Business

Transform Your Home With Custom Interior Shutters

Transform Your Home With Custom Interior Shutters

RalphSlaske

Customize Your Home’s Look and Feel With Interior Shutters

Have you been thinking about giving your home a little facelift lately? Custom interior shutters could be just the thing you need. They’re an easy, stylish upgrade that can completely transform the look and feel of your space.

You’re probably familiar with exterior custom shutters, but interior shutters take it to the next level. They give you total control over how much light comes into each room. Fully open, partially open, or completely closed – you decide based on your mood and needs. And unlike blinds which can look outdated, shutters have a timeless style that instantly enhances the character of your home. 

The best part is you have complete creative freedom. Choose from a variety of materials like wood, faux wood or vinyl in colors and stains to match your home’s decor. Get them in a casual louvered style or a more formal raised panel. Have them custom made to fit oddly-shaped windows or made to measure for a perfect fit. However you envision it, custom interior shutters can make it happen.

The Many Benefits of Custom Interior Shutters

Interior shutters are a stylish way to transform the look and feel of your home.  You can choose from a variety of materials like wood, faux wood, vinyl or aluminum. Wood and faux wood provide a classic look, while vinyl and aluminum are low-maintenance, budget-friendly options.  

With custom interior shutters, you have full control over the size, shape, and color.  Want to block out light in your bedroom or add privacy to your bathroom window?  Interior shutters have you covered.  You can choose full-height shutters that cover the entire window, half-height shutters for the bottom portion, or café style shutters that cover just the bottom half. 

For extra light control, opt for shutters with adjustable louvers.  Tilt the louvers open to let in light and fresh air or close them up for total blackout.  Custom interior shutters also provide insulation, helping reduce energy costs.  They create an air pocket that acts as an effective insulator, keeping your rooms warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

The options for customizing your interior shutters are endless.  Choose a paint or stain color that matches your existing decor or opt for a bold color to make a statement.  Add decorative hardware like hinges, pulls or knobs for an extra special touch.  Whatever your style, custom interior shutters are an easy, stylish way to transform the look and feel of your home.

How to Choose the Best Custom Shutters for Your Home

Custom interior shutters offer so many benefits for your home.

Versatility

Custom shutters can be made to fit any window shape or size. Whether you have an arched window, bay window or skylight, custom shutters will be made to match for a perfect fit. They also come in a variety of materials like wood, composite, vinyl and aluminum so you can choose the style that complements your home’s decor.

Functionality

Interior shutters serve both decorative and practical purposes. They can block light when closed or let the perfect amount of light in when partially open. Custom interior shutters also provide insulation, helping reduce heating and cooling costs. Some can even be outfitted with hardware to tilt open for ventilation.

Durability 

High-quality wood or composite custom shutters are built to last and come with lengthy warranties. They are able to withstand changes in temperature and humidity without warping or fading. Custom shutters made of aluminum or vinyl are virtually maintenance-free. Any style you choose will provide years of beauty and service. 

Value

While custom interior shutters may cost more upfront, they add significant value to your home.  Not only do they instantly enhance curb appeal and resale value, but they can also save money on energy costs over the lifetime of your home. 

 Custom interior shutters transform the look and feel of your rooms. They are a stylish and worthwhile investment that you’ll enjoy for years to come.

Pedram Zohrevand

6 Things To Look For In A Structural Engineer

RalphSlaske

There are many reasons why a commercial property owner would look to hire a structural engineer, Such as Pedram Zohrevand. The use of a structural engineer is usually needed for certain projects, such as the development or repair of a public building such as a hospital or school to ensure safety or retrofitting buildings in seismic zones. When you are looking to choose a structural engineer, it is vital you seek out an engineer who is qualified, licensed, and experienced in the project you are undertaking.

Pedram Zohrevand

Do you need a structural engineer?

One of the big questions you need to answer when you are thinking of hiring a structural engineer is, do you need a professional so qualified. Home Advisor reports the skills of a structural engineer are needed when a homeowner believes they are affected by foundation problems. Whether you are looking to build a new home or simply complete some renovations, a structural engineer will be needed to make certain the structural integrity of property remains intact at all times.

Licensing

There are many aspects of the work of a structural engineer to consider, including the fact the chosen professional has the correct licenses. The Structural Engineers Association of California reports one of the main concerns for a property owner when looking for a structural engineer is to ensure their chosen professional has the correct licenses and education to operate legally.

