Category Archives: Yard & Outdoors

Landscaping Pictures for Your Home

Landscaping Pictures for Your Home

A picture says a thousand words and it is up to you to find out what it means. When you need ideas on how to improve your garden or backyard, you should look at landscaping pictures and then incorporate this into your project.

You can look for landscaping pictures from a variety of sources. These can be found in books and in interior design magazines. Some release a new copy monthly so there is always something new for you to anticipate.

Another source of information is through the web. Some contractors post their accomplishments while some websites give amateurs ideas.

If you go around the neighborhood and like what your neighbors have done, why not take a picture or ask them how this was done.

When you are looking at the images, pay attention to the details because in most cases, there is nothing written there on how they did it. You can probably print the images and then show this to someone knowledgeable who will be able to tell you what was done and at the same time advise you if this can work in your home.

Once you have an idea of what you want to do, draw this on paper and then try and work it out. First, you will have to buy the plants and the other accessories from the store. When they are brought home, it is time to put these all together.

If somewhere along the way you decide to change your mind, go ahead and do it. After all, plans change all the time and what you have on paper is simply a guide.

One thing you must not forget about landscaping is that there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to beautifying your home. You will also realize later on that not everything you see in the pictures can be applicable because of various constraints like the weather and the plants you want may not be available from the store. When this happens, just think outside the box so you are able to overcome this obstacle.

If you suddenly run out of ideas, maybe it is time to hire someone who does this for a living. This will surely save you time and money so your dream garden will not be put on hold.

In order to keep costs down, this has to be done in phases. This will give you time to buy the right materials during the lean season. For instance, wood is much cheaper to purchase during the winter. Plants, shrubs and trees are often sold at a lower price during the latter part of the current season.

You may also check online for some of these items because it is possible to get them here than the nearest home improvement store.

There is nothing wrong with copying every single detail from the landscaping picture. However, you should remember that your neighbors and even you will be much happier when you know that the idea for your backyard or front yard also had some ideas from that brain of yours.

So use your imagination and see what happens. The only thing to do now after everything is finished is regular maintenance so all your hard work will continue to show in the coming months.

Can Your Home Insurance Stand Up To The Weather?

Can Your Home Insurance Stand Up To The Weather?

In 2004, the insurance industry estimated that about 45% of their settled claims were for damages caused by weather. This past January, that percentage climbed as high as 60%, with a possible £300 million worth of damages being claimed by homeowners for weather related incidents.

Is your home covered against damage from high winds? Will your insurance company pay out to repair damage caused when your plumbing freezes? How much will you have to pay out of pocket for repairs if heavy snow takes out your rain gutters or damages your roof?

If you’re not sure of the answers to those questions, it might prove enlightening to pull out your home insurance policy and have a read. According to an industry spokesman, too many homeowners find out what their buildings insurance does and doesn’t cover after they have incurred a loss and submitted a claim. That’s the case for many homeowners who suffered damage to their homes during the high winds of the past January who found, to their shock, that they’d be bearing the brunt of the repair bills from their own pockets.

In fact, the most recent figures suggest that over one third of homeowners have no home insurance at all, and many more are paying out for policies that don’t adequately cover the damages that they might face from adverse weather.

Home insurance policies vary widely on precisely what weather damage they cover, and how much you’re expected to pay out before the insurance company will pay its share. That’s why it’s important to sit down with your policy or your broker – or both – to discuss precisely how much coverage you have for weather-related damages, and if there are limits and exclusions to that cover. Some of the most common exclusions and limits include:

Damage from floods

If you live in an area with a high possibility of flooding, you may need to purchase separate cover to deal with damage from flooding. It’s vital that you not neglect this, say insurance spokesmen. The cost of repairing damage after a flood can easily run to £30,000 or more. Compare that to the average weather related claim of about £500.

Water damage from burst pipes

Watch for limits on the amount of damages you can claim if your pipes freeze and burst. A burst pipe in your loft can quickly damage walls and ceilings, and result in unhealthy growth of mold and mildew if not cleaned properly. The cost of all those repairs can easily and quickly mount above typical limits on damages.

Contents cover

If you only have buildings insurance, you may find yourself out of luck when damage to your roof results in the destruction of your expensive draperies, carpets and furnishings. Even if you carry cover for your home contents, you may want to carry extra insurance if you own expensive items like Oriental rugs or fine artwork.

Outdoor and garden items

Many policies only cover items inside your home from weather damage, while other policies will even pay to replace plants damaged by storms in severe weather. If you’re an avid gardener, or have outdoor patio and yard equipment, consider a policy that includes garden cover.

Be sure to review your policy periodically to be certain that you’ve kept it up to date, especially when you make new purchases or add an extension to your home.

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