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Carpentry Tips
Hiring a new carpenter can be difficult because there are so many that all
offer the same services. There are however a few factors to consider that will
make the choice a bit easier.
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If you are hiring a carpenter for a more routine and straight forward job
then price is probably a good way to decide. For basic jobs it is safe to
take this tact because most carpenters have a base set of skills and can
adequately finish an easy job. Thus it is safe to save some of your money.
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When looking for a carpenter for a job that requires a bit more expertise,
price should not be the main factor. In this case as a homeowner you are
going to want someone who is capable. Take the extra time to do some
research on the job, and the carpenters. See if past clients are happy with
the work, and inquire into the reputation of the carpenter. The experience
level of a carpenter should also be a major factor for the bigger
jobs. You want to be sure you have someone who has the expertise and
experience to do the job to your satisfaction.
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It can also be helpful to price the job materials yourself. That way you
will have a working knowledge of how much the supplies will cost, and will
be able to intelligently discuss cost of various alternatives for whatever
the job might be.
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Be sure to work out a contract, and make sure that contract includes
stipulations on a start and finish date, payments schedules, as well as
outlining in detail the work to be done and the materials to be used.
Some quick facts about carpenters as compiled from the U.S. Department of
Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics:
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About 1/3 of all carpenters are self-employed.
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To become a skilled carpenter usually will take about 4 years of both
classroom and on-the-job training; again highlighting why finding an
experienced carpenter, especially for bigger and more complicated jobs, is
crucial.
Carpentry contractors may also provide the following services:
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Cabinet Installation
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Counter Installation
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Decking
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Door Installation
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Window Installaiton
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Flooring Installation
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Stairs
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Framing
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Power Tools for Women
By Chris Robertson
There’s a running joke among my friends that the odd jobs never get done around the house because the man of the house can’t do it without the right power tools �
which he hasn’t bought yet. Most women, on the other hand, have never met a nail that can’t be hammered in with the heel of a shoe or a screw that will stand up to a nail file.
I’m no exception � my �tool box� consists of one Phillips head screwdriver, two flat screwdrivers and a ’lady’s hammer’. More often than not, though, if I need to break
into my computer’s case, I’ll send a kid out to the kitchen to bring me back the butter knife with the flower on the handle � it’s the only one with a narrow enough tip to get
seated properly in those tiny screws. Even I have to admit, though, that there are some power tools that make impossible jobs easy as pie. In fact, there is one power tool that no woman should be without,
especially if she’s living alone.
Essential Power Tool Survival Kit
Number one on the power tool hit parade is a cordless electric drill. If you’ve ever spent forty minutes trying to hang a towel bar or curtain rod,
you’ll swoon over what an electric drill can do for you. Sure, given the time and the right nail file, you can get any screw into any wood �
but why spend 20 minutes twisting your wrist when an electric drill with a screw bit can have that little sucker in place � tight and flush � in less than 30 seconds?
Electric drills are also the best � and sometimes only � way to get a screw that’s gone in wrong UN-stuck. Once you have a power drill in the house, you won’t know how you ever did all
of the little fix-it jobs without one. It�s easily the handiest of all the power tools to own. The best drill to own? One with a 3/8� chuck and variable speeds, including reverse.
It will set you back $25-$50 and be worth every single penny.
More than Power Tools � The essentials you need in your tool kit
1. A claw hammer. While I can drive any nail with the heel of a shoe, getting nails OUT is a different matter. A 16 ounce claw hammer is an absolute necessity for all sorts of jobs around the house.
2. A screwdriver set. There are some screws your trusty nail file just won’t handle. Pick up a good screwdriver set that includes flat heads, Phillips heads, star tips and a set of hex keys.
If it also has a set of socket tips for unscrewing nuts, you�re in great shape.
3. Adjustable pliers, needle nose pliers and wire cutters.
4. Tape measure.
5. Duct tape.
6. An assortment of nails, brads and screws.
Tools aren’t just for men. They can make your life much easier � and save you money on repairs around the house that you never thought you could do yourself.
If you haven’t made friends with the power tools aisle at your local hardware store, it�s about time you did.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web.
Visit this Home Improvement Website and Majon’s Home Improvement directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson
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Thinking About Home Improvement? Then Here's a Checklist!
