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Home Renovation Terms – 10 Renovation Terms You Should Know. Today’s guest blog is by New York State lawyer. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

Home Renovation Terms – 10 Renovation Terms You Should Know

There’s a first for everything, so renovating or remodeling your home could be one of those things. Before you hire a contractor to take on the job, you must do your research over the matter. Apart from going over the changes you want to make to your home’s layout or design, you must learn the common terms used in the business. Your contractor might say a lot of things you don’t understand, which could lead to dire misunderstandings. You might hesitate to ask them to elaborate something at the time or they might fail to explain something to its full potential. Therefore, it is upon you to protect your real estate by educating yourself in advance. Learn the following terms to simplify the conversation with a contractor:

1. General Contractor

This is the person you will be talking to for getting your home renovated. He/she is the central person in charge of the project, so make sure that he/she is licensed and insured. This person will assign workers do get the job done and shall receive the payables from you.

2. Sub-Contractor

Your general contractor is responsible for undertaking construction tasks, but additional tasks such as management of electric wiring and sanitation pipes are not included in his/her expertise. Therefore, the general contractor will call in qualified personnel to take care of the extra work; these qualified personnel (electricians, plumbers, etc.) are the sub-contractors.

3. Mechanicals

Mechanicals refers to all the systems built inside the walls of your house, i.e. wires, pipes, vents, etc.

4. Pull a Permit

Home remodeling or renovation that involves any form of demolition or construction requires a legal permit. The building inspector in your area should review and approve the plan before you initiate the project. The act of acquiring consent of legal authorities is known as ‘pull a permit’.

5. Gut a Room

When the contractor says that he/she will have to gut a room, it means they will strip off everything. This includes removal of wall and floor covering (tiles/hardwood), so everything within is exposed. Think of it as removing skin to reveal the flesh and bones.

6. HVAC

This acronym simply spells out Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. It will come up because the heating and cooling system of your home need to be considered before making drastic changes. Now you won’t feel embarrassed when the contractor mentions it.

7. Blueprint

If the contractor demands a blueprint, he/she is, in fact, asking for a technical illustration of the renovation plan. The blueprint provides instructions for building a project, including specific details like dimensions and materials.

8. Footings

Footings are the rebar (reinforcing steel) and concrete that support the foundation of your house.

9. House Footprint

The footprint of a house is its overall dimensions. The house footprint is altered when you opt for additional construction. If you are remodeling a rented space, make sure not to violate the Landlord-Tenant law

10. Moving a Wall

If the contractor tells you that that renovation will require moving a wall, do not take it literally. What he/she means is that a wall will have to be demolished and a new one will be built on a different spot; this step is often required to expand an existing room.

Home Renovation Terms – 10 Renovation Terms You Should Know

Why Your Home Needs a Patio Deck – Today’s guest blog is by Anthony Ranken & Associates. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

Why Your Home Needs a Patio Deck

If you live in a tropical region and enjoy long summers, a deck should be a great addition to your home. Building a deck is much cheaper than a fully enclosed area, and the extension adds aesthetic value to the exterior of your house. Conventionally, decks were made out of wood, but nowadays you can choose from a variety of composites, hardwoods, and even plastic/glass decking.

Although wood is the preferred option for decking, a concrete one is favorable for regions that receive considerable rain and/or snowfall throughout the year. A wooden deck adds more value to the house, but the maintenance costs are much higher compared to other amalgamated constructions. If you are living in a rented place, make sure to review the Landlord-Tenant Law before making any alterations.

Currently, so many different types of outdoor spaces are trending and people get confused differentiating between a patio, deck, veranda, terrace, and balcony. While patios and verandas are house extensions intact with the ground, the other three are elevated. The ground floor roof underneath supports a balcony or terrace, while a deck covers extra space. It is not necessarily on the same level as upper stories of a house, but often just a few feet above the ground.

It can be connected or completely detached from the original structure of your home. Many people add a deck to their house to increase its resale value. Several home buyers fancy a house with a deck, over another that may feature an extra sitting area indoors. It is important to pick the correct side of the house for building a deck. It should blend well with the rest of your house’s peripheral, and not get in the way of anything. If your deck interferes with a neighbor’s property, it may provoke Civil Litigation.

