7 Ways to Select the Best Contractor for your Bathroom Renovations

Remodeling any part of your home is a serious decision that calls for careful planning, budgeting, and finding a contractor who will bring your vision to reality. Bathrooms are an essential part of the home, and therefore, a bit of legwork is needed to find the most suitable contractor. If you are contemplating renovating your bathroom, here are seven tips that will guide you in your quest for the best contract.

image:pixabay.com/en/bathroom-bath-wc-toilet-sink-2094733

1. Start with Referrals

Whether you are a novice at home renovations or you have several projects under your belt, the best place to start looking is referrals from trusted friends and other networks. Perhaps your neighbour just completed a remodelling project, or your colleague is building a property. These people have the experience working with contractors – good and bad ones – therefore, take their guidance to heart. Ask for contact details of the best contractors they have worked with and add to your pool of prospective candidates whom you will interview. Avoid the pitfalls of hiring lesser-known contractors who under quote for services.

2. Phone interviews

Recommendations may come from family and friends in a different town which means seeing the contractors face to face may not be feasible. Distance issues are where phone interviews come in, and they are just as useful as interviewing people in person. Prepare for the call by listing down the main questions that will help you determine if the person qualifies or not. Print out several sheets, so you indicate scores or make notes for each contractor you interview. Some of the questions that you need to ask are: Do you take on small-scale projects like remodelling one bathroom? Do you work with subcontractors and if so, how well do you know them? Before closing the interview, ask each candidate that you are interested in to share reference details.

3. Examine Credentials

Following the telephone interviews, you will get the hang of who you are dealing with and narrow down the list to top five contractors. Check their credentials from their company websites by entering a search of ‘bathroom renovations Brisbane’ and visit LinkedIn profiles too. The Australian Constructors Association(ACA) is another source of reliable information in this regard. The goal is to verify any information they relayed concerning professional qualifications to weed out the bogus ones. This step is where you also check licenses to see if these candidates have current licenses to operate within that territory or city. Once again, you will narrow down the list, and hopefully, you will remain with a sizeable – but somewhat dependable – pool of prospects.

4. Face-to-Face Meeting

Since the remodelling contractor will be working inside your property for several weeks, it is only fair that you become acquainted beforehand. During this meeting, candidates should present their cost estimates for the job so you can evaluate if their proposals fit within your budget. Beware that some people lay on the charm to distract you from asking the tough questions then you end up hiring the wrong person. These personalities can also fool you while in reality, they are a pain to work with and have possibly disputed with clients before. The Better Business Bureau will have records of disputes and if so, drop the affected candidate.

5. Background Screening

Great recommendations and a charming personality notwithstanding, you must do a thorough background check of the candidates who are still in the running. They already provided reference information during the first interview but feel free to ask for more client references if necessary. Remember, it is possible for a great contractor to make colossal mistakes every once in a while so don't be fooled by just a few successful projects. Dig deeper until you find where the bodies are buried so to speak and query them about it. How did the problem occur? Was it resolved and how? Getting to know these contractors from the perspective of past clients is vehemently crucial in shaping the outcome of this hunt for the best bathroom contractor. Screening also entails checking their finances to gauge their capacity to handle your project including hiring qualified workforce. The last thing you want is to procure a contractor who can barely pay wages or one who is embroiled in malpractice lawsuits.

6. Scrutinise the Contract

After investigating your prospective candidates leaving no stone unturned, it is now time to pick the best choice. Most people say that following your gut is vital, but I would combine that with hard evidence based on the interviewing process. Upon finding the best candidate, make things official by asking them to draft a contract which includes a host of essential items: their final bid for the job, scope to be covered, schedule of activities, etc. We raised the point on disputes earlier so ensure that the contract expressly stipulates how to resolve conflicts and an express warranty. If you are not sure about an item indicated therein or missing entirely, check in with the contractor and only sign the document when you are satisfied it meets all requirements. If this is your first foray into renovation projects, feel free to consult a lawyer before committing.

7. Flexibility

In spite of all the meticulous planning discussed above, it is not unusual for renovation projects to run into unforeseen trouble. Should this happen, maintain calm and be ready to exercise some flexibility here and there. Leaving some wiggle room – on both entities – will go a long way in mitigating issues before they escalate. Nevertheless, don't be too generous with flexibility as this may pave the way for your contractor taking advantage of the situation. For instance, taking too many off-days and hence extending your timelines unnecessarily.

