Plan Your Remodeling and Home Improvement Projects

It all begins with a dream. Cathedral ceilings! Skylights! Room-sized closets! But, the dream may turn into a nightmare, unless you plan ahead. Before you remodel, follow these steps to get your home improvement project on the right start. How to Remodel a House: 1. Draw Your Dream Even before you consult an architect, you can begin sketching out your ideas and imagining your dreams—just get over the reasons not to remodel your home first. If you are adding or expanding a room, think about how the space will be used and how the changes will affect traffic patterns. Also consider how new construction will affect the overall context of your home. An oversized addition may overwhelm your house or crowd a small lot. A simple home design software program can help you visualize your project. Which Home Design Software is Best?Symmetry and Proportion in DesignFree Tools to Help You Choose House Paint Colors 2. Learn From Others One of the best ways to get inspiration and to avoid pitfalls is to follow the experiences of other homeowners. A number of Web sites offer online chronicles of home improvement projects, along with reply forms, message boards, and chat rooms that let you ask questions and get feedback. Ask around about local networking in addition to these: DIY ChatroomReddit has a number of DIY communities, including Home ImprovementThis Old House 3. Think Ahead Although you may dream of having a spacious new addition, the project may not make sense if you plan to sell your house in a few years. A luxury bathroom can price your house beyond the values in your neighborhood. Some projects, such as vinyl siding on a Queen Anne Victorian, will actually decrease the value of your home. Moreover, your own familys needs may be very different in a few years. Will the plans you draw today fit your future? Plan for StorageBuild to Save EnergyChoose the Best Plans 4. Count Your Money Even the best-laid budgets can go bust. Chances are, your remodeling project will cost more than you expect. Before you set your heart on high-end ceramic tile, find out how much you have to spend and make sure you have a cushion against cost overruns. For must-have items that could wipe out your savings account, explore home improvement loans and other financing options. If you own your home, a line of credit is often the best bet. Consider online borrowing from reputable companies that bring together small investors with borrowers. The Better Business Bureau reviews companies, such as the Lending Club. Some people depend on crowdfunding, but you should know your comfort level and understand what youre getting into. How Much Will It Cost?Build on a BudgetBuilding Cost Estimators 5. Choose your team Unless you plan to take on the entire remodeling project by yourself, youll need to hire helpers. Naturally, youll want to make sure that the folks who work for you are qualified, licensed, and properly insured. But, finding the best team for your remodeling project goes beyond a simple reference check. The architect who has won top awards may have a design vision very different from your own. If you have an older house, hire someone who knows the time period when your house was built; putting a finger on historical appropriateness is an undervalued skill. Use these resources to find the professionals you feel comfortable with. Do You Need an Architect?How to Find an Architect 6. Negotiate a Contract Whether you plan a simple carpentry job or a major project requiring the services of an architect and a general contractor, misunderstandings can lead to disaster. Do not begin remodeling without a written contract. Make sure everyone agrees on the work that will be completed and how long it will take. Also be clear on the types of materials that will—and will not—be used. Top 10 Building / Remodeling Contract Issues 7. Get Permissions In most parts of the world, a legal permit is required before you make structural changes to your home. The building permit assures that the remodeling project meets local building codes and safety regulations. If you live in a historic district, the permit also assures that exterior changes to your home are in keeping with neighborhood guidelines. General contractors will usually take care of the paperwork, but small-time workers may not... and the permits become your responsibility. 8. Plan for Problems - Make Ground Rules The larger the remodel job, the greater the chances are for frustrations. There will be equipment breakdowns, supply shortages, miscommunications, and delays. Draw up a few friendly rules for workers—tell them where they may park their trucks and store their equipment overnight. If concrete is involved, know where the leftover will be dumped. And, dont expect contractors to take care of your pets—the family dog and cat may be happier at a relatives summer camp. Also, take care of you and your family. Plan for ways you can indulge yourself when times become especially stressful. Schedule a day at a spa and reserve a night at a romantic bed and breakfast inn. You deserve it! Why Remodel a House? Theres a difference between renovation and remodeling. Renovation is aligned with preservation and restoration—keeping up with repairs and the original intent of an historic house. The word itself means to make new again—re- novus. The root of remodeling is something different. It shows a dissatisfaction with the current model, so you want to do it again, to change something. Too often people get involved in remodeling a house when what they really need to do is remodel themselves or a relationship. So you might want to ask yourself this: Why do you really want to remodel? Many people have good reasons to make a change—life events (does someone now use a walker or wheelchair?), different circumstances (are the parents about to move in?), or preparation for the future (shouldnt we install a home elevator now, before we need it?). Some people just like change, and thats okay, too. The first step in any home remodeling, though, is to take a step back into self-reflection. Know why youre doing something before you make the plan how to do it. You might save yourself a bunch of money—and a relationship. Good luck!

