Financial Planning
Whilst many people are reluctant to give a budget to their contractor, the truth is that no matter how big or small your project is, establishing a budget helps you determine how much you are willing and able to spend on your kitchen makeover. It allows you to allocate funds to the aspects of the makeover that are most important to you and ensures that you don’t overspend or exceed your budget.

Scope and Prioritisation
A budget helps you to keep focus and really define the scope of your kitchen makeover project. With a budget in mind, you can decide which features, materials, and upgrades are feasible and which ones you may need to forgo or adjust to fit what you can actually afford. Contractor and Supplier Selection When you have a budget, it becomes easier to communicate your financial expectations to the company designing and building your kitchen. Sharing your budget upfront allows them to provide you with accurate estimates and recommendations that align with your needs and capacity. This saves a great deal of time and will ensure that everyone has clearly defined expectations.

Cost Control and Avoiding Surprises
With any home renovation project, it is so easy to get carried away and exceed your budget. Having a clear budget allows you to monitor costs, track expenses, and maintain better control over your spending. Return on Investment (ROI) Sometimes spending a great deal on a kitchen makeover can exceed what you will actually get back from it were you to sell your property. By balancing your budget with the estimated value it will add to your home, you can make strategic decisions about where to invest your funds. Ask yourself this simple question; “Will this kitchen increase the value of my property enough for what I have spent on it”? In summary, setting a budget for a kitchen renovation is essential for effective financial planning, defining the scope of the makeover, choosing a contractor, managing your costs and maximising the return on your investment. After all, you would hate to get to the end of the makeover and discover that you have exceeded your budget so much that you regret it.

Remember, if you or someone you know, would like to get started on a kitchen makeover, Home Concept is here to assist, no matter how big or small your project is.

Hеrе аrе ѕіx ѕіmрlе ѕtерѕ tо hеlр уоu reclaim control оf your gаrаgе аѕ garage оrgаnіzаtіоn can be a fun tаѕk!

Step 1 – Remove аnd ѕоrt thе clutter
Pісk a nісе dау аnd take everything out of thе gаrаgе. You can рut іt іn the drіvеwау or уаrd fоr nоw. As you rеmоvе thе сluttеr, саtеgоrіsе аll thе items уоu rеmоvе frоm thе garage bу grоuріng them wіth lіkе items. This does nоt hаvе tо bе fаnсу. At fіrѕt, уоu can just mаkе ріlеѕ оf ѕіmіlаr items. Kеер children’s tоуѕ tоgеthеr and ѕераrаtе frоm gаrdеnіng ѕuррlіеѕ оr саrреntrу or seasonal dесоrаtіоnѕ. Identify іtеmѕ thаt аrе brоkеn, оutdаtеd оr nо lоngеr uѕеd аnd рut that in a dіѕсаrd pile tо еіthеr ѕеll, give аwау оr trаѕh.

Stер 2 – Clеаn
Whіlе thе gаrаgе іѕ empty, nоw is thе time tо ѕwеер, vacuum or mop out аll thе lооѕе dеbrіѕ, rеmоvе соbwеbѕ and lауеrѕ оf duѕt. Your garage wіll bе more efficient аnd еnjоуаblе if it is clean. Also, take уоur tіmе to vacuum аnd duѕt the іtеmѕ that уоu tооk оut but wіll be
gоіng bасk іn. Yоu dо nоt wаnt tо рut dіrtу thіngѕ back into a сlеаn gаrаgе.

Stер 3 – Decide whеrе to put thіngѕ
Nоw thаt уоu have, a сlеаn gаrаgе mаkе a рlаn fоr where to рut things bасk іn аn оrdеrlу mаnnеr. You are nоt putting іt bасk juѕt уеt – just dесіdіng whеrе іt will go. Yоur gоаl is tо keep ѕіmіlаr thіngѕ in thе same general аrеа. You mау wаnt tо jot a ѕіmрlе рlаn on a ріесе оf рареr іf thаt hеlрѕ you vіѕuаlіsе they layout better. At this time, consider the storage products уоu will nееd tо hеlр уоu оrgаnіsе уоur garage сluttеr. Fоr еxаmрlе, you mау need to buy some ѕtоrаgе boxes, shelving, tооl chests, реgbоаrdѕ and hаngіng bike rасkѕ. Aѕѕеѕѕ уоur needs and mаkе a lіѕt. If mоnеу іѕ tіght, уоu may hаvе to роѕtроnе ѕоlutіоnѕ thаt are more еxреnѕіvе untіl later or have a look around the house to see if there are products you can recycle. Remember to add a permanent mаrkеr and mаѕkіng tape fоr labeling if уоu dо not hаvе еіthеr оnе оn hаnd.

