7 Questions Builder Should Ask Before Choosing a Project Management Software

It’s no exaggeration to say that technology, especially software, runs the world. We have software and programs for pretty much everything.

No wonder then that software can be used to help with intricate work as well- including building and construction software to manage projects such as Buildshop for builders. In practical terms, it is a time-consuming laborious process that requires lots of organization, planning, and communication – all of which software can help with. A builder has a few key requirements when he looks for software to assist him.

 

·         How specific can the software get?- is it a generic program that anyone, novice or expert, homeowner or builder can use, or can he look for something tailor-made for his particular purposes and use?

·        Does it allow for collaboration? - if the software will be used by different people at different points in the construction process- the builder, architect, designers, home owners and contractors - will the software allow for all of them to see the work in progress and comment, add or note their own contributions?

·         Can it provide reminders? - the software will need to keep up with the building pace. If it’s possible for it to note schedules and time frames, it can be beneficial to all the players in the project. The software should be able to update itself with each new change and keep everyone informed.

·         Will it show history? - the software needs to be a repository of past actions- this includes photographs of the site and progress, documents, emails and any other exchange that have taken place. Having all the information in one place makes looking things up easy and less time consuming.

·         Can it help with budgeting? - if the software comes with inbuilt budgeting or accounting software, it’s a huge advantage to the builder and the client. If not inbuilt, the software should lend itself to the seamless integration with accounting software. This is a good way to get to ensure that you’re not over budget and maximize profit for everyone.

·         Is it too expensive to use? - if the software comes with an expensive price tag and monthly maintenance fees, then builders might think twice about investing in it. Fair pricing of product is important everywhere and in building software too.

·         Will it help if needed? - once the software is sold, does the company withdraw or does it have technicians on call to help with any problem? This is crucial because no builders may not have access to IT staff to troubleshoot these problems in house. Look for software companies that provide support through chat, email, or phone.

While it’s very tempting and easy to go in for some free software, it makes more sense to take the time to find software that fits the needs of a particular project or construction professional, in the long run it will making managing projects easier and lower time and money wasted on these administrative tasks.

List of Garden Tools and Equipment Every Gardener Must Have

Whether you are an avid gardener or just someone who enjoys planting flowers when spring arrives, there are certain tools that you will need to have. These tools will make it both easier and faster to get the job done without putting too much strain on your body. Let's take a look at the list of garden tools and equipment that you shouldn't be without when starting or tending your garden this season.

Don't Go Outside Without Your Rivnut Kit

A blind rivet nut tool or ratchet rivnut tool can be helpful when setting up fencing or other barriers around your garden. Creating a barrier may make it harder for deer or other animals to eat your plants or for neighbors to accidentally wander into your garden. A rivnut kit is ideal for those working in tight spaces or need to set up a fence or netting in irregularly shaped areas.

A Garden Fork Is Perfect for Breaking Through Hard Soil

You won't be able to plant your seeds unless you can put them deep enough into the ground. A garden fork has three or four blades on it that easily rip through the ground and loosen it before seeding. These devices come in both manual and mechanized versions.

Stop Weeds From Competing With Your Plants

No matter where you decide to start your garden, you run the risk of weeds taking up space reserved for your flowers or vegetables. A weeder can both dig into the ground and rip weeds out by the root to get rid of them for good. It is an ideal tool when you can't or don't want to kill weeds with chemicals.

Use a Trowel for Digger Smaller Holes

Trowels are like shovels that fit in the palm of your hand. They are usually used to create smaller holes or depressions where plants can be placed in the garden. They may also be used to gently dig out plants that need to be relocated.

Post Hole Diggers Save Your Body

If you need to put up a fence, you will need to install a post to hold the material together. A post hole digger can glide in and out of even the toughest ground, and you don't have to stand up or bend over repeatedly to get the job done. This can save you from a trip to the emergency room because you pulled a muscle or otherwise hurt yourself.

Blow Those Leaves Out of the Way

During the late spring or early fall months, you may notice that leaves begin to fall from nearby trees. While you may want some of the leaves to remain and become fertilizer for your plants, you don't want them on too thick. A rake or a leaf blower can help get rid of them quickly.

Loopers or Cutters Get Rid of Vines or Other Unnecessary Growth

If you have tall weeds or vines growing near or into your garden, a looper can help you get rid of them. They are essentially long handles with scissors on the end of them, and you can cut off several feet of stems, vines or other overgrown plants in one cut.

No matter how large your garden is, it is always easier to tend to when you have the right tools for the job. Instead of putting too much strain on your body, cutters, digging tools and other objects can make short work of even the toughest garden projects. This means that you can spend less time making posts and cutting weeds and more time enjoying your plants.

About the author: Emily is a stay-at-home mom with a petite 2-year-old girl. She is also a freelance writer. She writes for many companies includes Dafra, an expert in rivnut & rivets tools based in Victoria, Australia.

