Hiring a carpenter to help you improve your home is a great way to build craftsmanship into your space. Whether your home is a brand new building in need of personalization or an older building in need of updating, a qualified carpenter will have knowledge of woods, fasteners and options that you may not have considered. Be prepared for new ideas and celebrate them!

Custom Built-Ins

Beautiful built-ins can run the gamut from custom bookshelves that flank a fireplace to glass cabinets that display and protect your most precious objects. For families with small children, a custom built-in with covered storage is a great place to stash away games and electronics that don’t always need to be out.

Your carpenter can help you with layout, making sure you have power access in the built-in and matching the trim of your built-in to your home. There are many options when it comes to fitted furniture, from hidden draws through to perfectly fitted wardrobes to suit the shape of your living space.

Beds With Storage

Captain’s beds, or beds with storage below have long made it easier for homeowners to make sure they have space for their belongings. In addition, custom built bunk beds can provide plenty of space and grow with your child into the future.

How About A Bed You Can Store?

Another option for adding sleeping space to a room is the Murphy Bed. Depending on the size of your office or spare room, you may need some help in configuring the bed to open either the long way or width-wise. Think of the bed as an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet of paper. Most Murphy Beds open in portrait orientation, but your space may work better in landscape.

Customize Your Outdoor Space As Well!

One of the greatest benefits of working directly with a skilled carpenter is that they can create something unique to your outdoor living space. From custom outdoor seating to multi-level decks, your carpenter can take your ordinary yard and turn it into a space you can enjoy for years to come. In addition, this professional can help you plan for future projects while you create!

Make It Happen

The ability to visualize how a custom carpentry project will work in your existing space, as well as the planning skills to make it happen, is quite rare. Your custom carpenter can help you come up with storage, sleeping space and seating that you never thought possible. Better still, they can make it look as though it’s always been there.…

Building your ideal home is a dream come true, but it can also cause some anxiety. To make your experience as pleasant and worry-free as possible, it’s important to choose the right builder. Here are some things to think about when choosing home builders in St. Augustine FL.

Calculating the Cost

Of course, the cost of your new home is likely a very important consideration. It’s crucial to understand what is included in the final price the builder quotes. For example, home builders will often include an allowance for things such as plumbing or light fixtures. You need to know how much those fixtures will cost to determine whether the allowance is enough for what you want, otherwise you could end up owing a lot of extra money at the end of the build.

Assessing the Reputation

It’s very important to work only with quality builders. There are several ways to find out if the builder you’re considering is ethical. The best option is to ask the opinions of people you trust for recommendations, especially if they have built their own home in the past.

You can also check with your local chapter of the Better Business Bureau. In addition, local builders’ associations may be a good resource since they may have standards that members are expected to maintain.

Determining Compatibility

You and your builder will be spending many hours working together, so it’s important to choose one you can comfortably communicate with. During the vetting process, before you sign the contract, think about whether the contractor answers your questions completely. Does this person promptly return your calls? Your builder is busy and can’t answer every call immediately, but you have the right to expect a high level of accessibility during construction.

Ensuring a Happy Ending

Many steps go into building your dream home. One of the most important things for a successful build is finding a competent, honest, experienced builder to work with. Following these simple steps may help alleviate stress and ensure a wonderful experience for you and your family!…

Most people like having a nice-looking yard. For some, it can seem like there is a mysterious code to crack to reach that goal. Follow the three guidelines listed below, and you too may have a beautiful yard.

Clear Out all Dead or Damaged Trees and Shrubs

Maintain the health of your trees and shrubs by hiring an affordable tree service Cincinnati to check them annually for dead limbs and disease. If you have trees or shrubs that are already dead, have them promptly removed as failing to do so can lead to many problems. Those dead trees can be a breeding ground for pests like bugs or mice that can migrate to your home. The disease that one tree has can quickly spread to other trees – the Emerald Ash Borer is an excellent example of that type of problem. Dead limbs or whole trees can fall and cause costly damage to your home.

Follow annual maintenance care

Your grass needs food and water. You must give it fertilizer multiple times during the year. You must also protect it from predators (weeds and bugs). It is essential to follow the care guidelines for lawns in your part of the country. All lawns are not created equal. If you move from Chicago to San Antonio and try to maintain the same schedule and type of lawn maintenance, you may destroy your new yard.

Aerate your lawn

The soil of your yard becomes compacted year after year. Grass, trees and plants need to have space for their roots to grow. This is where a great invention called an aerator enters in. It is slightly larger than a push mower, but still quite manageable. All it requires is for you to push it around your yard, and it will pull out plugs of dirt to provide air holes in the soil. Check in your area for the recommended frequency for aerating your soil.

