Reasons for A RedoHome improvement projects often begin with someone saying, “Wouldn’t it be nice if… ?” usually followed by a wish for a remodelled kitchen or a room addition for space to accommodate every family member’s needs. More often than not, reality and dreams don’t coincide, due to limited funds for realizing the dream, or limits on the available space. The trick: turning your dreams into reality. Begin with a realistic evaluation of your needs. Homeowners usually consider home improvements for one of the following reasons.You may feel the need to update something that is out-of-date. If your kitchen colour scheme was perfect a few decades ago but no longer works, now may a good time to update it.Some home improvement projects grow out of an immediate need to replace broken or inefficient fixtures. If a sink, tub, or toilet needs to be replaced, consider taking advantage of the opportunity to do a makeover on the entire bathroom.If you’re preparing to sell your home, you’ll want to be sure to get top dollar from the sale. That’s great motivation for some home improvement projects.You have decided that staying put and improving your home is a better option than moving.Your family has grown and you need more space.Improving to Move? or Improving to Stay?Evaluate your plans carefully if you’re improving your home to list it for sale. Cutting corners may hurt your prospects rather than helping them. But don’t go overboard either. Potential buyers may prefer not to pay for some of the extras, such as a hot tub or pool. You’re better off keeping the changes simple.And remember that buyers who view your home may not share your tastes and may not appreciate the care you took to find just the right shade of green paint for the walls.You’ll find that improving to sell is easier if you can think about it from the prospective buyer’s point of view: What is important to the home buyer? Here are a few remodelling projects buyers are likely to find valuable:Adding or remodelling a bathImproving the kitchenAdding a new roomLandscapingAdding a bedroomAdding or enclosing a garage.If you’re remodelling because you want to stay in your home, you should still avoid over-improving it. You’ll probably want to sell it someday, and even if your house is the best on the block, it may be difficult to convince potential buyers to pay for the things you considered important. And when you consider making improvements, keep in mind the value of other homes in the area. Your home’s value should not be more than 20% above the average, which means that a $10,000 kitchen improvement project well could be a better investment than a $10,000 hot tub, especially if yours will be the only home in the area with a hot tub.Home Maintenance versus Home ImprovementsIt’s unfortunate that some home improvement projects are undertaken because something has broken. Replacing a leaky bathtub may be the first step to a major bath remodeling: since the tub has to be replaced anyway, why not do the whole room?While that might be a legitimate reason to remodel, avoid basing your home improvement projects on immediate needs. You’ll be better off if you minimize problems with proper maintenance. Examine every part of your home at least once a year. Check the roof, the plumbing, electrical wiring, etc. As soon as become aware of a problem, fix it. Making repairs when you’re first aware of them will help you avoid larger expenses later on. Keep in mind that maintenance does not add to the value of your home. Usually repairs are not improvements; they are necessities.Hiring Professionals May Save You Time and MoneyIt should go without saying that home projects can be expensive, so you may be tempted to tackle them yourself as a way to save money. That may be a smart move for small projects. You won’t have to wait for someone to fit your house into their busy schedule, and you can boast about having done the work yourself.But unless you’re very versatile, major home improvements are better left to professionals. If you decide to remodel the kitchen and plan to do the work yourself, will you be able to handle the plumbing, electrical, and carpentry work on your own?. And don’t forget that you’ll need to finish it quickly, because you won’t have a kitchen as long as it’s a “work in process” and eating three meals a day in restaurants could get expensive. Keep in mind, do-it-yourself jobs generally take more time. And you’ll be responsible for getting all the necessary permits and inspections.Hiring people who have the required experience can save you money and time, too. For example, these professionals can help you get a custom look using stock products, and that can be a significant savings. Getting something done right the first time will give you value that lasts for years.To find qualified and dependable home improvement specialists, check with friends, business associates, and neighbours for recommendations. Always get at least three references, and check them out thoroughly. Also check with the local chapter of the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce. Their numbers can be found in the community services section of your telephone book.Once you’ve located the necessary home improvement specialists, make sure everyone is in agreement about the design, the schedule, and the budget, and get the details down in writing in a signed contract.It’s also wise to check on professional certifications and licenses, where required, and be certain that the contractors you hire are fully insured and bonded. Your town or city Building Department can provide that information. And it’s very important that you make sure contractors carry workers’ compensation insurance: if workers are injured on the job, you won’t be liable if the contractor is covered. Request copies of their insurance certificates. And make sure that either you or your contractor have gotten any necessary permits before the work begins. Contact your local Planning and Zoning Commission for information.Here’s a quick overview of some of the professionals you may need to work with when you remodel your home:Architect: Architects design homes or additions from the foundation to the roof. If your project will require structural changes such as adding or removing walls, or if the design is complex, you will probably need an architect. Since architects may charge an hourly or a flat fee, make sure you get an estimate of the total cost: drawing up the plans for a major remodeling project can take 80 hours or more.Contractor: The contractor oversees the home improvement project, including hiring and supervising workers, getting the necessary permits, making sure inspections are done as needed, and providing insurance for work crews. It’s always a good idea to get proposals from one or more reputable contractors, based on the specific details of your project.Be sure each contractor bids on exactly the same plan so that you can compare their bids more easily. When you’ve chosen a contractor, make sure the contract specifies that you will pay in stages. You’ll usually pay one third when the contract is signed so that the contractor can buy supplies. The number and timing for making the remaining payments will depend on the size of the project. Do not make the final payment until all the work is successfully completed, inspected, and approved.Interior Designers: Interior designers are specialists who will provide advice on furnishings, wall coverings, colors, styles, and more. They help save you time by narrowing your selection, and save money because they usually receive professional discounts from their suppliers. When meeting with an interior designer, be sure to tell them about your personal style and preferences. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $150 per hour, or you may be able to negotiate a flat fee of approximately 25% of the total project cost.

