Posted on

Don’t Delay When Booking Your First Party Bus

Why you should consider renting a party bus for your party

At one point or the other in one’s lifetime, a person will have a reason to throw a party, however small. It could either be for fun and enjoyment or the celebration of significant milestones like birthdays, graduations, engagements, and so on. Whatever the reason for the party or the theme of the party, there is usually a lot involved to get everything going.

Planning a party requires a lot. Starting from finding the perfect venue for sorting foods and drinks to seeking out entertainment and many more; these processes can be exhausting and expensive.

One way to ensure that you spend less on a party is by renting a party bus. Renting a party bus is perfect for so many reasons. Here are some of the reasons a person should consider renting a party bus:

Economical

When planning a party, the host has to spend money on not only securing the right venue but also adorning it with beautiful decorations. In addition to that, there are other expenses to be incurred on foods, drinks, music, or possibly even party staff. All of these would cost a lot. With a party bus, all the several expenses will be channeled into one, which is to rent a party bus. Ideally, a party bus contains all the things that a person will need for a party hence the name. A host can get all needed at a reduced cost. Party buses have different packages depending on what the host needs and can afford.

Convenience

When invited to a party, the guests may sometimes have to worry about finding the venue or even about the means of transportation to the venue. One need not worry about this with a party bus. The host may simply require the guest to wait at a popular landmark for pick up or even make house calls depending on the number of guests of the party. Party buses allow for the convenience of convergence for both the guests and the host.

Mobile

As it is a bus, it is a means of transportation. It allows for exploration as the party can be moved from one place to another without spoiling the fun. For instance, while the bus itself is a perfect venue to have a party, the party can be moved across the city, and stops can be made at significant fun points while maintaining the same party energy.  You can even bring along fun decorations such as bargain balloons, streamers and more.

Multiple Bus Party Options

Just like how a host can choose from several venue options, be it commercial or domestic, the host also has the luxury to pick bus party options. He or she can pick between different models, brands, and types. He or she could opt for an aero bus or a limousine or a more classic option as long as it suits the theme of the party.

Impressing

Most people are impressed by the idea of a party bus. It is reportedly in the bucket list of a lot of people to party in one. As a result, if a host chooses to use a party bus on the point of arrival to pick his or her friends or guests, as the case may be, there is an immediate excitement that overwhelms the guests. The guests are immediately impressed by the hosts, and that paints the hosts in a good light.

No Driving Concerns

People are known to get drunk at parties. In most cases, there is a designated driver who isn’t allowed to drink as much or have as much fun, so there won’t be any issue of an accident that may arise from drinking and driving. Others may even decide to use uber rather than drive their cars for this particular reason. With a bus, one needs not to worry about this, as the bus itself comes with a designated driver whose job is to ensure that the host and the guests move about safely. Due to this, every guest at the party has the opportunity to have as much fun as they want without any form of limitation.

Take note of these things before renting A Party Bus

A party bus is a great way to move around with friends and family and have fun even while on the trip. When you ride on a party bus here are some do’s and don’ts’s you should follow.

Do’s

  • Research Before Hiring: it is your duty to find out if the party bus company you are hiring from is operating legally and have good and functional busses. You do not want to be in a party bus that breaks down in the middle of the trip. Austin party bus rentals have busses in great condition for your party.
  • Follow safety Rules: party busses have rules for passengers. Make sure you follow these rules, they are made for your guests safety.
  • Do a quick sweep of the bus before you leave. Make sure you and your guests have not forgotten any items.
  • Do not bring harmful or illegal substances on the bus: Party busses usually allow passengers to bring in their foods and drinks. Please do not bring in any illegal substances or items into the bus like drugs or weapons.
  • No Underage drinking: Party busses can be used by the young and old alike. When your party is made up of underage persons please do not bring any alcohol on the bus. It is best to have a chaperone to check that your guests are following rules and not drinking.
  • Do not bring in more people than the number on the guest list: at the point of hiring a party bus you will be asked to give the number of people that will be on the bus. The bus you will be getting will be just enough for the pre-arranged number. Bringing more people will only make the bus crowded and less fun.

Tips For Renting a Party Bus

It is a well-known fact that the limo service industry is proliferating. It is evident from the point that the limousine services industry is making around $12 billion each year in revenue. Its uses are different, like business tours, private car services, wedding rides, bachelor parties, or party buses. Here are a few tips for renting a party bus  if you and your group of friends are looking to rent a party bus for prom or your upcoming event.

MAKE THE PARTY BUS RESERVATION

If you have decided that stretch limousine or party buses in NYC have all that you and your group need to enjoy your event, then it’s the time to book a limo. Stretch limo rentals are the second most requested vehicle for those in the business world after Sedan service. Booking a party bus is an affordable and unique way to travel for larger groups.

To confirm the availability of your transportation, book at least a month in advance. Also, confirm it once a week before if your event does not have a flexible date, reserve a few months ahead.

PLAN THE DETAILS

Some of the limo rental service companies likes to know as much about your event as possible so that they can deliver high-quality service. It would be best if you had the details figured out for this reason. These details are like the dates for the booking of limousine service, the number of people riding. How far you are going and how long you will need the limousine rental or party bus rental. It is fair to give a slightly larger estimate just in case.

UNDERSTAND THE PRICING

Not all the limo service providers have the same prices for party buses. Each limousine company has its unique way of pricing for their party bus services. You should be very clear about your requirements, as mentioned above. Don’t forget to ask questions on surcharges, gratuity, and other additional or hidden costs ahead of time so that you know what you are getting. Do ask for discounts as, for many cases, discounted rates are available for large groups. Renting a party bus not cost much when you are traveling in a group.

CHOOSE YOUR PARTY BUSES IN NYC

When it comes to choosing a party bus from the fleet, a few things must you must consider. Party Buses have different features, facilities, and interiors. It is best to have an idea that while traveling on the road, what you and your guests may want to have. Before selecting the right limo ride, do ask to have a look at the fleet or go through the pictures online to see which bus is right for you.

CHOOSE YOUR REFRESHMENTS AND MUSIC

Among the long list of advantages of using chauffeurs or a party bus, one is that you can start your party before you reach your destination. Must have a look at the beverage policies to understand what can bring on the bus with you.

Music is what gets your party started regardless of wherever you are. Discuss with the limousine service providers whether or not you can select your playlist in advance. Handle all such little things at the time of booking to avoid last moment hassle.

The Benefits of Party Bus Rental

When celebrating major life events like weddings, proms, and milestone birthdays, it is important to travel in style. While many people elect to rent a limo, luxury bus rentals are a great option as well. In fact, renting a party bus is often a better option for large groups of people, who may find getting in and out of a limousine difficult.

Party buses provide many of the same amenities that one would find in a limo, with wrap-around seating, state-of-the-art light and sound systems, and even dance floors in larger models. With a luxury party bus, the group can arrive in style without worrying about wrinkling their clothes, being cramped in a small space, or convincing someone to be the designated driver. Party buses can carry anywhere between 10 and 50 passengers, and bus rental prices are often lower for smaller buses.

While bus rental cost will vary based on the size of the bus, you will never have to worry about paying extra for mileage, fuel, or number of stops. Reputable bus rental companies charge by the hour, so there should be no surprise bills at the end of the night. This makes renting a party bus the economical and luxurious alternative to taking a taxi.

In addition to saving party goers from the stress of looking for parking, party bus drivers are often knowledgeable about the area in which they drive. This makes them a great resource for restaurant and club recommendations. Many drivers know the most popular hotspots, and can even direct you away from tourist traps, if you are renting a bus in a community with a high number of out-of-town visitors. Your bus rental prices will not account for tipping, however, so if you appreciate the driver’s service, let them know!

What You Need To Know About Renting A Party Bus When You Travel To A New City

When you move to a new town, you have to think about your mode of transportation and how you will get around. Do you travel by your vehicle or will you need to invest in a public transportation membership? Do you travel by bus and expect to hire a taxi every time you want to get to another location? On the other hand, should you opt for a party bus rental if going out with friends or should you drive your party?

If you want to know about these party buses or limousines, here is an article that reveals everything you need to know.

Why hiring a limo is the best option

The limo seems to be a convenient option considering all the options mentioned in the introduction. This is especially vital if you are traveling in a group. If you are driving your car, you might miss essential scenery on the road if you are behind the wheel.

Furthermore, if you do not know the laws within that city, traffic police may pull you over for breaking any of the rules that you are not familiar with. That means delay.

Additionally, hiring an Uber is costly. The driver will charge you by distance. Unless you have a deal with them, it might be difficult to bargain.

Hiring a limo should be the way out

If you travel with family or friends, limo is always the best option. Party buses have adequate spaces. Therefore, you can enjoy drinks, and eat from the bus at your convenience. The renting company also provides chauffeur. That means they will be able to drive you wherever you want to go conveniently.

The designated driver is professional. He or she should be available anytime you require his or her services. By the way, you should check the driving experience of the driver. If you are sensitive about your safety, then this should matter.

When you consider cost, most companies provide a constant price for the entire time you will be using the limo. Hence, it does beat the others in terms of comfort and convenience.

Hire a reputable company

Before you make a deal with any company, you should do your research about their operation. If you book early, you get a chance to get the best option. You also get an opportunity to bargain if the company allows that.

The best firm to hire in this case is one that has a fleet of limos. Which means you will have a variety of options to select. You should also know about their history. Look at some of the people they serve and their location.

