Business : BDC Blog News

Storage spaces – how to design cabinets

Not sure how to deal with large storage spaces in your apartment? We’ll give you some hints and tips that will come in handy when designing, whether you hire a joiner or a built-in wardrobe company. Wardrobe as a separate room or closet? The best storage solution is a walk-in

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6 Considerations When Choosing The Best Cutting Pliers For Heavy Use

Only the best and high-quality cutting pliers are necessary for activities involving wires, cables, ropes, and many more. Because of this, many workers have their own set of cutting pliers handy. Apart from cutting, workers generally use pliers in pulling, bending, and twisting materials too. Without them, different heavy-duty materials

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3 Ways to Reduce Air Pollution at Suburban Construction Sites

Research suggests that 56 percent of the cancers in men related to professions occur within the construction industry. And those working at the construction sites are usually more exposed to life risks and health hazards.  Air pollution at construction sites is one of the main reasons behind such health problems.

Read More »

How Face Recognition Terminals Impact Business Security

Face recognition terminals offer a touchless security system that collects photos that’ll be saved within their records and remembers your face whenever you’re using it. This has been a huge part of security improvement because facial recognition can be integrated with commercial applications. Now, businesses and corporations have also been

Read More »
Mental Health Event Success Sees Quintain Living Tackle Burnout

Mental Health Event Success Sees Quintain Living Tackle Burnout

On World Mental Health Day, Quintain Living resident and international speaker Rob Wall hosted a hugely successful session – ‘Living by Priorities, Not Pressure’. Now, fellow resident and leading business psychologist Dannielle Haig is hosting a further session, designed to support anyone coping with burnout and help people build a

Read More »

How to match flowers and plants to your wall color

Flowers and plants are beautiful to look at, but it can be difficult to know what color matches your wall. As you may or may not know, flowers and plants come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of brightness. They also have different needs depending on where they are

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Why outdoor lighting matters for landlords

All landlords understand the importance of ensuring that their properties comply with building regulations. They also make the necessary changes to secure fire, gas, and electrical certification. But things that are less heavily regulated tend to almost get forgotten. The provision of outdoor lighting is a classic example of this.

Read More »

4 Benefits of Having a Property Built from Scratch

For many of us, homeownership is a major life ambition that we work for consistently over a prolonged period of time – and it’s natural that, since this is the case, virtually everyone has some sense of what they would like their “dream home” to look and feel like. The

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Latest Issue
Issue 334 : Nov 2025

Business : BDC Blog News

Vistry and Generation Home Help Young Purchasers onto the Property Ladder

Vistry and Generation Home Help Young Purchasers onto the Property Ladder

Vistry East Midlands has teamed up with a new mortgage provider to give house-hunters in the region a helping hand onto the property ladder. The housebuilder, part of the Vistry Group which comprises Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Vistry Partnerships, has joined forces with Generation Home to make home ownership more accessible to young first-time buyers. Established in October last year, Generation Home offers a range of mortgage products with unique features which enable buyers to enlist the support of friends and relatives to boost their deposit or increase the amount they can borrow. Thanks to the partnership between Vistry East Midlands and the lender, people looking to buy a house at Linden Homes and Bovis Homes developments in the region will now be able to use a Generation Home mortgage to do so. “House prices in the UK increased by 13.2 per cent in the year to June, the highest annual growth since 2004. While this is good news for homeowners and a clear sign of the strength of the housing market, it does create challenges for those seeking to get onto the property ladder,” said Nic Chapman, sales and marketing director for Vistry East Midlands. “The Government’s Help to Buy scheme has played a pivotal role in making home ownership more affordable and accessible for first-time buyers, and many of our customers have benefited from using the scheme since it was introduced in 2013. Generation Home offers an excellent alternative for those who would struggle to secure the mortgage they need without assistance from friends or family. “First-time buyers are the lifeblood of the housing market, and we are keen to support initiatives which will help more people realise their dream of owning their own home. Making these products available now will also allow our customers to purchase their home much quicker.” Help to Buy is a Government-backed initiative that enables first-time buyers to put down a smaller deposit of just five per cent alongside a 75 per cent mortgage. This is supported by a 20 per cent equity loan from the Government, which is interest free for the first five years. Generation Home provides an alternative range of options to make getting onto the property ladder more affordable. With the Deposit Booster option, buyers can add a friend or relative onto the mortgage application to increase their household income and therefore enable them to borrow more. The Income Booster option means that buyers can receive a boost on their initial deposit from a friend or family member, who will then own a share of the property equal to their contribution.

