Patrick Smith

Summer Home Improvement: Building a Summer House

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

Summer is not only the hottest of all the seasons but it is also a time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time at the beach and simply relax and unwind at home. For some homeowners, this is also the ideal time to build the perfect summer house to boost your property and make the summer so much more enjoyable.

As summertime approaches, there are many great ways to build a summer house and add a very enjoyable space to your property. Not all building projects require a lot of money so if you do it right, it can be a cost-effective way of getting a large summer house this summer. Then, of course, you have to choose the right products and an experienced builder, especially if you have a limited budget.

Here are a few great benefits of building your own summer house:

Outdoor dining. With a summer house you can enjoy summer dining in your own backyard. It’s perfect for larger families too, as you’ll be able to spend time together in a great setting that is still close to home.
A hobby Room. Many home owners use their summer houses as a place to enjoy their favourite hobby. Whether it’s embroidery, sculpting or building, a summer house offers you the perfect space to enjoy your own hobby.
A home office. Not all summer houses should be simply for relaxing; you can also use your summer house as a home office to extend the functionality of your home. This will also save money as you don’t have to rent additional office space.
Entertainment area. Having a summer house built is a great way to entertain family and friends right at home. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard and entertain in your own space, without having to use your main house.
Space for the kids. A summer house is perfect for the kids as it’s close to home but also separate and designed just the way you want. You can be creative and choose your own style, which will perfectly complement your home and extend it at the same time.

Whether you love contemporary summer houses or a modern, unique design, you can easily have your own summer house built in your own backyard and create a space to relax, unwind and even entertain your friends and family. You can also choose an insulated summer house so that you know your house will have the perfect temperature all year round.

If you want expert help with building your summer house, you can find a highly experienced local builder from HaMuch to help you design and build the perfect summer home.

SUMMER HOME IMPROVEMENT: DRIVEWAY REPAIRS

31st July 2018 Patrick Smith

If you own a summer home, you’ll know that your driveway will likely develop a few cracks in the concrete during its lifetime. These cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil movement and tree roots. When it comes to driveway crack repair you don’t have to break the slab and pour a brand new one, you can simply hire a technician to repair it.

Preparing the Surface

When your tradesman starts the driveway resurfacing, preparation is essential. He will start by using a pressure washer to clean the surface properly. This will remove any dirt, mold and mildew. He can potentially add a cleaning solution to the pressure washer’s reservoir to spray on the surface. Once the washing is done, a high-pressure nozzle is attached to ensure you clean the whole slab, including every crack, to remove all the dirt.

Filling the Cracks

Next, the technician will need to mix your concrete, making sure it has a thick consistency. He will pour it onto the concrete and use a flat edge trowel to force the mixture into the cracks. It’s important to ensure that it’s smooth and allow to dry overnight. Now it’s ready for a thin layer of driveway sealer that it will be applied with a rubber squeegee. This is a great driveway repair method for concrete surfaces.

The driveway will be ready for foot traffic after 24 hours.

Repairing an Asphalt Driveway

If your home has an asphalt driveway, you can easily get a professional for high quality asphalt driveway repair. Common problems include potholes and cracks, which are commonly known as spider web cracks or alligator cracks. You may also have an area in the asphalt that has sunk in the ground, commonly referred to as a sink hole.

Preparing for asphalt driveway maintenance starts with preparing the surface. Thoroughly cleaning the driveway from dirt and dust, either using a stiff bristled broom or a high-pressure washer. You tradesman will potentially also use a backpack leaf blower. Also he will remove any vegetation.

In order to’ repair potholes you’ll need new asphalt and a pothole tamper. You can cover a 30cm x 30 cm hole with around 4.5 kg of asphalt repair aggregate and your tradesman is the best person to give you advice on this based on their experience. The first thing he will check for is whether the whole goes down past the asphalt itself. If it does, he will fill the hole with sand first.

Next, he’ll heat up the asphalt around the pothole with a flame torch to help the aggregate bond with the existing asphalt. After pouring the aggregate into the hole; if it overfills a bit, he will use a flat head shovel or garden rake to level it out. Once the hole is filled, the pothole tamper is used to pound and flatten the asphalt.

Filling Asphalt Cracks

To repair cracks in an asphalt driveway, you need patch material, a sealcoat sealer and a squeegee. Your technician will pour the patch material into the repair area, using the squeegee to spread the material out evenly.

Repairing your driveway is easy if you can get a professional to take care of all your driveway maintenance as they know how to use the right techniques and materials. With this maintenance you will ensure that your driveway and your house as an extension will look as good as new, all year round.

