Posted on

Finding The Best Luxury Home Builder

Holding Your Builder Responsible for New-Home Defects

Many buyers choose newly built homes only to move in and discover damage that was built in.

Before you moved into your new home, your local town, city, or municipality most likely inspected it and issued a certificate of occupancy. That indicated that the home was, at a minimum, livable. However, many new homeowners are unhappy to discover that the certificate doesn’t guarantee that everything is in working order or even complete. As discussed below, you may need to assert your rights under one of various warranties.

Are the Defects Covered by a Builder’s Warranty?

At least a year’s worth of seasonal changes are often needed to put a new house to the test. For example, only in winter might you discover that water seeps into the basement or around window frames, that the landscaping was badly graded and leads to mudslides, or that you’ve got a mold problem. And guess what: Your homeowners’ insurance probably doesn’t cover construction defects

That’s why most home builders issue their new owners a warranty (often called a “limited warranty”) on their work, either within the sales contract or as a separate document. (Interestingly, such warranties aren’t usually required by state law.)

The warranty’s maximum term is typically broken up into one-, two-, and ten-year terms, based on the type of needed work. You’ll probably get a one-year warranty for labor and materials, two years for mechanical defects (plumbing, electrical, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems), and ten years for structural defects. The result is that the best parts of the warranty expire quickly — your carpeting, tiles, paint, and roofing, for example, may not be covered after the first year.

If you received a warranty, read it over to determine its length, who’s supposed to handle problems (the builder may have bought third-party insurance), and what’s covered and excluded. Pay special attention to your own responsibilities — you may have been given a detailed list of maintenance obligations. Ignoring these gives the builder a perfect excuse to deny you protections under the warranty.

Build for energy efficiency

Using good design principles can save energy, water and money, while creating a more enjoyable and comfortable home. All new homes, home renovations, alterations and additions need to comply with the 6-star standard in the National Construction Code. Go up just one star, however, and you will reduce your heating and cooling energy needs – and your energy bills – by 30%.

Block orientation

When choosing a block for your home, make sure it will allow you to place the living areas where you spend the most time on the north side of the house. This will take advantage of the winter sun, keeping these rooms warm, light and bright. Avoid or minimise windows facing west or east and make sure they are well shaded for summer, and minimise south facing windows as these don’t get any winter sun. Ask your architect or designer for advice about taking advantage of natural light.

Solar power

Installing a solar PV system will allow you to generate renewable energy and reduce your electricity bills. The Government is providing a 50% rebate (up to $2,225) for eligible households.

Energy efficient hot water systems

A solar hot water system might be more expensive to buy and install, but the running costs will be significantly lower. The Government is providing a rebate on solar hot water systems eligible households.

Window frames, glazing and shading

Smarter window design and external shading can make your home bright and comfortable all year round. Double glazing, which has become less expensive, will reduce heat losses from your home, and reduce heat gain through your windows in summer. Energy efficient windows can reduce heat losses through the window by up to 50% compared to a single glazed window.

Post Ideas for New Home Builders

As a new home builder, you’re in a great position to take advantage of social media.  Why? It’s the photos! People LOVE photos of homes, both inside and out.

Share New Home Photos as Albums

Home buyers LOVE photos!  If you complete a new custom home or a new build in a community, get some professional photos taken and load them onto your Facebook page

Run Caption Contests with Your Photos

Caption contents are a fun way to work on engagement with your audience.  How many of your Facebook posts collect loads of likes, comments and shares?  My guess is not too many.

Ask Questions with Your Photos

Asking questions can be another great way to get some engagement with your fans.  Asking open ended questions can work, but if you can provide your fans with options, your engagement will increase even more.

Post Employee Birthdays or Company Anniversaries

Posting employee birthdays or company anniversaries helps show the human side of your company.  Often times, these posts get the most engagement because they are about real people

Important Things To Remember While Looking For Home Builders

Building a house is one of the most important things in anyone’s life. Customization of your house is perhaps important. The builder that you choose can be a boon or ban for you. He will help you in building your house and converting your dream house into reality. The building of the house can be quite a stressful situation. You should find a builder that you can trust for the construction. It is perhaps the first and most crucial step of the journey.

Take a look at the things that will help you in selecting the best builder for the construction of your house:

Research on the internet:

The internet is said to have a solution to all your problems. Perhaps the finding of home builders can be done on the internet as well. Various sites provide you information about the different builder.  So, go through all of these websites and collect information about the best builder.  Make a list of all the potential builder you found on the internet. Go to their websites if they are present online. You can get a lot of information on their website too. Make the most use of the online platform in this case and get yourself the best builder.

Gather different quotes:

After you have shortlisted a few home builders and found their information online you should go to them and collect quotes. The last you want to do is spend more money on the builder. Hence you should be aware of the rate that is going on the industry and choose a builder accordingly. He should not con you and charge you extra money. Get quotes and make sure you understand all the inclusions and exclusions well. This will help you to make a comparison between the professionals you have chosen.

Ask questions:

You should never shy away from asking questions to the builder. If you have a doubt you should ask the builder without any hesitation. He must answer to all of your questions and explain to you anything that you don’t understand. Before you go for a meeting with him, prepare a list of questions you have in mind and ask him. The home builders must always answer their clients and try to solve all of their doubts. You are making a huge investment and it is your right to know everything.

Focus on the quality:

While building a house or any other structure the quality of the material and the architecture plays an important role. You cannot just choose a builder because he has quoted you less money. You must always make sure that you do not compromise on the quality aspect. The materials that the builder is using must be of top quality. Only then the building can survive all the external conditions and sustain for a longer period. Quality of work that the builder adopts should be your top priority.

Transparency of work:

Most of the builders have transparency in their business and are honest from the first. He should not try to con you by asking for more money or by not completing the work on the given time. The builder must give you an estimate and stick to it till the end. The materials that he is using must be of good quality only. Many a time the builder gives you a timeline for work and doesn’t complete it in the given time. This shouldn’t be the case

Why do you need a building engineer for your building project?

Building engineer hat and construction documents with illustration of building in background

Building engineers are structural engineers who specialize in buildings. Buildings need to be able to hold up under all types of loading, including the weight of the building, the weight of the people and other things inside the building, and natural forces such as wind, gravity, snow, and earthquakes. A building engineer will consider all these forces and design the building to be structurally sound.

Differences between engineers, architects, and contractors

Building engineers look at supports, loads, and building materials. During the building process, they review and evaluate plans as well as inspect the structure and its surroundings.

Architects focus mainly on the planning phase. They focus on aesthetics, design, and functionality of a building.

Contractors focus on the construction phase. They are the ones who follow the plans and bring designs to life.

When and why should you hire a building engineer?

A construction project will almost always require a building engineer, and the more complex a project gets, the more you will need one. Besides evaluating plans and checking for structural soundness, a building engineer will perform additional functions depending on the needs of different projects.

Building a new home

When building a new home from scratch, a building engineer essentially ensures that your home can resist the elements. They review proposed plans and make sure they follow building codes and regulations. They will also check the lot and surroundings of your proposed home, to ensure your plans integrate factors such as slope, existing features, and the surrounding environment.

Adding or remodeling rooms

When adding extra rooms to your home or expanding a room, the load that your house must carry will change. A building engineer will be able to tell you how your house and its foundation will be affected by the added weight of a new room, a second story, or an expanded room, as well as solutions for your unique situation.

Posted on

The Benefits Of Hiring An Car Accident Lawyer

CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

When you are looking for a car accident lawyer, you need a law firm that can guide you through the litigation process. The actions taken after being involved in a car accident will make all the difference in both your health and the result of your case. Knowing exactly what to do after a car accident is the key to a successfull compensation for your injuries.

SHOULD YOU CONTACT A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER RIGHT AFTER THE ACCIDENT?

The answer to this question is both yes and no. The first thing that a car injury lawyer will tell you is that you should always call the police. It is very important to make sure that the accident is documented and that you explain to the police that the accident was not your fault. After that, we, as your car injury attorneys will track down any witnesses to the accident. Any good car accident lawyer understands how important it is to perform a thorough investigation. Private investigators should be sent out right away to take photographs and to obtain any possible video footage. As for you, after speaking to the police it is important to get medical care. The police should provide an ambulance which will take you to the nearest hospital. As an auto accident firm, we have seen many injuries get worse over time. That is why it is important to go to the doctor, even if you do not think that you are seriously injured at the time. Unfortunately, car accidents can often cause injuries that might not be readily noticeable. The adrenaline after a crash can mask symptoms of a much larger problem.

