Most people who rent a van do so with the intention of shifting heavy items from A to B; however, unless you have experience in loading an LCV, you might be prone to making some common mistakes.

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Here are some much-needed tips on how you can transport goods safely and securely in a rental van without putting yourself or other road users at risk.

Go big or go home

It might seem obvious, but it is better to load a van with the largest objects first before moving on to any smaller items you might need to take with you. This will not only keep the more fragile objects out of harm’s way but also ensure that the load is more evenly distributed and that the centre of gravity remains low.

Stay protected

Depending on the type of van you rent, you will have access to different levels of protection in the cab. If you are hauling very heavy loads, it makes sense to opt for an LCV that comes with a built-in bulkhead so that objects cannot cause havoc if they get loose during transit.

Rental companies such as https://www.fleetwayrentals.co.uk/ that provide van hire in Gloucester will be able to advise you about the types of vehicle that are available and the bulkhead configurations they offer. A full-height steel bulkhead offers the best protection, but smaller models will come with mesh or net alternatives that are also suitable.

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Get lashed

Vans are built to keep heavy items secure, with internal lashing points enabling you to restrain goods and equipment so that it does not slide around unexpectedly.

In addition to using these lashing points where possible, it is useful to provide protection for items by covering them with blankets. This will round off any sharp edges and create a small but significant barrier to preserve their integrity.

Drive sensibly

The final rule for safe van use is to think about how you are driving and remember that a calm, considered approach is best when transporting a heavy load.

Modern vans are more eco-friendly and efficient than ever, producing lower carbon emissions and returning more miles per gallon. If you drive sensibly, you will save money on fuel.

Stay safe by thinking ahead, taking corners carefully, and loading a van within its safe working limits.

Whilst modern interior design with its minimalist look and clean, sharp lines seems to be bang on trend at present, if you aren’t keen on this particular style of design and prefer your property to look more traditional, you may be a little stuck as to how to go about achieving it. So, with this in mind, read on for a few ways that the traditional look can be achieved throughout the home; Continue reading Top Tips For Creating The Traditional Look In Your Home →

Making donations to charities has many effects, felt throughout local and worldwide communities. The folks at Labov and Beyond understand the impact that donations can make, and they strive every holiday to give back as much as possible. Their Facebook page shows you just how much they’ve done for their local communities, but it’s not just businesses and corporations that have an impact. Every donation helps out families in need over the holiday season.

More families than ever are forced to turn to food banks, clothing banks, and other charities for help in today’s economy. With the added need, many organizations need more donations than ever. Non-profit organizations can always make use of both monetary and physical gifts as well.

A donation to a charity can be beneficial in many ways. It often means a tax deduction, in addition to the emotional value of helping others. For those receiving donations, it can mean a full meal, a warm place to sleep, and even life-changing experiences. Food banks provide countless families with meals, and clothing banks give clothes and coats to those children who wouldn’t normally have them. Nationwide organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters provide mentoring and direction for young people. Often, the kids involved in this type of organization come from rough backgrounds, and having a Big Brother or Big Sister gives them a chance to get ahead in school, learn their own value, and realize that they can make a difference too.

Giving to charity can be easier than you think. Do you have kids? Clean out the clutter of their toy box and let them give some things they don’t use anymore to other children (and teach them to do good things for others at an early age). Outgrown clothes in the closet? Clothing banks and organizations like Goodwill always take donations of gently-used clothes for all ages. Goodwill also has an extensive training and employment program for displaced workers and those who have trouble being otherwise employed. As adults, we can pick up an extra holiday meal at the grocery store, and they will often have a donation site nearby to drop it off. Or, as many choose to do, plan to withhold a small amount from each paycheck throughout the year, and choose a charity at the holidays to give the combined total to. The national and local organizations dedicated to providing aid to those in need are numerous, and it is never difficult to find one.

A system that manages contracts is integral to the successful operation of a business, particularly with regards to managing vendor relationships.

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According to Purchasing Procurement Center, a contract management system (CMS) sets out the prices, service levels, terms and supplier relationship, as well as ensures compliance. It can also provide valuable insights into your business operations. So, with this in mind, what should you be looking for when choosing this type of system for your business?

Flexibility

Good contract management systems should provide you with the flexibility to suit your business requirements, so look for a system that comes with features that you can personalise to suit your needs, rather than a one-size-fits-all type. If you think your business will evolve over time, having a flexible contract system in place will be especially important.

The system you choose should also be flexible according to who is using the software, so you can manage who has access to contract data. This is especially important if you manage sensitive contracts and want to restrict user permissions.

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Checklists

When managing contracts, there are lots of things to consider, so look for a system that comes with checklists and prompts to remind you of certain aspects, such as tracking delivery schedules.

Compliance

Robust and reliable contract management systems, such as those provided by https://www.contractswise.com/, will include features that monitor compliance, so always make this a priority when choosing a system for your business. Should a supplier fail to adhere to the terms of a contract, a reputable CMS system should be able to help with aspects such as claims administration. As well as ensuring compliance, pick a system that flags up any potential risks, so that these can be addressed promptly to avoid any issues that could impact on your business or income further down the line. Any risks should be trackable across different categories, including performance, financial, contractual and third-party areas.

Digital applications

A CMS system should be adaptable to fit in with the demands of an increasingly digital environment, so look for a system that you can easily edit on any digital device, including smartphones. To speed up the process of securing and executing contracts, a system that offers an e-signature capacity is also a good option, ensuring every aspect of the contract procedure can be digitised.

These days, many houses have ground floors constructed of solid concrete instead of suspended timber construction. When this needs to be replaced, it can be insulated to save the householder money and cut down on energy consumption.

