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Must Learn To Do Electrical Maintenance In Your Home

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Electrical Maintenance Contracts – The Benefits for Property Maintenance

Why should you have a Maintenance contract?

A property’s electrical system is one of those necessities in life we have come to rely on heavily, we don’t realises how much, until it is not there anymore. It has the ability to cause untold damage or inconvenience and potentially expensive emergency electrical repairs. Suddenly something that was invisible becomes an urgent problem as you must decide “Who do you call to fix it? ….. What is a reasonable price to pay? and how do you fund the unexpected cost?”

Such emergency measures can be avoided if the property’s electrical installation is periodically tested and inspected by the best electricians in Gauteng . Installations are more often than not neglected and is more likely not to be maintained or upgraded until a fault occurs.

The Benefits of a Service Contract

A maintenance or service contract offers several advantages for individuals purchasing large appliances, such as an HVAC system. Repairs and ongoing maintenance can add up, but a service contract can counteract those expenses and keep a mechanical item in working order.

Consider the key benefits of having a service contract:

Cost Benefits

A maintenance contract can save you a lot of money in overall maintenance and unexpected repair costs. The additional costs associated with a maintenance contract should pay for itself when the item needs repairs.

Product Quality Assurance

Manufacturers are less likely to make poorly constructed or faulty products when a service contract is offered along with the purchase. That’s because those repair, maintenance, and replacement costs are on them, not the consumer.

Peace of Mind

Service contracts provide customers with peace of mind should anything go wrong with a product. They know the issue will be addressed in a timely manner without much effort on their part.

Having peace of mind is especially beneficial when purchasing big-ticket items such as vehicles, home appliances, and farm equipment.

Importance of Electrical Maintenance

Your place of work or company might have the perfect laid out electrical technique. Though this is essential it is not sufficient to ensure company continuity. Your choice within your electrical networks and tools may perhaps turn out to be waste if it can be not maintained effectively. You have to engage the services of a superb maintenance electrician.

Maintenance is very unique from repairs that happen following a breakdown. It truly is preventive in dynamics in lieu of corrective. If a effectively installed method is checked and maintained correctly then the likelihood that it can fail is going to be lower. It’s going to also enable in maintaining a large degree of efficiently and energy conservation.

Maintenance contracts also costs cash, but needs to be treated as an financial commitment. The truth is it really should be handled with a lot more importance than the initial investment considering that it preserves that financial commitment. Many people finish up investing more money in repairs than on preventive maintenance.

Contract Maintenance

There are many reasons why a company might want to hire outside maintenance. First, it could mean lower long-term costs, especially for companies with limited in-house resources. They would need to allocate resources to critical maintenance operations while using the same resources to keep their core business going.

An outside contractor, on the other hand, could be called in for their ability to handle specialty work. Second, it may cost more for a company to subcontract, but the subcontractor’s skill in a particular field could ensure better work than the company’s employees. Through their expertise in a particular field, subcontractors could actually help the customer improve its business processes.

Finally, subcontracting allows a company to focus on its core activities. Management would be freed from worrying about the inner workings of a noncore activity and could focus on their main area of competence.

Advantages Of Professional Property Maintenance Service

Contracting property maintenance services will save you significant time and effort in taking care of every detail, no matter how minor, that comes with managing a commercial facility. If your property is rented by several tenants, having a property maintenance crew in place is a must, and also presents an enormous advantage for prospective tenants.

Aside from timesaving, contracting professionals to do the job they are trained for is also cost-effective. Should you decide to maintain the entire property on your own by hiring a separate cleaning crew, you’ll naturally also need to invest in the cost of purchasing all necessary cleaning tools and equipment, which could be substantial.

In hiring a property maintenance service provider, you simply have a fixed monthly fee that you have both agreed upon. Aside from access to the latest tools and equipment, by choosing to entrust your property maintenance to known professionals, you’re freed from the burden of directly overseeing an in-house crew and dealing with any labor-related issues. The managers of the property maintenance service provider company are your hassle-free connection!

Believe it or not, proper and effective cleaning actually requires training and experience. In choosing to contract the services of professionals, you can expect higher efficiency, better job knowledge and more extensive experience in getting a good job done—one that meets or exceeds industry standards.

Of course, in order to fully enjoy these benefits, you need to choose a reliable and reputable property maintenance service provider who can deliver on their promises and live up to your expectations. Take time to review the prospective providers and handle the screening process as you normally would when interviewing and scrutinizing a job applicant. Your attention to putting in place this important part of maintaining your valuable property will pay off!

The Best Trick To Move Out Cleaning

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5 REASONS TO USE AN END OF TENANCY CLEANER

Unless you are one of the elite few, who inherit a hundred year estate from your ancestors, studies show that you will move house an average of 8 times during your lifetime. Career development, marital reasons and a general search for the better life are just some of the reasons why people relocate to different areas. Whatever the cause for your relocation, moving can is a stressful time fraught with concerns about getting your family and belongings safely to the new premises in one piece. One of the things you can outsource and ease the burden is end of tenancy cleaning. Tenancy agreements dictate that you must leave the premises you are vacating in the same good condition you found them in. a team of cleaners from Citi Clean can help you restore your house to its original condition and ensure that you get back your security deposit from your landlord. Below are just a few reasons why you should consider using an end of tenancy cleaning service;

To save on time

Moving from one house to another means that you will have your hands full packing, monitoring the loading of your belongings into the movers truck to avoid damage and ensuring that everything gets safely to the new house. Many times, you will be too time strapped to clean the house you are leaving to meet the standards your landlord expects. This is where a cleaning team from Citi Clean comes in handy as they have the expertise and experience to handle all types of cleaning jobs, leaving you free to concentrate on other moving tasks and saving you valuable time that you can spend setting up in the other venue.

Cost effectiveness

Hiring a team of cleaners from Citi Clean means that you do not have to spend money on cleaning supplies or have money deducted from your security deposit by your landlord in order to pay for cleaning services. You can choose the most cost effective service provider for your budget without having an expensive cleaning service foisted on you by a third party.

Stress free moving

Handing the task of cleaning your house upon vacating it to a cleaning team frees you up to concentrate on other crucial moving tasks without having to worry whether you will have time to clean it to the standards expected by your landlord.

Experience and expertise

A professional end of tenancy cleaning service is familiar with the ins and outs of getting a house back to tip top shape, so you can hand over this task to them with the knowledge that they will do an exemplary job and handle many tasks that you may not have been aware needed doing.

