The Trials of Leaky Homes

Jane decided that she would move out of her house. After living in the same roof as her family for twenty years, she decided it was time to leave the nest and learn to soar. She spent months sifting through newspaper after newspaper trying to find a small house that was not too far away from the city hub and was big enough for her. She also wanted to find a house that had a good bathroom because a clean and working bathroom was very important to her.

One day, after two months of searching with no luck whatsoever, her friend, Gene asked if she could come and spend some time with her. Gene talked about a friend of hers who is also living alone in a two bedroom house and asked if she would like to go and take a look at it. Jane who was finding it hard to stay so optimistic all this time suddenly beamed and wanted to go and see how it would work out. So they both went together and met the girl who was living there. Her name was Soraya. Soraya’s house was just perfect. It had a small room that was just right for Jane and a bathroom that was in good working order.

Jane discussed the idea of moving into Soraya’s house. It went well because it was easier to split the cost for the house if Jane moved in. By the next few weeks Jane said adios to her family and was settling in quite comfortably at her new place. Living in a house with another person was a lot of fun for Jane. They shared most things and split certain duties like cooking, washing dishes and cleaning between each other. It was a pretty stable relationship. A couple of months later, as Jane and Soraya were sitting down to have some lunch, they heard loud thumping noises up in the ceiling. It sounded bigger than rats.

A few days later they found out that a cat and a litter of kittens were living inside the ceiling. They had no way of moving the kittens so they just let them be. However, all the movement and thumping inside the ceiling caused a very big leak inside the walls. The wall of Soraya’s room was coming apart. Having a leaky home was not beneficial. Having a leaky home during heavy monsoon season was even worse. The ceiling had cracks on them and each time it rained, Jane thought the house would fall apart. The water would collect and seep into the walls and make its way into Soraya’s room. During particularly heavy rain, the ceilings would drip too. It was the leakiest of leaky homes.

The two housemates called a renovations company and asked them to come take a look. However, they couldn’t do anything about their leaky home until the rains eased away. By this time, mould had begun to grow on the walls. It was so visible and disgusting, that it scared Soraya out of her room for a little while. They began to spray alcohol water at the mould hoping that they could control the mould population. This was working for a while, but the leaky home didn’t let them taste victory for long.

A month passed and the rain began to cease. The leaky home they were living in, was barely getting by. The mould had spread to cover the entire wall and the leak was getting worse and worse. Jane and Soraya decided they would move out for a little while because living in a mouldy house was bad for their allergies and overall health. As soon as the rains began to die down however, they called the company again and told them to come fix the problem. The very next day they were there, doing some heavy duty repairing on a very leaky home.

Optimisation and Popularity

Back in the 1990’s when websites were just becoming popular, there wasn’t a lot of creativity involved with web design. Any at all for that matter. Websites back then were called static html’s. These were highly organised layouts hand coded by specialists that understood the complexities of this new technology. Not anybody could do this. Therefore, the website wasn’t updated on a regular basis and had a fixed layout and information system.

Fast forward to present day. Everything has changed about the internet. Its the most accessible tool available to mankind. Anybody can be a website designer or anything they wish to be. But are we really taking advantage of this fact? Web space has developed to a point were there are thousands and millions of websites available for your viewing pleasure. Sites that contain information, sites with breathtaking photography/illustrations, social media sites and sites that cater only for various businesses/companies.

It seems that quantity gives way to poor quality. This has become the case with web development. Companies haven’t yet realised that everybody else is doing the same thing they are. Every company is paying top dollar and buying ready made web templates and adding random text containing information that isn’t eye catching and simple enough for the viewer to understand.

Yes, it may be easier than hiring a web designer and learning how to update your site from time to time. But is it worth losing potential customers over? Come out of the box for a little while. Ask yourself, what would interest the customer? What makes the customer want to stay on one particular website and look through the entire thing? How can you convey a message? And how do you go about making your site popular?

Being a website designer is one of the most creative of professions. So why not take advantage of this? People gobble up simple but unique and extraordinary things faster than gossip these days. Therefore being different is the new in thing to do. And there are so many ways of doing that. Find a simple message that your company embodies (slogan) and promote it in on your website. Cut down the information contained on your website because sometimes it can be too technical for a potential customer.

Often times a customer clicks on your url and is bombarded with a slew of information that can’t be processed fast enough. Pick out the really important details and word it in a clear and simple method. The only thing you, as the company, should worry about is to make sure the website designer/s you hire doesn't get too carried away. Make sure the layout is as simple and interesting as possible. Use current information. Check that the ‘call to action’ button is on the homepage in an eye-catching position and organise a lot of SEO work.

