Home & Garden

When you are busy with work and family, cleaning your house in Houston may sometimes be at the bottom of your priority list. With the long hours in the office and helping the children study for their upcoming exams, there’s simply not enough time to squeeze cleaning and disinfecting the bedroom or the living room. You can read tips on efficient house cleaning on this site here.

Life gets busy, and when it does, having a sparkling home should never feel like a burden or a chore to you. This is where professional cleaners become helpful.

Your house is a space where you relax, unwind, and feel secure in general. The pros’ services include helping you have an immaculate property that will look its best every time you come home or if there are guests coming over.

Some of the cleaners will go out of their way to know your preferences and how you would like to remove the stains on the carpet. They can suggest vacuuming or dry-cleaning processes wherever you are comfortable just to ensure that you are satisfied with their services.

Impact of a Tidy Home

Hiring someone to do the hard work of tidying and disinfecting your house should be the first step on your journey to protect your family and property.

You deserve to have a neat living room when you go home in Houston, and you can dive into fresh sheets that smell like fragrant roses when you want to sleep.

At the end of the day, arriving at a well-maintained home can make you feel more relaxed and happier. Here are other reasons why you should consider home cleaning services:

Improve the Overall Quality of Living

When you always see messy places, you may be reminded of the tasks you need to do, and you may be having a difficult time concentrating on your work. Clutter can cause stress hormones to rise, and they can cause more worries. You may tend to be irritable throughout the day when you realize that there are so many things around you that need your attention.

In another scenario, a spotless environment can help your mind to be at ease and be more relaxed in the process. You can rest easy knowing that no plates are waiting for you, or there are no scattered toys that you need to put into their boxes. The safer environment will help improve your interactions with your family and friends, and you can concentrate on other things instead of cleaning.

Improve Air Quality

If you want to maintain a good quality of air inside the house, it is essential to sustain indoor hygiene at all times. There are factors like dust, pet dander, mold, and hair that can be the cause of allergies for other family members and with this said, the house should be cleaned regularly to prevent asthma attacks.

Dust particles can trigger an allergic reaction or any other medical condition, so it’s important to have regular deep cleanings once every week for a more comfortable home.

Signs of Bad Indoor Air Quality

The air inside the house can be harmful to your loved ones without you realizing it. With this said, here are some signs that you need to be aware of to see the quality of air in your indoor spaces.

• Many furniture and corners are accumulating dust.
• There are always asthmatic reactions from your guests.
• Allergic reactions can’t be avoided.
• Sickness is prevalent in the family.

The carpets, upholstery, curtains, and other furniture pieces inside the home can trap dirt, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens from the air. They can contribute to poor indoor air quality, so you must call the right people from companies like Arte Clean to disinfect and remove the allergens inside your home. These people will take care of the corners, and they can vacuum your rooms to reduce the allergens and improve air quality in your property.

Cleaning Different Living Spaces inside your Property

Most cleaning companies are designed to meet your needs even if you have unpredictable schedules. Although it is ideal to have the cleaners visit you regularly, you are always in control. This means that you only have to pay the fees whenever the pros come.

The trained members of the cleaning company will be able to do a one-time cleaning service if needed, or you can schedule them to tidy up some of your bedrooms if you are hosting get-togethers during holiday seasons.

To ensure that everything is covered for the owners who schedule regular maintenance and disinfecting services, the staff follows specific processes and have the same tools every time. The monthly, weekly, and bi-weekly processes usually focuses on two rooms, and the “every time” procedures may be more on taking care of the rest of the areas. The methods are meticulous, but you are rest assured that you get the quality that you are looking for.

Bedroom and Living Room Services

If this is your first-time getting services from cleaners, they can start dusting the surfaces of picture frames, light fixtures, baseboards, and furniture. Learn more about how to reduce dust on this site here: https://housewifehowtos.com/clean/how-to-reduce-household-dust/. The finishing process is vacuuming and getting the master closets and bed made up.

As a result, everything in the bedroom will be straightened up, dusted, wiped, and washed. The glass and the mirrors will be gleaming in the bright sunlight, and the upholstery will be vacuumed. This is the same thing in the living room areas where the chairs and the sofa beds are given the attention they deserve. The side tables are wiped, the decorations are washed, and the stains on the floor are removed.

