Month: October 2013

Less Than Truckload Shipping Saves You Time and Money

Small businesses, large corporations and everything in between make every effort to expand their businesses. With this in mind there are several reasons a business exceeds or fails. One major component of any business is their logistics plan. Transportation needs within a business are important to the overall progress of the company.
A freight carrier company should always be looking out for you and your faculties when it comes to the transportation of your companies goods. Work with a company that covers a variety of services such as truckload shipping as well as less than truckload shipping and passes savings on to you with “performance based logistics”. Smaller companies will want to work with a logistics provider that specializes in LTL shipping and freight options for several of the following reasons.
1) When your company needs to ship less than a full semi truck load an LTL freight carrier is who you are looking for. If you hire a company that only ships based on full truck loads you end up doing one of two things; wasting the company’s money or wasting the customer’s time before they have your product in hand. Less than truckload companies transport smaller shipments for their customers and only charge you based on the goods that are sent not the wasted space. Wasted space is obsolete with LTL carriers. A truck is filled with the goods of several small LTL shipments.
2) Saving your company time, energy and resources is the value that LTL shippers offer to small companies. There is no need to pay the high costs associated with the post office or parcel companies. Don’t waste time in line, LTL courier services come to you and have online resources to help you manage your company’s logistic needs.
3) One of the greatest benefits of using LTL shipping is that the goods that are being shipped are collected from any location that you specify and can be delivered to your desired location. Another benefit is that goods are delivered in the morning and picked up for delivery in the evening; this means that your shipments will get to your customers on time before more shipments are picked up.
4) When shipping with a less than truckload carrier note that your shipment can range anywhere from one hundred pounds to twenty thousand pounds. This saves the company money. An entire truck is not needed and therefore is not paid for. When business is done on a smaller scale this is a very beneficial feature of LTL shipping.
Expand your profits, improve your company’s logistics and grow your company with the help pf a local LTL transportation and logistics service provider.

In Roofing An Ounce of Prevention Is Worth a Pound Of Cure

When it comes to your home it is important to properly maintain all aspects of the home. Carpets are cleaned, filters are changed, tubs scrubbed, lawns cut; all of these are as important as the next in ensuring your home is running smooth and being maintained. Homeowners are often wrapped up in the interior of the home and put exterior repairs on the back burner. This can prove to be extremely problematic especially when it comes to your homes roofing.
Roofing damage can lead to structural damage within the home. It is important to know what signs to watch for when it comes to your roof. Often time’s simple roof repairs are enough to ensure further damage is not done but as with everything your roof can wear out. Think about the abuse your roof takes on a daily basis. In states with four seasons that can include intense heat, cold, wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail and everything in between.
If you do have an asphalt shingle roof installed on your roof there are a few obvious signs that a new shingle roof is in your future. The first sign and a major one at that would be missing shingles. If this is the case you will need to replace the shingle and check to see how viable the tar seal is on the rest of the shingles. If you begin to see shingles loose or coming up all over the roof you can guarantee a new roof is in your homes future.
Asphalt shingles are made with a granule covering that protects the tar surface on the base of the shingle. Over time the granule covering will begin to loosen and wear off. Once this happens, usually between 15-20 years after the roof is installed, the shingle will start to dry out and crack. This will expose the underlayment and will compromise the protection the shingle is offering to your home. Shingles may also start curl. When this happens a new roof is needed as well. Curling shingles happens from poor roof ventilation or a dry asphalt shingle base.
Don’t trust a contractor that says a second layer of shingles laid over the top of a previously shingled roof will last as long as one in which you start with a fresh base. Your roofing contractor should strip all the old shingles off and start with a fresh roof base. This is also a great way to check for damage on the roofs structure. Never layer shingles on top of one another. This just spells disaster in the long run and will cost you as the homeowner more in the long run.
Algae are another item that can destroy your roof. If you find that there are spots where algae and moss are accumulating on your roof pay a professional roof contractor to inspect the roof. Often times the algae can be cleaned and copper added to the roof line to help prevent future growth. Copper is acidic and creates a layer that makes the shingle hard for the plant life to cling to. No matter what don’t take it upon yourself to scrub the roofing shingles, this will ruin the roofing and remove the protective granules.
If you do find yourself purchasing a new roof take that time to become educated on taking care of the roof. Roofing contractors will offer advice on your roof dependant on where you live. Rotting leaves, ice and snow all have variable affects on your roof and can all be handled with a little intervention. Take time to maintain your roof; replacing it is costly.
Home Pro Roofing is a Michigan based company that installs and repairs roofs using a variety of roofing materials including composite asphalt shingles and metal roofing. For a free on-site quote contact them online http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.
Home Pro Roofing is a Michigan based company that installs and repairs roofs using a variety of roofing materials including composite asphalt shingles and metal roofing. For a free on-site quote contact them online http://www.homeproroofingmi.com today.

