Planning to get services of custom home builder to make the home of your dreams? When it comes to make a new home, everyone wants to construct it according to needs and choice. Home is the place where you want to live a peaceful and happy life with family. The homes are also part of your personality these days, so everyone wants to design it in the best way. If you want to get construction services for your new home, you will find various builders in the market. It is important that you can choose a good builder who can construct your home in a custom way.

When it comes to choose a custom home builder for your home, you need to hire it carefully. These days, you will find various builders, but here are some tips for you that you can choose to hire best builders for your new home:

Consider your needs and consult the builders:

When you want to get the services of builders in your home, it is important that you can consider your needs. You need to make a plan of your home according to your budget. There are various factors that need to be considered while choosing the services of a builder. You have to finalize a space for new construction and need to set a budget for it.

Then you have to contact any builder to tell about your needs. If the constructor is able to fulfill your home needs in your budget, you can proceed to the next step to choose a good builder.

Get services of licensed builders:

When it comes to choose the services of a home builder, it is the most important thing that you can verify if a builder is licensed or not. You should be strict to choose a licensed builder only. It will be easy to complete, all documentations while choosing the services of custom home builders. You should also complete documentation formalities when you are hiring these services. A good builder will also offer services of home warranty. [Read more…]

Three things even non-DIYers can do to fix the uglies

By Bob Wilkes, Chief Engineer, Mechanical Systems

Keeping the exterior of your home in great condition does more than improve its appearance. As engineer and entrepreneur Bob Wilkes explains, it also can help prevent safety hazards and expensive repairs. Thankfully, there are simple repairs that anyone can do to save money and upgrade your home’s curb appeal.   

• Paint your home’s trim with a light color. “A fresh coat of paint is relatively inexpensive and is one of the fastest ways to increase its curb appeal. But the sun fades paint colors. You don’t want to have to repaint every year to keep your exterior looking fresh. Light colors don’t show the fading as much. To safely dispose of paint cans, you need to let them dry out. Mixing the remaining paint with cat litter will make it solidify quicker. And if you’re not handy, consider removing old wooden shutters entirely. If they are not in good shape, they detract from your home’s appearance.”
• Replace rotted expansion joints. “Once those wooden expansion joints rot away, you’ve actually got three problems,” Wilkes explains. “You need to manage the weeds, and you don’t want to use chemical because they can wash into the storm drains and into local ponds. Those empty spaces between concrete slabs are also tripping hazards, especially for scooters and skateboards as well as women wearing high heels. And without a barrier, rainwater or pressure washing can flow beneath the concrete slab, eroding the soil. Then when you park your car in your driveway, the unsupported concrete may crack, shift and/or lift. We’re talking about a very expensive repair!”

[Read more…]

From Traction Magic –

As colder weather approaches in the weeks ahead, here are some winter safety and slip prevention tips to be mindful of in the months ahead.

Proper Footwear/Coats:

Sometimes the shoes that look and work best inside are not the best on the ice and snow outside. Have two pairs. One for the trip outside and one for inside once you arrive safely. Additionally, a fluffy, padded coat may help protect you in a fall.

* Step Prep:

a.      Inspect the walkway you will be using; be sure you know what you are walking on.

b.      Use something to create traction and absorb the moisture for walkways. Like Traction Magic

c.       Walk like a penguin. (Ever see a penguin fall on the ice?) Spread your legs out and take short, deliberate steps.

d.      Put your phone in your coat pocket. Free hands help you balance yourself. And if you do go down, your phone is more likely to crack if it’s in your hands than if it’s protected in a pocket.

e.      Watch for black ice if melting has begun.

f.        Use hand railings where they are available.

g.      Watch out for wet, slippery floors at building entrances and exits.

PLAN for a fall:

If you do start to fall on an untreated surface, try not to tense your body. It may be hard but relaxing on the way down is your best bet…becoming tense during the fall can lead to greater injuries.

a.      If you fall backward, try to sit as you fall. Tuck your chin to avoid hitting the back of your head on the ground.

b.      If you fall, do not immediately try to get up. It’s good to take a few seconds to relax, compose yourself and assess your situation. Are you hurt? Look around and see if there might be a place nearby that you can scoot to for better traction or that has something to hold onto.

Cold Car Care:

a.      Traction Magic  ☺

b.      Ice scraper

c.    fresh, dry pair of socks and gloves  

d.      Hand warmers

e.      A warm blanket, bottled water and snacks in case you get stuck in your car

By Melinda Myers

Don’t let your vegetable and fall flower gardens succumb to hungry deer. Even if you’re lucky enough to be deer-free now, be vigilant and prepared to prevent damage as these beautiful creatures move into your landscape to dine. Here are five tactics to help you in the battle against these hungry animals.

Fencing is the best, though not always practical, way to control deer. Install a 4- to 5-foot-high fence around small garden areas. This is usually enough to keep out deer that seem to avoid small confined spaces.  The larger the area, the more likely deer will enter. Some gardeners report success surrounding their garden or landscape with strands of fishing line set at 12” and 36” above the ground.

Low voltage electric fencing or posts baited with a deer repellent are also options. Just be sure to check with your local municipality before installing this type of fencing.

Scare tactics are less effective on deer in urban environments. They are used to human scents and sounds. Many gardeners report success with motion sensor sprinklers. As the deer passes in front of the motion sensor it starts the sprinkler and sends them running. Just be sure to turn off the sprinkler when you go out to garden. [Read more…]

By Melinda Myers

Shorten the winter season with the help of spring flowering bulbs that you plant in fall. These beauties often provide the first bit of color, fragrance and winter relief each year.

Look for new and unique ways to incorporate bulbs into your landscape. Create a seasonal water feature with a river of blue scillas and grape hyacinths meandering through the garden. Welcome visitors with a front door or walkway garden that blooms from early spring through early summer and is loaded with crocus, tulips, daffodils and allium.

Don’t overlook those shady spots. Many of these locations provide enough early season sun, before the trees leaf out, for bulbs to grow and flower. Use more shade tolerant spring bloomers like snowdrops, grape hyacinths, scillas, anemones, daffodils, fritillaries and Camassias in shady areas among hostas, ferns and other shade-tolerant perennials.

Whether you’re new or experienced, growing bulbs is an easy endeavor. Just follow these simple steps to a beautiful spring garden. [Read more…]

By Melinda Myers

As summer fades into fall it is time to help lawns recover from summer stress and prepare for the winter ahead.

Continue to mow your lawn as long as it continues to grow. Grow cool season grasses like bluegrass, fescue and ryegrass 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches tall.  Warm season grasses like bermudagrass, carpetgrass, centipedegrass and zoysia should be grown at 1 to 2 inches tall while St. Augustine should a bit higher, 2 to 3 inches, for best results.  Taller grass is better able to compete with weeds.  And there is no need to cut it shorter for the health of your lawn.

Mow often, removing no more than one third the total height. Leave these short clippings on the lawn. They will quickly break down, adding organic matter, moisture and nutrients to the soil.

And as you mow you can take care of all those fall leaves at the same time. Shred the fall leaves and allow them to remain on the lawn. As long as you can see the leaf blades through the shredded leaves your lawn will be fine. And just like the clippings, they add nutrients and organic matter to the soil.

Fertilize your lawn with a low nitrogen, slow release fertilizer like Milorganite. University research has shown that fall fertilization is the most beneficial practice for home lawns. Less disease problems and slower weed growth means your lawns – not the weeds and pests – benefit from the nutrients.  Fall fertilization also helps lawns recover from the stresses of summer because it encourages deep roots and denser growth that can better compete with weeds and tolerate disease and insects.  [Read more…]