Luxury Bathroom Suites - Affordable Bathroom Luxury

When it comes to looking at luxury bathroom suites, you might find it confusing wondering where to start. There are so many things you have to take into consideration, such as the layout of your bathroom and the essential bathroom components. Perhaps you don't need a full bathroom suite and just need a new sink or toilet? That's when you have to decide what the best option is; buy a new luxury bathroom suite or just update part of the old one.

Save The Cash In Order To Splash...

Many people who find their bathroom needs a bit of updating often get suitably "put off" by the assumed cost of brand new luxury bathroom suites. However, in the current climate, luxury is now extremely affordable. Many people find that it is not cost effective to simply replace one item of their bathroom, as eventually the rest of the bathroom suite will need replacing too. That's why more and more people are saving the cash in order to buy a luxury bathroom suite so that they can have a stunning new bathroom in one simple step.

Complement The Dcor

If you decide to just replace your sink or toilet in your bathroom, you may find that there is a niggling feeling whenever you walk in afterwards, because you may regret not updating the bathroom as a whole. One new item in a bathroom full of old items can look out of place and stick out like a sore thumb, so that's why it is easier to take a look at brand new luxury bathroom suites sooner rather than later to ensure you get a great looking bathroom that complements the dcor.

Choices, Choices

If you are now convinced that you want a new luxury bathroom suite, then you might be wondering which are the best brands to look at. Some of the best luxury bathroom suites are made by Duchy and Armitage Shanks. These are both reputable, well-established companies that offer a great selection for every taste. Quite often, you will find each bathroom range varies according to what style of bath you are looking for, so bear this in mind when looking at complete bathroom suites.

Update Today

If you've been saving money in order to indulge in one form of home improvement, getting the bathroom spot on is money well invested. A neat, stylish new bathroom suite will add money to your property as well as offer a welcomed, updated alternative to your old bathroom that you thought you would be stuck with forever!

Check out the latest bathroom suite ranges by clicking on Luxury Bathroom Suites.

Basic Home Electrical Wiring - For the Do it Yourself Home Electrician

The Green Bay Packers were one of the most successful football teams and Vince Lombardi said something to them that I will never forget," This is a football." All the football players laughed and he said that we're going to start with the basics and that's what I'm going to do, with this article.

Let's start with our electrical wire, the two most common electrical wire sizes, that will be used in most homes, will be 14 and 12 gauge electrical wire. Let's clear something up, right off the bat, the smaller the number, the larger the wire. In other words a 12 gauge electrical wire is a little bit larger and will carry more electricity, for longer distances than a 14 gauge wire.

What about electrical outlet plugs? These plugs are usually the same, except for the fact that they come in different colors. When I said that most electrical plugs are the same, I'm talking about your standard wall outlet plug. There are different electrical plugs that will be used for air conditioners and some kitchen appliances like 220 Volt electric stoves and ovens.

What about your home's light switches? Your standard two way light switch will usually turn a one light on or a group of lights on, from one location. A three way light switch will usually turn one light on or a group of lights on from two different locations. A four way light switch, will usually turn one light or a group of lights on from three different locations.

It doesn't get any more basic than that. I hope this gives you a better understanding about your home's electrical system.

If you're really interested in learning more about remodeling, new home construction, home maintenance, home repairs and really want to get the nuts and bolts of home improvement. Visit our web site and select from the best-selling home building books on the Internet.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Things You Should Know About an Electric Shower

Are you planning to buy an electric shower, but do not know what features you need? For this reason, this article will help know the basics and features of different models of electric showers.

Electric shower is a water heater whose main principle is to apply pressure on the water. Cold water flows to the unit where it is pressurized and heated through electricity. The amount of water dispensed depends on the water pressure applied. This way electric showers are economical since you only get water as much as what is needed or consumed. This type of shower does not required hot water system as the source. It is called as instantaneous water heater because you will get hot water whenever you want it.

Pumped power shower is a type of electric shower. Such showers are connected to both hot and cold water supply i.e. mixer showers and uses electric pump to increase pressure coming out from the shower head. It uses lesser electricity than electrically heated showers.

Features of Electric Shower

Riser Rail: The riser rail is the vertical metal bar attached to the wall allowing variable height and flexibility for the shower head.

Shower head: Is the handheld spray that is attached to the riser rail. Shower head has different patterns of spray. When all the holes are opened, water sprayed is weaker than using one or two combinations of opened holes. However, using only inner holes provide high powered spray.

Power ratings: It usually varies from 8.5 to 10.8 Kilowatt. Electric showers are made with high power ratings. They produce high powered spray while supplied with lower water temperature.

Wireless showers: Is newer design of electric showers whose physical shower unit is hidden and a remote control is used to communicate with the box to control the water temperature. Wireless shower installation does not require plumbing thereby maintaining the look of the bathroom which is the main advantage of using this type of shower.

Some showers have variable power out put so that you can choose features according to range and adjust power out put.

Additional features of showers include the thermostatic models that help control the temperature so that showers will not be affected by other appliances like washing machine. Push button control to maintain shower settings each time it is used. Memory function, built-in to most expensive showers available in the market, is designed to allow showers to store information of the pre-set shower temperature. Shut down button flushes out the remaining hot water from shower head before it turns off to prevent from scalding. LCD is a small display that shows the temperature of water being heated. This allows users to control the water temperature.

Electrical shower can only be installed properly by a person who is well equipped with the right knowledge of the task or a professional. The cost of the installation depends upon the electrician and the design. If the model has a separate top, bottom and sides then it is easier to install as it gives flexibility while rooting cables and pipes.

Shower installation requires plumbing from cold water supply and connection to electricity. Electrical cable and fuse size vary on the power rate of the shower. For safety, it is necessary to use double pole switch with an indicator for turning the shower on and off.

With electrical showers, it is easier to regulate warm and cold water output according to a person's need. Shower temperatures can also be adjusted to counter the temperature of the season for perfect refreshment.

If you are looking for more information then feel free to visit electric showers and electric power showers

Do I Need a Home Inspection? - Real Estate Advice

Most home inspections today run between $300 to over $1000 and sometimes you don't really get your moneys worth. There are home inspection companies that guarantee, any problems that they miss will be repaired at their expense over a desired period of time, usually a year. It seems like, most home inspection companies are just inspecting the property and have no guarantees or liability from their inspection.

It's not a good idea to buy or sell a home without getting a home inspection from a licensed home inspector. This is like having a second opinion from someone who is usually skilled in the process. I would like to point something out to unsuspecting, potential home buyers and sellers. Sometimes a home inspection company will get a little behind in their work and need to hire other home inspectors if these home inspectors don't have any experience in the construction business or have never inspected a home before. In other words there fresh out of home inspector school. You might not get a good home inspection.

You can always ask the question, how long have you been in business?... How long have you been a home inspector?... have you ever worked in the construction business or have any skills in home building and remodeling. If the answers to these questions are satisfactory, it doesn't mean, that they're telling the truth and being sincere and could lead to problems later if they are lying to you.

Let me rephrase the question now, "Do I Need a Home Inspection" from an unqualified home inspector? Absolutely not. But how can you really tell the difference and is the report going to be worth the money that you paid for it.

What would you say, if I had the solution to your problem. How about a pre-home inspection, using a home buyers checklist? What if I could give you a check list with questions, that you could ask your home inspector? Some of these questions are not going to be part a regular inspection but should always be asked and make sure you get the answers to them, before purchasing the property.

Would you be interested now? What if I told you, for under $20, you could purchase a home buyers checklist, now for the tough question, this checklist could save you thousands of dollars and prevent you from purchasing a home with major construction problems or defects, and can be used on every house you look at.

Don't buy a home without purchasing a professional home inspection checklist. These lists of questions can save you some serious headaches and stress in the future.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Bathtub Surround Installation DIY Guide

You can install a tub surround kit over your regular walls, whether they be tile or any other hard, solid material. Typically, you want to consider bathtub surround installation if the current walls of your bath area are dated or unattractive.