Get back your security deposit

Many tenants have been forced to forfeit their security deposit or receive a considerably smaller sum than the amount they paid if they are unable to clean the premises due to time constraints or do not manage to clean it to the standards that the landlord expects. With a pro

Fast facts

End of tenancy cleaning is important for receiving your full deposit – More than half of deposit disputes (56%) are lead for insufficient, or have cleaning as part of a more complex dispute.
Tenants can do their own end of tenancy cleaning. The landlord cannot force them to use any cleaning company, or a cleaning service at all.
The landlord can request the same level of hygiene as it was documented into the move in inventory report. How the result is achieved is up to the tenant. 
If doing your own end of tenancy cleaning, remember to use your check in inventory as a guide. Also, use a checklist and schedule your cleaning to ensure the property is fully cleaned.
Set aside enough time, if you plan on cleaning yourself. Deep cleaning takes time and you’ll be surprise how big of a job this is.
The inventory reports are the most important pieces of evidence for resolving a dispute. You want your end of tenancy cleaning done right before the move out inventory, as to record the property in the cleanest state.
Your landlord cannot overcharge you excessively if you have not cleaned the property prior to moving out.
If you want to hire a cleaning company for your end of tenancy, you should be weary of bad decisions. As your deposit is on the line, make sure the work is done and will suffice for reclaiming your money.

After Party Cleaning: Cleaning off the hidden spaces

If not cleaned, dust even gets collected inside the vents and the duct of the chimney and the exhaust fans, the wires of the appliances get sticky. It also makes them also easily inflammable, cleaning is essential for safety purpose. So it’s very much recommendable that at the end of each year these hidden spaces should be deep cleaned thus keeping it clean and tidy. Some of the ways by which one can keep the hidden spaces free from dust are as follows.

The duct and the vents collect lint which blocks the passage and also has a chance of catching fire.
The condenser coils in the refrigerators are very delicate parts to handle and they directly affect the cooling mechanism of the fridge.
The lower area of the fridge which means the base which remains almost hidden is full of dust that should be cleaned as the place soften becomes moist with damp all over. This generally happens when the fridge is in a distorted condition.
Checking out whether there are dust and food particles underneath your micro oven is a great job. In this busy life, micro ovens serve a lot, but proper care should also be taken at the same time. These cleanings fall under the category of general cleaning. Micro ovens dishes need special care. They are required to be cleaned with a dry soft cloth after every use. One thing should be kept in mind that whenever micro ovens are used the surface underneath should be ones cleans with a cornice wiper. This would make the micro oven free from the invasion of ants and other insects which add to hygiene.

Keeping the appliances free from dust as much as possible, would make your appliances go healthy for more number of days. The main reason to keep the appliances free from the moisture coating is this would enhance its longevity. At the same time, it would reduce the mushy smell which can be often experienced in the kitchen when it has been not cleaned for a long time.

Scrubbing the floors ones a week if always appreciated. As the floor becomes dirtier when not cleaned for ages. The dirt removing sessions goes for the floor which collects dust and seasonally cleaning of the corners of the floor is much required to avoid discoloration of the floor color.

End Of Tenancy Cleaning -Cleaning Up Before The Move

A thorough end of tenancy cleaning is required before you can win back your full security deposit. In fact, most deposit disagreements revolve around the cleanliness state of the residence before tenants move out. Landlords require that you hand over the property in the condition in which you found it, without the dirt and stains dotting the various surfaces, and odours permeating through the interior space. Taking some time to ensure that a quality job has been done will ensure that it is ready for the inspection. While the landlord cannot force you to go with a particular service, hiring the proven professionals is highly recommended. Taking on the task as a DIY job leaves lots of room for error. Mistakes made can result in anything from unsatisfactory results, all through to property damage which will cost you more to make repairs.

Here are a few tips on how you can efficiently carry out your end of tenancy cleaning mission!

1) Clean After You Move Out

The end of tenancy cleaning must be carried out after you’ve moved out of the house. Sounds bizarre? Well, it’s a lot more logical.

After you’ve moved out of the house, all your stuff is gone and you can get the whole house to yourself. The hidden areas or corners are well exposed in an empty house. This helps you to carry out the in-depth home cleaning with a great ease. Also, if you clean up before moving out, you might miss out on some areas that will be exposed later. For instance, the areas beneath your furniture stays hidden till you move the furniture out. Therefore, it’s wise to clean up your rented house after you’ve moved your stuff out!

2) Start From The Top

After you’ve moved your stuff out, the end of tenancy cleaning becomes a lot more convenient. To start off, you can begin de-cobwebbing your walls, store areas, ceiling, etc. This can be done by getting on a step ladder and using a broom or duster to get rid of the cobwebs.

3) Go For The Windows

The next thing in the list is the cleaning up of windows. When it comes to window cleaning, one can opt for the professional window cleaning services.

4) Staircase And Corridors

The cleaning of your staircase must be an essential part of your home cleaning. If you’ve used a carpet or vinyl tile flooring on the stairs, you can get them replaced or deep cleaned. The cleaning of this area of the house might not be an easy thing to do. You can always opt for the professional cleaning services to get things done by the experts in no time.

5) Bathrooms and Kitchen

It goes without saying, these two areas are that part of the house that need continuous cleaning and upkeep. However, besides following a cleaning regimen for your bathrooms and kitchen, you might need to spring clean both these areas before you move out of your rented apartment. Consider it as a huge part of your end of tenancy cleaning.

Before you leave the house, make sure that you’re leaving all the bathroom and kitchen fixtures in a good condition. Make sure that the bathroom floor and tiles are squeaky-clean. If not, you can use chemical cleaners, vinegar, etc. to scrub the sludge off the tiles and floor.

When it comes to kitchen, you need to take care about the countertops, oven, and kitchen cabinets. All of these areas of the kitchen must be deep cleaned to get rid of any grease or dirt accumulated over the time.

You can avail the professional oven cleaning services for thoroughly cleaning up the oven of your kitchen

To sum it up, the end of tenancy cleaning is a whole lot of unnerving task. If you’ve got all the needed patience and time, you can opt for getting it done by yourself. However, to save yourself from investing so many efforts and time in the task, you can opt for the professional cleaning services.

The professionals take the cleaning task bit by bit and work in teams. Thus, the cleaning task is completed within no time!

Tips The Best To Control Mosquitoes In Your Home

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Why Mosquito Control is Important

General Information about Mosquitoes

Almost everyone has had an unpleasant experience of being bitten by a mosquito. Mosquito bites can cause skin irritation through an allergic reaction to mosquito’s saliva – this is what causes the red bump and itching. But a more serious consequence of some mosquito bites may be transmission of serious diseases and viruses such as malaria, dengue virus, Zika and West Nile virus, which can lead to possible and potentially deadly effects (such as encephalitis, meningitis and microcephaly). Read more about diseases carried by mosquitoes.

Not only can mosquitoes carry diseases that afflict humans, but they also can transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to. These include dog heart worms, eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.

There are about 200 different species of mosquitoes in the United States, which live in specific habits, exhibit unique behaviors and bite different types of animals. Despite these differences, all mosquitoes share some common traits, such as a four-stage life cycle (eggs, larvae, pupae, adult).

