Nobody wants to lose their memories. If your photos have disappeared from your computer or phone, then your luck might have run out. But, not to worry! You can avoid this in the future by ensuring that your images are always backed up and saved before logging off from your device.
Here are some pointers for ensuring your photos won’t vanish forever.
Upload Your Images to Social Media
A great way of saving your photos and videos is to upload them to your social media accounts! This is a great way to store your cherished memories with ease of access while keeping them all in one place. The chances of them disappearing or being deleted are slim, so you won’t need to worry about them getting lost.
Uploading them to social media also brings the added benefit of sharing your pictures and videos with your loved ones.You can even organize them and create appropriate albums whether it’s your travel photos, wedding album, bestfriend photo album, or your travel photo album. You can keep them and organized with ease in just a few minute. Nevertheless, there are risks of relying on social media platforms. Sharing all your images online means that anyone can view them, including employers or others who you might not want to see the intimate details of your life.
If you’re uncomfortable with putting your data out on the internet, you might want to stick with other means of backing up your photos.
*IMAGE PLACEHOLDER* – An African American man smiling while uploading a photo to Instagram
Backup Your Photos
Downloading your images and videos off your cell phone or camera won’t be sufficient to keep your pictures safe. It’s best to keep them backed up on an external device such as a flash drive or hard drive or, alternatively, on a cloud-based storage platform.
Don’t let the idea of a “cloud” put you off. If your images are saved online, you’ll be able to delete the copies on your devices and free up some space! A great feature of backing up media to a cloud is that your data is accessible from any device, which allows it to be more easily shared with friends or family.
Below we provide a brief overview of a few of the top cloud storage systems:
The general agreement is that Google Photos is the most dependable cloud photo storage service on the market. It works smoothly over any device (or online), and it can store an unlimited quantity of videos and photos for free— provided you aren’t bothered by them being resized to 16MP (pictures) or 1080p resolution (videos).
DropBox
Dropbox is very reliable and works smoothly across macOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. It allows 2GB of free storage space.
Keep it classic! If you have meaningful photos that you’d hate to lose, print them out. Is there any point in taking pictures if you never plan to look at them again? With the printed copies of your photos, you can create an album or scrapbook album filled with your most unforgettable memories. You’ll be able to page through your pictures with your children and their children, and you’ll be able to relive all of the incredible memories together.
*IMAGE PLACEHOLDER* – Image of an elderly man and woman with their child/children and grandchildren smiling and looking at a photo album
The above methods are good ways of saving and backing up your special memories. The major problem with backing up your digital images is that each approach has advantages and disadvantages; no one solution is ideal.
Very few objects in existence are completely eternal, even though you manually print your photos, they can disappear over time and be vulnerable to mold, moisture, or physical harm. It isn’t safe to keep all of your data on your devices because they could die or malfunction at any time, hence why backing up your images is critical. Any digital backup option is preferable to none.
Have you ever wondered why some people spend hours and hours inside casinos? There is a psychology behind it. They use techniques to have you hooked up inside and make you spend more than you initially thought.
When entering a casino, your mood might change completely. This is because they are built precisely for this. To have you relaxed and careless. To have you spend more time and money on them.
The casino industry has been going on for centuries now. Experts carefully draw the casino design of the interiors on the matter. Fabio Duarte has been dealing with the design of casinos his whole career. He has studied the evolution of them and their inspirations. Here you can read more about him. Let’s dive into the main characters that developed casino psychology.
The Ones that Discovered Casino Psychology
One of the most known names around when talking about the psychology of casinos is Bill Friedman. He had a gambling addiction and dedicated part of his life to understanding why. He helped design many of today’s casinos. He published a book in the late 90s titled “Designing Casinos to Dominate the Competition.”
They do this by avoiding any watch or window in the building. If you cannot check the hour or see the light outside, you may forget how much time you have spent there already.
They are disorienting for a reason
If you find yourself unable to know where you are, that is no coincidence. If you get lost inside of the building, there are more and more opportunities for you to gamble. You might not find the restroom, but you will certainly come across many gambling rooms.
They make you relax
Making sure you feel at home and relaxed is one of the main keys to casino design. They do not want to intimidate you, so you leave early. They want you to grab a drink and love your stay there. This is done by creating small spaces with different ambiances. If the customer does not like the room with red lights, maybe he will enjoy the exotic one.
