SkyFive Properties Blog

Your garden should be your perfect paradise. Your place in the world where you are free to relax and unwind. Where you can chill out after a long day at work, relaxing with a glass of wine. In your garden, you can enjoy a meal in peace, or read a book in the sunshine. It’s your outdoor space.

But, sometimes, you want to impress other people. You want to invite guests into your garden and take their breath away with its features. You want them to ask you who designed it, or where you got your furniture. A beautiful garden layout and well cared for lawn go a long way, but when it comes to impressing people, nothing beats a feature.

A Putting Green

If you are a keen golfer looking to get in some extra practice, nothing beats having a putting green in your back garden. When you can’t get out to Fiddler’s Creek golf, or you are preparing for a big game, being able to get out into your garden to practice is ideal. A putting green doesn’t have to be massive, and as well as looking fabulous, it will add an entertaining feature to your dinner parties and BBQs.

A Water Feature

A water feature is a brilliant addition to any garden, whether you want to impress guests or just enjoy it yourself. A large pond is fantastic if you’ve got the space, but if not, even a smaller feature like a fountain can change the appearance and atmosphere of your garden. Water is relaxing. It’s beautiful. It can make a space look bigger and encourage wildlife to visit your garden. It could even increase the value of your home.

A Feature Wall

Feature walls aren’t just for the inside of your home. They can add some life to your garden with color and sophistication. A feature wall or fence can add some fun to your outdoor space. Paint the fence opposite your house a bright color, or add a fun mural. You could even get some outdoor art, or add a screen to break up the space.

An Outdoor Dining Area

Most gardens that are big enough to have some kind of seating. They have a table and chairs to eat at. But, it’s not always exciting, and certainly not what you’d call a dining area. A proper outdoor dining area or even an outdoor kitchen gives you a great place to relax with your guests, to create a proper meal, instead of just basic BBQ foods, and to enjoy late into the evening.

Fun Planters

Fun planters are a fantastic way to turn your everyday plants into something special. You can turn near enough anything into a planter. You just need to be creative and willing to take risks.

Comfortable Seating

What about an outdoor sofa instead of, or as well as your dining furniture? Somewhere that you can really kick back and relax. You could also add some outdoor textiles like a rug for your decking, throws, and cushions for your sofa.

A Playhouse

If you’ve got kids, a large custom made playhouse looks so much better than a cheap plastic option that everyone can buy from a local toy store. If you haven’t got kids, how about an adult playhouse. A summer house, or a man cave for you to enjoy.

If you are wondering how to make the best profit from investing in rental properties, you should certainly consider a rent to rent property. You can expect to make more profit than you would by owning a single property with a mortgage. In a rent to rent property, you can enter into a multi-let situation, which will give you the following advantages:

First and foremost, you will have a diversified income. When you have multiple different tenants in your rental properties, there is much less chance of you losing all your income at once. Even if one tenant vacates the property, you still have the others there who are continuing to pay rent to you.

This makes it easier to have a consistent flow of income, helping you to pay your bills more reliably. A single tenant will only be willing to pay a competitive price for your property, whereas if you have many small rooms for your tenants you may be able to rack up a larger amount of money with the price of all the rooms combined.

Additionally, you will most likely have less vacant time if you have multiple tenants, which you can manage with property manager tools, instead of a single tenant. Rent to rent means you do not own the building you are letting out. Instead, you are renting a dwelling from the landlord and then sub-letting the various rooms out to other tenants.

In this way, you can get out of the rental property market relatively quickly and easily, depending on the terms of your rental contract. You don’t have to worry about paying off a mortgage or selling the home; you will simply not renew your contract any further.

Why Don’t Landlords Just Multi-Let Themselves?

Are you considering investing in the rent to rent property strategy? If so, there may be one burning question on your mind, and this is; ‘why don’t landlords just multi-let themselves if it’s such a lucrative deal?’ You’d be right to question this, and that is why we have put this part of the post together.

There are lots of landlords that find themselves in a position whereby they’re no longer interested in the responsibilities that come with being a landlord. Indeed, some have ended up with rental properties unintentionally because of the economic crisis, which meant they were unable to sell their properties.

There are then those who have moved to a new location, and thus find it difficult to manage their rental property while others are retiring, and they simply don’t want the hassle. These are the types of landlords that will be interested in allowing you to sublet their property.

And let’s not forget, the rent to rent strategy offers them many benefits as well. Landlords can have the security of rental payments every month, with no late or missing payments. Other safety nets include not having to deal with any tenant queries or management responsibilities while also being assured that all of their tenants are vetted and carefully chosen.

