Contractor Help

Without a background in building and architecture, you must be prepared to pay some contractors to help with the restoration of your property. It is always worth getting some quotes before agreeing a purchase price, as there could be hidden costs.

For example, if it turns out the whole house needs re-wiring, that could be a time-consuming and very pricey venture. Finding this out before purchasing could help with negotiations when it comes to agreeing on the value of the property in its current state.

Building Structure

The property will need assessing by a structural engineer, especially if there is any evidence of structural damage or subsidence. If it turns out the structure is damaged beyond repair, there is still the option of having a new structure put in that mimics the old one, but of course this is much more costly, so be wary of buying anything that hasn’t yet been evaluated in this way.

Restoration or Modernisation?

Once you have purchased your property, the next step is deciding how you want to go about restoring it. Do you want to thoroughly modernise the building, or are your aims more in line with restoring it to its former glory? Auction houses often receive selections of original period items, and this can include stone work as well as furniture.

Spend some time researching the history of the house itself – there may be some ideas to be had from finding out how it was constructed. Also, for some properties it can be fun to research the families who have lived there previously, and their lifestyles. Speaking to elderly neighbours can be a good starting point for information.

Professional Help

There are many companies out there whose services will become invaluable to you as you work your way through the project. Mechanical cleaning, render cleaning and waterproofing are all techniques best left to the professionals.

Seek as much advice as you can when setting about a restoration project – it is a complicated business, but ultimately very satisfying if it’s done correctly.

This post was brought to you by Reeda

Be a Copycat:

It may be tempting for homeowners to just copy an existing design; whether from a book, a magazine or if they’re feeling really cheeky, a friends home.

Ideally though, you want to shy away from turning your living space into a carbon copy home. We’re all individual and our homes should be a personal space that reflects our uniqueness.

Remember that you want your home to feel as warm, inviting and comforting for those who live in it, and the best way in which to achieve this is by making the home as personal as possible. A house would not feel like a home if it was a replica of a show-home used in a brochure. Moreover, it is important not to let other people dictate how a home should be decorated.

It is also important to show individuality with the smaller details around the home. Invest in cushions, throws, unique window blinds, candles or house plants that match the décor of the home.

It’s these small details that do the most to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Never Make Impromptu Decisions:

If you don’t want to face the prospect of living with a decorating mistake or covering the expense of a decorating remedy, it’s important to take your time when it comes to the big decisions.

Never select a fabric, paint or wallpaper in the shop on the first visit – instead take samples and swatches home and see how they look in the home environment. The lighting and atmosphere of a store will be very different to the natural light and lighting within each home.

Furthermore, if redecorating an entire room in the home it is important to choose furniture and carpets or flooring before buying paint. Remember that paint can often be mixed to exact specifications and thus any colour is possible.

The same cannot be said of carpet and furniture colours. Thus, choosing the furniture first ensures that the colours in any room will match seamlessly.

When it comes to the little details however, they’re often best left to last. This gives you the chance to get an overall feel for the colour scheme, and reduces the risk of you investing in mismatched accessories.

Don’t Ignore the Experts:

You’re not an interior designer (or at least, I presume you’re not) so don’t be afraid or ashamed to ask for advice or suggestions.

Just be sure not to let other people make your final decision – each home should reflect the preferences and personality of those living within it, so the last word should always be yours.

This is a guest article written by Amy Fowler on behalf of window blinds suppliers, Moonshadow Blinds.

What’s more, reorganising a home can give homeowners the impetus to organise and improve other areas of their lives. Here are six ways to clear out and reorganise a home leaving it feeling revived and refreshed.

1. Clear out all the paper clutter

Paper is very easily accumulated. We often keep documents and random receipts from years gone by, yet all this really achieves is to clutter up the home.

Get rid of all paper within the home apart from bank statements, pay slips and perhaps, personal letters. Not only will this help to de-clutter the home but being free of old bills can also help to de-clutter the mind.

2. Rejuvenate faded and scuffed paintwork

It’s inevitable that however careful you are, paintwork will become dirty and damaged over time.

It is possible to purchase sugar soap from many DIY stores that will instantly perk up walls within the home by getting rid of scuff marks and dirt. Scrubbing internal doors and panel doors around the home with sugar soap will rid these too of unsightly marks. After doing this it will be easy to see which walls are really in need of a fresh coat of paint.

3. Move the furniture around

Shifting your furniture around can really help to give that ‘new’ feeling to a home, not to mention that if you do it strategically, it could give you more space.

4. Go Green!

Research how to go green and save money within the home. This may be simple things like investing in a good quality outdoor clothes lines, to minimise the use of the tumble dryer, or encouraging the family to think more about their usage of gas, electricity and water.

5. Assess safety hazards around the home

This is something you should do on a fairly regular basis; ideally at least once a year.

Walk around the home and assess areas that could present a safety hazard. This may include light fittings, electrical wiring and plug sockets. Be sure to amend any that may present a danger, especially if there are young children in the house. Take this opportunity to test all fire and smoke alarms.