Casinos are places to gamble, and they want to make sure you don’t forget this as soon as you walk inside. There are numerous slots and games everywhere, so that being in a casino has a characteristic sensation.
This approach is an “overwhelming one.” They suffocate you with lights, colors, free drinks, narrow hallways, etc. This is a way to have many people hooked up and losing track of time and money. However, this is not the case for all people out there. Some might feel so disoriented that they won’t like the experience- and what casinos want is to have customers return to them.
Because of this, Roger Thomas, another author interested in casino psychology, created another way of designing them. His approach is focused on keeping people inside for longer with a lighter environment.
He broke all of Friedman’s rules. One of Friedman’s most important principles when designing was “standard decor, beats interior casino themes.” But Thomas had other things in mind. He said, “People don’t want to make bets when they feel trapped or overwhelmed or confused.” Which is exactly how Friedman’s model made people feel.
Thomas Designed the Playground Casino
In his casino design, wide and light spaces were predominant, with high ceilings and abundant windows. He insisted on clear sightlines for easy navigation inside the building. Exactly the contrary belief of Friedman. This playground casino opted to give people more clarity. It is still very predominant today.
Something more modern is the concept of online casino design. The casino designers have noticed that the Thomas’ playground casino style creates more addiction among gamblers. This causes them to feel alone when sitting at home, playing from a phone or computer. In the casino, you are part of the group of people there. You talk and engage in more games than alone at home.
Online casino designers have developed many different websites for the player to feel at home. Some casinos have numerous games that the player might enjoy. Amatic is a company focused on creating and developing gaming. The best amatic slots are incredibly popular when it comes to online games. They help improve the experience of the gamers at home. They have been in the market for over 25 years, and although they are based in Austria, they also operate in the UK.
The psychology of casinos has developed for decades, with more and more studies about their impacts coming each day. Online casinos, on the other hand, are still difficult to figure out.
Outdoor lighting can do wonders for your home. It can illuminate the exterior of your home, provide safety and security to you and your loved ones, and even add more value to your property.
Not only that, but you can maximize the functionality of your backyard if you install outdoor lighting. Now, you can enjoy more nighttime activities with your family within the comforts of your home.
What To Look For In Finding The Perfect Outdoor Lighting
However, there are some factors that you may need to consider when buying and selecting the outdoor lighting fit for your property. You may use the following tips to find out what outdoor lighting is best for your needs:
It’s said that failing to have a plan in place is essentially planning to fail. Thus, you must plan every purchase, and this includes outdoor lighting. By doing so, you can have a fixed budget for the right fixtures based on your needs. If you plan to light up a landscape in your backyard, different options depend on the certain spots you want to illuminate.
Thus, you should check what locations or areas that need lighting. You don’t need to buy several lights to light up one section. There are various colors, shapes, and sizes for your outdoor lighting that you also need to consider.
If you don’t know how to plan it, you can always consult outdoor lighting experts. If you live in Portland, you don’t have to worry because you can find many outdoor lighting services. What’s great is you can request a demo or consultation so they can offer you their best services. All you have to do is visit different sites such as https://oregonoutdoorlighting.com/portland/ and others. That way, you can achieve a well-planned and well-designed outdoor lighting system with the help of experts near you.
As mentioned, there are many types of outdoor lighting you can choose from. That’s why having a plan will help you avoid buying the ones which will not be suitable for your needs.
For instance, you can use outdoor lighting to light up your buildings and facilities, storefront, office spaces, and public areas. You can also buy outdoor lighting for security purposes or make walking at night safe. Or simply for decorative purposes like landscape lighting.
No matter what industry or residences you have, outdoor lighting enhances the facade of your property. While adding security, it also gives a bright feeling during the nighttime. You can check videos available on the web like to picture out how outdoor lighting can do such a trick.
But that doesn’t mean you can proceed to buy just any outdoor lighting fixture without checking the specifications. Refer to the different types below to check what will suit your needs.
Spotlights are lighting fixtures that point to only one place or location. Thus, you can use them to light a particular area outside of your property. If you want to illuminate a statue or a centerpiece, use a spotlight. They can also be used to employ a grazing effect when you direct the light towards the ceiling or a wall.
