Construction Ventures Guide – Page 4 – The Consumer Building Hub

The Importance of Insurance When Working With Removalists

On September 2, 2014

One of the best parts of working with removalists is that a majority of them around Australia have insurance policies. They offer insurance as a means of protecting you from any liabilities that might come about should any of your items be lost or stolen or damaged.

But not all removalists’ insurance policies are truly alike. Every team has its own rules for how to cover the risks associated with a variety of risks that are likely. These include rules about how certain items should be packed and stacked, and what is the best type of material for packaging.

The rules over what contents are covered by your insurance policy should be analyzed carefully. Look at how the rules relate to individual types of materials based on what’s on the manifest or inventory that you fill out.

Best Flooring for Pets

By CVG

On July 18, 2014

In Flooring

Many people think a hardwood floor would be the best choice for pets, especially dogs. But when you think of choosing the best floor for your pet, you need to take the animals welfare and comfort into account, as well as your budget and the maintenance likely to be needed over the lifetime of the pet. Here are some thoughts on the best flooring for pets.

Carpet

Many dog types love a soft floor to lay on, especially those without much fur on their tummy region. Their choice of floor covering is usually carpet, though often their owners disagree. It is true that carpet can be damaged by pets, especially if they have an accident on it. However, fond pet owners to whom their little doggie friend means everything may not care.

If you want carpet and pets, you can put down mats at doorways to minimise dirt getting tracked inside. Choose carpet with a cut pile that will not get caught in claws. This would be uncomfortable for your pet and is likely to ruin the carpet as one pull will undo a whole row of stitching. Vacuuming the carpet frequently will help minimise pet hair and dander. Scheduling regular visits from a professional carpet cleaning company should keep your carpet looking brand new.

The Importance of Colour Schemes in Interior Design

By CVG

On May 18, 2014

In Architecture & Design

Most interior designers will tell you that the colour scheme of any hospitality space is supremely important. Colour sets the theme and has a big effect on how customers feel and even act, when they come into your hotel or restaurant. Traditionally, colour schemes have been neutral to allow for a change in the colours of accessories such as furniture and soft furnishings without the need to repaint the walls and ceilings.

However, repainting will be needed eventually to freshen up the area and make it look like new again, so that is the ideal time to get trendy with a new colour scheme. First off, you have to think about what kind of customers come into your establishment and how you want them to behave.

Pool Finishes: The Hidden Secret

By CVG

On April 6, 2014

In Swimming Pools

The hidden secret of the pools looking splendid are the exclusive pool finishes. The pool finishes have been divided into three types such as- Tile Finishes, Plaster Finishes and Aggregate Finishes. These finishes when installed can transform your backyard pool area into an exclusive party zone or a beautiful vicinity designed to relax and unwind after a long day.

Tile Finishes: Tile Finishes are frequently used on the pool floor, the waterline or steps to achieve a vibrant look. A long-lasting pool finish, they come in a huge range of styles, shapes, sizes and colors making infinite designs possible.

By appearance, tiles are shiny and provide the pools a chic look
In comparison to other finishes (plaster or aggregate finish) they are the most long lasting finish that takes longer installation time.
Tile finishes hardly ever need a replacement when applied correctly
Maintenance required is minimal
They are the most pricey pool finish
Tile finishes comprise of Ceramic, porcelain, stone and glass tiles

Simple Ways to Improve the Eco-Friendliness of Your Home

By CVG

On December 15, 2013

In Building & Construction

Becoming environmentally friendly is more than just a passing craze, it is an important commitment to doing what is right for the planet now and for our future. There are many ways that you can live an energy efficient and environmentally friendly life, and one of the best ways to start is by improving the efficiency of your own home. Everyone should be doing their part to reduce their energy and resource consumption. It will help reduce your monthly costs and bills and it is good for the planet as a whole. Here are just a few of the ways that you can make your home more efficient and environmentally friendly.

Home Heating and Cooling

Heating and cooling costs are often the largest part of a home’s energy usage. Modern homes are almost always built with energy efficiency in mind, but there are ways you can renovate an old home to make it more efficient as well. Using building materials with a good insulation rating is key to keeping that valuable cool or warm air inside your home. Older homes can refit their home with additional insulation or new windows that are double or triple paned for added efficiency. Homeowners that are designing their own home have a lot more freedom to choose materials based on their energy efficiency throughout the design process.

