Building a Garage Without a Sweat

Do you think that shelling out a few precious bucks in this time of economic crisis reeks of a bad decision? The answer may be a resounding yes or no, depending on who you ask. It seems that the prevailing attitude nowadays of a majority of people is to save, save and save. Of course, this is only appropriate since almost all consumers are afraid of losing their purchasing power. It doesn't help that many Wall Street firms are on the brink of financial bankruptcy, causing a threatening atmosphere of mass layoffs.

Now, if you are one of the lucky few who are financially at ease because you have enough savings to last for a long time, congratulations! There is no need to act like a miser but you must also control the impulse to splurge. Try to create a harmonious balance between the two so that you can actually say that you have lived life to the fullest. This includes indulging in your wants, like having a garage built beside your house. Consider it as a reward for a job well done.

Building a garage is possible without loosing all your clothes or your properties. Just read the succeeding tips to know how to make it happen.

First, sit down and have a serious talk with your architect, contractor and engineer for the blueprint of the garage. It is a serious investment that entails spending a big amount so you must make sure that you are not being shortchanged. The design must fit your discerning needs. Make sure that the people you hired can explain in layman's terms what exactly they are going to do step by step. When you have your blueprint, make sure that it includes foundation plan, the exterior elevation blueprint, floor plans, a cross section view and the highly important specifications. Additional stipulations may be included according to your whims.

Next, you have to place your windows and doors in strategic locations so that it will complete the look of the garage. They must be just the right size to let the natural light in, either from the moon or the sun. Take note that the ultraviolet rays of the sun will kill the microorganisms trying live in a dark place like a garage. You will be able to save money if you heed this advice because you won't have to turn on the light bulb every time you enter the garage. Another reason for the construction of a window is to allow the air to ventilate in the entire garage. This will ensure that no musty odor will prevail. A main entrance must be established for the car to pass through. However, you must also construct a side door in case you don't want to do the heavy work of opening a big door. This will also serve as a discreet entrance for you and your family members.

If you plan to convert your garage into a multi-purpose area, constructing a loft will give you more storage options that are lifted off the ground. The ceiling height must also be decided on to maximize the storage area.

Furthermore, if you want to build a room above the garage, it could be rented out to a person in need of a bed space. Through this, you will supplement your salary with the money being paid for the rent. Doesn't that sound terrific?

Cut down on your expenses by acquiring the raw materials in bulk. If you can go directly to a wholesaler, why bother with a retailer? Wholesaler offers a cheaper price when you buy sacks of sand, cement and gravel, plywood, nails, piles of lumber, cans of paint and many more.

You may now commence building your garage after reading these great tips. Good luck!

For more info about planning, designing or constructing your own garage building kits be fast and visit our website. Be sure to read our latest article: Garage Floor Plans.

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November 05 2009 | Home Improvement | No Comments »

Decorating On a Shoe String

Whether it's a first apartment or a new empty nest, furniture and decorations are keys to making a house a home. Lamps, rugs, lots of interesting pictures can give a space definition and appeal. Stylish home accents cost money and if you are not budget conscious, the cost of making your home a personal haven can quickly get out of hand. While you want your home to look the best that it can, does it require everything to be brand new off of the showroom floor? Probably not. In fact, some of the best home decor and furniture can be found right at a local second hand or consignment shop. For a mere pittance when compared to the retail price, you may be able to get some really high end pieces, or possibly antiques, for your home.

In addition to furniture, art is everywhere. When you frequent the second hand or thrift shops, they often harbor pieces of art that people have made for their own enjoyment. You may be able to find many unique works of art that enhance your decor as well, for much less than you'd find at an art gallery. Here are different ways and places that you find home furnishings even if you have a super low budget:

1. Thrift stores - As the saying goes, "One man's junk is another man's treasure." That is the belief that thrift stores were founded on and as a result, millions of people save millions of dollars everyday by using these great resale shops to get their wares. Often, you may find home furnishings in perfect condition but have been donated for any number of reasons. If you live in an area with a large military base, soldiers relocate frequently and instead of taking the furniture, they may donate it. The best thrift stores are usually the ones that are located near an upscale or high income area, as they often receive donations from people who may just be switching out looks in their home or upgrading to more lavish items. These people often don't have the time, nor the interest in selling their items themselves, and so they donate them and get a tax break for their contributions. But, ultimately, you can score great furnishings from their excess. Shop thrift stores with the expectation that you will have the furniture cleaned, as it may have been sitting in a storage space or garage and may have accumulated a lot of dust, or look for furniture with strong "bones" that can be either recovered or simply fitted with a slipcover.

2. Seek out garage and yard sales. With people constantly relocating and cleaning house, there are tons and tons of opportunity to buy for cheap all types of household decor. Any frugal fashionista can find listing after listing in their local newspaper for yard and garage sales. Plus, you can always find signs posted pointing you in their direction. Just remember to show up early for the best selection and be prepared to move big items that same day.

3. Surf the internet for savings. Online auction sites such as Ebay offers lots of bargains on art and household furnishings. If the word FREE gets the frugal fashionista in you all stirred up, then, Craigslist.org or Freecycle are a perfect search option for you. On these sites you could find just about ANYTHING for free. However, a word of caution, act early and always go with at least one other person to retrieve any items that you get.

Furnishing your home doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. In fact, you may be able to get some really chic arms and legs on all of those low and no cost chairs and tables that you'll find!

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June 08 2009 | Home Improvement | No Comments »