Home & Garden

Written By Elisha French

Certified Master Plumber in the State Of Texas

Owner of https://friscotxplumbers.com

If there’s an opportunity or a profession that features a lot of money being made, you can be certain there are going to be unscrupulous individuals looking for ways to take advantage of the situation.

The plumbing industry is a good example of this. It’s one of the leading service industries in the United States, filled with mostly honest, hard-working people trying to make a living for their families.

But there are certainly some bad apples as well, people who should be avoided at all costs. They can be difficult at times to weed out, but reading online reviews and checking with the local chamber of commerce before making a hiring decision can certainly help.

There are many scams that these individuals attempt to run, and some show up over and over again. So be on the lookout for some of the more popular ones, so you can avoid becoming a victim yourself.

The Materials Switch Scam

As the name suggests, this scam involves a plumber billing you for a high-end product and then replacing that product with one that’s inferior in quality and not likely to last as long.

To beat this scam, you really need to be on-site when the work is being performed. If the work has already been completed, there’s not a whole lot you can do other that filing a complaint and/or writing a negative review of the company.

One way to stay on top of things is to ask to see the part just before the plumber installs it. Check it over and make sure that you’re getting what you paid for.

If you haven’t received an invoice, or don’t yet know what you’re going to be charged for, ask to see the parts anyway and make a note of what’s being installed. If the invoice doesn’t match your notes, call the plumber on it.

The Extra Workers Scam

If you hire a plumber to do a job in your home and you begin noticing many more people milling about that you intended, this should definitely send up a red flag in your mind.

Some less than honest plumbers will sign on for a job and then begin subbing parts of the job out to associates, oftentimes family members who are out to make a quick buck.

The plumber will come back and tell you that this is a common practice and that they don’t have any control over what these “associates” charge.

To combat this, you really need to have a contract in place before the work actually begins. Short of that, you can put a halt to all work currently being done until you have more clarification from the plumber regarding the situation.

The one thing you don’t want to do is wait until the job is complete before bringing it up. By then, it’s too late and you’re likely going to be stuck with paying the invoice in full.

The Padding The Invoice Scam

If you live in a nice neighborhood and have a high-end home with luxury cars in the driveway, you have a good chance of being victimized by a plumber who you haven’t thoroughly vetted ahead of time.

Some plumbers may pad their invoices as much as 50 to 100 percent in these situations, so you definitely need to keep an eye out for that.

To prevent this from happening, obtain estimates from a few different plumbers and see what shakes out. This could well open your eyes to a scam in the making.

The Floating Estimate Scam

If a plumber, or any service professional for that matter, tells you that he’s keeping a running total of things in his head and that he’ll provide a written estimate at a later date, stop immediately and have a heart to heart conversation.

This is extremely important! If you don’t get an estimate in writing, then you have no way of protecting yourself down the road when you get hit with that expensive invoice.

Plumbers who engage in this scam are usually very smooth operators, convincing you that they’re on the level and that things will work out in the end.

But just remember to always, always, always get things in writing before any work begins! It’s the only way to protect yourself from these types of individuals.

 

If you’re in the market to buy a new home, you’re probably also looking for any way that you can save yourself some money in the process. While there are various ways that you can save here and there, one of the biggest and most impactful ways to save money when buying a new home is to ensure that you get the best possible home loan offer.

For those who don’t have much experience with getting a home loan, you might not know exactly what to look for in a great home loan offer. So to help you navigate these waters, here are three tips for finding the best home loan offer for your financial situation.

Come In With A Great Credit Score

To qualify for a great home loan offer, you first have to be a great applicant. One of the biggest factors in this, according to Jennifer Bradley Franklin, a contributor to Bankrate.com, is to have an outstanding credit score.

The better your credit score is, the better your chances are of getting a great home loan offer that has a lower interest rate. So if your credit score currently isn’t where it could or should be, you may want to spend some time working on that. To do this, you could limit the amount of debt you have, ensuring that you’re paying all your bills on time, and stop applying for additional lines of credit before you start applying for home loans.

