Cockroaches are a problem for many households. They can make your home dirty, infested, and unhygienic. Cockroaches are known to cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. These insects are also carriers of bacteria and germs, which may cause infections in humans. If you live in a multi-family home, you
This article explains how a pneumatic tube transports goods and people from one place to another fast and efficiently Have you ever wondered how pneumatic tube transport works? Why it’s still used in certain parts of the world? Pneumatic tubes were first used back in the 19th century as a
Buying a house is one of the largest investments for many people. Housing prices are high, and many regular people have to save for a down payment for a few years before they can purchase a house. When they start looking for properties, they also realize that there are closing
In uninsulated homes, roughly a quarter of all heat escapes through the roof. That’s a large portion of your energy bills that’s potentially going to waste through preventable heat loss. Insulating your roof is an effective way to reduce the amount of heat your home loses and reduce your overall
Choosing the right construction management software is one of the biggest challenges for construction managers. This is made even harder by the fact that they have to come up with a list of features that they need in their software. Technological advancement has not made this any easier. We have
The overarching and constant message that is heard loud and clear from homebuyers is that they prefer a neutral paint color scheme in their home. Over 98% of real estate agents say that neutral color schemes are preferable to today’s homebuyer. Breaking that down a bit further, a recent Fixr
Whatever be the type of insurance you have or for anything, they are always helpful. Whatever be the damage the types of equipment get into, insurances are always there to cover for it. Although there are certain restrictions to every insurance, it is always better to have an insurance policy.
For business owners, accumulating a backlog of projects is a significant roadblock. Understanding how to effectively use social media to generate leads and opportunities is critical for a construction company’s success. Instagram is yet another marketing tool that can promote your company, regardless of the industry you belong to. You
You might not know what to do with your spare acres since you already have a home. Fortunately, the list of ways to use your vacant land is extensive. Here are a few ideas. Rewilding or Wildlife Preservation There are loads of species dying all around us. Human habitation forces
While property development can be a very profitable pursuit, many developers find themselves limited by poor cash flow. That’s because the nature of property development dictates that cash flow events occur in large single events, when a property sells, rather than through consistent, smaller returns, as is the case with
Cockroaches are a problem for many households. They can make your home dirty, infested, and unhygienic. Cockroaches are known to cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. These insects are also carriers of bacteria and germs, which may cause infections in humans. If you live in a multi-family home, you may be wondering how to get rid of cockroaches. The sooner you do it, the better chance you’ll have to control and kill the cockroaches. You’ll also avoid spending a lot of money. So, this article will discuss some of the best ways to kill cockroaches in your multi-family home units: Hiring Professional Extermination Services When you have a cockroach problem beyond just an occasional sighting, hiring professional extermination services will be your best option. A pest control company can provide you with an assessment of your home or apartment unit and determine which products will work best for your situation. They will also provide ongoing maintenance if necessary to keep your infestation under control. But first, you should check this recommended site to get a reliable exterminator who will help deal with the cockroach problem efficiently. Professional extermination has many benefits over do-it-yourself methods: Exterminators use more effective products than you would find at the hardware store. Exterminators can treat an entire building, so they’ll be able to find hidden nests and kill existing bugs and eggs and larvae before they hatch. The professionals also know the different species of cockroaches and what method works best on them and use them to control the pests. Using Cockroach Baits Cockroach baits work by attracting the roaches with an irresistible food source, such as protein-based foods like meat or cheese. Once they climb inside the bait trap, they cannot escape and eventually die from dehydration or starvation. The cockroaches’ bodies decompose inside the bait trap and do not smell because they contain a slow-acting poison that kills them slowly, so they do not attract other pests such as rats and mice in your home. Another bait that you can use is boric acid. It is a powder made from borax and sugar. It can be sprinkled around your home’s baseboards and any cracks or crevices where cockroaches may hide. The roaches will take the bait back to their nests and pass it along to other colony members. It will kill off many of the cockroaches in your home and prevent them from returning. Cockroach Sprays If you prefer an instant kill instead of a slow death for cockroaches, spray roach killers may be your best bet. These sprays can be in a liquid or aerosol form and work by killing