Its no secret that times are tough for alot of people right now but that doesn’t mean we have to sacrifice when it comes to decorating a home.  It just means that we have to re-think how we do it.  Here are the top 5 of a list of 40 tips on how to save money on decorating your home:

1. Use free stuff you already have
2. Set a Budget
3. Start with the Front Door/Entry
4. Utilize existing furniture
5. Redesign your furniture layout

These are just the top 5 on a list of 40 great ideas from Freshhome.  Here is the rest of the list:

http://freshome.com/2010/08/27/40-best-money-saving-decorating-ideas-for-your-home/

Looking to hire a contractor but not sure how to find a good one through all the bad ones? If you watch any home improvement shows you most likely have heard many horror stories about bad contractors.  The key to making sure this does not happen to your is to do your homework before hiring one.  Here is an excellent short and sweet guide to helping your through the process of hiring a contractor:

http://freshome.com/2010/08/27/7-essential-tips-for-hiring-a-home-general-contractor

Here in the state of Washington rain is something we rarely have a shortage of. Even during the hot summer months we often will get some rain at least once every two weeks or so. With this excellent natural resource it is almost silly that we still rely on tap water to irrigate our yards. There are some great natural irrigation solutions out there and one that is becoming more and more common are rain barrels. Rain barrels are a water collection system that are typically hooked up to a home’s gutter downspouts with the intention of gathering rain water for use on plants, gardens, lawns and anything else that requires watering.

A Rain Barrel system can be a do it yourself project or you can hire someone and have them come in and perform the installation for you. It is a relatively simple concept so most people are apt to do it themselves. Here are some great resources on how to setup your own Rain Collection system at your home.

HGTV: An good online guide to making your rain barrel. http://www.hgtv.com/landscaping/rain-barrels/index.html

Looking to Hire someone? This Tacoma based company sells safe rain barrels and accessories to make your install easier.   http://www.naturalrainwater.com/

Are you looking to improve the look of your home’s exterior but don’t have the money to spend on a contractor?  Consider these five simple steps that you can do yourself to add to the curb appeal of your property.

1)Wash/Clean the Exterior: This is perhaps one of the most affordable and important things to do to improve the curb appeal of your home.  From the drive way to the actual siding you can clean things up and make a big impact on the way your home looks.  The entry to your home is the most visible so be sure to rent a pressure washer and clean up your driveway, walkways and paths leading to your home.  You can even use a pressure washer to clean the siding of your home but make sure to read up on how to so you don’t strip the paint.

2)Painting: Did you clean the exterior of your home but still feel it is not enough? Next on the list, and still very affordable, is painting.  Painting your home can have a huge impact on its overall look and can be very gratifying.  Paint, however, is not always cheap and if painting your whole house is on the list, it may be outside the budget.  If so, consider only dressing up the trim on your home.  Eye catching and clean trim around the doors and windows can make a huge difference.

3)Landscaping/Pruning: Next up on the list is landscaping and pruning.  The decor in the front of your home can really add to its appeal and make if feel unique.  You would be surprised how affordable landscaping can be if you keep your eye out for good deals and sales.  If you have a lawn in the front of your home invest in some fertilizer and keep it green and mowed.  This can really help the rest of your house stand out against the vibrant green color of a well maintained lawn.  Also, don’t forget to keep your plants and shrubs properly trimmed and pruned.

4)Decorate: Still not feeling like you have done enough to your property to make it stand out? Try adding some decor to the front of it.  A simple bench on the edge of a lawn or a swing on the front porch can add charm and give the feel of “there’s no place like home”.  Have a pathway leading up to your front door?  Consider lining the edge of it with decorative stones or adding a bird bath along it.  Simple decorative changes can really add appeal and make a difference.

5)Lighting: If you are improving your homes overall look you may also want to consider how it will look at night.  Lighting can show off your hard work but you want to make sure it is the right type of lighting.  Have lights down on the street?  Consider keeping your eyes peeled for a sale at your local hardware store and upgrading the fixtures.  You can also purchase outdoor rope lights for a low price and use them under overhangs or a along a pathway to add accenting to your property.