There is no secret that online education is growing in a sharp trend as more and more students opt for this education option to pursue a degree online. The advantages of online education not only benefits the students, but also the schools that make their courses available for online students. For students, it offers freedom and convenient learning environment. For the schools, it offers more profit opportunities. By setting up online classes, the school is able to enroll more, and teach less. It is a win-win education option for both the schools and the students.Most students don’t like to be watched and pushed at the back by their lecturers. They want the freedom to learn based on their schedule and at where they like. Online education learning setting meets the dreamed study environment of these students. Most education programs offered to online students enables the students to plan their own study schedule. They can choose to logon to the online classes whenever they like to get the learning materials, upload their completed assignments and participate into the online discussion forums.Despite the freedom provided to the students, the online courses are structured so that the students must follow a learning path to get their courses completed and they must interact with other students. Usually, they will be asked to read and give responses to other student’s postings. Indirectly, the students will learn from each other by sharing their opinions in the discussion forum. It is impossible to have every student to interact with each other in a pure classroom setting. This is the advantage of online education that benefits the students to learn from each other.In the traditional classroom setting, the schools have limitation to support as many students as their facilities allowed. If they want to enroll more students, they will need to invest money to install more facilities. A better way for a school to expand their teaching capability is by enabling online education. An online class size may be set as big as 50 students, which will need only one teacher to mange it. So, the schools can enroll more students with similar teaching power in the classroom setting.While the schools able to offer more courses in online education without the limitation of their schools’ physical facilities, the students enjoy the benefits of being online students to pursue their favorite education program without the need to consider the geography limitation. As long as the school that offers online courses accepts International students, the students are able to enroll into the program regardless where they are. Students from all around the globe can reach the online classes with the same number of mouse clicks. Similarly, the schools are able to accept more students from all over the world for more profits.SummaryThe advantages of online education that benefit all parties make it a preferred option for many students to pursue their education online. The demand of online education drives the schools toward offering more courses in virtual world. It is a recipe of success for both the schools and the students.

When looking to pursue a career in automotive and diesel you can enroll in an accredited online school or college to gain the education necessary to enter into the field. Not all courses and training can be completed online in this area, but you can complete the basic coursework and finish hands on training through a vocational learning program. There are a number of specialized areas for you to choose from when pursuing an automotive and diesel career. You have the opportunity to choose from various online certificate and degree programs. Studies can be complete at your own leisure from just about anywhere.There are a variety of professions in this field, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your interest and career goals. You can choose to obtain a career as an:Auto Mechanic
Motorcycle Mechanic
Diesel Mechanic
…and a number of other professions. Training for these careers will require you to complete an accredited online educational training program. Studies can be completed at the:
Certificate
Diploma
Associate Degree…levels of education. By choosing to gain an accredited online education in automotive and diesel you will be able to gain the training you need for a successful career.The coursework and training that must be completed will depend on the level of education and specific career area desired. You can learn a number of skills by enrolling in a career education training program online. Coursework may consist of studying subjects such as:Transmissions
Brakes
General Maintenance
Welding
Computerized Testing Equipment
…and other courses. Students will also study coursework that is more specific to their desired degree and career. This may include:Motorcycle Repair
Diesel Engines
Gasoline Engines
Heating and Air Conditioning
Jacks and Hoists…and many other relevant subjects. When you choose to obtain an accredited online certificate or degree in this field you will gain the skills and knowledge you need to pursue a successful career.Training for a career in automotive and diesel will open a world of opportunities for you.Gaining an accredited online education will allow you to learn what it takes to provide maintenance on various automotives.
You will receive the education you need to succeed based on your career goals.
Training will allow you to continue current employment while learning a new skill. Research online programs today to learn more about accredited educational training in this field.Accreditation is the proof a school or college needs to ensure that you will gain the quality education you deserve. There are numerous agencies like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence ( http://www.ase.com/ ) that are approved to fully accredited online career preparation programs. Schools and colleges that offer accredited learning can be found by researching your desired career and level of education. You can request more information by contacting the online automotive and diesel program that fits your individual needs and goals today..DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved by PETAP.org.