Author: jeff

bookmark_borderCommercial Electrical Rmodel On The Rise

Posted on by jeff

HOW TO CHOOSE A COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN

If you’re a commercial property owner in Saugus, Massachusetts or surrounding areas, you probably don’t spend too much time thinking about electricians. Most days, your lights turn on the way they should, you and your tenants are satisfied with internal and external lighting, and you go about your day thinking about more important things.

But then something goes wrong.

There’s an ice storm and your entire building loses power. Or a pesky tenant plugs in a piece of new equipment and blows the circuit for the entire building. Or maybe your air conditioning unit goes out in the middle of summer and you’re at risk for losing all of your perishable inventory

WHY YOUR COMMERCIAL ELECTRICIAN MATTERS

Sure, you could conduct a quick Google search for “electrical services in New Haven” or even pick up the good, old fashioned phone book and call the first commercial electrician you see. But that’s rarely the best way to find an emergency electrician you trust.

CAN THEY MEET YOUR COMMERCIAL DEMANDS?

Let us be perfectly clear, not every electrician in Saugus is cut out to be a commercial electrician, especially if you have a particularly large company. The equipment, skills, and team size of a residential electrician are vastly different than a commercial electrician. Commercial and residential electrical work are completely different in terms of energy needs, load demands, and equipment setup. Hiring the wrong one can mean a delay in repairs, which translates to lost revenue for your company

DO THEY HAVE PROPER LICENSING & INSURANCE?

Even if a commercial electrician has the skills, it’s not worth hiring them unless they also have the proper licensing and insurance to work in your state. Hiring an electrician who’s not properly licensed and insured could be a financial disaster for your Saugus business if something goes wrong during the repairs.

Commercial Electrical Remodeling

Building Rewiring: If you frequently experience electrical problems in your commercial building, you could have faulty electrical wiring. In order to put an end to these problems for good, you might want to talk to the team at Delta Electric about rewiring your building. We can take a look at your system and find out if rewiring is necessary to put your problems to rest and allow you to focus on your business.

Electrical Updates: We can help you decide where new outlets will go and install them correctly to adapt to your electrical wiring. Electrical updates can ensure your electrical components are fully functional and won’t slow down your day-to-day operations.

Safety Inspections: Whether you’re moving into a new commercial building or upgrading your existing structure, we’ll make sure it’s safe to do so. Our team will ensure your building is up to code and safe to work from. We know what areas in a building to look at, the signs of a problem or faulty electrical system, and more.

How to Choose the Right Electrical Contractor for Your Business

In this industry, technology is constantly evolving. When you’re in the market to hire a new electrical contractor, it’s obviously crucial that who you hire is trustworthy and abreast of all the changing technology and stays up-to-date. When your electrical contractor is ahead of the curve, your business will not only become more efficient, but you’ll save money, too. Here’s what to look for when choosing the right electrical contractor for your business.

New Certifications

Certifications let you know that your electrical contractor has received and understands the latest developments in the field. But there are more than just certifications for installing and maintaining electrical equipment, there are also certifications for doing these things safely. You and your employees have probably undergone some form of basic OSHA safety training. The right electrical contractor company will undergo a more rigorous, specialized OSHA–30 certification, which means that the employees of that company have received 30 hours of training centered around things such as current common electrical hazards, personal protective equipment, hazardous locations, and proper wiring methods. Be sure to ask your prospective companies if their technicians have undergone OSHA-30 training. This will be a sign to you that the company is not only doing things to the highest standard, but they’re doing it safely as well.

They Recommend ARC Flash Studies

An ARC flash study is a complete examination of your electrical system. It helps assess the level of risk in your workplace. These studies ensure that your factory is completely compliant with local, national and even international standards by finding issues with your electrical system and bringing them to your attention, and allowing you to fix them. It also helps to ensure the safety of your employees and protects your equipment (as well as your building) by identifying maintenance needs such as poor connections, neglected equipment and contamination, all of which could lead to short circuits and fires.

They Provide Lift Training

Sometimes, electrical equipment and wires are located up out of safe reach, even with the use of a ladder. In these instances, lifts are often used. But not just anyone can use one. Lift equipment requires special training. The employees of your electrical contracting company have this training. You may not be able to, or need to, call the company every time you need something addressed. The right electrical contractor will provide lift training so that some of your employees can operate a lift properly and take care of smaller needs.

They Conduct Regular Safety Meetings

Sure, there’s a safety handbook. And everyone knows the basic rules. But, even so, someone might forget something, or do something they find easier, but is not necessarily safe. Not only that, but there are periodic updates to the safety regulations. It’s important that everyone is aware of these safety updates, and on the same page about proper safety procedures and protocols. In order to do this, your electrical contracting company should conduct regular safety meetings throughout the year. This helps to ensure that no matter who is sent out to your company, they will all adhere to the latest, proper regulations.

How to Find Electricians: Find the Best Electrician for You

Finding yourself in need of the services of a professional electrician is not an everyday occurrence for homeowners or business owners, so many find themselves unsure where to look to find qualified local electricians, how to determine the best electrician for the job, and what certifications and qualifications a professional electrician should have.

Don’t attempt electrical work yourself if you’re inexperienced.

“A faulty wiring system in a home is a fire that is waiting to happen. For this reason, it is important that you hire a highly qualified and experienced electrician. Wiring is a vast and interdependent network and needs to be done with precision. Even circuits that appear safe, but poorly designed cause damage to electric equipment and appliance motors. This is due to the fact that they can deliver the wrong amount of amperage. These electrical problems may sometimes affect your lighting in your home. The decision to hire a qualified and experienced electrician can possibly save you from these problems while avoiding safety hazards as well.”

Most electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician.

“Anything beyond changing out a light fixture, light switch or electrical outlet should be done by a licensed electrician. If you are dealing with new construction and want to save a few dollars on labor costs, you can attach outlet, switch, and light boxes to the framing but leave all wiring to the electrician. These electrical boxes should be attached firmly to the framing and you should consult an electrician as to the positioning and location of the boxes.”

Attempting an electrical project yourself could mean risking injury to yourself or the loss of thousands of dollars in materials.

“If you’re clueless about this specific job and have never seen it performed before, don’t risk hurting yourself or wasting thousands of dollars on materials. If the task is beyond your comfort zone, call for electrical service.”

Attempting electrical work that you’re not qualified to perform could leave your home at risk of an electrical fire.

“Some home projects just simply need professionals and remain difficult for even experienced amateurs. According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, people experience more than 30,000 shock injuries annually, while FEMA tells us that about half of all home fires start from electrical issues.“What does it mean? On one hand, most people are prone to injuries when attempting electrical work on their own. On the other hand, your DIY work might come back to haunt you; it’s very dangerous to live with electrical work done by an amateur.”

MAKING THE JUMP FROM RESIDENTIAL TO COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION

If you are a residential contractor, you likely spend considerable downtime contemplating ways to increase company revenues. But, aside from improving efficiency, greater revenues are often realized only by way of greater sales, and additional work can prove hard to come by in an already competitive local market. So where does one go for new opportunities? Well, instead of laboring to wring every last drop out of your current residential market, maybe it’s time to expand the market itself. Maybe it’s time to look into commercial construction.

NEW HORIZONS?

But I know what you’re feeling—apprehension, uneasiness, and that’s understandable. To those not yet indoctrinated, commercial construction (CC) can appear daunting. Suddenly there are architects, engineers, liquidated damages, bonding, and a cast of wealthy business clients with short attention spans and scary-sounding law firms on speed-dial. There are new regulations, strict protocols, and new competition. “I wouldn’t know where to begin,” you tell yourself.

Well, I was in your shoes. I was in residential construction ten years before getting into commercial work (which is 25 years and counting now), and I can attest that the transformation from residential to commercial construction was (in no particular order) exciting, terrifying, exhilarating, frustrating and rewarding. There were unknowns, hurdles and, admittedly, leaps of faith. There was a risk. But most of us have learned that without this pesky little thing known as risk, there’s often little chance for any worthwhile reward.

FINDING COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION WORK: REPORTING SERVICES

As a residential contractor, new work likely came via local advertising, your website, personal referrals, and industry contacts (i.e., real estate brokers, material suppliers). These are still great strategies for acquiring work in CC, but there are other avenues for an opportunity in place for you. One of these is known collectively as reporting services

These services are for construction managers (CMs), general contractors (GCs), subcontractors, suppliers and anyone with a vested interest in commercial construction work. Most of these reports include pertinent details regarding the project such as a description of the work itself, the architect/engineer (A/E), the owner and even bidding companies currently holding plans. They’ll also give a bid date/time and may even tell you how to go about acquiring bidding documents (many sites even offer downloadable electronic versions).

bookmark_borderThe Ultimate Guide To Upholstery Cleaning

Posted on by jeff

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Upholstery Cleaning Machine

Nothing is going to help brighten up a room, making it look – and smell – a whole lot cleaner than using a high-quality upholstery cleaning machine on all of your furniture.

Our furniture very rarely gets cleaned through more traditional approaches, building up all kinds of dust, dirt, and debris while getting the most use and utility in our spaces. It doesn’t take long for even almost brand-new furniture to start to look more than a little bit worn out, simply because it hasn’t been cleaned in a while.

What kind of budget are you working with?

You almost always get what you pay for a when it comes to this kind of equipment, but that doesn’t mean that you have to blow your budget into tiny little pieces getting your hands on a quality upholstery cleaner.

