Thursday, March 14, 2013

Top Five Mistakes Home Improvement

In recent years, I have asked hundreds of questions on home improvement, and I noticed that many of the results of the same mistakes. Understand it. While home improvement can be exciting and fun, it's not something you do every day. Most of the projects long trip airport on the way to completion and the trap is sometimes too easy to avoid.

Here are five simple home improvement ban drive around, ensuring that your project will be fled:

Mistake # 1: Painting Before Prepping

Cat offers one of the easiest and least expensive ways to change a room. And it looks so easy, right? Choose a color, open cans, brush and dunk on you are ready to run. This is why homeowners often skip the prep work painting.

Unfortunately, if the surface is not cleaned, patched, sanded and primed before, the disappointing results are sure to follow. Take the primer coat: Primer paint glue along the wall, make sure the color is going very well. Without it, carefully selected paint color will look uneven and started peeling off the walls, sending you back to the store for your second attempt.

One more thing: Before you choose a color, formulation research and Sheens that works best for your space and always go for the highest quality you can buy. A top-of-the-line finish takes beautiful, long-lasting and provide the best return-on-investment in the long run. Choosing the right finish for this project is also key. Semi-gloss look great in any trim but add even a slight sheen on the surface of the wall and you will see any imperfections that can be in the next hour day was cast over the surface. Select "washed" flat to wall, ceiling to paint the ceiling (it actually dripped a bit!) And you choose to shine trim, cabinet or wood.

Mistake # 2: Growing Without a Plan

This past weekend, as I looked around my local garden center to select the seeds for the summer garden, I remembered another common mistake that even I had to make: choosing the wrong plants for space. An easy place home and garden center, crammed beautiful bouquet and aroma of spring, garden inspiration gone. But do not fall victim to the excitement of choosing a marvelous leaves only to come home and find you have to hit your favorite flowers love the sun in the shade, or you've invested in a perennial that will meet the previously designated space fully mature.

Before you go to the garden center to make a list of what you want to plant and where it will go. Write the day and color patterns in your yard, planting space available to measure and follow the nursery label, detailing how many plants need light and water and how big they grow. As the saying goes, plan your work and work the plan. The result is a landscape that you can enjoy for years to come.

Mistake # 3: Under Insulating

I heard from a lot of green-loving homeowners about their big plans: They're talking about wind turbines, solar panels, geo-thermal wells, furniture hybrid. Although there is no reason not dream big dreams green project, it's just as important to ensure that you have the basics covered, such as adequate insulation. The right amount of insulation can reduce heating and cooling bills by 20 percent, not to mention, it is easier and cheaper to install than the average wind turbine you!

Insulation standards are changed periodically, which means that most homes are not nearly enough. Your attic should be between 19 and 22 inches of insulation blown-in or batt. If you are nervous about working with itchy insulation, look for poly-encapsulated products. It is encased in a plastic coating to reduce exposure to fiberglass particles. The "weave" of fiberglass itself is also longer and more like cotton, leaving fewer particles to escape into the air and respiratory irritant.

Mistake # 4: Calling the Contractor Too Fast

Even the most daring-do it yourself-ers are against a project that is outside of the set-kitchen update their skills, electrical work, to name a few. But smart homeowners build is complete, a comprehensive plan no matter how small adjustments. You may not need an architect to design a plan for the reconstruction of the shower, but you will find your desired cabinet, tile and fixture options and choice of finish. If you have not made this decision before you call a contractor, in processes for pricing based on what they want to believe rather than what you actually expect.

Set yourself up for a smooth process, more satisfying to build your own specs: Ideas and options products. Then you can give them to contractors for bid comparing apples-to-apples. By investing some thought and preparation in the beginning, you will get the best price on a home improvement eventually.

Mistake # 5: Getting Too Personal

Your home is a reflection of, your sense of values ​​and lifestyle choices. But if you want to sell your home, the important point to remember is that they are more unique and your choice is, the more can affect the value of the home.

For example, several years ago I was asked to check the house built by Rutgers University professor in New Jersey. He worried that the house was not sold and was wondering what the problem might be. Upon arrival, it became clear. He built the house in the form of geodesic! As an academic talent, I'm sure he found the house very inspiring. But for the average home buyer, too unbelievable.

The same thing can happen when making a choice of home decor. Beware the bold stroke that can be difficult to cancel, especially if you want to put your house on the market. To be honest, there's nothing better than selling the house neutral, the approach that we learned from the corporate migration took to sell a house fast. The first thing they did was to update the shell interior with white paint and neutral carpet. This does not mean you can not have fun with your decorating choices, consider only the choices that make you happy when you are there, as well as the future of home buyers who may not have a feel Your magnificent.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Entering the skills gap is our priority

THE skills gap and youth unemployment remains a major life issues in our region. Business committed to training and development of young people - as shown by the 84% increase in our region began an internship.

We need to take advantage of this to help create jobs for our youth and our region address the skills gap.

NECC has made a public commitment to encourage companies to work more closely with community education to help solve this problem.

Our priority skills build on Bridging the Gap report identifies skills gaps exist.

Core literacy, numeracy and communication skills are considered to be less and work skills.

Last Tuesday, the host NECC Bridging Skills Gap event in partnership with Gateshead College and the University of Teesside. The ground-breaking event held at Gateshead College Skills Academy for Sustainable Manufacturing and Innovation.

The name of this place can not exactly roll off the tongue, but its existence provides a clear example of the benefits of collaboration and demonstrates the success of achieving the same shot at Gateshead College and Nissan with their longstanding partnerships.

Gateshead College collaborative relationship with Nissan showcased in the organization of new recruits for existing employees.

This partnership has enabled each organization to stay on the cutting edge of their field. Obviously good advert for what can be achieved.

Nissan also highlights examples concerned the skills gap. The company will have to find new members from Eastern Europe because it has to meet the skills required in the North East.

Concrete examples needed to galvanize the region to take action and meet the skills gap now.

The Teesside University Simpsongroup showcased the partnership through knowledge transfer program - a three-way partnership between companies, graduates and academic staff at the university.

Knowledge transfer for businesses and universities. Again, this is a mutually beneficial relationship. With this latest partnership with Teesside University, Simpsongroup has developed a new IT system that enables diversification.

We are offering to push the agenda of skills and make a positive difference in the economy of the North East. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Muckle LLP Commercial Law team scoops national award

Newcastle-based commercial law firm Muckle LLP won the title of Regional Law Office Attorneys Year Award 2012.

The judge said it took the award as the best Muckle from London because of the strategic delivery, consistent vision of excellent customer service, strong client base and spread the work, as well as excellent financial performance.

They were impressed with the commitment of Muckle LLP in the North East, while continuing to win national and international work.

And they recognize that commissioning Deloitte Muckle - to conduct a review of their work and market position - providing clear evidence of exceptional performance, especially compared to many major law firms in the UK.

Stephen McNicol, managing partner at Muckle LLP, said: "We are not the largest regional law firms, but we have a great team of people and some very interesting support and client.

"Over the last few years we have really focused on developing strong relationships and empower our people to provide the best advice and service they can.

"This award will recognize the success we have this approach.