Are you trying to achieve a luxurious home interior but don’t know where to start? Here’s how: Define Your Style Before you start designing, you should know what you want. In any area of life, overlooking the planning process can result in less-than-desirable results. To define your style, take an
Colleagues across Balfour Beatty in Scotland have teamed up with addiction and homelessness charity, Steps for Hope, to raise more than £140,000 to support people in need in Edinburgh through a variety of activities and initiatives. The most recent fundraising initiative, supported by the University of Edinburgh, saw Balfour Beatty
Marble is a gorgeous material that can serve as a long-lasting and attractive feature in your bathroom or kitchen. However, once your dream of having marble countertops installed is fulfilled, you may be wondering how to clean them without damaging them. Because marble is a porous material, the products and
Nearly 90% of local authorities experienced increase in demand for allotments (APSE) 38% of local authorities now have waiting lists of 1,000 people or more (APSE) National Allotments Week (9-14 August) to highlight benefits of growing your own produce As National Allotments Week 2022 approaches, the value of the 18
Every year, several construction projects are executed in New York City and other areas across New York State. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps often occur on construction sites and may result in minor or severe injuries. According to statistics from the NYC Department of Buildings, there were about 712 construction-related incidents
The Covid-19 pandemic has limited people’s ability to travel. And since they had to spend most of their time at home, their spaces’ appearance had become of great importance to most of them. Thus, the interest in travel-inspired interior design has increased. However, even now, with many restrictions being lifted
Buying a home is a long and tiresome process. Regardless of the current market conditions, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that come into it. However, a few well-hidden secrets can make the whole affair much more manageable. With their help, you could find
Flat roofs are currently among the top trending commercial and residential property designs. Moreover, interior décor and property magazines now feature flat roof properties in their listings. This might lead you to wonder: ‘What is so tempting about flat roofs that slanted roof designs are missing?’ Well, flat roofs are
Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and its partners Arc Partnership and Perfect Circle have donated more than £35,000 in services to end-of-life charity partner Treetops Hospice, as part of its Local Communities Partnership Programme. During the last 12 months, G F Tomlinson has been working closely with the hospice to
There were more than a few murmurs of discontent and surprise when FIFA announced their World Cup 2022 would be staged in Qatar. There were a few reasons for the surprise of football fans across the globe. This will be the first World Cup played in the Arab World and
Are you trying to achieve a luxurious home interior but don’t know where to start? Here’s how: Define Your Style Before you start designing, you should know what you want. In any area of life, overlooking the planning process can result in less-than-desirable results. To define your style, take an online quiz. Then, objectively look at your space and consider all of the elements that cannot be changed, such as location, size, and natural lighting. Then, have fun getting inspired by researching your style and finding elements you can incorporate into your home’s interior. Invest in Your Furniture Nothing says shabby like bad furniture. But, conversely, nothing says luxury like high-end furniture pieces. Of course, choosing custom-made furniture is an excellent choice, and the best option is to purchase an entire set and build the rest of your home décor around that. But even if you can only afford one piece, make sure you aren’t buying inexpensive, cheaply made furniture pieces. There are many advantages to purchasing custom-made furniture. However, when trying to achieve a luxurious look, you will want to coordinate quality, craftsmanship, and design with colors and textures that suit your style. Custom Amish furniture in Katy, TX makes it simple to get exactly what you need and want for your home interior. This furniture is built to last, and the timeless designs are intrinsically luxurious. You can have just the right pieces built for you, using the right colors, finishes, and materials for your space. Cut the Clutter If you want to achieve a luxurious home interior, clutter has no place in it. However, if you are trying to decorate, removing all the clutter before you even start is a good idea. If your clutter is items that you use every day, it is possible that you need more storage space. When you are custom-made furniture, see if you can increase your storage space by incorporating more drawers and cabinets, perhaps by having some drawers built into your sofa, for instance. This will make it easy to have those everyday items within reach without them becoming distractions to your luxurious home décor. Let in the Light Wherever it is possible, let some light in. Sometimes, window coverings are used to create privacy and block much-needed light. If you can change your window dressings to maintain privacy but let in light, you will find that letting some light in makes your rooms less drab and automatically seem more luxurious. Say Yes to Color If you are trying to achieve a luxury look, it doesn’t mean you have to stick with neutral colors. You can still use color, but you will want to pay attention to the tone you are trying to set. Bold colors like deep reds create energy and evoke confidence, while soft tones make you feel relaxed. It doesn’t matter if you choose a color for your sofa or throw pillows on it. You will want to use complementary colors in all areas where you add color to your interior. You can also try using color on an accent wall to set a tone and add interest to your home’s interior. Focus on Mixing Rather than focusing on matching patterns and design elements, try mixing them. The trick is to use only a few different types of patterns, mix them with solids, coordinate them by using colors and repeat them at different scales to add visual interest. You can achieve very good results by following a few simple rules for mixing patterns. Go With Textures Adding different textures can be done in many ways. Everything from adding stenciled patterns to your ceiling to putting a sherpa throw on your sofa can increase the visual appeal of your interior. You can find different textures in every area of your design, from the type of furniture you choose to the window coverings. Stone and concrete can be important textural elements, as well as macramé or rattan. Both hanging and potted plants can contribute to the variety of textures in a room. Look everywhere for opportunities to add texture in a way that represents your style and maintains the luxurious flow of your interior. Upgrade your Fixtures Whether it is a simple light fixture or a major appliance like a refrigerator, upgrading your fixtures and appliances can greatly impact your home interior. Even just changing out knobs and faucets can create a more luxurious look. When it comes to lighting, pay attention to how a light fixture looks and how it illuminates a room. Determine where you want the light to shine, and get a fixture that puts the light where you want it to. Make a Statement with Art It’s hard to achieve a perfect luxury home interior without using art to make a statement. You have a lot of options to choose from. You can choose groupings of framed art, a large focus piece to call attention to the center of your room, or a deluxe sculpture that perfectly defines your style. Bas relief and hanging sculptures are also popular choices. Whatever type of art you choose to make a statement, it should be bold enough to set the tone for the entire room. Also, everything else must support the statement without being a distraction.