Stер 4 – Sрruсе thіngѕ uр
We are nоt ѕuggеѕtіng thаt уоu rеmоdеl your gаrаgе into a lіvіng аrеа, but making уоur garage a more рlеаѕаnt place tо be will motivate уоu tо kеер it сlеаn and clutter free іn thе future. Whіlе your gаrаgе іѕ еmрtу, consider a new соаt of раіnt fоr the wаllѕ to make things сlеаnеr аnd brіghtеr. Whаt аbоut thе flооr? Mаnу people lіkе to раіnt аnd ѕеаl the garage flооr with epoxy раіnt tо рrоtесt it from ѕріllѕ аnd make сlеаn up easy. Simple сhаngеѕ in wаll color оr flооr соvеrіng саn hаvе a ѕіgnіfісаnt impact on the fееlіng оf thе garage. If thіѕ іѕ ѕоmеthіng уоu wаnt tо
do, now іѕ thе time. Sоmе реорlе even dесіdе to put оutdооr саrреtіng оn thеіr garage floor. This is mоrе еxреnѕіvе but it is possible especially if you plan to dо сrаftѕ and hоbbіеѕ in thе gаrаgе.

Stер 5 – Orgаnіsе
Onсе уоu hаvе сlеаnеd your garage (flооrѕ and wаllѕ) аnd рurсhаѕеd аnу storage systems уоu need, іt іѕ tіmе tо рut еvеrуthіng bасk. In addition to kееріng ѕіmіlаr іtеmѕ together іn thе ѕаmе area, іt іѕ bеѕt tо рlасе rеgulаrlу uѕеd іtеmѕ wіthіn еаѕу reach. Stоrе lеѕѕ frеquеntlу used items in thоѕе harder-to-get-to аrеаѕ. If уоu аdd ѕhеlvеѕ, рut thе less frеquеntlу ассеѕѕеd іtеmѕ on thе top shelf fоr еаѕу ассеѕѕ. If you hаvе a gаrаgе саbіnеt ѕуѕtеm or decide to have custom cupboards made for the space, рut соmmоnlу used items in thе frоnt and аt arm lеvеl always.

Stасkіng рlаѕtіс storage boxes can bе a еffісіеnt and сlеаn wау to ѕtоrе miscellaneous іtеmѕ. Be ѕurе to lаbеl thе оutѕіdе of ѕuсh boxeѕ, as wеll аѕ аnу оthеr containers, drаwеrѕ, and саbіnеtѕ. Juѕt write thе contents on a ріесе оf masking tаре. Thіѕ wіll ѕаvе уоu the trоublе of ореnіng each storage box tо fіnd what you need. If уоu gеt a pegboard fоr уоur tооlѕ, рісk those tооlѕ that уоu use mоѕt frеquеntlу to hаng on it. Onсе уоu find thе bеѕt wау tо hang these tools оn your реgbоаrd, uѕе a mаrkеr аnd оutlіnе the tооlѕ ѕо уоu can ѕее еxасtlу hоw thеу ѕhоuld bе re-hung.

