Tips | West Coast Property

FARMING TECHNIQUES TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR LAND

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If you’ve recently bought land or have new plans to use your current land to start your own small farm, it’s important that you implement proper farming techniques to get the most out of your land. Even if you’re new to farm succession planning, you can practice the right steps that can increase your small farm’s productivity and help you grow more crops on your land. This process doesn’t have to be overwhelming, with well-grounded preparation you’ll be handling them in no time. Here are 8 farming techniques you can practice to fully optimise your farmland.

TRANSPLANT AS MANY CROPS AS POSSIBLE

While there are some crops such as carrots or radishes that will require direct-seeding, transplanting as many crops as you can, enables you to harvest more from a single bed throughout the course of the season. For example, rather than direct-seeding beets, you can transplant your beet seedlings as soon as they clock a few weeks old. By doing this, you’ll be creating enough space for that bed to grow another crop during that period. When you apply this transplanting technique on the entire farm, it’ll result in a great amount of room to grow more over the course of the season.

PLANT MORE CLOSELY

An easy way to get more produce from your growing area is to plant your crops closer together. Many farmers tend to ignore this farming technique by planting their crops much farther apart than is required thereby leaving a portion of the land to waste. Follow the spacing guidelines outlined by your seed company and squeeze out as much space as you can. Planting your crops does have its limitations such as inadequate circulation which can lead to disease. So it’s best that you practice disease control with spray tanks.

MAKE USE OF YOUR VERTICAL SPACE

Make use of the available vertical space in your growing area to get the most of your land. For instance, you can target areas within high tunnels and propagation spots. Utilise the vertical space within the areas by installing shelves along the north and south corners of your farmhouse to serve as additional support for transplants. Implementing this technique requires that you check your growing areas regularly and don’t forget to stack seeded trays that are yet to germinate.

With regards using space in high tunnels, you can begin by trellising your tomatoes, eggplant and peppers along a long cord tied to cables that run through the entire tunnel. In the long run, your plants will grow vertically rather than horizontally.

CROP ROTATION

This farming technique has been practised successfully for thousands of years and continues to be used today. Crop rotation involves planting different crops within the same field but during different times. This process preserves the productive capacity of the soil because some plants gain nutrients from the soil while other plants contribute to the soil’s nutrients. Applying crop rotation maintains the fertility of the land due to the fact that the crops have a different mechanism of taking in nutrients. In addition to better soil structure, crop rotation also increases the ability to store carbons on farms.

AVOID TILLED FIELDS

In tilled fields, you will find that the soil is broken down to enhance crop growth. However, due to the soil’s loose texture, many farmers tend to avoid this practice as the soil can easily be blown away by wind or washed away by rain. Instead, they avoid breaking down the soil in order to maintain its structure when it rains or when the wind blows.

GROW PLANTS IN PERMANENT RAISED BEDS

The use of permanent raised beds has become easily adopted in the farming system due to the proper management of space it provides. While traditional farming systems space crops in single rows separated by tractor paths, permanent beds plant multiple rows of crops within beds with the same width. This farming technique leads to fewer pathways, more growing space and dense plantings.

FLIP BEDS

A constant flipping of beds helps you get the most out of your growing area. Many farmers apply this approach by making use of cover crops to increase productivity. The soil is also more enriched as a result of the easy passage of nutrients. They plant cash crops such as in all of their beds without any pause while replanting the beds as soon as they were cleared out of a previous crop. Another approach involves making use of vegetables to protect the soil. While this method may not be suitable for all farmers, it is important that you implement the underlying principle which is to fully optimise all portions of your growing space to increase the production of your crops before putting up your farmland for sale.

WATER HARVESTING

Water harvesting involves the linkage and optimal use of rainfall with the use of various techniques to store as much water as possible out of each rainfall. The various systems and structures for harvesting water are specific to the culture in which they were set up. Among the many structures, you will find are directing water from rooftops, overflowing streams and rivers during the monsoon season or from other artificially installed systems. Practising this technique ensures that you have a reasonable quantity of rainwater and rural drinking water supply in case drought takes place.

INTERPLANTING

Interplanting is Another farming technique that helps you get the most out of your growing area. This process involves growing different crops together at the same time. One way you can do this is by planting fast-growing crops such as kale or green onions together with a slow-growing vegetable such as pumpkin or cabbage which usually takes up to a few weeks to fill a bed. While certain types of crops are suitable for interplanting, some crops do not fair well together. So it’s important that you carry out some research before planting different types of crops together. Hydro vacuum excavation techniques can help break down the soil for improved planting.

Common Moving Mishaps And Easy Ways To Avoid Them

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Moving to a new home can be challenging since there’s so much that needs to be done and any mistake can create a difference between a successful relocation and a stressful one. Lots of time and money could be lost if you overlook such an important process. To avoid such stressful and financial mishaps, it’s important that you remain aware of the most common moving mistakes and learn how to avoid them. Here 7 moving mishaps you can learn from to enjoy a smooth moving process.

NOT IMPLEMENTING AN APPROPRIATE MOVING STRATEGY

When you decide to relocate, your first line of action is to decide if you’re going to hire professional moving companies or perform a self-move. If your choice is to make use of furniture movers, you need to book them in advance and decide on the moving date that suits your schedule. Try to avoid moving during spike season or at the end of the month otherwise, you stand the risk of being delayed as the available movers would be restricted and the cost of moving will increase.

