Month: November 2017

Building a new custom home is more than just exciting. It presents an opportunity to define how you want your new house to look like by choosing the materials, flooring, paint, cabinets, etc. However, it is something that can be quite stressful if you are not adequately prepared and don’t know about the building stages and timeline.

Depending on the weather conditions, Square footage and availability of supplies and labor, the construction of a custom home can take anywhere from 3 to 12 months. You have to be prepared to make crucial decisions along the way. The process can be overwhelming, but learning the timeline can make things a little bit easier

Week 1- Site Preparation

Once this stage starts, you can pass the responsibility to the contractors. All will be set in stone as far as the appearance and construction of your house are concerned. You can expect a lot of heavy machinery to come in this stage. The workers will be busy clearing, digging and leveling the lot according to the architect’s plan. It will be the first time that you will see the rough shape of your home which can be exhilarating.

Week 2 to 5- Footings, Foundation & Framing

During this stage, the contractor will be dealing with pouring concrete into the home’s foundation. Once the footers have been installed and inspected, the concrete slab will be poured, and the house will have a sturdy composition for framing.

The walls, floors, and roof will then be framed out with timber. This is the skeleton of the house. When framing is done, another inspection will then done to verify that everything is done according to paper.

This stage involves a lot of structural work and so, expect delays if the weather is unsuitable or if inspections fail.

Week 6 to 8: Essentials

Once the skeleton is complete, the workers can start filling the house with elements that make it look more and function as a home. Expect experts to begin installing essentials like plumbing lines, heating and cooling units as well as electrical systems. The walls will also start to close up with drywall and insulation.

Week 9 to 11: Flooring & Paint

Up to this stage, all you’ll see on your house construction site is a lot of wood, concrete, and drywall. However, at this point, it will start looking more like a home. Flooring will be installed, cabinets will go in and the stuff you like such as mouldings and trim will be installed. It’s not unusual for you to smile at this stage as your home will start to look like the drawings your architect presented months ago.

Week 12- Appliances and Fixtures

During this stage, delivery trucks will make regular stops at your house. That is because it’s when sub-contractors start installing countertops, faucets, plugs, lighting fixtures and other appliances. Your front yard will also be undergoing a substantial transformation if you have availed landscaping services.

Of course, you’ll have been asked to pick these fittings before they are delivered. Do not delay the move-in date by making changes at the last minute. There are numerous tools out there that can help you with the overall home design.

Closing

This is the last stage and even though you may be excited and anxious to occupy your new house, ensure that all your concerns and questions are addressed before settling in. This way, all loose ends will be tied and your home will be cleaned before you move in.

Are you planning a cross-country vacation to discover your country first hand? Are you planning an extensive driving trip to see your loved ones? Well, one of the best ways to enjoy this is through a recreational vehicle. There are numerous benefits to driving a lot of miles in a travel trailer. Some of these benefits include comfort, deluxe accommodations and enjoying the numerous features of a typical home.

As nice as it is to discover that travelling by a recreational vehicle can be exciting, many people are uncertain about acting upon it. One of the biggest concerns is the purchasing cost of a travel trailer. If you are interested in RVing, but cannot afford to own one, there are other options. Trailer rentals are currently on a low-cost path. However, they can still be expensive if you are not prudent. That being said, here are some important tips for choosing motor homes or travel trailers.

Know Your Choices

The most effective technique to ascertain success when leasing a trailer is knowing all your options. First and foremost, analyse all your options in terms of local trailer leasing companies. There may be many rentals to choose from.

Next, inspect the makes and models that are available for hire. For comfort and safety, choose an RV that’s able to lodge you and your group. For instance, a family of six travellers should not try to travel in a trailer meant for five. Ideally, check the features like onboard TV, DVD units, electric receptacles, etc.

Compare the Rental Costs

As previously stated, you are likely to have various vehicle hire companies to choose from. In order to control the price of your future RV trip, compare costs. While comparing the average leasing price for various companies, also check the different trailers. As formerly stated, size isn’t something that you will want to compromise. However, if you limit the other features, you can be able to save some money.

Be Careful When Using the Trailer

Care is a vital element when it comes to renting recreational vehicles. If you’re not cautious, you might be financially liable for any damage sustained. That is why you should always exercise forethought. A few tips include keeping all your food and beverages sealed, avoid cooking when motoring as it can cause stains, etc. Additionally, if you are bringing children along, ensure you lay a few ground rules.

Return Your Travel Trailer on Time

Returning your RV on time is valuable in holding your hire expenses low. Tardy rentals often receive late fees. If these late fees exist, they ought to be defined in the trailer renting contract. If you know you are going beyond schedule, ensure you contact the leasing company and inform them of the hold up as soon as you can.

These are some of the most important things to consider when renting a trailer for recreational travelling purposes. Keep them in mind, and you will have the experience you really want.