Colleagues across Balfour Beatty in Scotland have teamed up with addiction and homelessness charity, Steps for Hope, to raise more than £140,000 to support people in need in Edinburgh through a variety of activities and initiatives. The most recent fundraising initiative, supported by the University of Edinburgh, saw Balfour Beatty and its supply chain partner, Anixter, recycle and sell approximately 8.5 tonnes of redundant materials from the Institute of Regeneration and Repair Expansion project – a flagship project which will see Balfour Beatty construct a new, purpose built, state of the art research facility for the University. All of the proceeds from the sale of the materials were then donated to Steps to Hope. Richard Roncero, Founder & Operations Manager for Steps to Hope said: “We are absolutely over the moon and grateful to have received this sizeable donation from the Balfour Beatty and University of Edinburgh team. “These funds will make a huge impact in allowing us to continue carrying out our vital work for those who need it most here in Edinburgh.” Hector MacAulay MBE, Regional Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s business in Scotland, said: “Wherever we operate, we always seek to support the local community including its businesses, people and charities, collaborating to create better futures for people and communities most in need. “This innovative fundraising idea was truly a win-win as it saw the recycling of redundant materials from the project raise funds for a fantastic cause.” In further support of Steps for Hope, Balfour Beatty’s Regional Operations Manager, Ray Duffy, completed the “Climb to Hope” challenge, climbing the 3,255 ft Cuillins Rocky Range before abseiling into, and spending a night in, Bastier Nick cave. The funds raised by Ray were then donated to the “5 Weeks Sleeping Rough” challenge which involved Steps to Hope Founder and Operations Manager, Richard Roncero, sleeping rough for five weeks in five UK cities. Balfour Beatty continued its charitable support of Steps to Hope last month with Senior Project Manager, Mark Reid, walking 50 miles along the East Coast of Scotland, raising over £5,500 for the charity.
Marble is a gorgeous material that can serve as a long-lasting and attractive feature in your bathroom or kitchen. However, once your dream of having marble countertops installed is fulfilled, you may be wondering how to clean them without damaging them. Because marble is a porous material, the products and techniques you use to clean the other hard surfaces in your home may actually end up ruining it. Of course, you could hire a professional marble cleaning service to do it for you. But, if you prefer a more hands-on approach, read on for the dos and don’ts when cleaning your new marble countertops. Supplies You’ll Need You’ll need a few supplies to clean and maintain your marble countertops. Soap, water, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and a liquid cleaner are essential for daily cleaning. For maintenance, purchase a food-safe sealant for your marble kitchen countertops and #0000 steel wool. Following the guide below will help keep your marble sparkling clean and beautiful. Cleaning and Maintaining Marble Surfaces As we’ve mentioned, marble is more porous than other materials used to create countertops – such as quartz, granite, or soapstone. This means it is more prone to stains, scratches, and changes in the structure of the stone. To keep your marble countertops looking pristine, you’ll want to keep them clean and seal them regularly – more on this below. Preventing Damage Whether you have marble countertops in your bathroom or kitchen, sealing them every three months is the best way to maintain them. While sealants won’t make them completely stain-proof, they will make them more resistant to staining. Regular sealing will give you extra time to clean up spills as they won’t get absorbed by the stone right away. Contact the supplier of your marble countertops and ask for recommendations for the best marble sealants. If your marble is in your kitchen, it’s very important to make sure the sealant you use is food-safe. You should also invest in some coasters to prevent spills and watermarks from forming in the first place – prevention is always better than cure. Daily Cleaning For daily cleaning and spills you can clean immediately, use warm soapy water – just be sure to rinse the surface well so no soap residue remains and dry it thoroughly. Another thing to note is that acidic substances can damage marble – so keep acidic beverages like lemon juice and wine away from your countertops whenever possible. Acidic cleaning products that contain vinegar should also be avoided at all costs. If you do have spills on your marble, tend to them immediately. Abrasive substances can also ruin your marble, so always wipe it down with a soft cloth – trying not to drag dust and debris along the surface. Removing Stains If you can’t tend to a spill immediately, it might not be the end of the world. Most organic substances (like red wine, food, and fruit juice) can be cleaned with a solution of 12% hydrogen peroxide and a couple of drops of ammonia. For oily stains (like olive oil or butter), clean the surface gently with a liquid cleaning product that contains mineral spirits, acetone, or household detergents. Correcting Scuffs, Scratches, and Watermarks For scuffs, light scratches, watermarks, and nicks, dry-buff your marble countertops with #0000 steel wool. If you have deeper scratches that penetrate below surface level or stubborn acidic stains, you’ll need to call on a professional marble cleaning service.
