Smooth Moves: Tips and Tricks for Stress-Free Removals

Packing up your life’s belongings and moving, whether it be across the road or across the world, is an exciting yet daunting experience. It is the start of a new journey, but with this journey comes a lot of decisions to be made. You might be moving in with someone or moving out to have your own personal space, either way the process can be stressful at times, so we have compiled a list of tips based on the advice from the professional movers at emmanueltransport.net.au to help you make this move as stress-free as possible. 

Early Planning: 

  • Start Early: Begin the preparations earlier to save yourself from rushing around last minute; this includes organising what professional moving company you will choose to help you move. 
  • Checklists Are Key: A good moving list. It should include everything from moving dates to the order of what rooms to pack first; you will want to leave your kitchen and bathroom goods until last as you will need these up until the moving day. 

Decluttering: Making Your Move Lighter

  • Sort and Simplify: Take an inventory of your stuff and determine what you’re going to leave behind. Less is more in relocating.

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Step By Step Guide To Choosing The Best Kitchen Renovation Company For Your Kitchen’s Remodelling

Step By Step Guide To Choosing The Best Kitchen Renovation Company For Your Kitchen's Remodelling

A new kitchen design can be one of the most significant jobs that any homeowner undertakes upon their property. When we say “undertakes” we do not mean that they are the ones who will be designing and installing their kitchen, although there are some talented and skilled people who can. Rather, it is an undertaking in the sense that they will decide that they want it done, and subsequently, they hire a kitchen renovation company to do the work.

That work can be considerable given that the kitchen needs to be designed and planned, materials selected and purchased, and then there is the work of installing the new kitchen with all the necessary carpentry, plumbing, electrics and decorating that may need doing. Needless to say, we are not talking about just any undertaking, we are talking about a significant undertaking when a kitchen is renovated.

However, before any of it can take place, a homeowner must first select a kitchen renovation company, which is not an insignificant task either. Given the potential cost and the implications for a person’s home resulting from a kitchen renovation, it should be apparent that choosing the right kitchen renovation company is essential. As such, we have created a simple step-by-step guide on how you can choose wisely if your kitchen needs renovation.

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5 Benefits Of Having A New Kitchen Design

5 Benefits Of Having A New Kitchen Design

Have you ever got frustrated when you asked someone why they did something, and their answer was a mere, “Just because”? No doubt many a parent can recall the same non-answer being given by their children numerous times. The same question of “Why?” could be asked of anyone who is thinking about having a new kitchen designed and the reason for doing so should be more than, “Just because”.

We say that because there are several benefits of having a new kitchen designed and installed, and if you are wondering what they might be, then you are reading the correct post. Below we have outlined five of the top benefits of having new kitchens.

Cleaning Your Kitchen Will Be Easier And Take Less Time

One of the biggest benefits of switching from a poorly designed kitchen to one which is designed with the practicalities in mind is that they are much easier to clean and cleaning them takes less time. Apart from new surfaces being easier to wipe, with the layout of your kitchen being designed for efficiency, you having new modern appliances, and there are fewer nooks and crannies for dirt, dust, and grime to hide, cleaning your kitchen will no longer seem like a chore.

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10 Questions You Should Ask A Landscape Designer Before Hiring Them

10 Questions You Should Ask A Landscape Designer Before Hiring Them

If you are planning an overhaul of your garden and plan to hire a landscape designer or architect, you will presumably want to be certain that they are capable of completing the project. Where many people struggle at this point is because hiring landscaping professionals is not an everyday occurrence, they are unsure how to go about vetting potential candidates.

There are several ways this can be done but the simplest, and in many cases, the most effective is to ask those you are considering a series of questions. From their answers, you should be able to assess their suitability and possibly even get a feel for which one you think is going to be most suited to the landscaping design you want. Here are 10 questions that you can use for this purpose. Note that some questions will follow on from answers to previous ones.

Question #1: What Services Do You Provide?

You first want to know that any landscape designer you employ offers the range of services you need. Specifics can include designing, architecture, planning, materials sourcing, building the design and project oversight. In most cases, it is better to deal with one landscaping company than several.

Question #2: Do You Offer A Consultation Before Confirmation Of Hiring You?