Different species of mosquitoes prefer different types of standing water in which to lay their eggs. The presence of beneficial predators such as fish and dragonfly nymphs in permanent ponds, lakes and streams helps keep these bodies of water relatively free of mosquito larvae. However, portions of marshes, swamps, clogged ditches and temporary pools and puddles are all prolific mosquito breeding sites. Other sites in which some species lay their eggs include:

tree holes,
old tires,
buckets,
toys,
potted plant trays and saucers,
plastic covers or tarpaulins and even
places as small as a bottle caps!

Some of the most annoying and potentially dangerous mosquito species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito, come from these sites.

Why Do We Need Mosquito Control?

Mosquito Management’s Role in Protecting Public Health

There are really only two reasons to control mosquitoes; to avoid nuisance biting, and to preclude the spread of mosquito-borne disease. Everyone recognizes that mosquitoes can be a terrible blood feeding nuisance, but most people do not realize the magnitude of the health threat that they represent. Some of the world’s most deadly diseases are carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. It is estimated that up to a million people die every year from mosquito-borne illness with many countries around the world ravaged by malaria, yellow fever, and dengue-hemorrhagic fever. For several years, West Nile virus, several types of encephalitis and dog heartworm have been the primary mosquito-borne diseases in the U.S. However, more recently, Zika virus, Dengue fever, and Chikungunya have emerged as serious threats to human health.

Mosquito-borne encephalitis in the U.S. is prevalent in several forms and is geographically wide-spread. Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain and central nervous system, and is characterized by a high to moderate mortality rate, with some survivors left with permanent physical and mental disabilities. West Nile virus, which in severe cases can cause encephalitis, entered the U.S. along the east coast in 1999 and has had serious ongoing implications for the rest of North America as it has spread across the country and remains a threat.

Mosquitoes: The Most Dangerous Animal on Earth?

Mosquitoes infect humans with the Zika virus, yellow fever, dengue, malaria, and other diseases. Why are they so dangerous and what’s being done about it?

Mosquitoes have bedeviled humans for centuries, spreading disease and death to millions. Today, the latest plague they bring is the Zika virus.

Mosquitoes are perhaps the most dangerous animals in the world

They are the primary vectors for major human diseases such as yellow fever, malaria, and dengue fever, which together infect hundreds of millions of humans worldwide and kill millions each year.”

The World Health Organization, he added, reports that more than 50 percent of the world’s population is presently at risk from mosquito-borne diseases.

Controlling mosquitoes

steps to mosquito-free living

Mosquitoes can make gardening uncomfortable and turn porch sitting into a chore. But by following these seven simple steps, you can safely reduce mosquito populations, have a more enjoyable summer, and protect yourself from diseases that mosquitoes help spread.

Reduce the number of breeding sites on your property.

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. The eggs hatch into larvae about three days later, and about 12 days after that, adults emerge and fly away. Considering that each female can lay up to 400 eggs and the life cycle is complete in about two weeks, you can see why mosquito populations can increase so quickly. Reducing the amount of standing water around your home will minimize breeding sites and reduce the number of mosquitoes. Some places to look include clogged rain gutters, tree holes, potholes, old tires, discarded cans and containers and the saucers of your outdoor flower pots.

Kill mosquito larvae where the insects breed.

If you have standing water you want and enjoy, such as a birdbath, one option is to change the water every week. In water gardens or ponds you can use Mosquito Control Rings which contain a naturally occurring bacterium that kills mosquito larvae for 30 days.

Remove algae from ponds.

Mosquito larvae feed on algae and other small organisms that live in water. Oxygenating plants, and a Aquasphere Pond Cleaners will help keep ponds and water gardens clear.

Use a mosquito repellent in your outdoor living space.

While the first three steps will reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard, they won’t eliminate them. That’s where safe, natural mosquito repellents come in. Check out the lineup in our Natural Mosquito Repellents category.

Exclude mosquitoes from your home.

Keeping windows and screens shut to exclude mosquitoes seems straightforward enough, but it can be hard to do. The ingenious Hands-Free Bug Screen helps by automatically shutting behind you as you walk through the door. Light attracts mosquitoes and other insects, so after dark you should also minimize outdoor lighting.

Increase the number of mosquito predators in your yard.

Bats and swallows love to eat mosquitoes. Install a shelter, like a bat or birdhouse, to help attract predators to your yard.

Prevention

Repellent is an effective method for keeping mosquitos at bay.

Preventing mosquito bites is always more effective than trying to treat them, given the potential seriousness of the diseases that can transmit during the bite.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise that mosquitoes need water to breed. Removing sources of standing water around the home and garden can reduce the number of mosquitoes in the area.

The following steps can help prevent bites:

Use screens and netting.
Cover up the skin when outdoors.
Avoiding wooded and grassy areas.
When planning to be in mosquito-dense areas, avoid bright clothing, perfumes, and scented beauty products.

Must Know Criminal Defense Attorney In Work

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Criminal Defense Attorneys: Is It Time To Call One?

When you are the target of a criminal investigation, it can feel like you are all alone against the police, the prosecutors, and the government. As investigators execute warrants, tear through your things, and pepper you with questions, you need to know your rights. First and foremost: you have a right to the assistance of a lawyer.

Police Questioning and Criminal Lawyers

Police officers are often well-trained in investigation. They know how to convince you it is a good idea, even in your best interest, to talk to them right away. They may say things like “Why don’t you just come answer a few questions? I’m sure we can clear this whole thing up.” But what they don’t tell you is that whatever you say will be used against you later.

Police are only required to remind you of your right to remain silent if they question you while you are in custody. So if you volunteer to answer their questions, you may never hear that you could have a criminal lawyer by your side to help you through the process.

If the police want to talk to you, call a criminal lawyer. We can serve as shields between you and the officers. Most of the time, answering police questions is simply not going to help. Having a lawyer on retainer to say “no” for you makes sure you don’t unintentionally say something that could hurt you later.

HIRING A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

While it would certainly be ideal to have an attorney present with you from the moment you’re placed at the back of a cop car, the reality is, it’s simply not practical. You should, however, make the effort to speak to a defense attorney as soon as possible, preferably after you’re released from police custody. This should be your priority if there are some pretty serious criminal allegations being leveled against you.

One of the main pros of seeking out legal representation early on is that a competent defense lawyer might be able to get your criminal charges list dismissed way before any formal charges are brought against you. They are also in the best position to negotiate other rights you’re entitled to that could very well increase your chances of getting a favorable outcome.

The timing here is crucial. So, it’s important to have a lawyer negotiate and bargain for your rights shortly after you’re arrested.

Furthermore, a competent criminal defense attorney can act as a mediator between you and the aggrieved party. In some instances, it is quite likely that tempers flared out of control which ultimately led to your criminal mischief and eventual arrest.

Defense lawyers have sufficient experience to be able to approach the other party and calmly argue on your behalf. The best-case scenario is the other party agreeing to drop the charges that led to your arrest in the first place and reach an amicable resolution outside of the legal system.

What Does a Criminal Lawyer Do?

