Tag: DIY

Why Your Lake Home Needs an Outdoor Shower

Posted on Staff

Sure, it sounds backwards to have a shower on the outside of your house, but if you live at the lake, an outdoor shower may be exactly what your lake home is missing.

Take a few minutes to check out the benefits of installing an outdoor shower to your home, and see how easy it can be to do it yourself!

Benefits of an Outdoor Shower

Convenient, mess-free changing room:

Photo Courtesy of Wayfair.com

How many times have you had to walk through your home — wet and freezing — just to make it to a changing room after a day on the lake?

Not only is it a chilly trek, but the trail of water you leave behind can potentially damage your floors and cause unsuspecting lake lovers to slip and fall.

An outdoor shower provides a convenient (and warm) place to change out of your wet clothes and allows you to rinse any leftover lake grime down the drain. Trust us, your floors and your guests will thank you!

Visitor Overflow:

When you own a lake home, you’re suddenly the most popular person among your family and friends. As a result, your home is often overrun with visitors during the lake season.

An outdoor shower can help better accommodate these guests by being an alternative washing spot when indoor showers are occupied.

To ensure patrons are comfortable, be sure to enclose your outdoor shower with privacy walls and a equip it with a latch or locking mechanism.

For added convenience, outdoor showers can even be connected to your home’s hot water supply for a more enjoyable showering experience.

Adds Value to Your Home:

That’s right: an outdoor shower can ADD to the value of your lake home!

According to HGTV’s article, “Which Home Improvements Pay Off?,” adding a bathroom to your home can increase a home’s sale price by almost 9 percent.

While your outdoor shower won’t be a full bathroom, this additional space can still bump up your lake home’s value, even if only by a little.

Do it Yourself – How to Build an Outdoor Shower

Whether your outdoor shower is as simple as a water hose hanging from a tree, or as extravagant as an enclosed room with a waterfall shower head is up to you!

For something basic, all you need is the following materials:

Photo Courtesy of campingroxx.com
  • two extra-large hula hoops
  • water-proof/resistant material
  • a wooden pallet
  • sewing materials
  • 10 ft. of rope or cord
  • a water hose
  • water spigot access
  • a tree with low-hanging limbs
  • old-fashioned ladder

Construction Instructions:

  1. Take your waterproof/resistant material and sew it to one of the hula hoops, similar to sewing curtains around a dowel rod. Once completed, your material and hula hoop should resemble a tube.
  2. Next, secure the second hula hoop to the bottom of this tube. This will add a little weight to the bottom of the enclosure.
  3. Around the top opening of the enclosure, cut 4 holes large enough to slip your cord or rope through. These holes should be made slightly below the hoop itself, and spaced out like the points of a compass with one point at each direction.
  4. Take your rope or cord and cut it into fourths, with each fourth at the same length.
  5. You will next tie each rope to the top hoop through the four holes you previously made. Be sure these a tied securely to ensure your shower enclosure does not collapse while in use.
  6. After each rope is secured to the base, connect all four ends together, so that they make a peak from which you can hang the enclosure and slide the enclosure over a low-hanging limb. Be sure to choose a tree that in on a slight incline, if possible, to allow for better water run-off.
  7. Next, take your water hose, connected to the water spigot, and wrap it around the same limb so that it rests above the center of the enclosure’s open top.
  8. Take your pallet and place it under your hanging shower enclosure to serve as the platform on which users will stand to shower.
  9. Lastly, lean your old-fashioned ladder against the tree. This will be where your towels can hang until you are ready to dry off.
  10. Finally, your shower is ready for use!

For more outdoor shower ideas, explore these 32 beautiful DIY outdoor showers, and be sure to check out our other home improvement blogs here!

Fall Décor and More – Getting Your Lake Home Ready for Autumn

Posted on Staff
Photo courtesy of Beach Pretty.

