When is the Best Time to Consider Remodeling Your Living Room

 

So you're thinking of renovating your living room? Maybe the old design is no longer inspiring, or you are ready to ditch the hand-me-down sofa you received from your parent's basement in college and upgrade to a beautiful modular sofa that you have noticed trending across interior design media pages. Or perhaps you want a complete remodel! An entire remodel is not such a bad idea because the living room gives visitors and family members their first impression upon entering our home.

Typical considerations when remodeling your living room are style focused: flooring type, lighting style & directionality, furniture layout, or repurposing existing pieces in different ways all contribute to a fabulous refresh. Choosing new window treatments and color palettes that will make it feel like home while still allowing sunlight during those warmer months are rewarding remodeling choices. However, one consideration that many don't factor into their remodeling is timing.

How do you know when it's the right time to renovate your living room? 

It might be because a relative is coming to visit, or maybe you want an update before the holidays arrive. This blog post will cover some timing issues that can affect whether this is a good time for renovations, as well as some super tips for timing your living room remodel.

Is there a best time to consider remodeling your living room? The answer will depend on what type of project you are considering. If it's with resale in mind, we recommend not starting during the peak selling season. This will allow for a better opportunity to sell the house, as you will not be staging, cleaning, and mid-renovation when buyers are looking.

If you are considering a living room overhaul before the holidays, be sure that your budget can accommodate any surprises with renovations and find out how much time might be involved in a project of this size. Contractors are often busy or taking a vacation right before the holidays. Ensuring that you have your project people in place before starting will help ease any potential stress. Taking care of some of the smaller details such as waste disposal will ensure that no matter how big or small your remodel is, things will go smoothly. Timing of course is everything, suppose Great Aunt Nancy visits with her new husband and three children. In that case, you want to be sure that your space is welcoming and comfortable before their arrival. Sometimes this might mean waiting until the holidays are over to begin a new project.

If you are considering a living room remodel because your space is not as comfortable or efficient as possible, think about whether you will want to move walls and install new windows. Remember that if work needs to happen outside of your home, please consider the weather conditions in your area.

Similarly, if you are hoping for a refresh before the holidays, consider how much money and time might be involved in a remodeling project.

Summer is the most common time to take on a renovation project. The kids are out of school, curb appeal is on the mind, and fair weather makes it easy to open a house. But there are some key advantages to renovating in the winter, like availability, cost, and timing.

Contractor availability

One advantage of choosing to engage a contractor for a renovation in the winter is less competition. Spring and summer are the busiest times of year for home renovations. Contractors' plates will be full once renovation season is in full swing, which could leave you competing for the best builders.

And a renovation project in the winter months may get you more time and attention from your contractor. While the best contractors and architects won't bite off more than they can chew, working with a contractor who has many projects can mean protracted schedules and slapdash work, which is more likely to happen in peak reno season schedules.

Off-season discounts

When business slows, contractors may reduce their prices a bit to keep their crews busy. If your remodel plan is more than a DIY job, this might be the perfect time to negotiate a great deal with a handyperson.

Loving the trend of beautiful modular sofas? You won't find any better deals than this during these winter months! Many stores offer terrific savings on floor models and electronics as well—especially after-holiday sales where they're slashing 20-50% off items in-store—this might be the perfect time to purchase that new wall-mounted T.V. you've been coveting.

So when is the best time for a renovation?

The bottom line is that while there may be more ideal times than others to consider a remodel, the best time for a renovation is when you are ready.

It is prudent to consider the timing when considering a remodel. If you are hoping for a refresh before the holidays, be sure to have your budget and time in mind! Regardless of what kind of project you're undertaking, it's important not to bite off more than you can chew--plan so that any stress (or costs) from renovations doesn't take away from enjoying your new space this holiday season. The great thing about living room projects is they usually don't require as much planning or permits as others might; keep weather considerations in mind if work needs to happen outside on your property!

7 Great Places to Donate Your Household Clutter

Throughout 2020, we’ve spent more time at home than ever before. This has given homeowners more time to focus on cleaning out their homes to create comfortable, tidy living spaces. If you've got unwanted items and are wondering about the best places to give them away (aside from Goodwill), here are seven ethical no-contact options where you can donate your stuff.

Reasons to Ethically Rehome Your Clutter

It’s wasteful to simply throw away items that someone else could still use, and you probably don’t have the time or patience to try reselling your belongings online. Donating your clutter is an environmentally friendly option that frees up space while reducing your carbon footprint. 

If you shop at fast fashion brands like ZARA and H&M, you'll notice that the cheaper fabrics drastically shorten the lifespan of your clothing. Plus, styles that are trendy today probably won’t be in a year or two. People who have worked their way through a long list of backlogged chores during their time at home may have found that there's a lot of junk crowding their living space. 