This usually means the engineer has completed the approval stages of the professional engineer’s license that requires an individual to complete the correct number of years of work experience. The professional engineer’s license is the first step along the way to becoming a structural engineer that takes an additional three years of experience and education to be completed following the initial license being approved.

Making sure your Expectations are Matched

One of the biggest problems facing many property owners is making sure their expectations are met when they employ a structural engineer. Chron reports a good option to take is to make many of the decisions about completing your project prior to contacting your chosen structural engineer. Flexibility is a vital part of the work being done by a structural engineer because the construction projects that you will be working on often require changes to be made as new obstacles and budgetary changes are made.

By arriving in the office of a structural engineer with a clear set of expectations you will be able to set the parameters of the project more easily. At the first meeting between the property owner and the structural engineer, the borders of the working relationship should be established with decisions about ordering and handling materials established with ease.

Construction Experience

When you are looking for a structural engineer, such as Pedram Zohrevand you should be certain they have more experience than just in the design sector of the profession. Instead, your structural engineer should take on a range of roles with the design they come up with capable of being built by the construction team. The construction experience of the engineer should allow them to take control of overseeing the project to completion and fit into the budget you have set.

A Range of Experience

When you choose to work with a structural engineer you should be certain they have the skills and experience to complete your project with ease. When you first meet a structural engineer they should be able to provide you with images and information regarding the work they have completed similar to the project you are planning to undertake. By making sure your engineer has the correct amount of experience in similar projects to yours the structural engineer of your choice will be able to lead your project correctly.

Costs of your Project

By making the right decision when it comes to hiring a structural engineer you should have a definite idea of how much your project will cost. When the engineer accepts your project they should produce an estimate of costs for their services and the cost of the entire project. These costs should be included in an agreement signed between the property owner and the structural engineer that is signed by both parties to ensure no problems will be seen come to the end of the construction project.

JMD-Furniture

4 Ways Furniture Staging Can Increase Real Estate Sales

RalphSlaske

JMD-Furniture

Real estate agents use different ways to sell homes, but the most effective method used is home staging. Staging a house makes the home presentable in the best way possible. It encourages prospective buyers to imagine living in that home. Since the housing market is competitive, staging your home will help you to shine above the rest because homebuyers are now accustomed to looking at a staged home in shows, and online.

What does it mean to stage your home?

To stage your home, you need to strategically plan your decor and furnishings in a manner that makes the house presentable to sell to anyone who is looking for a home. You can go for various ways to achieve this. You can get new decor items, or rent some furnishings. You can sell your home easily if you stage it.

One of the best ways to stage your home is by staging furniture. JMD Furniture would like to share with you four ways in which home furniture can help you sell your home.

Rent Furniture

You can remove the oldest furniture you have in your house. It can be tough to remove some furniture because people tend to get attached to house items. But if you reduce the number of furniture, your house will look bigger and more appealing to buyers.

To help you do this easily, JMD Furniture Founder Dev Joshi recommends that you have to shift your focus to the buyer and detach yourself from the house. When you do this, you will make the space more appealing for the buyer to have the best chance of purchasing your house.

If you don’t have furniture that looks showroom ready, then you need to replace them with new furniture. You can remove the older pieces and put them to storage, donate, or sell them. You can then borrow some pop-furniture or some other newer pieces of furniture that will strike an appeal to the buyer.

Rearrange the Furniture

After disposing of the old furniture, and renting some new furniture, position the chairs, couches, and tables from the walls and maximize the space in the house. This design technique is known as floating. You can then add an area rug in a wall-to-wall room carpet to create a cozy, ideal, and intimate space.

Always ensure that you use the right furniture size. If you go for large furniture, your room may seem small; if you go for small furniture, your space can feel cold. Avoid using cheap furniture but rent out quality furniture. As you arrange your furniture, keep in mind the room you are setting up. If it’s organizing the living room, you can place the seats to gather around the fireplace area.

Flooring

No home buyer would like to stay in a stained carpet. For a replacement on the type of floor you have, you can go for wooden floors which can be pricey. When you have hardwood floors, it will add elegance and value to your home. Additionally, the wooden floors are usually cheap to maintain, they offer long-term value to the house, and they are good for people who have allergies.

Use outdoor furniture

After cleaning, removing dead plants and placing fresh, colorful plants, you need to improve the decor of the lawn. You can begin by repainting the front door, and then place creative looking outdoor furniture to create an inviting space for your guests.

Andrew Charlton

How AI Can Create More Jobs Within the Construction Industry

RalphSlaske
Andrew Charlton
The future of construction is going to increase the need for non-physical demanding jobs because technology will be handling these jobs. Two of the most uncertain areas of construction are the industry’s innovation culture and task automation.

