When you’re unhappy with your home, the correct course of action is often unclear. Is selling your home and buying a new one the way to go? It seems a little extreme. But there are many people out there who would tell you that renovating your property would be even riskier. So what do you do?

We’ll explore the options and methods in this article. If you’re currently struggling with this problem, we hope this helps drive you towards a decision.

Why are you unhappy with your home?

The first thing you should do is identify the problem you have. Without knowing specific reasons you’re not happy with your property, you will struggle to come up with decent solutions. Do you not have enough space? Do you have too much space? Do you not like the layout? Is there a weird smell? Do you hate your neighbours?

Whatever the reasons, you need to note them down. Otherwise, you may find that whatever action you take may not have solved the issue you had in the first place. Oh, and if the reason is that you hate your neighbours, you may find this article disappointing. We have no hints for neighbour disposal to offer you.

Have an extreme clean-out

All that clutter is giving you an inaccurate image of your home. A messy environment always looks smaller than it actually is. Having piles of clothes and boxes and miscellaneous items will make you feel cramped. So you need to pull up your sleeves and have an extreme clean-out!

[Image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio/pexels.com]

The aim here is to make your home look as bare-bones as possible. Imagine for a moment that you really are going to sell it. What would you do? You would make that home look as attractive as possible in order to get a good price and land a sale fast. You need to revert it back to a very basic state, one filled with potential.

Tour your home

Cleaned your home? Good. Now you need to go through every room in the house and assess it. Ideally, you would assess your home over the course of a year. This way you know exactly what happens in each room when there are external changes. These changes will include light, temperature and noise. They also include all the different types of weather

This will really help you get your finger on what might be bothering you. By re-evaluating your living spaces, you may find that you only need to make simple changes. Maybe you just need to rearrange the furniture. Or maybe you need new blinds to adapt to light changes. But maybe you’ll find that you still feel a bit cramped in these rooms. Maybe making extensive changes will be the right way to go. In any case, this clean-and-tour method will have helped you make your decision.

Photo from Flickr

Visit open houses

So, you’ve made up your mind. Either you’re renovating or you’re selling. Here’s a great idea: visit open homes. That may seem like something you’d only do if you’re looking to buy a new property. Not so.

By visiting a new and open property, you can get a good idea of what a professional renovation looks and feels like. The most effective way of going about this, if possible, is to visit open homes in your neighbourhood. This is because the houses here may be very similar. This will allow you to see what upgrades have done to homes that are similar in layout to your own.

It is, of course, also an excellent way of scoping out property you want to buy when you sell your home. If you’re not sure, or are definitely just looking at renovation, we recommend keeping it to open houses. Arranging a private visit to a property will just waste the time of the estate agent!

The blueprint

If you have the blueprints to your home, then there are other possibilities open to you. You can take blueprints to renovation and building stores and ask them for advice. If the store is particularly modern, they may even be able to give you a digital rendering of what your renovated rooms could look like.

If you don’t have the blueprints for your home to hand, there will be ways to get them. Local councils are usually able to help. Previous owners of the property may also have them, or any building company that have worked on your home in the past.

Selling versus renovation: getting assistance

Selling can often seem like the easier way to deal with the whole thing. Getting the money for your current home and simply buying a brand new one is definitely an attractive solution.

Do remember that you’re not alone if you are thinking about renovating. Contractors or remodelers can give you practical tips. Websites like R.H. Homes are replete with suggestions and inspirational articles and guides.

Consider your commitments, career and social life

Moving home, of course, comes with its own unique stresses. If you move to a new home, there’s a chance you’ll have to change career, or that your child has to go to a new school. Your commute will change, as will your social life. If you’re heavily involved in your local community, then moving will take its toll on you and that community.  One of the main reasons people choose to renovate is so that they can avoid the need to move from their home permanently.

Considering the costs

Buying a new home seems like the most expensive solution, right? Well, not necessarily. Remember that the cost of buying a new home will be offset significantly by the money you make from the sale of your current home. It also depends on how you go about the purchase. Say you pay in instalments for a new home. You could actually end up paying less monthly than you would for extensive renovations.

