DC seller’s agent: 6 Things To Do To Improve The Look of Your House For Sale

Posted on November 12, 2019 by Richmond

house

When you are looking to sell your house, other than hiring a reputable DC seller’s agent, you need to improve the look of the house to make it more appealing to potential buyers. Some of the things you need to do to accomplish this include:

Fix the structural defects

Any structural defects in the house are an eyesore and significantly reduce the value of the house. If there are any defects in the house, fix them immediately. You should fix:

  • A rising damp
  • Missing or broken roof tiles
  • A sagging or leaking roof
  • Structural cracks on the walls
  • A collapsed floor or slab
  • Insect infestation
  • Rotten roof timbers
  • Bowing walls
  • An unstable chimney stack
  • Missing or broken roof tiles

Update the essentials

These include the furnace, water heater, and electrical panel. If you are the one who installed the appliances and they are more than ten years old, they are too old for your house, and they aren’t making it any easier to sell the house.

If you bought the house with the appliances already installed, take a look at the home inspection report. Again if the report says the appliances are more than ten years old, you should go ahead and replace them.

When replacing the old appliances, you don’t have to invest in high-end items as you will be wasting your money. Investing in top of the range water heaters or furnaces is useless as the chances are that you won’t recoup your money.

Invest in good quality appliances that aren’t too expensive.

Take care of the front yard

Always remember house selling is all about the impression you create. You give a good impression, you sell the house fast, and vice versa. For you to improve how the house looks, and attract potential buyers from the street, ensure the landscape is on point.

If you have a lawn, have it properly mowed. Are there hedges, have them properly trimmed.

Make the house bigger

The square footage of the house has a great impact on its perceived value. The larger the house, the higher the perceived value; hence, the higher the chances you are more likely to sell it faster.

You don’t have to bring down the entire house and construct a new one. Make additions to the current house, and you will make the house extremely attractive.

Different house additions make sense to different types of houses; therefore, you should work with your contractor, who will recommend the best addition for your house type. If you can, always work at adding a bedroom as people deem houses with an additional bedroom as being more valuable.

Make the house more energy efficient

When potential customers look at your home, they want to feel they don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on energy. To increase the amount of light getting into the house, invest in double-paned windows. You also should invest in LED lighting and enhanced attic insulation.

Apply fresh paint

According to realtor DC, a fresh layer of paint is like a breath of fresh air. Sometimes you don’t need to do much to the house. Simply applying new paint will give the house a new look hence making it more attractive to potential buyers.

If you have the skills, go ahead and paint the house by yourself but if you have never done it before, let a professional handle it. The cool thing with working with an expert is that he/she will even recommend the best color combinations that look great in your house.

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Patio Builders: Dos And Don’ts For A Perfect Patio

Posted on October 14, 2019 by Richmond

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It’s every homeowner’s dream to have a beautiful patio. Well done, patios make the outdoor space look and feel more substantial, giving enough space to entertain and relax.

Unfortunately, a perfect patio doesn’t just come about—you need to work for it. Here are dos and don’ts you need to put into consideration as given by patio builders:

Don’t cut corners

It’s a human need to want to do little and yet get much, but it doesn’t work like this when it comes to patio installation. The first thing you should do is to ensure that you hire the most experienced and certified contractor you can afford.

Some homeowners try to cut corners by hiring a cheap contractor. Don’t do this as you will end up with a cheap service that will give your yard an ugly look.

If doing the work yourself, put in all the necessary effort. For example, over-excavate the perimeter of the area you are working with so that you have an area that is large enough.

Just like contractors, don’t choose low-quality materials as they will be expensive to have in the long run. Avoid limestone screenings and stone dust as they produce a lot of dust that traps water that can lead to the early failure of the pavers.

Sand is one of the most popular materials you can go with. If you don’t like it, use ASTM#9. The material drains quickly and is easy to work with regardless of the weather conditions.

Do pay attention to the access of the patio

Even if you have the most beautiful patio, you won’t enjoy it if you have to travel a long distance to access it. A good patio should be easy to reach without much effort. If you are a super-entertainer, you will be better off with a patio that you can easily access from indoors.

Do spend more time on the base

Just like when setting up a house, the base is everything. The more time you spend on it, the easier the time you have with the rest of the project. When working on the base, pay close attention to the drainage.