Stер 6 – Garage Orgаnіsаtіоn Mаіntеnаnсе
Onсе you have a сlеаn, organised gаrаgе, уоu wіll wаnt tо dеvіѕе a ѕуѕtеm to kеер іt organised аnd сluttеr-frее. Onе еаѕу wау to dо this is to mаkе ѕоmе раrkіng rulеѕ. Fоr еxаmрlе, рut a sign up bу your wоrkbеnсh or tool реgbоаrd thаt ѕауѕ, “Rеturn tools tо the рlасе уоu fоund them as soon аѕ уоu are fіnіѕhеd!” Thіѕ lіttlе reminder wіll keep уоu from саrеlеѕѕlу tossing the hаmmеr оr ѕсrеwdrіvеr onto thе bench. Clutter hарреnѕ slowly over time. Establishing and саrеfullу fоllоwіng уоur nеw rules wіll help mаіntаіn a сlеаn, оrgаnіsеd garage. Eventually, thеѕе rules will become a habit аnd make futurе оrgаnіsаtіоn оf thе gаrаgе a breeze.

Fоllоwіng these ѕіmрlе steps will hеlр уоu асhіеvе a сlеаn and well-organised garage іn nо
tіmе at all. Onсе уоu hаvе an оrgаnіsеd garage, уоu wіll bе аblе tо park уоur саr in it аgаіn,
ѕtоrе іtеmѕ еffісіеntlу аnd fіnd thеm again wіth еаѕе. Isn’t it going to be awesome knowing
еxасtlу whаt уоu have stored іn уоur gаrаgе and whеrе tо fіnd it when уоu wаnt it?

Understanding the Risks and Benefits
Many people are turning to renting out their property because of the extra inflow of money, which they can use to save or pay some debt. If you’re considering buy-to-let programs, you need to find the right property as well as the right bond, then it is possible to make a rental yield of as much as 5% depending on your location. This is one of the most popular options for individuals in South Africa who want to secure their property investment. It’s like the house is paying for itself.

Although the traditional lease is easier to manage since you only have to prepare the house
once before the tenants move in and you will only be handling one tenant for a long period, listing your space on short-term letting options such as Airbnb or other peer-to-peer services can be more profitable. One Airbnb host said that she has managed to take in 50 per cent more in profits than she would have in the traditional lease.

Preparing your Property
Once you have decided to rent out your property, then you need to prepare your house. As you will compete with a lot of rental properties, you have to impress potential clients by making the house look presentable and appealing. Clean the house thoroughly before taking photos. You can also consider hiring professional help because your house needs to be as clean or cleaner than a hotel room.

Whether it’s a long term lease or a short term lease, you have to make sure that the tenant has everything he or she needs to enjoy his or her stay at your property. Think of the things you would want if you were the tenant. If you have a small property, you need to place furniture that has a double purpose to maximize the space you have. Hooks are a great way to organise things in the kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, or even in the living room, so make sure to install hooks.

Hiring Professionals
The next thing you have to do is to consider the legal aspects of renting out your property. Talk to real estate lawyers and accountants to make sure you abide by property and tax laws. A lawyer can also help you navigate the landlord-tenant relationship and help you understand the legal implications of possible scenarios when you’re renting out. Your lawyer can help you understand better what the Rental Housing Act (Act 50 of 1999) entails for both you and your tenant. If your property is located in Western Cape, you also have to understand the Unfair Practices Regulations Act as it provides regulations about your residential property. You can also ask the assistance of a lawyer in drafting the lease of the rental property, making sure it is aligned with your local property laws. Renting out your property can be beneficial for you and your tenants- but only if you take time to consider and address certain issues to avoid problems in the future. Make sure you understand your responsibilities as a landlord as well. Armed with knowledge, you can rent out your property and earn money.

Cleaning your windows with white vinegar can be quite easy. All you have to do is dilute it with water. When it comes to actually getting it on the windows, however, placing your vinegar/water solution into a reusable spray bottle is a great idea, and using equally as reusable cleaning tools can help to achieve a fully sustainable cleansing routine.

While eco-friendly products and ways of life are becoming more popular around the world, it’s important to take into account that the way we clean our homes needs to change as well. For these reasons, switching to an environmentally friendly window cleaner like vinegar can help to ensure you get a streak-free shine without compromising the health of your family or harming the environment.

Shelves At Every Opportunity
Do you want more space to move around? This small bedroom idea involves lifting everything off the floor, the best way to do this, floating shelves! The more clever spaces you can find to install shelves, the better. Any space (large or small) that isn’t high traffic is perfect for floating shelves; like over the bed, above your desk (if you have one) or even tucked away in corners.

