One thing I hear often is “our remodeling project took twice as long and cost twice as much as the contractor told me it would”.

There are several reasons this can happen, most of which can be avoided by getting a neutral, third party (ie. someone unrelated to the contractor or architect) help get and keep your remodeling project on the right foot. That third-party can evaluate the existing conditions of your home, help you develop a game plan for the project with a realistic budget and schedule, and then establish – and enforce – the budget and project timeline. I would recommend that you hire a renovation consultant (also known as a remodeling coach) to help you set up your project for success.

For example, before you begin your project, these are just a few of the questions that arise:

Where do I begin?
What can be done in this space?
Can I add a bathroom in “that” space?
Do I hire a contractor or an architect first?
How much is this going to cost?
How long is it going to take?
Can I live here while the work is being done?
How can I get more of what I want with a small budget?

The chances are that you will get different answers to these questions from the architect, the designer, the plumber or the builder – if only because their interests are all subtly different to yours. The best way to get answers to these questions is to hire a remodeling coach, or renovation consultant, whose interests are more closely aligned with your own.

A renovation consultant will help you determine a realistic budget for your project, prioritize your wants and needs based on that budget, and even help you decide if you should move rather than remodel. At the preliminary meeting with your renovation consultant you will discuss:

What you want to accomplish with the remodel
What is your intended budget
The current condition of your home
Design ideas Realistic timeframes
What professionals need to be involved and when

After this meeting you should have enough information to decide if you want to proceed and you will know the essentials elements of a remodeling plan. A renovation consultant should be paid on an hourly basis or a fixed price, because if they are compensated on a percentage of the total project cost their interests are not aligned with yours.

Just because your carpet looks clean and neat doesn’t mean that issues aren’t underfoot. All too often, through neglect or other means, otherwise beautiful carpeting can harbor something that isn’t so pleasant: nasty odors. Nothing detracts from the quality of a room quite like an unpleasant odor, so it pays to take care of the issue as quickly as possible. If you wait too long to address the odor, you could end up with a problem without a workable solution. Besides, who wants to sit around in a room that has carpeting that smells absolutely awful? It’s in your best interest – and everyone else’s – to remedy the situation right away. The following tips can help you eliminate nasty odors from your carpeting.

A Quick Fix

Let’s say that you walk into your living room, bedroom, family room or another carpeted area of your home and detect an unpleasant odor. If you determine that it’s coming from the carpet, and there’s not enough time to do a thorough cleaning, don’t panic. There is a quick and easy way to minimize the impact of the odor temporarily. While spray room deodorizer may help, placing small bowls of vinegar around the room is even better. Vinegar absorbs the majority of a nasty odor and leaves a room smelling relatively clean. Although the smell of vinegar will initially be palpable, it will fade away quickly. This solution is only viable for the short term, though, so don’t attempt to use it for long-term fixes.

Pet Mishaps

If you have pets, you are probably used to the occasional mishap. Urine and feces can do a real number on a carpet. Even after you have cleaned up the mess, unpleasant odors can linger for days, weeks and even months. Simply removing the mess isn’t enough. The first thing that you should do is sprinkle baking soda on the affected area. Let it sit overnight; vacuum it up the next day. From there, steam clean the carpet using an odor-deodorizing solution. Make sure that it is compatible with the machine that you are using. Upon drying, your carpeting should be back to normal.

Mold and Mildew

It’s critical to clean up spills from carpeting immediately. If they are allowed to sit, they won’t just create stains – they could also cause mildew and mold to grow, which will create very nasty odors. If you detect the unmistakable smell of mold or mildew in your carpeting, try using a deodorizing solution from your local grocery store. Otherwise, you could try mixing a solution of regular water and 20 percent white vinegar. Apply it to the affected area. After that, shampoo the carpeting. Once it is dry, no unpleasant odors should remain.

Smoke

Nothing is worse than carpeting that smells like smoke. Whether someone randomly lit up in your home or if you enjoyed a fire in the fireplace and have been left with a lingering smell, you don’t have to put up with it. While products are available from the store, you probably already have what you need in your kitchen cupboard: baking soda. Just sprinkle some baking soda on your carpet. Use a straw brush to work it in well. Allow it to sit overnight. The next day, slowly and carefully vacuum the entire room. You should be able to work out most of the baking soda, and the odor of smoke should be gone.