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Storage spaces – how to design cabinets

Not sure how to deal with large storage spaces in your apartment? We’ll give you some hints and tips that will come in handy when designing, whether you hire a joiner or a built-in wardrobe company. Wardrobe as a separate room or closet? The best storage solution is a walk-in wardrobe – a separate room designed primarily for storing clothes and shoes. If you can concentrate the storage space in a room where you don’t live or sleep, this is the best solution. However, building a walk-in closet is not always feasible in terms of home space. So another solution is either wardrobes – built-in or free-standing. Wardrobe dimensions and basic design rules In order to avoid mistakes when designing storage spaces, you should be familiar with the basic dimensions you will be working with. The depth of the cabinet The depth of the cabinet is based on the width of the hangers you are using. The depth for wardrobes with wardrobe rods should be no less than 50 cm, while 60 cm is optimal. Smaller depths usually require special pull-out systems for the hangers. Wardrobe height To save space, always build wardrobes up to the ceiling. This means that dust will not settle on the top of the cabinet. Place seasonal clothes on the higher shelves of the wardrobe. The space in front of the wardrobe and the opening When designing, you also need to allow enough space for movement in front of the wardrobe. The minimum width of the space between two tall cupboards should be 100 cm, between a wall and a tall cupboard 90 cm and between a tall cupboard and a chest of drawers 70 cm. If you do not have enough space in front of the wardrobe, it is a good idea to think about the doors. Sliding doors make the handling space much more comfortable. However, you should pay attention to the depth of the wardrobe, which in this case should be greater than the stated 60 cm. The design of the sliding door alone takes up 6 to 8 cm in depth, whereas the hinge opening only takes up about 2 cm. The maximum width of the sliding door is approximately 120 cm. Wider doors require massive fittings, are heavier and harder to handle. In addition to sliding or hinge opening, you can also use folding doors. Lighting When designing, also think about the lighting in front of and inside the cabinet. Of course, good lighting is a must for closets that are in a separate room without windows. TIP: You can replace a solid wall in a cloakroom with a partition made of glass, luxfer, or polycarbonate. This will allow natural light into the space. How much space do you need for hanging individual items of clothing? The standard height for men’s shirts and jackets is 100 cm, for women’s shirts 80 cm, coats 120 to 140 cm and evening dresses 160 cm. The height of the space above the wardrobe rod should be at least 5 cm, but this depends on the type of hangers you use. The internal arrangement of the wardrobe – special fittings In addition to the classic shelves, there are various systems for organising the internal space of the wardrobe. Whether they are drawers, folding rods or a wire pull-out system. A hinged wardrobe rod is a good helper when storing clothes up high. Using a special handle, you simply fold the entire rod down. If the room does not allow you to choose a sufficient depth of the wardrobe, you can use special pull-out rods for wardrobes 40 cm deep and more. In this case, the hangers are not arranged side by side, but behind each other. TIP: If you find the inside of your wardrobe too drab, coloured shelves can brighten up a neutral wardrobe or dressing room design.

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6 Considerations When Choosing The Best Cutting Pliers For Heavy Use

