CMD First Source

How to Design Your Own Backyard Pergola

Designing your own backyard pergola can be very satisfying, particularly if you’re keen on making the most of your outdoor living. Pergolas are also great and inexpensive ways to enhance the value of your property and designing your own means you can have exactly what you want!

 
Check restrictions
Before you start designing your pergola, check in with your local council to see if there are any restrictions on your pergola height or location. Depending on the size of your pergola, you may also require a building permit, particularly if you are building a pergola as an extension of your home.

 
Aspect
The aspect of your pergola will mostly depend on the layout of your home and yard, but if you have the flexibility, place your pergola somewhere where it will make the most of the sun in winter and be cool in summer.

 
Free-Standing or Attached
Will your pergola be free-standing or will it be an extension of your home, attached to the roof or wall? This will depend on where your pergola is being placed, as well as your budget and whether you can afford to DIY your pergola.  Pergolas connected to your home may be more difficult to erect.

 
Size & Shape
If you’re building the pergola over your patio or deck, ensure that it is big enough to cover the entire area, so that part of the deck is not left out in the sun or rain. Also remember that a pergola doesn’t have to be simply rectangular or square – if your patio or deck runs around the edge of your house, you can also design your pergola to cover this whole area. Similarly, if you’re constructing a pergola over your pool, a round or hexagonal pergola might be more appealing. Use chalk or sand to mark out the edge of your pergola, so you can get a solid idea of how large it will be when completed.

 
Roofing
In ancient times, pergolas were often built as frame structures that allowed plants to grow over them, creating shade. If you want to add some green to your garden, a climbing vine over a pergola could prove to be wonderful! If this doesn’t suit your home, however, or if it’s too high maintenance for you, you can choose from a range of roofing options including a flat roof or a pitched/gabled (pointed) roof.

 
Materials
Materials for pergolas generally include timber, colourbond, aluminium and metal. This is usually the main element what will affect your budget. Treated timber can be more suited to your home aesthetically and is generally quite cheap, but may need ongoing maintenance. Metal structures are the most sturdy and cost more, but will last longer. Think about the weather conditions and what the pergola needs to withstand.

 
Aesthetic Designs
Design your pergola so that it matches, not clashes with, your home and garden, particularly if your pergola is attached to your house. Choose the same themes and colours that your home or garden has. If you have a Victorian-style home, for instance, you may want to consider including the same rafters on your pergola.  Remember, your pergola is there to add value to your home – not diminish value or deter buyers but clashing with your home’s style and appearance.

Increased Performance for Your Contract Monitoring

Contractor management can be very easy and straightforward if you are using the correct methods. It can be a horror story and a half if you do not. The purely functional issue is ensuring that your contract management processes and procedures are appropriate for the job. The other issues are the relationship with contractors and ensuring efficient performance.

What are the objectives of contract management?

It needs to be understood right from the start that contractor management isn’t some sort of mindlessly nitpicking, bureaucratic process in which employers run around finding fault with contractors. Contractor management is part of contract management. What’s really being managed is the contract itself. It’s a purely business process and it needs to be extremely efficient.

The objects of contractor management are to ensure:

· That the work of the contractors is performed according to the contract terms.

· Contractor compliance with related statutory laws like OHS laws, industrial laws, waste management, trades certification and any related legal requirements.

If you have already spotted the fact that “according to the contract terms” can mean anything, you’re not wrong. Some contracts can leave quite a lot to be desired in terms of their specifications while others are precision instruments. The basic objects of contractor management, however, needs to be enforced to make any contract operate effectively.

Customising Contractor Management

The all-purpose solution to any contract scenario is consistent, objective contractor management processes and procedures, including three fundamental, all-scenarios operations:

· Reporting: Reports need to be standardized to meet the requirements of the contract.

· Performance: This is the core contractor management role, oversighting actual performance of contract work.

· Regulatory and statutory monitoring: This includes all the statutory compliance issues in a contract, OHS, and may include site-specific issues like hazardous materials, etc.

These things must be done whatever the nature of the contract involved. It is best with any sort of contractor management operation is to ensure that these operations are “customised” to meet the needs of the work.