MEDICAL BILLS RELATED TO A CAR ACCIDENT? HOW OUR LAWYERS CAN HELP.

Many people put off going to the doctor after a car accident because they do not know how they will pay for the medical bills. Never do this – your car accident law firm should be able to help you with those bills.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM A PERSONAL INJURY CAR ACCIDENT CASE

Your personal injury case should remind you of a train track.  A train track has two rails, and tracks that connect them every couple feet. Your case also has two rails.  One rail is your medical treatment and how you are feeling day to day.  Your car accident attorney should make sure that you are getting the best medical care possible, so you have the best chance of getting healthy again.  The second rail is legal work

A CAR ACCIDENT LAW FIRM WITH PROVEN RESULTS

Law Firm stayed in constant communication with her so that we could fully understand her suffering. used legal knowledge to get summary judgment on liability in her case.  This meant that were able to convince the judge to rule in favor as to how the accident happened.  The only thing left was to have the jury award her money damages for everything she went through. were able to convey this to the jury and they awarded her $780,000.00 in total. During this trial, the insurance attorneys maintained an offer of only $100,000.00 – explained to client that she will get much more from the jury.

Tips for Hiring a Lawyer After a Car Accident

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), as many as 2.44 million people were hurt in car accidents in 2015 alone. Whatever the cause of the collision, car accidents tend to have far reaching consequences for those who are involved, often leaving injured parties to grapple with expensive medical bills, while also being forced to take time off from work.

In some tragic cases, injured parties could become permanently disabled, or even lose their lives. While recovering damages cannot always compensate an injured party for the trauma that he or she got during an accident, it can go a long way towards helping injured motorists and their families get started on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, filing a successful claim against the negligent individual or entity who is responsible for a collision can be difficult, as these parties often get representation by large insurance companies with access to significant funds and a host of legal representatives.

Obtaining Referrals

When looking for an experienced car accident attorney, it’s often a good idea to look to others for advice. Family members, friends, and co-workers, who may be able to recommend someone who is diligent and well-respected.

You could also ask for a recommendation from an attorney who has represented you in another matter. Another way to get the contact information is to contact the bar association in your state. They have records of all licensed lawyers in your area. Online searches can also be helpful during this process.

CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

If you have been involved in a car accident and you sustained an injury, it can be difficult to know if you have done all you can to bring those responsible to justice. team of auto accident lawyers will help you understand what your legal options and rights are, and how to get what you are owed in your personal injury case.

While insurance companies will present you with complex and sometimes incomplete information, firm will help you understand the details of your case and can guide you through the legal steps you should take in every stage of your case. When you have been hurt in a car accident, you are entitled to compensation that a skilled attorney can help you obtain.

Compensation in motor vehicle accident cases can include:

Lost Wages

Hospital and Other Medical Bills

Damage to Vehicle or Other Property

Pain and Suffering

Future Care Costs

car accident lawyers are recognized for their ability to achieve great case outcomes in personal injury cases. No matter what the details of your car accident, can help you recover finances and obtain additional assistance for future expenses caused by your injury.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU NEED A CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

Some minor accidents may not indicate the need for a personal injury lawyer, especially ones that do not result in injuries or severe vehicle damage. However, car accident victims should know that they have a right to work with an experienced attorney after any type of accident.

Car Accident Lawyer

Dealing with Insurance Adjusters:

Fact: It is the goal of insurance companies to deny your claims or settle for as little as possible. Insurance companies always prefer to settle out of court and count on you being willing to do the same at a steep discount.

Even if you stand up for yourself and reject their initial offers, insurance companies will pay only what they think they may lose at trial.  Therefore, your best chance of assuring a top dollar settlement is to have a strong legal advocate on your side, someone that everyone knows is willing to go to trial to argue for your rights.

Experienced in The Accident Claims Process

It is important that your Car Accident lawyer be able to knowledgeably navigate the many ins and outs of insurance policies and the claims process.

know how to aggressively pursue all of the different types of insurance coverage that clients may possibly be entitled to – lesser known types of policies including excess liability policies, umbrella policies, and under insurance coverage. can also help you manage your unpaid medical bills until a settlement is reached and you have collected the money. In situations where the bills are excessive, are also experienced in negotiating liens and unpaid bills down to a reasonable amount

Car Accident Statistics

According to statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 10 million Americans are involved in car accidents each and every year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 35,244 people died across the country last year in car wrecks, a figure that represents more than 80 deaths on U.S. roadways each and every day.

What is Car Accident Law?

Car accident law refers to the legal rules that determine who is responsible for the personal and property damage resulting from a traffic collision. This area of the law consists of the principles of negligence, as applied to this particular category of personal injury cases. Like other cases in which negligence law applies, car accident litigation is governed almost entirely by state law.

While nuances exist, car accident victims in every state must prove the same basic four elements in order to recover compensation. These elements are: duty, breach, causation, and harm. With respect to duty, drivers have a legal obligation to obey the rules of the road and to operate their vehicles in a reasonable manner. This means driving a safe speed, maintaining control, exercising awareness, observing traffic signals, using blinkers and headlights, etc

The existence of a duty is typically accepted without much argument. By contrast, the plaintiff will usually be required to offer evidence that the defendant breached that duty. Breach can be shown by direct evidence, such as eyewitness testimony, traffic surveillance video, or an admission of fault. Or, the plaintiff may need to resort to circumstantial evidence, such as skid marks, paint smudges, or blood alcohol readings.

Steps to Take Following an Accident

The first thing to do after a car accident is to remain silent about who is to blame for the incident. As simple as this may seem, admitting fault is by far the most common mistake potential litigants make in the moments following a crash. Ordinarily, the rules of evidence do not allow out-of-court statements (aka “hearsay”). But there is an exception for admissions. Even a simple apology can potentially be used against you.

Conversely, it is important to make notes of any statements made by the other driver. A smart phone, tablet, or other electronic device can be great for recording voice memos in the chaos of an accident scene. By whatever means are available, gather as much detail about the accident as possible. To begin with, take down the other driver’s name and address, license number, and insurance information.

Posted on

Enclosed Water Heaters

The Dangers of Leaking Water Heaters

Water heaters generally operate well under most circumstances with regular care, maintenance and cleaning, but as with almost any home appliance, problems can occur. One such problem is if the water heater is leaking, either due to a corroded water tank, loose valves or even just condensation during particularly cold temperatures. Several dangers exist that are associated with a leaking water heater.

Potential Explosion

If the leak is caused by a buildup of water, it should be controlled by the temperature pressure relief valve, which is designed to release excess water when pressure builds up in the water heater. However, if the water temperature is set too high, the water pressure is too high or the relief valve is broken or damaged, the pressure may build up in the tank and the tank could explode.

Broken Heating Element

A leak on an electric water heater may be due to a damaged or broken heating element gasket. If the heating element is suspected, turn off the water and power and drain all water out of the water tank before replacing the gasket. Run hot water in a sink before turning the power back on to the unit to prevent further damage to the heating element.

Bad Water

If the leak around a water heater is due to a rusty pipe, there is additional danger to the water supply, as water that is exposed to rust may absorb bacteria and rust. This water will then be distributed throughout the home from the water heater, which exposes users to potentially harmful chemicals or bacteria in the water.

Property Damage

One of the most basic dangers of a leaking water heater is the damage to the surrounding floor and walls. This can lead to mold and can even seep down to the foundation of the home, which can ultimately weaken the foundation and lead to other problems. Any water around a water heater should be cleaned up thoroughly as soon as possible, and the area should be monitored well for potential mold or mildew that may grow as a result of water exposure.

RUSTY PIPES

If the pipes that lead to and from your water heater become rusty, then they may corrode to the point that water leaks through them. Not only does this affect your water heater, it also means that your potable water has potentially been compromised by bacteria and chemicals.

Is Your Water Heater Leaking?