To find a qualified tradesmen near you, visit HaMuch online and choose a professional to take care of your driveway maintenance and driveway crack repair.

Summer Home Improvement: Building a Summer House

10th July 2018 Patrick Smith

Summer is not only the hottest of all the seasons but it is also a time to enjoy the outdoors, spend time at the beach and simply relax and unwind at home. For some homeowners, this is also the ideal time to build the perfect summer house to boost your property and make the summer so much more enjoyable.

There are many great ways to build a summer house and add a very enjoyable space to your property. Not all building projects require a lot of money so if you do it right, it can be a cost-effective way of getting a large summer house this summer. Then, of course, you have to choose the right products and an experienced builder, especially if you have a limited budget.

Here are a few great benefits of building your own summer house:

Outdoor dining. With a summer house you can enjoy summer dining in your own backyard. It’s perfect for larger families too, as you’ll be able to spend time together in a great setting that is still close to home.
A hobby Room. Many home owners use their summer houses as a place to enjoy their favourite hobby. Whether it’s embroidery, sculpting or building, a summer house offers you the perfect space to enjoy your own hobby.
A home office. Not all summer houses should be simply for relaxing; you can also use your summer house as a home office to extend the functionality of your home. This will also save money as you don’t have to rent additional office space.
Entertainment area. Having a summer house built is a great way to entertain family and friends right at home. You’ll be able to enjoy your backyard and entertain in your own space, without having to use your main house.
Space for the kids. A summer house is perfect for the kids as it’s close to home but also separate and designed just the way you want. You can be creative and choose your own style, which will perfectly complement your home and extend it at the same time.

Whether you love contemporary summer houses or a modern, unique design, you can easily have your own summer house built in your own backyard and create a space to relax, unwind and even entertain your friends and family. You can also choose an insulated summer house so that you know your house will have the perfect temperature all year round.

If you want expert help with building your summer house, you can find a highly experienced local builder you can trust from HaMuch to help you design and build the perfect summer home.

Summer Home Improvement: Garden Fence Ideas

9th July 2018 Patrick Smith

Adding a garden fence to your home is a great way of increasing its value and giving it a stylish look. There are different fences available, depending on your property type, layout and design. A garden fence can be a practical addition to your property as well.

Here are a few great garden fence benefits for your home:

It’s decorative. When it comes to fencing, you can be creative and have any fence installed that you want. There are different materials and designs available and your landscaper can give you tips on what will work best.
It increases security. A garden fence can add a measure of security to your home, especially if you choose a higher, stronger fence. You can choose a durable design and have a high fence installed to boost security around your summer home.
It creates a boundary. One of the main reasons why people install garden fences is to create a boundary for your property. It’s convenient, stylish and very practical. A summer house looks even better with a beautifully installed garden fence around it.
It adds privacy. You can also choose wood fence panels, which is a great way of adding both style and security. Privacy is becoming increasingly important as home owners want to know that they have privacy inside their property. This is also why you can install higher fences as opposed to smaller, wooden picket fences.

Garden fences can be very convenient and add a measure of style, security and privacy to home summer home. If you want to install a cost-effective fencing option, you can go with a PVC fence. When you install a PVC fence, you will enjoy an easy installation, optimal privacy and a variety of styles. Plus, it’s very affordable too. A PVC fence requires little maintenance over the years, so it’s the perfect choice for your summer home’s fence.

Working with a Professional

When it comes to installing a garden fence, it pays to work with a professional. Not only can you get excellent ideas but you can get tips on what the best option for your specific property will be. With so many great materials and designs available, you can be as creative as you want and get a reliable, durable fence that will last for decades.

Adding a fence can be a great way to add value to your home and increase privacy. But it can also be a way of enhancing your backyard and installing an entertainment area, or simply a landscaped garden to compliment your home.

With HaMuch you can find an affordable professional in your area to install a beautiful and very modern garden fence for your summer home.

Summer Home Improvement: Driveway Repairs

5th July 2018 Patrick Smith

If you have a driveway in your home, you’ll know that driveway maintenance will be required regularly as it will likely develop a few cracks in the concrete during its lifetime. These cracks can be caused by a variety of factors, including soil movement and tree roots. When it comes to driveway crack repair you don’t have to break the slab and pour a brand new one, you can simply hire a technician to repair it.

Preparing the Surface for Driveway Maintenance

When your tradesman starts the driveway resurfacing, preparation is essential. He will start by using a pressure washer to clean the surface properly. This will remove any dirt, mold and mildew. He can potentially add a cleaning solution to the pressure washer’s reservoir to spray on the surface. Once the washing is done, a high-pressure nozzle is attached to ensure you clean the whole slab, including every crack, to remove all the dirt.

