Transform the Garage

Most homeowners do not use their garage to park their car safely overnight; instead, it becomes a dumping ground for seasonal belongings and various other things. The first step to achieving more space is to sort through the items in your garage and be ruthless about what you really need. A garage can be a functional area of your home, especially when an insulated garage door is chosen to retain the warmth and add a few chairs; perfect for a teenage hangout!

Consider a Summerhouse

If you have a sizeable garden, a great way to make the most of the space it offers is through a summerhouse. These out buildings can be anything from a smart looking shed through to an very impressive structure and prices vary vastly. A summerhouse can be used to entertain guests, as an office or simply as a sun room to relax in.

Convert the Loft

Perhaps you have a little one on the way and are thinking that moving house is the only way to accommodate the family; if this is the case you may wish to consider this cost effective alternative. Loft conversions are a fantastic way of creating additional space could work out as a much cheaper way of making sure your growing family has enough room. The area can be used in whatever way you want so from another bedroom to a secondary living space you are guaranteed a highly functional room!

Choose Clever Furniture

Maximising usable space in the home with can be as simply as choosing your furniture wisely. When it comes to children’s bedrooms consider a bed that offers study space underneath it and for your own bedroom choose a bed that offers the most amount of storage; some even come with shelving built into the frame. Dual purpose furniture is a great way to save space through smart design and can be found at very reasonable prices.

If your home is bursting at the seams and you are searching for a real solution, consider these options and give you and your family room to manoeuvre!

Sophie works alongside Easy Fit Garage Doors and has seen the difference that an insulated door can make when transforming the garage into a functional and comfortable area of the home.

The loft conversions specialists will just measure the attic, decide how much of it can be transformed into a perfectly usable room and then start the work. In order to obtain a satisfying final result. Below are some a few steps that you should follow, as they will help you stay away from any unwanted situation.

• The first thing you should do is to hire an expert for a structural survey. It is very important to have the structural survey, as this will tell you whether or not the modifications you will make to your attic will change the entire house’s resistance. If the expert says that there are no risks, then you should start searching for companies that can offer you high quality loft conversion.

• Choosing the company that will perform the actual transformation of the attic is one of the most important steps, as the team sent by the company can make something wonderful or completely ruin the place. Choose a very serious company, with years of experience in the field. If you don’t know how to do this, then it is a good idea to ask for recommendations from family members and friends. They should be someone who experienced a loft conversion situation and who can recommend you a good company.

• If the abovementioned tips do not work, then you should be happy to know that thousands of people in your area already had their attic transformed into a room and they shared their experience on the internet. Go online and join specialized forums as they will teach you exactly what to do.

• After you have chosen the company to do the job, explain to the designer what your expectations are and how you imagine the future room. This will help the team’s designer create something that will please you, but something extremely effective at the same time, as you started the entire process because of the lack of space inside the house.

These are the steps that you should follow in order to realize your plan to add more space in your home and avoid unwanted situations that might appear during the process. Even this project may sound very simple, doing a loft conversion is actually a very complex and complicated task that requires time and a lot of attention to details.

Guestpost by Luke Gregory which is the writer for the leading loft conversions firm in the UK, UseYourLoft