Take your time to ensure that the surface is appropriately leveled and allows proper drainage of water. If you have never done the work before, let a professional patio contractor handle it.

Don’t compact the bedding layer

On the verge of controlling the height of the patio, many homeowners compact the bedding layer. You should note that there is nothing like 100% height control when it comes to patio design.

You need to have loose sand that is forced up between the pavers when making the final compaction. This will set and secure them so that you have a secure patio. The loose sand also allows the tamping process to even out the top surface of the pavers.

Don’t place plastic under the paving material

A beautiful patio shouldn’t have any weeds growing on it. To prevent weed growth, some homeowners place plastic under the paving materials. This is wrong as the plastic entraps water leading to plenty of other problems.

Weeds come from the top of the cracks. The best way to prevent weed growth on your patio is to use good quality polymeric sand. Place the sand between the joints and ensure that it fills up to 3 mm of the surface.

If you live in an area that is all clay and other poor draining soils, place a geotextile layer first, and then place a granular base. According to backyard patio builders Long Island, when you do this, you create a mechanical barrier that stabilizes and stops the clay from mixing with the sub-base materials.

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How often should I have my chimney inspected?

Posted on September 5, 2019 by RAR

chimney repair

Chimney and Fireplace

If you use your chimney and fireplace on a fairly regular basis, you should have them thoroughly inspected every few years.  A chimney inspection generally doesn’t take too long to complete and will give you peace of mind as a homeowner that everything is in good shape.  Additionally, staying apprised of any chimney maintenance concerns means you’ll be able to avoid costly chimney repairs in the future!  Your chimney contractors can also recommend a chimney sweep schedule based on how often you use your metal or brick chimney.  Generally speaking, chimney cleaning is highly recommended every few months.

Chimney Relining

Chimney liners are a very important part of keeping your chimney safe and up to code.  Depending on how often you tend to use your chimney and fireplace, you will need a chimney relining service every five to seven years.  We recommend installing insulated chimney liners; this type of chimney lining has the best record for keeping your chimney safe and clean.  There are many other measures you can take to prevent your chimney from getting dirty!  Chimney caps and chimney covers go a long way in preventing excess debris and small animals from finding their way into your home.

Chimney liners are one of the most essential parts of proper chimney maintenance.  Insulated chimney liners will help to protect your metal or brick chimney from degradation over any period of non-use.  When you light up a fire in your fireplace come autumn, you’ll be amazed at how clean your chimney has remained.  It’s important to remember to keep your chimney flue closed while not using your fireplace.  A high quality chimney cover and chimney cap will also help to ensure no debris or small animals find their way into your home by way of your chimney!

Chimney Cleaning

There are still a couple months of winter weather left.  However, when springtime hits, you’ll probably be ready to put aside your firewood until next fall.  You may be concerned with how you’ll maintain your chimney’s cleanliness over a long period of disuse.  Luckily, there are dozens of chimney cleaning companies in your area specializing in total residential chimney care.  If you use your fireplace and chimney a good deal during the winter, chances are you’ve built up a lot of ash, soot and dust over the past few months.  Hiring a chimney sweep to clean your chimney won’t cost you much at all and will go a long way in making sure your home is as safe as possible.

Chimney Restoration

If you live in a particularly old house, chances are high that over time your chimney has fallen into slight disrepair.  To be sure of the state of your chimney, schedule a chimney inspection as soon as possible.  During this inspection, a team of chimney maintenance contractors will inspect every inch of your metal or brick chimney to make sure that there are no serious damages.  They will also make sure that all of your chimney parts are in full working order.  After all, your brick chimney can’t operate properly if your chimney flue is broken!

Chimney Contractors

Proper chimney lining is one of the most important aspects to total home improvement and maintenance.  If you haven’t had your chimney liners changed in several years, it is probably time for a chimney relining service.  We highly recommend insulated chimney liners because they tend to be most effective in protecting your home and chimney from natural elements.  To ensure that your new chimney liners and chimney parts stay as clean as possible, you should also schedule a chimney sweep service a couple times a year.  Regular chimney cleaning means your fireplace and chimney will be very safe to use every time you light a fire!

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How granite countertops can be helpful in redesigning your kitchen?

