Attempting to repair an electrical defect yourself can have harmful effects, either to yourself or the property. The Australian Government clearly recommends hiring an experienced electrician in Perth to carry out electrical installations and repairs, where qualifications and years of training enable them to safely perform complicated electrical work.

Discover the importance of working with the knowledgeable electrical contractors at Men Behaving Handy, and how to confirm an expert’s qualifications and experience.

Why you should hire a licensed electrician in Perth

Whether you’re looking to repair an ongoing issue or install a new electrical system, the risks of toying with electricity without the relevant experience is a dangerous game to play. Electrical fires occur earlier than you may think, with short circuits and minor leakages leading to electrical fires and physical burns within seconds. 

Hiring reputable electrical contractors in Perth not only ensures a safe environment to live or work in but provides a cost-effective service thanks to their expertise and guaranteed accountability through essential insurance. 

Any electrical contractor worth their salt will safeguard your home or business by getting the required inspections and permits for the work in question, ensuring your property and electrical wiring are in safe hands. From preventing circuit trips to identifying hazards, the specialist equipment and niche experience save you time and money in the long term. 

Checking accreditation for electrical contractors in Perth

Due to the complexity and high-risk nature of electrical wiring, it’s essential to check the qualifications and reputability of any electrician in Perth you hire. A professional electrical contractor will know the many regulations to adhere to and have the in-depth experience to tackle a wide range of problems and high-risk operations. 

The Australian Government provides a clear means to check the licence of an electrician before hiring, using their verification tool for Tradespersons, Contractors, and Businesses. This allows you to confirm their approved licence and bond, as well as proper certification. 

Checking they have acquired the right permits and inspections is also highly recommended, preventing your property from undergoing issues with redevelopment approvals or sales down the line. 

The wide range of electrician services in Perth

Hiring knowledgeable electrical contractors in Perth is an investment in the long-term functionality and building standards of your home or business. A qualified electrician from Men Behaving Handy provides a wide range of services for both residential and commercial clients, helping with minor issues such as fixing power outlets and smoke alarms to major rewiring projects.

Smoke alarms

Keep your property and its residents safe from the risk of fire with a range of functioning smoke alarms. Professional electrical services are the only way to guarantee a secure building.

Light fittings

Quality light fittings can transform a home or business into a warm, inviting space. Whether you need to repair existing lights or require full installation services for new bulbs and lighting fixtures, expert electrical contractors can restore, maintain, and install premium overhead fixtures and wall switches with guaranteed long-term results. 

Power points

A high-functioning property requires working power points and reliable surge protectors. Older buildings often have issues with electrical shortages and damage due to unprotected power outlets; professional electricians can upgrade the safety of the property while boosting its resale value.

Ensure longevity in new builds with the help of qualified electrical contractors, who can plan and install the ideal layout of highly-functional power points throughout the entire premises.

Switchboards

The continued innovation of electrical wiring and equipment has led to many older buildings across WA needing an upgrade. To safely handle this new surge of power, an enhanced switchboard is needed as an accompaniment. Knowledgeable electricians from Men Behaving Handy are adept at the installation, maintenance, and repair of new and existing switchboards. 

Wiring

Quality wiring is at the heart of a well-function electrical system, from small private homes to large commercial premises. Investing in qualified electricians to complete new or upgraded wiring projects provides peace of mind the job will be carried out to the highest safety standards while catering to any customised requirement dictated by the property in question.

Reliable electricians at Men Behaving Handy

There are a few areas in life where it never pays to be frugal, and electrical systems are undoubtedly one of those areas. From maintaining a well-functioning property to ensuring the safety of all residents, employees, and customers within, hiring a qualified electrician in Perth is not just a smart decision but one highly recommended by the Australian Government. 

Men Behaving Handy offers reputable electrician services in Perth from well-established providers, providing thorough installations, repairs, and maintenance for residential and commercial electrical needs.

Contact Men Behaving Handy today to book a qualified electrical contractor today, or fill out the Job Form here. 

The post Do You Need to Hire a Licensed Electrical Contractor in Perth? Here’s What the Government Has to Say appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

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When you budget for any home renovation project, you must account for every cost no matter how big or small. Some of the commonly overlooked costs include waste, professional service fees, council permission fees, and building permit fees.

Since tiles will eventually break, it is appropriate to cut them into different shapes and fit them into irregular spaces and corners. Plus, you’ll want to keep some additional material for the future when your tiles wear down.

You can’t negotiate council fees and building permit fees. But you can find out what they are beforehand, so you can budget accordingly.

You may feel the urge to do all the renovation work yourself in order to save money. But there are certain jobs which you are simply not qualified to perform, such as anything electrical or plumbing related. You need licenced professional handyman perth to handle these types of tasks. Generally, it is a good idea to get three price quotes from different tradespeople for each renovation job you need to be done. Then choose the best one for your budget.

Aside from budgeting, figure out how long you plan to stay in your home. Perhaps you purchased your property as a starter home for investment purposes. If that’s the case, then you shouldn’t spend tens of thousands of dollars renovating your entire bathroom or kitchen. That kind of money is better spent on a permanent home that you plan to live in for a long time. But for investment homes, just worry about superficial renovations that are affordable and effective. Anything related to aesthetics would fall into this category, such as painting. It is a great way to boost the resale value of your home while investing a minimal amount of money.

Should you spend or save money?

There may be certain rooms in your home that you want to renovate more than others. How do you decide which rooms are worthy of more renovation than others? After all, not every room is worth spending money on renovations for it.

Consider splurging on the following:

• Think about the features of your home that impact your quality of life directly, such as bathtubs, showers, energy-efficient appliances, doors, windows, insulation, HVAC, and so on. You’ll want to upgrade or enhance as many of these as possible. Buyers like feeling comfortable inside a home.
• What is the most popular room in your home to spend time in? You could purchase a big sofa for the living room and possibly an entertainment centre for movie watching too.
• Which areas of a room capture your attention the most? Maybe it is the fireplace or the entertainment centre. Invest in items for rooms which utilize space well.