Your Doors
Any door in your room can be quite useful in helping you save space, especially the door to your room and your cupboard doors. The space above your door is a great spot for a little floating shelf to sneak in some extra storage for books and other small items. Your door itself is also the perfect spot for adding hooks, caddies and rails to store things like jewellery and shoes.

Under Bed Storage
Your bed takes up a lot of floor space in your room. Often when you have anything larger than a single bed, it starts to make it hard to move around the room, especially when you add cupboards, bedside tables and a desk into the mix. Possibly the best small bedroom idea we recommend is using under bed storage to try reduce the amount of furniture you have. For example, under bed storage can eliminate the need for extra cupboards and possibly free up a substantial section of your room.

Rethink Your Bedside Table
If you have the space, bedside tables are important for convenience and we highly recommend squeezing one in. However, when it comes to small bedroom ideas it is useful to think outside the box. A common little hack is positioning your desk (if you have one) next to your bed so that it can double as a bedside pedestal! Genius right? If you do not have enough space for a bedside pedestal or a desk you can shop around for a good pocket organiser. Pocket organisers are fabric pouches designed to slip under your mattress and hang down the side of your bed to store phones, laptops, magazines, remotes and other items that would normally go on or into a nightstand. Lastly, you can get a custom unit that is built perfectly to your dimensions and designed to make the most of your space.

Bespoke Cupboards
Only have a little bit of space? Make sure you make the most of it! Custom units are the best way to ensure that your furniture fits into your room perfectly. Another benefit of bespoke furniture, like cupboards, is the ability to add extra functionality into the mix. We highly recommend investing in multifunctional furniture. Why choose between a chest of drawers, wardrobe and desk when you can merge them all into one to save a bunch of space!?

Reduces Waste
According to the latest available statistics, South Africans generate roughly 122 million tonnes of waste per year. Of this waste, a maximum of only 10% is recycled while at least 90% is landfilled or dumped illegally. Probably the best reason why we should recycle, therefore, is to reduce waste.

Reduces Water Pollution
Unfortunately there remains a great deal of companies that continue to dispose of their waste, such as oil and raw materials, into the water supply and the environment. This clearly leads to water pollution. This negatively impacts the environment as well as causes problems of water supply in areas where it is desperately needed.

Saves Energy
Recycling can create a great deal of energy which could be used for manufacturing. According to research, the energy required to manufacture can be saved 95% when you recycle aluminium cans, for example. In South Africa, where we are faced with a continuing energy crisis, creating energy would certainly be a positive result of recycling.

Protects Wildlife
Recycling helps protect wildlife and restore the environment’s oxygen levels. When we recycle we reduce the demand for wood and other parts of the forest required for manufacturing. This, over time, also ensures that wildlife is undisturbed.

Job Opportunities
Recycling is not only beneficial to the environment, but also to us as humans. There are over 56,000 recycling companies who employ over 1.1million individuals annually. In addition, South Africa has various programmes such as Packa-Ching in the Western Cape, where community members can earn money from cardboard ‘deposits’.

Reduces Global Warming
Recycling solid wastes can reduce the emission of harmful gases into the environment by reducing energy consumption. Using recycled materials to make new products reduces the need for virgin materials which would need to be manufactured.

Reduces The Depletion Of Natural Resources
Recycling inevitably helps in the reduction of the depletion of natural resources in the environment. This way they are available for a long time.

Fundraising Opportunities
More and more non-profit organisations and schools use recycling to raise money for their schools. It gives new meaning to the phrase “one man’s rubbish is another man’s gold”. Some of the items one could recycle for money include plastic, cardboard and paper, cans, glass, clothing, cooking oil, rubber, electronics and scrap metal.

The bottom line is that recycling is possible so why NOT do it? And for those of you who want to join the recycling
revolution, find your nearest drop off place.

As a greater number of consumers become more willing to replace smaller appliances with shorter lifespans to
newer models, more and more is being spent in this particular market segment, which Statista reports is currently
valued at R340 billion.

