utility power. Used in safety systems for elevators, standby lighting, medical and life support equipment, and fire protection systems.

A routine maintenance practice is that of general inspection. It is important to inspect the oil as well, as it must be changed regularly. Oil change frequency depends on the manufacturer, how often the generator is used, and your work environment. 

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