Posted on August 29, 2019 by RAR

granite

Challenges in kitchen remodeling process

Working in kitchen can be please if you choose the right type of remodeling. Remodeling contractors make sure that the modular kitchen has all the amenities which you will require while doing daily household chores. Many people often get confused on how to remodel their kitchens since it is a confusing task. Therefore it is advisable to take the help of an expert professional before opting for full kitchen remodeling. Professional kitchen countertop contractors are equipped with latest tools and make sure that they make the most out of the given space. If you are considering expert professionals, there are chances that they would suggest a modular kitchen since they are more versatile and user friendly as compared to conventional kitchens. Another major challenge of kitchen remodeling is to make sure that there is ample room for marble counter tops so that they can be installed without any hassles. Some people have their kitchen attached to drawing or dining room therefore it becomes essential to create a safe passage for air to pass. Granite Company has latest tools and designs which can be easily implemented in the remodeling of any kitchen. The whole process of remodeling is done by installing different shades of granite rocks in the kitchen. It not only offers a better sturdiness but also looks pleasing.

Right type of granite for kitchen countertops

Granite can play an integral part in kitchen remodeling hence it is advisable to choose the right type of granite frames and sheets. The contractors often use water poof and durable granite sheets to make kitchen drawers. Kitchen remodeling accessories and granite countertops must be chosen very carefully to make sure that they can be fitted in the right place. The remodeling contractors will also give you a rough idea about the cost and timeframe to complete the job as per your requirements. They also have several design templates which can be implemented in very less time so you do not have to start from scratch during the remodeling process.

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Mistakes To Avoid When Undertaking Air Conditioning Maintenance

Posted on April 27, 2018 by RAR

air conditioner maintenanceEnsuring that you have done proper air conditioning maintenance can save you a lot of cash on repairs and can guarantee you quality service for your system. There are several maintenance mistakes that affect the optimum functionality of this equipment.They include;

Incorrect setting of the thermostat

Sometimes people leave their systems running for a whole day while they are away from their homes. Keeping your AC system on the wrong setting is doing much more than just increasing your electricity bill as well as wasting power unnecessarily.

Keeping it in use even during the warmer hours of the day, will favor the process of wear and tear on the system and also can lead to the development of major complications on your air conditioner. Proper thermostat setting, however, will improve the efficiency of the ac, reduce the need for repairs, and even extend your system’s lifespan.

Failure to change and maintain the filter

Most manufacturers usually recommend washing or changing the air conditioning filter after one to two months. Blowing off the buildup of the filters can greatly help ensuring easy air flow and will improve the quality of the air in the house. Regular replacement of the filter improves the air quality, helps you save on electricity and also can make your AC last longer.

Using unprofessional repairs services

Most AC systems have a warranty on them and it clearly states that any repair or maintenance should be done by only a trained repair person, else, the warranty may be voided. In most cases, homeowners don’t look clearly to read warrant precautions and they will attempt to fix any complication by themselves.

If you want to avoid a voided warranty, you should look for a professional contractor to have any problems checked out and repair the AC.

Failing to plan for regular maintenance checks

After buying a new AC unit, you usually get an option of buying a maintenance plan or make use of free service calls offered by the manufacturer. Utilize these opportunities to ensure your unit get regular checks and is serviced. Usually, a skilled AC repair technician will find any problems and fix them before they become more complicated.

These mistakes tend to cause a lot of grief for homeowners especially during the summer season. You should avoid having some issues with your AC unit by avoiding these crucial mistakes. In the event your unit develops issues, ensure that they are fixed by an experienced professional

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HVAC Contractors: Heating Systems Myths You Should Be Aware Of

Posted on March 31, 2018 by RAR

heating unit replacement

If you have been looking for information about the heating units you must have come across a number of heating myths. Here are some of these myths as given by HVAC contractors:

Energy efficient HVAC systems save you money automatically

While having an energy efficient system will save you money, it won’t happen automatically—it happens over a long time. You should note that in some cases, it will cost you more. For example, when you install the unit improperly.

According to the national institute of standards and technology, improper installation of the heating system will result in a 30% increase in heating costs.

When you buy an energy efficient unit, you should ensure that it’s installed properly by an experienced heating company.