What you need to get is a cost estimate for renovation.  A contractor or remodeler can provide this. You may be looking at something small, or you could be looking at a waller-devastating structural change to your layout. And if the renovations are complex and require you to live somewhere else for a while, there’s that cost to consider too

So what do I do?

We can’t tell you that! If you research all of your options carefully, you should be able to come to the right answer in no time. Weigh the risks and benefits. Remember that the purpose of this is to increase the quality and enjoyment of your life. Best of luck to you!

Saving water is something that we should all be making more of an effort to do. It will help the environment, but it can also help you to save some money, so keep that incentive in mind. Here’s how you can start saving water today.

Wash on a Full Load

When you’re filling the washing machine or loading the dishwasher, do you always make sure that it’s full? Most people don’t, but this wastes water because it means you’ll be doing more washes in the long-term. It’s a common sense idea, but most people don’t even think about things like this. So, wait until the machine is full before turning it on next time. You should also think about the quality of your washing appliances. When you decide to upgrade it, make sure you go for a more water-efficient option.

[Image courtesy of  Edal Anton Lefterov/en.wikipedia.org]

Collect Rain Water

You can use a tank to collect rainwater in your garden. You can funnel the water down to your tank as it falls, and this helps you to save water when it comes to watering the garden. By cutting your reliance on the mains water supply, you will save a lot of water and a lot of money too. It’s very cheap to set up a tank to collect the water, and it will be very useful at the times of the year when there is plenty of rain. In the dry summer months, this won’t be a great option though.

Avoid Overwatering Plants

Watering your plants too much is one of the most common ways in which people end up wasting water. As I mentioned above, you can save some by collecting rain water. But this won’t provide enough water to cover all your garden watering needs. So, you need to be careful when you are using a hose on the plants. It’s very easy to overwater them and waste lots of water. To avoid doing this, you could start using an irrigation system. Visit http://proirrigation.com/ to find more about that.

[Image courtesy of Piotrus/en.wikipedia.org]

Don’t Leave the Tap Running

Very simple things like leaving the tap running when it’s not needed can waste a lot of money. For example, if everyone in a household left the tap running every time they brushed their teeth, think of all that wasted water. You should try your best to turn the water off. And that’s just one of the examples of wasting water around the house that could be easily avoided.

Install a Water Meter

A water meter allows you to closely control how much water you use. You then can pay for exactly the amount you use. So, if you use a lot of water, the bill will be larger. But if you use less, you will pay less. This gives you an extra incentive to use less water. Simply being able to keep tabs on your own usage is a big boost when it comes to saving water. It means that you can no longer forget about your water usage because it’s always there for you to see. Go to http://www.economicshelp.org/ to find out more about the benefits.

I know it is not a nice topic to talk about, but raw sewage is a problem for some people. In fact, I was reading about a family that had to evacuate their home because of sewage related problems. That got me thinking about how I would deal with the issue if it happened to me, which is why we are here now! After all, it could easily happen to anyone if a pipe burst or the toilet started to backflow. Here’s what I found out when I started to research the topic.

picture from wikipedia

Do Not Touch It

The first thing that I would want to do is get rid of it as soon as possible. It is raw sewage and it disgusting. But, apparently, that is not the right move because of the contaminants in the sewage. The best option is not to touch it with bare hands or any bare skin. I know that most people would not go rolling around in raw sewage for a laugh. Still, it is important to note that we can catch all sorts of diseases, so we need to steer clear of the area without the right gear. Http://www.rentokil-hygiene.co.uk will tell you more about the health hazards of raw sewage.

Cordon Off The Area

My next tip is to cordon off the area. Most of us would want to tackle it in some form or fashion, like putting on a hazmat suit and sweeping it into the corner. But, that is not the best idea because most of us don’t have the proper equipment lying around the house. Anyone that tries to tackle raw sewage with makeshift gear is putting their health at risk. I, for one, don’t want to do that, and I would imagine most of my readers are the same. Forget about dealing with it alone and cordon the area off to prevent any further damage.

picture from wikipedia

Call A Professional Outfit

The only way to deal with raw sewage is to phone the experts. Just one quick glance at http://restorationeze.com/ga/atlanta/sewage-cleanup told me everything I needed to know. After a look at this web page, I was confident that I couldn’t deal with the situation myself, but they could do it for me. They have all the right equipment and the right amount of skill and knowledge to make the nightmare disappear. Any expert should be able to free the home of sewage and stop the problem from occurring again.