As you can see there are a lot of ways to improve your property’s curb appeal without having to hire someone and spending a bundle.  There are many resources on the internet that can help with ideas as well and looking for sales is the right way to save big money on improvements.

When it comes to building fences for sporting applications there is a different standard in durability and function than regular fences.  If you are looking for a contractor to install an athletic fence here are a few things to consider before moving forward.

What will be the main function of the fence?  Are you going to be using it to enclose a field or will it be used as a backstop?  These are important questions because different needs can call for a different gauge of wiring.  For example, a backstop fence would use a much thicker gauged wire than a basic outfield homerun fence.  The larger gauge wire means it will take longer to wear down and will have a better chance of standing the test of time.  A homerun fence, on the contrary, sees little wear, is more of an enclosure and would not require as heavy of a gauge of wire.

Additionally there are some aesthetic offerings that can be applied to sporting fences as well.   For example, if you are enclosing a sport court that is on your property you may want to use a vinyl coated chain link fence rather than a traditional galvanized fence.   This will give your fence a cleaner and more professional look which may mesh better with your home.  Which leads us to our next topic, fence coating.

If your fence is located in an area that is constantly exposed to moisture, like here in the northwest, it is a good idea to make sure it comes with a protective coating.  Sports field fences in particular are at a higher risk for water damage because of the continuous exposure from sprinkler systems.  To prevent this you can have your chain link fence coated in aluminum prior to installation.  Be sure in inquire with your contractor about the various protective coatings that can be added to your chain link fence.  It could mean the difference between a rusty, brittle fence and a long lasting one.

If you are considering a fence for a sporting application be sure to contact us today.  We have the experience required to get the job done right and have worked on both private an municipal sporting fences.  To learn more be sure to visit our athletic and sports fence page.

Looking for a quick and easy way to improve your property’s value? Look no further than a professional fence installation by Fence Specialists.

When a fence is properly installed it can make a world of difference on a property and give a home an entirely new feel. Not just any type of fence can do this, however. A professional at Fence Specialists can help you choose a type of fence that will match your home and increase its overall curb appeal.

A chain link fence is a popular type of fence because of its simple functionality and relatively affordable cost. However, if you are looking to increase the overall value of your home and give it an aesthetic appeal chain link fence may not be the best solution.  Depending on the home and it’s surroundings other options may make more sense. For example, a ranch style home might look better with a white vinyl fence vs a basic wooden fence.  Additionally, a primarily brick home might look best with a decorative metal type of fencing.

Fence Specialists can help you make the right decision when it comes to choosing a fence type for your property. Don’t make a costly mistake by choosing a fence type that does not match the rest of your property.  We are here to help so feel free to  Contact us today for more information.

Many people choose to add a fence to a property is to increase privacy in a yard or to block street/road noise. Depending on your property this may or may not completely work. If you are trying to block out road noise but your home sits on a hill above the road chances are good that you are not going to be able to block it all out with the traditional fence. Fencing regulations make this difficult by limiting how high you can build, and for good reason.  If we were all allowed to build fences as tall as we like we would more than likely end up with some very ugly neighborhoods.   If you find yourself in this situation a great work around is to use trees and shrubs acting as a fence with no height regulations. A fence will help out with the majority of noise but in some situations you must go beyond the fence.   As always, it is good to ask yourself a few questions before you get started on a project like this.

First, how urgently do you need to block out the noise? Is it immediate or can you live with it while you wait for the trees to grow? This will make a difference on how much you spend and what kind of plants you purchase. Some plants grow faster than others so it is good to do your research and find out what will be best for your situation.

How much noise is there? Do you need really thick trees or just something to block visibility? This will also have an impact on what kind of plants you purchase and how much money you spend. If you are trying to block out really loud road noise you will want a thicker tree/shrub that will absorb much of the sound. If sound is not an issue but you are trying to block a view you may not need such a thick shrub.