The leaves have begun to change, pumpkin spice lattes are back and it’s time to pull out your plaid and scarves. Fall has arrived, which means lake season is officially over, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy your lake home in the autumn! And, you can start by updating your fall décor.

It’s often difficult to choose just how to decorate your lake home for any other season but summer, especially in a way that reflects your personality and the latest trends.

However, there are a few basic guidelines you can follow to help get you started decorating for fall on the lake.

Color Comes First!

To begin, consider what color palette you want to work with.

Incorporate on statement color; this should be most prominent in your design. Popular statement colors include wine tones and emerald greens and burgundy. Also popular in the fall are navy and muted oranges.

Next, you will want to choose accent colors. These will complement your statement color and add depth to your design.

Generally, you will want to pick at least two accent colors, but be cautious of the number of secondary tones you choose to incorporate.

Photo courtesy of Scheme Color.

An excess of secondary colors could result in a loss of cohesion in your design, meaning your vision will no longer be clearly present.

Rather than having a cute, well-put-together door decoration, the end result might start to resemble something along the lines of abstract expressionist art… or something a toddler threw together.

A base of three colors, one statement, and two accent colors, is a good starting point for beginning designers. At the lake, a great combination would be a base of navy, accented with silver and perhaps orange.

Add in the Accents

Once you have decided on a color scheme, you should begin thinking about how you will accent these colors in your design.

One thing to consider is patterns. Plaid, gingham, houndstooth, and paisley patterns not only add to the color in your design but also give it texture and dimension.

A textured design has more impact, and is more aesthetically pleasing, than a flat one. Different materials, such as lace and burlap, also help with texture.

Photo courtesy of Hobby Lobby.

Additionally, think about what iconic autumn symbols you want to feature. Pine cones, pumpkins, acorns, hay bales, and leaves are all common accents. If your lake home is located in a wooded area, you could easily find a few items in nature to use for free!

A wreath of pinecones, pumpkins resting on hay bales and garlands of acorns can all add depth to your décor.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and accent pieces. Just because they don’t match doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t work well together.

Putting it All Together

Photo courtesy of At Home.

After you have your accents, patterns, and colors determined, now comes the task of putting them all together.

If you have no idea what you want the final product to look like, start by looking up fall décor for ideas on Etsy, Google, or Pinterest. Here you will find pictures of what other home decorators have done in the past, so you can see what works together and what best resembles your lake home’s style and personality.

For a log cabin-style lake home, you could choose to feature red, greens and black plaids, burlap, and metal accents.

Additionally, you could incorporate twigs, pinecones, and small logs into your outdoorsy design. Adding a pop of gold, with ribbon or beading, can give your decorations a little extra pop, as well.

If your home is more modern, houndstooth, silvers, and burnt orange might look best. Pumpkins would look good with this color scheme, as well as fall leaves, acorns, and brushed metals.

Should you not find any leads worth pursuing online, you can always just find your style through trial and error.

Since you’ve already decided on colors, textures, and accents, you can try a number of different design combinations until you find the right one.

Don’t get discouraged if your vision doesn’t come through on your first try. Your perfect fall décor design is in there somewhere.

Sometimes some distance will teach you to love your first try. And if it doesn’t, waiting a few days can often show you exactly where your problems with the designs lie.

Finishing Touches

In the future, you can think about adding extra features beyond that which you already have. This might include changing porch lights to different colored bulbs, adding a bench or bike to your porch. Or, incorporate string lights and colorful mums or other living decorations.

As years go by you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t, and you can add to your decoration cache over time. Eventually, you will find the perfect balance for your fall décor.

And when in doubt, just keep it simple, as lake living should be.

For more tips and ideas, enjoy our other seasonal decorating articles here.

Lake Home Tips: Kitchen Upgrades to Make Your Space Feel Bigger

Posted on Staff

To be honest, most of the time spent at your lake home is spent outdoors – as it should be. But the second-most popular place at your lake home is inside: It’s your kitchen, and when you’re entertaining your family and friends, a cramped space just won’t do.

