Tag Archives: just so you know

Sep16

Bunny Math

Posted on by
Standard
Bunny Math

Hello!!! On November first of 2022, Johnny and I became proud bunny parents to Melvin and Penelope. They are our beloved mother and son duo and they bring so much joy into our lives. Since adding “bunny mom” to my resume, I couldn’t resist following a ton of fairly local bunny rescue organizations on Facebook. This is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing comes from the obvious – any bunny is cute as can be. The curse? 1) Johnny won’t let me adopt any of them. And 2) It makes me so incredibly sad to see the stories of bunnies that have been dumped by their owners.

I think a lot of people bring bunnies home with the assumption that they require little care as well as little monetary investment. This is the farthest thing from true and I have to admit that I was even a bit shocked after bringing the buns home and that was after doing tons of research. They are so much more than adorable balls of fluff and have a significant amount of daily needs to keep them happy and healthy. On the owner’s part, this means giving them both the time and all of the supplies they need to thrive.

If you are considering adding bunnies to your brood, I thought it would be a good idea to talk about Bunny Math. Bunnies can live for up to ten plus years, which means a decade of never ending Chewy orders and trips to the grocery store. Don’t forget visits to the vet as well! If these numbers seem like something you can’t accommodate, bunnies might not be the best pet for you…

Chewy Orders:

I place an order on Chewy roughly every four to five weeks and every order totals to one hundred dollars give or take (Mostly give unless a promotion is being ran!). My order includes two different kinds of bedding, pellet food, hay, and a few new toys. However, an extra twenty-five dollars can be tacked on whenever new cage cleaner is needed. We go through one bottle every two months. These are not optional purchases whatsoever!! They are one thousand percent necessary for your rabbit’s care and it demands your commitment.

Grocery Store:

But wait! There’s more! Johnny or I go to the grocery store once every week and a half for leafy greens, additional veggies, herbs, and the occasional fruit treat for Melvin and Penelope. On top of that, we get a new box of gloves for when we clean their litter boxes and go through a ton of paper towel to clean said boxes, their hutch, and any accidents. The grand grocery store total for the month is typically around fifty dollars and, once again, are not optional. A well balanced diet for a bun includes these fresh veggies and should never, ever be skimped on. And, of course, cleaning without gloves is just gross lol.

Between both forms of shopping, your bunny’s needs will allot to one hundred and fifty dollars per month. Like I said, they are certainly an investment in time and money and this should not be overlooked when making a decision to bring one home. If you can fully commit to this, then you are in luck! Bunnies are the absolute best and Johnny and I love having these little gremlins more than we can say. Melvin and Penelope helped get me out of a really dark place when we adopted them and, for that, they deserve the world. We fully intend on giving them that!

I think it is so important to go into adopting a pet with full knowledge of what you are getting into. Bunnies might seem like low key pets, but they are far from it. The numbers speak for themselves!

What kind of pet do you have? What kind of pet would you love to have? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug14

What To Do If You’re Worried About Your Dog’s Health

Posted on by
Standard
What To Do If You’re Worried About Your Dog’s Health

Are you worried about the health of your dog? If you are, then you should address it ASAP. You need to see if you can work out what the problem is first, unless you think that they need medical attention, at which point, get it right now. If you don’t think it’s serious but you are concerned about their health overall, then you need to do something, and that something includes making changes that are simple for you to do. In this article, we’re going to be taking a look at some of the changes that you can make to your dog’s health to see if it improves:

Change Up Their Diet:

First, have you considered changing up their diet? What kind of foods are they eating right now? What dog food do you give them? What human food do you give them? Make a list of all of these things, and then see if anything immediately jumps out as wrong, and double check online that all of these foods are safe for your furry friend. If there is something that isn’t safe for them, removing it from their diet will help.

You may also want to change the brand of dog food that you are using, as this may help you to see a difference. Sometimes, some dog food brands don’t react well with some pups, but that’s okay because it happens to humans too. Give it a switch and see if that works.

