Home Related Questions and Answers: 2013-03-10

Saturday, March 16, 2013

How do you keep your home smelling good?

Q. I am always going into homes where everything smells so fresh and even sweet, what do you use to keep your home and linen smelling so good and long lasting?

A. Dryer sheets, lysol, and carpet powder are your best friends. Potpourri and candles do good to mask the smell, but that's not what you want. It's artificial. It's nice for a scent, but it's not a clean smell, really.

After cleaning, sprinkle some scented carpet powder on the floor and let it set for a couple of minutes, then vacuum it up. The scent remaining is very faint and fresh. Put a dryer sheet between your linen to keep them fresh smelling. You can also stick a bar of soap or dryer sheet in your closets to keep them fresh smelling. You can even rub a dryer sheet over your furniture (test it first) to give a nice scent AND reduce any static cling. Dryer sheets also clean and de-static-ify (LOL) tv and computer screens. AAAANNNDDD you can put a dryer sheet wedged or taped into an air conditioning vent in every room to spread the fresh scent around. No one will even know it's there.

How can I keep my dog off the furniture?

Q. she is a 5 year old lab and she won't do it when we're home but the minute we leave she makes herself at home! I've tried laying kitchen chairs on the couch but she just knocks them off!

A. This is an issue of obedience. Do NOT spank the dog as another person suggested. This does nothing and may hurt your relationship with the dog more than help. Plus, it is cruel and unnecessary. All it does is show that you are NOT in control.

Your dog has learned that she is barred from the furniture as long as you are there. Once you are gone, it's free game. That's because in her mind, she recognizes the "command" to stay off the furniture being associated with your presence.

Here's a trick to use - and it will take a bit of patience and a few tries, but may work well. Get a can (soda can is fine) and place about 20 pennies in it. Seal the can well. Then leave the area (room or house) in such a way that she thinks she can now go on the furniture, but stay within site of both her and the couch (you may need to trick her or use another person). As soon as she leaps on the couch (or starts to get on the couch), toss the can right at her feet. Do NOT hit her with the can. The goal is to scare her. After she leaps up frightened, walk into the room with a open arms, warm smile and comfortingly say, "come here girl - oh you poor thing, it's scary on that bad couch, isn't it?" What you are trying to do is make it seem like the couch is the one "barking" at her to get off, not you. She will associate going on the couch as "bad" and listening to you as good. As I wrote, she associates the "off" command with you. You want her to associate the command with the couch. So if she sees the couch, she remembers that it "barks" or makes a loud noise when she hops on. So she'll be more likely to stay off the couch.

This is a trick that I was taught by a professional dog trainer (over two decades of professional training) and one that I currently employ. If your dog is responsive to that can, it could be used for a variety of training issues. Do NOT shake the can as a rattle. Just give it one harsh shake - as if you just gave one loud "bark". So if she jumps on a person, shake the can once at her and say "down" or "off". This is just one example of how it can be used. Alpha dogs in the wild will give tiny nips at the neck and one loud bark to control the other dogs in the pack. This is even true for a group of dogs at play (when one will become the alpha). The goal is for YOU to become the alpha dog and then teach her "manners", like not jumping, not barking and staying off the couch.

Good luck!

What is the best vaccum or comercial vac for big home?

Q. I have a 3500sqft. home. We need a new vaccum the one we have is not doing it. We have a Hoover windtunnel. It does not perform well even when maintained. I have had a dyson in past and don't like the suction on that either. I would love a commercial vac with the best suction. Please help I have shaft carpet, hardwood, tile and stairs.

A. Print this articleDyson DC14 All-Floors Cyclone Upright
The Dyson DC14 All-Floors Cyclone Upright Vacuum Cleaner is designed for use on all surfaces. It features a motorized brush bar that when activated removes dirt and pet hair from carpets. This function can be switched off to protect fine rugs or delicate flooring surfaces. The vacuum cleaner uses Dyson's Root Cyclone technology to ensure that there is no loss of suction. The Cyclone has a long telescopic wand to clean areas that are hard to reach. Dyson upright vacuums are certified asthma friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.

Electrolux EL 7020B Oxy3 Ultra Canister
The Electrolux EL 7020B Oxy3 Ultra Canister Vacuum cleans traditional carpeted, hardwood and laminate flooring. The vacuum cleaner features a Beta power head option that increases power on carpets. The Optimal light informs the user about the performance level of the Oxy3 Canister. Electrolux guarantees that the Oxy3 captures 99.97 percent of the dust, allergens and small particles in a home. A simple cord rewind function at the touch of a button is a user-friendly addition.

produtools.comHoover 5507-900 Elite Rewind Upright Bagless
The Hoover 5507-900 Elite Rewind Upright Bagless vacuum cleaner is powered by a 12-amp motor. A lifetime HEPA filter is included, and a light indicates when it requires cleaning. The vacuum cleaner covers all surfaces and cleans wide strips. The vacuum features a headlight and furniture guard. Each Hoover vacuum includes a pet-hair removal tool, a dusting brush and an upholstery tool.

Kenmore Progressive 36932 Upright
The Kenmore Progressive 36932 Upright Vacuum Cleaner is bagless and designed to clean many surfaces, such as carpets, bare floors and rugs. The vacuum cleaner features a rotating brush roll that moves the vacuum across the floor. It also works well with tools, which are necessary when cleaning stairs, drapes and upholstery. Another feature is the Inteli-Clean lights, which change color to indicate when an area is completely clean.

How much does a professional home exterior and interior paint sprayer cost?

Q. I am about to buy a professional paint sprayer that paints I can use to paint houses. I will be doing interior and exterior paint jobs. Thanks for the help.

A. My graco gas powered sprayer was $5000, no electric required, very nice to have. A good tall boy electric from graco or titan should be about $ 2000 - 3000 based on volume of paint you will. E using per job. You can get an ok (just ok) unit for about 1200. DONT GET A CHEAP SPRAYER OR SPRAY GUN. Make sure gun is rebuildable.

Is there any way to seal brick on your homes exterior?

Q. My house is in need of help. I have a sandy textured brick on the exterior (about 30 years old). The brick seems to have lost its coating and is crumbling off and spaulding out. It gets especially worse during the winter as it freezes and thaws. Is there any product that I could spray on the brick to seal it and stop this?
Thank you for all of your responses. I found more info on the net. Cosmo, you were right about the mortor tuck. Without that done first, trying to seal the brick won't do a thing. I'm having a mason look at it and quote me. I dont want to paint the brick, even though it probly is the longest lasting solution, and my wife is dead set against it. So it looks like Im going to get the mortor joints right first, and then apply the Behr sealer.

A. I am afraid your bricks may be too far gone for a sealer. Thompson's would be one step better than water and, in my opinion would be a waste of good money and even more valuable time.

Your home must be pretty old to have this ocuring. If your brick is to the point of crumbling, I think you are past the point of help for anything that can be applied with a brush or a spray gun. I would consult a mason. Perhaps the damage you are seeing is more cosmetic than structural. A mason may suggest a mortar tuck. This is where you dig out any loose mortar and replace it with new. Its a big job, but at some point in any stone building, it is necessary.

I don't want to alarm you, as your brick is still likely to outlast you.

Where can I get an exterior people door that already has a doggy door installed in it?

Q. I already installed a doggy door in my brand new home's exterior and it leaks to inside the house when it rains - despite caulking it! I'd rather just buy pre-fab one next time.

A. if your home has a sliding door you can buy 1 on these

http://www.petdoors.com/panel_pet_door_info.htm

What are you the best interior paints, and do you think that brands like Farrow & Ball are worth the price?

Q. As an artist, I've learned that sometimes expensive paints are worth the money because of the exceptional quality, and others are a rip off. I'm guessing the same is true with interior paints for your house. My mom is obsessed with Farrow & Ball, but to me it's absurd to pay more than $90 a gallon for paint. They have very limited color options, too.

A. Farrow and ball only do paints that are period colours (georgian, victorian etc..), and you can choose from lots of different finishes. But personally, i don't think that it makes a blind bit of difference! I would much rather spend my money on some fabulous feature wallpaper, or a nice sofa than on paint, which nobody is going to pay the slightest bit of attention to. Nobody compliments your paint, no matter how expensive it is! I think that if you are trying to create a victorian house, with every detail spot on and correct, then maybe, just maybe, its worth it. Otherwise i wouldn't bother!

What is the best interior paint for resale?

Q. Okay. I am going crazy trying to find the right interior paint color for resale. I eventually want to sell my condo and I want the best color. Has anybody used Restoration Hardware's Latte and do you like it? Please give me your favorite neutral paint color or maybe a link to a website that has great suggestions. Brands and specific colors please. Not just "beige". LOL. Thank you!