After spending so much money on carpeting Prosource carpet, the last thing that you want is for it to smell awful. Before you rip it out and buy even more of it, you should put the preceding techniques to work. In most cases, these techniques should more than do the trick. If all else fails, you could always call in a professional cleaning company to clean your carpeting. When the offending odors are gone, your carpeting will be returned to its previous state, and you will be able to relax with ease.

Would it surprise you to learn that ceiling fans have been in existence for almost 150 years? At first, they were widely used in industrial settings although their popularity did take quite some time to catch on. Luxury homes also utilize these ceiling fans and they enjoyed the benefits of using them, long before they were common in almost every other home. During the next century or more, these items continued to evolve and to change in both their efficiency and design. What you have now, are many different choices that are available to help cool your home in the summertime and evenly warm the home in the winter.

You have a few different options that are available to you when you are choosing ceiling fans. Although you’re going to have many different choices as far as the overall design is concerned, the primary options that you have available to you are the number of blades and whether or not you’re going to have a light kit included. Some of the ceiling fans today have the option of having a light kit or not, depending upon your needs. As far as the blades that are necessary, it often comes down to a personal preference with five legs or more being considered somewhat of a luxury item.

Installing the fan is a relatively easy thing to do, providing the hardware are already existing. Today, most of the ceiling fans that are available are relatively light weight and can be installed into a standard ceiling box. Some care needs to be taken, however, if you are going to be installing the fan into a new ceiling box or if the box that is existing is not mounted properly. Having a little bit of wobble in the box where the fan is installed will result in the fan itself wobbling uncontrollably and perhaps even falling, causing the potential for serious injury.

If you are going to be purchasing a kid’s ceiling fan for installation in their bedroom, this is going to be especially important. Of course, you would want to make sure that any fan that was installed in the home was as safe as possible but you absolutely want to make sure that the fan in that room was rock solid. Fortunately, most ceiling fans that are available for children’s rooms tend to be a bit more light weight, but some of them can be quite heavy, particularly if they are themed in some way or another.

One other option that you may want to consider is getting a fan that has remote control functions. This is really going to be a convenient choice, particularly if you also have a light kit attached. If the fan that you already have does not have a remote control to it, there are kits that are available which can be installed in your existing ceiling fan to provide this functionality for you. Just make sure that you get one which matches up with your existing hardware and it is a relatively easy thing to install.

Professional appliance repair can help you save money and keep your household running smoothly. When you’re dealing with broken appliances, contact your local appliance repairman for quality service and great savings.

We rely on all kinds of appliances in our homes. So, when one of them isn’t working, it can be a drain on our time, energy and money. That’s where professional repair services come in. Major appliance repair isn’t something to be taken on by even the most intrepid DIY-er. Professionals can repair all sorts of appliances quickly and easily so that you can get your life back on track. Additionally, getting an appliance fixed means that you won’t have to pay for the extra energy costs often associated with a poorly functioning machine, and you’ll avoid the expense of replacing the item altogether.

Home appliances make our lives easier, more convenient and more streamlined. We can wash and dry our clothes without lugging everything to a laundromat, we can clean our dishes without scrubbing every pot and pan by hand, and we can keep our food fresh without a second thought. However, when one of the appliances responsible for these functions stops working, our whole manner of life is thrown off. Whether you need a washer, dishwasher or refrigerator repair, appliance services experts will be able to quickly and efficiently identify the issue and resolve it, so that you can get your life back to normal with minimal fuss.

While the convenience of properly working appliances is a major point in favor of appliance repair, perhaps an even bigger benefit is the cost savings provided. When an appliance isn’t working right it can often eat up more energy than it should, which means that you’re paying more money for it to do less work. When you repair that appliance, you increase its energy efficiency, thus decreasing the cost of using it. On a larger scale, repairing an appliance instead of throwing it out and getting a new one represents a huge savings. If you opt for a dryer repair, for example, instead of buying a new dryer, you will easily save hundreds of dollars, but will still end up with a machine that works as well as it possibly can.

No matter which way you look at it, appliance repair is the best choice when you have a machine in your home that’s not working correctly. You’ll get your life back to normal quickly and you’ll save money doing it – nothing could be better!

Billy Gafford is the manager of Handyman Connection based in Birmingham, Alabama, and a craftsman with expertise in all areas of home improvement. Here, he outlines a few DIY techniques you can use to keep your home a bit cooler in the summer months, without simply cranking up the AC. These tips will not only save you a bundle on home energy costs, but also help promote better and more eco-friendly living.