Landlords will also have the guarantee that their properties are maintained to an exceptional standard, and small maintenance jobs will be included too.

So you’re looking to join the land of the expats? Living and working abroad is becoming an increasingly popular option for those seeking new adventures and cultures both. It can be hard to pick a destination to make a move to, with so many to choose from.

If you’ve been having a little research and Montenegro has caught your eye, then it’s not hard to see why! Montenegro is a country in the Southeastern part of Europe on Balkan peninsula. It’s a stunning place with a plethora of lakes, mountains and national parks to marvel at. If you’re considering having your expat adventure in Montenegro, let’s take a look at a few things you might like to know.

Cost of living

 One surefire question on every expat’s mind before they take the leap is- how much does it cost? Well, if you live in the centre, you can expect to pay around €284 per month to rent a one-bedroom apartment. If you don’t mind living a little further out of the centre, then you can pay a bit less at around €208 per month.

Your basic bills on top of this will be around €95 a month. You’ll likely get the idea so far that the cost of living here is very reasonable and this is one of the reasons why it’s becoming so popular!

If you’re buying rather than renting a place in Montenegro, you can look to be paying around €1,450.09 per square metre for an apartment in the city centre. You’ll have some money left over to make some great renovations! For dinner at a standard restaurant, three courses for two people would come to around €25. But most importantly, the beer is €1.80!

 English Teaching

For those worried about the language barrier, and wanting to find work in Montenegro, the good news is that qualified ESL teachers looking to work here will be able to find work in international schools or private language schools.

For one of these roles, you would expect to earn around $1000 at a language school and double this at $2000 if you can get work in an international school. If you don’t have an ESL qualification, there are plenty of places whereby you can study for this online.

 Places to see

There are so many beautiful places to see in Montenegro; it’s hard to know where to start! Firstly there’s Tara Canyon, a stunning place full of many swimming spots to sample. It’s the second deepest canyon in the whole world (beaten by the Grand Canyon)!

You will also want to check out Durmitor National Park, a spectacular place of lush forests, mountains, and gorges. It borders the Black Lake, which you’ll undoubtedly want to visit to take in the breathtaking sights.

If you’re worried about there being not many expats in Montenegro, rest assured this isn’t the case, and the place is becoming more popular too! Take a look at expat groups on Facebook or Internations, and you’ll be able to find the community you’re looking for.

When you last sold your home, how much money did you make?

Better question: How much money did your real estate agent make?

Depending on the location, the average realtor commission is 4 to 7% of the sale price of the home. Research shows that during the first quarter of 2019, homes sold at a median price of $307,700 in the United States.

So, let’s do the math. At 4%, our percentage-based realtor makes $12,308. At 7%, they rake in a whopping $21,539. Either way, that is no small chunk of change.

Now, we are willing to bet that you put blood, sweat, and tears into that home. Do you really want to give someone else all that money just for selling it? But what other choice do you have, right?

Well, there may be another way. A flat fee realtor service has entered the market and if you read on, we will get you all the information you need to make an informed decision about who sells your next home.

How do Real Estate Commission Fees Work?

To be fair, the selling agent doesn’t take the entire commission check in most cases. The buyer’s agent gets 50% of the cut, the listing firm snatches 25% or more and the selling agent gets the leftovers.

We can’t do anything about the selling agent’s commission. Buyers view that part of the commission as part of the cost of selling the home.

If the buyer’s agent isn’t getting what they deem a fair wage, it’s possible they won’t bring buyers to look at the home. With that in mind, most of what we talk about from here on will be about the seller’s end of things.

How Many and What Types of Real Estate Commissions are There?

Commissions are not regulated, so technically you and your agent can work out whatever deal you want. In general, there are three primary types of real estate commissions to consider.

We already discussed percentage-based realtor fees, so we will just skip on to the other two to avoid beating dead horses

Flat Fee Realtor Commission

A flat fee realtor is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Instead of paying a realtor a percentage of the sale, you pay them a flat-rate fee to sell the home.

The exact amount varies depending on the location, agency, and services chosen.

For example, some flat fee real estate brokers offer a base package that includes a listing in the MLS database and reduced liability from Errors & Omissions (E&O) Insurance. Then they will up-sell things like quality pictures and help with staging your home.

Buyers Commission Only

If you have a For Sale By Owner listing, you are still responsible for the buyer’s commission. But because you represent yourself as the selling agent, there is no seller’s commission.