1. Drilling conduit can be tricky. The drill bit gets stuck and can even tear the material. A good way to prevent this is using a large washer around your drill bit. The bit will penetrate the conduit and be stopped by the washer and spin the washer instead of ripping the conduit.
2. A little oil is a great way to help cut through metal faster. Try purchasing brands made specifically for use on saws. Try applying it directly to the metal surface to add lubrication and prevent sparks.
3. Jack chain is a great way to fish walls. It works better than string because it’s stronger and sinks better because it’s heavier. Plus, you purchase the jack chain in a suitable length and never have to cut string again.
4. A light dusting of baby powder on your face and arms can keep you from getting itchy while working with insulation. Remember to close your eyes when you dust your face. You can also use corn starch; just remember, baby powder smells nice and is meant to be absorbed by the skin.
5. Figuring out how many amps a device uses is easy. Just divide the number of watts by the number of volts. If your division isn’t so good, you might want to consider carrying a calculator.
6. Bent fish tape is an electrician’s nightmare. If you don’t want to throw it away try adding nailing penny nails to a long straight board, about 2 cm apart. Weave the tape through the nails and pull until straight. You may have to repeat the process a few times for best results.
7. Use EMT templates for bending large amounts of PVC. You can use the template as a mold so you don’t have to reset your bender each time. This method is only really good if you have to bend a lot of PVC, but the great thing is you can always keep the template for later use.
8. Cary a notepad and pencil with you at all times. It can save you a lot of time looking for one when you have to mark down measurements and wires.
9. Replacing old plugs is as easy as clipping the old plug, stripping the wires back and wiring in the new plug. Make sure you use electrical grade tape to cover the bared wires. Alternatively, you can also use a wire sock.
10. If you’re using the same color of wire for re-wiring a system, try covering the end of each wire with different colors of tape. The ends will be covered so you won’t have to worry about keeping them apart and you will be able to easily differentiate between the wires.

So if you are looking for an quality electrician Brighton, a small city has in a sense too much choice! Hopefully this blog has outlined some basic tips, so you might be able to do it yourself, rather than seek out an electrician who will charge  day dte regardless of the task.

Matt Graham has been working with leading electrical services companies for a number of years, his client J Electrical is a sussex based electrical outfit that specialise in domestic and commercial work. They are keen to promote the Pat testing Worthing package service they offer.

Here are some instances when it is definitely smarter to tap into the expertise of a professional:

Projects That Must Be “Up to Code”

There are some projects, repairs and renovations that must meet a number of safety and zoning regulations. If you have any doubt at all about your ability to handle the project yourself, get a licensed professional involved. If the project involves construction, HVAC, electrical work, or plumbing and you do not have a background in those areas, seek the help of a professional. Remember, they are licensed and/or certified for good reason. Completing a project in one of these areas incorrectly can pose a danger to you, your family or visitors to your home later on.

Dangerous Repairs

In that same vein, there are also a number of projects and repairs that can simply be too hazardous to try yourself. The removal of lead paint, asbestos and mold, for example. If you live in an older home and one of these issues poses a problem, it would be worth the money to hire a professional removal team. Tackling roof work at excessive heights alone is another example. And, of course, any electrical work should be left to someone with experience in that area. Don’t forget, the danger doesn’t rest solely with the completion of the project. Incorrect handling of electrical work can result in a fire down the line.

If Expensive Tools or Equipment are Required

Even if you are more than capable to handle the project or repair at hand, if it will require you to purchase expensive tools or equipment that you expect you will never use again, you may wish to consider outsourcing. You may find it far more cost-effective to hire a professional who already owns the tools. At the very least, if you must tackle the challenge yourself, consider renting the tools or teaming up with a friend or neighbor who can share the cost.
Repairs Stemming from Insurance Claims or Reimbursements

If your project comes as the result of a product recall or if you are claiming damage on your insurance policy, you may want to consider hiring a professional. Oftentimes in these cases you will be receiving market value for the project. That being said, why not hire a professional to ensure it is completed correctly? Check with your insurance company as well as many require professional work and will pay the contractor/repair person directly.

Projects That Require Digging

You’ve likely seen a public service announcement about this very topic, but it bears repeating. If your project involves digging up any portion of your yard, it is imperative that you first contact your local utility companies. You could end up seriously injured or cause interruption of services to your entire neighborhood. No one wants that.

Never fear, there is still a long list of projects you can take on. Before you do, just be realistic about your limitations, know when it’s necessary to hand the reigns over to a professional, and stay safe!

Alexandra Kelly is a school teacher and devoted mother with a passion for writing and home improvement projects. She is also an outspoken advocate of grammar checkers and often encourages her students and children to use them to proof their works. Her current home improvement project involves the use of San Diego granite.

You can easily remove the offending tile and replace it with a brand new one. Nobody will even know the difference!

Here’s how to get started.

