Hiring a Contractor: What Are Your Must-Haves?

Whether you're having your bathroom remodeled, putting in a nursery, or want to break ground on that swimming pool you've always dreamed of having, you will probably need to hire a contractor. Just like any service industry, of course, there is going to be some variation in quality. Hiring someone just because you came across their ad in the phone book usually isn't the best idea. For best results, you should have a list of must-haves when hiring someone to come carry out your project. You may have more in mind, but here are some qualities that no company should be without.

Experience

That new contractor that started his business last year on the other side of town? He may very well be the best in town, but he's not for you. There are a few problems in hiring someone who hasn't been in business for very long. One, you'll have little way of knowing what kind of reputation he has. He hasn't even had long enough to build a reputation. Two, longevity itself speaks for something. If someone can live and work in a community for many years, they are doing something right. Finally, experience itself matters. You can have all of the education in the world, but you need someone who isn't going to stare at an unforeseen problem like a deer caught in the headlights.

Prompt, Dependable Scheduling

If you've ever dealt with the cable company, you've experienced the old "Sometime between Tuesday and Friday" school of scheduling. Expect better from the contractor you hire for your project. If they say they are going to be there Wednesday at 8:00, they should be pulling into the driveway at just that time. Look for companies that place a lot of emphasis on their prompt scheduling in their advertisements. Talk to others who have used their services and see what they have to say about the crew's ability to show up on time.

Guarantees

A good contractor will stand behind their work. If you hire a plumber to come fix a leak in your kitchen sink and it leaks again next week, do you really expect to pay for the same service again? If you didn't get a guarantee on the work, you may very well be put into a situation where this is the case. Don't accept a spoken guarantee, either. If a company says they are willing to stand behind the work they do, they should be equally willing to put it into writing.

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Install a UPVC Conservatory and Increase Your Property's Value

What better way is there to increasing your property's value than installing a fantastic uPVC conservatory? You can make use of the extra space a conservatory brings to your home and choose from the start exactly how you'd like it to look. With a range of styles and materials on offer the opportunities are seemingly endless and installing now will ensure you beat the summer prices.

With new conservatories there are a few choices for you to consider. Conservatories can be constructed in aluminium, hardwood or uPVC. However, if you're considering a new conservatory as a long-term option for adding extra space to your property and increasing your home's value, uPVC is the only sensible option.

Aluminium conservatories are expensive. There's no getting away from it. Out of the possible materials to use for your new conservatory, aluminium is by far the least cost-effective. Its strength and durability are second to none, but this is all counteracted by the cost.

With an aluminium conservatory you won't make back the money you spend on the installation, and as a metal it's not the most energy efficient either. You could end up spending much more on heating bills over the years, when you could go with another option.

Hardwood is an interesting choice, because it looks great and can be fantastic for traditional homes. The main bonus for hardwood, is it's more likely to be granted planning permission if your property's in a Conservation Area or World Heritage Site. This is because the style will be more in keeping with the home's original appearance.

However, despite the advantages hardwood requires a lot of maintenance and things can go wrong very quickly. Wood can rot and warp, which you won't find with either uPVC or aluminium. It'll also need to be repainted every few years to keep its great look. For homes in Conservation Areas it's the answer, but otherwise you should look elsewhere.

This brings us to uPVC. uPVC is the chosen material for windows, doors and conservatory manufacturers because of its benefits. It's durable and can be made as strong as necessary to support extra weight from glass roofs. The frames are simply made thicker.

During the manufacturing stage, additives and stabilisers are added to the compound. This gives the product protection from the sun's UV rays and gives uPVC its clean, white finish. But for those looking for something different, uPVC can be coloured. Black, grey and brown are other popular colours for conservatories.

With uPVC you won't have to worry about the problems of rotting and warping either. uPVC is resistant to the changing weather and can resist wind loads too. And it's far cheaper than hardwood and aluminium. This makes it the optimal material for conservatory installations and if you're looking to improve your home, you should go down this route.

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What Is Antimicrobial Cladding and What Can It Be Used for?

