Tag: home remodeling

Home Services

A Fast-Track Into the Workforce

Lochlan Simmons

Construction offers a fast-track into the workforce without large student debt. Craft professionals can start making money right away and get the satisfaction of a meaningful career.

Construction involves planning, financing and designing a building or industrial facility. It also includes work done to expand, upgrade or repair it. Click the https://jrcsi.com/ to learn more.

In addition to the practical benefits of a construction job, there are also personal and professional skills that can be gained from working in the industry. Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs give workers an excellent grounding in the essentials of the trade – how to work safely, efficiently, and productively with tools and equipment – which they can use throughout their careers.

Moreover, construction offers many opportunities to learn new skills and advance within the workforce, with an ever-growing number of positions in the sector. The newest generation of construction employees can find plenty of ways to develop and grow into their roles, and they can even set up their own businesses if they want to be self-employed.

Not everyone can point outside their window and say “I built that.” In contrast, when you work in construction, every project you complete leaves a mark on the world. From apartments to office buildings, hospitals to factories, your efforts help to solve real-world problems that make people’s lives better day-to-day.

The fact that construction has a low barrier to entry compared to other industries means that you can get started right away and start earning money quickly. This can help you pay off a student loan or avoid the burden of large debt altogether. It also means that you can build up a solid nest egg, or even retire early with a comfortable lifestyle. Plus, some employers offer best-in-class medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits – and that’s not the case with all sectors of the economy.

You Can Be Your Own Boss

It’s easy to be awed by the idea of being your own boss, but it’s not as simple as just setting your own hours or working in your pajamas (though those are perks). Being your own boss means wearing many hats: CEO, salesperson, marketer, bookkeeper, assistant, designer, recruiter, and more. It’s a lot of work, and you will have to wear it all for some time before your business becomes sustainable.

If you want to be your own boss, then it’s important to find a driving force that will keep you motivated to keep going. That might be a strong sense of purpose or passion, a desire to help others, or even just a need to make money. Whatever it is, you need to be able to harness that drive and turn it into results. If you can’t do that, then you will lose steam and your business will suffer. Eventually, you’ll need to step away for a while and recharge your batteries in order to get back on track. That may be a long weekend, or it may be reading an email from a satisfied customer. This is the way to build a successful business that can last for years to come.

You Get to Work Outside

Construction is a great career option for those who want to work outdoors. There’s no shortage of opportunities to do so, and most craft careers offer plenty of job variety. In addition, if you are looking to get away from the desk and find something that gives you more sense of personal gratification, construction allows you to do just that.

Whether you attend trade school or choose an apprenticeship, the majority of your learning comes from on-the-job experience. This means you’re able to work and learn at the same time, which is a huge benefit for people who don’t want to be tied down to four years of college debt and have no idea what they want to do with their life.

Many craft careers also allow for lateral movement within the industry. This is ideal if you’re interested in working on something specific, like electrical or HVAC, but realize down the road that you really love being an electrician. In addition, most construction companies offer additional perks such as disability insurance, tuition reimbursement and wellness programs.

Construction happens everywhere, and as such, you can travel to a variety of exciting places. Whether it’s building a baseball park, theme park or a new home, you’re never far from a construction site. In fact, it’s not uncommon for contractors to save money during the busy seasons in order to be able to travel during the slower winter months. This is a great opportunity to explore and see the world! Plus, you can apply your skills when you’re back in town and find other ways to earn during the off-season.

You’re Physically Fit

In addition to providing a stable income, construction offers the opportunity for physical fitness and a healthy work-life balance. Many construction workers also enjoy a great deal of flexibility when it comes to scheduling their time, allowing them to meet the needs of their family and other personal obligations without compromising on their work ethic.

A typical day on the job puts construction workers’ bodies to the test, as they are required to lift, twist, bend, and walk for hours at a time. This can be difficult on the body if the worker is not physically fit, and it increases the risk of injury and fatigue. By making exercise and physical fitness a priority, construction workers can stay in better shape and reduce the risk of health problems down the road.

Using accelerometers, researchers have discovered that construction work can burn a good number of calories in a given hour, comparable to low-intensity workouts like running or cycling. Depending on the type of job, some positions like plumbing or electrical work can burn as many calories per hour as walking at a brisk pace, while heavier tasks such as roofing and concrete work burn more.

