by admin | Oct 16, 2014 | Build and renovate, Featured Articles
After a few years in any home, there are few who would not like a brand new kitchen. All it takes is replacing doors and handles which are all standard sizes and you don’t have to be a professional to replace those out dated, lifeless and boring kitchen cupboard doors and handles. It is easy enough for anyone to do, and will only take a few hours of your time. But what is a few hours of work compared to the totally new look that you will give your kitchen, not to mention the extra attention your better half will give you to say thank you.
You can effectively get a brand new kitchen without so much as making a phone call to a kitchen contractor. Providing the inside shell of your kitchen cupboards are in reasonably good shape, you are set to give your kitchen and the value of your home a boost at very little expense.
Let’s get started
The first logical step would be to plan your project ahead of time. Make a list of how many cupboard doors need to be replaced, taking note if they are left hand or right hand opening doors and measure the size of the doors. Next you need to decide what type of style would best suit your kitchen. You also need to decide if you would prefer wooden, plastic or uPVC doors. Obviously the wooden doors will be more costly, whereas the plastic or uPVC will be more cost effective if the budget is a bit low.
Clear away any mess or clutter. You want things running smoothly and not be interrupted by having to clean things away.
Before rushing out to buy the cupboard doors first check to see if the existing hinges are still sturdy on the cupboard doors and drawers. Replace any hinges that are not strong or secure. It could be very frustrating if you are halfway through and the hinges give way, or a few months down the line the doors fall off. Most cupboard doors are pre-drilled to accommodate industry standard 35mm diameter hinges, which can be purchased from most DIY shops or your local hardware. Important to know is that hinges are inexpensive and yet they extend your cupboard life by a considerable length of time.
Next step would be to measure the cupboard doors. The standard industry practice is to take the cabinet width as it stands (with the door open) and deduct 4mm (i.e. a 500mm cupboard would require a 496mm door). You will also have to measure the height of the cupboard. Please remember to keep track of what measurements belong to which cupboard (use a numerical or alphabetical system, they work the best). By keeping track it will make things so much easier when you are ready to start the fitting. Depending on which direction the cupboard doors open, you must make a note of left or right. Lucky for you you won’t even need to do that, in South Africa, kitchen cupboard doors are pretty much standard sizes from any manufacturer
If you will not be making a purchase of pre-drilled doors, you will have to drill new holes yourself that attach to the old hinges.
You also have to decide how far you want your cupboard doors to open. You have a choice between a 110 degree angle for those compact spaces, or the 165 degree angle for easy access while taking groceries out or to pack groceries in. You might need a few of each for different sections of the kitchen. Once again it will be a good idea to make notes of which doors you want where.
Once you have purchased the required doors, you can now start to remove the old cupboard doors one by one, starting from one end of the kitchen and working your way to the other end. You can remove the doors by using a drill or a screw driver, making sure not to damage the main wall attachment, hinges or the kitchen surfaces.
Next, once again starting from one end of the kitchen, replace the new cupboard doors one by one. If the doors are too heavy or tricky to move ask a friend or family member to help you to hold the door steady while you fit them in place. Attach the hinges to the doors through the pre-drilled holes, and remember to make sure you are fitting the correct door to the correct cupboard before you start. Once you have fitted all the doors, test them by opening and closing them. Make sure they are all sturdy, and that they open to the correct degree that you want them to.
by admin | Oct 15, 2014 | Build and renovate, Featured Articles
Need some more hanging space in your bathroom for extra towels or to hang your bath robe? This is the perfect do it yourself project to get more hanging space. The total time to make is about 1-2 hours. And if you are worried about the skills required to do this project not to worry it is very easy to make. Give your bathroom an extra shelf, extra hanging space and add some character. These also make fantastic homemade Christmas gifts that every parent or grand parent will love.
What you will need
3 x porcelain handles
Scrap boards or weathered wood
2 x shelf brackets
3 x dummy spindles
Pencil
Epoxy
2.5cm screws
The tools you will need
Tape measure
Drill/driver
Screwdriver
Combination square
Instructions
Cut the wood to the size you would like your towel rack to be (about 40cm is perfect for a 3 tap rack). Then using a measuring tape, divide the board into 5 including the edges and use markers 2,3 and 4 as your tap positions.
Next you must trace a line on the board where the top shelf will sit so that you can determine how high to position the supporting brackets on either side.
Now mark on the board where the bracket fasteners will go, remember to leave an inch from the side and to position the tops just below the pencil line you have made.
Fasten the bracket supports to the board with screws.
Place the posts (inards of the taps) on the marks and drill pilot holes for their screws. Then secure the posts to the board.
Next mix two-part fast-drying epoxy formulated for bonding metal. Spread the epoxy on the rims of the porcelain taps and place them over the spindles.
