Hillside Landscaping - A New Slant

Everything about your new home is absolutely perfect. Everything, that is, except for your hillside lot. Try as you might, you have not come up with a workable plan for hillside landscaping, so youve decide to call in a professional landscaper and team up to put together some hillside landscaping ideas.

Effective hillside landscaping ideas will take into account, above all else, the slope of the hillside. A hill with a gradual slope presents a much easier landscaping challenge than one with a considerable slope, which will require some very creative hillside landscaping ideas.

Flower lovers will be happy to know that flower bushes with a low spreading habit will be very effective as hillside landscaping. Bushes which grow up instead of out will develop odd growth patterns if planted on a hillside.

Choices for Covering Your Hillside

You should decide early in your hillside landscaping process if you want to use grass on your hillside or simply put down a layer of mulch. If you go with grass, it will have to be mowed, and many people find the mere thought of hillside mowing a sufficient reason to favor mulch.

You, however, have hired professional landscapers, who are experts when it comes to properly mowing hillsides. They can maneuver their mowers as required to make sure the hillside is evenly and completely mowed, so the option of whether or not to plant grass is still open.

The hillside landscaping ideas mentioned above all pertain to homes with their front yards on hillsides. If, however, you are dealing with a back yard hillside, you can look at various natural hillside landscaping techniques.

Instead of covering a back yard hillside with mulch to keep the weeds down, why not have a small waterfall put in to take advantage of the natural contours of the hillside? A waterfall is just one example of how you can use the problems of a hillside lot in a truly unique and exciting landscaping scheme.

When you have interviewed a landscaper whose ideas hillside landscaping appeal to your imagination, schedule a longer meeting so you can discuss them in depth. Before the meeting you can do an Internet search for examples of hillside landscaping which you think would work well in you situation, and show them to the landscaper. Between you, youll have a hillside fully worthy of the dream home which sits on it!

You can also find more information at Online Landscape and Home Landscaping. Onlinelandscapedesigns.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in landscape issues.

What Kind Of Wood Rot

Stair Building Video For Great Advice

Stair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.

For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com

Stair Building Tips

Home Siding Books
Handyman Books

Registry Repair

Before going any further, recognize that registry repair is serious business. If done improperly, your computer may not run at all.

What is the registry in your computer anyway? The registry is a database where certain vital information is stored. Hardware and software configuration - how to set up the hardware and software - is stored in the registry User preferences are stored in the registry as is setup information. As an example of user settings: if you change the wallpaper (background) on your desktop, a change is made in the registry Whenever you make changes to control panel settings, or install new hardware, or install new software, the registry stores the new settings.

Registry problems arise over time. You can compare the registry to a ship which has been in a harbor for a long time. Barnacles build up on the ship, and that's like what happens to the registry Why? Sometimes you uninstall a program but the uninstall operation leaves entries in the registry Your anti-virus or anti-spyware program may delete the program containing the virus or spyware but may not delete the registry entries for those programs. With normal operation some programs don't clean up after themselves properly and debris builds up. Files in the registry may get moved. The registry for one reason or another, may duplicate entries. Your registry gets bloated and swamped and your computer slows down. If you are frequently adding and removing programs from your computer, you are a prime candidate for registry problems.

When is it time to consider repairing the registry? The quick and dirty answer is: only as a last resort. You have to be like a doctor analyzing a patient's symptoms and trying to diagnose the illness. Your computer is running slowly. It crashes or shuts down without warning. In the middle of using a program, the computer freezes and you can't do anything to get control back. Certain programs don't run the way they're supposed to. Error messages crop up when you run certain programs. At odd times the screen goes blue (the techies call this BSOD- the blue screen of death) and may show unintelligible language. The computer just isn't running normally. Those are the symptoms. What's the disease? Could be one of a number of things or it could be a combination of things. Before doing anything else, make sure your anti-virus program is up to date and have it check for viruses. If your computer still misbehaves, it's time to clean the registry.

The registry is huge and complex, and in the past registry repair was best left to experts. Uber-techies can use programs that are built into the computer, go into the registry find out what's wrong and correct it. This is dangerous business. If you don't know what you're doing, or you are careless and make an incorrect entry, you will create major, big-time problems. There is software specially designed to clean and repair the registry so a novice without any technical knowledge can do registry repair easily and safely. Just run the programs. They are written by experts and will do the job properly and give you peace of mind.

Joseph Starr writes on a variety of subjects to keep his brain from fogging over. Look for his blogs on blogger.com.

Water Damage Restoration

One never knows when disaster will hit. The only way one can be prepared is to have insurance on water damage to your house or business. If you've recently suffered water damage you need to get help fast from a company that specializes in water damage restoration.

Steps to find someone quick to help you:

1) Check the phone book or search on the Internet for a few companies to consider.

2) After choosing a couple of companies to consider hiring, check their website. Look to see what their company offers to customers. Does it work with your insurance company? Do they hire quality trained professionals? Are they registered with the Better Business Bureau? These are just a few questions you should be researching.

3) Now check the Better Business Bureau to make sure the companies chosen do not have any bad reports on them. If a company has bad reports, move onto the next company for possible hire.

4) If you find at least two companies make phone calls to the company and compare prices. Make sure you include in your price the exact same items you are looking for in the service needed to get your place back into tip top shape before water damage occurred.

5) Once you find the company that is Better Business Bureau approved, the company offers trained professional water damage employees, will work with your insurance company if applicable, and quality work, give them a call and make an appointment immediately for water damage restoration.

You need to get your items saved as quickly as possible from water damage. You do not want mold and mildew to set into your carpet. Make sure the company will be using high quality products to get any smells and kill all mold, mildew, and bacteria in your home. Mold, mildew, and bacteria can be hiding in water damaged areas such as your walls, items that are wet, floors, and even your ceiling if affected.

Once the company you have hired for water restoration is finished you can get back to the normal routine of your life.

Leo Nov is an editorial staff member of RestorationSOS.com, a leading service provider for water damage cleanups. To learn more about basement flood and water restoration, visit RestorationSOS.com.

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Home Insurance - How to Get Cheap Rates

When shopping for cheap home insurance there are things to look out for; many home owners would prefer getting the cheapest deals but the truth is that most of the cheap home insurance deals do not cover much actually. Therefore, the cheapest might not really offer you the best service.

You are advised to shop around using the internet. There are many home cover providers online with different classifications. Get quotes from the different providers and compare their rates. Study the quality of coverage you will get from on the rates you have. This is very helpful since it will make you get quality coverage and also help you choose an affordable deal.

As a home owner, you are not to include your land area in your insurance coverage; if the home got destroyed by fire or flood, the land is normally not damaged. Noting this will make you save a lot of money on your premium.

Consult friends and relatives who are home owners, they may be able to give you some very useful information based on their experience. Note, it is important that your friends and relatives reside in the same area and most appropriately have a very close zip code range. This will make the information you get from them GOLD!

Make a list online of all the comparison sites you can get, gather and study their rates. Having your pay packet in mind, make a list of your affordable choices before choosing the company to buy from.

Where To Get Trusted Home Insurance Companies and Compare Their Free Quotes Online?

Here Are My Favorites: DISCOUNT HOME INSURANCE / LANDLORD-TENANTS QUOTES COMPARE

FREE QUOTES FROM LEADING HOME INSURANCE COMPANIES. SERVICE AVAILABLE IN ALL STATES IN THE UNITED STATES! by IYKE PHELIM. QUALITY SERVICE PROVIDERS. LOANS. INSURANCE. FREE QUOTES

Oh God The Contractor From Hell

Check Out Modular Classroom Buildings

It would feel really good to have smart classroom buildings where you could spend quality learning time. About half a century ago, one would not have imagined that it was possible to have a school building that was made of anything other than bricks, stone and cement. To begin with, one would be worried about whether or not the building would be able to hold up against the onslaught of strong youngsters, hurling themselves at each other or at the least jumping about just for the heck of it. This is probably still the reason why people debate the wisdom of using the modular building technology for classrooms and schools.

If there is one firm that seems to have put all these doubts to rest about classroom buildings that are portable, it is Comark Building Systems Inc. This company has been specializing in portable buildings for various organizations, the chief of them being schools. They are able to provide a client with all the requirements regarding the kind of material that is used, the sizes of rooms and open spaces required, the particular color scheme that needs to be followed and much more.

This firm that has worked with many educational institutions in putting up classroom buildings understands the need of the customer perfectly. It is common knowledge that in a school that houses fifty or more children, safety is a primary concern. The material that is used needs to be fire proof and also capable of withstanding the frequent changes in the weather. If you find that the roof of your modular classroom has begun warping under the sun, it means that the material that has been used is of very poor quality.