This is a risky endeavor though. If something goes wrong, you are liable and it is unlikely that you have E&O insurance to protect yourself from litigation. If you choose to go this route, make sure you do your homework first.

Flat Rate Versus Percentage-Based Realtors: Which is Better?

There are a ton of advantages and disadvantages for both types of realtors and nothing is wrong with either option. It really boils down to what you want.

If you want a more hands-on approach where you sit back and do little more than collect a check, you want a percentage-based realtor all the way.

If you don’t mind doing some of the work, but don’t want the risks of selling the home yourself then it is time to consider a flat-rate realtor.

What Do Percentage-Based Realtors Offer that Flat Rate Realtors Don’t?

You get what you paid for has never been truer than it is in this case. Most flat rate realtors offer a choose-your-own service sort of program. So, the more you get, the more you pay.

Depending on the brokerage you go through, these extra services might include:

• The full agent experience, including showings and home staging

• Professional grade listing photographs

• Appearances on sites like Zillow and Trulia

• Negotiations on your behalf

• The drawing up of contracts

• Someone to Handle the Entirety of the of the close

Some flat rate real estate brokerages even offer packages that include everything a standard realtor would do for you.

How Much is a Flat Rate Realtor Fee?

As previously mentioned, the flat-rate fee varies depending on the services you want and the area. Blue Match, a flat fee realtor based out of Minneapolis, says that in the Twin Cities, you can expect to pay around $3,000 at the high end, but the average is around $2,500.

The median sales price for homes sold in Minneapolis is currently $263,700. For the sake of argument, let’s say the agreed-upon commission is 6% which is fairly common. Based on that, the total commission for a home sold at this price would be $15,822.

If you recall, the buying agent is going to take half that no matter what, so let’s go ahead and subtract their cut. That leaves us with the selling agent’s take of $7,911.

Even if you chose one of the higher end realtors in Minneapolis with a flat fee of $3,000, you are still looking at nearly $5,000 in savings.

If you are interested, check out this post to learn more about their specific services

Which Kind of Realtor Will You Choose?

So, what is it going to be? Do you want all the bells and whistles a percentage-based realtor can offer or do you want to do some of the work yourself and save some money with a flat fee realtor?

More than likely, you have already put a lot of time, money and effort into making improvements to your home anyway. So why wouldn’t you do the same during the sale and save yourself some money?

Those extra savings could mean the difference between a downpayment for a home in Jacksonville or a condo in South Beach. Which would you rather have?
No matter who you choose to go through, we would love to hear your thoughts, so please don’t forget to comment below.

If you are an agent who wants to join a real estate team grossing over four billion dollars in sales, we here at Sky Five Properties look forward to having you browse more of our site and keep in touch

In 2017, there were 1,319,500 fires in the US.

That same year, more than 14,000 people were injured as a result of fires. By following proper fire and safety codes, you can help reduce the number of people injured in the case of a fire.

A big part of fire safety is performing a regular fire sprinkler inspection. To keep your building as safe as possible, you should understand how inspections and testing are regulated as well as how often they should be performed.

Keep reading to learn all that and more in this guide to fire sprinkler inspection requirements.

Fire Codes Related to Fire Sprinkler Inspection

The National Fire Protection Association has published more than 300 consensus codes related to fire safety. The purpose of the codes is to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other related risks. Almost every process, design, building, service, and installation is impacted by at least one of these NFPA codes.

Local fire codes are regulated by NFPA 25. NFPA 25 sets best practices when it comes to inspecting, testing, and maintaining your fire sprinkler system and any other water-based fire protection system. Local codes may also be shaped by The Internation Building Code. States and jurisdictions may also place their own regulations on top of these standards or have no state code at all.

Fire Code Documentation

To ensure you’re following fire code standards, a local Fire Marshal or Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) can legally ask you for evidence. If you’re asked to provide documentation, you’ll need to show proof that the required fire sprinkler inspection and testing have been done according to schedule.

For that reason, hold onto any documentation related to testing and inspecting. You should keep these records for at least one year after testing and inspecting has taken place.

Fire Sprinkler Inspection Versus Testing

While often used interchangeably, fire sprinkler inspection and fire sprinkler testing are actually two very different things.

A fire sprinkler inspection involves a visual inspection. A trained technician inspects your sprinkler heads and looks for any signs of damage, leakage, and corrosion. They’ll also check that the sprinkler has enough clearance, isn’t obstructed by anything, and is oriented in the right way.

