Picking the Perfect Home Renovation Builder: Your Complete Guide

Picking the Perfect Home Renovation Builder: Your Complete Guide

Hey there, Perth homeowners! Thinking about giving your place a facelift? You’re not alone. Home renovations are booming in our corner of Western Australia, and for good reason. But before you start knocking down walls or dreaming up that perfect kitchen, there’s one crucial step you can’t skip: finding the right builder for your project. It’s a big decision, and I’m here to walk you through it, step by step.

I remember when my sister Sarah decided to renovate her Fremantle cottage. She jumped in headfirst without doing her homework on builders, and let’s just say it didn’t end well. Delays, budget blowouts, and a whole lot of stress. I don’t want that happening to you, so let’s dive into how you can avoid those pitfalls and find a renovation builder who’ll turn your dreams into reality.

1. Start with Research (But Don’t Stop There)

Kicking off your search online is a great start, but it’s just the beginning. Here’s how to get the ball rolling:

• Google is your friend: Search for “home renovation builders Perth” and start making a list. But don’t just jot down names – note what stands out about each one.

• Check out online directories: Sites like HiPages and ServiceSeeking can be goldmines for finding local builders.

• Social media sleuthing: Instagram and Facebook can give you a peek at a builder’s recent projects and style.

But here’s the thing – a flashy website doesn’t always mean top-notch work. I learned this the hard way when I hired a landscaper based solely on their gorgeous online portfolio. The reality didn’t quite match up. So, treat your online research as a starting point, not the finish line.

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5 Reasons Great Web Design Will Encourage Visitors To Stay On Your Real Estate Company’s Website For Longer

Your website has many aims which can help your real estate company, and one aim which may not be apparent to many business owners is to retain visitors for as long as possible. As the experienced web design experts advise their clients, the longer a person spends on a website, the better it is for conversions, and for SEO.

Now, it should be pointed out that when we say retain people on a website, we are not looking to force anyone to stay there any longer than they wish, so we are not going to be suggesting some dodgy hack that stops them from clicking away. Instead, we want to do this positively, so that rather than visitors being forced to remain on your website, they are actually perfectly happy to remain there for a considerable time.

The question which we must now answer is how do we achieve this highly desirable scenario, and the answer is, in several ways, which are all related to the design of your website. These can either be incorporated into any new website’s design or on existing websites, introduced by implementing changes to its design.

Fast Website Loading Speeds Mean They Will Not Immediately Click Away

We live in an impatient world, and that is especially the case online. This means if your website does not open within a second or two of someone clicking through, then they are out of there quicker than you can say, “Come Back!”. The problem is, they will not come back, ever, and so everything must be done within your website’s design to ensure it loads in all browsers quickly.

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Maximizing Your Move with Skilled House and Garden Removal Services

When you’re moving, it can feel like you have too many things to do at once. Moving your life from one place to another is more than just moving your things. Professional house and garden removal services play a huge role in this exciting journey. They bring order to the chaos and make a process that could be stressful into a smooth, easy transition.

Why Consider Professional Removalists?

Making the choice to hire professional removalists might seem like an extra step at first. But the benefits are much greater than the costs and ease of use that were first thought of. These professionals do more than just move your things; they give you peace of mind. You can enjoy the excitement of moving to a new place without having to worry about how to get there.

  • Getting rid of stress: This is the most obvious benefit. You can breathe easier when you know your things are in good hands.
  • Precision and speed are important for these teams’ work. They know how to quickly and safely pack, load, and move things, so your things will get to their new home undamaged.
  • Full-Service Packages: A lot of moving companies offer full-service packages that include packing, loading, transporting, unloading, and even helping you get settled in your new home. This full-service approach can make your life a lot easier.

The Garden Too? Absolutely.

Moving a garden is another area where professionals really shine. Their tools and knowledge will make sure that your plants and garden furniture get to their new home safely and that they do well there. They are different because they pay attention to every part of your home.

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10 Landscaping Trends That Are Currently Popular In Warmer Climates

It hopefully will not come as a surprise to learn that landscaping in cities and towns with a warm climate will look very different from that in other parts of the world with a colder climate.

When you consider that much of what exists within landscaped gardens is dependent upon the local climate and the local soil, then it logically follows that what might grow successfully in the landscaped gardens of Canada, New York, or London might not do as well in Mexico or Perth, for example, and vice versa.

Whilst the geographical location can impact upon what is included in local landscape designs, so can local landscaping trends. It is true to say that non-natural features such as paving, decking, and ornaments are not as influenced by local conditions as plants, however, there will still be trends that occur locally within landscape designs, rather than universally.

The landscaping professionals from Botanical Landscapes have given us their expert advice, so, if you are wondering what the landscaping trends that are currently popular amongst both homeowners and landscape designers in Warmer Climates are, please read on. We will outline the current top ten for you.

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Reduce Office Water Usage

How Can We Reduce Office Water Usage

Many small business owners don’t realise just how much reducing their office water usage can help the environment. Let’s imagine that you run a small SEO company. You don’t use significant amounts of water during everyday work processes, so you shouldn’t have to worry about wasting too much precious life juice, right?