the insects on contact. However, this type of treatment is usually only effective against large groups of roaches rather than individual pests hiding in cracks or crevices around your home. However, they’re only effective if used correctly. Make sure you read the directions carefully before using any spray indoors — especially if there are children or pets in the house. Some can put people at risk for breathing problems or skin irritation if improperly used or the house lacks proper ventilation. Use Sticky Traps Another way that homeowners can prevent a cockroach infestation is by using sticky traps. These traps will catch any cockroaches that wander into them and kill them when they get stuck in them for too long. It is an effective method because it traps all roaches, even those hiding under furniture or inside walls. You can place the sticky traps in areas where cockroaches are usually found, including under sinks, behind your refrigerators, stoves, and around pipes. You can also combine them with gel baits and boric acid so that once the cockroaches are attracted to it, they can get trapped, and you can kill any that miss the bait. Keep Your Home Clean You need to keep your house clean because cockroaches love dirty environments. If there’s food lying around, it’ll start multiplying quickly and become a problem for you and your family members. Ensure that trash cans are emptied daily, the floors are swept regularly, and all food items are stored in airtight containers so that no roaches can smell them from afar. Keeping your home clean makes it undesirable for cockroaches as they thrive in dirty places. The few cockroaches in the house will starve and die of hunger or move away to find other habitats. Conclusion Cockroaches can multiply into hundreds in a short time if left to thrive. The longer you let them, the harder it becomes for you to control them. Therefore, you should start killing them at first sight of a cockroach by using the methods discussed in this article. You can try killing them yourself using boric acid and traps or call professionals for more detailed exterminations.
This article explains how a pneumatic tube transports goods and people from one place to another fast and efficiently Have you ever wondered how pneumatic tube transport works? Why it’s still used in certain parts of the world? Pneumatic tubes were first used back in the 19th century as a way of transporting mail and small packages along narrow underground tubes. Today, they’re used by banks and corporate houses as a secure way of transmitting information or currency over long distances. They can also be found in some locations in hospitals — where they are used to carry lab samples from one building to another. There is even an amusement park that uses pneumatic tubes to transport visitors from one area to another! How does this modern marvel work exactly? Let’s take a closer look! What Is a Pneumatic Tube Transport System? First of all, we need to know what a pneumatic tube transport system is. It’s a type of transportation system that uses pressurized air to move containers from one place to another. You’ve probably seen a pneumatic tube system in action before. It’s the manner of delivery that you’ve likely used to get a receipt from the bank drive-thru window or to send a card or letter to someone across town. Essentially, it’s just a tube through which an item is transported—usually with the use of air pressure. However, modern tube systems do more. They use a T-SEP Assembly system instead of “saddles” or “notching” to separate the object from the tube, reducing the opportunity for crevice corrosion. Let’s learn more about it with this brief explanation of how it works. How Does a Pneumatic Tube Transport Work? In short, the air is pushed through a series of long tubes from one end of an office or building to another with little capsules inside that hold information or documents, or other objects. When the pneumatic transport system begins operating, it sucks the container in by reducing pressure on that side of the container. Once the container has been knocked past its inertia, the decrease in pressure stops and the increase in pressure on the other side propels it forward at speeds up to 70 MPH. That sounds pretty simple, but when we think about how these systems have changed over time, it gets more exciting! History of Pneumatic Tube The concept of transporting objects via air was first envisioned by Leonardo da Vinci in 1502. However, the pneumatic tube system was first introduced in the 19th century for transporting small packages. Although these systems weren’t formally adopted into the industry until the early 1900s, they’ve been integrated into the manufacturing industry ever since their inception. This is due to their unique ability to save time and energy while also increasing efficiency when compared to hand-delivering items from one place to another. Pneumatic Tubes Today Nowadays, pneumatic system applications have become increasingly common in hospitals and factories, along with other industrial settings. If you’ve ever been in a large building like a hospital or skyscraper, there’s a good chance you’ve taken part in the pneumatic tube system (PT) of transport. While it may seem like something out of the technological dark ages, pneumatic tubes are still used today—and they’re still just as awesome. The London Underground uses them to send messages between certain station platforms and ticketing booths; FedEx uses them to send important documents back and forth, and even some hospitals use them to send test results from one floor to another. Pneumatic