Get Them More Exercise:

Perhaps you are worried about them because they are not that active. If they used to be active and now they are not, then this is a definite cause for concern and you should also be looking out for other signs and symptoms that your dog isn’t feeling good. Or, if the reason they don’t exercise much is because you don’t have that much time, you need to make time. Dogs need to be able to run around and exercise for at least half an hour a day, more if you can give it to them. In the same vein though, you don’t want to go too far and go overboard, so keep that in mind.

Take Them To The Vet:

If you think that there is something that’s not right, and it’s something that you are not going to be able to fix yourself, or you simply cannot identify the issue, then take them to the vet. The vet will be able to check them out, let you know if anything is wrong and then work on what happens next. Keep in mind that there are alternatives to surgery in some cases, and it’s worth looking into them if this is where you are right now. For example, you can contact a company such as Go Hero Go if your dog is limping, potentially looking into braces for certain conditions rather than surgery.

Ensure They Have Love And Affection:

The final thing that we’re going to say is that you should ensure that they have all of the love and affection in the world. Sometimes, your dog picks up on your moods, or they are sad because they are left alone a lot and don’t feel loved. Nobody wants to feel unloved or as though the one they love doesn’t have time for them, and your dog is no different. It should not be a difficult thing to sit and cuddle your dog, or to give them some pets and let them know that you love them. That dog is part of your family, and deserves to be treated as such if you want their health to improve.

Your dogs’ health is your responsibility, and it’s one that you have got to take seriously. If you are worried about their health and you think that something is wrong, then you have got to do something about it sooner rather than later so it doesn’t turn into a bigger issue.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jul20

Summer Safety Pro Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Summer Safety Pro Tips

Hello!! I am one of those people who don’t do well in the heat at all. Part of it is definitely a low tolerance and some of it has to do with the fact that literally each medication I’m on makes me more susceptible to heat related illnesses. As someone who is constantly on the go, I oftentimes forget to not push myself so hard on extra hot days. Then, by the time I realize I should take a breather the damage is already done and a strong case of the woozies comes on. This is not a good thing because it’s something that can be completely prevented and I know I, for one, need to do a better job of listening to my body. If you struggle with the heat too, please make sure you are doing the following to keep yourself safe:

Eat Up:

My appetite decreases during the hot weather and it’s easy to feel like you’re full if you are hydrating consistently throughout the day. However, your body needs food for fuel so bypassing meals even if you don’t feel hungry is a huge no no. If you are feeling full, you should still try and have a snack if you haven’t ate in several hours. It doesn’t have to be a full on meal, but you could have veggies and hummus, yogurt, a bowl of cereal – whatever you’d like. Of course, it is against everything we learn as a kid to stop eating if you are full. But if it has been a minute and it’s really hot out, you’ll be thanking yourself for having a snack when you avoid getting lightheaded or fainting. (This happened to me a few days ago and it was SO scary!) 

Water, Water, Water:

I consider myself to be the Caffeine Queen and am always sipping on coffee or pop throughout the morning. This is fine, but you will be doing yourself no favors if you aren’t replenishing yourself with plenty of water after each cup of go go juice. If you love your morning caffeine bursts too, take your time with each coffee or soda drink rather than throwing it back. Nurse it, balance it out with sips of water, and monitor yourself during your daily caffeine intake. Too much too suddenly can give you the jitters, make you nauseous, or feel faint. Not the best way to start the day.

R&R:

It’s always important to allow yourself time for a break each day, but even more so during the summer. It’s hot AF, you’re sweating, and it can make you feel depleted quickly. If you are outside, go in every hour or so to hydrate and cool off. If you are going nonstop for work, be sure to take a few minutes to slow down and relax. More often than not, that exhaustion is going to hit you out of nowhere and that’s not a good place to be during your commute, job, or out and about. Pencil in designated break times per day and if you need a moment, take it immediately instead of holding off.

Enjoy Responsibly:

Like caffeine, alcohol and cannabis hits way differently when it’s hot out and can increase your chances of dehydration or even heat stroke. If you are going to partake in a more recreational pastime, do so responsibly. Take the time to get yourself out of the heat, hydrate, and sip or smoke at a slow pace. Your “I’m good” amount is subject to change when it’s hot as the dickens so stay in tune to how you are feeling to prevent any problems!