Prices differ according to the size of the bus. If it is enormous, then you should expect to pay a slightly higher cost per hour than when you hire a smaller party bus.

Should you hire a big or small one?

It depends on the number of people that will be traveling with you. The good thing is that you will get a quote. It contains the list of vehicles present and the number of people the party bus can hold.

You should also consider its purpose. If you want it for a wedding, then you might want a limo that could fit the entire bridal party.

Posted on

Know More About International Unloading Services Companies

Moving Packing Service

We’re confident that just about anyone who’s moved will understand us when we say this: one of the biggest pains of moving is packing. If you haven’t yet experienced this (lucky you), you’ll see when that day comes—it won’t take long before you realize it too. At least when you’re unpacking, you have some form of immediate gratification to look forward to—no deadlines, new homey canvas, getting all settled in. One of the most exciting parts, of course, is getting to choose placement and going all feng shui on your new home to finally nab that sought-after “look” you’ve been relishing on Pinterest. That part is a blast—and we know it well.

but not so much with packing. During this tedious part of the process, you’ve got a number of things to worry about, such as:

Finding enough boxes

Locating specialized boxes for some of your more vulnerable or valuable possessions

Trying to stay organized with labeling and categorizing

Figuring out a way to haul everything in as few trips as possible

Packing the truck

Full-Service Option

Understandably, we have a substantial number of customers who need to move but don’t want to deal with the moving process; so instead, they hire a great, affordable moving company to do the nitty gritty—the whole process of:

Packing

Loading

Shipping

Unloading

Unpacking

Arranging and positioning at the new location

Partial Service

Having said that, we offer a variety of moving services fit for any budget which can be a more convenient, pocket-friendly choice for many. Essentially, you choose a partial amount of stuff for us to pack and move, and you the other. This service option will get you spot-check help on items you may consider vulnerable, or requiring special care; these would include dishes, antiques, family heirlooms, artwork, sculptures, etc. In this scenario, you can choose to handle however many packages or items you wish, and leave the items you really want to protect to us.

Supply Provisions

Some of our customers will want to handle as much of the move as they can, to save on costs. However, they may end up running into issues like the aforementioned orphaned flat-screen television, or the large appliances. Fortunately, our trucks carry a full inventory of supplies for customers who prefer to keep it DIY (do-it-yourself). These include:

Tailored boxes

Packing peanuts

Styrofoam

Stretch wrap

Wrapping paper

The Guide To Moving House

Keep An Inventory Of Your Items & Prepare Measurements

The first step to moving house would be to make a list and categorise your items. A great way to start would be to walk through each room of your home and categorise the essential items in each individual room to ensure nothing is missed out. While it might be tempting to take everything with you to your new home, take the opportunity to do some quick spring cleaning. Everyone has junk and old items that no longer have any use and should be thrown away.

Preparing The Necessary Packing Materials & Start Packing

Not sure how to pack for moving house? Start by choosing the right packing materials to save time and transport your belongings safely without any hiccups or damage.

Here is a list of 3 packing materials you will need to make packing easier and more systematic:

Cardboard Boxes

These will be the staple packing materials needed for your move. Getting cardboard boxes of various sizes will be important, allowing you to segregate the heavy and fragile items away from items generally easier to transport such as clothes and books.

Plastic Boxes and Containers

Great to store your electronics such as your laptop and computer parts, these waterproof plastic boxes help you to easily identify your items as well as transport them in an environment that is free from water risk.

Bubble Wrap & Foam Peanuts

If you have items such as porcelain, ceramics and paintings that need to be transported, covering them in bubble wrap is ideal to protect their surfaces from damage.

Plan Which Items Go Into Which Room & Label Your Boxes

Planning which items to place in each of your rooms is crucial and best done from the start! Understanding where to place each item beforehand allows you to group your items together and label your boxes according to the specific room they belong to. When labelling, take note and separate your living essentials such as toiletries and foodstuffs from the rest of your items as these would be the first to be unloaded and unpacked once you reach your new home.

Prepare A Moving Day Pack Full Of The Essentials

Moving house is a process and will likely take you a few days to a week to finish unpacking. Having a moving day pack will help you stay comfortable and cover the living essentials should the process be delayed.

Include in your backpack or duffel bag:

A fresh change of clothes for the family

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Toilet paper

Your handphone charger and relevant adaptors

Your medication (if any)

Fresh bed sheets and pillow covers

Get Quotes From House Moving Companies & Start Negotiating

While you might have a recommendation from your friend who just moved home a few months back, it is always better to get at least three quotes from professional movers

Quality Moving Services

Packing/Unpacking

Leave the packing, unpacking, and organization to the experts.

Disassembly/Reassembly

Get help with washers, dryers, bed frames, mounted TVs, and more.

Storage

Need a temporary home for all your belongings? We’ve got you covered.

Transparent Pricing

We offer some of the most affordable local and long distance moving rates in the country. We believe in transparent and honest pricing, which is why we start by giving every customer a moving quote that’s as accurate and detailed as possible

On Time… Every Time!

Whether you are moving across town or across the country, our team of skilled professionals will prioritize your move and get you moved on-time! We don’t think it’s fair to keep our customers waiting. Your time is valuable, and moving day is stressful enough without worrying about unreliable movers. Don’t let a no-show moving company ruin your day.

Protecting Your Fragile Items

Moving takes our responsibility for your belongings seriously. We have a fantastic record of customer service and are fully insured to guarantee you a worry-free move. Your team of movers has been trained to properly pack items, disassemble/reassemble furniture, load the moving truck, and more. We pride ourselves on treating your belongings as if they were our own

Thousands of Happy Customers

Check out our great mover reviews and see what other customers have to say about their experience with us. Our team of dedicated moving professionals is here to serve you throughout the moving process, from start to finish.

Moving Guide

Hiring A Moving Company

If you plan on hiring a moving company, you might want to do some research first. Please review the sites below for more great information about moving and to find a company whose services fit you best

What Do I Look For When Hiring A Moving Company?

The American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) offers a Certified Mover Program for moving companies throughout the United States. This program consists of professional movers that have agreed to follow “Code of Conduct,” by responding to customers both ethically and in a timely manner.

This group of movers offers:

Efficient and reliable transportation of household goods

Storage of household goods

Professional service

Prompt customer service when dealing with complaints

Arbitration

Moving Yourself

Some homebuyers choose to move themselves and their belongings. It you want to save time and money by taking on this endeavor yourself, be sure that you have ample packing supplies. Please review the sites below for some informative resources about purchasing boxes, bubble wrap, labels and tape

The Day Of The Move

The day has finally arrived! As excited as you and your family maybe about your new home and its surroundings, moving can make everything seem uncertain. It is important to take a deep breath and try not to be stressed.

Moving and Storage Experts!

completely tailor our moving services to fit your needs. After your first call, our moving consultants will begin putting together a personalized moving plan. We’ll form a plan that fits your budget, and we can take care of any and every part of the moving experience. Our services include planning, packing, sorting, labelling, storage, transportation, assembly and dissassembly of furniture and more!

Packing Services & Moving Supplies

Moving & Storage offers complete packing services that include sorting, labelling and boxing your belongings according to your personalized moving plan. We will dissassemble and reassemble any furniture, including sofas, coffee tables, beds, chairs, etc., and store all furniture using quilt-pads and blankets during the moving process.

commercial moving services cover every aspect of your upcoming move. These include devising a moving strategy that doesn’t interfere with your organization’s schedule or work-flow, conducting packing meetings, obtaining any necessary permits and working with the managers of all property sites affected by your business’s move.

services include planning, packing, sorting, labelling, storage, transportation, assembly and dissassembly of furniture and more!

Packing Services

You don’t have to worry about the packing or heavy lifting! we’ll carefully sort and pack all your belongings. We also can provide any packing supplies you might need!

Local Moves

locally-owned! We know the area and have two decads of experience performing local moves in the area.

Long Distance

Our professional moving team can help you move to anywhere and from anywhere in the country! even performs international moves. No move is too big or too small!

Storage Services

We can provide storage units to store anything you need during, before or after your move! we guarantee your belongings will be safe and secure.

Posted on

Planning And Coordination For Electrical Upgrades

Home Renovation Electrical Upgrades

Whether you’re remodeling your current home or renovating an older home, it may be worth your while to upgrade your existing electrical system to meet all recommended guidelines and current safety standards. Not only are electrical upgrades a wise investment because they help increase the resale value of your property; certain lifestyle changes, like a new baby or having elderly in-laws in the home, could weigh heavily on your decision.

Most homeowners are unaware, but every three years The National Electrical Code (NEC) is updated to include revised guidelines for your property’s electrical requirements. While these aren’t federally mandated laws, these recommendations are considered the gold standard for the safe and proper installation of updated electrical systems, wiring, circuit breakers, and a variety of outlets.

A home fraught with faulty wiring is a major safety hazard and greatly increases the risk of electrical fires. Additionally, old wiring can lead to electrical shock if anyone comes in contact with frayed or exposed wires. Another annoyance that comes along with an outdated electrical system is power surges, brown and blackouts and appliances constantly being tripped. 

Outlets

If you live in an older home, chances are that you may have outdated outlets that are lacking proper ground wire. Upgrading older two-prong outlets when you’re renovating your home can help prevent electrical shock, fires, and surges.