By Shrinivas Vaidya
Dear friends, if you are planning to improve/renovate or
refurnish your home then this article can be a very
useful guide and save your lot of time.
When it comes to home improvement, most people think that
it's has to do with painting the house from inside out
and forget about it.
But any architectural structure is much more than just walls
and ceiling. There are many systems working simultaneously
which keep the building under function.
Let's have a look at these systems one by one.
1) Structural System:
This includes the support system of the entire building, namely
foundation, columns, beams, slabs(in R.C.C structure).
The most commonly used structural systems is R.C.C. Other types
include steel and wood.
While renovating a building special attention must be given to
the structural support system. Slabs should be checked to be
leak proof. Columns and beams which are exposed to external
atmosphere must be checked for damage. R.C.C structural members
are always covered with plaster. This plaster must be without
damage.
In case of steel structures, anti-rust treatment must be applied
wherever necessary.
In case of wooden structure anti-termite treatment must be applied
wherever necessary.
2) Plumbing System:
All pipelines which carry water in and out of the structure must
be checked for leakage. The main are of possible leakage is
at the joints, hence must be carefully treated.
Water taps at the washbasins, inside bathrooms, kitchen sinks,
toilet blocks, should be checked for good and smooth operating
conditions.
3)Drainage System:
Drainage from kitchen, bathrooms, toilets should have an unobstructed
and shortest path to outside chambers. Any clogging of these lines
can cause overflowing of the chambers, hence should be checked
and cleaned.
4)Electrical Systems:
This starts with the main supply of the electricity from the
local authorities. The point of entering the main supply should be
checked for any excessive disturbance in voltage levels, which
might cause damage to electrical appliances inside.
All switch boards and switches in respective rooms should be checked
for proper and safe functioning. Security systems such as
earthing and M.C.B's should be checked for safe functioning.
5) Doors and Windows
These form an important part of any structure as far as safety
is concerned. Proper functioning of the doors and window
shutters is necessary. If your home has a security alarm system
installed, then it must be kept updated and in proper working condition.
Door and window shutter hinges should be applied with lubricants
for smooth operations. I case of sliding doors and windows, tracks
which allow sliding should be dust free.
6) Glass Panes
All glass panes used on windows and doors should be dust free.
Any broken or cracked glass panes should be replaced immediately.
If the building has a skylight, then it should be checked to be
leak proof and clean, to allow clear and unobstructed sunlight in
the interiors.
7) Flooring Materials
In most cases tiles are used for flooring. All tiles should be
checked for cracks and most importantly leveling.
In every home flooring has a natural slope to avoid clogging
of water if any such situation arises. Tiled flooring
must be checked at joints. Any cracks in joins must be
checked with proper bonding material.
In case of wooden flooring, extra care must be taken to keep
the flooring termite-free.
8) Wall Plaster and Wall Paint.
All external walls must be checked from outside for a proper
layer of plaster. Plaster prevents the rainwater to seep inside
the structure. If external plaster gets damaged, rain water
seeps inside causing dampening of walls.
All internal walls must be checked for scraping of paint.
8) Furniture and Carpentry Items.
All furniture items must be termite free and sturdy at the
joints. A coat of good quality wooden polish can add life
to the furniture pieces.
Other carpentry work includes door and window shutters, door
and window frames.
9) Other Accessories.
This includes small thing which matter a lot, such as all the
locking arrangement at doors, windows, towel rods in the
bathroom/wash basins, arrangement to dry washed clothes,
storage arrangements in kitchen/bathroom.
10)External Systems
This can include a solar water heater, electric pumps to push
the water from underground water tank to Overhead water tank.,
Cable TV antennas.
All these systems must be checked for proper functioning.
From the above discussion it is clear that proper functioning
of any architectural structure is dependant of many complex
systems which work simultaneously.
Hence all these must be given attention and respect. Any building
is just like a human body, with movable and stationary parts.
If dealt with proper care can give a very healthy living experience
for years to come.
I hope this article was helpful to everyone.
Copyright 2005 Shrinivas Vaidya
Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit TODAY to get an in-depth knowledge of Bedroom Design, Bedroom Furniture Sets and Bedroom Decorating Ideas.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shrinivas_Vaidya