Dozens of donation centers throughout the country partner with charitable organizations so that you can easily find a good cause to contribute to when searching for a place to donate your stuff.

Gift Your Old Electronics to Your Local Community

If you're quick to try out the newest gadgets, you've probably got lots of old laptops, smart devices, and other electronics lying around. Typically, it's not a good idea to away anything that contains a lithium-ion battery. Local schools and public libraries often accept devices in useable condition and rent them out to members of the community.

Clothing Brands That Upcycle

Before you throw out your unwanted or unusable vintage clothes, consider upcycling or recycling them. Whether they’re too small, worn out, or stained, nearly 100% of clothing is recyclable. Many of the following brands will reward you with a credit for bringing back your old clothes.

The North Face

The North Face's Clothes the Loop program encourages customers to bring back their worn-out shoes and apparel to the company's retail and outlet stores by offering them a $10 discount on their next purchase of $100 or more.

Patagonia

After your Patagonia merchandise reaches the end of its usefulness, you can bring it back to a nearby Patagonia location. You can also donate items by mail. This company-sponsored upcycling program helps ensure that the clothes you throw out don't end up in an incinerator.

Levi's

If you’ve been sporting denim for decades, you definitely know how worn out a pair of jeans can get when it’s past its prime. Get rid of your extra-low rises and bedazzled pockets by bringing back your old Levi's. Levi's SecondHand, the brand's online upcycling center, helps keep their jeans in circulation and out of landfills. Book an appointment at your local Levi's retail location to sell back your old clothing, and you'll receive a Levi's gift card that’s worth between $5 and $35.

H&M

H&M gives back by working toward a more sustainable fashion future by upcycling and recycling old items. Clothes that are dropped off in donation boxes are sorted and categorized for reuse, re-wear, and recycling.

Where to Donate Your Books

You can find a new home for books you’d like to donate while supporting a worthy cause. Operation Paperback has over 19,000 volunteers from all 50 states who form a network of shippers that send 15,000 books per month to American troops overseas. Most public libraries will also accept donations of secondhand books.

Donate Your Old Appliances and Furniture

Are you moving or planning a major renovation? Donate your old kitchen and household appliances to Habitat for Humanity. Their volunteers will give these items to families who need them. The organization accepts gently used appliances, furniture, tools, and other household goods.

Before You Donate

Before donating clothing, wash and dry everything before dropping it off at a donation center or retailer. To protect your personal information, wipe the hard drives of any electronic devices you plan to donate.

It's a good idea to donate any items that still have value and can be used by someone else. However, you'll probably end up with a lot of stuff you can't recycle after cleaning out your home. Bin There Dump That can help you easily get rid of large amounts of trash and other debris from home improvement projects. 

We have several dumpster sizes and a simple rental process to help you save time and money. The experts at your local Bin There Dump That franchise can also offer you resources to find somewhere to donate or recycle stuff you don't want to throw away. To see how we can help you, contact a Bin There Dump That location near you.

Best Resources to Help a Hoarder Before It Gets Out of Control

 

When someone you care about struggles with hoarding, it can take a lot of time and effort to help them retake control of their lives. Hoarding disorder is a complex mental disorder, and while it can be treated, there are steps you can take to help your loved one before their hoarding gets out of control. 

Below are some resources for hoarders, and the people caring for them, to explore for guidance and support.

Is There a Support Group for Hoarders?

Talking to others dealing with the same issues can be invaluable for hoarders, so it’s a good idea to seek out support groups as they declutter their living spaces. Hoarders’ support groups can be found online and offline, including through the organizations listed below; groups might meet in-person, in Facebook groups, on forums, or through video call software like Skype and Zoom. 

Similar groups exist for friends and family members, which can help them deal with the stress and relationship strains hoarding might cause.

Informational Sites and Organizations

Even when you recognize that someone’s a hoarder, that’s only part of the equation. Hoarding disorder can develop from a number of issues and past experiences; not every case will look the same. Find professional resources and support programs from informational websites and organizations dedicated to hoarding disorder, such as:

1. Clutterers Anonymous

Clutterers Anonymous (CA) follows the classic 12-step recovery program that focuses on the individual's physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. They offer a questionnaire to help hoarders identify and acknowledge that they have a problem before trying to tackle it. 

Help your loved one find their nearby CA chapter, or if they'd rather meet remotely, Zoom and phone meeting options are also available.

2. International OCD Foundation Hoarding Center

This site is dedicated to providing resources to hoarding and other disorders stemming from OCD. The International OCD Foundation Hoarding Center boasts a rich resource directory to connect hoarders and those affected by hoarding to therapists, treatment programs, clinics, support groups, and organizations nationwide.

