Buying a fixer-upper can be extremely tempting since it outlays the perfect opportunity to purchase a house at a much more discounted price than that of a brand-new home. . The opportunity presents itself after the purchase, since you can improve the property and sell at a higher profit once
With the unpredictable weather and ever-changing lockdown rules, ensuring your outdoor space is functional and welcoming when you need it most has never been more important. Homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor space, can look to the experts for guidance on easy to integrate features that will
Colliers voice dismay that negotiations with the VOA to find a solution have come to a halt in what it describes as a “Kick in the Teeth” for Business Talks between the Government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the RSASG ( RSA Covid19 Strategy Group) , the body set up to
Businesses can stay open with peace of mind about the safety and security of customers and employees, after G4S launched an autonomous shortwave ultraviolet light robot that destroys up to 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses. G4S, in partnership with Netherlands-based tech firm Loop Robots, has introduced a security solution
New football sponsorship arrangement the latest community initiative to be implemented and follows similar recent tie-up with British Basketball Team Leicester Riders. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced a new community partnership with Championship football club
Matt Mccall is one of the latest stock traders to turn their hand to an online trading platform. Mccall joins the growing trend of traders leaving Wall Street to help ‘the average man’ make money by investing in stocks. Mccall has very little online presence and isn’t even the first
Research by national estate agent, Keller Williams UK, has revealed that despite Covid causing a -38% year on year decrease due to lockdown restrictions, the property market in England and Wales still rallied to see a total of £171.7bn worth of residential property sold in 2020. Keller Williams analysed all
When it comes to starting a business, there are various realms that you can look to go down, from selling services to making and selling products, there are a lot of options to choose from. However, if you are not someone who wants to create and sell their own brand
Homeowners wishing to refresh and update their homes can look to five simple ways to add value to properties quickly, as suggested by home improvement experts. Whether you are looking to sell your home this year or simply wish to make changes to improve your living space, there are a
Now the global positioning system, more commonly known as GPS is the essential component of any device helping to determine its geolocation in real-time that helps to find lost devices, build the routes and follow the shipments simplifying our lives. Primarily designed for military purposes, now it’s a valuable addition
Buying a fixer-upper can be extremely tempting since it outlays the perfect opportunity to purchase a house at a much more discounted price than that of a brand-new home. . The opportunity presents itself after the purchase, since you can improve the property and sell at a higher profit once you’ve done the house up, another factor adding to its appeal. However, this easier said than done, and there are many factors worth considering before diving headfirst into a fixer-upper project. Ultimately you want to ensure that you are getting your time and money’s worth when making this purchase. Outlined below you will find a few useful tips that will lead you in the right direction. Research the market One other factor to take into consideration when choosing whether to purchase a fixer-upper is the market in that specific area is to research the market. What is meant by this? Let’s say you are looking for an incredible deal for a fixer-upper in a particular area of Australia. You should do some research into the current and future buying potential/interest for that given area before jumping to make any payments. This is where a good real estate agent would really come in handy, and https://www.top10realestateagent.com.au/ recommends some of the best if you’re in Australia. A real estate agent will be able to tell you if the price value of houses in that area will decrease soon, which let you know whether it’s worth making this purchase. On the other hand, if looking to buy a fixer-upper home in an upmarket residential area, chances are you can probably raise your selling price based on the other luxury homes around you. You can use this information to make your price more affordable in comparison to some of the other brand-new properties for sale. Bargain! Cosmetic improvements Essentially your ideal fixer-upper house would be one that only requires cosmetic improvements, not any drastic foundational ones. These pertain to any interior and exterior damages that require an easy, affordable, fix such as broken windows, peeling paint, patchy walls, faulty door hinges, or missing floor tiles. Such problems can easily be improved with a flick of paint, or with floor replenishes for example. When looking out for cosmetic improvements that need to be done, it’s imperative to know that these don’t include the expensive core/foundational fixes such as replacing a new roof, water systems, electrical rewiring, etc. Taking on the work of replacing such damage is extremely costly, and thus probably