The capital needed to build a deck depends upon the size and materials you select; hiring professionals to do the job will obviously cost more. Most home sellers are able to recover about three-quarters of what they spent on decking. However, a deck that clashes with the overall aesthetics and comfort of your home can potentially decrease its monetary value.

A deck can become the most popular area of your home for throwing parties and having get-togethers; an ideal space for relaxing in the sun, enjoying the fresh breeze, and sitting under the stars at night. It is definitely a must-have if you regularly host barbecues and dinners. Depending on the space, you can add an array of furniture to accommodate all your guests.

Decks are great for basking in nature, and the space below may well be utilized for storing outdoor equipment. You can decorate it in a number of ways and use it for diverse activities in every season. Hiring an experienced contractor and obtaining a construction permit is legally the best route. This will save you from causing potential damage to your home’s existing edifice, and breaking any laws.

Patios and Outdoor Living Spaces – Today’s guest blog is by DCD Law Firm. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

Patios and Outdoor Living Spaces

Have you ever looked at your patio or barren outdoor space and wished that it did not look the way it does? Looking through several outdoor decorating catalogs might have sparked the interior designer within you. Scrolling on Instagram, one frequently comes across people posting picture-perfect backyards and patios. Why envy others when you can transform your own neglected space into something just as spectacular?

It’s time to do something about that ignored outdoor space adjoining your home and turn it into your personal dream space for entertainment and relaxation. No matter how small your patio, there’s a lot you can do to make it cozy and beautiful at the same time. If you are able to do the work yourself, don’t worry, there are professionals you can turn to for help.

Before you start brainstorming for ideas, remember that your patio must feel like a part of the rest of your home. Do not let this extension of your home appear unrelated to the rest of your home and the rest of the home’s exterior.  Your patio should be a combination of indoor and outdoor elements. Greenery can be a great effect, so don’t hesitate to surround your space with plants. It would be best not to overdo it though unless you appreciate a rainforest or jungle theme.

Add cozy outdoor furniture so you can sit and lounge on your patio with friends or family. There are exclusive varieties of furniture available all over the market that were specifically designed to decorate the outdoor parts of your home. But, you do not necessarily have to stick to those trends and should definitely do your own thing. You can mix and match different pieces of outdoor furniture and even add a rug to make it look like another room of the house.

If you’re among the fortunate ones who have a large outdoor space for a patio, there’s actually so much you can do with this extra space. You can divide it into multiple segments: a space for dining, a place for reading, and even a small pool or hot tub if it is feasible. A large patio is great for throwing parties and family gatherings involving barbeques and board games. But, do not attempt to expand a small patio by trespassing on your neighbor’s property; the mere extension will not be worth the legal charges you could face.

For those who have neighbors close together, you can always put up a fence or a partition to add comfort and privacy. If your patio isn’t as roomy as you would like, you can still rearrange stuff to make it look more spacious. Try your best not to trespass on your neighbor’s property because trespassing is a punishable offense!

Finally, yet importantly, get the lighting right. Hanging lanterns and fairy lights will make your outdoor space look exquisite, however, if that’s not doable then you can use different sorts of exterior lamps as well. When you’re using your patio for get-togethers, you can always increase seating by keeping several cushions around. this not only allows to house a bigger audience but also gives the place a more comfy vibe.

Tips to Avoid Personal Injury While Swimming. Today’s guest blog is by Robert J. Franks and Associates. The opinions expressed by the author in this and all guest blogs are not necessarily those of Gainesville Screen and Patio.

In summers, swimming is a great exercise to relieve stress and have fun with your friends and family. According to the USA Consumer Product Safety Commission Report, approximately 400 people drown in swimming pools and spas every year, while leaving thousands injured in swimming pool accidents.

In addition, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) have further stated that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children under the age of four. These instances highlight the grave danger swimming poses to an individual and likely possibility of personal injury. In such a situation, it is advisable to consult a personal injury lawyer that can help you in receiving financial compensation for the injuries you have sustained in the swimming accident.