Comparing The Lenses Of Personal And Social Identity

How is it for you to see yourself through both a personal and social identity perspective? How did your Cultural Chest increase your understanding? In comparing the lenses of personal and social identities, it is interesting to note the role that other people play in influencing social conceptions as compared to those which are inwardly shaped. In relation to Tatum’s reference to Charles Cooley, considering my social identity made it clear that â€Å"people are in the mirror in which [I see myself]† (Tatum, 2003, p. 9). However, I also found that these â€Å"people† were not as welcome when it came to my personal perspective. When I constructed my Cultural Chest, the outside of my box was predominantly limited to observations rooted in†¦show more content†¦How did it feel to listen to those in class? How do you feel about your sense of comfort and trust in the group? Listening to others in class was both connecting and extremely comforting because of the sense of familial transparency that ensued. Each presentation came off as authentic, and it was clear that there were many details and experiences shared that normally would have been glossed over- or simply omitted- in other class settings. In experiencing this, my sense of comfort and trust in the group increased tenfold. Despite the fact that the majority of us do not yet know many details about each other, we haven’t been interacting like this is the case. With this group, I feel increasingly comfortable and as though I can trust that my experiences will be respectfully processed and remain private when our dialogue ends. When was the first time you experienced this thing called race? What happened? Describe the circumstances and the reactions of other people around you. Ex. Parents, friends, siblings. What were your feelings? 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Online Fashion Stores and the Internet

Question: Discuss about the Online Fashion Stores and the Internet. Answer: Introduction The fashion industry is a very vibrant industry. With most trends changing faster than we can keep up with them it is essential for any business in this industry to be up to date with the current fashion trends so that they can lure clients into their business and for them to make purchases. In the fashion industry firms have developed business to consumer sites which have enabled them to sell their products online to a wider range of clients all over the globe (Amor, 1999). A brick and click firm is a business or a firm which has both an online presence such as an ecommerce website and a physical location where they sell their products from (Web applications meets bricks and mortar, 2013). In the transformation of businesses in the current digital age there is a huge need for businesses to keep up with the changes. Businesses have to know where there potential clients spend their time and how they do their shopping so that they can adapt and capitalize on them to remain relevant in the market and still make profits while at it. In businesses which have an ecommerce site it is necessary for them to have a physical location so that they can be able to transform their online reach of clients into potential clients who buy their products online or visit their physical location to make their purchases (Tkacz Kapczynski, 2009). Any business that offers a physical shop, and has an online presence, benefits from these two platforms in the making of sales (Pettit, 2012). They can be able to sell their products to clients who are near their shops to other clients who are around the globe. There are various firms in the fashion industry who have an ecommerce site which they use to capitalize on the online scene to make their sales (Beynon, 2004). As there has been increased sales of goods and services in all areas of business the Middle East has not been left out. The Middle East has seen over 4.43 million online shoppers. These numbers have been seen cumulatively in all areas of the Middle East such as Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and UAE. There are various sites that sell fashion ware among other products within the Middle East. They include souq.com, aido.com, lesttango.com and alshop.com. They are also other websites around the globe that are famously acclaimed for selling fashion ware. They include reformation.com and present-london.com. The emerging trend in the fashion industry and basically almost all industries is about gaining the online presence and operating digitally. This is primarily because of the congestion that comes about with the presence of having physical stores; not to mention the costs involved and low clientele. Ideally, the online presence has served to change the way fashion shopping is to be carried out and affected. The consequences have been a positive outcome in a majority of instance as