However, there are also ways to avoid spending unnecessarily on more appliances by extending the working
longevity of your current ones, such as deep cleaning and proper maintenance. Here are ways you can deep
clean common kitchen appliances to ensure they perform well and last as long as possible:

Microwave
If you open your microwave only to be greeted with a persistent and unusual smell, then it’s a sure sign that it’s
time for a deep clean. Start by cleaning the outside of your microwave using a good degreaser, which you can
also make using a mixture of water and baking soda. Use a damp sponge to scrub the surface of the microwave
before wiping down with a clean cloth.

To clean the inside, combine a cup of water with some fresh lemon juice or vinegar and microwave on high until it
starts to boil. Wait until the microwave window steams up before turning off the microwave. Let it cool for five
minutes, remove the bowl, and wipe down the inside of the appliance with a sponge or a paper towel.

Rice Cooker/ Air Fryer
Cleaning your rice cooker (or the increasingly popular air fryer) is crucial especially if you use it regularly. Modern
appliances will usually sport a digital interface so these models should receive extra care, but for most kitchen
appliances, the process for cleaning them is the same.

Start by washing each individual component. Remove the inner pot/basket and soak it before using a rubber
spatula to dislodge anything stuck to the surface. Carefully remove any lids and wash it with warm soapy water.
Otherwise, use a damp sponge to wipe down the outside of the appliance, taking extra care to remove stains and
residue. Use a wet washcloth to clean off any soap before using a small towel to wipe it dry.

Refrigerator & Freezer
Cleaning the refrigerator can easily slip your mind because of how often it’s used. However, it’s best not to wait
before food becomes forgotten or ice builds up in your freezer. To deep clean your fridge, start by removing all of
the food and discarding anything that has expired. Pull out all drawers and detachable shelves and, using a
washcloth or sponge, wipe with warm soapy water. Then, use a cleaner of your choice to wipe down the inside of
the refrigerator from top to bottom.

To clean your freezer, unplug your refrigeration unit and place rags along its perimeter and containers inside to
catch water as the ice melts. Pointing an electric fan on full power at the freezer will help speed up the defrosting
process. Afterwards, wipe down your freezer before placing the drawers, shelves, and food back inside.
Aside from your kitchen, giving all home appliances a deep clean is important in keeping your house spick and
span. Make it a habit to do a general cleaning every month to stay hygienic. Not only will you stay clean, but you
will also stay safe!

• Try not to keep fresh food like salad ingredients at the back of the fridge as that is generally the coldest
  area and they could get icy and therefore spoil quickly. Fridge containers will keep all of this neatly
  organised and easy to find.
• Label anything you put into tin foil or plastic wrap (including a date). We often forget what the food is and
  waste it.
• Thaw and clean your fridge regularly. Throw away anything that is old and rotten so that you can store
  new food properly and avoid a big clean up.
• If you have anything that may drip, like poultry or meat, place it on the bottom shelf so that it does not
  drip onto, and possibly contaminate, other foods.
• Line any drawers you have with a paper towel. This way if there is a leak, you can easily clean it up.

Reduce Laundry
Doing a washing every day is not always necessary. Cut one or two loads of washing per week and consider switching from hot to cold water for an average of three loads per week. In addition, running a tumble drier uses a lot of electricity, so hand dry your laundry as often as you can. If you live in a small flat or cannot hang laundry outside, you can still air dry it by using driers and airers perfect for indoors.

In The Kitchen
There are a few ways you can reduce electricity consumption in the kitchen including ensuring that your freezer is regularly defrosted and you keep the fridge and freezer doors properly closed and seals in good condition. The appliances lose air quickly which means that a lot of energy will be used to cool them down again. Another suggestion in the kitchen is to wait until the dishwasher is full before turning it on.

Set Your Pool Pump Timer
A swimming pool pump uses a lot of electricity, so only use it when necessary. Ensure that you have set the timer to run for only a few hours a day.

Use Less Hot Water
The amount of electricity used to heat water in your home is also considerable. If left unchecked, it could result in excessive water accounts. Instead of bathing, take a short shower to save electricity. You should also invest in a geyser blanket to insulate and keep the water warmer for longer.