isn’t worth the investment. It’s important to be aware of the different rooms in a house that are the most worthwhile to fix, for example, the kitchen. This is often one of the most used spaces in a home, so do check out for things such as easy to replace cupboards and handles, kitchen location, etc. Bathrooms are another particular room that add or decrease value, so make sure to give them a thorough inspection too. The location Ever heard the expression: location is everything? When purchasing a fixer-upper, the purpose of fixing up the home is to resell it at a better/higher value in the future. Location plays a pivotal factor in deciding where to purchase any home for that matter and there are various elements that you should consider when thinking about location, especially when it comes time to sell. Is the house close to schools and supermarkets? Is it conveniently placed within the CBD? Are there effective transport systems close by? Realistically, location not only affects the price value but also the likelihood of your fixer-upper house being bought. Calculate the cost Following on from the previous tip, even if it is simply cosmetic improvements that are necessary when purchasing a fixer-upper and no work is needed to the foundation of the house, the total cost of these improvements should still be calculated as accurately as possible. This allows you to gain a rough estimate of how much needs to be spent in total, and if the purchase is then worthwhile or not. Essentially a fixer-upper will always cost less to purchase than that of a home in perfect selling condition, but it’s still beneficial to gain an idea of just how much extra you will be spending. After purchasing the initial property, you now have to make the fixes and renovations to the house, and according to the Housing Industry Association (HIA), on average buyers end up spending between $40,000 and $200,000 (Australian) on these changes.
With the unpredictable weather and ever-changing lockdown rules, ensuring your outdoor space is functional and welcoming when you need it most has never been more important. Homeowners looking to make the most of their outdoor space, can look to the experts for guidance on easy to integrate features that will take their outside space – be it a garden, terrace or balcony – to the next level, and all in time for when we can invite friends and family around again. Research shows that being outside improves your mood and reduces stress*, so when things are out of our control, relaxing in your own outside space is unbeatable. “Since the start of the pandemic and for the majority of people, gardens and balconies have become the only accessible outdoor space, so ensuring it maximises its potential is key. Simple, contemporary modifications can enable homeowners to create a space they love and that they want to spend time in, and are always a good investment in terms of maintaining or increasing the value of their property. Plus, showing it off always feels good once we can entertain again. We’ve outlined our tips on how to make outside space work best – even in an unpredictable Britain,” commented David Hough from home improvement specialists, SMART Balustrades. Weather adaptability Whilst we can’t predict the weather, what we can say is Britain’s weather is diverse, from downpour one day to scorching heat the next. Installing glass balustrades to your patio or balcony area will create a windbreak, keeping you warmer against the spring and autumn breeze, whilst still allowing natural light to shine through. A removable canopy will ensure that you can be protected from the wetter weather, but also allow you to enjoy the sun when it’s out. A mix of green and landscaped space For garden owners, fitting a patio gives you a new area to enjoy your outside space which is much steadier for garden furniture and puts you less at risk of getting muddy. Having both a patio and garden area provides a stylish and modern upgrade, whilst still having nature to enjoy. For those with limited or no existing greenspace such as balcony and terrace owners, you can introduce greenery through potted plants on the floor or baskets attached to the balustrades, allowing those without the option of a garden to enjoy nature. Accessibility for all the family Ensuring that your outdoor space is safe and useable for all the family will allow it to be used it much more often. Installing handrails to steps and level changes, and enclosing your decking with secure balustrades are practical measures to reduce the chances of tripping and causing injury. Lighting around your garden will also improve its accessibility for the darker days and nights. The patio area can often be slippery when wet, and hard structures can hurt when banged into, so installing lighting to this area is recommend. Festoon and string lights are popular options for both balcony and garden owners, as they can be easily hung from surrounding structures. Suitable seating areas Sitting outdoors is the ultimate way to enjoy the fresh air, so if homeowners have the space, having a dedicated seating area brings a great focus point to a garden. When the rules permit, we will be able to mix households again, so having suitable seating to host guests will allow you enjoy the great outdoors more with friends. Where possible, choose non-fixed outdoor seating – so it can be moved at leisure to create different spaces, and packed away when not in use for those with smaller outdoor spaces such as balconies.
