Choosing Skips

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Steps to Choose a Skip Bins Service

Waste is a menace. At risk is the environment. People aren’t safe too. As luck would have it, there are numerous skip bin firms in town. But, even with that massive number, landfills are still full and our surroundings are fairly filthy. What could be the issue? For starters, skip bin companies aren’t born equal. Some excel in waste disposal but others suck at it. Here we uncover how to differentiate mavens from cowboys.

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Rules and Regulations

You can’t hire a company that collects and dumps toxic materials anyhow. Certain materials are hazardous and, if discarded carelessly, can pollute the environment. Local councils dictate how to treat and discard waste. If your trash is dumped in someone else’s property, you might be fined. Remember, getting rid of garbage isn’t the only solution. Wrongful disposal is going to haunt you plus your surroundings.

Size of Skip Bin

How much waste do you produce? Estimate that – and determine whether the trash collector has sufficient resources to handle that capacity. Word-of-mouth is helpful in such cases. As an aid, it helps you pick a service that fits your needs and budget. Not every skip bin is perfect. Select one that’s sturdy and spacious. Waste materials should be held in place with little or no parts exposed.

Competitive Pricing

Though skip bins are affordable, not all of them suit your budget. But the price isn’t the only consideration. When you rent a cheap bin, if it’s not the right type or size, you’ve lost it. This holds true because the price depends on the bin’s size. Basically, the least expensive bin is the smallest. So choose wisely!

Recycling Options

Throwing away waste is the norm. But, if that waste isn’t recycled, landfills will fill up and our planet will suffer. Having said that, opt for a company that provides waste recycling. Such companies, instead of dumping the waste straightaway, they take it to a recycling plant. Recyclable materials are selected and processed. Separate bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable items are a plus. With multiple skip bins, separating waste at the source is feasible. Consequently, processing green waste becomes a picnic.

Type of Skip Bin

Loading skip bins is, somewhat, a labour-intensive task. If there’s too much waste, hassle-free work becomes elbow-grease. But you don’t have to break your back. Check if the bins on offer have a door or movable parts. These features make the waste stacking process easy. Most companies cut corners to save on manufacturing costs. They make traditional skip bins which are difficult to load. A removable door maximises access and usage. Bins with wheels are easy to move around and pick up.

Comprehensive Service

People have a habit of neglecting the environment. Cleaning your property and leaving its surroundings dirty is dumb. Certain companies, besides picking up the skip bin, inspect your yard for other debris. That’s what detailed garbage collection entails. A firm that offers an all-inclusive waste management package should top your list.

Selecting the right skip bin firm ensures your waste problems vanish into the thin air. Being an Adelaide based home improvement site, we suggest Supreme Skip Bins Adelaide for the job. They are an extremely reputable company and have been in the business for years.

Cautions Of When Building A New Home

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What to be cautious of when building a new home

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Home construction is an exciting project. However, headaches and heartaches transpire when you choose to cut corners. Over-saving and attempting to DIY may result in low quality work. Clearly, you want a home that’s perfect for you and your family. If building new seems frantic, then consider buying existing. But since building a new home has been your plan all along, we offer to help you manoeuvre the tricky aspects of home building. Keep an eye out for these hurdles.

Bad builders

Keep in mind the builder’s reputation. Ask around and Google your builder before you start the process. People are willing to share the experiences they and their friends had with a particular builder. If you talk to homeowners and get zero recommendations, consider looking at online reviews. No builder is perfect. So expect to see some bad reviews.

Project pitfalls

No house is ever built perfectly. Something can go wrong anytime in the process. Expecting eventualities reduces frustration. Visit the building often during construction and check whether things are going on smoothly. Make sure you know who you can talk to when something goes wrong. Stay in touch with the contractor for updates.

Interest rates

Quotes are not always fixed. Interest rates can increase thus affecting the cost of building. Luckily, rates are steady and low currently. But as the housing market and economy continue to grow, it’s possible they’ll go up. So ask your builder to give you a few estimates – one with the current rate and several others with slightly higher rates.

Base price vs. Actual price

There are costs for building and costs for upgrades. Upgrade costs depend on decisions you make about the home’s design. A builder may entice you with an amazing base price before you realise how much upgrades can increase the price of the house. Make sure you are aware of the hidden costs of building a new home.

Builder’s model

Beware of builders who advertise low home prices. Their models are often full of upgrades. These improvements add to the total cost, making the project even more expensive. “Budget” homes are not necessarily the best deal. So resist temptations of a low price. Make sure you go through the builder’s model to see which items are standard and which ones are add-ons.