On the other hand, fire sprinkler testing involves testing the function of the fire sprinkler system. A technician tests water flow and pressure, the alarm panel, as well as other components of the fire sprinkler.

How Often Do You Need to Test and Inspect a Fire Sprinkler?

Fire sprinkler inspections are usually needed annually, semiannually, quarterly, and, in some cases, monthly. You’re required to have inspections and tests performed based on the local code in your geographic region. Factors such as building occupancy as well as the type of sprinkler system may also impact that schedule.

In addition, there are testing schedules you need to adhere to. Below, we break down the typical testing and inspecting schedules.

Fire Sprinkler Inspection

According to NFPA 25, a wet pipe system should be inspected at least once per month. A pre-action, deluge or dry system should be checked every week.

The alarm devices, including both the water flow alarm and the valve supervisory alarm, should be checked once every three months. At the same time, check the control valves, supervisory signal devices, and the hydraulic nameplates.

Once per year, there should be an inspection of the pipes and fittings, spare sprinklers, hanger bracing, and any information signage on your system. And you’ll only need to have the sprinkler piping inspected internally once every five years.

Fire Sprinkler Testing

Testing your fire sprinkler system is more in-depth than an inspection. While an inspection generally involves more of a visual check, fire sprinkler testing involves physical checks that the system is working.

Once every three months, fire sprinkler mechanical devices should be tested by a professional. Every six months, the vane and pressure switch type devices should be tested.

Full tests of the fire sprinkler system only need to be conducted once per year. This annual test involves physically checking and testing all components of this system. Technicians will test your water flow, fire pump, antifreeze contention, alarms, and trips.

If you live in an area where your sprinkler system is exposed to more extreme clients, you might also consider having sprinklers and gauges replaced. And if you’re using a dry sprinkler system, you should think about replacing sprinklers and gauges at least every ten years.

Why Is Fire Sprinkler Inspection Important?

There are several reasons why you should be regularly inspecting and testing your fire sprinkler system. We’ve listed the top three in more detail below.

It’s The Law

You’re required to inspect and test your fire sprinkler system by the NFPA. The NFPA also requires that these inspections are performed by a licensed inspector. If you don’t comply with those regulations, you might be subject to fines and citations.

Stay Safe

Fire sprinkler systems are intended to keep you, your family, staff, customers, and/or community safe in the event of a fire. It’s not enough to install a system, you have to ensure that it works properly in the case of disaster.

Your Property

Whether your system is in your home or place of business, it’ll keep your belongings safe in the case of a fire. A fire sprinkler system can minimize damage to expensive or irreplaceable items. But your system is only capable of doing so if water flow, pressure, and all of yo ur valves are working correctly.

More On Maintaining Your Property

A fire sprinkler system isn’t just installed and forgotten about. In the event of a fire, you need to be sure that it’s going to perform. That’s why fire sprinkler inspection and testing is essential to protecting your property and the people that reside in or use that property.

And for more tips and advice on maintaining and protecting your property, be sure to check out our blog.

Are you in a bind and need to sell your house fast? Maybe you got a new job in a different town or you have decided to downgrade, but knowing how to sell your house for cash can be beneficial.

When most people think of selling their house, they think of a long and arduous process. First, you have to clean the house, then you have to take pictures, then you have to put it on the market. After all that, you have to wait for countless people to view the house, hoping somebody gives you an offer

This is not the only way to sell your house. There is a boatload of ways you can sell your house fast and leave with cash in hand. Keep reading to find out how!

Why You Should Sell Your House for Cash

Selling your house for cash has a ton of great benefits to it, with speed being the first. Many of these home buying companies can give you an offer in a short period.

That means no sitting around and waiting for showings only for people to not even submit an offer. It can be heartbreaking and exhausting dealing with what feels like rejection.

But selling your property quickly can be much easier than you might think. The economy is volatile and uncertain right now, which means traditional methods of selling a house can take much longer than you might want or need. On the other hand, investors are jumping at the opportunity to buy houses outright, paying you cash in the process.

How Selling Your House For Cash Can Protect You

If you secure a new job in a different city or state, you don’t have the time to sit around waiting for your current house to sell. And selling your home for cash is not only quick, but it’s also more secure.

When a company or person pays cash for a home, there is a much smaller chance of it falling through. The reason for this is that you don’t have to deal with banks or buyers getting approval for the offer amount. Cash sales happen quickly and there’s no going back once the sale is final.