As a handyman and home repair specialist, most of my work is conducted in other peoples’ homes. Oftentimes, during the long Birmingham summer months, I find myself stepping into a client’s home only to be assaulted by an arctic blast of air-conditioning. It is sometimes so cold that I have to return to my van to get a long-sleeved work shirt just to work indoors.

Air conditioning is expensive and your electricity bill will start to add up fast. This isn’t just hard on your wallet; it’s bad for the environment as well. In an effort to help my customers save a few bucks while also remaining cool, I’ve outlined a few tips that will keep you comfortable without having to run the thermostat.

Combining Fans and AC

I often see people running several window air conditioning units simultaneously and in close proximity to one another. In my opinion, you can try running a single AC and spreading the cool air by using a fan.

Checking Your AC Ducts

If your air conditioning ducts aren’t properly insulated, you could lose cold air. So it is a good idea to have a handyman or HVAC professional check it out.

Opening Windows and Turning On Fans

You are able to creat a much cooler living situation where better airflow and circulation are available in your house. Be strategic with a few ordinary fans and create a draft. And then place a tray of ice in front of the fan. As the ice melts and cold air is released, the fan will blow it in your direction.

Sealing Up the Cracks

Many people don’t realize that their homes may be full of holes. Caulk the windows and seal them in the cool air. This will also help seal in the heat when wintertime rolls around.

Using a Programmable Thermostat

Nothing is more wasteful than running the AC around the clock when no one is around. If your system has a programmable thermostat, use it.

Using White Shades

White reflects the sunlight, so your home doesn’t absorb all that heat. A couple of shades are a truly small investment that will help save you big money.

Protecting the South

Because of the sun’s angle, it is important to protect the southern exposure of your home. Planting trees on the south side can be a great investment to brighten your property while also keeping it cool. Applying window treatments to southern facing windows also helps.

Running Your AC with Greater Efficiency

If you have an outdoor compressor, give it some shade. The compressor is working hard and heating up. So keeping it out of the sun helps make it cooler. The cooler the compressor is, the easier its job is. You should also be diligent about cleaning or changing your AC’s filters as often as possible. A cleaner AC filter can literally double your AC’s efficiency and save you a bundle.

Some small jobs and better practices later, you’ll save a fortune on the electricity bill this summer. Plus, a few minor repairs and additions to your house always help with raising the overall property value. And at the same time, you’ll also give Mother Nature a break by reducing your energy costs.

On a cold Monday night in January Crabtree Property and Seddons kicked off a charity encounter that marked an end to over two years of non-competitive football for the Finchley based firm. The proceeds of sponsorship for the match would go towards victims of Hiati earthquake appeal with players from

After a late kick off it was Seddons who came out guns blazing. A couple of stray passes from the home side allowed the Seddons to penetrate the backline, with Mark Standing hammering home the second of two early goals for the visitors. Crabtree stuck at it however and began to step up their game accordingly.

In the period that followed Joe Mallon pulled back a goal for Crabtree after some good interplay from John Osborn and George Georgiou led to a scrappy goal-mouth scramble with Mallon nutmegging the oncoming keeper. Substitute Bobby Shah levelled for the home side soon afterwards with an audacious lunge in the penalty area. More goals from Nadeem Ghous-Chaudary and Joe Mallon followed before Seddons pulled it back to 4-3.

The game was won at this stage with Luke Cunningham and Andy Soteriou suring up the Crabtree defence and picking out passes for playmaker George Georgiou and warrior John Osborn to feed attack after attack. Cunningham continued to organise the defensive ranks throughout the tie with iron grit. Throughout the game Goalkeeper Rob Robertson had complete command of his penalty area, bravely going to ground on a number of occasions and pulling off a string of impressive saves.

Mike Babb was on form for Crabtree, scoring a hat-trick overall, the pick of the bunch coming in the latter stages of the first half. More excellent interplay from Cunningham and Georgiou allowed Babb to finish with a trademark top corner emphatic finish from just outside the box. Crabtree finished the first half in form and in control of the game, leading by seven goals to three.

In the second half Seddons tightened up their defences and made things more difficult for the home side. Mark Standing was a handful and broke the backline to score twice more while Daniel Robins worked tirelessly for the visitors.

It was to be Crabtree’s night however with Nadeem (The Flaming Goose) Ghous-Chaudary completing his hat-trick and Bobby Shah finding the net again for a double. A late consolation for the visitors was testament to their fighting spirit and all ended on positive note with good sportsmanship all round.