some of these online shops retail on the international sphere. While most of the retailers come from the United States and the United Kingdom, the Middle East also serves to facilitate for a good number of the international market (Timers, 2000). In this respect, this paper will focus on the online presence of Boohoo of the United States of America, ASOS from the United Kingdom and SIVVI.com of the United Arab Emirates. These are online fashion stores that have great presence in the digital scope. One of the features of the online sphere is that content is readily available and there is need for easy accessibility of the content. This easy derivation of data and navigation is what enables users to a site to frequent it often (Economic focus, 2010). However, online sites that are not easily defined and navigable make it difficult for users to find anything they want and as a result, they opt for other sites hence lowering the performance of the previous site (Sherry Macredie, 2005). With regard to the three sites under study, each of them has an active online presence with an effective client base. ASOS is one of Americas largest online fashion stores headquartered in the United Kingdom. The main targets of the site are the young adults presenting them with over 850 fashion brands to choose from. These brands are sold both online and through mobile experiences. The target markets of ASOS include the United States, Germany, France, China, Italy, Spain and Russia. In addition to the online experience, the company also ships its merchandise to its customers overseas to over 140 countries (Bidgoli, 2002). ASOS.com is the primary website of the company through which, customers can view and place orders for the latest fashion brands and trends. The site has been designed in a manner that is presentable and catchy to the needs of modern day young adults. This is such that, rather than the common professional look that many websites go for, ASOS.com has explored and worked beyond the ordinary in the design of its website. Upon logging into the site, it becomes evident who are the main beneficiaries and the various fashion styles on display. The navigation of the site is quite easy with the provided quick links (Rohm Swaminathan, 2004). Content is easily retrievable within the site by following the provided quick links. It is not easy to navigate through a site when its downloading systems are slow. The ASOS site however, has fast downloads thus saving on both time and internet data for the consumers. The graphics and overall display used in the site is captivating with focus placed on the needs of the consumer. This is in the sense that, the site has utilized a great portion of graphics to produce clear images and content. The linking capabilities to the web have been fully exploited (Doherty, Chadwick Hart, 2010). Deep linking methodology has been utilized making the site easily retrievable from the World Wide Web without necessarily having to visit its homepage. Finally, the privacy policy of ASOS.com is well defined at the bottom of its homepage and is acces sible by a mere click of the button. This gives the consumers a chance to understand the legal obligations of the company to the consumers and vice versa. Boohoo is an American based online fashion store whose primary targets are men and women in their prime. The sites overall appearance is one that ensures that both men and women are comfortable and welcome to use the site. Ideally, the graphics used in the site facilitates for its unisex appearance. Using the site is equally as easy as using ASOS.com. However, finding content is not as easy. An individual has to scroll through the site to find the specific merchandise they are looking for and to see which products are attracting discounts (Bigne, 2005). Basically, Boohoo is a rather complex site that is best designed for the tech savvy group of individuals and the patient. Downloads in the site are quite fast once the user has found their way around the site and is able to navigate with ease. Nonetheless, the graphics and animation used in the site are very exemplary and project the professionalism and the casual nature of the target audience. In essence, the presentation in the site makes it lucrative for the target audience to select the look they wish to achieve. Like many other modern technology sites, Boohoo has well explored the linking capabilities to the web and can therefore be traced and found with ease in the global web without necessarily having to link it to the companys website. This practically makes it easy for many people to access the site either willingly or by chance and consequently increase its internet presence alongside clientele (Falk, Socket Chen, 2005). The target audience is mainly the elite class although many others can still benefit from its services. The sense of community is rather limited to the social