Consider saving on the following:

• You can easily save money by looking for cheaper alternatives to premium quality materials in your home. You can replace the flooring, decorative tiles, trim, or moulding with this concept in mind. Make sure you maintain the same size, though.
• A lot of homeowners think that renovating means customising their entire home. However, you don’t need to tear down walls or do anything extravagant for your home renovation project. It is too costly and probably unnecessary in most situations. If your plumbing and electricity function normally, there is no need to move the piping or rewire the electrical work. You also don’t need new cabinetry, countertops, or windows either. Keep what you have and save money.
• There is always some renovation work which you can do yourself. This will save you a lot of money because you don’t need to hire a professional for it. Of course, only do the work which you’re capable of doing, such as sanding wood, painting, filling gaps, etc.
• Apply small cosmetic fixes to your home. Some new cushions, taps, shower screens, and window curtains can go a long way in improving the appearance of the home. A new coat of paint on the wall can do the same too.

Once your renovation project is complete, you may be able to get back some money if you play your cards right. For example, if you’re removing your old kitchen cabinets and replacing them with new ones, don’t just throw away the old cabinets. There are so many resources available to sell your old cabinets for money. Put an ad online and see if anyone is interested in them. You could even renovate the cabinets with a new coat of paint just to give them more resale value.

Basically, you are renovating the old features that you’re taking out of your home and making a small amount of money off them. Why not, right?

Contact handyman perth Men Behaving Handy (MBH) for office or home renovation in perth

The post How to Save Money on Renovating Your Home appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

There are so many flooring options to choose from. If you are not sure what to choose, then choose laminate flooring. It is a safe and reliable option which is simple to install because of the latest fabrication methods and modernized laminating machinery. You probably don’t realize that certain technology exists which lets you replicate the aesthetics of a hardwood floor. The best part is that it costs a fraction of the price of the real thing.

The main dilemma when it comes to laminate flooring is choosing the best type. Several flooring types and suppliers exist in the Australian market. One notable supplier is Laminex, which is known for its decorative surfaces and benchtops. They created the attractive Essastone benchtops, which many Australians love. In addition, they’re also laminating floors now too under the Formica range. Since they’re experts in designing state-of-the-art cabinetry surfaces, it wasn’t hard for them to create floors that were equally amazing. Their European based laminate flooring is produced with quality Austrian products. They offer a 30-year warranty for flooring in residences and a 7-year warranty for flooring in commercial properties.

Formica Laminate Flooring resembles natural timber, even though it is not natural. But their laminate flooring provides the same benefits as a real natural timber floor. The only difference is the installation and maintenance are a lot easier. In fact, you can perform the laminate flooring installation yourself. As for cleaning the floors, it only requires a simple mop and vacuum. No professional cleaners are necessary.

The laminate floor surfaces are digitally printed to look like wood. They can replicate the timber grains of the wood perfectly. Every small detail, including the wood patterns and colours, are captured in the laminated prints. Then a textured finish is added on top of the surface to create an even more realistic appearance.

As great as this sounds, there are some concerns over using this laminate technology on your flooring. When you consider the chemical components of the laminate flooring, they could potentially be dangerous for people to be around. Some reports suggest that flooring companies are using a lot of formaldehyde and other carcinogenic substances in their laminate chemical composition.

Fortunately, the Formica products which come from Europe are committed to promoting healthier air quality indoors. That is why they’ve received a GREENGUARD Environmental Institute certification for having low levels of formaldehyde and other VOC emissions. The components of Formica products contain 60% recycled fibres and 30% wood scrap. That means if you use Formica’s laminate flooring products, you won’t have to worry about any dangerous chemical substances being in them. This is great news for people with respiratory issues who want to breathe better and save their health.

Hollow sounds are another problem that can happen when laminating your own floors. Why do these sounds occur? Well, first, you must understand how the floors were originally installed. Underlayment is usually installed on top of a property’s subfloor. The underlayment is a thin layer that covers the floor prior to the lamination process. It is supposed to help guarantee a flat surface on the floor first. In between the subfloor and laminate cover is a small gap. When you step on the surface, the gap causes a hollow sound to be made. If you want to stop this sound, consider the underlayment type which is there and consider replacing it. For instance, an acoustic silent underlayment by Hush Platinum is a good choice. It contains high-density polyethylene that is BCA Code compliant regarding the transmission of sound. Alternatively, you can use Formica’s 12mm plank range, which has a silent underlay under the plank, to reduce sound.

Lastly, do-it-yourself laminate floors have refinishing limitations. But still, it is better than having to deal with authentic hardwood flooring. Think about all the work and money involved in sanding, varnishing, and waxing the hardwood. It’ll cost you about $50 per square meter on average. Also, once you’re done sanding, you’ll need to clean up all those microscopic dust particles which are spread on the floor and in the air. As for varnishing, that’ll force you to stay out of the home for a couple of days.

Why put up with these problems when you can just laminate the flooring and avoid them all? Even though the refinish options are limited, you’ll save a lot of money by using laminate flooring. It is also much faster to install laminate flooring too. You could place 35 square metres down each day of laminate flooring if you really know what you’re doing. But if you are not experienced at placing laminate flooring, then a professional could always do it faster for you. It depends on your confidence level, despite how easy laminate flooring installations can be.

No matter who installs the flooring, you can be sure that laminate flooring is growing in popularity in Perth WA. An increasing number of suppliers are trying to get in on the action by offering better and safer flooring options. You’ll want to choose a supplier which offers all these things in addition to attractive aesthetics. Then you can be sure your laminate flooring will turn out just right.  Or you can contact a professional Tiling and Flooring service in Perth .

The post Do-It-Yourself Laminate Flooring Issues appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

Artificial lawn is basically fake grass which replaces your real grass. It looks just the same as real grass but without the growth. Fake grass always stays short, green, and beautiful. You never need to worry about mowing it or doing any kind of serious maintenance.

The artificial lawn installation process is simple too. It doesn’t require a professional installer, so you can do it yourself. You just need a few standard tools and some basic instructions on how to perform the installation.

