SkyFive Properties Blog

Whether you’re housing tenants, accommodating travelers, or facilitating businesses, your success depends on the services of a commercial contractor. Choose the wrong company and you can face all sorts of problems. From unfinished jobs to financial setbacks to lawsuits and beyond, many entrepreneurs learned this the hard way.

But if you need something renovated, expanded or replaced, a commercial contractor is likely your only option. The right company will carry out a professional job in a timely manner, while also possessing the necessary accreditation to ensure you remain compliant with regulations. Here are 5 ways to identify a commercial contractor you can trust.

Reviews

What previous clients say about a contractor on review websites such as Google, Yelp and Home Advisor are a good indication of their service. Keep an open mind when analyzing the reviews. One negative rating could simply be due to bias or unrealistic expectations. But if the same issues keep showing up, it may be time to look elsewhere.

Work Guarantees

A contractor will only provide a work guarantee if they’re willing to stand behind their service. There’s virtually no limit to what can be promised. For example, the contractor may pledge to repair any problems that arise within a certain time period. Perhaps they’re willing to issue a refund for unsatisfactory work.

The nature of the guarantee is just as important as the guarantee itself, giving you a better idea of what kind of quality control standards are upheld.

Licensing and Insurance

Every contractor should have the licenses and insurance papers required by their state. In their absence, you run the risk of facing financial and legal issues if there’s a dispute. Licenses ensure that they adhere to state standards, while insurance protects the contractor and their workers. You might want to check if they also have a surety bond.

Communication

Without proper communication skills, your contractor can leave you with unanswered questions and unsolved problems. You can quickly get an idea of their approach to communication by taking a look at the contact page on their website. Lighting Maintenance has a good example of what a contact page should include.

Their form captures a number of key details in one message, thus reducing the need for back-and-forth communication. The company also provides an office number and toll-free alternative for each of their locations. You can also email them or send a message on social media. Keep an eye out for these elements when browsing a contact page.

Transparency

A contractor’s ability to provide a setlist of prices upfront speaks for their honesty and preparedness. If they can give you a detailed estimate of all the costs related to the project, you’ll be in a better position to determine the scope and possibility of additional charges.

There are some other ways to determine whether a contractor is worth your time and money. Considering the thoroughness of their project descriptions, browsing through their portfolio and finding out whether they specialize in a specific service can help you make a more informed decision.

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Finding the right property location is not that easy. You need to think a lot and consider a lot of factors before you make a decision. You sometimes get confused to make a decision. There are lots of development projects going in the major states, cities, and districts of Malaysia. The same is the case with Gombak. Due to the popularity of the place and facilities, people love to have a house in the prime location of Gombak. If you don’t know how to get the right property location in the area, then you are in the right place. We will tell you some factors that you need to consider selecting the best location.

Research

The key important thing and step is research. If you are looking for a property, then researching matters a lot. Many people stick to a particular project without searching for the other, and they lose excellent opportunities. In the case of property, you need to be alert and invest in the right time. You should search for new property sales in Gombak and keep yourself updated. Through researching, you can select a few suitable properties that are suitable for you in terms of your budget and the required facilities. First, know about a few new projects so you can select the best of them. There are many websites that keep you updated about new property sales. You can check them at least once or twice a week.

Look at Nearby Places

After researching some places, now you should see the nearby places. Because your children will go to school from the new home, you will have to buy groceries and do shopping. You need to see all these things. You should check the nearby hospitals, schools, shopping malls, stores, entertainment places, etc. Further, you can also see how far the airport is if you travel frequently. Nearby places matter a lot. If everything is nearby the new property, then it is excellent. It will have a good return on investment. Everyone loves to have everything near his house. So, you can choose those property locations that are near important places.

See the Connecting Roads and Highways

It is necessary to see how far you are from the center of the city. If you are too far, then there should be a highway or roads nearby the location. If the location is connected through several highways, then you can easily travel to the city center and nearby cities and districts. Further, if you are in the city, then see how far the main road is from the location. You might need a taxi or public transport from the road. If the road is near, then it is very beneficial.

