Contractor Secrets Exposed

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 28

How to Craft Basket Flowers

How to Craft Basket Flowers

We have walked through the steps of creating the May basket, now it is time to craft your flowers. We have added handles, basket, etc, to your quilt, which at this time you should have created six blocks to make your basket.

How to create flowers:
We are quilting flowers. On the left side of your fabric, you will have invented pink squares. You can trace your pattern to start your project. Trace at least one flower (Choice), use your outside solid lines, and repeat your steps to create the foliage, or leaves. Use the variety of green patterns and use the yellow narrow pieces to create the center of your flower.

You can design roses if you like. Use a variety of greens, red, pink, white, etc, if you intend to create roses and petals. Along the lines, you have marked, cut the fabric strips sewn onto your fabric, the shaped patterns that form your design, cutting only near the lines. Use freezer paper and turn it over so that you reveal the side that does not have a shine. You want to create a starting line for the six centers of your flowers, and the flowers also. Once you mark the 12 parts, mark the leaves (12), marking them inside the dash lines. Now you are ready to cut your shapes.

You will need an iron and board. Use your hot press, or iron to press the flowers on your paper, pressing in the middle of your flowers on the left side and in the middle. You want the glossy paper turned in the direction of your fabric flower at this point. Do the same with the center of the flowers and foliage.

Next, collect your yellow filament/thread and tone it with the center of your flower. If the colors do not match, try another shade of yellow. Run lines of stitches into your cloth, which encloses the ring of the freezer paper. You want to congregate your material around this ring, so pull your filament up at the end. Now, tie your thread, press the ring, and use your starch bottle, spraying the region. Do the same for the center of your flowers.

Next, use your variety of green filaments that match your leaves and collect the allowances at the seam. (1/4 inch) Collect around the foliage and streamlines of stitches along your fabric, about the enclosed region of your ring that is designed on the freezer paper. You want to collect your textile about the ring. Pull your filament/thread up at the finish and tie it, pressing the ring. Again, spray with starch.

When you congregate your allowances at the flower seams, snip the inner points of the flower corolla/petals where the flower collectively forms a ring. You will need to collect your thread that matches the color of your petals, such as pink. Just as you collected the edges of your leaves, do the same for your corollas. Once you finish running stitch lines in your fabric, which you have enclosed freezer paper about the ring, you will need to gather your material about the ring. Next, pull your strands of thread up at the finish. Next, bind your filament and then press the ring. Press, and spray the region with fabric starch. Now seam your allowances, i.e. snip the central points of the leaves, flower center, etc where the flower collectively forms a ring. Press and starch to complete your crafting task:

Now you are ready to assemble the top of your quilt. After you assemble, you can move to finish your craft.

How to Craft Basket Flowers

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 23

How to Craft Bridal Collections

How to Craft Bridal Collections

Perhaps someone in your family is planning a wedding. In this event, you are probably struggling to decide what type of gift the groom and bride would appreciate. Well, rest your mind and purchase a bit of finishing materials, such as small and large pillows, crochet thread, white fabric, matching thread, and some stuffing to craft a bridal present.

You can add some plants with three-lobe leaves (Trefoil), roses and so on to create a magnificent bridal gift.

What to buy:
Buy one 20-inch square pillow without the ruffles. Buy another 20-inch time?s 10-inch pillow without the ruffles also. You will need, thread (10) and 250 yards of white balls, as well as (10) crochet hook made of steel, and 45 inches wide of snow-colored fabrics. (Nine Yards) Add some snow-colored thread and purchase your filling. You are about to make 9 inch squares on a gauge to create six rose (or choice flower) motifs.

How to start:
Create eight chain stitches at the start and work them into a slipstitch. You will form a small band, which you will continue to create a chain stitch and around 24 single crochets forming at the bands and moving to the beginning single crochet. Create four chains, skip three singles, and create six times working to the following single crochet, creating a slipstitch that begins at the baseline of your starting chain. Create a single crochet, double, and three triples, along with another double, and single working it into your four chain loops and around your slipstitch created at the initial single. Hold your rose petals at the front, continue to chain five stitches into a single, and work back into the following single in between your petals. Repeat your steps around the slipstitch and continue to the first single and onto the six petals.

Create a single, double, and three triples as well as a single crochet into the five-chained loops created and about the slipstitch started at the first single. Stitch another seven chains, work it into a slipstitch in the middle of your stitches, and continue to the following petal. Chain seven stitches to the slipstitch following and move to the beginning two rose petals. Repeat your steps and work around your slipstitch, working to the beginning baseline of your chain.