The layout and content is going to be what makes the viewer decide whether to stay or move on. Make it interesting enough that they stay and read through what you can offer them. Tell them why your company is the one for them. Feed them information on what your job is about and how you go about doing it. Help them understand you. And make regular updates to your website. Making your website popular depends on how well you get your SEO work done.

SEO stands for Search Engine Optimisation. All search engines (Yahoo, Google, Bing) have this system in place. It is a system that ranks a website on search results depending on certain keywords. Imagine you type in ‘web design Auckland’ to a google search engine. Google will then show you a list of websites that have been ranked on how many times the website has input these keywords.

Another way of getting your company ‘out there’ is the use of Adwords. Adwords is marketing tool that was created by google. Google advertises your product/company on its site and affiliate sites depending on the amount of keywords you use in that advertisement. This is called a sponsored link and runs on a ‘pay per click’ routine.

Keep in mind that your web site is like a twenty four hour pass into your company. A customer can really evaluate whether you product is worth the money or not even worth the time. Make sure that you use wording and layouts that are eye catching and easy to understand and communicate your product and mission indisputably.

The leaky home process

Do you own a leaky home in the North Shore or Auckland suburbs?

If you are an owner of a leaky home in the North Shore and Auckland area we can help you repair and restore your home to liveable conditions once again.

Our experienced Auckland based home renovation contractors will repair and restore your cladding at the highest quality, whether you just want to remove stigma of plaster or monolithic claddings we can guide you through the technical processes and give you that new look you desire.

The leaky home process can be confusing and quite painful when you are trying to find out how to repair and reclad your home. We know this is not a nice situation for anyone to be in so we try to make the process as easy as possible.

Worried about the health and safety of your family when moisture and mold builds up?

Being an owner of a leaky home is a very serious problem as it not only affects the owner but also their family members who live within the property.  Not only do leaky homes affect your family’s health but also the major structural reliability of the building, where eventually you will need to cough up big money to get it all repaired.

It is recommended that you fix your leaky home as soon as possible to save you money and severe headaches with our expert and professional builders.

How can you help us with this stressful and confusing issue?

Our experienced builders and project manager will offer you the finest options on how best to navigate your way through your leaky home process, where we take a detailed assessment of your home and the extent of the damages done to your home.

We have an extensive knowledge on how to deal with this confusing process and work closely with you.  Clear and concise communication is vital to us so we always keep you updated at every single stage of your recladding renovation.

We will take the complications out of the recladding process and make your home more liveable once again, and most importantly water tight.  This eliminates issues such as respiratory, skin problems and further future damages to your home.

What You Need to Know about Subdividing Land and putting it on the Market

Owning a large land has many benefits. One of them is the option of subdividing the land and putting it on the market. Subdividing a large land is no easy task. It's a process that often requires the assistance of various professionals.

The very first step of subdividing a land is to review your property. Analyse your property appraisal documents to determine the size, location and classification of your property. The next task is to determine if your land can actually be subdivided. Certain areas have various limitations on the size, nature and type of property that can be subdivided. What most property owners do at this stage is to select a consultant to help with the entire process.

As mentioned earlier, the process of subdividing a land is not an easy one. However, if you manage the task successfully, you will be able to raise a considerable sum off your property. There are certain complications and limitations attached to the process as well. For instance, some states have rules for selling properties adjacent to specific natural formations such as marshlands, flood zones or man-made structures such as highways or certain types of buildings. With the assistance of a professional in land subdivision, you will be able to determine whether your land is actually eligible to be subdivided.

If you have determined that your land can actually can be subdivided the next step is to find a real estate agent to put the property on the market. While selling the subdivided land itself is adequate to fetch a good value, developing the land will further increase its value. If you are considering subdividing and developing your land, seeking out a property developer with plenty of experience with similar projects.

Whether you are selling the land developed or not, a good property marketing plan is necessary to attract the right kind of buyer and to make a successful sale. If you are new to selling properties, once again, it is advised that you select a capable professional to guide you along the process. The property sales person or company will do the necessary analysis and create a solid marketing plan for you.

5 Things to Keep in Mind on your House Move

Moving houses is considered to be one of the most stressful tasks of all time. Whether you are moving to another country or a few streets up the neighbourhood, the process is pretty much the same and you will still have to pack up an entire house and carry it to the new location. Most people end up with damaged belongings, forgotten packages and assembling nightmares after a move. Bear in mind that as you pack to move your house, you have to consider making unpacking easier as well. Here's 5 things to remember if you are to avoid a disaster on your house move,

1. Find the right mover as early as possible

When it comes to moving houses, especially if you live on an apartment, finding the right movers is the very first step. This is extremely important because not all movers are equipped with the equipment and skills to handle every moving project. If you start searching early, you will have plenty of time to pick a mover with the ability to handle whatever complications your specific situation may bring forth.