Before you commit, some landscape design companies will allow for a paid consultation so that you get the chance to hear their ideas and get a feel as to whether they are right. The fee you pay is worth it if it means you choose the right one.

Question #3: Can I See Any Of Your Previous Projects?

The only reason the answer to this should ever be ‘No’ is client confidentiality, and even then they should have images. If they say, “Yes”, it allows you to see and assess their previous work – many landscape architects will have their best work on show on their website.

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Top Tips for Choosing the Best Business Plumber

If you don’t already have a reliable option – choosing a good business plumbing service provider can be difficult as a property maintenance manager, but it’s extremely important to establish contacts that you can use in the case of an emergency. Plumbing emergencies can cause all sorts of problems, and it’s essential to ensure they are dealt with fast and efficiently.

With this in mind, we decided to draw on our experience in the industry to put together this list of our top tips for choosing the best business plumber. They include:

  1. Find a Plumber that Provides 24/7 Emergency Call Out Services

Plumbing problems are a lot more common than you might think, and they can result in lost business and significant lost income. Unfortunately, things like burst pipes and blocked drains don’t always occur at convenient times – at all – which means that you might need to access emergency plumbing services at some point.

Because of this, it’s a good idea to establish a relationship with a plumber that offers emergency 24/7 service. Doing this will allow you to call on them whenever problems pop up – no matter what the time is.

  1. Check Their Paperwork

You’re obviously going to want to work with a plumbing contractor who is fully qualified and covered by some sort of comprehensive insurance. This means that it’s extremely important to check their paperwork. Ask for proof of:

  • Licencing by the relevant Australian authorities.
  • Training for all team members who work on your business plumbing.
  • Insurance that covers their work and any accidents that could occur.

Doing this will ensure that you’re covered, no matter what happens.

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Our Office Toilets Keep Blocking – Should We Replace Them?

Our Office Toilets Keep Blocking - Should We Replace Them

There’s nothing worse than toilets that keep blocking up, especially if they have a tendency to overflow and fill your bathrooms with raw sewage and wastewater. Plumbing problems are common, but clogged toilets are nothing short of frustrating.

Now, if your toilets keep clogging up, you might be wondering if it’s time to replace them. Although this is a question best answered by a reliable office plumbing contractor, we’ve outlined a few important considerations below.

When Should I Replace My Toilet?

Now, in some cases clogged office toilets will be a result of a problem with your toilet itself. This won’t always be the case, as clogged drains or sewerage lines could also be the culprit, but it’s certainly worth thinking about replacing your toilet. The following could be signs that the blockages are caused by your toilet:

  • If you have a low-flush toilet that’s old and outdated. Unfortunately, these didn’t work well when they were released, and their performance certainly doesn’t improve with time.
  • If there are cracks in your toilet bowl. Although these may not directly affect its performance, they will likely cause problems in the near future.
  • If your toilet is simply old and worn out. This probably won’t cause blockages, but if your toilet is too old it might not be flushing properly anymore.

Actually, toilets are generally quite simple mechanisms which are usually simple to fix for experienced plumbers. Because of this, problems with blocked toilets are often caused by drain issues.

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Landscaping Design Ideas That Are Pet-Friendly

When it comes to designing a landscaping project with landscapers, there are many factors that need to be taken into account. There is the size of the property, the budget which is available for the project, and the preferences of the person for whom the landscape design is being created, so communicating these to your landscape arcitect is of the foremost importance. There is another factor, which might not apply in all designs, but for those that it does applies to it is crucial, and that is when the design needs to take into account that the garden is going to be used by a pet.

In most cases, this is going to be either a dog or cat, although many gardens also have rabbits, guinea pigs, and even pet lizards who might share them with their owners. Regardless of which type of pet you have, whether you are designing the landscaped garden yourself, or are employing someone else to do so, that design needs to be pet-friendly. Thankfully, there are  ways that can be achieved, and here are some of the simplest to follow when designing your landscaped garden.

Speak You Your Vet First

Before you so much as start measuring your garden with regards to designing it, the first port of call should be to speak to your vet. They may not be a gardener in their spare time, but in their professional capacity they will have experience of what dangers can occur within gardens for pets.

