How Do I Get Rid of Water in My Basement?

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Having water in your basement causes not only an unpleasant smell in the space and damage to the belongings that you store down there – it can also lead to the appearance of mold in the basement as well as upstairs and of damage to your home’s major systems, including the electrical system, which can be life threatening. This also means that no excess moisture in your basement should be neglected – here is how to get rid of water in your basement space.

Pay Attention to Safety

Water and electricity make a dangerous combination, so avoid handling any device that uses electricity while standing in water. If your basement has been flooded and you need to go down there, put on rubber boots that are at least knee-high and stay away from any wires, cables and devices that use electricity and seem wet. The best way to prevent electrical shock is to turn off the electricity in the basement – if you need light down there, use a torch.

Try to Identify the Source of the Water

The water that has inundated your basement can come from many sources – it can be caused by a flood, by excessive raining or by burst pipes somewhere in the plumbing system. While you probably cannot stop a flood or heavy rain, if you suspect that the water in your basement comes from your plumbing pipes, stop the water supply as soon as you can.

Denver water damage company

Call a Denver Water Damage Restoration Company

These companies are the first respondents to turn to if your basement stands in water. They can also provide asbestos abatement in Colorado. These specialized Denver water damage service providers have professional knowledge and experience in safe and efficient water damage restoration and they use the latest technologies, such as powerful pumps and equipment for drying the floor and the walls in your basement, to make damage restoration safe and fast.

Most water damage restoration companies operate their own website, so a quick query will give you lots of results. It is a good idea to check the background of the companies on your results page quickly – look for a company that is licensed in your state, provides emergency services and round the clock customer service and one that has excellent ratings and reviews as well. The other way to find a reliable water damage clean-up company quickly is by turning to the agent or the independent broker that handles your home insurance policy – insurance companies work with their own approved contractors, so your insurance representative will surely be able to help.

Ideally, the damage restoration team that you have called will arrive quickly. The team will inspect the damaged area, then you will have the opportunity to discuss the details of the water elimination job. The process will probably involve the use of pumps powered by a generator, followed by the use of drying equipment. In most cases, follow-up and further work is also required to restore your basement – some water damage repair companies are licensed to perform construction work as well, while others handle the water elimination process, which means that you might have to look for a basement restoration company for the final phase.

Why Should A Small Business Have Workmen’s Comp Insurance?

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Workers’ compensation insurance is a type of policy that is mandatory for businesses in many states, but the legal requirement is not the only reason why the policy is so important for businesses, especially for small enterprises. The coverage provided by the policy gives protection to the business itself as well to its employees – here are some things that you should know about workers’ comp.

Colorado workers compensation insurance

The Scope of Workers’ Comp Insurance

Workers’ compensation is the insurance for businesses that covers work-related injuries and illnesses as well as many of the related aspects. Most employers make substantial efforts to provide safe and healthy work environments to their employees, but despite these efforts, accidents can still happen. For example, if you are a restaurant owner and a member of your staff working in the kitchen cuts their finger, the medical expenses related to accident and the lost wages of the employee are covered for by the workers’ comp insurance. The coverage provided by the policy should not be confused with the coverage provided by the health insurance – if an employee of yours suffers the same accident in their home, the accident did not occur in the employee’s work environment, therefore the expenses will not be covered for by the workers’ comp, but by the medical insurance.

Workers’ comp insurance usually covers for the medical expenses related to the treatment of physical conditions that emerge as the consequence of the employee’s exposure to certain chemicals. The laws that govern that aspect vary from state to state, so before shopping for your workers’ comp, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with the applicable regulations.

Who Needs Workers’ Comp

As a general rule, every business that has employees is required by the law to have workers’ comp insurance. However, the requirements regarding the insurance are mandated at state-level – in some states, for example, only businesses that have more than three or five employees are required to have workers’ comp. However, the policy is useful for any small business, even for the ones for which the acquisition of the policy is not mandated by local laws and regulations.

