If you love nothing more to go over furniture catalogs and look at HGTV, you might want to consider turning your talent and passion for remodeling into a lucrative career. However, opening a thriving renovation business requires more than just good will and money! You need to find your niche, get permits and form various connections. So, before you step out on the market, here are a few things to know about starting your home reno business. 

FIND YOUR SPECIALTY

Biting off more than you can chew will eventually land you various bad situations with clients. It’s always better to find your specialty field where you can deliver what you promise. Ask yourself how many things are you willing to take on yourself, how large your jobs will be and what type of renovations will you perform( period house reno, lux house reno, apartment renovation…)What can you actually offer to the market? While many contractors know how to do a lot of things, it doesn’t mean they should do all of them. Find something you truly excel in, something that separates you from the competition, and concentrate on putting that skill on the market. 

FORM A BUSINESS

Before you start seeing clients, you must choose a particular business structure that will suit your needs. There are four main types of businesses: Sole proprietorship (ideal for solo workers or couples), general partnership (ideal for two people in business), Limited Liability Corporations (for one or several parties) and C Corporations (if you want to grow and go public). Learn more closely about each type, but be sure to choose the right one, since changing your business structure later can be hard. 

GET LICENSES AND INSURANCE

Having all the necessary licenses and insurance is the key to successful business. You’ll need all required contractor’s licenses and necessary certificates for your special niche, as well as business licenses for the city. 

Also, don’t start working until you’re insured. Good general liability insurance will come in handy if someone gets injured at the site or someone damages a piece of property. These are both required by law, especially worker compensation should they get hurt. It’s also good to have commercial property insurance that covers your property (equipment and furniture) and cyber insurance to protect all your sensitive customer data.

PURCHASE A VEHICLE

There’s no way you’ll be able to be a successful contractor without a truck. You don’t have to go super big, but a medium-size trick will help you haul lumber, brick, kitchen counters and even appliances. And you might be worried about the price, sure. Luckily, there are many affordable dealerships that have quality trucks for sale and offer great prices. You can even go used and choose from a wide variety of affordable trucks in great condition. And if you decide to sell your vehicle, you’ll surely get a good price, especially if you pick something used (their price depreciates less over the years). 

ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS WITH SUPPLIERS

Your contact list should be full of reliable contractors. Having plenty of good people around can make or break a job and make a difference between a profit and a loss. Knowing your materials will arrive on time and that your order will be perfect is crucial to finishing your job on deadline or even ahead of it. A firm relationship with everyone from suppliers and vendors to subcontractors is very important. The finished product will carry your name, so don’t let it be dirtied by unreliable business partners. 

PREPARE FOR THE SLOW PERIODS

The home remodeling industry is usually connected very closely to the real estate market and the local economy. But, living in an area with four distinct seasons can also leave a mark on your business. Usually, your summers will be more productive than your winters. This phenomenon is not so visible in places like Australia or Southern USA, but places with cold winters might notice it more. In general, winters are slower, because most people choose to direct money into holidays instead of renovations. But, you can ask customers with a tight budget whether they are willing to postpone their old house renovation until winter. Offer them better prices and you’ll stay busy during this uneventful period of the year. 

Of course, you are expected to make a profit but don’t cut too many corners or you will end up with bad reviews and zero customers. All in all, as long as you offer reliable, affordable and effective services, your home renovation business will provide you with a steady income and plenty of customers looking to get a taste of your product. 

About the author:  Mike Johnston is an avid blogger and content writer with a focus in real estate, home improvement, and the construction industry.

Guest Contributor: Mike Johnston

Image Credit to Trusty Joe

Of all the disasters that could hit your property, water damage is perhaps the worst for so many reasons.

An inch of water flooding your home or place of business may not seem like much, but it can already set you back a few thousand dollars or even more.

Without prompt water damage restoration, that much water can already damage your floor as well as any furniture and appliances soaked in it. All that moisture can also cause mold to form inside your property. The dampness also makes the place an attractive environment for ants, rats, termites, cockroaches, and other critters that love moisture.

All that, however, doesn’t compare to the way water damage could weaken a building’s foundation. Water from rain, snow, or leaky plumbing saturates the soil around your property. Once the soil expands and shifts, it will put pressure on the foundation walls, and eventually cause cracks that compromise the entire structure.

You can prevent water damage from happening, but to do that, you need to know its most common causes. And it’s not just thunderstorms and other types of severe weather that cause water damage. Some of the most common causes of water damage are things that happen within your property. Here are some of them.

