Great Eco Wooden Swimming Pools
May 8th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Did you know that a large number of the swimming pools available in the United Kingdom are not manufactured by swimming pool manufacturers? They are made by firms who make sheds or outdoor play equipment. Wouldn’t you prefer to buy a pool from a specialist pool manufacturer who knows how to make swimming pools?
The Eco Wooden Swimming pool is one such pool. Built to the highest standard by a dedicated UK based wooden pool manufacturer. They use 45mm environmentally sourced Redwood in their pool construction and their materials are certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council. They treat the woode with tanalith preservative just before it leaves the factory. This ensures that the wood treatment lasts as long as possible. This differs from every other wooden pool manufacturer who all treat their timber up to 2 years before the product is despatched.
You can see how confident the manufacturers are in how they provide a guarantee which covers the wood for a full 10 years and the overlapping pool liner for 3 years. They even include a top quality Olga swimming pool pump which is the most popular pool pump used with inground swimming pools in the UK today. And this excellent pool pump comes with a 1 year warranty.
There are a great selection of sizes to choose from and even a really neat eco corner pool that is ideal for a sunny corner.
A pool heater is essential if you want to get the most from your swimming pool in the UK. There are a number to choose from that will suit the eco wooden pool. While solar heating systems are affordable and cost effective many like to combine them with another form of heating to be sure they always have comfortable swimming water. Eco heat pumps are one of the most popular ways to heat a pool today. While heat pumps can initially cost that bit more than other pool heater systems the initial outlay is soon recouped from savings in fuel bills.
I can strongly recommend you take a good look at the eco wooden pool if you are considering a swimming pool for your garden but don’t overlook the heat pump.
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Ideas About Solar Pool Heaters
May 8th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
A solar pool heater can really reduce your pool heating costs. They work very efficiently and have a low operating cost. The initial cost of solar pool heaters are fairly competitive with both heat pump and gas pool heaters. Most solar pool heaters include a pump, flow control valve, solar collector, and filter.
Water from the pool is pumped through the filter and the solar collector where it is filtered and heated prior to being put into the pool again. In very warm climates water can be pumped through the collector at night in order to cool the pool as well. The collectors for solar pool heaters can be made from various materials. You will need to think about your needs and climate to figure out which one is right for you.
You will be fine with an unglazed collector system if your pool is only in use when the temperature is above freezing. Unglazed collector systems will almost always cost less than glazed systems. They also work fine for indoor pools if you live in a cold climate. Glazed collectors will work best in colder climates. These systems will usually collect solar heat more efficiently and can be counted on throughout the year in most climates.
Glazed collector systems can also be used to make the hot water for your home use. When used in colder climates both glazed and unglazed collectors should have freeze protection added. You should budget around three or four thousand dollars for a solar pool heater which includes all the necessary components and installation.
While it will depend on the fuel costs in your area you can usually expect to regain your investment in around seven years. Solar pool heaters are often more durable than either gas or heat pump pool heaters. Your costs may be lower if you factor in the longer life of a solar pool heater. There are many factors that go into determining how cost effective your solar pool heater is and how long it will take get your investment back. Learn more about using solar heating for the swimming pool.
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Easy Installation Above Ground Swimming Pools
April 23rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Many people still believe that swimming pool ownership is reserved for the rich. These days you could have your own above ground swimming pool installed in your back garden for very little cost.
Imagine how much fun and enjoyment you could have with your own above ground pool. You and your family will be able to enjoy a dip whenever you like. There will be no need to visit the often over-crowded public pool for a swim. Just put on your swimming costume and dive into your own personal pool to cool down on those rare, hot summer days.
Above ground pools have grown in popularity for a number of reasons.
- Usually they don’t require any special ground work preparation.
- They are simple and easy to install.
- Modern above ground pools are built to last, cheap to run and incredibly cheap to buy.
- Above ground pool maintenance is easy.
- They are safer than in-ground pools.
Being above ground this type of swimming pool doesn’t require a huge hole to be dug in your garden. The ground work preparation for above ground pool installation is relatively simple often requiring nothing more than levelling.
Building the pool itself can often be successfully accomplished by a DIY enthusiast. The cost of installation is kept to a minimum as inground pools often come in kit form, unlike their inground counterparts.
Modern above ground pools are built from various robust materials. You can find wooden framed pools with attractive wooden surrounds, metal frame pools with robust metal walls supporting the pool liner and even large inflatable above ground pools. With such a wide range of pools to choose from I am certain you will find a pool that fits your space and is well within your budget.
All swimming pools require routine maintenance which generally involves cleaning, inspecting for damage, changing filters and replenishing swimming pool water treatment chemicals. Since the top of an above ground pool is above ground level the amount of wind blown debris that gets intor the pool is immediately reduced which means less cleaning.
Owning a swimming pool comes with a few responsibilities. It is of course important to ensure that the pool is safe for people and animals who might come close to the pool. An in-ground pool is immediately more prone to people and animals inadvertently falling in. An above ground pool is much safer as users must climb steps to get into the pool and can’t easily trip and fall in.