It is important that you establish your budget ahead of time, however. It’s very easy to spend more money than expected on this kind of specialized equipment, particularly if you get sucked into the marketing or advertising of these machines that promise all kinds of bells and whistles.

Different types of fabric and upholstery will require different types of upholstery cleaning approaches, and not all cleaning machines on the market today are as versatile as others.

If you’re going to be purchasing an inexpensive unit without a lot of flexibility or versatility, you’ll want to be sure that it can clean the majority of your furniture pieces and the right kind of fabric and upholstery before you pull the trigger. If you have a little bit of extra money, it may be advantageous to get a set up more flexible and adaptable to different kinds of upholstery

How to Choose the Best Professional Upholstery Cleaning

The need for professional upholstery cleaning is something that many people never stop to think about. The way we live our lives creates a need to have our furniture cleaned every now and then. We never stop to think about what gets on the couch or the chair on a day-to-day basis. We come from work or school and just go directly to the couch, never even considering what kind of filth and germs get on it as a result.

With this in mind, you may consider professional upholstery cleaning to be a valuable service. When you decide you want your furnishings professionally cleaned, you might be able to choose from many companies. You want to find a company that is both affordable and reliable. If you pay someone to clean your furniture, you want to make sure the job is done right. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you try to choose the best company for professional upholstery cleaning

Determine the Cost Range of Professional Upholstery Cleaning

When you are considering professional upholstery cleaning, you would like to know how much you can expect the bill to be. The truth is that costs can vary wildly within the industry. Your price may depend on what type of furniture you are having cleaned. If you are cleaning a tiny footstool, the bill is obviously going to be much less than cleaning a sectional sofa. Though prices can vary widely, the average upholstery project costs about $200. However, if you have them complete a very large project, you could pay more than $1000. Of course, you’ll want to check with local companies to get accurate estimates for your area.

Compare Estimates from Local Companies

If you live in a large area, you will usually not face a shortage of options regarding professional upholstery cleaning. If you want to find out how much they charge, just ask. Pick up the phone book, open it to the Yellow Pages and find the section for upholstery cleaners. Explain what you want them to clean and ask for price estimates. After you’ve called several or all of the local companies, compare the prices.

Consider Other Factors

When you are trying to decide which professional upholstery cleaning company you should go with, price is a big factor. But you may not necessarily want to go with the outright cheapest service. Make sure to ask if anyone is offering special deals. Also ask how packed their schedule is and any other questions that come to mind. You’ll also want to know if the company offers good service. You’ll try to answer this question in the next step.

How To Choose Best Upholstery Cleaning Machine?

Furniture creates the style within each room of your home. This means that the upholstery of your furniture needs to be cared for in order to maintain longevity and cleanliness. You clean your carpets, so there your upholstery should be maintained the same way. When it comes to cleaning your upholstery, the cleaner you use makes a big difference. Stains can really make your furniture look dingy and dirty, therefore finding a cleaner that does the job without ruining your furniture is important.

Cleaning your Upholstery with Steam

The first thing that you should know when looking for an upholstery cleaner is that steam is the best option. This means that you need to buy a steam cleaner. Steam is most effective in getting out set-in stains. This means that even stains you do not catch right away can be removed by using this a steam cleaner. A steam cleaner works by releasing a pressurized steam on the area of the stain. There is a heating element within the cleaner that works to produce the steam. There are different models and sizes of cleaners to choose from, so you need to know which type of steam cleaner is best.

High Temperatures to Clean Deep and Disinfect

It is best to look for a make and model that offers a high-temperature option. This is the only way you can be sure that the steam will have the ability to soften the dirt in order for it to be removed. The steam cleaner is designed to do all the work and you simply will be able to wipe the stain away once the steam has been applied. This is most effective when you are using an upholstery cleaner that has the capacity to reach high temperatures. The higher temp will allow you to clean away more set-in stains.

A Compact Design Still Packs Power

You might assume that an upholstery cleaner is bulky and hard to lug around, but this is not always the case. There are plenty of new portable upholstery cleaning machines that are specifically designed to be compact and easy to store. These cleaners may be small in size, but they are still big in power and have the ability to clean all types of stains. These are also designed to be portable and easy to handle, which is something that you need to look in an upholstery cleaner. You need a cleaner that you can carry from room to room with ease.

Steam Cleaner Wand Accessory

Another feature that will really come in handy when you own an upholstery cleaner is a wand. A wand is a great accessory that comes with most steam cleaners. The use of the wand allows you to get more access to stains that might not be as easy to clean or reach. For couches and sofas this is really ideal and allows you to give them a very thorough and deep cleaning. The wand will let you reach areas that you otherwise couldn’t with a generic steam cleaner

Professional Upholstery Cleaning: Which Fabrics Need It?

There’s nothing better than lying on a plush couch in the middle of a lazy day. A good couch provides a place to nap, watch the big game, or cuddle with a loved one. But a good, well-used couch can also hold onto odor and harbor harmful allergens and germs that can make you and your family sick

Keep Your Upholstery Looking Great

Having your upholstery cleaned by a professional will both extend the life of your fabrics and keep your home and household healthy. Professionals recommend that homeowners have their upholstery cleaned every one to two years

However, if your furry friend has made your loveseat her favorite napping place, you should have that area cleaned more often—at least every six months. In between professional cleanings, homeowners are encouraged to properly care for their fabrics.

Keep an eye out for stains, and clean spills as soon as they happen. It’s important to refer to the furniture’s care instructions to make sure you’re giving your upholstery the proper care.

Below are some common and specialty fabrics along with pieces of furniture that can greatly benefit from professional upholstery cleanings:

Common fabrics and materials: cotton, polyester, linen, wool, leather, chenille*, chintz*, rayon, nylon, microfiber, and suede

Specialty fabrics and materials: Haitian cotton, jacquard, mohair, silk, damask, and velvet

Commonly cleaned furniture: Sofa, recliner, ottoman, chaise lounge, dining chair, barstool, window treatments, headboard, office chair, and mattress

Picking the Perfect Upholstery Fabric

If you are new to the world of upholstery, choosing the right fabric may seem like an arduous process. With all the fabrics (not to mention the colors and designs) available, how do you choose the one which is right for you? Here is some information on various fabric to help you select the right fabric for your furniture.

Durability

If you are planning to upholster something that will experience everyday wear and tear, durability is important to consider. Upholstery fabric’s durability is determined by how it rates on the manufacturer-administered double rub test, which is a back and forth motion that mimics the wear and tear of someone sitting on an upholstered seat over time. The higher the number of double rubs, (for example 100,000 vs 10,000) the better the indicator of quality and durability. In addition to higher double rubs, look for upholstery fabrics treated for performance, like stain resistance, water repellant, or UV resistance.

Fabric Care

Upholstery fabric is often not suitable for traditional washing or dry cleaning once applied to furniture; therefore, you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions and look for stain repellent fabrics for heavier-use pieces. Our recommendation for dry-cleaning is intended prior to upholstering, if cleaning before use is desired. Once upholstered, use spot cleaners intended for upholstery fabric, or upholstery cleaning services. Using a fabric protectant spray over your finished furniture is highly recommended.

Chenille – Excellent fabric choice for home usage, primarily heavier use pieces. Similar to velvet, it has a cut pile that aids in abrasion resistance and comfort.

Faux suede / Microfiber / Ultrasuede – Typically a polyester multi-weave fabric with a surface abrasion treatment giving it a fuzzy, sueded pile to mimic suede, this fabric is an excellent choice for heavy-use family rooms and pets. It’s very strong, abrasion resistant and easy to clean.

bookmark_borderProtecting The Home With Common Cockroaches Control Techniques

Posted on by jeff

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are well known for spreading disease and are associated with various other health risks. Exposure to this insect could put you at risk of Salmonella, Dysentery & Gastro-enteritis. Increases in eczema and childhood asthma have even been linked to cockroach droppings.

Cockroach Control Solutions

As the experts in cockroach control, we can provide professional, targeted treatment methods for your home or business.

A quick response at the very first signs of an infestation is often essential to control cockroaches in your home and to prevent the spread of this pest to your neighbours.

Their ability to breed rapidly and their resilience means that a professional service is usually the most reliable form of control. Only expert solutions are powerful enough to eliminate all stages of their lifecycle.

Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Cockroaches are the most unpleasant and disgusting creatures that can be found in the house. Your first thought when you see roaches in house is how to get rid of roaches forever and ever! The roach infestation can be the scariest thing happening to any house

The roach infestation is a sign of unsanitary conditions and dirt, and it causes unpleasant impressions of the premises. After all, you must admit that it does not matter how beautiful and clean the kitchen is, the creeping cockroach immediately changes the impression from what you see and signals you on roach problems in the house. But no one is immune to the roach infestation.

What are cockroaches?

Cockroaches are the most common insects, numbering more than 5 thousand species of different roaches. Their ability to adapt to any situation allows them to survive under the most inappropriate conditions. Scientists suggest that roaches can survive even a nuclear explosion. This fact makes them invulnerable and leaves us so little chance to get rid of roaches.

Lifestyle

Cockroaches prefer warm and humid places. They are nocturnal insects. Roaches hide in secluded places during the day. Therefore, you can detect them at night. If you turn on the light, you will see roaches running through the cracks. Cockroaches are very mobile insects. They run fast and sometimes you cannot swat them.

What harm do roaches cause?

In addition to their unpleasant, frightening and hideous appearance, cockroaches cause tangible harm in the house. So that the question how to get rid of roaches becomes vital.