Another aspect to take into consideration is the size of your family. Take into consideration your electrical needs ten years from now. If you intend on growing your family, your electrical needs may change along with it. A home renovation or remodel is an excellent time to install additional outlets in each room of your home

Some rooms you may want to upgrade and add outlets to are:

Home Offices: With a sizable portion of the nation’s workforce shifting to remote positions, the home office is more popular than ever before. Another thing that has changed is the demands of newer technology like laptops, printers, and desktop computers. Additional outlets in your home office will help prevent overloading power strips and using extension cords, which can both become safety hazards if relied on too heavily.

Children’s’ Rooms: When you think about how much today’s youth relies on technology, it can make most adults shudder. Video games, newer entertainment systems, and even enhanced lighting systems all require more outlet space in the room.

Outdoor Spaces, Patios & Decks: This is especially important. For outdoor spaces, you’ll want to add GFCI outlets to any outdoor areas to ensure that you are safe in the event your outlets come in contact with water or humidity. GFCI is short for ‘Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters. These intuitive outlets are designed to instantaneously turn the electricity off if any plugged-in item comes in contact with water or other types of moisture. It is a must for outdoor areas.

Kitchens: The kitchen is another area of the home that boasts large and demanding appliances. The same rule of thumb as outdoor spaces applies here. Since the kitchen is a high traffic area where water and moisture are in abundance, you’ll want to install more GFCI outlets to handle the load of large-scale appliances. like refrigerators, toaster ovens, ice makers, and microwaves. 

MUST-HAVE ELECTRICAL UPGRADES FOR YOUR HOME

THESE NEW GADGETS AND INGENIOUS DESIGN IDEAS WILL LEND YOUR HOME A SENSE OF CONVENIENCE, STYLE, AND MODERN FUNCTIONALITY. WHETHER YOU’RE DRAWING UP PLANS FOR A NEW HOUSE, OR UPGRADING YOUR CURRENT HOME, MAKE SURE YOU’RE GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR WIRING SYSTEM

Outlets with USB ports for charging your devices.

This is an inexpensive, but incredibly useful modification to make charging easier. Throw out all your USB adapters and charge your phone directly from the outlet. Better yet, install USB outlets in a drawer or cubby so you can charge all your devices completely out of the way.

Vacuum dustpan.

Perfect for quick clean-up of non-carpeted floors. Don’t bother digging out your whole vacuum or bending over with a real dustpan; just suck up dust and dirt straight into your central vac system instead. The kitchen is a great place for this handy device.

LED lights.

LED lighting is becoming more and more popular. Why? LEDs are energy efficient. This means a few things. First, they provide higher quality lighting. Second, they’re proven to last longer. Third, they’re more environmentally friendly. And finally, they will save you money on your power bill.

Smart wiring in the bedroom.

Wire your bedroom lights to your bedside so you can switch them on and off without getting out of bed. For added security and peace of mind, wire your outdoor floodlights to the bedside as well. This way, if you hear something outside in the middle of the night, you can light up your yard immediately.

Recessed rope lighting.

Install rope lighting to your home for a modern design effect. Place behind shelves, under or above cabinets, under stairs, or over crown molding for subtle impact. Outdoors, rope lighting can be used to line garden beds or illuminate rock walls.

A distributed audio system.

Wire your speaker system throughout your house so you can listen to music in any room, at any time. Speakers are well hidden; they’re installed either in-wall or in-ceiling. Individual controls allow you to change the volume in each room. Some systems also include intercoms for easy communication across your home.

Electrical Upgrades You Need to Consider During Home Renovations

Did you know buildings consume over 40% of the primary energy and 70% of the electricity produced in the U.S. annually? Performing an upgrade to your electrical wiring during renovations may help you cut on your expensive power bills. Besides, residential electrical services can help you comply with local and national electric codes.

Important Electrical Upgrades for Your Home

A home with faulty electrical connections is a major safety hazard. Electrical shocks and electrocutions can occur if you come into contact with exposed wiring. Here are some upgrades during your renovations that can help bring your building up to code.

Upgrading Electrical Panel

85% of homes in the US are more than four decades old. Most older homes were designed to use about 30 to 50 amps of power. Modern homes use four to five times as much power. Emergency electrical services can install a new power panel that meets the demands of contemporary life. You can eliminate the frequent light flickering and circuit breaker trips within your home.

Rework Your Electrical Wiring

Home renovations may involve tearing down of walls that may require rewiring of your home. You may take the opportunity to have electrical contractors, to conduct a full inspection service on your wiring system. Older homes tend to have add-on circuits that increase the risk of electrical faults. Work with emergency electrical services to install new wires, switches, and circuits and keep your home safe.

Install GFCIs

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) are devices that switch off the power once an appliance comes into contact with moisture. The National Electrical Code recommends installing GFCIs in kitchens, bathrooms, basement, and outdoors and any other appliances stationed near water. Installation may require the skills of an expert electrical contractor.

Set Up a Charging Station

In today’s digital age, almost everyone owns at least one hand-held device that requires frequent charging. Demand for charging ports may lead to small ‘fights’ with an octopus on power bars plugged all over the home. A designated charging station can help keep all devices in one area, freeing other ports for other appliances.

Electrical Upgrades to Bring Your Home to Today’s Standards

If you live in an older house, your electrical system may be unable to handle the modern appliances and hi-tech equipment commonly used today. Your electrics could also have deteriorated over time, without you realising.

The power needs of modern homes have changed significantly over the years, and so have electrical safety codes and regulations. For instance, electrical systems in homes built before 1980 may be capable of providing power to outlets, but inadequate for energy-efficient appliances and state-of-the-art electronics.

Old-style fuse boxes can present another problem because they can’t cope with modern energy loads. And a lack of ground fault circuit interrupters can pop your fuses when trying to run more than one appliance at a time. Your home may also have no hardwired smoke alarms, required by code in newer properties.

Smoke Alarms

Most fire-related deaths are a result of breathing in smoke. This makes smoke alarms a crucial but sometimes overlooked piece of equipment to protect your family – and your property. Most house fire fatalities occur during the night, when you may not be alerted by the smell of smoke as you sleep. Smoke detectors give you vital time to escape a fire. The BC Fire Code requires every home to have working smoke alarms.

Battery-operated smoke alarms are allowed in older homes, but you may prefer a smoke detection system that’s hardwired into your house’s electrical system. This eliminates the possibility of forgetting to check batteries regularly.

Electrical Upgrades Everyone’s Asking for Right Now, According to Pros

There are endless things to consider when building or renovating a home. You’re thinking about budget, sustainability, practicality, and of course, how to make sure it feels like you. But have you given much thought to your electrical upgrades? I’ve always taken the good ol’ light-switch-on-the-wall for granted, but in 2020, electricians can do so much more than that.

Smart switches

Every electrician I talked to said smart switches are the number one request right now. these are replacing traditional lighting timers—such as those on flood lights—for outdoor lighting. The smart switch allows more flexibility than a simple timer, and means that you can control the lighting from your phone even if you forget to set it up before you leave home. It’s not only convenient, but also adds a sense of security for people.

Remote-controlled ceiling fans

“A lot of fans now come with remotes that let you control the light and the fan,” He says this is different than before because they used to be wired separately, but now you don’t even have to get out of bed to turn off the light and turn on the fan

Remote-controlled shades

many customers are requesting electric shades that are controlled from a remote, as well. That’s especially handy for tall windows that would require a ladder to reach.

Outlets directly behind wall-mounted TVs or projectors

As far as creative electrical outlet placement, Ilin says they now usually fix outlets directly behind wall-mounted TVs or projectors so that you don’t have to worry about unsightly wires trailing down your wall.

Posted on

Finding A Car Accident Lawyer After You’ve Been Injured

Reasons You Would Need a Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a car, truck or motorcycle accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you recover everything that you are entitled to under the law. For more information on how a car accident lawyer can help you, check out our recent blog post.

The Top 10 Reasons You Would Need a Car Accident Lawyer

  • The insurance company simply will not return your calls.
  • The insurance company will not settle your property damage claim promptly, refuses to settle it for the actual fair market value of your vehicle, or insists on having it repaired with after-market parts.
  • The insurance adjuster unfairly insists that you are partly at fault for the accident.
  • The insurance adjuster determines that a portion of your injuries or medical treatment was not related to the accident.
  • The insurance adjuster won’t settle your case without access to all of your medical records.
  • The insurance adjuster insists that you provide a recorded statement without the assistance of an attorney.
  • The driver at fault does not have enough insurance coverage to fully compensate you for all of your injuries and losses.
  • You have difficulty obtaining the medical treatment you need.
  • You are confused about the proper value of your claim.
  • It’s been 6 months from the date of your accident and your claim has still not been settled.

Reasons To Consult an Attorney After an Auto Accident

Learn why it is to your advantage to consult an auto accident attorney if you have been injured

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, it’s possible that you may be entitled to significant compensation from the driver or other party responsible for your accident. This will require filing an auto accident injury claim or lawsuit. Either way, this is not a process you want to go through alone.

You Have Limited Time to File a Lawsuit

Most states have what is called a Statute of Limitations that limits the amount of time you have to file a case in court after an automobile accident. In California, that time limit is two years.

There are Complex Rules that Must be Followed

When filing a lawsuit in court, certain rules must be strictly adhered to. This includes everything from font size and how your case is cited to what evidence is admissible in court. In order to avoid mistakes with this important paperwork, a qualified attorney should be retained to ensure all the paperwork is filed on time and is correct.