Only the best and high-quality cutting pliers are necessary for activities involving wires, cables, ropes, and many more. Because of this, many workers have their own set of cutting pliers handy. Apart from cutting, workers generally use pliers in pulling, bending, and twisting materials too. Without them, different heavy-duty materials may be more challenging to work on. If you’re planning to buy your first-ever pair of cutting pliers, you may have limited knowledge of what qualities to look for. In this article, you may gain insights that could help you choose the type that’d suit your needs. Continue reading to learn more.   1. Best For Hard Wire  There are a lot of cutting pliers in the market to choose from. They come in different forms and sizes. However, there are cutting pliers that cut hard wires or thick cables better than the others. These tools are what you may need to look for. You may check how wide their jaws are. You may look into their sharp blades too and determine whether they could slice through multi-layered wires.  If you do a lot of cutting day to day, then choosing the end cutting pliers by Maun is best, as they offer a compound lever action to save your hand strength. Or you could browse similar cutting tools that would address your needs.  2. Cutting Power Efficiency Aside from the pliers’ ability to cut through hard and thick lines or wires, you may look if they’re capable of slicing through an object efficiently as well. Aside from the blades, you may consider the metal or steel quality. Also, it’s advised to check the pliers’ grips span and select the type with 6-9cm to avoid cutting accidents. In addition, you may look into the pivot point. This part should easily move sideways when gripped or un-gripped for better locking. This way, you’d be sure that you’ll cut wires evenly and well. In some cases, you may use your pliers in cutting metal strips or hard components that may be challenging to rip off. If your chosen tool can cut through these materials, they’re likely to slice similar objects.  3. Ease Of Use And Maintenance Although maintenance is your job to ensure your tools’ excellent performance and extended lifespan, it’d be better if the pliers were easy to use and maintain. If the pliers need simple gripping and slight pushes, you’re less likely to have troubles with their use. In addition, you could avoid untoward cutting that may come along with its use. In maintenance, you may prefer pliers that are easy to clean with just by merely wiping and oiling them. In addition, you may check if the pliers have an excellent return spring as it’s one of the parts that usually dislodge. If you want to properly maintain your cutting pliers, you could keep them in a toolbox. Apart from it, you may try the following steps: Dry your pliers thoroughly when they get wet, especially when they’re submerged underwater. Wipe the dirt before and after using the pliers. Coat the cutting tool in a layer of oil.  Lubricate the pivot joint regularly. If the blade and jaw points start to be blunt, hone them with a reliable sharpening tool. Store them in a clean and spacious toolbox.  Refrain from putting it in storage with dirty or rusty tools. Run maintenance checkups every after repair in between home improvement projects. 4. Durability And Longevity You may look into the durability of the tool through its hardness level. In many cutting pliers, the standard is pegged at HRC 64. The blade’s sharpness also has something to do with the general durability and pivot joint strength. It’s believed that the sharper the blades are, the more durable the tool is as it won’t need extra force when cutting.  In addition, you may check on the general performance of the pliers when repetitively used. You may choose the type that requires minimal effort yet provides better performance. Lastly, look into the tool’s body if it’s prone to cracking or chipping and other damages. 5. Feed Generally, feed refers to how deep the pliers could bite. For this feature, you may look into the maximum gap created between the two jaws when opened. Typically, the wider the gap is, the thicker the size of the wire to be bitten. However, it may affect the jaw strength of the pliers. On the contrary, smaller gaps could mean a stronger bite. 6. Cost-Effectiveness Cutting pliers come at different prices. If you’re considering the latter, you may compare the prices of the various cutting tools you like. After viewing the points mentioned above, you may use the price as the deciding factor. Having that, you may select the cutting pliers that could cut thick wires and cables but cost lesser than most tools. Dos And Don’ts In Using Cutting Pliers After considering the points mentioned above, you may want to know how to keep your cutting tool efficient and durable. For that purpose, you may try to follow these reminders: Avoid using your pliers in cutting bolts and nuts as they could get blunt and chipped. Assess the thickness and hardness of the wire you’re planning to cut before you slice them. Choose appropriate pliers for thick cables. Refrain from exposing your tool to extreme temperatures. Avoid submerging your pliers underwater. Don’t use pliers with loose joints and worn-out blades. Use pliers in a forward or pulling manner instead of pushing way to prevent accident off slips. Final Thoughts Tools like cutting pliers are necessary to get heavy-duty tasks done properly. In many cases, they’re used in quick repairs and home improvement projects. Because of this, it’s vital to use high-quality tools to avoid accidents and ensure excellent results. If you’re planning to buy cutting pliers, you may want to use the insights you’ve got from this blog.  Consider the tips and features in choosing which pliers could help you in your tasks most efficiently and

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3 Ways to Reduce Air Pollution at Suburban Construction Sites