Due to the wide coverage and high brightness of this type of lighting fixture, you can quickly light walkways, driveways, and patios using floodlights fixed at a higher elevation.
Canopy Lights
As for this type of lighting, you can install it under the canopies placed outside of your house. If you’re planning to buy, you should check if these are also resistant to vibrations. You need to consider that specification if you’re living in urban areas where there is heavy traffic.
Based on these varied applications, you need to consider the beam shape, mounting height, and area to light up the areas.
Wallpacks
This type of lighting fixture is self-contained, designed for outdoor installation, like on walls without a pole. You can use this to light immediate surroundings in the building. There are two main types of wallpacks based on the shape of the beam. First is the full- cutoff wall packs that have narrow beams concentrating lighting downwards. Meanwhile, the other type, semi-cutoff wall packs, lights the chosen area laterally.
Landscape Lights
As for this outdoor lighting,they can vary depending on the use, design, light-emitting diode (LED) components, controls, and other additional parts to control light pollution. You can use this type of lighting fixture is for private or public landscaping like parks, verandas, or building terraces. Moreover, you can also use this for security purposes aside from beautifying such areas.
When buying outdoor lighting, you should not only buy ones that are aesthetically designed. It’s best to also consider if they’re made for the rigors of the outdoors.
With the fast-growing industry, many players have decided to establish a set of guidelines to determine how well the lighting is protected from different damages caused by outside elements. In some instances, solid objects, liquids, and the like can cause the lighting to be impaired which renders it unusable. Knowing this will let you identify what outdoor lighting is best in a specific area.
Different ratings have different ways to indicate the lighting’s degree of protection. One of the most popular has two digits after its initials. The first digit means protection level from solid objects, and the second digit shows how resistant the light is to water. Scores can go from as low as 1 which indicates the lowest protection level to 6 or 8 which shows the lighting’s highest protection level against solid and liquid objects.
Homeowners are strongly encouraged to inspect the quality of the outdoor lighting to ensure that it will last for a long time. Certain factors such as the materials and parts of the lights should be inspected to see the quality of the lighting fixture. There are certain materials that are said to have good quality and improve the light’s performance.
To avoid wasting money on low-quality materials like plastic or recycled aluminum, you can choose solid brass, stainless steel, or aluminum to avoid eventual deterioration from everyday use. These can be more expensive upfront, but this will save you money in the long run.
4. Take Note Of Security Features
As mentioned, outdoor lighting isn’t only for aesthetic purposes. Lighting up your outdoor area will help you in protecting your loved ones and securing your home. A well-lighted home is less susceptible to security threats. Malicious elements are said to target homes with little to no lighting present to carry out their deed. Also, it’ll help neighbors and authorities identify mischievous individuals who want to trespass on your family’s privacy.
Thus, you may want to install outdoor lighting at the main entry point of your home. Having a functional lighting system in your property’s central entrance can be key in improving your house’s safety. You can do this through the following:
Placing some lighting outside the garage;
Mounting a big wall light; and
Using spotlights on the eaves or walls on the sides of your house.
5. Examine Lights’ Energy Efficiency
Although you want to ensure that proper lighting surrounds the exterior of your property, you may want to buy energy-efficient ones. By installing energy-efficient outdoor lighting fixtures at home or for your business can help lower energy use.
Using LED or compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) lighting for commercial purposes can reduce energy costs up to 50%. With such, you can reap the following benefits:
Using energy-efficient LED for outdoor lighting can reduce up to 75% of energy, making eclectic bills for businesses lower.
Reduces Carbon Emission
Reducing energy usage will also reduce carbon emissions that can harm the environment. With energy-efficient lights, you can have more control over your light usage. Many light fixtures include timers, dimmers, motion sensors, and other controls to turn on or off your lights automatically.
6. Know Desired Effects
As mentioned, you can improve your home exterior’s aesthetics by installing outdoor lighting. Here are some lighting effects that you can create that are believed to leave a lasting visual impact on your property:
For more dramatic lighting in your garden or your pathways, place some lighting fixtures inside a tree or trellis. Then, point the light downwards to focus on the area you want to be lighted.