How to Get Your Workers’ Compensation Insurance

The best and easiest way to pick the Colorado workers compensation insurance policy that works best for your business is to turn to an Colorado insurance agent or to an independent insurance broker. The difference between the two types of professionals is that agents usually work for one insurer, while brokers work with multiple insurance companies, selling a wider range of products. Both types of specialists can provide you valuable information related to workers’ comp and they can help you choose the policy that suits your needs.

If your broker offers you multiple solutions, choose a policy offered by an insurer that has been in the business for long and has a good reputation, too. The insurance industry is stable in some states, but volatile in others, with insurance companies appearing and going out of business almost overnight, therefore it is in your best interest to buy your insurance from a company that is likely to be around for a long time.

Booking Your First Self Storage Unit: How Easy Is It to Rent the Best Storage?

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Storing your goods is easier than it ever was, but just how straightforward is the process of determining the storage service you need and booking your storage unit? In the following, we will explore these details and help you create a practical checklist with everything you’ll need to consider before renting your own Colorado Springs storage unit for the first time.

The Type of Storage Unit You Will Need

Depending on what you want to store, for how long, and whether or not you need to move your storage unit from one place to the other, there are various types of storage units you can consider.

Mini storage is available as an affordable solution for your smallest items, while climate-controlled and refrigerated storage will be required if you store anything like special substances that require a controlled environment. Portable storage includes movable storage compartments you can transport between cities if necessary, and you can also consider extra large units designed with vehicles, boats and large equipment in mind.

Colorado Springs storage

What Are the Main Amenities and Benefits You Require?

If you want to store your valuables in a self storage unit, you already know you’ll need good security. This might mean a heavy duty lock, an advanced alarm system, a security camera and more. Other Colorado Springs storage amenities can also include 24/7 access, drive up access, climate control, outdoor storage and even wine storage.

How Much Stuff Will You Want to Store?

It’s important to know in advance how many items you want to store and how large they are. Self storage companies need this information to determine what size storage unit you need. You can also get a rough estimate by calculating it yourself.

Typically, the standard sizes that are most frequently available for self storage units include 5×5, 5×10, 5×15, 10×10, 10×15, as well as larger sizes such as 10×20, 10×25 and 10×30.

Considering Your Budget

Finally, you have to know your budget before renting a storage unit. How much money are you willing to spend, and how long will you need the unit for? These details, along with the information you already know about the size of your unit and the amenities you want to choose will help you determine roughly how much you have to spend. Compare that amount with the budget you have at your disposal, and you can have a general estimate of what you might be able to rent with the money you currently have.

Rent Online vs. in Person

Of course it’s always best to rent your storage units in person, but if you don’t have that option right now – since you might not have the time or you’re out of town at the moment – you can also use various online tools to compare prices, select your storage company and even book your preferred unit online.

Even in the case of online booking, you will of course, still have to meet up with the storage provider in person so they can give you your keys and show you to your storage unit. However, most of the formalities can be handled via the internet, through the use of online tools, and even by phone.

What Does A Typical Storage Unit Rental Cost?

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Renting storage space is an excellent solution for your temporary or long-term storage needs. You might be faced with various situations that require you to move your items to a storage unit – if you must leave your old home before your new place is ready for being occupied; if your company archives exceed the storage capacity of your corporate premises or if you are moving to a smaller home, but you don’t want to toss the belongings that don’t fit into your new home, renting a suitably sized storage unit is the most comfortable solution.

Self storage Fort Smith AR providers offer various payment plans and the price you will have to pay for your unit is also determined by many other factors – here are some details.