Because no criminal case is exactly like another, criminal defense lawyers are trained to pick out the parts of each case that make them unique. In essence, they use their knowledge to find subtle evidence and reasons why you should win the case.

Also, the best criminal defense lawyer for you may be able to spot certain arguments and factors that could mitigate or even negate any potential crime. Even if you are guilty and the evidence is against you, they may be able to help you reduce fines and jail time.

What to Ask a Criminal Defense Lawyer

When interviewing a criminal defense lawyer, be sure to ask these ten important questions:

1.) How long have you practiced criminal law?
This question should not be overlooked. It’s a good way to determine that the lawyer has actually had significant experience as a criminal defense lawyer, instead of simply handling a few cases.

2.) How often do your cases go to trial?
Many criminal defense lawyers settle many of their cases via plea bargains instead of going to trial. If that’s the case with your potential attorney, then they likely don’t have a lot of experience at trial. Your case might be too complex for them to settle. If a trial seems imminent, be sure to find a lawyer who is both skilled and comfortable with trial work.

3.) Do you have a specialized area of law?
Criminal law covers a variety of cases. Some lawyers see the majority of their cases come from a specific legal issue, such as drugs, murder, DUI, or white-collar crimes. You should find out how many cases they have handled that are similar to yours. That way you can be satisfied that they know what they are doing.

4.) How much is this going to cost?
In criminal law, attorneys quote flat fees for their service. Occasionally, there is a range they can charge within, but most of the time the rates they charged are locked in at a flat figure. This question goes beyond just hourly rates, it gives you an idea of the other costs you could expect to see.

5.) Will you be the only one to work on my case?
You have to decide if you want an attorney who is solely devoted to your case, or if you’re willing to work with their team. The team option can actually save some money, since it usually means your lawyer will assign work to paralegals and associates who bill at lower rates. But if you’re worried vital info will slip through the cracks, you might want to find someone who can dedicate their time and attention to your matter.

6.) How would you handle my case?
This question allows you to see how a potential lawyer will approach your legal matter. You can also find out if the attorney thinks you should go to trial or settle without a trial.

7.) How often will we communicate?
When you’re facing criminal charges and the reality of possible incarceration and large fines is hitting you, you need an attorney will be available for you when questions arise. When you’re wondering if a plea deal is possible in your case, you should be able to call your lawyer and ask. When you’re worried about keeping your job or ending up on the sex offender registry because of a potential conviction, you should be able to get a hold of your attorney with no problems. Think about how often you’d like to hear from your lawyer, and use that as a tool when speaking with people who will potentially represent you.

8.) What will you need from me?
There might be some documents or other important information that you need to contribute to your case. A lawyer should be able to give you an idea of what they will need from you.

9.) How long do you think my case will take?
Again, it’s impossible to know an exact time frame, but a lawyer could quote a general estimate so you know what you’re potentially facing and can prepare accordingly.

10.) Why should I choose you?
Sometimes the simplest questions uncover the most valuable information. A question as straightforward as “why you” could help you decide how knowledgeable, experienced, and dedicated a lawyer will be to your case.

The Right Attorney Knows the Basics Off the Top of Their Head

An attorney doesn’t have to know everything without having to look things up, but they should know the basics of the most common crimes. They should be able to explain to you the possible and likely penalties for the charges against you.

They should know the questions to ask you to determine if nuances apply to the case. The best criminal defense attorney has a certain level of familiarity and comfort with the laws and the criminal justice system.

Must Know What Need To Do Before Office Movers

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The danger of hiring an unprofessional office mover

Moving an office-regardless of its size-is costly and requires a significant amount of pre-planning. As important as it is to properly pack equipment, furniture, records, and other items, it’s just as vital to hire reputable office movers in Darnestown to ensure everything is securely transferred to the new location. Selecting the wrong office mover can pave the way for liability risks, lost and stolen information, and even business closures.

Mini-storage services are a growing trend in office moving. These companies place office items in their mini-storage facilities and claim that business owners will save on costs associated with traditional moving and storage. But businesses should beware. A mini-storage company does not have the same insurance protection as a professional office mover. Furthermore, mini-storage services can auction a company’s items if it does not pay its bills on time and it’s legal for them to do so.

Needless to say, mini-storage office movers are some of the more unprofessional services available. Since they’re not held to the same codes as traditional movers or storage facilities, an organization can expect to risk thousands of dollars and open the door to lawsuits in the future. Mini-storage companies are notorious for setting up shop and then bolting unexpectedly. Even after lawsuits, they are known to pop-up under different names and business licenses. They use exceptionally low prices to reel in their customers, which should be a clear warning sign to businesses looking to hire an office mover.

Selecting the Cheapest Mover

When you start looking for office movers, get a few in-person estimates and a complete list of the services they provide. You might be surprised at how many additional “hidden” fees some companies charge. Plus, cut-rate office movers often don’t have the necessary experience, equipment, and procedures in place to ensure a successful move. So, while one moving company may seem like the cheaper option, it could be the more expensive choice in the end. As with most professional services, you get what you pay for.

They’re not properly licensed

The last thing you want to do is hire a moving company that isn’t properly licensed. If you’re hiring movers for an interstate move, they should be licensed with the United States Department of Transportation. Ask for their U.S. DOT number to look them up in the FMCSA’s system. Keep in mind that local moving companies who move customers within the same state won’t be regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Instead, they will be regulated by the state. So if hiring local movers, check to make sure they are properly licensed with your state.

They’re not insured

Uh oh. If your moving company isn’t insured, this is typically a big fat sign that they aren’t legitimate movers. Professional moving companies should be insured in order to protect themselves from potential lawsuits, as well as pay customers back for any damaged goods. If their business lacks insurance, then you can bet the mover won’t be able to make good on paying customers (i.e. you) back for the loss of your items.

Why hire a professional mover?

Hiring a professional mover to assist with your relocation could increase your chances of having a smooth and stress-free moving experience. If you are thinking about hiring a moving company, the following are a few reasons to hire professionals to help with your next move.

Peace of Mind

Planning a move can be overwhelming and stressful at times. Professional movers understand the best ways to navigate the roads and how to handle your belongings to keep them safe and protected. Knowing that your possessions are in safe hands will help to ease your mind on moving day.

Reliability

A professional moving company will often be the most reliable option, rather than attempting to move with the help of friends and family. Professional movers undergo rigorous training to learn the best moving techniques so that they can keep your belongings safe.

Accountability

A moving company will be held accountable for your move and will work to ensure that all of your belongings arrive at your doorstep safely. Relocating without the help of experienced movers gives you the responsibility of seeing that all of your belongings arrive safely, which can result in added stress during your move.

Fast

A moving company will be able to give you a date and time that you can expect all of your possessions to arrive at your new home. Many companies pride themselves on prompt, professional service, and by finding a good mover, you can expedite and simplify the moving process. Not to mention, they can squeeze your couch through that staircase much more quickly than you can!