A How-To Guide on Controlling Cockroaches at Home

Have you ever wandered into the kitchen for a late-night snack, only to scream in horror as you glimpse a cockroach stealing away into another room? If so, you’ll probably want to know what you can do to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

What Do I Need to Know About Cockroaches?

Why are cockroaches so ubiquitous? What is unique about them?

Cockroaches are omnivorous. Their ability to eat any food source makes almost any locale a potential feeding site. Although members of the order Blattodea (the scientific name for cockroaches) are found worldwide, individual families within this order are segregated into different regions that they’re best suited for. Other insect orders are similar in nature. Take Diptera for instance—flies and mosquitoes are just as widespread.

How prevalent are different types of cockroaches in the North versus the South?

German cockroaches are found in both regions because they prefer indoor habitats. American cockroaches are found in both regions because they prefer the warm, moist conditions found in storm drains and utility tunnels. Exterior-dwelling roaches, like the Surinam or Australian cockroaches, are more prevalent in southern regions due to the warmer habitats.

How can a homeowner tell the difference between a rogue cockroach here or there and a legitimate problem that requires further action?

Population density and the specific species will determine the best and most economical form of treatment. It’s normal for one or two American or Smokybrown cockroaches to enter a structure now and then and not be a problem. They prefer to live outside the home environment, so if you see one or two of them, it’s normally an accidental invasion into the home.

How Do You Get Rid of Cockroaches?

What preventative measures/practices can a homeowner employ to help a cockroach-free home stay that way?

Sanitation is the key! A breadcrumb dropped behind a stove can feed roaches for weeks. Add to this grease splatter from frying, other tiny bits of food that children drop, and the availability of water in a kitchen, and you have a perfect habitat for roach rearing.

Effective Tips for Cockroach Control In Orange County Landscaping

When you have too many cockroaches in your home, then definitely it becomes hard for you to even stay in your home for one day. You have to either look for techniques for cockroach control, or you might even start planning to move to a new home. Mostly those houses that are located close to some greenery fields or forests will experience maximum numbers of cockroaches in their kitchen sink areas, bathrooms or even in outdoor Orange County Landscaping garden areas.

Cockroaches are so tiny in size that they can easily slip through a small space of 1.6mm, as well. Young cockroaches need around 0.5mm of the area to enter your home. Just observe them for a second, and you will be surprised to see how much experience they have in slipping inside your homes. A surprising fact about cockroaches is that they can hold their breath for a maximum of 40 minutes. WOW!

Which places in your home do cockroaches love the most?

If your house has some dirty and filthy areas, then get ready to encounter cockroaches right there. Cockroaches are fond of slipping inside those areas of the home, which are unhygienic and have massive dirty mud. This is for the reason that they are mostly found in the garden areas or the fence. Cockroaches love to slip in wet mud after rain. Above all, the kitchen is the top favorite locations for cockroaches. Therefore, it is always recommended to cover your food items with sealed plastic sheets. Plus, you should never allow any extra water to be collected in your sink. This is a welcome invitation for cockroaches to thrive in your kitchen.  Be careful with it!

Essential tips to follow to get rid of cockroaches naturally:

For some people getting rid of cockroaches at home is a daunting process, and tiresome too. Some homeowners make use of insecticides to get rid of cockroaches. While that might bring some permanent results, this can bring some harmful consequences for your family’s health where the pesticides are composed of some toxic chemicals in it.

Do regular or weekly cleaning:

Messy homes are most often getting attacked from these pests. Therefore you must carry out with daily cleaning of the home. You should make sure that your house is spotless from dirty food particles because cockroaches are attracted to food waste. You should wipe the counters each night and should wash all the dirty dishes in the sink.  This is important! You also need to sweep the floor before going to bed. You should perform 15 minutes of cleaning to get the best results at the end of the day. This will eliminate the residue and the things that attract the cockroaches too.

Cockroaches

What are they?

Cockroaches have been an insect pest for about four million years. There are more than 3,500 species around the world.

The German cockroach is one of the most common household cockroaches in the world. They are particularly fond of living in restaurants, food processing facilities, hotel rooms, and nursing homes. Although not very tolerant of the cold, this cockroach has been found in buildings as far north as Nunavut. Measuring about 1.3 cm to 1.6 cm (.51 to .63 inches) long, it is tan to light brown, with two dark parallel streaks running from the head to the base of the wings. Roaches have wings, but are unable to fly.

Should I be concerned?

Cockroaches rarely cause structural damage. They can, however, contaminate food and spread disease by walking over, and excreting on, food or food preparation areas after having travelled through garbage and/or sewers. People with asthma may have a negative reaction to their droppings (feces) and body parts.

How can I get rid of cockroaches?

Intensive cleaning measures and pesticides should be used jointly to control cockroaches. Pesticides alone will not be successful, since the living environment must be physically changed first.

Cleaning

Preventing access to food, water, and shelter, and keeping a clean home are important steps in preventing any pest infestation.

bookmark_borderNew Home Builder

Posted on by jeff

How To Choose The Right Builder

Choosing the right builder for your dream home is an extremely critical step. The builder you opt for is going to be responsible for your home and all that it has to offer. The number of builders in the market are one too many, but who is the most reliable of them all? One must be cautious and one must do a thorough market study to find the best builder who will provide the best quality in terms of quality of material used, architecture and service. Your life’s savings are going into your real estate purchase, so one must compare, analyse and choose a builder who is the best amongst his competitors and is offering what suits your needs

Experience of the builder:

The experience of the builder in the Industry says a lot about his efficiency. If a certain builder has been in the market and has consistently performed throughout the period of his presence, one can be assured that he is offering both quality and service. Not just that, an experienced builder will come with sufficient knowledge about the industry, the material and the evolving architecture. You can be assured that someone with ample experience will build good quality homes.

Success rate:

The number of homes built by the builder, it be villas or flats is also an important factor to consider while choosing the right builder for your home. The number of homes built and occupied is a direct reflection of the scale of operation, reliability, quality and workmanship of the builder.

The one who meets your needs:

Each of us are looking for something different in our dream home. Different builders might offer different styles, scales and lifestyles in their projects. Or, one builder might have a lot of variety in what they offer- Make sure that you opt for something that meets your needs and the builder that you opt for is offering a home that is in your budget and offering you the amenities and lifestyle that you desire.

Number of ongoing projects:

This factor is again a direct representation of the efficiency of the builder. Multiple ongoing projects show that the builder is reliable and has sufficient funding and experience in the field, making them a good option to opt for.

HOW TO CHOOSE A HOME BUILDER THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

A builder isn’t just a contractor you call up at the last minute. Builders are an important partner – after all, buying land and building a house is a huge undertaking that should set you up for long-term comfort and happiness. With such a vital role in the project, your builder must be in complete sync with you to get the best outcome.

CHOOSE YOUR LAND FIRST

It’s easy to get excited about house designs and skip straight to this step, but hold on a moment and ensure you have your ideal lot first.

CREATE A LIST OF HOME BUILDERS

Not all builders are made equal. Many have a specialty, such as aesthetic style, building materials, and so forth. Some building companies also offer optional extras like finance, or deals for first-time buyers.

How to find good builders: First, visit your local developer display villages to find their preferred builders. Nothing beats seeing and feeling a home in person! If you want to do more research, jump on Google and search local companies to examine their offerings. Your friends and family members may also have recommendations.

WHITTLE DOWN THE LIST

The next step is to ask your builders good questions, to start shortlisting some companies.

Tips for Choosing Your New Home Builder

Choosing the right builder for your new home is a big task. They’re going to be in charge of a major construction project for you – and that’s a big undertaking. The builder you select needs to have all the tools necessary to build you a home that will last.

They Hire the Right Team

When you build a house, you’re bringing together all these different pieces and fitting them together like a puzzle.

They Talk, and They Listen

The most important thing you can do in any project, whether it’s a full build, or a small renovation is to communicate with your team.

They Chase Outside Certification

Each builder has their own set of standards when it comes to construction – but the truly great ones will qualify for third party certifications that let you know that their homes are built right.

They Don’t Hand You the Keys and Run

Once you’ve got your keys, you don’t want your builder to disappear into the night. This goes back to strong communication between you and your builder. Good builders will follow up with you once you’ve got the keys, and make sure you’re satisfied with your new build.

How to choose the right builder for your home

Building your own home is a big investment, probably the biggest one in your life. Part of the home building process is choosing the right partner to build your beautiful home. But where do you start? How do you find a quality builder to build your new home?

Define what you want

Outline what you need in terms of size and type of home, for example family home with a large kitchen and play areas for the kids.

Look for experience

How long has the business been around? Are past homebuyers satisfied? If you cannot find client testimonials on the website, don’t be afraid to ask for customer references. Ask previous customers questions like ‘Would you buy another home from the builder?’ or ‘Would you recommend them to family and friends?’ If the answers are negative, dig a bit deeper and ask why the experience was not great.

Is the builder licensed and insured?

Generally builders across Australia need to be licensed and carry mandatory insurances, but these can alter depending on your state, the cost of the works and the contract particulars, so do your homework here and make sure as the home owner you’re covered. Ask about the insurance that the builder and his or her trade contractors carry, and check this against the applicable Government Department, or an Industry Association such as the HIA( Housing Industry Association), or the MBA (Master Builders Association).

Look for a design fit

Builders usually have experience in a variety of design styles and architectural details however look for a builder whose work includes at least a couple of examples of the style of home you want.

Looking for a Homebuilder? Type of House Is Key to Your Search

What does spec, tract and custom mean?

When it comes to buying a home, you have three broad choices. First are “spec” homes built by a large, typically well-known companies. They can be any style and size and are often found in new communities.

