August 1, 2022

9 Great Ways to Upgrade Your Deck Area

If your deck area is becoming a little bland, it may be time to spice it up with some upgrades. A majority of the options in this article are inexpensive and straightforward to implement. So you can have your deck area transformed in a matter of days to weeks if

Read More »

How To Achieve a Luxurious Home Interior

Are you trying to achieve a luxurious home interior but don’t know where to start? Here’s how: Define Your Style Before you start designing, you should know what you want. In any area of life, overlooking the planning process can result in less-than-desirable results. To define your style, take an

Read More »
Bouygues UK and Council Leaders Welcome David TC Davies MP

Bouygues UK and Council Leaders Welcome David TC Davies MP

COUNCIL leaders in Carmarthenshire have welcomed the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies MP to the site of Llanelli’s landmark Pentre Awel development, together with Bouygues UK. Mr Davies visited the 83-acre site at Delta Lakes to find out more about the innovative Carmarthenshire County Council-led

Read More »

How To Land Jobs As a Commercial Contractor Company

Having a contractor business is a great way to make a living. You can flex your creative muscles and your physical muscles and get to see your projects become a reality. You can experience all of that while bringing in big money. However, it’s also a business that comes with

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

August 1, 2022

9 Great Ways to Upgrade Your Deck Area

If your deck area is becoming a little bland, it may be time to spice it up with some upgrades. A majority of the options in this article are inexpensive and straightforward to implement. So you can have your deck area transformed in a matter of days to weeks if you put in the work. Then, you’ll have the ultimate hangout space in your backyard.  Add Plants Give the space life by adding plants to some of the bare spots on your deck. For example, consider installing some planters around the edges, placing large pots near the posts, and getting some hanging baskets if possible.  Depending on your gardening capabilities, you should plant various flower breeds around the deck to showcase an array of colors. However, stick with leafy plants, succulents, and bushes if you want a simple look with low maintenance. Decorations Customizing with outdoor decorations turns a house into a home, and you can upgrade your deck by showcasing your style. First, if you have outdoor furniture, get some cute pillows. Then, get some hanging decor for the railings.  If you have difficulty finding decor for your deck, hobby stores usually offer it in just about any style. However, you can also order online to save money and expand your options. Restain the Wood Over time, the color of your deck will fade to grey. Additionally, parts of it may turn an unsightly, slimy green from excess moisture and algae buildup. So if your deck looks a little dull, it may be time to power wash and restain it to look brand new. Install a Pergola Pergolas are wooden lattice structures that provide shade without completely blocking the sunlight. Installing one will give your deck a unique creative style that simultaneously provides comfort.  To make the ultimate hang-out spot under the pergola, you’ll need some comfortable furniture, pillows, and an outdoor rug. Then, hang a string of lights around the perimeter to create a relaxing vibe at nighttime.  Expand Your Deck Adding another level can create extra space if your deck is too small for your needs. So whether you’re seeking a private place to relax, more room to party, or a spot to build an outdoor kitchen, adding another level to your deck creates endless potential.  However, this task is meant for professionals who know how to maintain your deck’s structural integrity while building. Deck builders in Harford County, MD, can safely create the deck of your dreams. Therefore, you can ease your mind knowing that you won’t sacrifice quality.  Add Some Lights Lighting plays an essential role in setting the mood. So if you wish to switch up the vibe on your deck, you should switch up the lighting. This upgrade can be enough to totally transform the space, creating a fun place to hang out on summer nights.  The trend is to use strings of lights above the deck space, but you should also consider bug-repelling torches, candles, and even lamps on each post. Additionally, get creative with the lighting by finding decorations that double as lamps. Install a Bar Having a bar at home can make your house the go-to for every get-together. First, you’ll need a counter with plenty of storage underneath and another behind the bar to display alcohol. Then, get a few barstools to complete it. Finally, consider adding a few beer taps if you want to go the extra mile.  Screens Several types of screens can serve as valuable upgrades for your deck. For example, a small, wooden privacy structure can also serve as a place for climbing plants to grow, adding to your deck’s visual appeal.  On the other hand, adding a bug screen around the deck can turn the space into a sunroom, so you can still relax outside without worrying about pests or the elements ruining the area. Plus, this can double as a privacy screen, allowing you to relax without interruption from neighbors. Multipurpose Storage If your deck is cluttered with random junk, it may be time for a clean-up. Once you’ve gone through your things, set them aside and build some multipurpose storage units. For instance, you could build benches with a lifting seat. Or you can use a microwave cart with drawers to hold gardening supplies and act as a display for your favorite plants.  Conclusion Your deck space holds much potential, and your home may not feel complete if you aren’t using it to its fullest advantage. So implementing some of these upgrades can totally transform the area into the perfect hangout spot. Ensure that you conduct adequate research before starting a DIY project and hire a contractor when you’re not qualified to complete the task safely.