Some other rooms and procedures are included in the services. You can contact your local cleaning company and see all the things that they can do for you. You’ll be surprised about the help that they can extend to you and how your quality of life has dramatically improved after the cleaning process. You can always enjoy a tidy home in Houston without the need to spend so much time, money, and effort in cleaning everything.

 

Who doesn’t love coming home to a clean and great smelling home? Count us in! But when you’re working a full-time job keeping up with hose work is like an additional job when you come home from work.

Professional house cleaners can help you keep your home spotless without all the work. This article will show you how to choose the best house cleaning service, so keep reading!

Do Some Research

When hiring house cleaning services, it pays to do your research. Start by asking your friends and family members for recommendations of any services they have used in the past.

The best recommendations usually come by word of mouth but if no one you know uses cleaning services check online for recommendations. Professional house cleaners will have a website and list testimonials from happy customers.

You can even ask the company for a reference that you can speak with over the phone before you hire them.

Look on their website to see if they are registered with your local chamber of commerce and other business associations like the Better Business Bureau.

Conduct an Interview

Once you’ve narrowed down your choices to a couple of candidates reach out to them to conduct an interview. This can usually be done over the phone but sometimes people also want to conduct the interview in person.

After all, this cleaning service will be coming into your home, so you need to be able to trust them.

If you are hiring a large house cleaning company ask them if you can speak directly to the cleaner who will be cleaning your home. Most of the time these companies are happy to comply.

Take a Look at Their Credentials

Any made service you hire should be licensed and insured just in case. Ask if they have business insurance that will protect against broken and stolen items. It also covers the company in case your house cleaner gets hurt in your home on the job.

If you are hiring a large house cleaning company ask if they have completed a background check on the cleaners who will be in your home. If you are hiring an individual it is okay to perform your own background check online.

Ask About the Price Upfront

Most reputable house cleaning companies will discuss price upfront. The last thing you want to happen is to have a house cleaner decide to raise the rates in the middle of the cleaning.

Whether you are paying by the hour or by the job, make sure you have the pricing information in writing before they begin to do the work to avoid any disputes.

Some house cleaning services offer a discount if you are going to have house cleaning performed on a weekly or monthly basis. It never hurts to ask but also keep in mind with house cleaning you usually get what you pay for.

The Best House Cleaning Service

The best house cleaning service is one that meets your standards. Use this helpful guide to help you choose the right house cleaning service for you. If you’re interested in cleaning your house inside out, services like professional gutter cleaning will be a great addition to your list. You can check out our latest home and family articles now.

 

If you’re like most people, you never give much thought to your air conditioner. Until that is, it won’t turn on in the middle of a July heatwave.

Not only does that leave you feeling uncomfortable in your own home, but it can often lead to costly out-of-pocket expenses.

While you should only have to fully replace your unit every 15 to 20 years, there are plenty of common air conditioner problems you should watch out for, especially as your system gets older.

Keep reading for a closer look at some of the most common AC issues so you know what to expect the next time your system gives you trouble.

1. Evaporator Coil Issues

The evaporator coils in your air conditioning unit contain refrigerant. This helps to cool down the air blowing in your home, making you feel more comfortable. So, when the evaporator coils have issues, your unit won’t work as it should.

There are a number of things that can cause your evaporator coils to stop working, including:

• Damage, due to fallen limbs around your unit
• Corrosion build-up
• Restricted airflow, leading to frozen coils
• Accumulation of dust and dirt

If your unit is no longer blowing cold air into your home, schedule an AC Repair service, as your coils may be experiencing one of these issues.

2. Compressor Failure

The compressor in your air conditioning system is what pushes refrigerant through the evaporator coils.

Without this refrigerant, there’d be nothing to cool down the air in your home. So, if your compressor fails, your home will quickly become uncomfortable. Most often, compressors fail over time due to normal wear and tear from excess use.

However, if you have too much – or not enough – refrigerant in the unit, that can also cause the compressor to break.

3. Damage to the Air Ducts

Not all AC problems stem directly from the unit that sits outside your home. There are other components of the system that can contribute to issues. For example, if the air ducts in your home are damaged, the system can’t work properly.

If your ducts have suffered damage, either from pests in your home or during a construction project, this can lead to air leaks.

As cold air leaks out of the ducts, your system has to work harder, putting more strain on your air conditioner and leading to more serious issues later.