What are the costs of building a home?

Costs for a spec or tract home build are usually upfront. If you choose a spec home, for example, the builder may be willing to add a few features or slightly modify the floor plan for a fee, but costs are almost entirely ironclad.

How to evaluate homebuilders

Choosing a homebuilder means first considering performance and then evaluating price. Licensing and certification are paramount. Although most home builders require some kind of certification from a state agency, not all states have the same requirements and many certifications are not transferrable.

Evaluating price can be more difficult since local material costs, contractor availability and unexpected delays can all conspire to increase the final bill. There are, however, several general rules.

First, the cost of a custom home will typically be at least double that of a similar-sized spec home. Second, real estate prices do not indicate home building cost. In an inflated market, the costs to build can be much more reasonable than they may appear.

bookmark_borderHow To Find The Best Veterinarian Mailing List For Your Next Marketing Campaign

Posted on by jeff

When You Can’t Afford Veterinary Care

Many Americans are juggling one too many bills already. When a pet becomes ill or is injured, some pet owners are forced to cut corners or hold off on care. We always hate to see a pet parent be forced to make that difficult decision.

The good news is that there are creative and effective ways to save money and reduce costs while providing stellar care for your fur friend. When that is not enough, here is a list of ways a cash-strapped pet owner might raise funds for larger veterinary costs.

  1. Choose pet insurance. This doesn’t help if the surgery or treatment is already in motion, but insurance plans for pets can cover the cost of emergencies or other major medical treatments. It is important to really research each company in advance, though, as not all providers are appropriate for you and your pet’s medical needs.
  2. Get a Credit Line. CareCredit is an online credit provider that finances health and beauty  expenses including veterinary medical expenses and pet emergencies. Scratchpay also offers payment plans for pet care and has higher approvals.
  3. Ask for payment options. Some veterinarians, especially independent or small hospitals who you have a long standing relationship with, will consider payments, depending on the procedure. In most cases, it’s hard for clinics to accommodate this, but it never hurts to ask. Many clinics do have annual wellness plans, which are affordable and allow you to pay monthly for basic care needs, like vaccinations and checkups.
  4. Consider crowdfunding. With the popularity of social media and sites like Go Fund Me, many people are electing to raise funds to help with veterinary bills, upcoming surgeries, and other necessary procedures. Many friends and family are quick to come to the aid of a loved one, and some will be willing to help your pet. A newer crowdfunding site launched exclusively for helping pet-parents afford their vet bills and avoid economic euthanasia. CoFund My Pet funds can ONLY be spent at veterinary clinics anywhere in the U.S., preventing fraud! Donors can feel more confident to help because of the limitations on how the money can be used.
  5. Host a group yard sale. Community yard sales are good avenues to get rid of clutter and raise funds. Ask neighbors for clothing, furniture, and other items to sell with proceeds going to your pet’s veterinary needs.

Some suggested questions to ask…

Your veterinarian should be one of your most valued resources to aid you in caring for your pet. A strong relationship with them is important. If you are new to your area or have never owned a pet before, it is vital to find a veterinarian that you feel comfortable with, making you more likely to ask important questions regarding your pet’s care. We suggest calling several veterinarian offices and comparing them.

  • How many doctors are currently at your practice?
  • Can I request to see a specific one or would I be scheduled with the first available?
  • What are your open hours?
  • Are visits by appointment only or do you accept walk-ins?
  • What are your emergency policies?
  • Do your vets see their own emergencies or will I be directed to an emergency clinic?
  • What services does your practice offer?
  • Do your doctors perform surgeries or would I be referred to another veterinarian?
  • Do you have x-ray equipment or the ability to do blood work on-site?
  • Do you have an on-site pharmacy or will I have to go elsewhere for prescriptions?
  • Will your doctors be willing to refer me to a specialist if needed?
  • What do you charge for an office visit?
  • Vaccines(suggested dog vaccines include rabies, distemper/parvovirus and kennel cough; for cats- rabies, upper respiratory/distemper and feline leukemia)?
  • Heartworm tests and preventative?
  • What is your payment policy?

But first, questions from the vet…

During a clinical examination of your pet, your vet will no doubt ask you a range of questions depending on the reason for the visit.

For example, if seeking a diagnosis to an issue with your cat, the vet will probably want to know if the animal has experienced vomiting, diarrhoea, changes to their feeding behaviours (including loss of appetite), thirst changes and increased urination. For example, excessive thirst and increased urination may be a sign of diabetes or kidney failure.

After answering the vet’s questions, you will have the opportunity to ask questions of your own. Regardless of your visit, these are useful questions to know the answers to so you can be well armed to give your fur friend the best life possible.

Tips for Making Your Pet’s First Vet Visit a Success

You’ve picked up their favorite toys, stocked up only the best pet food, and have pet-proofed your home. You’re clearly ready to bring your pet home, but what happens after that? Hopefully the answer is scheduling your pet’s first veterinarian visit. While the first visit can seem daunting, we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite tips to make the process as smooth as possible.

Set up a veterinarian visit right away

Even if your pet was checked out by a veterinarian when they were at the shelter — or seems perfectly healthy to you — you’ll still want to make an appointment within the first week or so. Why? Your dog or cat may be due for additional medications to keep them (and you) safe in their new home.

Additionally, no one ever expects an emergency to occur—especially in those first happy moments at home—but establishing a relationship with a local vet early on will give you peace of mind if you find yourself in an emergency situation.

Schedule your visit early

It’s best to schedule your veterinarian visit for the morning, when delays are less likely. And arrive a few minutes early so you can help get your pet settled and fill out any paperwork. If your veterinarian offers patient forms online, fill out any paperwork at home, so your visit goes even more smoothly.

Bring all the proper items with you

There’s a lot you can do to help your pet’s first veterinarian visit run smoothly and get the most out of your time there.

  • Bring your adoption papers from the shelter. This will help your veterinarian get to know your pet’s medical history, and which vaccines they’ve already had, or still need.
  • Bring a list of any medications or supplements your pet is on, how often they take them, as well as the food you’re feeding them. If it’s easier, just bring the medications with you to the office. You can then explain what each one is and why your pet needs it.
  • Prepare your questions ahead of time, even if that means writing them down

Should my pet have tests for hidden diseases? What lab work do you recommend for my pet?

Blood analysis is a vital tool for screening out disease. “Even pets that appear happy and healthy can have hidden medical problems that might grow serious, even life-threatening, if left undetected. Blood tests are essential for identifying diseases at the earliest most treatable stage possible.

“Pets can’t tell us when they’re ill – that’s where lab tests like blood analyses come in.

“Even in young and healthy pets, lab testing gives us a valuable baseline picture of what represents good health for your individual pet. A recommended part of your pet’s annual exam, blood tests can spot health trends sooner, before they become more serious.”

“Standard blood test panels for dogs and cats routinely check for many problems, commonly:

  • Complete Blood Cell Count (CBC) provides important information about the types and number of blood cells in your pet’s blood. A low red blood cell count, for example, indicates anemia, while a high white blood cell count can indicate an infection, chronic inflammation or other disease process.
  • Blood Chemistry Profile is particularly important for evaluating organ function (e.g., liver, kidneys), electrolytes, blood sugar, screening for presence of an endocrine disorder, etc. Any abnormalities will help us decide on further diagnostic tests or treatments.
  • Heartworm Test can detect evidence of heartworm disease. For a more complete picture, we will often combine a blood panel with other tests, such as a urinalysis and fecal examination.”

bookmark_borderGuidelines To Hire A Family Law Attorney

Posted on by jeff

Choosing the Right Family Law Attorney

Choosing a family law attorney can be a very difficult decision. The right lawyer can make a real difference both in the outcome of your divorce and how you make it through the very emotional process. You want a trusting relationship. You want a lawyer who is serious about your case and listens to your needs. You want a lawyer who moves your case forward to conclusion. Here are some tips on choosing the right lawyer

Whether you’re considering a divorce, attempting to work out custody and support issues, planning an adoption or facing another family law issue, choosing the right family law attorney can ease your mind and produce better results. Your lawyer becomes your partner in the process, helping you achieve the outcome you want within the boundaries of the law.

Find an attorney you can work with.

Your lawyer will be your partner throughout your case. You may need to confide sensitive or embarrassing information to your attorney – things you would prefer not to tell anyone. You’ll be speaking to your attorney frequently, and you’ll need to be able to provide information and understand your lawyer’s explanations of certain steps in your case or how the law applies in your situation.

Interview prospective attorneys with your needs in mind.

When you contact a law firm to speak to a prospective attorney, be as clear as you can about what you’re looking for. Many lawyers will agree to speak to you for no charge so that both of you can determine whether you’ll be a good “fit” for one another

Ask for advice, but make your own decision.

Asking friends, family members and co-workers to recommend an attorney is one way to collect information about family law attorneys and law firms in your area. Attorney guides like Martindale-Hubbell or Avvo can also point you to local law firms, as can reading law firm websites and reviews.

Tips on How To Choose the Right Family Lawyer

Family law matters can be some of the most stressful and emotional experiences we go through in our lives. This makes the task of choosing the right family lawyer one which demands careful thought and research

According to the old adage, “you can’t choose your family.” You can however choose the lawyer or solicitors in family matters. In fact, your choice can determine how smoothly such proceedings can go and can be a critical factor in achieving a successful outcome.