Visit the Place

Once you are satisfied that the property is near to important places and it is near to the main road or highways, then you should visit the place. This will give you an excellent idea of the location. You can see the nearby housing or commercial schemes. Some properties also have some ready apartments or villas to show customers.

Kenwingston Platz is also a new property launch in the prime location of Gombak. This is a luxury freehold mixed development project that is worth the investment.

Final Thought

Selecting a location in a busy district like Gombak is not that easy. You need to work hard a little. To get the right property location, first, you need to see the new projects in the district. Then select a few that are perfect. After seeing the nearby places and conveyance, you can shortlist a few. In the end, you can visit the place to get a complete idea. These steps are essential to get the right property location in Gombak.

Whether you’re looking to sell your property or just make a more attractive home, upgrading the curb appeal of your house can be of real benefit. The way that your property looks from the outside is the very first impression that it makes, so getting off on the wrong foot can turn the rest of your home a little sour.

Luckily it’s so easy to transform your property’s exterior in just a few simple steps, and you needn’t have a bucket of cash to support your project either! So, if you’re ready to upgrade your homes curb appeal and would like to find out how you can turn your property dreams into a reality, then read on to uncover some of the best tips and tricks that you can make the most of today!

Transform Your Homes Exterior

The exterior of your home is the first thing that you, a visitor or a potential buyer is going to see when they pull up into your driveway, so it’s absolutely vital that you can put a little effort into creating an aesthetically pleasing property.

Start off by assessing the main body of your house – are there any cracks, discoloration, missing bricks, or other unattractive features? Painting your home can really transform the way that it looks, especially if it was previously a simple brick and mortar property.

Another important aspect of your home is the garage, as an old and tired door that’s falling off its hinges just won’t do. Garage door replacement is such an easy investment to make, and adding a new, stylish door to your garage will have such a massive impact on the curb appeal of your home.

Windows are another feature that may need some attention, as they offer a little insight into what it’s like inside your home. Sticking with single glazing is a definite error, as it’s best for both your home aesthetic and your utility bills to upgrade to double glazed windows.

Tackling Your Front Garden

Leaving your property’s front garden to run wild can make your home look unkempt no matter how clean and organized you may be inside, so tackling any outdoor space should be next on your to-do list. It doesn’t take long to mow the lawn and cut back any overgrown branches or hedgerows that are taking over, yet just this simple step can immediately improve your home curb appeal.

Dig up a row or column that you can use to plant flowers for a splash of color, as the seeds are so easy to find and don’t require much upkeep at all. It’s going to be beneficial to purchase a brush specifically for your driveway and any other path areas outside your home, as debris is likely to get picked up in the wind and land somewhere on your property.

Upgrading your home’s curb appeal has never been so simple when you are able to utilize the amazing tricks and tips detailed above!

Are you an Australian looking to swap the plaintive ululations of the digeridoo and stunning sunset over Uluru for the multicultural buzz of Miami, Florida?

Thanks to year-round sunshine, you’ll be able to bring your speedos, bikinis, and sunblock – but naturally, there are other considerations before handing on your notice at work, putting the house up for sale and hopping on the next flight to MIA.

The logistics are compounded if you plan to move with your partner and kids, but as you’d expect, there are legal requirements from US authorities that you’ll have to satisfy before you even consider which neighborhood to live in and what you’ll do to earn a crust.

You’ve got to start somewhere though, so reading these three tips for Aussies migrating to Miami is as good a first step as any

1 Check visa requirements

Don’t just rock up to the US border and cheerily declare that you’re camping out in their country forever – you’ll need to secure a US visa first.

You’ll find all the relevant information from the US Embassies & Consulates in Australia site, but in short, to secure a US immigrant visa, you’ll usually need sponsorship from a US citizen, lawful resident, US employer or immediate relative. There are various visa categories and the sponsor starts the process by filing a petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

2 Pick the right neighborhood

If your Miami knowledge is exclusively garnered from the video from Will Smith’s sonic celebration of the city, perhaps living your dream in Miami constitutes dressing in cool flowing clothes, living on a speedboat and buzzing from party to party.