Crabtree Team: Rob Robertson, Andy Soteriou, George Georgiou, Luke Cunningham, Bobby Shah, Mike Babb, Nadeem Ghous-Chaudary, Joe Mallon, John Osborn

Man of The Match: Luke Cunningham

Sometimes a person is just in honest need of a good plumber service. Don’t be embarrassed, it happens to everyone, after all but did you know that a plumber service isn’t just for weird leaks and the like? They also perform routine checks of a person’s septic tank for a fee. There are many reasons why your licensed plumber should always be on speed dial, this is simply one of them.

A plumber service is generally run by a licensed plumber or a master plumber. It is usually fairly easy to find plumber services in an area. In fact, a person would have more than a few plumber services to look at when deciding on which one would work for them.

A plumber service provides many different types of maintenance work including the installation and repair of pipes, fittings and fixtures. An emergency plumber can also provide service to other plumbing equipment that is used for water distribution, waste water disposal and venting in various areas such as residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings.

Those that go into a plumber service usually have to do over five years of schooling and other outside work before they are allowed to apply to take the test to become a licensed plumber. Surprisingly, despite this difficult task, it is quite easy to find a plumber. Most often a plumber service will be a small, family owned business instead of one of the larger ones as the smaller businesses often outnumber the larger ones.

In fact, most plumbers also offer septic tank pumping services as well as septic tank replacement services. However, not every plumber service does this and they would specify their specialties in their ads and if they do not, questions are generally welcome. Often times, it is required by state and/or county law that a septic tank is changed or cleaned every certain number of years, with that number varying from place to place.

If you are looking to find a plumber service in your area, it is best to ask around. Generally a neighbor or family member or the like would not hesitate to give you his or her recommendation on a good plumber service. It is important to listen to recommendations as they can help you narrow down the many plumber services offered by licensed plumbers in your area, which otherwise would be somewhat difficult to both find a plumber and narrow down one that you liked.

Plumber services may not make up the largest part of the economy nor may they be highly looked upon but neither changes the fact that society needs a good number of licensed plumber and plenty of good plumber service.

Carpet remains one of the most popular flooring options, as it’s the only one of its kind that is soft, luxurious and bursting with unique colors and patterns. One of the newest updates is green carpeting options. With more focus on environmentally friendly carpet for the home, this flooring is now popularly made from post-consumer recycled materials.

At first glance, eco-friendly carpet may seem to be absolutely perfect – and the right purchase to make. But just as you would consider the pros and cons of any home improvement project, you should also look at the advantages and disadvantages to shopping for green carpet for the home.

First off, it’s important to understand the differences between green carpets. Some are made from post-consumer recycled materials such as pop and water bottles. This flooring option is an excellent choice, as it keeps waste out of the landfills, recycles material and allows the carpeting to be recycled at a later date. It also uses less Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs, leading to a healthier, happier home.

There are also natural carpets that are made from natural materials such as wool, jute or seagrass. These materials come from resources throughout the world and help support the economy. They are treated with far less toxins and are generally quite durable in nature, but their prices can be high, as they are dependent on the environment and other global conditions.

With these factors in mind, let’s take a look at the pros and cons to natural carpet.

The Advantages to Green Carpet

- Recycled carpet benefits the environment, as it keeps waste out of landfills.
- When you choose to replace your recycled carpet, it can be further recycled unlike traditional carpet scraps.
- There are fewer VOCs with recycled carpet, leading to improved indoor air quality and fewer respiratory conditions.
- Natural carpets are made at factories that emit fewer toxins in the air, making factories safer for the environment.
- The cost of natural carpets has come down in price, there are more options to work with and durability and stain resistance are high.
- By purchasing natural carpet for the home, you’re supporting the local economy and making a difference in the environment.

The Disadvantages to Recycled Carpet

- Not all recycled carpets are made with 100% recyclable materials. Some only use 60%, which means you’re not getting the full benefit.
- There are fewer options available in terms of color and style, which can make it difficult for homeowners that have something specific in mind.
- Depending on your regional location, there may be fewer quantities of natural carpet on hand.
- Natural and recycled carpets cost more than traditional carpets. Natural carpets are dependent on its sources, while recycled carpeting is a bit more difficult to produce.