A. I think you have the right idea. Any soothing neutral earth tone is going to please the eyes well. As long as you have coordinating furniture and accents done correctly. Staging is just as important as color when you sell. We can all give you a color that will work, but so will the latte.

Can a half of a can of interior paint that is out in the garage during freezing weather be used again?

Q. I started a project a month ago to paint some interior walls but I got too busy to finish, can I continue with interior paint that has been sitting in our garage in below freezing temperatures to work again? I was wondering if I need to go buy another can of the same paint instead of messing up and taking a risk of using what I have already started to uset. Can anyone help me before I begin the project again. HELP!
Just FYI...the paint is water based. Hope that helps when answering the question. Thanks! :)

A. There is no "set" answer to this, as paint comes in a vast number of chemical combinations, and it depends on the paint you have.

A very broad answer is that some water-based paints will not survive. Others will survive, but may dry with a flaky or loose finish when applied. Some will work nearly, or fully, as well as before.

Oil-based paints are harder to predict. The solvents will be undamaged, but the solids may congeal and become useless.

All you can do is to slowly thaw your paint indoors, (do NOT apply any heat to speed it up,) then try to mix it. If it mixes well, try it on a spare piece of material and let it dry for a few days, then examine it and rub it with a coarse cloth to test its staying ability.

Note

Once it is fully dry, compare the newly-painted piece with whatever you painted before, as the frozen paint may have acquired a colour shift.

Federal Home Improvement Grants, how do they work, how do you apply?

Q. I see advertisements for federal grants that do not have to be paid back that are for everything from small business funding to home improvements. I was wondering if anyone has ever received a grant for home improvement and how you apply and/or qualify to receive one. Basically, how do I get one to do home improvements and renovations??

A. Most of the home improvement grants are for renovating property in low income areas, and you have to use the property for section 8 rentals, not your own home. google search it, I found the site that way. There are grants for everything you can think of. It's a .gov website. Don't subscribe to any service that wants to charge money for finding grants for you, those svcs. are just a scam. Anyone can research and apply. I spent two days scrolling through all of the grant information just to find out that I didn't qualify for anything. Some of them are pretty funny, I saw one grant for immigrants from Africa to study ancestrial drumming. The comedian David Letterman has set up a grant for " mediocre students with little ambition". The only grant I was eligible for was down payment assistance for first time homebuyers, the application process was so long I closed on the house and moved in before I heard anything.

When doing taxes can you deduct home improvement expenses every year or only the year you sell?

Q. I was told that you could deduct home improvement expenses until the year you sold your house. Is this true?

A. Home improvement costs generally increase your adjusted basis to your house and not deductible during current year. If you took a loan to pay for these improvements, the interests you paid are deductible. Also, if your home improvement is only repainting the house, it is not considered home improvement and you cannot add the costs to your adjusted basis regarding capital gain taxes. But if the repainting job is part of a bigger home improvement project, then it's ok to add the costs to the your adjusted basis.

Now make sure you keep very good records on the costs for home improvement so you don't run into problems when you sold your home and report it to the IRS.

why don't i have varited items and home improvement on virtual families on my ipod?

Q. on virtual families on my ipod when i click the store the only thing i have is food,upgrades,and some medicines the varied items not there and the home improvement items are not there either..how do i get them?

A. Making home improvements not only creates beautiful upgrades to your home but can also increase its overall value. Updating an old bathroom is one of the most profitable home improvements you can make.Adding casual living areas like a den or family room is a smart home improvement.Adding a second bath to a house can be a significantly profitable home improvement. I recommend you to visit :
http://newleafinvestment.com/
It may be helpful to you .

What are engineering challenges to develop solar energy for comfort/home uses?

Q. What are engineering challenges to develop solar energy for comfort/home uses?

A. Solar is an old technology now and is fairly developed. Cost is a bit of a barrier but that is coming down quickly. Production scale could also be considered a barrier, as the industry can't yet make enough solar panels to satisfy demand. The panels themselves are limited in how much energy they can take out of the sun's rays, but they are getting better at this. Materials are a big thing now, mostly in trying out different materials and structures in the cells to bring down the cost and boost the efficiency.

Q. How the electricity is produced by using solar energy?

Q. Please describe in details how do the whole mechanisms work? How it is developed? What apparatus is required? How the solar panel is constructed and how it works? Explain me all questions by using 3d figures or images or video if available. I have no prior knowledge about solar electricity so; please guide me in the easiest way as much as possible; I want to make electricity for my home by using solar energy what should I do? How can I achieve or construct it myself?

A. U will Find lot of in to
http://www.howstuffworks.com/solar-cell.htm
at this Site

Can you give me information on solar energy?

Q. I would love to use some solar energy in my home. What can you tell me about how much it costs to begin? Is there some sort of federal tax credit? What all do I need to buy (panels, batteries, etc)? Can a homeowner do the installation or must it be done by a professional? Would also appreciate any websites for retailers of solar energy items. Thank you very much for any information.

A. When I was gainfully employed, prior to experiencing the bliss of retirement, I worked for a hardware store that marketed a solar energy system for single family residences.

The cost profile (this stuff is expensive) suggested that, if you planned to live in your home for 19 years post-installation, you would amortize the cost.

There were federal and California state tax credits available at the time, as well as a rebate from Pacific Gas and Electric (primary utility provider in No. Calif.) which produced a net cost near $20K.

You need to determine if your local power company is obligated to buy back surplus power from your solar system first. If they are not legally required to do so, that will make amortization more difficult.

Can outdoor furniture be put on the grass?

Q. We don't have a patio and I have no idea how to build one without interferring with other existing structures. We'd like an outdoor sitting area, though. Can outdoor furniture be put just on the grass? If so, does it matter what kind?

Please don't suggest picnic tables. They're too hard on my husband's back.

A. You can put it on the grass that's fine. A suggestion would be to put down some patio blocks under them. Just make a sitting area so you don't have to move every peice of furniture every time you mow. I would suggest getting some lawn furniture with the comfy seats (oversized cusions) for your husbands back. My dad has a bad back too.

What's the best type of outdoor furniture for a rainy climate?

Q. I live in the Pacific Northwest which is famous for its frequent rain. We relish the few months of nice weather we have, but even in the summertime we can get some rainfall. I want to have some outdoor furniture in our back yard, but I don't want it to be ruined if it gets wet. I like the idea of padded chairs, but since we don't have a shed or covered patio, they are likely to get rained on and I don't want them to grow mildewy or whatnot.

What materials are the best for rain?

A. Enamel coated extruded aluminum will outlast both of us. In any climate. It is a bit pricey, but if you wait until fall, you will find great sales.

What is the best way or best product to clean Resin/plastic outdoor furniture?

Q. What is the best way or best product to clean Resin/plastic outdoor furniture?

A. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Friday, March 15, 2013

What is a fair price for marble tile floor installation?

Q. I need to install marble flooring throughout the house, and I was wondering, what is the fair price per square feet for tile installation?

I already have the marble, so the installer just needs to provide the underlayment, thinset, and floor leveling.

Also, the tile would need to be installed in 45 degree angles, instead of straight rows.

Thanks!

A. For marble labor , floor prep ( unknown because it varies a lot with marble) your looking at 5.00$ a s/f and up.
The proper way to prep for marble is a mud job which gives the absolute best support for marble and will also provide ( when done properly) a flat level floor. That alone can go for 2.00$ a s/f and up depending where you live.
In the real world your looking at closer to 10$ a s/f ( and up)with the prep.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar and check my qualifications there. GL

Starting a tile installation company?

Q. I want to start installing tile, and I am familiar with the process, but I have no "real" experience except for the DIY (peel and stick) tile. If I got a tile installation book and practiced on a few tiles on a small scale, how hard would it be to tile a floor good enough to get a positive referral from it?

A. I did a 20 x 18 foot room with 12 inch ceramic tiles. It was a snap really. I used a wide grout line because these were mexican tile. No spacers, just did it by eye.

Plan it so that you dont have "sliver" size peices on any wall , if possible. Rent a wet saw. Or buy one for $89, it will get you through the job.

Now if you are talking tiling a shopping mall thats something different. I have looked at some of that work , and man, those lines are straight for miles. But for homes, you will never see the errors after a week.

Cost of Ceramic tile installation?

Q. How much per sq foot should ceramic tile installation cost? I would like to get my kitchen and connected bathroom (260 sqft) done. I plan on spending 2 per sq ft on the actual tile.

A. Contact a ceramic tile installer or go to a showroom which sells ceramic, They will tell you the cost of material and the cost of installation. You can determine if you DIY.

Does anyone know the song in the mastercard commercial with the kitchen appliances?

Q. The commercial is called "Dinner Out" and it's one of the new Mastercard commercials. It has a fancy lookin' couple leave and then the kitchen appliances have a little party with this really neat song playing in the background and I would like to know what it is.