Construction crews aside, there are many simple ways to make your kitchen feel bigger. Take a look at the few examples below to see how you can update your space this lake season!

White and Wood

Lightening up the color of your kitchen may sound simple, but it’s effective.

Lighter colors, such as creams and whites, are better at reflecting light, which helps create the illusion of a larger room.

kitchen with white walls, stainless appliances

To take your upgrade a step further, interior designers suggest putting up trim around the top of your space, painted an even lighter color than the walls.

Add texture to your kitchen by paneling your walls with whitewashed wooden planks, commonly known as shiplap.

Popularized by the HGTV show “Fixer Upper,” shiplap can not only help make your kitchen feel bigger, but it can also make your space feel warm and cozy, like a comfy lake cabin.

Or, when accented appropriately, can give your kitchen a coastal vibe.

Let the Light in

Another technique to making your space feel bigger, is increasing the amount of natural light that flows into it.

Do away with your dark colored window shams and thick, heat-blocking curtains, and spring for a set of indoor shutters that can be opened and closed at your leisure while still inviting in ample sunlight.

You can also incorporate reflective surfaces in your kitchen. Similar to how lighter colors can make a space feel roomier, so can reflective surfaces like stainless steel appliances and metallic backsplashes.

Eliminating low-hanging chandeliers and frosted light fixtures can also open up a room.

Redo Your Floors

Installing patterned flooring is another option to consider when attempting to make your space feel bigger.

One way to achieve this is to use over-sized tiles in your kitchen. The size of these will help to create a sense of wideness to the area.

In selecting these tiles, choose similar colors that are slightly different, such as a slate and a lighter grey. Dark floors will contrast well with your light walls.

If you want hardwood floors, install planks of alternating colors. As with your tile, be sure not to very the color drastically. Slight variations will achieve the look you desire without being visually jarring.

Another tip is to install your hardwood floors vertically, rather than horizontally. This will help make your space look as it longer.

Incorporate Open Shelving

Ditch your boxy ceiling-to-counter shelves and opt for several open shelving units.

This will help add depth to your kitchen by optimizing the amount of light in your space and help make better use of your wall space.

Often thick and dark, closed cabinetry can also have an oppressive effect on a space.

Open storage aides in functionality of your kitchen by eliminating the time you take hunting down that pot or pan, as well as makes the room more inviting.

So before you call the contractor, try out one of these simple upgrade suggestions for making your space feel bigger, and be sure to check out our other home improvement articles here and here!

The For-Sale-By-Owner Problem No One Talks About

Posted on Glenn S. Phillips

Real estate has many ways it can be sold, and each approach has secrets. You can dig around online or talk with industry professionals and learn many of these secrets.

However, that does not mean you will be aware of every obstacle.

This is the case of one big unspoken problem for For-Sale-By-Owner (“FSBO”) transactions that frequently impedes the sale of homes by their owners.

For-Sale-By-Owner

First, let me give a quick background, then I’ll discuss the problem and its impact.

As most know, For-Sale-By-Owner is popular for some homeowners for a variety of reasons. For some, it is the avoidance of real estate commissions, while others in super-hot markets can find this approach easy enough for the owner.

For Sale By Owner

There are also a few people who choose this approach as a matter of financial principles (regardless of the money). These are the anti-Realtor people, and some may even take less money for their home just so they don’t participate in the traditional real estate brokerage model.

Conversely, some owners avoid FSBO due to various challenges (which, whether you agree or not, are often cited by real estate agents).

These oft-spoken challenges to For-Sale-By-Owner include establishing a viable, market-correct listing price and access to marketing for the home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Then add in the hesitancy of some agents to bring buyers to FSBOs, and the paperwork and process challenges of moving a home from “For Sale” to sold.

The Best Solution is The Best Solution

I want to be very clear that while I am in the real estate brokerage business, I am not anti-FSBO.