In addition to the installation, you also should ensure that you buy the right sized heating appliance. While a large unit might seem like the right choice, it usually isn’t as it ends up consuming a lot of energy in the long run.

For you to be on the safe side, you should work with an expert who will help you in choosing the right appliance.

You don’t need to sign a maintenance agreement with an HVAC company

You must have come across some homeowners who advise that you don’t need to have service agreements in place as you can always hire a furnace service provider any time you need one.

While this is true, you will end up wasting a lot of time and money hiring a contractor. This is because you have to research and haggle the price every time that you are looking to hire the contractor.

The best way of going about it is to take your time and find a reputable company. Once you have certified that the company is right for you, you should sign a maintenance agreement.

When you do this, the company will be visiting your home every few months to inspect the heating unit and fix any issues it might be having. You not only save time by doing this, you also save money as most companies offer the service at a flat fee the entire year.

Conclusion

These are some of the myths that you should be aware of as a homeowner. You should note that it’s your responsibility to take care of your heating systems. If you note an issue with them, you should hire an experienced heating repair company to fix them within the shortest time possible.

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Things HVAC Contractors Can Do For You

Posted on February 28, 2018 by RAR

HVAC contractors

As a homeowner, you can’t do without HVAC contractors. These are professionals that help you with any issues you might be having with your unit. There are many things that the contractor can do for you. Some of these things include:

Fixing your heating unit

Regardless of how well you maintain your heating appliance, it will come a time when you will have to repair it. Tell-tale signs that your device needs repair include: failure of it to heat your house as well you would want it to, the unit making unusual noises, or your energy bill getting too high.

When your unit requires repair, the first thing you should do is to contact the repair professional. The expert will inspect your unit and identify the problematic areas.

Heating unit replacement

In other cases, the heating unit might be too damaged that you have to undertake heating unit replacement. You also should do this when the unit is too old, the cost of repair is higher than of buying a new appliance, or you simply want a new appliance that will give you peace of mind.

In such a scenario, the contractor will help you in choosing the right appliance for your home. The size of the unit is of great importance thus the contractor will help you in choosing a unit that will fit your house perfectly thus helping you to warm the house easily.

In addition to choosing a unit that is of the right size, you also should ensure that the appliance has a high energy rating. This is a unit that will save you money as it will consume less energy, and also at the same time last for a long time.

Managing Zones

Is one side of your house hot while the other is cold? You need an HVAC contractor to help you in managing the zones. You also should contact the contractors when you want to have warm upstairs and cooler downstairs. The professional will help you in setting the unit so that you can get the most from it.

Conclusion

These are some of the benefits that come with hiring heating repair contractors. For you to get the most from the contractors, ensure that they are highly experienced so that you can have peace of mind that they will properly maintain your unit. You also should ensure that the contractor is certified to work in your local area.

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Central Heating Unit Repair: Tips On How To Prevent Your Heating System From Breaking Down

Posted on February 22, 2018 by RAR

As a homeowner, you should always be ready for heating system breakdowns. When they happen, you should hire a central heating unit repair professional or any other expert to repair the unit within the shortest time possible. By doing this you prevent the unit from becoming a hazard to you and your family.

When you repair the unit fast you end up spending just a little as the heating contractors don’t charge you a lot when the problems are still minor.

While you should be ready for the problems to come about, you should take measures that prevent the problems from coming about.

How to prevent your heating unit from breaking down

There are many things you can do to keep your furnace in top shape. Some of these things include:

Getting rid of dirt and debris: Dirt and debris restrict airflow which results in your appliance working harder than it should. For you to be on the safe side you should clean the appliance at least once every year. You can do the work by yourself or hire an HVAC contractor to help you with the work.

Ensure the unit is properly installed: Just like your car, your car is improperly installed, it’s bound to develop problems. You should regularly inspect the heating appliance and confirm whether it’s properly installed. You also should confirm that other pieces are at their right place.

Invest in knowledge: Knowledge is said to be power, and it’s true. For you to prevent your appliance from breaking down, you should understand more about it. This calls for you to invest in information. You can read about the appliance or watch videos online. When you do this you are not only able to run the appliance properly, you also are able to fix it when problems come about.