But the reality is probably that you’ll have to find a sensible home on terra firma – and there are plenty of excellent neighborhoods where you’ll settle in smoothly as a newcomer.  Coconut Grove is blissfully laid-back and Little Havana has pulsating Cuban vibes, but trendy Miami Design District is to die for.

3 Find the best school

When you’re migrating with kids in tow, you’ll want to ensure that there’s minimum disruption to their education, especially if they’re at high school age and exams are on the horizon.

Luckily, there are many excellent schools in the Miami area, including the renowned Ransom Everglades School, Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale and Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. It’s best to visit in person with your kids so that they can suss out if they’ll be comfortable, but you’ll find more information on a comparison site like niche.com.

Getting there

Prior to committing to a permanent Miami move, you’ll want to take a fact-finding trip, so check out skyscanner.com.au for the cheapest flight and bag early bird airport parking deals from Cairns and Mackay to Sydney on Looking4.com.

And once you’ve settled in as an honorary Floridian, don’t forget to invite us over to see your new pad!

A home warranty is a service contract that will save every homeowner money if it is used right. But the home warranty industry is competitive, and there are some very untrustworthy businesses operating in this market.

This is why if you want this service to truly work for you and to help you avoid paying huge home appliance and system repair bills, you need to choose your provider with extreme care. This means doing a lot of preliminary research and paying attention to the right things.

How Does a Home Warranty Plan Work?

Home warranty plans are rather simple. You purchase a contract covering a specific list of items and make regular payments on it. Typically a contract’s duration will be a year after which it will be renewed automatically. You might need to pay a fee to cancel the auto-renewal.

Then, if one of the items on the list breaks down, you contact the home warranty provider. They send in one of their contractors, the problem gets fixed, and the policy covers the cost of repairs. You’ll need to pay a service call-out fee, but in spite of this, you will save a lot of money because appliance and home system repairs can be expensive.

Home warranties don’t only benefit you by covering the costs of repairs. Getting some coverage should certainly be on the list of things to do when planning to sell your home. Houses with these policies included in the deal sell about eleven days faster and you should secure a higher price for them. According to recent data, you could get up to $2,300 more on the deal.

Why Choosing the Right Home Warranty Company Matters

Bearing in mind how seemingly straightforward home warranty coverage is, you might think it sufficient to purchase just any policy. On the other hand, you need to understand that there are so many home warranty companies that it is so easy to fall victim to fraud. In fact, due to the nature of home warranty provision abuse is inevitably quite commonplace.

The home warranty industry is poorly regulated. Untrustworthy businesses exploit this in order to cheat customers out of their money. The most common problems in dealing with them are claim denials and poor-quality repairs. In either of these cases, you will have to pay out of your own pocket, so you’ll just be giving away the cost of the plan for nothing.

Unfortunately, there isn’t actually very much you can do about it. Despite the fact that even leading home warranty companies have been involved in big shady scandals, they can’t really be sanctioned by the law because of their uncertain status.

It, therefore, follows that if you want to benefit from this kind of contract it is necessary to choose your provider with extreme care. The following steps explain how:

Step 1: Establish the Company’s Legal Status

The first thing you should do is to determine how legitimate the company you are dealing with really is. Find out whether it is certified to offer coverage in your state. More importantly, learn which authority deals with any disputes that might occur with this company.

You can also look for accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. It isn’t a mandatory requirement for a home warranty provider to be BBB accredited, but it’s a good sign because only the best of the industry veterans do have this status.

It is also wise to check how long the company has been in operation. The safest option in this industry is often a provider which has at least several years of experience.

Step 2: Research the Company’s Reputation

After studying the BBB website and considering the ranking assigned to the company there based on complaints and testimonials, you should then move on to review websites. Look up every provider you are considering on Google Reviews, Yelp, and any similar portal that may be popular in your area.

Your task is to understand what kind of reputation home warranty providers have with customers. You should also look at independent review websites to get a more objective opinion of every service provider.

