All Pro Trailer Superstore, located just outside of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania is now offering a brand new line of Enclosed Tool Trailers designed specifically to benefit and assist Contractors on job sites by minimizing set-up time and maximizing space.

Designed with the same similarities as a Truck Body, the new Spartan Tool Trailer is a walk around work shop trailer with storage compartments and work stations that are accessible from both in and outside. This trailer allows for a more productive work environment by being able to access tools and equipment from the outside of the trailer without having to enter in and out of the trailer all the time states Tim Herron, Manager at All Pro This also allows for far more usable space than a regular cargo trailer.

With an average Truck Body, if the Truck is broke down, so is your business replies Herron Our new Tool Trailer allows the flexibility of interchanging tow vehicles to be sure your always on the job and alleviates the hassle of having to load and unload tools into another vehicle while keeping your tools stored and organized.

Spartan Tool Trailers come standard with aluminum wheels, rust resistant 3/8 FRP fiberglass reinforced plywood walls, aerodynamic fuel efficient v-nose design and translucent roofing which allows for 70% more natural light. Spartan Tool Trailers can be custom built to your specification remarks Herron And can be designed with ramp doors, double doors or roll up doors and numerous locking and security systems are also available.

There are also other numerous benefits for Contractors to begin trading in their Truck Body Vehicles for a new Truck Body Trailer. With rising fuel prices and automakers downsizing vehicles as they go green, the new Spartan Tool Trailer will allow Contractors the ability to drop their portable Tool Trailers at job sites and still have use of their tow vehicle without the hassle of carry all their tools and equipment at the same time. By converting into a Tool Trailer, Contractors will also have the ability to drive lighter duty, more fuel efficient vehicles that can be alternated with personal use as well, without having to pay for two expensive vehicles at once.

Unpainted concrete will normally appear to be very drab and uninviting and will take away from the overall appearance of a room. You can transform the floor and with a fresh look with some hard work and a coat of paint and it will provide a beautiful and unique finish that will last for many years. Painting your concrete floor is a great way to upgrade the appearance of a garage or basement at a very affordable cost. It is also a project that the average homeowner can complete with very little training and just a few tools.

Although painting concrete is usually more difficult to paint than sheetrock, it is still a relatively easy project. The tools and materials that you will need to complete the job are a mask, a pair of gloves, eye protection, concrete paint, concrete primer, a paint tray, a paint brush, etching acid, tri sodium phosphate (TSP), hydraulic cement, bucket , mop and a scrub brush. All of these items are readily available at your local paint or hardware store.

To begin, thoroughly clean the surface of the floor, making sure to remove any grease or oil from the floor. The is a very important step in the preparation process. You can use kitty litter to absorb larger oil or grease stains.To clean the floor, mix the TSP cleaning solution according to the manufacturer's directions. Using your mop,clean the floor well using the TSP solution. After mopping the floor, rinse thoroughly and allow it to completely dry.

Use hydraulic cement to fix any holes or cracks in the concrete and allow the cement to set up before proceeding to the next step. If you cannot find hydraulic cement, you can also use caulk which is specially formulated for concrete.

Mix the etching acid with water according to the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to mix the etching acid thoroughly before you begin to use it. Make certain to wear your eye protection, gloves and a mask when you are using the etching acid and follow the manufacturer's directions. Failure to use proper safety precautions could result in a serious injuries when you are using etching acid.

Place a small amount of etching acid on the floor and use your mop to spread the acid to a small area. Continue to apply the etching acid until you have completed etching the entire floor. Once the etching acid had fully dried, use the shop vac to clean up all of the dirt and etched concrete from off of the floor.

After you have completely etched and cleaned the floor it is now time to apply the primer. Stir the primer thoroughly to make certain it is mixed well. Pour some of the primer into your paint tray. With your paint brush, cut in around the entire perimeter of the room and around any other fixed objects in the room. Once you have cut the room in, use the roller and paint tray and apply a coat of primer on the floor in four foot sections. Once the primer has completely dried you can began applying the concrete paint. Use the same steps that you used when applying the primer to apply the concrete floor paint. Drying time will vary depending on what type of floor paint that you used. Be sure to apply at least two coats of a good quality concrete paint when painting concrete floors even if it appears that the additional coat is not necessary.

After you have completed painting your concrete floor, a polyurethane coating should be added for protection and maximum durability. Polyurethane coatings normally have very strong fumes, so be sure to wear a mask and keep the area well ventilated.