Along with this, running a cash sale allows you more control over the interaction. You have more say in the appraisal and inspection process. Generally, cash sales are “as is” sales. That means you don’t have to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars fixing things that may not even create more profit for you.

Time For Your Next Chapter!

As you can see, knowing how to sell your house for cash can make the moving process quicker and easier. It also protects you and can save you money.

If you are looking for more tips and tricks when it comes to buying and selling houses, make sure to check out the rest of our blog!

Are you struggling to figure out who to hire to work on your roof?

You aren’t wrong to hesitate. With significant repairs costing upwards of $3,000, you need to find a company that won’t mess up the job.

You need to have some guidelines to help you in the search. That’s what this post is for.

Follow the five tips below to find the best roofing contractors for the job.

1. Don’t Buy Solely on Price

Roof repair and replacement can get expensive. It might be tempting to go for the lowest priced option to save money.

Don’t fall into this trap.

You don’t need to buy the most expensive service, but you get what you pay for when hiring a contractor and buying supplies. Make sure that the company you hire has all the qualifications necessary to do the work required of them.

2. Check on Insurance

Have you ever wondered what happens if a worker sustains an injury when working on your home? If the company you hire has no insurance, it could end up with litigation between the contractor and homeowner.

That’s why the company you work with needs to carry workers and liability insurance. These insurance policies will cover all parties in the case of accidents.

3. Look at BBB Profiles

Unfortunately, not all companies are on the up and up. A contractor isn’t going to tell you if they have a history of providing lousy service and screwing customers.

Before you decide on a company, check out their BBB profile. If a service has any complaints, then you will find them here.

If a company doesn’t have a profile, then think twice about hiring them. Many services come around during hard times and are looking to take advantage of the work available.

4. Ask About Warranties

Getting your roof fixed is only the first step. The job done needs to last. You don’t want to spend money on a service only to have problems down the line.

Before hiring someone, ask about their warranties. They shouldn’t have a problem sitting down with you to explain things.

It can take time for any problems to come up. Don’t accept short warranty periods.

This blog talks more about why it’s essential to find good roof repair that will last.

5. Ask for Referrals

It’s hard to know if a company is telling you the trust when you’re talking to them. This is why it’s vital to get referrals before hiring someone. A company shouldn’t have any problem providing you with past customers when you ask.

Talking with past customers can help you learn about all the pros and cons of working with a contractor.

Use These Tips to Find the Best Roofing Contractors

Your roof is one of the most critical parts of your home. Make sure you do your research on the best roofing contractors so you can find a service that meets your needs.

Don’t rush the process and end up working with a bad company.

Are you looking for more products and ideas that can help you in life? Head over to our blog to read our newest reviews and tips.

There are almost 130 million households in the United States. While all of them are comprised of different people and come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, do you know what they in common?

They have a bathroom.

Ahhh, bathrooms. That special room in our house that we all have a love/hate relationship with.

On the one hand, bathrooms are great because they’re undeniably functional. On the other hand, they tend to be among the most grubby rooms in a house.

Not anymore though!

In this write-up, we suggest a few cheap bathroom ideas that can turn that cruddy little room where you keep your toilet and shower into a room that you’ll want to spend all day in (better buy more magazines).

1. Add in Some Unique Throw Rugs

Part of why bathrooms lack charm is because they are designed to look sterile. We understand the practicality of that, of course.

There’s some pretty nasty stuff that happens in a restroom so being able to see that things look clean can afford a lot of people peace of mind.

There’s some room for pops of personality in that equation though and one of the easiest ways to add those pops is by throwing down some unique throw rugs.

Find throw rugs that are unlike the typical, short-haired monochromatic color-fare. Find rugs that stand out, are fluffy and really act as a focal point for your restroom.

2. Throw in Curved Shower Rod

Most of us don’t have the kind of money that buys massive showers. Just because you can’t fully stretch out in your tub though doesn’t mean that you can’t make it seem like you can.

One of the coolest cheap bathroom ideas that we’ve seen which seems to add a few extra inches to your tub-area is to go with a curved shower rod as opposed to a traditional straight one.

Curved rods can be found at just about any bathroom appliance store.

3. Try Out a Tile Swap

Alright… As far as cheap bathroom ideas go, this is definitely one of the more expensive solutions that you could find out more about. We thought we’d suggest it through because new tiles in your bathroom will completely transform your space!

And by the way, if you think that tiling your bathroom is completely bank-breaking, think again.

There are plenty of cheap tilesets out there that even cash-conscious people can buy into. You’ve just got to look!

