Selling your house can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing. That is likely why so many sellers opt to use an agency because they are experienced and therefore – experts in their field. Before you go to an agent, here are five things that you can
Property owners know that while vacant properties are valuable on paper, they are ultimately still unused and don’t earn revenue. That’s why it’s such a challenge for owners to turn them into profitable spaces. They first need to recoup their investment in acquiring the property, then turn a tidy profit
It may sound obvious, but building materials need to meet certain criteria to be deemed fire safe. Whether you are a construction company focusing on residential properties, office blocks or civic buildings (or working within all these fields) or a doer upper renovating a property, the bottom line is the
Every human needs to embrace a sustainable lifestyle to lessen the adverse effects of global warming successfully. Influencers and researchers presented different ways to live more sustainably and eco-friendly: one of these is becoming carbon neutral. Carbon neutrality When you achieve net-zero neutrality after reducing your greenhouse gas contribution to
Using an equity release loan to free up cash from your property has all sorts of benefits attached. However, if you’ve taken out this type of package or you are in the process of considering it, you might worry about being stuck in the same property indefinitely, because of how
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
Selling your house can be incredibly frustrating if you don’t know what you’re doing. That is likely why so many sellers opt to use an agency because they are experienced and therefore – experts in their field. Before you go to an agent, here are five things that you can do to help to increase the selling price of your house and guarantee a quick sale. If you don’t, be prepared to entertain countless people who simply like looking at houses that are on show and are not serious buyers. Below are the five aforementioned ways to increase your selling price: 1. Make a Great First Impression In life, first impressions count for everything. In real estate, the rules are the same. Your job as the owner is to ensure that your house makes the best first impression possible on the potential buyers. You can do this by improving the curb appeal of your home and by installing a grand entrance. Buyers know what they want, and it is your job to make them want something that they hadn’t even thought of yet. 2. Tidy Homes Sell Life is hectic when your house is on the market, unless it’s in a luxury development. Selling a house is particularly difficult if you are still living in it. As crazy as balancing life is during this time, you must keep your home as clean and tidy as possible. You might be used to the mess that comes with having kids, but that does not mean that potential buyers will understand. Your buyers need to imagine themselves living in your house – and that won’t happen if it’s in a total state. 3. The Price Is Right Pricing on real estate is always a contentious point between buyers and sellers. You have lived in your house for years and made so many happy memories in it that you automatically assume it must be worth a pretty penny. Sadly, that is not always the case. Your house price needs to be set by someone in the business who knows the area and what offers you can expect to receive. Get a real estate appraisal done by a trusted agency or professional, that way you can manage your expectations from the start. 4. Fix the Problems Fix the issues with your house before you even think about selling it. One of the first things a potential buyer will do is look for reasons to offer you less for your home. You must make sure that doesn’t happen, and the only way to do that is to ensure that your house repairs are fixed long before the buyers arrive. 5. Professional Staging You can watch as much interior design shows as you like; it won’t change the fact that you’re not an interior designer. Before wasting time and money trying to stage your home so that it appeals to everyone, spend an hour with a professional. It might cost you money now, but it will help get your house sold for a higher price – and who doesn’t want that?