Filling the Cracks

Next, the technician will need to mix your concrete, making sure it has a thick consistency. He will pour it onto the concrete and use a flat edge trowel to force the mixture into the cracks. It’s important to ensure that it’s smooth and allow to dry overnight. Now it’s ready for a thin layer of driveway sealer that it will be applied with a rubber squeegee. This is a great driveway repair method for concrete surfaces.

The driveway will be ready for foot traffic after 24 hours.

Repairing an Asphalt Driveway

If your home has an asphalt driveway, you can easily get a professional for high quality asphalt driveway repair. Common problems include potholes and cracks, which are commonly known as spider web cracks or alligator cracks. You may also have an area in the asphalt that has sunk in the ground, commonly referred to as a sink hole.

Preparing for asphalt driveway maintenance starts with preparing the surface. Thoroughly cleaning the driveway from dirt and dust, either using a stiff bristled broom or a high-pressure washer. You tradesman will potentially also use a backpack leaf blower. Also he will remove any vegetation.

In order to’ repair potholes you’ll need new asphalt and a pothole tamper. You can cover a 30cm x 30 cm hole with around 4.5 kg of asphalt repair aggregate and your tradesman is the best person to give you advice on this based on their experience. The first thing he will check for is whether the whole goes down past the asphalt itself. If it does, he will fill the hole with sand first.

Next, he’ll heat up the asphalt around the pothole with a flame torch to help the aggregate bond with the existing asphalt. After pouring the aggregate into the hole; if it overfills a bit, he will use a flat head shovel or garden rake to level it out. Once the hole is filled, the pothole tamper is used to pound and flatten the asphalt.

Filling Asphalt Cracks

To repair cracks in an asphalt driveway, you need patch material, a sealcoat sealer and a squeegee. Your technician will pour the patch material into the repair area, using the squeegee to spread the material out evenly.

Repairing your driveway is easy if you can get a professional to take care of all your driveway maintenance as they know how to use the right techniques and materials. With this maintenance you will ensure that your driveway and your house as an extension will look as good as new, all year round.

Find a Tradesman for your Driveway Maintenance

To find a qualified tradesmen near you, visit HaMuch online and choose a professional to take care of your driveway maintenance and driveway crack repair. We publish their hourly and daily prices upfront to find the best value for your money on your next hire.

Summer Home Improvement: Garden Furniture Ideas

4th July 2018 Patrick Smith

Turning your house into its summer edition is not only enjoyable to have but also a great way to add some style and elegance to your everyday living. With so many different garden furniture ideas, you can really transform your garden into a relaxing and rejuvenating space. From beautiful and modern garden furniture ideas to durable rattan garden furniture, there’s something for everyone.

Adding beautiful garden furniture is not only a great way to enjoy your garden, but also a way to add value to your property overall. Regardless of the size of your summer home, you want to spend a lot of time outdoors and this is why you need the right outdoor patio furniture.

Enjoying Your Summer Home

Your summer home is a place where you can relax and unwind, as it is a space that is unique, personal, and available to you whenever you need a break from the busy everyday life. Whether it’s a modern and sophisticated home or an old eighteenth-century cottage, you can really do a lot with a holiday home, especially with great garden furniture.

Here are a few great garden furniture ideas for your summer home:

Repurposed furniture. You can add a unique style to your summer home by using repurposed furniture that you bring back to life. With a little paint and a few tweaks, you can breathe new life into old furniture for your garden.
A built-in bench. A built-in bench can add a very versatile style to your garden and it can double as additional storage space. You can design a built-in bench in almost any length, shape and style, making them very convenient.
Contemporary furniture. You can consider various alternatives to wood, which will add a beautiful contemporary look to your garden patio. You can even consider adding a slate table as this makes a great outdoor patio idea.
Choose harmonious furniture. Another great option is to choose furniture that will complement the design of your garden. This will add a touch of harmony and will immediately allow your garden to be relaxing and versatile.
An eye-catching piece. If you truly want something to stand out, choose an eye-catching piece of furniture that will immediately draw attention. This can be a traditional wooden bench or even rattan garden furniture.
A layered look. Similar to interior design, you can create a beautiful layered look for your garden by combining different furniture styles. Wood is a very versatile material to use here and it’s perfect for your outdoor garden.

With so many great ways in which you can add style and convenience to your outdoor garden, your summer home can be a really enjoyable place to be. You can add a touch of your own personality and choose garden furniture that fits in perfectly with the rest of your home.

To find out more about working with qualified tradesmen near you, use HaMuch online and choose a tradesmen like carpenters and gardeners that can help you design and install outdoor patio furniture for your beautiful summer home.