If you have been considering the installation of a pool in your back garden then there has probably never been a better time to look at the fantastic variety of in ground pools available today. There are such a variety you are bound to find a style that meets your needs.
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Business Advice for Contractors
April 21st, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
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At some point in every small contracting business, a decision has to be made on how to structure the business for growth. Contractors seldom going into business with the goal of staying small. Research into the tax and legal considerations should be thoroughly considered.
Taking a Contractor Business for Small to Large
Business structure has a lot to do with why some businesses grow and others don’t.
There are three types of legal business entities that should be considered:
1. Sole Proprietorship
2. Limited Liability Corporation (LLC)
3. S Corporation
Which of these you choose depends on what fits the best with your existing business. This is a discussion that should occur between you and a qualified attorney. We can only tell you how you shold think about the process.
As any good lawyer will tell you there will be certain trade-offs made on each of the three options. Set-up costs, liability and investments are some of the areas that should be discussed. We will go into a summary of these trade-offs later in this article. The decision ultimately boils down to a few main considerations, including set-up, liability, investments. There will be certain trade-offs made depending on which way you go. For extensive information on taxes and filing for different business structure, go to the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small. If you’re business is at the point where structuring decisions have to made, you should be looking into retaining the services of a lawyer, who can best explain the liability issues faced with each business structure, particularly as the pertain to your state. In short: starting a business? Get a lawyer.
Sole Proprietorship
From a set-up standpoint, establishing as a sole proprietor is the easiest way to go. As the sole proprietor of your contracting business, you own all the assets and profits generated by the business. This also means you assume all the debt and liability. In a sole proprietorship you and the business are one and the same! This is an extremely important detail, as it means were the business to get sued for any reason, both the business and your personal assets are at risk. Think about the nature of your business and the services you provide. What are the chances of being sued? This question isn’t meant to frighten, but it is a serious consideration to make.
In terms of tax preparation, the sole proprietorship is the easiest. Contractors will be required to file using the individual 1040, Schedule C (or C-EZ) and Schedule SE for self-employment tax. The full list of forms needed can be found through the IRS link above.
Partnership
It is understandable why some contractors would want to go into a partnership. Sharing the work-load, decision-making, and other responsibilities can make the task of getting a business off the ground seem much more bearable. Partnerships require good planning and discussionsd should occur as who is the primary decision maker,and which partners has responsibility for different areas of the business. A beer and a handshake shouldn’t cut it. Decisions on the business structure should not be taken lightly because the law views partnerships the same as sole proprietorships - with lno difference between the business and its owners. Before establishing as a partnership, take the time to write up an agreement.
There is more than one type of partnership, too. There are general partnerships, limited partnerships, and joint ventures. Most contractors will find that joint ventures don’t apply as they are intended for one-off situations. In a limited partnership one or more of the partners assumes limited liability and limited input and decision-making ability. These are common in situations when attracting investors, and might not suit the contractor business scenario.
When filing as a partnership, Schedule K-1 (Form 1065) may have to be filed, as well as any employment tax forms. The 1040, self-employment, and estimated tax forms for individual returns are a requirement of partnerships. Partners are not employees and therefore are not issued W-2s from the business. This kind of business structure is considered a “pass-through entity,” which means profits pass through the business directly to the partners.
Corporation
Corporations are entities considered separate from those who own and/or run it. The owners are considered shareholders, and as such assume limited liability. An elected board of directors is a requirement of corporation which must meet on a regular basis to oversee business operations. Set up and maintenance require more work when choosing a corporation and yearly tax preparation can also require more paperwork. Although the advantage of limited liability is important, another plus for establishing a corporation is the easy transfer of ownership through the sale of stock. To incorporate, the business must be granted a charter by the state in which the business is based, and an assortment of expenses incurred for incorporation fees, legal matters, and purchasing of stock certificates can set the business back as much as $1500 or more. Corporations are taxed once when the income is earned and again on the individual tax return.
A subset of the corporation business structure is the S Corporation, or Subchapter S Corporation. Earnings and profits are passed through to owners and their individual tax returns in this structure. In this way the double taxation scenario is avoided. There are certain limitations that come with being an S Corporation, but for some small businesses the easier tax process makes the choice worth it.
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Although neither a partnership nor a corporation an LLC combines a few features from both of those structures. Business owners who opt for an LLC receive the same liability protection as a corporation but also have a flexible profit distribution typically found in general partnerships. Although there is still more filing to be done, setting up an LLC is still easier than setting up a corporation. Paperwork and fees will apply, and specific state regulation may mandate written operating agreements that determine many of the same guidelines needed in a successful partnership, such as profit distribution, responsibilities, and rules to determine ownership changes.