Efficient

A professional moving company will be more efficient at handling bulky items such as furniture or heavy boxes during your move and will be able to more efficiently transfer all of your belongings to the truck and, later, into your new home.

Questions to ask:

Even when you are using a legitimate, honest moving company you may have a bad experience if you don’t know what services the company is providing at what cost. Here are some basic questions to ask:

What are the insurance terms for the move? You will typically purchase an insurance option for items damaged or lost in transport. Does the insurance cover the full value of the item?
Is the quote price an estimate or a “not-to-exceed” ceiling?
Are there any hidden fees? Moving companies often work from a “tariff,” which lists items for which you could be charged, such as if there are stairs involved.
How long has the company been in business.
Is the moving crew employed by the company, temporary hires or casual laborers?

Choose The Best Colour For Your Exterior Painting

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Tips For Choosing Exterior Paint Colour

look at the climate that you live in.

If you’re in a hot climate, you’ll want to look at lighter colors, because they absorb much less light and heat, so it’s an energy efficient choice. There’s also the neighborhood you live in, which is a huge factor. Some people live in a neighborhood where an HOA dictates the colors, which is automatically limiting right there. But if you don’t, then look around at the houses in your neighborhood. It’s not that you have to blend in or match your neighbor’s houses — I wouldn’t want people to do that — but you don’t want to veer off too far from the rest of the homes. So if you live in a neighborhood with mostly light colored homes or mostly dark colored homes and especially if you live kind of close to your neighbors, then do let that be a guide. If you’re more spread out and don’t have a lot of close neighbors, then those rules can be loosened a bit. Lastly, I’d say it comes down to colors you like. It’s pretty easy to get to a limited selection if you take all of those into account.

Here are several tips designers and architects use to find exterior colour schemes

The quickest way to spruce up the outside of your home is with new paint colors. Whereas you’re free to choose any colors for the relatively private interior, everyone sees the outside your home, so there’s a public component to your color selection to consider.

1. Pay Attention to Your Neighborhood
Study the color schemes of the homes around you, noting which ones spark your fancy. If your home is similar in style, then a variation on your favorite color schemes will look nice and be appropriate for the neighborhood.

2. Follow the Sun

Full sunlight intensifies colors, so make note of what parts of your home get the most sunlight at which times of day. If the front of your home is in full sun for the second half of the day, consider more subtle colors to avoid a garrish effect. Conversely, a home mostly in soft shade due to trees can sport more saturated colors to beautiful effect.

3. Play with Accents

Homes typically have many smaller details, like shutters, porch columns, fascia, where you can be more adventurous with color. For example, stick with a neutral color for the body of the home, and use one bold color to highlight the front door. Also, remember that you have flower pots (and flowers), home address plates and mailboxes to use as opportunities for pops of bright color.

4. Embrace Contrast

Variations in tones highlight the architectural details of your home, so you need both dark and light colors for visual interest. If the main body of your home is a dark color, go for lighter window frames, shutters and trims to provide contrast.

5. Test Colors on the Home

The color you see on the paint chip in the store will become darker and more intense in full sunlight across a wide swath of the exterior. Make large boards with the paint colors you’re considering so you can move them about the exterior. Or paint the samples directly onto several spots of the home. You want to see the colors at different times of day under different lighting conditions to assure you can live comfortably with those colors.

6. Coordinate with Materials

For homes with a stone or brick façade, choose trim colors that work with the natural shades and textures. For instance, a dark red brick home benefits from a contrasting cream trim with sage green accents as the complimentary color to red.

Exterior paints elements

While you may see your home as one whole item, when it comes to painting, there are many separate items to be considered. If it was all painted one color, your home would look very dull. It’s a good idea to have a house color and an accent color or two to make it stand out. Here are a few elements to consider:

Siding: Should be your main color focal point.
Window & Door Trim: Neutral accent colors work best here.
Front Door: Make your front door pop with color.
Railings & Spindles: Another area you can play with an accent color or neutral.
Shutters: While neutral accents work best, some homeowners like to coordinate with their door or trim color here.

Pay attention to scale as it relates to color

The mass of your home determines the range of color choices for your exterior. For example, a very large house in a very dark color might look too imposing; a very small house that’s painted too light might seem floaty in the landscape. This midsize house is a good example of using a single midrange hue in a way that’s complementary without being overpowering. To prevent the front door from getting lost, try painting or staining it in a warm, rich color.

Here are some color trends we are loving

· Black and White

sometimes simpler is better, and a white house paired with black features, including the door, windows and trim, balcony railing and even the gutters truly makes a stand-out showpiece for your neighborhood. The best part about choosing black and white is the ready availability of these colors from most suppliers. Whether it’s black window trim and eavestroughs, or white board-and-batten, like the above Allura fiber cement panels in Snow, these colors are easy to find.

Tone on Tone

Then try using gradients of the same color throughout your home as another way to achieve an updated aesthetic. Older home styles commonly used the same shade from foundation to roofline, but varying your color palette from top to bottom helps freshen up the look. Here, the homeowner has chosen a soft creamy color for the lower siding and pillars, which melds nicely with a soft mid-tone brown on the peaks. Finally, the darkest shade is found in the roof, drawing the eye up, making the house feel taller.

Warm Earth Tones

For a transported feeling, choose warm tones with contrasting trim. Siding in a warm brown tone like Allura’s Ashen makes us think of hot days lounging by the pool or even exploring a vineyard. Bright contrast here comes from white pillars and gutters, and the darker window trim helps the home stand out, even with a paler primary color.

The Blues

When choosing blue, think about how the rest of your home’s trim and roof will look with it. Light trim, like white and cream, can bring a classic country feel, while dark gray and black bring modern drama. Or combine them for something unique, like the image above.

Bold Red

If you’re feeling brave though, red never really goes out of style. Paired with classic white trim and a dark roof, this is a look that will last for decades, while still being unique in almost any neighborhood. Colors like Allura’s Autumn Red will brighten up any street.

Which Will You Choose?

Today’s home trends are all about bringing your unique style to the project. Trends are great, but by taking advantage of design features including your siding, trim, railings and doors, you can go beyond the two-dimensional image in a magazine, into a home that truly reflects your unique style.

When Is The Best Time To Make Carpet Cleaning

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Things That You Need to Know About Carpet Cleaning

1) All carpet cleaners should do a pre-vacuum at the start of the job. This is because dry soils (dust and dirt) turn to mud when they combine with moisture in the cleaning process. Mud is heavier than dry dirt and is harder to remove, so a thorough pre-vacuum will get the best possible result.

2) Most stains should be removed in the general cleaning process. Some stains that contain tannins, dyes, acids or caustics may not come out in the general cleaning process and may require specialised stain removal treatment. Unfortunately, some stains cannot be removed from carpet no matter what chemicals or cleaning processes are used.

3) An acidic conditioning rinse should be used in the cleaning process. This is because almost all cleaning chemicals are alkaline in nature and an acid balances out the cleaning products.