Nearly 90% of local authorities experienced increase in demand for allotments (APSE) 38% of local authorities now have waiting lists of 1,000 people or more (APSE) National Allotments Week (9-14 August) to highlight benefits of growing your own produce As National Allotments Week 2022 approaches, the value of the 18 allotment planters at Quintain Living’s Canada Gardens in London’s Wembley Park during their first full growing season is becoming truly apparent. The allotment garden has become a hub for residents of all ages to get together and connect with nature, to socialise over shared growing tips and to enjoy producing fresh, seasonal food for the whole family. Taking place from 9 to 14 August, National Allotments Week 2022 is all about gardening with nature in mind, as well as raising awareness of the role of allotments in nurturing communities and supporting people to grow their own food, live healthier and more active lifestyles and connect with one another. Demand for allotments has soared since the pandemic. According to the State of the Market Report (Allotments) 2021 from the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE), nearly 90% of local authorities experienced increased demand for allotments as a result of Covid-19. “Gardening and growing your own food can do so much to boost health and wellbeing – both physical and mental. This is why Quintain Living provides allotment beds at Canada Gardens. Our residents can get outside, connect with nature and enjoy the benefits of gardening – it’s particularly rewarding for those growing their own produce to eat. It’s a great way for residents to enjoy home-grown fruit and vegetables, whilst reducing their carbon footprint as well as to teach children where their food comes from.”Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living Sadly, the availability of allotments lags far behind demand for them. According to APSE’s data, 51% of local authorities have between 100 and 400 people on their waiting list; 38% have waiting lists of over 1,000 people (up from 20% in 2020). Over 34% of local authorities report that people are waiting an average of over 18 months for an allotment plot to become available. In the London Borough of Brent, the Council reports that, “There are more than 20 sites run by us but due to high demand they currently all have a 1-2 year waiting list. Applications for new people to join a waiting list for an allotment site are currently closed.” The figures throw into stark relief just what a privilege it is for Canada Gardens residents to have allotments beds available to use at their leisure. “We are delighted that the allotments at Canada Gardens have proven to be such a valuable community feature. The entire development, with its acre of gardens, large roof terrace and on-site clubhouse is all about family and nature. The allotments are a core part of that.”Danielle Bayless, Chief Operating Officer, Quintain Living In addition to the 18 planters, Canada Gardens, which is managed by Quintain Living – the award-winning management company overseeing the rental of more than 3,250 apartments in Wembley Park – has a storage shed for residents’ tools, pots and seeds as well as a greenhouse for use. The shed also contains useful planting and growing information, while residents have recently set up a WhatsApp group to do the same. The green-fingered community members also come together in person, with the most recent event organised by Quintain Living generating an excellent turnout. Residents enjoyed sharing their growing tips and hearing from the professionals about how to care for their crops. As the weather warms up, the Canada Gardens allotment beds are flourishing. Residents are growing a wide range of fruit and vegetables, including beans, tomatoes, carrots, cabbages, strawberries and blackberries, while a small herb garden is also coming along nicely.For more information on Quintain Living or to book a viewing, visit www.quintainliving.com, @quintainliving on Instagram or call 020 3151 1927.