Slipstitch again and work toward the middle of the stitches, working another seven chain loops into another seven and slipstitch it into the middle stitches, continue to the following seven chain loops and repeat the steps working around your slipstitch at the beginning base chain. Work up to seven single crochets into the seven chains loops and work around your slipstitch, working to the single you started.

Chain stitch and work into a single crochet, working it into the seven singles and the three chains, and into the slipstitch in your third chain away from your hook. You have created a decorative loop, which you will create twice by finishing the instructions. Single crochet until you reach the following fourteen singles and repeat working around the slipstitch you created at the first single.

Chain twenty stitches skip through seven singles and two decorative loops, six singles, and the slipstitch that works into your following single, skipping up to six times and slipstitch working to the initial single. Single crochet, working into the following stitches of your decorative loops and do this four times before you reach the single crochet in the following five stitches. Repeat the steps and work about the slipstitch, working to the first single. Tighten and then start your large leaf.

How to Craft Bridal Collections

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 18

How to Craft Chimes

How to Craft Chimes

Did you know that you could take old reddish-brown clay made of unglazed ceramics to make chimes? (Terra Cotta Pots)

The pots will make up a nice batch of chimes. To get started you will need up to ten ceramic pots. The diameter should be around 1 ? inch and up to 1 ? inches. You will need wood, 4 inches time?s six plates and varnish finish. You will need up to ten 5/8 inch grommet screws. Add up to ten rounds of beads made of wood and around 3/8 inches of spool, i.e. up to 30 pounds of anglers? line. You will need wire up to 20 yardsticks, i.e. spools and a 7/8 inch grommet screw.

How to make chimes:
Now you are ready to make your chimes. On the wooden plates, add a coat of varnish, allow drying, and continuing a few times adding the varnish as needed. Use your grommet 5/8 screw, and screw it in by hand, screwing it into the plate. If you add, additional screws keep them an inch apart. Cut your line measuring lengthwise. Next, at each end feed the line through, and into the grommet screw. Work the line through until you reach the lower region of the vessel.

Once you finish the step, run another line measuring lengthwise through your beads of wood, and fasten so that it forms a dual bond. You can use adhesives to fasten the area if you feel the need to do so.

Take the other vessels you have available to create your chimes, threading them and regulate the measurement lengthwise as needed. You can now add the grommet 7/8 screws to hang your chimes. Fasten the screws at the middle of your crown plate. Use the wire outlined in this article to hang your chimes.

You are now finished with your chimes. To complete this article I will give you a few tips on crafting snakes to place beneath the lower areas of your door so that you can keep wind out during the cold months.

If you do not have a yard of fabric around your house, purchase a yard of strong textile weaves of fabric or corduroy. You will need thread that coordinates with your fabric. In addition, you will need stuffing, dry beans, and rice. Add some adhesives and felt, preferably red, white, and black.

Next, gather your fabric and trim up to 10 inches wide, and around 6-inches lengthwise. Measure your door before cutting, since you will need length wider than the bottom area of your door. Use two parts of the outer regions of your fabric, gather and hand or machine sew at least 3 sides and around 3/8 inches away from the edge of your fabric. You will need to leave a short region of your fabric available. On the right side of your fabric conceal your seams and add your filling, i.e. stuffing. Turn up your edges and then stitch them and choose additives to design your snake.

You can use glue, buttons, studs, etc to make your eyes if you choose to do so. As well, you can use your felt to make up the mouth, nose, and so on. Use the red felt to make the lips, tongue, etc, and the black to make up the surrounding features about the eyes, since as lids, or brows.

The snakes will make up a great warming gift also. You can craft a few to give to your friends, as well as keep a few around your home to keep it warm in the winter months.

How to Craft Chimes

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 17

The Making Home Affordable program was developed by Obama to help millions of Americans refinance or modify their home loan. The program won’t help you if you have no income due to job loss, but it can help those who have seen a decrease in income. Matter of fact, the bail-out was designed specifically for those who have an income but can no longer afford the mortgage payments.

The loan modification program can decrease your mortgage to 31% of your current income. The stimulus package encourages the banks to renegotiate your loan terms. The program matches dollar for dollar the decrease in mortgage payments for qualified applicants. To qualify, the loan must be for your primary residence. Second homes and investment properties do not qualify for the stimulus package.

While the program does not significantly reduce the principal amount, it can lower monthly payments. Some homeowners find themselves paying as much as 50% of their income towards mortgage payments, with the home affordable program this can change. Homeowners that have subprime loans, interest only, or balloon mortgages can see great benefits with the loan modification.