Colliers voice dismay that negotiations with the VOA to find a solution have come to a halt in what it describes as a “Kick in the Teeth” for Business Talks between the Government’s Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and the RSASG ( RSA Covid19 Strategy Group) , the body set up to represent 85% of the ratepayers with outstanding Covid 19 MCC (Material Change of Circumstances) business rates appeals – have come to an abrupt halt, a decision which Colliers believes may have been directed by the Chancellor. And there is no indication that talks will resume. The decision has been criticized as disastrous for hundreds and thousands of businesses by John Webber, Head of the business rates team at Colliers, who himself is part of the RSA (Rating Surveyors Association ) negotiating with the VOA, along with other respected firms of rating surveyors. According to Colliers many businesses that occupy office space have been severely impacted by the impact of Covid 19 and the various lockdowns, but unlike businesses in other sectors such as those in retail and leisure/hospitality, office based businesses have received no rates holiday, and only the smallest businesses were able to benefit from the initial government grant schemes. This is despite many office-based businesses seeing a massive disruption to their business operations due to the pandemic and lockdowns, with staff working from home and offices left largely unoccupied. Many businesses have seen a significant drop in profitability. As a result, the number of businesses appealing their business rates on the grounds of Material Change of Circumstance, is at its highest rate ever. Latest publish CCA (appeals) figures reveal there were 289,510 Checks (the first stage of the appeals process) between March and December 2020. Colliers has said the number of businesses starting their appeals has rocketed further since the New Year and estimates the number of outstanding Covid-19 checks (the first step in the appeals process) is now around 350,000. Webber says, “ The RSASG and the VOA had been discussing what should be done about the hundreds and thousands of businesses lodging an MCC since March last year and given the pressures on the current appeals system, the most sensible and efficient thing to do would have been to grant such businesses a blanket percentage reduction on their rates bills for 2020/21. This would prevent what could be years of uncertainty whilst the VOA worked through the backlog ‘’ Although the RSA and VOA were working towards an understanding last Autumn, a premature press release was issued to the media by one firm of agents in late December saying a deal had been agreed, despite nothing having been formally signed. This release had not been authorized by the RSA. As a result, the VOA appear to have been directed to break off all negotiations with the RSA. They then requested a stay of the discussions for the whole of January. The RSA was hoping negotiations would begin again in February, but the VOA has again said it is unable to take part in any further discussions for the foreseeable future, without explaining why there is a refusal to engage. As John Webber says, “ It is outrageous that whilst jobs are being lost by the hour and businesses prevented from occupying office space in towns and cities up and down the land, that the Chancellor effectively called a halt to discussions between the VOA with agents representing small and medium sized businesses at Christmas. In these talks the VOA had tabled an initial offer of a 25% reduction in business rates which should have risen to 75% – but the offer was withdrawn as soon as it came to public attention and before it could be properly accepted. Now around 350, 000 businesses have had to go through the notoriously painful CCA system to register their displeasure of having to pay business rates on property they have all but been able to occupy for 12 months. Amongst these are businesses who desperately need financial support if they are to survive into the Spring.” “The RSA represents 85% of those ratepayers with outstanding Covid 19 checks and we have been working hard to find some solution to their problems quickly. For the VOA to be instructed that it should not resume negotiations or to engage with us in a constructive manner, could sound the death bell for many firms that have been hanging on in the hope for a reprieve on their business rates. One wonders about the Chancellor’s hand in this. Is he just hanging on so he can play Father Christmas at the Budget on March 3rd – to bask in the glory of handing back to businesses monies they should not have paid out in the first place?” “We urge the Chancellor to direct the VOA to re-enter negotiations with us, or to come clean and explain why it won’t. Our clients deserve more consideration than to be left out to dry for an extra 3 months in this way.”