The Unit Features that Will Influence the Price

According to the statistics, the average monthly rate charged for a 5 x 5 foot storage unit, the smallest standard size available, is between $40- $50, while the fees for a larger, 10 x 15 foot unit is around $75- $140. However, sizing is not the only factor that influences pricing – here are some more:

  • The location of the facility – storage unit facilities are a type of real estate and they work like real estate in many respects. The price you will have to pay for your rented unit will be determined by the geographical area in which the facility is located. Storage space is usually cheaper in rural areas than in large cities; some cities are more expensive than others and prices are also influenced by the neighborhood in the town or the city in which the facility is located;
  • The location of your unit within the facility – outdoor units are usually large, but they offer limited weather protection, therefore they are cheaper than indoor units;
  • Temperature control and climate control – most storage space providers offer two types of indoor units: temperature-controlled units that come with stable ambient temperatures and climate-controlled units that add humidity control and are also equipped with very efficient, complex ventilation systems. The units available in temperature-controlled facilities are usually cheaper (though more expensive that outdoor units), while climate-controlled space rentals are more expensive.

self storage Fort Smith AR

The Level of Security Offered by the Facility

The more secure the storage facility premises, the higher the monthly rates. The units in facilities monitored permanently with surveillance cameras and by human guards are the most expensive to rent and if you need extra insurance for your rented unit will also add costs.

The Payment Plans that You Choose

The most common way to pay for storage unit is through month to month payments, but that is also the most expensive solution. Many self storage Fort Smith AR facilities offer considerable discounts if you pay in advance for several months or if you decide to pay for an entire year in advance. Storage space providers also have promotions that give you discounted prices for specific types of units or for specific periods, so it is a great idea to shop around a bit before choosing your provider.

How to Find a Great Office Space in Denver

Posted on by Travis Campbell

 

How To Find The Best Denver Office Space Rental

 

Are you putting the last touches to your plan of opening a business? There is one big step in this plan that you should prepare for carefully: finding a great Denver office space rental. Even from its early days, your business needs an office, even if a small one. You need a professional environment to meet with potential partners, suppliers, employees or investors.

 

How Hard Is It to Find Office Space?

The answer depends entirely on your budget. If money is not an issue, you can get settled tomorrow in a premium office building. However, this scenario is very unlikely, so you need to find an office that you can afford.

 

There are two ways to approach this issue. One is to hire a real estate agency to search for an adequate office space for your business. However, this can take some time. The smaller your budget, the lower your case will be on their priority list.

 

The other option is to start exploring your options on your own. This will take time, so make sure that you set aside an hour or two every day for office space hunting.

 

Now, let us show you where you must look:

 

  1. People You Know and Trust

The simplest way is to let everyone in your network know that you are looking for office space in Denver. Tell your relatives, friends, neighbors and even former co-workers. People hear of various opportunities all the time, even when they are not really looking for the information.

 

Make sure that you tell these people how much you afford to pay and what type of office you are looking for. You don’t want to get a recommendation for a container office, somewhere near a construction site, for example.

 

  1. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Social Media

Facebook and LinkedIn are particularly useful if you are looking for office space in Denver. A simple search will reveal pages for developers, business hubs and business incubators in your area.

 

The great thing about social media is that you are not fishing in the dark. Business pages have reviews and comments from other entrepreneurs who leased office space in those buildings. Thus, you can form a quick idea on how professional and affordable those office spaces are.

 

  1. Join Local Business Forums

Business forums are great online meeting places for entrepreneurs. They discuss and share advice on topics of interests, such as finding office spaces in Denver. Once again, you have the advantage of their prior experience.

 

  1. Search for Co-working and Shared Office Spaces

A simple Google search will show you all that Denver has to offer in terms of co-working spaces. This is a very flexible and affordable option if you have a small budget available and don’t need an office every day. Since this type of office spaces are rented by the day or by hour, you will pay only for the amount of time you actually are in the office.

 

Also, shared office spaces offer you great opportunities to network, attend business events, and find either business partners or employees for your company.

The Colorado Real Estate Landscape

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Let Greenfield Real Estate Agents Help You

The US economy is growing in most parts in the country, Colorado being among the areas where development is the most reliable, but the pace of the growth has somewhat slowed down recently, which has instant effects on the state’s real estate market. One of the trends that will most likely govern the real estate landscape in the Centennial State is a somewhat slowed down development in the commercial real estate development and speedier development in the residential segment – here are some factors that influence local real estate trends.