Achieve an illuminated path through moonlighting. Get a similar effect if you place the light fixture high up in a tree angled downward to the ground. The full flare of the lighting creates a shadow pattern that gives a natural moonlight effect.
You can also try out doing a method known as silhouetting if you want to make a lighted backdrop. Do this by placing a spotlight behind a statue of some other fixtures to create the shadows. Silhouetting makes a dark outline that can enhance the statue you want to focus on.
With so many options to choose from, planning for the proper outdoor lighting is exciting. You can customize how you light up your outdoor area with different types of lighting fixtures. There are choices you can buy depending on what you want to illuminate.
While beautifying your home, you can save money by buying energy-efficient and high-quality outdoor lights. With such, outdoor lighting keeps your property secure and appealing.
You need to prepare your garden soil with some basic ingredients because your plants will get their nutrients from the soil only. You can prepare your garden soil with fewer amounts of fertilizers and pesticides.
Good soil is loose and fluffy. Your tree roots can easily derive water and other nutrients from this type of soil. You can use leaves, grass clippings and compost to repaper your soil and you must keep your garden safe from fungus and bacteria. Apart from that, proper pH level should be maintained.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are the most essential macronutrients for garden soil. You can find some fertilizers in the market which can provide these nutrients. Apart from that, you need to use some fertilizers in your garden which contains boron, copper, iron manganese and zinc. You cannot use such fertilizers for all types of plants, and you need to use them according to the nature of your garden plants. For example, you can use alkaline acid to maintain the pH level of your soil, but you cannot use it around the roots of your trees.
Tips to prepare your garden soil:
Test Your Soil
Before you prepare your soil with fertilizers, you need to test your garden soil. There are some testing bodies available in your state or city and you can collect soil from your garden to be tested from their scientist. They will give you a report where you can find the details about pH level, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and nitrogen level of your soil. If you do not want to spend a huge cost for this soil testing, then you can simply buy a soil test kit from online to test your garden soil by yourself.
You need to maintain a balance between 6.5 to 6.8 pH levels of your soil. If you find this level higher than your garden soil have some acidic components like, alkaline. In this case, you can apply more fertilizers for your plants, but they cannot absorb the nutrients from the soil. You can use a pH meter to check the pH level of your soil.
Check The Texture Of The Soil
Apart from that, you need to check the texture of your soil. In this stage, you have to measure the macronutrient level of your garden soil. You can hire an expert for this soil testing, and he can test your soil to identify the amount of sand, slit and clay it holds. Once you check the texture of your soil, you need to check the size of slits they have.
If you want to test your soil by yourself then just put your fingers into the garden soil and if you feel gritty then your soil has more amounts of sand. If you feel your soil like powder, then your soil has higher level of slits and if you feel it dry then it must be a heavy clay soil.
Sandy soil has less mount of nutrients and this is the reason that we do not find much greenery on desert. These soils do not have micronutrients and organic ingredients, and you cannot use these soils for your garden.
On the other part, if you garden soils have slits then it cannot drain well, and you cannot use these soils for plantation. They are heavy in nature and they are not suitable for organic garden.
Heavy clay soils tend to be cracked when dry and you cannot find much amount of organic matter in this soil. You can use these soils for your garden, but roots of your small plants cannot penetrate through the hard layers of these soil. In this case, you can use some fertilizers to prepare your garden soil.
With many employers offering a permanent or hybrid remote working model even after lockdown restrictions are eased, it’s important to get your home office setup right.
Everything in your home working environment should have a purpose, whether it’s to help improve your mental health, your productivity or your organisation.
Here are the top working from home must-haves to make WFH easier, more comfortable and happier in 2021 and beyond.
At the heart of all efficient working from home spaces is a good quality, adjustable desk.
Recent studies suggest that we are getting up from our home office even less than if we were in the office. We all know how physically damaging sitting down all day can be but taking a break away from our screen and moving is also incredibly important for our mental health too.
Reduce back pain, improve your mood and gain energy with a sit stand desk. Buy height adjustable desks online from a reputable company who can help you find the right one to suit your requirements and available space.
If your current desk chair doesn’t offer you the support and comfort that you need all day, it’s time to get a new one.
Adjustable chairs reduce pressure on your hips and supports your posture, reducing the risk of back and neck problems caused by sitting down for long periods of time. If you use a chair that is comfortable and supportive, it will make working from home easier without regularly having to switch positions.