If, for example, you’re hiring contractors to install patios and pergolas in a new housing development, the three basic contract management operations will include:

· Reporting: These will be progressive reports, detailing progress according to contract timeframes

· Performance: The contract performance oversight will include quality of work, materials specifications in accordance with contract requirements

· Regulatory: This area includes issues like trades licensing, and any related statutory issues, like OHS, materials not properly disposed or hazards on site created by construction, etc.

New all-purpose software is available to make contractor management a “same page” exercise, with both contractors and employers using the contract management system to streamline and simplify contract operation. This is a transparent, fair and extremely efficient approach to contracting for all parties to the contract and most importantly, it’s also foolproof.

A standardised, thorough contractor management system is actually quite easy to create. You can use the basic software and simply tailor it to meet your needs. If you’re looking for a better way to manage your contracts, this is it. Check out the new options, because it will be worth it.

Common Safety Problems on Construction Sites

Construction sites are far more regulated these days than ever before, though that doesn’t mean that they are 100% safe just yet. While safety is always one of the biggest concerns of any construction project, some things remain common safety problems. The following are a few of the common construction site safety problems.

Lifting Injuries

The most common injuries on construction sites are always lifting related. There are lots of ways that a worker can become injured lifting something, but the result is always devastating. Any heavy items should be moved by machine, and if something heavy needs to be manually moved, it should always have as many hands involved as possible, with everyone using proper lifting technique.

Falling

Every year workers are injured in falls at construction sites, and whether they fall from scaffolding or equipment, such injuries can be career ending. Workers who are working extremely high up on a site should always use harnesses and workers should be aware that even a fall from a short distance can be crippling if you land awkwardly.

Machine-Related Injuries

With all sorts of machinery in use on construction sites, it is quite common for workers to become injured by equipment that they are using, such as power saws, nail guns, and welding torches.

Head Knocks

You are advised to wear a helmet on construction sites because there is a high risk of hitting your head or having something else hit it. Whether it is something being accidentally dropped from a higher level of the scaffolding, or just walking into the edge of a structure, the dangers are many. When you are on site, protect your head.

Hand Tool Injuries

One of the main causes of injury on any construction site is from using tools, and usually this involves apprentice workers and those newer to the trade. A hammer, pliers or even a screwdriver can all do a respectable amount of damage, and at every construction site you will hear the occasional yell of a frustrated worker who has just used their own tool to cause themselves an injury.

Electrocution

While electrocution has slowly become less common on construction sites, it still injures and kills workers every year. Increased education, training and equipment have helped greatly, though electrocution still poses a major construction safety problem.

Construction sites are one of the most dangerous places that you can work. Even though there are lots of safety measures in place, there is still a decent chance that you may come home from the site with an injury. The people who build our impressive buildings, bridges, homes, schools, hospitals and towers take a significant risk in providing society with valuable structures. While they are paid well, the risk to their safety is large when compared with a regular office job. Workers in the construction industry are advised to get their own self insurance, as well as only ever work for companies that carry out a regular workplace safety audit.

Using Recycled Material for Your Building Project

Recyclable resources offer incredible potential for builders and can be the foundation of a whole new way of building.

Recyclable resources offer incredible potential for builders and can be the foundation of a whole new way of building. When it comes to best practice in waste management, recycling and re-use of a variety of resources are options that offer more beneficial and preferred outcomes than the traditional methods of treating, containing or disposing of waste.

What can be done?

It is probably quite obvious that preventing waste is always the option most preferred in the building and construction industries. Is this always possible though? Unfortunately, the absolute prevention of waste is rarely possible because building purposes and processes change and different structures subsequently need to be altered. Those who are familiar with building permits and the processes involved in obtaining a building permit and fulfilling all regulations can relate to how dynamic and changeable things can be in the building industry.

Recycling has the advantage of being the most practical and accessible strategy and approach for cutting down on the amount of construction and demolition (C & D) waste that is ultimately deposited in landfill. Recycling (and the use of recycled materials for building projects) has two main benefits in that it can reduce harmful environmental impacts and save time and money that would otherwise be spent on costs related to waste disposal.

How recycling and waste sorting in the building industry can positively impact the economy

Australia has enjoyed a comparatively strong economic position for a little while now and this has been reflected by strong growth and activity in the country’s construction industry. While this has been good for the building and construction industries, the amount of landfill available is quickly being exhausted and has resulted in a marked increase of charges for using tips. For example, in Sydney landfills it can cost $2200 to deposit the load of a 31-square-metre bin.