Research suggests that 56 percent of the cancers in men related to professions occur within the construction industry. And those working at the construction sites are usually more exposed to life risks and health hazards.  Air pollution at construction sites is one of the main reasons behind such health problems. Poor air quality is a common scenario in these sites. The workers at these sites are at great risk of breathing in pollutants, especially the PM10. This pollutant alone can cause respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and asthma. The danger from these pollutants is even more threatening in the suburbs. Take Spokane Valley, the largest suburb in Spokane, Washington, for example. The air quality in Spokane Valley is getting more unhealthy by the day. The suburb’s AQI – Air Quality Index – shows that the air quality in the area is at a moderate level. And it could soon reach a state where it will become unhealthy for sensitive groups.  The air quality data gathered in real-time suggests an increased presence of nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide in the air. These gases heavily form at construction sites due to the use of diesel generators and burning fuel. And the fact that Spokane Valley has around 13 major construction projects ongoing in 2021 makes the situation ever clearer – the air is being polluted because of these construction works.  Hence, an effort has to be made to reduce air pollution at suburban construction sites, and here are three ways that can be done. Switch to an Alternative Fuel Construction equipment consumes a lot of diesel. These diesel exhausts, when later released into the atmosphere, act as a big source of PM 2.5 and contain poisonous gases like nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxides. To eliminate these gases, it is important to switch to an alternative fuel. Electric construction equipment is yet to make a big impact. These equipment manufacturers are just getting started on making their machines more efficient, and ready to take on the load at construction sites. In the meantime, it is in our best interest to switch to a more environment-friendly alternative to diesel. Biodiesel is a great alternative to petroleum diesel. Research suggests that using biodiesel will bring down emissions by 74 percent, despite a 10 percent increase in nitrogen oxide emissions. This biofuel will also give your engines slightly more power than traditional diesel fuels.  Most construction equipment can adjust to the biodiesel intake without any sort of modifications. However, the higher-end biodiesel (B99/B100) costs a bit more than normal diesel (around 17 percent more) per gallon. Hence, this is a tradeoff that many project managers have to take into account while ensuring a more environment-friendly construction site. Ensure Proper Waste Management Waste management or minimization starts with project planning. You can divide this into three stages. Firstly, identify the areas where waste is more likely to occur. Secondly, work out the materials that you can reuse or recycle. Finally, prepare a safe waste disposal plan that will let you dispose of the waste in a safe environment, without damaging the suburb’s ecosystem. Also, in the case of demolition jobs, it is better to deconstruct instead of just bulldozing the entire building or structure. That way, not only do you get to recycle some of the materials, and prevent excess waste, but you can also prevent excessive dust in that area.  Protect the Ecological Resources A lot of times, it is seen that construction projects are being undertaken without any concern for the environment, ecosystem, and disrupting biodiversity. In suburbs, these projects are likely to destroy a lot of wild animal habitats, and doing so leads to an ecological imbalance. The protection of these ecological resources has to be ensured during the planning stage of the project. Construction projects have to be planned in a way such that bio habitats are not disturbed. In the case of water bodies, especially rivers, the construction work cannot block or divert the flow of water. This will not only hamper the ecological balance but will also invite natural disasters, like erosions or flooding, in the near future. Once you ensure all these things before, during, and after the construction project, you can reduce waste and environmental damage to a great extent, not only in suburbs but in much larger cities too. The scale of operation will grow bigger with the construction size, and so will the costs. However, this trade-off is necessary if you are doing it to save the environment.

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How Face Recognition Terminals Impact Business Security

Face recognition terminals offer a touchless security system that collects photos that’ll be saved within their records and remembers your face whenever you’re using it. This has been a huge part of security improvement because facial recognition can be integrated with commercial applications. Now, businesses and corporations have also been using facial recognition terminals to upgrade their security. Biometrics are saved to monitor the faces of the visitors entering a building. This level of convenience allows small and big businesses to save time and keep track of their customers’ or employees’ activities immediately.  Nonetheless, these face recognition terminals do have pros and cons when it comes to efficiency and privacy. Aside from convenience, this system has led to specific impacts, such as: Reducing Theft And Protect Businesses Having these facial recognition terminals helps you monitor those who are going in and out of your office. Many companies offer face recognition terminals, one of which is Egress System. Knowing how to maximize the features of the terminals helps owners review their records and determine who was inside the building during the incident in the case who had suspicious activities. This will help you save time instead of going in circles to find the suspect. Retail shops in various countries even use facial recognition terminals to track their customers for security purposes. Tracking Numerous Individuals Efficiently If you’re handling a huge business and it takes time to check your employees’ attendance, facial recognition terminals may be a wise investment. This monitors your employees’ time in and time out when going to work. Additionally, this can also be used within private schools to record students’ attendance.  It can cut the lines whenever people are going into the area at the same time. Furthermore, it may reduce physical contact, which can also be a sanitary concern with the current pandemic.  Improving Security Measures In High-Risk Establishments Face recognition terminals can give accurate reports whenever a security concern arises in high-risk establishments, like banks or high-end businesses. Instead of implementing manual recording of individuals who have gone inside, it’s wise to maximize this technology.  Typically, banks need more security personnel. So, adding a face recognition terminal may double the safety of the money, as well as the owners and employees, by collating the biometrics of visitors.  Boosting Customer Satisfaction Sometimes, face recognition terminals may collect some of your data, particularly your purchasing history, whenever you’ve bought a product from the store. This may be applied to the ‘target advertising’ of business owners, which may cater to your future needs and interests in their shop next time.  For example, you’ve bought home decorations. Therefore, if you’re going to buy again from that store, they may suggest you a product that is relevant to your previous purchase. Also, businesses have to remind or tell their customers regarding the technology works, give them consent and not violate their right to privacy.  Detecting Personal Records Whenever a store has installed a face recognition terminal, this may also help check a person’s criminal records. Suppose the police have alerted various businesses whether a person with an offense has gone into the vicinity. In that case, these terminals are a big help because of their database and collected biometrics.  Not only do facial recognition terminals help businesses remain safe, but they can also help the police to find and capture that person. These gadgets save everyone’s time as well as maintain peace and order in the community. More Efficient Organizing  Using a punch machine and checking attendance one by one can be tedious, especially if you’re handling a vast number of employees. Face recognition terminals have been a more efficient alternative since the 1960s.  Moreover, with the organizational setting of a face recognition terminal, you can repeatedly check everyone’s attendance record by simply accessing the centralized record of the system. They’ll help you work systematically and quickly monitor their performance throughout the time.  Advanced Face Recognition Terminals Delivers More Efficiency  From all the impacts stated, like ensuring the safety of banks, avoiding theft, and delivering more organized outputs, face recognition terminals may really deliver efficiency as what has been said of technology’s primary role. These terminals are also relevant because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As much as possible, businesses should reduce physical contact between strangers so that they can also help prevent the spread of the virus. 