What Causes the Slow-Down in Commercial Real Estate

One of the most important factors that influence the direction of development in the segment is the emergence of alternative property types, such as adaptive reuse (the process of using existing buildings for purposes other than the purpose that the building was initially erected for) or office space shared by multiple small business owners. These trends, along with the increasing number of telecommuters and of enterprises that no longer work from rented offices have significantly decreased the demand for new offices as well as for new warehouses or other types of commercial construction.

The other factor that determines the decrease in commercial construction is the shortage of skilled and unskilled labor that almost all industries in the state are faced with and that acts as a deterrent for companies that have previously planned to move to the state.

Trends that Affect the Residential Real Estate Landscape

Residential real estate is becoming pricier by the day, due to the high demand for local residential property. As a result, the median price for an average-sized single-family home is around 445,000 in the Denver metro area, more than 1% higher than it was last year. The prices for condos show the same trend, with medial prices around 304,000.

The demand for residential real estate is growing according to Greenfield real estate agents, but the number of developments have slowed a bit recently. One of the reasons for the trend is the slightly growing number of foreclosures, a process that puts many listings into the picture without increasing the demand for new construction.

Another trend that noticeably affects the state’s real estate market is the higher demand for high-end property, valued at over 1 million and increased demand for condos, as compared to single-family homes – in other words, demand is increasing for smaller property on the one hand and for luxury property on the other, while the interest for average-sized single-family homes has not changed that rapidly or that significantly. The trend is likely to continue in the following months, too.

Return to a State of Balance

Though some experts say that the changes that affect the Colorado real estate market are alarming, others say that the process will actually bring about more predictability and will lead to the development to a stable, predictable market, without the surprising or shocking ups and downs of the last decade. Unfortunately, foreclosures will continue to affect the local real estate landscape for the coming years, too, especially in large urban areas, such as the Denver metropolitan area.

 

What Should A Typical Move Cost Me?

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Moving your entire household is not only a stressful process – you will also need to prepare for the costs. According to statistical data, the costs of moving an average-sized household from one state to another, over a distance of around 1,200 miles can cost anywhere between approximately 4,000 and 10,000, but there are lots of factors that influence the overall costs – here are some.

The Type of Service that You Hire the Movers for

You can hire moving companies in Wheat Ridge to provide full service or you can hire them for the transport only. Full-service moving includes the assessment of the special requirements related to your belongings and the evaluation of the risks of handling valuable items, such a special hot tub or a very heavy safe as well as the packing, the loading and the unloading of your belongings. If you need extensive furniture disassembly and assembly of the same items at the new location, hiring a full moving service is the best way. However, the cost of such comprehensive services can be several times the price that you will have to pay for transport only.

The Distance

Most moving companies in Wheat Ridge charge hourly fees for the transport, which also means that the longer the distance between your old and new property, the more you will pay for the move. If your new home is in the same town or city as your old home, you can hire local movers. Most of them provide loading, transport and unloading services and they charge hourly rates for any activity that they do.

The Size of Your Current Home

The more things you have, the more you will have to pay for moving them. The contents of a one-bedroom apartment will fit into a smaller container, while a four-bedroom family home will obviously one or several larger containers, which will increase the price. The contents of a large house also take longer to load and unload, so you will need to pay more worked hours, too.

The Complexity of the Process

Many moving companies charge extra fees for special circumstances, such as narrow staircases that make the moving of furnishing items difficult.

moving companies in Wheat Ridge

The Company You Hire

Not all companies practice the same rates or include the same services into their base package, so it is a good idea to get cost estimates from at least three or four different companies before you pick your service. Discuss every detail with each of the moving companies in Wheat Ridge to allow them to provide a cost estimate that is as detailed and as accurate as possible and take your time to evaluate the quotes in terms of safety and security as well (how the keys and locks of the cargo container or containers are handled, who holds the keys, how the safety of your fragile items is guaranteed, and so on).

