Dealing with Tradepersons

Trades person, are just like anyone, they react favourably to good treatment.
1  Treat them to breakfast if you can, as they start so early, many have skipped breakfast. More likely most Tradies aim to appreciate a good morning tea, in lieu of breakfast.
2  Plenty of coffee supplied breaks with good quality, coffee is popular. One can even negotiate with the local coffee shop for regular delivery.

3  Give your trades men a detailed “plan of the works”, so they can be coordinated.

4  Pay them sincere compliments on good work. Yet don’t trash them on difficult work.

5  A cash bonus and/or travelling petrol money is handy, too.

6  A tradesman is always looking to work with a longer term relationship, that secures continuing work.

7  Some say, one should work largely as the Project Manager. Let the skilled tradesperson show their skills. But, I prefer to work with the tradesmen, as one can complete areas when the tradies don’t turn up.
8  A team approach works best. This is largely dependent on selecting the key team leader. Many Tradies work as a group, supporting each other in ongoing work contracts.
9  A cash incentive bonus, for the tradies in order to find new projects, can work well. As all short term contractors will appreciate a secure, future work contract stream.

Easy home renovating the Bathroom

The most popular sales points for homes are Kitchens and Bathrooms. Renovating the Bathroom is extremely popular. In the slower economy of today: the offers from Bathroom renovation contractors are enticing. Some excellent low cost ways to renovate here, include.

1  The addition of excellent heating and lighting, such as, low cost ceiling heater extractor fan lights. Some down lights will give a warm glow to the room.  A heated floor or pipe hot water heaters are luxury features.
2  The installation of larger windows or a skylight as are also low cost measures.
3  Large tiles from the floor to the ceiling and covering the ceiling, add a luxury impression, bit like a hotel !

4  New taps and water roses are an easy addition.
5  An open plan Bathroom with a wall of glass can create an expansive impression. One way to incorporate the toilet and keep privacy is to enclose it in a frosted glass area.

6  Heated towel rails, will reduce moisture build up. I prefer a separate Linen Press outside the Bathroom, in order to, keep the linen fresh.

7  Large mirrors will enhance the sense of space. While a shower over the bath is not ideal, for small Bathrooms; a shower over a mini Bath, can be so handy for children.

8  The advent of high gloss mould resistant enamel paint, will make a Bathroom shine.

9  The availability of  low cost prefabricated Bathrooms, means a bathroom can be built in small spaces. A popular theme is to remove a large built in wardrobe and replace it with an ensuite Bathroom.

10 One should be careful not to overspend on the Bathroom, about one percent of the home value is sufficient. One way to control costs is to hire Tradies like tilers and plumbers directly. A keen home renovator may like to apply the painting yourself. Plumbing fittings may be sourced via Masters, Bunnings or auction websites.

Top ways to cut Renovating costs

Many people have a fear about home renovating, that it will take more time and cost more than they would like.

While, there is truth in these fears, to face ones fears is to defeat them.
1 Cut costs through careful forward planning and working with an experienced team, I reckon you can only succeed. It is a mistake to think you need to know everything and do everything on the project: employ an experienced team of qualified tradespeople. A detailed written plan is the only one that can be shared and implemented.

2  Firstly, one would draw up your budget. I only expect to spend less than ten percent of the final total value of a home, on the project. When you spend, more than ten percent, you are requiring a major rise in the valuation, as in a structural renovation project.

3  I suggest, one calculate the daily financing costs of the renovation. As it may suprise you, that the daily financing costs as so high. A fast renovation is a one way to dramatically cut your costs.

4  Negotiate to allow early access, through your Lawyers, via a ” Right to early access”. This way you can have the tradies quote on their parts of the renovation, prior to work starting. The vendors should agree as you are adding major value to the home. Landscaping and gardening are ideal areas to work on during the settlement time.

5  Order all the materials required, so they are available from the first instant the project starts. You might be suprised that building materials are sometimes not available for immediate delivery: be sure, this includes white goods, furniture, curtains, plumbing and kitchens. Consider some materials may be imported, or waiting in warehouses or trucking depots, as the world of business has moved to a just in time delivery system.

6  I like to organise the tradespeople to all work, in a coincident manner. Tradies often hate to work together, but if you carefully explain the advantages through daily cash bonuses and having a Project manager. I require that these conflicts can be resolved. If you work as the Project coordinator, this will be the most valuable work. I suggest you dont take on the Trades work yourself, as the learning phase is too long, it would only cost you more.

7  I advise against allowing the Real Estate agents or any possible buyers, view the renovation project home before everything is completely finished, as they cannot possibly comprehend the completed project.

 

Renovate the Family home !?!?

There is a heap of good reasons why you might renovate the family home.
1  If you have owned the home for more than ten years it is likely your largest family asset.
2  For a modest outlay of between one percent and ten percent of the home value you can uplift the home value through renovating. One should aim for a high rate of earnings return on your renovation expense, a three times return is entirely possible.
3  One can renovate in your own time and at your own pace, either, as a do it yourself or through contractors.
4  Some simple and low cost renovation ideas, can make a disproportionally favourable impact, on the home value.
5  A wealth of advisory consultants and services are available for the home renovator.
6  A home renovation will make your home more comfortable and enjoyable place to live.
7  If you employ your friends and family labour expenses can be minimal.
8  An investment in energy and water savings renovation measures, can cut your Utility bills, as well as make the home more comfortable.
9  A family home renovation is likely to have major tax advantages, over just about any other investment or business area.

10  Rather than moving house, as your family changes, a home renovation is likely to be far more cost efficient.

11  Big box Hardware stores like Home Depot, B&G, Lowes, Bunnings and Masters will provide low cost materials, renovation advice, including access to recommended contractors.
12  One of my favourite ideas is to renovate during the holidays. This means arrange a contractor, book the holidays, go on holiday, return to find the home renewed, renovated and revitalised. Then revalue to fund your dreams!

new Freeway enhances Suburb Appeal

A new freeway is one of the best indicators for growth in a new suburb. Currently, here in Melbourne a big new freeway is being built which will connect the Eastlink tollway, Mornington Peninsula freeway and Peninsula link. Its due to open by March, 2013. I think it will be a roaring success.  It links the popular holiday Mornington peninsula suburbs to Melbourne. Arguably, it will cut driving travel times by 30 minutes to Melbourne and one will encounter only a one traffic light.

The suburbs of Mornington, Dromana, Safety Beach become practical living suburbs for commuting workers. Some people may chose to live even further down the peninsula at Rye and Rosebud. There has only ever been one factor holding people back for living on the coast of the bay, employment. The new freeway resolves this with fast transport access to the city and eastern suburbs.

One way to research these new developments, is to study the latest road maps, as these usually pencil in the future traffic improvements like freeways, new tramlines and railway stations. Another method is to study the local council plans, as new developments are planned many years in advance.

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