Property owners know that while vacant properties are valuable on paper, they are ultimately still unused and don’t earn revenue. That’s why it’s such a challenge for owners to turn them into profitable spaces. They first need to recoup their investment in acquiring the property, then turn a tidy profit by either renting it out or selling the place to their clients. However, disposing of vacant properties or converting them into livable spaces entails a lot of investment. Should you choose to restore or refurbish your property, you’ll need to hire reputable and experienced demolition contractors to help you realise your vision. While you may justify that you can hack it yourself, demolition is a specialised process that requires knowledge and top-notch equipment. Certain risks come with demolishing the property, and there’s a lot of paperwork involved, too. Refurbishing vacant properties requires experts. Whatever the project, ensuring you have the best on-hand to support and guide you is necessary. For instance, for demolitions, a specialist like abruss.co.uk is a great option. With their years of experience and proven expertise, they can guarantee exceptional results. Here are some tips for refurbishing vacant properties to make them livable. 1. Assess the structural stability of the property The first thing you need to assess is the property’s structural stability. Determine which parts of the structure need reinforcing. Look for hidden structural problems and weaknesses, and note how extensive the process would be as well as if it fits the project’s budget. That’s why you need to have a professional inspect the property, so you would have an idea of what to expect. It would be much better than just going through the refurbishing blindly. 2. Inspect the windows, roofs and doors Never overlook the roofs, doors and windows because they’re among the essential parts of the property. Check their stability, and find out if they need maintenance and other servicing. If you need to reinforce them, have reputable contractors work with you. You also need to remove prohibited substances such as asbestos from the roofs and other construction materials. Again, it would be great to have a knowledgeable builder work with you in identifying such problems. 3. Match mortars and replace damaged masonry You need your contractor to match mortar with the existing ones in the structure. Finding the right consistency is critical to protecting the stability of the walls. They also need to replace the damaged masonry and reinforce them correctly. You shouldn’t settle for filling the voids with putty because it wouldn’t shore them up properly. 4. Consider a better layout Refurbishing your area means you may need to consider a better layout. Don’t just go knocking out the walls without consulting with your contractor. You might destroy load-bearing walls if you go through them blindly. It will cause more problems as you would have to shore it up even more. 5. Consider the same finishes Refurbishing your property means you need to work within a concept. You need to choose suitable materials to accentuate the aesthetics without compromising functionality. Conclusion Refurbishing a vacant property means you have the option to be as creative as possible. However, you need to work within a concept to ensure aesthetics and functionality.
It may sound obvious, but building materials need to meet certain criteria to be deemed fire safe. Whether you are a construction company focusing on residential properties, office blocks or civic buildings (or working within all these fields) or a doer upper renovating a property, the bottom line is the same. A workable floor plan, appealing aesthetics and keeping within budget are important, but sound structure and safety are of paramount importance. Within this, fire safety should, rightly, be a top priority. Whatever your business, ensuring the materials you use are fire safe is essential for both your reputation and conscience. Below is a brief reminder of the current legal requirements within the US and how to ensure you are compliant. Regulations The safety of building materials was international news following the tragic fire at London’s Grenfell Tower apartment block in June 2017. Seventy-two people died because of the fire, which an inquiry stated spread rapidly due to the recent addition of highly flammable aluminum and polyethylene external cladding. Combustible materials were also said to have been used in the building’s windows. The fire led to an overhaul of the laws surrounding construction in the United Kingdom and impacted on global research into the dangers of using combustible construction materials. Safety regulations in the US have been led by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) who developed the model codes adopted by many states and these, along with compliance building codes published by The International Code Council (ICC), provide the framework for ensuring new buildings are fire safe, boasting their model building codes and standards provide ‘the highest level of safety in the world’. Safety First Having established the importance of being compliant with building safety regulations, finding reliable suppliers and the best quality fire safe resources is key. Contractors will need to know any materials used are fit for purpose and meet necessary guidance so having confidence in your materials is necessary. Research products to find those that are well-regarded and follow up recommendations to ensure compliance. The whole construction industry is built around one key foundation stone – primarily, buildings must be safe. Building Materials You Can Trust Safer building materials are continually being developed, with long-standing companies establishing they are front-runners within the composite field. Rather than rely on their history, brands such as Atkore FRE composites are proving their commitment to bettering the materials available within the trade through production of fire-safe industrial fiberglass. The future of construction is changing at pace with the safety of materials being at the heart of the developments. Ensuring structures are safe is critical and building codes are there to minimize risk. Fire safety is a vital component of the safety codes, there to protect the public and provide them with the amenities they need. When undertaking your research to decide on the best possible materials for your project, make sure the first thing you check is that they are fire safe. You can’t afford not to. Author Bio: The author Allan Smith is a professional finance writer specializing in personal finance. He has worked in the finance sector for a long time. He believes that everyone’s economic and life situation is isolated, and he keeps this fact in mind while providing personal finance advice in his blog Day to Day Finance. All the people seeking financial guidance are in different stages of life. Allan loves to explore every possible angle of personal finance so that anybody can get help.