Remember to put the moving date in your schedule and properly adjust your affairs until the day you relocate. Failure to do so might cause you to miss an important detail or prevent you from allocating enough time for your moving process.

USING THE WRONG PACKAGING METHOD

Many homeowners prefer to save money during moving by packing themselves. However, there are often missteps that leave these DIY packers with unnecessary problems on your moving day. One of the common mishaps is the use of heavy boxes. Presenting heavy boxes will make it hard for the movers to lift it. While there are professional movers, they also come with some limitations.

Ensure you pack heavy items such as shoes and books in medium-sized boxes. This allows for easy carriage and will also save you a lot of stress and time. When you pack heavy items in a weak or damaged box, you risk damaging your belongings. Remember to assemble fragile items such as lampshades and cooking wares into sturdy boxes.

NO INVENTORY

So you’ve assembled your items in all boxes while implementing care to wrap fragile items and maintain a reasonable box weight. You think you’re set to take off then it hits you that you have no idea as to the content of each box. This is a common problem faced by many homeowners-not taking inventory.

On the bright side, there are easy ways you can avoid this by making a list of every item you put inside each box. Apply a good numbering system and label the content as well as stating the exact room of your new house they should be stored. This process will enable you to have a good understanding of where your belongings are kept.

Creating a detailed inventory will also save you time when settling in while ensuring that the movers didn’t forget any item behind. Make use of online inventory apps when planning your move and keep a detailed list handy in case you need to file a case with your home insurance company.

MISUNDERSTANDING INSURANCE NEEDS

Majority of homeowners tend to believe they don’t need to buy insurance because various professional movers are inclined to cover the expenses for any damage incurred to their belongings during the moving process. This is true but depends on other factors. Other homeowners opt for ways to insure their valuables even though the expense is close to the cost of their affordable items.

If your inventories contain fragile items that are worth a significant amount of money it’s probably best to consider insurance as a good investment for the safety of your possession and your peace of mind.

NOT COMPARING ESTIMATES

Another common moving mistake is not comparing estimates and finding the one that fits your set budget. Though finding a reputable mover that uses a shipping container is part of the moving plan but you also have to ask for estimates before embarking on any deal. Deciding on the estimates involves certain factors such as the size of your home and the type of moving company. Some of these movers will either carry out an in-house estimate or offer you one online. If you jump on the first offer or even fail to ask for a quote, you could end up paying more than you should. The right approach to select a suitable moving price is to ask for up to 3 estimates and compare them. As soon as you’ve figured out the top best movers then you can use the estimates to choose the moving company that is affordable.

PROCRASTINATION ON TASKS

Depending on how large your items are, your moving process will require a long list of tasks. It can get overwhelming and even lead to the common mistake of procrastinating the start of the moving process until it gets to rush hour. By not starting the moving process on time you’ll be contributing to the overall stress of your relocation and might even forget other tasks.

To set your moving process on the right path, it will be beneficial to create a moving checklist. This process will enable you to plan time-sensitive tasks, avoid unnecessary problems and get your plans done on time.

NOT SENDING MAIL ON TIME

You’ve told your landlord and utility company about the day you plan to move out but you leave out the mail. The extra trouble is that most people find it hard to determine when to begin this process and how long it will take. With the right steps, you’ll be able to avoid this common mishap.

The best way is to ensure your mail gets to your new home without delay is to start the mail forwarding process just a few weeks prior to your move out. Choose the date you want them to begin forwarding your mail and indicate that you’re relocating permanently. This process doesn’t cost much and you can pay with a credit card.

IS A RENTAL PROPERTY STILL A GOOD INVESTMENT OPTION

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While there are countless ways to invest your money, real estate has proven to be one of the best long-term investment options. If you’re looking to get your first investment property, the best way to invest in real estate is to buy a rental property and lease it long term. While this process involves a considerable amount of effort, most investors realise that commercial property investment provides the best results. You can gain consistent cash flow and a long term-term investment return. Providing rental management services is one of the best ways to grow in real estate.

Here are a few reasons why purchasing a rental property is a good investment.

HIGH RETURN ON INVESTMENT

Both High leverage and high ROI have relatable interests. When you use mortgage loans for an investment, you’ll be using only a small part of your own money to invest in property management, which means you gain a high return on your investment in the long run. In addition, on leasing the property to a tenant, the rent is structured to not only cover marginal expenses but to also cover the interest payable on your mortgage loan. As a result, you have a higher interest than other investment types. Your ROI increases as your profits exceed the interest you owe. This explains why real estate is considered to have a high return in the long run and is perceived as a high performing asset with commercial units for sale. An additional benefit is that any increase in value on your property makes your ROI increase further. With the high leverage in the context, your monthly cash flow increases which leads to an increase in your ROI.

TOTAL CONTROL

Buying a rental property means that you’re in total control of the tenant you’ll lease to, how much you’ll charge for rent and you’ll plan for house property management and maintenance while leasing the property to tenants. There are other ways to derive cash flow, you can decide to use services like Airbnb to provide a short term vacation stay or contact reputable property management companies and strata body corporate to assist you to locate and service long-term tenants.