BLOCKED GUTTERS

Leaves, branches, bird’s nests, and all kinds of debris can clog your gutter system, which is going to be a problem when it rains. Because all that debris prevents water from flowing away from your house through downspouts like it’s supposed to, rainwater will instead flow over the edges of your gutter and straight down the side of your property. Your ceiling and walls will be prone to water damage when that happens.

PLUMBING PROBLEMS

Loose pipes and broken plumbing are a prime source of water leaks that damage everything they touch over time. It would be even worse if the leaking pipes are inside a wall, especially if it took you a long time to notice the problem. By then, the water-damaged wall would already make for an ideal breeding ground for mold.

CLOGGED DRAINS AND TOILETS

One of the more disgusting causes of water damage is blocked drains and toilets. Grease buildup, hair, or any foreign object can clog drains and toilets and cause water to flow back up. When more than enough water flows back up your drains and toilets, your home could end up flooded with extremely filthy water that won’t just cause water damage, but also make you sick.

WATER HEATER LEAK

Old, poorly-maintained, and incorrectly-installed water heaters are prone to leaking, especially when the water pressure is high, out of loose drain valves and cracks in the tank.

FAULTY SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

Sprinkler systems are great when they arrest the spread of fire inside a building but can be quite damaging when they turn on for no reason at all. Malfunctioning sprinkler systems have been known to cause considerable water damage, especially when the affected area has furniture, appliances, and other stuff that aren’t supposed to get wet.

LEAKING WASHING MACHINES

If your washing machine has a water supply line made of rubber or PVC, the constant water pressure will eventually wear it out and cause it to rupture, which will flood your laundry room fast. This won’t be a problem if your washing machine is fed by a braided stainless steel water supply line.

CONDENSATION FROM AC UNIT

When your AC unit is functioning properly, the condensation it produces drips down from its evaporator coil into a condensate pan then exits the unit through a condensate drain line or tube. However, when the drain pan is already damaged, or the condensate drain line is dirty, all that moisture will exit straight from your air conditioning unit into your property’s wall and floor and cause damage.

When you think about it, all the causes of water damage mentioned above are preventable ones. Your gutters, for example, won’t overflow as long as you clean them regularly. Drain screens can prevent hair and other objects from passing through. Regular AC maintenance will keep condensate drain lines clean.

Flooding caused by severe weather may be hard to prevent, especially if your property is in a flood-prone area, but a little effort on your part can help you avoid having to deal with water damage caused by things around the house or place of business.

Guest Contributor: Rachel Anderson

The cost of living has gone up. Not to fear, tiny houses are the new way of life. Keeping the cute, up to date home style you want, with an affordable cost. Tiny houses can have all the essentials needed in a compact space. Not exactly ideal for families, but can make a wonder living area for people constantly on the go or just single person livers. 

 

Most can be customizable with different types of furniture and crafted with ways to store and hide personal items. Most are designed to have hidden drawers and cabinets in the walls that can store things like, collapsible tables, beds and mattresses, and stowaway closets. Furniture is picked with the idea of storage in mind. So even through you want to maintain the minimalist lifestyle, you can also have a little clutter with the handy design of furniture. Luckliy with the small space that youre working with, saving money comes along with that. 

 

Most tiny houses try and have solar panels included with them. Saving energy and power. Second with the small space and minimum of people living in it, bills will be more cost effective overall because of the small space that needs to be powered or heated.

You never have to stay in one place. Some tiny houses can be mobile. A trailer attactment and a truck can take out anywhere. Of course keep in mind you will need to make sure youre parked in a spot that will allow you to stay in one place.

Guest Contributor: Klaudia Schueler

Wipe down areas that are frequently touched or soaked with water. Such as sinks, fridges, toilets and floors. Sitting water can harbor bacteria harmful to your health. Frequently keeping them clean will prevent anything from building up.

 

Wipe down highly touched surfaces. Anything that gets constant hand contact. Doorknobs, cell phones, keyboards and handles areas that can easily spread germs. With the rise of sickness recently it is best to do it on a daily basis or practice.

Keeping food surfaces clean. Tables and counters should be cleaned and sanitized before and after food touches them. Raw meat, eggs and especially old stale food can get you sick if you’re not careful. Take precautions and use disinfectant or warm water and soap to keep these areas clean and to keep any harmful substances away from your body.

Taking out garbage. Trash bins can hold tons of disgusting things and leftover. Not only that but they can carry germs that can get you sick. Waste bins that carry used tissues and anything that could have bodily fluids on it should be taken out right away.

