Monday, October 5, 2009

Discount Philadelphia Hotels

Visiting Philadelphia on a budget? Do not despair; you'll be spoiled by the choices available. As a tourist city, there are plenty of hotels both within the historic district and in surrounding areas. Each hotel vies for customers and deals abound. All you have to do is search for the best deal in the kind of hotel you want.

Many hotels offer free pick-up and drop-offs to and from the airport. Free Internet access has also become very common in most hotels, especially those looking for business travelers. Frequent travelers can also be sure of getting discounts, and many hotels offer long-stay visitors concessions. Some hotels offer great amenities for the business traveler, including suites with full kitchen complete with a microwave and full-size refrigerator. Book online and avail yourself of concessions only available to those who book through the Internet.

Take for instance, the Philadelphia Airport Microtel Inn & Suites. Part of the Microtel group, this hotel has been ranked "highest in guest satisfaction among economy/budget hotel chains" for three years in a row.

The Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia Midtown Hotel is another hotel that has been commended for quality. With 85% non-smoking guestrooms, it offers free continental breakfast and free local phone calls to all guests and is a boon for discount seekers.

Other hotels from the Holiday Inn group include the Holiday Inn Hotel Philadelphia-Historic District, which offers great deals on extended stays and packages; and the Holiday Inn Philadelphia City Ave., located in a suburban setting minutes from the city center. This offers added amenities like free parking and free local calls. The eleven-storey Holiday Inn Hotel "Philadelphia Stadium" offers over-sized beds and non-smoking and handicapped rooms. The Holiday Inn Philadelphia Northeast nestled in the foothills of Bucks County, near the Sesame Place Theme Park, is ideal for families.

Other hotels that offer good rates include the Comfort Inn Downtown/Historic Area "Philadelphia, Embassy Suites Hotel Philadelphia" City Center, located off Logan Square, the Hampton Inn Philadelphia City Center Convention Center, and the Rodeway Inn.

Philadelphia Hotels provides detailed information on Philadelphia Hotels, Philadelphia Airport Hotels, Discount Philadelphia Hotels, Five Star Hotels in Philadelphia and more. Philadelphia Hotels is affiliated with Albuquerque.

What is a Three Way Home Electrical Light Switch?

A three way home electrical light switch is a special light switch that can be used in your hallways, large rooms and stairways. These light switches are specially made to operate one light or a group of lights from two different locations.

They are most commonly found in hallways and provide a homeowner with the option of turning the light on at one end of the hallway and turning it off, when they are finished walking through the hallway and are about to enter into another room.

Before three way home electrical light switches were made, people would turn the hallway light on and leave it on or they wouldn't turn the hall light on at all, because they knew that after they walked down the dark hallway, they wouldn't be able to turn the light off at the other end.

Three-way light switches are also used in stairways. It makes a lot of sense, to be able to turn your stairway light on, at the bottom of the stairs and then after you have walked up the stairway safely, you can simply turn the stair lights system off.

As homes become larger, it's not going to be uncommon to find three way light switches being used at either end of large rooms. If your living room or family room was located within the center of your home and had an entrance at each end, it wouldn't be a bad idea to install a light switch at each end, for travelers who are simply walking through these room.

Remember that three-way light switches, are used to operate lights from two different locations.

If you're really interested in basement remodeling and repairs, you should click on this link Great Home Repair Advice. Get some great home repair advice that can make a big difference on any of your home remodeling projects.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Encinitas Home Remodeling Contractors

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

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Sunday, October 4, 2009

Get a Bathroom Vanity Set For Your Home

During the old times, you will seldom see a bathroom that was elegantly designed and equipped with beautiful installations. This is due to the fact that bathroom fixtures in the past were quite ordinary. But as time passed, with manufacturers coming up with better designs and styles, you will be able to find bathroom vanity pieces that are elegant and charming. When you want aesthetic beauty and functionality in your bathroom and fixtures, there are several new designs to choose from. With the help of an interior designer, you will be able to turn your simple bathroom into an elegant area for bathing and washing. What is more, an interior designer will help you look for appropriate and affordable bathroom vanity sets.