According to the type of tax deduction, the cost of repairs on the building will be deducted in the year in which they are carried out.

Similar to investing in a stock, you’re in control of the stock you wish to invest in, you have the opportunity to hire someone to manage and control your income.

ABILITY TO ENSURE YOUR PROPERTY

While many investors opt to purchase rental properties, they don’t consider that they can ensure the property investment. With the right insurance coverage, you can protect the property so matter the incident that occurs you’re fully covered. If you’re concerned about the cost of insurance, you can make a plan and incorporate it into the rent that your tenants pay.

In addition, you can deduct insurance premiums from any insurance policy related to your rental property. Some of them include the cost of employee insurance, theft, fire outbreak, or natural disasters.

DIVERSIFY YOUR ASSETS

The power of diversification is fully harnessed in real estate investment. If you want to achieve reasonable benefits without high risk, it is advisable to invest in many other markets. The real estate market has its domain and your property is included. Real estate is a valuable asset to own because it appreciates over time. Even as there have been past market crashes, it has still proven to be a safe and steady market, especially in the long run.

Another good thing about real estate is the ability to research the market based on your preferred choice of location. You can keep up with the newest trends that will guide you through your decision-making process about the real estate market, which is a much favourable environment compared to the stock market.

MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE

If your home mortgage falls under the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, it means your interest rate will not change for the entire 30-year term of the loan. As the loan is initiated, additional money is paid to interest than to principal, but as soon as the term is halved, it reaches an equal split.

This means that the longer you hold your property, your tenants’ fee covers more of the loan principal, which also means you’ll be creating more wealth for yourself.

As long as you own the rental property, you’ll be using the tenant’s fee to pay off your debt. While you reduce the loan fee, you will be acquiring wealth and consistent cash flow as you will always have unlimited access to the money either by flipping and selling or refinancing your loan.

WARD OFF INFLATION

Real estate handles rising inflation better than other domains. This is because as prices go up, the value of your asset increases. You can easily ward off inflation when you make use of leverage to invest in rental properties with a low-interest rate. Many investments are at risk during inflation because there’s a high chance it can reduce the value of assets.

On the other hand, the benefit of real estate investment offers a great way to protect your wealth. The increase in rent makes it possible for you to accumulate more money which will always come in handy as prices of goods are likely to increase during inflation.

DECIDE TO SELL AT ANY TIME

A rental property is a good investment option because you can decide to sell whenever and however you prefer. While it is advisable to hold on to your investment over the long term, no fixed rule exists. You are in charge of every selling process. There are many different exit strategies you can take leverage to maximise profits. The choice is up to you. With the right real estate accounting, you’re likely to sell your property at a higher price than the initial cost.

Before you transfer rights of your property, ensure you find a conveyancer and get the necessary conveyancing quotes.

5 Signs That A Suburb Is The Rise On The Property Market

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The property market across the world has seen a bumpy road in the last couple of decades. Although this is the case, property has always been a good investment as in most cases if you buy at the right time, your money will be safe. If you’re looking for a property to buy, you will usually be looking for your main residence so it has to suit what time of life you are in.

So if you have children, you will require a family house or if you’re a young professional, you may want to be close to work so that you don’t have a large commute on your hand in the early years of your career. That said, there are a number of other factors to consider when you make your final decision. One of these factors has to be which area you would make the most amount of money in. In the past, the property market would suggest that inner-city areas in popular vibrant capitals would often yield the most money and cost the most to buy, however, the suburbs are now on the increase and are seeing a massive rise in the property market.

Property Advice

Let’s now take a look at some of the signs that the suburbs are seeing a rise in the property market. Before you embark on buying a property in the suburbs, you will need a trust lawyer, conveyancing quotes, maybe a new house loan and it advisable to make use of an investment property calculator. The above aspects are always a good place to start when looking at the property market. If you are looking for a more investment type of property, i.e. you may be looking for farmland for sale, you will require business insurance. Again, the market for this type of property is also on the rise as many would-be investors look to maximise the amount of money they can make from their investments.

Let’s now consider some of the signs that suburbs have seen a rise in the property market.

Demand

When we advertise a property, we always assume that it’s going to take months or even years to sell the property. A good way to determine how much demand there is for a property is to see how local sales have gone in the area. If your property has been on the market for a very short time, you will notice that that means the market is improving in your particular location. Suburbs have seen a massive rise with this and we are seeing that properties in suburban areas are being snapped up very quickly, which is often leaving a short supply that does not meet the demand.

Auctions

Auctions are another sign that the property market is showing a rise in popularity. Suburban areas are now seeing a rise in the number of options that are taking place. This increase is to make sure that the number of people viewing a property for auction meets the demand of the area. Auctioneers are making sure that these properties are full of potential buyers to make sure that the vendor has the maximum opportunity to complete in the sale.

Discounts

Discounts are a major thing if a property that you have been viewing has been set for a certain price for some time and the vendor is willing to offer a significant discount, then you can tell that this property has been hard to sell and the demand is low. However, in suburban areas, we are now seeing less of a discount for properties and they’re selling for their asking price. This is a surefire indication that the market for suburban areas has increased and shown an increased potential rise due to the lack of discount offered by vendors and auctioneers.