Tube Transport System in Hospitals Pneumatic transport systems are the basis of several medical procedures, including blood transfusions and endoscopies. They can also be used in surgeries to assist with a wide variety of invasive medical procedures, such as heart surgery, eye surgeries, and brain surgeries. In hospitals, pneumatic transport systems are most used for blood transfusions because it allows for rapid flow and easy delivery of oxygenated blood through the veins in patients’ bodies. Medical tubing is made up of layers that consist of a core tube surrounded by a cover layer designed to protect the core tube from infections. There are some other logistical uses of a pneumatic tube system in a hospital. The pneumatic tube transport system reduces the need for a human-based transport system (patient’s attendants/ward boys) by automating intra-facility logistics and material management. Instead of having to walk each floor of a hospital to deliver information and materials from one area to another, this system allows information and materials to travel from one area to another via pipes that run through each floor. Basically, it connects multiple medical facilities. Problems with Pneumatic Tube System While pneumatic tubes have many benefits in terms of convenience and speed, they are not suitable for all areas within a building—especially small ones where traditional methods may be more effective. Their purpose is just as much about efficiency as it is about security, which means that they can’t be used indoors if there are other options available (in this case—if someone really needs something quickly). That’s why we don’t see much of its use today in buildings and other public facilities. However, the factories and hospitals will continue to use pneumatic tube transport systems until they find a better alternative! Conclusion Pneumatic tube transport has been in existence for hundreds of years. There have been some changes in the way it has been used and has progressed over time, but there are still plenty of examples today that use similar technology. I hope that this blog about how pneumatic tube transport works has provided you with a perspective on how pneumatic tubes can be used to help get things from A to B. Also, hopefully, now you’ll have an idea of what kinds of problems pneumatic tube transport solves and will set you down the road to learning more about them if you are interested.
Buying a house is one of the largest investments for many people. Housing prices are high, and many regular people have to save for a down payment for a few years before they can purchase a house. When they start looking for properties, they also realize that there are closing costs that must be paid for at the time of closing the deal. Even though many people are aware of the costs, some may be surprised how much exactly they are charged for the closing costs. Especially when moving from one state to another, it is important to be ready for the changing fees that will affect the costs of closing on a deal. For this reason, calculating closing costs may be very beneficial for buyers to estimate and prepare for the payment. On average, a buyer should expect to spend 2% to 5% of the house price on the closing costs. On the other hand, this may be a large range in dollar amount if a buyer is looking for a property in a high-density area such as New York or San Francisco. For example, if a buyer is looking at a property for $800,000, then they should expect to spend on closing costs from $16,000 to $40,000. Finding an extra $26,000 for closing costs in a short time frame may be problematic for many buyers, so it is important to estimate how much they should expect to pay for these costs more precisely. Because of this, it might be beneficial to understand what closing costs include and see how a buyer can save on the items listed in them. Closing Costs Breakdown The items included in closing costs may be categorized in different ways. For the purpose of this article, which is to understand how much a buyer should expect to pay in closing costs and whether it is possible to save on some of these costs, the costs can be categorized into negotiable and non-negotiable. The negotiable part of the closing costs usually consists of the services that third parties provide to buyers and sellers during the deal process. These services may include the following: title insurance, lawyer fees, loan origination fees, home inspection fee, etc. These fees are charged by private companies that compete with each other. The presence of competition allows the buyers to have some power over the price they charge, so if a buyer feels like the price for a certain service is too high, it might be possible to negotiate the price down. This allows a buyer to lower the final price by negotiating closing costs. There are also a few non-negotiable fees that a buyer will have to pay regardless of whether they think it is a fair price or not. These fees include an appraisal fee, prepaid interest on a loan, property tax, and HOA fees when applicable. The good news is that these fees usually take up around 30% of the total closing costs, which means that around 70% of the closing costs can be negotiable. Who Pays the Most Closing Costs? Even though many fees can be negotiated with the service providers, if there is not a lot of competition for providing these services on the market, the fees may be very high and very difficult to negotiate. Because of that, different states may have different closing costs, so a buyer should consider market conditions specific to the state they are planning