Choosing from Stylish Traditional or Modern-Style Vanities

A bathroom vanity set is usually comprised of faucets, cabinets, sink basins, and mirrors. There are times when the cabinet or storage space is attached with a mirror to its door. On the other hand, these fixtures come in one unit wherein everything else is attached to one another. The modern styles of bathroom vanities vary from one manufacturer to another. For that elegant and contemporary look, you can opt for a bathroom sink that is molded from glass. This bathroom fixture is recently the trend in some homes and commercial establishments. Not only does it provide the bathroom a modern appearance, they are also very beautiful to look at. On the other hand, you can go for a bathroom vanity sink that is made from ceramic or stainless steel.

While there are modern styles of bathroom fixtures, you can also go for the traditional styles. For example, you can have your bathroom installed with a ceramic sink that is connected to a wooden cabinet. The doors of the storage cabinet may be attached with mirrors on both sides or on one side only. This kind of bathroom vanity unit is perfect for country-style or old-style bathrooms. Traditional vanity units are not just for making your bathroom look livelier, they also make convenient wash units.

The Broad Selections of Bathroom Vanity Units

If you want to install your bathroom with a vanity unit, you can choose from several styles and designs in the market. A bathroom vanity unit also varies in price. If you are doing a renovation on your bathroom according to a budget, you can opt for an affordable vanity unit. But if you have lots of cash to spare, there are many units that will make your bathroom a very comfortable area in your home.

One of the most preferred styles is a twin unit, wherein there are two sink basins. This is appropriate for a wide-spaced bathroom. A vanity unit is great for bathrooms with limited spaces since the faucet, sink, mirror, and cabinet are attached to one another. What is more, the cost of a vanity unit is lesser compared to shopping the pieces individually. You will be able to save space and money, when you buy a vanity unit for your bathroom.

There are lots of manufacturers that are coming up with new designs and styles of bathroom vanities. If you want to search for the best bathroom vanity unit, you can search online. ind more information about the same at http://www.vigoindustries.com.

Attic Handrail Safety - Do it Yourself Home Repair

Some stairways that lead up to your attic will have a safety or guardrail to prevent people from falling down the stairs or off of them. Attic handrail safety can provide homeowners with a little peace of mind if they just follow the few simple steps. Make sure that the handrail is at least 42 inches in height. 42 inches is the minimum height for guard rails and can be found in the uniform building code.

The uniform building code is the Bible to the building industry and sets the standard for new construction and remodeling.

The 42 inches will be measured from the floor to the top of the handrail. Some older homes will have handrails that are 36 inches and some of them will be even 30 inches in height. A 30 inch handrail provides limited protection for anyone who is over five foot tall. 30 inches becomes the center point for any one over 60 inches and these people could easily fall over the short handrail.

Now for the homes that don't have any attic handrail safety systems. Some homes that were built before the 1960s won't have a handrail system at all in the stairway. Keep something in mind here, when these people were building these houses, some of them were trying to save money, some of them figured that it wasn't going to be a big deal and other builders simply forgot to install them.

It's not hard to install a working attic handrail for safety but keep in mind, that if the handrail isn't the right height, it will provide you with limited protection. Attic handrails that are lower than 30 inches can provide young children or others who are shorter than five feet with very little protection but can be a safety hazard to anyone over 5 feet tall.

If your attic doesn't have a safety handrail, use caution and be careful in these areas of your home. It wouldn't be a bad idea to install a locking doorknob if your attic access has a door that can be secured to prevent small children or other people from entering these unsafe areas.

Home Attic Repairs

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

If your looking for some more Home Remodeling Pictures or home building ideas.

California Hotels

Hotels are an important part of the hospitality industry in many countries, especially in those attracting a large tourist trade. The evolution of hotels as commercial institutions is a development in the past few centuries and may be traced to the U.S. The current volume of hotel construction has increased enormously, mainly because of the growing importance of business travel.