Getting More Bang For Your Buck In Home Remodeling

Home renovations are a large part of owning a home. At some point a home improvement project is in every homeowner’s future. When considering upgrades to your home it is important to remember that not all renovations are created equally. Remodeling should help to increase your home’s resale value. However, others do just the opposite.
If you see yourself in the home for a period of time, of course, feel free to make use of the space how you see fit. The problem arises when homeowner’s know they are going to be selling in the next five years or so and don’t take into consideration the return on investment. If you are concerned with the resale value of your home here are a few renovations to avoid.
When buyers purchase a three bedroom home they want to see that the home has three bedrooms. Turning the space into anything else makes the bedroom seem short a bedroom. If you decide to covert a bedroom into another space, for instance, a craft room, make sure when trying to sell the home you convert it back to a bedroom. Buyers need to see what is being described and the number of bedrooms your home offers is a major selling feature.
Installing a hot tub is also seen as a big turn off to buyers. Although a relaxing renovation for you, new owners have a preconceived notion related to hot tubs making used hot tubs undesirable. If you do plan on having a hot tub consider making it accessible as a non-permanent feature. Don’t build the hot tub into the deck but rather create a space that is the hot tubs alone so that when and if you sell your home it can easily be removed and taken with you.
Another fad that was popular for a while but is seen as a put off now is colored trim and textured walls. Yes, paint is an easy fix for the most part that is for walls but trim is another story. Trim is a lot of work to paint. The same is true for texture on walls and ceilings for that matter. It takes a lot of prep and laborious work to remove the texture and this can be a major drawback to sellers.
When it comes to children’s bedrooms, themed bedrooms are also major turn offs for future buyers. All money spent on a child’s bedroom that is anything above and beyond a classic, simple bedroom is wasted money. That mural, no one else wants it. Built in beds, bookshelves and dressers are not for everyone so don’t do these renovations thinking you will re coup the expense.
Landscaping renovations is another place homeowners can over do it. Landscaping is expensive and is seen as high-maintenance to buyers who aren’t yard work savvy. Keep the landscape simple and appealing. Going over board will not be a good return on investment when it comes to the sale of your home.
The motto in home renovations is keep it classic, simple and appeal to the masses. This is especially true when you are considering selling the home in the next five years. If you know you are staying in your home forever and you don’t care how it appeals to others because you aren’t going anywhere, than live it up! Add in the built in hot tub with full bar on to the deck and litter the yard with beautiful flowering plants! Heck it is your home – enjoy it!
If you interested in home safety modifications, handicap construction and general home remodeling and renovations check http://www.glenmillerthehomedoctor.com today where you will find useful information and solutions on a variety of home remodeling projects.