Generally, you'll need a small screwdriver, pencil, pocket knife, tape measure, level, and a jig saw. You'll also want to make sure that you have an installation kit, adhesive with the proper applicator, coarse sandpaper, and caulk.

When using a tub surround installation kit, each will have their own directions specific to that product kit. You want to make sure that your read the directions carefully and thoroughly.

You'll want to following the following general directions when installing your tub surround.

First, you'll want to remove the spout, faucet handles, and all accessories from around the bath tub, and set them aside.

You'll want to go ahead and repair the damaged areas on the current walls that surround the tub, and if you will be installing over ceramic tile, you'll want to use the coarse sandpaper to enhance the grip abilities of the adhesive.

Clean the area between the tub and the wall, and re-caulk if you need to.

Next, you'll want to mark the bathtub surround installation area, including the location of the faucet, spout, and whatever else will stick out of the wall; cut out the areas on the template and use them to mark the location on the tub surround panels and use the jig saw to cut out the holes.

You'll want to next hold the panels in place according to the manufacturers instructions and mark the location of the top and sides on the wall so that you can make sure that the panels will be level.

Next, apply the adhesive according the the manufacturer's directions, paying close attention to the time you should expose the glue before affixing the panels because if you don't allow enough time, the adhesive will not bond properly.

Once you attach the panels to the wall, according to the manufacturer's instructions, you'll want to let the tub adhesive dry properly before turning on the water. Go ahead and replace the faucet, spout, and other accessories at this time.

Lastly, you'll want to seal all the joints with caulk and letting that dry before turning on the water to the tub.

Bathtub surround installation is a pretty easy do it yourself project. Just make sure that you have help with the project, and if you get lost call a professional. Source: Bathtubinstallationinc dot com, Louis Zhang

Get a free guide on bathtub installation. Find out how to install bathtub surround, drain, shower head, faucet, plumbing at http://www.bathtubinstallationinc.com

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.

They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.

Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.

Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.

As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.

Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.

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Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Important Bathroom Remodeling Plan Tips

Bathroom remodeling projects are quite complicated you can't just rush straight into it without any planning. There are some very important things that you need to think about before starting. Many bathrooms are fairly small, even so they can still be very difficult to remodel. In order to remodel your bathroom you need to employ several highly skilled people which can be very costly. If you make a small mistake then this could cost you quite a lot. Before you decide how to remodel your bathroom make sure you know these things.

You should start by measuring the room and working out the exact dimensions, this will allow you to plan the room and decide how it will look when it's finished. You should consider where the doors, windows and skylights are at the moment. Work out rough costs that you think these remodeling projects will cost you, also note down the trades that you will require.

You should work out how long you think the bathroom remodeling project is likely to take. Work out a schedule so that you know how long it will take you, remember to fit in your daily life, just don't make an unrealistic schedule! If you only have one bathroom then what are you going to do while this one is being renovated? Can you use a neighbor's bathroom? Or can you go to a local gym?

Before you have your final bathroom designs and a list of professionals you need you should get on with choosing the necessary skilled people. Make sure you hire qualified people, also check that they are insured and license. You should also make sure that the professional knows exactly what it is you want doing before you enter into any contracts or hand over any money.

Problems

You need to plan ahead and hire licensed professionals so that you can avoid any problems as much as possible. If you don't plan and organize then you can create many potential problems. You should make sure that you hire the right people in order to complete the project, also make sure they are coming at the right time.

Certain things must be done in a particular order, this will mean that the order the certain trades arrive in is vital. You should consider everything in the design of your bathroom, including the exiting electrics and plumbing. Before you choose any fixtures make sure you consult the experts so they can advise you.

Do It Yourself?

Many people think that bathroom remodeling projects aren't that difficult and that they could do it all by themselves. However few people are capable of doing complex projects, many projects require skilled people, especially where electrics are involved.

There are certain things that you can do yourself such as choosing the color scheme and style of your bathroom. You can also select any accessories and fixtures and fittings.

Claudio Carbeni continually creates news stories on topics associated with shower curtains and crazy shower curtains. You might come across his articles on shower drapes over at http://www.curtains-drapes-coverings.com/shower-curtains.html and various other sources for shower drapes news.

Attic Handrail Safety - Do it Yourself Home Repair

Some stairways that lead up to your attic will have a safety or guardrail to prevent people from falling down the stairs or off of them. Attic handrail safety can provide homeowners with a little peace of mind if they just follow the few simple steps. Make sure that the handrail is at least 42 inches in height. 42 inches is the minimum height for guard rails and can be found in the uniform building code.

The uniform building code is the Bible to the building industry and sets the standard for new construction and remodeling.

The 42 inches will be measured from the floor to the top of the handrail. Some older homes will have handrails that are 36 inches and some of them will be even 30 inches in height. A 30 inch handrail provides limited protection for anyone who is over five foot tall. 30 inches becomes the center point for any one over 60 inches and these people could easily fall over the short handrail.

Now for the homes that don't have any attic handrail safety systems. Some homes that were built before the 1960s won't have a handrail system at all in the stairway. Keep something in mind here, when these people were building these houses, some of them were trying to save money, some of them figured that it wasn't going to be a big deal and other builders simply forgot to install them.

It's not hard to install a working attic handrail for safety but keep in mind, that if the handrail isn't the right height, it will provide you with limited protection. Attic handrails that are lower than 30 inches can provide young children or others who are shorter than five feet with very little protection but can be a safety hazard to anyone over 5 feet tall.

If your attic doesn't have a safety handrail, use caution and be careful in these areas of your home. It wouldn't be a bad idea to install a locking doorknob if your attic access has a door that can be secured to prevent small children or other people from entering these unsafe areas.

Home Attic Repairs

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more Home Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

Why Choose Bathroom Tiles Instead of Concrete Bathroom Flooring?

Everyone dreams to construct a beautiful house for themselves. Therefore, people appoint interior designers to revamp their house decor. The bathroom is also a crucial part of your home. Hence, the bathroom tiles have become an integral part of home decorations. You can construct your bathrooms through various ceramic, marble, porcelain and concrete tiles. These tiles are available in various shapes, colors and sizes so that you can mix and match various combinations to construct attractive designs for your bathrooms.

Moreover, it is said that one should keep the bathrooms neat and clean in order to avoid any diseases. Earlier, people used to have concrete floors for their bathrooms, which required regular cleaning with the broom. These concrete floors were highly uneven and trapped dust particles that affected the hygiene of the bathroom. These small holes on the concrete floor trapped bacteria that lead to microbial diseases. Hence, people started using marble or porcelain tiles to construct their bathrooms. These tiles are highly durable and can be cleaned with a piece of cloth.

However, one should consider the tile material before purchasing one for your bathroom. If you are really busy person and you don't get any time to maintain the tiles, then you should purchase ceramic tiles that are easy to install and maintain. You can also use different designs and textures to decorate the backgrounds of the shower, washbasin etc. However, if you have a small bathroom then use light color bathroom tiles, since bright colors can make the bathroom look really small in size.

Although, some of the tiles are highly expensive but there is no harm is spending some extra money on quality tiles that can add all the more life to your bathrooms. However, it is advisable to appoint a professional help to install the bathroom tiles since a single mistake can ruin the look of your dream bathroom. So, use various designs, colors and textures to lend a beautiful look to your bathrooms.

About The Author:

Jason Colling is a renowned writer, who has written articles on various interior designing techniques related to floor decor. His articles focus on various uses of porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, natural stones and adhesives. http://www.tilesporcelain.co.uk/

How to Find a Excellent New Home Builder

Looking for a good home builder or contractor, isn't an exact science, but hopefully, by the time you're done reading this article, you will at least have a better idea, what you will be looking for. Let's get started.

As a general contractor, the most important thing that I would be looking for any new home builder, would be experience. You can't sacrifice price for experience. If you're looking for the cheapest contractor, there's a good chance that this person will be lacking experience in home building knowledge.