Hotels are categorized according to their locations, clientele served, and services offered. These establishments serve to provide lodging, food, and comfort to the public. Hotels in California are well-known for their facilities and excellent services. Only a few places have hotels with good pools, and downtown California is one of them. One can select a hotel offering a range of amenities.

California hotels offer a wide variety of services for a tourist as well as a business traveler. All hotels are listed by AAA and Mobil Travel Guide. The California Hotel Service jointly works with many new discount hotel suppliers to ensure that potential travelers can avail themselves of the discounted, reasonably low-cost service on the Internet. Tourist package deals, including hotel accommodations all over California, are available.

California hotels live up to the expectations of value, efficient and friendly services, and clean accommodations. Affable and gracious service is a hallmark of the downtown properties, especially the chain of gaming entertainment properties belonging to the Boyd Gaming Corporation. California hotels offer several amenities such as fitness centers, hi-speed Internet access, cable TV, individual A/C and heater, wake-up service, and in-room coffeemakers and refrigerators. Outdoor parking is also possible.

Whether it is travel associated with business or pleasure, a stay in the California hotels is sure to be an exciting, unforgettable, and immensely enjoyable experience.

California Hotels provides detailed information on California Hotels, Los Angeles California Hotels, San Diego California Hotels, Anaheim California Hotels and more. California Hotels is affiliated with California Spa Vacations.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

How to Find a Excellent New Home Builder

Looking for a good home builder or contractor, isn't an exact science, but hopefully, by the time you're done reading this article, you will at least have a better idea, what you will be looking for. Let's get started.

As a general contractor, the most important thing that I would be looking for any new home builder, would be experience. You can't sacrifice price for experience. If you're looking for the cheapest contractor, there's a good chance that this person will be lacking experience in home building knowledge.

How long has this person been in business? Just because you're new home builder has only been in business for five years, doesn't mean that he isn't capable of building your home. The same holds true for someone who has been in business for 30 years. Just make sure that these people have actually built homes in the past.

What is their attitude like? This is the second most important thing and I tend to focus on this more than experience, sometimes. If you don't get along with the person, you're not going to have a pleasant home building experience. If you think that there lying to you, scammers or generally don't feel comfortable with them, but they seem to have the most experience and build more homes in your area than anyone else. I wouldn't think twice about getting rid of them and finding someone else.

Last but not least, you should contact some of the people that they have worked for in the past. Talking to past clients, is going to play an important role in making your final decision. You need to find out, if these home builders, treated their clients fairly and were they generally happy with the overall outcome and performance, not only of the homebuilder, but each one of his subcontractors.

I would recommend writing out a list of questions and offering your new home builders past clients a free meal. Offer to take them out to dinner, lunch or breakfast, this way you will have their undivided attention and get the low down on your potential future home builder, it could be the best money that you ever spent.

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link San Diego Home Repairs

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Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a home inspection checklist to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Ideas For Choosing Mirrors For the Bathroom & Bedroom

There are some people who can't live there life without mirror. For them it is part of their accessories which they can bring it inside their bag or hang it up in their house. Most of the decorative mirrors can be seen in rooms or living rooms. For those who haven't yet chosen any of the best mirrors for design scheme purposes, better broaden up your search first.

Before buying decorative mirrors, you have to consider the purpose of it whether it is for utility use or to generate a delusion of space. You also have to plan where to hang the mirror. Whether it will be place in the bathroom, in your living room, family room or to your own bedroom. Upon choosing the decorative mirrors consider matching up to another piece in your home such as the color of your bathroom tiles or any of your furniture covers. You will only find it hard to find a match if the mirror you have chosen comes from a different producer, while if you choose those ready made decorative mirrors it will surely be persistent.