Most firms like Comark ensure that the classroom buildings that they put up are in line with the codes that are prescribed by the state and federal government; most of these rules deal with the safety standards that have to be followed and also have important points that need to be noted while applying for an insurance policy. If the modular buildings that are built do not adhere to these specifications, in all likelihood, insurance claims, if any, might not be admissible.

Another major advantage of having classroom buildings built from prefab materials is the fact that a great deal of time can be saved. If you want to set up a specialized room for your little ones (maybe in the age group of 3 to 5) you could ensure that everything within the room, like shelves, cupboards, sinks, tables, chairs and book racks are at a very convenient height for these little ones. It is necessary to ensure that none of the materials used by the modular buildings firm have any kind of component that might be toxic or for that matter, have rough edges which might hurt the little ones.

Francisco Segura owns and operates http://www.portablebuildingsforprofit.com
Portable Buildings

What Kind Of Wood Rot

Credit Repair - Understanding Charge Offs

"Charge off" is an accounting term that creditors use when they assume after a period of delinquency that they are not able to collect on a debt that is owed to them. Creditors write that debt off as a loss against their income taxes. Just because a debt is charged off (or written off) does not mean the debt is forgiven. The money is still owed. The creditor will usually sell or assign the debt to a collection agency or a lawyer to effect collection.

Some companies continue to charge interest, but most don't. If they do decide to keep charging interest, they have to continue to report it as income. Most companies would rather just write it off and be done with it.

Having charge offs on your credit report usually results in the consumer being denied credit by other lenders. Even worse, it can also affect the interest rate that other lenders charge on current debts even if those lenders were not impacted by the charge off themselves.

If you find yourself late on your payments, you should always try to contact the lender and let them know you are having problems meeting your financial obligations. Ignoring the situation and letting it get to charge off status always makes it worse. You can usually avoid your account being charged off by at least letting them know you intend to pay and by at least making small payments as often as you can.

If you already have charge offs on your credit report, it is possible to have them removed. You can try to contact the original creditor and arrange a payment plan in exchange for them removing the charge off once it is paid. It doesn't hurt to ask them how it can be resolved or removed. You can also dispute it with the credit bureaus.

It's much easier to get a paid charge off removed from your credit report than it is an unpaid charge off. When you dispute the charge off with the credit bureaus, they have 30 days to verify the account with the creditor. If the account is paid, many times the creditor will just ignore the verification request. They really only report charge off so that they can damage your credit hoping that it will turn make you want to pay them off. It's highly unlikely that they would ever ignore a dispute if you still owe them money.

Learn more about how to remove charge offs from your credit report at the credit repair authority site.

Easy Build Stair Handrailing Video

Stair building tips for installing lights and decking, handrail tips and some deck advice.

For more helpful home improvement information visit: http://www.gregvan.com

Stair Building Help

Missing Years Of Jesus

Aluminum Roof Repair

If you have an aluminum roof there will be times you will be in need of aluminum roof repair. When the damage is done, it needs to be taken care of quickly. Let's take a look at some things to do to make sure you and your aluminum roof repair are doing well.

If you have an aluminum roof and for some reason whether it be weather or an accident, the aluminum roof repair should be done quickly because it will corrode at a fast rate. If you know you will not be able to permanently repair theroof quickly, there are some temporary things you can do to start the ball rolling. If the hole is small, you can use steel wool or fine sand paper to clean around the damage. This will prepare the surface for something called epoxy putty. Marine versions of epoxy putty are good enough to plug a hole on an aluminum boat, and can be used for your roof repair temporarily until you can finish the job. This part is not hard, and you really do not need any experience. Just be safe when you get on the roof.

If aluminum roof repair is for your mobile home, there are plenty of things to watch out for. If you know you have a leak, before you get out on the roof, make sure you are not stepping into the spaces between the spars. The spars are directly under the aluminum and hold the roof into position. Also, use flat soled shoes to walk out on the roof, or you may end up causing more damage than you repair. When you are on the roof, inspect the things that go up through the roof, like pipes or vents. There are seals around them that are likely causes of leaks. If the cracks on these items are less than one quarter inch, you can simply fill them in with some sealant or roof patch. Put a glob of it on the crack and smooth it out. Make sure you do this well before a rain. If the cracks on the roof are larger than one quarter inch, you will need to use the sealant along with glass fiber fabric. Coat the fabric with the sealant, and put it on a section that is also coated with sealant. Roll it down flat against the cracks with pressure enough to squish the sealant into the crack. Repeat if necessary.

If you find that you have many areas that need repair, you may want to hire a contractor to replace your roof. On motor homes, the roof made of aluminum is not only slick, but may need some attention a regular person will not be able to do. For the smaller holes, it does not take much experience to do aluminum roof repair successfully. Simply use the epoxy after cleaning and then get the area permanently repaired or replaced later.

If you have an aluminum roof, learn more about Aluminum Roof Repair and all types of roof repair at http://www.RoofRepairHelp.com

Extreme Temperature Building

How to Fix an Xbox 360 That Keeps Freezing

It may have already happened to you: you were playing a favorite Xbox 360 game when all of a sudden, your console freezes and refuses to respond to the controls. This can be a real hassle; and about one third of Xbox 360 players have this happen to them. Most have no idea why it happens; the latest in gaming technology really shouldn't crash like this, should it?

Microsoft does provide an extended warranty for the popular gaming system - but you'll have to send your Xbox to Microsoft for repair. This can take some time and of course, there's no guarantee it won't happen again very shortly afterwards!

However, there are a lot of Xbox 360 repair guides out there on the web. Xbox 360 gamers are greatly relieved to have an alternative to sending their consoles away for repair.

There are two things which cause the vast majority of Xbox freezes or crashes, One is that the processor simply becomes overloaded; this is common when you have several players playing the same game simultaneously for several hours - it's just not designed to keep up with this for such a long time. This causes overheating and finally, a system crash.

However, the solution to this problem is a simple one: just turn off the Xbox 360 and let it cool down for a couple of hours. Overheating is less of a problem when you use your Xbox in a well ventilated room. You can also wrap a cold towel (straight from the freezer) around the console to cool it faster. However, you need to remove the towel as soon as it reaches room temperature - it can provide some short term relief, but also blocks air circulation (which can make matters even worse). Overheating can also be a symptom of a serious hardware problem; this is the second common cause or freezes and crashes.

Hardware damage due to overheating is the second common reason why you may experience freezes and crashes. Usually, this can be traced to a defective cooling system in the console. If this is the issue, you may want to send your Xbox 360 to Microsoft for repair. However, if you're technically inclined and have the tools on hand, you can try repairing your Xbox 360 on your own.

Many of the Xbox 360 repair guides available online are complete with videos, pictures and detailed instructions on repairing your console. These guides include repair tips for the infamous red ring of death among other issues - and in many cases, your Xbox 360 can be fixed in less than an hour!

Keep in mind that when you work on your own Xbox 360 that this will void the warranty, so be very careful. If you aren't confident that you know what you're doing, you should probably leave the repair work to the pros. Send it in to Microsoft and have it fixed by their technicians, since they are already well versed in Xbox 360 repair.

Ryan Edward has reviewed all of the so-called best ways to fix an Xbox 360 out there, and he offers his findings at his website. Find out how to fix an Xbox 360 yourself in under an hour by visiting his website now:

Go to: http://www.ryanstips.com/xbox-fix/

Long Stucco Crack

The Xbox 360 One Red Light Problem & Repair Explained For Novices!

If you are a console gamer or an Xbox passionate, you may encounter many technical problems. If you have an Xbox 360 you will see that all the technical problems are shown as a combination of red lights on the flashing quadrant, called "The Ring of Light" or ROL. The most encountered red light flashing problem is the Xbox 360 one red light technical issue.

There are many reasons for the appearance of the Xbox 360 one red light technical issue. The most important reason of this problem is the hardware failure. It can be easily repaired by turning off your Xbox gaming console, by disconnecting and reconnecting all the console cables, and then turning on your Xbox.

Another method of repairing the Xbox 360 one red light problem is by turning off your favorite gaming console, and then remove the Hard Drive. After doing this, it will be a very good move to turn on your console and test again for the Xbox 360 one red light error.

If the Xbox 360 one red light problem is still occurring after doing all the suggested actions as above, it will be a wise decision to contact the Customer Service from the Microsoft Company. There are highly specialized technical teams at the Microsoft Technical Support, who are willing to help you at any which you will encounter now or in the near future. So, call them if you are not able to repair yourself your favorite gaming console. Before sending your Xbox to Microsoft for repair, you need to know that they take at least 3-4 weeks of time to repair the Xbox. If you can't wait for 2-3 weeks, then you can also go for DIY Guides available at Internet.