Wrong!

Once you’ve finished reading this article, you might be amazed by just how much water you can save in the office, regardless of the type of business you run. And water saving is becoming increasingly valuable, especially when Australia’s regular droughts and severe water shortages are taken into account.

Here are a few of the easiest ways to reduce water usage in your office:

Ensure Your Plumbing Is Properly Maintained

Even a small drip can lead to huge volumes of wasted water every year and that you need plumbing service immediately. Let’s look at a little example:

If a tap drips 20 times per minute, you will be wasting approximately 600mL per hour. Multiply this by 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and a slowly dripping tap will be wasting over 5250 litres per year.

That’s right, even a slow drip will waste over 5 cubic meters of water per year! I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you how important it is to get these fixed.

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Enhance Your Lifestyle

4 Ways a Garden Can Enhance Your Lifestyle

Having some landscaping done on your property not only adds to the value of it but also enhances your lifestyle. Everyone loves to be surrounded by beauty, but when that beauty also provides a place where it is convenient and comfortable to relax in you really enjoy being there. And knowing that your property looks fantastic is a source of great satisfaction and pride.

There are many different kinds of gardens and what you choose will depend on many things.kinds of gardens

  • The climate – rain, sunshine, snow, frost, wind and even slope all play a big part in the garden and should be taken into consideration when planning the design.
  • The size of your property is another important element. If you have a tiny courtyard, you’ll need a different kind of design than if your property is on a rural block, or even has a larger backyard.
  • Your lifestyle needs must also be taken into consideration. If you have children or pets, leaving space for them to play and run is necessary. If you love to dine outdoors, you’ll want to create a haven with outdoor furniture.
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A Simple Guide To Using Composting Within Your Landscaped Garden

It is undoubtedly true that a landscape design will need to take account of local conditions, climate, and soils so that anything planted within that landscaped garden has the best possible chance of thriving. For example, landscaping in Perth, Western Australia, will have many different plants created in its namesake in Scotland.

However, regardless of whether a residence is in Perth WA, or Perth, Scotland, there will also be some landscaping and gardening principles that remain constant, one of which is the use of compost. Composting has been a core element of gardening for centuries, and the reason it remains a crucial means of helping a landscaped garden to thrive is because it has many benefits for most of the plants that grow within it.

Unfortunately, not everyone who has a landscaped garden is fully aware of why composting is beneficial and, more to the point, how to create it or use it effectively. For those reasons, we have created a short guide to creating and using compost, which we hope you find helpful.

Why Use Compost?

There are several reasons why compost is considered by many to be essential within gardens of all kinds, including landscaped gardens. The first and most important is that compost provides plants with much-needed nutrients. Secondly, compost is effectively free as much of it consists of food scraps and other organic matter that would otherwise be thrown away.

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7 Advantages Of 24/7 Access Rental Storage Units For Residential Customers

Access and access times are among the most important factors to consider when renting a secure storage facility in Melbourne. Some storage facilities for residential customers only allow access during certain hours, which can be inconvenient if you need to retrieve something from your unit outside of those hours. However, many storage facilities now offer 24/7 access to your secure storage unit, so let us explore seven advantages of 24/7 access to commercial storage.

Advantage #1 – Maximum Flexibility: One of the main advantages of 24/7 access to your rental storage unit is its flexibility. With access available around the clock, you can retrieve items from your unit whenever convenient, even outside regular business hours. This can be especially helpful if you work odd hours or have a busy schedule. Note that some storage facilities allow access outside business hours by appointment only.

Advantage #2 – Extremely Convenient: Having 24/7 access to your rental storage unit is also incredibly convenient. You do not have to worry about trying to fit a trip to the storage facility into your busy schedule during regular business hours. Instead, you can make arrangements to visit your storage unit whenever it is most convenient for you, whether early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekend.

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Colorbond Steel Roofing

How Colorbond Steel Roofing is Tested

Everything is tested before it is released to the public market: cars and all their components, electronic devices, new or different tools, and new building materials. Colorbond roofing steel is tested in various conditions all over Australia, from harsh marine environments where salt can corrode to urban areas with smog and pollution and on to the stunning heat and dust of the outback.

The roofing panels in different colors are put up to simulate a roof in these areas until experts come and test them on sight or take them down for examination in the factory to see what wear and tear – if any – has occurred. You may be amazed to know that 12,000 steel sheets are being tested. This gives the Australian public peace of mind that the products have withstood the test of time. After all, the climate in Australia varies from extremely hot to cold ice and snow, from dusty and dry to cold sleet, hail, and teeming thunderstorms, as well as the humidity of tropical locations.

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5 Key Reasons To Vacuum Clean Your Carpets At Least Once Per Week

Many machines can be classified as carpet cleaners, but the vacuum cleaner is used in almost every home and office. Whilst home cleaners and the professional carpet cleaners who work for them may invest in many types of top-specification carpet cleaning equipment for the work they do, they will all have at least one vacuum cleaner as part of their carpet cleaning arsenal.