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There are several options for insulating before you apply a floor screed. There are products such as rigid board insulation and flexible foam insulation materials. It is important to select the right product for your construction project and install it correctly.

In general, insulation is laid after the floor base but before the screed. This is sometimes referred to as a floating type of screed construction. Correct installation is essential if the insulating properties are going to work correctly.

Choosing a rigid or flexible installation

According to the Energy Saving Trust, insulating a ground floor can be a cost-effective energy-saving measure and could save a householder up to £65 a year, so it is important to choose the correct product.

To lay rigid board insulation panels, you will need a level floor base. This means that pre-cast floors will probably have to be levelled with a levelling compound to get rid of steps and sharp protrusions. In domestic projects, a thin layer of sharp sand will probably be adequate.

Flexible insulation is more forgiving because materials such as expanded polyether foam and mineral wool quilt are flexile enough to mould around uneven surfaces. However, it is still important to make the base as even as possible.

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Installation tips for insulation

You can get floor screed mix from a supplier such as http://www.monstermixconcrete.co.uk/floor-screed.php, but there are some preparation steps that you should carry out first.

If you are using a floating screed, you will need a damp-proof membrane over the base substrate prior to the insulation layer. The membrane sheets need to cover all abutments and must be taped at the joints.

The insulation is then laid by commencing with 25cm thick perimeter strips at the external walls. The boards must be staggered and taped down.

Special care is needed around service pipe openings and abutments or columns. Check that all of the internal and external corners are taped down tightly.

Where there is no pre-laminated membrane on rigid insulation, a layer of 500 gauge polythene will need to be applied for adequate protection.

When you hear the words “stretched canvas” you will automatically envision a square surface, poised on an easel, ready for the artists to take their brush to it. You may not realize that not all things that qualify as stretched canvas are square, they are not all made of the same materials, and they are not all made to be of the same quality. Continue reading Choosing The Best Stretched Canvas For Your Project →

It may seem morbid, but none of us can determine what is going to happen in the future. Whether your possessions are great or small, knowing they will go to the right person when you pass away is important. Unfortunately, those close to us have no say in what happens to our homes and possessions if you haven’t written a will, the law will decide who gets what resulting in your loved ones missing out. I’m sure all of us want everything we have worked for throughout our lives to go to those who matter to us; this is why it’s important to ensure we write a will as soon as we have anything to pass down. Continue reading Writing Your Will To Prepare For The Future →

The process of negotiating a sale price on a property can be a delicate balance between what you want and how much you are prepared to let it go and for how much.

If you have made an offer in good faith – and are a buyer who is chain free, with a mortgage lined up and the offer is reasonable, it can be frustrating to be turned down by a vendor and be faced with a counteroffer to consider. Continue reading How To Handle A Counteroffer On A Property →

If you are shopping for homes in New Jersey, you are moving into a state rich with history. This small region sits on the cusp of New York City and is a popular choice for commuters. The state offers geographic diversity that includes Victorian architecture, entertainment piers on the ocean, casinos and even mountain views. For history buffs, moving to New Jersey is a dream come true. Continue reading New Jersey: Rich With History And Still Growing →

Since the real estate collapse in the mid 2000s, more people than ever are renting rather than purchasing their own home. Renting has become popular in many different forms, from apartments, to multi-plexes, to houses of all sizes. Whether a person rents or own their own home has no bearing on their income status, credit score, or any other financial details of their lives. Many people simply choose to rent until the real estate market stabilizes. As more people rent, more people encounter the various types of landlords in their lives. Some landlords are extremely helpful and accommodating to renters, while others are extremely demanding and unforgiving of tenants.

For your enjoyment, we have collected a list of the top five stereotypical landlords that you may find during your renting experience.

The Do-It-Myself
This landlord hates to spend extra money on labor or other repair services. This landlord is often a tightwad, and may give you trouble in other financial aspects of renting, such as by trying to raise the rent as much as possible each year or expecting you to pay for certain repairs to the home. This landlord will show up to a maintenance request himself and try to fix the problem on his own. If the landlord is capable of repairing the issue on his own this is not normally a problem, but if the landlord is under qualified to make the repair- then watch out.

The Meany
The Meany landlord is meaner than the Grinch at Christmas. She will take no excuses for late rents or responsibility for broken items in the home. The Meany automatically assumes that anything that goes wrong in the house is your fault. She may try to get you to pay for any repairs, and will be unforgiving when it comes to getting your deposit back at the end of your lease. The Meany is a landlord you want to avoid at all costs.

The Nice Guy
Not all landlords are bad. Some are quite nice and friendly. The Nice Guy landlord will work with you for late payments and will try to accomplish any repairs as quickly as possible. The Nice Guy may also try to befriend you, which can be a little awkward. He may even go so far as to send you a card on your birthday or even buy you a Christmas present.

The Pop-in
This landlord does not understand the concept of privacy. She may pop in at any moment- night or day. Sometimes seen prowling the property at night, the Pop-in landlord can quickly become a thing of nightmares. This landlord falsely assumes that because she owns the property, she has free reign over when she visits.

The Scatterbrain
Having a Scatterbrain landlord is a lot like renting property from a turkey. Scatterbrain landlord never seems to remember anything. You must ask him multiple times for any request and it could be days before he remembers to call you back. The more properties a landlord manages by himself, the more likely he is to become a Scatterbrain landlord.

Although there are many types of landlords, you probably will run across one of these stereotypical landlords at some point in your life, but you can minimalize the risk by reading apartment reviews before renting. Rather than getting angry, the best response is to laugh and move on to a new location if you really cannot learn to live with the personality of your current landlord.