Read More »

How To Achieve a Luxurious Home Interior

Are you trying to achieve a luxurious home interior but don’t know where to start? Here’s how: Define Your Style Before you start designing, you should know what you want. In any area of life, overlooking the planning process can result in less-than-desirable results. To define your style, take an online quiz. Then, objectively look at your space and consider all of the elements that cannot be changed, such as location, size, and natural lighting. Then, have fun getting inspired by researching your style and finding elements you can incorporate into your home’s interior. Invest in Your Furniture Nothing says shabby like bad furniture. But, conversely, nothing says luxury like high-end furniture pieces. Of course, choosing custom-made furniture is an excellent choice, and the best option is to purchase an entire set and build the rest of your home décor around that. But even if you can only afford one piece, make sure you aren’t buying inexpensive, cheaply made furniture pieces. There are many advantages to purchasing custom-made furniture. However, when trying to achieve a luxurious look, you will want to coordinate quality, craftsmanship, and design with colors and textures that suit your style. Custom Amish furniture in Katy, TX makes it simple to get exactly what you need and want for your home interior. This furniture is built to last, and the timeless designs are intrinsically luxurious. You can have just the right pieces built for you, using the right colors, finishes, and materials for your space. Cut the Clutter If you want to achieve a luxurious home interior, clutter has no place in it. However, if you are trying to decorate, removing all the clutter before you even start is a good idea. If your clutter is items that you use every day, it is possible that you need more storage space. When you are custom-made furniture, see if you can increase your storage space by incorporating more drawers and cabinets, perhaps by having some drawers built into your sofa, for instance. This will make it easy to have those everyday items within reach without them becoming distractions to your luxurious home décor. Let in the Light Wherever it is possible, let some light in. Sometimes, window coverings are used to create privacy and block much-needed light. If you can change your window dressings to maintain privacy but let in light, you will find that letting some light in makes your rooms less drab and automatically seem more luxurious. Say Yes to Color If you are trying to achieve a luxury look, it doesn’t mean you have to stick with neutral colors. You can still use color, but you will want to pay attention to the tone you are trying to set. Bold colors like deep reds create energy and evoke confidence, while soft tones make you feel relaxed. It doesn’t matter if you choose a color for your sofa or throw pillows on it. You will want to use complementary colors in all areas where you add color to your interior. You can also try using color on an accent wall to set a tone and add interest to your home’s interior. Focus on Mixing Rather than focusing on matching patterns and design elements, try mixing them. The trick is to use only a few different types of patterns, mix them with solids, coordinate them by using colors and repeat them at different scales to add visual interest. You can achieve very good results by following a few simple rules for mixing patterns. Go With Textures Adding different textures can be done in many ways. Everything from adding stenciled patterns to your ceiling to putting a sherpa throw on your sofa can increase the visual appeal of your interior. You can find different textures in every area of your design, from the type of furniture you choose to the window coverings. Stone and concrete can be important textural elements, as well as macramé or rattan. Both hanging and potted plants can contribute to the variety of textures in a room. Look everywhere for opportunities to add texture in a way that represents your style and maintains the luxurious flow of your interior. Upgrade your Fixtures Whether it is a simple light fixture or a major appliance like a refrigerator, upgrading your fixtures and appliances can greatly impact your home interior. Even just changing out knobs and faucets can create a more luxurious look. When it comes to lighting, pay attention to how a light fixture looks and how it illuminates a room. Determine where you want the light to shine, and get a fixture that puts the light where you want it to. Make a Statement with Art It’s hard to achieve a perfect luxury home interior without using art to make a statement. You have a lot of options to choose from. You can choose groupings of framed art, a large focus piece to call attention to the center of your room, or a deluxe sculpture that perfectly defines your style. Bas relief and hanging sculptures are also popular choices. Whatever type of art you choose to make a statement, it should be bold enough to set the tone for the entire room. Also, everything else must support the statement without being a distraction. 