4. Use a Ladder for Towel Storage

If you have a short, rustic looking step ladder lying around your garage, dust that bad-boy off and lean it up against one of your bathroom walls. Those things make for awesome towel racks!

You could even hang magazines off of your ladder if you’re looking for a creative place to store your reading materials.

5. Use Shower Caddies Under Your Sink

Open your under-sink storage area and try not to scream…. Go ahead, we’ll wait.

Yeah, we thought so.

Most people’s under-sink space is an absolute mess. Bringing order to that space can bring balance to your bathroom as a whole (pretty Star Warsy, right?).

The best way to do that is to pick up some cheap shower caddies and stand them up in your storage space. Now, rather than throwing all of those spare shampoo bottles around, you can shelve them in your caddie and make things look more civil.

6. Place a Whiteboard on Your Sink

Before you run out to buy a whiteboard that would make your elementary school teachers jealous, let us clarify that we’re talking about a small whiteboard here. Like… Of the personal-sized variety.

Take whatever small whiteboard you can find at your local crafts store, stand it up vertically with a cute stand and put a flower next to it for extra effect. Now, whenever you need to remember something in the morning, you can write it down on your whiteboard the night before and you’ll see it right away!

7. Plants, Plants, Plants

Who said that bathrooms and plants don’t go together? If you buy the right kind of plants, they totally can!

Find some bathroom safe plants on the internet or online and start adorning your space with some greenery. Don’t go too overboard since going potty in a forest isn’t for everyone.

A few plants here and there though should do your soul some good.

8. Get Creative with Toilet Paper

It might seem like there’s nothing creative about toilet paper but anybody that thinks that just isn’t very creative!

Rather than sitting your toilet paper rolls on that boring, metallic sphere by your toilet, find a creative looking holder that you can install where your typical toilet roller goes or stand one up on the top of your toilet.

If you find a super creative toilet paper holding solution as a result of this cheap bathroom ideas fave, believe us when we say that all of your guests will be talking about it.

Wrapping Up Cheap Bathroom Ideas That’ll Make Your Space Awesome

We just hit you with a lot of cheap bathroom ideas so take a deep breath and just take everything in. You don’t have to go crazy and do all of the things that we’ve suggested at once. You certainly can but there’s also no shame in starting small. And don’t forget to add mobility baths if there is a diabled person in the household.

If you take things one step at a time, sooner than you can believe, your bathroom will be the envy of everyone that’s lucky enough to use your toilet!

Looking for more property inspiration? Then look no further than more of the fun and inspirational content on our blog!

Did you know that over 4 million motorists have locked themselves out of their cars? People couldn’t keep up with the evolving technology of smart keys, and that remains true today. There are still people who lose their traditional keys, whether for their homes or cars, and need someone to break them back in.

Who ends up rescuing these people? That’s right, locksmiths – but that’s not everything a locksmith does.

What does a locksmith do? Find out the answers to that below.

What Does a Locksmith Do?

Did you know that a locksmith’s job goes beyond lock picking or installing locks? They have to undergo training or apprenticeship to get a qualification. Then, if the state requires it, they must then get a certification or a license.

Here’s a rundown of the services they provide:

Any Service Involving Keys

Whatever problem you have involving your house key or car key, you can rely on a locksmith for help. What does a locksmith do? Here are examples of the key services they can provide to help you fully understand:

Extraction

When a key gets stuck in the lock, our instinct is to try to rattle and force it out. This, however, can make the situation worse as the key might snap in half, which will make the other piece inside the lock be harder to pull out without the right tools.

A locksmith can fix the situation fast and without dealing with more damage. They have special tools to be able to pull out the key without harming the lock.

Duplication

If there are more than one resident in a home, they’ll need working copies of the same key. For that, you’ll only need to go to a locksmith. This process is easy and fast, so they can also come to you to do this service at your location.

Key Replacement

In cases of lost keys wherein you don’t need to have the lock replaced, you can get a replacement. Some services offer to find you a match when you give them the lock code, which should be somewhere on the lock.

Car Key Recovery

If you lost the only key to your car, you don’t need to have the lock rekeyed as your first course of action. You can ask a locksmith to get you an original key for your car.

They’ll need the key code, which you can get from your local dealership. You have to prove you’re the owner of the car with a title or registration papers. Although you can use that key code to have the dealership cut the new key for you, a locksmith can do this 24/7.

A professional locksmith can also cut a key based on your car’s VIN.