Desk lamp
Avoid sitting in the dark and getting eye strain on those late afternoon calls with a suitable desk lamp. Good lighting will also help your concentration levels. Consider the following factors when choosing a desk lamp for your home office:
Size – your lamp shouldn’t take up too much of your workspace.
Brightness – soft white light is the best for avoiding eye strain.
Positioning – an adjustable lamp will let you change the angle to reduce glare and reflections.
A Bluetooth headset
If there are other people in your house when you’re working remotely, a headset is an absolute must to ensure high-quality audio and to prevent background noise. A headset will also allow you to jump from Zoom call to Zoom call with ease, without disrupting your work.
Make sure you invest in a headset that has good sound quality and is comfortable to wear for hours at a time. If you dial into virtual meetings for long periods of time, buy a pair with a good battery life.
Having some leafy friends on your home office desk can boost productivity and reduce stress. Other benefits include:
Making the air you breathe cleaner by reducing toxins.
Enhancing creativity.
Increasing wellbeing.
It’s simple and inexpensive to set up the perfect home office. The best part is that it’s considerably cheaper than the cost of commuting too. So, why not get started on improving your home work setup today? Both you and your employer will reap the benefits of your increased productivity.
This means that the engine will be silent for 95 % of the time in a parking area. When vehicles are at rest, they become hunting zones for burglars whose interest is to steal vehicle parts. Therefore, a safe garage is the best thing to invest in to protect your massive investment from these predators as well as harsh weather conditions. This article discusses the top 5 features of a safe garage. Check out Fair Dinkum Builds for garages for sale.
In a nutshell, a garage should have these features to meet the safety threshold.
● Properly maintained door systems.
● Enough lighting.
● Presence of Emergency tools like first aid kids, fire extinguishers, and kitty litter.
A study done in Arizona indicated that if homeowners keep their garage doors closed, burglaries in the area decreased by 50 %. A garage door should be using modern intelligent door systems. In addition, there should be a regular update of the lock. Despite having the door system, it is often easy to find that burglars broke in and stole your vehicle parts or tools. How does this happen?
● You forgot to lock the garage door.
● Your garage parts are worn out, making them easy to be tampered with.
● The door was not correctly installed.
The possible remedies include:
● Installing an automatic door closer – this will help you if you are fond of forgetting to close garage doors.
● Garage door sensor – a door sensor will enable you to stay alert when someone breaks at your door.
● Having an expert or a locksmith company who will help you install a door system and create an up-to-date lock system.
● Doors are prone to wear and tear, so replacing hinges is increasingly necessary.
Having done these, you will be guaranteed half the safety of a garage. To foster even more security, you can install surveillance systems like CCTV to enable you to capture the footages of those who visit your garage.
Enough Garage Lighting
You have to keep the garage illuminated. The best way is to have motion-activated flood lights. The reasons for having proper lighting are:
● In the garage, you will have electrical tools.
● There are also sharp objects.
● You could also have chemicals that need to be handled carefully.
Without proper lighting, you will be encouraging shady attempts of burglars to break into your garage. Having adequate lighting at night is another safety measure to be considered for maximum safety.
A garage, unlike living rooms, makes us prone to injuries, and worst of all, the garage itself can be on fire due to combustible materials in the garage and electricity. However, there are best ways to deal with this unforeseen event. This is by having these three life-saving tools.
● Fire Extinguisher – the most preferred fire extinguishers will be the carbon-dioxide because most faults are caused by electricity. The wall cabinets and bracket can be used to mount the fire extinguisher.
● First-Aid-Kit – a garage will never lack sharp objects; if it lacks electrical things and corrosive chemicals. To make sure your garage is a safe place for you, you should consider installing a first aid kit for immediate treatment in the event of an injury.
● Kitty litter – it is normal to have oil spills in the garage, which can make the environment dirty. Kitty litter is a clay-based oil absorbent that quickly absorbs oil spills.
A safe garage will have cabinets, drawers, and covers necessary to keep sharp objects and chemicals. Electrical materials should be appropriately maintained. With ample space, it means that electrical wires are not hanging loosely. Everything should be for swift management.
Well-Maintained Power Source
There should be a reliable power source that is well maintained in that there should be no naked wires to cause injuries.