As you see, there are many pros and cons to choosing green carpeting, although most people agree that eco-friendly carpet for the home is the better choice. You will still have to consider your own budget and personal preferences, and many of the minor drawbacks of recycled carpet should be overcome in the future. For example, more manufacturers are already offering green carpeting, which means more choices and lower costs. The most important factor is that we finally have a choice and can make a positive impact on the environment.

The lighting styles company is the best company for electronics and lighting, a person can find ceiling lighting, bathroom lighting, wall lights, kitchen lighting, garden lighting, floor lights, bathroom table lights, Ceiling Fans, energy saving, commercial lighting and lighting accessories. The lighting styles is the best company for indoor and outdoor lighting needs, they provide beauty and luxury to the house. Their products provide design, contemporary and modern lighting. From the practical office lighting to the decorative ceiling lights they are the best at what they do, they have all the styles to make a home look stylish with their applications, their lights and their designs are unique and one of a kind.

The bathroom lighting bring brightness to the home with beautiful bathroom lights from lighting styles, they have different products for bathrooms. The products include bathroom wall lights, bathroom mirrors, illuminate shaving mirrors, illuminated cabinets, bathroom mirror lighting, bathroom ceiling lights, bathroom shaver lights, recessed bathroom lights, decorative wall lights, light bars and spotlights, bathroom accessories, bathroom mood lighting, lighting with pull cords and double insulated lighting. Bathroom lighting needs consideration the room may be small but it takes quite a bit of time in the bathroom. Down lights are used in the location like shower, flush fittings and semi flush. Bathroom lighting is very necessary in the bathroom to bring up the brightness in the room, dimming the bathroom lighting is an option with a pull cord dimmer. The mood of the room changes when the lighting goes dim. This dimmer can let a bathroom be invigorating and bright in the soft and morning and subdued in the evening. Bathroomlighting also includes bathroom wall lights that provide style and brightness to the bathroom. Lighting Styles Company provides the best experience in the market with energy efficient bathroom lighting, crescent shaped wall bathroom lighting.

The company also manufactures outdoor lighting. The outdoor lighting includes garden lights and exterior lighting. The outdoor lighting also includes architectural up and down lighting, external wall lights including bulk heads, wall lights, exterior wall lantern, garden spike lights, exterior post lights, adjustable spotlights, opulent outdoor lighting, traditional outdoor lighting for gardens, bollard lighting, buried outdoor lighting, decking and walkover, decorative and party lights garden flood lights, exterior LED lights, drive over lighting, designer outdoor lighting, hanging porch lights, lamp post lighting, illuminated house numbers and brick and low level lights. All the lights lighting styles manufacture are double insulated.

Basement Waterproofing is both an art and a science. Basement waterproofing is defined as the preventative measures taken to disallow water from entering your basement area. If you have a wet basement or crawl space, it is almost certain that you have a moisture problem of some kind. Waterproofing contractors can help seal your basement and prevent further costly damage to your home’s structure.

Wet basemenets are often the result of an overabundance of rain or snow. Damp basements are naturally humid and the humidity can seep through the joints that connect the walls to the floors which can cause damage to other areas of your home. If your basement leaks, it is highly-recommended that you get your basement waterproofed before any further damage is done to your family’s residence!

Most new homes built today typically have a sump pump installed in them. Most sump pumps also have a significant warranty and a relatively low cost. It is recommended that you have a sump pump in your home to help prevent water damage after a heavy rain or bad winter.

Some owners have their basements waterproofed after the completion of the home’s construction for various reasons. It is best to waterproof the basement during the construction of your new home or after it is completed. The longer you wait to have your home waterproofed, the more likely it is that you will have a wet basement! Save yourself the time and hassle by having your basement waterproofed as soon as possible to prevent any devastating damage to your family’s home.

One of the most affordable and popular basement waterproofing methods involves using sealants to protect the interior of basement walls. Sealants protect the inner walls of the basement which can be damaged by the moisture in the air inside of your home. If you live in an area with high levels of humidity, it is very critical that you protect your basement wall’s interior from having too much moisture buildup. The moisture can cause damage to the rest of your home’s structure.

In addition to structural damage, a wet basement can lead to mold and other fungi problems. Protect your family and home by having your basement waterproofed right away! Also, basement waterproofing, when done correctly, usually involves some kind of concrete or foundation repair. Typically, waterproofing experts also have experience with concrete and foundation repair techniques.

Once your basement’s walls are taken care of, it is time to consider installing footer drains. Footer drains can be easily installed around the foundation. Footer drains will provide your home with a much lower probability of flooding and water damage in rainy seasons.