Required Tools

There are some standard tools and special tools that you’ll need to purchase in order to perform a professional installation of the artificial lawn. The standard tools include a utility knife, rake, tape measure, shovel, hammer, flathead nails, the synthetic grass turf, and joining tape for the turf. You’ll also need water readily available, so a hose might be necessary. 

The special tools that you’ll need include a compactor, power blower, whitewash sand, professionally crushed rock, and an excavator. 

The Installation Steps

Step #1 – Remove the natural turf

You can’t place fake grass over real grass. You must basically excavate the real grass and soil before placing the fake grass down. 

Start by clearing the designated area of any sprinklers, rocks, garbage, and other debris or objects. You can’t have anything in the way of the installation. Use the shovel to remove up to 80 millimetres of excess soil in the ground. You’ll want to create a bed for laying the artificial lawn turf. 

After you’ve achieved the right size and depth in the ground, level the base with a rake until it is smooth. You don’t want any huge chunks to interfere with the installation.

Step #2 – Create the Base

A base must be created for the fake grass prior to the installation. Use some professionally crushed rock for creating the base. Any major hardware store should sell crushed rock. 

Use a rake on the crushed rocks and spread them around until they’re flat. Next, the base must be compacted with a compactor or flat wooden plate. If a compactor is too expensive, then go with the plate. Use either tool to prepare the area and make sure it’s flat. 

If you spray water on the rocks, following by using a compactor, then you can increase the durability of the base. For the sub-base, it should have a depth of up to 20 millimetres. Therefore, once the crushed rock has been compacted, conduct your measurements accurately. 

Don’t go deeper than 20 millimetres for your artificial grass because it’ll appear like your ground is unnaturally sinking.

Step #3 – Artificial Lawn Placement

The base is compacted, so now you can lay out the artificial lawn. If you purchased it from the store, it probably came pre-rolled. Just unroll the fake turf and leave it alone for a couple of hours to even itself out. 

Cut clean pieces out of the turf using the utility knife. When you start laying down the artificial lawn pieces, make sure they’re facing the same direction for better fitting. If the blade of the knife dulls out, change it to a different knife. If strips are on the adhesive material, then remove them. 

Step #4 – Join Together the Turf Pieces

If you want your artificial grass to appear real, then you just join the turf pieces properly. This means keeping the pieces closely together on the ground, but without touching or overlapping each other. You’ll want a few millimetres of space between each piece. 

Take the turf tape and roll it out until it is the length of the artificial grass pieces. Place the tape over the joining pieces to secure them in place. Test it out by walking on the pieces to see if they stay together. 

Please note that the brand of your tape and fake grass may cause some variations in the installation and adhesive processes. The information provided above is simply general information which should work for most people. It is better to read the directions which came with your fake grass product if you want more accuracy in the instructions. 

Step #5 – Trim the Fake Turf Pieces

The pieces are all properly joined in the bed of the ground. Stroll around and observe the pieces carefully. If you see protruding edges coming from any of the pieces, trim them with your utility knife. Don’t cut off too much of the turf or else it’ll take away from the natural look. 

Step #6 – Turf Adjustments

Your fake grass pieces may be joined and placed appropriately, but you must ensure that they’re strong enough to withstand the people and pets that will constantly be walking and running over them. 

To add more security to your fake grass pieces, take some flat head nails and use a hammer to bang the nails into the edges of the pieces. Leave about 25 to 30 centimetres of space between each nail. Try to hide the nails underneath the leave blades in order to keep them discrete. Some people use a dark sharpie pen on the flat heads to help them blend more with the fake grass. 

Step #7 – Turf Protection

To add further protection and aesthetics to your artificial grass, you’ll need to apply 12 kilograms of sand onto every square meter of the grass. Make sure you’re gentle when you apply the sand onto each piece of turf. Spread the sand around with a rake to even it out. The sand should cover each piece of turf evenly. 

Hire a Professional Landscaper

As you can see, installing fake grass is not a difficult job. But if you don’t have any experience at landscaping or working with turf, then don’t attempt to perform this installation if you don’t feel comfortable doing it. The safest option is to hire a professional landscaper because they have the proper tools and experience to do the installation perfectly. Not only will the turf pieces be laid out and fitted evenly, but the drainage will be accommodated too. 

Artificial Turf Installation Costs

Not all homes will look better with fake turf. You must consider the size of your property, the grass type it has, and whether you’re going to perform the installation yourself or hire a professional. 

If you choose to hire a professional, the average cost to install 75 square metres of turf is going to be over $6,000. Some variables that influence the cost are the tools required, the area where the turf will get placed, and the number of workers required for the job. 

If you choose low to mid-level artificial turf, the cost is between $50 and $80 for every square metre. But if you want the premium artificial turf, then you can pay twice as much for every square metre. 

Contractors will base their price on the area in which the turf will be installed. Each service provider has their own rates and preferences, so make sure you get a price quote from them first before committing to a deal. 

Conclusion

Artificial turf is a big investment and requires a lot of work. However, it’ll probably be better for you in the long run because you’ll no longer have to maintain your lawn ever again. It’ll stay lush green and trim throughout the entire year.

The post The Guide to an Artificial Lawn Installation appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

Sliding doors function easily and conveniently because they use a track instead of standard hinges. Not only that, but they’re designed beautifully as well. This would explain why they’re so popular nowadays. You can put a sliding door virtually anywhere that has limited space.

Sliding doors are great for letting natural sunlight inside your home because they are mostly comprised of glass. The only solid areas of a sliding door are the top and bottom panels. When you choose a location for your sliding door, you can improve the elegance, style, and functionality of a room. The living room area is the most commonly chosen place for sliding doors.

If you’re considering a sliding door installation on your own, please keep reading this guide so that you can educate yourself on the various parts of a sliding door. You’ll also learn the procedure for repairing standard problems with sliding doors too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions that people have about installing a sliding door.

Where is the best place to perform the sliding door installation?

Sliding doors are great for the indoors or outdoors. A lot of people like to use sliding doors for their bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. This is only acceptable if privacy is not an issue for you. If you want privacy, then you can install a regular wooden door which doesn’t have glass.