Remodelling your bathroom to meet the latest standards is a noble project that comes with great responsibility. Do your homework well, so you make informed decisions and budget aptly, so there are no financial hurdles down the line. Keep your eyes open to prevent hiring mistakes as they are costly in the long run and could jeopardise the project entirely.

Read more...

Girls' Moving Essential Bags!

As if moving wasn't already difficult enough, it's ten times as hard when you are a girl. You are faced with too many decisions and tasks, one of which is how to ensure your upcoming travel is a stress-free one. How do you manage to get your beauty sleep when you are supposed to take care of numerous duties? Well, while there is no telling how to get on top of your relocation or which company in the area is the best one for you, there is one thing that is certain in this upcoming process - the contents of your essential bag. There are a few items all girls' moving essential bags should contain, at least if you want to avoid that frantic search for your toothbrush that is buried somewhere underneath all those cardboard boxes. 

Basic toiletries are a must inside all girls' moving essential bags! 

Moving is a tedious job. There are too many strenuous activities that are involved in the process of relocating items from point A to point B. For starters, there are plenty of heavy items which will require that you put all of your muscles to work just to lift them an inch off the ground. Of course, all that work can be avoided if you hire professional movers in your area. Hire pros such as Dorothy & Martha Moving NYC, and avoid all that hard work that comes with moving. Butif, for some reason, you can't afford professionals, you will have to keep yourself busy with all the physically-demanding tasks. Once you finally reach your new home, a shower is a thing you will desperately need. And that is why you should have your basic toiletries at hand. Otherwise, you may spend an additional hour hunting for your soap and shower cream in all those boxes. And there are plenty of them! So, which toiletries should girls' moving essential bags contain?

You don’t have to pack a lot – just smart!

• Tothbrush and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand sanitizer
•  Soap
•  Shower gel/shower cream
•  Contacts and contact solution

Additional tip: pack a roll of toilet paper in your bag. Assuming grocery shopping isn't the first thing you do after moving, a roll of toilet paper will come in handy.

Girls always need more clothes! 

No, you cannot and should not see your relocation as an excuse to buy more clothes. Moving is expensive enough as it is, and there is no need to spend additional money on superfluous things. Since moving advice is something you can get here at 1sthappyfamily.com, we advise you to be smart with your budget, as well as with your packing. Yes, every girls' moving essential bag should include a clean set of clothes. But worry not about following the latest fashion trends, and focus more on being practical. Pack a pair of pajamas, some clean underwear, a pair of pants and a T-shirt. Of course, you should pack according to the season. You won't be needing T-shirts if you are moving during the winter. 

Girls’ moving essential bags should include a set of practical clothes.

You will need scissors or a small gliding knife!

Given the fact that we are talking about girls' moving essential bags, some might feel like a gliding knife is out of place here. Is it, though? You will need to open those boxes sooner or later, perhaps right after arriving in your new home. Bear in mind that there will be dozens and dozens of boxes for you to open, so you won't be able to just wing it. Of course, if you let experts relocate your art collection, furniture, and other fragile items, and you opt for unpacking services, you won't have to worry about opening your moving boxes. But, we are assuming you will be having a DIY move. In that case, scissors or a small gliding knife are a must!

Keep your purse with your essentials bag! 

A woman should not face the world without a good purse. But, a woman should also not face relocation without a well-equipped essentials bag. And, as silly as it sounds, your essentials bag should contain your purse. Think about it -isn't it easier to keep everything at one place than to look for both your purse and your essentials bag on your moving day? Basically, your purse already contains all the items that should have a place in your essentials bag, such as your keys and wallet. So, there is no need to think too much about it - keep these two bags together, and you will make your relocation that much easier. 

Take good care of your wallet on your moving day – it could easily get lost.

Don't forget your medicine if you are undergoing some therapy! 

Staying healthy during the move is difficult. Your diet is impaired, and so is your sleep. On top of everything, your stress levels are through the roof. But if you are already prescribed some medications, you should act responsibly. Whether you are taking medicine for bulging veins, arrhythmia or high blood pressure, you should always have it next to you. And that is why it should be in your girls' moving essentials bag. Know that skipping  your medicine is not an option nor will it bring you any good. Quite the contrary.