Summer is not over yet even though I am totally over it lol. Keep yourself safe and healthy with these tips!

What are your summer safety pro tips? How do you like to cool off? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jun24

Healthcare Careers That Don’t Require A College Degree

Posted on by
Standard
Healthcare Careers That Don’t Require A College Degree

Many of us assume that having a degree is a necessity if you want to work in healthcare. And for many roles, it is a necessity – almost all nurses and doctors must have some type of college degree. However, there are some roles that don’t require obtaining a degree. If you’re eager to get into healthcare but don’t fancy going to college, why not consider one of these careers?

Home health aide:

Home health aides are technically a type of nurse. They go into patients’ homes and provide much of the role of a carer, but are also qualified to administer various medications and treatments, as well as running vital signs tests. A nursing degree is one avenue into this field, however, you can also become a home health aide by doing on-the-job training. A high school diploma and some basic first aid certification could help you to break into this career. It’s ideal for people that want the reward of nursing without having to work in a hospital setting.

Phlebotomist:

A phlebotomist is trained to take blood from patients. This blood may be used for sampling or as donations. These healthcare professionals work at hospitals, local clinics and blood banks. You do not need a degree to become a phlebotomist. You will need to undergo phlebotomy training – which can take several months. If you’re not squeamish about needles or blood and are eager to work in healthcare, this could be a field to consider. Explore vacancies in your local area online.

Hospital receptionist:

You do not need a degree to work at the reception desk of a hospital or clinic. Some receptionist work experience could be beneficial – and there are healthcare admin courses that you can take to further improve your chances. However, many hospitals and clinics offer on-the-job training without qualifications or experience being necessary. As you will be in charge of booking appointments and processing people, you will need to show that you have a good level of organization and that you’re good at talking to people.

Medical biller:

Medical billers handle the task of giving patients invoices, receiving payments and setting up payment plans. All hospitals and clinics employ billers – who may or may not work on site. You do not need a degree to become a medical biller, however a medical billing and coding program does need to be completed, which takes about four to six weeks. Experience in accounting or general billing may help you get your foot in the door, but is not necessary. Generally speaking, this job is suited for people with an interest in finance who have good analytical and communication skills.

MRI technician:

MRI technicians operate magnetic resonance imaging machinery in order to take 3D images of patients’ internal organs. These images are used to diagnose and treat a variety of different health problems. To become an MRI technician, you will need to enroll in an MRI tech program at a local hospital. You do not need a bachelor’s degree to enroll in one of these programs, but many hospitals will require a two year community college degree. So technically you do need a degree for this one – but not a full bachelor’s degree.

Cardiovascular technician:

The role of cardiovascular technician only requires an associates degree at a community college. This job involves using various equipment to monitor the heart health of patients, as well as helping prepare equipment like stents and pacemakers. The role of a cardiovascular technician comes with a lot of responsibility, but can be incredibly rewarding. Once you have a community college degree, you will need to undergo on-the-job training to receive your license.

EMT:

EMT stands for ‘emergency medical technician’. These professionals are trained to provide basic life support, often going out in ambulances to attend to patients in emergencies. They then have the job of transporting patients to the hospital to receive further care. A bachelor’s degree is rarely necessary when becoming an EMT. You will need to obtain CPR certification and then complete an EMT program – which is a 170 hour course.

Paramedic:

What’s the difference between an EMT and a paramedic? Generally speaking, paramedics have more advanced training. Along with providing emergency care, they are qualified to administer medication, interpret ECGs and carry out an array of emergency procedures. They typically work with EMTs and are called to the most serious emergencies. While a bachelor’s degree can be a quick route into the role of paramedic, you can also become a paramedic without a bachelor’s degree. You will generally need to become licensed as an EMT first. Then after several years, you can undergo paramedic training.

