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Are You Moving Home? Start Planning Your Move Early
Moving house can seem like a daunting task, with so much going on before your house removal, it’s easy to panic and overlook things. A moving home planner will help you organise your move effectively. Countdown to the date of your house move with a list of tasks that can be completed from a month in advance of your moving date right up to the house removal day itself.1 Month To Go.
* Notify landlord (if applicable).
* Contact Telephone to organise reconnection/installation of a line.
* Inform Gas and Electrical companies that you will be the new owner of the property.
* Purchase your Packing Materials.
* Book time off work.
* Have a clear out!
2 Weeks To Go.
* Book Removal Company or van.
* Arrange transit insurance (if necessary) for the move.
* Inform appropriate people of your Change of Address.
* Tell Post Office to redirect mail on date of move.
* Organise for someone to look after any kids and pets.
* Notify Local Authority of move and new address.
* Make plan of new home and decide which rooms will be used for what.
* Start your Packing now (it's never too early).
1 Week To Go.
* Arrange for any final bills to be paid.
* Have meters read and pay any outstanding amount.
* Cancel any services, e.g. window cleaner, milkman, and newspaper delivery.
* Confirm arrangements with utility companies.
* Arrange the exchange of keys. Collect yours as soon as possible.
* Find some old blankets to put down in new house to protect carpets.
* Make map of new property for the removal company.
* Start cleaning the house.
The Day Before.
* Label boxes and finalise packing.
* Pack a container for emergency supplies.
* Defrost Fridge/Freezer.
* Finish cleaning the house.
The Day of the Move.
* Disconnect any remaining appliances.
* Have one last final check.
* Close and lock doors and windows.
* Check that all containers have been delivered.
Five Ways to Update Your Bathroom
You're living in your house in 2010, but your bathroom is stuck in 1968. Sound familiar? Below are some tips for remodeling your bathroom for the 21st century. For additional ideas, check out the pictures in our bath remodeling portfolio.1. Add more light. See if there are ways to bring in more natural light through windows or skylights. Natural light will save on energy costs, and it makes you feel better. Next, turn to artificial light. Be sure to have ambient lights recessed in the ceiling and task lighting over the shower/tub and sink. Place mirrors strategically to amplify the existing light, making your bathroom feel more spacious and airy.
2. Update your fixtures. Although the look of a toilet hasn't changed much over the years, sinks, showers, and bathtubs have become fancier and more stylish. Vessel sinks are very popular and come in a wide variety of colors and materials. Shower stalls have become sleek and glass-enclosed, while tubs can be vintage or modern to match the mood of your bathroom. If you purchase low-water fixtures, they will also lower your water costs and energy bills (by using less hot water).
3. Do a color makeover. Chances are your bathroom was decorated in the colors that were popular when your house was built. Is it pink? Turquoise? Bright yellow? Even a quick and inexpensive repainting job would be an improvement. However, replacing the tile and countertop would really give the place a new look. But choose fairly neutral colors; they age better.
4. Think spa. Lots of homeowners want their bathrooms to feel like a soothing retreat from the world. Consider light blues and whites for a calming feeling and put the lights on a dimmer switch. Soothing music can be piped in by installing a sound system (one that can stand up to humidity). For luxurious spa-like features, plan for a steam room, shower with multiple water jets, or a whirlpool tub.
5. Use natural materials. Stay away from acrylic shower surrounds and particle board vanities. Instead, consider ceramic, recycled glass, or stone tiles in the shower or on the floor. Cabinets and floors can be made from bamboo – a sustainable, fast growing grass. Even sink basins can be made of pottery, carved marble, bronze, or stone mosaic.
How to Refinish Hardwood Floors
Several homes, especially centrally located homes, have hardwood flooring. A pristine hardwood floor is beautiful, but to restore one back to its original 60 year old elegance, the floor will need to be refinished.Refinishing hardwood floors can be a challenging job for the do-it-yourselfer, but with some preparation and research, it can be done without the help of a professional.
Many older homes have gone through fads, and one that became a norm was wall to wall carpeting. If wood floors hide under a carpet, it will have to be removed. After all furniture has been removed, pull up carpeting and its tack strip, making sure to remove nails and staples that will hinder sanding performance later.
Sanding floors during the refinishing process creates a lot of sawdust. Prep the area by taping off doors and cabinets, and opening windows. Covering areas with damp sheets helps trap the sawdust.
After the area around the floor is completely prepped, use a drum sander to sand the floor. They can be rented at most home improvement stores. The purpose of the sanding is to cut the floor and remove the old finish. Start with a coarse grit sandpaper, such as a 20 or 36 grit paper, and move up to 60 and 100 grit. The lighter grit sandpaper is used to remove the scratch marks made by the heavier grit paper.
A drum sander can be daunting on its first use. They are loud and powerful, so wear ear plugs, eye protection, and a dust mask. A common first-timers mistake is gouging the floor, which is a hard problem to fix, and easier to prevent. Start by tilting the sander back before turning it on, and slowly lowering it to the floor. Find a good test area that may be covered by a rug or furniture, and move the machine back and forth, without keeping it in one spot, as doing so can damage the floor in a few seconds. Move the sander in the same direction as the grain of the wood floor. When the machine becomes difficult to maneuver, it's time to move to a lighter grit paper. Edges of the floor can be hard to sand with the large drum sander, so either renting an edge sander, or doing these areas by hand, is recommended.
After the old finish has been removed, and the floors smoothed with the sander, the room must be vacuumed. It's advisable to vacuum and dust the floors, walls, light switches, and every area that can be reached. Let the dust settle, and vacuum again to insure no dust will end up in the new finish. Running a tack cloth (also available at home improvement stores) along the floor after it's been vacuumed is also advisable.
It's now time to apply a stain to the wood, unless the natural color of the wood is preferred. If possible, test the stain on your floor, as color charts may be helpful, but not always accurate depending on the wood of your floor, and how it takes the stain. Apply the stain in a circular motion with cloth rags. Spread the stain as evenly as possible to keep the color consistent.
The final step to refinishing a floor is applying the finish. There are oil and water based finishes. Though oil finishes are less expensive, the water based dry quicker, finish clear, and do not have the solvent odor that oil based finishes contain. Make sure to not shake the finish, as it will create bubbles that will end up on the floor. Slowly stir it, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Make sure to plan the final application finishing in a doorway, and after a few coats, the floor refinishing is complete.
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