Bear in mind that no home warranty provider has a five-star rating on any consumer forum. This is because people share their bad experiences very much more frequently, whilst taking the good ones as their due. So consider the information available by all means, but don’t make it the deciding factor for you.  Luckily, you can find home warranty information on House Method to help you select one that’s right for you.

Step 3: Understand the Coverage

Make a list of the most trustworthy providers in your area and start looking at the plans they offer. Home warranties vary in coverage, so you should focus upon finding the one that works best for your specific needs.

When checking the coverage, note whether there are repair or replacement exceptions. You should also find out what other types of services are included. For example, if the plan covers roofing repairs you need to understand whether it will cover mandatory roofing maintenance as well. If yes, to what extent exactly?

It should be noted that the majority of companies offer only a few basic plans. Usually, they are appliance only, basic plans which cover only the simplest appliances and systems, and premium plans which cover the most important items in the average home. There is also an optional coverage feature that allows you to include systems or appliances that are rarely covered by home warranties, such as the aforementioned roofing.

Step 4: Count the Costs

A home warranty plan will cost about $400-600 a year. Usually, you’ll have to pay in small monthly installments.

However, you will also need to pay a service call fee ($50-100 on average) each time you call a contractor. Remember to research common breakdown causes and costs before purchasing the plan. This will give you some idea of how much money a breakdown of certain major appliances or systems will cost you. Use these calculations to advise you whether a home warranty will benefit you personally.

Step 5: Double-Check Terms & Conditions

No matter how trustworthy the provider seems, be sure to read the contract to the letter. You need to be 100% sure that there are no hidden fees or loopholes that the provider will be able to use to deny your claims.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Miss a Step When Choosing a Home Warranty Company

The home warranty industry is big and growing fast, and so are the scandals within it. Even big companies in the industry are sometimes brought up on fraud charges. Therefore, you can’t be too careful when choosing the provider of this coverage. Research every option thoroughly and remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Kitchens can be quite dull places.  There is a tendency towards neutral colors, with the scheme dominated by the white goods or the cupboard fronts.  If you want to brighten up your kitchen, you might worry that any adaptations of the color scheme will require a complete redesign – which could be expensive.  Yet, with only a few tweaks here and there, you could change the mood of your kitchen and highlight the most appealing areas that are worthy of your visitors’ attention.

Before you worry that everything is going to be too garish, and bold in the style of the 60s and 70s, you can feel reassured – we are proposing a restrained color palette including pale blues and more inky shades.  We then suggest you look to color theory to choose from a bank of colors to create small moments of sharp contrasts that will add some vibrancy.

A coastal scheme

Your starting point for your color choices could be the features already in place.  You may have wooden floors, for instance, and white cupboards.  These two major features are a hint at a potential theme.  If you add some hints of blues and greys, you can create a coastal look.

The trick to this scheme is layering.  A single shade of blue throughout will not give you the desired mood. It is better to later the colors, using a few shades of blue to get the desired coastal effect.  Therefore, when choosing your paint, tiles and cupboard fronts, choose two or three different tones of blue to help the kitchen look brighter.

The great thing about this scheme is that is will look clean and fresh – perfect for a kitchen!

A moment of surprise

Brightening your kitchen shouldn’t require a significant overall of your décor.  You may have previously opted for an industrial theme to your home and enjoy the dark greys.  However, you may feel that it lacks depth.  Sometimes a dark palette can look like a monochromatic slab.

You can add a moment of surprise with a single splash of color.  You could add a brightly colored tile here and there.  These moments of red amongst the grey, for instance, will create a guide for the visitor’s eye.  Therefore, strategically placing these tiles near features will offer a shorthand tour around the best parts of your kitchen.

If you like the idea of this industrial theme and all you have is bland white cupboards throughout, try using dark grey paint to bring your room into the current design trends.

Super bright white

Get rid of the white? Really? Some people are going in the opposite direction.  They have decided that white is the perfect way to add vibrancy.  Indeed, using a bright, white, minimalist look can look robust.  It is especially useful in a kitchen where there is limited natural light, as the surfaces will reflect and scatter whatever light comes in.