How long has this person been in business? Just because you're new home builder has only been in business for five years, doesn't mean that he isn't capable of building your home. The same holds true for someone who has been in business for 30 years. Just make sure that these people have actually built homes in the past.

What is their attitude like? This is the second most important thing and I tend to focus on this more than experience, sometimes. If you don't get along with the person, you're not going to have a pleasant home building experience. If you think that there lying to you, scammers or generally don't feel comfortable with them, but they seem to have the most experience and build more homes in your area than anyone else. I wouldn't think twice about getting rid of them and finding someone else.

Last but not least, you should contact some of the people that they have worked for in the past. Talking to past clients, is going to play an important role in making your final decision. You need to find out, if these home builders, treated their clients fairly and were they generally happy with the overall outcome and performance, not only of the homebuilder, but each one of his subcontractors.

I would recommend writing out a list of questions and offering your new home builders past clients a free meal. Offer to take them out to dinner, lunch or breakfast, this way you will have their undivided attention and get the low down on your potential future home builder, it could be the best money that you ever spent.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link San Diego Home Repairs

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Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Stairway Safety - Stair Construction Tips

If you've built as many stairways as I have, this is a very simple question to answer. Should I use 2 x 12 or 3 x 12 for my stair treads? Without a doubt I would use the 3 x 12 for a couple of reasons.

The thickness of the three by material gives it some additional strength and that strength could prevent someone from falling through the stairway and getting injured. Visually looking at the 3 x 12 it gives you the illusion that the stairway is safe. Once you start walking up the stairway and the stairs seem solid and well constructed, it takes the illusion and makes it a reality.

If you're walking up a poorly constructed stairway every day, not only is it a safety problem but it takes a little bit of effort as you walk up the stairway, holding on to the hand rail with a death grip, this can easily wear someone out physically and mentally, over time. Stairways should be constructed and maintained with safety as the main priority.

If you've ever walked up and older stairway that was built using 2 x 12 for the stair treads, you probably know what I'm talking about. Walking up and down the stairway, while the stair treads are moving, does not give you a strong sense that the stairway is safe. And of course sometimes the stairway isn't.

For example if you have a 3 inch knot in a 2 x 12 stair tread, over time as the wood expands and contracts, the knot can loosen up and fall out of the stair tread, often creating a weak spot in the step. With a thicker stair tread, it will take a little more expanding and contracting to create a weak spot in the stair step.

If you're building a stairway wider than 36 inches, with no center stair stringers to support the stairway, I would suggest using a 3 x 12 or 4 x 12 for your stair treads. 2 x 12 should not be used for stair treads on any staircase wider than 36 inches.

If you choose to use 2 x 12 for your stair treads, select premium grade lumber for safety. Try to avoid using center cut building materials and 2 x 12 with knots larger than an inch and a half. Large knots are one of the biggest problems in construction safety.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Learn more about the parts of the stairway, whether you're a experienced carpenter or homeowner. Stair building does not necessarily have to be as complicated as most people make it out to be. There's also a book on how to build straight stairs that can save you a lot of frustration, if you've never built a stairway before. Visit the website.

Framing Wood Shower Pans - Bathroom Remodeling

Whether you live in a home that has a bathtub or a shower, there is a good chance that structural framing could be damaged if there was any water leaking around the plumbing fixtures. The damage should be repaired before framing your pan.

If you're replacing a bathtub and installing a new shower this is going to require constructing a wood shower pan. Now building a wood pan will require a level floor surface, shower damn and blocking.

Now let's start with building the shower damn. You're probably wondering what is a shower damn and what does it have to do with the wood shower pan. The shower damn is actually the area you climb over when entering into the shower. This part of the shower pan enables the water to flow off a shower curtain or door into the shower pan and down the drain.

The shower damn needs to be at the least 6 inches tall and would be best if it was at least 8 inches. You can use a 4 x 6 or a 4 x 8 for the wood shower damn.

Next we need to block the perimeter of the pan area in the wall framing that we will use for our shower walls also. These blocks should be at least 12 inches high. This would require using 2 x 12 lumber for blocking.

After you block the perimeter of the shower pan and installed the shower damn you are ready to have to shower water proffed with a process known as hot mopping the shower pan or using a vinyl liner.

Well I hope this gives you a better idea of what's involved when framing shower pans during the house framing process.

Greg Vanden Berge has been building and remodeling for over 30 years and his information has proven valuable to most contractors and homeowners all over the world. He usually tries to write at least two articles a day on home improvement or remodeling problems.

Greg is in the process right now of working on a home inspection website that will revolutionize the home inspection business. He is also working on a book to help homeowners and contractors as well as other home related professions in dealing with the home inspection process.

You can visit the home inspection website currently under construction at Home Inspection Help

How to Protect Foundation Plumbing Pipes?

If you install any underground plumbing pipes, in your concrete building foundation, you will need to protect them, from the concrete. You can use a variety of products and the most common of them will be a Styrofoam wrapping that can be purchased at most plumbing supply stores.

Let's start with the waste pipes, that are made out of plastic. The concrete could actually start to put pressure on the plastic pipes as the concrete starts to expand and this pressure could actually damage your new waste pipes.

You don't need to wrap all of the plastic waste pipes, only the parts of the waste pipes that will be exposed or in direct contact any concrete, but you do need to protect every copper water supply line that will be buried under the ground or exposed to the concrete, with a plastic sleeve. These products can be purchased again at most building supply or plumbing supply stores.

If these pipes aren't protected properly, you could find yourself within a short time, repairing the pipes that are either inside of your concrete foundation or buried underneath your concrete foundation. Either way, this isn't going to be a good thing.

You definitely need to wrap a plastic sleeve around the water supply pipes that are going to be buried or in direct contact with the concrete. This is a must and most building departments will require your plumbing pipes to be wrapped, before it they will sign off on your rough foundation plumbing inspection.

However, for the waste pipes, you can actually use cardboard to protect them. If you're short on funds, why not grab some cardboard boxes, dismantle them and start using cardboard to wrap the pipes, with a little duct tape.

There are plenty of ways to save money in the construction business, buy a few books, read a couple of articles, with a lot of pictures in this can provide you with lots of construction information, from experience building contractors.

Check out some of the best selling Home Building Plumbing Books all on one website

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repairs. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks for reading our articles

10 Things a Homeowner Won't Tell a Contractor - Common Courtesy

I've been a contractor in the state of California for over 20 years and there are some things that a homeowner won't tell a contractor. These are a few things that a contractor might want to hear, but a reluctant homeowner, might have second thoughts telling their contractors how they really feel.

1. We are happy with all of the work that you did in a timely manner and we appreciate your services.

2. We are happy with the way you performed your construction tasks, efficiently and we appreciate your services.

3. The work was done by a true professional and we would recommend you to any one of our friends.

4. The payment plan that you created in the contract worked out perfectly and never made us feel uncomfortable. It never seemed like you had too much of our money or we were putting you in a bad spot financially.

5. Thanks for keeping the job clean, it meant a lot to us, because we have seen other construction jobs that look like a tornado ran through them.

6. Thanks for helping us with our design. Working with your contractor on a daily, weekly or monthly basis can be frustrating or joyful. Let the contractor know either way how you are really feeling.

7. You and your crew are extremely hard-working and we appreciate the simple fact that you didn't come to work late or leave early.

8. Thanks for the reasonable priced estimate on our project. You helped us say a lot of money and we appreciate that sincerely.

9. Thanks for doing the extra work at a reasonable price. You could have gouged us at certain times, but you chose to be fair and work things out, in a way that would benefit both of us.

10. This one is the most important and often overlooked by homeowners and it's simple and easy to do. Thanks for doing what you said you were going to do and actually doing it.

Just a simple thank you and paying them on time, for a service well done is enough for most contractors. However, a little common courtesy can go a long way, even in the construction industry.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Home Remodeling Contractor

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Click here if you're looking for additional Homeowner Contractor Advice. If you're interested in gathering more information on how to hire a good contractor, make sure that you visit our website.