Water heaters are known for propagating the illusion of a leak. Your water heater will typically have many other plumbing pipes, fixtures, and elements surrounding it that could be leaking. So before jumping to conclusions, clean up any standing water and closely examine the surrounding pipes and other plumbing elements close to your water heater. If the small puddle of water never returns, you have nothing to worry about because these puddles are generally caused by condensation. Water heaters and their surrounding parts are prone to condensation, which overtime, can gather and create a small puddle of water on your basement floor. However, if the puddle does consistently return and no sources can be identified, your water heater is most likely the cause of the leak.

Turn Off Power

Once you determine your water heater is the cause for a leak whether by close examination or a very obvious leak, it is recommended that you turn off the power supply to your water heater.

  • How to Turn Off an Electric Water Heater

Go to your homes circuit breaker box and switch off the breaker for your electric water heater.

  • How to Turn Off a Gas Water Heater

Located on your water heater there should be an on/off switch or dial controlling the power to your water heater.

Turn Off Water

Commonly set a 125° F, the water within your water heater is very dangerous and can result in serious injury from just indirect contact. It is very important that after turning off the power to your water heater that you turn off any water flow as well to ensure your safety. Turn off the cold water shut-off valve located just above your water heater as required by law. Be sure you can get to this valve safely if you have a major leak as it can result in serious burns and injuries. To avoid possible injury in the case of a significant leak, locate the main shut-off valve and close it to stop any water flow to your water heater.

Signs Your Water Heater Is Leaking

Some water heater leaks will be easily visible, with water spraying out of a valve or a crack in the tank. Others will be more subtle, and may be limited to a small puddle under the unit.Signs of a leaking water heater:

  • A sudden lack of water coming through the fixtures in your home. It’s possible that the leak may have put out the pilot light, which would prevent the water heater from heating water.
  • Water coming out of the temperature or pressure relief valve. This indicates that the temperature or pressure in your water heater has exceeded the safety limits, and should be addressed by a professional plumber.
  • Standing water around the base of your water heater. Depending on the size of the puddle, this could indicate a pinhole leak or a major problem.

What is the Source of the Leak?

Loose Fittings and Connections

Commonly known as the cold water inlet and hot water outlet connection, these fittings and connections can be found attached to the top of your water heater. Fixing a leak here may simply require tightening the fittings and connections or inexpensively replacing the cold water inlet and hot water outlet connections.

Broken Temperature and Pressure or T&P Valve

Located on the side of your water heater with a pipe running straight to the ground, the T&P Valve exists as a safety mechanism in the event that the temperature or pressure (PSI) within your water heater exceeds the tanks allotted specifications. Check your T&P Valve for any leaks near its point of connection to your water tank. Additionally, if the T&P Valve is releasing water and steam it may be a faulty device or it might be working properly in which case you should adjust the pressure and temperature within your water heater. While this problem is easy to fix it is the most concerning and dangerous because a significant amount of excess pressure within your tank will cause the T&P Valve to release scalding hot steam and water.

Broken Drain Valve

Located near the bottom of your tank, the drain valve can leak due to use and deterioration overtime. It is easy to fix and not a serious concern. Check your drain valve for any leaks near its point of connection to your water tank.

The Tank Itself

If no other source can be identified on the outside of your water heater, it is mostly likely an internal problem. Internal problems within your water heater are generally cause by age and deterioration and result in water leaking from the bottom of the tank. The only fix to this problem is to replace your water heater with a new one.

Posted on

Do The Benefits Of Chiropractic Treatment Outweigh The Risks

The Best Chiropractic Care Tips for Optimal Spine Health

A healthy spine allows us to move freely in our lives and do fun things like run and jump and dance. Forgetting about spine health can lead to permanent injuries that prevent you from doing the things you love.

Seeing a chiropractor when you experience back or neck pain, like 35 million other people in the U.S. do, prevents issues before they happen. You can also get advice on how to care for your spine properly.

Exercise Regularly

One of the best things you can do for spine health is to exercise regularly. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily. This means doing something within the moderate to intense range like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, mowing the lawn, aerobic dancing, strength training, or rock climbing.

Work on Core Strength

Concentrate on strengthening your core muscles when exercising. Your core is made of more than just your abdominal muscles. It also includes those in your lower to middle back.

Pay Attention to Your Posture

Poor posture is a major contributor to chronic back problems and spinal issues. Sitting up straight while watching television, working at a desk, or sitting at the table for a meal can eliminate many back and neck issues.

You See a Chiropractor Because it’s a Healthy Thing to Do

Whenever people hear that I am a chiropractor, they will either do one of two things. They will usually grab their neck or back and say something like, “Man, I really need to see you,” or, “I’ve never had to see a chiropractor but if I had the need I would definitely try it.”

Like brushing your teeth, seeing a chiropractor for periodic checkups is a healthy thing to do. We don’t eat well for one day and expect to be healthy our whole lives. Similarly, we also don’t exercise a couple times and expect to be physically fit

The optimal movement of our spine and that impact on our nervous system and global health represents one of the key secrets to experiencing optimal health and function.

In a previous article I went into how important structure is to function. Every scientist, contractor and engineer recognizes that structure necessarily affects function. When our structure (spinal column) becomes misaligned, it causes irritation of the delicate nerve fibers that travel through it.

determined that, “Subluxation is very real. We have documented it to the extent that no one can dispute its existence. Vertebral subluxations change the entire health of the body by causing structural dysfunction of the spine and nerve interference. The weight of a dime on a spinal nerve will reduce nerve transmission by as much as 60%.”

TESTIMONIALS

I was in a level 10 of pain in my lower back for over a week. I had gone to my primary doctor to find out what was wrong and they prescribed me pain med’s. After a week of being in severe pain and on med’s I realized that a chiropractor could help me

got an adjustment the same day. Within 24 hours my pain level had gone from terrible pain from a level 10 to a 5. I then went and got adjusted again the next day and my back pain is extremely better. I can’t thank him enough. He helped me so much and while the pain med’s just numbed the pain, it didn’t solve my problem like the adjustment have been. If you are in pain and suffering like I did I would highly recommend calling this practice and making an appointment

I am an avid runner, so when I started getting numbness in my arms and hands I looked for a solution and thought a chiropractor would be a good possibility. I decided to because they are walking distance from my house and I’m very glad I did. Great doctors, very friendly staff, soothing environment.

They got me running again in just a few weeks without any pain at all and I’ve even set a PR in the last 1/2 marathon I ran. Much of the joy I’ve found in running has returned because I made the decision

My wife is 6 months pregnant and she too has started to go to ease the muscle and back pain that comes with toting around our next child. She also raves about them to me and all our friends. If you’re having back or muscle pain, give these folks a try.

Things People Don’t Know About Chiropractic Care.

Adjustments Don’t Hurt.

No, you’re not going to get your head ripped off, and your bones aren’t going to snap. It’s actually much gentler than you would imagine. Most patients who are new to the chiropractic route are pretty anxious about the thought of this. That sound you hear during the adjustment is called a “cavitation” and is only space being created within the joint causing gasses to be released from the joint capsule, which creates the popping noise.

“I heard you have to go forever” is a myth.

If you want to get adjusted forever, you can. When patients come in with pain, they are scheduled out for a month or two to make sure every stays balanced. Then occasionally they would come in, just to check up, like you could to get a check up at a dentist every six months.

Chiropractic care may help you get sick less.

Studies show that adjustments constantly reduce the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, associated with tissue damage and pain. Also, it may enhance the production of immunoregulatory complexes that are important to a healthy immune system.

Successful chiropractic patients accept responsibility.

In most cases, back pain doesn’t happen overnight, and even more importantly; the pain won’t go away over night. When someone says chiropractic didn’t work for them, 9/10 times the patient wasn’t fully dedicated to the regularly scheduled adjustment and advice the doctors gave.

We know about more than just your backbone!

Surprising right? Chiropractors will give advice on fitness, nutrition, ergonomics and lifestyle. The training is not much different than a medical doctor too. Chiropractors are also able to complete specialties such as pediatrics, sport rehabilitation, neurology, clinical nutrition and addictions and compulsive disorders.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about chiropractors. Knowing the answers to these important questions will help you pick the best chiropractor

WHY CHIROPRACTIC FOR KIDS?  