In recent years, technology and the application of materials has advanced greatly. Where previously cladding has been used to cover or just to decorate a fixed wall or ceiling and often applied on top of an existing structure. Cladding now can be used as part of the primary structure.

Advancements in science have brought about the use of various types of cladding such as antimicrobial cladding. Added to the ingredients during production is active silver ion technology with inherent biocidal behaviour that stops microbes from breathing and reproducing even antibiotic resistant strains. Antimicrobial cladding has been proven to help kill bacteria such as MRSA, E-Coli and Salmonella.

In today's fast paced working environments in particular restaurants and clinical areas, the fight against bacteria is ever important. Antimicrobial cladding does not replace the need to clean, but can significantly reduce risk alongside a standard cleaning regime.

Antimicrobial cladding not only fights bacteria, but because it can be custom fit into just about any environment, it is now becoming a choice material for many outside of areas that you wouldn't expect this to be. For example, antimicrobial hygienic cladding can be applied in the home as splash backs in the kitchens as part of a tanked ceiling, wall and floor system for a steam or wet room. The choice of applications is endless. Antimicrobial cladding is commonly manufactured in white, but other hygienic cladding products are available that offer a whole host of colour options, such as decorative hygienic cladding.

Antimicrobial cladding is a cost effective way to uplift any environment with a clean and fresh look. Couple this with PVC ceiling planks and epoxy resin flooring and you will be creating a sanitised and clean workspace.

Not only is the installation easier over many other alternative wall and ceiling products but maintenance is much easier also. Antimicrobial cladding can also be used alongside antimicrobial sealants and fixings to ensure there is no untreated or unsealed areas that can often be a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria. Ensuring your antimicrobial cladding is maintained is essential to ensure you realise the full benefits. Like with any wall material or ceiling material, it must be up kept with a rigorous and regular cleaning regime.

In the last few years hygienic cladding has been adopted by many NHS trusts across hospitals and other areas that require extremely high hygiene levels. Also fast food restaurants and kitchens have adopted this form of cladding to help combat against the aforementioned forms of bacteria that are common place in such areas were raw meats can be in close proximity to cooked foods.

When choosing what antimicrobial hygienic cladding to purchase it's important to establish that it meets the standards for the country in which it will be installed, for example BSI. It is also advisable to source a company that not only supplies antimicrobial cladding but fits it as well. This service will often come with a product and labour guarantee. Many will also offer a free sample and for sizable installations, a free onsite visit and valuation. Take a look at what is on offer today.

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How to Choose a Bed and Breakfast

So you've decided to shun the neon-flashing motel chains and marble-foyered monsters and venture into the world of cozy, intimate bed and breakfasts? After all, you've heard how much more personal and romantic the b&b experience is, right? Well....usually that's the gospel truth. However, there are certain things to keep in mind and questions to ask yourself (and prospective innkeepers) before you make your final decision and turn over your credit card number.

The first thing to consider is the area of the country you will be visiting. Many towns across America offer the b&b experience but only have a handful of options for you to consider. On the other hand, if you visit our hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas (population 9,000) there are literally hundreds of b&b's, reportedly the largest number of b&b's per capita in the nation. Unfortunately for the unwary traveller, not all are created equal! When visiting such a popular bed and breakfast town, the research you do beforehand will greatly impact the quality of your stay.

These days it seems almost everyone makes their travel decisions and arrangements through the internet. In fact you are probably one of those individuals or you wouldn't be reading this article. You can always begin your search by typing in your destination city or town and "bed and breakfast" into your search engine to get an idea of the options you'll have. As you begin to view the properties, you should consider whether the b&b has the following amenities (assuming these are important to you): private bath, temperature control, full or continental breakfast, off-street parking, daily housekeeping and the ever-important factor....location.

Let's begin with location. Proximity to the "center of action" is often a plus for many travelers; however, it sometimes comes with a drawback...noise. In our town, many visitors want to be "on Main Street," and to be sure it is a boon at the end of the day when carrying heavy shopping bags back to your room. However, guests are sometimes surprised at the street noise which lasts throughout the night (Main Street is, after all, Highway 290)! Some visitors prefer to be a few blocks off Main with a bit more privacy yet good access to Main Street. Still others prefer a place in the country.