Summer Home Improvement: Create an Open Plan Space

3rd July 2018 Patrick Smith

Creating open plan spaces inside your home is a very popular improvement to make, and it definitely adds value to your home. Whether it’s an open plan ground floor, or a stylish open plan loft conversion, enjoying open spaces is practical, convenient and definitely stylish.

Designing an Open Plan Layout

One of the first steps in creating an open plan ground floor is to design your layout, you can do it yourself or even better hire an architech or interior designer to get professional support. If your open plan space will contain the kitchen or bathroom, for example, you have to keep things in mind such as positioning them close to an external wall for the convenience of expelling waste. From there, you can simply use a little bit of imagination and visualization to design the perfect open plan space for your house.

Don’t forget to allow for things such as opening doors, drawers, or having enough space to move around tables or chairs. Here are a few tips for planning open room:

Think about the view you want to have. What would you like to see when you sit on the chair? Perhaps you want to have a view of your outside garden, or you want to see the living room. Keep this in mind when you start planning your open space.
Make sure that you have enough circulation space in the room. You need to be able to move around freely, as this is one of the reasons why you want an open plan space.
Keep away from the noise. Consider the location of this space in your house, as you preferably wanted to be free of noise. For example, if you want peace and quiet you should not plan your open space right next to your kitchen.
Creating a loft area. If you are considering building an open plan loft conversion, determine whether you will have enough space to fit everything you need in there comfortably.
Include stairs. You may even want to consider an open plan living room with stairs, creating a large open plan living area on the ground floor of your house. Again, here you should make sure that you have enough space available for this.

Other important aspects you should consider when planning your open space, is the type of floors you want to use, as this will have an impact on the design, the practicality, as well as the climate inside your house. You may want to choose the same floors to suit the rest of your house design, or you can be creative and create a unique open space with a distinct design.

Regardless of the type of open plan space you want to build your home, you should always work with a professional tradesman and interior designer to help design your space professionally and ensure that you use all the right materials. An open plan living area can be a great addition to your home and will definitely add value to your property, and with Hamuch this can become a reality, just check the hourly and daily rates and contact the ones that are local to you and you like most

Summer Home Improvement: Built-in BBQ for Your Garden

2nd July 2018 Patrick Smith

If you enjoy a good barbecue you’ll definitely benefit from installing a built-in bbq in your backyard. Not only is this a great way to add value to your home, but also to make it functional and very enjoyable to use. But you can take it one step further and install a kitchen in your backyard and you won’t need to split our time between your outdoor grill and indoor kitchen anymore, making an outdoor kitchen a great benefit to have.

An outdoor living space expands your home and allows you to cook and clean outdoors, making it ideal to entertain friends and family. You can install an outdoor kitchen island in your backyard and extend its functionality to allow you to prepare your favourite meal.

Installing an Outdoor Kitchen

When you want to install an outdoor built-in bbq kitchen, always start from the ground up. Your builder will determine what type of foundation you need, and he will take into consideration the different weather conditions throughout the year. Next, you can choose with his help the best location for your outdoor kitchen. This will depend on many factors, such as ensuring the draft doesn’t go back into the home and making sure that the bbq area isn’t too far from the home if you entertain regularly.

Choose your appliances correctly, especially if you have limited space to work with. Make sure it will fit into your design plan and this includes aspects like working table height and the available space on either side of the grill.

Finally, you can easily bring comfort and safety outside with the right combination of designs, appliances, available space and functionality. You can even add a fire pit or a fireplace to warm up the area outside, making it perfect for colder winter months.

Benefits of an Outdoor Kitchen Area

As a homeowner, you can benefit from installing an outdoor kitchen as this will allow you to enjoy your outdoor area even more. It’s ideal for people who love to entertain and can even be turned into an area of relaxation and ambience.

Here are a few great benefits to building an outdoor kitchen:

Convenience. Having a grill and kitchen outside means you don’t have to spend time indoors when preparing a meal.
Versatility. Outdoor kitchens are specifically designed with your backyard in mind. It adds versatility to your outdoor space and adds value to your home.
Easy to clean. Spending time outdoors and preparing food in your outdoor bbq kitchen is much easier to maintain and clean than spending time indoors.
Adds value to your property. Having a fully functional built-in bbq at home will increase your home’s appeal and its overall value.

These are just a few of the great benefits; an outdoor kitchen is a great way to truly enjoy your home in more than one way. Outdoor kitchens come in a wide variety of styles and this means you can easily find one that suits your needs or even design one yourself. Hire an experienced builder near you to have your built-in bbq or outdoor kitchen built properly with the convenience and pricing transparency of Hamuch.