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What to Look for in a House Cleaning Service

 
Imagine if you could spend your weekends lazying in bed, without the worry of doing your laundry, vacuuming, and the weekly house cleaning! A lovely thought, indeed. Doing the laborious chores at the end of every week is not how one intends to spend the weekend. Everybody deserves a chilled-out time at home after a tough week at work. It is only fair! But if you do not want to get caught up in the domestic duties, then someone's got to do it.

So, this is where the house cleaning services come in. The relief of someone cleaning up your home the way you want is just a call away with these services. However, before you hire them, there are a few things you need to know. The dream of hiring a house cleaning service could turn into a nightmare, if some important things are not considered or discussed well in advance.

Aspects to Look for

Punctuality
The first quality to look for while hiring a house cleaning service is punctuality. It is essential that the job starts and gets done as per the decided time. No one likes to follow up a service provider with a thousand calls. Also, if you have given the hired services a certain time, it is of utmost importance that they honor it.

Professionalism
The only way to find out professionalism of a certain service provider is to do some asking around. Here, professionalism translates to how well they do the job. House cleaning is one of the toughest jobs and definitely not for those with a laid-back attitude.

Insured and Bonded
It is always safe to hire a company which is both, insured and has a bond. In the event of any accidents, such as theft, breakage, or such other things, such a company will always take responsibility. If the company is not insured or bonded, the homeowner will have to be responsible for the same.

Licensing
It is always advisable to hire a house cleaning company which is licensed. Getting a license is a very difficult thing to do. Each state has its own set of laws, which makes operations of every house cleaning service differ state-wise. However, a license ensures that the company is working within its legal rights.

Own Equipment
Another important factor that needs to be checked is who will be providing the cleaning equipment. There are contracts, wherein the house cleaning service will bring their own equipment, and there are those which expect the homeowner to supply the same. To avoid any kind of confusion at the last minute, find out about this beforehand.

Cost
Cost is the main factor which makes people think twice about hiring these services. Some of the service providers charge per square inch or meter for cleaning the area, while there are some others who charge you a lump sum amount for the entire job. Find out which one turns out to be cost-effective for you, to save on unnecessary expenditure. The other option available with some of the service providers is signing a yearly contract. This, too, could be a wise decision, as the price might be discounted.

Reputation
A good reputation is the best selling point of any service provider. Ask your friends around or check for online reviews about the service providers you are planning to hire. Knowing about house cleaning services from those who have actually experienced it will help you make an informed decision about hiring them.

Besides these important points, there are a few more vital considerations to be made while hiring house cleaning services. The following questions should be asked before you make a contract with them.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a House Cleaning Service

» Will you bring your own equipment for cleaning the house or will the equipment have to be provided?
» What are the typical things included in residential cleaning?
» What is the mode of payment?
» Can I sign a weekly or monthly cleaning contract?
» Would it be alright to hand over the house to the agency for cleaning in my absence?
» Will cleaning also include my laundry and cleaning kitchen utensils?
» What if the service does not match my expectations despite explaining my needs in advance?
» Will you customize your house cleaning plan as per my requirements?
» Which chemical agents will be used while cleaning? What if I am allergic to them?
» Am I expected to give my key to a complete stranger? How safe is it?
» Will you send me monthly reminders?
» Do you also clean certain gadgets and electronic appliances, such as a washing machine or an oven?
» What if something is broken or goes missing after cleaning my house?
» Does residential cleaning also include the outdoor area of the house, such as the porch, deck, garden, and backyard?
» Does house cleaning also include cleaning the carpet and curtains?
» What if someone is injured while cleaning the house?
» Will the furniture, such as sofas and beds be moved while cleaning the house, or will the area be mopped around them?

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Creative Foyer Lighting Ideas





Contrary to popular belief, foyer is one area of your house that needs special attention. After all, it is the first thing that your guests will get to see, when they come to your place. This inevitably makes foyer décor as well as lighting, an important part of any home decoration project. When we talk of foyer lighting, it includes both natural as well as ambient lighting. As the amount of natural light a foyer gets completely depends on the architecture of the house and nothing much can be done about it, let us simply focus on ambient lighting as well as ways to use it in the best possible way.

Innovative Foyer Lighting Ideas

The first thing to do when deciding on the lighting for the foyer is to look at its size. Is it wide or is it narrow? Is it single story or double? A double story, large foyer will any day need more lighting than a single story one. The second very important thing that you should consider is the paint color on the walls of the foyer. Usually, the paint color on the walls of the foyer is in accordance with the adjoining rooms, however, if you are planning to repaint the walls, go for lighter shades as they give the illusion of a much wider and larger space. If you already have a wide foyer, you can definitely go in for some interesting, darker paint colors.