Every year, several construction projects are executed in New York City and other areas across New York State. Unfortunately, accidents and mishaps often occur on construction sites and may result in minor or severe injuries. According to statistics from the NYC Department of Buildings, there were about 712 construction-related incidents in New York City in 2021, causing 505 injuries and 9 fatalities. Thankfully, there are New York State laws designed to protect the rights of employees who are injured in work-related accidents or suffer an illness while on the job. If you’re a construction worker who has been hurt on the worksite, you may be eligible to seek fair compensation for your injuries. Your available options to recover damages may include seeking worker’s compensation benefits, filing a personal injury claim, or filing a lawsuit against the negligent third-party. However, recovering damages for your construction accident injuries often involves a lot of complexities. In the post, we will be discussing why the stakes are really high in New York construction accident cases. Common Causes of Construction Accidents in New York Here are some of the most common causes of accidents and injuries on construction sites in New York State: OSHA’s Fatal Four hazards – construction falls, electrocution (electrical exposure), caught-in/between situations, and struck-by an object. Poorly constructed scaffolding Slip and fall Defective or unsafe equipment Inadequate protection for construction site workers on elevated structures Inadequate protection for construction workers in trenches Tripping hazards from debris and other construction materials Unsafe conditions of the construction site or property Inadequate safety precautions when working beside power lines Collisions with support beams Workers are exposed to several risks on the construction site. If you’re injured in a construction accident, you need to reach out to an attorney immediately to enlighten you about your legal options to recover damages. What Are Your Legal Options? What’s more, when you’re involved in a construction site accident, here are some of the available legal options to seek financial compensation for your injuries: Workers’ Compensation Under New York laws, every employer in the state must provide workers’ compensation insurance for their employees. Hence, a construction worker who suffered an injury or illness while on the job may be eligible to seek workers’ compensation benefits, including medical care, lost income, and benefits for survivors. Personal Injury or Third-Party Claims Alternatively, you may file a personal injury claim or lawsuit against a third party for their negligent or careless actions that caused the construction accident. For instance, you may file a lawsuit against a contractor who failed to repair damages on the property or an employee who failed to adhere to safety guidelines, thereby leading to your injuries. Why the Stakes Are High – Challenges In New York Construction Accident Cases However, seeking financial compensation in your New York construction accident case isn’t usually straightforward. Here are some challenges and complexities you may encounter when filing a claim or lawsuit after a construction accident: Proving Fault and Liability A crucial aspect of your personal injury or third-party claim is proving fault and liability. To recover damages, you need to establish that the other party was negligent, violated the law, breached their legal duty of care, and you suffered an injury. Unfortunately, it isn’t always easy to prove fault and liability in a construction accident case. Legal Paperwork Also, the insurance carrier may request legal paperwork and additional documentation to verify your claims. Failure to provide the relevant information, evidence, and paperwork may delay your case or ultimately get it thrown out. Pre-Existing Illness or Injury Furthermore, your pre-existing injuries or medical conditions can have a significant effect on the outcome of your case or the amount of compensation you may recover. For a successful personal injury claim or lawsuit, you must prove that the negligent or careless actions of the other party affected or worsened your pre-existing injuries. Motion to Dismiss In addition, the other party or contractor may delay resolving your construction accident case through a motion to dismiss. This is a motion filed by one party in a case requesting that the court should stop all legal proceedings and close the case. The defendant may petition a motion to dismiss, stating that there is not enough evidence or facts to proceed with the case. Settlement Offer Dealing with insurers often involves a lot of complexities. The insurance provider may push for an out-of-court settlement. Initially, the insurer will offer you an absurd first settlement offer to test your patience. In most cases, the settlement offer may be lower than what you deserve. This is why you need an attorney to review the offer and help negotiate an improved settlement. Insufficient Documentation Documenting your injuries after a construction accident involves taking photos of the injuries, witness statements and testimonies, and taking notes of your personal account of the incident. Also, you have to document how the injuries have affected your day-to-day life and work. Unfortunately, most people don’t document their injuries. Without proper documentation, proving your case may be extremely difficult. A personal injury lawsuit involving a construction accident is often drawn out unnecessarily and may take an extended period to settle. At the end of the day, you may lose the case or receive lower compensation than expected. Therefore, when involved in a construction accident, it is crucial that you retain a highly-skilled personal injury attorney for proper guidance and to protect your legal rights. How an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Can Help Being involved in a construction site accident can be a devastating experience and can affect your financial, physical, and mental health. Nevertheless, you don’t have to suffer the challenges and financial ramifications alone. If you or someone you know were injured while working on a construction site, you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney immediately to advocate for your best interests. A skilled construction accident lawyer can review every surrounding detail of your unique situation and conduct a thorough investigation. Your attorney will help