4. Electrical Issues

Anything that uses electricity in your home is at risk of experiencing issues. Your air conditioner is no exception.

There are several components of your air conditioner that are susceptible to electrical failure, including:

• The capacitor, which activates the motor in your unit
• The contractor, which helps start your system
• Relays, breakers, and wiring

If you experience electrical issues, your unit won’t work, and there’s an added risk of a fire starting in your unit. You should take these issues seriously and call in the help of a professional as soon as you can.

5. Broken Fan

Your air conditioner uses two fans to keep you comfortable. The first fan cools the evaporator by blowing indoor air over it.

The second fan blows air over the condenser of the outside unit, pushing the heat absorbed in your home to the outside. If either fan breaks, your unit will need repairs.

Over time, parts of the fans, like the motors and belts may wear out, causing them to break. Additionally, built-up dirt around the fans can cause them to stop working.

If you ignore this problem for too long, it can lead to more serious (and expensive) air conditioner issues down the road.

6. Dirty Filters

Be honest with yourself for a moment and think about how long it has been since you changed the air filters in your home. Has it been longer than a month? If so, you could risk damaging your unit.

It’s easy to forget about changing out your air filters, but the dirtier they get, the harder your AC unit has to work to push air through them.

Over time, this puts a strain on your unit, which can cause it to break down sooner than it otherwise would. Try to remember to change your filters every month.

And, if you’re looking for an environmentally friendly solution, get washable filters that you can clean each month instead of replacing them.

7. Leaking Water

It’s a good idea to visually inspect your air conditioning unit a few times per year. Especially if you’re not scheduling regular maintenance services with a professional.

During these inspections, you’ll want to keep an eye out for water leaks, which can signal a problem. If you notice dripping water around your unit, or you notice standing water nearby, there could be a drainage issue with the unit.

If the condensation that builds up in the unit can’t drain properly, you risk severe damage to your unit, as well as your home. At the first sign of water leaks, call in a professional for help.

8. Wear and Tear

As with anything else in life, time will eventually take its toll on your air conditioner. Even if you are diligent about scheduling regular maintenance, and you get issues fixed as soon as you notice them, your unit will break down at some point.

If you notice that your unit doesn’t seem to be as powerful as it once was, or it’s struggling to cool your home, it could be a sign of normal wear and tear.

While it’s best to get it inspected to see if there’s anything that can be done, be prepared that it might be time for a full replacement.

Fixing Air Conditioner Problems Can Be a Breeze

Now that you know more about the most common air conditioner problems, you also know the signs to look for to help prevent worse issues later.

If you remember to inspect your unit and schedule regular maintenance, fixing even the worst issues can be no big deal.

Looking for more helpful home advice like this? Check out our other articles before you go.

 

Crime does pay if you don’t do your part.

Every year, there are about 2,199.5 property crimes for every 100,000 Americans. Larceny, burglary, and motor vehicle theft all qualify as types of property crimes. Once the thieves leave with the goods, catching them can be difficult, if not impossible.

Luckily, if you have a home security system, you can scare away criminals before they step foot into your house. However, not every security system is made equal. While some are incredibly efficient, others are a waste of your time and money.

If you’re thinking about protecting your home with a security system, then you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll review the top 10 tips for choosing a system that will keep you and your loved ones safe.

Read on to learn how to choose the best security system for your home.

1. Expect Great Customer Service

First, when it comes to choosing a home security system, you have to be picky about who you want as a provider. After all, there’s no point having a state of the art alarm system if it’s not installed or monitored correctly.

To make sure you’re choosing a trustworthy company, take a moment to read online home security system reviews. Find out what current customers are saying about the provider, and pay attention to any repeat complaints.

Next, call the security company to assess their customer service for yourself. If they don’t answer the phone right away, or place you on an extremely long hold, it’s probably not a company you’ll want to do business with.

2. Wireless vs. Landline

Next, when it comes time to choose a security system, you’ll have to decide if you want a landline or wireless one. Wireless security systems are a great choice if your home doesn’t already have a pre-installed system in place.

Wireless symptoms can be installed without having to make any modifications, such as drilling holes, to your home. A landline, or wired, security system, could be the best choice for you if your house is already prewired.