Even for those who have experience in dealing with complex legal matters, family law can be a whole new kettle of fish. As someone who has gone through the family law ‘adventure’ I know what can happen.  For those who have thus far managed to avoid legal matters in their life may panic, hitting search engines with multiple “family law manchester,” or “solicitors newcastle,” or some such search that sees them often too stressed to even capitalise their searches.

Finding the right family lawyer can be a nightmare due to the emotion of what is being dealt with quite apart from sifting through legal profiles and information about ‘great’ family lawyers. When looking for the right firm, patience is truly a virtue. It may also save the hassle of making a rash decision in a panic

Know exactly what you are looking for: Why do you need a family lawyer? Are you getting a divorce or is there a dispute over child access with your former spouse? If you cannot clearly communicate to a professional what you need, the process may be one which is drawn out more than it has to be

What Things to Consider for a Family Law Attorney

If you need the help of a family law attorney, you must consider some important things in this regard. These things include accessing a right lawyer, way of executing of the lawyer, if you are getting all the relevant information and aspects regarding your case and firm professional ethics etc. After considering all these points, you can definitely find the best family law attorney that will sort out your concern in highly effective way.

The help of a family law attorney is relevant for various family related cases like adoption of a child, divorce, child custody and so on. So, there are some key aspects that should keep in mind before choosing a right family law attorney. In these essential points, firstly you should consider your personal needs for which you require family law attorney

At the time, you put up in a domestic strife and that turns to worse side to be solved, you must need to hire a family law attorney to get out of such crisis. That time, you should know the way to choose a family law attorney to solve your problem quickly and thus, it will save your energy, time and money too. These issues are very complex and if you hire a competent family law attorney, only then you can expect justice with your case. Otherwise, a poor attorney would do nothing but irritate you and will make your condition poorer.

To deal with a family legal issue, you need a lawyer that speaks fairly and is very straight forward and clear about his ideas. Sometimes, legal jargon becomes very confounding and confusing. So, you should take help of a lawyer who is able to use decipher language and can bring forward the best side of your case to help you to get justice quickly

A good family law attorney works actively on every side of the case and explains all complex information which is hard to understand for common people. Sometimes, this understanding can change the entire subject of the case and mostly family strife occurs due to such misunderstanding. So, you must try to find a good understandable family law attorney to help you with. It will be a great benefit to you if your lawyer would understand your perspective and requirements and can speak in detailed manner about all aspects of your case. This will lead you towards this legal victory. It is very necessary for a person to be frank with his or her lawyer, so that you would not hide anything to your lawyer. This way, you can have desirable result of your case.

How to Choose The Best Family Law Attorney

Divorce and other family law issues can seem overwhelming. If you are facing family law issues or are contemplating separation or divorce, it is important to have a competent and compassionate attorney on your side.

Your attorney will help you protect your rights and those of your children. Your attorney will also help you navigate the complicated legal waters, so you don’t have to be frightened or intimidated. It is important to select an attorney that is well-versed in family law; at Kitchens, New & Cleghorn, we pride ourselves on being some of the best family law attorneys in the State of Georgia. We are proud to serve all clients regardless of gender, orientation or life circumstances. We provide the best legal representation at a price you can afford

Many law firms have no knowledge of the special legal issues that same-sex couples face in regards to marriage, separation, divorce and child custody. We specialize in same-sex legal issues and have represented many same-sex couples in the courts. Our staff is well-trained in these issues, and we can help you get the outcome you deserve

In many cases, you can wait weeks or even months to see an attorney and get the ball rolling on your case. Not here. We will get you an appointment quickly, and someone will always be available to address any concerns or answer any questions you may have. You won’t have to wait or wonder what’s going on with your case; we will keep you updated every step of the way.

Retaining the services of an attorney can be intimidating, especially if you are not well-versed in the law. You won’t find that here. We want all of our clients to feel comfortable. You will be welcomed immediately when you come through our doors. We will take the time to explain things to you and make sure you feel at ease. Our legal team will always treat you with courtesy and compassion.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Family Lawyer

When facing a divorce, one of the first questions that springs to mind is “how do I find a good lawyer?” Knowing how to choose a divorce lawyer that will provide you with the legal advice you need, at a price you can afford and be the right fit for your situation, isn’t an easy task. The choice of a divorce lawyer is crucial to the outcome of your case and the way it progresses. It is common for individuals to change lawyers during the course of their case. In fact, Leach Legal are often involved in cases, which were first handled by another lawyer, and clients then come to us mid-process to close their case

Identify the need for a divorce lawyer

Firstly consider your situation. Do you actually need a lawyer or is it possible to come to an amicable agreement with your ex-partner? At Leach Legal, we suggest an initial consultation with an experienced lawyer to ensure you’re fully informed on all your legal rights and are given direction on the best way to proceed

Ask for a referral

Many professionals meet and work with divorce lawyers in the course of their work and are often a good source of referral. Ask if they can recommend the name of a family lawyer with a good reputation, whose qualifications and experience are most appropriate to your case. You may also have friends or family members who have been divorced. Ask them how their lawyer or their partner’s lawyer handled their divorce, if they have any words of advice or if they can recommend a divorce lawyer to you. At Leach Legal, 68% of our clients come to us as a result of a referral from their family member, friend or colleague.

Identify your budget

Most divorce lawyers bill for their services based on an hourly rate. Few accept a fixed fee based on the total amount of time and labour they think their case requires as it is difficult to predict how any case will play out and the amount of time required to finalise a case. At Leach Legal, ensuring the best outcome is achieved for our clients is our priority. Where possible, we try and avoid litigation cases, which often results in thousands of dollars of savings

Be realistic

Divorce is a legal process which includes dividing your assets with your partner and resolving child-related issues. Your divorce lawyer’s role is to represent you to the best of their ability in the legal process. While you may want them to listen to your anger, frustration and sadness – that is not their role. Be realistic about the role of your divorce lawyer and what you can expect from him or her.

bookmark_borderFlat Roof Construction

Posted on by jeff

Choosing a flat roof

Once an architect determines the desire, or need, for a flat roof, identifying the correct solution can be a complex process. A range of factors have to be taken into account including length of guarantee, the supporting structure, impacts on BREEAM ratings, build sequencing, aesthetics and cost.

Of course, along with the client and architect’s requirements the compliance minefield of British building standards and codes of practice has to be negotiated. Although architects are primarily concerned with design, their remit in selecting a roofing system is usually a combination of design criteria, performance requirements and cost.

There are four primary types of flat roof commonly used in the UK, each with their advantages and disadvantages. Of course an architect does not need a detailed understanding of every type of flat roof. However, a basic understanding of these four major systems will allow architects to make a well-informed decision – especially as sometimes the solution offered by an individual manufacturer may not be the best for the requirements of your particular project.

Single ply

A single ply membrane system provides waterproofing with a single sheet of roofing material. Managed and regulated by the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), this is a well established and proven technology that has been used in the UK for over 50 years.

Single ply roofs are often considered for cost driven projects as they have a low capital cost and cost in use, are lightweight, flexible, swift to install, safe and available in any colour. These attributes make them an extremely popular choice for both cold and warm roofs, refurbishment and new build, with over 5 million m2 installed in the UK every year. Single ply roofs provide an ideal surface for subsequent photovoltaic systems and, as long as the product chosen is FLL certified, can also be used with a green roof.

Choosing the Best Option For A Flat Roof

Torch on Felt

Felt roofing came about as an improvement on the previous mineral felt roofing used in the 1960s and 1970s. The previous technique involved hot bitumen and mineral felt being poured onto a roof and rolled flat. This left an unattractive finish with a shorter lifespan of about 10 years. These roofs were easily damaged by stones under the membrane causing punctures. The new system allows the material to be peeled off and stuck to the surface of the roof, producing a finished product that is simple and affordable

EPDM Rubber Roof

Introduced to the UK market several years ago, these roofs have become increasingly popular. Made up of a rubber compound, this material is single ply and installed in one complete layer. The layer is glued to the decking of the roof using a strong adhesive

Fiberglass

Normally laid in one or two layers with a smooth finish and completed with factory made trims. The system is laid on timber boards that are glued at the joints. The whole decking is laid with a glass fibre matting and a base coat of fibre resin, and completed with a top coat of resin

Flat Roofs: A Handy Guide

Flat roofs are exceedingly popular with those looking to create a cool, modern home. Flat roof options help to free up internal space and are often cheaper that pitched roof options as they require fewer materials to cover the same roof span. There is also the scope to incorporate a green roof onto the flat structure.

What Pitch is a Flat Roof?

If flat roofs are to work well, they have to have a slope, known as a fall, to shed rainwater. The fall should never be less than 1:80 and preferably about 1:40.

There are several methods of building in a fall:

One is to set the cross walls at different heights. Most people shy away from this because they don’t like the idea of having an internal ceiling that slopes

A far more common method is to use ‘firring strips’, which are battens cut at an angle and placed on top of the roof joists

Another possibility is to cut a fall into the roof insulation, something several businesses now offer — it’s often referred to as tapered insulation

How exactly a fall is built in largely depends on how the flat roof is built. There are three main choices:

The cheapest and simplest solution is to construct a warm roof. This is where the roof insulation sits directly on top of the timber structure (thus keeping it warm) and then the roofing membrane is laid over the insulation

A cold roof places the insulation between the rafters, underneath the ply roof covering. It is the standard method employed on flat-roofed extensions but it is rarely used for new builds today. In general, a warm roof is preferable from a construction angle, but it does lead to a higher roof profile, which isn’t always acceptable from a planning perspective

There a number of variations of the warm roof, referred to as hybrid roofs, which introduce different elements. In particular, some designs call for a ventilation gap above a warm roof in order to eliminate any possibility of moisture build-up inside the roof structure

Flat Roof Coverings

Over the years many products have been used and none has emerged clearly as the best. In practice most people plump for the system their installer or designer likes the most. Generally speaking, the issues to watch are the cost and the guarantee offered. As a rule, don’t go for anything less than 20 years

SAGE TIPS FOR SELECTING A REPLACEMENT FLAT ROOF

The road to flat roof selection can be a bumpy one. The process may seem simple, but it is surprisingly complicated. Considering that a low-slope roofing system does not drain quickly and is more prone to leakage, you have to put extra attention to every decision you have to make.