If you want to know more about how to repair yourself the Xbox 360 one red light problem or any other technical issue that you encounter regarding the Xbox 360, please visit Xbox 360 red light fix guide review, and Check the Xbox 360 Red Light Repair Video Tutorial.

Fireplace Drywall Ceiling Damage

Post Your Ideas Here On Home Remodeling

To would appreciate any home remodeling tips for ideas that you have that could help other homeowners, building contractors and other people involved in home remodeling. Post all your comments below .

Drywall Books
Building Contractor Books

Sliding Pocket Door Problems and Tips

Just a few months ago I went over to repair a pocket door that was closing at a weird angle. This was the first time I had ran into this sort of situation and was definitely confused. I got a flashlight and started looking inside the pocket door frame. I had a hard time finding the problem but when I did it was obvious.

As the pocket door was sliding closed it would work perfectly but when you went to open it the bottom of the door would stick out about an inch and a half passed the door jam. The problem turned out to be the track was missing a screw in the very back and as the door slid back into the frame the tracking would hang down at an angle from the weight of the door. There was no way to reach the screw because it was at that very back of the pocket door frame near the framing itself.

In order to fix the pocket door problem I was going to have to remove a good sized area of the plastered wall at the upper right hand corner of the pocket door frame. This was the only thing I could think of and would require a simple wall patch and some paint to make the repair complete.

This job took me about one hour to cut the hole and replaced the screw that had fallen out of the pocket door tracking. I then use some fast setting drywall plaster and some fiberglass drywall tape to repair the wall. This took another hour to finish the drywall properly.

Some pocket door problems are a little easier to repair than this one. Most pocket doors seemed to have problems sliding and eventually are left closed, never to be used again.

Painting the doors over and over again can actually add to the thickness of the door or excessive moisture in the home over long periods of time can also cause the door to swell preventing it from opening properly.

Painting the rollers themselves or the track that the rollers ride in can create a problem with rolling the door easily and effortlessly. If the pocket door rollers or tracking is damaged they will have to be repaired or replaced, obviously. Some people actually spray silicon on the rollers or grease the pocket door wheels and over time the track becomes caked with dried grease and dirt making the door hard to open and close

Here's one most people don't ever think about and yet I have faced this problem more than once. "The Dreaded Picture Hanger". Most people don't realize that the pocket door will not operate very well with a nail driven through it. I have had people complain about their pocket door not operating properly but they can wiggle it a little.

When I come upon a situation like this it usually just requires removing the nail that the picture is hung upon.

I have also seen instances where the home has been remodeled and new floor trim or door trim has been installed. The finish carpenter using his nail gun without changing to a shorter nail has himself nailed the pocket door shut. This could be a big problem because the nails are so thin they could be hard to remove.

Well that's all I can think of for pocket door problems that I have ran into for now. Until the next article have fun remodeling your home.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more Building and Remodeling Library and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Visit us and get more information on building and remodeling your homes and Vista Door Repairs

Moisture On Vapor Barrier
Moisture Problems In Crawlspace

Having TV Problems? Here Are 4 Reasons to Go For TV Repair Instead of Buying New

Is your TV on the blink and no longer covered by warranty? Thinking of junking it and getting a new CRT, plasma or LCD TV? There are a number of reasons you may want to consider having it repaired instead of thrown away. And since getting a new one means hard-earned money out of your pockets, checking out those reasons may turn out to be worth your while.

Whatever type your current TV is, having it repaired might be a better idea because of the following reasons:

1. Getting that new Plasma or LCD TV is likely to be more expensive than having your broken one repaired. Depending on what's wrong with it, it may be more practical to have it looked at first to see what's wrong. You can either bring it to the manufacturer's service center for some diagnostics (which may entail some costs), or you could troubleshoot it yourself! Information about CRT TV Repair, Plasma TV Repair or LCD TV Repair is readily available from the internet. You can get this information then find out what's wrong with your TV using a few simple steps and tools then decide whether to have it repaired or replaced.

2. Televisions have components that contain stuff like heavy metals and chemicals that may be harmful to the environment. Having it repaired and keeping it means it doesn't go out there to do its damage to mother Earth. Zero garbage is the wave of the future!

3. There is a market out there for used or refurbished TV. If you really wish to go get a new one, one option is to have your current one repaired or refurbished so you can sell it. You save some money and help keep more trash from the environment. See number 2.

4. Diagnosing it and perhaps repairing it yourself means you have just acquired a very useful skill! You may pursue it as a hobby or seriously as an alternative source of income. Either way you win.

Getting a new TV isn't always the best solution when you encounter problems with your current one. I believe the preceding 4 reasons are good enough justification for going the repair route when the costs justify it. I would say a good rule to use in deciding is that when repair costs are equivalent to at least 70% of the price of a brand new one, it may be more practical to go get that brand new TV. Otherwise, if repair amounts to not more than 60% of a brand new one, it may be more practical to have it repaired. The decision, ultimately, is up to you.

The author is an advocate of learning to repair TV yourself and maintains a blog dedicated to Plasma and LCD TV Repair.

Log Homes - What's Different About Log Homes?

Newcomers to the world of log homes will notice that log homes look different than conventional "stick-built" homes. But are log homes really different, other than in appearance? If so, how?

Let's take a look at some of the ways in which log homes differ from conventional homes.

Log Walls - This is the main difference. Instead of walls constructed of 2x4 or 2x6 framing lumber, packed with insulation, covered on the outside with with sheathing, moisture barrier, and siding, and on the inside with sheetrock and paint, log homes simply have solid log walls. The logs act as their own thermal and weather barrier, as well as being the primary load-bearing structure in the house.

Style - Although log homes can be built in practically any style, most log home owners prefer the traditional "cabin" or "lodge" style. This style is often distinguished by such features as wood flooring, wood interior, stone fireplace and chimney, porch, loft, rustic staircase, open floorplan, raised-seam metal roof, cathedral ceilings, and exposed interior beams.

Maintenance - Conventional home exteriors typically need to be washed, repaired, and painted every few years. Log homes are similar except that, instead of paint, they require a preservative stain combined with a treatment to prevent insect damage. As with any home, log walls must be protected from excessive moisture.

Utilities - Since many log homes are built in rural or mountain locations, some standard utility services may not available. Often, log homes use propane gas, water wells/pumps, and septic waste systems.

Cost - Log homes typically cost 10%-30% more than a similar conventionally-built "spec" home primarily because most log homes are custom-built with unique features. However, there are many ways in which costs can be eliminated or reduced.

Financing - Construction loans for log homes are usually different that those for conventional homes, primarily because log home "kit" providers want to be paid up front, and getting comparable appraisals can be somewhat difficult. Therefore, some banks and mortgage companies don't like to finance log homes. This may mean a little more legwork to find a cooperative bank or a mortgage company that specializes in log home loans.

Al Hearn is owner and operator of http://www.LogHomeAdvisor.com, a web site for log home enthusiasts that provides information and advice about planning and building log homes.

Be Your Own General Contractor - A Good Choice For You?

We speak with many homeowners building their own homes who would like to save money by becoming their own general contractor. While it may be possible to save between 10% - 20% of project costs, it's important to take into account all of the responsibilities and the enormous investment of time. Think of being your own general contractor as being the president of your company. You will be required to to help. Home Project Managers cost less than a general contractor and can help you through parts of the project where you feel inexperienced.

Be available when needed and be on the job site as required, for an undetermined amount of time every day

Have more than an average understanding of general construction and home building

Set a construction schedule and meet strict deadlines

Juggle multiple tasks

Manage groups of people with different schedules and communication skills

Effectively work with the subcontractors

Check and sign off on the work performed by each subcontractor

Ensure that the crew is following safety procedures

Be able to solve problems that arise

Handle any schedule or material delays

Manage the financial aspects of the project, including budgeting, purchasing, and paying subcontractors.

As you can imagine, it's a big responsibility, and if not done correctly, it can cost you more time and money than if you had hired a professional general contractor to oversee your project. General contractors have established relationships with subcontractors and material suppliers, giving them leverage that the average homeowner does not. Also, in some cases, being your own general contractor can make it difficult to find financing, as lenders want to be assured the work is being done by qualified professionals.

Having such an enormous part in building your new home and being your own general contractor can certainly be a rewarding experience. If you want to be fully involved in building your home but are unsure whether you have what it takes, you might consider hiring a Home Project Manager

No doubt, the decision to be your own general contractor is a complex one. Know what is involved before undertaking such a big project and make the best decision for you.