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Mental Health Event Success Sees Quintain Living Tackle Burnout

Mental Health Event Success Sees Quintain Living Tackle Burnout

On World Mental Health Day, Quintain Living resident and international speaker Rob Wall hosted a hugely successful session – ‘Living by Priorities, Not Pressure’. Now, fellow resident and leading business psychologist Dannielle Haig is hosting a further session, designed to support anyone coping with burnout and help people build a resilient mindset. Quintain Living residents will learn how the lifestyle-led facilities such as gyms and gardens available in their building can help support their mental wellbeing. Scheduled for 27 October, the free-to-attend event will be open to all residents. Burnout is on the rise. An Indeed survey of 1,500 workers has found that 52% reported experiencing burnout in 2021, compared to 43% prior to the pandemic. Millennials are suffering the most, with burnout at 59% post-pandemic (and 53% before). However, Gen-Z is catching up fast, reporting 58% burnout at the time of the survey compared to 47% pre-pandemic. Gen-Xers however have seen the biggest leap in burnout rates, jumping from 40% before Covid to 54% currently, and even Baby Boomers are feeling the pressure, with their burnout rate increasing from 24% to 31%. Overall, 67% of workers across all ages believe that burnout has worsened during the pandemic. An understanding of this, along with a long-term commitment to ensure the wellbeing of residents, is what is driving Quintain Living to organise mental health sessions for residents. Dannielle Haig’s session on 27 October will share tips and tools on dealing with burnout. It will also focus on using the facilities available within Quintain Living’s buildings to help build a resilient mindset. The award-winning management company, which oversees the rental of more than 3,000 apartments in Wembley Park, is known for its innovative rental offering. At Canada Gardens, for example, the urban country vibe and pace of life is embodied through extensive greenery (both indoors and out), a cosy clubhouse, a library, designer work-from-home sheds, an all-wooden pirate ship playpark, allotments and much more. Neighbouring building The Robinson, on the other hand, offers eclectic homes – the style is described as ‘contemporary, mid-century, art deco and retro kitsch’ – and residents can enjoy the use of everything from a spa caravan and work-from-home campervans to a rooftop slide, a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Garden and the John Lennon-inspired peace garden. The burnout session will be shaped around creating practical coping mechanisms that use Quintain Living’s amenity offering to the full, whether that be taking time to tend to vegetables in your allotment or lightening your mood by using the more playful facilities.