Upgrade prices

Many builders indicate the base price, but hide info about upgrade costs. Therefore, make sure the builder gives you a comprehensive quote that covers everything you need. Revise the quote and exclude items that you don’t want. The estimate must be in writing.

Project timelines

Building a home is a big investment. Though the process is lengthy and tiresome, don’t rush it. Take things slowly. You don’t want to end up with a house that you hate. Aim to build a home you want, not one that’s just affordable. Visit model homes and multiple builders (e.g. Kookaburra Homes – builders) before you choose a design or floor plan.

Financing issues

Seek financing if you can’t afford to build. Commencing the project without enough money may lead to delays or halts. So make sure you can fund the process from start to finish. And pay the workers on time.

Why Fake Plants For Your Home?

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Why fake plants for your home? This trend is growing rapidly

Research indicates that both live and artificial plants interchangeably increase concentration, memory, happiness and perceived quality of life. Being around plants can help you perform better in the workplace and be comfortable in your home. If you have no plants in your home, it’s about time to plant or purchase one. But what types of plants are suitable for you, your budget and your space?

Well, fake plants are the best-kept secret. For years, fake plants have been associated with fake homes, but recently, these plants have become a mainstay design in many houses, offices and outdoor spaces. Wondering why? Check out this guide!

First, let’s begin with the drawbacks of greenery.

Fresh, live plants can be demanding, fussy and exasperating to manage and nurture. A single mistake or lack of maintenance can cause catastrophe, and loss of your entire investment. Large greenery installations can be too expensive to buy, and cost more to replace and properly maintain.

Besides the plants, there are fertilizers, pesticides and planters to buy, and irrigation setups to mount and maintain. In addition, you’ll need to understand the plants to ensure the greenery you have bought and grown will thrive. Even if you water the plants, place them in ample sunlight and provide the necessary nutrients; there are many uncontrollable factors that can cause failure or disappointment.

So, what’s the solution?

Many interior designers recommend a combination of artificial plants and natural plant life. Using both plants is the best way to enjoy the ease of faux plants and the benefits of real plants – and can be a great way to create a visual appeal on a small budget. But your best bet is utilizing fake plants. They are affordable, beautiful, and very realistic.

If you have a room with little sunlight, an inaccessible ledge or pests are attacking your plants; then fake plants are better than having a plant-less room. These plants are best suited to low-light areas and buildings where the humidity and temperature are too low or too high for live plants to survive. They are also long-lasting and unaffected by pests.

No need to worry that synthetic plants will appear cheap looking or unnatural. In recent years, artificial greenery has been redesigned and remodelled to look lifelike, as seen on www.artificialplantshop.com.au. Before they felt like toys and were boring and ugly. Now, you can pimp your home with lush silk flowers that require no special lighting or misting, and that never die, wilt or turn brown. Occasional dusting or washing is the only care your artificial plants will require.

Replica plant life enhances the look and feel of almost any area. Best of all, there are various artificial plants you can choose from. These include flowers, bamboo, ivy and trees. This enables you to design and develop the best space to receive clients or guests, and get an option that fits your budget.

The bottom line is, high-quality, well chosen, frequently dusted and properly displayed silk or plastic plants are way better than dying or sick real plants. So why not place fake plants in every possible nook and cranny of your home?

 

Build A Wine Cellar

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How to build a wine cellar in your house

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Wine cellars are a great way to showcase your wine collection. Make friends. And ensure proper wine storage conditions.

Spaces for wine collections are a growing trend in home planning and design. Whether you live in a large country estate or a tiny apartment, as long as you are a wine enthusiast, your home probably needs a personal wine cellar. You can either create one yourself or team up with a professional.

Proper procedures include:

1. Determine the location

For your wine cellar to function efficiently and consistently, you need to choose a suitable location. Wine usually ages faster in warmer temperatures and slower in cooler temperatures. Similarly, high humidity levels can actually ruin your wine due to the growth of mould in the cork, whereas low humidity levels can dry out the cork, hence spoiling the wine. Therefore, the space you select must be at the right temperatures (11 – 14°C) and right humidity (60 – 70%). You will also need a space big enough to house the size of your cellar. Basements are perfect.