Over the counter drugs are no longer under the radar since pediatric cough and cold medications perform no better than placebo (sugar pill)

Since 1985, all six randomized, placebo-controlled studies of the use of cough and cold preparations in children under 12 years of age have not shown any meaningful differences between the active drugs (robitussin, dimetapp, tylenol plus, pediacare, and triaminic) and placebo (sugar pill). A placebo is when a group of people thinks they are getting medication, but they actaully don’t, they get an inert substance, like a sugar pill. The bottom-line is that direct-to-consumer ads deem these medications safe and effective; however, 750,000 reports of concern to poison-control centers to cough and cold products were reported from 2000-2007.

WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?             

Chiropractic is a healthcare that focuses on health, performance human potential.  There are 3 parts, a science, philosophy and art. The fundamental principle of chiropractic is that vertebral subluxations (spinal misalignments) produce pressure on nerves emitting from the spinal column, thus causing dis-ease or a lack of adaptation to stress. A subluxation is when the normal diameter of the holes the nerves go through in the body are impinged and/or narrowed, thus resulting in a decrease in function of the nerves. This is an important clinical observation because there are many symptoms that can arise from the impingement of the nerves emitting from the spinal column. The principles of chiropractic, form the philosophy and the science research informs more effective ways to improve the art of adjusting. Adjusting or an adjustment is given after the location of the nerve interference using chiropractic analysis, with the goal of releasing pressure on the nerves emitting from the spinal column.

WHAT TYPES OF PAIN DO CHIROPRACTOR’S TREAT?         

Chiropractors don’t treat pain, they treat the function, which often results in the pain someone is coming in with to decrease as their function increases. The great thing about pain management with chiropractic is that you can prevent it from happening with consistent care, just like you can prevent heart disease by diet and exercise. Some common symptoms and pain issues people come in with are headaches, indigestion, tension in muscles from depression/anxiety, bad posture, injuries from sports or sitting all day, low back pain, sciatica, tendonitis and stiffness in any joint of the body, hip pain, an injury from falling on an outstretched hand, stepping off the steps wrong, and many more. Chiropractic care statistically strengthens the functional integrity of the neurological muscular and skeletal system as they relate to each other. This truly strengthens the mind-body connection and brings back function, integrity and health to millions every year.

Posted on

Questions To Ask Before Hiring A Tax Preparation Firm

Tax Preparation and Planning

Preparing and planning for taxes is often a stressful and complicated endeavor for most people. Unfortunately, preparing your own tax return can be extremely difficult with today’s complex tax code and may often leave you with more questions than answers.

These days, the majority of people and small businesses use a professional tax preparer to assist with the preparation of taxes. Even if you are just filing a simple return, the rules may change from year to year and it is easy to overlook these changes and submit an incorrect return. By doing your taxes yourself, you may also end up overlooking deductions and credits.

Tax planning is essential to helping you successfully and legally reduce the amount of your tax liabilities. In addition to making sure that your business is tax compliant, we also can suggest tax saving strategies that will maximize your after-tax income.

tax planning specialists offer tax and education planning to assist start-ups, as well as, established businesses. We will provide you with a complete list of the most commonly overlooked deductions so that you can limit your tax liability for the following year.

tax professionals assist you with tax planning by:

helping you to defer income so that you can save money now and pay less taxes in the future

lower taxes on your income so that you can keep more of your earnings

lower taxes on your estate and gifts so that the beneficiaries can keep more of what you have given

lower taxes on investments and retirement distributions so that you can maintain your lifestyle

UNRAVELING TAX HEADACHES AND BUILDING FINANCIAL VISION

Confused About PPP or EIDL?

It is very hard to get access to good information. There is a lot of information in the media and it is hard to stay up to date. It is our intent as advisors to help you get access to this information and help you make informed decisions that improve your life and business.

Your Finances And Tax Planning?

Whether we like it or not, today’s tax laws are so complicated that filing a relatively simple return can be confusing. It is just too easy to overlook deductions and credits to which you are entitled. Even if you use a computer software program there’s no substitute for the assistance of an experienced tax professional.

IS TAX PREPARATION RIGHT FOR YOU?

Preparing your own income tax return can be a task that leaves you with more questions than answers. According to a study released by the US Government’s General Accounting Office last year, most taxpayers (77% of 71 million taxpayers) believe they benefited from using a professional tax preparer.

Here’s what you get…

A personal interview with one of our tax professionals to uncover and discuss all deductions to which you are legitimately entitled. Your tax return will be checked and rechecked by our staff and computer software identifying potential problems the IRS may look at more closely and reviewing the math to limit IRS contacts.

Your tax return can be filed electronically so you will get a refund back quicker. tax professionals will show you how to adjust your payroll withholding to get more money back each week. Why give the IRS an interest free loan for up to 16 months?

You must keep all records, whether they’re electronic or paper-based, for at least seven years

Even if you have a bookkeeper or accountant, it’s up to you to know what records to hold on to.

The records you may need to keep include:

invoices

receipts

wage books

petty cash

banking records

vehicle logbooks

asset registers and depreciation schedules

emails, eg arranging business meetings — especially if you’re claiming for travel expenses to another city or overseas.

If you’re GST registered you also need to have tax invoices for your expenses so you can claim back the GST. You don’t need a tax invoice for income and expenses under $50. If you’re GST registered, you must keep records that can support an expense claim

Keep copies of anything you send to Inland Revenue. Using MyIR makes this easy. Also, hang on to any calculations you’ve done to fill in your tax return, eg when working out what to claim for your home office.

Staying on top of things

It’s easy to let paperwork go when you’re busy with day-to-day business. But having a good system and staying on top of things can make life much easier when it comes to filing your GST and tax returns.

Common mistakes

Not holding on to all the records you need to keep. If you’re audited and don’t have the proof of things you’ve claimed, you can face big penalties or legal action.

Not having good systems or staying on top of things — if you don’t your records will be a mess and you could lose important information.

Not keeping your records for long enough — you must keep everything for at least seven years.

Requirement to Submit Tax Computation

A tax computation is a statement showing the tax adjustments to the accounting profit to arrive at the income that is chargeable to tax. Tax adjustments include non-deductible expenses, non-taxable receipts, further deductions and capital allowances.

Companies should prepare their tax computations annually before completing the Form C-S/ C. Only companies filing Form C need to submit their audited/unaudited* financial statements, tax computation and supporting schedules together with Form C. Companies filing Form C-S are still required to prepare their financial statements, tax computation and supporting schedules and submit them to IRAS upon request.

Records and Accounts Keeping

Companies are required to keep proper records and accounts of business transactions. Using an accounting software helps business improve record keeping and comply with tax obligations. Business can also use the information captured in the software to ensure that operations are effective and efficient. The IRAS’ Accounting Software Register lists the accounting software that are able to meet IRAS’ technical requirements and businesses considering to use an accounting software for record keeping are encouraged to consider those in this list.

Necessity to Make Tax Adjustments

Your company’s chargeable income may be different from the net profit/loss shown in its financial statements. This is because some of your company’s expenses may not be deductible for tax purposes. Similarly, some of the income received by your company may not be taxable, or it may be taxed separately as a non-trade source income.

Types of Tax Adjustments

As a general guide for most companies, you would need to make the following adjustments to your net profit/loss:

Deduct income which is not taxable

Deduct investment income (e.g. interest, dividend and rental) which is to be assessed separately as non-trade income

Add disallowable expenses

Add direct expenses relating to the investment income (to be allowed against the respective investment income taxed as non-trade income)

Deduct Section 14Q deduction for expenditure incurred on renovation or refurbishment works where applicable

Add net investment income such as interest, dividend and rental (after deducting the direct expenses relating to the investment income)

Deduct unutilised capital allowances brought forward from previous YA where applicable

Deduct capital allowances (including enhanced allowances under the Productivity and Innovation Credit scheme) for the current YA if you wish to claim for capital allowances on fixed assets

Deduct unutilised losses brought forward from previous YA where applicable

Deduct unutilised donations brought forward from previous YA where applicable

Deduct donations made to approved Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) if any.

Tips for Organizing Documents for Your Tax Preparer

What Tax Documents and Information Should You Have Ready?

Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) “Every person that files a tax return needs to have their identification, Social Security number or ITIN. All individuals that receive income tax documents need to bring those to their tax preparer,”

If you don’t have a Social Security number, you’re required to have an ITIN. According to the IRS, the ITIN is a tax processing number only available for certain non-resident and resident aliens, their spouses, and dependents. It is a nine-digit number beginning with the number nine and formatted like an SSN. To obtain an ITIN, you must complete IRS Form W-7.

W-2s

A W-2 states your wages and withheld taxes. Your employer should have sent you a W-2 prior to February 2, 2015. You should contact your employer if you haven’t received this form.

1099 Forms

There are various 1099 forms. You may or may not receive one (or many) depending on your situation. According to the IRS, “If you made or received a payment during the calendar year as a small business or self-employed (individual), you are most likely required to file an information return to the IRS.” The IRS suggests requesting the form from your employer if you do not receive one.

Depending on your situation, you might need some other documentation to prepare your taxes:

Brokerage account statements and tax forms (which should include your cost basis for figuring capital gains and losses)

Receipts for donations, business costs and other tax-advantaged expenses

State income tax, property tax, and sales tax documentation

Other documentation related to income, such as alimony (child support isn’t usually taxed), jury duty pay, unemployment benefits, Social Security income, etc.

Any other documentation required to prove that you’re eligible for tax credits and tax deductions (including medical expenses, casualty losses, moving expenses, job hunting expenses, etc.)

Posted on

How To Negotiate With Car Dealer

Warehouse Management Blog

THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN PLANNING A CAR SHOWROOM

New Car showrooms can be lavish enterprises, with double-height glazing, blazing lights and costly stone floors. And that’s before you even get into the realms of internet cafes and branded clothing.

A car is one of the most expensive purchases a person makes and today’s showroom has an important role in helping customers make that decision. In an increasingly segmented market, an outlet needs to cater for a range of clients and their needs.

Dealers know that just as important as how the dealership looks, is how the dealership WORKS!

How do my customers and staff use my dealership for day-to-day activities?

Can my sales team see the lot without obstruction?

Do my customers have clear routes to the service area / workshop?

Where is the guest bathroom located?

How large does the showroom need to be to accommodate the number of cars we want to display?

Given our planning volume and service growth goals how many service bays do we need in the body shop? How many technicians?

In today’s brand-driven society, cars and lifestyle overlap and the sales environment should reflect the customer’s preferences. The scope of a car dealership scheme is not limited to sales. After-sales service is an element of the business model so a service reception and a parts and workshop facility are often located on a showroom site.

Design considerations

Car showrooms need to be located on highly visible sites with good access to main transport routes and an eye-catching frontage. Display of the car range is paramount and the layout and orientation of sites and display areas will have a major impact on sales. These considerations affect environmental control strategies, as not all buildings can be oriented to mitigate solar gain and heavily tinted solar control glass is not generally considered for the main facade.

How to Buy a Car

Have you ever dreamed of owning your own car? Imagine driving down a tree-lined ­street with the windows down on a sunny day, a warm rush of air streaming through your hair… OK, snap out of your reverie. Before you start mapping out the route to the nearest beach, you just might want to learn some valuable car-buying tips.

Buying a car, whether it’s a first-time purchase or not, can seem like a daunting task. You’ve probably seen your share of car commercials on TV and recall hearing phrases like “down payment” and “APR.” Although some of the terminology may seem confusing, once you break it down, buying a car is pretty straightforward. There is certainly a lot of information you need to understand before you run off to your local dealership. But once you know what the acronyms mean and how car financing works, you’ll be ready to get the best possible price on the car you’ve chosen.

The first thing you must decide before you begin your automobile research is whether you want a new car or a used car. Of course, there are benefits and drawbacks on both sides. If you decide to buy a used car, there are sev­eral things you need to keep in mind

First of all, there are more than 2 million car accidents annually and chances are if you are in the market for a used car, you will come in contact with at least one automobile that was in an accident.

The most important thing about buying a used car is that you know everything about the history of the car, including:

the number of previous owners

if the car was ever involved in an accident

any previous mechanical problems

the maintenance history of the car

Things you don’t see in cars anymore

We’re not here to say things were better in the old days – whisper this, but they were (shhh) – but here’s a selection of things you’ll no longer find as you climb inside the semi-autonomous extension of your living room. Fluffy dice not included.

Video didn’t kill the radio star, but fuel injection and emissions regulations certainly signalled the end for the humble choke. Most drivers under the age of 25 will have no idea that a choke even existed, while for older drivers, the little pull switch will rekindle memories of flooded engines and possibly even the odd clothes peg. If you get this reference, you’ll understand.

Some children will look at that strange object on the door and laugh. Others might shout at their parents for failing to invest in the ‘luxury’ of electric windows.

Remember the days when buses featured a smoking area? Then you’ll no doubt remember the days when a car featured not one, but several ashtrays. One below the dashboard, one ahead of the rear seats, maybe a couple on the inside of the rear doors.

The cassette player was rendered obsolete by the CD player, but it didn’t go down without a fight. If you were lucky, a new car came with an in-dash CD player, but for true luxury you need a CD autochanger, which tended to be mounted in the boot, below the seat or in the glovebox.

How to Develop a Car Dealer Website

The United States is the world’s second-largest car producer, with an over 12% share of the world market. The US is also the world’s biggest car importer. The dollar value of cars imported to the US in 2018 was $178.5 billion.

Many kinds of businesses can benefit from this large market. In this article, you’ll learn how to build a car dealer website for the US market, what features are necessary, and how much it will cost to implement them.

What distinguishes a car marketplace website from other kinds of websites?

Why would anybody visit a car marketplace? Mostly to find the most suitable car. The two main things that a car marketplace needs are

a wide choice of vehicles

an efficient sorting system

Tailoring to your target audience

If you want to know how to make used cars website like CarGurus, you need to analyze the market situation. Before the internet, people in the US looked for new cars in dealers’ showrooms and used cars in physical markets. Things haven’t changed much. Today, customers do the same market search, only online.

Transactions

Mind the security of your site. Buying a car online is a bigger deal than buying small items on eBay. Sellers and buyers alike should be verified, which may require sharing their Social Security Numbers and driver’s license data.

A car marketplace should support buying, selling, and, if your business allows it, bidding.

Things You Didn’t Know About Buying Cars at Auction

you can find car dealer auctions open to the public. That means buying cars at auction prices is an option for just about anyone, even if you don’t have a dealer’s license. If you’re interested in buying cars at wholesale prices

Car Auctions for Dealers Only

Car dealer auctions are open only to those with a dealer license issued by the state. You can get your own dealer license if you wish, but the process can be long and difficult. Each state has its own set of requirements for car dealer licensing, usually with a set number of cars you must buy and sell each year to qualify.

Car Auctions Open to the Public

Popular Mechanics reports there are two major categories of car auctions open to the public

government car auctions and public car auctions:

Government or police auctions: These include county and city vehicles like buses, police cruisers, utility trucks and more. These auctions also sell impound cars that have been confiscated because of traffic violations and crime. Popular Mechanics warns that you will face expert competition from used car dealers, taxi companies, exporters and others who know mechanics well and understand the value of the vehicles on the block.

Public car auctions: These may include repossessed vehicles from banks, wholesale lots of cars, flood junkers, bottom-of-the-barrel trade-ins and sometimes high-end sports cars and SUVs. The quality and reliability of the stock varies from auction to auction, so be prepared to do your homework. Because these auctions have become more popular since the economic downturn, competition for the best deals is fierce. In fact, you may end up paying more than market price if you don’t take care not to overbid.

Be careful. This is where unsalable cars go to die. As Edmunds puts it, “If a vehicle has been traded in, leased, repossessed or totaled, it will find itself among the nearly 9 million vehicles that are purchased each year in an auto auction.” That doesn’t mean every car on the auction lot is junk. It just means lemons are out there, so be suitably suspicious and thorough in your inspection.

You will need cash or an approved loan, if your bid wins. If you plan to pay with a loan you have already secured from your bank, be prepared to cover a deposit once your bid wins. Find out in advance which credit cards are acceptable for this purpose. There will also be taxes, title and registration fees. If you’re financing the purchase of your car, you’ll likely be required to carry collision and/or comprehensive insurance by the lending agency. So, it’s probably also a good idea to talk to an independent Trusted Choice® agent to help you find car insurance quotes before you buy. Independent agents work with several insurers, and can comparison shop for you, for free.