4) Not all carpet cleaning services are the same. The results of a carpet cleaning service depend on the skill of the technician, the time taken, and the chemicals and equipment used.

5) Carpet cleaning is not a regulated industry. Look for firms certified by the IICRC (International Institute for Cleaning and Restoration Certification), the primary training and accreditation body in the carpet cleaning industry.

6) The ‘wet-dog’ smell that occurs when cleaning wool carpet is primarily caused by an off gas from the natural sulphur in wool when wool gets wet. This is natural and dissipates when the carpet dries.

7) Carpet cleaning does not remove the stain protection applied to carpets by the manufacturer or your carpet cleaner. Wear and tear is the primary reason stain protection coatings break down. It is sometimes best to have a carpet protector such as e-Gard applied to the traffic areas on your carpet before your stain protector reaches the end of the warranty period to maintain stain protection.

8) Carpets should be groomed after cleaning to ensure that they dry quickly and that the pile sits in the same direction (not falling to the side).

9) Carpet cleaners are legally required to warrant their workmanship. If you are not happy with the carpet cleaning service provided, call the carpet cleaning company and they should offer to return to re-clean the carpet free of charge. If your carpet cleaner does not return to re-clean your carpet, call the Office of Fair Trading or equivalent in your state.

10) Regularly cleaned carpets last longer and look better than carpets that are rarely cleaned. Cleaning helps remove the abrasive soils in your carpet pile that wear away at the carpet fibres when the carpet is walked on.

Hot Water Extraction (HWE) Carpet Cleaning

Most people refer to this as “steam cleaning,” but that term refers to an altogether different industrial process. Real steam would be way too hot for most carpet fibers and could damage the carpet very badly. Just as a wool sweater or velvety fabric can shrink or get fuzzy in the wash, so steam can hurt carpets with these materials and textures. Also, artificial fibers could simply melt because the steam is too hot for them.

Thus, so-called steam cleaning of carpets is really hot water extraction cleaning. The machines that we use for hot water extraction cleaning spray heated water onto the carpet while simultaneously sucking it up. In the process, the dirt in the carpet gets dislodged and sucked away.

Adding cleaning chemicals to the equation can produce better results, but once again, you must take the type of carpet fiber into account when selecting chemical agents.

How to Know if the Carpet is Clean?

Your carpet is clean when the fibers of the carpet looks fresh and feel softer. You can also see that there are no stains on the carpet. It will look and feel much lighter and fluffier once it is all dried. But to ensure that the carpet remains clean for a longer time, it is important to vacuum the carpet on a daily basis. You need to know that professional cleaning can also help you to clean the carpet stains and debris thoroughly.

Make a carpet cleaner and conditioner.

This carpet cleaner and conditioner is the most similar to a commercial cleaner, and it will leave your carpet clean, fresh, soft, and smelling great. To make this cleaner, combine in a bucket:[1]

2 tablespoons (30 ml) of liquid laundry detergent

¼ cup (59 ml) of liquid all-purpose cleaner

1 scoop of OxiClean

1 teaspoon (5 ml) of fabric softener

1 gallon (3.8 L) of hot water

What to Do Before a Carpet Cleaner Arrives

While part of the joy of hiring a professional includes having someone else do the dirty work, taking these pro-active steps can help make sure you get the cleanest carpet possible and the biggest bang for your buck.

Vacuum, if needed

Removing as much debris and dirt from the carpet fiber prior to a cleaning can help ensure your carpet cleaner focuses on the deep down soiled-in dirt. Some carpet cleaning services vacuum the carpet prior to beginning their work. Others rely on you, the homeowner, to do so. Ask your carpet cleaning professional whether or not you need to vacuum before they arrive.

Dust and clean baseboards and HVAC registers

While not dusting or cleaning your baseboards of HVAC registers prior to the carpet cleaner’s arrival won’t inhibit their job in any way, you should still complete these tasks. Clearing these areas of dirt and debris can help ensure the carpet doesn’t become dirty quickly following a cleaning.

Remove fragile and valuable items

Porcelain knick-knacks, fine china, collectibles and any other potentially fragile or breakable items should be removed from the cleaning area and placed in a safe area.

While many carpet cleaning companies thoroughly screen and vet their employees, it’s also a good idea to remove any items of value from rooms with carpeting you hire them to clean. Store your valuables behind a locked door or in your car’s trunk.

Remove fragile and valuable items

Porcelain knick-knacks, fine china, collectibles and any other potentially fragile or breakable items should be removed from the cleaning area and placed in a safe area.

Remove smaller items from the floor

Floor lamps, waste baskets, toys and clothing or shoes should all be moved out of the area that requires cleaning. It’s also a good idea to lift up and secure things like bedspreads, drapes or dust ruffles with a clothespin to prevent them from getting in the way of a carpet cleaner’s tools.

Use Kitchen Remodelling To Rebuild Your Kitchen

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Kitchen Remodeling – Add Value and Life to Your Home

For many homeowners kitchen remodeling is the single most popular home renovation. Kitchen remodeling is certainly a very enticing project, but make certain you go about it with a mind to keeping the costs in check. This type of home improvement task normally frightens homeowners because they assume that a makeover consists of redoing everything in a kitchen. Even though that is an option, you can however remodel a kitchen by just adding new cabinetry. Kitchen remodeling can add value and life to your home in many ways. It allows you to convert an old fashioned, outdated kitchen into the showpiece of your home. Refacing cabinetry is a method of how to change the current cabinets in your kitchen to a stylish trend that fits your lifestyle and taste. It also will up the value of your property in case you ever decide to sell.

Kitchen Remodeling Doesn’t All Have To Be Done Simultaneously

One of the advantages of remodeling your kitchen is that unlike many different rooms in your house, that kitchen remodeling does not have to be done all at one time. You can redesign that kitchen as your time and finances permit. By way of example, altering your faucets and lighting fixtures are both projects that are relatively inexpensive and can easily be accomplished in a day or a weekend away as can painting your kitchen walls and cabinets and changing that cabinet hardware. See our New & Custom Kitchens Phoenix | Affinity Kitchens!

Frequently There Are Less Expensive Ways Of Making Necessary Alterations

When remodeling a kitchen there are often less expensive ways of getting exactly the same results you would like. For example, if you want to change to a granite counter top you can find a countertop installed right over your old one rather than paying the cost of getting your old countertop stripped and stripped off. In other cases, you can actually paint and sand a classic countertop preventing you from having to replace the countertop at all.