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Hiring Home Repair Professionals Or Amateurs

During the years I have worked in the home remodeling business, I have seen home repairs done by professionals and amateurs and most of the time there's a big difference between the two of them.

Just the other day, I was looking at a home that was built in 1922 and the homeowner wanted an estimate for her bathroom remodel. By looking around the home, I could tell that some of the home repairs were done by amateurs and I proceeded to ask her about them.

She told me that it wasn't a big deal and I was going to be fixing them anyway, so why should she even worry about them. I then tried to explain to her, the difference between hiring a home repair professional or amateurs to work on her home. These problems created by the inexperienced amateur home repair people, are now costing her thousands of dollars to fix by a professional.

Now I got her attention, now she was starting to listen attentively to everything that I was talking about. Now the next part of this isn't going to make every homeowner happy, but you really do get what you pay for, most of the time.

It's a lot easier to show some one, than it is to convince them that I'm on their side. I have their best interest in mind and I'm only trying to help them solve their problems. Most home repair professionals want you to recommend them to your friends and with that in mind, will always do a good job.

Amateur's on the other hand, might feel the same way and would love to have referrals to expand their business, but lack the experience necessary to make good home repairs. The biggest difference between a home repair professional and an amateur is experience and price.

Some homeowners are always going to be interested in saving a few dollars and their home repairs will end up costing them more money in the future. Sometimes it's better to pay a professional a few more dollars today than it is to pay an amateur less money, only to find yourself fixing the same repair later.

Always hire a professional with experience.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Professional Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

Click on This Link Professional House Remodeling Contractors

Greg Andean Bergen is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

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What Life Stage Are You In? Your Guide To Building The Right Type Of Home

Many people dream of owning their own property, but the realities of shopping for homes can cloud that mental image. Understanding more about what is needed and what is available can help buyers talk more effectively with a home builder and simplify the search.

The best type of dwelling will depend largely on your family and lifestyle. Growing families need more room, while retirees are often scaling down. First time buyers often look at price over size, while investors look for marketability and return on investment. A closer analysis of various lifestyles and the places best suited to your needs can help you find that house of your dreams.

First Time Buyers Get Help From Their Builders

With so many floor plans, inclusions, and neighborhoods to choose from, the process can feel overwhelming. Visit displays so and see how images of floor plans translate into actual structures. Visiting homes can also help first time buyers select from the many inclusions available. It can be difficult to imagine a color scheme without seeing it in a real room. First time buyers should also want to talk with builders about financing and special offers that can make a larger residence more affordable.

Family Homes Offer Room for Growth

For growing families, the decision to shop for a place to reside is usually a matter of not having enough space. As children outgrow their nursery, extra bedrooms and space for studying are needed. Many families now work remotely, which means office space would make a big difference in everyone's comfort. Builders now offer floor plans designed with an eye to privacy and improved storage. Children's rooms revolve around an activity Centre, while the master suite is secluded from noise and offers walk-in wardrobes and a luxurious en-suite. Many house and land packages provide the space needed by growing families at an affordable price.

Luxury New Homes Offer Plenty of Options

As construction companies compete for business, luxury properties are becoming more affordable than ever. It is no longer enough to offer simple walls and a roof. Today's offerings featuring enticements such as stainless steel appliances, recessed ceilings, custom front doors, and other special promotions to attract all walks of life. The housing market is very competitive, and home builders are willing to add more options to house and land packages than ever before.

When shopping for new homes or house and land packages, be sure to consider future needs as well as current needs. What was once a simple matter of buying a place to live has now become an opportunity to work with a home builder to create a unique living experience suitable for the whole family's needs. There are now many luxurious options you may not have considered possible in the past.

Today's market offers more options than ever before. Work with a home builder today to create an affordable, gorgeous place to live that surpasses your dreams.

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Foundation Home Repair Involves Various Techniques

A house of cards provides the perfect illustration of the importance of a home's foundation: if the bottom row of cards are not laid out correctly and not expansive enough, then the rest of the cards can all tumble down. Similarly, a home's foundation provides the necessary support to keep the rest of the home structurally sound. If a homeowner is in need of foundation home repair, it is critical that he research the various methods of foundation home repair that are used by contractors in his area. Two main sources of the repair derives from the methods of foundation stabilization and the hydraulically pressed concrete cylinder method.

Foundation Stability

Foundation stability involves a process which attempts to prevent further sinking and damage to the foundation.
This method attempts to extend the original foundation to redistribute the load of the foundation. However, this process is often ineffective and may be a complete waste of money because it locks the home's foundation into place. If the house is currently leaning and not stabilized, the process will simply level the foundation into the inappropriate position. This basically causes the crooked house to remain crooked.