Moreover, remember to stay hydrated during your move, and make sure you snack on healthy nutrients. So, girls’ moving essential bags should include bottled water and plenty of healthy snacks. You can opt for baby carrots, some other vegetables and fruit, or you can pre-pack a lunch box. Just make sure your body is not screaming for food and water. And when it does, don’t indulge it with fast food and sodas. They won’t do anything good for your health. A healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy body, and there is nothing healthier than the groceries that originated in natural conditions.

Read more...

3 Reasons Bail Bonds Can Come To the Rescue

If you find yourself in jail, the situation may look grim. You might be facing a felony conviction, or might have simply been picked on a misdemeanor charge of one sort or another. Some people find themselves detained for immigration reasons, separated from their family and unsure of what comes next. There are many reasons why people end up in jail, but the one constant is that they want out. If that is the position you find yourself in right now, you have options. Here are three reasons that bail bonds can come to your rescue.

image:www.libertybailbondspa.com

They Get You Back to Work Quickly

If you are in jail, you can't work. It is as simple as that. You probably have bills to pay and a family who depends on you for their support. Using bail bonds Stroudsburg PA is a way to get out of jail quickly and find yourself back home where you are able to earn a living once again.   

You Can Get Free Even If You Don't Have the Cash

You might find that you have been granted bail, only to discover that you there is no way that you can come up with that much cash. Your family and friends are strapped as well. That is why a bail bond system in place. Just contact a local company for the details, but you can get the cash you need in relatively short order.

Knowledge of the System

You will also find a bail bond company knows the system. They are usually open seven days a week and know just who to contact in order that your release can be arranged. You will get home much more quickly this way.

When you need to get out of jail, you need to begin exploring all of your options. It is important to not leave anything out on the table. There are ways to get out and find yourself back home, even if the situation seems grim at the moment. Remember to speak to a professional agent who can guide you through the process and get you on your way. 

Read more...

How are the Games Arena Beneficial for Kids?

Engaging kids into games both indoor and outdoor is very important today, if you want to keep them healthy. Our childhood days were absolutely different. We were never bothered about the weather conditions outside instead wore our running shoes and simply went out to play. How can we forget those days of board games spent with our family and friends? All the fun is missing these days with the onset of technology. Psychiatric consultants say that children who aren’t involved in these games are liable to face alarming consequences in their overall development. In fact, the lack of indoor and outdoor games has high chances of affecting a child’s daily timetable, thus, leading to serious emotional repercussions.

Keeping all these factors in mind, the builders decided to work on both the indoor and outdoor games arena for the apartment complexes. Board games, card games or puzzles are some of the best options that would keep a child occupied in a healthy way. These games are not just engaging but help in developing a child’s intellectual and mental skills. Children also have the option to stay engaged in table tennis and carom. They can play all these games as a team which would make them social. Instead of allowing your children to stay occupied with smart phones or watch videos on Youtube and TV during their leisure hours, make them involved in indoor and outdoor games.

You need not worry at all because now the builders are introducing well-equipped indoor and outdoor games arena in their projects. If you are looking for such amazing arrangements in the apartment complexes of South Kolkata then invest in one of the apartments on Budge Budge Trunk Road. Here you will get more options to help your children stay engaged and healthy at the same time. Just like those interesting indoor games, your child can participate in the outdoor games as well. Of course, there are several advantages playing in the open air, amidst Nature. Several studies have proved that games develop a child’s brain rapidly when they take part in outdoors. They perform brilliantly and become good learners, thus, developing their personalities.

Stay aware of the disadvantages due to lack of involvement in the indoor and outdoor games. Due to technological development, there have been restricted movements, thus, affecting the children horribly. Research says that there have been negative impacts on their academic achievement, thus, restricting child development. Other issued related to these include epidemic obesity, sleep deprivation, mental illness, addictions, digital dementia and aggression etc. So, if you are really looking forward to a healthy lifestyle of your children then make sure the place where you stay has a games arena. Needless to say, that the demand for such places has developed with time, mostly because of the colourful, clean and safe environment. Who doesn’t wants to take advantages of good things! Then what are you waiting for? Come and invest in those properties that come with several benefits.

Read more...