Here are some of the quickest and simplest methods that will keep your renovation costs low, help increase the value of your home and catch the eye of interested buyers.

i- A Small-Scale Remodel- The phrase remodel usually inspires images of extensive and expensive processes that can take months and keep you from selling longer. However, to add value to your kitchen, you can just make a few smaller upgrades and positively impact the value for a fraction of the cost. Even simply just changing the paint in the kitchen or painting a new finish on your cabinets will help provide a jolt of life to your kitchen and help it look new.

ii- Stay Away From Deluxe Upgrades- Considering the rest of the home is essential to helping you from spending more money than you need to. Putting an expensive and cutting-edge kitchen that doesn’t fit the theme or feeling of the rest of the house or even the other houses in the neighborhood can actually be detrimental to the selling process.

iii- Stick With the Theme- Knowing the general theme and feel of your home and even the other homes on your street and in your neighborhood will help you when choosing materials for renovation. Giving your home a specific design and theme will help keep the home uniform and memorable.

Updating your kitchen doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. If you want a BIG IMPACT WITHOUT THE HUGE PRICE TAG, HERE ARE SOME PRACTICAL WAYS TO SAVE MONEY:

Paint or Refinish Your Cabinets. Instead of getting rid of your current cabinets, consider painting or refinishing them to give your space a completely new look. Are the cabinet faces too outdated? Consider re-facing your cabinetry. It’s more expensive than painting but still less expensive than replacing the existing cabinet boxes.
Don’t Underestimate the Backsplash. A new tile backsplash can bring a kitchen color palette together, and it usually only costs a few hundred dollars in materials. Paying for labor won’t break the bank, but it’s even cheaper if you do it yourself.
Paint Your Appliances. If your appliances are still in good shape but the colors are dated, you can get them painted at a local body shop. Using your existing appliances instead of buying brand new ones is a great way to save money.
Consider All of Your Flooring Options. Vinyl flooring has come a long way and is cheaper than installing real hardwood or slate floors. You can find styles that mimic high-end finishes for a modern, low-cost look.

Remodel Does Not Need to Be Extensive

One fact you should understand is that a renovation does not need to be extensive to add value and life to your house. Just a simple coat of paint on the walls of your kitchen helps with this when you have a limited budget. Another example would be to replace the present sink with a new one and update your tapware. Of course, when the budget allows, and the kitchen is in an extremely worn shape, you should gut and perform an extensive remodel on your kitchen.

Tips To Make tax Preparation For Your Company

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What Are the Different Kinds of Tax Preparers, and What Do They Specialize In?

When tax season comes around every year, you have a crucial decision to make: Will you hire a tax preparer or go it alone? If your tax return is fairly simple and you’re comfortable making the necessary decisions, by all means prepare the return yourself or use one of the many online tax-prep tools (some of these are even free). But if your return is more complicated, or you’re serious about squeezing out every last deduction and credit, then it’s wise to put your return in the hands of a professional.

If you do want help preparing your return, then you should choose a tax preparer whose credentials and expertise best meet your needs. Otherwise you could end up overpaying for expertise you don’t need or, conversely, choosing a tax pro who’s not qualified to handle the nuances of your tax situation. Let’s go over your options.

Certified public accountant (CPA)

A certified public accountant, or CPA for short, is a person who is licensed by the state to offer accounting services to the public. All state boards of accountancy require an aspiring CPA to pass the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination, a rigorous test administered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). More than forty states also require CPA candidates to pass an ethics exam.

Once licensed, a CPA must meet state requirements for continuing education. CPAs can provide a variety of services, such as,

maintaining financial records,
examining financial statements,
providing auditing services, and
preparing tax returns.

Some CPAs specialize in tax planning and preparation. CPAs are granted unlimited representation rights by the IRS. As a result, they are allowed to represent clients on any tax matters, including,

tax audits,
payment and collection issues, and
appeals.

Tax attorneys

The ultimate tax experts, tax attorneys specialize in the most complicated convolutions of tax law. You probably don’t want to turn to one for preparing your tax return, as their rates are as stratospheric as their expertise, but they are an excellent choice if you end up in tax court or if you’re being audited and think you may have committed fraud on that return.

Annual Filing Season Program Participants

Annual Filing Season Program Participants are tax preparers who have elected to go through the IRS Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP). The program consists of a 6-hour Annual Federal Tax Refresher (AFTR) course with a comprehension 3-hour test, plus 12 additional hours of continuing education annually. While this program is voluntary, it is a method through, which the tax preparer demonstrates competency by completing required education and testing. Upon successful completion of the Annual Filing Season Program the IRS awards a Record of Completion to eligible participants.

AFSP participants have limited representation rights. They may only represent clients whose returns they prepared and signed, but only before revenue agents, customer service representatives, and similar IRS employees, including the Taxpayer Advocate Service.

Enrolled Agent

Enrolled agents hold federal licenses showing that they have completed and passed a comprehensive, federally administered IRS exam. Enrolled agents may also be former IRS employees. These individuals — who may work as consultants or as members of a firm — possess wide and all-encompassing knowledge of tax laws and tax preparation. Enrolled agents, however, may choose to specialize in certain aspects of tax preparation. Some may work only with business owners, and others may work only with retirees.

Non-Credentialed Tax Preparers:

There are about 700,000 people who work as non-credentialed tax preparers in the United States. They often work part-time or only during the tax season. These preparers must have an active preparer tax identification number (PTIN) through the IRS, but beyond that, regulating tax preparers done at the state level. In the vast majority of states, anyone can prepare tax returns for others without having to take an exam, get a license, or comply with other government regulation. Learn more about your state’s requirements here

Most tax preparers are legitimate and competent, but keep in mind that without a national license requirement, they may be working off of their own personal research and experience. Because of this, it is important you conduct a thorough interview with the tax preparer before you hire them.

Tips To Pick The Best Laminate Flooring

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TIPS TO CHOOSE THE BEST LAMINATE FLOOR AND MAKE IT LAST FOR LONG

The superficial layer of a laminate floor will protect it from humidity, impacts and abrasions. However, by following a few rules, it’s possible to make it last even longer.

Limit the excess of humidity. To clean a laminate floor, there’s no need of bucket, brush and polisher: they won’t be effective and may even damage it. Using a damp cloth is much better.

Use non-aggressive detergents. Only use detergents recommended by the manufacturer, or those specifically created for laminate (they’re not necessarily the same as those for tiles or vinyl). Polish and bleach should also be avoided. In case of persistent stains on Skema Living floors, a thinner can also be used.s

Clean immediately, clean often. Since a frequent and aggressive washing can damage laminate over time, the alternative is prevention. Use a vacuum cleaner or a broom often, and clean immediately any residual soil, pebbles, or liquid spills. A doormat can be useful to keep out dirt and humidity.

Tips for Choosing Laminate Flooring

Budget:

Ugh! I really don’t like that word, do you? ? But, like any DIY or renovation project, it’s one of the first considerations you must keep in mind. You wouldn’t think there would be a major difference in total pricing between flooring that cost $1.89/sf and $3.39/sf. I mean, there’s only a $1.50 difference right? Until you multiply that by 1000+ sf. Like any project, you need to break down the costs of the total renovation and decide what percentage you can dedicate to each category. To a new homeowner, it seems logical that you would spend as little per square footage as possible. I mean, savings is savings. Here is where I will a huge and loud NO! Savings is always a good thing, but not when it comes to the item that will receive the most wear and tear in your home. Don’t be fooled into thinking that flooring is flooring is flooring. Especially when it comes to laminate. I would suggest spending a little more and getting a better product that is within your budget’s means.