4 Infrastructure growth

It has to be said that governments around the world have always put large amounts of money into their capital city areas or large cities within a country. Transport links, internet connections and other technological advancements have been put into inner-city areas for a number of decades. As these areas are overpopulated, people will begin to look into suburban areas which means the development and infrastructure improvements has helped bolster prices of suburban property. Transport links and infrastructure has also improved dramatically over the years in these areas with the advent of smart technology. There is also a growing need not to go into work so you are able to work from your home. This means you are able to live further away from your place of work and this has given the suburban areas rise in popularity.

Vacancies

The number of vacancies that are available in suburban areas has decreased dramatically in times gone by. Before you would have been able to have a large choice of property in suburban areas. Whether you are renting or buying, these properties were not often snapped up and many were left on the market, giving the buyer lots of choices. This is an indication that suburban areas have now seen a change as the number of vacancies for properties for rental and buying has decreased, showing that the growth and rise in the property market in suburban areas has improved.

As you can see from the above points, the rise in the property market in suburban areas is clear to see. This type of growth will continue as long as urban developments stay saturated and the demand for infrastructure changes remains high.

5 Trends That Will Shape Commercial Construction

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We’ve hit 2020 and as always there will be new trends flying around this year. If we consider the commercial construction industry, there have been many trends that have come about over the last few years. This means that there will also be new trends coming in 2020. It’s important to be aware of any upcoming trends in the commercial construction industry to ensure that your business stays ahead of the game and doesn’t fall behind. As with anything, there are trends that have been and gone and there are trends that will always remain. Commercial construction has a number of areas that can be affected by trends. Bespoke residential builders, bathroom redesign and landscape retaining walls are all areas that trends will have an impact on. A building company will have a great deal of influence over trends in the construction industry as will an architecture home design / designer. If you are considering moving home then look for the best new home builder as a simple google search may give you insight into who is following the best trends currently.

Additionally, there are trends that have been introduced but are constantly being improved as technology improves. In 2019, there were changes in the commercial construction industry with regards to technology so it will be interesting to see what we think will shape the commercial construction industry in 2020.

Sustainability

Being green is continuing to trend in the commercial construction industry as more and more businesses look for ways to include sustainability when it comes to construction. For instance, green construction, which relates to completing projects in a way where resources are used efficiently and the environment is considered. This trend covers all bases of a project, from the beginning where planning takes place, to the design, maintenance, construction and even the demolition.

Robotics

It’s not just software that has improved in the commercial construction industry. The use of drones has risen in popularity in the commercial construction industry as this technology has now become more affordable to companies. Drones are extremely useful in the commercial construction industry as they can be used on construction sites, for example, to ensure that construction workers are away from any potential hazards. The use of drones has helped by enabling data to be collected and they have also certainly improved the efficiency, accuracy and safety on a construction site.

The technology related to drones is always being improved and the different options available have also increased. This means that commercial construction companies are now able to use drone technology without having to break the bank. These advancements, as well as their affordability, ensure that drones continue to trend in the commercial construction industry in 2020.

Virtual reality

Virtual reality has been around for a while now and the commercial construction industry has found lots of uses for it so far, so there’s no doubt it will continue to grow in use in 2020. Virtual reality has always been better known in the gaming industry and for years we have seen how games have become more realistic due to the advances in this technology.

The beauty of virtual reality is that it allows you to look and grasp complex aspects in order for you to gain a better understanding of a project. For example, this kind of technology is invaluable for commercial engineers as they are able to interact with their designs so that they can be tested before they go into construction. When you are able to see a design in its natural habitat, design flaws that you may not necessarily have picked up on before can be highlighted and then fixed. This is a huge saving on a commercial budget.

Management software

The commercial construction industry has always been a bit behind when it comes to technology. That said, some commercial construction industry trends will always get through. Management software in the commercial construction industry has become quite advanced in the commercial construction industry. These days, aspects such as timekeeping and project management have all been put together to help commercial construction businesses. As these aspects continue to advance, this will be a trend that continues to increase in popularity in 2020.

Safety-related equipment

In 2020, the use of safety equipment and the standards of the products will continue to improve. There have been a substantial number of deaths in the commercial construction industry and for this reason, safety is paramount and safety equipment needs to improve. It’s now possible to purchase boots for the construction industry that can link up to Wi-Fi. These boots are also able to tell you if a worker is tired or has injured themselves. Although these boots are quite new to the market, they may be difficult to get a hold of at the moment. However, eventually, these smart boots will soon be something that we will see in the commercial construction industry. Other safety equipment that we will soon start to see more of is cooling vests and fabric that is moisture-wicking. These three safety items are just a few examples of the kind of equipment that is being used and introduced in the commercial construction industry and it is bound to increase in popularity in 2020.

It’s clear to see that over the last few years, there have been quite a number of trends in the commercial construction industry. It’s not difficult to understand that some of these trends will continue to play an integral part in the commercial construction industry in 2020. As the commercial construction industry continues to advance, it becomes obvious why it’s crucial to keep up-to-date with the latest trends in order to remain competitive in the market.