Fill the metal insides at the base of the handles with epoxy and then fit them on top of the spindles. Wipe away any epoxy that might be seeping out, and wait 5 minutes for it to set (it will take about 1 hour for it to cure)
Next you must rest the shelf top on the brackets. Drill pilot holes and use self tapping screws to screw through the back of the mounting board and into the edge of the shelf.
The only thing left to do is find the right spot in the bathroom for your new towel rack.
by admin | Oct 13, 2014 | Build and renovate, Featured Articles
Luxurious as a bath is, a shower is always handy for those refreshing wake up morning showers, or if you are in a hurry and dont have the time to sink deep into a bath filled with bubbles. Here we will show you step by step how to install a glass screen next to the bath. This way you will have the benefit of both bath and shower without having to use extra space.
What you will need
All items are available at your larger building supply/plumbing supply stores.
Glass Screen
Adhesive (No more nails)
Wall plugs and screws
Wooden batten
Instuctions
You will need to fix a wooden batten to the wall if your tiles do not go up to the roof. The batten must be the same thickness of the tiles, and the width must be the same as the glass screen.
Once you have determined where the batten must be fixed to the wall, mark on the wall where it must go. You have to make sure that the batten is level. Drill corresponding holes into the batten and in the wall. Insert plugs into the holes. Now apply no more nails adhesive to the back of the batten. Next fix the batten to the wall using wall screws.
Put the fitting against the wall next to the batten and determine where the holes must be drilled through the batten and into the wall. Next drill the holes and put plugs into the holes. Apply the adhesive to the back of the fitting. Position the fitting and then screw it to the wall.
Lastly attach the glass screen to the fitting as per the products specifications.
Please note that you will need to install a shower head and fittings for the shower which you can call a local plumber to do.
by admin | Oct 10, 2014 | Debt management, Featured Articles, Home loans
A second bond over your property can essentially be used for anything you wish to use it for but is most often used to add rooms, renovate, install paving or fencing. Typically people use their second bond to improve their homes but what we are seeing more and more of is people using the money from their second bond to settle existing debts and reduce their debt repayments. This is commonly known as debt consolidation
The reason people are able to use their second bond for anything or as a debt consolidation tool is that when you apply for a second bond, the bank values your property at current values and if there is an increase in value and the credit department is satisfied that you will be able to repay the increased bond amount, then they will give you the money.
If your application is turned turned down due to the amount of debt you currently have and your intention is to repay that debt with the money from the second bond and effectively reduce your monthly debt repayments, it makes sense that the bank should grant the second bond. In this case you need to prepare a file of all of the debt that want to settle with the second bond and do a spreadsheet showing the principle amount, monthly fees, interest rate and monthly interest charges and the capital repayment amount, giving you a total for each short term debt. Make an appointment with the bond originator or your bank and present the file and spreadsheet to them as a way of motivating the approval of the second bond.
When seeking loans from banks it is very important to show them that you are willing and able to repay the loan, are in control of your finances and are taking control of your financial destiny. Getting a second bond can give an indebted family a second chance and the money should be used very wisely.
If you have ever been given the opportunity to settle bedt and effectively been allowed to breathe again by using your second bond as a debt reduction tool, you will know the value of reducing the capital amount with every spare penny that you have, just in case you might need a cash injection in the future. We just never know what could occur, a family member might need help, you may be retrenched or want to start a new business or your child may need to go overseas to compete and chase their dreams. having access to cash at any time from your second bond could just be what makes it all possible.
by admin | Oct 9, 2014 | Debt management, Featured Articles, Short term loans
If you are labouring under numerous different debt repayments that are high interest short term loans like clothing accounts, short term loans, vehicle finance or just owe someone you know money that you would really like to pay back as soon as possible then consolidating your debt using the equity in your home could be the right choice for you.
When you have many small accounts, each of them has a service fee/monthly fee (not interest), maybe a card fee and of course interest at a rate that is probably higher than prime plus 10 or 12%. When you add up all the fees and interest you will be shocked at what it actually costs to borrow such small amounts or how much it costs to buy on credit from stores. You may have a child on the way or inflation has just got the better of you, you may have a family member that needs help or a medical issue that is costing a lot more than anticipated.
It is at times like these where we fear that we are not going to be able to service all the short term debt that we have which may end up with us being listed with a credit bureau, that we need to consider debt consolidation using our bonds.
What you are effectively doing when consolidating your debt, is taking all of the small amounts that you owe and paying them off with the money available to you in your home loan. Your home loan is a much lower interest bearing loan than any credit facility or short term loan and can very effectively reduce your repayments by as much as half or even more. What you do need to be aware of, is that you are now paying off a short term debt over a much longer period when you consolidate your debt using your home loan.
Debt consolidation is meant to get you over the hump, avoid getting a negative credit report and allow you to breathe while you plan your way forward. Once you are over the hump you are able to make additional payments into your bond without any penalties for early settlement and effectively free up capital again in case you need it.