Read More »
Bouygues UK and Council Leaders Welcome David TC Davies MP

Bouygues UK and Council Leaders Welcome David TC Davies MP

COUNCIL leaders in Carmarthenshire have welcomed the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Wales David TC Davies MP to the site of Llanelli’s landmark Pentre Awel development, together with Bouygues UK. Mr Davies visited the 83-acre site at Delta Lakes to find out more about the innovative Carmarthenshire County Council-led project which has received £40million funding as part of the Swansea Bay City Deal.  The first development of its scope and size in Wales, Pentre Awel will bring together life science innovation, community healthcare and modern leisure facilities at one prime location.  It will provide world-class medical research and health care delivery and support and encourage people to lead active and healthy lives creating over 1,800 jobs and boosting the local economy by £467million over the next 15 years.  Pentre Awel is one of nine major projects under the Swansea Bay City Deal which is being funded by the UK Government, the Welsh Government, the public sector and the private sector.  The business case was approved by UK and Welsh Government earlier this year and building work on Zone One of the project will start this autumn with an estimated completion date of summer 2024.  It includes a new state-of-the-art leisure centre and hydrotherapy pool together with education, research and business development space; a clinical research and delivery centre; and a well-being skills centre. Externally, Pentre Awel will enjoy landscaped outdoor public spaces for recreation, walking and cycling.  Wales Office Minister David TC Davies said: “I was delighted to see the start of this exciting project and congratulate some of the people who’ve worked so hard on it. “The UK Government is proud of our financial contribution which, along with our partners, will help deliver this hugely ambitious plan. It has the potential to transform lives by creating innovations in health and wellbeing, as well as providing an economic boost to the area. This is levelling up in action.”  Pentre Awel is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Hywel Dda University Health Board, Universities and Colleges including Cardiff University, Coleg Sir Gȃr, the University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea University.  Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism Cllr Gareth John said: “Pentre Awel is one of the largest regeneration schemes of its kind in Wales and will deliver a significant programme of community benefits and economic regeneration across the county. “Not only will it bring major employment and training opportunities for the area, but it will also provide state-of the-art leisure and health facilities for local people. It is a truly transformational project, and it will make a huge difference to people’s lives.” Bouygues UK has been appointed to design and build Zone One following an extensive tendering process via the South West Wales Regional Contractors Framework. The contract has a key focus on social value to ensure significant employment and training opportunities for local people during the construction phase. Peter Sharpe, Bouygues UK Project Director at Pentre Awel, said: “It was great to welcome Mr Davies to the site at Pentre Awel and talk through our plans for the building of the development and how we will be working closely with the local community, as well as Carmarthenshire County Council, to create as many employment and training opportunities for people in the region. “Our first meet the buyer event was a marvellous success and we have already spoken to many local suppliers and sub-contractors about how they could work with us at Pentre Awel. We are now looking forward to beginning the ground works and then pushing ahead with the build, working in partnership with as many local businesses as possible.”  Later phases of the scheme include a hotel, a range of social and affordable housing, assisted living accommodation and a nursing home.  Pentre Awel is one of a number of projects being carried out as part of wider council plans for the regeneration of Llanelli. The housing-led Transforming Tyisha project provides a vital link between Pentre Awel and Llanelli town centre, with millions of pounds being invested throughout the area to create a thriving and more resilient local community and to improve the appearance of the main town centre to attract more commercial interest and footfall. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News