3. Institute for Challenging Disorganization®

The Institute for Challenging Disorganization® consists of professional organizers, productivity specialists, and other professionals who offer training and organizational resources influenced by research from the medical, educational, and neuroscience communities. 

Download their free Clutter-Hoarding Scale® tool to help assess your loved one's home environment's safety, and use it as a starting point to address their hoarding.

4. Messies Anonymous

While Messies Anonymous focuses less on hoarding disorder and more on general organizing and housekeeping principles, this online group founded by the author of Winning the Clutter War still contains valuable resources for decluttering, cleaning, and organizing and follows a 12-step program.

Seeking Professional Treatment

Whether you’re actively helping a hoarder clean up their home or simply recognize they’re having trouble, it might be time to ask them if they’ve considered seeking professional help for their condition. Hoarding disorder is treatable, and there are therapy programs specifically tailored to address the underlying concerns. 

Though a hoarder might be feeling defeated or at a loss about their situation, you can help them find providers and programs if they’re ready. Ultimately the choice to get help is theirs, but it won’t hurt to let them know doctors and therapists are available to help them address the issue.

Professional Cleanup Services

Depending on how long the hoarding’s gone unchecked, you and your loved one might not be enough to clear the present clutter. Along with enlisting other friends or relatives, you can contact professional waste removal, dumpster rental, and cleaning companies to extract the hoarding mess. 

These professionals can help you set up an elimination plan while still allowing hoarders to face the clutter at their own pace.

Dealing with hoarding disorder is no small task, from tackling the hoarding to addressing the underlying influences. That doesn’t mean you and the hoarder in your life have to figure it out by yourselves. Whether you’re just looking for more information or want to talk to others dealing with hoarding, the resources above can help hoarders and their loved ones take on the illness and make positive changes in their lives. Check out the Bin There Dump That Corporate blog for even more tips on living a clutter-free lifestyle.

5 Things You Need To Know Before Starting Roof Repairs

A roof repair is one of the most ambitious home remodeling projects that you could ever embark upon. First of all, it boosts your home's visual by providing a substantial improvement to the overall exterior aesthetics. Second, it makes the place more energy-efficient, due to the fact that it reduces the loss of energy through the roof. Finally, it gives the resale value of the place a substantial boost, which is a massive improvement on its own. However, making all of this work in your favor is nowhere near as easy. Therefore, here's what you need to know before starting your roof repairs.

There's A Difference Between Renovation And Repair

The first thing you need to understand is the fact that a home renovation and a home repair aren't one and the same. You see, a roof renovation is something that requires a healthy construction and mostly consists of replacing shingles. A roof repair, on the other hand, doesn't have to be performed on the entirety of the rood. Also, the decision on whether or not to make a renovation depends on a series of factors, while a roof repair may be more a matter of necessity. Before you can make this call, you should learn how to properly inspect a roof. This will help you get all the necessary facts to make a rational decision.

DIY or Professional Assistance

A roof repair takes a lot more time than you may expect it to, which is why you need to consider all that is relevant for this crucial choice. First of all, you need to think about the time it will take you and the equipment that you'll have to provide/acquire for this project. If you intend to use these tools and equipment often, the purchase might be a good choice. If not, it might be a waste of money. Also, due to the fact that you're a layman, the chance that you'll get injured is quite realistic. For this reason alone, it might be worth your while to check if there are any reputable agencies specializing in residential roof repairs in your area. Professional help ensures you won't hurt yourself or damage the roof.

The Material

Another question that you need answered is that of the materials that you're going to choose. We're naturally speaking of the shingles material and here, you have several major choices to pick between. Four of the most common ones are asphalt shingles, slate, metal, and cedar. Naturally, they differ in physical properties, durability, and price. Of course, asphalt shingles are the most commonly chosen option, while cedar is almost as expensive as it is energy-efficient. All in all, each of these options has its own set of benefits and advantages. This means that the choice you make here might just have an impact on the entirety of the project.

Make All The Necessary Preparations

Another thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that there's a lot of work to be done on the premises, and this work starts long before you start replacing the shingles. First of all, you need to make sure that you have a clear access to the rood and that the surroundings of the roof are protected from the debris. Moreover, seeing as how some of the works are concerned with the construction itself (not just the shingles), you might also want to tidy up the attic and get rid of all the unnecessary items you've been stockpiling here for ages. Gaining one more access point to the roof can be quire significant.

Prepare A Timetable

One of the most important things here is the fact that you need to have realistic expectations when it comes to the overall timetable. Look at it this way, if you're planning on a tight schedule and you can't afford any delays, you're bound to encounter a couple of disappointments along the way. Therefore, try to plan for some bad weather, as well as a couple of unforeseen occurrences heading your way once the work begins. This way, you'll be much better prepared for the situation as a whole.