In a study that created scenarios that are evidence-based for the year 2036, the study depicts that manufacturing and automation could grow in the field of construction, leading to the creation of more knowledge-intensive jobs. The study was keen to highlight how difficult and dangerous jobs will be eliminated by future technology especially due to the aging workforce.

When experts were asked about the extent to which automation could affect the tasks that were operated by humans, there was no consensus as to how many tasks would be automated. The point of contention that came up was how courageous the industry would be to create new solutions and jobs. The research suggested that the construction workforce would have to understand the use of digital applications which will transform traditional communication systems and project management.

Construction jobs for the future

The scenario development and trend analysis in the study above came up with new construction industry jobs in the year 2036 which included:

Augmented/virtual reality trainers

Developments in the augmented and virtual reality technology are going to provide low-cost immersive working environments where trainers and apprentices can virtually hold meetings and training functions on areas like the design studio, factory, work-site and other areas.

Building assembly technician

This will involve workers who examine data feeds and oversee the robotic systems throughout the life-cycle of a project. These workers will ensure that the workflows are optimized and adjustments are made in real time to adjust the process using the feedback from clients about the changes in design and materials.

Building drone operators

These professionals will be tasked with controlling and programming drones for complex tasks like site maintenance, site inspection and delivery of materials.

Robot resource managers

Robots that will be used in the construction workforce will need people who will take care of software programming, commissioning, re-purposing and maintenance and even the recycling of some robotic parts. This will be a huge field that will need many workers to make all the operating functions of all the spheres to work smoothly.

More opportunities

The construction industry is going to change even more when systems like Building Information Modelling (BIM), rapid progress in 3D printing capacities and robotic machine prototypes like a Fastbrick robot will be introduced. These AI task innovations will create more opportunities for employment because the new skilled workforce will need to acquire the necessary skills of software programming and less of the physical types of work like bricklaying.

A BIM system is a software that comes up with a 3D environment of a building. Not only does it produce this visualization, but it also extends the 3D imaging to present cost control, scheduling, energy performance monitoring and facility management.

The implementation of the BIM system started in 2016 in countries like the UK for the construction of major infrastructure projects in future projects. As the skillset of workers continues to increase in the use of BIM, more customers will demand that projects be managed in this manner.

In the Netherlands, a company called MX3D is already implementing construction projects using industrial robots that use 6-axis to print a steel bridge that is fully functional. There is another innovation in robotics that has been invented by the University of Southern California known as Contour Crafting technology, this invention has a great potential of automating full structure construction together with its sub-units. Another company in China is using 3D printing to construct housing units.

As from 2023, the manufacturing industry is expected to grow on an annual basis at a rate of 5%. How construction jobs will change in the next two decades will depend on the strategic thinking and implementation of the changes that are coming. These changes will require humans to exercise decision making and judgment that reflects human aspirations and values. These are tasks that cannot be done by an advanced AI system.

Humans versus machine

Andrew Charlton knows that more people are worried about losing their jobs to automated systems. But according to him and other experts, the rise in the application of AI systems is not in any way a danger to the human workforce as is propagated in movies and in the media. Automation is a component of evolution that we have to be prepared for because new opportunities will come. The implementation of AI will start out slow, but by the time when automation and machines are applied into fields like construction, there will be new job creations that will be generated to complement the use of AI.

Impact of AI in the construction industry

Andrew Charlton has a view that the early adopters of AI in the field of construction will experience precise insights of data which will provide contractors with the opportunity to optimize productivity, value, and work safety.

Financing Challenges Many Construction Companies Face And How to Deal With Them

RalphSlaske

Every construction company has daily charges and long-term expenses that have to be catered for. With this need to address the charges also comes stalled projects that could not get fully financed due to the lack of enough money or issues with clients not submitting the needed amounts on time. When you are facing slow client payments, you need to consider alternative methods to keep key projects moving, otherwise it might prove difficult to keep the business afloat. If you are among construction companies that have financing challenges, you need to take this word from an expert to help your business claim its ground. Here is how to deal with the challenges.

Addressing slow owner payments

Generally, construction projects are expensive investments and owners have to submit the required monetary support for the projects to proceed. But this is not always the case as some of them opt for slow payment while others realize too late that they did not prepare adequately. Once the facility is constructed, your company incurs a huge short-term cost with the benefits expected being long-term. This creates a situation where most owners cannot get money to pay in one lump sum, which leads to slow client payments that could lead to financing problems for the company.