A. Actually it is called Via con me, not viE con me. Great song!

where do you buy your kitchen appliances?

Q. I'm buying a whole suite of kitchen appliances (fridge, gas range, micro wave and dishwasher). I'm likely going to choos either LG, GE Profile or Whirlpool Gold. Any good suggestions on where to go? I'm currently looking at Lowes. Best Buy appears to be a little overpriced at the moment.

A. I have bought some things (deep freeze, sewing machine.. etc) at Sears. I am presently investigating prices at Sears, the Bay (Canada only I think), The Brick, Future shop, Home Depot, Rona, Best Buy and Ikea. So far Ikea and Sears are coming out ahead although Home Depot does have some good sales in their stores sometimes (If they are overstocked in something, or an item is discontinued, you can pick up those items for quite cheap. You have to visit the individual stores though). There is a website that actually tells you which brand names are built by which company.. I know 'Kenmore' appliances are built by a number of different manufacturers! so if you really want a whirlpool, but at a cheaper price.. buy a Kenmore with certain numbers in the model #. See the link below.

http://appliancejunk.com/forums/index.php?page=137

Here's another link for your perusal:
http://www.reliableparts.ca/customer-service/who-builds-what-brand-appliance.cfm

Cheers!

What is your favorite kitchen appliance?

Q. What is your favorite kitchen appliance, utensil etc? It can be anything big or small.

A. bullet

Can anyone answer a question about the installation of new carpeting?

Q. Just had new carpeting put in and began to notice when walked on you can see the shoe tracks. Is this a characteristic of "cheap" carpeting or is it just a characteristic of new carpeting and something that will go away over time?

A. Just new carpet. When it gets worn they won't show. Enjoy it while it lasts.

What do you think of black walls and grey carpeting?

Q. I have next week off for vacation time and I am considering having my condo painted and new carpeting installed. I want the ceiling and carpeting grey and the walls black. I think that it will go good with the lava lamps and my furniture.

A. I like Black I have black carpet in my daughters room with black and cream bedding. Your choice seems ok.

How much would standard carpeting cost for my guest bedroom?

Q. So the carpeting size is 11'-9'' / 10'-6'' and the closet size is 2'0'' / 8'-4''
How much would general carpeting cost for the size not including labor.

A. Standard carpet ( you can do higher and lower) will run about 2/ 2.50$ a s/f. This is w/o pad too since you didn t mention that.
You ll need a pc 12 x 12' 6" to do that area. It will be w/o seams too. Thats 150 s/f and will be in the ball park of 300 to 375 $ just for carpet . Again +- depending on the carpet quality. You may be able to buy a pc off a roll or even a remnant for as low as .75 to 1$ a s/f.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar. GL

How can I make lamps, clocks, and fountains from scratch?

Q. I am interested in making my own clocks, lamps and fountains from recycled materials, but want to know how to wire lamps, manipulate clock gears and hook up fountains. I know that you usually have to buy some of the gear, but how can you customize it (for instance, a clock face)? Where can I find more information and how-to guides on how to do this?

A. If you google lamp plans or how to wire lamps there are plenty of creditable sources that will guide you through how to do pretty much all of this

How long do i keep my turtles lamps on for?

Q. I have one UVB 5.0 Lamp, and 2 household heat lamps. How long do i keep each on for and are there any further instructions?

A. I leave the lamp on for 12 hours and off for 12 hours; this simulates day and night.

How tall should bedroom table lamps be?

Q. I have great table lamps in the livingroom which is in the process of being redone. Would the lamps be too tall for the bedroom? Is there a formula of height requirements for table lamps? For a swag over the kitchen table, what is the clearance?

A. The lamps are not required to be any height...just make sure they are proportioned correctly with your bed post...lamps that are seen as too tall are normally those that are taller than the bed posts!

What is the special quality of a pet dog which give it access in to the home & bed room?

Q. Pet dog play daily, go for walking daily, welcome us when we return to home daily in fact there are many qualities in pet dogs; which generally, we all like. However there must be some very special quality in pet dogs which give them access in to the home & bed room and my question is what is that special?

A. Remember, as far as a dog is concerned, they are part of your family. I know, my dog thinks she's my mother, always shouting at me. Love her to bits. Remember also, they are VERY protective of their owners.

Is a video projector a good solution for a home cinema room?

Q. I want to make one of my apartament's rooms a Home Cinema Room. I don't know what to use: a large screen LCD TV, or a video projector. I am tempted to buy a video projector but I'm not sure about the image quality. Are the images created by video projectors good enough to be copared with the ones from an LCD TV? Can you help me by naming some trusting products? Preferably from own experience.

A. Projectors needs a big room and a dark room. Pick up a copy of Home Theater Magazine March issue, it list just about every projectors in the market today. Keep in mind that the lamp for a projector only last about 2,000 hours and replacement lamps can cost you a minimum of $250. You also need a video screen will will cost around $250 to $3,000. I have used a Panasonic projector for many years and is only used to watch blu ray disc movies at night. An entry level projector that is recommend by Home Theater Magazine and cost you $2,300 and the high end to around $10,000 or more. You can now get a 65" Plasma tv from Costco for $2,000, it is a Panasonic Plasma tv. Panasonic is the top quality product when it comes to tvs. Read the reviews on tvs and the pro and con of Plasma and LCD at Home Theater Magazine. Hope this will help you out.

How hot does a home theater room get?

Q. I am installing a home theater room in our basement and I wanted to know how how the room usually get. The room is 18 ft by 18ft. It is usually pretty cold in the room. I would be putting in a projector, surround sound, leather chairs, xbox 360, and an av receiver. I was wondering if anyone could tell me how many degrees does you're room temperature increase when all of those components are running? thanks. Also, I live in northern california, the north bay area, average temperature is 75 degrees probably

A. It really won't make much difference. Your main heat source will be the projector, which is up at ceiling height anyway. My own music/HT room heats up mainly from amplification (6 channels), but my amplifiers are capable of a total output of over 1,000 watts RMS. A fan switches on when they reach higher temperatures, and it does warm the room significantly. Even so, I only notice this when I'm done and I leave the room--the adjacent areas are definitely cooler!
As an aside, make sure that all of your electronics have plenty of space for cooling, or install ventilation--high operating temperatures drastically shorten the life of electronics.

home plan and started drinking heavily and the parole officer arrested him and put in jail .how long in jail?

Q. he has been in jail since beginning of Aug08 this is sept08. how much time will he get for parole violation for drinking?also he left the person who made the home plan with all the bills that he was supposed to help ,etc rent,gas,light ,water. how can my friend get him to pay after he is sentence to jail.can the parole board and probation help the friend get the money from the violator?

A. he will be in jail for as long as he was sentenced or until he gets paroled again ( if he dose not when).as far as the friend who got stuck with all the bills... not much he can do about that. and if i was him i would not help the man again. but i would lie to the guy saying if the bills where paid then he could use them as a home plain again and if he pays it turn around and say no to him. the guy had his chance for freedom and he wasted it and on top of that the pple who helped him got screwed with the bills let him sit in jail.

How much will my interest rate be on a home purchase?

Q. My girlfriend and I are looking to move into a new home come Dec/Jan. She is a 650 credit score, I am a 600. Looking in the price range of a $100-150K home. Planning on putting $2,000 down.

With that being said, what kind of interest rate should I be expecting? Also...I have heard of 80/20 loans. Any feedback on those?

A. I just bought a home about 6 months ago, so I know what your going through. It depends on a few things. Where do you live? How much money do you guys make? What's in your credit history, not just your score!

I can tell you from your credit score that your definitely not going to get the prime rate. You'll probably get a rate a few percents above whatever the best rate is that the mortgage company offers.

An 80/20 loan is two separate loans and the 20% loan's rate is always higher. When you make a down payment on a home that is less than 20% of the sale price then you pay on an 80% loan and also a 20% (both %'s are in respect to the selling price on the home) So therefore, you'll either have to take out a 80/20 or a loan for the sale price and then pay mortgage insurance (PMI) (because your down payment is nowhere near 20%).

I was told not to mess with an 80/20 loan for different reasons but you'll have to do your research in order to make the best decision for you two.

Are there any extra taxes on BSNL 500 home plan?

Q. Last month I was using 250 plan and this month i have brought up 500home plan. Are there any extra taxes on it? Is 500 c better than it ?
I didn't know about the two other plans of rs.500. The officials didn't ask me also.
And they changed it to 500 home plan. Do you think I should change it again?