Having these five features in your garage does not mean that your garage is 100 % safe, but how to carry out activities in the garage will determine the overall safety. Safety measures are paramount. Some safety measures to be considered include:
● Carefully dispose of combustible materials – this is a fire safety tip that should be firmly adhered to in order to avoid garage fires. Flammable materials include oily rags, magazines, and newspapers. In addition, fuels should be kept away from materials that can ignite easily.
● Keep the car doors locked – apart from door system security, locking your car can be a second layer for your safety.
● Roll up the ropes – ropes should be kept in safe places and kept in cabinets.
● Keep ladders in a horizontal position – children are always tempted to climb ladders in the garage. You can choose to keep children off the garage, but keeping the ladders in a horizontal position is essential.
● Keep the power tools disconnected when they are not being used – this is to prevent electric hazards; electric appliances should be off the power supply if they are not used to combat possible accidents.
How Can You Know Your Garage is Safe with a Single Glance?
If you can see a modern door lock system in a well-maintained form, good lighting, cabinets and shelves, first aid kits, fire extinguisher, kitty litter, then you are in a better and safe garage. There are many garages for sale online by several companies. However, it is best practice to purchase a metal garage for maximum security.
Hence, our home must be a hub of positive energy that helps us get back to who we are and engage with our friends and family. It’s a safe haven when you can be yourself with the people you love. Hence, it’s essential to arrange your home with the best home décor pieces that emanate positivity and vibrancy.
There are several ways in which you can add a rejuvenating element to your home! Some people opt-in for minimalistic home décor. Others invest in the choicest furniture pieces. However, today it is a popular home décor trend to use geode furniture pieces in your home. To know more, you can read about a beginners guide to geodes.
Simply put, geode furniture pieces get made of rocks and crystals. For example, you can have a quartz geode table or an agate coaster. They come in various sizes and shapes. These crystals are beautiful to look at, and each has a mystical quality. They help to elevate the energy level of the room with their innate healing energy.
Types of geode rock crystals
Whether you want to opt-in for a geode coffee table or sofa, you get to choose from a wide selection of crystals and rocks. Each gets known for its specific characteristics that can enhance the room’s ambiance. Here are a few names to choose from:
Amethyst – It is a famous stone and has a deep purple color. The crystal stood for clarity and got used in ancient times to dispel deception and mental fog. If you want to promote the elements of clarity and truth in your surroundings, you can keep an amethyst home décor piece. A living room is the best space for this.
Rose quartz – It is called the crystal of love. The crystal comes in a soft pink shade and emanates heart-warming energy that helps to resolve anger issues and other disappointments in life. In addition, it helps to embrace the emotion of love towards yourself and others. Ideally, it would be best if you kept a rose quartz home décor in your bedroom.
Calcite–It comes in orange and emerald shades. The orange color stone carries the element of the sun and helps to dispel negativity and darkness. You can add a calcite table stand in your kitchen to welcome nourishment.
Selenite–The stone is distinctive for its cloudy white shade. It represents peace, harmony, and balance. So if you want a peaceful ambiance in your living room or study, you can add a selenite home décor item.
Shungite – The crystal has a dark grey shade and is called a protection stone. You can place your electronic devices on a shungite table at home. You can also place your television, cell phone, microwaves, and computers on this crystal table or stand.
Black tourmaline–It is dark in color and is known for its emerging and protecting properties. You can use a black tourmaline home décor piece if you want clear energy vibes in your room. The living room is the ideal space for this.
These are some of the different crystals that get used to making geode furniture. You can choose the one you like best.
Take charge by learning a few easy tips to locate roofing contractor with a trusted reputation that will take care of you and install a quality roof that will protect your home and family for years. Hire well and you can expect your roofing professional to get the job done on time and on budget.
These 10 tips for choosing the best roofing contractor for your job will give you confidence to make the right decision:
Ask how long they have been in business
The longevity of roofing company often equates to a top-quality roofing contractor with a great reputation. The number of years a company has been in business will tell you a lot about them. You will only want to trust your new roofing project to an established company that will ensure upfront quality and years of support over the lifetime of your new roof. A qualified roofing company will have industry experience and a long list of satisfied customers. Only trust your roof to a company that has the experience, tools, and the knowledge to complete your job in a professional manner. When interviewing roofing professionals be sure to ask them about their particular experience, the experience of their team and the lifespan of the company in general.