There are problems with an all-white kitchen – primarily keeping it clean.  The level of upkeep can be a significant downside.  You will also need all-white major appliances; otherwise, your fridge or your washing machine could become a feature piece.

Although a highly stylized and powerful look, an all-white kitchen is an option for those willing to fully commit.

Contrast for the latest trend

A modern look plays with the color wheel.  Where you have a dominant color, you will look for your signature shade on the other side of the color wheel.

This approach to interior design is most effective if you select primary colors – your reds, blues, and yellows – then looking to the opposite color for the highlights.  Equally, you could focus on one area of the room – the floor, for instance.  If you lay tiles in lines across the floor, you can lengthen your kitchen and give it a much more modern look.

If you want the white surfaces to scatter the light, but you don’t want a completely sterile environment, this approach allows you to have a compromise.

Flowers rule!

Vintage is the new cutting edge – interior design is all about ironies.  If you want to add a proper dash of color, you can put up some floral wallpaper.  It is a look that will look wonderful with a welsh dresser and will help you make the most of a feature piece of furniture you already own.

Floral is useful if you desire that cottage look in your kitchen.

And finally

To brighten your kitchen requires courage.  There is no need to accept utility – you can be bold.

No one likes to be cold, and no one likes to overpay to heat the home. It can change your life to adequately insulate your home and keep the heat in and the cold out. Uninsulated homes lose a quarter of their heat out of the roof. Fitting your loft with the insulation you need. You can also insulate your attic or roof space.

It is a great way to improve your home and how comfortable it is inside. Proper insulation will last more than 40 years and will pay for itself again and again by saving you money on your energy bills. The cost of insulation is relatively low in comparison. Before we get into the details of insulating your home, what is insulation? And what should you do to make sure that you get the right insulation?

Loft Insulation

Putting a barrier of material within your roof space, which can either be laid between the horizontal beams along the floor of your attic or the rafters, angled beams that support the roof. This will help you decrease the transfer of heat between where you are living and the outside world.

To create a warmer home in the winter and a cooler one in the summer, insulation can keep your home comfortable. If you put insulation between the joists it will create a cold loft while insulation in the rafters allows you to keep it warm in the roof space.

Benefits of Roof Insulation

Not only will roof insulation lower your heating bills, but it will also reduce your home’s carbon footprint and save energy overall. Insulation improves your home’s energy efficiency rating according to the site MoneyPug, which is used to compare energy suppliers. Insulation in your home will even increase the property’s value.The average three-bedroom semi-detached home with central gas heating is cheap for a DIY installation. It could pay for itself in a year, thanks to the lower energy bills. Without insulation about a quarter of the heat in your home is lost.

Things to Think About

When you are thinking about insulating your home, there are a few things to think about. You should consider your roof and loft, the cavity and solid walls, the floor, and draught-proofing. It is important to think about the pipes, tanks, and radiators as well as managing condensation.

Most homes in the UK have either solid or cavity walls and an unfilled cavity wall accounts for the loss of a third of the heat from a home. Insulated walls may lose even more, up to twice that much.

Walls sometimes consist of two skins separated by a hollow space, also known as a cavity. Introduced in the late 19^th century and have gained widespread use since the 1930s. It is easy to tell what kind of walls you have.

If the home was built after the 1920s it is likely that it has cavities, although those built in the period between narrow cavities. Measuring the thickness of the wall will help determine how many of the insulation blankets you need.

How Much Could I Save?

Figures from the Energy Saving Trust show the benefits of installing roof insulation. For your fuel bill, you can save up to £240. The typical cost of loft insulation installation saves a lot, from £285 to almost £400. You can also save on carbon dioxide every year. Depending on the thickness of your walls and what kind of insulation you are going to install.

Best Kinds of Insulation

If you do have a dry attic that provides easy access and evenly spaced joists, you should insulate with rolls of blanket roof insulation. These can be made of glass fiber, mineral wool, and recycled materials. Before you insulate, clear your loft of anything that may have been left there. Any pipes and water tanks in the roof space to prevent them from freezing, as the attic will become colder once the insulation is installed. Blanket insulation is the favorite method because it’s easy to install and you can always add more if you of them if you need to.