Finding the time and energy to exercise when you have a demanding job can be challenging, especially when you’re working long shifts or hot days. However, a few minutes of physical activity can do wonders for your energy levels. Breaking up your shifts with short breaks for light stretching or bodyweight exercises can improve circulation, help with muscle stiffness and re-energize the body after a long day on the job. A physically fit workforce is a happier workforce, so make fitness a priority on the job site.

You’re Part of a Team

Construction projects require coordination of all the different crews involved in a project. From coordinating equipment and materials, to ensuring access roads are cleared, permits are up to date and the right crews are on site at the right time – there is a lot of planning that goes into bringing all the elements together. The key to a successful job is good team communication.

When everyone feels connected and has a common goal, it creates a strong work ethic on-site that can help keep a project on track and on budget. Team building activities, like happy hours and company provided lunches, can be important for fostering these relationships as well.

Effective communication is especially important on a construction site because of the unique challenges that can arise in the field. For example, if a crew member isn’t on the same page as other crews or the back-office staff, there can be misunderstandings and costly delays in the workflow. It’s important for leaders to promote open communication on the job site and provide tools, like integrated construction software, to support it.

It’s also important to be able to identify and solve problems on the spot, because most are not planned for. Contractors may dig and hit bedrock before expected, or they may discover utility lines are located in a different place than the plans indicate, all of which can have a big impact on the overall schedule and budget. Establishing a change order and RFI process early can help avoid these situations.

Lastly, it’s important to be able to recognize the contributions of others. Not only is this respectful, but it can help prevent conflict between crew members. Taking the time to praise the effort of a crew member who finds a cost-saving solution can go a long way in creating a positive culture on the construction job site.

Home Services

Basement Remodeling Adds Value to Your Home

Devon McKnight

Unfinished basements often become glorified storage rooms for unused furniture and kids’ outgrown toys, offering little to no value to your home. Basement Remodeling Tacoma, WA, turns it into a recreational space for the family, a distraction-free home office or guest suite, a gym, and more.

Work with a knowledgeable contractor to craft your plan and ensure a smooth process.

The floor is one of the most expensive parts of the project when finishing your basement. It also needs to be able to withstand the moisture that naturally exists in this part of the home. This is why it is best to work with a professional flooring contractor who can offer the best solutions for your specific needs.

The best basement flooring is a hard material that can stand up to moisture, like concrete or ceramic tile. Unlike carpeting that can absorb water and deteriorate, these materials are inorganic and do not grow mold or rot. They also dry out faster than multi-layered floors that trap water and need to be sanded down and redone.

Concrete is a durable, cost effective and relatively easy to maintain option for your finished basement floor. It can be painted and sealed to match your new decor, or left in its raw state if you prefer the industrial look of concrete.

Tile flooring is also an option that is impervious to moisture and can be installed directly over concrete. Since tile is cold to the touch, radiant heating can be added underneath to make the room more comfortable.

Vinyl tile and vinyl plank flooring is a good choice because it can be installed over concrete and comes in a wide variety of styles. It is easy to install and can be made to look like different types of wood or even ceramic tile. The advantage of vinyl over other types of flooring is that it can be easily repaired when damaged.

Before you start your remodeling project, it is a good idea to have an interior designer assist you. This will help you get an understanding of the layout of your space, which will allow you to plan for items such as furniture, televisions and other entertainment systems. This will help you avoid wasting money on unnecessary pieces that don’t fit the space or that are too small for their purpose. It will also ensure that all the pieces of your design work together seamlessly.

Walls

Your basement is a blank canvas that can be transformed into whatever you need it to be. The possibilities are nearly endless, from a media room to an in-home gym. You can even transform your basement into a guest suite with an ensuite bathroom. Whatever you decide to do, the walls will help to create a cohesive space that adds value and function to your home.

Regardless of what you choose to do with your remodeled basement, it’s important to check that the walls are straight and level before beginning construction. It’s rare that a newer home’s concrete walls will be perfectly flat and straight, especially in the corners. Use a 6-foot level to travel across the walls from corner to corner and look for any bumps or imperfections that need to be corrected. This will save you from having to go back and redo any work after the fact.