Important Do-It-Yourself Home Remodeling Advice

Often I'm asked by homeowners, if they think that they can build something on their own. Often I end up explaining the process to them and it's pretty confusing. I would like to give some homeowners and construction handyman some do-it-yourself home remodeling advice, about projects that I think they should avoid and the reason why.

1. Working on Electrical Service Boxes

I really don't recommend, anyone who lacks experience working with electrical, to be working on it at all. When it comes to the electrical service box repairs, if you don't have any experience working in this specific area, I am suggesting this to all homeowners and do-it-yourselfers, stay away from electrical service power boxes. Electricity can be extremely hazardous to your health, so take my advice, this is coming from an expert on the subject.

2. Plumbing Water Supply Lines

I don't recommend, anyone who doesn't have any experience working with plumbing water supply lines, because if they break, or if your repair, doesn't hold properly, you could destroy a large portion of your home. Picture this, you just got through putting a new faucet in, everything looks great, but it's time for you to go to your baseball game. You come home about four hours later and the entire house is flooded with water.

This kind of stuff does happen and you need to take the advice of an expert here. It has even happened to me and I understand the process, pretty good. If you plan on fixing any plumbing water supply lines, make sure that you can spend the time, keeping an eye on your new home repair. If you're going to have any problems with them, they will usually happen within the first few hours of use.

I hope this helps, sometimes it's better to pay a professional, but I can understand, every intelligent person, is interested in saving a few dollars and learning new skills.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Pictures and Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Vista Home Repair Contractors

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Home Purchasing Checklists Provide Protection

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for consumers with useful information for future home repairs or current home repairs that will need to be done before the home is sold. Home inspectors often use checklists like these, while they're inspecting the home.

If more home shoppers used home inspection checklist while shopping for houses, we would probably have more satisfied homebuyers than dissatisfied ones. Recently just purchasing a home, we had our real estate professional, the previous homeowner's real estate professional and a mortgage lender, involved in the purchase of the property.

There was a home inspection report from the current homeowners, available for us to look at. It provided us with the damaged parts of the home that were repaired or replaced. Some of these repairs were from termite damage and it was stated so on the report. This was helpful information for us as we walked around the home inspecting it for damage.

The work that was repaired to look satisfactory and the rest of the home had minor damage. Listening to one of the real estate sales people that were involved in the transaction, you would've thought we would get in the deal of a lifetime and they had nothing but good news to say about the product they were representing. I easily understood that, this person could have influenced some one into believing that the home was in great shape, if they didn't have a home inspection checklist with them.

The home had been re-carpeted, painted and was in generally good shape. The problems with the home, were the old windows that were hard to open, the heating unit leaked gas, the tile flooring that ran through the kitchen and a large room addition looked great, except for one thing, they installed the tile over linoleum.

This eventually will have to be replaced as the tile starts to separate from the linoleum. While I'm writing this article, there's about 40 square feet of tile that needs to be replaced, because it's popping up and cracking.

A home purchasing checklist does not guarantee that you will find everything but can't eliminate some of the things that homeowners have the biggest problems with. If you could just eliminate one of these problems, the small price of purchasing, one of these checklists would be worth it.

Home purchasing checklists provide protection for the shopper and I would recommend, never shopping for a home without one.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

By Greg Vandenberge

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.

They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.

Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.

Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.

As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.

Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Great Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Encinitas Home Remodeling Contractors

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Building Codes - Stairway Construction

The stair building code was created for building safety. Before the building code and local city enforcement (Building Inspectors), anyone could build a house. This meant Uncle Earl who had just watched a couple of his friends build a house down the street construct some sort of a dwelling. The next step for Earl would be to help these guys for a day and now he is a professional home builder. You get the point.

Stair Building Codes create the safety needed for one of the most hazardous areas of your home. You might know someone who has fallen down a stairway?

I lived in a house I built for 15 years and I redesigned the stairs from a winder design to a T shaped set of stairs. Both sets of stairs were built using the local stair building code for my city.

Wow I could not believe how many times my family members fell down the stairs. I even fell down once. I was amazed. When I switched from the winder to the T shaped stairway there were less accidents. My point is that even using the stair building codes this is a dangerous part of your house.

Having a professional stair builder install your stairs is great advice. Take it. For example this happened to me on quite a few jobs. I get a set of plans from a architect who has been designing houses for over 40 years. I looked at the stairway to find out that he has designed a stairway that is too small for the length of this part of the home. If I build the stairs using the plans that by the way were approved from the local building department, I could have a problem.

You are probably asking yourself how does this happen. Aren't these people experienced professionals. Of course they are. They probably have the U.B.C. (Uniform Building Code) in their office somewhere. Everyone makes mistakes here and there but this is one area of the home where safety is a big concern.

Just look at it like this. The stair building code was designed to improve the safety and reduce the number of accidents while using the stairs. Over the years I have seen stairs poorly designed and constructed. These stairs create problems for the owners of the buildings not just the people that use them. Did I mention lawsuits. This is one area where a lawyer will have a field day.

As a building professional I advise you to use the stair building code first for safety and second to avoid lawsuits. Get an idea from some of the pictures I have taken over the years on problems with stair building.

Use common sense while building or remodeling your home. It goes a long way.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry. Stair Building Articles

Retaining Walls Suffer From Moisture Problems

Whether you're driving down the road or through a neighborhood and you notice a retaining wall that has large cracks in it, or is severely discolored, or one that has white calcium deposits from moisture covering the entire wall, you've got problems with moisture.

The retaining wall is designed to hold the dirt back, that's it's sole purpose. It's not going to hold any moisture back unless someone has installed a waterproofing membrane to separate the soil from the concrete block wall. If the soil isn't ever going to get wet, then you probably don't need to waterproof the retaining wall.

However that's normally not going to be the case. So we need to waterproof the interior of our retaining walls to eliminate future moisture problems that could eventually, deteriorate as moisture starts to accumulate, inside of our block wall for a longer periods of time.

If you don't know anything about waterproofing, I would suggest that you hire a waterproofing expert. Waterproofing looks easier than it actually is, and might be out of your scope of work.

I'm not going to suggest that you use waterproofing paints, because I haven't seen great results with these products. However, if you're not that concerned about your retaining wall and are looking for a cheaper way to apply any waterproofing materials, these paints might not be a bad idea. Sometimes, Something is better than nothing.

If you live in a relatively dry climate, it might not be necessary to waterproof your retaining walls. But if you live in a damp or moist area, especially an area where the ground is moist all year round or more than six months out of the year, I would suggest that you waterproof the back of your retaining walls.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link House Basement Repair Ideas. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Dryer Vent In Basement Window.

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Don't Let This Happen to You - Home Computer Electrical Damage

If you've read any of my other articles, you know that I am always coming up with great ideas, tips and even a couple of stories that can save homeowners lots of money. Here's another one of those stories, that involves a friend of mine who asked me if I could fix his outdoor electrical outlet.

I was over at his house one day, and told him that I could probably fix the electrical outlet and if we needed any parts, we could run down to the lumber yard and pick them up and his problem would be solved within a few hours. This two hour repair was about to cost him the hard drive on his computer, but neither one of us had any idea what was about to happen.

We each agreed to give it a shot, I told him to go over to the electrical panel and turn off the breaker that went to his outdoor shed. He proceeded to turn off the breaker and yelled out," It's off, try it." I plugged in an electric drill and it was still working, as he was walking around the corner, towards me, I showed him that the drill was still on and he hadn't turned off the right electrical breaker.

He went back and turned off a couple of more electrical breakers and the drill was still running. Now he frantically started to turn off one electrical breaker at a time, until I yelled out," It's off, the electrical power is, off you can stop."

I repaired the electrical outlet and he went back to turn every electrical breaker back on that he had turned off. We were proud of ourselves and he now had electrical power, back to his shed and he was happy.