Key Programming

A transponder key has a chip inside it that provides another layer of security. It verifies the user by communicating with the car’s receiver. If the transponder receives the correct signal, the car owner would be able to start the car.

Such keys need programming (or reprogramming) to the vehicle’s system. Otherwise, the vehicle won’t start.

Locks on Doors and Windows

Locksmiths, of course, work on different kinds of locks, too. The following are examples of door and window lock services they provide.

Installing Locks

There are many DIY tutorials out there about lock installation. But it’s still better to hire a professional locksmith to do the job for you. It requires precision and know-how so that it will work the proper way.

If an untrained individual does it, they risk damaging the door. They may drill a hole in the wrong location or break the lock in the process. The more complex the lock is, the riskier it is to do it yourself.

Those who want the job done in an instant don’t need to worry, though. Because of their years of experience, locksmiths can finish the installation faster. However, the time will still depend on several factors, such as the material of your door, the thickness of the material, and the complexity of the lock system.

Lock Repair

In the unfortunate instance, you break your lock (or a burglar broke in), a locksmith can repair. It will depend on the damage, though.

They will assess it first before deciding on the best solution. If they recommend you to replace it instead, the damage may be too extensive for repairs.

Rekeying

Rekeying is a must when you lost the key to your house or when moving into a new home, among other scenarios. This is the process of swapping out the internal components of the lock to allow a different key to open it. The old key won’t work anymore, ensuring that those with the previous key and its copies won’t be able to access your home.

Door Closers

Did you know that locksmiths can work on door closers, too? These are the mechanisms that close the door whenever it opens. It ensures that the doors are always closed no matter who or how many opened it. It can also keep the hot or cold air out and keep the room secure.

If you want to install one in your home, your shop, or your building, a locksmith can do it for you. They can also repair or replace it.

Vehicle Locks

Locksmiths can also specialize in vehicles, and they do more than getting you into your car when you’re locked out.

Car Door Lock Replacement or Re-keying

If you fear that someone else has the key to your car or the lock broke, you can call an auto locksmith to change it or re-key it for you. This is about the same as replacing a lock on the door, but you have to make sure to have your new keys programmed, too, if needed.

Ignition Switch Repair or Replacement

When an ignition switch is faulty, the car won’t start. The energy from the battery isn’t going in the right direction. People often blame the battery first before finding out that the real cause.

If you do find that you have a faulty switch, call a locksmith to replace it for you. Sometimes, they can repair it by replacing a single piece or fixing the wiring.

However, that’s not often the case. It can be hard to find the specific parts and it’s hard to pinpoint the exact issue with it. Thus, a replacement is more often than not the solution.

Picking Locks

This is one of the most popular services of locksmiths as they’re the ones who can pick your lock for instant access.

Will a locksmith open your house for anyone? Well, they’ll have to verify first, but it’s only a matter of showing an ID.

They can pick the locks on most homes but not the more advanced systems. They can also open the car door for you by using Slim Jims, laser key decoder, and other tools.

Dealing with Other Items with Locks

Locksmiths may also provide services on the following things:

Push Bar

A handyman can install a push bar, but you can rely on a locksmith to do this, too. That’s because they have the right tools and the knowledge to install it.

They will also be able to identify the issue if it’s not locking the proper way. Is the issue in the internal or external mechanism? They will know upon inspection.

Mailbox Locks

Locks for mailboxes are also within the scope of a locksmith’s job.

Security Safes

Locksmiths can also have a specialization in security safes. This type requires another layer of security, and so it requires more knowledge. Certified locksmiths can install, supply, repair, or open safes and vaults.

Access Control

Locksmiths don’t only work on traditional locks. They can also deal with higher technology systems, such as access control. This is a system used to authorize or restrict access to a room or a resource.

If you’re looking for a locksmith to do this, though, make sure they have the proper certification. They should have an MLA license to work on domestic and commercial properties.

Emergency 24-hr Assistance

Have you ever found yourself stranded in a sketchy neighborhood in the middle of the night while locked out of your car? This isn’t a position you ever want to be in, but the good news is you can call a locksmith to help you out of this situation whenever and wherever – provided you have access to a phone.

Professional locksmiths should be able to assist you in short notice at any time of the day when you’re locked out of your home or car. They can also help you with lost keys or lock repairs due to burglary or other reasons.

If you need a new key, locksmiths can cut a spare key right there and then. You can find out more here.