If your home is heated by gas, ensure to get your boiler tested on an annual basis by a qualified specialist.

6. Clear out your wardrobes

A clear out of old clothes can instantly make anyone feel fresher and more organised. Be ruthless when completing this task – if it hasn’t been worn in the last year then chances are it never will be worn. Keep only items that are worn regularly or are essential to a wardrobe. Clothes and shoes that are discarded can be given to charity or sold via eBay.

Written by guest author Amy Fowler on behalf of suppliers of bespoke oak doors, UK Oak Doors.

However, there are five ways in which interior designers can charge:

1) Hourly fee. This is dreaded by many clients, and understandably so. Are we talking 20 hours or 35 hours? That’s a huge difference in the total amount. Some designers (and other service providers too) are willing to set a “cap” on the total dollar amount, or total number of hours. But before signing an agreement with a cap, you must make sure you know what will happen when the maximum is reached. Will your designer consider it “case closed”, or will (s)he just not bill for the balance of time spent on your project? An hourly fee is more fair for everyone when it is used for consultations rather than complete design services.

2) Percentage-based agreements. For a percentage-based agreement, the designer will charge you a certain percentage of the total budget of your project. The agreement should be clear as to what would happen should you increase your budget, or decide to decrease it for whatever reason.

3) Commission-based agreements. Very similar to percentage-based, but rather than being a percentage of the total budget, it is a percentage of the costs of the items specified and/or purchased for your project. It is most common to see this type of billing on decorating projects, or used in combination with another fee structure.

4) Fee based on square footage. This is most commonly used for larger non-residential projects. Usually designers/firms have pre-established dollar-per-square foot rates for the different phases and types of work that could be requested of them. This method of billing is never used for basic residential projects because the work and time involved is similar for a tiny and a larger washroom or even kitchen!

5) Fixed-fee contracts. These are often preferred by clients (and by our office). Aside from the obvious benefit of taking the guesswork out of how many hours you might be billed for, it is usually based on the designer’s experienced estimate of hours required, size of the space, budget, and other factors all averaged out.

Payment schedules are another issue often discussed. This is when and how much you will be paying your designer. It is common practice for a designer or firm to request a deposit or retainer fee on signing of the agreement or contract. A retainer should not be requested for services such as a two-hour consultation, and a retainer should be around 15% of the total design fee, although I have often heard of designers requesting as much as 50% up-front.

Different designers have different billing methods or habits. Some bill every other week, while others bill weekly or monthly. I like the idea of billing as phases have been completed; not only does this give the clients the confidence that they are paying for services rendered, but it helps illustrate how the total amount of the contract was reached. When the designer’s work is completed, the balance should be paid in full unless other terms have been agreed upon.

To roughly estimate how much the design fee for your project could be, calculate 10% to 15% of your total budget. This is not necessarily accurate, but it’s the best guideline anyone can provide without seeing what is involved. Of course, if your budget is unrealistic, the number you arrive at will be far from accurate. And designers are known to charge anywhere from 10% of the total budget all the way up to 30%. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that it will cost you that much — your designer should be passing trade-discounts on to you unless otherwise stated in the agreement. (The code of ethics states that the designer is not supposed to be making money off the project that the client is unaware of.) On a recent project Idealspace Design handled, the design fee was approximately $1500, but only added about $250 to the total budget because the discounts (compared to regular retail prices) totaled a bit over $1200.

It is impossible to make suggestions about hourly rates because an independent designer just starting out will charge a lot less than a larger firm that has been established for many years. Keep in mind that hiring a beginner, charging $25 per hour, might require 20 hours to do something that a more experienced designer will only require half the time to accomplish. In that case, paying $60 per hour only costs $100 more at the end.

No matter the fee structure or payment schedule, you should feel comfortable with the amount you are going to be paying your designer. Some designers are also willing to work on a consultation basis even for do-it-yourselfers, so no matter your budget, it is possible to enlist the help of a qualified interior designer.

Karen S. Weiner is the owner and principal interior designer of Idealspace Design in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). http://www.idealspacedesign.com

Wood: Wood is one material that never gets dated. It adds an instant warmth to any home and looks good with just about any theme. Hardwoods such as oak and cherry are great for flooring. For furniture, the most popular choices are cedar, birch, and teak. Just reapply the coat once in a while and it’ll last just as long as most synthetics.

Bamboo: Technically, bamboo isn’t a wood-it’s actually a type of grass. Because it grows so fast, it’s far from being endangered, as is the case with some rare woods. The stalks grow up to 30 feet tall and are very hard, making them ideal for building. Use bamboo for flooring, furniture, or small decorative pieces.

Cork: This is another alternative for those who can’t afford hardwood flooring. Made from wood chips pressed and sealed together, cork floors offer the look and feel of wood minus the hefty price tag. It’s a bit softer than wood, which gives it a lighter, more comfortable texture. A urethane coating is usually added to protect it from dents and stains.