You Need to Make Sure All Potential Damages are Included

There are many types of damages that may be available to you or a loved one who’s been injured in an auto accident. This includes medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and future loss of income, just to name a few. It’s important to hire an attorney to make sure you or your loved one is asking for all the monetary damages you’re entitled to.

Insurance Companies May Have a Different Agenda

Insurance companies make money by collecting premiums, not by paying out claims. Therefore, some insurance companies may try to settle your case for much less than you deserve. It’s important to have an auto accident lawyer on your side to advocate for your interests.

Reasons You Should Call Your Insurance Company After A Car Accident

When you don’t need to report a car accident

Let’s just get this out of the way. The only time you do not need to call your insurance company is when the accident happens on your own property, involves no other drivers (so no one else may be at fault) and the damage to your vehicle is minimal or at least of an amount you can afford to cover on your own or lose altogether.

When you must report a car accident

In all other cases, you should call your insurance company (and the police to take a report!)—unless you don’t mind finding yourself down the facing a lawsuit that you have no chance of winning. Reporting the accident to both law enforcement and your insurance company is especially important if anyone involved is injured, damage appears to be significant and the other driver is uncooperative or shady.

Why you should report an accident to your insurance company:

#1 You agreed to it when you purchased your policy.

Virtually every car insurance policy in the United States requires you to report accidents. If you don’t adhere to the policy terms, you could face hefty penalties, and your insurance company may have the right to deny coverage.

#2 Damage and injuries are not always obvious at the scene.

On first look, you may think you’re looking at the typical $300 to $700 to replace a bumper. But once you get it into the shop, you may find that because of the make and model of your car, it will cost closer to $3,000. Also, injuries sometimes won’t become apparent until days or weeks after the accident. If you haven’t reported it and have no police report to back it up, the other driver could claim the collision never happened.

#3 Your insurance company will help you obtain immediate repairs.

It can take several months for insurance companies to settle. By reporting the accident to your own insurance company (even when it wasn’t your fault), your coverage will allow you to seek immediate repairs to your vehicle rather than waiting until the dispute is settled. Further, you can rely on your insurance company to work out the best settlement possible for you.

#4 The other driver may not have insurance.

If the other driver doesn’t have car insurance—and you haven’t reported an accident to your insurance company in a timely manner—you could be on the hook for covering all expenses on your own, and likewise, pursuing justice through a private lawsuit which could cost time and money possibly for a judgment that’s never paid. If you report it to your insurance company, you can be compensated through underinsured coverage (be sure to carry it!).

Deciding to Hire the Attorney

Whether the attorney represents you is your decision as much as it is the attorney’s. You need to find an attorney you feel comfortable with, and who you can trust. You also want to ensure your attorney will effectively and capably represent your legal interests.

Here are a few questions to consider:

  • Does this attorney have experience handling car accident cases like yours?
  • How much trial experience does this attorney have? Most car accident cases settle. But in order to obtain the best outcome possible, your attorney must have the ability to take your case to trial and win.
  • Who will actually handle the case? Some attorneys may give the impression that they’ll handle every aspect of your case, but many have inexperienced associates handle most of the work surrounding the case, with your attorney stepping in only when there’s a trial or during settlement negotiations.
  • What is the attorney’s legal fee and who pays for litigation costs? Most car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis

Reasons Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney

If you’re still on the fence about calling a lawyer for help, we’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons why you should hire a personal injury lawyer. As you consider the situation in which you find yourself, you should take into account who the insurance company is really working for, statute of limitations, the rules with which you must comply, the damages you incurred, and the complexities of proving your case.

1. Insurance Companies do not Have Your Best Interests at Heart:

While there are laws that govern how insurance companies operate, what cannot be controlled is motive. Insurance companies are looking out for their best interests. They have teams of attorneys on retainer to help them find ways to minimize the amount of money they pay out. If the insurance companies have attorneys working for them, shouldn’t you have one working for you?

2. Knowing the Statute of Limitations:

Statutes of limitation determine the maximum amount of time from when an accident occurs to the time at which you can begin the legal process to file your claim. If you miss this deadline, it could prevent your ability to recover anything for your damages. An experienced and knowledgeable attorney will know when these deadlines are and keep you from missing out on your opportunity to recover compensation for your injuries.

3. Filing Your Personal Injury Claim Entails Compliance With Strict Rules:

After an accident in San Antonio, there are designated procedures that must take place as the claim is investigated. There is paperwork to complete, damage inspections to schedule, and, of course, procedures to accurately diagnose and treat your injuries. Dealing with all of these procedures in the right way on top of your regular daily life can be an overwhelming endeavor. An experienced attorney can give dedicated attention to these procedures and provide you relief from having to deal with it on your own.

4. Damages Due to Your Injuries May be More Extensive Than You Think:

Many people who are injured in an accident don’t realize that their claim entails more than just being reimbursed for immediate medical expenses. State law allows those who have been injured as the result of another’s negligence to receive compensation for intangible damages, such as pain and suffering, and loss of consortium. These damages are best assessed by an attorney knowledgeable enough to know what these damages are worth.

Posted on

Mold Remediation Damage Removal Tips

“Mold Removal” vs. Mold Remediation

What’s the Difference?

If a company is promising to remove the mold from your home, you may want to double check that company’s credentials. Mold spores are floating in the air and on every surface, both indoors and outdoors. Something as small, naturally occurring and found everywhere as mold would be hard to completely and totally remove all mold from your home. While the thought of mold being around you right now can be overwhelming, mold remediation is very possible. The remediation process contains the mold damage in your home, mitigating any additional damage or issues

Understanding Mold

When water intrudes into your property, mold growth can start in as little as 48 hours. Consider the following mold facts:

Mold is present almost everywhere, indoors and outdoors.

Mold spores are microscopic, float along in the air, and may enter your home through windows, doors, or AC/heating systems or even hitch a ride indoors on your clothing or a pet.

Mold spores thrive on moisture. Mold spores can quickly grow into colonies when exposed to water. These colonies may produce allergens and irritants.

Before mold remediation can begin, any sources of water or moisture must be addressed. Otherwise, the mold may return.

Mold often produces a strong, musty odor, and that odor can lead you to possible mold problem areas.

Even higher-than-normal indoor humidity can support mold growth. Keep indoor humidity below 45 percent.

The Mold Remediation Process

Every mold damage scenario is different and requires a unique solution, but the general mold remediation process stays the same.

Inspection and Mold Damage Assessment

Mold Containment

Air Filtration

Removing Mold and Mold-Infested Materials

Cleaning Contents and Belongings

Mold

Mold spores need water to grow. In most instances, mold problems occur when there is excess water. Mold problems in a bathroom resulting from steam can be controlled by wiping down shower walls and using an exhaust fan when showering.

When a mold problem exists which can’t be readily traced to a leak, it is recommended that the building be inspected in order to identify the excess water source. Once the problem has been identified and corrected, proper mold remediation can be performed.

Health Effects of Mold

Mold can be a health concern. Unfortunately, it is not known how much mold is needed to cause health problems. However, there are factors that can be used to assess whether an increased health risk may be present. These include evaluating the individual who has been exposed and the extent and conditions of the mold growth. Some individuals who have pre‐existing health conditions may be at an increased risk. Individuals who have allergies or lung conditions such as asthma or emphysema can exhibit health effects from exposure. Very young infants and the elderly may also be at an increased risk of health issues relating to mold exposure.

Information for Renters

Renters who have mold problems in their rental space often have difficulty getting the mold problem corrected.  Due to the lack of regulations, government offices have little authority to cite building owners regarding mold contamination. Renters should contact their local building code office regarding any unrepaired building leaks. When doing so, please be reminded that building code offices, like other government offices, most likely do not have mold regulations. Therefore, they will only be able to address structural deficiencies such as water leaks, plumbing issues, etc.  You may also want to consider seeking legal advice regarding your rights in this situation.

Mold Inspections, Testing, Remediation and Training

Environmental Consultants

A list of Environmental Consultants who provide mold and other indoor air and environmental health services in residential dwellings. These companies may also perform additional environmental health testing and investigative services for contaminants such as asbestos containing materials, lead-based paint and radon.

Laboratories

A list of laboratories who have expertise in microbiology for mold and bacterial analysis. These laboratories may also provide analytical services for other indoor environmental contaminants.

Remediation Firms

A list of remediation firms who perform mold remediation and clean-up services.

Mold Remediation

For spaces found to be “moldy” (i.e., water-damaged, regardless of the findings on testing, when used), remediation by certified personnel is recommended. Improper efforts can spread microbes (such as mold, bacteria and parasites), spores, fragments and toxins throughout the entire structure as water-damaged building materials are removed. As such, in many cases, occupants should be relocated during the remediation process.

Because many factors must be considered when remediating water-damaged homes, schools, offices and other buildings, and because there are several industry guidelines and government publications about remediation, it is not practical to provide a detailed discussion of mold remediation in this paper. However, we will be discussing a few key topics relating to remediation.

It is important to state there are some water damage situations that cannot be resolved or corrected with remediation, and remediation is not always successful. If remediation is attempted, proper containment procedures and personal protective equipment are critical, because disturbing or handling the contaminants can result in increased aerosolized spores and particles containing mycotoxins which can be dangerous to human health and destructive to property.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

During remediation or renovation of water-damaged structures, personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used to protect the occupants and workers.