Also, with just 3 easy steps, Rain City Maids will help you clean your home. First, you need to book and select the date and time you would like your cleaning professional to show up. Next, the professional cleaners come over and clean your place for you. And lastly, just set back and relax and enjoy your sparkling clean home.

WASH. YOUR. HANDS. Your hands touch anything and everything. From food to putting on makeup. Anything going into your body or on and around your face should make you think twice about how clean your hands are before you tough anything. Washing your hands frequently will help prevent sickness and spreading dangerous germs and bacteria to neighboring surfaces and people.

In conclusion, currently with spreading illness it is best to keep n mind that you are responsible for how clean you are. Keep your surroundings to keep your house and home clean. It will minimize the risk of sickness and illness to those around you and for your own health.

Guest Contributor: Klaudia Schueler

Currently, the “farm house” style has been a significantly popular theme when decorating or tieing together a home. Not to mention that you can turn any room or space into this look with using simple ideas that can come at a reasonable cost. The main focus of the style is keeping it modern with a cozy feel. Making any room or space welcoming with its warm and “homey” feel.

 

Barn Doors

 

Not only just a functional, the barn door style make a great statement to any home. Different styles or worn wood and colors of stain are used to match or mix match complemetnign colors in a home. Doors are typically large, heavy wood held up on a track to slide the panel for entry.  Bold brass handeles or knobs are picked and attached if the door didn’t come with them already.

 

Colors

 

Tradionally colors are kept simple and basic. For example walls are usually left a fresh clean whites, greys and even light blues. This way accessories or acomaning wall art or furniture stands out against the blank slate. Statement pieces are usually bold primary colors. Such as blacks, blues, and different shades of brown depending on the wood furnishings.

 

Staple Pieces

 

The farm house theme usually has a few things come to mind immideatly; shiplap, hardwood, and the wash tub style sink. All once considered old fashioned at one point but are now being treated as back in style with a modern facelift. Utilities most commonly are porciline or stainless steel. Big washtub style sinks held in a warn wood utility cabinet. Yiu can dress these up with mix and match knobs or handles to give them a unique and personal characteristic.

 

Keep it Simple

 

Simple and clean are the guidelines to live by in this case. No over crowding with knickknacks, busy colors, or clutter. A clean space for a clean mind. The farmhouse theme is a simple design to welcome you to your home and keep it inviting to guests. Decorating should include, simple but rustic pieces. Examples of pieces could be antique objects, woven baskets, worn wood furnihsings, and even that looks weathered and tarnished. Old is new in this case.

Guest Contributor, Klaudia Schueler

Common Bad Roofing Decisions You Should Avoid

Buying a home should be seen as a long-term investment, which means that people should have no reservations when it comes to making sure that the structure is sturdy. Homeowners should include getting a sturdy roof to protect themselves from the elements.

Getting a sturdy roof to protect the home is only the first step since homeowners must also check on their roofs to ensure that they will stay protected from the harsh elements without complication. However, most homeowners neglect their roofing and make bad decisions when it comes to maintaining them.

Neglecting to Inspect the Roof

Many homeowners are content to know that they have a roof covering their heads and neglect to check on its current status. Our roofs will sustain damages throughout their service lives, and inspecting them is a must before any problems with them become worse enough to cause inconveniences.

Not Remedying the Problems Immediately

Inspecting the roof is one thing, but taking steps to fix the problems spotted during an inspection is another. Some homeowners deliberately neglect to fix the issues since they believe that their roofs can still withstand the weather and offer adequate protection. Due to their neglect, many minor issues tend to worsen and cause significant damages to the roof. Homeowners will also likely see whether their gutters are clogged or not when inspecting the roof, which is why cleaning them is a must. Gutters clogged with dead leaves, twigs, and other debris won’t be able to drain water through the downspout, resulting in water damage on the roof and other parts of the house. Roofs damaged due to curling or missing shingles will need to be replaced as soon as possible. Poorly maintained roofs will also need to be replaced when they’re past their service lives. When the roof has curling or missing shingles, it iss wise to replace them as soon as possible. Roofs that are past their service lives must also be replaced, primarily when they are poorly maintained.

Settling with Low-Quality Roofing Materials

Roof replacements are expensive, which is why homeowners must properly maintain the roofs that they have to ensure that it can stand up to the harsh elements. However, a time may come when homeowners have no choice but to replace their roofs. Some homeowners might look for ways to save money during the initial purchase, which can mean getting a roof with low-grade materials. People can indeed save money now when they settle for the cheapest option, but the level of protection such roofing can give is never assured. Relying on the cheapest roofing contractors. Another mistake that homeowners commit in their bid to save money is relying on the cheapest roofing contractor to install their roofs. Having a reputable roofer handle the roof’s installation should be a homeowner’s priority, but due to how costly it can be, some are forced to look for alternatives. An experienced and reliable roofing contractor may be rather pricey, but their services are guaranteed to be of high quality. There is no guarantee that a cheap contractor can do the job well, and there is also the possibility that the installation will be done poorly.