Such costs, together with new recycling requirements, have resulted in huge waste disposal costs for particular projects. Because of this, there has been a strong drive for companies to introduce and use improved waste minimisation and approaches to recycling, and a far stronger push to use recycled materials for various building projects. It has followed that, in states such as NSW where landfill charges are priced so highly, a correspondingly higher level of recycling is observed; in 2002-2003, the proportion of C & D waste that was recycled in NSW was shown to be 71 per cent.

Recycling promoted as a best practice

While increased landfill charges have a significant impact, it is acknowledged that, if the building sector is overburdened with charges, these charges will accumulate in construction costs, have an impact on practically all other sectors of the economy and increase consumer costs.

A much more appropriate and far more preferable approach is to ensure that best practice in recycling is promoted across the building industry so that markets are better informed, function with improved efficiency and are not subjected to heavy or unnecessary price penalties.

Sustainable building

Of course, there are important environmental drivers for using recycled materials for building projects. Sustainable building is gaining ever-increasing recognition and is often expected by clients; “…the high end of the commercial property market has shifted strongly toward green building.” The public is definitely concerned about sustainability and efficient use of resources. Being able to claim and show that recycled material has been used for a building project cannot help but impress in many situations.

Green (Green Star certified) offices are demanded by many organisations and are central to the drive of many major companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and prove to customers and shareholders that they are environmentally responsible.

The use of recycled material for building projects carries many advantages, including those pertaining to waste minimisation and environmental and corporate responsibility. Many organisations and individuals deliberately opt for sustainable, green buildings in order to limit and conserve the amount of waste produced while simultaneously enjoying cost savings.

What is a Kit Home and How Does it Work?

If you own some land in Australia and you’ve been searching for cheaper housing options, a Kit Home could be the perfect solution for you.

What is a Kit Home?
A Kit Home is essentially a home that comes in a kit. The materials used to build the home are pre-packaged and delivered to your site. Your house is then constructed on the site, using the kit home materials. It’s similar to buying pre-packaged furniture which you take home in a box and then
assemble – except it’s much bigger!

The Benefits of Building a Kit Home• Flexibility – Rather than simply inspecting houses and buying something that’s already there, a kit home gives you the flexibility to choose from a range of designs and structures.

• Cost effective – Kit homes have become very popular because they are so cost effective, since they don’t involve lots of architects, builders and so on. Because Kit Homes also come with pre-packaged materials, these materials (like timber and steel) are often much cheaper than buying them outright.

• Convenient – Another benefit of owning a Kit Home is that it is fast and easy. There’s no need to liaise for months with an architect or spend up to a year on getting building approvals.  A Kit Home can be constructed in as little time as 8 weeks or less.

What types of Kit Homes are there?

Kit Homes come in all shapes and sizes and you can tailor them to suit your needs. You can choose a granny flat or a studio, a 1-bedroom or a 5-bedroom home, even a two-storey home!

You can also choose from options like en suites, verandas, patios, walk-in wardrobes, pantries – and much more. Kit Homes also come in many designs, from contemporary and traditional-looking homes to chalet-style, beach-style and country-style designs.

You can also choose from a range of building materials, such as timber, steel, brick, weatherboard and concrete.

What’s included in my Kit Home?

The inclusions in each Kit Home pack will vary depending on your needs and on which Kit Home provider you choose to go with. Some Kit Homes will include things like your fixtures, locks, doors, cupboards, however, some won’t. You’ll need to check with your Kit Home company to see what they provide. Some companies will also charge extra for different kits, such as a flooring kit, fixtures kit etc.

Bear in mind that a Kit Home is also only the frame of your house – it doesn’t include things like plumbing or electrical wiring, so you will need to organise these yourself.

How is my Kit Home constructed?

If you have the DIY know-how, your Kit Home can be constructed by you, as an owner-builder. All Kit Homes come with building instructions and a checklist for you to follow. This is a great way to save money.

If you’re not confident however or if you lack building experience, you can also employ a manager to oversee the construction of the home from start to finish, including the building of the Kit Home and the subsequent installations of plumbing and electricity. Alternatively, you can simply hire a builder yourself and manage the rest of the installations on your own.