Benefits Are Plentiful With Aluminum Fencing

Fences are practical:
• They help to prevent drowning in swimming pools
• They keep children and pets contained to one safe space
• They deter thieves and create an obstacle against theft
• They are aesthetically pleasing and add to the appearance of your home, pool area and landscaping
• They add to the resale value of your home
Aluminum Fencing
When it comes to a top notch material to choose from it does not get better than aluminum. When you purchase an aluminum fence you have a variety of colors, styles, grades and dimensions to choose from. Aluminum fencing offers an aesthetically pleasing look to any piece of property from industrial parks, restaurants, home and pools. Basically anywhere a fence can go aluminum would enhance the area. The fence and styles of fencing are art forms themselves. With an aluminum fence around your pool and yard you will feel so much safer in the containment of small children and pets.
The advantages of aluminum fencing over other types of fencing are plentiful. First it is important to note that aluminum fencing is practically maintenance free. You don’t have to paint or stain it, cleaning it is as easy as rinsing it with the hose and if a panel does sustain damage, say from a storm, the panels are so simple to replace.
Aluminum fencing are powder coated and most come with a lifetime warranty that protects against chips, peeling, cracks and workmanship defects. What other material in fencing can say that? Think of the money you will save with the longevity of aluminum.
Another advantage in aluminum fencing is that is comes in a variety of colors, styles and grades. You can choose between residential, commercial and industrial grade aluminum. With all the color fencing that aluminum has to offer you will find something to complement and enhance your space with ease. Classic black aluminum fencing is still the most popular option.
Over the long term, as I mentioned before, aluminum is the most cost effective option. Wood for instance requires detailed maintenance throughout its life span and will of need to be replaced in time. Initially the out lay for aluminum is more but will be less expensive in the long term. Not to mention all the time you will save during the summer when you are out boating and your neighbor is power washing and painting his wood fence once more.
When it comes to swimming pool safety aluminum pool fencing is designed to meet pool codes in commercial and residential applications. The other benefit is that it is simple to install with predrilled post and pre assembled panels, the hardest part for you as a home owner will be digging the hole.
If you are looking for an economical, maintenance free, stylish way to enclose your yard or pool look no further. With aluminum you have all the advantages on your side. The one drawback is the initial outlay between other types of fencing but long term the choice is obvious. Don’t forget the resale value of your home increases substantially when you install aluminum fencing.

Forever-Fence is an industry leader in aluminum pool fencing. For more information on pool fencing or to place an order you can visit http://www.forever-fence.com.

Electronic Gate and Fencing Options

a style of fence for your yard consider what look you are going for to compliment your home. Fence style can accentuate a home that is modern, antique, simple or even sophisticated. One of the coolest things about a fence is that it can transform your landscape.
Fences can be functional and serve a very practical purpose as well. One place that you see this better than all others is swimming pool fencing. When it comes to installing a fence around your pool you will want to choose a material that will stand the test of time and add to the essence of the landscape. Purchasing aluminum fencing is incredibly easy with many online distributors to choose from. This is just one way on which fencing improves security when used.
If you are looking to increase privacy a great way to achieve this is with the installation of wooden privacy fence panels. You can purchase them in a variety of heights. This is a terrific option for homes in neighborhoods where the homes and backyards are close together. Building a “fortress” of fencing around your landscape eliminates the constant wondering eyes of your neighbors. It leaves you with a truly private backyard oasis.
An upgrade for the aesthetics can be found in your landscape with the installation of an electronic entry gate. An automatic gate adds allure to any homes long driveway and increases security, letting homeowners control access entry and exit to the property. When you have small kids or pets along with a home secluded with a long driveway this added security can add peace of mind while sprucing up your homes yard.
Vinyl picket fences are a great addition to homes in town, where a sidewalk is present. When you add the picket fence it makes your yard off limits for people to enter the space. It is a small way to add security to a home that is so easily accessible without taking anything away from your home. Vinyl fence is easy to install and maintain and easily blends into a home’s landscape. Plus the fairy tale of a white picket fence, who doesn’t want that for their home?
Whether you are choosing something simple to keep kids and pets in the backyard, such as chain link fencing or something major like privacy fencing and an electronic gate make sure you have researched the maintenance aspect of the material and gate operator. It is important to properly maintain the material and equipment to extend longevity while keeping up the fences appearance. It would be a mistake to spend all the money to install something as beautiful as a wooden privacy fence if you aren’t interested in the upkeep.