Indeed, looking back through the history of how carpets have been cleaned since the start of the 20th century, we find that motorised vacuum cleaners have been at the forefront of carpet cleaning in domestic and commercial settings.

Vacuum cleaners have also been subject to giant leaps in technology and development, which has seen them take on various forms. Today, we even have robotic vacuum cleaners that require a human to switch them on and off, automatically vacuuming carpets.

As for most people, their vacuum cleaners are not robotic and thus still need a natural person to operate them. These can range from small portable vacuum cleaners using bags to upright cyclonic vacuum cleaners with a cylinder instead of a bag. Whilst there might be many design, technical, and specification differences between vacuum cleaners, there are several things that they all have in common, namely the benefits of using them to help clean carpets.

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Vacuum Cleaning the New Carpet

Steam Cleaning Versus Shampooing – A Guide To Deciding Which Is Right For Your Carpets

There are many methods used by professional carpet cleaners when they are hired by clients, and it will often be the case that there are two carpet cleaning techniques that could be used at a particular location. The choice made will be based on the specifics of the carpet cleaning job, the types of carpets, and possibly even the budget of the client depending on which services they are prepared or able to pay for.

In most cases, it will be the advice of the professional carpet cleaner that will carry the most weight, and there are scenarios where that advice relates to whether steam cleaning carpets or shampooing carpets is the best option. There can be several factors that influence the choice as well as a consideration of the pros and cons of each of the carpet cleaning methods.

If you are reading this but unsure of what exactly shampooing or steam cleaning carpets entails, and would like more details on how each might be the right choice for your carpet cleaning needs, read on and we will seek to enlighten you.

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Air Conditioning for Landlords

The Importance of Air Conditioning for Landlords

If you have a home or a flat for an investment, you will know the importance of renting it out, mainly if you use the income from it to pay it off. If your investment property is empty for just a few weeks, it can be challenging to meet the repayments. Even if the property is fully paid for, you still want the income to be available regularly. Air conditioning is one addition that can help you achieve this.

There are very few climates where the weather is perfect all the time. Sometimes it’s too hot; other times of the year, it is really cold. Even in temperate climates, this is the case.  Traditionally, many homes have some heating built into them, but if they don’t, it’s easy to purchase heaters of various kinds. Funnily enough, it’s not so easy to get the air cooled as it is to get it heated.

Yes, there are fans, and these do a good job as long as it’s not too hot. But when the mercury soars, a fan blows hot air around. You can have the plug-in air conditioner that can be wheeled from room to room. It adds water to the top so a fan blows through it and comes out cooler. A bit, anyway. These units are very heavy to move, even though they have wheels. And they are extremely noisy, so they’ve never really taken off. Plus, they are expensive to purchase, considering they are inefficient.

To keep your tenants happy, having split system air conditioning installed in your investment premises is far better. These are far more efficient even than the window-type air conditioners that are noisy and expensive to run, not to mention taking up window space – unless installed in a hole in the wall. Don’t let your tenants do that because there is no guarantee that they will do a decent job of it.

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10 Pro Tips For Pressure Cleaning Concrete Driveways, Paths, And Patios

10 Pro Tips For Pressure Cleaning Concrete Driveways, Paths, And Patios

There are several parts of the exterior of your home where you can use pressure cleaning to remove dirt, grime, grease, mould, mildew and for limestone cleaning. Some parts of that exterior tend to get dirtier than others and they are the ones you might stand, walk, park your car on or be using as .

Your patio, your pathways, and your drive all tend to get the worst of it for several reasons. The most obvious is the fact that as they are at the lowest level all manner of debris, dust, dirt, etc. will land on them. As these are also what you will be walking on or parking your car on, it makes them more susceptible as the dirt gets ground in, or worst of all, oil and grease leaks from the car make an unsightly mess on the drive.

As we said, pressure cleaning is the ideal way to clean all of these solid surfaces, depending on what building materials were used, but it has to be done correctly. As such, we thought it would be useful to provide some tips on pressure cleaning, paths, drives and patios. Read on, and will discover ten pro pressure cleaning tips specifically concerning pressure cleaning those concrete surfaces around your home.

Pro Tip #1 – Plan Everything Properly: As with any task, proper planning is essential, including choosing the day and time, hiring your pressure cleaner, and ensuring you have the correct detergents.

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Why Labelling Jars Is Essential To Effectively Organising Your Kitchen

There are many ways and methods that you can use to organise your kitchen, but in almost every circumstance that is going to involve using jars and pantry labels. You may have a pantry, shelves, drawers, cupboards, and all manner of storage containers, but in most kitchens, it is the jars and the kitchen labels which are going to be used more than most to help store and organise everything.

You might be asking why that would be the case, and there are a few reasons. The first is that jars have always been the sort of containers that are ideal for storing food items and ingredients in a kitchen. These include:

  • Cereals
  • Pastas
  • Rices
  • Vegetables
  • Jams
  • Preserves
  • Biscuits
  • Cakes
  • Spices
  • Herbs
  • Pickles

You will probably know of some more, but even with that list, you must agree that jars are perfect for storing all kinds of foods and ingredients. The reason that is the case is first that most jars are made from glass. As such, there is no danger of anything seeping out of them, and conversely, no risk of anything external reaching what is in the jar and contaminating it in any way.