Planning home interiors with LED Lights

We all love decorating our interiors. Pay attention to wall colours, floor, curtains or blinds. Display painting and decorative art effects; add plants and flowers to liven up interiors. But on most occasions, we ignore the power of proper lighting effects. We use Batten to substitute most of our lighting needs. But modern interiors need more. Find out how you can enhance your interiors with the correct lighting effect.

Importance of lighting

Lighting is a much underestimated and unexplored tool, especially in home interiors. Using lighting in the right way can make the simplest corner pieces look classy and poor lighting can diminish the value of the elegant ‘Discus Thrower’. Creating layers of different lighting effects matched with colours and textures are considered ideal for interiors. You need a lighting designer to work magic to your interiors. The use of spotlights on artwork to enhance the architectural elements can transform the look of your room.

LED lights suited for home interiors

With the advent of LED energy efficient lights, you can sit back and relax on your electric bills. LED Lights Manufacturers are proud of their cost effective lights that save money. Use them liberally but tastefully to highlight your best spaces. Be it the living room, bedroom, kitchen, dining room and study each has their own lighting demands. 

Using energy-efficient strip lights to dazzle shelves, clear candles in chandeliers, pendant lamps with soft LEDs or spotlight over fireplaces, the centrepiece or corner stand can create dramatic effects. Up-lighting under stair spaces can create a sense of volume through lighting. LED has diffused lighting options that can be used effectively in drawing rooms. They can also be used in the base of ceiling shade. LED lights offer an ambient atmosphere in large spaces and sitting area.

How to use LED lights effectively?

Light your kitchen

Using battens in the kitchen offering wide angle brightness is helpful. The sink and platform should have maximum visibility.  Cabinet lights in kitchen are extremely useful. Deep closets pantry and kitchen island area should be well lighted.

Warm bedroom glows

Your bedroom has your family pictures. Accent lighting displaying your photo frames and small art pieces are perfect. Place a good reading lamp next to the bed. The essential night lamps that come in multi colours bids you to sleep with hues which are natural sleep lullabies.

Bright bathrooms

Bathroom lights have to be as strong as your kitchen. This area needs a lot of cleaning. A light placed on the top of your mirror or at the sides will increase visibility.

Dining illumination

On the dining table, you can have two options, one a highly illuminated lighting and the other pendant types. Highly illuminated lightings come handy when you are eating something that requires more attention like fish. However, when you prefer the soft ambient light you have your choice.

Do not use lights in the diameter of your ceiling fans as the light will flicker when the fan moves. Low power LEDs are more effective than the high powered ones and the light uniformly spread through the room. Cool led lights have more efficiency than warm lights.  Decorative light holders, smart chords and wires that hide snugly behind furniture are useful tools that decorate your interiors.   

Make Boring Journey More Amazing By Mobile App

The only part that most people do not know about holidays is the amount of time taken to reach the location of the trip. Travelling such a long difference could really bore an individual specifically if they are not the kind who would use the time to involves in books or enjoy the crossing scenery. So there are certain mobile apps to keep an individual busy throughout the journey.

Osmos: A physics based award-winning game lets participant enter the Darwinian world. The participant  has to digest smaller creatures and grow to survive, and at the same time be aware of larger sharks. To move forward, you must emit material behind you, which will make you to contract. So, Osmos has to continue the balance by absorbing smaller masses speedly and effectively.

Subway surfer: It is very highly addictive running games. It have become quite famous since Temple Run smashed mobile stores. If an individual has got bored with Temple Run and want to keep fingers on something similar mobile app then Subway Surfers is  a great option. The participant has to run on subway path and accumulate coins and various kinds of power-ups on the way. In this not ending running game, the participant has to be careful of the angry inspector and a dog. This game is highly adopted and available to download for free on the Google Play store.

Funky: Funky is a 70s style shopping game wherein the participant has to eliminate illegal products from entering passengers as they move last an X-ray machine. All of it has to be done to a funky soundpath. There are various boosts which will help strengthen up the X-ray scanner. The game requires its participant to process as far as possible to make the high score.

Room: This mobile game puts participant directly in a room and the goal is to unlock the safe. Then begins hours of brain wound to solve confuse and dare to break open the safe. The Room has an interesting ghostly look and the gameplay will keep participant busy for several hours.

Unblock quickly: Here is still another confusing game option that brings hours of simple and adopting gaming. The aim of the game is to get the red piece out of the board. Participant can do so by stylishly sliding the other blocks out of the path. It provide four various levels ranging from Beginner to Expert and has about 4,200 confusion. There are two game level: Challenge participant with the Challenge mode and choose to just lay backward and relax along with the Relax mode. It is also called as Unblock Me. Unblock Me is a free game available for the mobiles and iOS users.

Smartphone could come to the save with its heap of adaptive games. There are many games that could easily keep you engaged for hours. So, there are many more best mobile apps to keep to stay busy during the time of journey.