Anyone applying for loan modification will need to apply for financial hardship. This letter will need to explain why the homeowner is having difficulty paying the mortgage on time. Losses of income or rate adjustment are just a few reasons acceptable for loan modification.

Qualifying for a Making Home Affordable program does not require professional help, although it is recommended. Home Affordable program specialists can help homeowners filter through the paperwork and deal with the bank.

Whether you seek professional help or not, it is important to remember the bank personnel are not there to help you. They are there to get as much money as possible for the bank. Bank personnel can be deceptively friendly and helpful. However, they work for the bank and not you. Having someone on your side will help you get the best mortgage possible.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 17

Home painting is truly one of the most rewarding projects any homeowner could undertake.  Other than being one of the least expensive, it also offers the greatest impact and can transform just any room from drab to fab in the fastest possible time.  Boosting your New York home’s value and appeal has never been faster.  But as simple and fast as the project seems, there are still essentials to know to get the most out of it.  This article tackles crucial points that largely contribute to home painting success with tips and ideas ideal whether you are in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, or Long Island.  .

When it comes to choices, the wide array of selection to choose from can easily get you overwhelmed.  The key to selecting the right color for your walls is doing your research well and just have fun doing things.  Here are some guide questions to set you off to a great start:

.   What effect or impression do you want the room to capture?

.   Are you undertaking the project to resell the house or just want to let the family enjoy a splash of change?

.   Will you also be completely refurnishing the room?  If not, then the hue should complement with whatever are already in the room like furniture, fabrics, flooring, and others.

.   Do you have to take special considerations such as having to comply with homeowners’ association rules if by chance you are living in some historical neighborhood?

If home painting will be for the sole benefit of personal enjoyment, then you can do as you wish and go as daring as you can get in injecting a good dose of character into those walls.  It is also important to note that colors also affect human feelings in different ways, understanding the psychology of colors can also help you out in the selection.  But if preparing the house for a sale, the safest way is to go for neutrals.  Neutral color palette would also work best in bringing back your periodic home into its glory days.       

Now that you have chosen a color for your home painting project, how light or dark will you want it?  To give you a good idea on how deep you should go with your chosen hue, here are tips and facts:

.   Lighter colors help amplify space, making them ideal choices for smaller rooms.

.   If the wall condition is not as good, light hues also work great in making the flaws and imperfections less noticeable.  

.   Though darker shades can help achieve an intimate feel, they require more effort to maintain and they fade much sooner.

.  When browsing through color swathes and chips, the samples may slightly be different compared with the actual result.  Consulting with an expert would help.

To achieve a unique sense of style and architecture, accents can be integrated into your home painting project.  The easiest way to create an accent in a room is through painting accent walls and this is where a darker shade of hue works best.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 16

The roof in a house is the main protection against natural forces, like the wind, rain, snow etc. So, the roofing material should durable enough to withstand all types of weather conditions. So, installing a roof has to be done with care.

Kelowna is a town in British Columbia, Canada which has dry, sunny summers and cold winters. There are many lakeside houses and houses on the hills. There are houses in the main town, where there are malls. The houses in the area must suitable roofing which will be able to handle the varied temperatures throughout the year.  In summer it will be good for houses to have sundecks. A Sunroom can also be added to a house.

There are many varieties of roofing types available. Some of them are – metal, stainless steel, asphalt shingles, wood shingles, rubber or plastic roof and roof made of fiber glass. Metal or shingles are generally used and they both have their advantages. All roofing material is available in many colors to choose from.

1. A metal roof is durable and can last for even fifty years. It is environment friendly, giving protection from high winds. It is fire resistant. It can reflect the heat of the sun much better than other type of roof and can thus, save energy. The material can be obtained from hardware stores, building supply stores or from roofing contractors. Some of the metal roofs can be put up by you even during a weekend. You should be careful to see that all the joints and seams are sealed, so that water does not seep in. You can get the tools and material and obtain the advice of experts. Many different styles are available online. You should compare all the manufacturing companies, their rates, their warranties, the limitations of their warranties and then choose the one you want. It might be more expensive, still you can save money in this manner. Painting also can be done by you.  

2. The roof made up of shingles can also be put up by you. You need a nail gun which can load fasteners quickly and easily. They should be durable. An electric compressor which is light and oil-less is necessary. It should also have the necessary cords like the extension cord and the hoses.  