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How to match flowers and plants to your wall color

Flowers and plants are beautiful to look at, but it can be difficult to know what color matches your wall. As you may or may not know, flowers and plants come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and levels of brightness. They also have different needs depending on where they are located in your house. For example, if you place a plant in front of a window that gets plenty of sunlight then it could grow larger than one that is placed near the window but doesn’t get much light. Regardless of how bright or dark your plants are, there is always an option for you to match them with the color of your walls. Scroll down below to find out more information about how to do this! Why is it important to match flowers and plants to your wall color? The wall color has an impact on the overall look of the room, for instance, if your wall color is dark, the flowers and plants will add little brightness to the room and contrast with the gloomy wall color. Conversely, if you have a light-colored wall, then you can use a lighter-colored flower or plants to give the room an optimistic vibe. In terms of color, if you are trying to create a happy mood for your home, then you should aim for bold or bright colors such as yellow, orange, or red for the walls and flowers, which are always happy colors, in the scheme of things. These bright colors will add brightness and cheer to the room and make it seem like a cheerful space that is full of promise and joy. During holidays such as Valentine’s Day or Christmas, seasonal flowers can contribute to your decoration. Roses are traditionally associated with Valentine’s Day, but so are carnations, tulips, orchids, and peonies. You can find a great selection of seasonal and holiday arrangements on Bouqs.com, so be sure to start planning your Valentine’s Day decor ahead of time! Play with color schemes and contrasts There are many flowers and plants that can match with your wall color. You can also choose plants that would match your furniture. For instance, if you have a vibrant yellow sofa, you can place some yellow daisies on an end-table next to the sofa. However, you don’t have to match exact colors, a good rule of thumb is to use complementary colors. If you look at a color wheel, the colors that complement each other on the color wheel will add up to give you a unique combination of colors to use for the scheme. Colors that complement each other are within the same color families. For example, blues are often used in combination with yellow and greens. This also means that if you combine two colors from opposite ends of the color wheel, you will end up with a very strong contrast, which may appeal to some people. For example, purple is directly opposite of yellow, but provides a strong visual contrast that will work well together. Don’t neglect your kitchen either, as it should be an important area for any home, a place where families will gather. There are a lot of kitchen themes to consider, from traditional ceramic tiles, to timeless freestanding kitchen design. Consider your lighting When it comes to arranging the flowers and plants, one of the most important aspects is the lighting. Think about how well the flowers and plants would play with the light. Some flowers would shine beautifully when the room is lit up and others would have no chance of doing the same. For example, if your vividly colored flowers are placed in a dimly lit corner of the room, they won’t really stand out. However, if the flowers are placed in a sunny corner of the room, they will enhance the entire room and make it look beautiful. If you like to play with ambient lighting, some colors may also do unique things to other colors. For example, a neon blue light will make yellows and greens seem to glow in the dark, similar to a blacklight poster. This can do some really visually interesting things for your flower arrangements. Conclusion Overall, there is a lot to consider when you are arranging flowers and plants in your living room. But simply adding flowers won’t make a poorly designed room suddenly better – also be sure to consider your overall theme, spacing, and plaster over your wall cracks if you have any, so nothing detracts from your room ambiance. Using your living room as an extension of your artwork and also a place where you like to relax and unwind, you can add flowers and plants to your living room at any time and you don’t necessarily have to wait for the decorating season to come. However, you do need to be careful while choosing the flowers and plants because they should blend with your living room.

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Why outdoor lighting matters for landlords

All landlords understand the importance of ensuring that their properties comply with building regulations. They also make the necessary changes to secure fire, gas, and electrical certification. But things that are less heavily regulated tend to almost get forgotten. The provision of outdoor lighting is a classic example of this. It is a long way down the list of most rental property owners’ list of priorities. Yet, installing it brings many benefits for the landlord as well as to the tenants. Outdoor lighting makes a property more attractive All landlords want their property to be as attractive as possible to tenants. The higher the standard of the finish is, and the more facilities you provide, the easier it is to rent out a property. For example, installing a set of heavy-duty outdoor festoon lights over a patio area opens up the chance for your tenant to enjoy that outside space in the evening. Socialising at home is becoming more popular, so little touches like installing deck lights or something similar can make a big difference. The benefits of security lighting for property owners It is also well worth considering installing security lighting. Again, there are many benefits for both tenants and property owners. In some jurisdictions, the provision of security lighting is a legal requirement. Installing it ensures that you will not fail an inspection and be fined. But, even in places where you are not legally required to install it, often, it is still well worth your while doing so. Studies show that a significant percentage of professional burglars are put off by security lighting. At least in areas where the property the homes are built quite close together or there is a lot of foot traffic. Anything you can do to reduce the chances of someone breaking a window or door to enter one of your properties is a good thing. You do not need the hassle or expense of having to carry out repairs after a home invasion. There is also a good chance that your tenant will view security lights as a plus. Most people assume that they will be more secure living somewhere that has them rather than in a home that does not have sensor trip floodlights. If you would like to learn more about how the installation of appropriate security lighting makes a property a more attractive proposition to tenants just click this link. When you do you will be taken to a page that outlines the results of several surveys and tests that have been carried out into the effectiveness of property protection lighting. Outdoor lighting reduces the risk of accidents Lighting up the path to a property considerably reduces the chances of someone tripping or falling. As does making sure that the area around the front and back door are well lit. If you would like to learn more about the benefits of installing outdoor lighting in rental properties, you can do so by clicking here.