Businesses can stay open with peace of mind about the safety and security of customers and employees, after G4S launched an autonomous shortwave ultraviolet light robot that destroys up to 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses. G4S, in partnership with Netherlands-based tech firm Loop Robots, has introduced a security solution that prevents infection, keeps assets and people safe, and can be used to quickly and efficiently sanitise very large areas if a positive case of COVID-19 is detected. A specially-trained security professional and the SAM-UVC robot can surgically sanitise 4500 square metres within three hours without human labour – up to 20 times faster, and without harsh chemicals. The option of digital mapping a space allows for regular and autonomous cleaning, alongside physical security measures. The solution will be available from G4S from January throughout Europe. “This solution will protect the daily operations of our clients using powerful UV-C technology and highlights the value of an integrated security approach,” Marc Rensing, Business Development Manager at G4S Netherlands, said. “Integrated Security is about more than just keeping assets safe – though that is important. It’s about our combination of expertise, security professionals, technology and data analytics that meet the needs of our clients’ unique businesses and the specific risks they face. “That means protecting them from outbreaks and viruses that could harm employees or prompt temporary closures that damage productivity.” While COVID-19 particles have been shown to survive for up to 24 hours on cardboard and 72 hours on plastic and stainless steel, UV-C light (254nm) is an effective way to kill all pathogens on a surface as it destroys the RNA of viruses and DNA of bacteria in seconds. “This integrated solution can be applied to the medical field – hospitals and laboratories, for example – as well as care homes and other places where surfaces need to be regularly disinfected,” Marc said. “But also retail spaces, food manufacturing locations, pharmacies – places where essential operations must continue. While the UV-C light application clearly works for COVID-19, it also kills other dangerous bacteria that can cause diseases.” The SAM-UVC robot generates a report as it scans and disinfects an area, providing important audit data so businesses can clearly demonstrate how their operations are safe, secure and sanitised. “Our mission at Loop Robots is to provide superhuman tools to empower our customers. Leveraging the SAM-UVC robot, G4S is able to provide a unique sanitising security service with truly groundbreaking efficiency compared to disinfection using hand wipes and chemicals,” Per Slycke, CEO at Loop Robots, said. “We are excited to see our robots made widely accessible as a service, creating tangible results and value for G4S and its customers.”
New football sponsorship arrangement the latest community initiative to be implemented and follows similar recent tie-up with British Basketball Team Leicester Riders. Glencar, an expanding construction company specialising in the industrial, logistics, distribution, manufacturing, life science and pharmaceutical sectors has today announced a new community partnership with Championship football club – Watford F.C by becoming a regional partner. As a Watford F.C Regional Partner, Glencar will see its branding displayed throughout the stadium during every home game boosting brand awareness and engaging with over 20,000 fans within the clubs fanbase and wider community. Glencar Managing Director Eddie McGillycuddy explained what appealed to Glencar about becoming a Watford FC Regional Partner: “The business, which was founded in 2016, enjoys strong foundations in Hertfordshire and affinity with Watford F.C with several of our colleagues having grown up in the town and with a direct association within the community. So we are therefore enormously proud to become a regional partner and build our association with the club and reach out to a broader community audience. It provides Glencar with an opportunity to invest in the communities in which we operate as part of our efforts to conduct our business in a socially conscious way that goes towards our approach to delivering positive economic, environmental outcomes for our business, our stakeholders and the world more broadly. Brand exposure is vital to our business and becoming a partner offers a fantastic opportunity to get our name into the community. When you are connected to a club so grounded in the community, that reputation spreads. For us being connected to Watford FC enhances our reputation and give us a level of trust. As a Watford Regional Partner, Glencar will see their branding appear on crowd-facing LED boards at the clubs stadium Vicarage Road, displayed on StadiumTV and StatTV within the concourses. The business also features on StatTracker social media content, which is shared to the club’s official channels, reaching a global audience. Additionally, Glencar will connect with local businesses through exclusive Regional Partner events, which have included Q&A evenings with former Watford players, such as John McClelland. Also commenting, Ricky Levenston, Glencar Chief Information Officer explained why the partnership is a fitting one for Glencar: “It’s been great to follow Watford F.C’s achievements over the past few years and we feel the club is an organisation whose core values align closely with our own” he said. “The regional partnership supports our community engagement plan and will be one that’s close to the hearts of many Glencar colleagues.”. For further information about the announcement visit: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/watford-fc-business-club/