If you prefer to put the decorative mirror in your room, think of using wall mounted mirrors or free standing if you have a small room. It is most likely to put the mirror diagonally from a window because as you open up the room you will have the mirror image of the outdoors. For larger rooms you can place floor mirrors. When considering putting a mirror you should consider the style of your room and be consistent with your own style. Your budget depends upon the availability of your cash on hand. This is very important because mirrors come from different prices from affordable to expensive. So once you have found the uniqueness of the perfect mirror you are looking for, it is now easy for you to spend or have the budget. You must take a survey first before buying so you will not regret after.

It is a great help for you if you live in a home where shopping malls are accessible, because from time to time you can go for window shopping and you can choose plenty of options of Decorative Mirror. Or with the use of the high end equipments nowadays powered by the modern technology, you can go surfing an online shop at your home while sitting in the sofa. World Wide Web offers you everything as you scroll it down. All you need to do is to use those famous search engines and simply encode the facts you are looking for, just be specific so you get access easily what you are looking for. Or if you wish to broaden it up then input other facts about the one you are looking for.

Eliza Maledevic Ayson writes for Jump2top.com - SEO Company

Fixing Ceiling Cracks - Home Repair Advice

It's not uncommon to find cracks in your plaster or drywall ceilings. It's not uncommon to find cracks in your wood ceilings either, but this article is about plaster or drywall ceilings that have small or large cracks in them and what actually causes the cracks and how you can repair them.

Believe it or not, most cracks in your ceilings and in your walls, on any drywall or plaster home interiors, are going to be the direct result of structural movement within the house. This could be from a small earthquake, the framing components are starting to shrink, as the lumber starts to dry it out or it could even be from your house settling. Larger cracks might signify problems with your foundation or even your soil.

If you have a large crack in your ceiling, and this would be something that you could stick a quarter into, you could have a structural problem and I would recommend contacting a home repair contractor in your area to evaluate your situation.

You realize that you have cracks in your ceilings and they're not very big, how do you repair them. The easiest way would be to apply a paintable caulking into the cracks and repaint the area. This could save you some frustration in the future, especially if the crack starts to become larger.

The best way to fix the crack, would be to apply some fiberglass drywall tape and then apply a standard drywall joint compound to finish the ceiling correctly. If your ceiling has acoustic or wall texture, you will need to reapply to finish over these areas to match your existing ceiling correctly.

If you have hairline cracks, I wouldn't even worry about them, unless they become larger. However, you could always apply a little bit of caulking and repaint them.

I would like to remind you something that I already said before in this article, if the cracks are larger than the width of a quarter, you might want to contact a building professional. You could have some serious structural damage occurring in your foundation or framing.

Ceiling Repair Advice and Tips

If You Live in Northern San Diego County or South Orange County, and You're Looking for a Great Contractor, Click on This Link Reliable Home Repair Contractors

Greg Vandenberge is working on the internet to promote the education for creating simple to follow guides and home building books to help professional building contractors as well as the weekend warriors. He has just finished a Home Buyers Guide to take some of the frustration out of home shopping.

Thanks For Reading My Articles

Friday, October 2, 2009

How to Buy Bathroom Vanities

The bathroom is the place where you bath and relax. Bathroom vanities can help you store your toiletries and add a touch of color and style to your bathroom. Just a small cabinet underneath the sink can increase storage space and remove clutter.

There are a wide range of bathroom vanities available. Whether it is antique, deco, traditional or modern there will be a bathroom vanity that suits your taste and the decor of the rest of your house. They can be made from natural wood, stone, ceramics and even glass. You need to make sure that whatever material you choose that it is durable enough for your bathroom habits.

Vanities comes in the form of ledges, linen closets or cabinets. A cabinet style vanity may come with a mirror for shaving and fixing your appearance. These mirrors can be plain or have intricate details on them.

When you are looking to purchase a bathroom vanity it is important that you know how much space you have in the bathroom. Most vanities are from 18 to 45 inches wide. Try not to purchase a vanity that takes up to much space. With that said, if the vanity is too small you won't have enough room for your toiletries. It is important that whatever vanity that you choose can fit a particular sink of your choosing.