to buy a house in. Of course, it is also important to understand that the fees charged for many services are based on house characteristics such as house price or square footage. Since there is a large difference in house prices between the states, it is important to look at how much closing costs a buyer should expect to pay as a percentage of the sale price. Below, there are 5 states listed that have the most expensive closing costs as a percentage of an average house price. Most Expensive Average Closing Costs by State: Delaware – 5.9% The surprising part of this list is that Delaware is considered the most expensive state for closing costs as a percentage of the sale price. This is due to high taxes applied at the purchase of the property. Taxes associated with buying a house may account for up to 80% in Delaware. Pennsylvania – 4.21% Pennsylvania usually has the second-highest closing costs in the country which are lower than the average closing costs in Delaware by around 1.7%. It is important to note that it is only the average value. Some people may pay much more if they do not shop around for a better price. District of Columbia – 4.13% A similar story with Washington, DC. They also have high state taxes applied to the buyers during the closing process. In addition to high closing costs, their properties tend to be priced much higher than the national average. To counter high taxes, DC has one of the lowest appraisal costs in the USA which is almost half as much as the highest paying states pay for such service. Maryland – 3.3% Even though Maryland’s average closing costs are lower by quite a bit compared to the District of Columbia, the reason for such high closing costs is the same. The state government takes up a large portion of closing costs through taxes. New York – 3.01% New York is also heavily taxed when it comes to the purchase of property. It is important to note that these taxes may increase very dramatically when a property price surpasses a certain amount. The tax itself also depends on what region an individual buys a house in. A property that is worth less than $700,000 in Manhattan may have to pay more in taxes than a property worth over a million dollars in the Bronx simply because they are located in different tax regions. Regardless of where you live and where you decide to buy a property, there will
In uninsulated homes, roughly a quarter of all heat escapes through the roof. That’s a large portion of your energy bills that’s potentially going to waste through preventable heat loss. Insulating your roof is an effective way to reduce the amount of heat your home loses and reduce your overall energy costs. If you’re considering installing insulation in your home – or hiring someone to do it for you – you’ll want to know the best practices for roof insulation and factors to consider. Factors to Consider When it comes to roof insulation, there are several things you’ll need to consider before you will know which is the right option for your home and circumstances. First, you’ll need to think about the type of roof you have and the type of roof insulation you want. Is your existing roof flat or pitched? And do you want Cold Roof insulation or Warm Roof insulation? There are pros and cons to both these options, and which one you choose will depend on your specific requirements. You will also want to consider whether you intend to use your existing loft space for storage. If so, you’ll need to fit loft boarding but typically this won’t be raised enough to allow adequate quantities of insulation without compressing it. To create flooring and storage space in your loft and still adequately insulate your roof, you’ll need to create a raised floor using wooden battens or loft legs. Ventilation is also a crucial factor to keep the air in your home circulating and healthy. When fitting roof insulation, it’s important to ensure adequate airflow to prevent a build-up of condensation, which can damage property. If your loft space is inaccessible or has other issues such as damp, for example, then you may want to consult a roof insulation expert for advice on how best to proceed. Insulation Dos When insulating your roof, there are a few ‘dos’ to bear in mind. Do check your home’s existing insulation, even if you think you already have it, it may not be in adequate amounts, especially if your property is older. Do use a qualified professional or ensure you have the adequate knowledge and experience to do it yourself. Do ensure your insulation meets the government’s recommended minimum depth guidelines (270mm for glass wool.) Do follow building regulations to ensure your insulation will meet the correct standards. Do check to see if you’re available for grants or incentives for improving the energy efficiency of your home. Insulation Don’ts Don’t underestimate the savings you might make from adequate roof insulation. The upfront costs of insulation will be quickly offset with reductions in your energy bills. Don’t skip safety measures. Ensure your loft space is adequately lit and has safe, clutter-free flooring with no trailing cables or loose boards that could be a trip hazard. Don’t use incorrect materials. These can potentially endanger the integrity of your home – and even your life – if you chose insulation materials that don’t meet fire safety regulations, for example. Don’t ignore regulations. Inadequate insulation in terms of quality and depth is unlikely to prevent measurable heat loss and may prove a waste of time and money. Don’t lay insulation over electrical cables as this presents a fire hazard. Don’t DIY if you don’t know how!