In Conclusion

While this may not be a project that you'll repeat quite often, it's still a skill worth having and a knowledge worth acquiring. It's still a major investment, which is why making sure that everything is as intended needs to be your top priority. With these five tips under the belt, this shouldn't be that difficult.

How to Declutter Your House Before Moving

 

Moving house is daunting, so check out some top tips on how to make it manageable and maybe even enjoyable.

Prepare Before You Start

As you may have heard before, if you fail to prepare, then you should prepare to fail. Get yourself started with the small task of writing out a small plan of what needs doing. Try not to make it overwhelming for yourself, so start with a date you will be moving out. Then, make a list of rooms with space and list what you want to throw out and keep, to begin with.

Take It One Room At A Time

After you’ve written your list and you’re ready to start, start with the biggest or hardest room first. This way, your moving journey will only get easier, and you will feel more productive.

Begin with making small piles, or label the items you want to keep, donate and throw out. Slowly but surely, by separating your belongings, it can mentally help you get your house organized for the big move.

Marie Kondo Your Belongings

To make the packing process seamless, you’ll need to try and limit the reminiscing. When you find an item that brings up memories, set it aside and once you’ve finished your tasks for the day, go back to it to figure out what you want to do; stopping and starting as you find items could double your packing time!

If you’ve never heard of the decluttering sensation, you should check her out. You will learn how to say thanks for your time with your belongings and let them go. Her tips and tricks will turn your cluttered mess into a space of serenity and inspiration.

Start Small

If the whole room seems intimidating, start with the small stuff, paper or trinkets is a great way to begin.

Boxes, Boxes And More Boxes

When you think you have enough boxes, you are going to need some more. And make sure they’re good ones. You don’t want an organized box of your possessions being dropped on the floor because it’s too weak to hold anything!

This goes the same with wrapping materials, newspaper, bubble wrap, or other materials you have to hand — you want to know you’re protecting everything properly.

Storage Is Your Friend

When moving into or out of various locations, the easiest way to store your belongings between moves is to store them in storage units. There are plenty of great storage locations across the country, ranging from New York to San Diego storage locations.

Moving the large furniture from your different rooms into storage will give you space to breathe. You’ll be able to spread the remaining possessions out and clearly see your piles you made earlier.

Get Rid Of Your Junk

To keep it simple, if you haven’t used or worn an item within the last year, it is time to get rid of it. Again, if this seems too stressful to start, start with smaller items such as expired food in your pantry or expired make-up and medications.

Ask yourself, will you ever use the bedsheets that have been at the back of the closet for the last year again? Will you need the shower curtains in the new house? And this might be the perfect excuse you’ve been looking for to freshen up your towels and bed covers.

If you stick to these top tips, regardless of where you’re moving to, it will be a lot easier than running in with your eyes shut and no plan.

Dump Your Junk This Valentine's Day!

 Roses are red, dumpsters are green, we'll provide the best disposal service you've ever seen!

Break up with your clutter this Valentine's day! With our various sizes of clean & green bins, you'll find your perfect match.

Fall in love with our residential friendly bins and unbeatable service! Avoid any heartbreak and give our Dumpster Consultants a call to discuss your next project. 

Winter Dumpster Rental Tips

You might assume you missed the boat on tackling that home renovation project. It's winter, after all. Time to settle in for a few months of good television, popcorn and your couch. Nice try.

Winter is actually a great time to re-do your basement, remodel the bathroom, and (or) tear out that kitchen backsplash that's been bugging you since 2003. But can you rent a dumpster bin in the snowiest, blowiest season? You bet.

 Although motivation for a home clean out is easier to come by when the weather is beautiful outside, winter is still a great time to tackle your projects! Don’t let the cold weather stop you from renting a dumpster and getting all of your projects done. 

Give us a call today! 978-582-1176

www. WachusettDumpsterRental.com

Our Ultimate Garage Cleanout Tips

A message from your garage: Please Clean Me!

Has your garage turned into an unlikely storage closet that you're unable to park your car in anymore? I think that's a sign for you to treat yourself to the ultimate garage makeover.

The garage shouldn't be a space where junk is left to accumulate and be forgotten. There are so many ways to put this space to good use and it goes beyond just storing your car. If you're okay with your car not being in the garage, a garage makeover could result in a woodshop, a car shop, or an extended office. With so much potential, there's no reason why you shouldn't clean and organize your garage to maximize its potential. Give us a call or visit our website to learn more and order your residential friendly dumpster rental today! 978-582-1176 www.WachusettDumpsterRental.com