Moving House? Tips On How To Purge Your Excess Possessions Without Regret

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Moving house is stressful enough without having to think about which items to purge that you may end up regretting. We all know that the less you have to move, the cheaper and easier your move will be. So before you contact freight delivery companies or rent a moving truck, we will provide you with some tips to look over on how you can reduce the number of possessions you take with you, but you need to be prepared to be harsh.

Decluttering

You may have got some long distance moving quotes but before you are ready to pack to move, you need to make time to declutter. After all, the last thing you want to do is pack things which you will go through at a later date and this is especially if you are considering container homes. It’s likely that you won’t ever deal with these items and they will just sit in your new home, as they probably don’t really have a purpose. If you’re organised and declutter in advance, you’ll be able to get rid of items that you don’t need and reduce your removal costs as well as extra headache.

Keep focused

You need to make two piles, one pile for the items that you plan to keep and another pile for items that you will get rid of. It’s key to keep focused when going through items and not to get distracted by looking at things from a sentimental point of view. It may even be worth asking a member of your family or a friend to help you to go through your things and keep you focused on the job in hand. Remember, if you are planning on keeping something, you don’t need to look through it now as you can do this at any point at a later date.

Reduce space

You may be moving to a smaller house so it could be that you can only take so much. A good idea would be to purchase a particular amount of boxes and decide that once they are full, you will not be packing or taking anything else. By doing this you will make sure that you only pack and take with you the items that you need.

Organisation

Don’t think that you will get everything sorted in a day. You need to do things in small steps and maybe work room by room. On day one, you might go through your CD or book collection and decide which ones you would like to keep and which ones you can get rid of. Next time, tackle your clothes or kitchen items.

Now that you have decluttered your home and have decided what you will keep and take with you, you end up at the question, what should you do with any items that you are not going to keep.

Donate

Consider giving these items to friends or family members who will be able to give these items a good home.

If you have children or a local school in the area, they will probably be happy to take items such as printers, computers, toys or craft related equipment off you.

Charity shops will also take items that you are getting rid of. If you decide that you need to get rid of furniture, there are probably charities that will come and take the furniture off you and save you a run to your local tip.

Selling

There are many ways that you can sell the items that you are not going to take with you. For instance, you could consider having a car boot sale. Car boot sales are a great way of raising some money as well as getting rid of all the stuff that you no longer need. Don’t expect to make a huge amount of money as, after all, the whole point of a car boot sale is to get rid of the things that are cluttering your home and you don’t want to take to your new home. Try and get rid of at least half of the things that you take to the car boot sale with you.

Another option would be to advertise your items online using websites such as eBay. If you do decide to use eBay, remember to take selling fees into account and also consider delivery fees and/or collection options.

Bin

If you decide that you just want to get rid of your items then you could consider hiring a skip. Skips are a very easy way of getting rid of items and they can be cost-effective. If you don’t require a full skip then ask your neighbours to see if they could use a skip and this way you could also share the cost too.

Another alternative would be to take your items down to your local tip. Many local tips also have the option to recycle items such as electrical equipment and furniture.

Recycle

There are many ways of recycling items and there are companies that will allow you to post items to them free of charge and they will recycle these items for you. Alternatively, you can take your items to a local recycling centre. If you have an item that needs a bit of TLC then you could consider Upcycling them. You could use different materials or prints to cover a piece of furniture for example.

If you follow the advice that we have provided you above, you’ll be able to purge your excess possessions without regret. After all, you don’t want to move excess items to your new home, as this will just cost you money and cause you more headache in the long run.

Running A Business From Your Home? How To Make Sure You’re Up To Speed With The Latest Tech

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If you are running a business from home, you may not stay on top of the technology that is developing for your business. However, technology plays a huge role when it comes to how effectively your business runs and ultimately it’s growth. There are some technology trends to keep an eye on this year. Cybersecurity, 5G and software unification are all aspects that can impact your business. Any business of any size needs to be able to keep up with its competitors, ultra fast broadband providers are a must to ensure that your business can transact and communicate very quickly. One final aspect that businesses should be looking at is wireless technology. A wireless cctv system can protect your business and will be more reliable than a wired system. The same can be said if you supply your workforce with phone chargers. Rather than having wires in your office, you can get a wireless charger buy online which will give you a wire-free environment.

Below we will take a look at these three aspects of tech as well as other aspects that you need to make sure that you are up to speed with when running a business from home.

Influencer marketing

In order to show off your company’s brand and products, make sure that you use personalised marketing and social media influencing to reach out to your potential market. No longer do we use traditional print for advertising in order to increase sales. As a new business, you need to ensure that you are open-minded when it comes to marketing and this means you need to be in the know when it comes to influencers. Customers are looking for authentic products and brands and recommendations are high on the list of priorities. An influencer is one form of a recommendation as this person is someone that consumers trust. You will need to do some research as to who is a good influencer in your industry and also ensure that you are aware of the needs of your business.