A. 1) BSNL Dataone plan 250
-- It is not having night free 02:00 - 08:00
2) BSNL Dataone plan 500
--It is having night free 02:00 - 08:00
--2.5 GB FREE/ MONTH /excess will be charged
3) Charges Month / Rs. 500 + Tax nearly 12%
4) Yearly payment Rs.5,000 + Tax Rs.618 = Rs.5,618

Thursday, March 14, 2013

is there a catalog like AVON, that people can work for commissions selling home interior decorations?

Q. I know someone who saw this particular catalog, but did not get the name other than "home interior decorations". the door to door seller
would go with this catalog in a very AVON-lady way.

Is there one particular company or many? I'm not talking about direct mail services, but where an individual seller can work on commission for.

A. I believe it what you are referring to is Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc. It has no relation to Avon although Avon has its own separate home design catalog. Anyway, they're not in business anymore because they got bankrupt.

Does anyone know of a way to repurpose old home interior pictures?

Q. I have a big collection of home interior pictures that are from the late 90's- 2000 or so. The resale is horrible, but I'm pretty good a repurposing stuff.. But on this I'm stuck. I cannot think of anything that would be worth it?.. Other than taking out the print and using the high quality frames that home interiors is known for. Any ideas appreciated!

A. Try taking the pictures and cleaning them with a damn cloth and getting the dust off, this may bring the colors out, and if not then you can have them scanned and enhanced at your local walgreens or something.

Can you help me identify and locate an old home interior picture?

Q. I can remember almost 30 years ago my mother bought me a home interior picture that was in a very heavy metal frame with a rounded glass, the print was a small boy kneeling and praying into a beam shining down on him.
I know that I have seen the picture in some bibles and I would like to know the name of the print. I would also know how I might be able to buy the picture, frame, glass etc. that was purchased for me. I have tried the homeco and the home int. web site but without the name of the print I'm having no luck.

A. If you go to "vintage pictures.com" you may get the help you need. Lots of luck to you!

Is Home Office Furniture Tax Deductible? If so, how much is deductible and what does that really mean?

Q. My home office is based out of Texas.

A. Home office furniture would be tax deductible, as long as you use it only for your business. If you bought a computer for use for the business, a desk to put the computer on, a lamp to shine light on the desk and the computer, a phone line for the computer to connect to the internet, these would all be deductible Home Office Furniture as long as you used them 100% for the business. If you did then 100% of what you paid for them is deductible as a business expense in the year you bought them. The only question is though, is your home office part of a Schedule C business? If so then you can list all the assets on Form 4562 and take section 179 depreciation on them. That will let you write them totally off in the year you bought them. If you have a home office as part of your job requirement, then you would still report the assets on Form 4562 and take section 179 depreciation, but the depreciation would flow through to Form 2106 - Employee Business Expenses, which would in turn flow to Schedule A - Itemized Deductions - Miscellaneous Deductions, and would have to exceed 2% of your AGI for the excess to be deductible.

What paint colors would be ideal for a serene home office with Scandinavian-modern furniture and aesthetics?

Q. My stepmom is in the process of converting two small guest bedrooms into one large home office that is adjacent to a nursery. The room that is connected to the nursery (by a bathroom) is currently painted a medium-hued turquoise called Blue Ground by Farrow & Ball, and will serve sort of like the sitting area of the office. She adores the color, and will most likely keep it. The other room is wallpapered, but they're going to remove the paper and paint. There is still a partial wall up, so even though the space is open, there is a separation between the two rooms. This is why I think it would be nice to have the rooms two different colors that harmonize with one another. She is considering painting three walls a cloud white and having one accent wall with color.

All of the furniture that will go in the room has a Scandinavian-modern aesthetic to it, sort of like the IKEA style but higher quality. Most pieces are either white or blonde wood, and have clean lines. There is a lot of natural light streaming in. She is wanting the space to have a serene vibe to it with colors that are calming but not boring. We're in Southern California, so she's considering incorporating some ocean-inspired decor, like a driftwood coffee table and maybe sea glass colors, but it won't be like a "beach theme."

Do you have any paint color suggestions? Unfortunately, I'm in college several hours away, so I don't have any photos to share of the space.
This is the color of the room that is already painted: http://us.farrow-ball.com/blue-ground/colours/fcp-product/100210

A. I think I'd go for a light grey, either true grey or possibly a little on the blue side. It's certainly serene. It looks businesslike. It can go with an ocean theme. Think of the colour of an ocean just after a storm.
It will go with the furniture. A sand colour might be all right too but you'd have to be sure it goes okay with the blond wood. You could accuse grey of being boring, but it makes an excellent background colour and if you put an interesting piece of art or two on a wall, that will liven it up a lot.

I like that turquoise colour a lot too but combining with other colours is a bit tough without having it look like a kid's playroom. Anything red, pink, or coral is out. Yellow might work but it better be a very subdued yellow. Green just won't go. A medium blue might be okay but if it's too pale it will look cheap beside the turquoise and too dark will overwhelm everything else.

What are essentials for a home office?

Q. I want to convert a section of our home basement into a home office? What are essentials to creating an excellent home office environment?

A. The first step in creating a home office plan that works is to evaluate what you plan to do in the space.

A home office can have different zones for various tasks, equipment, and furniture needs. A desk and computer area may be one zone, while bookshelves, storage, and filing are another.

Furnishings. Make sure that you allow for adequate desk space for your equipment, and space to store materials, records and supplies.

Outlets. Are there enough electrical outlets to safely accommodate all of your business equipment (computer, telephone, copier, fax, clock and desk lamps)

Invest in a second phone line for your office.

Choose bright colors that will reflect light and keep you in a productive mood.

you'll need some sort of bookshelf-or shelves-and file drawers that are easily accessible without you having to get up.

Bulletin and chalk boards are a great way to keep home office reminders front and center.

accessories like pencil holders and divided containers.

personal art and pictures, family portraits.

A computer, desk chair and obvious things like that also.

Plants help make it more inviting.

Warm lighting, stay away from fluorescent lighting.

Any good home decorating magazines?

Q. My husband and I just moved into a new house. I am so confused about how I want the place to look. Does anyone know of any good magazines for home decorating?

A. Lowes has a great selection. I went through 50 or so magazine and books while we were building our home. Something I found that made it easier, cut out the ideas you like and put them in a folder. This saves you from flipping through the book over and over again.

I found Lowes had one of the best collections. Borders has good one also. My favorite is anything by HGTV. You can go to their website for ides also.

Need help finding a website like Pinterest but is about home decorating only?

Q. A while back I found a website that was like Pinterest but for home decorating/planning your dream home... if you know what it is, please help.
Thank you for yalls help, I found the website it's www.houzz.com :) thanks again!

A. I don't know of one but try these boards :

Nice homes :
http://pinterest.com/kaitdelallo/dream-home-decorating/
http://pinterest.com/smoutsatsos/decorating-home/

http://pinterest.com/search/boards/?q=home+design

More a teen girl style-
http://pinterest.com/onlyforforever/drop-by-when-you-can/
http://pinterest.com/nstanford28/home-decorating/

Will you be going out on Black Friday or be at home decorating for Christmas?

Q. I'll be at home decorating for Christmas! I do all my Christmas shopping online! :)

A. I would rather take a leap from a tall bridge than fight the crowds on that day.

I will spend the day eating as much as I possibly can of the wonderful leftovers from the meal of the day before, and beginning to decorate my house for Christmas.

I will actually spend more time with the eating and then some napping than getting much work done.

Can you place wood flooring on an uneven floor?

Q. there is a long hallway in my house I'd like to have wood flooring. but my contractor says that at the end of the hallway there is a slight incline. he says wood flooring would have to stop there and be replaced with carpet. esthetically I think it would look awful. is what he says true or is there another way to keep it all wood?

A. Hardwood floor installation can be slowed by an uneven subfloor. Before installing hardwood floors, use a straight edge to find the humps and dips in the subfloor. Then, using a floor leveling compound or asphalt shingles, shim the dips so the floor is level.

How many boxes would you have to buy of Laminate wood flooring to cover a 10x15 room?

Q. if it says it does 16sq ft per box?

I have a 1400sq ft home. and the math a did at 50 bucks a box, it would be well over 5k to do my home?

and at that price how does anyone afford to do wood flooring... even the fake kind? Am I figuring it wrong?

A. Are you doing one room or a whole house?? Your question suggests one room 10 X 15= 150 sq ft. You would divide that by the square footage listed on the box. In your example 16 sq ft= 9.37 or 10 boxes @ 50.00 = $500.00. To do the whole house could very well be $5000.00 for materials alone. Add to that the cost of the underlayment about $60.00 for a 100 sq ft roll. Are you sure you were looking at laminate and not engineered wood flooring? Laminate flooring cannot be refinished. Once it is scratched it's scratched! Engineered wood can be refinished once. I would suggest shopping around a bit more.

How much more is wood flooring compaired to carpet per square foot?