2. Do the drywall, framing, and insulation

A basic 2-by-6 or 2-by-4 wall can handle the framing of your space. For better insulation, you’ll need a thicker wall. Thicker insulation ensures you have a more moderate environment for wine storage. Once you frame your walls, it’s recommended to use R-19 insulation to insulate and waterproof your cellar. Apply the insulation on flooring, the ceiling and the inside of the framed walls. On the outside, apply or wrap a poly moisture barrier. Board the cellar’s interior using a green mild- and water-resistant drywall.

3. Install a cooling unit

There are many different methods and products you can use to cool your space. One of the products is a through-wall unit which creates a warm and cold room. Wine cooling units

normally control humidity and remove excess heat in the cellar. You can install the cooling unit through the wall’s framing.

4. Choose your lighting

Wine cellars are naturally cool but you can make them [look] cool by using great lighting. The style of lighting you select for your cellar is paramount. Normal halogen and incandescent bulbs emit too much heat, therefore, not suitable for your cellar. LED lighting options are incredible and emit virtually no heat. Explore lighting options like LED strip lights, puck lights and track lights to create an ideal design and show off your wine collection.

5. Make a doorway seal

Frameless glass doors help showcase your wine collection. They look extremely classy and offer the best viewing of your space. To install them, you need to create a seal in the cellar’s doorway. Proper installation means using an insulated, exterior-grade door or a dual pane glass.

6. Add humidity

You can add on a basic humidifier or an indoor fountain. All these can actually add the moisture you need. Indoor waterfalls or fountains add a wow factor and become a showpiece in your cellar.

7. Display your wine

Wine racking adds interest and makes your wine cellar look stunning. You can utilize metal/wood wine racks or use custom shelving to display and store your finest wines. The Wine Rack Shop – wine racks have a decent size range of wine racks to choose from. On their Pinterest account, they often upload images of their latest, Australia made designs.

Were these tip not enough? We’ve found a great video below for some additional resources for a DIY wine cellar on the cheap. Check it out!

Property Management Tips

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Insights to property management tips and strategies

businesswoman with tablet and drawing real estate concept on wall

For property owners, investors and would-be investors, property management isn’t a taxing ordeal. You can still enjoy quality tenants, high rents and low vacancy periods. Here are 5 ways you can maximise your financial returns from your investment property.

1. Market smartly

A smart marketing strategy is effective in landing you the highest rents achievable and highest calibre tenants possible. For a successful marketing campaign, you and your property management company should have a winning game plan.

For starters, you need to make your goals specific, for instance, when you want to lease your property and how much you want to charge. Next, give your property manager a specific brief on your needs and expectations.

Lastly, be realistic! Overpricing your property will probably dent your strategy, thereby lowering tenant enquiry levels and increasing the vacancy cost. So, always listen to your property manager, do your research of the property market, and target precisely what you’re after and what works.

2. Realistic rents

Pricing your property above the local market could or most certainly reduce your campaigns enquiry, increase your property vacancy period and decrease your overall investment returns.
When searching for rental properties, tenants tend to take several factors into consideration, including the number of bedrooms or bathrooms, the distance from the city centre and most importantly the rents.

If your property is overpriced, potential tenants are likely to ditch it for a similar property across the road, which is more affordable. Consequently, your property will remain vacant eventually affecting your overall rental income.

That’s not all; your marketing campaign will prolong for a longer period and cost you a lot. So, it’s better to set a price – the right price – that’s in line with the overall property market to avoid the above problems.

3. Property management fees

Fees normally vary from company-to-company. So, before appointing one, make sure you know what they are charging. A majority of property management companies charge multiple fees including leasing fee, management fee, releasing fee, administration fee etc.

Others opt to charge a one-off fee that covers all costs to manage your property. Remember some companies may find it hard to offer you an exact figure for each year. So, make sure you know the full amount you are paying.

4. Legal issues

Every rental property is required to have at least two Residual Current Devices (RCD’s), have a barrier around private spa and swimming pools, have smoke alarms and meet minimum security standards, including window latches, deadlocks, etc. If your property breaches any of these requirements, you’ll be penalised with large potential fines.

5. Licensing

Considering the amount of damage destructive tenants can cause, default of rent and abandonment of property by ill or jobless tenants, and uncontrollable events like floods, fires, earthquakes, and storms; landlord insurance is highly recommended for every property owner. The insurance covers everything from theft by tenant, broken leases to accidental damages.

All in all, using a property management specialist can give you peace of mind knowing your property is in professional hands. Additionally, the property management process will be stress-free and have no potential conflicts or negotiations. Credit to 4rooms Property Management for these tips & insights. They constantly give out free content on the 4rooms Property on Vimeo & 4rooms Property YouTube channel.