Interested in the medical field minus the degree? Explore these options today!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May20

Finger Tattoos – Before & After

Posted on by
Standard
Finger Tattoos – Before & After

Hello!! In late April, I enjoyed a tap out tattoo session by my amazing artist, Emily, in her brand new shop called Vivid Visions. She got so much awesome work done and we scheduled some extra time for a few last minute additions a week later. During my extra mini session, we designed tattoos for my inner thighs, neck, and fingers together. It was SO neat to work side by side with Emily to create some tattoo magic and I am so happy with what we came up with. I was particularly excited to get my fingers done because they were looking quite bare. However, we all know that finger tattoos don’t heal the best!

I thought it would be interesting to show what my fingers looked like after they were freshly tattooed and how they look now over two weeks later. Check it out:

Fresh:

image_50380801(5)image_50395649(2)

Healed:

image_50429441(6)image_50441985(7)image_50430209(11)image_50397697(4)

^^^ Peep those cute nails!!

I consider myself to be an excellent “healer” when it comes to tattoos. A vast majority of my previous tattoos scabbed and itched minimally and required no touch ups. Finger tattoos are a whole different ballgame, though – especially for me. I spend a majority of my time during the week working on my computer or my phone and driving back and forth between clients. This makes finger tattoos not the most ideal because they are consistently rubbing on something. I was, of course, disappointed that several aspects of my new finger tattoos didn’t “stick”. Was I surprised? Absolutely not! The tattoos on my palms have been touched up at least five times and they still aren’t completely perfect. It comes with the territory – just think about how often you use your hands throughout the day!

I thought this post would be a good reminder for people considering finger or hand tattoos that you will absolutely, without a doubt need them touched up. It could be once or, in my case, multiple times to get the results you want. Please remember that this is no fault of the tattoo artist. Your hands are in motion all day every day, they are washed frequently, and the skin on your hands regenerates a lot faster. These are all major factors in your finger or hand tattoos not healing as well as if they were on a different location. If you aren’t interested in taking time for touch up appointments or aren’t okay with the results being exactly what you want, I would rethink your decision.

Hand and finger tattoos rule and I love mine. In fact, they are some of my favorites. I can’t wait to get a touch up appointment scheduled soon to get my fingers back to their former glory. I’m sure I’ll need to schedule several and it’s all good!

What is your favorite tattoo that you have? Which of your tattoos hurt the most? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May13

Interviewing 101

Posted on by
Standard
Interviewing 101

Hello!! One thing that I have always enjoyed doing is conducting interviews with people. In fact, my very first job when working with the special needs community was leading family interviews. I truly believe that I have been given the gift of gab and I love that my new job as Tim Misny’s social media manager allows me to do interviews a lot. Over time, I have developed some surefire techniques to ensure that my interviews go without a hitch. Let’s check them out so you can use them too!

Research:

When I know that I have an interview scheduled, I immediately begin the research phase. Who am I interviewing? What is the subject of said interview? How am I going to incorporate my findings into the conversation? Prior to meeting Tim Misny for the first time, I researched current cases he’s working on, his merch line, and the Cleveland City Mission which his merch line benefits. I was surprised when he gave me the time to chat with him further and thanks to my prior planning, he said it was one of the best interviews he ever had. That was the kickstart of a beautiful friendship!

Key Points:

One of the most exciting things about interviewing is that you can never know for sure which way the conversation will go. A majority of the interviews I do are just winging it, yes, but I do like to plan for a few key talking points too. Chances are if you are doing an interview, there will be some things you have to talk about. However, it is SO easy for those questions to go right out the window once the interview starts. To prevent this, I always make sure I memorize the must talk about subjects, find good ways to incorporate them into the chat, and knock them out early on in the interview so I don’t forget them lol.

Listen Up:

To be a good interviewer, you have to be an excellent listener. Interviewing is simply responding to what the other person is saying so if you aren’t fully grasping it, you aren’t going to have an effective interview. When the interviewee is speaking, I take it all in. Then, as the answer starts wrapping up, I use what I learned to ask the next question. It’s natural to want to interject when the interviewee is answering you so try to avoid that at all costs! It’s just going to make both of you stumble. And, remember, you are more than likely not conducting live interviews. If you need clarification on something, take a pause, ask your questions, and resume when you are ready.