Use Efficient Lighting
Instead of incandescent lamps, use the compact fluorescent ones or change to CFL (energy saving) globes. You will save more than 75 percent of the power you use on lighting alone. This will contribute a great deal to reducing your overall electricity costs. If you have outside lighting, place these on a day/night switch or better yet, convert these to solar powered lights.

Install Solar Panels
It is becoming more common to see solar panels on roofs which definitely will help you to reduce the electricity consumed in your home. The system will heat up your water as well as generate electricity. Installation of the solar system may be costly, however in the long run, you will save a large amount of money and electricity.

Roof and Ceiling Insulation
A lot of heat escapes from your home through the ceiling and roof. By insulating these two areas, you will be able to maintain warmth in your home by an extra 5° C in winter. During summer, your home will be cooler by 10° C.

Get Rid Of Old Appliances
Some of the appliances in your home that consume the most electricity include refrigerators and driers. When they get old, these appliances may become inefficient and consume a lot of electricity. Save money by replacing them and any other appliance that has seen better days!

Unplug Gadgets
Whether you have a computer or television, it keeps consuming electricity even if switched off (but still plugged in). For example, make sure you switch off the TV and surround sound at the plug and not leave it on standby. You may end up using up to 10 percent more energy in your home so save electricity by unplugging these devices when not in use.

Use Natural Light
We have the most amazing sunlight in South Africa so why not use it to your advantage. Save electricity by using natural lighting during the day. Keep curtains open and if you’re currently building a home, install large windows to let in enough light so as to avoid switching on the lights.

We hope these 10 suggestions are a good starting point for saving a substantial amount of the electricity you consume in your home. If anything, your cutbacks will ensure that the light at the tunnel will come back on soon!

Kitchen

• Kids are naturally curious so ensure knives, forks, scissors and other sharp kitchen items are in a drawer that cannot be accessed or it locked with a childproof latch.
• Do kitchen appliances such as your dishwasher and fridge have a lock or a latch on? Should a child open these and pull items out they may have access to glass and sharp items that could harm them.
• It is also a good idea to ensure that kitchen appliances are unplugged when not in use and that the cords are out of reach.
• If vitamins and medication is kept in the kitchen, check that these are not within easy reach and that they are tightly closed.
• Should you keep cleaning supplies and detergents under the sink in your kitchen, check that these are tightly closed and consider adding a lock to that door so that your child cannot access these.

Walls and Floors

• When painting your walls, ensure that the paint is lead-free. If you live in an older home that may have lead paint on the walls, check for peeling or cracking paint so that there isn’t a chance that your child picks it and eats it.
• Be on the lookout for old nails in the floor or wall that aren’t being used and should be removed.
• Add non-slip mats to carpets and runners to prevent your child (and you for that matter) from slipping.

Doors and Windows

• Slamming doors can really cause damage to a person’s hand so install foam stoppers on doors. If you cannot find them in a store, cut up pool noodles and attach them to doors using double-sided tape. For added peace of mind, install a doorstop under the door too.
• If you have sliding doors in your home, make sure there are locks on these. Not only do you want to avoid your child being hurt by the door, but you also want to avoid your child going unsupervised into a room/outside.
• Add stickers to glass doors so that they won’t be mistaken for open doors.

Furniture

• We don’t often consider child safety with regards to furniture, however, small children will often use furniture to steady themselves or pull themselves up. Secure bookshelves and other furniture with wall brackets so they can’t be tipped over.
• The sides of furniture can be particularly hazardous to children. Add protective padding on corners of coffee tables, furniture, and countertops that have sharp edges.
• If you use a toy chest to store toys ensure that small fingers don’t get trapped by adding safety hinges.

Stairways

• If you live in a home where there are stairs, mount safety gates at the top and the bottom of the stairs.
• For your own safety as well as that of your child, keep the stairway clear of tripping hazards, such as loose carpeting or toys.
• Some banisters are wide apart and many children can fit through them. If you have a particularly adventurous child, you may need to add cross beams or something similar to stop them from putting their head through.

These are just some of the many tips regarding your child’s safety in the home. Perhaps a good way to measure if you have adequately child-proofed your home is to get down to their level. Crawl around the floor and you will start to see what your child sees. If you have ‘red flag areas’, these will jump out at you fairly quickly.