2. Make a checklist

Leaving things behind can be expensive if your new house is located far away from your current residence. This is why making lists is highly important. Many things can be mixed up and forgotten during a move. Making a checklist and looking it up regularly will prevent anything from being overlooked.

3. Find proper packaging

Most often, your movers will help you with the packaging. However, some items may be of extra value or they may be extra fragile. Packing is not a one day task especially if you have a family. Being prepared with a few rolls of bubblewrap and cardboard boxes will help make things easier and save a great deal of time as well.

4. Start packing early

You don't have to wait until the last possible moment to start packing up your house. If you wish for a smooth and hassle free move, starting to pack early is the only way. Start with items that get rarely used and work your way to regularly used items as the moving day gets closer. Last minute rushing about and dropping everything within reach into random boxes will lead to a mess while unpacking.

5. Label all boxes

Labelling is important. If you are packing up several rooms, the boxes need to be labelled accordingly to let you know which items are from which room and save a lot of time while unpacking.

Tips to Save Money on Your Next Renovation

When you picture a new paint job or a completely redone bathroom, it's hard to resist the temptation to start work just to make your vision a reality. However, in reality, renovation projects are just as complicated as they are essential. If you are thinking of updating the appearance of your house or a part of it, there are a few things that ought to be considered if you are to save money.

1. Do your research

For every expensive renovation idea, there's always a low budget option. While the low budget option is not exactly poor in quality, you may not think of it unless you do some research. The internet is a great source of information and ideas on affordable renovation and remodelling ideas. Websites such as Pinterest is teeming with pictures, DIY guides and low cost ideas on transforming spaces into stylish interiors. With plenty of information to back you up, you can plan your own project easily.

2. Finding the right contractors

It is highly unlikely that you will stumble into the right contractors just by chance. This is why it is important to seek out and shortlist a few contractors and get quotes from everyone. Consulting multiple contractors will leave you with several options and ideas on the feasibility of your project, thus saving time and money.

3. Buy your own supplies

Most contractors will purchase the supplies themselves as they are often affiliated with suppliers. While the contractors may get a discount for loyalty, it's most likely that they will keep a commission for themselves. However, you too can find cheap suppliers from your end. If you are consulting a designer, they will be able to guide you towards cheap suppliers. If not, a bit of research will point you in the right direction.

4. DIY whenever possible

Not all renovation projects need to be handled by professionals. If you have the time to spare, you can save a great deal by completing parts of the project yourself. For instance, tasks such as painting can be done without the assistance of a professional. If you have the help of friends or family members, DIY tasks will save a considerable portion of the total project sum.

5. Be flexible on the time frame not the budget

When you set your budget, be extremely careful and discuss every minor detail with your contractor and designer to make sure that you do not exceed it. As for the time frame, make sure to not select a busy time for home renovations as rates will be quite high during certain parts of the year. If you can settle for a time of the year when work is slow for contractors, you will be able to save more.

5 Mistakes eCommerce websites make and how to avoid them

Not all websites are perfect, but website users demand nothing but perfection. As a user, there are many things wrong with websites; this can cause frustration and even result in avoiding particular websites altogether. As an owner of an eCommerce website, there are several grave errors of which you might be guilty.

1. Slow website

This is something that frustrates online customers to no end. It is important to make sure that you keep a close watch on the loading speed of your website. Issues with your hosting, certain elements on your website and third party plugins can cause your website to slow down. Therefore, it is extremely important that you pay close attention to what you add to your website as page speed has a massive effect on your sales.

2. Incompatibility with certain browsers

A website, especially an eCommerce website, has to be built in such a way that it is visible on any web browser. There is no way to predict what browser your users may choose to visit your website on, so make sure to check that your site is compatible with all browsers and correct any errors as early on as possible.

3. Complicated credit card entry systems

Credit card entry fields are particularly frustrating when they disappear and your page refreshes due to a missed answer. The last thing a customer would want to do is to enter their details all over again. In addition, it is also important to make sure that you don't tamper with the order of the form's fields. If the standard sequence is altered, people may make mistakes and therefore, it is advisable to stick to industry standards.

4. Broken links and dead-ends

Let's say that you have removed a product from your listings but did not remove the internal links on the page. This results in the dreaded 404 errors that can be both frustrating for users and disliked by search engines. In the case of removed products, it's best to remove the internal links and to continue to keep the page with a notice about how the product is no longer listed on your website. In addition, images that don't open can also cause serious damage. Make sure to test out your website on various devices and browsers to ensure that the images are working on all of them.

5. Hidden charges

While this is not necessarily a website error, failing to inform your customers on the exact shipping charges for their purchases can once again, be damaging to your sales and reputation. It is advisable that you always let your customers know about all charges prior to payment.