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6 Benefits of Professional Commercial Property Maintenance

When you have a commercial property it is essential to have it kept in spick and span order to ensure it gets rented out quickly and so pays for itself. No business owner wants to conduct his business premises that are unkempt or need a good coat of paint to brighten them up. The best way to ensure property maintenance is done on a regular basis is to hire a professional commercial cleaning team.

Here are several benefits of doing so.

  • You don’t have to try and do it all yourself when you are busy doing what you were trained for. Using your skills to increase your business is a no-brainer. If you have to spend time in other areas it will take away from the growth of your business. You wouldn’t hire an accountant to do receptionist duties, so you shouldn’t do maintenance jobs when trying to run a business. A big benefit of hiring maintenance help is that you can spend more time on growing your business.

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Why a Pre-Settlement Inspection is Essential

Pre-Settlement Inspection

Anyone who purchases a home will be eagerly anticipating settlement so they can move in. They will have already inspected the property themselves and had all the necessary inspections done for things like termite damage, other possible damage or illegal additions. So what is the pre-settlement inspection and why is it essential?

When the contracts for the buying and selling of the house are drawn up, there will often be inclusions such as specific curtains and light fittings or other goods and chattels. If there is obvious damage of some kind it is usually mentioned and if the vendor does not agree to have it repaired, the cost is usually taken off the sale price.

The contracts for the deal must be exchanged, but that is not the time when ownership of the home passes to you. First, a settlement date and time must be set for the payment to go ahead and the title deeds to be exchanged. After consulting a lawyer’s list to find a lawyer or conveyancer will take care of this and the date is usually 42 days after the contracts were exchanged.

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How Can Removalists Conserve Space?

Removalist

According to Brilliance Removalists Brisbane, moving companies are often able to advise you on how to reduce the space needed for packing your household goods. This is to ensure that a moving vehicle will have enough room for everything you need to take. It makes packing more efficient and items are better protected so less damage is likely.

Consolidation is one way to help save space. This works when smaller items will go into larger components.  Such an option may work in one of the following situations:

  • A chest of drawers might have clothing and other light items left in the drawers.
  • Small boxes may fit inside large boxes.  it is best to keep like items together if possible.
  • Any baskets, bins or other items that have nothing to go in them can be perfect for packing smaller items into.

Another way removalists use to safe space is by using vacuum seals for clothing and bedding. A seal will work in that you can add a number of items into a bag and then use a vacuum to clear out the air inside it. The bag must be sealable to prevent air re-entering. This makes it easier for items such as Manchester to be stored without the excess air taking up storage space. This is ideal for packing clothing or doonas, if you need to reduce the amount of space it takes up.

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What to Ask Before Replacing the Carpet in Your New Home

replacing-the-carpet

Moving into a new home is an exciting, fun time, in spite of all the hard work that accompanies it. You may even be looking forward to changing some things and upgrading others. For instance, that old carpet may need replacing as soon as you get your budget sorted out. But while you are waiting for that, ask some questions suggested by brilliancecleaning.com.au to ask about it, just in case that money could be better spent on some other home improvement. Here is what to find out. The neighbours might know the answers.

  • How old is the carpet? Good quality carpet lasts a long time. If the carpet in your new home is not that old yet, a professional clean might do the trick.
  • What is the carpet made from? You need to know this for cleaning purposes. If you use the wrong cleaner it could fade the carpet or damage the fibres.
  • Did the previous owner ever have inside pets? Some people have pets for years, then when they die, don’t want to purchase another one. If the home housed pets the carpets could probably do with being professionally cleaned. They may even need replacing, since dogs and cats sometimes vomit – and do other naughty things – on the carpet.

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6 Upgrades that Won’t Help Your Property Sell

sell-property-upgrade

If you are looking to upgrade your home in order to sell it, it’s just as important to know what not to do as what will work. The following 5 upgrades won’t cut it when you go to sell – in fact, they may even put buyers off and then you will never be in the position to book a furniture mover like Brilliance Removalists Perth.  That said, if you intend to stay in the house, these upgrades could really make a difference to your lifestyle – if they are something you and your family would like and use.