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Torque Wrench Basics And Selection Checklist

Torque Wrench Basics And Selection Checklist

Although a torque wrench is a tool that you would most commonly find being used in industries such as power generation, water and gas supplies, manufacturing and construction, some scenarios come under the umbrella of home DIY that torque wrenches can be used too. Examples include car maintenance and some repairs to home heating, plumbing and air conditioning systems.

Whilst many people may have heard of torque wrenches, far fewer have seen one close up, and even fewer have used them. For this reason, when the need for a torque wrench arises, they are unsure what they need, and how they should be used correctly. That is why in this post we are going to outline some of the basics regarding torque wrenches, plus provide you with a simple checklist for selecting the most appropriate torque wrench.

What Is A Torque Wrench?

Most people will be aware that a wrench is a tool that is used to tighten nuts and bolts, and you will not be too surprised to learn that is exactly what a torque wrench does too. However, the crucial word in its name is “torque” and it is this that sets it apart from ordinary wrenches.

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Most Common Landscaping Problems Solved

Most Common Landscaping Problems Solved

Most homeowners understand that landscaping adds to the overall appeal of their property. As a result, they might hire an expert to lend a helping hand or try to create beautifully landscaped grounds on their own.

However, regardless of your route, you may face some common but frustrating problems. Read on to find out what these are and the solutions to these problems provided by the landscaping experts at martincuthbert.com.au.

Rocky Terrain

If you’ve ever tried to pitch a tent on your lawn and made contact with one rock after another with your tent pegs, you will quickly discover that you’ve got quite a rocky terrain. This may not be a problem if all you have is a lawn, but it can prove challenging if you’re trying to create new landscape designs in your backyard.

They can still happen, but you may need to make a few design changes. Consider creating a rocky garden to give those underground rocks a useful purpose. You can then pair them with hardy, strong, and beautiful plants like succulents that thrive in challenging environments.

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5 Landscaping Design Ideas If The Grass Refuses To Grow In Your Garden

5 Landscaping Design Ideas If The Grass Refuses To Grow In Your Garden

One issue that many landscape architects have to overcome when designing for clients is when the grass in that client’s garden does not grow properly, or not at all. As many landscape architects or garden experts such as www.gardenspec.com.au, use grass lawns and areas as one of the primary features within their designs, it means they need to think of alternatives.

If you are considering employing a landscape designer, but your grass does not grow, this problem could be down to one of three issues. The first is that the grass is not getting enough sunshine. This would not normally be a problem in most areas of Australia, but if there is an adjacent large tree or building keeping the grass constantly in the shade, this could be the cause.

The second reason is simply that you are not watering your grass enough or that there is not a proper means of irrigating them. The third problem might be that you are too enthusiastic when mowing your grass, especially if you have the mower set to cut the grass very short. Finally, the soil in your garden might not have sufficient or the right nutrients that promote grass growth. So, we have two problems you can likely fix and two you probably can’t.

We say “can’t”, assuming that you cannot move large buildings or trees, nor can you change the makeup of the soil in your garden. However, if this applies to you, all is not lost, because here are 5 ideas that your landscape architect will be able to implement to ensure that your garden’s landscaping design is still something you will love and be proud of.

Install Decking

An option that your landscape architect might suggest to you as an alternative to grass or a concrete patio is decking. Installing decking would almost certainly require less upheaval than a patio, and would be a cheaper option too. However, it could still be used for most of the same activities that you would partake in on a patio. You also would have a choice of materials and colours too. Your new decking should last a while if it’s built correctly with good quality materials, however it can also easily be maintained through deck sanding.

Build A Concrete/Paved Patio

If the grass is simply not going to grow in your garden then instead of having a lawn within your landscaping design, you could ask your landscape designer to include a concrete or paved patio instead. This would certainly be a low-maintenance option and provide you with an ideal area where you, your family, or guests can sit and enjoy your surroundings. It can also be used for outdoor parties and barbecues.

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Why Using Cheap SEO Services Can Destroy Your Construction Company's Google Rankings

Why Using Cheap SEO Services Can Destroy Your Construction Company’s Google Rankings

For any SEO which you may be considering for your construction company’s website, you can consider two distinct periods. There is the period where the SEO’s goal is to improve the website’s rankings, and once it ranks, there is the period where SEO is designed to maintain those rankings. A digital agency will confirm, there is little point in achieving high Google rankings if you lose them soon after.

Whether your construction company’s website has not achieved high Google rankings, but you want it to, or it already has decent rankings, and you want to ensure sure that you retain them at the expense of your local competition, you need an SEO campaign to be implemented. Who you choose to achieve that for you is critical to its success and making the wrong choice could be disastrous on many levels.

Listening to feedback and doing some research into the experiences of business owners whose  SEO has gone catastrophically awry, a common theme that appears a lot is that they chose the cheapest option that was available to them.