Factor in Accommodation Prices for Long Distances

If the distance between your old home and your new one is so long that it cannot be covered in one day, you will have to pay for hotel rooms as you go as well, so don’t leave out those expenses from the calculations. If you load your belongings onto a truck driven by the mover’s employee and you follow the truck in your own car or you fly to your destination, add the fuel expenses or the price of the air ticket as well.

How to Update Your Kitchen in a Timeless Fashion

Posted on by Travis Campbell

 

Tips On How To Have A Timeless Kitchen

Fashions and trends come and go. But you cannot afford to remodel and redecorate your home once every 2-3 years. And, frankly, you probably do not like all the passing fads. However, just like a classic cut suit, there are styles of furnishing and decorating your home that never go out of fashion.

 

It would take too long to go in detail through every room in your house, so in this article we will focus on the kitchen. It is a central place for every family. This is where food is cooked. This is where the fridge is. This is where you keep snacks, fruit and sweets. Everyone spends some time in the kitchen, even if they do not actually eat there.

 

Give Your Kitchen a Timeless Look

First of all, let us understand this concept a bit. What does a timeless look really mean? It has to do with time honored traditions of furnishing and equipping a kitchen, items, materials and color patterns that were tested and tried by generations. They proved to be durable, dependable, and to allow a good usability of the kitchen.

 

We will not go deeper in the theory of esthetics, because it would not be helpful for you. Instead, we will give you practical advice on how to update your kitchen in a timeless fashion.

 

  1. Use a Neutral Color Scheme

White, cream, beige, brown and grey are neutral colors and they are ideal for a timeless look. Why is it so? The most obvious reason is that they are the colors of natural materials used for building kitchen furnishings and decorations: wood, stone and metal.

 

These materials will never go out of fashion because they are sturdy, safe for use in a place where food is kept and prepared and easily recyclable. Plus, neutral colors are easy on the eye, do not cause fatigue and give a sense of calm and harmony.

 

  1. Opt for High Quality Materials

A timeless kitchen is a kitchen that lasts for years. This is why our grandfathers used oak wood for the tables and cabinets and flagstones for the floor. Natural and sturdy materials are more expensive than artificial replacements, but they also last much longer. Buying cheaper items is false economy. They will need to be replaced after a few years. Plus, they tend to follow the current trend in design and color, something that does not meet the standards of a timeless look.

 

  1. Invest in Retro Appliances

Retro appliances are by no means used items. They are brand new, but they are designed to look like those made in the ‘60s and ‘70s. The main characteristic of vintage kitchen appliances is the white color (as opposed to the stainless steel finish of modern appliances).

 

Also, vintage appliances have rounded corners and are smaller in size. They integrate nicely even into small kitchens and are easier to clean and maintain in proper working condition.

 

  1. Replace Cabinets with Shelves

Kitchen remodel Denver showroom designs change frequently. However, something will always stay functional and trendy: the classic shelf attached to the wall. Shelves are easy to clean and will offer you easy access to plates, bowls, glasses, etc.

 

  1. Copper Accents

A copper cooking pot and a coffee kettle are welcome additions to a timeless looking kitchen. This is a reliable and sturdy material for cooking vessels and has a pleasant color, that integrates nicely with the rest of the natural materials in your kitchen.

Why Buy Mesh Office Chairs – Qualities that Make Them a Great Choice for Your Money

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Why buy mesh office chairs? Because they are really great and, in this article, we are going to make you understand why.

mesh office chair

Ergonomic chairs have been designed to improve the user’s comfort and prevent health issues associated with a wrong body posture. Since many people work in an office and spend at least 8 hours on a chair, every day, the quality of this chair can make all the difference. Therefore, the answer to the question “why buy mesh office chairs?” must not be based exclusively on the price, but on the comfort they provide in the long run and the quality you get for the money you pay.

Mesh office chairs are a type of ergonomic chairs that came as an alternative to the traditional models, being designed to provide more ventilation and thus more comfort, especially during the summer. These chairs provide all the other qualities of a regular ergonomic chair, being designed to ensure a correct positioning of the spine, neck and limbs, thus a healthy body posture during the long working hours. 