3. Keep Your Budget in Mind

Moving on, you’ll want to consider your budget when you’re getting ready to purchase a security system. As you call around and get quotes from different security company’s, you’ll want to ask them to include a total of all expenses.

Here are some possible expenses you might come across:

• Monthly camera fees
• Installation fees
• Contract vs monthly dues
• Monitoring fees
• Monthly equipment fees

Choosing the cheapest option might not be the safest, however, you can find a middle ground by narrowing down your search. If you’re working with a tight budget, ask the security salesperson what fees you can eliminate to make the plan affordable.

4. Professional Monitoring Is the Best Choice

Another aspect to consider is whether or not you want a self-monitoring or professionally monitored system. We find that a professionally monitored system tends to be the most effective. Why?

When you have a professionally monitored system it’ll be easier to respond to threats such as a fire. In a matter of seconds, a small fire can become large enough to destroy your entire home. If you’re self-monitoring and you’re away from your phone for a few minutes, that’s all it would take for your house to burn down.

5. Smart Home Integration

A smart security system goes above and beyond in the event of a burglar break-in. Instead of simply alerting you, a smart system will use your home’s Wi-Fi network to communicate with smart devices.

For instance, if you have smart door locks or light bulbs, your security system would be able to activate them. Another advantage of smart systems is that they can use cloud storage to save videos and photos.

6. Sensors Your Home Needs

To have the best security system in place, you’ll need to cover all of your bases when it comes to sensors. Here’s a list of sensors you should look for:

• Door and window sensors
• Smoke detection sensors
• Temperature sensors
• Glassbreak sensors
• Motion Sensors

In addition to the list above, it’s also a good idea for your home security system to include a driveway sensor.

7. Consider Add-on Components

If you’re going to get a smart home security system, there a few add ons you should take advantage of. First, opt for a cell dialer to give you remote control of your system from your computer or smartphones.

Next, include a doorbell camera to help you monitor who’s coming and going. Finally, smart thermostats can help you keep your house at the perfect temperature, even when you’re away.

8. Best Alarms and Sirens

While it’s great to catch burglars in the act, it’s even better to scare them off before they enter your home. Make sure that the alarms and sirens your system uses are startling and loud enough to deter would-be criminals. Think earsplitting levels of volume for your alarms, along with motion detector capabilities.

9. Professional vs DIY Installation

Now you’re ready to decide if you want to install your security system on your own or have a professional do it. Wireless systems are the best DIY home security system. However, if you’re looking to wire your home with a landline system, you’ll likely need the help of a professional.

10. Why Size Matters

Finally, there isn’t a one size fits all solution when it comes to choosing the best security system for your home. If you live in a small 1 bedroom apartment, you could benefit from a simple, smaller system. However, if you have a large house, you’ll need a larger more complex system that can handle monitoring each area and collecting information.

If you have a very big property installing more cameras would mean spending more money. The same goes for sensors, trips and other tech security systems. People who own large properties can always go for roller shutters to ensure safety and security of their property. You can always speak to the roller shutter specialists and get a quote from them. If you have doubts about the material or the security, they will be able to provide talking would be the best way to address your concerns.

Find the Right Home Security System Today

Now you can start shopping for the best home security system for your home. Which tip in this article was the most helpful for you?

Were you surprised to learn DIY installations are easier if you have a wireless system? Or how about all of the different sensors and alarms your system should include?

By keeping your budget in mind, while also considering your needs, you’ll finally be able to have the peace of mind you deserve. For more articles like this one, explore the rest of this site.

As you approach your 60s, you will likely start to make changes in your life. Is your retirement coming up? What hobbies of lifestyle changes do you want to embrace during your Golden Years? Throughout this period, you will also need to update your home to prepare for the next chapter. The kids have moved out of the house and the space is yours. Consider these five modifications to make in your home.

Buying a home is an exciting experience. But some unforeseeable factors can make you regret your decision, making it an uncomfortable experience. Home buying is a complex procedure as you work towards balancing your needs against your financial limitations. Sometimes, just the emotional stress felt after making a huge purchase can make you wish you had clarified every detail beforehand. This is called homebuyer’s remorse.