Q. I'm removing my ugly carpet and putting something new in. My mom wants carpet (less expensive) but its my dream to have wood flooring in my bedroom. I understand it all depends on where you by it, what kind and installation but maybe give me an estimate? Thanks so much!

A. 99% of the time wood will be more expense for the basic product. If your looking at some base grade products wood will go for around 2 $ a s/f more. Of course this varies with the exact product but you know what I mean.
Basic carpet , installed with a pad runs around (+-) 2.50 / 3.00$ a s/f.
Basic wood ( 2 1/4" oak) will run closer to 5/6$ a s/f installed.
There are laminates and other simulated woods that run closer to a carpet installed price.
And Traffic Master Allure you can do yourself , if you have basic skills,with nothing but a utility knife, That goes for 2$ a s/f.
Any questions you can e mail me through my avatar. GL

What are the most sought after type of wood in Australia?

Q. I reside in a country in Asia which is rich in its natural revenue and I have a wood manufacturing business. I'm looking to expand it to Australia via exportation and I need to know what the market demands nowadays in Australia - for furniture, building, whatever it is - I heard that the most sought after right now is Red Oak for flooring is that right? What other type of wood is popular over there?

And any legal requirements, unwritten rules among manufacturer/exporter, ANY info would be very much appreciated! :)
Thank you

A. Have a look at companies like Bunnings and Colli they are builders merchants that stock timber.

Jarra is popular in western Australia but WA is also the only place on earth it grows so unless you can sell ice to eskimos..

Can you recommend a good interior designer to do a 30-sq condo in the Philippines?

Q. I need an interior designer for a 30-sq condo. in Quezon City Philippines. We have a new baby, need a working little kitchen, and a nice bathroom. I prefer Japanese design, minimal furniture, built-in cabinets. Interested parties can reply to this question or email me:tometooo@yahoo.com. Many thanks.

A. I am a decorator and home stager and it would be my pleasure to design your new room. I can even give you testimonials from my clients. All you have to do is pay my air fare round trip. I can also work with email and digital photos. Feel free to contact me at info@divadecors.com

How can I know if I'll be a good Interior Designer?

Q. I really want to be a good Interior Designer but I keep getting scared that I won't be able to do it. There are many things on my side such as creativity, good taste, like to research products and have an interest in all things related to it (even learning some electrical, plumbing, construction, and furniture building). But I think I can be a little ADD and miss details which I know are important. I'm going to try some medication for this but it still scares me. Also I can be impulsive. Any suggestions? How will I know if I'll be a good Designer? Also how would you recommend getting into the field. I'm in school for my ID Associates Degree but would love advice on how to get in there. (No furniture sales store rep!) If you were to hire an intern what would you look for? Thanks

A. Are you able to envision the finished project before you begin? People who are creative enough to have a vision for their work seem to make the best Interior Designers. However, you have to be practical enough to integrate your client's financial preferences for spending and also, you have to take into account practical considerations like natural lighting, color & style preferences, and the intended use of the space. You can be the most creative visionary, but if your client thinks it is just impractical, you won't get much return business.

Bathroom remodeling, when should we have windows installed?

Q. We are planning on having our bathroom remodeled. We want to replace the bathroom window, replace the floor tiles, tile and paint the walls, and have a sink and mirror installed. Here's my question: do we have the window installed first before the other things or last?

A. You'll want to tile around the window and make sure it is well sealed so the window goes into the framing, then tile backer board, then the tile. Window first, in other words.

Are there any places that will assist in bathroom remodeling for the elderly in Northwest Ohio?

Q. My father has had 3 strokes. It is hard for him to balance himself to get in and out of the tub. I would like to have his bathroom remodeled for him. I want to have the tub taken out and replace with a walk in shower. The toilet doesn't work like it should, but it works. I would like to get that replaced also. They both need rails around them so he can get in and out the shower and on and off the toilet with ease. Can anyone help me in finding assistance with these needs?

A. Most all Counties and or Cities have programs to aid Seniors- has to be low income person .
Look in phone book for Senior services, or call city hall.

How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

Q. How to find out a Quality Bathroom Remodeling?

A. contact bath fitters they are quick, fast and approachable.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

How do you stop cold air from attic vents from allowing cold air into the living area?

Q. I have a continious ridge vent, soffit vents, and gable vents in the attic.
The thing is with this house, the walls are not insulated. There is also a breathing space that runs from the attic to the basement on all sides.
My fear is that cold air can come through the walls or electricial outlets when my natural gas furnace sucks air. I wonder if I could block the breathing space that runs from the attic to the basement in the winter?

A. your house has to breathe i would insulate the attic floor and that should give you the results you want

Is blow-in insulation good for use between an attic floor and a second floor ceiling? If so what precautions?

Q. should be taken? There is no heating in the attic, but two chimney pass thru the entire house and attic to the roof. Are they a danger of fire or smoke or smoldering of the insulation? And the manufacturer warns of light fixtures recessed in the ceilings of the room below. How can one know without tearing up the entire attic floor where those fixtures exactly are?

A. Cellulose insulation does not settle. Blown Fiberglass does. Cellulose is also extremely fire-retardant and the bugs don't like it.

The main concern regarding the light fixtures, in as far as cellulose insulation, is that they can overheat and fail to function.

Your best course of action would be to remove the flooring in the attic. If you choose to replace it, be sure to fur out the ceiling joists so that you don't compact the insulation (whichever you decide to go with) and lose R-value.

My house was built in Los Angeles in 1906. I wish to to convert the attic to a bedroom?

Q. the attic to a bedroom with a bathroom including a shower and tub.. What changes to the foundation.and ceiling will I be required to make to satisfy the building codes and mitigate problems if there is an earthquake.

A. You need to find out if the house is a qualified Historical structure or property. If it is, I would not recommend you doing the remodel if you are on a tight schedule. If you have the time or it's not considered Preservation worthy, then you can proceed. Since the house already have an attic, the only thing that you really have to concern yourself with are the floor structure, shouldn't be a problem since the house will be conventionally framed. Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing will be huge, since you have to replace everything. Insulation and window exiting clearances needs to be considered as well.

What essential accessories should an student photographer have?

Q. What filters should I have, or lighting accessories, I'm more the outdoors type so I don't need a lot for studio shooting.

A. You should get a gray card. It is about 8x10 inches and costs under $10. It should actually be required. And I agree that a reflector and a diffuser are indispensible when you need one. These are all great for an outdoor photographer. The gray card will help to get proper exposure readings from your meter. The reflector and diffuser are used to control the sunlight to get better natural light without harsh shadows or splotches of light and shadows. Do a good search before buying a diffuser or reflector. B&H and adorama are good places to buy one.

And a good tripod is definitely nice to have. You can get a good quality Manfrotto for as little as $60:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=2635&N=4291756644+4291348219+42&Ns=p_PRICE_2%7C0

Few beginning classes are going to go over flash much if at all so you may not even learn how to use it if you buy one. I would wait on that unless your instructor can help you learn to use it. A better idea is to get a diffuser for the built-in flash on the camera just in case you need it for fill flash.

Where can I get the Batman Batarangs and Safety Light Accessories?

Q. I am searching the best quality Batman Batarangs and Safety Light Accessories for buy.

A. As neighborhood drama teachers began patronizing the Fun House, the stores reputation grew. With each year came new and strange requests (the stranger the better!) Halloween products now consist of costumes, masks, boxed costume sets, accessories, makeup, wigs, prosthetics, theatrical costumes and other specialty designed products. Rubies also manufactures a wide array of Carnival, Christmas and toy merchandise. Their catalog consists of so many products that it will take us a very long time to get all of them up on our website. If you are looking for something specific, drop us an email. We might be able to get it for you.

http://www.nothingbutcostumes.com/batman-batarangs-and-safety-light-accessories-p-15193.html

How do I install LED lights into my new car?

Q. I recently got a package deal on LED Neon lighting accessories for my 2001 Chrystler 300M. I dont have much running through the car, I've never had any power problems at all. My question... if I were to install everything that came in my package (White Underbody Neon, White Interior Under Dash Neon, New Blue Halogen Lights, and White Blinker Arrows that attach to the Side-View mirrors) do you think it would put a drain on my battery? I know lighting doesnt take too much to run, but is that pushing it a little too much?

A. No. You should be fine.

I have no idea why you'd want to mess up your underbody or under dash with neon lights, but you'd have to install much much much more than just lighting to put enough drain on your altenator to keep it from charging your battery.

Also remember that LED lights draw much less current than regular incandescent lighting.

Install your lighting and enjoy your new found artificial daylight.

Hope this info helps.

What is the best home security system?

Q. I just bought a house in a "bad" neighborhood and would like to know ways to prevent "bad" things from happening. Any home security system worth getting to prevent such issue? What if the thief succeeded in obtaining what they strive to obtain, am i insurred under the security system company? any opinion and suggestion?