Just So You Know:

The whole point of an interview is not to make yourself look good. Read that again because it is important! An interview is for the interviewee to look good and it is your job to make that happen. That is why it is crucial to do your research, create talking points, and put your listening ears on. When you are doing everything you can to make your interviewee shine, you are going to look great by default. I also find that when I am not focusing on myself, I tend to interview even better because it eliminates any pressure. Shift your focus and both of you will enjoy the process of interviewing more!

Maybe you aren’t going to conduct interviews. That doesn’t mean these tips aren’t handy for other things too. Could you imagine how awesome a job interview would go if you tried the above beforehand?!

Have you ever interviewed someone before? How did it go? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

May11

Finding Social Media Management Opportunities

Posted on by
Standard
Finding Social Media Management Opportunities

Hello! Thanks to lifewithlilred, I have been able to work with a variety of advertising companies in some way shape or form. My blog also gave me the skills and confidence to be able to take on other jobs like social media management. I have been doing this particular job with bands and businesses for the past year and change and enjoy it so very much. If this is a job that you think you might like to try too, but don’t know where to start – then this article is for you! Today, we’re going to look at a few easy peasy ways to find social media management opportunities:

Social Media:

This seems like such a given, but you would be amazed at how many people are posting Every. Single. Day. looking for social media managers. In fact, this is how I got started working with Constellations – one post on Facebook. If you keep your social media limited to your close friends and family, you might not come across these opportunities as often. However, there is a way to work around this! On Facebook, you might want to consider joining groups specific to businesses in your community. I am a member of several of these groups and see postings at least once a week for social media related positions. It never hurts to at least try!

LinkedIn:

I have a LinkedIn profile that I created a year or so ago. I never use it, but you might want to. The reason I say this is because I get an email Every. Single. Day. with different content creator and social media management opportunities. Finding a job in this field could be as simple as opening up an email. If you are going the LinkedIn route, you will want to make sure that you craft your page so it looks legit. Spend some time interacting on the site, making connections, and researching companies with profiles that could be a good fit for you.

Promote Yourself:

You could be extremely interested in a job in social media and that’s great. No one will know if you don’t talk about it, though! Post on your profiles that this is a service you offer. Tell your friends to tell their friends. The power of good old fashioned word of mouth marketing is much stronger than you think. Of course, you can’t just talk the talk. Your profiles should reflect a strong social media presence so it is worthwhile to put the work into bulking it up. A strong social media presence also leads into the last point…

Seek Strategically:

Think of social media profiles for established businesses, brands, or bands. They have tons of followers and interactions that keep their pages active. Now, think of the pages of some recently opened businesses. Notice a huge difference? If you said the interaction is minimal, at best, then how right you are! These are perfect places to offer your services to because new businesses, brands, and bands need to create a buzz. Established pages already have someone doing something right and, chances are, freshly started ventures don’t. This is where you come in!

With the tips above, you can begin looking for social media management opportunities more effectively. You never know when they might turn up!

Are you active on social media? What is your favorite platform? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar9

Pet Bunnies For Easter: DON’T

Posted on by
Standard
Pet Bunnies For Easter: DON’T

Hello! Apparently, Easter is at the end of the month, which I just learned by looking it up lol. With Easter comes the decision of whether or not to get your children a bunny or another form of baby animal as a pet. I’ll make that decision easier by telling you… DON’T DO IT!! I have been happy to see lots of similar posts on my social media newsfeeds, which means it’s about time for my yearly PSA to say the same. Need more reasons other than it’s simply not a good idea to get an Easter bunny of your own? I’ve got you:

image_50458113(7)

Melvin and Penelope sure are cute right? So cute, in fact, that it’s easy to forget how much work and care that two little balls of fluff require. I have wanted pet bunnies for as long as I can remember, but I am so happy that I got Mel and P as an adult because I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. Remember, bunnies can live for over ten years. That’s a long commitment and chances are a majority of their care will fall on you. Here’s some key points to know about bunnies that will hopefully leave you with getting your kiddos a stuffed animal instead…