Matt Mccall is one of the latest stock traders to turn their hand to an online trading platform. Mccall joins the growing trend of traders leaving Wall Street to help ‘the average man’ make money by investing in stocks. Mccall has very little online presence and isn’t even the first Matt Mccall that comes up during a Google search. For this reason, many people are more vary about purchasing his program, more so than the programs of well-established names like Paul Mampilly and Paul Scolardi. In this article, we’ll be looking at who Matt Mccall is, what his platform has to offer, and how his platform compares to some of the other market leaders. Who is Matt Mccall? Matt Mccall is a former stock trader with a Masters Degree in Science, specializing in Finance. Mccall has over 18 years of experience in finance and investment. He began his time on Wall Street at one of its biggest firms, Charles Shwab. Eventually, Mccall retired from Wall Street and became the lead technical analyst for the radio show and podcast, Winning Wall Street. Since leaving Wall Street Mccall has started many enterprises including Point B publishing house and CrowdVest.Co. He has also written multiple books in an attempt to demystify the world of stock trading for the general public. Since leaving Wall Street he claims to have made over 1000 television appearances. Mccall has also traded Investment Opportunities, a subscription service. His research team shares tips with his subscribers about where they should be investing their money. Mccall has a particular focus on investing in new technology. What does his service offer? ‘Wall Street won’t tell you this, but by the time the general public hears about a major investment trend, the big money has already been made… by those who got there FIRST.’ -Mccall This article will very briefly cover what Mccall’s service can offer its subscribers, if you’re looking for more reviews on Matt Mccall, check out this article. So what do Investment Opportunities subscriptions include, and how much does it cost? Investment Opportunities only comes with one level of subscription that costs $99 for the year. The following things are included in this subscription: Monthly investment reports – Investment Opportunities owner’s manual – This is Mccall’s equivalent to Stocks 101. This manual talks you through the best ways to buy and sell stock; how to research stock before purchasing it; as well as talking you through how Mccall approaches the marker. Urgent Updates – If there is any major news in the market, or a major change in one of Mccall’s focus companies then Investment Opportunities will send out immediate updates to subscribers. Subscriber Only Reports – As part of your subscription, you will also get Mccall’s 12-36 page reports on businesses and parts of the market that he feels are worth watching. If you look into what some of the other trading platforms are offering this does seem very spartan. This is why his prices may be low, Mccall also does not have as big a reputation as some of the other market leaders. How does his service compare to other leading trade platforms? Mccall has a good reputation, solid product, and great pricing – but how does Investment Opportunities compare to the other trading platforms on the market? Investment Opportunities vs Profit Unlimited vs Super Trades Let’s end by comparing Investment Opportunities to its most similar competitors Profit Unlimited and Super Trades. The Prices By looking at the prices of these subscriptions we notice the first major differences between the three big players. Investment Opportunities offers only one level of subscription that costs $99 for the year. A whole year of Investment Opportunities costs less than one month of Super Trades. Super Trades offers two levels of subscription – one for $149 a month, and one for $249 a month. Profit Unlimited offers three different subscription offers ranging from $49 a year, to $479 a year. What they offer Whilst all three companies are run by ex-stock traders the level of advice offered varies wildly. Despite being the second most expensive Investment Opportunities offers the least to its subscribers. See above for more details on what it offers. Profit Unlimited not only offers its subscribers monthly trading advice and emergency updates, but Mampilly also offers a range of daily tips and weekly video calls. Super Trades seems to charge an extraordinary price. However, when you consider that you are sent roughly the same amount daily as Investment Opportunities sends once a month the price starts to make more sense. The subscription also includes weekly videos, a chance to talk to the Superman himself in the chat room, and access to his own investment records.