3. Wood shingles are high on maintenance and can rot, split or mold easily. They are not fire friendly. They can last for 30 to 50 years. When you are installing a roof of cedar shingles, you can do it yourself. You should first put building paper on the entire roof deck. Then, you should start placing the shingles one by one. The thick end point should face the ground. Each single needs 2 rust-resistant nails. The nail should be placed 4” up from the thick end of the shingle and 1” from each side. As wood will expand due to moisture, it is necessary to have a gap of a quarter of an inch between each shingle.

The next row of shingles should be placed over this row and a straight line should be drawn with chalk. Each row should be over the earlier one. After reaching the top of the roof, building paper should be placed and then shingles installed. The edges of each shingle should be trimmed when it has to conform to the peak of the roof. If the installation is done in a proper manner, then there will be air circulation.

Different types of roofing in a home will have different advantages. Stainless steel roofing will be rust free. PVC and fiberglass roofing will be good for open balconies, terraces and walkways. You can also have solar paneled roofs.  There are also many varieties of environment friendly roofs. All types of roofs need proper underlayment so that there is not seepage of water and the ceiling does not leak.

Whatever type of roofing is installed, it would be best to consult an expert, even if you are going to install it by yourself. Be sure to do a thorough research on the subject and search the internet for available options. With this knowledge you should check out the best type of roofing suitable for your home. In Kelowna each home in that particular area might need a different type of a roof.  It is a project that you have to spend time and effort to get the best results. You can also consult others who have installed roofs and who have gone through the whole process, to get an idea of the whole project.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 16

Dining room cushions are very easy to make & part of drawing & dining room furnishings. You just need a perfect fabric, sewing needle, machine, thread and scissor or fabric cutter. On the simple colored cushion you can use bright colored, embroidered, knitted or cushion covers  that will give life to your cushion as well as any room where they are placed.  So if you are interested in how to make dining room cushion then here is the guide on how to make cushion covers with handy fabric buying & sewing tips.

Things Required to Make Dining Room Cushion
Fabric (around 3 yards. But the number of your cushions will decide the exact requirement), 15 inch chair pad foam, fabric marker, pin, scissor or fabric cutter, needle, thread, measuring tape and sewing machine.

Selecting the Most Appropriate Cushion Fabric
In the market you will find all sorts of fabrics that include cotton, linen, satin, silk & polyester. But the best one is cotton as it has long life and easy to maintain & sew. Now depending upon the measurement of your dining room chair & number, buy the fabric. Along with this also buy the sewing needles & matching thread if you do not have these at your home.

Know How Much Fabric is Required?
Generally the  seat of dining room chair comes in standard size of 42 cm square (16½” square) but the size can also be as per the requirement. So to get an exact measurement, it is better to take the dimensions of your dining room chair seat. Measure the length & breadth of it to make the dining room cushion.

Now while buying the fabric add 3 cm in length as well as breadth. We need this extra fabric for seam. Do not forget to buy two pieces of the selected fabric to make one  cushion. Say for an example, if you need five dining cushions then buy the fabric for ten such pieces.

How to Cut Fabric for Dining Cushions?
Keep the fabric on the floor with wrong side facing towards you. With the help of fabric marker draw the required dimensions of the dining cushions. Cut two pieces for each cushion with the scissor or fabric cutter.

Time to Sew Your Cushion

• Place the right side on right side and pin these. Sew the seams from sides & bottom by leaving ½ inch of the fabric from the edge.
• Make the every dining room cushions having three sides closed & one open.
• Turn the right side out and fill the foam or other filler up to the thickness you required in the cushion.
• Now you can take the needle with a thread to sew the open side. Or if you are an expert then you can do it with machine also.

With this your dining chair cushions are ready and now you can use cushion covers to decorate it.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 15

There are several different reasons for replacement of a roof, leakage, faulty ceiling joists, many things. First on the list you have to know how bad the damage is. Obviously, the first place to start would be to step back and look at your roof from the street. Identify any sags, depressions, and loose shingles. If you cant see anything that stands out, its time for an inside inspection. If you see any mold or mildew, see cracks to the outside, you should get some assistance.

You will have to do some researching beforehand. Has someone in the area had their roof fixed in recent past? You should talk to them and see which contractor they used and ask how satisfied they are. Look on the web, and find roofers in your area.

First thing to expect is that not all contractors are alike, and you will want to get (several|many} estimates. Make note of|Write down} as much info as you can when talking to each one, and be sure you ask plenty of questions about roofing materials, the duration of the job and any undisclosed fees.

What kind of roof you have, slanted, and flat, what region of the country you reside in and what types of materials are used dramatically effect costs. If you reside in a region with weather extremes, severe cold, tornadoes, etc. effect costs.