Now for the bad news, his computer was running and when he turned the electricity off and on, it must've done something to his computer hard drive and it now needed to be replaced.

The moral to the story, isn't that you shouldn't help your friends. It's that you should, make sure that your computers are safely off, before you attempt to do any electrical work to your home.

It wouldn't be a bad idea, to have a battery backup, for your computer, if you use it often, just in case there is an electrical failure or something happens like the story above.

If your really interested in saving money on your home electrical bills - Energy Saving Books

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Laminate Flooring For the Bathroom

The flooring that you choose not only makes an impact upon the dcor of your room, but it can also affect the budget and your maintenance needs. Laminate flooring is one flooring choice that is wonderful for bathroom renovations. It comes in many different colors and styles, to allow you to find just the right look for your bathroom to turn it from boring and dull to extravagant and inviting. It is not just beautiful, however. It is also easy to clean and take care of, which is why many homeowners turn to laminate flooring for their homes. There are other benefits to adding laminate flooring, too.

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, then you will be happy to know that laminate flooring can easily be installed by you. Laminate can be installed over most existing flooring or over a concrete subfloor, which will save you time and energy in the installation process as well. It is a floating floor, which means that no glue or nail is needed because the pieces "float" on top of the existing flooring. The pieces lock together to create a cohesive and strong floor that will withstand wear and tear, giving you a durable and beautiful floor that you will enjoy and be satisfied with for many years. All you need to do is click and lock the pieces together and you will have a beautiful, inexpensive floor for your bathroom renovation or other room's renovation.

You want to take the health needs of your family into consideration when choosing your flooring, too. If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, you will be happy to know that laminate is one of the easiest floorings to keep clean and healthy for you. It only needs to be vacuumed and/or damp mopped to help keep it dust and dirt free. It stays shiny without time consuming waxing and if you happen to scratch it, you can easily repair it. Most laminate flooring manufacturers include directions for caring for your laminate floors to keep it looking as beautiful as possible. Laminate is dust resistant and does not harbor any bugs that could cause an allergic reaction as well.

You can use laminate flooring in any room in your home. This is what makes it such a great choice. Kitchen and bathroom renovations are excellent choices for laminate flooring, simply because laminate holds up well to the activity that takes place in these much loved rooms. It stays looking beautiful and shiny with very little effort, too, which makes it great for any home. Laminate flooring will also work well in the living or family room. Adding the warmth of a wood grained laminate flooring can help to add just the right touch of welcomeness and warmness that you have been looking for.

No matter what color or type of flooring that you have been considering, you will want to check out laminate flooring. It comes in many different styles and designs from casual to extravagant to allow you to create the perfect look and feel for your room and your home.

Leroy Calstard very often creates publications on ideas corresponding to husky compressor and husky compressors. You can have a look at his publications on husky tools and husky compressor at http://www.insidewoodworking.com

Concrete Patio Gofer Damage

Useful Tips to Remember When Remodeling Your Home

Once in a while you need to indulge in a remodeling or redecorating project in your room to give a whole new look for your house. If you plan this, you need to have enough money on hand because remodeling projects can typically costs more than tens of thousands of dollars especially if you would want to include areas such as the flooring, cabinets and new appliances. If finances are not a problem, then feel free to go out and buy the furnishings such as Tiffany table lamps and materials you have been saving for in years.

Although money may be no object for you, you still have to take your time when purchasing for the right supplies, furniture and selecting contractors. Determine your budget beforehand for each piece furniture or service and stick with it. At this rate, you will not find yourself going over the intended financial arrangements. The secret lies in spending only about 70-80% of your budget to buy everything you desire for your house. In this fashion, you will still have money to spare when unexpected surprises happen. This will prevent delays that often happen when a contractor unknowingly discovers a termite colony in the process of renovating.

Naturally, people will most often spend their budget on windows, flooring and fireplaces. The expenses in these areas will usually exceed the budget and tends to leave limited choices for other important home accessories such as furniture and lighting. This is not a good idea. You should always put into consideration and include in the budget these important aspects.

For the furniture, always begin with large items such as sofa, chairs, coffee tables and matching accent tables. It is entirely possible that you will over budget in buying these key pieces but it is better to invest in high quality furniture than risking it on poorly made ones that you will surely regret later on. In the long run, you will end up saving money and will wind up with a more complete and durable furniture pieces.

On the other hand, you should also consider the three types of lighting to provide your home with a more comfortable and appealing look. The three types will include the ambient, task and accent light. In the ambient lighting, there is an overall illumination of an area. In contrast, the task lighting is intended for specific tasks and is more concentrated. It has less ambient lighting that is often used for reading and other related tasks. The third type is accent lighting which is light often left in the middle of the night to prevent us from bumping into things. Whenever possible, it is advised to use these types of lighting fixtures to provide a more balanced lighting effect. A living room can therefore be designed to have flush mounted ceiling fixture for ambient lighting, a couple of tiffany table lamps atop accent tables for task lighting and maybe some wall lamps for the accent lighting.

Remodeling and renovating your home will take a lot of effort and patience. As this is an immense project and will most likely be expensive, you should never purchase items such as furniture on impulse. Plan everything ahead of time to harmonize everything and stick with your budget. Surely in the end, you will appreciate the overall look of your new home because of your persistence and hard work.

For more tips and information about tiffany table lamps, please check out http://www.mylampselections.com.

Older Homes With No Dryer Hookup

Torch Down Roofing - A Cautionary Tale

Don't spend a dime on torch down roofing until you've read this cautionary tale. While the names and places change, this tragedy is a common occurrence. It goes something like this...

Two roofers are installing a small flat roof over a lanai while the homeowner is at work. The tear off goes well. Perhaps there's a little rotted wood to fix but that, too, is no problem.

Then they start installing the new roof system. It is a type commonly referred to as "torch down roofing". The official name is "modified bitumen" (pronounced buy-TOO-men). It is a rolled roofing product that consists of a tough membrane embedded in a thick layer of asphalt. Rubbery additives in the asphalt allow the roofing to expand and contract, where other roofing systems just crack. The roofing can bond tightly to metal flashings and move with them, while maintaining the bond. This flexibility is the main benefit of modified bitumen and is a big factor in its success.

Some types are applied with an adhesive, some types are self-adhering and some types are hot mopped as the cap sheet in built-up roofing systems. But it is the type applied with a propane torch that is referred to as "torch down roofing". It is also one the most dangerous of all roofing products...

One of the roofers gets a little careless with the torch and starts something smoldering in the attic. And they don't notice the small wisp of smoke coming out of the soffit vents. Just after the roofers go to lunch, the smoldering turns into a fire that spreads quickly in the dry, dusty attic.

With nobody home, the fire is going pretty good before the mailman notices the black smoke billowing up from the back of the house. He dials 911 and the fire trucks are there in a matter of minutes. But they have trouble putting the fire out because it is mostly contained within the attic. Finally they chop a big hole in the roof so they can put lots of water on the raging inferno. They get the fire out, but not before the home suffers extensive smoke and water damage, in addition to the actual fire damage.

One of the neighbors calls the homeowner, who rushes to the scene to find that the lovely home she had a few hours before, is now pretty much destroyed. About that time, the roofers come back from lunch... and wish they had taken up plumbing instead of roofing!

Fortunately, this scenario is completely preventable. For a good discussion of the alternatives to torch down roofing, check out: "Roofing Secrets: How to Avoid Leaks and Save Thousands of Dollars!" by John C Bishop. It will make the job easier and help you avoid big mistakes.

For details, go to: http://www.roofingsecrets.com

Moisture Against Gravity Destroy

Looking For a UPVC Windows Company?

It is essential for anyone thinking of replacing there windows to know which company will provide the best service. There are many quality UPVC specialists that can offer a professional service for persons looking for windows Cardiff, Newport and South Wales in general. However, it is still advised to research before you settle for a company for definite.