Maintain the right settings: Some homeowners set their appliances higher hoping that they will work better, but they don’t. In fact, it results in the overworking of the appliances. For your unit to run for long without developing any issues, you should set it at the right temperature (78 degrees during summer and 68 degrees during winter). You also should ensure that the registers are set above 20%.

Conclusion

These are tips that you should put into consideration for you to prevent your unit from breaking down. When it develops problems, ensure that they are fixed by reputable furnace repair contractors.

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Heating Repair: Home Heating Options That You Have

Posted on January 30, 2018 by RAR

heating repair

Are you looking to install a heating unit in your home? Heating repair contractors report that there are plenty of systems in the market that you can go for. Some of the best ones include:

Furnaces and boilers

They are the most common ones in the market. Furnaces work by heating air and distributing it through your home’s ductwork. Boilers, on the other hand, work by heating water and spreading it throughout the house using steam radiators.

When you are buying these units, you should go for those that have a high energy efficiency rating. While those with a low rating are cheaper, you should avoid them as they will be too costly in the long run.

Wood and pellets

You use these to heat any averagely sized home. The units work by burning wood or wood pellets made from bark, wood chips, waste paper, sawdust, and other organic materials.

The cool thing about heating your home with wood is that it’s a cheaper alternative. When heating your house using this method you should note that the chimney tends to accumulate a lot of creosote.

For you to be safe, you need to regularly hire a chimney cleaning professional to clean and inspect it for any defects it might be having.

Resistance heating systems

The resistive heating systems use electricity to heat air that is then distributed via the forced air ductwork or individual room units such as wall and baseboard heaters.

The cool thing about these units is that they are very energy efficient thus when you install them, you don’t have to worry about high energy bills. The main flaw of having them is that they are expensive to purchase.

Solar heating systems

The entire world is going green; thus you can’t go wrong with solar heating systems. They are cheap to have as you don’t need electricity. As long as the sun is up, you are good to go. The units work by absorbing energy from the sun and transfer the heat to the rest of the house.

If you live in sunny areas, you can use the units as the sole source of heating in your home, but if you don’t have a lot of sun, install them as a backup heating system.

Conclusion

These are some of the home heating options that you have. For the systems to continue working efficiently, you need to take good care of them by regularly hiring heating systems tune up professionals to help you with the maintenance.

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Maintain your chimney with proper care

Posted on January 23, 2018 by RAR

chimney

Burning any sort of fuel product in your fireplace (coal, wood or pellets) you will end up with heaps of ashes that would need be removed occasionally. This chimney sweeping duty has to be done periodically every year as otherwise the ashes and soot can affect the performance and durability of your chimney. It can also lead to chimney fires and house fires if not cleaned properly. The frequency of chimney cleaning would also depend on the type of fuel you use.

If the ashes are not removed properly it can prove to be very hazardous.

What the dangers of improper ash removal from chimneys?

Inappropriate ash removals from chimneys are the main cause of thousands of house fires reported every year in the US. In fact according to an NFPA report almost 10,000 fires are caused only due to wrong methods of discarding and removal of ashes. If there are remnants of hot coals among the ashes they can remain hot for as long four days as the pile of ashes around them act as insulation. Hence, they will prevent the coal from burning out. If these hot coals come in contact with ample oxygen nothing can prevent them from flaring up again. These is the reason why firemen often return to the scene of the next day to spray more water on the remaining bits of hot timber and newly flared up bits of coal.

Here are some important points to keep in mind when you sweep your chimneys clean either on your own or hire a professional:

  1. When emptying ashes never put them in containers made of plastic or paper, like cardboard boxes, plastic bags or buckets etc. You will see that all professional chimney cleaners use a metal container with a tight lid to empty the ashes in. Such containers help keep air from coming in contact with any bits of hot coal and also keeps it from blowing the ashes and spreading it all around
  2. Completely cooled wood ashes can be used in your garden as natural fertilizers for the plants.

Chimney relining is another important maintenance duty for chimneys.  Chimney liners are extremely essential as they help to channel the heat and gases from the fire up and helps protect combustible objects around your fireplace from catching fire.

When opting to get your chimney brick repaired may the most attention to the cement cap and the top two feet of your chimney as they are parts most exposed to weathering. Always chose certified trained professionals for chimney repairs Annapolis to get the job done well.

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