Move Out

The last thing I would want to do is live in my home while all of this is happening. And, I am pretty sure it is a health hazard. The obvious solution is to move out and let the pros do their job. While they are negating the issue, we can live safe in the knowledge that our health is not at risk. Plus, we can also be confident that the house will be safe when we move back. Please don’t live at home while raw sewage is contaminating the property.

I hope that this never happens to anyone because it sounds awful. But, there is a chance, so it is always good to have a backup.

If you look at your garden and feel as if it’s lacking in certain areas, there are a few things you can do to perk it up. You want your garden to be a place you can relax and get some fresh air, maybe even play with your kids during summertime. These 10 tips will help you to make your garden even better:

1. Make Sure You Have Appropriate Seating

Depending on what you want to use your garden for, you’ll need appropriate seating. This might be a simple wooden table and chair. You might even go all out and choose comfortable, lounge style seating for your outdoor area. You just need to make sure that they are properly protected from the elements.

2. Get Rid of Weeds and Plant New Things

To make your garden look better, get rid of your weeds and plant new things. Weeds will always come back, but using a weed killer and being consistent should allow you to get rid of most of them. Planting new things will add personality to your garden and give it a new lease of life.

[Photo courtesy of Kampus Production/pexels.com]

3. Install Outdoor Lighting

Having outdoor lighting is not only practical, it’s far safer. You never know when you might arrive home at night and not be able to see what you’re doing. Hinkley outdoor lighting will allow you to stay outside later and make sure you arrive home safely.

4. Make Sure You Have CCTV

Having CCTV is another great way to keep your home and garden safe. The great thing about CCTV is that you don’t even need to have real cameras. Fake CCTV cameras can be just as effective as real ones.

5. Create Educational and Play Areas for Children

If you have young children, creating educational play areas for them can be a lovely way for them to learn more about the outdoors. You can create a fairy garden, for instance, or create their own park area.

6. Invite in Some Wildlife

Inviting in wildlife to the garden will make it way more fun for kids, and can even be more educational for them. You can do this by keeping the grass a little longer, having a body of water, and putting out bird feeders.

7. Have Garden Storage

Having garden storage will help you to keep the garden clean and tidy when it isn’t in use. You can buy storage containers especially made for outdoor use!

8. Consider Artificial Turf

If the grass really does seem greener on the other side, then why not consider artificial turf? Your grass will always look bright green and healthy. You will barely be able to tell the difference, and the maintenance will be minimal.

9. Clean it Up With a Pressure Washer

Hire a pressure washer and clean up your slabs and other elements to make them look like new again.

10. Screen Messy Areas

If you always have a messy area in your garden, such as the bin area, then cover them up by screening them. You can use materials like bamboo for the best effect.

Have fun!

If your bath or powder room is looking a bit dated, fear not – there are some fast and easy ways to update even the most mundane bathroom in minutes! By simply replacing and updating your towel bars and rings along with installing some new robe hooks or towel racks you can enjoy a more functional bathroom; a dated vanity can be modernized with new bathroom hardware in minutes. Most bath accessory sets offer a wide range of items to choose from so even if you start by selecting a new hamper, you can always add new coordinating pieces as time and budget permits.

[Image source pixabay.com]

There are a few updates which will add real value over time and they do not necessarily cost a lot of money or require a professional to install them; a handheld shower head is one example of a value-added improvement that will pay benefits over the long term. It is easy to shampoo hair, bathe children, wash pets, water plants or clean the tub or shower enclosure with a handheld shower head plus you can enjoy a water massage or soothe aching joints by aiming the water spray precisely where you want it.

A heated towel rack is another improvement that will more than pay for itself. Not only will you enjoy wrapping yourself in a warm fluffy towel after a bath or shower, a heated towel rack is useful for drying swimwear and fine washables, warming blankets and baby clothes and drying towels quickly which will save on energy. There are counter top towel warmers along with freestanding heated towel racks and wall mount models.