To address this challenge, you might want to consider factoring. This is where you invite factoring companies that buy your accounts receivable and give you immediate access to cash. What factoring does is take delinquent accounts off the liability list of your company, and this allows you to meet any cash-flow needs you have without the need to apply for a loan. It will help solve your problem more smoothly and within a shorter period of time.

Interest charges on loans

Construction companies that are suffering from large financial problems often don’t have the credit required to cover the payment delays. Most contractors lack sufficient capital assets, and this triggers loan companies to view them as a credit risk. Large projects come with a bigger interest due to the risk involved, and premium charges in this case can lead to a bad debt and financial pitfalls for the company.

This is where the advice of debt experts like Nationwide Debt Reduction Services comes in handy. Instead of opting for a loan to finance the project, you might also consider factoring, which is a boost you won’t need to repay. Don’t add debts when the company is already struggling to find a solution.

Cost overruns

Each construction projects comes with its pitfalls and some of them are costlier than others. In the event the unexpected occurs, expensive delays can be experienced and in worse cases losses. For costs beyond the original estimate, you need to come up with a better way to finance them as this is where loss of money occurs most. The best solution is to steer clear of expensive cost overruns by ensuring problems are addressed as soon as they show up and reviewing estimates carefully before embarking on the project.

Drops in demand

Those who have worked in the construction industry can tell that demand can be cyclical in nature and the market can drop or rise from one year to another. What this does is create financing problems that construction companies have to face because the flow of income is not steady yet expenses remain high. If your construction company finds itself in a business slump, you should consider getting a quick cash float that should cover the daily expenses of the business until the next peak arrives. Selling outstanding accounts receivable to a factoring company could be a solution to help lift the pressure to repay off. For more support, talk to experts like Nationwide Debt Reduction Services.

Behrman Communications on the Importance of Building a Strong Team of Professionals

RalphSlaske

Health_professional_answers_questionsAnyone in the custom construction industry is already keenly aware of the inherent need to first focus on building a strong foundation and infrastructure in order to create a home that is truly built to last. For Behrman Communications, a public relations and brand building firm helmed by founder Nancy Behrman, a strikingly similar notion can be easily applied to businesses in any industry, though not in a literal sense as in the construction industry.

In industries such as the one that has benefited so tremendously from the development of the Behrman PR strategic approach to brand building, the concept of a strong foundation and infrastructure has far more to do with human resources than anything else. This is why attracting and retaining the top professional talent is so very critical across all industries, particularly one in which personal relationships and exceptional communication skills tend to play such a major role.

One of the ways in which companies can ensure they are attracting and then retaining top level talent is to ensure that the lines of communication remain open among all team members and that organizational goals are clearly outlined and adhered to by all personnel. This creates a stable and consistent environment in which all team members are able to thrive in their responsibilities and to contribute to the betterment of their colleagues as well.

Applying Behrman PR Strategies to Home Improvement Projects

RalphSlaske

Regardless of the size and scope of a home improvement project, the strategies utilized at every stage of the project will have a sizable impact on the degree to which the final result is deemed a success. While it is not all that common for public relations and brand building strategies to be applicable to home improvement projects, there are many aspects of the Behrman PR strategy that can help anyone carrying out any such project, independent of whether they are a homeowner completing a minor project or a professional contractor tasked with carrying out a major one.

Nancy Behrman, the founder of Behrman Communications, has enjoyed a distinguished career in the public relations industry and recently celebrated her company’s 30-year anniversary, which is why her insight and expertise regarding PR strategies is so widely respected among her industry peers. In fact, it is those specific PR and brand building strategies that are believed to potentially yield an exceptional benefit for those in the home improvement industry or those simply seeking to complete a home improvement project in a manner that is indistinguishable from the efforts of a professional.

According to those who have applied some of the strategies utilized by Behrman’s immensely successful public relations and brand building company, the results they were able to achieve were deeply reflective of the brand building company’s reputation as one of the most creative and insightful companies operating in the industry today. Due to the fact that the Behrman PR strategy is known to rely on a detail-oriented approach that evaluates the individual goals of each client in order to yield the greatest potential impact, the application of these strategies in construction projects has proved to be incredibly valuable on a number of distinct and critical levels.

1 Stop Maintenance Reviews Home Builder Ralph Slaske of Slaske Builders

RalphSlaske

Recently, the news and review group known as 1 Stop Maintenance decided to offer a job to Ralph Slaske of Slaske Builders, or rather, the 1 Stop Maintenance CEO did. The long story short, The CEO of 1 Stop Maintenance needed a new home up around the Toledo, Ohio area and from reading nothing but positive reports of Mr. Slaske on social media and blogs, decided to offer a job that Mr. Slaske couldn’t refuse.