Sliding doors work great for the outdoors because of the sunlight that passes through the glass into the house. You can use them for gardens, patios and terraces. On the downside, sliding doors are easier to break into than wooden doors. An intruder only needs to smash the glass to get inside your home. But if you have a good security system in place, then this won’t be an issue.

Are there multiple types of sliding doors?

Sliding doors that have curtain roads are frequently used the most because they save on wall space. They’re comprised of only two glass layers, where opening the glass door overlaps a secured glass window. If you have an outdoor kitchen area, garden, or patio, then these doors are perfect for them.

You can also choose sliding doors which hang from upper railing over the doorway. They go over the wall when you slide them too. Before you perform the installation, make sure you have enough available wall space. It should be a minimum of one time the door’s width.

When you install wall sliding doors, the walls have pockets in them which the doors slide into. It basically causes the doors to disappear when you slide them into the wall. This is a great way to conserve wall space, especially if your wall space is limited.

Which Sliding Door Size Should I Choose?

Standard doors typically have one size, but sliding doors have many different sizes. An interior sliding door consumes a lot of wall space when its opened. For this reason, you must measure the wall with a tape measure and choose the right size accordingly. If you don’t have enough space for a sliding door, then you’ll need to use a standard door.

What type of material should my door be made of?

The typical sliding door consists of a big piece of glass inside of a frame. The frame is made of fibreglass, aluminium, wood, or vinyl. If you choose a wooden frame, it’ll beautify your home and give it a more rustic appearance. You can choose between light wood or dark wood for the frame.

Be aware that wood cracks easily from wind and moisture. For this reason, don’t use wooden frames with exterior sliding doors. Choose an aluminium sliding door installation instead. Aluminium will give you more design and colour choices anyway. Plus, aluminium is a stronger material with a longer lifespan than wood. It can withstand bad weather conditions and still last a long time.

Vinyl sliding doors are cheap but very durable and strong. The only problem is they’re lower quality, and the colour choices are limited.

How do I perform sliding door maintenance?

Sliding doors need to be maintained periodically to ensure they stay functional for a long time. Outside sliding doors require you to clean the frame regularly because dirt, dust, and other debris accumulate on it. Use a vacuum to suck up the dirt particles in the hard to reach areas of the frame. Add lubricant to the sliding track and locking mechanism at least two times annually.

Parts for Sliding Doors

Sliding door parts are not like regular door parts. You must become familiar with sliding door parts before installing these doors.

Handles

The handle of a sliding door works differently than a regular door handle. Instead of twisting a handle, you need to pull the handle. Some sliding door models have clamps integrated into the frame for increased security.

Door Locks

When you close a sliding door, there are latches which lock into each other. You can twist the lock or use keys to lock them.

Stopper

Stoppers prevent somebody on the outside of the door from opening it. They are simply metal rods and come in various sizes and motives. When you install the stopper, you place it into the track of the door. Make sure you tighten the stopper.

Tracks

The door frames are fitted with tracks. They allow you to easily slide the door open and closed, thanks to the sliding rollers which roll on the tracks. You can adjust the tracks to accommodate the door.

Rollers

On top and underneath each sliding door is a set of wheels called rollers. The rollers are what roll on the tracks and allow the sliding action to take place.

Making Repairs to Typical Sliding Door Issues

Sliding Patio Removal

It is more difficult to remove a sliding door than a regular door. Since the rollers are fitted into the tracks, you must lift the sliding door upwards and try to get the bottom rollers out of the lower track. This is more difficult than it sounds since sliding doors weigh a lot more than regular doors. If you successfully remove the door from the bottom track, get the bottom at an angle in order to get the door out of there.

Removable moulding exists on certain sliding doors. You’ll find it on top of the frame, where it’s supposed to secure the door in place and prevent it from falling out. But if you unscrew the nails there, you can remove the door.

Roller Repair

Rollers can wear down after a while because of all the rubbing it does against the track. Once they’re worn down too much, it will be more difficult to slide the door open and closed.

You’ll have no choice but to repair or replace the rollers. Start by taking the sliding door off the bottom track. Find a flat, clean surface and lay the door onto it. Analyse the rollers carefully. If they’re just loose, then you simply need to tighten the screws. But if they’re bent out of shape or broken, then a replacement is required.

If you’re unable to tighten the screws on a loose roller, then you’ll need to replace the screws. Usually, you’ll find a lot of debris, hair, and dirt built up on the rollers. Just clean the rollers by removing these elements, and they should start working fine again.

Track Repair

If the track is dirty because of debris, dust, hair, or dirt, then you must unclog the track. Otherwise, it will be difficult to operate the sliding door. A wire brush is an easy and convenient way to clean a track. Once you’re done cleaning, apply paraffin, silicone spray, or oil to lubricate the track.

You can’t open or close a sliding door if the track is damaged or worn out. To fix this problem, take the door off the track. If the track is not flat, then you must tighten its screws. If the track is bent in certain areas of the surface, then you can use a wooden piece and hammer to fix them. Just tap the piece with the hammer over the bent areas.

Catch Repair

A bent catch can make it difficult to close a sliding door. A functional catch will click after you close the door. To determine if you have a functional catch, the door must be taken off the track. Take a hammer and gently tap the bent area of the catch until it is positioned properly again. Broken catches can only be replaced.

Disadvantages to a Sliding Door

Unsecure

Don’t purchase sliding doors if you want security. Since they’re mostly glass, an intruder can easily break through it to get into your home. It doesn’t matter if you lock the door either.

Easy to Break

As previously indicated, the glass of a sliding door is easy to break. It is also easy to remove a sliding door from the frame. The only reason to have a sliding door is because of their aesthetic appeal.

Not Strong

There are so many hardware pieces to a sliding door. If just one piece goes bad or gets clogged with dirt, then it’ll limit the functionality of the door.

Overview of a Door Cavity Unit Installation

Space conservation is important for any building or home, especially when it comes to an apartment or office. The doors you select for your property will make a huge difference in how much space you save. No matter how big a room is, the best way to save space is by installing a cavity unit.