If you’re building any walls in your basement, make sure to follow local codes for electric, plumbing and air ducts. Most places require you to run all of this behind the drywall and hire a licensed electrician to install it. Then you’ll need to frame in the drywall and cut access holes for outlets or valves only after the drywall is up.

In addition to framing in the drywall, you’ll need to make sure the basement is well insulated to keep it warm and dry. Insulation also helps keep sound from traveling through the floor and walls.

When you’re building walls in the basement, consider a solution like the Owens Corning Basement Finishing System. This basement remodeling solution is professionally installed in just two weeks, and includes finished walls, ceiling and floor. It is 100% mold and mildew resistant, and it keeps the foundation, plumbing and electrical lines hidden but easily accessible for inspection or maintenance.

You can also use a simple solution to add insulation and waterproofing to your existing basement concrete walls by placing a layer of polyethylene plastic over the entire surface. This will protect the concrete from moisture and mold while adding an extra layer of warmth and comfort to your basement.

Lighting

Basements often lack natural light, and the fixtures you choose are important. For ambient lighting, recessed ceiling lights (also known as can lights or high-hats) are a great option. They don’t require a lot of room in the ceiling, and their bulbs are available in various color temperatures to fit the aesthetic you’re going for.

For task lighting, adjustable pendant lights and track-mounted spotlights are popular choices. Using dimmers, they give you the flexibility to change lighting levels as your needs change throughout the day. Another good choice is tucked LED strip lights into ceiling coves, which emit a soft glow and highlight architectural details without drawing attention to low ceilings.

There’s also plenty of creative basement remodeling options for illuminating the space. A faux lighted window is an easy-to-build custom light fixture that brings above-ground ambiance to a dark basement with a creative illusion. It features trim, casing, and polycarbonate window panes to look like a real glass window, and it can be framed with drapes for filtered and natural sunlight.

For accent lighting, sconces or rope lights are effective choices. They can be used on a wall near a stairway, for example, and they’re useful for illuminating decorative accents like artwork or collectibles. You can also add lighting to existing built-ins, like a bench in front of a window or a set of shelves.

If you’re a DIYer, it’s important to be prepared for any basement remodel by getting the right tools and materials for the job, and understanding what it will take to stay safe. This includes wearing safety goggles, long pants and work gloves, as well as construction boots, a dust mask, first aid kit and fire extinguisher.

Lighting is one of the simplest basement remodeling projects, but it’s also an opportunity to make your finished basement more beautiful and functional. By taking the time to plan out your project and choose the right light fixtures, you’ll be able to enjoy your basement conversion for years to come. This will give you a great return on your investment and a space that’s perfect for entertaining, relaxing or just hanging out.

Storage

Basement remodeling often means converting storage spaces to functional living areas. When done well, it can turn a glorified storage room into a new recreation area for the kids, a distraction-free home office, a guest suite, or even a home gym. Whatever you decide to use your new space for, a smart and efficient design will keep things organized and easy to find.

To maximize storage potential, consider installing shelving units or a wall-mounted storage system that takes advantage of vertical space. These solutions are customizable and can be adjusted based on your storage needs. Be sure to use moisture-proof containers for items that are susceptible to damage from dampness. It’s also a good idea to label bins or shelves so that you can locate items quickly.

Another great basement storage hack is to install pegboards and hooks on the walls. This is a great way to store tools, gardening supplies, and craft items while keeping them handy and organized. It’s also a good option for storing coats and jackets, keeping them off the floor.

Create designated zones in your basement to store items according to their usage. For example, dedicate a section to storage and a zone for laundry. Use different storage ideas to organize each zone, and be sure to use clear containers so that you can see the contents of each container at a glance. This will save you time and frustration when looking for something later on.

If you have a lot of valuables to store in your basement, consider investing in cabinets that lock. This will help prevent theft and will give you peace of mind when you leave your valuables unattended in the basement.

If you are planning to do your basement renovation yourself, it’s important to have the right tools and equipment for the job. Invest in proper construction and safety gear, including a dust mask, safety goggles, work gloves, long pants, and sturdy shoes. You’ll also want to make sure that you have access to a fire extinguisher and first aid kit, as needed.