What Kind of Automatic Pool Cleaner do I Need?

By CVG

On December 12, 2013

In Swimming Pools

If you have already engaged a pool builder or have one at your home already, and want to enjoy the benefits of your swimming pool and cut down on the work of cleaning and maintaining the pool, using a pool cleaner like a kreepykrauly is the way to go. Robotic or Automatic pool cleaners work without any more effort than putting them in the pool requires. There are several different types of these pool cleaners and which one you choose depends on the type of pool you have.

Here are some things you’ll needed to know to choose a cleaner suitable for your needs.

If your pool is a square or rectangle with sharp corners
If you have steps and corners in your pool
If the bottom of the pool is tiled or smooth
If your pool has curved walls or curved corners rather than sharp angles
If your pool base is very smooth
If you have lots of leaves or larger leaves fall into the pool
Whether your pool is small or large

Naturally enough, your dealer for automated pool cleaners will be able to advise you on the best cleaner for your needs.

Fencing, Walls and Property Lines

By CVG

On November 17, 2013

In Fencing

The whole purpose of a fence or wall is to place a barrier or obstacle between your property and the rest of the world. Whether it is there to keep your pets in, or a security fence to keep the world out, the purpose will dictate what kind of fence you use. If it is purely for function and form isn’t a consideration then the choices are fairly simple to make. If you want it to look a good and add to the look of the property rather than detract from it, then you need to give things a lot more thought.

Deciding what you wish the fence or wall to achieve is the first step. If you have pets then of course, it needs to be able to contain them and offer sufficient peace of mind you won’t spend every moment away from the property worrying if the dog just got out and is off terrorizing the neighbourhood. Some pets are great diggers and can burrow under a fence in no time. Others, like cats, are good climbers and it would need to be a pretty high fence indeed to deter the average feline.

How to DIY a professional paint job

By CVG

On November 9, 2013

In Painting

Painting your house is something that most people can do with a little preparation and planning. Repainting a room can add value to your home, add some excitement to the room, and give you a new perspective. Here are some easy steps that you can follow to get a DIY professionally finished paint job:

1. Choose your colour

The first step is to pick the colour you want to paint the room. The trick is to get the paint chips and choose a colour that matches with your existing furniture and decorations (or your new ones if you are replacing those). There is no limit to what colours you can use, but keep in mind that if you want to sell the house one day, not all buyers will like your hot pink bathroom. When buying your paint it is best to invest in a high quality one, preferably water based and make sure you get mould resistant paint for your bathrooms, kitchen and laundry, and if in doubt about the kitchen, you can always seek help from the kitchen design experts. Many people skimp on brushes, this is a huge mistake as the cheaper brushes lose their bristles and end up getting stuck within the paintwork – it is worth paying the extra for a better quality brush.

Kitchen Cabinet Interiors

By CVG

On October 7, 2013

In Cabinets

Environmentally Friendly Kitchen Design
Creating an eco-friendly house is becoming more of a priority for people these days. Between caring for the environment, and realising the long term financial benefits of doing so, the desire to be environmentally conscious has grown considerably in recent times. If you are lucky enough to be building a brand new house from scratch, then you can plan to be eco-friendly in every aspect of the build. If however you are just renovating, upgrading or simply redesigning the interior of your kitchen, you can simply consider any small aspect of the process that can result in a more ecological beneficial choice.

What are the benefits of being eco-friendly?
This is a wide ranging term, but can cover everything from the materiel you use (particularly wood types), to how much energy your appliances use, your water and plumbing setup and your kitchen waste management. It does not necessarily have to cost more to build or renovate an environmentally friendly kitchen either. The biggest benefit is in long term savings, in particularly with water and electricity savings, and the benefits of utilizing waste as best as possible.

How to Have a Truly Luxurious Verandah

By CVG

On October 6, 2013

In Building & Construction

The typical verandah or patio is a rectangular extension along the back or side of the house that allows you to enjoy a place of relaxation without going outside. Since it is completely roofed over and attached to the house, it becomes part of the house but still allows you to step out into fresh air without being ‘outside’ as it were.

Some people break with the traditional idea of the verandah and create an outdoor space that is truly luxurious, being much larger than the usual long, narrow area. If you choose to install composite decking, the result can make a stunning addition to the home that is both exotic and beautiful. Here’s how to do it.