Everything shines. Cars are often touched up, buffed and polished to a sheen for auction. This does not guarantee a solid car. Always check the car history, and see if VINs match between the dash, door and other points of identification.

Sellers may hide problems. There are all kinds of masks and foils that can make a faulty engine seem clean and sound. If you don’t know the tricks that sellers may use to hide trouble, bring a friend who does or stick to used car dealerships. There are no guarantees or warranties at public auctions.

Banks own the best inventory at the best prices, in general. Edmunds advises that these are the vehicles to look for at public auction. They are usually repossessed cars and trucks that the lender just wants to sell at a decent price to recoup losses. Make sure it is a reasonably well maintained car and that the interior is in good order, as these are often problem areas for repo cars.

Beware the used car dealers selling at auction. Most used car dealers prefer to sell to customers, other dealers and dealer auctions. If a car is too far gone to sell in any of those ways, they resort to the public auction. Take a second, third and fourth look at used car dealer offerings at public auction. Things may not be what they seem.

This will get kind of crazy. Former auctioneer Steve Lang calls it “capitalism in its purest form.” Car auctions move fast and carry a lot of intensity. It can be easy to feel rushed and pressured to make a decision, so be prepared to tell yourself to slow down if you feel unsure about a vehicle. It’s better to walk away and buy another day than to get a clunker you can’t sell.

Limit yourself before the bidding starts and stick to it. Paul Duchene writes for Car and Driver, “Set your top price and don’t go above it. Do not visit the bar; do not go with a new girlfriend or a college buddy.” You need all your wits about you and not an ounce of pride to cloud your judgment.

Cars will be shown in a set order, so arrive early and figure out when your favorite will be on the block. You can usually get a copy of the showing list when you check in. If you arrive late, you may not have a chance to inspect the car you’re interested in buying at the auction.

Leave room in your budget for shipping if you are buying out of state or far from home. The last thing you need is a cross-country trip in an unproven vehicle and a breakdown somewhere remote and expensive

Posted on

Pros And Cons Of Laminate Flooring

Everything you need to know about laminate underlays

Underlay is a vital part of any type of flooring, especially for laminate due to its composition. Choosing suitable underlay for your flooring project is important to make sure that your laminate will last for years to come.

What is a laminate underlay?

Laminate underlay is basically a thin, flexible sheet of resilient material that is installed on top of a subfloor in order to act as a base for the laminate. It is commonly made from thin polyethylene or polypropylene.

Underlay or underlayment is used to help protect your laminate boards by absorbing the moisture coming from the subfloor below. It also helps in minimizing footstep noises as it adds to the thickness of the laminate boards boosting their sound-absorbing qualities, plus it provides additional thermal insulation for your floor to help make your laminate more comfortable underfoot.

Do I need underlay for laminate flooring?

Yes, you will need underlayment for your laminate flooring to help protect your new laminate flooring from the damage that moisture in the subfloor can cause. The underlay will act as a moisture barrier and it will also make the floor more comfortable. But be sure to check what kind of laminate flooring you are purchasing, as some laminate plans or tiles now come with built-in underlay, saving you from the additional step of installing it separately. Your flooring consultant should be able to tell you if the underlay is part of the laminate or if you will need to install it separately.

Types of underlays available

There are different types of underlays, each with its unique features. With this in mind, it is important to consider some important factors before selecting the most ideal underlay. The type of the subfloor, noise reduction, your budget and your preferred use of the space should be key among the factors to consider.

The main types of underlay are foam, rubber and felt.

  • Foam: This type of underlay was originally created as a cheaper version of rubber underlay which is considered the superior option. That being said, the construction of this type of underlay has improved over the years so it is now on par with its competitors. It most often comes in rolls and is relatively easy to install.
  • Rubber: Is the most popular type of underlay and is suitable for a wide range of flooring options. It is durable, breathable and ‘springy’ so it feels great when you are walking on it! It can come in either sheets or rolls so you can choose what is easiest for you to use!
  • Felt: A smooth and heavy underlayment that is made up of recycled fibres it has better noise reduction due to its density and weight. It is also an excellent insulator and a great floor cushion offering a more comfortable feeling. But it is often more expensive due to rubber and foam options becoming cheaper. Felt used to be the only type available but now it is mainly used in commercial buildings.

Laminate Flooring Underlayment Benefits

Moisture Protection

Why do you need to worry about moisture for your flooring? Laminate flooring is made out of composed resin and fiber board materials with a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer. If moisture from your subfloor (concrete or wood) get to the fiber board material, your flooring will absorb the moisture and start to bow or warp.

Underlayment with a built-in vapor barrier provides the protection you need from moisture.

Cement Subfloor

Cement is a porous material and can absorb and emit moisture. If your installing laminate flooring aka floating floor can be at risk of absorbing moisture from your cement subfloor. Installing an underlayment with a vapor barrier or 6-mil vapor barrier in addition to underlayment will stop all moisture from getting to your floor.

Wood Subfloor

Moisture really wouldn’t be a concern here unless you are installing it over a crawl space. We recommend to install a vapor retarder below in your crawl space to eliminate moisture problems. Adding a 6-mil vapor barrier on top of the subfloor of a crawl space can block the moisture of your subfloor and cause rot in the long haul. No underlayment can fix the issue in the crawl space.

Soundproofing Your Floors

Noise can come from all directions, pets, crying baby, loud steroes, kids playing…you name it. Underlayment can help absorb vibrations from one’s daily noise and block out the noise from other rooms. Our recycled felt underlayment absorb sounds and keep it from traveling to other rooms. Individuals who installed QuietWalk comments their laminate flooring sound more real like hardwood due to the QuietWalk underlayment installed.

Compression Resistance

Having compression resistant underlayment allows a structural foundation to your floors. Normal to high weight stress-loads allow your floor to naturally flex. Compression resistance also allows to hide minor subfloor imperfections and protect the click lock mechanism to provide a solid foundation.

Insulating Value

Insulating is usually thought of adding to walls, roof, windows and doors. However your flooring can cause heat gain or loss. Flooring underlayment has some type of R-values that help improve your comfort underfoot. Choosing an underlayment that provides a higher R-value towards 0.5-0.6 helps keep you comfortable, lower your energy bills, and you’ll enjoy the space even more.

Clean Indoor Air Quality

We wanted to add clean indoor air quality to the benefits as it is the last and unseen benefits most homeowners think about. As most DIY homeowners installs their underlayment, they might notice a harsh odor. This could most likely be coming from their underlayment. Thinking it might go away overtime and it might, but still can give off-gasses of harmful chemicals. Maybe one of your family members start getting sick more often.

Do You Need Underlay for Laminate Flooring

Do You Need Underlay for Laminate Flooring

The need for an underlay for your flooring can very well influence your decision to buy a laminate floor, especially given the expensive cost of an underlay. An underlay is important for many good reasons. Here are the situations when you will need underlay for your laminate floor.

Your Laminate Floor has no Pre-Attached Underlayment

Many modern laminate floors come with a layer of underlayment attached to them. In such cases, an extra underlayment is not necessary. In fact, adding an underlayment in such cases can adversely impact the stability of the floor.

Your Subfloor is Not Flat and Strong

A subfloor needs to be flat and sound to take your laminate flooring. If the subfloor lacks these features, an underlayment helps cover these flaws and give you a stable laminate floor underfoot.

If you install a laminate floor without underlayment on a weak or uneven subfloor, it can damage the laminate floor and create safety hazards.

You are Using a Concrete Subfloor

Using an underlayment over a concrete subfloor makes the laminate floor soft and comfortable underfoot. The absence of an underlayment in such cases can make your floor a nightmare to walk on.

Your Subfloor is not Vinyl

When installed perfectly, a vinyl subfloor is waterproof. If you are installing your laminate floor on a vinyl floor, an underlayment is not necessary.

You want a Silent Floor

Laminate floor is very thin, given that it is made of fibreboard. Therefore, it cannot absorb sound as efficiently as solid hardwood does. But, an underlayment creates a sort of padding to the floor, which boosts the floor’s sound absorption abilities.