Common Causes of Homebuyer’s Remorse:

Some of the reasons when buyers experience remorse:

• Spending too much money – This may arise when buyers do not account for additional costs such as home inspections. Closing costs such as real estate taxes, insurance, utilities can come as a surprise making you feel like you are spending too much money.
• Buying a house in the wrong neighborhood – some buyers fear that the real estate cost in their neighborhood may decline in the future and property values may trend downwards.
• Fear that they bought the wrong house – Some buyers are worried that the house purchased may incur maintenance costs or have some hidden costs. They also feel that they could have gotten a better deal if they had waited it out.

Tips to Avoid Homebuyer’s Remorse

If you are looking to buy a home in the future, here are some ways to make a decision without regretting it later on:

• Evaluate your requirements and don’t rush with you purchase

Buying a home is a big decision and rushing to make a big purchase without listing down your requirements can cause regrets. You may feel pressured to make your decision if you are buying in an area that is hot in the housing market, but you need to take your time to evaluate your own requirements, find out your priorities, get to know the neighborhood, and then make the decision.

• Focus on the Details

When you come across a home that looks fancy, your first instinct may be to go ahead and lock it down. But it is important to look at all the details of a home such as how long has it been on the market, when was it last sold, what are the property taxes, what are the house rates in the area before making your purchase decisions. Conduct a complete home inspection to find if there are any issues with plumbing, electric system, heating or cooling systems, roofing, windows, doors, walls and ceilings, foundation as well as the basement. A major factor contributing to the buyer’s remorse is finding out maintenance issues in the house after buying it.

• Trust your decisions and ignore any outside input

Family and friends can often question your purchase decisions or offer suggestions in good faith, but this can pressurize you to rethink your decisions and cause discomfort. The best way to avoid this is to trust yourself as long as you have done your due diligence and conducted all your groundwork. Always remember that your family or friends may not have enough information about the market, mortgage rates, or may not even have owned property themselves.

How can a Mortgage Professional assist you?

A mortgage professional can take away your stress and provide you with knowledgeable, pre-emptive advice on various aspects that you need to consider while buying a new home. You may have conducted all the necessary research but sometimes you just need a professional to reassure you. A mortgage professional can help you identify the common causes of remorse early on and help you make an informed, well-evaluated decision that you will not regret later on.

For more information from mortgage professionals on how you can avoid Homebuyer’s Remorse, visit https://blog.rexhomes.com/avoid-homebuyers-remorse/

 

You may be okay doing the dishes and other house chores without any help, but there are instances where you will need help with getting out tough stains. When you visit here on a knowledgeable resource, you see that this could be in your home or place or business, and how seeking the help of professional pressure washing services could be the solution to dealing with stubborn stains.

Getting in touch with professional cleaners would be ideal when you need specialized cleaning services, and the type of washing in question would determine the cleaners to hire. Experts such as the Buckley Brothers professional pressure washing service offer various services, including residential and commercial premises cleaning. You can equally find those that provide machinery services, so it all depends on the type of pressure washing you want to be done.

Situations that Require Pressure Washing

You will likely need one when you are dealing with a sticky situation, and getting it done yourself could be messy (and that’s if you can). Below are some examples of instances where you will have to work with professional pressure washing services.

Cleaning a New Home or Renovation

If you have just finished working on a new home or renovation, you will surely be left with a lot of mess to tidy. Stains from paint, cement, and gum will need pressure techniques to wipe them off before you move in proper.

Stains on the driveway, yard, building surfaces will also need to be taken care of. It is possible to locate experts who provide services specifically for new buildings, so watch out for these.

Cleaning Gutters and Drains

You will need to clean your drains and gutters in your surrounding regularly. They are many ways your drains and channels get clogged. Dirt from the rain, wind, vegetation, and even stone particles all end up in there. And when it gets filled up, it becomes a problem.

Again, you can find professional pressure washers who help with drain cleaning if this is the service you need. The link here https://www.wikihow.com/Clean-Drains has tips on how to clean your drains.

Commercial Cleaning

If you are faced with a messy situation at work, or you want to wipe tough stains from your equipment and production floor, you will require the services of pressure washers. It is common for factories and industries engaged in production to leave a lot of mess at the end of a working day. And before work commences the next day, it may be required that the station be cleaned.

Rather than employing permanent cleaners and buying equipment, you can outsource the job to a contracting firm. This is where a professional pressure washing service will come in.