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Why Who Keeps The Family Pets Can Be As Contentious A Divorce Issue As Arrangements For The Children

Why Who Keeps The Family Pets Can Be As Contentious A Divorce Issue As Arrangements For The Children

When any couple is going through divorce proceedings the work their family lawyer has to do will very much depend on whether the couple in question are able to agree on the terms of their divorce, or whether they cannot agree, and then the family court has to make the decisions for them. If it is the former scenario then a family lawyer will merely need to draw up the divorce agreement and send it for approval by the family court.

If agreement cannot be reached, then there are several areas of dispute which might exist. The most common are arrangements for any children of the two parents who are divorcing, and the property settlement where the assets and liabilities are divided. There is another area of dispute that is one which does not normally hit the headlines but when it occurs can cause more friction between a divorcing couple than any other, and that is who gets to keep the family pet or pets.

For anyone who has never owned a pet having just read that last sentence, your eyebrows might be raised in astonishment that a pet could cause such problems during a divorce process, however, as any pet owner will tell you, emotional attachments to pets can be very strong. The mere thought that an ex-spouse or partner will take that pet away from them, can induce a person to fight as hard as possible to prevent that from happening.

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Who Needs a Home Lift?

Who Needs a Home Lift?

Most people who think of lifts, envisage them being in high-rise apartments or places like hospitals. However, these days it is becoming more usual to see home lifts in private homes. You may think that is only the frail elderly that would need to have a lift in their home, but in fact this is not so. When you think of the energy expended going up stairs and the difficulty of taking goods up and down you will soon realise that having a lift in the home is a necessity rather than a luxury.

Middle Aged

Very often, the ground floor of the home is used for the garage and outdoor living accessories. That means you need to carry all your groceries and every single thing you need in the home up the stairs. Hauling all your groceries out of the boot of your car is bad enough; carting them up steps and stairs is worse still, especially when you are already tired from a day at work. So you don’t have to be elderly to make good use of home lifts.

The Elderly

Of course, the elderly will certainly benefit from a lift in their home. They are the ones who are most likely to stumble and fall on stairs. Such a fall could easily break multiple bones and they may never recover. It is a shame to see their life ended prematurely all for want of a simple lift to help them up and down the stairs. Older people will be able to stay independently in their homes for much longer when they have the aids they need to make life easier for them. And if they need to use a walker, it is much easier and safer for them to use a lift than to try and get that walker up the stairs or down.

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5 Reasons Why Relocating Your Wills Lawyer Offices Can Boost Its Revenue

5 Reasons Why Relocating Your Wills Lawyer Offices Can Boost Its Revenue

If you own or manage a wills lawyer business, such as www.perthwillslawyer.com.au, the premises you operate from can play a huge role in the success of that business. Whether it provides an excellent working environment for your staff or gives prospective clients who visit a positive impression, your business premises can be more influential than many give them credit for.

It could be that you have never really given your premises much thought previously, but we encourage you to do so. More than that you should actively reflect upon whether or not your current business premises have a positive impact on your business, or a negative one. Even if you consider your current premises to be ‘ok’, it may be time to ask yourself whether relocating your wills lawyer business to new premises could give it an advantage.

Many business owners, in a vast array of sectors, have found that relocating their business has transformed its performance dramatically. The question is, why that might be the case, and so we are going to answer that question by exploring some of the reasons why relocating a business can bring rewards.

Your Business Is Closer To Its Client Base

Assuming your wills lawyer business is one that works on behalf of local clients, it must surely make sense that the closer you are in relation to where those clients might live, the better. Often, the reason that a business is not performing as well as it might, is that its location means it is further away from its client base than most of its competitors. Relocating to an office closer to your clients and where it is easy for them to travel to has to be a means of securing more of those clients.

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3 Tips To Strategically Get Rid Of The Bugs That Attack Your Landscape Garden

No matter whether you work on a large landscaping project, or simply have a garden at home which you love tending, there is one thing that will you unite you, and that is your hatred of bugs, especially those which attack your plants and flowers.

For many home owners, property maintenance professionals and gardeners, dealing with a bug problem is something which is not especially enjoyable, but should they ever get fed up with it and leave the bugs to do their worst, all their hard work will have been for nothing. Pretty soon, plants and flowers will be attacked, devoured, and ultimately killed by those tiny pests.

However, it need not be that way, as there are several ways in which you can deal with, and in many cases, eradicate bugs from your garden. Doing so requires you to take several actions, and this does not involve simply spraying everything in sight randomly.

You need to approach the problem of bugs strategically, in much the same way an army general would if they were planning an attack on an enemy. So, if you see bugs as the enemy of you, your landscape garden, and all the plants and flowers in there, then here is an approach you should take.

Know Your Enemy

As with any scenario where you have an opponent, the more you know about them, the better your chances are of defeating them. This applies to military conflict, sporting competitions, political contests, and in trying to rid your garden of bugs.

For this, you need to have a full and clear understanding of the bugs you are up against, as this will differ depending on where you are located, the sorts of plants you have in your garden, and even the time of year.