Get Multiple Quotes

In order to know that you’re getting the best possible home loan offer for your financial situation, you’ve got to get multiple quotes from multiple lenders.

When you get these quotes, Beth Buczynski, a contributor to NerdWallet.com, recommends that you pay particular attention to what the APR, or annual percentage rate, is and what, if any, origination fees you’ll be paying. With this information, you should be able to compare which offer is going to make the most sense for you.

Work With A Good Mortgage Broker

If you don’t feel like you’re up to doing all the research and work of finding the best home loan offer all by yourself, Tobie Stanger, a contributor to Consumer Reports, shares that you can always choose to work with a mortgage broker.

A mortgage broker is someone who will shop for your mortgage for you. Keep in mind, however, that it’s the banks that pay the mortgage broker, so you’ll want to research brokers carefully before you choose one to work with.

To help you make the best choice when buying a home and acquiring a home loan, consider implementing some of the tips mentioned above.

Conquering home improvement projects can make your house more liveable, but home improvement is also a great way to add value to your property’s price tag. If you ever intend to sell your home, boosting its equity will assure a bigger check.

Get the best ROI (return on investment) by researching which upgrades make the most impact on your equity. Take the time now to read through a brief overview, featuring a handful of home improvements, that will boost your equity by more than a handful of cash.

Take it to the kitchen

The kitchen is the most trafficked room in your home. Anything you invest in upgrading your kitchen (within reason) is going to bring back close to a hundred percent of your investment.

However, you have to consider the upgrade. Be reasonable. Don’t add gold trimming to laminate countertops. Research which kitchen upgrades make the most difference, and consider what you want to do from there.

Add square footage when possible

If your home has an unfinished basement or attic space, finishing the space could become a lucrative investment. Anytime you add liveable square footage to your floor plan you add value to your home.

The cost of drywall, flooring, and some paint is far less than you’ll get from listing your home as a three-bedroom instead of a two-bedroom. You’ll also have more room for yourself and your family while you are living in your home.

Spruce up the exterior

The exterior of your home matters too. It’s worth the investment to spend money maintaining your landscaping. You may want to add an outdoor living space as well.

While you spend time living in your home, make small upgrades here and there. You may also consider getting a fresh paint job on the exterior of your home every 5-10 years to keep it looking as good as new.

Upgrading energy efficiency

Anytime you can upgrade your home’s energy efficiency, you have an investment worth making. Upgrade your home’s HVAC unit, the appliances in the kitchen, your washer and dryer, and the windows and doors sealing your home can be upgraded.

When your home is more energy-efficient, you’ll save money while living there. When you sell, you’ll capitalize further on your efficiency investment.

Minor bathroom upgrades are lucrative

You don’t have to completely overhaul your bathrooms to make a lucrative investment. Try doing a minor upgrade yourself. There are several simple jobs in the bathroom that you and your family can handle without calling in the pros.

Recaulk your bathtub. Replace the vanity. Slap a fresh coat of paint on the room, and call it done. You’ll see just how much a simple upgrade can change the aesthetic of the room.

 

In today’s economy, people are becoming cash strapped as they spend their income on big homes, flash cars, fancy food and entertainment. In this post we are going to explore why you should consider living small and how to go about moving to a minimalist lifestyle.

Why you should live small

Modernisation and industrialisation were both a blessing and a curse. Even though today we are extremely fortunate for the useful gadgets, fancy foods and spacious homes that we have, we don’t actually need them to lead a fulfilling life. If you look back to hundreds of years ago, our ancestors lived very basic yet happy lives with basic food supplies, a small home and only enough changes of clothes to last a week or less.

Think about the amount of stuff that you own and never use such as clothes, toys or electronics. All of these things had to be made using processes and materials which all contribute to a negative impact on our environment. Plus, by not spending as much money on things you don’t really need, you are able to save more for your future.

While we don’t need to step back into another time to live small, there are ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint on the world, spend less and save more, and ultimately live a happier life.

How to live small

1) Do you really need that much space?