Many people are now choosing to have UPVC windows in their home because they are not only more resistant, they help reduce the loss of heat, easy to clean and long lasting. With doors available to match the windows to truly make your house look how you want it. Specialists in UPVC windows have the knowledge to be able to advise you on the type of windows and doors that would be best for your home. Knowing designs and colours that could suit your home, UPVC professionals are the best option to have to ensure you get what you pay for.

There are a wide variety of options open to anyone look to change to UPVC windows, but there are two distinct styles that are available form some UPVC specialists.

Ovolo - curved to the window frame edge

Chamfered - lines across the pane

These are two types of style and both give a different feel to a home but both as equally charming as each other. Choosing your windows is like choosing your dcor, you need the one which will reflect you and your home, but unlike the inside of your home, you windows will be admired by anyone that passes. Depending on what you have in mind, either of these will be suitable for any home and still give a classic, professional look from inside and out. However whatever the windows, a quality company will make sure this is the case.

Written by Jenny Pilley member of CReare Communications SEO specialists, on behalf of Peter Fennell of Windows Cardiff specialists

Older Homes With No Dryer Hookup

Including the Outdoors in Home Remodeling

A backyard isnt the same as it used to be a place to grill, where kids play ball, or just an extra spot to mow. Now the trend is to make the backyard an outdoor retreat or an extension to the house.

As reported in the May 2006 Consumer Reports, designing and furnishing an outdoor room is the second most likely home-remodeling project to do. Specifically, approximately 1.2 million U.S. households will install a fully functional outdoor kitchen, according to a study by the industry research company inquiry.
In 2004, Better Homes and Gardens magazine received survey responses from nearly 60,000 Americans describing home improvement projects and future home-building aspirations. Better Homes and Gardens found that people want indoor/outdoor livability, technological innovations, flexibility for family needs and a kitchen-centric focus. (REMODELING Magazine, September 1, 2005)

Homeowners are seeking ways to make the outdoors a functional part of the living area. To accomplish that, the barriers between outdoors and indoors, such as walls and solid doors, are going away. As cited in A Simple Way to Increase Outdoor Living Space at HGPgal.com, for homeowners looking to add to their living space, improve their lifestyle and increase the resale value of their home, the perfect solution is to extend living areas outdoors through the addition of decks, patios, outdoor kitchens and entertainment areas.

"The line between the house and the outdoor space continues to disintegrate," says Julie D. Taylor, author of Outdoor Rooms. "Many designers are using the same, or similar, materials both on the interior and exterior to extend the house to the outdoors. It breaks down the barrier and gives a feeling of a larger house."

Alternatively, instead of thinking of the barriers disintegrating, another solution is effective indoor-outdoor connections. These connections can include French doors opening up onto a porch, or the addition of a window to expose a lovely view. Indoor-outdoor connections can be as simple as adding a mudroom between the garage and the home, or more complex, such as an outdoor entertainment area placed just outside the doors of a home's main gathering space. Adding visual connections to the outdoors, such as through the addition of glass doors or enlarging a window, adds value to your home by making its interior space appear larger than it actually is. (Connect Inside of Your House with the Beauty Outdoors, Ann Robinson, Deseret News, April 2005)

To create the outdoor living space that you want, start by determining your budget and your desires.
Consumer Reports provides some tips about what to consider for building room extensions or outdoor entertainment areas:

* Determine how you will use your space
* Consider location
* Be sure to weatherproof
* Incorporate lighting and heat
* Consider safety

No matter what extension you decide to make, it will undoubtedly add value to your home. As cited by Ann Robinson in Deseret News, Exterior living space adds usable square footage to your home without costing you the $120-plus per square foot you'd spend for the construction of an addition.

For more information visit:http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/"> http://www.homeremodelersgroup.com/

Lowest Construction Bids

What to Know About Exterior Stucco Contractors - Carlsbad Contractors

Making the decision to do any large amount of work to your home is a little nerve wracking to say the least. You have to decide what you feel is the main priority and who is going to be best suited to do the work. As any do it yourselfer who has ended up with a less than well done home improvement project can tell you, you are often better off to let the professionals handle it. Take the exterior stucco contractors for example. If you have never dealt with finding and hiring such a well trained, specific contractor before, the task can seem overwhelming. With a little bit of knowledge about stucco and contractors in general, you won't have any trouble deciding on the right professional for your project.

As with any kind of home improvement help, with exterior stucco contractors, the first thing you want to do is get together a list of names. You can find this list from the phone book, online resources, or better yet, from someone you know personally who has worked with the contractors before. Try to find at least 3 different stucco contractors to talk to. They should be willing to come to your home, look the house over, and offer a free estimate. While you have the exterior stucco contractor's undivided attention, be sure to ask him or her any pressing questions that might be on your mind.

As any of the exterior stucco contractors can doubtless tell you, applying stucco is much like painting a picture. Every contractor has his or her own way of doing it. One contractor's texture and finish is nothing like the next ones. You can be sure you will be happy with the results by asking to see samples of every exterior stucco contractor's work you interview. Prices aren't likely to vary much, but your reference for their work certainly will. Once you have chosen your contractor, you can look forward to a brand new look for your home.

For more information on exterior stucco contractors

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Fixings Squeaking Stairs

Upgrade To a Wet Bar In Your Rec Room

The den, the rec room, the family room...no matter what you call it, there should be one place in the home where the entire family can relax after a long day. If you are especially sociable, the room should be inviting and spacious, perfect for receiving guests, and equipped to entertain. Most definitely, a wet bar is needed for all your planned activities.

If you're not familiar with the term, a wet bar is simply a counter area or bar, recessed within the room or situated like a kitchen island, that features a working sink with running water. Unlike the standard kitchen sink, a bar sink is usually a small single bowl, often stainless steel, used for rinsing glasses and flatware or adding water to mixed drinks. Wet bars may also features miniature refrigerators for storage of wine and beer, and cabinets for glassware and other items needed for entertaining. For families who host gatherings on a regular basis, be they club meetings or a weekly football game viewing, having a wet bar offers a great advantage.

A wet bar takes some pressure away from the kitchen by allowing drinks to be stored and served where the party is, plus the host can save time using this service area rather than having to run to different parts of the house. Using a stainless steel sink for the bar allows for an attractive, sanitary workspace for your parties as well.

Regardless of the layout of your home, wet bars are usually simple to install. Hiring the proper plumber and contractor for the job is one step in the right direction, and an attractive countertop and accessories will enhance the look of your entertaining area. So if you plan to receive friends, family, or co-workers into your home, why not consider making them more comfortable with the luxury of a wet bar? This is one investment guaranteed to enhance the value of your home.

Kate Lively is a freelance SEO writer specializing in tips for home improvement, from buying the right stainless steel sinks to new carpeting.

Long Dryer Vent Problems

Tips to Generate Wind Power Electricity

If you are someone worried by your rising energy bills, then wind power electricity might be the best solution for you. Research statistics show that you can save over 70 percent on your energy bills with wind power. Building your own windmill can help you save tons of money in the long run. It is not surprising then that an increasing number of people these days are going in for building their own windmills.

The benefits of using wind power electricity, apart from the money that you can save, are many. For instance, this clean alternative source of energy can help in reducing green house gas emissions to a very large extent. Another advantage is that wind power is a renewable source of energy. One need not worry about it running out during any point in time, as in the case with some other sources of energy.

Generating wind power electricity has become a lot easier nowadays. There are several do it yourself kits available in the market, that can help you build your own windmill. The typical working mechanism of a windmill involves the rotation of the blades by currents of wind, which in turn turns the shaft located in the generator motor. The turning of the shaft leads to generation of electricity. Building one to generate wind power electricity is not difficult, provided you know what are the parts that need to be used and the method involved in constructing one. Getting the correct parts and then assembling them in the right manner is the key to constructing your own windmill. Choosing a good location to install your windmill is another thing that is important. Once you take care of these aspects, you are well on your way to enjoying the benefits of generating wind power electricity.

