Home Renovations: 5 People that Make It Happen

So you’ve caught those Better Homes and Gardens mags when you were shopping at Woolies and started eying off a kitchen. Then you took a second glance at some new timber flooring as you passed the flooring store. Then your youngest asked for their own room. And it was all over, the fall into renovation began!

Renovating is a great way to keep your location, your neighbourhood and the things you love about your home, but get the room, the makeover and the update you require. Let’s not beat around the bush, it’s a lot of work, and if you decide to do some of it yourself, it’s a lot more work. And stress. And drama. But if you do insist on cutting dollar corners and adhering to your budget by cutting corners on professionals, there are five people you should not overlook, as they truly are what will make or break this project!

1. The council
Some people, if they think they can get away with it, will skip the local council, in order to avoid fees and charges they just don’t want to pay. Well, while they may seem ridiculous on occasion and a waste of money, they are necessary, and it really isn’t worth the risk. The council is the first group of people that will make your renos happen, or have them pulled up short!

2. Builder
Seriously, don’t skimp on the builder and think you can do it yourself. If you love your home and want to make it beautiful and even more fitting for you and your family for coming years, this is one guy you definitely need. As well as helping you with plans and letting you know what’s realistic, they understand the entire process, can give you realistic expectations, and if you keep communication lines open and be specific, will be able to fit your budget.

3. Electrician
Strangely, electrical services is another job people think they can do themselves, but be realistic, electricity is a health hazard, so do it right. Negotiate the best price with your chosen tradie, and watch how they complete the job quickly and efficiently – much more efficient than you stumbling around in the dark roof wondering which wire goes where.

4. Plumber
Has your toilet ever overflowed onto the bathroom floor? Want it to? If not, don’t bypass the professional plumber. Like the electrician, they are qualified for a reason, and will ensure everything is done correctly at the start, so you don’t have problems with your new renos, later.

5. Cabinet maker
Finally, if you’re going to put in a new kitchen especially if it’s not a kit kitchen – but even if it is, get a cabinet maker to do it. These guys are pedantic about fitting things in flush, not a millimetre out. Would you even notice if your kicks, benches tops or cupboards were a mil out? No? Well your plates will as they slide off and onto the floor!

At the end of the day, you can save a few bucks, but probably spend them later on fix its, or you can invest a little extra now, and get it right. While you may want to do your driveway yourself, or your garden, don’t overlook professionals when it comes to electricians in Sydney, plumbers, cabinet makers and builders.
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Safety around the Home – Common Accidents to Look Out For

Accidents often occur around the home and they usually can be easily avoided. Children are particularly vulnerable and if you have small children it is important to child-proof your house. You can be alerted against more serious accidents, such as house fires, if you have the proper alarm systems, such as smoke alarms. With other types of accidents it is merely a case of being vigilant and having a good look around your home to see what is potentially dangerous.

Slipping
If you have tiles or timber floor boards throughout your home you need to watch out for these surfaces becoming slippery when wet. When wet it is easy to slip and fall over and quite easily break a bone. Children, who often run through the house, are especially prone to slipping over. This is also the case if you have tiles outside, particularly around a pool. If you are going to have tiles outside choose those with a non-slip texture, like sand stone. Pay careful consideration to what you choose if you are going to be laying them around a pool area. Mop up any spills inside as soon as possible and put down a bathmat in the bathroom to soak up any water so you can avoid having a slippery floor.

Drowning
Unfortunately many drowning deaths occur in family homes, most of these being children. If you have a swimming pool you run the risk of a drowning occurring, but very young children can also quite easily drown in a small amount of water in the pool. Children should never be left unsupervised while they are in or around water, which includes both swimming pools and when they are in the bath. It is important that they are not left alone and that someone is always watching them.

Stairs
Stairs can be dangerous and can be a problem for older people and very young children. Be careful that there are no toys are other items left where someone can trip and fall down the stairs. You need to have a hand rail and if you have young children you should put a child-proof gate at the top of the stairs and at the bottom.

Poisons
Many household items can be potential poisons. Laundry detergent, dish washing tablets, medications and other household cleaners are all dangerous if consumed. If you have young children all chemicals, household cleaners and medications should be put up in cupboards that are well out of reach or they should be locked away.

Burns
Anyone where you need to watch small children. As well as being burnt on heaters or because of open fire places, children can also be burned by hot water. Hot drinks should always be put well out of reach of young children and you should set the temperature on your hot water system to a cooler temperature. You should not have boiling hot water coming out of your taps. You need to have proper guards for heaters and also a fire guard for any open fire place.

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Instant Turmeric

Have you ever tried this healthy drink? Just mix one spoonful of it with a glass of hot water; then it’s ready to drink. This product is already added with white sugar. For me it’s too sweet one, therefore I don’t drink it often.