Let us have a look at the tips for staying safe while swimming.  

Tips to Avoid Personal Injury While Swimming

Make Sure Your Family Knows Swimming 

The likelihood of drowning or sustaining serious personal injury increases if you or your family does not know how to swim. It is advisable to give your children young age swimming lessons to avoid any fatal injury. Swimming lessons from a young age help the kids in knowing how to tread water. In addition to this, children should also know how to do a basic doggy paddle or float on their back. All these exercises ensure your kid safety and maximize the fun at the pool. 

Ensure Safety Rules Around Pools  

The areas around pools are often slippery and wet. To ensure your safety, one should avoid running around the edges. However, one should always be ready for the worst scenarios. Therefore, it is important to keep pool gear and toys stored in a safe place instead of placing them on the ground near the pool. Slipping, tripping, and falling by swimming pools can lead to serious brain and body injuries such as concussions, broken bones, and other traumatic bones injuries. Therefore, by avoiding tripping hazards, you can help keep everyone safe at the swimming pool.  

Tips to Avoid Personal Injury While Swimming

Provision of Adequate Supervision  

It is always in your best interest to swim when a lifeguard is on duty. Moreover, if you and your family choose to swim without the support of a lifeguard, you can still help keep everyone safe by paying attention to them especially children. As children have a high probability of drowning. Therefore, it is advisable to make sure of the presence of an adult. It can help decrease the risk of a swimming pool accident.  

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer  

Precisely, if you or your loved one is injured in a swimming pool accident due to someone else’s negligence, consult a personal injury lawyer immediately. He/she can help you in filing a claim against the perpetrators, and claim the financial settlement against the injuries sustained in the accident.

Personal injuries have a long-lasting impact on your health in the event of permanent disfigurement. This will not only affect your financial position but leave a major dent on your mental health as well. A personal injury lawyer will file a claim against the sustained injuries so that you can cover the financial loss occurred to you due to this accident.     

Tips to Avoid Personal Injury While Swimming

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Swimming Pool Screen Enclosures. Are you considering adding a swimming pool enclosure over your swimming pool? Swimming pool covers (also known as pool cages) are a great addition to any swimming pool. Not only do they help control mosquitos and other annoying pests from disturbing your pool parties and cookouts, but they also keep leaves and other debris from entering your swimming pool; which means less skimming and cleaning for you. Although you may have decided to add a swimming pool enclosure, you probably still have a lot of questions like what size, style, and color? That’s where Gainesville Screen and Patio can help!

Swimming Pool Screen Enclosures

We can help you design a swimming pool cage that is not only efficient but attractive and within your budget as well. Let us take the worry out of the process by handling everything from planning and design, to construction. We can provide the materials, equipment, design, and labor, so all you will need to do is plan your first pool party!

We know you have questions, and we can answer those questions during your free pool enclosure estimate. Questions like, how large does the pool enclosure need to be? How far will the pool cage extend beyond the pool deck? How much preparation will it require? Will you need to relocate any existing plants and patio furniture? Will any exterior work be required before construction can begin. We can answer these and any other questions you may have.

There are many other things to consider as well such as choosing quality materials that can withstand hurricane-force winds, rain, and other weather conditions. Also, you will want to select materials that will stand the test of time. They should be lightweight but strong and able to resist corrosion. Aluminum is the best choice for a swimming pool cage because it meets those requirements and is also attractive and cost-effective.

Swimming Pool Screen Enclosures

You will also want to be sure to select a quality screen product. In addition to keeping pests out, a screen should also protect from harmful UV-rays and be strong enough to withstand not only natures elements but those of children and pets as well. We can help with selecting the best products for your screen room enclosure. We can take care of the entire process including pulling the proper permits as well.

So what are you waiting for? We take the hassle out of screen room enclosures, so you can just enjoy your time by the swimming pool. Call Gainesville Pool and Patio today for a free estimate on your screen pool enclosure. We can be reached by calling 352-375-2500 or by using the contact us form on our website.

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