If my team is doing their job right, and other agents are doing their job right, we should provide a better outcome than alternatives. If we fail in our duties, then that failure is on us, not the consumer who finds a better solution.

I believe that the best solution for the customer is the best solution.

The real estate market is huge, and there will never be one singular market approach. I believe there is room for both For-Sale-By-Owner and the brokerage models in their many versions.

Why Has FSBO Not Gained More Market Traction?

When we decided to take leadership roles at Lake Homes Realty, we first spent fifteen months evaluating all types of real estate business models.

During this evaluation, one of the questions I found particularly interesting was this:

chalk drawing of for-sale-by-owner-house with key in doorway next to $100 bill

In this day of easy access to information, including “how to sell a home,” why have For-Sale-By-Owner transactions not made a bigger dent in market share of real estate across the country?

There was a time where real estate brokers were the almost sole keepers of “how to sell a home and complete the transaction.” But that day is long gone.

So if the “how to” is now easily available to anyone online, and many MLSs now allow listing FSBO properties, what’s keeping FSBO from dominating real estate?

The Secret Problem No One Discusses

The answer to my question includes the challenges I noted above. This includes how to obtain market exposure and concerns about properly executing the paperwork.

There is also one other problem confronting FSBO sellers, the unspoken challenge: Greater than normal “price separation.”

Put another way, the sellers AND buyers both believe THEY should get the money that would have gone to agent commission.

And that is a monster obstacle in negotiations.

For Example

Let me explain it like this: Bob is selling his home using a For-Sale-By-Owner approach. He has done a number of real estate transactions before and has the home listed on the local MLS. Bob has embraced FSBO to save the cost of agent commission.

Bob is comfortable with the process, knows what he is doing, and sees no reason to pay an agent for work he is very capable of doing himself. This is reasonable and practical.

Here’s the hitch. Sally, the potential buyer for Bob’s home, knows Bob won’t be paying a commission. So Sally believes that without a commission to be paid, the price should be discounted.

FSBO Buyers are “Looking for a Deal!”

In other words, buyers often look at FSBOs when they are looking “for a deal.”

In exchange for “a deal,” buyers will accept some additional discomfort with risks (perceived or real) of buying a home without an agent’s assistance. But there better be a price advantage!

The buyers may not even be able to verbalize this feeling. However, their logic has some method to it.

FSBO home buyers shaking hands

The voice in their head tells them that if comparable homes sell for some consistent price, which includes the agent commission, then by logical deduction those homes’ actual value must be less.

Since this seems logical, the buyer believes they deserve that amount as a price discount. And any owner who wants to keep that amount is often seen as greedy and unreasonable.

This leads to the buyer and seller having a much larger than normal gap between them about price expectations. And this occurs with no third-party in the middle to explain or negotiate this gap.

Each party genuinely believes they are right and cannot understand why negotiations struggle (if there is even an offer to begin with).

The Odd Agent Impact on Price Separation

This price separation is a reason I believe many former-FSBO homes sell faster once represented by an agent. Why? Once buyers see an agent is involved they tend to lose some of the  FSBO-anchored expectation of getting “a deal.”

Are there homes where the owner really will drop the price and the home sells?  Of course.

However, this action actually perpetuates the expectation for other buyers that FSBO is where you find the lowest prices. That is, it reinforces the believe that FSBO is where you go to find low price “deals.”

Stacking pennies for for-sale-by-owner home purchase

And yes, there are many transactions where the FSBO owner and buyer negotiated a price they both found acceptable.

These can occur anywhere but is most common in very active “hot” markets, where marketing is not as critical and buyers know homes will sell in only a couple of days.  This is a feeding frenzy that negates the buyers thoughts of finding a low price. They just want to get a house before they are gone.

Outside of these transactions, many FSBO owners finally give up the approach and engage a real estate agent. What they don’t realize is that in addition to whatever skills and tools the agent brings, this action alone changed buyer expectations to some degree (regardless of the capabilities and skills of their new agent).

Is There a Solution?