So, it’s that time of year again. We are all starting to dream of our summer holidays – maybe even our spring holidays! If you’re anything like me, then you probably can’t wait just to get away from it all and soak in some sun. One of the parts of going on holiday that is less fun, however, is the worry that can come with it. It can sometimes be difficult to leave the home behind, even if it is only for a week. You might find that it can be a bit nerve-wracking, especially if you are taking your entire family with you. While leaving the house unguarded is nobody’s dream situation, you have to make certain sacrifices if you want that dream holiday! But don’t worry – I’ve got you covered. Next time you are due to fly off somewhere exotic, just bear these essential points in mind.

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Windows & Doors

Probably the most important part of the whole operation! It is imperative that you check and double-check all of the windows and doors of your house before you leave for a holiday. You want to check any potential point of entry. While it may not be very likely that you will be burgled while you are away, it is worth doing, just in case. Imagine if the worst happened, simply because you had left a back window open! Go around each window and door, one by one, and make sure they are shut and locked tight. Better safe than sorry!

Check the Plumbing

You might not have thought to test the plumbing before you travel, but it is one of the more important items on this list. It is surprisingly common for plumbing to malfunction while families are holidaying. For that reason, it is advisable to check that everything is in good working order before you go. For this, it’s probably best to just get the professionals in.

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Pests

The last thing you want is to come back from your vacation, only to find your home infested with unwanted visitors! Next time you go away, make it easier on yourself: check beforehand. Any pest control company would be happy to give your house a once-over and look for any signs of infestation. A lot of people don’t want to do this, just in case they find something. But think about it: would you rather have pests and not know it, or know it and do something about it? For me, it’s a no-brainer.

Plants

It is also a good idea to give your plants a little bit of love and attention just before you leave. There are few things more annoying than returning home to find all the houseplants dead. It doesn’t take much – just give them a bit of water the day you leave, and they should be okay.

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Odds & Ends

There are also a few little tricks for keeping your house secure. If you have a neighbour whom you trust, then the whole process is much easier. You can just tell them that you are going away, and they can keep an eye out for you. Otherwise, it is a wise idea to put a couple of lights on timers, so it looks like someone’s home. While you’re at it, consider cancelling any grocery or milk deliveries you might have planned.

With the sunshine trying to make its 2016 debut and the coldest months behind us for another year, spring is officially on its way. That means it’s time for a spring clean, but what about the finishing touches? Here are three simple ways to bring this much-loved season inside your home; no matter what the weather’s doing!

Bring the outside in with a wall mural

One simple and relatively affordable way of changing the look and feel of an entire room is to invest in a wallpaper mural. As more and more manufacturers catch on to just how appealing these are to the savvy homeowner, the variety of designs on offer grows too. For a spruced-up spring room, select a sunrise, lake, garden, beach or forest design, like this one here from Art.co.uk. Be sure to pick a design that you won’t get bored of, and make sure you’ve got a spare pair of hands to help hang it. Watching the TV will feel so 2015 once you’ve got your mural to look at!

Image source

Reconsider your seating choices

Getting the seating right in your home is no simple task. It’s pretty easy to end up with way too many options, or way too few. A good starting place is to take a step back from seeing your home as you do every day. Instead, see it from the eyes of someone visiting for the very first time. If you were invited to sit down, where would you sit? Where would you not sit?

If there is one seating area that just doesn’t appeal, get rid of it! It’s only taking up valuable space. Be bold and replace it with something a bit different; a brightly coloured deckchair, perhaps, or a high quality bean bag. The latter is an especially good option, as you can change the colour and material of the cover as the year progresses. You can visit Comfy Sacks to learn more on this. As for the rest of the home, ask yourself; is my office chair good for my back? Are the dining room table chairs getting a bit wobbly? You’ll be surprised the difference some upgrading and DIY work will achieve.