Stone: Here’s another “classic” material that never goes out of style. Stone floors and furniture last pretty much forever and require very little maintenance. The only major drawback is cost: stone floors can cost three times as much as laminate, and a stone chair twice as much as a wooden one.

Making It Last
All natural materials are prone to damage from moisture, heat, and other natural elements. However, a little protection can go a long way in making them last. Most natural surfaces can do with a few coats of urethane, a clear coating that hardens into a shell. The material usually comes pre-coated, so you only have to reapply it every year or two depending on the degree of use.

• Wood rot: wood that is unsealed and exposed to water on a regular basis will begin to rot and become structurally unsound. Even if the wood is pressure treated, it should be sealed at least once yearly to avoid rot.
• Foundation troubles: the constant flow of water has made amazing views in nature such as the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls, but you don’t want that same water slowly destroying your home or business’ foundation. Water is the most common foundation issue because it is everywhere.
• Mold: mold can be a health hazard and destroys certain types of siding and wood.

One of the best ways to protect the exterior of your home is with exterior wall coatings that prevent moisture and water from penetrating the surface of wood and porous concrete. These wall coverings serve a dual purpose of protecting the structure and seriously improving the structures look and aesthetic appeal.

Foundation issues should be resolved with proper drainage around the structure. Water finds the path of least resistance and flows in that direction. If the path of least resistance leads to a puddle sitting against your foundation, you could be in trouble.
You could have the land graded to force the water around the structure. French drains also work well at moving water.

• Simply take a long pipe with holes in the top
• Wrap with landscape paper
• Bury in the ground about six inches down
• Cover with rocks
• And one to one half inch of sod

Your water issues will be resolved.

The first thing you’ll want to do after suffering fire and water damage, is to remove items from the area that was damaged. If the damage was extensive, you may want to seek professional dry cleaning, carpet and furniture cleaning companies to restore your clothing, carpets and furniture. If you attempt to do this yourself, be sure very sure you know what you are doing. Inexperience can further damage your prized possessions. If you aren’t sure what you should do first, refer to your restoration company or call your insurance agent. They will be able to help guide you through the first steps in restoring your home and life back to normal.

Here are some water damage tips:

1. Stop the source of the water as soon as possible.

2. Blot up as much water as possible, if possible.

3. Remove small items and area rugs (not carpet) from heavily damaged floors and walls immediately.

4. Don’t wait, the longer you wait the worse the damage. And mold could make the issue worse very quickly.

5. Have the water removed and the floors/walls dried out by a professional to unsure no issues linger or show up again later.

If you act quickly and have your home restored professionally, you absolutely can see your home restored to what it was before. Don’t wait, or procrastinate, have a professional give you a quote and get started as soon as possible. Mold is another issue you don’t want to have to deal with.

Construction projects – The first place I suggest looking for free bay windows are construction projects and the reason is because they always keep the windows fully intact. The reason why contractors will keep a bay window intact is because they are easier to pick up and throw away if it is just one big piece as opposed to many small pieces. This is important to remember because this could save you a lot of money on a bay window if you just go to a construction yard and see what you can find.

Window companies – Another place to get free bay windows is at a window company and the reason they are normally free is because they pull them from houses and then have nothing to use them for. What you need to understand is that when a window company pulls an old bay window from a house they will normally keep it in case they could use it on another project but usually when they do this they don’t have anybody that wants an older window, therefore it sits there and just collects dust.

The last thing you need to know is that bay windows are easy to find as long as there are construction projects going on in your town. If there are no construction projects going on then that will mean that the work is slow and odds are a contractor or a window company won’t give you a free window when they could sell it to you and make a little bit of money.

As good as storm windows are, and as strong as they are they cannot withstand everything. You will want to cover your windows when a hurricane threatens your area. This is for the safety of all your possessions not just the windows. Don’t take a chance during a hurricane. You hurricane shutters to cover all of your windows. If it is due to hit you directly plan an evacuation route. Don’t take chances with a hurricane. People die from them all of the time.

Strong winds often affect the south along with severe electrical storms. The storm windows will keep all of this bad weather out. You want to keep the weather out of your home because it can be very damaging to your property. By using these windows you will save large amounts of money.

When it comes to installing windows you are going to need to hire a professional. They know how to fit the windows in properly and will see to it that they are well sealed. If you are attempting to install storm windows yourself make sure you have some knowledge of what to do. Some storm windows will come with a guarantee as long as they are installed by a professional. Take this into consideration before doing the installations yourself.

Choosing a Stucco Contractor Toronto company is easy if you go online and make sure you look at the best profiles and portfolios of contractors working with stucco. It’s always advisable to look for professional advice before you start your project, plan the budget in advance and come up with original artistic concepts.

Besides being a great material to take care of the facades and exteriors, stucco can also be used in the home itself because it is great for mouldings, trims and wall systems. Exterior architectural mouldings vary in design and include sils, bands, trims, columns, pilasters, keystones, arches and bows. It is possible to find the best variant suitable for every client.