Home Improvement – These are the 4 main benefits of DIY

It’s no secret that home improvement projects can at times get expensive especially if you factor in the costs of bringing a professional contractor on board. This is when most people realize the value of DIY. Being able to do the improvement work yourself especially if it doesn’t require any major construction work can be very beneficial to you. In this article, we are going to highlight the 4main benefits of DIY when you are engaged in your home improvement project.

1 It will tremendously bring down your costs

The costs of getting a professional contractor can be very high considering that they will bring in other sub-contractors and most of their costs will be factored in the bill they finally give you. In addition, different contractors have preferences on the material they use and most will often go for the high end material which will cost you more. However, if you decide to opt to DIY, you will tremendously cut down of these high labor costs and you also have the freedom to research on cheaper material that still provides the same utility value as the expensive material.

2 You will end up acquiring new skills

The beauty about the internet is that through it you can access many tutorials on how to DIY. Therefore the more you practice and the more you engage in such projects at home, you get better and better at it and this essentially means that you have acquired new skills which no doubt will come in handy at some point down the road.

3 You can acquire income generating skills

As we mentioned in our earlier point, the more you engage in DIY projects the more you become good at it and perfect your skills. You may end up being so good at it that you can use your newly acquired skills to earn an income by either working on other people’s home improvement projects or training them on how to do it.

4 You can get a good opportunity to network

Often when you are doing DIY projects during your home improvement, you will often have to handle everything from going to the hardware store to purchase the material and equipment, to visiting online forums as you seek to get more knowledge and ideas on how to execute your project. Such tasks will increase the number of people you interact with and this will help grow your network of both friends and professional acquaintances. With such benefits, why would you need a professional contractor? The main area to be cautious on however, will be whether the amount of improvement work you are about to engage in requires a permit from your local authority. [caption id="attachment_399" align="alignnone" width="900"] Image source: visual.ly[/caption]

Finding a good Building Firm

Your home is your sanctuary, an area where you relax and rejuvenate after a busy day. Where building your home is concerned, it is vital to find the best local construction firm to hire for the project because it is a crucial investment. You should get a firm that understands your requirements and makes your vision come true. So, look for a suitable building firm carefully. The tips below will help you find the ideal building firm.

Know Your Requirements

What type and kind of home do you desire to build? How big is it and what style? What budget do you have in mind? Being aware of your needs is vital. The reason is that some building firms construct a wide variety of homes while others are specialists in a specific kind of house. What type of home do you intend to build? Are you a move up, first-time buyer, constructing your custom designed home or building a multimillion-dollar house? It is vital to select a builder who will cater to your requirements.

Experience is Essential

It is essential to know the firm’s experience, especially the team. Each building firm once constructed their first house. Although you might encounter a new firm, do not ignore them. Get to know whether the team is experienced in the construction field. Getting skilled professionals is vital.

Insurance and Licenses

Confirming whether permits are needed is vital for structures to be built in the county you reside in. The reason is that not each county has their own rules concerning building and planning permissions. But, if your county has them, it is vital to get a building firm that presents the appropriate licensing for constructing. Also, ask for verification about whether the firm has proper insurance in case of any loss or accident. The insurance should cover the building firm, you as a client and the building team. Warranties Your home is a significant investment, and it is necessary to get a firm that gives a warranty. Search for a company which offers a long-term warranty which can be transferred to a different owner also and includes a warranty for the third party. It means that in case the business closes, it is guaranteed that your problem is going to be solved. Besides, get a building firm whose service is fast and courteous. For example CDM-UK a construction firm based in Scotland, always offers clients a long term warranty before work commences. Lastly, request the building firm for referrals of previous clients. It will be an excellent resource for data to discover more about the contractor and whether the clients were happy. Ask the buyer whether the building firm is recommendable. You can consult your family and friends and also seek the opinion of a building inspector who will be aware of which contractors for home renovation meet code requirements.

Conduct interviews on Phone

Make a list of prospective building firms and call to make inquiries such as:

• Do they work on projects of the size you want?
• Can they offer financial references from banks or providers?
• Will they be willing to offer you a list of past clients?
• Are they working on other projects at the same period? If so, how many?
• How long will the firm take to complete the project?

Answering these questions will enable you to know the firm’s reliability, availability and the level of attention they will provide your project and how smoothly they will work.  

Do You Have a Cockroach Infestation? Signs to Look Out For

When it comes to infestations, cockroaches can be deemed the most serious. The very fact that cockroaches can carry some serious diseases showcases how important it is to use cockroach control services in Edinburgh should an infestation be suspected. Recognising a Cockroach Infestation In some instance, cockroaches will make their presence known without much investigation, whereas other instances could require some exploring. Some of the checks that should be carried out in relation to cockroach infestations are as follows. An Unusual Smell: If you’ve recently noticed a lingering and unpleasant odour around the property, then it could be due to a cockroach infestation. Smear Marks: in locations where there is a lot of water, it’s not unusual for cockroaches to leave brown smears around the home. Signs of Shed Skin: A cockroach will shed its skin between five and eight times a day, and the sight of shed skin is normally near the location of they’re nesting. Small Droppings: Although the appearance of droppings can point to towards different types of infestations, the appearance of droppings in conjunction with strange smells or shed skin could help establish as to whether a cockroach infestation is present or not. What Type of Cockroaches Are There? Although it would easy to assume that all cockroaches are one and the same, there are actually different species. Those that are more common in the Edinburgh area are as follows. German Cockroaches: German cockroaches thrive on humidity, so will often reside where there is moisture, such as the kitchen and the bathroom. German cockroaches are also able to climb surfaces with ease due to the sticky pads on their feet. Oriental Cockroaches: Whereas German cockroaches settle in damp conditions, oriental cockroaches prefer cooler environments so will often reside in drains, bins and basements. Brown Branded Cockroaches: Brown-banded cockroaches are more adaptable than their German and oriental counterparts and can often survive further away from food sources. They are also able to run, and in some instances, fly should the need arise. The Dangers of a Cockroach Infestation As well as being unsightly, the presence of a cockroach infestation can mean a series of different diseases are introduced into the environment. Some of the diseases that can be introduced into the home include Salmonella Typhi and Poliomyelitis, which contribute to Typhoid and Polio respectively. The shedding of a cockroach’s skin can also lead to allergies and trigger the onset of asthma. As such, it’s important to call a pest control professional in the first instance. Can Cockroaches Be Eradicated Without a Professional? Some people may assume it’s cheaper to deal with the eradication of cockroaches themselves rather than call on the services on the professional. Although there are kits and bait traps available, they won’t always get to the root of the problem. This isn’t to say that the use of store-bought solutions should be dismissed, but for more problematic cockroach infestations a professional should be sought as soon as possible, as trying to approach the issue alone could mean the infestation worsens.