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4 Benefits of Having a Property Built from Scratch

For many of us, homeownership is a major life ambition that we work for consistently over a prolonged period of time – and it’s natural that, since this is the case, virtually everyone has some sense of what they would like their “dream home” to look and feel like. The way things often play out, however, is that we end up having to significantly adjust our expectations to match the pre-existing properties available on the market, not only with regards to the homes we end up living in, but also with regards to the buildings we might want to use for commercial purposes. Ultimately, one of the key ways of getting around many of these potential limitations is to have your property built from scratch – and this is what many people do in fact opt to do. Here are a few of the benefits of having a property built from scratch. A new build, and the benefits that come with that While old buildings very often have their own kind of charm, and are attractive in a range of different ways, there are also various particular benefits that exist only – or at least primarily – with regards to new builds. If you are very drawn to modern architectural trends and home design styles, such as those which emphasise a lot of natural illumination and clean lines, having a properly built from scratch is the best way of guaranteeing that you’ll be able to have those exact aesthetic preferences represented in the way your home ultimately ends up. In addition to this, there are also various other ways in which having a new build could be very beneficial. With the explosive rise in the popularity of “Smart Tech,” and digital tools and systems in general, more people are drawn to the idea of having a “Smart Home,” which is well integrated with features that can be controlled via a mobile app. Often, these features can be difficult and costly to install in an older home, but if your home is being built from scratch, you’ll have a great degree of scope for modifying it so that it has the latest “smart features.” A property that is specifically tailored to your particular and unique requirements Not all homes or properties are the same, or serve the same purpose, and every individual is likely to have their own particular preferences and requirements for the type of property they want. If you run a suitable business, for example, having a plot of land where you can easily erect a Steel Building might be invaluable for helping your entrepreneurial venture to thrive. Likewise, you may have a particular hobby or pastime that you would like your home to facilitate, but which could be difficult to implement in an existing structure. Having a building constructed from scratch gives you a great range of different options for ensuring that the space is as personalised as you want it to be, and can properly support and enhance your existing lifestyle, pastimes, and even profession. When you consider just how popular various home ornaments are, and just how big market is for home remodelling and redesign, you can clearly see that most people do want their homes to be well personalised, and to feel like something more than generic living spaces from a catalogue. While there are certainly also things that you can do to enhance the ways in which your home feels truly and uniquely “yours,” and the extent to which it helps to facilitate your preferred pastimes, it’s difficult to argue that any other approach offers quite as much scope and variety as having a home constructed from the ground up, according to particular specifications, and with your own oversight. Greater awareness of just how your property is being built, and what is being put into it Increasingly, there is a growing sense of homeowner awareness about some of the ways in which particular material used in home construction can be hazardous or detrimental – and yet many homes which have been built in the past still contain potentially volatile and harmful materials. It’s still very common, for example, for existing homes to contain have asbestos in their construction – and even though it shouldn’t be harmful unless it is damaged or disturbed, this still creates one significant potential risk factor that you have to be mindful of, and another dimension in which your home might be hazardous to those working on it. In addition to the fact that certain materials that were commonly used in the past might be directly harmful to human health, construction norms have changed over time in other ways, and the kind of homes that were considered fashionable and cozy several decades ago will not necessarily reflect the architectural standards of the current day, or your own preferences. When you have a home, or other property, built from the ground up, you will tend to have a significantly greater level of awareness of just how that property is being built, and what is being put into it. When you’re having your own property built from scratch, you will also be in a much better position to mindfully vet the specific construction team that you want working on the build, and to get a sense for how skilful and trustworthy they are. In recent years, there have been several high-profile tragedies and controversies in different parts of the world, concerning buildings which were built without following proper protocol, back in the day. The satisfaction of being the first one to inhabit the property Let’s face it: although many people like the idea of living in a home that already has its own history and story, many other people also like the idea of being the first inhabitants of a property, and leaving their own mark on it. If you like the idea of starting a new chapter in your life with your own home, and making sure that it really

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The Complete Guide to Calling a Plumber in Perth at Midnight and How It Can Save You a Ton of Money!