So, whether you are looking to create a quieter ambience at the office or looking to reduce the sound impact of mischievous kids and pets in your home, a laminate floor with an underlayment can work wonders.

Posted on

Loading Services For Busy People

Advantages & disadvantages of air freight transportation services

Advantages & Disadvantages Of Air Freight Transportation Services

Air freight transportation is the fastest mode of transporting goods in the national as well as international markets. Let us find out a few advantages and disadvantages that air freight transportation services:

Advantages of Air freight transportation

  • High Speed: Air freight is suitable for transporting goods which need to be delivered at long distances in a short period. Given the speed at which carriage of products can be achieved, air freight cannot be substituted by any other mode of transport in times of urgent requirements.
  • Allows Transport of Perishable Goods: Air transport is the ideal mode for transporting perishable goods which do not have a long shelf life.
  • No Infrastructure Investment Required: Air freight does not require any capital-intensive investments in construction of ports or tracks like ships and railways.
  • Ease of Access: Regardless of landscape obstructions air freight is accessible in all areas of the globe which is not within easy reach of other transportation modes.

Low insurance premium means large savings

As the transportation time for air cargo is comparatively short, the insurance premium is lower. Even if air freight can be expensive, this brings about savings in terms of lower insurance costs.

High level of security and reduced risk of theft and damage

Shipping by air offers the advantage of a high level of security, as the airport safety controls over cargo are tightly managed. Tightly managed airport controls also reduce the cargo exposure to theft and damage.

Less need for warehousing and fewer items in stock

With the quicker transit times of air freight, you have less need for local warehousing and do not need to keep items in stock. Customs clearance, cargo inspection and cargo handlers are more efficient, as most cargo is cleared within a matter of hours.

Reduced costs for packaging, warehousing, and insurance

Do you want to avoid unnecessary costs? Air shipments usually require less heavy packing compared to other shipping alternatives. Also, the quicker transit times of air freight reduce the need for local warehousing and insurance premiums are lower. This means you can save some money on additional packaging services and warehousing as well as insurance costs.

Air freight shipments are easy to track

Tracking your air freight shipments is easy as there is always a flight number and information about when the flight takes off and when it lands. Also, many freight forwarders provide web applications for tracking your goods. This means you can monitor the status of your cargo from departure to arrival to stay constantly updated.

End-to-end Services

The international network of air transport provides a wide scope of services to cover a variety of client needs. This includes a great relationship with freight forwarders, carriers, operators, customs agents, and GPS logistics. This ensures your package arrives safely and securely.

Fragile and sensitive packages are simply safer in the hands of air freight services.

Legal Compliance

One major benefit of air freight that is overlooked is the boring, administrative side. Having all documentation squared away and taken care of on your behalf is huge. Mistakes carry financial penalties on top of inconveniences, so it’s important to employ a company with experience.

When dealing with sea freight, this is especially true. It’s very difficult to follow all the legal and regulatory fulfillments needed to pass over international borders.

Concepts of Air Transport

The movement of passengers and cargo by aircraft such as airplanes and helicopters. Air transportation has become the primary means of common-carrier travelling. Greatest efficiency and value are obtained when long distances are travelled, high-value payloads are moved, immediate needs must be met, or surface terrain prevents easy movement or significantly raises transport costs. Although the time and cost efficiencies obtained decrease as distance traveled is reduced, air transport is often worthwhile even for relatively short distances. Air transportation also provides a communication link, which is sometimes vital, between the different groups of people being served.

Posted on

Pros And Cons Of Home Inspection

Why Use Digital Property Inspection Software?

Are property inspection software systems worth it?

But does it make sense to switch your entire office over to a new system and process? Our data says a resounding—YES! Property managers all over the world are beginning to realize what a profound effect implementing a solid software system like Inspect & Cloud into their business can do for them.

Key Features for Property Inspection Software In addition to creating beautiful PDF reports easily from your mobile phone or tablet, the following show up as reasons to make the shift with so many of the property managers we talk with.

Inspect and Cloud property inspection software will:

  • Save you time—we’ve shown that reports that were taken up to 3 hours to complete from start to finish, can now be down in less than 30-minutes
  • Create Better Inpsections—by using our default industry checklists or creating your own custom template, your reports will reflect the exact data your customers desire and need
  • Create perceived value—all of our reports are custom branded with your logo and company information, making it appear to your customers that you built this software just for them!
  • Easy mobile access—whether on iPhone, iPad, or an Android device, we’ve got you covered. Inspect & Cloud allows you to get things done in the field quickly.

Leave your competition behind

Unfortunately, property managers are still holding back business and personal growth by using inefficient means to complete inspections. From age-old methods of using pen and paper to relying on clunky Excel spreadsheets – managers all over the world are struggling to keep up with change.

By simply engaging with technology advancements and integrating property inspection software into your companies’ operations, you place yourself ahead of the competition. The guest experience improves massively when you use this type of tool to complete your practices. Plus, you can access any information you need at any time. Instead of trawling through filing cabinets, you search your software exactly how you would a Google search. Instead of loose bits of paper clogging up your office, you open your web app on your laptop and get working.

In every aspect of management, integrating your company with property inspection software instantly propels you above the competition.

Ability to “Close the Loop” on Action Items

Closing the loop assures that a system or a process performs within controlled limits. This process can best be described as the most effective way of planning and monitoring in order to assure that the desired outputs are obtained. While this is also possible in a paper-based system, the inspection software comes with more benefits and it’s easier to manage, considering that the amount of actions needed to achieve the desired results is reduced. Reducing the number of actions leads to reducing the chances of mistakes appearing throughout the entire closing the loop process. Inspection software has a high capacity of being customized for the client’s needs, offering the ability to “close the loop” on action items and a wide variety of other features which are, most of the times, easier to use than the classic paper-based inspection system.

Standardization of Inspection Checklists Across Locations

Uniformity across locations is one of the most significant problems encountered in the industry. It’s extensive type work, and you need that special type of efficient employee who enjoys checking out all the little details to perfection. It requires a lot of hours and attention, and it’s one of the areas where mistakes are most likely to appear. By using inspection software, anyone can quickly check in real time if the standardization of inspection checklists (for example) across various locations is being met. Unfortunately, this is something the old pen and paper can’t do!

Faster Inspections

The time it takes to complete an inspection depends on a few factors.

  • How long it takes an inspector to find previous inspections.
  • The time to find directions to the site.
  • How quickly an inspector can assess and write notes.

This can add up to several hours. With Codepal, the history of an address is accessible instantly. Along with a google map of the location. While on site, the inspector can click through checklists instantly.

Accurate Data/Minimizing Errors

The accuracy of inspection data is important to your business. As well as minimizing errors in reporting codebook references. With paper inspections, codebook reference must be searched in a book. These can easily be misquoted. Instead, let Codepal checklists automatically reference the code. However if needed, Codepal stores your codebooks that are easily searched.

Ways that digital property management inspections give back your most valuable commodity—TIME

  • Easily Plan Your Property Management Inspections Daily — Property Management Inspection software like Inspect & Cloud allows you to easily add and schedule property inspections that can be viewed in calendar, map, or list view, making it easy for you or your inspectors to plan out their day.
  • Eliminate Paper With Digital Property Management Inspection Reports — Going green is something everyone from NBC Universal to NAR is doing. The amount of office “real estate” you’ll save by no loner being bound to filing cabinets, copy machines, file folders will surprise you. Of course, property management inspection apps like Inspect & Cloud allow you to easily print a report (if needed) or download and/or email a PDF report from your phone.
  • Empower An Office Staffer To Become A Property Inspector — A digital property management inspection app like Inspect & Cloud is so easy to use that you can easily train your employees to inspect properties for you. Real time progress and monitoring allows you to keep track of who’s out in the field and where.
  • Easily Generate Your Property Inspection Report Form — A clear, professional property management inspection report helps you showcase your expertise to property owners, and makes it easy for you to compare any notes listed as part of a Residential Lease Inventory and Condition Form. A clean PDF property management inspection report gives you more evidence to support your Itemization of Security Deposit, as well.
  • Simple Checkboxes, Autotext, and Built-In Camera Cut Time off Property Management Inspections — An easy to use graphical interface on both the web application and mobile iPhone or iPad app (Android in development!) allows you and your inspectors to quickly, efficiently, and accurately move through a property and perform an inspection. You define everything you wish to have reviewed during a property management inspection. Everything is spelled out, so nothing is missed by your Property Inspector.
Posted on

Your Flat Roof Problems Solved

FLAT ROOF REPAIR

it can be difficult to find a contractor that you know is reliable. Before you start typing into that search engine, there are somethings that you need to know about finding a contractor.