Conclusion

Roofs are expensive, which is why people should invest in them to ensure that they will receive the best protection from the elements. When the homeowners have already decided on the roofing material for their homes, then they should rely on the best residential roofing contractor to install the roof for them. After having a durable roof, homeowners should conduct regular maintenance checks to make sure that they won’t fail at a crucial time.

Guest Contributor: Jeremy Kinsworthy

Top 7 Tips for Great Air Quality in Your Working Area

Poor air quality can lead to a multitude of different health problems. It can trigger allergies, irritate eyes, aggravate asthma and if there’s long-term exposure, it can cause serious health issues. Good quality air is vital for a healthy work environment. Here we look at 7 top tips that are going to keep you healthy.

1.) Ventilation

Workspaces can often get very stuffy. You can have the likes of odors, dust and chemical smell from cleaners. One of the easiest ways to get better quality air is simply by opening up the workspace and letting air flow through it.

This isn’t just about getting the clean air from outside, it’s also about getting rid of the air in your office, which can often be quite humid. There is a word of warning, however. If you work in a city center then the air outside may not be the cleanest.

2.) Use an Air Purifier

If you want the highest quality air, get an air purifier . They work to remove dust and other small pieces of debris from the air. This is perfect for anyone with allergies especially but everyone is going to benefit from not having those pollutants in the air.

They work by sucking the surrounding air and running it through various types of filters. The air then comes out of the other side much nicer and easier to breathe. Even a highly-effective air filter is quite affordable and would be a great option.

3.) Clean your AC

While an air conditioning unit can help to clear the air to some extent, their primary use is to keep you comfortable, and not healthy. It can be easy to forget about them and let them do their job without ever thinking about maintaining them.

In reality, it’s vital that you clean and maintain air conditioning units. They accumulate dust and dirt over time and you don’t want them sitting there. There is also the threat of Legionnaire’s disease that is caused by breathing in a mist that can contain bacteria. This can potentially be from unclean AC’s.

4.) Clean the Area of Dust

It is not just the dust in the air that needs purifying, it’s dust everywhere. Clearing your workspace of as much dust as possible will improve air quality. The most obvious culprit here is from the carpets as they need to be vacuum cleaned regularly.

Aside from that, there are also blinds, computers, work areas and any other exposed surfaces that will need to be cleaned. Sometimes a little hard work is needed to get your air quality the highest it could possibly be.

5.) Bring in Some Plants

Everyone knows that plants use up carbon dioxide and give off oxygen. It makes them great for preventing an office space from feeling stuffy and humid. This is especially a great option in those city areas where the air outside isn’t the healthiest.

You do want to be careful about what type of plants you’re going to use. Any that produce pollen is a no-go and you want them to be as easy to maintain as possible. Not only will they improve air quality but they will also make your working area a lot nicer.

6.) Don’t use Industrial Cleaners

Ever been into a kitchen or any other area that has just been bleached? For some, it will instantly give them a headache or make them light-headed. Any use of chemicals in a working area should be limited to only when absolutely necessary.

There are plenty of more friendly cleaners out there on the market that will also kill off bacteria. Using chemicals in a confined space can often do more harm than good. It’s best to avoid them when you can and the air quality will improve because of it.

7.) Check your Appliances

In a working area, there can be numerous types of devices, products, and appliances that can cause air quality to worsen. This could be exposed chemicals, a small gas leak or an inefficient heating system that hasn’t been maintained for years.

It’s important to check appliances regularly and get a professional to give them the green light. Some issues aren’t always that obvious and could be causing illness and headaches etc. Checking them will not only keep air quality high but it’ll also give you peace of mind.

The Importance of Air Quality

The negative effects of air quality aren’t always apparent. Health issues such as headaches can be caused by a wide range of factors and they could be blamed on another issue when, in fact, it was due to the poor air quality.

Longer-term, the effects can be very serious. Respiratory and lung issues have long been linked to air pollution. It’s important to take steps as soon as possible to improve your working area and you’ll soon notice a cleaner, more productive and healthier environment.

Author Bio: Steve Brian is a blogger and writer lived in Los Angeles. He likes swimming, traveling and hiking. He contributes articles about indoor air at airbetter.org.

Guest Contributor: Steve Brian