Cavity units are special doors which easily slide into wall pockets. They don’t swing open like a traditional door with a hinge. You can save on space around a cavity unit because the door goes inside of the wall rather than staying on the outside. The more cavity units you install in your property, the more you can maximise the space in every room.

The Advantages

Cavity units, which are also called door cavity units, optimize its available space perfectly. When you slide open a cavity unit, the opening is bigger because it doesn’t use both sides like a hinged door.

Of course, a hinged door requires you to move furniture and objects away from it because the door needs extra space when it opens.

But with a cavity door, you won’t need to worry about this because there is no swinging involved. This allows you to use more space near the cavity door for things like furniture and other objects.

Another advantage is all the different door cavity unit types, sizes, and styles that are available. You can get a nice design and still retain the functionality of the door. One premium cavity unit is the Evolution Touch, which has a 70-kilogram door mass and 4-wheel ball-bearing carriages. This setup allows you to install a variety of styles.

Some cavity units have magnetisation to make it even easier to open and close the door. It contains a spring-loaded release system which activates as soon as you push on the door’s edge. This allows the door to slide open easily.

The Installation

Cavity doors installations are easier than you might think. But first, double-check to make sure the width and height of the opening can accommodate the size of your door. Also, check to see if you have high-quality materials. If you don’t, then please get them.

Now you can begin the cavity unit installation. The cavity has a back post and track which connects to the frame of the doorway. This is what allows the door to move smoothly. Next, examine the door by making sure it is straight. There cannot be any imperfections in it. Attach the base plates to the door’s upper edge. They should be 80 millimetres apart from end to end.

At this point, you can install the door. Make sure there aren’t any obstructions which are sticking into the cavity because they could damage the door. The wheel carriages get fitted onto the track, and then the door slides right into the cavity. The carriage pins should be locked properly. Height adjustments can be made if needed. Adjust and secure the door guides so that the door can slide easily. Use screws to secure the timber pelmet cover.

If you need help in installing a door or a door lock you can contact Men Behaving Handy handyman services in Perth.

The post Do you need help with your sliding door installation? appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

However, don’t begin your bathroom renovation project just yet. You should take it upon yourself to learn how much it will cost first.

According to a 2018 Housing Industry Association report on bathroom and kitchen renovations, it costs the average Australian approximately $17,522 to renovate their bathroom. The same association discovered that it costs $16,430 on average for a new home to have a new bathroom installed in it. You can see the prices are quite similar.

Of course, you can’t really take these estimates at face value. When it comes to bathroom renovations, there are so many variables which influence the cost. The HIA report doesn’t mention which specific renovations were made to the bathrooms to account for the $17,522 cost. So, when trying to determine the price of your bathroom renovation, you need to think about your circumstances and what exactly you want to be done to your bathroom.

Generally, small bathroom renovation costs at least $5,000. But if you’re renovating a huge bathroom, then you can expect to pay a minimum of $25,000. To save on money, you can renovate a few small features of your bathroom, such as the cupboard knobs, drawers, figures, or even the paint on the walls. These actions can increase your property value while keeping your expenses to a minimum.

Let’s dive deeper into the specific cost variables of bathroom renovation.

Bathroom Renovation Cost Variables

Sometimes a bathroom renovation costs between $8,000 and $10,000, while other times it costs between $20,000 and $25,000. Here is what could affect the price in either situation:

• Structural work may be required.
• Adding fittings, wall tiles, or floor tiles.
• Adding new windows, skylights, or other features.
• The existing bathroom size; small or large?
• Hiring a plumber to relocate fixtures and pipes.
• Is this a totally new bathroom installation?
• Underfloor heating and other luxurious additions.
• Electrical rewiring and other lighting modifications to your bathroom.

These renovations involve several different categories and require different kinds of professionals to do them. Here are three general renovation categories and their price estimates:

• Budget renovations are anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000.
• Standard renovations are anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000.
• Premium renovations are $25,000 or more.

The Influence of Bathroom Fittings and Style on Australian Bathroom Renovation Costs

Bathroom renovation costs are influenced by the fittings that you choose for it and the overall style you’re going for. Let’s look at some examples:

• It costs between $30 and $55 for every square meter of budget tiling in a bathroom. The price of premium tiles is $165 m2+.
• The average bathroom tub is made of acrylic material and costs between $300 and $500. A mid-range bathtub is priced between $1,000 and $3,000. If you choose a premium bathtub, you can expect to pay between $3,000 and $8,000. Installation costs are extra.
• The Home Design Directory claims that a basic toilet is $120, while a standard toilet is $400. If you go for the premium toilet, it is around $1,200.

There are a lot of varying costs when it comes to certain bathroom fittings like basins, shower screens, exhaust fans, taps, towel rails, lighting, and so on. That is why it is a good idea to conduct research so that you can budget accordingly.

Who do I hire for a bathroom renovation project?

Don’t expect to handle most bathroom renovation tasks on your own. You’ll need to hire the right person and professional tradespeople to do many of the jobs required.

Like anything else, the cost depends on how much work is needed and what kind of work is needed. Even your home address plays a role in the price. Hiring a handyman or tradesperson in a city will always cost more than hiring one in a rural country town. Their hourly rates are different, but so are their skillsets.

The first thing you must do is find a great handyman and tradesman for your renovation project. Aside from a general contractor or carpenter, you may need a tiler, electrician and plumber as well.

• Are you installing or renovating pipes in the bathroom? Maybe you’re installing a shower, toilet or bathtub? In any of these cases, you’ll need a plumber to work on it.
• Are you installing underfloor heating, heated towel rails, exhaust fans, or lighting? Any electrical work like this requires an electrician to perform it.
• Do you want tiling added to the floors or walls? Do you need a waterproofing installation for your bathroom? A licenced tiler may be legally required in many jurisdictions for these kinds of renovation tasks.
• Do you want to install new shelves, cabinetry, or drawers in your bathroom? A carpenter is the best person to hire for these tasks.
• Any repainting of the walls, ceiling or doors will require a professional painter.

What is the cost to hire a tradesperson?

Every type of tradesperson sets their own hourly rate. Sometimes they’ll charge a fixed price for a particular type of job. In other cases, like with a tiler, they might charge for the number of tiles or square metres of tiling you need.