Understand All of Your Options

As with pitched roofing, flat roofing has an abundance of material options. Generally, there are two product categories: asphalt-based systems and single-ply systems.

The first group involves building up layers of hot or cold asphalt sandwiched by fiberglass or modified rolls. Gravel or asphalt-based granulated cap sheet accounts for the top-most portion. The installation is often messy because of all of the work necessary to apply the materials.

Think About Maintenance

Make sure that the design of your flat roof is maintainable. Otherwise, it would be difficult to carry out snow removal and any other activity related to the upkeep of your low-slope roofing system properly, efficiently, and safely

Put a Premium on Protection

Superior roofing warranties will give more bang for your buck. Ask about covered components, conditions, and limitations, and coverage periods.

Which flat roof system is best?

the most appropriate flat roofing system really comes down to 2 questions:

will there be cooking in the building? If so, go with PVC since it’s resistant to fire, fat, and grease.

if there won’t be any cooking, is money a concern?

if money is a concern, go with EPDM or Modified Bitumen as these are your least expensive flat roofing systems.

if money isn’t an issue, choose TPO since it’s still strong but less expensive than PVC.

Also see related article Which roofing material is right for you.

What is a flat roof? What qualifies as a ‘flat’ roof?

A flat roof is a roof that, well, looks flat. It’s not really flat, however. It’s a roof whose pitch, or angle, is less than 2/12, or 9.5º. (2/12 means for every 12″ of horizontal length, the roof rises 2″ in height.)

What are your flat roof options?

Although there are several flat roof systems available today, in this article, we’re only going to cover the systems we offer

Cost

For most businesses, the cost of a commercial roof is the first consideration; which commercial roofing system is the least expensive, not only to purchase, but to install, maintain, and repair. Cost should not be your only consideration, however

Cooking

Really, the first question on everyone’s mind when choosing a flat roofing system should be whether there will be a lot of cooking in the building. If there will be, because you own a restaurant or a hospital, you should use PVC because it is resistant to fats and greases and fire. If you just focused on cost and put an EPDM roof on your restaurant, the grease that gets sucked-up through your ventilation will be deposited onto your roof and that EPDM roof will breakdown quickly, costing you more money in the long run.

bookmark_borderHow To Do Drywall Repairs Hole

Posted on by jeff

How to Repair Drywall

Drywall is relatively simple to install and easy to repair. It’s also easy to repair badly, which can leave a lumpy mess that declares “shoddy” to anyone who enters the room.

It’s best to do a repair with three or four thin coats of compound–if possible leaving sanding for just the last coat. Also, “the most important thing with a repair is to build the joint out wider than you would normally,” says drywall contractor Rick Schwartz, who serves as secretary treasurer of Marietta Drywall in Marietta, Ga. The key is to leave a wide and very shallow slope on all sides, he says

Note that in some cases we show mesh tape with lightweight or all-purpose compound applied over it. Strictly speaking, for maximum strength mesh tape is best used with setting-type drywall compound. For small repairs, however, that’s impractical. If you’re really concerned about strength, use paper tape for all repairs. Be advised that it’s more difficult to work with in some of the repairs we show.

Watch The Weight

If you have several large repairs to do and you’ll be buying a sheet or two of drywall, be advised that a sheet of regular 1/2-in. drywall weighs about 1.7 pounds per square foot. That means a 1/2-in. 4 x 8-ft. sheet weighs a bit more than 54 pounds (a 3/8-in. sheet weighs almost 45 pounds). If you stand it on edge and it falls over, someone–especially a child–could get hurt.

Beware Of Buckets

Five-gal. compound buckets pose a drowning or suffocation hazard to small children–when they are new and filled with compound, or later after they are cleaned and used for car washing and other jobs.

Tips for Working with Drywall

We’ve hung and patched and primed and finished our fair share of drywall. Check out this compilation of tips for working with drywall to make your next build or repair easier

Use Setting Compound for Big Holes

It’s fine to fill screw holes and other small wall dings with patching compound, but for dime-size and larger drywall repairs, and for holes that are deep, it’s best to use a joint compound that sets up by a chemical reaction. These are available in powder form with setting times ranging from five to 90 minutes. The reaction starts when you mix in the water, and the compound hardens in the specified time. The five-minute version is nice because you can buy the powder in a convenient 5-lb. box, and the compound hardens quickly, so you can apply another coat right away. Remember, setting-type compounds are harder to sand than regular patching materials, so make sure to strike them off flush to the surface when you fill the hole. You’ll find setting-type compounds wherever drywall taping supplies are sold.

Make a Dent for the Patching Compound

When you remove a nail, drywall anchor or picture hanger, there is usually a little ridge of old paint or drywall sticking out that’s hard to cover with patching material. The solution is to make a dent over the hole, and then fill the dent. Most good-quality putty knives have a rounded hard plastic or brass end on the handle that works perfectly for making the dent. The rounded end of a screwdriver handle or the handle of a utility knife will also work. Press the handle against the hole and twist it slightly while applying pressure to dent the surface, or if you have good aim, use your denting tool like a hammer

Cover Cracks with Repair Spray

Stress cracks usually show up around window and door openings. The cracks are the result of framing movement and are hard to fix permanently. But using spray-on crack repair is a good way to at least extend the life of your repair. The spray forms a flexible membrane over the crack that can stretch and relax as the building moves.

Rent a Drywall Lift for Ceiling Work

If you have to drywall a ceiling, don’t hesitate to rent a lift. It’s well worth the daily rental fee and is by far the best way to get a ceiling up without back strain.

Tips for Better Drywall Taping

To hide “butt joints” (where two non-tapered ends of drywall meet), you have to build up a hump of joint compound that’s very thin and wide. This is time consuming and difficult to do well. So if you’re a novice drywall finisher, avoiding butt joints is smart.

The best way to avoid butt joints is to use sheets of drywall that are long enough to cover entire walls and ceilings. As a result, you’ll have only tapered joints to finish. Drywall sheets are commonly available in 8- and 12-ft. lengths, and specialty suppliers carry 14-ft. sheets.

If your ceiling is longer than 14 ft., you can’t avoid butt joints. But you can avoid butt joints on a wall that exceeds 14 ft. Simply hang the sheets vertically rather than horizontally. That way, you’ll have several tapered joints to cover, but no butt joints. Hanging drywall vertically is slower than hanging it horizontally because you have to make sure the tapered edges fall at the centers of studs. Cut the first sheet to width so the tapered edge lands on the center of a stud. After that, the edges of each sheet should fall perfectly on studs. If you run into misplaced studs, nail 2x2s to them. If you have 9-ft. ceilings, call a drywall supplier to find 10-ft.-long sheets.

Use mesh tape, not paper

Pros use paper tape to strengthen joints. But in less-skilled hands, paper tape can ripple, slip out of place or trap air bubbles. If you push too hard as you embed paper tape, you’ll squeeze out all the joint compound behind it and the tape will peel off later. Adhesive-backed mesh tape eliminates all those glitches. Just stick it in place and it stays put, leaving you free to concentrate on spreading a smooth coat of mud. And since it doesn’t require an underlying layer of compound, mesh allows for a thinner buildup over butt joints and repairs. You can use mesh anywhere except inside corners.

Fill joints faster with setting-type compound

Mixing up setting compound is a messy nuisance, but it’s worth it. Setting compound has three key advantages over premixed versions: It allows you to use mesh tape, it hardens fast and it shrinks much less. Quick hardening and low shrinkage make setting compound perfect for deep filling. A thick layer of premixed compound takes days to dry and shrinks. You’ll need several coats to fill the depression, and the more layers you add, the harder it is to get smooth results.

Choosing the Best Type of Drywall Compound

Drywall mud, also called joint compound, is a gypsum-based paste used to finish drywall joints and corners in new drywall installations. It’s also handy for repairing cracks and holes in existing drywall and plaster surfaces. Drywall mud comes in four basic types, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. You may choose one type for your project or use a combination of compounds for the desired results.

All-Purpose Compound: Best All-Around Drywall Mud

All-purpose compound is a pre-mixed mud sold in buckets and boxes. It can be used for all phases of drywall finishing: embedding joint tape and filler and finish coats, as well as for texturing and skim-coating. Because it is lightweight and has a slow drying time, it’s very easy to work with and is the preferred option for DIYers for coating the first three layers over drywall joints. However, an all-purpose compound is not as strong as other types, such as topping compound.

Topping Compound: Best Mud for Final Coats

Topping compound is the ideal mud to use after the first two coats of taping compound have been applied to a taped drywall joint. Topping compound is a low-shrinking compound that goes on smoothly and offers a very strong bond. It is also highly workable. Topping compound typically is sold in dry powder that you mix with water. This does make it less convenient than premixed compound, but it allows you to mix just as much as you need; you can save the rest of the dry powder for future use.