Large homes are often a symbol of success, but usually a lot of the space goes unused. Tiny homes are becoming extremely popular with people who want to live small and there are some great designs to make excellent use of space. And instead of using traditional building materials, you can opt for more cost-effective options such as used shipping containers.

2) Get rid of clutter

Many of us hate the thought of throwing things out, but then we end up with a house full of clutter and not enough space to store things. Take a weekend to declutter your home and throw out or give away to charity anything you don’t really need or haven’t used in a long time.

3) Think about the food you buy

Food waste is a huge problem. The more food you buy, the more you spend, and the greater strain on our resources. Before heading to the supermarket, make a weekly meal plan and decide exactly which items you need to buy and the quantity so there will be zero waste at the end of the week. You should also consider the types of food you buy. Eating organically is not only better for you but is also better for the environment.

4) Learn to be content with what you have

Rushing out to buy the new iPhone may seem like something you need to do, but is there really anything wrong with your current phone? Too often we want the latest and greatest things, but we can be content with the things that we have if they are still in working order.

Living small can have different definitions for different people, but it doesn’t need to be as scary as you might think. If you start to consider your spending and lifestyle habits, you can gradually move to a minimalist lifestyle that is kinder on your wallet and the environment.

If you spend all the time and money it takes to purchase a home, you’ll want to do all you can to make sure that home stays in good repair for as long as you occupy its space. Keeping up with the maintenance on your home will also work to save you money over time.

You won’t have to pay to replace the big-ticket items in your home as often or as soon when you take the necessary steps to preserve their condition. Take a few moments now to read through a brief look at some home maintenance tips you’ll want to follow in order to be a responsible homeowner.

Monthly home maintenance routines

There are things around your home that you should do regularly every month. If you’re new to homeownership, consider these tasks each month to maintain the integrity of your house.

• Check the HVAC filter (and change if dirty).
• Clean out the sink disposal.
• Spray for pests to avoid termite damage in your home.
• Inspect your fire extinguisher.
• Test the auto-reverse function on your garage door.
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.

What to check annually on your home

Winter – Check for air leaks around doors and windows to keep your home warm and your energy costs down during the winter. Keep an eye out for ice buildup around your home that may cause damage to the exterior of the structure.

Spring – Get your HVAC unit ready to combat the heat of the summer. Consider having it serviced at least once per year. Check and clean residual debris from your gutters, and give the garden a little pick-me-up.

Summer – Get outside in the sunshine to look over the integrity of your deck and other parts of your home. Check that all your plumbing is functioning with ease, and clean the exterior portion of your dryer vent. Lint buildup is a fire hazard.

Fall – When the leaves fall in the Autumn, your gutters can get mucked up. Inspect and clean out your gutters. Flush out the hot water heater to remove excess sediment buildup. Clean out your chimney for warm nights by the fire, and check your sump pump to keep the basement dry.

Look at these things every couple of years

You should test your hot water heater’s pressure release valve every two years. It’s good to know it will work in the case of an emergency. Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and vacuum the dust off of your refrigerator coils.

Take steps to defend against water

Water is your home interior’s worst enemy. More homes deal with damage from water than any other perpetrator. Also, understand the maintenance and function of your home’s sump pump to protect against basement water leaks.

 

When you purchase a new home, it’s easy to get lost in the excitement of it all. A new place to call home, a new level of stability, and a new financial responsibility are enough to keep your brain thoroughly occupied.

However, there are other issues to attend to when you become the owner of a new home. Whether the property is brand new or just new to you, there will always be certain improvement and maintenance details to understand.

Take a moment now to read through a brief summary, featuring some helpful home improvement/maintenance tips for those who are new to homeownership.

Yard maintenance for the seasons

Depending on the time of the year, your yard needs different types of care. As a new homeowner, you should familiarize yourself with the various yearly upkeep tasks you’ll need to complete to keep your yard looking lively and in order.

If you have a lot of trees in your yard, for example, you’ll need to invest in tree care throughout the year. You don’t want your trees dying or looking shabby.