What You’ll Need:

• Replacement tile
• Pre-mix grout
• Adhesive
• Putty knife
• Chisel
• Work gloves
• Goggles
• Painters tape
• Grout sealant

1. Do your best to remove as much grout as possible from around the broken tile using a grout saw. Work carefully to avoid damaging the wall underneath it. Removing the grout between the broken tile and the ones surrounding it will prevent the other tiles from cracking during the process
2. If drywall comes off while you’re removing the grout, change the angle of your tool to avoid further damage. It’s not a big deal, you’ll fill it in later with tile adhesive.
3. Use a chisel to remove the damaged tile, and scrape out the remainder of the grout on the tiles. Use a putty knife to clear off any debris on the subsurface. When it’s looking clean and even, use tack cloth to wipe out any dust or debris. Take the damaged tile with you to the store to compare with your replacement tile.
4. To ensure that the replacement grout you plan on using is the same color as the original, test out the compound on some cardboard. Let it dry overnight and compare the colors in the morning. If it is too dissimilar from the original, you’ll be able to tell that was replaced.
5. It’s always a good idea to slip the replacement tile into place before you grout it in. Just pop the tile in the space and run your fingers along the new tile and the old tiles. The new tile should rest just below the new tiles. This lets you gauge the thickness to ensure a good fit between the thickness of the old and the new.
6. If it’s a good fit, apply an 1/8” layer of tile adhesive on the back of the new tile and press it into position, making sure to keep it centered.
7. Step back and take a look at the tile making sure that it is centered with the other tiles on the wall. Readjust it quickly if it isn’t, before the adhesive completely sets. Tape down the replacement tile using painters tape to hold it into position. Allow the adhesive to set overnight or according to the manufacturer’s instruction.
8. One the tile has set, use a premixed grout and a plastic putty knife to apply it in the grooves of the tile. Because the area is so small, you can just use your finger to smooth it out and wipe away the excess.
9. Do not expose this area to moisture for at least a week. Allow the grout to harden and then apply grout sealant to protect it from moisture in the future.

This article was written by Erie Construction. Follow Erie Construction for updates on home improvement.

1. Crown Molding

Adding a crown molding is a simple project that can be done for most homes. This involves adding strips of decorative wood at the intersection of the wall and the ceiling. Depending on the value of the wood, this project can be very inexpensive but can effectively add a touch of elegance to any room. There are many crown molding designs to choose from and it depends on how much you are willing to invest.

2. Simple Kitchen Remodeling

While this may sound expensive, this does not have to be as elaborate and costly. This may only involve repainting the kitchen cabinets and changing the cabinet handles. Attractive lighting fixtures can also be added to change the mood of the kitchen. Swapping old furniture with more modern items from other rooms of from thrift shops can update the look of your kitchen without having to spend much.

3. Adding a Backsplash

If a backsplash is not yet installed, it is a worthwhile investment to add one. Not only does it make the kitchen more appealing, it also protects the walls from water and food materials that can deteriorate the paint. This prevents additional cost of future repainting and gives texture to the space.

4. Bathroom Flooring

Flooring can sometimes be the best way to upgrade the value of the room. Adding neutral bathroom flooring using inexpensive but elegant materials like decorative concrete or attractive ceramic tiles can certainly add a stylish touch to the bathroom. These should be chosen to match the existing furniture and fixture of the room to create a harmonious ensemble.

5. Replace the Front Door

The front door makes the first impression of your homes. This should be as attractive and elegant as possible. Using recycled hardwood with natural finishes can give this a classic touch without being costly. Some opt for doors with windows fitted with decorative glasses. This can be very elegant and versatile.

Home improvement projects can be easily done on weekends. This can also be a time for family bonding with every member pitching in to help. These simple DIY projects can be a first step to doing larger but easy renovations like adding a patio or a sunroom.

Emma Cub is a specialist in interior design and home improvement. She writes for Liberty Bathrooms, who are an online retailer of bathroom suites, bathroom furniture and bathroom accessories including heated towel rails, vanity units and cheap shower enclosures.