Protective clothing that covers the entire body (i.e., a disposable body suit such as TYVEK with mold-impervious, disposable head and foot coverings). All gaps in the clothing, such as those around ankles and wrists, should be sealed.

An N-95 respirator or better (i.e., a half-face or full-face respirator with N, R or P100 filters).

Protective gloves (made of natural rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyurethane or polyvinylchloride). Do not touch mold or moldy items with bare hands.

Non-vented goggles. Wear goggles that provide complete eye protection. Choose goggles designed to keep out dust and small particles. Safety glasses or goggles that have open vent holes will not protect you against dust and small particles.

HVAC Systems and Ducts

HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning) systems and ducts are common topics in regard to remediation of homes and buildings with mold contamination. As mentioned above, there are some situations that cannot be remediated. HVAC systems are difficult because there are many parts and because it is used to move air through the structure.

What to Expect from Mold Remediation on a House

What Is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is typically the removal, cleaning, and disinfecting of mold-contaminated areas such as inside a home. Remediation process entails the use of specialized equipment and methods to ensure complete removal while preventing new growth of mold.

What Can You Expect During Mold Remediation?

While every mold damage situation varies and demands a unique solution, the mold remediation process remains the same.

Repair of the water plumbing system. This will help prevent the growth of new mold spores.

Isolation of mold containment area. This entails sealing off the contaminated area from the other parts of the house. This is done by closing all windows and doors. Other openings are sealed using six mil polyethylene sheeting. The sheeting seams are then sealed using duct tapes.

Control airborne spores. This is done by misting the contaminated spots.

Vacuuming of moldy surfaces. While vacuuming, the wet/dry vacuum is kept outside.

Cleaning and Removal of moldy materials. All wet and mold-contaminated material is discarded in plastic bags to lower the risk of mold spores getting dispersed into the air. Proper cleaning of all non-porous materials is done.

Spraying and scrubbing of unmovable structure elements. The professionals will then scrub all mold-contaminated surfaces with a damp cloth soaked in a detergent solution. This will help ensure all mold is completely removed.

Disinfecting and encapsulating surfaces. The cleaned areas are then disinfected using the appropriate products and deodorizing agents to remove and kill any mold left.

Drying wet materials. All the cleaned materials are then allowed to dry to ensure no moisture is leftover. Some expert mold removal companies will speed up the process using dehumidifiers, fans, or by increasing the indoor air temperature.

Replace and rebuild. All damaged materials previously removed are then repaired or replaced.

How Long Will It Take?

How long it will take to perform the entire mold remediation process varies depending on various factors. Some of them include the amount of mold present, the part of the house mold is growing, and the type of material with mold-contamination. However, the process can take between one to five days.

Mold Remediation Services You Can Count On

No facilities manager wants to hear that a building has mold, especially not if a lot of people spend time in the building. Left unchecked, mold growth can spread throughout a building’s insulation, ceilings, walls, carpeting, and HVAC system. High mold spore counts can cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Sick employees, guests, or students are a lawsuit waiting to happen. If you or a resident discovers moldy areas in one or more of your buildings, don’t delay.

WHAT IS MOLD REMEDIATION?

Mold remediation focuses on getting your building’s mold problem under control. There will always be a certain amount of naturally occurring mold spores in the air, but when humid conditions, an undetected roof leak, a plumbing leak, flooding, or other moisture problem causes mold to grow, you need to call trusted mold remediation specialists. In many commercial facilities, the existence of a mold issue isn’t revealed until other renovations or repairs are underway.

INSPECTION AND MOLD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

When we come to your location, we will do a visual inspection for mold. We may ask for the results of any air quality tests you have had done. We may cut into drywall, lift up carpeting, etc., to determine the extent of the spread of the mold. We may also use a moisture meter to determine how much moisture is in the air.

IDENTIFYING THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE MOLD

Mold only grows in areas where it is damp or moist. We will identify the root cause of the moisture, and come up with a targeted solution. Causes of moisture in a building can include:

Leaking pipes

An HVAC system that is not removing enough humidity

Foundation moisture issues

Faulty construction

A one-time event, such as flooding

MOLD CONTAINMENT

Proper mold containment will keep the mold spores in the affected area from spreading during the mold remediation process. We’ll install a HEPA Filtered Negative Air machine, which will pull contaminated air out, and exhaust it outside through flexible tubing. Your HVAC system will be turned off during the mold remediation process to prevent mold spores from circulating to uncontaminated areas. .

Posted on

Core Steps To Manage Personal Tax Planning

Everything You Need To Know About Tax Planning

Tax planning is an exercise performed to meet your tax obligations in a systematic manner keeping in mind your current financial status. Further, it includes your larger financial plan after calculating your age, financial goals, risk appetite, and investment horizon.

Tax as you would know is a fee charged by the government on a product, service, or income.

It is an obligatory payment made by citizens to the government.

For this reason, you can aim to reduce your tax liability and protect their hard-earned money.

You can lower your total tax outflow by accounting for all payables, permissible exemptions, deductions, and reliefs available to you under the Tax Act. Hence, tax saving activity is part of the whole tax planning exercise, whereby you as a tax payer can reduce your total tax liability.

But many a times, tax payers in order to save tax make investments without being aware about the financial product. And end up investing in inefficient tax saving instruments.

Therefore, tax planning exercise is as crucial as you plan for your other financial goals. And remember to commence your “tax planning” exercise well in advance and complement this with your overall investment planning exercise.

By adapting to this method of “tax planning”, you not only ensure long-term wealth creation, but also protect your capital. It will enable you to save more through tax planning and fulfil many of your dreams in life.

Know the rules for claiming dependents.

Claiming a dependent on your tax return can make a huge difference to your taxes.

The IRS allows you to take a $4,000 exemption for each dependent. In addition, you can claim certain expenses for dependents, such as childcare costs, medical expenses and tuition payments.

It’s clear that your children who live with you all year are your dependents.

However, the rules can be a bit complex if you share custody of a child with someone, help support an elderly parent, or if a relative or nonrelative lives with you.

Sometimes, planning how much you spend in one year or how many days the dependent lives with you can make a significant difference in the tax benefit you receive.

Estimate your tax impact before you sell major assets.

Some of the best opportunities for saving taxes come when you expect to sell an asset.

For example, say you are thinking about selling the home you’ve lived in for 18 months. Its value has increased over the years, and if you live in and own the home just six more months – until the two-year mark – you may qualify to exclude all of the gain from your taxable income. (If you meet certain exceptions, such as a job transfer, you may be able to exclude the gain even if you don’t live in the home for the full two years.)

Get Private Health Insurance

Having Private Health Insurance (hospital cover) means that you do not have to pay the ‘Medicare Levy Surcharge’.

There’s often confusion when clients have hospital cover, but they still pay Medicare Levy.  That’s because there’s two types of Medicare payments on your tax:

Medicare Levy (all individuals pay this, and it is calculated at 2% of your taxable income if you’re earning more than ~$27k)

Medicare Levy Surcharge (additional 1% to 1.5% depending on your income)

You need to pay the Surcharge component if you’re single and earn over $90k, or have a spouse and together your income combined is more than $180k – and you don’t have private health insurance (hospital cover).

Of course if you, or you and your spouse do hold the hospital cover, you do not have to pay the surcharge component.

If you earn $300k, you’d be up for $4,500 in Medicare Levy Surcharge alone.

And Hospital Cover may only cost you $2,000 to take out!

On that maths, you’d be up $2,500.

So if you’re over the income threshold ($90k if you’re single, or $180k if you have a spouse, incomes combined), or are creeping toward it, it may be worth taking out cover.

And just as an FYI – Private Health Insurance (extras cover) does not remove the surcharge.

Step Tax Planning Process

  • Educate clients – This involves using the TaxFitness newsletter (and other tools) to educate clients on their personal tax situation, tax planning in general and their opportunity to save tax.
  • Sell service to client – This is the process used to sell tax planning services to clients.
  • Information gathering – For effective tax planning essential client information is collected:
  • The group members (i.e. all the individuals and entities that make up the client’s overall structure),
    • Group members’ current year income and expenses,
    • Group members’ assets and liabilities.
  • Tax strategies database – This explains how the 250 different tax strategies actually work:
  • What the tax strategy is,
  • How the tax strategy works,
  • When to use the tax strategy,
  • Average tax deductions created by the strategy,
  • The strategy implementation process.
  • Selecting tax strategies – This is a two-part process. Firstly, your unique circumstances (identified through step 1) are considered in conjunction with the unique attributes of each available tax strategy. We use a tax strategies database with over 250 strategies. Then secondly, we use tax planning software and our expertise to select up to 10 optimal tax strategies for you.
  • Tax savings report – Special tax planning software is then used to produce a report that details the tax savings generated from implementing the selected tax strategies, and the step-by-step process to legally and effectively implement each strategy (including the cost).
  • Client discussion and implementation – We then discuss the tax savings report and implementation process with you so you fully understand the options. We can then also implement the strategies for you if you choose to proceed.

The most popular tax deductions

Deductions aren’t as valuable as tax credits, because they don’t produce dollar-for-dollar reductions in tax.

For every $1 you’re allowed to deduct from taxable income, you’ll save a percentage equal to your marginal tax rate. So if you’re in the 24% tax bracket, then a $1 deduction will save you $0.24 in tax. Yet even though those amounts are smaller than what you get from a tax credit, deductions are nothing to sneeze at.