Taping Compound: Best for Applying Tape and Covering Plaster Cracks

True to its name, a taping compound is ideal for embedding joint tape for the first phase of finishing drywall joints. Taping compound dries harder and is more difficult to sand than all-purpose and topping compounds. Taping compound is also the best option if you need to cover plaster cracks and when superior bonding and crack-resistance are required, such as around door and window openings (which tend to crack due to house settling). It is also the best mud option for laminating drywall panels in multi-layer partitions and ceilings.

Quick-Setting Compound: Best When Time Is Critical

Commonly called “hot mud,” quick-setting compound is ideal when you need to finish a job quickly or when you want to apply multiple coats on the same day. Sometimes called simply “setting compound,” this form is also useful for filling deep cracks and holes in drywall and plaster, where drying time can become an issue. If you are working in an area with high humidity, you might want to use this compound to ensure a proper drywall finish. It sets by chemical reaction, rather than simple evaporation of water, as is the case with other compounds. This means that quick-setting compound will set in damp conditions.

HOW TO REPAIR A HOLE IN DRYWALL

Drywall repair is a common home maintenance task that many homeowners can do themselves. The skill set, tools and techniques required for drywall repair depend on the size of the hole. If you can flip a fried egg, you can easily patch a small nick in your drywall, but it gets trickier as the holes get bigger. But don’t worry; Mr. Handyman is here to help! Download our Drywall Repair Guide for step-by-step instructions.

Drywall Repair Techniques

The size of the hole will determine what method of repair you’ll use. You may not need all of these tools – before you purchase anything, reference the guidelines below to see what you’ll need. You’ll find the required materials listed with each step. Drywall tape is available in paper or mesh, select mesh if you have a choice. The tools in bold are required for each step, regardless of hole size.

HOW TO PATCH A SMALL HOLE (ANYTHING SMALLER THAN A NICKEL)

Small holes in drywall are simple to fix. Any hole larger than a nickel should be repaired with the instructions under Medium or Large hole. Use spackle or joint compound to fill the hole. If you’re using joint compound, buy it pre-mixed for small DIY jobs. Spackle may shrink as it dries in larger holes and may require an extra application. Joint compound may run out or bulge as it sets and will require sanding and a second application.

HOW TO PATCH A MEDIUM HOLE (ANYTHING SMALLER THAN SIX INCHES)

For a professional finish follow the instructions under Large hole. This method requires finesse to feather the joint compound into the rest of the wall – if not done correctly, you will see a slight bulge in the wall. You must feather the repair area (gradually reduce the thickness outward) when applying the joint compound and in the sanding stage. Use a drywall patch that is slightly larger than the hole that needs to be repaired. You can purchase these at your local hardware store. Look for a kit, which will include everything you need

HOW TO PATCH A LARGE HOLE (ANYTHING LARGER THAN SIX INCHES)

Take your time, and be careful not to nick any wires or plumbing during installation. Although this method requires more tools, the final result is more professional looking.

bookmark_borderWhen To Upgrade Your Electrical Panel Upgrades Box

Posted on by jeff

Signs You Might Need an Electrical Panel Upgrade

The electrical panel is an essential component of your home’s electrical system. Within the panel are circuits, which carry electricity throughout your home to outlets, lights, and appliances. The number and size of the circuits determine your home’s electrical capacity.

The first step in the upgrade process is determining your home’s electrical load. Do you have enough amps to meet your electrical needs? If you think about electricity like water flowing through your home, an amp is the rate at which electricity flows. A few decades ago, 60 amps was enough to suit the needs of the average American household. Today, 100 amps is standard in the average home, with larger homes that use a lot of electricity needing 150 to 200 amps

Signs of Electrical Problems in Your Home

Be on the lookout for any of the following signs of a possible problem. If your home is experiencing any of these issues, call a professional to inspect your electrical system, because it might be time for an electrical panel upgrade.

Electrical shocks. Mild shocks and tingling can mean that the wiring is defective or that it was improperly installed. If this is the case, there’s a risk of ‘electrical leakage’ when you touch the switch or outlet.

Burning odors or sparks. The occasional spark is not unusual, but large or frequent sparks can be signs of deteriorated wiring or a faulty circuit. Also pay attention to warm or discolored outlets. Whether the cause is faulty wiring or an overloaded circuit, you’ll want to talk to an electrician about these issues.

How to Upgrade an Electric Meter and Panel to 200-Amp Service

Working inside an electrical panel is dangerous and is best left to a professional electrician.

Steps:

Ensure that power is off to the entire building, which may involve more than just shutting off the main breaker.

Have utility company to disconnect electrical cables from the house.

Remove the glass meter from the meter socket.

Unscrew meter socket from side of house, then use cable cutters to sever the cable connected to the socket.

Enlarge existing cable hole in wall using a cordless drill and 3-inch-diameter hole saw.

Bore through the rim joist using an extension shaft and 2-inch-diameter hole saw.

Attach a length of 200-amp SE electrical cable to the new meter socket.

Feed the SE cable through the hole in the wall and then screw the meter socket to the exterior of the house. Use a torpedo level to ensure the socket is level.

Install the new PVC weather head and conduit to the exterior wall, directly above the meter socket. Secure the conduit to the meter socket using PVC cement. Fasten the conduit to the house with U-shaped plastic clips.

Have the utility company mark the locations of any underground lines. Then, pound two copper ground rods into the ground using a 3-pound sledgehammer. Space the rods 6 feet apart.

Make the wire connections between the ground rods, up to an inter-system bonding termination, and into the meter socket.

Connect the power wires to the meter socket.

Plug the glass meter into the meter socket. Then, snap on the meter cover.

Working inside an electrical panel is dangerous and is best left to a professional electrician.

Steps:

Ensure that power is off to the entire building, which may involve more than just shutting off the main breaker.

Use diagonal-cutting pliers to sever all wires inside existing electrical panel.

Unscrew and remove old electrical panel from the wall.

Screw a large ¾-inch-thick plywood panel to the wall for mounting the new electrical panel.

Feed the SE cable through the top of the new electrical panel, then screw the panel to the plywood. Use a torpedo level to ensure the panel is level.

Make all the electrical connections inside the electrical panel.

Feed the house circuits into the panel, making sure each cable passes through a cable connector.

Connect the bare-copper ground wires and white-insulated wires to the ground and neutral bar inside the panel.

Plug new circuit breakers into the bus bar.

Run the main ground wire from the bottom of the electrical panel to the copper water main.

Have the utility company reconnect the electrical cables to the exterior of the house.

Label each breaker with the correct house circuit.

HOW TO CHOOSE A NEW ELECTRICAL BREAKER PANEL FOR YOUR HOME

The electrical breaker panel is a large metal box attached to the outside of your home near your electric utility meter.  It acts as the main component for the flow of electricity supplied to your home from the utility company, and every home with utility-supplied electricity has some form of one.

HOW IT WORKS:

As the electricity is fed to your house from the utility company, it passes through the meter, through the supply system, then through your breaker box. As the electric lines enter the box, they are then broken into subsidiary circuits that are connected to fuses. The fuses help to protect your home from overloads.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BREAKER PANEL:

Not all breaker panels are created equal. Depending on the size of your home, the amount of electricity you need per room, the number of large appliances you will be running, and any additions you may add on in the future, picking the right replacement is important.

Amperage – Determine the amperage capacity of your home. Consider this: A home with 200-amp (ampere) capacity can run multiple large appliances at the same time with no problem; whereas 100 amps or less would just barely enable you to run a hot water heater, a stove, and a hair dryer at once.  Most homes these days are built with a 125-amp minimum, depending on square footage and other factors.

Breakers – You will need to know how many circuit breakers you will require in your new panel. Base it simply on your needs. Keep in mind that a circuit breaker is designed to bear only 80% of its rated capacity (ex. A 20-amp breaker is rated to bear a 16-amp load before kicking); this is a standard safety feature to prevent potential overloads. Locate the loads for each device/appliance (usually somewhere on the device itself or in the manual), and if amps are not stated, use this math formula to help you determine what you need

Should I Upgrade My Electrical Panel?

Owning a home has many benefits. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages is that things break. Sometimes, you have no clue why something isn’t working. Diagnosing the problem is only half the battle. When it comes to electrical issues, most homeowners have little idea what exactly the problem is, much less how to fix it.

What Is a Breaker Panel?

Before we discuss how and why your electrical panel might not be working, let’s talk about the breaker panel itself. An electrical panel is the central point that connects the wires from outside to the wires inside your home and how your electric service provider provides electricity to your home. It’s often also called the main breaker box, the fuse box, a distribution panel, a load center and even a breaker panel. This is where you go when you need to flip the breakers off and on to get the power back on when you’ve tripped the breaker. It is usually located in the garage, on your home’s exterior or in a utility room, but can be anywhere in your home.

MAIN BREAKER PANELS

These panels have a main built-in breaker that can shut off all the power to your property. This double-pole circuit breaker both identifies the capacity of your panel’s circuits and protects those circuits from becoming overloaded.

MAIN LUG PANELS

Instead of having a main breaker, line wires go to lugs in these types of panels. Main lug panels have a separate shut-off system, which could be near the meter or connected to the main panel’s breaker. Having a disconnect near your meter allows firefighters to cut your power without needing to enter your living structure

TRANSFER SWITCHES

If you need more than one circuit in a particular area, such as in a greenhouse or a workshop, you may want a sub-panel. Sub-panels typically don’t have their own disconnect and are generally powered from the main panel.

Does your home need a breaker panel upgrade?