Read More »

How To Land Jobs As a Commercial Contractor Company

Having a contractor business is a great way to make a living. You can flex your creative muscles and your physical muscles and get to see your projects become a reality. You can experience all of that while bringing in big money. However, it’s also a business that comes with a lot of stress in many ways. You have to worry about deadlines, client demands, staffing, and anything else that comes with owning and running a business.  Beyond that, there is getting clients in the first place. Without clients, there is no business, so you must keep bringing them in. For a commercial contracting company, that means bidding on jobs and getting your brand out in the community.  If you never win bids, you will never bring in revenue. However, winning bids is not just about having the lowest one. Here are some tips on landing jobs at a commercial contracting company.  Market Your Business Effectively You will need to invest in marketing and promotion. When potential commercial clients decide to undertake a project, you want your brand to be one of the first to come to mind. You can certainly invest in broadcast media advertising, such as television and radio. However, social media and digital advertising might get you more bang for your buck. Since contracting businesses tend to work in a local area, you can target advertising to people and companies near you.  You should also put yourself on a platform such as LinkedIn to create a network in the business and contracting communities so that more people know who you are and your brand values. They will be more trusting of your business if they see the face and person behind it. Post regularly about industry updates and what your company has been doing.  You can also use search engine optimization (SEO) as a strategy. This means that you are setting up your website to appear on the first page of search engine rankings for certain search parameters. For example, when someone googles “contractor” and your city, you want your brand to show up there. You will get more organic traffic from people already looking for the services you offer.  Networking When commercial clients want a project done, they need to know that their contractor will do it professionally, competently, safely, and with an attention to detail. They also want it to come in on budget and within an appropriate timeline. The best way for potential clients to trust you is through personal connections. As the owner of a contracting company, you need to get yourself out there. Attend Chamber of Commerce functions, show up at charity events and make yourself seen in the community. Even if you don’t meet a single person who is a decision-maker at a company, those you meet will have friends, family, and other connections.  Knowing people in person will give them a better sense of your personality and how you run your business. If they can trust you as a person, they will be more likely to go to bat for you with the people who make final decisions on bids and service providers.  Get All Your Ducks in a Row The other way you can get prospective clients to trust your business is by making sure that you have protected it properly. As a commercial contractor, you can join professional organizations, get certifications and licenses, and present a squeaky clean image to the world. You should also have insurance in place that protects your business, your clients, and the general public. When choosing a contractor, businesses and commercial clients will check to make sure that your employees are bonded and that you have all of the requisite certifications. Don’t try to get away from these. Invest in making your business look strong and reputable, and clients will be more likely to sign with you.  Be Organized A red flag for a prospective client is a contractor that misses deadlines or meetings or doesn’t have information when requested. You must always be organized and on the ball, or else you might miss opportunities. If you bid too late, you will most likely be automatically taken out of the running. If organization is not your skill, hire someone to do it for you. Not only will it help with getting new jobs, but it will also help with your employees. A disorganized company will miss pay dates and make mistakes. This will annoy your staff and potentially cause issues keeping people.  Have a Bidding Strategy When you bid, you need to have a strategy. Some contractors like to quote everything down to the last penny, and some like to use round numbers, like $10,000. However, while rounding numbers makes it simpler, a client may question that. Are you rounding $80,000 up to $100,000? They don’t know, so you will need to be very close if you are rounding. Your strategy will have to balance the desire to get everything into your bid that the client wants but at the lowest price possible. But even then, you will need to be mindful of how much profit you are taking in. In general, if you do good work for a decent price, even if it’s not the lowest, you should be able to convince clients to sign with you.  Now that you have these tips, you are ready to start bringing in clients. Remember, if you provide great workmanship and build a great network, you can bring in revenue and build the commercial contracting business you’ve dreamed of. 

Read More »