Social media advertising

Similar to influencer marketing, as a small business, you will need to be aware of and use social media advertising for your business. Social media advertising relates to aspects such as pay per click. This advertising has increased as consumers want to see adverts related to the products that they are interested in mine. Social media advertising is an efficient and budget effective way of targeting your consumers. It is worth pointing out that you should never underestimate the power of social media as in some cases you are able to post or tweet an idea or product that can be retweeted many times by people that are not related to your business. This w means you are able to touch new clients and customers which you may not have done so in the past.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence has been a topic that has been spoken about a great deal for a good few years. As a small business, you should start to see how useful artificial intelligence is when it comes to running your business. For instance, the use of customised consumer experiences as well as voice assistance. Although you may think artificial intelligence is not something a small business from home uses and it is for bigger businesses, you are actually incorrect. Artificial intelligence can help small businesses to provide experiences that customers are looking for and it will also mean that tasks which cause time wastage can be automated. Many small businesses find that time is of the essence and if you spend a huge amount of your day completing manual tasks such as data input, it has been said that artificial intelligence can be a real benefit in helping to reduce these issues.

Cybersecurity

There have been some high-profile data breaches over the last couple of years and small businesses are still under the risk of cyberattacks. In fact, over two-thirds of cyberattacks affect small businesses. In order to make sure that you are up to date with the latest technology in cybersecurity, you need to be aware of what advances have been made. As a small business, you need to think along the lines of a large business when it comes to security. Therefore, make sure you take cybersecurity seriously to ensure that you are not a target.

In the 1980s, 1G was released and now we have come a long way to see 5G. 5G claims to be able to provide speeds that are faster than 4G. 4G technology follows on from 2G and 3G technology. Once 5G becomes more widely available, it is clear to see why it is crucial to make sure you are aware of the developments that are in place when it comes to 5G technology, even though it’s still in the infancy stage.

Integrating software

It is becoming common for new tech solutions to keep appearing in order for effective communication. Many businesses use different but separate ways to contact one another. It is believed that soon, all of these different ways will merge so that only one solution is needed to cover all aspects of communication. Although it will be difficult to create this software, once it has been achieved businesses will have seamless communication, using just one platform. The overall benefit of this is that you will save time and your business will become more efficient.

It is clear to see that that the world of tech is developing quickly and we have pointed out the reasons why it is important to ensure that you are up to speed with it if you are running your own business from home.

Prefab Housing, Is It The Way Of The Future?

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Owning a home is of great importance to people. Potential homeowners are more interested in cost-efficient, greener and smarter homes all at once. The application of architecturally designed house has been going for a while. Starting from modular expansion to container homes and panellised housing-prefab housing has made quite an impression in the construction industry. The demand for prefab housing is expected to expand by 15% yearly reaching up to 1.1 million units by the year 2020. Modern prefab homes can be built quickly in a controlled environment and then transported to be assembled at its end location. It’s fast assembled time, improved functionality, flexible designs and cost-effectiveness offer a realistic opportunity to keep driving demand. With the innovative approach to architectural design and functionality, improvement in the prefab housing concept has led to the development of this designer prefab houses. They are without a doubt the future of building construction. Here are further features of prefab housing that indicate that this method of housing has really come a long way and is the way of the future.

Ability to be transported, disassembled, and relocated

Prefab homes are constructed indoors and can be transported to your location where it will be assembled within a short period. Whether you want a bathroom redesign, prefer to live in the countryside or town, prefab home can be constructed to suit your needs then delivered to your desired location. Another great benefit of prefab housing is the convenience it provides. With its components constructed off-site and fast time of assembling in your preferred location, the time taken to build is shorter compared to the time taken to build traditional homes. When constructing on-site, excavation carried out by excavation companies is carried out, all the foundation work is also carried out then the first floor is built, and then the second floor etc. with prefab housing, while the homes are being constructed in indoor factories the foundation work can be done simultaneously which is a huge time saver.

You will be provided with enough time to settle into your new home armed with the flexibility traditional homes won’t provide. In addition, if you decide to move to another location, you will be able to do so without having to look for a new house. Ensure you settle for the best home builder.

Quality designs by world-class architects, designers and artists

Another benefit of prefab housing is the ability to customise. Since the whole house design will be carried out on an architecture software, homeowners have the opportunity to clearly indicate their preferences such as type of flooring in each room, number of rooms and what the angle of elevation for the ceiling should be. Ensure you discuss with your home suppliers, architectural builders and building contractors to get a picture of what your future home will look like. You will be given a broad range of designs to select from. They could be ready-made home designs made by leading architects and designers, you just have to choose a design that suits your taste and preference. Prefab housing gives you the flexibility with the input of prefab technology which would be very hard to achieve with the traditional stick frame builds.

Greener options

The use of an architectural software to design before the start of construction helps reduce construction wastes. Some factories adopt a policy of recycling and renewing materials. Homeowners prefer greener homes and most prefab construction encourage the use of green materials in their construction. they range from energy-efficient windows to engineered wood and insulated walls. These innovative materials help homeowners enjoy a green-friendly environment without having to give up style and aesthetics. It is without a doubt that Prefab housing is the way of the future. The innovative architectural approach, exceptional convenience and green-efficiency are helpful features no homeowner would ignore. As prefab housing replaces traditional builds, there are more reasons to believe prefab homes are future-ready.