Your HVAC unit is vital

The cost of total replacement for your home’s heating and air unit could put quite a strain on your bank account. It’s wise to educate yourself on the proper upkeep of your unit, so you can get as many good production years from it as possible.

Change your air filter every month on the same day. Have your system cleaned and inspected at least once every few years. Look after your HVAC system, and your home will remain comfortable for many, many years.

Mind the gaps in your home

Gaps in your home allow airflow from the outside to interfere with your interior environment. An unstable environment could make room for mold, and gaps make it more difficult to control the temperature in your home.

Make a trip around the house yearly to inspect for air leaks and gaps around windows or doors. Energy consumption in your home will be much more manageable without the trouble of leaky windows, doors, or crawl spaces.

Finish the attic or basement

If you’re looking to invest in some home improvement, you can start high or low. Finishing the attic or basement in your home will add to the square footage. You’ll gain equity by completing a new room in your house.

Small maintenance tips

There are several small-time maintenance tasks you should complete around your home throughout the year. For instance, you’ll need to clean out your dryer vents, clean up your refrigerator coils, and clean out gutters and downspouts every few months to keep everything running smoothly.

 

Once you become a homeowner, the drive to better your property begins. Everything you do to upgrade or repair your property will add to the resale value from the moment you take ownership.

Your home is not just a safe space for you and your family. It is a long term investment. Take a moment to look over a short list of some of the most impactful updates you can make to your home. Boost your equity and your living space at the same time with these helpful hints.

Upgrade your garage door

You may not consider your garage such an important part of your home, but homebuyers value a well-maintained garage area. Try updating the garage door and it’s components to add an extra appeal to future home buyers.

Give the house a fresh coat of paint

It won’t cost you much (in perspective) to give your home a fresh coat of paint before you choose to sell it. A new paint job will boost your home’s curb appeal while shedding several years off of its aesthetic.

Add energy efficient appliances

Adding energy efficient appliances to your home may cost you a bit of dough in the beginning, but you’ll make your money back over time. The trick is to install the upgrades long before you plan to sell your home.

Get the use out of them, and then get even more benefits from them once you resell the property. You may also create an opportunity for a tax credit by upgrading your appliances to Energy Star energy efficient machines.

Finish the attic/basement area

There’s never a bad time to add a little extra to your floor plan. Extra square footage means that your home is worth more on the market. Finishing the attic or basement space also means that you and your friends/family will have more room to congregate.

Add some gorgeous landscaping

Adding some trees, bushes, and perennials to your yard will spruce up the curb appeal of your home. You may think it only matters when it’s time to sell, but maintaining your yard has other benefits.

You didn’t purchase the property to spend all of your time indoors. Enjoy the surrounding land, and invest in upgrading your landscaping.

Install new windows and doors

If you’re living in an older home, it may be a good time to replace the windows and doors in the place. It’s not the most inexpensive upgrade for your home, but it will add value to the property.

Do a minor bathroom remodel

You don’t have to do a major overhaul if it’s not necessary. A minor bathroom remodel can be quite beneficial to your home’s equity as well. Try replacing the vanity and refurbishing the bathtub, and you’ll be well on your way to a “new-to-you” bathroom setup.

 

Getting a kitchen door may be one of the most daunting tasks during your furnishing phase. This could be attributed mainly to the fact that several considerations, such as the door material and its material properties, are to be considered. Thankfully, IKEA has a lot of doors designed for this very purpose. However, the challenge becomes finding which of these doors best suits your needs.

If you want to get yourself a kitchen door, then the recommendation would most definitely be an IKEA kitchen door.

What is IKEA?

IKEA is a home furnishing store with over 70 years of experience in the business. They are an authority in the furniture business, producing perfectly designed furniture. They are the perfect solution to all interior furnishing and decorating challenges, plus you can pretty much install any product yourself. With IKEA, you can be sure to find something within each category that is fitted to your style and taste.

IKEA KITCHEN DOORS

Based on the properties which we would like to have in a kitchen door, we will take a broad look at some of the factors that make IKEA kitchen doors worth the investment.

WHAT ARE IKEA KITCHEN DOORS MADE OF?