Roof Job

It could also be that you need assistance with getting tough stains from the roof. While you may think that it doesn’t matter to deal with the dirt up there, leaving debris on the top of your building is one way to damage the roof. You can find roof maintainers who also provide washing services if that is what you want.

Dirty Bathroom and Toilet

This is common with public bathrooms and toilets with a lot of traffic, so if your business requires that you provide many waiting rooms on your premises, you will need deep scrubbing now and then. It may help if you have people on your staff who take care of this, but you will have to equip them with the right gear.

Messy Vehicle

You can also find deep cleaning at the car wash for dirt ridden vehicles. This is usually after a serious day at the mechanic or on the road. You will find this cleaning at the car wash, but you can also find a few companies specializing in other types, such as washing rugs. You can check this website for tips on cleaning your messy car.

Finding Professional Pressure Washing Services

Finding a professional cleaning service is as easy as asking around you for assistance. Other service providers, such as handymen, can also help link you with experts. You can equally try the internet when looking to find professional pressure washers. Be on the watch for experience and professionalism when looking for the best service to choose from. Check testimonials from others who have worked with them in the past.

Final Note

Pressure washing is a special type of scrubbing that involves water use at a high pressure to eliminate dirt from surfaces.

 

Keeping your home looking great takes a lot of work. This includes maintaining the landscaping.

After all, beautiful landscaping doesn’t happen by accident. That’s why you need to understand how to care for the trees on your property. If you’ve been wondering how to tell if a tree is dying, you’ve come to the right place for help.

This article takes a look at signs that a tree is dying so that you can nurse it back to health or remove it from your lawn. Keep reading to get the inside scoop on identifying problems with trees before they get worse.

The Leaves Don’t Look Healthy

One of the easiest ways to identify an unhealthy tree is to look at its leaves. If you have deciduous trees, they should produce lush green leaves with only a touch of brown here and there during the prime growing season.

Coniferous trees are different. They are evergreen, thus they will start showing brown, red, and yellow needles or leaves when unhealthy or dying.

It’s important to understand as much as possible about the species of trees planted on your property so that you can identify how those specific trees should look throughout the year.

Be sure to check out these arborist reports.

There’s a Lot of Visible Dead Wood

Do the trees in your yard have dead branches? If so, this could be a sign of an unhealthy tree, and yet not necessarily. After all, some branches will simply die during the dormant season.

However, if a tree seems to have a prevalence of dead wood this could be clear evidence of a tree that is sick or dying.

The Tree is Infested with Insects and Fungus

Critters and fungus can quickly impact the overall health of a tree. For example, bark beetles and carpenter ants often infest trees that are in the process of dying and actually speed up the process.

Fungal and bacterial infections are another serious problem. Look for discolored areas, depressed spots on the bark, or mushrooms growing around the base of the tree. These are clear indications of rot in the trunk or roots.

The Roots are Damaged

A tree’s roots are obviously extremely important to their overall health. That’s why you need to pay close attention to roots that appear damaged.

It’s also important to remember that most of the roots are located underground, thus they are not visible. This is why it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the roots that are visible and take steps to protect them.

The Tree is Leaning

A tree typically shouldn’t lean more than about 15 degrees from verticle. Thus a tree that appears to be leaning more than this could be showing signs of wind or root damage. Trees rarely recover from these conditions and will usually die.

A Homeowner’s Guide to How to Tell if a Tree is Dying

Keeping your property looking beautiful is important for maintaining curb appeal. Fortunately, these tips for how to tell if a tree is dying will help you to know when something’s not quite right.

Keep scrolling to discover additional home improvement and lifestyle tips on our blog.

 

Are you a homeowner? If so, then you understand the thrill of a renovation project.

Regardless of whether you are building a new home or simply renovating an existing structure, having the right design plan makes all the difference. This is especially true when designing the kitchen.

After all, the kitchen is the heart of any home. This is the room where families gather throughout the year to eat together and make memories that will last a lifetime.

This article takes a look at the most important factors to consider before hiring kitchen designers. Keep reading to discover insight into the overall kitchen designer experience so that you’ll end up with the kitchen you’ve always dreamed of.

1. Know What You Want

First of all, you need to have a good idea of the kitchen you want. This will help the designers you interview a direction to work toward.

Keep in mind that the best designer won’t be able to create the kitchen of your dreams if you don’t know what you like or offer plenty of feedback regarding the various styles that appeal to you.