Reasons to opt for mesh office chairs

Ventilation. Office chairs made of textile materials or leather capture the heat and make the body sweat. On the other hand, a good mesh chair provides proper ventilation for better comfort. The mesh allows air circulation even if your back is stuck to it, so you will experience none of the unpleasant sensations specific to the summer days.

Resistance. A mesh office chair has a long lifespan and is easy to maintain, even those made of thin mesh.

Appearance. Mesh chairs are available in a wide range of colors and patterns that make them integrate successfully in any office decor. The user is invited to give free way to their imagination and come out with the ideal design that can motivate them while working. Mesh chairs have refined profiles and they represent a modern and elegant option.

The price is also an important factor. First, mesh office chairs are typically less expensive than upholstered chairs. However, we must not mistake them with poor quality products; these chairs are resistant in time; it is just that mesh is cheaper than other materials. In case of need, mesh can also be replaced very easily and with relatively low costs and effort. 

How to buy good mesh office chairs?

The most important feature in an ergonomic chair is its adjustability, and mesh chairs make no exception. The better you can adjust them, the more likely it is to fit your body shape – therefore, this is the main aspect to consider when you shop for mesh office chairs.

Spend time observing several types of mesh chairs, analyzing features that you consider essential for your lifestyle and making comparisons between models, qualitative grades and offers.

Whatever you do, stick to ergonomic chairs, so look for items with adjustable backrests. The pivot of the chair should also be adjustable in height and equipped with wheels. If you afford it, invest in a chair with support for your head and arms.

The more these features are, the better. After all, why buy mesh office chairs, if not for increased comfort?

 

How You Can Save Money by Renting Temporary Office Space

Posted on by Travis Campbell

Denver meting rooms

Many small businesses conduct their day to day operations from offices located on their own company premises, even though they don’t really need the space and they suffer the unnecessary costs and hindrances caused by maintaining the office – if this is an issue you are confronted with, here are a few ways that you can save money by renting temporary office space and that will allow you to use your company premises more efficiently.

Paying Only for the Amount of Time that You Use the Office

Many temporary office space providers offer their rentals based on scheduling, meaning that you can schedule the time when you need the office and pay only for the amount of time that you actually use the office for. Many small businesses need an office only for staff meetings, for meetings with potential clients and for interviews – the office staff can do the rest of work just as efficiently from their home offices, so why set apart space that you don’t use regularly? Just have a look at what temporary office space providers have to offer, then do the math and you will see that renting the space will actually save you serious money on the long run.

Using Company Premises More Efficiently

This aspect is not strictly related to saving money, but renting the office space will allow you to make more use of your company premises, using your space for storage, for manufacturing or for whatever your core activity is. Having more space to focus on your core business will improve your company’s efficiency, so swapping conventional, on-site offices for rented space is likely to translate into more profit very quickly.

The Benefits of In-House Staff

Most temporary Denver meeting rooms are serviced, which means that they are not only equipped with the latest office technology, but also that there is support staff, such as receptionists and tech people present to help you, should you need it. This means that you can save money by not having to invest into office equipment or hire someone to maintain and update your own office equipment – everything is already there for you.

Flexibility

Temporary office space providers offer you the option to upgrade or downgrade your rented space the way it suits you. You can rent a small office for the time being, then, as your business grows, you can move to a larger space.

Calculable, Fixed Rates

With a rented office, you will know exactly how much access to and usage of the office will cost you. The rates you will pay the space provide do not change periodically – the office will not cost you more if the summer out there is very hot and the air conditioner needs to run all the time or if the winter is harsh and you need the heating on all the time.

More Business Opportunities

Renting office space in a building that you share with other businesses will increase the number of people that you meet, which will, in turn, increase the likelihood of finding new opportunities for collaboration with other businesses, so one of the ways that allow you to save money by renting temporary office space is access to more opportunities that you can pursue in your immediate environment.