According to vegetarian-nutrition.info, the yellow-orange color of turmeric is derived from curcumin, a bright yellow, phenolic pigment. Curcumin is an antioxidant which is considerably more powerful than vitamin E. It has anti-mutagenic activity, as well as the ability to inhibit the growth of certain cancers. The latest research shows that turmeric can suppress the development of stomach, breast, colon, lung and skin tumors.

Expanding Beyond Your First Home

There is nothing more exciting than getting your first home. You may find, however, that once everything is settled and things keep going well, the time may have come to move beyond your initial purchase and expand. There are lots of ways that you can grow, though it all depends on why you want or need to do it. The following ideas are just some of the things that you can do.

Get a Granny Flat

One of the best ways to expand beyond your home is to just go straight out into the yard and have a granny flat put in. A granny flat can be a fantastic investment, as it will significantly increase the value of your home, and can provide the extra space needed for your small business or for when relatives come to visit. You can also rent out your granny flat to bring in a handy extra income, and with your unit just out back it will be easy to keep up on any maintenance. Be sure to check with your local council or a property lawyer to ensure that you are legally entitled to a second structure on your land.

Get an Extension

An extension on your home can be the perfect way to get more out of a good thing. Whether you go out, up or down with your additions, your extension will enable you to get more out of your home while also increasing its value. So if you love your home too much to move into a bigger one, making your current one bigger can provide the perfect solution.

Investing in Land

Buying land can be an awesome way to diversify your investment portfolio, as well as presenting a huge amount of opportunity. Even if you can’t afford to build anything on it or do anything with it just yet, securing land is that all-important first step, and if you have purchased wisely, it will likely continue to increase in value – even while it just sits there.

Upgrade

Even though you may love your home, some places just aren’t meant to be forever. If you can, moving into a new place while maintaining ownership of your first home will allow you to rent it out and help you finance the costs associated with your new place. This kind of ‘flipping’ has turned some young people into millionaires extremely quickly, though it is much easier if you have a few trade skills and access to some good conveyancing services.

Buy the Place Next Door

If you love everything about the place that you live but you would like it to be a little larger, consider purchasing your neighbour’s place and joining them together. Your new mega-property will still have that prime location, and your home will be even more amazing.

Extending beyond your home can be a fantastic way to branch out with your investing, while still basing everything on your home’s core success. Making that first big step beyond your first home can be a little nerve-wracking, so keep any moves you make simple and well thought out, and you are sure to be in for even more future expansions.
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Designing the Right Pergola for Your Home

Creating the perfect outdoor area should start from the top – and that means installing a pergola that will set the scene for everything that follows. Modern pergolas come in all shapes, sizes, colours and a range of materials, meaning the right design is easily incorporated into your home. Pergolas are a key asset to your home and add value, functionality and practicality. Speaking to an expert who can advise on the best options for your outdoor area is the sensible move.

Be Prepared
Whether it is a new home in need of a pergola or an older home in need of a revamp, it is important to have an idea what you want and what works best. Before you seek out quotes, measure the area where the pergola is to be erected and make a note of any problems you foresee, such as the surface underfoot, proximity to sheds and other buildings, or where it is likely to attach to the walls of your home.

It’s important to find the right place for the pergola. Most new homes are built with an obvious location for an outdoor area already taken into consideration. The best location will provide ease of access to the inside of the home – access straight to the kitchen is ideal. A north-facing orientation is also a good idea, to make the most of our climate.

Types of PergolasModern pergolas come in three main configurations – gabled (or pitched roof), flat roof or domed. As a general rule, flat roofs are cheaper and more straight-forward to install. They are a simple and easy option and can be made to fit virtually any area. Gabled pergolas give greater flexibility when it comes to style. They are also cooler because the higher roof allows the heat that gathers underneath to rise and the design encourages better airflow. Domed roofs add that extra ‘wow’ factor and are generally the most expensive. Once again, they can be designed to fit any space and they can be an impressive feature all by themselves.

Choice of MaterialsSteel and aluminium construction has taken over from timber-framed pergolas as it offers great flexibility and protection from the elements. Timber pergolas will need more maintenance (such as painting) than steel construction and can warp or crack under certain conditions. When it comes to the roof, Colorbond and polycarbonate sheeting are the most popular choices. Polycarbonate can come in clear sheets to let light into the outdoor area, while Colorbond comes in colours that will complement the rest of your home.

Two TipsIt’s important to consider safety and local laws if your patio adjoins a swimming pool. Pool suppliers should be familiar with the laws surrounding this. Look for someone who can install approved fencing to make your outdoor area as safe as possible. In many States pool fencing is a legal requirement, so check with your local authority. Here’s another tip – if you are installing a patio, put in your fencing before laying paving bricks to save hassles. It’s easier to cut the pavers to fit around the support poles once they are in the ground.

Birds in Silhouettes

One photo from my archive. Captured last year on a tall-weed field in front of my aunt's home.

The Weekend in Black and White