Is there a solution for For-Sale-By-Owner sellers to this issue (beyond engaging a real estate agent to represent them)?

I can’t say. And not because I need to defend the brokerage model. (Heck, if I could solve this challenge, there is a big business opportunity in having that answer!)

This problem of an exaggerated price separation is not limited to FSBO, it is just greatly enhanced. It remains true that buyers and sellers the world over often disagree on an acceptable price.

What I can say is that FSBO sellers and buyers have to work through more issues than each may realize.

It can be done, but it is always best to plan your financial transactions by understanding as much as possible about the property, the transaction process, the market, and, of course, the target customer (the buyer).

While it may not always work, my suggestion for the FSBO seller is to address this unspoken challenge head-on.

Talk with potential buyers about the FSBO approach and have very good data to support the current market value of the home.

Sellers will either get better engagement from buyers or they will learn more about the market behavior of these buyers.

8 New Year’s Resolutions to Improve Your Home and Health

Posted on Staff

New Year’s resolutions typically begin with perfecting yourself, or at least bettering yourself by losing weight, quitting smoking, eating better, working more, etc., but we usually do not think about resolutions for our homes.

We always have a project we would like to work on, or have things around the house we should keep up on.

Here is a list of 8 New Year’s resolutions for better health and a happier home:

new years eve fireworks over the lake

Quit smoking indoors

Or better yet, quit smoking altogether!

Smoking indoors creates a musky, over-powering odor, one non-smokers hard time being around.

Not only does smoking inside produce harsh smells, it creates a film over everything in the house like walls, windows and furniture.

If you have white walls and have been smoking for 2 years inside, they are probably more yellow-toned by now.

Watch your money

Keep your home finances to a budget; including household repairs.

Open a separate savings account designated for home repairs, changing or adding new items to the home, such as décor, new bedding, towels, etc., and household supplies such as a rake for the falling leaves, or salt for the drive way during the winter.

Conserve Energy

Learn how to be more energy efficient.

Use lights only when necessary, turn off all lights and TV’s when not in the room and use water when needed. Remember to check those leaky faucets!

Also. turn off the heat or AC, and open the windows when it is nice outside.

De-clutter and deep clean your home

This means going through each room and getting rid of what is not needed or wanted.

This may be a great way for you to make extra money by selling anything you think is worth something, either online or by having a yard sale. You could also donate your unneeded items to a local charity.

Make a resolution to keep your home cleaner. Most of us can sat this is one resolution we can afford to commit to.

Keeping a home clean helps our overall mood; it keeps us in a happy and productive mood.

A messy place where it seems everything is out of place can create a chaotic and stressful environment.

Focus on Family

Spend more time your loved ones.

Keeping your home full of family and friends is a great way to keep it fun and create memories at the same time.

Utilize your kitchen and make big family meals and invite all that you care about.

Start Small

Make small repairs, and other additions to your home, yourself.

By hiring someone, you are normally paying triple the amount it takes to do the project yourself.

If it is a simple repair or addition, such as adding a shelving unit, or painting the house, you can do that yourself and even invite family and/or friends over to help.

And if you don’t know where to start, we’ve got you covered.

Watch less TV

Limit your time in front of the TV by reading more or taking up a new hobby.

By making it a point to watch less TV, you are saving on the overall cost of electricity, but more importantly you are exercising you mind by reading or your body with outdoor activities.

 

The new can be the start of a new lifestyle. Give these tips a try for a happier, healthier 2018.

 

Outdoor Renovations? Think Budget and Scope

Posted on Nerdwallet (LHR Content Provider)

wooden trellis-like stairs
Stairs are a common renovation project.

Many homeowners view their outdoor spaces as their own personal oases, places where they can relax, dine and spend time with their friends and loved ones.

In light of this, it makes sense that homeowners consider investing in major features that will transform their outdoor areas into additional living spaces.

