Monthly Archives: November 2020

What Is Involved in Building a Home From Scratch?

Building a house from scratch is an exciting endeavor. The house is built to your specifications, and you get to see the project through from start to finish. The following broadly outlines the three phases of the home-building process.

Planning

The first phase is planning. Many individuals and families first look at existing homes on the market and see that none of them are quite right, so they decide to build one from scratch. The planning phase also involves securing financing, purchasing land, choosing a floor plan and selecting a contractor for home design Jacksonville FL. In some cases, you can modify an existing house plan so that it better meets your needs. If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires or other disasters, you may need to make some modifications to ensure your home is as safe as possible.

Building

Once the plans are in place, it is time to begin preparing the lot and building the home. Most people hire a general contractor to coordinate every step of the process. There will be carpenters, painters, electricians, roofers and others. Although many homeowners leave everything up to the contractors, some choose to work on smaller projects toward the end of construction to save money.

Finishing

The last phase begins with the final inspection. This is where you and the builder walk through the home and identify any problems that need to be addressed before you move in. After the issues have been noted, a schedule should be set for repairing them. The repairs may be completed before or after you close on the home. Reach out to the builder if you have any questions or concerns.

The above outline covers only the broad strokes of the home-building process. Completing a custom-built home is a complex endeavor and can take six months to a year or longer.

Improving Your WFH Space with Solar Screens

Like many across the nation, you may be working from home for the time being or even indefinitely. Maybe you’ve converted a seldom used desk or second bedroom into your work-from-home (WFH) office, or maybe you were fortunate enough to already have a complete office space. Whatever your situation may be, comfort is a major factor in daily productivity. Along with an ergonomic chair, large enough desk space, and a supply of coffee, the temperature of your WFH space and the amount light it receives during the day is critical to focus. If you’re feeling too warm or the area has an unbearable glare, your discomfort will likely impede your work flow for the day. Maybe where your office is located is one of the warmest parts of your home. In this case, we know it’s challenging to sit focused for hours on end without needing to turn a fan on, change clothes, or leave the room entirely to work elsewhere. What should you do to make your WFH setup more efficient? There is an easy solution that can be implemented fairly easily that will keep your WFH space cool, perfectly lit, and comfortable.

Solar screens provide the cooling that uncomfortably warm rooms need during the day. They do this by cutting down on glare and amount of sunlight entering the room. This effectively dims your WFH space, too, so you have the perfect working conditions to get your daily tasks completed. Here are all the benefits of solar screens that you should know about when considering adding them to your home.

They Block the Sun’s Heat

When you install custom solar screens in your WFH office or other space you use to work, the screens will prevent a large percentage of the sun’s heat from entering through the windows. How can screens realistically do this? They’re designed with durable, vinyl-coated polyester yarns that are uniformly woven. The screen colors—which is often offered in colors like black, beige, brown, and grey—block the heat and reflect the light away from your windows. Instead of sweltering as the afternoon sun sets on the windows where you’re working, solar screens will make the area much cooler and more comfortable to sit in for extended amounts of time. Plus, solar screens can block the sun’s harmful UV rays so your furniture and your skin will be better protected.

They Provide Light Control

Not only do solar screens keep unwanted heat out, but they also provide a dimming effect for your windows. If you constantly battle morning or afternoon glare reflecting off of your computer monitors or glasses, screens can be a significant game changer! While they allow enough light in for plants, screens will erase that annoying glare so you can clearly focus on your tasks at hand.

Screens Offer Daytime Privacy

If your windows face your neighbor’s house or a public street, solar screens can offer excellent daytime privacy. When you’re trying to focus or make calls, the last thing you want to do is worry about people peering into your home. While you will be able to clearly see out, others will not be able to do the same.

Incredible Energy Savings

You may have noticed that working from home has saved you money by not heading out to the office every day. You can add to those savings when you install solar screens! Since your office or designated space will be cooler, you won’t need to run your air conditioning as frequently. This is an incredible benefit that you may have not considered.

 

Installing solar screens is relatively easy and cost-effective. You’ll need to have them custom made to the specific dimensions of your windows and determine whether you’ll need screens for traditional windows or half circle arch screens for arch windows. If you don’t have solar screens installed in your home, don’t be surprised when you fall in love with their heat reducing and cost-saving perks! While working from home may not be your ideal situation, there are ways like this one to make your at-home office or other work space as efficient and comfortable as possible so you can be at the top of your game.

 

Why a Two-Bedroom Apartment is a Great Choice for Couples Moving in Together

You and your spouse are moving in together and debating between a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment. You shouldn’t be having this debate because a two-bedroom is such a great option for young couples moving to a new place in a thriving and exciting city.

How to Use an Extra Bedroom

When you rent a two-bedroom apartment as a couple, you open yourself up to many exciting possibilities. First of all, you can convert one bedroom into an entertainment area where you meet with friends or spend time apart. Remember – the best couples know that they need to take a break from time to time to stay healthy. However, you can also use your extra bedroom to make money.

How is this possible? By converting your spare bedroom into an office where you can work on a side hustle when you’re not at your day-time job. Many people convert extra NYC bedrooms into areas for massages, writing centers, a work area for many types of businesses that they run after work or on the weekends. And when seeking out a two-bedroom apartment in NYC, make sure that you pay attention to amenities that make the move-in easier and more affordable.

Amenities That Make This Easier

Though a two-bedroom apartment may cost you more initially, many are available with a free three-month rental plan that makes it easier for you to get on your feet and start making some money in your new job. Others offer benefits such as decreased heating and cooling bills or adjustable utilities that you can tweak based on your two-bedroom apartment and your needs as a couple, further cutting costs.

Ensure that your complex also has good amenities for children, should you and your spouse ever want to convert the spare bedroom into a place for an upcoming child. Daycare options are great as they allow you and your spouse to work instead of staying at home with the young one. You may also want to consider complexes with play areas for children, such as various types of gyms and playgrounds where they can play and make friends.

Start Your Search Today

Whether you’re looking for a 2 bedroom luxury apartment East Side Manahttan option or plan on moving to another neighborhood, you and your spouse should have a much better time if you find a way to make a two-bedroom option work for your needs.