About the Author: Jeremy Bonin, a principal partner of Bonin Architects & Associates (http://www.boninarchitects.com), is an award-winning green architect and the author of TIMBER FRAMES: Designing Your Custom Home. With a special interest in sustainable design and green homes, structural insulated panels (SIPs), as well as timber frame construction, Jeremy incorporates renewable energy practices where possible, including geo-thermal, solar, radiant heat, and energy-efficient foundation systems.

How Hard Is It To Build Straight Stairs

Thinking of doing it yourself. wondering if you can do it. The Contractor down the street made it look easy. But how am I going to build a set of stairs for my house. It starts with a little information, maybe a book, I know I will surf the net and get the info. Why bother with spending the time looking on the internet for a article or book on how to build stairs. I have done it and that's why I wrote a book and their are more books coming on how to build stairs.

My goal is to write a book on every way of building stairs. I am going to make the stair building books easy to follow with lots of simple illustrations. I understand that getting one book on stair building that explains how to build 500 different types of stairs with 3000 illustrations might not apply to you. These books are nice for a building professional or a master carpenter but are difficult to understand.

I have made these books easy to follow with the use of illustrations that only apply to the set of stairs you will be building. The book "How to Build a Strait Set of Stairs" is a complete stair building guide for a strait set of stairs with a 2 x 4 handrail. In this book you will have access to formulas for decimal conversions to fractions. Then you will be able to locate the exact mark for certain measurements. It isn't hard to build a straight set of stairs with this book and the website links provided for you.

If you feel comfortable with a hammer, tape measure and a circular saw. You will be amazed with the results. I have been helping people build stairs for almost 30 years with this easy to follow stair building system. I have trained other carpenters to build stairs with most of them telling me the same thing. How easy it was to build but they thought you had to be a master carpenter in order to build a set of stairs. The main reason for this way of thinking was that when it was time to build the stairs on the job guess who would build the stairs. The Master Carpenter of course.

You can do it with a little help from a friend. www.stair4u.com Get some help from the best home improvement contractor in California.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He is currently working on more building stairs books and adding useful content to help solve problems created by the lack of construction knowledge in the building industry.

Ceiling Water Damage

Remodeling Professionals Needed

How would you like to help other contractors, home improvement specialists, builders, real estate professionals and anyone else involved in home remodeling. If you have any tips or home improvement advice to you would like to share with our readers, it would greatly be appreciated. Leave all comments below.

Home Inspection Books

Coping With the Threat of Fire Damage and Vinyl Siding

Many Americans are tormented by the thought of a fire in their home. The media constantly reports on fire disasters and it seems like every day a new danger is being unearthed and more fire damage prevention advice is given. Simply put, for many people living in homes today the production of new sources of trouble and new solutions is a reoccurring and unsettling theme. This pattern presents itself again in the recently reported fact that vinyl siding on a home is flammable and can be considered a potential blaze-starter.

Millions of Americans who are bothered by the threat of fire damage can now add one more threat to their list of fire precautions. While there are definite reasons to be worried about vinyl siding damage and definite prevention techniques to keep it from occurring, one should combine both the material prevention techniques with the psychological therapeutic techniques of understanding and acceptance in order to come to grips with the threat of fire damage.

Firstly, one should consider the threat of potential material damage posed by vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a flammable material that covers a large area around the exterior of one's home. Because of its great size and the fact that it is typically overlooked, vinyl siding has become an object of increased scrutiny in the world of home inferno protection. To date, there are two acceptable and wise options to take when considering the dangers of vinyl siding, both of which are proactive.

The first option is to take stock of your structural and geographical fire threats outside your home. Consider whether there are trees near the sides of your home that might catch ablaze in the event of being struck by lightning, and consider how frequently you have cook-outs or deal with lit objects near your siding. The second option is to replace the vinyl siding with inflammable James Hardie siding, which can serve as a protective barrier to damage caused by flames.

Once you have properly addressed your material damage threats you can begin tending to your psychological state. There is no one correct way to come to peace with yourself, but a good general rule is to realize that you do not have complete control over your environment. This is a technique that many people find beneficial when dealing with problems like home fire damage that are seemingly too large and all pervasive. The key thing to realize is that they are in fact too large to ever fully prevent and the things one can do to prevent them are all that one can do; one should not seek to put an end to flame damage once and for all because that is an impossible and frustrating task.

By tending to both the material and psychological roots of fear of fire damage one can protect one's home and secure one's mind. If need be, one can even imagine that psychological preparation is even a form of material damage prevention as it helps stabilize one's mind and give clarity.

Mr. Oliver is a marketing agent of Regal Home Improvement. The home improvement contractor provides home improvement services throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their Home Improvement Contracting please visit their website

Framing Basement Walls

Black Homeowners Guide to Fighting Termites - 6 Signs You Have Them

The termites are coming! With the combination of unseasonable weather, a slow real estate market, and lack of termite inspections and control, termites continue increase at alarming rates - especially in African American neighborhoods. Other than water, termites are your homes greatest enemy. They love to slowly eat away at your homes foundation. In fact, all they do is eat and make love, not a bad life if you ask me. But I digress.

The three groups of termites that love to snack on your home are dampwood termites, drywood termites and subterranean termites.

The most lethal to your homes structure and foundation comes from drywood termites and subterranean termites. Drywood termites live above ground and love mostly warm coastal locations. For example, California, Texas, Florida, Louisiana.

Subterranean termites have the largest population and are in the most locations, thus pose the biggest threat to the largest number of homes.

Here's Five Signs You Have Termites:

1. Hallow wood.

Poke wood near foundation of your home with a pointed metal object. Severely damaged wood eaten from the inside is usually a sign of termites.

2. Dirt in wood.

Termite love moisture, so many people often confuse termite damage with water damage and vice-versa. The best way to recognize termite damage is that termite bring dirt up into the wood.

3. Large numbers of winged termites swarming from wood or the soil often are the first noticeable sign of termites. Termites normally swarm in early spring. You may also notice winged termites swarming around wind sills.

4. Other signs of termites include mud tubes and mud coming from cracks between boards and beams around or under your home.

5. Light attracts winged termites and they shed their wings in window sills, cobwebs, and other on other surfaces . When you notice winged termites or the wings they shed inside your home, this is often a sign of termite infestation. Consult a qualified termite company.

6. Follow the moisture trail.

Moisture is the number 1 source that attracts termites. Check areas around your house that constantly moist. For example under leaky faucets, sprinklers, pipes, puddles, etc.

Follow the water. "Moisture is probably the No. 1 draw for termites," says Potter. So look in areas beside the house where moisture holds - under leaky faucets or around air-conditioning units - "anything that lets water puddle close to the foundation."

What To Do If You See Termite Signs or Clues.

First don't panic. Fortunately termites like to savor what they eat, so they are slow eaters. According to termite experts it normally takes a colony five years to eat through a pound of wood. But if you notice an infestation you should call in a professional, you most likely have multiple colonies happening.

How to Prevent Termites

The best protection from termites is prevention.

Here's five tips to prevent inviting termites to dinner at your home.

1. Avoid stacking of allowing wood or wood products against your home, like lumber, tree branches or limbs. This is like putting a juicy piece of meat out for your termites, a very inviting dinner bell.

2. Avoid allowing moisture to stand close to your homes foundation. This is also very attractive to termites, they adore moisture, it's very refreshing to them, they like having a drink with their dinner too.

3. Homeowner with decks love storing wood and wood products underneath. This is also like placing a let's do lunch invitation to hungry termites.

4. Make sure you keep dirt around your home from touching the wood siding of your house. This allows subterranean termites to easily enter your home. It's like providing elevator service. Make sure you keep the wood around your home at least 12 inches off the ground, according to University of California's Integrated Pest Management Program.

5. Make sure you correct anything that allows standing water, moisture or doesn't allow water to naturally flow away from your homes precious foundation. A dry foundation is boring to termites.

Termites damage is responsible for billions of dollars in damage to homes and commercial building every year, according to a recent University of California study. Now you have simple, effective tips to recognize and prevent these pesky creatures from literally eating you out of house and home.

If you suspect you may have termites consult your local pest control company for a free inspection.

Roy Primm, publisher of Black Homeowner News has written dozens of articles helping homeowners manage their homes through this housing recession. To read informative articles, watch free homeowner videos and more go to http://www.BlackHomeOwnerNews.com

Are There Any Good Contractors out There

I would love to hear your good contractor stories. I'm so tired of hearing about contractor nightmares, is there anyone out there that has a good contractor story. Place it in the comment area underneath this question.

Roofing Books

Converting Two Single Garage Doors to a Double Garage Door

If you are fortunate enough to own a large garage you will often have two single sized garage doors as your main form of entrance.

As attractive as these single sized doors can look you are losing a lot of usable space due to the central pillar between the two doors.