Choosing the right construction management software is one of the biggest challenges for construction managers. This is made even harder by the fact that they have to come up with a list of features that they need in their software. Technological advancement has not made this any easier. We have multiple new technologies every time coming into the construction industry, meaning the selection process is more difficult. What should you look at when choosing a construction management software? Even though the cost is one of the main factors, there are other things to look at before deciding on the best software to use. They include; Your Specific Needs It is challenging to find a solution that fits the needs of every construction manager. You, therefore, need to look at your specific needs and choose a construction management software that addresses those needs. However, as seen on Archdesk’s construction management software, there are three categories that a good construction management software should have. These include issue tracking, project portfolio, and construction estimation management. Issue tracking helps in the monitoring, management, and elimination of bugs and issues. Project portfolio features help in the reduction of performance risks through cost tracking while construction estimation integrates various features with the finance department. Evaluate Features After looking at your specific needs, you will be able to identify the features that you need in your construction management software. You do not need management software that comes with multiple features yet you use just a couple of them. To evaluate the features that you need effectively, look at the current software that you have – if you have any. Identify the features that you would add if given a chance. These are the features you need in your software. In addition, determine the number of people who would use these features. You do not want to pay exorbitant fees for a feature that will only be used by a few or even one person. Ensure that you choose the right features to streamline your construction projects. Integration and Deployment How would you feel when using a software application with a poor user interface? Chances are that you would look for another application that does the same job. Similarly, the right construction management software should come with a good user interface. This makes things easy for project managers and any other team members using the management software. You also need to look at any other applications that you want to integrate with the management software. You should enjoy the benefits of enterprise application integration with the right construction management software. The deployment process should also be easy, and every construction manager should be able to do everything with little or no help at all. Scalability Most construction projects start with a plan. The project owner knows what the final product will look like and understands everything that will be needed along the way. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes, a construction project takes a different route or rather goes out of plan. You might be required to add more features to the project to accommodate the changing needs of the project owner. When that happens, you need construction management software that can adapt to the changing requirements. This means that the software you choose should be scalable enough to accommodate any changes. Security and Safety As technology advances, so do the techniques used by cybercriminals. They are adopting new techniques to beat every new security feature. Even though their success rate is low, most businesses have been affected. The construction industry is targeted by online criminals, and your construction management software stores a lot of information. This might include the project details, financial information, and team members’ personal information. All this needs to be protected. When choosing a construction management software, make sure that you choose one that values data protection and implements modern security techniques. In addition, make sure that your data is encrypted at all times. In conclusion, the success of your construction project depends on the tools and the skills of your team members. One of the most important tools is the construction management software that you use. Follow the tips discussed above to ensure that you choose the right one.
The overarching and constant message that is heard loud and clear from homebuyers is that they prefer a neutral paint color scheme in their home. Over 98% of real estate agents say that neutral color schemes are preferable to today’s homebuyer. Breaking that down a bit further, a recent Fixr survey showed that 66% of experts believe that warm neutral palettes are the most appealing to buyers. Coming in second was earthy tones at 59% and neutral with pops of bold colors at 52%. When you begin the process of choosing a paint color for your house you need to first commit to an undertone. The undertone is the underlying or muted tone that may be cool, warm, or neutral. Cool undertones are slightly blue, green or violet. These are most known for producing a calm feeling. A warm undertone will have a subtle red, orange or yellow base and produces more of a cheery and inviting feeling. A neutral undertone is a balance between cool and warm shades. Which undertone should you choose? If your home has brown or blonde-like floors you want a warm undertone. But if your floors are yellow or gray you should opt for a cooler tone. Keep it Consistent Painting your interior does not mean you should choose a completely different color palette for every single room. In fact, just the opposite is true. Choose colors that are close to one another to create a cohesive appearance throughout the house. Choose one neutral paint color for the primary living areas which include the living room, family room, entryway, dining room, and kitchen. Of the various natural color schemes, top real estate agents believe that white or shades of white are the most popular color in living areas because they provide blank canvas. Best Paints for the Living Room, Dining Room, and Hallways Best White Paints Best Gray Paints Best Beige Paints Kitchen Painting a kitchen is a bit more detailed than painting other rooms since there are cabinets and an island to consider. As a general rule, white cabinets are always a safe bet. But if you have a kitchen island you can use it as a bit of an artist focal point and go with a pop of color. Navy blue or earthy greens are always a hit. Best Cabinet Colors Best Kitchen Island Accent Colors Bathroom The bathroom can be a place to try wallpaper if you are curious about using it in your home. However, if your restroom is small be aware that large bold prints can make the room feel cluttered. If you prefer paint you can stick with neutral colors. Bedrooms Follow the same neutral color palette into your primary and secondary bedrooms. While bedrooms are the most personal room of the house and you may want to paint the room to fit your personality you should keep your bedroom paint as neutral as possible if you are intending to sell your home. Best Paint Colors for Exterior A fresh coat of paint on your home can cost approximately $3,000. However, that cost will yield an increase in home value of $7,571. In general exterior light neutral paint colors are most popular with homebuyers. Clearly the paint colors that are most appreciated by homebuyers are neutral colors that can be versatile enough to work in any room. If you are selling your home and need help choosing a paint color, contact your local real estate agent who can advise you on the color that will help you sell your house. When buying, you can also save on purchasing paint with Sherwin Willians coupons.