elite and working class. The privacy policy is not easily traceable but it is a quick link at the very bottom of the page. SIVVI.com is an online fashion store headquartered in the United Arab Emirates. Unlike many perceptions that the UAE might not have much to offer, the UAE has become the worlds new shopping center for a variety of products and goods (Thomas White International, 2012). This is inclusive of the latest fashion, perfumes, and accessories among other goods. The online store provides an array of products for the target market to choose from. Practically, the site caters for a wide range of customers of various age groups and body sizes in the clothing department. The general outlook of the site is one that is welcoming. On first site, a user can easily navigate through the site and gauge where what content is placed. The categorization of the goods makes it easy to locate that which a client is looking for and the site provides a variety of options to choose from even for just one product. The options provided are for both men and women in which, the site users have the option to select th eir most preferred designs, prices, brands and sizes as well. Being an online store from the Arabic Emirates, it would be expected that everything is in Arabic. On the contrary, the site is in English and provides the option of selecting products from the different Arabic nations or internationally. Navigation of the site is fast as everything is listed on the front page of the site. The sites downloads are fast and easily accessible throughout the site. The graphics used are of top quality and display the products in their exact appearance making it possible to estimate on which ones they want and in what color and size. Primarily, the site has utilized little of the linking capabilities of the web. The site can only be found within its webpage and not through other means such as deep linking. Nonetheless, SIVVI.com is a communal site that makes people from across the globe to feel comfortable using the site. The sites privacy policy is eloquent and accessible at the bottom of the web page. Out of the three online fashion stores, Boohoo.com is one that has received rather negative reviews from customers who were dissatisfied by their service and lack of adherence to their policies (Peterson, Balasubramanian Bronnenberg, 1997). It would be advisable for the company to re-evaluate its policies and look into the customers needs. The refund policy being the greatest concern should be reconsidered and restructured. Failure to do so will only cost the store its clientele. Secondly, the site needs to look into its general outlook and navigation so as to create a sense of community for its visitors and not the distinct categorization of its clientele. Improvements on its navigation in turn enable customers to easily find products. References Amor D. (1999). The e-business revolution. Prentice Hall. Beynon D. P. (2004). E-Business. Plagrave, Basingstoke. Bidgoli H. (2002). Electronic Commerce: Principles and Practice. Academic Press. pp. 57. Bigne E. (2005). The impact of Internet User Shopping Patterns and Demographics on Consumer Mobile Buying Behavior. Journal of Electronic Commerce Research. 6(3). Doherty N.F., Chadwick E. F. Hart C.A. (2010). Cyber retailing in the UK: the potential of the Internet as a retail channel. International Journal of Retail Distribution Management. 27(1): 22-36. Economics focus: The click and the dead. (2010). The Economist. pp. 78. Eisingerich A. B. Kretschmer T. (2008). In E-Commerce More is More. Harvard Business Review. 86 (3): 20 -21. Falk L.K., Socket H. Chen K. (2005). E-commerce and Consumers Expectations: What Makes a Website Work. Journal of Website Promotion. 1(1): 65 -75. Now a Digital Mall Boom in the Middle East. (2012). Thomas White International Peterson R.A., Balasubramanian S. Bronnenberg B.J. (1997). Exploring the implications of the internet for consumer marketing. Journal of the Academy of Science. 25, 329 346. Pettit R. (2012). Learning From Winners: How the ARF Ogilvy Award Winners Use Market Research to Create Advertising Success. Taylor Francis. pp. 32-33. Rohm A. J. Swaminathan V. (2004). A typology of online shoppers based on shopping motivations. Journal of Business Research. Marketing on the web behavioual, strategy and practices and public policy. 57(7): 748 757. Sherry Y.C Macredie R.D. (2005). The assessment of usability of electronic shopping: A heuristic evaluation. International Journal of Information Management. 25: 516 - 532. Timers P. (2000). Electronic Commerce strategies models for business-to-business trading. John Wiley Sons Ltd. pp 31. Tkacz E. Kapczynski A. (2009). Internet Technical Development and Applications. Springer. p. 255. Web applications meets bricks and mortar: A Dictionary of the Internet. (2013). Oxford Reference. Oxford Reference. Oxford University Press.