The below deductions are only available if you itemize deductions. Tax filers who take the larger standard deduction won’t receive any extra benefit from these deductible items, and with the standard deduction continuing to rise for inflation, fewer taxpayers are likely to have enough itemized deductions to go above the standard deduction amount.

These are the most popular deductions :

  • The mortgage interest deduction allows homeowners to deduct interest on up to $750,000 of mortgage debt, with higher grandfathered deductions on up to $1 million in debt applying to those who had such mortgages outstanding before the beginning of 2018. Certain home equity loans used to purchase, build, or improve your home also qualify for the interest deduction.
  • Donations to qualified charities are eligible for a deduction as well. Cash and check donations are deductible and full, and most gifts of property are also deductible up to their fair market value. The key to claiming charitable deductions is to make sure you get the appropriate acknowledgment from the charity that you made the gift, because you’ll need that documentation in order to support your deduction in case you’re audited.
  • The state and local tax (SALT) deduction was limited by tax reform, but it hasn’t disappeared entirely. In 2019, you’ll be allowed to deduct up to $10,000 for money you pay to state and local governments in tax. Property tax is always allowed, and you can elect either income or sales tax depending on which amount is higher.
Posted on

How To Choose A Commercial Cleaning Company

Cost to hire a Commercial Cleaner

though as this is an estimate these prices can vary. Keeping a clean office is just as important as keeping a clean home. A commercial cleaning service can help keep your business stay shiny and clean. This applies whether you’re open to the public or just to your employees. Hiring a commercial cleaning service leaves you free to take care of business.

Considerations

While it’s necessary to keep a workplace clean, you or your employees may be too busy to clean! A cleaning service can come to the rescue and keep any type of business neat and tidy.

Type of Property

Most commercial cleaning services can clean a variety of different properties. Even if your store or business space receives regular tidying from employees,  it may be necessary to schedule an occasional deep clean.

Dirt can build up over time in factories or warehouses as well. It can be easiest to bring a service in over a weekend to tackle the grease and grime. It’s vital to keep speciality facilities like those in medical or food service clean. Make sure to say what type of business you have to ensure your cleaners are the right fit. It will also make sure that they bring any special equipment or cleaning products which are necessary to get the job done.

Frequency of Cleaning Services

Regular cleaning will keep your business neat and tidy. Arrange to bring in a cleaning service on a schedule that works for you. The frequency of cleaning will depend on the type of business you have. Does your business have requirements for cleanliness? Commercial kitchens need frequent cleaning to keep up standards of service. Hire a cleaning service to come in as you need them. This could be a one-time clean to improve your property or a more regular schedule. Most businesses will choose to clean once a week. Other properties can usually have a cleaning service come in once or twice a month.

COMMERCIAL CLEANING RESOURCES FOR CORONAVIRUS

What is the Coronavirus?

2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV or COVID-19) is a virus (more specifically, a coronavirus) identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. Early on, many of the patients in the outbreak in Wuhan, China reportedly had some link to a large seafood and animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. However, a growing number of patients reportedly have not had exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread is occurring. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably this virus is spreading between people.

Commercial Cleaning Products for Coronavirus

While coronavirus is contagious, several cleaning products on the market help mitigate it. There are currently no tests measuring the efficacy of cleaning products against 2019-nCoV, but cleaning companies have a good idea of what products will work thanks to their past experiences with SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV (both of which are previously identified coronaviruses).  This type of virus is easy to inactivate on non-porous surfaces.

Protocol of Commercial Cleaners in the Field

Beyond using the right cleaning products, experts recommend several ways for cleaners themselves to fight against coronavirus. The CDC recommends wearing the proper personal protective equipment, including gloves and masks if applicable. For those working in specialized facilities—such as hospitals—the CDC recommends being proactive in telling cleaners about their potential exposure. BSCs should also encourage all janitorial workers to have proper hygiene techniques before, during and after their shift.

This is especially important for coronavirus. The World Health Organization recommends anyone who might come in contact with a contaminated area should wash their hands thoroughly for at least 30 seconds with an anti-bacterial soap. Or they should be encouraged to use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Most importantly, if any janitorial staff are exhibiting signs of illness, they should not come to work and seek medical attention. Each state has differing medical leave laws when it comes to hourly workers, however some companies have pledged to offer sick leave specific to COVID-19. There are federal statutes that come into play as well, which is important to consider during this time.

Commercial Cleaning Support

Do you want to grow your business, but find yourself battling with staffing problems, accreditation and regulation instead? We’ve worked with thousands of companies like yours. We understand your issues ­— and we can help

friendly Health & Safety and HR experts will save you time and energy, with practical help that makes good business sense. So you can focus on your goals.

online tools make compliance simple; We’ll help you to keep your team safe and deal with sickness and absence issues; We’ll work with you on Pre-Qualification Questionnaires and accreditations that’ll help you to win new business. And, we’ll support you in building a reliable, professional team that’ll help you achieve your ambitions.

The Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Cleaning

HOW TO CLEAN A COMMERCIAL KITCHEN

Cleanliness is a vital part of any catering business, and never more so than in the kitchen. Only by following commercial kitchen cleaning procedures can you maintain the highest level of hygiene.

In any commercial kitchen, canteen or catering environment, grease and dirt naturally build up over time, covering surfaces and cooking equipment. This not only presents health risks but can be a fire hazard too. Firstly, save yourself time and effort in cleaning practices by starting out with premium commercial kitchen cleaning supplies. Then, like most things in life, the best approach to a big job is to divide it into smaller, more manageable tasks.

COLOUR CODED CLEANING

Colour coded cleaning includes all kind of commercial cleaning equipment including chopping boards, mops and cloths. The ultimate aim is to avoid cross-contamination across each area of a kitchen and to stop the spread of germs which cause disease. It’s vital that raw and cooked food is separated, for example, as this is one of the main causes of food poisoning.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU CLEAN CERTAIN KITCHEN ITEMS?

Surface and utensils: after each use

Ovens: Weekly

Sinks: between uses, and at various points throughout the day with frequent use

Fridges and Freezers: Monthly

Bins: Weekly

Ventilation systems: Every 3 months to 1 year (depending on use)

As these are only guidelines, there may be times when appliances or areas need to be cleaned more often than the recommended frequency.

HOW ARE KITCHEN ITEMS DEFINED WITHIN THE CATERING INDUSTRY?

‘Moveable equipment’ is any item that comes into direct contact with food, Examples of this include:

Chopping boards, trays, containers, spatulas, serving spoons, any utensils used during cooking. Non-food contact items include: work surfaces, door handles, walls, taps and wash basins.

Clean Office

Services offered will be based around basic office cleaning scheduled on a monthly basis, which will be offered with extreme care for the client’s privacy, security, and assets. Additional services will be sold to the same clients to deepen their relationship. Organizational services will be introduced in after three years. Services will be environmentally friendly, both in the products used and in their methods of disposal.

The market currently consists of 40,000 small, medium, and large office businesses. Healthy growth is expected for this market, especially for small offices which will be the initial target market for the business. Focusing on small offices will establish the reputation of the company by working with a variety of clients and will force the streamlining of operations.

The business expects to reach $1 million in annual sales in its second year of operation and begin to pay dividends to investing partners in its first year. Net profit of $70,000 will be achieved in the first year and will double in the second year. Break even will be achieved quickly partially due to the fact that the management is experienced with sales, marketing, and operations, and that all cleaning crews will be paid only for hours worked, reducing the payroll risk for the business.

seeks to ensure that businesses have a spotless office environment to support the work they do and forget their worries about office cleaning. The company values its employees to clean well and clean smart, listens to the needs of its client to do the job they need done, and responds to the demands of the environment.

Foster an environment of employee empowerment from day one of operation to make sure cleaning crews clean well (thoroughly and carefully) while cleaning smart (efficiently)

Listen attentively to the needs of the client and communicate this information effectively to cleaning crews

Research and remain experts on the greenest cleaning practices and products

Remember that the cleaning must meet or exceed client expectations to be considered done

Posted on

Yoga Posture For Back Pain Management

What do patients expect from their first visit to a pain clinic?

To examine patients’ expectations of their first outpatient visit to a pain clinic. We asked patients what would be the most satisfying and the most disappointing outcomes of their visit and whether they expected changes in medication and further investigations to result from their consultation.

Patients completed questionnaires and a structured interview to assess expectations before their clinic appointment.

Methods

Seventy-seven patients with chronic pain who were first time referrals to a regional pain clinic participated in the study. Patient expectations and questionnaires measuring depression and pain-related disability were completed prior to the pain clinic appointment.

Results: Most patients expected an explanation or an improved understanding of their pain problem. The most common satisfying outcome was relief or control of pain, and the most common disappointing outcome was being told nothing could be done. The majority of patients expected further medical investigations and changes to the prescribed medication. Depression and pain-related disability strongly influenced patient expectations.

Conclusions: For patients attending pain clinics, the explanation of their pain problem is rated as important as the cure or relief of their pain. Improved understanding of patient expectations by pain clinic clinicians may lead to greater patient satisfaction and reduced treatment dropout.

Your First Consultation

For most people, the decision to see an Interventional Pain Anesthesiologist for spine and pain conditions is full of hope. Some patients may be a little apprehensive after years of pain, but knowing what to expect can help alleviate fear and adjust expectations.