Insulating your loft will help you save money and energy. It will not just make your home more comfortable in the winter, it will make it cooler in the summer. Seeing to it that you insulate your home in the way that benefits you the most.

The kitchen is considered the heart of the home. This is an integral part of the house that fuels the family and brings the house together. It is the area of the house where meals are made. There are different decorative options that can be put in place to make cooking in the kitchen enjoyable and not a stressful activity.

Why Should the Kitchen Be Updated Especially with Glass Products?

Giving the kitchen an update with glass products and other changes will revamp your experience with cooking and dining. Not only will you notice a difference in your cooking experience, updating your kitchen with glass products will give your kitchen a new look making it feel new and fresh.

Updating the kitchen with glass cabinets can lead to improved cooking efficiency. Updating your kitchen with glass products like glass cabinets will create more space in the kitchen for use. This makes cooking faster to complete.

There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to glasses. This makes it possible to stick to a budget and not break the bank while getting the benefits that a kitchen update brings to your home.

How Can Glass Shelves Best Serve Its Purpose in Kitchen Décor

Kitchen shelves are an essential part of kitchen interior décor. Updating your kitchen with Glass shelves among other glass products can serve the following purposes in kitchen décor:

EXTRA STORAGE SPACE

Shelves are essential for providing extra space for storing items in the kitchen. Upgrading your kitchen with glass shelves and other glass products not only give your kitchen extra space to keep more things, but also make your kitchen appear more prominent due to the use of glass. Remember that one of the importance of using mirrors in a home is to create a room that looks bigger. There is no exception when it comes to kitchen glass shelves.

A BEAUTIFUL VIEW

A glass shelf in the kitchen adds more glam and visual appeal to how the kitchen looks. Cooking in a beautiful environment will definitely feel different than cooking in one that’s not.

Not only does it add visual appeal, but also it creates an artistic effect that makes it seems as though items placed on the shelf are floating. Have you seen how flower vases look on glass shelves in public? That is precisely the kind of beautiful glass shelves bring to your kitchen,

DRAW ATTENTION TO SPECIFIC ITEMS

Apart from adding some appeal to the way a kitchen looks, glass shelves can help to make big statements in the kitchen. How? You can place essential and beautifully designed items in them for all to see. This creates a focal point that arrests the eyes once someone gets to the kitchen.

This could be an expensive china dish you have been trying to show off but could not because there is no shelf to place on it. Make it a center of attraction that complements the décor of the kitchen by placing it on glass shelves.

DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

Contrary to popular opinion, glass shelves in the kitchen are not expensive to maintain. They are much stronger, perhaps stronger than other materials out there. Glass shelves, in reality, are made from tempered glass, this makes them very durable like the wooden shelves they replace.

They are also straightforward to clean and maintain. This makes glass shelves a good option for long term use compared to other shelf materials.

DESIGN ADAPTABILITY

Unlike other shelf materials, glass shelves can adapt to any existing décor theme used in the kitchen. Irrespective of the type of overall décor theme, whether traditional or modern look, a glass shelf always fits rightly.

Styles and Design Ideas of Glass Cabinets for Kitchen Update

Another relevant glass product, which can help you in updating the kitchen, is glass cabinets. Glass cabinets have become an essential part of modern kitchen décor.

Why should you upgrade your kitchen with custom glass backsplash cabinets?

• Improved storage space that makes it easier for you to store more items in the kitchen and have them within arm’s reach when needed.
• Also, they make it easier for you to discover your items since they are made of glass quickly. This makes cooking and other activities in the kitchen seamless as you don’t have to spend an amount of time looking for where you kept specific items.
• Custom glass backsplash fits right into any existing décor theme in the kitchen.
• They improve the visual appeal of your kitchen and increase the comfort you derive from being there in the kitchen.
• Custom glass backsplashes are easy to clean and maintain.

GLASS CABINET STYLES AND IDEAS

GLASS FRONT CABINET DOORS

These are available in different designs and styles. An excellent place to get one is Fab Glass and Mirrors. They are right to try out, especially if you are not open to trying out glass shelves just yet.