It is relatively easy to turn your single sized garage doors into one large double sized garage door thus utilising the full opening width to its maximum potential.

Before you consider converting your garages you need to check pricing and availability of the new double sized door. Being that these are often larger than any standard door you will need to look towards a company who manufacture bespoke doors that can be designed to fit your garage.

Choosing a respectable garage door company you may find they are able to carry out the conversion of your single doors for you as well as installing the garage door itself.

Converting the garage door is a relatively simple procedure. The basics are as follows:

Firstly a new lintel has to be arranged as almost certainly you will have two lintels at present resting on top of the centre pillar. Removing the centre pillar like this would result in the whole roof collapsing. The new lintel will be in one piece and spanning the whole opening width of your garage.

Using props to hold up the roof of the garage the new lintel is installed, resting on the brickwork either side of the garage. The central pillar is now removed. Be prepared for a lot of brickwork to be disposed of - often a skip is the only way to dispose of this. PVC cladding will most likely be required to cover over the lintel and make everything look nice.

You now have one large double opening ready to have your double sized garage door installed.

Whilst the above steps may sound simple, there are many different problems that you can come across in doing this work and as such you should seek professional advice before undertaking this work or better still - use an expert.

Nationwide offer bespoke garage doors for the UK. See an example of how we remove a central pillar here

Stair Stringer Fire Blocking

Home Building Books and Construction Help

If you're a do it yourself or or a homeowner who every once in a while, once to tackle a small or large project but doesn't know where to begin, can gather useful information from home building books. I have been using these books for years and may have been worth their weight in gold.

I started my career working for my father and my father worked for his father as a Carpenter. Our job was to frame the house and we built a Lotta homes. I learned how to frame and developed some great carpentry skills from my father and working with other skilled carpenters. Over the years, if you're paying attention, even a monkey can figure out, how to assemble almost anything.

The only problem that I faced, was learning how to build the rest of the home. I would often ask questions to other building trades like plumbers, electricians, roofers and construction superintendents. Some of these people were helpful and others were not. When I was in my early 30s, I purchased my first book on home building. This book lead to other books and soon I found myself with more home building knowledge that my father.

I had about 50 books on home building and soon found myself doing large home remodels, with no formal education. I would attribute almost everything that I learned outside of house framing to books. These books have proven invaluable to me over the years and with a relatively small investment. I couldn't have spent over $200 purchasing these books but have used the knowledge from them to save myself thousands of dollars.

One $20 home building books or home repairs, can save you lots of money, if you're willing to do a little research and the labor to complete almost any home building project.

By the way, if you're interested in learning how to repair a roof, build your own house, interior decorating, structural engineering, building a deck, gathering some more information about home painting or even remodeling your bathroom. An online home building bookstore can save you money if you're willing to do the work.

Greg Vanden Berge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more home inspection or home building ideas.

Swimming Pool Books

How to Pick a Remodeling Contractor

If you live in the state of Minnesota and you plan on having some remodeling done, you may need a good home remodeling contractor to help you out with your needs. No doubt you'll find that there are many different contractors to choose from in the Twin Cities area, but you don't want just any contractor working on your home. There are many different considerations that should be kept in mind when it comes to choose from all the remodeling contractors out there. So, here's you simple checklist to keep in mind when you are trying to make sure that you get the best contractor possible for your remodeling needs.

Ask Family and Friends for Referrals
The first thing you'll want to do is to make sure that you ask family and friends for referrals when you are trying to come up with a contractor. Getting contractor references from your friends and family members is a wonderful way that you can make sure you end up with an excellent contractor. This way you actually know someone that has had a great experience with the contractor. It helps you to be sure that you'll get a great contractor.

Ensure They are Licensed by the State
When you are trying to pick out the best remodeling contractor, you'll find that it is important to make sure that they are licensed by the state. They should have a state of MN contractors license that they can show you. You definitely don't want to go with a contractor that has no license. Also, when you are looking at their license, you'll want to make sure that there have been no complaints filed against them or any type of disciplinary actions taken against them in the past. This insures you get the best possible contractor for your remodeling project.

Check for the Contractor's Insurance Certificates
Make sure that you check for insurance certificates when you are trying to find the best remodel contractor. They should have General Liability as well as Workman's Compensation. If they have no insurance, you'll definitely want to avoid going with their services, although just having General Liability is okay.

Find Out About Their Business Longevity
Take the time to find out about their business longevity before you decide that you want to go with a particular contractor. The best option is to go with a contractor who has been in the same business with the same name for over 10 years. Five years is excellent as well. However, if they have only been in business for a year, you may want to be a bit wary of going with a brand new business when you need help with contracting. Experience is a definitely bonus when choosing remodeling contractors.

Make Sure the Business is Stable
You should also take a look at the business that the contractor is running. Is the business one that is both permanent and stable? If there is no office at all and you only get a cell phone number, this is a Minnesota contractor to reject. The best option is to find someone that has an office as well as an address. A working phone number is very important as well when it comes to making sure that the business is a stable one.

Check Out Their References
Ask for a list of client references when you are trying to find the best home remodeling contractor. If they cannot offer you any references at all, you probably will want to choose someone else. The same applies for if you call references and get negative comments. It's best to make sure that you get at least several positive references from people who have used the same contractor in the past. This way you know what kind of a job that they are going to do.

Find Out About Their Experience
Experience is another important consideration when you are considering what type of contractor to go with. Going with a contractor that specializes in the work you need done is the best option. If the contractor doesn't have any type of experience in the type of work that you will need to have done. Having the experience necessary is very important. You really don't want a contractor with no experience at all working on your bathroom or kitchen. So, make sure that you choose carefully.

Take a Look at Their Bids on the Work You Need Done
Before you make your final decision on the best home remodeling contractor, you should take a look at their bids on the work you need done. Make sure that the bids have a good description of the work to be done and that they will guarantee the work that gets done. You'll also want a contractor that only asks for about a of the money up front and then final payment when the remodeling work is finally complete.

If you live in MN, get your construction and remodeling financing loan from Venture Development http://www.VentureLoanApp.com John Mazzara is involved with financial services in the Twin Cities, MN. Officing out of Edina, Minnesota-John is centrally located within the 7 county MN metropolitan area. John owns three separate businesses-a licensed real estate broker associate selling Minnesota real estate since 1986-affiliated with RE/MAX Associates Plus http://www.MinneapolisStPaulHomes.com, an independent CFP-certified financial planner since 1989 with an independent Minnesota financial planning firm-Financial Planning Associates and the owner of a Minnesota mortgage broker firm-Venture Development Inc-specializing ins residential, commercial and investment mortgages.

If you are looking for someone to help you in the areas of real estate sales/purchase, mortgages, or and/or financial planning and insurance you should call John for a free 1 hour consultation to see if he can meet your needs. 952-929-2577. RE/MAX Associates Plus and Venture Development are located at 7300 France Ave S, Suite 410, Edina, MN 55435

Light Falling Off Wall

How to Give Your Bathroom a Custom Look With Knobs and Pulls

Many homes today that have been purchased brand new or have been recently built suffer from something like a case of the blahs. The home itself is, of course, beautiful, or you wouldn't have bought it, but you may also find your new surroundings a bit sterile, particularly in the bathroom.

Brand new bathrooms are often done entirely in white - white walls, white tile flooring, white tub, white shower stall, white sinks...that's a lot of white, and certainly doesn't do much to show your personality. To really start feeling at home and comfortable in your new house and bathroom, you will want to put your own personal stamp on things, you'll want to express your unique sense of style, and the good news is that all that white makes the perfect canvas to put your creativity to work on.

Many of the things you can do to dress up your bathroom fall into the do-it-yourself home remodeling category. A bath remodel does not have to involve a contractor and a plumber, particularly when you just want to decorate the room, not tear it apart and start over again. If you don't want white walls, then a coat of paint in your favorite color will go a long way towards sprucing things up. Since much of the space in your bathroom is taken up by other things - toilet, tub, sink and vanity, medicine cabinet, shower stall - you can get away with painting the walls a bright or bold color without it being overpowering.

The next thing to look at is the shower curtains and window treatments. Adding in draperies for both the windows and the shower in a fabric that you love will instantly change the whole look of the room, and when you add in other matching bathroom accessories like rugs, toothbrush holders, soap dishes, and more, your bathroom is blah no more!

The last area to focus on is bathroom lighting and cabinet hardware. A beautiful new light fixture that blends in well with everything else you've done is an addition that is both functional and decorative, and to finish things off, choose knobs and pulls that complement either the room as a whole, or match the material your lighting fixture is made of. Bathroom cabinet knobs and drawer pulls come in a huge array of different styles and finishes, and while they are necessary items that you need in order to access your bathroom cupboards, your cabinet knobs can also be highly decorative.