Durability and Use:

Think of all the foot traffic your poor floors will see during it’s lifetime. Muddy shoes, dogs and cat paws, bouncing balls and legos. Okay, maybe that’s just in MY home. ? We learned the learned way many years ago that choosing the right type of flooring for the home was key to how long said flooring would last. The good thing about much of the newer types of laminate flooring is it is virtually resistant to most scratches and impacts.

Looks and Style:

Just like with other types of flooring, the variety of laminate flooring on the market now is almost endless. That is why I love to change up the design when choosing a flooring for a new flip project. Besides the paint choices, the flooring is one of the elements that literally set the design tone of the entire home. If you want to go Farmhouse, there are endless choices for old barn wood style floors. Coastal? I love the driftwood look. Contemporary, classic, rustic? There is a flooring for you which will meet your budget demands.

Installation:

Another thing I love about laminate flooring is the ease of installation. It is a doable DIY project that almost any homeowner can tackle. I was petrified the first time we installed laminate flooring ourselves. We had been hiring it done in the past, but because of a tight budget in one of our renovations, my son and I decided to tackle the job to save money. We asked lots of questions at the local home store, we watched youtube videos, and we asked more questions. And we did it! And darn it – it looked amazing! ? The glueless options of laminate flooring totally changed the process. When the interlocking systems were first introduced, I will be the first one to admit they were not very good. I will say THIS is where the budget plays a big role in the type of flooring I choose. I will not buy a laminate flooring less than 8mm thick, and prefer to have a flooring at least 10mm thick. The better quality of flooring will have a better and more durable interlocking system, which is key to installation. Laminate flooring is a “floating” system which can be installed over virtually any type of existing subfloor.

Placement:

I try to avoid placing laminate flooring is “wet areas,” meaning bathrooms and laundry rooms. Until now. Shaw Floors has just introduced a brand new type of flooring that is completely water resistant and it is absolutely stunning. I learned about it at a recent Blog Conference and was absolutely “floored.” (see what I did there?) ? This new technologically-advanced flooring has now revolutionized laminate so that it can be used anywhere in your home, without having to resort to different types of flooring in the different areas of your home. (this will also save you time and money on those transitions I mentioned above.)

How to Choose Laminate Flooring: A Buyer’s Guide

Don’t Forget LV Flooring!

Laminate floors aren’t the only option for durability and ease of installation. Next time you’re at the home center, take a gander at luxury vinyl (LV) flooring. There’s luxury vinyl tile (LVT), which looks like ceramic tile, and luxury vinyl plank (LVP), which mimics wood (shown here). Both types are extremely resilient, about the easiest flooring in the world to install and completely waterproof. Since luxury vinyl is so pliable, it’s a great choice over uneven subfloors.

Don’t Forget the Underlayment

All laminate flooring needs foam underlayment. Don’t skip it. Underlayment prevents the floor from clicking on the subfloor as you walk across it and makes it feel a bit softer. It also makes the planks easier to install because it evens out small inconsistencies in the subfloor. Some underlayment has self-adhesive tape to join one row to the next. Others call for separate tape. Be careful to use whatever is required. Go ahead and buy the special laminate and wood flooring installation tool as well. You’ll need it to pull together flooring ends where each row abuts a wall.

Choose a Finish Based on Lifestyle, Not Just Looks

If you lead a quiet life, choose whatever flooring style appeals to you. But if you have one of those crazy households with kids, pets and lots of visitors, be a bit more careful. Flooring with a varied grain pattern, a low-gloss finish or distressed or hand-scraped patina will look much better, much cleaner, much longer than flooring with a glossy, monolithic grain pattern.

Avoid Wide Planks Unless the Substrate is Perfect

The directions will tell you the amount of slab or subfloor unevenness tolerated by the brand and type of flooring you buy. Over an uneven floor, wider planks will be harder to snap together, end joints won’t stay flush with one another and there will be more gaps beneath the planks that you’ll feel when you walk across the floor. So if your concrete or wood subfloor is quite uneven, you’re better off selecting a narrower plank style, and being thorough when you apply the floor leveling compound.

How to choose the best laminate flooring

HOW MUCH DOES LAMINATE FLOORING COST?

Laminate flooring can cost as little as £6m² for the most basic 6mm thick planks from an online flooring dealer, or a high-street DIY warehouse. If you’re going for a better quality option, usually 8mm to 12mm, look at paying around £20m².

CAN LAMINATE FLOORING BE LAID OVER UNDERFLOOR HEATING?

Most laminates are appropriate for use with underfloor heating, but make sure this is specified by the manufacturer to avoid damage or inefficiency before you buy. It’s also important to ensure you have the right underlay.

WHERE CAN YOU LAY LAMINATE FLOORING?

There is a laminate flooring on the market for every room, whether it’s a high traffic area such as the kitchen, or somewhere that needs waterproofing, for example the bathroom.

HOW DURABLE IS LAMINATE FLOORING?

An AC rating is an important factor to consider when you’re deciding which laminate to use in a room and is used to tell how durable a product is.

HOW TO LAY LAMINATE FLOORING

It is possible to DIY-fit laminate flooring yourself, as manufacturers have developed simple, stress-free interlocking systems so that laminate flooring is quick and convenient to lay. If you’re a keen DIYer who’s up to the challenge, use our guide to laying laminate floor as a basis.

The Complete Buyer’s Guide To Choosing Laminate Flooring

What is laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring is a type of floor covering that is made from several layers of material to form a firm and durable type of flooring. It usually has at least 4 layers.

A backer layer – this layer provides the stability and support for the flooring and is the base of the laminate flooring

What are the different types of laminate flooring?

Laminate flooring comes in a variety of different types.

There are 2 main styles of laminate flooring: plastic laminate and engineered wood laminate. Read more about the differences between laminate and engineered wood.

It’s no surprise that the engineered wood laminate can be more expensive than its plastic counterpart. However with careful care, it can end up lasting much longer than the plastic laminate.

What are the different finishes for laminate flooring?

With hundreds, if not thousands of different finishes on the market, choosing the look of your laminate can be a daunting task.

First consider what kind of look you want in your home. The most common styles are wood effect, tile effect and stone effect.

Is laminate flooring waterproof?

There are some laminate flooring planks on the market which are water resistant or waterproof.

They need to be installed very carefully and include 100% silicon sealant and a foam backer road around the entire perimeter of the room.

Does laminate flooring need underlay?

Generally yes. Underlay serves a few purposes.

It adds an extra layer of moisture protection, so if you ever have any leaks from underneath your flooring, it is less likely to seep through to your laminate flooring.