Hydraulically Pressed Concrete Cylinder Method

The hydraulically pressed concrete cylinder method involves digging a hole around the foundation. A concrete cylinder will be placed in the hole along with a large hydraulic ram. The cylinder is then hydraulically installed. Other cylinders will be added in order to support the load of the home. The weight of the cylinders will cut through any materials that are between the home's existing structure and the ground, such as roots or rocks. This method is advantageous because it has the greatest load-bearing capacity over other foundation home repair methods. The concrete cylinders will not corrode like other materials may. This method requires only a few days of repair, minimizing the expense of the project while also preventing future foundation problems.

When a homeowner realizes that he needs the assistance of a foundation home repair business, he should become informed about the various types of repair methods that are available. He should weigh the pros and cons of each method and pay particular attention to whether the repair method will eliminate future problems. If the solution is only temporary, he will have to pay for additional future repairs. The hydraulically pressed concrete cylinder method has been used for over two decades. It is the preferred method by industry leaders and it is proven by experts to outperform any other method of foundation repair that is currently available on the market today.

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Give the outside of your house some TLC

  1. It's no secret that during the cold winter months, most people don't tend to get outside much. People also don't tend to take the time to check the status of the exterior of their house. This is perfectly understandable when the weather is so cold and miserable.
    However, now that the sun is making an appearance and the thermometer is showing higher numbers, it's time to get out and do that maintenance on the exterior of your house.

    Inspect your gutters

    When the weather is cold, all sorts of damage can happen to your gutters, especially if the temperature hits around freezing. Cracks and holes can appear in the plastic, and the clamps that hold the actual structure up can get weakened.
    If you're in a summer rainfall area, then it's important to ensure that your gutters are strong and ready for the rain. On the other hand, if you've been experiencing heavy rain and storms in the winter, it's a good idea to see if they've been damaged. Doing this now means that you'll be ready for next winter.

    Check your shutters and windows

    Now that the sun is coming out more often than not, it's time to inspect your shutters and see if any damage has been done by the winter cold. The first check should be on the hinges. If they've rusted due to frost or rain, it's essential to clean that off straight away otherwise you may have to replace the entire hinge. The rust can also run onto the walls, staining the exterior of your house.
    Then to the actual shutters. The winter cold can warp the material, even if you have plastic shutters, so be sure to check how the pieces fit together. With wooden shutters, you should look for rot or splinters that may be coming off.

    Clean your chimney

    Having a nice roaring fire going in your house during winter is one of the most wonderful ways to keep warm. However, it can lead to a build up of soot or ash in your chimney. It's vital that you have the entire structure carefully cleaned and checked over by an expert.
    We also suggest that you do this now, in spring, rather than wait until autumn next year. If you take care of your chimney now, you'll be able to light a fire as soon as the weather gets a little colder next year without worrying.

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Give your clothing cupboard an overhaul

Everyone knows that clothes can go missing for months under piles of jerseys or other unworn items. Socks can even seem to multiply when left to their own devices in the back of a cupboard. There are days when you open the doors to your cupboard and it feels as if you're drowning in clothes, but you have no idea where that one item you really want to wear is.
If this is the case, it's time to give your cupboard a complete overhaul!
Pull everything out
This may seem drastic, but it's impossible to see what you have if you do it piece by piece or shelf by shelf. If you want to give your cupboard a real clean, you need to get everything out.
Sort through your clothes
The quickest way is to get everything into piles – T-shirts, pants, dresses should all get their own pile. From there, sort your clothes into smart and casual items, as well as winter and summer options.
The next step is possibly the hardest one. Get rid of anything that is out of fashion or hasn't been worn in the last two years. It's highly unlikely that you'll ever wear it again, unless it's one of those expensive, very smart items like a tuxedo or designer dress. These you should keep, if they still fit.
Assess the space required
Once you've got the clothes you're keeping, it's important to divide them into how each piece gets stored. You need to assess what clothing hangs and what gets folded and put on shelves. Additionally, see which hanging items require the full length of the cupboard or only half the height.
Once you've established what space you need, you can start to plan how you'll put it away in the cupboards that you have. This planning stage will allow you to maximise the way you use the space available.
Tips for extra storage space
Use plastic storage containers to create more "shelf space" in a cupboard. They are ideal for storing items that you don't use regularly. Clear boxes are also great for stacking shoes if you don't have a lot of space on the floor of your cupboards. Another excellent way to save shelf space is to get a slim rail on the inside of a cupboard door for ties, scarves and belts.

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