It is easy - and if you shop carefully, also inexpensive - to put your mark on your plain bathroom and give it a custom look that lets your personality and style shine through.

Amanda works for Your Home Supply (YHS) the definitive website for home improvement tools, and gardening supplies. Your Home Supply offers a wide range of products, like cabinet hardware, to help customers with common household repairs, as well as decorative accessories for the home. Visit them now at http://www.YourHomeSupply.com

Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Systems

If you're like me, you're probably pretty weary of salesmen. They would lie and cheat just to get you to purchase their products. People that sell home water purifiers are one in the same. The example that really comes to mind here are companies that sell reverse osmosis systems. Sure, having a reverse osmosis water treatment system is better than having no water treatment system at all but there are far better options out there. Here are 5 ugly lies to watch out for so you understand why reverse osmosis systems are mediocre at best.

1. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are inexpensive. Using a reverse osmosis system may be cheaper than drinking bottled water but it is by no means inexpensive. Reverse osmosis costs 18 to 24 cents per gallon. In contrast, carbon filtration systems cost less than 10 cents per gallon. Which would you choose?

2. A reverse osmosis water treatment system removes all contaminants. Reverse osmosis systems are not capable of removing synthetic chemicals. It helps to understand how they work in order to see why that is. During reverse osmosis, water is exposed to a porous membrane under pressure. Contaminants such as minerals and organic chemicals, which are molecularly larger than water, are caught by the membrane. Synthetic chemicals are molecularly smaller than the membrane so they pass through. For that reason, reverse osmosis systems must be used in conjunction with a carbon filter. Why not just use a carbon filter in the first place? Carbon filters remove both organic and synthetic chemicals.

3. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are convenient and easy to use. In comparison to other water treatment systems like carbon filtration, reverse osmosis systems are high-maintenance and complicated. Reverse osmosis systems require adequate water pressure and a diaphragmed storage tank and as such as very high-maintenance. They are also difficult to install. Carbon filters on the other hand can be installed in a matter of minutes without the help of a plumber.

4. A reverse osmosis water treatment system produces healthy, pure water. Having a reverse osmosis system is better than having no water treatment system at all but the water it produces actually isn't that healthy. The problem with reverse osmosis systems is that they produce de-mineralized water. Studies show that in order to maintain good health, we must drink water that contains natural trace minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. Drinking de-mineralized water can lead to multiple mineral deficiencies and an increased risk for cancer. Comparatively, carbon filtration systems remove all the bad stuff while leaving in the good stuff.

5. Reverse osmosis water treatment systems are efficient. The truth is that reverse osmosis systems are wasteful. They waste 2 to 3 gallons for every gallon of clean water they produce. They are also notorious for being slow because they produce less than a gallon of water per hour. Carbon filtration systems can produce up to 30 gallons of water per hour without wasting a single drop.

Now that you are armed with this information, make your decision wisely and carefully. There are many water filters out there to choose from but when you consider cost, effectiveness, efficiency, and convenience, a reverse osmosis water treatment system simply isn't a good choice. Carbon filtration systems are the best option available when it comes to home water filters. So get out there and find a carbon filtration system for your home if you want the best water filter money can buy.

John Lim Cher Sern who is an avid proponent of natural health. To get more information about reverse osmosis water treatment systems make sure to visit our website at http://www.cleanhomewaterfilters.com

Home Inspection Books

Building a Dolls' House For Your Grandchildren

Dolls' House Building: A Magnificent Obsession

When I was a child it was just after the war and materials were in short supply. I didn't have many toys - and don't think I missed them, since I became an obsessive reader and never had my nose out of a book. An exception was when I was in London with my godmother, who took me to museums.

The day I saw that great big, gorgeous dolls house, which had belonged to Queen Mary, was a milestone - one I have never forgotten. I was completely entranced by the wonderfully detailed furniture, the little people, the wallpapers - all in 1/12 scale. How I loved it. I suppose I must have been about 8 when I fell.

Then I hit my teens, got into rock'n roll, (no sex and drugs for me!) studied for my exams and forgot about the dolls' house.

At forty I was ready to have another go. But this time I knew that I wanted to build a dolls' house. Not a dolls' house from a dollhouse kit, but one from plans, cutting the wood myself and truly being in charge of it all. Let's start at the top -why not?

Why not is because I had no experience at all with carpentry. I had made clothes for myself and others, I had knitted really complicated patterns, my cross-stitch was the envy of friends. But this was a different kettle of fish. I had no tools to speak of, an uncooperative husband, who in any case wasn't a carpenter, and a burning desire to make a dolls' house.

I went to the local friendly hardware store with my plans and explained myself. They were wonderful. I marked up the dimensions I wanted and for the price of the plywood, plus a teeny bit more, they cut my house for me. I bought a keyhole saw, for the window apertures, and a few little bits - tiny strips of prepared wood, sandpapers, glue, tiny screws, tiny hinges, one long piano hinge, a few small screwdrivers and a spirit level. Armed with all that and a lot of optimism I went home and made my dolls house.

I was immensely proud of it. I finished it with love, wallpapered the walls, made internal doors, painted the woodwork, including the skirting boards (something I would NEVER do now) and stood back and admired it. Then I made the furniture, using plans from a second book and copying some of my own furniture in 1/12 scale like the rest.

When it was finished - oh, maybe a year after I had started - I looked at it again and realised how bad it was! But I had learned the skills, and knew many little things that would carry me through the creation of the second, bigger and better house. And it WAS both bigger and better. When I saw how much better, I threw away my first attempt.

A station building (built from a photograph to my own plans) and a shop followed. Then I made just one house in 1/24 scale which was fun and quicker, but not so satisfying.

So there's the history - until manufacturers began making wonderful, fairly cheap dolls house kits. At first I felt it wold be cheating. When temptation overtook me I bought my first and quickly made it up. Oh,how easy it is to make up a kit. It's square, it's complete, all the little pieces you forget you're going to need are there. The kit is built in no time at all, leaving you more time to buy or make the furniture. By this time eBay was operating and wonderful stuff for the dolls house could be bought for very little money.

And then I decided to share this with others. I'm no genius, and I wanted to share my enthusiasm with other women. I had come to this with no formal training, and, with the advent of dolls' house kits, knew that none was needed. So I went into the business of finding out how to sell this idea on line. It has been a real educational journey, which continues. I am not there yet, but I know more and more each day. My website is up and running and now there are search engines to learn about.

What I do know is that women can build dolls' houses, and that they enjoy, no - love, doing it. I have a little group of people I know who share my joy of it. My grand-daughters both love the houses and the nine-year-old has built one with me. She became quite possessive about the colours we would decorate it in, and insisted on choosing the bedroom wallpaper. I bought a wonderful CD off someone clever on eBay, with which I can print my own flooring (which I do on matte photo paper) and wall coverings (ordinary paper works). So we have a wide choice of papers readily available on my pc and colour printer.

Bedding and cushions are fun little projects for us both, and I made (actually MADE) some people to go in the house. We have a father, a mother and one kid. (Oh, and lots of little babies who came on eBay). It isn't finished yet - well, the house is but the interior still lacks the odd thing, but I am already onto the next task, renovating an old house given me by a friend.

I have to confess, the storeroom is rather full. And I'm probably spending too much time on it. But what else would I be doing? I still go to the theatre, visit the family, play the piano, watch TV, read. Other times I work on the latest doll house project. And I wouldn't change any of it. Sometimes I forget the housework - you know, the real stuff. Who cares? I'm working on my dollhouses and having a wonderful time.

I am Dianna Moylan, in my mid-sixties, an ex-teacher who has fallen in love with dolls' houses. I live in a small house which is rapidly becoming swamped with doll house stuff. My site, http://www.diannadollhouses.co.uk is newly launched. I also sell on eBay. In addition to loving making dolls' houses I enjoy writing a lot and welcome this opportunity to have a say.

Getting Rid Of Horrible Attic Sm

Best Muscle Building Program

The best muscle building program is one that is designed specifically for your body type. With so many training routines available, it can be difficult choosing one to utilize. The key is knowing what type of body you have and picking a routine that can help you the most.

Everyone's body is different and therefore responds differently to a workout. Some exercises work great for some people but don't work for others. Some exercises even hurt certain people and lead to injuries and even weakening the muscles.

The first step to bulking up is figuring out your body type. If you struggle to gain weight, you are considered a hardgainer. Their muscles recover slowly and need a training program that takes this into account.

If you add muscle and weight easily, you can choose almost any workout routine. The ones you find in muscle magazines can work great as can exercises you copy from a strong friend.