Finding the Best Person to Renovate a Bathroom

When trying to find the best tradespeople for your bathroom renovation project, start by asking your friends, family members, and colleagues. Perhaps they know of a good tradesperson whom they used for their own renovation projects before. A recommendation from someone you trust can save you a lot of time and energy from having to research different people. Most likely, their recommendation will be for a tradesperson who has a good work ethic and does high-quality work.

If you don’t get any recommendations from these people who are close to you, then try asking other tradespeople whom you’ve hired in the past if they can recommend someone. For instance, if you already know of a trustworthy plumber but you need an electrician instead, then ask the plumber if they can recommend a good electrician. The chances are that a tradesperson in one field will know of good tradespeople in other fields.

Lastly, search for tradespeople on the internet. Conduct a background check over the internet on any tradesperson whom you’re thinking about hiring. Look for customer reviews and testimonials about that tradesperson too.

Pick at least three different possible tradespeople for your renovation job. Get a price quote from each tradesperson and then go with the best price.

Bathroom Renovation on a Budget

Are you on a budget for your bathroom renovation project? If so, here are some ways to reduce costs.

For starters, you don’t necessarily need to change everything in the bathroom. Start by thinking about which bathroom features you can leave alone. In many cases, a bathroom will look better with just one or two new additions. You could give the walls a new coat of paint or install a new shower screen. But for certain bathrooms, they’ll need an all-inclusive renovation.

A couple of renovation jobs can be done yourself, such as installing new shelves or tapware. If you’re a decent painter, then you can do the painting job yourself too. As for retiling the floors, that might be too expensive for someone on a budget. It might be better for you to paint the tiles, resurface the tiles, or apply overlays on the current tiles.

Therefore, you can reduce costs by completing the easier tasks yourself. From there, you could decide to leave the current plumbing and electrical outlets where they are. Then you won’t need to hire a plumber or electrician.

Investing in a Bathroom Renovation Prior to Selling a Home

Do you want to sell your home? If so, you may want to increase the value of your home by renovating the bathroom first. But how much should you spend on the renovation?

First, consider the current value of your home. Research the other homes for sale in your area and the features they have in their bathrooms. If you own a mid-range home, then it is not necessary to install luxurious fittings and tiles in your bathroom. The buyer of an average home just wants a bathroom with functional fixtures and plumbing. They also want the bathroom to be clean and organized. If your fixtures and plumbing are already functional, then your renovation costs will likely be on the low side.

Let’s examine some bathroom renovation price ranges and the work you can get for them.

Under $1,000 Bathroom Renovations

• Resurface wall tiles, repaint the walls a new colour, or install new PVC panels.
• Replace one or two fixtures, such as your tapware, vanity, bathtub, or shower.
• Replace your lighting and mirrors.
• Install a window to let natural sunlight through.

Under $5,000 Bathroom Renovations

• Grout and clean tiles.
• Resurface bathtub
• Paint walls
• Replace vanity handles / Paint vanity
• Upgrade light fittings
• Upgrade shower enclosure
• Replace shower head

These renovations are quite affordable and can greatly increase the value of your home beyond what you invested into them.

Investing in a Bathroom Renovation Prior to Selling an Upmarket Home

You may own an older home in an upscale residential suburb. Due to the age of the home, it’ll likely require a lot of renovation work in the bathroom. As an upmarket home, the expectations regarding the quality and style of the bathroom are a lot greater amongst buyers. Therefore, good quality fittings are what you should focus on for the bathroom.

Ask your realtor for guidance on this decision. They are familiar with what buyers are looking for in the bathrooms of local homes. Listen to their tips and consider following them in order to improve your bathroom properly and increase your home’s value.

Renovation Tips

Do you want easy-to-maintain flooring? If so, then consider choosing porcelain tiling or glazed tiling. Don’t choose limestone, natural stone, or some other porous tile material. You need well-sealed flooring or else the pores will absorb sunlight and moisture.

Do you want non-slip flooring? You might want this if you’re worried about children or senior citizens falling down in the bathroom. In any case, you’ll want tiles with matte finishes, textured surfaces, and sandy glazes. These ripples in the flooring will help your feet grip the tiles.

Ventilation

Moisture is a big problem in bathrooms. You need to have consistent airflow and ventilation to avoid things like mildew, stains, and mould. A properly working vent fan is a must.

Final Words

When budgeting for your bathroom renovation project, you’ll want twice the amount you pay to be added to the value of your home. For instance, if you’re spending $5,000 on your bathroom renovation project, then it better add $10,000 to the value of your home after you’re done. Ask a real estate professional to help you come up with accurate calculations for your renovation project.

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The world is certainly beautiful and colourful. Unfortunately, many of us do not take the time to appreciate all the wonderful colours around us and the impact they can have on our emotional wellbeing. There are a lot of scientific theories which suggest that the shades, tints, and colours of your home will greatly influence how you feel. Many of us do not have the time paint our homes due to our busy schedules. At Men Behaving Handy we can get those painting jobs done for you with an experienced handyman.

The brain has unique ways of processing the colours we see around us. You can give your home a specific effect by using certain colours or even mixing colours. This will let you express who you are by using your own creativity and originality. Most importantly, you will feel more comfortable in your home. Then everyone who visits your home will get a sense of your unique personality.

Choosing the Right Colour Palette

You could look at all the different colour swatches to hopefully find a colour scheme that you like. But this can be overwhelming because there are so many swatches to choose from. If you want to save time and narrow down your search, there are some other options available to help you with this. They are as follows:

1) Historical Reference

Let’s say that you have an old home that you want to paint. A good colour scheme for the paint would be one that is historically accurate to the house. In other words, which paint colours were used back when the house was first built? You should be able to find a historic colour chart online to help you with this. You can also just hire an expert to examine the existing paint chips of the house. They will be able to tell you which colour scheme was used. Once you find out which colour scheme it was, you can recreate it with a fresh coat of paint over the old paint.