The Covid-19 pandemic has limited people’s ability to travel. And since they had to spend most of their time at home, their spaces’ appearance had become of great importance to most of them. Thus, the interest in travel-inspired interior design has increased. However, even now, with many restrictions being lifted and people being able to travel again, you want to go on the road again but suddenly realize that you only have two weeks off and probably a thousand places that you’d wish to go. So maybe instead, it would be a good idea to start by turning your favorite room into your favorite travel destination? There are countless ideas on how to let your space be soaked in the tropical sun or remind you of your favorite ski resort. But let’s start with keeping it all authentic – you don’t want your space to look cheesy after all. For instance, you can incorporate some travel photos and your own souvenirs – but remember, you don’t want to overdo it. You want to be respectful to the culture you’re inspired by – and your own personal style has to shine through all your holiday endeavor-inspired interior design. Let’s explore some more ideas below! Pick a Theme The first step in creating a travel-inspired interior design is to choose a theme. Even if you can’t travel yet, you still want a place where you won’t have to think about things like “how long does probate take”, but instead, could call it your own. A theme will be the base of your design, so you want it to be perfect. You can find inspiration in a specific country or city you’ve been to or by one particular type of vacation, like a beach vacation or a mountain trip. Your theme can be as specific as you want it to be. For example, you can choose to design your room around your favorite beach in Hawaii or a famous ski resort in Colorado. Find Inspiration Once you’ve decided on a theme, it’s time to find some inspiration. You can do this by looking through travel magazines or websites, browsing Pinterest, or just taking a look at your own travel photos. Be bold – if you discover that you’ve always wanted to have a canopy bed, art deco coffee table, or perhaps epoxy garage floor, there’s nothing stopping you from getting them! If you want to design your room around a specific country or city, it might be a good idea to look for some interior design ideas from that place. For example, if you want to design your room around Italy, you can look for some patterns or colors associated with Italy. Choose Colors and Materials Once you’ve found some inspiration, it’s time to start choosing colors and materials. This is where you can really let your imagination run wild. If you want to design your room around a beach vacation, you might want to use some light and airy colors, like white, blue, and green. For a mountain trip, you might want to use some darker and richer colors, like brown, red, and dark green. When it comes to materials, you can use anything that reminds you of your chosen theme. For a beach vacation, try using some natural materials, like wood, rattan, and stone. For a mountain one, you might want to use cozy materials, like wool and fur. Add Furniture and Accessories Once you’ve chosen your colors and materials, it’s time to start adding furniture and accessories and bring your chosen theme to life. If you want to design your room around a beach vacation, you might want to add some furniture that reminds you of the beach, like a rattan sofa or a wooden coffee table. You might also want to add accessories like a seashell lamp or coral vase. Again, if you want to design your room around a mountain trip, you might want to add furniture that reminds you of the mountains, like a leather armchair or a stone fireplace. You might also want to add accessories, like skis or a set of antlers. Hang Artwork and Curtains Now, it’s time to finish off your room by hanging artwork and curtains. This is where you can really make your space your own. For a beach vacation-inspired place, you might want to hang some artwork that reminds you of the beach, like a painting of the ocean, a photograph of the sunset, and a pair of white linen or blue and white striped curtains. If you want your room to recollect a trip spent in the mountains, you might want to hang some artwork that reminds you of the hills, like a painting of the snowy peaks or a photograph of the forest and a pair of brown velvet or plaid flannel curtains. Conclusion Whether you’re a disciple of the “No Clutter” school of thought or you’re a fan of “Go big or go home,” you can still get inspired by travel and start planning and plotting your next vacation whether you’ve got a couple of weeks off – or even just a few days. So why not incorporate that inspiration into your interior design? With so many ideas out there, the last thing you want to do is get stuck in a rut. So start with the best room in your house, and let the road be your guide! Once you’re done, sit back and enjoy your new space. You’ll be surprised at how different it feels when you’ve put your own personal touches on it. Have fun!