A. "Home security and DIY shops sell inexpensive, key-operated locks to fit most kinds of windows. You may need more than one window lock, depending on the size of the opening you need to secure. Fit window locks with keys to all downstairs windows and windows that are easy to reach â for example, those above a flat roof or near a drainpipe. Even small windows such as skylights or bathroom fanlights need locks. A thief can get through any gap that is larger than a human head. Remember to keep windows locked. Remove the keys and keep them out of sight in a safe place. Louvre windows are especially vulnerable because thieves can easily take the slats out of the frame. Glue the slats into place, and fit a special louvre lock. Better still, replace them with fixed glass..."

Read more : http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/security_home_security.htm

What is the best home security system?

A. Smith & Wesson are good.
Colt also does well.
Remington is also up there.
There are others.

You could set up a security system yourself if you want to. There are a few things to consider including:

Locks and bolts: The first line of defence is to make sure that all windows and doors are adequately protected with good-quality locks and bolts. Surface-mounted locks and bolts are easy to install, but fittings that are mortised into the frame are much stronger and more secure. The second line of defence is to make your home less vulnerable and less attractive to opportunist burglars.

Doors: Locks will be ineffective if a door is flimsy or ill-fitting, and a well-fitting, solid wood or blockboard door, at least 44mm thick, offers the best resistance.

Windows: If casement windows are not fitted with trickle vents or locking handles, replacing the stays with locking stays will provide more security when leaving the windows open for ventilation. Common types of window locks.

Security systems: A burglar alarm may also deter a thief from choosing your home. Installing a do-it-yourself system is time-consuming rather than difficult, but you should be able to install a wireless alarm in about four hours and a wired system in one or two days.

Practical tips:
- Outbuildings and garages should always be locked securely. Not only are they a source of easy takings for a thief, but the ladders and tools inside are perfect implements for breaking into your home.
- Large hedges can screen doors and windows and provide burglars with enough privacy to break in undetected by neighbours, so keep them well trimmed.
- Make vulnerable corners of the garden more secure by planting dense, thorny evergreens. A liberal layer of gravel under windows makes a quiet approach to the house impossible.

Read more for other good suggestions http://www.mispress.com/guide-to-home-security.htm

How good are home security alarms in apartment buildings ?

Q. Are home security alarms necessary in apartment buildings. We own our condo and were considering installing a home security alarm. What do home security alarms do, what are they capable of ? Is it worth paying $ 30 a month for an alarm ? Is Brinks a good name in the alarm industry. Thanks in advance for any suggestions or ideas.

A. It really depends on the system. All of the bigger alarm companies use around the same level of product as far as quality. Be advised of the following, what the alarm companys do is sign you to a contract for years at a time. Say 4 yrs for 199.00 Right? ok and what they do is incrementally increase your monthly fee after that. The average total equipment cost for a small residential alarm system is right around that 199.00 wholesale so they lose a few bucks on the initial install to get you signed on for years at a time. They usually tie right into your phone system and if improperly installed , depending on your area they may have fines for false alarms. If you live in an area where home invasion is a possibility I would have one installed for sure. But make sure you shop around, Brinks and ADT are national companys. they sometimes pay installers by the job so sometimes these guys race in and out and are pulling baseboards to route wires all over and if improperly done can be a real mess. Professional installations costs far more, not so much for the equipment as they are typically about the same at the entry level, but for the time for a professional installer to come in and hide every wire. I would insist that not a wire show and that can be done , dont let them tell you different as I have done it, 15 yrs ago I did so. I am now a licensed master electrician and do much larger scale work. So in summation, if you feel unsafe in your neghborhood, have a high crime area, its worth it for the fire and the ability to silently call for help from a key pad. Things to avoid, Wireless systems, more trouble than what they are worth. Get a good Hard wired system installed professionally and make sure you read the total cost of what your signing. make sure they will pay for any fines incurred by an ill operating system. And if you do have one installed make sure they take hours with you to completely train you in the operation of your alarm system. get them to include this service in writing up front. And lastly I hope you never need to use an alarm. Other questions to ask, The systems use a dialer to call in, if in an emergency the alarm will cut off telephone service until it is finished dialing in. Also check and see where and how fast there dial up system is. I have seen where in remote locations its a long distance call to a monitoring center and there are also little system checks that can report in requiring a phone call usually programmed in the night. But if this call is long distance it can add to telephone bill. Also the battery back up on the controls, for 30 dollars a month you should get a new battery installed for free every two years or so, I would also ask for this. Watch for wording in the contract that allows them to raise the rates , and especially after your contract expires expect the rate to rise, they do this to all of there customers. i once went to a clients home to find she had been paying 90 dollars a month, She had been a customer with them for many many years. What i did was replaced her old system with a new one, charged her nothing, and placed her on a new contract... Probably why i dont work there anymore LOL......Anyway I have saved people with alarm systems and I have seen where it was a bad place to have it.Oh if you have pets , dont let anyone fool you into saying they have a special pet lense, its all BS, they always end up setting it off trust me I have taken them out in the old days..

Good Luck

Are there any online stores that sell things like home interior does?

Q. I'm hopefully going to be getting my own place soon and am looking for home accessories. Home interior has some nice stuff but I want to know if I can find other places that sell the same thing preferably not really expensive and with good quality.

A. Ikea has nice home accessories. Its also very cheap.

Moved into a new home, need light fittings, rugs, etc. What is the best site to go for modern home interior?

Q. We need light fittings, rugs, dining table and many other things to go into our new modern home. Where is the best place, town or area that we could find modern home interior designs?

A. For more interior decorations just visit

http://www.modern2modern.com

Looking to identify name of a picture/painting for home interior?

Q. I remember as a child a framed picture my mother used to have. I have searched with no luck for the name of this picture. It was what appeared to be a Hispanic woman sort of cradling her baby. I'm not sure if it was the brand Home Interior but it was an oval shaped picture. She had long hair. I could be mistaken and maybe she was kissing the baby, not too sure. Please help me find the name of this picture! Any suggestions will help.

A. That is a tough one.There are so many paintings like the one you described. Try searching in google images phrases like "painting of mom and child", "painting of mom cradling child", "Hispanic mom and child art", "mom and child paintings". You can also try searching ebay.com They usually have a lot of antique paintings.

Thought this might also help:

http://www.art.com/gallery/id--b206872/mother-child-posters.htm

Hope you find the painting. =)

What would be a good paint color for our livingroom?

Q. Our livingroom sort of flows into our kitchen so the color will have to blend well with our kitchen color, which is now "Cafe Au Lait". Thanks for your suggestions!

A. Hello my suggestion is to choose a color that creates a mood for your living room and at the same time matches with Cafe Au Lait, I would take a look in the following guide to make up my mind

How do you hang Christmas lights in your livingroom?

Q. I live in an apartment but my livingroom is kinda big. I don't know the exact size. What I'm really concerned is what can I put on the walls in order to hang the lights? Can I find that product at target? Ps- I live in Los Angeles, Ca in case you don't know what target is.

A. there is a brand called command that has removable hooks in clear plastic

What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway?

Q. What would I need to build a tall pet gate for blocking livingroom from hallway. My dogs love to see visitorsbut they jump all over them. So I want to build a tall pet gate to block the livingroom for when visitors do come. I am no DIY'er but I want my guests to feel welcome without the slobber and being malested by my dogs. :-)

A. Unless they are larger dogs maybe a pet gate would be suitable, and a lot less trouble and cheaper as well. http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Carlson-Lil-Tuffy-Expandable-Pet-Gate/5156686/product.html Good Luck

How do I find an apprenticeship for a general contractor.?

Q. I want to be a home contractor though. Build houses and such. I have looked and craigslist and searched the web, but I guess perhaps the best thing would to be contact other companies who build homes and see if they have any entry positions? also What kind of schooling is required to be a general contractor, I want to eventually be in the supervisory position once Ive learned everything.

A. 1. You should possess a degree or basic qualification in construction, civil engineering or related subjects.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Basic-Qualifications-of-a-General-Contractor&id=5393201

2. You should approach a construction company for apprenticeship.

.

Is it legal for a home improvement contractor to walk off the job?

Q. We hired a home improvement contractor for a major landscaping job. He completed about 80% of the work but then disappeared. Right before he disappeared, he asked if we minded paying him for the work he already completed. He seemed nice so we agreed. Then, he vanished, even though he signed a contract with us saying that he was supposed to do our driveway (which he didn't -- and now it is near winter and we have no driveway). Can he legally do this? (walk off a job even though the work in the contract is incomplete)

A. Never Pay until the job is DONE.

Never

No matter HOW NICE he seems.