Like any home-renovation project, however, outdoor renovations can easily get out of control if you don’t have a good handle on how much things will cost, what your goals are and whether you’re doing the work yourself or need professional help.

Before you dive into an outdoor improvement, take these key considerations into account to help you stay on budget and ensure that your project is successful.

Match plan to budget

One of the key factors in the success of any outdoor project is determining a realistic budget long before you put shovel to topsoil.

Only once you’ve decided what you’re comfortable spending can you define the scope of your project.

The 2016 Houzz Landscaping & Garden Trends Study, conducted among registered users of the residential remodeling website, found that 88 percent of respondents had done or planned to do substantial renovations or complete overhauls, while only 12 percent had done or planned to do minor updates.

Knowing the scope of your plans in the beginning will help you get a basic sense of what the project will cost you.

In the Houzz study, nine out of 10 homeowners working on minor updates spent or planned to spend less than $5,000, but substantial updates called for bigger budgets — more than two in five homeowners working on a complete overhaul spent or planned to spend $20,000 or more.

Having a general understanding of the projects that are most popular among outdoor renovators can also be helpful as you develop your budget and scope.

Across all outdoor projects reported in the study, many homeowners were updating outdoor systems such as irrigation and lighting (82 percent), beds and borders (80 percent) and structural elements such as patios, terraces and gazebos (72 percent).

The costs of these projects vary significantly based on a number of factors, such as project nature, scope and professional involvement.

For example, while most standard outdoor systems such as irrigation or lighting in medium to small yards can be upgraded for less than $2,000, updates to beds and borders can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.

Renovation of outdoor structures is typically quite expensive and can easily start at a few thousand dollars and go up based on the type of structure and the extent of upgrades.

Pick your priorities

The next key factor to consider: What are you trying to accomplish with your renovation?

If outdoor living is top of your mind, you might concentrate on adding outdoor furniture, a fire pit or cooking features to enhance comfort.

If a low-maintenance space is a top priority, you might focus on adding plants that require little care and are resistant to cold, drought and wildlife.

When it comes to design, outdoor renovators most valued one that complements the style of their home (46 percent), promotes outdoor living (45 percent) and is stylish and beautiful (43 percent).

In terms of function, a space that’s easy to maintain ranked highest for homeowners (80 percent), followed by an area suitable for group gatherings and entertainment (49 percent).

Beyond creating an outdoor space that is aesthetically pleasing and easy to spend time in, many homeowners tackled specific challenges during their projects. Top issues included drainage troubles, lack of privacy and drought or water shortages.

Identifying your outdoor pet peeves or pressing concerns should make it easier to set project scope and budget. This will help you avoid project-scope creep.

Hiring a professional

More than half of outdoor upgraders in the Houzz study hired a landscape contractor or landscape architect/designer (52 percent) to help them bring their vision to life — and for good reason.

Landscaping professionals can open your eyes to a wide variety of options for your space that you might not be aware of, provide guidance for staying on schedule and budget, and tackle projects for which specialized skills are particularly beneficial.

Certain projects also require the hiring of licensed professionals to comply with local regulations.

Once you determine your budget, scope and top priorities, consider meeting with a professional for an initial consultation to discuss what you have in mind for your project.

Finding the right landscape contractor or landscape architect can make an entire project come alive. You may be surprised at how reasonable the professionals’ fees are compared with their contributions to the project and the quality of the final outcome.

An outdoor makeover can make an enormous difference in how you and your family enjoy your time at home.

In fact, after the completion of their outdoor project, 75 percent of homeowners reported resting and relaxing more often in their yards, 64 percent did more gardening and 55 percent entertained more frequently in their outdoor areas.

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure that you not only complete your project without damaging your finances but also achieve an ideal outdoor space that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.

Nino Sitchinava is principal economist at Houzz, a residential remodeling and design platform and community.

This article originally appeared on NerdWallet. 

NerdWallet is a Lake Homes Realty / LakeHomes.com content partner providing real estate news and commentary. Its content is produced independently of Lake Homes Realty and LakeHomes.com.