To keep the floor looking good for a long time, apply a single maintenance coat of urethane every two years.

Painting

over wallpaper is a subject that is taboo amongst many in the professional painting industry, however if your wallpaper meets certain criteria you can paint over wallpaper with little or no problems. The first thing that you will need to do is determine if the wallpaper is in good enough condition to paint over. By this, I mean that you must check for any loose seams, rips or tears in your wallpaper. If you have any loose seams they must be glued prior to painting. If you have numerous rips or tears, then you will be well advised to go ahead and remove the wallpaper instead of trying to paint over it.

If you have determined that your wallpaper is in a condition where you can paint over it, there are a few items which you will need to to get started. You will need primer, paint, a paint roller and tray, joint compound, drop cloths, a utility knife and painters tape.

To begin, cover all flooring and counter tops with the drop cloths. If you do not have any drop cloths then you can use disposable plastic coverings. Tape all of the edges next to the counter tops and flooring using the painters tape. If you plan on painting doors and casings then you will need to tape the doors hardware including knobs and hinges. Also, take off all switch plate covers from all light switches and plugs.

At this point, you will need to reglue any loose seams. If you do need to reglue seams, you can purchase the glue at any hardware or paint store. Using your joint compound, apply a thin application of joint compound to all of the seams. This will help to hide the seams once they are painted. Allow the compound to completely dry. After the joint compound has dried, using about a 120 grit sandpaper, sand the joints to where they are completely smooth.

Once the seams have been sanded, you can next apply a coat of oil based primer. Put the primer on by cutting out around the edges such as next to the ceiling and floor. Apply a coat of primer on all of the walls using your roller. Since you are using an oil based primer, you will need paint thinner to clean your brush and roller. Allow the primer to fully dry before going to the next step.

After the primer has dried you may now apply the paint. Apply the paint in the same fashion which you applied the primer. If you are painting in a bathroom or kitchen, a good choice of paint would be a latex satin or eggshell since they commonly hold up much better than a flat paint would.

Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours. Inspect the wallpaper for any bubbles which will sometimes form once the paint has dried. If you do find any bubbles, use your utility knife and cut a small slit in the bubble. Next, use your wallpaper glue and apply a small amount in the cut area. After the glue has fully dried, use a damp rag to remove any excess glue. Repaint the area that you just repaired using your topcoat paint.

If your wallpaper is in decent shape and you do not want to go through the hassle of removing it, painting over the wallpaper is a very good alternative.

The key to successful tiling is to make sure all the tiles you install lay flat and have no edges poking up above others. On a wall surface, failing to keep the types flat will result in an untidy appearance. On a floor, it is more than just a matter of aesthetics. In fact, improperly laid tiles can be dangerous, as people may trip, or slip in pools of accumulated water. Therefore, there are a few steps you should follow in order to be certain you get the best results possible.

Choosing the Tiles for the Job

First, you need to choose the tiles you will use for the job. This step may take longer than the actual tiling, as there are so many types and styles of tiles to choose from. You can narrow your choices down to the types that are suitable for your purpose. Then, you just have to find the ones that best suit the décor of your room.

Gathering the Tools

The next step is to gather the proper tools, such as a tiling trowel, grouter, tile cutter and chipping hammer. Dont forget you will need both tile adhesive and grout.

Preparing the Surface

Now, you are ready to prepare the surface for tiling. For the best result move all of the existing tiles. The best way to accomplish this is to attack them with the chipping hammer. Always remember that tiles can shatter so you should wear the appropriate eye protections.

The old surface may be uneven with remnants of adhesive and grout so these will need to be smoothed down. If you're unlucky, the tiles may also have taken away part of the underlying surface with them. In this case, the holes will need filling as well.

Lumps and bumps can be sanded down, but this will be a dusty job, so wear a mask. You'll also need to remove most of the dust from the surface and the room before you can re-tile. An alternative is to use a self-leveling compound, but this can only be used for floors. For walls, you can skim them with plaster, and then bond it with some kind of adhesive in order to give the tiles the best surface.

If you are preparing to tile a kitchen or bathroom countertop or vanity, make sure the underlying surface is waterproof. Otherwise, you may experience warping if the tile gets wet and the tiles will eventually lift and crack. It is also a good idea to treat the surface with some kind of waterproofing compound after the tiles are dry and set, as this will minimize the chances if damage.

If you aren't sure about tackling this job yourself, you can gain the confidence you need by taking some tiling courses. They will teach you all you need to know and as well s some advanced techniques so there is no need to hire a professional!