It was an early Monday morning, about 7am I believe, when I gave Ralph Slaske a call and said, ‘hey, I have a job for you if you’re interested. I’m needing a new home and you’re the only one I trust to have it materialize,'” said 1 Stop Maintenance CEO. “We talked for a bit and he asked a me a few basic questions. Mr. Slaske then said he would like to meet in person with me tomorrow morning after he gets all the details squared away. At that point, we would be able to discuss details more in depth.”

While the CEO of 1 Stop Maintenance was waiting for their planned meeting, “I was doing my homework and making sure all the details I had covered on the phone with my new client were covered before I met with him,” says Ralph Slaske. The next morning, the two met and Slaske got straight to work asking questions about the new home, the dimensions needed and even building materials to be used in the product.

“Ralph Slaske taught me a lot about working with clients. I suppose in this case you could say this is something one businessman has taught another. He made sure all my questions were answered and checked in with me frequently to ensure I was taken care of. No questions, comments or concerns went unanswered. I would have to highly recommend Slaske Builders to anyone wanting a custom home in northern Ohio.”

 

Ralph Slaske The Hardest Job In Construction

RalphSlaske

I think I’ve probably done just about every job there is in the construction field and as I sit here thinking, I’d have to say framing was the hardest part of construction. If you were to ask anyone with little knowledge in construction about framing, they would probably say framing has something to do with the foundation of the structure that is being constructed. Framing, is the basic building skill construction today. The term, “framing,” also is called, “rough woodworking,” and this skill is done frequently in near about every project that deals with remodeling. Sounds like fun already, doesn’t it?

Timber is so common and it’s the most used material for a framing job because you can find it just about anywhere. Already, you can see this is a very heavy job. The lumber is also easy to work with and compared to other materials that could be used in framing, it’s not nearly as costly. Working in framing also means you have to know your trees and what they are good for, just as a survivalist would. A survivor in the woods knows that if it’s cold and he’s surrounded by pine trees, he’s out of luck because pine makes terrible firewood but a good fire starter. Pine, however, is a great source of lumber for framing and so is hemlock. If you have those nearby, you’re good to go.

Trees aren’t the only things used to frame. Concrete is commonly used because it can be made on the spot and delivered if need be. Steel and bricks are materials that are used, too. These materials are important to use rather than just the lumber because they can support more weight. However, things get expensive when you are working with heavy materials.

Just thinking about framing and writing about it makes me not want to ever do it again, but whatever puts bread on the table, right? Since I’ve started my blogs, I could switch gears and teach people how to make money online, but I am too passionate about construction and my business to do that.

Long story short, although it’s a bit late for that, framing is an incredibly complex, yet highly important job. As stated before, it’s what makes remodeling possible.

Ralph Slaske Make The Investment—Train Your Employees

RalphSlaske

Training in any field of work is important and today it appears more and more companies are slacking on training their workers simply because it costs money. That’s never been a problem before, why is it a problem now? In the construction business, training has always been important, because it is dangerous work. Workers use tools that could cause permanent damage and are on top of structures high enough that would kill them if they were to fall off.

With money being an issue of why businesses don’t train employees as much anymore, they believe the answer is college. I’m sorry to break it to you, but college teaches HOW to get the job, it doesn’t teach everything on how to DO the job and do it safely. Training your workers allows your company to be competitive because without training, your company doesn’t stand a chance. Also, training your guys the way you want work to be done will ensure they perform quality work. Why? Because you taught them!

You can get a good idea of how good of a worker and who a person is through an interview. When I did my interview with ideamensch.com, it was easier than the interviews I would give the guy who wants to work for me at Slaske Builders. The interview doesn’t tell all, but it does serve the purpose to get their foot in the door. The rest isn’t up to them, it’s up to you. In a job like construction, you can’t just throw a new guy to the wolves and say, “Well, let’s see what you’ve got.” He’s going to mess up and that mess up could cost a life. This is just one more reason of why you must train your guys.

Remember when I said employers and businesses stop training so much because of the money it costs? Well, here’s good news for those guys. Even if you were to give your employees the best training you could find, that doesn’t mean it has to cost so much. A good standard to go by is knowing that a very good trainer must be always ready teach from experience and relate to the student. We were all new once, so keep up the training and they will keep up the good work you have taught them.