IKEA KITCHEN DOORS are primarily made from fibreboard. While a couple of other materials are used in the production of these doors, the fundamental component in the many of the IKEA kitchen doors available is fibreboard. A fibreboard is made from compressed wood or plant fibre- the process of making fibreboards is simple. It’s the compression of plant or wood fibre into sheets that can be used as building materials. Due to its primary material, it’s very durable and flexible.

There are basically three types of fibreboard: the particleboard or low- density board, the medium density fibreboard (MDF), and hardwood. The particular type used in the IKEA kitchen doors is the medium density fibreboard (MDF).

Apart from being used in the making of IKEA kitchen doors, the medium density fibreboard (MDF) can be used for low-slope roofing, sheathing of walls in the home, and flooring amongst a host of other things. It’s preferred for its smoothness, strength, flexibility, and consistency.

WHY USE MDF?

For a company that has been in the business for over 70 years, IKEA’s choice of material is most definitely more than a mere aesthetic hunch. In truth, most of the IKEA doors are beautifully made yet are functional in their regard, ensuring that you get the best looking door at an affordable cost, and with all the functionality you require from the door.

Here are a couple of factors that make IKEA kitchen doors from most others.

1. Affordability

The cost of processing MDF is relatively cheaper than a lot of other wood types. This makes it a cheap replacement for wood. This also means that most of the products and furniture made from MDF more affordable. Hence, regardless of your income level, you can afford to purchase an IKEA kitchen door, which would be as functional as it is aesthetically appealing. You don’t have to empty your treasure chests to get a great door!

2. Insect resistance

The chemicals used in the production of IKEA kitchen doors makes it resistant to most insects. This means that your kitchen door may last for as long as you live, based on its durable properties.

3. Eco-Friendly

IKEA kitchen doors are mostly made from recycled wood materials. In a time where there is a critical need to keep it green, the MDF, which is a fundamental material in the production of IKEA kitchen doors, serves as a better option to cutting down trees. This simply implies that IKEA’s kitchen doors are Eco-friendly.

4. Design friendly

The MDF is more design-friendly than your regular wood. This makes it easier to cut into different shapes. It’s also easier to make depictions on this wood, thus making it a better material for aesthetic purposes.

This is especially evident when you take a look at any IKEA kitchen door. They tend to look well cut to finish and are very sleek and beautiful.

5. Consistent in size and strength

Another reason why IKEAs kitchen doors are worth the investment is the consistency of the material used in manufacturing the doors. It does not shrink and expand like normal wood due to changes in weather. So, there is very little to worry about in regards to having to deal with a bent door.

CAN YOU PAINT IKEA KITCHEN DOORS?

Yes, you can. Due to the structure of the material that it’s made of, it takes paint well and looks a lot better than regular wood. So just in case you feel like giving your kitchen a lift, you could decide to paint your kitchen door.

YOU CAN RENEW YOUR KITCHEN

Talking about changing doors, you can renew that kitchen you built in the Stone Age to look like a modern-day kitchen, with little or no major expenses. Simply get IKEA kitchen doors and cabinets and save on the installation costs if you are a DIY junkie.

CAN YOU REPLACE IKEA CABINET DOORS?

If you have an older IKEA cabinet, all you have to do is change all the cabinet doors to new ones. No one except you, me, and IKEA may ever know of your sneaky upgrade. Don’t worry you can trust us to keep your little secret forever. You don’t really have to do much to give your kitchen the perfect lift that you desire. Just an IKEA kitchen door and some cabinet doors will do. Plus, in case you wish to change the look again, you know what to do.

There you have it. You can make your kitchen look just the way you want it to. Functional, alluring, yet affordable.

 

 

Christmas is fast approaching, which means it’s time for the decorations to come out! If you are looking forward to welcoming winter into your home – minus the cold – but need some guidance in how to make your house look magical, we can help you to create a winter haven. Here are some top tips on how to design your very own winter wonderland at home.