2) Consider the Neighbourhood

What colours are the other houses in your neighbourhood? If you can make your house a different colour, it will stand out more amongst the rest. This will give your home additional value if the colour fits well. For example, if each house on your street is white then you should paint your house a light bluish colour. That way, it still blends well while standing out at the same time.

3) No More Than Three Colours

You should only use up to three paint colours for your home. Use one colour for the walls, the second colour for the trim, and the final colour for the accents. For most homes, three colours will be the most effective for making it stand out. However, you don’t always have to limit yourself to three colours. If you use odd numbers for the number of colour variations, it will be processed in people’s brains just the same. You can’t obviously use just one colour for your entire home, so three is the minimum number of colours you should use. Odd numbers will keep the visual appeal alive.

4) Start with the Floor

You should consider your flooring when putting together your colour palette. The colour of your floor has a significant effect on the other colours that you choose. It will also influence the artwork, textures, tones, and accents that you choose as well. That is why you should focus on the colour of your floor first and then gradually move upward. This will make it easier to choose colours which contrast or compliment the floor colour.

5) Pick a Ceiling Matt

When you go to paint your ceilings, you need a matt emulsion finish to keep them looking seamless. Otherwise, the gloss paint will make every small imperfection of the ceiling become visible. You will never get a seamless appearance on your ceiling with gloss paint. If all the imperfections are showing, people will be staring at them and not in a good way. Always aim for getting a seamless look.

6) Use One Tone Only

You don’t have to paint all your interior walls the same colour. The only thing that should match is the tone because that will make the living areas more unified. You can have a great looking feature wall if it goes well with the rooms nearby.

7) Texture-style Paint

Rather than using standard paint, use textured paint instead. It will give your living space another dimension to it. You can choose from different levels of thickness. Some will need a roller for the application while others will need a trowel, depending on the thickness. The result will be a wall that has tone variations and a unique stone or silky effect to it.

8) Use Outdoor Colours

If you want to make your home feel more spacious and lively, use outdoor colours on the interior. You could use green and blue colours to match your hedge and pool; respectively. Sandstone will also give the interior an earthy tone to it. In the end, your home will feel larger and more harmonious than ever.

9) Keep the Drama Balanced

If you have decorated your home with vibrant artwork and colourful knickknacks, try to balance these colours out with a plain white colour for your ceilings and walls. With plain walls, you can add all sorts of colourful decorations to any room and it will look pleasing to the eye.

10) Darker Tones

Darker tones create a warmer and cosy atmosphere to the home. Your living room could use colours like burnt oranges or deep reds, for example. If you have staircases or other structural pieces, darker tones will allow them to blend better with the other colours around them.

11) Use Nature as Your Inspiration

Does your home exist in a unique setting? Take advantage of the colour scheme of this setting. If you live by the sea, use turquoise or aqua blue colours. If you live in the woods, use browns and greens to represent the colours of bushes and trees. Just remember to allow enough natural lighting into your home to make the colours stand out. For example, use insect screens on your windows and doors. They will keep bugs out while allowing light to come through.

12) Durable Skirting Boards

Apply enamel paint to your skirting boards to make them more durable. If you have darker colours on your wall, then white skirting boards will blend better. If you have lighter colours on your wall, use darker or lighter colours for the skirting boards.

If you require any assistance with any of the painting jobs mentioned in this article give us a call and find out how a handyman from Men Behaving Handy can help. We have handymen all over Australia so no matter your location I am sure we will be able to help! Contact us today to speak to a member of our team.

The post 12 Ways You Can Pick the Right Colours for the Exterior and Interior of Your Home appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

The only problem is that you might not know where to start. That is okay because this article will explain the steps that you need to take in this process.

The first painting tip is to take preparation seriously. You need to prepare the area before you do any painting on the wall at all. This is the only way that you can ensure a high-quality finish. Do not just go for the most affordable solution by avoiding preparation. Otherwise, you will notice the results within the next 12 months and then you will need to paint all over again. Also, make sure the paint is the right type for the surface.

Choose the Correct Tools for Painting Your Home Exterior

First, you need to gather all the appropriate tools for completing the paint project. The tools, supplies, and accessories that you will likely need include:

• Sugar soap
• Water
• Bucket
• Sponge
• Paint
• Roller
• Roller Extension
• Paint Tray
• Paint Brush Set
• Drop Cloth
• Masking Tape
• Wire Brush
• A scaffolding or ladder
• Garden hose
• Nozzle attachment for the hose

Picking the Correct Paint for Your Home Exterior

To succeed at the paint job, the correct paint must be chosen. All aspects of the paint must be considered, such as the quality and paint type. This will have an influence on the durability, finish, and overall appearance of the final result.

Whenever you are painting over exterior brickwork, you need to use paints that are polyurethane, acrylic, water, or oil based. You should try latex paint because it is easy to apply and even easier to clean with just water. However, if you use oil-based paint, you won’t need to apply it as much as latex paint.

The colour and finish of your exterior are what you must choose beforehand. Matte paint is the most recommended paint for brick walls. Many exterior paints that are made these days have special additives which make them resistant to mould and ultraviolet rays. Sometimes you will find self-priming paints too, but you should still purchase regular primer just to be safe.

What should I use to apply the paint?

It may sound simple to apply paint to your walls, but you need to do it carefully and artistically. This means choosing the appropriate applicator for your project. Below are the common paint applicators.

Paintbrushes

Your paintbrush will contain either synthetic fibres or natural bristles. The brush with natural bristles will cost more but it will leave the smoothest finish. If you use an angled or smaller paintbrush, it will help with the edges and fine details. Wide brushes are best for bigger surfaces. Therefore, examine the size of your project and then choose a brush which matches it.

Rollers

Rollers have a wider range for applying paint to walls. This allows you to speed up the painting process, especially if you have an extension to reach those higher areas of the wall. Be sure the roller has a length and nap which accommodates the surface being painted. Rollers with long naps are better for rough surfaces with a lot of texture, while rollers with short naps are better for flatter and smoother surfaces.