Every human needs to embrace a sustainable lifestyle to lessen the adverse effects of global warming successfully. Influencers and researchers presented different ways to live more sustainably and eco-friendly: one of these is becoming carbon neutral. Carbon neutrality When you achieve net-zero neutrality after reducing your greenhouse gas contribution to your efforts of offsetting your carbon emissions, you become carbon neutral. Tracking everything you’ll use and do and the amount of waste you’ll produce after doing them is a good start. And then, you have to find ways to neutralise your waste by doing activities like planting trees, driving less, etc. It may seem like an elaborate task at first, but you’ll be surprised to learn that there are many simple and affordable ways to reduce your carbon emissions. Many people and companies have raised concerns about carbon neutrality’s practicality and feasibility. However, more and more people, organisations, and companies are embracing this trend. So before hiring any company, you can first find out if they commit to conserving and preserving the environment. Check out companies like valleytrading.co.uk, so you don’t have to worry about your carbon footprint. Carbon footprint Your impact as an individual on the environment is defined as your carbon footprint. This is measured in terms of the amount of greenhouse gasses (like carbon dioxide and methane) you produce in a year which you can check using a carbon footprint calculator. It will simplify identifying parts of your lifestyle that result in high carbon emissions. Ways to reduce carbon footprint The easiest part of reducing your carbon emissions is using fewer things since everything you use has an environmental footprint. Avoid buying single-use items, and include recycling and upcycling in your lifestyle. In addition, embracing simple habits like using reusable shopping bags instead of plastics or reusable straws can positively affect the environment. Changing how you move from one place to another can reduce your carbon footprint. If possible, use public transportations more often instead of using your vehicle, or you can ask a friend for a ride if you are going to the same place. This can lower the carbon you contribute to the atmosphere, and it is an excellent way to conserve gas. In addition, walking and biking when going to nearby places are good for the environment and your health. Your choice of food has a massive impact on the environment. You can consider modifying your diet (you don’t have to be a vegan or vegetarian) by eating less meat and animal products. Since meat production is one of the significant contributors to carbon emissions, a slight reduction in meat consumption decreases your carbon footprint significantly. Also, try to incorporate plant-based recipes into your meal menus once in a while. Aside from these, there are many more ways to reduce your carbon footprint that involve the most mundane tasks like laundry and shopping. So now that you know about carbon neutrality, you can start modifying your lifestyle bit by bit to lower your carbon emissions and do your part in fighting global warming.
Using an equity release loan to free up cash from your property has all sorts of benefits attached. However, if you’ve taken out this type of package or you are in the process of considering it, you might worry about being stuck in the same property indefinitely, because of how these deals are designed. To clear up any confusion, let’s discuss the factors that will determine whether you are allowed to sell your property after taking advantage of equity release. Equity release explained Equity release is a type of loan, also known as a lifetime mortgage, which lets you borrow against the value of a home you own outright. And with a free equity release calculator, you can quickly see how much you could secure under this arrangement. The term ‘lifetime mortgage’ can be daunting, and suggests that you will only be able to pay off the loan after you pass away. In reality, no product in this category has such morbid restrictions in place. If you choose to and you have the means to do so, you can pay off an equity release loan as and when you see fit. The conditions which may apply Every equity release agreement will be different, and should be tailored to the needs and circumstances of the borrower. There are boilerplate schemes that set the standard out there, and as a rule of thumb you can expect such deals to accommodate the option of moving home further down the line. In this scenario, the way that a move is handled is fairly standard, albeit with the lifetime mortgage moving from one property to another along with you. Your equity release provider will need to give the green light to any move you decide to make, and if they are happy with your new choice of property, you can carry on as usual, without having to repay any aspect of the loan at this point. However, if you are either moving to a property which has a much lower asking price than your previous home, or you are choosing a house which isn’t normally mortgageable, perhaps because it has a non-standard construction, then you could struggle to get lender approval. In this scenario, you will have to use the proceeds of the property sale to pay off the equity release, and potentially suffer early repayment fees, on top of being left with less cash to use on your move. The specialist products to consider So far we’ve largely talked about the impact of selling your home if you have already taken equity release in the context of the mainstream loans that exist in this market. However, it’s also worth pointing out that a lot of changes and innovations have occurred recently, with lenders choosing to mix things up and give borrowers more flexibility than ever before. It’s simply a case of looking out for deals that align with your desires. For example, you can find some equity release packages which include the provision for selling your home and downsizing at a later date, with no early repayment fees or other penalties applying if you decide to go this route. Likewise you could choose smaller payouts occurring over a longer period in place of a lump sum when you first acquire the loan, which again lets you adjust the package to your circumstances and preferences. Getting advice from an equity release expert, and comparing deals from different lenders before you commit, will ensure that if being able to sell your home seamlessly in the future is a priority, this factor is encompassed as part of a lifetime mortgage.
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.