The best training routine for a hardgainer is one that allows for ample rest time to let the muscles fully heal. When they don't fully heal in between lifts, they actually weaken instead of strengthen. It also makes the body more susceptible to injury and illness.

A great routine consists of only 3 to 4 hours in the weight room each week. These workouts should not last more than an hour. This is great for triggering muscle growth while still giving the muscles time to recover from the previous workout. A great schedule to follow is working out 4 days one week, than 3 the next week. This allows you to rest a full day in between each workout.

Before I found this weight training system, I struggled through 6 years of lifting without gaining hardly any weight or strength. Now I've added 28 pounds in just 8 months. This system tells you exactly when to lift and how much to lift. It makes gaining weight and building muscle incredibly easy, even for a hardgainer like myself. Check out No Nonsense Muscle Building

Wood Flooring Problems In Bath

Ten Ways Leadership Can Motivate Team Building and Performance

Managers, supervisors, and team leaders need to understand how communication and recognition can help motivate team members to have better attitudes and become more productive.Many ways exist to motivate team members to build a better team and increase the team and individual performance.

Presented for consideration are ten possible ways for managers, supervisors, and leaders to motivate their team with little budget and resources that may not require higher-level management approval.Most ideas can be implemented merely by a change in team accountability or the way the manager or leader communicates with the team and encourages the team to grow itself.

1. Be positive and set a good example for the team.
2. Share information on projects and business openly with the team.
3. When possible, let team work through their conflicts, but be ready to resolve negative conflict and bad situations before team morale is damaged.
4. Give feedback for improvement when necessary in a positive and thoughtful way.
5. Show appreciation for the work team does using different methods for rewarding team and members.
6. If a team request or member idea is not understood, ask for clarification or examples.
7. Actively listen to team complaints, ideas, and improvements.
8. Allow the team to evaluate its leader and suggest improvement ideas to help the team with respect, trust, and confidence in their leader.
9. Show confidence in the team by supporting their work and needs.
10. Do periodic team assessments with the members on how the team is doing as a way to increase awareness of what is right and identify opportunities for improvement.

Selecting from these ten ways to motivate teams, the team leader, supervisor, or manager can implement a strategy for building the team and improving individual performance as well.All it may take is changing the way the manager, supervisor, or leader communicates with and encourages the team's potential growth, as well as the team members accepting responsibility for their progress.The result should be improved team member attitudes, better team behaviors, and increasing work productivity.

NOTE:See also list of articles for "Ten Ideas to Reward Teams and Members," "Evaluate Team Performance and Determine Training Needs," "Eleven Responsibilities of Great Team Leaders and Sponsoring Managers," and "Give Your Teams the Gift of Productivity" from http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Shirley_Lee.

Shirley Fine Lee, author of "R.A!R.A! A Meeting Wizard's Approach", has worked as a training and development specialist since 1986, and an independent consultant since 2000. She has extensive experience, helping organizations with their team building, training development, meeting facilitation, presentation delivery, and other communication needs. This work involves developing productivity tools, presenting workshops, and writing. For instance, she has authored numerous training manuals and guides, on a wide variety of topics. Her programs include time management, getting organized, problem solving, and team building. Find out more about her and options she provides on her website.

http://www.shirleyfinelee.com

Pocket Door Problems

Success Starting in Your 40s

You're going to find it hard to believe, but very seldom does an individual peak with creativity until they reach the age of 40. The average individual usually makes the most money between the age of 40 and 60. This doesn't have anything to do with retirement. Most highly creative people keep producing until they die.

If you're 55 years old and looking for a new career or can't seem to find a job in the profession you have worked at your whole life, don't be alarmed or fearful. Do you think you could start your own business? Is there something, you have always wanted to do but have put it off until retirement, or until you had enough time to do it?

Why wait, if you can't find a job in a business you never truly enjoyed, maybe you can find a new job doing something you love.

I have worked in construction for 30 years and at 44 years old started to pursue a career in writing and plan to create award winning websites and best selling books, for the rest of my life. This doesn't mean, I won't work in construction ever again, but I will become a best selling author within the next 20 years.

Most people don't take the time required to learn a new profession. If you're sincerely interested in another career, and you're 50 years old, there is plenty of people out there to give you hope and inspiration.

If you would like some proof, here's a couple successful American businessman who succeeded after the age of 40. Henry Ford is probably one of the most popular and became extremely successful after the age of 40. Andrew Carnegie, an American industrialists who transformed the steel business and did not start reaping the rewards of his efforts until he was well past the age of 40.

I gathered this information from the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. There is a section in the book where he talks about people after the age of 40 with phenomenal success. Anyone who's interested in gaining wealth through spirituality or finances should read this book.

I've often heard the statement, "People Often Over Estimate What They Can Do in a Year and Often Underestimate What They Can Do in a Decade." If you want to accomplish something after the age of 40, I would advise you to start with a plan and then put that plan and the action. Your plan could take five to 15 years to achieve or longer but think about the rewards, whether spiritual or financial.

Gregory Vanden Berge is working to promote personal development ideas and spiritual reform. He has started a web site for videos and articles based on current information about subject he is very familiar with.

"Education has freed me, to pursue other ideas and release me from the bondage and fear of organized religion."

Gregory Vanden Berge

How to Change a Shower Faucet in 5 Easy Steps

Cannot sleep with the constant drip in the bathroom? Tired of hearing the drip-drip noise from the shower faucet every night? Then here is how to change a shower faucet in just 5 steps ...

It is not a very titanic task to change a shower faucet. But neither is it as simple as unscrewing the old and putting in new. It does require some effort and thinking on your part. Plus you also require some correct tools like wrenches, screwdriver, handle hammer, torch and goggles.

There are basically two basic types of shower faucets. One is the washer type and the other washer-less shower faucet. If the washer is worn out or hardened then that may be the reason for shower leaking. Or it may also be the rubber gasket or the ring which needs to be replaced. Sometimes washer seats may also be the cause of the problem.

• The first thing to do if a shower faucet is leaking is to close the main supply of water. Then allow the water in the faucet to drain completely.
• Next take off the faucet handle. For this you may have to turn the screw clockwise using screwdriver or knife. Next remove the handle. If it is stuck to the stem then you probably have to use a handle hammer.
• Next separate the stem and check the condition of the stem. If the threads are worn out then take them to a retailer and get a new stem. If the brass screws are damaged then they too require replacement. If the stems are dirty, clean them.
• Now examine the washer. If the washer has white vinegar or lime deposits then it requires cleaning and replacement. Take them to a dealer who will give you an exact match in size as well as style. Now check the washer seat. If they are worn out then they too have to be replaced. If they have square or hexagonal holes they can be changed. But if the seat has a round hole then you need to use a seat dressing tool.
• Now insert the new parts. You can use Vaseline to ensure that it is sealed correctly. Spread a bit of petroleum jelly on the threads of the stem for lubrication. Now put all parts in the reverse order. Switch on the water supply and take a shower test to see if you have replaced everything correctly.

Sometimes the problem may be with the stem too. In such a case you need to install a new packing. If it is noisy shower faucet problem then the problem may be due to loose seat washers. Then tighten the washer following the same steps as outlined above. Poor design and construction may also be the reason for noisiness. In such a case you will have to replace it.

Thus with a little help you can fix the faucet yourself within an hour and sleep peacefully without bothering about the drip.

Learn exactly how to generate 100's or even 1000's of positively *BRILLIANT* Bathroom Remodeling Ideas ... F-A-S-T ! And here are 25 Dirt Cheap Home Improvement Ideas that could increase the value of your home by several $1000's ...

Tips for Decorating Small Kitchens

Having a small kitchen can be a nightmare. After all, the last place you want to feel cramped is in the kitchen. With very little counter space or cabinetry, cooking your favorite meals can become quite the chore.

Fortunately, there are several steps you can take with decorating small kitchens that will give you a little more space while also helping you feel less cramped in the kitchen. First, you might want to consider replacing some of your base cabinets with roll out cabinetry. With roll out cabinets you can more easily reach all of the items that you have to store way in the back.

You can also improve your cabinet space by installing taller wall cabinets. If you install cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling, you will have more space for storage. If you want to add interest, you can stair step the cabinets instead. This will still give you more storage space.

While you are at it, you might want to consider putting glass fronts on the cabinets. By allowing the eye to move beyond the front of the cabinets, you create the illusion that the kitchen is larger. You should also consider using lighting in creative ways when decorating small kitchens, as adding under-the-counter lighting will make your space appear larger.

If counter space is your problem, you can free up more room by installing under-the-cabinet appliances or under-the-counter appliances such as can openers, microwaves, toasters, and spice racks. Simply finding ways to decorate small kitchens by getting things off of your counter will give you more room to work and to enjoy your small kitchen.