  • Installing a swimming pool. While this is sure to excite your kids, it can very well turn other people off. Not everyone likes swimming and seeing a pool simply means ‘more maintenance’ to many people. Real estate agents agree that adding a pool to your property immediately cuts out certain people groups as potential buyers. Elderly people; couples with toddler/a baby, because they feel a pool is dangerous to them; people on a strict budget who don’t want the expense of maintenance and property investors who don’t want it because all those reasons make it harder to sell.
  • Really extravagant fixtures and fittings. While a lot of these may be seen on home renovations and improvement programmes on TV, they don’t work for the general public. Why? Not everyone likes those specific styles. They have their own idea of how the house should look and want that, so they won’t pay extra for a house that has them.

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Two Ways of Flipping Real Estate For a Profit

Flipping Real Estate

Most people interested in real estate have heard of flipping property for a profit. This is where you purchase a property and then sell it again quickly – often within 12 months – at a higher price. Experts agree that the real estate market has to be booming for this to be successful – and that you can easily just spend your life calling house movers like Brilliance Removalists in and out making a loss rather than a profit, if you don’t know what you are doing.

Both of these judgements are true. However, that need not put off the eager entrepreneur. Some of us may not be cut out to be carpet cleaners or spend our lives working for someone else. It is possible to learn how to flip homes for a profit and just because you are eager to do so, it doesn’t mean you are going to be impulsive, right? Find out who is doing it and learn from them, or pay for good information if necessary, then carefully research all the necessary details before going ahead.

In fact, there are two good ways to flip property for a profit.

  • Make money when you buy the property. In this kind of flipping you purchase the property for much less than the market price. To do this you need to find a property with few competitors for the sale. It may be that it has structural damage that puts people off, or some other problem that makes people avoid it. The price you purchase at will need to be far below what the repairs and your other costs would amount to, so that when you resell there will be money left over that is all profit.
  • Do renovations that will pay for themselves. Most experts in real estate will tell you that renovations to a home will not return a 100% profit when selling. Homeowners don’t usually care about that because they are looking for lifestyle enhancement more than sale value. And they mostly intend to stay in their home for several or more years. But when you buy to flip this is not the case. The kind of renovations you do are important. Some types of renovations will lift the home into another class altogether, making it much more attractive to the buyer – even changing the demographic.

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How to Get Finance to Buy Real Estate

How to Get Finance to Buy Real Estate

Unfortunately, it is more difficult even in this day and age, for a woman to purchase real estate than it is for a man.  To qualify that statement, it is actually more difficult for women to get the finance to purchase property. Do banks think that a man is more trustworthy than a woman when it comes to repayments? Or could it be more to do with the fact that a woman who has children is more likely to have a lower paid job because she cannot put all her effort and attention into her career when she has children to look after? This may not be true for all women, but it is for some, at least.

In any case, if you want to buy real estate, the best way to get finance is to first save up at least 20% of the deposit. This will not only ensure you pay less interest overall, but it will show the lender that you are a responsible person who is capable of saving. This may require you to seek help from a financial planner to help set you on the right path.

It is also a good idea to have a good plan to back up your request, including any likelihood of you getting a raise in the future. Some careers come with opportunities for advancement, so it doesn’t hurt to mention these. You need to be able to show the lender that you have paid your bills on a regular basis for at least 6 months, more if possible. And if you have had other loans that you paid off successfully, bring proof along with you.

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Real Estate Advice for the Buyer

Real Estate Advice

Buying a home is never more fraught with the possibility of emotional entanglement than when the buyer is a woman. Studies have shown that 70% more women than men tend to get caught up and ‘fall in love’ with a home whether it is within their budget or not. And sometime even when it is not suitable for that they want. Sometimes, a piece of real estate just speaks to you – rather like those big eyes of an adorable pound puppy.

The trouble is, that can cause trouble. A home costs a great deal more than a puppy. Having to sell it again will cost you in terms of time and finances – and probably a great deal of stress. And when you buy through impulse, you risk getting a home that in a few months you realise is driving you mad in one way or another. Maybe you hate traipsing up and down the stairs when you come home tired from work. Or perhaps that separate garage is just downright inconvenient, especially on a rainy night.

So if you are looking for a home, it is a good idea to make a list of all the things you absolutely need in your home – and another one that details only what you would like, but can do without. For instance, a Jacuzzi is not a necessity like having enough bedrooms to house the family is.

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