You will want to speak with your contractor for the best materials, and then do some research on your own. You will want the longest lasting, so that you won’t need to replace or fix as often. You may see the cost to be a little more, but you could save hundreds even thousands over the long run.

Asphalt shingles are perhaps the most common and relatively cost effective materials,and are usually warranteed to last twenty to thirty years. Wood shingles can last up to 25 years, but need a lot of routine maintenance.

There are metal, tile, and terra cotta also. While a slate roof is the longest lasting, it is also the most expensive, sometimes as much as $40 per square foot. You often find these on more high end homes, but depending on the quality of the slate, can survive for up to two hundred years.

If you want to do things right it is going to take a while. Even if you want someone to come in and repair a leak, you should get a person who is going to repair it properly the first time. While searching for a contractor some things to keep in mind. Make sure that they have a contractors license, are bonded and insured. Check with the local business directory and other places to be sure they haven’t had any complaints. A really good indication of a good roofer is the length of time they have been in business. The longer they have been around the more competent they will be. Verify all references, and if the roofer is unwilling to give these out, move on to the next one.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 15

With the long-running New York housing crunch, moving out or taking on a home addition can pose a lot of inconveniences and difficulties.  Taking advantage of one of the most underutilized areas in your New York home could be just the perfect solution you have been longing for, to answer to the family’s growing needs.  Maximizing the use of space through basement refinishing is ideal whether you are in Manhattan, Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn or Queens.

Basement refinishing is truly your most space-efficient and cost-effective option which can not only heighten the quality of living for the family but can also give a good boost to home value.  And being in an out-of-the-way location, the remodeling works will pose fewer disturbances to the household, letting them continue on to their daily routine.  But before anything else, you have to understand the challenges and what it takes for the project to be a success.

Basement Refinishing Challenges

This type of home improvement is not your average remodeling job.  The typical characteristics and features of a basement make up for more challenges and this includes:

.   Support columns,

.   Visible ductworks,

.   HVAC system(s),

.   Inadequate lighting,

.   Inefficient heating and air-conditioning,

.   And insufficient ventilation.

These should all be addressed in your basement refinishing project.  Discuss with your hired qualified contractor what your options are and which can best serve as the solution without breaking the bank.  For visible ductworks and support columns, demolition and relocation is possible but can very expensive.  By creatively integrating those into the design, unnecessary costs and hassles are avoided.

Waterproofing

Being prone to water and moisture problems, proper and enough waterproofing should be ensured to turn the basement refinishing result into a comfortable and dry room, ideal for whatever activity it is set for.  The measures and systems to be used will greatly depend on the extent of water problems ranging from molds and mildew, condensation, damaged drywall, plumbing leaks, structural cracks and flooding.

Basement Remodeling Contractor

A qualified contractor to handle your basement refinishing is one of the keys to its successful, timely and cost-efficient completion.  As was said, this type of project is not an average remodeling job, and experience and expertise are a must to transform that musty and damp basement into a functional extension of your living space.  A qualified contractor who has already had some fruitful years in the industry will be already well-versed with the building codes on insulation, barriers and other items needed to avoid future construction problems.  Working on basement refinishing will also require subcontractors working on specialized areas.  With your contractor’s established connections with other professionals, every detail of the project is given efficient attention.

posted by Contractor Secrets Exposed on Sep 14

So the idea of plumbing has some how come into your life, and your in need of a good plumber. The issue of paying a high price to have a good professional do the work or pay that someone you know through someone to do the work for cheap. Any home owner knows that paying for plumbing or any home improvement project is not cheap.

When picking a plumbing company you want the plumber to know what he or she is doing. Plumbing mistakes can cause far larger expenses than what the project cost to fix before the mistake. Many people ask themselves, “How do I know a truthful plumbing company versus a company that rips me off cause I don’t know anything about plumbing.”

Plumbing companies are a lot like automotive mechanics. If the homeowner does not know anything about plumbing, the plumber can usually rip off the homeowner. That’s why finding a reputable company is the most important factor with finding a company. A company that rips people off, usually does not last too long in this new economy.

Start with doing some homework. The most influential source is just your classic word of mouth. If you know anyone that has had plumbing done to their house recently, just ask them. Older people are a great source for this, just because they have had to of gone through some number of different plumbers in their lifetime. Homeowners usually hang onto their “great” companies they find.

Another straight forward factor to take into mind, is the online touch. If a plumbing companies website has been around a while and if the company even has a reputable website is a huge factor. Look at their websites and how they operate. Does it seem like they care about their customers? And how are there prices? Remember that plumbing is not cheap to begin with.