Invest in a window cleaner

Dirty windows go easily unnoticed in the darker months. However, once the sun starts peeping out from behind the clouds again, it does a great job of highlighting any grime. While you might not believe it, clean windows can let in up to 30% more light that dirty ones. If that isn’t enough to convince you, the general environment can shorten glasses lifespan. Cleaning your windows both outside and in could prevent problems in the future. Also, more light means more heat; especially useful if this winter’s heating bills came as a nasty surprise!

Once you’re done (or the window cleaner is!), consider installing some window boxes to brighten things up even more. You can head to your local garden centre if you want to get things up and running straight away. Alternatively, take a look at this handy article from The Guardian if you’ve got a bit more time on your hands and want to grow and cultivate your own.

A bathroom that you hate is a burden we wish on no-one. A place that should be your haven to relax, get comfortable and feel clean can often be anything but. Bad planning, degradation and poor plumbing can make it a room you’d rather avoid altogether. Having a bathroom you love is important, so we’re all behind a good total renovation. If you’re looking to transform your bathroom, our tips should help you do just that.

Preparation

Before you start gutting everything and paying money out anywhere and everywhere, make a checklist. Decide everything you need, who and how many this bathroom is meant to accommodate. If you’re looking to cut some costs, see what you’re willing to tackle with DIY sense and which you need professional help for. With each step further you take, consult your checklist. Going in without a plan is the quickest way to have a bathroom you’re far from happy with.

Budgeting

You might very well be willing to pay to have each and every inch renovated. If you have the cash to get your dream bathroom, then why wouldn’t you? However, that doesn’t mean you can just skip the budget. There’s no reason you should find yourself spending way too much on one aspect of the bathroom. That only means you might and find that you have to settle for less further down the line. No matter your financial situation and your plans, make sure you put a budget together and make sure you stick to it. There’s little worse than a half-finished bathroom.

Pic found at Pixabay

Plumbing

If you’re completely reshaping the bathroom, you might very well be beyond the realm of DIY or having an interior decorator. Plumbing is unfortunately notorious for companies who are willing to sell you down the river and get paid to sub-par work. Make sure you hire a plumber you can trust, with the proper accreditation. If they have recommendations you can trust then that’s even better. Don’t worry, there are plenty of great plumbers out there who’ll leave you with a bathroom running squeaky clean.

Renovation

Do you want your perfect bathroom but you’re not sure how to put it together? Could you benefit from the expertise of someone who knows exactly what they’re doing? The right renovator can be a god-send. They take everything you want and their expert knowledge to produce the exact bathroom of your dreams. Bathroom renovations are a big undertaking so don’t leave anything to chance. After all, you don’t want to be doing another renovation a few years down the line.

Pic found at Pixabay

Soak it in

Now that you’ve got your nice, lovely bathroom all put together, make sure you really enjoy it. What’s the point of having a glamorous bathroom or a luxurious bath if you’re not going to take the time to soak it in? Get yourself some of the most deliciously pampering products available. Bath salts, scented candles, get the whole lot going and just let your worries drift away. After getting this far, you’ve definitely earned it.

During the last global recession, there was an emerging trend for growing your own food in your garden. I know a few people who started doing this to save money, and discovered a lifelong hobby in the process! If you’ve been cultivating your garden seriously for a while, then you’ll need to protect it all from hungry animals. Here’s some simple and humane ways you can go about this.

Source: Geograph

Let’s start with rabbits. Although timid, these furry little guys can be a total nightmare when you’re not around to guard your plants. Like most vermin, rabbits aren’t exactly fussy about what they’ll munch on. Having said that, they do tend to gravitate towards pea pods, beans, and beets. I assume you’ve already got a fence that’s taller than a rabbit! However, if they’re really determined they’ll burrow under one of these with relative ease. The next best way of keeping rabbits away from your garden is making it smell dangerous. Soaking a few corn cobs in white vinegar and scattering them around works pretty well. Failing that, you could purchase some fox urine and use it to soak cotton balls. For an economical option, ask your local hairdresser’s for some excess hair, and scatter this around your garden.