Controlled assembly line

Other benefits of prefab-housing are tied to the assembly line. If factories are located in places with unpredictable weather changes and heavy rainstorms, the ability to construct prefab homes within an environment with regulated temperature is a boon for efficiency. Maintaining quality control is achieved through the standards set in factory working while opening the construction industry to a supply of less-skilled labour. There are some ways various factories can become properly suitable to adopt the digital age of prefab housing. Unlike conventional construction methods where adjustments can be made to design onsite, the strength of prefab housing lies in set standards. It is important to know that implementing clear standards that enable broad prefab housing projects to progress with full support will require all project members to make an effort to collaborate, share data and updates regarding architectural design and supply chain management.

Use of innovative technology

The construction of prefab housing in indoor facilities prevent the materials from unforeseen weather changes. This process cuts down the build time, which is something that is usually hard to achieve in onsite construction as weather changes cause delays in construction. In addition, prefab housing boast of superior quality in construction materials. Their factory manufactured parts are known to be designed with cutting-edge software. Most prefab factories work with an in-house engineering team that makes use of computer-aided design. This innovative technology enables homeowners to envision their dream home before the construction materials are worked on. Making use of advanced technology in prefab housing also leads to a higher in the construction industry.

The prefab housing system gives way to new ideas, it would operate alongside an online platform for developing management and an advanced method of service for homeowners. In this way, it is expected that old urban construction models embrace innovative ideas that will unlock the true potential of prefab housing no matter the scale. Accommodating change in one’s life involves being flexible since prefab housing has this key element it may play a greater role in the future of housing.

Tips For Furnishing An Empty House

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Designing and furnishing your home with designer furniture is not always easy. The choices are wide and the offers are all more attractive than the others, and more importantly, it can get super expensive!

Then how do you find cheap and good quality furniture? Whether you just have a small space or own a large house, whether you want to furnish a new living space or refurbish your entire home, we’ve got some tips that can guide you in your selection to feel good at home… without ending up in debt!

Tip number 1: get your basic furniture

At first, you have to focus on the basics. When we try to decorate and furnish a new space or update a place that is already personalised, we tend to lose the point. We do not necessarily know where to start, what style to adopt, where to look, etc.

To put your ideas in the clear, you should start focusing on the important elements like the sofa, table, chair, bed, etc. In short, think primarily of basic furniture, the ones that meet your most important needs and will make you feel at home. This will give you a good starting point for your interior design and help you visualise what you are really after.

One of the common mistakes is to rush. Most of us want to go fast, because creating your home is exciting or because you do not really know how to do it. It’s important to take your time and consider different possibilities, so that your interior has enough space for cheap, beautiful, and useful furniture.

Tip number 2: find designer furniture at the lowest cost

Different solutions are available to you, each with different advantages!

First, you have DIY (Do It Yourself). This the best practice to customise reclaimed furniture or old furniture so that they look like you and reflect your personality. Economical, this solution requires time, elbow grease and creativity, but gives out unique results.

Second, you have second-hand furniture. You could find interesting pieces in garage sales, flea markets or associations, the best often being leftovers from shipping container conversions. There is cheap furniture, unusual decorative items or vintage items, very often sold by those people going through house relocation. Be careful, however, about the quality and damages that some furniture may have.

Third, if you couldn’t make or find what you were after, there are always furniture stores. They are well known and offer inexpensive solutions like Ikea. Kit furniture, cheap, neutral enough for all interiors, it’s a safe bet and often provide the best storage solution. Ikea remains the most famous brand for this kind of products. This Swedish chain has furniture for all parts and accessories, so you can find your happiness and get a nice decor. Very convenient for small budgets! Sometimes we prefer locally-made pieces if you want to avoid the cost of air freight, however.

Lastly, if you are looking for very specific items, you’ll have to go to a specialty store. For more original items, you can turn to specialised brands in affordable design furniture like The Design Store. There, you’ll find designer furniture and original pieces to set the tone of your interiors! It’s a good alternative to find affordable furniture that stand out thanks to their design and quality. This is the solution if you are looking to bring a unique style to your home!

Tip number 3: don’t go overboard with the decoration

To feel good at home and put all your furniture, it is important to properly decorate your home, and optimise your space room by room. This way, you will avoid unnecessary expenses, and you will gain enough space to highlight your various decorative elements. If your interior is not organised as you wish, you are at risk of compulsive purchases.

Tip number 4: some trends in decoration and furniture

Decorating cheaply does not mean putting less style and personality in your decor. On the contrary, it is probably the best way to create a totally unique interior decoration. Some current trends are perfect for this type of outcome. You can find decor and cheap furniture matching these trends to decorate your home with style, without breaking the bank.

Bohemian and gipsy decor is always a good pick. The bohemian trend has invaded the interiors in recent months. By mixing contemporariness, lightness and colours, the gipsy spirit can bring a touch of spontaneity to your decoration. If this trend inspires you, we advise you to mix warm colours with natural materials such as rattan or wood. Pieces such as Berber rugs, sun mirrors or macrames will add sweetness to your bohemian décor.

If you’re wild, go for the jungle spirit. It’s a fashion that we have seen for several years; the jungle and natural spirit. With green plants, velvet and wood, this style is suitable for bedrooms, offices and living rooms. It’s a particularly cosy atmosphere that can easily be set up with round-shaped furniture and raw materials.