This article is for guiding people who encounter a plumbing emergency in the middle of the night. If you are reading this, then you have probably had a plumbing issue that has cropped up at an inconvenient time. Maybe it’s 3 am and your toilet is overflowing, or maybe your pipes are clogged with tree roots. Either way, the first thing to ask yourself is: Should I call a plumber at midnight for my house in Perth? The answer may surprise you! There are some considerations before calling out for help if it’s late at night. Many people are concerned about the cost of calling a plumber at midnight or even worse, waiting until morning to solve your plumbing issue. Here are some tips on what you should do if this happens to you. How to Know if You Should Call a Plumber at Midnight For some plumbing issues, you can fix them yourself. But for other plumbing problems, you should rely on a trusted team of plumbers in Perth. If you are unsure about when to call a plumber, keep reading! There are many reasons you may need to call a plumber at midnight for your home in Perth. Examples of these reasons include a burst pipe that is sending water everywhere, a clog in the toilet, or you have no hot water. Although these problems can’t wait until morning to be fixed, it’s important not to panic and waste money by calling someone who doesn’t offer 24-hour service. Look for one with an emergency hotline number on their website so you’ll know exactly where to go when you need help. A leaky faucet is something that many people can fix themselves. However, if the leak is coming from the supply lines or the main valve under the sink, it might be best to call in an expert. If your toilet or shower seems to be taking longer than usual to flush or fill up with water, this might also be something that requires professional attention. The most common reasons for calling in a professional are clogs and low water pressure. Clogs happen when there isn’t enough water flowing through your pipes and they need to be cleared out by hand or with chemicals like vinegar and baking soda. Low water pressure usually results from the buildup of calcium deposits in your pipes, which decreases the amount of water that can pass through at once. How to Choose a Reliable Plumbing Company That’s Open Late or Overnight Choosing a reliable plumbing company in Perth can be hard when there are so many to choose from. When you’re in the middle of the night and your pipes are clogged, you need someone to come right away. You need to find a company that is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. A company that specializes in pipe-related services like fixing leaks, installing new pipes, etc. Some other things you should keep in mind when choosing a plumbing company are: -Do they have a trusted team of plumbers? -Can they offer emergency repairs? -What type of service do they offer? -What type of equipment do they use? The Best Time to Call a Plumber for Your Emergency Situation When it comes to plumbing emergencies, the time of day is not as important as how soon you can get a plumber out to your home. The sooner you call, the better. Talking to a local plumber in your neighborhood is the best method to figure out what your emergency plumbing needs are. Keep his contact information on hand in case you find yourself in a similar position again. What Does It Cost to Call a Plumber at Midnight for Your Home in Perth? Plumbing emergencies are never convenient. Usually, they happen when you’re already tired and the idea of plumbing work is the last thing on your mind. However, plumbing problems cannot be solved with a simple phone call to the plumber. The best time to make that call is before midnight because it’s less likely that there will be a surge in prices for after-hour work. If you are worried about the hourly rate of your Perth plumber, here is an idea of what to expect. The average contract charge-out rate per hour in Perth is between $95-$100. Paying for emergency plumbing services is an expense that can be avoided if planned in advance. Researching how to prevent a plumbing problem from happening in the first place is likely to be cheaper than fixing it after, and there are many ways to do this. If you’re looking for ways to save money on plumbing services, you need not look any further than at your own home. Investing in routine maintenance may seem like an unnecessary expense, but it will save you money in the long run. Preventative measures like replacing old pipes with copper ones or installing anti-scald devices can save you money on high water bills and insurance premiums. The simplest way of preventing a plumbing issue is monitoring your water usage and making sure that leaks are fixed promptly when they occur. Leaving small leaks unfixed can eventually lead to a much bigger plumbing issue, and the bigger the problem, the more time it takes for plumbers to fix it, which means it costs you more money! Takeaway Before ending, here’s one final tip. Know when to stop trying. You might search YouTube for an emergency plumbing issue and try to fix your problem, but sometimes doing that can worsen the issue. If the problem seems too complex, call a plumber right away to come and fix whatever needs fixing so that everything is back in order again. While searching for plumbers, don’t underestimate the importance of using an experienced full-service company that offers 24 hr emergency services in Perth. Even if it’s just one phone call away, don’t risk it! It’s easy to ignore the specifics in times of an emergency, but at the end of the

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