What kind of budget are you on? Plants range is cost and can be a make it or break it for your project. If you are looking for plants that are already grown to a certain height then you will be spending more vs. plants that are still small.

Like most projects it is important to do some research before you go out and buy. The last thing you want to do is spend money on a plant/tree that loses its leaves in the fall. What good is that going to do? So be sure to take the time and learn about what will fit your needs best. Below are some great resources on trees and shrubs that could help out on your project.

Fast Growing Trees – A list and review of trees that grow quicker than others

Best Trees to Block Road Noise – A short E-how article recommending trees to block noise.

Guide to Soundproofing a Home – Another E-how article on steps to soundproof a home

A practical Guide to Noise Control – An 160 page E-book guide to cutting down noise.

Vinyl fencing has become a very popular substitute for wood and chain link fence over the recent years.  Vinyl possess different properties than traditional fencing solutions and it is good to examine these in detail before deciding whether or not vinyl fencing is the right product for you. Should you find yourself considering Vinyl as a fencing solution be sure to do some research on the fence and ask the tough questions before making a decision.

Here are some of the advantages of using vinyl fence over traditional fences:

1. Vinyl typically lasts much longer than wooden fence and is nearly 5 times stronger than wood.  This means you will be getting more for your money and are investing in something that should last a lifetime.
2. Vinyl maintains it’s look and does not require painting.  Most vinyl is the same color through the entire depth of the material and therefore does not need to be refinished ever.
3. Vinyl is easy to clean with basic household cleaning materials.  For more vinyl fence care see our post on how to clean a vinyl fence.
4. Vinyl does not decompose like wood and is rust free.  Vinyl material is built to last and maintains is original condition for years.
5. Vinyl is flexible and will not snap or break off as easily as wood.
6. Vinyl is very low maintenance.

Overall you can see that Vinyl Fence is meant to be a long lasting, low maintenance fencing product.  As the industry evolves the advances in manufacturing have made vinyl a strong competitor for common fencing applications.

Some disadvantages of Vinyl that should be considered are listed here:

1. Vinyl is one of the more expensive fencing solutions available. If you are on a budget it may not be right for you.
2. Should your vinyl fence be damaged it can be more difficult to replace and could require the work of a professional for repairing even a small section of fence.
3. Some vinyl fencing can fade in extreme weather.  Be sure to research the type of vinyl and find out if the color will change when exposed to the elements.  Recent advances in technology have addressed these concerns but it is still good to understand what you are purchasing.

In general Vinyl is an excellent fencing solution and in most instances the advantages can outweigh the disadvantages.  The most important thing is to do your research and make sure you are purchasing the right type of fence for your needs.  Be sure to inquire if the manufacturer offers warranties as many do offer some limited lifetime warranties on their products.

At Fence Specialists we carry over 40 different styles of Vinyl Fence and work with a variety of manufacturers including Bufftech by CertainTeed.  Contact us today to find out what kind of Vinyl Fence is right for you.

We were recently interviewed by “Living The Country Life” for an article on Vinyl Fence care and cleaning tips.  We are excited for the article to come out and we should be seeing it sometime in August.  When it is published we will update you.  Until then feel free to check out www.livingthecountrylife.com for tips and articles on country living.

Have a blog or magazine that you would like to interview us for?  Contact Fence Specialists at sales@fencespecialists.com or give us a call at (253)531-5452 today!

The line between needing a construction permit and not needing one can sometimes be pretty blurry.  If you neglect to do your research you can find yourself in sticky situation should the authorities find out or when it comes time to sell your home.  Even the smallest of remodels require permits as well as things that have nothing to do with building like removal of large trees.

Make sure you cover yourself and do the proper research before engaging in any sort of construction project.  More details for the city of Tacoma permit requirements can be found here:

http://www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?nid=153

And if you aren’t in the city of Tacoma just go to your city or counties web page and do a quick search for “building permits” or give them a call.