Buying a home is a long and tiresome process. Regardless of the current market conditions, it is easy to get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that come into it. However, a few well-hidden secrets can make the whole affair much more manageable. With their help, you could find and buy a suitable home faster than you might think. Whether you are after a cheap freehold estate located in the Thomson Garden enclave or want to settle for a humble abode somewhere in the suburbs, you can get your dream home without breaking the bank. All it takes is following a few simple steps. For starters, you should inspect the property and its surroundings. This way, you can find out if the neighborhood is good and if there are any security issues you should know about. Other than that, you might want to have the house inspected, get pre-approved for a mortgage, and hire an experienced real estate agent. Looking for homes under your budget so you can bid up is also a good idea. Here are a few valuable tips for buying a home to help you get the best offer in an ultra-competitive seller’s market: Commission a Home Inspection The home inspection process is critical to uncover any potential problems with the property before you buy it. A professional real estate inspector will thoroughly examine the property, its systems, equipment, and proximity to neighboring residences. The inspector will also check for various structural defects, such as cracked foundations and rotten wood, water damage, or electrical faults. If some issues are discovered, you might have to replace an old water heater, strengthen the foundation, or resolve problems with the floor, for example by getting some reclaimed terracotta tiles. It would be best to look for an experienced inspector with a good reputation in the industry. Once you know about all the issues, you can use them to negotiate a lower price. A good inspector will also recommend the necessary repairs that you can do without breaking the bank. If you are not pressed for time and have a little more cash on hand, you should consider purchasing the property at a lower price and paying for some inexpensive fixes or doing them yourself. This way, you can significantly reduce the cost of buying a home. Check the Neighborhood When looking for a new home, it is essential to research the neighborhood and see if it is the right fit for you. Fortunately, many online resources can help you learn more about a particular area. It would be best to look for crime rates, schools in the area, and the amenities nearby. You should also drive around the neighborhood at different times of the day to get a feel for the place. Remember to ask around about the reputation of the neighborhood. If it is safe, you can live there for years without worrying about break-ins or assaults. Furthermore, you should pay attention to things like local traffic and noise levels as well as the overall development rate. Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage If you plan to finance your new home with a mortgage, it is a good idea to get pre-approved for one. Doing so will give you an idea of how much money you can borrow and what your monthly payments will be. Lenders give pre-approval letters after verifying your income and appropriate credit rating. Once you have it, you will be able to bid on all homes in your price range with the confidence that they will provide you with a loan. Otherwise, you might end up bidding on a property you can’t or can barely afford. It would be best to shop around for the best mortgage rate before applying for a loan. You can use an online mortgage calculator to compare rates from different lenders. Hire an Experienced Real Estate Agent It is a common mistake to begin your home search on your own. However, this approach is unlikely to get you good results. This is because the real estate market can be quite tricky to navigate. Besides, it requires a vast amount of knowledge to understand everything it entails. To get the best price for your home, you should enlist the help of an experienced real estate agent. They will have access to listings that are not yet on the market and can help you negotiate a better price. As a general rule, only experienced agents can evaluate the market conditions accurately, so they can offer you a suitable price. On the other hand, if you go with a fresh-faced agent, chances are their inexperience will negatively impact your sale price. Look for Homes Under Your Budget One of the most important parts of the home buying process is finding a nice place you can afford. When searching for a new home, it is a good idea to look for properties priced below your budget. This way, you will have some room to negotiate when making an offer. You could start looking for homes online or in print. Once you find a few that might be suitable, you can schedule an appointment with a real estate agent to take a look at them. The more properties you visit, the better. This way, you can compare and contrast each home to see which one meets your needs. If it turns out that none of them does, you can look for another one. It is better to wait for a cheaper home instead of paying more and having a mortgage that will only work against you in the long run. Make sure you don’t bid more than what you can! Conclusion Buying a home is one of the best investments you can make. It offers outstanding potential returns and will give you a place to call your own. However, such an endeavor is not easy, and it takes extensive knowledge to succeed. You will need to handle a lot of things and, most importantly,
Flat roofs are currently among the top trending commercial and residential property designs. Moreover, interior décor and property magazines now feature flat roof properties in their listings. This might lead you to wonder: ‘What is so tempting about flat roofs that slanted roof designs are missing?’ Well, flat roofs are popular for several reasons. Flat roofs provide a cheap alternative for small businesses needing a tiny space for operations. However, small space units became increasingly hard to achieve with sloped and curved roofing designs. The desire for small living units due to changing lifestyles and the growing need for small office spaces has fuelled the demand for flat roof properties. The trend is primarily driven by consumer demand for clean, simplistic, and futuristic designs for properties with flat roofs. Apart from the simplistic aesthetic appeal, especially when paired with OptiLight roof windows or similar stylish ones, flat roofs are cheaper and easy to maintain. Additionally, insurance companies have started to offer personalised policies for businesses that construct, repair, maintain, or retrofit flat roofs, which is a crucial consideration when hiring the right contractor. The cover protects the numerous industry-related risks. You may be wondering how to go about installing a flat roof. Here are six factors to consider: Your roof’s slope determines the rate of flow of precipitation. The greater the elevation, the higher the velocity. A flat roof is not entirely ‘flat’ to facilitate gravity-aided drainage. A slight slope also prevents leaves and other foreign debris from accumulating on the roof. Therefore, the flat roof should have a slight and well-balanced tilt to prevent stagnation of water and debris, which is essential to its longevity. If you’re brainstorming on a better design for your roof or planning a flat roof replacement, it would be proactive to consult a qualified contractor. If it’s relatively calm where your home is, you’ll have to do regular cleaning to remove debris and leaves that accumulate on the flat roof. A regular cleaning routine helps to ease the flow of water from the roof to the gutters, but you must determine whether the existing drainage system works well with your flat roof. The process should be easy if you plan to erect a building right from the foundation. However, if you plan to replace a sloping roof with a flat one, it would be advisable to consult property developers. The contractors will determine if the flat roofing will match your roof drainage system and advise you about any modifications that will be needed. Flat roofs provide enough space at the top for water storage tanks and even water pools. Yet they also have a structural load limit. You may have opted for a flat roof because of its better storage space. Thus, if you’re planning on having more loads on top of the roof, ensure that it’s constructed using the correct materials to withstand enough pressure. This will ensure that the roof remains durable. R-value defines a roof’s resistance to heat transfer. High R-values insulate heat properly, and the same is true vice-versa. The R-value also depends on the roofing materials. A relatively hot area requires roofing materials with high R-values for proper insulation, whereas a house in a colder region can do with lower R-values. A good contractor should be able to guide you on the specific R-values needed for your roof. The edges of a flat roof tend to be sensitive to strong winds compared to a slanted roof. Hence, it would be better to assess the wind speed in your location. If the place is windy, invest in more durable building materials to withstand the pressure and ensure your roof isn’t blown easily at the first sign of a storm. Before settling for a flat roof, check the deck’s structural integrity below the older roof. A deck that adequately bears the weight of a slanted roof should also be capable of supporting a flat roof. A heavy or unstable roofing deck can affect the stability of a flat roof. However, this shouldn’t be a problem if you can reconstruct your roof decking to uphold structural integrity. Conclusion When choosing a new roof, you’d want to consider flat designs because they’re simplistic, cheaper, and easy to maintain than curved and slanted roofs. Before installation, consider factors like drainage, maintenance routing, and the maximum load the roof can hold. For the best results, always go for a roofing contractor with vast expertise in installing flat roofs. It’s better if they’re insured to cover for any potential damage.
Midlands-based contractor G F Tomlinson and its partners Arc Partnership and Perfect Circle have donated more than £35,000 in services to end-of-life charity partner Treetops Hospice, as part of its Local Communities Partnership Programme. During the last 12 months, G F Tomlinson has been working closely with the hospice to provide advice and project management services on a pro bono basis, to aid in Treetops’ aims to improve its estate, including staff offices and external landscaping at its main site in Risley, Derbyshire. The Local Communities Partnership Programme is a collaborative initiative developed by G F Tomlinson, which is aimed at supporting communities and charitable bodies within the region. It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering social, economic and environmental benefits to the local communities in which it works through the SCAPE Regional Construction framework, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings. Treetops Hospice, which provides care and support to more than 3,000 local people every year, was selected as the finalist following a ‘Dragon’s Den’-style event last year. G F Tomlinson and its partners, Arc Partnership, a joint venture between Nottinghamshire County Council and SCAPE, and Perfect Circle, have provided over 325 hours of time and expertise to the hospice, equating to £35,000, and is the equivalent cost for Treetops Hospice to do one of the following: provide an at-home nursing service for five weeks allow for nurses to be at the bedside of 324 terminally ill people allow for roaming nurses to respond to 515 calls for help during the night allow for its counsellors to be there for more than 90 children when someone close to them passes away Working together, the partners have provided Treetops with designs and budget advice for landscaping and boardwalk improvements to increase safety and accessibility of their grounds. They have also provided professional services for structural assessment, design and costing to enable the reconfiguration of hospice offices and backroom spaces to provide improved working areas for their dedicated and caring staff. Architecture, mechanical and electrical design were provided by Arc Partnership. The landscape architecture and structural engineering services were delivered by built environment consultancy Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration. Treetops Hospice will now use the information provided to prioritise the works and secure sufficient funding to make the improvements. To support the Treetops Hospice’s master planning for the wider estate in Risley, supply chain partners Gleeds and Amptron have provided condition surveys for the buildings and M&E systems. This will enable the hospice to plan ahead for future maintenance requirements to ensure facilities remain safe and functional. As an evolution of G F Tomlinson’s partnership with the hospice, the firm is also supporting Treetops with the refurbishment of its charity shop in Sandiacre, providing costing and project management services to ensure the condition of the building is fit for purpose. In preparing for the work G F Tomlinson sourced competitive quotes from specialist sub-contractors and programmed the works around the live shop environment. Mechanical contractor Miller Freeman was kind enough