How will my Kit Home look when finished?

A Kit Home is entirely indistinguishable from a traditionally built home and looks amazingly new when completed. Some Kit Home companies will also have a display centre, where you can view the completed homes before you buy. This will give you an idea of the finished look and is also a good option for working out what you want!

Small Bathroom Design Tips

Your bathroom is easily the most important room in your home, and since you will be spending a lot of time in it, it’s important that it has a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. Small bathrooms are particularly challenging when it comes to finding that comfort, but there are many ways that even a small bathroom can have everything you want. Whether you are building your own bathroom, renovating an existing one, or just looking for a quick fix, the following design tips will help you get the most out of your tiny bathroom.

Lighting

Since your bathroom is small, you can’t just buy the first paint or wallpaper that you see. You need to carefully consider the effect that different colours will have on the space. Deep, rich colours can make a room look very small; light, neutral colours such as white, beige, light grey or light tan will open the space up. If you do want colour in your bathroom, you can always consider tinting a white paint, or getting a pastel version of the colour you like. If you absolutely must have bold colours in your small bathroom, then use them in the accessories such as towels or soap dishes.

Simplify the Sink

A vanity cabinet provides ample storage space under the sink, but it also takes up a lot of floor space in a small bathroom. Trading in your vanity for a more simple pedestal sink or a wall-mounted sink will open up your bathroom significantly. You can always find more storage space elsewhere in the house, or install some understated shelving to make up for the lack of storage.

More Mirrors

Mirrors are your best friends when it comes to creating an illusion of more space. Most bathrooms haveat least one mirror over the sink, but you don’t have to stop there. Using more mirrors in your decorating will reflect the light in the room. You could have a full-body mirror on the door, or mirror tiles as accent pieces.

Downsize the Decorations

All rooms start to look smaller when there is a lot of clutter, or when there are many small decorations, and the bathroom is no exception. Try swapping all your small art pieces for one large one. Great medium-sized decorations for the bathroom include a candle, a bouquet of flowers, a plant or a vase, and these will help add style to the room without taking up all the space.

Expanding the Size of Your Office

A small office can have large consequences when it comes to workplace efficiency and employee morale. If your office is too small to conduct your business and provide comfort to your employees, then it is time to make a serious change. There are a lot of ways that you can physically make the space bigger, but if that’s not an option, then there are other techniques that work without actually changing the physical space. The following tips will help you maximise your office space and get your work done properly and on time.

Improve the Layout

If you really take some time to look at the layout of your office, you may realise that you’re wasting a lot of space with poorly placed furniture. Decide what the primary function of your office is so that you can redirect some space towards that. If your office is “open” style with multiple desks, then try rearranging the desks into formations that allow for individual space as well as for movement between desks. Also focus on office furniture, and try to replace large old furniture with sleek and more modern minimalist furniture.Moving People Around

Having efficiently placed furniture isn’t the only way you can make your office seem bigger. Grouping employees properly based on their work needs as opposed to their job titles is a great way to minimise movement and chaos in a small office. For example, if you need to constantly move between your desk and the secretary’s desk, then he or she should not be situated on the other side of the room. By strategically organising the people in your office, it will seem far less busy and hectic.

Purchase More Office Space

If your business has expanded past being able to solve space issues by moving people and furniture around, then it may be time to consider a physically larger office. Moving straight into a larger office takes a lot of work, but your business and employees will thank you for providing more room to grow and function. If your existing office can be renovated, then do this because your office will remain familiar while providing more space. The last option is to have an additional office space elsewhere, and send some employees to work there instead. In this situation it is important to maintain staff unity so that the offices don’t feel divided, and you can do so by organising regular events that bring both offices together, or by implementing staff uniforms.

Downsize

In this day and age, there is no reason why oversized computers, printers and fax machines should be in your office. Modern technology is minimalist, and it would be in your best interest to rid your office of old behemoths and replace them with smaller and sleeker equipment. This isn’t just for computers, but anything else in your office that is unnecessarily large. For example, creative offices that provide large drafting tables for each employee will benefit from investing in Adobe training that will allow employees to do their art on a computer instead.