Make sure they meet or exceed state requirements
The requirements to become a roofing contractor vary from state to state. Even though it’s always important to ask contractors whether they’re licensed, insured, and bonded, you don’t have to take their word for it. Make sure to check with your state’s licensing board or relevant licensing agency to learn your state requirements. You can also look up companies on the Better Business Bureau to review their business history and any official claims or complaints against their work.
Most homeowners prefer to hire a local roofing company; it’s easier to meet the roofing contractor face to face to discuss the details of your new roof, and local companies are often easier to reach in the case of questions or warranty work. Meeting face to face will give you the opportunity to read their personality: Are they friendly and enthusiastic about their work? Do you feel a sense confidence when they answer your questions? A local, reputable company will have a list of addresses that you can visit to see completed roofs that they have successfully installed and a local list of references you can call to learn more about previous customers’ experiences. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that the company you choose will be close by if you have questions in the future or if any issues arise that need attention.
Stories abound of companies or independent contractors who flock to an area after a storm or disaster looking for work. They may stay in the area, working for months before returning to their home location—but that doesn’t make them a local contractor. Even if the work is high quality, it can be harder to count on them for warranty repairs or other service calls if they live far away or don’t usually service your area. Plus, they may not be licensed to work in your location or may not be familiar with local codes or weather patterns, and that can impact the safety, longevity, effectiveness, and overall value of your new roof.
Ask for references and read online reviews
One great method of finding the best roofing contractor is to talk with neighbors and friends about roofers they’ve hired. Personal contacts will give you the most honest feedback and the most accurate picture of what you can expect your experience to be. The two main questions to ask are, were you happy with the job done and would you work with that contractor again? Also, visit online sources and company websites to read reviews about roofing companies near you. Online resources like The Prime Buyer’s Report have lists of qualified local roofers to ease the hiring process. Make a list of the companies that have the best reviews so you can call and interview them about how they can meet your specific needs.
Get everything in writing
Two things that you will want to get in writing are the initial bid and the contract that both you and the roofing contractor will sign.
A written bid from each competing contractor is your best tool to use for comparison. A good bid will include the time frame to start and finish the job, the materials that will be used, the scope of the job, and cost of materials and labor. Collecting the same information from each business will allow you to compare line items more easily. See a more complete list of information to gather in section seven below.
Then before any work begins, you will want a signed contract and warranty document. Your signed contract is a legal business agreement detailing the work to be done and the costs to complete that work.
As promised, here is a more complete list of information to gather to compare your roofing company candidates. You should request that any bids include the following information:
List of start and end dates.
How long the job will take.
The manufacturer and product to be installed, including serial numbers and exact amount of product to be ordered.
Any additional services required.
Warranty details for labor and materials.
The company’s policy about change orders or additional work if more damage is found or more needs to be added to the initial bid.
All the contact information and license number of the roofing company.
Costs of materials and labor.
Ask who is preforming the install You are hiring a professional roofing contractor for good reasons and you want the installation to also be completed by professionals. Good roofing contractors will surround themselves with a good team of installers. Individuals that they know are skilled and trained well in all aspects of installing a new roof. Verify that the installers are employees of the company that you are hiring and not a third party or subcontractor.
Ask the roofers if they are authorized or certified installers
Long-lasting, large manufacturers of roofing products who are committed to quality often certify certain contractors as authorized installers. To become a factory-certified contractor means that the roofing company has completed training and certification to meet a strict set of standards.
One such roofing products manufacturer with factory-certified contractors is GAF. You can find more information on their contractor-verification site here.
To find that roofer who will go above and beyond look for someone who is passionate about their profession and one who is focused on even the smallest details. They should take pride in the quality of the materials used on the job and their professional workmanship. Someone who personally believes that they are making their community better one house at a time.
Now that you’ve collected bids from a number of roofing companies and gathered the information from these 10 tips for choosing the right roofing contractor, you are ready to do an honest evaluation to select the roofing professional whom you want to work with. The one who will provide you with the roof of your dreams—a roof that is important to your family’s comfort and the structural integrity and resale value of your home.