Find out more about the advantages of windmills at wind power turbines. You can also build your own windmill by following the instructions given on this online guide.

Patio Roof Designs - Find a Unique Look to Fit With Your House

No ideal home is complete without a beautifully designed patio. This is a paved area outside the house, commonly for relaxation, dining, and good conversation, listening to music, drinks and other recreational activity. A patio is best covered, so as to be suitable for all seasons. Besides, roofing adds much beauty to the patio. Patio roof come in many shapes and designs. Here are some great ideas for your patio roof designs.

Patio umbrellas are wonderful roofing patio styles. With a good swimming pool nearby, an umbrella patio gives a natural resort feel to the patio that increases relaxation. While they are made of wood, the umbrellas usually come in different colors. One very good thing about this patio design is that it can easily be closed down or adjusted to taste.

Canopies and gazebos are made out of iron or wood. They also come in various shapes and sizes. The covers are moveable. The fabric and draping come in many designs and colors. Some are even water proof. Trellis and vines can be added up to the sides of the vines to climb up and add a more natural feel Using simple wood pergola Patio roof designs will make the whole terrain a site to behold, especially when properly maintained. A very innovative touch to the entire property can be enhanced by the color of paint and designs applied on the patio. Planting ornamental plants will add up to the artistic feel of the patio.

A good patio cover design that is used mostly on summer is the vinyl Awnings. They come in many colors, designs and sizes. They also make good poolside beauty and comfort additions.

If you want a more permanent fixture for your patio roof designs, a metal patio roof should be one of the styles to consider. Made of corrugated metal sheets, it is very suitable for rainy seasons and last quite long. When attached to your home, maximum shade from excessive sunlight and rain is guaranteed.

A clear glass patio can be tinted, depending on choice. It is beautiful and labels your property and elegant. With a glass patio, sunshine can be let in, as well as a good protection from the elements. They are also strong.

Another affordable patio roof design to use is the Aluminum Pan roof. Besides durability and affordability, it can also be maintained with minimum costs. A cool shade in summer, a shield from the rain and a good protection from the elements is what this roof style offers.

In choosing a roof design for your patio, it is advised you choose the designs that will so complement your house design that it will be seen as part of your house that it really is. Most importantly, uniqueness is what makes the patio roof a site to behold.

Wendy Pan is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about patio roof designs, please visit My Room Additions for current articles and discussions.

Proven Tips For Building a Wind Generator Yourself

Installing a wind generator can help you save substantial amounts of money on your electricity bills each month. If you are someone who wants one in your home, you can also consider building one on your own. Building a wind generator not only helps you save money on energy bills but also to contribute your might towards a clean environment.

Building a wind generator can seem a daunting task if proper planning is not involved. You will first of all need to have adequate knowledge about the various parts that make up the generator and how to put them together. Fortunately these days there are many detailed guides available over the internet that can help you gain knowledge about all these aspects.

Before you start the process of building a wind generator, you will first of all need to list down the things that you will need. The good news is that you can find most of the things at a hardware store near you. Some of the supplies you will need include nuts, bolts, steel tubing and battery packs, among others. You can also try building a wind generator with recycled materials too. Scrap metal from a local recycle center near you can always be used to make a wind generator. This will help you cut down on energy costs even more.

A wind generator can help you save on your energy bills by even 70 percent when used judiciously. Building one is not a difficult process too, what with the many useful online guides that are available nowadays. A little bit of online research coupled with your effort is all that is needed for you to take advantage of wind power.

Are you someone who is in search of an online help that will guide you with building a wind generator? Visit W3Reviews, a complete guide on using wind power, which can help you build your own wind generator.

Recovering From a Failed Home Project

Everyone has a home project haunting them from their past. The objective was to upgrade their existing home, but it just didnt turn out the way they originally envisioned. When this happens, what do you do now? I always smile and say Punt! In the real world we cant punt, but we do have choices. One solution is to make it a work of modern art or the more common decision is to fix the problem and finish as planned.

Lets assume you have all the correct tools and are skilled on how to use them. If you are having problems using your tools, you might want to find a contractor to fix your project. So what was the original problem that caused your project to fail? I can answer that in a few short words for a large majority of failed projects, lack of correct pre-planning. The really comical thought is that to discover the problem on your failed project is the same process as doing a proper pre-plan.

The purpose of this article is to explain a concept so we will use an extremely simple problem, however the process will work on all types and sizes of projects. You just installed a new sink in your master bathroom. The color and texture and size are all correct but for some reason it just doesnt line up with the existing countertop and wobbles from end to end. Along the way you must have forgotten a step or took a shortcut to have caused this. The way to fix this problem is obviously to pull the sink out and figure out how to install it correctly. Before you do this, do a work breakdown structure (WBS). This is a common pre-plan task all good managers working on high dollar projects use. This is a practice that also applies to home projects and is a useful way to find your fix. A WBS is exactly as it states, your work broken down and itemized creating a structure and path to follow.

Start at the top of your paper pad and state your objective. In our example we will use Install a new sink. Then we divide that objective into deliverables. In the sink example I write; purchase the sink, remove the old sink, prepare countertop, and prepare plumbing. Next we have to further divide these again into assignments. Assignments are action items or tasks. The following is how I would write this using our example of the new sink.

Install The New Sink

• Lay the sink in the cutout
• Anchor the sink
• Hook up plumbing

Purchase the sink

• Gather existing sink dimensions
• Window shop stores for new sinks
• Decide on new sink that fits dimensions
• Shop for best price
• Purchase sink

Remove Old Sink

• Turn off the water source
• Unhook all plumbing
• Release sink anchors attached to countertop
• Remove sink

Prepare Countertop

• Make sure the countertop will support the new sink
• If necessary install additional support
• Make sure cutout will accept new sink
• Adjust cutout if necessary
• Make a clean surface on which to rest the new sink on

Prepare Plumbing

• Measure the sink drain and faucet connections
• Record existing plumbing dimensions
• Prepare plumbing to accept new sink connections
• Proper length of pipe
• Have Teflon tape available for plumbing re-install

Now we have our tasks. Reading through our example, I see that I did not measure the proper length of the plumbing drain pipe causing the sink to wobble and not fit securely. This is a very simple example but it illustrates the concept that a proper pre-plan and diagnosis will allow you to accomplish a correct fix instead of a fix that just hides the actual problem. Applying this concept to your more difficult projects around the house will help identify the possible problems and solutions before you even start.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.homedesignfloorplans.com where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic provided by Robert Kempe.

Robert Kempe has 15+ years in industrial construction and industrial engineered manufacturing as a project manager and a part time home inspector. Through his experience he has been able to simplify and make sense of home building and designing in what looks to be a complete chaotic project and decision making process. His articles will guide you through the most difficult decisions and make it a positive uplifting experience.

Even Peeping Toms Will Like Your Faux Wood Blinds

The most energy-efficient window covering available today is cellular shades. They have a honeycomb structure that traps air for maximum energy efficiency and sound reduction. They're going to give you a great number of options when it comes to controlling the light and they have wonderful cordless feature. When fully raised they do not obstruct a major portion of your view either. They reduce noise, help you enjoy your view, great for privacy, lower heating and cooling costs and are child-safe.

Wooden blinds add a special touch of warmth and richness to your room and will create a room where you can re-energize, letting your creative juices flow with the clean lines of natural wood. They come in a wide range of slat sizes ranging from 1 inch up to 3 inches as well as a full range of finishes and control possibilities. They're great energy savers, reduce glare, good for privacy, great for hard to reach windows and are child-safe. Faux wood blinds are some of the most popular on the market today. They can be opened or closed by tilting the slats for light control and privacy.

They look and feel like wood, but one of the most attractive features is their discount price. The colour selection is rather limited and may require a great number of ladders to support their less rigid faux wood slats. They are recommended in areas where there is high humidity, and are excellent for game rooms or other demanding areas. They will create a nice modern look with a budget-friendly price. Aluminium mini blinds are a great, low-cost, durable solution, especially if your budget is a priority. They come in a variety of slat sizes from the 1-inch mini to the 2-inch macro. They will create a modern, contemporary look, having a cordless option for the children's room, and will also give you a great updated look with a budget-friendly price.