Research by national estate agent, Keller Williams UK, has revealed that despite Covid causing a -38% year on year decrease due to lockdown restrictions, the property market in England and Wales still rallied to see a total of £171.7bn worth of residential property sold in 2020. Keller Williams analysed all residential property sales to complete via the Land Registry between January and December of last year, to see just what impact the current stamp duty holiday has had on the market. The research shows that in 2020, a total sum of £171.7bn worth of residential property was sold across England and Wales. An extremely respectable performance given the tricky landscape posed by the pandemic, although this is a marked decline on the £2.8bn sold in 2019. Highest sum of property sold When it comes to the most valuable pockets of the property market, London takes the silver gold and bronze. Westminster saw the highest sum of property sold prices, with £2.9bn worth of residential bricks and mortar sold in 2020. Kensington and Chelsea came second with £2.7bn worth of property sold, while Wandsworth was the third most valuable home selling hotspot with a total of £2.5bn worth of property selling last year. However, London far from dominates the top 20 most valuable areas of the property market in England and Wales. With a total of almost £2bn in property sold over the last year, Cornwall is the most valuable market outside of the capital. Birmingham also ranked high with £1.8bn in property sales throughout 2020. Leeds (£1.75bn) Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (£1.7bn), Wiltshire (£1.5bn), Bristol (£1.45bn), Dorset (£1.45bn) and Cheshire East (£1.4bn) also ranked as some of the most valuable areas of the property market outside of London. CEO of Keller Williams UK, Ben Taylor, commented: “Despite the radical market turn around spurred by the reopening of the property sector and the introduction of a stamp duty holiday, Covid has clearly had a lasting impact on the market in 2020. While the average house price has surged this year, a -38% reduction in the total value of property sold demonstrates the detrimental impact the pandemic had on market activity over the last year. This is even more significant when you consider that it’s compared with a 2019 market that was already operating sluggishly due to Brexit uncertainty. However, when considering all of these factors, it makes the late rally shown by the property market in the wake of a stamp duty holiday introduction all the more impressive. To think that this market revival still saw £171.7bn worth of residential property sold in what is a relatively short period of time is actually quite remarkable.” England and Wales 2019 2020 Change Total sum of property sold £277,490,140,743 £171,670,833,785 -38% Data sourced from the Land Registry Sold Price Records (Jan 2020 to Dec 2020) Table shows the top 20 areas to have seen the largest sold price sum of property sold District Median sold price Total sum of property sold CITY OF WESTMINSTER £950,000 £2,943,088,454 KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA £1,270,000 £2,686,441,764 WANDSWORTH £655,000 £2,514,098,748 CORNWALL £240,000 £1,984,888,965 CAMDEN £780,000 £1,856,469,571 BIRMINGHAM £180,000 £1,770,788,359 LEEDS £185,000 £1,754,133,158 BROMLEY £460,000 £1,747,027,590 BOURNEMOUTH, CHRISTCHURCH AND POOLE £290,000 £1,719,482,316 BARNET £540,000 £1,699,882,208 LAMBETH £550,000 £1,691,080,834 RICHMOND UPON THAMES £676,000 £1,609,154,142 HAMMERSMITH AND FULHAM £765,000 £1,544,470,757 WILTSHIRE £270,000 £1,534,911,451 CITY OF BRISTOL £285,000 £1,454,265,744 DORSET £299,000 £1,451,908,502 CHESHIRE EAST £220,000 £1,406,148,108 CROYDON £390,000 £1,310,803,894 ELMBRIDGE £600,000 £1,278,730,756 SOUTHWARK £532,000 £1,194,475,137 Data sourced from the Land Registry Sold Price Records (Jan 2020 to Dec 2020)
When it comes to starting a business, there are various realms that you can look to go down, from selling services to making and selling products, there are a lot of options to choose from. However, if you are not someone who wants to create and sell their own brand of products but still wants to create product ranges, you might want to consider starting a business that manufacturers products for other companies. There is very high income potential within this area; there’s fantastic potential for success, it’s just a case of taking the time to think about how you can go about launching this kind of business. It’s the kind of startup that takes a lot of time, effort and money and can take time to get going. However, with the right approach you can see some fantastic levels of success and amazing growth in a short period of time. Bearing that in mind, below is a guide to the steps that you can take to make your new concept a success. Read on for all of the best tips and pieces of advice that you need! Find the right location The first step to seeing success from starting a business that creates products for other companies is to find the right location. You need to select a location that’s accessible and has good transport links, it’s also worthwhile selecting somewhere that’s close to major distribution centres as this may make product distribution and logistics simpler and more affordable. You also need to think about the size of your facility and how large you would like it to be; do you plan on fulfilling mass orders or do you want to simply work with small, bespoke orders? Create a strong ethos that sets you apart It’s also a good idea to take the time to create a strong ethos that sets you apart from your competitors. If you want to boost your chances of seeing success, it’s worth thinking about creating a niche for your business, such as being an eco-friendly and sustainable product producer, for example, or being a producer that only manufacturers vegan approved products. Having a niche can help to define your success, so it’s something that it’s worth thinking about. Invest in key tools If you are going to build a viable business, it’s vital that you take steps to invest in the key tools that you need to see success. This means thinking about your budget and how much vital tools like chemical scales for instance, will cost you to invest in. If you want to give your business a good chance of success, you need to have the right tools in place. If you’re worried about your budget, perhaps you could consider looking into sourcing some financial backing to help make your business concept a more viable one. There you have it, a few simple tips to make starting a business that manufacturers products for other companies a little easier.