By following these three guidelines with your grass, trees and shrubs, you may be able to create the outdoor area that you have been envious of in your neighbors. At the very least, you can make your plants healthier and happier.…

Creating a beautiful landscape doesn’t need to be difficult. Sometimes a little maintenance and a touch of creativity are all that is needed to take an ordinary setting to beautiful. Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to change up a landscape and make it stand out.

Keep the Grass as Trim as Possible

Having a mowing service come regularly and trim grass can make a huge difference. If grass starts growing too tall, it can make any yard look overrun and as though it isn’t taken care of. For individuals who own a business, this is especially important, since it can turn off potential customers from ever coming back. Make sure the outside looks presentable, and you can feel confident you’ll encourage people to come back, no matter what you have to offer.

Pay Attention to Ponds and Lakes

If you have a pond or lake on the property, it’s necessary to keep maintenance up on this area. Besides being a haven for bugs and other pests, weeds can get out of hand around ponds and lakes. Find a service that offers weed control for lakes, so you can prevent bigger problems from occurring when growth is left for too long.

Add Flowers for a Personal Touch

No matter what your home or business looks like, consider adding flowers or other attractive plants for a finishing touch. This creates a personal look, and can even be customized based on colors. This looks inviting and can encourage people to come back soon.

When adding beauty to a landscape, don’t forget little touches, such as flowers and keeping the lawn maintained. Have a service that deals specifically with ponds and similar areas so you can avoid problems. Doing so can leave you with a beautiful area you can be proud to show off.…

Energy costs—both to your budget and to the environment—are on everybody’s mind these days. Solar energy can help with both of those things, although there may be a little up-front expenditure to get all set up to harvest that sunshine. Consider the many ways there are to get the sun working for you.

For Your Home

From solar lights over the front door to solar lamps in the back garden to a solar roof new jersey over all, there are plenty of ways to solar-equip your house and yard. A solar thermostat can help you keep track of all that environmentally friendly energy and how you’re using it. Keep a solar generator charged up, and you’ll never have to worry about being deprived of power.

For Your Devices

Keeping your phone, laptop, and other devices juiced up while you’re out and about can be a major chore, especially when you’re constantly having to find a plug and stand nearby until the bars are back. Fortunately, you can now find solar phone chargers and cases that use the sun to charge your devices—even a solar keyboard. Make things even easier by toting a solar handbag, backpack, or jacket that keeps your e-stuff well-amped while you wander.

For Fun

Let solar bike lights illuminate your path, then secure your ride with a solar bike lock. Solar lanterns, flashlights, and reading lights can brighten a campsite or a blackout. Solar-powered bluetooth speakers or radios are perfect for a picnic or backyard party. Pop open a solar umbrella to gather up and store the sun’s energizing elements, giving those dark clouds a silver lining.

Charge up your good feelings for the globe by using more solar energy and less electricity generated by environmentally questionable sources. If nothing else, it’s a great reason to get outside and enjoy all the ways you’re soaking up the rays.…

Being a homeowner is both rewarding and exhausting. Gone are the days when you can call your landlord to fix any problems. The upkeep and repairs all fall on you and can sometimes feel overwhelming. It can be easy to overlook everything that needs to be done, but here are three things you shouldn’t avoid.

Chimney Sweeping

If you regularly use your fireplace, it’s important to have your chimney cleaned and inspected yearly. A professional chimney sweep will look for structural damage, trapped animals or nests and creosote buildup. Taking care of your chimney helps protect your family from fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. This is a dangerous task and should only be handled by a skilled professional.

Carpet Cleaning

Vacuuming your carpets weekly will help keep most of the dust under control. However, a yearly shampoo and cleaning will extend the carpet’s life. This step is particularly important if you have pets, as a deep clean will go a long way towards reducing allergens and keeping everyone healthy. It can also eliminate odors that you no longer notice.

Heater and Air Conditioning Maintenance

When the weather turns, don’t just flick on your heater or air conditioner and be done with it. These units need to be serviced regularly to maintain the health of your family and the life of the appliances. A good cleaning will get the dust out and ensure that all the parts run smoothly. Ignoring this step means that your appliances work harder than necessary and can drive up your utility bill. Air conditioners alone count for about 5% of our country’s electrical output.

Spreading these yearly appointments out will help you manage your finances and stop your home maintenance tasks from becoming overwhelming. Don’t skip the things that will keep your family safe and home vibrant!…