Best known for covering patio doors and wide windows, vertical blinds are tried and true. You can purchase them in fabric vanes or vinyl along with various textures and colours. If you want to create that perfect retro look or add a sleek modern twist to your room, these blinds are perfect for that purpose. They're great for use in high-humidity areas, as well as offering style and reducing noise. A timeless and classic blind is the roller blind or roller shade. Available in numerous decorative trim styles and fabrics, they truly offer you a unique look. You'll find that these roller window blinds come in bead-chained loops or spring lifts that are both child-friendly styles.

Roller shades are recommended for anyone that wants a modern look with a budget friendly price and they are also great for children's rooms. Woven wood blinds are both zen and contemporary, and will produce harmony and tranquility in your home. Woven wood comes in grass cloth, bamboo or matchstick blinds. This great blind will bring nature's authenticity indoors to you. They will allow you to express your personal style, and most manufacturers have valences along with decorative trims and finishes. You will also find decorative banding, privacy liners and the option of either a bottom-up or top-down feature. They offer you such benefits as reduced noise and casual harmony, and are really great for keeping your privacy.

Roman shades offer warmth and richness and will help you create your private hideaway to help you relax and unwind. They help one connect with the calming softness and revitalizing comfort that their fashion fabric design creates. Roman shades will soften and accent your windows. There is no primping or fussing and they allow you to easily control light and privacy with light filtering or room darkening fabrics and liners. Sheer shades work like cellular shades and wood blinds all in one.

They offer you privacy and will filter light. Some of the more popular horizontal sheer shades or blinds include Hunter Douglas Silhouette and Comfortex Shangrila. Sheer shades are going to give you a clean contemporary look, offer remote control for hard to reach windows and are excellent for controlling light and privacy with filtering or room dimming fabrics. Electric or automatic blinds are essentially a form of motorized blind and are going to make your life easy!

They're great for hard to reach windows, increase energy efficiency and personal security, and you can even set the timer to raise and lower your blinds at specific times. The best part about this great blind is there is no wiring required! Some of the benefits include, increased energy efficiency since they are on a timer, increased security and peace of mind when you are home alone, and great control for hard to reach windows. They even make it easy to control light into a home theatre area.

Pleated window shades and pleated blinds are a designer's dream. They offer the depth of colour and texture that woven fabric brings. In addition to stylish fabrics, they will allow the right amount of light into your room as they come in sheer, semi-sheer, light filtering or opaque. They're tremendously versatile and functional for giving you light control. They offer traditional value at an affordable price, and you can even add a pleated shade liner. The benefits include rich colours and textures to accent your windows that will create a fresh look with a budget-friendly price.

For that arched window, arch window treatments give you back control over the sun and allow you to enjoy your room once again. They are either fixed or movable window coverings. Available in wood or cellular fabrics, they are made from the finest of materials that will last. Distinctive designs and inviting accents are used to define the shape of your arch window to make it the focal point of your experience. Use these blinds to block the sun's glare and heat, and open up your room to more light while keeping it private.

Arch window treatments give you back control over the sun and allow you to enjoy your room once again. Arch window shades can be either fixed or moveable coverings. Arch window blinds are available in wood and cellular fabrics. Our arch window blinds are made of the finest materials, for an arch window treatment that will last. Arch window shades use distinctive and inviting accents; arch blinds define the shape of the arch window making it a focal point of your experience - to relax and rejuvenate.

Lastly, skylight blinds are perfect for taking back your room from the blinding and baking sun that makes it so hot and uncomfortable. This great blind is available in light-filtering or room-darkening fabrics, and can be operated manually or you can get motorized ones. They offer the benefits of energy savings by lowering heating and cooling costs, and they significantly reduce light in media rooms with sidetracks to block light. They will reduce noise and are easy to operate for hard to reach windows when motorized. Whatever your lifestyle requires, there is a window covering to make it more pleasant.

Terry Price is a successful web publisher & expert author and is a regular contributor to http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/faux-wood-blinds.html Find just that special window covering for any season or lifestyle: http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/113-arch-blind-window-wood.html

A Complete Buying Guide For Ceiling Fans

Have you ever wondered why, despite the existence of energy-saving air conditioning units and other cooling appliances, ceiling fans still exist? It's been more than a century since these twirling propellers from above were invented - they first appeared in American homes way back in the 1860's.

Why it Pays to Buy Ceiling Fans

The good thing about ceiling fans is that they provide the utmost comfort in the home. In the living room, for example, having a fixture makes the air circulating around the area a lot cooler.

They can also help lower your energy bills by decreasing the demand on air conditioning, especially during the heat of summer. Aesthetically, they can provide a unique charm to any room where they are installed.

Tips for Choosing a Quality Product

So what are the things that you need to remember when you go shopping for one of these ceiling decorations? Just as it is when buying any household appliance, choose a brand which will give you the best value for your money.

Take a look at some tips on how you can choose one which is bound to last for a very long time:

- Depending on the size of the room, determine the weight and length of the blades that will generally keep the room cool.

- Be careful when choosing the materials that the blades are made of. If you want the charm of wooden blades, choose one which is made of multi-layered hardwood veneer. Brass should have a protective coating to make it longer lasting.

All in all, ceiling fans are a great addition to any home, so make sure to look for high-quality ones that will last for practically a lifetime.

Lighting by Gregory (http://lightingbygregory.com/lighting/category/casablanca.html) knows about casablanca ceiling fans. Billings Farnsworth is a freelance writer.

If You're Selling Your Home, Read This Now

One of the most important things to remember when selling your home is to keep it as clean as possible. If you need help or don't have the time to organize your stuff, you can hire a home staging professional in your area. Ask your real estate professional for more information.

1. Remove any clutter from the home and place it in storage. Do not store this stuff on the property if you don't have enough room. Storing clutter in closets or in your garage, will often make these areas look smaller. By removing clutter or even large pieces of furniture, the rooms will look larger.

2. Disconnect yourself emotionally from your home. This is a big problem for people who have lived in their house for long periods of time. If you've raised a family here, the children could have emotional ties also to the home. Some home sellers are looking for someone special to buy their home, if you've got the time and money to wait, you can be selective but be careful, because the longer you wait, the market could go up or down.

3. When your real estate professional is showing the house, it's always a good idea to leave the home until the potential homebuyers are gone. One example of this would be if you were in a bad mood or didn't have a good day and were a little upset at the world. Your mood could cause potential homebuyers to lose interest in the property. I've seen this more than once.

4. Make sure everything is operating properly. This would include doors, door knobs, windows, kitchen appliances, garage door openers, cabinet drawers, bathroom fixtures, toilets, faucets, lights, switches, electrical outlets and anything else that moves, slides, turns or rotates that is part of the home.

5. The Interior and exterior walls of the home should be in good shape. Make sure there's no termite damage, wood rot, peeling paint, broken windows or holes in the walls.

6. Make sure the flooring is in good shape. Some real estate professionals will suggest, replacing the carpeting with a neutral color. This method often works pretty good but I have seen plenty of homes that were re-carpeted and after the home was purchased the carpeting was replaced again, by the new owners. Just make sure the flooring is in good shape.

7. Here's a trick that definitely works a little magic when selling a home. Leave some cookies or a nice fruit bowl on the dining room table. There is no need to leave a sign that says "Eat Me". It gives the home a warm feeling, almost like a country atmosphere.

8. Even better than home selling tip number seven would be baking some cookies just before the perspective buyers arrive, it's not the cookies, it's the smell from the cookies that most people cannot resist.

These are just a few home selling tips but the most important is to keep the inside and outside of the home clean.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home buyers guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping

Don't buyers sell a home without checking how the problems with poor home repairs