Your First Consultation

Depending on the nature of your condition, some appointments may last longer than most office visits. Our highly personalized approach requires giving you adequate time and attention to help us understand the type of pain condition you’re struggling with.

During the initial appointment, a pain assessment will be performed including questions about your medical history, current prescriptions, pain patterns, and any other specific causes for concern. Depending on your symptoms and type of pain, you may expect orders for additional imaging studies or physical therapy. Some patients may receive treatment during their first visit for conditions such as joint pain. For your own safety and to help us make a precise diagnosis, we ask each patient to be as thorough and detailed as possible.

Wear comfortable clothes that do not restrict your motion in case we need to test your skeletal and muscular abilities. Please bring any recent medical records, MRIs, CT scans, X-Rays, or EMG reports that you have in your possession to your first appointment, as well as your insurance card. Patients will also be responsible for paying their insurance co-payments and deductibles if covered by an insurance plan. If patients are paying themselves, our staff can provide an estimate in advance.

Precision Diagnostics Take Time

The results of your first consultation will rule out certain conditions, and give us a good indication of the possible sources of your pain. It may be necessary to schedule further tests to provide detailed images of your spine to pinpoint the specific source of pain. This will enable us to precisely identify the specific location of pain and most effective treatment.

A visit to Precision Pain Care may take longer than what you usually experience at other doctor’s offices because our team takes the appropriate time and attention to accurately diagnose and treat every patient’s condition. We understand patients are anxious for a solution, and we ensure our time and efforts will produce quality outcomes with adequate and effective course of treatment.

Further Diagnostic Testing

Depending on what we discover during your consultation it may be necessary for you to undergo further tests to help us narrow down the possible sources of your pain, better understand you condition or injury, learn why you’re in pain, make a precise diagnosis, and prescribe an effective treatment regimen.

A Precision Diagnosis

Once we’re ready to give you an accurate diagnosis, we will outline the various treatment options available, and elect the ones the provider believes will work best for your condition.

When to see a pain specialist

While you don’t always need a referral to see a pain specialist, most of the time these visits come after seeing your primary care physician (PCP) and another specialist, such as a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.

For example, your PCP may order X-rays, prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or send you to physical therapy. In the event those treatments don’t work, they’ll send you to a surgeon for further evaluation. If the surgeon deems you a non-surgical candidate, they’ll refer you to a pain specialist. In some cases, a PCP may have managed an ailment for years with conservative treatment, then refers you directly to a pain specialist when the situation turns chronic.

While pain specialists treat a litany of ailments, spine disorders, including herniated discs in the lumbar (back) or cervical (neck) spine, are the most common issues. You may also see a pain specialist after a hernia repair for a nerve block in your groin, or a neurologist may refer you to a pain specialist to receive nerve blocks for chronic headaches.

Whatever your ailment, a pain specialist will work with your other physicians to provide you with a multidisciplinary plan, whether it’s physical therapy, appropriate medications, injection therapy or surgery.

“A multidisciplinary approach is always my first approach. We do offer multi-modal medicine, whether it’s nerve agents, anti-inflammatory agents or muscle relaxants. “If a patient ever becomes chronic where they’re requiring many prescriptions, they need to see a medical pain specialist, but the initial plan when you see a doctor like me, I’ll tell you the five things we need to do and here’s where we’re going to start. If the plan changes or grows in a different direction, then we’ll accept that if we need to.”

What happens at the first pain management appointment?

It is important to know what to expect at your first pain management appointment. At your first visit, you meet with a pain management nurse who reviews your pain problem and medical history. You will be seen by a nurse, a physician assistant and the physician. A pain management physician performs a medical history, physical examination and reviews any test or X-ray results. Your physician will develop a customized pain treatment plan based on your individual assessment. This initial evaluation is important, because a full and complete assessment is a key component in developing your customized treatment plan.

Will I be treated on the first visit to a pain management clinic?

In some cases, patients are treated on the first visit. However, most patients will be scheduled for their procedure after undergoing appropriate preparation. Einstein’s pain management process consists of communication with the patient’s primary care physician and specialists as part of a team approach to a comprehensive care plan.

Can I go back to work after my visit?

If you receive an epidural injection or any other catheterization procedure, we usually recommend you take it easy and let your body be your guide. Recovery times may vary depending on your occupation. Discuss this with your physician.

What kind of results can I expect after the steroid injection?

Steroid effects usually begin within 2 to 3 days, though response may occur more quickly or slowly. Occasional pain is aggravated for 1 to 2 days until the medication absorbs (begins to take effect). If your pain is responsive to the anti-inflammatory effect of the steroid you may experience full or partial improvement. Many patients require a series of 2 or 3 injections to reach maximum improvement.

Are there any side effects to the steroids?

Most of the time the side effects are minimal but could include insomnia, anxiety, and an increase in your heart rate. Long term steroid use can lend to other side effects and should be discussed with your doctor.

Posted on

The Best Solution For Cockroaches Pest Control

Everything You Need to Get Rid Of Cockroaches

no matter how diligent at taking out the trash, scrubbing floors, and dishwashing, will eventually end up encountering a roach or two. If you’ve started to notice more unwanted roommates, don’t panic. There are plenty of solutions to eradicate the pests.

To start, it is essential to “remove any source of food, any source of water, and any clutter,” in your apartment to make it harder for the roaches to live and thrive

This includes dog and cat food, which Linares calls a “roach magnet” that people often overlook. We spoke to Linares and two other pest control experts about the baits, traps, and insulation tools you’ll need to prevent and get rid of cockroaches.

“One of the ways to control these things is to repair structural gaps that cockroaches like to hide in.” Since roaches harbor in cracks and crevices, you want to seal up any openings you spot using a spackling paste or any kind of silicone caulking

adding that they use thousands and thousands of them every year. Not only do they collect insects, but “they also help you monitor situations and zero in on where you need to look.” Since roaches do not move that far from where they’re hatched, if you pick up a sticky trap and it’s filled with cockroaches, you’re generally in the right spot

American Cockroaches

What is An American Cockroach?

The American cockroach is the largest of the house-infesting roaches and a major pest in the United States. It’s also commonly known as the water bug, the Bombay canary or the palmetto bug. Despite its name, the American cockroach is not native to North America.

What Do American Cockroaches Look Like?

Adult American cockroaches average between 1.4” to 1.6” (35-41mm) in length, but they can grow to exceed 2”. American cockroaches are reddish brown in color with a yellow band that outlines the area behind their head. Both males and females have wings and can fly short distances.

Do American Cockroaches Bite?

American cockroaches have the ability to bite, although they rarely do. If a bite occurs, it should not be problematic unless it gets infected

Signs of an Infestation

There are four telltale signs of an American cockroach infestation. First, homeowners will see the fast-moving insects themselves usually fleeing to dark areas. Second, American cockroaches leave behind droppings in the dim areas in which they hide. These small droppings are blunt on the ends and have ridges on the sides. They are often mistaken for mouse droppings, so it’s important to contact a licensed pest control professional for proper identification.

Another sign of an American cockroach infestation is the presence of egg capsules, which are about 8 mm long and dark-colored. Egg capsules are sometimes glued to a surface near food sources, and can be found in basements, laundry rooms and kitchens, as well as behind appliances or underneath cabinets. Lastly, the American cockroach will produce a pheromone that some people describe as having a “musty” smell. People with sensitive noses may notice this odor around the house.

Get Rid of Cockroaches

To get rid of cockroaches, you must take away their:

Food

Keep food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator.

Paint cabinet shelves and drawers with enamel and keep them clean.

Rinse all recyclables clean and take them out every few days.

Put garbage in tightly covered containers and keep them outside.

Wash dishes, tables, counters and stove tops every day.

Store flour, sugar, cereal, pasta and crackers in tightly covered plastic or metal containers.

Hiding Places

Clean out junk and clutter from storage shelves, drawers and closets.

Don’t use shelf paper.

Get rid of unused furniture, appliances, food and clothing.

Do home repairs: fill in cracks, seal openings around pipes, and remove chipped paint using care not to make dust if paint contains lead.

Remove or repair loose wallpaper and plaster.

Basic steps:

Remove clutter.

Vacuum well and often. Clean floors, furniture, walls, cabinets, moldings, baseboards, etc. Sponge mopping floors is very useful, too.

Wash hard washable surfaces with cleanser (ammonia and water works well).

Dust out of sight spaces with boric acid powder. Dust and seal any cracks and openings closed with caulk.

Use roach baits near hiding places like behind pictures and wall hangings, under sinks and undersides of furniture.

Check for roaches that may still be there with (sticky) glue traps.

KEEP THEM OUT.

Place screens (insect mesh) in windows.

Vacuum (or sweep), then sponge mop kitchen floor every week.

Be sure to mop up all the water.

Seal cracks and openings with caulk:

where the wall and the ceiling meet;

where the wall and the floor meet;

baseboards;

door and window moldings;

splash board at sink;

inside cabinets.

Add draft sweeps to bottoms of outside doors.

Encourage everybody who lives in the building to work together.

Complete guide for cockroach control

Cockroach infestation is a common household complaints and an ongoing concern. Whether it is because of the phobia and pest fear, or the health risks it causes to our safety, cockroach is definitely an unwelcome pest in every home.

What are the different kind of cockroaches commonly found in a home?