There are two main styles for glass front cabinet doors; they are:

• Single-Pane glass front cabinet doors. This type of glass front cabinet door gives your kitchen a sleek look.
• Six-Panel glass front cabinet door. This brings a vintage feel to the kitchen décor and blends even with an overall modern décor theme.

Apart from glass front cabinet doors, other glass cabinet styles you can consider when upgrading your kitchen with glass products include:

• Frosted glass cabinets: These cabinets give a vague look of what’s inside the cabinet.
• Clear glass cabinets
• Seeded glass cabinets: Air bubbles become trapped within the glass)

Use Glass Sheet Backsplash: Unique Kitchen Design

For a fresh and modern look, you should definitely consider a glass sheet kitchen backsplash.

A glass sheet kitchen backsplash is a sheet of glass that has been painted in any color chosen by you then installed on your kitchen wall. This gives you an edge to customize your kitchen to your taste and colors using glass products.

You may have them installed in any color of your choice; decide on the size and style you want. They are easy to clean, no grout joints, and illuminate your kitchen with natural light as a result of their reflective surfaces.

Glass Countertops and Its Impact on Ambience of Kitchen

Glass countertops provide your kitchen with a fresh and unique look. Like all other glass products that can help you to update your kitchen, glass countertops are available in different styles, sizes, and designs.

They are long-lasting and are not prone to wear or discoloration. They give your kitchen a bright ambiance by filling it up with natural light.

If you’re planning to sell your home in the coming year, you likely have a “to-do” list started with a plan of action. Getting your home show-ready takes work, even when you’ve been a diligent homeowner. Let’s take a look at some home improvement tips to get your home ready for listing.

Pinpoint the top projects

If you’re not under a strict time limit to sell and relocate, take the time to walk around your property, and through your home, to create a list of things that need attention before you put your house on the market. For an expert opinion, consult with a real estate agent to create a targeted list of items to tend to before you put your home on the market. This way, you won’t be wasting valuable time and resources on projects that won’t move the needle when it comes time to sell.

Begin with curb appeal

When approaching home improvement to prep for selling, start by taking a hard look at the outside of your home. Never underestimate curb appeal because it’s the first impression your home will make on prospective buyers. Does the exterior of your home look cheery and inviting, or does it seem in need of TLC? It’s always a good idea to get trusted friends or family members to take a survey of your home’s outward appearance to help you create a list of improvements.

Tend to the beds

Many of the most pressing yard and home exterior projects you can do yourself. One of the best — and easiest — DIY home improvement tips is to make sure that your flower beds are cleaned up and planted with bright blossoms. Clear out any dead buds or leaf debris, purchase plants from your local nursery, and transfer them to your beds. Once planted, spread a layer of mulch over your flower beds to give a clean, tended look and help the soil retain moisture. Bright flowers in well-tended beds can take a house from drab and dreary to bright and cheery.

It begins with the front door

Make the entrance to your abode grand for prospective buyers by giving your front door a fresh look. Again, this is something that is quickly done yourself and taken care of on a Saturday. An insider tip is to use spray paint to create an even coat without visible brush strokes. Just make sure you give the door a once-over with sandpaper before starting to paint, and always use a good quality spray paint.

Small touches

Another easy way to give your home a fresh look is to swap out old hardware or fixtures with more updated and modern pieces. If you’re tackling your kitchen, instead of installing new cabinetry, consider refinishing or painting your existing cabinets and installing new hardware. The same rule applies to light fixtures in targeted areas, such as the kitchen, dining, and living rooms. It’s all about the small details, so even getting new switchplates for your lights can make a difference to someone touring your home.

Know when to spend

It’s essential to know your limits when it comes to DIY home repairs. Trust your gut and if you feel out of your comfort zone, start looking into hiring a professional. Spending money on home improvement is the right choice when it comes to specialized jobs. If anything mechanical or structural is in disrepair around your home, you want to get it fixed before listing.