Personal Experience
Josh Macmichael is the sole proprietor of a successful seamless gutter business based in New Hampshire, called New London Seamless Gutters http://www.nlseamlessgutters.com/title=”nlseamlessgutters”/>nlseamlessgutters. For Macmichael, business structure was a fairly simple decision. “Sole proprietorship is just a heck of a lot easier,” says Macmichael. “It’s easier to set up, easier to deal with payments, and doesn’t cost the money that incorporating costs.” Although he acknowledges that the nature of his contracting work (installing and working with gutter systems) is inherently risky, the conveniences of sole proprietorship far outweigh the risks of assuming full liability should an accident occur on the job site. “From a liability standpoint, sure, I should probably be an LLC, but you can be looking at $3,000 or more to get a lawyer to go to work on all the filing and paperwork. You can see why new businesses would go with a sole proprietorship.”
What Should You Do?
Contractors, like any small business, are often caught between where they are today and where they want to be in five or ten years. There are different levels of bookkeeping and paperwork required for each of the three different structures. Changing the businesses legal structure is possible if the one you choose isn’t the right choice. The government can become easily confused when businesses change their structure so good accounting practices become essential.
Record keeping and liability protection against lawsuits are two of the areas that you should discuss with an attorney.
Another option you might want to check out is the ContractorBlab
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Thinking About Improving Your Home?
April 18th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
Improving your home can be a good investment. If you plan on selling in the future then you can upgrade the current house and likely get a better price. If you are going to be living in the home for a number of years you might want to make it more your own. But there are things to consider before you jump into a home loan.
As you consider getting a loan for fixing up you place you should seriously ask some tough financial questions. What if one or both wage earners lost their income? How long could you keep making payments before you lost your home? How fast could you sell if you needed to? These are not fun questions but you had better be prepared to answer them if you are prepared to get a home improvement loan. Even if your home is not perfect but a home that is paid off is a home you have!
Another area of consideration to really clarify is why are you fixing up the home? Are you just into spending money? Are you planning to sell soon or in a couple years or will you be living here for the next 20 years? Answering these questions can help you keep focused so you spend your money in the wisest way.
Another interesting idea to consider is if you can get tax deductions for your improvements. While the finer points are outside the scope of this article you should consider looking into it. Often if you are making improvements that are considered energy related you might get some breaks. Upgrading things like windows, doors, insulation and such might work.
So how long do you want to be making payments on the loan? Most home improvement loans run anywhere from 5-20 years in their payback schedule. You need to determine again the best financial route for your situation but the sooner you pay the debt off the less you will pay for the whole project.
If you are able or at least willing you can do some or most of the improvement work yourself. Having a Makita circular saw around will really help you get the work done easier though. Doing as much of the work as you can on your own will really help save money or stretch the budget you have.
Whatever you decide it will be a better decision if you have taken the time to think through some of these questions and understand exactly why you are doing this. A planed out course of action is always better then just random acts that may not get you a planned result.
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Six Simple Steps to Pool Maintenance
March 23rd, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed
People love to go swimming, whether it’s on the coast or at the pool. Many homeowners have already installed their own pool facilities for their convenience and pleasure. It’s definitely a good place for the whole family to exercise, relax and enjoy swimming activities. However, problems can arise when the area gets dirty and the equipment doesn’t function well because its not been looked after properly.
Owners should always consider and prioritize their pool’s maintenance, because without proper preservation and care, it will quickly deteriorate and it may become harmful environment. Your family members and friends aren’t going to have a good experience if their eyes hurt due to the state of the water or if their skin itches due to the chemicals or if their feet slip on slimy floors or if they have to swim with leaves and unwanted muck. To {stop these things from occuring}~avoid these things and maintain the beauty, safety and life of the swimming pool, owners would be wise to follow a maintenance program. Here are some basic ideas and information on how to maintain a healthy pool.
Certain equipment must be checked regularly in order to avoid expensive repairs later on.
1. Always clean and remove debris that has found its way into the pool on a daily basis. This includes leaves, insects and general dirt.
2. Check the chemicals in the water at least twice weekly and ensure that there is no unhealthy imbalance.
3. Use a dose of algae preventive chemicals or mixture and clean the walls and floor, at least weekly to ensure that your pool stays free of slime.
4. Have a water sample tested monthly by a professional testing service to make sure there are no harmful bacteria or chemicals in the water.
5. Regularly check that all ladders, diving boards, slides, etc., are correctly bolted and tightened. Replace them straight away if they become dangerous because of rust or decomposition. Make sure your swimming pool cover is still intact.
6. Every summer:
- clean your filters and drains to prevent them from clogging up and remove any accumulated dirt
- check where you store your pool equipment for unwanted dirt or materials that may damage your cleaning stuff
- ensure that all electrical connections are safe and secured and equipment such as swimming pool pumps are working properly.
Don’t take the health and safety of your pool users for granted. Make their welfare a top concern by ensuring that your swimming pool is clean and perfectly maintained by checking and adjusting equipment, chemical balance and the water system, as described in the tips above. Carrying out regular swimming pool maintenance and check-ups will pay dividends in the long run. Proper care and a regular routine will keep problems at bay.
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