To learn more about decorating your home while staying within your decorating budget, download a free copy of the ebook "Budget Home Decorating Tips". Download it free here: Budget Home Decorating Tips

Lynn Cressy has a love for decorating and shopping for home decor. She owns a home decor web site and writes articles on home decorating and organizing your home and your life.

For Home Remodeling Projects, Always Think In Terms Of Resale

Whether of not you plan to sell your house in the near term, resale value should always be a consideration whenever you are planning out a home remodeling project. In fact, you should be thinking ahead to resale before you even buy a house, because you never know when circumstances will change.

Now, having said that, my opinion on the subject of resale is this. You can either make your house generic to appeal to the masses, or you can make it special so as to appeal to the niche buyer.

If your house is pretty much generic, such as part of a development of similar homes (e.g., tract, PUD, etc.), the sale is mostly driven by price, which is a dicey proposition in a weak housing market. But if your house is unique or special in some way so as to fit the particular preferences of only a handful of niche buyers, they will pay more for it ... although it might take longer to sell if no such targeted buyer happens to be prowling your market at the moment.

A major consideration for you in the project planning stage -- or even before you purchase a home for enhancement and resale in the first place -- is to decide what market you envision for the finished product.

In my experiences performing dozens of remodeling projects on several homes over the past 16 years, some of the houses could be described as your basic California single-story ranch-style home on a flat lot, which in general has pretty broad appeal. However, one house with its reclusive hillside setting and acres of avocado orchards, and another with its two-story farmhouse design and horse facility, each appealed to a much narrower spectrum of buyers.

But contrary to what you might have heard, uniqueness is not necessarily a bad thing. Although it might take longer to sell a home with unique features -- and many prospective buyers indeed will not be willing to pay extra for them (and might not want the house at all because of them) -- that smaller group of targeted buyers who are seeking special amenities (such as a horse barn, tennis court, guest house, or swimming pool) generally will be willing to pay up for them. All things considered, I prefer to make a house somewhat unique and special ... but that doesn't mean crazy, artsy, or eclectic!

Focus on high-value projects

It is important for you to focus on high-value-added projects that are appropriate to your market and neighborhood. Of course, many home upgrades will not return the value invested through enhanced sales price -- although they might be appropriate anyway if you are doing it for your personal enjoyment. Just know in advance why you are doing the project, and don't naively assume that any project you do will give you a dollar-for-dollar increase in home value.

A swimming pool might fit into this category. Many homebuyers have no interest in dealing with a pool. However, if you really want one for your own enjoyment, you still should think ahead toward eventual resale and try to optimize its impact on home value. For example, think about placing and designing the pool in harmony with (and perhaps as a focal point of) your landscaping, i.e., think of it as a clean, soothing, and decorative waterscape, and make it as appealing as possible. The overall feel and marketability of your property will be greatly enhanced versus simply plunking a basic concrete & plaster pool and cool deck in the middle of your yard with a toddler fence around it.

Another example might be an elaborate master bathroom, with huge Jacuzzi tub, sauna, and built-in flat-screen TV. Sure, it might be your dream bathroom, but will it really fit with the rest of the home -- or the rest of the neighborhood for that matter? If you have a top-to-bottom luxury home, it might be completely appropriate, enhancing both your home's value and its appeal to that niche buyer.

Otherwise, consider whether the expense will only turn off the target buyers as an extravagance. If you are in a modest neighborhood of similar homes, be cautious of overdoing the appointments relative to what is common in the neighborhood. Although a tasteful extravagance would probably help the house sell faster, it may not add much to the price. So ask yourself, how much will this project really add to the value of my home?

Also, consider the lifetime cost of an upgrade, especially if you are planning to stay in the house for awhile. As an example, vinyl-covered wood-frame double-pane windows might be desirable for their triple benefit: strength, energy efficiency, and low maintenance.

Plan in Advance! You have heard it many times before: If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail. So start by seriously asking yourself questions like these:

1. What am I trying to accomplish? Am I fixing up the house to sell, or do I just want to create a more pleasant living environment for my family?
2. Does the house need major repairs that will require permits and contractor involvement, or are these projects that I can tackle myself?
3. Should I stick to a firm budget, or can I use a flexible checkbook to pursue my vision?
4. Do I want to immerse myself in this and get it all done as quickly as possible, or do I want to take my time and try not to get stressed out?

In any case, don't spend impulsively or frivolously! This is a trap I have fallen into, since I'm somewhat impulsive by nature. Write out a plan of some kind. It can be dynamic and changeable, but at least you'll have a basis for assigning priorities and making choices.

And keep in mind; many couples end up on the brink of divorce when they take on home projects due to either the mess, the stress, the duration, conflicting ideas, inequitable division of duties, or the financial burden. So be prepared for this before you get yourself knee-deep in it. It might be better to start small and take on each project piecemeal.

Be smart but not cheap. Seek value in your choice of projects, materials, and contractors. Ideally, all of your expenditures will increase the value of your home by at least the same amount -- but of course, there is no telling for sure when it comes to the future market price of the home.

Finally, allow me to leave you with my personal design credo:

Seek simplicity, comfort and value!

Simplicity means muted neutral colors, bright, open, airy, spacious, and uncluttered. Comfort means designing for function, usability, and durability rather than purely for style. And Value means cost-effective quality, i.e., always seeking good quality for a reasonable price.

If you keep this simple phrase in mind, it will go a long ways in helping you to dramatically and affordably transform your house

Copyright 2008 by Laura Martindale

Laura Martindale is a freelance design consultant and self-taught home remodeling expert. She has performed dozens of home remodeling projects on numerous homes over the past 16 years. Her specialty is dramatically and cost-effectively transforming a house without major remodeling. You can learn more by visiting http://TransformYourHouse.com

What to Avoid When Remodeling Your Home

When remodeling or improving your home, you should stop and look at the future before you make any decisions. Some day, your investment will have to be sold. And you will want to get as much out of it as you have put in it.

There are things that just hurt a home when you are trying to sell it. These are items that really seem important to you, but the majority of buyers don't want.

The number one example is a swimming pool. I would love to have an in-ground swimming pool at my house. But I know that it would not be a good investment.

It is expensive to clean, maintain and buyers aren't looking for swimming pools. Buyers don't want the troubles or the energy bills that come with swimming pools. Lenders don't include pools in the mortgage appraisal, so it really has no value to your home.

Another thing that can hurt you is overexpanding your home. Yes, buyers are looking for space, but you can have too much space. If you add on a family room, you are likely to see a 83% return on your investment. It costs you when you don't get back 100%. Adding a master suite to a home will grant you a recovery of only 80% of the cost of the addition.

It gets even worse if your additions make your home much larger than those in your area. This hurts your appraisal value, as there are no other homes of your size to compare to.

You shouldn't go too crazy with your changes either. Yes, there are a lot of people that would find a basement that looks like an old-time western saloon quite charming. But would they want to buy it? What if the basement was extra storage and a family room instead?

You would think that a home office would be a good addition. So many people work from home. Yet, it probably isn't wise to totally outfit a room to be an office by installing a workstation and office storage. You will recoup an average of 73% of your investment, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Another thing to avoid is doing too much by yourself. Shoddy or handmade workmanship will not benefit you. I know a couple that painted their brand new home themselves. The job was not great, as you can see paint on the ceiling throughout the home. Plus, the colors are quite unusual. To sell their home, they may find that it would have been better to have a professional paint in a neutral color scheme.

Try to keep your decor in your personal belongings, not the home itself. Faux finishes are lovely, but if they are too unusual, they may be a sticking point. You may love unusual colors, but remember, hot pink walls are not for everyone.

When you know you will be selling your home, it helps to spend your time only on renovations that will pay you back. Do the most important projects first.

The projects that show the greatest return at resale are improvements to siding, windows, kitchens and bathrooms.

A midrange bathroom renovation can give you a 102% return on the investment. An upscale bathroom renovation can recoup 93% of the cost. A midrange kitchen improvement will recoup approximately 91% of the cost. Minor jobs return 99%.

Keep in mind that the most important improvements aren't those that add to your home, they are those that maintain the home. Make sure the paint is in good condition, the gutters are clean and the lawn is kept up. Keep track of annual checkups, such as the heating and air servicing, and make sure you include the info when you are trying to sell your home. A well-maintained home is always a good seller.

Martin Lukac represents RateTake Refinance Rate marketplace. RateTake matches consumers with multiple lenders offering low rates. Got too much credit debt? Get Debt Help and you'd be surprised what we can do together.

Wood Window Sill Damage