Color is another important consideration. Most people choose a neutral color as these tend to fit with a range of different bathroom styles and tiles.

To choose a new bathroom vanity it usually is a matter of going to your local bathroom showroom and browsing through the many that are available there. They will be able to give you advice on quality and price so that you make the right decision.

The Bathroom Vanity Guide can give you more information on choosing the very best bathroom vanities for you.

What If My Contractor Does Not Return My Call

This is one of the biggest problems in business today. You have some work done on your home in good faith that the contractor knows what he is doing. When all is said and done you have a problem that needs to be resolved as soon as possible. I really don't care how long it has been since the work was done. If you have a problem the least that your contractor can do is answer the telephone.

Some companies go out of business and others get to busy to respond to your problem. You will hear the old excuse "That's not my problem" or the ever popular " I didn't do that". I have been in business for over twenty years and had very few problems. Of course I built things to last as long as possible.

Keep in mind that some contractors are a one man operation and they might be on vacation. Some contractors do not answer their phones over the week ends or after business hours. So don't sink the ship to fast.

Do not call the Contractors Licensing Board or the Better Business Bureau unless it has been at least a few working days. I would give it at least a week or so. Oh yeah don't assume that the contractor got your message. Call a few times at the least.

It has always made me mad when I have to fix someone else's problems. I get the call when the other contractors won't respond. I listen to the home owner with regret for being in a business where I am considered a crook. This is one of the reasons why contractors in my business get out of it.

If you have the contractors address and they aren't responding by phone you can always send them a letter by certified mail. Request a return receipt. That's your proof that the company received your letter. Keep a copy for your files.

The good news for a home owner when a contractor will not respond to your calling them is the Department of Consumer Affairs. Most states have a complaint department of some sort that will listen to your complaints. Does this mean it will get resolved? NO there are no guarantees here.

If your state has a licensing board for contractors, this will be your next step.

This will get your contractors attention and there is a great chance they will respond now. If there are enough complaints against the contractor and they do nothing about them the contractors board will take their license away.

If your contractor does not respond after all of this. There is very little you can do about it. Hire someone to fix the problem and look at it as a very important lesson learned.

If your state doesn't have a contractors licensing board contact the Better Business Bureau or your local government for their recommendation. Ask some of your friends if they have had any problems like this and how they handled them.

For some more tips about hiring contractors go to
http://gregvan.com/library/homeowner_checklists.htm

Greg Vandenberge has been in the home building and remodeling business for over 30 years. With this knowledge he has created a few websites that provide useful information for home owners as well as contractors. His main goal is to educate professionals in the home related businesses, dealing with problems that can easily be avoided with just a little bit of information.

His website http://gregvan.com provides all kinds of answers to remodeling and new house building issues that could create major damage as well as possible damage to your pocket book.

How to Build a Room in Your Garden - Home Tips

Need extra living space but don't want to move? Building a room in the garden is a clever and cost-effective solution. Creating a separate room in the garden gives you a great getaway for work, hobbies, or just some piece and quiet.

'A garden room adds appeal to a house, making it attractive to all types of buyer, and a real draw for families,' says James Redington from Foxtons.

What are my choices?

The simplest cabin or summer house is similar to a shed, with either shiplap walls and cedar roof shingles or a log-cabin construction. These are usually supplied in pre-fabricated panels and, if you're a skilled DIYer, you could put one up yourself. More advanced ones, with sliding glass doors or a deck, for example, will need to be built on site by a specialist. Once the concrete base or piles are in, installation can take from one day to two weeks.

Limitations and security

Avoid positioning the garden room near growing trees, and ensure there's access for maintenance. You'll also need to think about access for delivery, though panels could be carried through the house.

As for securing your garden room, it's best to fit locks on doors and choose toughened glass. Check that the locks comply with your home insurance requirements. It's worth considering external lights, a burglar alarm and Venetian blinds to prevent anyone seeing in.

