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3 simple tips on how to increase the value of your home

If your long term plan as a home owner is to eventually sell your property then, it’s a high time you started thinking of home improvement ideas that will help increase the value of your home. These ideas will often go beyond construction and may even involve just some subtle changes in your home’s exterior environment. In this article we are going to share with you 3 simple tips on how to increase the value of your home.

1 Make the house more efficient

Today, home owners are looking for homes that will cut their cost of maintenance therefore part of the improvement you can do is the construction of amenities that help make the home more efficient and less costly to maintain. Some of these amenities can be solar heaters, underground water storage tanks, water filtration systems, and biogas systems amongst others. This will help in the reduction of utility bills thus increase the value of your home.

2 Adopt low maintenance landscaping

Any home owner who has a lawn will fully understand how expensive it is to maintain one. The time, money and energy required to keep it looking beautiful can be a lot. It’s therefore a good idea to adopt a low maintenance landscaping and this can include replacing your lawn with a flower garden that has plants that are originally from the region. These will require very low maintenance thereby bringing down costs and essentially raising the value of your home.

3 Do some tree planting on your compound

Trees not only increase curb appeal but will also have added benefits such as ensuring you have a good environment in your home and also some much needed shade. This essentially will bring some tranquility to your home and this is something home owners will be willing to pay extra for because it’s very rare to find. These are very doable things and the beauty is the long term payout will be way higher than the investment cost.

Choosing the Right Builder for Your Project

Regardless of whether we’re looking for a house extension, or have a more challenging project on the horizon, the meeting of deadlines and assurance of quality means we need to make sure that we’re choosing the right builder for our needs. We’ve probably all heard the horror stories associated with hiring the services of an incapable builder, and the stress it can cause when an inexperienced contractor has promised you one thing, only for you to be met with another. Fortunately, the majority of builders operate in a moral and ethical way, but this doesn’t mean we should choose the first builder that comes along. A little research ensures that you’re not going to be let down when it comes to your building project. Experience is Vital It stands to reason that the longer a company has been operating, the more experience it will have, and this is especially true for the construction industry. They are many facets associated with the world of construction, and while there may be some contractors who are experienced in one field, they may not be as experienced in another. This means that the costs associated with ay building work can pile up, as we’re having to use more than one professional for the work that needs to be undertaken. Using a construction company that has experience will ensure that you’re not only being given access to true professionals, but you will often find that the quotes are more cost-effective, as the work is being carried out by one company as opposed to several. Communication is Key When dancing which construction company is the best fit for you, you will often be able to determine a lot of by the initial contact. Is the company answering your questions? Have they had experience with type of work before? Are they able to complete the work in the allocated time? Although not every construction company will be able to meet your deadlines in every instance, a professional company will ensure that you’re made aware of this, and when you can realistically expect the job to be completed. If a construction company can’t give you the answers you need, then it be ay worthwhile looking elsewhere. Don’t Assume the Cheapest Quote is The Best It’s understandable that we don’t want to spend a small fortune when it comes to building work, but we need to be careful we’re not swayed by the price alone. Although some companies may offer a cheaper price than a more experienced company, you may find that there are some limitations with the service you use. For example, it could mean that inferior products are being used, which means you could end up paying for repairs in the future, or even having to hire the services of another professional to rectify the issue. Check for Reviews and Testimonials A company that has completed successful projects in the past should have little issue in providing you with reviews and testimonials. How these are presented can depend on the company. For example, some may have their testimonials on their website, whereas others may have reviews on Google My Business or Yelp. If a construction company seems a little coy about providing you with past testimonial, it’s advisable to search elsewhere for a professional. Check the Company Is Insured Nobody likes to think about the things that could go wrong when using the services of a construction company, but you need to ensure that you’re checking the credentials of the company you’re planning to use. Although many construction companies can offer customers a reliable service, there can be instances where something could go wrong. If the construction company is insured, then there’s little to worry about. However, if you’ve chosen a contractor who isn’t insured, then anything that goes wrong could be left for you to deal with, and often your own home insurance will not be able to cover such an occurrence. As you can imagine, this can be very costly, as not only will you need to pay to have any damages rectified, but also for the initial work to be carried out again. Ensure a Contract is In Place for Substantial Work There will be times when the work of a builder must go over budget, but a professional will keep you in the loop at all times and let you know what options are available. If you’re looking to have a lot of work carried out, then it can be useful to build up a contract with the construction company so both parties are fully aware of any obligations and costs. If a company is pushing you to hand over money with no clear quotation insight, then you need to refuse until clarity and confirmation have been offered. A professional construction company will have little issue in coming up with a contract that outlines the work that needs to be carried out as well as the cost agreed. Ensure Payment Dates are Agreed Following on from the creation of the contract, there may be phases during the work where payments need to be made. Agreeing with what phase of completed work payment should be made ensures that there are no misunderstandings later on. Although a construction company must understand a customer needs to ensure the capital is available, customers also need to understand that a majority of the money will be spent on materials, so regular payments may be vital for the project to move forward.    

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.