Whatever be the type of insurance you have or for anything, they are always helpful. Whatever be the damage the types of equipment get into, insurances are always there to cover for it. Although there are certain restrictions to every insurance, it is always better to have an insurance policy. Especially if you are in the civil, mining, landscaping or construction industry, you will always have the benefits of heavy machinery insurance. This article has been penned down for you to know the benefits of having plant insurance and why you might need it. Let us get started. Breakdowns The heavy machinery of the construction industry costs quite a fortune. So, it might be unfortunate if it breaks down. From transporting the machinery to the repairing centre, getting the job done, and finally getting it back might cost you a lot of amounts. And this is one of the first and foremost reasons you get mobile plant insurance. You will be under no pressure to get your damaged equipment transported from one place to another and back forth on getting insurance done. Your insurance policy will cover the entire breakdown cost. So, you can just sit back and relax and let the insurance company do the hectic work for you. 2. Damage to the Material If you ever face a loss in your business due to collateral damage, theft of any of your assets, or destruction, your insurance policy will cover it for you. And one of the helpful facts, or better to say, the rule of this policy, is that you will find a limitation to the accidental overloading of lifting machines. Even when you have the substitution for your machine costs or dry hire due to any kind of damage or loss of your own equipment, the insurance policy is not limited to it. Let us get a clearer picture of this benefit of the insurance with the help of an example. Say you have a concrete truck in your warehouse, and the thieves are stealing it by crashing it through the roller doors and then down the road racing. Then on crashing it into the river. In this situation, even if you can find your truck, you will not be able to repair it. You simply have to replace it with a new one as it won’t even be possible to send it to the wreckers. The damage that has been done to your warehouse also needs to be fixed, and you need to either buy or bring in substitutional equipment to continue working. 3. Hired in Plant There might be times when you will have to work on sites with hired pieces of equipment. And for this very purpose, you need the insurance- hired in plant. This is not only because of the fact that the person from whom you are hiring will expect you to have such a kind of policy but also for some other reasons. This type of heavy machine insurance sets the rule that if the pieces of equipment get stolen, lost or broken during the contract period, it will be upon you to repair them or replace them. The entire cost is to be borne by you. Heavy machine insurance is one of the most important types of insurance that falls on the list of must-haves. If you are a business owner or deal with heavy machineries, such as lending or owning them, then having mobile plant insurance becomes essential. It will get you covered for any theft, material damage, breakdown, or hired
For business owners, accumulating a backlog of projects is a significant roadblock. Understanding how to effectively use social media to generate leads and opportunities is critical for a construction company’s success. Instagram is yet another marketing tool that can promote your company, regardless of the industry you belong to. You can share content in a variety of ways on the platform. With the help of Instagram Business, building firms can do just that. Companies can see their accounts’ activity in real-time, including stories, posts, and followers. Business accounts also can create, launch, and track advertisements. Are you thinking about expanding your construction business? Instagram growth might be exactly what your company requires. Engage With Your Audience You demonstrate your willingness to go above and beyond by using social media platforms to respond to online inquiries or share exciting news updates. You can connect with your target audience on Instagram by following, liking, and commenting on their photos. Remember that the higher the level of engagement, the more likely you are to develop strong brand ambassadors who’ll continue to use your services while recommending them to others. Instagram allows you to think visually and creatively about how you want to present your content. Whether it’s to show how your product works in real life, keep your followers up to date on a renovation project, highlight points from an architect interview, or build excitement for an upcoming launch campaign. Tools like Buy Real Media can help you keep up with engagements and connect with your audience. Use Hashtags Smartly To attract the right audience and grow your following, use hashtags wisely. While there’s much debate about the relevance of hashtags across social media platforms, they’re essential to include in Instagram posts to maximize exposure and ensure that the right people see your updates. Find trending keyword hashtags that accurately describe or align with your brand or products using hashtag tools. Product category keywords like ‘timber doors’ or ‘aluminum doors,’ simple brand category keywords like ‘doors’ should all be included. It’s a good idea to go over keyword hashtags every few months to ensure you don’t miss a new one that’s trending in your industry. Create Videos Use time-lapse and accelerated