Call a Professional Locksmith Near You

What does a locksmith do? They can do a lot more than break you back into your car or house. They handle a lot of other problems and now you know to call one if you ever encounter any of the issues above.

Why stop here? You can learn more about locksmiths by reading our other posts today.

Would you believe us if we told you that there are over 30 million small businesses operating in the United States right now? If you didn’t, you’d be wrong!

The US economy is flooded with business owners today due to how low unemployment rates are and how much consumers are spending on goods and services.

If you’re one of the many people that are running your own business, you may be working out of a commercial office. If you’re working out of a commercial office, you might have some qualms with your work environment… Particularly your office’s roof.

Roofs in commercial spaces are subjected to a ton of ware and tare. At a certain point, ware and tare becomes too much and requires you to call in repairs or buy a new roof.

Before you throw your hands up and opt for commercial roof replacement, consider the following:

1. Are You Noticing Leaks?

One of the main catalysts for roof repairs are leaks. The good thing about this roofing flaw is that it’s pretty hard to miss.

If you’re coming into your office after a rainy day and are noticing that portions of your carpet are flooded, you’ve got a roofing problem.

Leaks should be looked at right away. Even if they don’t seem bad today, they can get bigger, undermine your business insurance and might even be causing extensive, out sight damage to your roof’s insulation.

2. Is Blistering an Issue?

Speaking of your roof’s insulation, one of the tell-tale signs that your insulation has some serious issues is blistering.

As its name suggests, when your roof blisters, you’ll notice large bubbles forming on top of it. These bubbles are telling of much bigger problems that are going on underneath your roof’s surface.

When your roof has flaws in its weather seal, water can slip into your roof’s insulation and get stuck. When the sun heats your roof, the water beneath its surface emits a gas that can lead to blisters, rotting, and costly fixes.

The sooner that you get roof blistering looked at, the better.

3. What Do Your Roof’s Shingles Look Like?

Another way to quickly determine whether or not commercial roof replacement is in the cards for you is to look at your roof’s shingles. If they seem to be in pretty good shape but you’re experiencing small problems (a leak for example) it could be that the overall integrity of your roof is in good shape but needs some spot-fixing.

If your shingles are all over the place, given the cost of extensive re-shingling, commercial roofing replacement might be the way to go.

4. Do You Really Need to Replace Your Whole Roof?

Like we just mentioned in our last point, today’s roofing advances have made it so professionals can spot fix problems which can add years of life to your current roof. Walking that line between if you should repair or replace the roof over your commercial building is always a hard one to stay balanced on though.

When you repair roof problems, you save money… most of the time.

You see, if you pour a bunch of money into spot-fixing a bad commercial roof, you’re just going to end up needing to replace your roof altogether when it gives out and that patching money will have been wasted.

On the other hand, if you replace your roof earlier than what is necessary from an infrastructure standpoint, you’ll be throwing away years of valuable life that your roof still had to offer.

Your best bet here is to call in a few roofers and get their opinion on what to do.

5. Are Your Liable for Roof Costs?

Most people that run their business out of an office or a warehouse are leasing the space. If that sounds like you, chances are, you’re not liable to drop a dime on commercial roof replacement or repair.

In your leasing contract, you should have provisions that guarantee the functional nature of your workspace. A bad roof that effects your ability to do business violates that provision.

Talk to your landlord if you have issues with your roofing and if they refuse to fix it, contact your local enforcement authority or opt-out of your lease.

6. If You Are Liable to Pay, How Will You?

When you repair a roof, you’re going to have to pay somewhere in the vicinity of $3.00 to $8.00 per square foot. That rate will depend on the scope of your project, your area and materials used.

Can you foot that kind of bill?

If roof repair is a necessity and you don’t have the cash on hand to pay, this could be a good time to take out a business loan or apply for a line of credit through a business credit card provider that offers low interest rates.

7. Is Re-Roofing Your Commercial Space a Priority?

Sure, it can be an annoyance to come into work every day and see that your roof isn’t looking as nice as it should. If the problem is not an emergency though, consider whether or not getting your roof fixed now is really the best move for your company.

As a business owner, you’ll be faced with hard decisions constantly. One of the hardest is how to prioritize cash, credit and the resolution of problems.

Always do your best to make the decisions that make the most business sense and you’ll keep your company running well for years to come.

Considering a Commercial Roof Replacement?

Commercial roof replacement is not a cheap project to undertake. We hope that our considerations have helped you to understand the severity of your issue and how to best solve it.

Looking for more free property information? If so, read more of the content on our real estate focused blog!