Making this first decision will cut the number of properties you consider by as much as 2/3. A note of caution however; if location is a prime concern of yours be very detailed in your quest. For example, many Fredericksburg bed and breakfasts advertise "Located on Main Street," but what they don't tell you is they are a mile and a half from the shopping district on the west end of town. In our town, the 100-300 blocks of East Main are considered the true shopping district. So if proximity to shopping is your goal, you would be better off with a cottage 3 blocks off of Main but within the 100-300 blocks than at the property a mile and a half from shopping that sounds so convenient. Remember the old addage, "Buyer Beware."

Question number two could be whether to stay at an Inn or an individual cottage. Fredericksburg is unique in offering literally hundreds of one-couple, individual Sunday Houses or cottages in addition to numerous true multi-unit inns. One big distinction here other than the obvious over-all privacy issue is usually breakfast. In a private cottage you almost always receive a continental breakfast, left before you arrive. At a traditional "Inn" or bed and breakfast, you are often served a full gourmet breakfast at a pre-arranged time...along with other guests. So for many guests the choice comes down to continental with privacy or full-breakast served in a dining room. Either option offers lots of possibilities. But with so many different properties, there are no set rules; so check their website or ask!

One more common pitfall is something that sounds so basic but can really impact your experience: decor. Word on the street in b&b circles is that guests are increasingly looking for a "magazine spread" when they walk in the door. Nothing pleases me more than to open our guestbook and read, "When we opened the door the beautiful room just took my breath away!" Few people go to a bed and breakfast looking for the type decor they have at home...or worse, their granny's decor! However, many b&b owners are under the false impression that they can take an empty rent-house and hang out their shingle. They may stumble upon a few unsuspecting guests...but you don't want it to be you. Be sure and check the pictures on the website. I would never book a room that didn't at least show photos of the exterior of the cottage or inn and the bed. Webmasters tell me that these are the two photo's potential guests are most interested in. I would be very wary of a facility that wasn't proud to show its exterior and at least one photo of the inside of each room. Jacuzzi tubs, hot tubs, gas fireplaces, it's all out there for the taking...for those who do their homework. Spend a little extra time asking the right questions and you can have the most wonderful, relaxing getaway experience yet.

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation

Traveling for business or vacationing always has one thing in common; you need a place to stay. Unfortunately, many individuals choose large hotel chains which have no personality and do nothing more than provide a place to sleep for their guests. However, when business and vacation travelers choose to stay at a Bed and Breakfast they are able to enjoy their trip even more simply because Bed and Breakfast inns focus on each individual guest. In fact, there are several benefits a Bed and Breakfast has over regular hotels.

Benefit #1 Feel at Home

Most Bed and Breakfast Inns are typically small and have a limited number of rooms to rent out. However, each room has a lot of personality and is generally decorated around a theme and focuses on the comfort of guests. Each room is decorated in an elegant at-home way that is easily enjoyed by guests who want comfortable and beautiful surroundings to enjoy while on their trip. You certainly won't encounter the generic rooms of common hotels. All in all, when you stay at a Bed and Breakfast you will feel at home.

Benefit #2 Great Food

As the name suggests the daily rate of a Bed and Breakfast stay will certainly include the first meal of the day. While a Continental breakfast is frequently included in chain hotel rates the breakfast at a Bed and Breakfast is always of a significantly higher quality. This is because innkeepers take pride in serving well balanced and tasty meals allowing guests to enjoy every aspect of their stay. Although every Bed and Breakfast is different you can generally expect a full breakfast of meat and eggs with fresh baked muffins, fresh squeezed juice and fruit. Usually breakfast is served on fine china with silver cutlery, much higher class than disposable plates and cutlery at low priced hotel chains.