You will also need to understand what makes your flat roof different from other roofs. So, let’s start there. Let’s explore your roof. Then talk about the repairs you may need. Finally we will discuss what you need to look for in a contractor. Once we tie it all together, you will easily be able to find the perfect supplier for your needs.

How are they different?

Flat roofs are the type of roofing that you usually see on commercial buildings. Rather than coming up to a point, they are low and have no point. They are called flat, but in reality they simply have a low grade slope.

What are the common problems with flat roofs?

As with any roof option, you will need to make sure that you have your roof regularly inspected. It is common for them to have drainage problems. Without proper drainage, water will pool and cause weak spots in the decking.

Ways to find a contractor to fix your flat roof problems

The best way to find a contractor is to start by asking people for recommendations. You can find out a lot by talking to your neighbours, friends, and relatives.

Creative ways to make the most of your flat roof

As homeowners are finding more and more ways to utilize all areas of the home, the roof is evolving into a trove of wonders. Want extra space for a terrace or patio? Try a flat roof design.  Want an extra outdoor space or conservatory? Try a flat roof. No room for gardening and lack of exterior area? Try a flat roof and consolidate space.

Although flat roofs have been around for centuries in home and villa design, it wan’t until Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe that they gained popularity and became almost a necessary design element for a certain sense of modernity in homes.  Roofs are a wonderful way to create semi-indoor environments for almost any purpose, even if it’s just extra space!

One of the best uses of a flat roof is for personal gardening.  As the span of the roof is typically the size of a standard garden, this will give you the opportunity to provide sustenance for your family on a scale that is profitable and plentiful.

One thing to consider before constructing your roof top garden, is that the roof will allow for proper drainage.  This might be best to hire a professional for and an inspector, to make sure the job is done right. The last thing you want is sitting water and dirt to affect the foundation of your home.  You can also do what this homeowner did and use the roof top area for general green space and medium- to larger-sized trees.

This option will depend on your family and the climate you live in—it will also depend on where you feel it is important to invest your money. Some experts say that adding a pool (particularly in-ground) will add value to your home in the long run and make it more appealing to future buyers.  Others argue the opposite.  This all depends on where you live—if you’re in a warmer or tropical climate where most homes include pools, then go for it!

FLAT ROOFING FOR YOUR HOME

Flat roofs in Reading may not be the most glamorous choice, nor the most exciting thing to think about in terms of property improvement. However, once you know more about the pros of this roofing type, it quickly becomes apparent that this is a great choice to make.

However, having great success with your roofing system all stems from which roofing company in Reading you choose to work with.

Common Uses for Flat Roofing

One of the traits that makes flat roofing so unique, as well as popular, is the ability for it to be more functional. Your flat roof can do more than just protect the building underneath.

Flat Roofs Make Roof Repairs and Cleaning Your Gutters Easier

Flat roofs are known for many things, but few people think of how convenient they are. For one thing, when it comes to repairs or even roof replacement, this is an easier system to use for accessing it and taking good care of the rooftop.

It’s also easier to access your gutters which play such an integral role in protecting your roof, siding, and even the foundation of your building, from rain water. Your gutters and roof work together as a system and if one has a problem, the other will as well.

Things you Need to Know About Sun Tunnels

Sun tunnels, light pipes, sun tubes – whatever you know them as – will transform a dark or windowless room into an area full of natural light and energy.

What is a sun tunnel and how do they work?

A sun tunnel is a fantastic addition to an area of your home where it hasn’t been possible for natural light to get to before. They channel sunlight from your roof, down a highly reflective tube into the necessary room below

What options are available for a sun tunnel?

The sun tunnel itself is available in either flexible or rigid option. Both have their own benefits which outweigh the other, and should help you choose which would be perfect for your home.

Rigid sun tunnels – the better of the two available, rigid sun tubes give you a better light transmittance than the flexible sun tunnel. Rigid sun tunnels allow for the light to channel down the tube from roof to ceiling in a direct motion. The less the light bounces off the internal surface of the tube, the more natural light you will get in the required room. Rigid sun tunnels can offer up to 20m of effective light distribution.

Flexible sun tunnels – the low cost solution for adding natural light. Perfect for shorter distances, the flexible tube allows you to negotiate around obstructions in the roof space.

Basics on Flat Roof Insulation

The importance of flat roof insulation

Flat roof insulation is yet another way to properly protect your home from unwanted external and internal effects and provide your home preferable thermal and acoustic comfort. First of all, bear in mind the difference between flat and pitched roofs, just as the difference between some subcategories and classifications within these roof types, which will also determine the type of insulation you need. We herewith offer some flat roof insulation basics that will show you the importance of proper insulation and help you make the right decision.

Flat roofs: Definition and Classification

Let’s start from the top, by defining and determining the very definition of a flat roof. Namely, a flat roof is a building covering which is set horizontally with very low pitch, which is the basic difference when compared to pitched roofs. Flat roofs are usually covered with some type of waterproof material, being the membrane of the roof, allowing the water to run off into a gutter system which directs it to the ground or to a built drainage system. Flat roofs are usually made out of concrete, as a cheaper way to provide adequate protection form the heat, especially in warmer climes, where freezing is not expected during colder time of the year or flat roofs can have a timber structure which is much more appropriate and useful in colder climes where there is a potential danger of water freeze which can lead to breaking up of concrete structure due to ice expansion. Concrete flat roofs are usually reinforced with some insulation material, such as extruded or expanded polystyrene board, mineral or glass fiber batts, phenolic or urethane foam board, which are placed under the roof covering. Timber structure flat roofs on the other hand usually have mineral or glass fiber quilt placed between the joists.

Another thing to know about flat roof insulation is the basic flat roof types. Flat roofs are generally classified as “cold” or “warm” roofs, depending on the thermal insulation position. Cold flat roofs structural components are not protected from the heat by a insulation layer which makes them susceptible to damaging caused by thermal movement, why they are not recommended now days, though commonly used.  Thermal insulation in cold roofs is placed under the structural deck, between the joists. On the other hand, in warm flat roofs insulation is laid above the structural deck, which maintains the temperature of the deck at the inner temperature level, thus protecting it from any extreme cold or hot influences and making it less subject to thermal movement.

Flat roof insulation: Methods and Materials

There are also some things to consider and take care of before installing flat roof insulation. The first thing is flat roof ventilation. Simply put, proper ventilation enables hot air and accumulated moisture to escape, which is very important since moisture, gathered around joists will in time effect insulation performance. Since flat roofs don’t have any eaves, proper ventilation could be provided through exterior wall side vents or roof vents. Another important thing are vapor barriers as protective layers which prevent any remained  moisture to cause the drop ceiling or drywall to rot, placed between the ceiling panels and joist and insulation. Finally, another thing to take into account in flat roof insulation is sealing any bypass, which appear as any crack or hole in the insulation, such as the space around lighting fixtures. These bypasses can cause warm air leakage, let cold air in or create moisture air pockets, so it is important to properly seal them.

There are some basic methods applied in flat roof insulation. Namely, the insulation can be installed within the structure zone, with or without ventilation, usually between the existing roof joists, which could be a good solution, since this way you maintain the existing structure and its thickness. However, this method of insulation usually involves the removal of roof decking and covering, so it is best done whenever you decide to renewal your roof covering. Another method of insulating a flat roof is insulation above the roof structure, done by applying warm or inverted deck system. Warm deck system is based on the use of resistant insulation boards, since another deck is raised between the already existing one. This can be done by using rigid insulation and directly installing a new roof covering or by raising another timber structure above the existing one. Inverted deck system, as a variation of the previously explained warm deck system, involves placing the insulation above waterproofing layer. Finally, another way to insulate your flat roof is by applying insulation beneath the structure, which will depend on room heights, by simply adding another ceiling  below the existing one, using shallow joists.