Homeowners wishing to refresh and update their homes can look to five simple ways to add value to properties quickly, as suggested by home improvement experts. Whether you are looking to sell your home this year or simply wish to make changes to improve your living space, there are a number of ways you can add value to your property that will prove to be a worthwhile investment, lasting for years to come. As many of us are now spending more time indoors and working from home, it is important to consider upgrades to your home that can improve your quality of living and prospects of selling, so the home improvement experts at Stormclad have compiled their top suggestions for adding value to your home quickly. “With everyone spending more and more time in the comfort of their own homes during lockdown, the start of 2021 is the ideal time to make new and valuable home improvements. For homeowners thinking about selling their property this year to relocate – while it is now too late to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday before 31st March, it’s still worth ensuring your home is the best it can be to maximise your living enjoyment, and should the time come to put your property on the market, you know it will be ready for the future,” said Managing director of Stormclad, John Evans. “As home improvement experts with over 20 years’ experience, we have listed five ways you can add value to your home – from installing a conservatory, to upgrading windows and doors – giving your home a facelift will not only add value, but also guarantee quality fixtures that will last well into the future.” Here is the list of five ways to add value to your home: A new front door A front door is one of the first things that guests – and potential buyers if you’re selling your home – will notice in a property, so making a good first impression is key. Whether you are looking to make a quick sale in the current market or just want to add value to properties for the future, a new front door will improve the focal point of any home and help with the success of a sale. From the materials used, to the colour, glass and energy efficiency – there are many things to consider when choosing a new front door. The best way to begin is by ascertaining a realistic budget, so you can narrow down the most suitable options available to you. Aside from kerb appeal, a new front door will also help heat retention in your home, potentially saving you money on energy bills, as well as providing added security with the latest locking systems. Replace existing patio and back doors A new patio or back door can breathe new life into the interior and exterior of any property, adding unique character to all architectural home styles – from contemporary builds to period pieces – often maximising natural light in any property. With an array of patio door styles available including French doors, bi-folding doors and sliding doors, a back door upgrade can be a great way to bring the outdoors in, further securing access points and depending on the door option, improving the view out to a rear garden or courtyard – something you may find yourself yearning for as you spend more time at home. Replace windows Replacing windows is one of the single biggest improvements you can make to your home, with the largest impact. Not only will new windows improve the performance of your home in terms of energy efficiency, by retaining heat and regulating the temperature during the summer months, but it will also provide added security and aesthetic appeal to your property. Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home, with single paned windows capable of emitting around 84% of a room’s heat. To safeguard your home for the future and add sell-on value, consider investing in double glazing to retain heat in your property and save money. Older windows can look outdated, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium, will transform the look of your home outside and in, and continue to look smart over time. Refurbish your existing conservatory Conservatories that may be suffering with damp or a leaking roof, or struggling with temperature control, may be in need of refurbishment. Refurbishment is a great way to utilise some of the old components or rebuild a new structure on your old conservatory’s base to provide a refreshed space. Consider transforming an under-utilised conservatory into an entirely new room – such as somewhere to enjoy a hobby you have chosen to start in the new year. This can provide you with a tranquil place to escape to for some much-needed down time during lockdown, and will also demonstrate how the space can be used to potential buyers, if you’re looking to place your home on the market. A brand-new conservatory A brand-new conservatory extension is a great way to add a light and airy room to your home which can serve as a versatile space that could function as a dining room, living area, playroom or home office. This option may suit you and your family more than a traditional extension, as it will bring you closer to your garden or outdoor space, connecting you with nature, greenery and blue skies. It is a great option if you are looking to enjoy a peaceful setting, away from the rest of the house.