videos of construction sites to increase viewership. On construction sites, drone footage is also gaining popularity. Instagram now supports live video in stories in addition to regular posts. You can include a tour of your office or a walk-through of a new project in your presentation. You can also include a countdown reminder in your stories, allowing interested viewers to set reminders to watch your live video or reels. You can also share your live video on your social media accounts for those unable to attend. Maximize Your Visuals Construction companies have a lot to offer on Instagram. Instagram is a very visual platform, and its users are enormous fans of transformation and progress photos. Instagram has a lot to offer if your construction company is willing to try something new. If you work in construction daily, you may be unaware of how fascinating your surroundings are. While mundane to you, scenes like a hammer lying in gravel surrounded by nails or an excavator arm tearing into the ground are pretty spectacular to others. Use Instagram’s built-in filters to improve the visual appeal of your photos. A construction site could be ideal for some truly unique Instagram photos. Post Regularly It can be challenging to post as frequently as you should, but regularly posting and creating stories can pay off. Because most users follow hundreds of other users and businesses, your posts will most likely be buried in their newsfeeds within hours. As a result, you should schedule your Instagram posts at least 3-5 times per week if you want them to be seen. If you don’t have time to handle this task yourself, consider delegating it to a social media savvy employee. It can increase their productivity, often being a problem in construction companies. Utilize Stories Instagram stories are a great way to show off what’s new in your company. There are also a variety of Story stickers available for communicating with your audience. Because responses to your Stories are delivered directly to your inbox, it’s a fantastic tool for communicating directly with your audience. While stories are only visible for 24 hours, you can save them to your highlights to keep them visible indefinitely. Additionally, it provides excellent branding opportunities. Your followers will be able to view previous Stories by clicking on your profile highlights. Takeaway In such a visually-oriented industry, photographs and videos serve as a visual representation of your work. Take a photo, do some quick editing, or use one of the many Instagram filters to enhance your image. It doesn’t have to be difficult to market on Instagram. You only need a social media strategy and a set of platform-specific goals. Increase the connection between you and your audience and brand awareness and leads.
You might not know what to do with your spare acres since you already have a home. Fortunately, the list of ways to use your vacant land is extensive. Here are a few ideas. Rewilding or Wildlife Preservation There are loads of species dying all around us. Human habitation forces wildlife out of the equation. It has a massive impact on animals and bugs that play a significant role in the ecosystem. Rather than sell land for profit, why not make use of it by allowing nature to flourish? Rewilding is a trendy subject these days. All it means is that you simply do nothing to your land. Doing nothing encourages the plant life to grow as it would naturally. It makes habitation for surrounding wildlife and insects to rebalance a dwindling animal population. Use Your Vacant Land for Farming and Community Gardens The cost of living is rising again. Gas and electricity prices alone have recently increased by 60%, adding a lot of pressure on families to provide the basics. In the UK alone, one of the world’s wealthiest countries, people are having to choose between heating or eating. So even in the 21st century, people are going hungry. Therefore, a practical and charitable use of your land is to build community gardens or free to use farmland. If you have knowledge of gardening for food, perhaps you could encourage people to contribute and teach others how to grow. Raising Livestock Further to using your land for farming, raising livestock is not a bad idea. Of course, no one suggests you bring the cows home. But perhaps, like a community garden, you could show people the ins and outs of caring for smaller livestock such as chickens, rabbits or pigs. These animals are readily available from stockists, and even some lifestyle DIY stores sell chickens and coops. At the least, some of the less fortunate people in your area have access to fresh and organic eggs and food. But you can also teach a child essential skills they will carry for life. Renewable Energy Resources The time has come to begin building renewable energy power plants before it’s too late. You can contribute to helping the environment, and the planet, by offering access to renewables like: Solar panels Wind turbines Geothermal energy Hydroelectric energy Biofuel storage Of course, any of these depends on the type of land you have. For instance, hydroelectricity requires running water and wind turbines work better in elevated areas. Easement Right of Way If you don’t know what easement is, it just means accessing one piece of land by going through another. As you can imagine, easements aren’t very popular since people don’t want strangers making their way through their land. However, areas of outstanding natural beauty often have easement issues because the land around them might be private. Because