Take the time to look at lots of other kitchens. Clip photos from magazines. Bookmark webpages online. This will build a portfolio of design ideas that will give potential contractors something to work with.

2. Get Recommendations

Talk to family and friends. Ask them about contractors and designers they’ve used in the past. Good references and reviews can save you a ton of time and frustration.

People love to help and to share products and services they’ve had great experiences with. This will at least give you a place to start as you begin interviewing designers.

Be sure to check out Mal Corboy.

3. How Long Have the Been In Business?

It’s also important to hire a kitchen with years of experience in the industry. Someone who’s new to the business might be full of interesting design ideas, and yet they might lack experience working with subcontractors, suppliers, or meeting deadlines.

Look for a designer with a strong reputation within the industry and a professional network of peers who respect their work.

4. What Are Their Qualifications?

Before you hire a kitchen designer, don’t be shy about inquiring about their professional qualifications. Do they possess certification in a specific area of design? Are they a freelancer or a member of a union within their industry? Do they have a degree in design from a respected university? All of these things matter.

5. What is Their Time Frame for Completing the Job?

Talk to them about their time frame for completing the project. Do they plan to be working on multiple jobs at once? If so, this could impact the amount of time they are able to dedicate to your project. Make them be specific and get it in writing.

6. Be Flexible

Even if you think you have a good idea of what you’re looking for in a kitchen, try to maintain a bit of flexibility. A skilled designer will be able to assess your space and offer incredible ideas that you might never have imagined. The key is to work together to create the most amazing space possible.

The Complete Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring Kitchen Designers

Designing the perfect kitchen isn’t easy. Fortunately, this guide to hiring kitchen designers will help make it a stress-free experience.

Keep scrolling to discover additional lifestyle tips on our blog.

 

Have you ever heard the expression “it’s easier to keep up than to catch up?” Typically this refers to falling behind on finances, homework, and other day-to-day scenarios.

However, the same notion applies to rodent infestations. It’s easier to prevent rodents from coming into your home and taking over than getting rid of them once they have.

We’re here to help you do just that. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how a rodent infestation comes into being and how to prevent it.

Easy Access Into Your Home

First, understand that most animals take the path of least resistance. That’s why trappers have been able to predictably trap and ensnare wildlife of all shapes, sizes, and species for thousands of years. They simply lay their traps on game paths or create obstructions to lead them to their hidden trap.

When it comes to a rat or mouse finding their way into your home, they’re likely doing it via existing entrances such as holes, gaps, and cracks in your foundation, walls, or doors. Use things like silicone and steel wool to seal up any potential access points into your home.

Read this post for more information on the common types of house rodents and how to prevent them.

Available Food and Water Sources

Another way to control or prevent a rodent infestation is by limiting the food and water available to these pests. Rodents are drawn to food, such as crumbs on the floor, open food packages in the cupboard, unsealed pet food, and unsealed garbage cans.

Limit these food sources to ensure you’re not advertising an “open for business” sign to rodents and other pests. You should also make sure there are no places in or near your home that has standing water.

Shelter

Next, remember that animals also need shelter to survive. It keeps them safe from the elements and natural predators. A shelter can be several things for a rodent infestation, such as:

• Unkempt weeds and vegetation
• Wood or rubbish stacks near the house
• Piles of old clothing in storage
• Storage boxes
• The interior of walls
• Clutter
• And more

The key is removing all possible shelters that could lure mice or rats to your home. Once they’ve found shelter, they will start reproducing.

Immediate Action

Finally, you can prevent a rodent infestation by taking action as soon as you see signs of mice or other rodents in your home. Common signs of mice include scratching sounds behind walls, odors, visual signs of waste, and actual rodent sightings.

Unfortunately, six mice can become 60 in a quarter of a year. The longer you allow mice to live in your home, the more they’ll reproduce, and the more damage they’ll cause.

Want to Prevent a Rodent Infestation?

There’s nothing worse than finding out you’re unwillingly sharing your home with uninvited guests. Fortunately, preventing a rodent infestation is relatively simple, as is remediating a pest presence.

However, if you’re looking for other home ownership advice, be sure to check out some of our other articles before you go. Our blog was created to help homeowners just like you make the most out of their spaces.