Birds might be a little more common as a pest in your garden. The best defence against these is getting a cat – but let’s keep it humane. Birds are easily scared by any kind of intimidating shapes and sounds. Be very liberal with how you define “intimidating” here. Remember that these animals can fly, and have probably spent a lot of their lives soaring suddenly away from danger. Scarecrows can be pretty effective, but I’m guessing you don’t have the time or resources to make one convincing enough. A good alternative is to get a replica owl. Almost every smaller bird is fooled by these. That or they don’t want to take chances! Perch one on your fence or greenhouse, and all those pesky birds will stay the heck away!

Source: Dr Tobler

Finally, deer. Don’t worry, I was as traumatized by Bambi as you were. These creatures are truly beautiful in their grace and general aesthetics, but if they see your plants they’re likely to go crazy! So how do you get around this? You could try scent-based deterrents similar to the rabbit ones. While these can be effective, it can often vary from deer to deer. For a fool-proof plan, I recommend getting some high-quality deer fence. Surround your entire garden with this, and you’ll be able to rest easy knowing your beautiful garden isn’t being touched. Although getting tangled in plastic mesh will scare off most deer, it’s always a good idea to check for damages in the fence.

These tips will keep some of the most common critters in the woods and away from your crops. These solutions don’t cover everything, but after setting them up I’m sure you’ll notice far less damage from animals. Keep trying different measures, and your prized garden will be airtight!

[ Tagged In ] Backyard Gardening, Garden, Gardening, Keeping Animals Out of the Garden, Protect your Garden from Animals

In just a few short weeks, spring will be here. It’s great that winter is finally ending, but before you jump for joy because it’ll soon be spring, it’s a good idea to give your home a ‘health’ check. Over the winter months when the weather is bad, our houses go through a lot, which is why it’s important to give them a once over come spring. It’s a good idea to check your home as soon as possible, so that if there is any damage, it can be treated asap. Else, if it’s left, it could end up leading to more severe problems.

Image credit

There are various areas of your home that you need to check, both inside and outside. That being said, the outside of your home is more important, as you’re less likely to notice any problems. If there’s an issue inside your house, the chances are you’ll spot it straight away. To give you an idea of all the most crucial areas to check, we’ve put together this useful guide. It includes all the info you need to give your home a once over, as well as how to deal with various issues.

Check your home’s foundations

The first thing that you should do is check your home’s foundations. This is the most important job, as if there is a crack or damage to them, water can seep into the concrete, causing all sorts of issues. The problems caused by damaged foundations can cost thousands to repair, so the sooner you spot any issues, the better.

Walk around your home, shining a torch on the foundations. What you want to look for is any cracks or other damage, or any areas where the concrete is darker, as this can mean that water is seeping in. To find out more about the best ways to check your home’s foundations, check out houselogic. If you notice anything unusual, don’t hang about, contact a foundations expert immediately.

Give your roof a once over

The next area that you need to check is your home’s roof. The best way to do this is by using a ladder to access it, that way you can have a good look. What you need to look out for are any tiles that are cracked or damaged, as well as any areas where there’s a tile missing. It may also be worth going inside your attic, to look for any areas where the light shines through, as this can be a sign that there’s a crack in one of the tiles.

If you notice any issues, such as a missing tile or a crack, it’s best to deal with it straight away. The good news is that if you’re a DIY pro, you can probably fix most roof problems yourself. You’ll just need a couple of replacement tiles and a nail gun to attach them. If you don’t already have a nail gun, check out TopNailerReviews to see which is the best model to go for.

Inspect paint and siding

Walk around your home, inspecting the siding and paint. What you want to look out for is siding that’s cracked or damaged and paint that’s bubbling or peeling. These are signs that during the winter, something has caused damage to your home’s protection – aka siding or paint. If there is any damage, it needs to be dealt with as soon as possible. As without paint or siding to protect it, your home is more prone to the effects of the weather.

Siding can be easily replaced, so if it’s damaged, there’s no need to panic. Obviously, you can call in a professional to deal with it for you. However, it’s probably easier and cheaper to fix it yourself. As for paint that’s peeling or bubbling, the surface needs to be sanded and repainted with a specialist outdoor paint.

These are the most crucial home maintenance checks for spring. However, there are also a few others that you might want to do.