Your home’s breaker panel, or also known as the fuse box, fuse panel or breaker box, is the central control of the entire electrical system for your home. It distributes the electricity delivered by your electric provider and powers everything in your home. Power to your home is turned on and off by circuit breakers to protect wiring from damage by “tripping” when an electrical short or over-current occurs

With the arrival of so many new electronic devices over the last 8-10 years, many home electrical systems do not have the capacity to support today’s high powered devices on top of the core circuits they were originally designed to support.

Now is the time to upgrade your home’s circuitry to ensure that your home has the capacity to support your electrical needs without the risk of a fire. You may consider replacing your electrical panel or adding a sub-panel. It’s important to note that a new breaker panel will not provide additional power to your home. To achieve additional power, Amps & Volts Electric Inc., has a process that includes a new breaker panel as well as other accessories, such as new cables and a new electrical meter.

A typical breaker panel consists of these primary components:

The main breaker is a large double pole circuit breaker that limits the amount of electricity coming in from outside to protect the circuits it feeds. It also identifies your breaker panel’s amperage capacity.

Circuit breakers are stacked in the panel and have an ON/OFF switch that controls the flow of power.

Bus bars receive power from the two thick black wires that bring power in from the electrical meter. The bus bars in turn carry power through the circuit breakers to the circuits.

Neutral bus bars connect to the main circuit’s neutral wire. The neutral bar provides the contact point for the white wires that return electricity back to the breaker panel after flowing through the black wires to power a device.

Grounding bus bars unite all the grounding wires from the breaker panel’s various circuits and connect them to the ground bar.

Main Breaker Panels

Main breaker panels have a built-in main breaker which can be used to shut off all power to your residence. A main breaker is a large double-pole circuit breaker that limits the amount of electricity coming in from outside to protect the circuits it feeds. It also identifies your breaker panel’s amperage capacity. Main breakers can be installed when the meter and feeder cable are within 10 ft. of the panel.

bookmark_borderPreparing For A Move Out Cleaning

Posted on by jeff

Get Your Deposit Back: A Move-Out Cleaning Checklist

The last thing you want to do before you leave one home to start another is clean out the old place. But alas, it must be done, so just throw on some tunes, grin and bear it. If your place is just surface dirty and not damaged, how well you clean could be the difference between getting back your deposit money that has been held hostage for years or not. So here is a checklist of things not to forget as you prepare your home for its next inhabitants

Everywhere:

Take all nails and screws out of the walls and ceiling and putty them smoothly.

Dust the ceiling fixtures.

Dust all ledges.

Clean the windows.

Clean the door knobs and doors.

Clean all light switches and outlets.

Clean the walls and baseboards.

Vacuum (get any stains out of the carpet, or get the carpet professionally cleaned).

Get rid of all cobwebs.

Bathroom:

Get soap scum off the bathroom tiles and tub/shower and bleach the grout.

Clean out the bathroom drawers and vanity, making sure you get all the hair out (and remove any liners).

Clean the toilet, sink, countertop and finally the floor (sweep and mop). If the toilet seat is unsavory looking, replace it.

Clean the mirror.

Vacuum out the surface of the exhaust fan if super dusty.

Kitchen:

Clean out all cabinets and liners.

Wash the front of the cabinets.

Clean and disinfect all countertops.

Clean and shine up the sink and faucet.

Scrub the refrigerator inside and out. Remove all shelves and clean separately if necessary.

Scrub the oven inside and out. Remove shelving, drip pans and burners. Use steel wool, it is your friend.

Clean out the dishwasher if you have one.

Clean exhaust fan if needed.

Remove all appliances and sweep behind them

The Ultimate Moving House Cleaning Checklist

If moving house tops the list of stressful experiences people go through in life and cleaning house tops the list of loathsome experiences people face on a daily basis, then cleaning for moving should be a truly nightmarish experience indeed. The mere idea of scrubbing floors and washing windows after the long weeks of laborious moving preparations and exhausting moving tasks may be enough to put you in panic – after all, you have only just finished organizing the myriad details of the relocation process, putting all the required paperwork in order and packing all your earthly possessions, so you are highly unlikely to have any energy left to spare

you will want to leave your old home in top-notch condition in order to be able to get your security deposit back or to make your property more desirable for potential buyers;

you will want your new home to be spotless when moving in.

So, no matter how tired and how impatient to close the relocation chapter of your life you may be, you need to take the time and the effort to clean your old property before moving out and your new one before moving in. Luckily, the task may not be as difficult as it seems at first – especially if you follow our simple, yet highly efficient cleaning tips for moving house

Get hold of appropriate moving cleaning supplies and keep them at hand. There are certain cleaning supplies you can’t do without when preparing your home for moving – disinfecting cleaners, glass cleaners, baking soda, white vinegar, cleaning cloths, dusting cloths, plastic or nylon bristled soft scrubbers, different kinds of brushes, furniture polish, fabric protectors, a mop, a vacuum cleaner, a broom and a dustpan, a bucket, a step stool, rubber gloves, etc. Make sure these items don’t get accidentally loaded on the moving truck with the rest of your possessions – you’re going to need them when the movers depart from your old home and then again, before they arrive in your new property

Reasons To Hire A Professional Move Out Cleaning Service

Whether you’re moving out of a rental or planning to put your old home on the market, your old place needs a thorough cleaning. To save money, you’ve probably considered DIY cleaning. But have you considered a move out cleaning service?

Reduce the Stress of Moving

If you’ve moved out before, you know just how stressful things can become. Packing up your life, hauling your belongings, and juggling your normal duties – all of which take a lot of time and energy.

Get Your Deposit Back

Outside of property damage, hiring a move out cleaning service increases the likelihood that you’ll get your full deposit back. Landlords are very meticulous and will jump on every chance not to return your deposit. From every corner of the kitchen to the carpet, every inch of your space must be clean so you can get your security deposit back.

Positive Impression from Potential Buyers

If you are trying to sell your previous home, hiring a move out cleaning service will help make your property move-in ready.

Customized Cleaning

Do you want just your kitchen cleaned? Or perhaps, you need a more complete and in-depth cleaning? Do you also want your cleaning service to clean the inside of your cupboards and refrigerator?

How to Find The Best Cleaning Company When Moving Out of Your Rental Home?

There are many pros and cons of doing the end of tenancy cleaning by yourself when moving out of a rental property. However, when the property is too big, or when you have limited time to relocate, the DIY approach is not an option. There are many companies that provide this service and choosing the one that suits your needs can be an overwhelming task. This is why we are sharing some useful tips to help you recognise the quality end of tenancy cleaning service

Ask for an End of Tenancy Cleaning Guarantee

Do the end of tenancy cleaners provide a guarantee for their service? If the answer is ‘Yes’, then you are probably dealing with reliable business. Reputable companies are not afraid to offer their clients a financial compensation or second cleaning of the property if the clients find the result insufficient. Professionals are certain they provide outstanding service, this is why the best cleaning companies offer a 24-hour guarantee for their job. Inviting your landlord for a final inspection during this period gives you an advantage – if he is happy with the result you can have your deposit back, if not you have enough time to ask the cleaners to deal with the problematic areas at no additional costs.

Find Out if the Company Has a Detailed Cleaning Checklist

End of tenancy cleaning service is a thorough, deep cleaning service. It is done when people relocate. Many businesses claim they provide this kind of cleaning job but fail to understand their customers’ requirements and to provide the wanted result. This is why it is crucial to make sure the end of tenancy cleaners offer a thorough checklist of procedures and areas cleaned before you hire the company. Usually, trustworthy businesses provide very detailed cleaning list, consisting of areas and items in the property that you even haven’t thought of. When you get a detailed offer you can be certain you will pass the final inspection and get your deposit money back

Find Out What Are the Cleaners’ Criteria for Pricing

The quality is of great importance when hiring a professional cleaning company. The best businesses offer a cleaning service based on the contents or the size of the property, not on time. The cleaning result must help you pass the final inspection and get your deposit back, so the cleaners must leave the property in an impeccable condition. Hiring the service for the particular amount of time doesn’t mean all areas and items will be as clean as they need to be

Check What Does the Final Price Include

When hiring a professional team for the end of tenancy cleaning you must ask if the cleaning supplies are considered in the price. The cleaners must bring all the necessary machines, tools, and products to deal with the task. Usually, you don’t have to pay more for consumables. Don’t forget to ask if VAT and other taxes are included in the final price. Reputable companies provide an estimate in advance and there is no need to pay anything more than this pre-arranged price.

Reasons Move Out Cleaning Services Will Make Your Life Easier

Buying a new home or moving into a new rental can be an exciting yet stressful time. Life never seems to slow down as you’re juggling work, family, commitments, and packing for a big move

Focus on Unpacking in Your New Home

Unpacking, organizing, and getting settled in your new home is a challenge in itself. It may take a week or more to unpack your boxes and feel settled in your new place.

Deep Cleaning Takes Time and Energy

The task of deep cleaning of dirt and grime in corners, cabinets, under furniture, and high on shelves is not for the faint of heart. It requires scrubbing, reaching high and low, and can take a significant amount of your precious time

Move Out Cleaning Is Essential for Out of State Moves

The truck is packed, you’re hitting the road, and there’s no time to clean up what’s left behind. No problem. Before you move, schedule move out cleaners to deep clean your home behind you. When time is of the essence, professional cleaners offer the relief you need.

Offer the New Occupants a Fresh Start

There’s nothing worse than arriving with excitement to a new place to discover you need to clean before you can unpack. Give the new tenants the gift of a fresh start by hiring professional moving out cleaning in Colorado Springs. This offers goodwill to the new occupants and you’ll have more time and energy to focus on your fresh start.