Bunnies Are Shy:

If you think that bunnies are going to be happy immediately being cuddled, coddled, and held: You are wrong. I have had Mel and P for a year and a half and it took them a very long time to get acclimated to mine and Johnny’s touch. As of now, Penelope finally doesn’t mind being held and Mel still despises it. Even though Pen tolerates being held well, it’s something I don’t do often because I never want to break the trust that I have so carefully cultivated. Bunnies require a lot of patience to have them be friendly with you and anything less will simply traumatize them.

Bunnies Are Expensive:

You know what doesn’t require constant Chewy orders? A stuffed animal! Bunnies are a HUGE financial responsibility and I spend at least a hundred dollars on them on Chewy monthly – not to mention vet bills. You will need to get your bunnies pellet food, Timothy hay, bedding, toys, and don’t forget weekly trips to the grocery store for fresh veggies. So, in all reality, you are looking to spend closer to one hundred fifty per month. If you can’t commit to that financial responsibility for the next ten years, then don’t get the bunnies period.

Bunnies Are Messy:

Every morning, I spend an hour caring for my bunnies. This includes a thorough cleaning of their litter boxes and any accidents they had outside of it. It can be a really lengthy process. Then, the bunnies will come out to play and that means bedding, hair, and hay everywhere! Johnny and I are constantly sweeping our floors and the amount of dust bunnies after just one day is unreal. If you are not up for forever cleaning up after bunnies, then they are not the pet for you. I’m here to tell you and be perfectly honest – it is never ending.

PS:

All of these things are important to consider, but there is so much more too. Bunnies need lots of exercise to be happy and if you can’t be around to let them roam in a safe setting, they are not living their best lives. They are also very social creatures and it’s best to get them in a pair so they have a companion. Bunnies want your love and attention and if you can’t do the things that make them feel this way, they are not a good choice for a pet.

Having said all of that: Bunnies are absolutely amazing and my life is infinitely better because of Mel and P. However, any animal should not be adopted as a split decision or a gift and most bunnies adopted for Easter will end up back in a shelter. Make this choice wisely and stick to traditional treats for Easter, instead.

How does your pet get exercise? What is your pet’s favorite treat? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec18

5 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Laundry

Posted on by
Standard
5 Mistakes You’re Making With Your Laundry

You might think that there isn’t anything that could go too wrong with your laundry. However, if you want to keep the quality, color, and reliability of your clothes, then you had better be ready to offer them the care that they need. Here, we’re going to look at all-too-common mistakes people make when doing laundry, and what you can do to prevent them:

Not sorting them by color:

Yes, you still need to sort your clothes by color. Dark clothes should be washed with dark clothes, light with light, and white with white. We have heard a lot of people saying that many modern t-shirts don’t really require this as much because production doesn’t use dye that can come off in the wash. Unless you know precisely how each piece of clothing is going to act when swirling in hot water together, don’t chance it.

Not following the instructions on the tag:

You might think that the instructions on the tag are just a suggestion and that nothing bad is likely to happen if you don’t follow them. Or, you might be like many people who never check the tag at all when washing clothes. If that happens, then you should expect tearing, shrinking, or stretching as a matter of course. If you want to keep your clothes like new, you have to follow their instructions.

Neglecting to check for optical brighteners:

This is a tip that a lot of people don’t know about. There are laundry detergents out there, sold with the express intent of washing clothes, that don’t really wash them too well. Optical brighteners are a somewhat common ingredient. Rather than focusing on washing them, getting out stains, and keeping them fresh, these detergents act as a sort of dye, brightening the laundry instead. Needless to say, most people want their clothes washed, not just having the appearance of being washed.

Keeping the temperature too high:

Another common mistake is thinking that “hotter is better.” Yes, in higher temperatures, dirt and stains might be able to dissolve more easily. However, this is also worse for your clothes, making them more likely to stretch and lose their consistency, as the high temperatures also add wear and tear to the mix. A cold wash can do your clothes a lot of good and uses less energy than usual.