Make a good first impression

While the majority of the decorations will feature inside your home – there is nothing to stop you from making your outdoor area pretty too. With items such as light up reindeers and neon style polar bear lights available at the likes of Cox & Cox, you can make your front garden just as gorgeous as your front room.

Light up your rooms

From decorative pre-lit trees to sparkling string lights, there are some beautiful light up pieces that you can begin to collect during the festive season. Wrap twinkly lights around your bannister or pop a light up birch tree in the hallway for an instant winter wonderland feel.

Start collecting unique pieces

No matter whether you prefer cute penguins, cheeky snowmen or red-nosed reindeers, Christmas decorations come in all shapes and sizes – the more unique, the better. Place them on windowsills, shelves or even on the Christmas tree to give your home that magical feel.

Get crafty

Get creative and make your own paper snowflakes. Not only will you save money on decorations, but you’ll keep the kids entertained for hours too. Once you’re done, tie some clear string around them and hang them from wherever you like.

Find your signature scent

Transform the ambiance in your home with a beautiful scented candle. No matter whether you’re a fan of nutmeg, cinnamon or vanilla, there are so many different scents these days to choose from!

Get cosy

Have you been meaning to pick up a beautiful new fluffy rug for a while now? Or perhaps you’ve been wanting to upcycle that old table that never gets used? Before Christmas arrives, create a gorgeous space perfect for the whole family and get cosy together.

And there you have it – your winter wonderland is complete! Once you’ve hung up your decorations, found the ideal spot for your tree and picked up some scented candles, there’s hopefully only one thing left to worry about – cooking your Christmas dinner!

Yes, this is where we’re at now – even cleaning a roof has its own environmental pitfalls. This might not mean much if, like most people, you’ve never even considered cleaning your roof. However, once you’ve learned a little about why roof cleaning is important, and how eco-friendly roof cleaning is even better, it might become something you do as part of your regular property maintenance regime.

Why clean a roof in the first place?

Well, first of all – it looks good. A sparkling roof means greater curb appeal for your property… not that this alone is reason enough to start cleaning your roof (unless you’re selling the place, that is). Secondly, and getting into the important stuff, cleaning a roof removes mold and algae that can start to eat away at your timber, if allowed the opportunity.

Plus, if this occurs, the scent of damp wood alone actually attracts pests. Remember that myth from school about hair lice only being attracted to clean hair? Well, now you know that woodlice can actually be deterred by the scent of a freshly cleaned roof.

And finally, getting on to the eco-friendly, in addition to the home-friendly benefits of regularly cleaning your roof, a dirty roof is actually less energy efficient than a clean one. A filthy roof, covered in debris, isn’t actually reflecting energy from the sun away from its surface as effectively.

Instead, your property is absorbing more heat, so in the summer months you may find it harder to regulate temperature inside the property – and your loft space could become more prone to holding moisture. And conversely, during winter, you may find that having the heating on leads to an awkward distribution of warmth on different levels of the home.

The eco-friendly cleaning option

More than this though, the method of cleaning itself plays a big part in the impact you have on your local environment. The quickest method of cleaning a roof is a power wash, and chemical spray, which covers every inch of the roof’s surface. However, even if you leave your kids and pets inside while this takes place, the chemical run off ends up in your garden, all over your windows, and any local fauna unlucky enough to be nearby.

Products like detergents and bleach solutions can prove to be particularly damaging for plants, and the tiny beasties that live nearby, which are often food for birds and squirrels (if they aren’t killed by the chemicals first!). So, even though you’ll have a wonderfully clean roof, a simple consumer decision on the products used to clean the roof could help you to not only protect your roof – but keep your garden in top nick too.

So, when you’re looking for specialist roof cleaners, or roofing companies that offer a full range of services, like Findley roofing contractors in Darlington, ask them about what they’d use to clean a roof. There are plenty of excellent, environmentally-friendly products available, so there’s no reason a reputable company should be saving a few pennies by continuing to use harmful, chemical cleaners.

Finally, if you decide to clean your roof yourself, shop around for most environmentally friendly cleaners available, and give both your home and your garden some TLC in the process.