German Cockroach

German cockroach are brownish in colour with 2 black stripes

They usually hide around cartons or card boxes, piles of items, food area and furniture.

Likes dark, humid and warm environment

Favourite hot spots include the kitchen, sinks and kitchen cabinets, appliances, garbage or waste bins

An indoor house-pest that is commonly brought in from external activities such as shopping bags or groceries

American Cockroach

These cockroaches are reddish-brown in colour

They are commonly associated with food preparation and consumption spaces

Key risk areas include restaurants, cafes, canteen, kitchens

Prefer warm and moist environment

Typically brought in through sewers and drains and pipe ducts

What causes a cockroach infestation?

Where do cockroaches come from? Cockroaches seek warm and shelter to hide and breed and home is one good choice of location. Because they require food supplies and water or moisture to survive, it is no wonder home and kitchen is their number 1 favourite hot spot. Here is a list of common causes of cockroach problemWhere do cockroaches come from? Cockroaches seek warm and shelter to hide and breed and home is one good choice of location. Because they require food supplies and water or moisture to survive, it is no wonder home and kitchen is their number 1 favourite hot spot. Here is a list of common causes of cockroach problem

Poor hygiene and sanitation such as uncleaned dishes, dirty wash sinks and surfaces with food debris

Undisposed waste bin or garbage

Water spills and moistures that are not wiped dry

Unsealed or uncovered food ingredients or supply

Cross infestation reasons by bringing them in from exterior areas

Allowing cockroach entry via unmanned cracks, gaps and crevices in the home

Lack of awareness in detecting and spotting potential signs of cockroach infestation

How to Get Rid of Cockroaches

Cockroaches’ presence in business environment poses a real threat of food contamination, damage to stored items and business reputation. Additionally, the health hazards associated with this disease-spreading pest are a real concern for homeowners too.

If you have identified a cockroach problem in your home or business, professional cockroach control service can provide an effective solution for this unwanted pest. Professionals know the best control solutions to combat cockroach infestations and help reduce the risk of re-infestation.

A cockroach infestation in your home or business can cause a lot of health risks as they are carriers of pathogens that may cause food poisoning. Their droppings and molted skin can cause skin reaction to sensitive people and in some cases, may trigger asthma attack when the allergen is inhaled or contaminated in food. Besides that, some of the business impact cockroach infestation can cause are contaminating stocks and damaging business reputation. Any disruption to the business operations and breach of hygiene regulations may result in loss of revenue and customer’s trust.

Posted on

Tips On How To Find Best Automatic Transmission Repair Shop

If your mechanic tells you any of these things, it’s time to shop around for a new mechanic

Nearly everyone has gone to the local shop for routine auto maintenance only to drive away after paying a lot more in unexpected charges. Most mechanics are honest, hardworking people who only want to help you by pointing out problems you may not know about. But some mechanics want to take you and your wallet for a ride. If any of these things sound like your mechanic, start looking for a new one.

“You can use any kind of motor oil.”

Some mechanics will tell you that your car can use any kind of oil, especially if it will save you money. There is only a little bit of truth to this. Let’s take a very common oil, 5w-30, as an example. The first number is the viscosity, or the ability of the oil to flow, at 0°F. The second number is the viscosity at 212°F, which is the normal operating temperature of most vehicles.

Some vehicles in extremely cold climates use a thinner oil, such as 0w-30, in order to start easier in the extreme cold. Notice the second number, the viscosity at normal operating temperate, is the same as our previous example. Many vehicles can run on this thinner oil in order to get better efficiency in the minutes after starting. But that second number, the ‘hot’ number, isn’t one to mess with. Using a thicker or thinner oil than recommended for normal operating temperatures can result in damage to your vehicle. So in this case, all oil isn’t the same.

The same goes for conventional versus synthetic oil, each of which has different properties and a number of pros and cons. Synthetic oil is more expensive, but can also be better for your vehicle. Some turbocharged and high-performance vehicles even require synthetic oil in order to perform properly.

“I wouldn’t drive that very far.”

This is a scare tactic designed to get you to authorize a repair. Mechanics know that most people don’t know anything about their cars, so they prey on your fears that you’ll not want to break down on the side of the road. If a mechanic is trying to coerce you in this way, get a second opinion immediately.

“We should replace the entire thing.”

Sometimes you need to replace the entire exhaust system when something is wrong. But other times, a simple repair will cover it. If you fail an emissions test because of a hole in your exhaust, you should be going the other direction if you hear words like “entire,” “whole,” or “system.” In some cases, a simple problem like this can be fixed with a much cheaper weld or even a quick dab of a sealant. Some shops will even make this type of repair at no charge to you if all that is required is a dab of sealant.

“You need to fix this now before it becomes a problem.”

Some greedy mechanics will exaggerate how serious a problem is in order to get you to make a repair, even if it doesn’t really have to be fixed right away. You may have a power steering pump, for example, that has started making a minor amount of noise and will need to be replaced down the road. A shady mechanic, while being honest that complete failure can contaminate the entire system, may exaggerate how long you have before a replacement is necessary. That failing pump, while needing to be replaced, might last for a long time before it fails, meaning you can take a few days to shop around.

Unfortunately, some honest mechanics will exaggerate a legitimate problem in order to convince a skeptical owner that the problem really does exist. Even worse, a shady mechanic may point out a problem that doesn’t exist! When in doubt, get a second opinion!

Lies Your Mechanic Has Told You

Car mechanics are notorious for lying to their customers in order to gain extra work for things that don’t really need doing.

In the Shop

Car owners place a lot of trust in mechanics to limit maintenance and repairs to what a vehicle needs. But when there’s a sizable knowledge gap between vehicle owner and mechanic, that trust can be betrayed. That’s why there are some things a car owner should know before heading into the shop for even a routine oil change that will help look out for fibs auto shops tell to get you to spend a bit more.

Put Nitrogen in Your Tires

Nitrogen is supposed to help tires stay properly inflated through dramatic changes in weather. Consumer Reports says that’s not a factor with most modern tires, and it’s easy to reinflate tires yourself, saving about $5 per tire by using regular air instead of nitrogen.

Use Only Dealer Parts

Buying aftermarket parts for repairs is a nightmare, even for folks who know cars. In rebuilding or repairing older cars, be very careful about going with lower-grade parts just to shave off some costs. Read reviews, check multiple sources, and, if still unsure, go with the midgrade or premium part instead. And never go cheap on brakes. But none of that means using only dealer parts.

Mechanics Lie: Need To Follow A Set Service Schedule

We will start off with one of the most obvious lies that car mechanics can tell. The idea that you must follow a set service schedule is a lie that mechanics tell for an obvious reason, the reason being money. If a mechanic gets someone trapped into the idea that they need to come into the shop on a regular basis, they know they will be getting money each and every time, even if there isn’t much actual work that needs to be done.

Mechanics Lie: You’ve Done Too Many Miles

To some degree, this is actually true because, obviously, the more miles that a car covers, the more likely it is to break down simply because it is being worked hard—and this can lead to general wear and tear. However, if your mechanic is claiming that you need work done because you’ve hit 20,000 miles, then you can tell that they might be trying to simply get some extra cash out of you because most vehicles will still be running smoothly at that point.

Winterize Or Summerize Your Car

Another way a car mechanic can lie to you is claiming that you need to winterize or summerize your car, which would mean that work needs to be done twice a year due to the seasons. It’s a clever way to guarantee a mechanic earns some extra cash. One big way mechanics can earn more money from you is stating that you need car tire covers during the winter in case it snows heavily.

Whilst some people might need that depending on the weather where they live, many will not. Another situation is that modern coolant and antifreeze should last for the majority of a car’s life and if that doesn’t, then enhancing it with intervals measuring every 50,000 miles will be a quick way to add up the spending.

You Can’t See The Work We Did

If you ever need a perfect example of how a car mechanic is lying to you, it is the phrase, “You can’t see the work we did.” If you are ever told that by a mechanic, then you need to immediately question them for more details. Whilst some work might be taking place that can’t be visible, it is important to push them for strict details about exactly what has happened to make sure that they aren’t lying and simply claiming to have done some work when they really haven’t.

Sometimes, mechanics can claim they have done extra work that you can’t see, hoping that most people won’t question them for further information or details, with mechanics using terminology that might deter a regular customer from asking further questions.

Prepaid Maintenance Is The Best Option

Once again, this isn’t exactly a full-blown lie because prepaid maintenance certainly does have its benefits and is incredibly convenient. However, this is a situation where certain promises can be overexaggerated and aren’t something that is fully necessary. Having prepaid maintenance is convenient for you but it benefits the dealership and its service department even more because they make money by scheduling more services than the car needs.

Small, little details will then become big issues as most of these plans do not cover wear and tear issues like brakes and wipers, meaning there are then extra charges added to the prepayment, and the cost of the situation quickly adds up.

The Brakes Are Bad

Speaking of issues, this is another area where mechanics are really able to make the most out of their knowledge and bring in the fear factor that works on many customers. After all, out of every element on your car, the brakes are the last thing that you want to possibly be faulty or broken, as they can be a matter of safety and therefore, whenever anyone is told any information about their brakes, they immediately panic and want the situation resolved.

However, a mechanic will often encourage the customer to replace everything when, in reality, simply cleaning the brake rotors can fix the issue. But because people are worried, they instantly pay for way more than they need to.