Not cleaning your washing machine:

You have to take care of your washing machine for it to take care of you. Mold, mildew, detergent residue, and hard water buildups can begin to affect the effectiveness of your clean, as well as the health of the machine. A self-clean cycle with a good washing machine cleaner is all you need.

Many of the mistakes above can be a force of habit, so you might not realize exactly what the problem is until you stop it, and find the alternative a lot better. These tips will help you end up with cleaner, fresher clothes, that don’t suffer any unexpected changes in the process of washing them!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct31

Get Ready For Renovation With These Smart Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Get Ready For Renovation With These Smart Tips

A home renovation is an excellent way to add value, both in monetary terms and how you feel about your home. Whether it’s a partial renovation or a full remodel, you can get the home you’ve always wanted. Before your renovation project can get underway, you need to prepare for it. Renovations can be noisy, messy, and often take a long time too. You will want your home set up and ready for work to begin so everything can go as smoothly as possible. There are a few steps to take to get it all in order:

Before You Begin:

Home renovations can prove to be a dangerous feat if you do not have the proper skills to do it yourself. As you establish your budget, are you leaving room for hiring the best contractors? Using a team that is budget friendly but may cut corners can end up costing you more time and money in the long run. It can be helpful to schedule consultations and get quotes from several different companies for plumbers, electricians, and construction teams to determine the best fit for your needs. To get started, simply enter a search for “electrician sanford nc” (or your local area) and be sure to ask your friends and family for advice if they have used any of your options before. If they had a great experience, the chances are high that you will too.

Clear Out The Space:

One thing you definitely don’t want to happen is for anything valuable to be damaged during your renovations. Some valuable items could be permanent fixtures and fittings, which can’t be removed. However, there are often things that can be removed so that they’re out of the way. A storage service such as Ranchers Mobile Storage could be your best option for removing anything you don’t want to keep in your home. Put everything in storage temporarily and get it back when the renovation is finished. If you don’t have much, it could be moved to a spare room or garage too.

As you prepare for your renovations, you might also want to declutter the space to offer a blank canvas to the workers. This could be as simple as donating unwanted items or throwing away things that are no longer working properly. However, if you are planning to completely refurnish your space, you might want to look into getting a few roll-off containers for home renovations to make the task easier on yourself. Then, your home will be all ready for fresh new furniture when the project is completed.

Cover Up:

Not everything can be moved out of your home. You might not want to move everything if it’s going to take too much time and effort. Instead, it can be better to cover some things during the renovation to protect them from any mess. This could include covering up furniture or even covering floors and other surfaces. You want to make sure any covers you use, such as sheets or tarps, are secured in place. Think about the best ways to protect everything from dust, paint, or anything else that could damage your possessions.

This might seem like a menial task but you have to remember that time is money when you are working with renovation experts like Amplified Renovations (or a similar company in your local area). Doing what you can in terms of prep work before the renovation begins will allow the team you have selected to dive right into the project without wasting time on things that you are capable to do DIY style. This can also include having old appliances hauled away, having a dumpster available for debris, and making the space free of clutter.

get1

^^^ Pixabay Image

Set Things Up for Contractors:

You will likely have contractors coming and going while your renovations are taking place. If you’re not going to be living in the property during this time, installing a lock box for keys is a good idea. It will allow your contractors to let themselves in and out without you having to get up early to travel over and let them in. There are other things you might want to do for your contractors too. For example, make it clear that they can use your bathroom, or perhaps even set up a temporary toilet in the yard if there isn’t a functioning bathroom.

Find Somewhere to Stay:

You can remain in your home while you’re having it renovated. However, this isn’t always the smartest choice. There can be a lot of noise and mess, and being around all of the work can be stressful. Plus, if you have pets or children, it could be dangerous. Moving out temporarily might be the best thing to do if you would rather avoid being around all of the work before it’s finished.

Be prepared for your renovation before it begins and you will help everything go smoother while keeping your home as neat as possible!

Featured Image By: Pixabay