Of course if he is contractually obligated to finish the job - but Now YOU have got to compel him to do it. (and you've lost hour hammer)

(no pun on the contracting thing)

It will probably be cost effective to hire someone to finish the job... and consider this a lesson learned.

I assume you've called him to ask "what's up"? And I also assume he's UNAVAILABLE, right?

Do you select your friends by their work skills?

Q. You know, slowly befriend a home contractor, drywall install/finish person, mechanic, electrician, pool installer, appliance repair person, plumber, HVAC person, landscaping person, mover person, computer specialist, etc.?

When something at home goes amiss, you just pick up the phone and get the work done for free or at a reduced rate?

A. Let's just say that if I ever want someone to help me sniff strangers butts and inhale paint fumes - I'm pretty well covered.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Does Nevada require to install home appliances in a house to be rent?

Q. My friend is thinking to rent her house, and she said it will have no home appliances include fridge. I once heard before that Nevada requires installing certain appliances in a house. Do you know what kind of home appliances has to be equipped in a house for rent in Nevada?

A. There is no law but it would be really hard to rent a house without appliances.

I am planning to buy new home appliances, is there a website where they have reviews and ratings?

Q. I am planning to buy new home appliances, is there a website where they have reviews and ratings?

A. A great place I always check is Amazon.com, but I believe that Target.com has some reviews as well.

Are commercial kitchen appliances really better than home appliances?

Q. Can't you use home appliances to cook in a restaurant? Is that legal?

A. Yes it is illegal to use home appliances in a commercial setting.

Commercial ones are more efficient, bigger, and conform to all the health and safety requirements.

What kind of flooring would you lay in a bottom level of a tri-level house?

Q. I live in a tri-level home. The upstairs has hardwood floors in all but the bathroom and it has ceramic tile. The main floor will soon be remodeled so its not an issue at this point.
The bottom level has a bathroom, pantry and bedroom. We have gutted the bathroom and are trying to decide what type of floor to put down. Its a concrete floor as of now. What kind of floor would be best and should i do the ENTIRE lower level the same flooring? Im thinking resale value.

A. Any moisture at all in that lower level, I d do that whole area in ceramic..And if the house is a few years old, and you have no vapor barriers , again I d do ceramic. Using area rugs as needed. Any moisture issues at all or no vapor barrier I wouldn t do any carpet or vinyl since it can ruin carpet and the hydro static pressure can blow off any vinyl glued down. If this level comes off a garage again I d do ceramic..
If you have a vapor barrier and have no moisture troubles a glue direct engineered hard wood looks great and ceramic in the bath unless its a 1/2 bath then you can let it flow right in there but thats your choice. Any other flooring questions you can e mail me thru my avatar GL

What kind of flooring should I use?

Q. I need to replace the carpet in my master bedroom. The flooring that leads up to the bedroom is a blond laminate. I do not want that in the bedroom. I also don't want carpet again. Would it be strange to do a different color wood floor? All that is under the carpet is plywood. I want to do this myself. Any suggestions?

A. For resale value of the house, you should stick with the same or a similar color. If there is wood in the room, you could match it to that. If you aren't that crazy about the blond color, use some throw rugs. Never buy flooring to match furniture. Furniture is temporary & floors are not usually.

How easy is it to install hardwood floor? Is it as easy as laying laminate flooring?

Q. I have started my own flooring business. Installing laminante and hardwood. While I am experienced in laminante, I have not had the oppurtunity to install hardwood.
I will be installing prefinished tongue and groove haardwood.

A. That depends on whether you are installing prefinished or unfinished flooring. On prefinished it is not that much more difficult than laminate except you use nails or glue to install it. There are flooring nailers and flooring staplers and you need to know when to use which one. With unfinished it is best to leave that to someone with experiance as the sanding and finishing stages are critical to having a good looking floor. If you are interested in doing quality work, you need to do a lot more research before taking on these floors.

How do you install insulation in attic with flooring?

Q. I need to put more insulation in my attic. It is finished for storage and has a wood floor. Where do I insulate? Do I just lay it on the floor for the winter and put my boxes on top? Do I need to do something special along the edges? What kind should I use and is there a tip for installing? Thanks!

A. If there is no insulation under the flooring (plywood or OSB usually used, you'll have to pry up the floor and place the insulation between the joists. Installing between the joists like I described is merely rolling it out and stuffing it in. Nothing special needed. Typical R-Value for an attic is R-38, but R-values of the insulation will depend on your area of the country. Check out this site for your areas specs:
http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_in_gs_000570.hcsp

How can I get rid of squirrels in my attic, preferably without killing them?

Q. There are places around my house that I'm repairing to stop squirrels from coming into the attic, but the little critters are in several places and I don't want to close them up inside the attic since they will die and cause a horrible odor or chew another hole somewhere and still keep their 'home' in my home. I thought about using some type of bait that causes them to seek water, which them kills them, but I don't want to get that drastic, if possible. Do things like Blood meal or Coyote smelling packs drive squirrels away, and if they do, will they leave a strong smell in the house that might drive us away too? Any suggestions will be appreciated.

A. Purchase multiple boxes of "Moth Balls", use any device,(slingshot)etc. to propell into Attic
unreachable spaces. Sprinkle Boric Acid Powder inside thier entrance points. Close ALL But (1) hole, with mashed up old Aluminum Screening, Then Seal. When they vacate, close last hole, same way./// M.B's dispell annoying gases, driving them out, and COVERS Any Oders of dead ones, that will quickly dry to likeness of shoeleather,NOT Needing to be removed from attic/ walls etc.
Moth "FLAKES" can be used inserted along baseboard fichers, lasting a few days to cover any possible odor seapage into dwelling. Odors from M.B's and Flakes will dissapate in about 5 days. "NOT Harmfull to Humans or pets unless swallowed." Read Directions on box, and use common sense ! ""SOLVED"".

How can I contend with the heat in an attic room during the summer?

Q. ...I am a renter, my room being upstairs. There are 3 knee doors to the attic space around the room. The attic is not insulated and has one slatted opening at one end of the space.
I am pondering on a cheap and easy fix for the unbearable heat that will ensue this summer. Should I maybe insulate just the knee doors? Someone recommended a dehumidifier, but moisture isn't the problem. And if I were to get a high-powered attic fan or two, it might be a little pricey on the electric bill...

A. If you leave the door to your attic room open and place just a regular fan in an attic window(facing out) you will replace the hot air in the attic with cooler air from below in no time at all.

Whats worth more - changing an attic into a bedroom or finishing a basement?

Q. I hear that even if you finish a basement it doesnt add to your house living space size when you try to sell it. I can also turn my attic into a nice size child bedroom. So which should I do? Also, what exactly does it take to officially be able to call an attic a bedroom> My attic already has finished wood floors and walls, but no power outlets and it get hot as hell in their during the summer. Please advise.

A. In most cases, an attic can't be considered "living space" unless the ceilings are at least 6 feet high - you should probably check with a home appraiser or contractor in your area to see what the guidelines are. If your attic has a high enough ceiling, it would probably add more to the value of your home if you made it livable...add power outlets, run heat & air to it if possible...etc.
On the other hand, if your basement is easier to finish off - if it already has power and heat/air - it'll be more cost effective to do the basement instead.
Bottom line - figure out how much you want to increase the value of your home by and compare it to the cost of fixing up one of these two spaces - don't do either if you won't make the money back on the sale of your home.

What is the difference between I childs room and a teenagers room?

Q. I have to do a English assignment about the differences of a childs bedroom to a teenagers bedroom.
For example, the toys change and clothes.
Who ever comes up with the most answers get 10 points :)

A. perfume
deodorant
cologne
body spray
pornography
make-up
hair products
weights & exercise equipment
posters of celebrities
posters of cars
bikini girls
posters of vampires
novels & books in shelf
computer / laptop
newer & more clothes
less toys
cell phone
journals / diaries

All in a teenager's room that arent typically in a kid's room.

Is there anything I can do to the matte painted walls in my house to make the paint more resilient?

Q. I have matte painted walls in both my childs bedroom and our entryway, and the matte paint is not very forgiving and hard to clean. Im wondering if there is any kind of wash or clear paint coating I can put on it to make it more resilient. Also, any cleaning tips? Any input is greatly appreciated-I really dont want to have to repaint!

A. Buy yourself a good brand vinyl paint such as Dulux of Johnson's paint. Vinyl paint is washable and easy to clean after the children have drawn all over it. I was a decorator for nearly 20 years.
I hope that helps.

Does anyone know where I can find 3-D home design software?

Q. I want 3-D home design software that is cool & fun! I want to be able to design my dream house for when I get older! I want that software to have where you can put in plants, doors, cars, and even a tv! Please find me some! Thank you! You're the best!
I WANT IT ABSOLUTELY FREE!