Repairing a Hole in Drywall

Posted on Staff

man repairing drywall on ceiling

Holes in drywall can be repaired fairly easily, with a minimal amount of equipment and work. Most homeowners can accomplish this with just a few tools.

Drywall is also referred to as plasterboard, wallboard or sheetrock.

Follow these steps in order to repair and conceal drywall holes of all different sizes.

Repairing a Large Hole: 4 to 6 Inches

You can get ready-made patches for drywall. These are available in different home supply centers and hardware stores.

Most offer a “peel-and-stick” type and most patches also have metal backing for additional strength.

If the hole was caused by door knob or other high-speed object, a patch can certainly hide it. However, it may not be strong enough to hold up if there is another impact. If that is the case, then you will need to get a new piece of drywall.

To install a drywall patch, follow these steps.

  1. First, clean the edges around the hole. Trim away any loose or frayed pieces using a utility knife.
  2. Shape or cut the patch carefully in order to fit your hole. Be sure to leave a border of extra backing around the patch in order to attach it to the wall that surrounds the hole.
  3. Clean and then dry the hole, to allow for maximum adhesion. If there are any greasy areas, you can clean them with some tri-sodium phosphate, found in the paint section of a hardware store. You can also just use soapy, warm water. Get the drywall damp enough to clean, but not soaking wet.
  4. Apply the patch to the wall, and smooth out the taped edges with a putty knife.
  5. Use a wide blade putty tool in order to spread a very thin layer of compound over the area.
  6. After it is dry, gently sand the patch to blend it into the wall and repaint.

Repairing Medium-sized Holes: 2 to 4 inches

If the hole is small, you may not need to use a patch. Instead, you can just use some joint compound, also found at a hardware store.

To apply:

  1. Clean up the area using a utility knife, and then trim away or press back any loose bits that are hanging down.
  2. Wet the repair area using a spray bottle. This will help the compound stick to the wall. This step can be skipped if you are using a non-water-based compound.
  3. Once your wall is clean and just a bit damp, apply a good amount of the compound onto a putty knife. Using a wider putty knife will produce a smoother result. Fill the hole and make sure there aren’t any gaps. It’s fine it it sticks out a little – that’s what the next step is for.
  4. Smooth out the compound using a putty knife. Hold the blade at roughly a 30 degree angle from the drywall, and pull it towards you in just one steady motion.
  5. Sand gently afterward, and repaint the section of wall if necessary.

Repairing Small Holes: Less than 2 inches

Smaller holes are very easy to repair, and can be unnoticeable if done correctly. You can use either non-shrink drywall compound or spackle.

  1. Clean up the area that needs to be repaired. Trim away the edges.
  2. Wet the area very lightly.
  3. Using a liberal quantity of the compound or spackle and a putty knife, cover the small hole and fill it in.
  4. Ensure that you smooth out the edges to blend it to the wall.
  5. Sand it down and paint over as needed.

 

Strategies for Using Compost

Posted on Staff

hands holding potting soilNo matter if a compost pile is hot and quick or cool and slow, when it is finished it is a completely new material.

The volume of the original pile will have been reduced due to biochemical breakdown and the water respiration will be approximately 30-50 percent of what it was during the process.

The finished product however, will offer you numerous benefits for different reasons:

Nutrient Rich Soil

Using compost in a garden will improve the quality of the soil, this is why compost is often referred to as a soil conditioner.

Compost will also improve the structure and the texture of the soil which will enable it to better retain the nutrients, moisture and the air that your plants need to grow.

Soil Structure

Mixing the compost into your soil will dramatically improve its structure. The structure of the soil refers to how the inorganic particles combines with the decaying organic particles.

The inorganic particles include silt, sand and clay. Soil that has good structure will be crumbly, drain well and will retain its moisture. You will find that it is very easy to till and turn over for planting.