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Sustainability Business Efficiency

How Sustainability Can Increase the Efficiency of Your Business

Many city based businesses such as a web design company are using the fact that they follow sustainability guidelines in their offices as a marketing angle in the hope of attracting like minded clients. In fact, they are successful at this in most cases, since people now realise the importance of doing their small bit to help save the earth’s resources by reducing their carbon footprint.

Such practices don’t even take much effort and many actually save you money, so it’s worthwhile to find out what you can do and implementing some, if not all the strategies. For instance, if your small office needs a new printer, you might consider getting one that will do more than one job. Or you might want to look at the specifications to see whether there is a toner or ink saver mode.

If all offices were to do this, the whole mounts up and saves in several ways –

  • The business saves on the cost of ink or toner
  • Using a multifunction printer can save on space in the office
  • There is less rubbish going into landfill
  • There are fewer resources being used to replace products and accessories.

Another way to save is simply to make sure you choose a printer – or other product – that is suitable for your output. If you choose a cheap printer that is slow to print one page, the power used in printing is excessive when you need to have at least 20 pages printed in a day. But if your printer’s output is 20 pages per minute, the device is only working for one minute – unless you want more pages than that.

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Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

6 Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint

People in the modern world are becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact and the way their actions affect parts of the planet thousands of kilometres away. Small business owners across the country – from digital marketing agencies to family-owned grocery stores – are modifying their workplace practices to minimize their environmental footprint, and you should be doing the same.

I’ve spent some time researching the topic to bring you the following six ways to reduce your office’s environmental footprint. Remember, every business is different, so you won’t necessarily have to focus on every one of these. Nevertheless, they are still very useful.

  1. Recycle as Much as Possible

Recycling is one of the best ways to reduce your office’s carbon footprint. One thing a lot of people don’t realise is that pretty much everything can be recycled if you look hard enough. Old electronics can be taken to specified disposal points, furniture can be donated to op shops or repurposed, and even single-use plastics can be recycled if you try hard enough.

  1. Reduce Paper Usage

A major issue in many offices is excessive paper usage. You can make your business more environmentally friendly by spending some time analyzing your paper use and reducing where possible. For example, only print where necessary, reuse old printing as scrap paper for note taking, and reduce paper communication.

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Concrete Pool Remodelling Versus Replacement

Concrete Pool Remodelling Versus Replacement

If you have a concrete pool within your property, and it is looking less than 100%, with possibly even some damage, or if you are unhappy with the design, then the decision has to be made as to whether you are going to remodel the pool, or completely replace it with a new one.

This throws up a number of questions in addition to the primary one of whether to remodel or renew. There is the question of what size of budget you are to need for either option, what design ideas are going to work in either case, and whether you and your family are prepared for the upheaval that the likes of the pool being removed and replaced are going to create.

Often the first option that most people consider is the remodelling one for a number of reasons. The most obvious one is related to budget with the fact that having a concrete swimming pool remodelled is going to cost a whole lot less than having one removed, and a completely new one installed by an expert.

That is not to say that remodelling a concrete pool is a cheap exercise, as it will still require a five-figure dollar amount, but it can often work out to be around 50% of the cost of the removal and replacement of a concrete pool.

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Commercial Concrete Floor Coatings

Advantages Of Commercial Concrete Floor Coatings For Offices

It is true that many offices have plush carpets but what about those offices that have a concrete floor, and where using a carpet would not be suitable or appropriate? The answer is to either use concrete floor coatings or concrete paint which can provide a superb finish when done by concrete floor coatings professionals, which in most cases is even safer than the use of carpet.

In fact, using concrete floor coatings to refinish a concrete floor in an office setting has many advantages for the business that does so, and for those who work in that office.

Durability

One of the top reasons that a business will choose to have its concrete office floors refinished using special concrete floor coating is that it will greatly prolong the life of that floor. Obviously concrete is a relatively robust material, however, it can deteriorate, and get damaged.

Rather than having the upheaval of closing the office every time when repairs are needed due to a problem with, or damage to, the concrete floor, with a coating protecting it there is little chance of any remedial work ever being needed.

Safer And Healthier Working Environment

Offices are not the first workplace that would normally come to mind when thinking about accidents at work, however, they can, and most certainly, do, happen there. Concrete floor coatings are non-slip so even if someone is rushing to the photo copier, they should have a secure grip underfoot.

Concrete floor coatings are also healthier in the sense that unlike carpets and other soft floor coverings, they do not attract and retain bacteria and other undesirables, such as allergens.

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How to Get Rid of Bad Smells Lingering in Your Home

There’s nothing quite like coming home to the beautiful smell of dinner wafting out from the kitchen, or bread baking in the bread maker. But what about those smells you don’t want? There’s nothing quite like them either, but for an altogether different reason. When it comes to bad smells lingering in your home, getting to the source, and cleaning them is of the utmost importance. Read on to learn what it takes to say goodbye to them for good.