Now the global positioning system, more commonly known as GPS is the essential component of any device helping to determine its geolocation in real-time that helps to find lost devices, build the routes and follow the shipments simplifying our lives. Primarily designed for military purposes, now it’s a valuable addition to any business with the logistics department. Here are the main changes it brings to the logistics industry helping to ensure optimal resource usage: Enhancing drivers’ security As GPS systems allow to track parameters like distance per day, average speed, frequency of refueling, and so on, it’s possible to assess the driver’s safety by comparing the stats against the generally accepted security requirements. It helps to recreate the driving behavior and ensure that the drivers do not miss the regular break times and do not exceed the speed limits minimizing their chances of getting into a road accident making the drivers more secure. Minimizing the risks of vehicle theft Following the previous security point, there were cases when vehicles carrying precious cargo were stolen causing financial damages both for transportations companies, and their end customers. With GPS tracking for trucks, logistics managers will be able to monitor all the deviations from the route to reach out to a driver to find out the reasons, and even if an incident happens, it will be easy to find the missing vehicle. Live resource monitoring Advanced GPS-based applications make it possible to organize the live resource monitoring and track the usage of the resources. Also, with a faster method of communication between a logistics operator and a driver, if something goes wrong, it will be easier to calculate the distance to the nearest repair station and keep the end customer informed about the delay. It’s also useful during unplanned road maintenance events and extreme weather conditions, as checking the current location, it will be easier to check all the alternative routes to choose the best option. Simplified fleet management There might be cases when the route is changed in the middle of the way, or additional pickups and delivery points are added. Using a ready GPS tracking solution or developing a custom one allows us to introduce changes in the route on the go, and it will be synced with the driver’s application making the communication faster and operations more productive. Tracking the stats received from every vehicle will help to determine when they start consuming more fuel and require regular repairs, and as a result, you will be able to arrange the purchases of new vehicles to cope with the business load “GPS fleet tracking is revolutionizing the logistics industry, providing unparalleled efficiency and cost savings for startups transforming last-mile logistics.” – As per the founder of Route4Me. Costs reduction The tracking tools help to reduce the human resources necessary to manage the transportations, as the work that was previously done by people can be delegated to smart GPS software. The office maintenance costs can also be reduced, as monitoring the work of the GPS system is possible to arrange remotely. On the basis of data received from a single-vehicle regarding their average distance per day, stops, and refueling frequently, it will be easier to analyze the costs, establish the best route planning, and monitor your drivers to have better visibility on what’s happening on their way. As a result, these positive changes that GPS fleet tracking is bringing to the logistics industry, business owners can free the time spent previously on operational activity and dedicate more resources to strategic planning and expansion following the current market demands like the transportation of machinery or modular homes. Last but not least, it allows us to shift the focus to the end customer. With the optimized logistics, your business will be able to deliver top-notch customer service improving their experience providing users more precise data on the delivery dates, and enable them to receive their shipments faster.