Benefit #3 More Economical

You are probably thinking, "yeah, right!" But the truth is Bed and Breakfast Inns really are more economical when you consider the entire price of the stay. For example, a Bed and Breakfast may charge what seems like expensive nightly fees, but everything is basically included from local phone calls to movies, and concierge services to parking. Just these extras at a hotel can add $100 or more to your daily bill. So, in the overall scheme of things a Bed and Breakfast will probably save you money and you will be more comfortable and relaxed at the same time.

Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   Choose a Bed and Breakfast Over a Hotel Chain and Enjoy Your Vacation   

Inns and Bed and Breakfasts - Are They For Everybody?

Inns are a delightful alternative to hotels and resorts. They can be just the right ticket for your vacation, providing you understand how they work and function.

Are they for everybody?

No, they're not. But here's the answers to some basic questions to determine if it's the type of accommodation that'll work for you...

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN INNS AND BED AND BREAKFASTS?

Let's start by clearing up any confusion on the differences between inns and bed and breakfasts. And it's not so much in the name as how they advertise themselves.

Firstly, there's no difference in accommodation. The charm of a bed and breakfast can be every bit as good as the personality of an inn. The difference is the prepared meals. A bed and breakfast is just that... expect a bed and a breakfast, but you're on your own for dinner. But at inns, they're set-up to provide dinner as well, although it's usually an option, and not included in the quoted price. The listing will be very clear if dinner is offered. But assume its just bed and breakfast if nothing is mentioned.

In many areas of the world inns and bed and breakfasts are also called guesthouses.

ARE THEY RIGHT FOR MY KIDS?

When an inn says kids are welcome, then you'd better believe they really mean they're kid friendly. Now there's nothing wrong with that (I have three myself), but don't expect too much peace and quiet and solitude.

You'll find a number of listings that put age restriction on children. For example they'll say something like: 12 or older, or above 6-years old. They're not being mean. It's just these places are also catering to a single or couple looking for a chance to unwind and free of noise and high activity. If you've got high-action kids then bed and breakfasts may not be ideal for your family.

WHAT SERVICE CAN I EXPECT?

Staying in inns is very different than staying at a hotel. You shouldn't expect a country inn to be like a Sheraton, with hordes of staff at your beck and call, and soundproof walls. Also, having a party and playing loud music after 11:00pm won't win you any brownie points with your host or the other guests.

Remember... the innkeeper or host is there to provide you, and other guests, with a unique experience in unique surroundings, but to do that they'll need your understanding.

WHAT'S THE USUAL CHECK-IN TIME?

Your host will go out of their way to greet you when you check-in. Usually when you reserve you'll be told when their normal check-in period is. But most can accommodate you arrivals outside those hours.

But you need to let them know if you'll be late so they can arrange for you to get into the house (yes, the doors are locked after a certain hour), and to your room. It's one thing to show up at midnight at your hotel - they're staffed round the clock - but it's entirely another matter to roll-in after 11:00pm at an inn, and expect your host to get out of bed and greet you smiling.

CAN YOU NEGOTIATE PRICE?

You bet you can!

Just like hotels the room rate for inns is negotiable. The main difference is unlike a hotel, the person on the other end of a phone is usually the owner of the bed and breakfast, and they can make the decision on the spot. All you have to do is ask in a nice way.

Just remember the innkeeper may only have a few rooms to begin with anyway, and if your haggling over the last room then don't be offended if it's no dice on a price reduction. But on the other hand one room of a four-room inn without a paying guest reduces a host's profit by 25%. So it's always worth asking for a reduction!

HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALLY SAVE?

Off-peak travel will save you a bundle.

Most inns can book their weekend's months in advance. But filling the rooms during the week, particularly off-season, is much more difficult. You'll get the best deals for bed and breakfasts traveling mid-week and out of season. Now contrast this with hotels that have the opposite problem, because they cater to the mid-week business traveler, but can't get people in rooms at the weekends.

I love staying in inns. They've a lot going for them. Inns are usually very affordable, offer tons more variety than a bland hotel room, and are a great way to meet fellow travelers or vacationers. You'll find web sites devoted to inn and bed and breakfast listings now - so crank up Yahoo or Google and get searching... and saving!

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