Identify What the Smell Is  

There’s no point rushing to the supermarket to pick up deodorisers, sprays, and candles if you don’t know what is causing the bad smell. By doing so, you’re masking it, rather than removing the source. Even though it’s not going to be pleasing to your senses to sniff around for the odour, it’s the only option you have to find it.

What does it smell like? Could it be dangerous? Is it stronger when you’re in a particular area of your home? Has it come on suddenly, or has it been getting worse? Identification is key to then moving on to getting rid of it.

Mould

If your home has a unique, musty odour, then there’s every reason to believe that mould could be to blame. Mold and mildew can smell like old mothballs or even wet cardboard and is quite distinctive.

It’s also more common around parts of your home prone to moisture, such as bathrooms. The first step to removing mould in your home is correcting the problem. If it’s caused by a leak in your bathroom, for example, then fixing that leak can stop the production of mould in its tracks.

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Benefits of Landscaping

The Benefits of Good Landscaping

Many people are purchasing fix-me-up properties to not only make their mark but make a profit. They will take a home that no one put a lot of time into, add their stamp, improve it, then sell it off to someone who wants a home already finished. Others will buy a standard property then enhance its overall look and landscaping so that they can live in it comfortably.

In many cases, people who buy property don’t put as much passion or love into the landscaping as they do the interior of the house. If you ask Intreeg Landscapes, they say the landscape is more valuable than you think, and here’s why.

It Adds Value
If you spend time and money on good landscape design, you are more than likely going to see it back in your hand when the time comes to sell. The average percentage increase of value that landscaping brings can be between 5-12 percent and depends on whether you’ve had an expert’s touch – which is recommended – and the overall value of the property as well.

If you are looking for a quick flick on a property, then dedicate a few extra days to your yard. You’d be surprised at the difference a little bit of weeding, gardening, and landscaping can make.

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Landscape with Pets

How to Landscape with Pets in Mind

Did you know there are 20 dogs for every 100 people in Australia? That’s nearly five million dogs in a country of dog lovers. Divine Landscapes advise that if you have one or more, then you’ll likely want to think of ways to make your yard not only beautiful but more appealing to your furry friend as well. Landscape design can be more than merely appealing to adults, so here’s how to achieve the best of both worlds.

Add a Pond
Water features such as ponds and waterfalls can be beneficial for your mental health. However, they can also be a reason for wagging tails. Dogs love to drink fresh water, so why not create a safe and flowing pond or waterfall that’s welcoming for your dog? For safety reasons, ensure there is a safe area for them to access the water, such as a gentle slope. If you’re not sure how to pull it off, consult a landscape design expert.

Full Fencing

Around nine dogs from every 1,000 resi   dents are picked up by dog control in Australia every year. While many of those dogs are strays and require rehoming, many escape their owners’ poorly fenced properties. If you are going to incorporate your dog’s needs into your landscape design, then fencing should be your first priority.

Choose the appropriate fence sizing based on how much of an escape artist your dog is. As a rule of thumb, the bigger your dog, the taller the fence you need. If you’re not sure how to achieve function and beauty with your landscape design, a landscaping expert in your area can help.

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Glass Pool Fence

Top Tips For Maintaining Your Glass Pool Fence

With the rise in popularity of glass pool fencing, it’s important to make sure that people know how to look after and maintain their glass fences. Other forms of pool fencing – such as the metal tubular style – have traditionally been designed to hide dirt and to require little maintenance.

Unfortunately, according to property maintenance experts Complete Projects, this isn’t the case with glass fencing. Glass shows even the smallest specks of dirt, and will even appear ‘dirty’ if it’s not dried after being wet. It can therefore appear hard to maintain glass fences, but it’s really not if you know what you’re doing.

Below you will find a list of our top tips from Glass Pool Fencing Perth to keep your glass pool fence looking as good as new for years to come:

  1. Make Sure You Clean Regularly

Regular cleaning is one of the most important things when it comes to keeping your glass pool fence in good condition. However, it’s very important to make sure that you clean your fence properly. Avoid harsh abrasives and chemicals, and try not to scratch or otherwise damage your glass while you’re cleaning.

Exactly how often you clean your fence will depend on you and how motivated you are, but you should try and clean it at least every 2-4 weeks if you live in a harsh environment. Examples of harsh environments include near the ocean or in areas where mineral rich bore water is used.

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Landscaping Ideas

Prevent Flooding with These Landscaping Ideas

Depending on where you live in Australia, flooding may or may not be a problem for you. However, if it tends to rain more often than not, you might find you need to get creative with your landscaping options. Failure to take care of flooding and water flow can result in a soggy yard that you use less than you would like.

Check out this helpful advice, we put together with Wild Realtor, below

Locate the Problem

Before you go and buy everything you need for your landscaping task, find out why and how you have a problem with flooding in the first place. Typically, flooding occurs when the earth can’t absorb any more water, with nowhere to drain. It then moves to the lowest point in your property – the place where you need to install drainage. Sometimes, flooding can occur with heavy rain in a short space of time. It falls quicker than your soil can absorb it.

Find Out if Your Property is Prone

Flooding can be a once-off occurrence, or your property could be prone to it.  Common signs your property is likely to flood are include a sloping lawn, stains around your home’s cladding, a missing top gutter system, and water pooling on your driveway.