of this, tourists, ramblers and sightseers often have to go out of their way to access somewhere. But if your land sits between public access and a popular area, you could consider allowing people through. Use Your Vacant Land as a Caravan Park Caravans are a popular holiday accommodation all over the world. But given they are large and bulky, they require a lot of land. So now would be a great time to offer it up for caravans and RVs if you have the land. Summer is approaching, which means it’s prime caravan season. But another reason is COPD-19. Because of travel restrictions and unpredictable international tourism, the number of people taking a staycation is the highest it’s ever been. So you could profit from your land with a caravan park, as tourists look for somewhere reasonable to stay. Build a Dog Park Almost every country on earth loves dogs and cats. And the dog accessory industry is booming right now. While competing with an established pet retailer would be tough, you could take advantage of our love of dogs with a unique park. There probably isn’t a dog park within walking distance of your home if you think about it. So there is a gap in a very lucrative market if you have the land. And it doesn’t take much either. Of course, you will need to provide poop disposal facilities and clean them regularly. And some climbing frames would be nice too. Summary You can make your land work for you. For example, you could consider charitable uses like community gardens. Or encourage wildlife. And a caravan park could make money.
While property development can be a very profitable pursuit, many developers find themselves limited by poor cash flow. That’s because the nature of property development dictates that cash flow events occur in large single events, when a property sells, rather than through consistent, smaller returns, as is the case with most businesses. In this article, we will introduce what development exit finance is, how it can be used to improve cash flow for developers, the pros and cons of doing so and the alternatives available. What is development exit finance? Development exit finance is a type of bridging loan that is used to repay development finance as a property development project nears completion, usually raising additional capital for the developer. Lenders are usually happy to offer development exit finance once a property is wind and watertight. While this is a general rule, some lenders are happy to offer development exit finance earlier than this, and others will only lend once practical completion sign-off has been achieved. This type of finance is commonly used for two main reasons:- 1. To release equity back to the developer, which can either be used to manage any cost overruns on the project or to fund the acquisition of the next project. 2. To allow the developer to extend the term remaining on the existing development finance facility, ensuring there is sufficient time to secure a premium price for the completed units. 3. As the interest rates charged on development exit finance is lower than those offered by development finance lenders, it is often used to reduce interest charges. How does it work? A development exit loan is arranged over a set term, often between 6-12 months, with the interest rolled into the loan. This means there are no monthly payments to make. As the properties sell, a portion of the loan is repaid from each sale, reducing the loan by either 100% of the net sale price, or the agreed loan to value (LTV) ratio. The level of repayment is usually agreed upon upfront, although it can be renegotiated on occasion should things change. While interest is usually set aside for the whole term, it is usually rebated to the borrower in the event of sales coming in before the term end. What does it cost? Rates start from 0.4% per month and are usually between 0.4-0.75%. The rate charged depends on the security type, location, current build state and the loan to value requested. Applications that are wind and watertight and at a low LTV will usually receive the best interest rates. In addition to the interest charged, lenders usually charge an arrangement fee for arranging development exit finance. This usually costs 1-2% of the loan and must be factored in. How can it be used to improve cash flow for developers? In simple terms, development exit finance allows developers to save money on their finance costs and release cash from a project before it sells. This allows the developer to ‘keep the wheels turning’ rather than having to wait for a large, single cash flow event. While many development finance lenders allow borrowers to finance up to a maximum of 55-65% of the end value of the scheme, development exit lenders offer between 75-80%. This additional money can be the difference between being able to secure the next project, or missing out while waiting for their completed units to sell. What are the pros and cons? While development exit finance can be a great help to property developers, as with everything, there are pros and cons to consider. Pros · Development exit finance is great for cash flow. · It’s cheaper than property development finance, saving you money. · It allows you to take your time when selling your completed stock, potentially leading to you securing a better price. · It can lead to increased profits by allowing you to move on to your next project quicker. Cons · While it’s cheaper than property development finance, there are still costs involved. · There is an application process that, while simple, still takes up some of your time.