Some like them green, some love them coral. This is THE colour of the last decade, and it has been incorporated in all sorts of furniture. This pink-orange shade brings a touch of sweetness and a holiday look to our homes. In light touch, it will perfectly match with grey and other pastel colours like celadon green.

That being said, minimalism has recently been on the rise. All real estate agents will tell you that the emptier, the better and bigger. Playing on shapes in decoration and layout has become very trendy. You can choose ball lights, an egg chair and a carpet with lines patterns to enhance the shape of each element. Geometric shapes adapt to all styles of interiors; retro or contemporary, bohemian or bourgeois. By mixing various materials, an even more fashionable result is obtained, for example with copper and concrete.

You now have all the cards in hand to create an original deco universe and that is also in your budget!

The Pros And Cons Of Solar Energy

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If you’re looking for ways to save on electricity expenses in the long run, then solar energy may be a considerable option for you. Though the initial cost of installation can be high, its cost-benefits are well accounted for. When you use solar energy to produce power in your home, you lower your electricity bills and earn tax incentives. While it is a financially responsible option for you, it also promotes environmental friendliness. This renewable energy is becoming increasingly adopted to generate power and while there are great benefits to be derived from using solar energy, there are still some drawbacks attached to it. In this article, you will get a clearer picture about solar energy, its pros and cons, so that you can make an informed decision regarding if its the best choice for you to consider when switching energy resources.

PROS OF SOLAR ENERGY

RENEWABLE AND SUSTAINABLE: Solar energy is a renewable energy source that can be harnessed directly from the sun. Renewable means that there are no chances of running out of it as long as the sun exists. Another pro of solar energy is its sustainability, which basically means that it is able to meet the energy needs of the present generations without compromising the energy needs of future generations.
CLEAN ENERGY SOURCE: Utilising solar energy provides you with a clean energy source that doesn’t contaminate the environment. For example, solar panels give off no pollution once installed. Any form of the contamination may be before installation which can be as a result of industrial packaging and transportation of the merchandise. Other than that, once they are installed on your home, they actually do not release any negative things to the atmosphere. This is a major difference compared to other forms of standard energy.
REDUCES ELECTRICITY BILLS: The use of solar energy to produce power can immensely reduce your electricity costs and allows you and your family to be free of any limitations that may negatively affect the power your home is able to utilise regularly. Moreover, with the fast pace of technological advancement, there are possibilities of selling the extra power generated to nearby neighbours or utility companies. In return, you get paid for it while reducing your monthly electricity bills. Hence, the return on investment is very high when you make use of solar energy through solar panels.
COST OF MAINTENANCE IS LOW: The costs associated with the maintenance of solar panels is low as they do not involve any moving parts. So, after you have installed them in your home, you are left with fewer maintenance costs for the next 10-25 years depending on the quality. Most solar panel installation companies give long-lasting warranties that can be really helpful in case a problem arises. The other thing to bear in mind after installing the solar panels is to always have them cleaned a few times a year. Either you do it yourself or you can hire a cleaning company to do it for you.

CONS OF SOLAR ENERGY

WEATHER DEPENDENT: solar panels are dependent on sunlight to effectively generate solar energy, so if you live in an area that’s prone to cloudy and rainy days, the efficiency of your solar system will be negatively impacted. You should also note that solar energy cannot be gotten during the night. Since the storage technology is still advancing, solar panels cannot store a lot of energy. Therefore, it’s not possible to get a 100% use, a better alternative is to supplement it with other traditional energy sources.
HIGH INITIAL COST: while solar energy usage comes with reduced electricity bills, it still costs a lot on installation because you would have to pay for the entire package. Its components range from batteries, solar panels to wiring and inverters. Nonetheless, solar technology is advancing every day, so there’s a possibility of a reduction in costs, even double glazing cost as well.
EXPENSIVE STORAGE: you can use solar energy right away or you can have it stored in large batteries. These batteries are charged during the day, so you can use the energy during the evening hours or later in the day. It’s obviously a good solution for full access to solar energy all day long but it also comes with great costs. These batteries are heavy and large and require a considerable amount of storage space. You will also have to replace them from time to time.
REQUIRES A LOT OF SPACE FOR SETUP: if you run a business that requires solar energy, mounting it on your roof might be challenging because of limited space you will have to provide a large area of land to set up the solar panels so that the right amount of power can be produced. This may seem like an unfavourable option because the more electricity you want to generate for your business, the more solar panels you will need which will result in more costs. If you don’t have enough space to accommodate more solar panels, you can still go for fewer panels to still meet some of your energy needs.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOLAR CELLS: if there is land or air pollution in your area then it could limit your chances of fully utilising solar energy. High pollution levels greatly influence the effectiveness of solar cells. This can be a huge limiting factor for organisations or industries looking to mount solar panels in high pollution areas or cities. However, adopting ways to decrease the impact of any form of pollution can help the installation process easier. In the case of land pollution, asbestos-contaminated soil removal is a good option to consider. Breathing protection should also be worn in case of air pollution.

WRAPPING UP

The pros of solar energy often outweigh the cons. However, it is important that you analyse the best options for you if you’re considering going solar. As more investments are used in solar technology to create innovative solutions for capturing solar energy, there will likely be better ways to use this source of energy more efficiently.