PREPARE YOUR HOUSE FOR SALE, BEFORE YOU BEGIN TO MARKET IT WITH YOUR REAL ESTATE AGENT.

You have heard the old adage, “When buying a property the three most important things are LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION.”

Well, when you are selling it’s PREPARATION, PREPARATION, PREPARATION.

Prepare your house for sale before you take it to the marketplace. You will impress the realtor, the home inspector and most of all, the buyer. You yourself will be impressed at how good your “prepared for sale” home can look.

The first 2 weeks your house is on the market is the hottest time to sell your property, so please don’t wait until it’s been on the market for 100 days or six months to prepare it – do it now before you begin the marketing process.

We continually see people who want to prepare their house after months on the market, who wish they’d thought to do it at the beginning. We welcome their business but it would be just so much easier and less stressful to prepare it first.

A well presented property will sell for more money and in shorter time, in most market conditions. House preparation adds value to your real estate.

Waiting it out and going for a hefty price reduction in a few months time is costly and very stressful.

You want to give your house the best chance to sell. Here’s how it works:

HOUSE PREPARATION CHECKLIST

How to prepare your house for sale

• As soon as possible – book a consultation (This should entail in a comprehensive, illustrated report, detailing exactly what needs to be done to present your house for sale)

• You may wish to carry out this work yourself or have it done professionally

• You should be able to have as little or as much as you want and inform what is your budget and time scale

• PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE

• Allow time to set the scene for a fast effective sale

• overall house condition – e.g. loose cabinet doors, missing plug/light covers, burnt out light bulbs, do all repairs now, unfinished chores are an obstacle to a sale

• Paint, where necessary, replace worn floor finishes

• Be camera ready – pictures on web-sites are key to selling in to-day’s market – get quality photographs

• Remove clutter “Clutter distracts the eye”

• Down takings – remove any unnecessary or unattractive belongings – e.g. gym equipment in spare bedrooms

• Store boxed keepsakes, early packing items, storage items, etc. off site or neatly on site, in garage or storage room

• List only when you have the house looking great

• List the property

• Call your realtor

• Lights, music – action – show your house

You’ve done your homework, and you’re ready to get started on that next big project. Now it’s time to call the contractor. Here are a few tips that’ll help you find a reputable, reliable craftsman to perform the work.

1. Insist that contractors provide written estimates on company letterhead.

2. Ask contractors to provide written guarantees.

3. Find someone else if a contractor insists on cash payment.

4. Are the contractor’s licenses and registrations valid?

5. Did the contractor offer you a legitimate business card?

6. Ask for proof of third-party property and injury insurance.

7. Are the contractor and any related trades persons bonded?

8. Check to see if the contractor is registered with the Better Business Bureau.

9. Ask for proof of membership in local Home Builders Associations or chambers of Commerce.

10. How long has the contractor been in business and can he/she provide references from previous customers?

“Asking a contractor the right types of questions will immediately let you know if that contractor is on the level, and a reputable trades person will never resent you for asking,” says Jim Rocchetta from Handyman Connection.

A home warranty contract is insurance that protects the working appliances and systems in the home. It provides protection through repairs or replacement of a home's major systems should an item break down due to normal wear and tear, regardless of that item's age. A warranty provides assurance that homeowners won't be shocked with large or expensive bills to repair or replace protected items.

Home warranties can be purchased for all types of homes-condominiums, townhomes, manufactured and mobile homes, duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.

Statistics show that covered homeowners will use their warranty about 1 to 1.5 times a year. And, according to research conducted and provided by The National Home Warranty Association, eight out of 10 people prefer having a home warranty

Contracts are usually for one year, and homeowners may pay the fee annually, quarterly or monthly, plus a flat fee of $35-$50 for any repair or total replacement that can't be repaired. Some plans require an inspection before coverage, others do not. Plans offer basic coverage for certain items, and will cover other items for extra premiums. Some items are always excluded. Prices and coverages vary so it is important to study the contract and see exactly what is covered and excluded in each contract.

Home warranty contracts also appeal to home sellers cause they can help the home sell faster by providing a competitive edge over other homes on the market. Homes with warranties often sell for a higher price because when the buyer has confidence in a home it discourages downward price bargaining. Home warranty contracts also offer the seller after-sale liability protection because after the seller has moved out, the buyer will call the warranty program, not the seller, if the house develops a mechanical or systems problem.