A. http://www.visualsupercomputing.com/ (basic version is FREE, cost to add library extentions)

http://mydeco.com/plan-my-room/ ( i am not sure if you can do a whole house, but i do know that u can plan out every room in your home; i use this program alot)

every other virtual 3d software i found cost money, sorry couldn't be more of a help...good luck in your search and i hope this hels you out a lil bit :)

what is a good home design software that is free?

Q. Something similar to the HGTV Home Design software would be great. I want to be able to design the floor plan and the architecture of the home.

A. Hi there! There are a lot of design software you can download online, but the only ones I know of are those from IKEA, Google (Sketchup), and Alljoinery Solutions. When it comes to kitchen floor plans, living room floor plans, and even home architecture design, these ones are the best, at least based on my own experience.

What is the easiest home design software to use?

Q. My 12 yr old son wants to be an arcitect and we have played around with some of the less expensive ($9.99) home design software, but they seem a little hard to get started with. Anyone know if a very simple one to purchase? We were thinking of the Better Homes & Gardens series, maybe find one on e-bay..

A. Google SketchUp is free. If your 12yo is anything like my 10yo he should be able to become proficient at that pretty quickly. My son goofs around with my AutoCAD which is NOT inexpensive nor would I have thought it easy, (considering what I charge for drafting)!
You can get it here.....

http://www.sketchup.com/

Why is the security light on my Camaro coming on all of the sudden?

Q. I've had a '97 Camaro for a few months and all of the sudden the security light is coming on when I try to start it disabling the starter. I've been using the same key the whole time. I have had no problems with this car until now. I have to wait 3 minutes and then it will start. The key is in good shape. Not dirty or wet. Is there an underlying issue I should check out? Thanks.

A. Do NOT replace the ignition by yourself! My car's ignition was replaced by the dealer (not a Chevy dealer, just a used car lot) and now my light will NEVER go off. Take it to a Chevy dealer and they CAN help you. If it is the ignition then they will be able to fix it, but if you replace the ignition yourself then you risk having that light on forever because the ignition was not programmed into the car's security system. The guy I got my car from said they didn't have a key for my car and that is why they replaced the ignition but if he would have actually read the owner's manual it says that if you take it to a dealer they can make a new key that is made specifically for that ignition. I don't know what could be wrong with it, but if you have the funds to do so, I would take it to a Chevy dealer.

How to get past a security light?

Q. I'm sneaking out tonight, and we have security lights in our yard. How do you get past them without making them turn on?

A. best way is to go to your circuit breaker in the garage and find the breaker for the security lights/that side of the house. turn it off. then wala, problem solved.
another way would be to remove the sensor on the lights
remove the light bulbs
avoid the lights/sensor
tape the sensor up (during the day or something)
or as someone else said, avoid emitting Infra red radiation

actually, I think the way you COULD do this seriously, is the following:

find/buy one of those "space blankets". (reflective blankets meant to keep you warm by keeping in all IR heat) you can buy em at walmart and camping store as well as the kennedy space center if your interested haha.

then, cover yourself in it COMPLETELY shielding yourself form the camera, and go for it, walk, dont run, past the sensor, and you may be able to sneak past it because the blanket will hide your IR radiation from view of the sensor.
I haven't tried it, but I think it might work, seeing as how the blankets ar meant to keep IR radiation in. so they wont let it out and will act like a sort of camo from the sensor.
btw, the blankets go for like a max of 20 bucks.

*edit*
The walking slow thing, may work a bit, but you must understand how this stuff works to understand that it wont work well. maybe at all. the security light sensor is looking for a "change" in the IR temperature it is sensing. so if you move really slow, it might not detect a change. but then again, it might. its not worth trying. US a highly reflective material like a space blanket or shiny shiny aluminum.

What shall I do If my security light comes on in my chevy impala?

Q. Im having a passlock problem in my 2002 chevy impala. The security light blinks on and the car wont start. I have to wait like 10 minutes before it resets itself. The dealor says it cost 600.00 to fix and no one else would touch it. Ive called around. Is there an easier way out of this?

A. all chevrolets have this problem, even mine. this summer i found out what my problem was. first the light blinks then, my tahoe woulg turn off while i applied the break peddle. killing all power to vehicle.
chevrolrt dealer told me same thing $600 to fix.

i thought the all\arm system was holding it off, on anti-thift, cause i could hear the alarm box making clicking sounds

the problem with mine was a loose positive battery post.
even tho the post was tight, just wasn't tight enough'
post was tight into the battery, but loose between both cables that hooked to the positive pose, not much just enough to cause problems.

what i did was put a lock washer between both cables, and installed cables in a v shape from bottom looking up.

havent had the problem again.

around here, i know at least 7 people with same problem

give it a try, before spending $600

Monday, March 11, 2013

Is there an danger in keeping your furniture in storage?

Q. I'm moving out in a few weeks to go live with my Mom while I save up some money to get an apartment. While I'm living with her I was thinking of getting a storage unit to keep furniture I buy while I live with my mom, so when I move out I'll have furniture for my apartment. Is there any danger in keeping nice new furniture in a storage unit? Specifically in Florida.

A. Only if you put it in a climate controlled storage facility. Otherwise the extreme heat in summer and cold in winter will damage your things. Honestly it would be best if you wait to see what kind of apartment you will be renting before buying anything. The size of the space and the degree of difficulty in getting your furniture in should be the determinant on what you buy. Otherwise you can wind up buying oversized pieces that will not fit and you will feel cramped. So put your money for furniture into a savings and wait to see where you will be living before buying.

How often does furniture inventory turnover at a large retailer?

Q. We've found furniture that we like but aren't moving into our new house for about 6-8 months as it is being built. We don't have any room to put new furniture but don't want it to be gone/discontinued by the time we need to buy it.

A. It depends. Some retailers sell "open stock" They order furniture, often by the container load, and sell it when it comes in. When it's gone, it's gone and they may or may not order more of the same or even keep the same manufacturer.

Others sell a manufacturer's line and will have display models and inventory or order things just like it as sold. They will continue to sell as long as the manufacturer makes that model and/or they have some in inventory.

Others are "made to order" particularly upholstered furniture. You pick out the style and the fabric (sometimes from 1000s of options). As long as the fabric is available (average lifespan 3-5 years) they will make it for you.

The other thing to do is just ask the retailer. They may know if the style is being discontinued soon. If so, you can buy it and have them hold it for you until you are ready. This may involve a storage or warehousing charge. Or you can put down a deposit and have them let you know if this is happening during the time you're waiting.

How would I clean a Leather couch that has been in storage for a long time?

Q. the couch is blue leather and has been in storage for quite a while and is covered in dust/dirt. I have found products to condition leather and read NOT to use soap and water... any suggestions for cleaning and wiping the couch down prior to conditioning?? Please help

A. You need to use a good quality water based foam leather cleaner.
DO NOT use anything containing oils, waxes or silicones. (Most 'conditioners' contain waxes or oils so should not be used) and furniture polish (Pledge etc)contains silicones which will destroy the finish on the leather.

BABY WIPES are the worst thing you can use as they will destroy the finish on your leather. They are very strong alkiline cleaners to neutralise urine (acid) on babys skin so they are not the right thing to use on leather.

Saddle soap is too harsh to use on todays furniture.

A lot of leather wipes contain chemicals which will also destroy the finish or leave residues on the leather which will damage it. They are not cheap in the long run as you would need a lot to clean a whole leather sofa. A bottle of foam cleaner should do your furniture 1-2 times.

Fairy liquid contains more salt these days to get dishes clean and this will break the finish down on your leather. This has been verified by the manufacturers (as with the baby wipes).

You should also follow cleaning with a good water based leather protector which will act like a 'scotchgard' and inhibit dirt and stains from being absorbed and make cleaning easier the next time.

Dry leather needs rehydrating with water and oils and waxes should not be used as the natural oils do not dry out of leather. Wiping over with a damp cloth regularly will help to do this.

It is important to maintain a regular cleaning regime cleaning dirt off the surface regularly and inhibiting the absorption of body oils into the leather with a protector is the best way of doing this.

The alternative is a brand new product on the market called Lazy Leather. This is the latest technology in cleaning and combines an effective cleaner with a protector. It is quick and easy to use and should be used as a maintenance product once your suite has been cleaned or from new if you have just bought it.

f you clean and protect your leather properly there is no need to cover them, leather is the most hard wearing 'fabric' there is.

Using household products may appear to work but will in the long run deteriorate the leather finish quicker and it may tehn be impossible to restore. May seem cheaper to use products from the supermarket but if they do not work or damage the leather then it is a short sighted saving.

Source(s):

http://www.LTTsolutions.net
Leather care consultants to the furniture and cleaning industries