Electrical work, roofing, plumbing, HVAC jobs; if you’re not handy, now is not the time to experiment. Ask neighbors and friends for recommendations of trusted contractors to help get your house in shape to sell. There’s nothing worse than getting halfway through hanging new drywall, only to discover that you’re in over your head.
If you’re unsure where to start with home improvement projects, seek out a trusted real estate agent in your area. Look for an agent with a reputation of selling homes quickly, as they’ll be the best pick to do a walk-through and give you a shrewd list of items to improve and get your home on the market.

Years of harsh weather fluctuations can leave the exterior of your home looking ragged and in dire need of a facelift. A new siding can, however, be a costly project, and you may be left to wonder if the improved curb appeal will increase the market value of your home. This article will give you useful insights into that and help you make better home improvement decisions.

Siding has a Solid Return on Investment (ROI)

Not many people understand the simple business concept, but if you are here asking how re-siding your home improves its resale value, then you are implicitly inquiring about the ROI of siding. ROI is the amount a project is expected to fetch back relative to its initial cost. According to a CNBC report, new vinyl siding installation can recoup a whopping 89 percent of its cost on resale, which means that if the siding cost you $9,000, your home’s value will go up by approximately $8,000.

Still, not many home improvement projects have such a high ROI. So, if your plan is to see real change in the look of your home paired with a market value increase, then siding should be at the top of your projects list.

Siding Improves Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Curb appeal may not seem to hold a lot of weight when it comes to real estate value, but first-impression rules suggest otherwise. Most prospective buyers will only consider checking the interior of a home whose exterior has impressed them. Siding makes up the bulk of your home’s exterior, and by improving it, you are changing the overall look of your home.

Weathered and cracked siding can give potential buyers unnecessary worries about the property’s integrity and have them considering alternative options based on a misconstruction. Fresh siding installation from experienced installation experts can add to your curb appeal and greatly improve your home’s resale value.

Siding is more than just a cosmetic upgrade

While most homeowners who invest in new siding do it to improve their home’s curb appeal, the upgrade does way more than that. Good siding provides protection against extreme weather conditions, from winter storms and heavy spring rains to thunderstorms and summer hurricane-force winds. It improves the structural integrity of your home, an aspect many homebuyers pay a lot of attention to.

Additionally, siding increases, or at least gives you the chance to do something about your home’s deteriorating energy efficiency. Once the existing siding is stripped down, you can call a professional to replace or add insulation in your walls before getting on with the new installation. This saves you both time and money and reduces the risk of damage on your home from the frequent removal and reinstallation of siding.

You don’t have to change your entire home’s siding

If you changed your home’s siding just recently, and some parts seem to be falling apart, you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune again. You can reduce the project into a minor one and focus on the damaged sections only. The advantage of this is that you will achieve the great look of an all-new siding without spending too much money. Spreading the siding expenses over a long period of time will ensure your home stays impressive always and that you never feel the economic pinch of doing a full siding installation.

How to Choose the Right Siding for Your Home

According to the US Census Bureau, vinyl siding tops the list of popular siding choices in the US, and you can see why! Vinyl is tough and durable and offers versatility in style. It also conceals nicks, scratches, and cracks perfectly as color permeates the material.

Thanks to today’s manufacturing standards, contemporary vinyl siding products are built to withstand harsh weather and necessitate minimal maintenance. The products are also light in nature, meaning homeowners can run new siding over an existing layer. You thus get the chance to avoid the costs of first removing old siding before installing a new one.

Fiber-cement is another popular siding material among American homeowners. Its selling points include low maintenance qualities, high durability, and resistance to insect infestations, fire, and weather. If you are looking for a durable option that you are not going to worry about for the next five decades, then fiber-cement is a great option.

Lastly, we have wood siding, which is revered for its classic look and feel. The fact that it is biodegradable makes it a great choice for the eco-conscious. Its downsides include high maintenance costs and vulnerability to insect and rodent infestations.

Conclusion

Siding can definitely increase the resale value of your home. However, being a major project, and a costly one for that matter, you need to be specific on the standards you want to achieve to avoid spending your money on something you won’t be proud of. Check with a seasoned siding installation expert for a breakdown of all the options at your disposal and the pros and cons of each.