Divert Water

When you begin to alter your landscaping, think about where water typically floods and take action. The last thing you want is for it to end up right in the area you’ve just turned into a barbecue nook! Install a spouting system that helps to divert the water away from your house. You may also like to include downspout extenders to draw it away.

Use It To Your Advantage

Does your property flood in the same place all the time? If you can’t fix it, work with it. Create a rain garden in this area. Add flood-proof plants, dig out the turf, install an overflow and berm, and add mulch with native grasses. Before you know it, your previously-flooded lawn is a beautiful rain garden that looks the part.

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Commercial Cleaner

3 Tips For Finding The Perfect Commercial Cleaner

Finding a commercial cleaner to look after your business or commercial building can be difficult. The options are seemingly endless, and it can be tiring reading through a whole lot of different websites to choose the best cleaner.

Luckily for you, there are a few telltale signs that you can look for that will help you identify the best commercial cleaners for your business. Some things will allow you to eliminate some cleaners immediately, while others will help you build a shortlist of suitable contractors for your business. Our top three tips for finding the perfect commercial cleaner include:

  1. Find Someone Who Is Qualified And Experienced

The first thing that you should look for when it comes to choosing the perfect cleaning company for your commercial needs is their qualifications and experience. While cleaning isn’t necessarily a job which requires a lot of qualifications, they certainly help, and they can provide proof that the cleaner in question is well equipped to handle your work.

Where possible, you should always work with commercial cleaners who have a well established company and who have been in the business for a decent amount of time. Find someone who has qualifications relating to the type of building you have – commercial, residential or industrial – and who has decent cleaning equipment and materials.

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Plumbing Services

Plumbing Services

Be Prepared

A saying states: Make sure you buy a plunger before you need one! While the image the saying might conjure up is not the nicest, it holds true. The same can be said for plumbers. Get to know a plumber before you need a plumber. Here is a list of services you can expect to receive when you call a plumber.

Plumbing and Safety Inspection

According to Complete Bathroom Solutions, you can do that by contacting a plumbing service to carry out a routine check on your home or investment property. It’s a great way to get to know the people in a service you may need in the direst emergency.

One other bit of advice is to keep a record of any plumber you might use if you are satisfied with their work. As mentioned, with any home system, sooner or later, you’ll need the service of the best plumbing company you can find in an emergency or for repair.

Finding the Best Plumbing Service

Since every home in the country has some indoor plumbing, it only makes sense that at one time or another, everyone is going to need the best plumbing service they can find. The challenge is finding someone who is trustworthy, skilled and yet affordable to perform the work. This seems like it should be an easy task to get leaky taps fixed but because plumbing is one skill that is not learned by attending a class or reading books, there should be some way for average home owners to get decent service.

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Financial Planner

How A Financial Planner Can Help With Home Renovation

If you are thinking about doing any type of home and garden renovation your list of experts to help you might include an electrician, an architect or a landscape gardener. However, have you thought to include a financial planner on your list? It is likely not, as most people think financial planners are only for sorting out investments and pensions. On the contrary, they can assist with any project which requires financing and home renovation is one of them.

There are countless examples of homeowners embarking on a home renovation project, and seeing the whole thing grind to a halt because the project was not planned properly with regards to financing it. The costs might have spiralled out of control, or an expected bill which caused them to reach their credit card limit are just two of the dramas that may have befallen them.

Assuming you don’t want the same to happen to you, the sensible option is to employ the services of a financial planner so that any concerns you may have for your home renovation project are allayed with regards to money and financing.

In practical terms, there are several ways a financial planner can assist you when planning any kind of home or garden renovation. Firstly, they can look at your overall financial health, and suggest ways you might be able to improve your financial situation to make the project more affordable.

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Common Fire Types

Common Fire Types And How They Should Be Treated

When it comes to office and business safety, fire is a very important consideration. Sure, it’s rare to have a fire in your building, but it is very important to understand that when you do, it isn’t always as simple as grabbing the nearest fire extinguishers and putting it out.

A report out today from Integral Fire Protection, says there are a number of different fires which all behave differently. Obviously, the standard wood or flammable solid based fire is the most common, and is probably the one which we are all familiar with. However, there are at least four other types of fires – classified by the fuel they burn – which should be treated differently to maximise your chance of extinguishing them safely. They are:

Class A Fires – General Combustibles

These are the fires which we are all familiar with. They are fuelled by oxygen, and generally involve common materials like paper, wood, plastic or fabrics burning. They are easily managed, and can usually be controlled by dousing with water, using an appropriate fire extinguisher or covering with sand or a fire blanket.

Class B Fires – Flammable Liquids

Flammable liquids, such as petrol or oil, behave differently to solids when they burn. Since liquids can flow, it is extremely important to never throw water on a liquid fire. The water will sink below the flammable liquid in most cases, evaporating and causing an explosion. Make sure that you use an appropriate fire extinguisher – such as a dry powder or CO2 one – to minimise the risk of making the fire worse.

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