to carry out its work free of charge bringing further benefit to Treetops. Works on the shop refurbishment are currently underway and are being overseen by one of G F Tomlinson’s Site Managers. The works will complete later this month. Chris Flint, managing director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We are very proud to be continuing our partnership with Treetops Hospice 12 months after the leading charity were selected as the finalist of our Local Communities Partnership Programme. “With dedication from the team at G F Tomlinson and our partners Arc Partnership and Perfect Circle, we have been able to provide advice, design and costing work to help bring Treetops’ plans for its hospice facility and grounds to life. As a Derbyshire-based business that is highly active in the East and West Midlands, we feel it is extremely important to give back to the local communities in which we operate. “Social value is a cornerstone of our business, and a fundamental part of our ongoing relationship with SCAPE through its Regional Construction framework, so we wanted to partner with other like-minded regional organisations in the industry to collaborate on and contribute towards a highly beneficial outcome for a local charity that provides support and care to thousands of patients and their families every year.” Julie Heath, chief executive officer at Treetops Hospice, said: “We know we face challenging financial times ahead as the cost-of-living increases. It’s going to be tough. The support and technical information provided by G F Tomlinson and their partners will help us to apply for funding to undertake major and much-needed maintenance projects. Their help is also helping us to keep the hospice in an excellent state of repair for all our patients.” Managing director of Perfect Circle Victoria Brambini said: “We are proud to continue to support this joint partnership with G F Tomlinson. Community-focused initiatives sit at the core of our ethos, with Treetops Hospice benefitting from a collaborative model that creates value at the heart of the public sector. Together with SCAPE, our aim is to help deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the Local Communities Partnership Programme.” Sara Williams, head of pre-construction at Arc Partnership said: “At Arc, we pride ourselves on delivering real value together and supporting our local communities. Not for profit organisations like Treetops Hospice play a vital role supporting people in the region at the most challenging times of their lives, and we are delighted to have been able to collaborate with our partners, G F Tomlinson and Perfect Circle to develop improvement plans for Treetop Hospice’s estate and support them in providing these crucial services.”
There were more than a few murmurs of discontent and surprise when FIFA announced their World Cup 2022 would be staged in Qatar. There were a few reasons for the surprise of football fans across the globe. This will be the first World Cup played in the Arab World and the first tournament of its kind not to be played during June and July. World Cup 2022 will occur between November and December, with the final played a week before Christmas. This measure was brought in to help safeguard players, officials and spectators against the searing temperatures of summer in Qatar. Qatar isn’t a nation known for its love of football. Still, FIFA was blown away by Qatar’s bid, with organisers promising a competition that leaves a legacy of comfort, accessibility and sustainability. Plans were put in place to build brand new sports stadiums capable of hosting thousands of fans and the world’s top players. It was difficult to imagine Qatar having the infrastructure in place to host football’s best-loved games. Still, as we approach the opening ceremony and big kick-off in game one, everything looks to fall into place for Qatar. The World Cup is fast-approaching, and fans can begin to dream of a memorable month of play with the stadium builds on schedule. Followers have been busy preparing for the matches, buying merchandise, planning watch parties and even making predictions on which side will lift the famous trophy. Betting apps specialising in major sports allow registered members to bet on NFL games, horse races, and NBA matches are able to wager on the World Cup. Pick the nation you expect to win the tournament or play one of the many exciting specials offered on the outright and each fixture. Qatar will be competing in the World Cup for the first time, having secured a place without having to qualify due to their status as the home nation. Fans hope that home advantage gives their players an edge, but what can we expect from the stadiums in Qatar? Let’s look at three stadiums you will become familiar with this winter. Lusail Iconic Stadium This will be the main attraction of Qatar 2022 and will host the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the final match, where the venue will be packed to its 80,000 capacity. This nation’s biggest stadium enjoys excellent transport links, located less than 25km from Doha. Construction of the Lusail Iconic Stadium began in April 2017 and is on course to be unveiled in time for the first game. The opening ceremony and first round of matches from the World Cup will double as an introduction to this arena which was designed by British giants of construction Foster and Partners with Populous and MANICA Architecture. Solar power will keep the stadium cool and leave a zero carbon footprint. Some of the games you can expect to find at Lusail Iconic Stadium include Argentina v Saudi Arabia, Brazil v Serbia and Portugal v Uruguay during the group stages. It will also provide the backdrop for Round of 16, quarter-final, semi-final and the final matches. Al Bayt Stadium This is the second most important stadium of the World Cup, and with a 60,000 capacity, this state-of-the-art venue will provide the backdrop for some crucial matches. Another stadium that will be unveiled in time for the World Cup, the likes of England, Spain and Germany will play here during the groups. Al Bayt Stadium, which is 35km from Doha, also hosts Round of 16, a quarter-final and a semi-final. Al Thumama Stadium Complete with a 40,000-seater capacity, Al Thumama Stadium is the third biggest in Qatar and will play a major role in hosting the tournament. One of the more interesting stadiums, it was designed by Ibrahim Jaidah, who is the chief architect of the Arab Engineering Bureau. This stadium has a bit of a jump on the others as it has seen competitive action before November, having hosted the Emir Cup Final played last October. It was awarded the MIPIM/Architectural Review Future Project Reward in the sports and stadiums category.
