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5 Home Safety Tips for When You Travel

13Jun2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Are you planning on traveling this summer? Most New Englanders are!

We work with homeowners on a daily basis and keeping their home safe is our #1 priority (along with building/updating the home of their dreams). Traveling in the summer , or anytime of year, is always a great experience and who doesn’t love a vacation?! However, no one wants to return home to find their house has been broken into. Ensure yourself the peace of mind in knowing that your home is protected while you are away by following these essential tips:

Save

Save[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Share Your Travels Once You Have Returned
The one greatest mistake you can make when you are traveling is blindly posting about your trip on social media. It’s one thing to share a picture of a simple mid-day outing or write a post about a night out, but when it comes to leaving your house for an extended amount of time, you leave your home vulnerable now that you have shared personal information with a crowd of people. Always assume that whatever you decide to post to social media is public even if you have a private account. There’s nothing a criminal loves more than being handed the precious details of when a house is empty. So document your time away, but be sure to share it once you have returned home!

Hire a House Sitter
Another way to gain peace of mind during your time away from home is to hire a house sitter. Whether you would like them to regularly stop by to maintain the house or to simply just drive by each day and check on the place, it’s comforting to have a set of eyes on your home to ensure that everything seems normal.

Stop Your Mail
Another telltale sign to people that you haven’t been home in awhile is the accumulation of newspapers and mail outside your house. As you prepare for your trip, stop into your nearest post office to place a “stop” order on your newspapers and mail. If you don’t get the chance to make a trip to the post office while preparing for your trip this is also where a house sitter could come in handy so they can bring in the mail everyday.

Consider Installing a Light Switch Timer
Don’t leave several of your lights on in the house in an effort to make it look like people are home. The bright lights constantly shining throughout the night can look suspicious and it will also drive up your electric costs. Consider investing in a light switch timer that will allow you to turn your lights on and off automatically according to a programmed schedule.

Pull the Plug on Electronics
Sometimes, your worst enemy isn’t even a person but rather the electronics that are left in your home as you travel. Be sure to unplug your computer, television, kitchen appliances, etc. to protect them from power surges. This will also help you save on energy costs as many appliances draw energy even when they are not turned on.

Wherever your travels take you, keep your home safe so you can enjoy your time away!

Enjoy your summer travels and let us know if we can help us build or remodel your home!

~ The McDonald Contracting Team[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog

4 Tips for New Homeowners

9May2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No matter what your age, if you’ve taken the leap into buying a new home, you’re going to need some guidance on where to go from here. Make use of these few survival tips so you can ease into the joys of owning your new home!

Focus on What Needs Immediate Attention
Moving into a new home can be stressful especially depending on the current state of the house. It’s important to take into account what you can afford in the beginning while always keeping in mind the future home projects your house may need along the way.

Figure Out What Repairs You Can’t Do On Your Own
One of the new expenses that accompanies home ownership is having to make repairs. There’s a time and a place to do small repairs on your own, but be careful trying to take on the ones that could put you in danger. Do not do yourself or your house the injustice of giving it the improper treatment. Remember that your home is both the place where you live as well as an investment, and it deserves the same amount of care you would give to anything else you value greatly.

Service Checks
Be sure to evaluate all of your home systems including your water heater, fireplace, and/or chimney, and any major appliances that must be checked. As a new homeowner, you want to make sure that your house is properly functioning before you begin to move in just in case the unexpected happens and your valuable items take a hit. Be proactive and take the necessary precautions beforehand to ensure a smooth transition.

Changing the Locks
Once again, protect yourself from another worst-case scenario by changing your locks before you move in. The last thing you want is to leave your home (and your valuables) vulnerable to previous residents of that home who might still have access. Don’t put this task off especially since you don’t know how many copies of the house key the previous owner made. Be able to enjoy your new home by first making yourself and those you live with as safe as possible by completing these tasks beforehand. It’s time to sit back and take some pride in one of the most memorable purchases of your life!

Did you just purchase a new house and do you need help with a renovation project? Our team at McDonald Contracting will be happy to help you assess your new home and give you a free quote for any projects you may need assistance with. Check out our recent work to get an idea of the work we do!

Need inspiration for you house? Check out our Pinterest boards for some great home ideas![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Blog, Tips

Choosing an Outdoor Space that Best Fits Your Lifestyle

22Mar2017

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No matter the size of your outdoor space, you want to be able to utilize every inch of your property. Just as you would design the inside of your home, you want the outside space to align with your lifestyle so that you can get as much use out of it as you can! If you’re tight on space at your home or want to revamp your current space, our team can help! We have designed numerous decks, porches, and patios for our clients. In the end, the most important component of the addition/remodeled outdoor space is that we’re able to provide homeowners with a new area that allows more space to gather and entertain.

The question is – what type of outdoor space/style are you looking for? Check out these ideas below and see which outdoor style best fits you.

The Quaint Getaway
Not only should your outdoor space be a reflection of your lifestyle, but also your personality. Are you Type A or Type B? Are you more outgoing or do you lead a fairly relaxing life? If you lean more towards Type B, then having an outdoor space is the perfect way to unwind and spend some quality free time! It all starts with laying down the perfect deck or patio, which creates a welcoming extension of the house that brings you into your lovely outdoor space. The key to comfort here is to select patio furniture that is comfortable, will last, and is visually appealing. Another helpful tip if you’re looking to relax in this space is to find some relief from the sun. This can be done with mature trees, decorative umbrellas, retractable awnings, or even pergolas. Adding some greenery as well will definitely make it feel like the quaint getaway you desire. Depending on your yard, be sure to build around any existing trees or plants that you wish to keep if that is an option and fits into your design plan.

The Entertainer
If you’re more Type A, you’re definitely looking to regularly entertain which means you need a killer outdoor space to welcome friends and guests. A patio and/or deck is essential, but beyond that the two musts to any successful party or get-together are none other than the food and drinks. Purchasing a grill and building an outdoor bar are excellent ways to replicate a more casual dining and kitchen space on your deck or patio. Also, adding a fire pit will undoubtably create an inviting setting specifically for entertaining. It provides you and your guests with a comfortable atmosphere that inspires conversation and fosters a sense of togetherness.

Family Fun
Don’t forget that some of the most memorable family traditions aren’t just made inside the home, but in your outdoor space as well. First off, your outdoor space will feel more intimate and private if it has some sense of enclosure such as a fence or use of landscaping around the property. Once you have a set space to work with, define different activity zones within the outdoor space just as you would indoors. Multiple levels carve out spaces for dining, relaxing, and playing on the deck and the green space. This will help you maintain both the adult spaces as well as kid spaces so everyone can enjoy being outside. If you have enough lawn space, invest in some sort of activity like a volleyball that everyone can do together. This play space combined with an area to eat and relax will provide you with every aspect an outdoor space can offer so you can truly maximize your outdoor living!

See some of one of our recent deck remodels [/vc_column_text][vc_separator color=”blue” el_width=”70″][vc_column_text]Looking to create your own outdoor sanctuary with a beautiful new deck, porch or patio? Contact our team for a free estimate today![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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