Can I use it all year round

If you insulate well and fit double-glazed windows, you'll be fine for the colder months. An electrician can run a cable from your house to the room to power lights and heating. In some cases, downlighters, sockets and wiring may be pre-installed in the panel walls.

How to use your garden room

Plan your room to ensure it's fit for purpose.

Home office Companies such as Henley will kit out your office with fitted furniture.

Gym Equipment can be bulky, so you'll need a large room. It's also an investment, so ensure your security is up to scratch.

Games room

You'll need plenty of space to play table games - L247cm x W153cm for a table tennis table, for example.

Music room

Use a company that specialises in sound-proofing.

What permission do I need and how much will it cost?

If your building is away from the house, takes up less than 50% of the garden and is smaller than 15sq m, or in some cases 30sq m, you're unlikely to need planning permission or Building Regulations Approval. However, there are exceptions - such as if you intend to use the room for sleeping - so check online at planningportal.gov.uk, and consult your local council's planning department.

Prices start from 439 for a Buckingham summerhouse (H213cm x W198cm x D205cm) from B&Q to around 22,600 for a bespoke design from Inside Out.

You can find more information on interior design ideas at house to home, helping you create a look you'll love.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Renovations That Give the Best Return on Investment

Renovations are excellent means of not only enhancing your quality of living but also boosting the project's return on investment by the time you decide to resell your New York home. Through these projects, you are recreating areas in your home to bring out the most welcoming, appealing, and functional results.

Your renovation project does not have to cost you an arm and a leg to yield success. An expensive project does not necessarily mean more payback. The key to make the most out of your allotted budget is spending it wisely. Whether you have a limited or sky-is-the-limit budget that can accommodate from surface-level to full-scale renovation, the most crucial factor to focus on are implementing designs that last as well as selecting quality products.

To appraise the value and get the most out of your hard-earned money, note that not all renovations are created equal. To maximize the benefits you will get out of the project, consider any of the smartest ideas to bring back the best return on investment.

The Kitchen

Since the kitchen is the most frequented area in any home with most of the waking hours of every family member spent here, kitchen renovation would surely create a great impact and difference. Considered as the heart of a home, most buyers tend to visit this area first to make sure that it does not only look and feel good but would efficiently accommodate every essential purpose.

The Bathroom

Stress is a common denominator that links most human beings today. What better way to soothe stress away than a luxuriating time to start as well as end the day? A beautiful and efficient bathroom renovation would surely make any homeowner anticipate the coming of each day, no matter how hectic it can be. A trend that is increasingly becoming very popular is creating a spa-like environment in your very own bathroom. A bathroom turned into your personal, everyday spa would surely be irresistible.

For larger homes, additional baths would also make up for extra appeal. For space estimate as well as deciding the new bath location, it is best to consult with your contractor.

Exterior Renovation

As the popular and proven clich goes, First impressions last. Renovating the surrounding grounds of your home through landscaping would give its curb appeal a great boost. A low maintenance garden with some attractive fountain fixtures could work well in creating an ambiance. And for a major facelift for less of the cost, have your walls repainted and new sidings installed.

An important key to the success of your renovation project and the eventual achievement of the anticipated return on investment, is hiring a qualified remodeling contractor. Quality is an important consideration that the buyer will critically be looking into. So if you are not a contractor yourself, the renovations are best done by skilled and experienced professionals.

Another thing to keep in mind is that modern buyers find home features that require less maintenance more attractive. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting, you can have this removed and refinish the existing hardwood flooring. Swimming pools are also among the least appealing with the tedious and regular cleaning and maintenance it requires.

Eugene Makeev has been in the home improvement industry for a while. His skills and expertise, which have been polished through time, are now used to help New York home owners avoid the common pitfalls in home improvements by matching their needs with the right, prescreened New York Contractor. For more Home Improvement information, Visit Best ROI Renovations.