Water Retention

Sandy soil does not have much water and it is difficult for it to retain nutrients. Soil that has a lot of sand in its composition will feel loose and coarse. Also, it will not hold its shape when you squeeze it in your hand.

Water and soil nutrients will pass through it very quickly since there isn’t anything to hold it together. Using compost will help the soil to bind with the particles and increase nutrients and moisture retention.

Additional Air

Clay soil will feel heavier and be more dense. The particles are smaller and are bound together tightly. When this soil is wet, the clay in it will be sticky and, when squeezed, will hold together.

When you mix in the compost, it will bind the clay into bigger particles that will offer more air space. This will offer your plants more air and better drainage.

Nutrients for Plants

Using compost adds nutrients to the soil. It contains many different basic nutrients that plants needs in order to grow.

In addition to the three main nutrients, which are nitrogen, potassiu, and phosphorous, there are other micro-nutrients that are found in the compost. These micro-nutrients include copper, zinc, iron and manganese.

Fertilizer

Compost is made using different ingredients.

Some end up decaying more quickly than others. Because of this, nutrients are released over a period of time. Compost is deemed a slow releasing type of fertilizer.

If everything decayed at the same rate, the resulting material would not be as useful. Putting the compost in your garden will offer you bigger vegetables, faster growing plants and amazing soil.

There are many people use compost out of convenience. It is something that can be made at home and is natural.

This is a better choice over store-bought fertilizer, which can contain high levels of chemicals.

 

Tips for Hiring the Right Contractor

Posted on Staff

So you’ve decided that you are immune to the DIY madness sweeping the nation, and you’re ready to hire a contractor to finish your home improvement project or major renovation.

What ever level of work you require, there are different contractors and professionals you need to consult with before hiring one.

Here are a few ideas on what to look for as you get ready to pay the pro to get your project finished.

contractor working on the floorHighly Recommended

Do you know a friend, relative or coworker that has had a similar project done?

Ask him or her who they used, if they’d recommend them, and how much the contractor or company cost.

Personal recommendations can always be trusted more so than online reviews.

If it sounds like a good fit, reach out to them. Being referred by a past client can also get you a discount, or a kickback for the person who referred you.

Google It

If you’re starting from scratch, a safe place to start is always Google.

You can search by project type, like “plumbers” or “basement finishing” or “landscaping” in your zip code, and search that way.

You can also use online directories, like Angie’s List or the White Pages to look up local businesses that specialize in what you want to do.

Also, make sure to look up the company on the Better Business Bureau’s website, to ensure no claims have been made against them.

Budget Review

When you find a person you’d think would be a good fit, schedule a time for them to come and give you an estimate or get a feel for your project.

This will be a good time to meet the person and make sure you’re comfortable with them.

Before you meet him or her, have a tough budget in mind.

Don’t be wishy-washy and say, “Well how much do you think it will cost,” or “We were hoping to stay around $x.” Be firm, and know exactly what you’re willing to pay.

Do your research though, and don’t lowball or be cheap. Just come in with a fair offer, and if you can’t come to an agreement, it’s time to talk to a new contractor.

Hire Happy

If you find a contractor you really like and who gave you a reasonable estimate, do not hire them on the spot.

Continue to interview a few other candidates, and get a well-rounded view of the options out there.

It’s perfectly fine to accept the first offer and work with that contractor, but it’s not always a good thing to leap at the first opportunity.

If contractors know there is competition, they will put their best foot (and offer) forward.

Do Your Homework

If you decide to hire a contractor, make sure you understand everything: the time until completion, the exact work provided, the warranties or exemptions, when pay is expected, etc.

Sign a contract, even if it’s just a rough mockup that says, “Work will be completed by X Company by X date for X dollars.”

If the contractor is truly professional, they will already have a contract or agreement in their paperwork.

Hiring someone to do work on your home is a big step, and it can often be intimidating if you’ve heard a lot of horror stories.

In the end, if you do your homework and are willing to pay a true professional, the work will be done with minimal headache.