Spray Guns

Spray guns are traditionally used for painting the exterior of vehicles. But for the right home paint project, it can speed up the work tremendously. Spray guns operate using a pressurized system. However, bigger paint jobs will require a compressed air system for your spray gun. Be sure to cover all your fittings, fixtures, and furniture prior to using it. Spray guns cover a much wider range and you will have very limited control over where the paint spreads.

Foam Pads

Foam pad applicators are growing in popularity because they are flexible enough for cutting in and edging tasks. The finish is often left very smooth too. Some foam pads are made specifically for edging and cutting in tasks. Therefore, they would make a great addition to your inventory of painting tools and equipment.

The Steps to Painting the Exterior Brickwork

Below are the steps for painting exterior brickwork and having a positive outcome.

1) Prepare the Area

Preparing the surface is very important because it will allow the paint to remain there for the next several years. Otherwise, it will peel off after a couple of years. So, what you’ll want to do first is use the wire brush on the brickwork. The purpose of the wire brush is to get rid of the loose dirt and debris that exists on the wall. Then you will take a hose (preferably a high-pressure hose) and wash away any of the debris which is still there. If there are holes in the surface, the use an outdoor-approved filler to fill those holes. Take some painter’s tape or masking tape and use it to mask the edges. Place drop sheets on the ground in case there is any spillage.

2) Paint Stirring

Stir the paint entirely for a few minutes. Clean your roller or paintbrush.

3) Cutting In

A pad or paintbrush can be used for the edging and cutting in.

4) Painting

Use a paintbrush for small painting projects. If this is a large project, use a roller instead. Your applicator should have an even paint amount on it. This will ensure that you have an even finish in the end. With rollers, start painting from the bottom and continue going all the way to the top of the wall. Do not stop in the middle. Keep overlapping to ensure the finish is even. Wait a minimum of two hours and then proceed to the next coat.

Why not give us a call and find out how Men Behaving Handy can help with your painting project. How experienced handymen can tackle any project. Contact a member of our handyman Perth team to find out how we can assis or visit our painting services for more information

The post How to Paint Over an Exterior Brick Surface appeared first on Men Behaving Handy.

Which area gets painted first?

There are numerous factors which need to be considered for the colour scheme of your home exterior. The setting of your home is one important factor. Pick colours which reflect your home’s surroundings. If your neighbour’s home is close to your home, their exterior colour may influence yours. This doesn’t mean copying their exterior colour, but rather using tones which are similar.

Think About the Permanent Features

Your home has permanent colours and features, such as the brickwork, aluminium window framing, roof, and/or timber joinery. You should also consider the colours of your driveway too. When you go to pick your colours, they need to have tones which match these larger permanent features.

Long-Term Solutions

Since you will be spending a lot of money to paint your home exterior, you will want to use colour schemes which you won’t mind looking at for the next 10 years. That is why you shouldn’t get too fashionable with your colour choices. A style that is contemporary might be more appropriate.

Below are three colour palettes for the exterior which are recommended.

1) Dramatic Monochrome

This is a scheme with black and white colours which creates a facade that is both modern and classic. If you want this scheme to provide a more modern treatment, apply a lot of each colour to the blocks. The colours are 30/70, 50/50, and 40/60. The different colours can be used to highlight the important architectural features.

Another technique which is not so difficult is to have black accents and white walls. This will be intense contrast that will highlight the architecture of the home beautifully. But if black and white colours are too dull or grim for your tastes, you can use timber or stone to soften things up.

If you have a weatherboard house or one with a heritage architectural style to it, then black and white will be an attractive look for the exterior. Some people like to use a dark grey colour as their main colour. Then, all the features, trims, and windows will be a crisp white colour. If you want to go a little bit more contemporary, add a little bit of red colour to the scheme too.

Here is a tip: Be aware of the undertones on the exterior. Natural light can make external colours look more vibrant. For example, black exterior colours may have a red or blue undertone on bigger walls.

2) Pastels

A palette with two colours will give your home a classic and timeless appearance. The walls can have a muted pastel and the trim can be white. If you have a weatherboard home, these colours will make it look fresh, unique, and clean. If you want your home to feel like the Hamptons, apply a crisp white colour to the window frames and fretwork.

If you have a country or coastal style home, then you should try this colour scheme. Draw inspiration from the environment around you. Use soft blues and light colours to give it that classic feel. If your weatherboard home is by the beach, the undertones can be blue to match the ocean and the sky. For those out in the countryside, try some green shades to accommodate these surroundings.

Here is a tip: It is better to use darker colours on the exterior because the sun tends to wash out the exterior colours. Also, the trim colours and wall colours should have some contrast between them.

3) Earthy Hues

Earthy hues in your colour palette will reflect the countryside and landscapes around your home. Use colours like brown, ochre, or grey for your layers, while applying physical elements like stone, timber, and brick. People naturally love to look at this colour scheme because of its earthy hues. If your home has contemporary architecture, these colours will make it more pleasant to look at.

There are no set rules which define the number of colours that you should use on your home exterior. Most experts would recommend three or four colours at the most. However, you will also include the colours from permanent features like your roof and driveway. The colours of substrates, like your timber joinery or brick walls, need to be counted as colours too.

Here is how to make choosing colours easier

With all the colour options that are available out there, it can be hard to decide on one particular colour scheme for your home. Some experts recommend that you try out exterior colours on sample pots. A lot of homeowners forget how much the outside lighting can impact the exterior colours of their home. To test out your colour scheme under the sunlight, place painting boards around the outside of your home. Keep shifting them around to see how the colours become impacted throughout the day. If you have tiles, brick, or other materials around the exterior of your home, you will see how much they impact your colour scheme too.

The samples should be kept for up to four days. This is enough time to understand how the colours will be impacted not just by the sunlight, but from other weather conditions too.

In the beginning, you may only want to worry about your one main colour. This will make it easier during the selection process because you don’t have to concern yourself with contrasting colours yet. If you can get the correct tone chosen, then you can experiment with different contrast colours that are light and dark.

If you are planning on painting your home or doing any home improvements but don’t have the time or would rather get someone in why not call us at Men Behaving Handy and utilise one of our many handymen. We quote honestly and without pressure or hidden charges. Contact us today and find out how we can help!

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