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Is Your Assisted Living Facility Up to Code?

Is Your Assisted Living Facility Up to Code?

There continues to be a great need for senior care facilities all across the country. It is essential for those in charge of these living environments to ensure that their particular assisted living facility is up to code at all times. These state and federal laws...

How to Make Your Next Renovation Project go Smoothly

How to Make Your Next Renovation Project go Smoothly

Home renovation can be a long, complicated process, especially if you’re redoing your entire house at one time. Even so, there are several excellent ways to streamline the process and ensure it all goes well and is completed on time. Here are three of the best ways to make your next big renovation project go as smoothly as possible.

Plan Your Project Fully Before Beginning

One of the biggest mistakes you can make when undertaking a major home project is to start in before a comprehensive plan is in place. Often, renovations require more changes than you first expect. For example, installing a hot tub on its own, sounds like a fairly simple project. However, you also need to take into account the effect that installing new plumbing or electrical supplies may have on the rest of your home. Be sure to plan out everything comprehensively so you don’t have to improvise or make last-minute changes in the middle of the project.

 

Read Reviews and Know What You Want

Before you buy parts, materials, or labor for a project, you should have a very concrete idea of exactly what you want. The best way to make this decision is to read online reviews of different parts and materials. This will help you develop an understanding of the pros and cons of different options, so you can make informed decisions about what to buy when the time comes. Be sure to get recommendations and reviews on different contractors as well.

 

Block Out Time for the Project

Nothing is as frustrating as trying to complete a major home or apartment project around the rest of your schedule. If at all possible, try to take time off from work and other obligations so you can complete the project in good time, without having to balance it with other activities. This step is somewhat less important if you’re having a contractor do the bulk of the work, but some time off may still be necessary, so you can adequately plan the project out with your contractor and make whatever other arrangements need to be made to facilitate it.

 

By sticking to these simple tips, you can ensure your next home renovation project comes off smoothly and quickly. As with many other things, the key to a successful renovation is proper planning. If you go into it with a fully-formed plan that covers all necessary steps, you’ll find the renovation to be fairly easy.

5 Features to Consider When Building Your Office From the Ground Up

5 Features to Consider When Building Your Office From the Ground Up

Building an office from the ground up is a laborious process. When done correctly, though, it pays off in the form of a more productive and efficient workspace. So, what features should you consider when building your office?

1) Energy-Efficient Lighting

Statistics show that 20 to 40 percent of the average commercial office building’s energy usage goes towards lighting. While you can always pull open the blinds and allow sunlight to illuminate your office, another idea is to install energy-efficient lighting like light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent lighting (CFL).

2) Technology Integration

Technology is critical to the function of any modern business, so you need to make sure it’s integrated into your new office. For example, you may want to build a dedicated room in the center of your office to house computing networking equipment. By placing your wireless router here, the wifi signal will transmit equally to all employees throughout the office. Additionally, consider building electrical outlets at each workstation to reduce the need for extension cables (which are also trip hazards).

3) Security

Don’t wait until theft, vandalism or other criminal mischief occurs at your office to implement security measures. Take action now to protect your business and its office from damage. In addition to keeping the doors locked, installing a security system will increase your office’s security. Some security systems also feature built-in flood detectors. ADT’s flood detector, for example, uses a normally closed external contact input. When exposed to water, the sensor opens, triggering an alarm before significant damage can occur. With a security system such as this, your office will remain protected from harm that comes both within and without.

4) Ergonomics

Consider an ergonomic design when building your office. This means designing your office so that it minimizes stress and fatigue on the workers who use it. Buying cheap office chairs may cause increased rates of back pain among workers. High-quality office chairs with an ergonomic design, on the other hand, protect against back pain by providing workers with a comfortable seating area. Make sure each workstation is designed with the worker’s needs in mind.

5) Interactive Whiteboard

A whiteboard is an essential productivity tool for the modern office. Rather than using a traditional whiteboard, though, give an interactive model a try. Interactive whiteboards are essentially large touchscreen devices that work and function like a whiteboard. Employers and managers can use them for presentations, training, research and other purposes.

By taking into account these features, you’ll have an easier time building the perfect office for your business. Let’s talk about your next construction project — talk to the experts at Pride One Construction today!

 

References

Akron landmark will become a hotel

Akron landmark will become a hotel

This article is shared from Crain’s Cleveland Business: https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180320/news/155551/akron-landmark-will-become-hotel

An affiliate of the Development Financing Authority of Summit County is lending $1.28 million to a developer who intends to turn downtown Akron’s United Building into a $10 million, 71-room boutique hotel in Akron’s Main/Market Streets Historic Arts district.

The loan was made through the Akron Community Revitalization Fund (ACRF), which is capitalized by local philanthropies, corporations and individuals. The ACRF was established to assist with financing important community and economic development projects.

The developer is the Riley Hotel Group of Medina, which will also manage the hotel. Riley Hospitality has hotel properties in several states. Its website lists 11 boutique hotels in Michigan and Key West, Fla., and the Kent State Hotel and Conference Center in Kent. It also operates five name brand hotels, four of which are in Northeast Ohio.

The building was constructed in 1924 as the headquarters for the United Cigar Co.

Other financing was provided through historic tax credit equity, Cortland Bank, and Village Capital Corp., which is affiliated with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.

The project will create approximately 83 construction jobs and 20 permanent and 9 part-time jobs in Akron’s downtown. Pride One Construction of Medina is the general contractor for the project.

Five DIY Improvements to Improve Your Home’s Value

Improving the quality and style of your home can have a direct impact on its overall value. It’s essential to perform specific projects if a certain feature becomes worn down over time. If you want to boost your home’s value, there are a few DIY projects to do yourself to influence what the house is worth.

1. Reduce Energy Costs

One of the latest trends in home improvement is reducing energy costs for added savings throughout the year. Make changes that include installing Energy-Star appliances and insulating your roof or ceiling to maintain the internal temperature of the building in each season. Installing ceiling fans can also reduce your usage of the HVAC system during the summer months.

 

2. Install a New Fence

Fences add extra curb appeal to the house and also increase the level of privacy that is available on the property. Consider installing a fence that complements the architecture of the house and will also keep stray animals away from the yard. Wrought iron fences are ideal for Spanish Colonial or a white picket fence for an older style house. There are also DIY vinyl fence installation packages available for most suburban-type homes.

 

3. Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Popcorn ceilings are not only considered an eyesore but can also be hazardous and unsafe for residents when they contain asbestos. Set aside a weekend to soften the texture and scrape the material off in various rooms of the home. Creating a smooth surface will update the building and will keep your family’s health safe.

 

4. Install a Backsplash

Installing a backsplash is an ideal project for those who have precision with laying tiles and enhancing the visual appeal of the kitchen. Choose a neutral or decorative color shade and style that will continue to look contemporary for many years to come.

 

5. Resurface Concrete

Your home’s concrete is one of the main features outside of your property and needs to be refreshed every few years. You can resurface concrete and even choose a different color or add a cobblestone finish to create a beautiful design that increases the curb appeal of the setting.

 

Performing improvements on the interior and exterior of your residential property can allow you to create an attractive setting that sells once it’s listed on the market. By performing a few DIY projects, you can make a minor investment that pays off and allows you to make more of a profit once you find a buyer.